HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA-
CONTAINING
A COPIOUS SELECTION OF THE MOST mTERESTING FACTS, TKADITIONS, BIOGEAPHICAL
• SKETCHES, ANECDOTES, ETC.
RELATING TO ITS
HISTORY AND ANTIQl UITIES,
BOTH GENERAL AND LOCAL,
TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIONS OP EVERY COUNTY AND ALl THE LARGER TOWNS
IN THE STATE.
Illustrated by 165 Engravings.
BY SHERMAN DAY.
PHILADELPHIA :
PUBLISHED BY GEORGE W. GORTON,
.56 NORTH THIRD-STREET.
NEW HAVEN:-DUIIRIE AND PECK.
/
a
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1843,
By George W. Gorton,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Pennsylvania.
5 ie-iUOI
PREFACE.
The design of this work is not to present a history of the state in the usual form, and with
the ordinary chronological arrangement, but to embody and preserve in one volume its local his-
tory ; and while it comprises all the great events in the general history of the state, these events
are so located in the order of arrangement as to associate them more intimately with the places
where they occurred. There are many important, but isolated facts, and a hundred little episodes
and anecdotes, of thrilling interest to the inhabitants of the region where they occurred, which
History, in her stately march, cannot step aside to notice. The short biographical sketches, in-
terspersed throughout this work, of men distinguished in their own commimity, but not much
known beyond, seldom find an appropriate place in a history of the ordinary form ; and yet it is
important that they should be preserved.
The proverb says — " Charity begins at home." The study of history ought to begin at home
also : yet how many men are there in this state, as in others, who are far more familiar with the
history of England, or with the career of Alexander, Caesar, or Napoleon, than with the events
that have occurred upon the very fields which they themselves are tilling ! And this arises not
so much from the want of intelligence on the part of the people, as from the lack of proper hooka
and documents within their reach. It is believed, therefore, that a work of the kind here pre-
sented is needed by the intelligent yeomanry of the state, for whose use it is especially intended ;
and the compiler hopes that, while it may serve to enliven their long winter evenings, it will
awaken in their minds a spirit of inquiry into the history of their own immediate neighborhoods,
and at the same time fiUTiish them with a fund of instructive incidents relating to the more dis-
tant sections of the state.
The Outline History has been brought down to a period many years later than in any of the
histories of Pennsylvania hitherto published. The topographical and statistical information em-
bodied in the work, is designed to connect the history of the past with the present state of man-
ners and improvements, and to present the features of the two periods in striking contrast : and
although to some minds these details may seem out of place in an liistorical work, yet it should
be remembered that the statistics of to-day may become the history of ten years hence. Many
of the facts here recorded, both statistical and historical, may seem trivial, or tediously minute
to the general reader ; and yet such facts have a local interest, and for that reason have been
inserted. »
In accordance with the prevailing taste of the age — and a laudable taste it is — the work is
embellished with wood engravings. These, with very few exceptions, are from drawings made
on the spot expressly for this work. Some of them will preserve the appearance of ancient edi-
fices and monuments now rapidly yielding to the hand of time : and those representing towns,
villages, and modern edifices, will not only convey to the readers of the present day some idea of
those objects, but enable posterity, if the book should ever reach them, to contrast our age with
theirs.
Care has been taken in selecting the extracts which compose the main body of the work,
to exclude mere dry details and tedious official documents, and to give selections of such a cha-
racter as will interest the sympathies of the heari, while they refresh the memory and instruct
the mind. In making extracts from newspapers, and from other writings originally intended for
a special class of readers, the compiler has frequently taken the liberty of abridging their lan-
guage, in order to include the material facts within the restricted limits which must be here
assigned to them.
4 PREFACE.
The materials for the work have not been gathered without great personal labor, and heavy
expense. Recourse has not only been had to the valuable libraries in Philadelphia, but the com.
piler has been compelled to undertake personally the toiu- of the entire state ; spending much
time in each county, examining ancient newspapers and musty manuscripts ; conversing with
the aged pioneers, and collecting from them, orally, many interesting facts never before published,
which otherwise would probably not have been preserved. He has often had occasion to regret,
in the course of his pilgrimage, that this research had not been commenced some fifteen years
earlier. Many aged men during that time have gone down to the grave, whose memories trea-
sured up a thousand interesting facts, which their descendants have neglected to preserve.
It is scarcely to be expected that a work embodying such a multitude of facts, gathered too from
such a variety of sources, should be entirely free from errors : yet as much attention as possible,
under the circumstances, has been given to insure authenticity. The compiler feels the more
diffident on this subject, knowing, as he does, that the work will probably pass into the hands of
many readers whose opportunities of testing the accuracy of local facts are far greater than his
own could possibly be. He will feel obliged, should any important errors be detected, if gentle-
men conversant with the facts will furnish a correction to the publisher.
To the many gentlemen who have kindly lent their assistance in procuring and imparting in-
formation, either orally or by correspondence ; and for numerous instances of personal hospi-
tality and civility during his tour, the compiler takes this occasion to return his very sincere
thanks.
To the authors, both ancient and contemporary, from whom extracts have been made, credit
has generally been given in the body of the work ; but the compiler desires here to record his
special acknowledgments for the aid derived from Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania, a peri-
odical work in 16 volumes, published between the years 1828 and 1835 inclusive. This work
ought to be in the library of every public man who has frequent occasion to refer to important
statistical, historical, and political documents. It is indeed a rich mine of Pennsylvania history.
In it have been collected and published a vast number of facts and documents relating to the
important period — the era of the construction of the public works — when the work was published.
To the city and county of Philadelpliia, as much space has been allotted in this volume as was
consistent with the attention due to other counties in the interior. Those of our readers who
desire to study more at large the history of Philadelphia, are referred to Mr. John F. Watson's
able and fascinating Annals of Philadelphia, from which we have taken the liberty of making a
few brief extracts.
Errors and Omissions. — The brief anecdote of Lord Percy, on page 213, extracted from the
History of Chester Co., was derived from local tradition. It now appears that this tradition is
erroneous. Lord Percy lived many years afterward, and became Duke of Northumberland.
The CompUer regrets that, amid the crowd of subjects that presented themselves to his atten-
tion, under the head of Philadelphia Co., he omitted to insert a short biographical notice of John
Fitch, the original, but unfortunate inventor of steamboats. In 1788 he started a boat on the
Delaware, which went to Burlington at the rate of eight miles an hour. The name of Oliver Evans,
who invented a steam wagon as early as 1804, and who predicted the future success of rail,
roads and locomotives, deserves honorable mention in this connection. These distinguished in-
ventors, though not natives of Pennsylvania, yet first put their inventions into practical operation
at Philadelphia. Full biographical sketches of both may be found in Howe's Lives of Eminent
Mechanics.
Highspiretown, a pleasant village, 5 miles below Harrisburg, was omitted under the head of
Dauphin Co.
The Wyoming monument referred to in a note on page 431, has been finished — in Oct. 1843.
Rev. Dr. Krummacher, of Germany, referred to on page 357, has decUned the invitation tg
become a professor at Mercersbiu-g.
OUTLINE HISTORY.
THE ABORIGINES.
The Indian tribes "who dwelt among the primitive forests of Pennsyl-
vania,— as well as those of Delaware, New Jersey, and a part of Mary-
land,— called themselves the Lenni Letiap^, or the original people. This
general name comprehended numerous distinct tribes, all speaking dia-
lects of a common language, (the Algonquin,) and uniting around the
same great council-fire. Their grand council-house, to use their own
expressive figure, extended from the eastern bank of the Hudson on the
northeast, to the Potomac on the southwest. Many of the tribes were di-
rectly descended from the common stock ; others, having sought their
sympathy and protection, had been allotted a section of their territory.
The surrounding tribes, not of this confederacy, nor acknowledging alle-
giance to it, agreed in awarding to them the honor of being the grand-
fathers— that is, the oldest residents in this region. There was an obscure
tradition among the Lenni Lenape, that in ages past their ancestors had
emigrated eastward from the Mississippi, conquering or expelling, on their
route, that great and apparently more civilized nation, whose monuments,
in the shape of mounds, are so profusely scattered over the great western
yalley, and of which several also remain in Pennsylvania, along the west-
ern slope of the Allegheny Mountains.
The Lenni Lenape nation was divided into three principal divisions —
the Unamis, or Turtle tribes, the Unalachtgos, or Turkeys, and the Mon-
seys or Wolf tribes. The two former occupied the country along the
coast, between the sea and the Kittatinny or Blue mountain, their settle-
ments extending as far east as the Hudson and as far west as the Poto-
mac. These were generally known among the whites as the Delaware In-
dians. The Monseys or Wolf tribes, the most active and warlike of the
whole, occupied the mountainous country between the Kittatinny Moun-
tain and the sources of the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers, kindling
their council-fire at the Minisink flats on the Delaware above the water-
gap. A part of the tribe also dwelt on the Susquehanna, and they had
also a village, and a peach orchard, in the Forks of the Delaware,* where
Nazareth is now situated. These three principal divisions were divided
mto various subordinate clans, who assumed names suited to their char-
acter or situation.
* This term, the Forks, in the early colonial annals, refers not only to the point at the imme-
diate confluence of two rivers, but to the territory included between the two streams for some
miles above. Thus "the Forks of the Delaware" comprises nearly the whole of the present
county of Northampton ; the Forks of the Susquehanna comprises the tract for some distance
above Northumberland ; and in like manner the Forks of Yough', or of the Youghiogheny, and
the Forks of the Ohio, refer to similar tongues of land, extending ten or fifteen miles above the
confluence.
e OUTLINE HISTORY.
The Shawanos, or Shawanees, a restless and ferocious tribe, having
been threatened with extermination by a more powerful tribe at the
South, sought protection among the friendly nations of the North, whose
language was observed to bear a remarkable affinity with their own. A
majority of them settled along the Ohio, from the Wabash to near Pitts-
burg. A portion was received under the protection of the Lenni Lenapes,
and permitted to settle near the Forks of the Delaware, and on the flats
below Philadelphia. But they soon became troublesome neighbors, and
were removed by the Delawares (or possibly by the Six Nations) to the
Susquehanna valley, where they had a village at the Shawnee flats, be-
low Wilkesbarre, on the west side of the river. During the revolution,
and the war of 1812, their name became conspicuous in the history of
the northern frontier.
The Lenni Lenape tribes consisted, at the first settlement of Pennsyl-
vania, of the Assunpink, or Stony Creek Indians ; the Rankokas, (Lami-
kas or Chichequaas ;) Andastakas, at Christina Creek, near Wilmington ;
Neshaminies, in Bucks co. ; Shackamaxons, about Kensington ; Mantas,
or Frogs, near Burlington ; the Tuteloes, and the Nanticokes, in Mary-
land and Virginia ; (the latter afterwards removed up the Susquehanna ;)
the Monseys, or Minisinks, near the Forks of the Delaware ; the Mandes,
and the Narriticongs, near the Raritan ; the Capitanasses, the Gacheosy
the Monseys, and the Pomptons, in New Jersey. A few scattered clans,
or warlike hordes, of the Mingoes, were living here and there among the
Lenapes.
Another great Indian confederacy claims attention, whose acts have an
important bearing upon the history of Pennsylvania. This confederacy
w^as originally known in the annals of New York as the F'ive Nations j
and subsequently, after they had been joined by the Tuscaroras, as the
Six Nations. As confederates, they called themselves Aquanuschioni, or
United People ; by the Lenapes they were called Mengue, or Mingoes,
and by the French, the Iroquois. The original Five Nations were the
Onondagas, the Cayugas, the Oneidas, the Senecas, and the Mohawks.
In 1712 the Tuscaroras, being expelled from the interior of North Caro-
lina and Virginia, were adopted as a sixth tribe. The language of all the
tribes of the confederacy, except the Tuscaroras, was radically the same,
and different from that of the Lenni Lenape. Their domain stretched
from the borders of Vermont to La,ke Erie, and from Lake Ontario to the
head waters of the Allegheny, Susquehanna, and Delaw^are rivers. This
territory they styled their long house. The grand council-fire was held in
the Onondaga valley. The Senecas guarded the western door of the
house, the Mohawks the eastern, and the Cayugas the southern, or that
which opened upon the Susquehanna. The jilohawk nation was the first
in rank, and to it appertained the office of principal war chief; to the
Onondagas, who guarded the grand council-fire, appertained in like man-
ner the office of principal civil chief, or chief sachem. The Senecas, in
numbers and military energy, were the most pow^erful.
The peculiar location of the Iroquois gave them an immense advan-
tage. On the great channels of water conveyance to which their terri-
tories were contiguous, they were enabled in all directions to carry war
and devastation to the neighboring or to the more distant nations.
Nature had endowed them with a height, strength, and symmetry of
THE ABORIGINES. 7
person wliich distinguished them, at a glance, among the individuals of
other tribes. They were as brave as they were strong ; but ferocious and
cruel when excited in savage warfare ; crafty, treacherous, and over-
reaching, when these qualities best suited their purposes. The proceed-
ings of their grand council were marked with great decorum and solem-
nity. In eloquence, in dignity, and profound policy, their speakers might
well bear comparison with the statesmen of civilized assemblies. By an
early alliance with the Dutch on the Hudson, they secured the use of fire-
arms, and were thus enabled, not only to repel the encroachments of the
French, but also to exterminate, or reduce to a state of vassalage, many
Indian nations. From these they exacted an annual tribute, or acknow-
ledgment of fealty ; permitting them, however, on that condition, to occupy
their former hunting-grounds. "The humiliation of tributary nations
was, however, tempered with a paternal regard for their interests in all
negotiations with the whites, and care was taken that no trespasses should
be committed on their rights, and that they should be justly dealt with."
To this condition of vassalage the Lenni Lenape, or Delaware nation,
had been reduced by the Iroquois, as the latter asserted, by conquest.
The Lenapes, however, smarting under the humiliation, invented for the
whites a cunning tale in explanation, which they succeeded in imposing
upon the worthy and venerable Mr. Hecke welder, the Moravian missionary.
Their story was, that by treaty, and by voluntary consent, they had agreed
to act as mediators and peacemakers among the other great nations, and
to this end they had consented to lay aside entirely the implements of war,
and to hold and to keep bright the chain of peace. This, among indi-
vidual tribes, was the usual province of women. The Delawares, there-
fore, alleged that they w^ere figuratively termed women on this account ;
but the Iroquois evidently called them women in quite another sengje.
*' They always alleged that the Delawares were conquered by their arms,
and were compelled to this humiliating concession as the only means of
averting impending destruction."* In the course of time, however, the
Delawares were enabled to throw off the galling yoke, and at Tioga, in
the year 1756, Teedyuscung extorted from the Iroquois chiefs an acknow-
ledgment of their independence, f
This peculiar relation between the Indian nation that occupied, and
that which claimed a paramount jurisdiction over, the soil of Pennsylvania,
tended greatly to embarrass and complicate the negotiations of the pro-
prietary government for the purchase of lands ; and its influence was
seen and felt both in the civil and military history of Pennsylvania until
* " But even if Mr. Heckewelder had succeeded in making his readers believe that the Dela-
wares when they submitted to the degradation proposed to them by their enemies, were influ-
enced, not by fear, but by the benevolent desire to put a stop to the calamities of war, he has
established for them the reputation of being the most egregious dupes and fools that the world
has ever seen. This is not often the case with Indian sachems. They are rarely cowards, but
still more rarely are they deficient in sagacity or discernment to detect any attempt to impose
upon them. I sincerely wish I could unite with the worthy German in removing this stigma
upon the Delawares. A long and intimate knowledge of them in peace and war, as enemies
and friends, has left upon my mind the most favorable impressions of their character for bravery,
generosity, and fidelity to their engagements." — Discourse of Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison on the
Aborigines of the Valley of the Ohio.
t See " Inquiry into the causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawaneese Indians
from the British interest," &c., page 91 : written in Pennsylvania, and pubhshed in London in
8 OUTLINE HISTORY.
after the close of the revolution. As the details are fully given in the
subsequent pages, it is not necessary to enlarge upon the subject here.
The term savage, applied to the aborigines, is naturally associated with
the ideas of barbarism and cruelty — to some extent perhaps justly ; yet
a closer acquaintance often discloses in them traits that exalt the human
character and claim the admiration or sympathy of civilized man. The
Indian considers himself created by an almighty, wise, and benevolent
Spirit, to whom he looks for guidance and protection ; whom he believes
it to be his duty to adore and worship, and whose overruling providence
he acknowledges in all his actions. Many Indians were in the habit of
seeking out some high mountain from whose lonely summit they might
commune with the " Great Spirit," and pray to him. But while they
worshipped the Creator, they were not unmindful of their duties to their
fellow-creatures. They looked upon the good things of the earth as a
common stock, bestowed by the Great Spirit for the benefit of all. They
held that the game of the forest, the fish of the rivers, and the grass or
other articles of spontaneous growth, were free to all who chose to take
them. They ridiculed the idea of fencing in a meadow or a pasture.
This principle repressed selfishness and fostered generosity. Their hospi-
tality was proverbial. The Indian considers it a duty to share his last
morsel with a stranger.
Vv hen the early settlers of Pennsylvania first landed, the Indians re-
ceived them with open-hearted kindness, cheerfully supplied their wants,
and shared with them the comforts of their rude and humble dwellings.
They considered the persons of their new. guests as sacred, and readily
opened with them a traffic for useful or ornamental articles in exchange
for land and furs. Wm. Penn says of them, in his letter to the Society
of Free Traders, " In liberality they excel ; nothing is too good for their
friend : give them a fine gun, coat, or other thing, it may pass twenty
hands before it sticks : light of heart, strong affections, but soon spent.
The most merry creatures that live, feast and dance perpetually ; they
never have much, nor want much ; wealth circulateth lilie the blood ; all
parts partake ; and though none shall want what another hath, yet exact
observers of property. Some kings have sold, others presented me with
several parcels of land ; the pay, or presents I made them, were not
hoarded by the particular owners ; but the neighboring kings and their
clans being present when the goods were brought out, the parties chiefly
concerned consulted what, and to whom, they should give them. To
every king then, by the hands of a person for that work appointed, is a
proportion sent, so sorted and folded, and with that gravity, that is ad-
mirable. Then that king subdivideth it, in like manner, among his de-
pendants, they hardly leaving themselves an equal share with one of their
subjects : and be it on such occasions as festivals, or at their common
meals, the kings distribute, and to themselves last. They care for little,
becausD they want but little ; and the reason is, a little contents them.
In this they are sufficiently revenged on us ; if they are ignorant of our
pleasui 33, they are also free from our pains. They are not disquieted
with bil .s of lading and exchange, nor perplexed with chancery suits and
excheqi 3r reckonings. We sweat and toil to live ; their pleasure feeds
them ; mean their hunting, fishing, and fowling ; and this table is spread
cveryM ere. They eat twice a day, morning and evening ; their seats
DUTCH AND SWEDES. g
and table are the ground. Since the Europeans came into these parts,
they are grown great lovers of strong liquors, rum especially, and for it
exchange the richest of their skins and furs. If they are heated with
liquors, they are restless till they have enough to sleep ; that is their cry,
some more, and I will go to sleep ; but, when drunk, one of the most
wretched spectacles in the world."
THE DUTCH AND SWEDES.
Several colonies had already been planted by Europeans on the North
American coast, before any permanent settlement was made on the shores
of the Delaware.* In the year 1609, Capt. Henry Hudson, then under
the patronage of the Dutch East India Company, touched at the mouth
of what is now known as Delaware bay ; but finding shoal water, and
suspecting danger, he retired and a few days after entered the bay of
New York, and gave name to its noble river. Availing themselves of his
discoveries, the Dutch renewed their voyages, and kept up a small trading-
post on Manhattan island for several years, until the year 1621, when a
larger company was formed, with great privileges and comprehensive
powers, called the West India Company of the United Netherlands.
This company, in 1623, took possession of the country discovered by Hud-
son, including the South or Delaware river, and named it New Nether-
lands ; built the city of New Amsterdam, and despatched Capt. Cornelius
Jacobus May, w^ith a number of adventurers, to the South River, to colo-
nize and make further discoveries. This commander gave to Cape May
the name it still bears, and to the southern cape that of Cornelius, by
which it was known during the dynasty of the Dutch. He erected Fort
Nassau, near where Gloucester, N. J., now stands, a few miles below
Philadelphia. This was the first European settlement on the shores of
the bay, but was not permanent, being only used as an occasional trading-
post by the Dutch. In 1 63 1 , Capt. David Pietersen De Vries arrived in the Del-
aware, with two ships and about thirty colonists. He was associated with
Godyn, Bloemart, and Van Rensselaer, wealthy Dutch patroons, in the
enterprise of establishing a colony on South River, for the purpose of cul-
tivating tobacco and grain, and prosecuting the whale and seal fishery, in
or near the bay. He built Fort Oplandt, near where Lewistown, Del., now
stands, about three miles within Cape Cornelius ; and extended around it
his little settlement of Swanendael, or Valley of Swans. The fisheries
were unsuccessful. De Vries returned to Holland, leaving his colony in
charge of Gillis Osset. He returned again in 1632, and found the fields
of his new colony strewed w^ith the bones of his countrymen. The arms
of Holland, emblazoned upon a piece of glittering tin, had been elevated
upon a pillar. An Indian stole it, to make a tobacco-box. The com-
* The name of this bay was g^ven in honor of Lord Delaware, who was governor of the Vir-
ginia colony about the years 1610 to 1618. The Indian name of the river was Mack-er-isk.
iskan; and it was also called Lenapi-Wihittuck, or river of the Lenapes. The Dutch and
Swedes knew it only as South Riv«r, in contradistinction to the North River of New York.
2
10 OUTLINE HISTORY.
mander took offence ; they quarrelled ; and the colonists were all butch
ered, while at work in the field. De Vries made peace with the Indians —
learned the melancholy tale — passed up the river above Fort Nassau,
which he found also desolate — and left the bay in discouragement.
" The voyage of De Vries," says Bancroft, " was the cradling of a state.
That Delaware exists as a separate commonwealth is due to the colony
of De Vries. According to English rule, occupancy was necessary to
complete a title to the wilderness. The Dutch now occupied Delaware,
and Harvey, the governor of Virginia, in a grant of commercial privi-
leges to Claiborne, recognised the adjoining plantations of the Dutch."
The results of the successful enterprise of the Dutch at New Amster-
dam, had not escaped the observation of Gustavus Adolphus, the illus-
trious monarch of Sweden, who had long cherished the design of found-
ing a colony in the new world. A great trading and colonizing company
had been formed under his auspices, at the suggestion of William Usselinx,
^ Hollander, who had become a distinguished merchant of Stockholm, as
early as 1624. Subscriptions to the stock were made by all ranks, from
the monarch to the plain farmer; and great anticipations were formed
of the gain and glory to result from the enterprise. But a German war
suspended further operations, and the death of Gustavus Adolphus, in
1632, proved fatal to the main project. It was revived, however, on a
smaller scale, under the minority of Queen Christina, by her excellent
minister, Oxenstiem.
Peter Minuit, a former governor of New Amsterdam, who had become
dissatisfied with that company, offered his services to the Swedes, and
was appointed to command the expedition. Two vessels, with the Swedish
colonists, and with provisions, ammunition, and merchandise for traffic,
arrived in the Delaware, from Gottenburg, in the year 1638. Charmed
with the beauty and fertility of the spot near Cape Henlopen, where
they first landed, they called it Paradise. They conciliated the natives, and
purchased from them the land on the v^^est side of the bay, from Cape Hen-
lopen to Sanhickan, or the falls at Trenton. This they called New Swe-
den. A clergyman. Rev. Reorius Torkillus, accompanied the expedition.
The Swedes never left their religion behind them. The Swedes proceeded
up the river and built a town and fort, which they named Christina, on
the north side of Minquaas, or Mingoes creek, now Christina creek, about
three miles above its mouth. Minuit sedulously cultivated peace with
the natives, as well as with the Dutch. The latter, however, did not re-
gard the Swedes without great jealousy, as appears by a strong protest
of Gov. Kieft, still on record ; but he confined himself, in the absence of
orders, to a protest. Other intruders were not regarded by Kieft with
the same leniency. A small band from Maryland, who had settled near
Schuylkill, and a colony of New Haven traders, who obtained a foothold
on the Jersey side, were promptly expelled, both by Dutch and Swedes.
Minuit died after three years' administration, and his successor, Peter
Hollendare, after ruling eighteen months, returned home. In 1643,
Gov. John Printz, with the Rev. John Campanius Holm, chaplain, ar-
rived from Stockholm, with the ships Swan, Fame, and Charitas. Gov.
Printz selected Tinicum island for his residence, where he erected a fort
called New Gottenburg, and a splendid mansion for himself. In 1646, a
church, of wood, was erected there, and consecrated by the chaplain.
DUTCH AND SWEDES. H
*' Emigrants continued to arrive from Sweden, and the dwellings of the
enterprising colonists sprung up in all the little favorite spots from Chris-
tina creek to the mouth of iSchuylkill, and even as far up as Coaquennack,
where is now the city of Philadelphia. These little hamlets were occa-
sionally protected by a log fort, or blockhouse. Such a one was built
at Manaiung, at the mouth of Schuylkill. At Mocoponaca arose the
Swedish village of Upland, which afterwards became the respectable
town of Chester." " Kingsessing," says Campanius, " was called the new
fort. It was not properly a fort, but substantial log houses, of good, strong,
hard hickory, sufficient to secure people from the Indians ; but what sig-
nifies a fort without God's assistance 1 In that settlement there dwelt
five freemen, who cultivated the land and lived very well."
Many other settlements were made, and the old maps of Campanius
and Lindstrohm are crowded with Dutch and Swedish names of places, on
both sides of the Delaware. " Towards the close of Gov. Printz's admin-
istration, about the year 1651, the Dutch, still determined to maintain
their looting on the Delaware, erected Fort Kasimir, on the south side of
Minquaas creek, near the mouth, now the site of Newcastle. Against
this act of defiance Printz contented himself with timidly protesting.
To check further encroachments of the Dutch, Printz erected Fort Elsin-
berg, further down the river, on the Jersey side, at or near Salem creek.
This, it was thought, would compel the Dutch, in passing up, to succumb
to the flag of Sweden ; but no opportunity offered to test its efficacy.
The garrison, at the first occupation, encountered a foe more active than
the Dutch, and more bloodthirsty than the Indians. The fort was
stormed on all sides ; the Swedes were put to flight ; and the name of
Muschetosburg, which the fort thereafter took, sufficiently indicates the
character and success of the conquerors."
Printz returned to Sweden in 1652, and was succeeded by John Clau-
dius Rising. Mr. Lindstrohm, the engineer, and several military and civil
officers, accompanied Gov. Rising. The dissatisfaction of the Swedes
with the building of Fort Kasimir had not abated, and Gov. Rising, find-
ing remonstrance with the Dutch ineffectual, took the fort, in 1654, either
by storm or stratagem, repaired and strengthened it, and hoisted upon it
the Swedish flag, calling it Trefaldigheet, or Trinity fort. Sven Schute,
a valiant Swede, was appointed to the command of the garrison. It was
easy to take the fort ; not so easy to appease the WTath of the redoubt-
able governor of New Amsterdam. Gov. Peter Stuyvesant, in the next
year, 1655, came up the Delaware, with seven ships, and six or seven
hundred men, and took, one after another, all the Swedish forts, laid waste
New Gottenburg, and assumed the jurisdiction of the colony. The Swedes,
however, obtained honorable terms of capitulation. The principal offi-
cers were compelled to return to Europe ; but private citizens were en-
couraged to remain on their lands, and were protected in their rights, on
yielding allegiance to the powers of New Amsterdam. Thus, although
the governing power was held by the Dutch, the colony itself continued
to be Swedish. They looked to Sweden for their ministers of religion
and their public teachers : Swedish manners and language prevailed, and
were preserved and transmitted for many generations.
Another Swedish ship, the Mercurius, arrived in 1 656, with colonists,
which the Dutch would gladly have prevented from ascending the river;
12 OUTLINE HISTORY.
but the Indians, firm friends of the Swedes, interfered with their authori-
ty, and the ship passed up. Andrew^ Bengsten, the ancestor of the Bank-
sons of Philadelphia, M'as a passenger in this ship. The Dutch and
Swedes continued, for nine years, to occupy the Delaware in common —
the Dutch being the rulers ; the Swedes giving character and prosperity
to the colony. In 1664, the English, under Charles II., conquered the
whole country of New Netherlands. Sir Robert Carr sailed up the Dela-
ware, and took possession of the fort at Newcastle.
Thus it appears that the Delaware was first settled by the Dutch ;
Pennsylvania by the Swedes. It is not certain, however, that there were
not Dutch settlements on the soil of Pennsylvania, as early as, or earlier
than those of the Swedes. The settlements at Esopus, on the Hudson, were
commenced as early as 1616; and from this place, probably not many
years after its first occupation, there was a great road extended over to
the Delaware river, communicating with mines near the Blue Mountain,
and with numerous Dutch settlements along the flats of the Delaware. —
(See Monroe co.)
Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret haxi obtained a grant from the
Duke of York, of the province of New Jersey. In 1665, Philip Carteret
was appointed governor, and the eastern part of that province began to
be peopled. In 1676, it was divided into East and West Jersey. Lord
Berkeley, in 1675, transferred his half, the western, to John Fenwick, in
trust for Edward Byllinge, both " of the people called Quakers ;" and in
that same year, the Griffith arrived at Salem with emigrants. Byllinge,
being embarrassed, transferred his interest to trustees, for the benefit of
his creditors. William Penn was one of the trustees, and was thus in-
duced to take an interest in the settlement of New Jersey, and thereby
to acquire some knowledge of the country that afterwards bore his name.
In the year 1672, the Dutch, being at war with the English, recovered
New Netherlands, and held possession for two years, w^hen a return of
peace restored the country to the English.
Between 1677 and 1680, the eastern shore of the Delaware, from Bur-
lington to Salem, was extensively settled by Quakers, principally from
Yorkshire*
THE COLONY OF WILLIAM PENN.
Sir William Pexn, the father of the founder of Pennsylvania, had been
a distinguished admiral under Charles II. ; and at his death left claims,
of considerable artiount, against the crown, for his services. His son
Wilham, by way of liquidating these claims, and with the still nobler
motive of securing an asylmn where his Quaker brethren might enjoy
unmolested the full development of their peeuliar tenets, sought from King
Charles II. a grant of a tract of land in the new world. His request was
granted, and by the king's order, much against Penn's inclination, the new
province was to be called Pennsylvania, in honor of the services of his
illu^rious father. The charter was dated 4th March, 1681, and confirmed
COLONY OF WILLIAM PENN. 13
in April, by the royal proclamation. The assent of the Duke of York,
then the proprietor of all New Netherlands, and that of Lord Baltimore,
whose possessions joined on the south, had been obtained to the provi-
sions of the charter ; and Lord North, then Lord Chief-justice, was care-
ful to add several clauses in favor of the king's prerogative, and the par-
liament's right of taxation. The extent of the province was three degrees
of latitude in breadth, by five degrees of longitude in length ; the eastern
boundary being the Delaware River, the northern "the beginning of the
three-and-fortieth degree of northern latitude, and on the south a circle
di'awn at twelve miles distance from Newcastle, northward and west-
ward unto the beginning of the fortieth degree of northern latitude, and
then by a straight line westward to the limits of longitude above men-
tioned." This impossible southern line was afterwards the source of much
dispute w^ith Lord Baltimore. The proprietor immediately published
" certain conditions or concessions" to adventurers ; drew up a form of
government, and a code of laws, all bearing the stamp of his benevolent
mind ; and sent forward his kinsman, William Markham, with three ships
and a number of planters, to take possession of the country, and prepare
for the reception of a larger number of colonists. Many persons, princi-
pally Quakers, were induced to emigrate. An association was formed at
London and Bristol, the " Free Society of Traders," who purchased lands,
with a view both to agricultural settlement and for the establishment of
manufactories, and for carrying on the lumber trade and whale fisheries.
The title and jurisdiction of the three lower counties (Delaware) was still in
the Duke of York. Penn saw the importance of his having the control
of this vestibule to his province, and obtained a grant of the counties
from the duke, " together with all the royalties and jurisdictions thereunto
belonging."
Having thus carefully adjusted his preliminary plans, Penn took an
affectionate leave of his family and friends, and sailed for Pennsylvania,
in the ship Welcome, on the 30th August, 1682. Near a hundred colo-
nists accompanied him, many of whom died of small-pox, on the passage.
At length, after a long passage, the gallant ship anchored at Newcastle ;
and the eager colonists, of every nation, tongue, and people — English,
Dutch, Swedes — hastened to welcome the beloved proprietor. He ad-
dressed the magistrates and people, setting forth his designs, and assured
them of his intentions to maintain their spiritual and temporal rights,
liberty of conscience, and civil freedom. At Upland, (now Chester,) he
convened the assembly, and made known his plans and benevolent designs.
The assembly tendered their grateful acknowledgments. The Swedes
deputed Lacy Cock to acquaint him that " they would love, serve, and obey
him, with all they had," declaring "it was the best day they ever saw."
At this assembly, which continued only three days, an Act of Union was
passed, annexing the three lower counties to the province. The frame
of government, with some alterations, was accepted and confirmed ; the
laws agreed upon in England, with some alterations, were passed in form ;
and the Dutch, Swedes, and other foreigners, were received to the privi-
leges of citizenship. Penn had been careful, on sending out his deputy,
Markham, to enjoin upon him and his colonists to deal amicably with the
Indians ; and soon after his own arrival he held the memorable interview
with the native chiefs, under the great elm at Shackamaxon, now Ken-
14 OUTLINE HISTORY.
sington. No authentic record has been preserved of this treaty; yet there
is every reason to believe that its object was not the purchase of lands,
but the establishment of a lasting covenant of love and friendship between
the aborigines and Penn. " Under the shelter of the forest," says Ban-
croft, " now leafless by the frosts of autumn, Penn proclaimed to the men
of the Algonquin race, from both banks of the Delaware, from the bor-
ders of the Schuylkill, and, it may have been, even from the Susquehan-
na, the same simple message of peace and love which George Fox had
professed before Cromwell, and Mary Fisher had borne to the Grand
Turk. The English and the Indian should respect the same moral law
should be alike secure in their pursuits and their possessions, and adjust
every difference by a peaceful tribunal. Composed of an equal number of
men from each race." For the purchase of land, treaties were held in
the subsequent year, one of which Penn describes as follows : —
" Every king hath his council ; and that consists of all the old and wise men of his nation 5
Which, perhaps, is two hundred people. Nothing of moment is undertaken, be it war, peace,
selling of land, or traffic, without advising with them ; and, wliich is more, with the young men
too. It is admirable to consider how powerful the kings are, and yet how they move by the
breath of their people. I have liad occasion to be in council with them, upon treaties for land,
and to adjust the terms of trade. Their order is thus : The king sits in the middle of an half
moon, and hath his council, the old arid wise, on each hand ; behind them, or at a little distance,
sit the younger fry, in the same figure. Heving consulted and resolved their business, the king
ordered one of them to speak to me : he stood up, came to me, and, in the name of his king, sa-
luted me ; then took me by the hand, and told me, ' he was ordered by his king to speak to me }
and that now it was not he, but the king, that spoke ; because what he should say was the king's
mind.' He first prayed me ' to excuse them, that they had not complied with me, the last time,
he feared there might be some fault in the interpreter, being neither Indian nor English ; besides,
it was the Indian custom, to deliberate, and take up much time, in council, before they resolve ;
and that, If the young people, and owners of the land, had been as ready as he, I had not met
with so much delay.' Having thus introduced his matter, he fell to the bounds of the land they
had agreed to dispose of, and the price ; which now is little and dear, that which would have!
bought twenty miles, not buying now two. During the time that this person spoke, not a man
of them was observed to whisper or smile ; the old, grave, the young, reverent, in their deport-
ment. They speak little, but fervently, and with elegance. I have never seen more natural sa.
gacity, considering them without the help (I was going to say, the spoil) of tradition ; and he
will deserve the name of wise, that outwits them in any treaty about a thing they understand.
When the purchase was agreed, great promises passed between us, ' of kindness and good neigh,
borhood, and that the Indians and English must live in love as long as the sun gave light :'
which done, another made a speech to the Indians, in the name of all the Sacharnakers, or kings {
first, to tell them what was done ; next, to charge and command them, ' to love the Christian's,
and particularly live in peace with me, and the people under my government ; that many go'vern-
ors had been in the river, but that no governor had come himself to live and stay here behire ;
and having now such an one, that had treated them well, they should never do him, or his, any
wrong.' At every sentence of which they shouted, and said Amen, in their way."
Late in the year 1682, assisted by Thomas Holme, the surveyor, Penn
laid out Philadelphia, on land purchased from three Swedes. Soon after-
wards many small houses were erected ; and in the spring of 1683 Phila-
delphia was honored for the first time by the session of the council and
assembly. An important question came before them, " whether to have
the old charter or a new one ?" A new one was adopted, which con-
tinued in force until after the revolution in England. By this charter the
provincial council was to consist of eighteen persons — three from each
county — and the assembly of thirty-six, men of most note for virtue, wis-
dom, and ability ; the laws were to be prepared and proposed by the
governor and council, and the number of assemblymen to be increased at
their pleasure. The proprietor had previously divided the province into
COLONY OF WILLIAM PENN. 15
three counties, Bucks, Chester, and Philadelphia ; and the " territories"
into three, New Castle, Kent, and Sussex.
At the time of Wm. Penn's arrival, the Dutch had already a settlement
and " meeting place" at Newcastle, the Swedes at Christeen, at Tinicum
and at Wicaco, (now near the navy-yard in Philadelphia.) The Quakery
had three, one at Upland, one at Shackamaxon, and one near the falls of
Delaware, opposite Trenton. Within a year after Penn's arrival great
numbers of Welsh had arrived, who settled in Philadelphia and Chester
counties, giving Welsh names to townships, which they still retain. Many
English settled about Chester and the waters of the Brandywine ; and
Germans from Chresheim settled at Germantown.
Before Penn left the province he made short journeys to New York and
New Jersey, and to Maryland, where he visited Lord Baltimore, with the
hope of adjusting the difi'erences between them, but without success. To
bring this dispute to a close, by an appeal to higher authority, was one
great reason for his visiting England.
He had great reason to congratulate himself upon his success and the
prosperity of his little colony, the population of which he already esti-
mated at about four thousand.
Having thus established his colony upon the broad principles of Chris-
tian charity and constitutional freedom, he left the executive power in the
hands of the council, under the presidency of Thomas Lloyd, an eminent
Quaker ; and having appointed the provincial judges for two years, he
embarkd, in July, 1684, on his return to England. On board ship he wrote
a farewell letter to his colony, replete with his characteristic benevolence.
" My love and life is to you and with you, and no water can quench it, nor distance wear it
out, or bring it to an end. I have been with you, cared over you, and served you with unfeigned
lov-e, and you are beloved of me, and near to me, beyond utterance." * * * * " And thou, Fhila.
delphia, the virgin settlement of this province, named before thou wert born, what love, what
care, what service, and what travail has there been to bring thee forth ! Oh, that thou mayst
be kept from the evil that would overwhelm thee ; that, faithful to the God of thy mercies, in the
Ufe of righteousness, thou mayst be preserved to the end. My soul prays to God for thee, that
thou mayst stand in the day of trial, that thy children may be blessed of the Lord, and thy
people saved by his power."
Penn was absent from his colony fifteen years. It would have been
liighly desirable if he had never left it. Often during his absence did the
state of affairs need the guidance of his powerful mind. The constitu-
tion was not yet sufficiently established, and in the infancy of the settle-
ment a powerful hand was necessary to prevent disorders, and to main-
tain the empire of the laws, particularly of those which enforce the
practice of virtue and morality. The different authorities did not sup-
port each other as they should have done ; there was a constant bickering
between the legislature and the executive, and between the members
from the " territories" and those of the province ; and this infant legisla-
ture, representing a population scarcely larger than the smallest of our
present counties, often exhibited the same scenes of personal bitterness,
of petty intrigue, of legislative stubbornness, and executive caprice,
which now disgrace the larger assemblies of Harrisburg and Washington.
It appears, too, that the best understanding did not subsist between the
predominant Quakers and those of other persuasions, nor even among the
Quakers themselves, among whom George Keith fomented a most un-
happy quarrel. Nicolas Moore, chief-justice of the colony, had incurred
16 OUTLINE HISTORY.
the enmity of the assembly, and they in revenge impeached him. Penn
promoted him to another office.
Thomas Lloyd presided over the councils until 1686, w^hen Penn, by
letter, changed the form of executive government to a board of five com-
missioners,— Thomas Lloyd, Nicolas Moore, James Claypole, Robert
Turner, and John Eckley, — any three of whom were to be a quorum com-
petent for the transaction of business.
In 1688, Thomas Lloyd wishing to be excused from further service in
public affairs, Capt. John Blackwell was appointed deputy governor by
the proprietary. This gentleman was at that time in New England, and
had been employed under Cromwell, not only in military service, but in
missions to Ireland, and was consequently accustomed to deal with vio-
lent parties. Penn thought him an able and honest man. He soon dis-
agreed with the council, and returned to England.
In 1691 an irreconcilable quarrel arose between the province and the
territories, resulting in the establishment of two assemblies, and two
deputy governors, — Thomas Lloyd for the province, and Wm. Markham
for the territories. These continued dissensions gave great pain to Wm.
Penn, and added to the embarrassments which changes of dynasty, and
the persecutions of his enemies, had brought upon him in England. Such
influence had these enemies at the court of William and Mary, that in
1693 the jurisdiction of his province was wrested from him by the crown,
and Col. Benjamin Fletcher, then governor of New York, received a
commission also to administer the government of Pennsylvania and the
lower counties. Fletcher is represented as a man of violent temper, shal-
low capacity, and avaricious disposition. He made a solemn entry into
Philadelphia, and summoned the council and assembly. At the very first
there arose a misunderstanding between the assembly and the new gov-
ernor, who attempted innovations in the laws, and the mode of summon-
ing and electing representatives, w^hich conflicted with their fundamental
law, as well as with their natural rights. He also came charged by the
crown to demand a subsidy for repelling an invasion of the French on
the northern frontier of New York. The subsidy was granted, after much
wrangling, and an ineffectual attempt to withhold it until their griev-
ances should be redressed. This was the first attempt to tax Quakers
for military defence, and they were only driven into it by a threat that he
would annex the province to New York.
Fletcher's reign was short: in 1694, through the influence of friends
at court, Penn's innocence was made manifest to the king, and he was
reinstated in the administration of his provinces. William Markham
was appointed his lieutenant-governor ; Thomas Lloyd, who would un-
doubtedly have been his first choice, having died a short time previously.
Dissensions still continued between the assembly and the executive.
The great bone of contention was the subsidy to be granted to the king
for defence of the frontiers. In one of Penn's letters he chides them for
refusing to send money to New York for the common defence, and tells
them that the repose of the province was disturbed by party men. Per-
haps one of the conditions on which he was reinstated, might have been
the granting of these supplies ; and perhaps also he might have agreed
to simplify and strengthen the form of government. Certain it is that
Markham presented to the assembly the project of a new Act of Settle-
COLONY OF WILLIAM PENN. 17
ment. This, after some wrangling and remonstrance, was adopted, and
£300 was granted iov the support of government, and relieving the dis-
tressed Indians inhabiting above Albany." Thus, in November, 1696, was
adopted the third frame of government^ which remained in force five
years, until 1701.
William Penn embarked, with his second wife and family, for his prov-
ince, in August, 1699. He was nearly three months at sea ; but this de-
lay was providential,— for he did not arrive until the yellow fever, which
had been raging in the colony, had ceased. Thomas Storey, an eminent
Quaker preacher, thus speaks of the ravages of the fever at that time :
" Great was the majesty and hand of the Lord, great was the fear,
that fell upon all flesh, I saw no lofty, or airy countenance, nor heard
any vain jesting, to move men to laughter ; nor witty repartee, to raise
mirth ; nor extravagant feasting, to excite the lusts and desires of
the flesh above measure ; but every face gathered paleness, and many
hearts were humbled, and countenances fallen and si^nk, as such that
waited, every moment, to be summoned to the bar, and numbered to the
grave."
The proprietor and his family were received with a cordial welcome
by the citizens — the greater on account of his known intention to fix his
residence among them for life. Nevertheless, the numerous civil dissen-
sions during his absence, the alienation of the two provinces from each
other, the influx of strangers, and the conduct of his own deputy govern-
ors, had taught them to regard him, rather as the governor than as the
patriarch. Many things were wanting in the laws of the province, and
the property of the land-owners was not yet fully secured. Immoralities
had increased ; and the offence of fostering contraband trade, and even
piracy, was charged upon the colony by its enemies.
The proprietor applied himself diligently to the establishment of a new
form of government, which should be free from the defects of those pre-
ceding it, and impart strength and unity to the administration. He there-
fore called an extraordinary meeting of the assembly in May, 1700. Al-
though they were agreed as to the main object, yet this important matter
was not carried through at this session, nor even at a subsequent one held
at Newcastle in October of the same year. It was questioned whether
the Act of Union of the two colonies was still in force. The lower colo-
nies were willing to acknowledge it, provided an equal freedom was se-
cured to them, — by which they understood that they were to have an
equal number of representatives with Pennsylvania. An increasing
population in the latter ibrbade the admission of such a pretension. In
voting for taxes for the support of government, the bitterness of feeling
between the two colonies was also manifested, as they voted on every
question in opposition. A tax of a penny in the pound was laid, and a
poll tax of six shillings per head. A new code of laws, chiefly penal,
was adopted by this assembly. A second session was convened to raise
£350 for the defence of the New York frontier ; but the assembly de-
clined the grant, thinking the burdens already sufficient. Penn did not
press the subject further at that time, aware of the strong antipathy of
his Quaker brethren to all grants that might in any event be applied to
military purposes.
In April, 1701, Penn met in council the chiefs of the Five Nations with
3
18 OUTLINE HISTORY.
those from the Sasqiieha7ina and the Potomac, and the Shawnese chiefs,
and after going through the solemn forms of hidian diplomacy, covenanted
that there should be " forever a firm and lasting peace continued between
William Penn, his heirs and successors, and all the English and other
Christian inhabitants of the province, and the said kings and chiefs, &c.,
and that they shall forever hereafter be as one head and one heart, and
live in true friendship and amity as one people." At this treaty, regula-
tions M^ere adopted to govern their trade ; and mutual enforcement of penal
laws, and former purchases of land were confirmed,
Penn's situation now became uncomfortable in consequence of news
from England. The king and his ministers, instigated by the suggestions
of malignant persons, did not see without apprehension the rapid increase
of the proprietary governments in America, and feared lest their growing
power should become too great for the crown. It was therefore thought
advisable to convert them into royal governments, and purchase off the
proprietary interests. A bill w^as introduced in parliament for this pur-r
pose. The necessity of Penn's speedy return to arrest, if possible, so
alarming a measure, was at once perceived, although this necessity urged
him to leave his province at a most inconvenient time, He immediately
convened the assembly at Newcastle, and before his departure much
business of an important nature was transacted.
The misunderstanding between the two colonies was again revived,
and proved a serious obstacle to the enactment of the new charter and
the new code of laws, which Penn was desirous of seeing established bcr
fore his departure. Nothing but his earnest interference and weight of
character prevented an open rupture. They were at length prevailed
upon to adopt the charter, and both houses declared, in signing it, that
they " thankfully received the same from the proprietary and governor, this
28th October, 1701." This charter continued in force until the separation
of the province from Great Britain by the revolution.
Unfortunately it contained the seeds of that division between the prov-
ince and territories, which broke out after Penn's departure, never to be
healed again. A charter was also at this time granted for Philadelphia,
which then first assumed the dignity of a city. Edward Shippen was the
first mayor. Andrew Hamilton, of New Jersey, was appointed by Penn
lieutenant-governor, and James Logan, secretary.
The venerable Mr. Du Ponceau remarks :
It will ever be a source of regret that William Penn did not, as he ha4 contemplated, fix liia
permanent residence in his province, and that, after the lapse of a short year, he again embaiked
for England, whence it had been decreed by Providence that he never should return. There is
too much reason to believe that in this he yielded ta the influence of his wife and of his daughter
Laetitia, who do not appear to have been pleased with a residence in the country. Yet Hannah
Penn was a woman of great merit, and her name will shine conspicuously, and with honor, in
our history. But when we consider her rank, education, and fortune, and the situation of Penn-
sylvania at that time, we need not wonder that she preferred the society of lier friends in her na-
tive land to a life of hardship and self-denial in a newly settled colony. And it is easy to con-
ceive how William Penn's return may have been postponed amidst eflbrts to conquer her reluc-
tance, until other circumstances intervened which prevented it altogether.
A single trait will be sufficient to show what evils would have been averted from Pennsylvania
if William Penn had remained here to the end of his days. Nine years after his departure, wlien
his country was again rent by intestine divisions, and a factious legislature, taking an unmanly
advantage of the misfortimes which had of late fallen heavy upon him, were striving by every
means to wrest power from his hands, a letter from him to that assembly, in which he tenderly
expostulated with them for their ungrateful conduct, produced an entire and a sudden change in
COLONY OF WILLIAM PENN. jg
the mirtds of tne deluded people, and at the next election his enemies were hurled from the seats
which they had disgraced. A truly national answer, says his biographer Clarkson ; and we may
add, the strongest proof that can be given of the powerful ascendancy of this great man over
minds of an inferior stamp.
On Penn's arrival in England, in December, 1701, he found the odious
bill in parliament had been dropped entirely. Soon after. King William
died, and Anne of Denmark ascended the throne, commencing her reign
with moderation and clemency. Penn was often at court, and held in
great favor ; a privilege which he used to promote his great plans for
" peace on earth and good will toward men." Any thing, however, but
brotherly kindness and charity prevailed in the province during his ab-
sence. The lower counties had always opposed the charter, and now
taking advantage of provisions inserted therein to that effect, separated
entirely from the province in 1703. Governor Hamilton died in that year
and was succeeded by John Evans, who arrived in 1704. He was a rash,
intemperate young man, ignorant of the people he was called upon to
govern, and entirely unfit for his trust. He convened an assembly, con-
sisting of the members of both provinces, whom he was disposed to con-
sider as still united. In his speech he insisted much upon their union ; but
the members from Pennsylvania refused to unite. Evans early attached
himself to the interest of the lower counties, and induced their assembly
to pass laws obnoxious to the other colony. He had been ordered by the
queen to raise a militia in the colony, but he met with little success. He
affected to treat with contempt the pacific principles of the Quakers ; and
as he could not persuade them to renounce their principles, he resorted to
the petty trick of a false alarm to beguile them into conduct inconsistent
with their professions. An enemy's fleet was reported to be coming up
the Delaware. The governor, with his confidential friends, flew to arms
and paraded the streets with a draw^n sword, summoning to his assistance
all persons capable of bearing arms. The inhabitants, in confusion,
rather sought their safety in flight than in preparation for defence. Most
of the Quakers did not forsake their Usual composure, and only four of
them were found who had recourse to arms. The stratagem was seen
through and recoiled upon its inventors. Even James Logan, himself a
Quaker, did not escape a part of the odium. Evans also gave great
offence to the merchants, and annoyed the infant commerce of the prov-
ince by erecting a useless fort at Newcastle, and requiring vexatious
delays and onerous charges from vessels passing up. A cunning Quaker
shipmaster enticed the commander of the fort on board his vessel, and
carried him off" to Vice-admiral Cornbury, of New Jersey, who sent him
home with a severe reprimand.
It would be neither profitable nor pleasant to follow in detail the un-
happy feuds that agitated the province during the remaining years of
Governor Evans, and those of his successor Gookin ; feuds that embittered
the life of the illustrious proprietor, and resulted in evil to the province.
Sometimes the subject of controversy was the erection of courts of jus-
tice ; sometimes the granting of subsidies involving the pacific principles
of the Quakers; at other times, prerogatives of the assembly; and at others,
the personal character and conduct of James Logan or of the governor.
By these trifling matters the minds of men were so exasperated that the
most important affairs of the colony were entirely neglected. Governor
so OUTLINE HISTORY.
Evans' administration was so unpopular, that a formal address of thanks
was voted to the proprietor for having rid the colony of his government.
Charles Gookin, who arrived in 1 709, was a native of Ireland, an honest,
open-hearted old soldier, more at home in the field than among the iw
trigues of the cabinet. During the eight years of his reign the usuai
want of harmony prevailed between the executive and legislative depart-
ments. In 1715 Governor Gookin held a council with the Indians at
Philadelphia, in which the chain of friendship was brightened, and griev-
ances amicably allayed.
The expense attending the establishment of his province, together with
many acts of private beneficence, had so impaired the fortunes of Penn,
that in 1708, "to clear a debt contracted for settling and improving said
colonies," he was compelled to borrow about $30,000, (£6,000.) and secure
the loan by a mortgage of the province. Thus early commenced the pecu-
niary embarrassments of Pennsylvania. [The state is now pledged, if not
mortgaged, for more than $40,000,000.]
In 1712 he negotiated with Queen Anne for the transfer of the govern-
ment of the province and territory to the crown, for which he was to re-
ceive £12,000. A bill for the purpose was introduced in parliament, and
a small portion of the money advanced ; but an apoplectic fit, which
seized Penn this same year, so impaired his faculties, more especially his
memory, that he was incapable of formally executing a transfer of the
government according to agreement. This state of mind, although it
continued for six years until his death, did not prevent " the happy enjoy-
ment of that divine mental felicity which resulted from the nature of his
religiori and manner of life." He died at Rushcomb, near Twyford, in
Buckinghamshire, England, on the 30th July, 1718, aged about 74 years.
By his will, his estates in Great Britain were devised to his eldest son,
William, by the first wife. The govenmient or jurisdiction of Pennsylva-
nia and territories, was given in trust to the Earls of Oxford, Mortimer,
and Powlet, to be disposed of to the queen, or any other person, to the
best advantage. He appointed other trustees, in England and America,
among whom were Hill and Logan, for the purpose of paying his debts
out of the proceeds of his lands in America, and distributing the surplus
among his children; He expressed a wish in the will that his children
should settle in Peiinsylvania; The right of government was claimed by
his eldest son, William, and the case was carried before the court of
chancery, who, some years aftersvards, decided that it should go with the
personal estate, to the widow and children ; and the government was ac-
cordingly afterwards administered by the children of the younger branch
of the family.
The affectionate patriarchal relation which had subsisted between Penn
and his colony ceased with his death , the interest which his family took
in the affairs of the province was more mercenary in its character, and
looked less to the establishment of great and pure principles of life and
government. The widow, Hannah Penn, as executrix, had the manage-
ment of the proprietary interest, during the minority of the heirs ; and
for many years afterwards, her shrewd and powerful intellect was exerted
in the appointment of governors, and the direction of the affairs of the
colony.
New principles of action had also sprung up in the colony^ After the
PROPRIETARY GOVERNMENT. 21
predominance in England of the protestant succession, by the revolution
of 1688, the Quakers were no longer compelled to go to America to avoid
persecution ; while a new set of men, bent more upon making their for-
tunes than upon the d«fence or promotion of high religious principle, were
induced to emigrate. These were either of the Church of England, or
Presbyterians from Scotland and Ireland, and were not averse to bearing
arms. The adventurous traders of New England, too, trained in the
school of puritan republicanism, were also coming to seek their gains in
the genial climate of the south. Among these was the boy, Benjamin
Franklin, the new master-spirit of Pennsylvania, w^ho arrived in October,
1723. The Mennonists, or German Baptists, a sect which adhered to the
principle of non-resistance, persecuted in Europe, and driven from one
country to another, sought the toleration of Penn's colony, and emigrated
between the years 1698 and 1717 — many in the latter year — settling in
Lancaster, Berks, and the upper parts of Chester county. The Dunkards,
also a non-resistant sect, began to emigrate about the year 1718, and sub-
sequently established a sort of monastery and convent, at Ephrata, in
Lancaster county. The Lutheran Germans, who, on the other hand, were
not averse to fighting when occasion required it, began now to emigrate
in greater numbers, settling principally in Berks and Lancaster counties.
Amid this great diversity of races, languages, sectarian and political
prejudices, were early planted the seeds of strife that agitated the prov-
ince for more than fifty years, and terminated only in the American
revolution.
On one side was the proprietary family, with their feudal prerogatives,
their manors of 10,000 acres, their quit-rents, and baronial pomp, — alien-
ated, in their sympathies, from the colony — preferring the luxuries of
aristocratic life in England, to the unostentatious manners of the new
world — ruling the colony by capricious deputies — and ever refusing to be
taxed for the common defence of the country. On the other side was a
hardy and enthusiastic band of colonists, free in this new world to de-
velop the great principles of civil liberty, then just dawning upon the
human mind — willing to bear their share of the pecuniary burdens of the
frontier wars against the encroachments of the French, provided the pro-
prietaries would consent to be equally taxed — a part of them burning to
take up arms in defence of the colony, while the Quakers, and other non-
resistant sects, were equally zealous to promote peace. The village am-
bition of Newcastle, the rival of Philadelphia, fostered the quarrel be-
tween " the province" and " the territories ;'' the tendency of colonial
trade was always in opposition to the monopolizing spirit of the mother
country ; and the tenants of the soil found a fruitful subject of contro-
versy in the rents exacted by the proprietary government.
About a year previous to Wm. Penn's death. Sir William Keith suc-
ceeded Gookin as lieutenant-governor, (1717.) Keith w^as condescending,
courteous, and crafty : he courted successfully the good will of the as-
sembly and the people, and was equally successful in infusing harmony
and useful activity into the public councils. The province certainly
prospered under his administration ; but whenever the popular interest
was opposed to that of the proprietaries, he openly espoused the popular
side, at the expense of the other, and in opposition to the advice of the
council, at the head of which were James Logan and Isaac Norris. In
22 OUTLINE HISTORY.
consequence of this propensity, Hannah Penn had him removed, and he
then became the representative of the people in assembly, — but eventual-
ly lost their confidence, and returned in poverty to London. During his
administration, and with his approbation, the province first entered, in
1723, upon the unfortunate experiment of issuing paper money, based
upon real estate. The debates on this subject resembled much those of
modern days. Logan and Norris, on the part of certain merchants, made
a most clear and able report in opposition to it, or rather in favor of
greatly restricting the issue and the termSi The principles of their report
have striking application to the paper money crisis of Pennsylvania in
1841-43. During Keith's administration also, the Quakers, to their great
joy, procured a renewal and confirmation of the privilege of affirmation
in place of an oath, and of the cherished privilege of wearing the hat
whenever and wherever it suited them.
Emigration from Germany and other parts greatly increased, so much
at one time as to alarm Gov. Keith, lest the peace with the Indians might
thereby be disturbed. A court of chancery was instituted by Gov. Keith,
of which he was the chancellor. Keith was the complaisant but injudi-
cious patron that induced the young printer, Ben Franklin, to try his for-
tune— it had like to have been his misfortune — in London;
Patrick Gordon succeeded Keith in 1726, His administration in gener-
al was marked by tranquillity in the province, and harmony in the pub-
lic councils : great improvements were carried on, and trade to the
West Indies, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Great Britain, greatly in-
creased.
The enterprising public spirit of Benjamin Franklin now began to dis-
play itself, by founding one of those monuments w^hich will perpetuate
his memory long after the plain marble slab that covers his grave shall
have decayed. " The promotion of literature had been little attended to
in Pennsylvania. Most of the inhabitants were too much immersed in
business to think of scientific pursuits ; and those few whose inclination^
led them to study, found it difficult to gratify them, for the want of libra-
ries sufficiently large. The establishment of a public library was an im-
portant event. This was first set on foot by Franklin, about the year
1731. Fifty persons subscribed forty shillings each, and agreed to pay
ten shillings annually. The number increased, and in 1742 the company
was incorporated by the name of the Library Company of Philadelphia."
The Penn family distinguished themselves by donations to it.
In 1732 Thomas Penn, and in 1734 John Penn, his elder brother, both
proprietors, arrived in the province, and received from the colonists and
the assembly those marks of respect due to their station, and to the sons
of the illustrious founder. Thomas Penn, soon after his arrival, aided by
seven special commissioners, entered upon the adjustment of the southern
boundary, and running the line, according to articles of agreement of
10th May, 1732, between the proprietaries and Lord Baltimore. New
points of dispute, however, arose : the question was again adjourned, and
was not finally settled until 1761. John Penn returned to England in
1735, to oppose the pretensions of Lord Baltimore ; but Thomas Penn
remained for some years in the colony, spending his time much after the
manner of an English country gentleman. He was cold and distant in
his intercourse with society, and consequently unpopular. His moral
PROPIJIETARY GOVERNMENT. 23
character, too, in a certain particular, was not above reproach.* In
1733, public notice having been previously given in the papers, the fa-
mous Indian w^alk was perforn^ed by I^d. Marshall. This walk was
the cause of jealousies and heart-burnings among the Indians, that event-
ually broke out in loud complaints of injustice, and atrocious acts of
savage vengeance.
Gov. Gordon died in 1736, and for two years James Logan, as president
of the council, administered the affairs of the province. He had frequent
occasion to attempt to conciliate the Indians, then becoming more and
more jealous of the crafty encroachments of the pale-faces. Benjamin
Franklin was elected clerk of the assembly, in 1736. Many of the
Schwenckfelders, a German sect, who had been driven out by persecution
from Nether Silesia, arrived in the years 1733-34, and settled about the
sources of Perkiomen creek. The Moravians, from the same country,
first began to emigrate about the year 1737 to 1740, settling at first in
Georgia, and subsequently in the Forks of the Delaware.
George Thomas, a West Indian planter, governed from 1738 until 1747,
when he resigned. He was a man of talent and energy, but mistook at
first the true character of the people over whom he presided. He incur-
red the displeasure of the Quakers by pressing them too strongly and
openly for military subsidies ; an object which he afterwards learned to
obtain more easily by stratagem and conciliation. He also gave offence
by requiring the enlistment of indented servants— redemptioners, who had
sold themselves to pay their passage across the ocean. In 1739, George
Whitfield arrived in the province, and attracted thousands by his elo-
quence. A lazaretto was erected in 1740, to accommodate sick emigrants.
Thomas Penn, one of the proprietaries, returned to England in 1741.
Respectful and conciliatory addresses were exchanged at his departure,
between him and the assembly. On the death of his brother John, in 1746,
he became the principal proprietor, possessing three fourths of the province.
He died in 1775.
In March, 1744, hostilities v^ere openly declared between France and
Great Britain. The peaceful era of Pennsylvania was now at an end, and
the dark cloud of savage warfare began to gather on the western frontier.
The lands acquired by the Indian walk, and by purchasing the Shawanees*
lands without their consent, were now to be paid for by the blood of the colo-
nists. The Delawares refused to leave the Forks of Delaware. The Six
Nations were called on to order them off, which they did, in the overbear-
ing tone of conquerors and masters. They retired to Wyoming, with the
repeated wrongs rankling in their hearts.
Dr. Franklin now became prominent as a public man, and published
his " Plain Truth," to endeavor to conciliate the executive and assembly,
and awake them both to the importance of military preparations. He
was appointed a colonel, but declined : he preferred to wield the pen.
Logan too, who justified defensive war, assisted the cause with his means.
* See Watson's Annals, first edition, page 119. It should be recorded, however, to his credit,
that when Lieut. Gov. Hamilton, having declared war against the Indians in 175G, had offered a
reward for scalps, Thomas Penn promptly discountenanced the barbarous policy, proposing in-
stead the " making prisoners of their wives and children as a means to oblige them to sue for
peace, rather than that rewards should -be offered for scalps, especially of the women, as it en-
courages private murders." See Gordon, p. 322. He was also a very munificent patron of the
College of Philadelphia, of a library at Lancaster, and other literary institutions.
24 OUTLINE HISTORY.
On the resignation of Gov. Thomas, in 1747, the executive administratiop
devolved on Anthony Pahner, president of council, until the arrival of
James Hamilton — a son of Andrew Hamilton, former speaker — as lieu-
tenant-governor, in November, 1749.
An alarming crisis was at hand. The French, now hovering around
the great lakes, sedulously applied themselves to seduce the Indians from
their allegiance to the English. The Shawanees had already joined them ;
the Delawares waited only for an opportunity to revenge their w^rongs ;
and of the Six Nations, the Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas were wa-
vering. The French were fortifying the strong points on the Ohio. To
keep the Indians in favor of the colony required much cunning diplomacy
and expensive presents. In this alarming juncture, the old flame of civil
dissension burst out with increased force. The presents to the Indians,
with the erection of a line of forts along the frontier, and the maintenance
of a military force, drew heavily upon the provincial purse. The assem-
bly, the popular branch, urged that the proprietary estates should be taxed,
as well as those of humble individuals. The proprietaries, through their
deputies, refused, and pleaded prerogative, charter, and law : the assem-
bly in turn pleaded equity, common danger, and common benefit, requir-
ing a common expense. The proprietaries offered bounties in lands yet to
be conquered from the Indians, and the privilege of issuing more paper
money: the assembly w^anted something more tangible. The assembly
passed laws laying taxes, and granting supplies, but annexing conditions :
the governors opposed the conditions, but were willing to aid the assem-
bly in taxing the people, but not the proprietaries. Here were the germs of
revolution, not fully matured until twenty years later. Dr. Franklin was
now a member and leader in the assembly. In the mean time, the fron-
tiers were left exposed, while these frivolous disputes continued. The
pacific principles, too, of the Quakers, and Dunkards, and Mennonists,
and Schwenckfelders, came in to complicate the strife ; but as the danger
increased, they prudently kept aloof from public office, leaving the manage-
ment of the war to sects less scrupulous.
This state of feeling in the public councils continued not only during
the administration of Gov. Hamilton, but also of his successors, Morris
and Denny, until at last Benjamin Franklin, in London, secured the royal
assent to a law taxing the proprietary estates, with certain modifications.
The Scotch Irish, a pertinacious and pugnacious race, tired of waiting
for the forms of land-offices, and treaties, and surveys, were pushing their
settlements upon unpurchased lands about the Juniata, producing fresh
exasperation among the Indians. Massacres ensued; the settlers were
driven in below the mountains ; and the whole province was alive with
the alarms and excitements of war. The governors during this crisis,
until the year 1759, were James Hamilton, mentioned above ; Robert
Hunter Morris, a lawyer from New Jersey, who succeeded him in 1754 ;
and William Denny, who came from England in 1756, and continued until
1759. They were generally able men, and might have been popular,
had they not been shackled by the instructions of the proprietors, which
they felt bound to defend, often probably in opposition to their better judgr-
ment. Denny at last yielded to the popular voice, and of course lost the
confidence of the proprietors. It will be more convenient to follow the
FRENCH WAR. 25
events of the French war, without regard to the individuals holding the
executive power.
It is pleasant to record, in the midst of wars and rumors of wars, the
founding of such an institution as the Pennsylvania Hospital, in 1751-54 ;
and by the bequest of James Logan, who died in 1751, the establishment
of the valuable Loganian Library.
In 1749, sprang up the germ of the University of Pennsylvania, in the
humble form of an academy and charitable school, supported by subscrip-
tion ; it was opened in 1750 as a Latin school, incorporated and endowed by
the proprietaries in 1753 ; and in 1755 it received the additional honor of
conferring degrees, under the title of "The College, Academy, and Charita-
ble School of Philadelphia."
The American Philosophical »Society had been organized in 1743, under
the auspices of Franklin and other kindred spirits. He commenced his
remarkable experiments in electricity about the year 1745, and in 1747
published a memoir upon the subject of positive and negative electricity.
In 1749 he had suggested the probable agency of electricity in thunder-
storms, and in the aurora borealis ; and in 1752 he first succeeded in his
brilliant experiment of drawing the electric spark from the clouds.
The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in October, 1748, as far as regarded Ame-
rican affairs, was little better than an armistice. The French, in 1 753,
were busily extending their posts from the lake to the Ohio, and George
Washington was sent on a mission to Fort Le Boeuf to inquire by what
right these encroachments were made. He received an evasive answer ;
but their intention was plain, to connect by a line of fortifications along
the Ohio, their possessions on the lakes with those on the Mississippi. In
1754 they pushed forward a thousand men and built Fort Duquesne, (Pitts-
burg,) and forced Col. Washington, with a small detachment at the Great
Meadows, to capitulate.
In July, 1754, at Albany, the proprietors purchased of the Six Nations
all the land within the state, not previously purchased, lying southwest
of a line beginning one mile above the mouth of Penn's Creek, and run-
ning northwest by west " to the western boundary of the state." So far,
however, from striking the western, it struck the northern boundary a little
west of Conewango creek. The Shawanees, Delawares, and Monseys,
on the Susquehanna, Juniata, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers, thus found their
lands " sold from under their feet," which the Six Nations had guarantied
to them on their removal from the eastern waters. The Indians on the
Allegheny at once went over to the French, and the blood of Braddock's
soldiers was added to the price of the land. To allay the dissatisfaction
resulting from this purchase, all the lands north and west of the Allegheny
mountains were restored to the Indians by the treaty at Easton in 1758.
The unfortunate expedition of Gen. Braddock against Fort Duquesne,
took place in the summer of 1753. Doctor Franklin, then postmaster,
eagerly seized the occasion to raise 150 wagons and 250 pack-horses in
aid of the expedition, by circulating advertisements through the German
and Irish counties. Col. Washington accompanied Braddock's expedition
as aid-de-camp. When the army had just crossed the Monongahela,
within ten miles of Fort Duquesne, they were surprised by a party of
French and Indians in ambush, and completely routed. Gen. Braddock
was mortally wounded. This defeat was justly ascribed to the obstinacy
4
26 OUTLINE HISTORY.
of Braddock in not permitting the provincial soldiers, as they desired, to
fight the Indians in Indian fashion.
Braddock's defeat spread consternation throughout the province ; the
frontier was left exposed, and the defenceless settlers could only seek
safety by flight. The assembly and the governor disputed, and supplies
were only obtained by patriotic subscriptions.
The whole frontier, from the Delaware to the Potomac, was now lighted
with the blaze of burning cottages. The Indians, now joined by the
Delawares, roamed unmolested among the passes of the mountain, lay-
ing waste all the settlements beyond the Kittatinny Mountain, making
inroads upon those below, and butchering the settlers. Gnadenhutten,
Mahanoy, Tulpehocken, and the hamlets in the lovely limestone coves
west of the Susquehanna, were all reduced to ashes. The peaceful Mo-
ravians of Bethlehem cheerfully fortified their town, and took up arms in
self-defence. Franklin, too, now consented to take up the sword, and with
his son William, and a regiment of five hundred men, proceeded to the
Lehigh and superintended the erection of the line of forts. The Six Na-
tions still remained neutral, and their mediation was solicited to recover,
if possible, the lost allegiance of the Shawanees and Delawares. In this
they were successful.
The proprietors, alarmed by Braddock's defeat, now came forward and
offered a donation for defence of £5,000, to be collected from arrears of
quit-rents ; but they refused to grant it on any other ground than as a free
gift. The assembly, in 1756, waived their rights for a time, in considera-
tion of the distressed state of the province, and passed a bill to strike
£30,000 in bills of credit, based upon the excise. This was approved by
the governor.
In 1756 the forts along the frontier were garrisoned by twenty-five com-
panies, in all amounting to 1 ,400 men. Col. Armstrong, in the autumn of
the same year, at the head of three hundred men, crossed the Allegheny
Mountains and cut off" the Indian town of Kittanning. This drove the
hostile Indians beyond the Allegheny river. In the following year the
assembly again yielded to the pressure of the general danger and distress,
and consented to pass another bill for raising by tax £100,000, with the
exemption of the proprietary estates. They, however, sent Benjamin
Franklin, fis provincial agent, to London, to lay their grievances before the
king.*
In November, 1756, a grand council was held at Easton, between
Teedyuscund and other Indian chiefs and warriors on the one part, and
Governor Denny on the other. Teedyuscund, who was the chief speaker
on this occasion, supported the rights of the Indians with great dignity
and spirit. The conference continued nine days. All matters of differ-
ence were inquired into, particularly in relation to the Indian walk, and
* The famous Review of the History of Pennsylvania, written by Franklin, was published m
London, anonymously, in 1759. It is an able argument in favor of the popular side of the ques-
tions at issue between the proprietors and the assembly, bearing many marks of Franklin's cunning
and sarcasm, as well as his power of argument ; but it cannot be otherwise esteemed than as
a partial and one-sided statement. Franklin, on account of his official station, could not be
known as the author, and it long passed as the production of James Ralph, who had been 4
writer of some note in the province, and was then in London.
FRENCH WAR CLOSED. 27
the lands on the W. Branch and Penn's cr. purchased in 1 754. A treaty
of peace was concluded with the Delawares.
Another conference was held at Lancaster, in 1757, with some of the
chiefs of the Six Nations, but the Senecas and Delawares of the Ohio re-
fused to attend, on Col. Croghan's invitation.
As a result of Dr. Franklin's exertions in London, the influence of Wm.
Pitt's comprehensive mind was now extended over America, and affairs in
the colonies assumed a different aspect. Abercrombie was appointed
commander-in-chief, and Amherst second in command, aided by Brigadiers
Wolfe and Forbes. The French were vigorously attacked on the northern
frontiers of New York. General Forbes was charged with an expedition
against Fort Duquesne, to be aided by the provincial troops of Pennsylva-
nia and Virginia, under Cols, Washington and Bouquet. Washington
strongly urged the road cut by Braddock (now the great Cumberland
road) as the most favorable route ; but the Pennsylvanians were bent
upon the policy of securing a new road exclusively through their prov-
ince, and they prevailed. The road is now the Chambersburg and Pitts-
burg turnpike. Many weeks were consumed in cutting the road ; but
at length the army, consisting of 7,859 men, penetrated the thick forest,
and on reaching the Ohio, found the fort abandoned by the French, who
had fled down the river, relinquishing forever their dominion in Pennsyl-
vania. The fort was rebuilt, and received the immortal name of Pitt.
The main body of the army returned, and were quartered in different
parts of the province.
Another council was held at Easton in the autumn of 1758, at which
the chiefs, both of the Six Nations and the Delawares, were present, and
met the agents of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Mr. Croghan, the
agent of Sir William Johnson. The causes of the late war were fully
discussed ; complaints of the Indians concerning land Were listened to,
and all differences amicably adjusted ; and a message was sent by the Six
Nations ordering the Shawanees and Twigtwees, on the Ohio, to desist
from their hostilities, on penalty of being attacked by them* Teedyus-
cund, at this treaty, received one of those insulting taunts from the Six
Nations by which they too often exhibited their national superiority ;
taunts, however, which were deeply revenged upon the Whites in after
years, when the Delawares had thrown off the galling yoke. Teedyus-
cund, however, supported his station with dignity and firmness, and re-
fused to succumb ; and the different Indian tribes at length became recon-
ciled to each other. General Forbes died in Philadelphia, worn out by
the fatigues of the campaign.
Franklin struggled and negotiated for two or three years in London
against the proprietary influence, without success ; but at length, bring-
ing to bear upon the subject his favorite engine, the press, he succeeded
in 1759 in obtaining the royal assent, with some modification, to a bill
which the assembly had passed, and Gov. Denny, wearied with opposi-
tion, had assented to ; — although the proprietaries had opposed it before
the privy council. Gov. Denny's acquiescence in this bill cost him his
place. James Hamilton, the former lieutenant-governor, succeeded him in
1759.
Pennsylvania was again blessed with peace, which continued until
1763 : her pioneers resumed the implements of agriculture, — temples of
28 OUTLINE HISTORY.
religion were erected. The French were entirely driven from the north-
western frontier, and a treaty of peace between Great Britain, France,
and Spain, was concluded in 1762, by which Canada became a British
province. Parliament had promptly agreed to reimburse the colonies for
the expenses of the war, and Dr. Franklin received and invested the first
instalment of £26,000 in London. The doctor having secured the remo-
val of the great cause of dissension in the province, returned home loaded
with honors, to receive the gratitude of his constituents. He resumed
his seat in the assembly, and was presented by them with £500 per year
for his services in London.
After a long series of delays and altercations between the parties, the
boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland was finally Jeter-
mined, according to the original agreement in 1732, between the proprie-
taries. In ] 767, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, two distinguished
mathematicians and astronomers, were employed to run the line, and
erect stone pillars at conspicuous points. Mason and Dixon's line has
since been famous, as marking the division between the free and slave
states.
The short calm was succeeded by a terrific storm. The Indians around
the great lakes, and on the Ohio, had cheerfully connived at the estab-
lishment of the French chain of forts from Presqu'isle to the Monongahela,
so long as they proved an obstacle to the encroachments of the English ;
but they now saw the English in possession of Canada, and this same
chain of forts occupied as outposts, from which further encroachments
might be* made towards the west. The forts themselves were an intru-
sion ; for the lands upon which they stood had never yet been purchased
from the Indians, or if purchased, had been restored. The boundary of
Indian purchases was still more than a hundred miles nearer the Atlan-
tic. Other settlements, too, were built on the Susquehanna, on Indian
lands. The great Pontiac had conceived the gigantic plan of uniting all
the northwestern tribes in a simultaneous and vigorous attack upon the
whole frontier. Utter extermination was their object. The forts were
to be taken by stratagem, by separate parties, on the same day. The
border settlements were to be invaded during harvest, — and men, crops,
cattle, and cabins, were to be destroyed. The English traders among the
Indians were the first victims : out of one hundred and twenty, only two
or three escaped. The frontier settlements, among and near the moun-
tains, were overrun with scalping parties, marking their track with blood
and fire. The forts of Presqu'isle, Le Boeuf, Venango, St; .loseph, and
Michilimackinac, were taken, with a general slaughter of their garrisons.
Those of Bedford, Ligonier, Detroit, and Pitt, were preserved Avith great
difiiculty. It was intended to assault Fort Ligonier, and thus, by cutting
off supplies, to reduce Fort Pitt by famine. Col. Bouquet was promptly
despatched by Gen. Amherst to the relief of Fort Pitt, with a large quan-
tity of provisions under a strong escort. He was fiercely attacked by the
enemy at Bushy Run, but defeated them with great slaughter, and suc-
ceeded in reaching Fort Pitt in time to save it. Consternation spread
throughout all the settlements on the Juniata and the Susquehanna, and
the dismayed inhabitants, with their children and flocks, sought shelter
at Shippensburg, Carlisle, Lancaster, and Reading.
The garrison at Fort Augusta (Sunbury) was reinforced; and Col
INDIAN WARS. 29
Armstrong, with about three hundred volunteers from Cumberland and
Bedford counties, went up and routed several parties of hostile Indians
on the west branch.
These expeditions warded off the attack from the settlements of the
Connecticut men, who had already gathered in considerable numbers
into the Wyoming valley. In October, however, of the same year, they
suffered in their turn. A party of the Six Nations having stealthily
murdered Teedyuscund the Delaware chief, and burnt his cabin, per-
suaded the Delawares that it was done by the whites. The Delawares,
hitherto peaceable neighbors, butchered about thirty of the Wyoming
settlers while at work in the fields, and after the remainder had escaped
in dismay to the mountains, set fire to their dwellings, and drove away
their flocks.
It is painful to record the details of savage barbarity ; but it is more
painful to be obliged to confess, that the atrocities of the Indians in this
war were fully equalled, if not exceeded, by those committed by some of
the whites. Some of the Scotch Irish settlers in Paxton and Donnegal town
ships in Lancaster county, generally known since that event as the Pax
ton boys, had suffered exceedingly by marauding parties of Indians ; and
they suspected some secret collusion between the hostile tribes of the
w^est, and the Christian Indian settlements among the Moravians, and a
little isolated tribe of friendly Indians, living on Conestoga manor in
Lancaster county. They therefore determined to exterminate every In-
dian within their reach. Commencing with the Conestoga Indians, they
butchered a number of women and children and old men in cold blood :
the other Indians were not at home at the time ; and v^^hen they learned
the fate of their relatives, they sought protection in the old jail at Lan-
caster. Here again their relentless persecutors found them, and, in defi-
ance of the magistrates, put them all to death, sparing neither age nor
sex. The Moravian Indians escaped to Philadelphia, where they were
effectually protected, although the men of Paxton threatened a descent
upon the city to take them. Other equally barbarous murders w^ere com-
mitted by whites on the Susquehanna. Such was the state of feeling
along the frontier towards the Indians, that the perpetrators of these bar-
barities were never brought to justice.
On the 30th October, 1763, John Penn, grandson of William Penn, and
son of Richard, arrived from England as lieutenant-governor. His father
and his uncle Thomas, the proprietors, were still living in England. An
earthquake at Philadelphia marked the day of John Penn's arrival, and
many regarded it as an ill omen. General Gage had determined to repel
the invasion of the Indians by carrying the war into their own country,
and Col. Bouquet was to proceed with a small army against the Dela-
wares and Shawanees beyond the Ohio. Governor Penn applied himself
with vigor to second the movements of General Gage, and urged the as-
sembly for the usual supplies. It should here be recollected that all the
Penn family had long since left the Society of Friends, and entertained
no scruples whatever against war, offensive or defensive. It creates a
feeling of sadness to know that this grandson of William Penn, in the
very city of brotherly love itself, in July, 1764, offered, by proclamation,
the following bounties for the capture, or scalps and death of Indians :*
* Gordon, p. 438.
30 OUTLINE HISTORY.
"For every male above the age of ten years, captured, $150; scalped,
being killed, $134 ; for every female Indian enemy, and every male under
the age of ten years, captured, $130 ; for every female above the age of
ten years, scalped, being killed, $50 !" " O ! quam mutatus ab illo /"
Bouquet's expedition to the Muskingum, in the autumn of 1764, over-
awed the Indians, who sued for peace. The Delawares, Shawanees, and
Senecas agreed to cease hostilities, and surrendered a great number of
prisoners taken during the recent wars. The return of these prisoners,
many of whom were children, carried joy to many an anxious heart in
Pennsylvania. Some of the prisoners had formed attachments among
the Indians which they were loth to break.
The first application to the assembly for supplies revived the old con-
troversy with the proprietaries. Indeed, harmony was scarcely to be
expected between one of the proprietary family as governor, on one side,
and Dr. Franklin, the champion of equal rights and equal burdens, in the
assembly, on the other. That the proprietary estates were to be taxed,
was a question settled ; but how, and upon what basis they were to be
assessed, was a subject of controversy, and the proprietaries, as usual,
leaned strongly to their own interests. The assembly were compelled to
yield to the necessities of the province, and the supplies were granted ;
but the conduct of the governor so incensed the assembly, that they de-
termined, by a large majority, to petition the king to purchase the juris-
diction of the province from the proprietors, and vest the government
directly in the crown. This petition, drawn up by Franklin, set forth in
a strong light the increasing property, and its consequence, the increasing
power of the proprietaries, and the danger to be apprehended from the
existence of such a third power intervening between the crown and the
people, and frustrating the designs of both, by refusing to contribute their
just proportion of the public burdens. Here was a most important step
towards the revolution. To break down the feudal power, and bring the
people and the crown in direct communication, is in all countries the first
great step towards popular freedom, and prepares the way for the next
step, the direct conflict between the crown and the people. It so hap-
pened, however, that in this case the avarice of the British ministry out-
ran the anti-feudal propensities of the people, and brought the colonies
at once to the last great struggle between the people and the crown.
There was much opposition from leading men in the province against
throwing off" the proprietary dominion. Isaac Norris, the venerable
/Speaker, John Dickinson, afterwards distinguished in the revolution, and
',^ Rev. Gilbert Tennant, and Rev. Francis Allison, representing the Presby-
terian interest, with William Allen, chief-justice, and afterwards father-
in-law of Governor Penn, were strong in opposition to the measure. The
Quakers, on the other hand, supported it, and it was sustained by several
successive assemblies. Dr. Franklin was appointed provincial agent to
urge the measure before the ministry in London. He sailed for England
November 1, 1764, and found on his arrival that he had to contend with
a power far stronger and more obstinate than the proprietors themselves ;
even with the very power whose protection he had come to seek.
The British ministry, awakened by the events of the late war to the
growing wealth of the colonies, were tempted to look to that wealth as
an object of taxation, for the double purpose of replenishing the exhausted
REVOLUTION. 3I
coffers of the mother country, and of adding to her pampered monopolies
the exclusive trade and manufacture for colonial consumption. This in-
volved the great 'question of the propriety of taxing a people without
their consent, and without allowing them a representation in the parlia-
ment laying the tax — the great question of the American revolution.
The methods of assessing the tax and securing the monopoly in trade
and manufacture, involved petty vexations and grievances, felt by every
individual, and enlisting his cooperation in resistance. The proprietary
controversies were lost sight of in the great struggle, which created new
lines of party division. Dr. Franklin, as agent for all the American colo-
nies, labored earnestly, but in vain, to avert these fatal measures. The
odious stamp act was passed on the 22d March, 1765. Franklin wrote
to Charles Thompson on this occasion, " The sun of liberty is set, you must
light up the candles of industry and economy." Mr. Thompson " was
apprehensive that other lights would be the consequence." Dr. Franklin,
with a view to place the execution of the act in proper hands, got his
friend, John Hughes, nominated as stamp officer at Philadelphia. On
the arrival at Philadelphia, in October, 1765, of the stamps from Eng-
land, the vessels hoisted their colors at half-mast ; bells were muffled,
and thousands of citizens assembled in a state of great excitement. Mr.
Hughes was called on to resign his commission ; but he only agreed for
the present not to perform the duties of the office. The inhabitants, de-
termining not to encourage monopoly, determined to manufacture for
themselves. This touched a vital chord in Great Britain, and the clamors
of her own manufacturers were raised in opposition to the oppressive
acts. The stamp act was repealed on 18th March, 1765; but the right
of taxation by parliament vi^as reaffirmed.
The lawless white men on the frontiers continued to encroach upon
the Indian lands, and to provoke hostilities by atrocious murders of inof-
fensive Indians. Another savage war menaced the province in 1767-68,
but was prevented by the timely intervention of Sir William Johnson.
At his suggestion a great council was held at Fort Stanwix, in New
York, at which all grievances were adjusted ; and a treaty was made,
November 5, 1768, with the Six Nations, which conveyed to the proprie-
tors all the land within a boundary extending from the New York line
on the Susquehanna, past Towanda and Pine creek, up the West Branch,
over to Kittanning and thence down the Ohio. This was then called the
new purchase, and opened a wide field of adventure to the hardy pioneers
of Pennsylvania. It was a vast school too, in which some of the bravest
soldiers of the subsequent wars were reared.
The revolution moved onward. Parliament still asserted its suprema-
cy, and resolved to try a different mode of taxation. Duties were im-
posed on goods imported from Great Britain ; but the colonies would ac-
cede to no measure that proposed to tax them without their consent. John
Dickinson published a series of able letters signed "A Farmer," showing
the extreme danger to the liberties of the colonists of acquiescing in any
precedent that should establish the right of parliamentary taxation.
Massachusetts addressed a circular to the colonies, setting forth their
grievances, and recapitulating the arguments against the proposed tax.
Gov. Penn had orders from the secretary of colonial affairs to enjoin the
assembly to disregard this circular as factious, and of dangerous tendency.
32 OUTLINE HISTORY,
and to prorogue the assembly, should they countenance it. The assembly
resolved that they had a right to sit on their own adjournments, and to
correspond with the other colonies concerning the general welfare ; and
they seconded cordially a recommendation from Virginia for a union of
the colonies, to obtain, by respectful representations to his majesty, a re-
dress of grievances. In 1769 the taxes were greatly reduced, and in
1770 were abolished, except three-pence per pound upon tea. It was the
principle, however, and not the amount of the tax, against which the
colonists contended ; and they now brought their non-importation agree-
ments to bear upon the tea tax. In Pennsylvania the duty was paid on
only a single chest of tea.
The assembly continued to urge their agents in London to protest
against the tea tax, or any other involving the same principle ; and also
to oppose any plan that might be proposed for an American representa-
tion in parliament : the principle of Pennsylvania being, that taxation of
the colonies should not in any shape be allowed, except by the provincial
assembly.
The rights of Pennsylvania were now attacked from a different quarter.
A civil war, on a small scale, had been carried on, for some years, in the
Wyoming valley, between the claimants under the proprietary titles, and
a company of adventurous colonists from Connecticut, who claimed under
the ancient charter granted in 1620 to the Plymouth Company by King
James I, This grant comprehended all the territory lying in the same
latitude with Connecticut and Massachusetts, as far west as the Pacific
Ocean, not previously settled by other Christian powers. The Connecticut
people had settled on the lands at Wyoming as early as 1762. In 1768,
the proprietary government, having obtained the land by the treaty of
Fort Stanwix, laid out the valley in manors, and encouraged settlers to
build and cultivate there, A brisk little war immediately ensued ; forts
were built and attacked ; settlements were burned, and goods and cattle
carried away, as one or the other party prevailed. And even a small ar-
my of seven hundred men, in December, 1775, under the sheriff of North-
umberland county, were vigorously attacked and repulsed by the Con-
necticut men at the Nanticoke falls, in a narrow defile where the river
breaks through the mountains.
In view of an opposition so formidable, and of the bloodshed and dis-
tress that must necessarily follow the expulsion by force of a body of set-
tlers so numerous, and so firmly planted, Pennsylvania wisely forbore to
assert her claims, and determined to wait a favorable opportunity for sub-
mitting the question to an umpire. The details will be found under the
head of Luzerne county.
The strife between the Connecticut men and the Pennsylvanian claim-
ants annoyed the Moravian Indian settlement at Wyalusing, on the Sus^
quehanna, and caused them to remove in a body to the Ohio, near
Beaver.
In 1771, John Penn having returned to England, Mr. James Hamilton
administered for a short time as president of the council, until the arrival
of Richard Penn (younger brother of John) as lieutenant-governor, in
the autumn of the same year. Richard Penn's administration only con-
tinued until the return of his brother John, in September, 1773 ; but he
appears during that short term to have won the sincere affections of his
REVOLUTION. 3^
fellow-citizens, and to have been on courteous and harmonious terms
with the assembly. The citizens of Philadelphia gave him a splendid
banquet on his retirement.
It is remarkable that Pennsylvania, bounded on one end by a broad
river, and on the other end and the two sides by long straight lines of
longitude and latitude, should be so often engaged in disputes concerning
her boundaries. In 1774 Lord Dunmore, of Virginia, set up the unfound-
ed pretension that the western boundary of Pennsylvania did not include
Pittsburg and the Monongahela river, and many settlers were encouraged
to take up lands on Virginia warrants. He even took possession of Fort
Pitt, by his agent Conolly, on the withdrawal of the royal troops by or-
der of General Gage. Even General Washington, who knew that country
so well, and had taken up much land in it, entertained the idea probably
at that date, that what are now the counties of Fayette, Greene, and
Washington, were in Virginia. Some of these new settlers were of the
worst class of frontier men, and two of them. Cresap and Greatliouse,
were concerned in the barbarous murder of the family of Logan, " the
friend of the white man." A bloody war upon the frontier was the con-
sequence of these murders : but Pennsylvania, by timely conciliatory
measures through Sir Wm. Johnson, escaped the ravages of that war.
Gov. Penn promptly repelled the intruders under the Virginia titles, ar-
rested and imprisoned Conoll)^ and kept in pay for some months the ran-
gers of Westmoreland county, who had rallied for the defence of the
frontier. Lord Dunmore's war against the western Indians followed the
attack on the frontiers of Virginia.
In 1773 a new era commenced in the American revolution. The per-
verse determination of parliament to tax the colonies was again mani-
fested. So long as the Americans refrained from all importations of tea,
Great Britain might solace herself with the ideal right of taxation, with-
out danger of provoking collision in the colonies. But to test the right
by actual exercise, parliament encouraged the East India Company to
make a forced exportation of tea to each of the principal ports in the
colonies. This insidious attempt upon their liberties aroused the indig-
nation of the colonists from New Hampshire to Georgia. At Boston, the
tea was thrown overboard by the people. At Charleston, it was allowed
to rot in a damp warehouse. The consignees in Philadelphia, New
York, and several other places, were compelled to relinquish their ap-
pointments ; and the commanders of the ships, finding no one to receive
their cargoes, returned to England. The course of Pennsylvania was
bold and firm, but temperate. A meeting at Philadelphia passed resolu-
tions denouncing the duty on tea as a tax laid without their consent —
laid for the express purpose of establishing the right to tax — and asserting
that this method of providing a revenue for the support of government,
the administration of justice, and defence of the colonies, had a direct
tendency to render assemblies useless, and to introduce arbitrary govern-
ment and slavery — and that steady opposition to this plan was necessary,
to preserve even the shadow of liberty. They denounced all who should
aid in landing or selling the tea as enemies to their country, and enjoined
the consignees to resign their appointment.
The indignation of Great Britain poured itself out exclusively upon Bos-
ton, where the opposition had been most violent. That port was closed,
3^1 OUTLINE HISTORY.
and its privileges transferred to Salem. The people of all the colonies
sympathized with the people of Boston, and made common cause with
them in denouncing this new act of oppression. The people of Philadel-
phia recommended to those of Boston that all lenient measures for their
relief should at first be tried — assuring them, at the same time, that
" the people of Pennsylvania would continue firmly to adhere to the cause
of American liberty."
The governor was requested to convene the assembly. This of course
was refused ; but the people in those days were never at a loss for meth-
ods of popular action. A mass meeting of the people, consisting of nearly
eight thousand, assembled on the 18th June, 1774, of which John Dickin-
son and Thomas Willing were chairmen. This meeting recommended
a continental congress, and appointed a committee to correspond with the
counties, and with the other colonies, in relation to the appointment of
deputies to a general congress, and also to raise a subscription for the
sufferers at Boston. A convention of deputies from all the counties of
the province assembled at Philadelphia on the 15th July, and passed a
great number of patriotic resolutions ; — and among others, " that they
owed allegiance to George the Third ; and that they ardently desired
the restoration of their ancient harmony with the mother country, on
the principles of the constitution^that the inhabitants of the colonies
were entitled to the same rights and liberties within the colonies, as sub-
jects born in England were entitled to within that realm." They also in-
structed the assembly, soon about to convene, pointing out the course to
be taken by them in the present crisis, and enjoining upon them to ap-
point deputies to a general colonial congress. These instructions were
drawn by John Dickinson, and were presented to the assembly by the
convention in a body. The following extract shows the spirit that ani-
mated the patriots of that day :
" Honor, justice, and humanity, call upon us to hold, and to transmit to our posterity, that
liberty which we received from our ancestors. It is not our duty to leave wealth to our children,
but it is our duty to leave liberty to them. No infamy, iniquity, or cruelty can exceed our own,
if we, born and educated in a country of freedom, entitled to its blessings, and knowing their
value, pusillanirnously deserting the post assigned us by Divine Providence, surrender succeeding
generations to a condition of wretchedness from which no human efforts, in all probability, will
be sufficient to extricate them, — the experience of all states mournfully demonstrating to us, that
when arbitrary power has been established over them, even the wisest and bravest nations that
ever flourished have, in a few years, degenerated into abject and wretched vassals.
" To us, therefore, it appears at this alarming period our duty to God, to our country, to our-
selves, and to our posterity, to exert our utmost abihty in promoting and establishing harmony
between Great Britain and these colonies, on a constitutipnal foundation."
Thus, with loyalty on their lips, but with the spirit of resistance in
their hearts, did these patriots push forward the revolution. The assem-
bly promptly responded to the instructions, by appointing Joseph Gallo-
way, (the speaker,) Samuel Rhoads, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphries,
George Ross, Edward Biddle, and subsequently John Dickinson, as dele-
gates from Pennsylvania to the congress to be held in Philadelphia in
September, 1774.
Peyton Randolph was chosen president of congress, and Charles Thomp-
son secretary. This congress reconimended sympathy and aid to the
people of Boston ; approved of their resistance to the oppressive port-bill ;
adopted resolutions prohibiting the importation of goods from Great
Britain and dependencies after the ensuing December, and all exports to
REVOLUTION. 35
Great Britaih after September 10, 1775, unless the grievances should
sooner be redressed; reci)mmended the appointment of committees of
superintendence and correspondence, in the several counties and towns ;
adopted a declaration of rights, an address to the people of Great Britain,
a memorial to the inhabitants of British America, and a loyal address to
his majesty ; and then adjourned, to meet in Philadelphia in May fol-
lowing.
The next assembly of Pennsylvania, composed of a large proportion
of Quakers, promptly seconded the resolves of congress; and appointed
a new delegation, consisting of Messrs. Biddle, Dickinson, Mifflin, Hum-
phries, Morton, and Ross, of the former delegation, to whom were subse-
quently added Dr, Franklin, James Wilson, and Thomas Willing. Dr.
Franklin returned from London 14th May, 1775.
During the gathering of the storm. Gov. Penn looked calmly on, rather
disposed to favor the pretensions of the colony, but preserving a semblance
of respect for the instructions of the crown, by disapproving of the mode
of obtaining a redress of grievances by conventions and congress, and
preferring the channel of the regular assemblies. Overtures from par-
liament for a compromise were transmitted by Gov. Penn to the assembly.
These overtures, while they conceded to the colonial assemblies the right
to assess and collect their own taxes, left it with parliament to dictate
the amount to be raised ; and it was hoped, by inducing some one or two
colonies to accept them, to dissolve the confederacy. The overtures
were rejected promptly by all the colonies, and the assembly of Pennsyl-
vania disavowed, as disgraceful, any intention to accept of benefits for
this province, which might injure the common cause ; " and which, by a
generous rejection for the present, might be finally secured to all."
A second provincial convention at Philadelphia, in January, 1775, of
which Joseph Reed was president, was called to enforce the pledge of
non-importation ; to encourage the establishment of domestic manufac-
tures, and the raising of wool and other raw materials of manufacture ; —
the making of salt, saltpetre, and especially gunpowder, " inasmuch as
there existed a great necessity for it, particularly in the Indian trade .'"
The committee of safety and correspondence for Philadelphia was made
a standing committee for the Avhole province, and authorized to convene
a provincial convention M'henever they might deem it expedient.
The year 1774 had closed with loud expressions of constitutional loy-
alty to Great Britain: the spring of 1775 opened with the roar of revolu-
tionary cannon. The battle of Lexington was fought April 19th, 1775;
a British army, with Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton, arrived at
Boston on the 25th May; and on the 17th of June the battle of Bunker
Hill was fought.
Congress reassembled in Philadelphia, on the 10th of May. Peyton
Randolph, after a few days, being obliged to return home, John Hancock
took his place as president. Congress soon proceeded to the organiza-
tion of an army, but still desiring reconciliation with Great Britain, de-
termined that " an humble and dutiful petition be presented to his majes-
ty." " To resist and to petition were coeval resolutions." The petition
to his majesty was drawn and urged upon congress, by John Dickinson.
Many members opposed it on the ground that it would be of no avail,
but it was carried out of respect to Mr. Dickinson. This respectful pe-
36 OUTLINE HISTORY.
tition was presented to the king, through the secretary for colonial affairs,
on the 1st of vSeptember, 1775, by Mr. Richard Penn and Henry Lee;
and on the 4th Lord Dartmouth informed them that "to it no answer
would be given."
Gen. Washington was placed at the head of the army. A post-office
department was organized, at the head of which Benjamin Franklin was
placed. The assembly of Pennsylvania immediately took measures to
raise the four thousand three hundred men apportioned to the province ;
made appropriations for their support, for the defence of the city, and for
the purchase of saltpetre. Bills of credit were issued amounting to
£35,000, redeemable by a tax on real and personal estate. A general
committee of safety was appointed for the province, with power to call
out the troops, to pay and support them, and to organize subordinate com-
mittees in every county. This committee at once assumed the executive
powers of the province. A military association for mutual defence, with
branches in each county, had been previously formed. The subordinate
committees in the interior promptly attended to raising and organizing
their respective quotas of men and officers. The members of the central
committee were Benjamin Franklin, president, John Dickinson, George
Gray, Henry Wynkoop, Anthony Wayne, Benjamin Bartholomew, George
Ross, Michael Swope, John Montgomery, Edward Biddle, William Ed-
monds, Bernard Dougherty, Samuel Hunter, William Thompson, Thomas
Willing, Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwallader, Andrew Allen, Owen
Biddle, Francis Johnston, Richard Reilly, Samuel Morris, junior, Robert
Morris, Thomas Wharton, junior, and Robert White. After the election
in October, these gentlemen were reappointed, and Joseph Reed, Nicho-
las Fairlamb, George Clymer, Samuel Howell, Alexander Wilson, John
Nixon, James Mease, and James Biddle, were added to the committee.
The Quakers were severely exercised by the peculiar duties required
of them by the committee of safety and the military associations. They
were required either to take up arms, which they would not do, or con-
tribute to the support of those who did. The latter they would probably
have cheerfully done, in some indirect manner, if left to do it voluntarily ;
but an attempt to coerce them had the effect of alienating many of the
sect, and attaching them to the royal side. There were distinguished
nlen, however, of that sect among the patriots of the revolution ; and
many more favored the cause. Gen. Washington was always careful to
conciliate the Quakers, for he saw that they were conscientiously loyal
" to the powers that be," and that if once they were convinced that the
American government was firmly established, they would adhere to it
with equal loyalty.
The assembly authorized the enlistment of a battalion of eight compa-
nies for the continental service, under Col. John Bull, and 1,500 men for
the defence of the province, until January, 1778; forming two battalions
of riflemen under Col. Miles, and Lieut. Cols. Ennion Williams, and
Daniel Broadhead; and one battalion of infantry under Col. Samuel
Atlee.
Congress had resolved in May, 1775, "That it be recommended to the
respective assemblies and conventions of the united colonies, where no
government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto
established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinions of the re-
STATE CONSTITUTION OF 1776. 37
presentat.ives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of
their constituents in particular, and America in general."
The whigs were determined upon a change of government in Pennsyl-
vania in pursuance of this resolve. More moderate men, and the tories,
determined that the ancient charter was " sufficient for the exigencies
of their affairs." Revolution, however, was the order of the day,
and the whigs prevailed, and determined further, that the assembly,
shackled as its members were by oaths of allegiance to the crown and
the ancient charter, should have no hand in the formation of the new
provincial government. Through the Philadelphia committee of obser-
vation and correspondence, a conference was called of delegates from all
the county committees. This conference assembled at Philadelphia on
the 18th June, 1776. Thomas McKean was president ; Col. Joseph Hart
vice-president ; Jonathan B. Smith and Samuel Morris secretaries. Each
county was allowed but a single vote. The conference prescribed the
mode of electing delegates to a great provincial convention for forming
a new constitution, and the qualifications of electors who might vote for
delegates; and in a solemn and temperate address to the people, (re-
ported by Messrs. Benjamin Rush, McKean, Hill, and Smith,) set forth
the objects and importance of the measure. All persons suspected, or
publicly denounced as enemies to the liberties of America, and all who
would not abjure allegiance to the king of Great Britain, were excluded
from voting. The delegates to the convention were further required to
believe in the Holy Trinity, and the divine inspiration of the Scriptures.
The meeting of convention was fixed for the 8th July.
Previous to the assembling of the provincial conference, the proposition
to declare the colonies independent had already been introduced to con-
gress, on the 7th June, by Richard Henry Lee, and seconded by John
Adams. These gentlemen advocated the measure with great boldness
and eloquence. Mr. Dickinson of Pennsylvania, whose patriotism no
one could doubt, opposed it, and strongly urged the propriety of seeking
a reconciliation with Great Britain. On a vote in committee of the
whole, all the colonies, except Pennsylvania and Delaware, approved the
measure. On the 2d July, the measure was adopted by congress. The
Declaration of Independence was reported to congress on the 28th June,
and passed, by the vote of every colony, on the 4th of July, 1776. Messrs.
Morris and Dickinson were absent. Messrs. Franklin, Wilson, and Mor-
ton voted for it, and Willing and Humphrey against it. Mr. Rodney was
sent for from Delaware to unite with Mr. McKean in voting for it.
The convention for forming the constitution of the state of Pennsyl-
vania, met at Philadelphia on the 15th July, 1776, and elected Benjamin
Franklin president, George Ross vice-president, John Morris and Jacob
Garrigues secretaries. Rev. William White, since the venerable bishop
of Pennsylvania, opened the convention by imploring the Divine blessing
upon their labors. The convention not only entered upon the task of
forming the constitution, but assumed the legislative power of the state.
They appointed as delegates to congress, Messrs. Franklin, Morton, Mor-
ris, Wilson, George Ross, James Smith, Benjamin Rush, George Clymer,
and George Taylor. All these gentlemen, who had not already done it,
signed the Declaration of Independence. Those gentlemen who had op-
posed it, were left out of the new delegation. The new constitution was
38 OUTLINE HISTORY.
completed on the 28tli September, 1776, signed by the president and all
the members, and committed to the council of safety, to be delivered to
the general assembly of the state at their first meeting.
The assembly of the province, whose powder had gradually melted away
before the heat of revolution, convened on the 23d September, and after
approving a few accounts, and denouncing the legislative action of the
convention, as a dangerous assumption of power, expired on the 26th
September, 1776.
The population of Pennsylvania at the time of assuming the powers
of a sovereign state, was estimated at over 300,000.
Independence had only been declared ; it was now to be maintained
by a long and bloody war. The limits of this sketch will not admit of a
notice of those scenes of the revolution occurring beyond the bounds of
Pennsylvania. The close of the year 1776 was a gloomy period of the
war. Gen. Washington, with the remains of an army constantly dimin-
ishing by desertion and the expiration of the terms of enlistment, had
retreated through New Jersey before the British army under Howe and
Cornwallis, and crossed into Pennsylvania. The enemy posted them-
selves along the Jersey side of the Delaware, waiting for the ice to form
a bridge by which they might reach Philadelphia. The Americans
guarded the ferries from New Hope to Bristol. The militia from the
eastern part of Pennsylvania flocked to Washington's standard with spirit
and in considerable numbers. On the night of the 25th December, Gen.
Washington, with a force of only 2,400 men, boldly pushed across the
Delaware and attacked the Hessian regiments at Trenton, capturing
nearly a thousand men and six cannon. Washington recrossed with his
prisoners into Pennsylvania, refreshed his troops, and then returned to
Trenton, where he was joined by Gen. Cadwallader and Gen. Mifflin, who
crossed the Delaware each with about 1,800 Pennsylvania militia.
The battle of Princeton took place within a week afterwards, after
which the army went into winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey.
In July, 1777, the British army embarked at New York for the Dela-
ware or Chesapeake bay, evidently intending an attack on Philadelphia.
Gen. Washington immediately marched the army into Pennsylvania and
encamped near Germantown, waiting to know more definitely the inten-
tions of the enemy. It was at this time that Washington first met La-
fayette, who had recently arrived in Philadelphia. Lafayette, invited by
Washington, at once took up his quarters with the commander-in-chief,
and shared all the privations of the camp. The British army, com-
manded by Sir William Howe, landed at the head of Elk, on the 25th
August, 1777, and moved in two divisions, under Lord Cornwallis and
Gen. Knyphausen, towards Chad's Ford, on the Brandywine. Washing-
ton marched his army, in fine spirits, through the streets of Philadelphia,
and took up a position along the left bank of the Brandywine, at Chad's
Ford, and at the Birmingham meeting-house, four miles above. Here a
general action took place on the 11th September, in which great gallantry
and military skill were displayed on both sides, but the Americans were
finally routed, and retreated that night to Chester. The day after the
battle, Washington retreated to Philadelphia, and encamped near Ger-
mantown. After a day's rest he again crossed the Schuylkill, and pro-
ceeded on the Lancaster road, intending again to meet the enemy. On
REVOLUTION. 39
the 16th September, both armies prepared with great alacrity for battle ;
but a heavy rain coming on, which wet the arms and ammunition of the
Americans, they were compelled to abandon the design of an engage-
ment, and retreat to French creek. Gen. Washington crossed the Schuyl-
kill, and encamped on Perkiomen creek, and Gen. Wayne was sent to
annoy the flanks of the enemy. It was while he was on this service that
the memorable affair at the Paoli occurred. Having thus driven Wayne
from his rear, and destroyed a quantity of stores at Valley Forge, Gen.
Howe came across the Schuylkill without opposition, and entered Phila-
delphia on the 26th September, at the head of a detachment of British
and Hessian grenadiers. The remainder of his army encamped at Ger-
mantown. The royalists in Philadelphia welcomed Gen. Howe with
transports of joy ; and during the winter the British officers were regaled
with luxury and festivity.
Congress, immediately after the battle of Brandywine, had retired to
Lancaster. They ordered large reinforcements of regulars and militia,
from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia, to repair "with-
out delay to the camp of Gen. Washington. Thus strengthened, Wash-
ington seized upon a moment, while a part of the British army were en-
gaged below the city in effecting a passage for their vessels through the
obstructions thrown across the river, to attack the enemy's camp at Ger-
mantown. This attack was planned by Washington with his usual abil-
ity. At first the Americans appeared to have the advantage ; but Col.
Musgrave contrived to throw a detachment of British troops into a large
and strong stone house, at the entrance of the town, where he made a
formidable resistance, and detained the Americans for some time in vain
attempts to dislodge him. The morning being foggy, Gen. Smallwood's
brigade came tardily upon the ground, and was inefficient when it arrived.
These circumstances turned the fortunes of the day to the British side ;
the Americans were repulsed, leaving a great number of killed and
wounded.
Washington, reinforced again by regiments from Virginia, encamped
on Skippack creek, where he maintained a menacing attitude, and em-
ployed his cavalry and light troops in scouring the country to cut off sup-
plies going to the enemy.
The British made a vigorous attack, with a combined land and naval
force, upon Fort Mifflin and Fort Mercer, by which the passage of the
Delaware, opposite the mouth of the Schuylkill, was guarded. Col.
Donop, with a Hessian corps, was severely repulsed by Col. Greene, at
Red Bank, (Fort Mercer.) Col. Donop was mortally wounded and taken
prisoner, and his best officers killed or disabled.
On the other side, two of the British ships went on shore, and the oth-
ers, with the troops, met with a long and obstinate resistance from the
garrison in Fort Mifflin ; but the latter at length set fire to the fort, and
retreated to Red Bank. Cornwallis, with a strong detachment, took pos-
session of the fort at Red Bank, which had been evacuated on his ap-
proach, dismantled it, and destroyed the works. This was late in No-
vember, 1777.
Gen. Washington, being now reinforced by General Gates' troops from
the north, encamped in a strong position at Whitemarsh. The American
army at this time consisted of about eleven thousand one hundred men,
40 OUTLINE HISTORY,
of whom nearly three thousand were unfit for duty, "being barefooted
and otherwise naked." Howe had with him but little more than twelve
thousand fighting men. The British general made several attempts to
provoke or entice Washington into the field, but the latter chose to re-
ceive the enemy in camp — each general choosing not to risk a battle
without the advantage of ground. On one occasion General Howe at-
tempted to surprise the American camp, but his design was frustrated by
the cunning and coolness of a Quaker lady, Lydia Darrach. (See Mont-
gomery county.) Washington finally concluded to go into winter quar-
ters at Valley Forge. Here this faithful band of patriots, worn out with
the fatigues of the summer's campaign, and destitute of all the necessa-
ries of life, passed a most dreary winter. They erected log huts on the
plan of a village, and so far were comfortably sheltered ; but blankets,
sufficient clothing, shoes, and oftentimes provisions, were but scantily
provided. It was with great difficulty and anxiety that Washington kept
his army together until spring. Congress, during the winter, held its
sessions at York.
Attempts were made during the winter of 1777-78, by a set of restless
and ambitious intriguers, to prejudice the minds of congress and the peo-
ple against General Washington, and place the chief command in the
hands of a more daring, but less prudent officer. They succeeded for a
time in casting a cloud over his reputation, but it soon shone out more
brilliant than ever.
In the spring of 1778, Great Britain sent over commissioners to attempt
a reconciliation ; but their efforts were abortive. These commissioners,
among other intrigues, secretly offered to Joseph Reed, then delegate to
congress and afterwards president of the executive council of Pennsyl-
vania, £10,000 sterling, with the best office in the colonies, to promote
their plans. He promptly replied, " I am not worth purchasing ; but such
as I am, the king of Great Britain is not rich enough to do it."
On the 6th February, 1778, France openly espoused the American
cause, by a treaty with the commissioners, Franklin, Deane, and Lee, in
Paris ; and news of the event reached congress at York, on the 2d May.
The British kept possession of Philadelphia during the winter and spring.
Sir William Howe returned to England, and was succeeded by Sir Henry
Clinton, who, fearing a blockade of the Delaware by the French, evacu-
ated Philadelphia on the 18th June, and took up his march across New
Jersey towards New York. Washington moved his troops from winter
quarters, and pursued the enemy. The brilliant action at Monmouth
was the consequence. It took place on the 28th June.
Gen. Arnold, who had been wounded at Saratoga, took command in
Philadelphia with a small detachment. It was about this time, doubtless,
that he contracted those relations, by marriage in a distinguished tory
family of Philadelphia, which afterwards led him into his base intimacy
with the British officers.
During the occupation of Philadelphia by the British, a gang of law-
less, desperate villains, roamed through the interior counties, stealing
cattle and horses, for which they obtained a high price from the British —
in gold, too, a rare article in those paper-money days. Deprived of their
means of sustenance by the withdrawal of the British, they commenced
the business on their own account, forming a line of communication
REVOLUTION. ^
through the Cumberland valley, and into the southern states. Southern
horses were stolen and brought to the north, where they were not recog-
nised— and vice versa — thus realizing the much vaunted project of
" equalizing the exchanges.'* The robbers were eventually hunted down,
tried, and hanged.
The Indians of the Six Nations, as well as the tribes in the western
territory, had been induced by the British to take up the hatchet against
the colonies. During the year 1777 they were principally engaged on
the northern frontiers of New York, and Pennsylvania escaped their
ravages, with the exception of a few marauding parties. In 1778 the
garrison at Pittsburg was strengthened, and Fort M'Intosh was built at
the mouth of Beaver. Notwithstanding the expected attacks from In-
dians on the north and west branches of the Susquehanna, the inhabitants
of Northumberland county and of the Wyoming valley had promptly re-
sponded to the urgent calls of congress, and left exposed their own homes,
by sending nearl}^ all their fighting men to the campaigns in the lower
country. While in this defenceless situation, the dark cloud of savage
warfare burst upon them. Early in July, 1778, Col. John Butler, with a
party of tory rangers, a detachment of Sir John Johnson's Royal Greens,
and a large body of Indians, chiefly Senecas, led by Gi-en-gwah-toh, (not
Brant,) descended the Susquehanna, and destroyed the flourishing settle-
ments of the Wyoming valle3\ A few old men were hastily gathered for
defence, with a few soldiers returned on a visit from the army ; the wo-
men and children were sheltered in a stockade fort, where their defend-
ers ought also to have remained ; but their courage outweighed their
prudence, they loved fighting from habit, and they chose to go out to
meet the enemy. This little handful of men fought with more them Spar-
tan courage, but numbers overpowered them — they were routed — many
M^ere cut down in the flight, and those captured were put to death with
the hatchet. Col. Dennison, who escaped to the fort with a few others,
succeeded in entering into a capitulation by which the women and chil-
dren were to be preserved, and permitted to depart. The forlorn band
of widows and orphans, with nothing but the clothing upon their persons,
and what little provision, hastily gathered, could be carried in the hand,
escaped through the wilderness of the Pokono mountains, sixty rniles, to
Stroudsburg, and thence to New England. Their cottages were given
to the flames.*
Col. Hartley, with a small detachment from Muncy, soon after the
battle, went up the Susquehanna, and destroyed the Indian villages at
Wyalusing, Sheshequin, and Tioga. A month or two after the battle of
Wyoming, a force of Indians and tories descended upon Fort Freeland,
on the West Branch, about fourteen miles above Northumberland ; and
after a short struggle, forced the garrison to capitulate, taking the armed
men into captivity, Mrs. Kirk, a ready-witted woman, threw petticoats
upon her son, (old enough to bear arms,) and smuggled him out with the
women.
In the following year, June, 1779, Gen. Sullivan went up the Susquehan-
na with an army, and laid waste the Indian towns on the Tioga and Gen-
* See Luzerne county. The ordinary accounts of this affair, published at the time and copied
into several histories of the revolution, were incorrect and greatly exaggerated.
6
42 OUTLINE HISTORY
esee rivers ; but this neither intimidated the savages nor prevented their
incursions. Throughout the remainder of the war, they stole in small
parties into all the frontier settlements, where blood and desolation marked
their track. Col. Broadhead, about the same time, engaged in a success-
ful expedition against the Senecas and Monseys on the Allegheny, destroy-
ing the villages and crops about the mouth of Brokenstraw, and above
the Conewango.
In January, 1781, a revolt broke out among the Pennsylvania troops,
then stationed at Morristown. About thirteen hundred men paraded un-
der arms without their officers, and threatened to march to Philadelphia
and demand a redress of their grievances from congress. They com-
plained that they were detained beyond the time of their enlistment ; that
they suffered every hardship from a depreciated currency, and the Avant
of provisions and clothing. The British generals seized the occasion to
tempt them to join the royal cause, but they spurned the offer, and took
the messengers as spies. By the coolness and prudence of Gen. Wayne
and Gen. Joseph Reed, president of Pennsylvania, they were kindly
treated with : an amnesty was granted, and a promise given that their
grievances should be represented to congress. A great part of the line
was disbanded during the winter, but recruited again in the spring.
The depreciation of the continental currency, with which congress had
hitherto carried on the war, became now so great that further issues were
impracticable ; and it was necessary to devise some new basis for curren-
cy and public credit. Robert Morris, the chief financier of the revolution,
proposed to congress, in May, 1781, the plan of the Bank of North Ameri-
ca; and on the 31st December, of the same year, congress incorporated
the institution. The states of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts also
granted it additional charters. The capital, according to Mr. Morris's
plan, was to consist of one thousand shares of four hundred dollars each ;
but it was afterwards raised to two million dollars. This bank had an
inmnediate and highly beneficial effect upon the finances and commercial
interests of the country. In 1785, on the complaint of many citizens of
Chester county, the legislature of Pennsylvania revoked its charter ; but
it continued to act under the congressional charter, and the legislature of
1787 again renewed it.
Peace was concluded in 1782-83, and the army was disbanded. Many
of the soldiers were still without their pay. A part of the Pennsylvania
troops, some three hundred in all, gathered round the statehouse in Phila-
delphia, with a view to overawe congress, and procure redress. The
affair was quieted by Gen. Washington, without bloodshed.
Since the year 1768, the northwestern boundary of Indian purchases in
the state ran from the Susquehanna, on the New York line, to Towanda
creek ; thence to the head of Pine creek ; thence to its mouth, and up the
West Branch to its source ; thence over to Kittanning, and down the Ohio
to the west line of the state. At a treaty held at Fort Stanwix, in Oct.
1785, the commissioners of the state purchased all the remaining land
within its chartered limits. This purchase was confirmed by the Wy-
andots and Delawares, at Fort M'Intosh, in January, 1785. In 1789,
the state purchased from the Indians, and in 1792 from the United States,
the small triangle, now part of Erie county, necessary to secure to the
state a good harbor on Lake Erie.
CONSTITUTION OF 17D0. 43
The vast territory, however, acquired by the treaty of 1784, was only
purchased, but was not entered upon by the pioneers of Pennsylvania for
ten years. The price of blood, as usual, was to be paid for it. The peace
of 1 783 with Great Britain quieted the Six Nations on the northern fron-
tier, but not the Indians of the west — the Delawares, Twigtwees, Wyan-
dots, &c. — now driven into the wilds of Ohio. A bloody and barbarous
warfare was carried on against these tribes, by successive expeditions of
M'Intosh in 1778, of Broadhead in 1780, of Crawford in 1782, of Harmar
in 1789, of St. Clair in 1791, and of Wayne in 1792 to 1795. In addition
to these larger expeditions, there was an under-current of partisan hos-
tilities constantly maintained between the white savages of the frontier
and the red, in which it is difficult to say on which side was exhibited the
greatest atrocity.
By several laws of the state, and especially the land law of 1792, set-
tlers were encouraged to enter upon the lands ; but the disastrous cam-
paigns of Harmar and St. Clair threw open the whole frontier west of the
Ohio and Allegheny to savage hostilities. And from that time until Gen.
Wayne's treaty at Greenville, on the 3d Aug. 1795, it was unsafe for fami-
lies to cross the Allegheny into the newly granted lands. An immense
number of warrants, however, had been taken out of the land-office, by
the Holland Land Company and others ; and in a very few instances, un-
successful attempts had been made at actual settlement. By the act a
settlement of five years was required to give title, " unless prevented by
the enemies of the United States ;" and at the return of peace a lawsuit
originated, which involved the titles of the Holland Land Company, and
other companies and individuals, to a great part of the best lands included
in that purchase.
In 1787, the convention met for forming the new constitution of the
United States. The adoption of this prepared the way for a change in
that of Pennsylvania. The constitution of 1776, tested by practical opera-
tion, had exhibited many defects. Thomas M'Kean, then chief-justice,
said of it : " The balance of the one, the few, and the many is not well poised
in the state ; the legislature is too powerful for the executive and judicial
branches. We have now but one branch — we must have another branch,
a negative in the executive, stability in our laws, and permanency in our
magistracy, before we shall be reputable, safe, and happy." The conven-
tion for forming the new constitution convened at Philadelphia, on the
24th Nov. 1789, and was composed of the first talents that Pennsylvania
could boast. M'Kean, Mifflin, Gallatin, Smiley, Findlay, Wilson, Lewis,
Ross, Addison, Sitgreaves, and Pickering, were among the members.
Thomas Mifflin was elected president. The constitution, adopted in 1 790,
has been deservedly considered as an admirable model for a representa-
tive republic, securing force to the government and freedom to the people.
At the first election under the new constitution. Gen. Thomas Mifflin was
chosen governor, and continued to discharge the duties of the office dur-
ing nine years, with great ability. The previous presidents of the execu-
tive council, under the constitution of 1776, had been Thomas Wharton,
Jr., James Reed, William Moore, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, and
Thomas Mifflin.
The first Bank of the United States was incorporated by congress, and
the act approved by Washington, in February, 1791. The idea of this in-
44 OUTLINE HISTORY.
stitution was conceived by Alexander Hamilton, then at the head of the
treasury department, immediately after the adoption of the constitution.
Its continuance was limited by the charter to the 4th March, 1811, at
which time it expired, congress refusing to renew the charter. The
capital was limited to $10,000,000, divided into shares of $400 each.
In 1791-4, an alarming insurrection took place in the southwestern
counties around Pittsburg, in opposition to a law of congress laying an
excise of four pence per gallon upon all distilled spirits. The excise offi-
cers were insulted, threatened, and prevented from discharging their
duty. Several had their houses burned, and others their barns and hay-
stacks. Other citizens, who took part with the government, were pro-
scribed, and obliged to escape the rage of the mob. Immense public
meetings were held, both of citizens and military men ; liberty poles were
erected, and preparations were made for an organized resistance. A
few judicious men, disguising their real sentiments, managed to lead and
moderate the movements of the insurgents, and finally to quell their im-
petuosity. President Washington called out the militia from Pennsylvania,
Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia, to the number of fifteen thousand.
Gov. Lee, of Virginia, was commander-in-chief. Gov. Mifflin, in person,
commanded the Pennsylvania troops. The insurgents were overawed by
this force, even before it reached the seat of insurrection, and cheerfully
accepted of the amnesty that was proclaimed. A few leaders were
arrested, brought to Philadelphia, and tried in the U. S. Court. Two
only were convicted, and these were afterwards pardoned. The excise
officers resumed their duties without opposition.
Another insurrection, of less importance, in opposition to a direct tax
of the United States, took place in 1798-99, among the Germans in Le-
high, Berks, Northampton, and a small portion of Bucks and Montgomery
counties. It was headed by John Fries, who was convicted of treason and
sentenced to be hung, but was afterwards pardoned by President Adams.
It has been stated above, that the controversy between the proprietary
government and the Connecticut claimants on Wyoming lands, was post-
poned to the more pressing exigencies of the revolution, in which both
parties made common cause. The Connecticut settlers had returned soon
after Sullivan's expedition of 1779. In 1778, the title to these lands had
been taken from the Penns and vested in the state. On the assertion of
this new title on the part of the state, the controversy was opened anew,
and was referred to congress, who appointed commissioners to meet
at Trenton in the autumn of 1782. The commissioners, after hearing
both parties, decided " that Connecticut has no right to the land in
controversy — and that the jurisdiction and pre-emption of all lands
within the charter bounds of Pennsylvania, do of right belong to that
state." The settlers cheerfully acquiesced in the change of jurisdiction,
but claimed that, although " Connecticut had no right to the land," yet the
Susquehanna Company had. The state proceeded to enforce her claims
by a method very different from that of William Penn, and thereupon
ensued a fierce and vindictive civil war, nearly as desolating as the pre-
vious irruptions of the tories and savages. At length, after a series of
vacillating and ill-advised legislation, the state passed a law, in 1799 and
1801, compensating the Pennsylvanian claimants by a grant of lands
elsewhere, or by a payment in money ; and confirming to the Connecticut
GOVERNORS.
49
settlers their titles on condition of their paying the state a small price
per acre, from 86 cents to $1 20, according to the quality of their land.
The New England emigrants became obedient, industrious, and valuable
citizens of their adopted state : and Wyoming, after a long train of un-
paralleled sufferings, enjoyed a state of repose and prosperity.
In 1799, Thomas M'Kean, who had for a long time been distinguished
as the chief-justice of the state, was elected governor, and continued to
discharge the duties of the office during nine years, being three times
elected by the people. His election, in preference to his able and dis-
tinguished competitor, the Hon. James Ross, was the result of a warm
conflict between the two great parties — federal and republican — which
were then assuming those distinct political ranks into which, for many
years, the people were divided. His success, through what was termed
" the momentum of Pennsylvania politics," paved the way for Mr. Jef-
ferson's accession to the presidency, whose administration Mr. M'Kean
vigorously supported.
List of Governors of the Colonies on the Delaware, and of the Province and
State of Pennsylvania.
Access. Exit.
1623. The Dutch planted a colony on the Delaware under Cornelius Jacob May, ap-
pointed governor by the West India Company, under the authority of the
States General.
1 624. William Useling appointed governor of the Swedish colony to be established
on the Delaware, (but he never came here.)
1630. David Peterson De Vries, (Dutch.)
1631. John Printz, (Swedish.)
1638. Peter Minuits, (Swedish, but himself a native of Holland.) . . 1640
1640. William Kieft — Dutch governor of New York.
1643. John Printz, (Swedish.) . . . . .1653
1653. Papegoia, (son-in-law to Printz.) .... 1654
1654. Risingh. .......
1657. Alrichs, i
1658. John Paul Jaquet, > under Stuyvesant, Dutch governor of New York. .
1659. Beekman, )
1664. Robert Carr — under Richard Nichols, English governor of New York. .
1673. Anthony Colve — Dutch governor of New York. . . ,
1674. Sir Edmund Andross — English governor of New York. .
1681. WiUiam Penn — founder of the province. . . , 1684
1684. Governor's Council — Thomas Lloyd, president. . , . 1687
1687. Five commissioners appointed by Wm. Penn. . . , 1688
1688. John Blackwell, lieutenant-governor. .... 1690
1690. Governor's Council. ..... 1691
691. Thomas Lloyd — deputy governor. .... 1692
1692. Benjamin Fletcher — governor of New York. . , , 1693
1693. William Markham — lieutenant-governor. • . . ,
1700. William Penn. ...... 1701
1701. Andrew Hamilton — deputy governor. .... 1704
1704. John Evans. ...... 1709
1709. Charles Gookin. ...... 1717
1717. Sir William Keith. ..... 1726
1726. Patrick Gordon. . . . . . .1736
1736. James Logan — president of council. .... 1738
1738. George Thomas — lieutenant-governor. ... 1747
1747. Anthony Palmer — president of council. ... 1748
1748. James Hamilton — lieutenant-governor. .... 1754
1754. Richard H. Morris, do. .... 1756
1756, Wm. Denny, do. . » , . . 1759
1759. James Hamilton. do. .... 1763
1763. John Penn. do. . i , , . 1771
1771. Richard Penn. do. .... 1776
i6 OUTUNE HISTORY.
Access. Exifi
1776. Thomas Wharton, Jun. — president of the Supreme Executive Council. . 1778
1778. Joseph Reed, do. do. do. do. . 1782
1782. John Dickinson, do. do. do. do. . 1785
1785. Benjamin Frankhn, do. do. do. do. . 1788
1788. Thomas Mifflin. do. do. do. do. . 1791
1791. Thomas Mifflin — governor mider the constitution of 1790. . . 1799
1799. Thomas M'Kean. ...... 1808
1808. Simon Snyder. ...... 1817
1817. William Finley, ...... 1820
1820. Joseph Hiester. ...... 1823
1823. John Andrew Shulze. ...... 1829
1829. George Wolfe. . . . . . . 1835
1835. Joseph Ritner. ...... 1839
1839. David Rittenhouse Porter — first under const, of 1838 — 2d term expires in Jan 1845
The state of Pennsylvania, having purchased from the aborigines the
whole territory within her chartered limits, and driven them beyond the
boundary ; having done her full share in the revolutionary contest ; hav-
ing, with the aid of the general government, quelled three civil wars
within her own limits ; having quieted all the boundary claims of neighbor-
ing states ; and having, for the government of the domain thus acquired,
established a well-balanced constitution on the principles of republican
freedom, was now fully prepared to lay aside the implements of war, and
devote all her energies to the arts of peace. If not the first, Pennsyl-
vania was one of the first states to engage in the great system of public
improvement. She merits unquestionably the praise of having constructed
the first stone turnpike in the Union, and probably of having attempted
the first canal over one hundred miles in length. Her noble stone bridges,
some of them constructed as early as 1800, at an expense of $60,000 and
$100,000, conferred upon her the name of the state of bridges. The
stone turnpike, from Lancaster to Philadelphia, 62 miles, was commenced
in 1792, and finished in 1794, at a cost of $465,000, by a private company.
Between that period and the war of 1812, some thirty companies received
charters from the state, and constructed many miles of road. As late as
the year 1832, 220 turnpike companies had been authorized by law, al-
though all did not finally proceed in the prosecution of their respective
works ; yet passable roads were made by these companies to the extent of
about 3000 miles. A continuous line of stoned turnpike now extends
from Trenton, on the Delaware, to the boundaries of Ohio. The cost of
this thoroughfare, which is in length about 340 miles, including the
bridges, has been ascertained to transcend that of the celebrated road of
Napoleon over the Simplon.
William Penn himself was aware of the near approach of the head-
waters of the Swatara and Tulpehocken creeks, and had foreseen their
future connection. As early as 1762, it was proposed to connect the
waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio with those of the Delaware ; and, as a
part of the plan. Dr. David Rittenhouse and Rev. Wm. Smith surveyed
a route for a canal between the Susquehanna and Schuylkill, by way of
the Swatara and Tulpehocken. On the 29th Sept. 1791, a company to
construct a canal by that route was incorporated ; and another to make
a canal from Norristown to the Delaware at Philadelphia, and to im-
prove the navigation of the Schuylkill, was incorporated on the 10th
April, 1792. After an expenditure of $440,000, these works were for a
time suspended. In 1811 the two companies were united as the Union
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. 47
Canal Co., and were then specially authorized to extend their canal to
Lake Erie, should it be deemed expedient. The Union Canal was, after
many delays and embarrassments, completed in 1827, thirty-seven years
after the commencement of the work. The Schuylkill Navigation Com-
pany was incorporated in 1815 ; the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in
1801 ; the Lehigh Navigation, first company in 1798, and again in 1813 ;
the Conewago Canal Co., (on the west side of the Susquehanna, around
Conewago falls,) in 1793 ; the Lackawanna Navigation Company in 1817.
These were among the earlier and more important attempts to improve
the rivers and construct canals by private companies. Some of the
works, however, lingered under embarrassing circumstances until a later
day, when the opening of coal mines, and the development of other re-
sources of the state, justified their completion.
During the war of 1812-14 with Great Britain, the enemy gained no
foothold in Pennsylvania, nor did any very important event of the war
occur in the state, except the preparation of Perry's victorious fleet at
Erie, in the summer of 1813. (See Erie county.)
To carry out successfully the gigantic project of uniting the great east-
ern with the great western waters, was supposed to require an amount
of capital, and of credit, beyond the control of any joint-stock company ;
and the preeminent power and credit of the state herself was enlisted in
the enterprise. Unfortunately, to do this required legislative votes, and
these votes were not to be had without extending the ramifications of
the system throughout all the counties whose patronage was necessary to
carry the measure. In March, 1824, commissioners were appointed to
explore a route for a canal from Harrisburg to Pittsburg by way of the
Juniata and Conemaugh, and by way of the West Branch of the Susque-
hanna, Sinnemahoning, and the Allegheny — and also between the head
waters of Schuylkill, by Mahanoy creek, to the Susquehanna — with other
projects. In 1825, canal commissioners were appointed to explore a
number of routes in various directions through the state. In August,
1825, a convention of the friends of internal improvement, consisting of
delegates from 46 counties, met at Harrisburg, and passed resolutions in
favor of " opening an entire and complete communication from the Sus-
quehanna to the Allegheny and Ohio, and from the Allegheny to Lake
Erie, by the nearest and best practicable route." The starting impulse
being thus given, the great enterprise moved on, increasing in strength
and magnitude as each successive legislature convened ; and the citizens
of every section were highly excited, not to say intoxicated, with local
schemes of internal improvement. Contemporaneously with these enter-
prises, anthracite coal began to be successfully introduced for family use ;
and besides the discovery of vast and rich deposits of this mineral almost
exclusively in Pennsylvania, the circumstance was an additional reason
for the construction of improvements. Iron mines and salt wells were
also opened, stimulated by the high tariff of 1828 ; and the rich bitumi-
nous coal-fields west of the Allegheny invited enterprise and speculation
to that quarter. To describe the various public works that grew out of
the powerful impulse given from 1826 to 1836, would require of itself a
small volume. Suffice it to say that, in Oct. 1834, the Philadelphia and
Columbia Railroad was opened for travelling : the main line of canal
had been previously completed ; and in the same month, on the comple-
48 OUTLINE HISTORY.
tion of the Allegheny Portage Railroad, an emigrants' boat, from the
North Branch of the Susquehanna, actually passed over the Allegheny
Mountains, with all its family on board, and being launched into the
canal at Johnstown, proceeded on its route to St. Louis !
The commonwealth had not progressed far with her grand system of
internal improvements, before there was perceived an equal necessity for
a general system of education, to develop the mental resources of the citi-
zens. William Penn had been careful to declare, in founding his colony,
that " that which makes a good constitution must keep it, viz., men of
wisdom and virtue, qualities that, because they descend not with worldly
inheritance, must be carefully propagated by a virtuous education of
youth ;" and in his frame of government had provided that the governor
and provincial council " shall erect and order all public schools." The
first republican constitution of 1776 had decreed that " a school or schools
shall he established in each county." The constitution of 1790 provided
that " the legislature, as soon as may be, shall provide by law for the es-
tablishment of schools throughout the state, in such manner that the poor
may he taught gratis.'^ Unfortunately, the legislature for many years over-
looked that part of the provision which requires the " establishment of
schools throughout the state," and devoted their more especial attention
to provide " that the poor may be taught gratis." Colleges and numerous
academies, it is true, were incorporated throughout the state, and gener-
ally endowed by the legislature ; the conditions of endowment often be-
ing that a certain number of poor children should be taught gratis.
These enactments were not, however, the result of a great general prin-
ciple emanating from the government, but were granted at the voluntary
and often tardy solicitation of individuals, societies, or counties. The
provision for the poor was nearly inoperative, for few of the freemen of
Pennsylvania, poor and illiterate though they might be, were willing to
place the fact on the public records of the county. These laws were
partial and local in their object, and limited in their application. In short,
education was generally left to voluntary effort. There was no general
system of education : no efficient plan for furnishing, not to the poor alone,
but to the people at large, the opportunity and the inducement to become
intelligent. The extensive prevalence of the German language, or rather
the Pennsylvanian dialect of the German, was not without a pernicious
effect upon the cause of education. There were German newspapers,
but not a very plentiful supply of German books, in past years ; and the
consequence was, that the minds of that class of our population, though
naturally strong, were to a great extent without ample means for culti-
vation, and education among them gradually declined. The number of
people who could neither read nor write, in either language, had increased
to an alarming extent, and became an object of ridicule to the people
of other states who had been more careful to provide a proper system of
education. The state at length awaked from her lethargy, about the
year 1833; the legislature took the matter seriously in hand, and passed
an act " to establish a general system of education by common schools,"
approved by Gov. George Wolfe on the 1st April, 1834. It is worthy of
remark, as exhibiting the tardiness of the state upon this subject, that the
legislative committee are found referring to the example and experience,
among others, of the young state of Ohio. The law of 1834 was found,
EDUCATION. 49
in practice, to be defective in some points, and was amended in 1836.
Under this law an excellent sj-stem has been gradually extended through-
out the state, and promises, in the course of a few years, to raise up a
whole generation of intelligent, well-educated youth. By this law the
secretary of state is ex-officio the superintendent of common schools ; a
fund is provided for the support, in part, of the schools, while the supply
of the other part is left to be made up by taxation, under prescribed
forms, of the people in the several accepting districts ; the state is laid
off in school districts, generally corresponding with the township or
borough divisions; and it is left optional with each township or district to
decide for itself whether it will accept of the school law or not. If it ac-
cept, the taxes are assessed and the schools established accordingly, and
its proper share of the general fund is received : if it do not accept, its
share of the general fund is not received, and the citizens of the district
are left to provide their own schools by voluntary effort, if they choose to
have any ; while the authorities of the township assess a tax upon the
citizens for the education of the poor.
From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
The following tables have been compiled from the reports of the superintendent. They show
briefly, but comprehensively, the progress of the school system from the commencement, in 1836,
to the end of the school year, 1841.
The whole number of School Districts in the State — tfie number which have and lohich have not
accepted.
1836, whole number 907 accepting, 536 non-accepting, 371
1837, " 987 " 603 " 384
1838, " 1,001 " 765 " 239
1839, " 1.033 " 840 " 193
1840, " 1,050 " 887 " 162
1841, " 1,072 " 917 " 155
Receipts and Expenditures of the several Common School Districts, exclusive of the City and
County of Philadelphia.
Receipts from Receipts from Expenditures for Expenditures for
state treasury. scliool tax. sclioolhouses. teaching, fuel, &c.
1835, $29,460 33 Not ascertained. Not ascertained. Not ascertained.
1836, 98,670 54 f207,105 37 $111,803 01 $193,972 90
1837, 463,749 55 231,552 36 202,230 52 493,071 39
1838, 323,794 92 385.788 00 149,132 23 560,450 69
1839, 276,826 92 382,527 89 ; ,„, „„. „^ 597,162 78
1840, 264,536 66 395,918 90 \ lbl,Ja4 Ob 580,262 63
1841, 249,400 87 397,952 01 123,004 19 524,348 66
The whole number of Scholars taught in the Common Schools, and the average number of
months the Schools were open.
1835, number of scholars 100,000 Schools were open 3 months 12 days.
1836, " " 139,604 « " 4 " 3 «
1837, " " 185,355 " " 6 " 6 "
1839, « " 233,710 " " 5 " 18 «
1840, « " 254,908 " «« 5 " 8 "
1841, " " 284,469 " •' 5 " 7 «
City and County of Philadelphia. — The schools in this district are not governed by the gene-
ral law establishing a system of common-school education ; but as they are organized in an im-
portant section of the commonwealth, for the same purposes as the other common schools through-
out the state, and receive an equal share of the annual appropriation, the following information
in relation to them, taken principally from the reports of the controllers, is submitted.
The following table shows the annual receipts from the state and county treasury, the sums
expended in purchasing and erecting schoolhouses, and the number of scholars educated in each
year : —
7
50 OUTLINE HISTORY.
From tlie state. From the county. Paid for schoolhonses. Number of scholars,
1836, ||47,617 54 ^80,U00 00 $23,433 07 11,177 00
1837, 89,536 51 56,000 00 110,864 25 17,000 00
1838, 39,578 00 96,000 00 74,790 35 18,794 00
1839, 39,578 00 162,271 00 23,454 17 21,968 00
1840, 49,283 00 150.000 00 36,078 81 23,192 00
1841, 49,283 00 165,000 00 46,785 44 27,500 00
The whole number of children in the city and county of Philadelphia, according to the census
of 1840, over five and under fifteen years of age, is .... 53,963
Number educated in the public schools in 1841, .... 27,500
Number not educated in 1841, in the public schools, .... 26,463
The number taught in private scliools in the city and county of Fliiladelphia, is not known.
Secondary Schools and Colleges. — The following sums have been paid at the state treasury to
colleges, academies, and female seminaries. The number of scholars annually taught in them ia
annexed : —
In 1838, amount paid, $7,990 00 Number of scholars, 4,479
1839, " " 39.993 70 " " 4.886
1840, « " 37,442 74 " " 5,534
1841, " " 47,656 91 " " 5,711
It appears that 41,743 of the children in the accepting districts were not, during the year 1841,
educated in the common schools of those districts. There were educated during the year, in the
academies and female seminaries, 4,154 scholars. These principally reside in accepting districts.
The nmnber taught in private schools in these districts is not ascertained.
Hence it follows, that according to these estimates there were about 37,000 children, in 1841,
in the accepting districts, who were not instructed either in the common schools, academies, or
female seminaries.
From the progress already made in the business of education, as will hereafter appear, and
the capacity of the system to the wants of the people, there is every reason to believe that in the
course of a few years, every child in the accepting districts, which is the proper subject of com.
mon-school instruction, will be taught in the public schools. This belief is strengthened by the
fact that the number of scholars taught in 1841 was 29,561 greater than it was in 1830.
It would be interesting and instructive to trace the financial history of
Pennsylvania from the adoption of the constitution of 1790, down to the
present day, but, interwoven as the subject is with banking operations,
with the politics of each successive epoch, and even with private specu-
lations, it would be impossible to do justice to it within the restricted
limits of this outline. A few prominent facts and dates will be stated,
" without note or comment."
" The first bank established in the state, and indeed in the United States, was the Bank of North
America, which was chartered by congress on the 31st day of December, 1781, with a capital
not to exceed ten millions of dollars, and without any limits being assigned as to its duration.
This charter was confirmed by the state of Pennsylvania, on the 1st day of April, 1782.
On the 25th day of February, 1791, the first bank of the United States was chartered by con-
gress, with a capital of ten millions of dollars, and located at Philadelphia. Its charter expired
without renewal on the 4th day of March, 1811.
On the 30th day of March, 1793, the Bank of Pennsylvania was incorporated for twenty years.
The charter was renewed on the 14th of February, 1810, for twenty years longer, with an in.
crease of capital which is now $2,500,000. This bank was authorized to have branches, of
which it established four, viz., at Lancaster, Reading, Easton, and Pittsburg, the last of which
has been discontinued.
On the 5th of March, 1804, the Philadelphia Bank was chartered, after having been some time
in operation without a charter, to continue until 1st May, 1814, with a capital not to exceed two
millions of dollars, of which 1,800,000 were raised. The charter was renewed from time to time.
It was authorized, by an act of 3d March, 1809, to institute branches, of which it established
four, viz., at Wilkesbarre, Washington, Columbia, and Harrlsburg, the two last of which have
been withdrawn.
On the 16th March, 1809, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank was incorporated, with a capital
of $1,250,000, to continue until the 1st May, 1824."
After the demise of the old Bank of the United States, in 1811, numer-
ous state banks sprung up to supply the vacuum. During the war of
1812, the export of specie being checked, a considerable expansion took
FINANCE. 51
place in their currency, which was followed, in August and September,
1814, by a suspension of specie payments by all the banks south of New
England. This increased the expansion, and " money became plenty" —
such as it was.
" The notes of the city banks became depreciated 20 per cent., and those of the country banks
from 25 to 50, and specie so entirely disappeared from circulation, that even the fractional parts
of a dollar were substituted by small notes and tickets, issued by banks, corporations, and indi-
viduals. Each city, town, and county, had its own local currency, bearing no equivalency with,
or a fixed proportion to any other ; the consequence of which was, that a new and extensive class
of brokers sprang into existence. Counterfeiters also added to the mass of paper in circulation.
Congress chartered the second Bank of the United States, with a capital of thirty-five millions
of dollars, on the 10th day of April, 1816, with corporate powers which expired on the 3d of
March, 1836.
No sooner was this measure adopted, than the numerous city banks, alarmed for their safety,
resolved upon a retrograde movement, and with the reduction of their loans, commenced a reac
tion, which was accompanied by great mercantile distress. The result of this procedure, how-
ever, was a gradual amelioration of the currency, insomuch that by the month of July of that
year, the depreciation of the notes of the banks in Philadelphia was brought to 7 or 8 per cent.j
and by the month of December to considerably less.
The Bank of the United States, the subscriptions to which were opened on the first Monday
of July, 1816, commenced its operations about the 1st of January, 1817."*
A rigorous commercial pressure ensued, commencing about the year
1818, and continuing for a number of years. During this pressure the
legislature was beset with petitions and plans for relief, such as stay laws,
valuation laws, projects for loan offices, and similar schemes, which were
not adopted. An interval of calm ensued in financial affairs from 1823
to 1828.
With the opening of the coal mines, and the commencement of the
great system of internal improvements, about the year 1828-29, a spirit of
speculation sprung up among all classes of citizens, unparalleled in the his-
tory of the United States. The state found no difficulty in procuring loans,
generally from capitalists in Great Britain, for the prosecution of her public
works. Incorporated companies and banks followed the example of the
state ; and individuals, who were not sufficiently known to procure loans
abroad, found no difficulty in getting them at home. The banks expanded ;
the excitement continued to increase ; as mines were discovered and
opened, and public works laid out, towns were projected, town lots were
multiplied, and passed almost like currency from hand to hand ; extensive
manufactories were established " to develop the resources of the state ;"
real estate, agricultural produce, and merchandise rose in price nearly
double ; the former indeed, in many cases, ten-fold : in short, all the
world was getting rich, and that without labor.
In 1836, the charter of the second Bank of the United States expired,
but the United States Bank of Pennsylvania was chartered by the state
legislature, with the same capital of $35,000,000, and, purchasing the
assets and assuming the liabilities of the old bank, continued the busi-
ness under the same roof In 1837, a reaction commenced. All the
banks, with very rare exceptions, suspended specie payments throughout
the Union. A resumption was attempted in 1839, but was only perse-
vered in by the banks of New England and New York. This new sus-
pension, however, was not generally followed by contraction of the
* See Report to the State Senate, Jan. 29, 1820, " on the present distressed and embarrassed
state of the commonwealth" — copied in Hazard's Register, Vol. IV. p. 136.
m
OUTLINE HISTORY.
currency in Pennsylvania until early in 1841, when another attempt wag
made to resume, but it proved fatal to the United States Bank of Penn-
sylvania, and the Girard Bank, which were obliged to go into liquidation;
while nearly all the banks of this state, and of all the states south and
west of it continued their suspension.* To relieve the distressing pressure
throughout the state consequent upon the downfall of the great banks,
and the general reaction of all private speculations, and also to provide
temporary means for meeting the demands upon the state treasury, the
banks, still in a state of suspension, were permitted, by a law of 4th May,
1841, to issue small notes, of the denomination of $1, $2, and 83, which
w^ere loaned to the state, and were redeemable in state stock whenever
$100 were presented in one parcel. The treasury of the state still being
embarrassed, the state stocks became depreciated, (being at one time
as low as $35 for $100,) and the small notes depending upon it, sympa-
thized in the depreciation, but not to an equal extent. An attempt to
coerce the banks to specie payments, in the spring of 1842, was unsuc-
* Depreciation of Stocks. — A calculation showing the relative value of the stocks held in
Pennsylvania now, and three years ago, would be an interesting document. The wisest and
best of our citizens have been deceived. Nay, some of those who railed most, at what they de-
scribed as the ingenuity and falsehood of others, have also committed egregious errors.
To illustrate the matter, we invite attention to the following table. It will be seen that we
have mentioned only a portion of the stocks that have been bought and sold in our market
within the last few years. The picture it presents is frightful indeed. It will be seen that out
of a capital of little more than sixty-ttco millions of dollars, there is an aggregate loss of nearly
fifty-seven millions ! — Bicknell's Reporter of 1841.
[To this table have been added, by the compiler, two columns, bringing the quotations down
to June, 1843, from which the further aggregate loss may be easily estimated. An improvement
will be noticed in the last column.]
1
"a
>
2-
si TO
S CO
bJD •
1"
c
o
.2
'o
CO
<x>
n
00
r-l
(7?
c
Ph
13
>
a
>
Q
3
1-5
United States Bank
35,000,000
100
123
10
39,550,000
2
5i
North America Bank
1,000,000
400
408
300
270,000
275i
309
Pennsylvania Bank, ....
2,500,000
400
500
260
1,500,000
130
141
Philadelphia Bank, ....
1,800,000
100
108
75
594,000
49
64
Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank,
1,250,000
50
62
45
425,000
24i
34^
Commercial Bank, ....
1,000,000
50
63
44
380,000
37|
45
Mechanics' Bank, ....
1,400,000
35
54
26
1,120,000
16|
19i
Northern Liberties Bank,
350,000
35
48
30
180,000
20
26
Schuylkill Bank, ....
1,000,000
50
50
5*
990,000
5
7
Southwark Bank,
250,000
50
60
45
75,000
50
57
Kensington Bank, ....
250,000
50
75
40
175,000
36
45
Penn Township Bank, ....
.500,000
50
75
40
350,000
19
21
Girard Bank,
5,000,000
50
53
28
2,500,000
2
5i
Western Bank,
500,000
50
53i
30
235,000
37
42
Manufacturers' and Mechanics' Bank,
401,300
50
55
35
160.520
11
15
Moyamensing Bank, ....
250,000
50
55
38
85,000
23
35
Schuylkill Navigation Company,
1,666,000
50
166
46
3,988,000
29
44
Schuylkill Loans,
2,200,000
100
95
70
550,000
60 a 65
80
Lehigh Coal Company, . .
1,500,000
50
90
15
1,950,000
5
10
Lehigh Loans, . ...
4,400,000
100
100
60
1,760,000
28
100
62,217,300
56,837,520
Nominal.
FINANCES. 53
cessful, the state having made no adequate provision for the redemption
of the small notes, (called Relief Notes.) A few city banks resumed ;
others failed ; the country banks generally remained in a state of sus-
pension, and the relief notes, at a discount of from 7 to 10 per cent.,
formed the only currency throughout the state. During this year the
state made only a partial payment, in depreciated funds, of the semi-
annual interest on her stocks, and her credit, hitherto sustained with
difficulty, sunk with that of other delinquent states. The legishitive pro-
visions of 1842 and 1843, especially the tax law of July, 1842, may in
time replenish the exhausted treasury, and resuscitate the credit of the
state. The following statement, compiled from Gov. Porter's message of
4th January, 1843, exhibits the amount of the public funded debt of the
state, and the objects for which it has been contracted.
The whole amount of the present funded debt of the state, exclusive of the deposit of the
surplus revenue, is $37,937,788 24. This debt is reimbursable as follows :
Balance of loan per act of 14th April, 1838, - $15,000 00
In the year 1841, 56,022 60
1844, ..... 62,500 00
1846, 4,194,242 08
1847, ..... 72,335 06
1850, 1,000,000 00
1853, ..... 2,000,000 00
1854, 3,000,000 00
1856, 2,783,161 88
1858 7,070,661 44
1859, ..... 1,250,000 00
1860 2,648,680 00
1861, 120,000 00
1862, ...... 2,265,400 00
1863, 200,000 00
1864, ...... 2,515,000 00
1865, 2,756,610 00
1868, 2,524,000 00
1870, 1,957,362 15
At the expiration of certain bank charters, . . 575,737 50
Interest due 1st Aug. last, for which certificates have been
issued, redeemable in Aug. 1843, ... 871,075 53
$37,937,788 24
This debt has been contracted for the following purposes, viz :
For canals and railways, .... $30,533,629 15
To pay interest on public debt, ... 4,410,135 03
For the use of the Treasury, .... 1,571,689 00
Turnpikes, state roads, &,c., - . - 930,000 00
Union Canal, ...... 200,000 00
Eastern Penitentiary, .... 120,000 00
Franklin Railroad, ..... 100,000 00
Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, - - - 50,000 00
Insane Asylum, ..... 22,335 06
$37,937,788 24
The value of our Public Improvements, estimated at cost, is, . - $30,5i»3,629 15
The State owns Bank Stock, which cost, at par, .... 2,108,700 00
« Turnpike and Bridge Stock 2,836,262 45
« « Canal and Navigation Stock, .... 842,778 66
" « RaUroad Stock, ..... 365,276 90
Money due on unpatented lands, estimated at ^ . . . 1,000,000 00
$37,686,647 16
54 OUTLINE HISTORY.
To the /M?jrfcrf debt, as stated above, ..... $37,937,788
Should be added the amount due domestic creditors, (contractors, &.c.) a little over 1,000,000
Relief Notes, payable in State Stock, ..... 2,113,650
And the interest on the State debts, payable in Feb. 1843, ... 874,278
Total debt in Feb. 1843, about ...... $41,925,716
The public improvements for which the principal amount of the state debt has been incurred,
consist of 793i miles of canals and railways completed, and 140J miles of canals in progress of
construction and nearly completed.
The finished works are the following : miles.
The Delaware canal, from Easton to tide at Bristol, . . - . . 59J
The main line of canal and railway from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, ... 395^
Canal from Beaver, on the Ohio river, to the mouth of the French creek feeder, in the di-
rection of Erie, - - - . . - . . . 971
Canal from Franklin, on the Allegheny river, to Conneaut lake, ... 49^
Canal, Susquehanna and North Branch, from Duncan's Island to Lackawanna, 111^
Canal, West Branch, from Northumberland to Farrandsville, - - . .73
Several side cuts and navigable feeders, ...... 7
Total, canals and railways completed, - ..... 793^
Canals in progress, and nearly completed :
North Branch extension, from Lackawanna to New York line, - - . 90
Erie extension, from the mouth of the French creek Feeder to Erie harbor, . - 38A
Wiconisco Canal, from Duncan's Island to Wiconisco creek, .... 12^
Total canals in progress, ......... 140|
The state has always met the payment of the interest upon the public debt with punctuality,
until the semi-annual payment due on the 1st of August, 1842, when, for want of adequate pro-
vision for that purpose, certificates of the amount due to each holder of the stock were issued,
bearing an interest of six per cent., payable in one year.
On the 2d May, 1837, a convention, of which John Sergeant was
elected president, assembled at Harrisburg for the purpose of revising the
constitution of the commonw^ealth. Adjourning in July, the convention
met again at Harrisburg in October, and removed in December to Phila-
delphia, where their labors were closed on the 22d Feb. 1838. The
amendments were adopted by the people at the subsequent annual elec-
tion. In conformity with the more important amendments, the political
year commences in January ; rotation in office is secured by allowing the
governor but two terms of three years each, in any term of nine years ;
the senatorial term is reduced to three years ; the power of the legisla-
ture to grant banking privileges is abridged and regulated ; private prop-
erty cannot be taken for public use without compensation previously
secured ; the governor's patronage is nearly all taken away, and the
election of many officers heretofore appointed by him is vested in the
people or their representatives ; the governor's nomination of judicial
officers must be confirmed in the senate with open doors ; all life offices
are abolished ; judges of the supreme court are to be commissioned for fif-
teen years, — presidents of the common pleas, and other law judges, for ten
years, — and associate judges for five years — if they so long behave them-
selves well ; the right of suffrage is extended to all white freemen twen-
ty-one years old, one year resident in the state, having within two years
paid a tax assessed ten days before the election, and having resided ten
days immediately preceding in the district ; white freemen between the
age of 21 and 22, citizens of the United States, having resided a year in
the state and ten days in the district, may vote without paying any tax ;
two successive legislatures, with the approbation of the people at a sub-
sequent election, once in five years, may add to the constitution whatever
other amendments experience may require.
ADAMS COUNTY. 55
ADAMS COUNTY.
Adams county was formerly a part of York, from which it was sepa-
ffited by the Act of 22d Jan. 1800. Length 27 m., breadth 24 ; area,
528 sq. miles. Population in 1800, 13,172 ; in 1810, 15,152 ; in 1820,
19,370; in 1830,21,378 ; in 1840, 23,044. The lofty chain called the
South Mountain, sweeps around the northern and western boundaries,
passing into Maryland and Virginia under the well-known name of the
Blue Ridge. The prevailing rocks of this mountain are the massive sili-
cious sandstones of Formation I. of the great secondary series, according
to the classification of the stf^te geologist. The old red sandstone also
appears in some places. The lower hills and valleys which compose the
remainder of the county belong principally to the " middle secondary
series," composed of blue, red, and green shales, talcose rocks, and gray
sandstones. Here and there a bed of limestone has been protruded — a
valuable acquisition for the neighboring farmers. Iron ore is found in
several localities, and the dense forests of the mountain furnish abun-
dance of charcoal for smelting it. Copper ore has also been found in
some places, in the shape of green and blue carbonate, with a little na-
tive copper ; but the furnace built for smelting it by Mr. Thompson in
the southwestern part of the county, has been abandoned as unprofitable.
There have been occasional rumors and surmises of the existence of gold
and silver mines ; but hitherto the most successful mode of obtaining
gold in Adams county, has been by that peculiar mixture of lime and red
shale so well known and skilfully practised among the German farmers
during the last fifteen years.
Several iron furnaces are or have been in operation, among which the
Caledonia furnace, on the Chambersburg road, and the Maria furnace,
owned by Messrs. Stevens and Paxton, in Hamilton Ban township, are
the most prominent.
The silicious and broken lands of the mountains are poorly adapted to
agricultural purposes ; but the rolling slate lands in the lower and mid-
dle portions of the county furnish some excellent farms, on which there
thrives an industrious and frugal people.
There are no navigable streams in the county, yet it is well watered,
and useful mill seats are abundant. Rock, Marsh, Middle, and Toms
creeks, branches of the Monocasy river, drain the southern and middle
sections of the county, and flow into Maryland. Latimore, Bermudian,
and Opossum creeks, water the northeastern section, forming the sources
of the Conewago creek, which flows through York county into the Sus-
quehanna.
There are fifteen or twenty well-built public bridges, and, in all, about
ninety miles of excellent turnpike roads. A track has been graded, at an
expense to the state of about $700,000, for a railroad from Gettysburg to
the Maryland line, intended to connect with the Baltimore and Ohio
road ; but the rails have never been laid, and the work is now suspend-
ed— perhaps abandoned. This is the road which, from its very circuitous
and expensive character, has been stigmatized by some state politicians
as " the Tape-icorm."
56 ADAMS COUNTY.
About the years 1734-6, a band of emigrants from Scotland and the
north of Ireland, more usually known in Pennsylvania as Scotch-Irish,
settled on the " red lands" in the southeastern part of York county. Not
long afterwards, and probably about the year 1740, a number of the
same race made the first settlement in what is now Adams county,
among the hills near the sources of Marsh creek. At that time the lime-
stone lands in the lower part of the county, now so valuable in the hands
of the German farmers, were not held in high estimation, on account of
the scarcity of water, and the Scotch-Irish passed them by to select the
slate lands, with the pure springs and mountain air to which they had
been accustomed at home. These settlers were of the better order of
peasantry, and brought with them the characteristics of their native land.
They were moral, industrious, and intelligent ; and for the most part
w^ere rigid Presbyterians, or " Seceders." They w^ere frugal, as the
Scotch always are — plain in their mode of living, but cordial and hospita-
ble. They were universally men of undaunted courage and high patri-
otic feeling ; and when the alarm of the revolution first rung through the
land, it called no truer or more Avilling hearts than those of the Scotch-
Irish Presbyterians. The manners and character of the early settlers
have been very generally inherited by their descendants — many of whom
still cultivate the same farms, worship in the same old churches, and hold
fast to the rigid and venerated "form of sound words" of the Presbyterian
church. The Scotch rarely leave their learning behind them. One of
the first Latin schools established in the state was taught here by an
old Scotsman, who continued to fill the station for many years. He was
succeeded by the Rev. A. Dobbin, as we infer from the following notice
in an old Gettysburg paper of 1804. " The students of the Rev. A. Dob-
bin hereby solicit the public to favor them with their attendance at the
courthouse in Gettysburg, where they hope to entertain them with
some short discourses on interesting and amusing subjects."
The German population now so large in the county, and which threat-
ens soon to outnumber the Scotch-Irish, came in at a much later date —
probably about the close of the last century. As late as the year 1790,
the inhabitants of all these townships were obliged to go to York post-
office for their letters, 25 or 30 miles. In an old York newspaper of that
date, there is an advertisement of letters remaining in the office ; and it
is remarkable that nearly all the names from the region now Adams
county, are Scotch and Irish — the McPhersons, McLellans, and all the
other Macs ; the Campbells, Alisons, Wilsons, Morrisons, Worrells, &c.
&c. — while a German name seldom occurs. It will not escape observa-
tion, too, that the names of the townships in Adams county are nearly all
of Irish origin.
The region around Gettysburg, including all of Cumberland and part
of Strabane townships, was originally known as " the Manor of Mask,"
established by warrant from the Penns in 1740, previous to which time
many settlements had been made. Some dispute arose concerning the
title ; but a compromise was effected by the original settlers through the
agency of Mr. McLellan in 1765, when the boundaries of the manor were
marked, and a list of the names of the first settlers, with the date of their
settlement, was returned to the land-office, to prove the incipiency of
their title.
ADAMS COUNTY.
57
Another section of the county, around Millerstown, is known as " the
tracts," or the Carroll tracts, upper and lower. These were large tracts
surveyed and held by the Carroll family under Lord Baltimore's title,
before the southern boundary line of the state had been definitively
marked.
The separation from York was agitated first about the year 1790 ; and
in June of that year .Tames Cunningham, Jonathan Hoge, and James
Johnston, were appointed to fix upon a site for the county seat. They
selected a tract of 125 acres belonging to Garret Vanosdol, in Strabane
township, between the two roads leading from Hunter's and Gettys'
towns to the brick house, including part of each road to Swift's run. In
1791 the subject was again agitated ; but it was not until 1800 that the
act passed the assembly, and the present site for a county seat was se-
lected.
A strong motive for the division was doubtless the antipathy and jeal-
ousy existing between the Irish and the Germans of York county. They
spoke different languages, had different social habits, and were of oppo-
site politics. The Germans were democrats. The people of Adams
county were federalists, strongly attached to the administration of John
Adams, and they therefore conferred his name upon their new county.
Party feeling was then at its height between the old federalists and demo-
crats. During the McKean administration, a law was passed ordering
the state troops to wear the blue and red cockade ; but the federalists,
w^ho held to the old black cockade, refused to mount the other. Quite an
excitement ensued : the obstinate were court-martialled, and in some in-
stances their horses and other property seized to pay fines and costs of
prosecution.
Gettysburg, the county seat, was laid out by Mr. James Gettys, the
proprietor, a few years previous to the organization of the county. It is
Getty shurg, from the railroad.
a plain, but neat and well built town, situated on elevated ground, at the
intersection of several important turnpike roads, and is surrounded by a
delightful and well-cultivated country. It contains the usual county
8
SB ADAMS COUNTY.
buildings — a banlc — an academy — Presbyterian, Seceder, Methodist, and
German Lutheran churches — a Theological Seminary, and the Pennsyl-
vania College, both under the patronage of the Lutheran denomination.
The society of the place is highly respectable and intelligent. It was
formerly noted for its extensive manufacture of coaches, but that business
has declined with the change of the times. Gettysburg is 114 miles from
Philadelphia, 3G from Harrisburg, and 52 from Baltimore. The principal
trade of the region is carried on with Baltimore, to which place there is
an excellent turnpike road. There are also turnpikes to York, Cham-
bersburg, and Mummasburg. Population in 1840, 1,908.
The following facts were gathered from aged citizens of the vicinity :
The Upper Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church was the first erected in the county. The ven
erable Mr. Paxton, now over 80, has recently retired from the pastoral charge, which he held iVa
about fifty years. The old edifice is demolished, and a new one erected on another site. The
old " hill church" of the Seceders is also of nearly equal antiquity. They had also anothef
church near the town, at which the Rev. Alexander Dobbin officiated for 36 years, until 1809.
The site of the present Seceders' church in town was formerly shaded by a beautiful grove,
called Federal Grove — a name indicative of the political bias of the citizens of that day.
The Presbyterian congregation now under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Watson, in town, for-
merly worshipped at the Lower Marsh Creek Church, in the country. Rev. Jolin Black was their
first minister. Rev. David McConaughy succeeded him, and preached about forty years ; and
then the church removed into town.
Mr. McPherson's ancestors, near to^vTl, settled about 1741— '12, when the patent is dated. I\Ir.
Warrell's ancestors settled about the same time up in the mountains, and purchased their farm
of four hundred acres, upon which he now resides, from a man who had become tired of it, for a
pair of shoes I It is now worth twenty dollars per acre. Mr. William McLellan, the well-known
and obliging landlord at Gctt}'sburg, says that liis ancestor obtained his patent from William
Penn, at Newcastle, but did not settle till about 1740. The land still remains in possession of
the family, and the graves of the deceased members are all there. There are very many instances
of the same kind in the county, where the descendants are still cultivating the farms which their
fathers opened one hundred years since. The venerable Capt. David Wilson, of the revolution-
ary army, was born "out on the tract" in 1752, and still lives upon the same place. The old
veteran still retains his zeal in the affairs of his country, and presided in a political meeting at
Gettysburg in 1842. " Capt. Nicolas Bittinger died in Adams county in 1804, aged seventy-eight.
He was one of the fii-st who took up arms in the war of the revolution. He was taken a prisoner
fighting at the head of his column, at Fort Washington. He endured a tedious captivity and
hard treatment, which induced the complaint that terminated his life."
The following is extracted from the " Lutheran Almanac," for 1842 : —
Theological Seminary. — As early as the year 1820, the subject of a theological seminary was
agitated, and a nmiiber of ministers in Maryland and Virginia had taken up collections for this
purpose at the monthly associations which had been formed by them. But nothing further was
accomplished till the general synod determined to establish such an institution, and elected the
Rev. S. S. Schmucker, then pastor of the Lutheran church in New Market, Va., as the first pro
fessor. In 1825 the Theological Seminary commenced operations in Gettysburg, with Dr.
Schmucker at its head, having but a few students and no funds. But by the efforts of the pas-
tor elect and other ministers, and especially the self-denying labors of the Rev. Benjamin Kurtz,
who visited Germany, the Seminary was established on a firm basis, and has already proven of
incalculable benefit to our branch of the church. In 1830 Rev. E. L. Hazelius, D. D., was
elected to fill the second professorship. In 1831 the corner-stone of the Seminary building was
laid, with religious services, and the edifice was put imder roof, and the next year fitted for the
leception of students.
The Seminary edifice, of which a view is here given, is situated about one fourth of a mile
from Gettysburg, and is a four-story brick building, one hundred feet by forty. A number of
rooms are furnished by congregations and benevolent individuals. At a short distance on each
side of the Seminary arc the dwellings of the professors, likewise of brick.
Present Faculty. — Samuel S. Schmucker, D. D., Professor of didactic and polemic, homiletic
and pastoral theology, and chairman of the faculty. Charles P. Krauth, D. D., Professor of sa-
cred philology and exegesis. Henry I. Smith, A. M., Professor of German language and litera-
ture.
By the liberality of the friends and brethren in Europe and this country, and by purchase, a
library has been collected, of between seven and eight thousand volumes. It consists of works
ADAMS COUNTY.
Kd
Theological Seminary, at Gettysburg.
of almost every age, lang^uage, and size. There are two societies in the Seminary ; one the " S6-
ciety of Inquiry on Missions," the other the " Theological Society." Tuition and use of library,
gratis.
Particular attention is paid to the German language, and the course of studies so regulated^
that a due portion may be pursued in that language by all the students who wish.
From the year 1825, there have been connected with this institution one hundred and fifty-four
students. During the past year thirty-two have attended the lectures of the professors. Within
the last twelve months eighteen persons have left the Seminary.
The Seminary is in a very flourishing condition, and the healthiness of the situation, the mod-
erate expense, the advantages of a good library, the acknowledged high standing of the faculty,
warrant the hope that this institution is destined to become yeariy more and more useful to tha
cause of the Redeemer.
Efforts are now making to establish a second professorship.
Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg.
The new College edifice is a chaste specimen of the Doric order. It is 150 feet in length,
and contains 75 apartments, 54 of wliich are designed for the lodging of students ; the others are
a college hall, library and lyceum, two rooms for literary societies, four recitation rooms, refec-
tory, and apartments for the steward and his family. The trustees intend to erect another build-
ing for the use of the preparatory department. .
The College had its origin in the wants of the German portion of tlic community, and
especially of the Theological Seminary. Some of the applicants for admission to that
eO ADAMS COUNVy.
institution bcinjj found deficient in classical attainments, the board, in May, 1827, resolved to es
tablisli a preparatory department.
The Rev. D. Jacobs commenced this preparatory school in June, 1827, and his brother in 1829
assisted him in the mathematical department. It soon after took the name of the Gettysburg
Gymnasium, under the direction of an association of stockholders. Rev. Mr. Jacobs died in
Nov. 1830, and was succeeded in 1831 by Rev. H. L. Baugher, A. M. As the number of stu-
dents had increased, and the prospect of usefulness, especially to the German community, was
very flatterinfr, Prof. Schmucker. after considtalion with his brethren, invited tjic citizens of Get-
tysburg to cooperate in the establishment of a respectable college, to tfrtie the place of the Gym-
nasunn. A charter was procured from the legislature, and the institution was organized under
the title of Pennsylvania College, in July, 1832, and went into operation in the following October.
Prof. Schmucker and Dr. E. L. Hazelius temporarily officiated as professors, until, in Oct. 1831,
Rev. C. P. Krauth, D. D., was inducted into office as president.
Present Faculty. — Rev. C. P. Krauth, D. D., President and Prof, of intellectual and moral
science; Rev. H. L. Baugher, A. M., Prof, of Greek language and literature, rhetoric and ora-
tory ; Rev. M. Jacobs, A. M., Prof, of mathematics, mechanical philosophy and chemistry ; Rev.
W. M.Reynolds, A. M., Prof, of Latin language and literature; Rev. Henry I. Smith, A. M.,
Prof, of German language and French ; D. Gilbert, M. D., Lecturer on anatomy and physiology ;
Mr. M. L. Stoever, A. B., Principal of Prep. Dep., and Mr. Gottlob Bassler, A. B., Tutor in
Prep. Dep.
Number of students in 1836, 101 ; in 1841, 189.
The College library is well selected and regularly increased There are two library societies
and one German society, which have formed libraries for themselves. A Lyceum and cabinet of
natural history' have been commenced.
The medical department is located in Philadelphia, Under the charge of Drs. S, G. Morton,
George M'Lellan, William Rush, Samuel M'Lellan, Walter R. Johnson, and James M'Clintock.
Among the more modern ' ""urrence.s which have excited the good
people of Gettysburg, is the Iv. -jwing, an account of which is extracted
from one of the York newspaper.' or 1842: —
Ballooning Extraordinary. — A daring feat was accomplished on Saturday last, by a citizen
of our neighboring town of Gettysburg. Mr. John Wise, <Ae American jEronaut, par excellence,
had announced his intention to make his thirty-ninth balloon ascension on that day, from an en-
closure in Gettysburg ; and with his usual punctuality, was ready on the day and hour promised.
His balloon was inflated ; his ballast, grappling-iron, tfcc, duly stowed ; and he was about to step
into the basket. At that moment, Mr. Jolm McClellan, a young gentleman of Gettysburg, in-
quired of Mr. WisJe whether it would not be possible for tuio persons to ascend with the power
then in the balloon. On receiving a negative reply, Mr. McClellan seemed much disappointed —
said he was determined to have a ride ; and inquired the price at which Mr. Wise would permit
him to make the voyage alone. " One hundred dollars, sir," said Mr. Wise, who did not appear
to consider the inquirer to be in earnest. "I will give you fifty dollars!" "Agreed — fork over!"
The joke was " carried on," and the cream of it was soon transferred to the pocket of the aero-
naut ; and his substitute was seated snugly in the car, vociferating his direction to " cut loose !"
Mr. Wise thought that matters had now gone far enough, and requested his customer to get out,
as the time had amved at which he had promised to be off. But he refused to do so, and insisted
that he had regularly hired and paid for a passage "in this boat," and go he would. As Barney
O'Reardon said to the man in the moon, when the latter respectable personage told him to " lave
his hould," "the more he bid him, the more he wouldn't I"
Mr. Wise then let the balloon up a short distance by a rope, thinking probably that as theic
was considerable wind, and the air-horse consequently turbulent, that his substitute would have
his courage cooled, and "give in." But this was no go; and thinking that he had as good a
start as he ever would have, Mr. McClellan cut tlie rope — and was off! After he found that it
was the determination of Mr. McClellan to go, Mr. Wise had but time to give him a fev» hasty
and imperfect instructions in regard to the management of the balloon ; and in a few minutes
the daring amateur a-ronaut had ascended to a height of about two miles. Here he struck a
current of air which bore him directly towards York. He says that the earth receded from him
very rapidly after he had thrown a bag or two of sand upon it ; that Gettysburg passed off" to.
wards Hagerstown, and that he saw Carlisle, Hanover, Abbotstown, Oxford, and Berlin, stroll,
ing about ; and that soon after, just ahead of him, he saw Old York coming full-tilt up the turn,
pike towards him, apparently taking an afternoon's walk to Gettysburg. Having determined to
stop at York, and fearing from the remarkable speed at which our usually staid and sober town
was travelling, that she would soon pass under his balloon and give him the slip, he pulled the
string attached to the safety-valve, in order to let off" a portion of his gas. This valve is so con.
structed that when the rope attached to it is pulled, the valve opens to the interior, and again
closes by the force of the gas when the rope is let go.
ADAMS COUNTY.
61
Unfortunately, however, the inexperienced Eronaut pulled too violently at the valve-rope, tore
il completely off its hinges, and brought it down into the car I When this occurred he was more
than a mile high, and he immediately and with fearful rapidity descended, or rather fell to the
earth ! When the valve-door came off, the gas of course escaped rapidly ; but the balloon caught
sufficient air to form a parachute, by which the fall was moderated ; — and we are happy to say
that the voyager reached the earth, about five miles from York, entirely uninjured ! He says
that as soon as the valve-door came down upon him, he knew that something had "broke loose;"
and just then remembering that Mr. Wise had told him to be sure when he descended to throw
out his grappling-iron, he was preparing to get at it among the numerous things in his basket,
"when the earth bounced rip against the bottom of the car."
When first seen from York, the balloon was about thirteen miles off, nearly due west. It ap-
peared to be approaching directly towards our town, until the valve was pulled and it had fallen
considerably. As it fell, it seemed to find a current that bore it rapidly towards the north. The
spot at which it landed is about northwest of our borough.
The escape of the gas was distinctly seen from York ; and as the balloon neared the earth it
had lost its rotundity, and appeared to the gazers here to come down heavily, like a wet sheet. —
York Gazette.
Adams county contains several small but pleasant and flourishing vil-
lages, among which are Petersburg, Berlin, Abbotstown, Littlestown,
Millerstown, Oxford, Hunterstown, Mummasburg, and others. *Peters-
burg, 13 miles south of Carlisle on the turnpike leading thence to Balti-
more, and about 13 miles northeast of Gettysburg, contains thirty or forty
dwellings, an academy, and a church. This place was laid out about
the year 1800, and took its name from one Peter Fleck, who kept a
small liquor store in a log cabin ther" •< Peter was bought out by
Mr. Isaac Sadler, a hatter. Mr. Jacob G<.jiiier was also one of the early
settlers.
About one and a half miles from Petersburg are the York Sulphur
Springs, which were discovered about the year 1790 on the plantation of
York Sulphur Springs.
Mr. Jacob Fickes. The waters were analyzed by Mr. Heterit k and Dr.
James Hall, who visited the spring at that time for the purpose.;^ Their
medicinal properties have been highly extolled, particularly for their effi-
cacy in cases of debilitated constitutions.
The buildings erected by Mr. McCosh, who was for some years the
proprietor, are extensive and comfortable ; and the gounds and neighbor-
62 ADAMS COUNTY.
ing hills are highly picturesque. More fashionable resorts at the north
have withdrawn some of the patronage formerly bestowed upon this
place, yet it is still a favorite resort of the wealthy citizens of Baltimore.
Daily stages run to York and Baltimore.
During the old French war of 17.55-58, the barrier of the South Moun-
tain shielded the early settlers of Adams county from the savage incur-
sions that desolated the Cumberland valley. Yet occasionally a party
more daring than the rest would push across the mountain, and murder
or carry captive defenceless families. An affecting instance of this kind
is described in the following narrative, abridged from one much more in
detail by Mr. Archibald Bard, of Franklin county.
My father, Richard Bard, owned, and resided near, the mill now called Marshall's Mill, on
the Carroll tract, in Adams co. On the morning of I3th April, 1758, his house was invested by
a party of nineteen Delaware Indians. Hannah McBride, a little girl, on seeing them, screamed,
and ran into the house, where were my father, mother, a child six months old, a bound boy, and
my cousin, Lieut. Potter, (brother of Gen. Potter.) The Indians rushed in — one of them made
a blow, with a large cutlass, at Potter, who wrested it from him. My father snapped a pistol at
one of the Indians ; the sight of the pistol alarmed them, and they ran out of the house. The
Indians outside, however, were very numerous, and my father's party having no ammunition, and
fearing that the Indians would bum the house, surrendered. The Indians also made prisoners,
in a field, of Samuel Hunter, Daniel McManimy, and William White, a lad coming to mill.
Having secured the prisoners, they plmidered the house and set fire to the mill. Not far from
the house, contrary to all their promises, they killed Thomas Potter ; and having proceeded on
the mountain three or four miles, an Indian " sunk the spear of his tomahawk into the breast of
the small child, and after repeated blows, scalped it." The prisoners were taken over the moun^
tain past McCord's fort, into the Path Valley. Alarmed, and hurried by a party of whites in pur-
suit, on reaching the top of Tuscarora Momitain, they sat down to rest, " when an Indian, with-
out any previous warning, sunk a tomahawk into the head of Samuel Hunter, who was seated
by my father, and by repeated blows killed him. Passing over Sideling Hill, and the Allegheny
Mountains, by Blair's Gap, they encamped beyond Stony Creek. The half of my father's head
had been painted red, denoting that a council had been held, and an equal number were for
putting him to death, and for keeping him alive, and that another council would determine the
question. My parents being engaged together in plucking a turkey, my father told her of his
design to escape. Some of the Indians had laid down, and one of them was amusing the others
by dressing himself with a gown of my mother's. My father was sent for water to the spring,'
and contrived to escape while my mother kept the Indians amused with the gown. After an un-
successful search, they proceeded down the stream to Fort Duquesne, (now Fort Pitt,) and
thence about 20 miles down the Ohio, to an Indian town, and afterwards to " Cususkey," [Kus-
kusky, in what is now Butler co.] " On arriving at this place, Daniel McManimy was detained
outside, but my mother, with the two boys and girls, were taken into the town, at the same
time having their hair pulled and faces scratched, and being beaten in an unmerciful manner.
Here I shall extract from my father's papers the circumstance of McManimy's death. This ac-
count appears to have been obtained from my mother, who obtained it from eye witnesses. The
Indians formed themselves into a circle round the prisoner, and commenced beating him, some
with sticks, and some with tomahawks. He was then tied to a post near a large fire, and after
being tortured some time with burning coals, they scalped him, and put the scalp on, a pole to
bleed before his face. A gun-barrel was then heated red hot, and passed over his body, and with
a red hot bayonet they pierced his body, with many repetitions. In this manner they continued
torturing him, singing and shouting until he expired." Leaving the two boys and girl, whom
she never saw again mitil they were liberated, my mother was taken to another place. Dis-
tressed beyond measure — going she knew not where, without a comforter or companion, and ex-
pecting every day the fate of McManimy, she chanced to meet another captive woman, who told
her that the belt of wampum about her (my mother's) neck, was a certain sign that she was in-
tended for an adopted relative.
Soon after, in a council, two squaws entered, and struck my mother on the side of the head.
The warriors were displeased, such conduct in council being contrary to the usage. A chief
took my mother by the hand, and deUvered her to two Indian men, to be in the place of a de-
ceased sister. She was put in charge of a squaw to be cleanly clothed. After remaining here near
a month with her adopted friends, they took her a journey of two or three hundred miles, to the
head waters of the Susquehanna. Much of this journey she was obliged to perform on foot over
mountains and swamps, with extreme suffering. Her fatigues brought on sickness, which lasted
near two months. — " In this doleful situation, with none to comfort or sympathize with her, a
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 63
blanket was her only covering, and her bed the cold earth in a miserable cabin ; boiled com was her
only food. Recovering from lior sickness, she met with a woman who had been in captivity several
vears, and had an Indian husband, by wliom she had one cliild. My motlier reproved her for
tliis, but received for answer, that before she had consented they had tied her to a stake in order
to burn her. She added, that as soon as their captive women could speak the Indian tongue,
tliey were obliged to marry some one of tliem or be put to death." My mother resolved not to
learn the language. She remained in captivity two years and five months. She was treated
during this time by her adopted relations with much kindness, even more than she had reason
to expect.
My father suffered extreme hardships in effecting his escape and return to his home, travelling
over mountains thick with laurel and briers, and covered with snow, with swollen feet — his clothes
often wet and frozen — exhausted, and often ready to lie down and perish for want of food,
and living, during a journey of nine days, upon a few buds and four snakes ! He at length
reached Fort Littleton, (in Bedford co.) After this, he did little else but wander from place to
place in quest of information respecting my mother. He performed several perilous journeys to
Pittsburg, in which he narrowly escaped several times losing his life by the Indians. He at
length found where she was, and redeemed her, at Shamokin, (Sunbury,) on the Susquehanna.
Before my father and mother left Shamokin, he requested an Indian who had been an
adopted brother of my mother, if ever he came down amongst the white people to call and see
him. Accordingly, some time afterwards the Indian paid him a visit, he living then about ten
miles from Chambersburg. The Indian having continued for some time with him, went to a tavern,
known by the name of M'Cormack's, and there became somewhat intoxicated, when a certain
Newgen, (since executed in Carlisle for stealing horses,) having a large knife in his hand, struck
it into the Indian's neck, edge foremost, designing thereby to thrust it in between the bone and
throat, and by drawing it forward to cut his throat, but he partly missed his aim, and only cut
the forepart of the wind-pipe. On this Newgen had to escape from justice ; otherwise the law
would have been put in force against him. And it has been remarked, that ever after he con-
tinued to progress in vice until his death. A physician was brought to attend the Indian ; the
wound was sewed up, and he continued at my father's until he had recovered, when he returned
to his own people, who put him to death, on the pretext of his having, as they said, joined the
white people.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
Allegheny county was taken from Westmoreland and Washington, by
the Act of 24th Sept. 1788, and in 1789 a small addition was made to it
from Washington. It then comprised all the territory north and west of
the Ohio and Allegheny, from which was formed, in 1800, the counties
of Beaver, Butler, Mercer, &c. The present limits comprise the small
but very populous country around the confluence of the Allegheny and
Monongahela rivers with the Ohio, and of the Youghiogheny with the
Monongahela. Besides the large navigable rivers, there are, tributary
to them, Chartiers creek, Peters creek, Montours creek. Turtle creek,
Poketas creek. Pine creek, and a number of less important streams. The
county forms an irregular figure about 26 miles in diameter, and contain-
ing an area of 754 sq. miles. The population in 1790, was 10,309 ; in
1800, 15,087 ; in 1810, 25,317 ; in 1820, 34,921 ; in 1830, 50,552 ; in
1840, 81,235.
The surface is undulating, and near the great streams, hilly ; and
many of the hills are precipitous. The uplands are fertile, and make
excellent farms : along the rivers there are wide and exceedingly rich
bottom lands, generally elevated above the reach of floods, and occupied
by extensive farms and comfortable mansions. The forest trees, which
are of every variety, arc large, healthy, and of luxuriant growth, indi
64 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
eating great fertility of soil. Fruit trees are abundant, and the vine and
mulberry succeed well.
Bituminous coal of the finest quality abounds throughout the county.
The Pittsburg seam, from 5 1-2 to 8 feet in thickness, is probably the most
important and extensively accessible in the western coal measures, and
furnishes exhaustless supplies for the manufacturers of Pittsburg, and for
exportation down the river. Limestone and excellent sandstone for ar-
chitectural purposes, are found above and below the coal. There is a
chalybeate spring about four miles southwest from Pittsburg, issuing
from the fissures of a rock in the side of a hill, on the estate of J. S.
Scully, Esq.
The richest gifts of nature seem to have been bestowed by Providence
upon this region ; and the art of man has been most diligent in adorning
the works of nature, and developing her latent sources of wealth. Mag-
nificent bridges span the noble streams ; innumerable steamboats are
constantly plying to and fro ; mines are opened in every hill-side ; long
shafts bring up salt water from the bowels of the earth ; durable stone
turnpikes run in every direction ; the Monongahela is dammed at several
points, and made capable of regular steamboat navigation ; the great
Pennsylvania canal passes along the right bank of the Allegheny, and
crossing it at Pittsburg on a splendid aqueduct, passes, by a tunnel, di-
rectly through the hill back of the town, and connects its commerce with
that of the Ohio. Magnificent public edifices, beautiful villas in the
midst of fertile gardens and farms, extensive manufactories rolling out
their black volumes of smoke, meet the eye of the observer in all parts
of the county, but especially in the environs of Pittsburg. There are
probably few regions where the respective departments of agriculture,
commerce, and manufactures are so well balanced, and where each finds
its own appropriate facilities to such an equal degree as in Allegheny
county.
This county was originally settled principally by Scotch-Irish, many
of whom emigrated from the Kittatinny valley, others directly from Ire-
land ; and to this day, although many Germans have also come in, the
Scotch and Irish blood, not to mention the brogue, prevails about Pitts-
burg.
Pittsburg, the seat of justice of Allegheny county, but more distin-
guished as the great manufacturing city of the v^^est, is situated on a tri-
angular point at the junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela, in lati-
tude north 40° 26' 25", and longitude west from Greenwich 79° 59'. It is
300 miles west from Philadelphia, 120 south of Lake Erie, 1,100 by land,
and 2,029 by water, above New Orleans. The Allegheny comes down
with a strong current from the northeast, and sweeping suddenly round
to the northwest, receives the more gentle current of the Monongahela
from the south — their combined waters flowing on to the Mississippi un-
der the name of the Ohio, or Beautiful River. The aborigines and the
French considered the Allegheny and Ohio to be the same stream, and
the Monongahela to be a tributary — Allegheny being a word in the Dela-
ware language, and 0-hee-o in the Seneca, both meaning fair water.
Hence the French term Belle Riviere, was only a translation of the Indian
name.
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ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 65
mediately back of it, and at less than a mile from the point, rises Grant's
hill, (on which the courthouse stands,) with Ayres' hill on the west, and
Quarry hill on the east of Grant's. At the foot of these hills there ex-
tends up the Allegheny a strip of alluvial land about a quarter of a mile
wide, on which the suburb Bayardstown is built ; and on the Mononga-
hela side a still narrower margin. The city is rapidly pushing its eastern
limits on to the sides and summits of these hills. Grant's hill is already
occupied. Opposite to Pittsburg, on a beautiful plain on the north bank
of the Allegheny, is the large city of Allegheny ; below it a mile or two
is the more rural village of Manchester ; while on the other side of
Pittsburg, across the Monongahela, the smoky street of Sligo, with its
noisy manufactories, is nestled under the high precipice of Coal hill ;
and about two miles above Sligo, where the alluvial bottom spreads out
wider, lies the large manufacturing town of Birmingham. All these vil-
lages may be considered as belonging to and forming part of one great
manufacturing and commercial city.
The accompanying large view of Pittsburg was taken from the hill
behind Sligo, about a quarter of a mile below the ferry. The editor of
the Wheeling Times, in speaking of the visit of a Board of Inquiry to
Pittsburg in 1841, for the pui^'vose of selecting a site for the U. S, Ma-
rine Hospital, says, concerning the prospect from this hill —
This Board found Pittsburg a much larger place than Wheeling ; they found it a thriving
place, with numerous engines, furnaces, and machinery ; they found it with a rich and industri-
ous population — a people that would work, and would therefore prosper, — at the same time they
found them an hospitable, gentlemanly class of beings, possessed of intelligence and willing to
impart it. They doubtless took an early excursion upon the hills that environ the city. They
looked down, and a sea of smoke lay like the clouds upon Chimborazo's base. No breath of air
moved its surface ; but a sound rose from its depths like the roar of Niagara's waters, or the
warring of the spirits in the cavem of storms. They looked around them, and saw no signs of
life or human habitation. They looked above them, and the smnmer sun, like a haughty war-
rior, was driving his coursers up the eastern sky. Then from the sea of smoke a vapor rose —
another and another cloud rode away, and a speck of silvery sheen glittered in the sunbeams.
Again, a spire came into view, pointing heavenward its long slim finger ; then a roof — a house-
top— a street ; and lo ! a city lay like a map spread out by magic hand, and ten thousand busy
mortals were seen in the pm-suit of wealth, of fame, of love, and fashion. On the left, a noble
river came heaving onward from the wilderness of the north, bearing on its bosom the treasures
of the forest. On the right, an unassuming but not less useful current quietly yielded to the ves-
sel's prow that bore from a more genial soil the products of the earth. They looked again, and
extending downward through fertile and cultivated vales, checkered with gently swelling hills,
they saw the giant trunk formed by the union of these noble branches. Ruffling its mirrored
surface, they saw the noble steamer leaping like the panting courser, bearing a rich burden from
the far sunny south ; another, gathering strength and rolUng onward to commence its long jour-
ney past fertile fields, high hills, rich and flourishing cities, and forests wide and drear, bearing
th(' hand-work of her artisans to Mississippi, Texas, Mexico, the groves of Lidia, and the hills
of Pernambuco — nay, to every land to which the sun in its daily course gives light. Such they
saw Pittsburg ; and as such, as a citizen of the west, we are proud of her.
With the villages on the left bank of the Monongahela, Pittsburg is
connected by the Monongahela bridge, 1,500 feet in length, having 8 arches
resting on stone piers. This bridge was erected in 1818, at a cost of
$102,450. Over the Allegheny there are no less than four bridges cross-
ing to Allegheny city, besides the splendid aqueduct of the Pennsylvania
canal. The first of these bridges was erected in 1819 at an expense of
$95,250. It is 1,122 feet in length, resting on 6 piers of stone, and is ele-
vated 38 feet above low water.
There are in Pittsburg and its environs, within convenient walking dis-
9
66 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
tance, 17 Presbyterian churches, 3 Cumberland Presbyterian, 12 Metho-
dist Episcopal, 3 Protestant Methodist, 4 Baptist, 4 Roman Catholic, 5
Episcopal, 2 Associate, 4 Associate Reformed, 2 Evangelical Lutheran, 2
Congregational, 2 Disciples' churches, 1 "Church of God," 1 Unitarian,
1 German Evangelical Protestant, 1 German Reformed, 3 Welsh, and 4
African churches of difierent denominations.
The population of Pittsburg, in 1786, was by estimate about 500; in
1796, according to the assessor's lists, 1,395; in 1810, about 5,000; in 1820,
7,248 ; in 1830, including Allegheny and the suburbs, 21,912 ; and in 1840,
including the same, 38,931.
Pittsburg owes its preeminence to the fortunate combination of several
advantages. It is, with slight exceptions, at the head of steamboat navi-
gation ; it is also the terminating point of the main line of internal im-
provements. It is the mart of portions of Virginia and New York, as
well as of western Pennsylvania ; while the Ohio opens to the enterprise
of its citizens the whole of the Mississippi valley. The exhaustless banks
of coal in the neighboring hills, and the excellent mines of iron ore found
in great abundance in the counties along the mountains and on the banks
of the Ohio below, together with the vast forests of pine timber on the
head-waters of the Allegheny River, give to this city its preeminence
over all others in the west for manufacturing purposes.
To enumerate the various manufacturing establishments of this great
workshop, does not fall within the scope of this work. The principal ar-
ticles of manufacture are steamboats, steam-engines, and a great variety
of machinery, both of iror and wood ; bar-iron, nails, ploughs, and agri-
cultural implements ; glass, cotton cloths, leather, and saddlery ; flooring-
boards ; with a great number of articles of which the manufacture is
prosecuted on a smaller scale. The steam power exerted in these various
departments is immense ; in 1833 it was estimated to be equal to that of
2,580 horses, and it was probably augmented one half in 1843. To stran-
gers these manufactories are well worth a visit, especially those of glass,
nails, bar and rolled iron.
There is much moral power in this city ; many men of talents in the
learned professions, whose light shines throughout the great valley of the
west ; many benevolent societies and institutions of learning.
An immense throng of passengers and travellers is passing into and
out of Pittsburg daily, during the warm season. Five or six steamboats
arrive and as many depart daily, either for nearer or more distant ports :
and the number of canal-boats it would not be easy to estimate. To ac-
commodate these travellers, the city contains some of the best hotels in
the country — in the world. The Monongahela House, itself a princely
palace, is also a perfect model as regards its management. It stands near
the end of the Monongahela bridge, opposite the steamboat landing ; and
from its balconies and the beautiful terrace on the top, the traveller may
view the city, the rivers, with the surrounding scenery, and the arrival
and departure of steamboats. It was commenced in 1840, and finished
in 1841. It is five stories high, with a front towards the river of 120 feet,
and 160 feet on Smithfield-street ; and with the ground cost about
$100,000. It is kept by Mr. James Crossan. The Exchange Hotel, sur-
passed in splendor only by the Monongahela House, is kept by Messrs.
Smith and M'Kibbin, on the same orderly and correct system that gave
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
6^
it its original celebrity under Mr. Crossan. The other hotels of the city-
are also highly respectable.
Of commercial institutions there are in Pittsburg, the Bank of Pittsburg,
Merchants' and Manufacturers' Bank, Exchange Bank, Farmers' Deposit
Bank, and a branch of the late U. States Bank ; five insurance com-
panies ; a board of trade, who have a reading-room and exchange-room
for merchants ; the Monongahela Navigation Company for improving
that river by means of locks and dams ; and about twelve transportation
companies for conducting the passenger and freight business on the ca-
nals.
Besides the banks, hotels, churches, bridges, coal-mines, canals, and
manufacturing establishments, the principal objects worthy of attention
are, first, the new courthouse.
The New Courthouse at Pittsburg.
This edifice is situated on Grant's hill, an eminence so high as
to afford an extensive view of the hills and valleys of the three rivers,
with the towns and villages for miles around. The building is 165 feet
long by 100 feet broad, and is connected with the jail in the rear. The
principal story contains a rotunda 60 feet in diameter, four court-rooms
and two jury-rooms. In the second story are the rooms for the U.
S. district court, for the supreme court of the state, and the law
library. This edifice, one of the most elegant in the United States, occu-
pied five years in being built, and cost nearly $200,000. It is built of the
fine gray sandstone of the neighboring hills. John Chislett, Esq., of Al-
legheny, was the architect ; Messrs. Coltart and Dilworth the contractors
and builders.
The Western University of Pennsylvania commenced its operations as a
college in 1822, and since that time about one hundred have graduated, of
whom nearly seventy have devoted themselves to the ministry of the gospel.
The buildings, on Third-street, between Smithfield and Grant streets, were
erected in 1830. Rev. George Upfold is president of the board of trus-
66
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
Western University of Pennsylvania.
tees, Rev. Robert Bruce, D. D., of the Seceders' Church, is at the head
of the institution, and also professor of natural and moral philosophy and
mathematics. Mr. Robert Grierson is professor of ancient languages.
The number of students in 1841, was about fifty. The Tilghman Literary
Society is connected with the University.
The city water- works, erected in 1827, is a valuable monument of
liberality and enterprise. The water is elevated 116 feet, from the Alle-
gheny river, to a reservoir on Grant's hill, 11 feet deep, and calculated to
contain 1,000,000 of gallons. The water is raised by steam.
Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny city.
Passing over to Allegheny city, there may be seen the Western Theolo-
gical Seminary of the Presbyterian Church, founded by the General As-
sembly in 1825, and located in Allegheny town in 1827. The edifice was
completed in 1831. It stands on a lofty, insulated ridge, about 100 feet
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
69
higher than the Allegheny river. It is indeed quite a task to ascend this
hill of science and religion, but one is amply repaid by the pure air and
magnificent prospect. It contains a library of about 6,000 volumes, and
has connected with it a workshop for manual labor. Rev. Francis Her-
ron, D. D., is president of the board of directors. Rev. David Elliott,
Rev. L. W. Green, Rev. Robert Dunlap, professors.
The Theological Seminary of the Associate Reformed Church, located
in Allegheny city, was established in 1826. It is under the charge of
Rev. John T. Pressly, D. D., possesses a valuable library, and numbers
about thirty students.
The Allegheny Theological Institute was organized by the general
synod of the Reformed Presbyterian church in 1840. Rev. James R.
"Wilson, D. D., senior professor ; Rev. Thomas Sproull, junior professor.
The seminary possesses a valuable library. Measures are in progress to
erect a large edifice in Allegheny city. •
Westej'7i Penitentiarij.
The Western Penitentiary is an immense castle, built in the ancient
Norman style, situated on the plain behind Seminary hill, and on the
western border of Allegheny city. It was completed in 1827, at a cost
of $183,092, including its equipments. Notwithstanding some glaring
defects in its original construction and arrangement, it has now become
an efficient institution. It is conducted on the " Pennsylvania system" of
solitary confinement and labor. Weaving, shoe-making, and oakum-
picking, are the employments of the prisoners. About 800 prisoners had
been received, in 1842, since the commencement of the institution.
The United States Allegheny Arsenal is located at Lawrenceville, a
pretty village about two and a half miles above Pittsburg, on the left
bank of the Allegheny river. The site for this arsenal was selected by
Col. Woolley and Wm. B. Foster, Esq. Col. Woolley superintended the
erection of the buildings. The site is just opposite Wainwright's Island,
the spot where Gen. Washington was cast away in his first effort to cross
the Allegheny, when returning from his mission to Venango. At this
post are manufactured and stored, ordnance, small-arms, and all sorts of
70 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
military equipments, which are shipped, as occasion demands, to the
southern and western forts of the United States. The arsenal is under
the general charge of Major H. K. Craig, at present the superintendent
of the Harper's Ferry Armory. J. M. Morgan, 1st lieutenant, commands
in his absence.
'' Many of the extensive manufactories spoken of as beings situated at Pittsburg, are not within
the limits of the city proper, but are scattered around within a circle of five miles radius from
the courthouse. Within this compass are the cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny, (the latter
already a large place of near ] 2,000 inhabitants, containing many extensive manufactories, par-
ticularly of cotton, iron, and white-lead, and doing a large proportion of the lumber business of
the district,) tlie boroughs of Birmingham and Lawrenceville, and the towns and villages of
Manchester, Stewartstown, .Sharpsburgh, East Liberty, Wilkinsburgh, Croghansville, Minersville,
Arthursville, Riceville, Oakland, Kensington, Sligo, Cuddysville, Temperance Village, Millers,
ville, and New Troy. The manufacturing establishments located in these surrounding villages,
have their warehouses, owners, or agents within the city, and so far as general business interests
are concerned, may be considered a part of the city itself, that being the centre, where the
gyeater part of the business is transacted. The population within this region has been estimated
at 60,000, but since the census of 1840 it is found that that estimate was too large. It will be
seen that the population of Allegheny county is, whites, 81,417 — colored, 2,101 — total, 83,518.
It is the opinion of the county commissioners, that within the district above laid down, 50,000
of this population reside. Within this district there are about 75 churches, or places where
religious worship is held ; about 90 sabbath-schools, 98 clergymen of all denominations, 95
lawyers, 65 practising ph3-sicians, besides many who have retired from practice, about 475
merchants of all kinds, about 100 of whom are wholesale, and 225 hotels and tavern-keepers.
The following extracts are taken from three numbers published by Ne-
ville B. Craig, Esq., in the Pittsburg Gazette for 1841. The earlier dis-
coveries of the French, previous to their occupation of the Allegheny and
Ohio, are noticed under the head of Erie county.
In the 6th note to the 2d volume of Sparks' Writings of Washington, we have the following
account of the first movement towards making a settlement on the Ohio.
" In the year 1748, Thomas Lee, one of his majesty's council in Virginia, formed the design
of efiecting a settlement on the wild lands west of the Allegheny moimtains, through the agency
of an association of gentlemen. Before this date there were no English residents in those re-
gions. A few traders wandered from tribe to tribe, and dwelt among the Indians, but they nei.
ther cultivated nor occupied the land."
Mr. Lee associated with himself Mr. Hanbury, a merchant from London, and twelve persons
in Virginia and Maryland, composing the " Ohio Land Company." One half million acres of
land were granted them, to be taken principally on the south side of the Ohio, between the Mo.
nongahela and Kenhawa.
In 1750, Mr. Christopher Gist, who afterwards acted as Washington's guide to Le Boeuf, was
despatched by the company to explore the country along the Ohio. He kept a jomnal of his
trip, which we have never seen ; but a writer who has seen it, states that he went from Virginia
to the Juniata, ascended that river, and descended the Kiskiminitas to the Allegheny.
He crossed that river about four miles above this city, and passed on to the Ohio. In his
journal he makes no mention of the Monongahela, and the writer who gives us this inforrnation
presumes that he was ignorant of its existence. If he passed to the north of Hogback hill, as
that writer supposes, the Monongahela might very readily escape notice.
In this expedition. Gist went as far as the Falls, on the north side of the Ohio, and in Nov.
1751, he examined the country on the south side of the Ohio as far as Kenhawa.
In 1744, a treaty had been made with the Delaware Indians at Lancaster, by which they ceded
to the king all the land within the bounds of Virginia. This was the first treaty supposed to
contain a cession of lands on the Ohio.
In 1752, a treaty was held at Logstown, [14 miles below Pittsburg on the right bank of the
Ohio,] Col. Fry and two other commissioners present on the part of Virginia, and Gist as agent
of the Ohio company. One of the old chiefs declared that the Indians considered that the
treaty at Lancaster did not cede any lands west of the first hills on the east side of the AUe.
gheny mountains.
They agreed, however, not to molest any settlements that might be made on the southeast side
of the Ohio.
[Two old chiefs, through an interpreter, asked Mr. Gist where the Indians' land lay — for the
French claimed all the land on one side of the Ohio river, and the English on the other ? Mr.
Gist found the question hard to answer.]
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 71
Soon after the treaty at Loo^stown, Gist was appointed surveyor for the v)hit company, and
directed to lay ofT a town and fort near the mouth of Chartiers creek. Nothing, however, we
presume, was done in that matter, as Washington in his journal of his visit to le Boeuf used the
following language :
" About two miles from this, (the Forks,) on the southeast side of the river, at the place where
the Ohio company intended to lay off their fort, lives Shingiss, king of the Delawares."
Our late esteemed friend, James McKee, has often pointed out the place where Shingiss re-
sided : it was near the river, and a short distance south of McKee's rocks.
About this time, 1753, the French were carrying out their grand scheme for uniting Canada
with Louisiana by a line of forts, two of which were to be placed at this place and at Logs-
town. In the prosecution of this scheme, and to enforce their claim to the whole country on the
Ohio, they surprised a blockhouse which the Ohio company had erected at the latter place,
seized the goods and skins to the amount of about twenty thousand pounds, and destroyed all the
traders but two, who made their escape.
In the summer and fall of 1753, accounts were received that a considerable French force had
arrived at Presque Isle, on their way to the Oliio ; and in October of that year, George Washing-
ton was selected as a messenger to proceed by the way of Logstown to the French commandant,
wherever he might be found, to demand information as to the object of the French troops. Wash-
ington departed immediately from Williamsburg, and arrived here about the 23d or 24th of Nov.
1753. He examined the point, and thought it a favorable position for a fort. He then proceeded
to Logstown — and thence to the French commandant, at Le Boeuf, from whom he received a
very unsatisfactory reply.
Immediately upon Washington's return to Williamsburg, arrangements were made to send
two companies to the Ohio, to erect a fort at this place. One company, under the command of
Capt. Trent, being first ready, marched and arrived here. While they were marching to this
place, it seems, by the following extract from the records at Harrisburg, that the French had
built a fort at Logstown.
" March 12th, 1754. Evidence sent to the house that Venango and Logstown, where the
French forts are built, are in the province of Pennsylvania."
On the 21st of March, 1754, Gov. Dinwiddie said, in a lettter to Gov. Hamilton of Pennsyl-
vania. " I am much misled by our sirrveyors, if the Forks of the Monongahela be within the
bounds of the province of Pennsylvania."
This is the first notice of the controversy between those two states, about Pittsburg and the
country around it, which we have found. Thus the region around us was the bone of double
contention : England and France were about to go to war for it, and Pennsylvania and Virginia
to commence a controversy about it, which endured for more than twenty years — in the course
of which much ill blood and angry feeling were displayed.
It was, perhaps, a fortunate circumstance that considerable doubt existed as to which state the
'• Fork" belonged. Both states were probably induced to contribute more liberally In the ef-
forts to recover it from the French, from the belief entertained by each that the country belonged
to it. The Virginia troops very reluctantly accompanied Forbes by the Pennsylvania route, and
had they known that this country belonged to Pennsylvania, they might have declined alto,
gether.
We know not precisely at what time Capt. Trent's company arrived here, but on the llth of
April, 1754, they were engaged in erecting a fort near the junction of the rivers Monongahela and
Allegheny. Captain Trent was absent at Will's creek, and Lieut. Frazier was at his residence
near Turtle creek, thus leaving Ensign Ward in command of a company of forty-one men. The
fort was still unfinished, when, on that memorable day, 17th of April, 1754, a French commandant,
Monsieur ContreccEur, made his appearance on the beautiful Allegheny, with sixty batteaux, three
hundred canoes, and a motley host of above one thousand French and Indians, having with
them eighteen pieces of cannon. Poor Ensign Ward, with his forty -one men and his unfinished
stockade, could, of course, make no resistance to such a host, strengthejied as they were by a
strong park of artillery. Some negotiation took place ; Contrecceur, however, was peremptory,
and cut discussion short. Ward surrendered the post, and was permitted to bring away his little
company of forty-one men, and all his working tools.
The seizure of this post was the first overt act of hostility in the memorable war which raged
for seven years, both in Europe and America.
The French, having thus taken possession of this place, proceeded at once to erect Fort Du-
quesne, to secure and perpetuate their power here. Their labors, however, proved fruitless ; their
rule here was destined to a short endurance.
Brief as it was, however, it was a period of much enterprise and activity, and marked by for-
tunes both adverse and prosperous. The seizure of this place excited great sensation over the
whole country, and more especially in the provinces of Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Washington, who was at Will's creek, near where Cumberland now stands, with about one
hundred and fifty men, determined to proceed to the mouth of Red Stone creek, and erect a fort
there. * » * * [See Fayette co.j
72 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
At the surrender, by Washington, of the fort at Great Meadows, one of the terms of capitula-
tion was that Captain Van Braam and Captain Stobo should be held by the French until the French
prisoners, taken on the 28th of May, should be released.
Captain Stobo was detained in Fort Duqucsue for some time before he was sent to Quebec, and
on the 29th of July, 1754, he wrote the following letter describing the state of aflfalrs here, (4th
Vol. Hazard's Register, page 3:28-9.)
" Sir — I wrote you yesterday by an Indian named the Long, or Mono ; he will be with you in
seven days. This goes by Delaware George. If these discliarge their trust, they ought to be
well rewarded. Tiie purport of yesterday's letter was to inform you of a report, and I hope false,
which greatly alarms the Indians, that the Half King, and Monecatooth are killed, their wives
and children given to the Catawbas, Cattoways, and Chcrokees. I wish a peace may be made
up between the Catawbas and the nations here ; they are much afraid of them. Many would
have joined you ere now, had it not been for that report. You had as just a plan of the fort as
time and opportunity would allow. The French manage the Indians with the greatest artifice. I
mentioned yesterday a council the Shawanese had with the French, the present they gave, and If
they made the French a speech yesterday, the bearer, who was present, will inform you to what
purport. If yesterday's letter reaches you, it will give you a particular account of most things.
I have scarce a minute, therefore can only add one more thing : there are but 200 men here at this
time, 200 more expected in a few days ; the rest went off in several detachments, to the amount
of 1,000, besides Indians. The Indians have great liberty here ; they go out and in when they
please, without notice. If 100 trusty Shawanese, Mingoes, and Delawares were picked out, they
might surprise the fort, lodging themselves under the platform, behind the palisades, by day, and
at night secure the guard with their tomahawks. The guard consists of 40 men only, and 5 offi-
cers. None lodge in the fort but the guard, except Contrecoeur — the rest in bark cabins around
the fort. All this you have more particularly in yesterday's account. Your humble servant, &c.
La Force is greatly missed here. Let the good of the expedition be considered preferable to our
safety. Haste to strike."
In the previous letter. Captain Stobo says : " La Force Is greatly wanted here — no scouting
now — he certainly must have been an extraordinary man amongst them — he is so much regretted
and wished for."
The 5th day of July, 1755, must have been one of great bustle and excitement within the limits
of the west ward of our city. Within those limits, and near the Point, was then assembled,
around and in Fort Duquesne, a number of French and Indians. Intelligence had been brought
by their scouts that Braddock, with his formidable and disciplined army, was rapidly approaching.
The French commandant was, no doubt, greatly distressed and perplexed by the condition of
things — his force was comparatively small — Fort Duquesne was only a stockade, incapable of
resisting, even for an hour, the lightest field-pieces. At this crisis, when it seems the com-
mandant had abandoned all idea of resistance. Captain Beaujeu, a bold and enterprising spirit,
well suited to such an emergency, proposed to take a detachment of French and Indians, and meet
Braddock on his march.
The consent of the Indians to accompany him was first to be obtained. Captain Beaujeu is
represented to have been a man of great affability of manners, and very popular among the In-
dians. He went among them, explained his plan, and urged them to go with him. They pro-
nounced the plan to be a hopeless one, and refused peremptorily to go.
A second time he applied to them — urged them to hold a council on the subject ; they did so,
and again refused to go with him. Still not despairing, Captain Beaujeu again went among
them, used all his arts of persuasion, told them that he was determined to go, and asked them
whether they would permit him to go alone to meet the enemy. This appeal proved successful.
They agreed to accompany him. This was on the 7th of July, 1755, and they had informa-
tion that Braddock was only eighteen miles distant. That day and the next was spent in making
preparations, and early on the morning of the 9th, the united forces of French and Indians de-
peirted on what seemed an utterly hopeless expedition. Along with Beaujeu were two other cap.
tains, Dumas and Lignery, four lieutenants, six ensigns, and two cadets.
Mr. Craig does not describe the battle at Braddock's field. The sub-
joined account is abridged from various authorities.
Major-general Edward Braddock had arrived In this country early in 1755, with the 44th and
48th regiments of royal troops, under Sir Peter Halkett and Col. Dunbar. At Will's creek, (Fort
Cumberland,) he was joined by about a thousand provincial troops, but the army was detained
at this place several weeks, for want of horses, wagons, and forage. By the energy and tact of
Dr. Franklin, then postmaster of the province, about 200 wagons, with the necessary horses and
equipments, were raised among the farmers of the Cumberland valley, and in Lancaster and
York counties. The army moved, at length, on the 8th and 9th of June, but soon found them-
selves so encumbered with baggage and wagons, that it was determined, at the suggestion of
Washington, who acted as ald-de-camp, to divide the force, pushing forward a small but chosen
band, with such artillery and light stores as were necessary, leaving the heavy artillery, baggage,
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
73
&.C., to follow by slow and easy marclies. The g^eneral, with 1,200 chosen men, and Sir Peter
Halkctt, as liritradicr, Lit-ut. C-ol. Gagf, (afterwards Gen. Gage.) Lieut. Col. Burton, and Major
Sparks, wont forward, Icaviuij C'ol. IJunbar to follow with the remainder of the troops and bag-
gage. Col. Washington, who had been very ill with a fever, was left in charge of Col. Dunbar,
but witli a promise from Gen. Hraddock that lie sliould be brought up with the advanced corps
before they reached Fort Duqiicsue. He joined it, at the mouth of the Yough'ogheny, on the
8th July. On the 9tli, the day of the battle, he says, " I attended the general on horse-
back, though very low and weak. Tlie army crossed to the left bank of the Monongahela, a
little below the mouth of Yougli'ogheny, being prevented by rugged hills from continuing along
the right bank to the fort."
'• Washington was olten heard to say during his lifetime, that the most beautiful spectacle he
had ever beheld was the display ol the British troops on this eventful morning. Every man was
neatly dressed in full uniform ; the soldiers Vv'crc arranged in columns and marched in exact
order ; the sun gleamed from their burnished arms ; the river flowed tranquilly on their right, and
the deep forest overshadowed tliem with solemn grandeur on their left. Officers and men were
equally inspirited with cheering hopes and confident anticipations."*
At nooti they recrossed to the right bank of the river, at a ripple about half a mile below the
mouth of Turtle creek, and ten miles above Fort Duquesne. The annexed sketch exhibits a
Braddock^s Field.
view of the battle-ground. The trees in the foreground mark the landing place ; the ford is now
destroyed by the pool of the Monongahela Navigation Works. The cattle on the hill in the
centre of the view, mark the place of the first attack ; the ravines in which the enprny were
concealed are seen on either side. These ravines are from eight to ten feet deep, and sufficient
to contain at least a thousand men. The whole ground was then covered witli the forest, and
the ravines were completely hidden from view. Capt. Orme, an aid of Braddock, wlio was
wounded in the battle, in a letter dated at Fort Cumberland, 18th July, gives the following par-
ticulars : " Tlie 9th inst. we passed and repassed the Monongahela by advancing first a party of
300 men, which was immediately followed by another of 200. The general, with the colunm of
artillery, baggage, and main body of the army, passed the river the last time about one o'clock. As
soon as the whole had got on the fort side of the Monongahela, we heard a very heavy and quick fire
in om- front. We immediately advanced in order to sustain them, but the detachments of the
200 and 300 men gave way and fell back upon us, which caused such confusion and struck so
great a panic among our men, that afterwards no military expedient coidd be made use of that
had any eiiect upon them. The men were so extremely deaf to the exiiortation ol' the general
and the officers, that they fired away in the most irregular manner all their ammunition, and then
ran off, leaving to the enemy tlie artillerjj ammunition, provisions and baggage ; nor could they
be persuaded to stop till they got as far as Gest's plantation, nor tliere only in part : many of
them proceeded as far as Col. Dunbar's party, who lay six miles on this side. • Th<! officers were
absolutely sacrificed by their unparalleled good behavior, advancing sometimes in bodies and
sometimes separately — hoping by such example to engage the soldiers to follow them ; but to no
purpose. The general had five horses killed under iiim, and at last received a wound through
the right arm into the lungs, of which he died the 13th inst. Poor Shirley was shot through the
10
Sparks.
74 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
head : Capt. Morris wounded. Mr. Washington had two horses shot under liim, and his clothea
shot through in several places ; behaving the whole time with the greatest courage and resolution.
Sir Peter lialkett was killed upon the spot — Col. Burton and Sir John St. Clair wounded ; and
enclosed I have sent you a list of killed and wounded, according to as ejjact an account as we are
yet able to get. Uj)on our proceeding with the whole convoy to tiie little meadows, it was found
impracticable to advance in that manner. The general therefore advanced with 1,200 men,
with the necessary artillery, ammunition, and provisions, leaving the main body of the convoy
under the command of Col. Dunbar, with orders to join him as soon as possible. In this manner
we proceeded with safety and expedition, till the fatal day I have just related ; and happy it was
that the disposition was made, otherwise the whole must either have starved or fallen into the
hands of the enemy, as numbers would liave been of no service to us, and our provisions were
all lost. As our horses were so nmcli reduced, and those extremely weak, and many carriages
were wanted for the wounded men, it occasioned our destroying the ammunition and the super-
fluous part of the provisions left in Col. Dunbar's convoy, to prevent its falling into the hands
of the enemy ; as the whole of the artillery is lost, and the troops are so exceedingly weakened
by deaths, wounds, and sicknesses, it was judged impossible to make any further attempts.
Therefore Col. Dunbar is returning to Fort Cumberland, with every thing he is able to bring up
with hiin. I propose remaining here till my wound will suffer me to remove to Philadelphia ;
from thence shall proceed to England. Whatever commands you may have for me, you will do
me the honor to direct to me here. By the particular disposition of the French and Indians, it was
impossible to judge the number they had that day in the field. Killed — Gen. Braddock, William
Shirley, Sec'y. Col. Ilalkett. Wounded — Roger Morris and Robert Orme, aid-de-camps. Sir John
St. Clair, Dep. Quarter-master Gen., Matthew Lesly, Asst., Lieut. Col. Gage. Between 6 and
700 officers and soldiers killed and wounded."
Gen. Morris wrote to Gen. Shirley: "The defeat of our troops appears to me to be owing to
the want of care and caution in the leaders, who have been too secure, and held in great con-
tempt the Indian manner of fighting. Even by Capt. Orme's account they were not aware of
the attack. And there are others that say that the French and Indians lined the way on each
side, and in the front and behind intrenchments [ravines,] that we knew nothing of till they fired
upon us."
Washington also says: "The dastardly behavior of the regular troops (so called) exposed those
who were inclined to do their duty, to almost certain death ; and at length, in spite of every
effort to the contrary, they broke and ran, as sheep before hounds, leaving the artillery, ammuni-
tion, provisions, baggage, and in short every thing, a prey to the enemy. And when we endeav-
ored to rally them, in hopes of regaining the ground and what we had left upon it, it was with
as little success as if we had attempted to stop the wild bears of the mountains. « * *
It is conjectured, (I believe with much truth,) that two thirds of our killed and wounded received
their shot from our own cowardly regulars, who gathered themselves into a body, contrary to or-
ders, ten or twelve deep — would then level, fire, and shoot down the men before them."
Col. Burd, who had obtained his information from Col. Dunbar at Fort Cumberland, also writes:
"The battle began at one o'clock of the noon, and continued three hours. The enemy kept behind
trees and logs of wood, and cut down our troops as fast as they could advance. The soldiers
then insisted much to be allowed to take to the trees, which the general denied, and stormed
much, calling them cowards ; and even went so far as to strike them with his own sword for at-
tempting the trees. Our flankers, and many of our soldiers that did take to the trees, were cut
oft" from the fire of our own line, as they fired their platoons wherever they saw a smoke or fire.
The one half of the army engaged never saw the enemy. Particularly Capt. Waggoner, of the
Virginia forces, marched 80 men up to take possession of a hill : on the top of the hill there lay
a large tree about five feet diameter, which Capt. Waggoner intended to make a bulwark of. He
marched up to the log with the loss of only three men killed by the enemy, and at tlie time
his soldiers carried their firelocks shouldered. When they came to the log they began to fira
upon the enemy. As soon as their fire was discovered by our line, they fired from our line upon
him. He was obliged to retreat down the hill, and brought oft' with him only 30 men out of
80 ; and in this manner were our troops chiefly destroyed. * * The general had with
him all his papers, which are entirely fallen into the hands of the enemy, as likewise about
je25,000 in cash. All the wagons that were with the general in the action, all the ammunition,
provisions, cattle, «&c., two twclve-poundcr cannon, six four-pounders, four cohorns and two
hortts, with all the shells, &-c. The loss of men, as nigh as Col. Dunbar could compute at that
time, is 700 killed and wounded, (the one half killed,) and about 40 officers. Col. Dunbar re-
treated with 1,500 effective men. He destroyed his provisions, except what he could carry along
with him for subsistence. He arrived on Tuesday, 22d inst., at Fort Cumberland, with his
troops. He likewise destroyed all the powder he had with him, to the amount (he thinks) of
50,000 pounds. His mortars, shells, &c., he buried ; and brought with him to our fort two six.
pounders. He could carry nothing off for want of horses."
Col. Washington wrote to his mother from Fort Cumberland, 18th July, 1755, nine days after
the battle : "When we came there we W2re attacked by a party of French and Indians, whose
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 75
niunber I am persuaded did not exceed 300 men, while ours consisted of about 1,300 well-armed
troops, chiefly regular soldiers, who were struck with such a panic that they behaved with more
cowardice than it is possible to conceive. The officers behaved gallantly in order to encourage
their men, for which they sufi'ercd greatly, there being near 60 killed and wounded — a large pro-
portion of the number we had. The Virginia troops showed a good deal of bravery, and were
nearly all killed ; for I believe out of tliree companies that were there, scarcely 30 men are left
alive. Capt. Peyrouny and all his officers, down to a corporal, were killed. Capt. Poison
had nearly as hard a fate, for only one of his was left. In short, the dastardly behavior of those
they call regulars exposed all others that were inclined to do their duty, to almost certain death ;
and at last, in despite of all the efforts of the officers to the contrary, they ran, as sheep pursued
by dogs, and it was imjiossible to rally them.
' The general was wounded, of which he died three days after. Sir Peter Haikett was killed
in the field, where died many other brave officers. I luckily escaped without a wound, though I
had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me. Capts. Orme and Morris, two
of the aids-de-camp, were wounded early in the engagement, which rendered the duty harder
upon me, as I was the only person th^;n left to distribute the general's orders ; which I was
scarcely able to do, as I was not half recovered from a violent illness, that had confined me to
my bed and a wagon for above ten days. I am still in a weak and feeble condition, which in-
duces me to halt here two or three days, in the hope of recovering a little strength to enable me
to proceed homeward."
And to his brother John he writes at the same time : "As I have heard, since my arrival at
this place, a circumstantial account of my death and dying speech, I take this early opportunity
of contradicting the first, and of assuring you that I have not yet composed the latter. But, by
the ail-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability
or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat,* and two horses shot under me, yet es-
caped unhurt, although death was levelling my companions on every side of me !"
It appears that Washington's estimate of the mmibers of the enemy was underrated. Mr.
Sparks ascertained in Paris that they were about 850, of whom two thirds were Indians.
In relation to Braddock's grave, see some further particulars under the
head of Fayette county. The extracts from Mr. Craig's numbers are
continued : —
Various estimates are given of the force of the French and Indians. The largest estimate is,
two hundred and fifty French and Canadians, and six hundred and forty Indians. The lowest
estimate reduces the number of white men to two hundred and thirty-five, and Indians to six
hundred.
The brave and enterprising Beaujeu fell at the first fire, and the victory was achieved under
the command of Capt. Dumas.
Again, on the evening of that memorable day — if the statement of Col. James Smith, who had
been some time a prisoner in Fort Du Quesne, may be relied on — the Point was the scene of
savage ferocity and human suffering. On that evening, a number of the Indians returned fi-ora
the battle-ground, bringing with them twelve prisoners, all of whom were burnt to death with all
the cruel ingenuity which is usually displayed upon such occasions.
About the 1st of April, 1756, a Mr. Paris, with a scouting party from Fort Cumberland, fell in
with a small body of Indians commanded by a Monsieur Donville ; an engagement ensued ; the
commandant was killed and scalped, and the following instructions, written at Fort Du Quesne^
were found about him.
" Fort Duquesne, 23d March, 1756.
" The Sieur Donville, at the head of a detachment of fifty savages, is ordered to go and ob-
serve the motions of the enemy in the neighborhood of Fort Cumberland. He will endeavor to
harass their convoys, and bum their magazines at Conococheague. should this be practicable;
He must use every effort to take prisoners, who may confirm what we already know of the ene-
my's designs. The Sieur Donville will employ all his talents, and all his credit, to prevent the
savages from committing any cruelties upon those who may fall into their hands. Honor and
humanity ought, in this respect, to serve as our guide."
« Dumas."
We infer from these instructions, that Contrecoeur had then left this place, and that DumaS
* When Washington went to the Oiiio, in 1770, to explore wild lands near tlie mouth of the
Kenhawa river, he met an aged Indian chief, who told him, through an interpreter, that during
the battle of Braddock's field he had singled him out as a conspicuous object, fired his rifle at
him many times, and directed his young warriors to do the same ; but none of his balls took
effect. He was then persuaded that the young hero was under the special guardianship of the
Great Spirit, and ceased firing at him. He had now come a long way to pay homage to the
man who was the particular favorite of heaven, and who could never die in battle.
76 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
was in command. lie was, no doubt, the same person who commanded at Braddock's defeaS
after the death of Captain Beaujeii. The instructions to Donville show him to have been as hu-
mane as he was brave and entcrprisinor.
On the 8th of June, 1757, Lieut. Baker returned to Fort Cumberland from an expedition, with
five soldiers and fifteen Cherokee Indians, towards Fort Duqucsne. They had fallen in with a
party of throe French officers aJid seven men on the head waters of Turtle creek, about twenty
miles from Fort Duquesne.
They killed five of the Frenchmen, and took one officer prisoner. From this officer they
learned that Capt. Lijrnery then conmiandcd at Fort Duqncsnc, and that the force then here was-
six hundred French troops and two hundred Indians. This Capt. Lignery was, probably, the
same who accompanied Beaujcu to Braddock's field, and was second in command after the death'
of that entiTjirisino; soldier.
From this time we have no notice of Fort Duquesne until late in the succeeding^ year, 1758.
" The great man after whom our city is named, was at length called to direct the energies of
Great Britain, and under his auspices the years 1758 and '59 witnessed the extinction of French
power in America. In the beginning of 1758, it was determined to act with great energy in this
comitry ; three different expeditions were planned, and the first against Fort Duqucsne was in-
ti'usted to Brigadier Gen. Joseph Forbes."
[The particulars of Gen. Forbes' expedition will be found under Bedford, Somerset, and West-
moreland counties.]
Prior to Washington's arrival at Raystown, Major Grant had been detached towards Fort Du-
quesne, with eight hundred men. He, however, as it is said, exceeded his orders, and arrived
and encamped on the hill now called by his name ; on tlie 13th September, and on the next day,
a most sanguinary action took place within the limits of our city. The following account, which
is the fullest that we have seen, is from the 2d vol. of Marshall's Life of Washington :
" In the night he reached a hill near the fort, where he posted his men in different columns,
and sent forward a party for the purpose of discovery. They burnt a log house near the walls
and returned. Next morning. Major Grant detached Major Lewis, of Col. Washington's regi-
ment, with a baggage guard, two miles into his rear, and sent an engineer, with a covering party,
within full view of the fort, to take a plan of the works. In the mean time he ordered the reveille
to be beaten in different places. This parade drew out the enemy in great force, and an obsti-
nate engagement ensued. As soon as the action commenced, Major Lewis left Capt. Bullett, of
Col. Washington's regiment, with about 50 Virginians, to guard the baggage, and advanced with
the utmost speed to support Major Grant. The English were defeated with considerable loss,
and both Major Grant and Major Lewis taken prisoners. In this action the Virginians behaved
most gallantly, and evinced the spirit with which they had been trained. Out of eight officers,
five were killed, a sixth wounded, and a seventh taken prisoner. Captain Bullett, who defended
the baggage with great resolution, and contributed to save the remnant of the detachment, was
the only officer who escaped unhurt. Out of one hundred and sixty-six men, sixty-two were
dilled on the spot, and two wounded. This conduct on the part of his regiment, reflected high
honor on their commander as well as on themselves, and he received on the occasion the com-
pliments of the general. The total loss in this action was, 273 killed, and 42 wounded."
This was really a sanguinary affair ; more than one third of Grant's force being killed. Major
Grant and Major Lewis were taken prisoners, and sent to Montreal. Major Grant after^vards
returned to this place, and erected the redoubt which stood on the bank of the Monongahela, op-
posite the mouth of Redoubt alley. We recollect distinctly seeing the stone tablet stating that
Col. Wm. Grant built tlie redoubt. A similar tablet still remains in the wall of the other redoubt
near the Point, and states that Col. Bouquet built it.
About the 5th Nov. the main body of the army arrived at Ligonier, by roads indescribably
bad. Washington was advanced in front to superintend the opening of the road, and the army
moved after him by slow and laborious steps until it arrived close to the fort. On the 24th of
Nov. 1758, the French set fire to the fort, embarked in their boats to descend the Ohio, and thus
forever abandoned their rule over this country.
The works were repaired, and distinguished by the name of Fort Pitt, after that g.reat minister
under whose auspices the British banner was floating in triumph in all quarters of the world.
Two hundred men of Washington's regiment were left to garrison the place ; the want of pro-
visions for more forbade the leaving a larger force. Gen. p'orbes returned to Philadelphia, and
died a few weeks afterwards in that city.
" Provisions being scarce, a larger force could not be maintained there during the winter. The
first Fort Pitt, a slight work, composed of pickets with a shallow and narrow ditch, was hastily
thrown up for the reception of 220 men, and the rest of the army returned to the settlements.'
That work was infended merely for a temporary purpose; and in the summer of 1759, Gen
Stanwix arrived, and commenced the erection of Fort Pitt. The draught of that work was
made by R. Rutzer, who probably superintended the work as engineer. A letter written from
the place, Sept. 24, 1759, says :
" It is now near a month since the army has been employed in erecting a most formidable forti-
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
77
fication, such a one as will to latest posterity secure the British empire on the Ohio. There ia
no need to enumerate the abilities of the chief engineer, nor the spirit shown by the troops, in
executing this important task ; the fort will soon be a lasting inunument of both. Upon the
generaPs arrival, about 400 Indians, of different nations, came to confirm the peace with the
English, particularly the Tawas and Wyandotts, who inhabit about Fort D'Etroit ; these con-
fessed the errors they had been led into by the perfidy of the French : showed the deepest con-
trition for their past conduct, and promised not only to remain fast friends to the English, but to
assist us in distressing the common enemy, whenever we should call on them to do it. And all the
nations which have been at variance with the English, said they would deliver up what prisoners
they had in their hands to the general, at tlie grand meeting that is to be held in about three
Weeks."
On republishing this letter in 1831, the Pittsburg Gazette remarked :
" How short-sighted is man 1 Scarcely sixteen years elapsed from the writing of this letter,
before this ' formidable fortification,' and the country around it, passed from the British empire,
and became a constituent part of a great and independent republic. Scarcely seventy-two years
have yet elapsed, and now this ' lasting monument' of the skill of the engineer, and the spirit of
the troops, has already become one of those things that have been. The spirit of improvement
and the enterprise of our citizens, have almost entirely defaced every trace of this ' formidable
fortification.' One redoubt alone, of all the results of the labors and genius of Britons, now re-
mains ; and it is a circumstance, perhaps, not unworthy of notice, that this only remnant of a
British engineer's works of defence against French hostility, is now the peaceful domicil of an
.industrious and meritorious Frenchman — an indefatigable and accurate surveyor and civil
engineer.^'
Washington, who visited this place in Oct. 1770, mentions that the sides next the country are
of brick, the others stockade.
Plan of Fort Pitt.
References.— a, Barracks already built — b, Commandant's House, not built — c. Store House —
d, d, Powder Magazine — e, Casemate completed—/, Store House for flour, &,c. — g. Wells, in two
of which are pumps — h, Fort Duquesne — i, i, Hom-work, stockaded to cover French barracks —
k, First Fort Pitt destroyed — n, Sally Port.
78
ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
The preceding plan is a reduced copy of the draught madfe by the en-
gineer Rutzer, in 1761, afterwards given to George III, and by George
IV presented to the British Museum. From the original a copy was
made for the Hon. Richard Biddle, of Pittsburg, during his visit to Lon-
don in 1830. In the southeast bastion Mr. Rutzer places two magazines,
marked d d. Within a few years past, a single stone magazine stood in
that place, erected, it is said, by Major Isaac Craig, in 1781.
In 1764, Col. Bouquet built a redoubt outside the fort, on the spot
marked *. This redoubt is still standing. Annexed is a view of it, as it
Redoubt at Pittsburg.
now appears. In looking at the drawing, the reader should understand
that the redoubt is merely the square building in front. It is situated
north of Penn-street, about 46 feet west of Point-street, a few feet back
from Brewery alley.
In the winter of 1783-4, before the town of Pittsburg was laid off, the agent of the Penns
sold to Isaac Craig and Stephen Bayard, the piece of ground extending from the ditch of Fort
Pitt to the Allegheny, supposed to be about three acres. This redoubt being on the outside of
the ditch of the fort, passed to Craig and Bayard, and when the subsequent firm of Turnbull,
Marmie &- Co. was formed, it became partnership property. By this firm the addition to the
old redoubt was built, in 1785, thus constituting a dwelling-house, which was occupied one year
by Mr. Turnbull, and subsequently three years by the father of the writer of this, who, in 1787,
was born in that building. ***** Another redoubt, precisely similar, had previously been
erected by Col. Wm. Grant, on the bank of the Monongahela river, just opposite to the mouth of
Redoubt alley. — Neville B. Craig, in the American Pioneer.
The following extracts from the introduction to Harris's Directory,
bring the history of Pittsburg down to the commencement of the present
century.
In 1763 an arrangement was made between the Shawanese and other tribes of Indians, along
the lakes, and on the Ohio and its tributary streams, to attack, simultaneously, all the English
posts and frontier settlements. In the execution of this plan, they captured Le Bceuf, Venangj,
Fresqu'isle, Michilimackinac, and various other posts, which were feebly garrisoned, and mur-
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 79
dered all the prisoners. As a part of this ^eat scheme of operations, Fort Pitt was completely
surrounded by the Indians, who cut off all communication with the interior of the country, and
greatly annoyed the garrison by an incessant discharge of musketry and arrows. The com-
mandino- officer, Capt. Ecuycr, and the garrison, (which was increased by the Indian traders,
who had escaped massacre and taken refuge in the fort,) made a gallant defence.
Col. Henry Bouquet was detached from Carlisle to relieve the beleaguered posts, and after a
severe conflict with the Indians, at Bushy run, he arrived at Fort Pitt on the 9th of Aug. 1763.
J II the action of the .')th Aug. 1763, the Indians were severely handled, several of their principal
chiefs were killed, and they were so much dispirited that they immediately abandoned their
operations against Fort Pitt, and retired to their towns on the Muskingum and further west. In
Oct. 1764, Col. Bouquet marched on an expedition against the Indian towns on the Muskingum.
He reached the Indian towns near the forks of that river, without opposition, and there dictated
terms of peace to them.
[Col. Bouquet was subsequently promoted to be a Brigadier-general, and in 1766 died at
Pensacola.]
It was during this year, 1764, probably after the treaty had removed all fear of the Indians,
that the old military plan, being that portion of the city lying between Water-street and Second-
street, and between Market and Ferry streets, was laid out. During this year also, was erected
the brick redoubt still standing.
In our early day, the ditch that ran from the Allegheny river through Marbury, down Liberty
and Short streets, to the Monongahcla and the Mound, and several old brick and log houses, that
composed a part of old " Fort Pitt," were standing conspicuous. Several of our first houses
were built of old brick, especially the large three-story brick house at the corner of the Diamond
and the Market-house, where the late Mr. Irwin kept tavern, and the fii'st court in Allegheny
county was held.
From this time until the close of the revolutionary war, but little improvement was made at
Pittsburg. The fear of Indian hostilities, or the actual existence of Indian warfare prevented
emigration. In 1775, the number of dwelling-houses within the limits of our present city did
not, according to the most authentic accounts, exceed twenty-five or thirty.
During the revolutionary war, a garrison was maintained in the fort at
Pittsburg, which served not only to guard the settlement, but was also
used as a central post, from which otfensive expeditions could be sent
out to attack the Indians northwest of the Ohio.
In the spring of the year 1778, Gen. Mcintosh, with the regulars and
militia from Fort Pitt, descended the Ohio about thirty miles, and built
Fort Mcintosh on the site of the present town of Beaver. In the fall of
the same year. Gen. Mcintosh received an order from government to
make a campaign against the Sandusky towns.
In 1780, Gen. Broadhead was charged with the defence of this part of
the frontier, and made Fort Pitt his head-quarters. He was distinguished
as a daring partisan officer, well adapted to command a party of forest
rangers in ravaging Indian towns and cutting off their war parties.
One of his principal aids in this species of warfare was Capt. Samuel
Brady, whose fame as an " Indian killer" has been sounded far and wide
throughout the frontier. (See Armstrong, Beaver, and Northumberland
counties.) Gen. Broadhead made an excursion to the Indian towns on the
Allegheny above and below the Conewango, burnt their cabins, and de-
stroyed their corn. Broadhead was a brave officer, but a poor disciplina-
rian : while his soldiers were idle, they were on the point of mutiny.
When Gen. Irvine superseded him in the command in Nov. 1781, he at
once called the malcontents to a drumhead court-martial, hung one or
two of them, and had no further trouble in preserving order.
Gen. Irvine continued in command here until the peace of 1783, and
succeeded by his firmness and prudence in maintaining quiet on the fron-
tier. He enjoyed in a very high degree the confidence of Gen. Washing-
ton. It was about this time that the first projects were entertained for
colonizing the region now forming the state of Ohio — projects that could
so ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
not be successfully executed until after Wayne's treaty in 1795. Gen.
Irvine seems to have entertained strong apprehensions that something
more than mere colonization was intended, but his apprehensions were
groundless ; and after the date of the intended meeting no further allu-
sion is made to the subject in his official correspondence.* The follow-
ing is an extract from one of his letters to Gen. Washington :
" Fort Pitt, April 20th, 1782.
" Sir — I arrived [returned] here the 25th March : at that time things were in greater confusion
than can well be conceived. The country people were to all appearance in a fit of phrenzy :
about 300 had just returned from the Moravian towns, where they found about 90 men, women,
and children, all of whom tliey put to death, 'tis said after cool deliberation and considering the
matter for three days. The whole were collected into their church, and tied when singing
hymns. On their return, a party came and attacked a few Delaware Indians who have yet re-
mained with us on a small island close by this garrison ; killed two who had captains' commis-
sions in our service, and several others — the remainder effected their escape into the fort, except
two who ran into the woods and have not since been heard of. There was an officers' guard on
the island at the same time ; but he either did not do his duty, or his men connived at the thing,
— which, I am not yet able to ascertain. This last outrage was committed the day before I ar-
rived. Nothing of this nature has been attempted since. A nmnber of wrong-headed men had
conceived an opinion that Col. Gibson was a friend to Indians, and that he must be killed also.
These transactions, added to the then mutinous disposition of the regular troops, had nearly
brought on the loss of the whole country. I am confident, if this post was evacuated, the bounds
of Canada would be extended to the Laurel hill in a few weeks. I have the pleasure, however,
to inform yoiu- excellency that things now wear a more favorable aspect. The troops are again
reduced to obedience ; and I have had a meeting, or convention, of the county lieutenants and
several field-officers, with whom I have made arrangements for .defending their frontiers, and
who promise to exert themselves in drawing out the militia, agreeable to law, on my requisitions.
" Civil authority is by no means properly established in this country — which I doubt [not] pro-
ceeds in some degree from inattention, in the executives of Virginia and Pennsylvania not run-
ning the boundary line — which is at present an excuse for neglect of duty of all kinds for at least
twenty miles on each side the line. More evils will arise from this than people are aware of.
Emigrations and new states are much talked of. Advertisements are set up announcing a day
to assemble at Wheeling, for all who wish to become members of a new state on Muskingham.
A certain J is at the head of this party : he is ambitious, restless, and some say disaf-
fected ; most people, however, agree, he is open to corruption. He has been in England since
the beginning of the" present war. Should these people actually emigrate, they must be either
entirely cut off, or immediately take protection from the British, — which I fear is the real design
of some of the party, though I think a great majority have no other views than to acquire lands.
As I apprehended taking cognizance of these matters would come best from the civil depart-
ments, I have written to the governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania on the subject, — which I
should not have done till I had first acquainted your excellency thereof, but for this consideration,
viz : that the 20th of May is the day appointed for the emigrants to rendezvous ; consequently a
representation from you would be too late, in case the states should think proper to take meas-
ures to prevent them."
During the Revolution, the Penn family were adherents of the British government, and in 1779,
the legislature of this state confiscated all their property, except certain manors, tfcc, of which
surveys had been actually made and returned into the land office, prior to the 4th of July, 1776,
and also, except any estates which the said Penns held in their private capacities, by devise,
purchase, or descent. Pittsburg, and the country eastward of it, and south of the Monongahela,
containing about 5,800 acres, composed one of these manors, and, of coui'se, remained as the
property of the Penns.
In the spring of 1784, arrangements were made by Mr. Tench Francis, the agent of the Penns,
to lay out the manor of Pittsburg in town lots and out lots, and to sell them without delay. I'or
this purpose he engaged Mr. George Woods, of Bedford, an experienced surveyor, to execute this
work. In May, 1784. Mr. Woods arrived here, bringing with him, as an operative surveyor, Mr.
Thomas Vickroy, of Bedford co., who was then a very young man, and who still survives and
enjoys vigorous health, at a good old age.
* Gen. Irvine's correspondence with the general government, and with all the neighboring
county lieutenants, while at Fort Pitt, with many other interesting documents relating to liis
military and civil career, are hi possession of his grandson. Dr. Wm. A. Irvine, who resides at
the mouth of Brokenstraw in Warren county. The compiler is much indebted to him for the
loan of these documents.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 81
[At that time there were no buildinjjs outside the fort, except a few huts on the bank of the
Moaongahela. Mr. Vickroy, at the time of his survey, purchased a piece of property there which
he sold some time afterwards for Jj3i). It is now worth ^500,000. — D.]
Mechanics and traders composed a greater proportion of the population. In 1784, Arthur
Lee, a conspicuous diplomatist during our Revolution, passed tiirough Pittsburg. In his
journal we find the following notice of this place : " Pittsburg is inhabited almost entirely by
Scots and Irish, who live in paltry log houses, and are as dirty as in the north of Ireland, or
even Scotland. There is a great deal of small trade carried on ; the goods being brought, at the
vast expense of forty-five shillings per cwt., from Philadelphia and Baltimore. They take, in the
shops, money, wheat, flour, and skins. There are in the town four attorneys, two doctors, and
not a priest of any persuasion, nor church, nor chapel. The rivers encroach fast on the town,
and to such a degree, that, as a gentleman told me, the Allegheny had within thirty years of his
memory, carried away one hundred yards. The place, I believe, will never be very considerable."
If Mr. Lee could now visit the valley of the head of the Ohio, he would find here a free white
population exceeding that of the six largest cities and towns in the Old Dominion. The ap-
pearance of Pittsburg at that time was not such as would excite extravagant expectations. A
small town, composed of two or three brick redoubts, converted into dwelling-houses, and some
forty or fifty round or hewn log buildings, inhabited principally by poor mechanics and laborers,
would have a very discouraging aspect to the eye of a Virginia gentleman, who had visited Lon-
don, Paris, and Madrid. But these mechanics and laborers were free, had the direction of their
own exertions, were industrious, were striving for the advantages of themselves and their off-
spring, and the possession and enjoyment of the produce of their own labor were secured to them
by equal laws.
Discouraging as were the appearances of things in 1784, yet in 1786, John Scull and Joseph
Hall, two poor, but enterprising young men, boldly determined to risk their little all in a printing
establishment here, and on the 29th of July, of that year, issued the first number of the Pitts-
burg Gazette. The publication of a paper, by disseminating information, and attracting atten-
tion to the place, contributed to the growth of the town.
Pittsburg was then in Westmoreland co., and the inhabitants had to travel to Greensburg,
about thirty miles, to attend court. Allegheny co. was erected 24th Sept. 1788.
Mr. Brison, on Sept. 14, 178(3, returned from New York with orders to establish a post from
this place to Pittsburg, and one from Virginia to Bedford. The two met at Bedford. Prior to
that time there was no regular mail to this place, and the then printers of the Gazette and other
inhabitants had to depend upon casual travellers. — Harris's Directory.
About this time emigration began to increase from Virginia to Ken-
tucky ; the Indian wars, too, and the expedition to quell the Whiskey in-
surrection,* in 1794, brought many young men here as soldiers, who after-
wards became settlers. In 1786 Judge H. H. Brackenridge, then a young
attorney, estimated the number of houses here at 100, which at the rate
of five persons to each house, would give 500 inhabitants. In Jan. 1796,
the population amounted to 1 ,395, according to a census by the assessors.
In Aug. 1789, it appears from the Pittsburg Gazette,
That there was then settled in the town, one clergyman of the Calvinistic church, Samuel Barr,
and one of the German Calvinistic church occasionally preached here.
Also, that " a church of squared timber and moderate dimensions is on the way to be built."
This church stood within the ground now covered by the First Presbyterian church.
Two medical gentlemen were then here. One, we know, was Dr. Bedford. Also two law-
yers, probably the late Judge Brackenridge and John Woods.
Carriage from Philadelphia was then six pence for each pound weight. The writer makes
the following prediction : " However improved the conveyance may be, and by whatever channel,
the importation of heavy articles will still be expensive. The manufacturing them, therefore,
will become more an object here than elsewhere."
In 1776-87, an academy, or public school, was established here, by act
of the legislature, and the First Presbyterian church was incorporated.
The ^oroM^A of Pittsburg was incorporated 22d of April, 1794, the city on
the 18th March, 1816. The borough of Allegheny was incorporated 14th
April, 1828, and was made a city some time between the years 1837 and
1840.
* An account of the Whiskey insurrection will be found under the head of Washington co.
11
S2 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
From 1790 to 1800, the business of Pittsburg and the West was sman, but g^radnally im
proving ; the fur trade of the West was very important, and Messrs. Peter Maynard and WUUam
Morrison were engaged largely in it, and from 1790 to 1796 received considerable supphes of
goods, through Mr. Guy Bryan, a wealthy merchant in Philadelphia, and the goods were taken to
Kaskaskia in a barge, which annually returned to Pittsburg, laden with bear, buffalo, and deer
skins, and furs and peltries of all kinds, which were sent to Mr. Bryan, and the barge returned,
laden with goods. At that period there was no regular drayman in Pittsburg, and the goods
were generally hauled from the boats with a three horse wagon, — until (in 1797) a Mr. James
Battle, an Englishman, settled in this city, and was encouraged to take up the business, and
drayed and stored goods, until a box of drygoods was stolen from bis yard, and shed, (for then
we had no warehouse, nor regular commission merchant, in Pittsburg,) — and this broke the poor
man up, and he died broken-hearted and unhappy.
A French gentleman, Louis Anastasius Taras9on,* emigrated in 1794 from France, and es
tablished himself in Philadelphia, as a merchant. He was a large importer of silks, and all kinds
of French and German goods. Being very wealthy and enterprising, in 1799 he sent two of his
clerks, Charles Brugicre and James Berthoud, to examine the course of the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers, from Pittsburg to New Orleans, and ascertain the practicability of sending ships and
clearing them from this port, ready rigged, to the West Indies and Europe. Those two gentle-
men returned to Philadelphia, reported favorably, and Mr. Taras9on associated them and hitj
brother, John Anthony, with himself, under the firm of " John A. Taras^on, brothers, James
Berthoud, &. Co.," and immediately established, in Pittsburg, a large wholesale and retail store
and warehouse, a shipyard, a rigging and sail loft, an anchor smith shop, a block manufactory,
and in short every thing necessary to complete vessels for sea. The first year, 1801, they built
the schooner Amity, of 120 tons, and the ship Pittsburg, of S.'jO tons, — and sent the former, load-
ed with flour, to St. Thomas, and the other, also with tlour, to Pliiladelpbia, — from whence they
sent them to Bordeaux, and brought back a cargo of wine, brandy, and other French goods, part
of which they sent here in wagons at a carriage of from six to eight cents per pound. In 1802,
they built the brig Nanino, of 250 tons ; in 1803, the ship Louisiana, of 300 tons ; and in 1804,
the ship Western Trader, of 400 tons.
[A curious incident connected with this subject, was mentioned by Mr. Clay on the floor of
Congress. " To illustrate the commercial habits and enterprise of the American people, (he said)
he would relate an anecdote of a vessel, bnilt and cleared out at Pittsburg for Leghorn. When
she arrived at her place of destination, the master presented his papers to the custom-house offi-
cer— who could not credit him, and said to him, ' Sir, your papers are forged ; there is no such
port as Pittsburg in the world : your vessel must be confiscated.' The trembling captain laid
before the officer the map of the United States, directed him to the Gulf of Mexico, pointed out
the mouth of the Mississippi, led him a thousand miles up it to the mouth of the Ohio, and thence
another thousand up it to Pittsburg : ' There, sir, is the port from whence my vessel cleared out.'
The astonished officer, before he had seen the map, would as readily have believed this vessel
had been navigated from the moon."]
In or about the year 1796, three of the royal princes of Orleans came to Pittsburg, and stopped
at a hotel situated on the bank of the Monongahela, where Jno. D. Davis's warehouse now stands.
They were very affable and conversant, and remained for some time in the city : at length they
procured a large skiff, part of which was covered with tow linen, laid in a supply of provisions',
and (having procured two men to row the skiff) proceeded on to New Orleans. One of these
princes was Louis Phillippe, the present king of France — who, in his exile, visited our city, and
spent his time very agreeably with Gen. Neville, Gen. James O'Hara, and several other respect-
able families who then lived on the bank of the Monongahela river.
We remember well during the Embargo times and last war, when the internal trade and com.
merce of Pittsburg, by the Ohio, Western, and Southern rivers, brought us comparatively nigh to
Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, Natchez, and New Orleans, but tTie slow
process of keel-boats and barges was such that it consumed almost a whole summer for a trip
down and up — when all was done by the hardy boatmen, with the pole or by warping ; and when
a barge arrived, with furs from St. Louis, cotton from Natchez, hemp, tobacco, and saltpetre
from Maysville, or sugar and cotton from New Orleans and Natchez, it was a wonder to the
many, and drew vast crowds to see and rejoice over it. And the internal commerce during the
war allied us closely with Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, — these cities get-
ting much of their sugar, saltpetre, &c., by boats and wagons, through Pittsburg — which then
did an immense carrying trade for the United States. — Harris's Directory.
The following graphic sketch of early times in Pittsburg is from lion.
H. M. Breckenridge's " Recollections" :
Pittsburg, when first I knew it, was but a village. Two plains, partly short commons, depas-
tared by the town cows, embraced the foot of Grant's hill, one extending a short distance up the
* These facts have been furnished by Anthony Beelen, Esq., an early merchant
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. ' 83
Monongahela, the other stretchings up the Allegheny river ; while the town of straggling houses,
easily counted, and more of logs than frame, and more of the latter than of brick or stone, lay
from the junction of the Monongahela. On the bank of the Allegheny, at the distance of a long
Sunday afternoon's walk, stood Fort Fayette, surmounted by the stripes and stars of the old thir-
teen : and from this place the King's Orchard, or garden, extending to the ditch of old Fort Pitt,
the name by which the little town was then known. On the north side of the river just men-
tioned, the hills rose rude and rough, without the smoke of a single chimney to afford a rhyme to
the muse of Tom Moore —
" I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled
Above the green elms, that a cottage was near."
The clear and beautiful Allegheny, the loveliest stream that ever glistened to the moon, gliding
over its polished pebbles, being the Ohio, or La Belle Riviere, under a different name, was still
the boundary of civilization ; for all beyond it was called the Indian country, and associated in
the mind with many a fireside tale of scalping-knife, hair-breadth escapes, and all the horrors of
s '.vage warfare.
On the Monongahela side, the hills rose from the water's edge to the height of a mountain,
with some two or three puny houses squeezed in between it and the river. On its summit stood
the farm house and barn of Major Kirkpatrick. The bam was burnt down by the heroes of the
Whiskey Insurrection, and this happening in the night, threw a light over the town so brilliant
that one might see to pick up a pin in the street.
To the east — for I am now supposed to be standing on the brow of Grant's hill — the ground
was peculiarly picturesque, and beautifully diversified with hill and dale, having undergone some
little change from the state of nature. The hill was the favorite promenade in fine weather, and
on Sunday afternoon. It was pleasing to see the line of well-dressed ladies and gentlemen, and
ciiildren — nearly the whole population — repairing to this beautiful eminence. It was considered
so essential to the comfort and recreation of the inhabitants, that they could scarcely imagine how
a town could exist without its Grant's hill ! There was a fine spring half way up, which was
supposed to afford better water than that of the pumps, and some persons even thought it was
possessed of medical properties — which might be the case, after a pleasant afternoon's walk, and
the toil in overcoming the steep ascent.
What a change in the appearance of Pittsburg since that day ! — since the time when I used to
roll over and over on the smooth side of Grant's hill.
Sed fugit interea, fugit irrevocabile tempus.
Yes, that beautiful hill itself, which might have enjoyed a green old age, has been prematurely
cut to pieces and murdered by barbarous hands ! The shallow pond at its base, where we used
to make our first attempts at skating, has been wickedly and wilfully filled up, and is now con-
cealed by brick buildings — the croaking of the bull-frogs having given place to men, more noisy
still than they. What is passing strange, as if in mockery of nature, the top of the hill is half
covered by an enormous reservoir of water, thrown up there from the Allegheny river by means
of steam engines, while the remainder is occupied by a noble cathedral church. What is still
more lamentable, the hill itself has been perforated, and a stream has been compelled to flow
through the passage, at an expense that would have discouraged a Roman emperor. Streets
have been cut in its sides, as if there was a great scarcity of ground in this new world ; and in
time houses will rise up along them like those of the Cowgate in Edinburgh — thirteen stories on
one side, and half a story on the other. In short, it would fill a volume to enumerate the changes
produced in a quarter of a century, — in which comparatively short space of time, a small village
has grown into a large city, possessing extensive capital, manufacturers, and a wide-spread com-
merce. Its increase is still in the same ratio, and will continue until it reaches half a million of
souls. Such has been the extraordinary growth of this city, that every ten years produce such a
change as to render the person who has been absent during that period almost a stranger.
But to return again to Grant's hill — for I have not yet completed my sketch of the appearance
of the place in olden time, and should consider it extremely imperfect if I were to say nothing of
the race-course, to which the plain or common between it and the Allegheny was appropriated ;
hut at this day, since it has become the scene of business, it would require the whole amount of
the sweepstakes to furnish a single foot of ground there. At the time to which I allude, the
plain was entirely unincumbered by buildings or enclosures, excepting the Dutch church, which
stood aloof from the haunts of man, unless at those times when it was forced to become the cen-
tre of the hippodrome. And the races, shall we say nothing of that obsolete recreation ? It was
then an affair of all-engrossing interest, and every business or pursuit was neglected during their
continuance. The whole town was daily poured forth to witness the Olympian games, many of
all ages and sexes as spectators, and many more, directly or indirectly, interested in a hundred
different ways. The plain within the course, and near it, was filled with booths as at a faur, —
where every thing was said, and done, and sold, and eaten or drunk — where every fifteen or
twenty minutes there was a rush to some part, to witness a.Jistyaiff — where dogS barkisdand bit,
84 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
and horses trod on men's toes, and booths fell down on people's heads I There was CrowdeT with
his fiddle and his votaries, making the dust fly with a four-handed or rather four-footed reel ; and
a little further on was Dennis Loughy, the blind poet, like Homer casting his pearls before swine,
chanting his master-piece in a tone part nasal and part guttural —
'* Come, gentlemen, gentlemen all,
Genral Sincleer sliall rem'ber'd be,
For he lost thirteen hundred men all
In the Western Tari-to-ree."
All at once the cry. To horse ! to horse ! suspended every other business or amusement as ef-
fectually as the siHnmons of the faithful. There was a rush towards the starting post, while
many betook themselves to the station best fitted for the enjoyment of the animating sight. On
a scaffold, elevated above the heads of the people, were placed the patrcs palrim, as judges of the
race, and but I am not about to describe the races : my object was merely to call to mind
the spot where they were formerly executed ; yet my pen on this occasion was near running
away with me, like the dull cart-horse on the course, who feels a new fire kindled under his ribs,
and, from seeing others scamper, is seized with a desire of trying his heels also. The Dutch
church, after some time spent in searching, was found by me ; but as for the race field, it is now
covered with three-story brick buildings, canal basins, and great warehouses — instead of tempo
rary booths, erected with forks, and covered with boughs just cut from the woods.
It will be the business of tlie annalist, or of the historian, to trace the gradual progress of in
crease, or the various changes which the city has undergone. Who would imagine, on beholding
the concourse of country merchants from all quarters, laying in their supplies of merchandise for
the purpose of retail, that, but a few years ago, the business was done in small shops, part cash
and part codritry prdduce, that is, for skins, tallow, beeswax, and maple sugar ? Who would
imagine that the arrival and encampment of Cornplanter Indians on the bank of the Allegheny,
would make a great stir among the merchants ? It was quite a cheering sight, and one which
made brisk times, to see the squaws coming in with their packs on their backs, and to whom the
business of selling as high, and buying as cheap as possible, was intrusted. Now an Indian is
not to be seen, unless it be some one caught in the woods a thousand miles off, and sent to
Washington in a cage to make a treaty for the sale of lands.
I can stdl remember when the mountains were crossed by pack-horses only, and they might be
seen in long files, arriving and departing with their burdens swung on pack-saddles. Wagons
and wagon roads were used in the slow progress of things, and then the wonder of the west, a
turnpike, was made over the big hills ; and now, canals and railways are about to bring us as
near to Philadelphia and Baltimore, as the Susquehanna was in those times. The western in-
surrection is not so much a matter of wonder, and there is no trifling excuse for the dissatisfac-
tion of the west, when we reflect on their situation at that period. The two essentials of civil-
ized and half-civilized life, iron and salt, were almost the only articles they could procure. And
how could they procure them ? There was no sale for their grain down the Ohio and Mississippi,
on account of the Indian war, and the possession of New Orleans by the Spaniards. There was
no possibility of transporting their produce across the mountains, for sale or barter. There was
but one article by means of which they could contrive to obtain their sujjplies, and that was
whiskey ! A few kegs were placed on each side of a horse, transported several hundred miles,
and a little salt and iron brought back in their place. Is it any wonder that the excise, in addi-
tion to the expense of transportation, almost cut tiicm off even from this miserable resource ?
Before my time. Black Charles kept the first hotel in the place ; when I can first remember,
the sign of General Butler, kept by Patrick Murphy, was the head tavern ; and afterwards the
Green Tree, on the bank of tlie Monongahela, kept by William Morrow. The General Butler
viras continued by Molly Murphy, for some years after the death of Paddy. She was the friend
of my boyhood and youth ; and although as rough a Christian as ever I knew, I verily believe
that a better Christian heart — one more generous and benevolent, as well as sturdy and fearless —
never beat in Christian bosom. Many an orphan — many a friendless one — many a wretched
one, has shed, in secret, the tear of gratitude over the memory of Molly Murphy.
But it could not be said of Fort Pitt that there was a want of private hospitality, any more
than there was of the public. It so happened, that after the revolutiona. y war, a number of
families of the first respectability, principally of officers of the army, were attracted to this spot ;
and hence a degree of refinement, elegance of manners, and polished society, not often found in
the extreme frontier. The Butlers, the O'Haras, the Craigs, the Kirkpatricks, the Stevensons,
the Wilkinses, the Nevilles, are names which will long he handed down by tradition. Col. Ne-
ville was indeed the model of a perfect gentleman — as elegant in his person, and finished in his
manners and education, as he was generous and noble in his feelings. His house was the tem-
ple of hospitality, to which all respectable strangers repaired. He was during the revolution the
aid of Lafayette, and at the close of it married the daughter of the celebrated Gen. Morgan, an
elegant and accomplished lady, who blessed him with an offspring as numerous and beautiful a3
the children of Niobe. Pittsbiu-g could furnish at that day its dramatis personcB of original char
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 85
acters ; and its local history is full of curious incident, which it might be worth while to rescue
from oblivion. My esteemed friend Morgan Neville, in his admirable productions, " Mike Fink,"
the " Last of the Boatmen," " Chevalier Dubac," and others, has clearly proved this. I must,
however, correct an inaccuracy he has fallen into in relation to the Chevalier Dubac. It was
not a monkey which he consulted in presence of his coimtry customers, about tlie lowest price
of his goods — it was a racoon. What should we think of the historian, who would write that
Scipio Africanus consulted a sheep instead of an antelope ? It ought also to be put on record,
that the racoon used sometimes (like a sans culotle as he was) to aspire to be free. On these
occasions the chevalier was much annoyed by the boys, who would run to him, crying out, " M.
Dubac, M.. Dubac, your racoon has got loose — your racoon has got loose 1" to this he would
rather petulantly, yet slowly, and with a most polite motion of the head and hands, repeat, " Late
eein go — late eem go."
This town being the key or rather the gate of the west, was frequently visited by travellers of
distinction, who remained a few days making preparations for their voyage. This circumstance,
together with others which I might enumerate, gave a peculiar character and interest to the
place. I have a distinct recollection of the present king of France and his two brothers, who
were on their way to New Orleans. They were plain modest young men, whose simplicity of
manners was favorably contrasted with those of the showy city gentlemen, with fair top boots
and ratan, who found nothing good enough for them at the tavern, although at home content with
an undivided portion of an attic chamber, and a meal hastily snatched.
The ensuing extract from the Cincinnati Gazette was published in
1829. The contrast between the early trade and the modern is now still
greater. The main line of canal and railway over the mountains was
first opened entirely through in 1834, and occasioned an immense aug-
mentation in the business of Pittsburg. Harris's Directory for 1841 con-
tains a list of 89 steamboats owned entirely or in part within the district
of Pittsburg.
The first boat built on the western waters, of which the writer of this article has any record,
was the New Orleans, built at Pittsburg in 1811. He has no account of more than seven or
eight built previously to 1817. From that period they have been rapidly increasing in number,
character, model, and style of workmanship, until 1825 ; when two or three boats, built about
that period, were declared by common consent to be the first in the world. Since that time, we
are informed that some of the New York and Chesapeake boats rival and probably surpass us in
ricJiness and beauty of internal decoration. As late as 1816, the practicability of navigating the
Ohio with steamboats was esteemed doubtful ; none but the most sanguine augured favorably. The
writer of this well remembers that in 1816, observing, in company with a nmnber of gentlemen,
the long struggles of a stern-wheel boat to ascend Horse-tail ripple, (five miles below Pittsburg,)
it was the unanimous opinion that "such a contrivance" might conquer the difficulties of the
Mississippi, as high as Natchez ; but that we of the Ohio must wait for some more happy "cen-
tury of inventions." In 1817, the bold and enterprising Capt. Shreve, (whose late discovery of
a mode for destroying snags and improving western navigation entitles him to the reputation of
a public benefactor,) made a trip from New Orleans to Louisville in 25 days. The event was
celebrated by rejoicing, and by a public dinner to the daring individual who had achieved the
miracle. Previous to that period, the ordinary passages by barges, propelled by oars and sails,
was three months. A revolution in western commerce was at once etfected. Every article of
merchandise began to ascend the Mississippi, until we have seen a package delivered at the
wharf of Cincinnati, from Philadelphia, via New Orleans, at one cent per pound. From the pe-
riod of Capt. Shreve's celebrated voyage till 1827, the time necessary for the trip has been grad-
ually diminishing. During that year the Tecumseh entered the port of Louisville from New Or-
leans in eight days and two hours from port to port !*******
We cannot better illustrate the magnitude of the change in every thing connected with west-
em commerce and navigation, than by contrasting the foregoing statement with the situation of
things at the time of the adoption of steam transportation, say in 1817. About 20 barges, aver-
aging 100 tons each, comprised the whole of the commercial facilities for transporting merchan-
dise from New Orleans to the " upper country." Each of these performed one trip down and up
again to Louisville and Cincinnati, within the year. The number of keel-boats employed on the
upper Ohio cannot be ascertained, but it is presumed that 150 is a sufficiently large calculation
to embrace the whole number. These averaged 30 tons each, and employed one month to make
the voyage from Louisville to Pittsburg ; while the more noble and dignified barge of the Missis-
sippi made her trip in the space of 100 days, if no extraordinary accident happened to check her
progress. Not a dollar was expended for wood in a space of 2U00 miles, and tlu squatter on the
banks of the Ohio thought himself lucky if the reckless boatman would give the smallest trifle
for the eggs and chickens which formed almost the only saleable articles on a soil whose only
86 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
fault is its too great fertility. Such was the case twelve yeajs since. The Mississippi boats now
make five trips within the year, and are enabled, if necessary, in that period to afford to that
trade 135,0011 tons. Eight or nine days are sufficient, on upper Ohio, to perform the trip from
Louisville to Pittsburg and back. In short, if the steamboat has not realized the hyperbole of
the poet, in "annihilating time and space," it has produced results scarcely surpassed by the in-
troduction of the art of printing. — Cincinnati Gazette.
"Among others whose attention was drawn to the new field of enterprise opened on the lakes,
after Wayne's treaty, was Gen. James O'Hara, a distinguished citizen of Pittsburg. He entered
into a contract with the government to supply Oswego with provisions, which could then be fur-
nished from Pittsburg cheaper than from the settlements on the Mohawk. Gen. O'Hara was a
far-sighted calculator; he had obtained correct information in relation to the manufacture of salt
at Salina ; and in liis contract for provisioning the garrison, he had in view the supplying of the
western country with salt from Onondaga. This was a project that few men would have thought
of, and fewer undertaken. The means of transportation had to be created on the whole line ;
boats and teams had to be provided to get the salt from the works to Oswego ; a vessel built to
transport it to the landing below the falls ; wagons procured to carry it to Schlosser — then boats
constructed to carry it to Black Rock. There another vessel was required to transport it to Erie.
The road to the head of French creek had to be improved, and the salt carried in wagons across
the portage ; and finally, boats provided to float it to Pittsburg. It required no ordinary sagacity
and perseverance to give success to this speculation. Gen. O'Hara, however, could execute as
well as plan. He packed his flour and provisions in barrels suitable for salt. These were reserved
in his contract. Arrangements were made with the manufacturers, and the necessary advances
paid to secure a supply of salt. Two vessels were built, one on Lake Erie and one on Lake On-
tario; and the means of transportation on all the various sections of the line were secured. The
plan fully succeeded, and salt of a pretty fair quality was delivered at Pittsburg, and sold at four
dollars per bushel — ^just half the price of the salt obtained by packing across the mountains.
The vocation of the packers was gone. The trade opened by this man, whose success was equal
to his merits, and who led the way in every great enterprise of the day, was extensively prose-
cuted by others. A large amount of capital was invested in the salt trade, and the means of
transportation so greatly increased, that in a few years the Pittsburg market was supplied with On-
ondaga salt at twelve dollars per barrel of five bushels." — Judge Wilkeson, in American Pioneer,
The conspicuous rank which Pittsburg held, as the metropolis of the
West, drew to the place many young men of eminent talents. As Mr.
Hall, in his sketches, justly remarks —
"When this settlement was young and insulated, and the savage yet prowled in its vicinity,
legal science flourished with a vigor unusual in rude societies. The bench and bar exhibited a
galaxy of eloquence and learning.
"Judge Addison, who first presided in this circuit under the present system, possessed a fine
mind and great attainments. He was an accomplished scholar, deeply versed in every branch
of classical learning. In law and theology he was great ; but although he explored the depths
of science with unwearied assiduity, he could sport in the sunbeams of literature, and cull with
nice discrimination the flowers of poesy. He was succeeded by Judge Roberts, an excellent law-
yer, and a man of great integrity and benevolence.
"Judge Wilkins, who succeeded Judge Roberts, has long been a prominent man. As an ad-
vocate he was distinguished for his graceful and easy style of speaking, and his acuteness in the
development of testimony. He brought to the bench an active mind, much legal experience, and
an intimate knowledge of the practice of the court. His public spirit and capacity for business
have thrown him into a multitude of offices."
"There were at the bar in the olden time many illustrious pillars of the law : Steel Semple, long
since deceased, a man of stupendous genius, spoken of by his contemporaries as a prodigy of elo-
quence and legal attainments ; James Ross, who is still on the stage, and very generally known
as a great statesman and an eminent a Ivocate — who, for depth of thought, beauty of language,
melody of voice, and dignity of manners, has few equals ; Breckenridge, the eccentric and highly
gifted author of " Modern Chivalry," celebrated for his wit, his singular habits, his frolicsome
propensities and strange adventures, and who, though a successful advocate and an able judge,
cracked his jokes at the bar and on the bench of the supreme court as freely as at his own fire-
side ; Woods, Collins, Campbell, and Mountain, who would have shone at any bar ; Henry Bald-
win, an eminent lawyer, a rough but powerful and acute speaker, conspicuous in congress as
chairman of the committee on domestic manufactures, and as the author of th« celebrated tariff
bill — with others, whose history has not reached me. This constellation of wit and learning, illu-
mining a dusky atmosphere, presented a singular contrast to the wild and untutored spirits around
them ; and the collision of such opposite characters, together with the unsettled state of the
country, produced a mass of curious incidents, many of which are Still preserved, and circulate
at the bar in the hours of forensic leisure."
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 87
Of the gentlemen noticed by Mr. Hall, there are still living, the Hon.
James Ross, now the most venerable patriarch of the city ; the Hon.
Henry Baldwin, who adorns the bench of the U. S. supreme court ; and
the Hon. William Wilkins, who was a few years since minister to Rus-
sia, and now resides at his splendid mansion near Wilkinsburg, a few
miles from the city. Mr. Ross has held a distinguished rank in the poli-
tics of Pennsylvania ever since the revolution. He was a prominent
member of the convention for forming the constitution of 1790 ; was an
able defender of the new constitution of the United States at its first
presentation ; and took a bold and open stand on the side of order during
the great whiskey insurrection, being appointed a commissioner by Gen.
Washington to treat with the insurgents. He was the candidate of the
federal party of that day for governor, in opposition to Thomas M'Kean,
in 1799 and 1802; and again in 1808, in opposition to Simon Snyder.
Retiring from political life with the decline of his party, he stood for many
years at the head of the bar in Allegheny county ; and is now passing
the evening of an honorable life, enjoying the sincere esteem of his fel-
low-citizens of all parties.
Hon. Judge Baldwin is a native of New Haven, Conn., where he grad-
uated at Yale College, in 1797, and prepared himself for admission to the
bar. His father was a highly respectable farmer, possessing a powerful
intellect — a quality which seems to have been inherited by his children,
who have nearly all been eminent in public life. An elder brother of the
judge was a distinguished member of congress from Georgia ; another
was an eminent statesman of Ohio — perhaps also a member of congress.
One of the sisters was the lady of Hon. Joel Barlow, the poet, and am-
bassador to France ; and a younger brother held for many years a public
office under the U. S. in New Haven. Judge Baldwin's boyhood was
spent amid the toils of agricultural life, to which circumstance he un-
doubtedly owes that mens sana in corpore sano, that strong mind in a vig-
orous frame, which has marked his later years. We have heard him
boast that he drove the cart for "Jemmy Hillhouse" to plant that noble
avenue of elms that now forms the pride of his beautiful native city ;
and Mr. Hillhouse used afterwards to delight in introducing Mr. Baldwin
to his friends in Philadelphia as " a ploughboy of his." This " Jemmy
Hillhouse," by the way, was a member of the convention for forming the
constitution of the U. S., and a distinguished member of the U. S. senate
for many years afterwards.
Judge Baldwin was attracted to the west by the influence of his
brother, of Ohio, and eventually settled in Pittsburg. His legal practice,
however, extended far beyond the Ohio river, and the early citizens of
Columbus, Ohio, had frequent occasions to admire his eloquence. He
was appointed to his present office by Gen. Jackson ; but he is still living,
and this is neither the time nor the place to write his biography.
The following sketch is abridged from an able article in the Southern
Literary Messenger for 1842.
Hugh Henry Brackenridge (or Breckenridge, as the name is most usu-
ally spelt,) was born in Scotland in the year 1750. When he was five
years of age, his father emigrated to the barrens of York co.. Pa., then a
new settlement. Hugh's father was a poor farmer, but Scotch boys
always find an education, rich or poor. With a few ragged books, bor-
88 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
rowed here and there, by an occasional recitation to the clergyman, and
diligent study by the dim light of chips and splinters thrown on a winter's
fire, Hugh mastered learning enough to become a teacher himself; and
with the scanty earnings of that employment, found himself, at the age
of 18, in Princeton College. He agreed to teach two classes, on condi-
tion of being permitted to pursue his studies in the others. He was very
ambitious. After having graduated, he remained some time as a tutor ;
w^as afterwards licensed to preach, and took charge of an academy in
Maryland, where he continued until the revolution. About the year 1776,
he edited the U. S. Magazine, a political work, in Philadelphia. It
abounded in appeals to American patriotism, and occasionally plied the
lash of satire. In 1777 he joined the revolutionary army as chaplain to
a regiment ; lived in camp, preached to the soldiers, and attended them to
the battle-field as in the time of the Covenanters. His sermons were of
course political. He soon after abandoned the clerical profession, be-
coming somewhat skeptical as regarded the tenets of certain sects, and
studied law with Judge Chase, of the Supreme Court of the U. S. He
crossed the mountains to Pittsburg in 1781, and was not long in establish-
ing a reputation in the western counties ; and sometime afterwards, in
1788, when the county of Allegheny was established, he was already at
the head of the bar of western Pennsylvania.
In a few years he was elected to the legislature, w^here he took an ac-
tive part in favor of instructing congress to demand the free navigation
of the Mississippi. When the great struggle for and against the federal
constitution came on, he " fought a hard battle in its defence." Findlay,
Gallatin, and others, with whom he afterwards acted in the western in-
surrection, were in the opposition.
Mr. Brackenridge prospered in his profession, laid the foundation of a
large fortune, married, and w^as universally respected for his integrity and
talents. He was popular, and was looked up to as the champion of popu-
lar rights. He adhered, after the adoption of the constitution, to the re-
publican, or democratic party. At the date of the great whiskey insur-
rection, Mr. Brackenridge was about in the forty-fourth year of his age.
In this affair he took an important, dangerous, but honorable part,
although his conduct at the time was misrepresented by his enemies, and
was, for a while, misunderstood. The part which he played in this great
crisis was to appear to side with the insurgents — not for the purpose of
betraying them, but — to gain their confidence, and get the lead in their
movements in such a way as to moderate their impetuosity, and keep
them, as far as possible, within the bounds of reason and law, and eventu-
ally to bring about a reconciliation, without bloodshed, with the general
government. In this he eventually succeeded ; but he himself had like
to have been arraigned for high treason, until his conduct was satisfac-
torily explained.
Two years after the insurrection, Mr. Brackenridge published the first
volume of Modern Chivalry, a comic and satirical work, but abounding
in great political and philosophical views under the guise of pleasantry,
in which many traces of those times may be discovered. His object was
to indoctrinate the people in the true principles of a democratic republic.
He was one of the most active and efficient in bringing about the revo-
lution of party in the years 1799-1800. On the election of Gov. McKean,
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 89
he was appointed a judge of the supreme court of the state, which place
he continued to fill until his death, in 181C.
Few combined a greater variety of brilliant qualities. He was a man
of decided talents, with a commanding person, an eagle eye, highly popu-
lar manners, and a mind richly stored with various learning. He had a
profound knowledge of men, possessed great address, could reason clearly,
and make the blood run cold by touches of genuine eloquence. His wit
was rather delicate irony, than broad humor, and always employed as
the means of conveying some important truth, or correcting something
wrong. Originality was the peculiar characteristic of his mind.
Birmingham. — This borough is situated one mile south of Pittsburg, on
the opposite side of the Monongahela river, upon the Birmingham and
Elizabeth turnpike. Its location is a beautiful one ; and in manufactur-
ing interest it partakes of the character of its English namesake, — having
within its limits four glass manufacturing establishments — two of all
kinds of window and green glass, belonging to Messrs. C. Ihmsen and S.
M'Kee & Co., and two flint glass works, one of which belongs to Messrs.
O'Leary, Mulvany & Co., and the other suspended at the present time.
There are also two extensive iron establishments belonging to Messrs.
Wood, Edwards & M'Knights, a large lock factory belonging to James
Patterson, sen., a white-lead factory belonging to Mr. Isaac Gregg, seve-
ral extensive coal establishments, and breweries, together with artisans
of various kinds — the whole constituting as useful and industrious a pop-
ulation as any place of the size in our country can boast of. It has two
churches, a Presbyterian and a Methodist, and a flourishing temperance
society.
Sligo extends, on the south side of the Monongahela, from the bridge,
to Temperance village on Saw Mill run, and Millersville on the Wash-
ington turnpike. Within this district there are three very extensive iron
establishments : the Sligo iron works, owned by Lyon, Shorb & Co. ; the
Pittsburg iron works, belonging to Messrs. Lorenz, Sterling & Co. ; and
Robinson & Minis' extensive foundry and boat yard, where the iron
steamer Valley Forge was built. There are also several glass establish-
ments, belonging to Messrs. Wm. M'Cully & Co., and a steam saw-mill
attached to the boat yard The coal for the use of these works, as well
as large quantities for exportation, is let down by railroads from the hill
above to the very doors of the furnaces. One owned by Mr. Smith ex-
ports large quantities. In Temperance village there are likewise several
coal establishments, and a salt establishment — a large saw-mill — an ex-
tensive axe factory, where the best articles of edge tools are made — and
a steam flouring-mill. This village has two churches — and a large num-
ber of industrious mechanics reside here. On the hills around are seve-
ral delightful country residences.
Manchester occupies a delightful site on the right bank of the Ohio, a
mile or two below Pittsburg. Near the river are several thriving manu-
facturing establishments, — such as plough and wagon manufactories, ex-
tensive steam saw-mills, paper- mill, &c., — while the higher grounds are
adorned with beautiful country-seats, surrounded with tall shade trees
and gardens, and commanding an extensive view of Pittsburg and the
river scenery. Manchester has grown up principally within the last ten
or twelve years.
12
90 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
Laurenceville, named in honor of the gallant Capt. Laurence of the
U. S. navy, was located in 1816 by Wm. B. Foster, Esq. It is pleasant-
ly situated on the left bankof the Allegheny, 2 1-2 miles above Pittsburg.
The U. S. Arsenal, noticed under the head of Pittsburg, stands near the
centre of the village. Immediately around the town are several exten-
sive manufacturing establishments — paper-mill, woollen manufactory,
edge tool manufactory, brcM^ery, &c. Above the town a short distance
is Messrs. Noble and Bayard's steamboat yard, where a large steam saw-
mill and other extensive works are in operation. In this vicinity, on the
higher grounds, are the splendid mansions of Messrs. Bayard and ot}?er
wealthy citizens of Pittsburg. Laurenceville contains three churches —
Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian, — and the Lyceum, a literary in-
stitution.
Washington's island is directly opposite the arsenal. The following
extract from Washington's journal while returning from his visit to Fort
Le Baeuf in 1753, describes a trying scene which he encountered at this
place. He had left his horses and heavy baggage, and for the sake of
expedition was travelling with Mr. Gist on foot.
I took my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes, and tied myself up in a watch-coat. Then,
with gun in hand, and pack on my back, in which were my papers and provisions, I set out with
Mr. Gist, fitted in the same manner, on Wednesday the 26th Dec. The day following, just after
we had passed a place called Murdering Town, (where we intended to quit the path and steer
across the country for Shannopin's Town,) we fell in with a party of French Indians, who had
lain in wait for us. One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not fifteen steps off, but fortunately
missed. We took this fellow into custody, and kept him until about nine o'clock at night, then
let him go, and walked all the remaining part of the night without making any stop, that we
might get the start so far as to be out of the reach of their pursuit the next day, since we were
well assured they would follow our track as soon as it was light. The next day we continued
travelling imtil quite dark, and got to the river about two miles above Shannopin's. We expect-
ed to have found the river frozen, but it was not, only about fifty yards from each shore. The
ice, I suppose, had broken up above, for it was driving in vast quantities.
There was no way for getting over but on a raft, which we set about with but one poor hatchet,
and finished just after sun-setting. This was a whole day's work : we next got it launched, then
went on board of it, and set off ; but before we were half way over, we were jammed in the ice in
such a manner that we expected every moment our raft to sink, and ourselves to perish. I put
out my setting.pole to try to stop the raft, that the ice might pass by, when the rapidity of the
stream threw it with so much violence against the pole, tliat it jerked me out into ten feet water ;
but I fortmiately saved myself by catching hold of one of the raft-logs. Notwithstanding all our
efforts, we could not get to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our
raft and make to it.
The cold was so extremely severe, that Mr. Gist had all his fingers and some of his toes frozen ;
and the water was shut up so hard, that we found no difficulty in getting off the island on the ice
in the morning, and went to Mr. Frazier's.
As we intended to take horses here, and it required some time to find them, I went up about
three miles to the mouth of Youghiogany, to visit Queen Aliquippa, who had expressed great con-
cern that we passed her in going to the fort. I made her a present of a watch-coat and a bottle
of rum, which latter was thought much the better present of the two.
Tuesday, the 1st of January, we left Mr. Frazier's house, and arrived at Mr. Gist's, at Mo
nongahelu, the 2d, where I bought a horse and saddle. The 6th, we met seventeen horses loaded
with materials and stores for a fort at the Fork of the Ohio, and the day after, some families go-
ing out to settle. This day, we arrived at Will's Creek, after as fatiguing a journey as it is pos
sible to conceive, rendered so by excessive bad weather.
East Liberty. — This handsome town is situated five miles east of
Pittsburg, on the Greensburg and Philadelphia turnpike. It was laid out
more than twenty years since, by the late Jacob Negly, Esq. It is sur-
rounded by a delightful country, over which many beautiful country-seats
belonging to wealthy citizens are scattered.
WiLKiNSBURGH. — Wilkinsburgh is pleasantly situated near the turnpike to
ALLEGHENY COUNTY. ^Jj
Chambersburgh ; the Northern turnpike, leading to Blairsville, intersects
this near this place.
About two and a half miles south is the celebrated Braddock's Field,
on the Monongahela river, a place interesting for its historical reminis-
cences. For a long time the prosperity of this delightful village was
paralyzed, and its inhabitants disheartened by litigations attending uncer-
tain titles to the soil ; but this difficulty has been removed, a new impetus
has been given to business, good buildings are being erected, important
improvements are making, and Wilkinsburgh is becoming a desirable
location for country-seats. There are many flourishing farms and gar-
dens in and around it, and within a mile of the village, the Hon. Wm.
Wilkins, our late ambassador to Russia, has a most charming country-
seat. Mr. Wm. Peebles, Major A. Horback, and several others have
pleasant country residences in this neighborhood.
MiNERsviLLE. — This village is pleasantly situated about two miles east
of Pittsburg, on a new turnpike road, from Pittsburg to East Liberty. It
is the dwelling-place of a number of very respectable families, whose
neat houses and flourishing farms and gardens, and other choice im-
provements, surrounded by the naturally picturesque scenery, render it a
very desirable residence. There are some of the best coal pits in the
vicinity here. There are two churches, (Presbyterian and Welsh,) and
the population is sober, intelligent, and industrious. As much mining is
done here, a large proportion of the inhabitants are Welsh.
Sharpsburgh. — Sharpsburgh is pleasantly situated on the right bank of
the Allegheny river, five miles above Pittsburg. The Pennsylvania canal
passes through it. It has two churches, hotels, stores, a sash manufac-
tory, and 3 boat yards, at which several steamboats and a number of
keels are built yearly. There is a chain ferry at this place across the
Allegheny. The population is sober, industrious, and enterprising.
Stewartstovvn. — Stewartstown is a pleasant village, situated on the
Butler turnpike, five miles from Pittsburg. There is an extensive iron
establishment and several industrious merchants, mechanics, &c., here.
EuzABETHTowN is a bcautifully situated manufacturing town, lying on
the right bank of the Monongahela river, 16 miles above Pittsburg. The
town was originally laid off by the late Col. Stephen Bayard, in 1787,
who brought out from Philadelphia a company of ship-carpenters, and
established the building of vessels at this point in 1800, and in the fol-
lowing year they built the schooner Monongahela Farmer, owned by the
builders and farmers of the neighborhood, who loaded her with a cargo
of flour, &c., and she sailed, via New Orleans, for New York. In 1803,
the brig Ann Jane, of 450 tons, was built here for the Messrs. M'Farlane,
merchants, who loaded her with flour and whiskey, and sailed her to
New York. This vessel was one of the fastest sailers of her day, and
was run as a packet to New Orleans for some time.
From the above period to the present time, Elizabethtown has done a
large share of building, and has turned out some thousands of tons of
boats, barges, and other river crafts.
In 1826, the steamboat building was commenced by Messrs. Walker &
Stephens.
This place has 3 churches, Methodist, Baptist, and Covenanters ; also,
3 steamboat yards, several saw-mills, 1 steam flour-mill, 1 glass manu-
^2 ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
factory, 1 woollen manufactory, &c. The completion of the Mononga-
hela slackwater steamboat navigation has added greatly to the commer-
cial advantages of this place,
Shousetovvn is pleasantly located on the left bank of the Ohio river,
15 miles below Pittsburg. It has a population of 150 inhabitants, the
greater part of whom are engaged in the building of steamboats. The
value of steamboats built in this place in the last ten years, averages
about 850,000 per annum.
This place is surrounded with a most extensive farming neighborhood,
bordering on the river.
There are 2 large steam saw-mills, a house of worship, built and re-
corded as such by Mr. Peter Shouse ; 1 public school.
M'Keesport is 12 miles above Pittsburg, by land, and about 16 by the
river, and is pleasantly situated on the Monongahela, at the junction of
the Yough'ogheny.
There are considerable shipments of bituminous coal from this point ;
10 collieries are in active employ within one mile of the village, where
about t\vo million bushels of the best bituminous coal are annually
shipped, at an expense of 4 cents per bushel, and resold at the various
points from the mouth of the Ohio to New Orleans. The village, its sub-
urbs, and collieries, comprise about 100 houses, having a population of
about 500 persons, including 1 steam flour-mill, 2 steam saw-mills, 1 steam
■woollen factory, several establishments for boat building, 3 taverns, a
church, school-house, &c.
NoBLESTowN, or NoBLESBORo, is situatcd 12 miles S. W. from Pittsburg,
in a rich agricultural neighborhood. This place has a population of 250
inhabitants. It has 1 church — Scotch Seceders — 1 steam grist-mill, 1
saw-mill, 3 stores.
Bakerstovvn is pleasantly situated ill a healthy agricultural neighbor-
hood, 10 miles from Pittsburg, and about 15 miles from Butler, on the
turnpike. A good many old farmers live around it, who annually bring
a considerable surplus of all kinds of produce to the Pittsburg market.
Tarentum is a well-built village, on the Pennsylvania canal, 21 miles
from Pittsburg, near the right bank of the Allegheny river. The locks
of the canal atford an excellent water power. There are several mills
here propelled both by water and steam. In the township are six salt
works and several coal mines. The village has two churches, Presbyte-
rian and Union. Near this place, on the immediate bank of the river, is
the mansion and farm of Hon, H. M. Breckenridge, lately district judge
in Florida, member of congress, &c., and distinguished also as the author
of several interesting volumes, from one of which we have been kindly
permitted to make several extracts in this work. Mr. Breckenridge
thinks that his farm was once the site of an ancient Indian village. His
son has found upon the place many curious Indian relics, such as axes,
hatchets, pipe, &c.
There are several other villages in Allegheny co., of which our limits
will not permit an extended notice, such are Howardsville, Perritsport,
Perrysville, Middleton, Jeffriestown, &c. &c. For many of the short sta-
tistical notices inserted above, we are indebted to Mr. Harris's Pittsburg
Plrectory for 1837 and 1841.
ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 93
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
Armstrong county derived its name from Gen. John Armstrong, who
commanded the expedition against the Indians at Kittanning, in 1756.
The county was taken from Lycoming, Westmoreland, and Allegheny,
by the act of r2th March, 1800. In 1802, commissioners were appointed
to fix the county seat, and upon their report, in 1804, the present site was
laid out ; in 1805, the county was fully organized for judicial purposes.
James Sloan, James Matthews, and Alexander Walker, were appointed
the first commissioners for locating the county seat and organizing the
county ; but Alexander Walker declined serving. The county has re-
cently been curtailed by the separation of Clarion. Average length, 25
ms.; breadth, 25; area, about 625 sq. miles. The population, in 1800,
2,399; in 1810, 6,143; in 1820, 10,324 ; in 1830, 17,025; in 1840, 28,365,
of which about 9,500 should be deducted, being now in Clarion co. A
great portion of the population is of German descent, having emigrated
from Northampton and Lehigh counties.
The most important feature in the county is that noble river, the Alle-
gheny, which traverses its entire length. The general features of the
Allegheny are peculiar, and in some respects remarkable, particularly
as regards its connection with great channels of internal communication
in other sections of the country. By means of French creek, and Le
BoBuf lake, and Conewango creek, and Chatauque lake, on the northwest,
it almost touches Lake Erie ; on the northeast it stretches out its long
arms towards the Genesee river, in New York, and the west branch of
the Susquehanna ; on the east, through its branches, the Kiskiminetas
and Conemaugh, it is chained by an iron tie over the Allegheny moun-
tains to the sources of the Juniata ; while on the south it pours its waters
into the Ohio. On all these routes great public improvements have been
projected, and on several completed. For the greater part of its course
this river flows, not through a broad valley, like most others, but through
a great ravine, from 100 to 400 feet below the common level of the ad-
jacent country. From about the middle of Armstrong county, down-
wards, it is true, there are many fine bodies of alluvial land, (on one of
which Kittanning is located,) but from that upwards precipitous hills, for
the most part, jut close to the water's edge on both sides of the river.
The scenery is in some places wild and rugged, but more generally pic-
turesque and beautiful. The hills, though steep, are clothed with a
dense forest, presenting the appearance of a vast verdant wall, washed
at its base, on either hand, by the limped water of the river, alternately
purling over ripples, or sleeping in deep intervening pools. This regular
succession of alternate pebbly ripples and deep pools, is another peculi-
arity of this river ; there are no rocks, strictly so called, in the channel.
This circumstance renders the navigation in its natural state very safe at
full water ; and on this account, also, no river is better adapted for im-
provement by artificial means. Mineral wealth is scattered along its
banks in great profusion. Bituminous coal in exhaustless quantities is
found as far up as Franklin ; iron ore is also abundant, and limestone
94 ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
beds frequently alternate with the coal measures. Salt is obtained by
boring from 400 to 700 feet.
In addition to the Allegheny, the Kiskiminetas forms the southwestern
boundary of the co., with the main line of the Pennsylvania canal along
its margin. The other streams are Red Bank, the northern boundary,
formerly called Sandy Lick cr., Mahoning, formerly called by the Indians
Mohulbucteetam, Pine cr.. Crooked cr., and a few smaller streams, all
tributary to the Allegheny. Red Bank and Mahoning drain a vast extent
of pine lands, and annually bear upon their waters innumerable rafts of
lumber. Water power is most abundant.
The soil of the county, though various, averages well : much of it is
very good. The whole lace of the country, where unimproved, is covered
with a very heavy growth of timber of every description known to this sec-
tion of the Union. As an article of trade, the white pine, which abounds
chiefly in the northeastern portion of the county, stands foremost.
Salt- wells are numerous, both along the Allegheny and the Kiskimine-
tas : there have been in operation between 25 and 30 in the whole coun-
ty ; but many have ceased operations with the change in the times. To
obtain a supply of salt water, the earth is perforated to the depth of from
400 to 700 feet. In this operation the auger is driven by steam, horse,
or hand power, at a price per foot varying with the depth, from $2 to $3.
The fuel used for evaporation is generally coal ; and in many cases it
may be thrown from the mouth of the mine into the furnace.
There are several iron furnaces in the county, of which the most prom-
inent are the Bear Creek furnace on Bear creek, and the Great Western
on the Allegheny, at the mouth of Sugar creek, both in the northwest
corner of the county ; the Allegheny furnace, near Kittanning, on the west
side of the river ; and one on the Kiskiminetas.
The Great Western Iron Works is one of the most extensive establish-
ments in Pennsylvania. It was commenced some four or five years since,
under the management of Philander Raymond, Esq., in connection with
several wealthy gentlemen of New York city. The lands of the com-
pany, which before selection were carefully explored by Mr. Raymond,
comprise every material and facility for prosecuting the iron business.
There are rich deposits of ore, bituminous coal of the finest quality, lime-
stone, forests of timber, water power, and sufficient land for agricultural
purposes. The whole process of making the iron is carried on with bitu-
minous coal and coke, in the manner practised in Wales ; and although
the article resulting from this process possesses some peculiar qualities
in working with which our western blacksmiths are not yet familiarized,
yet it is growing in favor with them as they learn how to manage it.
The company has in operation one or more furnaces, a rolling-mill, nail
factory, foundry, store, &c. ; and a beautiful busy little village has sprung
up around the works, as if by the effect of magic. A large quantity of
railroad iron has been made by this establishment.
Kittanning, the seat of justice, is situated upon a broad ffat of alluvial
soil, on the left bank* of the Allegheny river, near the centre of the county,
* In the topographical descriptions in this work, the terms right and left bank of a river, in
common use among civil and military engineers, are used in preference to north, south, east, or
west bank. It is understood when these terms are used, that a person is going down the river
This method defines the position of a town far more correctly than the other j — for instance,
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
95
It was formerly the site of an old Indian town of the same name ; and a
great trail called the Kittanning path went over the mountains to Black
Log valley, Standing-stone, (now Huntingdon,) &c. &c., by which the In-
dians communicated with the Susquehanna country. There was also
another Indian town at the mouth of Mohulbucteetam, or Mahoning
creek. Kittanning was a prominent point in the northwestern boundary
of the last great purchase made by the Proprietary government, in 1768,
at Fort Stanwix. The line stretched across from Kittanning to the south-
western source, or "the canoe place," of the West Branch of Susquehan-
na, thence by that branch to the mouth of Pine creek, &c. The country
north and west of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers was purchased by the
commonwealth, at Fort Stanwix, in 1784.
The present town was laid out in 1804, and incorporated as a borough
in 1821. Four streets run parallel with the river, crossed at right angles
by eight others. Population in 1840, 702. It contains the usual county
buildings, an academy, a very flourishing female seminary, and Metho-
dist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal churches. The Lutherans and Asso-
ciate Presbyterians have no edifice of their own, although they worship
regularly in the town. Kittanning is said to be very healthy, and the
water pure and wholesome.
The place is well situated for manufacturing purposes. The hills which
environ the town are rich in coal — one bed of which is 4 1-2 feet
thick — and some €>f them in iron ore : a fine productive country surrounds
it. The Allegheny affords ready access to market at all times by keel-
boats, and often by steam. A turnpike road leads 10 miles west, to But-
ler, and another 24 miles southeast, to Indiana. The river is crossed here
by a ferry-boat driven by the force of the current. It is said to have
been invented by Mr. Cunningham, the ferryman of the opposite shore,
in 1834; though (as the writer thinks) the plan has long been known to
French military engineers, under the name of Pont Volant, or flying
Wheeling, Va., is on the east side of the Ohio ; so is Economy, Pa. Yet they are not on the
same side ; Wheeling being on the left bank, and Economy on the right bank, to a person going
down the river.
96 ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
bridge. About 400 yards above the landing on the west side, a strong
wire is attached to a tree on the bank of the river ; the other end is at-
tached to the boat by means of stay-ropes, with which it can be brought
to any desired angle with the current. By bringing that end of the boat
intended to go foremost a little up the stream, it immediately sets off like
a thing of life, impelled solely by the oblique action of the wrater against
its side. The trip is performed in about five minutes. The wire is kept
out of the water by means of several small boats of peculiar construc-
tion, which cross simultaneously with the large boat, like so many gos-
lings swimming with their mother.
The following account of the destruction of the old Indian town of
Kittanning, is from the Pennsylvania Gazette of Sept. 23, 1756. Dr.
Maese, in a note in the N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., endorses the accuracy of
this statement, which he had compared with the original letter of Col.
Armstrong to the governor of Pennsylvania. The letter alluded to is
among the archives of the state at Harrisburg, and is said to be very
long and minute in detailing the occurrences of the expedition.
Saturday last, (Sept. 1756,) arrived an express from Col. Armstrong, of Cumberland county,
with advice that he marched from Fort Shirley on the 30th past, with about 300 of our provin-
cial forces, on an expedition against Kittanning, a town of our Indian enemies on the Ohio, about
25 miles above Fort Duquesne, (Pittsburg.) On the 3d instant, he joined the advanced party at
the Beaver dams, near Frankstown ; and on the 7th, in the evening, being within six miles of
Kittanning, the scouts discovered a fire in the road, and reported that there were but three, or at
most four Indians at it. It was not thought proper to attempt surprising those Indians at that
time, lest if one should escape the town might be alarmed ; so Lieut. Hogg with twelve men was
left to watch them, with orders not to fall upon them till daybreak, and our forces turned out of
the path, to pass by their fire without disturbing them. About three in the morning, having been
guided by the whooping of the Indian warriors at a dance in the town, they readied the river, 100
perches below the body of the town, near a corn-field, in which a number of the enemy lodged
out of their cabins, as it was a warm night. As soon as day appeared and the town could be
seen, the attack began in the corn-field, through which our people charged, killing several of the
enemy, and entered the town. Captain Jacobs, the chief of the Indians, gave the warwhoop, and
defended his house bravely through loop-holes in the logs, and the Indians generally refused quar-
ters wliich were offered them, declaring they were men and would not be prisoners. Col. Arm-
.strong (who had received a wound in his shoulder by a musket ball) ordered their houses to be
set on fire over their heads, which was immediately done. When the Indians were told that they
would be burned to death if they did not surrender, one of them replied, " he did not care, as he
could kill four or five before he died ;" and as the heat approached, some began to sing.
Some, however, burst out of their houses, and attempted to reach the river, but were instantly shot
down. Capt. Jacobs, in getting out of a window, was shot, as also his squaw, and a lad called
the king's son. The Indians had a number of spare arms in their houses, loaded, which went off
in quick succession as the fire came to them ; and quantities of gunpowder, which had been
stored in every house, blew up from time to time, throwing some of their bodies a great height in
the air. A body of the enemy on the opposite side of the river fired on our people, and were seen
to cross the river at a distance, as if to surround our men : they collected some Indian horses that
were near the town to carry off the wounded, and then retreated, without going back to the com-
field to pick up those killed there at the beginning of the action.
Several of the enemy were killed in the river as they attempted to escape by fording it, and it
was computed that in all between 30 and 40 were destroyed. Eleven English prisoners were
released and brought away, who informed the colonel, that besides the powder, (of which the In-
dians boasted they had enough for ten years' war with the English,) there was a great quantity
of goods burnt, which the French had made them a present of but ten days before. The prison,
ers also informed, that tliat very day two batteaux of French Indians were to join Capt. Jacobs,
to march and take Fort Shirley ; and that 24 warriors had set out before them the preceding
evening, — which proved to be the party that kindled the fire the night before — for our people re-
turning, found Lieut. Hogg wounded in three places, and learned that he had in the morning at-
tacked the supposed party of three or four, at the fire-place, according to orders, but found them
too numerous for him. He killed three of them, however, at the first fire, and fought them an
hour — when, having lost three of liis best men, tlie rest, as he lay wounded, abandoned him and
ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 97
fled, the enemy piirsuinfj. Captain Mercer* being wounded in the action, was carried off by his
ensign and eleven men, who left the main body, in tiieir return, to take another road. On the
whole it is allowed to be the greatest blow the Indians have received since the war began. The
conduct of Col. Armstrong in marching so large a body through the enemy's country and coming
so close to tlie town without being discovered, is deservedly admired and applauded — as well as
the bravery of botii officers and men in the action.
It is proper to observe that the current tradition among the aged men
of the town now is, that no one but old Jacobs was burned in the house ;
that all the other Indians had gone off'. Yet it would seem that Col.
Armstrong's official report ought to be true. The site of this house was
near where Dr. John Gilpin's now stands ; and in excavating his cellar,
the bones of old Jacobs were dug up.
Armstrong's men had quite a skirmish with the Indians out at Blanket
hill, 5 miles east of Kittanning, the place at which the detachment of 14
remained. A silver medal was presented to Col. Armstrong by the city
of Philadelphia, for his conduct in this expedition — a representation of
which is given in the memoirs of the Penn. Hist. Society, vol. 2.
After the destruction of the Indian town, the location remained unimproved by white people
until near the close of the last century. The land remained in possession of the Armstrong
family ; and when the establishment of the coiuity was proposed. Dr. Armstrong of Carlisle, a son
of the general, made a donation of the site of the town to the county, on condition of receiving
one half the proceeds of the sales of lots.
Mr. Robert Brown, still residing near town, and David Rej'nolds, were among the first who
erected dwellings in tlie place. Mr. Brown came here first in 1798, with several hunters. He
first settled on the opposite bank of the river. At that time there were very few settlers in the
region. Jeremiah Loughery, an old frontier-man, who had been in Armstrong's expedition, lin-
gered around the place for many years. He had no family, and wandered from house to house,
staying all night with people, and repaying their hospitality with anecdotes of his adventures.
The early settlers of that day found it necessary to be always prepared for Indian warfare, and
for hunting the beasts of the forest : indeed, their character generally throughout the surrounding
region, was a mixture of the frontier-man, the hunter, and the agriculturist. Not long after
coming here, Mr. Brown remembers attending a military review at which there was neither a
coat nor a shoe : all wore hunting shirts, and went barefoot, or wore moccasins.
In the winter of 1837-8, a remarkable gorge occurred in the Allegheny river opposite Kittan-
ning. The ice first gorged about IJ miles above town, and caused considerable alarm. It broke,
however, and passed the town freely, — but again gorged below. The water thus checked, in-
stantly fell back upon the town, and deluged the whole flat quite to the base of the hills. Many
fears were expressed that the whole town would be swept away. The ferry-boat passed quite up
to the high grounds, — and all the inhabitants had escaped to the hills. Providentially the gorge
broke after about 20 or 30 minutes, and the frightened inhabitants returned with lightened hearts
to their homes.
The following biographical sketch is abridged from an article in the
Kittanning Gazette of Sept. 1833 :
Died, at his residence in this borough, on the 4th inst., in the 89th year of his age, the venera-
ble Robert Orr, one of the associate judges of this county. Judge Orr was born in the county
of Derry, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States in the year 1766, and from that time until
the year 1773, resided east of the mountains, in which year he married a young lady by the name
of Culbertson, of respectable family, in the (then) county of Cumberland, (now Mifflin.) In the
same year, he settled with his wife at Hannahstown, in Westmoreland co. Immediately on the
declaration of Independence, Mr. Orr took a very active part in favor of his adopted country,
and as the frontier was at that time unprotected from the excursions, depredations, and cruelties
of the savages by any regular force, he was always found foremost in volunteering his services,
and in encouraging others to do so.
In the summer of 1781, Gen. Clarke, of Virginia, having determined to make an excursion
against the hostile Indians, down the Ohio river, requested Archibald Laughrey to raise in West-
moreland CO. 100 volunteers, and on communicating this request to Mr. Orr, he immediately
* Believed to be Gen. Mercer of the United States army, who died near Princeton, of the ef-
fects of the wounds received in the battle at that town in 1777, Jan. 12.
13
98
ARMSTRONG COUNTY.
raised a company of volunteers, principally at his own expense, foniisliing to those who were
unable to do so, out of his own funds, all the necessaries for the intended expedition.
Eariy in the engagement Capt. Orr received a shot wliich broke his left arm. Of the whole
detachment not one escaped ; the wounded who were unable to travel, were ail tomahawked on
the ground ; the remaining few, (among whom was Capt. Orr,) were brutally dragged tlirough
the wilderness to Lower Sandusky, regardless of their wounds and sutl'erings, where he was
kept for several months ; and the Indians finding that they could not effect a cure, took him to
Detroit, where he remained in the hospital until the ensuing spring, when he was transferred to
Montreal, and was exchanged early in the spring of 1783, when the few that remained of Col.
Laughrey's regiment returned to their homes. On the 13th July, 1782, (during the imprisonment
of the deceased,) Hannahstown was attacked and burnt down by tlie Indians, and Capt. Orr's
house and all his property destroyed. On his return to Westmoreland co., in the summer of
1783, Capt. Orr raised another company for the defence of the frontier, to serve two months ;
marched them to the mouth of Bull cr., N. W. of the Allegheny river, built a block-house *,here,
and served out the necessary tour.
In the fall of the same year, 1783, he was elected sheriff of Westmoreland co.
In 1805, when Armstrong co. was organized for judicial purposes, Capt. Orr was appointed
one of the associate judges of the co., which situation he continued to fill with honor to himself,
and satisfaction to the community, until his death.
Freeport, a flourishing village on the right bank of the Allegheny river
and Pa. canal, at the lower corner of the county, was laid out by David
Todd about the year 1800. A few settlers had already occupied the
ground previous to that time. The rnouth of Buffalo creek, and the isl-
and, created a fine eddy opposite the village ; and it was probably antici-
Distant view of Freeport, from a point below Buffalo ci^eek.
pated that it v^rould become a popular rendezvous for boatmen and lum-
bermen during the season of floods. This circumstance raised great
expectations in the minds of the proprietors. The lots were eagerly pur-
chased, but before long became of little or no value : many were aban-
doned or sold for taxes ; and the village made but slow progress, until
the construction of the canal. This work crosses the Allegheny about a
mile above, passes through the centre of the village, and then crosses
Buffalo creek on an aqueduct a short distance below. The erection of
two aqueducts and a lock, and the facilities offered by the canal, gave an
impetus to enterprise ; and the resources of the surrounding country be-
gan to be developed. Many salt wells were bored at the base of the
ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 99
river hills south of the village, which are now in active operation. There
is a steam saw-mill, a steam grist-mill, and the usual branches of manu-
facture for the supply of the contiguous agricultural population. The
population of Freeport in 1840, was 727.
Warrex is a small village in Kiskiminetas township on the river of that
name, about 20 miles south of Kittanning. It contains some 20 or 30
dwellings. The Pennsylvania canal passes the village.
Leechburg is a flourishing village on the canal at dam No. 1 on the
Kiskiminetas, about 13 miles south of Kittanning. It was started at the
time of the construction of the canal, under the auspices of Mr. Leech, a
distinguished forwarding merchant. The business of building canal
boats has been extensively carried on here. It contains some 30 or 40
dwellings.
Lawrenceburg is a small village in the northwest corner of the county,
in Perry township, about 20 miles from Kittanning, containing about 20
houses, stores, &c.
Several of the exploits of Capt. Samuel Brady, the captain of the spies,
occurred within the limits of Armstrong county. The extract given below
is from the sketches of Brady's adventures published in the Blairsville
Record in 1832. These sketches were written by Mr. M'Cabe, of Indiana,
and the facts were principally derived from the brother of Capt. Brady,
who still lives in Indiana county.
Capt. Samuel Brady was born in Shippensburg, in Cumberland co., in
1 758, .but soon after removed with his father to the West Branch of Sus-
quehanna, a few miles above Northumberland. Cradled amid the alarms
and excitements of a frontier exposed to savage warfare, Brady's military
propensities were very early developed. He eagerly sought a post in the
revolutionary army ; was at the siege of Boston ; a lieutenant at the
massacre of the Paoli ; and in 1779 was ordered to Fort Pitt with the
regiment under Gen. Broadhead. A short time previous to this, both his
father and brother had fallen by the hands of Indians ; and from that mo-
ment Brady took a solemn oath of vengeance against all Indians. And
his future life was devoted to the fulfilment of his vow. While Gen.
Broadhead held command at Fort Pitt, (1780-81,) Brady was often se-
lected to command small scouting parties sent into the Indian country
north and west of the fort, to watch the movements of the savages ; a
charge which Brady always fulfilled with his characteristic courage and
sagacity.
Brady's success as a partisan had acquired for him its usual results — approbation with some,
and envy with others. Some of his brother officers censured the commandant for affording him
such frequent opportunities for honorable distinction. At length open complaint was made, ac-
companied by a request, in the nature of a demand, that others should be permitted to share with
Brady the perils and honors of the service, abroad from the fort. The general apprised Brady
of what had passed, who readily acquiesced in the propriety of the proposed arrangements ; and
an opportunity was not long wanting for testing its efficiency.
The Indians made an inroad into the Sewickly settlement, committing the most barbarous
murders, of men, women, and children ; stealing such property as was portable, und destroying
all else. The alarm was brought to Pittsburg, and a party of soldiers, under the command of
the emulous officers, despatched for the protection of the settlements, and chastisement of the foe.
From this expedition Brady was of course excluded ; but the restraint was irksome to his feelings.
The day after the detachment had marched, Brady solicited permission from his commander
to take a small party for the purpose of " catching the Indians ;" but was refused. By dint of
importunity, however, he at length wrimg from him a reluctant consent, and the command oifive
men; to this he added his pet Indian, and made hasty preparation.
100 ARMSTRONG COUNTY. /
Instead of moving towards Scwickly, aa tho first detachment had done, he crossed the Alia
gheiiy at Pittsburg, and jirocccded up the river. Conjecturing that the Indians had descended
Jiat stream in canoes, till near the settlement, lie was careful to examine the mouths of all
creeks coming into it, particularly from the southeast. At the mouth of Big Mahoning, about
six miles above Kittanning, the canoes were seen drawn up to its western bank. He instantly
retreated down the river, and waited for night. As soon as it was dark, he made a raft, and
crossed to the Kittanning side. He then proceeded up to the creek, and found that the Indians
had, in the mean time, crossed the creek, as their canoes were now drawn to its upper or north-
eastern bank.
The country on both sides of Mahoning, at its mouth, is rough and mountainous ; and the
stream, which was then high, very rapid. Several ineffectual attempts were made to wade it,
which they at length succeeded in doing, three or four miles above the canoes. Next a fire was
made, their clothing dried, and arms inspected ; and the party moved towards the Indian camp,
wliich was pitclied on the second bank of the river. Brady placed his men at some distance, on
the lower or first bank.
The Indians had brought from Sewickly a stallion, whicli they had fettered and turned to pas-
ture on the lower bank. An Indian, probably the owner, under the law of arms, came frequently
down to him, and occasioned the party no little trouble. The horse, too, seemed willing to keep
their company, and it required considerable circumspection to avoid all intercom-sc with either.
Brady became so provoked that he had a strong inclination to tomahawk the Indian, but his
calmer judgment rejiudiated the act, as likely to put to hazard a more decisive and important
achievement.
At length the Indians seemed quiet, and the captain determined to pay them a closer visit.
He liad got quite near their fires; his pet Indian had caught him by the hair and gave it a pluck,
intimating the advice to retire, which he would not venture to whisper ; but finding Brady regard-
less of it, had crawled off — when the captain, who was scanning their numbers, and the position
of their guns, observed one throw off his blanket and rise to his feet. It was altogether imprac-
ticable for Brady to move without being seen. He instantly decided to remain where he was,
and risk what might happen. He drew his head slowly beneath the brow of the bank, putting
his forehead to the earth for concealment. His next sensation was that of warm water poured
into the hollow of his neck, as from the spout of a teapot, which, trickling down his back over
the chilled skin, produced a feeling that even his iron nerves could scarce master. He felt quietly
for his tomahawk, and had it been about him he probably would have used it ; but he had divested
himself even of that when preparing to approach the fires, lest by striking against the stones or
gravel, it might give alarm. He was compelled, therefore, "nolens volens," to submit to this
very unpleasant operation, until it should please his warriorship to refrain ; which he soon did,
and returning to his place wrapped himself up in his blanket, and composed himself for sleep as
if nothing had happened.
Brady returned to and posted his men, and in the deepest silence all awaited the break of day.
When it appeared, the Indians arose and stood around their fires ; exulting, doubtless, in the
.scalps they had taken, the plunder they had acquired, and the injury they had inflicted on their
enemies. Precarious joy — short-lived triumph ! The avenger of blood was beside them ! At a
signal given, seven rifles cracked, and five Indians were dead ere they fell. Brady's well-known
war-cry was heard, his party was among them, and their guns (mostly empty) were all secured.
The remaining Indians instantly fled and disappeared. One was pursued by the trace of his
blood, which he seems to have succeeded in stanching. The pet Indian then imitated the cry
of a young wolf, which was answered by the wounded man, and the pursuit again renewed. A
second time tlie wolf-cry was given and answered, and the pursuit continued into a windfall.
Here he must have espied his pursuers, for he answered no more. Brady found his remains
there three weeks afterwards, being led to the place by ravens that were preying on the carcass.
The horse was unfettered, the plunder gathered, and the party commenced their return to Pitts-
burg, most of them descending in tlic Indian canoes. Three days after their return, the first de-
tachment came in. They reported that they had followed the Indians closely, but that the lat-
ter had got into their canoes and made their escape.
Brady's aflair at Brady's Bend is given under the head of Clarion co.
The honor of having invented the ''Independent Treasury" is generally
awarded to INIartin Van Buren, Amos Kendall, or some other statesman
of Washington city ; and yet, according to the annexed extract from the
Pittsburg Daily American, of Sept. 16, 1842, the plan would seem to
have been carried into successful operation in Armstrong co. long before
it was ever thought of at Washington : —
The Widow S********. — If not among the most extraordinary, this lady was, or we may say
is, among the most original within tiie range of our acquaintance, excepting perhaps the more
ARMSTRONG COUNTY. 101
lofty and renowned Madame Mitchell of Mackinaw, of whom we have spoken on several occa-
sions. The widow S , at the time of our first acquaintance with that lady, owned and re-
sided on one of the best farms on creek, in co., Pa. In person she was large and
masculine, and being of German descent, spoke English but badly. Her farm was in the finest
order; no one had better crops, or more generally had sure ones. The labor was perfoimed pr'ui-
cipally by her sons, herself, and her daughters, with occasional assistance which she hired. But
this conducting of farms is common with many other Pennsylvania widows. Some little time after our
first acquaintance commenced with Mrs. S , she married [in 1825] a man named D .
But notwithstanding this event, she neither took his name, nor did they reside together. D
owned and lived upon a farm some few miles distant ; each occupied their separate premises and
farmed their own land — sold their own produce in their own name, and enjoyed their separate
profits. To be sure D would sometimes act as his wife's agent, and in making a market
for his own produce would bargain at the same time for that of his wife; but always, in this
case, in the name of the widow S . It was the habit of D to visit his wife every
Saturday evening, and remain at her house until Monday morning. This separation during the
week was from no disagreement, but formally arranged for in their marriage settlement, which
provided for this ; with an addition deemed necessary by the frugal and thrifty bride, which was
that D should pay annually so many hundred weight of flour for his own board and the
keeping of his horse for the one day and two nights of every week which brought him to the
comfortable mansion (a large brick house with double bank barn to match) of the loving widow
S . The parties continued in this conjugal state for several years, when D died.
Her family had now grown up — her sons and daughters had become husbands and wives ; but all
resided upon and worked the same farm. She was still the widow, not D , but S ,
and by this name still announced herself, and made all her contracts and kept all her accounts.
About a year after the death of D , she repaired to her factor and confidential merchant in
the county town of , to take his counsel. An audience being granted, she stated to him
that she had some intention to marry again, and advised with him on the subject, as an ordinary
matter of business. " I should suppose that one so happily situated as you are, with every thing
rich and comfortable about you, and your sons and daughters grown up, would not think of such
a thing at your time of life. I would advise you by no means to entangle yourself again in
any marriage alliance." "You tink not, Mr. H ." "Why, it is very sincerely the advice
I would give you, if that is what you want," said Mr. H . " Well, dat may be all very
well and very goot ; but see here — a man I want, and a man I will have." " O, that is a very
different thing altogether, and in that case I would advise you by all means to marry," said Mr.
H . The ice being now broken, she stated to him that she had made up her mind to marry
J. K , a substantial widower and farmer in the neighborhood — German like herself, and
nearly of the same rotundity of form and feature. The same bargain was made, and the same
arrangement as with D , and which exists, we believe, to this day. She still resides on
her own place, enjoying undisturbed its control and its profits ; and though the wife of K ,
retains her name of widow S . K makes his appearance, with his well-known light
wagon, every Saturday evening, and takes his departure every Monday morning, and knows no
more of what is doing at the farm of the widow S during the week, than on that of any other
in the neighborhood. No two in the settlement have better horses, houses, or farms, or have them
in better order, than K and the widow S , and no two enjoy more of the good things
of this world ; to which they both add that perfect contentment of mind arising from having all
that they wish and paying all that they owe, even to the annual stipend of flour, which is regu-
larly put in the mill to the credit of widow S , by her affectionate and punctual spouse.
It may be added, as a remarkable fact, that this happy couple have no worldly property which
they regard as being owned between them in common. We helieve the widow S has had
no children by either of her two last husbands. It is a singular instance of conjugal life, and
without its parallel within the range of our knowledge. The facts are well known to many re-
siding in the county of , by whom the originals of this story will be readily recognised.*
* The article above is copied precisely as it appeared in the paper, but in reply to our inquiries
the editor has obligingly given us in full all the names left in blank above (for an obvious reason,)
and has stated a number of other particulars concerning the family and characters of the parties
concerned. Among other things he says : "All the particulars may be relied on as true to the
letter, not having drawn upon fancy for a single fact there stated. The parties living all reside,
and have done for many years, on Crooked creek, in Armstrong county ; are wealthy and highly
respected among their acquaintances. I certainly regarded Mrs. S as no common woman,
and her presence indicates this. She is large and her bearing lofty, bold, and confident, (though
no way immodest ;) but rather as one unconscious of error, and competent to the management
of her own affairs, and unconscious of any impropriety in their details. No one ever imputed
ought against her honor, or fairness in dealing. She has little or no disguise, and what she want8
she asks for." In a more recent letter he informs us that her last husband died this spring,
(1843.) It remains to be seen whether she will marry again — and why not ?
102 BEAVER COUNTY
BEAVER COUNTY.
Beaver county comprehends the region on both sides of the Ohio ad-
joining the mouth of Beaver. Length 34 miles, breadth 19 — contain-
ing 646 square miles. The population in 1800 was 5,776, in 1820, 15,340,
in 1830, 24,206, and in 1840, 29,368. The co- was separated from Alle-
gheny and Washington by the act of 12th March, 1800. In 1803 it was
fully organized for judicial purposes. The Ohio river enters the south-
west corner of the co., and flows northwest of the centre, where it re-
ceives the Big Beaver, and immediately turns to its great southwestern
course towards the Mississippi. Slippery Rock, a branch of Beaver, Ra-
coon cr., and Little Beaver, small tributaries to the Ohio, are also in this
CO. The southern and southeastern parts of the co. are hilly and broken,
being much indented by the great streams ; the soil upon the hills is of
middling quality, but the region is interspersed with fine bottom lands,
and level, or rolling lands, admirably adapted for grain and pasture. The
mulberry and the vine have been successfully cultivated. The northern
part has a gently undulating surface, with a soil well adapted for every
variety of agriculture. The bituminous coal, limestone, and iron of the
" great Pittsburg coal basin," are nearly everywhere accessible. A min-
eral spring, near Frankford, in the S. W. corner of the co., has been con-
siderably frequented by invalids. It contains carbonic acid gas, carbonate
of iron, carbonate of magnesia, muriate of soda, and sulphureted hydro-
gen gas.
Nothing in the co. challenges the attention of a stranger so much as
its extraordinary capacity for manufacturing and commercial industry.
To the south and east the Ohio opens a communication with all parts of
the United States. To the north and northwest, the Sandy and Beaver
canal, completed, effects a junction with the great Ohio canal ; while the
Erie extension canal, now nearly pierced through to the lake, opens a
communication to all the markets of that vast region. An almost incal-
culable amount of w^ater power is afforded by the streams, but more
particularly at the lower end of the Beaver river, and at the several
dams erected for supplying the canals. The Falls of the Beaver alone,
within six miles of its mouth, even in dry seasons, are said to afford
power sufficient to drive 168 pairs of five feet burr millstones. A small
proportion only of this power is yet put into operation. Added to these
facilities for manufacturing, are the rich mines of coal, itself a driving
power, and of iron, contiguous to all the important streams.
The first white men who ever made a settlement in what is now Beaver
CO., were probably the Moravian brethren, Zeisberger and others, in the
year 1770. They had been laboring some time previously among the
Monseys and Senecas, at Goshgoshunk and Lawenakanuck, on the Alle-
gheny, above French cr., (see Venango and Bradford counties,) but vari-
ous discouragements had induced them to leave there, and accept an in-
vitation tendered them from Pakanke and Glikkikan, Delaware chiefs
living at Kaskaskunk, in what is now Butler co. The following account
of their settlement is abridged from Loskiel's history of the Moravian
BEAVER COUNTY. 103
missions. The settlement appears to have been near where Darlington
now is.
" April 17, 1770, the cong^regation of Lawenakanuck broke up, and set out in 16 canoes,
passinof down the river Ohio by Pittsburg to Beaver co., which they entered, and proceeded up to
the Falls, where they had to unload and transport their goods and canoes by land. One of these
carrying places detained them two days. The frequent repetition of this troublesome work
caused them to be very thankful when they met Glikkikan, with some horses from Kaskaskunk,
for their use." After a tedious journey they arrived, on 3d May, at their destination, a well-
chosen spot, " with good land sufficient to supply an hundred families." They gave formal an-
nouncement of their arrival to tlie neighboring chiefs, witli the usual interchange of speeches
and Indian ceremony. Glikkikan, like Moses, relinquished the honors of his station to come
and dwell among the people of God. The Indians were astonished, or rather alarmed, to see a
people settle among them, so much difFering in manners and customs from the heathen, and to
hear a doctrine preached of which tliey had never before any idea. In some, this astonishment
was soon changed into displeasure. Glikkikan's retirement from Kaskaskunk occasioned uni-
versal dissatisfaction, and his former friends accused him of wishing to become a sorcerer. The
old chief, Pakanke, altered liis friendly behavior towards the brethren, and denied his having in-
vited them, charging Glikkikan with it. He reproached him j)ublicly, thus, " and even you have
gone over to thbm. I suppose you intend to get a white skin I but I tell you not even one of
your feet will turn white, much less your body. Was you not a brave and honored man, sitting
next to me in council, when we spread the blanket and considered the belts of vi'ampum lying
before us ? Now you pretend to despise all this, and to have found something better." Glikki-
kan briefly replied, " It is very true I have gone over to them, and with them I will live and die."
Pakanke continued unfriendly and cool towards the settlement for some time, notwithstanding
the friendly endeavors of Col. Croghan to etfect a reconciliation, until after the lapse of a year
or so, when he resolved to visit Friedenstadt. " He then heard the gospel with great attention,
changed his sentiments, and even exhorted his children to go to the brethren, hearken to their
words, and believe on Jesus."
" On the 23d July, 1770, our Indians began to build a regular settlement on the west side of
Beaver cr., erecting blockhouses, and before winter they and their teachers were conveniently
housed. Then the statutes of the congregation were made known to the inhabitants, and every
thing regulated as at Friedenshutten. In Oct., John George Yungman and his wife arrived from
Bethlehem, "to take charge of this congregation, bringing a belt of wampum from Col. Croghan
to Pakanke, entreating his kindness towards the missionaries. Brother Senseman, who had
shared with Br. Zeisberger his toils and duties, returned to Bethlehem."
The missionaries were greatly annoyed, and their lives even endangered by the jealousies
stirred up against them by the sorcerers and medicine men among the Indians of the neighbor,
ing tribes, particularly those near Gekele-mukpechuenk, on the Muskingum. " This opposition
arose chiefly from the insinuations of the above mentioned Indian preachers who had so strenu-
ously recommended emetics as a sure mode of cleansing from sin, that in this town the practice
was general. The missionary endeavored to convince the people that though an emetic might
benefit their stomachs, yet it could never cleanse their hearts, but that the blood of Jesus Christ
was alone able to change them. The work of God prevailed and increased at Friedenstadt, and
in May, 1771, the foundation stone of the cliapel was laid.
In 1773, the state of the frontier had become so alarming, and the opposition and jealousy of
Pakanke's tribe so great, that it was not thought safe for the brethren to remain longer at Fried-
enstadt. They accordingly broke up the station and departed for the new stations on the Mus-
kingum, under the charge of Rev. John Heckwelder and Br. John Roth.
The historian willingly drops the curtain upon the scenes which they
encountered in their new residence.
Until the passage of the celebrated land law of 1792, by the legisla-
ture of Pennsylvania, the whole territory northwest of the Ohio and Al-
legheny rivers, was an uninhabited wilderness, and had been in possession
of the Indians : even for three years after that date, and up to the time
of Gen. Wayne's treaty at Greenville on 3d Aug. 1795, it was unsafe for
families to settle on that side of the river. Previous to this time few
transactions of importance are recorded in history as having occurred
within the bounds of what is now Beaver co. In Nov. 1753, Maj. George
Washington arrived at Logstown, a little French and Indian village about
14 miles below Pittsburg on the right bank of the Ohio, on an errand to
inquire into the movements of the French on these rivers. By his pub-
104 BEAVER COUNTY.
lished journal it appears that this region was occupied by the Mingoes,
Shawanees and Delaware Indians, — the Mingoes being only another name
for the Iroquois or Six Nations. He also casually remarks that Tanacha-
rison, or the Half King, a Mingo chief, had his hunting cabin on Little
Beaver creek. Tanacharison was the principal chief and speaker of his
tribe, and was friendly to the English, or rather was unfriendly to the
French : not that he loved one more than the other, but that he valued
his own rights to the soil, and was more jealous of the French with their
arms and forts, than of the English with their articles of traffic. Several
years afterward, when he became better acquainted with the real designs
of both, he put to old Mr. Gest of Fayette co., the significant question,
" where the Indians' land lay ? — for the French claimed all the land on
one side of the Ohio river, and the English on the other."
In 1770, Washington again visited the country on the Ohio for the pur-
pose of viewing lands to be apportioned among the officers, and soldiers
who had served in the French war. He was accompanied by Dr. Craik,
Col. Crawford, Col. Croghan, and other friends.
A short paragraph only of his journal relates to Beaver co., which is
here extracted.
" Oct. 20, 1770. Col. Croghan, Lieut. Hamilton, and Mr. Magee set out with us. ^A.t two we
dined at Mr. Magee's, and encamped ten miles below and four above Logstown. 21st. Left our
encapment and breakfasted at Logstown, where we parted with Col. Croghan and company. At
eleven we came to the mouth of the Big Beaver creek, opposite to which [now Philligsburg] is a
good situation for a house ; and above it, on the same side, that is the west, there appears to be a
body of fine land. About five miles lower down, on the east side, comes in- Racoon creek, at
the mouth of which, and up it, appears to be a body of good land also. All the land between
this creek and the Monongahela, and for 15 miles back, is claimed by Col. Croghan under a pur-
chase from the Indians, which sale he says is confirmed by his majesty. On this ^reek, where
the branches thereof interlock with the waters of Shurtees cr. (Chartier cr.) there is, according
to Col. Croghan's account, a body of fine, rich, level land. This tract he wants to sell, and
offers it at £5 sterling per 100 acres, with an exemption of quit-rents for 20 years ; after which
to be subject to the payment of four shillings and two pence sterling per 100 acres ; provided he
can sell it in ten-thousand-acre lots. At present the misettled state of this comitry renders any
purchase dangerous."
Washington mentions calling at the Mingo town, about 75 miles below
Pittsburg, on the right bank of the Ohio, a little above the Cross creeks.
The place contained about 20 cabins and 70 inhabitants of the Six Na-
tions.
The next event of interest in this county was the erection of fort M'ln-
tosh in the spring of 1778, near the present site of Beaver. It was built
of strong stockades, furnished with bastions, and mounted one 6 pounder.
From here Gen. M'Intosh went on an expedition against the Sandusky
towns with 1000 men, and erected fort Laurens on the Tuscarawa.
There was also a blockhouse on the site of New Brighton, probably
erected some time during the revolution.
A mile or two above the mouth of Beaver a small run, called Brady's
run, comes dashing down a wild glen on the west side : and a road which
winds up the hill behind Fallston retains the name of Brady's road.
These names originated no doubt from the following adventures related
by " Kiskiminetas," in the Blairsville Record :
In 1780 Gen. Washington wrote to Gen. Broadhead to select a suitable officer and despatch
him to Sandusky, for the purpose of examining the place and ascertaining the force of British
and Indians assembled there. Gen. Broadhead had no hesitation in making the selection. He
sent for Capt. Brady, showed him Washington's letter, and a draft or map of the country he
must traverse ; very defective, as Brady afterwards discovered, but the best no doubt, that could
BEAVER COUNTY. 105
be obtained at tliat time. The appointment was accepted, and selecting a few soldiers, and four
Cliickasaw Indians as guides, he crossed the Alleg;heny river and was at once in the enemy's
country. Brady was versed in all the wiles of Indian "strategic," and, dressed in the full war
dress of an Indian warrior, and well acquainted with their languages, he led his band in safety
near to the Sandusky towns, without seeing a hostile Indian. But his Chickasaws now deserted.
This was alarming, lor it was probable they had gone over to the enemy. However, he deter-
mined to proceed. Witii a full knowledge of the horrible death that awaited him if taken pris-
oner, he passed on, until he stood beside the town on the bank of the river. His first care was
to provide a secure place of concealment for his men. When this was eftccted, having selected
one man as the companion of his future adventures, he waded the river to an island partially
covered with drift-wood, opposite the town, where he concealed himself and comrade for the
night. The next morning a dense fog spread over the hill and dale, town and river. All was
hid from Brady's e3'es, save the logs and brush around him. About 11 o'clock it cleared off, and
atibrded him a view of about three thousand Indians engaged in the amusement of the race-
ground. They had just returned from Virginia or Kentucky, with some very fine horses. One
gray horse in particular attracted his notice. He won every race until near evening, when, as
if envious of his speed, two riders were placed on him, and thus he was beaten. The starting
post was only a few rods above where Brady lay, and he had a pretty fair chance of enjoying
the amusement, without the risk of losing any thing by betting on the race. He made such ob-
servation through the day as was in his power, waded out from the island at night, collected his
men, went to the Indian camp he had seen as he came out ; the squaws were still there, took
them prisoners, and continued his march homeward. The map fui-nished by Gen. Broadhead,
was Ibund to be defective. The distance was represented to be much less than it really was.
The provisions and ammunition of the men were exhausted by the time they had reached the
Big Beaver, on their return. Brady shot an otter, but could not eat it. The last load was in
his rifle. They arrived at an old encampment, and found plenty of strawberries, which they
stopped to appease their hunger with. Having discovered a deer track, Brady followed it, telling
the men he would perhaps get a shot at it. He had gone but a few rods when he saw the deer
standing broadside to liLm. He raised his rifle and attempted to fire, but it flashed in the pan ;
and he had not a priming of powder. He sat down, picked the touch-hole, and then started on.
After going a short distance the path made a bend, and he saw before him a large Indian on
horseback, witli a white child before and its mother behind him on the horse, and a number of
warriors marching in the rear. His first impulse was to shoot the Indian on horseback, but as
lie raised the rifle he observed the chihl's head to roll with the motion of the horse. It was fast
asleep, and tied to the Indian. He stepped behind the root of a tree and waited until he could
shoot tlie Indian, without danger to the child or its mother. When he considered the chance
certain, he shot the Indian, who fell from the horse, and the child and its mother fell with him.
Brady called to his men with a voice that made the forest ring, to surround tlie Indians and give
them a general fire. He sprung to the fallen Indian's powder horn, but could not get it off". Be-
ing dressed like an Indian, the woman thought he was one, and said, " Why did you shoot your
brother ?" He caught up the child, saying, "Jenny Stupes, I am Capt. Brady, follow me and I
will save you and your child." He caught her hand in his, carrying the child under the other
arm, and dashed into the brush. Many guns were fired at him by this time, but no ball harmed him,
and the Indians dreading an ambuscade, were glad to make off". The next day he arrived at
Fort Mcintosh with the woman and her child. His men had got there before him. They had
heard his vvarwhoop and knew it was Indians they had encountered, but having no ammunition,
they had taken to their heels and ran off". The squaws he had taken at Sandusky, availing
themselves of the panic, had also made their escape.
In those days Indian fashions prevailed in some measure with the whites, at least with Ran-
gers. Brady was desirous of seeing the Indian he had shot, and the officer in command of Fort
Mcintosh gave him some men in addition to his own, and he returned to search for the body.
The place where he had fallen was discovered, but nothing more. They were about to quit the
place, when the yell of a pet Indian that came with them from the fort, called them to a little
glade, where the grave was discovered. The Indians had interred their dead brother, carefully
replacing the sod in the neatest manner. They had also cut brushes and stuck them into the
ground ; but the brushes had withered, and instead of concealing the grave, they had led to the
discovery.
He was buried about two feet deep, with all his implements of war about him. All his savage
jewelry, his arms and ammunition were taken from him, and the scalp from the head, and then
they left him thus stripped alone in his grave. It is painful to think of such things being done
by American soldiers, but we cannot now know all the excusing circumstances that may have
existed at the time. Perhaps the husband of this woman, the father of this child, was thus
butchered before his wife and children ; and the younger members of the family, unable to bear
the fatigues of travelling, had their brains dashed out on the threshhold. Such things were
common, and a spirit of revenge was deeply seated in the breasts of the people of the frontiers.
Capt. Brady's own family had heavily felt the merciless tomahawk. His brave and honored fa-
14
106
BEAVER COUNTY.
ther and a beloved brother had been treacherously slain by the Indians, and he had vowed ven
geance. After refreshing himself and men, they went up to Pittsburg by water, where they were
received with military honor. Minute guns were fired from the time Brady came in sight until
he landed. The Chickasaw Indians had returned to Pittsburg, and reported that the captain and
his party had been cut off near Sandusky town by the Indians.
After Gen. Wayne's treaty, in 179.5, the country north and west of the
Ohio and Allegheny could be safely inhabited, and speculators, companies,
and individuals flocked thither to secure a title to lands to which they
had previously acquired a color of title under the various land laws of
1783 and 1792, and others. Many of the large companies came in con-
flict with individual claimants, and long, vexatious suits were the conse-
quence. Beaver co. was in the " Depreciation District." A more ex-
tended notice of this subject will be found under the head of Crawford
CO. The Population Company was extensively interested in the lands of
Beaver co.
Beaver. — The place known by this name to travellers and others at
Pittsburg, whence so many little steamers are seen plying for this desti-
nation, is not, properly, one town, but a little cluster of towns — a sort of
United States in miniature, situated around the mouth of Beaver river,
and for four or five miles up that stream. And it is a singular fact, that
to a traveller passing on the Ohio scarcely any village at all can be
descried at the place, although there is here a population of some six
thousand. The annexed pifin will illustrate the position of the towns.
Towns about the mouth of Beaver river.
First, there is Beaver borough, the seat of justice, a quiet, orderly, old-
fashioned county town, with its respectable society, and the usual number
of stores and taverns. It is built principally upon a long .street, running
parallel with the Ohio river, upon an elevated plateau, some forty rods
back from the river. A dangerous gravel shoal, formed by the conflu-
ence of the Beaver with the Ohio, lies directly abreast of the town, which
accounts for the fact of there being no business street along the river.
The courthouse, jail, and three churches, all substantial buildings, stand
around an open square, through which runs the main street. Population
in 1840, 551. The borough was incorporated 29th March, 1802.
BEAVER COUNTY.
107
Beaver.
The annexed view shows the courthouse, jail, &c., on the left, and the
churches on the right, with the main street beyond.
By the act of 28th Sept. 1791, the governor of the state was instructed to cause to be survejred
200 acres of land in town lots, near the mouth of Beaver cr., " on or near the ground where the
old French town stood," and also 1,000 acres adjoining, on the upper side thereof, as nearly
square as might be, in out-lots, not less than five, nor more than ten acres each. By the same
a-ct, 500 acres, near the town, were granted for an academy. Daniel Lcet surveyed the town
plot. The probable motive at that day for locating the county seat at a distance from the great
manufacturing advantages at the Falls, was the existence of the well-known shoal just below the
mouth of Beaver, a difficult and dangerous passage to the keel-boats and other craft in use at
that day. By the location here, the town was accessible alike to the lower and upper trade, and
the obstructions themselves would probably throw considerable business into the place. The
idea of erecting Lowels and Rochesters, had not as yet entered the heads of speculators in land.
Samuel Johnston first settled at Beaver in 1796. He kept an inn on the bank of the river, near
Fort Mcintosh. Some traces of the old fort axe still to be seen near his hbuse. Jonathan Porter,
Abraham Laycock, David Townsend, Joseph Hemphill, John Lawrence, Mr. Small, Mr. xVlison,
were also early and prominent settlers. Judge Laycock filled many important offices in the
county and state, and held a seat in the senate of the United States. On the present site of New
Brighton, there existed an ancient " blockhouse," at which Sergeant-major Toomey commanded
when Mr. Alison first came here, on a visit, in 1793. Gen. Wayne was encamped at Legion,
ville, on the river, below Economy, The only road in those days was " Broadhead's," which led
across the country from where Phillipsburg now is.
Hoopes, Townsend & Co. first erected a furnace at the Falls near Brighton in 1803. In 1806,
the second paper-mill west of the mountains was erected on Little Beaver cr., just within the
Ohio line, by John Bcner, Jacob Bowman, and .Tohii Coulter, called the Ohio Paper-mill. The
principal topics of interest to the early settlers of Beaver, after the pacification of the frontier in
'9.5, were the conflicting claims to land growing out of the act of '92. The place was one of
considerable river trade, and the u|5ual business of a comity town, until about the year 1830,
when the vast natural advantages of the Falls began to attract attention from \'arious quarters.
Previous to this time, in addition to the old furnace, several mills and warehouses had been
erected about the Falls, as the natural wants of the country had prompted from time to time.
The astonishingly rapid growth of Buffiilo, Rochester, Lockport, Syracuse, and other towns
along the great New York canal, had insensibly created a vast school of uperulation, the pupils
of which subsequently Spread themselves over all the other states, particularly those contiguous
to the lakes. The great natural resources at the mouth of Beaver did not escape their notice nor
their grasp. Enlisting in their visionary plans some of the original holders of the property, who
too soon became ajit scholars in the new science, they proceeded to purchase up the real estate
and mill sites along the banks of the river, and on the Ohio near it, and to lay out towns and
cities, and great lines of public improvement. Better adepts with the pen and the drawing in.
struments, than with the apparatus of the mill, these gentlemen preferred laying out paper cities,
and trumpeting the value of tlieir lots iu overwrought puffs, to erecting manufactories themselves.
108 BEAVER COUNTY.
and developing in a legitimate way the real resources of the country. The usual symptoms of
the speculative epidemic were soon exhibited in a high degree. Lots were sold and resold at
high profits — several manufactories were built — beautiful dwellings, banks, and hotels were
erected — morus multicaulis plantations were started, " and all went merry as a marriage bell." The
fever subsided, and the ague succeeded — the bubble burst with the U. S. Bank, and the universal
" want of confidence," and the speculators returned to more useful employments. The scathing
influence of these operations will not soon be forgotten by the people of Beaver and New
Brighton.
The great natural advantages, however, of the region, still exist, and
much has actually been done to improve and develop them : the exag-
geration has principally been shown in overrating the growth of the
place, without making suitable allowance for the competition and claims
of a hundred other places, each of which, if they had not the same ad-
vantages, were equally the darling objects of their owners' enterprise.
With an enterprise tempered with prudence in adapting the rapidity of
development to the real and natural wants of the country, few places
promise better results than the little towns around the Falls of Beaver.
The Beaver river, within five miles from its mouth, falls 69 feet. " The
Falls" originally consisted of a succession of rapids for about two thirds
of that distance. By individual and state enterprise the stream has been
made to assume a succession of pools and dams. Five miles from the
mouth is a dam of 15 feet ; a mile below, another of 20 feet ; a mile below
that, two others, giving together a fall of 19 feet; and near the mouth
another, with a fall of 15 feet at low water. It was estimated by the U.
S. engineers, who examined the site in 1822, with a view to the establish-
ment of a national armory, that the water power here at low water was
sufficient to propel 1()8 pair of 5 feet burr-millstones ; and since the state
dams have been erected, it is said that this estimate is far below the real
amount.
Brighton is a delightful and promising village, situated on the west
side of Beaver river, four miles from its mouth. It was at an early period
distinguished for its iron works, Messrs. Hoopes, Townsend & Co. having
erected a furnace here in 1803. The place owes most of its present im-
portance to the enterprise of Mr. J. Patterson, formerly of Philadelphia,
a capitalist, merchant, and manufacturer of cotton, flour, (fee, who pur-
chased the mill privileges opposite the village. He has here an uninter-
rupted head and fall of 20 feet. Mr. Patterson has a large cotton factory,
and flouring-mill, and store, and gives employment to many of the in-
habitants of the village. He has recently constructed a canal leading to
his mills, the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal passing along the opposite
bank. There is also a steam paper-mill, owned by Mr. A. Robertson,
having a staining establishment connected with it, and giving employ-
ment to many families. A very nefit and commodious meeting-house and
school-room accommodates a population of about 300. A fine bridge of
600 feet in length, built for a company, by Mr. Le Barron, connects Brighton
with
New Brighton, which is situated below Brighton, opposite to the middle
and lower Falls, at the head of steamboat navigation. This place has
grown up entirely since 1830. In 1793, a military blockhouse stood
here, with a garrison commanded by Major Toomey. The village is well
laid out in broad streets, crossing at right angles, and many of the private
residences are neatly built and tastefully adorned with shrubbery and
BEAVER COUNTY.
109
shade trees. The water privileges of this place are hardly surpassed in
the west. The annexed view was taken from the hill behind Fallston.
Some of the factories of Fallston are seen in the foreground. There
are at present in the place several manufactories of various kinds, among
New Brighton and part of Fallston.
which is one for making carpets. There are Presbyterian, Methodist,
Seceder, Unionist, and 2 Friends' places of worship. The othce of the Bea-
ver Co. Insurance Co. is located here. The U. S. Bank had a branch
stablished here. The Female Seminary is an excellent school of the
higher class. The New Brighton Institute, a society for literary and sci-
entific purposes, has done much to promote the march of intelligence. It
has a library and cabinet of curiosities. Pop. 981. Another beautiful
bridge, erected by Messrs. Lathrop & Le Barron, connects the lower end
of New Brighton with
Fallston. — This place is situated along one or two streets, at the foot
of a high bluff, and is famous for its manufactures, which consist of wool-
lens, cottons, paper, linseed oil, wire, scythes, baskets, window-sash,
ploughs, carpets, lasts, carding-machines, steam-engines, &c. The water
power here is immense : a race is permanently constructed, a mile and a
half in length, which conducts the water upon which a long row of man-
ufacturing establishments is erected. There is a respectable building of
brick for schools and for public worship. In the hill behind the village
is an abundance of excellent coal, which may be slid from the mouth of
the pits into the yards of many of the houses. Pop. 865. One and a
half miles below is
Sharon, a flourishing village, containing a patent bucket manufactory,
a foundry, various other manufacturing establishments, and two keel and
canal boat yards. There is a Methodist church here. Population about
300. Between Fallston and Sharon, on the high grounds overlooking the
river, a new brick church in the Gothic style has been recently erected.
Bridgewater is situated about half a mile above the junction of the
Ohio and Beaver rivers, on the western shore of Beaver. It is regularly
laid out upon a level flat, and contains a number of fine buildings, manu-
factories, hotels, commission-houses, &;c. It is the usual landing-place
110 BEAVER COUNTY.
of the Pittsburg steamboats, and the termination of the stage and packet
routes for Cleveland. A fine bridge connects it with Rochester, and im-
mediately beneath the bridge is a dam across the Beaver, forming the
slackwater steamboat navigation to Fallston ; and also creating an im-
mense water power, at an ordinary stage of water in the Ohio river.
Pop. 634.
Rochester, formerly known as Bolesville, is directly opposite Bridgewa-
ter. The Pennsylvania and Ohio canal, connecting at Akron with the
Ohio canal, and also the Pennsylvania canal to Erie, both have a com-
mon termination at this point. There is a depot of canal boats and steam-
boats here, many of which are owned here. The location is healthy and
elevated, presenting a fine view of the surrounding villages and rivers.
Population from 300 to 400. A considerable forwarding business is done
here between Pittsburg and Ohio.
Phillipsburg, directly opposite the mouth of Beaver, on the left bank
of the Ohio river, was formerly owned by Messrs. Phillips and Graham,
and connected with an extensive steamhoat yard; but in April, 1832,
Count De Leon and his associates, having seceded from the society at
Economy, purchased the place, and occupied it with a German popula-
tion, calling it New Philadelphia. They held it in common for a short
time ; but since the dissolution of their society, they live in families, with
separate interests, pursuing the industrious and frugal course by which
that people are generally characterized. Pop. 338. After thus dispos-
ing of Phillipsburg, Messrs, Phillips and Graham removed their steamboat
yards to the opposite side of the Ohio, about two miles above, and started
the village of
Freedom— the first beginnings of which are thus chronicled in the
Beaver Argus, of May, 1832 : —
Rapid Work. — Messrs. Phillips and Graham purchased a tract of land from Gen. Lacock, on
the Ohio river, on Monday of last week, laid out a town on Tuesday, and built fourteen houses
in four succeeding days. At this place they intend establishing their ship-yard."
The place thus commenced now contains several manufactories ; one
for steam-engines and boilers ; a boat-yard, where some of the largest
and finest of steamboats were built, such as the St. Louis, Meteor, Gen.
Pratt, and many others. There is a bend of the Ohio just at this place,
and the village being built upon a hill gently sloping up from the river
bank, presents a very lively appearance to the passengers coming down
the river. Pop. 384.
Economy is a German settlement on the right bank of the Ohio, 18
miles below Pittsburg, belonging to the Harmony Society. The village is
arranged with broad rectangular streets, two parallel with the Ohio, and
four crossing them. The log houses originally constructed have been re-
placed with neat frame or brick houses, of uniform size and at proper
distances from each other. Each house has its garden, with shade trees
and a pretty bower of vines around the door. A stranger is struck with
the air of neatness without show which pervades every street.
The annexed view exhibits, on the right, one end of the large hall used
for a museum, cabinet, &c. The upper story consists of one room called
the Social Hall, where the whole society dine together in celebration
of their yearly harvest-home, and other great occasions. A little beyond
the hall on the same side is the residence of the venerable founder,
BEAVER COUNTY.
Ill
Economy.
George Rapp. On the other side are seen the tower of the church, and
several of the dwelling-houses. At the church the members meet twice
on Sunday, and once on an evening during the week. Mr. Rapp delivers
the discourse in the German language, which is generally spoken, although
many members are acquainted with the English. A fine band of music,
composed of many members, occasionally entertains the community with
a concert.
Their large flocks of sheep, cattle, horses, hogs, &c„ all of good stock,
are regularly taken care of, and stabled in winter, and are said to com-
pare favorably with any in the west. In agriculture they are not sur-
passed, and their immense fields of grain, meadows, orchards, vineyards,
nurseries of mulberry and fruit trees, elicit the admiration of all visiters.
Each department of business is headed by a foreman, who is responsible
to uphold the standing regulations, and act impartially to all members in
the distribution of the necessaries of life.
The following history of the society is derived from various articles in
Hazard's Register, and from verbal communications to the compiler :
" Mr. George Rapp and liis followers, who now constitute the society at Economy, emigrated to
this comitry from Wirtemburg in tlie province of Swabia ; having left there, as they assert, on
account of persecution for their religious opinions. Mr. Rapp arrived in this country in the year
1803, a year in advance of his followers, to look out a body of land on which to settle them.
Accordingly he purchased a quantity of land in Butler co., and in a short time afterwards the
company settled and improved it, and built a town which they called Harmony. They laid out
a vineyard, built mills, raised shecjj, and erected a large cloth manufactory, with which they
succeeded well. But having the cultivation of the grape very much at iieart, which appeared
not to do so well as they wished, their merino sheep likewise not thriving so well, they transfer-
red themselves to the state of Indiana, near the Wabash, where the climate was supposed to be
more congenial to these leading objects of their wishes. Governed by these considerations, they
bought a large body of land, sold their establishment at Harmony, and went down the river to
the new purchase. There they cleared the land, built a beautiful village, erected a cotton and
woollen manufactory, a brewhouse, a distillery and steam-mill. After remaining there some
time, it was discovered that the change of climate and unhealthiness of the country called for a
speedy retreat.
" The society therefore determined to return to Pennsylvania, and pursuant to that resolution
purchased a large body of land on the Ohio, in Beaver co., about 18 miles below Pittsburg ; here
they commenced their operations about three years ago, (1825.) They cleared a spot of ground, on
which they have built a handsome town, now consisting of about 130 houses ; among these are
112 BEAVER COUNTY.
an elegant church, a large woollen and cotton manufactory, a store, a tavern, a large steam-mill,
a brewery, distillery, tanyard, and various other workshops. Besides this they have a large and
commodious house built for a concert-hall, of 120 ft. by 54 ft., arched underneath, in which they
have a museum of natural curiosities, a collection of minerals, a mathematical school, a library,
and a drawing school. They purchase from 60 to $70,000 worth of wool, and about 20 or
$30,000 worth of other articles from the surrounding country, for manufacture and consumption."
The Duke of Saxe Weimar, who visited the colony about the year 1826, says —
" At the inn, a fine large frame house, we were received by Mr. Rapp, the principal, at the
head of the community. He is a gray-headed and veneralile old man ; most of the members
emigrated 21 years ago from Wirtemburg along with him.
" The elder Rapp is a large man of 70 years old, whose powers age seems not to have dimin-
ished ; his hair is gray, but his blue eyes, overshadowed by strong brows, are full of life and fire.
Rapp's system is nearly the same as Owen's community of goods, and all members of the so-
ciety work together for the common interest, by whicli the welfare of each individual is secured.
Rapp does not hold his society together by these hopes alone, but also by the tie of religion,
which is entirely wanting in Owen's community ; and results declare that Rapp's system is the
better. No great results can be expected from Owen's plan ; and a sight of it is very little in
its favor. What is most striking and wonderful of all is, that so plain a man as Rapp can so
successfully bring and keep together a society of nearly 700 persons, who, in a manner, honor
him as a prophet. Equally so for example is his power of government, which can suspend the
intercom-se of the sexes. He found that the society was becoming too numerous, wherefore the
members agreed to live with their wives as sisters. All nearer intercourse is forbidden, as well
as marriage ; both are discouraged.* However, some marriages constantly occur, and children
are born every year, for whom there is provided a school and a teacher. The members of the
community manifest the very highest degree of veneration for the elder Rapp, whom they ad-
dress and treat as a father. Mr. Frederick Rapp is a large good-looking personage, of 40 years
of age. He possesses profound mercantile knowledge, and is the temporal, as his father is the
spiritual chief of the community. All business passes through his hands ; he represents the so-
ciety, which, notwithstanding the change in the name of residence, is called the Harmony Soci-
ety, in all their dealings with the world. They found that the farming and cattle raising, to
which the society exclusively attended in both their former places of residence, were not suffi-
ciently productive for their industry, they therefore have established factories.
" The warehouse was shown to us, where the articles made here for sale or use are preserved,
and I admired the excellence of all. The articles for the use of the society are kept by them-
selves, as the members have no private possessions, and every thing is in common ; so must they
in relation to all their personal wants be supplied from the common stock. The clothing and
food they make use of is of the best quality. Of the latter, flour, salt meat, and all long keeping
articles are served out monthly ; fresh meat, on the contrary, and whatever spoils readily, is dis.
tributed whenever it is killed, according to the size of the family, &c. As every house has a gar.
den, each family raises its own vegetables, and some poultry, and each family has its own bake
oven. For such things as are not raised in Economy, there is a store provided, from which the
members, with the knowledge of the directors, may purchase what is necessary, and the people
of the vicinity may also do the same.
"Mr. Rapp finally conducted us into the factory again, and said that the girls had especially
requested this visit, that I might hear them sing. When their work is done they collect in one
of the factory rooms, to the number of 60 or 70, to sing spiritual and other songs. They have
a peculiar hymn-book, containing hymns from the Wirtemburg psalm-book, and others written by
the elder Rapp. A chair was placed for the old patriarch, who sat amidst the girls, and they
commenced a hymn in a very delightful manner. It was naturally symphonious and exceeding-
ly well arranged. The girls sang four pieces, at first sacred, but afterwards, by Mr. Rapp's de-
sire, of a gay character. With real emotion did I witness this interesting scene. The factories
and workshops are warmed during winter by means of pipes connected with the steam-engine.
All the workmen, and especially the females, had very healthy complexions, and moved me deeply
by the warm-hearted friendliness with which they saluted the elder Rapp. I was also much
gratified to see vessels containing fresh sweet-smelling flowers standing on all the machines.
The neatness which universally reigns here, is in every respect worthy of praise."
Since the visit of Saxe Weimar Mr. Frederick Rapp has died ; the venerable father still gov-
erns the society.
In every thing usefal the Economists are ready to adopt the most modern inventions ; while
in clothing their persons they eschew all modern fashions, and still adhere to the quaint patterns
used among the German peasantry of the last century. The latter remark applies, perhaps, with
* Visiters at Economy are cautioned against making any inquiries upon this particular sub.
ject, even in the most courteous manner, as they will probably be repulsed with an indignant an-
swer. On all other subjects they will probably be gratified by the courtesy and readiness of the
members to impart information. — D.
BEAVER COUNTY. 113
more force to the females ! the men generally wearing a plain uniform dress, of dark gray round
about and pantaloons, with a hat of wool or straw, suited to the weather. Their manufacturing
machinery is all propelled by steam. They commenced the culture of the mulberry and the
manufacture of silk in 18^8, with no other instruction or experience than what they could gathet
from the publications of that day. The white Italian mulberry and morus multicaulig were both
used with success. Thoy have now brought this manufacture to a point not surpassed in this
country. In 1840 the product of silk was 2,389 lbs. cocoons, yielding 218 lbs. reeled silk; which
they wrought into beautiful handkerchiefs, vestings, and a variety of other fabrics. They havo
spared neither trouble nor expense in importing the best machinery from England and France,
and in obtainbig instruction from foreign artisans.
About the year 1831, an adveziturcr from Germany, calling himself Count De Leon, insinuated
himself into the good graces of the society so far as to become a member, with his fanuly. He
made various pretensions to special favors from heaven, and thouglit himself inspired and sent
on a special mission to regenerate the Germans at Economy. He made large professions, and
backed them up with larger promises. Taking advantage of the restraint upon the intercourse
between the se.xes, and certain jealousies that existed of the growing influence of the Rapp fami-
ly, the count produced a lamentable schism. After much ill feeling, and bitter controversy re.
luting to the subjects in dispute, the most important of which to the count was the property in-
volved, the matter was amicably compromised in March, 1832, and articles were signed by
which the society agreed to pay to the sccedcrs !^ 105,000, deducting !$1,800 due the society liy
the count and his family. The count and his family were to move off in six weeks — the dis-
senters within three months.
The adherents to the count, who formed a considerable body, some 300 or 400, purchased
Phillipsburg, and established a colony there under the name of New Philadelphia, to be governed
somewhat upon the plan of the Harmonitos, modified by the count. Time, however, unfolded
the real nature of the count's designs, as well as the visionary credulity of his adherents ; and
the new colony as a joint-stock society was soon resolved into its original elenients. The count
with a few adherents fled down the river, leaving those who had been duped by his schemes, to
make their way in life for the future upon the good old-fashioned plan of letting " each tub stand
on its own bottom." Under this system Pliillipsbui'g has become a thriving German town.
The society has had several written constitutions or articles of agreement between the indi.
vidual members and Mr. Rapp, modified by the several removals and secessions which have oc.
curred among them. On drawing up and digesting their present constitution, two eminent law
yers from Allegheny and Beaver counties were called in to advise and assist. A strenuous effort
was then made to break down the monkish restraint previously imposed, and to re-establish
among them the institution of marriage ; but the effort was decidedly voted down ; and it is said
the opposition to it came not from the aged, but principally from those members still in the vigor
of life. The prohibition was even carried so far as again to separate those who had been mar-
ried during Count Leon's secession, and who had rejoined the society.
It is not easy, without more accurate data, to estimate the result of the
operations of the Harmony Society, as an experiment in social organiza-
tion. Setting aside entirely the religious aspect of the case, and estima-
ting only the worldly comforts and wealth now enjoyed, and comparing
these with their numbers, it is probable that the result would not show
any increa.se over that attending the orderly and industrious management
of a similar number of emigrant families on the plan of individual inter-
est, and the relations resulting from marriage. They brought over with
them, it will be remembered, from Germany, a considerable amount of
money, and made their original purchases of land in Butler co. at the
low rates of that day. Their numbers have been diminished by seces-
sion, the seceders taking away also a proportion of the property ; and the
increase by the ordinary mode of conversion to their peculiar plan has not
been great. They now number about 400 or 500 individuals, principally
middle aged and old people — equal to about 100 families. Each of these
families has a comfortable brick or frame house and garden to dwell in ;
and since the secession there are some fifty or sixty dwellings standing
idle — as others than members of the society cannot occupy them. Their
territory consists of a strip of very good land extending along the river
about five miles, by about three fourths to one mile wide, embracing both
bottom, rolling, and hill land, in all about 3.500 acres. Of this about one
15
114 BEDFORD COUNTY.
half only is cleared ; and this, it is said, is as much as the occupants can
conveniently manage. This gives to each individual about three and a
half to four acres of cleared land, and as much of woodland, or, a little
farm of 35 to 40 acres, half of which is woodland. The family has then
a comfortable dwelling-house and garden in town, a small farm of 40
acres, the privilege of a coal bank, a sufficient stock of cattle and tools,
and an undivided share or 500th part of the commercial, manufacturing,
mechanical, and scientific, and religious property in the village — together
with more or less of loose change or money at interest. This is comfort-
able, to be sure ; but is it any more, is it as much, as might have been
expected for a hard-working, sober, and pious German family, who might
have removed to Butler or Beaver co. in 1803, without ani/ property tq
commence with ?-^to say nothing of the happy circle of children and
children's children that would be grown up and settled around them in
40 years.
Darlington, formerly called Greersburg, a flourishing village on Little
Beaver cr., nine miles northwest of Beaver, contains an academy, Pres-
byterian church, and 60 or 70 dwellings. It was incorporated in Marcl^
1820, under the name of Greersburg, and its name changed to Darling-
ton in 1830. The coal found near this place resembles the celebrated
Kennel coal of England.
Frankfort is a small village on the southern edge of the county, near
which there is a mineral spring, much frequented by invalids. The spring
is situated in a cool romantic glen, thickly studded with forest trees.
HooKSTOWN, Georgetown, Petersburg and Mt. Jackson, are also small
villages in Beaver. Their relative position may be perceived by refer-
ence to the map.
BEDFORD COUNTY.
Bedford county, originally part of Cumberland co., was established 9th
March, 1771. It then included the whole southwestern part of the state.
The establishment of Westmoreland in 1773, of Huntingdon in '87, and
Somerset in '95, reduced it to its present limits. Length, 44 m., breadth,
34; area, 1,520 sq. miles. The population in 1790 was 13,124, then in-
cluding Somerset; in 1800, 12,039 ; in ISIO, 15,746; in 1820, 20,248 in
1830, 24,502 ; in 1840, 29,335.
The following very correct description of this county was given by a
writer in the Democratic Enquirer, in 1829.
The county of Bedford is mountainous and hilly, much of the land stony and broken, and in
some places the soil yields but a niggardly return for the labor bestowed on it. Yet the rich
burgher from the city who .ounges in jiis carriage along the turnpike, or is transported with
rapidity in one of our public stages, makes a thousand mistakes in his calculations about the
sterility of our soil, and the anortncss of our crops. While he is dreaming in his carriage of
famine and cold water, could he be translated in a moment to some of our delightful valleys, he
would there find large and ertensive farms, abundant crops, comfortable houses, prolific and
healthy families, and a greater loundancc of every thing, than, perhaps, he himself is in the habit
of enjoying at home. In maij if our valleys there is fine limestone land, which is well culti-
vated, which affords our farme i an opportunity every year of taking a great quantity of surplus
produce to market. The valle i itsar McConnellstown, Friend's Cove, and Morrison's Cove, are
BfibFORD COUNTY.
115
t>articularly rich and fertile. The latter place, more especially in the vicinity of Martinsburg, I
hesitate not to say, is one of the richest districts of country in the state of Pennsylvania.
Iron ore is found of the best quality in many places, particularly in
Morrison's Cove, and its vicinity. Several extensive iron works have
been carried on for some years past. Near the northeastern boundary of
the county, on Broad-top mountain, is situated a small isolated coal basin,
affording several seams of bituminous coal, from one to four feet thick ;
the only deposit of bituminous coal, it is thought, east of the Allegheny
mountains, in Pennsylvania. It is said that some of the specimens of
this coal possess an intermediate quality betv^reen the bituminous and an-
thracite.
The manufacture of maple sugar was formerly a prominent branch of
family industry in this county.
The Chambersburg and Pittsburg turnpike passes across the centre of
the county. In going westward on this road, the traveller passes succes-
sively Cove mountain, Scrub ridge, Sideling hill, Ray's hill. Clear ridge,
Tussey's mountain, Evitt's or Dunning's mountain. Will's mountain,
Chestnut ridge, and the great Allegheny mountain.
The Raystown branch of the Juniata is the large central stream of the
CO. The sources of the Aughwick and Frankstown branches also rise in
this CO. On the south are Licking cr., Conolloway's cr.. Will's cr., and a
few smaller streams.
The original population of the co. was composed of the Scotch-Irish
traders and frontier-men from the Kittatinny valley ; but of late years
the German farmers have purchased the rich limestone lands, and now
form an important proportion of the population.
Public Square in Bedford.
Annexed is a view of the public .square in Bedford. The courthouse
is seen on the right, and a part of the Presbyterian church on the left.
Bedford, the county seat, is a flourishing borough, on the Chambersburg
and Pittsburg turnpike, 200 miles from Philadelphia, and 100 from Pitts-
burg, The population in 1840 was 1,022. The buildings are mostly
either stone or brick : the streets are spacious and airy, and generally
116
BEDFORD COUNTY.
present the appearance of activity and business. Its liberal-minded and
intelligent citizens have done much to beautify the town by erecting
several elegant public structures. The Catholic, the German Reformed
and Lutheran, and the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, combine
neatness with comfort. The new courthouse, fronting the public square,
is a splendid edifice of the Tuscan order. The town is situated in a luxu-
riant limestone valley, and enjoys every advantage that pure mountain
air and water, and picturesque scenery can impart. The Raystown
branch of the Juniata liows along the northern border of the town.
There is an excellent classical and mathematical school here, under tho
charge of Professor Ramsay ; and the Bedford Female Collegiate Insti«
tution, an excellent school for young ladies, superintended by Rev. D. R.
Hall.
Bedford Springs. — This celebrated watering-place is situated about one
and a half miles S. of Bedford, in the narrow, romantic valley of Shover's
creek, between Constitution hill, on the east, and Federal hill, on the we»<t.
^lIlfiSliflwtrYr
Bedford Springs.
The annexed view shows the magnificent hotel, recently constructed,
on the right, and the spring-house beyond the bridge, on the left. In the
centre of the yard stands the goddess of health. Anderson's, or the prin-
cipal spring, issues from a lirnestone rock on the left of the spring-house,
as seen in the view. The water is clear, lively and sparkling. When
analyzed by Dr. Church, of Pittsburg, in 1825, the temperature was 58*^
of Fahrenheit, Avhile the surrounding atmosphere was 70° — specific
gravity 1029. It has a peculiar saline taste, resembling a w^eak solution
of Epsom salts in water, impregnated with carbonic acid, and is inodorous.
A quart of it evaporated, contained eighteen and a half cub. in. carbonic
acid gas ; the residuum gave of sulph. magnesia, or Epsom salts, 20 ^r.,
sulphate of lime 3.75, muriate of soda 2.50, muriate of lime 0.75, carbon-
ate of iron 1.25, carbonate of lime 2; loss 0.75. Limestone, iron ore,
calcareous and silicious substances abound about the spring. Another
spring of the same general qualities issues, a little further south, from the
same rock. On the west side of the creek is a sulphur spring, the water
of which has a peculiarly unpleasant hepatic taste and exhales a strong
BEDFORD COUNTY. 117
odor of sulphureted hydrogen. Northeast of Bedford one and a half
miles is a chalybeate spring, not very copious, surrounded with bog iron
ore. A part of the skeleton of a mammoth was found when digging out
this spring.
Houses for cold, shower, and warm baths are erected at " the springs,"
wdth every appropriate accommodation. To describe the beautiful ser-
pentine walks up Constitution hill, the artificial lake, on which small
boats can pleasantly sail, and the other attractions of this romantic spot,
would exceed our limits.
The first settlements in Bedford co. appear to have been made by the
traders and adventurers of the Conococheague and Conedoguinet settle-
ments. Contrary to the treaties with the Six Nations and the ShawaneeSj
and to the express injunctions of the governor, these men intruded upon
the Indian lands beyond the Blue mountains ; and by this intrusion were
continually exasperating the Indians, who, to expel the whites, resorted
to sanguinary attacks, which in their turn aroused the pugnacity of the
Cumberland valley people.
On the 95th of May, 1750, Gov. Hamilton informed the council that Mr. Peters, the secretary,
and Mr. Weiser, the Indian interpreter, were then in Cumberland county, in order to take proper
measures with the magistrates to remove the settlers over the hills, who had presumed to stay
there notwithstanding his proclamation ; and laid before them the minutes of a conference held
at Mr. Croghan's, in Pennsborough township, as well as with Mr. Montour, and with some Sham-
okin and Conestogoe Indians. The Indians expressed themselves pleased to see them on that
occasion, and as the council at Onondaga had this matter exceedingly at heart, they desired to
accompany them ; but, said they, notwithstanding the care of the governor, we are afraid that
this may prove like many former attempts : the people will be put off now, and come next year
again. And if so, the Six Nations will no longer bear it, but do themselves justice. Then fol-
lows the report of Mr. Peters, entered at large, and also printed in the votes of assembly, (vol. iv.,
p. 137 :) by which it appears that, on the 22d of May, they proceeded to a place on Big Juniata,
about 25 miles from its mouth, where there were five cabins, or log houses — one possessed by
William White, another by George Cahoon, the others by men of the names of Hiddleston, Gal-
loway, and Lycon. These men, except Lycon, were convicted by the magistrates upon view,
in pursuance of the act of Feb. 14th, 1729-30, (chap. 312,) and the cabins were burnt. A num-
ber of cabins were also burnt at Sherman's creek, and Little Juniata. On the 30th of May they
proceeded into the Tuscarora path, or Path valley, and burnt eleven cabins. At Aughwick, they
burnt the cabin of one Carlton, and another unfinished one ; and three were burnt in the Big
Cove. The settlers, who were numerous, were recognised to appear at the following court.
Col. James Smith, whose interesting narrative of his captivity among
the Indians is well known, thus describes the first opening of a road
through Bedford county. It would appear, however, from the proceedings
of assembly, that one Ray had already built a few cabins where Bedford
now is, since Raystown is mentioned in the proceedings as being a point
in the road.
In May, 1755, the province of Pennsylvania agreed to send out 300 men, in order to cut a
wagon road from Fort Loudon, to join Braddock's road, near the Turkey-foot, or three forks of
Youghiogheny. My brother-in-law, William Smith, Esq., of Conococheague, was appointed com-
missioner, to have the oversight of these road-cutters. Though I was at that time only eighteen
years of age, I had fallen violently in love with a young lady, whom I apprehended was possessed
of a large share of both beauty and virtue ; but being born between Venus and Mars, I con-
cluded I must also leave my dear fair one, and go out with this company of road-cutters, to see
the event of this campaign — but still expecting that some time in the course of the summer, I
should again return to the arms of my beloved. We went on with the road, without interruption,
until near the Allegheny mountain ; when I was sent back, in order to hurry up some provision
wagons that were on the way after us. I proceeded down the road as far as the crossings of Ju-
niata, where, finding the wagons were coming on as fast as possible, I returned up the road again
towards the Allegheny mountain, in company with one Arnold Vigoras. About four or five miles
above Bedford, three Indians had made a blind of bushes, stuck in the ground as though they grew
naturally, where they concealed themselves, about fifteen yards from the road. When we came
118 BEDFORD COUNTY.
opposite to them, they fired upon us, at this short distance, and killed my fellow-traveller ; yet
their bullets did not touch me. But my horse, making a violent start, threw me ; and the In-
dians immediately ran up and took me prisoner. The one that laid hold on me was a Conestau-
ga ; the other two were Delawares. One of them could speak English, and asked me if there
were any more white men coming after. I told them. Not any near, that I knew of. Two of
these Indians stood by me while the other scalped my comrade. They then set off, and ran at a
smart rate through the woods, for about fifteen miles ; and that night we slept on the Allegheny
mountain, without fire.
Smith was carried by the Indians to Fort Duquesne, where he was
compelled to run the gauntlet through two long lines of Indians, beating
him with clubs, throwing sand in his face, and scarcely leaving the breath
in his body. He was there at the time of Braddock's defeat, and wit-
nessed the horrid cruelties inflicted by the Indians upon the prisoners
taken at that time. He was afterwards taken into the Indian country
west of the Ohio, and there, with a grand ceremony of painting, hair-
pulling, and washing in the river by the hands of copper-colored nymphs
more kind than gentle, he was adopted as one of the Caughnewago na-
tion. He remained with them in all their wanderings for several years,
until, by way of Montreal, he was exchanged with other prisoners, and
returned home in 1760. He afterwards was conspicuous in the history
of Bedford county, as will presently be seen.
Three years after Braddock's defeat, under the vigorous administration
of William Pitt, in 1758, it was determined to send a formidable force to ex-
pel the French from the valley of the Ohio. Lord Amherst appointed Gen.
John Forbes to the command of the forces from Pennsylvania, Maryland,
and Virginia, against Fort Duquesne. There were brisk times that sum-
mer along the Raystown valley. Washington was appointed to the com-
mand of a regiment of Virginia troops, with the rank of colonel. He
strenuously urged upon Gen. Forbes, through Col. Bouquet, the impor-
tance of taking Braddock's road, which was already opened, and would
save the delay and dangers attendant on cutting out a new road through the
wilderness ; he feared that if they wasted the summer in making the
road, the only laurels they might gather would be those that covered the
mountain. The Pennsylvanians, however, jealous of the claims of Vir-
ginia upon the region on the Monongahela, were determined not to lose
this opportunity of opening a communication exclusively through their
own province. Their counsels, backed by those of Bouquet, prevailed
with Gen. Forbes. The whole force amounted to 7,850 men, of whom
there were 350 royal Americans, 1,200 Highlanders, 2,600 Virginians^
2,700 Pennsylvanians, 1,000 wagoners, sutlers, &c. &c. Col. Bouquet^
with a part of the forces, was posted at Raystown for some time, waiting
for the main body to arrive under Gen. Forbes, who had been detained
by illness at Carlisle. On his arrival at Raystown, about the middle of
September, Bouquet was advanced with a force of 2,500 men, to cut out
the'road. The main body of the army was detained at Raystown, until
near the end of October, when it marched to Loyalhanna. Gen. Forbes,
more wise than his predecessor, Braddock, better appreciated the talents
and experience of Washington, and did not fail to seek his counsel, to-
gether with that of the other colonels, in regard to the movements of the
army. Washington, on the other hand, although he had been chagrined
at the choice of a route, still took a lively interest in the campaign ; and
drew up an able plan, illustrated with a diagram of his own drawing,
BEDFORD COUNTY. 119
for the proper disposition of the troops in line of march. Washington
was also careful to solicit an advanced position for his own corps, in cut-
ting out the road beyond the Loyalhanna ; which was assigned him, with
the temporary rank of brigadier.
The movements of the army were closely watched by the Indians, and
two skirmishes occurred on the route. Col. Bouquet was attacked in his
camp by the French and Indians, at Loyalhanna, but repulsed them af-
ter a warm combat. The lessons learned at Braddock's defeat were suc-
cessfully practised. The provincial practice of fighting Indians, when
in the woods, from behind trees, was adhered to ; and from the testimony
of Capt. Smith, there is good reason to believe that this practice not only
foiled the enemy in their skirmishes, but also induced the Indians to aban-
don all hopes of success, and quit their French allies. They could con-
tend, they said, successfully with regular troops, but could not conquer
the Long-knives, as they termed the Virginians. Thus deserted, the
French could do no otherwise than abandon and destroy the fort, and es-
cape down the river ; leaving to Gen. Forbes an almost bloodless con-
quest.
In 1763, Col. Bouquet again passed along the Raystown road, with two
regiments of regulars and a large convoy of stores and provisions, to re-
lieve the beleaguered garrison at Fort Pitt. It appears that the fort at
Raystown had already received its name of Fort Bedford — probably soon
after Gen. Forbes' expedition. This fort, then the principal deposit of
military stores between Fort Pitt and Carlisle, was still in a ruinous con-
dition, and weakly garrisoned, although the two small intermediate posts
3,t the crossing of the Juniata and of Stoney creek had been abandoned to
strengthen it. Capt. Ourry commanded the garrison here at that time.
Here the distressed families, scattered for twelve or fifteen miles round, fled for protection,
leaving most of their effects a prey to the savages. All the necessary precautions were taken by
the commanding officer to prevent surprise, and repel open force, as also to render ineffectual the
enemy's fire-arrows. He armed all the fighting men, who formed two companies of volunteers,
and did duty with the garrison till the arrival of two companies of light infantry, detached as
soon as possible from Col. Bouquet's little army.
These two magazines being secured, the colonel advanced to the remotest verge of our settle,
ments, where he could receive no sort of intelligence of the number, position, or motions of the
.enemy — not even at Fort Bedford, where he arrived with his whole convoy on the 25th of July ;
for though the Indians did not attempt to attack the fort, they had by this time killed, scalped,
and taken eighteen persons in that neighborhood — and their skulking parties were so spread, that
at last no express could escape them. * * * In this uncertainty of intelligence under which
the colonel labored, he marched from Fort Bedford the 28th of July, and as soon as he reached
Fort Ligonie- he determined, prudently, to leave his wagons at that post, and to proceed only with
I he pack-horses.
(See the further details of this march under Westmoreland county.)
In the ensuing year Col. Bouquet commanded another expedition
against the Indians on the Muskingum, by which he concluded a treaty
of peace, and restored a great number of prisoners, who had been carried
away by the Indians, to their homes. Col. James Smith was in that ex-
pedition, and after his return home, he says —
Shortly after this the Indians stole, horses, and killed some people on the frontiers. The king's
proclamation was then circulating and set up in various public places, prohibiting any person
from trading with the Indians until further orders.
Notwithstanding all this, about the 1st of March, ITG.'i, a number of wagons, loaded with In.
dian goods and warlike stores, were sent from Philadelphia to Henry Pollens, Conococheague ;
and from thence seventy pack-horses were loaded with these goods, in order to carry them to
120 BEDFORD COUNTY.
Fort Pitt. This alanned tlie country, and Mr. William- Duffield raised about fifty armed men,
and met the pack-horses at the place where Mercersberg now stands. Mr. Duffield desired the
employers to store up their goods and not proceed until further orders. They made light of this,
and went over the North mountain, where they lodged in a small valley called the Great Cove.
Mr. Duffield and his party followed after, and came to their lodging, and again urged them to
store up their goods. He reasoned with them on the impropriety of their proceedings, and the
great danger the frontier inhabitants would be exposed to if the Indians should now get a supply :
he said, as it was well known that they had scarcely any ammunition, and were almost naked,
to supply them now would be a kind of murder, and would be illegally trading at the expense of
the blood and treasure of the frontiers. Notwithstanding his powerful reasoning, these traders
made game of what he said, and would only answer him by ludicrous burlesque.
When I beheld this, and found that Mr. Duffield would not compel them to store up their goods,
I collected ten of my old warriors, that I had formerly disciplined in the Indian way, went off
privately after night, and encamped in the woods. The next day, as usual, we blacked and
painted, and waylaid them near Sidelong hill. I scattered my men about forty rods along the
side of the road, and ordered every two to take a tree, and about eight or ten rods between each
couple, with orders to keep a reserved fire — one not to fire until his comrade had loaded his gun :
by this means we kept up a constant slow fire upon them, from front to rear. We then heard
nothing of these traders' merriment or burlesque. When they saw their pack-horses falling close
by them, they called out, " Pray, gentlemen, what would you have us to do ?" The reply was,
" Collect all your loads to the front, and unload them in one place ; take your private property,
and immediately retire." When they were gone, we burnt what they left, which consisted of
blankets, shirts, vermilion, lead, beads, wampum, tomahawks, scalping-knives, &c.
The traders went back to Fort Loudon, and applied to the commanding officer there, and got
a party of Highland soldiers, and went with them in quest of the robbers, as they called us ; and
without applying to a magistrate, or obtaining any civil authority, but barely upon suspicion,
they took a number of creditable persons, (who were chiefly not any way concerned in tliis ac-
tion,) and confined them in the guard-house in Fort Loudon. I then raised three hundred rifle-
men, marched to Fort Loudon, and encamped on a hill in sight of the fort. We were not long
there, until we had more than double as many of the British troops prisoners in our camp, as they
had of our people in the guard-house. Capt. Grant, a Highland officer, who commanded Fort
Loudon, then sent a flag of truce to our camp, where we settled a cartel, and gave them above
two for one, which enabled us to redeem all our men from the guard-house, without further diffi-
culty.
After this, Capt. Grant kept a number of rifle guns, which the Highlanders had taken from the
country people, and refused to give them up. As he was riding out one day, we took him prison-
er, and defamed him until he delivered up the arms ; we also destroyed a large quantity of gun-
powder that the traders had stored up, lest it might be conveyed privately to the Indians. The
king's troops, and our party, had now got entirely out of the channel of the civil law, and many
unjustifiable things were done by both parties. This convinced me more than ever I had been
before, of the absolute necessity of the civil law in order to govern mankind.
This is probably the affair that gave name to Bloody run. The ac-
count of it published at the time in London, says, " the convoy of 80
horses loaded with goods, chiefly on his majesty's account as presents to
the Indians, and part on account of Indian traders, were surprised in a
narrow and dangerous defile in the mountains by a bodj^ of armed men.
A number of horses were killed, and the whole of the goods were carried
away by the plunderers. The rivulet was dyed with blood, and ran into
the settlement below carrying with it the stain of crime upon its surface."
The extract from Capt. Smith is a graphic picture of the lawless usages
on the frontier at that period. Col. Smith says again —
In the year 1769, the Indians again made incursions on the frontiers ; yet the traders con.
tinued carrying goods and warlike stores to them. The frontiers took the alarm, and a number
of persons collected, destroyed and plundered a quantity of their powder, lead, &.c., in Bedford
county. Shortly after this some of these persons, with others, were apprehended and laid in irons
in the guard-house in Fort Bedford, on suspicion of being the perpetrators of this crime.
Though I did not altogether approve of the conduct of this new club of black boys, yet I con-
cluded that they should not lie in irons in the guard-house, or remain in confinement, by arbitrary
or military power. I resolved, therefore, if possible, to release them, if they even should be tried
by the civil law afterwards. I collected eighteen of my old black boys, that I had seen tried in
the Indian war, &c. L did not desire a large party, lest they should be too much alarmed at
Bedford, and accordingly be prepared for us. We marched along the public road in daylight,
BEDFORD COUNTY. 121
and made no secret of our design : we told those whom we met, that we were going to take Fort
Bedford, whicli appeared to them a very unlikely story. Before this, I made it known to one
William Thompson, a man whom I could trust, aud who lived there : him I employed as a spy,
and sent him along on horseback before, with orders to meet me at a certain place near Bedford,
one hour before day. The next day, a little before sunset, we encamped near the crossings of
Juniata, about fourteen miles from Bedford, and erected tents, as though we intended staying all
night ; and not a man in my company knew to the contrary, save myself. Knowing that they
would hear this in Bedford, and wishing it to be the case, I thought to surprise them by stealing
a march.
As the moon rose about 11 o'clock, I ordered my boys to march, and we went on at the rate
of five miles an hour, until we met Thompson at the place appointed. He told us that the com-
manding officer had frequently heard of us by travellers, and had ordered thirty men upon guard.
He said they knew our number, and only made game of the notion of eighteen men coming to
rescue the prisoners ; but tliey did not expect us until towards the middle of the day. I asked
him if the gate was open ? He said it was then shut, but he expected they would open it, as
usual, at daylight, as they apprehended no danger. I then moved my men privately up under
the banks of the Juniata, where we lay concealed about one hundred yards from the fort gate.
I had ordered the men to keep a profound silence until we got into it. I then sent off Thompson
again to spy. At daylight he returned and told us- that the gate was open, and three sentinels
were standing upon the wall — that the guards were taking a morning dram, and the arms stand-
ing together in one place. I then concluded to rush into the fort, and told Thompson to run be-
fore me to the arms. We ran with all our might, and as it was a misty morning, the sentinels
scarcely saw us, until we were within the gate, and took possession of the arms. Just as we
were entering, two of them discharged their guns, though I do not believe they aimed at us. We
then raised a shout, which surprised the town, though some of them were well pleased with the
news. We compelled a blacksmith to take the irons off the prisoners, and then we left the place.
This, I believe, was the first British fort in America that was taken by what they call American
rebels.
Smith was arrested for this affair ; and in the scuffle attending the ar-
rest, a man was accidentally shot. Smith was charged with murder, and
tried for his life at Carlisle, but very justly acquitted. He afterwards
became a representative in the assembly, a colonel in the revolutionary
army, and, after the peace, a commissioner of Westmoreland county.
He emigrated to Kentucky, where he passed the later years of his life.
His interesting narrative, originally published by himself or his friends, is
copied at large in the " Incidents of Border Life." While connected with
the army he fought in the Jerseys ; and was afterwards engaged with
Gen. Mcintosh in 1778, against his old friends the Ohio Indians. He
much preferred the adventurous career of a frontier ranger to the stricter
discipline of the army.
The following incidents in the history of Bedford county were kindly
collected from traditionary sources, and transmitted to the compiler by
the Hon. George Burd, and John Mower, Esq., of Bedford.
The CO. contained within its present limits, at a very early day, a number of forts, erected by
the inhabitants for their protection. The first, and principal, was Fort Bedford, although that
name was only given it when it began to assume the appearance of a settlement. The others
were Fort Littleton, Martin's fort, Piper's fort, and VV^ingawn's, with several other unimportant
ones. Bedford was the only one ever occupied by British troops ; and about 1770, the earliest
period of which we have any traditionary account, the walls of the fort were nearly demolished,
so that it must have been erected many years before.
The first settlement, it is conjectured, must have been made prior to the year 1750, how long
before, cannot be stated with any thing like accuracy ; but I not long since conversed with a very-
old man, named John Lane, who told me that he was born within the present limits of the co.
His age fixed his birth about 17.')1, and from the account he gave, settlements must have been
made several years previous to that. It was also before that time that the Indians had made
complaints of the encroachments of the whites upon their hunting grounds, and particularly in
the neighborhood of the Juniata.
As early as 1770, the whites had made considerable settlements at a distance from the fort at
Bedford, as far as twelve and fifteen miles, particularly on Dunning's cr., and on the Shawanee
run, near the Allegheny mountains, where the tribe of Indians of that name once had a town.
The principal building at Bedford, at that day, of which there is any account, was a two-storv
16
13^ BEDFORD COUN'FY.
log-house, called the " King's House." It was occupied by the officers of the fort until the
marching of the English troops at the breaking out of the revolution. It is still standing, and
is now, with two additions, one of stone, tlie other brick, occupied as a public house. At the time
Bedford co. was erected, the only building in which the court could sit was a one-storied rough
log-house. It was for some time also occupied as a jail. It stood until a few years since.
The town of Bedford was laid out, by order of the governor, in June, 1766, by the surveyor,
general, John Lukens. The settlement was originally called Raystown, but at the time of laying
it out, it was called Bedford. This, Mr. Vickroy says, was in consequence of some similarity in
its location to a place of the same name in England. [But more probably derived from the
name of the fort, which was supposed to be named in honor of the Duke of Bedford. — D.]
For a considerable time after the town was laid out, the inhabitants had to go upwards of 40
miles to mill. It was then an undertaking that occupied sometimes two weeks, those taking
grain having to wait until others before them were accommodated. I'he first mill was built near
the town by an enterprising man named Frederick Naugle, a merchant, doing what was, at that
day, called a large business.
For many years Bedford was the principal stopping-place for all persons, and particularly
packers going from the cast to Fort Pitt. All government stores, as well as groceries and goods
of every description, were for a long time carried west on pack-horses. One man would some-
times have under his control as many as a hundred horses. For the protection of these, guards
had always to be supplied, who accompanied them from one fort to another. Bedford always
furnished its guards out of that class of the militia in service at the time they were required.
These guards travelled with the packers, guarded their encampments at night, and conducted them
safely across the Alleghenlcs to Fort Ligonier, west of Laurel hill.
At the commencement of the revolution, the co. of Bedford furnished two companies, who
marched to Boston ; and although but a frontier co., at a distance from the principal scenes of
excitement and points of information, contained as much of the patriotic spirit of the day as
could be found anywhere. A meeting was held, composed of farmers and the most substantial
citizens, who, entering fully into the spirit of the revolution, passed a number of resolutions, pro-
hibibiting the introduction and use of every article of foreign manufacture.
The prominent men of that day who lived at and about Bedford, were Thomas Smith, who
held several appointments under the govermnent, and was afterwards a judge of the supreme
court, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, who was the first prothonotary of the county, George Woods,
county surveyor, under whose instructions the city of Pittsburg was laid out, Thomas Coulter,
Col. Davidson, and Thomas Vickroy, who afterwards, in 1783, laid out the city of Pittsbm-g. He
is still living.
Although the inhabitants were from the time of the first settlements constantly on their guard
against the Indians, yet the principal troubles commenced at the breaking out of the revolutiona-
ry war. A frontier life at that time was one constant scene of strife and danger. Bedford co.
was at that time the Allegheny frontier, and her inhabitants were, consequently, exposed to the
full force of savage fury, and severely did it often fall upon them. The following incidents of
those times are well authenticated.
In the year 1777, a family named Tull resided about six miles west of Bedford, on a iiill to
which the name of the family was given. There were ten children, nine daughters and a son ;
but at the time referred to, the son was absent, leaving at home his aged parents and nine sisters.
At that time the Indians were particularly troublesome, and the inhabitants had to abandon their
improvements and take refuge at the fort ; but TuU's family disregarded the danger and remain-
ed on their improvement. One Williams, who had made a settlement about three miles west of
Tull's, and near where the town of Schellsburg now stands, had returned to his farm to sow
some flax. He had a son with him, and remained out about a week. The road to his improve-
ment passed Tull's house. On their return, as they approached Tull's, they saw a smoke ; and
coming nearer, discovered that it arose from the burning ruins of Tull's house. Upon a nearer
approach, the son saw an object in the garden which by a slight movement had attracted his at-
tention, and looking more closely, they found it was the old man just expiring. At the same
moment the son discovered on the ground near him an Indian paint bag. They at once understood
the whole matter, and knowing that the Indians were still near, fled at once to the fort. Next day
a force went out from the fort to cxan^ne, and after some search found the mother with an infant
in her arms, both scalped. A short distance further in the same direction, they found the eldest
daughter, also scalped. A short distance from her the next daughter in the same situation, and
scattered about at intervals the rest of the children but one, who, from some circumstances, they
supposed had been burned. They all appeared to have been overtaken in flight, and murdered
and scalped where they were found. It seems the family were surprised early in the morning
when all were in the house, and thus became an easy prey to the savages.
About Dec. of the same year, a number of families came into the fort from the neighborhood
of Johnstown. Amongst them were Samuel Adams, a man named Thornton, and one Bridges.
After their alarm had somewhat subsided, they agreed to return for their property. A party
started with pack-horses, reached the plape, and ^ipt seeing any Indians, collected thpir property
BEDFORD COUNTY. 123
and commenced tlieir relum. After proceeding some distance, a dOg belonging to one of the
party showed signs of uneasiness, and ran back. Bridges and Tliornton desired the others to
wait whilst they would go back for him. They went back, and had proceeded but 200 or 300
yards, when a body of Indians, who had been lying in wait on each side of the way, but who had
been afraid to fire on account of tlic numbers of the whites, suddenly rose up and surrounded
them and took them prisoners. The others, not knowing what detained their companions, went
back after them ; when they arrived near the spot, the Indians fired on them, but without doing
any injury. The whites instantly turned and fled, excepting Samuel Adams, who took a tree
and began to fight in the Indian style. In a few minutes, however, he was killed, but not with-
out doing the same fearful aervice for his adversary. He and one of the Indians shot at and
killed each other at the same moment. When the news reached the fort, a party volunteered to
visit the ground. When they reached it, although the snow had fallen ankle deep, they readily
found the bodies of Adams and the Indian ; the face of the latter having been covered by his
companions with Adams's hunting shirt.
A singular circumstance also occurred about that time in the neighborhood of the Allegheny
mountain. A man named Wells had made a very considerable improvement, and was esteemed
rather wealthy for that region. He, like others, had been forced with his family from his home,
and had gone for protection to the fort. In the fall of the year, he concluded to return to hi3
place and dig his crop of potatoes. For that purpose he took with him six or seven men, an
Irish servant girl to cook, and an old plough-horse. After they had finished their job, they made
preparations to return to the fort next day. During the night Wells dreamed that on his way to
his family he had been attacked and gored by a bull ; arid so strong an impression did the dream
make, that he mentioned it to his companions, and told them that he was sure some danger
awaited them. He slept again, and dreamed that he was about to shoot a deer, and when cock-
ing his gun the main-spring broke. In his dream he thought he heard distinctly the crack of
the spring when it broke. He again awoke, and his fears were confirmed ; and he immediately
urged his friends to rise and get ready to start. Directly after he arose he went to his gmi to
examine if it was all right, and in cocking it the main-spring snapped off. This circumstance
alarmed them, and they soon had breakfast and were ready to leave. To prevent delay, the girl
was put on the horse and started off, and as soon as it was light enough, the rest followed. Be-
fore they had gone far, a yomig dog belonging to Wells manifested much alarm, and ran back
to the house. Wells called him ; but after coming a short distance, he invariably ran back. Not
wishing to leave him, as he was valuable, he went after him, but had gone but a short distance
towards the house, when five Indians rose from behind a large tree that had fallen, and approach-
ed him with extended hands. The men who were with him fled instantly, and he Would have
followed, but the Indians were so close he thought it useless. As they approached him, however,
he fancied the looks of a very powerful Indian who was nearest him boded no good ; and being
a very swift runner, and thinking it " neck or nothing" at any rate, determined to attempt an
escape. As the Indian approa:ched, he threw at him his useless rifle, and dashed off Idwards the
woods in the direction his companions had gone. Instead of firing, the Indians corrimenced a
pursuit for the purpose of making him a prisoner, but he outran them. After running some dis-
tance, and when they thought he would escape, they all stopped and fired at once, and every bul-
let struck him. but without doing him much injury or retarding his flight. Soort after this he
saw where his companions had concealed themselves ; and as he passed, begged them to fire on
the Indians and save him ; but they were afraid and kept quiet. He continued his flight, and
after a short time overtook the girl with the horse. She quickly understood his danger and dis-
mounted instantly, urging him to take her place, while she would save herself by concealment. He
mounted, but without a whip, and for want of one could not get the old horse out of a trot. This
delay brought the Indians upon him again directly, and as soon as they were nciiT enough they
fired ; and this time with more effect, as one of the balls struck him ill the hip and lodged in his
groin. But this saved his life — it frightened the horse into a gallop, and he escaped, although he
suffered severely for several months afterwards.
The Indians were afterwards pursiied and surprised at their morning meal ; and when fired on
four of them were killed, but the other, thougii wounded, made hiS escape. Bridges, who was
taken prisoner near Johnstown when Adams was murdered, saw him come in to his people, and
describes him as having been shot tlirough the chest, with leaves stuffed in the bullet holes to
stop the bleeding.
The Indians were most troublesome during theil- predatory incursions, which were frequent
after the commencement of the revolution. They cut off" a party of whites under command of
Capt. Dorsey, at " the Harbor," a deep cove formed by Ray's hill, and a spur from it.
John Lane, to whom I have before referred, was out at one time as a spy and scout, under the
command of a Capt. Philips. He left the scout once for two days, on a visit home, and when he
returned to the fort the scout had been out some time. Fears were entertained for their safety.
A party went in search ; and within a mile or two of the fort, found Capt. Philips and the whole
of his men, 15 in number, killed and scalped. When found they were all tied to saplings ; and, to
J34 BEDFORD COUNTY.
use the lanjruiijre of the narrator, who was an eye-witness, " their bodies were completely riddled
with arrows."
The oldest native of the county living [in 1843] is Wm. Fraser. His father left Fort Cum-
berland about 1758, and came to the fort at Bedford. He built the first house outside the fort,
and Win. was the first white cliild bom outside the fort. He was born in 1759, and is now about 84
years of age. He was in my otiice a few days since. He had come about 14 miles that morn-
ing, and intended returning home the same day ; this he frequently docs.
Several distinguished men of the olden time have been mentioned by
Mr. Burd above. Hon, Mr. Walker, lately a U. S. Senator from Missis-
sippi, was a native of Bedford county. The following is abridged from
a Connecticut newspaper, under the head of " Letters from Luzerne."
Yankee talcrit and virtue are appreciated and rewarded in Pennsylvania. John Todd, some
years since deceased, was a native of Suffield, Connecticut. Having finished his law studies, he
took his pack, litferally, on his back, and came out to Bedford co., seeking his fortune. A close
student, he was pale; but a bright eye animated his countenance. Of middle size, he seemed
formed rather for activity than strength. When he first entered the Pennsylvania senate, then
at Lancaster, at about 27 or 28 years of age, Senator Palmer remarked, " My life on't that fellow
is a fool, or possesses uncommon talents ; I suspect the latter — mark my word — you will hear
from him." We did. Awkward beyond conception, he would grasp a pen in his hand, bite and
twist and chew it, as he rose to speak — his head a little on one side — but presently the house
would be startled by some bold proposition. He would shake the bitten quill, and pour forth a
torrent — not of words — but of correct principles and sound argument, with a spirit and power
most efTective. In two or three sessions behold him speaker of the house, presiding with great
and just popularity. On the floor of Congress nest, chairman of the committee on manufac-
tures, he sustains a judicious protective tariff. Attacked by Gov. Hamilton of S. Carolina, that
hotspur of the south, he prepared to reply. " You'll get it, Hamilton — Todd won't spare yon."
Willing to escape, Mr. H. said, in the lobby, next morning, " he meant nothing personal, no of-
fence," &c. " I took it as a political attack, not a personal affront, although extremely personal
in its bearing ; but say on the floor what you say here, and I will omit my reply." " Can't do
that." " Then you shall have it." And Todd gave him one of the cleverest retorts known in
congressional story. An associate on the bench of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Todd next holds a seat, and no one commanded more confidence and respect. But disease
brought him to a too early grave — 27th Marcli, 18,30. aged 51 years — in the midst of honor and
usefulness. He was in his day the Brougham of Pennsylvania. Long will she cherish, with
pride and affection, the memory of the pale Yankee.
It would appear from llev. Mr. Doddridge's statement that Bedford, as
compared with the more remote settlements, had during the revolution
become in a degree civilized. His description of the primeval furniture
of a cabin related to the new settlements in the Monongahela country,
but, as the almanac-makers say, wdll answer nearly as well for other
places in the same latitude :
'"he furniture for the table, for several years after the settlement of this coimtry, consisted of
a few pewter dishes, plates, and spoons ; but mostly of wooden bowls, trenchers, and noggins.
If tiiese last were scarce, gourds and hard-shelled squashes made up the deficiency. Tiie iron
pots, knives, and forks, were brouglit from the east side of the mountains, along with the salt
and iron, on pack-horses.
These articles of furniture corresponded very well with the articles of diet on which they were
employed. " Hog and hominy" were proverbial for the dish of which they were the component
parts. .Tonny cake and pone were, at the outset of the settlements of the country, the only forms
of bread in use for breakfast and dinner. At supper, milk and mush were the standard dish.
In our whole display of furniture, the delft, china, and silver were unknown. It did not then,
as now, require contributions from the four quarters of the globe to fiunish the breakfast table —
viz., the silver from Mexico, the coffee from the West Indies, the tea from China, and U\e delft
and porcelain from Europe or Asia ; — yet our homely fare, and unsightly cabins, and furniture,
produced a hardy veteran race, who planted the first footsteps of society and civilization in the
immense regions of the west.
I well recollect the first time I ever saw a tea-cup and saucer, and tasted coffee. My mother
died when I was about six or seven years of age. My father then sent me to Maryland with a
brother of my grandfather, Mr. Alexander Wells, to school.
At Col. Brown's in the mountains, at Stoney creek glades, I for the first time saw tame geese ;
and by bantering a pet gander, I got a severe biting by his bill and beating by his wings. 1
BEDFORD COUNTY. 125
wondered very much that birds so large and strong should be so much tamer than the wild tur
keys ; at this place, however, all was riglit, excepting the large birds which they called geese
The cabin and its furniture were such as I had been accustomed to see in the backwoods, as my
country was then called.
At Bedford every thing was changed. The tavern at which my uncle put up was a stone
house, and to make the change still more complete, it was plastered on the inside, both as to the
walls and ceiling. On going into the dining room, I was struck with astonishment at the ap.
pearance of the house. I had no idea that there was any house in the world wjiich was not built
of logs ; but here I looked round the house and could see no logs, and above I could see no
joists. Whether such a thing had been made by the hands of man, or had grown so of itself, I
could not conjecture. I had not the courage to inquire any thing about it. When supper came
on, " my confusion was worse confounded. A little cup stood in a bigger one with some brown-
ish looking stuff in it, which was neither milk, hominy, nor broth : what to do with these little
cups, and the little spoon belonging to them, I could not tell ; and I was afraid to ask any thing
concerning tlie use of them.
1; was in the time of the war, and the company were giving accounts of catching, whipping,
and hanging the torics. The word jail frequently occurred : this word I had never heard before,
but I soon discovered, and was much terrified at its meaning, and supposed that we were in
much danger of the fate of the tories ; for I thought, as we had come from the backwoods, it was
altogether likely that we must be tories too. For fear of being discovered, I durst not utter a
single word. I therefore watched attentively to see what the big folks would do with their little
cups and spoons. I imitated them, and found the taste of the coffee nauseous beyond any thing
I ever had tasted in my life. I continued to drink, as the rest of the company did, with the tears
streaming from my eyes ; but when it was to end I was at a loss to know, as the little cups were
filled immediately after being emptied. This circumstance distressed me very much, as I durst
not say I had enough. Looking attentively at the grown persons, I saw one man turn his little
cup bottom upwards and put his little spoon across it. I observed that after this his cup was
not filled again. I followed his example, and to my great satisfaction, the result as to my cup
was the same.
The introduction of delft ware, was considered by many of the backwoods people as a culpable
innovation. It was too easily broken, and the plates of that ware dulled their scalping and clasp
knives. Tea ware was too small for men ; — it might do for women and children. Tea and cof-
fee were only slops which, in the adage of the day, " did not stick by the ribs." The idea was,
they were designed only for people of quality, who do not labor, or the sick. A genuine back-
woodsman would have thought himself disgraced by showing a fondness for those slops. Indeed,
many of them have to this day very little respect for them.
There are three incorporated boroughs in Bedford co. besides the coun-
ty seat, — Martinsburg, McConnellstown, and Schellsburg, — each taking
its name from the person who laid it out and sold the lots. Besides these,
there are Warfordsburg, Rainsburg, St. Clair, and Bloody Run. The
latter takes its name from a run w^hich flows through it. Some tradi-
tions state that the Indians had here murdered a party of w^hites, with
their cattle, and the mingling of the blood with the water had suggested
the name ; but see a different version in Capt. Smith's adventure, abotTj.
McConnellstown is pleasantly situated in a luxuriant limestone valley,
between Cove mountain and Scrub ridge, on the turnpike, 28 miles east
of Bedford, and 19 west of Chambersburg. A turnpike also runs from
here to Mercersburg. There are at this place two Presbyterian churches.
Population in 1840, 486. It was incorporated 26th March, 1814.
Martinsburg is a large flourishing borough, about 23 miles north of
Bedford. It is situated in a broad and fertile limestone valley, called
Morrison's Cove, bounded by Dunning's and Lock mountains on the west,
and Tussey's mountain on the east. The valley abounds in iron ore of
excellent quality, and the manufacture of iron is extensively carried on.
Population in 1840, 422. A considerable number of Quakers settled in
this region about the year 1793.
Morrison's Cove was settled at a very early date by a Mr. Morris from Washington county,
Maryland. From him the valley took its proper name of Morris's Cove. Afterwards several
settlers came in from the Conococheague settlements, among whoiu was John Martin, from whom
126 BERKS COUNTY.
Martinsburff took its name — although the place was laid out by Jacob Entriken, who bought it
from John Brumbach. Jacob Nave built the first grist-mill in Morris's Cove. At that time the
fort was at Holllday's, where most of the neighboring pioneers were in the habit of forting.
While all were gone to the fort but himself, he had been delayed for some cause about his mill,
and on leaving it he espied a large Indian and a small one just emerging from the bushes, each
with a rifle : they pointed their rifles at him several times, and he at them ; but neither fired.
At length he shot tlie big Indian through the heart, and ran. The young Indian gave chase, but
Nave found time to load, and fired at him ; but the fellow fell to the ground, and missed the ball.
This farce was repeated several times, when Nave waited until he had fallen before he fired, and
then killed him. He threw their bodies into the creek, and escaped to the fort. The next day
the Indians burnt his mill and his dwelling.
BERKS COUNTY.
Berks county Was formed from Philadelphia, Chester, and Lancaster,
on the 11th March, 1752. A portion was set off to Northumberland in
1772, and in 1811 another portion to Schuylkill co. Average length 32
m., breadth 28; area about 927 sq. m. The population in 1790 was
30,179; in 1800, 32,497; in 1810,43,046 ; in 1820, (then without Schuyl-
kill CO.,) 46,275 ; in 1830, 53,152; and in 1840, 64,569.
The South mountain range, here broken into irregular spurs, crosses
the county in a southwesterly direction ; passing the Schuylkill near
Reading, where one of its lofty spurs takes the name of Penn's mountain,
which overlooks the borough. This range divides the primitive and
"middle secondary" formations, in the southeast part of the county, from
the broad limestone and slate belts of the Kittatinny valley, which occu-
pies the greater portion of the county between the vSouth mountain and the
Kittatinny, or Blue mountain. The surface of this valley is undulating,
the hills of the slate lands which lie next the Blue mountain being gene-
rally higher than those of the limestone. Both formations present an
agricultural region of exceeding beauty and fertility ; the slates being
better watered by streams on the surface than the limestone, where the
waters are absorbed beneath the surface. There are rich deposits of iron
ore both in the limestone and sandstone formations, generally most abun-
dant along the northwestern base of the South mountain. In 1832, there
were in the county 1 1 furnaces and 22 forges. Many of the beautiful
stoves of Dr. Nott's invention were cast in Reading ; and it is said that
one of these stoves was presented, some ten years since, to the convent
of San Bernard, on the summit of the Alps — whether from this furnace
or from Albany, N. Y., is not certainly stated.
The leading stream is the Schuylkill, which passes nearly through the
centre of the county — watering in its course one of the loveliest and most
picturesque valleys in the state — with its tributaries. Maiden creek on
the northeast, Manataway and Monocasy creeks on the southeast, and
the Tulpehocken and its branches on the west. The Little Swatara rises
in the northwest corner of the county.
The Union canal follows the course of the Tulpehocken, joining the
Schuylkill Navigation Co. canal just below Reading. The works of the
Schuylkill Navigation Co., consisting of alternate canals and slackwater
pools, occupy the valley of the Schuylkill, extending into the coal region.
BERKS COUNTY. 127
The Pottsville and Philadelphia railroad passes along the Schuylkill val-
ley, directly through the borough of Reading. Good roads intersect the
county in all directions, among which are the turnpikes from Reading to
Harrisburg, to Philadelphia, and to Pottsville. The main business of the
county is agriculture : a business sure and profitable, and especially
adapted to the habits and feelings of the German population, which al-
most exclusively occupies the soil. The iron business is also a prominent
one in the county. The German language prevails over the whole county ;
in many districts and families, to the entire exclusion of the English. A
change, however, is just commencing, and has shown itself most con-
spicuously in the recent determination of the younger members of the
Lutheran congregation in Reading to hear preaching in the English lan-
guage.
The county has a large almshouse on the Angelica farm of 480 acres,
three miles southwest of Reading. The whole cost of the establishment
was $33,000. This farm was formerly in the possession of Gov. Mifflin.
At an early day after the establishment of his colony, William Penn
was careful to proclaim to the persecuted religious sects throughout
Europe, that in Pennsylvania they might find an asylum from persecution ;
and not only obtain ample sustenance from a fresh and fertile soil, but
likewise enjoy unlimited freedom of worship according to the dictates of
their own consciences. Many such sects of Protestants had w^andered,
in little communities, from one German principality to another, seeking
protection from the persecutions of the Romish church, until at last the
news of William Penn's new colony reached them, about the years 1700
to 1711 ; when many, "partly for conscience' sake, partly for their tem-
poral interest, removed thither, where they say they found their expecta-
tion fully answered, enjoying liberty of conscience, with the benefits of a
plentiful country. With this they acquainted their friends in Germany,
in consequence of which many of them, in the years 1717, &c., removed
to Pennsylvania." These first emigrants were generally the Mennonists
and Dunkards, who settled in Lancaster co. between 1718 and 1734; and
the Moravians, who settled in Northampton CO. in 1739 and 1740. An-
other sect, the Schwenckfelders, from Nether Silesia, settled in the cor-
ners of Montgomery, Bucks, and Berks, about the years 1733-34, and sub-
sequently. Thomas Penn purchased the lands on the Tulpehocken from
the Indians, in 1732-33. The door of immigration thus being opened, the
new colony became extensively known throughout all Germany. Those
already here sent for their kindred, and they in turn enticed others ; until
thousands arrived annually, of all ranks, sects, and persuasions, from the
haughty baron to the poor rederaptioner who was sold into temporary
slavery to pay for his passage. They scattered themselves, according to
their various preferences, throughout the counties from Northampton to
York inclusive ; Berks no doubt receiving her share. The settlers in
Berks were principally of the Lutheran, or of the German Reformed de-
nomination; although as late as the year 1745 there was no Lutheran
church nearer than tlte Swamp, (Hanover,) in Montgomery co. After
Reading had been laid out and the county organized, in 1752, population
increased more rapidly. Great alarm was spread among the settlers in
1755, by rumors that the French and Delaware and Shawanees Indians
had made murderous incursions upon the towns in Cumberland valley,
128 BERKS COUNTY.
and at Shamokin ; and fears were entertained that the whole frontier
would be laid waste. The following are abstracts from the colonial re-
cords of that date : —
1755. Oct. 31. Conrad Weiser appointed colonel of the forces in Berks co.
Nov. 2. Accounts from C. Weiser and others, Reading, Oct. 31, 8 o'clock at night, that the
people at Aughvvick and Juniata were all cut ofF, and that they were all in uproar at Reading.
No authority, no commissions, no officers practised in war, and without the commiseration of
our friends in Philadelphia, who think themselves vastly safer than they are.
There was a warm dispute going forward, at this dangerous crisis, between the governor and
the assembly, on the propriety of taxing the proprietary lands ; each refusing to yield, and each
charging the other with promoting, by obstinate delays, the troubles on the frontier. Nov. 8, a
deputation of Indians, Scarooyady and his son, Andrew Montour and lagrea, came down, and
taking with them Conrad Weiser, proceeded to Philadelphia, to make explanations and offer
their services, and tliose of their tribes on the Susquehanna — " they were willing to fight the
French, but wished to know whether the English would fight or no ; if they would not, they
would go somewhere else."
Nov. 17. Account of 16th Nov. that the Indians had passed the Blue mountains, broke into
the county of Berks, and murdered and scalped 13 persons at Tulpehocken — which occasioned great
alarm at Reading. " The people exclaim against the Quakers, and some are scarce restrained
from burning the houses of those few there are in this town."
Dec. 16. Accounts from Bethlehem and Nazareth, that about 200 Indians had broke into
Northampton county, beyond the Blue mountains, murdering and burning.
From Conrad Weiser, Reading, Dec. 13. " This country is in a dismal condition. It can't
hold out long — consternation, poverty, confusion, everywhere."
Dec. 25. Accounts from C. Weiser, who had been sent to Harris's ferry, that he had gone
up the west branch of the Susquehanna, and the Delawares at Nescopec had given that place to
the French for a rendezvous. That the Paxton people had taken an Indian and shot and scalped
him m the midst of them, and threw his body into the river.
Alarms of this nature continued to arouse the people of Berks from
time to time, until the great battle of Wj^oming, in 1778 ; soon after which
the Indians were finally driven beyond the Allegheny mounta,ins. The
desolating track of the revolutionary war did not reach Berks county ;
although many of her brave sons were engaged in the struggle. Since
that event, the history of the county possesses little interest. Farms have
been cleared and improved ; large stone houses and larger stone barns
have been built ; sons and daughters have been reared, and in their turn
have reared others ; the annual crops have been gathered ; roads and
turnpikes, and canals and railroads, and bridges have been constructed ;
banks have been established and have failed, and manufactories have
been put in operation ; churches and schoolhouses have been erected, (but
not enough of either ;) and the county has immensely increased in wealth
and population.
Reading, the seat of justice, is situated on the left bank of the Schuyl-
kill, about 53 miles from Philadelphia. The ground slopes gently up
from the Schuylkill to the base of Penn's mount, a lofty ridge that rises
directly east of the town. Other hills, with quiet and fertile valleys be-
tween, aid in rendering the scenery highly enticing and picturesque.
Pure and copious springs gush out from the hills, one of which, from Penn's
mount, supplies the whole borough with water. That this water is pure,
as well as the atmosphere and climate of the vicinity, there is no better
proof than the chubby red cheeks of the little boys in the streets, and the
great number of hale, hearty old men to be seen in their daily rounds.
The general aspect of the place corresponds with the beauty of its
site. The stranger entering the town from the west, is struck with the
three unusually tall spires on the public buildings, with the dark, frown-
ing mountain behind them, with the elegant bridge across the river, open-
BERKS COUNTY.
129
hig upon Penn-street, a noble avenue, and with the spacious diamond, or
central area of the borough, surrounded with tall houses and stores, and
alive with the bustle of a city. The general aspect of the centre of the
borough reminds one somewhat of the grandeur of a European city,
combined with the peculiar freshness and cleanliness of an American
town.
Reading.
The annexed view was taken from the west side of the Schuylkill.
Penns mount is seen beyond the town.
Reading is said to be the largest borough in the United States.
The extent of the compact part of the town is about a mile east and
west, and half a mile north and south. The town is rapidly extending
towards the soutli and southwest, where the principal business with the
canal is done, and where several extensive manufacturing establishments
have been erected. Reading contains a new and magnificent court-
house, a jail, 12 churches, 32 hotels and taverns, a great number of stores
and manufactories, 7 printing-oflices, 5 or 6 extensive manufactories of
iron in various forms, such as foundries of brass and iron ; locomotive
engine and machine shops, &c. &c.; a water- works, an academy, a fe-
male seminary, 9 private schools, and 13 public schools, but only 4 public
school houses ; a mineralogical cabinet, a masonic lodge, 3 public libra-
ries, 1 German and 2 English, and quite a number of societies organized
for useful instruction or charitable purposes. Reading was incorporated
as a borough by the act of 12th Sept. 1783, and reorganized on the 29th
March, 1813.
The following sketch of the early history of Reading was published in
the Ladies' Garland, in Feb. 1839. ^
As early as 1733, warrants were taken out by John and Samuel Finney, and 450 acres of land
surveyed under their sanction, which are now entirely embraced within the limits of Reading.
Whether the inducements to this selection were other than its general beauty and fertility, it is
now difficult to say, though it is asserted that when the proprietaries, John and Richard Penn,
became aware of its advantages, and proposed to repurchase for the location of a town, the
Messrs. Finney long and firmly resisted all the efforts of negotiation. Tliis produced a momen-
tary change in the design of the proprietaries, as they employed Richard Hockley to survey and
lay out the plan of a town on the margin of the Schuylkill, opposite its confluence with the Tul.
17
130 BERKS COUNTY.
pehocken. Tliis survey is still to be found on record, though divested of any date or name bj
which the precise period in which it was made can be ascertained. It is now only known as aa
appended portion to Reading, under the designation of the " Hockley Oui-lots." The importance,
as well as reality of the design now appears to have subdued the objections of the Finneys to the
sale of their claim, as they immediately relaxed in their demands, and fijially yielded them to the
proprietaries, who at once caused the " Hockley plot" to be abandoned, and in the fall of the
year 1748, that of Reading to be laid out. The difficulty in obtaining water, even at great
depths through the limestone, was the specious reason generally assigned for the sudden vacation
of the former site, as the new one was remarkable for tlie nmnerous and copious springs existing
within its limits. Thus Thomas and Richard Penn, proprietaries and governors-in-chicf of the
province of Pennsylvania, became private owners of the ground plot of Reading, the lots of
which they carefully subjected in their titles to an annual quit or ground rent. Singular as it
may seem, this claim became almost forgotten, through neglect and the circumstances that re-
sulted from the change in the old order of things produced by the revolution ; indeed, when re-
curred to at all, it was generally believed to have become forfeit to the state, by the nature of
that event. But a few years ago it was revived by the heirs, and its collection attempted under
the authority of the law ; but so excited were the populace, and adverse to the payment oi' its
accmnulated amount, that it was generally, and in some cases violently, resisted, till the delibera-
tions of a town meeting had suggested measures leading to a more direct, amicable, and perma-
nent compromise.
Like most of the primitive towns of the state, Reading is indebted for its name, as is also the
county in which it is situated, to the native soil of the Penns. The streets intersect each other
at right angles. Their original names were retained to a very recent date, (Aug. 6, 1833,) and
were characteristic of the loyalty of the proprietary feeling, as well as family attachment and
regard. King, Queen, Prince, Duke, Earl, and Lord streets, sufficiently evidence the strength
of the former, whilst the main, or central streets, Penn and Callowhill, are as distinctly indica.
tive of filial regard. Hannah Callowhill, their mother, was the second wife of William Penn,
and had issue, besides Thomas and Richard, of John, Margaret, and Dennis, whence also had
originated the names of Thomas, Margaret, and Richard streets. Hamilton-street from James
Hamilton, Esq., who was deputy-governor of the province at that period. The names now sub-
stituted " as more compatible with the republican simplicity of our present form of government,"
are similar to those of Philadelphia, as the streets rimning north and south commence at Water-
street, on the Schuylkill, and extend to Twelfth-street, while those running east and west are
called Penn, Franklin, Washington, Chestnut, and Walnut streets. In 1751, Reading contained
130 dwelling-houses, besides stables and other buildings — 106 families, and 378 inhabitants,
though about two years before it had not above one house in it. The original population was
principally Germans, who emigrated from Wirtemburg and the Palatinate, though the adminis-
tration of public affiiirs was chiefly in the hands of the Friends. The former, by their prepon-
derance of numbers, gave the decided character in habits and language to the place, as the Ger-
man >vas almost exclusively used in the ordinary transactions of life and business, and is yet re-
tained to a very great extent.
From a small pamphlet, published in 1841, by Major William Stable,
an aged and highly respectable citizen of the place, the following facts
and statistics are derived.
Old Berks was erected into a county, and Reading established as the county seat, in the year
1752. The first deed was recorded in the office, Nov. 17, and the first will, Nov. 29th of that
year ; and to complete the honors of the new county, a lawsuit was instituted about the same
time. Here follow some records of the doings of his majesty George the Third's justices uf
the peace.
Berks county. To one of ye Constables of Reading.
Henry Christ — Subpoena Philip Adam Klauser and Joseph Sollenberger of ye township of
Bern, so that they be and appear before me and Wm. Reeser, on ye first day
Seal, of September next at one of the o'clock in ye afternoon, then and there tr give
evidence in a certain dispute now depending before us and undetermined, be-
tween ye Lutheran and Reformed Congregations about Sanct. Michael's Church. — Hereof you
are not to fail at your peril. Given under my hand and seal at Reading ye 27th day of August
1770.
Henry Christ.
Berks, ss.
Apprehend George Geisler, and bring him immediately before me, or the next Jus-
L. S. tice to ansr unto such mattrs and things, as on his Majesty's behalf shall be ob.
jected against him by Catharine Reese ; hereof fail not. — Given undr my hand
nnd seal, Deer ye 26th 1770.
To Samuel Jackson, Constable. James Diemer.
BERKS COUNTY. 131
That is the true magisterial style, and I have no doubt that between the justice and Catharine
Reese, poor George Giesler had a hard time of it.
The following are illustrative of the times. " Ann appraisement of the goods late the property
of Wm. Kees, taken in execution — by Samuel Jackson, constable. One gunn, 15s, one pair of
leather breeches, 15s." But see how they strip Samuel Dehart of the comforts of life. " A list
of the goods taken in execution from Samuel Dehart by the constable, and appraised by us the
subscribers as follows. Amity August 24th 1770, to wit — one coat 3Us, one jacket and trowsers,
12s, one rugg 5s, one pillow 2s — total, £2 9s." I am not quite sure that Mr. Dehart would con-
gratulate himself that his bodi/ was left.
A body of Hessian prisoners, captured at Trenton in 1776, together with many British, and
the principal Scotch royalists subdued and taken in North Carolina, were brought to Reading
and stationed in a grove on the bank of the river Schuylkill, in the south part of the borough.
Jn the fall of the same year they were removed to the hill, east of the town, which is called the
" Hessian Camp" to this day. There they remained some time, and built themselves huts in
regular camp order, the greater part of which may be seen at the present day.
The oldest houses standing in the borough are, the house of Widow GraefF, No. 134 East
Penn-street, formerly kept as a tavern ; the house of Daniel GraefF, No. 133 East Penn-street ;
No. 158 in 8th-street, between Penn and Wasliington, and the Spring Garden house. The corner
heuse occupied by Keim and Stichtcr, was built in the year 1755, by Conrad Weiser, the Indian
interpreter and agent for government, and was for many years occupied as a wigwam, where
many tribes met for treaty, &c. The first coal-^tove was introduced into use in Reading in
1812, by William Stable. And the first stone coal was brought into town about the same time
by Marks John Biddie, Esq.
In 1751 the population was 378 ; in 1769, twenty years after the first settlement, the number
may be estimated, from the 241 taxables, to have been about 1,000 or 1,200. In 1810, by census;
2,462; in 1820, 4,278; in 1830, 5,631; and in 1840, 8,392. Nine revolutionary soldiers sur-
vived in 1840, whose ages ranged from 78 to 85 ; they were Michael Spatz, Sebastian Allgaier,
Peter Stichter, Aaron Wright, Henry Styles, Christian Miller, Wm. James, Joseph Snablee, John
P. Nagle. The number of taxables in the borough is now 1,795, of which are married men,
1,378, single, 417 ; in 1769 they stood, married, 223, single, 18. The number of females, at the
present time, exceeds that of the males by about 350. This great inequality has principally
grown up within the last ten years, as in 1830 the difference was only about 50. It would be
interesting to know the number of unmarried males and females within some of the periods noted
in the table of the census — say from 15 years upwards. The number of the latter must be very
large ; and many of them would be left unprovided with husbands even should the young men
all make haste to get married betimes. This, however, seems by no means to be the fact with
Sliem, judging from the great number of single men taxed as above, who are of course all more than
twenty-one years old. In 1769, there were only 18 taxable single men in the borough. Matri-
mony flourished then. But the times are sadly changed now ! The fault is not altogether with
the young men, nor are the ladies to be rashly charged with unkindness. The truth is, that the
expense of living, especially in the style of fashion, has become so extravagantly great, that a
large portion of the more genteely bred young men, are, from the insufficiency of their income,
under the severe necessity of indefinitely postponing matrimony. A mutual consciousness of
this necessity, occasions mutual forbearance between the sexes. Thus are luxury and false no-
tions of gentility extinguishing the fires upon the altar which biu'ned brightly in Reading in 1769.
The first house of worsiiip in Reading was a loghouse, built by the Friends, on their burying-
ground, in 1751. In 1766, it was pulled down, and in its place the present one-story loghouSe
was built in Washington-street. Their old log schoolhouse, near it, was built in 1787. The
German Reformed church was organized soon after the settlement of Reading, but the exact
date, as well as that of the erection of their first edifice, has not been ascertained. The present
building was erected in 1832, and the previous one in 1762. The steeple is 151 feet high. The
German Lutheran church was organized shortly after the German Reformed. The congregation
k)ng occupied a log building where their church now stands. The present church, the largest n.
Reading, was erected in 1791. The splendid steeple, 201 feet high, was erected in 1833. In
this church, and in the German Reformed, divine sei-vice is performed in the German language.
The ancient stone schoolhouse near the church, was erected in 1765. One of the bells was cast
by Henry Keppele, of Philadelphia, in 1755. On one of the grave-stones in the yard, with a Ger-
man inscription, is the date of 1703. The old 30 hour clock in the town, the first in the place,
was imported from London about the year 1755. The Presbyterian church was erected in 1824.
The Catholic chapel in 1791. The Episcopal church in 1826. The Methodist in 1839. The
Baptists formerly occupied a site near the river, but the location was disliked, and in 1837 a new
brick church was erected by Rev. Enoch M. Barker, the pastor at that time, which he after-
wards conveyed to the society. The Universalist church was erected in 1830. Besides the
above, there are three African churches. The magnificent new courthouse was completed in
1840, after the designs of Thomas U. Walter, architect, of Philadelphia. The front is an Ionic
pwtico, with six columns of red sandstone. The edifice is surmounted by a very high cupola,
I',i2 UEIiKS CO UN TV,
proHciilin^ n (•i)tiH|)ic,iiiius iiiiil hiaiil iliil (ilijcc.t, lo one u|»])r():ic,Iiiil;^ IIk^ hDroilfifli. Tlif: old court-
lioiiHc, wlii<'li lorriicrly slood in (Ik: (•,cnlr(: oC I In: public siiiiiirc, at llii; iiitcrHccfioa of tin: iw(y
priti('.i[iul Htrccts, oli.slructin^ I.Ik: Uriuililui iiiid cxlciidcd view (lirou^rji those utrccts now <'iiif)y<'(l.
It W!iH Imilt in l7t)X!, Jind is said to liavt: lircn " rrniai-kahic lor notliirifr l)ut its ufrlincHS." 'J'iic
Otliceof l>isconul and Deposit was cstnl)liNlied in IH(I(S; tlie l''anners' IJank was incorporated in
JHI4 ; the IJerks ( 'o. Uank in 1H^>().
The postoHiei: wus estahhshed at Roa<hn;f in I7i)3; (Jotleih Yiin^rniaini first postmaster. Pre-
vious to tliis, letters were eonveyed from lieadinff to I'hiladelpliia and other important |)lacoH by
private individiiiils, upon their own aeeonnt. fii J 7H'.), a two-horso coacli was started hylVlr.
Martin llau.'iman, to run weekly i'or the (;onveyaneo of passengers and letters hetweeii I{eadin)r
and riiiladi'lphia. It made its ])assa}re. l/iroiifih in tiro diiyx. Fare Jj)!;] — letter earriajre 3d. Ii»
I7!)(t, the cslidilishnient was trinislerred to Ale.vander lOisenheis. JVIr. lOisenheis sold out in 17!ll
lo William ('olenian, who soon alter started a eoaeh also to llarrisliurfr, which ]ierl'ormed ita
trips ill the same tijnc, and at the same rales of lui' .nid postaf^e, as that to I'liiladelphia. At
llu! close of t lie year 1 HOO, the mail was carried Irom here to Sunbury once a wcm'Ic, on horseback;
to LnncaHler and lOaslon once a week, in a private two-horse carria^^e. Hut it is time to speak
of the present.
Seventy-seven houses weic erected in IHIO; f)ne of which, built by IV!r. Daniel II. lioas, ^roes
hy the name of the i'<irij;<'.li<imnifi\ from its resembluiice in shape to that favorite impleirient of
Vulcatl. WIk'Ii ap|)lied lo hy the builders for a iilini, I\l r. l!oas sent them a for;.;e-hamunr for their
model. 'J'Ik! result was a ralln-r odd. look in;,', but very eonveiiienl houMe. It is a two-story frame
liuildin^, situated at the canal laudin<r.
No manufacturin;r was doni! in lieadinff ])revious to the year IHIH), except in the articles of
lioots and ^■!Iioes, hats and stoneware. Since that ])(!rlod, the iron and nail works of Messrs.
Kcim, VVhitaker tSt ("o., llu: iron and hrass foundry of Messrs. Darlinjr, 'l^iylor Ik, Co., the loco-
motive engine nniuulactory ami machine-shop ol' I). II. Dotterer iSi ( 'o., ihe stationary steani-
«:n{rin(! and rille-barrel mamifaetory of William < I. Taylor, the loundry of Adam .lolmston, the
nujrer manufactory of IMessis. Kankin iV Phillips, the steam saw-niill and choppin};-.mill of
Messrs. I''erry ik. I''rill, and three shops for mamil'acluriutr horse-power lhrashin<r machines, corn.
Hliellers, patent ploujrhs, revolving; hay-rakes, cultivatois, iV.c., have been established, 'j'here arc
ulso two extensive Hour-mills in llu; boroufrli.
The Sehuyikill canal commences at Port C'arbon, in the coal rejrion, passes Ihronnh |{eadin;jf,
and terminates ill I'hiladelpliia. It is I (IH miles lontj, with 117 lilt-locks, overeomiiifr a fall of
()l(l feet. The Union caieil eommeiices at iMidilletown, on the Susipiehanna, enters the Schuyl-
kill at Keadiii!', near the fool id I'emi-sti'eet , and coulimies in and alon^- the river for about two
miles below Keadin/f, where it forms a JuMctiou with the Schuylkill canal. These canals arc
of the liiirheHt iin|)oitaiiee to lleadillfr ; the one alliirdinu; a <'hcap and safe mode of tranS|)orta-
tion to i'liiladelphia and I'ottsville, and the other connectinjr with the I'eiinsylvaniu canal at
Middlilr)wu, o]icns a dircfd, line of lraiisport:ition to rittsbiirjr and ihv, far west. The I'hiladol-
jthia, Keadinir and I'ottsville railroad, which passes fliroiij^h the boroiijfh, was opened throufrh to
J'ottsville early in IHI'J, and the <vint was celebrated with military display and an immense pro-
c.ession of 7.'') passen^^er curs, I , 'J ■">.") feet in leu^jlli, e,ontainin;r 'J, IT)!) persons, .') bauds of music,
banners, iVc-., all drawn by a single enfritie 1 In the rear was a train f>f .')!2 burden cars, loaded
with IHO toils of (!Oal, part of which was mined the same moniiiifr 412 feet below the water
level. The wlioli: was nmkir thr: cliartrc of Mr. Ivobinson, chief en^riiu'er, and Mr. (J. A. Nichols,
Hii|)criiitendent. This road is one of the best in the United Slates. From I'ottsville to I'hila-
delpliia there is no aseendin;^ jrrade, but a rcfriilar dcs(reut of 1!) inches lo the mile. The cut
through the town of Ueiidiu};, 22 1-2 feet deep, walled up on each sid<', is a. line S|)eeiiiieii of art.
It wiiH made in IHII!), by Messrs. (iraul »Sl llcnry.
During IIk; rcvoliilioii, Iicndiii^ vv;ts ,'i liivorilc |)I;ico of resort lor Pliil-
adolplii.'iiis, w'lio wished lo rclirc m. lilllc iVoni llic slormy ])olili(%'i.l ;itirio-
sphore ol'llie cily. Alcxitiidcr (IiJtydon, who w.is Ihcii on parole, having
been c;tp(:ure(l hy Ihe IJrilish, near N(nv York, has recorded in liis f^ra|)hi(!
" Memoirs oi" a Lil'e chiefly passed in Pcnnsylvi. nia., within Ihe hist Sixty
Years," many inlerestinj^ niminiscences of his residence here.
Many other Pliiladel]>hiiins bad recourse to this town, as ii ]ilace of safety from a sudden in-
cm'sion of \\n\ enemy; and, nmonii; a score or more r)l' fiii^ilive lamilies, were those of (Jcmi. Mif-
ilin and iny uncle, as I have called Mr. Hiddle, Ihouffli '"'ily Htandiiiff in that relation by marriiifrc.
It was al.so Ihe station assi<ined td a number of jirisoiiers, biiih IJritisli and (lernian, as well ii.i
of the |>rincipal Scotch royalists vtho had beeii s'nbdu(>d and taken in North Carolina. 1 soon
discovered that a material cliaiifj'e had taken |)laee durinij my absence from Pennsylvania; and
that the pulses of iiiaiiy, that at the time of my leaviiifr it bad beaten liiij;h in the cause of wliif;-
iani and liberty, wire couBidcrably lowered. I'ower, to uac a lanyuajrc which had already ccaapd
BERKS COUNTY, I33
to be orthodox, and could therefore only be whispered, had fallen into low hands. The better
sort were disfriiated mid weary of the war.
Mr. Edward Middle, then in a deelininir state of health, and no lonfjer in confrress, apparently
entertained sentiments not aeeordant with the measures pursiiinfr ; and in the fervid stylo of clo-
eution for which lie was distinj;iilshpd, lu; often (^xclaiiiKKl, that he really knew not what to wish
for. " The suhjujrution of my country," h(^ would say, " I deprecate as a most frrievous calamity,
and yet sicken at the idea of thirteen uticonnccted, ]>etty democracies: if we are to Ix^ independ-
ent, let us, in the name of (Jod, at once have an empire, and place Washiiifjton at (he head of
it." Fortunately for our (existence as a nation, a fjreat jiroportion of those' whf)s<! early (exertions
tended to that issue, were not aware of the |)rice by which it was to bo acipiired ; otherwise, my
knowledfje of the {rencral feelinir at this time, so far as my means of information extended,
obliges ine to say that it would not have been achieved.
Tli<^ ensninjr winter, at Jleadinjr, was gay aiul agreeable, notwithstanding that the eiumiy was
in possession of th<Mnetr()])()lis. Tin; society was sufficiently large iuid select; and a sense of
common sutVering, in being driven from their homes, had Uw. ell'ect of more closely uniting itn
members. Disasters ol' this kind, if duly weighed, are not grievously to be deplored. The va-
riedly and hustle they bring along with liiem give a spring to the mind ; and when illumined by
hope, as was now the cast;, they are wlu;n pres(^nt not j)ainl'ul, and vvJK^n ])ast they are; among tho
incident.s most jtleasing in retros])ection. Besides th« families established in this [)lace, it was
seldom without a number of visitors — gentlemen of the army and others. Hence the dissipation
of cards, sleighing |)arties, balls, iVc, was fre(>ly indulged. (Jen. Mifflin, at tliis era, was at
home — a chief out of war, coni|ilaiiiing, though not ill ; considerably malcontent, and ap|)arently
not in high favor at head-epiarters. According to him, the ear of the commander-in. chief waa
exclusively possessed by (Jrcene, who was represented to be neith(T the most wise, the most
brave, nor most patriotic of counsellors. In short, the campaign in this epiarter was stigmatized
as a series of blunders, and the incapacity of those who had condncted it unsj)aringly rei)robated.
The better fortune of the northern army was ascribed to the superior talents of its leader; and it
b(!gan to be whispered that (Jates was the man who should of riglit have the station so incompe-
tently sustained by Washington. There was to all ajjpearance a cabal forming for his deposi-
tion, in which it is not imi)rol)ahle that (iates, Miiilin, and C'onway were already engaged; and
in whi(;h the. congenial spirit of Lee, on his exchange, immediately took a share. The well-
known apostrophe of (lonway to America, imjiorting that "heaven had jiasscd a decree in her
favor, or her ruin must long bc^fore have ensued from the imbecility of her military counsels,"
was at this time familiar at Reading ; and I beard him mys(df, when he was afterwards on a
visit to that place, express himself to the efl'ect that "no man was more a gentleman than Gen.
Washington, or appeared to more advantage at his table, or in the usual intercourse of life; but
as to his talents i'or tlu; command of an army, (with a French slirug,) they were mis(Table indeed."
Ob.servations of this kind, continually rejieated, could not fail to make; an impression within the
S])herc of .their circulation; and it may be said that the popularity of the commander-in-chief
was a good deal impaired at Reading. As to mysell', however, I can confidently aver that I
never was proselyted, or gave in to the opinion, for a moment, that any man in America was
worthy to sn])plant tiie exalted character that presided in her army. I might have been disposed,
perhaps, to belicivc that such talents as were possessed by Lcc, could they be brought to act sub-
ordinately, might olle^n be useful to him ; but I ever thought it would hi; a fatal r'rror to i)nt any
other in his j)lace. Nor was 1 tlu; only oik; who forbe)re to becomi; a ])artisan of (Jates. .Several
others thought they saw symi)toins of selfishness in the business; nor could the great rrlal, of the
northern campaign convince them that its hero was superior to Washington. The diii^l which
afterwards took j)lacc between Gen. Conway and Gen. Cadwallader, though immediately jiroceed-
ing from an unfavorable opinion expressed by the latter of the conduct of the former at (ierrnan-
town, had perhaps a deeper origin, and some ref(Tence to this intrigue ;* as I had th(! means of
knowing that (J(;n. Cadwallader, snspe<;ting iVliinin had instigated Conway to fight him, was ex-
tremely earnest to obtain data from a gentleman who lived in Reading, whereon to ground a se-
rious explanation with Mifflin. So much for the manouuvring, which my location at one of its
princii)al seats brought me acquainted with ; and which its authors were soon after desirous of
burying in oblivion.
* Not that Gen. Cadwallader was induced from the intrigue to speak unfavorably of Gen. Con-
way's behavior at Gcrmantown. That of itsidf was a sufficient ground of censure. Conway, it
seems, during the action, was found in a farm-house by Gen. Reed and (icn. Cadwallader. IJpon
their iiKpiiring the cause, he reidied, in great agitation, that his horse; was woiin(l(;d in the; neck.
Being urged to get anotlu;r horse, and at any rate; to join his brigade, which was engaged, he de-
clined it, r(;iM;ating that his horse was woundiid in the neck. Upon Conway's ajiplying to con-
gress Some time aft(;r to be made a major-general, and earnestly urging bis suit, ('adwallader
made known this conduct of iiis at Gcrmantown ; and it was for so doing that Conway gave the
challenge, the issue of which was, his bf;ing dangerously wounded in the face; from the pistol of
Gcu. Cadwallader. lie recovered, however, uud some time after went to France.
134 BERKS COUNTY.
The Duke of Rochefaucault de Liancourt, an observing French trav
eller, who passed through Reading in 1795, says: —
" The sentiments of the inhabitahts of this town and the neighboring country are very good, and
breathe a warm attachment to the federal government. There is no democratic society. Read-
ing sent about 80 volunteers in the expedition against Pittsburg — [Whiskey insurrection.] Near
the market, price of building lots 2U0 feet deep, $25 per foot. In less populous parts, $10.
Price of land some distance from town, about $22 per acre ; near town, $32 to $36. Meadows
near town cost $150. A project is on foot for extending the town to the bank of the river."
Died, in the 80th year of his age, at his residence in Reading, [in June, 1832,] Gen. Joseph
Hiester, late governor of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The deceased, one of the heroes
of the revolution, entered the army at an early period of his life. He was engaged in the battle
of Long Island ; was captured, and subsequently confined on board the prison-ship Jersey. Af-
ter his exchange had been effected, with a gallant spirit unsubdued, he again entered the army, and
was engaged in the battles of Germantown and Brandy wine. After independence had been estab-
lished, he served many years in the legislature of his native state ; and for many years subse-
quently, with the almost unanimous voice of his fellow-citizens of his district, served his co intry
in congress, with a zeal unsurpassed by that of any of his contemporaries. In private lile, he
was a kind and tender husband, an affectionate and indulgent parent, a charitable and hospitable
neighbor, and a warm and zealous friend. — Reading Journal.
WoMELSDORF is a large village near the Tulpehocken, on the Reading
and Harrisburg turnpike, 14 miles from Reading, and 88 from Harrisburg.
Pop. 849. There is a church here common to the Lutheran and German
Reformed societies. The Tulpehocken valley was settled at an early day,
about 1733 to 1740, by the whites ; and previous to their arrival there is said
to have been a cluster of Indian villages north of Womelsdorf, under the
Kittatinny mountain. Conrad Weiser chose this valley for his favorite
residence, in the late years of his life, and was buried in this vicinity.
Conrad Weiser was born in Germany, but came to this country in early life, and settled about
the year 1714. He lived much among the Six Nations in New York. He was a great favorite
among them, was naturalized by them, and became perfectly familiar with their language. De-
siring to visit Pennsylvania, the Indians brought him down the Susquehanna to Harris's ferry,
and thence he came across to the Tulpehocken ; and thence to Philadelphia, where he met William
Penn for the first time. He became a confidential interpreter and special messenger for the prov-
ince, among the Indians ; and was present at many of the most important treaties between the
proprietary government and the Indians. In 1737 he was commissioned by the governor
of Virginia to visit the grand council at Onondaga. He started very unexpectedly, in the month
of February, to perfor^ this journey of 500 miles through a wilderness, where there was neither
road nor path, and at a season when no game could be met with for food. His only companions
were a Dutchman and three Indians. In 1744 he was in like manner despatched to Shamokin,
(Sunbury,) "on account of the unhappy death of John Armstrong, the Indian trader." On both
these journeys he has specially noted interesting observations relating to a sincere and general
belief among the Indians in the interposition of an overruling providence, and their habit of ac
knowledging with gratitude all such interpositions in their favor.* Mr. Weiser had an Indian
agency and trading house at Reading. In 1755, during alarms on the frontier, he was appointed
colonel of a regiment of volunteers from Berks co. The Indians always entertained a high re-
spect for his character, and for years after his death were in the habit of making visits of affec-
tionate remembrance to his grave. Col. Weiser was the grandfather, on the maternal side, of the
Rev. and Hon. Henry A. Muhlenberg, lately minister to Austria.
Dr. Franklin tells the following story of Weiser's visit to Onondaga ;
it is replete with the doctor's peculiar humor, and probably indicates his
own prejudices quite as strongly as those of the Indians : —
The same hospitality, esteemed among them as a principal virtue, is practised by private per-
sons ; of which Conrad Weiser, our interpreter, gave me the following instances : He had been
naturalized among the Six Nations, and spoke well the Mohawk language. In going through
the Indian country, to carry a message from our governor to the councU at Onondaga, he called
at the habitation of Canassatego, an old acquaintance, who embraced him, spread furs for him to
sit on, placed before him some boiled beans and venison, and mixed some rum and water for his
drink. When he was well refreshed, and had lit his pipe, Canassatego began to converse with
* Proud, ii., 316.
BERKS COUNTY. I35
ftira ; asked how he had fared tlie many years since they had seen each other ; whence he then
came ; what occasioned the journey, &c. Conrad answered all his questions ; and when the dis-
course bcjran to flag, the Indian, to continue it, said, " Conrad, you have lived long among the
white people, and know something of their customs : I have been sometimes at Albany, and
have observed that once in seven days they shut up their shops and assemble in the great house.
Tell me what that is for — what do they do there ?" " They meet tiiere," says Conrad, " to hear
and learn good things." " I do not doubt," says the Indian, " that they tell you so ; they have
told me the same. But I doubt the truth of what they say ; and I will tell you my reasons. I
went lately to Albany to sell my skLiis, and buy blankets, knives, powder, rum, &c. You know
1 used generally to deal with Hans Hanson ; but I was a little inclined this time to try some
other merchants. However, I called first upon Hans, and asked liim what he would give for
beaver. He said he could not give more than four sliillings a pound ; but, says he, I cannot talk
on business now : this is the day when we meet together to Icani rruiid things, and I am go-
ing to the meeting. 80 I tliought to myself, since I cannot do any business to-day, I may as
well go to the meeting too ; and I went with him. There stood up a man in black, and began to
talk to the people very angrily. I did not understand what he said, but perceiving that he looked
much at me and at Hanson, I imagined that he was angry at seeing me there ; so I went out,
sat down near the house, struck fire and lit my pipe, waiting till the meeting should break up. I
thought too that the man had mentioned something of beaver, and suspected it might be the sub-
ject of their meeting. So when they came out, I accosted my merciiant. Well, Hans, says I,
I hope you have agreed to give more than four shillings a pound. No, says he, I cannot give so
much ; I cannot give more than three sliiUings and sixpence. I then spoke to several other deal-
ers, but they all sung the same song — three and sixpence, three and sixpence. This made it
clear to me that my suspicion was right ; and that whatever they pretended of meeting to learn
good things, the purpose was to consult how to cheat Indians in the price of beaver. Consider
but a little, Conrad, and you must be of my opinion. If they met so often to learn good things,
they would certainly have learned some before this time. But they are still ignorant. You know
our practice. If a white man, in travelling through our country, enters one of our cabins, we all
treat him as I do you ; we dry him if he is wet, we warm him if he is cold, and give him meat
and drink that he may allay liis thirst and hmiger, and we spread soft furs for him to rest and
sleep on. We demand nothing in return. But if I go into a white man's house at Albany, and
ask for victuals and drink, they say. Get out, you Indian dog. You see they have not yet learned
those little good things that we need no meetings to be instructed in, because our mothers taught
them to us when we were children ; and therefore it is impossible their meetings should be, as
they say, for any such purpose, or have any such effect. They are only to contrive the cheating
of Indians in the price of beaver."
KuTZTowN is a large village in the Maxatawney valley on the Allen-
town and Reading road, 17 miles from either place. It contains some
120 dwellings, a Lutheran and German Reformed church, and 693 inhab-
itants by the census of 1840. A correspondent of the Ledger in 1842,
says —
" I am ruralizing for a week in a fertile vale of deep-soiled red shale, underlying the lime-
stone of the Moxatawney valley. The peasantry are honest, hard-working Germans. Here they
lock no doors. The congregations, of different sectarian faith, worship in the same church on
alternate Sundays. The church is filled with attentive people, and a very great proportion are
communicants. They have an excellent organ, made in this county. Preaching in German. It
pains me to observe in every country chiu-chyard the naked marble slabs, unsheltered by a single
tree, and unadorned by a single shrub or flower.
" A contented mind is generally associated with the life of a farmer, by our novelists at least,
and by those who get their notions from such sources. But farming is far from being exempt
from the petty vexations that constitute the stinging annoyances of life ; and it is an imdoubted
fact, that the worship of the dollar finds among this class the most devout adherents. My com-
panion pointed to a house near Kutztown, where, a few weeks since, a farmer in good cir-
cumstances hung himself, because he had ,^200 of the notes of a bank that had stopped pay-
ment ; and many years ago, I remember a wealthy farmer in the same valley, who destroyed
himself in the same way, because he had on hand in the spring all of his wheat, and could not
sell it at the price he was offered during the winter."
Hamburg is a considerable village on the left bank of the Schuylkill,
just below its passage through the Kittatinny or Blue mountain. Popu-
lation about 500. One church, common to the Lutheran and German
Reformed denominations. The surrounding country is fertile and well
136 BRADFORD COUNTY.
cultivated. A bridge here crosses the river, and the Pottsville railroad
passes on the west side of the river.
There are many small villages in Berks co. at the cross-roads, and in
the smaller valleys, each rendering their peculiar service to the surround-
ing agricultural population. Among these, the more important are Mor-
GANTowN in the southern corner, and Rehrersburg in the w^estern corner
of the CO. The smaller villages are Mertztown, Pricetown, Unionville,
Warrensburg, Birdsboro', Weaverstown, Exetertown, Millersburg, Woh-
leberstown, &c.
BRADFORD COUNTY.
Bradford county was at first separated from Luzerne and Lycoming in
1810, under the name of Ontario. In March, 1812, the co.was fully organized
for judicial purposes, and the name was changed to Bradford. At the same
time the courts were directed to be holden, until public buildings should
be erected, at the house of Wm. Means, in Towanda township. Length
40 m., breadth 29 ; area 1,174 sq. miles. Population in 1820, 11,554 ; in
1830, 19,746; in 1840, 32,769. Besides the Susquehanna, which winds
nearly through the centre of the co., there are its tributaries, Wysox cr.
and Wyalusing cr. on the east, and the Tioga river, and Sugar cr. and
Towanda cr. on the west side, with several streams of less note. The
surface of the co. is quite rough, but there are no very long and distinct
ranges of very lofty mountains. The great subordinate chains of Laurel
hill and Chestnut ridge, so prominent in other sections of the state, are
here found to be much depressed in height, and broken and scattered in
innumerable isolated ridges and spurs. There is, however, along the course
of the Towanda cr., on its southern bank, a high precipitous ridge stretching
away towards the head of Pine cr., formerly called Burnett's mountain,
which may indicate the track of the Laurel hill. The same ridge forms
the precipitous " narrows" on the Susquehanna, two or three miles below
Towanda. The land on the summits of the ridges is gently undulating,
forming good grazing farms. Along the streams are many enchanting
valleys, with meadows and uplands not exceeded in fertility and pictur-
esque beauty by any in the state. The bituminous coal formation touches
the southwestern corner of the co., and veins of from three to seven feet
in thickness are found on the heads of Towanda cr. A railroad route
from Towanda to these mines was surveyed in 1839, but it now slumbers
with many of the other projects of that day. Iron is abundant, but not
developed : and indications of copper have been discovered. There are
sulphur springs at Rome, eight miles from Towanda. Considerable pine
and other lumber is still prepared and sent to market from this county ;
more perhaps than is for the real interest of the population, who would
derive a surer profit from the cultivation and export of agricultural pro-
duce.
The Berwick and Newtown, or Susquehanna and Tioga turnpike road,
which passes through the co., was projected at the early settlement of
the CO., about the year 1802 or '04, and was driven through the then wil-
BRADFORD COUNTY. I37
derness by the exertions of Philadelphians and others interested in the
lands. It was not fully completed until subsequent to 1820. The Wil-
liamsport and Elmira railroad is completed from Williamsport to the
southwestern corner of the county, but has been suspended for the pre-
sent.
The north branch division of the Pennsylvania canal follows the wind-
ings of the Susquehanna to the north line of the state, forming a connec-
tion with the canals of New York. Most of the heavy work has been
done upon the line ; and a company has been chartered to take the un-
finished work from the state, and complete it. When this opening is
made, a profitable exchange will take place between the salt, plaster,
and lime of New- York, and the coal and iron of Pennsylvania.
Previous to the arrival of the whites in this region, the valley of the
Susquehanna was under the special jurisdiction of the Cayuga tribe of
Indians, one of the great confederacy of the Six Nations. To each of
that confederacy was confided the charge of a door of their "long house,"
as they termed their residence in the state of New York, The Senecas
kept the southwestern door on the Allegheny, the Mohawks the eastern
at Schenectady, &c. The Cayugas themselves did not reside in the re-
gion now Bradford co. It was, with the Susquehanna valley lower down,
assigned as the asylum for scattered tribes of Mohicans, Wampanoags,
Tutelos, Monseys, and other tribes who had retired from the encroach-
ments of the w^hites. It was also on the great war-path between the Six
Nations and the southern tribes ; and it may be inferred from the reply
of the Cayuga chief to the Moravian Indians, that these now peaceful
valleys have been the scene of many a bloody encounter. Tradition
states that Wysox valley was occupied by a tribe of that name, who had
two sanguinary battles with the Towanda Indians, on the flats at the
mouth of Towanda cr. Many relics have been found of these former
races. About two miles above Towanda, at the " Break-neck narrows,"
on the left bank of the Susquehanna, is the resemblance of a squaw's head
and face carved in the perpendicular rock. It is now much obliterated
by the ice freshets. It is said that the name of Break-neck was given to
these narrows by Sullivan's army, who lost some cattle there : but
whether there is any connection between the name and the sculpture
does not distinctly appear.
The calumet or pipe of peace was found a few years since on the
Sheshequin flats, and is now in possession of Mr. Silas Gore. It is curi-
ously wrought of red-stone, as perfect as when new ; and the material
corresponds with the description given of the red pipe-stone of the Rocky
mountains, by George Catlin, Esq. In Burlington township the skele-
tons of two human beings were lately found in excavating a cellar.
They were uncommonly large, and had apparently been deposited with
much ceremony and care. Their heads were laid eastward, and their
bodies enclosed with large flat stones. The bones were in a state of
perfect preservation.
To whom, or to what date may be ascribed what are called the Span-
ish fortifications above Athens on the Tioga, it is not easy to ascertain.
The Duke de la Rochefaucault ascribes them to the French in the time
of Denonville, about 1688.
Before the men of Connecticut liad asserted their claim to the fair valleys of Bradford co., the
18
138 BRADFORD COUNTY.
holy pioneers of tlie Moravian mission had penetrated the wilderness along' the Susquehanna,
and made settlements at various points.
As early as 1750, Bishop Cammerhof and Rev. David Zeisberger, guided by an Indian of the
Cayuga tribe, passed up the Susquehanna on a visit to Onondaga. To each night's encamp,
ment they gave a name, the first letter of which was cut into a tree by the Indians. They
tarried at Tioga, which is described as " a considerable Indian town." The same year, it ia
said, " there was a great awakening, which extended over the whole Indian country, especially
on the Susquehanna." There appears to have been an Indian village, in 175C, at Mac'hwihilu-
sing, (Wyalusing,) where one Papanhunk, an Indian moralist, had been zealously propagating
his doctrines ; with little success, however, for his hearers were addicted to the most abominable
vices, and he himself was but little better. On a visit to the missionary station Nain, on the
Lehigh, he heard for the first time tlie great doctrine of the Cross, and such an impression did it
make upon him, that the following year he took down his wife and 33 of his followers, to hear
this new doctrine ; at the same time endeavoring, without success, to persuade the christian In.
dians of Nain to remove to the Susquehanna.
In May, 1763, Zeisberger, with the Indian brother Anthony, came to Wyalusing, having
heard of a remarkable awakening there, and that the Indians desired some one who could point
them to the true way of obtaining rest and peace in their consciences. Papanhunk had lost his
credit by the inefficiency of his doctrines. Zeisberger was met, before he arrived, by Job Gillo-
way, an inhabitant of Wyalusing, who spoke English well, and told him that their council had
met six days successively to consider how they might procure a teacher of the truth. Zeisberger
was invited to become a resident missionary among them, which, after a visit to Bethlehem, he
consented to do. It appears that about this time " some well-meaning people of a different per-
suasion arrived at Wyalusing," but the Indians having already given a preference to the Mora-
vians, would listen to no other sect. [Could this have been Brainerd ?] The first fruit of Zeis-
berger's pious efforts in his new congregation, was Papanhunk himself, who confessed his sins,
and desired to be baptized. He received the christian name of John, and another Indian, who
had been Papanhunk's opponent, was baptized after him, and called Peter.
In the midst of these encouraging prospects, consternation spread through the frontier set-
tlements, on receipt of the news of the Indian war of 1763, which had just broken out along
the lakes and the Ohio. Occasional parties of Indians from the west skulked into the Moravian
Indian settlements to persuade them to withdraw, that they might make a descent upon the
whites. This became known to the Irish settlement in the Kittatinny valley, whose jealousy
was aroused that the Moravian Indians were in collusion with their hostile brethren, and the
missionary settlements were thus placed between two fires. This animosity of the Irish at length
wreaked itself upon the poor Indians on the Conestogo ; and the other Christian Indians were
taken by the missionaries to Philadelphia for protection. Peace at length arrived at the close of
1764, and in 1765 the whole body of Indian brethren returned to the deserted huts at Wyalusing.
Devoting themselves anew to Him who had given them rest for the soles of their feet, they began
their labors with renewed courage, and pitching upon a convenient spot on the banks of the
Susquehanna, a few miles below Wyalusing, they built a regular settlement, which they called
Friedenshuetten, (Tents of Peace.) It consisted of 13 Indian huts, and upwards of 40 frame
houses, shingled, and provided with chimneys and windows. A convenient hoisse was erected
for the missionaries, and in the middle of the broad street stood the chapel, neatly built, and
coyered with shingles. Gardens surrounded the village, and near the river about 950 acres were
divided into regular plantations of Indian corn. Each family had their own boat. The bury-
ing-ground was at some distance in the rear. During the progress of building the town, the
aged, infirm, and children, lodged in the old cottages found on the spot ; the rest in bark huts.
In fine weather they lifted up their voices in pra3'er and praise under the open firmament It waa
a pleasure to observe them, like a swarm of bees, at their work ; some were building, some
clearing land, some hunting and fishing to provide for the others, and some cared for houscKeep.
ing. The town being completed, the usual regulations and statutes of the Moravian stations
were adopted ; order and peace prevailed, and the good work went gloriously on. As one of the
great confederacy of the Six Nations, the Cayugas kept that door of their " long house" which
opened upon the valley of the Susquehanna, and it became necessary for the missionaries to seek
their permission to reside within their jurisdiction. With all the solemnity of Indian diplomacy,
the Christian Indians gave notice to the chief of the Cayugas, that they had settled on the Sus-
quehanna, where they intended to build and live in peace with their families, if their uncle ap-
proved of it ; and they likewise desired leave for their teachers to live with them. The chief,
after consultation with the great council of Onondaga, replied, in a friendly manner, " that the
place they had chosen was not proper, all that country having been stained with blood ; therefore
he would take them up and place them in a better situation, near the upper end of Cayuga lake.
They might take their teachers with them, and be unmolested in their worship." This proposal
did not exactly suit the Indians of Friedenshuetten, and they evaded an acquiescence, giving
the chief hopes that they would reply " when the Indian corn was ripe." This was in the sum-
.mer of '65. After waiting ui^til the spring o^ ^766, the Cayuga chief sent a message to Fried-
BRADFORD COUNTY. 139
ehshuetten, " that he did not know what sort of Indian corn they might plant, for tliey had promised
him an answer when it was ripe ; that his corn had been gathered long ago, and was almost con-
sumed, and he soon intended to plant again." The chief, ultimately, and the council, gave
them a larger tract of land than they had desired, extending beyond Tioga, to make use of as
their own, with a promise that the heathen Indians should not come and dwell upon it. Tliis
grant, however, was forgotten at the treaty of 1768, when the whole country on the Susque-
hanna was sold to Pennsylvania
The peace of tlie settlement was often disturbed by the introduction of rum, that universal ac-
companiment of civilization, introduced by straggling Indians. They ordered at length that
every rum bottle should be locked up during the stay bf its owner, and delivered to him on his
departure. The white traders from the Irish settlements at Paxton, found the settlement a most
convenient depot, and endeavored to make it a place of common rtsort in 1766. They staid
several weeks in the place, and occasioned much levity and dissipation among the young people;
The Indians at length ordered them off, desiring that the " Tents of Peace" should not be made
a ])lace of traffic. The hospitality of the brethren often exhausted their little stock of provisions,
and their only resource for a new supply vvas in hunting, or seeking aid from the older settle-
ments. Their numbers had increased so much in 1767, that a more spacious church was erected.
The Idcusts, which swarmed by millions, did great damage to their crops. The small-pox
broke out among them in '67, and the patients were prudently rfemoved to temporary cabins on
the opposite side of the river.
The station at Friedenshuetten continued to prosper for several years, until the year 1772.
During this period the persevering Zeisberger had several times threaded the wilderness to the
waters of the Allegheny and Ohio, and planted new churches among the Delawares dwelling
there. (See Beaver and Venango.)
Among the places visited by the Moravian brethren of Friedenshuetten, was an Indian towri
about thirty miles above, called Tschechschequannink in the orthography of the mission, " where
a great awakening had taken place. (This was old ShesheqUin on the right bank of the river,
opposite and a little below the present village of that name.) Brother John Rothe, after permis-
sion duly obtained from the Cayuga chief, took charge of this post as the resident missionary.
The chief, in granting his permission, gave encouragement that he himself would occasionally
come to hear the " great word" — being convinced that was the right way. Two Indian brethren
assisted Mr. Rothe, and the station became a kind of " chapel of ease" to Friedenshuetten.
About half a mile from Sheshcquin the savages used at stated times to keep their feasts of sacri-
fice. On these occasions they roved about in the neighborhood like so many evil spirits, making
the air resound with their hideous noises and bellowings, but they never approached near enough,
to molest the brethren. Brother Rothe had the pleasure to see many proofs of the power of the
word of God, and it appeared for some time as if all the people about SheshequLn would turn to
the Lord. Some time after, an enmity began to show itself : some said openly, " We cannot
live according to the precepts of the brethren : if God had intended us to live like them, we
should certainly have been born amongst them." Nevertheless James Davis, a chief, and seve-
ral others were baptized.
The missionaries lost no opportunity of conciliating the chiefs of the Iroquois, and often invited
them to dine as they passed through the settlement : these little attentions made a favorable im-
pression, and enabled the missionaries, in familiar conversation, to remove misapprehensions, and
allay unfounded prejudices which had been entertained by the chiefs against them. These chiefs
noticed every thing that passed in the village, and looked with no little suspicion upon the sur-
veying instruments used at the settlement, regarding them as some mysterious contrivance to
obtain the land from the Indians. The paintings in the chinch, of the crucifixion, and the scene
at the Mount of Olives, attracted their admiration, and enabled the brethren to explain to them
the history of our Lord, " which produced in some a salutary thoughtfulness."
In 1771, there was an immense flood in the Susquehanna, and all the inhabitants at Sheshe-
quin were obliged to save themselves in boats, and retire to the woods, where they were detained
four days.
The Six Nations having, by the treaty of 1768, sold their land "from under their feet," the
brethren were compelled to seek a new grant from the governor of Pennsylvania, who kindly
ordered that they should not be disturbed, and that he had ordered the surveyors not to take up
any land within five miles of Friedensiiuetten.
The brethren had received many pressing invitations from the Delawares on the Ohio to leave
the Susquehanna, and the dangerous vicinity of the whites, and settle among them. These in-
vitations were declined until 1772, when the brethren became convinced that the congregations
could not maintain themselves long in these parts. The Iroquois had sold their land, and various
troublesome demands upon them were continually renewed ; the contest between the Connecticut
men and the Indians and Pennamites at Wyommg had commenced, white settlers daily in-
creased, and rum was introduced to seduce the young people. They therefore finally resolved
o remove to the Ohio.
Their exodus was remarkable. To transport 240 individuals of all ages, with cattle and horses^
140 BRADFORD COUNTY.
from the North Brancli across the Allegheny mountains by way of Bald Eagle, to the Ohio, would
be, even in these days of locomotive facilities, a most arduous undertaking. What must it have
been through that iiowling wilderness I fortunately most of the company were natives of the
forest. The scene is given in the language of Loskiel, the annalist of the missions.
" June Gth, 177:2. The congregation partook of the holy communion for the last time in Frie-
denshuetten. * * * June 11th, all being ready for the journey, the congregation
met for the last time at F., when the missionary reminded them of the great favors and blessings
received from God in this place, and then offered up praises and thanksgivings to him, with fer-
vent supplications for his j)eace and protection on the journey. The company consisted of 241
persons from Friedcnshuetten and Sheshequin, and proceeded with great cheerfulness in reliance
upon the Lord.
" ]3rothcr Ettwcin conducted those who went by land, and brother Rothe those by water, who
were the greater number. This journey was a practical school of patience for the missionaries.
The fatigue attending the emigration of a whole congregation, with all their goods and cattle, in
a country like North America, can hardly be conceived by any one who has not experienced it ;
much less can it be properly described. The land travellers had 70 head of oxen, and a still
greater number of horses, to care for, and sustained incredible hardships in forcing a way for
themselves and their beasts through very thick woods and swamps of great extent, being directetl
only by a small path, and that hardly discernible in some places ; so that it appears almost im-
possible to conceive how one man could work his way and mark a path through such close
thickets and immense woods, one of which he computed to be about 60 miles long. While pass-
ing through these woods it rained almost incessantly. In one part of the country they were
obliged to wade 3G times through the windings of the river Munsey, besides suffering other hard-
ships. However, they attended to their daily worship as regularly as circumstances woidd per-
mit, and had frequently strangers among them, both Indians and white people, who were partic-
ularly attentive to the English discourses delivered by brother Ettwein. The party which went
by water were every night obliged to seek a lodging on shore, and suffered much from the cold.
Soon after their departure from Friedcnshuetten, the measles broke out among them, and many
fell sick, especially the children. The attention due to the patients necessarily incre,ased the fa-
tigue of the journey. In some parts they were molested by inquisitive, [probably in tHte Wyoming
valley] and in otliers by drunken people. The many falls and dangerous rapids in the Susque-
hanna occasioned innncnse trouble and frequent delays. However, by the mercy of God, they
passed safe by .Shainokin, and then upon the west arm of the river by Long Island to Great Island,
when they joined the land travellers on the 29th June, and now proceeded all together by land.
When they arrived at the mountains, they met with great difficulties in crossing them, for, not having
horses enough to carry all the baggage, most of them were obliged to carry some part. During
a considerable part of the journey the rattlesnakes kept them in constant alarm, as they lay in
great numbers either in or near the road. These venomous creatures destroyed several of the
horses, but the oxen were saved by being driven in the rear. The most troublesome plague in the
woods was a kind of insect called by the Indians Punk, or living ashes, from their being so small
that they are hardly visible, and their bite as painful as red-hot ashes. As soon as the evening
fires were kindled, the cattle, m order to get rid of these insects, ran furiously towards the fire,
crowding into the smoke, by which our travellers were much disturbed in their sleep and at meals..
These tormenting creatures are met with in a tract of country which the Indians call ' a place
avoided hij all men.'' The following circumstance gave rise to this name : About 30 years ago,
an Indian hermit lived upon a rock in this neighborhood, and used to appear to travellers or hmit-
ers in different garbs, frightening some and nmrdering others. At length a valiant chief was so
fortunatfe as to surprise and kill him. To this true account fabulous report has added, that the
chief, hating burnt the hermit's bones to ashes, scattered them in the air throughout the forest,
and they became /)o»^s. In another part of the forest, the fires and storms had caused such con-
fusion among the trees, that the wood was almost impenetrable. Some persons departed this life
during the journey, and among them a poor cripple, 10 or 11 years old, who was carried by h.s
mother in a basket on her back. Our travellers were sometimes compelled to stay a day or two
in one place, to supply themselves with the necessaries of life. They shot upwards of 150 deer
during the journey, and found great abundance of fish. They likewise met with a peculiar kind
of turtle, about the size of a goose, with a long neck, pointed head, and eyes like a dove.
" July 20th, they left the mountains and arrived on the banks of tlie Ohio [now the Allegheny,]
where they immediately built canoes to send the aged and infirm with the heavy baggage down
the river. Two days afterwards they met brother Heckenweldcr and some Indian horses from
Friedenstadt, (in Beaver co.) by whose assistance they arrived there on the 5th Aug., and were
received with every mark of affection by the whole congregation."
At Fort Stanwix, Nov. 5, 1768, the chiefs of the Six Nations sold to
the agents of Thomas and Richard Penn, " in consideration of ten thou-
sand dollars," all the land in Pennsylvania not heretofore purchased,
southeast of a boundary.
BRADFORD COUNTY. 141
" Beginning on the east side of the east branch of the river Susquehanna at a place called
Owegy, down the said brancli on tlie east side to the mouth of a creek called by the Indians
Awandac (Tawandee,) and across the river and up the said creek on the south side, and along
the range of hills called Burnett's hills by the English, and by the Indians on the north side of
them to the heads of a creek whicli runs into the west branch of the Susquehanna, which creek
is called by the Indians Tiadaghton," &lc. Sec, over to Kittaning, and thence down the Oliio.
(See the whole boundary under Lycoming co.)
Again, at Fort Stanwix, Oct. 23, 1784, the Six Nations sold to the state
of Pennsylvania all the land in the state lying northwest of the above-
mentioned boundary ; and this latter sale was confirmed by the Wyan-
dots and Delawares at Fort Mcintosh, (in Beaver co.) in Jan. 1785.
It was also ascertained at Fort Stanwix in '84, that the creek called Tia-
daghton by the Indians, was the Pine creek of the Pennsylvanians ; and
that the Indians had always known Burnett's mountain by the name of
the long mountain.
Previous to the removal of the Moravians, pioneers from Connecticut
had already arrived in the Wyoming valley, but no settlements were ex-
tended up as far as Wyalusing until the close of the revolutionary war.
During that war these valleys swarmed with hostile parties of the Six
Nations, descending upon the white settlements. A few Dutch families,
attached to the British cause, were permitted to remain about the upper
Susquehanna ; among whom was old Mr. Fauks, who lived on the point
below Towanda. After the bloody conflict at Wyoming in 1778, Col.
Hartley with a detachment of troops came up the valley and burned the
Moravian towns, together with the Indian town at Tioga point. Maj.
Gen. Sullivan passed up the Susquehanna in the ensuing summer of 1779,
on his memorable expedition against the towns of the Six Nations. The
army arrived at Tioga Point on the 11th Aug., and hearing that the ene-
my were at Chemung, an Indian village 12 miles above Tioga Point,
went up and had a slight skirmish with the Indians, who had abandoned
the village, and were lying in ambush. The Indians were driven off;
and after destroying the grain, &c., the army returned to Tioga to
wait for Gen. Clinton's brigade, which came down the east branch on the
22d Aug. from New York, with 200 batteaux. The united forces now
moved forward up the Tioga into the Genesee country, ravaging and
burning the Indian villages, and destroying their crops.* While the ar-
my remained at Tioga they erected blockhouses on the peninsula, where
Col. Shreeve was left with a garrison of 200 men to guard the place.
The army returned on the 30th Sept., and were received by Col. Shreeve
with a joyous salute, and " as grand an entertainment as the circum-
stances of the place would admit."
The ravages committed by Gen. Sullivan made but a slight impression
upon the savages. On his return they followed close upon his rear, and
hovered around the frontier until the close of the war in 1783. A year
or two after the peace, a number of those who had been in Sullivan's
campaign, and thus became acquainted with this region, came here to
. settle, bringing with them several other adventurers, who took up lands
in the Sheshequin valley under the Connecticut title. About the same
time adventurers and squatters flocked in from New York, and settled
* A journal of this expedition, kept by Sergeant-major Grant of the Jersey troops, is published
in full in Hazard's Register, vol. xiv, pp. 72 to 76, where the curious may consult it. The mora
mteresting passages relate to the liistory of New York.
142 BRADFORD COUNTY.
about Tioga point. The progress of the county was for many years re-
tarded by the uncei'tainty of title to the lands, growing out of the contest
between the Pennsylvania and Connecticut claimants. (See Luzerne co.)
The first actual settlers were generally under the Connecticut title.
Much bitterness of feeling was excited by the attempts of the Pennsyl-
vania claimants to survey their tracts. A Mr. Irwin, a surveyor from
Easton, while sitting, after the fatigues of the day, in the door of Mr.
McDuffie's house on the Tioga above Athens, Was shot dead by some
person unknown. Mr. McDufhe was sitting near him playing the flute.
A Mr. Smiley was tarred and feathered one night near Towanda creek.
The feeling that prevailed among the settlers at the time, and the diffi-
culty of bringing such offenders to justice, may be inferred from the fact,
that the individual who lent the bottle to the rogues to hold their tar,
was himself on the grand jury for investigating the case ; but as no le-
gal evidence was presented to him officially that such a use had been
made of his bottle ; and as he did not actually hioui the fact, he did not
feel bound to state his suspicions to the grand jury. Col. Satterlee, who
was one of the most active in securing the original organization of the
CO., obtained an appropriation at an early day of S600 for opening roads
into the northern part of the co., which gave an opportunity for the hardy
and enterprising New Englanders to settle in the townships of Wells,
Ridgebury, Springfield, &c.
Smithfield and Columbia townships are settled by Vermonters, whose
fine farms attest their industry.
Towanda, the county seat, is situated near the centre of the co., on the
right bank of the Susquehanna. A part of the village is on the river
bank, and a part on several successive benches gently rising from the
river, and presenting a most enchanting prospect. The dwellings are
built with taste, generally of wood, painted white, imparting a remarka-
bly bright and cheerful appearance to the town as one approaches it from
the Wysox valley, just opposite. Besides the usual co. buildings, the town
contains Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal churches, an academy,
and a bank, very extensively known. A noble bridge crosses the river at
the town. Just below the bridge is the dam and lock of the North Branch
canal, which here crosses the river by a pool, thus forming a convenient
basin opposite the town. Part of the dam was swept away in the flood
of 1841 or '42. In former times the people of Towanda numbered fresh
shad among their luxuries, but the construction of the dams in the river
has excluded them entirely. Population, 912.
Towanda was first laid out in 1812, by Mr. Wm. Means, who resided
here at that time. The act organizing the co., directed the courts to be
held at his house until public buildings were erected. Old Mr. Fauks, a
German, and his son-in-law, Mr. Bowman, lived then on the point below
Towanda. Mr. Fauks had settled there before, or during the revolution,
having been attached to the British side in that contest. The village for
several years was called Meansville, and so marked upon the maps.
Other names were also occasionally tried on, but did not fit well enough
to wear long. The Bradford Gazette of 4th March, 1815, says, " the
name of this village having become the source of considerable animosity,
the editor, (Burr Ridgway,) willing to accommodate all, announces a new
name — WilUamston — may it give satisfaction and become permanent."
BRADFORD COUNTY.
143
But subsequently, in that same year, the Gazette appears dated Towanda;
and in 1822, again the Bradford Settler was dated at Meansville. To-
wanda was incorporated as a borough in 1828, and its name was thus
permanently fixed. The location of the canal, the discovery of coal-beds
in the vicinity, and the establishment of a most accommodating bank,
gave a great impetus to the growth of the place between the years 1836
and 1840 ; but the subsequent disastrous failure of the bank, in the spring
of 1842, following, as it did, the already severe commercial distress, and
the suspension of the public works, spread a gloom over its prospects.
The natural advantages of the pkice, however, are too great to be an-
nulled by any temporary cause, and Towanda must soon shake off the
load, and eventually become a place of considerable business. Besides
the great valley of the Susquehanna, three smaller valleys, rich in the
products of agriculture, centre here, and must pour their trade into the
stores of Towanda.
Athens, now one of the pleasantest villages in Pennsylvania, extends
across an isthmus, between the Tioga and Susquehanna rivers, about two
miles above their confluence. Above and below the town, the land
widens out into meadows of surpassing fertility. The long main street
of the village runs lengthwise of the isthmus, and is adorned by delight-
Atheiis.
ful residences, and verdant shades and shrubbery. The annexed view
exhibits the northern entrance to the street. There is an academy here
and Presbyterian, Methodist, and Episcopal churches. There is a sub-
stantial bridge over each of the rivers ; that over the Susquehanna has
been recently erected ; that over the Tioga was built in 1820. The
borough was incorporated in 18.31. On the completion of the North
Branch canal, a great increase of trade may be anticipated. Population,
43.5.
The whole region around Tioga is highly picturesque. The annexed
view was taken from the Sheshequin road, immediately overlooking the
confluence of the rivers. Directly in front are the broad meadows below
Athens, with the town in the distance, and the valleys of the two rivers
144 BRADFORD COUNTY.
stretching away among the hills of New York. Tioga Point, from its
geographical position, has been noted, in the annals of Indian warfare,
as the site of an ancient Indian town, and a place of rendezvous lor par-
ties, or armies passing up or down the two great streams. At the lower
Tioga Point.
end of the village are the remains of an old fort erected during the In-
dian wars. On the beautiful plain just below the mountain, seen on the
left of the picture, stood the " Castle" of the celebrated Catharine Mon-
tour, sometimes called Queen Esther, whose more permanent residence
was at Catharine's town, at the head of Seneca lake.
Catharine Montour was a half-breed, who had been well educated in Canada. Her reputed
father was one of the French governors of that province, and she herself was a lady of compara-
live refinement. She was much caressed in Philadelphia, and mingled in the best society. She
exercised a controlling influence among the Indians, and resided in this quarter while they were
making tlicir incursions upon the Wyoming settlements. It has been even suspected that she
presided at the bloody sacrifice of the Wyoming prisoners after the battle ; but Col. Stone, who
is good authority upon the history of the Six Nations, utterly discredits the suspicion. The plain
upon which the mansion stood is called Queen Esther's flats. Old Mr. Covenhoven, who still
lives in Lycoming co., was one of Col. Hartley's expedition to Tioga, just after the battle of
Wyoming, for the puqjose of burning the Moravian villages and the Indian town at Tioga. Mr,
Covenhoven says, that he himself put the brand to " Queen Esther's castle." He describes it
as a long, low edifice, constructc^d with logs set in the ground at intervals of ten feet, with hori-
zontal hewn plank, or puncheons, neatly set into grooves in the posts. It was roofed, or thatched,
and had some sort of porch, or other ornament, over tlie doorway. In 1784, Judge Hollenback,
of Luzerne co., had an establishment at Tioga for trading with the Indians, of whom many were
still residing up tlie Tioga valley. Daniel McDowell was his clerk. The Indians having buried
the hatchet with the peace of '83, were disposed to be friendly ; but the villany of straggling
white traders, aided by the demon of rum, often exasperated them to such a degree, that great
fears were entertained for the safety of the resident families. About this time a good-natured
Indian, who boasted chiefly of his stature as a " big Shickashinny," was murdered while intoxi-
cated, near HoUenback's store, by a little roving fur-trader from Delaware river. It was with
some difficulty the villagers, through McDowell's intercession, appeased the exasperated feelings
of the relatives and friends of the Indian by purchasing his corpse at the price of a pair of old
horses ! The murderer enlisted in the army, and before long received his due from the Indians
on the northwestern frontier. In '84, also, Christopher Hollabird and a Mr. Miller came in and
.squatted upon lands near the town, sup[)osing them to be in the state of New York. The town
appears to have been laid out between the years 1784 and '88, for in the latter year, Elisha Mat-
Q7 <
if '^
El 5
BRADFORD COUNTY. I45
thewson, and his brother-in-law Elisha Satterlee, who had previously purchased town lots, and
iOO acre out-lots, came up from the Wyoming- valley and settled here. The venerable Mrs.
Matthevvson, a sister of Mr. Sattcrloc, from whom many of these particulars are derived, still
lives near the east end of the Susquehanna bridge. Her husband formerly resided in town, at
the " old red house," which was creeled about the year '94 or '95. At that time the lumber for
frame houses was brought from Owcgo cr., where was the nearest mill. Mrs. Matthewson, at
the age of thirteen, and the oldest of six children, was, with her mother, in Forty fort during the
battle of Wyoming. The father was killed. The mother, with her little flock, crossed the moun-
tains on foot, to New England. On the Pokono mountains their only food for two or three days,
was the whortleberries found along the road.
In the year 1790, the relations between the U. S. and the Indians on
the northwestern frontier, assumed a very threatening attitude, and great
fears were entertained that the Senecas, some of whose people had been
murdered by the frontier-men, might unite witli tlieir brethren on the
great lakes. A conference with the Six Nations was invited at Tioga
Point, at which Col. Timothy Pickering, then of Wyoming, was commis-
sioner on the part of the U. S. The council-fire was kindled on the 16th
Nov., and was kept burning until the 23d. Among the nations repre-
sented, were the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas, Chippeways,
and also several of the Stockbridge Indians, among whom was their
veteran captain, and the faithful friend of the U. S., Hendrick Apamaut.
The Indians were in a high state of excitement in regard to the outrage
upon the Senecas. The chiefs. Red Jacket, Farmer's Brother, Little Billy,
Hendrick Apamaut, and Fish-Carrier, an old and distinguished warrior
of the Cayugas, took the most active part in the council. Old Hendrick
made a most pathetic appeal to the commissioner, reminding him of the
attachment of his tribe to the U. S. during the revolution, of their mili-
tary services, and the neglect with which their now diminished band had
been treated. The effort of Red Jacket, one of his earliest, produced a
deep effect upon his people. " Still, by a wise and well-adapted speech.
Col. Pickering succeeded in allaying the excitement of the Indians— dried
their tears, and wiped out the blood that had been shed."* After that
subject had been disposed of. Red Jacket introduced the subject of their
lands, and the purchase of Phelps and Gorham. The following incident
is related by Col. Stone, in the Life and Times of Red Jacket. He had
it from the manuscript recollections of Thomas Morris.
During the progress of the negotiations with Col. Pickering at this council, an episode was
enacted, of which some account may be excused in this place, as an illustration of Indian char-
acter and manners. It was in this year (1790) that Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, the great
financier of the revolution, purchased from tlie state of Massachusetts the pre-emptive right to
that portion of her territory in Western New York, that had not been sold to Phelps and Gor-
ham, viz. : the entire tract bounded on the north by Lake Ontario, on the south by the Pennsyl-
vania line, on the east by the Genesee river, and on the west by the Niagara. Preparatory to the
negotiations which Mr. Morris well knew he should be obliged to hold with the Indians, and for
the general management of his concerns in that country, his son Thomas had taken up his resi-
dence at Canandaigua, and was dihgently cultivating an acquaintance with the Indians. In this
he was successful, and he soon became popular among them. He was in attendance with Col.
Pickering at Tioga Point, where the Indians determined to adopt him into the Seneca nation,
and Red Jacket bestowed upon him the name he himself had borne previous to his elevation to
the dignity of a Sachem, — Otetiani — " Always Ready." The occasion of which they availed
themselves to perform the ceremony of conferring upon young Morris his new name, was a reli-
gious observance, when the whole sixteen hundred Indians present at the treaty united in an of-
fering to the moon, then being at her full. The ceremonies were performed in the evening. I(
was a clear night, and the moon shone with uncommon brilHancy. The host of Indians, and
their neophyte, were all seated upon the ground in an extended circle, on one side of which a large
* See Stone's Life and Times of Red Jacket.
19
146 BRADFORD COUNTY.
fire was kept burning. The aged Cayiiga chieftain, Fish-Carrier, who was held in exalted vene-
ration for his wisdom, and who had been greatly distinguished for his bravery from his youth up,
officiated as the high priest of the occasion,— making a long speech to tlie luminary, occasionally
tlirowing tobacco into the fire as incense. On the conclusion of the address, tlie whole assembly
prostrated themselves upon the bosom of their parent earth, and a grunting sound of approbation
was uttered from mouth to mouth aroimd the entire circle. At a short distance from the fire a
post had been planted in the earth — intended to represent the stake of torture to which captives
are bound for execution. After the ceremonies in favor of Madame Luna had been ended, they
commenced a war-dance around the post, and the spectacle must have been as picturesque as it
was animating and wild. The young braves engaged in the dance were naked, excepting the
breech-clout about their loins. They were painted frightfully — their backs being chalked white,
with irregular streaks of red, denoting the streaming of blood. Frequently would they cease
from dancing while one of their number ran to the fire, snatching thence a blazing stick, placed
there for that purpose, which he would thrust at the post, as though inflicting torture UDon a pris-
oner. In the course of the dance they sang their songs, and made the forests ring wiin their
wild screams and shouts, as they boasted of their deeds of war and told the number of scalps they
had respectively taken, or which had been taken by their nation. During the dance, those en-
gaged in it — as did others also — partook freely of unmixed rmn ; and by consequence of the natu-
ral excitement of the occasion, and the artificial excitement of the liquor, the festival had well-
nigh turned out a tragedy. It happened that among the dancers was an Oneida warrior, who, in
striking the post, boasted of the number of scalps taken by hi« nation during the war of the revo-
lution. Now the Oneidas, it will be recollected, had sustained the cause of the colonies in that
contest, while the rest of the Iroquois confederacy had espoused that of the crown. The boasting
of the Oneida warrior, therefore, was like striking a spark into a keg of gunpowder. The ire of
the Senecas was kindled in an instant, and they in turn boasted of the number of scalps taken by
them from the Oneidas in that contest. They moreover taunted the Oneidas as cowards. Quick
as lightning the hands of the latter were upon their weapons, and in turn the knives and toma-
hawks of the Senecas began to glitter in the moonbeams, as they were hastily drawn forth. For
an instant it was a scene of anxious and almost breathless suspense, a death-struggle seeming
inevitable, wlicn the storm was hushed by the interposition of old Fish-Carrier, who rushed for-
ward, and striking the post with violence, exclaimed — " You are all of you a parcel of boys :
When you have attained my age, and performed the warlike deeds that I have performed, you
may boast what you have done ; not till then !" Saying which he threw down the post, put an
pud to the dance, and caused the assembly to retire.* This scene, in its reality, must have been
one of absorbing and peculiar interest. An assembly of nearly two thousand inhabitants of the
forest, grotesquely clad in skins and strouds, with shining ornaments of silver, and their coarse
raven hair falling over their shoulders, and playing wildly in the wind as it swept past, sigliing
mournfully among the giant branches of the trees above, — such a group, gathered in a broad cir-
cle in an " opening" of the wilderness — the starry canopy of heaven glittering above them, the
moon casting her silver mantle around their dusky forms, and a large fire blazing in the midst of
them, before which they were working their spells and performing their savage rites — must have
presented a spectacle of long and vivid remembrance.
A few years after the town had been laid out the Duke de la Roche-
faucault Liancourt, an observing French traveller, passed up the valley,
in 1795. He had already stopped at French town in Asylum township,
whence he took his departure with his friends Messrs. De Blacons and
Du Petit Thouars of that place — the latter on foot. He speaks of stop-
ping at Solomon Teasy's, who held 500 acres at Old Sheshequin, under
the Connecticut title. Teasy wanted to sell out at $10 75 per acre, and
remove to Genesee. He speaks of New Sheshequin as " a small neat
town, containing about twelve houses, built either of rough logs or
boards." The justice of the peace, the surveyor, and the pastor of the
neighboring country resided there. He speaks of Tioga at that time as
an inconsiderable village of eight or ten houses, with its single tavern
(there had been three the year before) crowded with travellers going to
settle near the great lakes. He quotes the price of land in the neighbor-
hood of the town at $8 per acre, " when out of 300 acres 50 or 60 are
* MS. recollections of Thomas Morris. Mr. M. was known among the Indians by the name
conferred upon him on this occasion, for many years. After his marriage, his wife was called by
them Otetiani squaw, and his children, Otetiani pappooses.
BRADFORD COUNTY. I47
cleared." Town lots 50 feet by 150 were at $20. The merchants car-
ried on an inconsiderable trade in hemp, which they got from the valleys
above and sent to Philadelphia. He says —
" Near the confines of Pennsylvania a mountain rises from tlie bank of the river Tioga in th«
sliape of a sugar-loaf, upon which are seen the remains of some intrenchments. These the in.
habitants call the Spanish ramparts ; but I rather judge them to have been thrown up against
the Indians in the times of Mr. Denonville, [1688.] One perpendicular breastwork is yet re-
maining, which, though covered over with grass and bushes, plainly indicates that a parapet and
a ditch have been constructed here."
Sheshequin, or New Sheshequin, is a neat village on the left bank of
the Susquehanna, composed of farm houses principally, scattered for two
or three miles along the road. The Universalist church, the only one,
stands near the centre of the village, about 8 miles from Towanda, and
6 1-2 from Athens. The sweet vale of Sheshequin has been very prop-
erly compared, by Mrs. J. H. Scott, the gifted native poetess of the val-
ley, to a miniature edition of the Wyoming valley. It is about six miles
in length by one or two in breadth, and the broad fertile flats on which
the village stands are closed in by mountains on every side except at the
romantic passes through which breaks the Susquehanna. Capt. Spal-
ding, afterwards Gen. Spalding, whose name is conspicuous in the annals
of Wyoming, had passed up through this valley with Gen. Sullivan in
1779, and set his heart upon its fair lands. After the peace in 1783 he
came up and settled here, together with his son John Spalding, Capt.
Stephen Fuller and his sons John and Reuben, Benjamin Cole, Hugh
Fordsman, Joseph Kinney, and Col. Thomas Baldwin. Col. Franklin,
Judge Gore, and ^^^Squire" Gore followed the year after. Col. Kingsbury
says that he came in '94, and the valley had then been settled eleven
years.
The following is copied from a manuscript found among the papers of
the late Mrs. Scott, in the handwriting of Joseph Kinney, Esq,
" The treaty held in 1796 with the Six Nations, was one of much interest. About three hun.:
dred warriors, well dressed in Indian costume, passed down the Susquehanna, and encamped on
the Sheshequin flats. Their whoops and war-dance, although terrifying, still became interesting
in the extreme. Gen. Spalding made them a present of six thrifty long-legged shoats, (Col.
Kingsbury says only two,) turned loose upon the large flats. They selected as many young run-
ners, each with a scalping-knife, who immediately gave chase. This was fine sport for the in-
habitants. The race was long — they striking with their knives at every opportunity. Their
mode of cooking would not suit our refined notions. The hogs were thrown into a large fire and
the hair burnt ofl^, which was the only dressing. They were then put into large kettles, with a
little corn and beans, and cooked. Tliis was their feast, and this they called Vmp-a.squanch.
On their return from Philadelphia they stopped at the same place. Here they gave the whites a
challenge to a foot-race — and Wm. W. Spalding (still living in the Wysox valley) was selected
by the whites. The whites were successful : this gave mnbrage to the Indians. He then want-
ed to run a mile, which was of course refused ; and it was with the utmost difficulty that peace
was restored, as many of the Indians drew their knives."
About the year '87 or '88, Gen. Spalding was visited by John Living-
ston and others, to solicit his aid in effecting the memorable lease of land
for 999 years in New York, from the Six Nations. After the lease was
effected, many moved to that country from the Susquehanna, and subse-
quently suffered much loss and hardship by disputed titles.
(For an interesting account of Old Sheshequin see the history of the
Moravians, above.)
Just opposite Towanda, opens the beautiful valley of Wysox creek,
stretching away on several branches towards the northeastern corner of
148 BRADFORD COUNTY.
the county. In this valley are several pretty and floarishing villages^ — •
Wysox, 3 miles, Meyersburg, 4 miles, and Rome, 9 miles from Towanda.
On the high summit level at the head of the creek is the neat village of
Orwell, 14 miles from Towanda, on the road to Montrose, At Rome, the
Sulphur Springs have gained some celebrity, both as a watering-place
and for their medicinal qualities. A spacioiis hotel accommodates the
visitors.
The Connecticut Herald of 1817, says:
In the town of Wysox, Bradford co., state of Pennsylvania, is the " ci-devant" residence of
a hermit. It is a beautiful valley, imbosomed by mountains, and refreshed by a small river which
loses itself in the waters of the Susquehanna. The name of the solitary old man, who was, a
few years since, foimd dead in his cabin, was " FenceloT." Hence the place still does, and proba-
bly ever will, retain the name of " Fcncelor Castle." This sequestered spot, replete with the
most delightful scenery, is now occupied by a gentleman of taste and fortune — an emigrant froni
Connecticut — who recently transplanted into that giirden of nature, earth's fairest flower, an
amiable wife.
(For an adventure of Van Camp's, near Towanda cr., see Columbia co.)
Burlington is a village not long since started, about 8 miles west of
Towanda, where the Berwick and Newtown turnpike crosses Sugar cr.
Troy is another pleasant village on Sugar cr., about 18 miles from To-
wanda, where the Williamsport and Elmira railroad crosses the cr.
Monroe, laid out a few years since by Gordon F. Mason, Esq., surveyor
of the CO., is on Towanda cr., 8 miles S. W. of Towanda, where the
Berwick road crosses the cr. The railroad to the coal mines, at the head
of the cr., was located through the village.
Canton is a small village recently started on the Williamsport and El-
mira railroad, near the source of the main branch of Towanda cr.
Ulster is a small village on the right bank of the Susquehanna, half-
way between Athens and Towanda.
Just above the mouth of Wyalusing, a small village has grown up
since the construction of the canal, and a mile or so below the mouth is
the extensive agricultural and trading establishment of C. F. Wells, Esq.
The history of the Moravian towns, near this place, is given on pages
137 to 140.
Frenchtown is in Asylum township, on the right bank of the Susque-
hanna, in a deep bend opposite the mouth of Rummersfield cr., seven or
eight miles, by land, below Towanda.
The village and township received their characteristic names from
circumstances related in the following account, condensed from the travels
of the Duke de la Rochefaucauld Liancourt, a French nobleman, who
travelled through this valley in 179.5. He was a close observer of every
thing relating to the agriculture, land, &c., of our new country ; and, of
course, took an especial interest in the settlements of his own countrymen.
Asylum (Frenchtown) has been only fifteen months established. Messrs. Talon and De
Noailles, French gentlemen, came to this country from England, intending to purchase, cultivate,
and people 2U0,000 acres of land. They had interested in their project some planters of St.
Domingo who had escaped from the ruins af that colony with the remains of their fortune. Messrs.
Robert Morris and John Nicholson sold theJn the lands, and in Dec. 1793, the first tree was cut
at Asylum. Mr. De Noailles was to manage the concerns of the colony at Pliiladelphia. Mr.
Talon attended to the erection of loghouses, and the preparation of land for the reception of the
new colonists. They were disappointed in the receipt of a part of the funds upon which they had
relied, and were obliged to relinquish their purchase and improvements. They then became joint
partners in the business with Morris and Nicholson ; the quantity of land was enlarged to a
faiillion of acres, and Mr. Talon was to act as agent, with a salary of $3,000 and the use of a
BRADFORD COUNTY. 149
large house. Ignorance of the language, want of practice in business of this nature, otlier avo-
cations, and the embarrassments of the company, deprived Mr. Talon of the happiness of open-
ing a comfortable asylum for his unfortunate countrymen, of aiding them in their settlement, and
thus becoming the honored founder of a colony. He and Mr. De Noaiiles, therefore, sold out to Mr.
Nicholson. Notwithstanding these drawbacks. Asylum has already attained an uncommon de-
gree of perfection, considering its infancy. Thirty houses are inhabited by families from St.
Domingo and from France, by French artisans and by Americans. Some inns and two shops
have been established. Several town-shares (out-lots) have been put into ver}' good condition,
and the fields and gardens begin to be productive. Considerable land has been cleared on the
Loyalsock cr., where the company has allotted 25,000 acres, in part of 100,000, which the in-
habitants of AsyUun have purchased by subscription. The town-shares consist each of 400 acres,
from ten to twenty of which are cleared. The owner can therefore cither settle there himself, or
intrust it to a farmer. The clearing of town-shares is effected by subscription, ,$9 per acre be-
ing paid, provided at least ten acres arc cleared, of which five must be under fence. Mr. De
Montule directs the clearing, the plan of wliich lie conceived for the welfare of the colony. Mr.
Nicholson, now the only proprietor, has formed a bank of his million of acres, divided into 5,000
shares, each of 200 acres, at !$2 50 per acre, making $500 per share. They bear six per cent.
interest, which increases in proportion to the state of the land ; at the end of fifteen years, the
company is to be dissolved, and the profits and advantages to be divided among the shareholders.
An office has been established by the latter for the direction of the bank.
Motives arising from French manners and opinions have hitherto prevented even French fami-
lies from settling here. These are now, however, in great measure removed, and if the com-
pany manage with prudence, there can hardly remain a doubt that Asylum will spcedUy become a
place of importance, as an emporium of inland trade. French activitj', supported with money,
will certainly accelerate its growth, and show that the enterprise and assiduity of Frenchmen are
equally conspicuous in prosperous and in adverse circumstances.
The following families have either already settled, or intend to : Mr. De Blacons, deputy for
Dauphin^, in the constituent assembly ; he has married Mademoiselle De Mauldc, late canoness
of the chapter of Bonbourg. They keep a haberdasher's shop. Their partner is Mr. Cohn, for-
merly Abbe de S^vigny, arch-deacon of Tours, and conseiller au grand conseil. Mr. De Mon-
tule, late captain of a troop of horse, married to a lady of St. Domingo, who resides at present
at Pottsgrove. Madame De Sybert, cousin of Mr. De Montule, relict of a rich planter of St.
Domingo. Mr. Becdelliere, formerly a canon, now a shopkeeper ; his partners are the two Messrs.
De la Roue, one of whom was formerly a petit gens d'armes, and the other a captain of infantry.
The latter has married a sister of Madame Sybert, Mad'slle De Bercy, who intends to establish
an inn eight miles from Asylum, on the road to Loyalsock. Mr. Beaulieu, formerly captain of
infantry m the French service — served in America under Potosky — married an English lady —
now keeps an inn. Mr. Buzard, a planter of St. Domingo, and physician there, has settled here
with his wife, daughter, and son, and some negroes, the remains of his fortune. Mr. De NoaiUes,
a planter of St. Domingo. Mr. Dandelot, of Franche Compt^, late an officer of infantry, who
left France on account of the revolution, and arrived here destitute, but was kindly received by
Mr. Talon, and is now engaged in agricultural pursuits with spirit and success. Mr. Du Petit
Thenars, an officer of the navy, who embarked in an expedition in quest of Mr. De la Perouse.
He was detained by the governor of a Portuguese colony in Brazil, sent to Portugal, stripped of
all his property, and only escaped further persecution by fleeing to America, where he lives free
and happy, without property, yet without want. He is clearing two or three hundred acres which
have been presented to him. His social, mild, yet truly original temper, is adorned by a noble
simplicity of manners. [Du Petit Thenars returned afterwards to France, commanded a ship of
the line, and was killed in the unfortunate battle of the Nile.] Mr. Nores, a young gentleman
who embarked with Du Petit Thenars, and escaped with him to this country. He was formerly
one of the secular clergy of France — he now earns his subsistence by cultivating the ground.
Mr. Keating, an Irishman, late captain of the regiment of Welch. In St. Domingo he possessed
the confidence of all parties, but refused the most tempting offers from the commissioners of the
assembly, though his sentiments were truly democratic. He preferred to retire to America
without a shilling, rather than acquire power and opulence in St. Domingo by violating his first
oath. His advice and prudence have been of great service to Mr. Talon, and his uncommon
abilities and virtue enable him to adjust matters of dispute with greater facility than most other
persons. Mr. Renaud and family, a rich merchant of St. Domingo, just arrived, with very con-
siderable property, preserved from the wreck of an immense fortune. Mr. Carles, a priest and
canon with a small fortune — now a farmer, much respected. Mr. Prevost, of Paris, celebrated
there for his benevolence. He retired to America with some property, most of which he ex-
pended on a settlement he attempted to establish on the Susquehanna, but without success. He
now cultivates his lot of ground on the Loyalsock as if his whole life had been devoted to the
same pursuit ; and the cheerful serenity of a philosophical mind attends him in his retreat. His
wife and sister share his tranquillity and happiness. Madame D'Autremont, widow of a steward
at Paris, and three children. Two of her sons are grown up ; one was a notEU"y, the otiier a
X50 BUCKS COUNTY.
watchmaker ; but they arc now hewers of wood and tillers of the ground, highly respected for
their zeal, spirit, and politeness. Some artisans are also established at Asylum, but most of them
are indifferent workmen, and much addicted to drunkenness. In time, American families of
a better description will settle here, for those who reside at present at Asylum are scarcely worth
keeping. A great impediment to the prosperity of the colony will probably arise from the preju-
dices of the French against the Americans. Some vauntingly declare that they will never learn
the language of the country, or enter into conversation with an American. Such prejudices
injure the colony.
BUCKS COUNTY.
Bucks county is one of the three original counties established by Wm.
Penn in 1682. In Penn's letter to the Society of Free Traders in 1683,
he speaks of it as Buckingham co. At that time its northern boundary
was the Kittatinny mountain, or as far as the land might be purchased
from the Indians — a very indeterminate line, as the subsequent details
will show. The county was reduced to its present limits by the erection
of Northampton in 1752. Length 40 miles, breadth 15 ; area 605 square
miles. The population in 1790, was 25,401; in 1800,27,496; in 1810,
32,371 ; in 1820, 37,842 ; in 1830, 45,745; in 1840, 48,107.
The Delaware river forms the northeastern and southeastern bounda-
ries, turning at a right angle near Bordentown. The smaller streams
are the Neshaminy, Tohiccon, and Durham creeks, and the sources of
Perkiomen creek. All these furnish an abundance of excellent mill-sites.
Three distinct geological belts cross the co., each imparting its peculiar
character to the soil and surface. The primary strata, comprising gneiss,
hornblende, mica slate, and kindred rocks, occupy the southeastern end
of the CO. as far up as the falls at Morrisville, forming a gently undula-
ting surface, with a soil of but moderate fertility, better adapted to grass
than grain. The river margins, however, are very fertile. Next to this
region, and occupying the greater portion of the co., is the broad belt, of
which the red shale is the most conspicuous stratum, producing an excel-
lent soil, accompanied by sandstones and conglomerates of a less fertile
character. To these strata, for convenience' sake, the state geologist has
given the name of " middle secondary," " in contradistinction to the Apa-
lachian formations on the one hand, which are now unequivocally our
lowest secondary formations, and on the other hand to the green sand de-
posits of New Jersey and Delaware, which constitute the upper secon-
dary strata of our country." One or two isolated patches of limestone
crop out from under this formation west of New Hope and near Centre
Bridge, which furnish to the farmers the means of enriching those lands
naturally poor, or worn out by cultivation. The third geological belt
comprises a group of parallel hills, of moderate elevation, being the out-
lying ranges of the South mountain, formerly called the Lehigh hills.
They are composed partly of the primary rocks of the gneiss family, and
the lower sandstones of the secondary formation, and impart a rugged
and sterile character to this region. Enclosed, however, among these
hills, are several soft and fertile limestone valleys. One of these is the
valley of Durham cr., at the mouth of which is the Durham cave, thus
described by the state geologist :
BUCKS COUNTY.
151
" Its position is a little north of the stream and not far from the Delaware. It has a length
of about 300 feet, an average height of 12, and a breadth varying from 4 to 40 feet. The floor
of the cave is not level, but descends as wc penetrate to the interior. Its rough walls are covered
with a few pendants or stalactites. Much of the bottom of this cave is covered with water, the
level of which is influenced, it is said, by that of the Delaware. About half way down occurs
a narrow lateral cavern, terminating in the form of the letter T. The general direction of the
main gallery is S. W., becoming S. towards the remoter end. The rocks show an anticlinal
axis about 20 yards S. E. of the entrance of the cave, the direction of the axis and the cave
nearly coinciding. "
In the southern end of the county a dyke of igneous origin, protruded
through the primitive limestone, has introduced a number of minerals in
its veins, and among others, plumbago or black-lead. Near the Buck
tavern in Southampton township, a mine of it was formerly wrought, but
tlie place is now abandoned and the pit filled up. The mineral was of
good quality, but the business did not prove profitable.
Along the right bank of the Delaware, the Delaware division of the
Penn. canal comes down from Easton, terminating at Bristol in a large
basin. The Philadelphia and Trenton railroad passes across the lower
end of tiie county. The business of the county is chiefly agricultural ;
and its farmers do not yield in skill and wealth to any in the state. They
seem to take far more delight and comfort in their quiet rural homes,
than in the noise and wild speculation of a city ; and as a consequence
of this trait of character, there is no very large town in the co. Even
Bristol, with all its advantages for business, contains only a population
of 1,500, and still has the rural air which characterizes the county.
The population of the lower part of the co. is composed of the descend-
ants of the ancient English settlers ; about Doylestown and Deep run,
are the descendants of the Irish Presbyterians, and the northwestern part
of the CO. is extensively occupied by the German race.
The shore of the Delaware as far up as Bristol, is lined with delightful
country seats, belonging generally to citizens of Philadelphia. One of
Country Seat of Nicholas Biddle, Esq.
the most beautiful is that of Nicholas Biddle, Esq., in Andalusia township,
about 12 miles from Philadelphia. In the annexed view, the grapery is
seen on the right of the mg-nsion. In the wing on the left, is the library,
152 BUCKS COUNTY.
where probably were written the celebrated letters to Hon. John M,
Clayton of Delaware, concerning the U- S. Bank. The mansion and
grounds are part of the estate of Mr. Riddle's lady, and have been in the
Craig family, some of whom still reside on the adjoining place, for many
years. The recent architectural improvements, including the splendid
Grecian portico, are from the designs of Mr. Thos. U. Walter of Phila-
delphia. Near Mr. Riddle's, is the splendid seat of the late Alexander J.
Dallas.
There is reason to believe that a part of Rucks co. was settled by Eu-
ropeans previous to the arrival of Wm. Penn in 1682. It is well known,
that for several years previous to that event, a great number of the So-
ciety of Friends had made extensive settlements in West Jersey, and had
established a meeting at Burlington. It was natural that some of these
should be tempted to cross the river and take up the fertile lands on the
opposite bank. Robert Proud, in a note to his History of Pennsylvania,
says —
" In the records of this people [the Quakers] In early times, among other things I find the fol-
lowing anecdotes respecting the original and regular establishment of some of their religious
meetings in these parts, viz. : — The first most considerable English settlement in Pennsylvania
proper, is said to have been near the lower falls of the Delaware, in Bucks co., where the Quakers
had a regular and established meeting for religious worship, before the country bore the name of
Pennsylvania : some of the inhabitants there having been settled by virtue of patents from Sir
Edmund Andross, Gov. of New-York. Among the names of the inhabitants here at this time
or soon after, appear William Yardly, James Harrison, Phineas Pemberton, WiUiam Biles, an
eminent preacher, William Dark, Lyonel Britain, William Beaks, &c. And soon afterwards,
there, and near Neshaminy creek, Richard Hough, Henry Baker, Nicolas Walne, John Otter,
Robert Hall ; and in Wrightstown, John Chapman and James RatclifF, a noted preacher in the
society. In the year 1683, Thomas Janney, a noted preacher among the Quakers, settled near
the Falls, with his family and others who at that time arrived from Cheshire in England. After
12 years' residence here, he returned to England and died there ; — a man of good reputation, cha-
racter, and example.
" In 1682, John Scarborough, a coach-smith, arrived in the country with his son John, then a
youth, and settled in Middletown township, but he afterwards returned to England and left his
possessions to his son. John Chapman came over in 1684, and was entertained some time at
Phineas Pemberton's at the Falls, who had then made some progress in improvements. After-
wards Chapman went to his piu-chase in Wrights,town, where, within about 12 months afterwards,
his wife Had two sons at one time, whence he called the place Twinborough. At this time Chap-
man's place was the farthest back in the woods of any English settlement ; and the Indians be-
ing then numerous, much frequented his house, and were very kind to him and his family, as
well as to those who came after him ; often supplying them with com and other provisions, at
that time very scarce. Thomas Langhome came the same year, and died soon after."
The Phineas Pemberton above alluded to was clerk of the county ;
and it is said that he kept a register, and all the first settlers who arrived
were compelled to bring certificates of acceptable character, which were
there enrolled, together with their names and those of their families and
servants, with other circumstances concerning their arrival. This book
is still in existence.
Smith, in his Hist, of Penn., under the date of 1684, says — " Anne, the
second daughter of John Chapman, in the year 1699, came forth in the
ministry, and travelled on that account several times through New Eng-
land, New Jersey. Pennsylvania, &c., and in Europe.
The Indian walk forms a prominent feature, not only in the history of
Bucks county, but of the state. A full account of this transaction is given
under the head of Northampton county. The first purchase of the land
above Neshaminy, appears to have been made by the agent of William
Penn, probably Markham, in July, 1682. "The following description,"
BUCKS COUNTY. I53
eays the elder John Watson, " is taken from the original deed." The pa-
rentheses are believed to be by Mr. Watson in 1815.
" Beginning at a white-oak in the land now in the tenure of John Wood, and by him called
the Gray Stones, over against the falls of Delaware river, and from thence up the river side to a
corner spruce-tree, marked with the letter P, at the foot of the mountains, (tiiis tree stood 104
perches above the moutli of Baker's creek) — and from the said tree along by the ledge or foot of
the mountains west-southwest to a corner white-oak, marked with the letter P, (on land now
Benjamin Hampton's) — standing by the Indian path that leads to an Indian town called Play-
wicky, and near tiie head of a creek called Towisinick, and from thence westward to the creek
called Ncshaminah, (this line crosses wJiere the Newtown road now is, at the old chestnut tree
below Dr. Isaac Chapman's lane end,) along by the said Neshaminah to the river Delaware, alias
Makerickhickon, and so bounded by the said main river, to the first mentioned white-oak in
John Wood's land, (above Morrisville,) with the several islands in the river, &,c., dated 15th Ju-
ly, 16b2.
" This purchase was limited by previous agreement to extend as far up the river from the
mouth of Neshaminah as a man might walk in a day and a half — which tradition has said to
have been executed by William Pcnn himself, on foot, with several of his friends, and a number
of Indian chiefs. It was said by the old people that they walked leisurely, after the Indian man-
ner, sitting down sometimes to smoke their pipes, to cat biscuit and cheese, and drink a bottle of
wine ; it is certain they arrived at tlie spruce-tree in a day and a half, the whole distance rather
less than 30 miles."
Four years afterward, in 1080, the purchase was made by Capt. Thos
Holme, Penn's surveyor-general and land agent, of another tract, of which
the boundaries were to be ascertained by walking. Mr. Watson in his
statement says, that many years previous to the actual official walk, an
informal and unauthorized walk had been made by a white man and an
Indian, probably for their own amusement, or to settle a question of local
title.
" In the 3^ear 1692, a white man living at Newtown, and Cornelius Spring, a Delaware Indian,
accompanied by several Indians and white people, undertook and performed the walk in the In-
dian manner ; but by whose authority or by whose direction is not now known. They started
from the spruce-tree, and walked up the river ; the Indians jumped over all the streams of water
imtil they came to the Tohickon, which they positively refused to cross, and therefore they pro-
ceeded up the creek on the south side to its source, and then turning to the left, they fell in with
Swamp creek, and going down it a small distance, it was noon on the second day, or a day and
a half from the time of setting out. To close the survey, it was proposed to go from there to the
source of the west branch of the Neshaminah, (so called,) thence down the creek to the west
corner of the first purchase, and thence to the spruce-tree, the place of beginning. These
bounds would have included a tract of land rather larger than the first purchase, and no doubt
would have been satisfactory to the Indians. It does not appear to have been a final settlement,
or that any thing was done relative to the subject, except talk about it, for 43 years ; in which
time a large tract was sold to a company at Durham, a furnace and forges were erected there,
and numerous scattered settlements made on the frontiers as far back as the Lehigh hiUs. The
chief settlements of the Indians at the time were in the forks of the Delaware and Lehigh, below
and beyond the Blue mountains. But in the summer season many families migrated in their
way, and cabined among the wliite people in different places, as far down as Pennsbury manor,
where they long retained a permanent residence on sufferance ; and although a general harmony
subsisted between the natives and the white people, yet they showed a dislike to the surveys and
settlements that were every year extending further back in the v/oods, and as they presumed far
beyond the proper limits of the land they had SQ}d." (See ISorthampton co.)
About the time that Wm. Penn organized Bucks co. in 1082, he select-
ed an extensive tract of fine land on the bank of the Delaware, four or
five miles above where Bristol now stands, which he called Pennsbury
manor, intending to establish there his favorite country residence. The
original tract contained 8,431 acres in 1084, but was afterwards reduced
by various grants. Wn:^. Penn always had a strong predilection for coun-
try life. In a letter of counsel to his family he says : " Let my children
be husbandmen and housewives. This leads to consider the works of
God and nature, and diverts the mind from being taken up with the vain
20
154
BUCKS COUNTY
arts and inventions of a luxurious world, Of cities and towns, of con-
course beivarc. The world is apt to stick close to those who have lived
and got wealth there. A country life and estate I like best for my chil-
dren."
Upon this favorite spot Wm. Penn had concentrated many a bright
vision of quiet enjoyment, in the midst of his own family, and surrounded
by the anticipated honors of his station as proprietary. He erected, or
caused to be erected during his absence, a magnificent mansion-house,
60 feet long by 40 deep, with offices and outhouses at the sides ; fronting
upon a beautiful garden which extended down to the river. It was in
his day, and for many years afterward, the marvel of the neighborhood.
He had the happiness to reside here for a short period with his family in
1700-'01, and entertained much company in his public capacity. The
increasing cares and responsibilities of the colony, and the peculiar state
of the times, required his presence in England, and he never afterward
enjoyed that quiet retirement for which he had so luxuriously provided.
The mansion and outhouses were neglected during his absence. A large
leaden water reservoir, which had been erected on the top of the man-
sion, to guard against fire, became leaky, and injured the walls and fur-
niture of the house, so that it fell into premature decay, and it was taken
down just before the revolution. After the peace the whole estate was
sold out of the Penn family. All that now remains on the premises is
the ancient frame brewhouse, a sketch of which is here inserted. Al-
though 160 years old, it is still serviceable as an outhouse, and was not
Pcnn^s old Brewhouse.
long since in use as a dwelling. Mr. Crozer thinks the shingles on one
side of the roof are those originally placed there ; at least no renewal
has been made " within the memory of the oldest inhabitant." The new
farm-house of Mr. Robert Crozer, seen in the picture, occupies part of
the site of the mansion-house. In the rear of the farm-house is a row of
venerable English cherry-trees planted by Penn himself, still in bearing,
but very much decayed.
Mr. John F. Watson, in his Annals of Philadelphia says :
?'The same Samuel Preston says of his grantlmoUier, that she said Phincas Pemberton
BUCKS COUNTY,
155
surveyed and laid out a town, intended to have been I^hiladelphia, up at PennsbUry, and that the
people who went there were dissatisfied with the change. On my expressing doubts of this,
thinking she may have confused the case of Chester renloral, Mr. Preston then further declared, that
having, nearly 40 years ago, occasion to hunt through the trunks of surveys of John Lukens,
surveydr-gencral of Bucks co., he and Lukens then saw a ground plot for the city of Philadel-
phia, signed Phincas Pembcrton, surveyor-general, that fully appeared to have been in Pennsbury
manor ; also another for the present town of Bristol, then called Buckingham."
The following notes of the early history of Buckingham and Solebury
townships, are from the pen of Mr. John WatsoiTof Greeriville. —
" The whole of the two townships, Buckingham and Sdlebiiry, in early time was called Buck-
ingham, being a favorite name with our first worthy proprietor, Wm. Penn. The name was first
given to the township and borough now called Bristol, but transferred here perhaps about the
year , before Cutler's re-survey.
" It appears, by an enumeration of the inhabitants taken in 1787, that Buckingham contained
173 dwelling-houses, 188 outhouses, 1,173 white inhabitants, and 13 blacks. Solebury, 166
dwelling-houses, 150 out-houses, 928 white inhabitants, and no blacks.
" A certain Dr. Bowman, being of a contemplative turn of mind, in the early settlement, used
to frequent the fine round top of one of the hills near the river ; and, at his request, he was buri-
ed there. It is since called Bowman's hill. Many others have since been buried at the same
place. Bowman's hill is directly opposite to another on the Jersey shore called Belmount, of thd
same height, fornl, and direction.
" The first settlers generally came from England, and were of the middle rank, and chiefly
J'riends ; many of them had first settled at the Falls, but soon after removed back, as it was
then called, into the woods. As they came away in the reigns of Charles, James, William, and
Anne, they brought with them not only the industry, frugality, and strict domestic discipline of
their education, but also a portion of those high-toned pohtical impressions that then prevailed
in England.
" At that early period, wlien our forefathers were building loghouscs, barns, and sheds fof
Stables, and clearing new land, and fencing it chiefly with poles or brush, it has been said that a
hearty, sincere good will for each other generally prevailed among them. They ail stood oc-
casionally in need of the help of their neighbors, who were often situated at some distance
through the woods.
" Chronic ailments were not so frequent as at present ; which was, perhaps, in part owing to
the wholesome diet, brisk exercise, lively manners, and cheerful and unrefined state of the mind.
But acute disorders, such as fevers, in various degrees — those called ' long fevers, dumb agues,
fever-and-agues,' sore throats and pleurisies, were then much nlore corrimon than now. The
natural small-pox was pccuharly distressing — was mostly severe, and often mortal — and nothing
strange that it should be so. The nature of the disorder being but little known, it was very ini-
properly treated by the nurses, to whose care the management was chiefly committed. A hot
room — plenty of bedclothes — hot teas — and milk punch, or hot tiff", were pronounced niost proper
to bring the eruption out, and to make it fill well ; and the chief danger was apprehended front
the patient taking cold by fresh air or cold drink.
" When wheat and rye grew thick and tall on new land, and all was to be cut with sickles,
nlany men and some women became dexterous in the use of therri, and victory was contended
for in many a violent trial ; sometimes by two or three only, and sometimes by the whole com-
pany for 40 or 50 perches. About the year 1741, 20 acres were cut and shocked in half a day
in Solebury.
" The imposing authority of necessity obliged the first settlers and their successors to wear a
strong and coarse kind of dress ; enduring buck-skin was used for breeches, and sometimes for
jackets ; oznabrigs, made of hemp tow at Is. 4d. per yard, was much used for boys' shirts ;
sometimes fla.\;, and flax and tow were used for that purpose ; and coarse tow for trowsers ; a
wool hat, strong shoes, and brass buckles, two linsey jackets, and a leather apron, made out the
winter apparel. This kind of dress continued to be common for the laboring people Until 1750.
" Yet a few, even in early times, somewhat to imitate the trim of their ancestors, laid out as
niuch to buy one suit of fine clothes, as would have piu-chased 200 acres of pretty good land.
The cut of a fine coat, (now antiquated,) nlay be worthy of description. Three or four large
plaits in the skirts — wadding almost like a coverlet to keep them smooth — cuff's vastly large up
to the elbows, open below, and of a round form. The hat of a beau was a good broad-brimmed
beaver, with double loops, drawn nearly close behind, and half raised on each side. The women
in full mode wore stiff" whalebone stays, worth 8 or ,^10. The silk gown much plaited in the
back ; the sleeves nearly twice as large as the arm, and reaching rather more than half way from
the shoulder to the elbow — the interval covered with a fine holland sleeve, nicely plaited, locket
buttons, and long-armed gloves. Invention had then reached no further than a bath bonnet with
a cape.
" Something like this was the fashion of gay people • of whom there Were a few, though no*
156 BUCKS COUNTY.
many in fearly times, in Buckingham and Solebury. But the wholc^ or something like it, wa»
often put bil i'or weddisg suits, with the addition of the bride being dressed in a long black hood
witiiout a bbnnet. There was one of these solemn symbols of matrimony made of near twa
yards of rich black Paduasoy, that was lent to be worn on those occasions, and continued some-
times in use, down to my remembrance. Several of these odd fashions were retained, because
old, and gradually gave way to those that were new. The straw plat, called the Bee-hive bon-
net, and the blue or green apron, were long worn by old women.
" Notwithstanding ihe antique and rough dresses, and unimproved habits and manners that
obtained among the early settlers, yet an honest, candid intention, a frank sincerity, and a good
degree of zeal and energy in adhering to religious and civil principles and duties generally, pre-
vailed among the most substantial part of them.
"The first surveys in what was then called Buckingham, were as early as 1 68-, and the
greater part were located before 170.3. It is not easy to ascertain who made the first improve-
ment ; but most probably, from circumstances, it was Thomas and John Bye ; and George Pow-
nall, Edward Henry, and Roger Hurtle}', Dr. Streper, and Wm._ Cooper, came cgrly ; Richard
Burgess, John Scarbrough, grandfather of the preacher of that namcTand'FTeiiry Paxson, were
also early settlers. John and Richard Lundy, John Large, and James Lenox, and Wm. La ;ey,
John Worstell, Jacob Holcomb, Joseph Linton, Joseph Fell, Matthew Hughes, Hugh Ely, and
perhaps Richard Norton, came from Long Island about 1705.
" The first adventurers were chiefly members of the falls meeting ; and are said to have fre-
quently attended it, and often on foot. In the year 1700, leave was granted by the Quarterly
meeting to hold a meeting for worship at Buckingham ; which was first at the house of WiUwin
Cooper, (now John Gillingham's.)
" One of the first dwelhng-houscs yet remains in Abraham Paxson's yard, on the tract called
William Croasdale's, now Henry Paxson's. It is of stone.
" Until a sufficient quantity of grain was raised for themselres and the new-comers, all further
supplies had to be brought from the Falls or Middletown ; and until 1707, all the grain had to be
taken there, or to Morris Gwin's, on Pennepack below the Billet, to be ground. In that year
Robert Heath built a grist-mill on the great spring-stream in Solebury. This must have been a
great hardship — to go so far to mill for more than 17 years, and chiefly on horseback. It was
some time tliat they had to go the same distance with their plough-irons and other smith work.
Horses were seldom shod ; and blocks to pound hominy were a useful invention borrowed from
the natives.
"In 1690, there were many settlements of Indians in these townships — one on the lowland
near the river, on George Pownall's tract, which remained for some time after he settled there —
one on James Streiper's tract, near Conkey Hole — one on land since Samuel Harold's — one on
Joseph Fell's tract — and one at the great spring, &c.
" Tradition reports that they were kind neighbors, supplying the white people with meat, and
sometimes with beans and other vegetables ; which they did in perfect charity, bringing presents
to their houses and refiisirig pay. Their children were sociable and fond of play. A harmony
arose out of their mutual intercourse and dependence. Native simplicity reigned in its greatest
extent. The difference between the families of the white man and the Indian, in many respects,
^as not great — when to live was the utmost hope, and to enjoy a bare sufficiency the greatest
luxury;
" While the land was fresh and new, it produced good crops of wheat and rye ; from 15 to 25
or 30 bushels per acre.
" It appears in an old account-book of my grandfather, Richard Mitchel's, who had a grist-
mill and store in Wrightstown, from 1724 to 1735, that his charges are as follows : Wheat from
3s. to 4s. ; rye one shilling less ; Indian corn and buckwheat, 2s. ; middlings, fine, 7s. and 8s. ;
coarse, 4s. 6r/. ; bran Is. ; salt, 4s. ; beef, 2d. ; bacon. Ad. ; pork was about 2d.
" Improved land was sold generally by the acre, at the price of 20 bushels of wheat. Thus,
wheat 2s. 6f/., land 21. 10s. ; wheat 3s., land 3/. ; wheat 3s. 6(/., land 3/. 10s. ; wheat 5s., land
hi. ; tvheat 7s. 6f/., land 11. 10s. ; wheat 10s., land 10/. AVhen provender could be procured to
keep stock through the winter, milk, butter, and cheese became plenty for domestic use. Swine
were easily raised and fattened. Deers, turkeys, and other small game made a plentiful supply
of excellent provision in their season. Roast venison and stew-pies were luxurious dishes,
which the hunter and his family enjoj'cd in their log cabins with a high degree of pleasure.
" Having generally passed over the era of necessity that attended the first settlement about 1 730,
and fol" some time before, they mostly enjoyed a pretty good living, were well fed, clothed, and
lodged.
" The new stone meeting-house being built about 1731, several stone dwelling-houses were
built about that time, and soon after ; as Joseph Fell's, Thomas Canby's, John Watson's, Joseph
Large's, and Henry Paxson's. Several frame-houses were also built, enclosed with nice-shaved
clapboards, plastered inside. One of these yet remains standing on Thomas Watson's land, no\V
John Lewis's. The boards for floors and partitions were all sawed by hand, and the hauling
done with carts and sleds, as there were not many, if any, wagons at that early period.
BUCKS COUNtY. 157
" Most of the original tracts were settled and iihproved before 1720 ; and in 1730 the lands up
the Nesharainy and in Plumstead were settled ; And in New Britain by Welsh generally.
" The winter of 1740-41 was very Severe. The snow was deep, and lay from the latter end of
December to the 4th of March.
" Houses for school were very few, and those poor, dark, log-buildings ; the masters, generally,
Very unsuitable persons for the purpose ; and but little learning obtained at school. Schooling
was 20s. a year, and the master boarded with the employers.
" Indian corn, not bemg an article of trade. Was not raised in quantities before 1750, nor mitil
some years after.
" Before this time, no cross occurrence happened materially to disturb the general tranquillity ;
every thing, both public and private. Went on in an even and regular routine — moderate wishes
were fully supplied — necessaries and conveniences were gradually increased ; but luxuries of any
kuid, except spirituous liquors, were rarely thought of, or introduced, either of apparel, household
furniture, or living. Farm carts were had by the best farmers. Thomas Canby, Richard Nor-
ton, Joseph Large, Thomas Gilbert, and perhaps a few more, had wagons before 1745, and a few
two-horse wagons from then to 1750 were introduced ; and some who went to market had light
tongue-carts for the purpose. These were a poor make-shiftj easily overset, the wild team some-
times ran away, and the gears often broke. John Wells, Esq., was the only person wbo ever had
a riding chair. He and Matthew Hughes were the only justices of the peace, except Thos. Can-
by, who held a commission for a short time — and there were no taverns in the two townships,
except on the Delaware, at Howell's and Coryell's ferries, (which was owing probably to the dis-
position and manners of the inhabitants,) and but one distillery a short time.
" The preceding account will apply witli general propriety to the state of things until 1754,
when a war began between England and France concerning lands on the west and northwest of
Pennsylvania. In general the war introduced a more plentiful supply of cash. Trade and im-
provements were proportlonably advanced ; the price of all kinds of produce was increased ;
wheat was from six shillings to a dollar a bushel, and a land tax was raised to sink the debt ; yet
the burden was not sensibly felt, as there was such an increasing ability to bear it.
" As the quantity of cash Increased during the war, so also there was a much larger importa-
tion of foreign goods. Bohea tea and coffee became more used, which were not often to be found
in any farmer's house before 1750. Tea, in particular, spread and prevailed almost universally.
Half silks and calico were common for women's wearmg, various modes of silk bonnets, silk
and fine linen neckhandkerchiefs ; in short, almost every article of women's clothing was for-
eign manufacture. The men wore jackets and breeches of Bengal, nankeen, fustian, black ever-
lasting, cotton velvet, as the fashion of the season determined the point, which changed almost
every year. Household furnitiu-e was added to, both in quantity and kind ; and hence began the
marked distinction between rich and poor, or rather between new-fashioned and old-fashioned,
which has continued increasing ever since.
" The subject of old and new fashions bore a considerable dispute, at least how far the new
should be Introduced. Some showed by their practice that they were for going as far as they
could ; some stopped half way ; and a few trying to hold out as long aS they could, were not to
be won upon by any means more likely to prevail than by the women, who had a strong aversion
to appearing singular ; so that at the present time, and for these 20 years past, there are but few
men, and fewer women, left as perfect patterns of the genuine old-fashioned sort of people."
During many years after the first settlement of Bucks co., the kind-
hearted and industrious Friends cleared and cultivated their lands in
peace ; contented with their own lot, and having no cause of quarrel
with others. Between them and the Indians who dwelt among them,
hospitality and other kind offices had always been reciprocated ; and al-
though the black cloud of Indian warfare was rumbling and thundering
beyond the Blue mountains in 1755-1760, yet the Quakers had little
to fear from it. [During several generations, the .simple history of the col-
onists of Bucks CO. was, that they lived, improved their farms, begat sons
and daughters, and were gathered to their fathers. But at length people
of other races, and different religious and political opinions, began to
settle among and around them ; and in process of time the desolating
tide of the revolutionary war swept to and fro across their once quiet
county. The American army, late in the year 1776, retreated across New
Jersey into this county. Gen. Washington defended all the passes of the
river from Coryell's ferry to BristoL His head-quarters were at New-
town, while he was urging upon congress the necessity of reinforcing the
158 BUCKS COUNTY.
army. The following extract is from a history of the Arriferican revo-
lution, in the Pennsylvania Journal, of 1781 : —
The affairs of America now (Dec. 1776) wore a serious aspect. New York, with several
posts in the neighbDrhood, and a considerable part of New Jersey, were in possession of the ene-
my. The American army liad lost during the campaign near five thousand men by captivity
and the sword ; and the few remaining regular troops, amomiting only to 2,000 men, were upon
the eVe of being disbanded — for as yet tile enlistments were for the short term of only one year.
Gen. Howe had cantoned his troops in several villages on the Delaware, in NeW Jersey. His
strongest post was at Trenton. It consisted of 1,200 Hessians, under the command of Col. Rahl.
Gen. Washington occupied the heights on the Pennsylvania side of the river, in full view of the
enemy. A few cannon shot were now and then exchanged across the river, but without doing fnuch
execution on either side. The two armies lay in these positions for several weeks.* Inthemeaii
while the spirit of liberty, inflamed by the recital of the ravages committed in New Jbrsey by the
British army, began to revive in every part of the continent. Fifteen hundred associators, for
as yet most of the states were without militia laws, marched from the city of Philadelphia to re-
inforce the expiring army of Gen. Washington. This body of men consisted chiefly of citizens
of the first rank and character in the state. They had been accustomed to live in all the softness
that is peculiar to the inhabitants of large cities. But neither the hardships of a military life,
nor the severity of the winter, checked their ardor in the caiiSe of their country. The wealthy
merchant and the journeyman tradesman Were seen marching side by side, and often exchanged
the contents of their canteens with each other.t Tliis body of troops was stationed at Bristol,
under the command of Gen. Cadwallader. On the evening of the 25th of Dec, Gen. Wasliing-
ton marched from his quarters, with his little army of regular troops, to M'Konkie's ferry, with
the design of surprising the enemy's post at Trenton. He had previously given orders to Gen.
Irvine, who commanded a small body of the miUtia of the Flying camp, to cross the Delaware
below Trenton, so as to cut off" the retreat of the enemy towards Bordentown. He had likewise
advised Gen. Cadwallader of his intended enterprise, and recommended it to him at the same
time to cross the river at Dunk's ferry, three miles below Bristol, in order to surprise the enemy's
post at Mount Holly. Unfortunately, the extreme coldness of the night increased the ice in the
river to that degree that it was impossible for the militia to cross it, either in boats or on foot.
After struggling with the season till near daylight, they reluctantly abandoned the shores of the
Delaware, and returned to their quarters. Gen. Washington, from the peculiar nature of that
part of the river to which he directed his march, met with fewer obstacles from the ice, and hap-
pily crossed the river about daylight. He immediately divided his little army, and marched them
through two roads towards Trenton. The distance was six miles. About eight o'clock an at-
tack was made on the picket-guard of the enemy. It was commanded by a youth of eighteen,
who fell in his retreat to the main body. At half an hour after eight o'clock, the town wa* nearly
surrounded, and all the avenues to it were seized, except the one which was left for Gen. Irvine
to occupy. An accident here had like to have deprived the American army of the object of their
enterprise. The commanding oflacer of one of the divisions sent word to Gen. Washington, just
before they reached the town, that his ammunition had been wetted by a shower of rain that had
fallen in the morning, and desired to know what he must do. The commander-in-chief, with
the coolness and intrepidity that are natural to him in action, sent him word to " advance with
fixed bayonets." This laconic answer inspired the division with the firmness and courage of
their leader. The whole body now moved onward in sight of the enemy. An awful silence
reigned through every platoon. Each soldier stepped as if he carried the liberty of his country
upon his single musket. The moment was a critical one. The attack was begun with artillery,
under the command of Col. (afterwards Gen.) Knox. The infantry supported the artillery with
spirit and firmness. It was now the tears and prayers of the sons and daughters of liberty found
acceptance in the sight of heaven. The enemy were thrown into confusion in every quarter.
One regiment attempted to form in an orchard, but were soon forced to fall back upon their main
body. A company of them took sanctuary in a stone hbuse, which they defended \vith a field*
* Of all events none seemed to the British more improbable, than that their late retreating half-
naked enemies should, in this extreme cold season, face about and commence off'ensive operations.
They indulged themselves in a degree of careless inattention to the possibility of a surprise,
which, in the vicinity of an enemy, however contemptible, can never be justified. It has been
said that Col. Rahl, the commanding officer in Trenton, being under some apprehension for that
frontier post, applied to Gen. Grant for a reinforcement ; and that the general returned for answer,
" Tell the colonel he is very safe : I will undertake to keep the peace in New Jersey with a cor-
poral's guard." — Ramsay.
t It is remarkable that out of these 1,500 citizens of Philadelphia, there died with sickness
only one man during a six weeks' tour of duty. Few veteran troops perhaps ever endured more
from cold, hunger, watching, and fatigue, than this corps of city militia.
BUCKS COUNTY. 159
piece judiciously posted in the entry of tlie house. Capt. (aftervyards Col.) Washington — a rela-
tion of the general — was ordered to dislodge them. He advanced with a field-piece, but finding
his men exposed to a close and steady fire, he suddenly leaped from tliem, and rusliing into the
house seized the officer by the collar who had the command of the gun, and claimed him as his
prisoner. His men followed him, and the whole company were inimediatcly made prisoners of
war. The captain received a ball in his hand in entering the liouse. In the mean while victory
declared itself everywhere in favor of the American arms, and Gen. Washington received the
submission of the main body of the enemy by means of a flag. The joy of the American troops
can more easily be conceived than described. This was the first important advantage they had
gained over the enemy in the course of the campaign, and its consequences were at once foreseen
upon the affairs of America. Great praise was given to the behavior of both officers and sol-
diers, by Gen. Washington, after the battle, in his letter to congress. The Philadelphia light-
horse distinguished themselves upon this occasion, by their bravery and attention to duty. They
were the more admired for their conduct, as it was the first time they had ever been in action.*
The loss of the enemy amounted to near one hundred in killed and wounded : an^ofig the former
was their commander. Col. Rahl. Above one thousand prisoners were taken, together with sijc
field-pieces, and a considerable quantity of camp furniture of all kinds. Private baggage was
immediately rendered sacred by a general order. About one hundred of the enemy escaped by
the lower road to Bordentown. The An^erican army had several privates and only one officer
womided. After havmg refreshed themselves, and rested a few hours in Trenton, they returned
with their prisoners and other trophies of victory, to the Pennsylvania side of the river, by
the same way they came, with the loss of Qfily three men, who perished with the cold in recross.
ing the river — an event not to be wondered ^t, when we consider that many of them were half
nalied, and most of them barefooted.
A few additional particulars are stated by Marshall, as follows : —
Gen. Washington accompanied the upper column, and arriving at the outpost on that road
precisely at eight, drove it in ; and in three minutes heard the fire from the column which had
taken the river road. The picket-guard attempted to keep up a fire while retreating, but was pur-
sued with such ardor as to be unable to make a stand. Col. Rawle, who commanded in the town,
paraded his men and met the assailants. In the commencement of the action he was mortally
wounded ; upon which the troops, in apparent confusion, attempted to gain the road to Princeton.
Gen. Washington threw a detachment into their front, while he advanced rapidly on them in per-
son. Finding themselves surrounded, and their artillery already seized, they laid down their arms
and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. About 20 of the enemy were killed, and about
1,000 made prisoners. Six field-pieces and 1,000 stand of small-arms were also taken. On the
part of the Americans, two privates were killed, two frozen to death, and one officer, Lieut. Mon.
roe, (since president of the United States,) of the third Virginia regiment, and three or four pri-
vates wounded. Count Donop, who commanded the troops be)ow Trenton, on hearing the dis-
aster which had befallen Col. Rawle, retreated by the road leading for Amboy, and joined Gen.
Leslie at Princeton. The next day Gen. Cadwallader crossed the Delaware, with orders to ha-
rass the enemy ; but to put nothing to hazard until he should be joined by the continental bat-
talions, who were allowed a day or two of repose after the fatigues of the enterprise against
Trenton. Gen. Mifflin joined Gen. Irvine with about 1,500 Pennsylvania militia, and those
troops also crossed the river. Finding himself once more at the head of a force with which it
seemed practicable to act offensively, the general detennined to employ the winter in endeavor-
ing to recover Jersey.
The Quakers of Bucks co. would willingly, in accordance with their
principles, have kept entirely aloof from both contending parties. But
this very neutrality was regarded with suspicion by the more active par-
tisans on the American side. Suspicion soon broke out into rancorous
political hostility, and as the war continued, political hostility ripened into
personal bitterness between near neighbors. During the progress of the
war, many unprincipled men, who did not choose to enlist openly with
* An anecdote is mentioned of Samuel Morris, I^sq., the captain of the troop of horse in this
action, which, though it discovers his inexperience of war, does singular honor to his humanity.
In advancing towards the town, he came up to the Hessian lieutenant who commanded the
picket-guard. He lay mortally wounded, and weltering in his blood, in the great road. The
captain was touched with the sight, and called to Gen. Greene to know if nothing could be done
for him. The general bid him push on, and take no notice of him. The captain was as much
agitated with the order as he was affected with the scene before him ; and it was not tUl after
the fortunate events of the morning were over, that ho was convinced that his sympathy for a
bleeding enemy was ill-tjmcd.
160 BUCKS COUNTY.
the royal army, found a more profitable employment in secret acts of
treachery and piracy among their own neighbors ; for which they were
well compensated by the British officers at Philadelphia and New York.
Among these outlaws the Doane family became notorious.
The Doanes were a Quaker family, living in Plumstead township during the revolution. The
father was a worthy man ; but his six sons, as they grew to manhood, abandoned aU the noble
principles of the sect with which they had been reared, and retaining only so much of its out-
ward forms as suited their nefarious schemes, they became a gang of most desperate outlaws.
They were professedly torics, and they drove for a time a very profitable trade in stealing the
horses and cattle of their wiiig neighbors, and disposing of them to the British army, then in
Philadelphia. One of the brothers, Joseph, was teaching school in Plumstead ; and Mr. Shaw,
now of Doylesto wn, was one of his scholars, together with two of the Doanes, tlicn about 18 or
20 years of age. Two of the brothers had joined the British in Philadelphia, and through them
the stolen horses were disposed of, and the proceeds shared. The Doanes at school were often
displaying their pockets full of guineas, which were at first supposed to be counterfeit ; but sub-
sequent events proved their genuineness, and disclosed the source from which they had procured
so suspicious an amount of gold. Suspicion had long fastened upon the family ; they were closely
watcJied ; and eventually, about the year 1782, (as our informant thinks, though others say it was
in 1778,) the stealing of a horse belonging to Mr. Shaw of Plumstezd, the father of the present
'Squire Shaw of Doylestown, was distinctly traced to them. This brought upon Mr. Shaw, and
a few others who were active in their detection, the combined malignity of the whole banditti ;
and it was not long before they obtained their revenge. Uniting with themselves another villain
of kindred spirit, the whole band, seven in all, including Moses Doane, who was their captain,
and Joseph, the schoolmaster above mentioned, fell upon Mr. Shaw at the dead of night, in his
own house, bruised and lacerated him most cruelly, and decamped with all his horses and many
valuables plundered from the house. Mr. Shaw, (now of Doylestown,) then a lad, was despatched
by his fatlier, who was almost exliausted with his wounds, to the nearest neighbors for assistance,
and to raise the hue and cry after the robbers. But these neighbors being Mennonists, conscien-
tiously opposed to bearing arms, and having besides an instinctive dread of danger, declined in-,
terfering in the matter. Such was the timidity and cautiousness manifested in those times be.,
tween the nearest neighbors, when of different political sentiments. The young man, however,
soon raised a number of neighbors, part of whom came to his father's assistance, and part armed
themselves and went in pursuit of the robbers. The latter, after leaving poor Mr. Shaw, had pro-
ceeded to the house of Joseph Grler, and robbed him ; and then went to a tavern kept by Col.
Robert Robinson, a very corpulent man. Him they dragged from his bed, tied him in a most ex-
cruciating position, and placing him naked in the midst of them, wliipped him until their ferocity
was satiated. They subsequently robbed and abused several other individuals on the same night,
and then escaped into Montgomery co. Here they were overtaken, somewhere on Sklppach, and
so hotly pursued that they were glad to abandon the fine horses on which they rode, and be-
take themselves to the thicket. Joseph, the schoolmaster, was shot through the cheeks, dropped
from his horse, and was taken prisoner. The others effected their escape, and concealed them-
selves.
The prisoner was taken to Newtown and indicted, but while awaiting trial escaped from jail,
fled into New Jersey, and there, under an assumed name, taught school for nearly a year.
The federal government had oflered a reward of ^800 for him or his brothers, dead or alive ; and
while in a bar-room one evening he heard a man say that he would shoot any one of the Doanes,
wherever he might see him, for the sake of the reward. Doane's school-bills were settled very
suddenly, and he made his way into Canada.
Moses, the captain of the gang, with two of the brothers, had concealed themselves in a se-
cluded cabin, occupied by a drunken man, near the mouth of Tohiccon cr. Mr. Shaw, the father,
learning their place of concealment, rallied a party of men, of whom Col. Hart was made the
leader, and surrounded the house. Instead of shooting them down at once. Hart opened the door,
and cried out, " Ah ! you're here, are you ?" The Doanes seized their arms, and shot down Mr.
Kennedy, one of the party. Two of the outlaws went through the back window, which seems
not to have been sufficiently guarded, and made their escape into the woods. Moses, the captain — •
who by the way was more of a gentleman than either of the other brothers — surrendered ; but
immediately on his surrender he was shot down by one of the attacking party. The person who
shot him was not, however, voluntarily of the party, but was suspected of being implicated with
the Doanes in their ill-gotten gains ; and it was supposed he shot him to close his mouth against
the utterance of testimony against himself. The other two were afterwards taken in Chester co.,
hung in Philadelphia, and brought home to be interred in Plumstead township.
The Doanes were distinguished from their youth for great muscular activity. They could run
and jump beyond all competitors, and it is said one of them could jump over a wagon.
Many years afterwards, the young lad Shaw, who had himself received many a severe flogging
BUCKS COUNTY.
IGl
from Doane the schoolmaster, became a magistrate in Doylestown, and rejoiced in the dignified
title of '"Squire" Shaw. Sitting one day at his window, whom should he see entering his gate
but old Joseph Doane. the traitor to his country, the robber of Shaw's father, the old schoolmas
ter who had so often flogged him, the refugee from prison ; and now a poor, degraded, broken-
down old man. Mr. Shaw assumed his magisterial dignity, and met him bluntly at the door vrith
the question, "What business have you with nie, sir?" Some inquiries i)assed, a recognition was
etieeted, and a cold formal shaking of hands was exchanged. The old scoundrel had returned
from Canada to bring a suit against an old t^uakpr gentleman in tlu^ county, for a small legacy
of some )Sl-lO, coming to Doane ; and he bad the cool impudence to require tlie services of a ma-
gistrate whoso father he had forincrly roi)l)ed and nc'arly nmrdered. It is creditable to 'Squire
Shaw's high sense of honor, and respect i'or the law he was sworn to administer, that the man re-
covered his money, and returned quietly to Canada. The meeting between the jdaintiff and the
defendant is said to have been quite amusing. Their conversation was still conducted, on both
sides, in the " plain language" of Quakers ; but nevertheless they abused each other most roimd-
iy — the one alleging his authority from government to blow the other's brains out, or to take him
" dead or alive ;" arid the other claiming his money, so long, as he thought, unjustly detained.
Subsequently, a sister of the Doanes, with her husband, also returned from Canada, and made ii
similar claim for a legacy before 'Squire Shaw,
Doylestown, the county seat, is situated on a high hill commanding an
extensive view of the I'ertile country around it. It is a pleasant and (juiet
town, inhabited by intelligent and orderly citizens. Satisfied with the
dignity of the scat of justice, it has been kept aloof by its geographical
position from the railroad and canal projects of the last fifteen years ;
water lots it has none, and there is no extensive water-power immedij^te-
ly at the town for manufacturing purposes. The citizens, therefore, have
escaped in a great measure the ravages of the recent crisis, and can ap-
preciate the value of that slow but steady prosperity ba.sed upon agricul-
tural improvement. It became the county seat in 1812, when the public
documents were removed from Newtown, and the new county buildings
were erected. The annexed view exhibits these buildings, which are
Public Buildings at Doylestown.
well built, of fine sandstone. The town also contains a bank, Presbyte-
rian, Methodist, and Mennonist churches, an academy, an Academy of
Natural Science, and three or lour weekly newspaper offices. Popula-
tion in 1840, 900. A Doylestown paper of 183.3 says —
As far back as the year 1778, there were but two or three log buildings in the place;
the oldest of which was occupied t).nd kept as a sort of public house, for the " entertainment of
man and horse," and stood nearly, pr perhaps quite, on the site where the handsome new building
21
162 BUCKS COUNTY.
of Pugli Dqngan now stands. No trace of this ycnerabje building was to be obserYed for a
number of years, saying a small cavity which designated the spot occupied by the cellar, and a
well, which has been re-opened by Mr. Dungan. The next was a low log building, which subse-
quently gave place to the " Mansion House" of Mrs. Magill. These were perhaps the only
buildings in the place at that time. The most particular event which signalized the history of
Doylestown at that period, was the encampment of the American army a few nights previous to
the memorable battle of Monmouth, which took place on the 28th June, 1778. The army was
divided into three encampments ; — the first of which was stationed in the rear of a row of cherry
trees that extended westward from the last-mentioned building, which was occupied during the
night as Head Quarters, and which bore the imposing insignia of " Cakes and Beer ;" the second
was placed near where the Presbyterian church stands ; and the third on the farm of Mr. Callen-
der, about half a mile from the village on the New Hope road. The next morning was occupied
imtil near noon before the army and baggage wagons were completely under way. The place
soon after this began to manifest the appearance of a village, and received the name of Doyle
Town from a family who owned the principal part of the property. Traces of the family still
remain in the neighborhood.
This region was originally settled by people from the north of Ireland,
of the Presbyterian denomination. As early as 1732, a log church was
founded at Deep run, 8 miles northwest of Doylestown, of which Rev.
Francis McHenry, from Ireland, was installed pastor in 1738. He died in
1757, and was succeeded in 17G1 by the Rev, James Latta, — -to whom, and
to his successors in the ministry, Hon. William Allen, of Philad., gave the
lot of ground occupied by the church and parsonage. Rev. Hugh McGill,
in '70, Rev. James Grier in '91, and Rev. Uriah DuBois in '98, succeeded
to the charge ; and under the latter, public worship began to be held in-
terchangeably at Deep run and Doylestown in 1804 — he being also prin-
cipal of the academy at Doylestown. The Presbyterian church here
was dedicated on the 13th August, 1815. Mr. Du Bois died in 1821. The
successors have been Rev. Charles Hyde in 1823, and Rev. Silas M. An-
drews in 1831, who is still in charge.
There is a tradition very current in Bucks county, as well as in Phila-
delphia, that the renowned Indian chief Tamane, Tanianed, or ^t. Tam-
many, as modern politicians have it, is buried by the side of a spring on
Capt. Roberts' farm, about 3 1-2 miles west of Doylestown. That some
aged chief was buried there is quite certain, but whether it be the great
Saint of the Bucktails is somewhat doubtful. The spring gushes out in
a ravine on the side of Prospect hill, and after running a short distance
empties into the Neshaminy, which winds beautifully round at the foot
of the hill. From the summit above the spring may be seen for a great
distance the beautiful farms and cottages that adorn the northern slope
of the Neshaminy valley, formerly the cherished hunting grounds of the
Delaware^. The noble old chief had returned to lay his bones in the
land of his nativity, while the scattered remnants of the tribe were
doomed to retire, and again and again retire before the encroachments
of the pale-faces, until the distinct traces of the nation are nearly lost.
The well-authenticated tradition of the She well family is, that
The aged chief (whoever \\c might be) was proceeding, with other chiefs and followers, to at-
tend some important treaty — perhaps at Philadelphia, or Easton. He was taken sick on the
road ; but such was his anxiety to be present at the treaty, that his friends carried him for many
days, until at last, wearied with their burden and anxious to fulfil their engagement, they were
compelled to leave him and l^asten on to the treaty, to be held the next day. The old chief \*as
left with his daughter in a wigwam near the spring where he was buried. Such was his chagrin
at being thus deserted by his followers, and his mortification at not being able to attend the trea-
ty, that he attempted to set fire to his wigwam ; but frustrated in that attempt, he sent his faith-
ful daughter to the spring for some water, and, during her absence, plunged his knife into his own
heart and expired. JVIr. Walter Shewell, gran Jfather pf the present Nathaniel Shevroll, tJsq.,
BUCKS COUNtV. 163
IWed near the spring at the time, and, on being informed of the cJd clilef 'g death, proceeded with
one or two companions to perform the rites of sepulture. liis son Robert, (the father of Na-
thaniel Shewcll,) was a "httlc boy" at the time, and wished to go to the funeral, but liis father
woidd not permit him. He informed Capt. Roberts that the grave was at the foot of a big poplar
tree, by the side of a spring on his farm. Capt. R. found the poplar stump, and threw a few
stones over it to marlt the spot. The stump lias decayed, the stones have been scattered by the
plough, and nothing now remains to mark tiie precise spot but Captain Roberts' recollection.
The question now arises as to the identity of the chief with Tamane.
By an examination of the grave-stones in a neighboring churchyard, we
learn that Walter Shewell, the grandfather of Nathaniel, and the one
who buried the chief, died 23d Oct. 1779, aged 77 — consequently born in
1702. Walter Shewell, his son, and uncle of Nathaniel, died in 1822,
aged 96 — consequently born in 1720. Robert Shewell, also a son, and
the " little boy" at the time of the funeral, was the father of Nathaniel,
and died 23d Dec. 1825, aged 84 — consequently born in 1741. Nathaniel
Shewell is still living within two miles of the old chief^s grave. The
treaty referred to, therefore, could not have been that of 1742, when Can-
nassetego made his taunting speech to the Delawares ; for Robert was
then but a year old. In Aug. 1749, Cannassetego, with 280 others — On-
ondagas, Tutelos, Delawates, Nanticokes, &c. — went to Philadelphia to
pay their respects to the new governor, Hamilton. On this occasion a
purchase was made of the land beyond the Blue mountain, now com-
prising the anthracite coal region. Robert was at this time eight years
old, and this probably was the date of the chief's death. There was a
grand conference at Albany, N. Y., in 1754, at which Sir William John-
son attended — at Easton in 1756, and at Easton and Philadelphia in
1758.
Mr. Heckewelder, in his historical account of the Indian nations, says,
All we know of Tamened is, that hb was an ancient Delaware chief who never had his equal.
It is said that when, about 1776, Col. Gebrge Morgan, of Princeton, visited the western Indians
by direction of Congress, the Delawares conferred on him the name of Tamany, as the greatest
mark of respect which they could show to that gentleman, who they said had the same address,
affability, and meekness as their honored chief. In the revolutionary war, his enthusiastic ad-
mirers dubbed him a saint, and He was established under the name of St. Tammany, the patron
saint of America. His name was inserted in some calendars, and his festival celebrated on the
first day of May in every year. On that day a numerous society of his votaries walked together
in procession through the streets Of Philadelphia, their hats decorated with bucks' tails, and pro-
ceeded to a handsome rural place out of town, which they called the toigwam , where, after a
long talk or Indian speech had been delivered, and the calumet of peace and friendship had been
duly smoked, they spent the day in festivity and mirth. After dinner, Indian dances were per-
formed on the green in front of the wigwam, the calumet was again smoked, and the company
separated. Since that time Philadelphia, New York, and perhaps other places, have had their
Tamany societies, Tamany halls, &-c. &-c. In their meetings these societies make but an odd
figure in imitating the Indian manner of doing business, as well as in aj)propriating their names
Upon one another.
Mr. Drake says he infers from Gabriel Thomas, (who resided in Penn-
sylvania about 15 years, and who published an historical and geographi-
cal account of the province at London, in 1698,) that Temeny, as Thomas
spells it, Was a Delaware chief of great renown, who might have been
alive as late as 1680 or 1690.
If Tamaned had been living as late as 1749, he could hardly have
escaped the observation of the Moravian missionaries, who settled in the
Forks of the Delaware as early As 1742, and explored the Susquehanna
country soon after. The inference is, that the chief buried by Mr. Shew-
ell must have been some other individual.
164 BUCKS COUNTY.
Hartsville is a small village on the Willow Gi'ove titnipike, about six
miles south from Doylestown. About half a mile northwest of the vil-
lage is the " Neshamiiiy church," (Presbyterian.) The original congre-
gation which worshipped here, was organized under the charge of Rev.
Wm. Tenncht, about the year 1730. This was the site of the celebrated
Log College. Our only information respecting this institution, is derived
from notes in the Rev. Dr. Miller's " Retrospect of the l8th century," and
his " Life of Dr. Rogers."
Rev. Wm. Teniierit, an emigranC from Ireland, ab'oiit the year 1730 established at Neshaminy
an Academy, which was mcn-e partlciihirly intended for the education of ministers for the Presby-
terian churcli. Tliis institution eofitinued to flourish for some time, and was the means of form-
ing a number of good scholars, and a number of distinguished professional characters. When it
began to decline, the Rev. Mr. Roari, a learned and able divine, also of the Presbyterian church,
erected another Academy at Neshaminy in the vicinity of the former. — Retrospect of the \iith
century.
Mr. Wm. Tennent had been a clergyman in the, established church of Ireland. Soon after his
arrival here he renoimced his connection with the Episcopal church, and joined the Presbytery of
Philadelphia. He was nmch celebrated for his profound and accurate acquaintance with the
Latin and Greek classic?, and taught them with great Success at his Academy on the Nesha-
miny, called the Losr College, from its being built of logs. Mr. Tennent had four sons, Gilbert^
VVilham, John, and Charles, all distinguished and useful clergymen, whose praise has long been
in the churches. He educated them all, together with a number of other young men, at liis Log
College. Rev. Wm. Tennent, senior, died at Neshaminy May 6th, 1746, aged 73. The Rev-
Samuel Blair, one of the most learned and able as well as pious and excellent men that ever
adorned the American church, came from Ireland early in life, and was one of Mr. Tennent's
students at the Log f'ollege. The Rev. Charles Beatty, a native of Ireland, obtained a pretty
eiccurate classical education in his own country ; but his circumstances being narro\<r, he em-
ployed several of the first years of his residence in America in the business of a pedler. He
halted one day at the Log College. The pedler, to Mr. Tennent's surprise, addressed him in cor-
rect Latin, and appeared to be familiar with that language. After much conversation — in which
Mr. Beatty manifested fervent piety, and considerable religious knowledge, as well as a good edu-
cation in other respects — Mr. Tennent said, " Go and sell the contents of your pack, and return
immediately and study with me. It will be a sin for you to continue a pedler, when you can be
so much more useful in another profession." He accepted Mr. Tennent's offer, and in due time
became an eminent minister. He was chaplain in the army under Dr. Frankhn on the Lehigh.
(See Carbon county.) He died at Barbadoes, where he had gone to solicit benefdctions for the
New Jersey College. — Miller's Life of Dr. Rogers.
Bristoi,, the largest town in the county, and formerly the seat of just*
ice, is beautifully situated on an elevated flat, on the right bank of the
Delaware, at the mouth of Mill creek. It is opposite Burlington, and 20
miles from Philadelphia. The Delaware branch of the canal from East-
on terminates here in a spacious basin, bringing to the place an exten-
sive coat trade. The Philadelphia and Trenton railroad passes in the
rear of the town. Steamboats are constantly touching at the landing
place. There are here an Episcopal church nearly 100 years old, a
Methodist church and Quaker meeting-house, the Farmers' Bank of
Bucks county, an extensive flouring-mill, hotels, stores, &c. All steam-
boat travellers to Philadelphia retain a lively recollection of the beauti-
ful river baUk at Bristol, adorned with tasteful country seats, and shaded
with weeping Willows. The distinguishing characteristic of the place,
notwithstanding the advantages for business introduced by recent pub-
lic improvements, is its quietness and rural beatity; It has long beeri
a favorite resort of the citizens of Philadelphia, and was formerly cele-
brated for a chalybeate spring, situated in the marsh northwest of the vil-
lage, but now abandoned. The fever of mode'-n speculation, though it
caused a few additional lots to be laid out here, as elsewhere, and a fev^r
gardens to be planted with Multicaulis, has left no very distinct trace of
BUCKS COUNTY. 165
its ra^'ages. The population in 1840, was 1,438. Scott, in his geography,
(of 1800.) says Bristol contained then about 90 houses. By the census of
1800, the population was 511— in 1810, 028— in 1820, 908.
Bristol was incorporated as a borough by Sir William Keith, governot
of the province, on the 14th Nov. 1720. The charter, which may be
found at length in Hazard's Register, 3d vol. 312, recites a number of in-
teresting historical factSi
It appears that the petitioners for the charter, " owners of a certain
tract of land formerly called Buckingham in the county of Bucks," were
Anthony Barton, John Hall, Wm. Wharton, Joseph Bond, " and many
other inhabitants of the town of Bristol ;" that they had already laid out
streets, erected a church and meeting-house, a courthouse, and a prison^
and that the courts had for a long time been held there, &c. Joseph
Bond and John Hall were appointed burgesses, and Thomas Clifibrd high
constable. This original charter continued in force until the revolution.
A new one was granted by the state in 1785.
In these office-hunting times a provision like the following would hardly
be considered necessary in a borough charter.
And we do by the authority aforesaid grant unto the burgess and their successors, inat if any*
the inhabitants of the said town and borough shall hereafter be elected to the office of burgess or
constable as aforesaid, and having notice of his or their election, shall refuse to undertake and
execute that office to which he is so chosen, it shall and may be lawful for the burgess and bur
gesses then acting, to impose such moderate fines upon the refusers, so as the burgesses' fine ex-
ceed not ten pounds, and the constables' five pounds ; to be levied by distress and sale of thft
goods of the party so refusing, by warrant, under the hand of one or more of the burgesses, or
by other lawful ways, to the use of the said town. And in such case it shall and may be lawful
for the said inhabitants forthwith to choose others to supply the defects of such refusers.
The fairs held in virtue of the following provision, are still remerhbered
by the old residents. They Were kept up until late in the last Century,
but were abolished at length as being scenes of riot and dissipation. They
were held, for some years previous to their abolition, for three consecutive
days following the 9th of May. Similar fairs were held at Lancaster,
of which a more detailed description may be found under that head.
And we do further grant to the said burgesses, &-c,, That tliey and their successors shall and
may for ever hereafter, hold and keep within the said town in every week of the year one market
on the 5th day of the week called Thursday ; and also two fairs there in every year ; the first of
them to begin the eighth day of May, and to continue that day and one day after ; and the othet
of said fairs to begin the twenty-ninth day of October, and to continue till the thirty-first day of
the same month, in such place or places in the said town as the burgess from time to time raaj
appoint.
Oldmixon, who described Pennsylvania in 1708, speaks of "Bucking-
ham CO., where the first town we come to (going down the river) is Falls
township, and consists of 20 or 30 houses. Next to it is Bristol, the capi-
tal of the CO., consisting of about 50 houses. 'Tis famous for the mills
there of several sorts, built by Mr. Samuel Carpenter, an eminent planter
in the co., formerly a Barbadoes merchant."
Mr. Alexander Graydon, whose father was president of the court in
this CO., says in his Memoirs :
My recollections of the village of Bristol, in which I was born oh the 10th of April, N. S., in
the year 1752, cannot be supposed to go further back than to the year 1756 or 1757. There are
few towns, perhaps, in Pennsylvania, which, in the same space of time, have been so little im-
proved, or undergone less alteration. Then, as now, the great road leading from Philadelphia to
New York, first skirting the inlet, at the head of which stand the mills, and then turning short to
the left along the banks of the Delaware, formed the principal and indeed only street, marked by
166 BUCKS COUNTY.
any thing like a continuity of building. A few places for streets were opened from this hiain onej
on which, here and there, stood an humble, solitary dwelling. At a corner of two of these lanea
was a Quaker meeting-house, and on a still more retired spot, stood a small Episcopal church,
whose lonely grave-yard, with its surrounding woody scenery, might have furnished an appropri-
ate theme for such a muse as Gray's. These, together with an old brick jail, (Bristol having
once been the county town of Bucks,) constituted all the public edifices in this my native town.
With the exception of the family of Dr. Denormandie, our own, and perhaps one or two more,
the principal inhabitants of Bristol were Quakers. Among these, the names of Buckley,
Williams, Large, Mcritt, Hutchinson, and Church, are familiar to me.
The Bulkley-house, in the northern part of the borough, now occupied
by the Misses Willis, was erected at a very early date. Lafayette spent
some time there while recovering from his wound received at the battle
of Brandyvvine. Mr. Bessonet, an aged resident, is descended from the
Huguenots. His father kept a tavern on the site of the large one now
kept by Mr. Kinsey. It Was called " The King George," having a sign
with that monarch's portrait. Another tavern here was " The King of
Prussia." When the American army passed through the place, they
riddled poor King George with bullet-holes, so that Mr. Bessonet was
forced to adopt the more popular device of " The Fountain." His new
sign, representing the fountain, was considered a master-piece of art by
his rustic guests.
About the year 1830-31, a Fellenberg or agricultural school was
founded by Mr. Anthony Morris, at the Bolton farm, near Bristol. It was
under the superintendence of F. A. Ismar, a pupil of the celebrated
Hofwyl school, and was associated with the classical institution of Rev.
Wm. Chatterton, at the same place. In 1833, the Bristol college, an in-
stitution under the patronage of the Episcopal churchy was founded at a
beautiful tract of 400 acres, 3 miles below Bristol, called the China Re-
treat. It was under the presidency of Rev. Chauncy Colton, D. D., and
at one time had about 80 or 100 scholars. It languished, however, as a
college, and became afterwards a classical school. Within a year past
it has been opened as a military college. ■*
The word midticaulis, mentioned above, suggests an interesting topic,
concerning which, for the benefit of posterity, it may be proper to record
a few facts, although they have no special connection with the history of
Bristol, but rather with that of the surrounding region. Thirty years
hence the young generation of that day will scarcely credit the facts
stated in the following extracts.
Annexed is a correct statement of the munber, prices, and proceeds of the mdrus multicauUs
sold Sept. 18, 1839, at auction, at the Highfield Cocoonery, Germantown, Pa. The trees were
sold as they stood in the ground, those under 12 inches to be rejected. Owing to a thin soil and
close planting, the sizes of trees were generally small, and the branches few ; the average height,
according to an estimate made on the ground, being about 2 J feet. The purchasers were gener-
ally from a distance, the largest portion being from Illinois, Missouri, and other western states.
[260,000 trees were sold at prices varying from 17 J to 37^ cents per tree — averaging 31 93.100
cents per tree, or 12^ cents per foot in length of stalk ; the total sale was ^81,218 75.] — Haz.
U. S. Statistical Register, 1839.
About the same month trees sold at Columbia, Pa., at 50 cents ; at
Unionville, Chester co., 2,500 trees, " averaging four feet," at 40 cents ;
other sales, in the same neighborhood, at 47 to 50 cents ; at Westchester,
Pa., 18,000 trees at 10 cents per foot. Sales in Jersey, and in New Eng-
land at about the same prices, and in the southern states, some as high
as $1 per tree. A nurseryman in Jersey, who advertises 30,000 trees,
very kindly adds, " twenty-five per cent in cash will be received on any
BUCKS COUNTY. 16T
purchase of $1,000 or upwards, and the balance may remain for a term
of years at legal interest, secured by bond and mortgage." Mr. Morris's
" Silk Farmer," published in Philadelphia, Sept. 1839, after enumerating
many actual sales, gives as the proceeds of 15 acres, $32,500 ; of other 2
acres, $8,000; of other 10 acres, $38,000.
It will be seen that the sales of trees reported in a single week exceed 300,000, and that pricef3
arc continually advancing, in the face of a pressure for money severe enough to depress the price
of both flour and cotton. The selling season is moreover not half gone, yet at least one quarter
of all tlie trees in the country have been sold, some of them two or three times. At this time
last year, no one thought of buying trees ; but now, before they arc half grown, and before the
purchaser can tell what size the trees he is buying will attain to, the demand at home and at the
west is rapidly taking the stock off the grower's hands. The naked fact is this — the people of
this country have become so thoroughly satisfied of the great profit to be realized by growing
silk, that the mighty movement in that direction, which is now urging on all classes to embark
in it, cannot be repressed until our whole country is luxuriant with mulberry trees ; and the day
js fast approaching when in advertising a farm for sale, it will be as indispensable a recommen-
dation to it, to say that it contains five, ten, or twenty acres of Multicaulis trees, as that it con-
tains as many of meadow or woodland. — Morris's " Silk Farmer" Sept. 1839.
In the year 1838, a nev/ chapter in the history of the silk culture was to be unfolded. There
is little reason to doubt that, at this time, a combination of some principal individuals, deeply in-
terested in the Multicaulis in the United States, was formed, in order to force the sales of this
tree at high prices. By every species of finesse, and by the grossest imposition, th« public pulse
was quickened to a rapidity and intensity of circulation almost unparalleled in the history of the
excitements of the human mind. The selling of spurious seed, the disposal of trees under false
names, the selling for Multicaulis that which did not even belong to the species of the mulberry,
and especially the getting up extensive auction sales of Multicaulis trees, with no other view
than that of wholesale imposition upon the pubhc, present facts in the history of our commmiity
equally remarkable and disgracefiU. They are instructive monuments to mark the extremes to
which, under the influence of an unbridled avarice, the cunning of some men will proceed, and
the credulity of others may be led. In these circumstances the public attention was directed
exclusively to the growing of trees. The production of silk did not enter into the calculation.
Thousands and thousands of acres were planted, and immense importations of these trees have
been made from foreign countries. By the caprices and fluctuations incident to all human affairs,
and by no raeans unexpected in a case of such violent and extravagant speculation, as that of
which I have been speaking, it has happened that the ebb lias gone down in proportion to the
elevation of the flood. This speculation is at an end ; and though all the growers and specula-
tors in Morus Multicaulis, from Florida to Maine, should pumj) at the bellows together, they are
nmch more likely to blow out the last embers that remain on the hearth, than to fan them into
a flame. It is feared that in too many cases the exposure of the speculation, as it was termed,
would present only humiliating examples of fraud and credulity ; and it would be an invidious
and ungrateful task to rake open the ashes for the sake of seeing the burnt bones and carcasses
of those who have perished in the flames. The Multicaulis is no longer in quick demand, and
may be purchased at a price far below its actual and intrinsic value. — Third Report on the Ag.
riculture of Mass., copied in Hazard's U. S. Register, Oct. 1839.
During the height of this speculative epidemic, many fortunes in this
section of Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, were gained, and others lost.
In every village numerous gardens and out-lots might be seen planted
with Multicaulis. In 1843 these trees had become a worthless incum-
brance, and in many instances were rooted up and thrown away. Still
the manufacture of silk has steadily progressed as a branch of family in-
dustry, and promises profitable results to the country.
New Hope is a flourishing village on the right bank of the Delaware,
1 1 miles N. E. from Doylestown, and 34 from Philadelphia. It contains,
by the census of 1840, 820 inhabitants, several churches, 2 cotton facto-
ries, with 7,000 spindles, 2 flouring-mills, 2 saw-mills, stores, taverns, &c.
There is a fine bridge across the Delaware, 1,050 feet long, erected in
1814. The individual subscription was $160,000. A portion of the capi-
tal was employed in banking, formerly on the New Hope side, but now at
Lambertsville, at the Jersey end of the bridge. The water power which
108
BUCKS COUNTY.
drives the manufactories at and near this place, is derived from a copious
spring, called by the natives Aquetong, and by the whites, Ingham's, or
the Big Spring. It gushes out between the slate and limestone rocks
about 3 miles west of New Hope. It seldom freezes in winter. It falls
110 feet in two miles.
The Delaware canal passes through the town, A navigable feeder to
the Delaware and Raritan canal connects with the Delaware 4 miles
above, passing through Lambertsville. Great exertions have been made
for many years to get Pennsylvania to construct an outlet lock at Black's
Eddy, but hitherto without success. It would open a passage to the Le-
high coal through the Jersey canal to New York. The project is op-
posed by the interest of Bristol and Philadelphia.
The annexed view was taken from a house on the opposite side of the
New Hope.
river. The ferry represented here was kept up while the bridge was
undergoing repairs after the great freshet of 1841.
New Hope was formerly called Coryell's ferry, and several of the Cory-
ell family are still living in the place and vicinity. Mr. Wm. Maris of
Philadelphia came to New Hope soon after the last war, and gave quite
an impetus to the place by establishing a large manufactory and mills
upon the waters of the big spring. The bridge was built, a bank con-
nected with it, and the place continued to thrive until a few years since,
when the restricted state of pecuniary alfairs caused the mills to suspend :
the bank passed into other hands, and was moved to the opposite side of
the river, and since then the village has been somewhat stationary. It
still has within it, however, ample elements of prosperity, in its fine wa-
ter power, in the limestone quarries in the vicinity, and in two convenient
canals to reach two great markets.
The 8tli of January, 1841, will be long remembered on the Delaware for one of the highest and
most destructive floods ever known along that river. " Houses, barns, fences, furniture, hay-
stacks, coal-boats, saw logs, bridges, and cakes of ice, were borne upon its destructive tide.
ISot a bridge was left standing between Easton and Trenton, nor on the Lehigli between Eastpn
and Maucli Chunk. Those at Reiglersville, Centre bridge, New Hope, Taylorsvillc, and Yard-
BUCKS COUNTY.
169
leyv'iUe, all yielded to the flood. The guard lock of the feeder at Bool's island was torn away.
Johnson's town, a short distance below, was entirely swept away, witli the principal part of its
contents. Laiabertsville was threatened by the Jersey feeder, and the citizens were preparing to
leave their houses, when the waste weir at Holcombe's basin above town providentially gave way,
and saved the village.
Centre bridge eaine floating down in two massive pieces just before noon. One piece struck
New Hope bridge about midway, with an awful crash, carrying away one arch ; the other piece
took an arch on the Jersey side. The Jersey pier soon gave way, when the third arch followed,
and lodged a short distance below. The other part on the Pennsylvania side remained. The
mills at Lambertsvillc escaped without injury. George B. Fell, who liappened to be on Centre
bridge, was carried away with it. Fearing danger from the crushing of its timbers over head,
je succeeded, with the aid of a plank, in reaching a broken portion of the roof floating near him
thus freeing himself from the main structure. When he passed New Hope bridge he was upor
a loose plank, and was obliged to lie flat upon it to avoid touching the bridge. Attempts wers
made in vain to rescue him at that and various other places. At Yardleyville he struck a pier,
and got splashed witii water. When he had passed under that bridge and floated a few yards
below, the wliole structure was precipitated into the stream. He continued to float, gathering
pieces of lumber, which he kept together, forming a sort of raft, by which he was enabled to steei
into the still water about 3 miles alwve Trenton, where he was taken up in safety. On Ijis return
to Lamberfisyilje, he was received with shouts and the discharge of a cannon.
MoRRisviLLE is a plcasaiit village directly opposite Trenton. The popu-
lation in 1830 was 531, in 1840, 405. It was incorporated as a borough
in 1804. It has the advantage of an extensive water-power from the
Delaware, and several important public improvements passing through
it — the Delaware canal, and Philadelphia and Trenton railroad. The
bridge across the Delaware here, is 1.100 feet long, 30 feet wide, consist-
ing of 5 arches, supported on piers. The floor is supported by perpen-
dicular iron rods depending from the arches. It is not devoid of histori-
cal interest. It was finished as early as the year 1806 at an immense
cost — and was regarded by engineers, both in this country and Europe
as one of the finest specimens of bridge architecture, of wood, in the
world. The flood of 1841, described on a preceding page, which left it
unharmed, bore testimony to its superiority over the frail structures of
modern years. The annexed view from the Jersey side shows this bridge
with its ancient front, and its quaint roof.
Trenton Bridge.
Morrisville took its name from Robert Morris, the distinguished patrioc
and financier. He resided here for some time in a splendid mansion-
house. The estate was afterwards purchased by the French royalist
22
170
BUCKS COUNTY.
Gen, Victor Moreau, who spent about three years of exile here. The
neighbors remember him as a kind-hearted sociable man, who delighted
in roaming about the banks of the river, fishing and hunting. The man-
sion took fire, and was consumed. The general returned to Europe, joined
the allied armies, and was killed at Dresden. The grounds still remain
in a rather dilapidated condition, and the immense carriage-house, which
looks like a state arsenal, is used as a workshop by the railroad co.
Victor Moreau gained great advantage over the Austrians under Kray at Mosskirk. He sig-
nalized himself in many celebrated victories and successful military operations on the frontiers
of Italy and Germany in the campaigns of 1796-99, and invaded Germany in 1800. Here, in
co-operation with Bonaparte, he resumed an offerisive campaign. Subsequently, on the 3d De-
cember, he gained the decisive victory of Hohenlinden. By a turn of circumstances Moreau is
found, in 1813, in alliance with Bernadotte, his early companion in arms, who commanded the
amiy of the north in Germany against Napoleon. On 28th Aug. Napoleon came out of Dres-
den with 130,000 men to attack tlie allies. In the assault on the preceding day Napoleon ob-
served Moreau conversing with the emperor Alexander, and some other officers. Turning to a
cannoneer, and pointing out the object of his displeasure, he said, " Send a dozen balls upon tha^
man !" The officers obeyed — a ball struck Moreau, shattering both his legs and tearing open
the belly of his horse. lie bore the amputation of both his limbs with great firmness, and was
carried in a litter formed by the lances of the Cossacks to Toplitz, where he expired.
Newtown is a pleasant village on a small branch of the Neshaminy,
ten miles northwest from Bristol. It contains about 120 dwellings, a
Friends' meeting-house, and a Presbyterian church. It was for sojne
years, until 1813, the county seat; and the public buildings still remain.
Population about 600.
Newtown has been settled many years. Rev. James Boyd was pastor
of the Presbyterian church, in connection with that at Bensalem, for 45
years. The church was founded in 1769; repaired in 1818. The an-
nexed view, reduced from a larger painting by Mr. Hicks of New York,
Newtown.
was taken from a point east of the town. While the American army
were guarding the river from Coryell's ferry to Bristol, in 1776, Gen.
Washington had his head-quarters at Newtown, in the house now belong-
ing to Dr. Lee, on the west side of the creek ; Gen. Mercer \Yas at the
house of Mr. Keith, a little out of town ; and Gen. Greene at the large
BUCKS COUNTY Itl
brick house, now Mr. Hough's hotel. One of the aged and respectable
citizens of this place is Edward Hicks, a distinguished Quaker preacher
of the Hicksite persuasion. Both Mr. Hicks's father and grandfather were
attached to the British interest during the revolution. His grandfather
made no secret of his attachment to that side, and was proscribed ; his
fine property was confiscated, and he fled to Nova Scotia, where he was
murdered by a highway robber. Edward, however, is a warm whig, (as
regards the revolution,) and a great admirer of Gen. Washington's char-
acter. In addition to his other accomplishments, he adds that of painting.
A specimen of his self-acquired skill in the fine arts, as well as of his
high-souled patriotism, may be seen on the tavern-sign in the village. It
is no ordinary specimen of village art, but is really the spirited produc-
tion of a skilful artist. On one side is represented the crossing of the
Delaware, after Sully's design ; but, with true historical accuracy, the
general is represented as mounted upon a chestnut-sorrel horse, and not
upon a white horse, as is usual in paintings of that scene. It seems that
the distinguished white charger, so well known to all, was a great favorite
with the commander-in-chief; and being somewhat in years, the general
selected for the arduous service of that night a younger and more vigor-
ous animal. On the other side of the sign is the declaration of independ-
ence, after Trumbull's design. Mr. Hicks relates that Gen. Washington
left Newtown the same night that he crossed the Delaware. He also
says that the night preceding Gen, Mercer told Mrs. Keith that he had
ireamed of being attacked and overpowered by a huge black bear. A
"ew days afterwards he was indeed attacked and killed, at Princeton, by
:he British or Hessians. Soothsayers may draw their own inferences.
The following anecdote was related to the compiler by a highly respect-
able Quaker of Delaware co. : —
An aged painter of that sect Was once called on to paint a sign for a stage proprietor and
lavem-keeper, living somewhere in Bucks co. The device was to be a fine coach-and-four,
driven by the proprietor himself, who remarked that occasionally he had driven his own stageSi
The work was done admirably — the proprietor called in to take a preliminary look, and give his
approval. The likeness of the driver's face was perfect ; but he appeared to be lolling over as if
half inclined to drop from his box. His whip hung slouchingly down — the reins were loosely
held ; and still he did not appear to be asleep, but had a remarkably good-humored expression all
over his ruddy countenance. " But how is this ?" said the proprietor ; " that is not the way for
a driver to sit." " Doesn't thee get a little so sometimes ?" shrewdly inquired the old Quaker
The man burst out into a foaming passion ; but the painter cooled him down, and agreed that if
le would promise to quit his cups forever, he would rub out the driver and paint hirrt as he should
be, and the affair should be hushed up. It appeared that the habit of the man was not generally
suspected, and was known only to the painter and a few other friends. The reformation is said
to have been prompt and permanent. The Washingtonians could not have done it more gently.
It would quite exceed the limits of this work to notice all the pleasant
rural towns and villages in Bucks co. The principal villages not enu-
merated above, along the Delaware, are Monroe, Lumberville, Centru
Bridge, Brownsburg, Taylorsville, Yardleyville. It was near Taylors-
ville that Gen. Washington crossed the Delaware to attack Trenton.
On the Neshaminy are Harlington, Newport, Hulmeville, formerly the
site of the bank now at Bristol ; Attleborough, Bridgetown, Bridge-
point, &c.
In other parts of the county are WrigiitstoWn, Centreville, Greenville,
Fallsington, Line-Lexington, Strawhntown> Quakertown, Hartzvillb,
Houghville, Andalusia, &c. &c.
172 BUTLER COUNTY-
BUTLER COUNTY.
Butler county, in common with all the counties N. W. of the Allfej-
gheny river, was taken from Allegheny co. by the act of 12th March,
1800. Length 33 m., breadth 23; area, 785 sq. miles. Population in
1800, 3,910; in 1810, 7,846; in 1820, 10,193; in 1830, 14,081 ; in 1840,
22,378.
The surface of the country is rolling, partaking of the general charac-
ter of the secondar}^ region west of the mountains ; near the larger
streams, the hills are high, and sometimes rocky and precipitous ; yet it
is said, by an intelligent surveyor, that there is little or no waste land ;
scarcely any body of land of 200 acres can be pointed out in the county
which would not make a productive farm. Iron ore is found in abun-
dance in several townships ; extensive beds of bog ore are not uncommon*
Bituminous coal, in strata from two to five feet thick, abounds throughout
the CO. Limestone strata are found near the coal. Salt water has been
obtained by boring from 300 to 500 feet. There are, or have been, several
salt works in operation, one at Harmony, or near it, and one at Butler.
There are several furnaces and forges in the co. It is generally believed
that a lead mine exists on Conoquenessing creek, about three miles above
Harmony. Its location is said to be well known to the Indians of Corn-
planter's tribe, who used secretly to visit it in passing and repassing
through the county. No one, however, has yet had sufiicient confidence
in their statements to pay their price for the information as to its precise
locality. The remains of small furnaces are yet to be seen near the
creek, where it is supposed that they smelted the ore.
The principal streams are the branches of the Conoquenessing cr. and
Slippery Rock cr. A few small tributaries of the Allegheny rise within
the co.j and that river itself just touches the northeastern corner of the co.
Agriculture is the main business of the citizens. The soil and climate
are well adapted to wheat, rye, and oats ; and corn is raised in consider-
able quantities. All the surplus produce goes to the Pittsburg market at
present ; but the market of the lakes will soon be opened by the com-
pletion of the canal from Beaver to Erie. A turnpike leads from Butler
to Kittanning, and the Pittsburg and Erie turnpike passes through the
county seat.
From a map attached to Loskiel's history of the Moravian missions we
earn that there existed about the year 1770, an Indian village, called
Kaskaskunk, some eight or ten miles northwest of Butler. It appears,
from Loskiel, that a chief of the Delawares, Pakanke, dwelt here, and a
warrior and speaker of some distinction, called Glikkikan. The latter
had heard of the arrival of the Moravian missionary, Zeisberger and his
brethren, among the Senecas, at Lauanakanuck, on the Allegheny above
Venango, and as he had formerly been initiated in the Catholic doctrines
by the priests in Canada, and had been a teacher among his own people,
he determined to go and refute and resist the newly ingrafted heresy of
the Moravians.
When he arrived at Lauanakanuck his courage failed him, and he resolved to hear the brethren
first, and then reply. Anthony, [a converted Indian,] that activfe and cheerful witness of Jesus
BUTLER COUNTY. 173
whose heart continually humed with desire to lead souls to their Saviour, Invited Glikkikan and
his suit to dine with him, and during the interview he opened to them, in simple but expressive
eloquence, the plan of salvation as tauglit him by the Moravians. Glikkikan's heart was capti-
vated, and in the presence of the chiefs from Goshgoshunk, who had come to witness the defeat
of the missionaries, he confessed himself a convert. He then attended the usual daily meeting,
and was exceedingly struck by seeing, when full awake, v/hat he declared to have beheld in a
vision, several years ago. He had dreamed that he came to a place where a number of Indians
were assembled in a large room. They wore their hair plain, and had no rings in their noses. In
the midst of them he discovered a short white man, and the Indians beckoning to him to come
in, he entered, and was presented by the white man with a book, who desired him to read ; on his
replying, " I cannot read," the white man said, " after you have been with us some time, yoU
will learn to read it." From this time he frequently told his hearers that there Were white men
somewhere who knew the right way to God, for he had seen them in a dream. Therefore, when
he came hither, and saw the Indians and the short white man. Brother Zeisberger, exactly an-
swering to the figure of him he saw in his dream, he was much astonished. Upon his return to
Kaskaskunk, he honestly related the unexpected result of his undertaking, and delivered a noble
testimony concerning the brethren and their labors. Not long after, the chiefs at Kaskaskunk
Bent an invitation to the missionaries to come and labor among them, which they accepted, and
estabhshed a station on or near Little Beaver en, which they named Fricdenstadt, or Town of
Peace. (See Beaver co.)
This Kaskaskunk was doubtless the Murdering town alluded to by
Washington in his journal, to which their Indian guide wished to entice him
and Mr. Gist, on their return from Venango, in 1 753. Mr. Gist speaks of
it as " Murdering town, on the southeast fork of Beaver cr."
The following sketch of the early history of this county, is from an able
article in Hazard's Register for June, 1832.
Butler CO. was first settled mostly by inhabitants from the counties west of the mountains.
Westmoreland and Allegheny contributed the greater portion ; Washington and Fayette a part ;
and some came from east of the mountains. A few emigrated from other states. Pennsylvani-
ans, of Irish and German extraction, native Irish, some Scotch, and some few Germans, were
amongst her first settlers. The first settlement commenced in 1792, immediately subsequent to
the act of the 3d of April, of that year, which provided for the settlement of all that part of
western Pennsylvania, lying north and west of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers, and Conewangr
creek. No considerable settlement was made until '96, and up to 1800-3, at which time the co
of Butler was formed, and the county town laid out. This era gave a nevV stimulus to the settle
ment and improvement of the country. The first settlers had many difficulties and privations to.
surmount, before they could comfortably sit down under their own vine and fig-tree. The want
of provisions, and limited means to purchase them. Was the lot of almost every one who first
emigrated. The greatest hardships and privations are often submitted to patiently, so long as
the pleasing prospect of liberty and independence is in view. The act of the 3d of April, 1792,
opened a wide field for fraud and speculation. Whilst it seemed to promise a home to the honest,
industrious, and adventurous pioneer, it at the same time aflibrded the most ample source of im-
position to those who have generally been denominated land-jobbers. To the several conditions
introduced into this law, may justly be attributed all the afflicting scenes of litigation to which
the first settlers were made subject. Some were obliged to abandon the country of their own
choice, and seek a home elsewhere, or remain, to undergo ne\V scenes of penury and want
Those who remained, either compromised, or had their rights determined by a course of law.
The most prominent speculators were of two descriptions ; the one by survey and warrant, tha
other by new survey and article with the seller. One of the conditions of these warrants, under
the act of '92, was, that of settlement within two years from the date of the warrant, unless
prevented by the enemies of the United States. This clause gave rise to much contention ; the
construction given to it by the supreme court not having taken place in time to arrest the pro-
gress of litigation in its commencement. Such as articled with the warrantee, were to receive
for settlement, a gratuity from 100, 1.50, to 200 acres, as soon as they would complete such set-
tlement, which required five years. Many diflicultles arose out of those contracts, and various
decisions being had on them, operated much to protract litigation. The other description of land-
jobber should not be overlooked ; whether he is entitled to a niche in the temple of fame or in-
famy, is with an honest public to judge. In mercy we ought to pass over tiieni with a si)aring
hand, for few there are, if any, remaiuing to receive rebuke. They have all been consigned to
the silent tomb. Those who had only surveys made and returned without any warrants, entered
into articles of agreement with setHere, to perform one of the most laborious and essential parts
* See Sparks' Life of Washington ; also, page 90 of this work, under Allegheny co.
m
BUTLfiR COUNfY.
of tlie law, the settlement — for which they were to receive as a gratuity, as they modestly called
it, some 100, 150, and 200 acres, as they could agree, in five years from the commencement of
such settlement. The contract on the part of this description of land-jobhers, in almost every
instance, has been violated and forfeited. The settlers in some instances bought out ; others
have taken out patents tlienisclves, and this description of land may now be considered as out
of dispute. The surest kind of land titles, north and West of the Ohio and Allefjlieny rivers,
and ConeWango creek, are the donations which Were laid out in 1785, in lots of 200, 250, 300,
and 500 acres, as a gratuity to soldiers, wiio had been in the service of their country in the most
perilous times. Part of district No. 1, is in Muddy Creek township, Butler co., and district No.
2, is in Parker, Mercer, and Slippery Rock townships. Those lands arc generally good, particu-
larly such tracts as arc situated on the waters of Muddy creek and Slippery rock. The titles are
indisputable. Tlie original owners of the donations were generally of that description of citizens
who were least calculated and desirous to imjjrove their lands, or advance the settlement of the
country ; having tasted the honors of war, and contracted habits and feelings adverse to th^
quiet and pcacciul situation of a farmer, they generally sold them, and they are now generally
occupied and improved.
Butler borough, the county seat, is situated on an eminence above the
Conoquencssing cr., which winds partly round the town in the form of a
horseshoe. The view from the cupola of the courthouse embraces a
large extent of fine rolling land, variegated with copses of woodland,
country seats, verdant meadoWs, and the silvery waters of the creek
meandering among them. The town contains the usual county buildings ;
an academy, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Episcopal churches.
On the creek there is a salt-works and a number of mills. The borough
was incorporated 26th Feb. 1817. Population in 1830, 580 ; in 1840, 861.
Butler.
The annexed view was taken from the Pittsburg turnpike, south of the
town.
When Butler co. was first organized, Mr. Wm. Ayres was appoijited
prothonotary, and had for his clerk and law student, Mr. H. M. Brecken-
ridge, since a distinguished member of congress from Allegheny co. The
following graphic sketch is from his " Recollections of the West."
On my arrival at Butler there were a few loghouscs just raised, but not sufficiently completed
to be occupied. It was not long before; tiiere were two taverns, a store, and a blacksmith's shop ;
it was tlien a town. The country aiound was a perfect wilderness, with the exception of a few
BUTLER COUNTY. I75
scattered settlements. The business of the office requirinn^ but little of my time, and having an
unbounded liberty, with a most exquisite relish for its enjoyment, no small portion of it was
passed in wild and uncertain rambles throujrh the romantic hills and valleys of Butler. The
mornings and evenings were devoted to study, but generally the day was sacred to liberty.
The first court held in Butler, drew the whole population to the town, some on account of busi.
ness, some to make business, but the greater part from idle curiosity. They were at that time
chiefly Irish, who had all the characteristics of the nation. A log-cabin just raised and covered,
but without window sash, or doors, or daubing, was prepared for the hall of justice. A carpenter's
bench, with three chairs upon it, was the judgment seat. The bar of Pittsburg attended, and
the presiding judge, a stiff', formal, and pedantic old bachelor, took his scat, supported by two
associate judges, who were common farmers, one of whom was blind of an eye. The hall was
barely sufficient to contain the bench, bar, jurors, and constables. But few of the spectators
could be accommodated on the lower floor, the only one yet laid ; many, therefore, clambered up
the walls, and placing their hands and feet in the open interstices between the logs, hung there,
suspended like enormous Madagascar bats. Some had taken possession of the joists, and big
John M'Junkin (who until now had ruled at all public gatherings) had placed a foot on one joist,
find a foot on another, directly over the heads of their honors, standing like the Colossus of
Rhodes. The judge's sense of propriety was shocked at this exhibition. The sheritF, John
M'Candless, was called, and ordered to clear the walls and joists. He went to work with his as.
gistants, and soon pulled down by the legs those who were in no very great haste to obey.
M'Junkin was the last, and began to growl as he prepared to descend. " What do you say, sir ?"
said the judge. " I say, I pay my taxes, and his as good a reete here as iny mon." " Sheriff,
sheriff," said the judge, " bring him before the court." M'Junkin's ire was now up — as he reached
the floor, he began to strike his breast, exclaiming, " My name is John M'Junkin, d'ye see — here's
the brist that niver flunched, if so be it was in a goode caase. I'll stan iny mon a hitch in But-
ler CO., if so be he'll clear me o' the la'." " Bring him before the court," said the judge. He
was accordingly pinioned, and if not gagged, at least forced to be silent, while his case was under
consideration. Some of the lawyers volunteered as amiei curiaB, some ventured a word of
apology for M'Junkin. The judge pronounced sentence of imprisonment for two hours in the
jail of the co., and ordered the sheriff to take him into custody. The sheriflT with much sim-
plicity observed, " May it please the coorte, there is no jail at all at all to put him in." Here
the judge took a learned distinction, upon which he expatiated at some length, for the benefit of
the bar. He said there were two kinds of custody : first, safe custody ; secondly, close custody.
The first is, where the body must be forthcoming to answer a demand, or an accusation, and in
this case the body may be delivered for the time being out of the hands of the law, on bail or
recognizance ; but where the imprisonment forms a part of the satisfaction or punishment, there
can be no bail or mainprize. This is the reason of the common law, in relation to escapes under
capias ad satisfaciendum, and also why a second ca. sa. cannot issue after the defendant has
been once arrested and then discharged by the plaintiff". In like manner a man cannot be twice
imprisoned for the same offence, even if he be released before the expiration of the term of im-
prisonment. This is clearly a case of close custody — arcta custodia, and the prisoner must be
confined, body and limb, without bail or mainprize, in some place of cloee incarceration." Here
he was interrupted by the sheriff, who seemed to have hit upon a lucky thought. " May it please
the coorte, I'm just thinken that may be I can take him till Bowen's pig pen — the pigs are kilt
for the coorte, an it's empty ?" " You have heard the opinion of the court," said the judge, " pro-
ceed, sir ; do your duty."
The sheriff accordingly retired with his prisoner, and drew after liim three fourths of the spec-
tators and suitors, while the judge, thus relieved, proceeded to organize the court. But this was
not the termination of the affair. Peace and order had hardly been restored, when the sheriff
came rushing to the house, with a crowd at his heels, crying out, " Mr. Jidge, Mr. Jidge ; may
it please the coorte." " What is the matter, sheriff?" " Mr. Jidge, Mr. Jidge — John M'Junkin's
got aff; d'ye mind." "What! escaped, sheriff ? Summon the posse comitatus !" " The pusse,
the pusse — why now I'Ujist tell ye liow it happen'd. He was goin on quee-etly enough, till he
got to the hazzle patch, an' all at once he pitched aff'intil the bushes, an' I after him, but a lumb
of a tree kitched my fut, and I pitched three rad oft', but I fell forit, and that's good luck, j'e
jninte." The judge could not retain his gravity; the bar raised a laugh, and there the matter
ended, after which the business proceeded quietly enough.
The residence of Massy (Mercy) Herbeson, whose interesting adven-
ture is given below, was formerly at the salt-lick a mile and a half north-
east of the borough. The truth of her narrative is confirmed and
generally credited by the old people of the vicinity.
Massy Herbeson, on her oath, according to law, being taken before John Wilkins, Esq., one
of the commonwealth's justices of the peace, in and for tlie co. of Allegheny, dcposeth and saith,
that on the 22d day of this instant, she was taken from her own house, within two hundred
176 BUTLER COUNTY.
jfards of Reed's l)lockhouse, which Is called twenty-five miles from Pittsburg; her husband be-
mg one of the spies, was from home ; two of the scouts had lodged with her that night, but had
left her house about sunrise, in order to go to the blockhouse, and liad left the door standing wide
open. Shortly after the two scouts went away, a number of Indians came into the house, and
drew her out of bed by the feet ; the two eldest children, who lay in another bed, were drawn
out in the same manner ; a younger child, about one year old, slept with the deponent. The
Indians then scrambled about the articles in the house. While they were at their work, the de-
ponent went out of the house, and halloed to the people in the blockhouse ; one of the Indians
then ran up and stopped her mouth, another ran up with his tomahawk drawn, and a third ran
and seized the tomahawk, and called her his squaw; this last Indian claimed her as his, and
continued by her ; about fifteen of the Indians then ran down toward the blockhouse and fired
their guns at the block and store house, in consequence of which one soldier was killed and an-
other wounded, one having been at the spring, and the other in coming or looking out of the
storehouse. This deponent telling the Indians there were about forty men in the blockhouse,
and each man had two guns, the Indians went to them that were firing at the blockhouse, and
brought them back. They then began to drive the deponent and her children away ; but a boy,
about three years old, being unwilling to leave the house, they took it by the heels, and dashed it
against the house, th(»n stabbed and scalped it. They then took the deponent and the two other
children to the top of the hill, where they stopped until they tied up the plunder they had got.
While they were busy about this, the deponent counted them, and the number amounted to thirty-
two, including two white men that were with them, painted like the Indians.
That several of the Indians could speak English, and that she knew three or four of theni
very well, having often seen them go up and down the Allegheny river ; two of them she knew
to be Senecas, and two Munsees, who had got their guns mended by her husband about two
V years ago. That they sent two Indians with her, and the others took their course towards Pucketv.
^ That she, the children, and the two Indians had not gone above two hundred yards, when the
Indians caught two of her uncle's horses, put her and the youngest child on one, and one of the
Indians and the other child on the other. That the two Indians then took her and the children
to the Allegheny river, and took them over in bark canoes, as they could not get the horses to
Bwim the river. After they had crossed the river, the oldest child, a boy of about five years of
age, began to mourn for liis brother, when one of the Indians tomahawked and scalped him.
That they travelled all day very hard, and that night arrived at a large camp covered with bark,
which, by appearance, might hold fifty men ; that night they took her about three hundred yards
from the camp, into a large dark bottom, bound her arms, gave her some bedclothes, and lay
down one on each side of her. That the next morning they took her into a thicket on the hill
side, and one remained with her till the middle of the day, while the other went to watch the
path, lest some white people should follow them. They then exchanged places during the re-
mainder of the day ; she got a piece of dry venison, about the bulk of an egg, that day, and a
piece about the same size the day they were marching ; that evening, (Wednesday, the 23d,) they
moved her to a new place, and secured her as the night before : during the day of the 23d, she
made several attempts to get the Indian's gun or tomahawk, that was guarding her, and, had
she succeeded, she would have put him to death. She was nearly detected in trying to get the
tomahawk from his belt.
The next morning, (Thursday,) one of the Indians went out, as on the day before, to watch
the path. The other lay down and fell asleep. When she found he was sleeping, she stole her
short-gown, handkerchief, a child's frock, and then made her escape. The sun was then about
half an hour high — that she took her course from the Allegheny, in order to deceive the Indians,
as they would naturally pursue her that way ; that day she travelled along Conoquenessing cr.
. The next day she altered her course, and, as she believes, fell upon the waters of Pine cr., which
empties into the Allegheny. Thinking this not her best course, she took over some dividinir
ridges — lay on a dividing ridge on Friday night, and on Saturday came to Squaw run — continued
down the run until an Indian, or some other person, shot a deer ; she saw the person about one
hundred and fifty yards from her — the deer running, and the dog pursuing it, which, from the
appearance, she supposed to be an Indian dog. She then altered her course, but again came to
the same run, and continued down it until she got so tired that she was obliged to fie down,
it having rained on her all that day and the night before ; she lay there that night ; it rained con-
stantly ; on Sunday morning she proceeded down the rma until she came to the Allegheny river,
and continued down the river till she came opposite to Carter's house, on the inhabited side, where
she made a noise, and James Closier brought her over the river to Carter's house.
Sworn before me, at Pittsburg, this 28th day of May, 1792.
JOHN WILKINS.
Harmony is situated on the left bank of Conoquenessing cr., 14 miles
S. W. of Butler. Detmar Bassa Miiller, a native of Germany, here pur-
chased a very large tract of depreciated land, at an early day, and sold
BUTLER COUNTY. I77
out ill 1803 to George Rapp and his associates, who pLanted their first
colony here, and called it Harmony. (See Beaver co.) In 1814, they
sold out their land, G,000 acres, of which tliey had cleared probably one
halt; for $100,000.
The country has not sustained any loss by the change of owners. The present proprietor,
Abra'rn Zeigler, Esq., from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, is a man of great enterprise, of in-
defatigable industry, and a practical farmer. It was but a short time alter Mr. Zeigler pur-
chased, until he sold out a number of lots in the town of Harmony, and also a number of farms,
generally to Pennsylvania Germans, who arc equal in industry and skill in farming to their pre-
decessors ; and much better citizens, inasmuch, as they enjoy the right of judging and acting for
themselves, in all matters both of a religious and political nature. Tlie present condition of all
those farms is a state of the best improvement and cultivation. The raising of w'ool has been
a business with them of considerable extent, and meets with much encouragement. The climate,
situation, and soil of Butler co., were ascertained, from experience, to be well adapted to the
raising of sheep. The land generally, in the neighborhood of Harmony and Zelienople, is very
good, and in that township generally. This part of the county seems to have been more highly
favored with settlers than most of the other townships. A number of Scotch families settled in
1796-7, \yho canie from the island of Lewis, in the northern part of Scotland. They settled mid-
way between Butler and Harmony, in Conoquenessing township. The old stock have mostly
been consigned to the grave. Their descendants are numerous, and are now enjoying the fruits
of their labor in peace and ])lenty. A house of pvdilic worship has been erected of brick, called
the " White oak spring meeting-house," on the Butler and Harmony road, where a large congre-
gation attend worship. They are of the Associate Presbyterian Reformed, or Unionists. — Haz.
Register, June, 183^.
Zelienople is on the Conoquenessing, about one mile S. W. of Har-
mony, and 15 miles from Butler. The town was laid out by Dr. Miller
about the year 180G. It now contains about 50 houses and 300 inhabi-
tants, principally Germans of the Lutheran denomination. The soil
around the village is very fertile. Iron ore, limestone, and bituminous
coal can be obtained in abundance.
Centreville, in Slippery Rock township, contains from 40 to 50 build-
ings. It is only a few years since this place was laid out, and, as if by
enchantment, it has sprung up into a handsome village. It is 14 miles
from Butler, on the turnpike to Mercer.
The other villages of Butler co. are, Harrisville, Murrinsville, Por-
tersville, Woodville, Prospect, Evansville, and Summerville.
One of Capt. Samuel Brady's adventures occurred on the waters of
Slippery Rock cr., probably somewhere in this co.
The injuries inflicted on the Indians by the troops under Gen. Broadhead quieted the country
for some time. He kept spies out, however, for the purpose of watching their motions, and
guarding against sudden attacks on the settlements. One of these parties, under the command
of Capt. Brady, had the French creek country assigned as their field of duty. The captain had
reached the waters of Slippery rock, a branch of Beaver, without seeing signs of Indians. Here,
however, he came on an Indian trail in the evening, which he followed till dark without over-
taking the Indians. The next morning he renewed the pursuit, and overtook them while they
were engaged at their morning meal. Unfortunately for him, another party of Indians were in
his rear. They had fallen upon his trail, and pursued him, doubtless, with as much ardor as his
pursuit had been characterized by ; and at the moment he fired upon the Indians in his front, he
was, in turn, fired upon by those in his rear. He was now between two fires, and vastly outnum-
bered. Two of his men fell ; his tomahawk was shot from his side, and tlie battle-yell was given
by the party in his rear, and loudly returned and repeated by those in his front. There was no
time for hesitation ; no safety in delay ; no chance of successful defence in their present position.
The brave captain and his rangers had to flee before their enemies, who pressed on their flying
footsteps with no lagging speed. Brady ran towards the creek. He was known by many, if not
all of them ; and many and deep were the scores to be settled between him and them. They
knew the country well : he did not ; and from his running towards the creek they were certain
of taking him prisoner. The creek was, for a long distance above and below the point he was
approaching, washed in its channel to a great depth. In the certain expectation of catching him
there, the private soldiers of his party were disregarded ; and throwing down their guns, and
drawing their tomahawks, all pressed forward to seize their victim.
23
178 CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Quick of eye, fearless of heart, and determined never to be a captive to tlie Indians, Brady
comprehended their object and his only chance of escape, the moment he saw the creek ; and by
one mi]S^hty effort of courage and activity, defeated the one and etl'ected the other. He sprang
across the abyss of waters, and stood, rifle in hand, on the opposite bank, in safety. As quick as
lightning, (says my mformant,; his rifle was primed ; for it was his invariable practice in loading
to prime first. The next minute the powdcr-liorn was at the gun's muzzle ; when, as he was in
this act, a large Indian, who had been foremost in pursuit, came to the opposite bank, and with
the manliness of a generous foe, who scorns to undervalue the qualities of an enemy, said in a
loud voice, and tolerable English, " Blady make good jump !" It may indeed be doubted whether
the compliment was uttered in derision ; for the moment he had said so he took to his heels, and,
as if fearful of the return it might merit, ran as crooked as a worm-fenee — sometimes leaping high,
at others suddenly squatting down, he appeared no way certain that Brady would not answer from
the lips of his rifle. But the rifle was not yet loaded. The captain was at the place afterwards,
and ascertained that his leap was about 23 feet, and that the water was 20 feet deep. Brady's
next effort was to gather up his men. They had a place designated at which to meet, in case
they should happen to be separated ; and thither he went, and found the other three there. They
immediately commenced their homeward march, and returned to Pittsburg about half defeated
Three Indians had been seen to fall from the fire they gave them at breakfast.
CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Cambria county was taken from Somerset and Huntington by the act
of 26th March, 1804. The seat of justice was at first designed to be at
Beulah, but the act of 1805 established it at Ebensburg. In 1807, the
county was fully organized for judicial purposes. Length 35 ms., breadth
19; area 670 sq. miles. Population in 1810,2,117; in 1820,3,287; in
1830, 7,076 ; and in 1840, 11,250. The county occupies one of the most
elevated positions in the state on the western declivity of the great Alle-
gheny mountain.
" To the traveller passing westward, this mountain presents a bold precipitous front ; but on
crossing the summit the declivity is very gradual, not exceeding that of ordinary hills ; thus de-
monstrating the existence of a broad elevated table land between the Allegheny mountain and the
subordinate range of Laurel hill. The latter mountain skirts the western part of the county, be-
coming depressed and broken as it passes northward. The surface is exceedingly rugged and
broken, and the soil comparatively cold, better adapted for grazing, and oats, rye, and potatoes,
than for corn and wheat. Still it furnishes many a happy and comfortable home to the hardy
mountaineers, who have preferred the crystal springs and salubrious air of this region, to the
more enervating climate of the luxuriant lowlands."
No stream passes the great barrier on the east : in every other direc-
tion the waters which rise here flow to far distant points. The west
branch of the Susquehanna rises in this co., with its tributaries. Chest cr.
and Clearfield cr., and after breaking through the Allegheny mountain in
Clinton co., sends its waters to the Atlantic ocean. On the other hand,
Paint cr. and little Conemaugh, draining the mountains at the southern
end of the co., break through the Laurel hill below Johnstown, and send
their waters to the Gulf of Mexico. The Allegheny mountain is the
boundary between the great secondary coal formation of the west, and
the " lower secondary" strata of the southeastern counties. The deep
wild valley of the Conemaugh has opened to view several valuable beds
of coal, iron, and limestone ; other seams of coal and iron are exposed on
the northern waters of the county. Borings for salt were made a few
years since on Black Lick cr., and salt water obtained, but the manufac-
ture was abandpned.
CAMBRIA COUNTY. j[79
The pi'incipal occupation of the inhabitants is in agriculture, lumber-
ing, and in the labors connected with the immense transportation busi-
ness on the public improvements. The latter also furnishes a convenient
market for the surplus produce of the county.
The Portage railroad, connecting the eastern and western divisions of
the Pennsylvania canal, crosses the mountain in the southern part of the
county, and communicates with the slackwater navigation of the Cone-
maugh river at Johnstown. The northern turnpike from Hollidaysburg
to Pittsburg, crosses the county. At Ebensburg a branch turnpike runs
to Indiana and Kittanning.
Near the north line of the county, about a mile or two above the forks
of Beaver-dam and Slate-lick creeks, there is said to be an ancient cir-
cular fortification. The embankments are four or five feet high, and
overgrown with immense trees. There were very old clearfields or open
prairie lands, not far from this fortification, which probably gave name
to Clearfield County.
The following sketch of the early history of Cambria co. is extracted
from several numbers written by Mr. Johnston of Ebensburg, in the pa-
per edited by him in 1840. A few corrections have been made in names
and facts — corrections which were made by the author in numbers sub-
sequent to the first :
" Previous to the year 1789, the tract of country which is now included witiiin the limits of
Cambria co. was a wilderness. ' Frankstown settlement,' as it was then called, was the frontier
of the inhabited parts of Pennsylvania east of the Allegheny mountain. None of the pioneers
had yet ventured to explore the eastern slope of the mountain. A remnant of the savage tribes
still prowled through the forests, and seized every opportunity of destroyhig the dwellings of the
settlers, and butchering such of the inhabitants as were so unfoilunate as to fall into their hands.
The howling of the wolf, and the shrill screaming of the catamoimt or American panther, (both
of which animals infested the country in great numbers at the period of its first settlement,)
mingled in nightly concert with the war-whoop of the savages.
" It is believed that Capt. Michael McGuire was the first wliite man who settled within the
present bounds of Cambria co. He settled in the neighborhood of where Loretto now stands, in
the year 1790, and commenced improving that now interesting and well cultivated portion of Al-
legheny township ; a large portion of which is still owned by his descendants. Luke McGuire,
Esq., and Capt. Richard McGuire were sons of Michael McGuire, and came with him."
Thomas Blair, of Blair's Gap, Huntington co., was at this time the
nearest neighbor Capt. McGuire had. He resided at a distance of twelve
miles.
" Mr. McGuire was followed not long afterward by Cornelius Maguire, Richard Nagle, Wm.
Dotson, Richard Ashcraft, Michael Rager, James Alcorn, and John Storm ; the last was of
Geiman descent. These were followed by others — John Trux, John Douglass, John Byrne, and,
We believe, Wm. Mcloy. Under the auspices of these men, and perhaps a few others, the coun-
try improved very rapidly. The first grist-mill in the county was built by Mr. John Storm.
" The hardships endured by these hardy settlers are almost incredible. Exposed to the incle-
mency of an Allegheny winter, against the rigor of which their hastily erected and scantily fur-
nished huts afforded a poor protection, their sufferings were sometimes almost beyond endiuance.
Yet with the most unyielding firmness did tliese men persevere until they secured for themselves
and their posterity the inheritance which the latter at present enjoy.
" There was nothing that could be dignified with the name of road by which the settlers might
have an intercourse with the settlements of Huntington co. A miserable Indian path led from
the vicinity of where Loretto now stands, and intersected the road leading to Frankstown, two
or three miles this side of the Summit.
" Many anecdotes are related by the citizens of Allegheny township of the adventures of their
heroic progenitors among the savage beasts, and the more savage Indians, which then infested
the neighborhood. The latter were not slow to seize every opportunity of aggression which pre-
sented itself to their bloodthirsty minds, and consequently the inhabitants held not only propertyj
180 CAMBRIA COUNTY.
but life itself, by a very uncertain tenure.* The truth of the fol.cvvinj^ story is vouched for by
many of the most respectable citizens in Allegheny and Cambria townships, by one of whom it
has kindly been furnished us for publication. A Mr. James Alcorn had settled in the vicinity
of the spot where Loretto now stands ; and had built a hut and cleared a potato i)atch at some
distance from it. The wife of Mr. Alcdhi went an errand to see the potatoes, and did not re-
turn. Search was immediately made, but no trace could be found to lead to her discover}'. What
became of her is to this day wrapped in mystery, and, in all human probability, we shall remain
in ignorance of her fate. It was generally supposed that she had been taken by the savages ;
and it wag even reported that she had returned several years after ; but this story is not credited
by any in the ileigliborhood."
The following interesting biographical sketch also pertains to the early
history of the co. From the IMountaineer — Ebensburg, 14th May, 1840;
" Died, on the 6th inst., at Loretto, the Rev. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, who for 42 years
exercised pastoral functions in Cambria co. The venerable deceased was born in 1770, at Mun
ster, in Germany. His father. Prince de Gallitzin, ranked among the highest nobility in Rassia.
His mother was the daughter of Field Marshal General de Sclimeltan, a celebrated oflicer undef
Frederick the Great. Her brother fell at the battle of Jena. The deceased held a higli commis-
sion in the Russian army from his infancy. Europe in the early part of his life was desolated
by war — the French revolution burst like a volcano upon that convulsed continent : it offered no
facilities or attractions for travel, and it was determined that the young Prince de (iallitzin
should visit America. He landed in Baltimore in Aug. 178:2^ in company with Rev. Mr. Bro-
sius. By a train of circumstances in which the hand of Providence was strikingly visible, his
mind was directed to the ecclesiastical state, and he renounced forever his brilliant prospects.
Already endowed with a splendid education, he was the more prepared to pursue his ecclesiasti-
cal studies, under the venerable Bishop Carroll, at Baltimore, with facility and success. Having
completed his theological course, he spent some time on the mission in Maryland.
In the year 17H9, he directed his course to the Allegheny mountain, and found that portion of
it which now constitutes Cambria co., a perfect wilderness, almost without inhabitants or habi-
tations. After incredible labor and privations, and expending a princely fortune, he sycceeded in
making ' the wilderness blossom as the rose.' His untiring zeal has collected about Loretto, his
late residence, a Catholic population of three or four thousand. He not only extended the church
by his missionary toils, biit also illustrated and defended the truth by several highly useful publi-
cations. His ' Defence of Catholic principles' has gained merited celebrity both here and in
Europe.
" In this extraordinary man we have not only to admire his renunciation of the brighest hopes
and prospects ; his indefatigable zeal — but something greater and rarer — his wonderful humility.
No one could ever learn from him or his mode of life, what he had been, or what be exchanged
for privation and poverty.
" To intimate to him that you were aware orf his condition, would be sure to pain and dis-
please him. He who might have revelled in the princely halls of his ancestors, was content to
spend 30 years in a rude log-cabin, almost denying himself the common comforts of life, that
he might be able to clothe the naked members of Jesus Christ, the poor and distressed. Few
have left behind them such examples of charity and benevolence. On the head of no one have
been invoked so many bles.<5ings from the moutlis of widows and oi-phans. It may be literally
said of him, ' if his heart had been made of gold he would have disposed of it all in charity to
the poor.' "
Ebensburg, the county seat, is a flourishing village, on the to)) of one
of the ridges of the Allegheny mountain, 7 miles west of the summit,
and 74 from Pittsburg. It commands a grand and extensive view of the
surrounding country. The annexed view was taken from the hill about
a mile southeast of the village. The academy and courthouse will be
recognised near the left of the view. In addition to the usual county
buildings, the place contains a very handsome academy, and four churches,
Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, and Independent. The latter three are
Welsh. One half the population of the town, and the greater proportion
for miles around it, is composed of Welsh — a people remarkable for thrift,
sobriety, and industry. The ancient tongue of Cambria strikes the ear
of the traveller from nearly every one he meets, and the services of three
* Nevertheless, it is said that Michael Rager, another settler, left 27 children.
CAMBRIA COUNTY.
181
Ebenshw'g.
of the churches are conducted in that language. Indeed, it is only occa-
sionally that one may hear English preaching in Ebensburg, The busi^
ness of the place is limited to the ordinary affairs of the courts and county
offices, and the supply of the surrounding agricultural district. The turn-
pike from Hollidaysburg to Pittsburg passes through the borough ; and
another runs to Indiana and Kittanning. Population in 1840, 353.
Ebensburg was incorporated as a borough in 1825.
The following is from the numbers by Mr. Johnston, referred to above :
Ebensburg and vicinity were not settled for several years after the first settlement was made
at Loretto and Munster. As it lay still further from the more eastern settlements than the two
latter places, it of course would not so soon be occupied by the hardy emigrants. In the fall and
winter of 1796, the families of Thomas Phillips, William Jenkins, Theophilus Rees, Evan Rob-
erts, Rev. Rees Lloyd, William Griffith, James Nicholas, Daniel Griffith, John Jones, David
Thomas, Evan James, and George Roberts ; and Thomas W. Jones, Esq., John Jenkins, Isaac
Griffith, and John Tobias, bachelors, commenced settling in Cambria township, Cambria co. ;
and in the following spring and summer the families of the Rev. Morgan J. Rees, John J. Evans,
William Rees, Simon James, William Williams, (South,) Thomas Griffith, John Thomas, John
Roberts, (Penbryn,) John Roberts, (shoemaker,) David Rees, Robert Williams, and Geo. Turner;
and Thomas Griffith, (farmer,) James Evans, Griffith Rowland, David Edwards, Thomas Lewis,
and David Davis, bachelors, followed. There were at this time several families living in the vi-
cinity of the places where Loretto, Munster, Jefferson, and Johnstown now stand. The settlers
above named, we believe, were all from Wales. They commenced making improvements in the
different parts of what is now called Cambria township. The name v/hich the Welsh emigrants
gave to tlieir settlement, Cambria, was derived from their former home — the mountainous part
of Waks. Cambria township afterwards gave name to the county, which was, at the time of
which we speak, a part of Somerset co. The tract of country on which the Welsh emigrants
settled had been purchased a year or two previous, by the Rev. Morgan J. Rees, (mentioned
above,) from Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia ; and by him sold to his Welsh brethren, in
smaller tracts.
The early Welsh settlers had laid out a town at Beulah, two miles
southwest of Ebensburg : but the establishment of the scat of justice at
the latter place, by the act of 1805, destroyed its prospects.
Rev. Rees Lloyd was the first settler in Ebensburg, and gave it the
name it now bears.
Two frame houses, of which the present stage-tavern is one, were the first built in town.
These were quite insufficient to accommodate the crowd that assembled at court, and not unfre-
quently "the boys" would build a large fire in the street, and take their lodging around it. The
first courts were held in the old red building now used as a jail ; the prison being in the cellar,
182 CAMBRIA COUNTY.
and the hall of justice above. Jemmy Ferrol, an independent Irishman of the mountain, attend
ing; court one day, began for his amusement to beat a tune on the drum of the stove, and to
make various other noises ; so that Judge Young, in order to maintain the dignity of his station,
found it necessary to commit liim to the prison beneath, and justice for a few moments moved on
without interruption. But a short time, however, had elapsed, when the clamor made by the
advocate addressing the jury was drowned by the Stentorian voice of Jemmy, singing "Paddy
O'Whack^' in the cellar. An order was issued to silence the prisoner, but he was in a state to
laugh at the order. He went further — he hired a fellow-prisoner to assist him in his concert; and
together they sent forth such a discordant noise that the judge, in .self-defence, was compelled to
adjoiu-n the court until the prisoner's time of commitment had expired.
Ill the summer of 1842, the citizen.s of Ebensburg were shocked by the
perpetration of a most atrocious murder. The following account of it is
from the "Mountaineer:"-^
On Sunday last, two Irishmen, said to bear the name of Flanagan, made their appearance in
the neighborhood, and spent the day in a suspicious manner — sometimes in deep consultation to-
gether, and sometimes drinking and lurking about the taverns. About 11 o'clock at night, they
broke into the house of Mrs. Elizabeth Holder, a lone widow, who resided near Ebensburg, and
who was thought by some persons to have some money in her house. At their first attack, she
screamed a few times very violently ; and her next neighbor, a Mr. Rainey, who had retired to
bed, heard her and ran to her assistance. But ere he got there the struggle was all over, and she
was no more ; and they were plundering the house. Mr. Rainey was afraid to venture into the
house alone, and ran otT for more assistance. Four or five men soon came along with him, and
they arrived there just as the murderers were about leaving. The citizens endeavored to take
them, and fired a rifle at one of them, but missed him. They made their escape, in the darkness
of the night, into the neighboring woods. The citizens of this neighborhood are greatly excited,
and immediately after the alarm Was given of the deed having been committed, they tm-ned out,
to a man, to have the murderers taken ; but they have yet escaped. They were frequently seen
on Monday, and very nearly taken two or three times. Before they commenced the work of
murder, they took off their hats, and one of them his coat, and left them outside of the house ;
lest, as is supposed, they should be besmeared with the blood of their innocent victim. They
had not time to get their garments when they escaped. They are consequently, one of them at
least, running without hat or coat. The other got an old chip hat at a farm-house, early on Mon-
day morning. It is thought they could not have got more than three or foiur dollars in the house.
The Flanagans were taken in Crawford co., brought to Cambria, and
condemned to be hung. In March, 1843, a motion was made in the legis-
lature to grant them a new trial.
Johnstown is situated on a broad flat, completely encircled by moun-
tains, at the confluence of the Stony creek with the little Conemaugh.
The annexed view was taken from the hill near the railroad. In the
centre of the town, a large basin is formed by damming the Conemaugh,
to accommodate the great fleet of canal-boats plying between this place
and Pittsburg. This basin is surrounded by warehouses, boat-yards, and
other conveniences for receiving and delivering goods. Some eight or
ten lines for transportation have forwarding houses here, and during
the summer it is a stirring, busy place. The dwellings are generally
very well built — many of them of brick. No place can boast of purer
water, and few of more salubrious mountain air. There are four church-
es— Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Lutheran. The state has a
large depot here for repairing locomotives and other machinery — and has
recently taken measures to construct a larger basin, with necessary ap-
paratus for launching and hauling up the section boats that cross the
mountain on trucks. The population in 1840 was, of the borough, 949,
of the extension, 328 — total, 1,377.
Johnstown occupies the site of an old Indian town called Kickenapaw-
ling's old town. About the year 1791 or '92, Mr, Joseph Jahns, (or Yahns,
as he spelt it,) an enterprising German, came and settled here. The ori-
ginal title-deeds of many of the town lots are in his name. Mr. Holli-
CAMBRIA COUNTY.
183
Johnstown,
day, it is said, was also an owner of property here — whether with Mr. Jahns
or subsequently, is not ascertained. As this was the head of navigation
to those seeking the western waters, it became a place of shipment for
the iron of Huntington county, and for the lumber and produce of the
vicinity, as well as the emigration destined for the west. Arks and flat-
boats were then the only mode of conveyance. The pigs and blooms of
Juniata iron were hauled over the old Frankstown road, by the gap of
that name. The place at that time was called Conemaugh. Some forty
years since a family of Leveers were living here in a cabin.
The Allegheny Portage railroad is 39 69-100 miles in length from Hol-
lidaysburg to Johnstown, overcoming in ascent and descent an aggregate
of 2,570 feet, 1,398 of which are on the eastern and 1,172 on the western
side of the mountain. It crosses the mountain at Blair's gap summit, and
descends along the mountain branch of the Conemaugh. The top of the
mountain, which is some 200 feet higher than the culminating point of
the railroad, is 2,700 feet above the Delaware river at Philadelphia. The
ascent and descent have been overcome by ten inclined planes, lifting
from 130 to 307 feet, and varying in inclination between 4 1-8 and 5 5-6
degrees. The shortest plane is 1,585 feet, and 130 feet high ; the longest
is 3,100 feet, and 307 feet high. There is on the line a tunnel of 870 leet
long and 20 feet high through the mountain, at the Staple bend of the
Conemaugh. The principal viaduct on the line is that over the Horse-
shoe bend : it is a semicircular arch of 80 feet span ; its cost was
$54,502. The Ebensburg and Mountain branch viaducts are 40 feet span
each. All the viaducts and culverts have been built of the most substan-
tial masonry, the character of which is in perfect keeping with this mag-
nificent mountain pass. The iron rail is of great strength, and of an ap-
proved pattern, corresponding with the importance of the road. The cars
are elevated by stationary steam-engines at the head of each plane, and on
the intervening levels locomotives and horses are used. The total cost
of the road, including stationary engines, &c., exceeded 81,500,000.
" The design was originall}' entertained of connecting the main Pittsburg route by continuing
the canals with locks and dams as far as possible on both sides, and then to tunnel through the
184 CARBON COUNTY.
mountain summit, a distance of four miles ! Fortunately, however, this extravagant idea was
abandoned, and surveys for the raih'oad were commenced in 1828, and were continued by various
engineers until the appointment of Sylvester Welch, under whom the present location was made.
Mr. Welch has immortalized his name by a work equal in importance and grandeur to any in the
world. He has raised a monument to the intelligence, enterprise, and public spirit of Pennsylva-
nia, more honorable than the temples and pyramids of Egypt, or the triumphant arches and col-
umns of Rome. They were erected to commemorate the names of tyrants, or the battles of vic-
torious chieftains, while these magnificent works are intended to subserve the interests of agri-
culture, manufactures, and commerce — to encourage the arts of peace — to advance the prosperity
and happiness of the whole people of the United States — to strengthen the bonds of the Union."
" In October, 1S34, this jiortage was actually the means of connecting the waters of Eastern
Pennsylvania with those of Mississippi ; and as the circumstance is peculiarly interesting, we
here place it on record. Jesse Chrisman, from the Lackawanna, a tributary of the north branch
of the Susquehanna, loaded his boat, named Hit or Miss, with his wife, children, beds and family
accommodations, with pigeons and other live-stock, and started for Illinois. At Hollidaysburg,
where he expected to sell his boat, it was suggested by John Dougherty, of the Reliance Trans-
portation line, that the whole concern could be safely hoisted over the mountain and set afloat
again in the canal. Mr. Dougherty prepared a railroad car calculated to bear the novel burden.
The boat was taken from its proper element and placed on wheels, and under the superintendence
of Major C. Williams, (who, be it remembered, was the first man who ran a boat over the Alle-
gheny mountain,) the boat and cargo at noon on the same day began their progress over the rug-
ged yVllegheny. All this was done without disturbing the family arrangements of cooking, sleep-
ing, &c. They rested a night on the top of the mountain, like Noah's ark on Ararat, and de-
scended next morning into the valley of the Mississippi, and sailed for St. Louis."
The trip of a boat over the mountain is now no novel sight, except
that, instead of going over %vhole, they are so constructed as to be sepa-
rated into three or four parts on reaching the railroad. After thus mount-
ing the cars piecemeal, with their loads of emigrants, baggage, and
freight on board, they wend their way over the mountains, and resuming
their proper element at Johnstown, they unite their parts again and glide
on to the waters of the great west. Since this road was constructed,
such improvements have been made in the construction of locomotives,
that a project has been suggested for re-locating the whole road, and so
arranging and extending the grades as to adapt them to the tractive
power of locomotives, and dispense entirely with stationary engines, or, at
any rate, with all except one at the extreme summit. This route would
cross the summit by a gap north of the present route.
LoRETTo is situated about six miles east of Ebensburg, a few miles
north of the turnpike. It is the site of the Catholic church founded by
the liberality and sustained by the labors of Rev. Dr. Gallitzin. Popula-
tion in 1840, 151. The soil in and around the village is exceedingly good.
The population in the vicinity is principally composed of Germans and
Irish of the Catholic persuasion. (See above the history of the co.)
MuNSTER is a small village, five miles east of Ebensburg, on the turn-
pike, containing, by the census of 1840, only G7 inhabitants.
The SuMiMiT is a small village at the summit of the railroad, containmg
a post-oflice, taverns, stores, &c., and about 100 inhabitants. There is
also another thriving village at the foot of plane No. 3, containing two
taverns, stores, &c. &c.
CARBON COUNTY.
Carbon county was taken from Northampton and Monroe by the act
of 1843. The townships of Mauch Chunk, Lausanne, Upper Towamen-
CARBON COUNTY. 185
sing, Lower Towamensing, and East Penn were taken from Northamp-
ton, and the township of Penn Forest from Monroe. Length 20 miles,
breadth 19; area 390 sq. miles. The county comprises the very moun-
tainous region on the Lehigh river above the Kittatinny mountain, a re-
gion rugged and wild in appearance, and poorly adapted to agricultural
purposes ; but abounding in mineral wealth, in extensive forests of pine
lumber, and in water power. The Lehigh river divides the county into
two nearly equal parts. The more important streams tributary to it are,
on the east side the Aquanshicola and Big cr., Muddy run and Duck cr. ;
and on the west side, Lizard, Mahoning, Mauch Chunk, Nesquihoning,
Quakake, and Laurel creeks.
Above the Kittatinny or Blue mountain, and running parallel with it
in a southwestern and northeastern direction, are Mahoning mountain,
Mauch Chunk or Bear mountain, Pohokopo, Pokono, Broad, and Spring
mountains. Bald ridge, and Pine hill. Of these the Mauch Chunk, Broad,
and Pokono, rise from 800 to 1,000 feet above the Lehigh river. Anthra-
cite coal is found in great abundance in the Mauch Chunk mountain, and
in several of the other elevations northwest of the Lehigh. The particu-
lar localities will be described more in detail in another place. The
Great Swamp, or Shades of Death, as it, was formerly called by the suf-
fering fugitives from Wyoming, is a vast body of rather wet land, covered
with a dense forest of pine, on both sides of the Lehigh river, extending
from its source downward some 20 miles. The lower end of this tract is
in Carbon co. Its lumber furnishes a vast amount of freight for the Le-
high Navigation Company's canal, which has recently been extended into
this forest.
This canal and slackwater navigation extends from White Haven
along the Lehigh to Easton, where it connects with the Delaware canal.
There are several railroads in the county for bringing to the canal the
produce respectively of the Mauch Chunk, Nesquihoning, Beaver Meadow,
Hazleton, and Sugar Loaf mines. The Centre turnpike from Easton to
Berwick on the Susquehanna, passes up the Lehigh to a short distance
above Mauch Chunk, whence it passes over the Broad and Spring moun-
tains, and through the village of Beaver Meadow.
The first settlement in Carbon county was by the Moravian mission-
aries in the year 1746. The converted Mohegan Indians having been
driven out of Shekomeko, in New York, near the borders of Connecticut,
and from Patchgatgoch in the latter state, found an asylum for a short
time at Friedenshuetten, near Bethlehem. Deeming it inconvenient to
maintain a large Indian congregation so near Bethlehem, the missionaries
purchased 200 acres on the north side of Mahoning creek, about half a
mile above its junction with the Lehigh. " Each Indian family possessed
its own lot of ground, and began its separate housekeeping. Gnaden-
hutten became a very regular and pleasant town. The church stood in
the valley, on one side the Indian houses, forming a crescent, upon a
rising ground ; and on the other stood the house of the missionary, and
the burying-ground. The road to ' Waiomink' and other Indian towns, lay
through the settlement." This was the famous path over Nescopeck
mountain still known as the Warrior's path. The missionaries tilled their
own grounds, and every Indian family their plantation ; and on the 18th
Aug. 1746, they had the satisfaction to partake of the first-fruits of tl^e
186 CARBON COUNTY,
land at a love-feast. " Christian Ranch and Martin Mack were the first
missionaries who resided here. They were succeeded by other missiona-
ries, who were occasionally removed, the brethren being of opinion that
frequent changes of the ministers of the congregation might be useful in
preventing too strong an attachment to, and dependence upon men, and
fixing the hope of the Indians more upon God alone," Several parts of
Scripture had been translated into the Mohegan language, " The con-
gregation met morning and evening to sing and pray, and sometimes to
hear a discourse upon the text of Scripture appointed for the day. The
holy communion was administered to the communicants every month.
The Indians called the communion day the great day, and such indeed it
was, for the missionaries could never lind words to extol the power and
grace of God, revealed on these occasions." " In Sept. 1749, Bishop Jo-
hannes Von Watteville went to Gnadenhutten and laid the foundation
of a new church, that built in 1746 being too small, and the missionaries
being obliged to preach out of doors. The Indian congregation alone
consisted of 500 persons. About this time Mr. David Brainerd and seve-
ral of his Indian converts visited Gnadenhutten." " The congregation
continued in this pleasing and regular state until the year 1754."
When the Delawares and Shawanees on the Susquehanna began to
waver in their allegiance to the English, and were preparing to take up
the hatchet on the side of the French, it became an object of some im-
portance to them to withdraw their Indian brethren in the missionary set-
tlements beyond the reach of the whites, that the hostile savages might
more freely descend upon the white settlements. The Christian Indians
for some time resolutely refused to move to Wyoming. At length, how-
ever, a part were seduced by the influence of Teedyuscund. The Mohe-
gans who remained were joined by the Christian Delawares from Menio'
lagomeka, and — to continue the history in the words of Loskiel —
The land on the Mahonincr being impoverislied, and other circuiristances requiring a change,
the inhabitants of Gnadenhutten removed to the north side of the Lehigh. The dwelhngs were
removed, and a new cliapel was built, in June, 1754. The place was called New Gnadenhutten
[It stood where Weissport now is.] The dwellings were so placed that the Mohicans lived on
one, and the Delawares on the other side [of the street.] The brethren at Bethlehem took the
culture of the old land on the Mahoning upon themselves, made a plantation of it for the use of
the Indian congregation, and converted the old chapel into a dwelling, both for the use of those
bretliren and sisters who had the care of the plantations, and for missionaries passing on their
visits to the heathen.
The Indians in the French interest were much incensed that any of the Moravian Indians
chose to remain at Gnadenhutten, and determined to cut oft' the settlement. After Braddock'a
defeat, in 1755, the whole frontier was open to the inroads of the savage foe. Every day dis-
closed new scenes of barbarity committed by the Indians. Tiie whole country was in terror ;
the neighbors of the brethren in Gnadenhutten forsook their dwellings and fled ; but the brethren
made a covenant together to remain undaunted in the place allotted them by Providence. How-
ever, no caution was omitted ; and because the white people considered every Indian as an ene,
my, the Indian bretliren in Gnadenhutten were advised as much as possible to keep out of their
way — to buy no powder nor shot, but to strive to maintain themselves without hunting, which
they willhigly comphed with. ****** But god had otherwise or-
dained. On a sudden the mission-house on the Mahoning was, late in the evening of 24th Nov.,
attacked by the French Indians, burnt, and eleven of the inhabitants murdered.
The family, being at supper, heard an uncommon barking of dogs, upon which brother Sense-
man went out at the back door to see what was the matter. On the report of a gun, several ran
together to open the house-door. Here the Indians stood with their pieces pointed towards the
door, and firing Immediately upon its being opened, Martin Nitchman was instantly killed. Hl.s
wife and some others were wounded, but fled with the rest up stairs into the garret, and barrica-
ded the door with bedsteads. Brother Partsch escaped by jumping out of a back window.
Brother Worbas, who was ill in bed in a house adjoining, jumped likewise out of a back window
CARBON COUNTY. Ig-JT
and escaped, though the enemies had placed a guard before his dbor. Meanwhile the savages
pursued those who had taken refuge in the garret, and strove hard to burst tlie door open ; but
finding it too well secured, they set fire to the house, which was soon in flames. A boy called
Sturgeons, standing upon the flaming roof, ventured to leap off, and escaped ; though at first, up-
on opening the back door, a ball had grazed his cheek, and one side of his head was much burnt.
Sister Partsch seeing this took courage, and leaped likewise from the burning roof. She came
down unhurt, and unobserved by the enemies ; and thus the fervent prayer of her husband was
fulfilled, who in jumping out of the back window cried aloud to God to save his wife. Brother
Fabricius then leaped also ofi:' the roof, but before he could escape was perceived by the Indians,
and instantly wounded by two balls. He was the only one whom they seized upon alive, and
having dispatched him with their hatchets, took his sCalp, and left him dead on the ground. The
rest were all burnt alive, and brother Senseman, who first went out at the back door, had the in-
expressible grief to see his wife consumed by the flames. Sister Partsch could not run far for
fear and trembling, but hid herself behind a tree, upon a hill near the house. From hence she
saw sister Senseman, already surrounded by the flames, standing with folded hands, and heard
her call out, " 'Tis all well, dear Saviour — I expected nothing else !" The house being consumed,
the nmrderers set fire to the bams and stables, by which all the corn, hay, and cattle were de.
stroyed. Then they divided the spoil, soaked some bread in milk, made a hearty meal, and de^
parted — sister Partsch looking on unperceived.
This melancholy event proved the deliverer of the Indian congregation at Gnadcnhutten ; for
Upon hearing the report of the gmis, seeing the flames, and soon learning the dreadful cause from
those who had escaped, the Indian brethren immediately went to the missionary, and offered to
attack the enemy without delay. But being advised to the contrary, they all fled into the woods,
and Gnadcnhutten was cleared in a few minutes ; some who already were in bed having scarce
time to dress themselves. Brother Zeisberger, who had just arrived in Gnadcnhutten from Beth-
lehem, hastened back to give notice of this event to a body of English militia, which had
marched within five miles of the spot ; but tliey did not venture to pursue the enemy in the dark.
The fugitive congregation arrived safely at Bethlehem, After the
French and Indians had retired, the remains of those killed on the Ma-
honing were carefully collected from the ashes and ruins, and solemnly
interred. A broad marble slab, placed there in 1788, now marks the
grave, which is situated on the hill, a short distance from Lehighton, and
a little north of a small hamlet which occupies the site of the ancient
missionary village. The following is the inscription on the marble :* —
To the memory of Gotlieb and Christiana Anders, with their child Johanna ; Martin and Su-
sanna Nitsmann, Ann Catharina Sensmann, Leonhard Gattermeyer, Christian Fabricius, clerk ;
George Shuegger, John Frederick Lesley and Martin Presser, who lived here at Gnadcnhutten
unto the Lord, and lost their lives in a surprise from Indian warriors, November the 24th, 1755.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.— Psa/m cxvi., 15.
The next chapter in the history of these wild glens of the Lehigh may
perhaps be best given in the words of Dr. Franklin.
While the several companies in the city and country were forming, and learning their exercise,
the governor prevailed with me to take charge of our northwestern frontier, which was infested
by the enemy, and provide for the defence of the inhabitants by raising troops, and building a
line of forts. I undertook this military business, though I did not conceive myself well qualified
for it. He gave me a commission with full powers, and a parcel of blank commissions for offi-
cers, to be given to whom I thought fit. I had but little difficulty in raising men, having soon
five hundred and sixty imder my command. My son, who had in the preceding war been an
officer in the army raised against Canada, Was my aid-de-camp, and of great use to me. The
Indians had burned Gnadcnhutten, a village settled by the Moravians, and massacred the in-
liabitants ; but the place was thought a good situation for one of the forts. In order to march
thither, I assembled the companies at Bethlehem, the chief establishment of those people. I was
surprised to find it in so good a postm-e of defence ; the destruction of Gnadcnhutten had mada
them apprehend danger. The principal buildings were defended by a stockade ; they had pur-
chased a quantity of arms and ammunition from New York, and had even placed quantities o.
small paving stones between the windows of theur high stone houses, for their women to throw
* The grave-yard is in a very neglected condition. It would add much to the beauty of this
interestmg spot, if the brethren at Bethlehem and Nazareth would plant a few shade-trees around
the monument, and enclose it with a raihng.
CARBON COUNTY.
them down upon the heads of any Indians that should attempt to force into them. T ■^'^^^^^
brethren too kept watch, and reUeved each other on guard as methodic ally as in any gurrisort
town. In conversation with the bishop, Spangenberg, I mentioned mj siu-prise ; for knowing
they had obtained an act of parliament exempting them from military duties in the colonies, I
had supposed they were conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms. He answered me, " That
it was not one of their established principles ; but that at the time of their obtaining that act it
was thought to be a principle with many of their people. On this occasion, however, they to
their siuprise found it adopted by but a few." It seems they were either deceived in themselves,
or deceived the paHiameiit ; but common sense, aided by present danger, will sometimes be too
strong for whimsical opinions.
It was the beginning of January, 1756, when we set out upon this business of building forts.
I sent one detachment towards the Minisink, with instructions to erect one for the security of
that upper part of the country ; and another to the lower part with similar instructions . and I
concluded to go myself with the rest of my force to Gnadcnhutten, where a fort was tliought
more immediately necessary. The Moravians procured me five wagons for our tools stores,
baggage, &,c. Just before we left Bethlehem, eleven fanners, who had been driven from their
plantations by the Indians, came to me requesting a supply of fire-arms, that they might go back
and bring otF their cattle. I gave them each a gun with suitable ammunition. We had not
marched many miles before it began to rain, and it continued raining all day. There were no
habitations on the road to shelter us, till we arrived near night at Ihe house of a German, where,
and in his bam, we were all huddled together as wet as water could make us. It was well we
were not attacked in our march, for our arms were of the most ordinary sort, and our men could
not keep the locks of their guns dry. The Indians are dextrous in contrivances for that purpose,
which we had not. They met that day the eleven poor farmers above mentioned, and killed ten
of them ; the one that escaped informed us that his and his companions' guns would not go
off, the priming being wet with the rain. The next day being fair, we continued our march, and
arrived al the desolate Gnadcnhutten ; there was a mill near, round which were left several pine
boards, with which we soon hutted ourselves ; an operation the more necessary at that inclement
season, as we had no tents. Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead we found there,
who had been half interred by the country people ; the next morning our fort was planned and
marked out, the circumference measuring foiu hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require as
many palisades to be made, one with another of a foot diameter each. Each pine made three
palisades of eighteen feet long, pointed at one end. When they were set up, our carpenters built a
platform of boards all round within, about six feet high, for the men to stand on when to fire
through the loop-holes. We had one swivel gun, which we mounted on one of the angles, and
fired it as soon as fixed, to let the Indians know, if any were within hearing, that we had such
pieces ; and thus our fort, (if that name may be given to so miserable a stockade,) was finished
in a week, though it ruined so hard every other day that the men could not well work.
This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defence against Indians who had no
canon. Finding ourselves now posted securely, and having a place to retreat to on occasion, we
ventured out in parties to scour the adjacent country. We met with no Indians, but we found
the places on the neighboring hills where they had lain to watch our proceedings. There was an
art in their contrivance of those places, that seems worth mentioning. It being winter, a fire
was necessary for them ; but a common fire, on the surface of the ground, would, by its light,
have discovered their position at a distance ; they had therefore dug holes in the ground about
three feet diameter, and somewhat deeper ; we found where they had with their hatchets cut off
the charcoal from the sides of burnt logs lying in the woods. With these coals they had made
small fires in the bottom of the holes, and we observed among the weeds and grass the prints of
their bodies, made by their lying all round with their legs hanging down in the holes to keep their
feet warm, which, with them, is an essential point. This kind of fire, so managed, could not
discover them either by its light, flame, sparks, or even smoke. It appeared that the number
was not great, and it seems they saw we were too many to be attacked by them with prospect
of advantage.
We had for our chaplain a zealous Presbyterian minister, Mr. Beatty,* who complained to me
that the men did not generally attend his prayers and exhortations. When they enhsted, they
Were promised, besides pay and provisions, a gill of rum a day, which was punctually served out
to them, half in the morning, and half in the evening ; and I observed they were punctual in
attending to receive it ; upon which I said to Mr. Beatty, " It is, perhaps, below the dignity of
your profession to act as steward of the rum ; but if you were to distribute it out only just after
prayers, you would have them all about j-ou." He "liked the thought, undertook the task, and
with the help of a few hands to measure out the liquor, executed it to satisfaction, and nevoi
were prayers more generally and more punctually attended. So that I think this method prefer
able to the punishment inflicted by some military laws for non-attendance on divine service.
* See under Bucks co., page 164.
CARBON COUNTY. Igg
The fort erected by Dr. Franklin was called Fort Allen, in honor of
Wm. Allen, a distinguished citizen of Philadelphia. Franklin soon after
left Col. Chapham in charge, and returned to Philadelphia. On his way
he stopped at Bethlehem, where he took particular observation of their
peculiar customs. Among other things, he says —
I inquired concerning the Moravian marriages, whether the report was true that they were by
lot. I was told that lots were used only in particular cases ; that generally, when a young man
found himself disposed to marry, he informed the elders of his class, who consulted the elder
ladies that governed the young women. As these elders of the different sexes were well ac-
quainted with the tempers and dispositions of their respective pupils, they oould best judge what
matches Were suitable, and their judgments were generally acquiesced in. But if, for example,
it fihould happen that two or three j-oung women were found to be equ-.illy proper for the young
man, the lot was then recurred to. I objected, if the matches are not made by the mutual choice
of the parties, some of them may chance to be very unhappy. " And so they may," answered
my informer, " if you let the parties choose for themselves." Which indeed I could not deny.
In April, 1760, the Indian congrega.tion at Nain, near Bethlehem, be-
coming crowded, found it necessary to swarm, and a new Indian mission-
ary village was established, under Br. Gottlob Senseman, at Wechquetank,
which, from the map in Loskiel, would appear to have been some ten or
twelve miles S. W. of Gnadenhutten, "behind the Blue mountains."
Possibly it may have been in the eastern corner of Schuylkill co., but
whether on Mahoning or Lizard cr. does not appear ; but probably on
the latter. When Pontiac's war broke upon the frontier, in 1763, there
was much rea.son for the brethren at Wechquetank to fear a repetition
of the dreadful scenes of 1755. In addition to this source of alarm, all
the Moravian Indian villages were objects of antipathy and suspicion to
the Scotch-Irish settlers along the Kittatinny valley, who considered them
as convenient lurking places for the parties of hostile Indians who came
down to spy out the land, and cut off the frontier settlements. Loskiel
thus describes the state of feeling in this region at the time.
The whites had killed an Indian, Zachary, and his wife and child, of the Wechquetank settle-
ment, who were found sleeping in a barn away from home. After this event, the soldiers became
still more suspicious of the Indians of Wechquetank, natiu-ally supposing that Zachary 's four
brothers living there would endeavor to revenge his death, and that all the inhabitants would take
their part. They therefore prohibited the Indians to hunt ; threatening to kill the first they should
meet in the forest ; however, Capt. Wettherhold was at last persuaded to desist from this meas-
ure by Br. Grabe. The congregation at Wechquetank was greatly encouraged by the steady and
intrepid conduct of their missionary. He cared for them as a father, and was never weary of
speaking in their behalf to the officers of the militia, though sometimes roughly treated. The
most difficult task he had, was to pacify a party of Irish freebooters, who in great rage declared
that no Indians should dare to show themselves in the woods, or they should be shot dead imme-
diately, and that if only one white man more should be murdered in this neighborhood, the whole
Irish settlement would rise in arms, and kill all the inhabitants of Wechquetank, without waiting
for an order from government, or for a warrant from the justice of the peace. The same threat,
ening messages were sent to Nain. On the 8th Oct. some savages attacked an Irish settlement,
8 miles from Bethlehem, and killed a captain, lieutenant, several soldiers, and a Mr. S ,
whose wife narrowly escaped, though she was the sole cause of all this mischief, by dropping
some inconsiderate words against a company of Indians who lodged there. After this, a party
of Irish came to Wechquetank and accused the Indians there of being accomplices in the mur-
der. Br. Grabe succeeded in pacifying them, fed them, and sent them away without bloodshed.
But the congregation was obliged to leave Wechquetank, and flee to Nazareth, and soon after to
Philadelphia. Wechquetank was afterwards burned by the whites, about the month of Nov.
1763.
The following narrative of the captivity of the Gilbert family is
abridged from a communication by Mark Bancroft, in Atkinson's Casket
for 1835.
190 CARBON COUNTY.
Benjamin Gilbert, a Quaker from Byberry, near Philadelphia, in 1775 removed with his f&tinly
to a farm on Mahoning creek, five or six miles from Fort Allen. His second wife was a widow
Peart. He was soon comfortably situated with a good log dwelling-house, barn, and saw and
grist mill. For five years this peaceable family went on industriously and prosperously ; but oil
the 25th April, 1780, the very year after Sullivan's expedition, they were surprised about sunrise
by a party of 11 Indians, who took them all prisoners.
" At the Gilbert farm they made captives of Benjamin Gilbert, senior, aged 69 years ; Elizabeth
his wife, 55 ; Joseph Gilbert, his son, 41 ; Jesse Gilbert, another son, 19 ; Sarah Gilbert,
wife to Jesse, 19 ; Rebecca Gilbert, a daughter, 16 ; Abner Gilbert, a son, 14 ; EHzabeth Gilbert,
a daughter, 12 ; Thomas Peart, son to Benjamin Gilbert's wife, 23 ; Benjamin Gilbert, a son of
John Gilbert of Philadelphia, 11 ; Andrew Harrigar, of German descent, 26; a hireling of Benja-
min Gilbert's ; and Abigail Dodson, 14, a daughter of Samuel Dodson, who lived on a farm
about one mile from Gilbert's mill. The whole number taken at Gilbert's was 12. The Indians
then proceeded about half a mile to Benjamin Peart 's dwelling, and there captured liimself, aged
27, Elizabeth his wife, 20, and their child nine months old."
The last look the poor captives had of their once comfortable home, was to see the flames and
falling in of the roofs, from Summer hill. The Indians led their captives on a toilsome road ovei
Mauch Chmik and Broad mountains into the Nescopeck path, and then across Quakake creek
and the Moravian Pine Swamp to Mahoning mountain, where they lodged the first night. Oii
the way they had prepared moccasins for some of the children. Indians generally secure theli
prisoners by cutting down a sapling as large as a man's thigh, and therein cut notches in which
they fix their legs, and over this they place a pole, crossing it with stakes drove in the ground,
and on the crotches of the stakes they place other poles or riders, efiectually confining the prison-
ers on their backs ; and besides all this they put a strap round their necks, which they fasten to
a tree. In this manner the night passed with the Gilbert family. Their beds were hemlock
branches strewed on the ground, and blankets for a covering. Andrew Montour Was the leader
of the Indian party.
The forlorn band were dragged on over the wild and rugged region between the Lehigh and the
Chemung branch of the Susquehanna. They were often ready to faint by the way, but the cruel
threat of immediate death urged therri again to the march. The old man, Benjamin Gilbert, in-
deed had begun to fail, and had been painted black — a fatal omen among the Indians ; but when
his cruel captors had put a rope around his neck, and appeared about to kill him, the interces-
sions of his wife softened their hearts, and he was saved. Subsequently, in Canada, the old mart
conversing with the chief observed, that he might say what none of the other Indians could,
"that he had brought in the oldest man and the youngest child." The chief's reply was im^
pressive : " It was not I, but the great God, who brought you through ; for we were determined
to kill you, but were prevented."
" On the 54th day of their captivity, the Gilbert family had to encounter the fearful ordeal of the
gauntlet. ' The prisoners,' says the author of the narrative, ' were released from the heavy
loads they had heretofore been compelled to carry, and were it not for the treatment they expected
on their approaching the Indian towns, and the hardship of separation, their situation would have
been tolerable ; but the horr6r of their minds, arising from the dreadful yells of the Indians as
they approached the hamlets, is easier conceived than described — for they were no strangers to
the customary cruelty exercised upon the captives on entering their towns. The Indians — men,
women, and children — collect together,* bringing clubs and stones in order to beat them, which
they usually do with great severity, by way of rfevenge for their relations who have been slain.
This is performed immediately upon their entering the village where the warriors reside, and
cannot be avoided : the blows, however cruel, must be borne without complaint. The prisoners
are sorely beaten until their enemies are weary with the cruel sport. Their sufferings were in
this case very great ; they received several wounds, and two of the women who were on horse-
back, were much bruised by falling from their horses, which were frightened by the Indians.
Elizabeth, the mother, took shelter by the side of one of them, (a warrior,) but upon his observing
that she met with some favor upon his account, he sent her away ; she then received several vio-
lent blows, so that she was almost disabled. The blood trickled from their heads in a stream,
their hair being cropt close, and the clothes they had on in rags, made their situation truly pite-
ous. Whilst the Indians were inflicting this revenge upon the captives, the chief came and put
a stop to any further cruelty by telling them 'it was sufficient,' which they immediately at-
tended to."
Soon after this a severer trial awaited them. They were separated from each other. Some
were given over to Indians to be adopted, others were hired out by their Indian owners to service
in white families, and others were sent down the lake to Montreal. Among the latter was the
old patriarch Benjamin Gilbert. But the old man, accustomed to the comforts of civilized life,
broken in body and mind from such unexpected calamities, sunk under the complication of wo
* The warriors but seldom took part, except by looking on and encouraging the demoniac
sport.
CARBON COUNTY. 191
and hurdship. His remains repose at the foot of an oak near the old fort of Caur du Lac, on
the St. Lawrence below Ogdeiishurg. Some of the family met with kind treatment from the
hands of British officers at Montreal, who were interested in their story, and exerted themselves
to release them from captivity.
" Sarah Gilbert, the wife of Jesse, becoming a mother, Elizabeth left the service she was en-
gaged in — Jesse having taken a house, that she might give her daughter every necessary attend-
ance. In order to make their situation as comfortable as possible, they took a child to nurse,
which added a little to their income. After this, Elizabeth Gilbert hired herself to iron a day
for Adam Scott. While she was at her work, a little girl belonging to the house acquainted
her that there were some who wanted to see her, and upon entering the room, she found six
of her children. The joy and surprise she felt on this occasion, were beyond what we shall at-
tempt to describe. A messenger was sent to inform Jesse and his wiie, that Joseph Gilbert,
Benjamin Peart, Elizabeth his wife, and their young child, and Abner and Elizabeth Gilbert the
younger, were with their mother."
" Among the customs, or indeed common laws of the Indian tribes, one of the most remarkable
and interesting was adoption of prisoners. This right belonged more particularly to the females
than to the warriors, and well was it for the prisoners that the election depended rather upon the
voice of the mother than on that of the father, as innumerable lives were thus spared whom
the warriors would have immolated. When once adopted, if the captives assumed a cheerful
aspect, entered into their modes of life, learned their language, and, in brief, acted as if they
actually felt themselves adopted, all hardship was removed not incident to Indian modes of
life. But, if this change of relation operated as amelioration of condition in the life of the prison-
er, it rendered ransom extremely difficult in all cases, and in some instances precluded it al-
together. These difficulties were exemplified in a striking manner in the person of Elizabeth
Gilbert the younger. This girl, only 12 )'ears of age when captured, was adopted by an Indian
family, but afterwards permitted to reside in a white family of the name of Secord, by whom
she was treated as a child indeed, and to whom she became so much attached as to call Mrs.
Secord by the endearing title of mamma. Her residence, however, in a white family, was a
favor granted to the Secords by the Indian parents of Elizabeth, who regarded and claimed her
as their child. Mr. Secord having business at Niagara, took Betsey, as she was, called, with
him ; and there, after long separation, she had the happiness to meet with six of her relations,
most of whom had been already released and were preparing to set out for Montreal, lingering
and yearning for those they seemed destined to leave behind perhaps forever. The sight of
their beloved little sister roused every energy to effect her release, which desire was generously
seconded by John Secord and Col. Butler, who, soon after her visit to Niagara, sent for the In-
dian who claimed Elizabeth, and made overtures for her ransom. At first he declared that he
" would not sell his own flesh and blood ;" but attacked through his interest, or in other words
his necessities, the negotiation succeeded, and, as we have already seen, her youngest child was
among the treasures first restored to tlie mother at Montreal."
Eventually they were all redeemed and collected at Montreal on the 22d Aug. 1782, when they
took leave of their kind friends there and returned to Byberry after a captivity of two years and
five months.
The premises where stood the dwelling and improvements of the Gilbert family, were in 1833
occupied by Mr. Septimus Hough, — on the north side of Mahoning creek, on an elevated bank
about forty perches from the main road leading from Lehighton and Weissport to Tamaqua, and
about four miles from the former. Benjamin Peart lived about half a mile further up the creek,
and about one fourth of a mile from the same, on the south side. Mr. Robert McDaniel lived on
the place in 1833.
Our limits will not admit of copying the whole of this interesting nar-
rative ; it may be found at length as originally written by one of the
family, in Hazard's Register, vol. 3, 314.
After the peace of 1783 a very few scattered cabins might be found
along the secluded valleys of the Lehigh and the Mahoning, but with this
exception the whole county was a vast howling wilderness.
About the year 1791 an event occurred, in itself apparently trifling, but
fraught with momentous results to the future interest of Carbon county.
Dr. T. C. James, who travelled in this region in 1804, thus describes it
in a communication to the Pennsylvania Hist. Society.
In the course of our pilgrimage we reached the summit of the Mauch Chunk mountain, the
present site of the mine or rather quarry of anthracite coal. At that time there were only to be
seen three or four small pits, which had much the appearance of the commencement of rude
wells, into one of which our guide descended with great ease, and threw up some pieces of coal
192 CARBON COUNTY.
for our examination ; after which, whilst we lingered on the spot, contemplating; the wnldness of
the scene, honest Philip Ginter amused us with the following narrative of the original discovery
of this most valuable of minerals, now promising, from its general diffusion, so much of wealth
and comfort to a great portion of Pennsylvania.
He said, when he first took up his residence in that district of coimtry, he built for himself a
rough cabin in the forest, and supported his family by the proceeds of his rifle, being literally a
himter of the back-woods. The game he shot, including bear and deer, he carried to the nearest
store, and exchanged for the other necessaries of life. But, at the particular time to which he
then alluded, he was without a supply of food for his family, and after being out all day with his
gun in quest of it, he was returning towards evening over the Mauch Chunk mountain, entirely
unsuccessful and dispirited, having shot notliing. A drizzUng rain beginning to fall, and the
dusky night approaching, he bent his course homeward, considering himself as one of the most
forsaken of hmnan beings. As he trod slowly over the ground, his foot stumbled against some-
thing which, bv the stroke, was driven before him : observing it to be black, to distinguish which
there was just light enough remaining, he took it up, and as he had often Ustened to the traditions
of the country of the existence of coal in the vicinity, it occurred to him that this, perhaps,
might be a portion of that " stone-coaV of which he had heard ; he accordingly carefiJly took
it with him to his cabin, and the next day carried it to Col. Jacob Weiss, residing at what was
then known by the name of Fort Allen. The colonel, who was alive to the subject, brought
the specimen with him to Philadelphia, and submitted it to the inspection of John Nicholson
and Michael Hillcgas, Esqs., and Charles Cist, an intelligent printer, who ascertained its nature
and qualities, and authorized the colonel to satisfy Ginter for his discovery, upon his pointing out
the precise spot where he found the coal. This was done by acceding to Ginter's proposal of
getting through the forms of the patent-office the title for a small tract of land which he sup-
posed had never been taken up, comprising a mill-seat, on which he afterwards built the mill
which afforded us the lodging of the preceding night, and which he afterwards was unhappily
deprived of by the claim of a prior survey.
HUlegas, Cist, Weiss, and some others, immediately after, (about the beginning of the year
1792,) formed themselves into what was called the " Lehigh Coal Mine Company," but without
a charter of incorporation, and took up about 8 or 10,000 acres of. till then, unlocated land, in-
cluding the Mauch Chunk mountain, but probably never worked the mine.
It remained in this neglected state, being only used by the Wicksmiths and people in the im-
mediate vicinity, until somewhere about the year 1806, when Wm. Turnbull, Esq., had an ark
constructed at Lausanne, which brought down two or three hundred bushels. This was sold
to the manager of the Water-works for the use of the Centre square steam-engine. It was there
tried as an experiment, but ultimately rejected as unmanageable, and its character for the
time being blasted, the fuilher attempts at introducing it to pubUc notice in this way seemed
suspended.
During the last war, J. Cist, (the son of the printer,) Cliarles Miner, and J. A. Chapman,
tempted by the high price of bituminous coal, made an attempt to work the mine, and probably
would have succeeded, had not the peace reduced the price of the article too low for competi-
tion.
The writer commenced burning the anthracite coal in the winter of 1804, and has continued
its use ever since, believing, from his own experience of its utility, that it would ultimately be-
come the general fuel of this, as well as some other cities.
Mauch Chunk, (pronounced Mok-chunk,) the principal town in Carbon
county, and which has recently been selected as the seat of justice, is
situated on the right bank of the Lehigh, at the confluence of Mauch
Chunk creek. It is 12 miles above the Lehigh water gap, 36 from East-
on, 127 by canal and 96 by land from Philadelphia. The village occupies
a small area in a narrow and romantic glen at the mouth of the creek,
and is nearly encircled by mountains, some of which attain an elevation
of a thousand feet. " The face of these mountains, although covered
with fragments of rocks, and displaying in many places huge beetling
precipices, is clothed in summer with verdant trees and shrubs, obscuring
the rough surface of the mountain, and forming a pleasing contrast with
the white buildings clustered beneath its shade." There are few spots in
Pennsylvania where the sublime and the beautiful are displayed in more
pleasing proximity and contrast — few afford a better opportunity for ad-
miring the wildness and grandeur of Nature, and the astonishing results
produced by Art. The annexed view was taken from the Pokono moun-
CARBON COUNTY.
193
Mauch Chunk.
1.000 and 1.200.
The people are
enterprise. There are three
, and two others com-
t'dhi opposite to the landing. Mauch Chunk mountain is on the right,
and stretches away in the distance.
The number of inhabitants in this place is between
The census of 1840 gives 2,193 for the whole township,
industrious, and remarkable for their
churches — Presbyterian, Methodist, and
menced ; and (which indicates the intelligence of the citizens) a splendid
edifice erected for schools, which will vie with any in the state. There
are three public schools at the mines, and an Irish Presbj'terian congre-
gation at the summit mines. There is also at Mauch Chunk a large
foundry, a grist-mill, and several manufacturing establishments in the vi-
cinity. Three excellent hotels accommodate strangers.
The principal business of the place is that connected with the coal
landing and the mining operations in the vicinity. It would require a
small volume to describe all the curious and interesting objects to be
seen here. No region will better reward the visit of a stranger than that
around Mauch Chunk.
The place was first started about the year 1818, in connection with the
operations of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, the town hav-
ing been originally the property of that company, and owing much of its
vigorous growth and orderly character to the control exercised over it by
the intelligent managers.
The following history of that company and its operations is derived
principally from a communication by Erskine Hazard, Esq., to the His-
torical Society, and from a pamphlet published by the company in 1840 :
The coal on the Lehigh was accidentally discovered in the year 1791 by a hunter, who ob-
served it adhering to the roots of a tree wliich had been blown down.
In 1792 a company was formed, called the Lehigh Coal Mine Company, who took up a large
body of land contiguous to that on which the coal had been found. They opened the mine where
it is at present worked, made a very rough road from the river to the mine, and attempted to bring
the coal in arks to the city, in wliich they but partially succeeded in consequence of the difficul-
ties of the navigation. A small quantity of coal, however, reached the city ; but the want of
knpwledge of the proper fixtures for ita use, together with the difficulties of the navigation, caused
25
194 CARBON COUNTY.
the company to abandon their undertaking. Some of the coal, it is said, was tried under the
boiler of the engine at the Centre square, but only served to put the fire out, and the remainder
was broken up and spread on the walks in place of gravel !
The legislature were early aware of the importance of the navigation of the Lehigh, and in
1771 passed a law for its improvement. Subsequent laws for the same object were enacted in
1791, 1794, 1798, 1810, 1814, and 1816. A company was formed under one of them, which ex-
pended upwards of $30,000 in clearing out channels ; one of which they attempted to make
through the ledges of slate which extend across the river, about seven miles above Allentown ;
but they found the slate too hard to pick, and too shelly to blow ; and at length considered it an
insuperable obstacle to the completion of the work, and relinquished it.
The Coal Mine Company in the meanwhile, anxious to have their property brought into notice,
gave leases of their mines to ditferent individuals in succession, for periods of 21, 14, and 10
years, adding to the last the privik'ge of taking timber from their lands for the purpose of floating
the coal to market. Messrs. Cist, Miner, and Robinson, who had the last lease, started several
arks, only three of which reached the city, and they abandoned their business at the close of the
war, in 1815.
In 1812, Messrs. White & Hazard, who were then manufacturing wire at the falls of Schuyl-
kill, induced a number of individuals to associate and apply to the legislature for a law for the
improvement of the river Schuylkill. The coal which was said to be on the head waters of that
river, was held up as an inducement to the legislature to make the grant, when the senator from
Schuylkill county asserted that there was no coal there — that there was a kind of "black stone"
that was " called" coal, but that it would not burn !
During the war, Virginia coal became very scarce : and Messrs. White & Hazard having been
told by Mr. Joshua Malin, that he had succeeded in making use of Lehigh coal in his rolling,
mill, procured a cart-load of it, which cost them $1 per bushel. This quantity was entirely
wasted without getting up the requisite heat. Another cart-load was however obtained, and a,
whole night spent in endeavoring to make a fire in the furnace, when the hands shut the furnace
door and left the mill in despair. Fortunately one of them left his jacket in the mill, and return.,
ing for it in about half an horn", noticed that the door was red hot, and upon opening it, was sur-
prised at finding the whole furnace at a glowing white heat. The other hands were summoned,
and four separate parcels of iron were heated and rolled by the same fire, before it required re-
newing. The furnace was then replenished, and as letting it alone had succeeded so well, it
was concluded to try it again, and the experiment was repeated with the same result.
In July, 1818, the Lehigh Navigation Company, and in Oct. the Lehigh Coal Company, were
formed, which together were the foundation of the present Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, as
will appear by the preamble to their charter, passed in 1822. The improvement of the Lehigh
was commenced in Aug. 1818. In 1820, only two years from the commencement, coal was sent
to Philadelphia, by an artificial navigation, and sold at ^8 40 per ton, delivered : 365 tons com-
pletely stocked the market.
In 1821 and 1822, the quantities were so much increased, that the public became secure of a
supply, and its own good qualities, together with its reasonable price, gave it an extensive and
rapidly increasing demand. At this period, anthracite coal may be said to be permanently in-
troduced into use. In 1824, the Lehigh Company reduced the price of coal to !^7. In 1825,
coal first came to Philadelphia by the improved navigation of the Schuylkill — the quantity was
5,378 tons. In 1826, 16,265 tons of coal were transported on the Schuylkill, and 31,280 tons on
the Lehigh. And now anthracite coal promises to become the largest and most profitable staple
of Pennsylvania.
Nature did not furnish enough water, by the regular flow of the river, to keep the channels at
the proper depth, owing to the very great fall in the river, and the consequent rapidity of its mo.
tion. It became necessary to accumulate water by artificial means, and let it ofl' at stated pe-
riods, and let the boats pass down with the long wave tlms formed, which filled uj) the channels
This was effected by constructing dams in the neighborhood of Mauch Chunk, in which were
placed sluice-gates of a peculiar construction, invented for the purpose by Josiah White, (one of
the managers,) by means of which the water could be retained in the pool above, until required
for use. When the dam became full, and the water had run over it long enough for the river be-
low the dam to acquire tlie depth of the ordinary flow of the river, the sluice-gates were let down,
and the boats, which were lying in the pools above, passed down with the artificial flood. About
12 of these dams and sluices were made in 1819.
The boats used on this descending navigation consisted of square boxes or arks, from 16 to 18
feet wide, and 20 to 25 feet long. At first, two of these were joined together by hinges, to allow
them to bend up and down in passing the dams and sluices ; and as the men became accustomed
to the work, and the channels were straightened and improved as experience dictated, the num-
ber of sections in each boat was increased, till at last their whole length reached 180 feet. They
were steered with long oars, like a raft. Machinery was devised for jointing and putting to-
gether Ihe planks of which these boats were nxade, and the hands became so expert that five men
would put one of the sections tPgether and launch it in 45 minqtes. Boats of this description
CARBON COUNTY. I95
were used on the Lehigh till the end of the year 1831, when the Delaware division of the Penn-
sylvania canal was partially finished. In the last year 40,966 tons were sent down, which re-
quired so many boats to be built, that, if they had all been joined in one length, they would have
extended more than 13 miles. These boats made but one trip, and were then broken up in the
city, and the planks sold for lumber, the spikes, hinges, and other iron work, being returned to
Mauch Chunk by land, a distance of 80 miles.
The descending navigation by artificial freshets on the Lehigh is the first on record which was
used as a permanent thing ; though it is stated that in the expedition in 1779, under Gen. Sulli-
van, Gen. James Clinton successfully made use of the expedient to extricate his division of the
army from some difficulty on the east branch of the Susquehanna, by erecting a temporary dam
across the outlet of Otsego lake, which accumulated water enough to float them, when let off,
and carry them down the river.
The celebrated Summit mines, which have furnished nearly all the
coal of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company for many years, are
situated nine miles west of Mauch Chunk, on the summit of the
Mauch Chunk mountain. The coal is brought to the landing by a rail-
road which was commenced in Jan. 1827, the materials, except the iron,
(which was in Philadelphia,) being at that time growing in the forest,
and was completed and in operation within three months from its com-
mencement ! Most of the route, however, had been previously graded for
a turnpike. This was the first railroad in the United States, except that
at Quincy. Every thing about this road — the mine — the descent — the
scenery— -the chute at the landing — is well worthy the attention of a stran-
ger. The road descends from the mine to the top of the chute at the rate
of 100 feet per mile, and the descent is accomplished, by means of gravi-
ty, usually in about half an hour, the empty coal wagons being returned
to the mines by mules, which ride down with the coal. This novel ar-
rangement was made at the suggestion of Mr. Josiah White, and enables
the mules to make two and a half trips to the summit and back, thus
travelling about 40 miles each day. The mules cut a most grotesque
figure, standing, three or four together, in their cars, with their feeding
troughs before them, apparently surveying with delight the scenery of
the mountain ; and although they preserve the most profound gravity, it
is utterly impossible for the spectator to maintain his. It is said that the
mules having once experienced the comfort of riding down, regard it as
a right, and neither mild nor severe measures will induce them to descend
in any other way. The wagons, both of coal and mules, run down in
gangs of 16 each, under the charge of one brakeman. It creates thril-
ling impressions upon the traveller, to stand near the road, and first to
hear something thundering and rattling through the forest, and then to see
the dark procession suddenly turn some point in the mountain and dash
past with irresistible energy towards its destination. When they arrive
at the head of the inclined plane at Lausanne, each car is detached and
shot down the plane by itself, its weight drawing up an empty car. A
rope round a drum at the top regulates the motion ; and other contri-
vances below direct the cars into the proper track. A strong barrier of
logs in the form of a blockhouse is placed across the plane to arrest any
car that might leave the track. About 700 tons are mined, sent down to
the landing, screened, and shipped in one day.
The Summit mine lies near the eastern extremity of the great south-
ern or Pottsville coal basin, which extends from this point nearly to the
Susquehanna in Dauphin co., where it is divided into two prongs. There
is evety reason to belive that this basin has received its peculiar shape
196 CARBON COUNTY.
h} the upheaving of the vast ridges of Sharp mountain on the south, and
Broad mountain on the north, and the contemporaneous or subsequent de-
nudation of the tops of these mountains by the action of a dehige. There
are also several minor ridges, known among geologists as anticlinal
ridges, crossing the basin in an oblique direction, which imparted to its
strata those peculiar contortions exposed at the Summit mines and
other openings. But the limits of this work will not admit of extended
geological descriptions. Professor Silliman, who visited these mines in
1830, says —
This j^reat rxcavation is at the temiination, and nearly on the fiummit of the Mauch Chunk
mountain. Nothinff can be more obvious and int<'l)i<rible than this mine. They have removed
the soil anil upper surface of loose materials, and come directly down upon the coal or upon the
rocks which cover it. The g-eologjical structure is extremely simple. As far as tve saw, the up-
per rock is a sandstone, or a fragmentary agtrregato, of which the parts are more or less coarse or
fine in difTcrent situations. In this region there is much puddingstone and conglomerate, and
much that would probai)ly be called graywacke, by most geologists. In the mechanical aggre-
gates, which abound so much in this region, the parts are of every size, from that of large peb.
bles to that of Band. Tlie pebbles are chiefly quartz, and even in the firmest rocks they are usu-
ally roimded, and exhibit every appearance of liaving been worn by attrition. The cement ap-
pears to be a silicious substance, and the masses are frequently possessed of great firmness. Be-
ncatli tliis rock, there is usually some variety of argillaceous slate, which commonly, although not
universally, forms the roof of the coal : sometimes the sandstone is directly in contact with the
coal, the slate being omitted ; the slate also forms the floor.
The mine at Mauch Chunk occupies an area of more than eight acres, and the excavation is
in platforms or escarpments, of which there are in most places two or three. The coal is fairly
laid open to view, and lies in stupendous masses, which are worked, under the open air, exactly
as in a stone quarry. The excavation being in an angular area, and entered at different points-
by roads cut through the coal, in some places quite down to the lowest level ; it has much the
appearance of a vast fort, of which the central area is the parade-ground, and the upper escarp,
ment is the platform for the cannon. The greatest ascertained thickness of the coal is stated
at about 54 feet ; in one place it is supposed to be 100 feet thick ; but that which is fully in view
is generally from 12 to 20 or 25, and even sometimes 35 feet. Several banks of these dimensions
are exposed, interrupted only by thin scams of slate running parallel with the strata. The lat-
ter are inclined generally at angles from 5 to 15 degrees, and they follow, with very great regu-
larity, the external form of the mountain. In some places they arc saddle, or mantle-shaped ; in
some positions they and the attendant strata are wonderfully contorted, twisted, and broken, and
in one place, both arc in a vertical position, while at a little distance they return to the genera!
arrangement. It is impossible to avoid the impression that some great force has disturbed the
original arrangement, and either elevated or depressed some of the strata.
The various entrances to the mine are numbered. At No. 3 there is a perpendicular scctioTi
through all the strata down to tlje floor of the coal, and the graywacke, the slate and the coaB,
are all raised on edge ; the strata are in some places vertical, or curved, or waving, and they are
broken in two at the upper part, .and bent in o])positc directions.
Has sulitrrrancan lire produced these extraordinary dislocations? It would seem to favor this-
view, that the graywacke has, in some places contiguous to the coal, the appearance of having
been baked ; it appears indurated ; it is harsh and dry, and it is inflated with vesicles, as if gas,
produced and rarefied by heat, was struggling to escape. The appearance is, in these respects,
very similar to that which was described in Vol. XVII. p. ll'J, of this Journal, [af Science] as
exhibited in connection with the trap rocks near Hartford, Connecticut, cslthough it is less striking
Since the visit of Prof Silliman the mine has been much enlarged by
the additional lal)ors of twelve years, but its general appearance is near-
ly the same. Tlie annexed view shows an immense mass, or sort of
island, in the mine, produced by the successive abstractions from its cir-
cumference. Above the black strata of coal are seen the thinner seams
of slate ; and above that the thick beds of sandstone, and its superincum-
bent soil, with the ancient pines of the forest rooted in it. When this
sketch was taken in 1842, the workmen were undermining the coal on the
further side, intending to let the sandstone tumble over into the cavity be-
hind it, and leave the coal stripped for quarrying. This process, however
CARBON COUNTY
197
Part of Summit Coal Mine.
can only be resorted to when there is some old excavation to receive the
useless sandstone. From nearly all the remainder of this vast quarry,
these immense masses of sandstone, clay and rubbish, have actually been
taken away by the cart-load on temporary railroads from the mine to the
brow of the hill. Here the rubbish has been deposited by successive
loads, until nearly a hundred artificial hills have been made, radiating in
all directions from the centre of the mine. These hills overtop the highest
trees of the valley below, and have buried many of them alive. Annex-
ed is a sketch of several of them. On the right is seen Mine hill, stretch-
ing away towards Pottsville.
Curious Artificial Hills.
So much coal has been removed from the Summit mines, and the pro-
cess of stripping is becoming so expensive, that the company, while they
do not abandon the system of quarrying, have opened their mines at
Room run on the Nesquihoning, l)y means of tunnelling and drifting, and
198 CARBON COUNTY.
are about makino; a tunnel into the Mauch Chunk mountain. The Le-
high Coal and Navigation Company, frequently called by the people
along the Lehigh the " jNlauch Chunk Company," own the following
property :
1. The eastern end of the first coal rejxion, with tlie improvements tiiereoii, capable of supply-
insj coal of the best quality at the rate of a million of tons annually for u century.
'2. The water power of the Lehiijh, sutHcicnt to drive 200 furnaces for snieltinjj ore; which
would recjuire, annually, to keep them in operation, 1,000,000 tons of coal, 1,500,000 tons of ore,
and 500.000 tons of limestone.
3. The strips of land along the navigation, in most cases, which will be required to use tlie
Water power upon.
4. The land in all the leading places along their w^orks necessary for town plots as places of
business, as South Eastou, Mauch Chunk, White Haven, and Nesquihoning.
5. The slaekwatcr navigation (12 miles) and descending navigation {\2 miles) of the Lehigh.
The former calculated for boats of 120 to 150 ton?, and capable of passing more than "J. 500. 000
tons annually, connecting with the railroad to Wilkesbarre. The descending navigation pene-
trating into the immense forests of white pmc and otlier lumber.
6. Tlie railroad of 2{) miles couneeting the slackwater navigation of the Lehigh witli the
Pennsylvania canal, along the north braneli of the Susquehanna. Fifteen miles of this road arc
now in use, and the rrmaining five miles will be passable in a few months, and capable of trans-
porting more than 500,000 tons a year.
Beaver Meadow is a pleasant village of framed white houses, on the
Mauch Chunk and Berwick turnpike. 12 miles from the former place. It
contains the ollice and stores of the Beaver Meadow Co., one or more
churches, two or three taverns, Sec. Near the village are several small
hamlets occupied by the miners, most of whom are Welsh. The Beaver
Meadow coal mines are about a mile and a half west of the village.
The Statibrd Co. have a mine a little nearer the village.
The Beaver JNIeadow railroad commences at the mines, passes near the
village, and thence down the valleys of Beaver Meadow and Quakake
creeks to the Lehigh, and down that river to the landing on the Mauch
Chunk basin, opposite the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co.'s landing.
The railroad was intended to be continued to Easton, and was actually-
constructed as far as Parryville. crossing the river on a fine bridge beloW
Mauch Chunk. But the memorable tlood of Jan. 1841, swept away the
bridge, the culvert at INlahoning, and tore up the road in many places.
The company has not since repaired the road below Mauch Chunk.
Steam locomotives are used on the road. A railroad was commenced
and partly completed up the Quakake valley, intended to connect with
the Susquehanna at Catawissa ; but for want of funds it has never been
finished, and the design for the ])resent appears to be abandoned. Prof.
Silliman has the following remarks in relation to this mine : —
This mine was opened in 1813, and as the title was contested, Mr. Beach of Salem, on the
Susquehanna, who claimed it, could riot give a clear title till last winter, when he gained the
suit, and sold 550 acres to .Judge Harnes of Philadelphia. A company is about to be
formed to carry on the business of the mine. A railroad is in contemplation either to the
Schuylkill or to the Lehigh. If to the latter, it is said that it will be constructed down Beaver cr.
to the Lehigh, and down the stream to Mauch Chunk; the whole length to be IS miles — 11 to
the Lehigh and 7 down that stream. Active exertions arc now making in Philadelphia to ac-
complish the object of working this mine, and conveying its eoal to market. It is well worthy
of the ctiort. The coal is universally regarded as being of the best (juality. All jiersons whom
we heard speak of it agreed in that opinion. The appearance of the eoal corresponds with that
impression, and its burning too. as far as we could judge by limited opportunities of observation.
The mine is in the side of a hill ; there is no roof, or only a very thin one. It is worked open to the
day, like a quarry. It is already fairly disclosed, and there is no apparent impediment to ob-
taining any quantity of the coalthat may be desired. The situation of the mine is not, however,
much elevated above the general surface of the country in its vicinity ; but there is descent
CARBON COUNTY. I99
enough, as we were assured, to carry off the water. Smiths, it is said, come a fjreat distance to
obtain the coal of this mine, because it is so free from sulphur, and in every respect so good.
The mines at Beaver Meadow are now, we believe, worked by means
of drifts.
Hazelton is another smart village, 4 miles northwest of Beaver Meadow,
on the turnpike, which has grown up in connection with the Hazelton
Co.'s mine, about half a iTiile west of the village, A railroad takes the
produce of these mines, and that of the Sugar Loaf and Laurel Hill
mines, also near the village, to the Beaver Meadow railroad.
Lausannk is a small village above the coal landing, one mile from
Mauch Chunk, at the mouth of the Nesquihoning, There is also the vil-
lage of NEsuunioNiNG, at the mines of that name, 4 miles above Lausanne,
on the creek.
LowRVTowN is an ancient lumbering village, just above the mouth of
Laurel run ; and Rockport has more recently been laid out, near the
mouth of the run.
Taylor's Retreat is at the mouth of Green Mountain run.
Penn Haven is a village of modern growth, at the mouth of Quakake
creek.
Cliffton is about 3 miles northwest of Rockport. There is also quite
a village at the Summit mine, occupied principally by the miners.
Lehighton is pleasantly situated on elevated ground overlooking the
Lehigh, on the right bank of that river, about 3 miles below Mauch
Chunk. The Beaver Meadow railroad was located through this place.
The history of Gnadenhutten has been given above.
Weissport occupies a broad flat opposite Lehighton — once the site of
Fort Allen and New Gnadenhutten. It is regularly laid out, and has in-
creased since the completion of the Lehigh canal. A fine large German
Reformed and Lutheran church adorns the village. Col. Jacob Weiss,
from whom the place takes it name, was one of the earliest settlers in
this region. He died in about the year 1840. His aged widow is still
living, (in 1842.) The following facts w^ere obtained from the Rev. Mr.
Webster, of Mauch Chunk, who noted them down from conversation with
the aged Mrs. Weiss : —
On the night of the 6th Oct. 1786, between 10 and ^ o'clock, they were awakened by a boy
from the farm-house crying under the windows, "we are surrounded !" Mrs. Weiss thought, of
course, it was by Indians, and shrieked out in expectation of being massacred or burned alive,
or taken captive ; but her husband endeavored to calm her fears, and lifting the window beheld,
to his dismay, the whole flat overflowed witli water. The whole family were soon aroused — the
waters were wildly rushing around ; and what increased their alarm was, there liad been no heavy
rain. Mrs. W. determined to stay in the house ; but her husband told her it was not safe, and
that if she staid it would be alone. They drove the sheep into the kitchen, and put them up in
the loft ; the cattle were on the hills. Old Mrs. Robinson and the children were put in a wagon
and carried to the high ground ; and Mrs. Weiss, at about 2 in the morning, mounted behind
her husband to go on horseback. But the ground was .so soaked that the horse sunk up to his
flanks, and could not disengage himself. Men soon came and brought an armchair, and carried
her safely to the hill. There was no rain, but it was very dark. Besides their dwelling-house
and the farm-house, there was only one small house near the river, where the Lehighton bridge
now stands. It was swept away with the owner, named Sippy, and his wife on it ; each holding
a child in their anns. The house striking a tree, the parents caught by the limbs and were saved;
but in the act both the children fell off and were lost. The most remarkable fact is, that by 8
o'clock in the morning the waters had subsided from the flat ; but the river was high, covered
with boards, trees, and the wreck of a saw-mill from above Lausanne landing. This singular
flood was accounted for by the supposition that a cloud or water-spout bad suddenly burst in the
mountains.
200 CENTRE COUNTY.
Within the enclosure around Col. Weiss's house is the site of Fort Allen. The well du^ by
Franklin's direction is still in use. In digging a post-hole, some of the family found the bell
of the old Moravian chapel.
Parryville is a small village on the left bank of the Lehigh, at the
mouth of Big or., about 6 miles below Mauch Chunk. There is also an-
other small village called The Gap, at the mouth of Aquanshicola cr., at
the Lehigh water-gap. Opposite Parryville was the basin and intended
depot of the Beaver Meadow railroad, which was swept away by the
flood of 1841.
CENTRE COUNTY.
Centre county derives its name from its peculiar geographical position,
exactly in the centre of the state. It was formed from parts of Lycoming,
Northumberland, Mifflin, and Huntington counties, by the act of 13th
Feb., 1800. The county seat was at the same time fixed dt Bellefonte.
It has since been deprived of three townships, by the formation of Clinton
CO. Area, about 1,060 sq. miles. Population in 1800, 2,70.5; in 1810,
10,681 ; in 1820, 13,706 ; in 1830, 18,879; in 1840, 20,492. Centre co. is
composed of a series of rugged mountain ranges, and luxuriant limestone
valleys, alternating with each other, and traversing the county from south-
west to northeast. The mountains are Tusseys and Path Valley moun-
tain, on the southeastern boundary ; thence, proceeding northwestwardly,
are encountered successivel}^ Brush, Nittany, Bald Eagle, and the great
Allegheny mountain, beyond which is a tract of very wild, broken "high-
lands," composing the western declivity of that mountain. The valleys
are Penn's, Brush, and Nittany, which are merged into one at the south-
western end of the co., and the long narrow valley of Bald Eagle cr.,
which is walled in between the Bald Eagle and Allegheny mountains.
Nittany, the great central valley in which Bellefonte is situated, abounds
in crystal streams, fed from the mountain, sinking under the limestone
strata at its northern base, and gushing out in copious springs along Lo-
gan's and Spring branches of Bald Eagle cr. It is from one of these
beautiful springs that Bellefonte takes its name. The principal streams
are Penh's cr.. Bald Eagle cr., Spring branch, and Fishing cr.. Beach cr.,
Moshannon cr., which flows along the northwestern boundary, and Half-
moon, and Beaver Dam cr. The country is richly supplied with iron oie
of the finest quality, and all the materials for its manufacture. This
branch of industry has been extensively pursued. Bituminous coal-beds,
of fine quality, are found near Phillipsburg, northwest of the Alleghen}''
mountain. Of wheat, large quantities are exported ; other agricultural
produce finds the best market among the manufacturers in the co. The
population is composed chiefly of Germans and Irish, and their descend-
ants. The Germans prevail most along the limestone districts, particu-
larly in Penn's valley, where there are several German towns. A singular
practice in the management of the family estate is said to prevail among
many of the German farmers in this county. The patriarch labors pa-
tiently until his eldest son is of age ; he then purchases for him a farm
CENTRE COUNTY. g^j
adjoining his own, and they labor on together, with a comn>on purse ;
never keeping any separate accounts until another son is of age and
provided for, and taken into the partnership in like manner. If a daughter
is married, she is portioned from the comn^on purse ; and thus they con-
tinue from generation to generation. This fact was communicated by a
distinguished jurist of the co.
The following list of iron works iu Centre co. was ftirnished in 1837,
for Harris's Pittsburg Directory, by a distinguished gentleman, formerly
a resident of Centre co. It is sufficiently correct for 1842, with the ex-
ception that some of the works have changed owners, and several have
suspended operations on account of the hard times.
On Bald Eagle creek : If annah furnace, owned by George McCuIlocIi and Lyon, Shorb &.
Co. ; Martha furnace, owne4 by Roland Curtin ; a new furnace, owned by Adams, Irwin, and
Huston. On Moshannon and Clearfield creeks : Cold Stream forge, owned by Mr. Adams;
a forge and extensive screw factory, o^yned by Hardman Phillips. On Spring and Bald Eagle
creeks : Centre furnace and Milcsburg forge and rolling mill, owned by Irwin «fc Huston ;
Eagle furnace, forge, and rolling mill, Qwned by Roland Curtin ; Logan furnace, forge, rolling
mill, and nail factory, owned by Valentine &- Thomas ; Rock furnace and forge, owned by the
heirs of Gen. P. Benner ; forge owned by Irwin »fc Bergstusser. On Fishing cr., and Bald Ea<rle
cr. : Hecla furnace anrf Mill Hall furnace and forge, owned by John Mitchell &, Co. ; Howard
furnace, owned by Harris &. Co. ; Washington furnace and forge, owned by A. Henderson. Also,
in the co. : Tussey furnace, owned by Lyon, Shorb & Co., not now in operation ; and a furnace
owned by Mr. Friedley. In all, 13 furnaces, making annually 11,600 tons pig metal; 10
forges, making 4,500 tons blooms ; 3 rolling mills, manufacturing 2,300 tons into bar iron and nails.
Few details of the adventures of the early settlers of Centre co. have
been preserved, Previous to the revolution most of the county was
comprised in Bajd Eagle and Potter townships, of Northumberland co.,
and its history is ititerwoven with that of the lower settlements on the
W. Branch. The treaty with the Six Nations, which conveyed this part
of the state, south of the W. Branch, was made at Fort Stanwix, in 1768.
About that tinie, or as some say, a year or two previous, Andrew Boggs,
father of the late distinguished Judge Boggs, erected his cabin on the left
bank of Bald Eagle cr„ directly opposite to an old Indian village on the
flats near where Milesburg is now situated. At this village w^s the
" Bald Eagle's nest," a name which has been erroneously supposed to
mean the nest of that imperial bird ; but it was only the nest of ^.n In-
dian warrior of that name, who had built his wigwam there between two
large white oaks. The oaks were standing a few years since. The
name was given to the creek, to the mountain which towers ff,bove it, to
the valley, the township, and to the early settlement of the whites along
the valley.
Daniel and Jonas Davis, low Dutchmen, settled a few years after Mr.
Boggs, a little further down the creek. Jonas was a moral and respect-
able man, and his wife was noted for her piety ; but Dan seems to have
been a hard subject, who regarded neither law nor gospel. He used to
make Jonas cut down trees on Sunday, for the purpose of annoying
his wife. He was abusive and bullying among the neighbors, unless
they had firearms with them, which he did not use. Andrew Boggs was
frequently obliged to give him a thorough drubbing, to keep him civil.
The standard of temperance and good morals at that early day, in the
Bald Eagle community, seems to have been rather low, if we may judge
from the two following minutes of the Committee of Safety (see North-
nn^berland co.) of Northumberland co., in Feb. 1777. "Ordered — (dur-
26
202 CENTRE COUNTY.
in-j a time of great scarcity of grain in Bald Eagle township,) — ^that no
stiller in that township shall buy any more grain, or still any more than
he has by him, during the season." They also interfered with their
authority to stop a certain Henry Sterrat (who lived on an island near
Jersey shore) from *' profaning the Sabbath in an unchristian and scan-
dalous manner, causing his servants to maul rails, &c., on that day, and
beating and abusing them if they offered to disobey such his unlawful
commands."
There was a blockhouse at Davis's place, at which a garrison was
stationed for a while in 1777. One of the soldiers on opening the door
one day, and shutting it again, was shot by an Indian through the door.
Not long after Mr. Boggs, Mr. William Lamb settled on Spring cr., about
a mile below Bellefonte, just above the gap in the mountains. Richard
Malone was also an early settler in the valley, Richard Gonsalves, a
low Dutchman, of little worth, always in law with his neighbors, settled
on Bald Eagle cr. during, or soon after, the revolution. A Mr. Culbert-
son, who was killed by the Indians, appears also to have been settled
somewhere in the valley during the revolution. (See Van Campen's ad-
venture, in Clinton co.) Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief, previous to
1768, had his cabin in the Kishicokelas valley, and used often to extend
his hunting excursions into the region around Bellefonte. One of the
branches of Bald Eagle cr. bears his name ; also Logan's gap, in the Nit-,
tany mountain,
There is a place on the high table lands of the Allegheny mountain,
near the forks of Moshannon cr., called Snoeshoe Camp. It took its name
from the adventure of a party of white hunters, who were out on the old
Chinklacamoose trail, (to Clearfield,) were overtaken there by a snow-
storm, waited until their provisions were exhausted, and then made snow-
shoes and walked into the Bald Eagle settlement. This must have been
previous to 1773, for in that year Judge Smith, then a surveyor, executed
land warrants at that place. Soon after the treaty of 1768, James Potter,
afterwards a brigadier-general under Washington, came up the W. Branch
and Bald Eagle cr., to seek for choice lands. He crossed the Nittany
mountain at Logan's gap, and for the first time set his eyes upon the
lovely Penn's valley, afterwards his happy home. No traveller who has
crossed that mountain on the road from Bellefonte to Lewistown, can for-
get the impression made by a glance from the mountain into that luxu-
riant valley, spread out before him like a map, checkered with its copses
of woodland and fertile farms, with their cheerful white cottages. After
reconnoitering the valley, he descended Penn's cr. in a canoe — but soon
returned again, took up a large body of land, made a settlement there,
and erected a stockade fort. Traces of the fort are still seen near
M'Coy's tavern, which stands at the intersection of the Bellefonte and
Lewistown turnpike with the Penn's valley and Northumberland road.
The corners still bear the name of " Potter's fort," and many rich farms
about it belong to the Potter family ; although their principal residence
is at Potter's bank, four miles further south. There is a tradition that
near Potter's fort there occurred a desperate fight between two white
men and two Indians, in which they grappled and cut each other to pieces,
the whole four having been killed.
Gen. Potter, in common with others, was driven from his settlement by
CENTRE COUNTY.
203
thp- hostile incursions of Indians at the opening of the revolution. He
entered the service of his country, and was with Gen. Washington during
the campaigns at Valley Forge, Brandywine, Germantown, and in New
Jersey. Many of Washington's orders and letters are preserved among
Gen. Potter's papers. At the close of the war, another treaty was made
with the Indians for the purchase of all the territory in the state N. W.
of the W. Branch ; and Gen. Potter was employed as agent and surveyor
of a company of land speculators, to visit and superintend the settlement
of their lands on the Sinnemahoning and W. Branch, above the Allegheny
mountain.* (See Clinton co.)
The history of Centre co. since the revolution, is that of a peaceable,
industrious population, augmenting its numbers and wealth; it is the
history of villages built, of farms and mines opened, of manufactories
established, of academies and churches founded, of roads and canals con*
structed. Such a history records not details, but happy results ; and yet
how much more grateful to the philanthropist than the prolix details, in
relation to other counties, of the desolations of war, and the murderous
feats of savages, both white and red.
Bellefonte, the county seat, is delightfully situated on elevated ground
near Spring en, in the midst of a limestone valley^ abounding in the ele-
ments of mineral and agricultural wealth. The town, although regularly
laid out, is so placed on and among the hills, as to present rather an
irregular, but picturesque appearance. When seen from the hill near the
academy, it has much the aspect of a European village. The annexed
view was taken from near the Milesburg road, north of the town.
Bellefonte.
The Presbyterian church and the academy are seen on the right. Th6
courthouse and Episcopal church on the left ; and one of the main streets
in front. Spring cr., which flows past the town, never freezes, and main-
tains throughout the year a steady and unceasing flow, turning in its
course a great number of mills and iron works. It is fed by beautiful
* A more thorough research, and careffll classification of Gen. Potter's papers than I have
had lime to make, would probably develop additional facts relating to the history of this region.
204 riENTRE COUNTY.
crystal springs tliat bubble up along its course from Under "the limestone
cliffs. One of these springs under the hill upon which tbe town rests,
not only supplies water for the use of the citizens, but the power also by
which it is forced through the hydrants. From this spring the town takes
its name, composed of two French words, signifying heautiful fountain.
The scenery near the town is very picturesque, particularly in the direc-
tion of the gap through which Spring cr. passes Bald Eagle mountain,
two and a half miles below the town. Besides an elegant com-thouse,
which adorns the public square, Bellefonte contains Presbyterian, Epis-
copal, United Brethren, and Catholic churches ; a cotton-factory, several
mills, a Masonic Hall, and a seminary for males and females, well en-
dowed by both public and private munificence, and occupying one of the
most delightful sites in the country ; and another commodious edifice for
the public schools.
Considerable trade is carried on with the surrounding agricultural dis-
trict, but the attention of the citizens has been more turned to manufac-
tures than trade. A list of the iron works is given above. Population
in 1840, 1,032. Bellefonte, including the village of Smithfield, was in-
corporated as a borough, 18th March, 1814. Turnpikes to Meadville,
over the Allegheny, to Lewistown, and to Lock Haven, commence here.
The citizens anticipate much additional business when the canal com-
munication shall be completed through (24 miles) to Lock Haven. This
canal is in the hands of a company, who have been aided by the state to
the amount of $225,000. Five miles only out of the 24 remain to be
completed, which will require $60,000.
Bellefonte was first commenced by Messrs. Dunlop and Harris, who
owned the site in 1795. When the county was established, in 1800, the
proprietors gave half of the lots for public purposes ; among which was
the establishment of the splendid seminary on the hill-
Among the early settlers in and around Bellefonte, besides those men-
tioned in the history of the county above, w^ere Gen. Philip Benner, Hon.
Andrew Gregg, the venerable and Hon, Charles Huston, judge of the su-
preme court of the state, still living ; Hon. Thomas Burnside, Mr. Lowry,
tt^easurer of the county ; and others whose names have escaped us.
Died in Bellefonte, on the 20th May, 1835, in his 80th year, Andrew Grboo, Esq. Mr.
Cregg \V^a3 aniong the early settlers in Penn's valley. He was born on 10th June, 1755, at Car-
lisle. He afcquircd a classical education at several of the best schools of that day, and was en
gaged for Some years as a tutor in the University of Pennsylvania. In the year 1783, Mr. Gregg,
having saved a fc\r Jiundred dollars from his salary as a teacher, changed his employment, and
comrricnced business as a storekeeper in Middletown, Dauphin co. In 1787 he married a daugh-
ter of Gen. Potter, then living near the W- Branch, in Northumberland co. ; and at the earnest re-
quest of his father-in-law, in 1789, moved with his family to Penn's valley, where he settled down
in the woods, and commenced the business of farming, about two miles from Potter's old fort-
On the place he first settled, he continued improving his farm from year to year, pursuing with
great industry the business of a country farmer. There all his cliildren were born and some mar-
ried, and there he resided until the year 1814, when he came with his family to reside in this borough ;
having sonic years before purchased property in this neighborhood. In 1790 Mr. Gregg was
elected a member of congress, and by seven successive elections, for several districts, as they
were arranged from time to time, including one by a general vote or ticket over the whole state —
was continued a member of tliat body for sixteen successive years — and during the session of
1806-7, was chosen a member of the senate of the U. S. At the expiration of this term, on the
4th of March, 180.3, he returned to private life. One principal object of coming to reside in this
borough, was a desire to be convenient to good schools, for the benefit of his younger children.
Here he lived a retired life, attending to the education of his children and the improvement of
his farms, until Dec. 1820. when he was called by Gov. Hic»ter to the situation cf secretary of
CENTRE COUNTY. 205
this cominonWeaUh. During the administration of Gov. Hiester, the duties of that office were
executed by him with talent and integrity. Mr. Gregg as a public man, as well as in private
life, was remarkable for a sound and discriminating mind, agreeable and dignified manners, strict
regard for truth, and unbending and unyielding honesty. — Centre Democrat.
Died in Aug. 1833, at his residence in Spring township. Gen. Philip Bknner, aged 70 years.
He was among the first settlers in this county, and made his residence at the spot where he died
as early as 1792. At that time there were but few inhabitants within the bounds of what is now
Centre co. He was born in Chester co. His father was an active whig of the revolution, was
taken prisoner by the British, and imprisoned. Philip, then a youth, took up arms under Gen.
Wayne, his relative and neighbor. When he went forth to the field, his patriotic mother quilted
in the back of his test several guineas, as a provision in case he should be taken prisoner by the
enemy. After the war he became a successful manufacturer of iron, at Coventry forge, in Ches-
ter CO. About the year 1790 he purchased the present site of Rock Furnace, and soon after his
arrival he erected a forge, the first built in the county ; to which he subsequently added another
forge, a furnace, and a rolling mill. To his example the people are mainly indebted for the de-
velopment of the vast mineral wealth of this county. At that early day the supply of provisions
for the works had to be transported from a distance, over roads that would now be deemed almost
impassable ; and a market for his iron was to be found alone on the Atlantic seaboard. Unde-
terred by adverse circumstances, the vigorous mind of Gen. Benner struck out a new channel of
trade. The rising importance of the west impressed him with the idea of opening a communica-
tion with Pittsburg, as a market for his iron and nails. He succeeded, and enjoyed for several
years, without competitidn, the trade in what was termed by him the "Juniata iron," for the
Western country — a trade now of immense importance. He held the rank of major-general in
the militia of the state, and was twice an elector of president of the U. S. He Was a democrat
throughout his life. The borough of Bellefonte bears testimony to his enterprise and hberality.
He has adorned it by the erection of a number of dwelling-houSes, and aided in the construction
of works to give it advantages which nature denied. He established the Centre Democrat, in
1827. He was remarkable for his industry, enterprise, generosity, and open-hearted hospitality 1
his home was the abode of a happy family. — Abridged from the Centre Democrat.
Phillipsburg is on the high lands behind the Allegheny mountain, where
the Bellefonte and Meadville turnpike crosses Moshannon or. This road
Was opened in 1796. In the following year, Henry and James Phillips,
enterprising and intelligent Englishmen, laid out the town. The first
house in the village was built by John Henry Simler, an old French sol-
dier of the revolution, who had served at Yorktovvn under Lafayette.
Mr. Hardman I'hillips erected here, some years since, very extensive iron
works, and a screw factory. These works are at present suspended.
The town contains some 40 or 50 buildings, and a very neat Gothic
church, erected by the liberality of Mr. Phillips, whose elegant mansion
is directly opposite, a little east of the village. There is a most valuable
mineral district around this place, abounding in coal, iron, limestone, and
fire-clay ; and forests of timber almost without limit. The principal
mines are on the north side of the Moshannon, opposite the village.
There are three seams of coal, the middle one of which, 4 feet and 4
inches thick, is extensively wrought to supply the people of Centre co.
it is of excellent quality throughout, and will afford solid blocks of the
whole thickness of the bed. A brown iron-ore is found loose in the fields
throughout the country around Phillipsburg.
MiLESDUDG is a small, but busy village, 2 miles north of Bellefonte,
near the confluence of Spring cr. and Bald Eagle. It has in and near it
two churches, (Baptist and Methodist,) a foundry, iron works, forge, axe-
factory, and mills. The Bald Eagle canal passes through the place, and
the turnpike over the Allegheny mountain. Its early settlers have been
noticed in the history of the county.
Potter's Bank is a small, but very pleasant and thriving manufacturing
village on a branch of Sinking cr., at the foot of Path Valley mountain, 12
miles from Bellefonte. It is owned by James Potter, Esq., and Gen. Pot-
g06 CHESTER COUNTY.
ter, sons of Gerl. Jartles Potter. It contains a large flouring-mill, woolleil
factory, store, an excellent tavern, three elegant mansions, and several
smaller dwellings. The Lewistown and Bellefonte turnpike passes through
the village. The heirs of Gen. Potter are here enjoying the fruits of his
early enterprise and patriotism, and augmenting the property by well-di-
rected industry. Potter's old fort is on the turnpike, four miles north.
There is a new Presbyterian church on the site of an old one, between
the two places.
BoALSBURG is a pleasaiit and flourishing village, at the upper end of
Penn's valley, on the main branch of Spring en, 10 miles southwest of
Bellefonte. It is principally settled by Germans. It contains about 30 or
40 dwellings, a Lutheran church, woollen factory, grist-mill, &c.
Aaronsburg and Milheim are two villages, 20 miles east of Bellefonte,
on each side of Mill cr., a branch of Penn's cr*, and on the road between
Boalsburg and Northumberland. They contain together about 60 or 70
dwellings.
There are several smaller villages in the county — Earleysburg, Pat-
TONsviLLE, Walkersville, in Penn's and Nittany valley ; and one or two
villages in the valley of Fishing cr., on the road between Bellefonte and
Lock Haven.
CHESTER COUNTY.
Chester county is one of the three original counties established by
Wm. Penn in 1682, and included at that time Delaware co., and all the
territory (eicept the small portion now in Philadelphia co.) S. W. of the
Schuylkill, to the extreme limits of the province. Lancaster was sepa-
rated in 1729; Berks, (partly formed from Chester,) in 1752 ; and Dela-
ware in 1789. Length 37 miles, breadth 20 ; area 738 sq. miles. Pop^
ulation in 1790, 27,937; in 1800, 32,093; in 1810, 39,527; in 1820,
44,451 ; in 1830, 50,910; in 1840, 57,515.
The county ernbraces every variety of soil and surface. The northern
part is rugged ; the Welsh mountain, a sandstone chain of considerable ele-
vation, belonging to the lower secondary formation, forms the northwestern
boundary. A wide belt of red shale and sandstone, and a considerable
area of gneiss rock lies to the south of the mountain, and to this succeeds
the North Valley hill. The " Great Valley," of primitive limestone, forms the
most distinguishing feature of the county, and constitutes one of its greats
est sources of wealth. This valley, which is generally from two to three
miles wide, crosses the county a little north of the centre, in a southwest
and northeast direction. It is shut in on both sides by parallel hills of
moderate elevation, and from either of these the whole width of the val-
ley may be comprehended at one glance ; presenting, wth its white cot-
tages, and broad, fertile, highly cultivated farms, and smiling villages,
one of the most lovely scenes in the United States. Its numerous quar»
ries furnish splendid marble for the palaces and monuments of Philadel-
phia ; and a great abundance of lime to fertilize the less favored town-
ships of the CO. It must have received its name of " Great" in the ear-
CHESTER COUNTY. 207
Her days of the province, when the greater limestone valleys of the Kit-
tatinny, and those among the mountains were yet unknown. Compared
with these it is rather diminutive. To the south of the valley lies the
extensive primitive formation of gneiss and mica slate, covering the
whole southern section of the county, and forming a gently undulating
country, with occasionally a few abrupt elevations. In this formation
there occur frequent beds of serpentine, hornblende, trap-dykes, and de-
posits of pure feldspar. The appropriate name of barren-sfone has been
given to the serpentine, on account of the extreme sterility of soil where-
ever it api)ears. Many tons of the clay formed from the decomposition
of feldspar were formerly transported from New Garden township to
New York, for the manufacture of porcelain.
The principal streams are the Brandywine, Elk creek, and Octarara
cr., running southwardly ; and Pickering's cr.. Valley cr., French cr., and
Pigeon cr., tributaries of the Schuylkill. The original Indian name of
the Brandywine is said to have been Suspecough.
The Columbia railroad passes across the centre of the co. The Valley
railroad, intended to reach Philadelphia without an inclined plan^, has
been located and partly constructed, down the Great Valley to the
Schuylkill, but is now in a suspended state for want of funds. A rail-
road of about nine miles connects Westchester with the Columbia railroad
at the Paoli.
Excellent roads cross the county in all directions, of which the princi-
pal are the Lancaster turnpike, the Downingtown and Harrisburg turn-
pike, the Strasburg road, and the Chadsford road. The Schuylkill canal
and the Reading railroad pass along the northeastern boundary.
There are several localities of iron ore in the northern hills, and very
extensive iron works at the mouth of French creek. The ancient iron
works at Yellow Springs and at Valley Forge have been long discon-
tinued. The principal manufacturing enterprise of the county has its
location on French cr., and the others tributary to the Schuylkill. There
are also many mills along the Brandywine and other streams, but they
are principally for flour and lumber. Agriculture is the great business
of the county ; and a more intelligent, industrious, thrifty, and orderly set
of farmers are not to be found in the state. They are generally the lineal
descendants of the early Welsh and English pioneers, who came over in
Wm. Penn's time, and of the Germans, who came in at a somewhat
later date. The Quakers predominate.
Chester co. is famous for its excellent schools, which will be noticed in
another place.
In the year 1 824 "there appeared in the Village Record at West Chester,
then edited by Charles Miner, Esq., a long and elaborate series of com-
munications written, evidently, after careful research and personal inquiry,
by Joseph J. Lewis, Esq., then a young law-student, and now one of the
most distinguished members of the bar of Chester co. The following
copious extracts have been made from those communications, generally
in the language of the original ; though the liberty has been sometimes
taken of condensing some passages, and of changing the arrangement
of others, to adapt them to the restricted limits of this work.
The Indians formerly inhabiting Chester co. belonged to the Lenni Lenape, more generally
known as the Delaware nation. They appear to have been most thickly settled about Pequa,
208 CHESTER COUNTY.
now in Lancaster co., and along the great valley. In other parts of the co. they were evenly
distributed, and west of White Clay or. rather sparsely. They were scattered through the forests,
generally near some spring, and on the sunny sides of the hills, in clusters of five or six wigwams
in a place. They were usually engaged in their natural employment of hunting and fishing, and
occasionally manufacturing baskets. These baskets were beautifully stained in plaid-work, by
berries and mineral earths, known only to themselves. Since the natives have retired, the baskets
have gone out of vogue, and the more trim handywork of the French has taken their place.
The last of the Lenape, resident in Chester co., died in the person of old Indian Hannah, at
the poorhouse, in 1803. The circumstance of her being for many years the sole svirvivor of her
people, (in this section of country,) entitles her to a notice, which the merit of her character alone
would not have procured. She was one of a family that called themselves Freeman, and in-
habited for a number of years one of a small cluster of wigwams in Marlborough township. Her
principal abode after she set up for herself in the world, was a wigwam upon the Brandywine,
but during the summer she travelled much through different parts of the co., visited those who
would receive her with kindness, and distributed her baskets. She was a doctrcss, as well as
basket-maker. Her fame was at one time so great, as to induce the venerable Mr. Parker, of
Kennet, to seek her prescription for his children, who were ill. She fiu-nished him a few herbs
and pounded roots, her only medicines, with directions for their use, and charged him fiye shil-
lings for her recipe. Though a long time domesticated with the whites, she retained her Indian
character, with her copper complexion, to the last. She had a proud and haughty spirit, hated
the blacks, and deigned not to associate even with the lower order of the whites. Without a
companion of her race — without kindred — surrounded only by strangers, she felt her situation
desolate ; often spoke emphatically of the wrongs and misfortunes of her people. In her conduct
she was perfectly moral and exemplary, and by no means given to intemperance, as many of her
race were. At her death she was over 90 years old.
There is a place near the Brandywine, on the farm of Mr. Marshall, where there are yet a
number of Indian graves that the owner of the ground has never suffered to be violated. One
of them, probably a chief's, is particularly distinguished by a head and foot stone. Indian
Hannah wished much to be buried in this ground, and her wish should have been complied with.
The territory now included in Chester co., together with much lying in other counties, was
honorably purchased of the Indians by W^m. Penn, and was conveyed in several distinct deeds.
The first, bearing date June 25, 1683, and signed by an Indian called Wingebone, conveys to
Wm. Penn all his lands on the west side of Schuylkill, beginning at the first falls, and extending
along and back from that river, in the language of the instrument, " so far as my right goeth."
By another deed of July 14th, 1683, two chiefs granted to the proprietary the land lying between
the Chester and Schuylkill rivers. From Kikitapan he purchased half the land between the
Susquehanna and Delaware, in September, and from Malchalola, all lands from the Delaware to
Chesapeake bay, up to the falls of the Susquehanna, in October. And by a deed of July 30th
was conveyed the land between Chester and Penn)rpack creeks. This last instrument is a
quaint piece of conveyancing, and will show the value attached by the natives to their lands.
" This indenture witnesseth that we, Packenah, Jackham, Sikals, Portquesott, Jervis Essepe-
naick, Felktrug, Porvey, Indian kings, sachemakers, right owners of all lands from Quing Qingus,
called Duck cr., unto Upland, called Chester cr., all along the west side of Delaware river, and so
between the said creeks backwards as far as a man can ride in two days with a horse, for and in con.
sideration of these following goods to us in hand paid, and secured to be paid by Wm. Penn, proprie-
tary of Pennsylvania and the territories thereof, viz. : 20 guns, 20 fathoms match coat, 20 fathoms
Btroud water, 20 blankets, 20 kettles, 20 pounds of powder, 100 bars of lead, 40 tomahawks, 100
knives, 40 pair of stockings, 1 barrel of beer, 20 pounds of red lead, 100 fathoms of wampum,
30 glass bottles, 30 pewter spoons, 100 awl blades, 300 tobacco pipes, 100 hands tobacco, 20 to-
bacco tongs, 20 steels, 300 flints, 30 pair of scissors, 30 combs, 60 looking-glasses, 200 needles,
1 skipple of salt, 30 pounds of sugar, 5 gallons of molasses, 20 tobacco boxes, 100 jewsharps,
20 hoes, 30 gimlets, 30 wooden screw boxes, 103 string of beeds — do hereby acknowledge, &c. &-c.
Given under our hands and seals, at New Castle, 2d of the 8th month, 1685."
Chester co. received its name in the following manner. When Wm. Penn first arrived at Up-
land, now old Chester, turning round to his friend Pearson, one of his own society, who had ac-
companied him in the ship Welcome, he said, " Providence has brought us here safely. Thou
hast been the companion of my perils. What wilt thou that I should call this place ?" Pearson
replied, " Chester, in remembrance of the city from whence I came." Penn also promised that
when he divided the territory into counties, he would call one of them by the same name. In the
beginning of the year 1683, the governor and council established a seal for each of the counties,
assigning to Chester the plough — the device still indicative of the tlirifty agricultural character
of the Inhabitants.
Before the close of the year 1682, no less than twenty-three ships had arrived in Pennsylvania
from Europe, conveying more than two thousand souls. They were principally Friends, who had
purchased allotments, and came to occupy them. Many were of opulent families, upon whom no
common consideration could have prevailed to leave their homes ; and whom, perhaps, nothing
CHESTER COUNTY. 209
but the goad of uiK.easing porsecution could have driven entirely away. All were industrious,
discreet, and prudent, and every way fitted to render a colony prosperous, flourishing and happy.
Not an inconsiderable nijmbcr of these settled in Chester co. Some had taken the precaution to
bring with them frames of houses, and other conveniences : some, who arrived early, were en-
.-ibled to erect temporary cabins of logs ; an4 some were compelled to pass the winter in rude
shanties, or caves dug in the side of a hill.
At the time the European emigrants first settled in the county, it was principally overshadowed
by forest, with here and there a small patch cleared by the natives for the purpose of raising corn.
Owing to the Indian practice of firing the woods once or twice in the year, the small timber and
bushes were killed in their growth, and of course the forests were but thinly set. One of the
first settlers said, that at the time of his first acquaintance with the countrv, lie could have driven
a horse and cart from one of its extremities to the other, in almost any direction, without rjieet-
ing with any material obstruction.
The early settlers of Chester eo. were from different parts of Europe, England, Wales, Ireland,
Holland, and Germany. Of these, the English, as they arrived first, seated the southern parts
adjoining the Delaware, and a few took up lands bordering upon the Maryland line. They were
principally from Sussex, (the residence! of Wm. Penn,) Cheshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and
Northamptonshire. The Welsh occujned the eastern parts, and settled in considerable numbers.
The oppression which they sufFered in their native country from the tyranny of the nobles, first
determined their emigration, and the happy consequence resulting to the tirst adventurers, from
their change of situation, induced ii)any to follow them. Soon after their arrival here they gener-
ally joined the society of Friends, and established meetings. Wm. Penn once paid them a visit,
but as they neither understood his language, nor he theirs, they could only enjoy the satisfaction
of seeing him. It is said, however, that they were highly gratified with this mark of his atten-
tion and good-will, and took even th(;ir little children with them to the meeting which he attended,
that they also might have a sight of the great proprietor. Rowlan Ellis was one of their most
conspicuous characters.
The Irish emigrants located the north and western sections of the co. Those who first arrived
were generally men of some standing and character, and were welcomed as an accession of virtue
and intelligence to the little community. They were almost all Protestants, and many of them
Friends. The Dutch and Germans, who are now the principal landholders in many of the
northern townships, are not the descendants of the original settlers of those parts. Within the
memory of those now living, they formed the smallest portion of the population in those very
districts where they are now the most numerous. Their untiring industry, and stubborn perse-
verance, seem to have peculiarly qualified them to become successful tillers of a soil such as ob-
tains there — fertile, indeed, but hard of cultivation ; and the posterity of the Irish, who are not
so remarkable for the patient qualities of character, seem to have gradually relinquished to then>
the possession of the land.
For a nurnber of j'cars the improvements in those parts of the co. seem to have been much in
the rear of those in other parts of the co. The log-cabins of the early pioneers were still preva-
lent as late as 1760. This was partly owing to the uncertain tenures by which the real estate
was held.
Soul-drivers. — This was a name given to a certain set of men who used to drive redemptioners
through the country, and dispose of them to the farmers. They generally purchased them in lots
consisting of fifty or more, of captains of ships, to whom the redemptioners were bound for tliree
years' service, in payment for their passage. The trade was brisk for a while, but at last was
broken up by the numbers that ran away Irom the drivers. The last of the ignominious set dis-
appeared about the year 1785. A story is told of his having been tricked by one of his herd
The fellow, by a little management, contrived to be the last of the flock that remained unsold,
and travelled about with his master. One night they lodged at a tavern, and in the morning the
young fellow, wlio was an Irishman, rose early, sold his master to the landlord, pocketed the
money, and marched off. Previously, however, to his going, he used the precaution to tell the
purchaser, that though tolerably clever in other respects, he was rather saucy, and a little given to
lying. That he had even been presumptuous enough at times to endeavor to pass for master,
and that he might possibly represent himself as such to him !
The long period of 80 vears that elapsed between the settlement of the co. and the war of the
revolution, was a peaceful era, unfruitful of incident. During all that time the settlers were left
to pursue their peaceful occupations, uninjured and unmoved by the commotions that shook the
rest of the world. They plied the arts of commerce, brought new lands into culture, established
schools and meeting-houses, and advanced with uniform progress towards a state of superior
opulence and refinement. The contests indeed of 1736 and 1755 occurred within the period
mentioned, but these little aftected the settlers here. They were principally Friends, took no
active part in military concerns, and were not molested by them.
The cloud, however, which had been long gatliering and rumbling on the horizon, had at length
spread itself over the land, and the awful moment arrived when it was to burst. The citizens of
Chester co. were now to see their fields crossed by hostile armies and made the theatre of military
27
210 CHESTER COUNTY.
operations, while they themselves, throwing aside the implements of liusbandry, and forgetting
the employments of peace, were to mingle in the general strife.
The first military force raised in fhe co. was a regiment of volunteers, of which Anthony
Wayne, Esq., was appointed Col., and Richard Thomas, Lieut. Col. Wayne afterwards joined
the regular army, and the command of the corps devolved upon Thomas. This regiment marched
to New York previous to the battle of Long Island, but, with the part which joined the flying
camp, was neither engaged in that, nor in any of the subsequent actions which took place in that
vicinity. A second regiment was raised and officered principally by the inhabitants of Chester
CO., soon after the first had been formed. Mr. Atlee, of Lancaster, was appointed Col. ; Parry, of
Chester co., Lieut. Col. ; John Potts, Major ; and Joseph McLellan, of Westchcsteii was among
the captains. Thus it will be seen that Chester co. contributed a full proportion of men for the
service, and evinced a spirit scarcely to be expected among a people so generally opposed in
principle to the practice of war. Early in the contest Chester co. became the scene of active
operations.
The battle of Brandywine took place on the 11th Sept., 1777. The
following spirited account of the engagement is from Botta's History of
the American Revolution. Botta was himself a soldier in Napoleon's
campaigns : he describes the manoBuvres of the battle with a soldiers
enthusiasm.
Late in August, 1777, Washington was informed that the enemy had appeared with all his
forces in tlie Chesapeake. He then saw distinctly the course he had to pm-sue. He despatched
orders to aU the detached corps to join him, by forced marches, in the environs of Philadelphia.
The militia of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the northern parts of Virginia, were
ordered to repair to the principal army.
On the 25th of August, the British army, 18,000 strong, was disembarked not far from the
head of the river Elk. It was plentifully furnished with all the equipage of war, excepting the
defect of horses, as well for the cavalry as for the baggage. The scarcity of forage had caused
many of them to perish the preceding winter, and a considerable number had died also in the
late passage.
This was a serious disadvantage for the royal troops ; who, in the vast plains of Pennsylvania,
might have employed cavalry with singular effect. On the 27th, the English vanguard arrived
at the head of the Elk, and the day following at Gray's hill. Here it was afterwards joined by
the rear guard under Gen. Knyphausen, who had been left upon the coast to cover the debarka-
tion of the stores and artillery.
The whole army took post beliind the river Christiana, having Newark upon the right, and
Pencada, or Atkins, on the left. A column commanded by Lord Comwallis having fallen in
with Maxwell's riflemen, routed and pursued them as far as the farther side of AV'hite Clay cr.,
with the loss of some dead and wounded.
The American army, in order to encourage the partisans of independence, and overawe the
disaffected, marched through the city of Philadelphia ; it afterwards advanced towards the enemy,
and encamped behind White Clay cr. A little after, leaving only the riflemen in the camp,
Washington retired with the main body of his army behind the Red Clay cr., occupying with his
right wing the town of Newport, situated near the Christiana, and upon the great road to Phila-
delphia ; his left was at Hockcsen. But this line was little capable of defence.
The enemy, reinforced by the rear guard under Gen. Grant, tlireatcned with his right the centre
of the Americans, and extended his left as if with the intention of turning their right flank. Wash-
ington saw the danger, and retired with his troops behind the Brandywine ; he encamped on the
rising grounds which extend from Chadsford, in the direction of northwest to southeast. The
riflemen of Maxwell scoured the right bank of the Brandywine, in order to harass and retard the
enemy. The militia, under the command of Gen. Armstrong, guarded a passage below the prin-
cipal encampment of Washington, and the right wing lined the banks of the rivtr higher up,
where the passages were most difficult. The passage of Chadsford, as the most practicable of
all, was defended by the chief force of the army. The troops being thus disposed, the American
general waited the approach of the English. Although the Brandywine, being fordable almost
everywhere, could not serve as a sufficient defence against the impetuosity of the enemy, yet
Washington had taken post upon its banks, from a conviction that a battle was now inevitable,
and that Philadelphia could only be saved by a victory. Gen. Howe displayed the front of his
army, but not, however, without great circumspection. Being arrived at Kennet Square, a short
distance from tiie river, he detached his lighthorse to the right upon Wilmington, to the left upon
the Lancaster road, and in front towards Chadsford. The two armies found themselves within
seven miles or each other, the Brandywine flowing between them.
Early in the morning of the 11th of Sept., the British army marched to the enemy. Howe
had formed his army in two columns ; the right commanded by Gen. Knyphausen, the left by
CHESTIiR COUNtY. 211
Lord Cornwallis. His plan was, that while the first should make repeated feints to attempt the
passage of Chadsford, in order to occupy the attention of the republicans, the second should take
a long circuit to the upper part of the river, and cross at a place wheie it is divided into two
shallow streams. The English marksmen fell in with those of Maxwell, and a smart skirmish
was immediately engaged. The latter were at first repulsed ; but being reinforced from tlie
camp, they compelled the English to retire in their turn. But at length, they also were reinforced,
and Maxwell was constrained to withdraw his detachment behind the river. Meanwhile, Knyp-
hauscn advanced with his column, and commenced a furious cannonade upon the passage of
Chadsford, making all his dispositions as if he intended to force it. Tiie Americans defended them-
selves with gallantry, and even passed several detachments of light troops to the other side, in
order to harass the enemy's flanks. But after a course of skirmishes, sometimes advancing,
and at others obUged to retire, they were finally, with an eager pursuit, driven over the river.
Knyphausen then appeared more than ever determined to pass the ford ; he stormed, and kept up
an incredible noise. In this manner the attention of the Americans was fully occupied in the
neighborhood of Chadsford. Meanwnilc, Lord Cornwallis, at the head of the second Colmnn,
look a circuitous march to the left, and gained unperceived tiie forks of the Brandywine. By
this rapid movement, he passed both branches of the river, at Trimble's and at Jeffery's fords,
without opposition, about two o'clock in the afternoon, and theu turning short down the river,
took the road to Dil worth, in order to fall upon the right flank of the American army. The re-
publican general, however, received intelligence of this movement alrout noon, and, as it usually
happens in similar cases, the reports exaggerated its importance exceedingly ; it being represented
that Gen. Howe commanded this division in person. Washington therefore decided immediately
for the most judicious, though boldest measure ; tliis was to pass the river with the centre and
left wing of his army, and overwhelm Knj'phausen by the most furious attack. He justly re-
flected that the advantage he should obtain upon the enemy's right, would amply compensate the
loss that his own might sustain at the same time. Accordingly, he ordered Gen. Sullivan to
pass the Brandywine with his division at an upper ford, and attack the left of Knyphausen, While
he, in person, should cross lower down, and fall upon the right of that general.
They were both already in motion in order to execute this design, when a second report arrived,
which represented what had really taken place as false, or in other words, that the enemy had
not crossed the two branches of the river, and that he had not made his appearance upon the
right flank of the American troops. Deceived by this false intelligence, Washington desisted ;
and Greene, who had already passed with the vanguard, was ordered back. In the midst of
these uncertainties, the commander-in-chief at length received the positive assurance, not only
that the Englisli had appeared upon the left bank, but also that they were about to fall in great
force upon the right wing. It was composed of the brigades of Gen's Stephens, Sterling, and
Sullivan. The first was the most advanced, and consequently the nearest to the English ; the
two others were posted in the order of their rank, that of Sullivan being next to the centre. This
general was immediately detached from the main body, to support the two former brigades, and,
being the senior officer, took the command of the whole wing. Washington himself, followed by
Gen. Greene, approached with two strong divisions towards this wing, and posted himself between
it and the corps he had left at Chadsford, under Gen. Wayne, to oppose the passage of Knyphau-
sen. These two divisions, under the immediate orders of the commander-in-chief, served as a
corps of reserve, ready to march, according to circumstances, to the succor of Sullivan or of
Wayne.
But the column of Cornwallis was already in sight of the Americans. Sullivan drew up his
troops on the commanding ground above Birmingham meeting-house, with his left extending to-
wards the Brandywine, and both his flanks covered with very thick woods. His artillery was
advantageously planted upon the neighboring hills ; but it appears that Sullivan's own brigade,
having taken a long circuit, arrived too late upon the field of battle, and had not yet occupied
the position assigned it, when the action commenced. The English, having reconnoitered the
dispositions of the Americans, immediately formed, and fell upon them with the utmost impetu-
osity. The engagement became equally fierce on both sides about four o'clock in the afternoon.
For some length of time the Americans defended themselves with great valor, and the carnage
was terrible. But such was the emulation which invigorated the efforts of the English and Hes-
sians, that neither the advantages of situation, nor a heavy and well-supported fire of small-arms
^nd artillery, nor the unshaken courage of the Americans, were able to resist their impetuos-
ity. The light infantry, chasseurs, grenadiers, and guards, threw themselves with such fury
into tlie midst of tlie republican battalions, that they were forced to give waj'. Their lelt flank
was first thrown into confusion, but the rout soon became general. The vanquished fled into the
woods in their rear ; the victors pursued, and advanced by the great road towards Dilworth. On
the first fire of the artillery, Washington, having no doubt of what was passing, had pushed for-
ward the reserve to the succor of Sullivan. But this corps, on approaching the field of battle,
fell in with the flying soldiers of Sullivan, and perceived that no hope remained of retrieving the
fortune of the day. Gen. Greene, by a judicious manojuvre, opened his ranks to receive the fugi-
tives and after their passage, having closed thein anew, he retired in good order ; checking the
*J12 CHEStER COUNTY.
piifsuit of the enemy by a continual fire of the artillery which covereci his rear.- flaving come
to a defile, covered on both sides with woods, he drew up his men there, and again faced the
enemy. His corps was composed of Virginians and Peniisylvanians ; they defended themselves
with gallantry ; the former, especially, commanded by Col. Stephens, made an iieroic stand.
Knyphausen, finding the Americans to be fully engaged on their right, and observing that the
corpa opposed to him at Chadsford was enfeebled by the troops which had been detached to the
succor of Sullivan, began to make dispositions for crossing the river in reality. The passage of
Chadsford was defended by an intrenchment and battery. The republicans stood firm at first ;
but upon intelligence of the defeat of their right, and seeing some of the British troops who had
penetrated through the woods, come out dp'on their flank, they retired in disorder, abandoning
their artillery and munitions to the German general. In their retreat, or rather flight, tliey passed
behind the position of Gen. Greeiie, who still defended himself, and was the last to quit the fidd
of battle. Finally, it being already dark, after a long and obstinate conflict, he also retired. The
whole army retreated that night to Chester, and the day following to Philadelphia.
There the fugitives arrived incessantly, having efiectcd their escape through by-ways and
circuitous routes. The victors passed the night on the field of battle. If darkness had not
arrived seasonably, it is very probable that the whole American army would have been destroyed.
The loss of the republicans was computed at about three hundred killed, six hundred wounded,
and near four hundred taken prisoners. They also lost ten field-pieces and a howitzer. Thelosa
in the royal army was not in proportion, being something under five hundred, at which the slain
did not amount to one fifth.
The French officers were of great utility to the Americans, as Well in forming the troops, as
in rallying them when thrown into confusion. Orie of them, the Baron St. Ovary, was made a
prisoner, to the great regret of congress, who bore him a particular esteem. Capt. De Fleury had
a horse killed under him in the hottest of the action. The congress gave him another a few
days after. The Marquis De Lafayette, while he was endeavoring, by his words and example,
to rally the fugitives, was wounded in the leg. He continued, nevertheless, to fulfil his duty, both
as a soldier in fighting and as a general in cheering the troops and re-establishing order. The
Count Pulaski, a noble Pole, also displayed an undaunted courage, at the head of the lighthorse.
The congress manifested their sense of his merit by giving him, shortly after, tlie rank of briga-
dier, and the command of the cavalry.
If all the American troops in the action of the Brandywine had fought with the same intre
pidity as the Virginians and Pennsylvanians, and especially if Washington had not been led
into error by a false report, perhaps, notwithstanding the inferiority of number and the imperfec-
tion of arms, he would have gained the victory, or, at least, would have made it more sanguinary
to the English. However this might have been, it must be admitted that Gen. Howe's order of
battle was excellent ; that his movements were executed with as much ability as promptitude ;
arid that his troops, English as well as German, behaved admirably well.
The day after the battle, towards evening, the English dispatched a detachment of light troopa
to Wilmington, a place situated at the confluence of the Christiana and the Brandywine. There
they took prisoner the governor of the state of Delaware, and seized a considerable quantity of
coined money, as well as other property, both public and private, and some papers of importance.
Lord Cornwallis entered Philadelphia the 2Gth of Sept., at the head of a detachment of British
and Hessian grenadiers. The rest of the army remained in the camp of Gcrmantown. Thus
the rich and populous capital of the whole confederation fell into the power of the royalists, after
a sangdinary battle, and a series of manoeuvres, no less masterly than painful, of the two armies.
The Quakers, and all the other loyalists who had remained there, welcomed the English with
transports of gratulatioa. Washington, descending along the left bank of the Scluiylkill, ap-
proached within sixteen miles of Germantown. He encamped at Skippach cr., purposing to ac-
commodate his measures to the state of things.
The view on the next page was taken from Osborne's hill, one or two
miles west of the Birmingham meeting-house. It was here that Corn-
wallis stopped, and after having, with his glass, reconnoitered the move-
ments of the American troops, he exclaimed, " those rebels for^m ivell P*
The meeting-house may be distinguished in the extreme distance, near
the centre of the view, with a long white wall (of its grave-yard) con-
nected with it. The peaceful sect Avho built it, and whose descendants
still worship under its roof, little dreamed that it would become a scene
of carnage, and an hospital for the dead and wounded from a bloody bat-
tle-field. The roads and the fields beyond the meeting-house are said to
have been strewed with wounded men ; and many cannon balls and bullets
were annually ploughed up by the farmers in later years.
CHESTER COUNTY.
313
Distant view of Brandywine Battle-ground.
The movements of the two armies on the Schuylkill, previous to the
entry of the British into Philadelphia, and the scenes of the winter's en«
campment at Valley Forge, will be found described under the head of
Montgomery co.
Mr. Lewis, who generally followed Marshall in his account of the
battle, has appended to it sorne very interesting notes, gathered from
various sources, some of which are here inserted.
Squire Cheyney first gave inforrriation to Washinrrton of the near approach of ComwalUs.
He liad been within a short distance of the enemy, and with difficulty escaped their grasp*
Washington at first Could scarcely credit the account of the Squire, and directed him to alight,
and draw in the sand a draft of the roads. This was done promjjtly. Washington still appear-
ing to doubt, Cheyney, who was a strenuous whig, exclaimed, " Take my life, general, if I de-
ceive you." Washington was at length convinced.
Major Ferguson, commander of a small corps of riflemen attached to the British army, men-
tions an incident which he says took place while his corps was concealed in a skirt of a wood in
front of Knyphausen's division. In a letter to Dr. Ferguson he writes, " We had not lain long
when a rebel officer, remarkable for a hussar dress, passed towards our army within one hundred
yards of my right flank, not perceiving us. He Was followed by another dressed in dark green
and blue, mounted on a good bay horse, with a remarkably large high cocked hat. I ordered
three good shots to steal near to them, and to fire at them ; but the idea disgusted me — I recalled
the order. The hussar, in returning, made a circuit, but the other passed within a hundred
yards of us ; upon which I advanced from the wood towards him. Upon my calling he stopped,
but after looking at me proceeded. I again drew his attention, and made signs to him to stop ;
but he slowly continued his way. As I was within that distance at vi^hich, in the quickest firing,
I could have lodged half a dozen balls in or about him before he was out of my reach, I had only
to determine ; but it Was not pleasant to fire at the back of an unoflending individual who was
acquitting himself very coolly of his duty, so I let him alone. The day after, I had been telling
this story to some Wounded officers who lay in the same room with me, when One of our surgeons,
who had been dressing the wounded rebel ofticers, came in and told me that Gen. Washington
was all the morning with the light troops, and only attended by a French officer in a hussar
dress, he himself dressed and mounted in every respect as above described. I am not sorry
that I did not know at the time who it was."
At this stand (soon after the first rout) for a few minutes was some very hard fighting.
Washington himself was present, with Lafayette, and it was here the latter received his wound
in the leg. (See the preceding page, at the top.)
An interesting anecdote is told of Lord Percy, which I have never seen In history, but which
I believe is very generally known and accredited. When he arrived, with the rcgime'it he ac-
companied, in sight of the Americans ranged in order of battle, upon the heights near Birming-
ham meeting-house, he surveyed the field around him for a moment, and then turning to his ser-
vant handed him his purse and gold watch to take charge of, remarking, " This place 1 saw in a
dream before I left England, and I know tiiat I shall fall here." The coincidence Was striking.
214 CHESTER COUNTY.
The event verified the prediction. His name is not reported among the slain in the British ofH>
cial account, because he held no commission in the army. He was merely a volunteer.
Among those who were distinguislied by tliclr conduct on this day was Col. JVIarshall, (father
of Chief-justice Marshall,) who commanded the 3d Virginian regiment. It is said, also, that the
chief-justice, then quite young, was also present as a volunteer.*
Maj. Gen. Greene in person was rather corpulent and above the common size. His complexion
was fair and florid, his countenance serene and mild, indicating a goodness which seemed to shade
and soften the fire and greatness of its expressions. His health was delicate, but preserved by
temperance and regularity.
Gen. Wayne was about the middle size, with a fine ruddy coimtenance, commanding portj
and eagle eye. His looks corresponded well with his character, indicating a soul noble, ardent
and daring. At this time he was about thirty-two years <3f age. In his mtercourse with his offi-
cers and men he was affable and agreeable, and had the art of communicating to their bosoma
the gallant and chivalrous spirit which glowed in iiis own.
Gen. Lafayette, then the Marquis Lafayette, at that time was one of the finest-looking men in
the army, notwithstanding his deep-red hair. The expression of his countenance was strongly
indicative of the generous and gallant spirit which animated him, mingled with something of the
pride of conscious manliness. His mien was noble, his manners frank and amiable, and hia
movements light and graceful. He wore his hair plain, and never complied so far with the fash'
ion of the times as to powder.
Major Lee, (not Maj. Gen. Lee,) one of the most vigilant and active partisan officers in the
American army, was short in stature and of slight make, but agile and active. His face wa3
small and freckled, and his look eager and sprightly. He was then quite young, and his appear-
ance was even more youthful than his years. (See Lancaster co.)
Sir Wm. Howe was a fine figure, full six feet high, and admirably well proportioned. In per-
son he a good deal resembled Washingtor/, and at a little distance might have been easily mista-
ken for him ; but his features, though good, were more pointed, and the expression of his coun-
tenance was less benignant. His manners were polished, graceful, and dignified.
Lord Cornwallis in person was short and thick-set, but not so corpulent as Sir Henry. He had
a handsome aquiline no^E, and hair, when young, light, and rather inclined to sandy, but at thd
time of his being here it had become somewhat gray. His face would have been a fine one,
had he not blinked badly with his left eye. With his officers he used the utmost familiarity, and
was greatly beloved by his soldiers, to whom he was always accessible. When busy in making
preparations for a battle, he had a habit of raismg his hand to his head, and shifting the position
of his hat every moment, by which signs his men always knew when to expect business. The
whisper, " Corn-cob has blood in his eye," wliich ran through the ranks on such occasions,
showed that these signs were perfectly imderstood.
Lieut. Gen. Knyphausen was a good-looking Dutchman, about five feet eleven, straight an
slender. His featm-es were sharp, and his appearance martial. His command was confined al-
most exclusively to the German corps, as his ignorance of the English language in a great
measure disqualified him for any other.
The action commonly known as the Affair at the Paoli, and sometimes
as the Massacre at the Paoh, took place on the night of the 20th Sept.
1777, at a place about a mile south of the Warren tavern, on the Lan-
caster turnpike, and at least two miles southwest from the Paoli tavern.
After the battle of Brandy wine, the two armies met again on the 16th
Sept. near this place, but were prevented from engaging by a heavy rain,
Washington withdrew across the Schuylkill at Parker's ferry, but sent
Gen. Wayne, with 1,500 men, to join Gen. Smallwood, and annoy the rear
of the enemy who was posted near Tredyffrin church.
Wayne had encamped in a very retired position, near the present monument, and at some dis-
tance from the public roads. The British general, receiving information from traitors who knew
every defile ih the neighborhood, and every movement of the republican troops, detached Gen.
Gray, a brave and desperate, but cruel officer, to cut off" Wajme's party. SteaUng his way
* In July, 1776, he was a lieutenant in the 11th Virginia regiment ; in May, 1775, he was ap-
pointed a captain. His regiment belonged to the brigade of Gen. Woodford, which formed j)art
of the American right at the battle of Brandy wine, in front of which was placed the 3d regiment,
commanded by his gallant father. He was in the battle of Gerniantown, and in that at Mon-
mouth. He was one of that body of men who tracked the snows of Valley Forge with the blood
of their footsteps in the rigorous winter of 1778. He was in the covering party at liie assault
of Stony Point.
CHESTER COUNTY.
215
through the woods, and up the narrow defile helow the Paoh, he drove in tlie American pickets,
and rushed in upon the camp. " Tlie assailants were received with several close*ind destructive
lires, which must have done great execution, but the American troops were compelled by superior
numbers to retreat. The number of Americans killed and wounded in this action amounted to
loU. Gen. Gray, it is said, had ordered his troops to give no quarter. Many victims were mas-
sacred with ruthless barbarity, alter resistance on their part had ceased. The cry for quarter was
unheeded : the British bayonet did its vyork with unpitying ferocity." It is said by some that
the enemy set fire to the straw iu the camp, thus torturing many sick and wounded victims who
were unable to escape the flames.
The whole American corps must have been cut off, if Wayne had not preserved liis coolness.
He proin]jtiy ralhed a few regiments, who withstood the shock of the enemy, and covered the re-
treat of tlie others. When this attack commenced Gen. Smallwood was already within a mile
of the field of battle ; and had he commanded troops to be relied upon, might have given a very
diftcrent turn to the night. But his raw militia, falling in with a party returning from the pursuit
of Wayne, instantly tied in confusion.
A few persons are yet living who assisted in burying the dead ; but 53
were ibund on the field, whose bodies were decently interred by the neigh-
boring farmers in one grave, immediately adjoining the scene of action.
On the 20th of Sept. 1817, being the 40th anniversary of the massacre,
a monument was erected over the remains of those gallant men by the
Republican Artillerists of Chester co., aided by the contributions of their
fellow-citizens. It is composed of white marble, and is a pedestal sur-
mounted by a pyramid. Upon the four sides of the body of the pedestal,
are appropriate inscriptions.
Paoli Monument.
It has often been said, even by some American historians, that this affair
was a surprise. A court-martial, convened by Washington at Gen.
Wayne's urgent request, within five v after the affair, decided, after
minute investigation, that "he did eveiy thing that could be expected from
an active, brave, and vigilant officer, under the orders which he then had."
Gen. Anthony Wayne was born in the township of Eastown, Chester co., (about \\ miles
soutii of the Paoli tavern,) on th(^ 1st Jan. 174.'). He received a thorough education, and was par-
ticularly skilled in tiu^ mathematics. After leaving school he became a surveyor, and also paid some
attention to astronomy and engineering, by which he attracted the attention of Ur. Franklin, who
oecame his friend and patron. At the opening of the revolution he was a prominent member of
the provincial legislature. He entered tiie army in 177.') as colonel of a corps of volunteers ; and
was afterwards active on the northern frontier at Ticonderoga. Here he was made brigadier-
gencral on tlie 21st Feb. 1777. In the battle of Brundywlne he commanded tiic division of
216
CHESTER COUNTY.
Chadsford, resisting the passage of the column under Knyphausen with the Ktmost gallantry
untU near sunset, when, overpowered by superior numbers, he was compelled to retreat. His
conduct at the Paoli is described above. At the battle of Germantown he evinced his wonted valor,
leading his division into the thickest of the fight.
In all councils of war he was distinguished for supporting the most energetic measures. At
the battle of Monmouth, he and Gen. Cadwallader are said to have been the only two general
officers in favor of attacking the enemy. His conduct on that occasion elicited the special ap-
plause of Gen. Washington. His attack upon the fort at Stony Point, in July 1779, an almost
maccessihle height, defended by a gan-ison of 600 men, and a strong battery of artillery, was the
most brilliant exploit of the war. At midnight he led his troops with unloaded muskets, flints
out, and fixed bayonets, and without firmg a single gun, completely carried the fort, and took
543 prisoners. In the attack he received a wound from a musket ball in the head, wliich, in the
heat of the conflict, supposing to be mortal, he called to his aids to carry him forward and let
him die in the fort. In the campaign of 1781, when Cornwallis surrendered, he bore a conspicu-
ous part ; and he was afterwards actively engaged in Georgia. At the peace of 1 78.3, he retired
to private life. In 1789 he was a member of the Pennsylvania Convention, and strongly advo,
cated the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. In 1792, after Harmar and St.
Clair had been repeatedly unsuccessful, Wayne took the conmiand on the northwestern frontier,
and by his wise and prudent measures, his excellent discipline, and bravery, he gained the deci-
sive battle of the Maumee, and concluded the war by the treat} of Greenville in 1795. A life
of peril and glory was terminated in Dec. 1796, in a cabin at Presqu'isle, then in the vvilocrncss,
and his remains were deposited, at Ids own request, under the flagstaff of the fort on the margin
of Lake Erie. His remains were removed in 1809 by his son, CoL Isaac Wayne, to Radnor
churchyard, in Delaware county.
By direction of the Pennsylvania State Society of Cincinnati, an elegant monument waa
erected, of white marble, of the most correct symmetry and beauty.
South Front. — In honor of the distinguished military services of Major General Anthony
Wayne, and as an affectionate tribute of respect to his memory, this stone was erected, by his com-
panions in arms, the Pennsylvania State Society of the (/incinnati, July 4th, A. D. 1809, thirty-
fourth anniversary of the Independency of the United States of America; an event which con-
stitutes the most appropriate eulogiuu) of an American soldier and patriot.
North Front. — Major General Anthony Wayne, was born at Waynesborough,* in Chester
county. State of Pennsylvania, A. D, 1745. After a life of honor and usefulness, he died in De-
cember, 1796, at a military post on the shore of Lake Erie, Commander-in-chief of the army of
the United States. His military achievements are consecrated in the history of his country, and
in the hearts of his countrymen. His remains are here interred.
Gen. Wayne's Residence, li miles S. of the Paoli tavern.
Mr. Lewis gives the followino- narrative, which is corroborated by oth-
ers. Fitz was probably connected with the Doanes of Bucks co., and
similar desperadoes in Franklin co. and in Virginia : —
* This is incorrect ; see the biography on the preceding page.
CHESTER COUNTY. 217
During the ■winter in which the British occupied Philadelphia, and the year following', sorne
alarm was created and kept up in the county by the daring depredations of one Jim Fitzpatrick,
a celebrated desperado of those times. Fit?., as he was commonly called, was born of Irish pa-
rents, and was apprenticed, when quite a lad, to a respectable blacksmith of Chester co., named
John Passmore : and he labored faithfully at his trade (at or near Downington, it is thought,)
until the end of his apprenticeship. While in his boyhood he practised a good deal in athletic
exercises, in which he manifested great superiority.
On arriving at his majority, lie quit his trade and joined the American army. Not relishing
the subordination and discipline of the camp, he deserted, and roamed the country for some time,
working as a day laborer for a maintenance. While thus engaged he was seized unawares, by
two soldiers, in a meadow in London Grove township. It was proposed to lead their prisoner
directly to Wilmington, but at his entreaty the men were prevailed upon to go with him first to
his mother's to procure some clothes, which he said he should want in case of detention. On
opening his mother's door, he gras[)ed his rifle, which stood behind it, and presenting the muzzle
to the soldiers, threatened to shoot tiiem down unless tiiey would leave him instantly. They did
not think it prudent to dare him to the execution of his threat, and Fitz returned to his labor,
and continued to pursue it as if nothing had happened.
To particularize the many adventures related of this singular man — this Rob Roy McGregor
of the county — would surpass my restricted limits. During the year or more that he infested
this vicinity, he was extremely active, and every day plotting or achieving some new plan of
mischief. He however never mole^^ed his tory friends, for, having espoused the British interest,
he considered the whigs only as his enemies, and himself at liberty, as a partisan chief, by the
laws of war, to harass them in every possible manner.
He had his peculiar humor, which he frequently indulged at the expense of others. Even in
his treatment of those whom he chose to punish, he often proceeded in such a manner as to ren-
der them objects of ridicule rather than pity. He despised covetousness ; and in all his depreda-
tions was never known to rob a poor man. Indeed he often gave to the poor what he took from
the rich. It is related that while lurking in the neighborhood of Cain meeting-house, he met with
an old woman on her way to the city with all her little stock of money to procure a supply of
goods. Not knowing the robber, and but little expecting at that time the honor of his company,
she made known to him her apprehension that, as Capt. Fitz was in the neighborhood, she might
fall into his clutches, and be deprived of her whole fortune. Fitz, after obtaining her secret, told
her he was the man she so much dreaded, but there was nothing he would disdain so much as to
wrong a weak and defenceless woman. At the same time he drew from his pocket a purse of
guineas, presented it to her, wished her a pleasant journey, and turned off into the woods.
The whig collectors of public moneys were the special objects of his vengeance, and all the
public money which he could extort from them he looked upon as lawful prey. One of these
men he not only plundered of a large sum, but took him off to his cave in the woods, where he
detained him two weeks, to the great alarm of his family, who supposed him murdered.
He was often pursued by whole companies of men, but always escaped them by his agility, or
daunted them by his intrepidity. On one occasion, 50 or more persons assembled well armed,
and resolved to take him if possible, dead or alive. They coursed him for some hours over the
hills, but becoming weary of the chase, they called at a tavern to rest, and procure some refresh-
ment. While sitting in the room together, and every one expressing his wish to meet with Fitz,
suddenly, to their great astonishment, he presented himself before them with a rifle in his hand.
He bade them all keep their seats, declaring that he would shoot the first man that moved. Then
having called for a small glass of rum, and drank it off, he walked backwards some paces,
with his rifle presented at the tavern door, wheeled and took to his heels, leaving the stupified com-
pany in silent amazement.
Not long after this occurrence, another party of 18 or 20 men was hunting him with guns and
rifles upon the South Valley hill. Stepping from behind a tree he presented himself to one of the
company separated a short distance from the rest, and asked him whom he was seeking. The rrjan
answered, " Fitz." " Then," said Fitz, " come with me and I will show you his cave where you
may find him." The bold man-hunter went accordingly. After leading him some distance from
his companions, Fitz told the fellow who he was, bade him ground arms, tied him to a tree, cut
a withe, and flogged him severely. He then told him he might go and inform his comrades
where to find the Fitz they were hunting. When they arrived at the place, he had decamped.
Shortly after a price had been set upon his head, to show how much he dared, or how heartily
he despised the cowardice of the multitude, armed with two pistols and a dagger, he deliberately
walked in open day, from the southern hill opposite Kennett square, through a great company of
people, who made way for him, to Taylor's tavern, took a glass of grog, and went away with-
out molestation, though there were men present with arms and muskets in their hands.
A man from Nottingham, once in pursuit of Fitz, entered the house of his mother, behaved
rudely, and broke her spinning-wheel. Fitz vowed revenge, and sent the fellow word that he
would visit him shortly. The man swore he would be glad to see him, and ventiu-cd to predict
that if Fitz appeared he should give a good account of him. The robber kept his promise, and
28
218 CHESTER COUNTY.
having met his mother's injnrer at liis own door, ordered him in a peremptory tone to follow him
to the woods. The man had 7iot the hardihood to disobey, but did as directed. Fitz then tied
him to a tree and infJicted on hiin liis favorite punl.slimont — a sore flagellation.
But this man, who had daunted multitudes, and baffled so long the vigilance of his enemies,
like Sampson was at length betrayed and taken by a woman. This Delilah was the mistress
and confidant of Fitz, and was mainly dependent for the means of support upon his generosity.
She then lived in a house near tiie Strasburg road, and a little beyond Crum creek, in a retired
situation.
He was apprehended by men concealed in the house, and conducted immediately to Chester,
where he was tried, eondenmed, and executed ; behaving throughout with a firmness worthy of
a liero, and consistently with the cliaracter he had sustained.
The county of Chester contahis no very large towns, but is studded over
with pleasant rural hamlets, which have grown up in the progress of
years, at the crossings of the great roads, or near the sites of the ancient
inns, with which the county abounds. Many of these old taverns on the
Lancaster and Harrisburg turnpikes were famous among the travellers
of the olden time, and not a few have l)een distinguished in the annals of
the revolution. Such were the Spread Eagle, the (Gen.) Paoli, the (Gen.)
Warren, the White Horse, the Black Horse, the Ship, the Red Lion, &c.
&c. Near some of these, small villages have grown up. When Gov.
Pownal visited Lancaster in 1754, he spoke of stopping on his way at
the Buck, by Ann Miller ; at the Vernon, by Ashton, (now the Warren ;)
the White Horse, by Hambright ; the Ship, near Downingtown, by Thos.
Park ; the Red Lion, by Joseph Steer ; the Wagon, by James Way, &c.
Westchester, the seat of justice, is a pleasant town, rather compactly
and substantially built, situated in Goshen township, five miles south of
the Great Valley, and 23 west of Philadelphia, on very high ground, the
dividing ridge between branches of the Brandywine and Chester creeks.
In 1800 the population was 374; in 1810,471 ; in 1820, 552; in 1830,
1,252 ; and in 1840, 2,152. The town is regularly laid out on streets at
right angles. The public buildings, especially those erected within the
last ten years, reflect great credit on the enterprise and taste of the citi-
zens. Of these the bank, with a magnificent Doric portico of pure white
marble, the new prison, the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal
churches, the AthepoBum, and Mr. Bolmar's seniinary, are the most con-
spicuous. Besides the churches enumerated, there are, a Catholic church
and two Friends' meeting-houses ; also an academy, a female seminary,
two or three large boarding-schools, a public library, Athenaeum and
Cabinet of Natural Science, the courthouse, and public offices. The
town is remarkable for salubrity, and is surrounded by a beautiful undu-
lating country. Westchester is pre-eminent among the villages of the
state for its highly cultivated state of society, and the general diffusion
of intelligence among its citizens. The geology, mineralogy, and natu-
ral history of the county had been very fully explored and written u|)on
by citizens of the town engaged in the ordinary pursuits of life, long be-
fore the state geological survey was set on foot ; and with many depart-
ments of science, literature, and the arts, the great mass of the citizens
have acquired familiarity, by self-instruction and by lectures at their ad-
mirable Athenaium. Among the curiosities deposited in the cabinet here,
is the telescope of Gen. Wayne, and a collection of autograph letters to
himself from nearly all the distinguished officers of the revolution, together
with his own autograph.
A railroad, nine n>iles long, constructed in 1832, connects with the Co-
CHESTER COUNTY.
219
lumbia railroad near " the Paoli" — and a branch also at a nearer point
for the purpose of transporting limestone and lime from " the Great Val-
ley." The Strasburg road passes through the town. The annexed view
Central part of Westchester.
exhibits the entrance to the centre of the borough between the Black
Bear and Turk's Head taverns. On the left are seen the public offices
and courthouse ; on the right the " Turk's Head," the bank, &c.
Westchester became the s6at of justice in 1786, by the removal of the
public offices from Old Chester; it was made a borough in 1799. The
original plan of the town consisted of four squares. In 1829 several
streets were opened and new squares formed, on the southwestern side
of the primitive squares, by Wm. Everhart, Esq.
The removal of the seat of justice was not made without great oppo-
sition on the part of the " Upland" or Old Chester people, almost amount-
ing to a civil war. The first law was passed in 1784, fixing the place at
some point rtot more than one mile from the Turk's Head tavern. Col.
Hannum, an active, efficient man, was one of the commissioners. Before
the courthouse was half built, tlic law was repealed by the influence of
the Chester men ; and not satisfied with this, they came up wilii a field-
piece, under Maj. Harper, determined to demolish the walls of the new
building.
As tlic population of tlie county increased towards the north and west, tlie great distance of
the county seat at Chester was considered a serious inconvenience by those in the remote parts
of the county, and a law \vas procured to he passed in 1784, authorizing the removal of the coun-
ty seat to a more central position. The new law provided that it should be fixed at no greater dis-
tance than one mile from the Turks Head tavern, then occupying the site of the present tavern
of that name in the centre of the borough of Westchester. Col. Hannum, an active, efficient
man, was appointed one of the commissioners, and took an efficient part in the proceedings de-
tailed below. The removal was not without great opposition from the people of Chester and ita
vicinity ; and before the walls of the new county buildings were completed, they procured an act
to be passed, repealing the previous one. Not satisfied, however, with the repeal of the law, they
determined to demolish the unfinished building by force of arms.
" Accordingly a company assembled; armed and accoutred, and having procured a field-piece,
appointed Maj. Harper commander, and proceeded tcJ accomplish the design. Notice of their
220
CHESTER COUNTY.
object Iiaviiifj been frivrn by sonic of tlic loaders to the nciijhborhood of tbc Turk's Head, prepa-
rations were immediately made lor tlieir reception. Col. Hannum was particularly active. Men
were collected, arms and cartridj^es prepared ; grog and rations freely distributed. The windows
of the courthouse were boarded upon each side, the space between being lilled with stones, and
looj)-holes Icl't i'or the musketry. Mr. Marshall and Col. Isaac Taylor conunanding in tiie upper
story, and Underwood and I'atton below, wliile Col. Hannmn had the direction of the whole.
Tiio non-reniovalists iiiiving ])asi-ied tlie night at the (ien. (ireene tavern, made their appearance
early in tlie imirning, and (ook tlicir gr(jund about ^JOI) yards southeast of the t^uaker meeling-
liouse. Here they planted their cannon and made prti)arations lor the attack. An acconnnoda-
tidn, however, was eftectcd, by the intervention of some pacific persons, who used their etlbrts
to prcv(!nt tlie effusion of blood. To tlie non-reniovalists was conceded the liberty of inspecting
the defences, on condition that they sliould do them no injury ; and they on their part agreed to
return j>caceably to their homes.
The cannon was turned in another direction, and lired in celebration of the treaty. An act of
indiscretion, however, had nearly brought on a reni'ual of hostilities. One of Maj. Harper's men
having entered the fort alnw.k down the Jlii,l^ erected by tlieir oi)ponents. Highly incensed at
this treatment of their standard, tlie removalists flew to their arms, and were with diilieulty pre-
vented from firing upon the major and his companions. Sonic exertion, however, on the part of
the leadens, allayed the irritation of the men, and the partitas at length separated amicably, with-
out loss of life or limb. No prosecution was ever instituted. The removalists were well satis-
fied with what they considered their victory, and indulged their humor in satirical songs.
Another law was passed in 178(i, again ilirecting the removal; the buildings were completed,
and the seat of justice firmly established at Westchester.
The county buildings at Old Chester were sold; but in 1789 an act was passed dividing the
county, and establishing the county of Delaware ; and the buildings were re-purchased for the
use of the new comity. By the act, the line of separation betwcai the counties was not jiermit-
ted to divide farms. This will account for the very irregular boundary along a part of th(^ line.
In 1798, the county was authorized to establish a house I'or the ein|)loyment and support of the
poor. A large and valuable farm of .'lUD acres was purchased, about eight miles from Westches-
ter, on the banks of the Hraudywiue. A commodious two. story brick building, 40 feet by lUO,
and a large barn of almost eiiua! dimensions, and three stories high, were soon erected, at a cost of
about ,'||<1(),(IUU. The establishment is under the charge of a steward, subject to the coutrol of a
board of directors. The number of inmates was at first 118, but has very considerably increased.
They are provided with three meals a day, of plain substantial food. The produce of the farm
contributes considerably to the snjiport of the paupers, but is insulRclent for the vk^hole consump-
tion, and a balance is always chargeable upon the county.
For a lew years too free an iutereourse was pennltted among the inmates; frequent marriages
took i)laee among the paujxTS, and the county ftiiuili/ was found to incn'case more ra])i(lly than
was considered prudent for the interests of the county, or the comfort and good moraI» of the
establishment ; and better regulations were conseipiently introduced. — Lewis.
Mr. Bolmar's Seminary.
The spacious edifice liero represented, stands about half a mile from
town, near the raih"oad. it was originally built some three or four years
CHESTER COUNTY. 221
since by an ai=!sociation for a female seminary, and occupied as such for
one year. For some reason the female seminary did not succeed, and
the building was purchased by Mr. Bolmar, who had already Ibr a num-
ber of years conducted a very successful boys' school in the borough. It
is now one of the best regulated and most complete institutions for the
education of young lads in the country. It is capable of accommodating
without inconvenience 100 boys, although in 1811-'42 the number was
only about 00. Many of these were from the south, and some from Mex-
ico, South America, and the West Indies. Boys are littcd either lor the
com})ting-room, or lor college, as may b(! desired.
Mr. Bohnar is a native of France, and was a pupil in one of her cele-
brated polytechnic schools. Having been long in this country, he is an
accom})lished I'inglish as well o.s French scholar. It is well worth a visit
to the establishment to witness its admirabUi arrangement, and its very
vigilant and eliicient — but still mihl — discii)line. There is a place for
every thing, and every thing is in its place : the eye of the master is eve-
rywhere. Every boy has his own single bed, at the foot of which is his
trunk ; in another room is his own basin, soap, towel, toothpowder and
bru.sh, arranged in a long M\asliing-room ; and in another place is a box
for his boots, brushes, umbrella, and little etceteras. All is as orderly as
a military quarters ; the police is as vigilant as that of Paris, and misde-
me,anor is sure to be followed with instant detection and pmiishment —
which in ordinary cases is the privation of some privilege or enjoyment.
Such is the perfection of this police, that even the most common apart-
ments in the daily use of (50 boys, are not disfigured by the slightest
scratch or pencil mark.
There is also near the borough the excellent boarding-school for boys of
Mr. Joshua Hoopes, which has long enjoyed great celebrity. It was ori-
ginally commenced at Downingtown in 1817. The number of scholars
is limited to 20. The Academy in Westchester and the Female Semina-
ry are also very flourishing.
Among the most distinguislicd of tlio seminaries of learning in the co., is the old institution
established by the Society of Friends in Westtown, in 1794, "with a desire, more especially for
the promotion of piety, than the cultivation of science." It was to be under the patronage of the
yearly meeting of Philadelphia, and to furnish, " besides the requisite portion of literary instruc-
tion, an education exempt from the contagion of vicious example, and calculated to establish
habits and principles favorable to future usefulness in n^ligious and civil society. A farm of 600
acres was ])urchased of James (iibbons, and a large brick building erected for the accommoda-
tion of tlii^ students. The farm cost between $l(i,00() and $1!),(I00, and tlie building ,fi2:3,470.
I'upils were first received in the 5th month, 175)S), ten of a sex being admitted until the whole
number amoimted to nearly two hundred. In 1809 a large building of stone was erected, origin-
ally intended to be used as an hospital in case of infectious diseases, but subsequently appro])riated
for the use of teachers with families.
The immediate charge is intrusted to a superintendent and eight teachers — three men and five
women. The superintendent attends to the finances of the institution, but has no direct over-
sight of the literary departments. A library and philosophical apparatus is provided, and the
usual branches of an English and classical education are taught. For many years the classics
were omitted. — Lewis.
The number of pupils admitted during the year ending Oct. 1841, was
131 — 50 boys, 81 girls; the average number at the school during the
year, 220. The school is restricted to the children of Friends. Our
readers are probably aware, that though the Society of Friends cheerful-
ly Contribute their quota of taxes for the purposes of general education,
yet they seldom, if they can avoid it, send their children to the public
222 CHESTER COUNTY.
schools, or to schools taught by persons who are not in membership with
them, as they believe that religious instruction and school education
should progress together, and therefore do not wish their children taught
by persons who hold different tenets from their own.
The first academy of any note established in the co., was situated in Nottingham, under the
charge of the Rev. Samuel Finlcy, D.D., afterwards president of Princeton college. Little can
now be said of this once celebrated seminary, as nearly eighty years (in 1841) have elapsed since
it was broken up by the removal of the preceptor to Princeton ; but it is well known to have
flourished for many years, and to have enjoyed the confidence and patronage of the public to an
extent unprecedented at that time. The immortal Dr. Rush was one of its pupils. — Lewis.
The following extract relating to the townships in this vicinity, is also
from Mr. Lewis's history.
In Birmingham the Brinton family were among the most considerable, — Edward, the principal
personage, being one of the judges of the court, magistrate, &,c.
In Westtown the Gibbons family were distinguished as landholders, members of assembly, and
mill owners. The Westtown school is located on a part of their lands.
Goshen, in which West Chester is situated, was taken up early. Two large tracts adjoining
Gay-st., each a mile square, were owned by Richard Thomas and Capt. . The eastern
part of this township was settled by the Ashbridge family — of which the late Geo. Ashbridge,
for twenty years successively elected a member of assembly, was a branch, — David Jones, and
others.
West Whiteland was principally settled by Richard Thomas, in right of original purchase made
in Wales, by Richard Ap Thomas of Whitford garden in Flintshire, North Wales, from which,
it is presumed, the name of West Whiteland is derived. The house which this settler built upon
his allotment was placed near the Valley creek, and in the immediate vicinity of an Indian vil-
lage ; and the reason assigned for such a situation was, that the dogs of the village would assist
in keeping the wild beasts, then numerous, at a distance. The place was called, in the Indian
language, K atamoonchink, signifying Hazlenut grove.
DowNiNGTovvN is a pleasant rural village, extending for about a mile
along the Lancaster turnpike, where it crosses the Big Brandywine 33
miles northwest of Philadelphia. It owes its prosperity to its position in
the heart of the Great Valley, and to the water-power of the creek. It
contains a number of stores and taverns, a Methodist church, a Friends'
meeting-house, and an Episcopal congregation who contemplate building.
There is an excellent Female Seminary here, kept by the daughters of
the late Zebulon Thomas. Several mills and factories are located along
the creek. A turnpike to Harrisburg by way of Ephrata commences
here. The Columbia railroad sweeps past the village, and crosses the
Brandywine by a splendid bridge.
Wm. Penn, in a letter of instructions to one of his agents concerning
Philadelphia, says, " Let every house be placed, if the person pleases, in
the middle of its plat, as to the breadthway of it, that so there may be
ground on each side for gardens, or orchards, or fields — that it may be a
greene country towne, which will never be burnt, and always be whole-
some." Such is the aspect of Downingtown, with its spacious substan-
tial houses, shaded by tall pines and elms, and situated in the midst of
verdant yards and gardens, flanked by fragrant orchards and fields of
clover. It is one of the very few green spots that has been left un-
scathed by the mania of modern speculation. Not even the passage of
the railroad along its southern border, could seduce the old-fashioned citi-
zens from their quiet, staid, and thrifty ways into the delusive dream of
making haste to be rich. No water-lots nor corner-lots have ever been
laid out, and the citizens buy in whatever lots may happen to come into
market by deaths, &c. No wars, nor mobs, nor bankruptcies, unless of
CHESTER COUNTY.
•123
some transient adventurer, have disgraced the place. Even the tempta-
tion of being the county seat was resisted ; and aUhough at an early date
the commissioners had obtained the refusal of a single lot adjoining Mr.
Hunt's, yet not another lot in the vicinity would any one sell. They
were opposed both to parting with their homesteads, and to the noise and
brawling of a county town. The annexed view was taken from Miss
Thomas's Female Seminary. In the centre, near the street, is seen the
old mill.
Downingtown.
The following facts were derived principally from Messrs. William and
Joshua Hunt :
The place and the vicinity was originally settled by English from Birmingham, and the pres-
ent occupants live generally upon property that has been in the families for many generations.
Mr. Lewis remarks that " Cain township on the west, and in the valley, was occupied by Bald-
wins and Moores, Parkes, Mendenhalls, Coates, Pines, Millers, and others." The brick iiouse a
few rods west of the railroad depot, now occupied by Messrs. Joshua and Joseph Hunt, was
erected in 1728. It was then the first house except the log-cabins of the pioneers. George
. Aston, greut-grandfather of the Hunts, took up some 500 acres at this place, and about 1000
acres of woodland. The deeds are dated in 1()82, and the settlement was made probably about
1700. Roger Hunt, the grandfather of tlie Hmits, came from Birmingham in England. He
and Aston were Episcopalians. Roger Hunt was a wagoner under Dunbar in Braddock's expe-
dition. Some of his descendants have been Quakers. Mr. Moore first took up the land where
tlie village now is. Thomas Downing bought of him, and built the mill and the old house near
it, somewhere about 1730 or '40. The place was known as Milltown for many years. Of the
Parke family, Robert kept the old " Ship" tavern, west of the Hunts, and the others that
in tlie village, where the family still reside. Jason Cloud was an early settler on the south side
of the valley. During the revolution, the house of the commissary, Mr. Richard Downing, was
at the east end of the village. Col. Steward's regiment was quartered here in 1781.
CoATEsviLLE is in the great valley, 3 miles west of Downingtown, and
exactly half way between Columbia and Philadelphia. It is situated on
the left bank of the w^est branch of the Brandywine, across which the
railroad passes on a bridge, towering 73 feet in the air, and stretching
across a chasm 850 feet. The situation of the village is very pictur-
esque. In the vicinity there is an abundance of water-power, and several
manufacturing establishments. The place contains some fifty or sixty
houses, stores, a Presbyterian church, schools, &c.
224 CHESTER COUNTY.
Coatesville and its vicinity w-as originally settled by the Coateses from
Montgomeryshire ; by the Bresallons, a French family, who were the an-
cestors of the Gardners ; and by the Fleming family. The village has
much increased since the completion of the railroad.
The Yellow Springs, a noted and beautiful w^atering-place, are near
the Morgantown road, about 8 miles nearly north of Downingtown.
They are in a healthy and picturesque country, and are provided with
baths, walks, two splendid hotels, and other accommodations for visitors.
The establishment is kept by Mrs. Holman, the proprietress. The springs
were discovered as early as 1722, and a rude cabin was erected in 1750
for the use of visitors. A silversmith of Philadelphia, called "honest
John Bailey," made considerable improvements; and they afterwards
passed into the hands of Dr. Kennedy and his son, and then, in 180G, to
Mr. Bones, who improved them extensively. A splendid new hotel has
been built within a few years past. Behind one of the hotels stand the
" old barracks" — a long frame building with a porch, erected by Gen.
Washington during the revolution, for the sick and wounded of the army.
It retains many marks of their rough sports. It is very properly pre-
served by the proprietor of the springs, as an interesting historical relic.
The regiment of Col. Steward was encamped here in 1780-81.
Mr. Lewis gives the following history of the townships in this northern
section of the county: —
UwcHLAN was settled principally by Welshmen, under the auspices of David Lloyd, of Old
Chester ; and a Friends' meeting-house was established. The preaching and exhortation were in
Welsh. The first preachers here were Samuel and Griffith John, brothers ; neither of whom
could ever speak English free from a strong tincture of their native tongue. The other settlers
were Morris Reese, Cadwallader John, (or Jones,) David Cadwallader, David Evans, Humphrey
Lloyd, David Lloyd, the Phillipses, and other Welshmen. The name signifies higher than, or
above the valley.
To one entirely unacquainted with the inhabitants of the county, this catalogue of names may
be devoid of interest ; but it may not be entirely uninteresting to tlie families descended from the
early settlers.
Tredvffrin was also taken up principally by the Welsh. Its name is indicative of the char-
acter and situation of the land, signifying stony valley. {Tre, stony; dyffrin, valley.)
Charleston was purchased in England by a gentleman named Charles Pickering. The town,
ship took one part of his name, and the creek running through it the other.
PiKELAND was presented by the proprietor to Pike, in England, in order to induce that gentle-
to emigrate. It was unseated many years, but at length was leased in small tracts, with the
right of purchase alter twenty years' possession, at a valuation then to be made. Among the
first settlers were Sanmel Lightfoot, Thomas Milhouse, and Michael Lightfoot. This last ten-
anted the place now (1824) held by Pennypacker, and lived a number of years in a cave, some
traces of which were visible not long since. Samuel Lightfoot built the first mill in this neigh-
borhood. The operation of bolting was then performed by hand.
VixXCENT was purchased in England by Sir Mattliias Vincent, Benj. Furloy, and Dr. Daniel
Coxe. It was leased and settled much in the same way as Pikeland. The fine stream (French
cr.) passing through it, for many years bore the proud title of Vincent river. Ralston, Jenkin,
Davis, Thomas, John and Michael Paul, Gordon, Brombac, and Dennis Whelen, the respectable
ancestor of Col. Dennis Whelen, were among the first settlers. Garret Brombac established
the first tavern north of the Lancaster road, in a little low house of rude construction, where he
continued to perform the duties of host many years. He was a merry German, and lived to see
himself rich.
Coventry. — A settler by the name of Nutt early built a forge called Coventry within the limits
of this township, and made other extensive improvements. It went into operation about the
year 1720, and made the first iron manufactured in Pennsylvania. There was also a furnace
called Reading in this township, belonging to a company of which Branson, Vanleer, and others
were members. It eventually was abandoned for want of ore. Meredith was an original settler
in this township.
Four miles from the Springs, towards Phenixville, is the lovely village
CHESTER COUNTY.
225
of KiMBKRTOx, whicli lias grown up around the distinguished female sem-
nary conducted by Mr. Kimber and his accomplished daughters.
The Kiniberton Female Seminary was established in 1817, -'on the broad basis of a public
school, confined to no particular class of religious professors. It is conducted without any code
of laws, on the plan of parentnl govennnent. The o;ily law imposed is that of our Saviour —
' Whatsoever ye would that otiiers sliould do unto you, do ye also unto them.' " The house is
Jarg-e, and sufficient for the comfortable accommodation of 40 scholars. — Lewis.
Phenixville, which has grown up principally within the last ten years,
i« a smart manufacturing village, pleasantly situated along the hill-sides,
and in the valley of French cr., at its conHuence with the Schuylkill. It
contains a large cotton factory, belonging to Messrs. Smith & Uarrigues
of Philadelphia, erected in 1830-31 — the extensive iron works of Messr.s.
Ileeves & Whitaker, consisting of furnace, foundry, rolling-mill, and nail
factory, and giving employment to between 300 and 400 men. Anthra-
cite coal is successl'ully used here, in all the operations of making iron.
There is also the Chester Co. iron works and nail factory, but not now in
operation. An old flouring-mill was washed away in 1838. The Men-
nonists, who were the first settlers in the vicinity, have a church and
grave-yard here. In later years, the Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, and
Episcopalians have erected churches ; the latter editice is on the hill
overlooking the Schuylkill, and does great credit to the good taste of the
builders. The Reading railroad passes immediately in front of the vil-
lage, along the Schuylkill, crossing French cr. on a lattice bridge ; and a
short distance above the village passing through a dark tunnel, 2,043 feet
long, through solid rock. From this it emerges upon a splendid bridge
across the Schuylkill, consisting of four arches, each 72 feet span, of solid
stone masonry. Annexed is a view of the bridge and tunnel. A short
Railroad Bridge, near Phenixville.
canal connects the factories with the Schuylkill navigation on the oppo-
site side of the river. The population of the village is said to be about
1,000. The annexed view was taken from the opposite side of the
Schuylkill.
Where the village now stands, there were some 40 years since only 3
farm-houses ; and soon afterwards a saw-mill and grist-mill. About the
29
226
CHESTER COUNTY
Phcnixville.
year 1808, the great water-power of French cr. attracted more extensive
establishments, and a nail factory and rolling-mill were put into opera-
tion. These mills were first owned by Mr. Longstreth. Other proprie-
tors succeeded, among whom was Mr. Lewis Wernwag, the distinguished
architect of the celebrated wooden bridge at Fairmount, and of several
others in the U. S. In 1822, Jonah and George Thompson, of Philadel-
phia, purchased the site, and erected new works, founding them upon the
rock. Since the opening of the canal and railroad, the place has in-
creased rapidly.
Waynesburg is on the Downingtown and Harrisburg turnpike, 1 3 miles
from the former place, and 38 from Philadelphia. It contains a Metho-
dist church, some 50 or 60 houses, and between 200 and 300 inhabitants.
Among the other villages of Chesterco. the more prominent are New
London, Kennet Square] Cochranville,IJnionville, Sadsbury, Parksville,
Red Lion, Pughtown, Shi/garttown, &c. ' New London township is distin-
guished as the birthplace of Thomas McKean, a representative in the
early congress, many years chief-justice of the state, and nine years gov-
ernor. He was one of the most able statesmen in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Lewis gives the following facts in relation to the early settlement
of the southern townships : —
A considerable part of the land in New London, London Britain, East Nottingham, Pcnn. and
London Grove townships, was included in tlie grant made to the London Co., in the early days
of the province. The whole amount of land taken up by tliis company in Pennsylvania was
65,000 acres, 17,200 of which were in Chester co. The tract in Chester co. was mostly rented to
different persons, generally at the rate of 40 shillings per 100 acres. A small part was sold.
The heirs of the company becoming scattered after many years, the title to the lands became a
subject of dispute between the settlers and some new purchasers ; but the matter was finally com
promised amicably.
Newlin was first purchased by, and named after Nathaniel Newlin, an Irishman of good fani
ily. He himself settled in Concord, Delaware co.
New Garden. — This township was first settled by John Lowden, John Miller, Michael Light,
foot, James Starr, Thomas Garnet, and a few others, in 1712. The first of these was an emi-
nent preacher of the society of Friends, travelled much in the service of the ministry, and died
in 1714, universally beloved and regretted. John Miller built a mill on White Clay cr., long
known as the Old Mill, which did the grinding for the inhabitants many miles round, even as
far as Lancaster. This was the second establishment of the kind in the county. In those prim-
itive days, while the country was still covered with the forest, it is said that Miller's wife, having
CLARION COUNTY. 227
gone out one evening in pursuit of her cows, lost herself, and after wanderintr about for many hours, in
complete bewilderment, at length arrived at her own house, and begged for shelter and lodging, with-
out knowing where she was ; and so completely was her brain bewildered that it was a long time
before she was convinced of the identity of the place. The first settlers of this township divided
their farms by ditches, to prevent the ravages of the Indian fires. Many traces of the ditches
are still visible. The township took its name from the place whence Lowden emigrated.
London Grove. — The first settlements in this township were made in the year 1714, by Fran-
cis Swain, John Smith, Joseph Pennock, William Pusej% and some others. Richard Flower, Jer-
emiah Starr, William Downard, and James Ranfro, located themselves in 1720. Ranfro was a
great lover of hunting wild turkeys and other game. Isaac Jackson arrived from Ireland in 1725,
and took up the last vacant tract in the township. An old manuscript says, "While they (Jack-
son and his wife) were under exercise and concern of mind about so weighty an undcrtakingj and
desirous that the best wisdom should direct, Isaac had a dream or vision, to this import — that
having landed with his family in America, he travelled a considerable distance back into the
country, until he came to a vallcj^ through which ran a pretty stream of water. The prospect
and situation seemed pleasant — a hill rising on the north, and a fine spring issuing near its foot ;
and in his dream he thought tliat there he and his family must settle, tliougli then a wilderness
and unimproved. Isaac, having arrived at Jeremiah Starr's, on relating his dream as aforesaid,
Was informed of such a place near. He soon went to see it, which to his admiration so resem-
bled what he had a foresight of, that it was cause of gratitude and humble thankfulness." Here
he settled, and his posterity hold the tract to this day. The spring spoken of is now the centre
of one of the finest gardens in tlie state.
Nottingham. — A settlement was made in this township very early by William Brown, from
Northamptonshire, England — a man long noted for his benevolence and hospitality. Reynolds,
Underbill, and some other friends from England, became afterwards his neighbors. Some took
up their land under Penn, and some under Baltimore, as the boundary line was then undeter-
mined.
CLARION COUNTY.
Clarion is a new county, formed by the act of 11th March, 1839,
from parts of Armstrong and Venango, and organized for judicial
purposes in 1840. During the last eight or ten years, quite an impetus
had been given to the iron business, and several furnaces were put in
operation in the townships contiguous to the lower part of Clarion river.
The lumber business, too, was prosecuted with much vigor both upon
Clarion and Redbank rivers. A rapid increase in the population of these
townships was the natural consequence, and they soon found it for their
interest to have a county seat at a more convenient distance than either
Franklin or Kittanning.
Geo. B. Hamilton, Lindsay C. Pritner, and Robert Potter, were the
commissioners appointed to organize the co., and locate atnd lay out the
county seat. Average length of co. 25 m., breadth 24 ; area, 595 sq.
miles. Population in 1840, by estimate, about 9,500.
This region was first settled about the years 1801-2, by two different
bands of emigrants — one from Penn's valley, and the other from West-
moreland county. They numbered in all nearly one hundred. Those
from Westmoreland came in under the influence and patronage of Gen.
Craig of that county, to settle on what they supposed to be vacant land ;
but they were mistaken, and were afterwards compelled to purchase it
of the Bingham estate. Old Mr. James Maguire, living near Stratton-
ville, was from Westmoreland. The Youngs, Rose, Wilson, Corbit, Philip
Clover, and others, were early settlers.
The Clarion river, formerly called Toby's creek, a fine large stream,
^28
CLARION COUNTY,
passes directly through the centre of the co., within a mile of the county
seat. Redbank river forms the southern boundary. Both these streams
annually float a vast quantity of lumber from their branches and head-
waters in Jefferson county. Most of the land in the co. is adapted to
farming, and some of very good equality. That along the large rivers is*
deeply indented, and broken into precipitous hills ; but the general surface
between the large streams is gently undulating, presenting a fine soil,
with a heavy growth of white-oak timber. There are many fine farms
opened in different sections of the co. There are 7 furnaces in the co.
Iron ore is abundant. Coal is also found in many localities near the tops
of the hills — the outcroppings of the Pittsburg coal basin. All the fur-
naces, however, use charcoal, which is still abundantly supplied by the
new lands. The Great Western Iron- works, just out of Clarion co. in
Armstrong, makes use of coke exclusively ; and when the prejudices now
existing against the iron made in this way shall have been overcome, the
other works in the vicinity will probably come into the practice.
Supplied as Clarion county is most bountifully with water-power, iron
ore, bituminous coal, charcoal, and other resources for manufacturing,
together with a soil capable of sustaining a large manufacturing popula-
tion, it promises to become a wealthy and populous county.
Clarion, the county seat, was laid out by the commissioners in 1840.
It is situated on the Bellefonte and Meadville turnpike, 1 mile east of the
crossing of Clarion river. The land was the joint property of Gen. Levi
G. Clover, James P. Hoover. Peter Clover, jun. — heirs of Philip Clover
of Strattanvillc: — and Hon. Christian Myers. These gentlemen made a
donation of the town site to the co., on condition of receiving half the
proceeds from the sales of lots. Space for the county buildings and a pub-
lic square were reserved from sale. The courthouse is an elegant struc-
ture of brick, surmounted with a cupola ; and the county prison is very
neatly built of sandstone from the neighboring quarries. The land re-
Puhlic Square in Clarion.
served for a public square was shaded with a beautiful grove of oaks,
part of the original forest, — but it was compelled to bow to the axe of mo
CLARION COUNTY. 229
tlern improvement. The borough is laid out along both sides of the turn-
pike leading from Bellefonte to Meadville, about a mile east from where
it crosses the Clarion river. The neatness and good taste which mark
both the private and public buildings, and a brisk air of enteqirise along
the street, make a favorable impression upon the traveller. There is a
spacious academy of brick at the eastern end of the village. Presbyte-
rian, Methodist, and Baptist churches are organized, and the Catholics
are about organizing ; but none have hitherto erected a house of wor-
ship.
Like all new places which spring suddenly into being with a promise
of great advantages, Clarion was pushed forward perhaps with a little
too great rapidity. Merchants, mechanics, tavern-keepers, and profes-
sional men, flocked to it in crowds, all eager for their share of patronage
and profit from the new county. It was soon ascertained that all could
not be satisfied, and some retired, leaving the place to acquire a more
healthy growth, as it is now doing, with the natural development of the
resources of the county.
Strattanville, on the turnpike, three miles east of Clarion, was laid
out by Mr. John Strattan, from New Jersey, about the year 1830, It has
until recently been the principal place of business for an extensive circle
of thriving farmers. There is a Methodist church in the place, and a
Presbyterian church within a short distance.
Shippensville is also on the turnpike, seven miles west of Clarion. It
was laid out in 1826 by Judge Shippen of Meadville. The Lutherans
have just completed the only church in the place. It is a place of con-
siderable business.
Carlesville is a small village on the right bank of Licking creek, just
above the township line, between Redbank and Toby townships.
Greenville is situated near the head of Piney creek, on the right bank,
about a mile northwest of the Olean road.
Callensburg is on the right bank of Licking creek, at its mouth.
The following incident occurred at Brady's bend, at the southwestern
corner of the county. Possibly the narrow defile may have been across
the river, within the limits of Armstrong co. The narrative is copied
from the numbers by Kiskiminetas in the Blairsville Record.
The incursions of the Indians had become so frequent, and their outrages so alarming, that it
was thought advisable to retaliate upon them the injuries of war, and carry into the country oc-
cupied by them the same system of destructive warfare with which they had visited the settle,
ments. For this purpose an adequate force was provided, under the immediate command of
Gen. Broadhead, the command of the advance guard of which was confided to Capt. Samuel
Brady.
The troops proceeded up the Allegheny river, and had arrived at the flat of land near the
mouth of Redbank creek, now known by the name of Brady's bend, without encountering an
enemy. Brady and his rangers were some distance in front of the main body, as their duty re-
quired, when they suddenly discovered a war party of Indians approaching them. Relying on
the strength of the main body, and its ability to force the Indians to retreat, — and anticipating,
as Napoleon did in the battle with the Mamelukes, that when driven back they would return upon
the same route they had advanced on, — Brady permitted them to proceed without hindrance, and
hastened to seize a narrow pass higher up the river, where the rocks, nearly perpendicular, ap-
proach the river, and where a few determined men might successfully combat superior numbers.
In a short time the Indians encountered the main body under Broadhead, and were driven back.
In full and swift retreat they pressed on to gain the pass between the rocks and the river, but it
was occupied by their daring and relentless foe, Brady and liis rangers, who failed not to pour
into their flying columns a most destructive fire.
230 CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
" At once there rose so wild a yell
Witliin that dark and narrow dell,
As if the fiends from heaven that fell
Had pealed the banner-cry of hell !
Forth from the pass in tumult driven,
Like chaff before the winds of heaven,
The savages appear ;
For life ! for life ! their flight they ply —
For shriek, and shout, and battle-cry
Are maddening in the rear."
Indeed, I have been told by an officer in the American army, who is no stranger to IndiaJl
battles, that Walter Scott's description of the battle of " Beal An Duine," from which I have
ventured to make the above extract, would suit very well for that of any battle with the Indians,
by changing a few names, and substituting plumes for bonnets, bayonets for spears, and so forth.
Be that as it may, the Indians on this occasion were broken, routed, and forced to jiunp into the
river. Many were killed on the bank, and many more in the stream. Our aged friend Corn-
planter, chief of the Senecas, then a young man, saved hunself by swimmmg, as did several
others of the party.
After they had crossed the river, as Brady was standing on the bank wiping his rifle, an In-
dian, exasperated at the unexpected defeat and disgraceful retreat of his party, and supposing
himself now safe from the well-known and abhorred enemy of his race, commenced a species of
conversation with him in broken English which we call blackguarding — calling Brady and his
men cowards, squaws, and the like, and putting himself in such attitudes as he probably thought
would be most expressive of his utter contempt of them.
When Brady had cleaned his rifle and loaded it, he sat down by an ash sapling, and taking
sight about three feet above the Indian, fired. As the gun cracked the Indian was seen to shrink
a little, and then limp off. When the main army arrived, a canoe was manned, and Brady and a
few men crossed to where the Indian had been seen. They found blood on the ground, and had
followed it but a short distance till the Indian jumped up, struck his breast, and said, " I am a
man." It was Brady's wish to take him prisoner without doing him further harm. The Indian
continued to repeat, " I am a man." " Yes," said an Irishman who was along, " by J s,
you're a purty boy" — and before Brady could arrest the blow, sunk his tomahawk in the In-
dian's brains.
The army moved onward, and after destroying all the Indians' corn, and ravaging the Kenjua
flats, returned to Pittsburg.
CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
Clearfield county was taken from Lycoming, by the act of 26th March,
1804. In 1805 it was placed provisionally under the charge of the com-
missioners of Centre co. In 1812 the county elected its own commission-
ers; and by the act of 29th .January, 1822, was fully organized for judi-
cial purposes. In April, 1823, a small triangular piece taken from Ly-
coming was attached to the eastern side of the county. A part of the
new county of Elk has been taken from this county in 1843. Length 45
m., breadth 32; area 1,425 .sq. m. Population in 1810, 875; in 1820,
2,342 ; in 1830, 4,803; and in 1840, 7,834.
This county is situated behind the Allegheny mountain, on the sources
of the West branch of the Susquehanna. Its surface is exceedingly
mountainous and broken, yet no long and distinct ranges can be traced
entirely through the county. The ranges are broken into innumerable
irregular spurs, deeply indented by the streams.
The county is watered by the West branch of the Susquehanna, here
comparatively a small stream ; Chest cr., Clearfield cr., Mushannon cr.,
branches of the Susquehanna ; and Bennett's branch of the Sinnemahon
CLEARFIELD COUNTY. 23.
ing. Several branches of the Allegheny have their sources within the
county, west of Elk mountain.
The soil varies with the surface of the county : the alluvial bottoms
of the valleys are rich ; the undulating uplands make excellent grazing
farms, and where limestone strata prevail, approach the fertility of the al-
luvial lands. Coal, iron, fire-brick clay, and other minerals abound. The
coal is said to be of superior quality, and while the projects were under
consideration for extending the state improvements into this region, great
anticipations were indulged that coal would form a prominent article of
export. Without such facilities the cost of transportation would exhaust
the profits long before it reached a market. A large furnace and iron-
works were established at Karthauss on the West Branch ; but their op-
erations are now suspended. Lumbering still constitutes the main busi-
ness of the inhabitants, and agriculture has hitherto been only a second-
ary pursuit. The hird times, however, have wrought a favorable change
in this respect ; and the people of Clearfield are opening their lands, and
discovering that farming, if not a quicker, is at least a surer way to get
rich than sawing and rafting, or even making iron. The turnpike from
Belle fonte to Meadville crosses the Susquehanna at Curwensville. An-
other turnpike has recently been constructed, with part of the bonus of
the U. S. Bank, through Clearfield town, connecting with the Milesburg
and Smethport road, which passes through the northeastern portion of
the county.
The county is still but partially settled, the population in 1840 being
only 5 to the square mile. The inhabitants are chiefly from other parts
of the state, but there are several distinct colonies of Yankees, Germans,
and French. Until near the close of the last century, Clearfield co. re-
mained an unbroken wilderness, with the exception perhaps of here and
there an Indian cornfield. Indian trails, connecting the great eastern and
western waters, crossed the mountains in various directions. There was
a trail towards Fort Venango, another towards Kittanning, and one
towards the sources of Sinnemahoning.
In the summer of 1772, a remarkable company of pilgrims, 240 indi-
viduals, of all ages, crossed the Allegheny mountains from Bald Eagle cr.,
and reached some one of the branches of the Allegheny, on their way to the
Ohio. They were the Moravian missionaries, with their families, and
the Christian Indians from Wyalusing and Sheshequin, on the North
Branch. They had with them their children and children's children,
their household goods, cattle, and hor.ses. What a wilderness for such a
multitude to penetrate, with no other road than an Indian trail ! (See
Bradford co.)
The following facts were gathered from respectable citizens of the
county : —
On the site of the present county seat, there was an old Indian town by the name of Chinkla-
camoose, or, as some have it, Chinklacamoose'' s old-town. Clearfield was for many years called
Oldtown, and is still by many of the older settlers. A small stream north of the town still re-
tains the name of Chinklacamoose cr., though sometimes shortened to 'Moose cr. The Seneca
Indians of Complanter's elan used often to hunt around Chinklacamoose.
Arthur Bell, Daniel Ogdcn, and Paul Clover, were among the first white settlers in the county.
Clover settled at Curwensville. In 179C Gen. Elllcott located the Susquehanna and Waterford
turnpike, leading from Curwensville, past Fort Franklin and Meadville, to Waterford. In 1797
the road was opened.
232
CLEARFIELD COUNTY.
Arthur Bell and Daniel O^den, witli liis son Matthew, then a lad of IS, canio up tho West
branch in tlio spring; of 17!)(), bringiiiii' witli them the simple tool.s of tlie ])i()neer, with a few po-
tatoes and seeds for their first, crop. I5ell settled a lew miles above Clearlield ; Ofrdeii near the
mouth of ('hinklacanu)ose creek, where, alter a year or two, he hnilt the first mill in the county.
They suHcrcd various trials and liardships in o|)cuinsj their now homes. Provisions were very
scarce, and the nearest settlement was at Bald Eafjle, about 1-10 miles by water; nothing of any
weijrht could be bron<;ht by Itnul. Mr. Bell was at one time compelled to ti'avel this whole dis-
tance to fret a plough point repaired ; |)oling his canoe patiently up the stream, loaded with his
irons, and some pmvisions, his provisions by some accident were wet ; the first time he Tised his
plou'i-h, the point broke ag-ain, and his toilsome journey was in vain. For some time luHore the
mill was built, they i)ouiKled their corn in mortars. 'I'heir route by land was the ohl Indian path
across the mountains by the iSnow-shoe camp to INlilesburg. Mr. Ogden once travelled this
route in winter with snow-shoes, requirinjj 2 1-2 days to reach Milesburir, 33 miles.
Amonjor the older residents was John Hell, a brother of Arthur. He had been an old revolu-
tionary «)ldier, and when the conflict was over he sought an asylum with his brother. From his
very diminutive size he connnonly bore the name of .lohnny Bell. From the force of military
habits, or for fear of losin<r the art of tight ing; by disuse, he used to have an occasional (piarrel
with the friendly Indians about the settlement, ami usually came oft' triumphant. In a frolic of
this sort two of them attempted to drown him, but he came very near drowning both of them.
Beinir an old bachelor, he was rather whimsical, and would sometimes get in a pet ; in some
such mood he once quit his brother's house, and encamped in the woods, deternuned to remain
there ; but (ireenwood Bell, his nephew, one day made him a call at his camp, ])icked the little
fellow up, slunir him over ids shoulder, and tuted him off home, where he was afterwards content-
ed to remain.
Cle.vrfielo, the county seat, was laid out by commissioners under the
act of 4th April, 1805, oil lands of Abraham Witmer, Esq., a resident of
Paradise, in Lancaster co. The lirst settlers in and about the town -were
Robert Collins, who came in 1807, the widow Leath(>rs, the Valentines,
Andrew Bowers, Abraham Leonard, our jovial host old John Cuyler, and
a few others. Mr. Witmer still holds about 500 acres contiguous to the
town. Clearfield is a smart, improving place, pleasantly situated on a
broad plain by the side of the Susquehainia, and imbosomed among the
hills. The annexed view was taken from the Curwensville roatl, west of
the river.
Clearfield.
The town contains a brick courthouse and county offices, a jail of
stone, an academy. Catholic, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches. A
bridge here crosses the Susquehanna. A turnpike road recently com-
pleted enables the stages between Bellcibnte and Erie to pass through
CLEARFIELD COUNTY. 233
the town. Mr. Rol)ert Shaw has an extensive flourinj^ and himber mill
near town, on Chinklacamoose creek. Population in 1810, about 300-
CuRvvENsviLLE is a busy little place on the Susquehanna, about six miles
southwest of Clearfield, on the Belleibnte and Meadville turnpike. It
was named after John Curwen, Esq., of Montgomery co., who was pro-
prietor of the land, but was never settled here. Paul Clover was the first
settler, and kept a tavern here about the year '98 or 1800. The village
contains some 30 or 40 houses and stores, and one or two churches. A
fine substantial bridge has just been erected here (in 1842) across the
»Susquehanna. Curwensville is quite a lively place during the lumbering
season on the creeks above.
Karthauss is situated on the West branch of the Susquehanna, at the
mouth of Little Mushannon creek. It derives its name from Peter Kar-
thauss, Esq., of Baltimore, who estal:)lished a furnace here about the year
1820, and carried it on for some years with success. There is a very am-
ple water-power here. In 1836 a company purchased the works and ex-
pended upon them about S80,000, but were not equally successful with
the former owner. Their works were managed with coke, and were ca-
pable of making 100 tons per week. About the year 1840, their opera-
tions were suspended by the fluctuations of the times.
Caledonia is a recent settlement of New Yorkers and New England
men, in the northern part of the county, at the confluence of Trout run
with Bennett's branch of the Sinnemahoning. The road from Milesburg
and Karthauss to vSmethport passes through the place, and another road
runs northwest to Ridgeway.
LuTHERSBURG is a Small German settlement on the turnpike, 10 miles
N. W. of Curwensville. The land in the vicinity is rolling, and of good
quality. There is a deposit of limestone not far from the place.
MouNTPLEASANT is a Small village in the southern end of the county, on
the road between Phillipsburg and Ebensburg. Not far from this place,
in the forks of Clearfield cr., just south of the Cambria line, are the re-
mains of an ancient circular fortification, the banks of which are four
or five feet high, and overgrown with large trees. Clear-fields, or open
patches of prairie, apparently the site of some ancient cornfields, were
ibund in this vicinity ; hence the name Clearfield.
On the left bank of the West branch of Susquehanna, below the mouth
of Trout run, a colony of Frenchmen, from Normandy and Picardy, set-
tled themselves about the year 1835 or '36. It was a wonder how they
should have selected so secluded a spot, since there were previously no
French within a hundred miles. The explanation of the phenomenon shows
by what singular and apparently trifling causes the destinies of whole com-
munities may be affected. Some person failed in Philadelphia, in debt to a
merchant in Paris. Mr. Keating, his agent in Philadelphia, took land on
the West Branch to settle the debt. The Paris merchant, by means of a
German agent, to make his lands available, induced a number of families
to emigrate to these particular lands ; they induced others, until they
number some 40 or 50 families. Thus the failure of a Philadelphia mer-
chant planted a little French colony in the wilds of the upper Susque-
hanna. They have not increased much of late years, the reports of their
success not having been sufficiently favorable to induce further emigra-
tion.
30
234 CLINTON COUNTY.
CLINTON COUNTY.
Clinton county is of recent origin, having been separated from Ly-
coming and Centre by the act of 1839. Bald Eagle, Lamar, and Logan
townships were taken from Centre, the others from Lycoming. The co.
forms an irregular figure, about .50 miles long and 20 wide, with an area
of about 1,070 square miles. The population in 1820 (by estimate) was
3,894 ; by the census in 1840, 8,323. It comprises an important portion
of the West Branch valley, including the mouths of the Sinnemahoning
and Bald Eagle creeks, and of several minor tributaries. In the lower
part of the co. the W. Branch of the Susquehanna breaks through the
great Allegheny mountain, which at this point seems to lose much of its
loftiness, as if in courtesy to the beautiful stream. The Bald Eagle
mountain, a remarkably straight and distinct ridge, runs close along the
right bank of Bald Eagle cr. and the W. Branch. The valleys of these
streams below the mountains contain lands that for beauty and fertility
will compare with any in the state. Northwest of the mountains, and
on the headlands of the streams, the valleys are narrow, the surface
broken and precipitous, and the soil but of middling quality, being com-
posed of the conglomerates and sandstones skirting the great coal forma-
tion. The Allegheny mountain forms the eastern limit of that formation,
the coal bearing rocks reposing upon the coarse conglomerate that forms
the bold eastern front of that mountain throughout the state. This part
of the CO. will probably never be settled by a dense population. Scat-
tered settlements of farmers, miners, and lumbermen exist at intervals
along the margin of the river and on the tributary valleys.
On Queens and Lick run, and on the Tangascootac, seams of coal have
been found of excellent quality, together with a thick bed of fire-brick
clay. Iron ore, also, and limestone occur, but not in quantity and quality
to justify exploration. The ores and limestone for the great furnace at
Farrandsville were brought from other counties. The numerous streams
of this CO., tumbling down as they do along the ravines of the moun-
tains, furnish an ample amount of water-power. The co. is still but
thinly settled in proportion to its area ; the greater proportion of the popu-
lation is concentrated at the lower end.
In 1768, the treaty of Fort Stanwix conveyed to the proprietary govern-
ment all the country on both sides of the West Branch, — certainly as far
up as Lycoming cr., and the fair-play men said as far as Pine cr., — and
thence all the country upward on the south side of the river to its ex-
treme southwestern source, &c. The Sinnemahoning and W. Branch
had constituted one of the great routes by which the hostile parties of the
Senecas descended upon the infant settlements on the frontier ; and the
route was equally familiar to the scouts and spies of the whites, by means
of their frequent excursions to cut off parties of Indians. The fertile
lands of the W. Branch did not escape the observation of these men.
At the first return of quiet, subsequent to the treaty, a set of hardy
pioneers, trusting more to their rifles and their bravery than to the feeble
institutions of the province for protection, boldly pushed their settlements
as far up as the mouth of Bald Eagle, £|,nd took up the choice lands of the
CLINTON COUNTY. 235
valley. Previous to the revolution, Gen. James Potter made an excursion
in search of lands up the W. Branch, thence up Bald Eagle to Logan's
Branch, where he crossed the Nittany mountain, and first set his eyes
upon Penn's valley, afterwards his home. Clinton co. at that time was
comprised in Bald Eagle township of Northumberland co. When the
committee of safety for that co. was formed at the opening of the reve-
lution, Thomas Hewes, Wm. Dunn, and Alexander Hamilton were ap-
pointed committee-men from Bald Eagle township. This was in Feb. 177G.
Mr. Dunn owned the Big island, and Avas probably living on or near it
at the time. It was not included in the treaty, but he had purchased it
from an Indian for a suit of clothes ; it would now clothe a regiment.
This island is a conspicuous landmark in the tales of the early borderers.
After the treaty of 1708, Richard Penn made a grant to Dr. Francis Alli-
son of the splendid tract of land at the confluence of Bald Eagle cr.
Judge Fleming and the M'Cormicks, who were among the earliest settlers
on the tract, were heirs of Dr. Allison. Wm. Reed, the father of the pre-
sent aged Mr. Thomas Reed, had a cabin on the site of Lock Haven pre-
vious to 1778. His neighbors at that time were, 'Squire Fleming and
Col. Cooksey Long, with their families, and one of the M'Cormicks, a
young man just married. They had a small stockade fort, or a block-
house, for the protection of the settlement, at which Col. Long commanded.
Horn's fort was on the right bank of the river, below Chatham's run ;
Antes' fort was also on the right bank, at the head of Nippenose bottom.
Late in the fall of '77, Job Gilloway, a friendly Indian, intimated that a
powerful descent of marauding Indians might be expected before long
upon the head-waters of the Susquehanna ; and near the close of that
season the Indians killed a settler by the name of Saltzburn, oni the Sin-
nemahoning, and Dan Jones, at the mouth of Tangascootac. In the sum-
mer of 1778, the officer in command at Fort Augusta (Sunbury) ordered
all the families on the W. Branch to abandon their homes, and repair
for protection to Northumberland. The flight which followed in obedi-
ence to this order, is known in the traditions of the W. Branch as the big
runaway. A more detailed account of it will be found under Lycoming
county.
All the old settlers on the Susquehanna are familiar with the names
of Moses and Jacobus Van Campen, or, as they were usually called, Moses
and 'Cobus Van Camp. Major Moses Van Campen was still living at
Dansville, N. Y., in 1838, when he petitioned congress for a pension. His
petition records deeds of heroism rarely equalled.
The following passages relate to this region : —
" My first service was in the year 1777, when I served three months under Col. .John Kelly, who
stationed us at Big island, on the West branch of the Susquehanna. Nothing particular trans-
pired during that time; and in Marcii, 1778, I was appointed lieutenant of a company of six-
months' men. Shortly afterwards I was ordered by Col. Samuel Hunter to proceed, with about
20 men, to Fishing cr., on the North branch of Susquehanna, to build a fort." (See Columbia co.
and Bradford co.)
"In Feb. 1781, 1 was promoted to a lieutenancy, and entered upon the active duty of an officer
by heading scouts ; and as Capt. Robinson was no woodsman nor marksman, he preferred that I
should encounter the danger and head the scouts. We kept up a constant chain of scouts around
the frontier settlements, from the North to the West branch of the Susquehanna, by the way of
the head-waters of Little Fishing cr., Chillisquake, Muncy, &c. In the spring of 1781, we
built a fort on the widow M'Clure's plantation, called M'Clure's fort, where our provisions were
stored. In the summer of 1781, a man was taken prisoner in Buffalo valley, but made his es
cape. He eame in and reported there were about 300 Indiana on Sinnemahoning, hunting and
236 CLINTON COUNT V.
laying in a store of provisions, and would make a descent on the frontiers ; Ihat they wouM di-
vide into small parties, and attack the whole chain of the frontier at the same time, on the same
day. Col. Samuel Hunter selected a company of five to reconnoitre, viz. : Capt. Campell, Peter
and Michael Groves, Lieut. C'ramer, and myself. The party was called tlie Grove party. We
carried with us three weeks' provisions, and proceeded up tlie West Branch with much caution
and care. We reached the Sinnemahoning-, but made no discovery except old tracks. We
marched up the Sinnemahoninjj so far that we were satisfied it was a false report. We returned ^
and a little below the .Sinneniulioning, near ni^ht, we discovered a smoke. We were confident
it was a party of Lidians, which we must have passed by, or they g-ot there some other way.
We discovered there was a large party — how many we could not tell — but prepared for the at-
tack."
" As soon as it was dark we new-primed our rifles, sharpened our flints, exannined our tomfahawk
handles ; and all being ready, we waited with great impatience till they all lay down. The
time came, and with tiie utmost silence we advanced, trailed our rifles in one hand, and the tom-
ahawk in the otlier. The night was warm : we found some of them rolled in tiieir blankets a
rod or two from their fires. Having got amongst them, we first handled our tomahawks. They
rose like a dark cloud. We now fired our shots, and raised the war-yell. They took to flight in
tlie utmost confusion, but few taking time to pick up their rifles. We remained masters of the
ground and all their plunder, and took several scalps. It was a party of 25 or 30, which had
been as low down as Penn's cr., and had killed and scalped two or three families. We found
several scalps of diffcTent ages which they had taken, and a large quantity of domestic cloth,
which was carried to Northumberland and given to the distressed who had escaped the toma-
hawk and knife. In Dec. 1781, our company was ordered to Lancaster. We descended the
river in Ijoats to Middletown, where our orders were countermanded, and we were ordered to
Reading, Berks cc, where we were joined by a part of the third and fifth Pennsylvania regi.
ments, and a company of the Congress regiment. We took charge of the Hessians taken pris-
oners with Gen. Burgoyne. In the latter part of March, at the opening of the campaign in 1782,
we were ordered by congress to our respective stations. I marched Robinson's company to
Northumberland, where Mr. Thomas Chambers joined us, who had been recently commissioned
as an ensign of our company. W^e halted at Northumberland two or three days, for our men to
wash and rest. From thence Ensign Chambers and myself were ordered to Muncy, Samuel
Wallis's plantation, there to make a stand and rebuild Fort Muncy, which had been destroyed by
the enemy. We reached that station, and built a small blockhouse for the storage of our provi-
sions. About the 10th or 11th of April, Capt. Robinson came on with Esq. Culbertson, James
Dougherty, William M'Grady, and a Mr. Barkley. I was ordered to select 20 or 25 men with
these gentlemen, and to proceed up the West Branch to the Big island, and thence up the Bald
Eagle cr. to the place where a Mr. Culbertson had been killed. On the 15th of April, at night,
we reached the place, and encamped for the night. On the morning of the 16th we were attacked
by 85 Indians. It was a hard-fougiit battle. Esq. Culbertson and two others made their escape.
I think we had nine killed, and the rest of us were made prisoners. We were stripped of all
our clotliing excepting our pantaloons. When they took oft' my shirt they discovered my com-
mission. Our commissions were written on parchment, and carried in a silk case hung with a
ribbon in our bosom. Several got hold of it ; and one fellow cut the ribbon with his knife, and suc-
ceeded in obtaining it. They took us a little distance from the battle-ground, and made the pris-
oners sit down in a small ring ; the Indians fonning another around us in close order, each with
his rifle and tomahawk in his liand. They brought up five Indians we had killed, and laid them
within their circle. Each one reflected for himself — our time would probably be short ; and re-
specting myself, looking back upon the year 1780, at the party I had killed, if I was discovered
to be the person, my case would be a hard one. Their prophet, or chief warrior, made a speech
As I was informed afterwards by the British lieutenant, who belonged to the party, he was con-
sulting the Great Spirit what to do with the prisoners — whether to kill us on the spot, or spare
our lives. He came to the conclusion that there iiad been blood enough shed ; and as to the men
they had lost, it was the fate of war, and we must be taken and adopted into the families of those
whom we had killed. We were th^n divided amongst them, according to the nundier of fires.
Packs were prepared i'or us, and they returned across the river, at Big iskmd, in bark canoes.
They then made their way across hills, and came to Pine cr., aliove tlie first forks, wliich they
followed up to the third fork, and took the most northerly branch to the head of it — and thence
to the waters of the (Jenesee river."
Van Campen and his fellow-prisoners were marched through Ihe Indian villages. Some were
adopted, to make up the loss of those killed in tlip action. Van Cnmpen passed through all their
villages undiscovered ; neither was it known that he had been a prisoner before, and only effected
his escape by killing the party, until he had been delivered up to the British at Fort Niagara.
As soon as his name was made known, it became public among the Indians. They immediately
demanded him of the British officer, and offered a number of prisoners in exchange. The com-
mander on the station sent forthwith an officer to examine him. He stated the facts to the offi-
cer concerning his killing the party of savages. The officer replied that his case was desperate.
CLINTON COUNTY. 237
Van Campen observed that he considered liimself a prisoner of war to the British ; that he thought
they possessed more honor than to dehver him up to the Indians to be burnt at the stake ; and in
case they did, they might depend upon a retahation in the Hfe of one of their otHcers. The offi-
cer withdrew, but shortly returned and informed liim that there remained no alternative for him
to save his life but to abandon the rebel cause and join the British standard. A f'lrtlier induce-
ment was offered, that he should hold the same rank in the British service that he i«w possessed.
The answer of Van Campen was worthy the hero, and testified that the heart of the patriot never
quailed under the most trying circumstances : " No, sir, no — my life belongs to my country ; give
me ike stake, the tomahawk, or the scalping-knife, before I will dishonor the character of
an American officer .'"
In a few days Van Campen was sent down the lake to JMontreal, and
afterwards exchanged, when he returned to the service of his country.
After the peace of 1783 with Great Britain, the settlers in the Bald
Eagle country returned with more confidence and in greater numbers.
Gen. Potter had been engaged, during the revolution, in the campaigns
with Gen. Washington, in the lower country. After the peace, it appears
from documents still in possession of the family, he came up the West
Branch, as agent and surveyor, in the employ ol" a company of land spec-
ulators, consisting of Col. Timothy Pickering, Tench Coxe, Ingraham, and
Hodgdon. Their instructions to him refer to the intended introduction
of a colony of settlers at some point not mentioned : they speak of al-
lowing the choice of 200 acres, at a fair price, to the first person who
would build a saw-mill — set apart lands for a minister, church, &c., with
the hope that it might entice a moral class of settlers — and speak of a
road to be made "from second fork of Sinnemahoning to the centre of
the settlement," &c. This was after the second treaty of Fort Stanwix,
in 1784, which ceded all the northwestern section of the state. Where
this new settlement was to be made, whether in Clinton or some more
remote county, the papers do not show.
In 1794 Mr. William Dunn laid out Dunnstown, in the hope that it
might become the county seat of the new county of Lycoming, erected
in 1795. At the close of the last century, quite a numerous population
had already gathered into Bald Eagle valley and its vicinity. At that
date Bald Eagle and Potter townships of Centre co. numbered 1,534, and
Bald Eagle and Pine Creek townships of Lycoming co., respectively 697
and 706 ; out of which probably 1,500 would fall within the present lim-
its of Clinton co. The old Presbyterian church, near Lock Haven, was
erected about that time.
Lock Haven, the county seat, occupies a charming site on the right
bank of the Susquehanna, two miles above the confluence of the Bald
Eagle. The beautiful plain upon which the town is built extends across
the point between the two streams. Both the town and the county owe
their existence to the enterprise and perseverance of Jeremiah Church,
Esq. In the year 1833 he purchased the site, at that time a large corn-
field, and laid out the town in 1834, The long dam across the Susque-
hanna, and the cross-cut connecting the West Branch with the Bellefonte
canal, were constructed in 1833-34. The town acquired at once a vig-
orous growth, and continued to progress with the impetus of the public
works, and the anticipation of its being the future county seat. In the
mean time Mr. Church bent all his endeavors to procure the establishment
of the county — an achievement of no small magnitude, considering the
diverse interests to be reconciled. Even after the establishment of the
county he had to contend against powerful interests, and the combined
238
CLINTON COUNTY
Lock HaveUi
influence of men of great talent and high standing in the community,
who desired a different location for the county seat. At length, in 1839,
his exertions were crowned with success.
The first county commissioners were Col. Kleckner, Hugh White, and
Robert Bridgens. Mr. Church made a liberal donation of land for the
public buildings, a few squares back from the river ; upon which there
has just been completed an elegant courthouse of brick, ornamented with
a cupola, and a colonnade in front. Near the courthouse is the office of
Mr. Church, elevated upon posts set in the ground, with a gallery round
it. It is a unique and original piece of architecture, quite characteristic
of the owner.
In addition to the county buildings, the place contains 80 or 100 dwell-
ings, including stores and taverns ; an academy, endowed by the state
with $2,000 ; a large steam flouring and saw mill ; and, to use the wor-
thy founder's expression, " two meeting-houses and one Churcli ;" the
meeting-houses being Presbyterian and Methodist : the church rather in-
clines to the independent order. The dwellings display great neatness
and taste ; the hotels are spacious and well kept. The principal busi-
ness street extends along the river bank, and is shaded with the stately
elms of the primitive forest. Much credit is due to Mr. Church for hav-
ing preserved these trees, in laying out the town. Most town-makers
would have commenced operations by levelling them to the ground. Mr.
Church has built a curious rookery 10 or 15 feet from the ground, under
the shade of these elms, in which, with his friends, to smoke his cigar and
read his newspaper in the long summer afternoons, and watch the pas-
sage of the boats and rafts, and the gentle flow of the lovely Susquehan-
na. By the construction of the state dam the river is here expanded to
a capacious basin. The West Branch canal is completed as far as this
point ; and only five miles remain to be finished to complete a canal com-
munication with Bellefonte. A long chute, walled with timber, permits
the numerous rafts of the upper Susquehanna to pass the dam. On the
side near the town an ample power may be used from the river. It is
CLINTON COUNTY. 239
not yet improved. The scenery around is romantic and picturesque.
Looking down the Susquehanna may be seen one of the most luxuriant
valleys in the state, with the river and canals meandering through it, the
high mountains stretching in long perspective on either side, and the
landscape softened and enriched with the foliage of the graceful locust
or acacia trees. In the other direction the towering crests of the Alle-
gheny and the Bald Eagle mountains shut in the landscape, imparting
grandeur and sublimity to the scene. ,
Lock Haven already furnishes a desirable residence, and evidently has
the elements of becoming a flourishing town.
Opposite Lock Haven, several large houses and stores are built along
the river bank, to which the name of Lockport is given. A steep hill
rising immediately in the rear, prevents the extension of the village. A
mile or two below, this hill recedes with a gentle slope, upon which
DuNNSTowN is situated. It was laid out, as before stated, in 1794, by
Mr. Wm. Dunn, and was soon afterwards a competitor with Williams-
port for the county seat of Lycoming. It contains about 20 or 30 dwell-
ings, stores, taverns, &c.
While the dam near this place was in progress of erection, a serious
riot occurred between the Irish laborers, principally Corkonians, and the
German laborers from Mahantango, who were boating stone for the dam.
There were some black eyes and flesh wounds exchanged on the occa-
sion, and one or two men were wounded with shot guns. Major Colt's
shantee was torn down, and he had like to have been beaten to death,
but for the interference of an Irishman who protected him. Capt. Hun-
ter Wilson's company of horse, and other companies, assembled and re-
stored quiet.
Mill Hall is a smart manufacturing village on Fishing cr., just below
the wild gorge through which it passes Bald Eagle mountain. It was
started by Mr. Nathan Harvey, who built a saw-mill there in 1802. It
now contains a forge, furnace, stores, taverns, Methodist church, &c.
Farrandsville is, or was, a busy manufacturing village nestled among
the mountains at the mouth of Lick run, on the left bank of the Susque-
hanna, seven miles above Lock Haven. It had its origin in the specula-
tive fever of 1830-'36, and is but one of many similar monuments in
Pennsylvania of the misdirected enterprise of those times. It was start-
ed in the winter of 1831 -'32, by Mr. Wm. P. Farrand, a gentleman from
Philadelphia of high scientific attainments, acting as agent for a compa-
ny of heavy capitalists in Boston. At that time the spot was only ac-
cessible by a horse-path at low water. Mr. F. broke a path into the
mountains through snow three feet in depth, returning every night nearly
three miles to a cabin for his food and lodging. On one occasion he was
shut in by ice, and provisions were sent to him ; he passed many nights
in the hills in snow and rain without shelter, and was more than once
roused by the screams of a panther. The object of Mr. F. was to dis-
cover and open the bituminous coal beds at this point, with a view to the
extensive shipment of the article to the lower markets ; and to carry on
the various manufactures of iron, lumber, &c., appropriate to the loca-
tion. The iron ore and limestone, however, had to be transported from
points in the lower valley of the Susquehanna. A little steamboat was
constructed for towing the coal up and down the river, and for some time
240 COLUMBIA COUNTY.
she went puffing along the valley. Mr. F., however, having other en
gagements near Williamsport, let't the establishment, and other agents
were from time to time employed. A visitor to the place in 1835, thus
describes it :
The Lycoming Coal Company — the proprietors of Farrandsville — have a good farm of 200
acres, a sliort distance aboye the village ; and progressing up the river, the bottoms are more ex-
tensive, and settlements closer.
Lick run is a strong, steady stream. On it is erected a large nail establishment, capable of
manufacturing from the pig metal ten tons of nails per day : an air and cupola furnace, which
in the last six montlis have turned out nearly 300 tons of castings ; mills for sawing different
descriptions of Imiibcr, shingles, lath, t&c. ; an establishment for manufacturing railroad cars
on a large scale. There are now three veins of coal opening, and the shutes in ; 50 coal cars
finished, and in the best manner, and two miles of railroad, communicating with the different
mines and the basin, finished. One track of the road leads to the nail-works, which are calcu-
lated to consume 5,000 tons of coal per year. An extensive rolling-mill is in progress, and a fur-
nace for smelting iron ore with coke will be erected in a short time, immediately below the nail-
works. Farrandsville proper is situated on the Susquehanna ; on the mountain where the coal
mines have been opened, there are a number of buildings, where the miners and their families re-
side, with a street running between them town-fashion ; and at the foot of this mountain, at Lick
run, there are also large boarding-houses and habitations for artisans and their families. These
three separate towns, however, all belong to the community of Farrandsville, which contains a
large hotel, far advanced in the erection, two reputable taverns, three large boarding-houses, and
upwards of 90 tenements, each calculated to render a family entirely comfortable. Here are in-
exhaustible mines of iron, with the bituminous coal for smelting it, and all the elements for build-
ing up a manufacturing establishment capable of supplying iron in all its forms to our widely-
extended and populous country.
Operations were driven forward with great rapidity, something like
$700,000 having been expended by the company ; and to those who re-
gard only the surface of things, there was something surprising and grat-
ifying in seeing a large manufacturing village spring up thus in the wil-
derness. But whether all this could be done with profit to the owners does
not seem to have been considered. The proprietors in Boston at length
turned the key on their money-box, and sent out a keen Yankee iron-
master, whose science was ballasted with practical experience and strong
common sense, to take charge of the works. He looked over the grounds,
examined every thing carefully, took his slate and pencil and commenced
ciphering. He soon reported to the proprietors that there was no money
to be made ; and that their best course was to quit at once, and pocket
the loss. They took his advice.
There are several other small villages in this county ; among which
the more important are Salona, which is on the road to Bellefonte, not
far from Mill Hall, New Liberty, and Young Woman's town, on Young
Woman's creek.
COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Columbia county was taken from Northumberland by the act of 22d
March, 1813. It was subsequently enlarged on the west, in 1816, from
Northumberland CO. ; and in 1818 a small portion was cut off by the
formation of Schuylkill co. Length 25 miles, breadth 23 ; area, 574
sq. miles. The population of the co. in 1820, was 17,621 ; in 1830, 20,059 ;
in 1840, 24,267.
COLUMBIA COUNTY. 241
The CO. occupies a part of the Apalachian mountainous belt, between
the anthracite coal formations on the S. E. and the great Allegheny moun-
tain on the N. W. The mountain ranges of the co. are not very high,
and are much broken. Between them are broad fertile valleys of red
shale, or limestone. Little mountain, Catawissa, and Long mountain,
Montour's ridge, Mahoney ridge, Limestone ridge, and Knob mountain,
and the Muncy hills, are the principal elevations. Montour's ridge, which
touches the right bank of the Susquehanna at Danville, is remarkable for
the richness and abundance of its iron ores. Encircling Montour's ridge
on both sides, is a belt of blue limestone, which commences about two
miles W. of Berwick. This deposit is of immense value to the agricul-
tural interest of this co., as well as that of Luzerne, which is without any
extensive deposit of this rock.
The Susquehanna river crosses the co., entering at Berwick and leav-
ing at Danville. The other principal streams are Catawissa cr.. Roaring
cr.. Fishing and Mahoning creeks, tributaries of the North Branch of
Susquehanna, and the Chillisquaque cr., a tributary of the West Branch.
The soil varies from the richest river bottoms to the barren, rocky soil of
the mountains ; red shale, clay, and limestone lands prevail. Agriculture
is the chief occupation of the citizens : and the manufacture of iron is
next in importance. The Susquehanna is crossed by substantial bridges
at Danville, Catawissa, and Berwick. The North Branch canal passes
along the right bank of the Susquehanna.
The population of the co. is principally of German descent.
Danville, the seat of justice, is a pleasant and flourishing town situated
on the right bank of the Susquehanna, near the mouth of Mahoning cr.,
12 miles above Northumberland. The town is built on an elevated bank
of the river, and immediately behind it rises Montour's ridge, containing
one of the most valuable iron mines in the state. In addition to the usual
county buildings, the place contains an academy, Presbyterian, Episcopal,
and Methodist churches, and a Baptist congregation, which worships in
the courthouse. Across the Susquehanna there is a substantial bridge.
Population in 1840, about 1,000.
Danville, within a few years past, has become the site of several ex-
tensive manufactories of iron. At the foot of Montour's ridge is situated
the Montour Iron Works, an immense double furnace, erected and owned
by Col. Chambers. It is said to be the most complete and extensive
establishment of the kind in the U. S., and capable of making 10,000 tons
of pig metal per annum. In 1841-42, anthracite coal was successfully
used for making iron at this furnace on a large scale. No establishment
could be more conveniently situated. The inexhaustible mine is within
a stone's throw of the furnace. Limestone abounds in the vicinity. Boats
from the Penn. canal approach by a basin almost to the door of the fur-
nace, bringing the coal and taking away the iron ; and a rich agricultural
region supplies cheap food for the laborers. The splendid mansion of
Col. Chambers is on the rising ground at the foot of Montour's ridge,
commanding a fine view of the town, the river, and the magnificent sce-
nery of the valley.
The annexed view of Danville was taken near this point. A part of
Col. Chambers' house is seen in the foreground, on the right ; the large
double furnace just beyond it ; and to the left of that, the extensive
31
242
COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Danville.
foundry of Messrs. Heywood &; Snyder. There is another furnace near
the foot of Montour's ridge, also belonging to Col. Chambers. In town
is the Columbia furnace, owned by Mr. George Patterson, of Pottsville.
There are also in town two large foundries.
The following incidents in the early history of Danville were gathered
from one of the aged citizens of the place.
The land where Danville now stands was orig'inally taken up, or purchased, by Mr. Francis
and Mr. Peters, of Philadelphia. During the revolutionary war, but subsequent to the hottest
period of the contest, Capt. Montgomery, of Philadelphia — the father — and Col., afterward Gen.
Wm. Montgomery — the uncle — of Hon. Judge Montgomery, now living, resolved to come out
and settle on the Susquehanna, then a wild and dangerous frontier, still occasionally disturbed by
Indians. They purchased their farms at the mouth of Mahoning from one John Simpson. They
had but just entered upon the hardships of frontier life, when the storm of savage warfare de-
scended upon Wyoming. The Montgomerys, just retired from the campaigns of the revolution,
were no strangers to the alarms of Indian warfare ; but i\Irs. ^lontgoniery had been reared amid
the security and luxury of Philadelphia, and became so terrified in anticipation of being mur
dered by savages, that her husband was prevailed upon to remove with her, and her little son,
now the judge, to Northumberland, where the settlements were protected by a fort. Previously,
however, to their removal, they were often annoyed by the lurking foe, and frequent murders were
committed in the vicinity. Their fears, too, were quite as often excited by merely imaginary
dangers. Capt. Daniel Montgomery, looking out one evening, about dusk, upon the river, saw a
fine canoe drifting down the stream, and immediately pushed out with his own canoe to secure
tlie prize. On coming up to it, and drawing it towards him with his hand, he was thunder,
struck at seeing a very large, muscular Indian lying flat on his back in the canoe, with his eyes
wildly glaring upon him. He let go his hold and prepared for defence — but in a moment, reflect,
ing that he had seen water ui the bottom of the strange canoe, he again approached it, and found
the Indian was dead. A paper on his breast set forth that he had been shot near Wyoming, and
set adrift by some of the Yankees. The captain towed his prize to the shore with a lighter heart,
and after a hearty laugh with his neighbors, sent the Indian on his mission. The following from
the " Hazleton Travellers," by Mr. Miner, of Luzerne co., is the counterpart to the story.
" Among the Indians who formerly lived at Wyoming was one known by the name of Anthony
Turkey. When the savages removed from Wyoming he went with them, and returned as an
enemy at the time of the invasion. With him and the people there had been before a good un-
derstanding, and it created some surprise when known that he was with the bloody band who had
come on the errand of destruction. It was Turkey who commanded the party that came to Mr.
Weeks's the Sunday after the battle, (of 1778,) and taking the old gentleman's hat, shoved his
rocking-chair into the street and sat down and rocked himself. In the invasion of March foUow-
mg Turkey was here again, and in an engagement on the Kingston flats was shot through the
thigh and surrounded by oiu- people. ' Surrender, Turkey,' said they, ' we wont hurt you."
Probably conscious of his own cruelties, he defied them, and fought like a tiger-cat to the last.
Some of our boys, in malicious sport, took his body, put it into an old canoe, fixed a dead rooster
COLUMBIA COUNTY, 243
in the bow — fastened a bow and arrow in the dead Indian's hands, as if in the act just to fire —
put a written ' pass' on his breast to ' let the bearer go to his master King George or the d — 1'
• — and launched the canoe into the river, amid the cheers of men and boys."
After the expedition of Gen. Sullivan had quieted the frontier and expelled the Indians, the
Montgomerys returned to Danville, where Daniel Montgomery, son of William, established a
store, and laid oft' a few lots on a piece of land given him by his father. A few other settlers
came in, and about the year 1806 wc find Danville described in Scotfs Geography as " a small
post'town on the east branch of the Susquehanna, at the mouth of Mahoning." Judge Mont-
gomery was at that time the postmaster — the first in the place who enjoyed that dignity. When
it was proposed to erect Columbia co., and establish Danville as the county seat, the elder Gen.
Montgomery was opposed to the scheme, fearing annoyance in his farming operations by the
proximity of the town ; but his son, on the contrary, was eager for the success of the project,
anticipating large gains from the sale of lots. After the county was fairly established, Gen.
Montgomery not only acquiesced, but entered with his whole heart into the enterprise for its
improvement. He and his relatives endowed and erected an academy, and gave thirty lots as a
fund for the support of the ministry here. He afterwards took a leading part in getting a charter
for the Bear-gap road, which opened the place to the Pottsville travel ; and also had great influ-
ence in inducing Stephen Girard to embark in the enterprise of the Danville and Pottsville rail-
road. A part of the road was made near Pottsville, and is now rotting in the sun without
use. Girard and Gen. Montgomery died nearly at the sam?; time — other interests interfered, and
the Danville aad Pottsville railroad, with the bright visions of augmented wealth associated with
it, exists only on paper.
Mr. Wickersham of Philadelphia, who owned a fann adjoining Danville, made a donation to
the Presbyterian church of the beautiful knoll where the church and cemetery are now situated.
Danville began to increase rapidly about the time that the railroad projects were in agitation,
in 1828. The bridge and the Episcopal church were erected in that year. Some three or four
years since, the site of the upper furnace was purchased by a gentleman from Pottsville. It
passed through the hands of various speculators, rising at each transfer, (the immense treasures
of Montour's ridge having become known,) until it finally lodged in the hands of its present
proprietor.
Catawissa is a large village on the left bank of the Susquehanna, at
the mouth of Catawissa creek, about nine miles east from Danville. It
is situated in the midst of picturesque scenery. The town contains about
600 or 700 inhabitants, a Methodist church, German Reformed and Lu-
theran church, and a Friends' meeting-house. The region abounds in
iron, and there are within a few miles of the town several forges and
furnaces. There is also a foundry, a paper-mill, and several tanneries in
and near the place.
This place, if all the visions of the last ten years had been realized,
should be now a very large and populous town, instead of a quiet and
orderly village. It was intended to be the terminus of a railroad con-
necting the Susquehanna with the Lehigh, and also with the Little
Schuylkill at Tamaqua, through the Catawissa and Quakake valleys.
But after the eastern part of the road had been constructed, " the bottom
fell out" of the Morris Canal Company, and other corporations upon
whose financial operations its success either directly or indirectly de-
pended, and the Catawissa railroad has never been completed. If it
could have been the only channel of connection between the upper Sus-
quehanna and the Lehigh and Schuylkill, it would undoubtedly have
commanded an extensive trade in iron, coal, and agricultural produce.
Redmond Conyngham, Esq., who has devoted much research to the
aboriginal history of the state, says, " The Piscatawese, or Gangawese, or
Conoys [Kenhawas ?] had a wigwam on the Catawese at Catawese, now
Catawissa. It is a good plan to identify the Indian name of a place
with its present name."
The German race at present prevails about Catawissa. It was origin-
ally a Quaker settlement, and on a beautiful shady knoll, a little apart
244
COLUMBIA COUNTY
Ancient Friends' meeting-house at Catawissa.
from the dust and din of the village, stands the venerable Quaker meet-
ing-house, a perishable monument of a race of early settlers that have
nearly all passed away. " And where are they gone ?" we inquired of
an aged Friend, sitting with one or two sisters on the bench under the
shade of the tall trees that overhang the meeting-house. '• Ah," said he,
" some are dead, but many are gone to Ohio, and still further west : once
there was a large meeting here, but now there are but few of us to sit
together." Pennsylvania exhibits many similar instances in which the
original settlers have yielded to another and more numerous race.
Catawissa was laid out in 1787, by William Hughes, a Quaker from
Berks co. Isaiah Hughes kept the tirst store. Among the earlier pio-
neers wexe Wm. Collins, James Watson, John Lloyd, Fenton,
Sharpless, and other Quakers. John Mears, a famous Quaker
preacher and physician, a man of great energy of character, afterwards
became proprietor of the town by buying up the quit-rents. In 1790,
James Watson laid out an addition to the town. Among the Germans,
Christian Brobst came about '93, and Geo. Knappenberger had previous-
ly taken the ferry. The place was then noted for its shad fishery. John
Hauch was one of the first to build a furnace in this region — on Roaring
creek, in 1816,
Bloomsburg is a large, well-built, and growing town, about nine miles
northeast of Danville, and four from Catawissa. Population about 600.
It is finely situated on the rising grounds about two miles back from the
Susquehanna. The North Branch caiial passes between the river and
the town. A very extensive trade is carried on here with the fertile val-
ley of Fishing creek. Montours ridge rises in the rear of the town, and
its iron ores at this locality arc said to be of superior quality A furnace
on Fishing cr., with other iron works, was commenced by several heavy
capitalists within a few years past, and a considerable sum was spent
upon it, when the state of the times and the iron market arrested the
progress of the works. There is at Bloomsburg a cocoonery in active
operation, (1842.) Strenuous efforts have been made to get the county
seat removed to this place, but the project was strongly voted down in
COLUMBIA COUNTY. 345
the legislature in Feb. 1843. The town contains a German Reformed
and Lutheran church, in common ; and Episcopal and Methodist churches.
The steeple of the German church, which stands on a hill, commands a
splendid view of the surrounding scenery. In the cemetery of this church
is a monument with the following inscription :
" In memory of Ludwig Eyer, born Jan. 8, 1767, died Sept. 20, 1814, in the 48th year of his
age. He left a widow, six sons, and four dausjlitcra to deplore his loss. He was proprietor of
Bloomsburg, laid out in 1802, and presented this square to the Lutheran and Presbyterian (Ger-
man) congregations for a church and burying-ground in 1807."
Mr. Eyer also gave to the Episcopalians their lot. Bloomsburg was
for many years known as Eyersburg, or, as it was pronounced, Oyers-
burg.
A few years since it is said a tree was cut down near the village, with
some iron weapon or utensil imbedded in it, and upwards of 150 annual
growths outside the iron.
At Mr. McClure's farm, on the Susquehanna, south of the town, was a
stockade fort erected in 1781. There appears also to have been another
fort on Fishing cr., about three miles above its mouth.
Maj. Moses Van Campen, or Van Camp, as it was usually pronounced,
and his brother Jacobus, or " Cobus Van Camp," were famous in the border
wars of the Susquehanna. The father of the family was a Low Dutch-
man, probably from the Minisink settlements on the Delaware. In the
winter of 1838, then living at Dansville, N. Y., he sent a petition to Con-
gress for a pension, from which the following passages are extracted :
My first service was in the year 1777, when I served three months under Col. John Kelly, who
stationed us at Big Isle, on the West branch of the Susquehanna. Nothing particular transpired
during that time, and in March, 1778, I was appointed lieutenant of a company of six-months
men. Shortly afterward, I was ordered by Col. Samuel Hunter to proceed with about 20 men
to Fishing creek, (which empties into the North branch of the Susquehanna about 20 miles from
Northumberland,) and to build a fort about three miles from its mouth, for the reception of the
inhabitants in case of an alarm from the Indians. In May, my fort being nearly completed, our
spies discovered a large body of Indians making their way towards the fort. The neighboring
residents had barely time to fly to the fort for protection, leaving their goods behind. The In-
dians soon made their appearance, and having plundered and burnt the houses, attacked the fort,
keeping a steady fire upon us during the day. At night they withdrew, burning and destrojring
every thing in their route. What loss they sustained we could not ascertain, as they carried oft'
all the dead and wounded, though, from the marks of blood on the ground, it must have been
considerable. The inhabitants that took shelter in the fort had built a yard for their cattle at the
head of a small flat at a short distance from the fort ; and one evening in the month of June,
just as they were milking them, my sentinel called my attention to some movement in the brush,
which I soon discovered to be Indians, making their way to the cattle yard. There was no time
to be lost ; I immediately selected ten of my sharp-shooters, and under cover of a rise of land,
got between them and the milkers. On ascending the ridge we found ourselves within pistol-
shot of them ; I fired first, and killed the leader, but a volley from my men did no further execu-
tion, the Indians running oft" at once. In the mean time the milk pails flew in every direction,
and the best runner got to the fort first. As the season advanced, Indian hostilities increased,
and notwithstanding the vigilance of our scouts, which were constantly out, houses were burnt
and families murdered.
In 1779 Van Campen, as quarter-master, accompanied Gen. Sullivan's
expedition to ravage the Indian towns on the Genesee. He distinguished
himself in several skirmishes at Newtown and Hog Back hill.
On the return of the army I was taken with the camp-fever, and was removed to the fort which
I had built In '78, where my father was still living. In the course of the winter I recovered my
health, and my father's house having been burnt In '78 by the party which attacked the before-
mentioned fort, my father requested me to go with him and a younger brother to our farm, about
four miles distant, to make preparations for building another, and raising some grair\. But Utile
apprehension was entertained of molestations from the Indians this season, as they had been so
completely routed the year before. We left the fort about the last of March, accompanied by my
246 COLUMBIA COUNTY.
uncle and his sun, about 12 years old, and one Peter Pence. We had been on our farms about
four or five days, when, on the morning- of the 30th of March, we were surprised by a party of
ten Indians. My father was lunged through with a war-spear, his throat was cut, and he was
scalped ; while my brother was tomahawked, scalped, and thrown into the fire before my eyes.
While I was strugcrlincr with a warrior, the fellow who had killed mj' father drew his spear from
his body and made a violent thrust at me. I shrank from the spear ; the savage who had hold
of me turned it with his hand so that it only penetrated my vest and shirt. They were then sat-
isfied with taking me prisoner, as they had the same morning taken my uncle's little son and
Pence, though they killed my uncle. The same party, before they reached us, had touched
on the lower settlements of Wyoming, and killed a Mr. Upson, and took a boy prisoner of the
name of Rogers.* We were now marched off up Fishing cr., and in the afternoon of the same
day we came to Huntington, where the Indians found four white men at a sugar camp, who for-
tunately discovered the Indians and fled to a house ; the Indians only fired on them and wounded
a Capt. Kansoiii, when they continued their course till night. Having encamped and made
their fire, we, the ]>risoners, were tied and well secured, five Indians lying on one side of us and
five on the other ; in the morning tiiey pursued their course, and, leaving the waters of Fisliing
cr., touched the head-waters of Hemlock cr., where they found one Abraham Pike, his wife and
child. Pike was made prisoner, but his wife and child they painted, and told Josgo, squaw, go
home. They contliuied their course that day, and encamped the same night in the same manner
as the previous. It came into my mind that sometimes individuals performed wonderful actions,
and surmounted the greatest danger. I then decided that these fellows must die ; and thought
of the plan to dispatch them. The next day I had an opportunity to communicate my plan to
my fellow-prisoners ; they treated it as a visionary scheme for three men to attempt to dispatch
ten Indians. I spread before them the advantages that three men woidd have over ten when
asleep ; and that we would be the first prisoners that would be taken into their towns and villageg
after our ami}' had destroyed their corn, that we should be tied to the stake and suffer a cruel
death ; we had now an inch of ground to fight on, and if we failed, it would only be death, and
we might as well die one way as another. That day passed away, and having encamped for the
night, we lay as before. In the morning we came to the river, and saw their canoes ; they had
descended the river and run their canoes upon Little Tunkhannock cr., so called. They crossed
the river and set their canoes adrift. I renewed my suggestion to my companions to dispatch
them that night, and urged they must decide the question. They agreed to make the trial ; but
how shall we do it, was the question. Disarm them, and each take a tomahawk, and come to
close work at once. There are three of us ; plant our blows with judgment, and three times
three will make nine, and the tenth one we can kill at our leisure. They agreed to disarm them, and
after that, one take possession of the guns and fire, at the one side of the four, and the other two
take tomahawks on the other side and dispatch them. I observed that would be a very uncer-
tain way ; the first shot fired would give the alarm ; they would discover it to be the prisoners,
and might defeat us. I had to yield to their plan. Peter Pence was chosen to fire the guns,
Pike and myself to tomakawk ; we cut and carried plenty of wood to give them a good fire ; the
prisoners were tied and laid in their places ; after I was laid down, one of them had occasion to
use his knife ; lie dropped it at my feet ; I turned my foot over it and concealed it ; they all lay
down and fell asleep. About midnight I got up and foimd them in a sound sleep. I slipped to
Pence, who rose ; I cut him loose and handed him the knife ; he did the same for me, and I in
turn took the knife and cut Pike loose ; in a minute's time we disarmed them. Pence took his
station at the guns. Pike and myself with our tomahawks took our stations ; I was to toma-
hawk three on the right wing, and Pike two on the left. That moment Pike's two awoke, and
were getting up ; here Pike proved a coward, and laid down. It was a critical moment. I saw
. * Died, in Huntington, on the 20th inst., Mr. Jonah Rogers, in the 65th year of his age. The
deceased was a member of the Baptist church, and died in a full assurance of a glorious immor-
tality. He was one of the first Connecticut settlers in this country, and was here during
the hardships experienced i» new countries, and the dangers of savage warfare in the troublesome
tunes with the enemy in the revolutionary war, and was taken prisoner by the Indians when quite
a lad, together with Maj. Van Campen and the celebrated Abraham Pike, and assisted to kill off
the Indians, one of whom only, (John Mohawke, well kno\vn to the writer,) escaping with a dan-
gerous wound in the neck, given by Maj. Van Campen with a tomahawk. In the year 1799, John
met the major at a public house in the western wUds of New York, and immediately recognised
him, (although 20 years after the tomahawk wound.) and proffered the hand of friendship, say.
ing, " You, Van Camp, I know you ; you know me ?"' The major shook his head. The savage
pulled off" his blanket and exhibited the wound in his neck. " Now you know me ? — no enemy
now. Van Camp ; war time den — peace time now — we be very good friend ; come, we take a
drink !" (A lesson for many a white skin !) The readers of tliis obituary will excuse the di-
gression from the subject, which appeared to be necessary to tell out the tale. Mr. Rogers, after
severe suffering, arrived at the settlement with his older companions in safety, and has now re-
tired to everlasting rest. — Wilkesbarre Herald, Jan. 29, 1834.
COLUMBIA COUNTY. 24'7
there was no time to be lost ; theii heads turned up fair ; I dispatched them in a moment, and
turned to my lot as per agreement, and as 1 was about to dispatch the last on my side of tlie fire,
Pence shot and did good execution ; there was only one at the off wing that his ball did not
reach ; his name was Mohawke, a stout, bold, daring fellow. In the alarm he jumped off about
three rods from tlie fire ; he saw it was the prisoners who made the attack, and giving the war-
whoop, he darted to take possession of the guns ; I was as quick to prevent him ; the contest
was then between him and myself. As I raised my tomakawk, he turned quick to jump from
mc ; I followed him and struck at him, but missing his head, my tomakawk struck his shoulder,
or rather the back of his neck ; he pitched forward and fell ; and the same time my foot slipped,
and I fell by his side ; we clinched ; his arm was naked ; he caught me round my neck ; at the
same time I caught him with my left arm around the body, and gave him a close hug, at the
same time feeling for his knife, but could not reach it.
In our scuttle my tomahawk dropped out. My head was under the wounded shoulder, and
almost suftocated me with his blood. I made a violent spring, and broke from his hold : we both
rose at the same time, and he ran ; it took me some time to clear the blood from my eyes ; my
tomahawk had got covered up, and I could not find it in time to overtake him ; he was the only
one of the party that escaped. Pike was powerless. I always had a reverence for Christian
devotion. Pike was trying to pray, and Pence swearing at him, charging him with cowardice,
and saying it was no time to pray — he ought to fight ; we were masters of the ground, and in
possession of all their guns, blankets, match coats, &c. I then turned my aJ,tention to scalping
them, and recovering the scalps of my father, brother, and others, I strung them all on my belt
for safe-keeping. We kept our ground till morning, and built a raft, it being near the bank of
the river where they had encamped, about 15 miles below Tioga Point ; we got all our plunder on
it, and set sail for Wyoming, the nearest settlement. Our raft gave way, when we made for
land, but we lost considerable property, though we saved our guns and ammunition, and took to
land ; we reached Wyalusing late in the afternoon. Came to the narrows ; discovered a smoke
below, and a raft laying at the shore, by which we were certain that a party of Indians had
passed us in the course of the day, and had halted for the night. There was no alternative for
us but to rout them or go over the mountain ; the snow on the north side of the hill was deep ;
we knew from the appearance of the raft that the party must be small ; we had two rifles each ;
my only fear was of Pike's cowardice. To know the worst of it, we agreed that I should ascer-
tain their number, and give the signal for the attack ; I crept down the side of the hill so near as
to see their fires and packs, but saw no Indians. I concluded they had gone hunting for meat,
and that this was a good opportimity for us to make off with their raft to the opposite side of the
river. I gave the signal ; they came and threw their packs on to the raft, which was made of
small, dry pine timber ; with poles and paddles we drove her briskly across the river, and had got
nearly out of reach of shot, when two of them came in ; they fired — their shots did no injury ;
we soon got under cover of an island, and went several miles ; we had waded deep creeks through
the day, the night was cold ; we landed on an island and fomid a sink hole, in which we made our
fire ; after warming we were alarmed by a cracking in the crust ; Pike supposed the Indians had
got on to the island, and was for calling for quarters ; to keep him quiet we threatened him with his
life ; the stepping grew plainer, and seemed coming directly to the fire : I kept a watch, and soon
a noble racoon came under the light. I shot the racoon, when Pike jumped up and called out,
" Quarters, gentlemen ; quarters, gentlemen !" I took my game by the leg and threw it down to
the fire : " Here, you cowardly rascal," I cried, " skin that and give us a roast for supper." The
next night we reached Wyoming, and there was much joy to see us ; we rested one day, and it
being not safe to go to Northumberland by land, we procured a canoe, and with Pence and my
little cousin, we descended the river by night ; we came to Fort Jenkins before day, where I
found Col. Kelly and about 100 men encamped out of the fort ; he came across from the West
branch by the heads of Chillisquake to Fishing cr., the end of the Nob mountain, so called at
that day, where my father and brother were killed ; he had buried my father and uncle ; my
brother was burnt, a small part of him only was to be found. Col. Kelly informed me that my
mother and her children were in the fort, and it was thought that I was killed likewise. Col.
Kelly went into the fort to prepare her mind to see me ; I took off my belt of scalps and handed
them to an officer to keep. Hmnan nature was not sufficient to stand the interview. She had
just lost a husband and a son, and one had returned to take her by the hand, and one, too, that
she supposed was killed.
The day after I went to Sunbury, where I was received with joy ; my scalps were exhibited
the cannons were fired, &-c. Before my return a commission had been sent me as ensign of a
company to be commanded by Capt. Thomas Robinson ; this was, as I understood, a part of the
quota which Penns3'lvania had to raise for the continental line. One Joseph Alexander was
commissioned as lieutenant, but did not accept his commission. The summer of 1780 was spent
in the recruiting service ; our company was organized, and was retained for the defence of the
frontier service. In Feb. 1781, I was promoted to a lieutenancy, and entered upon the active
duty of an officer, by heading scouts ; and as Capt. Robinson was no woodsman nor marksman,
he preferred tliat I should encounter the danger and head the scouts ; we kept up a constant chain
248 COLUMBIA COUNTY.
of scouts around tlie frontier settlements, from the North to the West branch of the Susquehan-
na, by the way of the head-waters of Little Fishino^ creek, Chillisquake, Muncy, &c. In the
spring' of 1781, we built a fort on the widow McClure's plantation called McClure's Fort,
where our provisions were stored.
Mr. Van Campen, the same summer, went up the West Branch. (See
a part of his narrative under Clinton co.) He was taken prisoner by the
Indians. On arriving at the Indian village of Caneadia, on the Genesee,
he says —
We were prepared to run the Indian gaimtlet ; the warriors don't whip — it is the young In-
dians and squaws. They meet you in sight of their council-house, where they select the prison-
ers from tiie ranks of the warriors, bring them in front, and when ready the word Joggo is given ,
the prisoners start, tlie whippers follow after ; and if they outrun you, you will be severely whip-
ped. I was placed in front of my men ; the word being given, we started. Being then young
and full of nerve, I led the way ; two young squaws came running up to join the whipping par-
ty ; and when they saw us start, they halted, and stood shoulder to shoulder with their whips ;
when I came near them I bounded and kicked them over ; we all came down together ; there
was considerable kicking amongst us, so much so that they showed their under-dress, which ap-
peared to be of a heautiful yellow color ; I had not time to help them up. It was truly diverting
to the warriors ; they yelled and shouted till they made the air ring. They halted at that village
for one day, and thence went to Fort Niagara, where I was delivered up to the British. I was
adopted, according to the Indian custom, into Col. Butler's family, then the commanding officer
of the British and Indians at that place. I was to supply the loss of his son, Capt. Butler, who
was killed late in the fall of 1781, by the Americans. In honor to me as his adopted son, I was
confined in a private room, and not put under a British guard. My troubles soon began ; the
Indians were informed by the tories that knew me that I had been a prisoner before, and had
killed my captors ; they were outrageous, and went to Butler and demanded me, and, as I was
told, offered to bring in 14 prisoners in my place. Butler sent an officer to examine me on the
subject ; he came and informed me their Indians had laid heavj' accusations against me ; they
were informed that I had been a prisoner before, and had killed the party, and that they had de-
manded me to be given up to them, and that his colonel wished to know the fact. I observed,
" Sir, it is a serious question to answer ; I will never deny the truth ; I have been a prisoner be-
fore, and killed the party, and returned to the service of my country ; but, sir, I consider myself
to be a prisoner of war to the British, and I presmne you will have more honor than to deliver me
up to the savages. I know what my fate will be : and please to inform your colonel that we
have it in our power to retaliate." He left me, and in a short time returned and stated, that he
was authorized to say to me that there was no alternative for me to save my life but to abandon
the rebel cause and join the British standard ; that I should take the same rank in the British
service as I did in the rebel service. I replied, " No, sir, no ; give me the stake, the tomahawk,
or the knife, before a British commission ; liberty or death is our motto ;" he then left me. Some
time after a lady came to my room, with whom I had been well acquainted before the revolution ;
we had been sclioolmates ; she was then married to a British officer, a captain of the queen's
rangers ; he came with her. She had been to Col. Butler, and she was authorized to make me
the same offer as the officer had done ; I thanked her for the trouble she had taken for my safety,
but could not accept of the offer ; she observed how much more honorable would it be to be an
officer in the British service. I observed that I could not dispose of myself in that way ; I be-
longed to the Congress of the United States, and that I would abide the consequence ; she left
me, and that was the last I heard of it. A guard was set at the door of my apartment.
I was soon afterward sent down Lake Ontario to Montreal, whence a British ship brought me
to New York. In the month of March, 1783, I was exchanged, and had orders to take up arms
again. I joined my company in March at Northumberland ; about that time Capt. Robinson
received orders to march his company to Wyoming, to keep garrison at Wilkesbarre fort. He
sent myself and Ensign Chambers with the company to that station, where we lay till Novem-
ber, 1783. Our army was then discharged, and our company likewise: poor and pennyless, we
retired to the shades of private life.
Berwick is on the right bank of the Susquehanna on the eastern boun-
dary of the county ; part of the village is in Luzerne co. It is 21 miles
N. E. from Danville, and 26 from Wilkesbarre. It contains a Methodist
church, an academy, with the usual stores and taverns. A substantial
bridge here crosses the Susquehanna to the opposite village of Nesco-
peck. It is 1,260 feet long, and cost $52,435; was commenced in 1814,
and completed in 1818. The North Branch canal passes along the foot
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
249
of the elevated bank upon which the town is built. Berwick is the ter-
mination of the important turnpike, made some 20 or 30 years since,
leading? throupjh Bradford co. to Newtown, in New York. The Nesco-
peck turnpike leading to Mauch Chunk, also terminates here. Annexed
is a view of the village, taken from the opposite bank of the river. Pop-
ulation about 800.
Berwick.
Berwick was originally settled in 1783, by Evan Owen, who — judging
by his name — must have been a Welshman, with several other pioneers.
The population is now principally of German extraction.
MiFFLiNBURG is ou the left bank of the river, about five miles below
Berwick. It contains Methodist and Lutheran churches, and some 20 or
30 dwellings, mills, tanneries, &c,
Washington is a village containing some 40 or 50 dwellings, in the fer-
tile valley of Chillisquake creek. The other villages of the county are
Fruitstovvn, at the head of Chillisquake valley, Jerseytown, seven jiiiles
north of Danville, Williamsburg and Orangeville, on Fishing creek, and
Whitehall, four miles northeast of Washington.
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Crawford county was taken from Allegheny co. by the act of 12th
March, 1800. It received its name in honor of Col. Wm. Crawford, one
of the heroes of the western frontier, w^ho was burned by the Indians at
Sandusky. Length 41 m., breadth 24 ; area, 974 sq. miles. Population
in 1800, 2,346; in 1810, 6,178; in 1820, 9,397 ; in 1830, 10,030; in 1840,
31,724.
The land generally is undulating, of good quality ; better adapted,
however, to the raising of stock than of grain, but there is nevertheless
an ample proportion suitable for the latter. French cr., formerly known
32
250 CRAWFORD COUNTY.
as Venango river, enters from Erie co., and meandering centrally through
the CO., passes out through a corner of JMercer into Venango co., empty-
ing into the Allegheny at Franklin. It is a beautiful stream, navigable
for large boats and rafts, during high-water, and affords an abundant
supply, at all seasons, for the various mills along its banks. Several other
small streams water the co., as Cussewaga, Big and Little Sugar cr., Oil
cr., Woodcock cr., Muddy cr., and Conneauttee cr.
According to the pronunciation of the venerable Cornplanter, the first of these names should
be spelt Kos-se-wau-ga. Tradition states that the Indians, on coming- to the creek for the first
time, discovered a larjre black-snake, with a white ring round his neck, among the limbs of a
tree. The snake exliibitcd a wonderful protuberance, as if it had swallowed a rabbit. They
hence called the creek Kossewuiioa, which means big-belli/.
Conneaut, or Conneot, means something about snow, or the snoic place. It was noticed that
the snow remained some time on the ice of the lake after it had disappeared in the vicinity.
Cou-nc-aut-tee is a diminutive, formed b}' the Americans from the name of tlie larger lake. —
Rev. Mr. Alden.
There are three handsome lakes in the co. The Conneaut is a beauti-
ful sheet of water, about four miles by two, abounding with fine fish.
The other two are of smaller size, but equally picturesque. Agriculture
is the main object of pursuit. The manufactures of the co. are chiefly
for the consumption of its own citizens. Iron ore is found in many locali-
ties. The French creek feeder, which supplies the canal from Pittsburg
to Erie, and is of the same size, runs from Bemis's dam, 3 miles above
Meadville, down French cr. 1 1 miles, and then up the valley of Conneaut
outlet, to the summit level near that lake. Slackwater navigation also
extends down French cr. to the Allegheny.
This CO. possesses all the resources in abundance necessary for the sup-
port and comfort of industrious farmers. It is a healthy and pleasant
country to live in, and the citizens are remarkable for intelligence and
enterprise. It is said there were formerly forty distilleries in the co. ; now
they can scarcely number four. The following notice of curiosities in
the CO. is from the N. Y. Journal of Commerce of 1830.
On an extensive plain, there is a vast mound of stones, containing several hundred thousand
cart loads. This pyramid has stood through so many ages, that it has become covered with
soil, and from the top rises a noble pine-tree, the roots of which, running down the sides, fasten
themselves in the earth below. The stones are many of them so large that two men can only
move them with difficultj-, and yet they are unlike any others in the neighborhood. Indeed there
are not in the neighborhood any quarries from which so large a quantity could ever have been
taken. This artificial curiosity is on the borders of Oil creek ; a name derived from a natural
curiosity no less remarkable than the foregoing. Springs exist on its margin, from which there
is a constant flow of oil, floating on the surface pf the water and running into the creek, which
may be seen for a great distance down the stream. The oil is burned in lamps, and used in vari-
ous ways, but is particularly valued for its medicinal qualities. The inhabitants make excava.
tions in the low and marshy ground, which are immediately filled with water, covered with oil,
which they skim ofl". Considerable quantities are annually brought to this city and sold to the
apothecaries.
The Seneca Indians held sway over this region. The first white men
whose feet pressed the soil of Crawford co.. were undoubtedly the French,
who availed themselves of the short portage between Presqu'isle and Le
Boeuf, one of the sources of Venango, or French cr., to extend their chain
of posts to the Allegheny, and thus control the waters of the Ohio. As
regards this co., however, they "were mere birds of passage ; they had no
motive to form any establishment here. Their movements in this region
were principally between 1748 and '58. (See Allegheny, Jlrie, and Ve-
nango counties.)
CRAWFORD COUNTY. 251
The ancient Indian path from Fort Venango to Fort Le Bocuf, was on
the eastern side of French cr., not far from the present lower road to
Meadville, where it crossed and stretched over the ishtnd opposite the town,
and continued on the western side a number of miles, and again crossed
the creek. Major George Washington followed this path in 1753, on his
journey to visit the French commander at Le Bceuf
After the French had departed, this region remained a cheerless soli-
tude for many years. In 1788, the cheerful sound of the pioneer's axe
broke upon the solemn stillness of the forests of Cassawaga. David
Mead, and his brother John, two brothers of the Randolph family, Stophel
Seiverling, James Miller, and Cornelius Van Horn, came out from North-
umberland CO., by the way of Bald Eagle and the old Chinklacamoose
path to the mouth of French cr., and thence up the creek until they dis-
covered the beautiful flat where Meadville now stands. Several of these
gentlemen had held lands in Wyoming valley, under the Pennsylvania
title, from which they had been driven by Connecticut claimants. Know-
ing well the quality of land and the value of a good title, they were
cautious and judicious in their selections, as the fine estates now in pos-
session of their families will show. Subsequent events, however, threat-
ened to shake the foundation of their titles, and cast them out upon the
wilderness for a new selection. The vexed questions, and numerous de-
lays and lawsuits growing out of the land law of 1792, had a dispiriting
influence upon the early settlers of Crawford co., until settled by the de-
cision of the great Holland Land Co. case, and others of a similar nature.
Besides the gentlemen above mentioned, several others came a few years
later, among whom were Mr. Heidekoper, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Lord, Mr.
Morgan, Mr. Reynolds, on Oil cr., and others.
The biographies of several of "these pioneers have been preserved, and
furnish an excellent history of the co. The following is abridged from
Rev. Timothy Alden's Allegheny Magazine, published at Meadville in
1816.
The Hon. David Mead, the first settler of the pleasant village which bears his name, was born
at Hudson, N. Y. His father, Darius Mead, (also an early settler in this county,) when David
became of age, removed to the Wyoming country, where they both had purchased lands under
the Pennsylvania title. In consequence of the adverse claims, and the superior force of the Con-
necticut claimants, they were obliged to abandon their lands, and settled near Northumberland.
David Mead became a citizen of Sunbury, where he kept an inn for a number of years. After
various discouraging struggles, with fortune, with the Indians, and the Wyoming boys, Mr. Mead
resolved to leave that region, seek a new home, and commence a new career on the lands west of
the Allegheny river. In 1788, he visited this section of the country, then a wilderness, in com-
pany with his brother John and several otlicrs. In 1789 he removed his family. Some time af-
terwards he obtained a remuneration from the state in lands, for those of which he had been dis-
possessed at Wyoming.
After several years of incessant toil and hardship, his prospects began to brighten ; but they
were soon overcast with a gloomy cloud. Another Indian war menaced the infant settlements
of the west. Many fled : those who remained were exposed to constant perils and privations.
Mr. Mead, having an important interest here, continued on his plantation, resolved to brave every
danger, and bear every privation while the war should exist. The war was at length happily ter-
minated by Gen. Wayne, in 179.5. For several months, in 1791, when the Indians were daily
expected to attempt the extermination of the people on French cr., Mr. Mead with his family
resided at Franklin, that he might have it in his power to repair to the garrison in that place as a
last resort. During this period his father was taken by two Indians, from a field where he was
at work, and carried to the vicinity of Conntaut lake. Some days afterwards he was found,
together with one of the Indians, both dead, and bearmg such marks of violence as showed they
had had a contest ; and it was deemed probable that the other Indian had been wounded in the
encounter, from the circumstance of his companion having been left unburied.
^52 CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Mr. Mead held the office of justice of the peace both at Wyomir^ and here. In tT99 he bej
came one of the associate judges for Crawford co. He was also a major-general in the militia^
He was a man of uncommon bodily strength, standing six feet three, and large in proportion — ■
in deportment sedate and grave, bnt atrublc, easy of access, and without ostentation. Ilis vigor-
ous mind viasi ever actively engaged upon public or private business. His first wife was Agnes
Wilson, of Nortiuunbcrland co. ; his second, Janet Finney, daughter of Robert Finney, Esqy
His mansion was noted for hospitality, and in bis later years the morning and evening sacrifice
arose from his family altar. He died on the '2'3d Aug. iblG, in the 65th year of liis age.
The following is from the Crawford Messenger, of July, 1830: —
Died at his farm, near Meadville, on the Kith inst., Robeut F. Randolpu, in the 8!)th year of
his age. The deceased was born in Woodbridge township, Essex co., N. J. He married when
young, and in 1771 removed to Northumpton co., Pa., where he resided two years; from whence
he removed to Northund)erland co., tlicn on the frontier of this state, there being hardly a white
inhabitant above the si)ot where Nortliumbcrland now stands. There he resided until the year
1776, when hostilities conunenced upon the iidiabitants of the county, and they were driven from
their homes by the savages. Jie with his family fled to Bucks co., but returned to his residence the
same year. He then joined the regiment commanded by Col. William C'ook, and was with it in
the memorable battle of Germantown. Shortly after his return from the army, the county of
Northumberland by one desolating sweep was cut off, and its inhabitants drove out by the cruel and
unrelenting hand of the savages. Finding no prospect of peace or safety for his family, he re-
turned to his native state, where they would be at least secure from the terrors of the scalping-
knife. He then reentered the army of the United States, in which capacity he served until the
close of the war.
When peace was restored, he returned, in 1783, to Northumberland co., and settled on Shamo-
kin cr., where he continued to reside until 1789, when he with his family emigrated to this county,
at thai time one entire wilderness ; and on the 6th of July, the same year, arrived on French cr.,
near where the village of Meadville now stands, and settled on the farm upon which, till his death,
he has ever since resided. When he made his selection and took possession, there were none to
dispute his right but the tawny sons of the forest, from whose pitiless hands he had much to fear.
But that spirit of enterprise, with an honest view of procuring a permanent house for himself and
family, which had induced him to the wilderness and cheered his pathless way into it, continued
to support him under every privation, difficulty, and danger incident to the settlement of a new
country. His zeal in the cause of freedom was unwavering. Of this fact, the following will
serve as an illustration: In one of the alarms occasioned by the approach of the enemy to the
town of Erie, during the late war, like the patriarch of old, he mustered a strong band of his own
household, consisting of his four sons and two or three grandsons, put himself at their head, and
thus armed and equipped marched to meet the expected foe.
Mr. Cornelius Van Horn has been named as one of the early pioneers.
He is still (1843) enjoying a quiet old age, on the farm, near Meadville,
earned and cleared by the toils and exposures of his youth. The follow-
ing story of his adventures was derived by the compiler of this work, in
conversation with a member of Mr. Van Horn's family : —
Mr. Cornelius Van Horn had been a settler in Wyoming valley under the Pennsylvania title,
and relinquished his possessions there under the compromise, receiving compensation from the
state. In 1788, he was persuaded by David Mead, (who had also been a Pennamite,) to make
one of a party of nine to come out and settle in Crawford co. They took the route from Bald
Eagle, in Centre co., over the Allegheny mountains, nearlj^ on tlie route of the present turnpike ;
struck the mouth of Frencli cr., and thence followed it up until they discovered the beautiful flat
ulpon which Meadville is now seated. They here selected their lands, and entered upon their la-
bors. Until 1791, nothing of spoeial importance occurred, except that one day, as he was return-
ing from' Pittsburg with pack-horses, he was overtaken by an Indian near a lonely swamp ; but
he proved to be i'riendly. His name was McKee ; and from tiiis friendly interview ami exchange
of provisions, courtesies, &.c., commenced an acquaintance, which was afterwards probably the
means of saving Van Horn's life.
In the month of May, 1791, Mr. Van Horn, Thomas Ray, and Mr. Gregg, were ploughing on
the island opposite the town. Gregg and Ray had gone in to IVteli the dinner, when Van
Horn, who continued ploughing, observed his horses take frigdt, and turning suddenly he saw a
tall Indian about to strike him with his tomahawk, and another just behind. As quick as thought
he seized the descending arm, and grappled with the Indian, hugging him after the manner of a
bear. While in this close embrace, the other Indian attempted to shoot Van Horn ; but the lat-
ter, who was no novice in frontier tactics, kept turning round the Indian in his arms so as to
present him as a shield against the bullet — and thus gained time enough to parley for his life
CRAWFORD COUNTY. 253
No fine-spun diplomacy was practised in this treaty : a few words of b: ftkcn Indian on one
side, and broken Enjrli.sb on the other, resulted in a capitulation, by which he was to be taken
prisoner, tojrether with his horses. He was ]>inione(l and taken to the top of the liili above the
college, where they met the old chief and a fourth Indian. After some parley, the chief mounted
one of the horses and the prisoner the other, and [jursued their way towards Conncnut lake;
while the three other Indians returned to the island for further adventures. Greg^r and Ray had
just returned to their work, and were deliberating over the meaning of the tracks in the field,
when they descried the three Indian."?. Gregg took to lii.s heels, Ray calling to liirn to stand
his ground like a man ; but he was pursued, killed, and scalped. Ray was taken prisoner.
The old eiiief had tied Van Horn by a thong to a tree, in a sitting posture^ with his arms be-
hind him ; but the thong working a little loose, the chief pulled it obliquely i[[) tite tree to tighten
it, and laid himself down in the bushes to sleep. Van Horn, by raising himself, loosened
the thong enough to allow him to get a small knife out of his cufF — (he had previously, to con-
ciliate his good-will and allay suspicion, presented the chief with his jaekknife, powder, flints,
tobacco, &c.) — and cat himself loose from the tree, but could not unjnnion liis arms. He
made his way back to the settlement, where he found an ofiieer from Fort PVanklin, who or-
dered tiie whole colony to repair for safety to that place, lest there might be a larger force of
Indians in the vicinity than had yet appeared. Van Horn pleaded hard for permission to re-
main, and learn the fate of Ray and Gregg; and as the officer's horse had been lost, he was al-
lowed to remain if he could get another to remain with him. A friendly Indian, by the name
of Gilloway, agreed to remain ; and for some other reason it was tliought necessary (this was
to catch the horse) that another friendly Indian, McKee, should remain also. They found the
horse ; and taking gome bear-skins, furs, &c. in the canoe, embarked for Frankfin. Gilloway,
as he was the least of the two, volunteered to ride the horse, while the others went in the ca-
noe ; but he rode the horse a little too far, and in the wrong direction, not being heard of again
until he had been seen at Sandusky. Van Horn afterwards had reason to think that Gillo-
way had remained behind to murder him, but that his plan had been frustrated by the deter-
mination of McKec to stay also ; and he then stole the horse.
Van Horn and McKee determined to return from Franklin ; and by way of getting an early
start, to lodge in a deserted cabin, a mile or two this side of Franklin. The commanding officer
urged in vain the danger of a surprise and attack from savages. Van Horn and his comrade
thought themselves competent to the defence of their position. In the night, however, the
officers and soldiers of the garrison determined to make good their surmises, and have a
little fun, by raising a whoop, and surrounding the cabin where Van Horn lay. The latter,
hearing the noise, was on the alert ; and while the soldiers were listening at the door, they
heard Van Horn make arrangements with his comrade that he should stand by to haul
them into the cabin, while he cut them down at the door with an axe. This was a kind
of sport for which the party was not prepared, and they withdrew, laughing at the frustration of
their own scheme. Van Horn .soon after went to Jersey to attend to his Wyoming business, and
then returned. Some few parties of Indians skulked about until after Wayne's treaty, when
they all disappeared.
When the three Indians with Ray had arrived at Conneaut lake, and waked up the old chief,
and found his prisoner gone, they told Ray that it was fortunate for him, as they could have taken
only one prisoner away with them. They took him to Sandusky, where he recognised an Eng-
lish trader, who bought him off for a keg of whiskey. He returned by the lake to Olean, and
thence down the Allegheny. On passing Franklin he inquired of those on shore for his " Sally,"
and being told she was in Pittsburg, pursued his way down there, where he found her.
James Dixon, another old settler, better known as Scotch Jemmy, was surprised by a number
of Indians in the woods, and shot at several times. He turned his face towards them, levelled
his rifle, and dared the rascals to come out of the woods like men, and give him fair play — "Noo
coom on wl' your wee axe," said Jemmy. With his rifle thus presented, he continued to walk
backwards until out of reach of their fire ; and reached the old blockhouse, that stood where the
blacksmith's shop is, near Bennett's tavern. This occurred about 1793 or 1794.
The Rev. Charles Wm. Col.son, or Von Colson, who died at Meadville
28th Dec. 1816, was the founder and pastor of the Lutheran church at
Meadville, and of several others irl the vicinity. He was a native of
Westphalia in Germany, and had graduated at Gottingen as a Doctor of
Medicine. He was a man of great promise and usefulness, and would
probably have been Professor of the German and French languages in
Allegheny College, if his life had been spared.
The following letter to Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, of N. Y., details a most
remarkable case of alienation of mind. John Reynolds, Esq., the gentle-
254 CRAWFORD COUNTY.
man alluded to in the letter, has confirmed the statements of Mr. Alden,
in a recent conversation with the compiler.
Meadville, Penn., June 21, 1816.
Dear Sir —
I now do myself the pleasure to give you an account of a very singular case. Possibly you
may have met with something analogous to it in your researches, but so faf as my inquiries have
extended, it is without a parallel.
Mr. Wm. Reynolds, his wife, and children — a respectable family, originally citizens of Bir-
mingham, in Great Britain — settled in the vicinity of Oil creek, twenty-seven miles from this vil-
lage, in the year 1797. Miss Mary Reynolds, one of his daughters — a worthy young lady, and
an inmate in the family of her brother, John Reynolds, Esq., one of my nearest neighbors — is the
subject of thi.s communication, upon which I shall be happy to see your animadversions. Fot
five years, she has exhibited the phenomenon of a person vested with a twofold consciousness, or,
more definitely, with two distinct consciousnesses.
I became acquainted with Miss Reynolds soon after my removal to this place, in May, 1815
when slie was in the exercise of her original consciousness, the last evening of which she spent
at my house. The following evening I was at her brother's, where there was considerable com
pany, of which she was one. To my surprise, when I spoke to her, she had no knowledge of me
I was therefore introduced to her anew. My curiosity was excited ; and it was gratified by i
history of her singular case — of which you will please to accept the subsequent concise narra-
tive.
After arriving at adult age, she was occasionally afflicted with fits, but of what particular tech-
nical name I have not been able satisfactorily to ascertain. In the Spring of 1811, she had a
very severe visitation of this kind. Her frame was greatly convulsed, arid she was extremely
ill for several days, when her sight and hearing left her, insohiuch that she became totally blind
and deaf. During twelve Weeks, from the time of the fit mentioned, she continued in a very
feeble state ; but at the end of five weeks, the use of her visual and auditory faculties was per-
fectly restored.
A more remarkable dispensation of Providence, however, avVaited her. A little before the ex-'
piration of the twelve weeks, one morning, when she awoke, she appeared to have lost all recol-
lection of every thing, in a manner, she ever knew. Her understanding, with an imperfect know-
ledge of speech, remained ; but her father, mother, brothers, sisters, and neighbors, were alto-
gether strangers to her. She had forgotten the use of written language, and did not know a sin-
gle letter of the alphabet, nor how to discharge the duties of any domestic employment, more
than a new-born babe. She, however, presently began to regain various kinds of knowledge.
She continued five weeks in this way, when suddenly she passed from this second state — as, for
distinction, it may be called — into her first. All consciousness of the five weeks just elapsed,
was totally gone, and her original consciousness was fully restored.
Now the cloud which had overspread her mental hemisphere was dissipated. Her kindred
and friends were at once recognised. Every kind of knowledge which she had ever acquired,
was as much at her command as at any former period of her life ; but of the time, and of all
events, which had transpired during her second state, she had not the most distant idea. For
three weeks, to the comfort of herself and of the family, she continued in her first state; but, in
her sleep, the transition was renewed, and she awoke in her second state. As before, so now, all
knowledge acquired in her first state was forgotten, and of the circumstances of her three weeks'
lucid interval she had no conception ; but of the small fund of knowledge she had gained in the
former second state, she was able to avail herself, and she continued, from day to day, to add to
this little treasure.
From the spring of 1811, the subject of this address has been in this wonderful condition, fre-
quently changing from her first to her second, and from her second to her first state. More
than three quarters of her time, she has been in her second state. There is no periodical regu-
larity as to the transition. Sometimes she continues several months, and sometimes a few weeks,
a few days, or ordy a few hours, in her second state ; but, in the lapse of five years, she has been
in no one instance more than twenty days in her.^rs< state.
Whatever knowledge she has acquired, at any time, in her second state, is familiar to her
whenever in that state ; and now she has made such proficiency, she is as well acquainted with
things, and is in general as intelligent, in her second as in her first state. It is about three years
since an attempt was first made to re.teach her chirography. Her brother gave her her name,
which he had written, to copy. She readily took a pen, agreeably to his request, and it is a fact
that she actually began to write it, though in a very awkward manner, from the right hand to the
left, in the Hebrew mode. It was not long before she obtained a tolerable skill in penmanship,
and, in her second state, often amuses herself in writing poetry ; yet, in her first state this is
an exercise which she seldom^ if ever, attempts. It may be remarked that she acquires all kinds
of knowledge, in her second state, with much greater facility than would a person never before
instructed.
CRAWFORD COUNTY. 255
In her second state, she has now been introduced to many persons, whom she always recog-
nises when in that state, and no one appears to enjoy the society of friends better than this young
lady ; but if ever so well known to her in her first state, she has no knowledge of them in her
second till an acquaintance, de novo, is formed — and, in like manner, all acquaintances fomied in
her second state, must be formed in her first also in order to be known in that.
This astonishing transition, scores of times repeated, always takes place in her sleep. In
passing from her second to her first state, nothing is particularly noticeable in her sleep ; but in
passing from her first to her second state, her sleep is so profound that no one can awake her,
and it not unfrequently continues eighteen or twenty hours. She has generally some presenti-
ment of the change, and frequently for several days before the event. Her sufferings, formerly,
in the near prospect of the transition from either the one or the other state, were extreme. When
in one state, she liad no consciousness of ever having been in the other ; but of the wonderful
fact siic was persuaded on the representation of her friends. Hence, when about to undergo the
transition, fearing she should never revert so as to know again in this world those who were dear
to her, her feelings, in this respect, were not unlike the feelings of one entering the valley of the
shadow of death ; but she has now so often passed from one state to the other, that she does not
anticipate tiie change with that horror, or distressing apprehension, with which, for a considerable
time, she used to do.
As an evidence of her ignorance in her second state, at an early period, she was once walking
at a little distance from her father's house, and discovered a rattlesnake. Slie was delighted at
the beautiful appearance of this, to her unknown, dangerous reptile, and sprang forward to catch
it. Fortunately, the serpent lay near a hole under a log, and, as she seized it by its rattle, thrust
its head in, and she was not able to draw it out. At another time she was riding in a narrow
path, alone, in the woods, and met a bear, which did not seem disposed to give her the path. She
boldly rode up to the huge animal, and in a very imperious style ordered him out of her way ;
and she was upon the point of dismounting to belabor him with her whip, when he peaceably
" cleared ofT."
This young lady is naturally of a cheerful disposition, but tlioughtful. In her second state,
her imagination glows — her wit is keen — her remarks are often shrewd and satirical — and her
prejudices, conceived without cause, against her best friends, are sometimes very strong.
I remain, dear sir, your respectful, humble servant,
TIMOTHY ALDEN.
The young lady is still living in 1843, is of sane mind and in good
health, and is teacher in a school. She has had no return of her pecu-
liar insanity for many years.
Meadville, the county seat, occupies a beautiful flat on the left bank
of French creek, nearly opposite the mouth of Cassawaga creek, and in
the midst of most picturesque scenery. It is 37 miles from Erie, 90
from Pittsburg, and 25 from Franklin. The town is laid out in streets at
right angles ; the county buildings, and several of the churches, al-e ar-
ranged around a spacious public square, or diamond, of which a view is
presented on the following page.
The Gothic edifice in the foreground is the Episcopal church ; the Do-
ric temple, about the centre of the view, is the Unitarian church ; the
courthouse is seen on the left, and behind it the cupola of the Presbyte-
rian church. Both the public and private edifices display the cultivated
taste of the citizens, and in many instances exhibit pleasing specimens
of rural architecture. The neat front yards, with shrubbery and shade
trees, and the green blinds upon the white houses, remind one of a New
York or New England village. The character of the citizens for intel-
ligence and urbanity, is in conformity with the external aspect of the
place ; and they may justly boast, that, in proportion to its population,
there is no village in Pennsylvania that excels Meadville in the number
of reading, reflecting, well-cultivated men. Hon. Henry Baldwdn, of the
supreme court of the U. S., has just completed an elegant rural mansion
on an eminence overlooking the village, where he intends passing the
evening of his useful life.
H. J. Huidekoper, Esq., extensively known as the agent of the Hoi-
256
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Public Square in Meadville.
land Land Company, keeps the office of the company here. Mr. Huide-
koper is a native of Holland, but was one of the earlier settlers in Mead-
ville, and is now one of her more influential citizens. The great case of
the Holland Land Co., decided by the supreme court of the U. S., in-
volved not only the rights of that company, but, on account of the great
principles at issue, the interests and title of a great portion of the settlers
northwest of the Allegheny river. A succinct sketch of the origin of the
company, and of the decision upon that case, will be found on page 260.
Meadville contained, by the census of 1840, 1,319 inhabitimts. The
churches are a Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian, Episcopal, Meth-
odist, Baptist, and Unitarian. There is also an academy, several paper-
mills, an oil-mill, an edge-tool manufactory, and quite a number of other
mills, driven by the ample water-power in the vicinity.
On the northern border of the town. Col. Magaw, the inventor of straw
paper, had formerly a commodious mill for its manufacture. He had
previously conducted a rag-paper establishment. On examining some
straw which had been placed at the bottom of a barrel of leached ashes,
he observed that it looked soft, and thought it might make paper. Per-
ceiving its toughness and adhesive quality, he chewed some of it, rubbed
it on a board, and placed it in the sun to dry. He succeeded in making
paper on a small scale, obtained a patent-right, and erected his straw
paper mill. It is said an edition of the New Testament was printed
upon it, costing only five cents per copy.
The Crawford Messenger, one of the oldest and best papers in the
western part of the state, was formerly printed at Meadville. In one of
the numbers published in Sept. 1828, the editor. T. Atkinson, Esq., says :
In two months more, twenty-five years will have elapsed since we arrived in this village with
our printing establishment, being the first, and for several subsequent years, the only one north-
west of the Allegheny river. How short the period, yet how fruitful of interesting events ! Our
village at that time consisted of a few scattered tenements, or what might properly be termed
huts. It is now surpassed by few, if any, in West Pennsylvania, for its numerous, commodious,
and in many instances, beautiful dwelling-houses, churches, academy, courthouse, with a splendid
edifice for a college ; all affording pleasing evidence of the enterprise, the taste, and the liberality
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
257
of its inhabitants. Then we were witliout roads?, notliing but Indian patlis by which to wind
our way I'ronj one point to another. Now turnpikes and eapacious roads converge to it from every
quarter. Then the mail passed between Pittsburg and Erie once in two weeks — now eighteen
stages arrive and depart weekly. Then we had not unfrequently to pack our paper on horseback
upwards of 200 miles ; on 130 of this distance there were but three or four houses — now, how-
ever, thanks to an enterprising citizen of the village, it can be had as conyenjently as could be
desired. Our country is marching onward.
The following facts are derived from Mr. Alden's Magazine. The first
improvement in Meadvillc was commenced by Mr. David Mead, in 1788
and '89. The original plan of the town was conceived in 1790, but was
matured and much enlarged by the exertions and influence of Major
Alden and Doctor Kennedy in 1795. A blockhouse built during the In-
dian wars, remained until a short time since. It stood near Mr. Bennet's
hotel. The state arsenal is a conspicuous ornament to the place. It was
erected in 1816, under the direction of the Hon. Wm. Clark, a little with-
out the town plot, on land presented by the late Gen. Mead. The North-
western Bank of Pennsylvania was formerly located here.
In 1816, the only churches were the Presbyterian and German Lutheran.
As pastor of the former, Rev. Joseph Stockton settled in 1801. In 1808
he removed to Pittsburg, and Rev. Robert Johnson succeeded him until
1817, when the latter also removed to the Yough'ogheny. The Rev.
Timothy Alden then officiated as a preacher, but declined the pastoral
•charge. He was at that time president of Allegheny college. Bentley
Allegheny College.
Hall, the principal edifice of this institution, is situated north of the town,
on very elevated ground, overlooking a landscape rarely exceeded in
beauty. The beautiful village, with its spires and Doric temples — the
glistening waters of French cr., meandering away through the wide
meadows — the canals and roads winding round the headlands, and the
hills half cleared and half clothed with the primitive forest — form a fine
group for the artist. Allegheny college originated in the public spirit of
a number of intelligent citizens of Meadville, at a meeting held 20th
June, 1815. Rev. Timothy Alden was appointed President, and Prof of
l^anguages and Ecclesiastical History, and Rev. Robert Johnson, Vice-
president, and Prof of Moral Science. The institution was opened 4th
33
258 CRAWFORD COUNTY.
of July, 181G. The act of incorporation was passed 24th March, 1817.
$2,000 were granted by this act, and subsequently a further sum of i$5,000.
On the 28th July of the same year the Rev. Mr. Alden was inaugurated
amid an astonishing display of the dead languages. The very valuable
library which the institution possesses, was obtained mainly by the un-
tiring zeal of Mr. Alden, who performed one or more tours through the
eastern states to solicit aid from learned and benevolent individuals for
his infint seminary. The most liberal contributor was the Rev. Dr.
Bentley, a Unitarian clergyman, of Salem, Mass., who had spent his life
in amassing one of the most rare collections of theological works in the
country. Harvard University had set her eyes upon this collection, and
having bestowed the preliminary plum, in the shape of an LL. D. di-
ploma, patiently awaited the doctor's demise. She occupied, however,
the situation of Esau before Isaac, for Mr. Alden had previously prepar( d
the savory dish, and received the boon ; and the name of Bentley Hall
now records the gratitude of Allegheny College. Hon. Judge Winthrop,
also of Mass., made a bequest to the institution of nearly the whole of
his private library, consisting of rare works, valued at ^6,500. Isaiah
Thomas, Esq., of Worcester, Mass., was another distinguished donor.
Notwithstanding these liberal endowments, the institution languished.
The country was new, and the inhabitants had but little time or money
to devote to literary pursuits. More than this, the institutions at Carlisle,
Canonsburg, and Washington, were its more successful rivals for Presby-
terian support.
In 1829 an attempt was made to introduce the military system of Capt.
Alden Patridge, and a pupil of his was called to the charge of the insti-
tution— but this effort was also unsuccessful.
In 1833 the institution was transferred to the patronage of the Pitts
burg conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. A Roberts profes
sorship, in honor of the venerable bishop, was endowed, and the college
re-opened in Nov. of that year, under the charge of Rev. Martin Ruter,
D. D., President, and Prof of Moral Science ; Rev. Homer J. Clark, Vice-
president, and Prof of Mathematics ; and A. W. Ruter, A. B., Prof of Lan-
guages. The institution has since been vigorously and judiciously man-
aged. The Rev. Homer J. Clark has succeeded to the presidency, and
is now aided by a Vice-president, and Prof of Nat. Phil, and Chemistrj'-,
a Prof of Latin and Greek and Class. Lit., a Prof of Math, and Civil
Engineering, a principal in the preparatory department, a teacher of
Mathematics, and a teacher of French. The number of students, in-
cluding those in the preparatory department, was, in 1842, 150.
A canal-boat was launched at Meadville on 28th Nov., 1828, built of materials that were
growing on the banks of French cr. the day before ! The boat left for Pittsburg on the 30th,
having on board 20 passengers, and 300 reams of paper manufactured from straw. — Crawford
Messenger.
Two respectable farmers met in one of the stores of this village last week. The one accosted
the other in a familiar way, with " How do you do, George ?" at the same time extending his
hand. George eyed the party saluting him with inquisitive interest for some time, but not being
able to recognise him, at length exclaimed, " Sir, you have the advantage of me, although I
think I have seen you before." Having perplexed George with numerous remarks, calculated
more and more to excite his curiosity, Isaac Mason at length revealed himself to his brother
George. The singular fact was then disclosed, that although these brothers reside within the
distance of six miles, the one north and the other south, of this village, and each of them almost
CRAWFORD COUNTY. 259
weekly in town on business, that they had not met each other during^ the last fifteen years. It
is no less remarkable that during this period they had repeatedly visited each other's families,
but it so happened that the party visited was invariably from home on the occasion." — Crawford
Messenger, 1831.
There are several small villages in Crawford co. ; Centrevilee. Trrus-
viLLE, Cambridge, Rockville, Sagerstovvn, Evanscurg, Hartztown, Adams-
viLLE, EsPYViLLE, Harmonsburg, Conniotvillb. Their position and distance
from the county seat may be best learned from the map.
The history of the range of counties in Pennsylvania " north and west
of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers, and Conewango cr.," would be incom-
plete without some notice of the provisions of various laws under which
the land in those counties was disposed of and settled, and the numerous
vexatious lawsuits which grew out of those provisions. The following
very concise summary, which is all that the restricted limits of this work
will admit, is drawn up principally from the copious notes in the 2d vol.
of Smith's Laws of Pennsylvania, with the addition of a few facts col-
lected from other sources.
Depreciation Lands. — During the revolution, between the years 1777 and 1781, the value of
the " bills of credit" issued by the state, as well as of those issued by Congress, continued
gradually to depreciate from one per cent, almost to one hundred. The debts contracted both
between individuals and public parties, during this period, it was found very difficult to settle
subsequently, on account of incessant disputes as to the amount of depreciation to be deducted
from the face of the money paid. The legislature passed a law, 3d April, 1781, fixing a scale of
depreciation, from 1^ per cent, to 7.5 per cent., varying for each month between 1777 and 1781,
according to which all debts should be settled. For the indebtedness of the commonwealth to
the officers and soldiers of the Pennsylvania troops in the army, certificates were given in con-
formity with the scale, and these, called depreciation certificates, were receivable in payment for
all new land sold by the state. The land N. W. of the Allegheny was sold by the Six Nations
to the commonwealth in Oct. 1784, at Fort Stanwix, and the sale was confirmed by the Dela-
Wares and Wyandots at Fort Mcintosh, (Beaver,) in Jan. 1785. Previous, however, to this pur-
chase from the Indians, the state, on the 12th March, 1783, more effectually to provide for the
redemption of the depreciation certificates, ordered to be surveyed and laid off in lots of not less
than 200, nor more than 350 acres, the district of land bomided by the Ohio and Allegheny on
the S. E., as far up as the mouth of Mahoning, or Mohullbucteetam cr. ; thence by a line due
west, and thence by the western boundary of the state — with the reservation of a tract of 3,000
acres opposite Pittsburg, and another 3,000 at Beaver. These lands were to be sold at such times
and under such regulations as the executive council might direct.
Donation Lands. — The same act of 12th March, 1783, which appropriated the depreciation
lands, also ordered to be located and laid off another district north of the former, bounded by the
Allegheny river on the S. E. as far up as the mouth of Conewango cr., thence by a line due N.
to the New York line, thence by the N. and W. boundaries of the state, and S. by the deprecia-
tion district. The Erie triangle was not then a part of this state. These lands were appropri-
ated expressly to fulfil a previous promise of the commonwealth (made 7th March, 1780) " to the
officers and privates belonging to this state in the federal army, of certain donations and quanti-
ties of land according to their several ranks, to be surveyed and divided off to them severally
at the end of the war." The lands were surveyed in lots of from 200 to 500 acres each, enough
of each kind to supply the different ranks. A major-general was entitled to draw four tickets, by
lottery, of 500 acres each ; a brigadier-general three of the same ; and so on down to the d»un-
mers, fifers, corporals, and " private sentinels," who drew one ticket of 200 acres each. The
donation districts were distinguished by numbers 1, 2, 3, &.c. The eastern part of donation dis-
trict No. 2, having been reported by Gen. Wm. Irvine, the agent, as being generally unfit for
cultivation, the numbers of lots therein were taken out of the wheel, and provision was made
elsewhere for such officers and soldiers as were thus cut off. The district thus rejected was
called the Struck district.
Various regulations and restrictions were made by law regarding the mode of survey, entry,
transfer of title, and limit of time for perfecting the soldiers' title to their lands ; and the limit of
time was subsequently extended by various laws from time to time. To fulfil the object of the
donation and depreciation laws, it did not by any means require all the lands in the region north
and west of the Ohio and Allegheny, and the remainder, the struck district included, reverted to
the state, to be disposed of to other settlers.
[The reader is here requested to refer to the Outline History, pages 42 and 43 of this volume
260 CRAWFORD COUNTY,
for several passajrcs on this subject, which our restricted Hmits will not permit ns here to repeat }
also to Erie, Beaver, Butler, and Warren counties.]
The Land Law of 1792. — With a view of liringing into market unseated lands, which had
been rejected on account of high price, and also to encouracre an increase of population on the
remote frontiers of the state, tlie legislature passed, on the 3d April, 1792, a law throwiujir open
for sale all the vacant lands of the state included in the purchase of 1768 and previously, at the
price of .£3 lOs. (Pennsylvania currency) per 100 acres ; lands in the purchase of 1784, east of
the Allegheny and Conewango, at .£5 per 100 acres ; and the lands north and west of the rivers
Ohio and Alleglienv, and Conewango cr., except the donation and depreciation lots, at £1 10s.
per 100 acres. No condition of settlement was attached to the lands east of the Allegheny ; but
those northwest of that river, &c., were only " offered for sale to persons who will cultivate, im.
prove, and settle tlie same, or cause the same to be cultivated, improved, and settled," &.C., at the
price above named, " with an allowance of (i per cent, for roads and highways." Any person
intending thus to settle was entitled, on ai)plication and pa3'ment, with proper description of the'
land, to receive from the land-office a warrant ordering a survey of the tract, not exceeding 400'
acres. Surveys could not be made on lands actually settled previous to the entry of the warrant,
except for such actual settler himself. The most important section, however, in this celebrated
law was : —
" Sect. 9. No warrant or survey, to be issued or made in pursuance of this act, for lands lying
north and west of the rivers Ohio and Allegheny, and Conewango or., shall vest any title in of
to the lands therein mentioned, unless the grantee has, prior to the date of such warrant, made,
or caused to be made, or shall within the space of two years next after the date of the same,
make, or cause to be made, an actual settlement thereon, by clearing, fencing, and cultivating at
least two acres for every hundred acres contained in one survey, erecting thereon a messuage for'
the habitation of man, and residing, or causing a family to reside thereon, for the space of five
years next following his first settlement of the same, if he, or she, shall so long live ; and that in
default of such actual settlement and residence, it shall and may be lawful to and for this com'-
monwealth to issue new warrants to other actual settlers for the said lands, or any part thereof,
reciting the original warrants, and that actual settlements and residence have not been made irt
pursuance thereof, and so as often as defaults shall be made, for the time, and in the manner
aforesaid, which new grants shall be under, and^subject to all and every the regulations contained
in this act. Provided, always, nevertheless, that if any such actual settler, or any grantee in
any such original or succeeding warrant shall, hy force of arms of the enemies of the United
States, be prevented from making such actual settlement, or be driven therefrom, and shall per-
sist in his endeavors to make Such actual settlement as aforesaid, then, in either case, he and his
heirs shall be entitled to have and to hold, the said lands, in the same manner, as if the actual
settlement had been made and continued."
Much controversy arose out of this act. The ninth section, and particularly the proviso in
that section, was the subject of serious and bitter litigation for more than twenty years, before the
highest courts both of the state and the U. States. The most distinguished lawyers and judges
repeatedly delivered conflicting decisions on the points at issue, and it was only settled at last,
in 1805, by the decision of Chief-justice Marshall, of the Supreme Court of the U. S. Even this
decision left open many secondary questions, which perplexed the courts, and, literally, " puzzled
the Philadelphia lawyers," for many years afterwards ; and many of them were only settled
eventually by special legislation. During all that time, the improvement of that section of the
state was retarded, while the regions in New York and Ohio, beyond it, were rapidly increasing
in population and v,realth. It is important to keep in mind, in considering tliis subject, the dis-
turbed state of the vv^estern frontier at the time of the passage of this law, and for three years
subsequently. (See Outline History.) Judge Washington says, " Though the great theatre of
the war lay far to the northwest of the land in dispute, yet it is clearl}' proved that this country
during this period was exposed to the repeated eruptions of the enemy, killing and plundering
such of the whites as they met with in defenceless situations. We find the settlers sometimes
workfing out in the daytime, in the neighborhood of forts, and returning at night within their
walls for protection ; sometimes giving up the pursuit in despair, and returning to the settled
parts of the country ; then returning to this country, and again abandoning it. We sonu-times
meet with a few men daring and hardy enough to attempt the cultivation of their lands ; associ-
ating implements of husbandry with the instruments of war — the character of the husbandman
with that of the soldier — and yet I do not recollect any instance in which, with this enterprising,
daring spirit, a single individual was able to make such a settlement as the law required."
When quiet was again restored to the frontier, by Wayne's treaty in
1795, pioneers and speculators flocked from all quarters into the districts
beyond the Allegheny. Some had already made partial settlements there,
and had been driven off " by the enemies of the United States :" others
were old soldiers and officers, now for the first time able to make their
CRAWFORD COUNTY. 261
locations ', others had purchased for a trifle from the generous and reck-
less old soldiers their titles to numerous tracts ; others were land-jobbers,
who furnished means to tenants wherewith to make settlements on the
jobber's account ; others were the agents of wealthy companies and
associations, having in view the same object ; and others came in on their
own account, under the very general impression that, as no one had yet
been able to complete the five years' residence required by the law, they
were at liberty to select such tracts as they found untenanted, although
some previous settler, not yet returned, had made improvements upon
them. The state of tilings which ensued when the titles of these various
classes of people began to conflict with each other, may be readily con-
ceived. In the numerous lawsuits which followed, those of the great
land companies were the most important, since they involved a vast ex-
tent of territory. Of these companies there were three — the Holland
Land Company, the Population Company, and the North American Land
Company. Of the latter, little has come to our knowledge, except that it
Was recognised, with the others, in certain legislative provisions*
The Holland Land Company. — At the close of the revolution several wealthy gentlemen of
Holland, William Willink, and eleven associates, had a very considerable sum of money to re-
ceive either from the United States, or from Robert Morris, the distinguished financier of the
revolution. This money had been borrowed of them, it is believed, for the purpose of carrying
on the war. Preferring still to keep it invested in this new country, they purchased of Mr. Mor-
ris, in 1792, an immense tract of land West of the Genesee river, in New York ; and about the
same time they took up by warrant a great number of tracts east of the Allegheny river, in
Pennsylvania, under the law of 1792. Many of these tracts they still hold. They also caused
to be settled, or made endeavors to place settlers on a great number of tracts west of the Alle.*
gheny. Judge Yeates on one occasion said — " The Holland Land Co. have paid to the state the
consideration money of 1,162 warrants, and the surveying fees on 1,048 tracts of land, [gener-
ally 400 acres each,] besides making very eonsiderable expenditures by their exertions, honorable
to themselves, and useful to the community, in order to effect settlements. Computing the sums
advanced, the lost tracts by prior improvements and interferences, and the quantity of 100 acres
granted to each individual for making art actual settlement on their lands, it is said that, aver-
aging the whole, between $230 and ^240 have been expended by the company on each tract."
To those settlers who had been prevented, by the wars on the frontier, from making an actual
settlement on their lands, a certificate of the fact of prevention had been issued at the land-office.
These were called prevention certificates, and were supposed to entitle the holder to a patent,
without any further attempts at completing a settlement and five years' residence after the peace.
Many of these certificates had been purchased by the Holland Land Co. On some they had
received patents ; but on a change of administration in the land-office, any further issue was
refused. This raised the question on which was founded what is known in the law-books as the
" great case of the Holland Land Co.," and upon which depended a vast number of titles ill
Western Pennsylvania. " The question is, whether the conditions of actual settlement, by rea-"
son of the Indian hostilities for two years after the date of a warrant for lands across the Alle-
gheny, are extinguished or dispensed with, by the proviso in the 9th section of tiie act of 1792."
Our limits will not admit of following the question through the courts. Suffice it to say, that in
1805 the Supreme court of the U. S. decided the question in the affirmative, and the Holland Co.
being thus excused from making fiu'ther attempts at residence or settlement, were confirmed in
their titles, and eventually obtained quiet possession of their lands. Many tracts, however, of
other c\a.'ima.nts depended upon actual settlement ; and the question as to what constituted an
actual settlement, was not fully settled by the courts for several years after the decision of the
Holland Co. case. This whole subject is ably and copiously treated in Smith's Laws of Pa.,
vol. 2, and in the general index, vol. 5, — to which those are referred who wish to investigate tha
subject more in detail.
The Pennsylvania Population Co. was an association of wealthy gentlemen, organized in May,
1792, of which John Nicholson, the great land speculator, was president, and Messrs. Cazenove,
Irvine, Mead, Leet, Hoge, and Stewart, managers. Their stock consisted of 2,500 shares, which,
as eacli share represented 200 acres, was vested in 500,000 acres of land. Any one transferring
to the company a donation tract of 200 acres, was entitled to a share of stock. The title to their
lands was vested in trustees, to be held in common, and the proceeds divided pro rata among the
Btockholders. John Nicholson, individually, soon after the passage of the law of 1792, had ap.
262 CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
plied for, at the land-office, 390 warrants, to be located in the "triangle" (Erie co.) then known
as the Lake Erie territory, and for 250 warrants more on the waters of Beaver creek, amounting
to about 260,000. Before, however, paying the purchase money on these tracts, he transferred
his applications to the company, (in May, 1792,) who paid for them, and perfected the title.
They also took up about 500 warrants more in Erie and CravVford counties, on 30th May, 1792.
The people of this region, in common with those of many other parts of the state, have been re-
cently (1842) very much alarmed and excited by the revival of an antiquated claim of Johri
Nicholson's heirs to certain lands. So far as the claim concerns titles derived through the Popu-
lation Co., it is thought by learned counsel that no part of the company's land was ever vested
in John Nicholson individually.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Cumberland county, formerly included in Lancaster co., was established
by the act of 27th Jan., 1750. Its limits, which then included the whole
country west to the boundary of the state, have been gradually reduced
by the formation of other counties. Length 34 miles, breadth 16 ; area,
545 sq. miles. Population in 1790, 18,243; in 1800, 25,386; in 1810,
26,757 ; in 1820, 23,606 ; in 1830, 29,226 ; in 1840, 30,953.
The Kittatinny mountain, like a vast wall of regular height, sweeps
round the northern boundary of the county ; the South mountain bounds
it on the southeast. The Susquehanna flows along the N. E. end of the
CO. The Conodoguinet flows through the whole length of the county.
The Yellow Breeches creek drains the southern part. The surface of
the county is, like that of the Kittatinny valley, generally undulating ; the
southern half being composed of limestone land of most exuberant fer-
tility, the northern of slate lands. No county in the state can boast more
beautiful or more highly cultivated farms, than this. The population
was originally Scotch-Irish, but they have been to a very great extent
supplanted by the German race. The manufactures, besides those of a
domestic character, are principally of iron. The county abounds in iron
ore and forests, along the mountains, and contains some six or seven fur-
naces, a large rolling-mill, and several forges. There is an extensive
woollen factory on Mountain creek. The Cumberland Valley railroad
passes through the centre of the co., touching at the principal towns.
The Harrisburg and Pittsburg southern turnpike pursues nearly the same
direction as the railroad. Another turnpike runs from Carlisle south to
Baltimore.
Previous to any settlement by the whites in the Cumberland valley, the
Shawanee Indians had occupied the lands on the Conodoguinet for a
hunting-ground. It appears from the elaborate researches of Redmond
Conyngham, Esq., that "about the year 1677 the Shawanees, driven by
persecution from Carolina and Georgia, came to the mouth of th Cones-
toga, in Lancaster co., and obtained the consent of the Susquehanna In-
dians to occupy the flats." " The Shawanees also claim that they were
permitted to occupy the flats at the mouth of Conestoga, and were prom-
ised hunting-ground and protection by Markham, and that this promise
was confirmed by William Penn at Shackamaxon ; that a treaty of pur-
chase was afterwards concluded with the Shawanees of their claim to
the lands they occupied on the Susquehanna, they consenting to removo
CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 263
to lands on the Conodoguinet, surveyed for their use by order of the pro-
prietaries. The intrusion of the white settlers upon their hunting-ground
proved a fresh source of grievance ; they remonstrated to the governor
and to the assembly, and finally withdrew and placed themselves under
the protection of the French. Big Beaver, a Shawanee chief, at the
treaty of Carlisle in 1753, referred to a promise made by William Penn
at Shackamaxon, of hunting-grounds forever."
A purchase was made by the proprietaries, in Oct. 173G, from the Six
Nations, of all the lands west of the Susquehanna "to the setting sun,"
and south of the Tayamentasacta hills, as the Kittatinny mountain was
called by the Six Nations. Previous to this, unauthorized settlements
had been made in a few places on the Conodoguinet and Conococheague,
by emigrants from the north of Ireland ; and after the purchase, although
the land was not surveyed, they were rather encouraged to settle here,
for the purpose of preventing intruders under Lord Baltimore's title.
These settlements gave rise to the complaints of the Shawanees.
When the county was erected, in 1750, it contained 807 taxable inhab-
itants, and was represented in the assembly by Joseph Armstrong and
Hermanns Alrichs. Robert M'Coy, Benjamin Chambers, David Magaw,
James M'Intire, and John M'Cormick were the commissioners to select
the site for a courthouse. Shippensburg was selected as a temporary
seat of justice. The commissioners of this county and those of York dis-
agreed in regard to the boundary line ; those of Cumberland wishing it to
commence opposite the mouth of the Swatara, and run along the ridge
of the South mountain, while the others claimed that it should follow up
Yellow Breeches cr. The difficulty was settled by act of assembly, in
1751, and the present line adopted.
The courts were first held at Shippensburg, but were removed to Cariisle in 1751, after the
town was laid out. The orphans' court, during the years 1750 and 1751, seems to have followed
the judges. At one time it was held at " WilUam Anderson's," another time at "Antrim," some-
times at " Shippensburg," and then again at " Peterstown."
The following is a literal copy of the first record in the court of quarter sessions : —
"At a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace held at Shippensburg for the County
of Cumberland the twenty-fourth day of July in the twcnty-fourth year of the Reign of his Ma-
jesty King George the Second Annoq. Doni. 1750,
Before Samuel Smith Esquire and his Brethren Keepers of the Peace of our said Lord the
King and liis Justices assign'd to hear and detennine divers Felonies Trespasses &c,
Dominus Rex i Sur Indictmt. for Larceny, not guilty & now ye deft ret her
vs > pi and submits to yc Ct. And thereupon it is considered by
Bridget Hagen ) the Court and adjudged that ye sd Bridget Hagen Restore the
sum of Six pounds seventeen shillings «fe sixpence lawfull money of Penna unto Jacob Long ye
owner and make fine to ye Governor in ye like sum and pay ye costs of prosecution & receive fif-
teen Lashes on her bare back at ye PubUc Whipping post &. stand committed till ye fine &. fees
are paid."
When the courts were removed to Carlisle, great complaint was made
by the people of Conococheague, which was then quite a populous settle-
ment.
Shippensburg they were fully persuaded would have quieted the whole county, though it was
northeast of the centre ; yet that it had pleased the governor to remove the courts of justice to
Letort's Spring, almost at one end of the county ; and they asked the assembly to take into con-
sideration their grievances — the governor, though repeatedly applied to, having refused them re-
dress. They alleged that it would always impoverish them to carry and expend their money at
the extremity of the county, whence it would never circulate back again ; that neither the inter-
ests of the proprietaries nor the prosperity of the town of Carlisle would be advanced by chang-
ing the seat of justice, and that no good wagon road could be made across the North mountain
" until beyond Shippensburg up the valley."
264 CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
The citizens of the eastern end denied the statements of the Conoco-
cheague men, and the courts remained at Letort's Spring, where it was
for the proprietary interest that they should be.
The settlers at that early day had but little regard to the quality of the soil upon which they
located, if they could but fix their habitations near to running water. A number of them, there-
fore, settled near Sherman's or., upon lands not at that time purchased from the natives. In
1750, Richard Peters, taking with him his majesty's magistrates of Cumberland, and the cele-
brated Conrad Weiser, dispossessed several families who had there built cabins. Their dwellings
were burned to the ground, and the trespassers hold to appear and answer at the next court at
Shippensburg ; and to remove immediately with their cattle and effects.
In the year 175.'), instructions were given by the proprietaries to their agents, that they should
take especial care to encourage the emigration of Irishmen to Cumberland co. It was their de-
sire to people York with Germans, and Cumberland with Irish. The mingling of the two nations
in Lancaster co. had produced serious riots at elections. In those primitive times, because of a
sparse population, the elections were not very regular, but difficulties in these cases were settled
in a smnmary manner, and at much less expense than in this intelligent age; for in 1756, when
William Allen was returned a member of the assembly for two counties, Cumbcrla'nd and North-
ampton, he was merely requested by the speaker to name the county for which he would sit, as
he could not serve for both. He chose Cumberland, and a new election was ordered for North-
ampton.
Capt. Jack was a noted character in the early days of Cumberland co.,
between 1750 and 1755. From Mr. Conyngham's notes it appears that —
Capt. Jack — the " black hunter," the " black rifle," the " wild hunter of Juniata," the " black
hunter of the forest" — was a white man. He entered the woods with a few enterprising com-
panions, built his cabin, cleared a little land, and amused himself with the pleasures of fishing
and hunting. He felt happy, for he had not a care. But on an evening, when he returned from
a day of sport, he found his cabin burnt, and his wife and children murdered. From that mo-
ment he forsook civilized man, lived in caves, protected the frontier inhabitants from the Indians,
and seized every opportunity for revenge that offered. He was a terror to the Indians ; a protector
to the whites. On one occasion, near Juniata, in the middle of a dark night, a family was sud-
denly awakened by the report of a gun. They jumped from their huts, and by the glimmering
light from their chimney saw an Indian fall to rise no more. The open door exposed to view the
" wild hunter." " I saved your lives," he cried ; then turned and was buried in the gloom of
night. He never shot without good cause. His look was as unerring as his aim. He formed
an association to defend the settlers against savage aggressions. On a given signal they would
unite. Their exploits were often heard of, in 1756, on the Conococheague and Juniata. He was
sometimes called the Half Indian ; and Col. Armstrong, in a letter to the governor, says, " The
company under the command of the Half Indian, having left the Great Cove, the Indians took
advantage and murdered many." He also, through Col. Croghan, proffered his aid to Braddock.
" He will march with his hunters," says the colonel ; " they are dressed in hunting-shirts, moc-
casins, «&c., are well armed, and are equally regardless of heat or cold. They require no shelter
for the night — they ask no pay."
What was the real name of this mysterious personage has never been
ascertained. It is supposed that he gave name to " Jack's mountain" — ar
enduring and appropriate monument.
Carlisle is situated in the midst of the Cumberland valley, 17 miles
W. from Harrisburg, and 117 from Philadelphia. It is an ancient and
flourishing borough, and is laid out with wide streets, with a spacious
public square in the centre, around which are several of the churches
and public buildings. The trees recently planted in the centre of the
square will, in a few years, add much to the beauty of the place. Le-
tort's spring, a copious stream, which gushes from the limestone two
miles south, runs along the eastern border of the town, emptying into the
Conodoguinet, about three miles below. Through the centre of the main,
or " High" street, runs the Cumberland Valley railroad, which was com-
pleted about the year 1838. The great turnpike through Chambersburg
to Pittsburg also passes through the town, and another runs to Baltimore.
The public buildings are, courthouse and county offices, jail, market-
PS
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CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 2tt5
house, town-hall, two common school buildings, Dickinson's college and
institute, two Presbyterian churches, St. John's Protestant Episcopal
church, German Reformed church, Lutheran church, Methodist Episcopal
church, Roman Catholic church. Associate Presbyterian church, three
African churches, banking-house, and United States Barracks.
The common school system is in full operation in Carlisle. The whole
number of schools is 15, in which are taught about 800 scholars, at an an-
nual expense of not less than $4,000. The schools constitute a progressive
series, in which " the branches are taught from the alphabet to the higher
studies of an English education."
The courthouse, an old-fashioned brick bi^ilding, was erected about the
year 17G6 — the cupola and clock not having been added until 1809. The
old stone jail was erected about 1754, and enlarged in 1790. In 1754,
stocks and a pillory were also erected, and remained on the public square
until that inhuman punishment was abolished. Some of the old citi-
zens yet remember having seen the ears of " crtjpped" culprits nailed to
the pillory.
Carlisle was incorporated as a borough on the 13th April, 1782, and the
charter was amended in 1814. Pop. in 1830, 3,708 ; in 1840, 4,350.
The citizens of this place are noted for their intelligence and orderly
habits. It has always been the residence of a circle of distinguished
professional men, attached to the college, to the army, and to the different
professions, who impart an elevated tone to the society of the place.
The late Judge Duncan, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was a native of Carlisle.
His father, who was from Scotland, was one of the first settlers of the county. Young Duncan
was educated here under Dr. Ramsay, the historian, and studied law in Lancaster, under Judge
Yeates. His rise was rapid, and in less than ten years from his admission to the bar he was at
the head of the profession in the midland counties in the state, and for nearly thirty years sus-
tained this rank. He was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court, in March, 1817, by
Gov. Snyder, in place of Judge Yeates, who had died. He shortly after removed to Philadelphia,
where he resided until his death, which took place on the 16th Nov. 1827.
At the bar, Mr. Duncan was distinguished by quickness and acuteness of discernment, prompt-
ness of decision, and accurate and practical knowledge of men and things, and a ready recourse
to the rich stores of his own mind and memory. Without the possession of many of the natural
requisites of oratory, he was a skilful, ardent, and indeed eloquent advocate. During the ten
years that he sat upon the bench, associated with the late Chief-justice Tilghman, and the pre-
sent Chief-justice Gibson, he contributed largely to the stock of judicial opinion, and the Reports
contain abundant memorials of his industry, learning, and talents. Judge Duncan survived his
excellent friend. Judge Tilghman, but a few months. The decease of these two eminent magis-
trates was deeply lamented throughout the state.
Mr. Conyngham says —
Messrs. Lyon and Armstrong were elected by the proprietaries to lay out a town on the road
from Harris's ferry, leading through the rich valley of Cmnberland, including the old stockade
and blockhouse, and extending over the big spring called Le Tort, (now Letort,) after James Le
Tort, a French Swiss, who acted as Indian interpreter and messenger to government, and who
had erected a cabin at its source as early as the year 1735. Carlisle was laid out in pursuance
of their directions in 1750, and in 1753 the seat of justice was permanently located at Carlisle.
James Le Tort, by some of the manuscripts, is stated to have penetrated to Cumberland valley
as early as 1731. His first cabin was burnt by the Indians. It stood at the head of the spring.
He received for his services twelve pounds annually.
Gov. Hamilton, in his letter of instructions, April 1, 1751, " to Nicholas
Scull, surveyor-general, which will serve likewise for Mr. Cookson," states
that he had been led to select the site on account of there being among
other advantages " about it, a wholesome dry limestone soil, good air, and
abundance of vacant land, well covered with a variety of wood," and
34
2(JG CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
charged his agents " to take into consideration the following matters" in
selecting the site, viz.
— the health of the citizens, the goodness and plenty of ater, with the easiest method of com
ing at it, its commodiousncss to the great road leading from Harris's ferry to tlie Potowmac, and
to other necessary roads, as well into the neighboring county as over the passes in the Blue
mountains.
When you have examined the country about this place, so as to consult these necessary points
in the best manner possible, then you may proceed to mark the place of the. centre and the out-
lines, conforming yourselves in all things to the proprietaries' plan and instructions herewith de-
livered to you, but in doing this you are to have a sjjecial regard to the situation of the proprietary
lands, so as that ujiou tlie incrciise of the town, the lots may all be witliin laiuls belonging to the
proprietaries, and the roads to the town pass tlu"ough them in the most advantageous manner ;
and to the end that I may form my own judgment of this, you are not absolutely to fix or publish
any particular place, but to lay down on a draught the site, as in your judgment, of the town,
with the projjrietary lands and i)laces contiguous, the courses of the creek, of the great road, as
it goes from the ferry to Shippcnsburg, and other necessary roads, the courses and distance of the
river Conedogwinet, and Yellow Bri'eehes, together with the quality of the soil, at and near the
town, and between it and those rivers. You are likewise to survey what other vacant lands
there are within five miles of the^own for tlie use of the proprietaries on your general warrant, as
I am informed by them that the surveyors have strangely neglected their interest m this county.
In May, 1753, .Tohn 0'N"eal, who had been .sent to Carlisle by Gov.
Hamilton, for the purpose of repairing the fortifications, thus writes —
" The garrison here consists only of twelve men. The stockade originally occupied two acres
of ground square, with a blockhouse in each corner : these buildings are now in ruin. Carlisle
lias been recently laid out, and is the established seat of justice. It is the general opinion that a
number of log-cabins will be erected during the ensuing summer on speculation, in which some
accommodation can be had for the new levies. The number of dwelling-houses is five. The
court is at present held in a temporary log building, on the northeast corner of the centre square.
If the lots were clear of the brushwood, it would give a different aspect to the town. The situ-
ation, however, is handsome, in the centre of a valley, with a mountain bounding it on the north
and south at a distance of seven miles. The wood consists principally of oak and hickory. The
limestone will be of great advantage to the future settlers, being in abundance. A limekiln
stands on the centre square, near what is called the deep quarry, from which is obtained good
building stone. A large stream of water runs about two miles from tlie village, which may at a
future period be rendered navigable. A fine spring runs to the east, called Le Tort, after the In-
dian interpreter who settled on its head about the year 1720. The Indian wigwams, in the vicin-
ity of the Great Beaver Pond, are to me an object of particular curiosity."
In the same year, 1753, another stockade of very curious construction was erected, whose
western gate was in High street, between Hanover and Pitt streets, opposite lot 100. This for-
tification was thus constructed. Oak logs about seventeen feet in length, were set upright in a
ditch dug to the depth of four feet. Each log was about twelve inches in diameter. In the in-
terior were platforms made of clapboards, and raised four or five feet from the ground. Upon
these the men stood and fired through loopholes. At each corner was a swivel gun, wliieh was
occasionally fired "to let the Indians know that such kind of guns were within." Three wells
were sunk within the line of the fortress, one of which was on lot 125 ; another on the line be-
tween lots 109 and 117 ; and the third on the line between lots 124 and 116. This last was for
many years known as the " King's Well." Within this fqrt, called " Fort Louther," women and
children from Crecn Spring and the country around, often sought protection I'rpm the tomahawk
of the savage. Its force, in 1755, consisted of fifty men, and that of Fort Franklin, at Shippens.
burg, of the same number. At a somewhat later day, or perhaps about the sanie time, breast-
works were erected a little northeast of the town — as it was then limited — by Col. Stanwix, some
remains of which still exist.
The following extracts are from a pamphlet recently published at Car-
lisle, containing the charter and ordinances of the borough.
When the town was first located, it extended no further than the present North, South, East and
West streets. All the surrounding country now within the borough limits was purchased back
by Mr. Cookson from the settlers, for the proprietaries, and was designed as commons. Subse-
quently, however, principally in the years 1798, 1799, and 1800, the "additional lots" and "out.
lots" were laid out and sold to the citizens, but not without the remonstrance of a number of the
inhabitants, who held a town meeting, and declared that the original lots had been purchased from
the proprietaries upon a condition verbally expressed, that the proprietaries' lands adjoining the
town should remain commons forever for thp benefit of the poor. Because of this dissatisfaction.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 267
the payment of quit-fonts, which had been annually collected by the agents of the Pcnns, was in-
terrupted for many years, and eventually their recovery was judiciously determined to be barred
by lapse of time.
In October, 1753, a treaty of" amity and friendship" was held at Carlisle with the Ohio Indians
by Benjamin Franklin, Isaac Morris, and William Peters, commissioners. The expenses of this
treaty, including presents to the Indians, amounted to fourteen hundred pounds.
Shortly after this period, the dispute arose between the governor and council, and the assembly,
on the subject of a complaint made by the Shawanee Indians, that the proprietary government
had surveyed all the lands on the Conodoguinet into a manor, and driven them from their hunt-
ing-ground, without a purchase, and contrary to treaty.
The first weekly post between Philadelphia and Carlisle was established in 1757, intended the
better to enable his honor the governor and the assembly to communicate with his majesty's sub-
jects on the frontier.
The town of Carlisle, in 1760, Was made the scene of a barbarous murder. Doctor John, a
friendly Indian of the Delaware tribe, was massacred, together with his wife and two children.
Capt. Callender; who was one of the inquest, was sent for by the assembly, and, after interroga-
ting him on the subject, they ofl'ered a reward of one hundred pounds for the apprehension of each
person concerned in the murder. Th.e excitement occasioned by the assassination of Doctor
John's family was immense, for it was feared that the Indians might seek to avenge the murder
on the settlers. About noonday, on the 4th of July, 1763, one of a party of horsemen, who wer6
Been rapidly riding through the town, stopped a moment to quench his thirst, and communicated
the information that Presqu'isle, Le Beuf, and Venango had been captured by the French and
Indians. The greatest alarm spread among the citizens of the town and neighboring country*
The roads were crowded in a little while with women and children, hastening to Lancaster for
safety. The pastor of the Episcopal church headed his congregation, encouraging them on the
way. Some retired to the breastworks. Col. Bouquet, in a letter addressed to the governor, da-
ted the day previous, at Carlisle, urged the propriety of the people of York assisting in building
the posts here, and " sowing the harvest," as their county was protected by Cumberland.
The terror of the citizens subsided but little, until Col. Bouquet conquered the Indians in the
following year, 1764, and compelled them to sue for peace. One of the conditions upon which
peace was granted. Was that the Indians should deliver up all the women and children whom they
had taken into captivity. Among them were many who had been seized when very young, and
had grown up to womanhood in the wigwam of the savage. They had contracted the wild habits
of their captors, learned their language and forgotten their own, and were bound to them by ties
of the strongest affection. Many a mother found a lost child ; many were unable to designate
their children. The separation between the Indians and their prisoners was heart-rending. The
hardy son of the forest shed torrents of tears, and every captive left the wigwam with reluc-
tance. Some afterwards made their escape, and returned to the Indians. Many had in-
termarried with the natives, but all were left to freedom of choice, and those who re-
mained unmarried had been treated with delicacy. One female who had been captured at the
age of fourteen, had become the wife of an Indian, and the mother of several children. When in-
formed that she was about to be delivered to her parents, her grief could not be alleviated. "Cart
I," said she, " enter my parents' dwelling ? Will they be kind to my children ? Will my old
companions associate with the wife of an Indian chief ? And my husband, who has been so
kind — I will not desert him !" That night she fled from the camp to her husband and children.
A great number of the restored prisoners were brought to Carlisle, and Col. Bouquet advertised
for those v^-ho had lost children to come liere and look for them. Among those that came was
an old woman, whose child, a little girl, had been taken from her several years before ; but she
Was unable to designate her daughter or converse with the released captives. With breaking
heart, the old woman lamented to Col. Bouquet her hapless lot, telling him how she used many
years ago to sing to her little daughter a hymn of which the child was so fond. She was re-
quested by the colonel to sing it then, which she did in these words :
" Alone, yet not alone am I,
Though in this solitude so drear ;
I feel my Savioiu- always nigh.
He comes my every hour to cheer,"
and the long-lost daughter rushed into the arms of her mother.
Quietude being secured to the citizens by the termination of the Indian war, they directed their
attention to the improvement of their village and the cultivation of the soil. No important pubhc
e>cnt disturbed them in their peaceful occupations, until the disputes which preceded the war of
the revolution arose between the colonies and the mother country. The tyrannical sway of the
British sceptre over the colonists, found but few advocates among the inhabitants of Carlisle, and
when a resort to warfare became necessary, many of them tmhesitatingly obeyed their country's
call, and bore arms in her defence.
During the war Carlisle was made a place of rendezvous for the American troops ; and m
tfoasequence of being located at a distance from the theatre of war, British prisoners were fre~
268
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
quently sent hilhei for secure confinement. Of tlicsc, Maj. Andre and Lieut. Dcspard, who had
been taken by Montgomery, near Lake Champlain, wliiie here, in 1776, occupied the stone house
at the corner of South Hanover street and Locust alley, and were on a jjarole of honor of s\%
miles ; but were prohibited going out of the town except in military dress. Mrs. Ramsey, an un-
flinching whig, detected two torics in conversation with these officers, and inuncdiatcly made
known the circumstance to William Brown, Esq., one of the county committee. The tories were
imprisoned. Upon their persons were discovered letters written in French , but no one could be
found to interpret them, and their contents were never known. After this, Andre and Despard
were not allowed to leave the town. They had fowling-pieces of superior workmanship, but now,
being unable to use them, thev broke them to pieces, declaring that " no d — d rebel should ever
burn powder in tlicm." During their confinement, one Thompson enhsted a company of militia
in what is now Perry county, and marched them to Carlisle. Eager to make a display of his
own bravery and tliat of his recruits, he drew up his soldiers at night in front of the house ol' An-
dre and his companion, and swore lustily he would have their lives, because, as he alleged, tlie
Americans wlio were prisoners of war in the hands of the British, were dying by starvation.
Through the importunities, however, of Mrs. Ramsey, Capiaiii Thompson, who had formerly
been an apprentice to her husband, was made to desist ; and as he countermarched his company,
with a menacing nod of the head he bellowed to the objects of his wrath, " You may tiiank my okl
mistress for your lives." They were afterwards removed to York, but before their departure, sent to
Mrs. Ramsey a box of spermaceti candles, with a note requesting her acceptance of the donation,
as an acknowledgment of her many acts of kindness. The present was dechned, Mrs. Ramsey
averring that she was too stanch a whig to accept a gratuity from a British officer. Despard
was executed at London in 1803, for high treason. With the fate of the unfortunate Andr6,
every one is familiar.
The town of Carlisle was incorporated, and its present boundaries fixed, by an act of assembly,
passed on the I3th of April, 17J"2.-i l^^t the charter was supplied by a new enactment of the 4th of
March, 1814. Under the ol3^ charter, the style of the corporation was, " The Burgesses and In-
habitants of the town of Carfisle." Having no council, all corporate business was transacted in
town meeting. The early borough records are somewhat imperfect, and the affairs of the corpo-
ration appear^'to have been loosely managed. When the yellow fever, however, in 1793, was com-
mitting its ravages in Philadelphia, there was no lack of active exertion, by the inliabitants of
Carhsle, to keep from among them the scourges of the epidemic.
In 1794, the army raised to quell the whiskey insurrection in the West, rendezvoused at Car-
lisle. Gen. Washington was with them here for some time, and had his quarters in Hanover
street, in the second house south of the market square.
Dickinson College.
The college is situated at the west end of the town, fronting on High-
street. The following history of the institution is derived from the pam-
phlet referred to above.
The original charter of Dickinson College was granted by the legislature in 1783. By thai
instrument it was determined — " that in memory of the great and important services rendered to
his country by His Excellency John Dickinson, Esquire, President of the Supreme Executive
Council, and in commemoration of his very liberal donation to the institution, the said college
shall be forever hereafter called and known by the name of Dickinson College." The faculty
was first organized in 1784, by the election of the Rev. Charles Nisbet, D. D., of Montrosft
CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 269
Scotland, As President, aiid the appointment of Mr. James Ross, as Professor of Languages ; to
whom were added in the following year, the Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., as Professor of Belles-
Lettrcs, and Mr. Robert Johnston, Instructor in Mathematics. The college, under the adminis-
tration of Dr. Nisbet, flourished, as much, perhaps, as the times would allow.
The first edifice erected in 1802, was destroyed by fire in 1804, but another was completed in
September, 1805, and is now known as the west college. The college sustained a heavy loss in
the death of Dr. Nisbet, which occurred on the 14th of February, 1804. The ofHce of President
was exercised pro tempore by Dr. Davidson, until, in 1809, the Rev. Jeremiah Atwater, D. D.,
was elected. The institution was prosperous under his direction, and the class of 1812 was the
largest that had graduated for twenty years. In 1815, President Atwater resigned, and the fol-
lowing year the operations of the college were suspended, and were not renewed till 1821, when
the Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., was called to preside, and during the first part of his adminis-
tration, there Was a considerable influx of students ; but previously to his resignation, wiiich took
place May 1, 1824, the college began to decline, and continued to languish, except for brief
intervals, while under the presidency of Drs. Neill and Howe, until 1832, when the trus-
tees determined that the operations of the institution should cease. In 18.33, the control
of the college was transferred to the Baltimore, Philadelphia, and NeW Jersey annual confer,
cnces of the Methodist Episcopal church by t!ie resignation, from time to time, of some of the
trustees, and by the election of others, named by the said conferences, in their stead, until finally
a complete change was effected in the management of the institution. By this change, the col-
lege took a fresh start, and the organization of the faculty was commenced by the election of the
Rev. John P. Durbin as President, and the establishment of a law department under the charge
of the Hon. John Reed. About the same time, a grammar school was opened under the direction
of Mr. Alexander F. Dobb.
Dickinson College, mider the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church, and under the direc-
tion of its able faculty, has hitherto been prosperous, and bids fair to realize the hopes of its early
founders. A new and commodious edifice has been erected for the accommodation of the faculty
and students, and a suitable building for the use of the grammar school, called Dickinson Insti-
tute. A large addition has been made to the libraries, to the chemical and philosophical appara-
tus, and to the mineralogical cabinet. The number of students has gradually increased, and at
this time there are in the college proper 118, in the grammar school, 60. Total, 178. The Board
of Instruction is as follows : — Rev. John P. Durbin, D. D., President and Prof, of Moral Phi-
losophy. Merritt Caldwell, A. M., Prof, of Metaphysics and Political Economy. William H.
Allen, A. M., Prof, of Chemistry and Experimental Philosophy. Rev. John McClintock, A. M.,
Prof, of Languages. Thos. E. Sudler, A. M., Prof, of Mathematics. Hon. John Reed, LL.D.,
Prof, of Law. Rev. Levi Scott, A. M., Principal of the Grammar School. Rev. Thomas Bow-
man, A. M., Assistant.
The early settlers of the valley being generally from the north of Ire-
land, brought with them their attachment to the Presbyterian church ;
and upwards of a century since, the Presbyterians built a log church on
the Conodoguinet, at the " Meeting-house springs." " The first pastor was
Rev. Samuel Thompson." No vestige of the building remains. In the
burying-ground are to be seen several ancient grave-stones emblazoned
with coats of arms. The pamphlet mentioned above contains the follow-
ing notices of the churches in the borough.
Shortly after Carlisle was laid out, a Presbyterian congregation was organized in it. A church
Was built, and George Duffield, D. D., ordained pastor in 1761. About 1760, a license was ob-
tained from Gov. Hamilton, authorizing the congregation to raise by lottery " a small sum of mo-
ney to enable them to build a decent house for the worship of God," and in 1766, the minister
and others petitioned the Assembly for the passage of an act to compel the " managers to set-
tle," and the " adventurers to pay ;" the settlement of the lottery having been for a " considera-
ble time deferred" by reason of the " confusions occasioned by the Indian wars." The act
prayed for was passed. A short time afterwards, the congregation in the country, then under the
care of the Rev. Mr. Steele, constructed a two-story house of worship in town ; and some time
before the revolution erected the present " First Presbyterian church," on the northwest corner
of the centre square. The two church parties differed somewhat in doctrinal views, and were
called the " Old Lights," dnd " New Lights." Mr. DufReld's congregation erected a gallery in
Mr. Steele's church, and the two parties worshipped separately. After the removal of Mr. Duf-
field to Philadelphia, and the death of Mr. Steele, the two congregations united, and called, in
1785, the Rev. Robert Davidson. In 1786, the congregation thus united was incorporated. In
1833, a portion of the congregation, by reason of a doctrinal dispute, organized another congre-
gation, and worshipped in the county-hall till 1834, when they built the " Second Presbyterian
270 CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
church," on the corner of South Hanover and Pomfret streets. The new congregation was in-'
corporated in the latter year. The First church is at present under the care of Rev. William T.
Sprole ; and the Second, under that of Rev. Alexander T. McGill.
St. Jolin's church is on the northeast corner of the public square. Its comer-stone was laid
in 1825. Robert Callender, George Croghan, Thomas Smallinan, and Thomas Butler, presented
to the Assembly, in 1765, a petition in behalf of the "members of the Church of England in
Cumberland county," representing that they had " in part erected a church in Carlisle, wherein
to worship Almighty God ; but from the smallness of their number, and distressed state of the
country consequent upon the Indian wars," they were unable to finish it ; and praying the house
to " consider their condition, and grant them such relief as they in their wisdom" should deem
meet. The same year an act was passed authorizing them to raise a sufficient sum for the de-
sired purpose by lottery; but whether they availed themselves of it, does not appear. The
church then erected stood until the present one was built near the same spot. An itinerant mis-
sionary for the counties of York and Cumberland, was maintained by the " Society for the Prop-
agation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts," for several years after these counties were founded.
Tliis office, as late as 1766, was held by the Rev. William Tliompson, son of the first Presbyte-
rian pastor at the " Meeting-house Springs." The present rector is the Rev. P. H. Greenleaf.
The German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran congregations were organized about 1 765 ; the
latter under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Butler. They worshipped on alternate Sabbaths
in the same church, — which stood on the present German Reformed burying-ground, — until
1807, when each congregation erected a house of worsliip for its own use. The Lutheran church
was incorporated in 1811, and is now under the care of the Rev. John Ulricli.
The German Reformed church was located on the lot now occupied by the Preparatory school-
building of Dickinson College. Having sold it, they built, in 1827, a church at the corner of
High and Pitt streets, which they afterwards sold to the Methodists, and in 1835 erected the one
which they now occupy in Loutlier-street. They were incorporated in 1811. Their pastor is the
Rev. Henry Aurand.
Soon after the revolution, the Methodist ministers commenced their labors in Carfisle, worship-
ping first in the market-place, then in the courthouse, and subsequently in a small frame-building
in Pomfret-street, in which last place they formed a class of about 12 members, in 1792 or
1793. Their number increased, and in a few years afterwards they built a small stone house
in Pitt-strcct, in wliich they worshipped a short time, and then erected a brick edifice in
Church alley. Having sold this in lb35, they purchased from the German Reformed congre-
gation the stone church on the corner of Pitt and High streets, which they have much improved
and beautified. In this they now worship, imder the pastoral charge of the Rev. Henry Slicer.
The congregation was incorporated in 1838.
The Catholic chapel is built in the figure of a cross. It was erected in 1807, and enlarged in
1823. The lot was at an early day owned by the Jesuits of Conewago, who had upon it a small
log church, in which the Catholic congregation worsliipped until the present one was buUt. Their
officiating priest is the Rev Patrick Maher.
The Associate Presbyterian congregation of Carlisle was organized in 1798. The lot on West-
street, upon which the church is built, was conveyed, in consideration of £6, by the Messrs. Penn,
in 1796, to " Wm. Blair, Wm. Moore, John Smith, and John McCoy, trustees of the Associate
Presbyterian congregation, adhering to the subordination of the Associate Presbytery of Penn-
sylvania, of which the Rev. John Marshall and James Clarkson" were then members. The
building was put up in 1802, and the Rev. Francis Pringle, their first pastor, called the same
year. They have now no stationed minister, but the pulpit is occasionally filled by supplies.
There are also three African chiu-ches in the borough.
" The United States barracks are located about half a mile from the
town, but within the borough limits. They were built in 1 777. The
workmen employed were Hessians captured at Trenton. The barracks
will garrison 2,000 men. A school of cavalry practice has recently been
established at them, by the government, and the buildings handsomely
fitted up under the direction of Captain E. V. Sumner, commanding the
post."
There is a remarkable limestone cave 11-2 miles from town. The
entrance, which is on the banks of the Conodoguinet, is a semi-circular
archway, about 7 feet high, M^rought by nature's own hand. It contains
a number of curious passages and antechambers, and several pools of
water, supposed by some to be springs, but probably formed by the drip-
pings from the roof, or by the occasional overflowing of its subterranean
waters. " It is supposed by some that the Indians formerly used this cave
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
271
as a place of refuge from danger, a deposit for their spoils, and a place
of interment for the dead. Human bones have been found in it, but none
of those articles usually buried with the Indians."
About four miles north of Carlisle, on a branch of the Conodoguinet,
are the Sulphur Springs, in a very healthy, retired spot, surrounded with
Carlisle Springs.
the fine scenery of the Blue mountain. The grounds are ornamented in
good taste, and the accommodations for strangers are ample. It was
formerly a place of great resort. The water bubbles up from the slate
formation, from which it derives its strong impregnation of sulphur.
Shippensburg, the most ancient town in the co., is situated near the
western boundary, on the turnpike and the railroad. It is in the heart of
a fertile limestone country, cultivated principally by German farmers,
with a few descendants of the ancient Scotch-Irish pioneers. It was
formerly rendered very brisk by the wagoners' business, which has been
broken up by the railroad. Means' run, a branch of the Conodoguinet,
turns a number of mills at the town. The borough was incorporated
21st Jan. 1819. This place, in 1750, was for a time the seat of justice
of the county. Population in 1810, 1,159 ; in 1820, 1,410; in 1830, 1,808 ;
in 1840, 1,473. The region around Shippensburg was settled at a very
early day. The old Presbyterian church at Middle Spring, (2 miles out,)
w^as one of the first established in the valley, under the old presbytery of
Donnegal. The venerable Mr. Moody, the present pastor, has been in
charge about forty years. He was preceded by the Rev. Dr. Robert
Cooper, who remained in charge about thirty-five years, and before him
was the Rev. Mr. Blair, who had been in charge but a short time. The
Presbyterian church in town is of more recent origin, the records extend-
ing no further back than the last war, (1812-14.) Rev. James Walker,
who retired in 1820, was the first clergyman ; Rev. Thomas M. Strong,
Henry R. Wilson, and James Harper — still there — have since succeeded
each other. The Seceders appear to have founded the earliest church in
town, and have recently ejected the others in a suit at law for the church
property on an ancient title deed. The earlier settlers here were Messrs.
Bard, M'Ewen, M'Connell, Reynolds, and McCIay, about 100 years since.
272 DAUPHIN COUNTY.
John Brady, the father of Capt. Samuel Brady, was horn in the state of Delaware, A. D
1733. Hugh Brady, the father of John, had emigrated from Ireland. At a very early period,
Hugh Brady settled within five miles of where Shippensburg now stands. Tlie country was tlien
a wilderness, thinly settled by Irish emigrants, simple, sincere, and religious. Many anecdotes
are collected, evincive of this, but they would be out of place here. During the Frencli and In-
dian wars, that part of the country was much harassed by the Indians. John Brady and several
other young men had been active against them, and as a mark and reward of merit, he was ap-
pointed captain in the provincial line, which at that time was no small distinction. He married
Mary Quigly, and Samuel, their first child, was born in the town of Shippensburg, A. D. 17.58.
After the war, and a purchase had been made from the Indians in 1768, John Brady moved with
his family to the West branch of the Susquehanna, where Samuel resided with him till June,
1775. Capt. John Lowden, a widower, raised a company of volunteer riflemen, seventy in num-
ber, and all unmarried, and marched to Boston. Samuel Brady was one of this band, and the
captain intended that he should be an officer ; but his father objected, saying, " Let him first
learn the duty of a soldier, and then he will know how to act as an officer."
Newville is a pleasant borough with 6.54 inhabitants, on the railroad
and on Big Spring creek, 14 miles west of Carlisle. It contains Presby-
terian and Seceders' churches. The borough was incorporated 26th Feb.
1817.
Died, on Sunday, the 19th Dec. 1830, at his residence in Mifflin township, Cumberland co.,
Pa., William Denning, in the 94th year of his age. The deceased was an artificer in the army
of the revolution. He it was, who, in the days of his country's need, made the only successful
attempt ever made in the world to manufacture wrought iron cannon ; two of which he com-
pleted, at Middlesex in this county, and commenced another and larger one at Mount Holly, but
could get no one to assist him who could stand the heat, which is said to have been so great as
to melt the lead buttons on his clothes. This unfinished piece, it is said, lies as he left it, at either
Holly Forge or the Carlisle Barracks. One of those completed was taken by the British at the
battle of Brandywine, and is now in the tower of London.
The British government offered a large sum, and a stated annuity, to the person who would
instruct them in the manufacture of that article ; but the patriotic blacksmith preferred obscurity
and poverty in his own beloved country, to wealth and affluence in that of her oppressors ; al-
though that country for which he did so much, kept her purse closed from the veteran soldier till
near the close of his long life — and it often required the whole weight of his well-known charac-
ter for honesty, to save him from the severest pangs of poverty. When such characters as the
deceased are neglected by a rich government, it is no wonder that some folks think Republics
ungrateful.
The strength of his good constitution continued till near his last ; and he was able to walk to
the village of Newville, (two miles from his residence,) until about six months before his de-
cease.— Hazard's Register, vol. 7.
Mechanicsburg is a flourishing borough, incorporated 12th April, 1828,
on the railroad, 9 miles east of Carlisle. Population in 1830, 554 ; in
1840, 670.
New Cumberland, borough, incorporated 21st March, 1831, is situated
at the mouth of Yellow Breeches creek, on the right bank of the Susque-
hanna, 3 miles below Harrisburg. Population in 1840, 284.
WoRMLEYSBURG and Fairvievv are two villages opposite Harrisburg, —
the former at the end of the bridge, and the latter two miles above, at
the mouth of the Conodoguinet. There are several other small villages
in the county among which are Kingstown, Stoughstown, Springfield, &c.
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
Dauphin :!ounty was separated from Lancaster by the act of 4th
March, 1785 ; by the establishment of Lebanon county, in 1813, it was
reduced to its present limits. Length 33 miles, breadth 16; area, 533
DAUPHIN COUNTY. 273
sq. miles. Population in 1790, 18,177 ; in 1800, 22,270 ; in 1810, 31,883 ;
in 1820, (part of Lebanon oQ 21,653 ; in 1830, 25,243 ; in 1840, 30,118.
That part of the co. below the Kittatinny mountain, and forming a
part of the Kittatinny valley, consists of undulating slate and limestone
lands, beautiful, fertile, and highly cultivated. The other part of the co.
is very mountainous, but contains a few narrow and pleasant red-shale
valleys, and several fertile Hats along the Susquehanna. The mountain-
ous region abounds with anthracite coal, especially Lyken's valley, at the
southwestern termination of the great southern coal field of Pottsville
and Mauch Chunk. This coal field, in the vicinity of Pine grove, " di-
vides into two branches, — the northern one, under the name of Wiconis-
co mountain, extending westwardly several miles beyond the county line
of Schuylkill and Dauphin coanties, to Lyken's valley — and the other,
embraced between the Stony mountain and a continuation of the Sharp
mountain, reaching nearly to the Susquehanna river." Commencing
with the Kittatinny mountain and traversing the co. in a northwestern
direction, the principal ranges crossed are the Second and Third, Peters',
Berry's, and Mahantango mountains. Between Peters' and Berry's are
Short mountain, and several minor ridges and broken spurs ; and several
of a similar character between Berry's and the Mahantango mountains.
In these minor elevations the coal beds generally occur. In the southern
part of the co. are Round-top, near Middletown, and other isolated
knobs, apparently belonging to the Conewago range.
The Susquehanna runs a distance of 48 miles along the western edge
of the CO., its western bank being the boundary line. The scenery along
its banks is grand and picturesque, especially where the river breaks
through the great mountain ranges : at Harrisburg and Duncan's Island,
the grandeur and beauty of nature are enhanced by magnificent struc-
tures of art. The other prominent streams are, the Swatara river or
creek, entering the Susquehanna at Middletown, Conewago cr., the
southern boundary, Paxton cr,, Fishing cr.. Stony cr,, Clark's cr., Powell's
cr., Armstrong cr., Big and Little Wiconisco crs., and Mahantango creek,
the northern boundary.
The public improvements within the co. are — the Union canal, along
the Swatara, — the Pennsylvania canal, along the Susquehanna, as far up
as the mouth of the Juniata,^and the Wiconisco canal, above the mouth
of the Juniata, connecting with the coal mines, — the Harrisburg and
Lancaster railroad, — the Lykens Valley railroad, to the Susquehanna, —
and the three magnificent bridges, at Harrisburg and Duncan's Island.
On one of those at Harrisburg, which is one mile long, crosses the Cum-
berland Valley railroad. Several excellent stone turnpikes pass through
the CO., to Lancaster, Lebanon, Duncan's Island, &c.
The population of the agricultural portion of the co. is principally of
German descent, retaining the language, manners, and patient industry
of that race. Of the descendants of the original Irish settlers, but few ^
remain. At Harrisburg, and in the coal districts, the population is of
various races.
Coal and agricultural products are the chief exports. A very extensive
lumber trade is carried on at Middletown and Harrisburg. Some iron is
also made in the county.
Dauphin co. was originally Paxton township, (or Pextang, as some
35
274 DAUPHIN COUNTY.
called it in the olden time,) of Lancaster co. The name of the county
was given in honor of the son of Louis XVL, king of France. It was
originally settled by emigrants from the north of Ireland — an enterprising
and daring race, who for many years defended the frontier against the
Indians, and were conspicuous in many of the sanguinary scenes of bor-
der warfare. The first settlers appear to have been John Harris, who
came to the mouth of Paxton cr., near Harrisburg, about the year 1726 ;
and James, Robert, Joseph, and Benjamhi Chambers, who emigrated from
Antrim co., in Ireland, between the years 1726 and 1730, and took up land
and built a mill shortly afterwards, at the mouth of Fishing cr., (M'Ales-
ter's.) All the brothers except Joseph removed a few years afterwards to
the Conococheague settlements. (8ee Franklin co.)
The names of the subsequent settlers for several years do not appear,
yet there appears to have been quite an extensive body of settlers in this
region during the old French war of 1755 to 1758. Fort Halifax, one of
the line of forts built by the provincial government, was erected at the
mouth of Armstrong's cr. early in 1756. Gov. Morris in person visited
the Susquehanna about that time, to inspect the defences of the frontier.
Fort Hunter was situated at the mouth of Fishing cr. During the
autumn of 1755, after Braddock's defeat, hostile savages came down in
parties upon the whole frontier. Many murders were committed by them
in Paxton township.
Dec. 16. — Accounts frona Bethlehem and Nazareth, that about 200 Indians had broke into
Northampton co., beyond the Blue mountains, murdering and burning.
From Conrad Weiser, Reading, Dec. 13. — This country is in a dismal condition. It can't
hold out long. Consternation, poverty, confusion, everywhere.
Dec. 25. — Accounts from C. Weiser, who had been sent to Harris's ferry, that he had gone up
the West branch of the Susquehanna ; and the Delawarcs at Nescopec had given that place to
the French for a rendezvous. That the Paxton people had taken an Indian and shot and scalped
him in the midst of them, and threw his body into the river.
Oct. 18. — A party of the Indians fell upon the inhabitants of Mahanahy cr., that runs into
the river Susquehanna, about five miles lower than the Great Fork made by the junction of the
two main branches of that river; and carried off 25 persons, and burnt and destroyed their build,
ings and improvements, and the whole settlement was deserted.
Oct. 23. — Forty-six of ^he inhabitants on Paxton cr., led by John Harris, went to Shamokin
to inquire of the Indians there who they were who had so cruelly fallen upon and ruined the set.
tlements on Mahanahy cr. ; but as they were repassing Mahanahy cr., on their return from Sham,
okin, they were fired upon by some Indians who lay in ambush, and four were killed, four drowned,
and the rest put \o flight — oh which all the settlements between Shamokin and Hunter's mill, for
the space of 50 miles along the river Susqqehanna, vyere deserted. — Provincial Records.
The people from the north of Ireland, or the Scotch-Irish as they are
usually termed, were Presbyterians ; and the venerable churches of Don-
negal, Paxton, Deny, and Hanover, were among the earliest in Pennsylr
vania. That of Paxton, about three miles east of Harrisburg, is said to
have been erected about the year 1740. Rev. Mr. Elder was the first
pastor of that and the Derry church, and continued to officiate for 6Q
years. He was also colonel of the Paxton Rangers, whose duty it was
to protect the settlement against the incursions of the Indians.
David Brainerd, the devoted missionary, was one of the earliest trav-
ellers through this region who has left any record of his tour. Notwith-
standing the early establishment of the Presbyterian church, the growth
in grace of such as he met with appears to have been very feeble. Some,
however, might perhaps think David Brainerd's too rigid a standard by
which to try rude pioneers. His first journey was made in May, 1745,
DAUPHIN COUNTY. 275
when he passed down the river from a visit to the Indians, (the Ganga-
wese probably,) on " Juneauta island" — now Duncan's. He was again
at Shamokin in Sept. 1745, and "travelled down the river southwest-
ward."
Sept. 19, 1745. — Visited an Indian town, called Juneauta, situate on an island in the Susque-
hanna. Was much discouraged with the temper and behavior of the Indians here ; although they
appeared friendly when I was with them the last spring, and then gave me encouragement to
come and see them again. But they now seemed resolved to retain their pagan notions, and per-
sist in their idolatrous practices.
Sept. 20. — Visited the Indians again at Juneauta island, and found them almost universally
very busy in making preparations for a great sacrifice and dance. Had no opportunity to get
them together, in order to discourse with them about Christianity, by reason of their being so
much engaged about their sacrifice. My spirits were much sunk with a prospect so very dis-
couraging ; and especially seeing I had this day no interpreter but a pagan, who was as much
attached to idolatry as any of them, and who could neither speak nor understand the language
of these Indians ; so that I was under the greatest disadvantages imaginable. However, I at-
tempted to discourse privately with some of them, but without any appearance of success : not-
withstanding, I still tarried with them.
In the evening they met together, nearly 100 of them, and danced around a large fire, having
prepared ten fat deer for the sacrifice. The fat of the inwards they burnt in the fire while they
were dancing, which sometimes raised the flame to a prodigious heiglit ; at the same time yelling
and shouting in such a manner that they might easily have been heard two miles or more. They
continued their sacred dance nearly all night, after which they ate the flesh of the sacrifice, and
so retired each one to his own lodging.
I enjoyed little satisfaction ; being entirely alone on the island, as to any Christian company,
and in the midst of this idolatrous revel ; and having walked to and fro till body and mind ■^V^ere
pained and much oppressed, I at length crept into a little crib made for corn, and there slept on
the poles.
Lord^s day, Sept. 21. — Spent the day with the Indians on the island. As soon as they were
well up in the morning I attempted to instruct them, and labored for that purpose to get them to-
gether ; but soon found they had something else to do ; for near noon they gathered together all
their powaws, or conjurers, and set about half a dozen of them playing their juggling tricks, and
acting their frantic, distracted postures, in order to find out why they were then so sickly upon
the island, numbers of them being at that time disordered with a fever and bloody flu*. In this
exercise they were engaged for several hours, making all the wild, ridiculous, and distracted mo-
tions imaginable, sometimes singing, sometimes howling, sometimes extending their hands to
the utmost stretch, and spreading all their fingers ; they seemed to push with them as if they de-
signed to push something away, or at least keep it off at arm's end ; sometimes stroking their
faces with their hands, then spurting water as fine as mist ; sometimes sitting flat on the earth,
then bowing down their faces to the ground ; then wringing their sides as if in pain and anguish,
twisting their faces, turning up their eyes, grunting, puffing, &c.
Their monstrous actions tended to excite ideas of horror, and seemed to have something in
them, as I thought, peculiarly suited to raise the devil, if he could be raised by any thing odd,
ridiculous, and frightful. Some of them, I could observe, were much more fervent and devout
in the business than others, and seemed to chant, peep, and mutter with a great degree of warmth
and vigor, as if determined to awaken and engage the powers below. I sat at a small distance,
not more than thirty feet from them, though undiscovered, with my Bible in my hand, resolving,
if possible, to spoil their sport, and prevent their receiving any answers from the infernal world,
and there viewed the whole scene. They continued their hideous charms and incantations for
more than three hours, until they had all wearied themselves out ; although they had in that space
of time taken several intervals of rest ; and at length broke up, I apprehended, without receiving
any answer at all.
After they had done powawing, I attempted to discourse with them about Christianity ; but
they soon scattered, and gave me no opportunity for any thing of that nature. A view of these
things, while I was entirely alone in the wilderness, destitute of the society of any one who so
much as " named the name of Christ," greatly sunk my spirits, and gave me the most gloomy
turn of mind imaginable, almost stripped me of all resolution and hope respecting further attempts
for propagating the gospel and converting the pagans, and rendered this the most burdensome
and disagreeable Sabbath which I ever saw. But nothing, I can truly say, sunk and distressed
me like the loss of my hope respecting their conversion. This concern appeared so great, and
seemed to be so much my own, that I seemed to have nothing to do on earth if this failed. A
prospect of the greatest success in the saving conversion of souls under gospel light would have
done little or nothing towards compensating for the loss of my hope in this respect ; and my spirits
now were so damped and depressed, that I had no heart nor power to make any further at-
276 DAUPHIN COUNTY.
tampts among them for that purpose, and could not possibly recover my hope, resolaticn, and
courage, by the utmost of my endeavors.
The Indians of this island can, many of them, understand the English language considerably
well, having formerly lived in some part of Maryland, among or near the white people ; but are
very drunken, vicious, and profane, although not so savage as those who have less acquaintance
with the English. Their customs, in various respects, differ from those of the other Indians up-
on this river. They do not bury their dead in a common form, but let their flesh consume above
the ground, in close cribs made for that purpose. At the end of a year, or sometimes a longer
space of time, they take the bones, when the flesh is all consumed, and wash and scrape them,
and afterwards bury them with some ceremony. Their method of charming or conjuring over
the sick, seems somewhat diflerent from that of the other Indians, though in substance the same.
The whole of it among these and others, perhaps, is an imitation of what seems, by Naaman's
expression, (2 Kings v. 11,) to have been the custom of the ancient heathen. It seems chiefly
to consist in their " striking their hands over the diseased," repeatedly stroking them, "and call-
ing upon their god ;" except the spurting of water like a mist, and some other frantic ceremoniea
common to tiie other conjurations which I have already mentioned.
When I was in this region in May last, I had an opportunity of learning many of the notions
and customs of the Indians, as well as observing many of their practices. I then travelled more
than 130 miles upon the river, above the English settlements; and in that journey met with in-
dividuals of seven or eight distinct tribes, speaking as many different languages. But of all the
sights I ever saw among them, or indeed anywhere else, none appeared so frightful, or so near
akin to what is usually imagined of infernal powers, none ever excited such images of terror in
my mind, as the appearance of one who was a devout and zealous reformer, or rather restorer of
what he supposed was the ancient religion of the Indians. He made his appearance in his poiu
tifical garb, which was a coat of bearskins, dressed with the hair on, and hanging down to his
toes ; a pair of bear-skin stockings, and a great loooden face painted, the one half black, the
other half tawny, about the color of an Indian's skin, with an extravagant mouth, cut very much
awry ; the face fastened to a bear-skin cap, which was drawn over his head. He advanced to-
wards me with the instrument in his hand which he used for music in his idolatrous worship ;
which was a dry tortoise-shell with some corn in it, and the neck of it drawn on to a piece of
wood, which made a very convenient handle. As he came forward he beat his tune with the
rattle, and danced with all his might, but did not suffer any part of his body, not so much as his
fingers, to be seen. No one would have imagined from his appearance or actions, that he could
have been a human creature, if they had not had some intimation of it otherwise. When he
came near me I could not but shrink away from him, although it was then noonday, and I knew
who it was; his appearance ar?d gestures were so prodigiously frightful. He had a house conse-
crated to religious uses, with diVers images cut upon the several parts of it. I went in, and found
the ground beat almost as hard as a rock, with their frequent dancing upon it. I discoursed with
him about Christianity, Some of my discourse he seemed to like, but some of it he disliked ex-
tremely. He told me that God liad taught him his religion, and that he never would turn from
it, but wanted to find some who would join heartily with him in it ; for the Indians, he said, were
grown very degenerate and corrupt. He had thoughts, he said, of leaving all his friends, and
travelling abroad, in order to find some who would join with him ; for he believed that God
had some good people somewhere, who felt as he did. He had not always, he said, felt as he
now did ; but had formerly been like the rest of the Indians, until about four or five years before
that time. Then, he said, his heart was very much distressed, so that he could not live among
the Indians, but got away into the woods, and lived alone for some months. At length, he said,
God comforted liis heart, and showed him what he should do; and since that time he iiad known
God, and tried to serve him ; and loved all men, be they who they would, so as he never did be-
fore. He treated me with uncommon courtesy, and seemed to be hearty in it. I was told by
the Indians, that he opposed their drinkiug strong liquor with all his power; and that, if at any-
time he could not dissuade them from it by all he could say, he would leave them, and go crying
into the woods. It was manifest that he had a set of religious notions which he had examined
for himself, and not taken for granted upon bare tradition; and he relished or disrelished what-
ever was sixsken of a religious nature, as it either agreed or disagreed with his standard. While
I was discoift'sing, he would sometimes say, "Now that I like; so God has taught me," &c. ; and
some of his sentiments seemed very just. Yet he utterly denied the existence of a devil, and de-
clared there was no such creature known among the Indians of old times, whose religion he sup-
posed he was attempting to revive. He likewise told me that departed soiJs went southward,
and that the difference between the good and the bad was this : that the former were admitted
into a beautiful town with spiritual walls, and that the latter would for ever hover around these
walls in vain attempts to get in. He seemed to be sincere, honest, and conscientious in his own
way, and according to his own religious notions ; which was more than I ever saw in any other
pagan. I perceived that he was looked upon and derided among most of the Indians as a pre-
cise zealot, who made a needless noise about religious matters ; but I must say that there was
DAUPHIN COUNTY. 277
something in his temper and disposition which looked more like true religion than any thing I
ever observed among other heathens.
But, alas I how deplorable is the state of the Indians upon this river ! The brief representa-
tion which I have here given of their notions and manners is sufficient to show that they are
"led captive by Satan at his will," in the most eminent manner; and methinks might likewise
be sufficient to excite the compassion and engage the prayers of God's children for these their
fellow-men, who " sit in the region of the shadow of death."
Sept. 22. — Made some further attempts to instruct and Christianize the Indians on this island,
but all to no purpose. They live so near the white people that they are always in the way of
ptrong liquor, as well as of the ill examples of nominal Christians ; which renders it so un-
speakably dillicult to treat with them about Christianity. — Brainerd^a Journal, in Evangelical
Family Library.
In the ensuing summer Brainerd again passed up the river to Shamo*
kin. He says —
Aug. 19. — Lodged by the side of the Susquoliaima. Was weak and disordered both this and
the preceding day, and found my spirits Considerably damped, meeting with none that I thought
godly people. •
Aug. 21 — Rode up the river about 1.5 miles and there lodged, in a family which appeared quite
destitute of God. Labored to discourse with the man about the life of religion, but found him
very artful in evading such conversation. O what a death it is to some, to hear of the things of
God I Was out of my element, but Was not so dejected as at some times.
Aug. 22. — Continued my course up the river, my people now being with me who before were
parted from me. Travelled above all the English settlements ; at night lodged in the open woods,
and slept with more comfort than while among an ungodly company of white people. Enjoyed
some liberty in secret prayer this evening ; and was helped to remember dear friends, as well as
my dear flock, and the chm-ch of God in general.
His health, previously feeble, soon failed him amid the exposures of the
wilderness, and he returned down the river in Sept. and went home, la-
boring under a confirmed consumption, scarcely at times able to ride. He
died in New England, Oct. 9, 1747. On his return he says —
Sept. 9. — Rode down the river near 30 miles. Was extremely weak, much fatigued, and wet
with a thunder-storm. Discovused with some warmth and closeness to some poor ignorant souls,
on the life and power of religion : what were, and what were not the evidences of it. They
seemed much astonished when they saw my Indians ask a blessing and give thanks at dinner,
concluding that a very high evidence of grace in them ; but were equally astonished when I in-
sisted that neither that, nor yet secret prayer, was any sure evidence of grace. O the ignorance
of the world ! How are some empty outward forms, that may all be entirely selfish, mistaken
for true religion, infallible evidences of it ! The Lord pity a deluded world !
Sept. 11. — Rode homeward ; but was very weak, and sometimes scarce able to ride. Had a
very importunate invitation to preach at a meeting-house I came by, the people being then gath-
ered ; but could not by reason of weakness. Was resigned and composed under my weakness ;
but was much exercised with concern for my companions in travel, whom I had left with much
regret, some lame, and some sick.*
The scenes of the French war, and the border wars of 1763, infused a
military and adventurous spirit into the young men of Paxton, incompat-
ible with the quiet habits of agricultural life ; and we find them, in time
of peace, roaming through the mountain wilds as traders, or seeking out
rich lands yet unpurchased from the Indians ; and in time of war, or of
frontier disturbance, they were ranging the border, watching the move-
ments of the Indians, cutting off" occasional parties, and breaking up
their haunts. Being beyond the reach often of the laws of the province,
as well as beyond the protection and sympathy of the lower counties,
whose influence predominated in the assembly, the Paxton men were un-
der the necessity of protecting themselves, and were governed by usages —
they could scarcely be termed laws — of their own. Many of their fami-
* See further particulars in Brainerd's Life, in EvangeUcal Family Library, Am. Tract Soc.
edition ; pp. 286, 292, 293, &,c.
878 DAUPHIN COUNT Vr.
lies had suffered by the Indian tomahawk, and it was suspected by them
that the hostile Indians were harbored, if not encouraged, by the friendly
Indians at Conestoga and among the Moravians. A deadly animosity
was thus raised among the Paxton men against all of Indian blood, and
against the peaceful and benevolent Moravians and Quakers, who were
disposed to conciliate and protect the Indians — frequently, as the Paxton
men thought, at the expense of the lives of the settlers. It was during
the height of this feeling that the bloody and utterly unjustifiable outrage
was perpetrated by the Paxton men upon the Conestoga Indians. As
this affair is fully described under the head of Lancaster co., it will not
be enlarged upon here. This act was probably committed by the
younger and more hot-blooded members of the Rev. Col. Elder's corps
of Rangers, led on by Lazarus Stewart, a daring partisan, and a man
of considerable influence and standing in the Paxton settlement.
He soon afterwards joined the Connecticut men, and became very con-
spicuous in the civil wars of Wyoming. He was once taken prisoner
there, and delivered to the sheriff of York co. for safe-keeping ; but his
Rangers rescued him, and he suddenly appeared with them again at Wy-
oming. He was slain there during the revolution, in the disastrous battle
of 3d July, 1778. The following extracts are from a series of historical
numbers in the Lancaster Intelligencer and Journal, 1843, by Redmond
Conyngham, Esq. Many of the numbers consist of extracts from ancient
pamphlets and documents.
Imagination cannot conceive the perils with which the settlement of Paxton was surrounded
from 1754 to 1765. To portray each scene of horror would be impossible — the heart shrinks
from the attempt. The settlers were goaded on to desperation ; murder followed murder ; scouts
brought in the intelligence that the murderers were traced to Conestogue. Rifles were loaded,
horses were in readiness. They mounted ; they called on their pastor to lead them. He was
then in the 57th year of his age. Had you seen him then, you would have beheld a superior be-
ing. He had mounted, not to lead them on to the destruction of Conestogue, but to deter them
from the attempt ; he implored them to return, he urged them to reflect ; " pause, pause, before
you proceed." It was in vain ; " the blood of the murdered cries aloud for vengeance ; we have
waited long enough on government ; the murderers are within our reach, and they must not es-
cape." Mr. Elder reminded them that the " guilty and the innocent could not be distinguished."
" Innocent ! can they be called innocent who foster murderers ?" Mr. Elder rode up in front,
and said, " As your pastor, I command you to relinquish your design." " Give way, then," said
Smith, " or your horse dies," presenting his rifle ; to save his horse, to which he was much at-
tached, Mr. E. drew him aside, and the rangers were off on their fatal errand.
A palliating letter was written by the Rev. Mr. Elder to Gov. Penn, in which the character of
Stewai s represented as humane, liberal, and religious.
The l«.f^v. Mr. Elder died at the advanced age of 86 years, in 1792, on his farm adjoining Har-
risburg, bt ed in life, and in death lamented. He frequently visited the Indians at Conestogue,
Pequehan, an 1 the Big Island, and was much respected by them. He had frequently represented
to the Christian Indians the wrong they were doing to the whites by admitting stranger Indians
among them ; conduct which made them suspected of treachery. — R. C.
Extract from a letter of the Rev. Mr. Elder, to Governor Hamilton, dated Sept. 13th, 1763 :
" I suggest to you the propriety of an immediate removal of the Indians from Conestogue, and
placing a garrison in their room. In case this is done, I pledge myself for the future security of
the frontier."
Extract from a letter of the Rev. Mr. Elder to Gov. Penn, January 27th, 1764 :
"The storm which had been so long gathering, has at length exploded. Had government re-
moved the Indians from Conestogue, which had frequently been urged, without success, this
painful catastrophe might have been avoided. What could I do with men heated to madness ?
All that I could do, was done ; I expostulated ; but life and reason were set at defiance. And
yet the men in private life are virtuous and respectable ; not cruel, but mild and merciful.
" The time will arrive when each palliating circumstance will be calmly weighed. This de6d(
magnified into the blackest of crimes, shall be considered as one of those youthful ebullitions of
wrath caused by momentary excitement, to which human infirmity is subjected "
^S
DAUPHIN COUNTY. 279
Complaints of the people of Lancaster co. — Feb. 27th, 1764. Extract from a remonstrance
presented to John Penn, governor, from inhabitants of Lancaster co., by their agents.
'' We consider it a grievance, tliat we are restrained from electing more than ten representatives
in the frontier counties : Lancaster four ; York two ; Cumberland two ; Berks one ; Northamp-
ton one ; while the city and county of Philadelphia, and counties of Chester and Bucks, elect
26. A bill is now about to be passed into a law, that any person accused of taking away the
life of an Indian, shall not be tried in the county where the deed was committed, but in the city
of Philadelphia. We can hardly believe the legislature would be guilty of such injustice as to
})ass this bill, and deprive the people of one of their most valuable rights. We protest against
the passage of such a law, as depriving us of a sacred privilege.
" We complain that the governor laid before the General Assembly letters without signatures,
giving exaggerated and false accounts of the destruction of the Indians at Conestogue, and at
Lancaster — That he paid but little attention to the communications received from our representa-
tives and Mr. Shippen — That certain persons in Philadelphia are endeavoring to rouse the fury
of the people against the magistrates, the principal inhabitants of the borough of Lancaster, and
the Presbyterians of Paxton and Donegal, by gross misrepresentations of facts — That we are not
allowed a hearing at the Bar of the House, or by the governor — That our rangers have never
experienced any favors from government, cither by renmneration of their services, or bj' any act
of kindness — That although there is every reason to believe that the Indians who struck the
blow at the Great Cove, received their arms and ammunition from the Bethlehem Indians, gov-
ernment protects the murderers at Philadelphia — That six of the Indians now in Philadelphia,
known to have been concerned in recent murders, and demanded by us that they may be tried in
the county of Northampton, are still at liberty — That Renatus, an Indian, who was legally ar-
rested and committed on the charge of murder, is under the protection of government, in Bucks
county, when he was to be brought to trial in the county of Northampton, or the county of Cum-
berland. Shall these things be ?"
(Signed,) MATTHEW SMITH,
JAMES GIBSON.
Smith''s Narrative. — I was an early settler in Paxton, a member of the congregation of the
Rev. Mr. Elder. I was one of the chief actors in the destruction of Conestogue, and in storm-
ing the workliouse in Lancaster. I have been stigmatized as a murderer. No man, unless he
were living at that time in Paxton, could have an idea of the sufferings and anxieties of the peo-
ple. For years the Indians had been on the most friendly terms ; but some of the traders were
bought by the French ; these corrupted the Indians. The savages unexpectedly destroyed our
dwellings and murdered the unsuspicious. When we visited the wigwams in the neighborhood,
we found the Indians occupied in harmless sports, or domestic work. There appeared no evi-
dence that they were any way instrumental in the bloody acts perpetrated on the frontiers.
Well do I remember the evening when stopt at my door ; judge my surprise when I
heard his tale : " Tom followed the Indians to the Big Island ; from thence they went to Cones-
togue ; as soon as we heard it, five of us, , , , , , rode off for the village.
I left my horse under their care, and cautiously crawled where I could get a view ; I saw In-
dians armed ; they were strangers ; they outnumbered us by dozens. I returned without being
discovered ; we meet to-night at ; we shall expect you, with gun, knife, and ammuni-
tion." We met, and our party, under cover of the night, rode off for Conestogue. Our plan
was well laid ; the scout who had traced the Indians was with us ; the village was stormed and
reduced to ashes. The moment we were perceived an Indian fired at us, and rushed forward,
brandishing his tomahawk. Tom cried, " mark him," and he fell by more than one ball ; — ran
up and cried out, " it is the villain who murdered my mother." This speech roused to vengeance,
and Conestogue lay harmless before us. Our worst fears had been realized ; these Indians, who
had been housed and fed as the pets of the province, were now proved to be our secret foes ; ne-
cessity compelled us to do as we did.
We mounted our horses and returned. Soon we were informed that a number of Indians were
in the workhouse at Lancaster. was sent to Lancaster to get all the news he could. He
reported that one of the Indians concerned in recent murders was there in safety. Also, that
they talked of rebuilding Conestogue, and placing these Indians in the new buildings.
A few of us met to deliberate ; Stewart proposed to go to Lancaster, storm their castle, and
carry off the assassin. It was agreed to ; the whole plan was arranged. Our clergyman did not
approve of our proceeding further. He thought every thing was accompUshed by the destruc-
tion of Conestogue, and advised us to try what we could do with the governor and council. I
with the rest was opposed to the measure proposed by our good pastor. It was painful to us to
act in opposition to liis will, but the Indian in Lancaster was known to have murdered the parent
of , one of our party.
The plan was made. Three were chosen to break in the doors, five to keep the keepers, &c.,
frqij] meddling ; Capt. Stewart to remain outside, with about twelve men, to protect those within,
280 DAUPHIN COUNTY.
to prevent surprise, and keep charge of the horses. The three were to secure the Indian, tie him
with strong cords, and dehver him to Stewart. If the three were resisted, a shot was to be fired
as a signal. I was one of them who entered ; you know the rest ; we fired ; the Indians were
left without hfe ; and we rode hastily from Lancaster. Two of the Indians killed in Lancaster
were recognized as murderers.
This gave quiet to the frontiers, for no murder of our defenceless inhabitants has since hap-
pened.
The foregoing was communicated by a father to his son, in Carlisle, and by that gentleman to
the writer. — R. C.
[Note. — Mr. Smith of Carlisle, was not the son of Matthew Smith of Paxton. Matthew
Smith, after the revolution, went to Milton, Northumberland county ; his son, Wilson Smith,
removed to Erie, and represented that district in the Senate of Pennsylvania in 1812-13, &c.]
" Declaration. Let all hear. — Were the counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks,
and Northampton, protected by government ? Did not John Harris of Paxton ask advice of Col.
Croghan, and did not the colonel advise him to raise a company of scouters, and was not this
confirmed by Benjamin Franklin ? And yet when Harris asked the Assembly to pay the scout-
ing party, he was told, " that he might pay them himself." Did not the counties of Lancaster,
York, Cumberland, Berks, and Northampton, the frontier settlements, keep up rangers to watch
the motions of the Indians ; and when a murder was committed by an Indian, a rimner with the
intelligence was sent to each scouting party, that the murderer or murderers might be punished ?
Did we not brave the summer's heat and the winter's cold, and the savage tomahawk, while the
inhabitants of Philadelphia, Philadelphia county, Bucks, and Chester, ' ate, drank, and were
merry?'
" If a white man kUl an Indian, it is a murder far exceeding any crime upon record ; he must
not be tried in the county where he lives, or where the offence was committed, but in Philadel- •
phia, that he may be tried, convicted, sentenced and hung without delay. If an Indian kill a
white man, it was the act of an ignorant heathen, perhaps in liquor : alas, poor innocent ! he is
sent to the friendly Indians, th^it he may be made a Christian. Is it not a notorious fact, that
an Indian who treacherously murdered a family in Northampton county, was given up to the
magistrates, that he might have a regular trial ; and was not this Indian conveyed into Bucks
county, and is he not provided with every necessary, and kept secured from punishment by Is-
rael Pemberton ? Have we not repeatedly represented that Conestogue was a harbor for prowl-
ing savages, and that we were at a loss to tell friend or foe, and all we asked was the removal of
the Christian Indians ? Was not this promised by Gov. Penn, yet delayed ? Have we forgot
ten Renatus, that Christian Indian ? A murder of more than lavage barbarity was committed
on the Susquehanna ; the murderer was traced by the scouts to Conestogue ; he was demanded,
but the Indians assumed a warlike attitude, tomahawks were raised, and the firearms glistened
in the sun ; shots were fired upon the scouts, who went back for additional force. They return-
ed, and you know the event — Conestogue was reduced to ashes. But the murderer escaped.
The friendly and unfriendly were placed in the workhouse at Lancaster. What could secure them
from the vengeance of an exasperated people ? The doors were forced, and the hapless Indians
perished. Were we tamely to look on and see our brethren murdered, and see our fairest pros-
pects blasted, while the inhabitants of Philadelphia, Philadelphia county, Bucks, and Chester,
slept and reaped their grain in safety ?
" These hands never shed human blood. Why am I singled out as an object of persecution ?
Why are the bloodhounds let loose upon me ? Let him who wished to take my life — let him
come and take it — I shall not fly. All I ask is that the men accused of murder be tried in Lan-
caster county. All I ask is a trial in my own county. If these requests are refused, then not a
hair of those men's heads shall be molested. Whilst I have life you shall not either have me or
them on any other terms. It is true, I submitted to the sherift' of York county, but you know
too well that I was to be conveyed to Philadelphia like a wild felon, manacled, to die a felon's
death. I would have scorned to fly from York. I could not bear that my name should be mark-
ed by ignominy. What I have done, was done for the security of hundreds of settlers on the
frontiers. The blood of a thousand of my fellow-creatures called for vengeance. I shed no In-
dian's blood. As a ranger, I sought the post of danger, and now you ask my life. Let me be
tried where prejudice has not prejudged my case. Let my brave rangers, who have stemmed the
blast nobly, and never flinched — let them have an equitable trial ; they were my friends in the
hour of danger — to desert them now were cowardice ! What remains is to leave our cause with
our God, and our guns."
LAZARUS STEWART.
The sad affair at Conestoga and Lancaster was one on which much
DAUPHIN COUNTY. 281
might be, and much was said at the time on both sides ; and diverse and
exaggerated representations were made by the Irish and Presbyterian
party on the one liand, and by the Quakers, Moravians, and those in the
proprietary interest on the other. The foregoing extracts have been
given with a view of letting the Paxton men be heard in their own de-
fence. But no historian ought to excuse or justify the murders at Lan-
caster and Conestoga. Let who will describe those scenes, they must
ever remain, with the murder of Logan's family, and the massacre of
the Moravian Indians on the Muskingum, as dark and bloody spots in our
provincial history. Perhaps no better judge of the transaction is now
living than a venerable Presbyterian clergyman of this region, whose
head is now white with the snows of some eighty winters, who in early
life had known many of the Paxton men, and had some of them under
his pastoral charge. On applying to him to furnish some documents, if
possible, or traditionary evidence, to justify the Paxton men engaged in
that transaction, the aged patriarch replied — " I fear, sir, that would be a
difficult task ; I cannot perceive how that transaction could be justified."
It should be noticed in this connection, that only some 15, 20, or 30 of the
rangers were engaged in the affair. After it was done they returned to
their homes, where they remained unmolested, and mingled with their
fellow-citizens of Paxton in the ordinary pursuits of life.
At the opening of the revolution most of the Paxton men sought the
ranks of the army, from which but few of them returned to settle
again in Paxton. Many of the survivors probably settled on the new
lands of the West branch of the Susquehanna, and others around Pitts-
burg, and, after Wayne's treaty, beyond the Allegheny. In those regions
their descendants may be found ; but he who seeks for the descendants
of the Scotch-Irish in Dauphin co., finds but here and there a solitary,
isolated family, surrounded everywhere by an entirely different race, that
of the German emigrants, who came about the close of the last century,
and whose descendants inherit the language, the farms, and the plodding
industry and thrift of their forefathers. The ancient churches and grave-
yards of the Iri^h still remain as monuments of their former occupants ;
and occasionally may be found, as at Hanover, some venerable pastor,
pleasantly passing the evening of a useful life, and waiting to be " gath-
ered to his fathers."
The country above the Kittatinny mountain was but sparsely settled
previous to the opening of the coal mines within a few years past. The
Duke de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, a French traveller, who passed up
the Susquehanna in 1796, speaks of stopping only at three settlements in
the county, above Harrisburg. The first was at McAlester's, who had
then been settled at the mouth of Fishing cr. about 1 1 years, and had a
very thriving establishment. The duke says, [in substance — we abridge
his language] —
McAlester owns about 300 acres — about 120 cultivated. Price of lands near him is $8 for
woodland ; $50 for cleared. The houses, all of wood except the inn, stand on the Susquehanna
and in the precincts of Fort Hunter, erected many years ago. * * * * went on. In this
long journey through forests, we found few straggling houses one or two miles distant from each
other, most of them unfinished. Taverns had been closed — unwilling to pay for a license, — pass-
ed one about 12 miles from McAlester's, the only one in 22 miles. At length we arrived at an
old German's — Deblerff's — who after having served in Canada in 1758, in an English regiment,
settled here after the peace. The state gave him his land ; the Indians drove him off during the
revolution ; he returned again after the peace. He can neither write nor read — he presents to
36
282
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
every traveller a slate and pencil to write down his bills as he dictates to them, for there is not
a single person in the house able to disting-uish one letter from another. He complains of being
cheated frequently by travellers, in their summins^ up. Twelve miles to White's ; an Irish farmer has
resided here about 17 j^ears, and now owns an island; he has been twice a member of the legis-
lature : keeps tavern to oblige travellers — has no sign — but charges high.
Harrisburg, the capital of the state, and seat of justice of Dauphin
CO., occupies a commanding site on the left bank of the Susquehanna, a
short distance above the mouth of Paxton creek. It is 97 miles from
Philadelphia, and 200 from Pittsburg.
Situated in the midst of the fertile Kittatinny valley, and looking out
upon some of the most magnificent scenery in the world, — with splendid
bridges spanning the broad river, and shaded walks along its banks, —
with canals, railroads, and turnpikes radiating from it in all directions, —
with a highly intelligent resident population, and the annual presence of
a transient population, comprising the highest talent in the state, — Har-
risburg has great and varied attractions to tempt the resident, the politi-
cian, the trader, and the stranger who comes only to observe and admire.
State Capitol at Harrisburg.
The capitol, with the public offices on either side of it, occupies a fine
eminence on the northern border of the town, fronting towards the river,
from which it is a few squares distant. From the cupola may be seen
one of the finest landscapes in the state, comprising the river, studded
^vith lovely islands and spanned by splendid bridges, the undulating fields
of the valley, and the lofty barrier of the Kittatinny mountain. The
main building is 180 feet front by 80 feet deep. The hall of the house
of representatives is on the lower floor, at the right end, as seen in the
view, — the senate chamber being at the left end. The library is over the
senate chamber. The governor's apartments, and secretary of state's
and treasurer's offices, are in the building on the left of the capitol, — the
land offices, &c., in that on the right.
The other public edifices in the town are, the courthouse, formerly used
as a State-house, — the new prison, a noble, massive structure of stone, in
the style of a Norman castle, — the state arsenal, a Masonic lodge, an
academy, the Harrisburg bank, and a branch of the Bank of Pennsylva-
nia ; and of churches, there are Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Ger-
man Reformed, Catholic, Methodist, Unitarian, Baptist, and African.
DAUPHIN COUNTY. 283
Near the Capitol Is a reservoir, filled from the river by steam power, for
supplying the town with water. In the centre of the town, which is
regularly laid out, is a " diamond," or public square, upon which stands
the market-house.
Harrisburg was incorporated as a borough on the 1st Feb. 1808. The
population in 1830, of the borough, was 4,307, and including M'Clays-
burg, 4,526 ; and in 1840, 6,020.
The bridge at the end of Market-street, across the Susquehanna — in
two parts, which are separated by an island — was erected in 1817, by
Mr. Burr, the distinguished bridge architect. It is 2,876 feet long, 40 ft.
wide — cost $155,000, of which the state subscribed $90,000. It belongs
to a company. A short distance below it, opposite Mulberry-st., is the
magnificent bridge of the Cumberland Valley railroad, one mile in length,
erected within three or four j'^ears past. It awakens interesting associa-
tions to stand by the grave of John Harris and look forth upon the river,
contrasting, in imagination, the appearance of the solitary trader, and his
pack-horse loaded with furs, crossing in a flat at " Harris's ferry" some
hundred years since — with the swift " iron horse" puffing and rattling
with his long train across that beautiful bridge on an iron road eleva-
ted 50 feet above the water, — almost literally a fiery steed flying through
the air.
The annexed extracts are copied by permission from the introduction
to Mr. H. Napey's Harrisburg Directory.
The first John Harris is said to have been a native of Yorkshire, in England. He was a mid-
dle-aged man when he emigrated to America, and he first settled in Philadelphia. He was there
married to Esther Say, an English lady, and who was a woman of rather extraordinary energy
and capacity. They first moved to Chester county, — thence to (or near to) the mouth of Conoy
creek, on the Susquehanna, about the present site of Bainbridge, in Lancaster county, — and
finally to the present site of Harrisburg. At tliis place was born, about the year 1726, his son
John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, and who is said to have been " the first white child borrt
in Pennsylvania, west of the Conewago hills."
About the time of the settlement of John Harris at Harrisburg, Indian towns were existing on
the flat near to Squire Wills' stone house, opposite Harrisburg, and at the mouth of the Conedo-
guinnett and Yellow Breeches creeks. There had been one on the low ground on the river, about
the lower line of Harrisburg, and another at the mouth of Paxton creek. These two last are
supposed to have been abandoned at the time of his making his settlement. The Indians who
resided in this neighborhood, were of the Six Nations ; and it is said that at one time, by firing
a gun, several hundred warriors could be assembled at the present site of Harrisburg.
John Harris fixed his habitation on the bank of the river, beloW the grave-yard, and he dug the
well now existing there. About twenty years ago the cellar of one of his buildings was visible.
He traded extensively with the Indians, and had connected with his house a large range of sheds,
which were sometimes literally filled with skins and furs, mostly obtained by him in traffic with
the Indians, and stored there by the Indian traders, who brought them from the western country.
These skins and furs were carried, at an early day, on pack-horses to Philadelphia. John Harris
experienced much difficulty at his first settlement, as his supplies could not be had nearer than
Philadelphia, and had thence to be transported on pack-horses to his place of residence. His at-
tention, however, was not confined to trading with the Indians ; he engaged extensively in agri-
culture, and from the statement of old Parson Elder to Wm. Maclay, " he was the first person
who introduced the plough on the Susquehanna."
An incident in his life has excited considerable interest, and been the subject of much inquiry :
— On one occasion a band of Indians came to his house. Some, or most of them, were intoxi-
cated. They asked for lum, (rum,) as the modern whiskey was not then manufactured in Penn-
sylvania. Seeing they were already intoxicated, he feared mischief, and refused. They became
enraged, and seized and tied him to the mulberry tree to burn him. Whilst they were proceeding
to execute their purpose, he was released, after a struggle, by other Indians of the neighborhood,
who generally came across the river. How the alarm was given to them, whether by firing a
gun or otherwise, or by whom, is not now certainly known. In remembrance of this event, he
afterwards directed that on his death he should be buried under the mulberry tree which had been
the scene of this adventure. He died in 1748, and his remains still repose, with those of some
284
DAUPHIN COUNTY
of his children, under the shade of his memorable tree. In the words of Parson Elder, " he wa»
£ts honest a man as ever broke bread." Part of the trunk of this tree is still standing.
John Harris's Grave, and Railroad Bridge at Harrishurg.
It may be curious now to know that John Harris was once offered, by the Penns, all of the land
from the river to Silver Sprinjj, and extending across the Cumberland valley from mountain ta
mountain, for £5000. He offered ;e3000, and refused to give more. At his death he owned
al)out 900 acres of land, including the present site of Harrishurg and Maclaysburg, and extend-
ing down to the upper line of Fulton's place ; also, 200 acres on the opposite shore from Harris-
burg, now owned by Messrs. Hummel Ik, Lebkicher, and including the ferry, and Gen. Simpson's
place below Yellow Breeches, extending to the South mountain, and including Shriners Island j
and 700 or 800 acres at the mouth of Conedoguinnett creek on the upper side, where the old In-
dian town had once been.
Of Esther, the wife of John Harris, several anecdotes are told which establish her promptness
and energy of character. The mansion-house, situated on the river bank, as before mentioned,
was surrounded by a stockade for security against the Indians. An English officer was one night
at the house, when by accident the gate of the stockade was left unfastened. The officer, clothed
in his regimentals, was seated with Mr. Harris and his wife at the table. An Indian entered the
gate of the stockade and thrust his rifle through one of the port-holes of the house, and it is
Supposed pointed it at the officer. The night being damp, the gun simply flashed. Instantly
Mrs. Harris blew out the candle, to prevent the Indian aiming a second time, and he retreated.
John Harris, jim., the founder of Harrishurg, died 29th July, 1791, and is buried in the grave-
yard of Paxton church. He was about 65 years of age, and was consequently born at least as
early as 1726. Under the will of his father, and by purchase, he became the owner of 700 acres
of land, on a part of which Harrishurg is now laid out. It extended up to the lower line of Mac-
laysbui-g. He was an active, energetic, and industrious man. He farmed extensively, and also
traded with the wliites and Indians for skins and furs ; and his son, the present Robert Harris,
has seen ten or a dozen wagon loads of skins and furs in his father's storehouse, belonging to
him and to Indian traders. In his time, Harris's Ferry became a celebrated place. It is said to
have been so well known in Ireland, Enirlaiid, and Germany, that letters were directed from those
countries " to the care of John Harris, Hams's Feriy, N. America." He was successful in busi-
ness, and had an extensive acquaintance throughout Pennsylvania.
He had strong faith in the advairtages of the position of his property here. It is said, that
twenty or more years before the town was laid out, he observed to a gentleman, Mr. Hollenback,
who afterwards settled at Wilkcsbarre, that this place would become the centre of business in
this section of couutry, and would he the srat of ffovernment of Pennsiflvaiiia. When the town
Was laid out in 1785, he conveyed, with other property, to the commissioners for laying out the
town — viz., Jacob Awl, Joslma Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Cowden, and William Brown —
the four acres of ground on Capitol Hill, to the east of the present state buildings, " in trust for
public use, and such pubhc purposes as the Legislature shall hereafter direct."
That he was patriotic, the following incident will establish : — When independence was agi-
tated, he thought the Declaration premature. He feared that the colonies were unequal to
the task of combating with Great Britain. But when Independence was declared, the present
Robert Harris observes, that his father took his mother aside, and in the presence of his son,
read to her the Declaration from a Philadelphia newspaper. When he concluded it, he observed.
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DAUPHIN COUNJTY. 285
" The act Is now done, and we must take sides either for or against the country. The war in
which we are ahout to engage, cannot be carried on without money. Now we hive ^3,000 in
the house, and if you are agreed, I will take the money to Philadelphia and put it into the pub-
lic treasury to carry on the war. If we succeed in obtaining our independence, we may lose the
money — as the government may not be able to pay it back — but We will get our land." She
agreed ; and he carried the money to Philadelphia, and deposited it in the treasury, and took cer-
tificates. After the War, he sold these certificates for 17s. 6d. in the pound. After the debt was
funded, certificates rose to 25s. in the pound.
The law erecting Daupliin co. and declaring Harris's Ferry the seat of justice, was passed
4th March, 1785. The town of Harrisburg was laid out in the spring of the same year by
William Maclay, who Was the son-in-law of John Harris. William Maclay, with Robert Mor-
ris, afterwards represented Pennsylvania in the first senate of the United States under the con-
stitution.
The ice-flood happened in the winter of 1784-5, and the pumpkin-flood in the fall of 1787.
During the ice-flood, the low ground about the gravc-yard was covered with water, and the ferry-
flats were tied to the bars of the cellar windows of the stone houae. On that occasion, the wa-
ter rose into the first story of Judge Carson's house, above Harrisburg, and a considerable part
of the river ran around that house and down Paxton creek. The fences on its route were
generally, carried aWay. During the pumpkin-flood, the groimd about the grave-yard was also
covered with water, and the pumpkins, carried off' chiefly from the Yankees in Wyoming val-
ley, were strewed in profusion over the low ground below Harrisburg.
When the town was laid out, the ground above Market-street was chiefly in woods. The
present Robert Harris has frequently seen several bears killed in the river in one day. In the
fall of the year they would come down from the mountains to the corn-fields, and were quite
abundant in the neighborhood.
On one occasion a party of Indians came down to the river to murder the people of this settle-
ment. They formed a camp in a thicket, back of Mr. Elder's mill-dam. They designed falling
on the people when at worship in Paxton church. They are supposed to have come on Monday,
and after waiting several days they came to the conclusion that the congregation would not as-
semble, and they went off". They left the settlement by the Way of Indiantown gap. On their
way otr they murdered several persons, and took a prisoner, from whom it was afterwards as-
certained that they had been encamped here several days. The late Joshua Elder has seen
the encampment. The people of the congregation, before and afterwards, came to the church
armed ; and Mr. Elder, the pastor, also carried his gun into the pulpit. Mr. Elder was pastor
of that church when it was built, about 102 years ago, and preached to that congregation,
and in the Derry church, upwards of 60 years. He was colonel of the Pa.xton Rangers, whose
duty it was to keep a look-out for the Indians, and range the settlements, for their protection,
from the Blue mountain to the river. The late Judge Bucher's father, who was a clergyman
in Lebanon, was also a colonel in the same kind of service. Parson Elder wore a small cocked
hat, and such were usually worn by clergymen in his day.
About the year 1793, a fever of a violent character prevailed here, especially among the new
settlers or foreigners. At the same time, the yellow fever was prevailing in Philadelphia, and
fears were entertained of its introduction into Harrisburg. A patrol was accordingly established
at the lower end of the town, to prevent infected persons from Philadelphia coming into it.
A considerable number of Irish emigrants died, and some of the citizens ; but most families of
the place were to some extent afflicted. A mill-dam owned by two men named Landis, was
generally thought to be the cause of this sickness. The citizens, after various meetings, re-
solved (in March, 1795) on its removal ; and a subscription was set on foot to raise money
to pay the Landises for the property. The site of the mill, dam, and race, had been bought
from John Harris. The money raised was tendered to the Landises, who refused it. The
citizens then prepared for the forcible removal of the dam, and the Landises threatened to use
force to prevent it. The citizens accordingly marched in a body to the dam, on a cold snowy
day in March. The owners were there, with several men, armed with guns, threatening to fire.
The citizens, however, advanced into the water, and the dam was soon demolished. The Lan-
dises threatened a suit, and the citizens handed to them a list of several hundred names to be
sued ; but the proprietors finally took the money. Moses Gilmore, Stacy Potts, Capt. John
Sawyers, Adam Boyd, Robert Harris, John Kean, Samuel Weir, Gen. John A. Hanna, Alexan-
der and Samuel BerryhiU, and many others, were active in the above proceedings.
It may be remarked that some citizens of Harrisburg, who refused to contribute to the
subscription, were obliged to leave the place. No violence was offered to them, but no one
would employ them in their several pursuits, and they at length went elsewhere. The mill
was erected about one quarter of a mile below Harrisburg, about as low down as the white
house, which is situate on the old mill road and the canal ; and the race extended up along
(or nearly along) the present route of the Pennsylvania canal, to a lane which ran across to
the hill, about the upper line of Mr. Dowding's brick-yard lot, where the dam was erected.
There is no house, except the stone house, now standing within the present limits of Harris
286 DAUPHIN COUNTY.
burg, which is certainly known to have been erected before the town was kid out. The log-
house, erected in the rear of Rise's brewery, on Front-street, was built about the time the town
was laid out ; but whether it was begun before that time, is not recollected.
John Hamilton erected the first permanent embellishment to the town, after Harris's stone house,
by budding the brick house on the corner of Front-street and Blackberry alley, and also the large
establishment for his store, on the corner of Market square and Market. street, now known as the
" Washington Hotel." He was an extensive trader. In place of the present rapid modes of con-
veying merchandise and passengers to Pittsburg, he kept large numbers of horses and mules, and
every few weeks his caravans set out " for the West," laden with salt, powder, lead, &,c.
The first clergyman established in Harrisburg, was the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, a Presbyterian.
His first discourse, we have heard, was delivered in the lot on which the Presbyterian church is
now erected, on a pleasant afternoon in June. The congregation (the whole village) were shel-
tered by two or three large apple-trees, and some noble oaks, the primitive growth of the forest.
Chief-Justice M'Kean resided here for some time, at least while Congress sat at York. He
lived in a substantial one-story log-house, a short space above what is now Locust-street. He
wore an immense cocked hat, and had great deference shown him by the country people, and the
straggling Indians who had tiicir village on what is now M'Kee's place. This was in 1778-79 ;
after the country was quieted, when he and the other judges of the supreme court came to Harris-
burg to hold a court, numbers of the citizens of the place would go out on horseback to meet
them and escort them to town. Sometimes one or two hundred people would attend for the pur-
pose. The Sheriff with his rod of office, and other public officers, and the bar, would attend on
the occasion ; and each morning whilst the chief-justice was in town, holding court, the sheriff
and constables escorted him from his lodgings to the court-room.
The chief-justice, when on the bench, sat with his hat on, and was dressed in a scarlet gown.
Gen. Washington's head-quarters, while at Harris's Ferry, on the Western expedition, were in a
small frame-house, which stood, until the last few years, at the corner of Vine and Paxton streets.
The building in which the first coiu-t was held still stands — the dilapidated log-house in the
rear of what was Hise's brewery. The courts were afterwards held in the log-house erected on
the east or lower side of Market-street, on the corner of Market-street and Dewberry alley, which
is nearest to the river.
The earliest record of a court, is dated 3d Tuesday of May, 1785. " At a court of Quarter
Sessions holden near Harris's Ferry, Timothy Green, Samuel Jones, and Jonathan M'Clure,
Esqs., justices."
The names of the jurymen were — James Cowden, (foreman,) Robert Montgomery, John Gil-
christ, Barefoot Brunson, John Clark, Rowan M'Clure, John Carson, John Wilson, William
Crane, Archibald M'Allister, Ricliard Dixon, John Pattimore, James Crouch, Jacob Awl, William
Brown, Andrew Stewart, James Rogers, Samuel Stewart, John Cooper, Alexander Berryhill.
Joshua Elder was the first Prothonotary, Rudolph Kelker the first Sheriff".
On the juries for the next three or four terms, we recognise the names of many of the ances-
tors of our present citizens — the Coxes, the Kelkers, Krauses, Hamiltons, Forsters, Buchers, El-
ders, Rutherfords, Orths, Foxes, &.c.
Several records occur in which punishment was inflicted by lashes and " standing in the pil-
lory."
At the August sessions of 1786, we find noted, that the name of the town had been changed
from Harris's Ferry to Louisburg, " by order of the Supreme Executive Council." At what time
it was changed back again, we can find no note. The law for locating the seat of government at
this place, was approved 21st February, 1810. The offices were removed from Lancaster 12th
Oct. 1812, and the commissioners for the purpose were Robert Harris, George Hoyer, George
Zeigler.
The town of Harrisburg, auspiciously begun, has steadily advanced. The prophecy of John
Harris has been fulfilled, and it is now the seat of government of Pennsylvania.
MiDDLETOWN, with its Very near neighbor Portsmouth, occupies the sec-
ond rank in the co., and, as a town, is the most ancient. Middletown
occupies the high ground about half a mile from the confluence of the
Swatara with the Susquehanna ; Portsmouth is on the plain immediately
.at the mouth, 10 miles below Harrisburg. The Union canal, the Pennsyl-
vania canal, and the Harrisburg and Lancaster railroad, all intersect at
Portsmouth. There are here two blast furnaces, one foundry, two exten-
sive flouring-mills, and 3 saw-mills, all propelled by the waters of the
Swatara ; and there is still much water-power unemployed. At Middle-
town there are four churches, Lutheran, German Reformed, Bethel, and
Methodist. Its inhabitants, originally, Were Irish, English, and a few
DAUPHIN COUNTY.
287
Scotch ; they have bee-n generally succeeded by Germans. The annexed
view was taken from the porch of the hotel, in the centre of the town.
Central part of Middletown.
The following sketch of the early history of this place was kindly
drawn up by Mr. Fisher, a son of the original founder.
" The town of Middletown was laid out in 1755, by Georg-e Fisher, Esq., in the centre of a large
tract of land bounded by the Swatara and Susquehanna, conveyed to him by his father, John
Fisher, a merchant of Pliiladclphia. The site was that of an ancient Indian village founded by
the Susquehanna nation. Middletown derived its name from its local position, midway between
Lancaster and Carlisle."
" The proprietor being a Friend, several of this denomination from the city and the lower coun-
ties followed him ; and these, with several Scotch and Irish merchants, formed the first inhabit-
ants of the village, who enjoyed, up to the period of the revolution, a very extensive and lucrative
trade with the natives and others settled on the Susquehanna and Juniata, and also with the
Western traders. Several of the Scotch and Irish merchants entered the army, whence few I'e.
turned. During the war a commissary department was established here, when the small boats
for Gen. Sullivan's army were built, and his troops supplied with provisions and military stores
for his expedition against the Six Nations."
" After the war, trade again revived, and flounshed extensively until 1796, after which it gradu-
ally declined. Until then, the mouth of the Swatara was considered the termination of the navi-
gation of the Susquehanna and its tributary streams. So far down, it was considered safe ; be-
ow this it was believed to be impracticable, on account of the numerous and dangerous falls and
cataracts impeding its bed. In 1796, an enterprising German miller by the name of Kreider,
trom the neighborhood of Huntingdon on the Juniata, appeared in the Swatara with the first ark
ever built in those waters, fully freighted with flour, with which he safely descended to Baltimore,
where he was amply compensated for his meritorious adventure. His success becoming known
throughout the interior, many arks were built, and the next year, many of them, fully freighted,
arrived safely at tide- water. This trade increasing, a number of enterprising young men were
induced to examine critically the river from the Swatara to tide, by which they became excellent
pilots. The enterprise of John Kreider thus diverted the trade of this place to Baltimore, where
it principally centred, until the Union canal was completed in 1827, when it was again generally
arrested at its old port. It would probably have so continued, if the Pennsylvania canal had not
been continued to Columbia, by which the principal obstruction in the river, the Conewago falls,
was completely obviated. Middletown, or rather Portsmouth, laid out in 1814, by the son of the
original proprietor, at the junction of the Union and Pennsylvania canals, again declined. A
large trade, however, in lumber and other articles of domestic produce, is still intercepted here,
supplying tlie valleys of the Swatara, Quitapahilla, Tulpehocken, and the Schuylkill. It may
fairly be presumed, from the local advantages enjoyed by this town, that it is destined ere long to
become one of much importance."
Between Middletown and Portsmouth, in full view of the railroad,
stands the Emmaus Institute, an elegant edifice, devoted to the educa
288 DAUPHIN COUNTY.
tion of poor orphan children, who are to be carefully trained in the
doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Instruction is given
in the German and English languages, and the charter has been so
altered by the legislature as to permit the establishment of a literary
and scientific department in connection with the orphan house, in
which all the branches of modern learning are taught. The institu-
tion owes its origin to the liberality of Mr. George Frey, formerly a
distinguished citizen of Middletown. It has only been recently erected,
after many years of expensive and vexatious litigation since the death
of the donor, some forty years since. The life of Mr. Frey was marked
with not a little of romance. His name, by the way, was not Frey, but
Everhart.
When Mr. Fisher, the founder of the town, first came to the place, he used to hire George, who
was then a penniless German lad, to assist in ploughing his fields and clearing up his new land.
George lived with Mr. Fisher some years until he had saved a little fund ; but his ambition looked
above^the plough, and investing his money in a stock of trinkets, finery, and other articles for
InAan traffic, he mounted his pack, and started up the Susquelianna. Passing the mountains,
he encountered a party of soldiers from the garrison at Fort Hunter, who arrested him as a run-
away redemptioner, (a servant who had been sold for a time to pay his passage from Europe,) a
character common in those days, and far more consistent with George's appearance and lan-
guage than that of a pedler ; for what pedler, said they, would risk life and property thus alone
and on foot on this dangerous Indian frontier ? " Ich bin frey, icli bin frey," (/ am free,) re-
peated George earnestly in German, in reply to their charges. He succeeded in convincing them
of his independence, and went with them to the garrison, where he became quite a favorite, the
soldiers knowing him by no other name than " Frey," which they had caught from his first reply
to them. He sold out his pack at a fine profit, and continued to repeat his adventures, still pass-
ing as George Free, until he was able to start a little store in Middletown, and he afterwards
erected a mill. Near the close of the revolution, when the old continental money was gradually
depreciating, George, who always kept both eyes open, contrived to be on the right side of the
account, so that, instead of losing, he gained immensely by the depreciation ; and, in short, by
dint of untiring industry, close economy, sharp bargains, and lucky financiering, George at length
became, on a small scale, the Stephen Girard of the village, and owned a great part of the real
estate in and around the town. He had not, however, all the good things of this life ; although
he was married, heaven had never blessed him with children — a circmnstance which he bitterly
regretted, as certain worthy fathers of the Lutheran Church can testify. The property, therefore,
of the childless man was destined to cheer and educate the fatherless children of a succeeding
age. He died in 1807 or 1808, and a splendid seminary, erected about the year 1840, is the mon-
ument of George Frey's benevolence.
HuMMELSTovvN is a Considerable village 8 miles E. of Harrisburg, on
the Reading turnpike, about one mile east of the Swatara, and 5 miles
from Middletown. It contains a Lutheran church, and about 150 dwell-
ings. The village is in the midst of a rich limestone district, cultivated
by wealthy and industrious German farmers. About a mile S. from the
village, near the Swatara, is one of those curious caverns which abound
in limestone formations. Not far from this cave rises the lofty isolated
mountain called Round Top, a conspicuous object in the scenery of this
region.
Halifax is on the left bank of the Susquehanna, between the river and
Armstrong cr., about a mile below the confluence of the latter, and 17
miles above Harrisburg. The village consists of 80 or 100 dwellings, a
church, stores, &c. It was formerly the site of Fort Halifax, one of the
line of frontier forts erected during the French war, in 1756.
MiLLERSBURG occupics a fine elevated site near the mouth of Wiconisco
cr., on the left bank of the Susquehanna, 23 miles above Harrisburg. It
contains a Lutheran church, and about 80 or 100 dwellings. The Lykens
Valley railroad, communicating with the coal mines at Bear Gap in Short
DAUPHIN COUNTY. 289
mountain, terminates at this place. The Wiconisco canal, when finished,
will perfect the communication with the main line of Pennsylvania canal
at Duncan's island. The business resulting from these public improve-
ments must eventually render Millersburg a place of much importance.
The Short mountain, in which the coal mines are contained, is the west-
ern termination of Broad mountain. It runs west of the Schuylkill co.
line, and ends abruptly in the midst of Lykens valley, about 12 miles east
from Millersburg. Between 2 and 3 miles from the end of the mountain
is Bear Gap, a singular entrance into a narrow longitudinal valley or
cove in the middle of the mountain. Bear cr., which flows through the
gap, drains this valley. The gap exposes on each of its sides to the
labors of the miner several most valuable veins of anthracite coal, from
() to II feet in. thickness. The mines immediately at the gap were owned
by Messrs. Gratz and Shaeifer. Thomas P. Cope, Esq., was also an
owner of coal lands here. Coal was discovered below the gap about the
year 1830, by Messrs. Hugh Maxwell and Wm. White, of Lancaster, on
lands owned by Messrs. Elder and Haldeman, of Harrisburg. Mining
commenced soon after. The village of Wiconisco was started, the rail-
road located, and now Bear Gap is a busy spot. In 1834 there were at
Wiconisco Mr. Sheafer's tavern, the agent's house, a store, 12 miners'
houses, mechanics' shops, &c. There are some beautiful farms in Lykens
valley. Among others, on the Wiconisco, is one now in possession of the
Hon. James Buchanan, of Lancaster. This farm was the former resi-
dence of Lyken, the first settler of the valley. There is a wide contrast
between the peace and prosperity enjoyed by the farmers of the valley
now, and the dangers and hardships of its early pioneers. The following
extract is from Gordon's History of Pennsylvania. The affair took place
in the spring of 1 756, after Braddock's defeat in the previous year.
On the 7th of March the house of Andrew Lycan, on the Wikenesko cr., was attacked by the
Indians. Lycan had with him his son, a negro man, a boy, and John Revalt, and Ludwig Shut,
two of his neighbors. Lycan and Revalt, whilst engaged early in the morning foddering the
cattle, had two guns fired at them, but, being unhurt, ran to the house, and prepared for an en-
gagement. In order to get a shot at the enemy, John Lycan, Revalt, and Shut, crept out of the
house, but were instantly fired upon by five Indians, and were all wounded. Lycan, the father,
perceiving over the hog-house an Indian, named Joshua James, fired upon, and killed him : he
also saw two white men run from the hog-house, and get at a little distance from it. The people
in the house now endeavored to escape, and were pursued by sixteen Indians. John Lycan and
Revalt, unable from their wounds to continue the fight, fled with the negro, whilst Andrew, Shut,
and the boy faced the foe. One of the Indians approached the boy, and whilst in the act of striking
him with his tomahawk, was shot dead by Shut, and at the same instant Lycan killed another
These two heroic men continued the combat for some time, and killed and wounded several of
their adversaries. Their bravery daunted the enemy, who did not dare to close upon them, even
though they were compelled, from fatigue and loss of blood, to sit down upon a log to rest them-
selves ; and they finally succeeded in making good their retreat to Hanover township. Several
of the Indians were recognised as Delawares, and were well known in the neighborhood.
Duncan's Island is the name now applied to the flourishing settlement
at the mouth of the Juniata, 14 miles above Harrisburg. The name
properly belongs to the narrow alluvial island, about two miles in length,
at the point of which the village is situated. This island, and its fellow,
Haldeman's island, although apparently in Perry co., are really in Dau-
phin, Perry having been formed from Cumberland, and the original boun-
dary of that county having been the western shore of the Susquehanna.
Haldeman's island, (so called from its present owner,) is not of alluvial
origin, but is elevated far above the neighboring flatlands. The farm-
37
290 DELAWARE COUNTY.
house on it commands a magnificent landscape, comprising many of the
wonders both of nature and art. The river here is nearly a mile in width,
and is crossed by a wooden bridge, on the Burr plan, resting upon many
piers, the whole constructed with an elegance and strength equal to, if
not surpassing, those of any public work in the country. A dam across
the river just below the bridge creates a pool, upon which boats cross by
means of the double towing-path attached to the bridge. The canal
continues up Duncan's island, diverging at its upper end into the Juniata
and Susquehanna divisions. The Juniata division then crosses the Ju-
niata on a splendid aqueduct, with wooden superstructure, and continues
up the ]-ight bank to the rope-ferry, twelve miles above. There is also a
fine bridge across the mouth of the Juniata.
On a previous page, (275.) some interesting details are given relating
to the aborigines who occupied these islands.
About half a mile above the village, Mrs. Duncan, the accomplished
widow of the late proprietor of the island, still resides in the family man-
sion, where the traveller who chooses to tarry in this delightful region
may find accommodations — not in a hotel, with its bar and bottles, and
blustering loafers ; but in a comfortable, well-furnished gentleman's
home, with its quiet fireside, and books, and intelligent society, and socia-
ble tea-table. The following facts were learned in a conversation with
Mrs. Duncan :
Mrs. Duncan's grandfather, Marcus Hulings, was one of the earliest settlers in this section of
the country. He settled, (possibly as early as 1735,) on the upper end of the island. Her other
grandfather. Watts, was also another early settler in this vicinity. Mr. Hulings established a
ferry across the mouth of Juniata, and built a causeway at the upper end of the island for pack-
horses to pass. A Mr. Baskin established a ferry across the Susquehanna at the foot of the big
island, (Haldeman's.) The trade was at that time carried on entirely with pack-horses. When
the hostile Indians broke in upon the frontier in 1756, Mr. Huhngs left here and went out to Fort
Duquesne, and afterwards became proprietor of the point where Pittsburg now stands. Becom-
ing discontented with his situation in that disturbed frontier, he sold out for .£21)0, and returned
to Duncan's island, where he re-established his ferry and made further improvements. A bloody
fight occurred on the island between the whites and Indians about the year 1760. On one occa-
sion news came to Mr. Hulings that the Indians were coming down the river to attack the set-
tlements. Hulings packed up a few of his valuables in great haste, and putting his wife and
child upon a large black horse, fled to the foot of the island, ready to cross over at the first alarm.
Thinking that perhaps the Indians might not have arrived, he ventured back alone to the house
to try to save more of his effects. After carefully reconnoitering the house, he entered and found
an Indian up stairs, coolly picking his flint. Stopping some time to parley with the Indian so
that he might retreat vdthout being shot at, liis wife became alarmed at his long delay ; and,
fearing he had been murdered by the Indians, she mounted the black charger, with her child on
her lap, and swam the Susquehanna ! This was in the spring when the river was up. Our mod-
ern matrons would scarcely perform such an achievement. Her husband soon arrived, and in
his turn, became alarmed at her absence ; but she made a signal to him from the opposite side,
and relieved his anxiety.
There was a large Indian mound below Mrs. Duncan's on the island, (which was destroyed by
the canal,) full of bones and other relics ; large trees were growing over it. There appears also
to have been an extensive Indian burial-place below Mrs. Duncan's, along where the canal passes.
Many relics were found — beads, stone hatchets, &c. ; and among other things, a small brass to-
bacco box, with a piece of tobacco in it. The box was curiously carved, but was evidently of
European workmanship.
DELAWARE COUNTY.
Delaware county, although it comprises the most ancient settlements
in the state, did not receive its present organization until 26th Sept. 1789,
DELAWARE COUNTY. 291
when it was separated from Chester co. Length 16 m., breadth 11 ; area
177 sq. m. : being the least of all the counties except Philadelphia. Pop-
ulation in 1790, 9,483; in 1800, 12,809; in 1810, 14,734 ; in 1820, 14,810;
in 1830, 17,323; in 1840, 19,791.
The county lies entirely within the primitive formation, with the ex-
ception of the alluvial tract along the Delaware ; the prevailing rocks
being granite, gneiss, and feldspar, in every variety of decomposition.
Some of these deposits of gneiss, on the creeks near the Delaware, fur-
nish valuable quarries of stone. The surface is gently undulating, and
near the northwestern boundary becomes hilly. The soil is not naturally
fertile, but with the aid of lime, manure, industry, and the extensive mar-
ket of Philadelphia, it is made very productive. The broad alluvial
meadows along the Delaware, and some of the creeks, furnish rich pas-
turage for immense numbers of fat cattle. The farmers devote their at-
tention principally to dairy farming, and the rearing of cattle.
The principal streams, besides the Delaware, are Cobb's cr., the east-
ern boundary. Darby, Crum, Ridley, Chester, and Hook crs. The Bran-
dywine flows along the western boundary. Falling as these creeks do
from the upland country to tide-water, they furnish a great abundance
of water-power, most of which is usefully employed in a great variety
of manufactures; among which are 21 cotton factories, 9 woollen facto-
ries, 3 dyeing and print-works, 1 1 paper factories, 1 furnace, rolling and
nail mills, edge-tool manufactories, powder-mills, fulling, flouring, sawing,
and oil mills. The decomposed feldspar of this county and Chester co.
has been formerly much used in the manufacture of flne porcelain, by
Mr, Tucker of Philadelphia ; but it is believed the manufacture has been
abandoned, in consequence of foreign competition. Copper has been
found, it is said, on Chester cr., and there are indications of the two
shafts once sunk in searching for it ; but the mine is now unimproved.
The population is generally composed of the descendants of the early
vSwedish, English, and Welsh settlers — a majority of whom, it is estimated,
are connected with the society of Friends ; and there are also many
churches of other denominations, especially of the ancient Welsh Episco-
palians, and of the Swedes, who have now adopted the ritual of the
Episcopal church. There are many excellent private seminaries in the
county, among which that of Mr. Gummerie, in Haverford township, is
celebrated. There is an extensive lazaretto and commodious hospital in
Tinicum township, on the Delaware, for the accommodation of sick pas-
sengers and seamen bound to Philadelphia. The county also has a well-
managed poorhouse, connected with a farm.
The Philadelphia and Baltimore railroad passes through Chester.
Several important turnpikes also pass through the county, towards Balti-
more, Chadsford, Westchester, Lancaster, &c.
Long before William Penn came to this country, indeed before he was
born, the Swedes had already settled in " Upland," now Delaware co.
They first landed near Cape Henlopen, in 1638, and soon after built a
town and fort, which they called Christina, on the north side of Min-
quaas cr., (now Christina cr.,) not far above its mouth. (See Outline
History, pp. 10, 11.) In 1643, Gov. John Printz, with the Rev. John
Campanius as chaplain of the colony, arrived from Stockholm, in the ship
Fame, accompanied by two other ships of war, the Swan and the Chari-
292 DELAWARE COUNTY.
tas. He selected for his residence the broad alluvial island at the mouth
of Darby cr., called Tinicum island, the same upon which the lazaretto
now stands. It is separated from the main land only by the two branches
of Darby cr., and should not be confounded, by those who seek it on the
map, with the long, narrow, sandy island in the middle of the Delaware,
now designated as Tinicum island on the state map. Here Gov. Printz
erected a strong fort of hemlock logs, and a splendid palace for himself^
called Printz Hall, surrounded with a fine orchard and pleasure grounds.
Near him, on the same island, were clustered the dwellings and planta-
tions of the more respectable colonists ; a commodious church, of wood,
was consecrated by Rev. Mr. Campanius, on the 4th Sept. 1646; and a
burying-groLind was laid out, in which, as Campanius is careful to inform
us, "the first corpse that was buried was Andrew Hanson's daughter
Catherine, and she was buried on the 28th Oct., which was Simon and
Jude's day." The city of Gov. Printz thus founded was called New Got-
tenburg, and for some years it enjoyed the dignity of being the metropolis
of New Sweden.
By the instructions of Queen Christina to Gov. Printz, he was enjoined
to administer justice according to Swedish laws ; to preserve, as far as
practicable, the manners and customs of Sweden ; to promote diligently
all profitable branches of industry, such as the culture of grain, of tobac-
co, of the vine, and the mulberry for silk ; the raising of cattle ; to search
for precious metals ; diligently to cultivate a traffic with the Indians, and
especially to be careful to undersell the English and Dutch. With re-
spect to the Dutch, he was to conciliate their good-will, but to deny their
right to any of the land on the west side of the river ; and if all friendly
negotiations proved fruitless, he was to repel force by force. With the
Virginians he was to cultivate a friendly intercourse and exchange of
good offices ; but the English who had settled on Ferken's cr., (Salem,)
M'ere to be persuaded to remove, or else to be brought under her majesty's
jurisdiction. With the Indians he was to confirm the former purchases
of land, and treaties of peace ; and as far as practicable to win them
over to embrace Christianity, and adopt the manners and customs of civ-
ilized life. But —
" Before all, the governor must labor and watch that he renders in all things to Almighty God
the true worship wliich is his due, the glory, the praise, and the homage which belong to him, and
take good measures tluit the divine service is performed according to the true confession of Augs-
burg, the council of Upsal, and the ceremonies of tlic Swedish church, having care that all men,
and especially the youth, be well instructed in all the parts of Christianity, and that a good eccle-
siastical discipline be observed and maintained. With respect to the Dutch colony which resides
and is established in the country of her majesty and of the crown, the governor must not disturb
what has been ordained in the aforesaid grant of her majesty with regard to the exercise of the
reformed religion."
Under these wholesome instructions the Swedish colony prospered
abundantly until more powerful nations became jealous of their success.
Campanius represents the Indians as having been frequent visiters at
his house. In his conversations with them, he generally succeeded in
making them understand the great leading truths and doctrines of the
gospel. He was so much encouraged by their docility that he learned
their language, and translated the catechism into it.
Small hamlets were settled at various places along the shore and fur-
ther inland, but still at convenient distances from the forts. James N.
DELAWARE COUNTY. 393
Barker, Esq., in his oration on the 24th Oct. 1827, before the Penn So-
ciety, says : —
The town of Christina Harbor, and Christina Fort, were the first places erected by the Swedes,
and in the year of their arrival, 16.38. They stood at a place called by the natives Hopohaccan,
on the north of the stream Minquaas, sometimes called Suspecough, and not far from its mouth.
The stream also received the name of Christina, which it still retains, and a village of some an-
tiquity, further up the creek, is yet called Christina. But the fort and the primitive town of
Christina Harbor have disappeared : happily, howeVer, for the antiquary, an accurate draught of
both, by the engineer Lindstrom, is preserved in the Nya Swerige of Campanius, who furnishes
besides a minute account of its capture in 1655 by the Dutch under Stuyvesant, after a siege of
fourteen days, and which completed the subjugation of the country. The Swedish traveller Kalm,
who visited this spot in 1748, had presented to him by the reverend Mr. Tranbcrg, minister of
the Swedish church at Wilmington, an old Swedish silver coin of Christina, found among axes,
shovels, and other things, at the depth of about three feet under ground, by some workmen, who
in the preceding summer were throwing up a redoubt to protect the place from an expected attack
by the French and Spaniards. The new fortification, as Mr. Tranberg informed Kalm, was on
the same spot which the old one had occupied ; Kalm adds, that it is nearly three miles from that
point, by the course of the stream, to its mouth.
According to Campanius, New Gothenborg was totally " destroyed." It is gratifying, however,
to learn from William Penn himself, that on his arrival, the Swedes had a church, perhaps the
ancient edifice, yet standing at Tinicum.
Nya Wasa and Gripsholm are laid down on some of the old maps as fortified places. Ebellng
supposes they were on the Schuylkill, but Du Simitiere places them on the Delaware, between
Nya Gothenborg and the Schuylkill. Campanius, however, assigns them a station between the
Schuylkill and a stream north of Tinicum, Gripsholm near the Delaware, and Nya Wasa some
distance up the Schuylkill, probably about the point a little below Bartram's Botanic Garden. It
is difficult to fix the latter with any certainty, for but a single stream above Tinicum is laid down
on the maps, called by Lindstrom, the only one who gives it a name, Tenna Kongz Kilen. Nya
Wasa may therefore have been situated even below the present Cobb's creek.
The place at which the Dutch erected Fort Kasimer, says Campanius, was called (by the In-
dians, it is presumed) Sand Hocken, and was on the south, as Christina fort was on the north
of the Minquaas or Mingoes creek, called by the Swedes Christina. It was in 1651, that the
Dutch were suffered by the Swedish governor Printz, who contented himself with timidly pro-
testing against the measure, to possess themselves of this key to New Sweden. In 1654, the
successor of Printz, governor Risingh, obtained possession of the fort, either by treachery or by
storm, for the historians disagree on this point, when it received the new title of " The Fort of the
Holy Trinity," and was placed under the command of Sven Schute, lord of Passaiung. In the
following year it was the first place of strength obliged to yield to the conqueror Stuyvesant, and
was afterwards called Fort Nieu Amstel. The account by Campanius of these transactions is
interesting, and his book contains besides an engraved view of the fort itself under its Swedish
title of Trefalldigheets Forte.
Andreas Hudde, an agent of the Dutch, who had charge of Fort Nassau,
in 1645-46, was sent by Gov. Kieft to spy out the land where the Swedes
had settled. While he remained at Fort Nassau, (on the Jersey shore
near the mouth of Timber cr.,) a fierce diplomatic war was carried on
between himself and Gov. Printz, the details of which are given in his
official report. In his description of the country, he says, —
" Somewhat further on the same side (above Christina) about two (Dutch) miles there are
some plantations which are continued nearly a mile ; but four houses only are built, and these at
considerable distance one from the other. The furthest of these is not far from Tinnekonk, which
is an island, and is towards the river-side secured by creeks and underwood ; there the governor,
John Printz, keeps his residence. This is a pretty strong fort, constructed by laying very heavy
hemlock logs {greenen) the one on the other ; but this fort with all its buildings was burnt down
on the 5th December, 1655. Further on, at the same side, till you come to the Schuylkill, being
about two miles, there is not a single plantation, neither at Tinnekonk, because near the river
nothing is to be met but underwood and valley lands.
" In regard to this Schuylkill, these are lands purchased and possessed by the company. He
employed the company's carpenter, and constructed there a fort, on a very convenient spot, on an
island near the borders of the kill, which is from the southwest side secured by another creek,
and from the S. S. E. and S. sides with underwood and valley lands. It lays about the distance
of a gunshot in the kill. On the south side of this kill, on the same island, beautiful com is
294 DELAWARE COUNTY.
raised. This fort cannot in any manner whatever obtain any control d« the river, but it has the
command over the whole creek, while this kill or creek is the only remaining avenue for trade
with the Minquaas, and without this trade the river is of little value.
"At a little distance from this fort was a creek to the furthest distant wood, which place is
named Kingsessing by the savages, which was before a certain and invariable resort for trade
with the Minquaas, but which is now opposed by the Swedes having there built a strong house.
About half a mile further in the woods, Governor Printz constructed a mill on a kill which runs
in the sea not far to the south of Matinnekonk, and on this kill a strong building just by in the
path which leads to the Minquaas ; and this place is called by the savages Kakarikonk. So that
no access to the Minquaas is left open; and he too [Printz] controls nearly all the trade of the
savages on the river, as the greatest part of them go a hunting in that neighborhood, which they
are not able to do without passing by his residence. In regard to his force, it consists at utmost
of eighty or ninety men, freemen as well as servants, with whom he must garrison all his strong
places." — N. York Hist. Soc. Collections, New Series, vol. I.
Thomas Campanius Holm, grand.son of Rev. Mr. Campanius, who pub-
lished his work on New Sweden, derived principally from his grandfa-
ther's papers, in 1702, has the following description of the same places
described by Hudde.
Mocoponaca, which is called Chester, was a bare place, without a fort, but there was some
houses built there. It was good even land there by the sea shore, situated between Christina fort
and New Gottenburg, though nearer the latter, and there Was also a fort built there some time after.
Passaiung was the commander Swen Skute's donation, and under that was Korsholm fort
situated. But after Governor John Printz went to Swede land, it was quitted by the Swedes,
and afterwards burnt and ruined by the Indians.
Manaijung, that is, Skoolkill fort, this was a handsome little fort built of logs, with sand and
stones filled up betwixt the logs, and pallisadoes cut very sharp towards the top ; it laid four
miles from Christina ; east it was mounted with great guns, as well as the other forts. The forts
are all situated by the water-side.
Chinsessing [Kingsessing] was called the New fort. This was no fort, but good strong
log-houses, built of good strong hard hickory, two stories high, which was a fort good and
strong enough to secure themselves from the Indians. For what signifieth a fort when the people
therein boast of the strength of the place, and do not crave for God's assistance ? And there lived
five freemen, who plough, sow, plant, and manure the land, and they lived very well there, for the
governor had settled them there. Karraung stream, or water-mill : by this place is a strong
stream, and hath extraordinary conveniences to build mills there, and the government caused a
mill to be built there.
In return for Gov. Printz's valuable services, Queen Christina, in 1643,
was pleased to grant him the island of Tinicum, with its town of New
Gottenburg, as a possession to be enjoyed by him and his heirs forever.
Printz, after a residence of ten years, retitrncd to Sweden in 1652, leaving
his son-in-law, Pappegoia, in temporary charge of the colony. Printz had
become unpopular by a too rigid exercise of authority. During the ad-
ministration of his successor, John Claudius Rising, a treaty was held
with the neighboring Indian chiefs. The following account of it is given
in the quaint language of some ancient translator of Campanius Holm's
work, as published in the N. Y. Hist. Collections.*
The 17th June, 1654, was gathered together at Prince Hall at Tennacum, ten of the sache-
mans of the Indian chiefs, and there at that time was spoken to them in the behalf of the great
Queen of Sweed land for to renew the old league of friendship that was betwixt them, and that the
Sweeds had bought and purchased the land of them. They complained that the Sweeds they
should have brought in with them much evil, because so many of them since are dead and ex-
pired. Then there was given unto them considerable presents and parted amongst them. When they
had received the presents they went out, and had a conference amongst them a pretty while, and
came in again, and then spoke one of the chiefs, by name Noaman, rebuked the rest, and that
they had spoken evil of the Sweeds and done them harm, and that they should do so no more, for
they were good people. Look, said he, pointing upon the presents, what they have brought us,
* A more complete and modern English translation, by Mr. Duponceau, has since been pub-
lished in the, collections of the Penr Hist. Society.
DELAWARE COUNTY. 295
and they desire our friendship, and then he stroked himself three times down his arm, which was
an espec al token of friendship. Afterwards he thanked for the presents they had received, which
he did in all their behalfs, and said that there siiould hereafter be observed and kept a more strict
friendship amongst them than there hath been hitherto. That as they had been in Governoeur
Printz his time, one body and one heart, (bcatinfr and knocking upon his breast,) they should
lienceforward be as one head. For a token waving with both his hands, and made as if he would
tye a strong knott ; and then he made this comparison, tliat as the callibash is of growth round
without any crack, also they from henceforth hereafter as one body without any separation, and
if they heard or understood that any one would do them or any of theirs any harm, we should give
them timely notice thereof, and likewise if they heard any mischief plotting against the Christians,
they would give them notice thereof if it was at midnight. And then answer was made unto
them, that that would be a true and lasting friendship, if every one would consent to it. And
upon the said sayings they made a general shout, and consented to it. Then the great guns w^^re
fired, which pleased them exceedingly well, saying, Pu-hu-hu ! mo ki-rick pickon ; that is, hear !
now believe I the great guns are fired. And then they were treated with wine and brandy. Then
stood up another of the Indians and spoke, and admonished all in general that they should keep
the league and friendship with the Christians that was made, and in no manner of way violate
the same, and do them no manner of injury, not to their hogs or their cattle, and if any one should
be found guilty thereof, they should be severely punished, others to an example ; they advised that
we should settle some Sweeds upon Passaiunck, where then there lived a power of Indians, for to
observe if they did any mischief, the}' should be punished. Moreover that all the land that the Sweeds
had bought and purchased should be confirmed, the copies of the agreements were then punctually
read unto them. But the originals were at Stockholm, and when their names [were read] that
had signed, they seemed when they heard it rejoiced, but when any one's name was read that
was dead, they hung their heads down and seemed to be sorrowful. And then there was set upon
the floor in the great hall two great kettles, and a great many other vessels with sappan, that is,
mush, made of Indian corn or Indian wheat, as groweth there in abundance. But the sache-
mans they sate by themselves, but the common sort of Indians they fed heartily, and were satis-
fied. The above mentioned treaty and friendship that then was made betwixt the Sweeds and
the Indians, hath been ever since kept and observed, and that the Sweeds have not been by them
molested.
Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New Amsterdam, conquered New
Sweden, in 1655. (See Outline Hi.story, p. 11.) The Dutch settled but
slowly in Ncav Sweden after the conquest, generally preferring trade,
with a residence in towns, to agricultural employments. Acrelius, an
accurate Swedish historian, a part of whose work, translated by the Rev.
Dr. Collin, of Wicaco, has been published by the N. Y. Hist. Soc, says :
" Stuyvesant had a deep, fixed jealousy that the Swedes had a dislike to the Dutch and attach-
ment to the English. Though all the Swedish families were only 130, according to the list given
in by the sellout, they made a majority of the inhabitants, and were therefore formidable. He
therefore positively ordered that all the Swedes should collect into small towns ; and proposed
Passaiung as the most proper, being a pleasant and fruitful territory." But Beekman, the lieu-
tenant-governor, could not persuade, and did not like to compel them to do it. This was in
1659-60.
" The wife of Pappegoia, and daughter of Gov. Printz, lived still in Tenakongh, [Tinicum.]
With all the advantages of that seat, she was so poor from want of laborers that the Dutch gov-
ernment granted her a small aid, which was for some time an ox and some hogs, both fattened,
and sufficient grain for bread yearly. Finally she returned to Sweden."
West Jersey began to be settled as early as the year 1676. The colo-
nists, generally Quakers from Wales, sailing up the Delaware, naturally
became acquainted with the hospitable and thrifty Swedes, who often
served as their interpreters with the aborigines, — and Quaker families
gradually took up their abode on the west side of the river, at Upland, at
Shackamaxon, and opposite Burlington and the Falls. This was previ-
ous to the purchase of the province by Wm. Penn. Smith says : — " The
first monthly meeting of Friends at Chester, to be found on record, was
held the 10th day of the 11th month, 1681, at the house of Robert Wade.
It consisted of the Friends of Chichester and Upland, or Chester. These
Friends had meetings for worship at each other's houses so long before as
^90 DELAWARE COUNTY.
the year 1675, in which year Robert Wade and divers others came over."
In 1081 two ships arrived in the Delaware from London, and one from
Bristol. One of them, the Bristol Factor, Roger Dunn, commander, ar-
rived at Upland on the 11th December. The passengers, says Proud,
went ashore at Robert Wade's landing near the lower side of Chester
creek ; and the river having frozen up that night, the passengers remain-
ed all winter. Markham, the nephew and confidential agent, and after-
wards lieutenant-governor, came over in one of these ships. The earlier
colonists chose the sea-shore, and the more inland townships of the county
were not settled until after the arrival of Wm. Penn in 1G82. Haverford,
Radnor, and Darby were settled in that year. Friends continued to come
in from Wales and England. Newtown, Goshen, and Uwchland were
settled, and other townships were gradually filled up. The Swedes and
the hidians received the worthy and peaceable Friends with great kind-
ness and hospitality ; assisted them to build mills, and meeting-houses,
and dwellings; furnished provisions for them until their new crops could
be gathered ; and the three races, or five rather, for the Dutch were here
also, and the Germans began to come in, dwelt harmoniously together for
many years.
The southern boundary separating this county from the state of Dela-
ware is the periphery of a circle drawn at a radius of 12 miles. This
singular line had its origin in a deed of feoffment obtained by Wm. Penn
from the Duke of York, Aug. 24, 1784, of "all that the town of New
Castle, otherwise called Delaware, and all that tract of land lying within
the compass or circle of 12 miles about the same." At the same time he
purchased the land on the bay, ''beginning 12 miles south from the town
of New Castle," down to Cape Henlopen. These tracts formed after-
^vards the " Three Lower Counties." It is well known that a long dispute
existed between Lord Baltimore, the proprietary of Maryland, and the
Penns, concerning the southern boundary of Pennsylvania. By the char-
ter, Wm. Penn's grant was to be bounded on the nortli by "the beginning of
the three-and-fortieth 'degree of northern latitude," and on the south by a
circle drawn at twelve miles distance northward and westward unto the
heginning of the fortieth degree of northern latitude, and then by a straight
line westward, &c. Lord Baltimore insisted that the whole fortieth de-
gree of north latitude was included in his charter, which was prior in
point of time. Penn insisted that Lord Baltimore was precluded by a
recital in his charter that the land was uncultivated, and possessed by
barbarians, whereas it was not so, but possessed by Dutch and Swedes,
and therefore the king was deceived in his grant. This dispute was
finally settled by mutual agreement in 1732, that the line dividing the
three lower counties from Maryland, running up the middle of the penin-
sula, should make a " tangent to the western part of the circle of New
Castle town" — and that circle was described in the agreement as follows:
•' That there shall be the said circle mentioned in the charter for Penn-
sylvania, and deed of feoff'ment of New Castle, (or so much thereof as is
requisite,) drawn and marked out at the twelve miles distance from the
town of New Castle, which twelve miles shall be twelve English statute
miles." The other line dividing Maryland from Pennsylvania, was to be
a due west line, " to run across the Susquehanna river, and to be fifteen
DELAWARE COUNTY. 297
miles due south, or below the most southern part of the city of Philadel-
phia."
JVotwithstanding this plain agreement, the commissioners under it for
running the line on the part of Lord Baltimore in 1733, set up the ridicu-
lous pretension that the "twelve miles distant from the town of New
Castle" referred to the ptriphery only of the circle, of which the radius
would reach only about two miles from New Castle, instead of twelve.
The survey was therefore adjourned ; and another long series of lawsuits
and controversies ensued, which were not quieted until 4th July, 1760,
when a final agreement was made l)etween the parties. Charles Mason
and Jeremiah Dixon, two eminent mathematicians and astronomers, were
employed in 1707 and '68, to run the line and erect stone pillars at
cons))icuous points. Thus originated the famous " Mason and Dixon's
line."
During the revolution, on the night after the battle of Brandywine, the
American army retreated to Chester, and thence the next day to Phila-
delphia. The British army went up along the northwest boundary of
the county towards the Schuylkill, and afterwards entered Philadelphia.
While they occupied this city in the winter of 1777-'7Q, Delaw3,re co.
was often overrim by small scouting parties of the Americans sent out to
destroy, forage, or to cut off supplies from the enemy, and to annoy the
British shipping in the Delaware.
Soon after the peace with Great Britain in 1783, the subject of remov-
ing the county seat caused considerable excitement throughout the county.
The result was, that in 1789 Chester county was divided. (See Chester
county, page 219.)
An event that has recently occurred, even while this volume is in the
hands of the printer, will long be remembered in Delaware county. On
Saturday afternoon, 5th Aug. 1843, an overwhelming torrent of rain, ac-
companied with wind in some places equal to a tornado, burst upon the
region around Philadelphia. Its effects were particularly destructive on
all the streams of Delaware county. The following extracts are gleaned
from the Philadelphia papers :
" The rain fell as if in a mass ; runlets became creeks, and creeks were swollen into rivers.
About six o'clock it was found that Chester cr. was rapidly rising. So instantaneous was the
swell of water, that the next moment left no feeling but the instinct of self-preservation. The
stream rose, it is said by some, six feet in five minutes ; others aver that it rose six feet in one
minute. The water poured down as if a wave of the sea had been swept onward by an earth-
quake. In about two hours it had risen 23 ieet. The neighboring creeks were swollen in the
same proportion. Fortunately this took place before dark, or the scene would have been even
more terrible than it was. In Chester the buildings most frail were swept away, and from others
females were borne through the rushing waters, half dead with affright.
" Houses, dams, bridges, boats, an immense mass of lumber, furniture, mill-wheels, &.C., shot
by on the current. The railroad bridge was lifted from its foundations and Hung down the
stream. The next to fall was the suspension bridge. It is believed that not less than 20 persons
have been drowned. At one place on Chester cr., an entire family, that of Mr. Rhoads, coi^ist-
ing of himself, wife, and two children, found it impossible, so instantaneous was the rise and
rush of the torrent, to escape the house, and all perished.
" The factories of Mr. Crozer, Mr. Riddle, and Mr. Dickson and others, have been swept away
Most, if not all the mills on Darby cr. have been carried away. Beatty's iron works on Crura
run, (three miles below Darby,) are said to have been entirely destroyed. The manufactured
goods and a portion of the machiiiery of Kent's factory on Darby cr. were swept out. Palmer's
paper-mill on Darby cr. was greatly injured. Hood's new bridge in Radnor township is carried
away. Kelly's bridge on Darbyis injured. The large three-piered stone bridge across Darby cr.
is one mass of ruins ; only a portion of the abutments are standing. It gave way piece by piece,
between eight and nine o'clock. The water at this spot, usually a mere runlet, rose 30 feet The
38
298 DELAWARE COUNTY.
house of Mrs. Margaret Nowlan, who was in it with her four children, was swept away from s,
little below Kelly's factory, (two or three miles below Darby.) They were all drowned, and their
bodies have been all recovered.
" A mile and a half below Upper Providence a mill was carried away with a man and foi^r chil.
dren in it ; also his house, with the rest of his family in it. All were drowned, save one little
girl, who clung to a tree. Another was swept off with an aged man in it.
" There is scarcely a dam across a creek in the county that is not carried oft" or much injured ;
and at least 5U bridges have been swept off, occasioning a loss to the county of nearly ,$100,000 ;
and the individual loss cannot now be estimated.
" On a curve of Ridley cr., iminediutely adjoining Grove's cotton factory, now in the occupan-
cy of iSainuel Bancroft, Esq., is a stone building about 70 feet long, formerly used as a paper-
mill, but until Saturday inhabited by three families, the middle portion being occupied by a fami-
ly named Hardgraves. Swelled by the heavy fall of rain, the creek on Saturday leaped over its
banks and rushed in a direct line forward, sweeping out entirely the centre part of the building,
and carrying with it Mr. Hardgraves and four of his children, who were sitting upon a bed, and
leaving on only one side a small piece of the floor about a foot witle, where Mrs. Hardgravea and
her infant child barely found a footing — while directly opposite to her, on the other side of the
rushing torrent, were a man and four children clustered upon a small piece of the floor, which
had not been carried away from its fastenings. In this pitiable position they remained for some
tune, seemingly beyond the reach of aid, until a gallant fellow named Holt — who lived in one of
the outer portions of the building, and who had fled in safety when the danger became evident —
tied the two ends of a rope around his body, and made his way across to his part of the house,
where, cutting a hole through the dividing wall, he brought the man and his four children into a
more secure position. With considerable dithcidty Holt tiien contrived to get a ladder across to
where the unfortunate Mrs. Hardgraves and her child stood, and succeeded in bringing them
a.cross in safety. The rope with which he had crossed the swollen stream had been fastened by
him on his landing, and by means of it, he succeeded, with the aid of the people on the opposite
shore, in passing every one of the rescued sufferers in safety across — himself going last.
" Of a nature equally worthy of praise was the act of a brave man named Abner Wool, who at
the imminent risk of his life, rescued from death Mr. William Flowers. Mr. Flowers was, it ap-
pears, driving some of his cows in the vichiity of his mill on Chester creek, when the flood over-
took and carried him away. A small tree to which he clung stopped his course for a short time,
but being uproofed by the strength of the current, he was again carried off; and the roof of a
house having been seen to pass over him, it was supposed that he had perished ; bqt shortly after,
wards he was observed to be clinging to a buttonwood tree, wliieh still stood up against the flood.
Immediately Abner Wool procured a rope, ventured into the troubled waters, and succeeded in
reaching Mr. J'lowers, who was very much exhausted. Fastening the rope around him in such
a manner as still to retain a hold upon it himself, he made a signal to the people, and Mr. F. was
drawn in safety to the shore — he following afterwards in the same manner. A devoted mulatto
woman seeing Mr. Flowers' danger, attempted to rescue him, but was herself swept away and
engulfed by a sudden dash of the flood."
Chester is the most ancient town and county seat in Pennsylvania. It
is situated at the mouth of Chester cr., 13 miles S, W. from Philadelphia.
It has an antiquated, venerable appearance, and still retains the quiet
and orderly character which has distinguished it for more than 100 years.
It contains a substantial courthouse of stone, erected in 1724, a jail of
nearly equal antiquity, an ancient Swedish church, (St. Paul's,) a Quaker
meeting-house, a new Catholic church, the Delaware County Bank, an
Atheneum, and about 160 dwellings. The railroad from Philadelphia to
Wilmington and Baltimore passes through the place. Population in 1830,
848 ; in 1840, about 1,000.* The annexed view, in the central part of the
village, was taken from Mr. Howes' tavern. On the right is seen the court-
house and public offices, with the jail, and Mr. Irwin's hotel and the mar-
ket-house in the distance. Mr. S. A. Price's hotel is seen on the left.
Several particulars relating to the early history of Chester have been nar-
rated above in the history of the county. While the Dutch, subsequent
to the first English conquest, held a short sway over New Sweden, in
* In pursuance of an absurd practice, under the census of 1840, the population of villages not
incorporated has npt been separately staged.
DELAWARE COUNTY.
299
Central Part of Chester.
1673. they divided the western shore into three counties or judicial dis-
tricts. The most northern was called Oplandt, or Upland, its capital
being at the village of Upland, now Chester. This division was contin-
ued under the subsequent administration of the English governor, AildrosSi
The magistrates for Upland under Andross were Peter Cock, Peter Rambo,
Israel Holme, Laes Andriesson Woole, Swaine Otto, Ernest Cock^ At
that day James Sanderland, a wealthy Swede, was the principal owner
of the property on the side of the creek where the towii is ; and Robert
Wade, a distinguished Quaker, had his " Essex House" on the other side,
and owned the land for some distance back into the country. Mr. San-
derland died in 1692, aged 56. A splendid monument in the old Swedish
church, of which he was probably one of the founders, commemorates his
virtues.
The most important event that has occurred in Chester M^as the first
landing of William Penn within the province, early in November, 1682.
He had previously landed below at Newcastle, on the 27th October,
where he was affectionately welcomed by the colonists " of all peoples,
tongues, and nations." Mr. Duponceau has eloquently described the first
landing at Newcastle in one of his discourses.
See you yon gallant ship, sailing with propitious gales up the river Delaware ? Her decks are
Covered with passengers, enjoying the mild temperature of our climate, and the serenity of our
autumnal sky. They view with astonishment the novel scenery which strikes their sight ; im-
mense forests on each side, half despoiled of their red and yellow leaves, with which the ground
is profusely strewed. No noise is heard around them, save that of the deer rustling through the
trees, as she flies from the Indian who pursues her with his bow and arrow. Now and then a
strange yell strikes the ear from a distance, which the echoes of the woods reverberate, and forms
a strong contrast to the awful stillness of the scene. Observe the plainness of the dress of those
venerable pilgrims, and see them lift their eyes with silent gratitude to heaven. They are a
chosen band of Friends, who have left the British shores to establish here in peace their philan-
thropic commonwealth ; their ship is called the Welcome, Greenaway commands her, and Wil-
liam Penn is among them.
Now they land at Newcastle, amid the acclamations of the diversified population which
inhabit these shores. The English, the Welsh, the Dutch, tlie Germans, the Swedes, all crowd
to hail the great man whom they had been expecting for one long year, and whose fame had
already preceded him to these distant regions. The historian will not omit to describe this pleas-
ing scene, and it will be more than once the favorite subject of the painter's pencil. He will
00 DELAWARE COUNTY.
choose the instant when WiHiam Penii has just landed with h. 5 principal followers, while thcr
others are still on board the vessel, or in boats, making for the shore. There you see him sup-
ported by his friend Pearson From his manly port, and the resolution which his countenance
displays, you would take him to be a warrior, if the mild philanthropy wliich beams from his
eyes did not reveal his profession still more than the simpUcity of his garb. He who stands
before him in Britisli regimentals, and whom lie shakes affectionately by tlie hand, is his relation
Markham, whom he had sent in tlie preceding year to explore the land and prepare the way for
the new settlers. Those on the right, a numerous band, are your honored ancestors, some of
whom accompany him on the voyage, and others had arrived before, and are now assembled
here to greet him. There stands Pemherton, Moore, Yardley, Wain, Lloyd, Pusey, Chapman,
Wood, Hollingswortli. Rhoades, Hall, Gibbons, Bonsull, Sellers ; Clajrpoole, whose ancestor, not
many years l>cfore, ruled the destinies of the British empire;* West, one of whose descendants
will charm the world by his magic pencil, and for whose name and fame rival nations will, in
after ages, contend ; and mariy other worthies whom it would be too long' to enumerate. On the
left is a number of .Swedes, whom their national dress, light hair, and northern counfenances,
sufficiently designate ; there you see the brothers Swanson,t who own the ground on which the
city of Philadelphia is soon to stand, and whose name one of our streets will perjietuafe. With
them arc Stille, Bankson,t Kempe, Rambo, Peterson, and several others, whose names still live
in their descendants. Their leader is Lacy Cock,^ whcrae merit entitles him to a seat in the first
council of the new commonwealth. Obgcrve how he extends his hands; promising, in the name
of his countrymen, to love, serve, and obey their reverend proprietor, and declaring that this is
the best day they ever sa\i'. The Dutch are disseminated through the town, which was built by
them, as you may easily perceive by the sharp-pointed roofs of their houses. They smoke their
pipes in silence, and, after (heir manner, partake of the general joy.
But see, close to that half-ruined fort, this riiotley groupi of Indians, whose anxiety manifests
itself on their comitenances, and who view the new-comers with looks in which suspicion seems
as yet to predominate. Tliey are the Lenni Lenape, whose history and manners are already
familiar to you. At their head is Tamane.\d,|I the great and the good, who is said never to have
had his equal for virtue and goodness, and whose memory is still held in veneration bythe savage
nations. His eye is steadily fixed on William Penn ! His great mind has already discovered
in him a congenial soul ; alone among his tribe, he shows by his looks tliat noble confidence
which will not be deceived. He it is who, under that elm-tree, which many ot us have seen in
its vigor, but which, alas I has not long since been destroyed by the violence of the winter storm,
will sign that famous treaty which the genius of the west has immortalized, and which a great
writer of another nationH has, with more wit than truth, described as the only one which was
never sworn to and never broken. Nor was it violated while William Penn lived, nor while the
ascendancy of his great mind was yet operating among us. Afterwards, indeed ! — but I will not
anticipate the painful duty of the historian.
At Upland, Penn and his party of Friends were hospitably entertained
by Robert Wade. On his first arrival here, turning round to his friend
Pearson, one of his own society who had accompanied him in the ship
Welcome, he said. Providence has brought us here safely. Thou hast
been the companion of my toils; what wilt thou that. I should call this
place? Pearson replied, '^Chester, in remembrance of the city from
whence I came." At this place, on the 4th December, Penn called an
assembly. Proud in his history says : —
It consisted of equal numbers of members for the province, and the three lower counties, called
the Territories ; that is, for both of them, so many of the freemen as thought proper to appear,
according to the 16th article of the frame of government.
This assembly chose Nicholas Moore, who was president of the free society of traders, for theif
* The Claypowle family are lineally descended from the protector, Oliver Cromwell.
t Their original name was Swerison. I Originally Bengsten.
§ Lars or Lawrence Cock, corrupted into Lacy Cock.
II The same whom we call St. Tammany. For his character, see Hcckewelder's History of
the Indian Nations, chap. xi. In lG9r2, we find him by tlie name of Kins Taminent, a party t«
a deed of release of a tract of land lying between Neshaminy and Poquessing, on the river Dela-
ware, and extending backwards to the utmost bounds of the province. This land he, with others
had previously sold to Wm. Penn. In 1697, he, by the name of the great Sachp.m Taminent
with his brother and sons, signed another deed for lands between Pemmopeck and Nesharain
creeks. .See Smith's Laws of Pennsylvania, val. ii. pp. Ill, 112. See Bucks co., p- 162.
1 Voltaire.
DELAWARE COUNTY.
301
chairman or speaker, and received as ample satisfaction from the proprietary as the inhabitants
of Newcastle had done, for which they returned him their grateful acknowledgments. The
Swedes, for themselves, deputed Lacy Cock to acquaint him, " That they would love, serve, and
obey him with all they had ;" dcclarnig, " that it was the best day they ever saw."
At this assembly an act of union was passed, annexing the three lower counties to the prov-
ince, in legislation, on the 7th day of December, 1682; likewise an act of settlement in reference
to the frame of government, wliich, with some alterations, Was thereby declared to be accepted
and confirmed.
The Dutch, Swedes, and other foreigners, were then naturalized; All the laws agreed on in
England, with some small alterations, were passed in form.
The meeting continued only three days ; and notwitlistanding the great variety of dispositions,
rawness, and inexperience of this assembly in afiairs of this kind, yet a very remarkable candor
and harmony prevailed among thom.
The acts passed at this time were 61, and were entitled, "The great
law ; or the body of laws of the province of Pennsylvania and the terri-
tories thereunto belonging/' It is remarkable that all these laws are now
repealed, or have become obsolete. Among some other curious subjects,
was a law against drinking healths, and another providing that the laws
should be printed and taught in schools. By these laws every man was
allowed to be his own lawyer. The brick house in which the assembly
sat is still standing. Annexed is a view of it : the assembly house being
Old Assembly House and Pernios Landing-Place.
only that part built of brick, nearest the creek, and now devoted to the
humble purposes of a cooper's shop. The stone house attached to it, front-
ing on the street, though very ancient, is of later date. The windows
and doors of the brick part have been altered to suit its modern tenants,
the traces only of the ancient openings being perceptible. In the dis-
tance, on the shore of the Delaware, is seen the now solitary pine which
marks the landing-place of Wm. Penn. John F. Watson, Esq., speaks of
three remaining some fifteen years since. Not far from the shore, and
immediately in the rear of the pines, was situated Robert Wade's house.
" It had its southeast gable-end," says Mr. Watson, " fronting to the river
Delaware, and its southwest front upon Essex-street." The porch looked
out upon Chester cr. " The oaken chair in which Wm. Penn sat in that
assembly is said to be now (1827) in possession of the aged and respecta-
ble widow of Col. Frazer."
302 DELAWARE COUNtir.
Great anticipations were indulged by the early settlers here that Ches-
ter would become a place of considerable importance as a seaport ; and
Wm. Penn, before he came out himself, instructed his agients to examine
the site carefully with a view of founding there his metropolis ; but the
preference, for good reasons, was given to Philadelphia. Oldmixon, in
1708, speaks of Chester as containing above 100 houses: he also says —
This place is called Uplands, and has a church called St. Paul's, with a numerous congrega-
tion of orthodox professors, whose minister is Mr. Henry Nicholls ; his income X'5() per year, paid
by the society. They are about erecting a school here, dependent on the minister. There's
another little town at the mouth of a creek, called Chichester, which consists of about 100
houses. Below that is a great creek, Wliich we may be sure belonged to the Dutch, by the name
given to it, Brandt/wine. Between Brandywine and Christina is an iron-mill. What advantage
it has been to tlie proprietors, we know not.
The following extracts are from the first edition of Mr. Watson's An-
nals of Philadelphia : —
In the churchyard 6f St. Paul's ia a headstone of some peculiarity, " in memory of Francis
Brooks, whb died August 19, 1704," and inscribed thus :
" In barbarian bondage and cruel tyranny
Fourteen years together I served in slavery.
After this, mercy brought me to my country fair ;
At last I drowned was in river Delaware."
In the Same ground stands a marble, commemorative of the first A. M. of Pennsylvania, to
wit : — " Here lieth Paul Jackson, A. M. He was the first who received a degree in the college
of Philadelphia, — a man of virtue, worth, and knowledge. Died 1767, aged 38 years." I might
add respecting him, that he was the ancestor of the present Dr. Samuel Jackson of Philadelphia,
had been a surgeon in the Braddock expedition, was a brother-in-law of the honorable Charles
Thomson, and one of the best classical scholars of liis time.
At Ridly creek mills is a cm'ious relic — an engraving upon a rock of "I. S., 1682," which
marks the Spot against which John Sharpless, tile original settler there, erected his terrtporary
hut, immediately after Ills arrival in that year.
The Yates' house, now Logan's, built about the year 1700, was made rernarkable in the year
1740-1, (the season of the " cold winter,") for having been visited in the night by a largfe black
bear, which Came into the yard and quarrelled with the dog. It was killed the next day near the
town.
In an original petition of the inhabitants of Chester of the year 1700, libw among the Logan
collection, they pray, that " Whereas Chester is daily improving, and in time may be a good
place, that the Queen's road may be laid out as direct as possible from Darby to tlie bridge on
Chester creek." This paper was signed by ninety inhabitants, all writing good hands. Vide the
original in my MS. Annals, in the City Library.
Jasper Yates, who married Sanderland's daughter, erected, about the year 1700, the present
great granary there, having the upper chambers for grain, and the basement story for an exten-
sive biscuit bakery. For some time it had an extensive bilsiness, by having much of the grain
from the fruitful lields of Lancaster and Chester counties ; but the business has been long since
discontinued.
At this late day it is grateful to look back with " recollected tenderness on the state of society
once possessing Chester. My friend Mrs. Logan, who once lived there, thus expressed it to me,
saying, she had pleasure in her older years of contemplating its society as pictured to her by her
honored mother, a native of the place. Most of the inhabitants, being descendants of the English,
spoke with the broad dialect of the North. They were a simple-hearted, affectionate people,
always appearing such in the visits she made with her mother to the place. Little distinction
of rank was known, but all were honest and kind, and all entitled to and received the friendly
attentions and kindness of their neighbors in cases of sickness or distress. Scandal and detrac-
tion, usual village pests, were to them unknown. Their principles and feelings were too good
and simple, and the state of the whole was at least " a silver age."
August 10th, 1767, was the year of the death of "the first-bom" child in the province of
English parents, born in 1681, one year before John Key, in a cave by the side of the Delaware
river. This venerable man of 86 died at Brandywine Hundred, Emanuel Grubb by name. He
was active and vigorous to the last, and actually rode to Philadelphia and back on horseback,
equal to 40 miles, only a few months before his death. His habits were temperate, never di'iiik-
ing any ardent spirits.
Richard Buffington (son of Richard) was the " the first-born Englishman in Pennsylvania "
DELAWARE COUNTY.
303
liaving been bom in what was afterwards called " the province," in the year 1769. The facts in
his case were peculiarly commemorated in the parish of Chester on the 30th of May, 1739 ; on
that day the father, Richard, having attained his 85th year, had a great assemblage of his proper
descendants, to the number of 115 persons, convened in his own house, consisting of children,
grandchildren, and liroat-grandchildrcn — the first-born being then present in his sixtieth year.
In December, 1739, Mr. W'hitefield left the city, and was accompanied to Chester by about
150 horsemen, and preached there to about 7,000 people. At White-clay creek he preached to
8,000, of whom as many as 3,000 were on horseback. Many complimentary effusions to him
appear in the gazettes.
In 1756, the first line of stage vessels and wagons was set up from Philadelphia to Baltimore,
via Christiana and Frenchtovvn, on Elk river, to go once a week from Philadelphia.
About a mile and a half northwest from Chester, on the left bank of
Chester cr., and a short distance above the mill of Richard Flowers, there
still exists an humble cottage, built principally of brick, of which the an-
nexed is a correct sketch. This is the original dwelling erected by Rich-
ard Townsend. for the accommodation of his family while he was tend-
Richard Townsend's original dwelling.
ing the first mill erected in the province. The mill stood some forty-
rods above the cottage. The original mill is all gone, but the rocks
aroifnd bear traces of its existence, and the log platform still remains un-
der water at the place where the original ford was, on the road to Phila-
delphia. The partners in this mill were William Penn, Caleb Pusey, and
Samuel Carpenter, and their initials are inserted in
the curious antiquated iron vane which was once
erected on the roof of the mill, and is still engaged in
its 144th year of duty on the top of Mr. Flowers' house.
In this cottage, no doubt, Penn, Pusey, and Carpenter
have often met to count their gains, and to devise plans
for the future good of the province. The hipped roof
of the cottage was added by Samuel Shaw, who, be-
fore the revolution, erected the second mill near this place. Mr. Richard
Flowers, the present or recent proprietor of the mills here, now occupied
by his son, is himself a venerable and well-preserved relic of the olden
time. So robust is the constitution that he has brought down from those
early days, that, in the winter of 1841-2, although accidentally knocked
304 DELAWARE COUNTY.
off into the mill-race by an ox-team, and entangled some time under the
bridge up to his neck in the water, he was able to ride home the next
day, and suffered from the accident no permanent injury. He was be-
tween 80 and 90 years of age.
The following extracts are from Richard Townsend's " testimony" in
Proud's History of Pennsylvania.
In the year 1682, several ships being provided, I found a concern on my mind to embark with
them witli my wife and child ; and about the latter end of the sixth month, having settled my
affairs in London, where I dwelt, I went on board the ship Welcome, Robert Greenaway com-
mander, in company witii my worthy friend William Pcnn, whose good conversation was very
advantageous to all the company. His singular care was manifested in contributing to the ne-
cessities of many who were sick of the small-pox, then on board ; out of which company about
thirty died. After a prosperous passage of about two months, having had in that time many good
meetings on board, we arrived here.
At our arrival we found it a wilderness ; the chief inhabitants were Indians and some Swedes,
wlio received us in a friendly manner ; and though there was a great number of us, the good hand
of Providence was seen in a particular manner, in that provisions were found for us by the Swedes
and Indians, at very reasonable rates, as well as brought from divers other parts, that were inhab-
ited before.
Our first concern was to keep up and maintain our religious worship ; and, in order thereunto, we
had several meetings in the houses of the inhabitants ; and one boarded meeting-house was set
up, where the city was to be, near Delaware ; and, as we had nothing but love and good-will in
our hearts, one to another, we had very comfortable meetings from time to time ; and after our
meeting was over, we assisted each other in building little houses for our shelter.
After some time I set up a mill on Chester creek, which I brought ready framed from London,
which served for grinding of corn, and sawing of boards, and was of great use to us. Besides,
[, with Joshua Tittery, made a net, and caught great quantities of fish, which supplied om-selves
and many others ; so that, notwithstanding it was thought near three thousand persons came in
the first year, we were so providentially provided for, that we could buy a deer for about two shil-
lings, and a large turkey for about one shilling, and Indian corn for about two shillings and six-
pence per bushel.
And, as our worthy proprietor treated the Indians with extraordinary humanity, they became
very civil and loYing to us, and brought in abundance of venison. As in other countries the In-
dians were exasperated by hard treatment, which hath been the foundation of much bloodshed, so
the contrary treatment here hath produced their love and affection.
Darby is a pleasant village on the creek of that name, about seven
miles southwest from Philadelphia. It contains a Friends' meeting-house,
and some sixty houses, with mills, stores, &c. There are several delight-
ful country seats near the village. Concerning the early settlement of
Friends in and near this place. Smith the historian says :
Meetings for worship were first settled in Darby in the year 1682, and a meeting-house soon
after built; their monthly meeting was settled in 1684, till which time they were joined to Ches-
ter monthly meeting. Tlie names of some of the first settlers belonging to Darby meeting were,
John Blunston, Michael Blunston, George Wood, Joshua Fearn, Henry Gibbons, Samuel Sellers,
Richard Bonsall, Edmund Cartlidge, Thomas Hood, John Bartram, Robert Nayler, and Adam
Rhoads, who all came from Derbyshire in England ; Thomas Worth, Samuel Bradshaw, John
"Hollowell, William Wood, Thomas Bradshaw, Robert Scotliorn, and Richard Parker, who all
came from Nottinghamsiiire ; John Hood, William Garrett, Robert Cliffe, William Smith, John
Smith, and Thomas Smith, who came from Leicestershire.
A short distance from Darby, near the road to Philadelphia, in a lonely
but pleasant situation, is the ancient Swedes' church of Kingsessing. The
first settlement of Swedes here is noticed above, on page 294. The
present church was erected about the year 1763, while the Rev. Charles
Magnus Wrangel was pastor. " He was," says Mr. Clay in his Swedish
Annals, " one of the most popular preachers the Swedes ever had among
them, and was usually obliged, on account of the crowds who attended
his ministry, to preach in the open air. He returned to Sweden in 176S,
and was made a bishop, and died in 1786."
DELAWARE COUNTY 3O5
There was an appearance of locusts in 1715, of which Mr. Sandel has given the following ac-
count : — " In May, 1715, a multitude of locusts came out of the ground everywhere, even on the
solid roads. They were wholly covered with a shell, and it seemed very wonderful that they
could with this penetrate the hard earth. Having come out of the earth, they crept out of the
shells, flew away, sat down on the trees, and made a peculiar noise until evening. Being spread
over the country in such numbers, the noise they made was so loud that the cow-bells could
scarcely be heard in the woods. They pierced the bark on tiie branches of trees, and deposited
their eggs in the opening. Many apprehended that the trees would wither in consequence of this,
but no symptom of it was observed next year. Hogs and j)oultry fed on them. Even the Indians
did eat them, especially when they first came, boiling them a little. This made it probable that
they were of the same kind with those eaten by John the Baptist. They did not continue long,
but died in the month of June. The same year was very fruitful. A bushel of wheat cost two
shillings or two shillings and three pence ; a bushel of corn twenty-two pence ; of rye twenty
pence. A barrel of cider cost six shillings. — Clay's Swedish Annals.
The piety and simple manners of the early Swedish settlers, and the loy-
alty which they felt for their fatherland, are beautifully set forth in the fol-
lowing letter. Their confidence was well repaid by the kind care of the
Swedish government in sending them ministers and books many years
after its jurisdiction had ceased over the colony.
" Honored, loving, and much respected friend, John Thelin, his majesty's loyal subject, and post-
master at Gottenburg.
" Your unexpected and welcome letter, dated Gottenburg, 16th Nov. 1692, came to hand the
23d of May, 1693, and made us heartily rejoice that it hath pleased Almighty God, through that
young man Andrew Printz, to make known our condition to our friends in Sweden. We rejoice
that his majesty doth still bear unto us a tender and a Christian care. Therefore do we heart-
ily desire, since it hath pleased his majesty graciously to regard our wants, that there may be
sent unto us two Swedish ministers, who are well learned in the Holy Scriptures, and who may
be able to defend them and us against all false opposers, so that we may preserve our true Lu-
theran faith, which, if called to suffer for our faith, we are ready to seal with our blood. We also
request that those ministers may be men of good moral lives and characters, so that they may in-
struct our youth by their example, and lead them into a virtuous and pious way of life.
" Further, it is our humble desire that you would be pleased to send us three books oT sermons,
twelve bibles, forty-two psalm-books, one hundred tracts, with two hundred catechisms, and as
many primers, for which, when received, we promise punctual payment at such place as you may
think fit to order. We do promise also a proper maintenance to the ministers that may be sent
us ; and when this our letter is gone, it is our intention to buy a piece of land, that shall belong to
the church, and upon which the ministers may live.
" As to what concerns our situation in this country, we are for the most part husbandmen.
We plough and sow, and till the ground ; and as to our meat and drink, we live according to the
old Swedish custom. This country is very rich and fruitful, and here grow all sorts of grain in
great plenty, so that we are richly supplied with meat and drink ; and we send out yearly to our
neighbors on this continent and the neighboring islands, bread, grain, flour, and oil. We have
here also all sorts of beasts, fowls, and fishes. Our wives and daughters employ themselves in
spinning wool and flax, and many of them in weaving ; so that we have great reason to thank
the Almighty for his manifold mercies and benefits. God grant that we may also have good
shepherds to feed us with his holy word and sacraments. We live also in peace and friendship
with one another ; and the Indians have not molested us for many years.
" Further, since this country has ceased to be under the government of Sweden, we are bound
to acknowledge and declare, for the sake of truth, that we have been well and kindly treated, as
well by the Dutch, as by his majesty the King of England, our gracious sovereign : on the other
hand, we, the Swedes, have been and still are true and faithful to him in words and in deeds.
We have always had over us good and gracious magistrates ; and we live with one another in peace
and quietness. So that we desire, as soon as this our letter comes to hand, that a speedy atten-
tion may be paid to our request ; for we believe that God has certainly his hand in this Clmstian
work, and pray that he may bring it to a happy termination."
With this letter was sent " An accurate list of all the men, women, and children now fouiid
living in New Sweden, at present Pennsylvania, on the river Delaware."* Among those bom m
Sweden, Peter Rambp, and Andrevy Bonde (now Boon) had been in the country fifty-four years.
— Clay's Swedish Annals.
* This list may be found in Clay's Swedish Annals.
39
306 DELAWARE COUNTY.
Delaware co., like Chester and Bucks, contains no large towns, but the
inhabitants are scattered in little pleasant hamlets, at the cross-roads, and
at the mill-seats along the creeks. The county was originally settled by
townships. At Radnor, an ancient Welsh Episcopal church was erected
of logs, which is mentioned by Oldmixon in 1708, as being surrounded by
about fifty families. They had at that time no settled pastor. The pres-
ent venerable church, of which the annexed is a view, was erected in
A7icient Welsh church at Radnor.
1717. It is situated in a secluded spot, shaded with cedars and other
forest trees, about 1 1-2 miles S. from the Spread Eagle tavern on the
Lancaster road, exactly in the corner of Newtown, Radnor, and Easttown
townships. Mr. Corrie, who officiated here, was sent over from England
about the year 1770 ; but after the declaration of independence he was
prohibited from using the prayer in the liturgy in behalf of King George
and resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Slater Clay, (Swedish,) he h^,
Mr. Brinckly, (I think,) and he by the present Mr. Peck, who resides near
the Valley church. The Corrie family still continued to reside in the vi-
cinity, and many of their gravestones are seen in the yard. General An-
thony Wayne's monument is seen on the right of the view. The resi-
dence of the Wayne family is about four miles west from the church.
Springfield township. Concerning the early settlement of Friends in
this vicinity. Smith, the historian, says : —
In 1G96, the monthly mectina; of Chester, then held at the house of Thomas Vernon, agreed
that a meeting should be settled every first and foiu"th days of the week at John Bowater's ; an-
other at Thomas Mmshars every first and fifth days ; and another at Bartholomew Coppock'3
every first and fourth days. These meethigs were called by the names of the persons where they
were kept, and are now the respective large meetings of Springfield, Providence, and Middletown,
In Springfield township, about five miles north of Chester, and half a
mile south of what was once Gibbons' tavern, on the ChadsforcJ road,
stands the birthplace of Benjamin West, the eminent painter.
He was born in the lower room at the S. W. corner of the house, and
performed his early exploits in painting in the garret above that room.
The S. W. corner, as seen in the view, is on the right hand towards the
ERIE COUNTY. 30g
tlon being the hills of conglomerate passing near Meadville. The prin-
cipal streams in the co. tributary to Lake Erie are Conneaut cr., Elk cr.,
Walnut or., Mill or., and several smaller streams east of Erie, named 4
mile cr., 6 mile cr., &c., according to their distance from that place. The
southern part of the co. is drained by Oonneauttee cr., Cussawauga, Le
Boeuf, and other branches of French cr. There are three beautiful lakes
on the sources of these streams, called Conneauttee, Le Boeuf, and Plea-
sant lakes. The streams furnish an abundance of water-power, espe-
cially those which fall into the lake.
A turnpike road runs from Erie to Waterford, and thence to Pittsburg :
good common roads cross the county in all directions. The canal from
Beaver enters the county by the valley of Conneaut cr., and thence con-
tinues along the table land that borders the lake, to Erie. This canal
lacks only three miles of being completed ; provision has been made for
the purpose, and within a year probably this very important communica-
tion will be opened.
The population of this co. is composed chiefly of settlers from New
England and New York, and from the lower parts of Pennsylvania. The
former predominate, and the trade and manners of the county generally
have taken their tone rather from New York than from Pennsylvania*
The reason is obvious, from the peculiar geographical position of the
county.
The southern shore of Lake Erie is said to have been once occupied
by the Eries or Irrironnons, a fierce and powerful tribe, of whom no trace
now remains but their name. Although supposed originally to have been
of the same family as the Iroquois or Five Nations, yet they waged with
them long and bloody wars, and were at length utterly extirpated by
them, about the years 1653 to '57, after the Iroquois had learned the use
of firearms from the Dutch.* The name of the Eries was said to signify
Wild-cats, indicating the character of the tribe.
History sheds but a dim light on the transactions in the region con-
tiguous to Presqu'isle previous to the year 1750. Jacques Cartier, an
enterprising fisherman of France, had passed up the St. Lawrence to
Montreal in 1535, and from that time forth, for more than two centuries,
the efforts of the fearless adventurers, and the devoted missionaries of
France were unremitted to extend the French dominion and the Catholic
faith over the region around the great lakes, and down the valley of the
Mississippi.
The usual route, however, which their enterprises took, was from Mon-
treal up the valley of the Ottawa river, and thence across to the head of
Lake Huron. Having at an early date allied themselves with the Indian
tribes of that region, and in consequence incurred the hostility of the
Five Nations, who held sway over the territory around Lakes Ontario
and Erie, they were prevented for more than a century from penetrating
even to the northern shore of Lake Erie, and no distinct mention is made
of their having touched the southern shore until after the year 1700. As
early indeed as 1G57, the Jesuit missions had been cautiously extended
among the Senecas on the Genesee ; but it was nearly at the same time
that the war of extermination was going on between the Iroquois and
* Bancroft.
310 ERIE COUNTY.
the Eries. In 1679, Robert Cavalier de la Salle, better known as La Salle,
first launched upon Lake Erie the Griffin, a bark of about 60 tons, and
crossed over to the Mississippi by the Miami of the Lakes ; but there is
no mention of his having touched the southern shore. By the treaty of
Utrecht, in 1713, Louisiana was confirmed to France, and she still held
the northern shores of the lakes by right of discovery ; while by the
same treaty it was stipulated " that France should never molest the Five
Nations subject to the dominion of Great Britain." But no exact limits
were defined by the treaty, and each nation was guided by its own con-
struction. France claimed that the mouth of a river governed its sources,
and on this sweeping principle the bounds of Louisiana would include
the whole basin of the Mississippi. The sources of the Allegheny, of the
Yough'ogheny, and Monongahela would have been within the French
dominions. Both the governors of Pennsylvania and Virginia protested
loudly against this doctrine, but while the British ministry slumbered
over their complaints, France was actively but covertly endeavoring to
seduce the Six Nations from their allegiance to the British, and to estab-
lish a chain of fortifications from Lake Erie to the head- waters of the
Allegheny, and thence down the Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico. Fort Nia-
gara was built by Prance in 1726.
" Among the public officers of the French," says Mr. Bancroft, '' who
gained influence over the red men by adapting themselves, with happy
facility, to life in the wilderness, was the Indian agent, Joncaire. For 20
years he had been successfully negotiating with the Senecas. He was
become by adoption one of their own citizens and sons, and to the cul-
ture of a Frenchman added the fluent eloquence of an Iroquois warrior."
" I have no happiness," said he in council, " like that of living with my
brothers," — and he asked leave to build himself a dwelling. " He is one
of our children," it was said in reply, " he may build where he will."
Tribes of the Delawares and of the Shawanees soon afterwards (1724 to
'28) migrated to the Allegheny, and Joncaire soon found his way among
them, and won them over to the French interest. By the treaty of Aix-
la-Chapelle in Oct. 1748, a long and general war was smothered in Eu-
rope, only to break out with renewed force in America. The French
took advantage of the apparent cessation of hostilities, quietly to push
their favorite line of fortifications across from Presqu'isle to the mouth
of Venango river or French creek. The fort erected at Erie was known
as Fort de la Presqu'isle. It was probably erected early in 1749, but the
precise time does not appear. It was during that year that the French
sent emissaries and armed men throughout the Ohio valley to drive off"
or arrest the English traders who had ventured into that region from the
eastern colonies. The following extracts from the records of Pennsylva-
nia, exhibit the alarm caused by these movements of the French, in the
British provinces :
June 30, 1749. — A letter, with some papers, received by express from Gen. Clinton, purporting
that two New-England men, on their return from Canada, where they had been to solicit the re-
lease of some prisoners, reported that they saw an army of 1,000 French ready to go on some
expedition, and they were informed it was to prevent any settlements being made by the English
on Belle-riviere, (Ohio ;) whereupon it was determined to dispatch a messenger to Mr. George
Croghan, with a request that he would go immediately to Allegheny, and on his arrival, send away
a trader, or some person he could confide in, to the lakes, or to the eastward, to discover whether
any French were coming in those parts, and if any, in what numbers, and what appearance they
made, that the Indians might be apprised, and put upon their guard.
ERIE COUNTY. 311
Jan. 17, 1749-50. — The governor Infornied the council tliat three several letters of an cxtraor.
dinary nature in French, signed " Celeron,'''' were delivered to him by the Indian traders who came
from Allegheny, informing him that this Capt. Celeron was a French officer and had the com-
mand of 300 French and some Indians, sent this smiimer to Ohio and the Wabash from Canada
to reprove the Indians there for their friendship to the English, and for suffering the English to
trade with them. The governor sent one of the letters to the proprietaries in London, and an-
other to the governor of New-York, that the same might be laid before the ministry.
Letter from George Croghan, Logstown, in Ohio, Dec. 16, 1750. — He arrived there the 15th,
was told by Indians they saw Jean Coeur [Joncaire] 150 miles up the river, where he intends
building a fort. The Indians he had seen were of opinion the Enghsh should have a fort or forts
OH this river, to secure the trade. They expect a war with the French next spring.
Feb. 6. Letter from Guv. Clinton, Fort George, Jan. 29, 1750. — " I send you a copy of an
inscription on a leaden plate stolen from Jean Cceur in the Senecas' country, as he was going to
the Ohio."
Inscription on the leaden plate buried at Ohio.
LaN. 1749. DV REGNE DE LOVIS XV ROY DE FRANCE NOVS CELERON COMMANDANT DVN DETACHMENT
ENVOIE PAR MONSIEUR LE M"IS DE LA GALISSONIERE COMMANDANT GENERAL DE LA NOUVELLE FRANCE
POVR RETABLIR LA TRANQUILLITE DANS QVELftVES VILLAGES SAUVAGES DE CES CANTONS AVONS EN-
TERRE CE PLAQVE AU CONFLVENT DE L'OUYO ET DE TCPADAKOJN* CE 29 JUILLET PRES DE LA RI-
VIERE Oyo AUTREMENT BELLE RIVIERE POUR MONUMENT DE RENOUVELLEMENT DE POSSESSION QUE
NOUS AVONS PRIS DE LA DITTE RIVIERE OVO ET DE T0VTE6 CELLES QUI V TOMBENT ET DE
TOVTES LES TERRES DES DEUX COTES JUSQUE AVX SOVRCES DES DITTES RIVIERES AINSI QVE'n ONT
JOVY OV DV JOVIR L/ES PRECEDENTS ROIS DE FRANCE ET QUILS SY SONT MAINTENUS PAR LES ARMES
ET PAR LES TRAITES SPECIALMENT PAR CEVX DE RISWICK d' VTREOHT ET d' AIX-LA-CHAPELLE.
Literal Translation. — In the year 1749 — reign of Louis XV., king of France, we, Celeron,
commandant of a detachment sent by Monsieur the Marquis of Galissoniere, commander-in-
chief of New France, to establish tranquillity in certain Indian villages of these cantons, have
buried this plate at the confluence of the Ohio and of To-ra-da-koin, this 29th July — near the
river Ohio, otherwise Beautiful river, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have
taken of the said river, and of all its tributaries, and of all the land on both sides, as far as
to the sources of said rivers, — inasmuch as the preceding kings of France have enjoyed [this
possession,] and have maintained it by their arms and by treaties, especially by those of Riswick,
Utrecht, and Aix-la-Chapelle.
In a manuscript historical lecture delivered at Erie by Henry L. Har-
vey, Esq., kindly loaned us by the author, we find the following particu-
lars respecting the French fort at Presqu'isle :
" The first of this chain of forts was erected on the same eminence of land where Erie now
stands, and took its name from the adjoining peninsula — Presqu'isle being the French word for
peninsula. This peninsula did not at that time extend as far down the lake by several hmrdred
yards as at present. The point upon the shore, therefore, which could best command the then
entrance, was the present eastern limit of the incorporated town. Over this point a thoughtless
individual might now pass without observing any thing peculiar except a roughness of surface,
and, as he begins to descend the eastern bank, a number of unwrought native stones, apparently
marking some ancient burial-place. A little in the rear of this may be discovered the traces of
the old fortress. Though a good portion has recently been levelled off for the convenience of a
brick-maker, yet two of the bastions and the wall and ditch upon one side, remain sufficiently
* There is evidently some typographical or copyist's error in this word. It is reprinted here as
found in Hazard's Register, iv. 225, and in the translation we have supplied what we suppose was
intended — probably some Indian name for French creek. This opinion is confirmed by a passage
in an historical lecture delivered by Mr. Harvey of Erie. He says : The Iroquois, after attacking
the Algonquins, commenced upon " the nation of tiie Eries or Irrironons, a powerful and war.
like race inhabiting the south side of the beautiful lake which still bears their name — almost the
only memento that such a nation ever existed — a name signifying cats — which they had adopted
as characteristic of their tribe. After a somewhat severe contest, the assailants succeeded. Sev-
en hundred of them attacked and carried the main fortress, though it was defended by two
thousand ; and the survivors were either incorporated with the victors or fled to remote regions."
It has been supposed by some that they went to the Lower Mississippi, where they organized
under a new name. This opinion, however, rests upon nothing more than probabilities and vague
conjecture, arising from a similarity of character in certain tribes there." Mr. Harvey had it
from a Seneca chief, and from other sources, that the fort was situated somewhere about the
mouth of Toran-a-da-kon, or French cr. This is probably the same name as that intended in
the inscription.
312 ERIE COUNTY.
distinct to show for what purpose they were originally intended. This fort was made the head-
quarters and depot of stores +'or the line of posts between this and the Allegheny river. Prior to
1754 these posts were limited to Fort do la Presqu'isle, Fort de la Riviere aux Boeufs, [at Water-
ford,] and Fort Venango. The name of Riviere aux Boiufs was assigned to that stream on ac-
count of the great number of Buffaloes found upon its meadows."
In 1753, Gov. Dinwiddie of Virginia dispatched Maj. George Washing-
ton, then a young man of twenty-one years, on a mission to Monsieur De
St. Pierre, the commander at Fort Le Bceuf, to inquire into the designs of
the French in thus occupying the dominions of his Britannic majesty.
His companions were Mr. Gest, an early pioneer of Fayette co., John
Davidson, an Indian interpreter, and Jacob Vanbraam, a Dutchman, act-
ing as interpreter in French. At Logstown on the Ohio, Tanacharison,
the Indian half-king, Jeskakake, White Thunder, and the Hunter, Indian
chiefs, joined him and accompanied through the forest to Venango. Jon-
caire commanded a small outpost at Venango. He treated Washington
courteously, but labored hard to seduce the Indian chiefs to his interest.
Against his arts, however, Washington was on the alert, and as far as
possible kept the Indians beyond his reach. (See Venango co.) The fol-
lowing passages in Washington's journal relate to his visit at Fort Le
BcBuf:
7th. Monsieur la Force, commissary of the French stores, and three other soldiers, came over
to accompany us up. We found it extremely difficult to get the Indians off to-day, as every
stratagem had been used to prevent their going up with me. I had last night left John David-
son (the Indian interpreter) whom I brouglit with me from town, and strictly charged him not to
be out of their company, as I could not get them over to my tent ; for they had some business
with Kustaloga, chiefly to know why he did not deliver up the French belt which he had in keep-
ing ; but I was obliged to send Mr. Gest over to-day to fetch them ; which he did with great
persuasion.
At twelve o'clock we set out for the fort, and were prevented from amving there until the 11th
by excessive rains, snows, and bad travelling, through many mires and swamps ; these we were
obliged to pass to avoid crossing the creek, which was impossible, either by fording or rafting,
the water was so high and rapid.
We passed over much good land since we left Venango, and through several extensive and
very rich meadows, one of which I beheve was nearly four miles in length, and considerably wide
in some places.
12th. I prepared early to wait upon the commander, and was received and conducted to him
by the second officer in command. I acquainted him with my business, and offered my commis-
sion and letter, both of which he desired me to keep until the arrival of Mons. Reparti, captain
at the next fort, who was sent for, and expected every hour.
This commander is a knight of the military order of St. Lewis, and named Legardeur de St.
Pierre. He is an elderly gentleman, and has much the air of a soldier. He was sent over to
take the command immediately upon the death of the late general, and arrived here about seven
days before me.
At two o'clock, the gentleman who was sent for arrived, when I offered the letter, &c. again,
which they received, and adjourned into a private apartment for the captain to translate, who un-
derstood a little English. After he had done it, the commander desired I would walk m and
bring mj' interpreter to peruse and correct it — which I did.
I3th. The chief officers retired to hold a council of war; which gave me an opportunity of
taking the dimensions of the fort, and making what observations I could.
It is situated on the south or west fork of French creek, near the water, and is almost sur-
rounded by the creek and a small branch of it, which forms a kind of island. Four houses com-
pose the sides. The bastions are made of piles driven into the ground, standing more than 12
feet above it, and sharp at top ; with port-holes cut for cannon, and loop-holes for the smallarms to
fire through. There are eight six-pound pieces mounted in each bastion, and one piece of four
pound before the gate. In the bastions are a guard-house, chapel, doctor's lodging, and the com-
mander's private store — round which are laid platforms for the cannon and men to stand on.
There are several barracks without the fort for the soldiers' dwelling, covered, some with bark,
and some with boards, made chiefly of logs. There are also several other houses, such as sta-
bles, smith's shop, «&c.
I could get no certain accomit of the number of men here ; but according to the best judgment
I could form, there are an hundred, exclusive of officers, of which there are many. I also gave
ERIE COUNTY. 31 3
orders to the people who were with me, to take an exact account of the canoes which were haul-
ed up to convey tlicir forces down in the spriiifj. This they did, and told filty of birch bark, and
an hundred and seventy of pine ; besides many others which were blocked out, in readiness for
beinfr made.
14th. As the snow increased very fast, and our horses daily became weaker, I sent them off
unloaded, under the care of Barnaby Currin and two others, to make all convenient dispatch to
Venango, and there to wait our arrival, if there was a prospect of the river's freezing ; if not,
then to continue down to Shanapin's town, at the forks of Ohio, and there to wait until we
came to cross the Allegheny ; intending myself to go down by water, as I had the ofTer of a
canoe or two.
As I found many plots concerted to retard the Indians' business, and prevent their returning
with me, I endeavored all that lay in my power to frustrate their schemes, and hurried them on to
execute their intended design. They accordingly pressed for admittance this evening, which at
length was granted them, privately, to the commander and one or two other officers. The half-
king told me that he offered the wampum to the commander, who evaded taking it, and made
many fair promises of love and friendship ; said he wanted to live in peace and trade amicably
with them, as a proof of which, he would send some goods immediately down to the Loggs town
for them. But I rather think the design of that is, to bring away all our straggling traders
they meet with, as I privately understood they intended to carry an officer, &c., with them. And
what rather confirms this opinion, I was inquiring of the commander by what authority he had
made prisoners of several of our English subjects. He told me that the country belonged to
them ; tliat no Englishman had a right to trade upon those waters ; and that he had orders to
make every person prisoner who attempted it on the Ohio, or the waters of it.
I inquired of Capt. Reparti about the boy that was carried by this place, as it was done while
the command devolved on him, between the death of the late general and the arrival of the pres-
ent. He acknowledged that a boy had been carried past : and that the Indians had two or three
white men's scalps, (I was told by some of the Indians at Venango, eight,) but pretended to have
forgotten the name of the place where the boy came from, and all the particular facts, though he
had questioned him for some hours as they were carrying past. I likewise inquired what
they had done with John Trotter and James M'Clocklan, two Pennsylvania traders, whom they
had taken with all their goods. They told me that they had been sent to Canada, but were now
returned home. This evening I received an answer to his honor the governor's letter, from the
connnandant.
15th. The commandant ordered a plentiful store of liquor, provisions, &.C., to be put on board
our canoes, and appeared to be extremely complaisant, though he was exerting every artifice
which he could invent to set our Indians at variance witii us, to prevent their going until after
our departure — presents, rewards, and every thing which could be suggested by him or his offi-
cers. I cannot say that ever in my life I suffered so much anxiety as I did in this affair ; I saw
that every stratagem which the most fruitful brain could invent, was practised to win the half-king
to their interest ; and that leaving him there was giving them the opportunity tiiey aimed at. I went
to the half-king and pressed him in the strongest terms to go ; he told me that the commandant
would not discharge him until the morning. I then went to the commandant and desired him to
do their business, and complained of ill-treatment ; for keeping them, as they were part of my
company, was detaining me. This he promised not to do, but to forward my journey as much as he
could. He protested he did not keep them, but was ignorant of the cause of their stay ; though
I soon found it out. He had promised them a present of guns, &lc., if they would wait untd the
morning. As I was very much pressed by the Indians to wait this day for them, I consented, on
a promise that nothing should hinder them in the morning.
16th. The French were not slack in their inventions to keep the Indians this day also. But
as they were obliged, according to promise, to give the present, they then endeavored to try the
power of liquor, which I doubt not would iiave prevailed at any other time than this ; but I urged
and insisted with the king so closely upon his word, that he refrained, and set off with us as he
had engaged.
We had a tedious and very fatiguing passage down the creek. Several times we had like to
have been staved against rocks ; and many times were obliged all hands to get out and re-
main in the water half an hour or more, getting over the shoals. At one place the ice had lodg-
ed, and made it impassable by water ; we were, therefore, obliged to carry our canoe across the
neck of land, a quarter of a mile over. We did not reach Venango until the 22d, where we met
with our horses.
Fort Duquesne was built the following year, and only a small force
was probably retained at Presqu'isle and Le BoBuf to guard the portage.
The French abandoned Fort Duquesne late in 1758. In 1759, Sir
Wm. Johnson attacked their fort at Niagara, and the French garrison at
thstt post was reinforced by about 1,200 men, drawn from Presqu'isle and
40
314 ERIE COUNTY.
the adjacent posts, and with provisions and cattle raised along the mead-
ows of Le BoBuf.
" In 1760, the French yielded to the English power in Canada and on
the western waters. Major Rogers was dispatched with forces to take
possession of the posts along the southern shore of Lake Erie and at De-
troit. At the latter post he became acquainted with Pontiac, the great
and wily master-spirit of the northwestern tribes, who at first received
him favorably ; but subsequently Pontiac saw reason to be jealous of the
encroachments of the British power, and he devised a bold and deep
scheme for the extermination of all the English posts in one day by a
treacherous and simultaneous attack. This was to be made at each post
under some friendly disguise to suit the circumstances of each place, and
the day selected for the enterprise was the 4th June, 1763, the 25th anni-
versary of George IIl.'s reign."
The war belt was dispatched to all the surrounding tribes, the details
of the scheme were arranged, and the wily prophet appealed to their su-
perstition under the pretence of a revelation to him in a dream, in which
the Great Spirit had said to him. " Drive them from the land ! drive them
from it ! and when you are in distress I will help you." Mr. Harvey, in
the lecture above alluded to, gives the following account of the attack
on the fort at Presqu'isle.
The troops had retired to their quarters to procure their morning repast ; some had already
finished, and were sauntering about the fortress or the shores of the lake. All were joyous, in
holiday attire, and dreaming of nought but the pleasui-es of the occasion. A knocking was heard
at the gate ; and three Indians were announced, in liunting garb, desiring an interview with the
commander. Their tale was soon told : they said they belonged to a hunting party who had
started for Niagara with a lot of furs ; that their canoes were bad, and they would prefer dispos-
ing of them here, if they could do so to advantage, and return rather than go further ; that their
party were encamped by a small stream west of the fort, about a mile, where they had landed
^he previous night, and where they wished the commander to go and examine their peltries, as it
was difficult to bring them, and they wished to embark from where they were, if they did not
trade. The commander, accompanied by a clerk, left the fort with the Indians, charging his
lieutenant that none should leave the fort, and none but its inmates be admitted until his return.
Well would it probably have been had this order been obeyed.
After the lapse of sufficient time for the captain to have visited the encampment of the Indians
and return, a party of the latter — variously estimated, but probably about 150 — advanced towards
the fort, bearing upon their backs what appeared to be large packs of furs, which they informed
the lieutenant that the captain had purchased and ordered to be deposited in the fort. The strata-
gem succeeded ; and when \he party were all within the fort, the work of an instant threw off the
packs, and the short cloaks which covered their weapons — the whole being fastened by one loop
and button at the neck. Kesistance, at this time, was useless, or inefTectual, and the work of
death was as rapid as savage strength and weapons could make it. The shortened rifles, which
had been sawed off for the purpose of concealing them under their cloaks, and in the packs of
furs, were once discharged, and of what remained the tomahawk and knife were made to do the
execution. The history of savage war presents not a scene of more heartless or bloodthirsty ven-
geance than was exhibited on this occasion, and few its equal in horror. The few who were
taken prisoners in the fort, were doomed to the various tortures devised by savage ingenuity,
tmtil, save two individuals, all who awoke to celebrate that day at this fort had passed to the
eternal world. Of these two, one was a soldier who had gone into the woods near the fort, and
on his return, observing a party of Indians dragging away some prisoners, he escaped, and im-
mediately proceeded to Niagara. The other was a female who had taken shelter in a small build-
ing below the hill, near the mouth of the creek. Here she had remained undiscerned until near
night of the fatal day, — when she was drawn forth, but her life, for some reason, was spared, and
she was made prisoner, and ultimately ransomed, and restored to civilized life. She was subse-
quently married, and settled in Canada, where she was living since the commencement of the
present century. From her statement and the information she obtained during her captivity, cor-
roborated by other sources, this account of the massacre is gathered.
Others have varied it so far as relates to the result, particularly Mr. Thatcher, who, in his Life
of Pontiac, says, " The officer who commanded at Presqu'isle defended himself two days, durinjf
ERIE COUNTY. 3] 5
wliich time the savages arc said to have fired his blockhouse about fifty times, but the soldiers
extinguished tlie flames as often. It was then undermined, and a train laid for an explosion,
wrhen a capitulation was proposed and agreed upon, under which a part of the garrison was car-
ried captive to the northwest. The officer was afterwards given up at Detroit." He does not,
however, give any authority for his statements, while most writers concur that all were destroyed.
The number who escaped from Le Bceuf is variously estimated, from 3 to 7. Their escape was
effected through a secret or underground passage, liaving its outlet in the direction of the swamp
adjoining Le Bceuf lake. Tradition, however, says that of these only one survived to reach a
civilized settlement.
So adroitly was the whole campaign managed, that nine of the garrisons received no notice
of the design in time to guard against it, and fell an easy conquest to the assailants. These were,
besides the three already named, Sandusky, Washtenaw, xvpon the Wabash river, St. Joseph's on
Lake Huron, Mackinaw, Greenbay, and Miami on Lake Michigan. Niagara, Pittsburg, Ligonier,
and Bedfoid, were strongly invested, but withstood the attacks until relief arrived from tlie east-
ern settlements. The scattered settlers in their vicinity were generally murdered, or forced to
repair to the forts. Depredations and nmrders were committed as far east as Carlisle and Read-
ing, and the whole country was generally alarmed.
Gen. Bradstrcet, in 1764, went up the lake with 3,000 men to the relief of Detroit, passing
Presqu'isle with his barges on the 5th day from Niagara, and dragging their barges across the
peninsula. After relieving Detroit, on his return, in Aug. 1764, lie entered into a treaty of peace
at Presqu'isle with the Delawares and Shawnese ; but it was soon broken by the Indians, and
even one of Col. Bouquet's messengers to Gen. Bradstrcet, from Pittsburg, was murdered on his
way, and his head stuck on a pole beside the path. The frontier enjoyed no tranquillity untU
Wayne's expedition, in 1794.
The treaty of peace with Great Britain, in 1783, was followed by a
treaty with the Six Nations, at Fort Stanwix, in Oct. 1784. At the latter,
the commissioners of Pennsylvania secured from the Six Nations the re-
linquishment of all the territory within the state northwest of the bound-
ary of 1768, (for which see Lycoming co.) This purchase was confirmed
by the Delawares and Wyandots, in Jan. 1785, at Fort M'Intosh. The
boundary between the state and New York was run out in 1785, 1786,
and 1787, partly by David Rittenhouse, and afterwards by Andrew EUi-
cott and other commissioners on the part of New York. Gen. William
Irvine, who had been much engaged in examining the donation lands, had
perceived at an early day that the northern boundary would so strike
Lake Erie as to leave to Pennsylvania not more than four or five miles
of coast on the lake, and that without a harbor. His exertions were at
once united with those of other intelligent men of the state to secure
from the U. S., and the aboriginal proprietors of the soil, the tract since
known as the triangle. The preemptive right is believed to have been
originally in the state of Massachusetts, from which it passed through
various hands to the state of Pennsylvania. By a treaty, (probably mad6
at Fort Harmar, near Marietta,) Jan. 9, 1789, with only a part of the Six
Nations —
" The signing chiefs do acknowledge the right of soil and jm-isdiction to and over that tract of
country bounded on the south by the north line of Pennsylvania, on the east by the west bound- ;■
ary of New York, agreeable to the cession of that state and Massachusetts to the U. S. ; and on i
the north by the margin of Lake Erie, including Presqu'isle, and all the bays and harbors along
the margin of said Lake Erie, from the west boundary of Pennsylvania to where the west bound-
ary of New York may intersect the south margin of the said Lake Erie, to be vested in the said
state of Pennsylvania, agreeable to an act of congress dated 6th June last," (1788.) "The said
chiefs agree that the said state of Pennsylvania shall and may, at any time they may think
proper, survey, dispose of, and settle all that part of the aforesaid country lying and being west
of a line running along the middle of the Conewago river, from its confluence with the Allegheny
river into the Chadochque lake ; thence along the middle of said lake to the north end of the
Bame ; thence a meridian line from the north end of the said lake to the margin or shore of Lake
Erie."
316 ERIE COUNTY.
On the 3d March, 1792, the governor purchased the tract from the U.
S. for $151,640 25, continental money; and a deed of that date confirmed
it to the state. The area of the triangle is 202,187 acres.
Notwithstanding the treaty of Fort 8tanwix and that of Fort Harmar,
the cession of the Presqu'isle lands "Vvas a sore subject to many chiefs
of the Six Nations, and especially to their master-spirit. Brant, the Mo-
hawk chieftain. It was claimed that the treaty was invalid, Cornplanter
having sold their lands without authority. Brant's favorite design was to
restrict the Americans to the country east of the Allegheny and Ohio ;
and he not only strenuously opposed and denounced every treaty that in-
terfered with his plan, but was active in his endeavors to unite all the
northern and western nations in one great confederacy, and, if necessary,
to protect his favorite boundary by a general war. To this scheme he
hoped, no doubt, to secure the cooperation of Great Britain, whose agents
still held the Canadian posts, and covertly fostered the war carried on by
the northwestern tribes. The settlement of the lands northwest of the
Allegheny, and especially of the Presqu'isle lands, was never cordially
acquiesced in by the Six Nations, not even by the Senecas ; and Corn-
planter, who had assented to the treaty, became very unpopular among
his own people. It was charged upon him, at the council of Canandai-
gua, in Oct. 1794, that he and Little Billy had received, at Fort Harmar,
$2,000, and at Philadelphia $2,000 more, as the price of Presqu'isle.*
Nevertheless, Cornplanter himself is found protesting to the U. S., at
Buffalo cr., in June, 1794, against the garrison established by Gen. Wayne
at Presqu'isle, when he went out against the Miamis.
Soon after the cession of the triangle, the settlement law of 1792 was
passed, and these lands were included in its provisions, with those south
of the old provincial boundary. The first settlements in Erie co. were
made by pioneers under that law, and the same scenes of litigation oc-
curred which have been alluded to under the head of Crawford co.,
(p. 260.) Many instances of personal violence occurred between con-
tending claimants. Lynch law was the favorite code. The squatters
Would league together to prevent the legal claimants from depriving them
of their improvements. This region suffered, in common with all that
west of the Allegheny, from hostile incursions of savages. It was some
recompense, however, to such as were driven off in this way, that they
thereby secured a title to their lands without being compelled to perform
a five years' actual residence, in compliance with the law. Tradition
even states that some land-jobbers, when no actual invasion took place,
Were in the habit of getting themselves alarmed, attacked, and driven
off by parties of white men disguised as Indians ; and on these fictitious
Kttacks they pTocured preventive certijicates. (See p. 201.) Such an ar-
rangement would hardly seem to have been necessary ; for the frontier
\vas, beyond all question, in a dangerous and deplorable state, and suffer-
ings Were endured by the daring pioneers, the relation of which chills
one's blood. Their titles at one time had like to have been disturbed by
a claimant whose lien was much older than the law of 1792, and who
could enforce it by a process more to be dreaded than that of Judge
Lynch. The following extracts are from a letter, dated 19th July, 1794
* Stone's Red Jacket, p. 138.
ERIE COUNTY 3^7
written by the Mohawk chieftain, Joseph Brant — Thayendanegea — to
Col. Smith, " for Gov. Simcoe," of Upper Canada. The letter is contained
in Col. Wm. L. Stone's Life of Brant.
" In regard to the Presqu'ialc business, should we not get an answer at the time limited, it is
our business to push those fellows hard, and therefore it is my intention to form my camp at
Pointe Appineau ; and I would esteem it a favor if his excellency, the lieutenant-governor, would
lend me four or five batteaux. Should it so turn out, and should those fellows not go off, and
O'Bail [Cornplantcr] continue in the same opinion, an expedition against those Yankees must of
consequence take place. His excellency has been so good as to furnish us with a cwt. of powder,
and ball in proportion, which is now at Fort Eric ; but in the event of an attack upon Le Boeuf
people, I could wish, if consistent, that his excellency would order a like quantity in addition to
be at Fort Erie in order to be in readiness : likewise I would hope for a little assistance in provi-
sions. * * « # *
" I understand some new regiments are raising rir to be raided. In that case I would consider
myself much favored should some of my relations, young men, have an equal chance of being
provided for. A few days ago I sent seven men to Cadaragara, to remind (J'Bail that he should
watch any movement of those people [the settlers at Fresqu'isle] very narrowly ; and that he
should be ready to march immediately after the expiration of the time, should they not then
evacuate that place."
This letter exhibits in a strong light the slender thread by which de-
pended the peace between the United States and the Six Nations, as well
as with Great Britain. Indeed, in all the wars of the northwestern fron-
tier, Brant and other individual chiefs were conspicuous on the war-path.
Gen. Wayne's treaty with the northwestern tribes put an end to Brant's
ambitious designs, and the wave of civilization rolled on across the Ohio
and Allegheny.
Among the earlier settlers of this county were Mr. Wm. Miles, Robert
King, Martin King, Gen. Charles Martin, Mr. Wm. Connolly, now of Ve-
nango CO., Col. John Reed, father of Rufus S. Reed, Esq., Thomas Reese,
an early surveyor, who is still living, John Cochran, Thomas Foster,
Robert Brown, Daniel Dobbins, MruKelso, Thomas Wilson, James Dun-
can, Gen. Callender Irvine, and others whose names have not come to
our knowledge.
Mr. Wm. Miles, who is still living at a very advanced age at Girard,
was at Fort Freeland, on the W. branch of Susquehanna, when it was
captured in 1778. He was then a lad or a young man, and was taken
prisoner to Canada, where he remained until after the close of the revo-
lution, when he crossed the lake, and settled in the Presqu'isle country.
He was one of the corps of surveyors for laying off the donation lands, in
1785. He related the following anecdote to a friend, who communicated
it to the compiler.
" When the surveyors all started from Pittsburg, in a body, they placed their instruments, bag-
gage, &c., in two canoes, and took several Indians aloiig as guides and boatmen. These In-
dians had been recommended to the party by the fur traders. The latter, however, were jealous
of the new surveys, as a settlement of the country would destroy their trade, and they exaggerated
to the surveyors the dangers of their undertaking, and the hostile dispositions of the Indians
Mr. Miles had suspected these Indians, who had been recommended by the traders, and remon-
strated against taking them, but was overruled. On the route the surveyors stopped at the last
white man's cabin on the river, some 15 miles above Pittsburg, to refresh themselves, leaving the
Indians to take care of the canoes. On returning to the river after an hour or two, Indians,
canoes, instruments, and baggage, were all gone ! What was to be done ? Miles asked if any
one had in his pocket a map of the river. One was fortunately found. He readily discovered
that the Indians, on the presumption that they had ascended the river, must necessarily pass a
very circuitous bend, and might be easily overtaken by taking a straight path through the woods.
The compass was gone, but Miles was enabled to steer the straight course by his knowledge of
the moss on the trees, and other Indian signs. They came out above the bend, secreted them-
selves in the bushes, and waited the approach of the Indians, who soon hove in sight. When
318 ERIE COUNTY.
the old chief found he had been detected, he very coolly and cunningly determined vo pretend
ignorance and innocence, and stepping out of the canoe with a smile, greeted the surveyors with,
How do ? How do ?"
Erie, the seat of justice, is situated upon a bluff affording a prospect
of Presqu'isle bay, the peninsula which forms it, and the lake beyond.
The borough is regularly laid out with spacious streets ; the site is level,
the soil dry and porous ; the buildings generally are well-constructed, the
public edifices, except the courthouse, are splendid, and in short, the town
is one of the pleasantest in Pennsylvania. Its commercial advantages
too, are, or soon will be, in accordance with its external appearance.
The harbor, four miles and a half long by half a mile wide, is one of the
best on the lake. It has been recently much improved, and steamboats
enter without difficulty. The eastern entrance has a channel from 1 1 to
20 feet deep, and the U. States is engaged in improving the western.
The harbor is generally free from ice at least a month sooner than that
of Buffalo. The peninsula was, within remembrance, a sand-bank, but
is now covered with a growth of young timber. The state canal from
here to the mouth of Beaver is nearly completed, (three miles only unfin-
ished,) and as soon as it is opened a considerable increase of business may
be anticipated. The canal basin connected with the harbor is 2,000 feet
long by 1,000 wide. The town contains the usual county buildings, and
7 churches, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, Associate Re-
formed, German Lutheran, and Roman Catholic ; a female seminary ; the
Erie bank ; a splendid Doric temple of marble, formerly used by a branch
of the U. S. Bank of Pa. ; the Reed House, which is a magnificent hotel
on the plan of the Astor House ; several other good hotels ; an academy,
2 flouring-mills, 2 iron foundries, and many stores and forwarding houses.
Mill creek, near the town, furnishes an ample water-power, and still
more will be obtained from the locks of the canal. Population in 1820,
617; in 1830, 1,451 ; in 1840, 3,412. Erie is 120 miles from Pittsburg,
90 from Buffalo, and 100 from Cleveland.
The town of Erie was laid out by Gen. Wm. Irvine and Andrew Elli-
cott, in 1795, in conformity with the act passed 18th April, of that yean
Suitable reservations were made of certain lots for the use of the United
States to build " forts, magazines, arsenals, and dock-yards thereon." Mr.
Ellicott had charge of the corps of surveyors, and Gen. Irvine commanded
a small detachment of troops for the protection of the surveys. A monu-
ment, similar to an ordinary grave-stone, is standing at the northeast cor-
ner of the town, on the brow of the bluff, inscribed ERIE, 1795. N. lat.
42° 8' 14". The first section of the town was incorporated as a borough
29th March, 1805. The place at that time contained about 100 houses.
The academy was incorporated in 1811 ; and the land for the lighthouse
was granted the same year to the U. States.
Gen. Wayne, when he went out to the Maumee in 1794, established a
small garrison here ; and on his return in December, 1796, he died at the
garrison, in a small log-cabin, and was buried, at his own request, at the
foot of the flag-staff. A rude paling, and a rough stone with the initials
A. W., long marked his resting-place, until, in 1809, his remains were
transferred by his son to the churchyard of his ancient place of worship
in Delaware co.
In the large view here inserted, may be seen on the right side of the
ERIE COUNTY. 3I9
square the splendid mansion of Rufus S. Reed, Esq., and beyond it the
Erie bank, of which he is president. On the left of the square, beyond
the courthouse, is seen the magnificent Reed House, a lasting monument
of the enterprise of the gentleman whose name it bears. Such is the
appearance of the square in 1843. — Let us look back about fifty years.
Mr. Wm. Connolly, now of Franklin, says he came out to Erie in the
spring of 1795 with his cousin Thomas Reese, surveyor of the district,
who is still living. In June of the same year he saw land there Col. John
Reed, father of Rufus S. Reed, in a bark boat, with a quantity of groceries,
ilquors, and Indian goods. Col. Reed was the first white settler of the
place. He proceeded to erect a log-cabin, and soon after made it a dou-
ble cabin, and called it — not the Reed House — but the Presqu'isle Hotel ;
where he entertained the traders and travellers of the lake shore. Col.
Reed was from Rhode Island. The jovial scenes that may have been
enacted around those primitive firesides by Indians, soldiers, traders, sur-
veyors, speculators, and casual adventurers, may be more easily conceived
than described.
While the region around Pittsburg was dependent upon Northern New
York for its supplies of salt, Erie and Waterford, though not large, were
busy towns, (see p. 86.) During the last war, too, there was much heavy
transportation of military stores across the Le Boeuf portage, for the use
of the squadron on the lake. Navigation by steam was commenced on
Lake Erie in 1818, when the first steamboat was built at Black Rock:
she bore the significant name of Walk-in-tJie-Water. The novelty of the
sight as she made her first trip through the lake excited great curiosity,
especially among the aborigines. She was lost in 1822. The Superior
immediately succeeded her. The most important impetus, however, was
given to the growth of Erie by the great projects of internal improvement
which originated between 1830 and 1836. Heavy expenditures were
made by the U. S. on the harbor ; the canal to Beaver was surveyed and
located ; a great railroad was projected through Warren, McKean, Ly-
coming, and Columbia counties, to connect with the Danville and Potts-
ville road ; another to join the New York and Erie railroad ; and a
branch of the U. S. Bank of Pa. was located here. The spark of specu-
lation being lighted, speculators from Buffalo and Rochester and New
York city came in with the most modern inventions for making money
without industry, and the town shot ahead with dangerous rapidity.
The following extracts from successive newspapers of that day, will
serve to show the rapid progress of the speculation.
June 12th, 1830. — The spirit of speculation which has wrougfht such wonders upon the line of
the Erie canal has never visited this borou<;h. No extensive business is done on fictitious capi-
tal. The soil is owned by its occupants, and no part of it is covered by foreign mortgages. No
branch of business is overdone, if we exc.ept, perhaps, one or two of the professions. The growth
of Erie has at no time exceeded that of the surrounding country. Its increase has been com-
mensurate only with the increase of business. It has consequently never felt those reverses
which always attend villages of musliroom growth. Many men with small capitals have become
independent, and some opulent. Erie possesses advantages which must forever secure to it im-
portant and lucrative business. Its harbor is decidedly tiie safest and best on the lake. Our
water privileges are equal to our present wants, and an increase may be expected from the con-
struction of the Pennsylvania canal.
That Eric will be a successful rival of her sister villages on the borders of the lake, we have
not a shadow of doubt. But let not her growth be forced. Every doubtful or chimerical specu-
lation should be discountenanced, and, above all, let not our village lots fall into the hands of
those who calculate great speculations on their rise. This is the bane which is most to be dreaded
320 ERIE COUNTY.
in all our growing villages. — ^We must construct a wharf out to Mr. C. M. Reed's pier,*where
there is deep water.
Feb. 27th, 1836.— Brie Bank. We are informed that the entire stock of $200,000 has been
subscribed, and we believe paid in. [News at the same time of probable passage of appropriation
in Congress for improvement of harbor.]
Feb. 27th, 1836. — The receipt of positive news of the final passage of the canal and (U. S.)
bank bill at this place, on Monday evening, gave a new impetus to the rise of real estate. It
advanced immediately about 100 per cent., and has since continued rising at the rate of from ten
to twenty per cent, a day. Sales have been made this week amounting to near half a million of
dollars. The sales too are none of your sham sales got up for effect. They are bona fide, and
liberal, almost invariably made by the purchasers, who are mostly men of heavy capital from the
east — Buffalo, Rochester, and New York — and persons able to sustain prices, so far as they buy
for speculation, and to improve what they buy for use. There is no danger of retrograde. The
tide of prosperity has set in favor of Erie, and it must go ahead. The Fates cannot make it
otherwise. Real estate will continue to rise, and we would sincerely recommend any friend of
ours who wishes to purchase, to do so as soon as possible.
March 1. — Real estate. Sales increase in briskness, and prices still rising. The amount of
sales on Saturday and yesterday (Monday) amounted to over $300,000. Good bargains are yet
offered to any one who has cash to invest for first payments, and at prices which cannot fail of
advancing, in as great a ratio, as they have done for several weeks back.
It is estimated that the sales in our borough last week amounted to a million and a half of
dollars ; they are still going on and daily advancing in prices.
A company has bought land at the mouth of Twenty-mile cr., to construct a harbor there.
A lot of ground sold in Erie in Feb. for $10,000 — was sold in March, in Buffalo, to a company
for $50,000.
April 2d, 1836. — For the sake of our numerous correspondents, who look with distrust upon all
excitement in the grave business of laying out bona fide capital, we will briefly and generally re-
ply that there is no sham nor get-up to the land transactions here-away ; and that neither col-
lapse nor the ordinary fever and ague stages need be apprehended for this place ; it has grown
steadily and slowly thus into public favor, and its present towering prospects have a foundation,
in the nature of things, not only permanent and enduring, but natural and everlasting. Look at
the position of Erie on the map, read the reports of the U. S. engineers as to the harbor ; above
all, at this crisis, observe the enlightened legislation of the commonwealth in anticipating the de-
mand for commercial facilities at this favored spot.
June 11th. — Twelve water lots of 32 feet front sold, notwithstanding the severe pressure in
the money market, at an aggregate price of over $40,000.
The most important event that has occurred at Erie was the building
and equipment of Perry's victorious fleet.
Capt. Perry, then only 26 years of age, arrived at Erie on the 27th Feb.
1813, and immediately urged on the work which had been already com-
menced. The northern frontier of Pennsylvania and Ohio was at that
time little better than a wilderness ; supplies and artisans had to be
brought from the Atlantic coast, and the timber for the larger vessels was
to be cut fresh from the forest. In the face of a thousand obstacles, Perry
succeeded in getting his vessels ready to leave the harbor in the early
part of August ; though he was still greatly in want of oflicers and of
men, particularly .seamen. He was soon after joined by a party of sea-
men under the orders of Capt. Elliot, then just promoted to the rank of
master and commander. Leaving Erie, the fleet went up towards the
head of the lake, where various manoeuvres took place for some days be-
tween the two squadrons, before a meeting took place. Perry had gone into
Put-in bay, on the 6th Sept., and on the 9th determined to go out the next
day and attack the enemy. The follovidng able and spirited sketch of
the battle is extracted from the biography of Com. Perry, by James
Fennimore Cooper, Esq., published in Graham's Magazine, for May, 1843
H
W
O
ffi n
Kl
5=' H-
ERIE COUNTY.
321
Although longer than our limits will feirly admit, yet the compiler would
not feel justified in abridging it.
The vessels under the command of Capt. Per
ry, and which were present on the morning of
tlie 10th of Sept., 1813, were as follows; the
Ohio, Mr. Dobbins, having been sent down tlie
lake on duty a few days before, viz. :
Gvns.
Lawrence, Capt. Perry, 'iO
Niagura, Capt, Elliot, 20 2 long I'Js,
Cak'rkinja, Lioiit Turner, -i 2 long 2-ls,
Ariel, Lieut. I'aikett, 4 4 123.
Soniers, Mr. Aliny, 2 1 long 24,
Porcupine, Mr. t^cnatt, 1 1 long ;!2.
Scorpion, Mr. Clianiplin, 2 1 long 24,
Tigress, Lieut, ('onklin, 1 1 long 32.
Tnppe, Lieut. Holdup, 1 1 long 32.
Metal.
2 long 12s, 18 32 lb. carronades
18 32 IJj. carronades
1 32 lb. carronadc.
1 32 lb. carronade.
1 32 111. carroRade.
The English vessels were as follows, their
force being, as stated by Capt. Barclay —
Detroit, (Vpt. Barclay, 19 guns; 21ong 249, 1 long 18on pivot,
() long 12s, H long '.Is, I 24 lb. carronade, 1 18 lb. do.
Queen (-'lip.rloltc, ( 'apt. Finnis, 17 guns ; 1 long 12 on pivot,
2 1(H1>.' '.'-, 14 24 ill. carronades.
Lady l'r( vii^t, Lieut, liuclian, 13 guns ; 1 long 9 on pivot, 2
long Cs. 10 12 lb. carronades.
Hunter, Lieut. Bignall, 10 guns ; 4 long 6s, 2 long 4s, 2 long
2s, 2 12 lb. carronadcH.
Little Belt, 3 guns ; 1 long 12 on pivot, 2 long 6s.
Chippewa, Mr. Campbell, 1 long 9 on pivot.
Total number of guns, 54 Total number of guns, 63.
It is proper to add that all the guns of all the Anicrictin vessels, with the exception of those
of the Lawrence and the Niagara, were on pivots, and could be used together. Tiie vessels which
carried them, however, were witliout bulwark.?, and their crews were exposed to even niusketry
in a close action. Of these vessels, the Lawrence, Niagara, and Caledonia were brigs ; the Trippe
was a sloop ; and the remainder were schooners.
The force of the British has been variously stated, as to the metal, though all the accounts
agree as to the vessels and the number of the guns.
On the morning of the 10th Sept., the British squadron was seen in the offing, and the Ameri-
can vessels got under way, and went out to meet it. The wind, at first, was unfavorable, but so
determined was Perry to engage, that he decided to give the enemy the weather-gage, a very im-
portant advantage with the armament he possessed, should it become necessary. A shift of
wind, however, brought him out into the hike to windward, and left him eyery prospect of en-
gaging in a manner more desirable to himself.
The enemy had hove-to, on the larboard tack, in a compact line ahead, with the wind at south-
east. This brought his vessels' heads nearly, or quite, as high as south-southwest. He had
placed the Chippewa in his van, with the Detroit, Barclay's own vessel, next to her. Then fol-
lowed the Hunter, Queen Charlotte, Lady Prevost, and Little Belt, in the manner named. Perry
had issued his order of battle some time previously, but finding that the enemy did not form his
line as he had anticipated, he determined to make a corresponding change in his own plan. Ori-
ginally it had been intended that the Niagara shoidd lead the American line, in the expectation
that the Queen Charlotte would lead that of the English ; but finding the Detroit ahead of the
latter vessel, it became necessary to place the Lawrence ahead of the Niagara, in order to bring
the two commanding vessels fairly alongside of each other. As there was an essential ditfcrence
of force between the two English ships, tiie Detroit being a vessel at least a fourth larger and
every way heavier than the Queen Charlotte, this prompt decision to stick to his own chosen ad-
versary is strongly indicative of the chivalry of Perry's character ; for many an officer would not
have thought this accidental change on the part of his enemy a sufficient reason for changing
his own order of battle, on the eve of engaging. Culling the leading vessels near him, however,
and learning from Capt. Brevoort, of the army, and late of the brig Adams, who was then serv-
ing on board the Niagara as a marine officer, the names of the difl^erent British vessels, Capt.
Perry communicated his orders for the- Lawrence and Niagara to change places in the contem-
plated line — a departm-e from his former plan, which would bring him more fairly abreast of the
Detroit.
At this moment, the Lawrence, Niagara, Caledonia, Ariel, and Scorpion were all up, and near
each other ; but the Trippe, Tigress, Somers, and Porcupine were still a considerable distance
astern. All of these small craft but the Porcupine had been merchant vessels, purchased into
the service and strengthened ; alterations that were necessary to enable them to bear their metal
but which were not likely to improve whatever sailing qualities they might possess.
It was now past ten, and the leading vessels manceuvred to get into their stations, in obedience
to the orders just received. This brought the Scorpion a short distance ahead, and to windward
of the Lawrence, and the Ariel a little more on that brig's weather-bow, but in advance. Then
came the Lawrence herself, leading the main line, the two schooners just mentioned being directed
to keep to windward of her — the Caledonia, the Niagara, the Tigress, the Somers, the Porcupine,
and the Trippe. The prescribed distance that was to be maintained between the different ves-
sels was half a cable's length.
The Americans were now astern and to windward of their enemies, the latter still lying gal-
lantly with their topsails aback, in waiting for them to come down. Perry brougiit the wind
abeam, in the Lawrence, and edged away for a position abreast of the Detroit ; the Caledonia and
Niagara following in their stations. The two schooners ahead were also well placed, though the
Ariel appears to have soon got more on the Lawrence's beam than the order of battle had directed.
41
322 ERIE COUNTY.
All these vessels, however, were in as good order as circumstances allowed ; and Perry determined
to close, without waiting for the four gun-vessels astern to come up.
The wind had been light and variable throughout the early part of the morning, and it still
continued light, though sutRciently steady. It is stated to have been about a two-knot breeze
when the American van bore up to engage. As they must have been fully two miles from the
enemy at this time, it would of course have required an hour to have brought them up fairly
alongside of the British vessels, most of the way imder fire. The Lawrence was yet a long dis.
tance from the English when the Detroit threw a twenty-four pound shot at her. When this gun
was fired, the weight of the direct testimony that has appeared in the case, and the attendant
circumstances, would show that the interval between the heads of the two lines was nearer two
than one mile. Perry now showed his signal to engage, as the vessels came up, each against her
designated opponent, in the prescribed order of battle. The object of this signal was to direct
the different commanders to engage as soon as they could do so with effect ; to preserve tiieir sta-
tions in the line ; and to direct their fire at such particular vessels of the British as had been
pointed out to them severally in previous orders. Soon after an order was passed astern, by trum.
pet, for the different vessels to close up to the prescribed distance of half a cable's length from
each other. This was the last order that Perry issued that day from the Lawrence to any vessel
of the fleet, his own brig excepted. It was intended principally for the schooners in the rear,
most of which were still a considerable distance astern. The Caledonia and Niagara were accu-
rately in their stations, and at long gun-shot from the enemy. A deliberate fire now opened on
the part of the enemy, which was returned from the long-gun of the Scorpion, and soon after
from the long-guns of the other leading American vessels, though not with much apparent effect
on either side. The first gun is stated to have been fired at a quarter before twelve. About
noon, finding that the Lawrence was beginning to suffer, Perry ordered her carronades to be
tried ; but it was found tiiat the brig was still too distant for the shot to tell. He now set his top-
gallantsail and edged away more for the enemy, suffering considerably from the fire of the long-
guns of the Detroit in particidar.
The Caledonia, the Lawrence's second astern, was a prize-brig, that had been built for burden
rather than for sailing, having originally been in the employment of the Northwest Co. Although
her gallant commander, Lieut. Turner, pressed down with her as fast as he could, the Lawrence
reached ahead of her some distance, and consequently became the principal object of the British
fire ; which she was, as yet, unable to return with more than her two long-twelves, the larboard-
bow gun having been shifted over for that purpose. The Scorpion, Ariel, Caledonia, and Niaga-
ra, however, were now firing with their lo.ng-guns, also, carronades being still next to useless.
The latter brig, though under short canvass, was kept in her station astern of the Caledonia only
by watching her sads, occasionally bracing her main-topsail sharp aback, in order to prevent run-
ning into her second ahead. As the incidents of this battle have led to a painful and protracted
controversy, which no biographical notice of Perry can altogether overlook, it may be well to add
here that the facts just stated are proved by testimony that has never been questioned, and that
they appear to us to relate to the only circumstance in the management of the Niagara, on the
10th of Sept., that is at all worthy of the consideration of an intelligent critic. At the proper
moment, this circumstance shall receive our comments.
It will be remembered that each of the American vessels had received an order to direct her
fire at a particular adversary in the British line. This was done to prevent confusion, and was
the more necessary as the Americans had nine vessels to the enemy's six. On the other hand,
the English, waiting the attack, had to take such opponents as offered. In consequence of these
orders, the Niagara, which brig had also shifted over a long-twelye, directed the fire of her two
chase-guns at the Queen Charlotte, and the Caledonia engaged the Hunter, the vessel pointed
out to her for that purpose ; leaving the Lawrence, supported by the Ariel and Scorpion, to sus-
tain the cannonading of the Detroit, supported by the Chippewa, as well as to bear the available
fire of all the vessels in the stern of the English line, as, in leading down, she passed ahead to
her station abreast of her proper adversary. Making a comparison of the aggregate batteries
of the five vessels thus engaged at long-shot, or before carronades were fully available, we get, on
the part of the Americans, one 24 and 6 12s, or seven guns in all, to oppose to one 24, one 18,
three 12s, and five 9 pounders — all long-guns. This is estimating all the known available long-
guns of the Ariel, Scorpion, and Lawrence, and the batteries of the Chippewa and the Detroit,
as given by Capt. Barclay in his published official letter, which, as respects these vessels, is prob-
ably minutely accurate ; though it is proper to add that an American officer, who subsequently
had good opportunities for knowing the fact, thinks that the Chippewa's gun was a 12 pounder.
Although the disparity between 7 and 10 guns is material, as is the difference between 9(5
and 123 pounds of metal, they do not seem sufficient to account for the great disparity of the
injury that was sustained by the Lawrence, more especially in the commencement of the action.
We are left then to look for the explanation in some additional causes.
It is known that one of the Ariel's twelves burst early in the day. This would at once bring
the comparison of the guns and metal, as between the five leading vessels, down to 6 to 10 of
the first, and 84 to 123 of the last. But we have seen that both the Lawrence and Niagara
ERIE COUNTY. 323
'Shifted each a larboard-bow*^ gun over to the starboard side — a course timt almost any conuiiander
would be likely to adopt under the circuni stances of the action. It is not probable that the De-
troit, commencing her fire at so great a distance, with the certainty that it must be some time
before her enemy could get within reach of iiis short-guns, neglected to bring her most available
pieces into battery also. Admitting this to have been done, there would be a very different result
in the figures. The Detroit fought 10 guns in broadside, and she had an armament that would
permit her to bring to bear on the Lawrence, at one time, two 24s, one 18, six l!2s, and one 9
pounder. This would leave the comparison between the guns as 6 are to 11, and between the
metal as 84 are to 147. Nor is this all. The Hunter lay close to the Detroit, and as the vessel
which assailed her was still at long-shot, it is probable that she also brought the heaviest of her
guns into broadside, and used them against the nearest vessel ; more particularly as her guns
were light, and would be much the most useful in such a mode of firing.
But other circumstances conspired to sacrifice the Lawrence. Finding that he was suffering
heavil}', and that he had got nearly abreast of the Detroit, Perry furled his topgallant-sail, hauled
up his foresail and rounded to, opening with his carronades. The distance from the enemy at
which this was done, as well as the length of time after the commencement of the fire, have given
rise to contradictory statements. Tlie distance, Perry himself, in his official letter, says was
"within canister shot," a term too vague, to give any accurate notion that can be used in a cri-
tical analysis of the facts of the engagement. A canister shot, thrown from a heavy gun, would
probably kill at a mile ; though seamen arc not apt to apply the term to so great a range. Still
they use all such phrases as "yard-arm and yard-arm," "musket-shot," "canister-shot," and
"pistol-shot" very vaguely ; one applying a term to a distance twice as great as would be under-
stood by another. The distance from the English line, at which the Lawrence backed her topsail^
has been placed by some as far as half a mile, and by others as near as 300 yards. It was pro-
bably between the two, nearer to the last than to the first ; though the brig, as she became crip^
pied aloft, and so long as there was any wind, must have been slowly drifting nearer her enemies.
On the supposition that there was a two-knot breeze the whole time, that the action commenced
when the Lawrence was a mile and a half from the enemy, and that she went within a quarter
of a mile of the British line, she could not have backed her topsail mitil after she had been under
fire considerably more than half an hour. This was a period quite sufficient to cause her to suffer
heavily, under the peculiar circumstances of the case.
The effect of a cannonade is always to deaden, or even " to kill," as it is technically termed by
seamen, a light wind. Counteracting forces neutralize each other, and the constant explosions
from guns, repel the currents of the atmosphere. This difficulty came to increase the critical
nature of the Lawrence's situation, the wind falling to something very near, if not absolutely to a
flat calm. This fact, which is material to a right understanding of the events of the day, is un-
answerably shown in the following manner.
The fact that the gun-boats had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind, is mentioned by
Perry, himself, in his official account of the battle. He also says, " at half past two, the wind
springing up, Capt. Elliot was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, gallantly into close ac-
tion," leaving the unavoidable inference that a want of wind prevailed at an earlier period of the
engagement. Several officers testify that it fell nearly calm, while no one denies it. One officer
says it became " perfectly calm," and others go near to substantiate this statement. There is a
physical fact, however, that disposes of this point more satisfactorily than can ever be done by
the power of memories, or the value of opinions. Both Perry and his sailing master say that the
Lawrence was perfectly unmanageable for a considerable time. This period, a rigid construction
of Perry's language would make two hours ; and by the most liberal that can be given to that of
the master, must have been considerably more than one hour. It is physically impossible that a
vessel, with her sails loose, should not drift a quarter of a mile, in an hour, had there been even a
two-knot breeze. The want of this drift, which would have carried the Lawrence directly do\^ri
into the English line had it existed, effectually shows, then, that there must liave been a consid-
erable period of the action, in which there was little or no wind, and corroborates the direct testi-
mony that has been given on this point.
Previously, however, to its falling calm, or nearly so, and about the time the Lawrence backed
her topsail, a change occurred in the British line. The Queen Charlotte had an armament of
three long-guns, the heaviest of which is stated by Capt. Barclay to have been a 12 pounder, on
a pivot, and fourteen 241b. carronades. The latter guns were shorter than common, and, of
course, were useless when the ordinary American 32lb. guns of this class could not be served.
For some reason which has not been quite satisfactorily explained, this ship shifted her berth,
after the engagement had lasted some time, filling her topsail, passing the Hunter, and closing
with the Detroit, under her lee. Shortly alter, however, she regained the line, directly astern of
the commanding British vessel. The enemy's line being in very compact order, and the distance
but trifling, the Queen Charlotte was enabled to effect this in a few minutes, there still being a
little wind. The Detroit probably drew ahead to enable her to regain a proper position.
This evolution on the part of the Queen Charlotte has been diflerently accounted for. At the
time it was made the Niagara was engaging her sufficiently near to do execution with her long
^24 ERIE COUNf Y.
twelves, and, at (he moment, it was the opinion on board that f)ri{j, that she liatl diiven her appc.
nent out of the line. As the Queen Charlotte opened on the Lawrence with her carronades, as
soon as she got into her new position, a more plausible motive was that she had shifted her berth,
in order to bring her short-guns into efficient use. The letter of Capt. Barclay, however, gives
a more probable solution to this manoeuvre, than cither of the foregoing conjectures. He says
that Capt. Fiuni.s, of the Queen Charlotte, was killed soon after the commencement of the action,
and that her first lieutenant was shortly after struck senseless by a splinter. These two casual-
ties threw the command of the vessel on a provincial officer of the name of Irvine. This part of
Capt. Barclay's letter is not English, and has doubtless been altered a httle in printing. Enough
remains, however, to show, tliat he attaches to the loss of the two officers mcntioi»cd, serious con-
sequences ; and in a connection that alludes to this change of position, since he speaks of the
prospect of its leavlirg liim the Niagara also to engage. From the fact that the Queen Charlotte'
first went under the lee of the Detroit, so close as to induce the Americans to think she was foul
of the quarter of that ship, a position into which she never would have been carried had the mo-
tive been merely to get nearer to the Lawrence, or further from the Niagara, we infer that the
provincial officer, finding himself unexpectedly in his novel situation, went so near to the Detroit
to report his casualties and to ask for orders, and that he regained the line in obedience to in-
structions from Capt. Barclay in person.
Whatever was the motive for changing the Queen Cliarlotte's position in the British line, the
effisct on the Lawrence was the same. Her fire was added to that of the Detroit, which ship
appeared to direct all her guns at the leading American brig, alone. Indeed, there was a period
in this part of the action, during which most, if not all of the guns of the Detrrj., the Queen
Charlotte, and Hunter, were aimed at this one vessel. Ferry appears to have been of opinion
that it was a premeditated plan, on the part of the enemy, to destroy the commanding American
vessel. It is true, that the Ariel, Scorpion, Caledonia, and Niagara, from a few minutes after
the commencement of the action, were firing at the English ships, but that the latter disregarded
therri, in the main, would appear from the little loss the three small American vessels sustained,
m particular. The Caledonia and Niagara, moreover, were still too distant to render their assist-
ance of much efTcct. About this time, however, the gun-boats astern got near enough to use
their heavy guns, though most of them were yet a long way off. Tlie Somers would seem tc
have engaged a short time before the others.
At length, Capt. Elliot finding himself kept astern by the bad sailing of the Caledonia, and his
own brig so near as again to be under the necessity of bracing her topsail aback, to prevent going
into her, determined to assume the responsibility of changing the line of battle, and to pass the
Caledonia. He accordingly hailed the latter, and directed that brig to put her helm up and let
the Niagara pass ahead. As this order was obeyed, the Niagara filled and drew slowly ahead,
continuing to approach the Lawrence as fast jft the air would allow. Tliis change did not take
place, however, until the Lawrence had suffered so heavily as to render her substantially a beaten
ship.
The evidence that has been given on the details is so contradictory and confused, as to render
it exceedingly difficult to say whether the comparative calm of which we have spoken occurred
before or after this change in the relative positions of the Lawrence and Caledonia. Some wind
there must have been, at this time, or the Niagara could not have passed. As the wind had
been light and baffling most of the day, it is even probable that there may have been intervals in
it, to reconcile in some measure these apparent contradictions, and which will explain the incon-
sistencies. After the Niagara had passed her second ahead, to do which she had made sail, she
continued to approach the Lawrence in a greater or less degree of movement, as there may have
been more or less wind, until she had got near enough to the heavier vessels of the enemy to open
on them with her carronades ; always keeping in tlic Lawrence's wake. The Caledonia, having
pivot guns, and being now nearly or quite abeam of the Hunter, the vessel she had been directed
to engage, kept off more, and was slowly drawing nearer to the enemy's line. Tlie gun-vesselg
astern were closing, too, though not in any order, using their sweeps, and throwing the shot of
their long heavy guns, principally 32 pounders, quite to the head of the British line; beginning
to tell effectually in the combat.
As the wind was so light, and the movements of all the vessels had been so slow, much time
was consumed in these several changes. The Lawrence had now been under fire more than two
hours, and, being almost the sole aim of the headmost English ships, she was dismantled. Her
decks were covered with killed and wounded, and every gun but one in her starboard battery was
dismounted, either by shot or its own recoil. At this moment, or at about half past two, agreea-
bly to Perry's official letter, the wind sprung up and produced a general change among the ves-
sels. One of its first effects was to set the Lawrence, perfectly unmanageable as she was, astern
and to leeward, or to cause her to drop, as it has been described by Capt. Barclay, while the
enemy appear to have filled, and to commence drawing ahead. The Lady Prevost, which had
been in the rear of the British line, passed to leeward and ahead, under the published plea of
having had her rudder injured, but probably suffering from the heavy metal of the American gun-
vessels as they came nearer. An intention existed on the part of Capt. Barclay to get his vessel
ERIE COUNTY. 325
[The narrative is continued on the next page.]
[Mr. Cooppr illustrates his narrative with three diagrams, of which we have room for only two. According to his first di-
agram the two fleets occupied nearly tliesanie relative posil ion as in diagram II, except thai they were a little more distant.
Nos. 1 and 2 of the Americans w;ere as in diagram II ; the olhers were in a straight hne in the regular order of the numbers
The irregularity of the numbers in diagram II, shows the changes of position ni both fleets. Mr. Cooper says, in connec-
tion with diagram I ;J
The English are heading about S. S. W., a little ofT, lying-to; the Americans about S. W., or with the wind abeam :
the leading American vessels about a mile from the enemy, and the sterninost more than two. The Lawrence iiaving
made sail, IS leaving the Caledonia. The witnesses who testify against Capt. Elliott, evidently think lie ought to have
passed the Caledonia in this stage of the battle, without orders.
DIAGRAM NO. II.
A, English. I, Chippewa. 2, Detroit. 3, Hunter. 4. Uueen Charlotte. 5, Lady Prevost. 6, Tiittle Belt.
B, American. 1, Scorpion. 2, Ariel. 3, Lawrence. 4, Caledonia. 5, Niagara. 6, Somers. 7, Porcupine. 8, Tigress. 9,
Trippe.
'W>--
^^^
s\^ /
SB
/
In this diagram the Lawrence is lying abreast of the English ships, hove-to; No. 5, the Niagara, has passed No. 4, the
Caledonia, and the vessels astern are endeavoring to get down. The distances are not accurate, on account of the small
space on which the diagram is drawn, but the intention is to represent the Lawrence at about a quarter of a rnile from the
enemy, and the Niagara nearly as far astern of her. The Niagara, Caledonia, &c., are all placed a little too far to /eeirard
in this diagram. The four sternmost American vessels, at this period of the actioji, were probably a mile and a half from
the enemy, but making the shot of their long heavy guns tell. At this period of the action it must have been nearly, or
quite calm.
DIAGRAM NO- lU.
^^ -^-^ ^ ^
This diagram represents No. 3, the Lawrence, as crippled and dropping out of the combat, the English forging ahead.
No. 5, the Niagara, has passed ahead, and is abreast of the two English ships, distant from 1,000 to 1,500 feet ; or about as
near as the Lawrence ever got. There is no question that this is near the position in which Perry tbund her, and when he
backed her topsail, previously to bearing up. No. 4, the Caledonia, has also passed the Lawrence, and is closing. The
other vessels astern are closing also, but their distance was probably greater than represented in the dinjinim. The precise
positions of Nos. I and 2, the Scorpion and Ariel, cannot be given at this particular moment; but they wire both to miniir
ward of the Niagara, as is proved on oath, and denied by no one who was in the battle. t)n the part of the English some
changes had also taken place. The Prevost had gone to leeward and ahead, while the Charlotte had passed the Hunter
even in diagram No. 2 The dotted lines from No. 5, Niagara, and No. 4, Caledonia, show the general courses steered by
each in passing the Lawrence.
Taking this diagram as the starting point, let the reader imagine the English attempting to ware, and their two ships,
Nos. 2 and 4, getting foul, while the Niagara, No. 5, (Am.) keeps dead away, passes them, firing at Nos. I and .'), Chippe-
wa and Prevost, with her larboard guns, and the two ships with her starboard ; then let him snpiiose the Niniara hauling
upon the starboard tack to leeward of the two English ships, raking them, while all the other .Ami rican vessels close with
the English, to windward, and he will get an idea of the closing evolutions of the battle. We have traced a dotted line
ahead of the Niagara to show the course she steered, though, as the English kept off also, the combatants ran a greater
distance to leeward than is here given. There may not be perfect accuracy in these diagrams, but they must be -near the
truth It is also probable that, during the whole action, the English, while lying-to, kept bo much off os to continue to
draw ahead, iu ordw to protract the ensaseinent at lone shot.
326 ERIE COUNTY.
round, in order to bring fresh broadsides to bear. The larboard battery of the Detroit by this time
was nearly useless, many of the guns having lost even their trucks, and, as usually happens in a
long cannonade, the pieces that had been used were getting to be unserviceable, from one cause
or another.
At this moment the Niagara passed the Lawrence to windward, and then kept off towards the
head of the enemy's line, which was slowly drawing more towards the southward and westward.
In order to do this, she set topgallant-sails and brought the wind abaft the beam. The Caledonia
also followed the enem}', passing inside the Lawrence, having got nearer to the enemy, at that
moment, than any other American vessel. As soon as Perry perceived that his own brig was
dropping, and that the battle was passing ahead of him, he got into a boat, taking with him a
young brother, a midshipman of the Lawrence, and pulled after the Niagara, then a short distance
ahead of him. When he reached the latter brig, he found her from three to five hundred yards to
windward of the principal force of the enemy, and nearly abreast of the Detroit, tliat ship, the
Queen Charlotte, and the Lady Prevost being now quite near each other, and probably two cables'
length to the southward and westward ; or that distance nearly ahead of the Lawrence, and about
as far from the enemy's line as the latter brig had been lying for the last hour.
Perry now had a few words of explanation with Capt. Elliot, when the latter officer volunteered
to go in the boat, and bring down the gun-vessels, which were still astern, and a good deal scat-
tered. As this was doing precisely what Perry wished to have done, Capt. Elliot proceeded on
this duty immediately, leaving his own brig, to which he did not return until after the engage-
ment had terminated. Perry now backed the main-topsail of the Niagara, being fairly abeam of
his enemy, and showed the signal for close action. After waiting a few minutes for the different
vessels to answer and to close, the latter of which they were now doing fast as the wind con-
tinued to increase, he bore up, bringing the wind on the starboard quarter of the Niagara, and
stood down upon the enemy, passing directly through his line. Capt. Barclay, with a view of
getting his fresh broadsides to bear, was in the act of attempting to ware, as the Niagara ap-
proached, but his vessel being much crippled aloft, and the Queen Charlotte being badly handled,
the latter ship got foul of the Detroit, on her starboard quarter. At this critical instant, the
Niagara had passed the commanding British vessel's bow, and coming to the wind on the star-
board tack, lay raking the two ships of the enemy, at close quarters, and with fatal effect. By
this time, the gun-vessels under Capt. Elliot had closed to windward of the enemy, the Caledonia
in company, and the raking cross-fire soon compelled the enemy to haul down their colors. The
Detroit, Queen Charlotte, Lady Prevost, and Hunter, struck under this fire, being in the melee of
vessels ; but the Chippewa and Little Belt made sail and endeavored to escape to leeward. They
were followed by the Scorpion and Trippe, which vessels came up with them in about an horn,
and firing a shot or two into them, they both submitted. The Lawrence had struck her flag also,
soon after Perry quitted her.
Such, in its outline, appears to have been the picture presented by a battle that has given rise
to more controversy than all the other naval combats of the republic united. We are quite aware
that by rejecting all the testimony that has been given on one side of the disputed points, and by
exaggerating and mutilating that which has been given on the other, a different representation
might be made of some of the Incidents ; but, on comparing one portion of the evidence with
another, selecting in all instances that which in the nature of things should be best, and bringing
the whole within the laws of physics and probabilities, we believe that no other result, in the
main, can be reached, than the one which has been given. To return more particularly to our
subject.
Perry had manifested the best spirit, and the most indomitable resolution not to be overcome,
throughout the trying scenes of this eventful day. Just before the action commenced, he coolly
prepared his public letters, to be thrown overboard in the event of misfortune, glanced his eyes
over those which he had received from his wife, and then tore them. He appeared fully sensible
of the magnitude of the stake which was at issue, remarking to one of his officers, who possessed
his confidence, that this day was the most important of his life. In a word, it was not possible
for a commander to go into action in a better frame of mind, and his conduct in this particular
might well serve for an example to all who find themselves similarly circumstanced. The pos-
sibility of defeat appears not to have been lost sight of, but in no degree impaired the determina-
tion to contend for victory. The situation of the Lawrence was most critical, the slaughter on
board her being terrible, and yet no man read discouragement in his countenance. The survi-
vors all unite in saying that he did not manifest even the anxiety he must have felt at the omin-
ous appearance of things. The Lawrence was effectually a beaten ship an hour before she
struck ; but Perry felt the vast importance of keeping the colors of the commanding vessel flying
to the last moment ; and the instant an opportunity presented itself to redeem the seemingly wan-
ing fortunes of the day, he seized it with promptitude, carrying off the victory not only in triumph,
but apparently against all the accidents and chances which for a time menaced him with defeat
His victory at once raised Perry from comparative obscurity to a high degree of renown before
the nation. With the navy he had always stood well, but neither his rank nor his age had given
him an opportunity of becoming known to the world. The government granted gold medals i<^
ERIE COUNTY. 337
Perry and his second in command, and the former was promoted to be a captain, liis commission
being dated on the 10th Sept. 181.3. As he returned to the ohlcr parts of the comitry, his journey
was a species of triumph, in which warm spontaneous feeUng, however, rather than studied ex-
hibition, predominated.
After several year.s of useful and honorable service in the navy, Com.
Perry died at Trinidad, on the 23d Aug. 1819, at the age of 34. Several
of the victorious vessels, with their prizes, lay sunk for many years in the
harbor at Erie. The Queen Charlotte, and perhaps others of them, were
recently raised and put into use on the lake.
Waterford, a pleasant borough, is situated at Le Boeuf lake, on the
turnpike between Erie and Pittsburg, 13 miles southeast of Erie. The
town contains an academy, a flouring-mill, one or more churches, &c.
Population in 1840, 403. This place was laid out by Andrew EUicott, in
1794, and the survey was confirmed by the act of 1795. It had been set-
tled as early as 1792-93. The state had a garrison here about that time
for the protection of the surveyors on the donation and state lands. A
part of the old blockhouse still remains, attached to the large hotel where
the stages stop. Among the first settlers here were Robert King, Martin
Strong, Gen. Charles Martin, and others. The place was then known as
Le BoBuf, the name of Waterford having been given by the law of 1795.
The early French history of this place is given above, in the history of
the county. Waterford was a busy point while the transportation of salt
was carried on across the portage from Presqu'isle, and down the waters
of Le BoBuf and French crs. to Pittsburg. This trade ceased with the
opening of the salt- wells on the Kiskiminetas, about the year 1820.
Northeast is situated near the lake, on the Bulfalo road, 16 miles north-
east from Erie. It is a very neat and pleasant borough, containing, by
the census of 1840, 339 inhabitants. Sixteen-mile cr. enters the lake near
this place, and affords water-power for several manufacturing establish-
ments. This place was formerly called Burgettstown.
A curious case of partial insanity, resulting, we understand, from behef in Rev. Mr. Miller's
theory respecting the end of the world, has lately occurred at Northeast, Pa., the statements rela-
tive to which are furnished by a friend. Tlie subject is a young man named Putnam, who im-
bibed the notion that he should die on the lust day of the year just expired. For some length
of time he had been laboring under this delusion, which he strenuously declared was made known
to him by rexielation. So infatuated was he with the idea, that he gave up his business, employed
his time in drawing devices on the tomb-stones in the grave-yard, and occupied nine days in
hewing out a sepulchre in which to die — a grave six feet deep in a rock ! Accordingly, having
made all the preparations, he proceeded to his tomb, which was situated in a secluded spot, ac-
companied by some two hundred persons, present by invite, and unflinchingly laid himself down
in his grave to die. He remained there for the space of an hour and a half, the assembled multi-
tude, no doubt, waiting with anxious suspense to see him give up the ghost ; but, to use a vulgar
phrase, "he couldn't come it." The miserable man crept out of his hole and departed thence,
strongly impressed that he should not die that day. — Fredonia Censor.
Wattsburg is at the forks of French cr., 18 miles southeast from Erie.
There is a fine water-power here. Population in 1840, 131. A rail-
road was once projected from Erie, through this place, to Jamestown,
and thence to connect with the New York and Erie road.
GiRARD is a flourishing village, on the road to Cleveland, 10 miles west
of Erie. The canal is located through this place ; and it enjoys also the
advantage of the water-power of Elk cr.
Fairvievv is about 9 miles west of Erie, near the confluence of Walnut
cr. with the lake. It contains several grist, paper, and fulling mills.
328 FAYETTE COUNTY.
FAYETTE COUNTY.
Fayette county was taken from Westmoreland by the act of 26th
Sept. 1783. Length 30 miles, breadth 27 ; area, 824 sq. miles. The
population, according to an estimate of Mr. Beeson, consisted in 1770 of
not more than 50 or 100 whites; in 1780 there were 3,959 taxahles ; in
1790, by census, 13,043 free persons, and 282 slaves ; in 1800, 20,067 free
persons, and 92 slaves ; in 1810, 24,714 ; in 1820, 27,285 ; in 1830, 29,172 ;
and in 1840, 33,574.
The physical features of this county are strongly marked. The east-
ern portion consists of an elevated and rather rugged belt, (perhaps it
might be called a valley,) bounded on the east and west by two lofty and
well-defined mountain ranges. A strange confusion has been allowed to
prevail in the names of these mountains. The eastern range, south of
the Youghiogheny,* is called Sugar Loaf mountain on the state map,
deriving its name from a bold knob surmounting the range near the
Yough'ogheny. North of that river the range is continued unbroken as
far as the Conemaugh river, in Cambria co., under the name of Laurel
hill, — while the other range, directly west of it, is called Chestnut hill ;
but on tracing this latter ridge southward across the Yough'ogheny, it
also receives the name of Laurel hill. This confusion in bestowing the
same name upon two distinct ridges, probably originated at the time the
two military roads were cut out by the army, — Braddock's road, now the
national road, and Forbes' road, now the Bedford and Pittsburg turnpike.
The summits of these mountains are about 2,500 ft. above the level of
the sea, and about 1,000 ft. above the intervening valley. Between these
two mountains are several smaller detached ridges. The western section
of the CO. presents an undulating surface, in some parts rather hilly, well
watered, abounding in coal and limestone, and well adapted for all agri-
cultural purposes. Many of the valleys are exceedingly fertile. In the
mountainous districts iron ore is abundant, and there are several furnaces
and forges in operation. There is a mineral spring on lands of Andrew
Stuart, Esq., eight miles east of Uniontown, near the national road, pos-
sessing qualities highly medicinal. Its location is in a deep glen, amid
grand and picturesque scenery. Salt springs are found by boring, in the
southwestern part of the county, on some of which salt works are
erected.
The Monongahela river flows in a very circuitous course along the
w^hole western boundary of the co. The Yough'ogheny, breaking through
both the great mountain ranges, and tumbling over several rocky ledges,
crosses the co. in a northwestern direction, uniting with the Monongahela
in Allegheny co. The other more important streams are Indian cr. and
Jacobs cr., tributaries of the Yough'ogheny, and Redstone cr. and Dun-
lap's cr., tributaries of the Monongahela, with a number of smaller
streams. The Ohio-pile falls, on the Yough'ogheny, between the moun-
tains, form a wild and picturesque scene. The water here descends
some 60 feet in the course of a mile. If either of the great public im-
* Pronounced Yoh'-o-gany.
FAYETTE COUNTY. 339
provements which are contemplated on this route (the Bait. & Ohio rail-
road and the Chesapeake and Ohio canal) should be completed, this point
may be the site of a larj^e manufacturing town. It is at present nearly
in a state of nature. Hon. Mr. Stewart, the proprietor, has made the
commencement of an improvement by erecting a house and saw-mill ;
but the rugged nature of the surrounding country, and the want of access
by good roads, will not justify a large expenditure at present.
The great national road crosses the mountains, and passes through
Uniontown and Brownsville, affording convenient means of transporta-
tion to market ; or rather, by its great amount of travel and emigration,
bringing the market to the products of the county. Agriculture is the
chief business of the citizens. Much attention has recently been given
to the production of wool. Manufactures are prosecuted to a considera-
ble extent — especially those of iron, cotton, woollen, salt, and glass, and
the building of boats on the Monongahela.
Delany's cave, in Laurel hill, is situated some nine miles southeast of
Uniontown. It is described, by those who have explored it, as composed
of a series of chambers and narrow passages, with occasional perpendicu-
lar precipices, and streams of water through some of the rooms. Beau-
tiful specimens of white spar are found on the rocky floors, formed by the
constant dripping of water from above. The rocks are blue sandstone
and limestone. A visiter says —
" Persons visiting this wonderful curiosity cannot be too careful of their lights, as it would cer.
tainly prove an utter impossibility to get out without the assistance of a light. We were mformed
in the neighborhood, by an eye-witness to the fact, that two young men. Grain and Merrifield,
had gone in to a considerable depth, and returning, lost their covn-sc, and wandered about till their
candles were all burnt out. When they were found, two days after, they were resigned to their
fate, and one of them not able to speak. We saw the name of " Grain" written on tlie rocks in a
very remote part of the cave, dated 1802.
The first attempts at a settlement of white men in the region now oc-
cupied by Fayette, Washington, Greene, and Allegheny counties, were
made by the Ohio Company. This company was formed in Virginia and
London, in the year 1748, by Thomas Lee, Lawrence and Augustine
Washington — brothers of Gen. Washington — Mr, Hanbury, a London
merchant, and nine others, for the purpose of settling lands and carrying-
on the Indian trade on a large scale. The king granted to the company
500,000 acres of land on very easy terms, which were — that 200,000 acres
should be immediately selected, and to be held for ten years free from any
quit-rent or tax to the king, on condition that 100 families be seated upon
them within seven years, at the company's expense ; and a fort to be built,
and a garrison maintained sufficient to protect the settlement. The lands
were to be chiefly taken on the south side of the Ohio, between the Mo-
nongahela and Kenawha rivers ; on the north side, if deemed expedient
by the company. Their first operations were to import a great quantity
of goods for the Indian trade, to explore the country, and to conciliate and
make treaties with the Indians,
Mr, Christopher Gist (who has been termed the Daniel Boone of Fayette
CO.) was sent out in 1750 to explore the country and make a report. He
spent the whole summer and winter in visiting both sides of the Ohio for
several hundred miles, " He set out from the south branch of the Poto-
mac, proceeded northward to the heads of Juniata river, crossed the moun-
tains, and reached the Allegheny, then called Ohio, by the valley of the
42
330 FAYETTE COUNTY.
Kiskeminetas. He crossed the Allegheny about four miles above the
Forks where Pittsburg now stands, and must have passed through the high
gorge now occupied by Alleghenytown, the hill where the seminary
stands, concealing, as it does yet, from the valley, the mouth of the Mo-
nongahela, of which Mr. Gist makes no mention. Had he known the ex-
istence and general range of the Monongahela valley, it is extremely im-
probable that he would not have followed that route. The further route of
Mr. Gist was down the Ohio to some point below Beaver river, and thence
over to the Muskingum valley, westward to the Great Miami, called by
him Mlnif/mi. On his return he crossed the Ohio at the mouth of the
Scioto, and thence over what he names the Cuttawa country, now Ken-
tucky, and by Western Virginia and North Carolina, to the Potomac."
His journal is still preserved, and is said to be in possession of Hon.
Charles Fenton Mercer, of Virginia.
In July, 1752, Mr. Gist on the part of the company, and Col. Fry, with
two others, on the part of Virginia, concluded a treaty with the Indians
at Logstown, (14 miles below the Forks of the Ohio.) by which the In-
dians agreed not to molest the settlements of the company southeast of
the Ohio ; but they refused to recognise any English title to these lands ;
and denied that a previous treaty made at Lancaster, (in 1744,) had been
made with their consent, or that it conveyed any lands beyond the Alle-
gheny mountains. An attempt was made to settle the lands with Ger-
man emigrants ; but the intolerant system of English episcopacy, which
then prevailed in Virginia, and which extorted church-rates from dissent-
ers, was repulsive to the German sects, and they preferred the toleration
guarantied in the province of Wm. Penn. It should be observed in this
connection, that the whole valley of the Monongahela, including the
country around the Forks of the Ohio, was for many years supposed to
be in Virginia, and a great part of the land titles in this region originated
in patents from the governors of that state.
It was the intention of the company to lay off a town and fort at the
mouth of the Chartiers cr., a few miles below^ Pittsburg, and Mr. Gist
was appointed surveyor for that purpose ; but the project was never ex-
ecuted. Soon after the treaty at Logstown in 1752, Mr. Gist made
a settlement and built a cabin on the tract of land since called Mount
Braddock, and induced eleven families to settle around him on lands pre-
sumed to be within the company's grant. His dwelling stood a iew paces
from the elegant mansion of the late Col. Meason, distinguished as an
enterprising proprietor of iron works at an early day in Fayette co.
From the scanty records of those times, it would seem that Mr. Gist
was a man of great integrity, intelligence, and fortitude, and was emi-
nently useful to Washington in his subsequent movements in this region.
The Ohio Company appears to have erected a storehouse at the mouth
of Redstone cr., and to have made a small establishment at the Forks of
the Ohio, but the disturbed state of the frontier prevented them from
bringing any large amount of goods beyond the Allegheny mountains.
The French war interrupted their operations entirely ; and the company
was afterwards, in 1770-72. merged in a more extensive one, in which
Thomas Walpole, Dr. Franklin, Gov. Pownal, and others, were concerned.
The revolution breaking out about that time, put an end to both compa-
Tiies, and the title to their lands was never perfected.
FAYETTE COUNTY. .33 J
In Octooer, 1753, Major George Washington, then 21 years of age,
called at Mr. Gist's plantation, while on his way as a messenger to the
commandant of the French forces at Le BoBuf, to inquire into the designs
of the French. He received a very unsatisfactory ansM^er, and prepara^
tions were made, in the ensuing year, by Gov. Dinwiddle of Virginia, to
repel their encroachments. A regiment was raised under the command
of Col. Joshua Fry, for the purpose of erecting a fort at the Forks of the
Ohio. Washington was appointed second in command, with the rank of
lieutenant-colonel. A small party of Capt. Trent's company was hastily
sent forward to commence the fort, but were interrupted by the arrival
of Capt. Contrecceur with a thousand French and Indians, who drove
away the English and erected Fort Duquesne. (See Allegheny, Erie,
and Venango counties.) This was the first act of open hostility. The
news reached Col. Washington while he was posted at Will's creek (now
Cumberland) with three companies, wailing the arrival of Col. Fry with
the remainder of the regiment and the artillery. He wrote immediately
for reinforcements, and pushed forward with his companies towards the
Monongahela, as fast as the process of cutting a new road through the
wilderness would permit. His intention was to reach the mouth of Red-
stone, there to wait for the arrival of the artillery and reinforcements un-
der Col. Fry, and then drop down the Monongahela by water to the
Forks. He had designed to descend the Yough'ogheny, but after an ex-
amination of the falls, abandoned the design.
Learning that the French were coming out to meet him, Washington hurried forward to the
Great Meadows, and threw up a hasty intrenchment. This place is 10 miles east from Union-
town, a few rods south of the present national road, between the 52d and 53d miles from Cumber-
land. Commanded as it is by elevated ground on both sides within one hundred yards of the
fort, it would seem to be injudiciously chosen for defence ; but Washington knew the French and
Indians could bring no artillery, and the meadows being entirely free from timber, the enemy
would be compelled to emerge upon the open plain, beyond the protection of the woods, before he
could efficiently attack the fort. Washington learned from Tanacharison, the half-king, a chief
of the Six Nations, and from Mr. Gist, that La Force was out, from Fort Duquesne, with a party
of French and Indians, and their tracks had been seen within five miles of the Great Meadows.
He immediately dispatched a party of 75 on horseback, to reconnoitre their position, but they
were not to be found. Washingtoa writes on 29th May, 1754 —
" About 9 o'clock the same night, I received an express from the half-king, who was en-
camped with several of his people about six miles oft", that he had seen the tracks of two French-
men crossing the road, and that, behind, the whole body were lying not far off, as he had an
account of that number passing Mr. Gist's. I set out with forty men before ten, and it was
from that time till near sunrise before wc reached the Indians' camp, having marched in small
paths through a heavy rain, and a night as dark as it is possible to conceive. We were frequent-
ly tumbling one over anotiier, and often so lost that fifteen or twenty minutes' search would not
find the path again."
" When we came to the half-king, I counselled with him, and got his assent to go hand in
hand and strike the French. Accordingly he, Monocawacha, and a few other Indians, set out
with us, and when we came to tlio place where the tracks were, the half-king sent two Indians
to follow their trficks, and discover their lodgment, which they did at half a mile from the road,
in a very obscure place surrounded with rocks. I thereupon, in conjunction with the half-king
and Monocawacha, formed a disposition to attack them on all sides, — which we accordingly
did, and, after an engagement of about fifteen minutes, we killed ten, wounded one, and took
twenty-one prisoners. The principal officers taken are M. Drouillon and M. La Force, of whom
your honor has often heard me speak as a bold, enterprising man, and a person of great subtlety
and cunning. With these are two cadets."
" In this engagement we had only one man killed, and two or three wounded, (among whom
was Lieut. Waggoner, slightly,) — a most miraculous escape, as our right wing was much exposed
to their fire, and received it all."
In his journal he had also noted —
" As I marched on with the prisoners, (after the action,) they informed me that they had been
332 FAYETTE C^OUNTY-
sent with a summons for me to depart — a specious pretext, that they might discover on camp,
and reconnoitre our force and situation. This was so evident, that I was astonished at their as-
surance in telHnsj me that they came as an embassy. By their instructions, they were to obtain
a knowledge of the roads, rivers, and country, as far as the Potomac. Instead of coming as
ambassadors — pubHc, and in an open manner — they came secretly, and sou'^ht out the most hid-
den retreats, much better suited for deserters than ambassadors. Here they encamped ; here
they remained concealed for whole days toa^cther, within five miles of us. They sunt out spies to
reconnoitre our camp. The whole body then moved back two miles. Thence they ."^ent messen-
gers, as directed in the instructions, to acquaint M. Contrecoeur with the place we were in, and
with our disposition, that he might forward his detachments to enforce the summons as soon as
it should be given. An ambassador has no need of spies ; his character is alwaj^s sicrcd. Since
they had so good an intention, why should they remain two days within five miles of us, without
giving me notice of the summons, or of any thing which related to their embassy ? This alone
would be sufficient to raise the strongest suspicions ; and the justice is certainly due them, that,
as they wished to conceal themselves, they could not have chosen better places than they did."
" They pretend that they called to us, as soon as we were discovered ; which is absolutely
false, — for I was at the head of the party in approaching them, and I can affirm, that as soon as
they saw us they ran to their arms, without calling, which I should have heard if they had done
so."
And in a subsequent letter to Gov. Dinwiddle, Washington says, s]>eaking of some deserters
from the French, " These deserters corroborate what the others said and we suspected. La
Force's party were sent out as spies, and were to show that summons if discovered or overpow-
ered by a superior party of ours. They say the commander was blamed for sending so small a
party."*
* No transaction in the life of Washington has been so much misrepresented, or so little un-
derstood, as this skirmish with Jumonville. It being the first conflict of arms in the war, a no-
toriety was given to it, particularly in Europe, altogether disproportioned to its importance. War
had not yet been declared between Great Britain and France, and indeed the diplomatists on both
sides were making great professions of friendship. It was the policy of each nation to exagger-
ate the proceedings of the other on their colonial frontiers, and to make them a handle for re-
crimination and complaints, by throwing upon the adverse party the blame of committing the first
acts of aggression. Hence, when the intelligence of the skirmish with Jumonville got to Paris,
it was officially published by the government, in connection with a memoir and various papers,
and his death was called a murder. It was said that, while bearing a summons as a civil mes-
senger, without any hostile intentions, he was vi'ajlaid and assassinated. The report was indus-
triously circulated, and gained credence with the multitude. Mr. Thomas, a poet, and scholar
of repute, seized the occasion to write an epic, entitled ^' Jumonville,''^ in which he tasked his
invention to draw a tragical picture of the fate of his hero. The fabric of the story, and the in-
cidents, were alike fictitious. But the tale passed from fiction to history, and to this day it is
repeated by the French historians, who in other respects render justice to the character of Wash-
ington, and who can find no other apology for this act than his youth and inexperience and the
ferocity of his men. «
" The mistakes of t!ie French writers were not unknown to Washington ; but, conscious of
having acted in strict conformity with his orders and military usage, he took no pains to correct
them, except in a single letter to a friend, written several 3'cars afterwards, which related mostly
to the errors in the French account of the subsequent action of the Great Meadows. Unfortu-
nately, all his correspondence, and the other papers which he wrote during this campaign, were
lost the next year at the battle of the Monongahela, and he was thus deprived of the only au-
thentic materials that could be used for explanation and defence. The most important of these
papers have recently been foimd, [by Mr. Sparks, in his researches in England,] and they afford
not only a complete vindication of Col. Washington in this affair, but show that it met with the
tinqualified approbation of the governor and legislature of Virginia, and of the Britisli ministry."
— Sparks' Life and Writings of Wai;hington — where the incidents of this campaign are ably
and fully delineated, and the conduct of Washington, both in this affair and the capitulation at
the Great Meadows, are clearly explained and triumphantly vindicated against the charges of the
French.
There is in the possession of Mr. Veech, of Uniontown, a copy of the English translation of a
work published by the French in 17.5G, entitled " Meinoirc Conteiiaiit le Precis des Fiiits, avec
leur Pieces Justijicatives, pour seriiir de Reponse mix Ohseriiatioris envoyees, par les Ministres
d'Angleterre dans les Cours de VEurope. A Paris, de I' Imprimerie Royale, 1756 ;" or, A
Memoir, containing a Statement of Facts, with corroborative documents, intended as an answer
to the Observations circulated by the British Ministry among the Courts of Europe. This work
contains the French dispatches from Fort Duquesne, the capitulation at the Great Meadows
and Washington's journal, or rough notes of this campaign ; but it is said the journal had been dis-
torted and mutilated, to suit the views of the French ministry. (See Marshall's Washington.)
FAYETTE COUNTY. 333
Washington having sent his prisoners to tiie governor, prepared his intren- Jiments, by erecting
a stockade, for receiving a more I'orniidablc attack from the French, which he luid good reason
to expect, after they shouUl have heard of the loss of Jumonville's party. To this slockade he
gave the name of Fort Necessity. Col. Yry had died in Virginia, and tlie chief command de-
volved on Col. Washington. Capt. Mackay, of the royal army, with an independent company 01
100 men, arrived at the Great INIeadows. Washington, leaving him in command of tiie I'ort,
pushed on over Laurell Iiijl, cutting the road with extreme labor through the wilderness, as far as
Gist's plantation. This tedious march occupied tlicm two weeks. During the march tliey were
joined by the Half-king, and a numerous body of Indians, with their families, who had espoused
tlie Englisli cause.
A strong detachment was at length announced as being on their march from Fort Duquesne,
under the command of Mons. de Villiers. It was at first determined to receive them at (list's ;
but on further information of the enemy's force, supposed to be nine hundred men, it was deter-
mined to retreat to Fort Necessity, and if possible, to Wills creek. Their provisions were short,
their horses worn down, and it was with excessive labor and fatigue that they reached the fort,
after a forced march of two days. Here only a small quantity of flour was found ; but supplies
were hourly expected, and it was therefore determined lo fortify the place as well as circumstan-
ces would permit, and abide the event.
On the 3d July the enemy appeared, and connnenced firing from the woods, but without effect.
Washington had drawn up his men outside of the fort with tlie view of inviting an encounter in
the open field. This the French and Indians declined, hoping to draw him into the woods. It
rained constantly during the day, and the muskets became wet, and were used with difficulty.
Washington's troops withdrew within the trenches and fired as opportunities occurred. In the
evening the French proposed a parley, which Washington at first declined, suspecting a design
to gain an entrance to the fort, and discover his weakness ; but he afterwards consented to send
an officer to them. Capt. Van Braam, a Dutchman, who pretended to understand French, was
sent to them, and returned with proposals, in the French language, for capitulation. These pro-
posals, after being modified in some particulars by the besieged party, were agreed to. The gar-
rison was to be permitted to leave the fort with the honors of war, taking their baggage, except
their artillery, with them. They were not to be molested by the French, nor, as far as it could
be prevented, by the Indians. Since their cattle and horses had been killed in tlie action, they
were to be permitted to conceal such of their effects as could not be carried away, and to leave a
guard with them until they could return with horses to take them away ; but on condition that
they should not within one year attempt any establishment there, or on that side the mountains.
The prisoners taken at the time of JiimomiiUe's death* were to be returned, and Captains Van
Braam and Stobo were to be retained by the French as hostages, until the return of the pris-
oners. On the following morning Washington, with the garrison, left the fort, taking such
baggage as they could carry, and transporting the wounded upon their backs. The Indians,
contrary to the stipulation, annoyed them exceedingly, and pilfered their baggage. After a toil-
some march they at length arrived at Wills creek, where they found rest and refreshment.
The year 1755 was rendered memorable by the unlbrtunate expedition
and defeat of Gen. Braddock. The particukirs may be found under the
head of Allegheny co. Gen. Braddock was a brave man, and had en-
joyed much experience in military life : but he was naturally haughty,
imperious, and self-complacent, disdaining to receive counsel from his
subordinates, and, what was less excusable in a general, despising his
enemy. These peculiarities of his personal character were undoubtedly
the cause of losing his army, and his own life. While on his march, Col. Cro-
ghan, from Pennsylvania, a distinguished frontier-man, with a hundred In-
dians, offered his services to aid the expedition by scouring the forest in
advance of the army, and bringing intelligence of the enemy's move-
ments. Washington, with his peculiar modesty and courtesy, advised him
to accept their aid ; his advice was apparently listened to ; but the In-
dians were treated so coolly that they withdrew in disgust. Braddock
not only despised Indians, but all Indian modes of fighting ; denouncing
the habit of the provincial troops of fighting Indians from behind trees,
and insisting upon their coming out upon the open field, " like English
* In the French proposals this expression was insidiously written, '" a I'assassinat de M. Ju.
monville ;" and as Van Braam, the stupid interpreter, did not explain the force oi the expres-
eion to Washington, the capitialation was signed in that shape.
334
FAYETTE COUNTY.
men." The provincial troops were no dastards ; and could they, with
their favorite champion, have had their own Avay, the fortunes of that fatal
day would have been changed.
After Braddock fell, the retreating soldiers carried their w'ounded gen-
eral for four days, until they reached seven miles beyond Dunbar's camp,
where he expired. He was buried in the centre of the road which his
advancing army had cut ; and to prevent the discovery of the grave, and
to save the body from savage dishonor, soldiers, horses, and wagons were
passed over it. Some of the soldiers so marked the trees near the spot,
that those who visited the west many years after could point it out with
certainty. Col. Burd, who continued the road to Redstone in 1759, men-
tions it in his journal. It is near a small run, a few rods north of the
national road, between the 53d and 54th mile from Cumberland, and a lit-
tle west of the Braddock's run tavern, kept by Mr. R. Shaw. The pres-
ent national road deviates from Braddock's road near Mr. Shaw's, and
crosses Laurel hill by a more southerly route. Before this was located,
the old road was the great thoroughfare between the Monongahela set-
tlements and Baltimore. Some twenty years since, while a party of la-
borers were repairing the old road, and digging away the slope of the
hill, they disinterred some bones, with sundry military trappings, which
w^ere at once known by the old settlers to be those of Braddock. One
and another took several of the most prominent bones, and the others
were reinterred under the tree on the hill, near the national road. Mr.
Stewart, of Uniontown, (father of the Hon. Andrew Stewart,) afterwards
collected the scattered bones from the individuals who had taken them,
and sent them, it is believed, to Peale's museum in Philadelphia. A
plain shingle, marked " Braddock's Grave," nailed to the tree where a
part of the bones are reinterred, is the only monument to point out to the
traveller the resting-place of the proud and brave but unfortunate hero
of the old French war.
BraddocJis Grave.
In the annexed view the position of the two men marks the spot where
the bones were disinterred : the old road is beyond the men ; and the sin-
gle tree on the hill to the right, marks the spot where the bones were re-
FAYETTE COUNTY. 335
interred. A passing coach shows the present national road. The specta-
tor is supposed to be looking towards the southeast.
There had long existed a tradition in this region that Braddock was
killed by one of his own men, and more recent developments leave little
or no doubt of the fact. A recent writer in the National Intelligencer,
whose authority is good on such points, says :
When my father was removing with his family to the west, one of the Fausetts kept a public
house to the eastward from, and near where Uniontown now stands, as the county seat of Fayette,
Penn. This man's house we lodn^ed in about the tenth of October, 1781, twenty-six years and a
few months after Braddock's defeat, and there it was made any thing but a secret that one of the
family dealt the death-blow to the British general.
Thirteen years afterwards I met Thomas Fausett in Fayette co., then, as he told me, in liis
70th year. To him I put the plain question, and received the plain rc})ly, " / did shoot him .'"
He then went on to insist, that, by doing so, he contributed to save what was left of the army.
In brief, in my youth I never heard the fact either doubted or blamed, that F'ausett shot Braddock.
Hon. Andrew Stewart of Uniontown, says he knew, and often con-
versed with Toin Fausett, who did not hesitate to avow in the presence
of his friends that he shot Gen. Braddock. Fausett was a man of gigan-
tic frame, of uncivilized half-savage propensities, and spent most of his
life among the mountains as a hermit, living on the game which he killed.
He would occasionally come into town and get drunk. Sometimes he
would repel inquiries into the aflliir of Braddock's death by putting his
fingers to his lips, and uttering a sort of buzzing sound ; at others he would
burst into tears, and appear greatly agitated by conflicting passions.
In spite of Braddock's silly order that the troops should not protect
themselves behind the trees, Joseph Fausett had taken such position,
when Braddock rode up in a passion, and struck him down with his
sword. Tom Fausett, who was but a short distance from his brother,
saw the whole transaction, and immediately drew up his rifle and shot
Braddock through the lungs, partly in revenge for the outrage upon his
brother, and partly, as he always alleged, to get the general out of the
way, and thus save the remainder of the gallant band who had been
sacrificed to his obstinacy and want of experience in frontier warfare.
Dunbar's camp, and the scene of Jumonville's defeat, are near the Lau-
rel hill, between the present national road and the gorge of the Yough-
'ogheny, about five miles ea.st of Uniontown.
After the disastrous termination of Gen. Braddock's expedition, Fay-
ette CO. remained a desolate wilderness unoccupied by civilized men un-
til 1759, when Col. J. Burd was sent by Col. Bouquet, then commanding
at Carlisle, to continue the cutting of Braddock's road where incomplete,
as far as the mouth of Redstone cr., the present site of Brownsville. The
following are extracts from Col. Burd's journal, on file among the archives
at Harrisburg.
" Ordered, in Aug. 1759, to march with 200 men of my battalion to the mouth of Redstone cr.,
where it empties itself into the river Moaongahela, to cut a road somewhere from Gen. Braddock's
road to that place as I shall judge best, and on my arrival there to erect a fort in order to open a
communication by the river Monongahela to Pittsburg, for the more easy transportation of provi-
sions, ifcc, from the provinces of Virginia and Maryland. Sent forward the detachment under
the command of Lieut. Col. Shippen, leaving one officer and thirty men to bring our five wag-
ons."
* * * " When I have cut the road and finished the fort, I am to leave one officer
and twenty-five men as a garrison, and march with the remainder of my battalion to Pittsburg."
[He was ordered to pass by Fort Cumberland, and after inspecting the stores there, to continue
on his route, which seems to have been along the road previously opened by Gen. Braddock, and
which is now nearly the route of the well-known Cumberland road.]
33G FAYETTE COUNTY.
[In those good old times a chaplain accompanied even so small a detachment, and the preaching
of a sermon is regularly recorded in the journal every sabbatii, unless very stormy weather pre-
vented. Although the conflicts of the elements sometimes interrupted their devotions, yet it
seems no turbulence of the human passions and desires was allowed to prevent them, for we find
it recorded in the journal on one sabbatii, " The troops liked to mutiny this morning for want of
provisions, — had sermon at 3 1*. M. ;"' and at one time, wben it rained, tlic^ sermon was postponed
" until to-morrow." Dr. Allison appears to have been the chaplain. The greater part of the
journal is occupied with details of the daily occurrences, such as tlie arrival of pack-horses, load-
ed witli flour, — the purchase of bullocks, sheep, &c., — breaking of wagons, — arrival and dispatch
of messengers, — short allowances of provisions, — desertion of men, — the nature of the route and
aspect of the rugged mountain passes. When they arrived at the Redstone, such was the wil-
derness nature of the country, and so little did any of tbe party know of the route, tliat it re-
quired a reconnaissance of a day or two before they were satisfied that it was the stream they
sought. Alter a laborious research, and several scouting excursions by Col. Ijurd, (/ol. .Shii)peM,
Lieut. Graydon, and tlie hunters, they found some old blazes about Iti miles from tlie mouth of
Redstone, which they supposed to have been made by Col. Wasbiugton, and wliicli they assumed
as a guide for their new road. A few extracts will show the character of their route.]
" 10 Sept. Saw Col. Washington's fort, which was called Fort Necessity. It is a small circn-
lar stockade, with a small house in the centre ; on the outside there is a small ditch goes round it
about 8 yards from the stockade. It is situate in a narrow part of the meadows commanded by
three points of woods. There is a small run of water just by it. We saw two iron swivels."
"11 Sept. Marched this morning; 2 miles from hence we found Gen. Braddock's grave, about
20 yards from a little hollow in which there was a small stream of water, and over it a bridge.
We soon got to Laurel hill ; it had an easy ascent on this side, but on the other side very steep.
At the foot of the hill we found the path that went to Dunlop's place, that Col. Shippen and Capt.
(iordon travelled last winter, and about a quarter of a mile from this we saw the big rock so
called. From hence we marched to Dunbar's camp, — miles, which is situated in a very stony
hollow, surrounded by hills, and commanded on all sides ; the worst chosen piece of ground for
an encampment I ever saw. Here we saw vast quantities of cannon-ball, musket bullets, broken
shells, and an immense destruction of powder, wagons, &c. Reconnoitred all the camp, and at-
tempted to find the cannon and mortars, but could not discover them, although we dug a great
many holes, where stores had been buried, and concluded the French had carried them off. We
continued our march and got to Guest's place ; here we found a fine country.
" 13 Sept. Determined, if the hunters should not return before noon, to begin to open the road
along some old blazes, which we take to be Col. Washington's. At noon began to cut the road
to Redstone ; began a quarter of a mile from camp, the course N. N. W. The course of Gen. Brad
dock's road N. N. E., and turns much to ye eastward. Opened this afternoon about half a nailc
Marked two trees at the place of begiiming thus :
7'he road to Redstone. Col. J. Burd, 1759,
The road to Pittsburg. 1759.
[In a few miles they crossed Redstone, and cut the road along a ridge in a W. N. W. course
He seems to have been accompanied here by Col. Cresaj), probably of Cumberland.]
" 22. Saturday. This morning I yvent to the river Monongahela, reconnoitred Redstone, t&c.,
and concluded upon the place for the post, being a hill in the fork of the river Monongahela and
Nemocalling's cr., the best situation I could find, and returned in the evening to camp. The
camp moved two miles to Coal run. This run is entirely paved in the bottom with fine stono
coal, and the hill on the south side of it is a rock of the finest coal I ever saw. I burned about a
bushel of it on my fire.
"23. Sunday. Continued working on the road. Had sermon to-day at 10 A. M : at noon
moved the camp 2 1-2 miles to the river Monongahela. No batteaux arrived."
[" His Excellency Gen. Stanwix" appears to have commanded at Pittsburg at this time. Soon
after this they suffered much for want of provisions, and were once threatened with a mutiny.
The road when measured was IG 1-4 miles and 16 perches " from the place of beginning to the
centre of this fort."]
" 28 Oct. Sunday. Continue on the works ; had sermon in the fort."
The last entry in the book is — "4 Nov. Sunday. Snowed to-day — no work. Sermon in the
fort. Doctor Allison sets out for Philadelphia."
Further notice is taken of this fort in connection with the history of
Brownsville.
The opening of Col. Burd's road afforded facilities of communication
for pioneers, and previous to the revolution a considerable number were
established throughout the county. Col. Crawford, Col. Paul, and Col. Cre-
sap were among the more distinguished. The following extract from Rev.
FAYETTE COUNTY. 337
Joseph Doddridge's notes may serve to give an idea of the usages of those
primitive days.
The settlements on tliis side of the mountains commenced along the Monongahcla, and be-
tween that river and the Laurel ridge, in the year 1772. In the succeeding year they reached
the Ohio river. The greater number of the first settlers came from tlie upper parts of the then colo-
nies of Maryland and Virginia. Braddock's trail, as it was called, was the route by which the
greater number of them crossed tlie mountains. A less number of them came by the way of
J5edford and Fort Ligonier, the military road from Pennsylvania to Pittsburg. 'I'hey effected
their removals on horses furnished with pack-saddles. This was the more easily done, as but
few of these early adventurers into the wilderness were encumbered with much baggage.
Land was the object which invited the greater number of these people to cross the mountain,
for as the saying then was, " It was to be had liere ior taking up ;" that is, building a cabin and
raising a crop of grain, however small, of any kind, entitled the occupant to four hundred acres
of land, and a pre-emption right to one thousand acres more adjoining, to be secured by a land-
office warrant. This right was to take effect if there happened to be so much vacanj; land, or any
part thereof, adjoining the tract secured by the settlement right.
At an corly period tiie government of Virginia appointed three commissioners to give certifi-
cates of settlement rights. These certificates, together with the surveyor's plat, were sent to the
land-office of the state, where they laid six months, to await any caveat which might be offered.
If none was offered, the patent tlien issued.
There was, at an early period of our settlements, an inferior kind of land title denominated a
" tomahawk right," which was made by deadening a few trees near the head of a spring, and
marking the bark of some one or more of them with the initials of the name of the person who
made the improvement. I remember having seen a number of those " tomahawk rights" when a
boy. For a long time many of them bore the names of those who made them. I have no know-
ledge of the efficacy of the tomahawk improvement, or whether it conferred any right whatever,
uidcss followed by an actual settlement. These rights, however, were often bought and .sold.
Those who wished to make settlements on their favorite tracts of land, bought up the tomahawk
improvements, rather than enter into quarrels with those who had made them. Other improvers
of the land, with a view to actual settlement, and who happened to be stout veteran fellows, took
a very ditFerent course from that of purchasing the " tomahawk rights." When annoyed by the
claimants under those rights, they deliberately cut a few good hickories, and gave them what was
called in those days a " laced jacket," that is, a sound whipping.
Some of the early settlers took the precaution to come over the mountains in the spring, leav-
ing their families behind to raise a crop of corn, and tlien return and bring them out in the fall.
Tliis I should think was the better way. Others, especially those whose families were small,
brought them with them in the spring. My father took the latter course. His family was but
small, and he brought them all with him. The Indian meal which he brought over the mountain
was expended six weeks too soon, so that for that length of time we had to live without
bread. The lean venison and the breast of wild turkeys we were taught to call bread.
The flesh of the bear was denominated meat. This artifice did not succeed very well. After
living in this way for some time we became sickly, the stomach seemed to be always empty, and
tormented with a sense of hunger. I remember how narrowly the children watched the growth
of the potato tops, pumpkin and squash vines, hoping from day to day to get something to an-
swer in the place of bread. How delicious was the taste of the young potatoes when we got
them I What a jubilee when we were permitted to pull the young corn for roasting ears. Still
more so when it had acquired sufTicient hardness to be made into johnny cakes by the aid of a
tin grater. We then became healthy, vigorous, and contented with our situation, poor as it was.
My father, with a small number of his neighbors, made their settlements in the spring of 1773
'I'iiough they were in a poor and destitute situation, they nevertheless lived in peace ; but their
tranquillity was not of long continuance. Those most atrocious murders of the peaceable inof-
fensive Indians at Captinaand Yellow cr., brought on the war of Lord Dunmore in the spring of
the yc.ixr 1774. Our little settlement then broke up. The women and children were removed to
Morris' fort in Sandy creek glade, some distance to the east of Uniontown. The fort consisted
of an assemblage of small hovels, situated on the margin of a large and noxious marsh, the efflu-
via of which gave the most of the women and children the fever and ague. The men were com-
pelled by necessity to return home, ami risk the tomahawk and scalping knife of the Indians, in
raising corn to keep their families from starvation the succeeding winter. Tliose sutlerings,
dangers, and losses were the tribute we had to pay to that thirst for blood which actuated those
veteran murderers who brought the war upon us I The memory of the suflerers in this war, as
well as that of their descendants, still looks back upon them witli regret and abhorrence, and the
page of history will consign their names to posterity with the full weight of infamy they deserve.
My father, like many others, believed that, having secured his legal allotment, the rest of the
country belonged of right to those who chose to settle in it. There was a piece of vacant land
adjoining his tract, amounting to about 200 acres. To this tract of land he had the pre-emption
right, and accordingly secured it by warrant ; but his conscience would not permit him to letain
43
338 FAYETTE COUNTY.
it in his family ; he therefore gave it to an apprentice lad whom he had raised in his house. This
lad sold it to an uncle of mine for a cow and calf, and a wool hat.
Owing to the equal distribution of real property directed by our land laws, and the sterling in-
tegrity of our forefathers in their observance of them, we have no districts of " sold land," as it
is called, that is, large tracts of land in the hands of individuals, or companies, who neither sell
nor improve them, as is the case in Lower t/anada, and the northwestern part of Pennsylvania.
These unsettled tracts make huge blanks in the population of the country where they e.\ist.
The division lines between those whose lands adjoined were generally made in an amicable
manner, before any survey of them was made, by the parties concerned. In doing this they
were guided mainly by the tops of ridges and water courses, but particularly the former. Hence
the greater number of farms in the western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia bear a striking
resemblance to an amphitheatre. The buildings occupy a low situation, and the tops of the sur-
rounding hills are the boundaries of the tract to which the family mansion belongs.
Our forefathers were fond of farms of this description, because, as they said, they are attended
with this convenience, " that every thing comes to tlie house down hill."
Most of the early settlers considered their land as of little value, from an apprehension that
after a few years cultivation it would lose its fertility, at least for a long time. I have often heard
them say that such a field would bear so many crops, and another so many, more or less than
that. The ground of this belief concerning the short-lived fertility of the land in this country,
was the poverty of a great proportion of the land in the lower parts of Maryland and Virginia,
which, after producing a few crops, became unfit for use, and was thrown out into commons.
My reader will naturally ask where were their mills for grinding grain ? Where their tanner-
ies for making leather ? Where their smith-shops for making and repairing their farming uten-
sils ? Who were their carpenters, tailors, cabinet workmen, shoemakers, and weavers ? The
answer is, those manufacturers did not exist, nor had they any tradesmen, who were professedly
such. Every family were under the necessity of doing every thing for themselves as well as they
could. The hommony block and hand-mills were in use in most of our houses. The first was
made of a large block of wood about three feet long, with an excavation burned in one end, wide
at the top, and narrow at the bottom, so that the action of the pestle on the bottom threw the
corn up to the sides towards the top of it, from whence it continually fell down into the centre.
In consequence of this movement, the whole mass of the grain was pretty equally subjected to
the strokes of the pestle. In the fall of the year, while the Indian corn was soft, the block and
pestle did very well for making meal for johnnycake and mush, but were rather slow when the
corn became hard.
The sweep was sometimes used to lessen the toil of pounding grain into meal.* This was a
pole of some springy elastic wood, thirty feet long or more ; the butt end was placed under the
side of a house, or a large stump. This pole was supported by two forks, placed about one third
of its length from the butt end, so as to elevate the small end about fifteen feet from the ground ;
to this was attached, by a large mortise, a piece of a sapling, about five or six inches in diameter,
and eight or ten feet long. The lower end of this was shaped so as to answer for a pestle. A
pin of wood was put through it at a proper height, so that two persons could work at the sweep
at once. This simple machine very much lessened the labor, and expedited the work. I remem-
ber that when a boy I put up an excellent sweep at my father's. It was made of a sugar-tree
sapling. It was kept going almost constantly from morning till night by our neighbors for
several weeks. In the Greenbriar country, where they had a number of saltpetre caves, the first
settlers made plenty of excellent gunpowder by the means of those sweeps and mortars.
A machine, still more simple than the mortar and pestle, was used for making meal, while the
corn was too soft to be beaten. It was called a grater. This was a half-circular piece of tin,
perforated with a punch from the concave side, and nailed by its edges to a block of wood. The
ears of corn were rubbed on the rough edges of the holes, while the meal fell through them on the
board or block to which the grater was nailed, which, being in a slanting direction, discharged
the meal into a cloth or bowl placed for its reception. This to be sure was a slow way of making
meal, but necessity has no law.
The hand-mill was better than the mortar and grater. It was made of two circular stones,
the lowest of which was called the bed-stone, the upper one the runner. These were placed in
a hoop, with a spout for discharging the meal. A staff" was let into a hole in the upper surface
of the runner, near the outer edge, and its upper end through a hole in a board fastened to a joist
above, so that two persons could be employed in turning the mill at the same time. The grain
was put into the opening in the runner by hand. These mills are still in use in Palestine, the
ancient country of the Jews. To a mill of this sort our Saviour alluded when, with reference to
the destruction of Jerusalem, he said, "Two women shall be grinding at a mill, the one shall be
taken and the other left." This mill is much preferable to that used at present in Uiy)er Egypt
for making the dhoura bread. It is a smooth stone, placed on an inclined plane, upon which the
grain is spread, which is made into meal, by rubbing another stone up and down upon it.
* See the cut under Potter county.
FAYETTE COUNTY. 339
Our fifst water-mills were of that description denominated tub-mills. It consists of a perpen-
dicular shaft, to the lower end of which a horizontal wheel of about four or five feet in diameter
is attached ; the upper end passes throunjh the bed-stone, and carries the runner after the manner
of a trundlehead. These mills were built with very little expense, and many of them answered
the purpose very well. Instead of bolting cloths, sifters were in general use. They were made
of deer-skins, in the state of parchment, stretched over a hoop, and perforated with a hot wire.
Our clothing- was all of domestic manufacture. Wc had no other resource for clothing, and
this indeed w'as a poor one. The crops of flax often failed, and the sheep were destroyed by the
wolves. Linsey, which is made of flax and wool — the former the chain, and the latter the filling
— was the warmest and most substantial cloth wo could make. Almost every house contained
a loom, and almost every woman was a weaver.
Every family tanned their own leather. The tan-vat was a large trough sunk to the upper
edge in the ground. A quantity of bark was easily obtained every spring in clearing and fencing
land. This, after drying, was brought in, and in wet days was shaved and pounded on a block
of vi^ood, with an axe or mallet. Ashes were used in place of lime for taking off" the hair. Bears'
oil, hogs' lard, and tallow, answered the place of fish oil. The leather, to be sure, was coarse ;
but it Was substantially good. The operation of currying was performed by a drawing knife with
its edge turned, after the manner of a currying knife. The blacking for the leather was made of
soot and hogs' lard.
Almost every family contained its own tailors and shoemakers. Those who could not make
shoes, could make shoepacks. These, like moccasins, were made of a single piece of leather, with
the exception of a tongue piece on the top of the foot. This was about tvVo inches broad, and
circular at the lower end. To this the main piece of leather was sewed with a gathering stitch.
The seam behind was like that of a moccasin. To the shoepack a sole was sometimes added.
The women did the tailor work. They could all cut out and make hunting shirts, leggins, and
drawers.
The state of society which existed in our country at an early period of its settlement is well
calculated to call into action every native mechanical genius. This happened in this country.
There was in almost every neighborhood some one whose natural ingenuity enabled him to do
many things for himself and his neighbors far above what could have been reasonably expected.
With the few tools which they brought with them into the country, they certainly performed
wonders. Their ploughs, harrows with wooden teeth, and sleds, were in many instances well
made. Their cooper ware, which comprehended every thing for holding milk and water, was
generally pretty well executed. The cedar ware, by having alternately a white and red stave,
was then thought beautiful ; many of their puncheon floors were very neat, their joints close, and
the top even and smooth. Their looms, although heavy, did very well. Those who could not
exercise these mechanic arts were under the necessity of giving labor or barter to their neighbors
in exchange for the use of them, so far as their necessities required.
The county seat of Fayette is the borough of Union, usually called
Uniontown. It is a large, flourishing, and rather compactly built town,
situated on the national road, four miles west of Laurel hill and 62 from
Cumberland. Two forks of Redstone cr. encircle the town. Besides the
usual county buildings, which are neat and spacious, there are here a
college, including a preparatory department, a female seminary, Presby-
terian, Cumberland Presbyterian, Methodist, Reformed Methodistj Baptist,
African, and Episcopal churches. Madison College, at this place, estab-
lished originally in 1808, as an academy, became a college in 1825, and
was incorporated as such in 1827. It was formerly under the charge of
the Methodist Episcopal Church ; but the gentleman now at the head of
it is a Presbyterian clergyman from Scotland.
The place abounds in excellent hotels, and recently Mr. Stockton, an
enterprising proprietor of stages on the national road, has erected a most
costly and spacious establishment of this kind. The travel and wagon
transportation on the national road gives great life and bustle to the
principal street of Uniontown. Scarcely an hour of the day passes when
a stage-coach may not be seen passing through the town. The property
invested in these passenger lines is immense. Some idea may be formed of
its importance from the fact that one proprietor, during the recent suspen-
sion of specie payments, is said to have kept in circulation and in good
34a
FAYETTE COUNTY.
credit about 8500,000 worth o^ shinplasters along the line of the road. The
annexed view shows the entrance from the east to the main street of the
Uniontown from the East.
town. The house of Judge Ewing is seen on the left. The building on the
right is occupied by law-offices. The courthouse is not seen, being in the
rear of the open space on the right. At the extreme end of the street, in
the distance, is the site of the cabin of the first settler of the town. Popu-
lation in 1840, 1,710.
Uniontown was laid out by Henry Beeson about the year 1767 or '69.
Mr. Beeson was a Quaker from Berkelej^ co., Virginia. His cabin stood
upon the place now occupied by the residence of Mr. Veech, at the west
end of the town. At that time all the iron and salt for this region was
transported on pack-horses from Cumberland ; and while Mr. Beeson was
absent on one of these expeditions, his wife was greatly alarmed at
seeing several groups of Indians skulking about the house, apparently
"with hostile intentions, and occasionally engaged in earnest conversation.
She could understand a little of the French and Indian of one old man
who was evidently communicating to his comrades the fact that Mr.
Beeson was one of the "broad brims," or Wm. Penn's men, and that his
family ought therefore to pass unmolested. The Indians soon after this
dispersed without doing any injury : — a beautiful commentary on tht
peaceful policy of Wm. Penn. Jacob Beeson came several years aftei
Henry, and purchased the Veech place from his brother, who removed to
the south part of the town. Jacob Beeson was the former owner of the
site of Mr. Stockton's elegant mansion at the west end. Windle Brown
and his two sons, and Frederick Waltzer, lived about four miles west of
Uniontown before Braddock's defeat. Mr. Freeman Lewis came here in
1796 ; and about that time the courthouse and market-house were
erected. Since then the town has gradually increased with the opening
of the country.
Brownsville, a large borough, is situated 12 miles N. W; of Uniontown,
at the intersection of the national road with the Monongahela river. It
occupies a commanding point as a place of business, enjoying the advan-
FAYETTE COUNTY.
341
tages of the national road, and the improved navigation of the Mononga-
hela, and the liope of being the future point of divergence of the Balti-
more and Ohio raih'oad towards Pittsburg. Since the completion of the
latter work to Cumberland, late in 1842, the business of the place is
much augmented, during high- Water, by the shipment of goods by steam-
boat for the lower rivers.
The inexhaustible veins of coal, of superior quality, must give the place
a preference for manufacturing establishments. There are here a bank,
a masonic lodge, two Methodist, one Reformed Methodist, one Presbyte-
rian, one Catholic, and one Episcopal church, and one Friends' meeting-
house ; two foundries, two machine shops, three paper-mills^ one rolling-
mill and nail manufactory, three glass factories, two piano manufactories,
and many other manufactories of various articles. Population of Bridge-
port, 788 ; Brownsville, 1,362. The above statistics include also the
borough of Bridgeport, which is the shipping place for Brownsville, and
only separated from it by Dunlap's, originally Nemocalling's cr., which
here enters the Monongahela.
Over this creek there has been a succession of bridges of difTerent descriptions, one of which
was a chain bridge, of the kind patented by the Hon. James Finlcy of this county. This bridge,
suspended partly over the land and partly over the water, at the height of 25 to 30 feet, fell with
a terrible crash early in the year 1820. It was covered with snow to a considerable depth, and
ga*^e way under that and the weight of a large road wagon heavily laden with merchandise.
The teamster fell into the water, and escaped with very little injury, his wagon upon land, which
prevented much damage to the goods. Tlie wagon and team were much injured, several of the
iiorses being either killed or drowned. Over this creek now, on the route of the national road,
there is a bridge entirely of cast iron. This bridge is about 80 feet span, built at the expense of
the United States government. It is the only one of the kind, and probably the most splendid
piece of bridge architecture in the United States.
The splendid bridge over the Monongahela, 630 feet long, was built
about the year r832, at a cost of about $50,000. The borough of Browns-
Brownsville and Bridgeport, from the National Road.
ville was incorporated in January, 1815. The annexed view was taken
from near the national road, where it winds up the hill west of the town.
Brownsville is seen on the hill, and Bridgeport at the further end of the
bridge.
342 FAYETTE COUNTY.
The following particulars relating to the history of Brownsville were
copied, by permission, from a manuscript sketch by James L. Bowman,
Esq. He afterwards sent the sketch to the American Pioneer, where it
appeared in February, 1843.
On an elevated and commanding bank on the east side of the Monongahela river there was once
one of those ancient fortifications, similar to others which have been discovered at difFerent points
through the valley of the Mississippi. When or by whom erected, remains in doubt to this day.
The military skill displayed in the location and laying out of these forts, and the remains of some
articles of mechanism found therein, have impressed the idea upon the public, that this country
was once the abode of a race of people more advanced in civilization and the arts than the ores-
ent aborigines. It is known that nothing of the kind is now resorted to for defence by any of
the tribes of Indians. If then those fortifications were the work of the ancestors of the present
race, a retrogression in civilization must have taken place. The site of the one to which we
have reference was a judicious one. On the northwest the Monongahela river washed the base
of the hill, on the northeast and south were deep ravines, and on the east a flat of some extent.
An approach by a hostile force from cither direction could easily be discovered by those within,
nor could the weapons of attack at that day used reach the fort from the adjacent ground. Sev-
eral acres were enclosed within ; and near to, without, were springs of pure and limpid water.
Situated, as we have already stated, at the head of the immense Mississippi valley, it appears
as if intended as a junctional point between the east and west, and to which the 7nain trail over
the intervening mountains was directed. Hence, we may suppose, it was a prominent point with
the aborigines, as it was evidently of attraction to the whites in their trading excursions with the
Indians. It was first known as the " Old Fort :" as those excursions were extended furthei*
west, and similar works discovered, it was designated as the " Old Fort at Redstone ;" and in
after years it became known as " Redstone Old Fort," by which name it is familiar to hundreds
of the early settlers of Kentucky, as the place of their embarkation when emigrating to the
"bloody ground." After the successful campaign of Gen. Forbes, in 1758, and the capture of
Fort Du Quesne, it became necessary to form a more intimate and accessible communication
between the settlement and that distant but important post, and also the establishment of othera
appurtenant thereto, to prevent the predatory incm-sions of the savages into the settled parts of
the territory.
Col. Burd, in 1759, was dispatched with 200 men to cut a road from Braddock's road to the
Monongahela river, so as to form a more direct communication with Fort Pitt. We have seen
it stated, in a creditable work, that the fort at that time was built by Captain Paull ; that was
doubtless an error, as the journal of Col. Burd is ample evidence to settle that matter. The
probability is, that after the accomplishment of the object for which the commanding officer was
sent, he placed Capt. Paull in command, and returned to report. We have been more minute
in detailing the route of Col. Burd than we should otherwise have been, for the purpose of evi-
dencing the accurate knowledge of the country at that day, and the judicious selection of the
route ; inasmuch as Col. Williams, Thomas Moore, and John Kerr, the first commissioners ap-
pointed by government for locating the national road, after a laborious and minute examination,
very nearly pursued the route of Braddock's road and that of Col. Burd to reach the same point ;
and although a departure took place at the formation of the road, we believe it has ever been
considered, by those acquainted with the two routes, that the original location of the commis-
sioners was the most practicable and of easy grade.
The name given to the fort at that time constructed, was " Fort Burd ;" but so accustomed
had the traders and hunters been with that of " Redstone Old Fort," that they did not abandon
it. Block-houses were also erected, but how long it remained a stationed military post we can-
not state ; certain it is, however, that it retained its pre-eminency as a place of rendezvous for the
white men, who acted as spies to watch the movements of the numerous tribes of Indians in-
habiting the head waters of the Ohio and tributaries ; and when settlements were made on the
west side of the Allegheny ridge, it was resorted to as a place of concentration for defence in
cases of alarm or expected attacks.
Among the distinguished men of that day, for endurance and boldness in savage warfare, was
Capt. Michael Cresap ; and although coupled and stigmatized with the unfortunate murder of
Logan's family, we are nevertheless disposed to admire his brave and adventurous disposition,
and award to him a credit for the many rescues of the whites, by the timely notices of the sav-
ages' approach, acquired by him in his vigilant watchfulness of their warlike movements. This
fort was Capt. Crcsap's rallying place for himself and those under his direction. Thither they
resorted at stated periods to interchange views and adopt plans for future action ; or at more con.
genial times, when the warlike dispositions of the red men were lulled into inaction, and the
tomahawk and scalping-knife, stained with the blood of innocent victims, were converted into
emblems of the chase. To those hardy men, these were periods of conviviality. The days were
spent in atliletic exercises, and in the evenings, around a " huge log fire," they would recount
FAYETTE COUNTY. 343
their respective adventures and hair-breadth escapes ; or, if perchance a fiddle or a jeicsharp
was possessed by any of the inmates, it was occasionally brought into requisition, and the monot-
ony disturbed by the hilarity of a siat]; dance.
The scrutinizinor mind of Crcsap discovered, at that early day, that this location would, at a
future period, become valuable, and accordingly took measures to secure a Virginia title, by a
tomahawk improvement, to several hundred acres, embracing the fortification. Not content,
however, with girdling a few trees and blazing others, he determined to make his object sure, and
that a construction of the act for the deed could not be given to his measures, he built a hewed
log house loith a shingle roof nailed on. That is believed to have been the first shingled house
west of the mountains in that part of the great domain. We have not the data to fix the precise
year of its erection, but from circumstances suppose it to have been about the year 1770. He
retained the title for years, and disposed of it to Thomas and Basil Brown, brothers, who had
come from Maryland.*
The establishment, from 1770 to 1774, of several stockade forts at different points on the Ohio, \-'^-
with intermediate private ones and block-houses, restricted the operations of the savages pretty
much to the west side of that stream, and intercepted marauding parties upon the settlements on
the east side. Security being thus measurably given to the settlements on the Monongahela, in-
duced others to join, and the country became rapidly populated. The emigration was principally
from Maryland and Virginia, many bringing with them their slaves and the impression that they
would be within the limits of the " Old Dominion ;" nor were they apprised of the mistake until
the line was actually run by the commissioners of the two states. Such of them as retained a
prepossession for the customs, habits, and laws of their native state, disposed of their improve-
ments and descended the river to Kentucky, as more congenial to their desire. These removals
gave place to many of the society of Friends from Chester county, Pennsylvania, and from New
Jersey. In 1785, the town of Brownsville was laid out on the site of the old fortification. The
rapid settlement of Kentucky, which was then taking place, gave to this point a celebrity as a
place of embarkation. Employment was given to mechanics of different kinds, particularly boat
builders, for the construction of Kentuckij boats, as they were called, in contradistinction to the
Orleans boats, which were of a larger and better finished kind, having a longer voyage to undergo.
By means of these boats, the emigrants, with their families, slaves, and horses, descended to the
place of debarkation, which was generally at Limestone, now Maysville. Supplies necessary, not
merely for their consumption during the voyage, but for six and twelve months thereafter, were
generally procured and carried with them, as well as agricultural and other necessary heavy im-
plements, which could not easily be brought with them from the east. This was of great benefit
to the farmers and mechanics, as it gave a market for their productions and an impetus to the
improvement of the town and country.
Hitherto the settlers had to depend principally for their necessaries, such as iron, nails, salt,
and many other things, upon the towns of Hagerstown and Winchester, whither they resorted
with their pack-horses, carrying furs, ginseng, snakcroot, &c., to barter. In 1787, several stores,
with what was then considered good stocks of goods, were established, and finding it their inter-
est to supply the articles necessary for a new country, they necessarily drew the attention of the
settlers, and in a few years dispensed with their eastern trips for the obtainment of supplies. The
merchandise, salt, &c., was still brought out on pack-horses ; two men could manage ten or
fifteen horses, carrying each about 200 pounds, by tying one to the other in single file ; one of the
men taking charge of the lead horse to pioneer, and the other the hinder one to keep an eye on
the proper adjustment of the loads, and to stir up any that appeared to lag. Bells were indis-
pensable accompaniments to the horses, by which their position could be more easily ascertained
in the morning when hunting up, preparatory to a start. Some grass or leaves were inserted into
tlie bell to prevent the clapper from operating during the travel of the day.
The first loagon load of merchandise that was brought over the mountains on the southern
route, or that now nearly traversed by the national road, was in 1789. They were for Jacob
Bowman, who had settled at Brownsville as a merchant in 1787, and is still residing at that
place. The wagoner was John Hayden, who also resided in Fayette county, until his death, a
few years ago. He drove four horses, brought out about twenty hundred pounds, for which he
received three dollars per hundred, and was nearly a month making the trip to and fro, from
Hagerstown, Maryland, a distance of about 140 miles. By means of the great improvement in
the road, six horses will now haul seventy or eighty hundred, between the same places, in seven
days, for one dollar per hundred.
The great demand for iron in its various ramifications, and the expense of transportation from
the east, caused an early and successful discovery of the ore in the mountainous regions there-
abouts. The first blast furnace west of the mountains was erected on Dunbar cr., about fifteen
* On the brow of the hill on which the town is built is an ancient graveyard. One of the stones
contains the following inscription, which is here copied verbatim : — " Here lies the body of
Thomas Brown who once was owner of this town who departed this life March 1797 — aged 59
years."
344 FAYETTE COUNTY.
miles east of Brownsville, by Col. Isaac Meason, John Gibson, and Moses Dillon, the latter of
whom afterwards settled in Ohio and erected similar works on Licking, near Zancsville, and, for
aught we know, it was tlic first furnace in tlie " Buckeye state." The first abovementioned was
called " Union furnace," and was successfully carried on for many years. Others were soon
added, and the number increased in a few years to fifteen or twenty, such being the great de-
mand for their productions to supply that immense and fertile western valley. To several,
forges were added as accompaniments, by which the metal was converted, by means of heavy
hammers, into bar iron.
The facility of obtaining the raw material, and the abundance of bituminous coal for working
it, caused the establishment of various manufactories in this section. Among them wc may
name that of a steam-engine shop, under the direction of David French, in Bridgeport, from which
emanated an engine which was put on board the hull of the steamer Enterprise in 1814. The
hull of this boat had also been built and belonged to a company tliere. She was the first steamer
that ever ascended the Mississippi and Ohio rivers from New Orleans to Pittsburg.
In 179(3, Samuel Jackson and Jonathan Sharpless, two ingenious mechanics of the society of
Friends, who had been raised in the neighborhood of the extensive paper-mills of the Gilpins, on
Brandywlne, erected and put into operation the " Redstone Paper-mill," four miles east of Browns-
ville. This was the first manufactory of the kind west of the mountains. The second was that
on Little Beaver cr., erected in 1805-6, by John Beaver, Jacob Bowman, and John Coulter, and
called the " Ohio Paper-mill," being within the limits of that state.
During the whiskey insurrection, in 1794, Samuel Jackson, who was of the society of Friends,
and conscientiously opposed to distillation, favored the acts of government as a means of sup-
pression. He had dubbed one of the insurgent meetings a scrub congress. It gave umbrage to
them, and at a subsequent meeting it was proposed that a file of men should be despatched to the
residence of Samuel, about a mile distance therefrom, and bring him before them for condemna-
tion and punishment. Samuel did not altogether like the visit nor the intent of his visiters, and
being a large athletic man, might have given them some trouble had he laid aside broad-brim
and drabby ; but being a man of peace, he submitted without resistance, and accompanied his
escort, with his peculiar and accustomed step, his long arms thrown crosswise behind, with as
much thoughtfulness as if he were going to one of his own "fourth day meetings." The late
Judge Breckenridge, who was of the assemblage, was personally acquainted with Samuel, and
entertained a friendly regard for him, mounted the stand and commenced a harangue, in which
he admitted that Samuel had been remiss in applying so opprobrious an epithet to so august and
legitimate an assemblage of sovereign people, but that he attributed it more to a want of reflec-
tion on his part than to any enmity or design ; and the best retaliation would be to pay him in
his own coin, by stigmatizing him as a scrub Quaker. It had the intended eflfect. The insur-
gents took with it, and Samuel was discharged with the appellation of being a scrub Quaker.
Had it not been for the turn thus given to it by Judge Breckenridge, it is very likely that
Samuel would have been injured in his person, or, as others had been, in the destruction of his
property.
CoNNELLSviLLE, Oil One side of the Yough'ogheny, and New Haven on the
other, are flourishing villages, 12 miles northeast of Union town. At New
Haven is a very extensive woollen factory. There are also in the vicin-
ity two large paper-mills, and a number of furnaces and forges. The
Yough'ogheny is a very precipitous stream, and affords excellent mill-
sites. The place contains an Episcopal, Baptist, two Methodist, and a
Presbyterian church. Population of the township, 1,436.
Connellsville took its name from Zachariah Connell, who laid it out
some 50 years since. It was incorporated as a borough in 1806. New
Haven was laid out in 1796, by Col. Isaac Meason. The first settlers in
the vicinity were Col. Crawford, Col. Paull, the Rogers family, Zachariah
Connell, Benjamin Wells, and others.
The residence of Col. Wm. Crawford was on the left bank of the river,
a little below New Haven. The ruins — a few old logs — were still re-
maining in 1839. The site is said to be precisely opposite the place
where Braddock's enthusiastic army crossed the river on their way down,
and the place is still called Braddock's ford. Col. Crawford emigrated
from Berkeley co., Virginia, in 1768, with his family, having been out the
year previous to fix upon a site, and erect his cabin. He was a captain
in Forbes' expedition in 1758. He was the intimate friend of Gen. Wash-
FAYETTE COUNTY.
345
ington, who was frequontly an inmate of his humble dwelling during his
visits to this region lor the purpose of locating lands and attending to
public business. Col. Crawford was one of the bravest men on the fron-
tier, and often took the lead in parties against the Indians across the Ohio.
His records and papers were never preserved, and very little else than a
few brief anecdotes remain to perpetuate his fame. At the commence-
ment of the revolution, he raised a regiment by his own exertions, and
held the commission of colonel in the continental army. In 1782, he ac-
cepted, with great reluctance, the command of an expedition to ravage
the Wyandott and Moravian Indian towns on the Muskingum. On this
expedition, at the age of 50, he was taken prisoner, and put to death by
the most excruciating tortures.
Perryopolis is pleasantly situated within half a mile of the Yough-
'ogheny run, about 14 miles north of Uniontown. It lies in a rich agri-
cultural country. Much of the peculiar kind of sand for the glass-works
at Pittsburg is taken from this place. It was laid out at the close of the
last war, by Dr. Thomas Hersey, John Shreve, and Robert (or Samuel)
Burns.
Bellevernon is a new town on the Monongahela, 25 miles above Pitts-
burg, and bids fair to become a manufacturing place. Population esti-
mated at 400.
The other villages of Fayette co. are New Geneva, Woodbriuge, Hay-
DENTOWN, Smithfield, Monroe, Germantovvn, M'Clellandstovvn, New Sa-
lem, Merritstown, MmoLETOWN, and Cookstown.
New Geneva is situated on the right bank of the Monongahela. at the
mouth of George's creek. The place contains some 00 dwellings, a
church, an extensive steam flour-mill, and a manufactory of glass.
The place derives its name from Geneva, in Switzerland, the native
land of Albert Gallatin. The extensive glass-works here were establish-
ed many years ago, by Mr. Gallatin, in connection with Mr. Nicholson,
Gallatin's Mansion.
and the Messrs. Kramer, Germans. As this was then the only establish-
ment of the kind in the western country, its products met a lively de-
mand, and the concern proved very profitable. Mr. Gallatin, being en-
44
346 FAYETTE COUNTY
gaged in more important affairs, sold out his interest to the younger men,
the Kramers, who carried it on to advantage. Mr. Gallatin dwelt for
some years in a log-cabin near the river ; but after he became distin-
guished in public life, he caused a more splendid mansion to be erected
on the high grounds about two miles above Geneva.
The place is now in possession of a French gentleman of fortune, who
is either a relative or intimate friend of Mr. Gallatin ; and who is exten-
sively concerned in commercial and manufacturing enterprises at the vil-
lage. The farm, though not remarkably fertile, is extensive, and well
provided with buildings. A long circuitous avenue, shaded with tall cher-
ry and forest trees, imparts an aristocratic air to the grounds.
The following particulars were derived from a highly respectable and
aged gentleman, long intimate with Mr. Gallatin :
Albert Gallatin was bom at Geneva, in Switzerland, on the 29th Jan. 1761. He was left an
orphan in his infancy ; but under the kind protection of a female relative of his mother, received
a very thorough education, and graduated at the University of Geneva in 1779. His family
friends were wealthy and highly respectable ; and we have been told that his aged grandfather,
with whom he resided, was deeply imbued with the aristocratic prejudices of the ancient regime.
Young Albert, on the contrary, was an ardent republican, and made no secret of his adhesion to
the revolutionary school. Without the knowledge or consent of his family, Albert, then only 19,
with a comrade of the same sentiments, left the home of liis father to seek glory and fortune,
and freedom of thought, in the infant republic of America. He was recommended by a friend to
the patronage of Dr. Franklin, then at Paris. He arrived in Boston in July, 1780, and soon after
proceeded to Maine, where he purchased land, and resided till the end of 1781 at Machias and
Passamaquoddy. Here he served as a volunteer under Col. John Allen, and made advances from
his private purse for the support of the garrison. In the spring of 1782 he was appointed in-
structor in the French language at Harvard University, where he remiined about a year. Going
to Virginia in the fall of 1783, to attend to the claims of a European house for advances to that
state, he fell in with many of the eminent men of the state, and particularly with Patrick Henry,
who treated him with marked kindness and respect, and predicted his future eminence. In ac-
cordance with Mr. Henry's advice, Mr. Gallatin sought his fortune in the new and wild country
then just opening on the Ohio, and purchased considerable tracts of l?.nd in Western Virginia, be-
tween 1783 and 1785. In Dec. 1785, he purchased his plantation at New Geneva, where hq
subsequently established the glass-works.
His talents for public life soon became extensively known, and he was honored, in 1789, with
a seat in the convention to amend the constitution of Pennsylvania. In that convention he took
a decided stand on the democratic side, opposing the pretensions of property as an element in po-
litical power, and advocating the extension of the right of suffrage, restricted only by length of
residence. When the new federal constitution was before the country for adoption, he took ground
against it ; but when adopted, lent it his efficient support. He became distinguished with all par.
ties in the legislature for his ready comprehension of the great questions at issue, particularly of
financial subjects; and was elected to the U. S. senate in Feb. 1793, notwithstanding there ex-
isted a majority in the legislature opposed to his own party, and though he had himself expressed
doubts respecting his own eligibility. When he took his seat in the senate, in Dec, the question
of his citizenship was revived, and he lost his seat, after an elaborate examination and report, on
the ground that he had not been nine years a legally naturalized citizen of the United States.
The question was decided by a strict party vote of 14 to 12, in Feb. 1794, between the federalists
and democrats. Mr. Gallatin soon after married a daughter of Com. Nicholson, a distinguisjied
officer of our navy, and returned to Fayette co. While contesting his seat in the senate, he re-
CJCJved, through Robert Morris, a thousand guineas from his family friends, who, it would seem,
had not for some time previously been apprised of his movements in this country.
During the Whiskey insurrection of 1794, Mr. Gallatin, although sympathizing with the in-
Kujfgcnts in lawful and constitutional opposition to the law, yet boldly and openly opposed the
adoption of warlike and treasonable measures. In this course he was sustained by the people
of his own county ; and his popularity was evidenced in Oct. of the same year by his election to
congress from the Washington and Greene co. district, (although he did not reside in it,) in oppo-
sition to Hugh H. Breckenridge. Both were of the democratic party. Mr. Gallatin was not
aware of his being himself a candidate until the election was announced to him. He had been
at the same time elected to the legislature from Fayette co.
In congress, where he continued during three terms, he was distinguished as a leader of hia
party, in conjunction with Madison and Giles. He was appointed secretary of the treasury by
Mr. Jefferson, in 1801 — a post which he occupied for a number of years with preeminent ability.
I*RANKLIN COUNTY. 34^
His official reports are models of clearness and conciseness : in one of these he originated the
project of the National Road.
On retiring from the cabinet, in 1813, he entered upon his diplomatic career in Europe, as one
of the commissioners at Ghent, in negotiating the peace with Great Britain ; and soon afterwards
associated with Messrs. Adams and Clay, at London, in negotiating the commercial treaty with
that power. He continued in Europe, as ambassador at Paris, until 1823, when he returned to
the new mansion, which had been built during his absence, at New Geneva, and spent a few
years in dignified retirement. He was again minister to England in 1826. On his return he
sold his place at New Geneva, and resided for a time in Baltimore ; and subsequently removed
to New York, where he is still living. He has been for some years president of the " National
Bank," (not the U. S. Bank,) of that city. He stands decidedly at the head of the financiers of
the country, and holds high rank both aS a statesman and a scholar. Notwithstanding his for-
eign birth, his state papers exhibit a perfect mastery of our language, and show no sign whatever
of foreign idiom. His career has been alike honorable to himself, to his adopted country, that
fostered and appreciated his talents, and to his native land.
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Franklin county was established on the 9th Sept. 1784, having pre-
viously been the southwestern part of Cumberland co., known as the
Conococheague* settlement. Length 30 m., breadth 25 ; area 734 sq. m.
Population in 1790, 15,655; in 1800, 19,638; in 1810,23,173; in 1820,
31,892 ; in 1830, 35,037; in 1840, 37,793.
The county consists of a broad valley, generally composed of undula-
ting slate and limestone lands, and bounded on the east by the South
mountain, which rises to an elevation of from 600 to 900 feet above the
middle of the valley. On the northwest rises the more rugged and ele-
vated ridge of the Kittatinny, or North mountain, and behind it the still
higher ridge of the Tuscarora, which is about 1,700 feet above the middle
of the valley. The Kittatinny mountain, hitherto remarkably continuous
and regular in its form, seems to terminate near the Chambersburg and
Bedford turnpike, or to turn backward ; while the Cove mountain, a spur
of the Tuscarora, diverging immediately west of the termination of the
Kittatinny, seems to supply the deficiency, and continues the chain into
Virginia. Between these mountains and spurs are several very narrow
and fertile valleys, called coves. Path valley and Amberson's valley are
of this character. The principal waters have their soiirces in the moun-
tains on both sides of the county, and nearly all unite in forming the
Conococheague cr., which empties into the Potomac. The Antictam cr.,
also flows into Maryland, and the sources of the Conodoguinet into Cum-
berland CO. These streams supply an immense amount of water-power,
of which it has been estimated that not more than half has yet been use-
fully applied. The limestone lands east of the Conococheague are well
watered, fertile, and in a high state of cultivation, estimated at 180,000
acres. West of the Conococheague the slate lands prevail, estimated at
160,000 acres; not quite so fertile as the limestone, but more easily cul-
tivated, and abounding in pure streanis and luxuriant meadoWs. There
is a strip from one to two miles wide, east of the limestone, at the base
of the South mountain, known as "pine-land," which is said to be equal
* The old settlers pronounce this word Conny-co-jig.
343 FRANKLIN COUNTY.
for fertility and certainty of product to any in the county — estimated at
20,000 acres. It is composed of sand, mixed with clay and water-worn
pebbles. The mountainous districts, on the eastern and western bounda-
ries, contain about 110,000 acres. The staple agricultural products are
wheat, rye, corn, and oats. Some attention has been paid to the cultiva-
tion of the mulberry.
Iron ore is found in a line along the base of the South mountain, near
where the limestone joins the other strata. It is of the pipe and honey-
comb kind, and is said, in appearance and in the quality of its iron, to
resemble that from which the celebrated Juniata iron is made. There is
also a stratum producing iron along the Path valley, perhaps in the
same relative geological position as near the South mountain. On both
these mountains are extensive forests, to suppl}^ fuel for the manufacture
of iron. There is a tradition that the Indians used to get lead in the
South mountain, but the whites have not found it.
White marble is found in various parts of the county. The manufac-
tures of the county are generally those adapted to agricultural districts,
flouring, fulling, and sawing ; with several furnaces, forges, paper-mills,
an axe factory, and one or two cotton and several woollen factories.
Much has been done to facilitate the intercourse of the citizens with each
other, and with those of other sections of the country. Besides the ordi-
nary public roads, there are 03 miles of stone turnpike, and 23 large
stone bridges ; and 26 miles of railroad. A stone turnpike runs from
Chambersburg to Pittsburg, another to Carlisle, another to Gettysburg 5
and one runs from Waynesburg to McConnellstown, through Mercersburg.
The Cumberland Valley railroad, from Harrisburg, terminates at Cham-
bersburg, whence the Franklin railroad continues the communication
through Greencastle to Hagerstown, in Maryland. There are some 40
or 50 churches, in which religious instruction is regularly dispensed ; and
at Mercersburg, a college and theological seminary. A great proportion
of the dwellings of the inhabitants are of stone or brick ; and in the lime-
stone districts nearly all the stables and barns are built of the same ma-
terial.
The original population of the county was of the Scotch-Irish race,
and many of their descendants still remain ; but the German population,
which has more recently come in, is fast gaining in numbers over the de-
scendants of the original pioneers.
"It is a tradition well supported, that a great part of the best lands ii
the Conococheague valley were, at the first settlement of the country,
what is now called in the western states jyrairie. The land was without
timber, covered with a rich, luxuriant grass, with some scattered trees,
hazel-bushes, wild plums, and crab-apples. It was then called generally
'the barrens.' The timber was to be found on or near the water-courses,
and on the slate soil. This accounts for the preference given by the
early Scotch-Irish settlers to the slate lands, before the limestone lands
were surveyed or located. The slate had the attractions of wood, water-
courses, and water-meadows, and was free from rock at the surface. Be-
fore the introduction of clover, artificial grasses, and the improved sys-
tem of agriculture, the hilly limestone land had its soil washed off*, was
disfigured with great gullies, and was sold as unprofitable, for a trifle, by
the proprietors, who sought other lands in Western Pennsylvania. It is
FRANKLIN COUNTY. 349
now, under German cultivation, the most beautiful and fertile section of
the county."
Chambersburg, the seat of justice of Franklin county, is one of the most
flourishing inland towns in the state- It is pleasantly situated at the con-
fluence of the Falling Spring and Conococheague creeks, 143 miles west
of Philadelphia, 48 southwest of Harrisburg, and 77 northwest of Balti-
more. The town was laid out in 1764, but remained a small village until
after the peace of 1783, and the establishment of the county in 1784,
since M^hich it has enjoyed a progressive improvement. It contains at
present about GOO houses, substantially, and many of them tastefully
built ; generally of brick or stone. The population within the borough
limits in 1830, was 2,794, and in 1840, 3,239. Its public buildings are, a
splendid new courthouse of brick, (erected in 1842,) with an Ionic colon-
nade in front, and surmounted by a beautiful cupola, a jail, eight churches,
a spacious academy, a banking-house of a superior style of architecture,
and a masonic hall of elegant structure. There are also several well-
built and well-kept hotels ; and three weekly newspapers, two in Eng-
lish and one in German.
The water-power of the creeks which pass through the town drives
two flour-mills, two fulling-mills, an immense straw-paper mill, a cotton
and \voollen manufactory, oil-mill, carding machines, and the machinery
of Dunlap and Madeira's celebrated edge-tool factory. The water-power
in, and within five miles of, Chambersburg is equal to the propelling 100
pair of stones, furnishing facilities for manufacturing purposes not sur-
passed by any in the state — except those at Beaver. The town is sur-
rounded by a healthy country, of great fertility, and in a high state of
cultivation and improvement. The Harrisburg and Pittsburg turnpike
passes through the town, and is joined here by the turnpike from Gettys-
burg and York, and one from Baltimore. The Cumberland Valley rail-
road from Harrisburg terminates here ; and the Franklin railroad, connect-
ing with it, runs on through Greencastle to Hagerstown. The constant
arrival of passengers by the railroad going west to Pittsburg by stage,
or passing down by the same route, imparts animation to the place.
The annexed view shows the entrance to the diamond or public square,
on approaching it from the north. The drug-store on the right is the
first stone house erected in the place ; beyond it are seen the stage-office,
at Culbertson's hotel ; and beyond that the bank, with a pleasant yard be-
fore it. On the left is another hotel. The tall steeple in the distance is
that of the German Reformed church. The new courthouse is not seen,
being to the left of the public square. The Citizens of the town are no-
ted for their intelligence and steady, industrious, moral, and religious
habits, and are not deficient in enterprise.
"During the French war of 1755, the war of the revolution, and the
intermediate Indian wars, Chambersburg was a small frontier village, al-
most the outpost of civilization. A considerable trade was carried on
with the more remote settlements on the Pittsburg road, by means of
pack-horses. In time of peace some traffic was carried on with the In-
dians. The vicinity of an Indian frontier is not the purest school of mor-
als. The restraints of law and religion become relaxed. The laws of
the provincial legislature were ill suited to the sudden and anomalous
emergencies of frontier life, and the people were very apt to make a law
350 FRANKLIN COUNTY.
unto themselves, and institute a code of morals that would not be tbiera-
ted in better organized communities. The rigid discipline of the Scotch
Presbyterians was introduced at a very early period into the Conococheague
settlements, but it surpassed its powers to curb the wild and lawless spirit
of the Indian traders and frontier-men. As a consequence of this state
of things, the Conococheague towns were infested during the revolution
with a band of desperate marauders and counterfeiters, who bid defiance
to all laws. They had an organized line from Bucks county through
Chester and the Cumberland valley, into Virginia. The Doanes of Bucks
county, Fritz of Chester county, and the men of Conococheague, (whose
names might be mentioned if it were thought necessary,) together with
other coniederates in Virginia and Carolina, drove a brisk trade during
the revolution by stealing horses and cattle, and disposing of them to the
British. When the British retired, they carried on an extensive trade
among themselves, by stealing horses at the south ; passing them along
the line to the north where they could not be recognised, and exchanging
them for others stolen at the north ; thus at that early day anticipating
the golden dreams of our modern financiers, by ' equalizing the exchanges*'
The long narrow valleys and secluded coves behind the Blue mountain
afforded a convenient route, and secure hiding-places. These were no
shabby villains : they wore the finest dresses, sported the best horses, and
Could display more guineas and jewelry than any others in the settle-
ment ; and though the source of their sudden wealth was suspected, no
one dared to prove it against them. When not engaged in the more im-
portant department of the trade, they resorted to counterfeiting continen-
tal money, and sauntering around the towns, where they would amuse
themselves by putting tricks upon travellers. Wo betide the unlucky
Doctor Syntax who in those days hitched his horse in the diamond after
night. If fortunate enough to find him at all, he would have great diffi-
culty in recognising him, with his mane, tail, and ears cropped, and pos-
sibly a little paint added by way of ornament. And equally unfortunate
was any man who resisted or threatened to bring them to justice. His
barn or his crops would be destroyed by fire. They thus for a long time
defied public sentiment by threats, or eluded justice by concealment. At
last two of them near Chambersburg, meeting a man on the highway
with a bottle which they presumed to be whiskey, demanded it of him ;
he gave it up without remark, and on tasting they found it to be yeast !
They broke it over his head in a rage, and otherwise abused him. This
led to their arrest, and the detection of other crimes ; and they were
hung at Carlisle. On being called out to execution, they refused to come ;
but a smoke of brimstone made in the cell brought them to speedy sub-
mission."
The following interesting details relating to the early history of Cham-
bersburg, and the other Conococheague settlements, the compiler was
kindly permitted to copy from a manuscript sketch, written in 1832, by
the Hon. George Chambers.
James, Robert, Joseph, and Benjamin Chambers, four brothers, emigrated from the county of
Antrim, in Ireland, to the province of Pennsylvania, between the years 1726 and 1730. They
settled and built a mill shortly after, at the mouth of Fishing or., now in Dauphin co., on the
Susquehaima, and appropriated a tract of very fine land at that place, which was lately owned
and occupied by Archibald McAlister ; though the land-office of Fa. was not open for the sale of
lands west of the Susquehanna, as they were not purchased of the Indians till Oct. 1736, yet
FRANKLIN COUNTY. 35 1
the proprietary offices and agents wore disposed to encourage settlements west of that river with
the consent of the Indians, wlio were conciliated by the settlers. These settlements were incited
and recognised, though without official grants, in order to resist the encroachments of the Mary,
landers, on what was considered part of the province of Pa. This policy, and the fine country
forming tiiat part of the Kittatiniiy valley extending from the Susquehanna, at the mouth of Co-
nodoguinet, along the waters of llie beautiful Conococheague to the Potomac, induced men of
enterprise to seek and locate desirable situations for water-works and farms in the valleys of those
two streams and of Yellow Breeches creek. These adventurous brothers were among the first to
«;xplore and settle in this valley. James made a settlement at the head of Green .Spring, near
Newville, Cumberland ; Robert at the head of Middle Spring, near Shippensburg ; and Joseph
and Benjamin at the confluence of Polling Spring and Conococheague creeks, where Chambers-
burg is situated. These settlements and locations were made about or before 1730. By an ar-
rangement among the brothers, Joseph returned to their property at the mouth of Fishing cr., and
Benjamin, the younger brother, improved his settlement at the Falling Spring. He built a hewed
log-house, which he covered with lapped shingles, fastened by nails, a style of building out of
the common mode of round logs and clapboard roofs secured by beams. Some time after, Ben.
jamin being induced to visit the east side of the Susquehanna, left his house unoccupied for a
short time, and on his return, he found it burned to ashes. This was afterwards ascertained to
be the work of an unprincipled hunter, who was induced to do it for the sake of the nails, which
at that day, in this wild region, were esteemed no ordinary prize. •
Benjamin prosecuted anew his improvements, building houses, clearing lands, and soon after
the commission from the proprietary government to Samuel Blunston, allowing licenses for the
settlement of lands west of the Susquehanna, on 30th March, 1734, Benjamin obtained from
Blunston a license autborizing and securing his settlement by a grant of four hundred acres of
land at the Falling Spring's mouth on both sides of the Conococheague, for the eonveniency of a
grist-mill and plantation, then Lancaster county. Having acquired the art and business of a
millwright, he built himself, immediately, a saw-mill at the mouth of Falling Spring. This was
an important improvement to himself and others disposed to settle in the surrounding wilderness.
In a few years after he erected a flouring-mill ; an accommodation which contributed much to
the comfort of the early settlers, and had considerable influence in Inducing settlements in the
vicinity.
Benjamin Chambers was about twenty-one years of age when he made his settlement on the
Falling Spring. He had, when living east of the Susquehanna, been attracted to the spot by a
description he received from a hunter, who had observed the fine waterfall in one of his excursions
through the valley. He was the first white settler in what is now Franklin county. From his
acquaintance with the art and business (^ a millwright, and the use and value of water-power, his
attention was directed to advantageous situations for water-woi-ks. He married shortly after his
settlement a Miss Patterson, residing near Lancaster, who was the mother of his eldest son James.
He maintained a friendly intercourse with the Indians in his vicinity, who were attached to
Jiim ; with them he traded, and had so much of their confidence and respect that they did not
injure him or offisr to molest him. On one occasion, being engaged in haymaking in his meadow
below Chambcrsburg, where the foundry and brick-yards now are, he observed some Indians
secretly stalking in the thickets around the meadow. Suspecting some mischievous design, he
gave them a severe chase, in the night, with some dogs, across the creek and through the woods,
to the great alarm of the Indians, who afterwards acknowledged they had gone to the meadow
for the purpose of taking from Benjamin his watch, and carrying oft" a negro woman whom he
owned ; and who, they thought, would be useful to raise corn for them : but they declared that
they would not have hurt the colonel.
He used his influence with his acquaintances to settle in his neighborhood, directing their atten-
tion to desirable and advantageous situations for farms. His first wife lived but a few years
Sometime afterwards he married a Miss Williams, the daughter of a Welsh clergyman, residing in
Virginia. She was bom in Wales, and brought over to this country when very young. By hei
he had seven children, viz. : Ruhannah, married to Dr. Colhoun — William, Benjamin — Jane,
married to Adam Ross — Joseph, George — and Hetty, married to Wm. M. Brown, Esq. Col.
Benjamin Chambers was commissioned a justice of the peace, and also a colonel of the mditia
jinder the royal government at an early period. As an arbitrator he settled many controversies
between his neighbors, and from his reputation for judgment and integrity, he was appealed to
for direction and advice by the early settlers. He gratuitously prescribed and administered medi-
cine to many, and as there was no regular physician in the neighborhood, it is said he was called
upon to bleed and extract teeth for the relief of his acquaintances.
During the controversy between Lord Baltimore and the Penns, relating to the boundary be-
tween the provinces, Benjamin Chambers, who will hereafter be designated as Col. Chambers,
was prevailed on to visit England to assist by his knowledge and testimony in terminating this
controversy, which was embarrassing and protracting the settlement of these provinces.
From England he visited Ireland, his native soil, and prevailed on a number of acquaintances
to accompany him, with their families, and settle iu his neighborhood, having afforded them
352 FRANKLIN COUNTY.
assistance. As the western Indians, after Braddock's defeat, in 1755, became troublesome, and
made incursions east of the mountains, killinjr and making prisoners of many of the white inhab-
itants, Col. Cliambcrs, for the security of his family and his neighbors, erected, where the borough
of Chambersburg now is, a large stone dwclling-liouse, surrounded by the water from Falling
Spring, and situated where the large straw-papermill now is. The dwelling-house, for greater
security against the attempts of the Indians to fire it, was roofed with lead. The dwellings and
the mills were surrounded by a stockade fort. This fort, with the aid of firearms, a blunderbuss,
and swivel, was so formidable to the Indian parties who passed the country, that it was but seldom
assailed, and no one sheltered by it was killed or wounded ; although in the country around, at
diflTerent times, those who ventured out on their farms, were surprised and either slaughtered or
carried ofF prisoners, with all the horrors and aggravations of savage warfare.
A man by the name of McKinney, who had sought shelter with this family in tlie fort about
1756, ventured out in company with his son to visit his dwelling and plantation, where the IIol-
lowell paper-mill is, on the creek, below Chambersburg. They were discovered, liowever, by the
Indians, and both killed and scalped, and their dead bodies brought to the fort and buried. Col.
Chambers was active in organizing the militia, and was of much assistance to Gen. Forbes in
1758, in giving him information and aiding him in the opening of a road, as well as affording him
supplies in his march through the valley, and across the mountains, in his campaign. His saw
and flour mills were of such accommodation and notoriety in the Conococheague settlement, that
they^were long known and spoken of for a great distance around as " the mills." The first flour-
mill, built in part with logs, was burned, and a stone mill was afterwards erected by the colonel,
part of the walls of which are incorporated in those of the fulling-mill and cotton factory of Tho-
mas Chambers.
In 1764, Col. Chambers laid out the town of Chambersburg adjoining his mills. The inter-
course with the western country being at that time very limited, and most of the trade and travel
along the valley to the south, he was induced to lay his lots in that direction, and the town did
not extend beyond the creek to the west. Some of the old trees of his orchard are still standmg,
(in 1832,) on the west of the creek, on the grounds of Joseph Chambers and Mr. King's heirs. The
increasing trade with the western country, after the revolution, produced an extension of the town
on the west side of the creek, which was located by Capt. Benjamin Chambers, son of the colonel,
about 1791. The first stone house erected in the town is still standing at the northwest corner
of the diamond, built by J. Jack, about 1770, and now owned by L. Denig, Esq. The first courts
holden in the county were in this house, up stairs ; and, on one occasion, the crowd was so great
as to strain the beams, and fracture the walls, causing great confusion and alarm to the court
and bar.
Chambersburg remained but a small village until aft»r the erection of Franklin into a separate
county in 1784, since which period it has progressively improved.
Col. Chambers had appropriated to the use of the public for a burial-ground a romantic cedar
grove on the banks of the creek. This spot still retains some of the beauties of nature and rural
scenery. This, with some additional gromids, he conveyed by deed of gift to P. Varen and others,
as trustees, on the 1st January, 1768, "in trust for the Presbyterian congregation of the Falling
Spring, now professing and adhering to, and that shall hereafter adhere to and profess, the West-
minster profession of faith, and the mode of church government therein contained, and to and
for the use of a meeting-house or Presbyterian church, session house, school-house, burying-place,
grave-yard, and such religious purposes." Of this congregation he was an efficient, active, and
attentive member. He also continued a member of the board of trustees until 1787, when, on
account of his advanced age and infirmities, he asked leave to resign.
The first settlers who were possessed of farms, were mostly emigrants from the north of Ire-
land, and members of the Presbyterian church. It would seem that the Falling Spring congre-
gation was more numerous in 1786 than in 1832, though at the latter period the population of
Chambersburg was tenfold that of 1786. After the revolutionary war and peace, a German
population supplanted the first settlers, and possessed themselves of most of their choice planta-
tions by purchase, and the families and descendants of these settlers moved west of the mountains.
At the commencement of the revolutionary war, in 1775, Col. Chambers was so infirm and
advanced in years, being then about 70 years of age, as to be incapable of the fatigues and expo-
sure of a campaign so distant as the heights of Boston. The patriotic spirit shone forth in his
family. His eldest son James raised a company of infantry from the neighborhood, which he
commanded as captain, and in 1775 marched, accompanied by his younger brothers William and
Benjamin as cadets, to join the American army, then encamped on the high ground of Boston,
where the royal army was besieged : (William was about 22 years old and Benjamin 20.) His
three sons remained in the army during that campaign; James having been advanced to the
rank of colonel, and William and Benjamin to that of captain. They were also with the army
during the arduous and trying campaigns of '76-'77 in the Jerseys, as well as at the battles of
Brandywine and Germantown, in 1778. On account of the infirmity of their father, and the
embarrassed situation of his property and pecuniary affairs, which had been deprived of the ne-
cessary attentions of the young men, the younger brothers, WilUam aad Benjamin, returned home,
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
353
and atteiidpcl to the farm and mills. They occasionally, however, assisted in the pursuit of In-
dians who had dared at times to make incursions upon the settlements about Bedford and Hun-
tingdon.
James remained in the army until the close of the revolutionary war, and afterwards was
appointed a g-cneral of the militia, a brij^ade of whom, including a number of volunteers, he com-
manded in the army to suppress the Western or Wliiskey insurrection in Pennsylvania in 1794.
Shortly after the peace of 178.3, Williiun, Benjamin, and George, erected a furnace in the Path
valley, called Mt. Pleasant, the oldest furnace in the county. None of them had any experience
in the business, but by industry, perseverance, and judgment, they were successful, and estab-
lished in the woods an extensive manufactory of iron, which was not only profitable to themselves,
but highly advantageous to a considerable extent of country.
Col. Benjamin Chambers, the father of the settlement, died 17th Feb., 1788, aged 80 years
and upwards — Jane, his wife, died 13th Jan., 1795, aged 70 — Capt. Benjamin Chambers died in
Dec. 1813.
Col. James Chambers erected a forge where Loudon now is, shortly after the revolution, and
with his son Benjamin and son-in-law A. Dunkip, Esq., erected a furnace about a mile from
Loudon.
In 1760 Col. Benjamin Chambers lived in a small log-house near the mill-race, at the west end
of the garden of George Chambers, near the alley and race.
From old Henry Snider, aged 75, in July, 1834, Mr. Chambers learned that his father, Peter
Snider, came to the county before 1760 — That he was born where he now lives in 1759.
A man by the name of Somerficld kept the first store on the northwest corner of Front and
Queen streets. Patrick Campbell bought him out, and succeeded him in the store where the
brick house of G. Grenawalt is now used for a corner store.
The first tavern was kept by Robert Jack, in the little log-house which stood where the Cham-
bersburg bank now is.
On the northern border of the town, in a spacious and verdant yard,
shaded by the tall trees of the ancient forest, stands the Presbyterian
church alluded to by Mr. Chambers. Adjoinino; the church-yard, in the
rear, is the wild and picturesque spot where repose the ashes of the early
pioneers. With a taste as rare as it is laudable, the tru.stees of the
church have never permitted the original cedars and other ancient forest
trees to be cut down, and the whole cemetery is shaded and overgrown
with shrubbery in all the luxuriance and wildness of primitive nature.
The annexed view shows the small enclosure containing the monuments
Cemetery at Chamhershurg.
of the Chambers family : several other monuments are seen around it ;
and the rear of the church in the background.
45
354 FRANKLIN COUNTY.
The first Presbyterian church in 1767 was built of logs, — previous to that, it is said, the con-
gregation worshipped in Col. Chambers' saw-mill, which was open at the sides, and permitted
the preacher thus to address those without as well as within.
In 1803, the old log-church gave place to the present structure of stone. Rev. James Lang
was the first pastor. He continued until 1792, when the Rev. Mr. Spear succeeded him, but
remained only a few years. The Rev. David Denny took the charge in 1800 or 1801, and held
it until 1840, when, on account of age and infirmities, he was permitted to retire. He is still
living in 1842. In 1842, Rev. Mr. M'Kinley was installed as pastor. The church was incor.
porated in 1785.
The first corporators named in the act of incorporation of the congregation of Falling Spring
Presbyterian church, were Patrick Vance, Esq., Benjamin Chambers, sen., Matthew Wilson, Esq.,
Josiah Crawford, John Boggs, Esq., Edward Crawford, jun., Rev. James Lang, James Moore,
and their successors.
There is a very ancient church, the first in the county, at Rocky Spring, 4 miles north of
Chambersburg. The Rev. Mr. Craighead was the first pastor.
Patriotism was a prpclominant trait among the early Presbyterians of
Conococheague, as well as of the whole Kittatinny valley. They were
conspicuous among the provincial troops in the old French war ; and
throughout all the Indian wars they sustained nearly the whole burden
of defending the frontier. When a new purchase was made, (sometimes
before,) they were the first to make an opening in the wilderness beyond
the mountains ; and when the alarm of the American revolution echoed
along the rocky walls of the Blue mountain, it awakened a congenial
thrill in the blood of that race which years before, in Ireland and Scot-
land, had resisted the arbitrary power of England. There is, in the
records of the old Presbyterian church at this place, a notice of a series
of charges presented to the session against a certain member of the
church as the grounds of an exercise of discipline ; and one of the speci-
fications is, that " he is strongly suspected of not being sincere in his profes-
sions of attachment to the cause of the revolution."
Mercersburg is situated in the S. W. part of the county, on a branch
of W. Conococheague cr., 15 miles from Chambersburg. The town is
placed on elevated ground, in the midst of a fertile and picturesque coun-
try. The Waynesburg and McConnellsburg turnpike passes through the
town. The place contains Presbyterian, Lutheran and German Re-
formed, Seceders, and Methodist churches, and a college and theological
seminary. It was incorporated as a borough in February, 1831. Popu-
lation in 1840, 1,143.
James Black first built a mill at Mercersburg about the year 1729 or
'30. Wm. Smith bought him out, and Wm. Smith's son laid out the
town, about the year 1786. Col. James Smith, long a captive among the
Indians, was of that family, and an uncle to Hon. Judge Robert Smith,
now living. (See Bedford co.) The place was named in honor of Gen.
Mercer, of the revolutionary army, who had shown great kindness to the
proprietor or to his father, while the army was encamped near New
Brunswick, in New Jersey. Gov. William Finley, who filled the execu-
tive chair of Pennsylvania in 1817, was born at Mercersburg, near the
west end of the town, about the year 1770. He is still living in Phila-
delphia.
Mercersburg, in early days, was an important point for trade with Indians and settlers on the
western frontier. It was no uncommon event to see there 50 or 100 pack-horses in a row, taking
on their loads of salt, iron, and other commodities for the Monongahela country. About three
miles northwest of Mercersburg there is a wild gorge in the Cove mountain, and within the gorge
an ancient road leads up through a narrow, secluded cove or glen, encircled on every side by high
and rugged mountains. Here, at the foot of a toilsome ascent in the rpad, which the old traders
FRANKLIN COUNTY. 355
designated as " the stony batter," are now a decayed orchard and the ruins of two 1 »g-cabins.
Some fifty years since, a Scotch trader dwelt in one of these cabins, and had a store in the other,
where he drove a small but profitable traffic with the Indians and frontier-men who came down
the mountain-pass, exchanging with them powder, firearms, salt, sugar, iron, blankets, and
cloths, for their "old Monongahcla," and the furs and skins of the trappers and Indians. The
Scotchman had a son born here, and Jamie was cradled amid these wild scenes of nature and
the rude din of frontier life. The father, thriving in trade, moved into Mercersburg after a few
years, assumed a higher rank in business, and was able to send his son James to Dickinson Col-
lege, where he graduated in 1809. Passing over the intermediate scenes of his life, we find him
in 1843 one of the most accomplished, eloquent, and distinguished members in the Senate of the
United States, and not without some pretensions to a seat in the presidential chair.
The Presbyterian church at this place is one of the most ancient
plants in the vineyard. Rev. Dr. King, M^ho was a pastor of the
church, has left among the archives a little book containing the
names of all the heads of families, with their children, residing within
the bounds of his congregation. This list is headed in the quaint Latin
of the clergy of that day : Caialogus Familiarum, Nortiirmm que Persona-
rum cuiq .* Familice pertinentium, in qua que Congregationis Divisione.
The names are almost universally Scotch — Campbells, Wilsons, McLel-
lands, McDowells, Barr, Findlay, Welsh, Smith, &c. The following his-
torical sketch of the early history of the church is from a manuscript
drawn up by the present pastor, and is inserted in the church records.
This part of the country began to be settled about the year 1736. The land being taken from
the proprietaries by those only who designed to settle on it, the settlement soon became numer-
ous. About the year 1738 they formed themselves into a Congregation, and enjoyed supplies of
preaching from that time. About the year 1740 the congregation divided. The occasion of this
at first was a difTerence of opinion about what was called a revival of religion at that time ;
however, it was what their situation required, the congregation being before the division much
too extensive to allow frequent meetings at one place. Having divided, they accommodated
themselves with different churches ; yet often considered themselves so united as that one com-
missioner frequently represented both congregations in presbytery. The " upper congregation"
called the Rev. John Steel, previously of West Nottingham congregation. He was installed in
1754, holding also the charge of " East Conococheague."
In the next year the settlement was greatly disturbed by the irruption of Indians, in conse-
quence of Braddock's defeat. This continued for two years, until the settlement was for a time
entirely broken up, and Mr. Steel accepted an invitation to the church at Carlisle. After the
people returned to their desolated habitations, they adopted their old form of a congregation, and
engaged supplies from the presbytery of Donegal for several years, being in the years 1762 and
1763 again disturbed and greatly harassed by the Indian war. They after this made some
attempts to obtain a settled ministry, but were unsuccessful till the year 1768, when they called
Mr. John King, then a candidate under the care of the presbytery of Philadelphia. Mr. King
was installed August 30, 1769, and continued to discharge the pastoral duties for more than forty
years. He died in 1813, about two years after retiring from his ministry, having been so afflicted
with rheumatism that, while he continued his ministrations, for several years he was obliged to sit
in the pulpit during service.
Dr. King was a man of good natural parts, which he lost no opportunity to cultivate. During
the intervals of his pastoral avocations he continued to increase his stores both of theological and
miscellaneous knowledge. He was proficient in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and French lan-
guages, and had attentivel}' studied the several branches of natural science. In 1792 he was
honored with the degree of D. D. from Dickinson college. As a pastor, he was sound in doctrine,
kind, sociable, cheerful, and instructive, and steady in attention to his duties. " He left behind
him a character without a blot." He was the author of a doctrinal catechism, especially calcu-
lated to fortify the young against the spirit of skepticism and infidelity which threatened at that
time the morals of youth — of some pieces in the Assembly's Magazine, on the subject of a man's
marrying his former wife's sister — and of a dissertation on the prophecies referring to the present
times, (Sec. There were about 130 families in the settlement at the commencement of his min-
istry.
In 1812, Mr. David Elliott, (now D. D.,) of Perry county. Pa., was called to the charge of the
congregation, in which he continued about seventeen years, when he removed to Washington,
Pa., and subsequently became Professor of Theology in the Western Theological Seminary in
Allegheny City. In 1831, Mr. Thomas Creigh, of Carlisle, was installed, and still (in 1842)
continues in charge of the congregation. " In February, 1832, the church experienced a
^6
FUANICI.IN COUNTV.
gracious visitation, commcncinjj in fjirat jiowcr dnriiiijf a protracted mcotiii<j, niul about 110 worfl
m that year added to the cluircli."
Tlio session was con»|)oso(i of tlio lollowini: luenibcrs in 17(57: — Wni. Maxwell, Wni. Smith,
John I\ri)o\voll. Win. IMM^oweil, John Welsh, Alexander White, John IM'Lelland, Jonathan
iSinith, Wuj. Canii)hell, Rohert Fleinioi!;, Sunniel Tenipleton — names, probably, ol" some of the
more respectable and worthy lamilies in the neighborhood in that day.
Marshall College, 3Iercrrshiirg.
Annexed is d. view of Marshall College. The president's house is seen
on the right, that of one of the professors on the left. The main building
is properly intended for the use of the Tlieological Seminary, hut is used
in common with the collegiate dei)artmeut until the new college build-
ings are erected in another ])art of the town. Ivev. .Tohn W. Nevin, D. D.,
is President, and Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy.
This institution was founded, under a charter from the leirishitnre of Pennsylvania, in the year
18.'^;'). It sprang oriiiinally out of the high-sehool attaeiieil to the Theolooical Seniinary of the
Gorman Reformed Synod, which was ri'moveil the year before from the borough of York to the
village of Merecrsbnrg. It stand.«i. of course, in intimate connection with this seminary still.
The primary object of the two institutions may be regarded as one and the same. The church
needs ministers, ami she is ci)ncerneil to have them properly educated for their high and respon-
sible work. It is her zeal for this interest which has given birth to IMarshall ColIeg<\ Harvard
University, Yale College, and Nassau Hall, owe their origin mainly to a similar zeal on the part
of the religious denominations bv which they were fminded.
It is dcsignetl to promote the interest of education generally within the bounds of the German
Church. At the same time its [jrivileges arc not restricted in any way to these limits. Though
founded by the Reformed Church, and looking to it niaiuly of course for patronage and snpjiort,
its constitution is altogether catholic and free. The church, as such, exercises no ecclesiasiiciil
supervision over it, more than the Presbyterian Churcii does over Nassau Hall. 'IIk' college,
under this viiw, is a general interest created by the liberal zeal of the German Kiimmcil
Church, lor the advantage of the community at large, so far as a disposition may be felt to ciu-
br.'vcc its ottered benelits.
It would lie hard to tind a location more favorable altogether to health. As it respects sce-
nery, it may be describ(>d as more than beautiful; it is absolutely splendid. At the distance of
from two to live miles, the moimtains are thrown around it in a sort of iialf-circle, gracefully
irregular and imiwsingly pieturesipie, lorining a vast amphitheatre, from whose towering sides,
in every direction. Nature looks forth, thn>ugh sunshine or storm, in her most magnilicent ap-
parel. Strangers of taste are generally naieli taken with the situation.
Marshall College embraces in its organiz:ition a Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy
and of the Evidences of Christianity; a Professor of Ancient Languages and Uelles-Lettres ; a
Professor of the Natural Sciences; two assistant Tutors; and a Rector or Principal intrusted
with the care of the preparatory department.
A particular interest is felt in the cultivation of the German language. Instruction is given in
FRANKLIN COUNTY 357
German regrularly, to all who can be persuaded to make it an object of study. Mr. Bernstein
(instructor at present in German and Hebrew) is a native of Germany. A society is established
also ainon^ the; students themselves, expressly for the cultivation of the German lanfruajre.
'I'liere are two rival literary societies established amoni^ the students, bearinff the names
(Jmtlican and Diairrinthian, which by appropriate exercises endeavor to advance their own im-
provement. Each has established already a handsome library, which is increasinjr from year to
year. These libraries contain altogether, at this time, about XJ,H()0 volumes. In addition to the
use of their own libraries, the students have access also to the library of the Theolojrical Semi-
nary, which comprises, in addition to many valuable works in theolotry, a lar[je amoimt of mis-
cellaneous literature. It contains about (J.OOO volumes. A jreneral library has begun to be
formed also for the college itself. This is intended to be almost exclusively scientific.
There is a law department connected with the collej^t*, at the head of
Avhich is the Hon. Alexander Thompson, lately presiding judge; of" the
district. In 1813, the number of resident graduates was 11 ; law students,
4 ; under-graduates, 74 ; preparatory department, 75 ; total, 165. In
.January, 1843, at a special meeting of the Synod of the General Reformed
Church, called with particular reference to the vacancy in the German
professorship of the Theological Seminary, created by the death of the
late Dr. Rauch, it was determined to invite, by a special mission, the
Rev. F. W. Krummacher, I). ])., of Elberh'eld, the distinguished author
ol' i'llijah th(! Tish})ite, &c., to fill the place of Dr. Rauch, and at the same
lime have a connection wdth Marshall College. It was stated, in the
course of the discussions, that informal encouragement had been given
that this distinguished divine would accept such a call.
Greencastle is a flourishing borough, situated on the railroad to Ila-
gerstown, 10 miles south of Chambersburg, in tht; midst of a fertile and
highly cultivated country. It contains a Metiiodist, Lutheran, German
ivelbrmed, Presbyterian, and Moravian churches. Population in 1840,
031. The place has been improved by the railroad. The town was laid
out in 1784, and first settled by the Irwins, McLanahans, Watrous, and
others.
Waynesburg is a large borough 15 miles southwest of Chambersburg,
in the midst of a rich limestone region. A turnpike runs from this place
through Mercersburg to McConnellstown. Population in 1840, 799.
Churches, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and German Reformed.
There are also the towns of Loudcm, Campbellstown, and St. Thomas,
which have spi'ung up within a few years past on the western turnpike.
Louj)E\ was formerly the site of one of the line of frontier forts during
the old French war.
Fannetshurg is a small village in the secluded but fertile Path valley.
Strasburg is at the foot of the Blue mountain, on the sources of the Con-
odoguinet ; and Greenvo.lage is on the Chambersburg and Carlisle turn-
pike.
S.vowiui.i,, on Antietam cr., near the South mountain, is now, since the
decline of Ephrata, (in Lancaster co.,) the principal settlement of the
Dunkers, or Scvcntli-day Baptists. They keep up the institution as origin-
ally established at I'iphrata, and the settlement is said to be in a flour-
ishing condition. Dr. Fahnestock, in his history of Ephrata, says —
They [the Dunkers] have nearly a thousand pieces of music — a piece being composed for every
hymn. This music is lost entirely, now, at Ephrata ; (not the music books, but the style of
singing ;) they never attempt it any more. It is, however, still preserved and finely executed,
tliough in a faint degree, at Snowhill. Their singing — which is weak in com])arisoii with the old
Ephrata choir, and may be likened to the performance of an overture by a musical box with
its execution by a full orchestra in the opera liousc — is so peculiar and aficcting, that when
358 GREENE COUNTY.
once heard it can never be forgotten. I heard it once at Ephrata, in my very young days, when
several of the old choir vs^cre still living, and the Antietam choir had met with them. And some
years since I sojourned in the neighborhood of Snowhill during the summer season, where I had
a fine opportunity of hearing it frequently and judging of its excellence. On each returning Fri-
day evening, the comniencement of the Sabbath, I regularly mounted my horse and rode to that
place — a distance of three miles — and lingered about the grove in front of the building during the
evening exercises, charmed to enchantment. It was in my gay days, when the fashion and am-
bition of the world possessed my whole breast ; but there was such a sublimity and devotion in
their music, that I repaired with the greatest punctuality to this place, to drink in those melliflu-
ous tones which transported my spirit, for the time, to regions of unalloyed bliss — tones which I
never before nor since heard on earth, though I have frequented the English, the French, and the
Italian opera : that is music for the ear ; the music of Beissel is music for the soul — music that
affords more than natural gratification. It was always a delightful hour to me — enhanced by the
situation of the cloister, which is in a lonely vale just beyond the South mountain. During the
week I longed for the return of that evening, and on the succeeding morning was again irresisti-
bly led to take the same ride, (if I did not let it be known in the evening that I was on the
ground — for whenever it was discovered, I was invited and kept the night in the cloister,) to at-
tend morning service — at which time I always entered the room, as there was then preaching.
But as often as I entered, I became ashamed of myself ; for scarcely had these strains of celes-
tial melody touched my ear, than I was bathed in tears : unable to suppress them, they continued
to cover my face during the service ; nor, in spite of my mortification, could I keep away. They
were not tears of penitence, (for my heart was not subdued to the Lord,) but tears of ecstatic
rapture, giving a foretaste of the joys of heaven.
GREENE COUNTY.
Greene county, originally a part of Washington, was organized by the
act of 9th Feb. 1796. It occupies the extreme southwestern corner of the
state. Length 32 m., breadth 19 ; area, 597 sq. miles. Population in
1800, 8,605 ; in 1810, 12,544 ; in 1820, 15,554 ; in 1830, 18,028 ; in 1840,
19,147.
The surface of the co. is generally hilly ; the western part, where the
streams rise, perhaps too much so for an agricultural country : there are,
however, along the streams some delightful valleys, abounding in luxuri-
ant vegetation, and covered, in their primitive state, with a dense growth
of timber. The rolling character of the surface, and the nature of the
soil, are better adapted for grazing than for grain. Many of the cattle
raised in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, are grazed here before being driv-
en to the eastern markets.
The farmers have turned their attention to the raising of sheep, which,
until within a year or two past, proved a profitable stock, and will proba-
bly always pay as well in this region, or better, than any other depart-
ment of farming. The co. is well watered by six principal creeks —
Dunkard, Big Whitely, Little Whitely, Muddy, and Ten Mile creeks-
all of which empty into the Monongahela, which M^ashes the eastern
boundary of the co. Wheeling creek empties into the Ohio at Wheeling.
These streams, in the course of time, have worn very deep channels in
the country, and have imparted to it its rough and rolling aspect ; yet, if
they have thus in some measure marred the beauty of the land, they
have amply compensated for the inconvenience by the inexhaustible min-
eral supplies which are laid open in the sides of the hills thus abraded.
The great Pittsburg coal seam, from 6 to 8 feet thick, and probably the
purest and most important seam of coal in the west, is exposed at many
GREENE COUNTY. 359
localities throughout the co. Above the coal, and separated from it by a
heavy bed of sandstone and shale, reposes the most extensive and valua-
ble deposit of lime in the western counties, consisting of beds from 7 to
20 feet in thickness. It is of incalculable value to the agriculture of the
southwestern counties ; but it is to be regretted that the importance of
lime, as a fertilizer, has been hitherto so much overlooked. Another
seam of coal, about six feet thick, is exposed in the bed of South Ten
Mile cr., two miles east of Waynesburg, and is met with at various other
points of the county. A forge and furnace Avere formerly in operation
near the mouth of Ten Mile cr., — and a large woollen factory, during the
late war, in Clarksville, — but were suffered to decline.
That extensive district now composing Greene, Washington, and Fay-
ette counties, and a part of Somerset, was originally supposed to be in-
cluded within the boundaries of Virginia, and was first settled, or rather
first visited, by adventurers from that state and Marjdand. As early as
1754, David Tygart had settled in the valley which still bears his name
in Northwestern Virginia. Several other families and individuals came
into the region in the course of five or six years afterwards. These early
adventurers were men of iron nerves and stout hearts — a compound of
the hunter, the warrior, and the husbandman ; they came prepared to
endure all the hardships of life in the wilderness ; to encounter its risks,
and defend their precarious homes against the wily natives of the forest.
For some 10 or 15 years the possession of the country was hotly contested,
and alternately held and abandoned by the English on the one hand, and the
French and Indians on the other. Families were frequently murdered,
cabins burnt, and the settlement thus for a time broken up. Stockade
forts were resorted to by the inhabitants for the protection of their fami-
lies in time of invasion. One of these, called Jarret's fort, was situated
on Whitely creek, about seven miles west of Greensburg. Settlements
Avere made at a very early date by the Rev. John Corbly and his family,
and others, on Muddy creek. The following narrative was given by him
in a letter to Rev. Wm. Rogers of Philadelphia, in the year 1785:
On the second Sabbath in May, in the year 1782, being my appointment at one of my meeting-
houses, about a mile from my dwelling-house, I set out with my dear wife and five children for
public worship. Not suspecting any danger, I walked behind 200 yards, with my Bible in my
hand, meditating ; as I was thus employed, all on a sudden, I was greatly alarmed with the
frightful shrieks of my dear family before me. I immediately ran, with all the speed I could,
vainly hunting a club as I ran, till I got vi^ithin 40 yards of them ; my poor wife seeing
me, cried to me to make my escape ; an Indian ran up to shoot me ; I then fled, and by so doing
outran him. My wife had a sucking child in her arms ; this little infant they killed and scalped.
They then struck my wife several times, but not getting her down, the Indian who aimed to shoot
me, ran to her, shot her through the bod}', and scalped her ; my little boy, an only son, about six
years old, they sunk the hatchet into his brain, and thus dispatched him. A daughter, besides
the infant, they also killed and scalped. My eldest daughter, who is yet alive, was hid in a tree,
about 20 yards from the place where the rest were killed, and saw the whole proceedings. She,
seeing the Indians all go off, as she thought, got up, and deliberately crept out from the hollow
trunk ; but one of them espying her, ran hastily up, knocked her down, and scalped her ; also
her only surviving sister, one on whose head they did not leave more than an inch round, either
of flesh or skin, besides taking a piece of her skull. She, and the before-mentioned one, are still
miraculously preserved, though, as you must think, I have had, and still have, a great deal of
trouble and expense with them, besides anxiety about them, insomuch that I am, as to worldly
circumstances, almost ruined. I am yet in hopes of seeing them cured ; they still, blessed be
God, retain their senses, notwithstanding the painful operations they have dready and must yet
pass through.
Muddy creek, Washington county, July 8, 1785.
In several interesting numbers published in the National Intelligencer
360 GREENE COUNTY.
two or three j^ears since under the signature of " A Traveller," is the fol-
lowing paragraph relating to Greene county :
The warrior, with his gun, hatchet, and knife, prepared aUlie to slay the deer and bear for food,
and also to defend himself against and destroy his savage enemy, was not the only kind of man
who sought tliese wilds. A very interesting and tragic instance was given of the contrary by
the three brothers Eckarlys. Tiiese men, Dunkards by profession, left the eastern and cultivated
parts of Pennsylvania, and plunged into the depths of the western wilderness. Their first per-
manent camp was on a creek flowing into the Monongahcla river, in the southwestern part of
Pennsylvania, to wliich stream they gave the name of Dunkard creek, which it still bears. These
men of peace employed tlicinselves in exploring the country in every direction, in which one vast,
silent, and uncultivated waste spread around them. From Dunkard's creek these men removed
to Dunkard's bottom, on Cheat river, which they made their permanent residence, and, with a
savage war raging at no considerable distance, they spent some years unmolested ; indeed, it is
probable, unseen.
In order to obtain some supplies of salt, ammunition, and clothing. Dr. Thomas Eckarly re-
crossed the mountains with some peltry. On his return from Winchester to rejoin his brothers,
lie stopped on tlie south branch of the Potomac, at Fort Pleasant, and roused the curiosity of
the inhabitants by relating his adventures, removals, and present residence. His avowed pacific
principles, as pacific religious principles have everywhere else done, exposed him to suspicion,
and he was detained as a confederate of the Indians, and as a spy come to examine the frontier
and its defences. In vain did Dr. Eckarly assert his innocence of any connection with the In-
dians, and tliat, on the contrary, neither he nor his brothers had even seen an Indian since their
residence west of the mountains. He could not obtain his liberty until, by his own suggestion,
he was escorted by a guard of armed men, who were to reconduct him a prisoner to Fort Pleas-
ant, in case of any confirmation of the charges against him.
These arbitrary proceedings, though in themselves very unjust, it is probable, saved the life of
Dr. Eckarly, and his innocence was made manifest in a most shocking manner. Approaching
the cabin where he had left and anxiously hoped to find his brothers, himself and his guard
were presented with a heap of ashes. In the yard lay the mangled and putrid remains of the
two brothers, and, as if to add to the horrors of the scene, beside the corpses lay the hoops on
which their scalps had been dried. Dr. Eckarly and the now sjnnpathizing men buried the re-
mains, and not a prisoner, but a forlorn and desolate man, he returned to the South Branch.
This was amongst the opening scenes of that lengthened tragedy which was acted through up-
wards of thiity years.
The following also occurred within or near Greene county, then West-
moreland :
Madam ; — I have written to Mr. , of your city, an account of an affair between a white
man and two Indians. I am now about to give you a relation in which you will see how a per-
son of your sex acquitted herself in defence of her own life and that of her husband and chil-
dren. ■ «•
The lady who is the subject of this story, is named Experience Bozarth. She lives on a creek
called Dunkard creek, in the southwest corner of this county. About the middle of March last,
two or three families, who were afraid to stay at home, gathered to her house and there stayed —
looking on themselves to be safer than when alt scattered about at their own houses.
On a certain day, some of the children thus collected came running in from play, in great
liaste, saying, there were ugly red-men. One of the men in the house stepped to the door,
where he received a ball in the side of his breast, which caused him to fall back into the house.
The Indian was immediately in over him, and engaged with another man who was in the house.
The man tossed tlie Indian on a bed, and called for a knife to kill him. (Observe, these were all
the men that were in the house.) Now Mrs. Bozarth appears the only help, who not finding u
knife at hand, took up an axe that lay by, and with one blow cut out the brains of the Indian.
At that instant, (for all was instantaneous,) a second Indian entered the door, and shot the man
dead, who was engaged with the Indian on the bed. Mrs. Bozarth turned to this second Indian,
and witli her axe gave him several large cuts, some of which let his entrails appear. He bawled
out, murder, murder. On this, sundry other Indians, (who had hitherto been fully employed,
killing some children out of doors,) came rushing to his relief ; the head of one of these Mrs.
Bozarth clave in two with her axe, as he stuck it in at the door, which laid him flat upon the
ground. Anotlier snatched hold of the wounded, bellowing fellow, and pulled him out of doors ;
and Mrs. Bozarth, with the assistance of the man who was first shot in the door, and by this time
a little recovered, shut the door after them, and fastened it, where they kept garrison for several
days, the dead white man and dead Indian both in the house with them, and the Indians about
the house besieging them. At length they were relieved by a party sent for that purpose. Thia
whole affair, to shutting the door, was not, perhaps, n^ore than three minutes in acting.
Westmoreland, April 2G, 1779.
GREENE COUNTY.
361
The more permanent and peaceful settlement of the county was not
made until after the peace of 1783. Greensburg, the oldest village in
the county, must have been laid out about this time, or not long previ-
ously.
Wavnesburg, the county seat, was laid out when the county was estab-
lished in 1796, and was incorporated as a borough in 1816. The land
was purchased from Thomas ISlatcr, and the lots were sold in conformity
with tiie law, for account of the county. Nathaniel Jennings had
built a mill in the vicinity some time before the site was selected for the
county seat. Thomas Kent, David and Israel White, John and Thomas
Smith, Mr. Hooker, Mr. Adams, and others, were among the early resi-
dents here. The borough is situated in a delightful valley near the left
bank of Ten Mile creek, about twelve miles from its mouth, and within
one mile of the centre of the county. It enjoys the advantages, in addi-
tion to that of the public business, of pure air, good water, a fertile soil,
timber, stone, and bituminous coal in abundance. The scenery around
the town is delightful. The Catholics, Cumberland Presbyterians, and
two denominations of Methodists, have each a church, and the Baptists
are about buildinsr.
Central part of Wayneshurg.
In the annexed view the courthouse and public offices are seen on the
left. The private dwellings, of which there are about 80, are many of
them of brick or sandstone. No stage-coach runs from the town in any
direction. Large droves of cattle pass through towards the eastern
markets, the clay roads along this route acting more kindly upon their
feet than the stony surfice of the national road. The academy of the
county is at Carmichaelstown, or New Lisbon, a village of some impor-
tance on Muddy creek, about four miles from its mouth.
Greensburg, on the Monongahela, was formerly a place of considerable
trade — a depot for produce sent down the river in arks and steamboats ;
but larger towns on the national road and on the Ohio have changed the
current of trade. Directly opposite Greensburg is New Geneva, the
46
HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
former residence of Mr. Gallatin, and the site of his extensive glass-
works.
Newtown, Mapletown, Clarksville, Jefferson, Mount Morris, Morris-
viLLE, and Clinton, are small villages, adapted to the business of the ag-
ricultural communities amid which they are respectively situated.
HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
Huntingdon county, originally a part of Bedford, was established by
the act of 20th Sept. 1787. Its limits were curtailed in 1804 by the sep-
■^^ aration of a part of Cambria co. Length 38 m., breadth 31 ; area 1,185
' sq. m. Population in 1790, 7,508; in 1800, 13,008; in 1810, 14,778; in
1820, 20,142; in 1830, 27,145; in 1840, 35,484.
The county lies entirely within the great central mountainous district,
and its surface is consequently rugged. In passing through the county
from the southeast to the northwest, there occur successively the Tusca-
rora. Shade, Black-log, Jack's, Sideling-hill, Terrace, Allegripus, Tussey's,
Lock, Brush, Bald Eagle, and the great Allegheny mountains ; with some
ridges of minor importance. The Broad-top mountain is an isolated ele-
vation on the southwest boundary, containing a small and singular bitu-
minous coal basin, the seams of which are from one to four feet in thick-
ness.
Between these mountains are a corresponding number of valleys, of
every variety as regards their shape, and adaptation for agricultural and
mineral purposes. Some are broad, containing undulating lands highly
enriched with limestone ; others are coves, of a canoe shape, enclosed be-
tween two spurs of a mountain ; others so narrow as scarcely to allow
their waters comfortable room to pass. The Raystown branch, which
passes through one of these, writhes and wriggles itself about as if vexed
with the restraint. The Juniata passes through the centre, and receives
all the minor streams of the county. The Little Juniata, the Frankstown
branch, the Raystown branch, and Aughwick cr., are the principal tribu-
taries.
The county is perhaps not surpassed by any in the state, in the richness
and variety of its mineral deposits, and the steadiness and extent of its
water-power ; it is inferior to but few in the fertility of its valleys, and
its convenient situation for obtaining fuel of all varieties, for manufac-
turing purposes. Bituminous coal can be obtained, by railroad and canal,
from the Allegheny mountain : lead-ore is found in Sinking valley, and
about the close of the revolutionary war one of the mines was worked
to some extent. The predominating ore, however, is iron, of w^hich vast
deposits are found in almost every section of the county. The manufac-
turing of iron constitutes one of the principal branches of business, as
may be seen by the following list of iron-works, extracted from Harris's
Pittsburg Directory for 1837: —
On the Little Juniata — Elizabeth furnace and Mary Ann forge, owned by Edward Bell ; Antis
forge, by Graham &, M'Camant; Cold-spring forge, by John Crotzer; forge by A. R. Crane, (not
HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 363
finished in 1837 ;) Union furnace, owmed by Michael Wallace, occupied by Dorscy, Green & Co. ;
and Barre's forge, owned by Dorsey, Green & Co. ; Tyrone forges, (two,) by William Lyon &.
Co. ; Juniata forge, by G. &. J. H. Shoenberger. On the Frankstown Branch — Allegheny fur-
nace, by E. Baker & Co. ; Etna furnace and forge, by H. S. Spang ; rolling-mill and forge, by
G. Hatfield &. Co., (not completed in 1837 ;) furnace by H. S. Spang, (not completed in 1837 ;)
Cove forge, by Royer «fc Sehmucker. On the Raystown Branch — Frankstown furnace, by Daniel
Ilileman ; Clinton forge, by Wm. Hopkins &, Beightcl. On Stone Creek — Greenwood furnace,
owned by Rawie &, Hall ; forge owned by W. & A. Couch, leased to Rawlc &. Hall. On Spruce
Creek — Elizabeth forge, by G. & J. H. Shoenberger; Pennsylvania furnace and three Coleraine
forges, by Shorb, Stewart & Co. ; Elizabetli forge, by R. Moore ; Franklin forge, by C. Wigton ;
Millington forge, by Wm. Hopkins ; Stockdale forge, by John S. Isett. On Shade Creek — Rock-
hill furnace, by J. M. Bell ; Winchester furnace, owned by T. T. Cromwell, occupied by J. M.
Allen. On Aughwick Creek — Chester furnace and Aughwick, erected in 1837. On Warrior's
Mark Run — Huntingdon furnace, by G. & J. H. Shoenberger. On Little Bald Eagle Creek —
Bald Eagle furnace, by Wm. Lyon & Co. On Big Trough Creek — Mary Ann furnace and
forge, owned by John Savage, conducted by John Thompson. On Piney Creek — Springfield fur-
nace and Franklin forge, by Samuel Royer &, Co. On Clover Creek — Rebecca furnace, owned
by Dr. Peter Shoenberger. In all, 16 furnaces, 24 forges, 1 rolling-mill; making 13,750 tons
of pig-metal, and 9,301) tons of blooms.
The Juniata division of the Pennsylvania canal passes through the
county, a distance of about GO miles, terminating at Hollidaysburg,
where the Portage railroad over the Allegheny mountain commences.
The construction of this public work, completed about the year 1834, has
changed the whole course of business in the county. Arks and keel-boats,
and river-pilots have found their occupation gone. Towns, that once con-
trolled a large share of the business of the county, have lost that business,
which has been diffused among small rival places along the line of pub-
lic works ; and small villages have grown into large bustling towns by
the impetus of internal improvements.
The principal turnpike in the county is that along the Juniata to Holli-
daysburg, and thence over the mountain to Ebensburg and Pittsburg.
Other frequented thoroughfares pass into Bedford, Centre, and Mifflin
counties.
Several curious caves have been discovered in the limestone valleys ;
and there are several mineral springs, which are efficacious in certain
diseases.
The earliest attempt at a settlement by the whites, within the present
limits of Huntingdon, (if indeed it be not in Bedford co. — see p. 117,)
was probably about the year 1749, on Aughwick cr., in the extreme
southern corner of the county. The adventurous pioneers of Cumberland
CO., disregarding the limits of purchases from the Indians, had penetrated
to a number of places on the waters of the Juniata, beyond the Kittatin-
ny mountain. But, by order of the provincial government, and in conse-
quence of complaints from the Indians, Richard Peters and others, in May,
1750, routed these intruders, and burnt their cabins. The report states
that " at Aughwick they burnt the cabin of one Carlton, and another un-
finished one, and three were burnt in the Big cove." Hence the name
of Burnt Cabins, still given to that place.
Between the date of that event and 1756, a place called Aughwick is
frequentl)' mentioned in the old provincial records ; but whether a settle-
ment of whites or Indians it does not distinctly appear. It was probably
the same place where Fort Shirley was subsequently built, in Jan. 1756 —
one of the line' of frontier posts. After the defeat of Gen. Braddock, in
the summer of 1755, scalping parties of Indians roamed throughout the
whole frontier, cutting off all the defenceless settlements. The foUoiving
364 HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
extracts, from Sargeant's Abstracts of the Provincial Records, relate t<y
this region : —
1755. From Aughwick, Oct. 9. That 14 day.s before, 160 were about leaving the Ohia
to attack the frontiers. Tliat the Indians meant to draw off all the Indians from out of Penn-
sylvania and from the Susquehanna, before tliey attacked the province.
1755. Nov. 2. Accounts from C. Weiser and others, that the people at Aughwick and Juni-
ata were ail cut off.
March 4. Conference with a number of Indians, one of whom had returned from his visit, in
Dec. last, to the Indians on the Susquehanna, and tlie Six Nations ; and those who lived at
Aiighwick before Braddoek's defeat, and since at Harrises.
1756. Aug. 2. Mr. Morris informed the governor and council, that he had concerted an ex-
pedition against Klttanning, to be conducted by Col. John Armstrong, who was to have under'
his command the companies under Capt. Hamilton, Capt. Mercer, Capt. Ward, and Capt. Pot-
ter ; and to engage what volunteers he could besides : that the affair was to be kept as secret as
possible, and the officers and men ordered to march to Fort Shirley, and from thence to set out
for the expedition. And he had given Col. Armstrong particular instructions, which were en-
tered in the orderly book ; and in consequence of his orders, and agreeable to the plan concerted,
Col. Armstrong had made the necessary preparations, and has wrote to him a letter from Fort
Shirley, stating that he was on the point of setting out. liCtter from Col. Armstrong, containing
an account of the capture of Fort (iranville by the Fren(;h and Indians, and the garrison taken
prisoners. Tiiat they designed very soon to attack Fort Shirley, with 400 men. "Capt. Jacobs
said he could take any fort that would catch fire, and would make peace with the English when
they had learned him to make gunpowder."
Col. Armstrong marched from Fort Shirlej^ on the 29th. Aug. At the
Beaver-dams, near the old Indian village of Frankstown, which appears
to have been then in existence, he came up with his advanced party.
(See Armstrong co.)
1756. Oct. 18. The governor related that he found the frontiers in a deplorable condition ;
Fort Granville being burnt by the enemy. Fort Shirley evacuated by his order, and the country
people dispirited, and ruiming into little forts for present security. An order was given to have
them immediately examined, that such as were well planned and tenable might be continued, and
the rest demolished.
The frontiers remained in an unsafe state until after the treaty at Fort
Stanwix in 1768, when the country beyond the Kittatinny mountain, as
far as the West Branch of the Susquehanna, was purchased by the pro-
prietary government. At that time this region was generally known as
" the new purchase." The land-office was opened in the following year,
and many of the Scotch Irish settlers from the Conococheague, Carlisle,
and Paxton settlements, came to seek their fortunes in the lovely valleys
of the .Tuniata. Of the adventures, however, of those early pioneers,
previous to the revolutionary war, scarcely any records have been pre-
served, except here and there a memorandum in the voluminous docu-
ments of the land-office, or the reports of land titles tried in the courts.
The Indians committed constant depredations upon the settlements near
the Allegheny mountain during the whole of the revolutionary war.
The following extracts from an article published in the Columbian Maga-
zine in 1788, may serve to convey an idea of the state of a part of the
county at that time.
Bald Eagle valley, (on the frontiers of Bedford county, state of Pennsylvania,) or, as it \s
commonly called, Sinking Sjjring valley, is situated about 200 miles from Philadelphia. It is
boimded on the cast by a chain of high, rugged mountains, called the Canoe ridge, and on the
west by another called the Bald Eagle, or Warrior mountains, and forms a fine, pleasant vale of
limestone bottom, extending about five mi-les in the widest part. This valley contained, in the
year 1779, about sixty or seventy families, living in log-houses, who formed, within a space of
seven or eight years, several valuable plantations ; some of which are extremely agreeable on ac-
count of their situation, but possess, notwithstanding, very few inducements to an inhabitant of
HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 365
the more settled parts to sojourn long amonfj them, on account of the proximity of the Indians.
So little provision is made, indeed, aijainst tiie attacks of hostile tribes, that instead of forming
societies, whereby defence miirht easily be obtained, the settlers dwell, in general, remote from
one another — few plantations being within less than two (tt three miles distance of its nearest
neighbor — so that when any disagreement takes place, the greater number arc left exposed to the
enemy before it is practicable to spread the alarm of their approach.
This place, during the contest with Great IJritain, was made remarkable on account of tlic nu-
merous lead mines said to be there ; and as the want of that article daily increased, and su()plie9
grew more and more uncertain, it was deemed of so much moment as to induce a company, un-
der the promises of the state, to settle in the valley, with a view to establish a regular set of
works. In pursuance of this scheme, a large fort of logs was erected, and some miners em-
ployed, by whom regular trials were made of such places as were thought the most promising,
and a considerable quantity of ore was produced, from which lead enough was made to give a
competent idea of the real value of the mines in general. On account, however, of the danger
of remaining in this situation while an Indian war continued — added to the consideration that
the miners were all old-countrymen, utterly unused to this mode of life — reasons were suggested
for quitting the service, and the whole undertaking fell to the ground.
The lead ore, from samples repeatedly produced, was of many kinds — some in broad shining
flakes, and others of the steely texture. Several regular shafts were sunk to a considerable depth,
■ — one of which was in the hill upon which the fort was erected, and from which many large
masses of ore were procured, but because it did not form a regular vein, tliis was discontinued,
and another opened about one mile from the fort, nearer to Frankstown. Here the miners con-
tinued, until they finally relinquished the business. When tiiey first began, they found in the
upper surface, or vegetable earth, several hundred weight of cubic lead ore, clean and unmixed
with any substance whatever, wliich continued as a clue, leading them down through the differ-
ent strata of earth, marl, &c., until they came to the rock, which is here in general of limestone.
The shaft first opened, was carried down about twenty feet — from which a level was driven,
about twenty or thirty yards in length, towards the Bald Eagle mountains ; but as strong signs
of ore were observed behind the first shaft, it gave occasion to sink another, which fully an-
swered every expectation ; and when they had arrived to the depth of the first level, they began
to drive it into the first shaft, intending, as soon as they had formed that opening and cleared it
of ore, to begin a shaft lower down, — the vein of ore showing itself strongly upon tlie bottom of
the old. level. This intention, however, was likewise deserted. Another place was begun on the
road towards Huntingdon, about one hundred yards from the fort, upon the top of a small hill.
The people of the valley had made the first attempt, but the excessive hardness of the stone
obliged them to give over their undertaking. Upon clearing away the first rubbish, the vein was
discovered overlaid with mundic of the grayish steel-grained kind ; and this work was continued,
with much success, to the depth of 12 feet, until the fall of a heavy rain filled the springs so as
to prevent all further discovery. A level was intended to be driven from the lowest part of the
liill (having signs of ore) up to the shaft, but was, as the rest, given over for want of assistance.
Among other curiosities of this place, that called the Arch spring may be particularized, as it
runs close upon the road from the town to the fort. It is a deep hollow, formed in the limestone
rock, about 30 feet in width, with a rude arch of stone hanging over it, forming a passage for the
water, which it throws out with some degree of violence, and in such plenty as to form a fine
stream, which at length buries itself again in the bowels of the earth. Some of these pits are near
three hundred feet deep ; the water at the bottom seems in rapid motion, and is apparently of a
color as deep as ink, though, in truth, it is as pure as the finest springs can produce. Many of
these pits are placed along the course of this subterraneous river, which soon after takes an op-
portunity of an opening to a descent, and keeps along the surface among rocky hills for a few
rods, then enters the mouth of a large cave, whose exterior aperture was sufficient to admit a
shallop with her sails full spread. In the inside, it keeps from eighteen to twenty feet wide.
The roof declines as you advance, and a ledge of loose rugged rocks keeps in tolerable order upon
one side, affording means to scramble along. In the midst of this cave is much timber, bodiea
of trees, branches, &.C., and are to be seen lodged quite up to the roof of this passage, which af-
fords a proof of the water being swelled up ts the very top during the time of freshets, &-c. : its
mode of escape being, perhaps, inadequate to the prodigious quantities which must sometimes fall
from the mountains into tliis chamiel, swelling it up to the very surface, as several places over
the side seemed to evince the escape of water at times into the lower country. Tliis opening in
the hill countinues about four hundred yards, when (ho cave widens, after you have got round a
sudden turn, which prevents its being discovered until you are within it, to a spacious room, at
the bottom of which is a vortex, the water that falls into it whirling round with amazing force.
Sticks, or even pieces of timber, are immediately absorbed and carried out of sight — the water
boiling up with excessive violence, which soon subsides until the experiment is renewed.
On the opposite side of the valley, a few hundred yards from the fort, and about half a quarter
of a mile from the mountain, is a remarkable bog, composed of a black rooty mud, without any
intermixture of stone whatever, although surrounded by amazing quantities. This place is about
366 HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
twenty-five or thirty yards over, and below its margin are large beds of iron ore, of a honeycomb
texture. The solid parts of it, where fresh broken, are of a fine glossy brown, and contain much
iron — as was experienced in the lead furnace, where they used the ore by way of an addition or
flux, when it produced so much as to oblige them to pull down the front wall of the furnace to
remove the iron out of the earth. It was so malleable as to bear the hammer. Early in spring,
the spot upon wliich the bog stands is readily found ; for it produces a most luxuriant plenty of
a long sedge grass of a beautiful color, and a considerable time before the effects of spring are
visible in any other part of the valley. Tiiis seldom fails to attract the notice of the poor cattle,
which are sure, however, to pay dear for their attempt to obtain a mouthful of its produce, as in
less than an hour it totally swallows and covers them. Five cows were, at one time, nearly con-
veyed out of sight — of which three were totally dead, the other two hardly recoverable.
Upon the road towards the town, and nine miles from the fort, there is a narrow pass through
another chain, (Tussey's mountain,) which, for about a mile in length, is so confined that it does
not admit any carriage whatever, and even a horseman finds it advisable to dismount, rather
than to trust his safety entirely upon the dexterity of his horse in conveying him over these rude
masses of rocks and stones. This pass, on account of a stream running through it, is called
Water-street. The break in the mountain, on each side, is almost perpendicular, and seems
loosely piled up with huge pieces, threatening destruction to the passenger below. A few miles
from the town there is a set of sandy hills, high masses of which are in places left bare, and from
the lowness of their nature, and the washing of the storms, have assumed different forms, some
of which the country people have likened to pulpits, bowls, teapots, &c. In general, it is known
by the name of the Pulpit rocks. A person visiting these parts, must cross the Juniata three or
four times from Standing Stone, or Huntingdon, to the fort, from which it is computed to be about
21 or 22 miles distance.
The above article was republished in Hazard's Register in 1831, and
drew from R. B. McCabe, Esq., of Indiana county, the following interest-
ing reminiscences, dated June 5, 1832.
About the year 1800, perhaps in Nov. 1799, my family moved into this valley, and settled
about six miles below the fort called the Lead-mine fort, near the foot of the Bald Bagle mountain,
or ridge, as it is now called. I continued to reside either in the valley or the neighborhood — sel-
dom further off" than Huntingdon, mitil 1820, with the exception of one or two excursions, the
longest, short of six months. I was a lover of nature from my boyhood ; and in no part of our
happy state did she more freely exhibit her beauteous freshness than in Sinking valley, for it is
by that name that the region described by B. is now known. It constituted Tyrone township in
Huntingdon co. for many years. I believe it was divided into two election districts in the session
of 1819-20. The census for Tyrone township for 1830,* I have not seen, but it will compare to
advantage with the " sixty or seventy families living in log-houses," wliich B. gives as the popu-
lation in 1779. In 1820, the following manufactories were in operation in this valley, viz. : one
forge, four fires and two hammers ; four grist-mills ; five saw-mills ; a furnace had been carried
on for some time, but operations were suspended in 1817 or '18.
Across the river was a rolling and slitting mill, paper-mill, oil-mill, and three nailing machines
— water power. A very extensive flouring-mill, a large stone barn, stone dwelling-house, and nu-
merous out-houses, have been built of beautiful blue limestone, near where the Arch spring " throws
out" its water, " with some degree of violence," on a rich and well-cultivated farm. The lead
mines have been long since abandoned. The upper lead mine, as it is called, on the lands now
belonging to a German family of the name of Crissman, exhibits but the traces of former exca-
vation, and trifling indications of ore. The lower one, about a mile in direct distance from the
Little Juniata, was worked within my remembrance, under the superintendence of a Mr. Sinclair,
a Scotch miner from the neighborhood of Carron Iron-works, in the land of cakes. The mine
then was owned by two gentlemen, named Musser and Wells. The former, I think, lived and
died in Lancaster co. Mr. Wells was probably a Philadelphian. Three shafts were sunk to a
great depth on the side of a limestone hill. A drift was worked into the bowels of the hill, pos-
sibly a hundred yards, six feet high, and about the same width. This was expensive. No fur-
nace or other device for melting the ore was ever erected at this mine. Considerable quantities
of the mineral still lie about the pit's mouth. The late Mr. H , of Montgomery co., who
had read much and practised some in mining, (so far as to sink some thousand dollars,) visited
this mine in 1821, in company witii another gentleman and myself, and expressed an opinion that
the indications were favorable for a good vein of the mineral. But the vast mines of lead in the
west, such as Mine a Burton, and the Galena, where the manufacture of lead can be so much
more cheaply carried on, must forever prevent a resumption of the business in Sinking valley,
imless, indeed, some disinterested patriot shall procure the adoption of a tariff of protection for
the lead manufacturer of the happy valley.
* In 1840, 1,226.
HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 3G7
B. speaks in his third paragraph of " the people of the valley" having ' made the first at-
tempt" at opening the earth on a small hill on the road to Huntingdon, &c. I am informed by
ancient letters, tliat the " people" were looking for " silver."
A remarkable, irn^gular trench, the vestiges of whicli can yet be seen, with occasional inter-
ruptions, runs from the upper lead mines to the neiglilwrhood of the lower ; it is at least six miles
in length. It was found there by the earliest emigrants, and thirty years ago, stout trees grew on
the banks of earth thrown out in excavating it. It was there, it is said, and ancient in its appear-
ance, when Roberdeau erected or commanded the fort at the upper lead mines. Conjecture has
attributed it to the French, whose exploring parties searched extensively for minerals in Ligonier
valley, while that nation held Fort Duquesne. So great a labor, it was supposed, would only
have been commenced in search of " a precious metal," and could only have been encouraged to
})erseverance by success. Not Black Beard's guarded hoards have been more sedulously sought
after on the seaboard, than have those unknown and uncomeatihle ores supposed to lie buried
somewhere, either in Sinking valley, or on the bank of the Little Juniata, the eastern boundary of
that valley.
The delusion passed off in proportion as the early settlers and their progeny died away, or re-
moved to the " Great West." But it was current in my young days. Now, however, Sinking
valley is not torn with the pick, the crowbar, and shovel, as formerly, but subjected to the fertil-
izing influences of the plough, the hoe, and the harrow. The change of implements has been
every way beneficial ; it is the richest body of land — shows the best agriculture — and contams
the best aind wealthiest farmers in Huntingdon county.
Mr. McCabe, in the spring of 1812, being then clerk at Messrs. Dorsey
& Evans' Union Furnace, which had been erected two years previously,
was enabled, by means of B.'s communication, to discover the deposit of
bog ore in the swamp alluded to by B., and the ore from it was long used
at the furnace. He says no valuable body of copper ore or of copperas had
been found there. Concerning " the silver hunting business," to which he
has alluded above, he relates the following :
The tract of land on which the Arch spring sometimes, when very high, debouches into the
Little Juniata, was purchased by Messrs. Dorsey and Evans, from a Mr. J. I., who now owns the
Arch spring itself, and the farm on which it arises. While the furnace and works appurtenant
were in progress of erection, Mr. I. called one day at our boardmg-house, an old log-building in
which he had himself resided on his first settling on that tract of land. The day was wet, and
much desultory conversation passed. Among other things, some one inquired why he had dug a
mi7Z-race which was spoken of, in a place where, to a very superficial judgment, a good site
could not be had, and neglected an excellent one a very few perches lower down the river,
both quite near the house. I do not pretend to give the words of liis answer, but in the substance
I am not mistaken.
" About years ago, (I forget how many,) a man came here," said Mr. I., " from one of
the cities, who said he had received a letter from Amsterdam, setting forth, that many year*
before, two men in descending the Little Juniata in a bark canoe, in which they had a quantity of
silver bullion, met with an accident by which their canoe was broken. Being fatigued and una-
ble to carry their burden on foot through a wilderness, they buried it near the mouth of a run, to
the description of which this place answers well. ' VVitli your permission,' said the stranger,
• but not else, I will make some examination.' To this," said Mr. I., " I at once agreed. He
then went on to tell me," continued Mr. I., " that on the south side of the run, such a distance
from its mouth, was a spring ; on the east side of the spring grew a white-oak tree, within a yard
or two of the spring. He had found all these marks combined at my spring, and now wanted
permission from me to cut into that tree on the side next the spring. If he was right in his con-
jecture as to the place and tree, a whetstone and an iron wedge would be found in the tree ; so
many feet in a southeast direction from its root, the bullion lay buried. There was no scar on
the bark by which you might suspect that ever an axe had marked it. I told him to cut in and
try it. He did so, and to my utter astonishment, a few chips being taken out, an axe mark was
seen, and, as I am a living man, the whetstone was there. The iron wedge was not found ; but
some years after one was found by accident in splitting a tree for rails about a mile lower down
the river, almost in the heart of the tree.
" The stranger dug first in the proposed direction, and then in every other ; he was not suc-
cessful, and at length went away. Because I soon after began this unfinished mill-race, people
in the neighborhood have always suspected that I found the silver ; but," said Mr. I., pleasantly,
" I wish I had." He was right, it was early and generally believed that he had found it, and
that belief was encouraged by the statements of a laboring man, who worked in the mill-race all
day, and heard I. at work there all hours in the night. The laborer added, that one night unu
sual movements in tiie lower story, such as whispering between Mr. I. and his wife, and the at
368 HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
tempt to remove the punclicons of tlie floor, led liim to believe the treasure was found, for soon
after the mill-race was abandoned.
Mr. I. is a wealthy man. He was poor when he lived first in the log-cabin by the mouth of
Arch Sjjring run.
I remember having seen one of the miners who had been employed at the upper lead mines.
He was a Highlander, and when animated by a " highland gill," could box, dance, or sing in
Gaelic, without a competitor. He said, that an Englishman named Gibbon, was very fortunate
in refining the ore, and extracting silver. He further stated, that he saw a mass of silver which
Gibbon had procured about the size of a tin bucket. Honest John McL. was a man of integri-
ty, and I have no doubt that he meant to speak the truth. He did not say the tin bucket, of
which he made a standard, was of any particular size.
The following facts are stated in a paper published a few years since :
Huntingdon furnace was built in 1795 or '96. It has belonged, until lately, to Judge Glonin-
ger of Lebanon, Geo. Anshutz of Huntingdon, Peter Shoenberger, now of Allegheny co., and
Martin Dubbs of Philadelphia. Tlie company originally commenced with about 15 acres of
land, one horse, and a pair of oxen, at v/hat is termed the " old seat," about a mile above the
present furnace. The location was unfortunate, and a second furnace was erected. The busi-
ness was chiefly attended to by Mr. Anshutz, and was conducted with the care, economy, and
skill for vvhich the Germans are so celebrated. Out of the proceeds and profits of this furnace
grew the Tyrone Iron-works, consisting of the lower and upper forges, rolling-mill, slitting-mill,
nail-factories, saw and grist mill, with large bodies of farm and wood land. These Tyrone works
produced the Bald Eagle furnace ;.and a forge was built on Spruce creek. In 1819 the lands of
the Huntingdon Furnace Company extended about 16 miles in length, and exceeded 40,000
acres.
The iron business thus early introduced has ever been a favorite object
of attention and investment with the citizens of Huntingdon co. The
census for 1840 gives for this county, 20 furnaces, making 13,8.50 tons;
27 bloomeries, forges, and rolling mills, producing 14,093 tons. The num-
ber of men employed in the iron manufacture, including those in mining
operations, was 1,357. Capital invested, $780,000. There are also in
the county, 6 fulling-mills, 9 woollen manufactories, 34 tanneries, 15 dis-
tilleries, 4 printing offices, 4 flouring-mills, 65 grist-mills, and 182 saw-
mills.
The Juniata iron is famous for its toughness and other excellent quali-
ties, throughout the whole country. The iron business continued to pros-
per until the severe pecuniary crisis of 1840-42, during which many
w^orks were compelled to suspend ; others adopted the system of orders,
— that is, checks given to their workmen upon their own stores for goods
in payment of "svages ; and when that system began to be odious, it is
said some establishments returned to an ancient practice of paying their
hands in long dollars, a new species of metallic currency, being neither
more nor less than the bars and pigs of iron which themselves had made.
With these the workman realized his money or his necessaries of life,
wherever he could pass his long dollars.
Huntingdon, the seat of justice, is situated on the left bank of the Ju-
niata, just above the mouth of Standing Stone creek. The town is built
upon an elevated bank sloping gently up from the river, and behind the
town rising into a hill, upon which, in a beautiful shaded cemetery, rest
the ashes of the dead. A traveller says, " the approach to the town is
peculiarly beautiful. At about half a mile distance, the road, cut through
a valuable quarry of solid rock, acquires an elevation of some 20 or 30
feet above the canal. On rounding the hill, the aqueduct across the
mouth of Stone creek — the town beyond, with its spires, gardens, and ad-
jacent cultivated fields — the canal, river, and surrounding hills, burst at
once on the vision. The ' graveyard hill,' within the limits of the bor-
HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
369
ough, covered with half-grown forest-trees, is an admired and much fre
quented spot by the living."
Huntingdon, from the Hill below the Town.
The annexed view was taken from near the point in the road alluded
to above.
Huntingdon has long been noted for the wealth, intelligence, hospitali-
ty, and sociability of its citizens. It is not, however, a very beautiful
town. The streets were originally made too narrow ; and too great a
proportion of the houses are of wood ; though in this particular an im-
provement is visible within the last few years.
The place to a stranger has an ancient and quiet air. It contains an
elegant and spacious courthouse, recently erected, a large stone jail,
Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Seceder, Catholic, and African Meth-
odist churches, an academy, three printing offices, &c. Population in
1840, 1,145. A substantialbridge across the Juniata conducts to Smith-
field, a small village opposite Huntingdon.
Huntingdon for many years commanded the trade of the whole county ;
the progress of public improvement has extended equal facilities to other
portions, and of course deprived it of many of its former sources of traffic. It
is the natural depot and outlet of the surplus products of Woodcock and
Stone valleys. The former, though rather hilly, has a rich limestone soil,
well cultivated by German farmers. In Stone valley are situated the
" Warm Springs," a place of considerable resort. The water is light on
the stomach, diuretic, and is said to contain magnesia.
The following memoranda relating to the early history of this place,
were learned from some of the older inhabitants :
The town of Huntingdon was laid out a short time previous to the revolutionary war by Rev. Dr.
Wm. Smith, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. The doctor had been over to Enffland
soliciting funds in aid of the University. The Countess of Huntingdon* had been a munificent
* Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, second daughter of Washington Earl Ferrers, was bom
1707, and married Lord Huntingdon. From habits of gayety and scenes of dissipation, she be-
came, all at once, after a serious illness, grave, reserved, and melancholy. Her thoughts were
wholly absorbed by religion, and she employed her ample resources in disseminating her prmci-
ples through the instrumentality of Whitefield, Romaine, and other eloquent Methodists. Not
47
370 HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
donor : and In her return for her liberality he perpetuated her memory by giving her name to this
town. The county in 1787 took the s-.ime name. Previous to that time the place had been no-
ted as the site of an ancient Indian village called Standing Stone. A tall slim pillar of stone — •
four inches thick by eight inches wide — had been erected liere by the resident tribe many years
since — perhaps as a sort of " Ehenezer." It then stood at the lower end of the town, near the
river bank.
The tribe regarded this stone with superstitious veneration, and a tradition is said to liave
existed amono- them, that if the stone should be taken away, the tribe would be dispersed ; but
that so long as it should stand they would prosper. A hostile tribe once came up from the Tus-
carora valley, and carried it off during the absence of the warriors ; but the latter fell upon
them, recovered the stone, and replaced it. It is said that Dr. Barton, of Pliiladelphia, learned, in
some of his researches, that Oneida meant Standing Stone; and that nation, while living in
New York, is said to have had a tradition that their ancestors came originally from the south.
It is generally understood about Huntingdon that the original stone had been destroyed or taken
away by the Indians, but that the whites erected a similar one, a part of which renrains. It is
certain that the whites removed it from its original position into the centre of the town. When
Mr. McMurtric came here in 1776-'77, it was about eight feet high, and had on it the names of
John Lukcns, the surveyor-general, with the date of 1768 ; Charles Luliens his assistant ; and
Thomas Smith, brother of the founder of the town, and afterwards judge of the supreme court.
It stood thus for many years, until some fool, in a drunken froUc, demolished it. A part of it is
now built into the wall of Dr. Henderson's house, and a part is in his ofSce. It is evidently a
stone from the bed of the creek, bearing marks of being worn by water.
The venerable Mr. McMurtric, still living in the place, was one of the earliest settlers. He
was a young man in Philadelphia at the time of the declaration of independence ; and his father,
a prudent old Scotchman, immediately after that event, started his son into the interior, ostensi-
bly to look after his wild lands ; but probably with a view to remove him from any temptation to
join the rebel army.
When Mr. McMm-trie came to this place in 1776 or '77, there were only five or six houses
here, one of which was the tavern kept by Ludwig Sills. On his way up, he had stopped at the
solitary tavern of old Mr. Buchanan, were Lewistown now is, and at another cabin at Waynes-
burg. The first settlers at Huntingdon, were his father-in-law, Benjamin Elliott, Abraham
Ilaynes, Frank Cluggagc, Mr. Ashbough, and Mr. Sills. The early settlers here were chiefly
from Maryland, probably from the Potomac valley, near the mouth of Conococheague. People
from the same quarter settled Wells' valley. One of the Bradys, the uncle or father of the
famous Capt. Samuel Brady, had previously resided across the river, at or near the mouth of
Crooked creek; but he removed to the West branch of Susquehanna before the year 1776. For
some years after the year 1776, hostile Indians annoyed, and frequently murdered the unprotected
settlers. There was a fort built during the revolution just at the lower end of tlie main street.
The town was once alarmed at the appearance of lurking Indians on the neighboring hills ; and
within a day or two afterwards the unfortmiate scout, from the Bedford garrison, was murdered
near where Hollidaysburg now stands.
HoLLiDAYSBURG is situated at the west end of the county, about 23 miles
west of Huntingdon, and near the eastern base of the Allegheny moun-
tain. It stands partly on a plain, and partly on a hill of moderate eleva-
tion, commanding a delightful view of the surrounding mountain scenery.
It is located on the great northern turnpike leading from Harrisburg to
Pittsburg, at the junction of the Juniata division of the Pennsylvania
canal and the Portage railroad. To this junction, and the consequent
change of the mode of transportation, it owes much of its prosperity. It
is of recent growth : a few years ago it was an obscure village, contain-
ing in 1830 but 72 inhabitants; but when the canal and railroad were
completed in 1834, it increased in population, business, and wealth, and
has steadily improved in its appearance. Now the two boroughs Holli-
daysburg and Gaysport, separated only by a small branch of the Juniata,
have the appearance of one town, and are said to contain, together with
the environs, upwards of 3,000 inhabitants. Hollidaysburg borough
only her house in Park-street was thrown open for the frequent assembling of these pious reform-
ers, but chapels were built in various parts of the kingdom, and a college erected in Wales for
the education of young persons intended for the ministry. After many acts of extensive charity,
she died in 1791.
HUNTINGDON COUNTY.
371
alone contained 1,89G by the census of 1840. It is the centre of a fruitful
country, now rapidly opening to cultivation, and teeming with abundant
resources both mineral and vegetable. It is in the midst of an abundant
iron region ; and bituminous coal, obtained on the summit of the Alle-
gheny, descends by its own gravity to the town.
There are at this place Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist,
Catholic, and African churches ; six public schools, one classical school.
A missionary of the Seamen's Friend Society labors among the boatmen
along the canal. There are also several foundries and machine shops, a
large steam flour-mill, a screw dock, and marine railway; ten or eleven
forwarding hoases, with immense warehouses ; and several spacious
hotels. A large basin, formed by the waters of Beaver-dam creek, ac-
commodates the boats of the canal.
The annexed view shows in the foreground the canal packet-boat trans-
ferring its passengers to the cars ; beyond is the central part of the bo*-
Hollidayshurg.
rough : on the right are some of the warehouses and shops connected
with the landing-place. The distance from Hollidayshurg to Johnstown,
by the railroad, is 39 09-100 miles ; to the summit 7 or 8 ; and by the ca-
nal to Huntingdon 38 2-3 ; to Harrisburg 143 miles.
Under the head of Cambria co. a more detailed account is given of
the Portage railroad, together with a narrative of the passage of the first
boat over the mountains, in Oct. 1834.
The following particulars, relating to the early adventures of the pio-
neers of this region, were derived from a respectable citizen of Hollidays-
hurg:—
Among tlie fij-st settlers of this section were Daniel and William Moore, two brothers, from
Cumberland co., and Adam Hoiliday, from the Conococheagiic settlement, in Franklin co., whose
name has been perpetuated by the town. His farm was situated just soutliwcst of the railroad
bridge, near the town.
They came here about the commencement of the revolutionary war, and endured to the fullest
extent the privations and sutTerings incident to a wilderness still inhabited or haunted by the red
men. Stockade forts were built to protect the inhabitants in case of invasion. Mr. Hoiliday,
however, on one occasion had not availed himself of the fort, and was engaged in the labors of
tlie field, when the savages appeared suddenly. The family took to flight ; Mr. H. jumping on a
372 HUNriNGDON COUNTY. '
horse with his two young children, John and James. His elder son, Pat, and daughter Janel
were killed while running from the enemy. " Run, Janet, run !" said the old man. The cruel
savage repeated his words in derision, as he sunk the deadly tomahawk into her brain.
There was another fort in Sinking valley, at the lead-mine ; and William Moore, finding it
necessary to go there for ammunition, started very early one morning, with a boy by the name
of M'Cartney. As he was passing a log by the side of the road, with some brush behind it, a
shot from an Indian in ambush caused him to jump several feet into the air ; and he started oft'
into the bushes, in a direction opposite to that which he should naturaMy have taken — his brain
being undoubtedly bewildered by the shot. The boy and the Indian at once jumped behind trees }
but the latter peeping out from his tree, which was not large, the boy availed himself of the chance
to put a bullet into his buttock, which was exposed at the other side. The Indian ran, and
dropped Jiis belt and knife ; and the road was found strewed with bunches of bloody leaves, with
which he had attempted to stanch the wound. But the man himself was not fonnd, though
bones were afterwards found, supposed to be his.
The boy returned and reported the occurrence, when Mr. Daniel Moore assembled a band of
men to seek his brother, and if possible to drive off" the savage. The poor man was found at
Brush cr., nearly upright, leaning against a pile of driftwood.
The depredations and murders of the Indians became so frequent, that the few and scattered coIoj
nists were compelled to abandon the settlements, and retire below Jack's mountain, to Ferguson's
valley, near Lewistown, where they remained five or six years ; and then retm-ned again to theii*
desolated homes, and settled in Scott's valley. More joined them after the war, and among others
Messrs; John Blair and John Blair, Jr., who gave name to Blair's gap, where the old Frankstown
road used to cross the Allegheny mountain, and which is now surmounted by the proud monu-
ment of the enterprise of Pennsylvania — the Portage railroad. Mr. John Blair, Jr., was a most
useful and intelligent citizen, and earned and deserved the character of the Aristides of the
county. A Mr. Henry also came about the same time.
The first village here consisted only of half a dozen or a dozen houses, on the high ground
along the Frankstown road. Old Frank was the Indian chief of this region, and had a town
about two miles below Hollidaysburg, called Frankstown, or Frank's Oldtown. It was on the
flat, on the right bank of the Juniata, at the month of Oldtown run, near where the mill now is.
From this place, in later days, the Frankstown road led over Blair's gap to the Conemaugh coun-
try, by which the conunodities of the east and west were transported on pack-horses. What a
contrast presents itself now, at this same summit, between the locomotive and the old pack-horse !
Burgeon's gap was about four miles north of Blair's, and through it, or rather through the
Kittanning gap near it, led the old war-path through the nortli end of Cambria co. to Kittanning.
It was out upon this path that a band of torics, from the eastern parts of Huntingdon and Mifflin
COS., went to escort the British and Indians from Kittanning, to cut off" the defenceless settle-
ments of the frontier. They met the fate that traitors always deserve. On arriving near Kittan-
ning, they sent forw ard messengers to announce their approach and their errand ; but as they had
been for some time on short allowance, the whole body, on seeing the fort, were so elated at the
prospect of better supplies, that they simultaneously rushed forward, and overtook their own mes-
sengers. The garrison, seeing the rapid approach of such an armed force, took them for ene-
mies, and welcomed them with a warm discharge of bullets, which killed many of their number.
The rest fled, in the utmost consternation, on the route by which they had gone out. Their pro-
visions had been exhausted on the way out, and the poor fugitives were compelled to recross the
mountains, in a most famished condition. Two of them contrived to crawl over the mountain,
and arrived at an old deserted cabin, in Tuckahoe valley, where the inhabitants had happened to
leave a small portion of corn-mcal and hog's fat. Forgetting every thing but their hunger, they
carelessly stood their rifles against the house outside, and fell tooth and nail upon the meal, seated
upon the hearth inside, where they had kindled a fire to cook it. Samuel Moore and a comrade
happened to be out hunting, when they approached the cabin, and espied the rifles leaning against
the house. Moore crept ver}^ cautiously up, secured the rifles, and then opening the door with his
rifle in his hand, called on the poor starved tories to surrender ; which of course they did. They
were conducted into tlie fort at Hollidaysburg. While going from the cabin to the fort, the tories
could scarcely walk without being supported. One of them was disposed to be a little obstinate
and impudent withal, when Moore's comrade, an immensely stout man, seized him, tied a
rope round his neck, and throwing one end of the rope over the lintel of the fort-gate, swung up-
on it, and run the poor fellow into the air. Moore, however, being of a cooler as well as more
merciful disposition, did not approve of this summary justice, and ran immediately and cut the
rope, in time to save the fellow's life.
Near Hollidaysburg, about 2 1-2 miles below, on the canal, is Franks-
town, now comparatively a small place, but formerly an important point
on the road over the mountain. It is an incorporated borough, containing
357 inhabitants. There is a furnace near this place.
HUNTINGDON COUNTY. 373
Two miles west from Hollidaysburg, on the northern turn| ike, is
a flourishing village which has recently grown up around a very exten-
sive iron-works.
Nevvby is another small village, 4 miles southwest from Hollidaysburg.
An attempt was made in the legislature of 1843 to establish a new
county, to be called Blair, out of parts of Huntingdon and Bedford cos. ;
but it failed to pass. The details of the bill are not known to the com-
piler, but it is presumed Hollidaysburg was to be the county seat.
Williamsburg is a flourishing borough, 14 miles below Hollidaysburg,
on the canal, and 10 miles, by road, west of Huntingdon. A copious
spring which issues from a limestone rock behind the town, is sufficient
to drive a flour-mill, woollen factory, and saw-mill. The town contains
Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, and German Reformed
churches. Two miles above is a forge ; and a little above that is Canoe
furnace. Population in 1840, 637. The town was laid out in 1794, by
Jacob Ake, a German, who owned the land. He leased the lots on ground
rent ; a circumstance which has since created some unpleasant feelings
between the citizens and the proprietor. Favored with a fine water-
power from the spring, and enjoying the trade of the large and fertile
valley of Morrison's cove, the place continued for some years to flourish ;
but the completion of the canal has not tended to increase the prosperity
of the place, though it has greatly benefited the farming interest in the
vicinity. Among the first settlers near the town, were Judge Stuart and
" Esq." Phillips. One mile above this place, on the left bank of the
Juniata, is a remarkable perpendicular ledge of rock, thin, sharp, and
broken into fantastic forms, jutting out some eight or ten feet from the
more friable rocks of the hill to which it is attached. It has much the
appearance of the flying buttresses and turrets of a Gothic church.
Alexandria is a handsome borough, on the left bank of the Juniata, 7
miles above Huntingdon, near the mouth of Little Juniata. It contains a
Presbyterian and a Methodist church. Population in 1840, 574. East
of Alexandria, three miles, is the small borough of Petersburg, also on the
Juniata, at the mouth of Shover's creek. It contains 196 inhabitants.
Two miles above Alexandria is Water-sti'eet, so called from the circum-
stance of the road in early days passing through a gap in the mountain
literally in a stream of water. The iron-works in this region are valuable.
Birmingham is a thriving borough, 15 miles N. W. of Huntingdon, on
the Little Juniata, near the old lead mine, and in the midst of the iron-
works of Sinking valley. In 1824 it contained but nine houses. It now
contains enough to accommodate 235 inhabitants. It was incorporated
in 1828.
Shirleysburg is in the Aughwick valley, near the creek, 16 miles S. of
Huntingdon, containing 247 inhabitants. Some reminiscences of Fort
Shirley will be found above in the history of the county. In Aughwick
valley, four miles S. of Shirleysburg, stood Bedford Furnace, the first one
erected in western Pennsylvania. It has long since fallen to ruins. The
estate, formerly Ridgley and Cromwell's, has changed owners, and a
town has been laid out at the site of the old furnace, called Orhisonia,
from the name of the present proprietor, William Orbison, Esq., of Hun-
tingdon. Two furnaces and a forge have been built ; and the inexhausti-
374 INDIANA COUNTY.
ble mines of valuable ore, and steady water-power, promise to make it a
growing place.
There are several other small villages in this county. McConneij.sburg,
about five miles S. W. of Huntingdon, in Woodcock valley ; Ennisville,
at the upper end of Stone valley ; and a number of little hamlets con-
nected with the principal iron-works. The annexed extracts are from
Philadelphia papers.
On Saturday, 30th May, 1840, within two miles of Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county, Penn-
sylvania, a series of murders were committed, which, for atrocity, have scarcely a parallel on re-
cord. No less tlian six human beings were hurried from time to eternity, by the hand of a cold-
blooded murderer, viz.: a Mrs. Brown, and her five children, from the age of 21 to 10 years
The old lady was found with her throat cut — the son aged 21, and the daughter about 16, with
rifle balls through their bodies — the three younger ones, with their brains knocked out with stones,
in a field hard l)y the dwelling-house — supposed to have fled on witnessing the butchery of their
mother, &c. Mr. Brown was from home, and on his return, a short time after his family were
murdered, was fired at twice from the barn, the last ball taking effect, ranging along the lower
jaw and passing through the ear. He Was stunned, but did not fall. At the moment of receiv-
ing the second fire, he saw a man jump from the barn loft, and make for the woods. This man
he believed to be his own son-in-law, by name, Canaughy. On this suspicion, or rather strong
belief, Canaughy was arrested, and the testimony taken before the examining and committing
magistrate, went to fix guilt strongly upon him. It appears Brown, the father-in-law, owns a
farm worth three or four thousand dollars. Canaughy, the morning of the murders, started with
his wife for the residence of his mother, some miles distant in the mountains. He had contrived,
however, before starting, to procure the return to their father's residence of the son and daughter,
who were absent aiding a neighbor, not far distant, in his field labors, by coining a plausible
story, so that his motive for the deed might be made fully and effectually available. Had he
succeeded in destroying the father-in-law, his (Canaughy's) wife, the only survivor, would have
inherited the estate. This was, undoubtedly, the moving cause to the hellish deed. In addition,
it was in evidence, he had borrowed his father-in-law's two rifles, and they were found in the
barn from whence the murderer fled. Canaughy was arrested, in bed, at his mother's residence
the same night. He denies, — but there is little doubt of his guilt. The community, in the
neighborhood of this horrible transaction, is greatly excited.
Robert Canaughy sufirrcd the awful penalty of the law at Huntingdon, on the 6th Nov., 1840.
He was executed in the jail-yard, a few minutes before 3 o'clock, P. M.
The closing circumstances of his guilty and miserable career were peculiar : down to the hour
of his execution, nay to the very moment the drop fell, he stubbornly persisted in asserting hia
innocence. All hope of his making any acknowledgments was entirely removed by his dogged
conduct. He was taken upon the scaffold — every thing adjusted — the monient arrived, the drop
fell, and not a word confessed. But the rope broke, and instead of hanging, very much to his
astonishment, we suppose, he found himself upon the ground, under the gallows ! He thought
he was " clear," but the illusion was present with him but a moment. He Was immediately
taken up on the gallows again ; every thing made ready ; the drop about to fall, when he begged
for "time to talk a little," and proceeded "to make a full and detailed confession of his crimes
to the clergyman present, Mr. Brown and Mr. Peebles, who reduced it to writing in his own
words, as he made it," and who will cause it to be published for the benefit of his wife and chil-
dren. His confession, it is said, casts yet deeper and darker shades of cruelty over the bloody
affair.
He had scarcely concluded his confession, when the last minute that the execution co uld bo
delayed arrived and he was again swung oflT, and paid his life a forfeiture for his crime 1 — Se ntinel.
INDIANA COUNTY.
Indiana county was separated from Westmoreland and Allegheny by
the act of 12th March, 1803. Length 33 ms., breadth 23 ; area 770 sq.
miles. Population in 1810, 6,214; in 1820, 8,882; in 1830, 14,252; in
INDIANA COUNTY. 375
1840, 20,782. This county is situated on the north side of the Conemau^h
river, in the second tier ot counties west of the Allegheny mountain. Its
surface is undulating, like that of most of the western counties, formed
as it is by the abrading action of water upon what was originally a vast
and uniform inclined plane. Laurel hill touches the southeastern corner
of the CO, Chestnut ridge passes north .and south through it; becoming
much depressed, and almost losing its identity as a distinct ridge to the
north of Two Lick cr. The region of these mountains is more rough and
precipitous than the other portions of the co. The Conemaugh river
forms the southern boundary, assuming the name of the Kiskiminetas, at
the confluence of the Loyalhanna, just before leaving the co. Black Lick
cr., with its branches. Yellow cr. and Two Lick cr., tributaries to the
Conemaugh, water the southern end of the co. ; the northern is watered
by Crooked cr., Plum cr., and two branches of Mahoning cr., tributaries
to the Allegheny.
" The lowest known summit in Pennsylvania between the waters of
the Atlantic and of the Gulf of Mexico, lies in the northeastern part of
Indiana county, at the head of Cushing creek, one of the head springs of
the West Branch, and divides that stream from Two Lick, a branch of the
Conemaugh. This dividing ground is probably (speaking from recollec-
tion without the opportunity of referring to documents) about 500 feet
lower than the Allegheny mountain at its most depressed point. To this
summit and to another between Sinnemahoning and Clarion river, the
hopes of those who expected a complete navigable communication through
the state, were principally directed."
The western division of the main line of the Pennsylvania canal passes
along the Conemaugh, frequently opening into a series of slackwater
pools in the river : nine miles below Blairsville it passes through a tunnel
over 1,000 feet long, and emerges upon a magnificent stone aqueduct
across the Conemaugh.
To the traveller passing up the canal, the view of the aqueduct, and
the western entrance of the tunnel, with the river and the rugged moun-
tains above it, is exceedingly picturesque. Previous to the construction
of the canals, the Conemaugh was a rough impetuous stream, of danger-
ous navigation.
The hills through which the Conemaugh winds its way are filled
with mines of coal, iron, and salt. The manufacture of the latter article
has been for some years one of the leading branches of industry in the
southern end of the co. In the interior, agriculture is the leading busi-
ness, and on the forks of the Mahoning the lumber trade is vigorously
prosecuted. The following is from a traveller's letter, published in Haz-
ard's Register for 1831 : —
The existence of salt water in this section was indicated by the oozing of water, slightly brack-
ish, through the fissures of the rock. These places are called licks, from the fact of deer and
other animals resorting to them, to drink the water and lick the mud or rocks, though the salt is
scarcely perceptible tp the human taste. Hence, " watching a lick" is a plirase often heard
among sportsmen in that part of the country ; and it is common to see a kind of scaffold or nest
among the branches of a neighboring tree, in which the gunner awaits the approach of the un-
suspecting animal to its favorite lick. Many deer are killed in this manner.
About the year 1813, when salt, in consequence of the war, was extravagantly high, an enter-
prising gentleman (Mr. William Johnston, deceased several years since) determined to perforata
the rock, and ascertain whether there was not some valuable fountain from whence all these
oozings issued. He commenced operations on the bank of the Conemaugh, near the moutli of
378 INDIANA COUNTY.
the Loyalhanna, and persevered until he had reached the depth of 450 feet, through various strata
of hard rock, when he struck an abundant fountain, strongly impregnated with salt. He imme-
diately proceeded to tubing the perforation to exclude the fresh water, erecting furnaces, pans,
and other fixtures, and was soon in the full tide of successful experiment, making about thirty
bushels per day, all of which was eagerly purchased at a high price.
Mr. Johnston's success induced many others to embark in the business, most of whom were
successful. Very soon the hitherto silent and solitary banks of this river were all bustle, life, and
enterprise. Well after well was sunk ; competition ran high, and brought the price of the arti.
cle lower and lower, until it was reduced to one dollar per barrel. This was too low. Some
establishments were abandoned, others were carried on amidst every difficulty. However, a
reaction, which was naturally to be expected, at last took place ; the price was fixed at two dol-
lars per barrel, which afforded a fair profit. The business regaiiaed its former spirit, and the
quantity manufactured rapidly increased, and is still increasing.
The wells or perforations are from 300 to 600 feet in depth, and about two and a half or three
inches in diameter. They are made with a common stone chisel attached to poles. The opera-
tion is generally performed by hand, by striking the chisel forcibly upon the bottom. It is a
tedious, laborious, and expensive operation, often requiring the labor of two men for more than a
year. When water of the required strength and in sufficient quantity is obtained, the well is
tubed to exclude the fresh water, and a pump inserted, which formerly was worked by horse-
power, but now more commonly by a small steam-engine. The water is first boiled in large
square sheet-iron pans, until it attains a strength but little short of crystallization ; from these
pans it is transferred to large cisterns, in which the sediment is deposited ; thence, purified, it is
put into large kettles placed in tiie rear of the pans, in which it soon becomes crystallized without
any further attention. I have often watciied the eurious and beautiful process of crystallization.
Spear after spear, of the most delicate structure and fantastic shape, will dart into existence as
if by magic ; the process becomes more and more rapid every moment ; presently it looks con-
fused and muddy, then, almost before he is aware, the spectator finds his eyes fixed upon a kettle
of salt. ,
Sufficient water is drawn from one well to supply from three to five pans, making from fifteen
to twenty barrels of salt daily. About thirty gallons are usually evaporated to every bushel.
Coal is exclusively used as the fuel, nature iiaving provided it in exhaustless abundance, and as
convenient to the works as could be desired. At many of them it is thrown from the mouth of
the pit into schutes, through which it descends by its own gravity to the side of the furnaces.
Copperas is manufactured to some extent in Mercer county. On Blacklick creek, in Indiana
county, a few miles fi'om Blairsville, there is evidence of an abundant source of this article,
though there is no regular manufactory of it.
. The most authentic history of the early settlement of Indiana county is
the following sketch by R. B. McCabe, Esq., originally published with
the signature of Mohulbuckteetam, in the Blairsville Record, in 1833: —
The first attempt at making a settlement in tlic limits of Indiana county, is believed to have
been made in tiie year 1769, in the forks of Conemaugh and Blacklick. The country had been
explored in 1766-7, and the explorers were particularly pleased with the spot on which the town
of Indiana now stands. It was clear of timber or brush, and clothed in high grass — a sort of
prairie. So was what is now called the marsli, near the town on the Blairsville road, though at
this time a nearly impervious thicket. When settlers had commenced improvements within a
few miles of the town, they cut the grass off the prairie for the support of their cattle in winter.
In making their hay they were greatly annoyed by rattlesnakes. Persons are yet living in the
neighborhood, who have seen this natural meadow with the hay cut and stacked upon it.
About the year 1771 or 1772, Fergus Moorhead and James Kelly commenced improvements
near where the town of Indiana stands. Kelly's cabin stood within the limits that now enclose
his son Meek Kelly's orchard. The country around might well be termed a howling wilderness,
for it was full of wolves.
So soon as the cabins were finished, each of these adventurers betook himself at night to his
castle. One morning Mr. Moorhead paid a visit to his neighbor Kelly, and was surprised to find
near his cabin traces of blood and tufts of human hair. Kelly was not to be found. Moorhead,
believing him to have been killed by the wolves, was cautiously looking about for his remains,
when he discovered him sitting by a spring, washing the blood from his hair.
He had lain down in his cabin at night and fallen asleep ; a wolf reached through a crack be.
tween the logs, and seized him by the jiead. This was repeated twice or thrice before he was
sufficiently awakened to shift his position. The smallness of the crack and the size of his head
prevented the wolf from grasping it so far as to have a secure hold, and that saved his life. Some
time after this the two adventurers returned to Franklin county (then Cumberland) for their fam-
ilies. On their return, they were joined by others. Joseph M'Cartney settled near them at an
early period.
INDIANA COUNTY. 377
The privations of such a situation can, in some degree, be measured by the difficulty of obtain-
ing brcad-stufFs, and other necessaries of life, of which the following is an example : — Moses
Chambers was another early settler. Having served several years on board a British man-of-war,
he was qualified for a life of danger and hardship. Moses continued to work on his improvement
till he was told one morning that the last johnnycake was at the fire ! What was to be done ?
There was no possibility of a supply short of Conococheague. He caught his horse and made
ready. He broke the johnnycake in two pieces, and giving one half to his wife, the partner of his
perils and fortunes, he put up the other half in the lappet of his coat with thorns, and turned his
horse's head to the east. There were no inns on the road in those days, nor a habitation west of
the mountains, save, perhaps, a hut or two at Fort Ligonier. The Kittanning path was used to
Ligonier, and from thence the road made by Gen. Forbes' army. Where good pasture could be
had for his horse, Moses tarried and baited. To him day was as night, and night as the day.
He slept only while his horse was feeding ; nor did he give rest to his body nor ease to his mind,
until he returned with his sack stored with corn.
How forcibly would the affecting story of the patriarch Jacob apply itself to the condition of
families thus circumstanced ! " Jacob said to his sons. Why do ye look one upon another ? — and
he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt ; get you down thither, and buy for us
from thence, that we may live and not die."
Moses Chambers was not the only one who had to encounter the fatigue and trouble of pro-
curing supplies from Franklin county — all had to do so. Such was the condition of this country,
and such the prospects of settlers after the peace of 1763.
A scarcity of provisions was one of the constant dangers of the first settlers, and, to make their
case worse, there were no mills, even after they began to raise grain. The first year some Indian
corn was planted. It grew, and in the form of " roasting ears" was gladly gathered for food. I
can see, " in my mind's eye," the hardy dame, with her homemade apron of " lye color and
white" pinned round her waist, stepping cautiously between the rows of com, selecting the
finest, that is to say the best, ears for dinner, ay, and for breakfast and supper too.
When the grains got hard, it made good hommony. Reader, didst ever eat hommony? If
thou hast not, one of the good things of this world hath escaped thy notice entirely !
About the year 1773, William Bracken built a mill near where W^illiam Clark, Esq., lately
resided on Blacklick, which was a great convenience to the settlers. They marked out a path,
(they had never heard of railroads, canals, or even turnpikes.) by which they travelled to Bracken's
mill. I see one of them before me ; his bridle, or rather the bridle of his horse, is of hickory bark,
and he rides on a pack-saddle !
About the year 1774, Samuel Moorhead commenced building a mill on Stony Run, where An-
drew Dixon's sawmill now stands ; but before it was completed, the- settlers were driven off by
the Indians. They fled to what was then called the Sewickly Settlement. This was called
Dunmore's war ; by some of the old settlers it was called the civil war, but I don't know why.
They lost their cattle and their crops. However, they returned in the fall to their improvements,
and Moorhead completed his mill.
The Indians were living on the Allegheny river at this time. They had a town called Hick-
orytown, another called Mahoning, also Punxatawney, (or Gnat or Mosquitoe-town.) At their
leisure — and they contrived to have a good deal — tliey stole the white men's horses, and showed
symptoms of no doubtful character as to their feelings towards their new neighbors.
By this time the disputes between the colonies and the mother country blazed out into war.
The war, the most important in its effects that faithful history has ever recorded, reached even
the hardy settlers of Indiana.
About 1775 or 6, a regiment or battalion of soldiers was sent to Kittanning to build a fort for
the protection of the frontiers. This drove the Indians into open hostility.
Little is known or recorded concerning the adventures of the settlers
during the war of the revolution, and the subsequent campaigns of Harmar,
St. Clair, and Wayne. It is probable their residence here was precarious
and unsettled. Every settler was a soldier, and preferred indeed occa-
sionally the use of the rifle to that of the axe or the plough. John Thomp.son
was one of the very few who remained here. He had erected a block-
house six miles N. E. of Indiana borough, where he resided throughout all
the troubles of the frontier.
After Wayne's treaty in 1795, the settlers again returned to their
homes, and resumed the occupations of peace. When old Mr. McLehoe
came to the county, about the year 1800, Greensburg, in Westmoreland,
was the nearest trading town. At Saltzburg and at Johnstown there
were only a few cabins. The county was settled principally by Irish and
48
378
INDIANA COUNTY.
German emigrants, and is now possessed by their descendants, a majority
of whom are from the former souree. That the inhabitants are religiously
and morally disposed, may he iiil'erred irom the fact, that in IHIJO there
was a church in the county for (^\'eiy (»;")() souls.
Indiana, the county seat, was laid out in INOfi, upon a tract of 250 acres
granted for that ])urpos<! hydeorgi^ ClyrncM". It is a ])leasant, neatly built
town, containing lh(! usual county buildings, an academy, PresbytcM-ian,
Methodist, Luthei-an or " Zion," and Seceder churches, and about HO or
100 dwellings. The public buildings, and many of the stores and dwell
Central part of Indiana.
ings, are of brick or stone. The turnpike from Kittanning to Ebensburg
passes through the town. Population in 1810, (574. The place has been
much improved within the last lew years. It is said there are some
traces of an ancient aboriginal fortification about three miles S. W. of the
town.
Blairsvu.le is situated on the right bank of the Conemaugh, immedi-
ately belovv the moulh of Placklick cr., and on the northei-n turnpike, 40
miles from Pittsburg, and 14 from the comity sent. It was laid out about
the year ISll), iitid was named in honor of John jilair, I'isq., of iJhiir's gap,
then president ol'the 1 lollidaysbui-g and Pittsbiu'g Turnpikes Company. 'J'ho
town sit(! originally Ix^longed to Mr. Camplxdl. Tlu; construction of the
turnpike fostered i\\v, growth of tlie town, and a large hotel was erected
to accommodate the travel. In 1821 the noble bridge was thrown across
the river by the turnpike co. It is of one span, 295 feet between the
abutments, and is built oji the Wernwag plan, similar to the one which
was burnt down at Fairmount a lew years since. In March, 1825, the?
town was incorporated as a borough ; and in 1827 the population was
asccM-tained to be 500. From this period to ]8,'J4 were the palmy days of
Blairsville. In 1828 th(^ W(^stern division of the canal was complet<;d to
this place, and the eastern was advancing step by step towards the
mountains ; the intermediate sections of canal and the railroad over the
mountains were in progress, but still unfinished. The carrying trade,
therefore, and the increasing travel, were obliged to resort to the turn
INDIANA COUNTY.
379
pike. This gave groat importance to Blairsville as a depot, and the place
was full oi' bustle and prosperity. Imminise hotels and warehouses were
erected, four or five churches were built within three years, property in-
creased in value, and the hotels were swarming with speculators, engi-
neers, contractors, and forwarding agents. In 1834, the communication
Blairsville.
•
was opened over the mountains, the use of the turnpike was to a great
extent abandoned, and the merchants and inn-keepers of Blairsville were
compelled to sit and see the trade and travel "pass by on the other side."
A reaction and depression of course ensued to some extent, but the enter-
prising citizens were only driven to the natural resources of the country
as a basis of trade. A very considerable quantity of agricultural products
are sold here, the surrounding country being very productive. Quite a
number of houses are largely engaged in the pork business. The town
is improving with a gradual and healthy growth. Population in 1840,
J)90. The citizens of this place are said to be, without disparagement to
other towns, remarkably intelligent and hospitable. There are now five
churches in the place — Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and
Catholic. A daily line of stages passes through on the turnpike.
Saltzburg is a small village on the Conemaugh river and canal, in the
S. W. corner of the co., 10 miles from Blairsville, and 17 from the county
seat. It derives its name from the many salt works in the vicinity. It
contains some 30 or 40 dwellings, vStores, taverns, and a Presbyterian
church. Population in 1840, 33.5. The settlements around this place
were among the earliest in the county. (See preceding extract relating
to the salt manufacture.)
Ar.mach is a small village 13 miles east of Blairsville, on the turnpike
to Ebensburg, near the western base of Laurel hill. Its location is ele-
vated and healthy. There is a Presbyterian church in the village, and
Methodist, Baptist, and Seceder churches in the vicinity. The hotels, of
which there are two, are excellent.
Armagh is quite an old village, originally settled by Irish, who gave it
its Irish name. It is two miles from this place to the canal landing, at a
small hamlet called Nineveh.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Jefferson county was taken from Lycoming by the act of 20th March
1804, but was at first attached to Westmoreland for judicial purposes,
and afterwards to Indiana co. The first commissioners were not appoint-
ed until 1824. Length 40 miles, breadth 20 ; area 1,203 sq. miles. Pop-
ulation in 1810, 101 ; in 1820, 501 ; in 1830, 2,025; in 1840, 7,253.
There are no moimtains in the county, but the surface is hilly, particu-
larly near the large streams, which flow through deep and precipitous
valleys. On the summits between the large rivers the land is more gent-
ly undulating. The soil, on an average, is second-rate, with occasional
bottoms of first-rate land along the streams. The rocks pertain to the series
of coal measures lying on the outskirts of the Pittsburg coal basin. Coal
is found among the hills near Brookville, and in other places. Iron ore
is also found. The co. is still but partially improved. Several causes
have operated to check its improvement as rapidly as its resources would
justify. The lumber business having chiefly occupied the attention of
the citizens, the more steady and sure business of farming has been neg-
lected. The reaction in commercial affairs of 1840-42, promises to cor-
rect this evil.
Large bodies of land in the best locations are still held by rich propri-
etors at a distance, who will neither improve their lands nor sell them at
a fair price to those who will. This casts the burden of public expenses,
and the labor of making roads, upon the few who have improved their
lands. Wild land sells at from $1 to $3 per acre.
For many years after its establishment this county was little better
than a hunting-ground for whites and Indians. The first commissioners
were not appointed until 1824. They were Andrew Barnett, John Lu-
cas, and John W. Jenks — and first met at Port Barnett. In 1825 the only
townships were Pine creek and Perry. The following sketch of the first
white settlement within the county was principally derived from Andrew
Barnett, jr., Esq. :
Old Mr. Joseph Barnett was the patriarch of .TcfTerson co. He liad done service on the W^cst
Branch under Gen. Potter during the revohition ; and also under tlie state against the Wyoming
boys. After the war he settled in Lycoming co., at the mouth of Pine creek ; and very probably
might have been one of tiie Fair-play boys ; at any rate, he lost his property by the operation ot'
the common law, which superseded the jurisdiction of fair play. Again, in 1797, he penetrated
the wilderness of the U|)per Susquehanna by the Chinklacamoose path, and passing flic head
lands between the Susquehanna and the Allegheny, arrived on the waters of Rcl.buik, then
called Sandy Lick creek, lie had pureiiased lands here of Timotliy Pickering & Co. lb- first
erected a saw-mill at Port Barnett, where Andrew Barnett, jr., now resides, at tlie mouth of Mill
cr., about two miles cast of Brookville. His companions on this expedition were his brotlier An-
drew Barnett, and his brother-in-law, Samuel Scott. Nine Seneca Indians, of Cornplanter's
tribe, assisted him to raise his mill. Leaving his brothers to look after the new structure, he rc-
tvjrned to his family in Ijycoming, int-cniding to bring them out. But Scott soon followed him
with the melancholy news of the death of his brother Andrew, who was buried by the friendly
Indians and Scott in the flat op|)osite the present tavern. This news discouraged him for a
while; but in 1799 he removed his family out, accompanied again by Mr. Scott. They sawed
lumber and rafted it down to Pittsburg, where it hrouglit in those days !^;25 per thousand. The
usual adventures and privations of frontier life attended their residence. Tlie nearest mill was
on Black Lick creek, in Indiana co. Mr. Barnett knew nothing of the wilderness south of him,
and was obliged to give an Indian S$4 to pilot him to Westmoreland. The nearest house on the
path eastward was Paul Clover's, (grandfather of Gen. Clover,) 33 miles distant on the Susque-
JEFFERSON COUNTY. 381
hanna, where Curwensville now stands ; westward, Fort Vonanj^o was distant 45 miles. These
points were tlic only resting places for the travellers through that unbroken wilderness.
The Scnecas of Cornplanter's tribe were friendly and peaceable neigiiliors, and often extended
their excursions into these waters, where they encamped two or three in a Sfjuad, nnd liunted
deer and bears ; takitig the hams and skins in the spring to Pittsburg. Their rafts were con.
structcd of dry jtoles, upon which tliey j)iled up their meat and skins in the form of a iiaystack,
took them to Pittsburg, and exchanged them for trinkets, blankets, calicoes, weapons, &,e. They
were always friendly, sober, and rather fond of making money. During the war of 1812 the
settlers were apprehensive that an unfortunate turn of the war upon the lakes miglit bring an
irruption of savages upon the frontier, througli the Seneca nation.
(-Md Capt. Flunt, a Muncy Indian, had his camp for some years on Tlcd-bank, near where is
now the southwestern corner of Hrookville. lie got his living by hunting, and enjoyed the re-
sults in drinking whiskey, of which he was inordinately fond. One year he killed 78 bears — •
they were plenty then — the skins might be wortli about $3 eacli, nearly all of which he expend-
ed for his favorite beverage.
Samuel Scott resided here until 1810, when, having scraped together, by hunting and lumber-
ing, about $2,000, he Went down to the Miami river and bought a section of line land, which
made him rich.
John, William, and Jacob Bassbinder, a family from New Jersey, came
in and settled on Mill or., three miles northeast of Barnett, about the year
1802 or 1803. John Matson, sen., came in 1805 or 1806. Between the
years 1830 and 1840, a number of German families came into the lower
part of the county, and settled near Red Bank cr.
The impulse given to the lumber-trade, by the speculations in the state
of Maine, was not without its influence upon remote sections of the Union.
The keen sagacity of the Yankees discovered that there were vast bodies
of pine-lands lying around the sources of the Allegheny river, not appre-
ciated at their full value by the few pioneers who lived among them.
The Yankees had learned to estimate the value of pine-land by the tree
and by the log : the Pennsylvanians still reckoned it by the acre. Some-
where between 1830 and 1837, individuals and companies from New
England and New York purchased considerable bodies of land on the
head-waters of Red Bank and Clarion rivers, from the Holland Land Co.,
and other large landholders. They proceeded to erect saw-mills, and to
drive the lumber-trade after the most approved method. The little leaven
tlms introduced caused quite a fermentation among the lumbermen and
landholders of the county. More lands changed owners ; new water-
privileges were improved ; capital was introduced from abroad ; and
during the spring-floods every creek and river resounded with the prepa-
ration of rafts, and the lively shouts of the lumbermen as they shot their
rafts over the swift chutes of the mill-dams. The population of the
county was trebled in ten years.
Brookville, the county seat, is situated on the Waterford and Susque-
hanna turnpike, 44 miles east of Franklin, and immediately at the head
of Red Bank cr., which is here formed by the confluence of three branches.
The town was laid out by the county commissioners in 1830: the lots
were sold in June of that year, at from $30 to $300 per lot, and the erec-
tion of houses commenced soon after. The place now contains about 50
or 60 dwellings and stores, a large brick courthouse and public offices,
and a Presbyterian church. The town is watered by hydrants, supplied
by a copious spring in the hill on the north. The scenery around this
town would be fine, were it not that all the hills, except on the north
side, are still clothed by the original forest of pines, being held by distant
proprietors, who neither sell nor improve. Population in 1840, 276. The
great state road, called the Olean road, between Kittanning and Olean,
382
JUNIATA COUNTY
passes through the county, about seven miles west of Brookville. North
of the turnpike, howevei-, this road has been suffered to be closed by
windfalls, and is not now used. In the annexed view, taken at the west
end of the village, part of the Presbyterian church is seen in the fore-
ground on the left, and the courthouse in the distance.
TVestern Entrance to Brookville.
A road leads from Brookville to Ridgeway, a settlement of New Eng-»
land and New York people, made some years since on the Little Mill cr.
branch of Clarion river, in the northeastern corner of the county. It
took its name from Jacob Ridgeway, of Philadelphia, who owned large
tracts of land in this vicinity.
PuNXATAWNY is a Small village with 15 or 20 dwellings, on a branch of
Mahoning cr., about 18 miles southeast from Brookville.
Brockway is a small settlement on Little Toby's cr., at the crossing of
the road between Brookville and Ridgeway.
SoMERviLLE, or Troy, is a small cluster of houses on the right bank of
Red Bank, seven miles below Brookville. Not far from this place is a
Seceders' church, one of the first built in the county.
JUNIATA COUNTY.
Juniata county was separated from Mifflin by the act of 2d March,
1831. Average length about 40 m., breadth 9 ; area 360 sq. m. Popu-
lation in 1840, 11,080. The county comprises that portion of Mifilin
which lay S. E. of Black Log and Shade mountains, and has for its south-
eastern boundary the lofty barrier of Tuscarora mountain, which takes
the name of Turkey mountain east of the Juniata. These mountains
enclose, S. W. of the Juniata, the beautiful and fertile valley of Tusca-
rora cr., composed of undulating hills of slate and limestone ; and on the
N. E. of the Juniata smaller valleys of similar formation. Black Log val-
JUNIATA COUNTY. 383
ley, a long canoe-shaped trough, extends up into the western corner of the
county. The principal streams are the Juniata river, and Tuscarora cr.,
Licking cr., Lost cr., and Cocalamus cr., tributaries of the Juniata ; and
West Mahantango, which empties into the Susquehanna.
The slate and limestone valleys are fertile ; the mountains are precipi-
tous, broken, and generally sterile ; but their sides are covered with a
thick forest. Iron-ore is found in the county, but the greater proportion
of the iron manufactories of Mifflin were not within the present bounds
of Juniata co. The principal branch of business is agriculture. The
population is composed of the descendants of Germans and Irish, who
were the early settlers. The Pennsylvania canal and the Huntingdon
turnpike pass along the left bank of the Juniata, Near Tuscarora cr.,
some ten miles from Mifflin, there are said to be the remains of an ancient
Indian fortification and mound.
The first settlements in Tuscarora Valley were made by Scotch Irish,
from the Cumberland Valley, about the year 1749. At that day the slate
lands bordering the mountains, watered by clear and copious springs,
were more esteemed than the limestone lands, where the waters sunk be-
neath the surface, and expensive wells were consequently required. The
adventurous pioneers, therefore, extended their researches over the moun-
tains, and discovered the rich and well- watered valleys along the Juniata.
In 1833, at the circuit court sitting at Mifflin, an important lawsuit was
tried, involving the title to a farm of 300 or 400 acres of the best land in
Tuscarora Valley, about 6 miles from Mifflin. The farm was in contro-
versy for about 50 years, before various courts at Carlisle and Lewis-
town. It is known among lawyers as the Grey property case, reported
in 10 Sergeant and Rawle, page 182. Many of the facts given in evi-
dence are interesting as elucidating the history of the times ; and the
whole case, with the amusing scenes that occurred at the trials, and the
marked originality of many of the principal personages, would constitute
an excellent theme for an historical novel. The following statement of
the case is derived, partly, from a sketch by Samuel Creigh, Esq., pub-
lished in Hazard's Register, and partly from verbal conversation with a
number of the eminent counsel in the case.
Robert Hagg, Samuel Bigham, (or Bingham,) James Grey, and John Grey, were the four first
settlers in Tuscarora valley, and the first white men who came across Tuscarora mountain, about
the year 1749. Tiiey cleared some land, and built a fort, afterwards called Bigham's fort.
Some time in 1756, John Grey and anotlier person went to Carlisle with pack-horses, to purchase
salt : as Grey was returning, on the declivity of the mountain, a bear crossed his path and fright-
ened his horse, which threw him off. He was detained some hours by this accident ; and when
he arrived at the fort, he found it had just been burned, and every person in it either killed or
taken prisoner by the Indians. His wife, and only daughter, three years old, were gone, — also
Innis's wife and children. A man by the name of George Woods (he was the father-in-law of Mr.
Ross, who ran for governor, and afterwards lived in Bedford) was taken outside the fort, with a
number of others.
John Grey joined Col. Armstrong's expedition against Kittanning in the autumn of that same
year, in hopes of hearing from his family. The hardships of the campaign prostrated his health,
and he returned to Bucks co., his original home, only to die. He left a will giving to his wife
one half his farm and to his daughter the otlicr half, if they returned from captivity. If his
daughter did not return, or was not alive, he gave the other half to his sister, who had a claim
against him of ^13, which she was to release.
In the mean time, George Woods, Mrs. Grey and her child, with the .)thers, were taken acrosa
the mountains to Kittanning, then an Indian village, and afterwards delivered to the French
commander of Fort Duquesne. Woods was noted for his gallantry, and during their captivity at
Fort Duquesne he represented to Mrs. Grey how much better married than single persons fared
384 JUNIATA COUNTY.
among the Indians, and proposed a match. Mrs. Grey had no inclination for a partnership in
misfortune, and peremptorily declined. Woods was given to an Indian by the name of Hutson ;
and Mrs. Grey and her child were taken charge of by others, and carried into Canada. About
a vear after the burning of the fort, Mrs. Grey concealed herself among some deerskins in the
wagon of a white trader, and was brought oft", leaving her daughter still in captivity. She re-
turned home, proved her husband's will, and took possession of her half the property. She after-
'wards married a Mr. Enoch Williams, by whom, however, she had no issue. Some seven years
after her escape, in 17(54, a treaty was made with the Indians, by the conditions of which a num-
ber of captive children were surrendered, and brought to Philadelphia, to be recognised and
claimed by their friends. Mrs. Grey attended, but no child appeared that she recognised as her
dear little Jane. Still, there was one of about the same age whom no one claimed. Some one
conversant with the conditions of John Grey's will, slyly whispered to her to claim this child for
the purpose of holding the other half of the property. She did so, and brought up the child as
her own — carefully retaining the secret, as well as a woman could. Time wore away, and the
girl grew up, gross and ugly in her person, awkward in her manners, and, as events prt ved,
loose in her morals. With all these attainments, however, she contrived to captivate one Mr.
Gillespie, who married her. A Scotch-Irish clergyman of the Seceder persuasion, by the name
of McKee, became quite intimate with Gillespie, and either purchased the property in question
from him, or had so far won his good graces, that he bequeathed it to him. The clergyman
made over the property to one of his nephews, of the same name. The clergyman had also a
brother, McKee, who, with his wife, was a resident of Tuscarora Valley. His wife, " old Mrs.
McKee," was a prominent witness in the subsequent trials. After a lapse of years, the children
of James Grey, heirs of John Grey's sister, got hold of some information leading them to doubt
the identity of the returned captive ; and the lawsuits consequent upon such a state of things
were speedily brought, about the year 1789. It would literally "puzzle a Philadelpliia lawyer"
to describe the multiform and complicated phases which the case assumed during a legal con-
test of more than 50 years, and would besides throw no light upon the history of the valley. The
Williamses, the Grej's, the McKees, all claimed an interest by inheritance, — to say nothing of the
Beales, the Norrises, and others who had bought into the property, and several lawyers with large
contingent fees. Many of the facts stated above were elicited during the examinations, although
some of them were not admitted by the court as legal testimony.
Mrs. Grey (or Mrs. Williams) said that when they were crossing Sideling hill she had exam-
ined the child Jane, and found a mark on her by which she had been able to recognise her. Mr.
3jnnis was one of the captives, and remained with the Indians until the treaty; and when
one day he chided Mrs. Williams for keeping a child not her own, she replied, " You know why
I keep this girl." Mrs. Innis told her that her daughter was not returned, that this was a Ger-
man girl, and could not talk English when she came to Montreal. Mrs. Innis herself had lost
three children. One the Indians put under the ice because it was sick — the other two she got.
One of these a gentleman of Philadelphia had, and refused to give it up, until Innis proved the
child his by a private mark. Mrs. Williams said to one witness, " No, that is not my daughter,
but George Woods knows where my daughter is, and has promised to get her." The real daugh-
ter, however, never was recovered.
Old Mrs. McKee, the principal living witness at a number of trials, and who spoke with a rich
Irish brogue, on one occasion became quite garrulous, and entered largely into the history of the
valley, to the great amusement of the court. Among other things, she described the spurious
girl as " a big black ugly Dutch lump, and not to be compared to the beautiful Jenny Grey."
Her historical developments so much interested one of the jury at Lewistown, an old settler
himself, that he — forgetting the restraints of a juryman — sent for the old lady to come to his room
at the hotel, and enter more at large into " the days of auld lang syne." The old man was a
little deaf, and the old lady's loud voice could be heard throughout the house. One of the coun-
sel, whose side of the case wore rather a discouraging aspect, overheard the old lady ; and the
next morning exposed the poor juryman, amidst a roar of laughter from the court and the bar.
The case of course had to be ordered for trial before another jury. The following is the deposi-
tion of George Woods, written by him, or at his dictation, at Bedford, in 1789, but never sworn
to. It was not without great resistance on the part of counsel, that the facts were introduced as
testimony. The ease was finally decided in 1833 or '34, against the identity of the adopted
child, and the property vested accordingly.
" Personally appeared, &c., &.C., &c., George Woods, and saith, that about 12th or 13th of
June, 1756, he was taken by the Indians in the settlement of the Tuscarora, in the county afore-
said, [of Mifflin,] and that the wife of John Grey and his daughter Jane, and others, were taken at
same time ; — that we were all carried to the Kittanning town on the Allegheny river, — and there
divided among the Indians, — and some time in the month of July then next, the said Indians
deUvered me, together with Jane Grey, to a certain Indian named Jolin Hutson ; which said In-
dian took me and the said Jane Grey to Pittsburg, then in possession of the French ; and after
some days the Indian Hutson delivered me to the French governor Mons. Duquesne ; from which
time I heard nothing of the said Jane Grey until the winter after Stump killed the Indians up
JUNIATA COUNTY. 385
Susquehanna ; at which time I found out the said Indian called John Hutson, who informed
me that little Janey Grey was then a fine big girl, and lived near Sir William Johnson's — which
mformation I gave to Hannah Grey, mother of the said Jane Grey.
" At same time Hannah Grey showed me a girl she had taken out from the prisoners released
by Col. Bouquet for her own child.
" I then informed the said Hannah that the child she had taken was not her own child — said
Hannah requested me not to mention that before the girl she had taken, for that, if she never got
her own, she wished not to let the one she had know any thing of her not being her own child.
Some time in the same year Col. George Croghan came to my house. I informed him the ac-
count I had got from John Hutson. He, Mr. Croghan, informed me that the Indian's informa-
tion was true, and that he got the said Jane Grey from the said Indian ; and had put her into a
good family to be brought up ; — all which I informed the said Hannah, — and this-summer-was-a-
three-years the said John Hutson, and his son, came to my house at Bedford and stayed some
time. I inquired about little Janey, as he called the child he had got with me — he informed me
little Janey was now a fine woman, had a fine house and fine children, and lived near Sir Will-
iam Johnson's seat, to the northward. I am clear that the girl Mrs. Hannah Grey showed me
she had taken for her child was not the daughter of John Grey — and further saith not."
Dated June, 1789 — never sworn to — used in 1815, 1817 — Mifilin county.
Besides the settlers mentioned in the report of the Grey case, others
settled in the Tuscarora valley after quiet was restored to the frontier ;
among them were Messrs. Grimes, Scott, Patterson, Casner, Wilson and
Matthew Law, Ralph Sterret, and Robert Campbell. William Patterson
settled at the mouth of Tuscarora valley, opposite Mexico, and owned a
large tract of that fine land at the foot of the mountain, now occupied
by the Strausses and Keplers. Patterson was a bold, energetic man. He
built the first mill below Millerstown, afterwards swept away by a flood.
The Indians always feared him. He erected a blockhouse, about the time
of, or soon after, Braddock's war, (1755.) It is still standing, in the farm-
yard of Mr. Strauss, performing the peaceful duty of a corn-crib. It is
about 12 feet square, 8 logs high, and formerly had a slate roof to guard
against fire. The chinks were stopped with stone, and the rifle-holes cut
with a flare towards the inside and small outside, to admit of pointing a
rifle in any direction. Before the blockhouse was built, an attempt was
made to dig a cellar just opposite Mexico, a little above Mr. Strauss's ;
but the Indians came down on the point of the little ridge overlooking
the spot, and shot the workmen, who abandoned the site. The ruins re-
main, and a large walnut-tree, nearly 20 inches in diameter, is growing
out of them. There was a most sanguinary battle on the river bank, a
little above Mr. Strauss's, between two tribes of Indians. It originated
in a quarrel between the Indian children, about some grasshoppers, and
was known as the grasshopper war. Greater nations have warred for
objects equally important. Philip Strauss and Mr. Kepler, grandfathers
of the present generation, settled here before the revolution.
It is said that Hugh Hardy, a Scotch-Irishman, was settled up Licking
cr., at an early day. The whites had a fort near the mouth of Licking
cr. valley, called Campbell's fort, "which is now obliterated. It is related
that, long after the settlement of the whites, the friendly Indians used to
encamp on Licking cr., near where Mr. Peter Sheetz now resides, where
they would sometimes amuse themselves by shooting at a mark ; and that
w^hen they had exhausted their bullets, they often went down somewhere
near the mouth of Licking cr., and returned shortly after with plenty of
lead, nearly pure ; which led the whites to suspect the existence of lead-
mines in that region. An old Indian used occasionally to come down and
talk about a silver-mine, in a ridge near Mifflin, on the opposite side of
the river ; but as the whites never found it, and the Indian had his living
49
386
JUNIATA COUNTY.
free as long as he kept up their credulity, it is presumed the mine only
produced silver for himself. Most of these Indian stories about precious
mines are "an auld wife's fable." The best mines yet opened in Juniata
CO. are on those lands that yield 25 to 30 bushels of wheat to the acre.
Mifflin, the county seat, occupies an elevated site on the left bank of
the Juniata, commanding an extensive view of the neighboring moun-
tains and valleys. Since the establishment of the county, the place has
improved rapidly. The new county buildings are pleasantly located on
rising ground, with a public square in front. The view annexed was
Mifflin.
taken from the opposite side of the river. A neat and substantial bridge
js seen crossing the river. One of the churches is seen on the extreme
left, near the canal. The courthouse is in the centre, and the other two
churches on each side. The academy is also seen at the end of the street
leading from the bridge. The churches are Presbyterian, Methodist, and
Lutheran. The Pennsylvania canal passes along the river bank, and the
Huntingdon turnpike passes through the town. A thriving trade is car-
ried on here with the rich valleys adjacent. Mifflin was laid out about
the year 1791, by John Harris. Among the first settlers here were John
Watson, Samuel Bryson, (presiding judge,) Samuel and Alexander Jack-
son, James Knox, James Ramsay.
Thompsontown is a flourishing village nine miles below Mifflin, on the
left bank of the Juniata. It contains about 50 or 60 dwellings. This
place was laid out after Mifflin, probably about the year 1800.
Mexico is a small village on the canal, four miles below Mifflin, con-
taining some 40 or 50 dwellings.
Perrysville is a smart little village of neat white houses, recently built
on the right bank of the Juniata, at the mouth of Licking and Tuscarora
creeks, two and a half miles below Mifllin. A splendid bridge here
crosses the river. After passing the town, the river sweeps majestically
round to the left, washing the base of the lofty ridge that diverts its course.
Tammanvtovvn, an older village, lies on the other side of Tuscarora cr.,
about a mile above.
LANCASTER COUNTY. 387
' Waterford and Waterloo are small villages on Tuscarora cr., near
the southwestern corner of the county.
Calhounsville and Ridgeville are in the northeastern section of the
county ; the latter is embosomed among the mountains, on West Mahan-
tango en
LANCASTER COUNTY.
Lancaster couNtY was separated from Chester by the act of 10th May,
1 729, being the first county established subsequent to the three original
counties of Chester, Bucks, and Philadelphia. Its boundaries then com-
prised " all the province lying to the northward of Octararo cr., and west-
ward of a line of marked trees running from the north branch of the said
Octararo cr. northeasterly to the river Schuylkill." It has been gradually
reduced to its present limits by the establishment of York, Cumberland,
Berks, Northumberland, Dauphin, and Lebanon. Length 33 m., breadth
28; area 928 sq. m. Population in 1790,36,141; in 1800,43,043; in
1810, 53,927; in 1820, 68,336; in 1830, 76,631 ; in 1840, 84,203.
The general surface of the county is that of a gently undulating plain,
interrupted by a few abrupt elevations. The South mountain, here
known as the Conewago hills, forms the northern boundary ; to that suc-
ceeds a broad belt of red-shale and sandstone. South of this, and occu-
pying the central township, is a wide tract of the finest limestone lands
in the state. A few high sandstone ridges, Chiques ridge, and the Welsh
mountain, are protruded through the limestone. Another broken sand-
stone range, composed of Mine ridge, Martick hills, and Turkey hill,
crosses south of the limestone ; and the southern portion of the county is
principally composed of primitive talc-slate, producing rather a sterile soil.
On the Susquehanna river, near Peach-bottom ferry, slate is quarried on
both sides of the river. The limestone of the " Great valley" of Chester
CO. extends across the boundary into Sadsbury and Bart townships.
There is perhaps no county in the state possessing such an amount and
variety of the sources of natural wealth, and none where these resources
have been more industriously developed. The Susquehanna, naturally
navigable, and improved on both sides by artificial canals, flows, for 40
miles, along the S. W. boundary of the co. The Conestoga and Pequea
creeks, with their numerous branches, drain the centre ; the other impor-
tant streams are Conewango and Chiques creeks on the northwest,
Conewingo and Octararo creeks on the south and southeast. These
streams, with their public improvements, afford a vast amount of water-
power.
This CO. has long been proverbial for excellent turnpikes and substan-
tial stone bridges. There are turnpikes from Lancaster to Philadelphia —
(constructed as early as 1792-94, at an expense of $465,000) — to Harris-
burg, to Columbia, to Morgantown, and one from Chester co. through
Ephrata to Harrisburg. There are also many excellent common roads,
of which the Strasburg road is the most celebrated, having been formerly
the great route of communication with the Susquehanna. The Columbia
LANCASTER COUNTY.
railroad, belonging to the state, passes through Paradise, Lancaster, and«
Columbia, where it communicates with the main line of Pennsylvania
canal, with the tide-water canal to Maryland, and with the railroad to
York and Baltimore. Another railroad, owned by a company, runs from
Lancaster to Ilarrisburg. The Conestoga navigation, a series of slack-
water pools with dams and locks, extends 18 miles from Reigert's basin
at Lancaster, to Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna. Iron ore is found in
several localities ; and this co. has been long famous for its iron works,
but many of them are now included within the limits of Lebanon co.
Kurtz, it is supposed, established the first iron works in 1726, within the present bounds of
Lancaster co. The Grubbs were distinguished for their industry and enterprise ; they commenc-
ed operations in 1728. Henry Wihiam Steigel managed EHzabeth Works for many years, when
they were owned by Benezet & Co. of Philadelphia. The Olds were also known as industrious,
punctual, and prudent iron-masters ; but Robert Coleman, Esq., became the most successful pro-
prietor ; to untiring industry and judicious management he united the utmost probity and regu-
larity in his dealings, and to him this county is especially indebted for the celebrity it has ac-
quired from the number and magnitude of its iron works, and the excellence of its manufacture.
Henry William Steigel was the founder of Manheim ; he erected glass-works at a considerable
expense ; but being of a speculative character, he became involved, and his works passed into
other hands. A curious house erected by him is still to be seen near Sheaftcrstown, where it is
pointed out to the notice of the passing stranger, as " Steigel's Folly." — Lancaster Miscellany.
Copper ore, it is said, has also been found in Mine ridge, where there
are the remains of an ancient shaft. These mines, it is supposed, were
opened either by French adventurers or by persons from Maryland, about
the time of Wm. Penn. Indications of gold were discovered in Chiques
ridge, near Columbia, but further search for it has proved delusive ; read-
ier modes of obtaining it have been long knov^n among the German
farmers.
The census of 1840 enumerates for this co. — 11 furnaces, making 6,912
tons of pig metal per year ; 14 forges, rolling-mills, &lc., making 2,090
tons ; men employed, 784 ; capital invested in iron works, $420,500 ; 12
fulling-mills, 10 woollen manufactories, 1 cotton manufactory, (near Lan-
caster city,) 57 tanneries, 102 distilleries, 8 breweries, 9 printing offices,
128 flouring-mills, 135 grist-mills, 106 saw-mills, and 2 oil-mills.
The population of the co. is mainly of German descent ; the German
language, until within a few years past, was more generally spoken than
the English. German thrift and persevering industry are evident in the
broad, well-cultivated farms, and substantial stone houses, and still more
substantial and spacious stone barns, which meet the eye of the travel-
ler in all parts of the co.
Education, hitherto too much neglected, in consequence of the preva-
lence of the German language, is becoming an object of more attention ;
the younger portion of the German community are ambitious to learn and
converse in English, and to attend upon English preaching ; and the com-
mon school law is growing in favor throughout the co.
Lancaster co. was first peopled by Indians — not aborigines, who had
held the soil from time immemorial — but by remnants of southern tribes
driven out by the encroachments of European colonists in Maryland, Vir-
ginia, and the Carolinas, a few years before, and about the time that
Pennsylvania was founded.
At the opening of that century (1600 — 1700) the lower valley of the
Susquehanna appears to have been a vast uninhabited highway, through
which hordes of hostile savages were constantly roaming between the
LANCASTER COUNTY. 399
northern and southern waters, and where they often met in bloody en-
counters. The Six Nations were acknowledged as the sovereigns of the
Susquehanna, and they regarded with jealousy, and permitted with re-
luctance, the settlement of other tribes upon its margin. The Cayuga
chief told the Moravians of Wyal using, in 1765, "that the place they had
chosen was not proper, all that country having been stained with blood ;
therefore he would take them up and place them in a better situation
near the upper end of Cayuga lake." This was nearly a century after
the fugitive southern tribes had obtained permission to settle in the lower
valley. Mr. Bancroft, in speaking of the Shawanees, says — " It was
about the year 1698* that three or four score of their families, with the
consent of the government of Pennsylvania, removed from Carolina and
planted themselves on the Susquehanna. Sad were the fruits of that
hospitality. Others followed, and when, in 1732, the number of Indian
fighting men in Pennsylvania was estimated to be 700, one half of them
were Shawanee emigrants. So desolate was the wilderness, that a vag-
abond tribe could wander undisturbed from Cumberland river to the Ala-
bama, from the head-waters of the Santee to the Susquehanna."
As these tribes came in one after another from the south, those previ-
ously here introduced and recommended their new friends to the protec-
tion of the provincial government and of the Six Nations. The Shawa-
nees had a village called Pequea, or Pequehan,' at the mouth of the creek
of that name. Opessah was their chief. They were some years after-
wards persuaded to remove to the lands on Conodoguinet, where a
hunting-ground had been assigned them by the proprietary government.
Ever restless and quarrelsome themselves, and encroached upon by the
whites, they retired from one hunting ground to another, until they joined
the French on the head waters of the Ohio, in 1755.
The Conoys, or Ganawese, another southern tribe, came in about the
year 1700, and dwelt at Dekanoagah, about the mouth of Conoycr., near
the site of Bainbridge. Their name is variously spelled in the early records
— Canoise, Canaways, Ganawese, and Ganawense ; and James Logan, who
visited them in 1705, says when they first came into the province they
were called Piscataivay Indians, and that they then came to Philadelphia
(in 1701) in company with the Conestogas and Shawanees, "who engaged
to our government for their peaceable deportment and behavior among
us."
The Nantikokes, from Maryland, appear to have tarried for a while as
guests with the Ganawese, and then to have removed further up the Sus-
quehanna— probably to what is now called Duncan's island — afterwards
to the North branch of the Susquehanna, and eventually to the country
of the Six Nations. (See Dauphin and Luzerne counties.)
The Conestogas were a small tribe, or, as some think, an aggregation
of the remnants of various tribes, consisting in all of some dozen or
twenty families, who dwelt on the Conestoga flats east of Turkey hill,
a few miles below Lancaster. Their true origin it is difficult to ascer-
* Mr. Bancroft, in fixing the date in 1698, follows Logan's manuscripts, and the Philadelphia his-
torians agree on that date. Mr. Conyngham, who has investigated the manuscript records at
Harrisburg, thinks the southern Indians came here in 1678 — but we have no space for antiquarian
controversy. See Mr. C.'s notes in Hazard's Register, vol. xv., pp. 81, 117, 138. Votes of As-
sembly, vol. iv., p. 517, and the printed Colonial Records.
390 LANCASTER COUNTY.
tain, but it is very probable they were of the tribe called by the early
Swedish settlers Minquaas, and that they had formerly lived in Mary-
land. Gov. Keith, in 1722, says, "the Conestoga Indians were formerly
a part of the Five Nations, called Mingoes, and speak the same language
to this day : they actually pay tribute now to the Five Nations, and, either
from natural affection or fear, are ever under their influence and power."
They sent messengers with corn, venison, and skins, to welcome William
Penn, and a treaty of amity was concluded between him and them, " to
endure as long as the sun should shine or the waters run into the rivers."
This chain of friendship was often brightened from time to time ; and
when the whites began to settle around them, Penn assigned them a resi-
dence within his jurisdiction, on the manor of Conestoga. Here they en-
joyed many years of peaceful residence, in friendly intercourse with the
people of Lancaster, until the sad catastrophe which exterminated the
tribe. All these tribes — the Conestogas, Shawanees, Ganawese, and
Nanticokes — paid an annual tribute to the Five Nations ; and the strings
of wampum hung around their council fire told the number of years, and
testified to their punctuality.
The village of the Conestogas is noted in the early colonial history as
the scene of many important councils between the proprietary governors
and the Indians of the Susquehanna and the Six Nations. Wm. Penn is
said to have visited them once. James Logan was here in 1705 ; Gov.
Evans in 1707, with a retinue of officers ; Gov. Gookin in 1710 and '11 ;
and Gov. Keith in 1721. The details of their councils may be seen in
the printed colonial records. They were also often visited by preachers
of various denominations, among whom was Thomas Chalkley in 1705,
an eminent Quaker preacher.
The proprietary government regarded with watchful jealousy the in-
trusion of traders among these Indians, and forbade such trade except
under special license. The French, even as early as 1707, had their wily
emissaries among them under the guise of traders, or miners, or colo-
nists, to seduce them from their allegiance to the English. Maryland,
too, was pushing her pioneers over the boundary to forestall the claims of
Wm. Penn by actual settlement. The following facts are culled from
the colonial records, which ort this subject are too voluminous and scat-
tered to be copied entire.
1701. " At a council held at Philad., 23d of 2d mo. 1701, present Wm. Penn, some member^
of comicil, and divers others, with the Susqueharmagh Indians." The chiefs enumerated at the
head of the treaty are " Connoodaghtoh, king of the Susquehannah Minquays or Conestogo In-
dians, Wopaththa, (alias Opessah,) king of the Shawanese, Weewhinjough, chief of the Gana-
wese inhabiting at the head of Patowmeck ; also Ahoakassongh, brother to the emperor or king
of the Onondagoes of the five nations, and Indian Harry for their interpreter, &-c. &-c." After"
a treaty and several speeches, sundry articles were solemnly agreed on.
1705. James Logan, with several others, visited them to learn the news among them, and to
give the Indians on the Susquehanna advice, and exchange presents. Logan " understood John
Hans was building a log-house for trade amongst them, which made him uneasy, and desired to
know if they encouraged it. They answered that they did not, and were desired not to suffer
any Christian to settle amongst them without the governor's leave." Logan, " with the compa-
ny, had made a journey among the Ganawese settled some miles above Conestogoe, at a place
called Conejaghera, above the fort."
1706. Andaggyjunguagh appeared at Philadelphia as chief of the Conestogoes in 1707. He
is called Adjunkoe.
1707. July 22. Gov. Evans laid before the council an account of his journey among the Sus-
quehanna Indians. He was accompanied by Col. John French, sheriff of New Castle co., Wm.
Tonge, Mitchel Bizaillon, Grey, and four servants. At Pequehan, they were received
LANCASTER COUNTY. 39 1
at Martines Chartieres's (an Indian trader) by the Indians, with a discharge of fire-arms. He
speaks of " Dekanoagah, upon the river Susquehannagh, about nine miles distant frtffn Pequehan ;"
also mentions an Indian village called Peixtan. At Dekanoagah, the governor was present at a
meeting of Shawanois, Senequois, and Canoise Indians, and the Nantikoke Indians from the
seven following towns, viz : — Matclieattochousic, Matchcouchtin, Witichquaom, Natahquois,
Teahquois, Byengeahtcin, and Poheconimeati. An Indian presented a pipe to the governor
and the company present. After satisfying himself that the Nantikokes were a peaceful, well-
meaning people, he guarantied to them the protection of the government. At Pequehan, among
the Shawances, Opessah said, " It was the Nantikoke and Canoise Indians who sent for our father
the governor, and not we ; therefore, we are very sorry they entertained him no better : but since
they have not been so kind as they ought, we hope the governor will accept of our small present,
for we are sensible the ways are bad, and that the bushes wear out your clothes, for which reason
we give these skins to make gloves, stockings, and breeches, in place of those wore out." Near
Peixtan, with the aid of jMartin Chartieres, as a sort of stool-pigeon, they caught one Nicole Go.
din, a French trader among the Indians, put him on a horse, tied his legs under tiie horse's belly,
and took him by way of Tulpehocken to Philadelphia, where he was imprisoned.
" During our abode at Pequehan," says the account of Gov. Evans's journey in 1707, " several
of the Shaonois Indians from ye southward came to settle here, and were admitted so to do by
Opessah, with the governor's consent : at the same time an Indian, from a Shaonois town near
Carolina, came in, and gave an account that four hundred and fifty of the flat-headed Indians
had besieged them, and that in all probability tiie same was taken. Bezallion informed the gov-
ernor that the Shaonois of Carolina (he was told) had killed several Christians ; whereupon, the
government of that province raised the said flat-headed Indians, and joined some Christians to
them, besieged and have taken, as it is thought, the said Shaonois town."
1707. Feb. "Complaints to council that Michel, (a Swiss,) Peter Bezallon, James Le Tort,
Martin Chartieres, the French glover of Philadelphia, Frank, a young man of Canada who was
lately taken up here, and one from Virginia, who also spoke French, had seated themselves, and
built houses upon the branches of the Potowmcck, within this government, and pretended they
were in search of some mineral or ore," and had endeavored to induce the Conestogo Indians to
assist them. Peter Bezallion had a license, and resided thirty-six miles up the river from Cones-
togue. That would be near the mouth of Peixtan or Paxton cr. Among the traders residing at
Conestogo, in Gov. Keith's time, were John and Edmund Cartlidge. John was a magistrate and
interpreter, and the council of July, 1721, was held at his house. Mr. Watson speaks of an old
deed from an Indian to Edmund Cartlidge of a tract of land in a bend of Conestoga cr., called
Indian Point. Both these men were in prison and on trial at Philadelphia, in March, 1721, for
having killed an Indian in an affray at Conestogo. The other traders seem to have been no more
fortunate, for Peter Bezallion and James Le Tort were also in prison, in 1709, for sundry ofTences
In 1718, on petition of several of the inhabitants of and near Conestogoe, a road was laid out
from Conestogoe to Thomas Moore's and Brandywine.
The following extract from the records chronicles the first arrival of the
Tuscarora nation from the south, and is a quaint and graphic picture of
Indian diplomacy. The Tuscaroras were soon after adopted by the Five
Nations, and caused the change of their title to that of the Six Nations.
The disbursement account of the commissioners is added. It differs some-
what in amount from those which our modern commissioners are in the
habit of rendering to the bureau at Washington.
The Govr. laid before the board the report of Coll. ffrench &. Henry Worley, who went on a
message to Conestogo, by his Order, wch. follows in these words :
At Conestogo, June 8th, 1710.
PRESENT. ^_
John French. Henry Worley.
Iwaagenst Terrutawanaren, & Teonnottein, Chiefs of the Tuscaroroes, Civility, the Senequea
Kings, and four Chief more of y' nacon, wth Opessah y'' Shawanois King.
The Indians were told that according to their request we were come from the Govr. and Govmt.
to hear what proposals they had to make ancnt a peace, according to the purport of their Em-
bassy from their own People.
They signified to us by a Belt of Wampum, which was sent from their old Women, that those
Implored their friendship of tlie Christians &, Indians of this Govmt., that without danger or
trouble they might fetch wood Sc Water.
The second Belt was sent from their Children born, &, those yet in the womb, Requesting that
Room to sport & Play without danger of Slavery, might be allowed them.
The third Belt was sent from their young men fitt to Hunt, that privilege to leave their Towns,
&. seek provision for their aged, might be granted to them without fear of Death or Slavery.
^92
LANCASTER COUNTY.
The fourth was sent from the men of age, Requesting that the Wood, by a happy peace, might
be as safe for them as their forts.
The fifth was sent from the whole nation, requesting peace, that thereby they might have Lib-
erty to visit their Neighbours.
The sixth was sent from their Kings & Chiefs, Desiring a lasting peace with the Christiana
& Indians of this Govmt., that thereby they might be secured against those fearful apprehensions
they have for these several years felt.
The seventh was sent in order to intreat a Cessation from murdering and taking them, that by
the allowance thereof, they may not be affraid of a mouse, or any other thing that Ruffles the
Leaves.
The Eight was sent to Declare, that as being hitherto Strangers to this Place, they now came
as People blind, no path nor communicacon being betwixt us &, them ; but now they hope we
will take them by the hand & lead them, & then they will lift up their heads in the woods with-
out danger or fear.
These Belts (they say) are only sent as an Introduction, & in order to break off hostilities till
next Spring, for then their Kings will come and sue for the peace they so much Desire.
We acquainted them that as most of this Continent were the subjects of the Crown of Great
Brittain, tho' divided into several Govmts. ; So it is expected their Intentions are not only peace-
able towards us, but also to all the subjects of the Crown ; & that if they intend to settle & hve
amiably here, they need not Doubt the protection of this Govmt. in such things as were honest
and good, but that to Confirm the sincerity of their past Carriage towards the English, & to raise
in us a good opinion of them, it would be very necessary to procure a Certificate from the Govmt.
they leave, to this, of their Good behaviour, & then they might be assured of a favourable
reception.
The Seneques return their hearty thanks to the Govmt. for their Trouble in sending to them,
And acquainted us that by advice of a Council amongst them it was Determined to send these
Belts, brought by the Tuscaroroes, to the five nations.
May it please your hour.
Pursuant to your hours. & Council's Orders, we went to Conestogo, where the forewrltten Con-
tents were by the Chiefs of the Tuscaroroes to us Dellver'd ; the sincerity of their Intentions we
Cannot anywise Doubt, since they are of the same race & Language with our Seneques, who
have always proved trusty, & have also for these many years been neighbours to a Govmt.
Jealous of Indians, And yet not Displeased with them ; wishing your hour, all happmess, we
remain. Your honrs. Most humble and obliged servants,
JOHN FFRENCH,
HENRY WORLEY.
Journey to Conestogo, Dr.— To Bread, 4s. 2d. ; To Meat, 12s. ; To Rum, £1 10s. ; To Sugar,
15s. ; To two Men's hire for Baggage, £4: ; To John, £1 4s. ; Total, ^£8 5s. 2d.
The upper parts of Germany, at the commencement of the last century,
contained many Protestant communities, Moravians, Schwenckfelders,
Mennonists, or German Baptists, Bunkers, or Seventh-day Baptists, and Lu-
therans, who, after fleeing in vain from one principality to another to avoid
persecution, at last, listening to Wm. Penn's offer of free toleration, found a
permanent asylum in this new land. The news from the earlier immi-
grants brought thousands more, and the latter, finding the townships im-
mediately around Philadelphia taken up, sought the newer and cheaper
lands in the interior. Some of the Mennonists arrived about the years
1698 to 1711, but the greatest numbers in 1717, and settled chiefly in
Lancaster co. There was a very early settlement of Mennonists at Pe-
quea cr. The Dunkards came from Creyfield and Witgenstein in the
duchy of Cleves in Prussia, chiefly in the years 1719 to '23, and settled
at Oley, Conestoga, and Mill cr., and afterwards at Ephrata on the Coca-
lico, about the year 1732.
It is a singular fact, that when the Germans entered their land, and af-
terwards applied for the privilege of naturalization, the proprietary or-
dered that their German names be translated into English ; and thus
many German families received English names, which they retain to this
clay. The Zimmerman family, for instance, is now known by the nari^e
of Carpenter.
LANCASTER COUNTY. 393
The Mennonists are a sect of German Baptists, who derived their name from Menno Simonis.
He was born in Friesland in 1505. In 1537, having been previously a Cathohc priest, he united
with the Baptists. A few years previous to his union with them, this sect had been led away by
their zeal into the most fanatical excesses at Miinstcr. Menno collected the more sober minded
into regular societies, who formed an independent church under the name of the Mcnnonites, or
Mennonists. They professed to derive their creed directly from the Scriptures, and to follow, in
their organization and social intercourse, the peculiarities of the primitive apostolic church. Men-
no travelled through Germany and Holland, disseminating his doctrines and gathering many fol-
lowers.
Except in some peculiar notions concerning the incarnation of Christ — to which he was prob-
ably led by the controversy concerning the bodily presence of Christ in the eucharist — and his
exclusive adherence to adult baptism, his tenets are said to have agreed in general with those of
the Calvinists. He died at Oldeslohe in Holstein, in 1561. Before his death his followers had
divided themselves into two parties, differing in regard to the rigor of discipline. The more rigid,
who called themselves the Pure, were in favor of excommunication for the least offence ; the
moderate party, who bore various names, only excommunicated for long continuance in trans-
gression. Other subdivisions occurred after his death, and it would require a dictionary by itself
to trace the etymology of tiieir names, and the peculiarities of their doctrines. These sects were
only tolerated in Europe on the payment of exorbitant tribute, and still suffered many grievances
and impositions. Wm. Penn, both in person and in writing, first proclaimed to them that there
was liberty of conscience in Pennsylvania. Some of them, about the year 1698, and others in
1706 to 1711, partly for conscience' sake, and partly for their temporal interest, removed here.
Finding their expectations fully answered in this plentiful country, they informed their friends in
Germany, who came over in great numbers, and settled chiefly in Lancaster and the neighboring
counties. In 1770 Morgan Edwards estimated that they had in Pennsylvania 42 churches, and
numbered about 4,050 persons. They are remarkable for their sobriety, industry, economy, and
good morals, and are very useful members of the community. They are opposed to infant bap.
tism, holding only to the baptism of adults. Like the Quakers, they refuse to bear arms, to take
oaths, and to go to law with one another. They also abstain from holding office, or taking any
part in the civil administration of government ; being careful themselves to follow the precept,
" to live peaceably with all men." They have both preachers and deacons. Their preachers are
selected by lot ; no previous education for the office is required, nor is any compensation allowed.
They originally discouraged and despised learning, believing in the inner light ; but they begin
now to encourage the education of their youth. Disputes between members are adjusted by three
arbiters, appointed by the preacher.
Baptism among some of their sects is administered by pouring water upon the head of the in-
dividual, who kneels during the performance. Prayer and the imposition of hands close the
ceremony. One of the sects baptizes after this fashion : the person to be baptized is accompa-
nied to a stream of water by a large number of people, with singing and instrumental music.
The preacher, standing on the bank, pours water upon the person who is in the stream, baptizing
him in the name of the Trinity.
Some of the Mennonists contend that the body of Christ contained neither flesh nor blood, and
therefore, at the sacrament of the Lord's supper, make use of water alone. The principal part
of the Mennonists pursue the mode pointed out in Matthew xxvi. 18. A message is sent to a
member to " make ready' the passover." In the evening the congregation, assembled around a
table spread with small loaves of bread and a pitcher of wine, after the usual form of consecra-
tion, invocation, and distribution, partake of the elements while walking around the table, talking
with each other sociably. " After having sung an hymn," they retire to their respective homes.
The Aymish, or Omish, are a sect of the Mennonists who profess to follow more rigidly the
primitive customs of the apostolic church. They derive their name from Aymen, their founder,
and were originally known as Aymenitcs. They wear long beards, and reject all superfluities
both in dress, diet, and property. They have always been remarkable for industry, frugality,
temperance, honesty, and simplicity. When they first came over and settled near Pequea creek,
land was easily acquired, and it was in the power of each individual to be a large proprietor, but
this neither agreed with their professions nor practice.
In the year 1720, a thousand acres were offered to an influential member of the Aymish faith
by the proprietary agent, but he refused the grant, saying, " It is beyond my desire, as also my
ability to clear ; if clear, beyond my power to cultivate ; if cultivated, it would yield more than
my family can consume ; and as the rules of our society forbid the disposal of the surplus, I can-
not accept of your liberal offer ; but you may divide it among my married children, who at pres-
ent reside with me." This individual is supposed to have been Kurtz.
When they first came to the country they had neither churches nor burial-grounds. "A
church," said they, " we do not require, for in the depth of the thicket, in the forest, on the water,
in the field, and in the dwelling, God is always present." Many of then- descendants, however,
have deviated from the ancient practice, and have both churches and burial-grounds.
The Presbyterians froiT> the north of" Ireland came in at about the same
50
^4 LANCASTER COUNTY.
time with the Germans, and occupied the townships of Donnegal and
Paxton. Collisions afterwards occmTing between them and the Germans
concerning elections, bearing of arms, the treatment of Indians, &c., the
proprietaries instructed their agents, in 1755, that the Germans should be
encouraged, and in a manner directed to settle along the southern boun-
dary of the province, in Lancaster and York counties, while the Irish
were to be located nearer to the Kittatinny mountain, in the region now
forming Dauphin and Cumberland counties. There was deeper policy in
this than the mere separation of the two races. The Irish were a war-
like people, and their services were needed in the defence of the frontier.
The Welsh and English Quakers from the head waters of the Brandy-
wine, and the Great valley of Chester co., gradually spread themselves
over into Sadsbury township. Smith, the historian, who wrote before
the revolution, says :
In the year 1724, Samuel Miller and Andrew Moore made application on behalf of themselves
and their friends, settled about Sadbury, for hberty to build a meeting-house, which being granted
by the quarterly meeting, they built one in 1725, which goes by the name of Sadbury meeting.
(See Leacock.)
In the year 1732, Hattill Vernon, Wm. Evans, and several other Friends, being settled in and
about Leacock in the county of Lancaster, made application to have a meeting settled among
them ; which being laid before the quarterly meeting of Chester, and approved of, it was settled
accordingly, and is now known by the name of Leacock meeting, being joined to New Garden
monthly meeting ; it continqed to be a branch thereof till the year 1737, when they applied to have
a monthly meeting among themselves, in conjunction with Sadbury Friends, which was granted,
and the same is now known by the name of Sadbury monthly meeting.
In the year 1749, by consent of Chester quarterly meeting, a meeting for worship was settled
at Little Britain, in Lancaster county, and belongs to West Nottingham preparative, and East
Nottingham monthly meeting. The said monthly meeting now consists of three preparative
meetings, viz. : East Nottingham, West Nottingham, and Bush river, or Deer creek meeting, and
of five particular meetings. Note. — The meeting that used to be called Bush river, is now called
Peer creek altogether. The week-day meetings are held thus : at East Nottingham, Deer creek,
and Little Britain, on the fifth day of every week ; at West Nottingham on fourth day ; at Bush
riyer no week-day meeting, it being dropped for several years.
Robert Barber, Samuel Blunston, and John Wright, three Quakers from
Chester co., came out in the year 1728 to Columbia, where they had pur-
chased large farms. The Lutherans came in at a later date, about the
year 1740 to '48, and are first heard of about Lancaster. The Moravians
began their establishment in Warwick township, about the year 1749.
Many redemptioners (people who were sold into temporary service to
pay for their passage across the ocean) found their way into this county,
■yvhere, after working themselves free, they obtained small tracts of land
on easy terms, and became eventually valuable citizens.
Lancaster co., thus settled on the principle of free toleration, by men
of widely different races and religions, has continued to prosper, until it
has become the most populous and wealthy inland county in the state.
The following notes are from Mr. Conyngham's collections :
1730. Stephen Atkinson built a fulling-mill at a great expense. But the inhabitants on the
upper part of the creek assembled and pulled down the dam on the Conestoga, as it preyented
them from rafting, and getting their usual supply of fish. Mr. Atkinson altered his dam with a
20 feet passage for boats and fish,
1732. A violent contest for member of Assembly took place between Andrew Galbraith and
John Wright. Mrs. Galbraith rode throughout the town at the head of a numerous band of
horsemen, friends of her husband. In consequence of her activity, her husband was elected.
John Wright contested the seat of Andrew Galbraith, on the ground that a number of tickets oi^
wiiich his name was written were rejected because the tickets contained but three names instead
of four. But George Stuart dying, John Wright was elected to supply his vacancy.
1734. Epibcopal church built in Conestoga, 15 miles from Lancaster.
LANCASTER COUNTY. 39$
1739. The Presbyterians, with tlicir respective ministers, represented to the General Assem-
bly that they had been educated according to the doctrine, worship, and government of the
Church of Scotland ; that they are excluded from all offices, and from giving evidence in the
courts of justice, by a ceremony, which in their opinion was contrary to the word of God,
" kissing the book," and that a law may be passed authorizing them to take an oath without such
form. A law was passed accordingly.
1742. A number of Germans stated to the General Assembly as follows : " They had emi-
grated from Europe by an invitation from the proprietaries ; they had been brought up and were
attached to the Omish doctrines, and were conscientiously scrupulous against taking oaths— they
therefore cannot be naturalized agreeably to the existing law. A law was made in conformity to
their request."
17(j3. A large number of Scotch-Irish, in consequence of the limestone land being liable to
frost, and heavily wooded, seated themselves along the northern line of the counties of Chester
and Lancaster, well known at an early period by the name of the " Chestnut Glade." The
Germans purchased their little improvements, and were not intimidated either by the difficulty of
clearing, the want of water, or the liability to frost, which at this period was experienced every
month in the year. Several valuable mills were built ; but although very necessary for the set-
tlement, they became a subject of much irritation among the farmers on the waters of the Co-
nestoga, as appears from a petition presented to the General Assembly, stating " that Michael
Garber, Sebastian Graff, and Hans Christy, erected three large dams on Conestoga creek, to the
great injury and detriment of the settlers on its banks."
The subsequent history of the county will be continued in connection
with its more important towns.
Lancaster city, the seat of justice of the county, occupies an elevated
site near the right bank of Conestoga creek, 62 miles west from Philadel-
phia, 36 miles southeast from Harrisburg, and 1 1 miles east from the Sus-
quehanna at Columbia.
This place well deserves the title of a city : there is nothing rural in
its aspect. The streets, laid off at right angles, are paved and lighted ;
the houses, generally of brick, are compactly arranged, and those of mod-
ern date are lofty and well built ; the courthouse, as in all the older pro-
prietary towns, occupies the centre of a small square at the intersection
of the two principal streets ; the place is supplied with water by an arti-
ficial basin and " water- works ;" stores, taverns, and shops abound in
every quarter ; railroad cars, stages, canal-boats, and wagons, are con-
stantly arriving or departing ; and altogether there is that rattle and din
that remind one of city life. The town has several peculiarities which
had their origin in the fashions of the olden time. The names of th6
principal streets. King-street and Queen-street, Orange-street and Duke-
street, and others, indicate the loyalty of the founders of the city. A
great number of the old one-story brick houses, and frames filled in with
brick, are still standing, with their wide roofs and dormar windows ; and
although they may command the respect due to old age, they cannot be
admired for their beauty. A stranger is particularly struck with numer-
ous tavern-signs that greet him by dozens along the principal streets;
They form a sort of out-door picture gallery, and some are no mean spe-
cimens of art. Here may be seen half the kings of Europe — the king
of Prussia, of Sweden, and the Prince of Orange ; and then there are
the warriors — Washington, Lafayette, Jackson, Napoleon, Wm. Tell, and
a whole army of others ; and of statesmen there are Jefferson, Franklin,
and others ; and then comes the Red Lion of England, leading a long
procession of lions, bears, stags, bulls, horses, eagles, swans, black, white,
dun, and red — not to mention the inanimate emblems, the globe, the
cross-keys, the plough, the wheat-sheaf, the compass and square, and the
hickory-tree. These numerous inns, far too many for the present wants
7
896 LANCASTER COUNTY.
of the city, tell of bygone days, before the railroad and canals \/ere cdn-
structed, when the streets and yards were crowded every evening with
long trains of " Conestoga wagons," passing over the turnpike, by which
nearly all the interior of the state was supplied with merchandise. They
tell, too, a sad tale of the ravages of that disease of good-fellowship
which has blighted the prospects of many a worthy family of the city
and county, and carried its promising sons to an early grave. It is to be
hoped that the temperance reformation will soon exterminate the disease,
and that the young men of the growing generation will be spared to
honor and usefulness.
Lancaster contains the usual courthouse, public offices, and jail, two
Lutheran, German Reformed, Episcopalian, Catholic, United Brethren,
Presbyterian, Methodist, Independent Methodist, Quaker, Svvedenborgian,
and African churches, an academy endowed by the state, a female seminary,
a mechanics' library, containing 1,000 volumes, two iron foundries, manu-
factories of rifles, axes, coaches, and cars. Population in 1800, 4,292 ; in
1830, 7,704 ; in 1840, 8,417. Lancaster was incorporated as a borough on
the 19t.h June, 1777, and as a city on the 20th March, 1818. In the ancient
borough charter, provision was made for fairs to be held for two days
together, in the months of June and October. There was also a clause
imposing a fine upon persons refusing to accept of office when elected !
(See a similar clause at length in the charter of Bristol, p. 105.) The
town was, from 1799 to 1812, the seat of government of the common-
wealth. Franklin College was established here by the legislature in
1787; it was well endowed, and spacious buildings were erected, but
after a few years of sickly existence the institution expired.
The following lively sketch of the appearance of Lancaster in olden
time is extracted from a communication in the Lancaster Journal of 1838,
purporting to be written by " a bachelor of eighty."
When I was a boy, our good city of Lancaster was quite a different affair from what it is at
present, with its Conestofija navigation, its railway, and improvements of every kind. At the
formerly qUiet corner of North Queen and Chestnut streets, where lived a few old-fashioned Ger-
man families, making fortunes by untiring industry and the most minute economy, there is now
nothing but bustle and confusion, arrivals and departures of cars, stages, carriages, hacks, drays,
and wheelbarrows, with hundreds of people, and thousands of tons of merchandise. In other
respects that part of the city is not the same. New hou.ses have started up in every direction,
and old ones have been altered and dressed anew. Many of these buildings are very handsome,
and about all there is an air of wliat moderns call pidsjirrili/, which was formerly unknown.
Among the improvements arc the handsome buildings about Centre-square, in place of the one-
Story stone houses with which the corners were occupied. Then there are the two banks and the
places of worship, all of which are new, or materially improved, during my remembrance. The
most remarkable of the latter is the Episcopal church, which occupies the place of the venera-
ble and time-worn edifice that I remember. If I recollect aright, it was built under the charter
granted by George II. It had never been entirely finished, and I am informed that, so great wa3
its age and infirmities, the congregation \Vere obliged to have it taken down, to prevent its tum-
bling about their ears. I shall never forget the last time I sat in it. Every thing about the
antique and sacred structure made an impression on my mind not easily to be effaced ; even the
old sexton, John Webster, a colored man, and his wife Dinah, who used to rustle past in her
old-fashioned silks, with white sleeves, apron, and " kerchief." Another remarkable character
was old Mr. McPall, with his glass-headed cane, bent figure, and hoary locks. This patriarch
was never absent in time of worship from the broken i)ew in the corner, except when prevented
by sickness from attending.
While I am in Orange-street, I cannot help contrasting its present appearance with what it
was in my boyhood. At that time it was little more than a wide lane, with half a dozen houses,
nearly all of which are yet standing. The peaceable and retired-looking mansion, with' the wil-
low-trees in front, at present inhabited by the widow of Judge Franklin, I remember as a com-
mission store, where trade was carried on with a feW Indians still in the neighborhood, and also
LANCASTER COUNTY. 397
with those from a greater distance, wlio exchanged their furs and peltries for heads, blankets,
cutlery, and rum, as is still done in many parts of the western country. The house in which the
North American Hotel is kept, was occupied by the land commissioners a few years later.
I remember the forest-trees standing in East King-street, nearly as far down as Mr. McGoni-
gle's tavern. What is now called Adams-street, then Adamstown, was the most thickly inhab-
ited place about. It was a village unconnected with Lancaster. The old two-story brick house
now owned by Mr. Donelly,»was used as an hospital for the sick and wounded soldiers of the rev-
olution, and numbers lie buried in the lot on which it stands. What is now the old storehouse,
was then the new college, at which I was placed, by way of making me a " gentleman^
Annually in those days a fair was held on the first Thursday and Friday in June. You
could hardly see the street for the tables and booths, covered with merchandise and trinkets of
every kind. There were silks, laces, and jewellery, calicoes, gingerbread, and sweetmeats, such
as the ladies love ; and that was the time they got plenty of them, too, for the young fellows used
to hoard up their pocket-money for months together to spend at the fair; and no girl felt ashamed
to be treated to a fairing, even by a lad she had never seen before. This was the first step
towards expressing admiration, and she who got the most fairings was considered as the belle.
Then the corners of the streets were taken up with mountebanks, rope-dancers, and all the latest
amusements. To see these, each young man took the girl that pleased him most ; or, if he had
a capacious heart, he sometimes took half a dozen.
Then there .were the dances, the crowning pleasures of all. In every tavern there was to be
heard the somid of the violin. * * * * Even the mode of dress has changed. In my young
days the girls wore shortgowns and pe , but I dare not pronounce the word in this refined
age. One thing I know, the girls looked very neat and trim in their linsey-woolsey short-jackets
or gowns.
At the establishment of the county, in 1729, a jail and temporary court-
house were built at Postlewaite's, five miles from Lancaster ; but this site
did not satisfy the settlers on the Susquehanna. Gov. Hamilton, accord-
ingly, at the request of the proprietaries, laid out Lancaster, in 1730, at
a place where George Gibson then kept a tavern, with the sign of the
hickory-tree, on the public road, by the side of a fine spring. " A swamp
lay in front of Gibson's, and another of some extent lay to the north."
Near the spring there once stood a tall hickory-tree, which tradition says
was the centre of a little hamlet of a tribe called the Hickory Indians.
Another small tribe took its name from a poplar-tree standing near their
village, which was on a flat by the side of the Conestoga, northeast of
the residence of William Coleman, Esq. Roger Hunt, of Downingtown,
was Hamilton's surveyor, and built the first house after the plot was made.
The following paragraphs are culled from the collections of Mr. Conyng-
ham : —
The swamp north of Gibson's is supposed to have extended from the centre of the square
bounded by Duke, Queen, Chestnut, and Orange streets, to the swamp along the run, now Water-
street. Gibson's pasture, afterwards Sanderson's pasture, was leased at an early period by Mr.
Hamilton to Adam Reigart, Esq. An old letter mentions " the log-cabin of the widow Buchanan."
She was probably merely a tenant, as her name is not among the purchasers.
Among the early deeds may be found the names of Jacob Funk, Frederick Stroble, John Pow-
cl, and George Gibson. Their deeds were dated in 1735, except Gibson's, which was dated in
] 740, and granted lot No. 221. Gibson's original tavern is said to have been situated where
Slaymaker's hotel now is, and the spring was nearly opposite.
1734. Seat of justice removed from PostleWaite's to Lancaster, and the first German Lutheran
cliurch and schoolhouse built.
1745. The German pastor of the Lutheran church united a portion of his congregation with
the Moravian. «.^ great ferment was excited among the Lutherans : they told the governor they
were compelled either to hear a doctrine wiiich they did not approve, or resign their church. The
governor told them he could not interfere, but that the WW would protect them in their rights.
1751. House of employment erected ; farm connected with it, and manufacturing implements.
Lancaster became remarkable for the excellent stockings made in tliat establishment.
1759. Barracks erected to contain 500 men, for the security of this part of the province, [and
to accommodate Gen. Forbes's returning army.] Mr. Bausman, barrack-master.
1760. Lancaster CO. : 436,346 acres of land, 5,635 taxables — each ta.xed X'l 2s. Total tax,
je6.178 10s.
398 LANCASTER COUNTY.
1763. House of correction erected. — 1765. Presbjrterians put up a lai^e meetinghouse;
building committee, William Montgomery, John Craig, James Davis. — 1769. The German Re-
formed church completed ; the Episcopal church enlarged ; and several other religious denomina-
tions— Friends, Roman Catholics, Baptists — mentioned as being in prosperous circumstances.
Gov. Pownal visited Lancaster in 1754. In his journal he says, "Lancaster, a growing town
and making money ; a manufactory here of saddles and pack-saddles. It is a stage town — 500
houses, 2000 inhabitants." In the same book, (an ancient copy,) some one has written in man-
uscript— " When Gov. Pownal visited Lancaster there was not one good house in tlie town ; the
houses were chiefly of frame filled in with stone, of logs, and a few of stone. When Lancaster
was laid out, it was the desiie of the proprietor to raise an annual revenue from the lots ; no lots
were therefore sold of any large amount, but settlers were encouraged to build and receive a lot,
paying an annual sum as ground-rent. Hence tlie large number of persons in indigent circum-
stances, who were induced to settle in Lancaster. The Lancaster town was therefore too large,
at an early period, in proportion to the population of the surrounding country, and its inhabitants
suflered much from a want of employment ; as from its local situation, remote from water, it was
not, nor could it ever possibly become, a place of business. The proprietor was therefore wrong
in forcing the building and settlement of Lancaster. The town outgrew its strength, and looks
dull and gloomy in consequence."
The ground-rents above mentioned have continued on many lots down
to the present day. A few years since there was considerable excitement
on the subject among the citizens, and some attempts were made to get
rid of the vexatious encumbrance.
A treaty was held in 1744, at Lancaster, between the chiefs of the Six
Nations and the governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. The
business related chiefly to the purchase of lands in the two latter prov-
inces. From the minutes of this treaty, we learn that the Six Nations
complained that "their cousins the Delawares, and their brethren the
Shawanees," had been annoyed by the white settlers on Juniata, and re-
quested their removal. They also acknowledged that the purchases made
by the Marylanders of the Conestogas were just and valid ; but as they
(the Six Nations) had conquered the Conestogas, they insisted that pur-
chases should be made of them. They also said that "the Conoy (called
in former treaties Ganaway) Indians" had informed them, that they had
sent the governor of Pennsylvania a message, some time ago, complain-
ing of ill usage by white people, and their determination to remove to
Shamokin ; and requested some satisfaction for their land.
Few subjects have caused more excitement in their day, in Pennsylva-
nia, than the murder of the Conestoga Indians. The people of Philadel-
phia were astounded with the news of this horrible massacre ; and, in
the first moments of alarm, exaggerated narratives were published, em-
bellished with the pictures of editorial fancy, and tinged with the secta-
rian or political prejudices of the narrators. The affair was intimately
connected with the political disputes at that time hotly carried on — be-
tween the people of the interior counties and those on the Delaware, be-
tween the proprietaries and the landholders, and between the Quakers
and the men of the frontier — in regard to the policy to be pursued to-
wards the Indians. The feeling that existed among the Scotch-Irish
party in Lancaster may be estimated by reference to the documents on
this subject inserted on pages 278, 279, 280. The following narrative of
the massacre is compiled from the various conflicting accounts :
On the night of the 14th Dec. 1763, a number of armed and mounted men from the townships
of Donnegal and Paxton, most of them belonging to the company of frontier Rangers of those
townships, concerted an attack on the Indians at Conestoga, for the purpose, as they alleged, of
securing one or more hostile Indians, who were harbored there, and who were supposed to have
recently murdered several families of the whites. The number of the Paxton men is variously
LANCASTER COUNTY.
399
estimated from twenty to upwanls of fifty. Few of the Indians were at home — the men proba-
bly being absent eitlier in liuiitin": or trading tlieir baskets and furs at Lancaster. In the dead
of night tlie white men fell upon tlie village : some defence was doubtless attempted by the few
male Indians present, (Dr. Franklin's narrative says there were only three men, two women, and
a young boy,) but they were overpowered, and the whole, men, women, and children, fell victims
to the rifle, the tomahawk, and the knife of the frontier-men. The dwellings were burnt to the
ground.
The citizens and magistrates of Lancaster, shocked at the horrible outrage, with commendable
humanity gathered the scattered individuals of the tribe who remained into the stone work-house
at Lancaster, where, under bolts and bars, and the strict supervision of the keeper, they could not
doubt but the Indians would be safe until they could be conveyed to Philadelphia for more secure
protection.
But the Paxton men were satisfied with nothing short of the extermination of the tribe, al-
leging, however, that one or two of the hostile Indians were still among the Indians protected
by the civil authority at Lancaster. Concealing themselves at night near Lancaster, they waited
imtil the next day, 27th Dec., when the whole community was engaged in the solemnities of the
sanctuary ; then, riding suddenly into town at a gallop, the band seized upon the keeper of the
workhouse and overpowered him, and rushing into the prison, the work of death was speedily ac-
complished : the poor Indians, about fourteen in number, were left weltering in gore, while the
Paxton men left the town in the same haste with which they had entered it. The alarm was raised
through the town ; but, before the citizens could assemble, the murderers were beyond their reach.
In consequence of this affair, the Moravian Indians from Wyalusing and Nain, who had come to
Philadelphia for protection, were removed to Province island near the city, and placed under the
charge of the garrison.
The Paxton men, elated by their recent success, assembled in greater numbers early in Janua-
ry, and threatened to march to Philadelphia in a body, and destroy the Indians there. The peo-
ple of the city were prodigiously alarmed, and several companies of foot, horse, and artillery
were formed to repel the expected attack. The Paxton men, who had approached the Schuylkill
on their march, finding such a force prepared to receive them, returned home.
A proclamation was issued by the governor, expressing the strongest indignation at the outrage
at Conestoga and Lancaster, and offering a reward for the arrest of the perpetrators ; but such
was the state of public opinion in the interior counties that no one dared to bring the offenders to
justice, although they mingled openly among their fellow-citizens.
The press of the day teemed with pamphlets, letters, appeals, pasqui-
nades, and caricatures, many of which are still preserved in the Philadel-
phia Library, While some of these present calm and forcible arguments
on their respective sides, others exhibit the most rancorous malignity, and
others show that that age was not a whit behind our own in the scur-
rility of its political writers. After the Indians were killed, all parties
busied themselves, as usual in such cases, to ascertain who was to
blame. The governor was blamed for not having removed the Indians
long before to Philadelphia, as he had been repeatedly warned to do.
The Quakers and Moravians were blamed for fostering murderous In-
dians, and sheltering them from merited vengeance. The magistrates of
Lancaster were charged with remissness of duty, since they might have
applied to Capt. Robinson, who was then stationed at the barracks in
Lancaster with his company, for a guard ; but the magistrates say they
did apply to him, and he denied their request. The citizens of Lancas-
ter, too, and the keeper of the workhouse, were charged with collusion
and connivance with the Paxton men ; but they indignantly denied the
charge. And the whole Presbyterian church, it was plainly insinuated,
was, if not aiding and abetting in the massacre, ready, at all events, to
shield the guilty from punishment, and extenuate the crime.*
" The insurgents," says Mr. Gordon, " were not the ignorant and vulgar
of the border counties — persons more likely to yield to their passions than
* Those who would investigate these questions more fully, are referred to the various pamph-
lets in the Philadelphia Library, and to the voluminous mass of documents recently republished
in the Lancaster Intelligencer for 1843.
400 LANCASTER COUNTY.
to respect the laws of their country and of humanity. They were of
such consideration, that whilst the public voice and the press execrated
the cruelty and illegality of their conduct, they forbore to name the
guilty individuals. Nor did the latter remain silent, and shrink from re-
proach without an attempt at self-defence. They urged the repeated
murders perpetrated by the Indians, and their convictions of the union of
the neutral with the belligerent tribes."
During the old French war, and that of the revolution, the Scotch-Irish
of Lancaster county, and such of the Germans (the Lutherans chiefly) as
were not conscientiously opposed to it, cheerfully took arms in defence of
the frontier. At the time of Braddock's expedition, Dr. Franklin, by his
tact and perseverance, raised a large force of horses and wagons among
the farmers of the county. Those who scrupled themselves to fight, did
not object to send a horse and wagon to carry provisions, and to relieve
the wounded. At Lancaster, on the return of Gen. Forbes's army from
Fort Pitt, a barrack was erected for the accommodation of his troops.
This building is still standing, though recently somewhat altered in its
aprpearance, in Middle-street, near Mr. Fries' tavern. It is generally
known as the British prison, from the fact that during the revolution it
was selected for the confinement of the British prisoners, who were
brought here because the inhabitants were thought to be decidedly hos-
tile to the English. The following narrative of an adventure which oc-
curred at that time, is abridged from a communication in the New Eng-
land Magazine for 1833. The writer obtained his facts from the former
intendant of the prison.
The prisoners were confined in barracks, enclosed with a stockads and vigilantly guarded ;
but in spite of all precautions, they often disappeared in an unaccountable manner, and nothing
was heard of them until they resumed their places in the British army. It was presumed that
they were aided by American tories, but where suspicion should fall, no one could conjecture.
Gen. Hazen had charge of the post. He devised a stratagem for detecting the culprits, and se-
lected Capt. Lee, afterwards Maj. Lee, a distinguished partisan officer,* to carry out his plan.
It was given out that Lee had left the post on furlough. He, however, having disguised himself
as a British prisoner, was thrown into the prison with the others. So complete was the disguise,
that even the intendant, familiar with him from long daily intercourse, did not penetrate it. Had
his fellow-prisoners detected him, his history might have been embraced in the proverb, " Dead
men tell no tales."
For many days he remained in this situation, making no discoveries whatever. He thought
he perceived at times signs of intelligence between the prisoners and an old woman who was al-
lowed to bring fruit for sale within the enclosure. She was known to be deaf and half-witted,
and was therefore no object of suspicion. It was known that her son had been disgraced and
punished in the American army, but she had never betrayed any malice on that account, and no
one dreamed that she could have the power to do injury if she possessed the will. Lee watched
her closely, but saw nothing to confirm his suspicions. Her dwelling was about a mile distant,
in a wild retreat, where she shared her miserable quarters with a dog and cat.
One dark stormy night in autumn, Lee was lying awake at midnight. All at once the door
was gently opened, and a figure moved silently into the room. It was too dark to observe its
motions narrowly, but he could see that it stooped towards one of the sleepers, who imme-
diately rose. Next it approached and touched him on the shoulder. Lee immediately started up.
The figure then allowed a slight gleam from a dark lantern to pass over his face, and as it did so
whispered, impatiently, " Not the man — but come !" It then occurred to Lee that it was the
opportunity he desired. The unknown whispered to him to keep his place till another man was
called ; but just at that moment something disturbed him, and making a signal to Lee to follow,
he moved silently out of the room. They found the door of the house unbarred, and a small part
of the fence removed, where they passed out without molestation. The sentry had retired to a
shelter, where he thought he could guard his post without suffering from the rain ; but Lee saw
his conductors put themselves in preparation to silence him if he should happen to address them
* See page 242.
LANCASTER COUNTY. 401
Just without the fence appeared a stooping figure, wrapped in a red cloak, and supporting itself
with a large stick, which Lee at once perceived could be no other than the old fruit-woman. But
the most profound silence was observed : a man came out from a thicket at a little distance and
joined them, and the whole party moved onward b}' the guidance of tlie old woman. At first they
frequently stopped to listen, but having heard the sentinel cry " All's well '." they seemed reas-
sured, and moved with more confidence than before.
They soon came to her cottage. A table was spread with some coarse provisions upon it, and
n large jug, which one of the soldiers was about to seize, when the man who conducted them
withheld him. " No," said he, " we must first proceed to business."
The conductor, a middle-aged, harsh-looking man, was here about to require all present, before
he could conduct them farther, to swear upon the Scriptures not to make the least attempt at
escape, and never to reveal the circumstances or agents in the proceeding, whatever might befall
them. But before they had time to take the oath, their practised ears detected the sound of the
alarm-gun ; and the conductor, directing the party to follow him in clpse order, inunediately left
the house, taking with him a dark lantern. Lee's reflections were not now the most agreeable.
If he were to be compelled to accompany his party to the British lines in New York, he would
be detected and hanged as a spy ; and he saw that the conductor had prepared arms for them,
which they were to use in taking the life of any one who should attempt to escape. They went
on with great despatch, but not without difficulty. Lee might now have deserted, in this hurry
and alarm ; but he had made no discovery, and he could not bear to confess that he had not nerve
enough to carry him through. They went on, and were concealed in a barn the whole of the next
day. Provisions were brought, and low whistles and other signs showed that the qwner of the
barn was in collusion with his secret guests. The barn was attached to a small farm-house.
Lee was so near the house that he could overhear the conversation which was carried on about
the door. The morning rose clear, and it was evident from the inquiries of horsemen, who occa-
sionally galloped up to the door, that the country was alarmed. The fanner gave short and surly
replies, as if unwilling to be taken oflT from his labor ; but the other inmates of the house were
eager in their questions; and from the answers Lee gathered that the means by which he and his
companions had escaped were as mysterious as ever. The next night, when all was quiet, they
resumed their march, and explained to Lee that, as he was not with them in their conspiracy, and
was accidentally associated with them in their escape, they should take the precaution to keep
him before them, just behind the guide. He submitted without opposition, though the arrange,
ment considerably lessened his chances of escape.
For several nights they went on in this manner, being delivered over to different persons from
time to time ; and, as Lee could gather from their whispering conversations, they were regularly
employed on occasions like the present, and well rewarded by the British for their services.
Their employment was full of danger ; and though they seemed like desperate men, he could ob-
serve that they never remitted their precautions. They were concealed days in bams, cellars,
caves made for the purpose, and similar retreats ; and one day was passed in a tomb, the dimen-
sions of which had been enlarged, and the inmates, if there had been any, banished to make
room for the living. The burying-grounds were a favorite retreat, and on more occasions than
one they were obliged to resort to superstitious alarms to remove intruders upon their path.
Their success fully justified the experiment ; and unpleasantly situated as he was, in the prospect
of soon being a ghost himself, he could not avoid laugliing at the expedition with which old cind
young fled from the fancied apparitions.
Though the distance to the Delaware was not great, they had now been 12 days on the road,
and such was the vigilance and suspicion prevailing throughout the country, that they almost
despaired of effecting their object. The conductor grew impatient, and Lee's companions, at
least one of them, became ferocious. There was, as we have said, something unpleasant to him
in the glances of this fellow towards him, which became more and more fierce as they went on ;
but it did not appear whether it was owing to circumstances, or actual suspicion. It so happened
that, on the twelfth night, Lee was placed in a barn, wJiile the rest of the party sheltered them-
selves in the cellar of a little stone church, where they could talk and act with more freedom ;
both because the solitude of the church was not often disturbed even on the Sabbath, and be-
cause even the proprietors did not know that illegal hands had added a cellar to the conveniences
of the building.
Here they were smoking pipes with great diligence, and, at intervals not distant, applying a
huge canteen to their mouths, from which they drank with upturned faces, expressive of solemn
satisfaction. While they were thus engaged, the short soldier asked them, in a careless way, if
they knew whom they had in their party. The others started, and took their pipes from their
mouths to ask him what he meant. " I mean," said he, " that we are honored with the company
of Capt. Lee, of the rebel army. The rascal once punished me, and I never mistook my man
when I had a debt of that kind to pay. Now I shall have my revenge."
The others expressed their disgust at his ferocity, saying that if, as he said, their com-
panion was an American officer, all they had to do was to watch him closely. As he had come
among them uninvited, he must go with them to New York, and take the consequenceB ; but
51
408 LANCASTER COUNTY.
meantime it was their interest not to seem to suspect him, otherwise he might give an alarm—
whereas it was evidently his intention to go with them till they were ready to embark for New
York. The other person persisted in saying that he would have his revenge with his own hand,
upon which the conductor, drawing a pistol, declared to him that if he saw the least attempt to
injure Capt. Lee, or any conduct which would lead him to suspect that his disguise was discov-
ered, he would that moment shoot him through the head. The soldier put his hand upon his
knife, with an ominous scowl upon his conductor ; but he restrained himself.
The next night they went on as usual, but the manner of their conductor showed that there
was more danger than before ; in fact, he explained to the party that they were now not far from
the Delaware, and hoped to reach it before midnight. They occasionally heard the report of a
musket, which seemed to indicate that some movement was going on in the country.
When they came to the bank there were no traces of a boat on the waters. Their conductor
stood still for a moment in dismay ; but, recollecting himself, he said it was possible it might have
been secured lower down the stream ; and forgetting every thing else, he directed the larger sol-
dier to accompany him. Giving a pistol to the other, he whispered, " If the rebel officer attempts
to betray us, shoot him ; if not, you will not, for your own sake, make any noise to show where
we are." In the same instant tliey departed, and Lee was left alone with the ruffian.
He had before suspected that the fellow knew him, and now doubts were changed to certainty
at once. Dark as it was, it seemed as if fire flashed from his eye, now he felt that revenge was
within his power. Lee was as brave as any officer in the army ; but he was unarmed ; and
though he was strong, his adversary was still more powerful. While he stood, uncertain what to
' do, the fellow seemed enjoying the prospect of revenge, as he looked on him with a steady eye.
Though the officer stood to appearance unmoved, the sweat rolled in heavy drops from his brow.
Lee soon took his resolution, and sprang upon his adversary with the intention of wresting the
pistol from his hand ; but the other was upon his guard, and aimed with such precision that, had
the pistol been charged with a bullet, that moment would have been his last. But it seemed that
the conductor had trusted to the sight of his weapons to render them unnecessary, and had there-
fore only loaded Ihem with powder. As it was, the shock threw Lee to the ground ; but fortu-
nately, as the fellow dropped the pistol, it fell where Lee could reach it ; and as his adversary
stooped, and was drawing his knife from his bosom, Lee was able to give him a stunning blow.
He immediately threw himself upon the assassin, and a long and bloody struggle began. They
were so nearly matched in strength and advantage, that neither dared unclench his hold for the
sake of grasping the knife. The blood gushed from their mouths, and the combat would have
probably ended in favor of the assassin — when steps and voices were heard advancing, and they
found themselves in the hands of a party of countrymen, who were armed for the occasion, and
were scouring the banks of the river. They were forcibly torn apart, but so exhausted and
breathless that neither could make any explanation ; and they submitted quietly to their captors.
The party of the armed countr)'men, though they had succeeded in their attempt, and were
sufficiently triumphant on the occasion, were sorely perplexed how to dispose of their pris-
oners. After some discussion, one of them proposed to throw the decision upon the wisdom of
the nearest magistrate. They accordingly proceeded with their prisoners to his mansion, about
two miles distant, and called upon him to arise and attend to business. A window was hastily
thrown up, and the justice put forth his night-capped head, and with more wrath than became
his dignity, ordered them off; and in requital for their calling him out of bed in the cold, gener-
ously wished them in the warmest place. However, resistance was vain : he was compelled to
rise ; and as soon as the prisoners were brought before him, he ordered them to be taken in irons
to the prison at Philadelphia. Lee improved the opportunity to take the old gentleman aside,
and told him who he was, and why he was thus disguised. The justice only interrupted him
with the occasional inquiry, " Most done ?" When he had finished, the magistrate told him that
his story was very well made, and told in a manner very creditable to his address ; and that he
should give it all the weight it seemed to require. And Lee's remonstrances were unavailing.
As soon as they were fairly lodged in the prison, Lee prevailed on the jailer to carry a note to
Gen. Lincoln, informing him of his condition. The general received it as he was dressing in the
morning, and immediately sent one of his aids to the jail. That officer could not believe his eyes
that he saw Capt. Lee. His unifonn, worn out when he assumed it, was now hanging in rags
about him ; and he had not been shaved for a fortnight. He wished, very naturally, to improve
his appearance before presenting himself before the secretary of war ; but the orders were peremp-
tory to bring him as he was. The general loved a joke full well : his laughter was hardly ex-
ceeded by the report of his own cannon ; and long and loud did he laugh that day.
When Capt. Lee returned to Lancaster, he immediately attempted to retrace the ground ; and
so accurate, under all the unfavorable circmnstances, had been his investigation, that he brought
to justice fifteen persons who had aided the escape of British prisoners. It is hardly necessary
to say, to those who know the fate of revolutionary officers, that he received, for his hazardous
and effectual service, no reward whatever.
The intsrnal improvements in and near Lancaster deserve a passing
LANCASTER COUNTY. 409
notice The turnpike to Philadelphia, 62 miles long — at first paved with
stone, and since McAdamized — was one of the earliest and most impor-
tant enterprises in the state, and was the first road of the kind made in
the United States. It was commenced in 1792, and finished in 1794, by
a private company, at an expense of 8465,000.
One mile east of Lancaster is a splendid stone bridge over the Cones-
toga creek. A tablet in the parapet wall gives its history as follows : —
Tilrected by Abraham Witmer, 1799-1800. A law of an enhghtened
<?ommonwealth, passed April 4, 1798, Thomas Mifflin governor, sanctioned
this monument of the public spirit of an individual." Mr. Witmer was
remunerated by the tolls. Such a work, at that early day, was indeed
an enterprise of which the state might have been proud — much more an
individual.
The Conestoga Navigation is a series of 9 locks and slackwater pools,
18 miles in length, from Lancaster to Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna,
at the mouth of the Conestoga. By means of the tide water canal to
Port Deposit, a navigable communication is thus opened to Baltimore*
This work was completed in 1829. It cost about $4000 per mile. A
valuable water power is created at the locks. The Philadelphia and
Columbia railroad was first opened through for travel to Columbia in
Oct. 1834. There are some splendid bridges on this road, among the
most important of which are those over the Conestoga and Little Cones-
toga creeks. The former is 1400 feet long, resting on ten piers ; and the
latter is 804 feet long. The road was at first located at about half a mile
to the north of Lancaster ; but the route was changed, at considerable
expense, to accommodate the city. The Harrisburg and Lancaster rail-
road, constructed by a company, was completed about the year 183'8.
In the cemetery of the Episcopal church in Lancaster, is a monument
sacred to the memory of Gov. Thomas Mifflin, erected by order of the
legislature. The remains of Thomas Wharton, the first president of the
supreme executive council, also repose in Lancaster.
Thomas Mifflin was a descendant of one of the early settlers of the province, and was bom at
Philadelphia in 1744. He was educated for the mercantile profession, and after a tolir in Europe
was engaged in business with his brother. At the age of 28 he was elected to represent his na-
tive city in the provincial assembly, and in July 1774 was one of the delegates to the first con-
gress. When the news came of the battle of Lexington, he roused his fellow-citizens to action
by his eloquence. " Let us not," said he, " be bold in declarations and afterwards cold in action.
Let it not be said of Philadelphia that she passed noble resolutions, slept upon them, and after-
wards neglected them." What he recommended he practised, and was soon in active service as a
major at the siege of Boston, where he distinguished himself by his coolness and personal bra-
very. On his return to Philadelphia, in 1776, he was charged with the arduous but unenviable
duties of Quarter Master General, and soon after was appointed by congress a brigadier, at the
age of 32. He enjoyed in a high degree the confidence of congress, and was often associated in
secret councils with men of much riper years. When torpor and discouragement seemed to have
seized upon the nation, late in 1776, he went through Pennsylvania in person, and by his persua-
sive eloquence roused the people to a new effort. Regiments were raised on the spot, and the
brilliant affair at Trenton was the result. Congress in February ensuing conferred upon him the
rank of major-general. During the gloomy winter of 1777-78, when the army was encamped at
Valley Forge, attempts were made to impute the sufferings of the army to various causes, and
among others, Gen. Mifflin did not escape his share of public prejudice, particularly as he had
been connected with the quartermaster's department. But congress, after the forms of an in-
quiry, again renewed their confidence. In 1783 he was elected to congress from Pennsylvaiiia,
and had the honor to preside over that body. At the close of the term he retired to private life,
where he could not remain long. He was speaker of the legislature in 178.5, and in 1788 he was
placed by popular suffrage in the seat which had been occupied by Franklin, and was afterwards
president of the supreme executive council. Previous to this, he had been a member of the con-
404 LANCASTER COUNTV.
vention which framed the Constitution of the United States ; and in 1799 assisted, as president
of the convention, in forming tlie new constitution of the state. He was the first governor under
that constitution, continuing to hold the office nine years, by three successive elections. He
rendered a ready and efficient support to the administration of Gen. Washington, and during the
Whiskey Insurrection himself took command of the troops of Pennsylvania. His term of office
as governor expired in Dec. 1799 ; but his fellow-citizens, unwilling to part with his services, had
returned him to the legislature. He died during the session, at Lancaster, on the 21st .Tan. 1800.
In person Gov. Mifflin was remarkably handsome, though his stature did not exceed five feet
eight. His frame was athletic, and capable of bearing much fatigue. His manners Were cheer,
fui and affable ; his elocution open, fluent, and distinct. Graydon, who did not like him, says
that his manners were better adapted to attract popularity than to preserve it, and that he pos.
sessed in an eminent degree the talent of haranguing a multitude. He adds that he was a man
of " education, ready apprehension, and brilliancy, and possessed a fortitude equal to any de-
mands that might be made on it."
Many other eminent men have been either natives or residents of Lan-
caster county and city. Edward Shippen possessed great influence with
the proprietary government ; and was the intimate friend and confidential
agent of Gov. Jamds Hamilton, the proprietor of Lancaster. His eldest
son, Edward Shippen, in 1763 was a member of the council, prothonotary
of the supreme court, and judge of the admiralty. His son, Joseph Ship^
pen, jr., was secretary to the governor and council. The distinguished
Dr. Eberle, of Philadelphia, Was born in Lancaster co. Hon. John C.
Calhoun came verp near being born in Lancaster co., his parents, who
^vere Scotdh-Irish, living in Dromore township, having removed to South
Carolina a short tinie before his birth. One of the old settlers used to in-
sist that he loas born here, but Mr. Calhoun himself denies it. Hon. James
Buchanan, the distinguished senator of the United States, who was born
in Franklin co., has long been a resident of Lancaster.
Robert Fulton, the eminent inventor of steamboats, was born of respectable Irish parents, in
the township of Little Britain, Lancaster co. His parents not long aftet removed to Lancaster
borough, where he received a good English education. The house at which he went to school is
now used as a saddler's shop, on the northeast corner of E. King st., and the centre square. A
schoolmate of his, in 1780, says, "His mother was a widow, in straitened circumstances,
I had a brother who was fond of painting. The revolutioinary war made it difficult to obtain
materials from abroad, and the arts were at a low ebb in the country. My brother consequently
prepared and mixed colors for himself, which he usually displayed on mussel shells. His cast-off
brushes and shells fell to m}' lot, some of which I occasionally carried to school. Fulton craved
a part, and I divided my treasure. He soon from this beginning so shamed my performances by
his superiority, that I voluntarily surrendered the entire heirship of all that came into my pos-
session. Henceforth his book was neglected, and he was often severely chastised by the school-
master for his inattention. His friends removed him to Philadelphia, where he Was apprenticed
to a silversmith ; but his mind was not in his trade, and in his eighteenth year he established
himself as a painter in that city."
On entering his twenty-second year, he went to England for the purpose of improving his know-
ledge as an artist, and was received into the family of Benjamin VVest, with whom he spent sev-
eral years, and cultivated a warm friendship. After leaving that family, he employed two years
in Devonshire as a painter, and there became acquainted with the Duke of Bridgewater and Lord
Stanhope, the former famous for his canals, and the latter for his love of the mechanic arts. He
soon turned his attention to mechanics, particularly to the improvement of inland navigation by
canals, and the use of steam for the propelling of boats; and in 1794 obtained patents for a
double inclined plane, to be used for transportation, and an instrument to be employed in exca-
vating canals. He at this time professed himself a civil-engineer, and published a treatise on
canal navigation. He soon after went to France, and obtained a patent from the government for
the improvements he had invented. He spent the succeeding seven years in Paris, in the family
of Mr. Joel Barlow, during which period he made himself acquainted with the French, Italian,
and German languages, and soon acquired a knowledge of the high mathematics, physics, chem-
istry, and perspective. He soon turned his attention to submarine navigation and explosion, and
in iBOl, under the patronage of the First Consul, constructed a plunging boat, and torpedoes,
(differing materially from Bushnel's invention, with which he was acquainted,) with which he
performed many experiments in the harbor of Brest, demonstrating the practicability of employ-
ing subaquatic explosion and navigation for the destruction of vessels. These inventions attracted
LANCASTER COUNTY. 495
the attention of the British government, and overtures were made to him by the ministry which
induced him to go to London, with the hope that they would avail themselves of his machines ;
but a demonstration of their efficacy which he gave the ministry, by blowing up a vessel in their
presence, led them to wish to suppress the invention rather than encourage it ; and accordingly
they declined patronizing him. During this period he also made many efforts to discover a
method of successfully using the steam-engine for the propelling of boats, and as early as 1793,
made such experiments as inspired him with great confidence in its practicability. Robert R.
Iiivingston, Esq., chancellor of the state of New York, and minister of the United States to the
French court, on his arrival in France, induced him to renew his attention to this subject, and
embarked with him in making experiments for the purpose of satisfying themselves of the possi-
bility of employing steam in navigation. Mr. Fulton engaged with intense interest in the trial,
and, in 1803, constructed a boat on the river Seine, at their joint expense, by which he fully
evinced the practicability of propelling boats by that agent. He immediately resolved to enrich
his country \^ith this invaluable discovery ; and on returning to New York in 1806, commenced,
in conjunction with Mr. Livingston, the construction of the first P^ulton boat, which was launched
in the spring of 1807, from the ship-yard of Charles Brown, New York, and completed in August.
This boat, which was called the Clermont, (from the seat of the Livingston family,) demonstrated
on the first experiment, to a host of at first incredulous but at length astonished spectators, the
correctness of his expectations, and the value of his invention. Between this period and big
death he superintended the erection of fourteen other steam-vessels, and made great improvements
in their construction.
" As I had occasion to pass daily to and from the building-yard," said Fulton, " while my boat
was in progress, I have often loitered unknown near the idle groups of strangers gathering in
little circles, and heard various inquiries as to the object of this new vehicle. The language wa3
uniformly that of scorn, sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh rose at my expense, the dry jest, the
wise calculation of losses and expenditures ; the dull but endless repetition of the " Fulton folly."
Never did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, cross my path. Silence
itself was but politeness veiling its doubts or hiding its reproaches. At length the day arrived
when the experiment was to be got into operation. To me it was a most trying and interesting
occasion. I invited many friends to go on board to witness the first successful trip. Many of
them did me the favor to attend as a matter of personal respect ; but it was manifest they did it
with reluctance, fearing to be partners of my mortification and not of my triumph. I was well
aware that in my case there were many reasons to doubt of my own success. The machinery,
(like Fitch's before him) was new and ill made ; and many parts of it were constructed by me-
chanics unacquainted with such work, and unexpected difficulties might reasonably be presumed
to j>resent themselves from other causes. The moment arrived in which the word was to be given
for the vessel to move. My friends were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety mixed with
fear among them. They were silent, sad, and weary. I read in their looks nothing but disaster,
and almost repented of my efforts. The signal was given, and the boat moved on a short distance
and then stopped, and became immovable. To the silence of the preceding moment now suc-
ceeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers, and shrugs. I could hear distinctly
repeated, ' / told you it was so ; it is a foolish scheme ; I wish we were well out of it.'' I ele-
vated myself upon a platform, and addressed the assembly. I stated that I knew not what was
the matter ; but if they would be quiet, and indulge me for half an hour, I would either go on or
abandon the voyage for that time. This short respite was conceded without objection. I went
below and examined the machinery, and discovered that the cause was a slight maladjustment
of some of the work. In a short period it was obviated. The boat was again put in motion.
She continued to move on. All were still incredulous. None seemed willing to trust the evi-
dence of their own senses. We left tlie fair city of New York ; we passed through the romantic
and ever-varying scenery of the Ftighlands ; we descried the clustering houses of Albany ; we
reached its shores ; and then, even then, when all seemed achieved, I was the victim of disap-
pointment. Imagination superseded the influence of fact. It was then doubted if it could be
done again ; or if done, it was doubted if it could be made of any great value."
Fulton obtained a patent for his inventions in navigation by steam in February, 1809, and an-
other for some improvements, in 1811. In the latter year he was appointed, by the legislature of
New York, one of the commissioners to explore a route for a canal from the great lakes to the
Hudson, and engaged with zeal in the promotion of that great work. On the commencement of
hostilities between the United States and Great Britain, in 1812, he renewed his attention to sub-
marine warfare, and contrived a method of discharging guns under water, for which he obtained
a patent. In 1814 he contrived an armed steam-ship for the defence of the harbor of New York,
and also a submarine vessel, or plunging boat, of such dimensions as to carry 100 men, the plans
of which being approved by government, he was authorized to construct them at the public ex-
pense. But before completing either of those works, he died suddenly, February 24th, 1815. His
person was tall, slender, and well formed, his manners graceful and dignified, and his disposition
generous. His attainments and inventions bespeak the high superiority of his talents. He was
an accomplished painter, was profoundly versed in mechanics, and possessed an invention of great
409 LANCASTER COUNTY.
fertility, and which was always directed by an eminent share of good sense. His style as a
writer was perspicuous and energetic. To him is to be ascribed the honor of inventing a method
of successfully employing the steam-engine in navigation, an invention ju Itly considered one of
the most important which has been made in modern ages, and by which he rendered himself both
a perpetual and one of the greatest benefactors of mankind. He was not indeed the first who
conceived it to be possible ; others had believed its practicability, and made many attempts to
propel boats by steam ; but, having neither his genius, his knowledge, nor his perseverance, they
Were totally unsuccessful
Columbia, borough, is situated on the left bank of the Susquehanna, 28
miles below Harrisburg, and 11 miles west of Lancaster. A part of the
town occupies the slope of a hill, which rises gently from the river, and
the business part of the town lies along the level bank of the river. The
scenery from the hills in the vicinity is magnificent. The broad river,
studded with numerous islands and rocks, crossed by a long and splendid
bridge, and bounded on every side by lofty hills, presents one of the finest
landscapes in Pennsylvania.
The public buildings here are Catholic, Presbyterian, two Methodist
and Baptist churches, a Quaker meeting-house, a town hall, a lyceum
hall, and a bank. There are also several very extensive forwarding
"Warehouses, boatyards, and machine-shops, connected with the public
works. The junction here of the state railroad from Philadelphia with
the main line of canal, with the railroad to York and the Tide-water
canal to Maryland, renders Columbia a busy place. The main current
of travellers which formerly passed through here has been diverted by
the construction of the Harrisburg and Lancaster railroad ; but the emi-
grant travel still goes by way of Columbia. The borough was incorpo-
rated 25th February, 1814. Population in 1830,2,046; in 1840,2,719.
The annexed view was taken from the toll-house, at the east end of the
Street in Columbia.
bridge. The York railroad is seen in the foreground, and the cars of the
Columbia road in the centre.
The bridge across the Susquehanna, constructed on the Burr plan, and
resting on stone piers, is 5,690 feet, or more than a mile long. It cost
$231,771, and was erected by a company in 1814, the state being a stock-
LANCASTER COUNTY. 407
holder to the amount of $90,000. The whole capital of the company was
$419,400, of which a portion has been employed in banking. The struc-
ture was greatly injured by the freshet of 1832, the ice having been piled
even upon the roof of the bridge, and nearly one half the structure was
swept away. It was repaired and again passable in 1834.
The Columbia and Philadelphia railroad, 81 6-10 miles long, was com-
menced in 1829. In April, 1834, a single track was completed through-
out, and in October, 1834, both tracks were opened for public use. Major
John Wilson had charge of the work until his death, in 1833, when he
was succeeded by Edward F. Gay, Esq. The total cost, when it was
opened for use in 1834, was $3,754,577 20; and afterwards additional
work was done, and alterations made, increasing the cost to a total of
$4,296,796 92. One of the alterations was to dispense with the inclined
plane first constructed at Columbia, of 1,800 feet in length, and 90 feet in
height. A more circuitous route for about six miles was completed in
1839, with a grade of 35 feet per mile, by which Columbia is reached
without a plane. A similar change is contemplated at Philadelphia, but
has not yet been adopted.
The following reminiscences are selected from an article in the Colum-
bia Spy for 1832, derived from a respectable lady of the society of
Friends. The article, and another of similar import, may be found more
at length in the ninth volume of Hazard's Register : —
About the year 1726 or 7, Robert Barber, of Chester, came to the eastern banks of the Sus-
quehanna and took up 1,000 acres of land, bounded on the north-west by the Chicques hills, and
to the southwest by what was afterwards called Patton's hill. About 500 acres of this land are
embraced in what is now Columbia. At that time, the noble river, pursuing its undisturbed
course in solitude, or ruffled only by the light canoe of the Indian — the shore covered with lofty
trees — must have presented a grand and imposing sight. The land was purchased of Jeremiah
Langhorne, the agent of the proprietors.
After the purchase, Mr. Barber returned to Chester, and in 1728, he, with Samuel Blunston
and John Wright, together with their families, left their homes in that place, and came to settle
jn the land which had been taken up the year before. These persons were members of the soci-
ety of Friends. This journey was thought a very great undertaking ; the country was uninhabited
except by the Indians, who had their cabins in many places.
Samuel Blunston was the most wealthy of the three ; he took 500 acres of the land next to the
upper hills, and built where S. B. Heise now lives. The old house was pulled down some years
since, to make room for the building which is now standing ; the brick part of the building was
afterwards built by him. His wife was a widow of the name of Bilton ; her first husband kept a
ferry over the Schuylkill. S. Blunston had no children ; his estate went to two nieces, and is
now held by the Bithels, their descendants.
John Wright took 250 acres of the land, and built his house where E. Wright and sist(5rs now
live ; the house has been much repaired and altered, but a part of it remains as originally con.
etructed. He came from Manchester, in England, among the early settlers of the province — was
a preacher of the society of Friends, and for many years judge of the court. His speech to the
grand jury may be seen in Proud's History of Pennsylvania. He kept a store in Chester. He
had two sons and three daughters. John, the eldest, kept the ferry on the west side of the Sus-
quehanna, and built the ferry-house there. Susanna, the eldest of the daughters, did not leave
England till some time after her father. She was a person of great note in this place ; her edu-
cation was superior to most of her day. She was consulted in all difficult matters — did all the
writings necessary in the place — was charitable to the poor, and gave medicine gratis to all the
neighborhood. She defended the cause of the Indians who were murdered by the Paxton Boys,
and wrote in answer to a clergyman of Lancaster, who took the opposite side. Samuel Blunston
left all his estate to lier during her life, and at his death she and all the family removed to his
house. She lived to a great age ; and died as she had lived, in the principles of Friends. Pa-
tience, another daughter of John Wright, was married to Richard Lowdcn — the present John L.
Weight is their descendant by his mother. Elizabeth, daughter of John Wright, married Samuel
Taylor, who was the owner of a large tract of land near where Strasburg now stands ; he sold
his property there, and once owned what is now called Wrightsville. The Wrights in this place
at the present time are the descendants of James Wright, the youngest son of Johiv
408 LANCASTER COUNTY.
Robert Barber kept the 250 acres next the lower hills ; he came from Yorkshire, in England.
He had followed the sea for some years, and had been a prisoner in France. He married Han-
nah Tidmarsh, in Chester or Philadelphia ; she also came from England. Her father came to
America some time before the rest of the family, and was accidentally shot by an Indian before
her arrival. R. Barber settled further from the river than the others. He built the brick house
now occupied by J. Hinkle. He was shcrifFof the county, and in consequence of the intention
to make this place the seat of justice, a prison was built near his house. It was a strong-looking
log building, and was pulled down not many years since. In this prison, James, afterwards Lord
Altham, was confined, having run away from his master.* R. Barber had several children ; the
eldest son, John, was killed by tlie Indians, near where Pittsburg now stands ; he had gone
thither to trade in fur, or what was then called trapping. His other sons settled on the land, but
it is now owned by the Stricklers, except about 60 acres, which was the share of the second son,
Robert. He married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Taylor, and had ten children ; but at this time
they are all gone, except one son and two daughters ; the daughters live on the place, in the house
which their father built 67 years ago. The old house was a few steps below the present mansion.
In those days pine boards were little used ; the joists, window and door frames were of oak. What
little pine there is in the building was got out of logs picked up in the river, and sawed at a mill
of Nathaniel Barber's, on what was called Barber's run, the same stream which Strickler's large
mill is on. Samuel Barber, another brother, had a fulling-mill on this stream.
The land back from the river was mostly settled by the Germans — the Forreys, Stricklers,
Shirks, Garbers, &c. Their first purchases were from an old woman of the name of Mary
Ditcher, who used to go through the country making what was then called improvements.
These improvements consisted in piling a few sticks together, setting them on fire, and hanging
a pot over ; this was considered a first right ; if they could then pay for the land, they had the
privilege of keeping it. This Mary Ditcher appears to have been a singular person. She used to
wander through the woods in a sheepskin dress, leading an old horse, her only property, with her
knitting in her hand. The township in which Columbia is situated was called Hempfield, from
the great quantities of hemp which were raised in it. Manor township, below this, was so called
from the circumstance that the land in it was reserved for the proprietor.
* He came to this country in 1728, when quite young, and served his time as James Annesley,
with a farmer, on the Lancaster road. From some cause he ran away from his master : he was
caught and confined in the prison in this place. He was considered a great singer, and the
neighbors frequently visited the prison-house for the purpose of listening to him. The events of
his life furnished the ground-work for Roderick Random, and the popular novel of Florence Mc-
Cartey. The facts concerning this singular case are taken from the evidence given on the trial,
and may be depended on as authentic.
Arthur Annesley (Lord Altham) married Mary Sheffield, natural daughter of the Earl of Buck-
ingham. By her, in the year 1715, he had a son, James, the subject of this memoir. In the
next year the parents had some differences, which terminated in a separation. The father, con-
trary to the wish of the mother, took exclusive possession of his son James, and manifested much
fondness for him, until the year 1722, when he formed some intimacy with Miss Gregory; and
about the same time his wife died. Miss G., expecting now to become his wife, exerted herself
greatly to alienate his affections from his son, by insinuating that he was not his proper child.
She succeeded to get him placed from home, at a school in Dublin. In November, 1727, Lord
Altham died ; and his brother Richard, wishing to possess the estate and title, took measures to
get rid of his nephew James, by having him enticed on board an American vessel, which sailed
from Dublin in April, 1728. He was landed at Philadelphia, then in his thirteenth year, and sold
as a redemptioner ! and actually served out 12 years in rough labor, until a seeming accident, in
the year 1740, brought him to such acquaintance as led, in the next year, to his return home.
The case was this : Two Irishmen, John and William Broders, travelling the Lancaster road, in
the year 1740, stopped at the house near the 40 mile stone, where James was in service with an
old German. These countrymen, entering into conversation, perceived they were severally from
Dumaine, in the county of Wexford, and that James Annesley was the son of Arthur. The two
Broders volunteered to go back to Ireland, and to testify to the discovery they had made, and
actually kept their word at the trial which afterwards occurred. James subsequently stated his
case to Robert Ellis, Esq., of Philadelphia, who, compassionating his case, procured a passage
for him to Admiral Vernon, then in the West Indies, by whom he was afterwards landed in Eng-
land. But shortly after his arrival at London, James unfortunately killed a man, for which he
had to stand a trial ; and then Lord Altham, the unnatural uncle, exerted himself to have him
convicted, but he was nevertheless acquitted as innocent. An action was brought against the
uncle, and went to trial in November, 1743, and the verdict was given in favor of James, our
redemptioner. The uncle appealed to the House of Lords ; and while the case was pending
James died, leaving the uncle in quiet possession of his ill-gotten estate, showing, however, while
he lived, wliich was not long, the spectacle of a finished villain, even in an Irish noblemaiv
LANCASTER COUNTY. 409
Some Irish famliies, of the name of Patton, settled on lands adjoining; the lower part of Colmn.
bia. They gave the name to the hill, and to the current below the mouth of the run, which is
well known by the name ol" Patton's current. Tradition saj-s that there was a great slaughter
of the Indians at that place in tlie early settlement of the country, by a party of whites, led on by
a person of the name of Bell. Our informant remembers seeing many places there, said to be the
graves of the Indians who were killed in the battle ; it was believed that a piece of cannon lay
sunk in the current. To their last days, the Indians in this vicinity had a great dread of the
name of Bell.
Below this, the settlers were principally Germans ; the Stehmans, Kauffmans, Rupleys,
Herrs, &c., were among the first. The township above, called Donegal, was settled by the
Irish — the Andersons, Cooks, Tates, Kays, &.c. Anderson's ferry is well known wiiere Ma-
rietta now stands.
Sixty years ago, where the gravel appears in low water, opposite the Miss Barbers', therp was
an island with large trees. Large buttonwood and other trees grew at the water's edge ; many
of them were torn away by the ice. The first shad caught here with a seine was somewhere
between 1760 and 65, at the east end of the river, just below the old ferry course.
The ferry across the Susquehanna at this place appears to have been early set up. At first it
was necessarily very imperfect. Two large canoes lashed together were used to take over a
wagon, which first had to be unloaded. In 17.50, it rented for JClOO per annum, with the ground
allotted to it. The ferry course was a little below the bridge. Sixty years ago the idea of a
bridge across the Susquehanna was laughed at.
VVhere the row of houses now stands on Water-street, below the turnpike, was what was called
the bank, where the young people used to congregate for play. On it was a thicket of bushes,
wild plum and mulberry trees, grape-vines, strawberries, and wild flowers. The school-house
was where E. Wright and sisters now live.
The stone house now occupied by John L. Wright, was built some time between 1740 and 50 ;
also the little stone mill on Shawnee run. They were built by James Wright, father of the pres-
ent James and William Wright. There was flour made at this mill for the use of Braddock's
army ; it was packed in small casks made for the purpose, and carried on pack-horses. It was
taken to what was then called Raystown. There were a few small buildings scattered through
the neighborhood, built mostly by persons who had served a time with the first settlers, as a com-
pensation to them for paying their passage over to this country, they being themselves unable to
pay. Many of them had come from Germany. One of the first of this kind of buildings now
stands in the upper end of the town, and is occupied by Peter Mays, Adjoining this building, at
the end towards the river, stood the first place for public worship in the town. It was a small
squared log building ; the logs are now in an outbuilding of Wm. Wright. Robert Barber, now
in his 82d year, remembers attending meeting there. Catharine Peyton and Mary Pearly, public
Friends from Ireland, held meetings there ; they travelled the country on horseback. Before this
building was erected, the meetings were held in private houses. At length, on account of the
discipline not being properly attended to, it was altogether put down by the monthly meeting at
Sadsbury. Some years since, however, they requested and obtained permission to hold meetings
here again ; they then built the present brick meeting-house.
About half a mile from Columbia, on the road leading to the Chicqnes, among the hills, was
the place called Smoketown. Many now living may remember it. A little stream wound along
among the hills ; three or four little cabins were built near together, and a few spots of level
ground were sometimes cultivated by the inhabitants. It was the rendezvous for strolling beg-
gars and such kind of people : many a midnight brawl has been witnessed here. All vestiges of
this settlement are now gone, and tlie land belongs to the Hogendoblers.
The first proprietors being all related or connected with each other, the greatest harmony and
friendship existed between them. In those days tea was looked upon as too efFeminate for men.
There were no stores nearer than Lancaster, and luxuries which all partake of now, were little
known then. There was great difficulty in getting shoes, especially for children.
The defeat of Braddock's army, in 1755, produced great excitement here. All the females and
children of the place, to the number of about 30, went to Philadelphia and spent the winter.
They occupied the house on Chestnut-street, which stood on a part of the ground where the
Arcade now is. The men who remained fortified the storehouse of J. L. Wright.
Marietta is situated on the left bank of the Susquehanna, 3 miles
above Columbia. It was incorporated as a borough in 1812, and the ad-
joining villages of Waterford and New Haven were included in the bo-
rough. It contains about 100 dwellings, a Presbyterian church, a Fe-
male Seminary, and about 500 inhabitants. An act was passed for erect-
ing a bridge here in 1814 ; but the rival project at Columbia obtained
precedence, and 4rfeated that of Marietta. Anderson's ferry was origin-
52
410 LANCASTER COUNTY.
ally the well-know^n name of this place. Anderson owned about one
half of the town plot, which was then his farm. He was a man of great
enterprise and public spirit. He cut the road through the hills towards
York, and built extensive accommodations for his ferry on the opposite
side ; and when he had finished them all, the bridge was built at Colum-
bia, and he found himself a ruined man. Maytovvn, a small village two
miles in the interior from Marietta, and Elizabethtovvn, on the Harris-
burg turnpike, were laid out many years before Marietta, and not long
after the commencement of Lancaster. The township containing these
villages is called Donnegal, and was originally settled by Scotch-Irish.
The venerable Presbyterian church of Donnegal, about 100 years old, is
still standing about four miles north of Marietta. Rev. James Anderson,
who emigrated from Scotland in 1709, after preaching for some years at
Newcastle, and then at New York, was called to the church of " New
Donnegal" in 1726. He died here in 1740. He is said to have been too
rigidly Scotch in his Presbyterian notions for the people of New York,
who then inclined towards Congregationalism, or towards the lax Presby-
terianism of South Britain. The presbytery of Donnegal was the parent
of that of Carlisle and others west of it.
All this region was famous in early times, especially during the revolu-
tion, for the convivial and sprightly spirit characteristic of the Irish.
Fiddling, dancing, and carousing, or what were then known as hup-se-
saws, were as common as eating and drinking.
BMNBRmGE is an ancient village at the mouth of Conoy cr., 9 miles
above Columbia. It was formerly the site of Dekanoagah, the village of
the Conoy or Ganawese Indians. (See page 391.) In the early colonial
records a number of flat-headed Indians are mentioned as having visited
the Susquehanna Indians early in the last century, and they were allowed
to remain by the provincial government.
We have received from Dr. David Watson, of Bainbridge, in this county, several curiosities
discovered in the neighborhood of that place by the laborers employed on the Pennsylvania canal,
— among which are a stone tobacco pipe, very neatly formed, a rude tomahawk, a small brass
basin, two keys, a small globular bell, and some broken pieces of Indian pottery ; but the great-
est curiosity is the skull-bone of an Indian, which materially differs in form from any that we
have ever seen belonging to the human species. The skull is remarkably large, and of an oblong
or oval form ; the bones themselves of which it is composed have been very thin, much more so
than is usually the case. What is very remarkable, in the general outline of the skull, is the pe-
culiar manner in which the frontal bone which forms the forehead recedes from the root of the
nose, and the superciliary ridges on which the eyebrows rest, and rather lies on the top of the
riead than juts over the rest of the face, as is usual. Thus there is no forehead, properly so
called ; the cranium in this respect presenting rather the appearance of the skull of a dog than
a human being. The Choctaw tribe of Indians were formerly in the habit of flattening their
beads in this manner, by binding metallic plates on the foreheads of their male children. A
chief having this singular appearance was in Philadelphia in the year 1796. Indians inhabiting
the source of the Missouri are to this day in the habit of moulding their skulls into this form.
The Incas or kings of Peru, and all those partaking of or being within a certain degree of con.
sanguinity to them, (and they only,) were allowed to enjoy the imperial privilege of having their
heads thus modelled. It may be worthy of observation, that tliis artificial conformation is not
known in the slightest degree to impair the mental operation. The skull above mentioned is that
of a male, probably about 45 or 50 years of age. — Lancaster Gazette, 1829.
John Haldeman, an early pioneer, first built a mill at Locust Grove,
below Bainbridge. This was for a long time the principal mill in the
whole region. Flour was then hauled in wagons to Chester, until the
people learned to constrii od navigate arks, when they found a more
natural inarket at Bait' John Haldeman left a number of sons,
LANCASTER COUNTY.
411
one of whom lives at Harrisburg, and another has extensive mills and a
splendid residence just under the shadow of the bold precipice of Chiques
rock, above Columbia.
Mount Joy and Richlaxd form together a continuous and very thriving
village on the Harrisburg railroad, 11 miles N. W. from Lancaster.
Mount Joy was laid out by Jacob Rohrer in 1812, and disposed of by lot-
tery ; and Richland a year or two afterward, by several individuals.
They have Presbyterian, Methodist, and other churches. Near the end
of the splendid railroad bridge which here crosses Little Chiques cr., is
the flourishing and well-known Female Seminary of Rev. N. Dodge. It
was commenced in 1837. In 1839 a large and commodious edifice was
built, and appropriately dedicated, as its corner-stone indicates, " to God
and our country." Mount Joy Institute, designed e:5tclusively for boys,
Under the charge of Mr. J. H. Brown, is situated in the village. It is also
the result of individual enterprise.
LiTiz is a beautiful village belonging to the Moravians, 8 miles north
of Lancaster. The houses are principally of stone, arranged along one
street with a public square in the centre. The square and streets are
shaded with trees, and the village has the air of neatness and order cha-
racteristic of the sect. The population may be about 400. There is but
one tavern in the place ; and a stranger is much better accommodated
there than in towns where it is thought, by politicians, " necessary for the
public convenience" to license half a dozen. All the lots are owned by
the society, and leased under their regulations only to members of the
society, except the tavern, which is kept by a stranger. Annexed is a
Public Square in Litiz.
view of the public square. In the centre is the church, with a cupola.
Adjoining the church, on the left, is the minister's dwelling. On the left
of the view, at the end of the square, is the celebrated Female Seminary,
now under the charge of Rev. Eugene A. Friauf On the right is the
Academy for boys, under the charge of Br John Beck. In the rear of
the church is the " dead house," to which p« rsons are carried immediately
413 LANCASTER COUNTY.
after their death, previous to interment. The Moravians are celebrated
for their musical taste : there is a fine organ in the church ; and the vil-
lagers have a band who are always ready, on proper occasions, to enter-
tain strangers who desire to hear them.
" The first place of worship erected by the United Brethren in Warwick
township was of wood, and was opened for divine service Feb. 9th, 1749.
Litiz was laid out in 1750, and the congregation dates its commencement
from the 15th of June, of the same year. The present church, of stone,
was consecrated Aug, 13th, 1787, The Young Ladies Seminary was
opened as a boarding school on the 26th Oct,, 1804, Rev. Mr, Friauf,
who now has charge, is a native of Bethlehem, but was educated in
Germany,"
Manheim, a village 5 miles west of Litiz, was laid out at an early day
by Mr. Steigel, and was famous for its glass and iron works. It now
contains about sixty or eighty dwellings,
StrAsburg is an ancient village, 8 miles southeast of Lancaster, built
along both sides of the road for a mile and a half. It was never regularly
laid out as a town, but seems to have grown up by the attraction of cohe-
sion among the earlier German emigrants. The ancient road from Lan-
caster to Philadelphia ran through it, and took its name of the Strasburg
road from the place. It was first settled about the same time with Lan-
caster, Its growth was very gradual, not more than one or two houses
being built in a year. The inhabitants were nearly all Germans. The
father of Dr. Sample, who lives near Paradise, was the first and only
Englishman in the place at the time of the revolution. The place was
formerly known as Peddlehatisie, a German name, signifying Beggarstown.
Mr. George Hoffman's grandfather hauled the logs for the first house. It
was a place of considerable note until the construction of the turnpike
and railroad, which have diverted the travel, A branch to connect it
wdth the railroad was contemplated, but has not yet been constructed. It
contains a Methodist, a Lutheran, and a Presbyterian church, and an
academy. About four miles southeast of Strasburg is the Mine ridge,
upon the top of which is an ancient copper mine, wrought, as is supposed,
by Swiss m-iners from Maryland, about the time of William Penn, At-
tempts in modern days to reopen the mine have only resulted in loss.
Two or three miles northeast of Strasburg, near the railroad, is the vil-
lage of Paradise, famous for its pleasant name. It was first settled many
years since by Mr, Abraham Witmer and his family, who built a mill
there. When it was made a post-town in 1804, and needed a name, he
remarked that to him it was a paradise, and it has been so called to this
day, A new Episcopal church was erected here in 1843, The Witmera
still abound in this region.
New Holland is a neat village, 12 miles northeast from Lancaster, in
a rich limestone region. It is built on one long street, well shaded with
trees, and is distinguished by an appearance of thrift and comfort. The
place was settled long before the revolution by German emigrants. Mr.
Primmer was one of the first settlers. It contains Lutheran, German
Reformed, and Methodist churches. The old Lutheran church bears the
date of 1763, and is said to have been preceded by an older one of
logs.
The other more important villages of this county are Ehzabethtown
lancasteh county. ^I^^
Falmouth, WAsrnNGTov, Millerstown, Neffsville, Soudersburg, Inter-
course, Reamstovvn, Adamstown, Hanstovvn, Warwick, Charleston, New
Market, Petersburg, Fairfield, Little Britain, Ephrata, Safe Harbor,
Hinkletown, and Swopestown. Some of these are villages of considera-
ble population ; others are merely clusters of houses and stores at the
intersection of roads.
Ephrata is situated on the Cocalico creek, at the intersection of the
Reading road with the Harrisburg and Downingtown turnpike, 13 miles
N. E. from Lancaster, and 38 from Harrisburg. New Ephrata is a more
modern village, half a mile south of Ephrata proper, though the name is
applied to the whole neighborhood. Ephrata is one of the earliest settle-
ments in the county. Its history is interesting on account of the pecu-
liarity of the sect which founded it, and the associations connected with
it. The following sketch of its history is condensed from an article by
Dr. William M. Fahnestock, in Hazard's Register, vol. 15.
Ephrata in former times was better knoviii among the German population by the name of
Kloster, (Cloister,) or Dunkerstown, a nickname from the word Dunkcr or Tunker, corruptions
of Taerifer, Baptist. The society of Ephrata, however, are a distinct sect from the Dunkers,
with whom they have always been confounded. Originally they descended from that division of
Christians.
In the year 1708, Alexander Mack, of Schriesheim, and seven others, in Schwardzenam, Ger-
many, met together regularly to examine the New Testament, and to ascertain the obligations it
imposes on professing Christians ; determining to lay aside all preconceived opinions and tradi-
tional observances. Their inquiries resulted in the formation of the society now called Dunkers,
or First-day German Baptists. Persecuted as they grew into importance, some were driven into
Holland, some to Creyfels, in the Duchy of Cleves, and the mother church voluntarily removed
to Serustervin in Friesland ; and thence emigrated to America in 1719, and dispersed to different
parts — to Germantown, Skippack, Oley, Conestoga, and elsewhere. Soon after a church was
established at Muelbach (Mill cr.) in this county. Of this community was Conrad Beissel, a
native of Germany. He had been a Presbyterian, and fled from the persecutions of that period.
Intent upon ascertaining the true obligations of the word of God, he conceived that there was an
error among the Dunkers, and that the seventh day was commanded to be observed as the sab-
bath. In 1725 he published a tract on this subject, which created excitement in the society at
MUl creek ; and he in consequence retired secretly to a cell near the Cocalico, which had pre-
viously been occupied by one Elimelech, a hermit. When his place of retirement, unknown for a
long time, was discovered, many of the Mill creek society, who coincided in his opinions, settled
around him in solitary cottages. They adopted the original sabbath — the seventh day — for public
worship in the year 1728, which has ever since been observed by them.
In 1732, the solitary was changed for a conventual life, and a Monastic Society was estab-
lished as soon as the first buildings erected for that purpose were finished — in May, 1733. The
habit of the Capuchins or White Friars was adopted by both the brethren and sisters, which con-
sisted of a shirt, trousers, and vest, with a long white gown and cowl, of woollen in winter, and
linen in summer. The sisters wore petticoats instead of trousers, and had some peculiarity in the
shape of the cowl.
Monastic names were given to all who entered the cloister. Onesimus (Israel Eekerlin) was
constituted Prior, who was succeeded by Jaebez, (Peter Miller;) and the title of Father — spiritual
father — was bestowed by the society upon Beissel, whose monastic name was Friedsam ; to
which the brethren afterwards added, Gottrecht — implying, together. Peaceable, God-right. In
the year 1740, there were thirty-six single brethren in the cloisters, and thirty-five sisters ; and at
one time the society, including the members living in the neighborhood, numbered nearly three
hundred.
The first buildings of the society, of any consequence, were Kedar and Zion — a meeting-house
and convent, which were erected on the hill called Mount Zion. They afterwards built larger
accommodations, in the meadow below, comprising a Sister's House called Saron, to which is
attached a large Chapel, and " Saal," for the purpose of holding the Agapas or Love Feasts ; — a
Brother's House, called Bethania, with which is connected the large meeting-room, with galleries,
in which the whole society assembled for public worship, in the days of their prosperity, and
which are still standing, surrounded by smaller buildings, which were occupied as printing-ofiice,
bake-house, school-house, almonry, and others for diflTerent purposes ; on one of whioh, a one-story
house, the town clock is erected.
The buildings are singular, and of very ancient architecture — all the outside walls being cov-
414 LANCASTER COUNTY.
ered with shingles. The two houses for the brethren and sisters are very large, being tl.ree and
four stories high : each has a chapel for their night meetings, and the main buildings are divided
into small apartments, (each containing between fifty and sixty,) so that six dormitories, which
are barely large enough to Contain a cot, (in early days a bench and billet of wood for the head,)
a closet, and an hour-glass, surround a common room, in which each subdivision pursued their
respective avocations. On entering these silent cells, and traversing the long narrow passages,
visiters can scarcely divest themselves of the feeling of walking the tortuous windings of some
old castle, and breathing in the hidden recesses of romance. The ceilings have an elevation of
but seven feet ; the passages leading to the cells, or " Kammers," as they are styled, and through
the different parts of both convents, are barely wide enough to admit one person, for when meet-
ing a second, one has always to retreat ; — the dens of the Kammers are but five feet high, and
twenty inches wide, and the window, for each has but one, is only eighteen by twenty-four inches ;
the largest windows, affording light to the meeting rooms, are but thirty-four inches. — The walls
of all the rooms, including the meeting room, the chapels, the saals, and even the kammers, or
dormitories, are hung and nearly covered with large sheets of elegant penmanship, or ink-paint-
ings,— many of which are texts from the Scriptures, done in a very handsome manner, in orna-
mented Gothic letters, called in the German Fractur-schrifften. They are done on large sheets
of paper, manufactured for the pilrpose at their own mill, some of whi(ih are put into frames, and
which admonish the resident, as well as the casual visiter, which ever way they may turn the
head. There are some very curious ones : two of which still remain in the chapel attached to
Saron. One represents the narrow and crooked way, done on a sheet of about three feet square,
\Vhich it would be difficult to describe — it is very curious and ingenious : the Whole of the road
is filled up with texts of Scripture, advertising the disciples of their duties, and the obligations
their profession imposes upon them. Another represents the three heavens. In the first, Christ,
the Shepherd, is represented gathering his flock together ; in the second, which occupies one foot
in height, and is three feet wide, three hundred figures, in the Capuchin dress, can be counted,
with harps in their hands, and the heads of an innumerable host ; and in the third is seen the
throne, surrounded by two hundred archangels. Many of these Fractur-schrifften express their
own enthusiastic sentiments on the subject of celibacy, and the virtue of a recluse life, while
others are devotional pieces.
The society owned a farm, a grist-mill, paper-mill, oil-mill, and fulling-mill. All the society's
property was in common, and the labor of the members ; but individual members were not com-
pelled to relinquish private property which they might have held previous to joining the society.
The Eckerlins, of Whom there were three brothers, one of which was the Prior, had been origi-
nally Catholics in Europe. They had charge of the secular ftoncerns, and were suspected of cer-
tain ambitious plans to possess themselves of the title to the property, and to give the establish-
ment a more luxurious and imposing form. They were expelled, and went to the southwestern
part of this state or to Virginia. (See Greene co., p. 360.)
The society has been muCh misrepresented by writers who knoW but little of them, and mostly
draw on their imaginations, and the libels of persecutors, for the principles of this people.
Morgan Edwards, in his " Materials towards a History of the American Baptists," (published
in 1770,) says — " From the uncouth dress, the recluse and ascetic life of these people, sour as-
pects and rough manners might be expected ; but, on the contrary, a smiling innocence and
meekness grace their countenances, and a softness of tone and accent adorns their conversation,
and makes their deportment gentle and obliging. Their singing is charming — partly owing to
the pleasantness of their voices, the variety of parts they carry on together, and the devout man-
ner of performance." And of Bcissel he gives the following character, which he Says he had
from one who knew him well :
" He was very strict in his morals, and practised self-denial to an uncommon degree. Enthu-
siastic and whimsical he ccrtairlly was, but an apparent devoutness and sincerity ran through all
his oddities. He was not an adept in any of the liberal arts and sciences except music, in which
he excelled. He composed and set to mUsic (in three, four, six, aijd eight parts) a folio volume
of hymns, and another of anthems. He published a dissertation on the fall of man, in the mys.
terious strain ; also a volume of letters. He left behind him several books in manuscript, curi-
ously written and embellished."
Their principles may be summed up in a few words :
They receive the Bible as the only rule of faith, covenant, and code of laws for church gov-
ernment. No monastic vows were taken, nor had they any written covenant. They do not ad-
mit the least license with the letter or spirit of the Scriptures, nor allow one jot or tittle to be
added or rejected in the administration of the ordinances.
They believe in the Divinity of Christ, and in the Trinity of the Godhead ; that salvation is
of grace, and not of works ; and rely solely on the merits and atonement of Christ, and that He
died for all who will call upon his name and offer fruits meet for repentance.
They contend for the observance of the original Sabbath — believing that it requires an au-
thority equal to the Great Institutor to alter any of his decrees.
LANCASTER COUNTY. 41 5
They hold to the Aposiolic baptism — believers' baptism — and administer trine immersion, with
the laying on of hands and prayer, while the recipient yet remains kneeling in the water.
They celebrate the Lord's supper at night, in imitation of our Saviour — washing, at the same
time, each other's feet, agreeably to his command and example. John xiii. 14, 15. This is at-
tended to on the evening after the close of the Sabbath, (the Sabbath terminating at sunset of
the seventh day,) thus making the supper an imitation of that instituted by Christ, and resembling
also the meeting of the Apostles on the first day to break bread.
Celibacy they consider a virtue, but never require it, nor do they take any vows in reference to
it. They never prohibited marriage, and lawful intercourse between the sexes, as is stated by
some writers ; but when two concluded to be joined in wedlock, they were aided by the society.
Celibacy was urged as being more conducive to a holy life ; for Paul saith, " They that are after
the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh ; but they that arc after the Spirit, the things of the
Spirit." This was a fond, cherished subject, and was constantly inculcated. It may be con-
sidered the ground of the Institution at Ephrata, whose prosperity and advancement was depend-
ent on its being properly appreciated. It was sedulously kept before them by their ministers, in
its brightest colors. It was a prolific subject for many of their hymns, which seemed to hallow
and sanctify virginity.
They do not approve of paying their ministers a salary, thinking the gospel was sent without
money and without price ; but they share their own supplies with their ministers.
It is. not one of their customs to wear long beards, as is frequently said of them : this is more
the case with the Dunkers and Mennonists. They are often represented as living on vegetables,
— the rules of the society forbidding meats, for the purpose of mortifying the natural appetite, —
and also as lying on wooden benches, with billets of wood for pillows, as an act of penance. The
true reason and explanation of this matter is, that both were done from considerations of econo-
my. Their circumstances were very restricted, and their undertaking great. They studied the
strictest simplicity and economy in all their arrangements : wooden flagons, wooden goblets,
turned wooden trays, were used in administering the communion ; and the same goblets are still
in use, though they have been presented with more costly ones. Even the plates oft' of which
they ate were octangular pieces of thin poplar boards, — their forks and candlesticks were of
wood, — and also every other article that could be made of that material, was used by the whole
community. After they were relieved from the pressure of their expensive enterprise in providing
such extensive accommodations, they enjoyed the cot for repose, and many other of the good
things of life ; though temperance in eating and drinking was scrupulously regarded.
Although opposed to bearing anns, they opened their houses cheerfully to succor and comfort
the distressed inhabitants of Paxton and Tulpehocken during the old French war — for which the
government rendered them its acknowledgments, and Gov. Penn offered them a whole manor of
land, but they would not receive it. During the revolution, they were decided whigs. After the
battle of Brandywine, the whole establishment was open to receive the wounded Americans ;
their Sabbath-school house was converted into an hospital ; great numbers of the sick were trans-
ported here in wagons ; the camp fever broke out among them, and one hundred and fifty were
buried on the top of Mount Zion. [On the 4th July, 1843, a movement was made to erect a
monument to these soldiers.]
Conrad Beissel died in July, 1768 ; and although his successor, Peter Miller, is spoken of as a
man of much greater powers of mind, yet the establishment began to decline about the year 1777.
The institution was more in accordance with the German manners and notions of the 17th cen-
tury, than with the new ideas in regard to religion, politics, and social life introduced by the revo-
lution.
At an early period they built a paper-mill, and established a printing-office — the second Ger-
man press in the state — where they printed many books, tracts, and hymns. In the revolution,
the army sent to the mill for paper for cartridges, but finding none, they seized the printed sheets,
and they were fired off" against the British at the battle of Germantown.
There are several single sisters remaining in the convent, one of whom has been there forty-six
ytars, and another lives in a cottage, solitary life, sixty years. But another government now ex-
ists. In former days, the whole property and income belonged exclusively to the single brethren
and sisters ; but now, by a charter obtained from the state legislature, at the instance of the sin-
gle members then remaining, the property is invested in all the members, single and married.
Since then, the sisters in the convent are not supported out of the common stock, and their com-
mon labor, but each has house room, which all the married members are entitled to who require
it — as well as fire-wood, flour, and milk — from the society, wiio still possess the farm, (140 acres,)
and a grist-mill, and a saw-mill, — and their labor they apply to their own use, or dispose of it as
they see proper.
As early as 1758, there was a branch of this society on Bermudian creek, in York county, of
which a few still remain. Another was established in 1763, in Bedford co., which still flourish-
es ; another at Snowhill, in Franklin co. ; and many members are scattered in the interior cr un-
ties of tlie state.
416
LEBANON COUNTY.
Brothers^ and Sisters^ houses at Ephrata.
Am»exfcd is a view of the Sisters' house, (Soron,) and of what was for-
merly the Sisters' chapel, but is now occupied by brethren and sisters in
common. The similar, but much larger house, and chapel, formerly oc-
cupied by the brothers, are still standing, but in a dilapidated condition.
The other houses of the society's village are occupied by separate fami-
lies. The sisters' house is on the left of the view. Only a few aged
brethren and sisters remain here.
LEBANON COUNTY.
Lebanon county was taken from Lancaster and Dauphin by the act of
16th Feb. 1816. Length and breadth 17 miles; area, 288 sq. miles.
Population in 1820, 16,988 ; in 1830, 20,557 ; and in 1840, 21,872.
To say that Lebanon co. is included in the great Kittatinny valley, is
tantamount to saying that its surface is composed of undulating slate and
limestone lands, abounding in every element of fertility. " Large and
commodious houses of stone, in delightful situations, with ornamental
trees and smiling gardens ; stone barns of immense size ; pure water
flowing from adjoining hills through verdant fields, or gushing from arti-
ficial fountains for convenient use — combine elements of substantial com-
fort and improvement that cannot be surpassed in any country." It
would follow, too, almost as a matter of course in Pennsylvania, that such
a region would be occupied by a population of industrious, persevering,
and thrifty German farmers ; for where are the rich limestone valleys
in the state which they have not found out, and, in most cases, purchased
from the original settlers, of a different race? It is a remarkable fact,
that the broad belt of slate lands of the Kittatinny valley, all the way
from Easton to Mercersburg, was originally settled by Scotch-Irish —
LEBANON COUNTY. 4I7
whose descendants have nearly all disappeared, and given place to the
present German population.
On either side of the valley rise the lofty mountains of sandstone which
enclose the co. on the northwest and southeast. The Kittatinny moun-
tain crosses the northwestern end of the co., the Second mountain, paral-
lel to it, being the boundary. On the southeastern boundary are the
Conewago hills. These mountains, too rugged and precipitous for agri-
cultural purposes generally, are lined with dense forests, which serve to
reduce the excellent iron ores found among their strata.
The county is well watered by the Swatara, Little Swatara, Quitopa-
hilla, and Tulpehocken creeks, with their branches, and several smaller
streams of less note. The Reading and Harrisburg macadamized turn-
pike passes through the centre, and the Ephrata and Harrisburg turnpike
crosses the southern corner of the county. The latter road was made
many years since, and was once a great thoroughfare over the mountains.
It is furnished with mile-stones, marked so many miles to P., and so many
to T. ; the latter signifying to Tuscarora mountain, west of the Susque-
hanna. Judge Franckes used to tell a story of his inquiring of a brother
judge what the T. stood for ; and he replied, quite in earnest, " So many
miles to Towningtown" — [Downingtown, in Chester co.]
The Union canal passes along near the Sw^atara and Tulpehocken
creeks, touching the town of Lebanon. The navigable feeder up the
Swatara aflbrds access to the coal-mines of the Sharp mountain, at Pine
Grove, in Schuylkill co. There are several iron furnaces in the southern
part of the county, some of which have been established many years.
There are also a number of woollen factories. But agriculture is the
great business of the county. Its products are shipped principally at
Lebanon.
German is the common language ; but the introduction of the new
school-system of the state, which requires that English shall be taught
in common with German, in the German districts, will soon introduce the
English language into every family, and eventually eradicate the other.
At present the boys of Lebanon co., though they recite their English les-
sons inside of the schoolhouse, play marbles outside in German.
In East Hanover township, between the Blue mountain and Second
mountain, is a noted cold spring ; an agreeable watering-place, much fre-
quented in the heat of summer. Mr. Samuel Winter has erected there a
commodious house of entertainment.
The history of the origin and construction of the Union canal is inter-
esting in itself; but it likewise involves the history of the early efibrts
of distinguished citizens of the state, in the cause of internal improve-
ments. These early efforts doubtless formed the moving spring of that
great spirit of internal improvements, which subsequently gave such
glory to New York, and afterwards to Pennsylvania and Maryland. The
following is abridged from a very able article in the first volume of Haz-
ard's Register, by George W. Smith, Esq. : —
William Penn, in his proposals for a second settlement in the province of Pennsylvania, pub-
lished in 1(J90, alludes to the practicability of effecting a communication by water between the
Susquehanna and a branch of the Schuylkill. Canals and turnpikes were unknown at this pe-
riod, even in Great Britain. Numerous interesting letters of distinguished citizens are extant,
which prove that the Union is indebted to Pennsylvania for the first introduction of canals and
turnpikes to public attention. Their views were regarded at that eajly period, (1750 to 1760,)
53
418 LEBANON COUNTY.
with but little interest in England, and excited the attention of hut few in the colonies. At the
present day it is difficult to determine to whom we are chiefly indebted for introducing the sub-
ject to public attention. If our information be correct, we may attribute to David Rittenhouse,
the astronomer, and Dr. William Smith, provost of the University of Pennsylvania, the credit
of being the first laborers in this hitherto untrodden field. Afterwards Robert Morris, the finan-
cier of the revolution, and still later Robert Fulton, the engineer, of whom Pennsylvania is
justly proud, lent their powerful assistance. The writings of Turner Camac, William J. Duane,
and Samuel Breck, Esqs. ; and subsequently of Gerard Ralston, Richard Peters, Jr., Matthew
Carey, Samuel Mifflin, William Lehman, John Sergeant, and Joseph Mcllvaine, are too well
known to require enumeration.
In the year 1762, David Rittenhouse, (and Dr. William Smith, we believe, at the same time,)
surveyed and levelled a route for a canal to connect the waters of the Susquehanna and Schuyl-
kill rivers, by means of the Swatara and Tulpehocken creeks. The Union canal, which has since
accomplished this object, passes over a portion of this route — the first which was surveyed for a
canal in the colonies.
The views of the projectors of this work were, if the difficulties of that period be consid-
ered, far more gigantic and surprising than have been entertained by their successors in any
part of the Union. They contemplated nothing less than a junction of the eastern and western
waters of Lake Erie and of the Ohio with the Delaware, on a route extending 582 miles. The
Allegheny mountain was wisely deemed to offer an insuperable obstacle to a continuous naviga-
tion. A portage over this section was accordingly recommended : an expedient which we at
the present day have been compelled to adopt.
Duly to appreciate the enterprise of that age, we ought to consider that the great valley of the
Ohio and Mississippi was almost one boundless forest ; uninhabited, but by the beasts of the for-
est, or the Indians. Attainable moneyed capital was then almost unknown in the colonies ; the very
term " engineering" was equally unknown in the vocabulary of those days. No canal was then
in existence in England. Sankey Brook and the Duke of Bridgewater's had been commenced,
but were yet unfinished. Public opinion, even there, had yet to learn that canals were not vision-
ary undertakings. The sneers of many were to be encountered ; nevertheless, under all these
discouragements, the earliest advocates for inland navigation commenced their efforts in Penn-
sylvania. In 1769 they induced the American Philosophical Society to order a survey for a ca-
nal to connect the Chesapeake bay with the Delaware. The provincial legislature, about the
same period, authorized a survey on a route, extending 582 miles, to Pittshurg and Erie. This
survey was performed, and a report made strongly recommending the execution of the pro-
ject. The adoption of the plan was postponed in consequence of the revolution. After the ter-
mination of that struggle, several works were commenced in North Carolina, Virginia, and Mary-
land. The canal tlirough the Dismal swamp, connecting the Chesapeake bay and Albemarle
sound, with the works on the Potomac, James, and Rappahannock rivers, were commenced and
partiedly finished, between the years 1786 and 1791.
The great project of Pennsylvania was allowed to slumber until the 29th Sept. 1791, about a
century after William Penn's first prophetic intimation, when the legislature incorporated a com-
pany to connect the Susquehanna and Schuylkill by a canal and slackwater navigation. Robert
Morris, David Rittenhouse, William Smith, Tench Francis, and others, were named as commis-
sioners. The intention of connecting the eastern and northwestern parts of the state is distinctly
expressed in this, and a subsequent act, of 10th April, 1792. By the terms of this last act, a
company was mcorporated to effect a junction of the Delaware with the Schuylkill river, by a
canal extending from Norristown to Philadelphia, a distance of 17 miles. The Schuylkill river,
from the former city to Reading, was to be temporarily improved ; and thus form, with the works
of the Susquehanna and Schuylkill company, an uninterrupted water communication with the
interior of the state ; with the intention of extending the chahi to Erie and the Ohio. Experience
soon convinced the two companies that a greater length of canal was requisite, in consequence
of the difficulties of improving the channels of the rivers ; hence the company last mentioned
determined, (in compliance with the suggestions of Mr. Weston, a British engineer, whom they
had imported,) to extend their canal from river to river, a distance of 70 miles. In conjunction
with the former company, they nearly completed 15 miles of the most difficult parts of the two
works ; comprising much rock excavation, heavy embankments, extensive deep cuttings, and sev-
eral locks, which were constructed with bricks. In consequence of the commercial difficulties,
(in which it is known that some of the chief stockholders were shortly after involved,) both
companies were compelled to suspend their operations, after the expenditure of $440,000. The
suspension of these works, and some years after of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal, had a
most disastrous effect on every similar work which was projected for many years afterwards.
Frequent abortive attempts were made, from the year 1795, to resume operations; and not-
withstanding the subscription of $300,000 stock, subsequently tendered by the state, these com-
panies continued a mere languishing existence. In the year 1811, the two bodies were united,
and reorganized as the Union Canal Co. They were specially authorized to extend their canal
from Philadelphia to I)ake Erie, with the priyilegs of making such further extenaioo, in anv other
LEBANON COUNTY. 419
part of the state, as they might deem expedient. In 1819 and 1821, the state granted further
aid by a guarantee of interest, and a monopoly of the lottery privilege. The additional subscrip-
tions, obtained in consequence of this legislative encouragement, enabled the managers to resume
operations in 1821. The line was relocated, the dimensions of the canal changed, and the whole
work finished in about six years from this period ; after 37 years had elapsed from the commence-
ment of the work, and 65 from the date of the first survey. The Union canal is 89 miles in
length, including the Swatara feeder, &c., from Middletown, on the Susquehanna, to a point on
the Schuylkill a short distance below Reading. It is calculated for boats of 25 to 30 tons bur-
den. At Middletown on the Susquehanna, it connects with the main line of Pennsylvania ca-
nals ; at Reading, with the works of the Schuylkill Navigation Co. The descent from the sum-
mit to the Schuylkill is 311 feet; to the Susquehanna, 208.
The summit is 6 miles (between the Swatara and Tulpehocken) 78 chains in length ; to which
must be added the navigable feeder, which at present extends 6 3-4 miles. This summit passes
over a limestone district : much deep excavation in rock was required. In consequence of the
many fissures which abound in limestone rocks, the usual expedient of puddling did not succeed
in retaining the water in the summit. After many experiments, it was found necessary to plank
this section throughout. On the Schuylkill Navigation Co.'s canal, near Reading, which passes
over the same limestone formation, a similar expedient was adopted. In both cases the plan was
successful. On this section, the canal passes through a tunnel of 729 feet in length, excavated
in solid rock.* This summit is supplied by the water of the Swatara, conducted to it by the
feeder already mentioned. As the summit is above the level of the feeder, two large water-wheels
and pumps are resorted to for the purpose of raising the water to the requisite height. Two
steam-engines, one of 120, the second of 100 horse power, are provided for the purpose of sup-
plying the feeder in case of accident to the water-works. [The feeder has since been continued
to a point within four miles of the coal-mines.]
A great error was committed, in making the dimensions of this canal too small — an error which,
threatens to be fatal to its existence. It arose partly from the great scarcity of water, and partly
from erroneous views entertained by engineers and others having charge of the work. The locks,
being adapted only for boats of 25 tons, while those of the state canals accommodate a boat of
40 or 50 tons, exclude the greater portion of the boats plying on the state works ; added to which,
the work has to contend with the competition of the railroads from Harrisburg and Columbia to
Philadelphia. This latter competition discourages the Union Canal Co. from enlarging their
locks.
In 1828, about $1,600,000 had been expended in the construction of the work, in addition to
the proceeds of the lottery, and excluding the sums expended on the old work.
/ Lebanon, the county seat, is a large and well-built borough, pleasantly
situated on a small branch of the Quitopahilla, 25 miles from Harrisburg,
and 28 from Reading by the turnpike. The town is regularly laid out,
with a large area in the centre, in which stands the market-house. The
buildings are generally of brick or stone. The courthouse is a spacious
and splendid edifice of brick, surmounted with a cupola. There are in
the place Lutheran, German Reformed, Catholic, Methodist, German
Methodist, and United Brethren churches, an academy, and a public
library. The canal passes one mile north of the town, where the busy
little village of North Lebanon has grown up. The annexed view was
taken from a field .southwest of the town. The Lutheran church, with a
tall spire, is seen in the centre. The population, by the census of 1840,
was, of the borough proper, 1,860; of the north ward, 1,430; south
ward, 2,907 : total of Lebanon township, 6,197. The borough was incor-
porated 20th Feb. 1821.
Little has been recorded, or preserved by tradition, concerning the
early history of the town or county. The following facts, with those re-
lating to other towns, were learned from some of the aged citizens of the
borough. Lebanon — or Steitzetown, as it was for a long time called,
* The first tunnels which were excavated in the Union were in Pennsylvania. There are two
<ia the Conemaugh, one on the Union, one on the Schuylkill canal, one still unfinished near
Mauch Chunk, and two on the Reading railroad. We do not include the smal tunnels, leading
f«t)m mines.
<20
LEBANON COUNTY.
Southwest Vieio of Lebanon.
l/^and still is by many of the old Germans — was probably laid out about
the year 1750, by one Mr. Steitze. The father of Col. Adam Reitscher,
now living in the town, was one of the first settlers, and paid ground-
rent, as appears by his receipts still extant, as early as 1751. He cleared
the lot west of the one upon which his sou now lives, from the forest then
standing. The Moravians also made a very early settlement, about two
miles east of the town. Their present stone church was erected about
the year 1760 or 1770 ; but it was probably the second on the same site.
The present Lutheran church, in town, was erected in 1798; and the
previous one, near the same site, about 1 705 or '66, The German Reformed
church was erected about 1787.
During the war of the revolution, many of the residents of this place
took arnris on the American side, and were engaged at the battle of Ger-
mantown. After the battle of Trenton, many of the Hessian prisoners
were brought here, and confined in the old Lutheran and Moravian
churches.
The Mennonists settled in the southern part of the county, as early as
1732. Much of the history of this county is merged in that of Lancas-
ter, of which the southern townships formed a part.
MiLLERSTowN is a flourishing village on the Quitopahilla, 5 miles west
of Lebanon. It contains about 120 dwellings, Lutheran and Methodist
churches, and one church common to the Presbyterians and German Re-
formed. There are several mills on the creek. The place was formerly
called Annville, and the post-office here still bears that name officially.
It was laid out by Messrs. Ulrichs and Reigel. Two or three miles west
of Millerstown, during the " late war" of 1812, several wealthy gentlemen
from Lancaster, at the head of whom was Mr. Hentzleman, established
an immense cotton and woollen factory at a cost of 896,000. Their fabrics
were accounted equal to any manufactured in the country. At the close
of the war, the opening of our ports to foreign manufactures was ruinous
to the concern.
SuAEFFERSTowN is a large village, 8 miles S. E. from Lebanon, contain-
ing about 100 dwellings, and Lutheran and Presbyterian churches. This
is one of the oldest places in the county. It was originally settled by
LEBANON COUNTY. 421
German Jews, who had a synagogue and a graveyard there. The wall
around the yard, though built about the year 1732, is still standing; and
the cement with which it is built is quite as solid as the stone. This ce-
ment is said to have a larger proportion of lime than those in common
use. The place was afterwards reinforced by Germans of other denomi-
nations. About two miles from Shaefferstown, on the road to Lancaster,
on a high hill, are the ruins of a fort or castle built by the celebrated
Baron Steigel, who at that time had charge of the Elizabeth furnace.
He was a German baron, of considerable w^ealth, fearless enterprise, great
skill in the arts, and a much larger proportion of ostentatious vanity than
was desirable in a new country. He resided with his family in Philadel-
phia, but was in the habit of occasionally inviting his friends into the
country with him, to enjoy his baronial hospitality. He had two of these
towers or castles erected, one about five miles N. W. of Ephrata, and the
other near Shaefferstown. They were mounted with cannon for the ex-
press purpose of firing a salute whenever he made his appearance in the
country. This salute was the signal for his more intimate friends to re-
pair to his castle, and enjoy with him the festivities of the occasion ; and
for all his workmen in the furnaces and glasshouses to wash the dirt from
their hands and faces, take up their musical instruments, (in which every
German is more or less skilled,) and repair to the baronial castle, to en-
tertain the great man and his guests. This kind of life could not endure
long. The revolutionary war cut off" access to his resources in Europe,
embarrassment ensued, and the utter failure of his enterprises. His pro-
perty passed into other hands, and he was employed subsequently as a
superintendent of iron-works for Mr. Coleman. Many of the old Steigel
stoves still remain as monuments to his memory among the older families
of Lancaster and Lebanon.
Jonestown is a considerable village, situated near the forks of the Big
and Little Swatara, 7 miles N. W. of Lebanon. It contains Presbyterian,
Lutheran, and German Reformed churches. Southeast of the town rises
a high hill, which bears the honored name of Bunker Hill. Jonestown
was one of the settlements pertaining to the " Paxton boys," and was
originally settled by Scotch and Irish Presbyterians. The Irish and their
descendants have yielded to the inroads of the more persevering Germans,
and have retired to the west. The Indians were settled generally along
under the mountain, near the head-waters of the Tulpehocken and Swa-.
tara. There was a line of provincial forts extending along these moun-
tains to the Susquehanna, intended as defences against the French and
Indians. One of the blockhouses, now a dwelling-house, still remains on
the Swatara. At the " Hill Church," on the Quitopahilla, the old Pres-
byterians held their worship, while sentinels with loaded rifles watched
to prevent surprise by the Indians.
Myerstown, on the Reading turnpike, 7 miles east of Lebanon, is one
of the largest villages in the county. It is on the head- waters of the
Tulpehocken, contains about 120 or 130 dwellings, principally of wood,
and a Lutheran church.
The other villages are Camphellstown and Palmyra, small villages near
the Dauphin co. line, on the two turnpikes to Harrisburg.
422 LEHIGH COUNTY.
LEHIGH COUNTY.
Lehigh county Was separated from Northampton by the act of 6th
March, 1812. Length 28 ms,, breadth 15; area 389 sq. ms. Population
in 1820, 18,895 ; in 1830, 22,256 ; in 1840, 25,787. The lofty barrier of
the Blue mountain separates the county on the northwest from the coal
region beyond. The South mountain, here known as the Lehigh hills,
crosses the S. E. end of the county ; presenting a rugged surface, but
exposing among its strata many valuable beds of iron ore. Between
these mountains is spread out a portion of the lovely Kittatinny valley,
a region full of the elements of agricultural wealth, and highly cultivated
by an industrious, persevering, and thriving German population. The
limestone region of this valley, which lies next to the South mountain,
abounds in sinking springs ; and there is also in it a remarkable cave at
one of these springs on Jordan cr., a few miles north of Allentown. The
Lehigh river, breaking through a wild gap in the Kittatinny or Blue
mountains, flows along part of the northeastern boundary, and after cour-
teously bending to pay its respects to the county town, turns suddenly to
the N. E. and passes on to Easton. Jordan cr.. Little Lehigh, Saucon
cr.. Trout cr., and Copley cr., tributaries of the Lehigh, are the other
principal streams. The principal business of the county is agriculture ;
there are also several extensive iron works ; and the citizens are more
or less interested in the coal and lumber business on the Lehigh above
the mountain. Good roads intersect the county in all directions ; several
bridges cross the Lehigh, one of which is a chain bridge ; and there are
substantial stone bridges across the principal creeks. The canal of the
Lehigh Navigation Co. furnishes a convenient outlet for the products of
the county.
The early history of Lehigh co. is merged in that of Northampton co.
It is probable that the Scotch-Irish settlements of Allen township extended
into the upper part of the co. The Moravian Germans settled at Em-
maus. The Schwenckfelders also spread into the lower corner from Mont-
gomery, and other classes of Germans from Berks. At present the popu-
lation of the CO. is chiefly German, and the German language is of course
predominant. This county, together with parts of Bucks, Northampton,
and Berks, was the scene of great excitement about the years 1798-99,
in consequence of the attempt by the federal government to collect a
direct tax. The particular kind of tax objected to in this instance was
" the house tax." The following extracts are from an old report of the
trials published by Wm. W. Woodward, Philadelphia, 1800. " Reported
by Thomas Carpenter, in shorthand."
Trial of John Fries and others for treason,
Mr. Sitgreaves (of Easton) opened the trial on the part of the U. S. The following are extracts
from his speech. " It will appear, gentlemen, from the testimony which will be presented to you,
that during the latter months of the year 1798, discords prevailed to an enormous extent through-
out a large portion of the counties of Bucks, Northampton, and Montgomery, and that considera-
ble difficulties attended the assessors for the direct tax in the execution of their duties, — that in
several townships associations of the people were actually formed in order to prevent the persons
charged with the execution of these laws of the U. S. from performing their duty, and more par-
ticularly to prevent the assessors from measuring their houses ; this opposition was made at
many pubUc township meetings called for the purpose ; in many instances resolutions in
LEHIGH COUNTY. 423
writing were entered into, solemnly forewarning the officers, and many times accor.ipanied with
threats. Not only so, but discontents prevailed to such a height, that even the friends of the
government in that part were completely suppressed by menaces against any who should assist
those officers in their duty ; repeated declarations were made, both at public as well as at private
meetings, that if any person should be arrested by the civil authority, such arrest would be
followed by the rising of the people, in opposition to that authority, for the purpose of rescuing
such prisoners ; indefatigable pains were taken, by those charged with the execution of the laws,
to calm the fears and remove the misapprehensions of the infatuated people ; for this purpose
they read and explained the law to them, and informed them that they were misled into the idea
that the law was not actually in force, for that it actually was ; at the same time warning them
of the consequences which would flow from opposition ; and this was accompanied with promises
that even their most capricious wishes would be gratified on their obedience. The favor was in
many instances granted, that where any opposition was made to any certain person executing the
office of assessor, another should be substituted ; in some townships proposals were made for peo-
ple to choose for themselves ; but, notwithstanding this accommodating offer, the opposition
continued. The consequences were, actual opposition and resistance ; in some parts violence
was actually used, and the assessors were taken and imprisoned by armed parties, and in other
parts mobs assembled to compel them either to deliver up their papers or to resign their commis-
sions ; that in some instances they were threatened with bodily harm, so that in those parts the
obnoxious law remained unexecuted in consequence. The state of insurrection and rebellion had
arisen to such a height, it became necessary to compel the execution of the laws, and warrants
were in consequence issued against certain persons and served upon them ; in some instances,
during the execution of that duty, the marshal met with insult and almost with violence ; having,
however, got nearly the whole of the warrants served, he appointed head-quarters for these pri-
soners to rendezvous at Bethlehem, where some of them were to enter bail for their appearance in
the city, and others were to come to the city in custody for trial.
" On the day thus appointed for the prisoners to meet, and when a number of them had actually
assembled, agreeably to appointment, a number of parties in arms, both horse and foot, more than
a hundred men, accoutred with all their military apparatus, commanded in some instances by
their proper officers, marched to Bethlehem, collected before the house in which were the marshal
and prisoners, whom they demanded to be delivered up to them, and in consequence of refusal,
they proceeded to act very little short of actual hostility ; so that the marshal deemed it prudent
to accede to their demands, and the prisoners were liberated.
" This, gentlemen, is the general history of the insurrection. I shall now state to you the part
which the unfortunate prisoner at the bar took in those hostile transactions. The prisoner is an in-
habitant of Lower Milford, Bucks co. Some time in February last a pubUc meeting was held at the
house of one John Kline, in that township, to consider this house tax ; at that meeting certain
resolutions were entered into and a paper signed ; (we have endeavored to trace this paper so as
to produce it to the court and jury, but have failed ;) this paper was signed by fifty-two persons,
and committed to the hands of one of their number. John Fries was present at this meeting,
and assisted in drawing up the paper, at which time his expressions against this law were ex-
tremely violent, and he threatened to shoot one of the assessors, Mr. Foulke, through the legs, if
he proceeded to assess the houses : again the prisoner at a vendue tlireatened another of the
assessors, Mr. S. Clarke, that if he attempted to go on with the assessment he should be com-
mitted to an old stable and there fed on rotten corn. The assessor in Lower Milford was m-
timidated so as to decline making the assessments, and the principal assessors, together with
three other assessors, were obliged to go into that township to execute the law. At the house of
Mr. Jacob Fries, on the 5th March, Mr. Chapman (the assessor) met witli the prisoner, who
declared his determination not to submit, but to oppose the law, and that by next morning he
could raise 700 men in opposition to it."
[Fries and his partisans contlimed to follow and persecute several of the assessors, chasing
them from township to township, in parties of 50 or 60, most of whom were in arms, with drum
and fife. Fries was armed with a large horse-pistol, and accompanied by one Kuyder, who as.
sisted him in command. Thus equipped they went to Quakertown, seized two assessors, and at.
tempted to fire at another who ran away, but the fire-arm did not go off. They examined the papers
of the assessors, and exacted a promise that they should not proceed in the valuation of the houses
in Lower Milford. They abused a traveller who had the independence to stand up for the gov-
ernment. At Quakertown, learning that the marshal had taken a number of prisoners, they resolved
to effect their rescue, and the people of Milford were invited to assist in this business, and a paper
setting forth their design, was drawn up by Fries, at his own house, and signed by the party.]
" On the morning of the next day 20 or more of them met at the house of Conrad Marks, in
arms. John Fries was armed with a sword, and had a feather in his hat. On the road as they
went forward they were met by young Marks, who told them they might as well turn about, for
that the Northampton people were strong enough to do the business without those from Bucks
CO. Some were so inclined to do, but at the instance of Fries and some others they did go for-
ward, and actually proceeded to Bethlehem. Before the arrival of these troops a party going on
424 LEHIGH COUNTY.
the same business had stopped at the bridge near Betlilehem, where they were met by a deputa-
tion from the marshal, to advise them to return home ; they agreed to halt there, and send three
of their number to declare to the marshal their demand : during this period Fries and his party
came up, but it appears when they came, Fries took the party actually over the bridge, and he
arranged the toll, and ordered them to proceed. With respect to the proof of the proceedings at
Bethlehem, it cannot be mistaken ; he was then the leading man, and he appeared to enjoy the
command. Witli the consent of his people he demanded the prisoners of the marshal, and when
that officer told him tiiat he could not surrender them, except they were taken from him by force,
and produced his warrant for taking them, the prisoner then harangued his party of the house, and
explained to them the necessity of using force ; and that you should not mistake his design, we
will prove to j-ou that he declared, ' that was the third day which he had been out on this expe-
dition, that he had had a skirmish the da)' before, and if the prisoners were not released he should
have another that day.' ' Now you observe,' resumed he, ' that force is necessary, but you must
obey my orders. We will not go without taking the prisoners. But take my orders, you must not
Qre first ; 3'ou must be first fired upon, and when I am gone you must do as well as you can, as
expect to be the first man that falls.' He further declared to the marshal that tliey would fire
till a cloud of smoke prevented them from seeing each other, and executing the office of com-
mand of the troops, which at that time overawed the marshal and his attendants. He harangued the
troops to obey his orders, which they did. The marshal was really intimidated to liberate the pri-
soners ; and then the object was accomplished, and the party disjicrsed amid the huzzas of the
insurgents. After this ati'air at Bethlehem, the prisoner frequently avowed his opposition to the
law and justified that outrage ; and when a meeting was afterwards held at Lower Miiford to
choose assessors, the prisoner refused his assent, and appeared as violent as ever."
Most of the above statements were proved, including a variety of other details. Fries, after two
trials, in both of whicli he was found guilty of treason, was sentenced to be hung, but was sub-
sequently pardoned by John Adams.
Several others from the same vicinity were tried, and generally found guilty of the subordinate
crimes of sedition, insurrection, and riot ; they were imprisoned for a time, and heavily fined,
and held to bail for good behavior. George Gittman and Frederick Hainey were also condemned
for high treason. Among the disaffected who had been taken prisoners by the marshal, and who
were rescued by the insurgents, was one Jacob Eyerman, a German minister, recently arrived
from Germany. He seems to have exerted nearly as much influence as Fries in stirring up the
people in Chestnut Hill and Hamilton townships to opposition. History does not state to what
sect he belonged, but the testimony would seem to show that he strongly favored the " church
militant."
One of the assessors testified that while on his round of duty in Chestnut Hill township, " the
prisoner (Eyerman) came in and began to rip out in a violent manner against this taxation, say-
ing that Congress had made laws which were unjust, and the people need not take up with them ;
if they did, all kinds of laws would follow, but if they would not put up with this, they need not
with those that would come after, because it was a free country ; but in case the people admitted
of those laws, they would certainly be put under great burdens. He said he knew perfectly
what laws were made, and that the President nor Congress had no right to make them. That
Congress and the government only made such laws to rob the people, and that they were nothing
but a parcel of damned rogues or ' spitz biibe,' [highwayman or thieves."]
" Were the people of the township much opposed to the law ?" " Yes, they were so violent
that I knew but one man on the same side as myself." " Would this have been so if it had not
been for the parson ?" " I am fully convinced it would not." " Did Eyerman appear to be a
simple sort of man, easily to be led astray or deluded ?" " No, he was not thought so : he was
always a very good preacher."
Prisoner. — " Did I not pray for the government, president, and vice-president ?" " Yes, you
did when in the pulpit ; but when you were out, you prayed the other way."
John Sneider deposed, that he lived in Hamilton township, and knew the prisoner — as much as
he understood, the prisoner meant to take arms against it. He said if we let that go forward, it
would go on as in the old country, but that he [Eyerman] would rather lay his black coat on a
nail, and fight the whole week, and preach for them Sundays, than that it should be so.
" How long has this man been at Hamilton?" "About 18 months."
" The township was always peaceable, I suppose, before he came among you ?" " Yes, and I
believe if he had not come, nothing would have happened of the kind."
Another witness said that the prisoner came to his house, where conversation began about the
house tax, whereupon he said he did not care whether they put up with it or not, for he had no
house to tax. A person present answered. But you have a great quantity of books to tax. The
prisoner answered that " if anybody would offer to tax his books, he would take a French, a
Latin, an Hebrew, and a Greek book down to them, and if they could not read them, he would
slap them about their ears till they would fall to pieces." The prisoner continued preacher to
that congregation until he was taken up.
After the rescue, he fled to New York state, but was apprehended and brought back, and
LEHItai COUNTY.
425
fo'.md guilty of conspiracy, &c., &.c. ; was sentenced to be imprisoned one year, pay fifty dollars
tine, and give security for his good behavior one year.
About 30 others were convicted, and fined and imprisoned according to the degree of crime.
Allentown, the county seat, is situated at the junction of the Jordan and
Little Lehigh creeks, about half a mile west of the Lehigh river. The
town is situated upon high ground, commanding a fine view of the sur-
rounding country. The annexed view was taken from a road east of
Easferm View of Allentouyn.
Jordan cr. It shows in the centre the splendid stone bridge across the
Jordan, with the town on the hill in the distance. The two large builds
ings on the hill, apart from the rest and from each other, are those of the
HomcEopathic Medical School. The clump of trees on the left in the
distance conceals the elegant mansion of INIr. Livingston, one of the heirs
of the original founder of the town. Mrs. Greenleaf 's house is on the left
of the road leading into town. The town is regularly laid out, with the
streets at right angles, and a public square in the centre. It contains an
elegant courthouse, a spacious prison, Methodist, Presbyterian, German
Reformed, and German Lutheran churches, and a church free to all de-
nominations, called a " free hall ;" an academy and boarding-school, two
libraries, a splendid water- works, erected in 1828, about half a mile from
town, by means of which cool spring- water is forced to the height of 160
feet, and distributed in cast-iron pipes through the town ; several valua-
ble mills; a foundry; the Northampton Bank, incorporated in 1814, and
became utterly bankrupt in 1843; and the Homoeopathic college ; although
the latter institution never went into successful operation, as it was de-
signed to do, under the administration of tAvo eminent professors from
Philadelphia. The Mauch Chunk company's canal (Lehigh Nav. Co.)
has opened the trade to Philadelphia and New York, and produce to the
amount of '$200,000 per year is sent from Allentown to those cities.
Elevated above the surrounding cities, Allentown has been remarkably
healthy ; and it is a f;ict worthy of notice, that during the prevalence of
the yellow fever of 1793 and '99, and cholera in 1832-33, there was not a
single case of either in tjiat place. The natural curiosities are \vell worth
54
426 LEHIGH COUNTY.
seeing. The springs of Messrs. Martin, Smith, and Worman are justly
admired by all who have seen them, while a walk to the Big Rock on the
Lehigh mountain amply repays the adventurer, by the extent and novelty
of the scenes which are there spread out before him on every side. A
thousand feet below are seen well-cultivated farms, stretching away as
far as the eye can reach, except on the north, where vision is bounded by
the Blue mountain, after forcing its way through which, the river may
be traced meandering through a country beautifully variegated. The
population in 1830 was 1,544 ; in 1840, 2,493. Allentown derives its name
from its founder, William Allen, Esq., chief-justice of the province, who
laid it out. Mr. Allen was a particular friend of the Penn family, from
whom he derived his large grants of land. Gov. John Penn married his
daughter. James Allen, a resident of Philadelphia, was a son of the
founder, and became heir to the town site. He died about 1782, leaving
the property to his children, James and William, Mrs. Greenleaf, Mrs.
Tilghman, and Mrs. Livingston. Several of these heirs still occupy their
elegant mansions in or near the town. The place began to be settled
before the revolutionary war, but sparsely. The old German Reformed
church was used during the revolution as a safe depository of valuables
brought up from Philadelphia. Here the bells which " chime so merrily"
on Christ church in Philadelphia were concealed. The Mauch Chunk
Courier of 1834 says —
Allentown is one of the oldest settlements on the Lehigh, and in the different wars of America
was the scene of many a brave and bloody deed. It was here that Col. James Bird displayed
such heroism in the early wars with the aborigines ; and it was here, at a still later period of oui
national existence, that the insurrection, in which the notorious John Fries bore so conspicuous a
part, was fomented, and, happily for us all, smothered in its birth.
Inhabited by a few wealthy Germans, and cut oft' for many years from the different post-routes
by the influence of the neighboring towns, it remained inactive a long time. Its great elevation,
too, rendering it difficult to procure the necessary supply of water, had the effect of retarding its
progress in the march of improvement, and it remained as at first, " unnoticed and unknown,"
imtil the year 1811, when, by the division of Northampton county, it became the seat of justice
of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, was incorporated, and called Northampton borough, (a name
which by the way has occasioned innumerable mistakes.) Since that period it has improved
rapidly, and bids fair to echpse its neighbors in trade and wealth, as it has already done in point
of beauty.
The ambiguous name of Northampton was changed by the legislature
of 1838 to Allentown. There was formerly a chain-bridge at this place
across the Lehigh. It was taken away by a flood, and is replaced by a
superstructure of wood on the common plan. Quite a flourishing vil-
lage has grown up on the flats west of the bridge, fostered by the busi-
ness of the canal. About three miles above Allentown, where Beary's
bridge crosses the river, is situated the very extensive Crane iron- works.
A successful experiment has been made here in reducing iron ore with
anthracite coal.
The citizens of Allentown were very much startled and surprised a few Sundays ago by a
Strange occurrence wliich happened at the Lutheran church of that place. While the Rev. Mr.
Yeager was about administering the sacrament, and had just left his pulpit to come down to the
altar for that purpose, two large blacksnakes emerged from the wall, and, unseen by the congre-
gation below, commenced gambolling and chasing each other upon the top of the sounding-board
(as it is called) which projects over the pulpit. Those persons who were in the gallery had a fair
view of them, and observed that they did not retire until the communion was over. After service
the place was examined, and a hole found, which, to judge from its size, must apparently have
paused considerable cpmpression before it admitted of the animals' passage. How the snakpg
LUZERNE COUNTY. 427
could have made their way through a comparatively new wall to such a height, remains still a
mystery. — Easton Sentinel, 1832.
Emmaus is a Moravian village, containing about 100 to 150 inhabit-
ants, situated at the foot of the South mountain, about five miles S. W.
of Allentown. The land on v^hich the town is erected was bequeathed
by two members of the society, for the maintenance of a clergyman and
the promotion of missions.
MiLLERSTowN is a small village about nine miles S. W. from Allentown.
at the foot of the South mountain, containing about 20 or 30 dwellings.
Segarsville, containing about 100 inhabitants, is on the head- waters of
Jordan creek, about 18 miles N. W. of Allentown.
New Tripoli, Linnville, Foglesville, Trexlerstown, and Freyburg, are
smaller villages in different parts of the county.
LUZERNE COUNTY.
Luzerne county, formerly a part of Northumberland, was established by
the act of 25th September, 1786, and named in honor of the Chevalier de
la Luzerne, the minister of France to the United States. It then included a
part of Bradford, and the whole of Susquehanna and Wyoming counties.
Its present area is 1,427 square miles. The population, by estimate, in
1790 was 4,904 ; in 1800, 12,839 ; in 1810, still including part of Bradford
and all of Susquehanna, 18,109; in 1820, without those counties, 20,027 ;
in 1830, 27,379; in 1840, including Wyoming, 44,006 ; exhibiting, in the
last ten years, an astonishing increase, ascribable, doubtless, to the open-
ing of the coal mines.
The county is very mountainous ; but notwithstanding its broken sur-
face, it boasts many beautiful and fertile valleys, and great mineral
wealth. The mountain-chains range from southwest to northeast. The
main chain of the Allegheny, here broken into high knobs, irregular
spurs, and broad table-lands, crosses the northwestern part of the county,
passing the Susquehanna about the mouth of Tunckhannock cr. Across
the centre of the co. runs the Shawnee and Lackawannock range ; and
parallel with it, and about six miles distant, is the chain of the Wyoming
and Moosic mountains. Between these four mountains, which form but
two ranges, lies the long, narrow valley of Wyoming, famous in story
and song, and not less noted in modern days for its agricultural and min-
eral wealth. The Nescopeck mountain, a sharp, well-defined range, and
Bucks mountain, cross the southern part of the county.
The Susquehanna river, entering at the N. W. angle of Wyoming co.,
pursues a S. E. course directly across the great mountain-ranges until it
has broken through the Shawnee mountain, at the mouth of the Lacka-
wannock cr. Here, as if beguiled by the beauty of this lovely region, it
ceases for a time its struggle with the mountain-barriers, suddenly changes
its course, and meanders with a gentle current for 18 miles through the
broad meadows of the Wyoming valley. It then breaks through the
Wyoming mountain, and flows away with a similar gentle current through
428
LUZERNE COUNTY.
Columbia co. The other principal streams are the sources of the Lehigh,
on the S. E. boundary ; Tunkhannock cr., Falls or., Lackawannock cr.,
Wapwallopen cr., Nescopeck cr., tributaries on the east side of the Susque-
hanna ; and, on the west side, Huntingdon, Green, Shickshinny, Harvey's,
Toby's, and Bowman's creeks, and several smaller streams. Harvey's
lake, at the base of the Allegheny mountain, 10 miles N. W. of Wilkes-
barre, is a beautiful sheet of water, surrounded with romantic scenery,
and stored wilh excellent fish. Chapman's, Upper and Lower Crystal
lakes, are smaller sheets of w^ater in the N. E. corner of the co. There
are some splendid waterfalls in the co., though in late years they have
lost much of their picturesque beauty by being directed to the ordinary
but useful duty of turning mills. The most conspicuous are Buttermilk
falls, on Falls cr., at its mouth ; Solomon's, near Wilkesbarre ; Falling
Spring, above Pittston ; and Wapwallopen falls.
4^ i \
Buttermilk Falls.
The principal anthracite coal formation of Luzerne county lies in a long
narrow trough, between four and five miles wide, extending from Carbon-
dale on the N. E., to Knob mountain, near Beech Grove, on the S. W.,
some twenty miles below Wilkesbarre, underlying the Wyoming and
LackaM'anna valleys. The length of the basin is about 50 miles. The
southwestern end of the basin is ascertained, by the recent investigations
of the state geologists, to be exceedingly contorted and disturbed by sub-
terranean forces. The coal beds of this region vary from 1 to 30 feet in
thickness, and are generally more accessible than those of other fields,
being exposed by deep ravines, abrupt precipices, and small streams, and
in some places forming the bottom of the Susquehanna and Lackawan-
nock. This coal region is also remarkable for being one of the most pro-
ductive agricultural districts in the state. The same acre of land may
furnish employment for both the agriculturist and the miner. The coal,
for some years after its first discovery, was wrought at the surface b}
LUZERNE COUNTY. 439
stFipping off and carrying away the superincumbent rock ; but this being
too expensive has been superseded, both at Carbondale and Wilkesbarre,
by the usual mode of drifting; that is, driving a narrow subterraneous
passage into the hill, and following the course of the coal-seam in various
directions. The thickest mass of coal in the Wikesbarre basin is the
great bed of the Baltimore Company's mine, in some places measuring 32
feet, embracing of course several thin bands of inckuled slate.
Baltimore Company s Coal-mine.
Annexed is a view of the great openings into these mines, and the pre-
cipice formed by the ancient method of cutting away the hill. These
openings are not now used except for ventilation ; the company's railroad
extending directly into the mountain by a new perforation. These mines
are 2 1-2 miles N. E. from Wilkesbarre, on Coal Brook, and communicate
with the Pennsylvania canal at that place by railroad. The products of
this valuable basin, for a long time confined to the rude navigation of^the
natural channel of the rivers, now have the use of artificial modes of con-
veyance to market. The Delaware and Hudson canal, with its auxiliary
railroad, takes the Carbondale coal to New York. The Pennsylvania
canal takes that of the Wilkesbarre basin to Baltimore ; and when this
line of canal is completed to the state of New York, (and a company is
chartered for the purpose,) it will render accessible the vast market of
Avestern New York ; while the railroad nearly finished from Wilkesbarre
to the Lehigh, 19 3-4 miles, will open the way by the Lehigh and Delaware
canals to Philadelphia.
A part of the middle anthracite coal field extends over into the southern
border of Luzerne from Northampton co.
The following historical note, by Judge Jesse Fell, was originally pub-
lished in Professor Silliman's Journal of Science : —
" There has been some inquiry as to wl)cn and by whom this coal was first used. I have made
some effort to ascertain the facts. The late Judfre Obadiah Gore, a blacksmith by trade, came
into this valley as a Connecticut settler, at an early day, and he himsell' informed me that he was
the first person that used the coal of this region in a blacksmith's fire : it was about tlic year 1768
or 17C9. He found it to answer well for this purpose, and the blacksmiths of this place [Wilkes-
barre] have used it in their forges ever since. I find no older tradition of its being used in a fire
than the above account. About forty-two years ago, I had it used in a nailery ; I foaiid it to
answer well for making wrought nails, and instead of losing in tlie weight of the rods, the nails
430 LUZERNE COUNTY.
exceeded the weight of the rods, which was not the case when they were Wro jight in a charcoal
fire. There is another advantage in working with this coal — the heat being superior to that of
any other fire ; the iron is sooner heated, and I beheve a blacksmith may do at least one third
more work in a day than he could do with a charcoal fire.
" From observation, I had conceived an idea that if a body of this coal was ignited and confined
together, it would burn as a fuel. To try the experiment, in the month of February, 1808, I had
a grate constructed for the purpose, eight inches in depth, and eight inches in height, with feet
eight inches high, and about twenty-two inches long, (the length is immaterial, as that may be
regulated to suit its use or convenience,) and the coal, after being ignited in it, burned beyond
the most sanguine expectation. A more beautiful fire could not be imagined, it being clear and
without smoke. This was the first instance of success, in burning this coal in a grate, in a com-
mon fireplace, of which I have any knowledge ; and this experiment first brought our coal into
use for winter fires, (without any patent-right.)"
The principal occupations of the citizens are agriculture, coal-raining,
and lumbering. There are also some manufactories of woollens, and i.
few of iron, among which is one of the largest rolling-mills in the country.
There is a vast amount of water-power in the co. still unappropriated.
On the Lehigh, in the great swamp formerly known as the Shades of
Death, are vast forests of lumber, to which the Lehigh Navigation Com-
pany are now just opening a market.
It is scarcely necessary to say that the first settlers of this county were
originally from Connecticut, with a few Germans and Scotch-Irish from
Pennsylvania. The Germans from the lower counties and from Europe
have more recently filled up the southern part of the co., and a great
number of Irish and Welsh miners are settled around the principal coal
mines. The people of the Wyoming valley, and along the Susquehanna
above, still retain the manners, the steady habits, the enterprise and in-
telligence, and even the pronunciation of their New England fathers ;
and the external aspect of things, — the villages with tall spires and
shaded streets ; the neat white houses with green blinds, and broad front-
yards fragrant with flowers and shrubbery ; and in the country the an-
cient red-painted or wood-colored framehouses, — all mark the origin of
the people.
Professor Silliman, who visited this valley in 1829, very justly re-
marks : —
" The severe and long-continued struggle for the possession of this country, which was sustained
by the original Connecticut settlers from fifty to eighty years since, and the repeated attempts
which were made to dispossess them by arms, sufficiently evince the high estimation in which it
was held by all the parties. The prize for which the settlers contended was worthy of all the
heroism, fortitude, and long-suffering perseverance, which, during so many years, they displayed
— an exhibition of moral courage rarely equalled and never surpassed. Believing themselves, both
in a political and personal view, to be the rightful proprietors of the country, they defended it to
the death ; and no one who now surveys this charming valley can wonder that they would not
quietly relinquish their claim.
" The first glance of a stranger entering at either end, or crossing the mountain ridges which
divide it, (like the happy valley of Ab3^ssinia,) from the rest of the world, fills him with the pecu-
liar pleasure produced by a fine landscape, combining richness, beauty, variety, and grandeur.
From Prospect hill, on the rocky summit of the eastern barrier, and from Ross' hill, on tlie
west, the valley of Wyoming is seen in one view, as a charming whole, and its lofty and well-
defined boundaries exclude more distant objects from mingling in the prospect. Few landscapes
that I have seen can vie with the valley of Wyoming. Excepting some rocky precipices and
cliffs, the mountains are wooded from the summit to their base ; natural sections furnish avenues
for roads, and the rapid Susquehanna rolls its powerful current through a mountain gap, on the
northwest, and immediately receives the Lackawanna, which flows down the narrower valley of
the same name. A similar pass between the mountains, on the south, gives the Susquehanna an
exit, and at both places a slight obliquity in the position of the observer presents to the eye a
seeming lake in the windings of the river, and a barrier of mountains, apparently impassable.
From the foot of the steep mountain ridges, particularly on the eastern side, the valley slopes
away, with broad sweeping undulations in the surface, forming numerous swelling hills of arable
LUZERNE COUNTY. 43I
and grazing land ; and as we recede from the hills, the fine flats and meadows covered with the
richest grass and wheat, complete the picture by features of the gentlest and most luxuriant beauty.
" The traveller will not fail to inquire for the battle-ground, and for tiie traces, now almost ob-
literated, of the forts which were so often assailed and (defended ; which frequently protected the
entire population from civil and savage warfare ; and which have been rendered memorable by
events of the deepest interest.
" Gen. Ross was charged with burying the dead. It was more than a month after the event,
and he assured me that, owing to the intense heat of the weather and probably the dryness of the
air, the bodies were shrivelled, dried, and inoffisnsive ; but, with a single exception, their features
could not be recognised. They were buried in one common grave, on land now owned by Mr.
Gray.
" The site of Fort Wyoming is now covered by the courthouse ; Fort Durgee was half a mile
below the borough, near the Shawnee flats ; there was another fort on the eastern bank, nearly
opposite the hotel, a little below the bridge ; the redoubts (an admirable ' look-out' station,) are
still visible on the hill at the north of the village, and near them the solitary grave, without a
monument, of the first clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Johnson, who was buried there by liis own request
" Mill creek empties into the Susquehanna, at the north of the borough, and near its mouth,
both on the same and on the opposite shore, were blockhouses which were famous in the wars of
the valley. Ogden's blockhouse was here. Two or three miles north of Wilkesbarre, and on the
western side of the river, is the site of Forty Fort, near the tavern of Mr. Myers ; a mile or two
still further north is the creek upon whose southern bank the little army of the planters, bravely
led by Cols. Z. Butler and N. Denison, took their judicious station on the morning of July 3,
1778, intending there to await the enemy ; and two or three miles still further north, is the plain
on and near wliich most of them were destroyed, in and after the fatal battle accidentally and
prematurely brought on, in the afternoon of that day. The left wing of the combined army of
loyalists, Indians, and British, under Col. John Butler, rested on Fort Wintermoot, whose site
near the river is now covered by the house of the late Col. Jenkins, while the right wing extended
to the swamp at the foot of the hills."*
The valley of Wyoming is rich in historical incident, and its history,
more than that of any other region, confirms the remark that " truth is
more strange than fiction." The annals of each ancient family form a
romance of themselves ; there was scarcely a family that had not its
hero — some, five, six, and seven !
Before entering upon the more engrossing points in the history of the
valley, it may be well to notice briefly the movements of its aboriginal
occupants. Not long after the original settlement of the province by
Wm. Penn, a clan of the Shawanee Indians — a restless, warlike tribe,
driven from the south — had been permitted by the Six Nations, the lords
of the Susquehanna, to settle upon the borders of that river at various
points. One of their stations was on the western bank of the river, near
the lower end of the Wyoming valley, upon a broad plain which still
bears the name of the Shawanee flats. Here they built a town, cultivated
corn upon the flats, and enjoyed many years of repose.
When the encroachments of the whites interfered with the Delaware
and Minsi or Monsey tribes above the Forks of the Delaware and Le
high, and their lands were wrested from them by the subtlety of the
" Indian Walk," the Six Nations assigned them also an asylum on the
Susquehanna — the Monseys occupying the country about Wyalusing, and
the Delawares the eastern side of the Wyoming valley, and the region
at Shamokin, at the confluence of the North and West branches.
Here, in the year 1742, with some aid from the provincial government,
as stipulated by the treaty of removal, they built their town of Maugh-
* Measures have been in progress, for some years past, to erect a splendid monument over the
ashes of the dead, and the structure is commenced ; but, either for want of funds, or in conse-
quence of disagreement concerning the architectural design, or perhaps both, it still remains un-
finished Apphcation for pecuniary aid, for this object, was made to the state of Connecticut,
but m vain.
432 i,ii/i;i{Nio COUNTY.
frmrainr, on llic cmsI side of I lie; river, on IIm; Iowmm* flnf, jiisl: Ix'low flio
j)rcscnl. town of WilUcsharrc Tlic Indian nnrne of lliis (own, niodilird
nnd eoiTupIrd hy l'iUi'o|)raii ,oil lio^iapliy and protinncial ion, passed
lhron;;li several (•liant;;es, siieli as l/V// inaiiiiiduini, Wt/irai/i/f, Wtnoi/iinh,
nnd lastly Wi/oniin^-. Aeeordinj;- (o Mr. J leekwelder, /\l(iit^/i-ivfm nn-aiit
/r//;i.'e, or r.i/tnsirc, and iriniu., pliiins or incddoins. The Deliivvares liad
been r<'ni(»ve(l iVuni llieeasi a;i,ainsl, their will, by lluMlictalorial intcr-
leren<u' ollhe Six Nations, who supported the pretensions ol'tlK- ])roprie-
tary ji^overinnent. in its claim t,o the lands at the I'orliS. 'This wronj^
rankled in the hearts oflhe Delawares; andthonj^h (ear ol" t li<' superior
st,renjj,lh ol'lhe whites and the Six Nat ions snppressed the wrath of the
tribe, for sonu; years, yetTeedynsenn^^,* their ehiel", did not tail to complain
at (!very trenly oC the wron<j,s inllicled on his nation. (See Northampton co.)
The smothered lire continncd to binii, and years afterwards broke out, in
learfnl V(>n;i;eance npon the heads of the. settlers .'it Wyoniin;.;.
Soon iiI'dT llir uiiiviil ol' (jm |)i'liivvuirH at Wyoinintf, in tlir h.iiik; year, I 7 r,2, Hh- (•cicliralf'd
]Vli)i'avian iiiiKHioniiry, Couiil. /lin/ciidorf, lor a Hcasoii |>it('li<Ml iiis Wni aiii<iii(r \\w. ItidiaiiH ol' thiH
valley, a(*.c.()iii|iaiii('il Ity anollicr iiiiHHioiiary, IVlack, and tlio wil'o of Um laUrr, who HcrvfHl iiH iii-
tci'iirclcr. IJiH'oiiiiiii,' jcaloiis of (Iki ('oiitil- — uiial)l(^ lo a|i|H('cial(! iJic |)lif(^ iiiolivt'H ol' his iiiiHHiou
—and HnH|i('clintr jilm ol litinir ('ilh(M' a Hpy, or a land-s|i(cnlal()r in diH(jniH(^ — llii' SliawariciH had
(l('l<<rniiiii'd npon his assaHMiiiallon. 'I'lu^ ('onnl. hail iundlrd a liri^ and was in his lent, deep in
incdilalion, when the. Indians sloh^ upon him In cxccntc Ihcir hioody coininission. W'arinrd iiy
tlid fir(% a lar(r(i ral ticsiiake liad crcpl I'orlh, — and ap|)roac,irnijr Ihc lire for i(H (jrcalcr cnjoynicTit,
till' Hcrp<int j^lidcd harmlessly oyer tlio lefjs of (he holy man, nnperccived hy him. 'The Indians,
however, were al the very moment looUiii^ sicallhily into Ihe tent, and saw tln^ mr)venM'nt ol' the,
Berpent. Awed hy tiie aspect and Ihe allitnde id' the ('onni, and ind>ii)inif the notion — from {\w
liarmlesH movenn'nls of Ihe poisonous ri'plile— that llieir inleiided vielini enjoyed (he s|)eeial |>ro-
teetioii ()(' the, (Jn^it Spirit, the exeeiilioni^rs desisled I'rom their piirjMiHi^, and n^tired.
This a.n(M;dote was not ])nblislied in the count's mtunoirs, lest, as ho
Ntatc^s, the brethren should tiiink the conversion of a, part of the Shawa-
iiecs was attributable^ to their siipcM'stition. Mr. (Jhapnian recc^ived the
narra1iv(^ from a. companion of Ziir/(nidorf, who afte^rwards a.c(!OTn|)ani(ul
him to Wyominii;. The Moravian mission was maintained herc^ for scvt;-
ral years, and maiiy.both of the Sha.waiiees and Dtdawares, became — ap-
]>arently, at least — converts to the Christian faith. When the men of
(/oniu'client be>;an to swacm thicdJy in the valley, and collision was
feared, the mission was removed to Wyalnsin;:;, where another station
lijul been previo((sly planttul.
The r^'cnch, then in ])ossosKioti of th(> valley of llie Ohio, had used
strenuous edbrts to indtu;*^ the Shawatn-cs to remove, thither, when; a
p.-trlof their nation had orij^inally j.::(mc ; but without sticcess, in conse-
quence of the inlliKMicc of (In^ mission. At Ien;;th the obJe(^t was (dlect-
t'd in another way. ( )in' summer's day, wlnni the children and women
of the Shawanee and Delawace tribes were l<)j;"ether j;a.lherinfi: fruit on
the Wyoming side, a. \'rui.\ arose between them concerning tli(^ title to a
«'la,rf.^e grasshopper canj^ht by one (diild and (daimed by another. This in-
volved a (iiu'slion of bonnda.ry and territoritil rights. When tln^ warriors
returned, (who were at the time peactMibly (Mi}i:a.f2:ed together in lh(i
chase,) they took pact with their respective women : a san^ninaiy con-
test ensued, in which, after j^reat slaughter, the Shawanees were defeal-
♦ TliiH naino ia vuriouHly Bpolt — by tho Momvians Tadcuacundf and by tlio old iirovinciuj
wrilerH, 'l'ciiiijvsruu<x.
LUZERNE COUNTY. 433
ed and expelled from the valley by the Delawares. They retired among
their brethren on the Ohio.
During the French war of 1755-58, a variety of troubles continued to
agitate the valley. The Nanticokes, fearful of proximity to the whites,
removed to Chemung and Chenango, in the country of the Six Nations.
The Delawares, after Braddock's defeat, openly declared for the French,
and were doubtless active in many of the scalping parties that desolated
the frontiers during the autumn of 1755. But they were conciliated by
the proprietary government, backed by the influence of Sir Wm. Johnson
and the Quakers of Philadelphia : their grievances were in a measure
redressed, and their feelings soothed ; new houses were built for them by
the government, and munihcent presents granted. A part of the nation
had removed to the Ohio ; but Teedyuscung, and many of the Christian
Indians, still remained at Wyoming. Until 1763, the frontiers generally
enjoyed a state of peace.
New scenes now open on the arena of Wyoming : men of another race
were now to contest, even unto bloodshed, the title to these fp.ir lands.
The following succinct statement of the origin and progress qf the Wy-
oming controversy is compiled from various sources ; from Chapman,
Gordon, Col. Stone, Miner, and Pickering : —
" The first gfrants of lands in America," says Mr. Gordon, " by the crown of Great Britain,
were made with a lavishness which can exist only where acquisitions are without cost, and their
value unknown ; and witli a want of precision in regard to boundaries, which could result pnly
from entire ignorance of the country." In 1620, King James I. granted to the Plymouth Co., an
association in England, a charter " for the ruling and governing of New England in America,"
This charter covered the expanse from the 40th to tlie 46th degree of north latitude, extending
from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. There was an exception reserving from the grant all ter-
ritories then actually in possession of the subjects of any other Christian prince or state.
This exception operated in favor of the Dutch at Manhattan and Fort Orange, afterwards New
York and Albany. The Plymouth Co. in 1628 granted to the Massachusetts colony their terri-
tory, and in 1631 to the Connecticut colony theirs; both by formal charters, which made their
western boundary the Pacific ocean. On the restoration of Charles II., he granted, in 1662, a
new charter to the people of Connecticut, confirming the previous one, and defining the southern
boundary to be at a point on the coast, 120 miles southwest of the mouth of Narraganset bay, in a
Btraight line. In 1764, the same monarch granted to his brother, the Duke of York, the territory then
claimed and occupied by the Dutch, and extending westward as far as the Delaware bay. The
same year the Duke conquered it from the Dutch, and took possession. A dispute arising be-
tween New York and Connecticut, concerning their boundary, it was determined by royal com-
missioners, in 1683, who fixed upon the present line between those states. This of course de-
termined the southernmost point in the boundary of Connecticut, which is not far from 41 deg.
north latitude. This line, extending westward, would enter Pennsylvania near Stroudsburg, pass
through Conyngham in Luzerne co., and cross the Susquehanna at Bloomsburg in Columbia co.,
cutting off all Northern Pennsylvania.
In 1681, nineteen years after the date of the Connecticut charter, Charles II. granted to Wm.
Penn the memorable charter of Pennsylvania, by which the northern boundary of his province
was fixed at the 42d degree of north latitude ; where it is now established. Here then was a
broad strip of territory granted by the same monarch to different grantees. The lands, how-
ever, like other portions of the wilderness, remained in possession of the Indians, and the pre-
emption right only was considered as conveyed by the charters.
The different principles involved in the charter of the Connecticut colony, and this province,
necessarily produced an essential difference in the manner of acquiring the Indian title to the
lands. In the colony, the right of preemption was vested in the people ; and the different towns
in Connecticut were settled at successive periods, by different bands of adventurers, who sepa-
rately acquired the Indian title either by purchase or by conquest, and in many instances without
the aid or interference of the commonwcaltli. In the province, the preemption right was yested
in William Penn, who made no grants of lands until the Indian title had been extinguished, and
consequently the whole title in Pennsylvania was derived through the proprietaries.
In 1753, an association of persons, principally inhabitants of Connecticut, was formed for thp
purpose of commencing a settlement in that portion of the Connecticut territories which lay
tward of the province of New York. Agents were accordingly sent oi^t for the purposp nf
53
434 LUZERNE COUNTY.
exploring the country, and selecting a proper district. The beautiful valley upon the Susquehanna
river, in which the Indians of the Delaware tribe, eleven years before, had built their town of
Wyoming, attracted tlie attention of the agents ; and as they found the Indians apparently very
friendly, and a considerable portion of the valley unoccupied except for purposes of hunting, they
reported in favor of commencing their settlements at that place, and of purchasing the lands of
the Six Nations of Indians, residing near the great lakes, who claimed all the lands upon Sus-
queharma. This report was adopted by the company ; and as a general meeting of commission-
ers from all the English American colonies was to take place at Albany the next year, in pursu-
ance of his majesty's instruction, for the purpose of forming a general treaty with the Indians, it
was considered that a favorable opportunity would then be presented for purchasing the Wyoming
lands.
When the general congress of commissioners assembled at Albany, in 1755, the agents ap-
pointed by the Susquehanna Co. attended also ; and having successfully effected the objects
of their negotiation, obtained from tlie principal cliiefs of the Six Nations, on the 11th of July,
1754, a deed of the lands upon the Susquehanna, including Wyoming and the country westward
to the waters of tlie Allegheny.*
In the summer of 1755, the Susquehanna Co. having, in the month of May preceding, pro-
cured the consent of the legislature of Connecticut for tlie establishment of a settlement, and, if
his majesty should consent, of a separate government within the limits of their purchase, sent
out a number of persons to take possession of their lands at Wyoming ; but finding the Indians
in a state of war with the white people, the settlement of the comitry was at that time deemed
impracticable.
A general peace having been effected with the Indians, a company of about 200 persons from
Connecticut arrived at Wyoming, in August, 1762, and commenced their settlement at the mouth
of a small stream, about one mile above the Indian town of Wyoming. After having cleared
land, sowed some wheat, and concealed some tools, they returned to Connecticut for the winter.
" In the following year these adventurers returned to the valley, with their families, and resumed
their labors ; the Indians appearing to be perfectly friendly. The Delaware chief, Teedyuscung,
a favorite with his own people, and disposed to be on good terms with the whites, had incurred
the enmity of the Six Nations. A party of them, during this year, stole into the valley, and
murdered him, by setting fire to his dwelling, in which he was consumed. They charged the
deed upon the Connecticut settlers. The latter, unconscious of the charge, and trusting to the
friendly disposition thus far manifested by the Indians, were entirely unprovided with arms. But
on the 15th Oct., while at work in the fields, the friends of Teedyuscung suddenly fell upon them,
killed about twenty, and entirely broke up the settlement — the surviving men, women, and
children being obliged to fly across the dismal mountains, by the light of their own dwellings,
which were plundered and burnt." No further settlement was made until the year 1769. In the
mean time, the Delaware Indians, those who were still friendly to the whites, removed to VVya-
lusing, and attached themselves to the iMoravian mission there. After the peace between France
and Great Britain, in 1763, and a cessation of hostilities on the part of the great nations of north-
western Indians, in 1764, the opportunity was seized by the English colonies to cultivate a more
friendly intercourse with the Indians, and to fix a definitive boundary to the purchases made at
various times. A general treaty was accordingly held for that purpose, at Fort Stanwix, near
the Oneida lake, in Oct. 1768. At this treaty the proprietaries of Pennsylvania procured a deed
from the Six Nations, dated 5th Nov. 1768, for all the lands lying within the province of Penn-
sylvania, which had not been previously purchased by the proprietaries. This purchase included
Wyoming, and all the lands previoysly sold by chiefs of the same nations to the Susquehanna
company.
After the conclusion of this purchase, the proprietaries of Pennsylvania sent to Wyoming a
party of settlers who were directed to lay out the lands there into two manors for the use of the
proprietaries. One on the east side of the river, extending from Nanticoke falls to Monokony
island, and from the river nearly to the foot of the mountain, including the old Wyoming town,
was called the " Manor of Stoke ;" and the other on the west side, nearly of the same extent, was
palled the " Manor of Sunbury ;" and a lease for seven years, was given to three of the principal
* In justice to the Pennsylvanians it must be allowed, that they always protested against the
legality of this purchase by their rivals — alleging that the bargain was not made in open council,
that it was the work of a few of the chiefs only, and that several of them were in a state of in-
toxication when they signed the deed of conveyance. It is furthermore true, that in 17.36 the
Six Nations had sold to the proprietaries the lands upon both sides of the Susquehanna, " from
the mouth of the said river up to the mountains called the Kakatchlanamin hills, and on the
west side to the setting of the sun." But this deed was held, by the advocates of the Connecti-
cut purchase, to be quite too indefinite; and besides, as the "hills" mentioned, which are none
other than the Blue mountains, formed the northern boundary not only of that purchase, but, in
the apprehension of the Indians, of the colony of Pennsylvania itself, Wyoming valley could not
have been included. — Stone.
LUZERNE COUNTY. t35
persons, whose names were Charles Stewart, Amos Ogden, and John Jennings. These persona
were directed to take possession of the lands there, and to defend themselves and those under
them, against all enemies whatever.
On the 8th of Feb., 1769, a company of forty persons from Connecticut arrived at Wyoming;
and found Stewart, Ogden, and Jennings, in possession of the improvements which they had
previously made there, and in which they had attempted to secure themselves by the erection of
a blockhouse at the mouth of the creek. Having ascertained that the Pennsylvania party
claimed the lands under grants from tiiat province, and that they refused to give up to them their
improvements, they built small buildings of logs on different sides of the blockhouse, by which
means they intercepted all commmiieation with the surrounding country, and entirely invested
the Pennsylvania garrison.
Having failed in his hopes of reinforcements, Ogden proposed to the Connecticut people an
amicable settlement of their respective claims, and invited some of the leaders of the Connec-
ticut party to the blockhouse, to agree upon the terms ; three of whom repaired thither for that
purpose. They were immediately seized by Jennings, who was sheriff of Northampton county,
and having conducted them to Easton, they were there thrown into prison, mitil sufficient bail
could be procured for their release.
" And now commenced a bitter civil war, which lasted witli the alternate success of the different
parties for upwards of six years. In vain were the two colonial governments of Connecticut and
Pennsylvania engaged in negotiations to adjust the question of jiu-isdiction. In vain had the
crown been appealed to for the same purpose, and in vain was the interposition of other colonial
authorities invoked for that object. Now the colonists from Connecticut were increased by fresh
arrivals and obtained the mastery ; and now again, either by numbers or stratagem, did the Penn-
sylvanians become lords of the manors. Forts, blockhouses, and redoubts, were built upon both
sides ; some of which sustained regular sieges. The settlements of both parties were alternately
broken up — the men led off to prison, the women and children driven away, and other outrages
committed. Blood was several times shed in this strange and civil strife, but, considering the
temper that was exhibited, in far less quantities than might have been anticipated. Deeds of
valor and of surprising stratagem were performed. But, strange to relate, notwithstanding these
troubles, the population of the valley rapidly increased, and as the Connecticut people waged the
contest with the most indomitable resolution, they in the long-run came nearest to success. The
Pennsylvanians having sent a large force against the settlement, under Col. Plunket, which was
ingloriously defeated, no further military operations against it were attempted from that quarter
until after the revolution. Meantime the settlements had been greatly extended, and several
towns designated and surveyed."
" Until the year 1774 the people had lived under laws of their own enacting, but their population
had now become so considerable that a more efficient government was judged expedient. An
application to be taken under the immediate government of Connecticut was attended with suc-
cess, and under the general [and significant] name of West-more-land the valley of Wyoming
was annexed to the county of Litchfield, in the state of Connecticut. Zebulon Butler, Esq., a
gentleman who had served with credit in the French war, and Nathan Dennison, Esq., also a
gentleman of character, were appointed justices of the peace."
It would far exceed the limits of this work to describe in detail the
various sieges, and sorties, and capitulations, alluded to in the extracts
above. The following, from Chapman's History of W^yoming, may serve
to show the resolute but vindictive spirit that animated both parties.
The proprietaries of Pennsylvania concluded to assemble such forces as their personal exertions
could raise, for the recovery of Wyoming ; and accordingly in September a force of one hundred
and forty men was placed under the command of Capt. Ogden. A proclamation had been pub-
lished at Philadelphia by Gov. Penn, on the 28th June, 1770, directing all intruders to depart from
Wyoming, and forbidding any settlements to be made there without the consent of the proprieta-
ries, and Ogden marched with his forces, accompanied by Aaron Van Camperi, Esq., and other
civil officers, ostensibly for the purpose of carrying this proclamation into effect. Ogden, know-
ing his strength was insufficient for the reduction of the settlement in ease the settlers should be
in garrison, concluded, if possible, to attack them by surprise ; and to effect this the more safely,
he commenced his march by way of Fort Allen, on the Lehigh, near the Water-gap, and thence
by the warrior's path to Wyoming. Having arrived in sight of the Wyoming mountains, they
left the path for the greater safety, and on the night of the 21st of September encamped on the
head waters of Solomon's creek. In the morning of the 22d, Ogden, with a few attendants, as-
cended the high knob of Bullock's mountain, now called " Penobscot," which commands a view
of the whole valley of Wyoming, from which, with his glasses, he observed the settlers leave the
fort and go into the fields in detached parties at a distance to their work. He concluded its
attack them in this situation, unprovided with arms, and accordingly divided his forces into
several detachments which commenced their attacks nearly at the same time. The working
LUZERNE CaUNTY.
parties were immediately dispersed in every direction, and many of them were taken prisoners
and sent under an escort to Easton jail ; the greater number succeeded in reaching the fort, where
they immediately prepared for their defence. Night was approaching, and Ogden did not think
proper to attack the fort. He accordingly removed his troops with their booty to their encamp,
ment at Solomon's-gap. A consultation was held in Fort Durkce, and it Was concluded, as they
had provision and ammunition to last some time, to send messengers to Coshutunk on the Dela-
ware, for assistance. Accordingly about midnight the messengers departed, and thinking that
Ogden and his party would be likely to guard the direct road to Coshutunk, they concluded to ga
out through Solomon's-gap. Ogdcn's party for their better security had encamped without fires,
and took the messengers prisoners in the giip ; they learned from thcin the conluscd situation of
the fort, filled with men. women, and children. Upon receiving tiiis intelligence they concluded
to make an immediate attack upon the fort. Accordingly Ogden's whole force was immediately
put in motion, and a detachment commanded by Oapt. Craig suddenly entered the fort under
Cover of the night, knocked down the sentinel, anil arrived at the door of the blockh-ouse before
the garrison received notice of the attack. Several of the latter were killed in attempting to make
resistance in the blockhouse, and Capt. Craig's men having Ibrced a number into a small room
where they were trampling upon the women and children, knocked down C'apt. Butler, and were
about to pierce him with their bayonets, when Capt. Craig himself entered the apartment, drove
the soldiers back, and prevented further bloodshed. The fort being thus taken, the principal
portion of the garrison were again sent to prison at Easton, but Capt. Butler and a few others
were conducted to Philadelphia, where they were confined.
Ogden and his party then plundered the settlement of whatever moveable property they could
find, and having formed a garrison in the fort, withdrew with his booty to the settlements below
the mountains, where most of his men resided. The Connecticut party having disappeared, the
garrison considered themselves as secure, the fort being in a good state of defence ; but on the
18th of December, about three o'clock in the morning, while the garrison were asleep, a body of
armed men, consisting of twenty-three persons, from Hanover in Lancaster county, and six from
New England, under the conmiand of Capt. Lazarus Stewart, suddenly entered the fort and gave
the alarm to the garrison by a general huzza for King George. The garrison at this time con-'
sisted of only eighteen men, besides a considerable number of women and children, who occijpied
several houses erected within the ramparts of the fort. Six of the men made their escape by
leaping from the parapet, and flying naked to the woods ; the remaining twelve were taken pri-
soners, who, with the women and children, after being deprived of their moveable property, were
driven from the valley, and Stewart and his party garrisoned the fort.
Nathan Ogden, a brother of Capt. Ogden, was killed in one of the sub-
sequent sieges. Capt. Ogden at the same time being closely besieged,
and unable by any other mode to convey intelligence to Philadelphia,
adopted a most ingenious stratagem to pass the enemy's lines.
Having tied a portion of his clothes in a bundle, with his hat upon the top of them, and hav-
ing cortnected them to his body by a cord of several feet in length, he committed himself to the
river, and floated gently ddwn the current, with the bundle following him at the end of the cord.
Three of the redoubts coitimanded the river for a considerable distance above and below, and the
sentinels by means of the star-light observing some object floating upon the river which excited
suspicion, commenced a fire upon it, which was continued from two of the redoubts for some
time, until observing that its motion was very uniform and no faster than the current, their sus-
picions and their firing ceased. Ogden escaped unhurt, but his clothes and hat were pierced with
eeveral balls.
There had settled on the West branch of the Susquehanna, and around
the Forks of the two branches, a raCe of men quite as resolute and pug-
nacious as the Wyoming boys ; but, deriving their titles from Pennsylvania,
they viewed with jealousy any attempt to occupy lands under Connecti-
cut title. They had already routed an infant Connecticut settlement on
the West branch, and imprisoned the settlers at Sunbury. Col. Plunkett,
one of the West branch men, not satisfied with this, was for carrying the
war into the enemy's country; and accordingly in 1775, about the 20th
Dec, in the double character of magistrate and colonel, with a force of
700 armed men, and a large boat to carry provisions, he started up the
North branch, ostensibly on the peaceful errand " to restore peace and
good order in the county." The Wyoming boys knew all the strong
points of their beautiful valley, itself a fortress, and intrenched them-
LUZERNE COUNTY. 437
selves at the narrow rocky defile at Nanticoke falls, through which Plun-
kett's men must necessarily pass. The assailants were welcomed with a
volley of musketry on their first entrance into the defile, from the rampart
on the western side. They fell back and deliberated. Pulling their small
boat above the falls, they determined to pass their troops over in small
parties to the eastern side, and pass up into the valley under the beetling
precipice that frowns upon the river there. The first boat load, which
Plunkett accompanied, were attempting to land, when they were startled
by a heavy fire from Lieut. Stewart and a small party there concealed in
the bushes. One man was killed — they tumbled into the boat and floated
down the river as fast as the rapids would carry them. Another council
was held — to force the breastwork on the western side was deemed im-
practicable— the amount of the force on the opposite shore was unknown ;
to ascend the steep rocky mountains in the face of a foe that could reach
the summit before them, and tumble down rocks upon their heads, was
equally impracticable ; and as in a few days the river might close, and
leave them no means of exit by water, they concluded to abandon the
enterprise. This was the last effort against Wyoming of the provincial
government, which expired the next year, amid the flames of revolution.
For a time after the commencement of the revolution, the valley of
Wyoming M^as allowed a season of comparative repose. Both Connecti-
cut and Pennsylvania had more important demands upon their attention.
The census of the valley at this time is estimated by Mr. Miner, from au-
thentic data, at about 2,500 inhabitants. At the opening of the revolu-
tion, " the pulsations of patriotic hearts throbbed with unfaltering energy
throughout Wyoming. The fires of liberty glowed with an ardor intense
and fervent." At a town meeting held Aug. 1, 1775, it was voted, " That
we will unanimously join our brethren of America in the common cause
of defending our liberty." Aug. 28, '76, " Voted, that the people be called
upon to work on ye forts without either fee or reward from ye said town."
The same year, Lieut. Obadiah Gore enlisted part of a company and
joined the continental army. Two other companies, each of 86 men,
under Capt. Robert Durkee and Capt. Samuel Ransom, were raised under
a resolution of congress the same year, and joined the continental army
as part of the Connecticut line. These men were in the glorious affair at
Mill Stone ; they were in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown,
and in the terrible cannonade at Mud Fort, (below Philadelphia,) where
the gallant Spalding commanded the detachment, and where the brave
Matthewson was cut in two by a cannon ball. In Dec. 1777, the town
meeting voted, poor as they were, and almost all their ablebodied men
away in the service — nobly voted, " that the committee of inspectors be
empowered to supply the sogers' wives and the sogers' widows and their
families with the necessaries of life."
Wyoming was an exposed frontier bordering on the country of the Six
Nations — a people numerous, fierce, and accustomed to war. From Tio-
ga Point, where they would rendezvous, in twenty-four hours they could
descend the Susquehanna in boats to Wyoming. Nearly all the able-
bodied men of Wyoming fit to bear arms, had been called away into the
continental army. It was to be expected that the savages, and their
British employers, should breathe vengeance against a settlement that
had shown such spirit in the cause of liberty. They were also, beyond.
438 LUZERNE COUNTY.
doubt, stimulated by the absconding tories, who were burning with a
much stronger desire to avenge what they conceived to be their own
wrongs, than with ardor to serve their king. The defenceless situation
of the settlement could not be concealed from the enemy, and would natu*
rally invite aggression, in the hope of weakening Washington's army by
the diversion of the Wyoming troops for the defence of their own fron-
tier. All these circumstances together marked Wyoming as a devoted
victim.
The following sketch of the memorable battle of 1778 is condensed
from the plea of the Wyoming delegation, drawn up by the Hon. Charles
Miner, and intended to be delivered before the legislature of Connecticut
•'—with some additional facts from " the Hazleton Travellers," and other
sources.
Late in June, 1778, there descended the Susquehanna Col. John Butlef, with his own tory ran-
gers, a detachment of Sir John Johnson's Royal Greens, and a large body of Indians, chiefly
Senccas. The British and Tories numbered about 400 — the Indians about 700. Jenkins's fort
was at the head of the valley, just below the gorge. This fort capitulated on the 2d July, to a
detachment under Capt. Caldwell. Wintermoot's fort had been built near Jenkins's, by a Low
Dutch family of that name, with a view, as afterwards appeared, to aid the incursions of the
tories. As suspected, Wintermoot's fort at once thr^jw open its gates to the enemy. Here the
British and Indian force was assembled at dinner juSj '^?fore the battle. To defend the settle-
ment against this force was a half-raised company of i . ^jt. Deathic [Dceterick] Hewitt, consist-
ing of 40 or 50 men, and the militia, the remains merely, out of which the three companies above
mentioned had been enlisted for the continental army. There were several forts at Wyoming, — >
not regular fortifications, with walls, and embrazures, and great guns — but stockades, built by
setting logs on end in ditches, close together, surrounding a space for the retreat of the women
and children, with no other means of defence than the small-arms of the men, firing through loop-
holes. In all Wyoming valley there was but one cannon, a four-pounder, without ball, kept at
the Wilkesbarre fort as an alarm gun. Against such a force as the enemy mustered, not one of
these forts could have held out an hour, or kept the foe from reducing them to ashes. Some of
the aged men out of the train-bands formed themselves into companies to garrison the forts and
yield to the helpless such protection as they could. Except at Pittston — which, from its posi-
tion, was imminently exposed — no company of the Wyoming regiment was retained for partial
defence. All the rest assembled at Forty Fort, on the Kingston side, prepared in the best man.
ner they could to meet the enemy. They numbered about 400 men and boys, including many
not in the train-band. Old, gray-headed men, and grandfathers, turned out to the muster.
Col. Zcbulon Butler happened to be at Wyoming at the time, and thougli he had no proper
command, by invitation of the people he placed himself at their head, and led them to battle*
There never was more courage displayed in the various scenes of war. History does not por-
tray an instance of more gallant devotion. There was no other alternative but to fight and con-
quer, or die ; for retreat with their families was impossible. Like brave men, they took counsel
of their courage. On the 3d of July they marched out to meet the enemy. Col. Zebulon Butler
commanded the right wing, aided by Maj. Garret. Col. Dennison commanded the left, assisted
by Lieut, Col. George Dorrance. The field of fight was a plain, partly cleared and partly covered
with scrub-oak and yellow-pine. The right of the Wyoming men rested on a steep bank, which
descends to the low river-flats : the left extended to a marsh, thickly covered with timber and
brush. Opposed to Col. Zebulon Butler, of Wyoming, was Col. John Butler, with his tory ran-
gers, in their green uniform. The enemy's right wing, opposed to Col. Dennison, was chiefly
composed of Indians, [led on, says Col. Stone, by a celebrated Seneca chief, named Gi-en-gwah-
toh; or He-who-goes-in-the-sinoke.]* It was between four and five o'clock in the afternoon when
* Until the publication, year before last, of the Life of Brant, [by W. L. Stone,] it had been
asserted in all history that that celebrated Mohawk chieftain was the Indian leader at Wyoming.
He himself always denied any participation in this bloody expedition, and his assertions were
corroborated by the British officers, When questioned upon the subject. But these denials, not
appearing in history, reUeved him not from the odium ; and the " monster Brant" has been de-
nounced, the world over, as the author of the massacre. In the work referred to above, the
author took upon himself the vindication of the savage warrior from the accusation, and, as he
thought at the time, with success. A reviewer of that work, however, in the Democratic Maga-
zine, who is understood to be the Hoil. Caleb Cushing of Massachusetts, disputed the point,
■ maintaining that the vindication was not satisfactory. The author thereupon made a journey in-
LUZERNE COUNTY. 439
the engagement began, and for some time it was kept up with great spirit. On the right, in open
field, our men fired and advanced a step, and the enemy was driven back. But their numbers,
nearly three to one, enabled them to outflank our men, especially on the left, where the ground,
a swamp, was exactly fitted for savage warfare. Our men fell rapidly before the Indian rifles ;
the rear as well as the flank was gained, and it became impossible to maintain the position. An
order to fall back, given by Col. Dennison, so as to present a better front to the enemy, could not
be executed without confusion, [and some misunderstood it as a signal for retreat.] The prac-
tised enemy, not more brave, but, besides being more numerous, familiarized to war in fifty bat-
tles, sprang forward, raised their horrid yell from one end of the line to the other, rushed in with
the tomahawk and spear, and our people were defeated. They deserved a better fate. One of
the men yielding a little ground. Col. Dorranee, a few minutes before he fell, with the utmost
coolness, said, "Stand up to your work, sir." After the enemy was in the rear, " See !" said an
officer to Capt. Hewett, " the enemy is in force behind us ; shall we retreat?" " I'll be d d
if I do !" was his reply ; and he fell, at the head of his men. " We are nearly alone," said West-
brook ; " shall we go ?" " I'll have one more shot first," replied Cooper. That instant a savage
sprang towards him with his spear. Cooper stretched him on the earth, and reloaded before he
left the ground. When the left was thrown into confusion, our Col. Butler threw himself in
front, and rode between the two lines, exposed to the double fire. " Don't leave me, my children,"
said he ; " the victory will be ours." But what could 400 undisciplined militia effect against
1,100 veteran troops ? The battle was lost I Then followed the most dreadful massacre — the
most heart-rending tortures. The brave but overpowered soldiers of Wyoming were slaughtered
without mercy, principally in the flight, and after surrendering themselves prisoners of war. The
plain, the river, and the island of Monockonock were the principal scenes of this horrible mas.
sacre. Sixteen men, placed in a ring around a rock, (which is still shown, behind the house of
Mr. Gay, near the river,) were held by sir. t Indians, while they were, one by one, slaughtered
by the knife or tomahawk of a squaw. 'ne individual, a strong man, by the name of Ham-
mond, escaped by a desperate effort, x another similar ring, nine persons were nmrdered in the
same way. Many were shot in the river, and hunted out and slain in their hiding-places, (in one
instance by a near, but adverse relative,)* on the now beautiful island of Monockonock. But
sixty of the men, who went into the battle, survived ; and the forts were filled with widows and
orphans, (it is said the war made 150 widows and 600 orphans in the valley,) whose tears and
cries were suppressed after the surrender, for fear of provoking the Indians to kill them ; for it
was an Indian's pastime to brandish the tomahawk over their heads.
A few instances will show how universal was the turn-out, and how general was the slaughter.
Of the Gore family, one was away with the army, five brothers and two brothers-in-law went
into the battle. At evening five lay dead on the field, one returned with his arm broken by a
rifle-ball ; the other, and only one, unhurt. From the farm of Mr. Weeks, seven went out to battle ;
five sons and sons-in-law, and two inmates. Not one escaped — the whole seven perished. An-
derson Dana went into battle with Stephen Whiting, his son-in-law, a few months before married
to his daughter. The dreadful necessity of the hour allowed no exemption like that of the Jew-
ish law, by which the young bridegroom might remain at home for one year, to cheer up his bride.
The field of death was the resting-place of both. Anderson Dana, Jr., still living — then a boy
of nine or ten years old — was left the only protector of the family. They fled, and begged their
way to Connecticut.
Of the Inman family, there were five present in the battle. Two fell in the battle, another died
of the fatigues and exposure of the day ; another was killed the same year by Indians.
to the Seneca country, and pushed the investigation among the surviving chiefs and warriors of
the Senecas engaged in that campaign. The result was a triumphant acquittal of Brant from
all participation therein. The celebrated chief Captain Pollard, whose Indian name is Kaoun-
doowand, a fihe old warrior, was a young chief in that battle. He gave a full account of it, and
was clear and positive in his declarations that Brant and the Mohawks were not engaged in that
campaign at all. Their leader, he said, was Gi-en-gwah-toh, as already mentioned, who lived
many years afterward, and was succeeded in his chieftaincy by the late Young King. That
point of history, therefore, may be considered as conclusively settled. — Col. Stone's History of
Wyoming
* During the bloody fight of the 3d, some of the fugitives plunged into the river and escaped
to the opposite shore. A few landed upon Monockonock island, having lost their arms in the
flight, and were pursued thither. One of them was discovered by his own brother, who had es-
poused the side of the crown. The unarmed whig fell upon his knees before his brother, and of
fered to serve him as a slave forever, if he would but spare his life. But the fiend in human
form was inexorable; he muttered, " You are a d d rebel.'" and shot him dead. This tale
is too horrible for belief; but a survivor of the battle, a Mr. Baldwin, confirmed its truth to the
writer with his own lips. He knew the brothers well, and in Aug. 1839, declared the fact to be
8P. The name of the brothers was Pensil. — Stone's History of Wyoming.
440 LUZERNE COUNTY.
About two-thirds of those who went out, fell. Naked, panting, and bloody, a few, who had
escaped, came rusiiing into VVilkesbarre fort, where, trembling with anxiety, the women and chil-
dren were gathered, waiting the dread issue. Mr. Ilollenback, who had swum the river naked,
amid the balls of the enemy, was the first to bring them the appalling news — ^^All is lost!"
They fled to the mountains, and down the river. Their sufferings were extreme. Many widows
and orphans begged their bread, on their way home to their friends in Connecticut. In one party,
of near a hundred, there was but a single man. As it was understood that no quarter would be
given to the soldiers of the line. Col. Zebulon Butler, with the few other soldiers who had escaped,
retired that same evening, with the families, from Wilkesbarre fort.
But — those left at Forty Fort ? During the battle, (says the venerable Mrs. Myers, who, then
a child, was there,) they could step on the river bank, and hear the firing distinctly. For a while
it was kept up with spirit, and hope prevailed ; but by and by it became broken and irregular,
approaching nearer and nearer. " Our people are defeated — they are retreating " It was a
dreadful moment. Just at evening a few of the fugitives rushed in, and fell down exhausted —
some wounded and bloody. Through the night, every hour one or more came into the fort. Col.
Dennison also came in, and rallying enough of the wreck of the little Spartan band to make a
mere show of defending the fort, he succeeded the next day in entering into a capitulation for the
settlement, with Col. John Butler, fair and honorable for the circumstances ; by which doubtless
many lives were saved.*
Tliis capitulation, drawn up in the handwriting of Rev. Jacob Johnson, the first clergyman of
the settlement, stipulated —
That the settlement lay down their arms, and their garrison be demolished. That the inhab-
itants occupy their farms peaceably, and the lives of the inhabitants be preserved entire and un-
hurt. That the continental stores are to be given up. That Col. Butler will use his utmost
influence that the private property of the inhabitants shall be preserved entire to them. That the
prisoners in Forty Fort be delivered up. That the property taken from the people called Tories,
be made good ; and that they remain in peaceable possession of their farms, and unmolested in a
free trade through this settlement. That the inhabitants which Col. Dennison capitulates for,
together with himself, do not take up arms during this contest.
The enemy marched in six abreast ; the British and Tories at the northern gate, the Indians at
the southern ; their banners flying and music playing. Col. Dorrance, then a lad in the fort,
remembered the look and conduct of the Indian leader — all eye — glancing quickly to the right —
then glancing to the left — with all an Indian's jealousy and caution, lest some treachery or am-
bush should lurk in the fort. Alas ! the brave and powerful had fallen : no strength remained to
resist, no power to defend I
On paper the terms of the capitulation are fair, but the Indians immediately began to rob and
burn, plunder and destroy. Col. Dennison complained to Col. Butler. " I will put a stop to It,
sir ; I will put a stop to it," said Butler. The plundering continued. Col. D. remonstrated
again with energy, reminding him of his plighted faith. " I'll tell you what, sir," replied Col.
Butler, waving his hand Impatiently, " I can do nothing with them ; I can do nothing with them."
No lives, however, were taken by the Indians : they confined themselves to plunder and insult.
To show their entire independence and power, the Indians came into the fort, and one took the
hat from Col. Dennison's head. Another demanded his rifle-frock, which he had on. It did not
suit Col. D. to be thus stripped ; whereupon the Indian menacingly raised his tomahawk, and
the Col. was obliged to yield, but seeming to find difficulty in taking off the garment, he stepped
back to where the women were sitting. A girl understood the movement, and took from a pocket
in the frock a purse, and hid It under her apron. The frock was delivered to the Indian. The
purse, containing a few dollars, was the whole military chest of Wyoming. Mrs. Myers repre-
sents Col. Butler as a portly, good-looking man, perhaps 45, dressed in green, the uniform of his
rangers. He led the chief part of his army away in a few days ; but parties of Indians continued
in the valley burning and plundering, until at length fire after fire arose, east, west, north, and
* The early historical accounts of this battle, by Gordon, Ramsay, Marshall, (first edition,)
Thatcher, (in his Military Journal,) the London Gentleman's Magazine — and even the " Incidents
of Border Life," published in the heart of Pennsylvania, as late as 18.39 — do great injustice to
Col. Dennison's conduct on this occasion, as well as to that of the British Col. Butler. They all
republish and perpetuate the exaggerated tale, collected from the first panic-stricken and suffering
fugitives, who fled on the night of the battle, and arrived at the Hudson river. They were full
of enormous exaggerations, such as that, " on Col. Dennison's Inquiring on what terms a capitu-
lation would be granted, the enemy replied, ' the hatchet ;' and that, with this threat of butchery
to all under his protection, without an effort at defence, or to sell their lives as dearly as possible,
the whole fort full of women and children was yielded to Indiscriminate massacre." No such
thing — not a life of all those under Col. Dennison^s charge was lost. The surviving ladies, who
were then in the fort, all agree In stating that the Indians were kind to them ; except that they
plundered them of every thing except the clothes upon their backs, and marked them with paint
to prevent their being killed by other Indians — a common precaution among red-men.
LUZERNE COUNTY. 44I
south. In a week or ten days, it was seen that the articles of capitiJutlon afforded no security ;
and the remaining widows and orplians, a desolate band, with scarcely provisions for a day, took
up their sad pilgrimage over the dreary wilderness of the Pokono mountains, and the dismal
" Shades of Death."
Most of the fugitives made their way to Stroudsburg, where there was
a small garrison. For two or three days they lived upon whortleberries,
which a. kind Providence seems to have furnished in uncommon abun-
dance .aat season — the manna of that wildernes.s. Mr. Miner, in the
"Hazleton Travellers," says: —
" What a r«'-;ture for the pencil ! Every pathway through the wilderness thronged with woinen
and childrci.v, old men and boys. The able men of middle life and activity were either away in
the general service, or had fallen. Tliere were few who were not in the engagement ; so that in
one drove of fugitives consisting of one hundred persons, there was only one man with them. Let
the painter stand on some eminence conmiandiiig a view at once of the valley and the m^yntain.
Let him paint tiie throng climbing the heights ; hurrying on, filled with terror, despair, and sor-
row. Take a single group : the affrighted mother, whose husband has fallen ; an infant on her
bosom ; a child by the hand ; an aged parent, slowly climbing the rugged way, behind her ; hun.
ger presses them sorely; in the rustling of every leaf they hear the approaching savage; the
"Shades of Death" before them; the valley, all in flames, behind them; their cottage, their
bgrns, their harvests, all swept in this flood of ruin ; their star of hope quenched in this blood-
shower of savage vengeance !"
The Weckses who fell in the battle are mentioned above. Not one escaped ; the whole seven
fell, and the old man was left like the oak struck v^^ith lightning — withered, bare, blasted — all its
boughs torn away.
" Man cannot tell
With what an agony of tenderness
He turned him to the battle-field, where lay
His hopes — his children — fondly, dearly loved."
The engagement was on Friday. On Sunday morning twenty Indians came to his house and
ordered breakfast. They told Mr. Weeks he must go — he could not stay — he must clear out.
" All my sons have fallen," said the old man, " and here I am left with fourteen grandchildren,
all young and helpless." After breakfast, one of the Indian leaders stepped up to Mr. Weeks,
took the hat from his head, and put it on ; he then wheeled into the middle of the street a large
rocking-chair with a cushion in it, pat himself down, and rocked himself. The tigers, gorged
with food, blood, and plunder, for the moment paused, and rocked themselves into something
like good nature. In sending the family into exile, they allowed them a pair of oxen and a
wagon to carry the children, a bed, and some food. They went up the Lackawanna to Orange
county, New York, (See p. 242.) — Hazleton Travellers,
Mrs. Jenkins, in her very interesting narrative, says, that in those times of peril and sufferini,
the women performed their part. While the men were out on duty, the women gathered, husked,
and g^arnered the corn. I speak now of other years, for little was saved in the melancholy and
bloody '78. " We had not only to do this, but at times to make our own powder !" " Your
own powder, Mrs. Jenkins I" I exclaimed. " Was it so ? Had your people not only to find
troops for the continental army — to build their own forts — to raise men for their own defence, to
clothe them, to arm them, to feed them — but were they obliged to make their own powder ? But
how did you make it ?" " O, we took up the floors, and dug out the earth — put it up and drained
water through it, as we leech ashes — mixed weak ley — boiled them together — let the liquid stand,
and saltpetre would rise in crystallizations on the top ; then we mixed sulphur and charcoal.
Mr. Hollenback went down the river and brought up a pounder." — Hazleton Travellers.
When Forty Fort capitulated, (Mrs. Hewitt was there at the time,) Col. John Butler, as he
entered the gate, saw Sergeant Boyd, a young man about twenty-five. He was an EnglishmEHi
— had deserted from the enemy — was an excellent disciplinarian, and had been serviceable in
training our men. " Boyd," said Butler, recognising him, " go to that tree," pointing to a pine
not far outside the fort. " I hope your honor will consider me as a prisoner of war." " Go to
that tree !" repeated Butler, sternly. Boyd went, and was shot down. — Hazleton Traveller^.
" In March, 1779, the spring after the battle, a large body of Indians came down on the
Wyoming settlements. The people were few, weak, and ill prepared for defence, aHhough a
56
442 LUZERNE COUNTY.
body of troops was stationed in the valley for that purpose. The savages were estimated at
about 400 men. They scattered themselves abroad over the settlement, murdering', burning,
taking prisoners, robbing houses, and driving away cattle. After doing much injury, they con-
centrated their forces, and made an attack on the fort in Wilkesbarre ; but the discharge of a
field-piece deterred them, and they raised the siege. The house of Thaddcus Williams was also
attacked by a party. The old man was sick in bed ; and Sergeant Williams, his son, with a
boy of thirteen, withstood the siege, killed a part of the assailants, and entirely drove off the
others. — Hazleton Travellers.*
Soon after the battle, Capt. Spalding, with a company from Strouds-
burg, took possession of the desolate valley, and rebuilt the fort at Wilkes-
barre. Col. Hartley, from Muncy fort, on the West Branch, also went
up the North Branch with a party, burned the enemy's villages at Wya-
lusing, Sheshequin, and Tioga, and cut off' a party of the enemy who were
taking a boat-load of plunder from Wyoming.
Most of the settlers had lied after the battle and massacre, but here and
there a family had remained, or had returned soon after the flight. Skulk-
ing parties of Indians continued to prowl about the valley, killing, plun-
dering, and scalping, as opportunity offered. It was at this time that
Frances Slocum was captured. The story of her life fully illustrates the
* The " Hazleton Travellers" is not a volume, but a series of historical and biographical
sketches, in the form of dialogues between two travellers from Hazleton, written by the Hon.
Charles Miner, and published in the Wyoming Republican in 1837-38. These sketches con-
tain many vivid pictures of the adventures, sufferings, and characters of the old settlers of the
valley — pictures that we would gladly transfer to our pages — but where to begin ? and, having
begun, where should we stop short of another volume ? Our restricted limits force us, though
with extreme reluctance, to omit many interesting details, not the least important of which are
the biographical sketches in those numbers. Mr. Miner has promised to add to the number of
these sketches, and to give them to the public at some future day. But lest he should there omit
a sketch of one of the prominent citizens m the valley, we extract the following from Col. Stone's
History of Wyoming : —
" My friend Charles Miner is an able man, a native of Norwich, Con., and emigrated to the
valley of Wyoming in the year 1799 — being then nineteen years of age. He first engaged in
school teaching. Having a brother, a year or two older than hiinself, who was a practical printer,
he invited him to join him in his sylvan retreat, and establish a newspaper. The brother did so ;
and the twain conjointly estaWished the " Luzerne Federalist." This paper was subsequently su-
perseded by "The Gleaner," but under the same editorial conduct — that of Charles Miner. It
was through the columns of the Gleaner that Mr. Miner, for a long series of months, instructed
and amused the American people by those celebrated essays of morals and wit, of fact and fancy,
and delicate humor, purporting to come ^' From the Desk of Poor Robert the Scribe," and which
were very generally republished in the newspapers. The Gleaner and its editor became so popular,
that the latter was invited to Philadelphia, as associate editor of the " Political and Commercial
Register," so long and favorably known under the conduct of the late Major Jackson.
" Not liking the metropolis as well as he did the country, Mr. Miner soon retired to the pleasant
town of Westchester, eighteen miles from Philadelphia, where, in connection with his brother
Asher, who had also removed from Wilkesbarre, he established the Village Record — a paper
which became as popular for its good taste, and the delicacy of its humor, as the Gleaner had
been aforetime. Poor Robert here wrote again under the signature of "John Harwood." While
a resident of Westchester, Mr. Miner was twice successively elected to congress, in a double
district, as a colleague of the present Senator Buchanan.
" While In congress Mr. Miner showed himself not only a useful, but an able member. In the
subject of slavery he took a deep interest, laboring diligently in behalf of those rational measures
for its melioration which were doing great good before a difTerent feeling was infused into the
minds of many benevolent men, and a different impulse imparted to their action on this subject.
There is another act for which Mr. Miner deserves all praise. It was he who awakened the
attention of the country to the silk-growing business. He drew and introduced the first resolu-
tion upon the subject, and wrote the able report which was introduced by the late General Ste-
phen Van Rensselaer, as chairman of the committee on agriculture, to whom that resolution had
been referred.
" It is now [in 1840] about eight years since Mr. Miner relinquished business in Westchester,
and, with his brother, returned tp \yyoming, where both have every promise of spending the evenr
ing of their days most happily."
LUZERNE COUNTY. 443
remark previously made, that the history of this valley contains much of
" truth more strange than fiction." The following extracts are from a
letter published in the Philadelphia North American, in 1839 : —
At a little distance from the present courthouse at Wilkesbarre, lived a family by the name of
Slocum, [Mr. Jonathan Slocum.] Tiie men were one day away in the fields, and in an instant
the house was surrounded by Indians. There were in it, a mother, a daughter about nine years
of age, a son aged thirteen, another daughter aged five, artd a little boy aged two and a half. A
young man, and a boy by the name of Kingsley, were present grinding a knife. The first thing
the Indians did was to shoot down the young man and scalp him with the knife which he had in
his hand. The nine year old sister took the little boy two years and a half old, and ran out of
the back door to get to the fort. The Indians chased her just enough to see her fright, and to
have a hearty laugh, as she ran and clung to and lifted her chubby little brother. They then
took the Kingsley boy and young Slocum, aged thirteen, and little Frances, aged five, and pre-
pared to depart. But finding young Slocum lame, at the earnest entreaties of the rriother, they
set him down and left him. Their captives were then young Kingsley and the little girl. The
mother's heart swelled unutterably, and for years she could not describe the scene without tears.
She saw an Indian throw her child over his shoulder, and as her hair fell over her face, with one
hand she brushed it aside, while the tears fell from her distended eyes, and stretching out her
other hand towards her mother, she called for her aid. The Indian turned into the bushes, and
this was the last seen of little Frances. "This image, probably, was carried by the mother to her
grave. About a month after this they came again, and with the most awful cruelties murdered
the aged grandfather, and shot a ball in the leg of the lame boy. This he carried with him in
his leg, nearly six years, to the grave. The last child was born a few months after these trage-
dies ! What were the conversations, the conjectures, the hopes, and the fears respecting the fate
of little Frances, I will not attempt to describe.
As the boys grew up and became men, they were very anxious to know the fate of their little
fair-haired sister. They wrote letters, they sent inquiries, they made joUrneys through all the
West and into the Canadas. Four of these journeys were made in vain. A silence, deep as that
of the forest through which they wandered, hung over her fate during sixty years.
My reader will now pass over fifty-eight years, and suppose himself far in the wilderness of
Indiana, on the bank of the Mississinewa, about fifty miles southwest of Fort Wayne. A very
respectable agent of the United States [Hon. George W. Ewing, of Peru, la.] is travelling there,
and Weary and belated, with a tired horse, he stops in an Indian wigwam for the night. He can
speak the Indian language. The family are rich for Indians, and have horses and skins in abun-
dance. In the course of the evening, he notices that the hair of the woman is light, and her skin
under her dress is also white. This led to a conversation. She told him she was a white child,
but had been carried away when a very small girl. She could only remember that her name was
Slocum, that she lived in a little house on the banks of the Susquehanna, and how many there
were in her father's family, and the order of their ages ! But the name of the town she could
not remember. On reaching his home, the agent mentioned this story to his mother. She urged
and pressed him to write and print the account. Accordingly he wrote it, and sent it to Lancas-
ter in this state, requesting that it might be published. By some, to me, unaccountable blunder,
it lay in the office two years before it was published. In a few days it fell into the hands of Mr.
Slocum, of W^ilkcsbarre, who was the little two year and a half old boy, when Frances was taken.
In a few days he was otFto seek his sister, taking with him his oldest sister, (the one who aided
him to escape,) and writing to a brother who now lives in Ohio, and who I believe was born after
the captivity, to meet him and go with him.
The two brothers and sister are now (1838) on their way to sock little Frances, just sixty
years after her captivity. They reach the Indian country, the home of the Miami Indians.
Nine miles from the nearest white they find the little wigwam. " I shall know my sister," said
the civilized sister, " because she lost the nail of her first finger. You, brother, hammered it off
in the blacksmitli-shop, when she was four years old." They go into the cabin, and find an
Indian woman having the appearance of seventy-five. She is painted and jewelled off", and
dressed like the Indians in all respects. Nothing but her hair and covered skin would indicate
her origin. They get an interpreter, and begin to converse. She tells them where she was bom,
her name, &.C., with the order of her father's family. " How came your nail gone ?" said the
oldest sister. " My older brother pounded it off" when I was a little child in the shop !"' In a
word, they were satisfied that this was Frances, their long-lost sister ! They asked her what
her Christian name was. She could not remember. Was it Frances ? .She smiled, and said
" j/es." It was the first time she had heard it pronounced for sixty years! Here, then, they
were met — two brothers and two sisters ! They were all satisfied they were brothers and sisters
But what a contrast ! The brothers were walking the cabin, unable to speak ; the oldest sister
Was weeping, but the poor Indian sister sat motionless and passionless, as indiflTerent as a Spec-
tator. There was no throbbing, no fine chords in her bosom to be touched.
When Mr. Slocum was giving me this history, I said to him, "But could she not spfcak Eng
444 LUZERNE COUNTY.
lish?" "Not a word." " Did she know her age ?" "No — had no idea of it/' " But was she
entirely ignorant?" " <S';>, she didn''t know whfn Sunday comes.'" This was indeed the con-
summation of ignorance in a descendant of the Puritans !
But what a picture for a painter would the inside of that cahin have afforded ? Here were the
children of civilization, respectable, temperate, intelligent, and wealthy, able to overcome moun-
tains to recover their sister. There was the child of the forest, not able to tell the day of the
week, whose views and feelings were all confined to that cabin. Her whole history might be told
in a word. She lived witli the Delawarcs who carried her off till grown up, and then married a
Delaware. He either died or ran away, and she then married a Miami Indian, a chief, as I be-
lieve. She has two daujfhters, both of wliom are married, and wlio live in all the glory of an
Indian cabin, deerskin clotlies, and cowskin head-dresses. No one of the familv can speak a
word of English. They have horses in abundance, and when the Indian sister wanted to ac-
company her new relatives, she whipped out, bridled her horse, and then, a la. Turk, mounted
astride, and was off. At niglit she could throw a blanket around her, down upon the floor, and
at once be asleep.
The brothers and sister tried to persuade their lost sister to return with them, and, if she de-*
sired it, bring her children. They Would transplant her again to the banks of the Susquehanna,
and of their wealtli make her home happy. But no. She had always lived with the Indians;
they had always been kind to her, and she had promised her late husband on his death-bed, that
she would never leave the Indians. And there they left her and hers, wild and darkened heathen,
though sprung from a pious race. You can hardly imagine how much this brother is interested
for her. He intends this autumn to go again that long journey to see his tawny sister — to carry
her presents, and perhaps will petition congress that, if these Miamis are driven off, there may be
a tract of land reserved for his sister and her descendants. His heart yearns with an indcscriba-
ble tenderness for the poor helpless one, who, sixty-one years ago, was torn from the arms of her
mother. Mysterious Providence I How wonderful the tie which can thus bind a family to-
gether with a chain so strong !
I will only add that nothing has ever been heard of the boy Kingsley. Tlie probability cer-
taiilly is, that he is not living. This account I had from the lips of Mr. Slocum, the brother, and
the same who was two and a half years old when little Frances was carried away.
[Frances' second husband vVas known among his tribe as " the deaf-man," and the village
where she lives is called Deaf-man's village. The United States, by treaty, has granted her a
rich reserve of land. Her son-in-law, Capt. Brouillette, is a half-breed, of French extraction,
and One of the noblest-looking rrten of his tribe. The whole family arc highly respectable among
their nation, and live well, having a great abundance of the comforts of Indian life. The Miami
nation has recently agreed to move beyond the Mississippi.]
In the summer of 1779, Gen. Sullivan passed through Wyoming, with
his army from Easton, on his memorable expedition against the country of
the Six Nations. As they passed the fort amid the firing of salutes, with
their armS gleaming in the sun, and their hundred and twenty boats
arranged in regular order on the river, and their two thousand pack-
Jiorses in single file, they formed a military display surpassing any yet
seen on the Susquehanna, and well calculated to make a deep impression
on the minds of the savages. Having ravaged the country on the Gene-
see, and laid waste the Indian towns. Gen. Sullivan returned to Wyoming
in October, and thence to Easton. But the expedition had neither intimi-
dated the savages nor prevented their incursions. Durihg the remainder
of the war they seemed to make it their special delight to scourge the
valley ; they stole into it in small parties — blood and desolation fnarking
their track.
In the spring (March) of 1784, the settlers of Wyoming were compelled
again to witness the desolation of their homes by a new cause. The
winter had been unusually severe, and on the breaking up of the ice in
the spring, the Susquehanna rose with great rapidity ; the immense
masses of loose ice from above continued to lodge on that which was still
firm at the lower end of the valley ; a gorge was formed, and one general
inundation overspread the plains of Wyoming. The inhabitants took
refuge on the surrounding heights, many being rescued from the roofs of
their floating houses. At length a gorge at the upper end of the valley
LUZERNE COUNTY
445
gave way, and huge masses of ice were scattered in every direction,
which remained a great portion of the ensuing summer. The deluge
broke the gorge below with a noise like that of contending thunder-
storms, and houses, barns, stacks of hay and grain, cattle, sheep, and
swine, were swept off in the rushing torrent. A great scarcity of provi-
sions followed the flood, and the suflerings of the inhabitants were aggra-
vated by the plunder and persecution of the Pennamite soldiers quartered
among them. Gov. Dickinson represented their suflerings to the legisla-
ture with a recommendation for relief, but in vain. This was known as
the ice flood ; another, less disastrous, which occurred in 1787, was called
the pumpkin food, from the fact that it strewed the lower valley of the
Susquehanna with the pumpkins of the unfortunate Yankees.
After the peace with Great Britain, the old controversy on the subject of
land titles was renewed, and soon grew into a civil war. This war, like
the old one, was marked by sieges of forts ; capitulations made only to be
broken ; seizures by sheriffs ; lynching— ^in which Col. Timothy Pickering
suffered some ; petitions, remonstrances, and memorials. Capt. Arm-
Strong, afterwards general, and secretary of war, figured as commander
of one of the forts or expeditions on the Pennsylvania side. The opposite
parties in that war were known by the nicknames of Pcnnamites on one
side, and Connecticut hoys or Yankees on the other. (For an account of
the close of the controversy the reader is referred to page 44 of this
volume.)
'/- WiLKESBAKRE, the scat of justice of Luzerne co., derived its peculiar
name from Messrs. Wilkes and Barre, two distinguished members of the
British parliament, who stoutly advocated the cause of the American
revolution ; but Mr. Barre is often defrauded of his share of the honor by
the erroneous pronunciation, Wilkes-horough. It was laid out by Col.
Durkee in 1773. It is now a large and rapidly growing borough, occu-
pying one of the most splendid sites in the state. A public square, or
diamond, occupies the centre of the town. Annexed is a view of the dia-
mond, taken from the south side. The courthouse is seen on the right,
Public Square in Wilkesbarre.
"with the public ofiices beyond it. On the left is the old Presbyterian
church, now the Methodist ; and beyond it the new academy.
446 LUZERNE COUNTY.
A splendid bridge spans the Susquehanna at this place. The churches
are the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal. There are also here the
Wyoming Bank ; a Young Ladies' Seminary ; and a private classical
school for young gentlemen, by Mr. Dana. The Pennsylvania North
Branch canal passes to the east of the town, and extends at present 10
miles above as far as Pittston. Much of the w^ork is completed still
further up, and there is a prospect that in a few years the line will be
opened through to the state of New York. A railroad runs from Wilkes-
barre, over the mountains, 20 miles to the Lehigh, at White Haven. Two
and a half miles N. E. of the borough is the rich coal mine of the Balti-
more Co. Edward R. Biddle, Esq., has recently constructed at this town
one of the most extensive rolling-mills in the country. The iron is brought
by canal from Danville. The citizens of the place are a highly intelli-
gent and moral people^ and are generally the descendants of those whose
blood has purchased this now happy and wealthy valley. Population, by
the census of 1840, of the borough, 1,718; of the township, 1,513; total,
3,231.
Opposite Wilkesbarre, along the high bench of the river, beyond the
flats, are the very pleasant villages of Plymouth or Shavvneetown, King-
ston, Forty Fort, and Troy. And on the eastern side, 10 miles above
Wilkesbarre, is PittsTon, at the month of Lackawannock cr. There are
extensive coal mines near Pittston.
Not far from Wilkesbarre, within a compass of ten miles, there are
still living several aged survivors of the scenes of 1778. Among them
are Mr. Blackman, Mr. Samuel Carey, Mr. Anderson Dana, who lives in
sight of the town, Mr. Bennet, and several others. Mr. Dana, then a lad
of 13, was the leader of the band of forlorn fugitives through the wilder-
ness of the Pokono.
Mr. Carey was a soldier in the battle. In the flight he swam to Monokonock island, but the'
Indians had got there before him and took him prisoner. He was stripped naked, and one of his
captors, with a malicious smile, drew a knife up and down his breast and abdomen, saying the
while Te-te Te-te. He was taken to Fort Wintermoot. The next morning Col. Butler struck
him on the mouth with his open hand. " You are the fellow," said he, " that threatened yester.
day morning you would comb my hair, are you ?" His captor was Capt. Roland Montour — who
gave him to another Indian, by whom he was adopted in place of a son, under the name of Coco-
neunquo. But he was averse to savage life, made a poor substitute for the lost Indian boy,
whose death his new parents continued to lament. On the return of peace he was restored to his
home. Though not rich, he is yet, by the industry and frugality of a long life, comfortable in his
declining days, and has a respectable circle of sons and daughters settled around him. His lady,
also living, is of the Gore family, of whom so many fell in the battle. He had a brother Nathan,
who, at the time of the battle, was sick with the small-pox ; but he rushed desperately into the
fight, and escaped both from that and the small-pox, and — singularly enough — died afterwards of
old age.
Among the younger generation of men dwelling near Wilkesbarre,
and the villages opposite, one may recognise the honored names of the
ancient heroes — the Butlers, Dennisons, Dorrances, Danas, Bidlacks, Ben-
nets, Williamses, Shoemakers, Jenkinses, Myerses, Johnsons, Rosses, and
many others equally honorable.
Carbondale, now a populous borough, has sprung up within a few years
by the magic power of anthracite coal. It was started by the Hudson
and Delaware Canal Company, who own the mines at this place, about
the year 1826. The coal mine is one of the most extensive and best of
the Lackawannock basin. Its products are transported at the rate of
800 to 900 tons daily, by inclined planes and railroad over the Moosic
LUZERNE COUNTY.
447
mountain to Honesdale, and thence by canal to New York. The coal
was formerly wrought by laying bare the surface of the stratum ; but is
now excavated by means of drifts, and side chambers ; it is sent away as
fast as mined. About 300 miners are employed ; they are paid by the
ton, two men contracting for a chamber in the mine. The use of the
neighboring land is allowed them free for the purpose of building shanties.
The miners are principally Irish and Welsh, and compose a large part of
the population of the place. Their shanties are crowded together on two
hills, Irish hill, and Welsh hill, and from tlie village have the appearance
of the camp of an army in winter-quarters. The dwellings of the mer-
cantile and professional citizens in the village are neat, and pleasantly
adorned with trees, and the place has quite a bustling, business-like air.
There are here Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Welsh Bap-
tist, and Independent Welsh churches. The annexed view shows a num-
ber of the churches on the left. The Catholic church is that with a
Churches in Carhondale.
steeple. The shanties of the miners are seen on the hill in the distance.
Population of the town and township in 1840, 2,398. The lands in this
vicinity were originally owned by Mr. Russell, a wealthy English gen-
tleman, who resided with or near Dr. Priestley, at Noi'thumberland. He
took up large tracts in the north part of the state. (For a history of the
Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, &c., &c., see Wayne co.)
CoNYNGHAM is a plcasaut village, situated in the Nescopeck valley, on
the Berwick and Mauch Chunk turnpike, about 20 miles from Wilkesbarre.
The " warrior's path" across the mountains between Wyoming and Gnad-
enhutten, passed not far from this place. The town has a considerable
trade with the contiguous valley, which is chiefly settled by Germans.
Nescopeck is a pleasant village on the Susquehanna, opposite Berwick,
with which it is connected by a bridge.
Stoddartsville a'nd White Haven are on the Lehigh river, in the midst
of the great lumber-country. The latter place promises to increase by the
trade with the railroad from Wilkesbarre, here communicating with the
Lehigh Navigation.
448 LYCOMING COUNTY.
LYCOMING COUNTY.
Lycoming county was taken from Northumberland by the act of 13th
April, 1795. It then comprised all the northwestern part of the state
beyond Mifflin, Huntingdon, and Westmoreland counties, and as far as
the Allegheny river. Its limits have been curtailed by the successive
establishment of Centre, Armstrong, Indiana, Clearfield, Jelferson, McKean,
Potter, Tioga, and Clinton counties. Length 60 miles, breadth 30 ;
area 1,.500 sq. miles. Population in 1800, 5,414 ; in 1810, 11 000 ; in 1820,
13,517; in 1830, 17,630; in 1840,22,640.
The West branch of the Susquehaima flows through the southern por-
tion of the CO., receiving as its principal tributaries, on the left or north
bank, Pine, Larry's, Lycoming, Loyalsock, and Muncy creeks ; and on the
right bank, Nippenose, Black Hole, and White Deer Hole creeks. Nature
has divided this co. into two distinct portions, forming a perfect contrast
to each other. One, and by far the largest portion, comprises the wild,
rugged, and sterile region of Allegheny and Laurel Hill mountains, which
sweep in a broad belt across the northern and central parts of the co.,
rising to the height of 1,500 or 2,000 feet above the lower country. This
region can only sustain a very sparse population along the narrow valleys
of the streams. It contains, however, several valuable beds of bituminous
coal and iron ore, and vast forests of pine timber. The other portion of
the CO., comprising the lovely valley of the West Branch, with the subor-
dinate limestone valleys to the south of it, and Muncy valley on the east, is
not surpassed in picturesque beauty or fertility by any section of Pennsyl-
vania, and promises to sustain a very dense population. The valley of the
W. Branch is shut in on the south by the continuation of the Bald Eagle
mountain, which separates it from Nippenose and White Deer Hole val
leys. The southern boundary of the co. is the White Deer mountain?
The Nippenose valley presents a very curious formation. It is an oval
limestone basin, about ten miles long, surrounded on every side by high
hills, the streams from which, after descending a short distance towards
the centre of the valley, lose themselves under the surface of the limestone
rocks. Nippenose cr. collects their waters from springs bursting up from
the rocks on the north side of the valley, and conveys them away to the
West Branch.
The internal improvements of the co. are the state canal along the left
bank of the West Branch, extending into Clinton co. ; the Williamspor^
and Elmira railroad, finished as far as Ralston, 26 miles from Williams-
port ; and an excellent stone turnpike a,long the West Branch.
Agriculture and lumbering form the principal occupations of the citi-
zens ; there are several iron works along Lycoming cr. and its tributaries.
The census of 1840 enumerates in the co. 4 furnaces, 3 forges, bloomeries,
rolling-mills, &c., 20 tanneries, 10 fulling-mills and woollen manufactories,
and 11 distilleries.
The population of the co. was originally composed of Scotch-Irish and
Quakers, from the lower counties of the state, and their descendants still
occupy the valleys, together with many Gerryians and others from Penn-
sylvania and New York.
LYCOMING COUNTY. ^49
The purchase of land by the proprietary government at the treaty of
Fort Stanwix,* Nov. 5, 1708, then known as the " new purchase," opened
the way for the settlement of the whites on the West Branch. Previous
to this date, the valley had been occupied by a few straggling bands of
Shawanee and Monsey Indians, who had retired from the lower valley
of the Susquehanna ; and occasionally parties of the Senecas came down
to hunt, or more commonly to fall upon the defenceless families of the
frontier. The Indians dwelling here were visited by David Brainerd,
and by the Moravian missionaries, about the years 1744 to 46. The
terms and boundaries of the purchase were as follows : —
We, Tyanliasare, alias Abraham, sachem or chief of the Indian nation called the Mohocks,
Senughsis — of the Oneydas ; Clienughiata — of the Onondagos ; Gaustarax — of the Senecas ;
Sequariscra — of the Tuscaroras ; Tagaaia — of the Cayugas, in general council of the Six Na-
tions at Fort Stanwix, assembled for the purpose of settling a general boundary line between the
said Six Nations, and their confederate and dependant tribes, and his majesty's middle colonies,
send greeting, &c. In consideration of ten thousand dollars, they grant to Thomas Penn and
Richard Peim, all that part of the province of Pennsylvania, not heretofore purchased of the In-
dians, within the said general boundary line, and beginning in the said boundary line, on the east
side of the East branch of the river Susquehanna, at a place called Owegy, and running with
the said boundary line, down the said branch on the east side thereof, till it comes opposite the
mouth of a creek called by the Indians Awandac, (Tawandee,) and across the river and up the
said creek on the south side tliereof, and eflong the range of hills called Burnett's hills by the
English, and by the Indians , on the nortli side of them, to the heads of a creek which
runs into the West branch of the Susquehanna, which creek is by the Indians called Tiadaghton,
and down the said creek on the south side thereof, to the said West branch of Susquehanna, then
crossing the said river, and running up the same on the south side thereof, the several courses
thereof to the fork of the same river which lies nearest to a place on the river Ohio, called the
Kittanning, and from the said fork by a straight line to Kittanning aforesaid, and then down the
said river Ohio by the several courses thereof to where the western bounds of the said province
of Pennsylvania cross the same river, and then with the said western bounds to the south
boundary thereof, and with the south boundary aforesaid to the east side of the Allegheny hills,
and with the said hills on the east side of them to the west line of a tract of land purchased by
the said proprietors from the Six Nation Indians, and confirmed October 23d, 1758, and then
with the northern bounds of that tract to the river Susquehanna, and crossing the river Susque.
hanna to the northern boundary line of another tract of land purchased of the Indians by deed,
(August 2:2d, 1749,) and then with that northern boundary line to the river Delaware at the north
side of the mouth of a creek called Lechawachsein, then up the said river Delaware on the west
side thereof to the intersection of it, by an east line to be drawn from Owegy aforesaid to the said
river Delaware, and then with that east line to the beginning at Owegy aforesaid.
During several years previous to the purchase, the Scotch-Irish rangers
of the Kittatinny valley had often visited the valley of the West Branch,
extending their excursions as far up as the Big island, for the purpose of
cutting off hostile parties of Indians, and their practised eyes had not
failed to notice the extreme fertility and beauty of the land. Accordingly,
no sooner was the purchase known, than a crowd of these adventurers
flocked in, and when the land-office was opened in April following, it was
besieged by a great number of applicants, and it became necessary to
decide the priority of location by lottery. The purchases were limited to
300 acres for each individual, at £5 per 100 acres, and one penny per
acre quit-rent. An allotment was made of 104,000 acres to the officers
of the provincial regiments, who had served during the Indian campaigns,
and who were desirous of settling together. Soon after the purchase of
1768, a question arose between the settlers and the government, whether
Lycoming cr. or Pine cr. was the English name for the stream called
Tiadaghton in the treaty ; and the question remained unsettled for sixteen
• Fort Stanwix occupied the present site of Rome, on the Erie canal, in New York.
57
450 LTCOMING COUNTY.
years, when, at another treaty at Fort Stanwix, in 1784, it was learned
from the Indians that Tiadaghton meant Pine or. In the mean time, says
a note in Smith's Laws, vol. 2 —
There existed a great number of locations of the 3d of April, 1769, for the choicest lands on
the West branch of Susquelianna, between the mouths of Lycoming and Pine creeks; but the
proprietaries from extreme caution, the result of tliat experience, which had also produced the
very penal laws of 1768 and 1769, and the proclamation already stated, had prohibited any sur-
veys being made beyond the Lycoming. In the mean time, in violation of all law, a set of hardy
adventurers had from time to time seated themselves on this doubtful territory. They made im-
provements, and formed a very considerable population. It is true, so far as regarded the rights
to real property, they were not under the protection of the laws of the country ; and were we to
adopt the visionary theories of some philosophers, who have drawn their arguments from a sup-
posed state of nature, we might be led to believe that the state of these people would have been a
state of continual warfare ; and that in contests for property the weakest must give way to the
strongest. To prevent the consequences, real or supposed, of this state of things, they formed a
mutual compact among themselves. They annually elected a tribunal, in rotation, of three of
their settlers, whom they called fair-play-men, who were to decide all controversies, and settle
disputed boundaries. From their decision there was no appeal. There could be no resistance.
The decree was enforced by the whole body, who started up in mass, at the mandate of the court,
and execution and eviction were as sudden and irresistible as the judgment. Every new-comer
was obliged to apply to this powerful tribunal, and upon his solemn engagement to submit in all
respects to the law of the land, he was permitted to take possession of some vacant spot. Their
decrees were, however, just ; and when their settlepients were recognised by law, and fair play
had ceased, their decisions were received in evidence, and confirmed by judgments of courts.
The process of ejection, when any person refused to comply with the
decrees under the code oi fair-play, was to place the offender in a canoe,
row him down to the mouth of Lycoming cr., the boundary of civiliza-
tion, and there set him adrift. The " seat of justice" of the fair-play-men
is said to have been at Chatham's mill, now Ferguson's, near the mouth
of Chatham's run. After the true construction of the treaty had been
learned, a law was passed, allowing the settlers between Lycoming and
Pine creeks a pre-emption right to not over 300 acres each, on proof of
actual settlement previous to 1780. This pre-emption was granted, as
the law declared, in consideration of " their resolute stand and sufferings
during the late [revolutionary] war." Many cases subsequently came
before the courts under this law, in which it became necessary to prove
by oral testimony the usages of the fair-play men. While Chief-justice
McKean was holding court in this district, partly, perhaps, from curios-
ity, and partly with reference to the case before him, he inquired of Brat-
ton Caldwell, a shrewd old Irish pioneer, if he could tell him exactly what
the provisions of the fair-play code were ? Bratton's memory did not
serve him as to details ; he could only convey an idea of them by com-
parison. " All I can say is," said he, " that since your honor's courts have
come among us, fair-play has entirely ceased, and law has taken its
place."
During seven years after the purchase, a state of peace prevailed on
the frontier, and the pioneers of the West Branch were permitted quietly
to build their cabins and clear their fields. Scarcely, however, had they
begun to enjoy the comforts which their industry had secured, when the
alarm of the opening revolution called them to a new field of duty. The
change was not great from the life of the hunter and backwoodsman to
that of the soldier. Always patriotic ; accustomed to war by long train-
ing in the frontier campaigns of 1755 to '63 ; and having been ever the
decided opponents of royal government, even as a substitute for that of
the proprietaries, the Scotch-Irish pf the West Branch eagerly seized their
LYCOMING COUNTY. 451
arms in the cause of independence : and although their own homes were
exposed to savage invasions, and their families but poorly provided with
the necessaries of life, they cheerfully left them for the scenes of active
service at Boston.
Stockade forts were erected at each important settlement along the
river, as places of refuge for families in times of invasion. Some of these
were garrisoned by continental or provincial troops ; others were de-
fended by the settlers of the neighborhood. There was a blockhouse near
the site of Lock Haven, commanded in 1778 by Col. Long. Samuel
Horn's fort was on the right bank of the West Branch, a little below
Chatham's mill, and three miles above the mouth of Pine cr. Antis' fort
was also on the right bank, at the head of Nippenose bottom. Fort
Muncy w^as between Pennsborough and the mouth of Muncy cr. Fort
Menninger was at the mouth of Warrior's run, and Freeland's fort was
four miles up the run.* Fort Schwartz was one mile above Milton ; and
Boon's fort two miles above Milton, on Muddy run ; Fort Bosley, on the
Chillisquaque, near where Washington now is ; Fort Jenkins near,
Bloomsburg, and Fort Augusta at Sunbury.
Lycoming co. during the revolution was a part of Northumberland,
and much of its history will be found under the head of that county. One
of the most important events that occurred on the West Branch at that
epoch was the big runaway, as it is called by the early settlers. The fol-
lowing account of it was given to the compiler by the venerable Robert
Covenhoven, (usually called Crownover,) an aged pioneer, who still lives
in the neighborhood of Jersey Shore : —
In the autumn of 1777, Job Gilloway, a friendly Indian, had given intimation that a powerful
descent of marauding Indians might be expected before long on the head-waters of the Susque-
hanna. Near the close of that season, the Indians killed a settler by the name of Saltzburn, on
the Sinnemahoning, and Dan Jones at the mouth of Tangascootac. In the spring of 1778 Col.
Hepburn, afterwards Judge H«ipburn, was stationed with a small force at Fort Muncy at the
mouth of Wallis' run, near which several murders had been committed. The Indians had killed
Brown's and Benjamin's families, and had taken Cook and his wife prisoners on Loyalsock cr.
Col. Hunter of Fort Augusta, alarmed by these murders, sent orders to Fort Muncy that all the
settlers in that vicinity should evacuate, and take refuge at Sunbury. Col. Hepburn was ordered
to pass on the orders to Antis' and Horn's forts above. To carry this message none would vol-
unteer except Covenhoven and a young Yankee millwright, an apprentice to Andrew Culbertson.
Purposely avoiding all roads, they took their route along the top of Bald Eagle ridge until they
reached Antis' gap, where they descended towards the fort at the head of Nippenose bottom. At
the bottom of the hill they were startled by the report of a rifle near the fort, which had been fired
by an Indian at a girl. The girl had just stooped to milk a cow — the harmless bullet passed
through her clothes between her limbs and the ground. Milking cows in those days was danger-
ous work. The Indians had just killed in the woods Abel Cady and Zephaniah Miller, and mor-
tally wounded young Armstrong, who died that night. The messengers delivered their orders
that all persons should evacuate within a week, and they were also to send word up to Horn's
fort.
On his way up Covenhoven had staid all night with Andrew Armstrong, who then lived at the
head of the long reach, where Esq. Seward now lives. Covenhoven warned him to quit, but he
did not like to abandon his crops, and gave no heed to the warning. The Indians came upon him
suddenly and took him prisoner with his oldest child and Nancy Sunday : his wife, who was en-
ceinte, concealed herself under the bed and escaped.
Covenhoven hastened down to his own family, and having taken them safely to Sunbury, re-
turned in a keel-boat to secure his household furniture. As he was rounding a point above Derrs-
town (now Lewisburg,) he met the whole convoy from all the forts above ; such a sight he never
saw in his life. Boats, canoes, hog-troughs, rafts hastily made of dry sticks — every sort of float-
ing article had been put in requisition, and were crowded with women, children, and " plunder" —
there were several hundred pepple in all. Whenever any obstruction occurred at a shoal or rip-
* For an account of the capture of Freeland's fort, see Northumberland county.
452 LYCOMIJJG COUNTY.
pie, the women would leap out and put their shoulders, not indeed to the w'heel, but to the flat
boat or raft, and launch it again into deep water. The men of the settlement came down in sin-
gle file on each side of the river to guard the women and children. The whole convoy arrived
safely at Sunbury, leaving the entire line of farms along the West Branch, to the ravages of the
Indians. They destroyed Fort Muncy, but did not penetrate in any force near Sunbury ; their
attention having been soon after diverted to the memorable descent upon Wyoming.
After Covenhoven had got his bedding, &c., in his boat, and was proceeding down the river,
just below Fort Mcnninger, he saw a woman on the shore fleeing from an Indian. She jumped
down the river bank and fell, perhaps wounded by his gun. The Indian scalped her, but in his
haste ne-rlected to strike her dowTi. She survived the scalping, was picked up by the men from
the fort, and lived near Warrior's run until about the year 181U. Her name was Mrs. Durham.
Slvjrtly after the big runaway, Col. Broadhead was ordered up with l)is forces of 100 or 150
men' to rebuild Fort Muncy, and guard tlie settlers while gathering their crops. After performing
this service he left for Fort Pitt, and Col. Hartley with a battcilion succeeded him. Capt. Spald-
ing from Stroudsburg, also came down with a detachment by way of the Wyoming valley. Hav-
intr built the barracks at Fort Muncy, they went up on an expedition to burn the Indian towns at
Wyalusing, Sheshequin, and Tioga. Tiiis was just after the great battle at Wyoming, and be-
fore the British and Indians had finished getting tlicir plunder up the river. After burning the
Indian towns, the detachment had a sharp skirmish with the Indians from Wyoming, on the left
bank of the Susquehanna at the narrows north of the Wyalusing mountain. Mr. Covenhoven
distinguished himself in that affair by his personal bravery. He was holding on by the roots of
a tree on the steep precipice, when an Indian approached him and called to him to surrender.
Mr. C, in reply, presented his gun and shot the Indian through the bowels.
WiLLrAMSPbRT, the seat of justice, is very pleasantly situated on an ele-
vated plain, on the left bank of the West branch of the Susquehanna,
between Lycoming and Pine creeks. The town is remarkably well-
built, and in many instanees the architecture of the public and private
buildings bears testimony to the intelligence and taste of the citizens.
The public square, on which stands the courthouse, is shaded with trees,
and enclosed with an iron railing ; and the courthouse and several of the
churches are surmounted with graceful spires and cupolas, which form
conspicuous objects amid the rich scenery surrounding the borough. The
hotels are spacious, and abound in the luxuries and comforts, without be-
ing encumbered with the enormous charges of those of our large cities.
There are here Old and New School Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist,
and German Reformed churches, and an academy. There are also a
large foundry and two extensive tanneries, in which the operations are
carried on by steam. The numerous stores are well stocked, and the
place has altogether that appearance of thrift and bustle, which distin-
guishes it as the centre of a large internal trade. Population in 1840,
1,353. The U. S. court for the western district of Pennsylvania is held
alternately here and at Pittsburg. The West Branch canal, which was
opened for navigation in 1834, passes through the town. The Williams-
port and Elmira railroad, constructed by a company, has been finished as
far as Ralston, 26 miles from this place. The whole length of the road
is 74 miles, and when completed it will open an important route for travel
and the transportation of coal, iron, and agricultural produce.
The annexed view shows the principal street, with the courthouse and
public square on the left. Williamsport was laid out, and selected by the
commissioners as the county seat, in the year 1795, the same year that
the county was organized. Mr. John Hall, an early settler here, was
one of the commissioners. Several other places were rivals for the ad-
vantages of the county seat. The site of the town was owned by Mi-
chael Ross, and the lots were sold for his benefit, except what might
have been reserved for public uses. Mr. William Hepburn had much in-
fluence in procuring the location of the county seat. Mr. William Wood-
LYCOMING COUNTY.
453
Central part of Williamsjwrt.
ward, father of Apollos Woodward, Esq., was one of the earliest settlers,
soon after the town was laid out. An important point was gained for
the prosperity of the place, when the U. S. courts were appointed to be
holden here ; and a still stronger impetus was given by the construction
of the canal and railroad, and the opening of the iron and coal mines
above. About the same time an addition was laid out, adjoining the
town, by Jeremiah Church, Esq.
About the year 1803, the indignation and sympathies of the citizens
of Williamsport, and of the whole valley, were highly excited by an oc-
currence which took place in the then wilderness, on the south side of the
river, some miles from the borough. It appears, from the village news-
papers of that day, that —
A young lady suddenly appeared at a lonely cabin, almost in a state of nudity, in great dis-
tress from cold and hunger, and her limbs and wrists galled and bloody, as if they had been
chafed with a rope. For some time she could scarcely speak. At length she recovered strength
enough to say that she had been travelling on horseback, from her uncle's in Kentucky, where
she had been at school, to Montreal, where her parents resided. She had been accompanied by
one Benjamin Connet, a Canadian, either an agent or servant of her father, whom he had sent
expressly to conduct her home. Not far from the cabin, in a lonely part of the road, he had pre-
sented a pistol at her, compelled her to dismount, stripped her, robbed her of all her money as
well as her clothing, tied lier to a tree, and left her there to perish with hunger, or be devoured by
wild beasts. She had remained in that situation all night, when, after the most desperate strug-
gles, she had extricated herself. After being refreshed, she went with the family and pointed out
the tree, and the path she had beaten round it in her struggles to get loose. There was something
artless in her appearance ; and her modest demeanor, and delicate frame, left no doubt in the
minds of those who saw her that her statement was true. She appeared to be overwhelmed with
distress at the thought of her situation. Her name she said was Esther McDowell. The kind
people of the cabin soothed her distress, clothed her, and took her on as far as Williamsport,
where she was lodged with a worthy and pious family, until news could be conveyed to Montreal.
In the mean time, public indignation was highly excited against the villain Connet ; the chiv-
alry of the West Branch was aroused, and scouts and handbills were sent out in all directions.
He had twenty-four hours' start, however, and had eluded all observation ; for no one had seen
any stranger pass, answering his description. Two or three weeks had elapsed, and no news was
heard of the villain : no letters had been received from Montreal ; nor had any discoveries been
made concerning this mysterious affair, except that a bundle of man's clothes had been found
454 LYCOMING COUNTY.
hidden near the tree where the robbery was committed. These might have been left by the rob.
ber, who had shifted his suit. Some people were malicious enough to insinuate that the young
lady had robbed herself; but her deportment in the family where she lodged was a triumphant an-
swer to any such base insinuations. She was lady-like in her manners, highly intelligent, and
possessing a well-cultivated mind ; and if not pious, at any rate piously disposed. She rather
modestly avoided, than sought society, and would only converse with persons of the most sedate
character. Time, however, wore away ; no news was received from Montreal ; and the number
of the suspicious began to increase. Tbe clothing found near the tree had been recognised as
that of a young tailor, who had lived for some time in a neighboring town, and had lately moved
away. Some of those who knew the tailor happened to visit Miss McDowell, and there, forsooth,
they found the very face, which the young tailor had worn, upon her shoulders. Here was a de-
velopment ! Since the secret was out, she confessed that she was the daughter of highly respect-
able Quaker parents in Philadelphia : she had been beguiled into evil ways ; but detesting the
career of vice, she had fled from the city, and, trusting to her needle for support, she had, with
no less ingenuity than enterprise, established herself as a gentleman tailor, in one of the villages
on the West Branch, (either at Jersey Shore Or Muncy.) She succeeded tolerably well in her
new Sex and profession ; but eventually becoming tired of it, she adopted the stratagem de-
scribed above. Her duped, but still sympathizing friends, restored her to her disconsolate pa.
rents ; and it was learned afterwards that she went to the west, under a new name, and was mar-
ried. The whole affair was some months in progress, before its final development ; and after it
Was out, many a wise one chuckled, as he said to his neighbor, " I t-o-l-d you so 1"
Newbury is a small village two miles west of Williamsport, on the
right bank of Lycoming or., about a mile above its mouth. It contains
Methodist and Presbyterian churches, three taverns, several stores, and
two very extensive flouring-mills. It was laid out about the same time
With Williamsport, and was a competitor with it for the honor of the
county seat. Jaysburg, a village nearer the river on the same side of the
creek, was also intended for the county seat. The commencement here
of the old road to Painted Post in New York, commonly known as the
Blockhouse road, gave to Newburv considerable importance at that early
day. The road was laid out by Mr. Williamson, an agent of Sir William
Pulteney, about the year 1795.
Jersey Shore is a very flourishing village on the left bank of the West
Branch, three miles below the mouth of Pine cr., and 15 west of Wil-
liamsport. It contains Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist churches.
Within about ten years past, since the completion of the public works,
the place has increased very rapidly, and the public and private edifices
erected during that period are elegant and substantial. A very extensive
lumber trade is carried on with the country on the head- waters of Pine
cr. There is little or no manufacturing done here. Pop. in 1840, 525.
When the settlers who had fled in the hig runaway returned to their
homes after the peace of 1783, Jeremiah and Reuben INIanning, two
brothers from New Jersey, and others from the same state, came up and
settled below the mouth of Pine cr., and called their neighborhood the
Jersey Shore. The Mannings purchased the island from Thomas Foster,
who had previously bought it from Henry Sterret, who removed to Ly-
coming cr. About the year 1800, one of the Mannings laid out the town
and called it Waynesburg ; but the long-established habit of calling it
Jersey Shore could not be eradicated, and it is well that it could not —
for the old name is by far the most distinctive ; there are already two
other Waynesburgs in the state. The name was fixed by its incorpora-
tion as a borough 15th March, 1826.
Just above Pine creek, and north of the road to Lock Haven, is one of
those ancient circular fortifications of earth, so well known in this state
and Ohio. The banks are becoming gradually obliterated by the action
LYCOMING COUNTY. 455
of the elements. Near the fort, and on both sides of the creek, are an-
cient Indian burying-grounds, from which bones and trinkets have been
occasionally disinterred by the whites. Tradition says that two hostile
tribes once lived on each side of the creek.
A very flourishing settlement has recently grown up at the forks of
Pine creek, eight miles northwest of Jersey Shore. A large double saw-
mill has been erected, several stores, tavern, &c.
About four miles below Jersey Shore, a little south of the road to Williamsport, lives the vene.
rable Robert Covenhoven, (commonly known as Mr. Crownover,) at the advanced age of 88.
His venerable lady is still living with him, with her faculties bright and unimpaired. Mr. Co-
venhoven was born of Low Dutch parents in Monmouth co., New Jersey. He was much em-
ployed during his youth as a hunter and axeman to the surveyors of land in the valleys tributary
to the North and West branches of the Susquehanna. The familiarity thus acquired with all
the paths of that vast wilderness rendered his services eminently useful as a scout and guide to
the military parties of the revolution, which commenced about the time of his arriving at man-
hood. It is unnecessary to say, that the graduate of such a school was fearless and intrepid —
that he was skilful in the wiles of Indian warfare — and that he possessed an iron constitution.
With these qualifications, at the call of his country in 1776, he joined the campaigns under Gen.
Washington. He was at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. His younger brother had also
enlisted ; but his father took his place, and the general, with his characteristic kindness, per-
mitted the boy to return and protect his mother. In the spring of 1777 Robert returned to his
home on the W. Branch, where his services were more needed by the defenceless frontier, than
on the seacoast. Mr. Covenhoven was one of those men who were always put forward when
danger and hard work were to be encountered, but forgotten when honors and emoluments were
to be distributed. Nevertheless, he cheerfully sought the post of danger, and never shrunk from
duty, although it might be in an humble station. Few men have passed through more hair-
breadth escapes ; few have encountered more personal perils in deadly encounters with savages
than Mr. C. His services at the big runaway have been mentioned above; he was eminently
useful in obtaining intelligence at Fort Freeland, the day before its capture ; he was the guiJe to
Col. Hartley's expedition up the North Branch after the battle of Wyoming ; and he was in sev-
eral bloody skirmishes with Indians on Loyalsock and Pine creeks. On one occasion, (I think
it was after the return of Col. Hepburn to Fort Muncey,) a detachment was started out under
the command of Capt. Berry, to recover some horses stolen by the Indians, reported to be
up on Loyalsock. Covenhoven for some reason was sent out to advise Berry to return,
but the latter would not acknowledge the colonel's authority, and persisted in going forward.
Several of Covenhoven's brothers, and his uncle WyckofF, were in Berry's detachment, and a
friendly Indian by the name of Capt. Sharpshins. As so many of his own family were in this
expedition, Robert Covenhoven determined to go along as a guide ; but he could not persuade
Berry to keep the woods, and before long they found themselves ambuscaded, A bloody struggle
commenced, in which a brother of Mr. C. was killed, another brother was taken prisoner, with
several of his cousins, and his uncle WyckofF. The latter had been previously bald, but strange-
ly enough, after the hardships of imprisonment, he returned with a fine head of hair. Robert
Covenhoven, after hard fighting, was chased some distance along the bank of the creek, dodging
up and down the bank alternately tliat his pursuer might get no aim at him. He escaped and
returned to the fort. Brave as he was, the old man speaks of the fluttering of his heart often
during this chase. The skirmish occurred on Loyalsock, just above Scott's, one mile above the
bridge. The old man tells a queer story about his " surrounding," in company with Rob't King,
a party of Indians and refugees who were working a loaded boat up the N. Branch from the dep-
redations of Wyoming. The party in the boat greatly outnumbered them, but the prize was too
tempting to be resisted. King, remaining in the bushes, kept up a prodigious hullabaloo, whoop-
ing and shouting to his imaginary comrades to come on. Covenhoven rushed out with gun in
hand, and ordered the fellows in the boat to surrender, which they did, and permitted themselves
to be secured. King made his appearance, and the two, forcing the prisoners by threats to as-
sist them, arrived with their prize at Wyoming — where, says Mr. Covenhoven, the officers and
soldiers of the continental army cheated the poor provincials out of their share of the plunder.
Mr. Covenhoven is now enjoying a hale and hearty old age, surrounded by his family, and pos.
Bessing a farm which yields him the comforts of life.
On Saturday evening last, the ice in the West Branch which had been formed since the late
freshet, took its departure for the Chesapeake bay. The river was exceedingly high, and it
passed ofT smoothly, doing but little injury as we have yet learned. An incident, however, oc-
curred, which is, we think, without a parallel in the history of ice-freshets upon the Susquehanna.
About dark, on Saturday evening, Mr. Joseph Bailey, of the island opposite Jersey Shore, in en-
456 LYCOMING COUNTY.
deavorinp^ to secure a flat-boat, whicli lay near the lower end of the island, exposed to the loose
ice, ventured into it, and at that moment a large quantity of ice came in contact with the boat,
broke the rope by which it was fastened, and drove it past the point of the island. The river be-
ing entirely covered with floating ice, his lamentable cries for assistance were in vain — no human
power could rescue him from his perilous situation. About midnight, several citizens of Jersey
Shore arrived at this borough and gave the alarm. A light was placed upon the bank of the river
to attract his attention, and in a few minutes he passed hy, without the least possibility of saving
him. He informed us that he was almost perishing with cold and fatigue, and that he was not
able to escape from the ice with which lie at first started. All hope of saving him except at the
bridge was now abandoned, and an express sent on to Milton to make preparations. He passed
over the race-<jriound rapids, and through the breach of the Muncy dam before daylight ! and ar-
rived at Milton about nine o'clock in the morning, after a voyage of near 50 miles. The spirited
citizens of Milton, whose conduct upon this occasion is deserving of the highest praise, had eve-
ry means prepared to save the life of a fellow-being which ingenuity could invent, and it is with
unbounded pleasure we state they were successful. He was drawn up by a rope suspended from
the bridge, amid the shouts of the assembled multitude. Who can imagine the feelings of his
relations and friends during his absence, particularly of his bosom companion and aged mother ?
— Lycoming Gazette, Feb. 8, 1832.
Ralstox i.s situated at the mouth of Stony or Rocky run, on Lycoming
or., 26 miles above Williamsport. There are at this place a furnace,
rolling-mill, nail-factory, saw-mill, and valuable bituminous coal mines.
The Williamsport and Elmira railroad was finished to this point in 1837,
The place derives its name from the late Matthew C. Ralston, Esq., of
Philadelphia, President of the Railroad Co., to whose enterprise and cap-
ital both the village and the railroad owe their existence. Unfortunate-
ly, however, his large fortune w^as absorbed in the undertaking. The late
Wm. P. Farrand, Esq., the engineer of the railroad, also devoted himself
mgst enthusiastically to the accomplishment of this enterprise. As the
fruit of their labors in opening a way into this secluded region, several
large iron works have within a few years past sprung up along the valley of
Lycoming cr. At Astonville, or Oakville, near Frozen run, below Rals-
ton, there is a furnace ; below Trout run is Mr, Hepburn's forge ; and
still further down is the extensive rolling-mill of Mr, Eilman,
Muncy borough, formerly called Pennsborough, is situated near the left
bank of the West Branch, a short distance below the mouth of Muncy
creek, and 14 miles by the road from Williamsport, The river here
makes a graceful bend to the south. This is a neat and flourishing vil-
lage, rapidly increasing. It enjoys the trade of the rich and extensive
valley of Muncy, w^hich produces a vast quantity of wheat and lumber.
There are here Methodist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches, and a
population, by the census of 1840, of 662, Pennsborough was incorpo-
rated 15th March, 1826 ; but the name was changed to Muncy by a new
act of 19th Jan. 1827. About 5 miles N. E. from Muncy, on Muncy cr.,
is the village of Hughsville.
This region was originally settled by Quakers from the counties near
Philadelphia, as the names of the townships, Penn, Moreland, Shrews-
bury, &c., might indicate. There were also along the river quite a num-
ber of Irish settlers from the Kittatinny valley. Among these were the
family of Capt. John Brady, famous in the history of the frontier wars,
and Col, Robb, (concerning whom see Northumberland co.)
Capt. John Brady had a fort near the mouth of Muncy creek, known as Fort Muncy, during
the revolution. The Bradys, father and sons, joined the army at Boston at the first opening of
the revolution, but returned again when the exposed state of the valley seemed to need their ser-
vices. (See page 272.) They were again in service at the battle of Brandywiiie. They were
at Fort Freeland when it capitulated, but escaped.
McKEAN COUNTY. 4ft7
Shortly after the return from camp of Capt. Brady and his son, a company of six or seven
men formed to aid Peter Smith in cuttiiijr Iiis oats from a fieUl at Turkey run, about a mile below
Williamsport. James Brady, son of ("apt. John Brady, and a younger brotlier of the famous
Capt. Sam Brady, was one of the party. It was the custom of those days to place sentinels at
the sides of the field, to watch whiU^ the others were reaping — the amis bcinsr stacked at a con-
venicnt point for seizure. The sentinels in this instance were rather careless, and the Indians
were down upon tlie reapers before tliey were aware of it. Brady, who was near the river bank,
reached for his gun, but at that moment fell, wounded by an Indian. The latter struck him
down and scalped him, but he was left alive. His companions had fled ; but a party from the
fort, out in pursuit of the Indians, found Brady with his skull broken in, but still living. lie de-
sired to be taken to the fort at Sunhury, wlicre his parents were. Mr. Covenhoven was one of
those who assisted in taking him down, and he describes the meeting between the mother and
her wounded son as heart-rending. They arrived at the dead of night, and tlie mother, ever
awake to alarms, (although the party did not intend to wake her,~) came down to the river bank,
and assisted in conveying lier son to the liouse. On the way down he was feverish, and drank
large quantities of water. lie soon became delirious, and after lingering five days, expired.
Capt. John Brady, the father, was afterwards out with Peter Smith, near Wolf run, a tributary
of Muncy cr. At a secluded spot, three Indians fired. Brady fell dead. Smith escaped on a
frightened horse.
Capt. Samuel Brady was with Broadhead, at Pittsburg, at the time he heard pf his father's
death ; and he is said then to have taken a solemn vow to devote his life to revenge the death of
his father and brother. (See Beaver, Butler, and Clarion counties.) A brother of Samuel Bra-
dy's was lately living in Indiana co., and two sisters at Sunhury. Gen. Hugh !^rady, of the U.
S. anny, is also either a brother or nephew of Capt. Samuel Brady.
On the head-waters of Loyalsock creek, in the northeastern corner of
this CO., and perhaps partly in Wyoming county, a company of enterpris-
ing Germans, called the Free German Society, purchased 17,000 acres of
land, and about 60 families commenced a settlement in 1841. Sixty more
came the next spring ; and they are to follow thus, sixty families each
spring and fall, until the whole land is occupied. It is said the colony is
thriving.
McKEAN COUNTY.
McKean countv was separated from Lycoming by the act of 26th
March, 1804 ; but being at that time an unbroken wilderness, it was not
organized for judicial purposes until 27th March, 1824. It is named in
honor of Hon. Thomas McKean, formerly chief-justice, and for nine
years governor of the state. Length 42 miles, breadth 35 ; area 1,442
square miles. These dimensions, however, include a part of Elk county,
recently formed from McKean and Clearfield counties. Population in
1810, 142 ; in 1820, 728 ; in 1830, 1,439 ; in 1840, 2,975 ; being only about
that of single townships in the lower part of the state.
The county occupies a broad and elevated table land, upon which the
Allegheny river and several of its principal tributaries take their rise.
The sources of the Driftwood branch of the Sinnemahoning also interlock
with those of the Allegheny near the southeastern corner of the county.
It is said that an enterprising emigrant some years ago ascended the Por-
tage branch of the Sinnemahoning to its head in his canoe, and with the
aid of his hoe succeeded in connecting it with a small stream running
towards the Allegheny. The same thing might occur at other points of
the dividing ridge. The Allegheny here flows northward into the state
58
458 McKEAN COUNTY.
of New York. Its principal tributaries are the Oswaya, Stanton creek.
Potato creek, and Tunenguant ; and, after it has again returned to Penn-
sylvania, Sugar creek, Kenjua creek, and the sources of the Clarion river.
There are no mountains, but the face of the country generally is inter-
spersed with hills and valleys; the hills, being formed by the action of
water, are higher and more precipitous as the streams increase in size.
Near the summits it is common to find an uninterrupted level for miles,
broken only here and there by a gentle rolling or a spring run. This
upland is finely timbered with hard wood — beech, maple, and cherry ;
" and so open are the woods, that a squirrel may be seen GO rods in ad-
vance." The lower valleys of the streams are covered with a heavy
growth of pine and hemlock, of which large quantities are annually
sawed and taken to the Ohio river.
As the county lies on the verge of the great bituminous coal basin, its
soil has been mainly formed by the decomposition of the sandstones and
conglomerates that underlie that formation ; and consequently is better
adapted for grazing, and the raising of oats, rye, and potatoes, than for
corn or wheat. Along the streams are some rich interval or bottom
lands, better adapted for corn. The heavy frosts, however, generated by
the humidity preserved by the shade of those vast forests, must operate
for some years to come, until the country is more populous, against the
cultivation of corn and wheat. Coal, of good quality, is found in several
places ; and with its contiguous strata there alternate beds of limestone,
which furnish an efficient auxiliary to the agriculture of this region*.
Iron ore of superior quality has also been found.
The climate is healthy in the extreme, the waters being of the purest
kind, bursting out from springs on every farm, and flowing off with a
gradual descent. Immigrants have here nothing to fear on this head, as
they have on the rich bottoms of the southwest. The greatest drawback
to the settlement of this county has been the want of, and the vast ex-
pense of making, good roads through the interminable forest. The roads
must necessarily be long — the people were few ; but this difficulty has
been in some measure overcome. The great east and west state road,
opened in 1816-18, runs from Kenjua on the Allegheny through the cen-
tre of the county to Coudersport and Wellsborough. Another road, opened
in 1827 to '29, runs from Smethport, through Caledonia and Karthauss, to
Milesburg near Bellefonte ; another, by way of Coudersport, to Jersey
Shore, in Lycoming co. ; and another into Jefferson co.
The population was, until recently, principally from New England and
New York — of course industrious, frugal, and well educated. A large
number of Germans are now coming in, and will probably soon out num-
ber the other races. The principal occupation of the people is clearing
land, lumbering, and raising cattle ; the two latter items furnishing the
only articles of export.
The greater part of this county is, and has been for many years, owned
in immense tracts by gentlemen residing in the lower part of the state,
and by the Holland Land Co. The principal individual owners are
Messrs. John Keating & Co., Richards and Jones, and the heirs of William
Bingham and Jacob Ridgeway, of Philadelphia, James Trimble, Esq. of
Harrisburg, and B. B. Cooper, Esq., of New Jersey. These gentlemen
hav« done much by their enterprise and capital towards opening roads
McKEAxN COUNTY. 459
ahd establishing schools in the co. Most of them have agents in the co.,
from whom their lands may be purchased at from $1 to ^3 per acre,
with a credit of from live to ten years, payable by instalments.
Smethport, the county seat, a pleasant town, is situated on the left bank
of Potato cr., wdiere the great east and west road crosses, and at the
confluence of Marvin cr. It contains the courthouse, substantially built
of brick, an academy, a Methodist church, and two Congregational so-
cieties who attend service in the public buildings ; two printing offices, 7
stores, 3 taverns, grist-mill, saw-mill, and clothing-mill. The following
facts relating to the early settlement of this place, and of others in the
county, are derived from a communication in Hazard's Register for 1832,
by O. J. Hamlin, Esq.
^^ Smethport was laid out under the superintendence of John Bell, Thos. Smith, and John C. Brev<ffit,
in 1807. The first house was erected by Capt. Arnold Hunter, in 1811 ; another built in 1812 ;
but both abandoned in 1814. No permanent settlement was commenced until 1822. About this
time, the first county commissioners were elected, and held their office in a small building, erected
by Dr. Eastman, at the lower part of the town plot. The first commissioners were Rensselaer
Wright and Jonathan Colegrove, for McKean, and John Taggart, for Potter county : Joseph
Otto, treasurer. This county was organized for judicial purposes in 1826; and the first county
court was held in September of that year. The courthouse, a respectable brick building, was
erected this year. At this time there were but about half a dozen dwelling-houses. A printing
press was established in 1832. A weekly mail arrives here from the north, the east, the south-
oast, the south, and west ; and a stage commenced running to Coudersport, thence to Jersey
{Shore, or to Wellsborough. By the legislature, an appropriation of ^2,000 was made for an
academy at Smethport. Several years ago, John Keating, Esq., gave ,^500, and 150 acres of
land adjoining the village, as a donation towards such an institution, and individuals of McKean
county have subscribed rising of ^500 for that purpose. These amounts have been vested in
productive funds.
Several years previous to 1810, the first settlement commenced in the county began. A Mr.
King, an enterprising English gentleman, with several friends of his from England, settled on
the Oswaya creek, in Ceres township, 25 miles from Smethport. There is now a flourishing set-
tlement here ; and some of the oldest orchards are in that neighborhood. This neighborhood is
usually called King's settlement.
The first settlers of this county suffered great inconveniences : so much greater than those of
the present day, that there is scarce a comparison. They found here a dense wilderness, without
a road, or an inhabitant, save the beasts of the forest, some of which were of a very ferocious
character, while others served as a slender support to those who practised hunting. The first
settlement, of which I have a correct account, was made by six families from the state of New
York, who came on about the same time, and located on Potato creek, from three to seven
miles north of Smethport, in 1810. They had great difficulty in getting to their new homes,
having to bring their families and goods up tlie stream in canoes. There was no settlement
within many miles of them ; and they were even obliged for a time to bring their provisions in by
canoes or on pack-horses. All kinds of eatables were very dear, even at the nearest settlements.
This settlement suffered many privations ; but those settlers are now well compensated, for they
are the owners of flourishing farms, and arc themselves in a prosperous condition. It is usually
known by the name of the lower settlement.
Norwich settlement, lying along the Potato creek, commencing about four miles southeast from
Smethport, and extending up that stream, was commenced in 1815, when 14 families came on,
having exchanged their property in Norwich, Chenango county, New York, with Messrs. Cooper,
M'llvain &. Co., for those lands where they now reside, being then an entire wilderness. Having
no roads, they were obliged to ascend the Potato creek, with much labor and expense, in canoes,
with their families and moveables. They were under much embarrassment for the first year or
two, for want of roads and provisions ; and were often obliged to get their provisions, grain, &c.,
in Jersey Shore, a distance of 'more than 100 miles, on pack-horses. Corn was worth, when got
here, $2 per bushel, and salt was sold for ,"$14 per barrel. This settlement went on vigorously,
and in two or three years raised more than sufficient for their own consumption. It is now in a
flourishing situation.
A settlement had been commenced at Instanter, four miles west of the Norwich settlement, a
short time previous to the latter; and in 1821 or '22, 400 acres of land were cleared on one farm,
belonging to Jacob Ridgeway, Esq., under the superintendence of P. E. Scull, who has always
been an active man in furthering the improvement of this county. Judge Bishop, now one of our
associate judges, was the first settler at that place. Since those settlements were formed, other*
460 McKEAN COUNTY.
have been commenced and carried on in different parts of the county. The townships of Brai-
ford and Corydon, have within the last three years been rapidly increasing.
In 1831, the manufacture of salt was commenced by Messrs. Allen Rice &- Co., at a salt spring
in the southeastern part of Sergeant township. The operation.s were found quite favorable, and
large boiling works erected. Salt was made of an excellent quality, and the Water found to bear
a good per cent.
Port Allegheny is on the Allegheny, 10 miles east of Smethport, near
the confluence of the Portage branch. The Canoe-place is about two
miles above. It was here that the early settlers of Warren co. came
about the year 1795 ; constructed a canoe, and floated down to the mouth
of the Conewango.
Bradford is a small village recently started in the forks of Tunenguant,
on land purchased from the United States l^and Co., better known as the
Boston Co.
Ceres, formerly King's settlement, is a smart and flourishing village, in-
habited by New York and Yankee lumbermen, on Oswaya cr., in the
northeastern corner of the county. It contains a Methodist church, several
stores, mills, &c.
Teutonia is the name of the new German town, situated on the right
bank of Stanton cr., 5 miles southwest of Smethport. This town is the
property of "The Society of Industry." It was started in March, 1843,
on the plan and by the enterprise of Mr. Henry Ginal, a German now
residing in Philadelphia, and agent of the society. It contains at present
about 450 inhabitants, A schoolhouse is built, but no church. Some
seventy or eighty log-houses have been erected, besides a steam saw-mill,
a large tannery, and a store furnished with every article necessary for
food and clothing. The society is in possession of 40,000 acres of land, a
considerable part of which is already cleared, and they keep from forty
to fifty hands at chopping, all of them members of the society. Excellent
bituminous coal, iron ore, limestone, brick-clay, &c., abound on the lands.
The soil is generally of good quality. The .society is founded on the prin-
ciple of community of property, money and furniture excepted, and is
sustained by the cooperation of its members ; an equal distribution of
the profits being made half-yearly. In its fundamental principles it differs
from Fourier's system. The society has about $40,000 capital ; some
$16,000 of which is invested in land. This stock is divided into 660
shares, of which 360 are already sold. When the balance is sold the
number will be limited, and shareholders will be admitted only by buying
out others. The shares are now worth about $200 ; originally they were
only worth $100, but have risen with the improvements. The land is
divided into several districts ; in the centre of each there is to be a town,
with houses built in uniform style, and the stables* and barns will be out-
side of the village. Marriage is not only allowed but encouraged, and
each family resides in its separate house, possessing its own furniture and
money. Clothing of a plain and uniform kind, provisions, fuel, &c,, are
regularly distributed by rations from the society'5 common stores. An
individual becomes a member by purchasing a share of stock, going on
the ground, and working with the rest. The society will build him a
house if married ; or furnish him or her with a lodging, if single. Chil-
dren, when they grow up, become members by conforming to the rules
of the society. Married women are not obliged to work for the commu-
nity, but devote their attention to the care of their own families. All
MERCER COUNTY. 461
religions are tolerated here ; (but it would perhaps be better if the society
had commenced with selecting some one in particular.) Whenever 300
shareholders vote to maintain a minister they may do so, the minister
himself buying a share ; the society will furnish him with a house, and
will consider him entitled to the maintenance belonging to his share in
return for his spiritual labors ; but if any less number than 300 should
desire a minister, he must perform his regular share of physical labor,
unless his friends choose privately to support him.
Although agriculture and the raising of cattle are the prominent objects
of the society, yet having many skilful mechanics, they intend to estab-
lish several manufactories. The members of each trade choose their own
inspector, and determine the amount of work which shall be done by
each individual, or company of persons. The above facts were learned
by the compiler from Mr. Ginal himself
GiNALSBURG, four milcs east of Teutonia, contains about 100 inhabitants.
It is built Avith frame houses, and contains a stone schoolhouse, a steam
saw-mill, and a pottery ; a furnace is about to be erected, and a boarding
school will be opened there next year. This village also pertains to the
Society of Industry.
MERCER COUNTY.
Mercer county is one of the range contiguous to the Western boundary
of the state. It was taken from Allegheny co. by the act of 12th March,
1800. Length 32 ms., breadth 26 ; area 765 sq. ms. Population in 1800,
3,228; in 1810, 8,277; in 1820, 11,681 ; in 1830, 19,729; in 1840, 32,873.
The principal streams are the Pymatuning or Shenango, which rises in
Crawford co., and meanders in various directions through Mercer into
Beaver co., where it is joined by the Neshannock, which rises in the
northern end of Mercer co. These two form one of the principal branches
of Beaver river. Slippery Rock cr. touches the southeastern, and French
cr. the northeastern corner of the co. A small lake in the northeastern
part of the co. pours its waters into Sandy cr. The soil is generally fer-
tile ; the surface undulating and in some places broken, but not as much
so as in the counties on the Allegheny and Ohio rivers.
The southern part of the co. is well adapted for grain ; the northern
for grass and pasturage. Iron ore, of the bog and kidney species, has
been found in several localities, and two furnaces were wrought formerly,
but have since been abandoned. Coal, of the finest quality, and lime-
stone are abundant. Coppei'as has been found near Mercer in abundance,
but its preparation for market was found on trial to be unprofitable. In
the vicinity of Sharon, on the Pittsburg and Erie canal, exists a most
valuable bed of coal of peculiar quality, between anthracite and bitumin-
ous, without the least sulphur. The finest steel, it is said, can be wrought
with it without coking. It has been tried successfully for smelting iron
in a common charcoal furnace. Horn's falls, on a small run about five
miles south of Mercer, are said to be interesting, " not so much on account
462 MERCER COUNTY.
of the height or quantity of the water, as from the wild, rugged, and
romantic boldness with which the place abounds. The sound of the
water, descending from rock to rock, the steep perpendicular bluffs, the
tall trees and deep ravines, conspire to show the wildness of uncultivated
nature." About three miles from Mercer are several curious caves,
under an enormous bed of rocks. " The entrance is horizontal, and suffi-
ciently large for an individual to enter comfortably. After going about
six or eight feet, there is a perpendicular descent for a few feet ; then
the passage increases and diminishes alternately, and finally opens into
day on the opposite side of the hill. A cool current of air constantly
issues from the mouth, and ice is found there during the whole of sum-
mer." The far-famed Neshannock or Mercer potatoes are natives of the
soil of this CO. There are twelve churches in the county, and special
attention is paid to common-school education.
Mercer county was a wilderness until several years after the passage
of the celebrated land law of April, 1792, providing for the survey and
settlement of all the lands " north and west of the Ohio and Allegheny
rivers and Conewango creek." Soon after peace was restored to the
frontier, in 1795, settlements were made extensively about the southern
end of Mercer co., in the forks of Mahoning, Shenango, and Neshannock
creeks ; and the census of 1800 showed a population of 3,238. Mr. Ben-
jamin Stokely, who is still living, came into the central part of the county
in 1796. Mr. John Findley, who is still the county surveyor, came here first
about 1801 ; but no general settlement was made around Mercer until the
fall of the year. 1806, when several families came in from Westmoreland,
Allegheny, and Washington counties, and made an opening. For want
of provisions they were compelled to return during the winter, only Mr.
Findley and one other family remaining on the ground. In the spring
they returned here with their families, and commenced a permanent set-
tlement. Mr. Findley's neighbors at that early day were John Pugh,
James Breden, John Garvin, William Alexander, Mr. Hawthorn, Mr.
McCullough, &c.
The adventures of these worthy pioneers were few, and of little general
interest. The county was for many years retarded in its growth, and
the actual settlers were greatly harassed, by the various and conflicting
titles to land growing out of the acts of 1785, and 1792. (See Crawford
county, page 259.)
Mercer, the county seat, is situated near the Neshannock cr., on ele-
vated ground, 57 miles N. W. from Pittsburg by the turnpike. It was
laid out in 1803 by John Findley, William Mortimore, and William
M'Millan, trustees, on 200 acres of land, given to the county by John
Hoge, of Washington co., who owned large tracts of land in the vicinity.
The hill on which it is situated was formerly a dense hazle thicket. The
first courts were held in an old log courthouse which stood where Mrs.
Shannon now lives. The court and county officers are now accommo-
dated in elegant public buildings of brick, surrounded by a verdant lawn
planted with trees, and enclosed by a neat white fence. In 1807 there
were only two or three houses in the place. In 1840 it had a population
of 781. The dwellings are neat and substantial, and display a pleasing
variety of architectural embellishment. Besides the county buildings,
there are in the town an academy, Methodist, Union, Seceder, Old and
MERCER COUNTY.
463
Public Square and Courthouse at Mercer,
New School Presbyterian churches ; a foundry, and the usual stores and
taverns. Daily lines of stages pass through on the Pittsburg and Erie
turnpike.
New Castle is located on the southern boundary of the co., at the junc-
tion of Shenango and Neshannock creeks, 16 miles S. W, from Mercer,
and 24 miles from the confluence of the Beaver and Oliio rivers. It was
laid out about the year 1800 ; in 1806 it contained about 20 houses. Its
population in 1840 was 611. The surrounding country is well adapted
for the growth of wheat and wool. Its healthy and picturesque situation
has been much admired by visiters.
The Pennsylvania canal, which is to connect Lake Erie with the Ohio
river, passes through the town, and when completed, will open another
channel for the rich productions of the neighborhood. Iron ore is found
in abundance for 15 miles around ; on the run near town, a furnace is be-
ing built, and a rolling-mill and nail factory in town. Bituminous coal,
fire-clay, and quartz suitable for making glass exist in abundance in the
neighboring hills. The water-power of the Neshannock and Shenango is
immense ; and, if all brought into use, must create a large manufacturing
town. At three different points, powers may be created with a sufficiency
of water, and from 16 to 28 feet fall. The town is passing the second
stage in improvement, from frame buildings to brick. There are here
Presbyterian, Seceder, and Methodist churches, and a " Protestant Me-
thodist" church is organized.
West Greenville is situated in the northwestern part of the co., on the
Shenango river, and is surrounded by large bodies of fine land. The
Erie Extension canal passes through the town, affording every facility
to commerce. There are in the immediate vicinity extensive beds of
iron ore, and mines of very superior coal, which will form an important
article of export to the lake. The rapid growth of the town, and the taste
and beauty exhibited in its embellishments, indicate the advantages of its
location. Seven years since, the population was not more than 300 ; it
numbered in 1840, 626. The Shenango river aflords a very ample water-
power, which drives several large mills, and is still not all occupied.
464 MIFFLIN COUNTY.
There is a foundry in the place, and an oil-mill in the vicinity. The
place contains five churches, Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregationalist,
Associate, and " Reformed Presbyterian."
Sharon is a flourishing village on the Shenango, 14 miles west of Mer-
cer. The Erie Extension canal passes near the village.
Pulaski is about 14 miles from Mercer, and 9 miles from New Castle
on the Erie Extension canal.
Georgetown is a new and neat village, on a small branch of Sandj
cr., 15 miles north of Mercer by the turnpike. It contains Methodist,
Baptist, and Presbyterian churches.
New Bedford is between the Shenango and Mahoning creeks, about 10
miles N. W. from New Castle.
MIFFLIN COUNTY.
Mifflin county was formed from Cumberland and Northumberland
counties by the act of 19th September, 1789. Length 39 miles, breadth 15 ;
area about 360 sq. miles. Population in 1790, 7,562; in 1800, 13,809;
in 1810, 12,132; in 1820, 16,618; in 1830, 21,690 ; in 1840, (after the se-
paration of Juniata co.) 13,092. The county forms a long irregular figure,
stretching in a southwest and northeast direction, traversed longitudinally
by a series of rugged mountain ranges, of nearly uniform height. These
mountains are separated by soft undulating valleys of slate and limestone,
of exceeding beauty and fertility. The lovely vale of Wyoming has been
more distinguished in history and song ; and yet it is only a specimen —
a rare one, it must be conceded — of many similar valleys that adorn the
apparently rugged Apalachian formation, both in Pennsylvania and Vir-
ginia. The valley in which Lewistown is situated bears a striking re-
semblance to that of Wyoming, and if in some points inferior, it has the
advantage in the possession of limestone, that inexhaustible element of
fertility. The mountain ranges, commencing on the S. E., are Blue ridge,
and Shade, Jack's, Stone, and Path Valley mountains. The latter is some-
times called the Seven Mountains.
Between these there are the narrow valley of Licking cr. ; Lewistown
valley, which is subdivided into several smaller ones ; and Kishicoquillas
valley. The Juniata, breaking through the wild gap of Jack's mountain,
enters at the S. W. end of the co., meanders leisurely through the Lewis-
town valley, and again enters the mountains at the romantic gorge called
the long narrows, which is a trough four miles long, between the Black
Log and Shade mountains, barely wide enough for the river to pass ; at
the end of this pass the river breaks through Shade mountain. Kishico-
quillas cr. is a beautiful, never-failing stream, fed by the mountains sur-
rounding the Kishicoquillas valley, out of which it breaks by a deep gorge
in Jack's mountain, and enters the Juniata at Lewistown. Jack's cr. and
Licking cr. are smaller tributaries of the Juniata.
Iron ore of the best quality abounds in the co., such as is used in
making the famous Juniata iron. In the limestone districts, there are
MIFFLIN COUNTY. 465
several curious caves. Alexander's cave in Kishicoq's valley abounds in
the finest stalactites and stalagmites ; it is also a natural icehouse, pre-
serving it in the midst of summer. Henawall's cave, near M'Veytown,
is of vast dimensions, abounding with calcareous concretions : crude salt-
petre has been taken from it at times. Bevin's cave is on the summit of
a limestone ridge. The Pennsylvania canal and the Huntingdon turnpike
pass along the left bank of the Juniata, nearly parallel with the Harris-
burg turnpike road, and occasionally Ibrcing the latter to climb the sides
of the mountain. The prominent products of the co. for export are wheat
and iron. A large forwarding business is done at Lewistown, for an
extensive district of country beyond Bellefonte.
As early as the date of the old French war of 1755, a few adventurous
pioneers, from the Scotch-Irish settlements on the Conococheague, had
passed up the old Raystown road, and found their way, down the Rays-
town and Aughwick branches, to the lovely valleys of the Juniata. Ar-
thur Buchanan — a man who loved the woods, and preferred a half sav-
age life to that of civilization — built himself a cabin, nnd took up the
land where Lewistown now stands, about the year 1755. His cabin
stood near the mouth of the creek, about where the canal bridge now
is, below the packet landing. He had several sons, frontier-men like
himself. One of them became distinguished as Col. Buchanan. There
was a Fort Granville built about the same time on the bank of the Ju-
niata, a mile above Lewistown, near a very fine spring. The canal
passed over the spring, and absorbed its waters ; and it also destroyed
an Indian mound near the canal bridge, which contained many bones,
arrow-heads, &c. After the defeat of Braddock had imboldened the
French and Indians, they made incursions upon all parts of the unpro-
tected frontier in 1755 and '56. The attack upon Fort Granville was
made in harvest time of the year 1756. The fort was commanded by
Lieut. Armstrong, brother of Gen. Armstrong who destroyed Kittanning.
Lieut. Faulkner had been sent with a small detachment to guard the
reapers in Tuscarora valley. The following account of the capture of
the fort, is from the appendix to Gordon's History of Pennsylvania.
On the twenty-second of July, a party of sixty Indians appeared before Fort Granville, and
challenged the garrison to combat ; but this was declined by the commander, in consequence of
the weakness of his force. The Indians fired at and wounded one man belonging to the fort,
who had been a short way from it — yet he got in safe ; after which they divided themselves into
small parties, one of whom attacked the plantation of one Baskins, near Juniata, whom they mur-
dered, burnt his house, and carried off" his wife and children ; and another made Hugh Carroll and
his family prisoners.
On the thirtieth of July, Capt. Ward, commanding at Fort Granville, left the fort with all tus
men, except twenty-four under the command of Lieut. Armstrong, to guard some reapers in
Shearman's valley. Soon after the captain's departure, the fort was attacked by about one hun-
dred Indians and French, who, having assaulted it in vain during the afternoon and night of that
day, took to the Juniata creek, and, protected bj' its banks, attained a deep ravine, by which they
were enabled to approach, without fear of injury, to within thirty or forty feet of the fort, to
which they succeeded in setting fire. Through a hole thus made, they killed the lieutenant and
one private, and wounded three others while endeavoring to put out the fire. The enemy then
offering quarter to the besieged if they would surrender, one Turner immediately opened the gate
to them. They took prisoners twenty-two soldiers, three women, and some children, whom they
loaded with burdens and drove before them. The fort was burned by Capt. Jacobs, pursuant to
the order of the French commander. When the Indians reached Kittanning, they put Turner to
death with the most horrid tortures. They tied him to a black post, danced around him, made a
great fire, and having heated gun-barrels red hot, ran them through his body. Having tormented
59
4GG MIFFLIN COUNTY.
liim for three liours, they scalped hun aUve, and at last held up a hoy with a hatchet in his hand
to give lilin the tiiiisliinjj stroke.
Old Kishikokelas, (as the old settlers pronounced the name — or Kishi-
coquillas, as modern refinement will have it.) a friendly Indian, had his
wigwam near Buchanan's cabin. Some of the friendh^ Indians gave
notice to the Buchanans of the expected attack on the fort, and they fled
with their families and cattle to Carlisle. The friendly Indians who lived
in this vicinity, it is said, would frequently exhibit lead, which they had
found apparently pure. They usually went to seek it in the direction of
Granville gap, but would never allow a white man to accompany them.
It is still undetermined whether such tales, which were common among
the old settlers, were or were not devised by the Indians to sport with the
credulity of the whites.
The settlers returned cautiously after the Indians had retired, but not
very extensively until after 1768, when what was called the new pur-
chase was made by the treaty of Fort Stanwix, and the region beyond
the Blue mountain became the property of the proprietary government.
The land-office was opened in 1769. Samuel Milliken, Judge Wm.
Brown, and McNitt, were among the first settlers in Kishicokelas
valley. Samuel McClay came also to this region at the same time, as
surveyor. There was also an early settlement at the southwestern end
of the CO., by the Brattons, Hollidays, Junkinses, Wilsons, Rosses, Stack-
poles, &c., names that bespeak an Irish origin.
Of Kishicokelas, the Indian, tradition has preserved little except the
name. Another friendly chief, distinguished in American annals, had his
cabin for a number of years beside a beautiful limestone spring, on Kishi-
cokelas creek, a mile or two above the wild gorge where the creek passes
Jack's mountain. This was Logan, the Mingo chief, whose eloquent
speech is familiar to every one. Logan was the son of Shikellimus, a
chief of the Cayugas. Mingo, or Mengwe, was the name given by the
Delawares to the Iroquois or Six Nations.
Reedsville, or Brown's Mills, is a pleasant manufacturing village on
the middle branch of Kishicokelas cr., about six miles from Lewistown,
on the Bellefonte turnpike. A short distance above the village is the
mansion of John Norris, Esq., who now owns the mills. Mrs. Norris,
from whom some of the following particulars were derived, is the daugh-
ter of Judge Brown. About a quarter of a mile further up the creek, a
little north of the turnpike gate, is Logan's spring, on the left bank of the
creek. The annexed sketch shows the site, with the more modern build-
ings erected upon it. The spring rises in the garden, and flows through
the small spring-house on the bank of the creek. The following letter,
published in the Pittsburg Daily American, is from Hon. R. P. Maclay, a
member of the state senate, and son of the gentleman alluded to in the
anecdote.
Senate Chamber, March 21, 1842.
To George Dajisie Esq., of the Senate of Pennsylvania.
Dear Sir — AIIok me to correct a fevi^ inaccuracies as to place and names, in the anecdote of
Logan, the celebrat (.i Mingo chief, as published in the Pittsburg Daily American of March 17th,
1842, to which you ;alled my attention. The person surprised at the spring now called the Big
spring, and about j r [four] miles west of Logan's spring, was William Brown — the first actual
settler in Kishacoq: 'Has valley, and one of the associate judges of Mifflin county from its organi
zation till his deat| at the age of ninety-one or two — and not Samuel Maclay, as stated by Dr
MIFFLIN COUNTY.
437
Logan^s Spring.
Hildreth. I will give you the anecdote as I heard it related by Judge Brown himself, while on a
visit to my brother, who then owned and occupied the Big Spring farm.*
" The first time I ever saw that spring," said the old gentleman, " my brother, James Reed,
and myself, had wandered out of the valley in search of land, and finding it very good, we were
looking about for springs. About a mile from this we started a bear, and separated to get a shot
at him. I was travelling along, looking about on the rising ground for the bear, when I came
suddenly upon the spring ; and being dry, and more rejoiced to find so fine a spring than to have
killed a dozen bears, I set my rifle against a bush and rushed down the bank and laid down to
drink. Upon putting my head down, I saw reflected in the water, on the opposite side, the shad
ow of a tall Indian. I sprang to my rifle, when the Indian gave a yell, whether for peace or war
I was not just then sufliciently master of my faculties to determine ; but upon my seizing my
rifle, and facing him, he knocked up the pan of his gun, threw out the priming, and extended his
open palm toward me in token of friendship. After putting down our guns, we again met at the
spring, and shook hands. This was Logan — the best specimen of hiunanity I ever met with,
either white or red. He could speak a little English, and told me there was another white hunt-
er a little way down the stream, and offered to guide me to his camp. There I first met your
father. We remained together in the valley a week, looking for springs and selecting lands, and
.aid the foundation of a friendship which never has had the slightest interruption.
" We visited Logan at his camp, at Logan's spring, and your father and he shot at a mark for
a dollar a shot. Logan lost four or five rounds, and acknowledged himself beaten. When we
were about to leave him, he went into his hut, and brought out as many deerskins as he had lost
dollars, and handed them to Mr. Maclay,— who refused to take them, alleging that we had been
his guests, and did not come to rob him— that the shooting had been only a trial of skill, and the
bet merely nominal. Logan drew himself up with great dignity, and said, ' Me bet to make you
shoot your best— me gentleman, and me take your dollar if me beat.' So he was obliged to take
the skins, or affront our friend, whose nice sense of honor would not permit him to receive even
a horn of powder in return.
" The next year," said the old gentleman, " I brought my wife up and camped under a big
walnut tree, on the bank of Tea creek, until I had built a cabin near where the mill now stands,
and have lived in the valley ever since. Poor Logan" (and the big tears coursed each other
down hia che-eks) " soon after went into the Allegheny, and I never saw him again."
Yours, R. P. MACLAY.
Mrs. Norris confirmed and repeated the above, nearly in the same
words. She stated that her father \vas for a long time almost the only-
settler in that valley. She also related the following additional incidents,
highly characteristic of the benevolent chief: —
Logan supported his family by killing deer, dressing the skins, and selling them to the whites.
He had sold quite a parcel to one De Yong, a tailor, who lived in Ferguson's valley, below the
gap. Tailors in those days dealt extensively in buckskin breeches. Logan received his pay, ac
» This spring is a few rods south of the Huntington road, in the rear of a blacksmith's shopj
four miles west of Reedville.
468 MIFFLIN COUNTY.
cording to stipulation, in wheat. The wheat, on being taken to the mill, wag found no worthlesp
that the miller refused to grind it. Logan was much chagrined, and attempted in vain to obtain
redress from the tailor. He then took the matter before his friend Brown, then a magistrate .
and on the judge's questioning him as to the character of the wheat, and what was in it, Logai
sought in vain to find words to express the precise nature of the article with which the whea/
was adulterated, but said that it resembled in appearance the wheat itself. " It must have beeu
cheat,'''' Said the judge. " Yoh I" said Logan, " that very good name for him." A decision was
awarded in Logp.n's favor, and a writ given to Logan to hand to the constable, which, he was
told, would bring him the money for his skins. But the untutored Indian — too uncivilized to be
dishonest — could not comprehend by what magic this little paper would force the tailor, against
his will, to pay for the skins. The judge took down his own commission, with the arms of the
king upon it, and explained to him the first principles and operations of civil law. " Law good,"
said Logan ; " make rogues pay." But how much more simple and efficient was the law which
the Great Spirit had impressed upon his heart — to do as he would be done bi/ !
When a sister of Mrs. Norris (afterwards Mrs. Gen. Potter) was just beginning to learn to
walk, her mother happened to express her regret that she could not get a pair of shoes to give
more firmness to her little step. Logan stood by, but said nothing. He soon after asked Mrs.
Brown to let the little girl go up and ^pend the day at his cabin. The cautious heart of the
mother was alarmed at such a proposition ; but she knew the delicacy of an Indian's feelings — ■
and she knew Logan too — and with secret reluctance, but apparent cheerfulness, she complied
with his request. The hours of the day wore ver)' slowly away, and it was nearly night, when
her little one had not returned. But just as the sun was going down, the trusty chief was seen
coming down the path with his charge ; and in a moment more the little one trotted into her
mother's arms, proudly exhibiting a beautiful pair of moccasins on her little feet — the product
of Logan's skill.
Such was the man, whose whole family was afterwards barbarously
murdered, on the Ohio, below Wheeling, by some white savages, without
a shadow of provocation. It was not long after that act that his consent
was asked, by a messenger with wampum, to a treaty with Lord Dun-
more, on the Scioto, in 1774. Logan delivered to the messenger the fol-
lowing speech, which is now well authenticated to have been his own }
and not composed, as had been suspected, by Mr. Jefferson : —
" I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave hira
not meat : if ever lie came cold and naked, and he clothed him not. During the course of the
last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was
my love for the whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, ' Logan is the friend
of white men.' I had even thought to have lived with }'0U, but for the injuries of one man.
Col. Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan,
not even sparing my women and children. Tliere runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of
any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it : I have killed many. I
have fully glutted my vengeance : for my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not
harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his
heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan ? — Not one."
Logan was a son of the Cayuga chief, Shikellimus, who dwelt at
Shamokin in 1742, and was converted to Christianity under the preaching
of the Moravian missionaries. Shikellimus had a high esteem for James
Logan, the secretary of the province, and most probably had his son bap-
tized with the Christian rites, by the missionaries.
Lewistown, the county seat, is the most populous and flourishing town
on the Juniata. It is 55 miles from Harrisburg, and 154 from Pittsburg.
The town stands on an elevated plain, on the left bank of the Juniata^
just above the confluence of Kishicokelas cr. A high limestone ridge
rises behind the town, from which a grand and imposing view may be
had of the valley, the river, and the wild mountain-gorge through which
it passes, below the town. The Kishicokelas furnishes ample and per-
manent power for a number of mills and manufacturing establishments
at the town, and for some five miles above. Lewistown derives consid-
erable advantage from its peculiar location, as a deposit for the trade and
MIFFLIN COUNTY.
469
forwarding business of a large scope of country, beyond Bellefonte, as
well as of that place and the contiguous valleys. There are several fur-
naces within a circle of eight or nine miles around Lewistown, and the
iron-trade generally of the county has been extensive. Lewistown con-
tains, in addition to the usual county buildings, seven churches — Episco-
pal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, and African ;
the Lewistown Bank, two foundries, and a flouring-mill. Population in
1840, 2,058. The houses are generally of brick, built with good taste,
and the whole place has a lively and business-like appearance. A splen-
did new courthouse, now going up, (1842,) on the north side of the pub-
lic square, will add much to the appearance of the place ; especially af-
ter the old courthouse, which now encumbers the centre of the square, is
removed.
The annexed view of one of the principal streets was taken from a
window of the old courthouse.
View in the central part of Lewistown.
A resident of the place boasts, not without some reason, that many
circumstances concur to make Lewistown a desirable resort for strangers.
" The scenery is the finest in the world ; we breathe the pure mountain
air. Our clear streams abound with fish, particularly trout. Our forests
are filled with game of every description ; and Milliken's Spring, on a
farm adjoining the town, is ascertained to possess all the medicinal qual-
ities of the Bedford water, particularly in bilious complaints."
The early settlement of the Buchanans at this place has been noticed
above. When the county was established. Gen. James Potter, Judge
William Brown, and Maj. Montgomery were owners of the town plot,
and laid out the town in 1790. The neighboring valleys had at that time
a population of 7,562. The Juniata division of the Pennsylvania canal
was completed as far as this place in 1829, when the opening of the nav-
igation was celebrated by the citizens with appropriate ceremonies.
When an attempt was made to run out the boundaries of the county,
a dispute arose relating to the western corner between Huntington and
Mifflin. A glance at the map will show the zigzag course of the line.
470 MIFFLIN COUNTY.
The people of Huntingdon co. contended that the line, after passing south-
westerly along Stone mountain, and turning towards the southeast, should
continue that southeast course directly across Jack's mountain to Shade
mountain ; while the people of Mifflin, and especially those living in the
disputed territory, claimed that the line turned again, and ran down along
Jack's mountain to the Juniata, &c. The usual conflict of jurisdictions
naturally occurred on the first attempt to enforce legal process. The
settlers in the disputed territory were chiefly of Irish blood, and a small
skirmish would have been rather acceptable than otherwise. Jemmy
Stackpole kept a tavern just below M'Veytown, near the line in dispute.
The Huntingdon sheriff", in serving a process, was seized by the inhabit-
ants, and taken to Lewistown jail. Judge Brown released him on habeas
corpus. He rallied an armed posse to come down and take his man, but
could not find him* The inhabitants saw him coming, and at a precon-
certed signal, (the firing of a rifle,) they assembled to take the sheriff
and his posse ; but the latter had prudently taken themselves off by an-
other route. Another circumstance occurred about the same time to
disturb the harmony of the county, which resulted in a fearful riot, and
had well-nigh ended in bloodshed. Judge Bryson, who had been ap-
pointed an associate judge of the new county, had a short time previous
been a brigade inspector ; and in that capacity, for some reason, had
refused to commission two colonels who had been elected by their regi-
ments, and commissioned others of his own selection in their places.
This gave great offence to the friends of the officers, and they resolved
that Judge Bryson should not enjoy the honors of his new office. One of
the colonels not commissioned was the brother of Wilson, the sheriff of
the county. The courts were then held in an old log courthouse, which
also served as a jail, standing on the site of the present jail. These ex-
planations will serve to render more intelligible the following extracts
from " the Pennsylvania Herald and York General Advertiser," of 5th
October, 1791 :—
A Report of the Riot at Leieistown, in the County of Mifflin.
Sir—
On Monday, the 12th of September, 1791, the Hon. W. Brown, James Bryson, and James
Armstrong-, Esquires, met in the forenoon, in order to open the court and proceed to business ;
but Thomas Beale, Esquire, one of the associate judges, not having arrived, their honors waited
until three o'clock in the afternoon, at which time he arrived, and was requested to proceed with
them and the officers of the court to the courthouse ; he declined going, and the procession
moved on to the courthouse, where the judges' commissions were read, and the court opened, and
the officers and the attorneys of the court sworn in, and the court adjourned till ten o'clock next
morning.
About nine o'clock, while preparing business to lay before the grand jury, I received informa-
tion that a large body of men were assembled below the Long Narrows, at David Jordan's tav-
ern, on the Juniata, and were armed with guns, swords, and pistols, with an avowed intention
to proceed to Lewistown, and seize Judge Br3-son on the bench and drag him from his seat, and
march him before them, and otherwise ill-treat him. This information was instantly connnuni-
cated to Messrs. Brown, Bryson, and Armstrong, the judges, who agreed with me that Samuel
Edmiston, Esq., the prothonotary, Judge Beale, Stewart, Esq., Bell, Esq., should, with
George Wilson, Esq., the shcritF of Mifflin coimty, proceed and meet the rioters ; and the sherifT
was commanded to inquire of them their object and intention, and if hostile, to order them to
disperse, and tell them the court was alarmed at their proceedings.
Two hours after this, the court opened, and a grand jury was impannclled. A fife was heard
playing and some guns fired, and immediately the mob appeared marching towards the
coui-thouse, with three men on horseback in front, having the gentlemen that had been sent to
meet them under guard in the rear, all of whom, on their arrival at Lewistown, they permitted to
go at large, except the sheriff, whom four of their number kept a guard over. The court ordered
MIFFLIN COUNTY. 471
me, as the representative of the commonwealth, to go out and meet them, remons.lrate against
their proceedings, and warn them of their Ainger, which order was obeyed ; but all endeavors
were in vain, the mob crying out, " March on ! march on I draw jour sword on him ! ride over
him 1" I seized the reins of tlie bridle that the i)rincipal commander held, viz., Wilson, Esq.,
brother of the sherift' aforesaid, who was well mounted and well dressed, with a sword and I
think two pistols belted round him, a cocked hat, and one or two feiithers in it. He said he
would not desist, but at all events proceed and take Judge Bryson oft' the bench, and march liim
down the Narrows to the judge's farm, and make him sign a written p.ipcr, that he would never
sit as a judge there again. The mob still crying out, " March on," he drew liis sword, and told
me he must hurt me, tmless I would let go tlie reins. The crowd pushed iorward, and nearly
pressed me down ; one of them, as I learned afterwards, a nephew of Judge Beale, presented hits
pistol at mv breast, with a full determination to shoot me. I let the reins go, and walked be-
fore them until I arrived at the stairs on the outside of the courthouse, when Judge Armstrong
met me and said, " Since nothing else will do, let us defend the staii-s." We instant!)' ascended,
and Mr. Hamilton and the gentlemen of the bur, and many citizens; and the rioters, headed by
William Wilson, Col. Walker, and Col. Holt, came forward, and the general cry was, " March
on, damn you ; proceed and take him." Judge Armstrong replied, " You damn'd rascals, come
on ; we will defend the court and ourselves, and before }'ou shall take Judge Bryson, you shall
kill me and many others, which seems to be your intention, and which you may do." At this
awful moment one Holt seized Judge Armstrong by the arm, with intent to pull him down the
stairs, but he extricated himself. Holt's brother then got a drawn sword, and put it into his
hands, and damned him to run the rascal through ; and Wilson drew his sword on me with
great rr<^e, and young Beale his sword, and cocked his pistol and presented it. I told them they
might kill me, but the judge they could not, nor should they take him ; and the word fire away
shouted through the mob. I put my hand on his shoulder, and begged him to consider where he
was, who I was, and reflect but for a moment. I told him to withdraw the men, and appoint
any two or three of the most respectable of his people to meet me in half an hour, and try to set-
tle the dispute. He agreed, and with difficulty got them away from the courthouse. Mr. Ham-
ilton then went with me to Mr. Alexander's tavern, and in Wilson and Walker came, and also
Sterett, who I soon discovered to be their chief counsellor.
Proposals were made by me that they should return home, offer no insult to Judge Bryson or
the court, and prefer to the governor a decent petition stating tjieir grievances, (if they had any,)
that it might be laid before the legislature, and that in the mean time the judge should not sit on
the bench this court. They seemed agreed, and our mutual honor to be pledged ; but Sterett,
who pretended not to be concerned, stated that great delay would take place : that injuries had
been received which demanded instant redress, and objected to the power of the governor as to
certain points proposed. At this moment young Beale and Holt came up, the fonner with arms,
and insisted on Wilson's joining them, and broke up the conference. I followed, and on the field
among the rioters, told Wilson, " Your object is, that Judge Bryson leave the bench, and not sit
on it this court?" He and Walker said " Yes." " Will you promise to disperse and go home,
and offer him no insult ?" He said " Yes." And our mutual honor was then pledged for the
performance of this agreement.
Mr. Hamilton proceeded to the court, told the judge, and he left his seat and retired. I scarce
had arrived until the fife began to play, and the whole of the rioters came on to the courthouse,
then headed by Wilson. I met them at the foot of the stairs, and told them the judge was gone,
in pursuance of the agreement, and charged them with a breach of the word and forfeiture of
honor ; and Walker said it was so, but he could not prevail on them. W^ilson said he would
have the judge, and attempted going up stairs. I prevented him, and told him he should not,
unless he took ofF his military accoutrements. He said he had an address to present, and com.
plied with my request, and presented it, signed "The People." Young Beale, at the moment I
was contending with Wilson, cocked and presented his pistol at my breast, and insisted that
Wilson and all of them should go ; but on my offering to decide it by combat with him, he de-
clined it, and by this means they went off swearing, and said they were out-generalled.
The next day Col. McFarland, with his regiment, came down and offered to defend tlie court,
and addressed it ; the court answered, and stated that there was no occasion, and thanked him.
Judge Bryson read a paper, stating the ill-treatment he received, and mentioned that no fear of
danger prevented him from taking and keeping his seat ; but that he understood an engagement
had been entered into by his friends that he should not, and on that account only he was pre-
vented. The cornet adjourned until two o'clock that day, and were ])roceeding to open it, with
the sheriff, coroner, and constable in front, when they observed that Judge Beale was at the house
of one Con. They halted, and requested the sherift'to wait on him and request him to walk with
them ; he returned, and said the judge would not walk or sit with Bryson, and addressed Judge
Bryson with warmth, who replied to it in a becoming manner. The sheriiF struck at him, and
kicked also. Judge Armstrong seized the sheriff, and commanded the peace, and took the sher-
iff's rod from him ; the coroner took his place, and the sheriff was brought up before the court. I
moved he might be committed to jail, and his mittimus wrote and signed ; and the court ordered
472 MIFFLIN COUNTY.
the coroner and jailer to take him, and he submitted. The court adjourned. After night the
drum beat, and Holt collected about seventy men, Mrho repeatedly huzzaed, crying out, " Liberty
or death," and he ordered to rescue the sheriff, but the sheriff refused. At ten o'clock at night I
was informed expresses were sent down the Narrows to collect men to rescue the sheriff, and
Major Edmiston informed the sheriff was sorry for his conduct, and offered to beg the court's
pardon, and to enter into recognizance. I communicated this to Judges Brown and Armstrong,
and requested they would write to the jailer to permit him to come down ; they did, and the
sheriff came with Mujor Edmiston, begged pardon of every member of the court but Judge Bry-
son, who was not present, and entered into recognizance to appear at next sessions. The next
day near 300 were assembled below the Narrows, and I prevailed on some gentlemen to go down
and disperse them ; and, upon being assured that the sheriff was out of jail, they returned to their
respective homes, and the court have finished all business : nothing further requiring the atten-
dance of the grand jury, the court dismissed them and broke up. I must not omit to inform that
Judo-e Beale had declared, during the riot, in court, that he would not sit on the bench with Judge
Bryson, and that both him and said Stewart appeared to countenance the rioters, and are deeply
concerned.
I must now close the narrative with saying, that, owing to the spirit and firmness of Judge
Armstrong and the whole of the bar, I was enabled to avert the dreadful blow aimed at Judge
Bryson, and to keep order and subordination in court ; and unless the most vigorous measures
are exerted soon, it will be impossible ever to support the laws of the state in that county, or
punish those who dare transgress.
The excise law is execrated by the banditti, and from every information, I expect the collection
of the revenue will be opposed. *
I am happy to add, the dispute, which originated by a mistake between Huntingdon and
Mifilin counties, is happily closed in the most amicable manner, without any prosecution in
Mifflin.
I am, sir, youi" most obedient,
JOHN CLARK, Dy. St. Attorney.
To Thomas Smith, Esq., President of the Court of Mifflin county.
McVeytown, formerly called Waynesburg, is quite a flourishing village
on the canal, 1 1 miles, by the turnpike, above Lewistown. Many new
brick and frame houses have been erected within a year or two. It con-
tains a Methodist and Presbyterian church, and a furnace, foundry, and
forge near town. The place is incorporated as a borough, and has as-
sumed to itself, in that capacity, the invaluable prerogative of issuing
shinplasters. These notes have been extensively circulated, and have
enjoyed a respectable credit during the hard times of 1841, '42. Popula-
tion in 1840, 348.
Hamiltonville, or Newton Hamilton, formerly called Muhlenberg, is a
small but smart village on the canal, 10 miles above McVeytown, and 21
from Lewistown. The river here makes a circuitous bend. Above the
bend, the canal crosses on a splendid aqueduct to the right bank of the
Juniata, and soon after (in ascending) is passed the gap through Jack's
mountain.
Belleville, Horrelstown, and Reedville, are small but pleasant vil-
lages in Kishicokelas valley, containing some 20 houses each. Reedville
has been noticed in connection with Logan's Spring. It contains a large
flouring-mill, stores, taverns, &c. About a mile below Reedville, in the
deep gorge in Jack's mountain, is the edge-tool factory of Mr. Mann,
whose axes have sounded their own praises, and cut their own way
through all the forests of the west.
In the southwestern part of the Kishicokelas valley is a large settle-
ment of German Mennonists, with long beards. Many of their customs
are like those of the Friends, particularly in the observance of the com-
mand to " live peaceably with all men." They are excellent farmers,
industrious, and exceedingly economical. Mr. Zug, one of their number,
has written a history of the sect.
MQNROE COUNTY. 473
MONROE COUNTY.
Monroe county was taken partly from Pike and partly frorp Northamp-
ton, by the act of April, 1835. Stroudsburg was at the same time se-
lected as the county seat. Length 25 m., breadth 25 ; area about 600
sq, m. Population in 1840, 9,879. A small portion of this county, in
1843, has been included in the new county of Carbon. The county is
generally mountainous ; the greater portion of it being occupied by the
lofty and desolate ranges of the Pokono, and other sandstone ridges and
spurs, underlying the coal formation. In the northwestern part of the
county, on the head-branches of the Lehigh, lies an immense body of
rather wet land, covered with a dense forest of pine. This place was
called, by the forlorn fugitives from Wyoming, the Great Swamp, or the
Shades of Death — rdismal names, and in fact rather more repulsive than
the region itself, which promises to open a rich supply of timber for the
trade of the Lehigh navigation, and when cleared of its lumber to afford
many sites for farms of at least tolerable productiveness. The towering
ridge of the Kittatinny mountain rises along the southeastern boundary
of the county, and would seem to shut it out from the world bejow, were
it not for the open doors of the far-famed Delaware Water-gap, the Wind-
gap, and Smith's gap. Between this mountain and the Pokono are seve-
ral subordinate parallel ranges, with long narrow valleys of the limestone
and slate formations, exhibiting a striking contrast in their beauty and
fertility to the rugged soil of the mountains.
The Delaware washes a portion of the southeastern boundary : its trib-
utaries are Bush kill, Mill cr., Marshall cr., Broadhead's or Analomink cr.,
with several large branches, and Cherry cr. The tributaries of the Lehigh
are the Tobyhanna, several branches of Big cr., and the sources of the Aquan-
shicola cr. One of the branches of Tobyhanna rises in a small lake,
called Long Pond. The country around the heads of these streams, in
the northwestern section of the county, is still comparatively a wilderness,
and most of its lands are classed as " unseated." The opening of the
Lehigh navigation, however, is attracting many lumbermen to that re-
gion. The great bulk of the population is distributed along the valley
of the Delaware and Broadhead's cr. ; and along a belt of some five miles
w^ide, parallel with the Blue mountain. The turnpike road from Easton
to Wilkesbarre enters the county through the Wind-gap, and traverses
the Pokono ranges towards Stoddartsville. The Lehigh Navigation Co.
have extended their works up as far as Wright's cr., 26 miles above
Mauch Chunk. The county is settled by people from the lower counties,
and from New Jersey. The business is about equally divided between
agriculture and lumbering, with some little attention to iron manufacture.
The earliest settlements made by the whites along the Delaware flats,
in this county, were probably by the Dutch, who came in from Esopus,
(now Kingston,) on the Hudson river. It is not impossible that these set-
tlements may have been the earliest in Pennsylvania, preceding the pur-
chase in 1682, by William Penn. The following extract is from a letter
of Samuel Preston, pf Stockport, Wayne co., to the editor of Hazard's
Register : — •
60
471 :\UtNUi)r. C'DUNTV.
In 17S7, llui wiitcr wfiil on liis tiist siuvi'viiii; tour into Nurjliimiptnii fi'. Il<' wiis il«'|>ii(v mi,
<Kt Julin I.mIvi'ms, smvcvoi-i^fiu'i'iil, iiiiil vcccivcil I'loni liiiii, l>y way i>l' inslniclimis, tin- lollowiiitif
naiTiitivi' ri'siu-ftiiii;' tlu' scttl('iiu-i\t ol' MocMi'siiiU, on lli<- l^clawaic, aliovo tlic lvill:itiiiii_v> <'i- lUiio
luouuliiiiis: 'I'luil llic si'ltK'nii'iil was t'linucti ti \o\\ir iuxw Id-loro it was knuwii to the yovcninn'iit
111 riulaililpliia. 'i'lial wlii'ii jiovt'iiniicul was inlonui'd of tin' sctllcniciit, lluv passcil a law, m
17 -l', that any siu'll |nircliasis ol' tin- Imliaiis slioiild l>o void, .'iiid tlu' i>iin-liasi'rs iiidii-tt'd lor
Jorcihli' t'litrij (iikI ilflitimr, in'K'ordmi'^ io tlm laws ot' I'lnjjlaiid. 'I'lial m 173(1 tiicy appoiiiliil
an ayt'ut to jjo ami iiu't'stiiiato (lio tacts ; lUat the asj'cMt so a|t|ioiiili'il was tin- ('anions snrvcyor,
Nicolas Srull ; that he, .1. Lukt>ns, was llu'u N. Sonll's a|>iM-ciilioo, to cairv chain and Irarn sni-
v<'yii»!I ; that he aci-oniiiaiiiod N.Sonll: as thoy hoth innlirstood and conld talk Indinn, llu-y
liiiid Indian guides, ami had a t'atii;iiiu;>- joniiicy, thcio In-ill'; tlu'ii no wliitf iiih.ilnt.iiits in (In-
iiinu'r part ol liin-ks or Noitliamploii i-oiiiilu-s. That they had viiv i;n-at ilill'niiilv |o lead (luir
hoisfs thtoiiiih till' \N'at<'r-i;a|i to Mcciu-sink tints, w hii-li wiii' all sctlli'd willi llolhuuh is ; wilh
sovoral they ooiild only he iiiidt-istood in Indian. \( lh<' \ I'uciahlo Sanuu-l Dipnis's, they foiind
Hi'cat hospitality, and plenty ot" tlu> lu'ot'ssarios ol' liif. .1. Lnkoiis) said the tiist Ihiin" (hat stimk
liis admiration was a orovi- of applc-triH's, of si/c ('arlu'yond any near I'liiladclpliia. 'I'hat as N,
Scull ami himself o.\amiiicil the hanks, thoy were fldlv of opinion that all those tints had, nt soino
vcrv former as;'e, been a ilee|i lake, hcfore the river hndie thron>;li the mountain; and that the hest
intirpretatioii lliey i-onld make of Aleenesink was, 't/if inilfr i.i iiiiiir.' \ Ihnilitfiil.]
'Thai S. Hepiiis told them t|iat when the rivers were fro/en he hail a oooii iikhI to l''.sopiis from
tlic iMiiie Holes, on tlit< Mine |u>iul, some Inmdred miles: that he look his wheat ami eider there,
for salt and necessaries ; and did not appear to have any knowlcd^i' or idea wlu're the river ran —
riiiladelphia market— or heino' in the iiovernment of reimsylvama. 'Tliev were of opinion that
the tirst setdements of Hollanders in INlecnesink were many years older ihaii William remi's
charter; and as S. I>ei>nis Ijad treated them so well, they comindid (o make a survey of his
idiiim, in order to liefriend him if necessary. NN'lu'ii they hciriin to survey, the Indians "athered
round: an old Indian laid his hand on N. Scnll's shoulder, and said, " I'lit tij) iron .tlniiii-i^o
home .'" 'That they iiuit, ami reliiineil.
I iiad it ill eharo-e from .loiin laiki'iis to learn more particulars r<s|iectiiio- the Mine Ivoad lo
I'^iSoptis, \c. I found Nichohis Hepnis, t'lsij., (son ()f Samuel,'! livinsj; in ii spacious stoni> house,
in orreut plenty and ntUiience. The tdil Mine Holes were n few miles above, M\ the .lersey side
of the river, by the lower point of raaipiarrv tlat ; tliat the Meeitesink settlement extendi'd K*
miles or more, on holh sides of the river. 'That he had well known the Mini' Koad to Msopns,
and used, before he opened the boat-channel throiitjli l''onl Uil'ts, to tlriye on it several times every
winter, with loads of wheat and <'idi'r, as also ilnl his iiei);hl)ors, to purchase th<'ir salt and iici-es-
saries in Ksopus, havniif then no other market, or know li'dyc where tin- riv<<r ran lo. 'I'hat al'liT
a iniyij;'al)le ehannel was opened throii»h l''oul Uil'ts, they fvenerallv look to boatiiifj : niost <if the
sedleineiil tnrneil their trade down stream, and the Mine lu>iul liecanie less and less travelled.
This interview with the amiable Nicholas l)e|)nis, l']sq., was in the month of June, I7S7. He
then appe;ired to be |ierlia|)s about (i(t y<'ars of a;fe, I interix)!faled liiiii as lo the particulars of
what he knew; as to when and by whom the Mine Ivoad was made; what was the ore they k\\\^
and hauled on it ; what was the date, and iVom whence iir how came the lirst settlers of Mi'cno-
sink, in such oreat miinhers as to take up all the tiats, on both sides of the river, for Id miles.
Ho could only ijive traditional accounts of wh.'it he had heard from older people, without ilate, in
substance as follows :
" That ill some former a yo there came a company of miners from Holland supposed, from
the ureal labor that had been e.vpended in makinj; that road, about 10(1 miles loiijf, that they wi're
very rich, or oreat people in woikiiifr the two mines; one on the l)elaware, where the mountain
nearly ap|)roaclies (he lower point of I'aaipiarry llal ; the other at the north foot ol the same
mountain, near half way between Delaware and l'".sopns. That he ever understood abuiulain-e
ot ore had been hauled on that road, but never could learn whether it was lead or silviT. That
the (u'st settlers came from Hollanil, to st-ek a place of tpiiet, beinif jirrtiiciilfd for their relit;ion.
I bolieve they were .\rmiiiians. They followed the Mine l{oad lo the larjje flats on the Hela-
wure. That smooth cleared land, and sneli an abimdiineti of lartje (//i/i/f-Zrccv, siiili'd their views ;
"I they liono Jiilf bought the iinprovenieiits of the native Indians, most of whom then r<<moveil
Siisipit'hamia. 'I'hat with such as r^'uuiined there was peace and frii'iidship, until the y<'iir
tha
I
I7;V)
on a snrvcyiui; expedition. They were (he kite tien. James Clinton, the fatlu'r of the late Di)
>Vilt Cliiiion, and (.'hristopher T(ii>i)aii, Ksi]., the clerk and recorder of JMster co. ^''or many
Monroe county. 475
ycarH b<;forc Uicy hu(J both l)f:f;n Hijrv<:yorH uridfT f»r;n. Ointon'M fating, wlicri lif; waH Hirveyor-
K<ri(:ritl. In Virdi.r to li'arn hoiik; liiHlory (rotii {ir(;nt,l(;rri<;ri of Ihitir j((;ri<;rat knowlcdjrf;, I ac,f;oinj<ii-
»iH^(i lli<:in in t.li(r woojIh. 'J'Jii^y Uitli w<tll kruiw lli<! Min<: IIoIi'h, Miru; I{oafl, /itc, and aH tticro
waH no kinii of (ioc,iiiii<rjif,B or n:c,f)r(lM Uirrcof, uniU!(l in oi)iiiion tliat, it whh a work trarmact/jfl
winli: till! HinU: of Nivv Vork l)<:lorii;i:(l to \.\i<: i;ov<;rniri<;rjt oC IIoIImikI ; that it U-.U to tin; Kn^liHh
in (111! yr;ar Hi'i 1 ; and tliat tlic cJian^ri; o( Kov'rninirit Htoji)ii;d tlii: iniiiintj IxjhitKMH. 'I'hat the
road rnuMl havi: h<(;n jnad<; many ycarH \>i:i<>ri- mo iniich di)jjfin)r <ui\t\<\ h<; (Jonc ; that it niUHt un-
douhtf^lly have h<!i'ti tl»»: firMt {{ood rfjad, of that <:}r\.fiil, c.vv.r made in any part ot the IJ. K.
I'Voni thi: l»<'Mt frvidi iicf! thtit I hav<! hiion ahir; to oht.iin, J am (dearly of ojiinion that Mr-xincHink
waH th<; ohlcHt lOtirojican f.f^ttlemf-nt, of <(jna) <-xl<;;it, ever made in the t';rritory afterwardn named
J'ennMylvunia.
Tlif; DcpuiK housr; still stands ncftr tlir; Delaware, about five rnile,8 east
of HirowMiUv^. jJepuis was a Frenehrnari, who married a Dutch j?irl
i'rom '"Sopus." The Mine-road ran hetwe(;n (Jlodfrey's hill and the iilue
rnountainv Tfie JVlinisink or Monsey trihe of Indians formerly h(dd the
whole of" the territory in this vicinity, extendin^^ up the Delaware; and
tin; J>utch settlements afterwards adopted th<; same name
The, famous Indian w;i.lk (s(;e Northampton co.) was pr;rf"ormef| in 17.'{7,
(acr;ordiMf( to Nicolas Scull's deposition, in the (Joloni<'t.l Il«;f,ords.) 'J'he
njutf; [jrobahly passfid throuf^h tlie, VVind-f^af), and tr-rminated on one of
the spurs tdf the i'okono mountain. Mr. Scull mentions that he and J>(;n-
jamin Easthurn, with some. oth<;rs, " lodf^ed, thftnijrht after the said walk
was completed, at an Indian town called l*ohkoj>ophunk, whf;re there
were many of the Dr-iawares, amonj^ whom he, well remr;mhers there
was one called Ca[)f. Ilarrinon — a not«;d man amonj^ the Indians. Ne.ither
he nor any of" the, Indians madf; complaint, or show(;tl tlu; least un»;asinesn
at any thin^ df>nf! relatin;^ to thr; said walk : if they had he would have
hr-ard of it."' 'J'he last remark of Scull mayor may not he true — perhaps
they chosf; to concf;aI their indij^nation for a fitter opportunity. Certain
it is that this walk was a flaj^rant, outrageous fraud, and the undoubted
fjause of Hubsefjuf;nt bloody wars upon the frontier. In the year IT.O.O, it
is noted in the Colonial Records, under the date, of^ —
"Dee. 10. Aeeount-H from Hethlefiem and Nazareth, that about SiOO IndianH Jiad broke into
Northampton eo., beyond the Jihjc; rnountainH, murdfirinjj and burrjinj^." " AeeountH from Eaa-
ton, MJee. ii!>,) of the wliolc eountry ijj> the river beiriff deKerted, from tliat to Uroadhead'H, who,
with hiH 80nH and otherK, defended himHelf fitf^utly, till the IndianH rr:tire(i."
'J'his s(;ttleme,nt of Broadhead's was probably not far from the mouth of
the creek which l)(;ars his name, or it might have been near tlie site of
Stroudsburg. One of the sons, who defended themselves so gallantly,
was no doubt the same wlio was afterwards distinguishf^d in the revo-
lution, and in the subsequent Indian wars as (ien. Iboadhead. ib; had
command of Fort J*itt about the year 17H0 ; and pre\ i<jus to that had
chargf; of a garrison on the West liranch. He was particularly distin-
guished for his intr<;piflity and success in heading .small parties of frontier
men against ttie, Indians.
S'iROj;ijHni;Ro, the county seat, is situated on a handsome plain at the
forks of the Analomink or liroadhead creek, and J'okono creek. McMi-
chaels or. also joins the Analomink at the samt; place. The village is
not large, but pleasantly laid out ; the streets are widf;, the houses hand-
some,, and gen»;rally situaterl back a short distance from the street, with
neat yards in front, adorned with shadrjs and shrubbery ; and altogether,
the place has much the air of a pretty New England village. There are
in the place the usual county buildings ; an academy ; a public library ;
476
MONROE COUNTY.
Stroudsburg.
a Presbyterian, a Methodist, and a free church, and two Friends' fneet-
ing-houses ; together with taverns, stores, a tannery, grist-mill and saw-
mills. There is also, within a short distance on the Analomink, a large
forge for the manufactory of bar iron. Stroudsburg is 3 miles N. W. of
the Delaware Water Gap, and 24 miles from Easton. The Analomink is-
navigable for rafts in high water, and considerable quantities of lumber
descend it towards the Philadelphia market. The scenery of the neigh-
borhood is highly picturesque ; gently undulating hills covered with fer-
tile farms, are seen immediately around the town, shut in at a distance
by loftier mountains, clothed with verdant forests. The society of the
place is excellent, maintaining the moral and quiet habits that distinguish
the Quakers, who predominate in the vicinity. Population in 1840,407.
Stroudsburg was first settled by Col. .Jacob Stroud, of the revolutionary
army, who had command here of Fort Penn, and owned about 4000 acres
of land in the vicinity. He died in 180G. Previous to his death, he
erected three houses — the large roughcast house facing the west end of
the street, now (1842) a temperance hotel ; another at the east end, still
standing ; the third was about opposite Hollinshead's tavern in the centre
of the town. He refused, however, to sell any lots. After his death, Da-
niel Stroud, one of his sons, and now a venerable citizen of the place,
widened the main street, sold lots as occasion offered, and exacted a con-
dition from the purchasers, (which was inserted in their deeds,) that they
should place their houses thirty feet back from the street. Previous to
laying out the town, he had travelled through Newark and Elizabethtown,
in New Jersey, and some of the New England villages ; and determined
to impart to his own town the quiet rural air that he had so much ad-
mired in those places. The place was selected as the county seat, in 1835,
on the organization of the county. Mr. Stroud states that Fort Hamil-
ton, one of the line of frontier posts, extending from the Delaware to the
Potomac, erected during the old French war of^ 1755-58, stood at the west
end of the town, nearly opposite the Temperance Hotel. Two soldiers
of the garrison, walking among the scrub oaks on the brow of the hill,
tvhere the academy now stands, were killed by a party of Indians in am-
MONROE COUNTY. 477
biish. During the I'ievolution Fort Penn was built, near the east end of
the village. The road passing through the wind-gap, across the Pokono
mountains to Wilkesbarre, was cut by Gen. Sullivan on his memorable
expedition against the Six Nations, in 1779, after the battle of Wyoming^
" The celebrated chief of the Leneleiloppes, or Delaware Indians, TcedyUscung, was occa-
sionally a resident here. This chieftain Was an able man, who played a distinguished but subtle
part during the border troubles of the French war, particularly towards the close of his life. He
Was charged with treachery towards the English, and perhaps justly ; and yet candor demands
the acknowledgment that he did not take up the hatclict against them without something more
than a plausible reason ; while by so doing, he was the means of restoring to his peo])le something
of the dignity characteristic of his race, but which had almost disappeared under the oppression
of the Six Nations. He was professedly ft convert to the Moravian missionaries ; but those who
have written of him haVe held that he rcliected little credit upon the faith of his new spiritual
advisers. But whether injustice may not have been done him in this respect also, is a questiori
lipon which much light will be thrown in another place." [See Northampton co.] * * * *
"At the great council held at Easton, in 17.58, the Six Nations had observed with no very
cordial feelings, the important position which Tecdyuscung had attained in the opinion of the
whites, by the force of his talents and the energy of his character. Liong accustomed to view the
Delawares and their derivative tribes as their subjects, the haughty Mengwes could not brook
this advancement of a supposed inferior, and the reflection had been rankling in their bosoms
ever since the meeting of that council, until it was determined to cut off the object of their hate
For this purpose, [Oct., 176,3,] a party of warriors from the Six Nations came to the Wyoming
valley upon a pretended visit of friendship, and after lingering about for several days, they in
the night time treacherously set fire to the house of the unsuspecting chief, which, with the
veteran himself, was burnt to ashes. The wickedness of this deed of darkness was heightened
by an act of still greatfer atrocity. They charged the assassination upon the white settlers from
Connecticut, and had the address to inspire the Delawares with such a belief. The consequences
may readily be anticipated. Teedyuscung was greatly beloved by his people, and their exas-
peration at 'the deep damnation of his taking off' was kindled to a degree of corresponding
" Thus fell Teedyuscung, who, with all his faults, was nevertheless one of the noblest of his
race. Major Parsons, who acted as secretary to the conference with Teedyuscung, in 1756, de-
scn'.bed him as ' a lusty raw-boned man, haughty, and very desirous of respect and command.'
He was, however, something of a wit. A tradition at Stroudsburg states, that he there met one
day a blacksmith named Wm. McNabb, a rather worthless fellow, who accosted him with ' Well,
cousin, how do you do V ' Cousin, cousin !' repeated the haughty red man, ' how do you make
that out ?' ' Oh ! we are all cousins from Adam.' ' Ah ! then, I am glad it is no nearer 1' "
Col. Stone''s History of Wyoming.
The following incidents are related by Mr. Miner, in his " Hazleton
Travellers :"—
" John Carey, the brother of Samuel, is upwards of 80 years old, a hale, hearty old gentleman;
He moves about his farm with the apparent strength, if not quickness, of a man of forty. Mr.
Carey was bom in Dutchess co.. New York. He came to Wyoming with his father in 1769,
being then about 14 years old. The first settlement was made at Mill creek, where a Ibltifica-
tion was erected on a pretty large scale, so that there was a village within it. Around the sides
■were houses, huts, sheds, and a small store, sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants, kept by
Matthias Hollenbach, a very young man from Virginia, who was all life, activity, and enterprise.
" In February of 1770 or '71, the inhabitants got out of provisions. Little grain had yet been
raised, and there was no mill within sixty miles to grind it. To save the infant settlement from
starving, it was resolved to send nine men to the Delaware for flour. Mr. Carey, then about 15,
was one of the number. There was neither road nor bridle path, so they made their way through
the wilderness on foot. When they came to the Lehigh and other large streams, the party found
them open in the middle, but frozen from both shores ; so, as they had no alternative, they cut
the ice and waded in, and then cut their way out, every one being wet, and nearly perishing with
the cold.
" There lived by the Delaware, not far from Stroudsburg, a Scotchman named McDowell, who
I shrewdly suspect must have been a Cameronian, out in the year '45 ; and found it necessary,
to escape persecution for religious and political opinions, to emigrate to America. He spoke
broad Scotch, and all agree he was a noble-souled, most generous man. How, I do not exactly
learn, but he had become the zealous and abiding friend of the Wyoming settlers. The nine ar-
rived in the evening, when they learned there was a wedding in the house ; Mr. McDowell's
daughter being that night married (if I have the name aright) to John Shaw, — a name in Bucks
CO. of great respectability.
47S MONROE COUNTY.
" So is the name of McDowell most respectable in Bucks co; ; perhaps a descendant.
" I don't know. But there was a crowd of guests, and the nine wayworn and hungry Wyoirii
ing boys dare not let it be generally known they were there, lest some enemy should be present,
and they should be arrested and sent to Easton. So they contrived to get word to the good
Scotchman, who immediately sent them to the barn — supplied them with a noble supper and
every cheering accompaniment — and at daylight the next morning despatched them, the eight
men having 75 lbs. of flour each in his sack ; and Mr. Carey being young carried 45. I never
think of it but Jacob's children, from Reuben to Benjamin, going down to Egypt, to buy corn,
presents itself to memory. Having traversed the dreary wilderness, and rewaded the half-frozen
streams with their burdens, they arrived safe at Wyoming, to the great relief of all.
" After the revolution the civil wars broke out again. A fort had been built near Toby's eddy,
which the opposite party, out-genefalling the Yankees, had obtained possession of. Capt. Daniel
Gore and Obadiah Gore made a cannon by bbring a pepperidge log, and hooping it with iron.
The first shot did very well ; but the second tney put in too milch powder ; the bands broke, the
cannon was burst, and some pieces were found on the opposite side of the river.
" All the settlers Were expelled, and Mr. Carey again speaks of the almost unbounded kindnesd
and hospitality of Mr. McDowell, not only furnishing the fugitives with provisions, but sending
his wagons to take the women and children a day's journey on their route.
" I may here add that, in the revolutionary war, two of Mr. McDowell's sons were at Wyom-
ing, and were taken prisoners at Plymouth by a party of Indians, and one of them kept, I be-
lieve, till the close of the war ; and one of the old gentleman's granddaughters — a child of one
of those who were taken captive — ttiajrled a distinguished son of Permsylvania, who now (1838)
holds one of the highest seats in the national councils."
Stroudsburg was the first settlement reached by the forlorn fugitives
from Wyoming after the battle of July, 1778. Col. Spalding was here at
the time with a detachment, and immediately left to endeavor to succor
the people of Wyoming ; but he was too late, and passed on to the West
Branch, and afterwards went up to Sheshequin.
Two miles and a half S. E. from Stroudsburg is the little hamlet of
Dutotsburg, founded some years since by Mr. Antoine Dutot, a French-
man, who still resides in the place. It was once a merry place, particu^
larly in the spring, when the lumbermen along the Delaware had occasion
to tarry there ; but the lumber trade has decreased ; business has been
transferred to Stroudsburg, and with it the glory of Dutotsburg has de*
parted.
A short distance from Dutotsburg, on the rocky bank of the river, is an
excellent hotel, kept by Mr. Brodhead, from which may be had a fine
view of the Delaware Water-gap. The following graphic sketch of the
scenery about the Gap, is from two letters of Col. Stone's in the Commer-
cial Advertiser of 1839. He approached it from the south.
" At length we entered the gorge of the mountains — the road winding along the base beneath
their frowning peaks, narrow, and often upon the very verge of a gulf, rendered more appalling
by the dimness of the light, and our ignorance of the depth. Now and then a mass of the moon's
light was thrown through a notch, but only by its " pale reflex" to disclose the rocky and vertical
surface of a precipice beetling over the dark still waters below. Our little party were silent al-
most to the suppression of respiration ; and the whole chasm — save the creaking and jostling of
the coach — as still as the inmost apartment of the great pyramid. The distance of the pass to
the hotel, which stands upon a subdued though jutting promontory near its northern entrance, is
onlv two miles ; but we were at least an hour in overcoming it, and the time seemed two. It
was a scene of thrilling interest and gloomy grandeur. We would not again encounter the pass
in the night for a small sum ; we would not be deprived of its recollection, for a much larger one.
We had only been able to survey the outUnes of the mountains, cleft in the mighty convulsion
which opened a sinuous course to the river between them, while the spiked rocks hanging upon
their sides, and the irregularities of their conformation, had remained comparatively undistin-
guishable. In the morning, before yet the sun had gilded their tops, the whole mountain struc-
ture of the entrance of the pass from above, was distinctly in view, gloomy from the yet unre-
treating shade, disclosing all the irregularities incident to the freshness of nature, and wild and
grand beyond description. The mountains for the most part, on the western shore, were clothed
with wood to their summits. Low in the gulf at their base, in perfect repose, a cloud of milk-
white vapor \Vas yet sleeping upon the bosom of the river. In a half an hour, with a change in
MONROE COUNTY.
479
the atmosphere, the vapor beg'an to ascend, and a gentle current of air wafted it, as by the sweet
soft breathing of Morn herself, without breaking the sheet, to the western side of the river. There
for a time it hung in angel whiteness, like a zone of silver belting the wild mountain. Below, to
the bottom of the gulf, the mountains were yet clothed in solemn shadow, while, in bright and
glorious contrast — the sun having begun to climb the sky in good earnest — their proud crests
were glittering as with the radiant flame of molten gold. Climbing a hi!l at the west of the ho-
tel, and looking into the chasm to the south, we had a picturesque view of the winding of the
river to the second bend, where its deep narrow stream was apparently brought to a dead stop by
the naked rocky buttress of the mountain on the Jersey shore. But the best position for survey,
ing the entire pass, and enjoying its sublimity to the full, is from a small boat paddled leisurely
through the whole pass, a distance of two miles. The majjs furnish no just idea of the course
of the river through the gap ; the actual course resembling the sharp curvatures of an angry ser-
pent— or rather, perhaps this section of the river would be best delineated by a line like the letter
.S. The general height of the mountains at this point is about IbOO ft. They are all very ure-
cipitous ; and while sailing along their bases in a skiff, their dreadful summits seem actually to
Iiang beetling over the head. This is especially the case with the Jersey mountains — the sur-
faces of which next the river are of bare rock, lying in regular blocks in long ranges, iis even
as though hewn, and laid in stratifications like stupendous masonry — " the masonry of God."
Just below the gap, on the Pa. side, is a quarry of slate ; and a mile above, in the gorge of a glen,
a slate manufactory is in operation. (See Northampton co.) Among the cnoice natural produc-
tions of these mountains, are rattle-snakes of a superior quality. A fellow passed along with a
pair of these amiable playthings in a box, on his way to Philadelphia. Arriving at Easton in the
evening, and having disregarded the principles of the temperance society, he heedlessly took
them out of the box to show their docility. Not perhaps liking the familiarity of a tipsy keeper,
one of them struck him in the hand, and his death was reported on the following day."
Delaware Water-gap — distant view from the south.
The annexed view of the Gap, taken from a point some two miles be-
low, is copied from a larger engraving by Mr. A. B. Durand of New
York.
Geologists have conjectured that the deep chasm through which the
waters here make their way, was formed by some mighty convulsion of
nature ; and some analogy has been apparently traced between the late-
ral disturbances of the strata at a number of these gap.s — both in the
480 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Kittatinny and its parallel chains — and the subterranean faults encoun-
tered by the coal miners in the anthracite region. Others have conjec-
tured that some vast lake above had burst its barriers, and in the progress
of ages had worn out the channel to its present dimensions. A copnbina-
tion of both causes seems most probable ; yet the most learned geologists
are still perplexed by this subject. Some of the old lumbermen had a
tradition that there was no bottom to be found in the middle of the
chasm, but there is no truth in this notion. Those living in the vicinity,
gay that the river is not more than thirty feet deep at the deepest part
of the Gap.
" That great disturbances of the earth marked the period which closed the formation of the
slate, and accompanied the production of the overlying conglomerates and sandstones, is appa-
rent from the coarseness of tlie ingredients in the latter rocks, the promiscuous manner in whiicli
they have been swept together, and especially from the suddenness of the transition between the
fine-grained slate, the sediment of very tranquil waters, and the extremely coarse conglomerate
directly in contact with it — the whole aspect of which implies that an etiormous mass of sand
and gravel, derived from strata just broken up, was suddenly strewed into the waters where the
slate was forming. But if evidence still more unexceptionable be required of an upheaye of the
bed of the ancient ocean at the epoch immediately preceding the formation of these rocks, we
have it strikingly exhibited at the northeastern end of the formation, where these conglomerates
and sandstones occur on the Delaware and Hudson canal near the end of the Shawangunk
piountain. They are here displayed near Rondout, resting unconformahly, and with a gentle in-
clination, upon the steeply uptilted, contorted, and disrupted strata of the immediately adjacent
slate." — Prof. Rogers' Geol. Rep. 1838.
Perhaps, until the further developments of science shall have thrown
clearer light upon the mystery, the following theory of some traveller
among similar chasms in New Hampshire, may satisfy most minds ; al-
though it will still be a very proper inquiry by what secondary means, or
in what manner, this stupendous result of God's power has been effected.
The narrow pass from which you now emerge is rightly named the Notch, and wag evidently
cjit through on purpose for the main branch of the Saco, which rises in a small lake about a hun-
dred and fifty rods further north. See Job xxviii. 9, 10 : " He putteth forth his hand upon the
rock, he overturneth the mountains by the roots. He cutteth out rivers among the rocks, and his
eye seeth every precious thing." This is my geology ; for while I have no doubt that immense
and accumulating masses of water have sometimes broken through barriers of loose rocks, and
afterwards worn away the solid basis for some distance, I have no more doubt that in most cases
God made the defiles for the rivers and streams among the moimtains, than that he made the
mountains themselves. How few of all the hundred little streams that have their rise in Alpine
regions, where the mountains are thrown together in the wildest apparent confusion, meet with
any serious obstruction on their way to the great lakes and rivers, however remote ! We look at
them as they spring out of the ground and murmur along at our feet, and then look at the mighty
ramparts by which they are hemmed in, and it seems impossible that they should ever escape ;
but they flow rejoicing on, in the secret channels which He who " poured them from his hand"
hath made for them, without ever having to stop, day or night, except it be to rest awhile in some
eddy or pool, where they may reflect the bright heavens till they reach the ocean.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Montgomery county, originally a part of Philadelphia county, was es-
tablished by the act of 10th Sept., 1784. Length 30 miles, breadth 15 ;
area 450 sq. miles. Population in 1790, 22,929 ; in 1800, 24,150 ; in 1810,
29,683; in 1820, 35,793; in 1830, 39,406 ; in 1840, 47,241.
There are no rnountains in this county. The lands are agreeably di-
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 481
versified by undulating hills and valleys. Few valleys in any country-
can boast of more picturesque scenery than that of the Schuylkill. Form-
ing the S. W. boundary for some distance, it meanders through broad cul-
tivated fields, furnished with substantial stone houses and barns, with here
and there an elegant country seat : again it sweeps past bold bluffs of rocks,
grudging a passage to the railroad, and then past some bright and busy
manufacturing town, to which its own sparkling waters impart the move-
ment. The other streams are the Perkiomen and its branches, and the
upper branches of the Wisahiccon, Pennepack, Tocony, and Neshaminy.
The primary rocks, gneiss, and talcose slate, form a narrow belt across
the S. E. end of the county. The very valuable primitive limestone
of the Great Valley, lies in a narrow belt, from one to two miles
wide, from near Willow Grove to Reesville, crossing the Schuylkill at
Swedes Ford and Conshohocken. The limestone and marble of this
deposit constitute a source of great wealth. The greater portion of the
county is occupied by the red shales and sandstones of the '" middle sec-
ondary" formation. The red shale makes an excellent soil, especially
when treated with lime. The co. is traversed in every direction by stone
turnpikes and good common roads. Several of these turnpikes w^ere
made between 1800 and 1810. In bridges the co. may vie with any in
the state. Across the Schuylkill there are bridges at Norristown, Paw-
ling's, and Pottstown ; and a splendid railroad bridge of stone above Phenix-
ville. The Perkiomen bridge, on the Reading turnpike, is a noble monu-
ment of the enterprise of the co. forty years since. It is built entirely
of stone, consists of six arches, and cost $60,000. It was founded in
1798, finished in '99. Frederick Conrad, Samuel Mauldsby, Conrad Boyer,
James Bean, and Henry Scheetz, were then county commissioners. A
similar but smaller bridge was erected soon after in 1803 over the Mana-
tawny at Pottstown ; and all the creeks in the county are now bridged
with stone at the principal crossings. The other internal improvements
are the Schuylkill Navigation Company's canals and pools ; the Reading
railroad, following down the Schuylkill on the left bank as far as Phe-
nixville, and below there on the right bank ; and the Norristown and
Philadelphia railroad, passing on the left bank of the river, through Ma-
nyunk. Copper mines are said to have been opened many years since
near Perkiomen creek, and more recently at another place ; Scott's old
Geography speaks of a silver mine, and a lead mine in Providence town-
ship discovered about the year 1800 ; but it is not known that any one has
grown rich by working either. The streams, large and small, together
with the dams on the Schuylkill, create an immense amount of water-
power, which is well improved for manufacturing purposes. It was esti-
mated that in 1830 there were in the county 17 merchant-mills, 99 grist-
mills, 76 saw-mills, 3 marble saw-mills, 15 paper-mills, 30 oil-mills, 10
clover-mills, 11 powder-mills, 5 iron works of various kinds, 9 cotton-
factories, 3 woollen-factories, 1 1 fulling-mills, and 27 tanneries. There
are also in the co. two incorporated academies, besides a number of ex-
cellent private seminaries, and five public libraries. The co. was origin-
ally settled in the S. E. end by Welsh and Swedes ; in the upper end by
Germans ; and the descendants of these races, retaining many of their
peculiarities, still occupy the soil. The Germans still retain their mother
61
4S-J MONTcUi:^!:!^- COINTY,
toiiiiur. but the ovii^inal laniruairos o\ I ho Swoiit^s ami \\\c W'cUU, lor a
lonii" time presorvod. have btHMi tM'ailioatotl by tho l^iiiilish.
The oarly sottlomont of MontironuM-y oo. iblUnvoil close wyon tho arri-
val of Win. IVnn. Robert Townsoiul. our ol' ilu> <>arly scMiUms abt>ut
Gennantown. says: —
" In the vo;ir UiS'J. I toimd n caiiocni on my niiiul to ruihark, >vill» luv wilV ami i-liiUl, uiul wont
on lx>ard the ship Woloonio. Uolvrt l^iwnaway. oonunanilor, m canipauv willi my wortliy I'noml
Wni. IVnn, whoso sixxni oonvorsalion was vorv avl\";»ntai;t\nis to all tho company." Alnnit a voar
at^er our arrival thori- oamo in ahout twenty tamilios tVxMu hijih and low (.M-rmany. ot" nMi^ions
s^cwd |H\'>plo. who sotthnl alvut liormantown — thooonntry ootitinually inon\<sinsr. pt'oi>lo hosjan to
spirad thonisolvos t'urlhor haok. " Als>> a plaoo oallod Sorth Wnlrn was sotlloil by many ot" tho
luicieiit Britons, an honost-inolintxl ptH>plo. althousrh Ihoy had not thon mado a jn\it'ossiiMi ot" the
truth as hold by ns ; \vt in a littlo timo a laroo oonvinoonvont w;is among thom, and divers inwt-
ing-housos were built."
Proud, in his History ot' rtMiusylvania. states —
'• Among tlu^se adventun-rs and settlers who arrived aliont this time, wer»' also many tVoni
Wales, of tlu^se who ari^ ealled ancient Britons, and mostly (.Quakers ; divers ot" whom were of
the original or earlv stock of tliat society theri\ Thev had early purchased of the pn^prietary m
England. 4t>.000 acn^s of land. Those who came at pn^sent. ttx^k up so nmch of it on the west side
of Schuvlkill river as made the three townships of Merion. Havorford. and Ivadnor ; and in a
few years alterwards their Tnnnl>or was so much atigmentod as to settle the three other tt>wnships
of N'ewtown, Cioshen, and I'wchland. At~ter this tiiey continued still incn-asing, ami became a
uumercius and flourishing iHXiple.
" Divers ot' these early Welsh settlers were persons ol' e\e(>llen( ami
M'orthy eharaeter. and several of' good edueation. raniily. ami estati^ —
chielly Quakers : and many ot' thent either eminent preachers in that so-
ciety, or otiierwise well qualitied and dispostul to ilo trood.
".lohn Thomas. Uobert Owen, anil .lane his wit'e. trom MeriomMhshire.
■were pious and ot' siood t'antily, education, and abilities, and had sutlcreil
much persecution t'or their religion, being Quakers : but they died soon
at\er their arrival. There was also another Robert Owen, who removed
from Wales into Pennsylvania in lOlH) — an eminent preacher among tht^
Quakers — a skilt'ul peacemaker, ami of much service and utility. He
died in the year U>J)7.
"Rowland liUis was a man of note among the Welsh st^tthn-s. i'rtMu a
place called Brin-^laur. near Polgelly. in the county o[' Mtn-ioneth. In
168'2, he sent over Thomas Oweit and his t'amily to make a settltMinMit.
This was the custom o( divers others of tht^ Wtdsh. attirst, to stMid \ycv-
sons over to take up laml tor theut. and to prepare it against their com-
ing.
" Rowland Ellis first came over in ItiSti, bringing with him liis eldest son. Kowland, then a boy.
About 100 Welsh passengers came at the same time. Tiiev liad a long passagi>- — suflerod mueli
for want of provisions — toudied at Harbadoes. vtc. ^lanv ilied. U. Kllis, alter remaining about
nine months here, returned to Wales, leaving his son with his uncle, .lohn llumphiey. lie re-
turned to Pennsylvania in llii'T. with his family, and about UtO other passengers, all fnim North
Wales. He was tlion in his 4;">th year. He was a pn-acher among the Quakers, and an accep-
table man in every station. He lived long to do gixnl, ami died in his SlUli year, at his son-in-
law's, John Evans" house, in North Wales. Pa.
'• Hugh Koberts was an eminent Quaker preacher ; he removed from Wales to Pennsylvania
about the year lli>3, where he lived near IS years, to an advanced age. Ho had sutVered much
for his rehgioa in his native country prior to his removal.
"On his return from a religious visit to his native coimtry. in the service
of preaching the gospel, in the y(\ir l(>i)S. a mnnber of the iiih.ibitants
of North Wales removed to Peimsylvania in compauy with him. where
he arrived on the '7th ot' the r>th month, many of tlie passengei's having:
died at sea of the bloody tiux during the passage.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 493
"In the latter end of this year, (1098,) William Jones, Thomas Evans,
llohcrt Evans, Owen Evans, CarKvallader Evans, Hugh (jriflith, John
Hugh, Iviwani Foulkf;, John Humphrey, Jtobert Jones, and others, hav-
ing purchased of Rohf-rt 'i'urner 10,000 acres of land, began, in the fol-
lowing yf;ar, to irnprovf; and sf;ttle the same, and called the township
(Juinedd — in English, j\orth Wales. Some of the last mentioned passen-
gers settled here, who, in general, did not, at first, profess with the Qua-
kers ; but afterwards they, with many others, as the neighborhood in-
creased, joined in religious society with them, and were an industrious
and worthy people.
" P^llis Pugh, one of the early Welsh settlers who arrived in the province
in the year 1(>H7, lived much of his timf, and died here, 1718. lie wag
convinced of the Quakers' principles in Wales about the year 1G74. He
became a minister among them in 1080 ; in which capacity he continued
till his death."
This tract of 40,000 acres, extending across the lower end of Montgomery
into Chester and Delaware counties, was known formerly as the Welsh
line. The names of the townships are derived from favorite places in
Wales. Oldmixon, who wrote in 1708, says:—
" This tract is thick of t^jwnships ; as Radnor before-mentioned, liavcrford, West Merioneth,
and otherH. 'Tis very populous, and the people are very industrious ; by which means this coun-
try is better cleared than any other part of the county. The inhabitants have many fine planta-
tions of com, and breed abundance of cattle, insomuch that they are kxiked upon to be as thriving
and wealthy as any in the province — and this must always be said of the Welsh, that wherever
they come, 'tis not their fault if they do not live, and live well too; for they seldom spare fcM^
labor, which seldom fails of success.
Many of the Welsh who first came over, as mentioned by Proud, were
devout members of the Church of England. Of the early settlers of
Gwinned township, only John Hughes and John Humphrey were Qua^
kers, originally. The others, who were Episcopalians, were in the habit
of meeting at llobert Evans', where Cadwallader Evans read the Bible to
those assembled. But, says Mr. Watson, in his Olden Time —
One time, as Cadwallader Evans was accuiitomed to relate to the late venerable Jesse Foulke,
he Was (jr;injr as usual to his brother Robert's; when passing near the road leadinjr to Friends
meeting, held at John Hughes' and John Ilumphrey's, it seemed as if he was impressed " to go
down and see how the Quakers did." This he mentioned to his friends at the close of his own
meeting, and they all agreed U) go to the Friends meeting the next time, — where they were all
BO well satisfied that they never met again in their own worship. In 1700, the Friends built their
log meeting-house, on the site where now stands their present stone house, built in 1823. An
intermediate stone house was built there in 1712.
Mrs. S. Nancarro, the kinswoman of the above-mentioned Jesse Fouike, who lived to be 80
years of age, used to tell the story a little variant, saying that the brothers Evans used to read
the public services of their church, in a summer-house, constructed of boughs of trees; and that
when one of the brothers was proceeding to his meeting, having to pass by where William Penn
was speaking, he became so convinced, that he succeeded in bringing over all his brethren to the
Same profession.
The same Mrs. N. had often seen and conversed with her grandfather, Hugh Evans, who lived
to be ninety years of age. When he was a boy of twelve years of age, he remembered that Wil-
liam Penn, with his daughter Lsrjtitia, and a servant, fin the year 1G99 or 1700,) came out on
horseback to visit his father, Thomas Pivans. Their house was then auperior, in that it was of
barked and hewn logs, a refinement surpassing the common rank. At that house, William Perm
ascended steps on the outside to go to his bed-chamber; and the lad of twelve, curious to see so
distinguished a guest, went up afterwards to peep through the apertures, and saw him on his
knees at prayer, giving audible " thanks to God for such a peaceful and excellent shelter in the
wilderness !" The same facts I heard also from another ancient person.
Some of these, either returned to their ancient faith, or others came in
484 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
who adhered to it, for there are still standing at Evansburg, Oxford and
at Radnor, in Delaware co., several very ancient Episcopal churches
founded by the Welsh. To these, and to the conversions mentioned
above, the Rev. Evan Evans alludes in a letter to the Bishop of London
in 1707.
" But Montgomery and Radnor, next to my own beloved Philadelphia, had the most considera-
ble share in my labors, where I preached in Welsh once a fortnight for four years, till the arrival
of Mr. Nicholas, minister of Chester, in 1704.
" Tlie Welsh at Radnor and Merioneth, in the province of Pennsylvania, had addressed my lord
of London, having a hundred hands to their petition, for a minister to be settled among them that
understands the English language, there being many ancient people among those inhabitants that
do not understand the English ; and could a sober and discreet man be procured to undertake
that mission, he might be capable, by tlie blessing of God, to bring in a plentiful harvest of Welsh
Quakers, that were originally bred in the Church of England, but were unhappily perverted before
any minister in holy orders, that could preach to them in their own language, was sent into
Pennsylvania ; but I believe they are not irrecoverable had they an itinerant missionary who
would use application and diligence to introduce them to the communion of the church.
" There is another Welsh settlement called Montgomery, in the county of Philadelphia, twenty
miles distant from the city, where there are considerable numbers of Welsh people, formerly in
their native country of the communion of the Church of England ; but about the year 1698, two
years before my arrival in that country, most of them joined with the Quakers, but by God's
blessing some of them were induced to return, and I have baptized their children and preached
often to them.
" I visited them since, and prevailed upon them to meet every Lord's day, about forty in num-
ber, where one that can understand the language well, and is a sober, discreet man, reads the
prayers of the church, the proper psalms and lessons, omitting the absolution, &lc., what prtpcrly
belongs to the priest's office, and then reads some portion in a book of devotion to the people. I
met with several good books translated into the Welsh language among my country people, par-
ticularly the Whole Duty of Man, in Welsh, and the Practice of Piety. As for the Christian
Monitor, Dorrington's Family Guide to the Lord's Supper, the Advice of a Minister to his Parish,
ioners — all in Welsh, what I received, were faithfully disposed, but were so few, that a greater
number is still much v^-anting."
A few years afterward, between 1708 and 1715, " Mr. Evaiia visited a new settlement called
Parkeomen, situated on the river Schuylkill. Here many persons became attached to the Epis-
copal church, were baptized and admitted to her communion."
Smith, the historian, gives the dates of the establishment of Friends'
meetings.
In 1683 a f.rst-day meeting was established to be held at Takoney or Oxford. Another was
also established at Poetquessmg. And afterwards in the same year a monthly meeting was set
up, to consist of those two meetings and that at Abington, to be held by turns among them.
The 24th of the seventh month, 1716, the meeting at Horsham was settled, at first only in the
winter season ; but Friends increasing, after some time a meeting-house was built, and it wag
fixed there constantly and so continues.
At North Wales a meeting-house was built in the year 1700, which was but two years after
the arrival of the Welsh Friends to that place, and meetings were kept therein by the consent of
Haverford monthly meeting, unto which they had at first joined themselves. Finding tiuth to
prevail, and their numbers to increase, they found it necessary to build another meeting-house in
1712 ; and on the I9th of the ninth month that year, the first meeting for worship was held
therein. Their number afterwards still increasing, as well among themselves as by the union of
many adjacent settlers, Friends, belonging to North Wales or Gwynned ; and Plymouth meeting
settled a monthly meeting of business among themselves, by the consent of Haverford meeting
aforesaid and the quarterly meeting of Philadelphia. The said monthly meeting was first held
the 22d day of the twelfth month 1714 or '15, at Gwynned meeting-house, and called Gwynned
monthly meeting.
Plymouth meeting-house was built a considerable time before this, and a meeting for worship
Held there as at this day. The said meeting was in being the 4th of the first month, 1688-9, and
how long before is not certain.
One of the venerable meeting-houses, founded by the early Friends from
Wales, is that in Lower Merion township, situated near the Columbia
railroad, about two miles west of Manyunk. It was erected, as appears
by a date on a tablet, in 1695 ; within a few years past, it has been re-
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
48d
Ancient Friends Meeting-house at Lower Merion.
paired and stuccoed, and is still in use. It is the oldest place of worship in
the state. Among the early settlers in Merion were — ^the Roberts family,
of whom Jonathan Roberts, of Upper Merion, is a descendant ; Edward
Jones, " a man given to hospitality, and generally beloved by his acquain-
tances," who died in Feb., 1737, at the age of 82 ; and Benjamin Hum-
phrey, who came over in 1683, and died in Nov., 1737, aged 76 — he was
also " remarked for his hospitality, and was a useful member among
the Quakers."
It does not distinctly appear at what time the Swedes first extended
their settlement into the region of Swedes Ford ; but Major Holstein, an
aged descendant of that race, says they came after the Welsh, and that
his great-grandfather bought part of his farm of a Welshman. Mats
Holstein and Peter Rambo, with their families, were the earliest Swedish
settlers in Upper Merion. There is an old house still existing about a
mile west of Norristown, where Major Holstein, his father, and grand-
father, were all born. His grandfather helped to build the Swedish
church at the Ford, which was erected about 1763, when Rev. Charles
Magnus Wrangel had charge of the congregation. In the Annals of the
Swedes, by Rev. J. C. Clay, are the following passages, which may throw
some light on the date of the settlement here.
" In 1705, the 'upper inhabitants' — meaning, I suppose, those at Upper Merion, or perhaps up
the Delaware towards Bristol — made application for occasional services in their neighborhood in
th.; winter season, because of their distance from the church. It was agreed that the rector should
officiate there twice during the winter season."
" 1720. A meeting was held on the 27th of March, for the transaction of business, at which
four clergymen were present : the Rev. Provost Andrew Hesselius, the Rev. Mr. Lidenius, of
Racoon and Penn's Neck, and the Rev. Messrs. Lidman and Samuel Hesselius. The provost
proposed that the last named clergyman should take charge of those portions of the congregation
residing at Kalkonhook and Neshamani. This was objected to by the lay members present, upon
the ground that the Swedes living in those places might thus become ' weaned' from the mother
church at Wicaco. It being understood that one clergyman was competent to the duties at Wi-
caco, it was then proposed by Mr. Lidman, that as the people at Manating — supposed to be Mor-
latton, four miles above Pottsgrove, on the Schuylkill — were at a great distance from the church,
they, perhaps, would be glad of his services there, and that he would cheerfully relinquish to him
60 much of the salary as was furnished by that part of the congregation. Marcus Hulings, and
486 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
other ' respectable' inhabitants of that part of tlic country tlien present, earnestly seconded this
proposition, proniisinjj to contribute, to Ihe extent of their means, towards his support. It waS
accordingly arranged that tiie Rev. Samuel Ilessclius sliould settle at Manating."
In 1705, the Swedish churches of Upper Merion, Wicaco, and Kingsess-
ing, were unitedly incorporated by John Penn, and this original charter
was amended and confirmed by the commonwealth in 1787.
The church called Christ church, occupies a lovely and picturesque
knoll, shaded with tall trees, and overlooking the beautiful Schuylkill,
about a mile below Norristown, on the right bank. A quiet hamlet sur-
rounds it, inhabited by the descendants of the ancient Swedes. They
still cling together, aiul although the Swedish and Episcopal clergy min-
ister interchangeably, with the same ritual, yet the Swedish churches are
governed by their own ancient laws, and the control of the property is
held by those of Swedish descent, either in direct line or by marriage.
The Swedes, like ducks, always had a predilection for the water, they
never settled far in the interior, and in early days they made free use of
their canoes for going to church, and in their ordinary intercourse with
neighboring settlements. Major Holstein's grandmother, who lived at
Morlatton, above Pottstown, when married, came down to the church
with her wedding party, all in their canoes. In later days, during the
revolution, the women travelled on horseback, and wore " safeguard pet-
ticoats," which, when they alighted, they took off ami hung along the
fence.
The Germans who came over to Germantown, as mentioned above by
Robert Townsend, soon made known by letters throughout all Germany
the pre-eminent advantages, both physical and moral, of Wm. Penn's
province in the new world ; and many came over from the Palatinate,
and other parts of Germany, early in the eighteenth century, between
1700 and 1720 or '30. These extended their settlements beyond the
Welsh line, into the townships of Hanover and Frederick, about the head-
waters of Perkiomen creek. An extensive neighborhood back of Potts-
town, comprising New Hanover, and parts of Frederick and Douglas
townships, is still known as " the swamp ;" formerly as Faulkner's swamp,
from one of the first settlers. Rev. Conrad Miller, in a letter to the com-
piler, says : —
" The Inhabitants of this region are nearly all members of the Lutheran and German Reformed
Churches, and worship in two separate edifices. The Lutheran congregation took its rise in the
beginning of the 18th century; for when ]Jr. Henry Mclchior Muehlenberg came to this country,
in 1741, he found (at New Hanover, or the Swamp) about 100 communicants, who then wor-
shipped in a log church. In 1767 they built a new spacious church of stone, in which they con-
vene at present, with about 500 communicant members. Their successive pastors have been
Dr. Henry M. Muehlenberg, Streit, Henry Muehlenberg, jr., Vogt, Kiel, VVeinland, Gcissenhei-
mer, Jacob Miller, and ('onrad Miller, still living. [Mr. Miller also officiates at tiie new brick
German Lutheran church in Frederick township, erected about the year 1833.] The German
Reformed congregation originated about the year 1747. They also at first worshipped in a
church of wood, but in 1790 erected a fine spacious brick church, and have now about 300 com-
municants. Their pastors have been Rev. Messrs. Leidig, Pomps, Dallecker, Harmann, and
Hoffman."
There is quite an extensive circle of Lutheran congregations at Potts-
town, at Trappe, and in the adjoining townships of Bucks co. About
eight miles southeast from " the Swamp" is one of the earliest of these
churches.
Trappe, or the Trapp, is a small village inhabited principally by peo-
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
487
pie of German descent, and who still speak that language. The singular
name is said to have been derived from an old tavern, one of the first
houses in the place, the door of which was formerly approached by a
high flight of steps, or treppe, as they are called in German. It took the
name of the Treppe tavern, or the Treppe.
Ancient Lutheran Church at Trappe.
The above is a view of the very quaint old church in the village,
erected in 1743 by Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the father of the
Lutheran Church in the United States. The interior of the church is still
preserved nearly in its original state, and is, if possible, more quaint and
antique than the exterior. Not only every pew, but each seat in the pew,
has its own number branded upon it with a hot iron. Over the door of
the church, on a tablet, is the following inscription in Latin, which was
deciphered with some difficulty : —
" Sub remigio Christi has .edes societati Augustan^ Confess. Dedit^ ded-
ICATAS EX IPSO fundamento ex'struxit Henricus Melchior Mulenberg una
CUM CENsoRiBus I. N. Crossmano, F. Marstellero, H. A. Heilmano, I. MuL-
LERO, H. Hasio, et G. Kebnero, ad, MnCCXIJU."
In the burial-ground in the rear, and near the southeastern angle of
the church, is the grave of Father Muhlenberg, and those of several
others of his distinguished family, one of whom was eminent as a briga-
dier-general in the revolutionary war. We copied the two following
inscriptions : —
Hoc monumentum sacrum esto memoriaB beati ac venerabilis Henrici Melchior Muhlenberg,
S. Theolog-. Doctor et senioris ministcrii, Lutheran Americani. Nati Sept. 6, 1711, defuncti Oct.
7, 1787. Qualis et quantus fuerit non ignorabunt sine lapide futura saecula.
Sacred to the memory of General Peter Muhlenberg — bom Oct. 1, A. D., 1746, departed this
life Oct. 1, 1807, aged 61 years. He was brave in the field, faithful in the cabinet, honorable in
all his transactions, a sincere friend, and an honest man.
Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg was born at Eimbeck, in Hanover, Germany, Sept. 6, 1711. In
November, 1742, he arrived in Pliiladelphia, having been sent by the parent churches in Ger-
many, at the earnest solicitation of the settlers here, to take charge of their infant churches.
From the year 1720 down to the arrival of Mr. Muhlenberg, great numbers of Germans Ivad emi
488 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
grated to Pennsylvania and other provinces, vi^ith a view, among other inducements, of enjoying
unmolested their religious opinions. Unfortunately, the pastors or teachers who occasionally ad-
ministered in tiie Lutheran churches in tliis country at that day were but ill qualified for their
station. Many were not regularly ordained ; some were separatists and violent sectarians, and
some were denounced as impostors. In this unhappy state of tilings, they resolved to seek from
the highest sources in Germany — from the professors in the University of Halle — a regularly
ordained and commissioned pastor to take charge of their feeble flocks. Mr. Muhlenberg arrived
for this purpose. He found but three organized Lutheran churches — one at Philadelphia, one at
Providence, (the Trappc,) and one at New Hanover, (at " the Swamp," a few miles above Trappe.)
The latter church then consisted of about 120 members, who worshipped in a log church : that
at the Trappe of about 50 members, who worshipped in a barn. Mr. Muhlenberg passed fre-
quently back and forth among these three churches, preaching, and residing some time in eacii
place. During his labors the churches prospered abundantly, and new and connnodious edifices
were erected. In 1745 he received the assistance of several other brethren who arrived as pas.
tors and teachers from Germany. That same year he married, and moved to the Trappe. In
1761 he was again recalled to Philadelpliia, where he labored for 13 years. Leaving his son
Henry, who had previously been appohited his colleague, in charge of the congregation in Phila-
delphia, he returned to Providence or the Trappe in 1774, where he continued to reside until his
death, in October, 1787. The memory of his piety and usefulness will be long cherished by the
numerous Lutheran churches which have since sprung from the three to which he ministered.
The Mennonists, or German Baptists, also have several congregations
in this vicinity, one of M^hich is opposite Pottstown. They came to this
country first about the years 1706 to '17, (See page 393.)
In the northern corner of the county, about New Goshenhoppen, on
the head-waters of Perkiomen creek, is a settlement of Germans, called
Schwenckfelders : —
Gaspar de Schwenckfeldt was a Silesian nobleman, born in 1490, at the castle of Ossig, in the
duchy of Lignitz. He was for some years counsellor to the duke, but afterwards turning his
attention to the study of the Scriptures and the writings of the fathers, he joined the Protestants.
Subsequently he adopted peculiar opinions for himself, and began to propagate them in Silesia,
and in Strasburg, Augsburg, and other imperial cities. Everywhere he encountered the enmity
of the zealots of other sects. His morals were pure, his piety fervent, and his sincerity unques-
tionable. He believed that he received his doctrines from immediate divine inspiration. He
differed from Luther in three principal points. 1. With regard to the Eucharist, he inverted the
words, " this is my body," and would have them understood thus : " my body is this ;" that is,
such as this bread which is broken and consumed, a true and real food which nourishes and sat-
isfies the soul. " My blood is this" — such in its effects as the wine, which strengthens and
refreshes the heart. 2. With respect to the efficacy of the divine word, he denied that the e.^cter-
nal word which is committed to writing in the Scriptures possesses the power of healing, illumi-
nating, and renewing the mind ; and he ascribed this power to the internal word, which, accord-
ing to his notion, was Christ himself. 3. He would not allow Christ's human nature in its
exalted state to be called a creature, or a created substance, which denomination appeared to him
infinitely beneath its dignity. He passed his life in wandering through Germany to propagate
his doctrines, and, in spite of severe persecution, by his eloquence and zeal he obtained a great
number of followers. He died at Ulm in 1651. He had written a number of theological works,
which have been frequently reprinted.
The church founded by Schwenckfeldt suffered persecution from the
Romish church for nearly a century, in common with the Moravians, an I
Waldenses, and other Protestant sects. They found protection for eight
years in the dominions of Count Zinzendorf; but persecution followed
them again, and about the same time with the Moravians, they determin-
ed to seek an asylum in Pennsylvania. They arrived here. Proud says,
in 1733-'34, and others say in 1739. A few years after their departure,
Frederick of Prussia issued an edict,* dated Selowitz, 8th March, 1742,
denouncing the intolerance which had banished them — inviting them to
return to Silesia — offering to restore their estates where they had been
confiscated, and to remunerate them for their loss — to grant them farms
* This edict may be seen at length in Proud's History, ii. 349, or in Hazard's Register, iv. 127-
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 499
and lots for building, gratis — " besides several ordinary free years." Such
was the high character they had sustained at home. The Philadelphia
Monthly Magazine says : —
The emigrants here referred to were originally inhabitants of Silesia, and, as we learn from our
correspondent, did not exceed 100 in number. They were distinguished at home for honesty, so-
briety, and industry ; and had, by the many excellent traits in their character, attached to them
the good wishes and kind offices of those with whom they associated. On hearing of the decree
by which their opinions were denounced, they commenced their journey in the beginning of the
year 1739, with very little money, and travelled on foot to the Rhine. They were prevented from
disposing of their property, chiefly, it is believed, in consequence of a prohibitory edict prevent-
ing sale, or confiscating in case of emigration. Having determined to depart for America, they
proceeded to Amsterdam, where, meeting with friends who commiserated their condition, and
supplied them with what was necessary to render their voyage as comfortable as possible, they
embarked for Philadelphia. It deserves to be mentioned, that a mercantile house in Amsterdam
furnished, without charge, the sliip that conveyed them hither. After a favorable voyage, they
arrived safely in Philadelphia, and immediately settled in Montgomery, at that time a part of the
county of Philadelphia. Industrious and economical, they soon enjoyed the respect of their
neighbors, and at an early period acquiring farms, in the vicinity of Skippach, ^our Town,
Kusherhupper, and other places. There are, at this time, several churches belonging to these
people in Montgomery county.
The edict was issued about three years after their landing in this country ; and notwithstand-
ing its promises of aid and protection, not one Schwenckfeldian returned.
It is worthy of being recorded, tliat when the house in Amsterdam, which generously furnished
the ship, or their descendants, were reduced to difficult circumstances in the year 1790, the
Schwenckfeldians in Pennsylvania, in remembrance of past kindness, promptly advanced a con-
fiiderabie sum, about $3,000, for their relief.
Montgomery co. was thus peopled by the Welsh, Swedes, and Ger-
mans, who, though of many different religious sects, agreed at last in one
principle, to live peaceably with each other ; while they diligently im-
proved and cultivated their possessions. The old French and Indian
wars of 1755 and 'G3 only alarmed, without injuring, the inhabitants of
Montgomery ; the scenes of the revolution were brought nearer to their
doors.
The battle of Brandywine took place on the 11th Sept. 1777. The de-
tails will be found under Chester co.
The day after the battle Washington retreated with the army, defeated
but not dismayed, to Germantown, where he encamped. Alter allowing
his men one day for rest and refreshment, he returned across the Schuyl-
kill into Chester co,, and advanced as far as the Warren tavern on the
Lancaster road, " with the firm intent of giving the enemy battle vvherer
ever he should meet them." The two armies were upon the point of
coming to a general engagement, about a mile north of the Goshen
meeting-house, but w^ere prevented by a violent flood of rain, which con-
tinued all day and the following night, and wet all their ammunition.
Before a new supply could be obtained, the British left their position near
the White Horse tavern, and moved down the road leading to the Swedes
Ford. Washington crossed above them at Parker's Ford, and threw him-
self in their front, hoping to meet them on their passage. The enemy
then moved rapidly up on the right bank of the Schuylkill towards Read-
ing, and Washington believing their design was either to turn the right
of his army, or to get possession of the military stores at Reading, or
both, moved his army up near to Pottsgrove. But Gen. Howe preferring
Philadelphia to Reading, immediately returned down the river, crossed it,
and pushed on to the cjty. Washington says :
" The enemy, by a variety of perplexing manoeuvres through q, coun-
62
490 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
try from which I could not derive the least intelligence, (being to a man
disaffected,) contrived to pass the Schuylkill last night at the Fatland and
other fords in the neighborhood of it. They marched immediately to-
wards Philadelphia. They had so far got the start before I received cer-
tain intelligence that any considerable number had crossed, that I found
it in vain to think of overtaking their rear, with troops harassed as ours
had been since the battle of Brandy wine. * * * * Why I did not
follow immediately I have mentioned ; but the strongest reason against
being able to make a forced march, is the want of shoes. Messrs. Car-
roll, Chase, and Penn, who were some days with the army, can inform Con-
gress in how deplorable a situation the troops are for want of that ne-
cessary article. At least one thousand men are barefooted, and have
performed the marches in that condition."
Gen. Howe had stationed a detachment of his troops on the Jersey side
below PRiladelphia to protect the movements of the British fleet ; a part
were quartered in the city, and the larger part were at Germantown.
The American army was then, about the end of September, encamped at
Skippach creek, and Washington determined to avail himself of the di-
vided state of the British army, to fall upon their encampment at Ger-
mantown.*
He took this resolution with the more confidence, as he was now reinforced by the junction of
the troops from Peekskill and the Maryland militia.
The British line of encampment crossed Germantown at right angles about the centre, the left
wing extending on the west from the town to the Schuylkill. That wing was covered in front
by the mounted and dismounted German chasseurs, who were stationed a little above towards the
American camp ; a battalion of light infantry and the Queen's American rangers were in the
front of the right. The centre, being posted within the town, was guarded by the 40th regiment,
and another battalion of light infantry, stationed about three quarters of a mile above the head
of the village. Washington resolved to attack the British by surprise, not doubting, that if he
succeeded in breaking them, as they were not only distant, but totally separated from the fleet, hia
victory must be decisive.
He so disposed his troops, that the divisions of Sullivan and Wayne, flanked by Conway's
brigade, were to march down the main road, and entering the town by the way of Chestnut hill,
to attack the English centre and the right flank of their left wing ; the divisions of Greene and Ste-
phens, flanked by Macdougal's brigade, were to take a circuit towards the east, by the Limekiln
roq.d, and entering the town at the market-house, to attack the left flank of the right wing. The
intention of the American general in seizing the village of Germantown by a double attack, was
effectually to separate the right and left wings of the royal army, whicii must have given him a
certain victory. In order that the left flank of the left wing might not contract itself, and sup-
port the right flank of the same wing, Gen. Armstrong, with the Pennsylvania militia, was or-
dered to march down the bridge-road upon the banks of the Schuylkill, and endeavor to turn the
English, if they should retire from that river. In like manner, to prevent the right flank of the
right wing from going to the succor of the left flank, which rested upon Germantown, the militia
of Maryland and Jersey, under Gens. Smallwood and Forman, were to march down the Old
York road, and to fall upon tlie English on that extremity of their wing. The division of Lord
Sterling, and the brigades of Gens. Nash and Maxwell, formed the reserve. These dispositions
being made, Washington quitted his camp at Skippach creek, and moved towards the enemy on
the 3d of Oct. about 7 in the evening. Parties of cavalry silently scoured all the roads, to seize
any individual who might have given notice to the British general of the danger that threatened
him. Washington in person accompanied the column of Sullivan and Wayne. The march was
rapid and silent.
At three o'clock in the morning, the British patroles discovered the approach of the Americans ;
the troops were soon called to arms ; each took his post with the precipitation of surprise. About
sunrise the Americans came up. Gen. Conway, having driven in the pickets, fell upon the 40th
regiment and the battalion of light infantry. These corps, after a short resistance, being over-
* The account of this battle belongs properly under the head of Philadelphia co., but is placed
here in consequence of its intimate connection with other events which occurred in Mon^gpn^ery
county.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 49 1
powered by numbers, were pressed and pursued into the village. Fortune appeared already to have
declared herself in favor of the Americans ; and certainly if they had gained complete posses-
sion of Germantown, nothing could have frustrated them of the most signal victory. But in tkis
conjuncture, Lieutenant-colonel Musgrave tlircw himself, with six companies of the 40th regi-
ment, into a large and strong stone house, situated near the head of the village, from which he
poured upon the assailants so terrible a fire of musketry that they could advance no further.
The Americans attempted to storm tiiis unexpected covert of the enemy, but those within con.
tinned to defend themselves with resolution. They finally brought cannon up to the assault, but
such was the intrepidity of the English, and the violence of their fire, that it was found impossi-
ble to dislodge them. During this time. Gen. Greene had approached the right wing, and routed,
after a sUght engagement, the light infantry and Queen's rangers. Afterwards, turning a little to
his right, and towards Germantown, he fell upon the left flank of the enemy's right wing, and
endeavored to enter the village. Meanwhile, he expected that the Pennsylvania militia, under
Armstrong, upon the right, and the militia of Maryland and Jersey, conmianded by Smallwood
and Forman on the left, would have executed the orders of the commander-in-chief, by attacking
and turning, the first the left, and the second the right, flank of the British army. But either
because the obstacles they encountered had retarded them, or that they wanted ardor, the former
arrived in sight of the German chasseurs, and did not attack them ; the latter appeared too late
upon the field of battle.
The consequence was, that Gen. Grey, finding his left flank secure, marched, with nearly the
whole of the left wing, to the assistance of the centre, which notwithstanding the unexpected
resistance of Col. Musgrave, was excessively hard pressed in Germantown, where the Americans
gained ground incessantly. The battle was now very warm at that village, the attack and the
defence being equally vigorous. The issue appeared for some time dubious. Gen. Agnew was
mortally wounded, while charging with great bravery, at the head of the 4th brigade. The
American Col. Matthews, of the column of Greene, assailed the English with so much fury that
he drove them before him into the town. He had taken a large number of prisoners, and was
about entering the village, when he perceived that a thick fog and the unevenness of the ground
had caused him to lose sight of the rest of his division. Being soon enveloped by the extremity
of the right wing, which fell back upon him when it had discovered that nothing was to be ap-
prehended from the tardy approach of the militia of Maryland and Jersey, he was compelled to
surrender with all his party : the English had already rescued their prisoners. This check was
the cause that two regiments of the English right wing were enabled to throw themselves into
Germantown, and to attack the Americans who had entered it in flank. Unable to sustain the
shock, they retired precipitately,^ leaving a great number of killed and wounded. Lieutenant-
colonel Musgrave, to whom belongs the principal honor of this affair, was then relieved from all
peril. Gen. Grey, being absolute master of Germantown, flew to the succor of the right wing,
which was engaged with the left of the column of Greene. The Americans then took to flight,
abandoning to the English, throughout the line, a victory of which, in the commencement of the
action, they had felt assured.
The principal causes of the failure of this well-concerted enterprise, were the extreme haziness
of the weather — which was so thick that the Americans could neither discover the situation nor
movements of the British army, nor yet those of their own ; the inequality of the ground, which
incessantly broke the ranks of their battalions ; an inconvenience more serious and difficult to
be repaired for new and inexperienced troops, as were most of the Americans, than for the Eng-
lish veterans ; and, finally, the unexpected resistance of Musgrave, who found means, in a criti-
cal moment, to transform a mere house into an impregnable fortress.
Thus fortune, who at first had appeared disposed to favor one party, suddenly declared herself
on the side of their adversaries. Lord Cornwallis, being at Philadelphia, upon intelligence of the
attack upon the camp, flew to its succor witli a corps of cavalry and the grenadiers ; but when
he reached the field of battle, the Americans had already left it. They had two hundred men
killed in this action ; the number of wounded amounted to six hundred ; and about four hundred
were made prisoners. One of their most lamented losses was that of Gen. Nash, of North Car-
olina. The loss of the British was little over five hundred in killed and wounded ; among the
former were Brigadier-general Agnew, an officer of rare merit, and Col. Bird. The American
army saved all its artillery, and retreated the same day about twenty miles, to Perkyomy creek.
The Congress expressed in decided terms their approbation, both of the plan of this enterprise
and the courage with which it was executed ; for which their thanks were given to the general
and the army. Gen. Stephens, however, was cashiered for misconduct on the retreat. A few
days after the battle, the royal army removed from Germantown to Philadelphia. — Botta's Ameri-
can War.
Annexed is a view of the house into which Col. Musgrave threw his
detachment. It is still in possession of the Chew family. The marks of
the American balls still remain in many parts of the house.
492
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Mr. Chew's house.
Thb above is an account of the battle in the spirited, but general term?
of the historian. Let us now follow Col. Timothy Pickering, one of
Washington's aids, into the village, and hear the whistling of the bullets,
listen to the councils of the officers, and observe the movements of the
troops. Mr. Pickering is answering the inquiries of some historian : —
Salem, Mass., Aug. 23d, 1826.
Sir ; — Nearly forty-nine years have elapsed since the battle of Germantown ; of course you
may well suppose, that many facts respecting it are beyond my power of recollection, while a
few are indelibly impressed on my memory.
Gen. Washington, in his letter to Congress of Oct. the 5fh, the day after the battle, says,
"that the army marched about seven o'clock in the evening of the 3d ; and that Gen. Sullivan's
advanced party attacked the enemy's picket at Mount Airy, or Mr. Allen's house, about sunrise
the next morning, which presently gave way ; and his main body, consisting of the right wing,
following soon, engaged the light infantry and other troops encamped near the picket, which they
forced from their ground. Leaving their baggage, they retreated a considerable distance, having
previously thrown a party into Mr. Chew's house." The term here applied to these advanced
corps of the enemy, that they were " forced from the ground," shows that they were in arms, and
resisted the assailants ; and the previous brush with the picket, a guard always posted in ad-
vance on purpose to give notice of an enemy's approach, roused " the light infantry and other
troops," who had time enough to take their arms and form for action. They retreated, of necessity,
before the greatly superior force of the whole right wing of our army. But the " leaving of their
baggage" authorizes the inference, that they had no knowledge of the march of the American
army, until the firing in the engagement with the picket guard gave the alarm. If then these
advanced corps of the enemy were not, in the strict sense of the word surprised, that is, " caught
napping," unprepared for action, much less could the main body, posted in the centre of German-
town, two miles further oft', -have been surprised. This distance gave them ample time to pre-
pare for action, in any manner which the attack of their enemy should require.
You ask, " at what distance from Chew's house the attack commenced ?" At that time I was
a stranger to that part of the country. From my subscqent acquaintance with it, during my
residence in Pennsylvania, I should estimate tlie distance of Mount Airy to Philadelphia to be
eight miles, Chew's house seven miles, and the centre of Germantown six miles. And these I
think are the distances, as I have 6ccasionally heard them mentioned.
You ask, " how long a pause wa9 made at Chew's house ; and what space of time probably
intervened between the beginning of the action and the general engagement at the head of the
village ?" The pause at Chew's house in the manner I shall presently mention, probably delaj'ed
the advance of the rear division of our army into action for half an hour. And taking the at-
tack of the picket at Mount Airy as the beginning of the action, it was probably near half an
hour before it became general as to the whole of Sullivan''s column ; and this general engage-
ment must have commenced after he had passed Cheic's house; for I saw not one dead mar
until I had passed it, and then but one, lying in the road where I fell in with Gen. Sullivan. I
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 493
presume that, following close on tlie heels of the British battalion of light infar try, and the 40th
-egiment, which were retiring before him, SuUivan, with his column, had passed Chew's house
without annoyance from it. For it must have taken some time for Col. Musgrave, who entered
it with six companies of the 40tli regiment, to barricade and secure the doors and windows of
the lower story, before he would be ready to fire from the chamber windows ; and it was from
them tliat the firing I saw proceeded.
In the march of the army. Gen. Washington, following Sullivan's column, kept in the road
leading to and through Gerniantown to Pliiladelphia. Wlien he had entered the northern part of
the village, we heard in advance of us, (I was riding by the general's side,) a very heavy fire of
musketry. Gen. Sullivan's divisions, it was evident, were warmly engaged with the enemy ; but
neither was' in sight. This fire, brisk and heavy, continuing. Gen. Washington said to me, " I
am afraid Gen. Sullivan is throwing away his ammunition; ride forward and tell him to preserve
it." I do not know what was the precise idea v.'hich at that moment struck the mind of the
general. I can only conjecture that he was apprehensive that Sullivan, after meeting the enemy
in the front, kept up his brisk and incessant fire, when tlie haziness of the air, and its increased
obscurity, from the burning of so jnuch powder, prevented his troops having such a distinct view
of tlie enemy as would render their fire efficient. Be that as it may, the instant I received the
general's orders, I rode forward, and in the road, tliree or four hundred yards beyond Chew's
house, met Sullivan, and delivered to him the general's orders.
At this time I had never heard of Chew's house ; and had no idea that an enemy was in my
rear. The first notice I received of it was from the whizzing of the musket balls, across the
road, before, behind, and above me, as I was returning, after delivering the orders to Sullivan.
Instantly turning my eye to the right, I saw the blaze of the muskets, whose shot were still
aimed at me, from the windows of a large stone house, standing back about a hundred yards
from the road. This was Chew's house. Passing on, I came to some of our artillery, who
were firing very obliquely on the front of the house. I remarked to them that in that position
their fire would be unavailing, and that the only chance of their shot making any impression on
the house, would be by moving down and firing directly on its front. Then immediately passing
on, I rejoined Gen. Washington, who, with Gen. Knox and other otiicers, was in front of a stone
house (nearly all the houses in Germantown were of stone) next northward of the open fields in
which Chew's house stood. I found they were discussing in Washington's presence this ques-
tion : Whether the whole of our troops then behind should immediately advance, regardless of
the enemy in Chew's house, or first summon them to surrender ? Gen. Knox strenuously urged
the sending of a summons. Among other things he said, " It would be unmilitary to leave a
castle in our rear." I answered, " Doubtless that is a correct general maxim ; but it does not
apply in this case. We know the extent of this castle (Chew's house :) and to guard against
the danger from the enemy's sallying, and falhng on the rear of our troops, a small regiment may
be posted here to watch them ; and if they sally, such a regiment will take care of them. " But,"
I added, " to summon them to surrender will be useless. We are now in the midst of the bat-
tle ; and its issue is unknown. In this state of uncertainty, and so well secured as the enemy
find themselves, they will not regard a summons ; they will fire at your flagy However, a flag
was sent with a summons. Lieut. Smith of Virginia, my assistant in the office of adjutant-
general, volunteered his service to carry it. As he was advancing, a shot from the house gave
him a wound of which he died.
Whatever delay in the advance of the division in our rear, was occasioned by the pause at
Chew's house, I am satisfied that Sullivan's column did not halt there at all, as mentioned by
Judge Johnson. The column was certainly not in sight when the general sent me with the or-
ders already noticed ; and it is alike certain that it was then beyond Chew's house. Nor were
the enemy forming under cover of the house, or I must have seen them. When the orders were
sent to our troops in the rear to advance, I do not know ; but it must have been subsequent to
the sending of the flag — and, I should think, twenty minutes, at least, after it was found that an
enemy was in the house. The general did not pass it at all. I had remained near him until our
troops were retreating, when I rode off to the right, to endeavor to stop and rally those I met re-
tiring in companies and squads ; but it was impracticable ; their ammunition, I suppose, had
generally been expended.
In the aforementioned letter from Gen. Washington to Congress, he says, " the attack from our
left column, under Gen. Greene, began about three quarters of an hour after that from the right."
You ask the cause of this. The answer is obvious. The right column, under Gen. Sullivan,
which Washington accompanied, marched on the direct road to Germantown ; Greene, with his
column, was obliged to make a circuit to the left to gain the road which led to his point of attack.
The columns being thus entirely separated, and at a distance from each other, no calculations
of their commanders could have insured their arriving at the same time at their respective points
of attack.
Judge Johnson, in his " Life of Greene," has represented as " almost ludicrous" the " scene"
exhibited by some writers, of the discussion near Chew's house, in the presence of Gen. Wash
ington, in which it is hinted that opinions were " obtruded ;" and that even field-oflicers may
494 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
have expressed their opinions ; "but," he adds, " Gen. Washington was listening to the counsels
of his own mind and of his general officers." I know, however, that he did listen to the dis-
cussion ; and Lee, commanding a troop of horse, on that day on duty near the general's person,
accounts for his determination to send the summons. " Knox," he says, " being always high
in the general's confidence, his opinion prevailed." Further I must remark, that the general
officers, whom the Judge supposes to have been present, and advising the commander-in-chief,
were then in their proper places, with their divisions and brigades. Knox alone of the general
officers was present. Commanding in the artillery department, and the field-pieces being distrib.
uted among the brigades of the army, he was always at liberty, in time of action, to attend
the commander-in-chief. Some two or three years since, I wrote to Judge Johnson, informing
him of his mistakes in the matter noticed in this paragraph. Others of his details of this bat-
tle, which are inconsistent with the statements I have here given to you, must be incorrect.
The truth is, that Gen. Washington, not sanguine in his own opinions, and his diffidence being
probably increased by a feeling sense of high responsibility as commander-in-chief, was ever
disposed, when occasions occurred, to consult those officers who were near him, in whose dis-
cernment and fidelity he placed a confidence, and certainly his decisions were often influenced
by their opinions. This is within my knowledge.
I am, &,c. T. PICKERING.
Gen. Howe now turned his attention to the removal of the obstructions
in the Delaware below Philadelphia ; and Washington having encamped
again at Skippach, sent out Gens. Greene, Layfayette, and others, to
annoy the enemy. Washington, being joined by the northern troops from
the Hudson, took a strong position at White-marsh, about 14 miles from
Philadelphia, with his right on Wisahiccon creek, and his front partly
covered by Sandy run. While here the following incident occurred about
the beginning of December.
Gen. Howe's head-quarters were in Second st, fourth door below Spruce, in a house formerly oc-
cupied by Gen. Cadwallader. Directly opposite resided William and Lydia Darrach, members of
the society of Friends. A superior officer of the British army, believed to be the adjutant-general,
fixed upon one of their chambers, a back room, for private conference, and two officers frequently
met there, with fire and candles, in close consultation. About the 2d of December, the adjutant-
general told Lydia that they would be in the room at 7 o'clock, and remain late, and that they
wished the family to retire early to bed ; adding that when they were going away, they would call
her to let them out, and extinguish their fire and candles. She accordingly sent all her family
to bed, but as the officer had been so particular, her curiosity was excited. She took off her
shoes, put her ear to the keyhole of the conclave, and overheard an order read for all the British
troops to march out late in the evening of the 4th, and attack Gen. Washington's army, then
encamped at White-marsh. On hearing this she returned to her chamber, and laid down. Soon
after, the officer knocked at the door, but she rose only at the third summons, having feigned
herself asleep. Her mind was so much agitated that she could neither eat or sleep ; supposing
it in her power to save tlie lives of thousands of her fellow-countrymen, but not knowing how
she was to convey the information to Gen. Washington, not darmg to confide it to her husband.
The time left, however, was short. She quickly determined to make her way as soon as possible
to the American outposts, where she had a son who was an officer in the American army. She
informed her family that as she was in want of flour, she would go to Frankford for some. Her
husband insisted she should take her servant-maid with her, but to his surprise she positively
refused. She got access to Gen. Howe and solicited, what he readily granted, a pass through
the British troops on the lines. She encountered on her way an American lieutenant-colonel
(Craig) of the light-horse, who knew her. To him she disclosed her secret, after having ob-
tained from him a solemn promise never to betray her individually, as her life might be at stake
with the British. He conducted her to a house near at hand, directed something for her to eat,
and hastened to head-quarters, where he immediately acquainted Gen. Washington with what
he had heard. Washington made, of course, all preparations for baffling the meditated surprise.
Lydia returned home with her flour ; sat up alone to watch the movements of the British troops,
and heard their footsteps ; but when they returned in a few days after, did not dare to ask a
question, though solicitous to learn the event. The next evening, the adjutant-general came in,
and requested her to walk up to his room, as he wished to put some questions. She followed
him in terror ; and when he locked the door and begged her, with an air of mystery, to be seated,
she was sure that she was either suspected or betrayed. He inquired earnestly whether any of
her family was up the last night when he and the other officer met : she told him they all retired
at eight o'clock. He observed, " I know you were asleep, for I knocked at your door three times
before you heard me. I am entirely at a loss to imagine who gave Gen. Washington information
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 495
of our intended attack, unless the walls of the house could speak. When we arrived near White,
marsh, we found all their cannon mounted, and the troops prepared to receive us ; and we have
marched back like a parcel of fools."
On the west side of the Schuylkill, about 22 miles from Philadelphia,
and 6 miles above Norristown, is a deep rugged hollow, at the mouth of
Valley or. An ancient forge established by one of the Potts family of
Pottsgrove, had given to the place the name of VaUey Forge. Upon
the mountainous flanks of this valley, which overlook all the adjacent
country, Washington finally concluded to establish his army for the win-
ter.
His soldiers were too ill clothed to be exposed to the inclemency of
that season under mere tents ; it was therefore decided that a sufficient
number of huts or cabins should be erected of logs, filled in with mortar,
in which the troops would find a comfortable shelter. The army reached
the valley about the 18th Dec. They might have been tracked by the
blood of their feet in marching barefooted, over the hard frozen ground
between White-marsh and Valley Forge. They immediately set about
constructing their habitations, which were disposed in the order of a
military camp, but had really the appearance of a regular city. Each
hut was IG feet by 14. One was assigned to 12 privates, and one to a
smaller number of officers, according to their rank. Each general occu-
pied a hut by himself The whole encampment was surrounded on the
land side by intrenchments, and several small redoubts were built at
different points. Some of the intrenchments may still be seen about a
mile from the Forge. A temporary bridge was thrown across the river,
to facilitate communications with the surrounding country. The army
remained at this place until the ensuing summer, when the British evacu-
ated Philadelphia.
This was the most gloomy epoch of the revolution. For many weeks
the army, although sheltered from the wind, endured extreme sufferings
from the want of provisions, blankets, and clothing. The commissary's
department, through neglect in Congress, had been badly managed, and
on one occasion the supplies of beef were actually exhausted, and no one
knew whence to-morrow's supply would come. Gen. Washington says,
" For some days there has been little less than a famine in camp. A part
of the army have been a week without any kind of flesh, and the rest three
or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire
the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not
ere this been excited to mutiny and dispersion. Strong symptoms of dis-
content, however, have appeared in particular instances." Such was the
scarcity of blankets and straw that men were often obliged to sit up all
night to keep themselves warm by the fire, and many were too ill clothed
to leave their huts. The want of wagons, and horses too, was severely
felt for procuring supplies, and almost every species of camp transporta-
tion was performed by the men without a murmur, who yoked them-
selves to little carriages of their own making, or loaded their wood and
provisions on their backs. The small-pox threatened those who had not
been inoculated. Provisions continued to grow more and more scarce ;
the country had become exhausted by the constant and pressing demands
of both armies, and no doubt many provisions were concealed from the
Americans by the disaffected tories, who found a better market at Phila-
496
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
delphia, and better pay in British gold than in continental money. Wash-
ington stated that there were in camp on the 23d December not less than
2,898 men unfit for duty by reason of their being barefoot and otherwise
naked, besides many others detained in hospitals, and crowded into farm-
ers' houses, for the same causes.
" Happily for America, there was in the character of Washington
something which enabled him, notwithstanding the discordant materials
of which his army was composed, to attach both his officers and soldiers so
strongly to his person, that no distress could weaken their atfection, nor
impair the respect and veneration in which he was held by them. To
this is to be attributed the preservation of a respectable military force
under circumstances but too well calculated for its dissolution."
In the midst of these trying scenes, a strong combination was formed
against Washington, in which several members of congress, and a very
few officers of the army were engaged. Gen. Gates, exulting in his lau-
rels recently gained at Saratoga, Gen. Lee, and Gen. Conway, neither of
them native Americans, were believed to be at the head of this move-
ment. Attempts were made in vain to seduce Lafayette to the interest
of this faction. He openly and promptly avowed his attachment to
Washington, with whom he shared for some months the hardships of
Valley Forge. The failure of this conspiracy is well known. Mrs.
Washington also came to Valley Forge to share with her husband the
trials of the winter. The general's head-quarters were at the stone house
belonging to Isaac Potts, proprietor of the forge. Annexed is a view of
Gen. JVashington^s Head- Quarters at Vc(.lley Forge.
it, as seen from the Reading railroad, near which it stands, just below the
mouth of the creek. The wing is of modern structure, but it occupies
the site of a smaller wing that was erected for the accommodation of
Mrs. Washington. Mrs. W. wrote to a friend — " The general's apart-
ment is very small : he has had a log cabin built to dine in, which has
made our quarters much more tolerable than they were at first." The
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
497
house is now occupied by Mr. Jones. On the hill near the general's
head-quarters, were stationed his body-guard ; and still further up the
hill, and more to the right, near the road seen in the general sketch, were
the brigades of Generals Conway, Huntington, Maxwell, and Mcintosh.
Gen. Varnun was on the top of the hill, near a redoubt. The artificers
were on the upper side of the creek, opposite the general's quarters. The
forge was near where the cotton factory is ; and on the corner, diagonally
opposite the cotton factory, was the old army bake-house. The main
body of the army were back about a mile or two. In the annexed view
Valley Forge, as seen from the west.
the hill above the general's head-quarters is seen nearly in the centre,
beyond the valley of the creek — the Schuylkill is seen to the left of it,
and the roads leading towards the position of the main army on the right,
beyond the cotton factory, which is on the creek.
The limits of this work will not admit of a full detail of the scenes of
that memorable winter. They belong more properly to the history of the
revolution.
Immediately opposite Isaac Potts' house there are still the ruins of an
ancient flour-mill, which was in operation until a few months since.
Previous to the encampment of the army here, and immediately after the
battle of Brandywine, the Americans had a considerable deposit of flour
and other stores at this mill. The British sent a detachment to seize
these stores. Washington, anticipating this attempt, had previously sent
out Lieut. Col. Hamilton, (afterwards Gen. H.,) attended by Capt. Lee,
with a small party of his troop of horse, for the purpose of destroying the
stores before the British should reach them.
" The mill, or mills, stood on the banks of the Scliuylkill. Approaching, you descend a long
hill, leading to a bridge over the mill-race. On the summit of this hill two videttes were posted ;
and soon after the party reached the mills, Hamilton took possession of a flat-bottomed boat, for
the purpose of transporting himself and comrades across the river in case of a sudden approach
of the enemy. In a little time this precaution manifested his sagacity. The fire of the videttes
announced the enemy's appearance. The dragoons were ordered instantly to embark. Of the
small party, four jumped into the boat with Hamilton. The van of the enemy's horse being in
full view and pressing down the hill in pursuit of the two videttes, Lee, with the remaining two,
took the decision to gain the bridge rather than detain the boat. The attention of the enemy be-
63
498 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
ing engaged by Lee's push for the bridge, delayed the attack upon the boat for a few minutes,
and thus afforded Hamilton the chance of escape. The two videttes preceded Lee as he reached
the bridge, and himself and four dragoons safely passed it, although the enemy's front section
emptied their carbines and pistols at the distance of ten or twelve paces. Lee's apprehension for
the safety of Hamilton continued to increase, as he heard volleys of carbines discharged upon the
boat, which were returned by guns singly and occasionally. He trembled for the probable issue,
and as soon as the pursuit ended dispatched a dragoon to the commander-in-chief, describing with
feelings of anxiety what had passed, and his sad presage. His letter was scarcely perused by
Washington before Hamilton himself appeared, and, ignorant of the contents of tiie paper in the
general's hand, renewed his attention to the ill-boding separation, with the probability that hla
friend Lee had been cut off. Washington relieved his fears by handing him Capt. Lee's letter."
(See page 400.)
In Junr, 1778, the British evacuated Philadelphia, — when Gen. Wash-
ington immediately broke up the encampment at Valley Forge, hurried
across the Delaware, and met the enemy on the plains of Monmouth, in
New Jersey.
NoREisTowN, the seat of justice, is a flourishing borough, occupying an
elevated site on the left bank of the Schuylkill, 16 miles from Philadel-
phia. From the hills behind the town an extensive view is obtained of
the fine scenery of the Schuylkill valley. The town is well built, and
many of the houses being stuccoed, it presents a bright and lively ap-
pearance from the opposite shore. The dam across the river creates an
immense water-power, and has made the place famous for its large man-
ufactories. It contains 3 large cotton factories, 1 power-loom weaving
factory, a rolling and nail mill, 3 steam saw-mills, 1 water saw-mill, a
foundry, a locomotive shop, a saw-mill for marble, grist-mills, oil-mill,
&c. Besides the usual county buildings, there are Presbyterian, Episco-
pal, Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic churches, an academy, a bank, a
public library, and a private seminary for boys. The bridge across the
Schuylkill is 800 ft. long, was built in 1830, and cost $32,000. The Nor-
ristown and Philadelphia railroad, constructed about the year 1835, passes
along the left bank of the river, through Conshohocken and Manayunk.
It was originally intended to continue this road to Pottsville, but the de-
sign has been forestalled by the Reading railroad, which passes along the
opposite bank of the river. The canals and locks of the Sch. Navigation
Co. are also on the west side of the river. A small village has grown
up at the west end of the bridge around the locks and the depot of the
Reading railroad. Population of Norristown in 1830, 1,116; in 1840,
2,937. It was incorporated as a borough 31st March, 1812.
Within 3 miles west of Norristown are the extensive marble quarries
of Mr. Henderson, from which a part of the material was obtained for
the Girard College. Some ten years since, in sawing a huge block which
had been taken from between 60 and 70 ft. below the surface, a singular
lusus natures, or freak of nature, was displayed, which is thus described
by Peter A. Browne, Esq., into whose possession it afterwards came :
A slab two inches in thickness was taken off, and displayed to view, nearly in the centre, an
indentation 1 1-2 inch long by 5-8 of an inch wide, handsomely arched above and rectangular
below. In this cavity was a black powder, which being removed, two characters were ob-
served. These are raised, and are at equal distances from the top, bottom, and sides of the in-
dentation from each other. That the letters have not been put there since the block was cut, is
proved by several gentlemen of Norristown of the highest respectability, who saw it soon after
the sawing ; and moreover, it is apparent to any person accustomed to examine mineral sub-
stances, that no tool whatever has been used. The surface of the indentation, as well as that of
the letters, has a vitrified or semi-crystallized appearance. Mr. Strickland and Mr. Peale, both
of whom have eramined the slab carefully with a magnifying glass, agree with me in this par
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 499
ticular. The marble belongs to the primitive limestone formation. Unfortmia.'ely the black
powder was not preserved.
It is not the least remarkable circumstance attending this curiosity, that had the saw passed
the sixteenth part of an inch on one side, it would have injured the letters — or on the other, they
would not have appeared. No fissure or fracture was to be seen in the block.
Various conjectures have been made as to the characters. One gentleman insists that they
are Hebrew, and stand for "Jehovah;" another says that they are the Roman "IN," and corres-
pond to " Jesus of Nazareth." Both these persons of course believe that they have at some an-
cient period of time been put there by the hand of man ; but by whom, or how they could after-
wards have become buried in the solid rock, especially as it is primitive, they cannot explain.
Others, among which number I confess myself, believe it to be a lusus naturcB. All agree that
it is a great curiosity, and well deserving examination.
Norristown has grown up entirely since the revolution. It is included
within the limits of the manor of Norriton, which belonged to William
Penn, Jr., and which he sold, when in this country, to enable him to settle
the extravagant debts incurred by his youthful follies. William Trent
and Isaac Norris purchased it, for £850. It included the present town-
ship of Norriton. The town took its name from Isaac Norris. The
ground upon which it stands was a farm in the time of the revolution,
belonging to Mr. John Bull, who, in spite of his name, was a stanch
whig, and the British burnt his barn for him as they passed on towards
Philadelphia. Along the bank of the river, below the town, are still to be
seen the remains of the intrenchments, or breastworks, thrown up by
Gen. Du Portail, by order of Washington, when he expected the British
would cross at that place.
Norristown was laid out in 1784. It then belonged to some academy
in Philadelphia, which had purchased it from John Bull, to whom it had
been sold by Isaac Norris. The academy sold it to William Moore Smith,
who laid out the town ; but as he sold the lots rather grudgingly, it did
not increase much until it passed into the hands of John Markly, under
whom it went forward more vigorously. The principal increase has
been during the last fifteen years, in which period the larger manufacto-
ries have been erected. The first house, which is still standing, and oc-
cupied by Mr. Strahley, was framed at Valley Forge, and floated down
the river.
It was on the river bank at Norristown, that the spade was set to excavate the first public ca-
nal in the U. S. This was the old Schuylkill and Delaware canal, intended to connect the two
rivers, and also to supply water to the citizens of Philadelphia. For this latter purpose, the canal
was to be taken to Philadelphia on the same level, without a lock. The company was incorpo-
rated 10th April, 1792. After completing some 15 miles of the heaviest sections, and the expen-
diture of about ^400,000, the undertaking was abandoned ; the pnncipal stockholders being them-
selves involved in commercial difficulties. The company was afterwards merged in the Union
Canal Co. and the Schuylkill Navigation Co. (See page 418.) The ancient excavation still re-
mains, below Norristown.
About a half mile below Norristown, on the opposite side, is standing the old Swedes' Ford
tavern, famous in the annals of the revolution. A tall and solitary pine, a remnant of the an-
cient forest, still stands beside it, like some faithful old sentinel : some years since it had a com-
panion, and the two formed a beautiful head. The house is now no longer a public house. Maj.
Holstein, who formerly kept it, and built an addition to it, thinks a part of it over 100 years old,
Maj. Holstein is a descendant of Mats Holstein, a primitive settler in Upper Merion, where he
took up 1000 acres of land. Mauntz Rambo, another Lwede, was a famous hunter, and has told
Maj. H. of his killing deer and panthers in the neighborhood. At one time he grappled a
wounded deer, who made off with him on its back ; but he succeeded in cutting its throat.
The oldest Presbyterian church in the county is the Norriton church, on the Reading turnpike,
about four miles east of Norristown. It is about 100 years old. The next in antiquity is the
Providence church, on the turnpike. The Presbyterian church in town, of which Rev. Samuel
M. Gould is pastor, is of more recent origin, having been established in 1819, under Rev. Joseph
BaxT, who was at the same time pastor of the Providence church.
600
MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
About a mile northwest of Norristown is a farm-house, now occupied by Mi Knox, and for-
merly the residence of Gen. Andrew Porter. He was a captain and colonel during the revolution,
and served with great gallantry at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and in other campaigns.
Mr. Madison offered him tlie commission of brigadier-general in the American army, and also
the office of secretary of war ; both of which he declined. He vs'as appointed surveyor-genera!
of Pennsylvania, by Gov. Snyder, in 181:2, and died at the age of 70, while in that office, at
Harrisburg. His sons, who were born near Norristown, have been very distinguished. George
B. Porter died in July, 1834, at the age of 44, being at that time governor of Michigan territory.
Gen. David R. Porter is now about closing his second term as governor of Pennsylvania ; and
Gen. James M. Porter has recently been appointed secretary of war, by President Tyler. An-
other brother, recently deceased, was a judge of one of the western districts of the state.
David Rittenhouse, the distinguished astronomer, was born near Germantown, but spent a part
of his early years at a farm about four miles east of Norristown.
PoTTSTowN is prettily situated, in a handsome undulating country, on
the left bank of the Schuylkill, 20 miles above Norristown. The houses
are built principally upon one broad street, amidst gardens and shade-
trees. The scenery of the surrounding hills is very fine, especially in
autumn. The Manatawny, at the west end of the village, turns several
excellent flouring-mills. The Schuylkill Navigation works passes on the
opposite bank of the river. The Reading railroad passes very prettily
along one of the back streets, crossing the Manatawny on a lattice-bridge
of 1,071 feet in length. The town contains Methodist, German Lutheran,
and Episcopal churches, and an academy. The annexed view was taken
Pottstown.
from the opposite side of the Schuylkill. The most prominent building^s,
in the centre of the view, are the large hotels and other edifices about
the railroad depot. Population in 1840, 721.
Pottstown, formerly known as Pottsgrovo, derives its name from John
potts, who had a large grant of land in this region. He owned a part
of Sprogel's manor, and the land adjoining it to the north. West of the
town, beyond the Manatawny, is a stately but antique mansion, overlook-
ing the town, erected by him long before the revolution. It was then
the marvel of the whole country, and people came from 40 miles round
merely to see it. Mr. Potts was an enterprising speculator in iron-works,
in Chester and Berks counties. He was a descendant of old Thomas
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 501
Potts, who settled at Burlington in William Penn's time ; and was the
father of Isaac Potts, who settled at Valley Forge. That was one of his
iron-works. His son Samuel was once the owner of the lands where
Pottsville now is, but sold it long before it was known for its coal ; and
it came afterwards into the hands of one Pott, a German, from whom
Pottsville is named.
There are several small but pleasant villages in this county, on the
main roads leading out of Philadelphia. Shoemakertown is on the Wil-
low Grove turnpike, eight miles north of Philadelphia. The following
incident, related in the Saturday Bulletin, in 1829, occurred near this
place during the revolution : — •
Col. Allan McLane, who died at Wilmington, Del., in 1829, at the patriarchal a^e of 83, wa3
distinguished for personal courage and for his activity as a partisan officer. He was long at-
tached to Major Lee's famous legion of horse. While the British occupied Philadelphia, McLane
was constantly scouring the upper end o( Bucks and Montgomery counties, to cut off scouting
parties of the enemy, and intercept their supplies of provisions. Having agreed, for some purpose,
to rendezvous near Shoemakertown, Col. McLane ordered his little band of troopers to follow at
Some distance, and commanded two of them to precede the main body, but also to keep in his
rear ; and if they discovered an enemy, to ride up to his side and inform him of it, without speak,
ing aloud. While leisurely approaching the place of rendezvous in this order, in the early gray
of the morning, the two men directly in his rear, forgetting their orders, suddenly called out,
" Colonel, the British !" faced about, and putting spurs to their horses. Were soon out of sight.
The colonel, looking around, discovered that he was in the centre of a powerful ambuscade, into
which the enemy had silently allowed him to pass, without his observing them. They lined both
sides of the road, and had been stationed there to pick up any straggling party of the Americans
that might chance to pass. Immediately on finding they were discovered, a file of soldiers rose
from the side of the highway, and fired at the colonel, but without effect ; and as he put spurs to
his horse, and mounted the road-side into the woods, the other part of the detachment also fired.
The colonel miraculously escaped ; but a shot striking his horse upon the flank, he dashed through
the woods, and in a few minutes reached a parallel road upon the opposite side of the forest.
Being familiar with the country, he feared to turn to the left, as that course led to the city, and
he might be intercepted by another ambuscade. Turning, therefore, to the right, his frighted
horse carried him swiftly beyond the reach of those who had fired upon him. All at once, how-
ever, on emerging from a piece of woods, he observed several British troopers stationed near the
road-side, and directly in sight ahead, a farm-house, around which he observed a whole troop of
the enemy's cavalry drawn up. He dashed by the troopers near him without being molested,
they believing he was on his way to the main body to surrender himself. The farm-house was
situated at the intersection of two roads, presenting but few avenues by which he could escape.
Nothing daunted by the formidable array before him, he galloped up to the cross-roads, on reach-
ing which, he spurred his active horse, turned suddenly to the right, and was soon fairly out of
reach of their pistols, though as he turned he heard them call loudly to surrender or die ! A
dozen were instantly in pursuit ; but in a short time they all gave up the chase except two. Col.
McLane's horse, scared by the first wound he had ever received, and being a chosen animal, kept
ahead for several miles, while his two pursuers followed with unwearied eagerness. The pursuit
at length wa,xed so hot, that, as the colonel's horse stepped out of a small brook which crossed
the road, his pursuers entered it at the opposite margin. In ascending a little hill, the horses of
the three were greatly exhausted, so much so that neither could be urged faster than a walk.
Occasionally, as one of the troopers pursued on a little in advance of his companion, the colonel
slackened his pace, anxious to be attacked by one of the two ; but no sooner was his willingness
discovered, than the other fell back to his station. They at length approached so near, that a
conversation took place between them ; the troopers calling out, " Surrender, you damn'd rebel,
or we'll cut you in pieces !" Suddenly one of them rode up on the right side of the colonel, and,
without drawing his sword, laid hold of the colonel's collar. The latter, to use his own words,
" had pistols which he knew he could depend upon." Drawing one from the holster, he placed
it to the heart of his antagonist, fired, and tumbled him dead on the ground. Instantly the other
came up on his left, with his sword drawn, and also seized the colonel by the collar of his coat.
A fierce and deadly struggle here ensued, in the course of which Col. McLane was desperately
wounded in the back of his left hand, the sword of his antagonist cutting asunder the veins and
tendons of that member. Seizing a favorable opportunity, he drew his other pistol, and with a
steadiness of purpose which appeared even in his recital of the incident, placed it directly between
the eyes of his adversary, pulled the trigger, and scattered his brains on every side of the road !
Fearing that others were in pursuit, he abandoned his horse in the highway : and apprehensive,
502 MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
from his extreme weakness, that he might die from loss of blood, he crawled into an adJEcent
mill-pond, entirely naked, and at length succeeded in stopping the profuse flow of blood occa-
sioned by his wound. We have seen a painting of this desperate encounter, very acurately rep-
resenting the contest. It used to be common in our auction-rooms, but of late years has become
scarce.
Jenkintown is a pleasant village on the Willow Grove turnpike, 10
miles north of Philadelphia. It contains some 30 or 40 dwellings, a
lyceum, library, stores, &c. The Abingdon Friends' meeting-house is at
a short distance from the village.
Abingdon is another pleasant village four miles north of Jenkintown,
containing some 30 or 40 dwellings, a Presbyterian church, and a female
seminary. The Presbyterian church in this place, now under the charge
of Rev. Robert Steele, was originally organized in 1714, by Rev. Malachi
Jones, a Welshman, who died 26th March, 1729. He was succeeded by
Rev. Richard Treat, who died Nov. 29, 1779, after a ministry of nearly
50 years. Rev. Wm. Tennent succeeded. He died Dec, 1810. He
was a grandson of the celebrated Wm. Tennent of the log college. Rev.
Wm. Dunlap succeeded him, who died Dec. 17, 1818. Rev. Rob't. Steele
succeeded in Nov., 1819. The first edifice was built in 1714, and rebuilt
of stone in 1793. A part of the second edifice is incorporated with the
present one, which was erected in 1833. The old graveyard near this
church contains many ancient stones. Within its walls, the night after
the battle of Germantown, Capt. Webb, of the American army, and his
company had bivouacked. In the morning it was exceedingly foggy,
and the company, who could see nothing beyond the walls of the yard,
were suddenly surprised and overpowered by a detachment of the British.
Capt. Webb was afterwards a distinguished citizen of Kentucky.
Hatborough is 14 miles from Philadelphia, on the Willow Grove turn-
pike. It is a quiet and pleasant village, surrounded by a fertile district.
It contains some 40 or 50 dwellings, Baptist and Methodist churches, a
public library, and the Loller Academy, founded in 1811, and very hand-
somely endowed by the estate of Robert Loller, Esq. During the revo-
lution. Gen. Lacey was surprised by the British in a wood just above the
Baptist church.
North Wales is a small hamlet in Gwinned township, about three
miles from Montgomery Square, on the road between Norristown and
Doylestown. North Wales is celebrated as the site of one of the oldest
Friends' meetings in the county. The venerable building is situated in
a retired spot, shaded with tall trees. There are many hallowed associa-
tions connected with this place. The history of the early settlement of
the Welsh in this region has been given above. Gwinned township was
taken up in 1698, the original purchasers being Wm., John, and Thomas
Evans, who distributed portions among their associates, viz. : Wm., John,
Thomas, Robert, Owen, and Cadwallader Evans ; Hugh Grifiiths, Edward
Foulke, Robert Jones, John Hughes, and John Humphrey. All these,
except the last two, were originally Episcopalians, but were afterwards
converted to the faith of the Friends.
Evansburg, a small village on the Germantown turnpike, near Perkio-
men cr., six miles N. W, of Norristown, was originally settled by Welsh
Episcopalians — the Beans, Shannons, Lanes, Pawlings, &c. The vener-
able Episcopal church, which is very similar to that of Radnor, (see page
306,) bears the date of " 1721 — church wardens, I. S. and I. P. ;" that is,
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 503
James Shannon and Isaac Pawlings. The church stands in a graveyard,
shaded with the cedars and other trees of" the ancient forest, and contain-
ing the time-worn monuments of the early settlers. Jesse Bean, Esq.,
who is still living in the village, at the age of about 80 years, w'as a boy
at the time of the Germantown battle. He well remembers the dismay
that prevailed the night after the battle, when the wounded fugitives
were quartered in every house. The old gentleman is one of the most
active men in the place, and in 1841 was performing the arduous duty
of a superintendent of the turnpike. Near Evansburg is the splendid
stone bridge of six arches over the Perkiomen, founded in 1798, and fin-
ished in 1799.
CoNSHOHocKEX is a lively manufacturing village, which has recently
grown up in connection with the water-power of the Schuylkill Naviga-
tion Company, on the left bank of the Schuylkill, four miles below Nor-
ristown, and 12 miles from Philadelphia. There is also a large business
done near here, in burning lime for the Philadelphia market.
SuMANYTowN is ou the head- waters of Perkiomen cr,, 15 miles north of
Norristown, and contains some 30 or 40 dwellings, stores, &c. There
are three powder-mills in this vicinity. The townships in this part of the
county are chiefly settled by Germans. Goshenhoppen, the town of the
Schwenckfelders, is four miles N. W. of Sumanytown.
There are several other pleasant villages in the county, situated gen-
erally at the intersection of the principal roads. Among these are Wil-
low Grove, Horsham Square, Montgomery Square, Line Lexington, (on
the county line, partly in Bucks co.,) Reesville, Flourtown, Klingletown,
&c., &;c.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
Northampton county was separated from Bucks, and established by the
act of March 11, 1752. It originally included Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Le-
high, and Carbon counties, the latter having been established the present
year, (1843.) Still, like the farm of the old Roman, which, as each suc-
cessive son took from it his portion, was more productive the smaller it
grew ; so probably Northampton, within its present circumscribed limits,
can boast more aggregate wealth than when it included all the wild re-
gion beyond the mountain. Its present area is 370 sq. miles. Popula-
tion in 1790, 24,250 ; in 1800, 30,062 ; in 1810, 38,145 ; in 1820, (Pike and
Lehigh off,) 31,765; in 1830, 39,482; and in 1840, (without Monroe, but
including Carbon co.) 40,996.
The county at present lies almost entirely within the luxuriant Kitta-
tinny valley, bounded by the Blue or Kittatinny mountain on the N. W.,
by the South mountain or Lehigh hills on the S. E., with the Delaware
river flowing along the eastern, and the Lehigh along the western boun-
dary. The more important creeks are Martin's, the Bushkill, Manockasy,
and Hockendock. These creeks, together with the dams on the Lehigh,
furnish an abundant water-power. The northwestern side of the valley
504 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY,
is composed of slate lands, the southeastern of limestone. A traveli»;r
coming into the co. through the Lehigh gap, thus very correctly describes
both the physical and moral aspect of the co.
In passing through the Gap, the broad expansive valley of highly cultivated fields and sloping
woodlands, below the mountains, opens a new world, in striking contrast with the mountainous
region above. The beaut}' and richness of the country, however, is still more increased towards
Easton. From Chcrryville to that place it is an elevated plain, with here and there a gentle de-
pression for the small streams that make their way to the Lehigh and Delaware rivers. As far
as the eye can reach may be seen rich farms, neat stone dwellings, connnodioiis, and well-filled
barns, and beautiful orchards, richly laden with fruit, afibrding a specimen of the independence
characteristic of the German farmers of Pennsylvania. Indeed, the general appearance of pros-
perity indicates that the inhabitants are — what tliey are generally acknowledged to he — as lion-
est, industrious, and frugal a set of people as are to be found in any part of the Union. The
German language is very generally spoken among them, though we are informed that English
schools are becoming more frequently established and generally patronized for the education of
the young in the prevailing language of our country. Many of the farmers send their daughters
to the Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem, wliich is so justly celebrated for the acquirement of a
good English education.
In the southern part of the co. along the base of the South mountain,
is a rich deposit of iron, supplying material for 6 furnaces and 4 forges.
Recent experiments by a gentleman skilled in the art, are said to have
proved that the iron ores of this region are well adapted for the manufac-
ture of steel — a quality valuable because very rare.
The agricultural population is chiefly of German descent. In the
towns the races are more mixed, including many from Jersey, New Eng-
land, Pennsylvania, and a very few of the descendants of the Scotch-Irish
who originally settled the county above Easton. Although agriculture
is the main business of the citizens, yet there is considerable capital in-
vested in manufactures, particularly near Easton ; and also in the coal
and lumber trade. Good roads pass in all directions : the most important
are, the turnpike to Wilkesbarre, and those to Reading and Philadelphia.
The streams, both large and small, are crossed by substantial bridges.
The three prominent gorges in the Kittatinny mountain, the Lehigh
and Delaware Water-gaps, and the Wind-gap, arrest the attention of
every traveller. Prof Silliman thus describes the Lehigh gap : —
" Many mountain scenes engaged our attention, particularly as we approached the gap in the
Blue Ridge, through which the Lehigh passes. This mountain range stretches for many miles,
in a straight line to the right and left, presenting a regular barrier, fringed with forest trees, and
wooded on the entire slope, which was as steep as it could be, and sustain the wood upon its
sides. As we approached the gap, the view became very beautiful, and as we entered it by the
side of the Lehigh and of the fine canal upon the left of its bank, the mountain ridge, here cleft
from top to bottom, and rising apparently a thousand feet, presented on either hand a promontory
of rocks and forests, rising very abruptly, and forming a combination both grand and beautiful.
The passes of rivers through mountains are almost invariably picturesque, and it is always in-
teresting to observe how faithfully the rivers explore the clefts in mountain barriers, and, impelled
by the power of gravity, wind their way through rocky defiles, and pursue their untiring course
to the ocean. It is conunon to speak of such passes as being formed by the rivers, which are
often supposed to have burst their barriers, and thus to have shaped their own channel. This
may have happened in some peculiar cases, and there are doubtless many instances where the
lakes, of which many must have been left at the retiring both of the primeval and of the diluvial
ocean, have worn or burst away their barriers, especially when composed, as they must often
have been, of loose materials. But with respect to most rocky passes of rivers through moun-
tains, there appears no reason whatever to believe that the waters have torn asunder the solid
strata ; a more resistless energy must have been requisite for such an effect ; and we must there-
fore conclude that the rivers have, in most instances, merely flowed on through the lowest and
least obstructed passages ; their channels they have doubtless deepened and modified, often to
an astonishing degree, but they have rarely formed them tlirough solid rocks."
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 505
" The Forks of the Delaware" is the ancient name by which not only
the site of the present town of Easton, but the whole territory included
between the Lehigh and Delaware rivers, and bounded on the northwest
by the Kittatinny or Blue mountain, was originally designated. This
beautiful tract was occupied by a part of the Delaware nation. Above
the Kittatinny, along the Delaware river, were the Monsey or Minsi
tribes, who gave the name of the Minisinks to that region ; and it also
appears, by the early records of Bucks co., that a clan of the Shawanees
had a village and hunting grounds on the river east of where Stroudsburg
now is.
The Indian title to the lands in the Forks was extinguished, or was al-
leged to have been extinguished, by what is known as the walking pur-
chase, or the Indian walk — a transaction which reflected no credit upon
the proprietary government, and which stood prominent in the catalogue
of wrongs that led the Delawares, Shawanees, and Monseys to join the
French in 1755. William Penn and his agents, ignorant of the topogra-
phy of the wilderness in the interior, had, in their early purchases, been
in the habit of defining the boundaries of land by well-known streams or
highlands, as far as their knowledge extended, while for the interior
boundaries of the tracts such vague terms were used as these : " to run
two days' journey with an horse up into the country as the said river doth gd'
— " northwesterly back into the ivoods to make up two full days' journey as far
as a 7nan can go in two days from the said station," SfC.
One tract after another had thus been purchased by Penn and his
agents, until all of what is now Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware,
and Philadelphia counties had been included. Some of the tracts were
accurately defined by natural boundaries — of many others, they were left
to be determined by riding or walking at some future time. Such, how-
ever, was the benevolent policy of Penn, that he preferred to purchase
land three times over, and pay for it to as many different claimants, than
to fight for it, or to expose his colony to the tomahawk and scalping-knife,
by encouraging settlements on lands not clearly and indisputably relin-
quished by all Indians whatsoever. There is no evidence that any of
these boundaries had ever been rode or walked out : if they had been,
the boundaries of some would have extended far beyond the Lehigh hills
or the South mountain, or even the Kittatinny ; but such evidently was
not the expectation of the Indians, and accordingly, after the great natu-
ral features of the interior had become better known, as well as the ideas
and wishes of the Indians, —
" On the 17th of September, 1718, a deed of release was given by sundry Delaware Indian
chiefs — viz., Sassoonah, Meetashechay, Ghettypeneeman, Pokehais, Ayamackan, Opekasset, and
Pepawmamam — for all the lands situate between the two rivers, Delaware and Susquehanna,
from Duck creek to the mountains on this side Lechay, with an acknowledgment tliat they had
seen and heard divers deeds of sale read unto them, under the hands and seals of former kings
and chiefs of the Delaware Indians, their ancestors and predecessors, who were owners of said
lands, by which they had granted the said lands to William Penn, for which they were satisfied
and content — which, for a further consideration of goods delivered them, they then confirmed.
This deed is recorded, May 13th, 1728, in book A. vol. 6, p. 59.
" It is therefore to be observed, that the undefined limits of all the preceding deeds, (westward,
two days' journey with a horse, (Sec.,) which would have extended far beyond the Lehigh hills,
are here restricted to those hills, which, so far as related to the purchasers from the Delawares,
were the boundaries of the purchased lands. The settlers, notwithstanding, encroached on the
Indian lands beyond this boundary, which occasioned great anxiety and uneasiness among the
Delawares. The complaints of tne aged Sassoonan were eloquent and pathetic. Violence had
64
506 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
ensued, and blood had flowed. Preparations had been made, and alHances were forming for war ;
but by prudence and skill the danger was turned aside." — Smith's Laws.
On the Delaware the Lehigh hills were well known, but on the Schuyl-
kill the settlers had confounded them with the Kittatinny mountain, and
had built their cabins at Tulpehocken and Oley. Sassoonan complained
of this in 1728 ; and in 1732 Thomas Penn purchased the Tulpehocken
lands, now forming Berks co. Now, if it was necessary to purchase
these lands on account of the treaty of 1718, it was equally necessary to
purchase those at the forks ; for there was as good a deed for including
the Tulpehocken lands by a " ride of two days on a horse," as those of
the forks by a walk of one day and a half. The " Enquiry into the
causes of the alienation of the Delaware and Shawanese Indians," pub-
lished at London in 1759, says :
" While they [the Delawares] were paid for their lands on Tulpehocken, they were very unjustly,
and in a manner forcibly, dispossessed of their lands in the Forks of the Delaware. At this very
time, [1733,] William Allen, one of the principal gentlemen in Pennsylvania, and a great deal-
er in lands purchased of the proprietaries, was selling the land in the Minisinks, which had
never been purchased of the Indians : nay, was near 40 miles above the Lehigh hills, which was
so solemnly agreed upon, [by the treaty of 1718,] to be the boundary between the English and
the Indians. Gov. Penn, the founder, had devised to his grandson William, and his heirs, 10,000
acres of land, to be set out in proper and beneficial places, in this province, by his trustees.
These 10,000 acres Mr. Allen purchased of William Penn the grandson, and by virtue of a war-
rant or order of the trustees to Jacob Taylor, surveyor-general, to survey the said 10,000 acres,
he had part of that land located or laid out in the Minisinks, because it was good land, though it
was not yet purchased of the Indians. Had he contented himself with securing the right, and
sufTered the lands to remain in the possession of the Indians till it had been duly purchased and
paid for, no ill consequences would have ensued. But, (probably supposing the matter might be
easily accommodated with them in some future treaty,) no sooner had he the land surveyed t(>
him than he began to sell it to those who would immediately settle it. By his deeds to N. De
puis, 1733, and recorded in the rolls office of Bucks, it appears that one of the tracts he granted
included a Shawanee town, and that another was an island belonging to the same tribe of Indians,
and from them called the Shawanee island.
" About this time the proprietor published proposals for a lottery of 100,000 acres — to be laid
out anywhere within the province, except on manors, lands already settled, &c. There was no
exception of lands unpurchased of the Indians, but rather an express provision for those who had
unjustly seated themselves there, since by drawing prizes they might lay them on the lands on
■which they were already seated. By virtue of many of these tickets, tracts laid out in the Forks
were quickly taken up and settled. These transactions provoked the Indians."
Among the old deeds which were, or ought to have been, rendered ob-
solete, by the general deed of 1718, was one made to Thomas Holme.
Penn's agent and surveyor-general, by several Delaware chiefs, in 1686,
for a tract of land, (hereafter described,) of which one of the boundaries
was to be ascertained by walking. The original, however, of this deed
never could be found, and a musty copy, of which it was very difficult to
prove the authenticity, was therefore produced from among the proprie-
taries' papers in England ; and this copy, fifty years after it was made —
after William Penn, Thomas Holme, and the signing chiefs were dead —
after all the great natural features of the country had become well-
known, and no necessity existed any longer for walking out boundaries —
and after it was known that these vague boundaries had all been con-
cluded by the treaty of 1718, in which the Lehigh hills were made the
extreme boundary of the white settlements — this copy was produced, and
made the basis of a confirmatory deed, described in Smith's Laws as fol-
lows : —
Aug. 25, 1737. We, Teshakomen, alias Tishekunk, and Nootamis, alias Nutimus, two of the
eachemas or chiefs of the Delaware Indians, having almost three years ago, at Durham, begun
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 507
a treaty with our honorable brethren, John and Thomas Penn, and from thence another meeting
was appointed to be at Pennsbury the next spring following, to which we repaired, with Lappa-
winzoe, and several others of the Delaware Indians, at which treaty several deeds were produced
and showed to us by our said brethren, concerning several tracts of land, which our forefathers
had, more than fifty years ago, bargained and sold unto our good friend and brother William Penn,
the father of the said John and Thomas Penn, and in particular one deed from Maykeerickkisho,
Sayhoppy, and Tauglihaughsoy, the chiefs or kings of the northern Indians on Delaware, who
for, &c., did grant, &c., all those lands lying and being in the province of Pennsylvania, begin-
ning upon a line formerly laid out from a corner spruce-tree by the river Delaware, (Makeerikkit-
ton,) and from thence running along tlie ledge or foot of the mountains west-northwest to a cor-
ner white-oak, marked with the letter P., standing by the Indian path that leadeth to an Indian
town called Playwickey, and from thence extending westward to Nesliamony cr. ; from which
said line, the said tract or tracts thereby granted doth extend itself back into the woods, as far
as a man can go in one day and a half, and bounded on the westerly side with the creek called
Neshamony, or the most westerly branch thereof, and from thence by a line to the
utmost extent of the said one day and a half's journey, and from thence
to the aforesaid river Delaware, and from thence down the several courses of the said river to
the first-rnentioned spruce-tree, (See. But, some of our old men being absent, we requested more
time to consult with our people ; which request being granted, we have, after more than two
years from the treaty at Pennsbury, now come to Philadelphia, together with our chief sachem,
Monockykichan, and several of our old men. They then acknowledge that they were satisfied
that the above-described tract was granted by the persons above-mentioned, and agree to release
to the proprietors all right to that tract, and desire it may be walked, travelled, or gone over, by
persons appointed for that purpose.
[Signed] — Monockykichan, Lappawinzoe, Teshakomen, Nootamis ; and witnessed by twelve
other Indians, in token of full and free consent, besides other witnesses.
Recorded May 8, 1741, in book G., vol. i., p. 282.
The proprietors immediately advertised for the most expert walkers in
the province, and the walk was performed near the end of Sept. 1737,
in presence of Mr. Eastburn, surveyor-general, and Timothy Smith, sheriff
of Bucks CO. The following account of the walk, given by an eye-wit-
ness, is contained in the " Enquiry into the Causes," &c. : —
" At the time of the walk I was a dweller at Newtown, and a near neighbor to James Yeates.
My situation gave him an easy opportunity of acquainting me with the time of setting out, aa
it did me of hearing the different sentiments of the neighborhood concerning the walk; some al-
leging it was to be made by the river, others that it was to be gone upon a straight line from
somewhere in Wrightstown, opposite to a spruce-tree on the river's bank, said to be a boundary
to a former purchase. When the walkers started I was a little behind, but was informed they
proceeded from a chestnut-tree near the turning out of the road from Durham road to John Chap-
man's ; and, being on horseback, overtook them before they reached Buckingham, and kept com-
pany for some distance beyond the Blue mountains, though not quite to the end of the journey.
Two Indians attended, whom I considered as deputies appointed by the Delaware nation, to see
the walk honestly performed. One of them repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction therewith.
The first day of the walk, before we reached Durham cr., where we dined in the meadows of one
Wilson, an Indian trader, the Indian said the walk was to have been made up the river, and com-
plaining of the unfitness of his shoe-packs for travelling, said he expected Thomas Penn would
have made him a present of some shoes. After this, some of us that had horses walked, and let
the Indians ride by turns ; yet in the afternoon of the same day, and some hours before sunset,
the Indians left us, having often called to Marshall that afternoon, and forbid him to run. At
parting they appeared dissatisfied, and said they would go no further with us ; for as they saw the
walkers would pass all the good land, they did not care how far or where we went to. It was
said we travelled twelve hours the first day, and it being in the latter end of Sept., or beginning
of Oct., to complete the time were obliged to walk in the twilight. Timothy Smith, then sheriff
of Bucks, held his watch for some minutes before we stopped, and the walkers having a piece of
rising ground to ascend, he called out to them, telling the minutes behind, and bid them pull up ;
which they did so briskly, that immediately upon his saying the time was out, Marshall clasped
his arms about a sapUng to support himself. Thereupon, the sheriff asking him what was the
matter, he said he was almost gone, and that, if he had proceeded a few poles further, he must
have fallen. We lodged in the woods that night, and heard the shoutinor of the Indians at a
cantico, which they were said to hold that evening, in a town hard by. Next morning the In-
dians were sent to, to know if they would accompany us any further ; but they declined it, al-
though I believe some of them came to us before we started, and drank a dram in the company,
and then straggled off about their hunting, or some other amusement. In our return yie came
through this Indian town or plantation, Timothy Smith and myself riding forty yards, mure or
508 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
less, before the company ; and as we approached within about 150 paces of the town, the woods
being open, we saw an Indian take a gun in his hand, and advancing towards us some distance,
placed himself behind a log that laid by our way. Timothy observing his motions, and being
somewhat surprised, as I apprehended, looked at me, and asked what I thought that Indian
meant. I said I hoped no harm, and that I thought it best to keep on ; which the Indian seeing,
he arose and walked before us to the settlement. I think Smith was surprised, as I well remem.
ber I was, through a consciousness that the Indians were dissatisfied with the walk — a thing the
whole company seemed to be sensible of, and upon the way, in our return home, frequently ex-
pressed themselves to that purpose. And indeed, the unfairness practised in the walk, both in
regard to the way where, and the manner how it was perfonned, and the dissatisfaction of the In^
dians concerning it, were the common subjects of conversation in our neighborhood, for some con-
siderable time after it was done. When the walk was performed I was a young man, in the
prime of life. The novelty of the thing inclined me to be a spectator, and as I had been brought
up most of my time in Burlington, the whole transaction to me was a series of occurrences al-
most enti'-'; new ; and which, therefore, I apprehend, made the more strong and lasting impres-
sion on n _Y memory, Thomas Furniss."
Moses Marshall, the son of Edward, who performed the walk, gave to
Mr. John Watson the following account of it, as he had often received it
from his father : —
That in the year 1733 notice was given in the public papers, that the remaining day and a
half's walk was to be made, and offering 500 acres of land, anywhere in the purchase, and £5
in money, to the person who should attend, and walk the farthest in the given time. By previous
agreement the governor was to select three white persons, and the Indians a like number of their
own nation. The persons employed by the governor were Edward Marshall, James Yeates, and
Solomon Jennings. One of the Indians was called Combush, but he has forgotten the names
of the other two.
That about the 20th of Sept., (or when the days and nights are equal,) in the year aforesaid,
they met before sunrise, at the old chestimt-tree below Wrightstown meeting-house, together with
a great number of persons as spectators. The walkers all stood with one hand against the tree,
until the sun rose, and then started. In two hours and a half they arrived at Red hill, in Bed-
minster, where Jennings and two of the Indians gave out. The other Indian (Combush) con-
tinued with them to near where the road forks, at Easton, where he laid down a short time to
rest ; but on getting up was unable to proceed further. Marshall and Yeates proceeded on, and
arrived, at sundown, on the north side of the Blue mountain. They started again next morning, at
sunrise. While crossing a stream of water, at the foot of the mountain, Yeates became faint,
and fell. Marshall turned back, and supported him until others came to his relief; and then
continued the walk alone, and arrived at noon on a spur of the Second or Broad mountain, esti-
mated to be 86 miles* from the place of starting, at the chestnut-tree below Wrightstown meet-
ing-house.
He says they walked from sunrise to sunset without stopping, provisions and refreshments
having been previously provided, at different places along the road and line that had been run
and marked for them to walk by, to the top of the Blue mountain; and persons also attended
on horseback, by relays, with liquors of several kinds. When they arrived at t!ie Blue mountain
they found a great number of Indians collected, expecting the walk would there end ; but when they
found it was to go half a day furtlier, they were very angry, and said they were cheated — Penn
had got all their good land — but that in the spring every Indi'an was to bring him a buckskin,
and they would have their land again, and Penn might go to the devil with his poor land. An
bid Indian said, " No sit down to smoke — no shoot a squirrel ; but lun, lun, lun all day long !"
He says his father never received any reward for the walk, although the governor frequently
promised to have the 500 acres of land run out for him, and to which he was justly entitled.
The extreme anxiety of the proprietaries, as well as their motives, for
extending the walk as far as possible, may be best appreciated by a glance
at the map, and the peculiar course of the Delaware above the Kittatinny
mountain. If the walk had terminated at the Kittatinny, the line from
the end of the walk, to intersect the Delaware, if drawn at right angles,
(as the surveyor Eastburn and the land speculators claimed that it should
be,) would have intersected the Delaware at the Water-gap, and would
not have included the Minisink lands — a prominent object of the specula-
* It is only about 60 or 65 miles to the Pokono or Broad mountain, fix»m Wrig-htstown meeting
house.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 509
tors. The line, as actually drawn by Mr. Eastburn, intersected the Dela-
ware somewhere near Shoholo cr., in Pike co. Overreaching, both in its
literal and figurative sense, is the term most applicable to the whole
transaction. Nevertheless, in Dec. 1756, a committee of councils, ap-
pointed to inquire into the facts, presented an elaborate report to Gov.
Denny, drawn lip by Lynford Lardner, Esq., in which they make out, to
their own satisfaction, that the "Indian walk" was a fair and honorable
transaction.* It must be conceded, however, that one ground of complaint
on the part of the Indians — viz. : that the walk should have been along
the course of the river — was not well founded ; since the deed (if of any
validity) evidently required the walk to be in the interior.
When the settlers began to move upon the lands at the Forks, which
they did soon after the walk, Nutimus and others, who signed the release
of 1737, were neither willing to quit the lands, nor to permit the new set-
tlers to remain in quiet possession. They remonstrated freely, and de-
clared their intention to maintain possession by force of arms. In the
year 1741, therefore, a message was sent to the Six Nations, who, it was
well known, held the Delawares under a species of vassalage, to request
them to come down and force the Delawares to quit the Forks. They
accordingly came to Philadelphia in the summer of 1742, to the number
of 230.
" The governor informed the deputies of the conduct of their cousins, a branch of the Dela-
wares, who gave the province some disturbance about the lands the proprietors purchased of
them, and for which their ancestors had received a valuable consideration about fifty-five years
ago, (alluding to the deed of 1686, confirmed by the deed of 1737.) That they continued their
former disturbances, and had the insolence to write letters to some of the magistrates of this
government, wherein they had abused the worthy proprietaries, and treated them with the utmost
rudeness and ill manners ; that being loth, out of regard to the Six Nations, to punish the Dela-
wares as they deserved, he had sent two messages to inform them the Six Nation deputies were
expected here, and should be acquainted with their behavior. That as the Six Nations, on all
occasions, apply to this government to remove all white people that are settled on lands before
they are purchased from them, and as the government use their endeavors to turn such people off,
80 now he expects from them that they will cause these Indians to remove from the lands in the
forks of Delaware, and not give any further disturbance to the persons who are now in posses-
sion.
" The deeds and letters were then read, and the draught exhibited.
" Canassatego, in the name of the deputies, told the governor, " That they saw the Delawares
had been an unruly people, and were altogether in the wrong ; that they had concluded to remove
them, and oblige them to go over the river Delaware, and quit all claim to any lands on this side
for the future, since they had received pay for them, and it is gone through their guts long ago."
Then addressing himself to the Delawares in a violent and singular strain of invective, he said,
they deserved to be taken by the hair of the head, and shaked severely, till they recovered their
senses, and became sober ; and he had seen with his eyes a deed signed by nine of their ances-
tors about fifty years ago, for this very land, (1686,) and a release signed not many years since,
(1737,) by some of themselves, and chiefs, yet living, (Sassoonan and Nutimus were present,) to
the number of fifteen and upwards. " But how came you," continued he to the Delawares, " to
take upon you to sell lands at all ? We conquered you ; we made women of you. You know
you are women, and can no more sell land than women ; nor is it fit you should have the power
of selling lands, since you would abuse it. This land that you claim is gone through your guts :
you have been furnished with clothes, meat, and drink, by the goods paid you for it, and now you
want it again like children as you are. But what makes you sell lands in the dark ? Did you
ever tell us that you had sold this land ? Did we ever receive any part, even the value of a pipe
shank, from you for it ? You have told us a blind story, that you sent a messenger to us, to in-
form us of the sale ; but he never came among us, nor we ever heard any thing about it. This
i.1 acting in the dark, and very different from the conduct our Six Nations observe in the sales
of land. On such occasion they give public notice, and invite all the Indians of their united na-
* See Hazard's Register, vol. vi., p. 337. Also, in vol. v., p. 339, see Nicolas Scull's account
of the walk
610 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
tions, and give them all a share of the present they receive for their lands. This is the behavior
of the wise united nations. But we find you are none of our blood : you act a dishonest part not
only in this, but in other matters ; your ears are ever open to slanderous reports about your breth-
ren. For all these reasons, tee charge you to remove instantly ; we donH give you liberty to
think about it. You are women. Take the advice of a wise man, and remove instantly. You
may return to the other side of Delaware, where you came from ; but we do not know whether,
considering how you have demeaned yourselves, you will be permitted to live there, — or whether
you have not swallowed that land down your throats, as well as the land on this side. We there-
fore assign you two places to go to, either to Wyomen or Shamokin. You may go to either of
these places, and then we shall have you more under our eye, and shall see how you behave.
DonH deliberate, but remove away, and take this belt of wampimi." He then forbid them ever
to intermeddle in land affairs, or ever hereafter pretend to sell any land, and commanded them,
as he had something to transact with the English, immediately to depart the council.
" The Delawares dared not disobey this peremptory command. They immediately left th?
council, and soon after removed from the forks. Some, it is said, went to Wyoming and Shamo-
kin, and some to the Ohio. Thus strangely was terminated the purchase of 1686 — admitting
the deed to have once existed. But even at this treaty with the Six Nations, it was not admitted
that the proprietary right extended beyond the Kittochtinny hills ; and the deputies complained
that they were not well used with respect to the land still unsold by them. ' Your people,' they
said, ' daily settle on these lands, and spoil our hunting. We must insist on your removing them,
as you know they have no right to settle to the northward of the Kittochtinny hills. In particu-
lar We renew our complaints against some people who are settled on Juniata, a branch of Sus-
quehanna, and all along the banks of that river as far as Mahaniay, and desire they may forth-
with be made to go off the land, for they do great damage to our cousins the Delawares.' "
The earlier settlers of this county were emigrants from the north of
Ireland ; they generally avoided the limestone lands, (there known as the
dry lands, and little esteemed,) preferring the slaty hills of Mount Bethel
and Allen townships, where they found pure springs of water near the
surface. They were generally Presbyterians, and churches of this de-
nomination were among the earliest in the county. Allen township was
then known as Craig's settlement, and Mount Bethel as Hunter's settle-
ment. It is difficult to fix the precise date of the origin of these settle-
ments. Some have placed it as early as 1728-30 ; yet this would seem
rather too early. The Tulpehocken lands had been intruded upon by the
whites in 1722,andSassoonanhad complained of them in 1728; but we hear
little of any complaints of encroachments on lands in the Forks, until the
collisions which ensued with Nutimus after the Indian walk. In the re-
cords of the Phil. Presbytery it is said that Rev. Mr. Wales resigned his
pastoral charge of Allentown congregation as early as 1734. The In-
quiry into the Causes of the Alienation of the Indians, &c., says: —
In 1722 a settlement is made at Tulpehocken ; in 1728 the Indians complain of it. The
matter rested thus till the proprietor, in 1732, purchased this tract. But though the purchases
which the proprietaries had made of the Indians were still (except at Tulpehocken) bounded by
the Lechay hills, one gentleman having purchased a right to 10,000 acres of unlocated lands,
found means to have a part of these located in the Forks above, 30 miles above the boundaries,
in the Indian country. Encouraged by his example, many others soon after entered, and pos-
sessed themselves of the adjacent country. Of this the Indians complained ; but instead of pay-
ing any regard to their complaints, a lottery of land was set on foot by the proprietor, in 1734,
whereby the greatest part of the Fork lands, then full of Indian settlements, were offered to sale.
In the mean time, to amuse the Indians, several conferences were held with the Indians, one at
Durham, one at Pennsbury, and one at Philadelphia. (See the deed above, on page 506.) The
people during these conferences were settling thick at the Forks.
Rev. Mr. Whitfield commenced an establishment at Nazareth about
the year 1738-40; but soon after relinquished it, and sold out to the
Moravians, who came in 1740, and established themselves both at Beth-
lem and Nazareth. David Brainerd spent a number of years of his holy
and useful life in labors among the Indians at the Forks, and in occasional
services among the Irish settlers, during the years 1744-'46. He buiJt a
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. ^^
cabin at Mount Bethel. The Lutheran Germans came in at a later date.
After the revolution the Irish settlers began to seek homes in other re-
gions, following the frontier as it receded towards the west ; and their
families have nearly all disappeared from the county, their places be-
ing supplied by Germans, It is remarkable that the same change has
taken place throughout the w^hole of the Kittatinny valley, from Easton
to Mercersburg. The aged Mr. Stroud of Monroe co. remembers well
w^hen there was not a German family, except Moravians, in all the slate
lands of the county.
It will be more convenient to notice the details of the early history of
the CO. under the head of the prominent towns. For an account of the
insurrection in several townships, in 1799, the reader is referred to Le-
high CO.
i" Easton, the seat of justice, is situated at the confluence of the Delaware
and Lehigh rivers. In the advantages of its position, and the beauty of
its surrounding scenery, it can vie with any inland town in the state.
The society here is excellent ; the citizens are a moral, intelligent, and
industrious people. The dwellings are well built ; generally of brick or
limestone, and the churches are spacious and costly. The borough con-
tains, in addition to the usual county buildings, German Reformed, Lu-
theran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist churches, an academy, a
classical school, a public library, founded in 1811, and containing about
3,000 volumes, an excellent mineralogical cabinet, a mutual insurance
company, and two banks. This place is the centre of an immense grain
trade from the Kittatinny valley, and within three miles of the courthouse
there are 18 flouring-mills. several of which are in the borough ; besides
four oil-mills and a number of saw-mills. The Bushkill cr., which enters
north of the town, has heretofore furnished the principal water-power,
but recently a vast amount has been added by the works of the Lehigh
Navigation Co., who, by means of their dam and canal, have 21 feet fall
at South Easton. The splendid bridge across the Delaware cost about
$65,000 ; there was a chain bridge across the Lehigh, which was de-
stroyed by the great flood of 8th Jan., 1841, and it has been replaced by
a superstructure of wood on the usual plan. Lafayette college occupies
a commanding site on a high hill north of the town, from which a mag-
nificent view^ is enjoyed of the fine scenery of this vicinity.
Lafayette college had its origin in the public-spirited exertions of Hon. James M. Porter, (now
secretary of war,) and a number of other intelligent citizens of Easton. A charter had been
granted in 1826, and a board of trustees organized, but attempts to procure funds were for several
years unsuccessful. It was originally designed for a military school, after the model of Capt.
Partridge's academy; but this plan not meeting with general approbation, it was changed in 1832
for that of a collegiate institution, on the manual labor system. The Rev. Dr. George Junkin
was appointed president, assisted by several professors. The legislature having failed to make
an appropriation in aid of the college, an appeal was made to the public spirit of the citizens of
Easton and Philadelphia for funds to erect the present edifice, temporary accommodations hay.
ing been rented for the first year. This appeal was successful ; and on the 4th July, 1833, the
corner-stone was laid by Hon. J. M. Porter, president of the board of trustees, with appropriate
ceremonies. The edifice is 112 feet by 44, containing in all sixty rooms, and has received the
name of Brainerd Hall, in memory of the pious labors of that devoted missionary in this region.
The first term was opened in the new building in May, 1834, when Rev. Dr. Junkin and three
other professors were duly inaugurated.
The institution has continued to flourish. In 1840 or '41 the Rev. Dr. Junkin resigned and
took charge of an institution in Ohio ; when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Yeomans, a
graduate of Williams college, Mass. The course of studies is generally that of the other coUegea
512 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
of the state, with slight variations. The faculty is composed of men of talent and learning', and
the institution is assuming an honorable rank among her elder competitors.
A considerable increase of business has been caused here by the com-
pletion of the Lehigh Navigation Co.'s improvements to Mauch Chunk,
in 1829; of the Delaware division of the Penn. canal in 1831 ; and of the
Morris canal through N. Jersey to N. York. The distance to N. York by
land is 60 miles ; by Morris canal more than 110 ; to Philadelphia by land
56 miles ; to Bristol by canal 60, and thence to Philadelphia 20 more.
Population in 1810, 1,650; in 1820, 2,450; in 1830, 3,700; and in 1840,
exclusive of South Easton, 4,865. South Easton is on the right bank of
the Lehigh, a mile above Easton. It was established by the Lehigh
Navigation Co. as a manufacturing village, and contains, in operation,
a large cotton factory, a rolling and nail mill, several grist-mills, saw-
mills, &c. A ride factory, foundry, and furnace, were also established,
but in 1842 were not in operation. It is in contemplation to establish
here a manufactory of steel, which shall use the iron of this vicinity.
It is said by those who have investigated the early records of the co.,
that Easton was laid out by Hugh Wilson, of Allen township, and Col.
Martin, of Mount Bethel, commissioners, and William Parsons, surveyor,
about the year 1737 or '38, or soon after the Indian walk. It does not
appear, however, to have been settled for some years afterward, and not
very extensively until the county was established in 1752 ; the earlier
settlements having been made further in the interior, as mentioned above.
The Moravian brethren had a Brothers' house here at an early day — a
large edifice of stone. It is now one of the oldest buildings in the place,
forming a part of Mr. Bauchman's hotel. In the early days of the
town, all the limestone lands between it and Bethlehem, back from the
streams, were termed the dry lands, and the barrens ; and as there were no
springs to be found upon them they were considered unfit for residence,
and were left in a wild unsettled state. Before Lehigh co. was set oflT
(1812) it was a subject of complaint by the Bethlehem and Allentown
people, in their petitions for a new county, "that they had to travel so far
through this desolate region, entirely destitute of water or sustenance for
man or beast, to reach the county seat." This statement would hardly be
believed by one now passing through the fertile limestone farms between
Bethlehem and Easton.
We are indebted to the research of Mr. Sebring, of Easton. for the fol-
lowing document, illustrating the peculiar sectarian prejudices of that
day, and also showing the names of a number of the early settlers of the
town.
To the Worshipful the justices of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held at
Easton, for the county of Northampton, the \Qth June, 1755.
The petition of divers inhabitants of said town and others, humbly showeth :
That your petitioners are very apprehensive your worships have been greatly imposed upon, in
granting recommendations to his lionor the governor for sundry Roman Catholics, out of legiance
of his present majesty, our most gracious sovereign, for keeping public houses in this town,
when those who profess the Protestant religion have been rejected : that your petitioners humbly
conceive this practice may have pernicious consequences at this time, when an open rupture is
now daily expected between a Roman Catholic powerful and perfidious prince and the crown of
Great Britain ; as the Romans have thereby a better opportunity of becoming acquainted with
our designs against them, and are thereby the better enabled to discover those designs and render
them abortive.
Your petitioners therefore pray that your honors will make proper inquiry into this matter, and
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NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 513
grant such redress as the circumstances of things may require ; and your petitioners will ever
pray, &.c.
Jasper Scull, Henry Rintker, Stophcl Wagoner, Philip Mann, John Wagle, Jacob Miner, Na-
thaniel Vernon, Lodwick Connong, William Hoffman, Robert Latimore, David Jones, James
Percy, Robert McCracken, Robert Coungclton, John Latimore, Thomas Sillyman, Thomas
Wilson, William Hays, Thomas Patton, Conrad Hesse, Isaac Miller, Joseph Brader, William
Mack, John Jones, Ballser Hesse, Jacob Bachman.
The petition is endorsed, " John Fricker is not allowed a recommendation, &c., being a Roman
Cathohc."
Easton was a favorite place for holding councils with the Indian chiefs
between the years 1754 and 1761, while the French were endeavoring to
seduce the tribes on the Susquehanna and the Ohio from their allegiance
to the English. It was not uncommon to see from 200 to 500 Indians
present on these occasions, and many of the dignitaries of the province
and of other colonies. It was during the course of these negotiations
that Teedyuscung, the Delaware chief, succeeded — by his eloquence, by
the weight of his personal character, and by the firmness and cunning
of his diplomacy — in redeeming his nation, in a great degree, from their
degrading subserviency to the Six Nations ; and also in securing from
the proprietary government, in substance if not in form, some acknow-
ledgment and reparation for the wrongs done to his nation by the subtle-
ties of the Indian walk, and by calling in the aid of the Six Nations to
drive them from the forks. He would scarcely have succeeded in secur-
ing these advantages, had he not been assisted and advised at every step
by the Quakers and members of the Friendly Association, who were de-
sirous of preserving peace and of seeing justice done to the Indians.
They suggested to Teedyuscung the propriety of having a secretary of
his own, (Charles Thompson, Esq.,) to take minutes of what was said and
done in council. This was to prevent that convenient forgetfulness
which often seized the proprietary secretaries whenever the proprietary
interest required it. This measure was strenuously resisted both by the
governor and George Croghan, but firmly insisted upon by Teedyuscung.
The first council was held in July, 1756 ; but as the parties were not
full} prepared, and the attendance was small, the more important busi-
ness was deferred until autumn. On the 8th Nov. 1756, the Indian tribes,
Delawares, Shawanees, Mohicans, and Six Nations, represented by their
principal chiefs and warriors, met Gov. Denny, with his council, commis-
sioners, and secretary, and a great number of citizens of Philadelphia,
chiefly Quakers. Great pomp was observed on these occasions. " At
three o'clock," says the record, " the governor marched from his lodgings
to the place of conference, guarded by a party of the Royal Americans
in front and on the flanks, and a detachment of Col. Weiser's provincials
in subdivisions in the rear, with colors flying, drums beating, and music
playing — which order was always observed in going to the place of con-
ference. Teedyuscung, who represented four tribes, was the chief
speaker on the occasion.
" When the governor requested of him to explain the cause of the dissatisfaction and hostility
of the Indians, he mentioned several, — among which were, the instigations of the French, and
the ill usage or grievances they had suffered both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
" When the governor desired to be informed what these grievances were, Teedyuscung replied,
' I have not far to go for an instance : this very ground that is under me (striking it with his foot)
was my land and inheritance, and is taken from me hy fraud. When I say this ground, I mean
all the land lying between Tohiccon creek and Wioming, on the river Susquehanna. I have not
only been served so in this government, but the same thing has been done to me as to seyeral
65
514 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
tracts in New Jersey, over the river.' The gfovcrnor asked him wha he meant by fraud ?
Teedyuscung answered, ' When one man had formerly liberty to purchase lands, and he took the
deed from the Indians for it, and then dies — after his death liis children forg;e a deed like the true
one, with the same Indian names to it, and thereby take lands from the Indians which they never
sold, — this is fraud; also, when one king has land beyond the river and another king has land
on this side — both bounded by rivers, mountains, and springs, which cannot be moved — and the
proprietaries, greedy to purchase lands, buy of one king what belongs to another, — this likewise
\s fraud.''
" Then the governor asked Teedyuseung whether he had been served so ? He answered,
' Yes — I have been served so in this province : all the land extending from Tohiccon, over the
great mountain, to Wioming, has been taken from me hy fraud; for when I had agreed to sell
land to the old proprietary by the course of the river, the young proprietaries came, and got it
run by a strait course by the compass, and by that means took in double the quantity intended
to be sold ; and because they had been imwilling to give up the land to the English as far as the
walk extended, the governor sent for their cousins the Six Nations, who had always been hard
masters to them, to come down and drive them from the land. The English made so many pre-
sents to tlie Six Nations, that they would hear no explanation from the Delawares ; and the
chief (Conassatego) abused them, and called them women. The Six Nations had, however, given
to them and the Shawanees the country on the Juniata for a hunting groimd,and had so informed
the governor ; but notwithstanding this, the latter permitted the whites to go and settle upon
those lands. That two years before, the governor had been to Albany to buy more of the lands
of the Six Nations, and had described their purchase by points of compass, which they did not
understand — including not only the Juniata, but also the West branch of the Susquehanna,
which the Indians did not intend to sell ; and when all these things were known, they declared
they would no longer be friends to the English, who were trying to get all their country from
them.'
He assured the council that they were glad to meet their old friends the English, to smoke the
pipe of peace with them, and hoped that justice would be done to them for all the injuries wliich
they had received."
This conference continued nine days, and at the close a treaty of peace
was concluded between the Shawanees and Delawares and the Eng-
lish. The governor also offered to satisfy them for the land in the Forks
and the Minisinks, but as many of those concerned in the land were not
present, that question, at the suggestion of Teedyuseung, was adjourned,
and was fully discussed at a subsequent council held at Easton in July,
1757. The old deeds were called for, but could not all be produced.
Teedyuseung was well plied with liquor ; and it was with great difficulty
that the Quakers could keep him in a proper state to see clearly his own
interest, and to resist the powerful intrigues of Col. Croghan with the
Six Nations to weaken his influence. It was at length agreed to refer
the deeds to the adjudication of the king and council in England, and the
question was quieted for a time.
Another council was held here in the autumn of 1758, having for its
object more especially the adjustment of all differences with the Six Na-
tions, as well as with the other tribe-s. All the Six Nations, most of the
Delaware tribes, the Shawanees, the Miamis, the Mohicans, Monseys,
Nanticokes, Conoys, &c., w^ere represented : in all, about 500 Indians
were present. The governors of Pa. and New Jersey, Sir Wm. Johnson,
Col. Croghan, Mr. Chew, Mr, Norris, and other dignitaries, with a great
number of Quakers, also attended. Teedyuseung, who had been very in-
fluential in Ibrming the council, acted as principal speaker for many of the
tribes ; but the Six Nations took great umbrage at the importance which he
assumed, and endeavored to destroy his influence. Teedyuseung, however,
notwithstanding he was well plied with liquor, bore himself with dignity
and firmness, refused to succumb to the Six Nations, and w^as proof
against the wiles of Col. Croghan and the governor. The council corv
tinued eighteen days. The lancj questions were discussed-^especially the
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
515
purchase of 1754, by which the line was run from near Penn's cr., N. W.
by W., " to the western boundary of the state." (See page 25.) All the
land under that purchase beyond the Allegheny mountain was restored,
the deed being confirmed for the remainder, except for lands on the West
Branch. All causes of misunderstanding between the English and the In-
dians being removed, a general peace was concluded on the 26th Oct.
An additional compensation for lands was given ; and at the close of the
treaty stores of rum were opened to the Indians, who soon exhibited a
scene of brutal intoxication. There was also another council held at
Easton in 1761, concerning the Delaware settlement at Wyoming, in
which Teedyuscung took an active and eloquent part.
Bethlehem, the principal town of the United Brethren or Moravians
in the U. States, occupies an elevated site on the left bank of the Lehigh,
at the mouth of Manockisy cr. The scenery in the vicinity is said " not
to be surpassed by the finest park and forest scenes in England, to which
it bears a great resemblance." The town has always elicited the admi-
ration of travellers by its substantial, neat, and orderly appearance, cor-
responding with the character of the excellent people that founded it.
The principal buildings and other objects of interest in the town are, the
spacious church, capable of containing about 2,000 persons — the only
one in the place ; the Brothers' house, and Sisters' house, where those
who choose to live in a state of single-blessedness, and still earn an inde-
pendent support, can do so : the corpse-house and cemetery ; the museum
Church and Female Seminary.
of the Young Men's Missionary Society, containing a cabinet of minerals
and a collection of curiosities sent in by the missionary brethren from all
parts of the world ; the very celebrated seminary for young ladies ; the
51© NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
water-works on the Manockisy, said to have been in operation more than
90 years, and which furnished the model for those in Philadelphia.
AH the property at Bethlehem belongs to the society, who lease out the
lots only to members of their own communion. Each individual when
of age becomes a voluntary subscriber to the rules of the society, with
the right of withdrawing himself at pleasure ; in which case, however,
he is required to dispose of his property, if a householder, and remove from
the town. Each member pursues his occupation on his own private ac-
count ; but if any particular trade should sulTer by too great competition,
the society will not permit a new competitor in the same trade, although
a member of the society, to locate himself in the place. This secures to
all a competence. The society takes charge of its own poor, of which,
however, there are very few. The Moravian system is probably the
most successful attempt that has been made in the U. States to maintain
a community on the common property plan, having been in operation for
more than a hundred years. It is remarkable that there is not a single
lawyer in the place, nor is one needed. There are only two hotels in the
place — both good ones. Although the place has its full share of travel
and of strangers, yet the society has never found it " necessary for the
convenience of the public" to license six or eight tippling taverns. The
Lehigh canal passes the town along the river. There is a bridge over the
Lehigh. Population in 1840, 1,622.
" The IMoravians are fond of music, and in the church, besides a fine-toned or^aii, they hava
a full band of instruments. When a member of the comnmnity dies, they have a peculiar cere-
mony : four musicians ascend to the tower of the church with trumpets, and announce the event
by performincr the death dir^^e. The body is immediately removed to the house appointed for the
dead — ' the corpse-house' — where tiie remains are deposited for three days. The weeping wil-
lows, whose branches overhanif this resting-place for the dead, convey an impression of the so.
Icmnity and silence which reigns in the narrow-house prepared for all mankind. It stands de^
tached from all other buildings ; excluded from all communication with the stir and bustle of
business, and appears in character with the purpose to which it is devoted. On the third day the
funeral service is performed at the church. The corpse is brought from the dead-house to the
lawn in front, and after several strains of solenm nmsic, the procession moves towards the grave,
with the band still plaving. which is continued some time after the coflin is deposited. The
graveyard is kept with perfect neatness. The graves are in rows, on each of which is placed a
plain "white stone, about tv.'elve inclies square, on which is engraved the name of the deceased,
and the date of his birth and death — nothing more is allowed by the regulations of the society.
A stone, rude as it may be, is sutficient to tell where we lie, and it matters little to him on whose
pulseless bosom it reposes. The ground is divided into various apartments, for males, females,
adults, children, and strangers. Among the many graves that we looked at was that of the pious
Heckewelder, born 1743, died in lti;^3."
" We were shown the house where Lafayette lay during his recovery from the wound received
at the battle of Brandywine, and were told that the woman who acted as a nurse had an irter
view with the old general when he last visited the country, and that she was now living in the
' Sister House.' " — Travellers' Notes.
In the ninth centurj- a sister of the King of Bulgaria being carried a prisoner to Constantino-
ple, became a Christian, and, through her means, on her return to her native land, a Christian
church was established in her country, of which the King of INIoravia and the Duke of Bohemia
were members. A part of these churches were afterwards forced into the Roman church, but a
select few still refused to bow the knee to Rome. This little remnant, adhering to the pure and
simple doctrines of the primitive church, sutfered a variety of persecutions for several centuries,
and at last were permitted to live in a wasted province on the borders of Moravia. Here they
established a church in 1457, on what they deemed " the Rule and Law of Christ," calling them-
selves at first Fratres legis Christi, Brethren of the Law of Christ, and finally, Unitas Fra-
trum, or United Brethren. They were a regular, sound, and evangelical church a^ century befors
the reformation of Luther; and were in intimate communion with the Waldciftes, who had been
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
517
preserved uncorrupted from the days of the Apostles. Count Zinzendorf was not the founder of
the Moravian church, as imagined by many, but merely the protector of its members, when driven
from their native land. They were allowed to settle m his village of Bethelsdorf. He assisted
them to reorganize their church, and after fruitless attempts to induce them to join the Lutheran
church, he became himself one of them, and their leader and guardian, especially in temporal
matters. When in 1734 the Elector of Saxony expelled the United Brethren and the followers
of Schwcnckfeld from his dominions, such of them as resided in the count's village of Bethclsdorf,
[in Upper Lusatia] since 17:25, resolved to go to Georgia, and the count undertook to procure a
free passage for them from the trustees of the Georgia colony residing in London. They estab-
lished missions in Georgia, but refusing to take up arms in defence of the colony, were obliged
to leave, and sought an asj'lum in the peaceable domain of Win, Penn, about the year 1739 and
'40. Rev. George Whitfield, who had labored in conjunction with them in Georgia, had begun
to erect a large building in the " Forks of the Delaware" as a school for negro children, to which
he gave the name of Nazareth. At his request the brethren undertook to finish the building,
though attended with great danger, the Indians refusing to quit the country, and threatening to
murder them : they were compelled to leave it in 1740."
The following historical sketch of the principal events at Bethlehem, and its vicinity, is con-
densed from Loskiel's History of the ^Missions of the United Brethren in America : —
Bishop Nischman, arriving in 1740, with a company of brethren and sisters, from Europe, they
made purchase of the present site of Bethlehem. " It was wild and woody, at a distance of 80
miles from the nearest town, and only two European houses stood in the neighborhood, about two
miles up the river. No other dwellings were to be seen in the whole country, except the scat-
tered huts or cottages of the Indians. Rev. Chr. Hy. Rauch assisted Bishop Nischman in his
labors here."
[Here is a view of the first house erected in Bethlehem. It stood on the brow of the hill,
where the road now winds down to the flouring-mill on the Manockosy.]
^^fCw^T" ,,-S
First House built in Bethlehem.
Some time after, the Brethren purchased " the manor of Nazareth," from Mr. Whitfield, finished
the house, and " Nazareth became by degrees a very pleasant settlement." The Indians were
reconciled, and permission was obtained of the Six Nations for the establishment of the mission.
At the close of the year 1741, Count Zinzendorf arrived in America; and in the ensuing sum-
mer of 1742 visited Bethlehem. While here he made a missionary tour among the villages of
the red-men in the neighborhood, accompanied by his daughter Benigna, and several brethren and
sisters — learning their manners, securing their affections, and i)reaching to those ferocious war-
riors the gospel of peace. " His first visit was to the Indian Patemi, [Tademy?] who lived not
far from Nazareth. He (Patemi) was a man of remarkably quiet and modest deportment, spoke
English well, and regulated his housekeeping much in the European style." They also visited
Clistowacka, and another Indian town, chiefly inhabited by Delawares ; and then proceeded over
the Blue mountain to Pochapuchkung and Meniolagomekah. The count also extended his tour
to Tulpehocken, the residence of Conrad Weiscr, and to the Shawanees and Delawares of Wyo-
ming and Shamokin. He returned to Europe in 1743.
Bethlehem and Nazareth continued to increase and prosper : new Brethren came from other
suitions to labor here ; and many believing Indians were baptized. Bethlehem became a central
518 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
and contrnllinp Bfiilion, from wliitli tlio nndirrn fooli tlitir inHlructions from thfl eldt^rn, on tlicir
Hrpnrliirc, I'roiti Jimo to liiiio, for tlio (liircrciil. oiit|)(iH(,H of tlu) ini.SHion, on tlio upp(T Lehigh,
Uu' SiiHcuirhiituiH, niul «;vr?itii;illy in tlui dislimt wilds of i\n: Allrjrhfiiiy iind Ohio riv(TS. liittio
vdljijfcM o( ('hri.Mlinti Iiidiiitm, IliifH o( (irjic.c, MiiIh of Peace, IIiiIh of Merey, were orfrnni/.ed ut
viirioiiH |ii)inlH, under f Iki Soeicly'H re^jiiliilioriH, whi'n^ the conv<'rtH ini[;h( ^ri(>w in (jraee, iinmo-
les(c<i hy the hcntheniHh ri(<s an<l revelw of (hfur untamed lirethren. Kiiueh, Ituettner, Senseinan,
IVIiieli, ( 'hriNtinn l''iedcriek Poh), Meekewehler, /.ciHhcrjrer, IJiwhop NiMelinian, Ulshnp ( ^ammer-
holl', Itishop Span^enherjr, and olherH, were (he lnhorerH in Ihiw Helf-denylnf( eiiterjiriHe. So fro.
rpient. wi^re (he vinitH of the niinpiionarieH nnd ('hrlHliaii ln(hanH to the SuHcpiehaiinn, that a
htMiten path waH worn aerosH the NeHe.o|>ee,k tnotnitairiH, hc^twi^en (inadi^rdiiitten and Wyoming.
A formal emhaHSy Was Hent hy the Urethren to the grand ermncil at ()non(higa, from wlioin
they received exprcHH permisHion to cslalihsh their niiwHif)!! Ntatiorifi in the Indian domain; uud
two of the hrcthrcn Were aluo permitted to resiilr- anion^r the Six Nations, tf» h'arn their hinguago.
" Anion).' those hapli/.ed in I7ri()," says I.oskiel, "was rnu^ 'I'adeimciind, cahed HoncKt Jolin
hy the Miinhsh. IIih haptisin was delayed somi- time hecauso of his wavering disposition; but
liaving oiiei! Ikm-ii present at a hajitism, he said to one of the Itrcthren, ' I am distressiMl thut the
time is not yi^t eonn^ that I shall ho hapti/.ed and (deansed in the hlood of ('lirist. () that I
Were l»aptiy,ed and cleansed in liis hlooii !' He received this favor soon aftiT, and was named
(aid(!on. 'I h(^ missionaries ix^sitated alsr> ahout hapti/.ing another Indian, living in Meniolagomc
kali, called lliir .lacoh ;" hut he was, alter close examination, hapli/.ed, and named Paul. "lie
remaine<l I'ailhrul inidi the end." Not so, however, wit h 'radeiisennil. l''oiir years alterwarda,
when till- Susipiehanna Indians weri^ seeri'tly ploltin.'X to join the l'"iench, and commence hostili.
ties against the lOnglisli, it was part of the scheme to persuade the Christian Indians of (Jnaden-
liutten to remove to Wyoming, that tla^ others might fall upon the while people, helow tlu^ moun-
tains. " Ahraham, a IVIohican, and (iich-on 'radeuscund wen^ the most aeliv(! in promoting this
alVair. The latler soon proved, hy his whole hehavior, that thi^ douhls of the missionaries con-
cerning his steadiness were hut too well founded. Il(^ was like a reed shaken with the wind."
(See page I HI!,)
Tile defcHl of Hraddoek, the following year, hroiight a desolating storm of savage warfare up-
on the whole Ironller. Many wliili' settlements near the Hliie mountain were <-lit f>ir, an<l even
(he poor Hrethreii ami Indians at ( iiiadenhiitleii did not escape. 'I'hi^ Moravians, and their In-
dian converts, were in danger hetween two (ires. Th<' hostile Indians wrrv hiirningand ravaging
their villages on the dehigh. On the other hand, the Irish of the Kitlatinny valley viewed with jeal-
ousy, not without some reason, the asylum alliirded to hostih^ parties of Indians at the ("hristiim
Indian villages, as they passtul hack and forth through the country: it was c.harg<'d too against
th(^ llrethien that they would not lake up arms in defence of the colony; and falsely charged,
moreover, that they were actually in league with the I'Vench. Il was dillicult to conviiic<' men,
excited and exasperated hy the murder !)f their lamilies, that thesis charges were without loiin-
dation. They openly threiilened to exterminate the Indian eonvc-rts, and it was dang<^rous for
tiie friendly Indians even to hilnt in the woods. The missionaries themselves were insulted and
ilhiiscd. Under these circumstanci^s, the alVrighted IndiaiiH, whose towns iiail been hiirnt, took
rid'iige at Pethlehem.
The Moravian eslaliliHlimcnts were a great ohstacle to the designs of the hostile Indians, since
Ihey could not persuade the friendly Indians lo destroy the missionary towns. " Sometimes weli-
disjiosed Indians, hearing of a plot against them hy the warriors, would travi'l all night to warn
tile Hrcthrcn ; and thus their schinies were defeated." (irent numherH of the distressed white
Hettlcrs took i<-fuge in the Moravian setllcmeiits. Hundreds of women and children came even
fr(un distant pla<-es, crying and hegging for shelter; some almost destitute, having left their all,
and lied in th(> night. Some Hretlireii, going with wagons to letch corn from the mill, beyond the
Ului^ moinilain. Were met l>y a great miuiher of white people in distress, the savages having at-
tacked their towns, mnrdiMe<l many, and set lire lo their dwellings. The Mielhrcn loaded thoif
wagons with these penple. Metidehem, Na/areth, Priedensthal, (jhrislianslirumi, and tiii' Rose,
were at this time coiisidered asylums lor all, as long as there WHS room ; and the empty school-
houses and mills were allotted llu'in for residence.
In Jan. 17.^7, piihlic .service l)egan to be perforim-d at nethlchem, in the Indian language, tho
liturgy being translated into Mohican, by the missionary .lacoh Sehmieli. Several parts of the
Seripiures, and many hymns, were also translated into the Delaware language, for the use of the
church ami schools. 'I'he children freipiently came together and sang praises in German, Mohi-
can, and Delaware hymns.
June ll», I7.')7, the tirst house was built at Nain, for the accommodation of the Indian Ilrethron,
who would not remove lo Wyoming; but the war retarded the progress of the buildings. In tlvo
autumn of I7.'"|H Nain was completed, and the Indians removed thither. The chapel was coiiHc-
eraleil cui the IHlh Oct. The settlement increased so fast that, in 1 7()(), it became necessary for
the hivcio swarm; and a new station was established at \Vriiiirtinil,,\»'yn\\(\ the IMue mountain.
Col. (Toghan desired to have the treaties held at H.thlcheni, but the Hrethren iimfornily refused.
When TudcuHOund was coming to one of theae treaties, ho was accomp.inied by the chief of tho
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 519
•avagcs who burnt the village of the Brethren, on the Mahony. Tadeuscund quarrelled with him
am) killed him on the road.
After the treaty at Easton, in 1758, it was determined to hold a grand eouncil in Philadelphia,
for the purpose of making a general peaee with all the Indian nations ; and it became necessary
to despatch a messenger to tiic hostile tribes on the Ohio. This was a dangerous errand ; but
Christian Frederick Post, one of the brethren, agreed to undertake it. lie went twice to the
Oliio, and was successful in liis mission. On the 1st July, 17.'')8, he arrived in Bethlehem, with
the Indian deputies ; and thence proceculed with them to Philadeljihia.
The journal of Post, a most interesting narrative, is published in the Appendix to Proud's His-
tory of Ptinisylvanla :
" In Aug. 17t)(», the aflecting news of the death of Count Zinzendorf arrived at Bethlehem,
and made a de<'p impression upon the Itulian congregations, ' wiio wept over his loss, and thanked
the Lord for tlie blessings im|)arted unto tlic^m by means of his labors.' "
In 17(i.'<, the frontiers were again overrun by the scalj)iiig j)arties of the western Indians,
during what was called I'ontiac's war. Some of these parties occasionally skulked about the
Moravian Indian towns, and tliis circumstance, togetber with the simultaneous massacre of the
Stinton family and several other Irish settlements, revived the old jealousies between the Irish
settlers of. the kittatinny valley and the Moravian brethren. The events of that day which oc-
curred in the neighborhood of Bethleliem have an intimate relation to the causes of the nuissacre
of the Concstoga ludiatts at Lancaster by "the Paxton men" on tiic 14th and ii7th of Deeem-
ber.
" The Irish declared that no Indians should dare to sliow themselves in the woods, or they
should be shot dead immediately ; and that if oidy one more while man sbouid be murdered in
this neighborhood, the whole Irish settlement would rise in arms and kill all the iidiabitants of
Wequetank, without waiting for an order from government, or an order from a justice of the
peace. 'Phe Indians at Wequ(;tank were obligc^d to quit the place and take refuge at Nazareth.
The same threatening messages were sent to Nain. The day altt^r the murd(!r of the Stinton
family, Dth Oct. 17G3, about M white men assembled on the o|)i>osite side of the Lehigh with a
view to surpri.sc Nain in the night, and murder all the iidiabitants. But a neighboring friend
representing the danger and difliculty of such an attempt in strong terms, the enemy forsook
their intentions and returned home; and the Brethren ])raised (>od for this very merciful preser-
vation. Still the congregation at Nain was blockaded on all sides. I'lie murch^rs of the New
England people at Wyoming increased the fury of tlie white; i)eo[)le. Tiu; inhal)itants of Nairi
ventured no longer to go to Bethlehem on business. No Indian ventured to fetch wood, or to
look after his cattle, without a white brother to accompany him, or a passport in his pocket."
The Moravian Indians wen; soon afterwards, about 8th Nov. 17(i3, ordered by the govern-
ment to repair for protection to Philadelphia, when; they were lodged in the barracks. The In-
dians from the mission at Wyalusing also went to Philadelphia for the same reasons.
" Wequetank was burnt by tli(! whit(; peoph;, and in the night of tin; 18th Nov. some incendi-
aries endeavored to set fire to Bethleh(;m. The oil-mill was consumed, and the fury of the Hames
was such, that the adjoining water-works were with dilliculty saved."
Peace was (wneluded with the hostile Indians in 17(j4, when the Moravian Indians returned
in safety to BethU^hem, Nain, and Wyalusing.
"In the year 1787, the Brethren in North America established a society calh'd The Society
of the United Brethren for Propagating the (Jospel among the Heathen, in imitation of the soci.
ety for the furtherance of the gospel, established by tlu; Hrethreii in England 4() years before.
This society consists of all the elders and ministers of the congregations of the United Bn^thrcn
in N. America, and many other members chosen at thc^ir request, and with the consent of the so-
ciety. They held their first meeting 21st Sept. 1787, at Bethlehem. On the 27th Fob. 178H,
the society was incorporated by the legislature of Permsylvania."
Nazareth is another very pretty village of the Moravians, 10 miles
north of Bethlehem, and 7 miles northwest of I'^aston, on (he turnpike to
Wilkesbarrc. This place, in its orderly character and neat app(!arance,
resembles the other towns of the same frat(!rnity. It contains a church,
a tavern, a Sisters' house, a large and flourishing seminary for boys, un-
der the charge of Rev. Mr. Kluge, having about 80 scholars, and the
usual dead-house and cemetery peculiar to the sect. Rev. Mr. Reincke
is now the pastor. The annexed view shows the new church built in
1840 ; behintl it Mr. Kluge's residence ; in front the boys' seminary, and
on the right of it the Sisters' house. There is still standing on the east-
ern border of the village, the original hou.se commenced by Rev. George
Whitfield, the eloquent preacher, about the year 1 738-40, intended as a
520
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
Church, Seminary, and Sisters' House.
school for African children. Before he had finished it he sold out to
Count Zinzendorf, who completed the building. It is a large antique edi-
fice, built of limestone, with a hip-roof, and has in front between the sto-
ries a brick band with crank-shaped ends, similar to those in many an-
cient houses in Philadelphia. This band marks the limits of Whitfield's
labor.
Gnadenthal, Schoenick, and Christian Spring, are small Moravian set-
tlements about a mile from Nazareth. Gnadenthal is the site of the coun-
ty poorhouse.
Nazareth is situated exactly at the junction of the slate and limestone
lands. A slate quarry has been opened in the neighborhood, yielding
only flag-stones and roofing-slate. A medicinal spring gushes out from
the slate rock about a mile from the village, in a deep shady glen — a de-
lightful summer resort. The population of Nazareth in 1830 was 408 —
in 1840, about 450.
Between Bethlehem and Nazareth are the villages of Nevvberg and
Hectovvn. Besides the towns already mentioned, there are on the west-
ern side of the co., a few miles back from the Lehigh, Bath, Howart-
town, Kreidersville, Cherryville, Kernsville, and Berlinville, all pleas-
ant villages, supplying each its own circle of farmers. Near Cherryville
is an ancient Lutheran church, " St. Paulus Kirck," originally founded in
1772. This place was formerly known as " Indian Land." This region
on the Lehigh was originally known as Craig's settlement, and after-
wards as Allen township. Bath was laid out by the Irish some years
before the revolution. For the following notes on the early history of
Allen township we are indebted to the diligent researches of Rev. Mr.
Webster of Mauch Chunk :
" This settlement was made from the north of Ireland about the years 1728-30. That was
the period at which the tide of Presbyterian emiffration began to take place : at this date the
Irish settlements in Londonderry, N. H., Colerain, Mass., aud Orange co., N. Y., began. Says
Rev. Mr. Andrews of Philadelpiiia, in April 8, 1730, to a friend, 'Such multitudes of people
coming in from Ireland of late years, our Presbyterian congregations are multiplied in the prov-
ince to 15 or 16, all supplied with ministers but two or three.'
" Wm. Craig, Esq., and Thomas Craig, Esq., appear to have been the principal settlers. Their
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 521
residence was not far from where the Presbyterian church in Allen township now stands. Oth-
ers— men of property, influence, and rehgious character — were, John Ralston, Robert Walker,
John Walker, John McNair, John Hays, James King, Gabriel King, his only son, eminent for
his piety, Arthur Lattimore, Hugh Wilson, Wm. Young, George Gibson, Robert Gibson, An-
drew Mann, James Riddle, John Boyd, Widow Mary Dobbin, Nigel Gray, and Thomas Arm-
strong, who afterwards removed to Fogg's manor.
" Thomas Craig was the first justice of the peace ; Hugh Wilson the next. James Craig
lived to an advanced age, and though palsied, was always carried on the sabbath to the sanctu-
ary by his sons Wm. and Robert. Dr. Franklin mentions stopping at Hays' on his way to
Gnadenhutten, and being joined by Hays' company of 30 men, and Martin's from Martin's cr.,
Mount Bethel. The Irish settlement extended from the dry lands up to Biery's bridge. Mr.
Gregg, an early settler and a valuable man, lived where the Crane iron works now stand. The
most distant settlers often came in and sheltered their families in the fort. A number of fami-
lies were massacred above the bridge, about the year 1755-56. Mrs. Lattimore, now living, re-
members the terrors of that day. Mr. Burke, lately deceased at Easton, says that his mother
fled at one time as far as Wilkcsbarre.
" By the records of Philadelphia Presbytery, it appears that Rev. Eleazer Wales resigned the
pastoral charge of Allen town congregation in 1734. He was probably their minister from the
first. The congregation probably remained vacant till the visit of Brainerd, who often preached
at the settlement near where the church now stands. Mr. Burke's grandfather built a lean-to
beside his own house, for Brainerd's accommodation. Mr. Wilson's mother told him how often
after he had preached Brainerd went round conversing with the people who were weeping under
the trees. The earliest record I can find is inscribed " the Count Book of the Congregation of
the West Branch of the Delaware on the Forks, Jan. 8-9, 1749-50." .£40 per annum was the
salary. The successive ministers were Rev. Daniel Lawrence, a graduate from the Log College,
from 1748 to '5:2 ; Rev. John Clark, from 1759 to 1768. Rev. John Rosbrugh, who came in
1769 and preached also at Mount Bethel — an able preacher, and zealous patriot, and chaplain of
the revolution ; he was murdered by the Hessians at Trenton, 2d Jan. 1777. During the division
which existed from 1741 to 1758, this congregation was connected with the New York Synod,
or the " New side." Probably at this time, and out of this, grew up a Seceder congregation
which had a meeting-house towards Biery's bridge. They had no minister, but were occasion-
ally supplied. The congregation has long been extinct.
" The Presbyterian congregation, between 1783 and '90, erected a large stone academy on Ma-
nockasy creek, a mile from Bath, and Rev. Thomas Picton was the instructor. It is now used
by the congregation for divine worship.
" Since the revolution the settlement began to decline ; men grew tired of farming, or wasted
their property, and sold out and moved away. The Hays family of Pittsburg, Wilsons of Buf-
falo township. Union co., Ralstons of Chester, and Culbertsons of the West, removed from here.
The land-office was at Bath. George Palmer was surveyor-general many years ; he lies buried
in Allen township graveyard."
Among the murders and ravages of the Indians in 1763 were the fol-
lowing, related in Gordon's Hist, of Penn. :
Early in Oct., the house of John Stinton, about eight miles from Bethlehem, was assailed by
the Indians, at which was Capt. Witherholt, with a party belonging to Fort Allen. The Capt.,
designing early in the morning to proceed for the fort, ordered a servant out to get his horse
ready, who was immediately shot down by the enemy ; upon which the captain going to the
door was also mortally wounded, and a sergeant, who attempted to draw the captain in, was also
dangerously hurt. The lieutenant then advanced, when an Indian jumping on the bodies of the
two others, presented a pistol to his breast, which he, putting aside, it went off over his shoulder,
whereby he got the Indian out of the house and shut the door. The Indians then went round to
a window, and as Stinton was getting out of bed, shot him ; but, rushing from the house, he was
able to run a mile before he dropped dead. His wife and two children ran into the cellar ; they
were fired upon three times, but escaped uninjured. Capt. Witherholt, notwithstanding his
wound, crawled to a window, whence he killed one of the Indians who were setting fire to the
house ; the others then ran off, bearing with them their dead companion. Capt. Witherholt died
soon after.
On the 8th of Oct., a party of 15 or 20 Indians attacked the house of Capt. Nicholas Marks,
of Whitehall township, [now in Lehigh co.] Marks, his wife, and an apprentice boy, made their
escape, though twice fired upon by the Indians, and proceeded to the house of one Adam Fashler,
where there were 20 men under arms. These immediately went in pursuit of the enemy. In
their progress, they visited the farms of Jacob Meekly, where they found a boy and girl lying
dead, the girl scalped ; of Hance Sneider, where they discovered the owner, his wife, and three
children dead, in the field, and three girls, one dead, the other two wounded, and one of them
•Cdiped. On their return to Ashler's, they found the wife of Jacob Aliening, with a child, lying
dead in the road, and scalped. The houses of Marks and Sneider were both burned.
522 NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
Above Easton, on the high slate lands a short distance back from the
Delaware, and along the road to Stroudsburg, are the following villages
Mt. Bethel, a small hamlet, the site of one of the earliest settlements in
the county ; Richmonu, an ancient village inhabited chiefly by Germans
Centreville, two miles beyond, a pleasant and flourishing village recent-
ly started ; and Williamsburg, about two miles from the Delaware, a
small village settled some years since. This section of the county was
settled at a very early date by emigrants from the north of Ireland, and
was known as Hunter's settlement, and since as Mt, Bethel township.
Martin's creek took its name from Col. Martin, an early settler. One mile
above this creek, and about seven miles from Easton, is the site of the
ancient Bethel Presbyterian church. In the old graveyard are recorded
the names of a number of the early settlers, among whom Robert Lyle,
who died in 1765, aged 67, appears to have been conspicuous. This was
the scene of the holy and self-denying labors of Rev. David Brainerd.
He also labored with eminent success among the Indians at Crossweek-
sung in New Jersey, and at Shamokin and Juniata island on the Susque-
hanna. He kept a diary and journal of his travels — but so absorbed
was he in the spiritual duties of his mission, that he has recorded but few
names of persons and places, and few facts of general interest that throw
light upon the early history of this region :
Leaving New England, he crossed the Hudson, and went to Goshen in the Highlands ; and
so travelled across the woods, from the Hudson to the Delaware, about a hundred miles, through
a desolate and hideous country, above New Jersey, where were very few settlements — in which
journey he suffered much fatigue and hardship. He visited some Indians in the way, at a place
called Minnissinks, and discoursed with them concerning Christianity. Was considerably mel-
ancholy and disconsolate, being alone in a strange wilderness. On Saturday, May 12, he came
to a settlement of Irish and Dutch people, and proceeding about 12 mDes further, arrived at Sak-
hauwotung, an Indian settlement within the Forks of the Delaware.
Lord's day, May 13. — Rose early ; felt very poorly after my long journey, and after being wet
and fatigued. Was very melancholy ; have scarcely ever seen such a gloomy morning in my
life ; there appeared to be no Sabbath ; the children were all at play ; I, a stranger in the wil-
derness, and knew not where to go ; and all circmnstances seemed to conspire to render my af-
fairs dark and discouraging. Was disappointed respecting an interpreter, and heard that the
Indians were much scattered. O, I mourned after the presence of God, and seemed like a creature
banished from his sight I yet he was pleased to support my sinking soul amidst all my sorrows ;
so that I never entertained any thought of quitting my business among the poor Indians ; bu*
was comforted to think that death would ere long set me free from these distresses. Rode about
three or four miles to the Irish people, where I found some that appeared sober and concerned
about religion. My heart then began to be a little encouraged : went and preached first to the
Irish and then to the Indians ; and in the evening was a little comforted : my soul seemed to
rest on God, and take courage. — Edwards' Life of Brainerd.
He went to New Jersey to be ordained, and again returned to his la-
bors at the Forks : but his body was too feeble for the fervent spirit that
dwelt within it, and it seemed at every moment as though he would sink
under the hardships of the wilderness. With the aid of a poor interpre-
ter, he translated prayers into the language of the Delawares. He speaks
of the Indians in this region as being excessively addicted to idolatry —
as having contracted strong prejudices against Christianity on account
of the wicked lives of the whites with whom they had intercourse — and
as being extremely attached to customs and fabulous notions of their
fathers ; one of which was, " that it was not the same God made them who
made the white people, but another, who commanded them to live by
hunting, &c., and not to conform to the customs of the white people ;"
and furthermore, thpy were " miich awed by their powaws, who were sup-
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. 523
posed to have the power of enchanting or poisoning them in a very dis-
tressing manner." Nevertheless, some converts were gathered in as the
reward of his labors, among whom were his interpreter, Moses Finda
Fautaury, and his wife. Brainerd built himself a cabin with his own hands,
not far from Bethel church ; and on moving into it, having, as he says,
" a happy opportunity of being retired in a house of his own," he set
apart the day for secret prayer and fasting. This cabin was still stand-
ing within the memory of Mr. John Wilson. Brainerd speaks frequently
of his labors among the white people in the Forks, the Irish, the " High
Dutch," the " Low Dutch," &c. — of preaching to them in the wilder-
ness on the sunny side of a hill, where he " had a considerable assem-
bly, consisting of people who lived, at least many of them, not less than
thirty miles asunder ; some of them came near twenty miles." He
speaks of preaching " to an assembly of Irish people nearly fifteen miles
distant from the Indians ;" and at another time, after he and " dear
brother Byram" had been out to Wapwallopen on the Susquehanna, on
their return they came to an Irish settlement with which Brainerd was
acquainted, and lodged there, and the next day they both preached to the
people. This was doubtless at Craig's settlement. He spent but about
three years in Pennsylvania, when his feeble frame sunk under the fa-
tigues and exposures of the wilderness ; he returned home sick from the
Susquehanna, and died in New England, Oct. 9, 1747. He was employ-
ed by a missionary society in Scotland, and many interesting details may
be found in his public " Journal of the Rise and Progress of a remarkable
work of Grace among the Indians in New Jersey and Pennsylvania."*
About two miles south of the Delaware Water-gap is the celebrated
slate-quarry of the Pennsylvania Slate Co. This company was incorpo-
rated in 1811, and at that time opened the quarry, and wrought it for
some time ; but for want of skill, and knowledge of the business, were
obliged to cease operations. Under the auspices of Hon. James M. Por-
ter and others the company was revived, some six or eight years since,
and operations were renewed. A great number both of school and roof-
ing slates have been made. The workmen are generally Welsh.
It was probably in this vicinity that the following incidents occurred,
related by Moses Marshall, son of Edward Marshall, of the Indian walk,
to John Watson, Esq. : —
In 1754, his father lived about 18 miles above Easton. In the next year 200 Indians, headed
by their chief or king, Teedyuscung, made an attack on the white inhabitants. They fired on a
company attending a funeral, but killed none. These fled and gave the alarm, and they all got
oft'. We went back in the year 17.56, but lived till the fall of the next year on the Jersey side of
the river, when we returned to the farm. Soon after, about 16 Indians attacked the house, in the
absence of my father, of whom they always appeared afraid. One of them threw his match-
coat on a beehive, by the side of the garden. The bees came out and stung them, by which
means five small children, that were playing in the garden, got away. They shot one of my sis-
ters as she was running ; the ball entered her right shoulder, and came out below the left breast.
Yet she got away, and recovered. They took my mother, who was not in a condition to escape
them, some miles, and then killed her. There were five guns in the house, all loaded, which they
never touched ; and took nothing away except a coat, with .£3 in money in the pocket, belonging
to Matthew Hughs, who boarded with us.
In 1748. the people having forted together, the Indians came and turned the creatures into the
wheat-fteld. Five young men went out of the fort to turn them out again. The Indians way-
laid them, and shot two, one of whom was my brother.
* See Brainerd's Life, published by the Am. Tract Society ; also p. 275 of this work.
524 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Northumberland county was separated from Berks and Bedford, by the
act of 21st March, 1772. At the time of its establishment, it extended
to the north and west boundaries of the province ; and its limits have
been reduced b}' the successive establishment of Luzerne, Mifflin, Lyco-
ming, Centre, Columbia, and Union counties. Area 457 sq. m. Popula-
tion in 1790, 17,161 ; in 1800, (Lycoming off,) 27,796; in 1810, (part of
Centre off.) 36,327 ; in 1820, (Columbia and Union off,) 15,424; in 1830,
18,133; in 1840, 20,027.
The western boundary of the county is washed by the West branch
and main stream of the Susquehanna for a distance of 40 miles ; the
North branch flows about ten miles across the centre, joining the West
branch at Northumberland. The other important streams are Warrior's
run. Limestone run, and Chillisquaque cr., tributaries of the West branch ;
Roaring cr. and Gravel run, tributaries of the North branch ; and Sham-
,okin, Mahanoy, and Mahantango creeks, tributaries of the Susquehanna.
The general surface of the county is mountainous. Above the forks.
Limestone ridge and Montour's ridge cross between the North and West
branches. Below the forks lie the higher ridges connected with the coal
formation — the Shamokin hills, and Mahanoy, Line, and Mahantango
mountains. Notwithstanding the ruggedness of these mountains, there
is a great amount of fertile land dispersed through the county, along the
valleys ; especially on the bottoms of the Susquehanna, and in the lime-
stone region above Montour's ridge.
The Mahanoy and Shamokin coal-basin extends from about eight miles
east of the Susquehanna northeasterly, through the Mahanoy and upper
Shamokin valleys, into Schuylkill co. The coal of this basin is said to
be of excellent quality : the thickness of the beds varies from five to more
than forty i'eet. Iron-ore is also found in this vicinity ; and in great abun-
dance, and of excellent quality, of the hard kind, in Montour's ridge.
Limestone also exists in the hills, about ten miles from Sunbury ; and a
vein of lead-ore was discovered, in 1840, in this limestone, at the quarry
of Messrs. Shesholtz and Bergstresser. The vein was said to be about
two feet in thickness, and to yield about 70 per cent. The internal im-
provements of the county are the Pennsylvania canal, along both branches
of the Susquehanna, uniting at Northumberland, and passing down on
the right bank of the main stream, in Union co. ; the " Danville and Potts-
ville railroad," or rather the Sunbury and Shamokin railroad, completed
about 20 miles, to the coal-mines, and intended to be completed to Potts-
ville ; and the turnpike from Sunbury to Pottsville, with a branch to Dan-
ville. Water-power is abundant on the small streams ; and a company
has it in contemplation to derive an immense power from the Susquehan-
na, above Sunbury, passing the water through a race, emptying below
the Shamokin dam. With all these great elements of wealth — rich lime-
stone lands and river-bottoms, for agriculture ; mines of iron, coal, and
lead, for manufactures ; mountains abounding with timber, and streams
with water-power, and every facility for reaching the great markets--
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. 525
this county possesses the means of sustaining with comfort a dense popu-
lation.
The original settlers of the county were English and Scotch-Irish ; but
the Germans, who began to come in about the beginning of this century,
now predominate, especially in the district below the North branch.
It is well known that the valley of the Susquehanna, in the early days
of the province, had been assigned by the Six Nations to the Delawares,
Shawanees, Oonoys, Nanticokes, Monseys, and Mohicans, for a hunting-
ground. Several of their villages are mentioned by the Moravian mis-
sionaries, as being in this vicinity, and on the West branch. They speak
of Shamokin (now Sunbury) as " a populous Indian town, belonging to
the Iroquois," or Six Nations. This was the residence of Shikellimus, or
Shikellamy, a celebrated Cayuga chief, who, as we learn from the Minutes
of Council, Aug. 12, 1731, had been "sent by the Five Nations to preside
over ye Shawanees." He was a man of great dignity, sobriety, and pru-
dence, and was noted for his kindness to the whites and to the missiona-
aries. He was an intimate friend of Conrad Weiser. On several impor-
tant occasions we hear of his attending in council at Philadelphia, and
of performing embassies between the government of Pennsylvania and
the Six Nations. He was the father of " Logan, the Mingo chief" (See
page 466.) On the 28th Sept. 1742, as we learn from Loskiel —
Count Zinzendorf, accompanied by Conrad Weiser, Esq., Br. Martin Mack and his wife, and
the two Indians, Joshua and David, after a tedious journey through the wilderness, arrived at
Shamokin. ShikelUmus stepped out and gave them a hearty welcome. " A savage presented
the Count with a fine melon, for which the latter gave him his fur cap." The Count announced
himself as a messenger of the living God, come to preach grace and mercy. Shikellimus said
he was glad to receive such a messenger, and promised to forward his designs. One day, when
the Brethren were about going to prayers, and the Indians, then at a feast, were making a pro-
digious noise, with drums and singing, the Count sent word to Shikellimus, who ordered silence
immediately.
The Count, with a part of his company, forded the Susquehanna, and went to Ostonwackin,
on the West branch. This place was then inhabited, not only by Indians of different tribes,
but by Europeans, who had adopted the Indian manner of life. Among the latter was a French-
woman, Madame Montour, who had married an Indian Warrior, [Carondowana, alias Robert
Hunter ;] but lost him in a war against the Catawbas. She kindly entertained the Count for
two days. The Count went soon after to Wyoming.
Rev. David Brainerd visited Shamokin in 1745, and again in 1746.
The following extracts are from his Life and Public Journal : —
Sept. 13, 1745. — After having lodged out three nights, I arrived at the Indian town I aimed at,
on the Susquehanna, called Shaumoking ; one of the places, and the largest of them, which I vis-
ited in May last. I was kindly received and entertained by the Indians ; but had little satisfac-
tion, by reason of the heathenish dance and revel they then held in the house where I was obliged
to lodge — which I could not suppress, though I often entreated them to desist, for the sake of one
of their own friends, who was then sick in the house, and whose disorder was much aggravated
by the noise. Alas ! how destitute of natural affection are these poor uncultivated pagans !
although they seem somewhat kind in their own way. Of a truth, the dark corners of the earth
are full of the habitations of cruelty. This town, as I observed in my Diary of May last, lies
partly on the east side of the river, partly on the west, and partly on a large island in it, and
contains upwards of 50 houses, and nearly 300 persons ; though I never saw much more than
half that number in it. They are of three different tribes of Indians, speaking three languages,
wholly unintelligible to each other. About one half of its inhabitants are Delawares ; the others
called Senekas and Tutelas. The Indians of this place are accounted the most drunken, mis-
chievous, and ruffian-like fellows, of any in these parts ; and Satan seems to have his seat in this
town, in an eminent manner.
After preaching the word faithfully to the " Delaware king," who had
been very sick, and to the Indians, he went down to Juniata island, (see
526 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
page 275,) and thence home. In Aug. 1746, he returned lO Shamokin
again on his holy errand. He says —
Sept. 1. — Set out on a journey towards a place called the Great Island, about 50 miles from
Shaumoking, on the northwestern branch of the Susquehanna. At night lodged in the woods.
Sept. 2. — Rode forward, but no faster than my people went on foot. Was very weak, on this
as well as the preceding days. I was so feeble and faint that I feared it would kill me to he
out in the open air ; and some of our company being parted from us, so that we had now no axe
with us, I had no way but to climb into a young pine-tree, and with my knife to lop the branches,
and so make a shelter from the dew. But the evening being cloudy, with a prospect of rain, I
was still under fears of being extremely exposed : sweat much, so that my linen was almost
wringing wet all night. I scarcely ever was more weak and weary than this evening, when I
was able to sit up at all. This was a melancholy situation : but I endeavored to quiet myself
with considerations of the possibility of my being in much worse circvmistances amongst ene-
mies, &c.
Sept. 3. — Rode to the Delaware town ; found many drinking and drunken. Discoursed with
some of the Indians about Christianity ; observed my interpreter much engaged, and assisted in
his work. A few persons seemed to hear with great earnestness and engagement of soul. About
noon, rode to a small town of Shauwaunoes, about eight miles distant ; spent an hour or two
there, and returned to the Delaware town, and lodged there. Was scarce ever more confounded
with a sense of my own unfruitfulness and unfitness for my work than now. O what a dead,
heartless, barren, unprofitable wretch did I now see myself to be !
Sept. 5. — Got to Shaumoking towards night : felt somewhat of a spirit of thankfulness that
God had so far returned me.
Sept. 8. — Left Shaumoking, and returned down the river a few miles. Had proposed to tarry
a considerable time longer among the Indians upon the Susquehanna, but was hindered from pur-
suing my purpose by the sickness that prevailed there, the feeble state of my own people that
were with me, and especially my own extraordinary weakness, having been exercised with great
nocturnal sweats, and a coughing up of blood, almost the whole of the journey. I was a great
part of the time so feeble and faint, that it seemed as though I never should be able to reach
home ; and at the same time very destitute of the comforts, and even the necessaries of life.
The Six Nations used Shamokin as a convenient tarrying-place for
their war-parties against the Catawbas, at the south ; and they were
very desirous of having a blacksmith there, to save them the trouble of
long journeys to Tulpehocken, or to Philadelphia. The governor of Penn-
sylvania granted the request, on condition that he should remain no longer
than while the Indians continued friendly to the English. The black-
smith, Anthony Schmidt, was from the Moravian mission at Bethlehem ;
and this opened the way for the establishment of a mission at Shamokin,
which was done in the spring of 1747, by Br. Mack, who, with his wife,
had previously visited the place. John Hagin and Joseph Powel, of the
mission, had built a house there. Bishop Camerhoff, and the pious Zeis-
berger, visited there in 1748. The brethren speak of going to "Long
island and Great island, on the West branch, above Ostonwackin ,•" and
in 1755 "Brother Grube went to West branch, and to Quenishachshacliki,
where some baptized Indians lived."
Shikellimus died in 1749. Loskiel thus describes his character: —
Being the first magistrate and head chief of all the Iroquois Indians living on the banks of the
Susquehanna, as far as Onondaga, he thought it incumbent upon him to be very circumspect in
his dealings with the white people. He mistrusted the Brethren at first, but upon discovering their
sincerity became their firm and real friend. Being much engaged in political affairs, he had
learned the art of concealing his sentiments ; and therefore never contradicted those who endeav-
ored to prejudice his mind against the missionaries, though he always suspected their motives.
In the last years of his hfe he became less reserved, and received those brethren who came to
Shamokin into his house. He assisted them in building, and defended them against the insults
of the drunken Indians ; being himself never addicted to drinking, because, as he expressed it,
he never wished to become a fool. He had built his house upon pillars for safety, in which he
always shut himself up when any drunken frolic was going on in the village. In this house
Bishop Johannes Von Watteville and his company visited and preached the gospel to him. It
was then that the Lord opened his heart : he hstened with great attention ; and at last, with
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. 527
tears, respected the doctrine of a crucified Jesus, and received It in faith. During his visit in
Bethlehem, a remarkable change took place in his heart, which he could not conceal. He found
comfort, peace, and joy, by faith in his Redeemer, and the Brethren considered him as a candi-
date for baptism ; but hearing that he had been already baptized, by a Roman Catholic priest, in
Canada, they only endeavored to impress his mind with a proper idea of this sacramental ordi-
nance, upon which he destroyed a small idol, which he wore about his neck. After his return to
Shamokin, the grace of God bestowed upon him was truly manifest, and his behavior was re-
markably peaceable and contented. In this state of mind he was taken ill, was attended by Br.
David Zeisberger, and in his presence fell happily asleep in the Lord, in full assurance of ob-
taining eternal life through the merits of Jesus Christ.
After the defeat of Braddock, in 1755, the whole wilderness from Ju-
niata to Shamokin was filled with parties of hostile Indians, murdering,
scalping, and burning. These alarms broke up the mission at Shamokin,
and the Brethren fled to Bethlehem. In Oct. of that year fourteen persojtis
were killed by the savages in the Penn's creek settlement, and their bod-
ies were horribly mangled. A party of 46 persons, led by John Harris,
came up to bury the dead, and afterwards came to Shamokin, where they
were received civilly but coldly, and remained all night. Andrew Mon-
tour, the Indian interpreter, warned them against returning by a certain
road. They disregarded his advice, and were attacked by a party of
Delawares in ambush at Mahanoy cr. Four of Harris's party were kill-
ed, four were drowned in crossing the Susquehanna, and the others barely
escaped. Previous to this, on the 18th Oct., a party of Indians had at-
tacked the inhabitants at Mahanoy cr., carried off" 25 persons, and burnt
and destroyed their buildings and improvements. There were rumors
that the French intended to build a fort at Shamokin ; but in Jan. 1756,
the Indians had entirely abandoned their village and gone up the Susque-
hanna and to the Ohio. The provincial government in April erected
Fort Augusta at Shamokin. This was one of the line of provincial forts,
which consisted of Henshaw's fort on Delaware, Fort Hamilton at
Stroudsburg, Fort Norris, Fort Allen on Lehigh, Fort Franklin, Fort Leb-
anon, Fort Wm. Henry, Fort Halifax on Susquehanna, Fort Augusta,
Fort Granville on Juniata, Fort Shirley, Fort Littleton, and Shippensburg
fort, besides smaller stockades, garrisoned by provincial troops.
In 1757 the governor learned that a party of 800 French and Indians
were coming down the W. Branch to attack the fort. An aged pioneer,
still living, says there is a tradition that this party came down to the high
cliff" overhanging the river opposite the fort ; where the French engineers
took such observations as satisfied them that no effective attack on the
fort could be made without cannon, which they could not bring through
the wilderness. The Indians, however, remained some days there, amus-
ing themselves by attempting to fire poisoned arrows across the river, with
their immense cross-bows ; and occasionally expressing their contempt for
the garrison, by insulting gestures and attitudes. There was a cannon at
the fort, and one day, after the piece had been carefully adjusted for the
proper range, a ball was fired, which happened to cut off" a large limb
of a tree, that fell directly upon the heads of a party of Indians. They
jumped up, whooped, and scampered off" into the wilderness. During the
same year, peace having been concluded with the Delawares and Shaw-
anees, they were invited by the governor to reside at Shamokin and
Wyoming. The settlement at Shamokin was to be made under the charge
of Thomas McKee, the Indian trader. He writes, June 23d, 1757, that he
had arrived with the Indians, " who had drunk much on the road ; and
528 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
had mostly gone on, but few staying." Conrad Weiser afterwards rec-
ommended a trading-house here, but it does not appear whether it was
established.
The territory now forming Northumberland co. was included in two dis-
tinct purchases from the Indians. That part below the Mahanoy mountain
was included in the deed of 22d Aug. 1749, which ceded all the land be-
tween the Delaware and Susquehanna, bounded on the N. W. by a line from
Mahanoy mountain at the Susquehanna, to the mouth of Lackawaxsen, on
the Delaware, and on the S. E. by the Kittatinny mountain. The other
part of the county was included in what was then called " the new pur-
chase" of 1768, the boundaries of which will be found under the head of
Lycoming co. Immediately after the new purchase many settlers came
in, principally from the Scotch-Irish settlements of the Kittatinny valley,
and a few Quakers from the lower counties. They had scarcely got
well settled in their new homes, before the revolution broke out. None
responded more readily to the call " to arms !" than the pioneers of North-
umberland. Fort Augusta was garrisoned by a detachment under the
command of Col. Samuel Hunter ; and several other forts were erected
along both branches of the Susquehanna. (See Lycoming, Clinton, and
Columbia counties.) In the possession of Mr. Joseph G.Wallace of Lew-
isburg. Union co., there is an old book of records given him by his grand-
father, Capt. Gray, of the revolutionary army. It contains the records
of the Committee of Safety of Northumberland co. during the revolu-
tion. This committee was subordinate to, and in correspondence with,
the Central Committee at Philadelphia. The following abstracts were
made from these records by the compiler :
On the 8th Feb. 1776, the following gentlemen being previously nominated by the respective
townships to serve in the committee for the comity of Northumberland for the space of six
months, met at the house of Richard Malone, (at the mouth of Chillisquaque,) viz. — for Au-
gusta township, John Weitzel, Esq., Alexander Hunter, Esq., Thomond Ball ; Mahoning town-
ship, William Cook, Esq., Benj. Alison, Esq., Mr. Thos. Hewet ; Turbut township, Capt. John
Hambright, Wm. McKnight, William Shaw ; Muncey township, Robert Robb, Esq., William
Watson, John Buckalow ; Bald Eagle township, Mr. William Dunn, Thos. Hewes, Alexander
Hamilton, (afterwards killed near Northumberland ;) Buffalo township, Mr. Walter Clark, (re-
moved to White Deer,) Wm. Irwin, Joseph Green ; Wioming township, Mr. James McClure,
Mr. Thos. Clayton, Mr. Peter Melick ; Penns township, (is left blank ;) Moughonoy, (blank ;)
Potter's township, John Livingston, Maurice Davis, Hall ; White Deer township, Walter
Clarke, Matthew Brown, Marcus Hulings.
Capt. Joim Hambright was elected chairman, and Thomond Ball clerk. The field-officers of
the battalion of the lower division of the county were Samuel Hunter, Esq., colonel, Wm. Cooke,
Esq., (who, it is said, afterwards turned tory,) lieutenant-colonel, Caspar Weitzel, Esq., 1st major,
Mr. John Lee, 2d major. Those of the upper battalion appear to have been Wm. Plunket, Esq.,
colonel, James Murray, Esq., lieutenant-colonel, Mr. John Brady first major, Mr. Cookson Long
2d major.
Each captain was ordered to return at least 40 privates. Each battalion consisted of six com-
panies. The captains of the lower battalion were Nicolas Miller, Chas. Gillespie, Hugh White,
Wm. Scull, James McMahon, Wm. Clarke, (and afterwards) Capt. John Simpson ; and of the
upper, or Col. Plunket's battalion, Henry Antis, Esq., Samuel Wallis, John Robb, Wm. Murray,
Wm. McHaton, Simon Cool, David Berry.
Many of the proceedings consist of forms possessing no special- interest. Some of the more
interesting were the following : — In the meeting of 8th Feb. 1776, it was resolved "that a peti-
tion be presented to the hon. assembly of this province, setting forth the late murder of two of
the sheriff's posse near Wioming for attempting to act in conformity to the laws ;" and on 26th
Feb., this " petition relative to the Connecticut intruders — was approved of and ordered to be
copied fair." On 13th March, 1776, in their dispatch to the Com. of Safety at Phil., the county
committee make certain complaints of grievances suffered in their infant settlement ; and on the
27th of the same month they more urgently set the same forth as follows : " We are now, gentle,
men, to inform you of what we think a grievance to this young and tliinly inhabited county —
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 529
viz., a constant succession of recruiting officers from different counties in this province. Our
zeal for the cause of American Liberty lias hitherto prevented our taking any steps to hinder the
raising of men for its service ; but finding the evil increasing so fast upon us as almost to threat-
en the depopulation of the county, vi^e cannot help appealing to the wisdom and justice of your
committee to know whether the quota of men that may be demanded from this county under
their own officers is not as much as can reasonably be expected from it. Whether — at a time
ffhen we are uncertain of peace with the Indians, (well knowing that our enemies are tampering
with them,) and a claim is set up to the greatest part of the province by a neighboring colony,
who have their hostile abettors at our very breasts, as well as their emissaries among us — is it
prudent to drain an infant frontier county of its strength of men ? and whether the safety of the
interior parts of the province would not be better secured by adding strength to the frontier ?
Whether our honorable assembly, by disposing of commissions to gentlemen in different counties
to raise companies, which are to form the number of battalions thought necessary for the defence
of this province, did not intend that the respective captains should raise their companies where
they were appointed, and not distress one county by taking from it all the men necessary for the
business of agriculture, as well as the defence of the same. From our knowledge of the state
of this county, wc make free to give our opinion of what would be most for its advantage, as
well as that of the province — (between which we hope there never will be a difference) — and first
are to inform you of the poverty of the people, many of whom came bare and naked here, being
plundered by a banditti who called themselves Yankees ; and those who brought some property
with them, from the necessary delay of cultivating a wilderness before they could have any pro-
duce to live upon, togetlier with the necessity of still continuing the closest application to labor
and industry for their support, renders it morally improbable that a well-disciplined militia can be
established here, as the distance which some men arc obliged to go to muster is the loss of two
days to them ; which not being paid for, they will not, nor indeed can they, so often attend as is
necessary to complete tliem even in the manual exercise. We would recommend that two or
more companies be raised, and put in pay for the use of the province, to be ready to march when
and where the service may require them, and when not wanted for the service of the public at
any particular place, to be stationed in this county, in order to be near and defend our frontiers
should they be attacked by our enemies of any denomination ; the good effect of which we ima-
gine would be considerable — as, tliougli they may be too few to repel, they may stop the progress
of an enemy until the militia could be raised to assist them. Should this proposal appear eligi-
ble, please to inform us thereof, and we will recommend such gentlemen for officers as we think
will be most suitable for the service, and agreeable to the people. We are, gentlemen, with due
respect, &c. Signed for and in behalf of the committee, John Hambright, Chairman."
The committee changed once in six months, when only a part of the former members seem to
have been re-elected. The committee seem often to have met at Laughlan McCartney's, a mem-
ber from Mahoning township.
On the 10th Sept. 1776, the committee learning that " Levy &- Ballion have a quantity of salt
on hand, which they refuse to sell for cash, (as ordered by a former resolve of committee,) the
committee ordered Mr. Wm. Sayers to sell it at the rate of 15 shillings per bushel, and not above
half a bushel to each family, and return the money to the committee."
The committee attended to receiving from the Philadelphia committee their share of arms and
ammunition, iron, and salt, and distributing it very carefully among the soldiers of the county.
Capt. Robert Robb, of Muncy township, formerly one of the committee, seems to have given
them a deal of trouble. He was charged with having in his possession " a paper supposed to be
from Lord Howe, concerning conditions of peace, of which said Robb said, ' this is the very thing
I would be at ;' and says further, Mr. Frankling (Dr. Franklin) was a rogue, he well knew, and
that he had led the government into two or three scrapes already known to him ; also, it was
thought Frankling had a pension from home ; likewise, that it was thought the convention was
bribed. Also that said Robb says that Lord Howe used the members of congress politely that
was sent to treat with him, but that they used him ill."
The committee ordered that Robb should " either take his gun and march with the militia of
the county into actual service, to prove his attachment to the American cause, or else be confined
unii. released by further authority." (Here followed some expunging in the record.) Col. Jas.
Murray was appointed to arrest and confine him ; who, having full confidence in Robb's patriot-
ism, and " out of lenity to said Robb's family, saw fit to appoint the mansion-house of said Robb
as a prison for him, on a promise of his good behavior for the future."
Robb, however, seems to have practised good behavior as he understood it ; for when one Peter
Smith had intruded himself several times into the company of Robb and another gentleman, who
were " drinking a half pint together," Robb knocked him down, and bruised him severely, — and
thereupon further " said that the committee were a set of rascals — some of them were robbers,
some were horse-thieves, and some of them were murderers — and further saith not."
This incensed the committee so, that they ordered Col. Murray to take Robb to Philadelphia ;
but Murray resigned, and two other men were appointed to the duty.
The committee, in a time of great scarcity of grain (in Feb. 1777) in Bald Eagle townahij,
67
530
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
ordered " that no stiller in that township shall buy any more grain, or still any more than he has
by liim, during the season."
They also interfered with their authority to stop " a certain Henry Sterrat, of Bald Eagle town-
ship, from profaning the Sabbath in an unchristian and scandalous manner, causing his servants
to maul rails, &,c., on tliat day, and beating and abusing tiiem if they offered to disobey such his
unlawful conmiands."
Several interesting incidents relating to the revolutionary history of
the W. Branch will be found under the heads of Lycoming, Clinton, Co-
lumbia, and Union counties. The capture of Freeland's fort in the au-
tumn of 1778, will be noticed subsequently in connection with the village
of Milton.
SuNBURY, the county seat, is an ancient town, situated on a broad plain
on the left bank of the Susquehanna, immediately below the forks, and
just above the mouth of Shamokin cr. This is a beautiful site : near
the town, above and below, are ranges of high hills, afibrding a magnifi-
cent prospect of the scenery of the valley ; in front of the town the Sus-
quehanna, backed up by the Shamokin dam, spreads out into a basin
nearly a mile wide, which receives the united streams of the North and
West branches. The town was originally laid out with wide streets, of
ample width, with a broad margin along the river bank. Annexed is a
view of the public square, in the centre of which are seen the courthouse
Public Square in Sunbury.
and market-house. The place contains, besides the usual county build-
ings, Lutheran, German Reformed, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Method-
ist churches ; a foundrv, and the depot of the railroad. Population in
1830, about 1,000 ; in 1840, 1,108.
The Sunbury, Danville, and Pottsville railroad, was commenced about
the year 1833. A few miles at the eastern end were opened for use in
1834 ; but on account of the connection not being completed, and the in-
convenient inclined planes at that end of the road, its use was abandoned,
and the structure is now going to decay. The western division has been
completed for 19 miles, from Sunbury to the Shamokin mines, and is now
in successful use for the transportation of coal. By the severe pecuniary
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. 53 1
crisis of 1837-39, the completion of the road between the extreme divisions
was suspended^ until the opening of the Girard coal mines on the head-
waters of the Nescopeck will warrant the use of the expensive inclined
planes on the eastern division. The length of the road from Sunbury to
Pottsville, is 44.54 miles ; branch to Danville, 7 miles ; entire length
51.54 miles. It was the original intention of Stephen Girard, and the
other projectors of this road, that it should be continued up the W. Branch,
and across the wilderness of the Sinnemahoning to Erie, and surveys
were made for that purpose.
A company is at present engaged in constructing a short canal from the
Susquehanna basin above, following an ancient channel in the rear of the
town, and emptying into Shamokin cr., below the level of the great dam,
thus enabling the immense water-power of the Susquehanna to be
brought into use. With this facility, and with the immense supplies of
coal, iron, and limestone in the immediate vicinity, Sunbury, although its
commercial prospects have somewhat declined, bids fair to become a busy
manufacturing town.
An account of the Indian town of Shamokin has been given above, on
page 525.
Sunbury was laid out by the surveyor-general, John Lukens, about the
year 1772, when the county was established. He erected a frame house
here, which is still standing. Wm. McClay also came up from Harris-
burg and erected the stone house, which is still standing, fronting on the
river. Just back of this house, a small stockade fort was erected during
the revolution. Fort Augusta had been previously built during the old
French war, where Mr. Samuel Hunter's house now stands. He still
uses the vaulted magazine for a cellar or granary. About the year 1767,
the mother and aunts of the venerable Mrs. Grant were residing, for
shelter, at Fort Augusta. Old Stump, the Dutchman, a noted murderer
of Indians, one day sought refuge at the fort, after he had been murder-
ing several Indians. The ladies refused to harbor him, fearing that the
wrath of the Indians might be meted out to them also ; but at length —
kind souls ! — -they relented, and stowed Stump snugly away between two
beds. The Indians soon came, blustered and threatened, but, not finding
their man, they picked up a poor cat, pulled out all her hair, and tore her
to pieces before the family, by way of showing them how they would
have treated Stump.
Among the earlier settlers here were Mr. Dewart, father of Hon. Mr.
Dewart, still residing in town, and Mr. David Mead, who kept an inn
here, and in 1787 removed to Meadville. The Brady family also often
resided here, when it was unsafe to occupy their residence further up the
West Branch. There are still living here two venerable sisters of that
family.
The following singular circumstance is related in the Sunbury Ameri-
can of July, 1842, and is well authenticated :
A most singular incident recently occurred at the table of one of our most respectable farm-
ers, (Mr. Ruch,) in this neighborhood. The family had baked some pies early in the morning,
and had set them in the cellar to cool for dinner. It was observed, before the pie was cut, that
>* appeared very full ; and no sooner was the knife thrust into it, than a snake issued out, to the
titier amazement and terror of all at table. This was a kind of dessert as unwelcome as unex-
pected. The snake, it was supposed, had got in between the crusts while the pie was cooling on
the cellar floor.
532 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Shamokin, a thriving village, has grown up since 1834, at the eastern
termination of the railroad, 19 miles from Sunbury, among the coal-
mines of Mr. Boyd and others. The Shamokin Coal and Iron Co., who
own large tracts of coal lands near this place, was incorporated on the
15th June, 1836, but not organized until 19th Nov. 1839. In 1840 they
took out a charter, under the general act, for the manufacture of iron, and
proceeded to erect one furnace, with machinery for two, near the coal
mines. This furnace has been for some time in successful operation,
making excellent iron from the ore of Montour's ridge, with the use of
anthracite coal. The company own about 1400 acres of coal and iron
land, 750 of which are in Columbia co., on the Locust mountain, and the
remainder is near Shamokin. The latter tract contains twelve veins of
coal, of excellent quality, " varying in thickness from five feet up to sixty."
The railroad cuts the veins at right angles, affording the greatest possible
facility for working the mines. The company is extensively engaged in
mining and transporting coal for the Baltimore market.
Georgetown is on the left bank of the Susquehanna, 15 miles south of
Sunbury. It contains about 80 dwellings.
Snyderstown is on the turnpike and railroad in the valley of Shamokin
cr., 7 miles east of Sunbury. It contains about 60 dwellings, a German
Reformed and Baptist church.
Northumberland is situated nearly opposite Sunbury, at the point form-
ed by the confluence of the North and West branches. The country ex-
pands behind the town in a semcircular form, rising in gentle swells to-
wards Montour's ridge, which crosses between the two rivers at a distance
of about three miles. Opposite the town, in the North Branch, is a long
and beautiful island, called Lyon's island, and recently belonging to Mr.
Cowden. Two splendid bridges connect this island with the main land
on either shore. Another splendid bridge, which answers also as a tow-
path, crosses the West Branch at its mouth. At the southern end of this
latter bridge rises the high and precipitous sandstone ledges of Blue hill,
from which a magnificent prospect is enjoyed of the valleys of both riv-
ers. The annexed sketch, copied from a larger one by Bartlett, was
taken from the canal bank about a mile south of the town, and gives a
general but distant view of all the prominent objects mentioned above.
Northumberland is well laid out, with spacious streets, and, to those
who love quiet, is a pleasant residence. It contains a bank, Old School
and New School Presbyterian, German Reformed, Methodist, and Unita-
rian churches, an academy and townhouse. Population in 1840, 928.
The borough was incorporated 14th April, 1828.
From its peculiar geographical position, at the junction of the two great
rivers, anticipations were indulged that Northumberland would become
a place of great commercial importance. Almost every traveller confi-
dently made this prediction ; — and it might have proved true, if no canal
had ever been made, or if both or either of the great branches of the
river had not been accommodated with a canal. In that case the transit
of trade \vould have been at Northumberland : but now the valley of
each tributary creek has its own trading towni on either branch, and the
boats pass and repass the Forks daily without leaving any profit there.
This circumstance, though unfortunate for Northumberland, is, as it
should be, much more for the general benefit of the country, than to build
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
533
Distant view of Northumberland from the south.
up an overgrown town at any one point. Both Sunbury and Northum-
berland were formerly places of much more commercial importance than
they now are.
On the Sunbury side of the river, near the end of the bridge between
the two towns, stands a fine mansion, occupied by the venerable Mrs.
Grant, her children and grandchildren. This lady, whose memory ex-
tends back about 80 years, but whom one would scarcely suspect of being
past fifty, is the widow of Capt. Grant of the revolutionary army, who
had command of one of the forts in this region. She relates that her
father, Mr. Robert Martin, who was originally from Jersey, had been set-
tled in the Wyoming valley under the Pennsylvania title ; but being un-
able to live in peace, he abandoned his farm and removed to Northum-
berland, where he opened a tavern not long previous to the new purchase
of 1768. His house at that time was the only one to be seen about the
point, or even about Sunbury, except within Fort Augusta. For three
miles up the W. Branch there was no house, and none for a great dis-
tance up the N. Branch. When the purchase was made his house was
thronged with speculators, pioneers, and surveyors, who came to enter
upon the new lands. Mr. Martin had a brother in Freeland's fort when
it capitulated. During the revolution Capt. Lowden marched from here
with a company of recruits to Boston. Capt. Lowden and Mr. Paterson
owned the site of Northumberland, and afterwards sold a part of it to
Reuben Haynes, a brewer from Philadelphia, who laid out the town about
the year 1775. It made but slow progress during the revolution, when
all the inhabitants were frequently compelled to seek refuge at Fort Au-
gusta. After the disastrous battle at Wyoming, Mrs. Grant says it made
one sad to see the poor fugitives, with their cattle, floating down in great
numbers in flat-boats, canoes, and rafts. Northumberland was reoccu-
pied in 1785, and about ten years after it had about 100 houses.
The Duke of Rochefoucauld Liancourt, an observing French traveller,
who passed through here in 1795, says, in substance —
The average price of lands about the town is $20 to $24 per acre, near the river. Further
534 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
up the river from $4 to $G. Town lots selling at $48 to $50. Houses chiefly built of loys—
two only of stone ; and one of brick, " large and convenient," lately sold at $5,200, and rented
for $80 — the highest rent in town. The inhabitants mostly foreigners — Irish, Dutch, and Eng-
lish ; and Germans about Sunbury. People here were much in favor of the Whiskey insurrec-
tion. The island of 250 acres is now the property of an aged man, who lives on it in a small
log-house. He bought it about seven years since for $1,600, and lately refused $3,300.
Mns. Grant relates an interesting incident which occurred at the island
opposite her residence. During the old French war of 1755-58, a Dr.
Smiley and his wife were taken captives and carried away by the Indians.
He escaped, leaving her still in captivity, and fled to Fort Augusta. One
night they heard a feeble voice crying for help on the point of Lyon's
island. Fearing, however, that it was but an Indian's device to decoy
them, they hesitated about going. Smiley was the first who volunteered
to go, and, taking several others with him, he went over to the island,
and there his courage was appropriately rewarded by the affectionate
embrace of his owai wife, who had escaped from captivity, and come
thus far alone.
Among the early settlers at Northumberland was the family of Mr.
Boyd, whose descendants still reside in the place. Mrs. Dash, too, was
another early settler, and a very enterprising woman. She was the wife
of an English banker who had been unfortunate in business ; and while
he Was settling up his business, she came out about the year 1794, with
her three daughters, to Northumberland, purchased a small farm of about
loo acres, and in a few months had 20 acres cleared and in wheat, and a
comfortable stone cottage in which to welcome her husband. That was
a wife worth having.
Dr. Joseph Priestley, the distinguished philosopher and theologian, spent
the latter years of his life in Northumberland. The large mansion erect-
ed by him is still standing, in a lovely, shaded spot, a little apart from the
village, and is in the occupation of his family. His sons had purchased
a large tract of land here with the view of making it the asylum of Eng-
lish dissenters, and other intelligent emigrants from Europe. Many Eng-
lishmen, friends of Dr. Priestley, removed here about the same time,
among whom was Dr. Thomas Cooper, who subsequently removed to the
southern states, where he became distinguished as a politician, philoso-
pher, and professor of political economy. Mr. Russell was another Eng-
lishman who resided here, and purchased, in connection with the land
speculators at Philadelphia, large tracts of land in Bradford, Susquehan-
na, and Luzerne counties.
Dr. Joseph Priestley was born at Fieldhead, near Leeds, in England, in March, 1733. His
father was a clothier of the Calvinistic persuasion, in which he was also himself brought up.
After he had attained a respectable degree of classical acquirement, he was finally placed at the
dissenters' academy at Daventry, with a view to the ministry. He spent three years at this
school, where he became acquainted with the writings of Dr. Hartley, and was gradually led
into a partiality for the Arian hypothesis. He became minister of Needham market, in Suffolk,
but falling under the suspicion of Arianism, he left there and took charge of a congregation at
Nantwich, to which he joined a school. In 1761 he was appointed tutor in the languages at
Warrington academy. Here he published his essay on government, and several other useful
works on education and history. His History of Electricity, published in 1767, procured him an
admission into the Royal Society ; he had previously obtained the title of doctor of laws from
the University of Edinburgh. In the same year he took charge of a church at Leeds, where his
opinions became decidedly Socinian. Here his attention was first drawn to the properties of fixed
air, and he also composed his work on Vision, Light, and Colors. In 1773 he went to live with
the Marquis of Landsdowne, as librarian, or hterary companion. He travelled over Europe with
thla nobleman, and also occupied himself with scientific pursuits. In 1773 he furnished a pao«>
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
535
in the Philosophical Transactions, on the different kinds of uir, which obtained for him a gold
medal. This was followed by three volumes, the publication of which forms an era in the his-
tory of aeriform fluids. He published several metaphysical works, and an edition of Hartley's
Observations on Man, to which he annexed a dissertation savoring strongly of Materialism.
This doctrine he still more forcibly supjjorted in his Disquisitions on Matter and Spirit, in 1777.
These works resulted in a dissolution of the connection between himself and liis patron, and he
took charge of a dissenting congregation at Birmingham. At length, when several of his friends
at Birmingham were celebrating the destruction of the Bastile, a mob assembled and set fire to
the dissenting meeting-houses and to several dissenters' houses, among which was that of Dr.
Priestley, although he was not present at the celebration. He lost his valuable library and appa-
ratus, and although he obttiined a legal compensation, it fell far short of his loss. On quitting
Birmingham he succeeded his friend Dr. Price as lecturer in the dissenting college at Hackney,
where he remained some time in the cultivation of scientific pursuits, until he was goaded by
party enmity to seek an asylum in the United States. His sons had already preceded him, and
taken up or purchased a large body of land near Northumberland, where the doctor arrived and
fixed his residence in 1794. Here he dedicated himself for ten years to his accustomed pursuits,
until his death on the 6th Feb., 1804, in his 71st year.
Doct. Priestley was an ardent controversialist, chiefly in consequence of extreme simplicity and
openness of character ; but no man felt less animosity towards his opponents, and many, who
entertained the strongest antipathy to his opinions, were converted into friends by his urbanity in
personal intercourse. As a man of science, he stands high in the walk of invention and discov-
ery : he discovered the existence of oxygen gas, and other seriform fluids. As a theologian, he
followed his own convictions wherever they led him, and passed through all changes, from Cal-
vinism to a Unitarian or Socinian system, in some measure his own ; but to the last remained a
zealous opposer of infidelity. In his family he ever maintained the worship of God. His works
amount to about seventy volumes, or tracts ; and embrace essays on history, politics, divinity,
(practical and controversial,) metaphysics, and natural philosophy. His Life, edited by his son,
was published in 1806. The memoirs are written by the doctor himself, dov\m to the year 1795.
Churches in Milton.
Milton is situated on the left bank of the West Branch, at the mouth
of Limestone run, 12 miles above Northumberland. It is a bustling town',
by far the most flourishing and populous in the county, and forms the
shipping-port for several rich limestone valleys around it. A large por-
tion of the population is of German descent. There are here Presbyte-
rian, German Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, and "Shiloh"
churches ; an academy, several foundries, and a number of extensive flour-
ing-mills driven by the water of Limestone run. There is a stone bridge
across the run, and a frame bridge across the West Branch. The West
Branch canal passes through the town. Population in 1830, 1,274; in
1840, 1,508. Above is a view, taken from the Washington road, of
530 NORTflUMBERLAXn COUNTY.
three of the churches — the Episcopal, the Baptist, and the Methodist.
The former is nearly hidden among the trees, on the right.
^Milton was tirst started as a town, about oO years since, by Andrew
Straub. ]Mr. Covenhoven remembers that, in the year 177S. at the time
of the bli:; nuuncay. tluu-e were but two houst^s on the site. jNIarcus IIu-
ling, a boatman, had built a cabin near the run. and kept a tavern there ;
and had afterwanls sold out to INIr. iM'Candless. Marcus llulings, a
blacksmith, had his shop on the river bank, just at the upper end of the
present borough. He afterwards removed to Duncan's island, and event-
ually to Pittsburg.
^rCrxEsvu-LE is a small but flourishing village, which has grown up
since ISvJa. about throe miles north of Milton, on the stage-road to Wil-
liamsport. It contains some twenty or thirty dwellings, three taverns,
stores. tJcc.
Watsoxbirg is on the left bank of the West Branch, above the mouth of
Warrior's run, and four miles from ]Milton. It contains some thirty dwell-
ings, stores, Arc, and several mills at the run, near the village. ISwders-
Tou'x, a small hamlet, is about five miles northeast of Milton ; and Potts-
GROVE, a small village on Chillisquaque cr,, is i\\e miles southeast of Mil-
ton.
On Warrior's run, during the revolution, was situated Freeland's fort,
memorable for the scenes which occurred at its capture, in the early part
of autumn, or, to use an old pioneer's expression, about the time peaches
were ripe, in 1778. The following account of that event was received
in conversation with the aged ]Mr. Covenhoven, of Lycoming co. ; and
another gentleman, a descendant of Mr. Vincent who was captured at
the fort :* —
Rumors had been received at Fort Muncy, (near Pennsborousrh.") where Col. Hepburn, after-
wards Judjife Hepburn, was commanding, that a hostile force of British and Indians niijrht be
soon expected down the West Branch. To obtain more definite information, Robert Covenlioven,
who was then actinsf as a guide and scout for the garrison, was sent out to the mountains above
Ralston, on the head-waters of Lycoming creek and Tioga river. He was offered one or more
companions, but he preferred to go alone. He knew every detile of the wilderness, and he could
better elude observation alone than with several men. who might not follow his counsel. He
travelled all night, and when he arrived among the mountains, he heard at least 100 shots from
the enemy encamped there, who were cleaning their guns. Without rest, and with no more food
than he could eat as he ran. he returned immediately, and reported a large force approaching.
Robert King also brought down word from Lycoming cr., that Ferguson, with a party who had
gone up to cut hay. had been attacked by Indians, and three men had been killed. Fort i\hmcy
was filled with women and children, who were immediately put into boats and sent down to Fort
Augusta, under the charge of Mr. Covenhoven. They took with them also the families from
Fort Menninger. at the mouth of Warrior's run ; but PVeeland's fort being four miles up that
run, from its mouth, there was not time to wait for the families there to come down. A messen-
ger, however, was sent to alarm them. While the party were descending the river, the women
would often jump out to tug the bjats over the ripples. Fort Muncy, being untenable, was aban-
doned.
About this time, and one or two days previous to the attack on Freeland's fort, Isaac, Benja-
min, Peter, and Bethuel Vincent, brothers, together with Mr. Frecland, the owner of tlie fort, and
* The account of tiie capture of Freeland's fort, in one of the numbers by Kiskiminetas, in
the Blairsville Record, of 1830. and since copied in the " Incidents of Border Life," is in many
particulars incorrect, and has been so acknowledged by the author. He did not derive his infor-
mation on this subject from tlio same authentic source from wiiich lie learned t!ie otiier events
of Capt. Brady's liie. although, at the time of the publication, he supposed that his informer was
fullv acquainted with the facts. No blame, therelbrt;, attaches to the respectable author of those
numbers, who resided at a distance from tlie West Branch, and had no conveuient means of veri-
fying the statements furnished to him.
PERRY COUNTY. 537
(as son, were at work in a field. A party of Indians came suddenly upon them. Isaac Vincent
and Freeland, the father, were killed. Benjamin Vincent was taken prisoner. Jacob Freeland,
the son, ran towards the stone-quarry, and was speared by an Indian in his thigh : he fell near
the edge of the precipice, at tiie quarry. The Indian pounced upon him, but Freeland suddenly
raised him upon his shoulders, and pitched him over into the quarry ; and would have killed him,
but another Indian came up and killed Freeland, spearing him in several places. The other
Vincents escaped to the fort.
The main force of the enemy now appeared, consisting of about 300 Indians and 200 British,
under Col. McDonald. On their way down, they burnt Fort Muncy, and tJien laid siege to Free-
land's fort, which was commanded by Capt. John Lytic. There were brave men in that fort,
who would have defended it to the death ; but it was also filled with women and children, whom
it was not thought prudent to expose to the cruelties that might result from a capture by storm.
When, therefore, the enemy were about setting fire to the fort, a capitulation was entered into, by
which the men and boys, able to bear arms, were to be taken prisoners, and the women and
children were to return home unharmed. There was a Mrs. Kirk in the fort, with her daughter
Jane and her son William. Before the capitulation she fixed a bayonet upon a pole, vowing she
would kill at least one Indian ; but as there was no chance for fighting, she exhibited her cun-
ning by putting petticoats upon her son Billy — who was able to bear arms, but had yet a smooth
chin — and smuggled him out among the women.
Tlie enemy took possession of the fort, and allowed the women and children to remain in an
old building outside of the fort, on the bank of the run. At a preconcerted signal, Capt. Hawk-
ins Boone, who commanded a fort on Muddy run, (about 600 yards above its mouth, and two
miles above Milton,) came up to the relic^f of Freeland's fort, with a party of men. Perceiving
the women and children playing outside of the fort, he suspected no danger, and incautiously ap-
proached so near that the women were obliged to make signs to him to retire. He retreated pre-
cipitately, but was perceived by the enemy, who with a strong force waylaid him, on the North-
umberland road, at M'Clung's place. Boone's party fell into the ambusii, and a most desperate
encounter ensued, from which few of the Americans escaped. William Miles, (now of Erie co.,)
was taken prisoner in Freeland's fort : and afterwards, in Canada, Col. McDonald mentioned to
him, in the liighest terms of commendation, the desperate bravery of Hawkins Boone. He re-
fused all quarter — encouraged and i'oreed his men to stand up to the encounter ; and at last, with
most of his Spartan band, died on the field, overpowered by superior numbers.
Cornelius Vincent and his son, Bethuel Vincent, (father of Mr. Vincent of M'Cuneville,) Capt.
John Lytic, William Miles, and others, were taken prisoners at the capitulation. Capt. Samuel
Dougherty and a brother of Mr. Miles were killed in the flight. Peter Vincent escaped in the
flurry occasioned by Hawkins Boone coming up. Sam Brady, James Dougherty, and James
Hammond ha-d cautioned Boone against keeping the road, in his retreat ; and they themselves,
refusing to accompany him along the road, took the route through the woods, and escaped.
Bethuel Vincent had recently been married, when he was taken prisoner. His wife returned to
her home in New Jersey. Four years after the capture she had heard nothing from her husband.
One evening, when she was out with a sleighing party, and had stopped at a tavern, a roughly
dressed man inquired if a Mrs. Vincent lived in that vicinity. She was pointed out to him. He
stated that he had known her husband in Canada, had lately seen him, and that he was well.
He rode with the party in the sleigh, and was disposed to take Mrs. Vincent on his lap ; but she
indignantly declined the familiarity, until she discovered that the impertinent stranger was her
husband.
PERRY COUNTY.
Perry county was separated from Cumberland by the act of 1820.
Length 38 miles, breadth 14; area 539 sq. miles. Population in 1820,
11,342 ; in 1830, 14,257; and in 1840, 17,096. The county lies between
two lofty and very distinct ranges of mountains, the Kittatinny on the
southeast, and Tuscarora mountain and its continuation, Turkey moun-
tain, on the northwest. The surface between these two prominent bar-
riers is broken by a number of subordinate ridges, having the same gen-
eral direction, but subdivided into isolated links ; exhibiting the effects of
those mighty subterranean forces that have upheaved the gre^t anthra-
638 PERRY COUNTY.
cite coal region, lying in the same range northeast of the Susquehanna.
These minor ranges are Bower's mountain, Quaker ridge, and Dick's hill ;
Mahoney ridge. Limestone ridge. Middle ridge. Racoon ridge, and Cono-
cocheague hill ; and Cove mountain on the Susquehanna. Between these
ridges are narrow, undulating valleys of limestone and slate lands, of
great beauty and fertility. The effects of the forces above alluded to
are strikingly exhibited in the apparently capricious manner in which the
streams find their way through the mountains. The Susquehanna, here
reinforced by the Juniata, as if proud of its augmented volume, breaks
directly through the double barrier of Cove mountain, w^hen it might ap-
parently have found an easier course by turning the end of it, where it
dies away only four or five miles west of the river. The Little Juniata,
too, an humbler stream, instead of passing down the valley between Ma-
honey ridge and Dick's hill to the Susquehanna, or passing the depres-
sions at either end of Dick's hill, runs half way down the valley, and
then turning suddenly to the right, cuts directly through the main body
of the hill, and enters the Susquehanna at Petersburg. A glance at the
map will illustrate these phenomena better than a prolix description.
Iron ore is found in many localities, and several furnaces are in opera-
tion in the county. The Susquehanna forms the eastern boundary of the
county, breaking through its course five lofty mountain ranges. The Ju-
niata emerges from the Tuscarora mountain near Millerstown, and joins
the Susquehanna at Duncan's island. Sherman's creek, with its many
branches, waters the southern side of the co. ; the Little Juniata is in the
middle part ; and Buffalo, Little Buffalo, and Racoon creek, water the
northern side. The Harrisburg and Huntingdon turnpike runs along the
left bank of the Juniata ; and the county is intersected with many excel-
lent common roads in every direction. The Pennsylvania canal crosses
the Susquehanna in a pool, with a double towing-path attached to the
magnificent bridge at Duncan's island, and there divides — one branch
taking the Juniata, and the other the Susquehanna. Above Duncan's
island the Juniata division crosses on an aqueduct to the right bank of
the Juniata, and again recrosses by a curious rope-ferry just below Mil-
lerstown. There is a medicinal spring on the bank of Sherman's creek,
in a romantic region at the foot of Quaker hill, about 1 1 miles north of
Carlisle. A commodious house accommodates visitors.
The original population of this co. was Scotch, Irish, and English ; but
the Germans and their descendants now predominate. Iron and woollen
manufactures are carried on to a considerable extent, but agriculture
forms the prominent occupation of the citizens. Few details have been
preserved respecting the early settlement of Perry co. The early pio-
neers were generally Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, with a few Quakers,
who came over the mountains from the Conococheague and Carlisle set-
tlements.
Mr. Magee, grandfather of the present sheriff" of the co., settled at an
early day among the hills in Toboyne township. He often had more vis-
itors than friends. Hearing a screaming one dark night, near his cabin,
he stepped out of the door with an axe, and killed a panther that was
just ready to pounce upon him. There is still standing in Madison town-
ship a log-house belonging to the McMullen family, that was formerly a
place of refuge for the settlers ; it is full of bullet holes. The following
PERRY COUNTY. 539
extracts are from the narrative of Robert Robison, a soldier in Col. Arm-
strong's expedition, and one of the early pioneers of Sherman's valley :
The next I remember of was in the year 1756, the Woolcomber family, on Sherman's creek:
the whole of the inhabitants of the valley were gathered to a fort at George Robison's ; but
Woolcomber would not leave home ; he said it was the Irish who were killing one another ; these
l>eaceable people, the Indians, would not hurt any person. Being at home, and at dinner, the
Indians came in, and the Quaker asked them to come and eat dinner ; an Indian answered that
he did not come to eat, but for scalps ; the son, a boy of 14 or 15 years of age, when he heard
the Indian say so, repaired to a back door, and as he went out he looked back and saw the In-
dian strike the tomahawk into his father's head. The boy then ran over the creek, which was
near to the house, and heard the screams of his mother, sisters, and brothers. The boy came to
our fort and gave us the alarm ; about forty went to where the murder was done, and buried the
dead.
In the second war, on the 5th July, 1763, the Indians came to Juniata, it being harvest time,
and the white people were come back to reap tlieir crops ; they came first to the house of Wm.
White ; it was on the Sabbath day ; the reapers were all in the house ; the Indians crept up nigh
to the door and shot the people lying on the floor, and killed Wm. White, and all his family that
were there, excepting one boy, who, when he heard the guns, leaped out of the window and made
his escape.
The same party went to Robert Campbell's on Tuscarora or., surprised them in the same way,
shot them on the floor where they were resting themselves ; one George Dodds being there har-
vesting, had just risen, and gone into the room and lay down on the bed, setting his gun beside
him. When the Indians fired, one of them sprung into the house with his tomahawk in his
hand, running up to where a man was standing in the corner ; Dodds fired at the Indian not six
feet from him ; the Indian gave a halloo and ran out as fast as he could. There being an opening
in the loft above the bed, Dodds sprung up there and went out by the chimney, making his es-
cape, and came to Sherman's valley. He came to Wm. Dickson's and told what had happened,
there being a young man there which brought the news to us, who were harvesting at Edward
Elliott's ; other intelligence we got in the night. John Graham, John Christy, and James Chris-
ty, were alarmed in the evening by guns firing at Wm. Anderson's, where the old man was killed
with his Bible in his hand ; supposed he was about worship ; his son also was killed, and a girl
that had been brought up from a child by the old people. Graham and the Christys came about
midnight. We hearing the Indians had got so far up the Tuscarora valley, and knowing Col.
lina's family and James Scott's were there about harvest, 12 of us concluded to go over Bigham's
gap and give those word that were there : when we came to Collins's we saw that the Indians
had been there, had broke a wheel, emptied a bed, and taken flour, of which they made some
water-gruel ; we counted thirteen spoons made of bark ; we followed the tracks down to James
Scott's, where we found the Indians had killed some fowls ; we pursued on to Graham's, there
the house was on fire, and burned down to the joists. We divided our men into two parties, six
in each, my brother with his party came in behind the barn, and myself with the other party
came down through an oats field ; I was to shoot first ; the Indians had hung a coat upon a post
on the other side of the fire from us ; I looked at it, and saw it immoveable, and therefore walked
down to it and found that the Indians had just left it ; they had killed four hogs, and had eaten
at pleasure. Our company took their tracks, and found that two companies had met at Gra-
ham's, and had gone over the Tuscarora mountain. We took the run gap ; the two roads meet-
ing at Nicholson's, they were there first, heard us coming, and lay in ambush for us ; they had
the first fire ; being 25 in number, and only 12 of us — they killed five, and wounded myself.
They then went to Alexander Logan's, where they emptied some beds, and passed on to George
M'Cord's.
The names of the 12 were Wm. Robison, who acted as captain, Robert Robison, the relator
of this narrative, Thomas Robison, being three brothers, John Graham, Charles Elliott, William
Christy, Jajncs Christy, David Miller, John Elliott, Edward M'Connel, William M'Alister, and
John Nicholson ; the persons killed were William Robison, who was shot in the belly with buck-
shot, and got about half a mile from the ground ; John Elliott, then a boy about 17 years of age,
having emptied his gun, he was pursued by an Indian with his tomahawk, who was within a few
perches of him, when Elliott had poured some powder into his gun by random, out of his powder
horn, and having a bullet in his mouth, put it in the muzzle, but had no time to ram it down ; he
turned and fired at his pursuer, who clapped his hand on his stomach and cried, och ! then turned
and fled. Elliott had ran but a few perches further, when he overtook William Robison, welter-
ing in his blood, in his last agonies ; he requested Elliott to carry him oflf, who excused himself
by telling him of his inability to do so, and also of the danger they were in ; he said he knew it,
but desired him to take his gun with him, and, j>eace or war, if ever he had an opportunity of
killing an Indian, to shoot him for his sake. Elliott brought away the gun, and Robison was not
found by the Indians.
Thomas Robison stood on the ground until the whole of his people were fled, nor did the In-
540
PERRY COUNTY-
dians offer to pursue, until the last man left the field ; Thomas having fired and charged a i€C-
ond time, the Indians were prepared for him, and when he took aim past the tree, a number fired'
at him at the same time ; one of his arms was broken ; he took his gun in the other and fled :
going - a hill he came to a high log, and clapped his hand, in which was his gun, on the log to
assist aping over it ; while in the attitude of stooping, a bullet entered his side, going in a
trianguiai course through his body ; he sunk down across the log ; the Indians sunk the cock of
his gun into his brains, and mangled him very much. John Graham was seen by David Miller
sitting on a log, not far from the place of attack, with his hands on his face, and the blood run-
ning through his fingers. Charles Elliott and Edward M'Connel took a circle round where the
Indians were laying, and made the best of their way to Buffalo creek, but tf>ey were pursued by
the Indians ; and where they crossed the creek there was a high bank, and as they were endeav-
oring to ascend the bank they were both shot, and fell back into the water.
A party of 40 men came from Carlisle, in order to bury the de?d at Juniata ; when they saw
the dead at Buffalo creek they returned home. Then a party of men came with Capt. Dunning ;
but before they came to Alexander Logan's, his son John, Charles Coyle, Wm. Hamilton, with
Bartholomew Davis, followed the Indians to George M'Cord's, where they were in the barn j
Logan and those with him were all killed, except Davis, who made his escape. The Indians-
then returned to Logan's house again, when Capt. Dunning and his party came on them, and
they fired some time at each other ; Dunning had one man wounded.
I forgot to give you an account of a murder done at our own fort in Sherman's valley, in Ju-
ly, 1756 : the Indians waylaid the fort in harvest-time, and kept quiet until the reapers were"
gone ; James Wilson remaining some time behind the rest, and I not being gone to my business,
which was hunting deer for the use of the company, Wilson standing at tlie fort gate, I desired
liberty to shoot his gun at a mark, upon which be gave me the gun, and I shot ; the Indians on the"
upper side of the fort, thinking they were discovered, rushed on a daughter of Robert Miller,
and instantly killed her, and shot at John Simmeson ; they then made the best of it that they
could, and killed the wife of James Wilson, and the widow Gibson, and took Hugh Gibson and
Betsey Henry prisoners. Wliile the Indian was scalping Mrs. Wilson, the narrator shot at and
wounded him, but he made his escape. The reapers, being 40 in number, returned to the fort,
and the Indians made off.
I shall relate an affair told me by James M'Clung, a man whom I can confide in for
truth, it being in his neighborhood. An Indian came to a tavern, called for a gill of whiskey,
drank some out of it ; when there came another Indian in, he called for a gill also, and set it oi>
the table, without drinking any of it, and took out the first Indian, discoursing with him for some
time ; the first Indian then stripped himself naked, and lay down on the floor, and stretched
himself; the other stood at the door, and when he was ready, he stepped forward with his knife
in his hand, and stabbed the Indian who was lying down to the heart ; he received the stab,
jumped to his feet, drank both the gills of whiskey off, and dropped down dead ; the white peo-
ple made a prisoner of the other Indian, and sent to tlie heads of the nation ; two of them came
and examined the Indian, who was a prisoner, and told them to let him- go, he had done right.
Bloomjleld.
Bloomfield, the county seat, is a place of recent origin, its site having
been a clover-field no longer ago than 1825. It was then selected as the
county seat, and in four years IVom that time it boasted, in the words o-f
PERRY couNry.
541
the Perry Forester, "29 dwelling-houses, 21 shops and offices, a court-
house and jail — more than half a dozen lawyers, and half as many doc-
tors, with a population of about 220." It now has a population of 412,
(by the census of 1840,) a Methodist, a Presbyterian, a Lutheran and
German Reformed church, and an academy. It is pleasantly situated,
about nine miles from Duncan's island, and six from the canal at New-
port, one mile above the forks of the Little Juniata, in the narrow valley
between Limestone and Mahoney ridges. The preceding view shows the
courthouse and public offices, one of the hotels, and a number of private
dwellings in the centre of the town.
MiLLERSTovvN is a large village on the left bank of the Juniata, 10 miles
north of Bloomfield, and 15 above Duncan's island. It contains about 80
dwellings, a Presbyterian church, &c. Population in 1840, 371. The
town was laid out about the year 1800, or a short time previously. Be-
low the town is a pool formed by a state dam in the Juniata, upon which
the canal boats pass by means of an endless rope stretched across the
river and passing round a large pulley on each side. One of the pulleys
is turned at a given signal by water-power from the canal, which puts
the rope in motion with its boat attached.
Petersburg, with Duncan's Island Bridge in the distance.
At the mouth of the Juniata there is an elegant bridge, leading from
Duncan's island to Petersburg, a pretty village, about a mile below. Sep-
arated from Petersburg only by a small stream, the Little Juniata, is
DuNCANNON, a manufacturing village, the site of the extensive iron-works
of Messrs. Fisher and Morgan. These works are situated at the mouth
of Sherman's cr., and consist of a rolling-mill, employing about 150 hands ;
and a nailery containing 26 machines, capable of making 800 kegs of
nails per week. The Montebello furnace, on Little Juniata, about four
miles distant, also pertains to this establishment. It employs about 60
hands. These villages are neatly built with white cottages, interspersed
with shade-trees, and presenting a very lively appearance when seen
from the canal across the Susquehanna. Behind the town rises a lofty
ridge, from which the preceding sketch was taken. Petersburg and Dun-
cannon are seen in the foreground, at the foot of the hill ; and beyond,
in the distance, are the dam, the long bridge, Duncan's island, and the
542 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
broad valley of the Susquehanna stretching away among the mountainsi
From this point may be seen, very distinctly, the ripples across the river,
marking the harder strata of rocks in its bed, corresponding with the
hard silicious strata in the mountains on either side.
Marcus Hulings, who owned Duncan's island, was authorized to erect
a dam and mill at the mouth of Sherman's cr., as early as 15th Sept. 1784.
The new forge was established by Messrs. Stephen Duncan and John D.
Mahon, in 1839.
(For a description and history of Duncan's island, see Dauphin co.)
Liverpool is a large and important town on the Susquehanna, 14 miles
above Duncan's island. It contains about 100 dwellings, stores, taverns,
&c., and one or more churches. The canal passes along the river bank in
front of the town. Quite a brisk trade is carried on here. There are
extensive iron- works near the town. Population in 1840, 454.
The town was laid out some thirty or forty years since. The scenery
on the Susquehanna, opposite this place, is magnificent — sublime : — de-
scription cannot reach it ; it must be seen to be appreciated.
Landisburg is a large village, on the left bank of Sherman's cr., about
eight miles southwest of Bloomfield. It contains one or two churches^
and about 50 or 60 dwellings. About two miles northwest of this place
is situated the poorhouse of the county.
Newport is quite a large, busy town, on the Juniata canal and river,
six miles northeast of Bloomfield. It contained, by the census of 1840,
423 inhabitants. It is the second town, in point of population, in the
county.
The other villages are New Buffalo, on the Susquehanna, five miles
above the mouth of Juniata, containing a Presbyterian church, and a
population of 147, by the census of 1840; and Ickesburg, nine miles north-
west of Bloomfield, near the Run-gap of Tuscarora mountain, containing
some twenty dwellings, atid a Presbyterian church in the vicinity.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Philadelphia county is one of the three counties originally established
by William Penn, about the close of the year 1682. It then extended
indefinitely towards the northwest, bounded on either side by its fellow
counties, Bucks and Chester. It has since, by the establishment of Berks
CO. in 1752, and of Montgomery co. in 1784, been reduced to an area of 120
sq. m., or about 77,000 acres. It extends along the Delaware, from Dar-
by cr. to Poquasin cr., a distance of 22 m., and up the Schuylkill a dis-
tance of 10 m., measured from the Delaware at Kensington. It comprises,
besides the city and its suburban districts, the townships of Kingsessing,
Blockley, Passyunk, Moyamensing, Penn, Northern Liberties, Oxford,
Lower Dublin, Moreland, Byberry, Bristol, Germantown, and Roxborough.
The population of the whole county, including the city, was, in 1790,
54,391 ; in 1800, 81,009; in 1810, 111,210; in 1820, 137,097; in 1830,
188,789; in 1840, 258,037— being nearly five times that of 1790.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
13
The following table shows the census of the city and county from 1800
to 1840, inclusive, and of the city and districts for 1790. Dr. Mease states
the population of the city, in 1753, at 14,563 ; in 1760, at 18,756 ; and in
1769, at 28,042.
1790.
City of Philadelphia, 28,522
Kensington, (incorporated 1820,)
Northern Liberties, (incorpor'd 1803,)
Nort'hern Liberties, (unincorporated,) > 8,337
Penn township, (North and South,)
Spring Garden, (incorporated 1813,)
South wark, (incorporated 1794,) - 5,6G1
Moyarnensing township, ----.-.
Passyunk township, -.....-.
Blockley township, .--.....
Do. West Philadelphia borough,
Kingsessing township, .......
Oxford township, .........)
Do. Frankford borough, . . - ^
Roxborough township, (including Manayunk,)
Germantown township, .......
Bristol township,
Lower Dublin township, .......
Moreland township, ........
Byberry township, ....-.-..
1800.
1810.
1820.
1830.
1845.
11,220
53 722
63,802
80,458
93,665
r 7,118
13,326
22,314
19,678
28,923
34,474
16,970
21,558 J
1,810
2,453
3,332
3,798
3,105
2,507
3,342
3,498
11,141
27,849
9,621
13,707
14,713
20,740
27,548
1,592
2,887
3,963
6,822
14,573
884
992
1,638
1,441
1,594
1,091
1,618
2,655
3,401
^ 3,318
I 2,896
634
903
1,188
1,068
1,339
1,518
^ 973
1,315
1,502
1,582
1,233
1,405
1,637
2,376
1,048
1,252
1,682
3,334
5,797
3,220
4,243
4,311
4,642
5,482
771
965
1,257
1,425
1,734
1,495
2,194
2,640
2,705
3,298
362
400
443
418
469
579
765
876
1,018
1,055
Total, 81,005 111,210 137,097 188,961 258,037
According to the census of 1840, Philadelphia county and city contain 3 furnaces, 1 rolling-
mill, 186 houses in foreign trade, 63 commission houses, 2,078 retail stores, 16 fulling-mills, 29
woollen manufactories, 45 cotton manufactories, (containing 40,862 spindles,) 32 dyeing and
printing establishments, 10 tanneries, 11 distilleries, 19 breweries, 1 glass-house, 1 glass-cutting
establishment, 7 potteries, 12 sugar refineries, 10 paper manufactories, 47 printing-offices, 13
book-binderies, 8 daily newspapers, 17 weekly newspapers, 7 semi-weekly and tri- weekly news-
papers, 26 periodicals, 20 rope-walks, 17 flouring-mills, 13 grist-mills, 13 saw-mills, 1 oil-mill —
besides a vast amount of capital and men employed in the manufacture of machinery, locomo-
tives, houses, steamboats, ships, drugs, silk, soap and candles, coaches, and in gardening, nurse,
ries, butchering, &-c., &c.
A range of low rocky hills, of the primitive granitic formation, crosses
the upper section of the county, imparting an agreeable diversity to the
surface, and affording many beautiful sites for the country seats of wealthy
citizens. That part of the county on which the city and its suburbs are
situated, is a broad and elevated plain, gently sloping towards each river,
and composed principally of gravel and clay — the deposit, doubtless, of
some ancient ocean. Below the city, around the mouth of the Schuyl-
kill, was originally a vast alluvial marsh, over which the waters flowed
at every tide ; but, by drainage and embankment, this tract has been con-
verted into excellent meadows, yielding abundant pasturage for thou-
sands of cattle.
Besides the Delaware and Schuylkill, the principal streams of the
county are Poquessin cr., the northeastern boundary, and Darby cr., the
southwestern — both tributaries of the Delaware ; and between these are
Pennypack cr., Sissinockisink cr., Frankford cr., formed by Tacony and
Wingohocking crs., Gunner's run and Cohocksink cr. ; and on the other
side of the county are the Wissahiccon, Falls cr., and Mill cr., tributaries
of the Schuylkill — besides several small creeks and runs on the flats be-
low the city.
The City of Philadelphia extends entirely across a neck of land, about
two miles wide, between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers ; and pre-
644 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
sents a front along the Delaware, including the suburbs of Kensington
and Southwark, of nearly four miles, and one mile and a half along the
Schuylkill. It is 120 miles from the ocean, by the course of the river,
and 60 in a direct line ; and lies in N. lat. 39° 50' 54", and in W. Ion.
(from London) 75° 8' 45". The distance from Philadelphia to New-
York, by the usual route, is 87 miles ; to Baltimore 95 ; to Washington
city 136; to Harrisburg 100, and to Pittsburg 300. It is impossible to
comprise, in a work of this kind, the complete statistics of a city so large
as Philadelphia.
The city contains, (in addition to the manufactories already enumerated,) more than 100
churches — of which are, Episcopal 15, (including the old Swedes' church;) Catholic 6; Unita-
rian 1 ; Presbyterian 27 ; Independent Congregational (in Broad-st.) 1 ; Dutch Reformed 4 ;
Baptist 12; Methodist 18; Friends' 8; Congregational 1 ; German Reformed 1; Jews' Syna-
gogues 3 ; Lutheran 4 ; Moravian 1 ; Swedenborgian 2 ; Mariners' 3 ; Universalist 2. Of scien-
tific and literary institutions there are — the University of Pennsylvania, including its medical
department; two other medical schools ; the Girard College; the American Philosophical Socie-
ty ; the Pennsylvania Historical Society ; the Academy of Natural Sciences ; the Franklin Insti-
tute ; the Atheneum ; the Philadelphia Library, and 7 other public libraries : of benevolent insti
tutions — the Pennsylvania Hospital, the United States Naval Asylum, Asylums for the Deaf,
Dumb, Blind, and Insane, for Indigent Females, five Asylums for Orphans, the County Alms-
house, the Friends' Almshouse, Wills' Hospital for indigent lame and blind, and about seventy
benevolent societies ; eight museums, or collections in science and art ; sixteen banks ; the Mer-
chants' Exchange ; the county offices ; the United States Mint ; the United States Navy Yard ;
five theatres ; Penitentiary and Prison ; two magnificent bridges, (besides some six or seven
others, equally splendid, in the county ;) five railroads, &c., &c.
Philadelphia did not grow up, as have many cities, by hazard ; or by
the gradual addition of house to house, and by the conversion of crooked
by-paths and narrow lanes into crowded streets, without a regular plan,
as the commercial necessities of an augmenting village population might
seem to require. The establishment of a large city was an early and
favorite plan of William Penn ; and in his " Concessions to Adventurers
and Purchasers in the Province," published in July, 1681, before he left
England, he had agreed —
" That so soon as it pleasethe God that the abovesaid persons arrive there, a certain quantity
of land or ground plot shall be laid out, for a large town or city, in the most convenient place
upon the river for health and navigation ; and every purchaser and adventurer shall by lot, have
so much land therein as will answer to the proportion which he hath bought or taken up upon
rent."
The city owes its distinguishing regularity, its wide Market-street and
Broad-street, its spacious and beautiful public squares, to the wise fore-
cast of Wm. Penn. Its name, too, a Greek word signifying brotherly love,
was conferred by him, as he himself says, before the city was born, and
is a token of the benevolent principle by which he intended his province
should be governed. It was the intention of the founder that the city
should be much less compact than it has since become — that it should re-
semble " a greene country towne ;" and he had intended, too, that the
river bank should be left entirely open for general use from the water up
to the north side of Front-street. For many years he resisted all solicita-
tions for permission to build warehouses on the bank where Water-street
now is.
Col. Wm. Markham, a young kinsman of the proprietor, was dispatch-
ed in May, 1681, with a number of colonists, to announce to the natives
and Swedes the grant of the province to Wm. Penn, to conciliate their
good will, and prepare for the arrival of the proprietor with a larger
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 545
number of colonists. In the autumn of the same year Penn sent out
three commissioners to manage his affairs, Wm. Crispin, John Bezar, and
Nathaniel Allen, with special instructions to select a site and lay out the
great city. The following extracts from his instructions, for which we
are indebted to the Memoirs of the Penn. Hist, Society, will show the
vastness of the founder's original designs :
" The creeks should be sounded on my side of Delaware river, especially Upland, in order to
settle a great towne, and be sure to make your choice where it is most navigable, high, dry, and
healthy. That is, where most ships may best ride, of deepest draught of water, if possible, to
load or unload, at ye Bank or key side, without boating and litering it. It would do well if the
river coming into yt creek be navigable, at least for boats up into the country, and yt the scitua-
tion be high, at least dry and sound, and not swampy, well is best knowne by digging up two or
tiiree earths, and seeing the bottom.
" Such a place being found out for navigation, healthy scituation, and good soyle for provision,
lay out ten thousand acres contiguous to it in the best manner you can, as the bounds and ex-
tent of the libertyes of the said towne.
" The proportion in the said towne is to be thus : erery share or five thousand acres shall have
an hundred acres of land, out of ye ten thousand acres. If more than one be concerned in the
share, as it may easily fall out, then they to agree of ye dividing ye same as they shall think fit,
still keeping to proportion, as if one hundred pounds will have an hundred acres, five pounds will
have five acres.
" That no more Land be surveyed or sett out, till this be first fi.xt, and ye people upon it, wch
is best, both for Comfort, Safety, and Traftique. In the next season, the Lord willing, I shall be
with you, and then I shall proceede to larger Lotte : Tiiis was ye Resolution of a great part of
the Purchassers at London, the fifteenth day of Septemb 1681, and I find it generally ap-
proved.
" If it should happen 3't the most Convenient place for this great Towne should be already
taken up in greater quantity of Land than is Consistent wth the Town Plott, and yt Land not
already improved, you must use yor utmost skill to perswade them to part wth so much as will
be necessary, that so necessary and good a designe be not spoiled, that is, where they have Ten
Acres by ye Water side, to abate five, and to take five more backward, and so proportionably, be-
cause yt by the Settlement of this Towne, the remaining five in two or three years' time will be
worth twice as much as those Ten before ; yea, wt they take backward for their water-side Land
will in a little more time, be really more vallueahle than all their Ten forward was before ; urg-
ing my regard to them if they will not break this great and good Contrivance ; and in my Name
promise them wt gratuity or priviledge you think fitt, as having a new graunt at their old rent ; yea,
halfe their quit-rent abated — yea, make them as free Purchasers, rather than disappoint my mind
in this Township : though herein, be as sparing as ever you can, and urge the weak bottome of
their Graunte, the D.of Yorke having never had a graunt from the King &-c Be impartially just
and Courteous to all. That is both pleasing to ye Lord, and wise in itselfe.
" If you gain yor point in this respect, (of wch be very carefull) fall to dividing as before ac-
cording to shares ; then subdivide in wch observe yt you must narrower spread by the Water
side, and run Backwarde more or lesse, according to the Compasse you have by the Waterside,
to bring in the hundred Shares for their Proportion in the said Ten Thousand Acres.
" But if you cannot find land enough by ye Water side to allow an Hundred Acres to five
Thousand Acres. Get wt you can, and proportionably divide it, though it were but fifty acres
for a Share.
" Be sure to Settle the figure of the Towne so as yt the streets hereafter may be uniforme downe
to the Water from the Country bounds, left ye place for the Store house be on the middle of the
Key, wch will yet serve for Market and State houses too. This may be ordered when I come,
only let the Houses built be in a line, or upon a Line as much as may be.
" Pitch upon the very middle of the Piatt where the Towne or line of Houses is to be laid or
run facing the Harbour and great River for the scituation of my house, and let it be not the tenth
part of the Towne, as the Conditions say (viz) yt out of every hundred Thousand Acres shall
be reserved to mee Ten, But I shall be contented with less than a thirtyeth part, to witt Three
Hundred acres, whereas severall will have Two by purchaseing Two Shares, yt is Ten Thous-
and Acres, and it may be fitting for mee to exceede a little.
" The Distance of each House from the Creek or Harbor should be in ray Judgt a measured
quarter of a Mile, at least two hundred paces, because of building hereafter, streets downewarda
to ye Harbor.
" Let every House be placed, if the Person pleases in ye middle of its platt as to the breadth
WAy of it, that so there may be ground on each side, for Gardens or Orchards or fields, yt it may
be a greene Country Towne, wch will never be burnt, and allwayes be wholsome.
" I Judge yt you must be guided in yor breadth of Land by wt you can get, yt is unplanted,
69
546 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
and will not be parted wth, but so far as I can guesse at this Distance metbinks in a Citty, each
share to liave til'ty Poles upon ye Front to ye River, and yc rest Backward will be sufficient.
But perhaps you may have more, and perliaps you will not have so much space to allow, Herein
follow your Land and Scituation, being always just to proportion."
The city on the original plan would have occupied 12 square miles, to
accommodate all the purchasers. Several sites Avere examined and
spoken of by the commissioners, among which was one at Chester ; an-
other on the high bank at and below the mouth of Poquessin cr. ; another
at Pennsbury manor, and the present site, which was recommended by
the commissioners ; but neither was definitel)^ fixed upon until after
Penn's arrival in 1G8'2. when, with the consent of the colonists, he re-
duced his plan nearly to the limits of the present city proper, and made
up the proportion of lots to the colonists in the land adjoining the city,
Avhich was called Liberties ; one of these Liberties was west of the
Schuylkill, the other took the name of the Northern Liberties.
The arrival of Wm. Penn, and his reception at New Castle and Ches-
ter, have been noticed on pages 13 and 209-301. Tradition states that
he made the voyage from Chester to Wicacoa in an open boat with a few
friends, in the latter part of November, 1682. At Wicacoa he found
dwelling three Swedes, brothers, named Andries, Swen, and Oele Swen-
son, (since converted into Swanson,) of whom he afterwards purchased
the site of the city, giving them other lands in exchange. The site of
the city at that day presented a high bold bank along the Delaware,
fringed with a grove of tall pine-trees, which the Indians called Coaquan-
ock. The early Jersey colonists had noticed this place. Proud states
that —
In the Tenth month, O. S. (December) 1678, arrived the Shield, from Hull, Daniel Towes
commander, and anchored before Burlington This was the first ship tiiat came so far up the
river Delaware. Opposite to Coaquanock, the Indian name of the place where Philadelphia now
stands, which was a bold and high shore, she went so near it, in turning, that part of the tackling
struck the trees — some of the passengers expressing, " It was a fine situation for a town."
In this bank many of the first and early adventurers had their caves, or holes for their resi-
dence, before any houses were built, or better accommodations prepared for them. Tiie first
house erected on this plot of ground, was built by George Guest, and not finished at the time of
the proprietor's arrival. Tiiis house was then building in Budd's row, near that called Powell'a
dock. He, for many years afterwards, kept a tavern there called the Blue Anchor.
John Key — who was said to be the first born child of English parents in Philadelphia, and that
in compliment of which William Penn gave iiim a lot of ground — died at Kennet, in Chester co.,
on the 5th of July, ITtiT, in the 85th year of his age ; where his corpse was interred, in the Qua-
kers' burying-ground, the next day, attended by a great concourse of people. He was born in a
cave, long afterwards known by the name of Penny-pot, near Sassafras street. I have seen him
myself more than once, in the city — to which, about six years before his death, he walked on foot,
from Kennet, (about thirty miles,) in one day. In the latter part of his life he generally, in the
city, went under the name of first-born.
In the latter part of the year 1682,* the proprietary, having finished his business with the In-
* It is thought by others that the city was not fully laid out until 1683, as Penn says in his
letter to the Society of Free traders, 16th Aug. 1683, " Philadelphia — the expectation of those
that are concerned in this province — is, at last, laid out, to the great content of those here that
are any ways interested therein. I say little of the town itself, because a platform will be shewn
you by my agent, in which those who are purchasers of me will find their names and interests.
But this I will say, for the good providence of God, — that, of all the many places I have seen in
the world, I remember not one better seated ; so that it seems to me to have been appointed for a
town, whether we regard the rivers, or the conveniency of the coves, docks, springs, the loftiness
and soundness of the land, and the air, held by the people of these parts to be very good. It is
advanced, within less than a year, to about fourscore houses and cottages, such as they are,
where merchants and handicrafts are following their vocations as fast as they can, while the
countrymen are close at their farn^s. Some of them got a little winter com in the ground last
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 547
dians, undertook, with the assistance of his surveyor-general, Thomas Holme, to lay out a place
for the city.
The following is an extract from Thomas Holme's description :
" The city, as the model shows, consists of a large Front-street on each river, and a High-st.,
near the middle, from river to river, of one hundred feet broad ; and a Broad-street, in the middle
of the city, from side to side, of the like breadth. In the centre of the city is a square of ten
acres, at each angle to build houses for public affairs. There is also in each quarter of the city
a square of eight acres, to be for the like uses as Moorfields, in London ; and eight streets, be-
sides the said High st., that run from river to river, or from Front to Front ; and twenty streets,
besides the Broad-street and two Front-streets, that run across the city from side to side. All
these streets are fifty feet broad."
William Penn — in answer to a remonstrance and address to him from several of the adven-
turers, freeholders, and inhabitants, in the city of Philadelphia, (respecting the front, or bank
lots along the side of Delaware,) who claimed the privilege to build vaults, or stores, in the bank,
against their respective lots — thus expresses himself, in 1684 : — " The bank is a top common,
from end to end. The rest, next the water, belongs to front-lot men no more than hack-lot men.
The way bounds them. They may build stairs, and, at the top of the bank, a common exchange,
or walk, — and against the street common wharfs may be built freely ; but ijito the water, and the
shore, is no purchaser's."
Within the space of the first year after the proper requisites for a regular settlement were ob.
tained, between twenty and thirty sail of ships, with passengers, arrived in the province — in-
cluding those which came before, and about the same time with the proprietary. The settlers
amounted to such a large number, that the parts near Delaware were peopled in a very rapid
manner — even from about the falls of Trenton, down to Chester, near fifty miles, on the river ;
besides the settlements in the lower counties, which, at the same time, were very considerable.
As the first colonists were generally Quakers, and in their native country had suffered much
on account of their religion, both in person and property, their great and primary concern is said
to have been the continuance and support of their religious public worship, in every part of the
country where they made settlements, in such manner as their situation and circumstances then
permitted.
The Quakers had meetings for religious worship, and for the oeconomy of their society, so early
as the fore part of the year 1681, at the house of Thomas Fairlamb, at Shackamaxon, near, or
about the place where Kensington now stands, nigh Philadelphia ; and in the next following year,
1682, at the place itself where the city is since built, in a boarded meeting-house erected there for
that purpose.
Their brick meeting-house in the city, at or near the centre, was built in 1684
That on the bank, in Front-street, in . . - 1685
Their great meeting-house in High-street, in - - - 1695
That on the hill, in Pine-street, in - - - 1753
And the present meeting-house in High-street, in - - - 1755
The number of marriages of the people called Quakers, in Philadelphia alone, during the first
thirty-two years of the province, or between the years 1682 and 1714, inclusive, was about 314.
In this, (1781,) and the two next succeeding years, (1782-'83,) arrived ships, with passengers
or settlers, from London, Bristol, Ireland, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, Holland, Germany, &.C.,
to the number of about fifty sail. Among those from Germany were some Friends, or Quakers,
from Krisheim, or Crcsheim, a town not far from Worms, in the Palatinate. They had been
early convinced of the religious principles of the Quakers, by the preaching of William Ames,
an Englishman ; for which they had borne a public testimony there, till the present time — when
they all removed to Pennsylvania, and settled about six or seven miles distant from Philadelphia,
a place which they called Germantown.
These adventurers were not all young persons, able to endure the hardships unavoidable in sub-
duing a wilderness, or as equally regardless of convenient accommodations as young, healthy,
and strong men, accustomed to labor and disappointment ; but there were among them persona
advanced in years, with women and children, and such as, in their native country, had lived
well, and enjoyed ease and plenty.
season ; and the generality have had a handsome summer crop, and are preparing for their winter
com. They reaped their barley, this year, in the month called May — the wheat in the month
following , so that there is time, In these parts, for another crop of divers things before the wint
season. We are daily in hopes of shipping, to add to our number ; for, blessed be God, here is
both room and accommodation for Ihem. I bless God, I am fully satisfied with the country and
entertainment I got in it ; for I find that particular content which hath always attended ma
where God, in his providence, hath made it my place and service to reside.
548
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Their firsi business, after their arrival, was to land their property, and put it under such shel-
ter as could be found ; then, while some of them got warrants of survey, for taking up so much
land as was sufficient for immediate settling, others went diversely further into the woods, to the
different places where their lands were laid out, often without any path or road to direct them, —
for scarce any were to be found above two miles from the water side — not so much as any mark
or sign of any European having been there. As to the Indians, they seldom travelled so regu-
larly as to be traced or followed by footsteps ; except, perhaps, from one of their towns to an-
other. Their huntings were rather like ships at sea, without any track or path. So that all the
country, further than about two miles distant from the river, (excepting the Indians' moveable
settlements,) was an entire wilderness, producing nothing for the support of human life but the
wild fruits and animals of the woods.
The lodgings of some of these settlers were, at first, in the woods. A chosen tree was frequent-
ly all the shelter they bad against the inclemency of the weather. This sometimes happened late
in the fall, and even in the winter season. The next coverings of many of them were either
caves in the earth, or such huts erected ujjon it as could be most expeditiously procured, till bet-
ter houses were built, for which they had no want of timber.
Pemi's Treaty Tree, at Kensington.
The above is a representation of the celebrated Elm-tree, at Kensing
ton, under which William Penn made his memorable treaty with the In
dians, towards the close of November, 1682. The sketch was reduced
from a larger engraving, taken from the tree before it was blown down,
in 1810.
It is remarkable that no original written record can be discovered of
this celebrated event, and the evidence of its occurrence rests upon ob-
scure references, and upon tradition ; yet that tradition is abundant.
The treaty and its stipulations are referred to repeatedly in the early
minutes of council, and in the speeches of Civility to Gov. Keith, in 1721
and 1722; and of numerous other chiefs, at various conferences, at Con-
estogoe and Philadelphia. Gov, Gordon, in a council with many chiefs
of the Conestogoes, Delawares, 8hawanees, and Ganawese, held at Phil-
adelphia, May 20, 1728, thus addresses them: — •
"My Brethren: You have been faithfull to your Leagues with us, your Hearts have been clean,
&. you have preserved the Chain from Spotts or Rust, or if there were any you have been care-
full to wipe them away ; your Leagues with your Father William Penn, & with his Governours,
are in Writing on Record, that our Children &. our Childrens Children may have them in ever-
lasting Remembrance. And we Know that you preserve the memory of those things amongst
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 549
rou by telling them to your Children, &, they again to the next Generation, so that thej remain
stamp'd on your Minds never to be forgott.
'■ The Chief Heads or Strongest Links of this Chain I find are these Nine, vizt :
1st. " That all William Penns People or Christians, and all the Indians should be brethren, a8
the Children of one Father, joyncd together as with one Heart, one Head &. one Body.
2d. " That all Paths should be open and free to both Christians and Indians.
3d. " That the Doors of the Christians Houses should be open to the Indians &. the Houses
oi' the Indians open to the Christians, & that they should make each other welcome as their
Friends.
4th. " That the Christians should not believe any false Rumours or Reports of the Indians,
nor the Indians believe any such Rumours or Reports of the Christians, but should first come as
Brethren to enquire of each other ; And that both Christians & Indians, when they hear any
such false Reports of their Brethren, they should bury them as in a bottomless Pitt.
5th. '• That if the Christians heard any ill news that may be to the Hurt of the Indians, or
the Indians hear any such ill news that may be to the Injury of the Christians, they should ac-
quaint each other with it speedily as true Friends & Brethren.
Gth. " That the Indians should do no manner of Harm to the Christians nor their Creatures,
nor the Christians do any Hurt to any Indians, but each treat the other as their Brethren.
Tth. " But as there are wicked People in all Nations, if either Indians or Christians should do
any harm to each other. Complaint should be made of it by the Persons Suffering, that Right may
be done ; and when Satisfaction is made, the Injury or Wrong should be forgott &. be buried as
in a bottomless Pitt.
8th. " That the Indians should in all things assist the Christians, & the Christians assist the
Indians against all wicked People that would disturb them.
9th. " And lastly, that both Christians & Indians should acquaint their Children with this
League & firm Chain of Friendship made between them, & that it should always be made
stronger & stronger &. be kept bright &, clean, without Rust or Spott between our Children and
Childrens Children, while the Creeks and Rivers run, and while the Sun, Moon & Stars endure."
In a very elaborate memoir on the subject of this treaty, presented to
the Pennsjivania Historical Society, in 1836, by Messrs. Peter S. Du
Ponceau and J. Francis Fisher, they give it as their opinion that this
treaty had no reference to the purchase of lands, but was designed solely
to establish a solemn league of friendship between William Penn and
the Indian tribes. The following extracts are from that memoir : —
The fame of the treaty under the Elm-tree, or, as it is called, the Great Treaty, is coextensive
with the civilized world. So early as the middle of the eighteenth century, M. de Voltaire spoke
of it as an historical fact, well known at that time. " William Penn," says he, " began with
making a league with the Americans, his neighbors. It is the only treaty between those nations
and the Christians, which was never sworn to, and never broken." Other European writers have
spoken of it in terms of unqualified praise.
It is not on this treaty that depends the fame of our illustrious founder. Others before him
had made treaties of alliance with the original possessors of the American soil ; others had ob-
tained their lands from them by fair purchase — the Swedes, the Dutch, and the English. The
true merit of William Penn, that in which he surpasses all the founders of empires whose names
are recorded in ancient and modern history, is not in having made treaties with, or purchased
lands of the Indians ; but in the honesty, the integrity, the strict justice with which he constantly
treated the aborigines of the land — in the fairness of all his dealings with them — in his faithful
observance of his promises — in the ascendancy which he acquired over their untutored minds —
in the feelings of gratitude with which his character inspired them, and which they, through
successive generations, until their final disappearance from our soil, never could nor did forget,
and to the last moment kept alive in their memories. Let us be permitted to quote here an eye-
witness, the venerable Heckeweldcr, who thus expresses himself, in his History of the Indian
Nations. After speaking of the aversion of the Indians to hold treaties elsewhere than in the
open air, he proceeds : " William Penn," said they, " when he treated with them, adopted the an.
cient mode of their ancestors, and convened them under a grove of shady trees, where the little
birds on the boughs were warbling their sweet notes." " In commemoration of these conferences,"
continues the historian, " which are always to the Indians a subject of pleasing remembrance,
they frequently assembled together in the woods, in some shady spot, as nearly as possible simi-
lar to those where they used to meet their brother Miquon, (Penn,) and there lay all his words or
speeches, with those of his descendants, on a blanket, or clean piece of bark, and with great sat-
isfaction go over the whole. This practice, which I have repeatedly witnessed, continued until
the year 1780, when the disturbances which then took place put an end to it, probably for ever."
Perhaps it will be asked how they could do that, who were entirely ignorant of the art of
550 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
writing. They had, in their strings and belts of wampum, an artificial memory, by means of
which, with the aid of tradition frequently repeated from one to the other, they could lemember
the speeches made to them, and their own, in dUe Succession.
That this treaty was held at Shackamaxon,* shortly after the arrival of William Penn, in 1682,
we think that the least doubt cannot at present be entertained. The testimony of all the histo*
rians concur with iminterrupted tradition in establishing these facts. As to the locality, the ven-
eration with which the celebrated Elm-tree has been regarded, from time immemorial, attests it,
in our opinion, with sufficient certainty. The venerable Richard Peters, who not long since died,
at a very advanced age, and his friend, Mr. David H. Conyngham, still living, both have affirmed
that in their early youth, 60 or 70 years ago, the fact of the first treaty having been held under
the Elm-tree, which was destroyed by a storm in 1810, was universally admitted ; and that Ben-
jamin Lay, who came to Pennsylvania at the age of 54 years, in the year 1731, only half a cen-
tury after the arrival of the founder, showed his veneration for it by paying it frequent visits,
These testimonies are sufficient to establish this fact, beyond the possibility of controversy
Thus much we think we can assert, without the fear of contradiction ; we even believe, and
there is some evidence to prove, that Shackamaxon and the Elm-tree, before the arrival of Wm.
Penn, were the scene of a former treaty made with the Indians, by Markham and the commis
sioners associated with him, which was afterwards confirmed by the proprietary, on the same
Spot. If it be so, it adds to the solemnity of the act, and the sacredness of the ground.
The instructions to these commissioners, lately discovered among the papers of the Hamilton
family, give us Penn's humane directions : " Let my letter and conditions with my purchasers,
about just dealing with them, be read in their tongue, that they may see we have their good in
our eye, equal with our own interest ; and after reading my letter and the said conditions, then
present their kings with what I send them, and make a friendship and league with them, accord-
ing to those conditions, which carefully observe, and get them to comply with you. Be grave :
they love not to be smiled on."
We believe Mr, Clarkson's account of William Penn's address to the Indians, at the Great
Treaty, to be as near the truth as any that is founded merely upon tradition. We therefore in-
sert it. There is a great deal in this recital that bears internal evidence of truth, although we do
not coincide with the writer in every thing that it contains. We reject particularly all that con-
nects this transaction with the purchase of lands.
" The Great Spirit," said William Penn, " who made him and them, who ruled the heavens
and the earth, and who knew the innermost thoughts of man, knew that he and his friends had
a hearty desire to live in peace and friendship with them, and to serve them to the utmost of their
power. It was not their custom to use hostile weapons against their fellow-creatures, for which
reason they had come unarmed. Their object was not to do injury, and thus provoke the Grcnt
Spirit, but to do good. They were then met on the broad pathway of good faith and good-will,
so that no advantage was to be taken on either side ; but all was to be openness, brotherhood,
and love. After these and other words, he unrolled the parchment ; and, by means of the in-
terpreter, conveyed to them, article by article, the conditions of purchase, and the words of
the compact then made, for their eternal union. Among other things, they were not to be mo-
lested in their lawful pursuits, even in the territory they had alienated ; for it was to be common
to them and the English. They were to have the same liberty to do all things therein, relating
to the improvement of their grounds, and providing sustenance for their families, which the Eng-
lish had. If any disputes should arise between the two, they should be settled by twelve per-
sons, half of whom should be English, and half Indians. He then paid them for the land, and
made them many presents besides, from the merchandise which had been spread before them.
Having done this, he laid the roll of parchment on the ground, observing again that the ground
should be common to both people. He the* added that he would not do as the Marylanders did,
that is, call them children or brothers only ; for often parents were apt to whip their children too
severely, and brothers sometimes would differ. Neither would he compare the friendship be-
tween him and them to a chain, for the rain might sometimes rust it, or a tree might fall and break it ;
but he should consider them as the same flesh and blood with the Christians, and the same as
if one man's body were to be divided into two parts. He then took up the parchment, and pre-
sented it to the sachem who wore the horn in the chaplet, and desired him and the other sachems
to preserve it carefully for three generations, that their children might know what had passed
between them, just as if he had remained himself with them to repeat it."
" Our distinguished countryman, (says Mr. Vaux,) the late Sir Benja-
min West, executed in 1775 an historical picture of the treaty of 1682,
the original of which is in possession of John Penn, Esq. One of the
five dignified individuals represented as present with the proprietary was
* Shackamaxon was the Indian name of one of their villages, on the site of tha present Kcb-
■ington. •
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
551
the grandfather of West, and the painter has given a likeness of his an-
cestor in the imposing group of patriarchs." But all historians complain
that Penn's picture is too much tinctured with the fancies of the painter
to be regarded as an authentic record. The graceful and athletic Penn,
then at the age of 38, is represented as a corpulent old man, and the
dresses are those of an age many years later than the reign of Charles
II. The treaty tree was long preserved in the affections of the Indians
and colonists. Mr. West relates that while the British occupied Phila-
delphia during the revolution, and their parties were scouring the coun-
try for firewood, Gen. Simcoe had a sentinel placed under the tree to pro-
tect it. The Methodists and Baptists often held their summer meetings
under its shade. It was blown down in 1810, when it was ascertained
to be 283 years old, having been 155 years old at the time of the treaty.
Many of its pieces were wrought into vases, chairs, work-stands, and
other articles, to be preserved as sacred relics.* The Penn Society have
erected a monument, of which the annexed is a view, on the spot where
the tree stood, near the intersection of Hanover and Beach streets, Ken-
sington.
On the North.
Treaty Ground
of
William Penn
and the
Indian natives,
1682.
On the South.
William Penn
Bom 1644.
Died 1718.
On the West.
Placed by the Penn
Society,
A. D. 1827,
To mark the site
of the
Great Elm Tree.
On the East.
Pennsylvania,
Founded
1681,
By deeds of Peace.
immediately opposite to the tree once stood a venerable mansion, of
which Mr. J. F. Watson thus speaks in his Annals of Philadelphia : —
" Thip respectable and venerable lookino; brick edifice was constructed in 1702 for the use of
Thomas Fairman, the deputy of Thomas Hohne, the surveyor-general, and was taken down in
April, 1825, chiefly because it encroached on the range of the present street. A brick was found
in the wall marked 'Thomas Fairman, Sept. 1702.' It had been the abode of many inmates,
and was once desired as the country seat of Wm. Penn himself — a place highly appropriate for
him who made his treaty there. Gov. Evans, after leaving his office, dwelt there some time.
It was afterwards the residence of Gov. Palmer ; and these two names were sufficient to give it
the character of the ' Governor's house' — a name which it long retained after the cause had been
forgotten. After them the aged and respectable Mr. Thomas Hopkins occupied it for 50 years.
Penn's conception of this place is well expressed in his letter of 1708 to James Logan, saying,
' If John Evans (the governor) leaves your place, then try to secure his plantation ; for I think
from above Shackamaxon to the town is one of the pleasantest situations on the river for a gov.
ernor ; where one sees and hears what one will, and when one will, and yet have a good deal of
the sweetness and quiet of the country. And I do assure thee, if the country would settle upon
* On the subject of this treaty the curious reader may find some further particulars on page
14. See also Watson's Annals, Gordon's History, Note O, and the Memoirs of Du Ponceau,
Fisher, Vaux, and Watson in the Collections of the Penn. Hist. Society ; Fisher's Memoir on
the private life of Penn, in the same Collections ; and the printed Colonial Records, Vol III.
552 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
me £600 per annum I would hasten over the following summer. Cultivate tliis among the beat
Friends.' The next year (1709) his mind being intent on the same thing, he says, ' Pray get
Peggs' or such a remote place, [then on Front near to Green-street] in good order for me and
family.' "
i\ — tsm
Letitia House, in Letitia Court.
Above is a view of probably the oldest house now extant in Philadel-
phia. It stands in Letitia court, the entrance of which is in Market-st.
between Front and Second streets. Antiquarians have been in some
doubt about the identity of the building, some thinking that the house
called the Black Horse tavern, facing the end of the court, is the one for-
merly known as Penn's cottage ; but Mr. Watson, who has entered upon
the inquiry with true antiquarian spirit, infers from all the data he could
find, that the house here sketched is the true one ; and that it was built
by Markham as a cottage for Wm. Penn's use in 1682, before the foun-
der's arrival, and that the latter used it on his first visit, when not at his
mansion of Pennsbury manor. Afterward it was used by Markham as
deputy-governor, and for public oflices. On Wm. Penn's second visit in
1G99, he lived at the Slate-roof house, and presented this to his daughter
in fee, although she, being single, had no occasion to reside in it. A let-
ter from Penn to his steward in 1684, allows his "cousin Markham to
live in his house in Philadelphia, and that Thomas Lloyd, the deputy-
governor, should have the use of his periwigs, and any wines and beer
he may have there left for the use of strangers." Mr. Watson has given
in his Annals a lithographic view of the house as he fancied it to have
appeared with its grounds in early times. We have given its present
appearance, so that the curious in such matters may contrast the two.
Mr. Watson says : —
" If we would contemplate this Letitia house in its first relations, we should consider it as hav-
ing an open area to the river the whole width of the square, with here and there retained a clump
of forest trees on either side of an avenue leading out to Front-street ; having a garden of fruit
trees on the Second-street side, and on Second-street, the ' Governor's gate,' so called, opposite
to the lot of the Friends Great Meeting. By this gate the carriages passed along the avenue by
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 553
the north side of the house to the east part of the premises. This avenue remained an alley-
way long after, and even now is open and paved up to the rear of the house on Second-street."
The allusion above to " periwigs, wines, and beer," gives us a casual
glance at the sumptuary habits of Wm. Penn. He had been reared in
his early days near the luxurious court of Charles II. ; he had travelled
in France, Holland, and Germany, with the entree, when he chose it, of
the best society of the old world ; and although, as an individual, loving
the simple dress and manners of the Friends, he was not insensible to the
importance of etiquette and style in a high public functionary. " He was
aware that by the ignorant, respect is more readily paid to the law, and
to the officers who administer it, if surrounded by a certain dignity and
solemnity of forms." He kept his coach in the colony, his fine blooded
horses, and his barge — for he loved to travel by water — and gave par-
ticular directions to James Logan to " take care of the barge, and let no
one use it during his absence." He had his days and hours of business,
and an officer, while the council was in session, to guard the door ; and
when he went to open the assembly, or to hold the High Court of the
Provincial Council, he was preceded by the members in procession, and
the sheriff and peace-officers with their staves of office. In dress, too, he
was regardful of the mode ; when he returned from France in 1664, he
is represented as " a most modish person grown, quite a fine gentleman."
" At the time when was painted the portrait presented to the Historical
Society by his grandson," says Mr. Fisher, " he was a finished gentleman
— his appearance was eminently handsome ; the appearance of his coun-
tenance remarkably pleasing and sweet ; his eye dark and lively ; and
his hair flowing gracefully over his shoulders, according to the fashion
set by the worthless, though fascinating Charles II." But that was be-
fore he came to Pennsylvania.
In the colony, as we learn from his cash-book, he had his periwigs, (at
least four,) his silk hose, his leathern gambadoes, or over-alls, and many
a fine beaver furbished up at the hatter's ; and many more he gave to his
friends, one of which, to Edward Shippen, he recommended as having
" the true mayoral hrim ;" and if tradition is right, he wore his silver shoe-
buckles too.
He liked a stately house, and his mansion at Pennsbury was intended to
be a perfect palace ; and through James Logan he conveyed many sig-
nificant hints that his colonists should build or buy him a governor's man-
sion in town, " as Griffith Owen's, T. Fairman's, or Daniel Pegg's, or the
like." He was fond of good living. His mansion at Pennsbury was ele-
gantly furnished, and the cellars stocked with beer, cider, and wines ; al-
though he dealt but sparingly in ardent spirits, and tobacco he evidently
disliked, since his cash-book only records for it an expenditure of a single
tenpence. Yet he liked the simple luxuries of the country, and writes to
his steward, James Harrison, to " send some two or three smoked
haunches of venison and pork — get them of the Swedes ; also some
smoked shadds and beef ; — the old priest at Philadelphia had rare
shadds."
He was " given to hospitality, and not forgetful to entertain strangers,"
and to have them entertained during his absence. To show the respect
*' which even Quakers of those days were accustomed to pay to rank and
70
554 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
station," Mr. Fisher quotes the following from James Logan's letter to
Penn, of Jmie, 1702.
" He (Lord Cornbury, governor of New Jersey, then at Burlington) expressed a willingness to
give our province a visit, and therefore had an invitation on Second Day morning. I hastened
down to make provision, and in a few liours' time had a very handsome dinner, really equal, they
say, to any thing he had seen in America. (The cash book informs us that the dinner cost ;eiO
Is. 8d.) At nio-ht he was invited to Edward Shippen's, where he lodged, and dined to-day with
all his company, near thirty in number. He has just now gone off in the barge, very handsome-
ly attended, expressing a great satisfaction in the place, and the decency of his entertainment in
all its parts."
But with all his official dignity, Wm. Penn loved, as an individual, to
unbend himself occasionally from the restraints of public life, and indulge
in rural sports. The following extracts from Mr. Fisher's Memoir on the
private life of Wm. Penn, from which the above facts have been gathered,
exhibit beautiful traits in his character :
With his family he had occasionally other recreations — in attending a fair, or an Indian canti-
co, of both which the cash-book gives evidence. We have frequent mention of his visits to
the Indians, which gave him an opportunity to study their character ; and he conciliated their
favor by partaking of their feasts and witnessing their dances. A respectable old lady, the grand-
mother of Samuel Preston, related, that in his desire to gain the good-will of the aborigines, " he
walked with them, sat with them on the ground, and ate with them theii- roasted acorns and
hominy. At this they expressed their great delight, and soon began to show how they could hop
and jump ; at which cxliibition Wm. Penn, to cap the climax, sprang up and beat them all." I
sliouid be loth to doubt the accuracy of the old lady's memory ; for is it not a delightful thought
that our good founder, — so grave and dignified on solemn occasions, — in the playful joyousness
of a good heart, could thus o'erstep the bounds of ceremony, lay aside his gravity, and join
heartily in the Innocent sports of the kind and peaceful Lenni-Lennape ?
Of his liberality and charity, his cash-book bears the most gratifying evidence. His daily
movements may be traced by some act of benevolence recorded there. Among his own beauti-
ful maxims we find, " The saying is, that he who gives to the poor lends to the Lord ; but it may
be said, not improperly, the Lord lends to us to give to the poor. They are, at least, partners by
Providence with you, and have a right you must not defraud them of."
During his last visit, Wm. Penn's town residence was the " Old Slate [roof] House," still
standing in Second-st., opposite to the Bank of Pennsylvania. But he was chiefly at his manor,
house of Pennsbury. At his manor of Springetsbury, which covered the larger part of Penn
township, he had no mansion. The villa to the north of Bush hill, of which we may all recol-
lect the stables, green-house, and shrubbery, was built by his son Thomas, about a century ago ;
but on the same estate, to the northward, a vineyard was planted by his directions, which gave
its name to the estate now covered by the village of Francisville, — thougli, according to old
draughts, an eminence near the Schuylkill (perhaps on the site of Pratt's garden) is denominated
" Old Vineyard hill." There he established a person skilled in the culture of the vine, (Andrew
Doze,) whom he had sent for from France, and supported at considerable expense — having much
at heart the making of wine in his province. Whether he long persisted in the experiment I can-
not tell ; it was, however, it seems probable, abandoned at farthest at his second visit in 1699,
and is only one of many examples to prove that, in this country, wine is not to be expected from
foreign grapes. Thus was his mind, (while in England,) amid the tumults of parties and the
whirlwind of revolution, occupied about the advancement of agriculture in his colony. Most of
the emigrants were husbandmen, and he esteemed it their happiness. " The country, says he,
is the philosopher's garden and library, in which he reads and contemplates the power, wisdom,
and goodness of God. It is his fopd as well as study, and gives him life as well as learning."
And in his parting instructions to his wife he enjoins, " Let my children be husbandmen and
housewives : it is industrious, healthy, honest, and of good report. This leads to consider the
works of God, and diverts the mind from being taken up with the vain arts and inventions of a
luxurious world. Of cities and towns of concourse beware. The world is apt to stick close to
those who have lived and got wealth there. A country life and estate I love best for my chil.
dren."
That part of the life of Wm. Penn more intimately connected with the
establishment and progress of his province, has been narrated in the Out-
line History, and in other parts of this work. The following succinct
sketches from Lempriere's Biographical Dictionary will show the more
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 555
important events of his early life, and of his useful public career in
Europe :
Sir VVm. Fenn, a native of Bristol, was distinguished in the British navy as an able admiral. He
Was commander of the fleet in the reduction of Jamaica in 1655 by Venables, but he lost for a
time the good opinion of the protector, who confined him in the Tower for absenting himself
from the American station without leave. He was member for Weymouth, and after tiie restora-
tion he obtained a high command under the Duke of York, and greatly contributed to the defeat
of the Dutch fleet, 1664. He was knighted by Charles II. for his services, and died at his house,
Waristead, Essex, 1670, aged 49.
William Penn, the celebrated Quaker, son of the above, was bom in London, 1644. From a
private school at Chigwell, Essex, he entered in 1660 as a gentleman commoner at Christ-church,
Oxford ; but as he withdrew from the national forms of worship with other students, who, like
himself, had listened to the preaching of Thomas Loe, a Quaker of eminence, he was fined for
non-conformity, and the next year, as he pertinaciously adliered to his opinions, he was expelled
from the college. This disgrace did not promote his comfort. His father considered his singu-
larly sober and serious conduct as tending to impede his elevation to the favors of the licentious
court ; and therefore, after being, as he says, whipped and beaten, he was turned out of doors,
1662. His father, however, sent him to France, and on his return he entered at Lincon's-inn as
a law student. In 1666 he was sent to manage an estate in Ireland ; and during his residence
there he renewed his acquaintance with Loe, and showed such partiality to the Quakers, that he
was, in those days of persecution, taken up at a meeting at Cork, and imprisoned by the mayor,
who at last restored him to liberty at the request of Lord Orrery. His return to England pro-
duced a violent altercation with his father, who wished him to abandon those singular habits,
so offensive to decorum and established forms ; and when he refused to appear uncovered before
him and before the king, he a second time dismissed him from his protection and favor. In 1668
he first appeared as a preacher and as an author among the Quakers ; and in consequence of
some controversial dispute, he was sent to tlie Tower, where he remained in confinement for 7
months. The passing of the conventicle act soon after, again sent him to prison in Newgate, —
from which he was released by the interest of his father, who about this time was reconciled to
him, and left him, on his decease some time after, a valuable estate of about i^lSOO per annum
In 1672 he married Gulielma Maria Springett, a lady of principles similar to his own, and then
fixed his residence at Rickmansworth, where he employed himself zealously in promoting the
cause of the Friends by his preaching, as well as by his writings. In 1677 he went with George
Fox and Robert Barclay to the continent on a religious excursion • and after visiting Amster-
dam, and the other chief towns of Holland, they proceeded to the court of Princess Elizabeth, the
granddaughter of James I., at Herwcrden, or Herford, where they were received with great kind*
ness and hospitality. Soon after his return to England Charles II. granted him — in considera-
tion of the services of his father, and for a debt due to him from the crown — a province now de*
nominated Pennsylvania. In 1682 Penn visited the province; and after two years' residence,
and the satisfaction of witnessing and promoting the prosperity of the colonists, he returned to
England. Soon after, Charles II. died, and the acquaintance which Penn had with the new
monarch was honorably used to protect the people of his persuasion. At the revolution, how-
ever, he was suspected of treasonable correspondence with the exiled prince, and therefore ex-
posed to molestation and persecution. In 1694 he lost his wife ; but though severely afflicted by
the event, he in about two years married again, and afterwards employed himself in travelling
in Ireland, and over England, in disseminating as a preacher the doctrines of his sect. He vis-
ited in 1699 his province, with his wife and family, and returned to England in 1701. The sus-
picion with which he had been regarded under William's government, ceased at the accession of
Queen Anne, and the unyielding advocate of Quakerism was permitted to live with greater free-
dom, and to fear persecution less. In 1710 he removed to Rushcomb, near Twyford, Berks,
where he spent the rest of his life. Three repeated attacks of an apoplexy at last came to weak-
en Ins faculties and his constitution ; and, after nearly losing all recollection of his former friends
and associates, he expired 30th July, 1718, and was buried at Jordan, near Beaconsfield, Bucks.
He published various works to advance and support his religious opinions, which were widely
disseminated among the friends of his persuasion. The best known of these are No Cross, No
Crown, to show that the denying of self and daily bearing the Cross of Christ is the only way to
the kingdom of God — a Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the People called Quakers —
Primitive Christianity revived — Innocency with her Open Face, written in his vindication when
confined in the Tower.
On the next page is a view of the old " Slate-roof House," still stand-
ing in very good preservation in Second-street, corner of Norris's alley,
immediately opposite the Bank of Pennsylvania. It was originally built
by Samuel Carpenter, one of the old patriarchs, in the early days of the
556
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Slate-roof House, Second-street.
city, probably for his own residence. Here Wm. Penn dwelt during his
second visit in 1G99-1701 ; and John Penn was born here — the only one
of the family born in America. James Logan, his secretary, occupied it
after Wm. Penn's departure. Here it was that Lord Cornbury was so
magnificently entertained, as above described. It afterwards belonged to
"Wm. Trent, the founder of Trenton, who offered it in 1709 to Logan for
a proprietary palace, at £900, about i3,000 ; but it was bought by Isaac
Norris, a distinguished citizen and former speaker of the assembly, who
devised it to his son Isaac, and it is still believed to be the property of
one of the Norris family. It was used for many years as a fashionable
boarding-house, and has probably received within its walls more distin-
guished men than any house in town. Gen. Forbes, the conqueror of
Fort Pitt, died here in 1759, worn out by the fatigues of his previous
campaign, and was buried with a display of military pomp previously un-
known in the city. Between 1764 and 1774, Mrs. Graydon kept her
boarding-house here, and had the honor of entertaining many distinguish-
ed foreigners and Americans, among whom were Baron De Kalb, Sir
William Draper, John Adams, and others of less note, of whom her son,
Capt. Alexander Graydon, the humorous annalist, has left many interest-
ing sketches. He describes it as " a singular old-fashioned structure, laid
out in the style of a fortification, with abundance of angles, both salient
and re-entering. Its two wings projected to the street in the manner of
bastions, to which the main building, retreating from 16 to 18 feet, served
for a curtain. It had a spacious yard half-way to Front-street, and orna-
mented with a double row of venerable, lofty pines, which afforded a very
agreeable rus in urhe." But alas, how changed ! — its military aspect has
been partly effaced by a low structure between the wings ; and the am-
bitious mansion, once the pride of its owners, and the residence of pro
prietaries, governors, generals, senators, and titled barons, is now per-
forming the humble duty of a retail fruit-shop.
The venerable Swedes Church is situated on Swanson-st., in Southwark.
a short distance above the Navy-yard. It was erected in 1700 ; the wings
ot porches were added a few years afterwards ; and with some alterations
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
557
Old Swedes Church at Southwark.
ia the interior, it is still in regular use by the Swedish congregation. A
part of the materials, some of the foundation stones probably, it is said,
were brought up from the older church on Tinicum island.
The artist has been careful to delineate in the picture the railroad and
the city lamp-post, as they now exist, by way of marking the contrast be-
tween the different epochs. The street at this place has been cut down
some five feet below the original surface. To the left of the church is
seen a large horizontal tablet, which marks the grave of Wilson, the
celebrated ornithologist. He died in Philadelphia, and requested that his
remains might be deposited in some secluded spot, shaded with trees,
where the birds might warble their sweet notes over his grave. The old
churchyard at Radnor, in Delaware co., would have been a more judicious
selection to carry out his design.
Several years before the arrival of Wm. Penn, the upper Swedish set-
tlers had, by order of government, erected a blockhouse at Wicaco, (the
Indian name of this neighborhood,) for defence against the Indians. As
an attendance at Tinicum was very inconvenient, this blockhouse was
converted into a church, the port-holes serving for windows, and Rev. Ja-
cob Fabritius preached his first sermon there on Trinity Sunday, 1677.
He continued to ofiiciate for 14 years, though for 9 years he was entirely
blind. The present church was founded under the ministry of Rev. An-
drew Rudman. His parsonage was then at Point Breeze on the Schuyl-
kill, and the opinions of his people being divided between that place and
this for the site of the church, it was solemnly decided by lot, after fer-
vent prayer. " Dissension at once ceased, and all joined in a cheerful
hymn of praise." The church occupies precisely the site, and is very
nearly of the same size as the old blockhouse church. At the time of
Wm. Penn's arrival, who is said to have landed near this spot when he
558 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
came from Chester, the site of the blockhouse was a beautiful shaded knoll
sloping gradually down to the river ; north of it, where Christian-st. is,
was a little inlet, in which a shallop might ride ; and on the north side of
the inlet was another pleasant knoll, on which was situated the primitive
log-cabin of the three Swedish brothers, Sven, Oele, and Andries Swen-
son, (since transformed to Swanson,) who sold to Penn the site of Phila-
delphia, and who were besides at one time the owners of all that is now
Southwark, Moyamensing, and Passyunk. They or their family present-
ed to the Swedish congregation the land now occupied by the church,
cemetery, and parsonage. It is said by antiquarians that these Swensons
were the sons of Swen Schute, in whose favor Queen Christiana made
the following grant :
Stockholm, August 20, 1653.
We Christiana, &c., make known that by grace and favor, and in consideration of the good
and important services which have been rendered to us and to the crown of Sweden, by our faith-
ful subject the brave and courageous Lieutenant Swen Schute; and further, because he has prom-
ised so long as he shall live and his strength will permit him, he will remain faithful to us and the
crown of Sweden ; we give and grant, by virtue of these letters patent, to himself, his wife, and
to his heirs, a tract of country in New Sweden, viz. : Mockorhulteykyl, as far as the river, to-
gether with the small island belonging thereto, viz., the island of Karinge and Kinsessing, com-
prehending also Passuming, [Passyunk] with all the commodities and other accessaries which
belong thereto, to possess forever as an inviolable property. According to which let all whom it
may concern regulate themselves, offering to the said Swen Schute, his wife and heirs, neither
obstacle or hindrance of any kind whatsover, now or hereafter. In faith of which, &c. &c.
Given as above. CHRISTIANA.
N. TUNGLE.
The primitive cabin of the Swansons is said to have been built of
logs, one and a half stories high, with a piazza all around it ; it stood
fronting towards the river, about 30 feet north of Beck's alley near Swan-
son-st. Large button woods shaded the lawn in front of it, one of which
yet remains near the gate of the present shipyard. The cabin was de-
molished by the British during the revolution, and used for fuel. " Professor
Kalm," says Mr. Watson, "visited it as a curiosity in 1748, and his de-
scription of it is striking."
•' The wretched old wooden building belonging to one of the sons of Sven (Sven's Soener,) is
still preserved as a memorial of the once poor state of that place. Its antiquity gives it a kind
of superiority over the other buildings in town — but it is ready to fall down, and in a few years
to come, it will be as difficult to find the place where it stood, as it was unlikely, when built, that
it should in a short time become the place of one of the greatest towns in America. Such as it
was, it showed how they dwelt, when stags, elk, deer, and beavers ranged in broad daylight ia
the future streets and public places of Philadelphia. In that house was heard the sound of the
spinning-wheel before the city was ever thought of"
For the general history of the early Swedish colony the reader is re-
ferred to the Outline History, and for many other details to Delaware
and Montgomery counties. The following extracts are from the Swedish
Annals, by Rev. J. C. Clay, the present rector of the church :
Ministers of the Wicaco Church.
Jacob Fabritius, who had been preaching for the Dutch in New York, preached his first sermon
at Wicaco in 1677. He officiated for fourteen years, nine of which he was blind. He died about
1692. Andrew Rudman was the founder of the present church. In 1702, he went to preach for
the Dutch in New York ; afterwards officiated at the Oxford church, near Frank ford then in
Christ Church, Philadelphia, where he died in 1708. Andrew Sandel arrived in 1702. Returned
home in 1719. Jonas Lidman sent over in 1719. Recalled in 1730. The Rev. J. Enebergtook
charge of the church during the vacancy. Gabriel Falk appointed rector in 1733. Deposed the
same year. John Dylandcr came over in 1737. He died honored and beloved in 1741. Ga.
briel Nesman appointed rector in 1743. Returned home in 1750. Olof Parlin arrived in 1750
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 559
Pied in 1757. Charles Magnus Wrangel came in 1759; returned in 1768; died in 1786. An-
drew Goeranson sent over in 1766; became rector in 1768; officiated until the close of 1779;
returned home in 1785 ; died in 1800. Matthias Hultgren commenced his official duties in 1780 ;
recalled in 1786. Nicliolas Collin, of Upsal, sent over in 1771 ; appointed to Wicaco in 1786;
died 1831. Close of the Swedish mission.
While Dr. Collin was rector he had lor his first assistant the Rev. Joseph Clarkson, from 1787
until 1792. The Rev. Slator Clay was appointed in 1792. Only a part of his time was given to
tiic Swedes, for whom he continued to preach until the day of his death in 1821.
[Rev. Joseph Tiu-ner, Rev. J. C Clay, Rev. James Wiltbank, Rev. M. B. Roche, and Rev.
Charles M. Dupuy, have also officiated as assistant ministers in the Swedish churches. Rev.
J. C. Clay was appointed rector in 1831.]
The Rev. Dr. Nicholas Collin, who had been for some time officiating at Swedesborougli, in
New Jersey, presided over these churches for a period of 45 years ; in which time he married
3,375 couple, averaging about 84 couple a year. In the early part of his ministry it averaged
much more than this. The number of couple married by him in 1795 was 199, and in the fol-
lowing year 179.
Dr. Collin, during the whole period of his ministry, was held in high respect by his congrega-
tions. He possessed considerable learning, particularly in an acquaintance with languages. The
only work which he has left behind him, is a manuscript translation of Acrelius' History of New
Sweden, which he undertook in 1799, at the request of the Historical Society of New York, in
whose possession it now is. He was a member, and for some time one of the vice-presidents of
the American Philosophical Society ; and was also one of the eighteen founders of the Society
" for the commemoration of the landing of Wm. Penn." He died at Wicaco on the 7tli of Oct.
A. D., 1831, in the 87th year of his age.
The orthography of many of the Swedish names has changed in the progress of time. Bengt-
sen is now Bankson — Bonde has become Boon — Svenson, Swanson — Cock, Cox — Gostasson,
Justis — Jonasson, Jones — Jocom, Yocum — Hollsten, Holstein — Kyn, Keen — Hoppman, Hoff.
man — Von Culen, Culin — Hailing, Hulings or Hewlings — Wihler, Wheeler, &c. And so also
of Christian names : Anders is now Andrew — Johan, John — Mats, Matthias — Carl, Charles —
Bengt, Benedict — Nils, Nicholas — Staphan, Stephen — Wilhelm, and also Olave, became Wil-
liam, &.C.
It was nearly a century before the pleasant little hamlet of Wicaco
grew into the populous suburb of Southwark, and eventually joined the
city. The intermediate distance was for years an open range, or com-
mon, called Society hill — a famous place for field-trainings and camp-
meetings, and for children to stroll on a holiday. Aged people remember
a whortleberry-pasture at the site of the South Second-st. market. At
the intersection of Pine and Front sts. was a prominent knoll, which took
the name of Society hill, from the fact that the lots of the Society of
Free Traders, when the city was laid out, extended between Spruce and
Pine-st., entirely across from river to river. It was about the year 1767,
that Joseph Wharton and others commenced improving this part of the
city, by making a donation of lots for a market-house, school-houses, and
churches, and advertising their lots for sale ; but little progress was made
until after the revolution. Passing up Second-st., between Spruce and
Dock St., we come to Wain's row, M^hich now occupies the site of the
splendid mansion of Edward Shippen, or Shippey, as he was familiarly
called. The house and gardens occupied the square between Second and
Third sts. Mr. Watson says —
" This venerable edifice long bore the name of the Governor's House. It was built in the early
rise of the city — received then the name of " Shippey's Great House ;" while Shippen himself
was proverbially distinguished for three great things — the biggest person, the biggest house, and
the biggest coach. It was, for many years after its construction, surrounded with rural beauty ;
being originally on a small eminence, with a tall row of yellow-pines in its rear, a full orchard
of fruit-trees close by, overlooking the rising city beyond Dock cr., and having in front a beauti-
ful green lawn, gently sloping to the then pleasant Dock cr. and drawbridge, and the whole pros-
pect unobstructed to the Delaware and the Jersey shore. It was indeed a princely place for that
day, and caused the honest heart of Gabriel Thomas to overflow at its recollection, as he spoke
of it in 1698 — 'Edward Shippey, who lives near the capital city, has an orchard and gardens
adjoining to his great house, that equals any that I have ever seen ; being a very famous and
560 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
pleasant summer-house, erected in the middle of his garden, and abounding with tulips, carna.
tions, roses, lilies, &c., with many wild plants of the country besides.'
" Such was the place enjoyed by Edward Shippcn, the first mayor under the regular [city] char-
ter, of the year 1700. Shippen was a Friend, from England, who had suifered 'for truth's and
Friends' sake,' at Boston, by a public punishment, from the misguided rulers there. Possessing
such a mansion, and the means to be hospitable, he made it the temporary residence of Wihiam
Penn and his family, for about a month, when they arrived in 1699. About the year 1720, it
was held by Gov. Keith ; and in 1756 it became the residence of Gov. Denny."
Since we enjoy so extensive a prospect from " Shippey's Great House,"
let us contemplate for a moment the appearance of the rising city, in its
early days. What is now Dock-st., well known as the only crooked street
in the city proper, was originally a wide creek, M^hich had its source in a
swamp at the intersection of Market and Fourth sts., crossed Chestnut-st
between Third and Fourth, at Hud.son's alley, and entered Third-st. at
the Girard Bank ; whence its course coincided with that of the present
Dock-st. A small branch, now the site of Little Dock-st., extended south-
westerly, towards the corner of Union and Third sts. The tides regularly
flowed as far up as Chestnut-st., and the creek, as far up as Second-st.,
was navigable for sloops and schooners, and formed a much-valued har-
bor for the early colonists. At first wooden bridges, and afterwards stone
arches, were thrown across the creek at the intersection of Market, Chest-
nut, Third, and Second sts. ; and at Front-st. there was a drawbridge for
the passage of vessels, which has left its name to the open area now at
that place. There was a fine dry beach on the north side, from Front-st.
to the river, which was used as the early landing-place. Wharves were
erected along the creek, and the houses of the early city were clustered
along its banks. In later days, the swamps along its shores became a
nuisance, and the sides of the creek were walled. It was eventually pre-
sented, by the eminent physicians and others, as noxious to the health of
the city. The centre of the creek was entirely arched over, in 1784, and
the sides filled up with earth.
On the north side of the creek, and the upper side of Front-st., George
Guest built the first house, which became celebrated afterwards as the
Blue Anchor Tavern. Other houses soon rose by the side of it, and the
cluster became known as " Budd's Row." Near the intersection of Third
and Chestnut was a cluster of houses, consisting of Clarke's Hall, a splen-
did mansion on Chestnut, between Third and Hudson's alley, with beau-
tiful gardens extending down Third-st. to Dock cr. ; on the northeast cor-
ner was the mansion of Gov. Lloyd, and near the southeast corner that
of William Hudson, once the mayor. Above these, on Chestnut-st., where
it crossed the creek, was another cluster, of which the most splendid was
the mansion of David Breintnal, an early Friend, occupying the site of
the present 115 Chesthut-st. It became afterwards the residence of An-
thony Benezet, a Frenchman, originally a Huguenot, and afterwards a
Quaker, distinguished for his benevolence, and for his early opposition to
slavery. To such an extent did Benezet carry his good-will to every
living creature, that, as Mr. Watson tells us, he regularly fed the rats in
his yard, to keep them from stealing ! Above these, where is now the
Arcade, was the splendid country seat of Joshua Carpenter, occupying,
with its grounds, that whole square, back to Market-st.
Continuing our course northward, we find the " Slate-roof House" and
the Letitia House, already mentioned ; and as early as 1702, Charles
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 56 .
Reed had built what afterwards became the London Coffee-house, on the
corner of Front and Market streets. A few doors farther up Market-st., in
Franklin's time, was his printing-office ; and at Second-st. was the Friends'
Meeting ; near it, in Market-st., the old courthouse, and the prison ; and
afterwards another prison at the corner of Third and Market, Far out
Market-st., at Centre-square, in a lonely spot in the forest, stood the first
Friends' Meeting — "a large plain brick building," erected in 1685; but
it was too far for convenient use, and was eventually deserted, and went
to ruin. Passing up Second-st. we come to Christ Church ; and then de-
scending to Front-st. we find an immense stone arch, thrown over Mul-
berry-st., (here very low ground,) which has perpetuated its memory in
the familiar name of Arch-st., a name that no official usages or enact-
ments have been able to efface.* The arch was taken away about the
year 1721. Here, on the northeast corner, as Gabriel Thomas tells us,
stood " Robert Turner's great and famous house, where are built ships of
considerable burden — they cart their goods from that wharf into the city,
under an arch, over which part of the street is built." Turner must have
been rich, for he had built here two three-story houses, and several
smaller ones, all of brick, as early as 1685.
Further up Front-st., above Arch, we come to the " Friends' Bank
Meeting-house," built in 1685, and intended for evening meetings; and
crossing Sassafras-st., always called Race-st., from the fact of its having
formerly been a race-course, we arrive at the foot of Vine-st., where was
an excellent public landing-place, and near it the " Penny Pot-house," a
famous tavern. Near this, in a cave in the bank, such as the early set-
tlers made for themselves, was born John Key, the first native of Phila-
delphia. Vine-st. was the northern limit of the city. Beyond it, above
the intersection of Front and Green streets, stood the " big brick house" of
Daniel Pegg, in the midst of meadows that were watered by Pegg's run ;
and still further up the river were Fairman's mansion, and the Treaty-
tree. — Such was the city, during the first half century of its existence.
Christ Church, a stately but antiquated edifice, is situated on Second-st.,
between Market and Arch, In the early days of the province, about the
year lt95, a small one-stor}^ church was erected, and the congregation
was assembled at the sound of a bell which hung in the crotch of a tree
— the same bell was afterwards in St. Peter's church in Pine-st. The
present church was erected around and outside of the old one, while the
congregation still worshipped there. Annalists differ as to the date of
its erection, the two ends having been reared at different dates, between
1727 and 1744, The steeple was erected in 1754, at a cost of £2,100,
tne means having been raised by lottery, A set of eight chiming bells
was at the same time placed in the steeple, which have long delighted
the citizens of Philadelphia by ushering in the Sabbath morn with their
cheerful tones. These bells were taken down by the Americans during
the revolution, to conceal them from the British, and were returned to
their place after the peace.
Rev. Mr. Clayton appears to have been the first Episcopal minister in the city. Among the
more eminent of those who succeeded him were — the Rev. Evan Evans, a Welshman, who came
* The Philadelphians have two names for several of their streets. Market-st. is known, in all
official records, as High-st. ; Arch-st. as Mulberry-st, ; Race-st. as Sassafras-st. ; South-st. as
Cedar-st,
71
563
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Christ Church, Second-street.
over about the year 1698 or 1700 as a missionary to the churches in Pennsylvania. He rendered
very efficient services not only to Christ Churcli, but to the infant Welsh churches at Oxford,
Evansburg, on Perkiomen cr., Radnor, Concord, Chichester, «&c. He went to Maryland in 1718,
and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Vicary, Rev. Mr. Cummings, from 1726 to 1740, Rev. Mr.
Ross, Rev. Robert Jenney, 1742 to 17G2, under whom St. Peter's church was organized. Rev.
Richard Peters, formerly secretary to the proprietary government, succeeded him, and the Rev.
Wm. White took charge in 1772. Rev. Jacob Duche, a native of Philadelphia, but educated
for the ministry in London, was appointed assistant minister in 1759, and was afterwards pastor
of St. Peter's. Duche was a popular man, and for a short time officiated as Chaplain to Con-
gress, but he afterwards came out a decided tory, and in his zeal to make proselytes for the royal
cause he commenced upon no less a personage than George Washington. The result of his effisrts
was, that popular odium drove him into exile in England ; but he returned afterward and died in
Philadelphia. ^
The citizens of Philadelphia have been long familiar with the majestic and venerable form of
Right Rev. Wm. White. He was born 24th March, 1747, O. S., (4th April, 1748, N. S.,) and
was educated at the College, now the University of Pennsylvania. There was at that time no
Episcopal bishop in America, and after completing his theological studies he was obliged to go
to England in 1770 for holy orders, where he was ordained. He returned to Philadelphia, and
officiated as assistant minister, until In 1779 he was appointed rector of Christ Church and St.
Peter's. He was Chn plain to Congress during tlie revolution, an office which he accepted at a
very critical period, ifter the British had entered Philadelphia. He took a prominent part in pro
curing the erection of an American diocese after the revolution, and was elected, in Sept. 1786,
Bishop of Pennsylvania. He was ordained in England, together with Bishop Provost of New
York, amid the most august ceremonies, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by the Arch-
bishop of York, and other dignitaries. Of the numerous important offices which he has held,
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY 563
or his commanding influence in the Episcopal church, of his fame as a theological writer, and
of his high standing in the hearts of his fellow-citizens, it is unnecessary here to speak. He had
consecrated every bishop of the United States, except Bishop Provost, up to the period of his last
illness. Having " finished his course," he died as he had lived, in Christian calmness and se-
renity, on the Sabbatli, July IGth, IbSG.
The Presbyterians and Baptists commenced their career in Philadelphia
together, in 1798, by meeting in the warehouse of the old " Barbadoes
Trading Co." on the N. W. corner of Chestnut and Second streets, under
the preaching of the Rev. John Watts, a Baptist clergyman. Soon after,
Rev. Jedediah Andrews, a graduate of Harvard University, w^as called
by the Presbyterians ; their partnership with the Baptists was dissolved,
not very amicably ; and in 1704 the Presbyterians erected a frame-building
on the south side of Market-st., between Second and Third streets — the
first, and for many years the only Presbyterian church in the city. It was
familiarly known as the " Old Buttonwood church," from trees of that
kind near it. It remained nearly a century, was then rebuilt in modern
style, and finally yielded to the encroachments of trade in 1820, when the
congregation erected their present edifice on Washington square. This
congregation was for many years under the ministry of Rev. James P.Wil-
son, D. D., who died in 1831. Dr. Wilson was a man who added to ar-
dent piety, a persuasive eloquence based upon deep research into elemen-
tary principles, and rich treasures of varied and recondite learning : his
personal influence was great throughout the church, but at the same time
he possessed a catholic and charitable spirit. " He was," says Dr. Skin-
ner, " among the worthiest of those ministers who, espousing no side in
our debates about orthodoxy, are willing to let those debates proceed so
long as they threaten no schism ; but when that danger is seen, throw in
their influence, as a balance-wheel in a vast machine, whose movement
without such a regulator woiild presently stop with a terrific crash." He
"was succeeded by Rev. Albert Barnes.
The first Presbytery was organized in 1706. The church increased
rapidly both in the city and province by the immigration of people from
Scotland and Ireland. About the years 1733 to '39 a division sprung up
between those who favored a more ardent style of preaching, higher evi-
dence of personal piety in ministers, and " new measures" in the mode
of making converts — and those who adhered to the ancient usages and
forms of the Scotch Presbyterians. These parties were called Old Lights
and New Lights. Of the latter party w^ere the Tennents, the Blairs, Dr.
Finley, Mr. Dickinson, Davenport, Rowland, Burr, Pierson, and others,
who had been warmed by the preaching of Whitfield. This party, when
they seceded in 1 742, met for a time in Whitfield's College building in
Fourth-street, but afterwards erected a large brick church on the N. W.
corner of Arch and Third streets, which remained until within a few
years past. This church once had a tall steeple, raised, like that of Christ
Church, by means of a lottery. The leaders of the Old Light party were
Rev. Francis Allison, Robert Cross, John Thompson, Cathcart, Craig, Adam
Boyd, and others of Scotch-Irish origin. The two divisions eventually be-
came united, and so remained until the lamentable and probably final
division of 1838, into the Old School and New School divisions. It has
been truly said, " there is nothing new under the sun :" divisions in
churches of all kinds are certainly no novelty. Many are accustomed to
think that the pamphlet literature of the day, and the trade of our rag-
564 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
ged newsboys is a modern invention ; and we laugh to see Puseyism and
Puseyite controversies hawked about the streets by the fit's worth in
company with the latest novel : but such things were done in Philadel-
phia eighty years ago. The following anecdote is derived — in substance,
but in our own language — from Dr. Miller's Life of Dr. Rogers :
In 1760, Rev. Mr. McClenahan, who had been preaching in one of the Episcopal churches at
Philadelphia, for Some reason was in danger of being removed from hia charge against his will.
His ardent piety and peculiar style of preaching had rendered hiin very popular among the Pres-
byterians, and much interest was excited in his favor. Eighteen of the Presbyterian ministers
in the city and vicinity went so far as to write a letter to the Bishop of London interceding in
his behalf, and requesting that he might be retained. The bishop, in his official capacity, knew
no such order as Presbyterian ministers, and of course took no notice of the letter. But it leak-
ed into the English papers, and thence came to Philadelphia, wliere it produced explanations,
satires, apologies, plain statements, &c., usual on such occasions. The controversy became gen-
erally known as " the case of the eighteen Presbyterian ministers." The pamphlets were hawk-
ed about, as usual in that day, by the newsboys ; and when tiie price of the pamphlets had event-
ually fallen very low, the shrill voices of the boys might be heard crying through the streets,
" Eighteen Presbyterian ministers for a groat .'"
The Baptists — of whom nine individuals assembled in Philadelphia in
1698, and "did coalesce into a church for the communion of saints, hav-
ing the ReVi John Watts to their assistance" — after their expulsion from
the old warehouse, worshipped awhile in Anthony Morris's brewhouse near
the drawbridge, till 1707, when they removed, by the invitation of Geo.
Keith's party of Quakers, to a house erected on the site of their present
church in Second near Arch-st. Of the other sects, the Lutherans erected
their first church in 1743, under the ministry of Rev. Henry M. Muhlen-
berg, on Fifth-st. above Arch, at the corner of Appletree alley. Their
large church on Fourth-st. was erected in 1772. The Dutch Reformed
congregation, then under the charge of Rev. Michael Schlatter, from
Holland, erected their first church, of an octagon shape, on the site of
the present one oii Fourth near Race-st. The present edifice was built
in 1702. During an unpleasant division in 1750, when two minis-
ters were contending for the pulpit, Mr, Schlatter got into it on Saturday
night and remained over until Sunday morning. The Roman Catholics
erected their St. Joseph's chapel, an humble one-story edifice, in 1733, near
Fourth-st, and south of Walnut-st. There had been Catholic service in
private dwellings as early as 1707. The Moravians came about the year
1738-40; their first church was erected in 1742, on Moravian alley, be-
tween Arch and Race streets. The churches of the other sects were
generally established subsequent to the year 1750.
The ancient courthouse stood in the middle of Market-st., with its front
on Second-st., until it was demolished, about ten years since. It was
erected in 1707, and was theii the pride of the city. Before its erection,
there stood on the same site a tall mast, from which the great town-beli
announced the royal and provincial proclamations. Until the erection
of the statehouse, in 1735, the colonial assemblies were held here, and
the high courts of justice ; here the governors, Evans, Gookin, Keith, and
Gordon, used to come in state to deliver their speeches, or to address the
populace from the balcony. Here Isaac Norris presided, for many years,
over the assembly, and David Lloyd, and Sir William Keith, (when ex-
governor,) fomented their political feuds. Here too the excited crowd, at
the elections, elbowed each other, as they passed up and down the stairs
to vote ; and " on the adjacent ground," says Mr. Watson, " occurred the
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
565
Old Courtliouse.
bloody election of 1742 — -when the sailors, coopers, &c., combined to car-
ry their candidates by exercise of oaken clubs, to the great terror and
scandal of the good citizens — when some said Judge Allen set them on,
and others that they were instigated by young Emlen ; but the point was
gained, to drive the Norris partisans from the stairs, where, as they al-
leged, they ' for years kept the place,' to the exclusion of other voters."
Here too was displayed the legal talent of the early bar, by Lloyd, Her-
set, Clark, and others ; and afterwards by John Ross, and And. Hamilton,
who was an eminent lawyer. Here too, no doubt, Franklin began to
make himself conspicuous in public life. Still another kind of eloquence
was heard on the ground-floor, under the arch, where the northwest cor-
ner was appropriated by the regular city auctioneer ; and the other part
was used for a meal-market, and for the sale of stockings from German-
town. It was from this balcony that Whitfield used to address ad-
miring thousands, and his powerful voice was heard, on such occasions,
even as far as the shipping in the river.
On one of these occasions, in 1739, a little boy pressed as near to him as possible; and, to tes-
tify his respect, held a lantern for his accommodation. Soon after the sermon began, he became
so deeply impressed and strongly agitated that he was scarcely able to stand ; the lantern fell
from his hand, and was dashed in pieces. The impressions thus begun were confirmed and
deepened, and resulted soon after, as he hoped, in the conversion of the little boy, who was a
little more than twelve years of age. In the course of Mr. Whitfield's fifth visit to America, in
1754, Rev. Mr. Rodgers, (then of St. Georges, Del., afterwards of the Brick church, New York,)
was riding with him ; and asked him whether he recollected the occurrence of the little boy who
was so much atfectcd with his preaching as to let his lantern full. Mr. Whitfield answered, " O
yes I I remember it well, and have often thought I would give almost any thing in my power to
know who that little boy was, and what had become of him." Mr. Rodgers replied, " I am that
little boy !" Mr. Wiiitficld, with tears of joy, started from his seat, took him in his arms, and
remarked that he was the fourteenth person then in the ininistry, whom he had discovered in the
course of that visit to America, of whose hopeful conversion he had been the instrument. — Dr.
Miller''s Life of Dr. Rodgers.
566 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Immediately opposite the courthouse, on the southwest corner of Mar*
ket and Third streets, surrounded by a high brick wall, stood the " Great
Meeting-house" of the Friends, originally built in 1695, rebuilt in 1755,
and crowded out, by the course of trade, in 1808. In the middle of Mar-
ket-st., below Third-st., stood the first city prison, with its watch-box, and
stocks for the legs of culprits. The area around the courthouse was the
principal scene of gathering on the occasion of the threatened descent
of the " Paxton boys," in 1764. Alexander Graydon thus humorously de-
scribes it : —
The unpunished and even applauded massacre of certain Indians, at Lancaster, who, in the
jail of that town, had vainly flattered themselves that they possessed an asylum, had so encour-
aged their murderers, who called themselves Paxton boijs, that they threatened to perpetrate the
like enormity upon a number of other Indians, under the protection of goveriuiient, in the me-
tropolis. To the credit, however, of the Piiiladelpliians, every possible eftbrt was made to frus-
trate the inhuman design of the banditti ; and the Quakers, as well as others, who had proper
feelings on the occasion, exerted themselves for the protection of the terrified Indians, who were
shut up in the barracks, and for whose more immediate defence part of a British regiment of foot
was stationed there. But the citadel, or place of arms, was in the very heart of the city, all
around and within the old courthouse and Friends' meeting-house. Here stood the artillery, un-
der the command of Capt. Loxley, a very honest, though little dingy-looking man, with regi-
mentals considerably war-worn, or tarnished — a very salamander, or Jire-drake, m the public es-
timation, whose vital air was deemed the fume of sulphurous explosion, and who, by whatever
means he had acquired his science, was always put foremost when great guns were in question.
Here it was that the grand stand was to be made against the approaching invaders, who, if ru-
mor might be credited, had now extended their murderous purposes beyond the savages, to their
patrons and abettors. In this state of consternation and dismay, all business was laid aside, for
the more important occupation of arms. Drums, colors, rusty halberts, and bayonets, were
brought forth from their lurking-places ; and as every good citizen, who had a sword, had girded
it to his thigh, so every one who had a gun had placed it on his shoulder.
The benign influence of this ill-ivind was sensibly felt by us schoolboys. The dreaded event
was overbalanced in our minds by the holidays which were the effect of it ; and, so far as I can
recall my feelings on the occasion, they very nmch preponderated on the side of hilarity.
As the defensive army was without c\-es, it had, of course, no better information than such as
common bruit could supply ; and hence many untoward consequences ensued. One was the near
extinction of a troop of mounted butchers, from Germantown, who, scampering down Market-st.
with the best intentions in the world, were announced as the Paxton boys, and by this mistake
very narrowly escaped a greeting from the rude throats of Capt. Loxley's artillery. The word
FIRE was already quivering on his lips, but something suppressed it. Another emanation from
this unmilitary defect of vision was the curious order, that every householder in Market-st. should
affix one or more candles at his door, before dayliglit, on the morning of the day on which, from
some sufficient reason no doubt, it had been elicited that the enemy would full surely make his
attack, and by no other than this identical route, on the citadel. The decree was religiously
complied with. This I can affirm, from the circumstance of having resided in Market-st. at the
time. The sage precaution, however, proved superfluous, although, with respect merely to the
nearness of the redoubted invaders, there was color for it. It was soon ascertained that they had
reached Germantown, and a deputation of the least obnoxious citizens, with the olive-branch,
was sent out to meet them. After a parley of some days, an armistice was agreed upon, and
peace at length so effectually restored, that the formidable stragglers, who had excited so much
terror, were permitted, as friends, to enter the city.
Party spirit, at this time, ran very high, and the Paxton men were not without a number of
clamorous advocates, who entirely justified them, on the score of their sufferings from the savages,
who, during the war, had made incursions upon them, and murdered their kindred and friends ;
and whether the Paxton men were *' more sinned against than sinning" was a question which
was agitated with so much ardor and acrimony, that even the schoolboys became warmly en-
gaged in the contest. There was much political scribbling on this occasion ; and, among the
pamphleteers of the day, Doct. Franklin drew his pen in behalf of the Indians, giving a very
affecting narrative of the transaction at Lancaster, which no doubt had its effect in regulating
pubhc opinion, and thereby putting a stop to the further violence that was meditated.
The Hall of Independence, still standing on Chestnut-street, between
Fifth and Sixth, is an object of veneration to every American. It was
commenced in 1729, and completed in 1734, having been designed for the
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
567
Old State House, or Independence Hall.
use of the provincial assemblies ; and the long hall formerly in the upper
story was often used for grand official banquets given to governors, dis-
tinguished strangers, and generals, and to the members of the first Con-
gress when they arrived in 1774. It was originally decorated with a
stately steeple, which was taken down in 1774, on account of decay, and
only a small belfry was left to cover the bell until the year 1828, when
the present steeple was erected as nearly like the ancient one as circum-
stances would permit. The ancient bell, now used for the clock, is re-
markable for its prophetic inscription. A bell was imported from Eng-
land in 1752, but having been cracked on its first ringing, it was recast
in Philadelphia by Pass and Stowe, under the direction of Isaac Norris,
then speaker of the assembly. It was undoubtedly at his suggestion that
the famous inscription, " Proclaim liberty throughout the land, and to
ALL THE PEOPLE THEREOF," was placed upou it '. this was nearly a quarter
of a century before the independence of the colonies was dreamed of;
yet when the Declaration was signed on the 4th July, 1776, this very bell
was the first, by its merry peal, to "proclaim liberty throughout the land."
Previous to the late visit of Gen. Lafayette, some dunce in office, who
had control of the building, by way of making the room where the Dec-
laration took place more worthy, as he thought, of the nation's guest, for
whose use the councils had appropriated it, had all the antique architec-
tural decorations and furniture of the room removed, and caused it to be
fitted up in modern style, with new mahogany furniture, tapestry, &c.
This silly act was not discovered until too late, and it greatly diminished
the pleasing associations that must have thronged the heart of Lafayette,
as he stood once more in that sacred hall. The error has been since re-
paired, so lar as it could be, by restoring the hall as far as possible to its
ancient appearance. The Declaration of Independence was signed in
the lower hall, on the left of the principal entrance, as seen in the view.
568 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
While Congress was sitting in the lower hall, that in the second story
was occupied by the provincial convention of Pennsylvania. The upper
story is at present used by the District Court of the United States ; the
lower room on the right of the entrance for one of the city courts. The
wings, containing the county offices, are of modern origin.
Notwithstanding the jealousy that had always existed in the colonies against the slightest in-
fringement upon their constitutional liberties, yet the question of an absolute separation from
Great Britain had been scarcely entertained by any even of the whigs up to the very commence-
ment of the year 1776. A few profound political piiilosophers, indeed, and more in England than
here, had perhaps foreseen such an event : but Jay, Adams, Franklin, JefFerson, Washington, and
many others, concur in the opinion that no separation was intended, or thought of, at the commence-
ment of the war. Mr. Pratt, afterwards Lord Camden, said to Dr. Franklin in England, " For
all what you Americans say of your loyalty, I know you will one day throw off' your dependence
upon this country : and notwithstanding your boasted affection for it, will set up for independ-
ence." Franklin replied, " No such idea is entertained in the mind of Americans ; and no such
idea will ever enter their heads unless you grossly abuse them." It is necessary to consider the
general prevalence of this opinion to estimate the boldness of the step taken by the patriots of
the Declaration.
In July, 1775, a petition and address to the king had been drawn up by Mr. Jefferson, and pre-
sented to Congress, but he says " it was too strong for Mr. Dickinson" — (the author of the
•' Farmer's Letters," and delegate from Pennsylvania.) Congress allowed Mr. Dickinson so far
to modify Jeff'erson's draught, that only four and a half of its original paragraphs remained, and
so passed it, although Jefferson says, '' the disgust against its humility was general.'" Mr. Dick-
inson, quite elated at the success of his measure, said — " There is but one word, Mr. President,
in the paper which I disapprove, and that is the word Congress." On which Benj. Harrison
(father of the late President) rose and said, " There is but one word in the paper, Mr. President,
of which I approve, and that is the word Coiigress." Tliis petition was taken to England by
Richard Penn, formerly governor of the province, who in Nov. 1775, was examined before the
House of Lords, and stated in reply to their inquii'ies whether the war was intended to establish
an independent empire, " I think they do not carry on this war for independency. I never heard
them breathe sentiments of that nature." " For what purpose, then ?" he was asked. " In de-
fence of their liberties," was his reply.
The following passages are extracted from a memoir recently publish-
ed in the Magnolia, a southern magazine, by Wm. Bacon Stevens, Esq.,
of Georgia:
The remarks above made as to the drawing up of the petition to the king by Dickinson, and
" the general disgust felt first" by the members, reconcile the apparent insincerity of Mr. Adam?
in writing letters full of independence to his wife and James Warren, only a fortnight after the
signing the above last act of fealty to his sovereign ; and which, being intercepted, were laid be.
fore the king alongside of the petition, each giving the lie to the contents of the other, and puz-
zling both the king and the ministers by their contrariety. Indeed, after the battles of Concord
and Lexington, which happened nearly two montiis before the passage of Mr. Dickinson's peti-
tion, the feeling of independency rapidly gained ground, and soon became openly declared.
On the 15th May, 1776, a resolution was proposed to and adopted by Congress, declaring, that
" whereas the government of Great Britain had excluded the United Colonies from the crown, it
vras therefore irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people to continue their alle-
giance to the crown ; and they accordingly recommended the several colonies to establish inde-
pendent governments of their own." The same day Col. Archibald Cary introduced a resolution
into the Virginia Convention, which was assembled at Williamsburgh, on the 6th of May, in-
structing their delegates in Congress to propose to them to declare the colonies independent of
Great Britain. Tiiis coincidence, it has been said, was brougiit about by the contrivance of Jef-
ferson, who designed it for popular effect. Accordingly, on Friday the 7th June, 1776, Richard
Henry Lee, the oldest of the delegation, in accordance with the instructions of the Virginia Con-
vention, moved " that the Congress should declare that these United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent states ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the Brit-
ish crown, and that all the political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is,
and ought to be, totally dissolved ; that measures should be immediately taken to procure the
assistance of foreign powers, and a confederation be formed to bind the colonies more closely
together."
This motion was seconded by John Adams, of Massachusetts, and the next day, Saturday the
8th, at 10 o'clock, A. M., was appointed for considering it. On that day the House resolved it-
self into a committee of the whole, and spent the remainder of that day and Monday the 10th,
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 569
in deliberating upon the question. The principal advocates of the proposition were John Adams,
Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, George Wythe, and Thomas JetFerson ; and the principal
opponents of the measure were, Messrs. Dickinson and Wilson, of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Liv-
ingston, of New York, and Edward Rutlcdge, of South Carolina.
[The debate was, as may well be conceived, of intense interest ; but the abstract of it, as given
by Jefferson, is too long for insertion here. The principal arguments of the opponents were not
urged against independence itself, but against the policy of declaring it then ; they urged espe-
cially that " the people of the middle colonies (Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, the Jerseys,
and New York) were not yet ripe for bidding adieu to British connection, but that they were fast
ripening, and in a short time would join in the general voice." But more cogent arguments were
urged by the advocates for immediate declaration ; and they were the majority, and had resolved
that, living or dying, they would be independent.]
On the 10th June, Mr. Lee, having been informed of the dangerous illness of his wife, obtain-
ed leave of absence from Congress, and returned home. The members, after some debate on the
order of the day, postponed the further consideration of the subject to tiie 1st July, in order that
the incipient feelings of independence of the colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, and South Carohna, might be fully matured and understood. A commit-
tee was, however, appointed to draw up m the interim a Declaration of Independence, and report
the same to the House. That committee consisted of John Adams, of Mass., Benj. Franklin, of
Penn., Roger Sherman, of Conn., Robert R. Livingston, of New York, and Thomas Jefferson,
of Virginia. The preparation of this important paper was confided to Mr. Jefferson. Having
written what he thought a proper Declaration, he submitted it to the committee, who suggested
several minor alterations. Jefferson then made two fair copies of the Declaration as revised by
the committee ; one for Richard Henry Lee, who did not return to Congress till August, and the
other to be presented as the report of the committee. This last was presented to the House on
J'riday, the 28th June, by Benjamin Harrison, (father of the late President,) and, after being
read, was ordered to lie on the table. For the subsequent proceedings we again recur to the au-
thentic notes of Jefferson :
" On Monday, the 1st July, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and re-
sumed the consideration of the original motion made by the delegates of Virginia, which, being
again debated through the day, was carried in the affirmative by the votes of New Hampshire,
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina,
and Georgia. South Carolina and Pennsylvania voted against it. Delaware had but two mem-
bers present, and they were divided. The delegates from New York declared they were for it
themselves, and were assured their constituents were for it ; but that their instructions having been
drawn a twelvemonth before, when reconciliation was still the general object, they were enjoined
by them to do nothing which should impede that object. They, therefore, thought themselves
not justifiable in voting on either side, and asked leave to withdraw from the question, which was
given them. The committee rose, and reported their resolution to the House. Mr. Rutledge, of
South Carolina, then requested the determination might be put off to the next day, as he beheved
his colleagues, though they disapproved of the resolution, would then join it for the sake of una«
nimity. The ultimate question, whether the House would agree to the resolution of the commit-
iee, was accordingly postponed to the next day, when it was again moved, and Soutii Carolina
concurred in voting for it. In the mean time a third member had come post from the Delaware
counties, and turned the vote of that colony in favor of the resolution. Members of a different
sentiment attending that morning from Pennsylvania also, her vote was changed ; so that the
whole twelve colonies, who were authorized to vote at all, gave their votes for it : and within a
few days (July 9th) the convention of New York approved it, and thus supplied the void occa-
sioned by the withdrawing of their delegates from the vote." [Be careful to observe that this
vacillation and vote were on the original motion of the 7th of June, by the Virginia delegates,
that Congress should declare the colonies independent.] " Congress proceeded, the same day, to
consider the Declaration of Independence, which had been reported and laid on the table the
Friday preceding, and on Monday referred to a committee of the whole. The pusillanimous idea
that we had friends in England worth keeping terms with, still haunted the minds of many.
For this reason, those passages which conveyed censures on the people of England were struck
out, lest they should give them offence. The debates having taken up the greater parts of the
second, third, and fourth days of July, were, in the evening of the last, closed ; the Declaration
was reported by the committee, agreed to by the House, and signed by every member present
except Mr. Dickinson."
The fact that the names of several persons are affixed to that instrument, who were not in
Congress when it passed, and took no part in the dehberations which produced it, is thus ex-
plained by Jefferson :
" The subsequent signatures of members who were not then present, and some of them not yet
in office, is easily explained, if we observe who they were ; to wit, tiiat they were of New York
and Pennsylvania. New York did not sign until the 15th, because it was not until the 9th (five
days after the general signature) that their convention authorized them to do so. The conven-
72
570
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Rear of the State-house.
tioh of Pennsylvania, learning that it had been signed by a majority only of their delegates,
named a new delegation on the 20th, leaving out Mr. Dickinson, who had refused to sign, Wil-
ling and Humphreys, who had withdrawn, reappointed the tliree members who had signed, Mor-
ris, who had not been present, and five new ones, to wit. Rush, Clymer, Smith, Taylor, and
Ross ; and Morris, and the five new members were permitted to sign, because it manifested the
assent of their full delegation, and the express will of their convention, which might have been
doubted on the former signature of the majority. Why the signature of Thornton, of New
Hampshire, was permitted so late as the 4th November, I cannot now say ; but undoubtedly for
some particular reason which we would find to have been good, had it been expressed. Tliese
were the only post signers ; and you see, sir, that there were solid reasons for receiving those of
New York and Pennsylvania, and that this circumstance in nowise affects the faith of this de-
claratory charter of our rights and the rights of man."
The Declaration of Independence was received by all the colonies with satisfaction and joy.
On the 8th of July it was pubhcly proclaimed in Philadelphia, amidst salvoes of artillery and
salutes of the multitudes.
" On the 8th July, Jefferson wrote to Mr. Lee as follows : ' I enclose you a copy of the Decla-
ration of Independence, as agreed to by the House, and also as originally framed.' This was the
second copy which he had made for Mr. Lee. Mr. Jefferson added, ' You will judge whether it
is better or worse for critics.' On this suggestion of Mr. Jefferson, the comparison was made by
Richard Henry Lee, and his brother, Arthur Lee, who drew a black line upon the original draught
proposed by the committee under every part rejected by Congress, and in the margin opposite
placed the word out. This document, thus marked, is possessed by the American Philosophical
Society. The form of declaration finally adopted and signed by the members of Congress, exists at
Washington in the Department of State, but the originally proposed form has not been found,
from which circumstance the document in possession of the society has become the sole original
draught."
We close this long, but hope not uninteresting narrative, by quoting part of a letter from
John Adams, whom Jefferson termed " the main pillar of the support of the Declaration of In-
dependence on the floor of Congress," to his wife, dated July 5, 1776 :
" The 4th of July, 1776," says he, " will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I
am apt to beUeve it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festi-
val. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to
Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomps, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bon-
fires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for-
ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the
toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend
these states ; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that
the end is worth more than all the means ; and that posterity will triumph, although you and J
may rue, which I hope we shall not."
|t was ascertained by Dr. Maese, in a correspondence with Mr. Jefferson, that the Der.laratioQ
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
571
of Independence was written by him at his private lodgings " in the house of a Mr. Graaf, a
new bricK house, three stories hijrh, of vvliich" — says Mr. J. — " I rented the second floor, con-
sisting of a parlor and bedroom ready furnished. In that parlor I wrote habitually, and in it
Wrote this paper particularly." The house is on the southwest corner of Market and Seventh
streets.
The annexed view, copied from an old engraving, exhibits the rear of
the State-house as it appeared at the time of the revolution, with an
enormous quaint clockcase at either end. For the beautiful elms that
adorn this square we are indebted to the taste of Mr. Vaughan, father of
the late John Vaughan, Esq., who caused them to be planted about the
year 1682. It was here that, on the 8th July, 177G, the Declaration of
Independence was first read by John Nixon, amid the repeated shouts of
the people. The King's Arms in the court-room were taken down, and
burnt in public ; and bonfires, discharges of cannon, and ringing of bells,
demonstrated the joy of the people.
In connection with the Hall of Independence should not be forgotten
the former office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the United States,
— a narrow three-story brick building on the east side of Sixth-street, a
few doors above Chestnut-street. It now belongs to Mr. Du Ponceau,
w^ho came out to this country as a captain under Baron Steuben, and af-
terwards was employed as an under secretary in this same office. Here
the great state papers of the revolution, that astonished the world, were
drawn up, considered, and deposited. Here Robert R. Livingston offi-
ciated as Secretary, and all the great men of the revolution came in and
out familiarly ; and here, too, Mr. Du Ponceau has often taken his break-
fast of whortleberries and milk in company with Hon. Samuel Hunting-
ton, the president of congress ; — frugal repast of revolutionary patriots !
Old London Coffee-hoUse.
The building for many years known as the London Coffee-house, and
still standing at the S. W. corner of Front and Market streets, was erect*
ed in 1701, by Charles Reed, and was first used as a coffee-house by Wil-
liam Bradford, formerly printer> in 1734. The aspect of the lower story
S^2 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
is somewhat altered for modern use. Our artist has represented the an«
cient pent-eaves with which it was evidently originally fitted ; though
he has committed an anachronism, by representing the ancients of the
cocked hat lounging on the benches, at the same moment that the mer-
chants of modern times are busy in the adjoining tall granite-front com-
mission stores of 1840 : this serves, however, more distinctly to mark the
contrast. The pent-eaves were afterwards exchanged for a " large frame
shed which covered the Walk ; and here all the out-door public sales were
held — and the horse-market twice a week ;" and here, too, says Mr. Wat-
son, " Philadelphians once sold negro men, women, and children, as
slaves !" Here the politicians, wits, military officers, and merchants of
the old French war, and of the revolution, used to meet and talk over the
news. " We had," says an old writer, " in those days [of the revolution]
a newspaper, published by Charles Town once a week, called the Eve-
ning Post, — which Jemmy McCoy, an Irishman with one leg, used to sell
through the streets — blowing a trumpet, ^nd crjing out, " Here's your
bloody news ! here's your fine bloody news !"
The winter of 1777-78, immediately following the battle of Brandy-
wine, was memorable for the occupation of Philadelphia by the British
army, under General Sir W^illiam Howe, accompanied by his brother,
Lord Howe, who had command of the British fleet in the Delaware. The
following extracts relating to the scenes of that winter, are from various
sources :
" The grenadiers, with Lord Cornwallis at their head, led the van when they entered the city. I
went up to the front rank of the grenadiers when they had entered Second-street, when several of
them addressed me thus, — "How do you do, young one 1" "How are 3'ou, my boy?" — in a
brotherly tone that seems still to vibrate on my ear ; then reached out their hands and severally
caught mine, and shook it — not with an exulting shake of conquerors, as I thought, but with a
sympathizing one for the vanquislied. Tlie Hessians composed a part of the van-guaid, and fol.
lowed in the rear of the grenadiers. Their looks, to me, were terrific : their brass caps — their
mustachios — their countenances, by nature morose — and their music, (that sounded better Eng-
lish than they themselves could speak — plunder, plunder, plunder,) — gave a desponding, heart-
breaking effect, as I thought, to all ; to me it was dreadful beyond expression." — Watson''s Carres.
Recollections of the entry of the army, by a lady. — We knew the enemy had landed at the
head of Elk ; but of their procedure and movements we had but vague information — for none
were left in the city in public employ, to whom expresses would be addressed. The day of the
battle of Brandywine was one of deep anxiety. We heard the firing, and knew of an engage-
ment between the armies, without expecting immediate information of the result, when towards
night a horseman rode at full speed down Chestnut-street, and turned round Fourth to the Indian
Queen public house. Many ran to hear what he had to tell ; and, as I remember, his account
Vv'as pretty near the truth. He told of La Fayette being wounded.
The army marched in and took possession of the town in the morning. We were up stairs,
and saw them pass to the State-house. They looked well, clean, and well-clad ; and the con-
trast between them and our own poor barefooted and ragged troops, was very great, and caused
a feeling of despair. It was a solemn and impressive day ; but I saw no exultation in the ene-
tny, nor, indeed, in those who were reckoned favorable to their sucjcess. Early in the afternoon
Lord Cornwallis's suite arrived, and took possession of my mother's house. But my mother was
appalled by the numerous train, and shrank from such inmates ; for a guard was mounted at the
door, and the yard 611ed with soldiers and baggage of every description ; and I well remember
what we thought of the haughty looks of Lord Rawdon, (afterwards the Marquis of Hastings,)
and the other aid-de-camp, as they traversed the apartments. My mother desired to speak with
Lord Cornwallis, and he attended her in the front parlor. She told him of her situation, and how
impossible it would be for her to stay in her own liouse with such a numerous train as composed
his lordship's establishment. He behaved with great politeness to her — said he should be sorry
to give trouble, and would have other quarters looked out for him. They withdrew that very
afternoon, and he was accommodated at Peter Reeve's, in Second, near to Spruce street ; and we
felt very glad at the exemption. But it did not last long ; for, directU', the quarter-masters wer«
employed in billeting the troops, and we had to find room for two officers of artillery, and after
wards, in addition, for two gentlemen, secretaries of Lord Howe.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 573
The ofEcers, very generally I believe, behaved with politeness to the inhabitants ; and many
of them, upon going away, expressed their satisfaction that no injury to the city was contem-
plated by their commander. They said that living among the inhabitants, and speaking the
same language, made them uneasy at the thought of acting as enemies.
At first, provisions were scarce and dear, and we had to live with much less abundance than
we had been accustomed to. Hard money was, indeed, as difficult to come at as if it had never
been taken from the mines, except with those who had things to sell for the use of the army.
The day of the battle of Germantown, we heard the firing all day, but knew not the result.
Towards evening they brought in the wounded. The prisoners were carried to the state-house
lobbies ; and the street was presently filled with women, taking lint and bandages, and every re-
freshment which they thought their suftering countrymen miglit want.
Gen. Howe, during the time he staid in Philadelphia, seized, and kept for his own use, Mary
Pemberton's coach and horses — in which he used to ride about the town. The old officers ap-
peared to be uneasy at his conduct, and some of them freely expressed their opinions. They
said, that before his promotion to the chief command he sought for the counsels and company of
officers of experience and merit ; but now, his companions were usually a set of boys — the most
dissipated fellows in the army.
Lord Howe was much more sedate and dignified than his brother, — really dignified — for he did
not seem to aflect any pomp or parade.
They were exceedingly chagrined and surprised at the capture of Burgoyne, and at first would
not suffer it to be mentioned. We had received undoubted intelligence of the fact, in a letter
from Charles Thompson ; and upon communicating this circumstance to Henry Gurney, his in-
terrogatories forced an acknowledgment from some of the superior officers that it was, as he said,
" alas ! too true !"
While the British remained, they held frequent plays at the Old Theatre — the performances by
their officers. The scenes were painted by Major Andre and Capt. Dclaney. They had also
stated balls. — Letter from a Lady, in Watson^s Annals.
The Meschianza was a magnificent fete — a combination of the regatta, the tournament, the
banquet, and the ball — given in honor of Gen. Howe, by his field-officers, on the occasion of hig
departure for England, in May, 1778. The principal scenes were enacted at Mr. Wharton's
country-seat, in 8outhwark ; but a splendid spectacle was exhibited on the Delaware, by the
procession of galleys and barges, which left the foot of Green-st., with the ladies, knights, Lord
and Gen. Howe, Gen. Kniphausen, &c., on board, with banners and music. The British men-
of-war, the Vigilant, the Roebuck, and the Fanny, lay in the stream opposite the city ; and the
shores were crowded with British transport-ships, from which thousands of eager spectators
watched the scene. Cheers and salutes of cannon greeted the procession. The principal actors
in the pageant were the six Knights of the Blended Rose, splendidly arrayed in white and pink
satin, with bonnets and nodding plumes, mounted on white steeds elegantly caparisoned, and at-
tended by their squires. These knights were the champions of the Ladies of the Blended Rose,
who were dressed in Turkish habits of rich white silk. To these were opposed the Knights of
the Burning Mountain, dressed and mounted with equal splendor, and professing to defend the
Ladies of the Burning Mountain. The names of the Ladies of the Blended Rose, as given by
one of the actors in the pageant, were " Miss Auchmuty, [the daughter of a British officer,] Miss
Peggy Chew, Miss Jenny Craig, Miss Williamina Bond, Miss Nancy White, and Miss Nancy
Redman. The Ladies of the Burning Mountain, Miss Becky Franks, Miss Becky Bond, Miss
Becky Redman, Miss Sally Chew, and Miss Williamina Smith" — only five ; but Maj. Andr6, in his
account, gives it a little differently. In place of Miss Auchmuty, of the Blended Rose, he has
Miss M. Shippen ; and in place of Miss Franks, of the Burning Mountain, he has Miss S. Ship-
pen, and in addition Miss P. Shippen.* The challenge given by the Knights of the Blended
Rose was, that " the Ladies of the Blended Rose excel in wit, beauty, and every other accom-
plishment, all other ladies in the world ; and if any knight or knights should be so hardy as to
deny this, they are determined to support their assertions by deeds of arms, agreeable to the laws
of ancient chivalry." The challenge was of course accepted by the Knights of the Burning
Mountain, and the tournament (not a real one, but a bloodless imitation) succeeded. After the
tournament succeeded a grand triumphal procession, through an arch ; and then a/ te champetre,
with dancing, supper, &c., enlivened by all the music of the army. Such were the scenes ex-
hibited in Philadelphia, while the half-naked and half-starved officers and soldiers of the Amen
can army were suffering on the hills of Valley Forge. The accomplished and unfortunate Maj.
Andr^ was one of the knights, and was, besides, the very life and soul of the occasion. He,
with another officer, painted the scenery, and designed and sketched the dresses, both of the
Knights and Ladies. One of these sketches, of a lady's dress, has been preserved by Mr. Wat-
son, in the City Library. Where are now the lovely belles that figured in that brilliant pageant,
and who " excelled all others in wit, beauty, and accomplishments ?" Sixty-five years have
* See the two descriptions, at length, in Hazard's Register, vol. iv., p. 100 ; and vol. xiv., p. 295.
574 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
passed since the event ; and, if any are still liTing, they are the venerable aunts and grand*
mothers of eighty and eighty-five ! — Abridged from Hazard'' s Register.
" Even whig ladies went to the Meschianza, and to balls ; but I knew of very few instances
of attachments formed, nor, with the exception of one instance, of any want of propriety in be-
havior. When they left the city, [18th June, 1778,] the officers came to take leave of their ac-
quaintance, and express their good wishes. It seemed to us that a considerable change had
taken place, in their prospects of success, between the time of their entry and departure. They
often spoke freely in conversation on these subjects.
"The Hon. Cosmo Gordon staid all night at his quarters, and lay in bed so long, the next
morning, that the family thought it but kind to waken him, and tell him 'his friends, the rebels,'
were in town. It was with great difficulty he procured a boat to put him over the Delaware*
Perhaps he and his man were the last that embarked. Many soldiers hid themselves in cellars
and other places, and staid behind — (I have heard.) In two hours after we saw the last of them,
our own dragoons galloped down the street.
" When our own troops took possession of the city, Gen. Arnold, then flushed with the recent
capture of Burgoyne, Was appointed to the command of it, and his quarters, (as if we had been
conquered from an enemy,) appointed at Henry Gurney's ! They were appalled at the circum-
stance, but thought it prudent to make no resistance ; when, to their agreeable surprise, his polite-
ness, and that of his aids, Maj. Franks and Capt. Clarkson, made the imposition set light, and
in a few days he removed to Mrs. Master's house, in Market-st., that had been occupied as head-
quarters by Gen. Howe — where he entered upon a style of living but ill according with republi-
can simplicity, giving sumptuous entertainments, that involved him in expenses and debt, and
most probably laid the foundation, in his necessities and poverty, of his future deception and
treason to his country. He married our Philadelphia Miss Shippen." — Lady, in Watson's Annals.
" When the American army entered Philadelphia, in June, 1778, after the evacuation by the
British troops, we were hard pressed for ammunition. We caused the whole city to be ransacked
in search of cartridge-paper. At length I thought of the garrets, &c., of old printing-offices.
In that once occupied as a lumber-room by Dr. Franklin, when a printer, a vast collection was
discovered. Among the mass was more than a cart-bod}' load of Sermons on Defensive War,
preached by a famous Gilbert Tenant, during the old British and French war, to rouse the colo-
nists to indispensable exertion. These appropriate manifestoes were instantly employed as cases
for musket-cartridges, rapidly sent to the army, came most opportunely, and were fired away at
the battle of Monmouth, against our retiring foe." — Garden's Revolutionary Anecdotes.
In Jan. 1778, whilst the British troops were in possession of Philadelphia, some Americans, up
the river Delaware, had formed a project of sending down, by the ebb-tide, a number of kegS
charged with gunpowder, and furnished ^vith machinery, so constructed that on the least touch
of any thing obstructing their passage, they would immediately explode, with great force. The
design was to injure the shipping, which lay at anchor opposite to the city, in such numbers that
the kegs could not pass without encountering some of them. But, the very evening in which
those machines were sent down, the first hard frost came on, and the shipping were hauled into
the docks — so that the scheme failed. One of the kegs, however, happened to explode near the
town. This gave a general alarm in the city — the wharves were filled with troops, and the
freater part of a day spent in firing at every chip or stick that was seen floating on the river,
'or the kegs were sunk under water, nothing appearing on the surface but a small buoy.
This circumstance gave occasion to the following publication, in the New Jersey Gazette : —
Extract of a Letter, dated Philadelphia, Jan. 9, 1788.
•' This city hath been lately entertained with a most astonishing instance of the activity, brave-
ry, and military skill of the royal army and navy of Great Britain. The afliair is somewhat par-
ticular, and deserves yoiu notice. Sortietime last week, a keg of singular construction was ob-
served floating in the river. The crew of a barge attempting to take it up, it suddenly exploded,
killed four of the hands, and wounded the rest. On Monday last, some kegs of a similar con-
struction made their appearance. The alarm was immediately given. Various reports prevailed
in the city, filling the royal troops with unspeakable consternation. Some asserted that these
kegs were filled with armed rebels, who were to issue forth in the dead of niglit, as the Grecians
did of old from the wooden horse, at the siege of Troy, and take the city by surprise ; declaring
that they had seen the points of their bayonets sticking out of the bung-holes of the kegs. Others
said that they Were filled with inveterate combustibles, which would set the Delaware in flames,
and consume all the shipping in the harbor ; whilst others conjectured that they were machines
constructed by art magic, and expected to see them mount the wharves, and roll, all flaming
with infernal fire, through the streets of the city. I say nothing as to these reports and appre-
hensions ; but certain it is that the ships of war were immediately manned, and the wharves
crowded with chosen men. Hostilities were commenced without much ceremony, and it wag
surprising to behold the incessant firing that was poured upon the enemy's kegs. Both officers
and men exhibited unparalleled skUl and prowess on the occasion ; whilst the citizens stood gap.
ing, as solemn witnesses of this dreadful scene. In truth, not a chip, stick, or drift-log paesed
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
575
by, without experiencing the vigor of the British arms. The action began about sunrise, and
would have terminated in favor of the British by noon, had not an old market-woman, in cross-
ing the river with provisions, unfortunately let a keg of butter fall overboard ; which, as it was
then ebb-tide, floated down to the field of battle. At sight of this unexpected reinforcement of
the enemy, the attack was renewed with fresh force ; and the firing from the marine and land
troops was beyond imagination, and so continued until night closed the conflict. The rebel kegs
were either totally demolished, or obliged to fly, as none of them have shown their heads since.
It is said that his excellency Lord Howe has dispatched a swift-sailing packet, with an account
ol this signal victory, to the court of London. In short, Monday, the of Jan. 1778, will
be memorable in history for the renowned battle of the kegs." — American Museum, 1787.
THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS— By Francis Hopkinson, Esq.*
Gallants, attend, and hear a friend
Trill forth harmonious ditty :
Strange things I'll tell, which late befell
In Philadelphia city.
'Twas early day, as poets say,
Just when the sun was rising,
A soldier stood on log of wood.
And saw a thing surprising.
As in amaze he stood to gaze,
(The truth can't be denied, sir,)
He spied a score of kegs, or more,
Come floating down the tide, sir.
A sailor, too, in jerkin blue.
The strange appearance viewing.
First d d his eyes, in great surprise,
Then said, " Some mischief's brewing.
" These kegs, I'm told, the rebels hold,
Pack'd up like pickled herring ;
And they've come down t'attack the town.
In this new way of ferry'ng."
The soldier flew, the sailor too.
And, scar'd almost to death, sir.
Wore out their shoes to spread the news.
And ran till out of breath, sir.
Now, up and down, throughout the town,
Most frantic scenes were acted ;
And some ran here, and others there,
Like men almost distracted.
Some fire cried, which some denied,
But said the earth had quaked ;
And girls and boys, with hideous noise.
Ran through the streets half naked.
Sir Williamt he, snug as a flea,
Lay all this time a snoring ;
Nor dream'd of harm, as he lay warm
Now, in a fright, he starts upright,
Awak'd by such a clatter ;
He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries,
" For God's sake, what's the matter?"
At his bedside, he then espied
Sir Erskine,t at command, sir ;
Upon one foot he had one boot.
And t'other in his hand, sir.
" Arise, arise !" Sir Erskine cries ;
" The rebels — more's the pity —
Without a boat are all afloat,
And rang'd before the city.
" The motley crew, in vessels new,
With Satan for their guide, sir,
Pack'd up in bags, or wooden kegs.
Come driving down the tide, sir.
" Therefore prepare for bloody war^
These kegs must all be routed.
Or surely we despis'd shall be.
And British courage doubted."
The royal band now ready stand,
All rang'd in dread array, sir.
With stomach stout to see it out,
And make a bloody day, sir.
The cannons roar from shore to shore ;
The small-arms loud did rattle :
Since wars began, I'm sure no man
E'er saw so strange a battle.
The rebel dales, the rebel vales.
With rebel trees surrounded.
The distant woods, the hills and floods,
With rebel echoes sounded.
The fish below swam to and fro,
Attack'd from every quarter :
Why, sure, (thought they,) the devifs to pay
'Mongst folks above the water.
The kegs, 'tis said, though strongly made
Of rebel staves and hoops, sir.
Could not oppose their powerful foes,
The conqu'ring British troops, sir.
From morn to night, these men of might
Display'd amazing courage ;
And when the sun was fairly down
Retir'd to sup their porridge.
A hundred men, with each a pen,
Or more, upon my word, sir,
It is most true, would be too few
Their valor to record, sir.
Such feats did they perform that day,
Against these wicked kegs, sir.
That, years to come, if they get home.
They'll make their boasts and brags, sir.
• See note on page 581.
t Sir WilUam Howe.
t Sir William Erskine
'^76
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
Franklui's Grave.
The unostentatious grave of Doctor Franklin is in the northwest corner
of the cemetery of Christ Church, at the southeast corner of Fifth and
Arch streets.* The plain marble slab, (the one nearest the wall, as seen
in the view,) is strictly in accordance with the directions in his will, which
were as follows : — " I wish to be buried by the side of my wife, if it may
be, and that a marble stone to be made by Chambers, six feet long, four
feet wide, plain, with only a small moulding round the upper edge, and
this inscription,
Benjamin ^
and > Franklin,
Deborah )
178-,
be placed over us both," The actual date on the stone is 1790. The
similar stone by the side of it is that of his daughter Sarah and her hus-
band, Richard Bache. The following epitaph is not on the stone. It was
written by Franklin for himself in 1728, when he was only 22 years of
age, as appears by the original, found among his papers, and from which
this is a faithful copy :
The Body
of
Benjamin Franklin,
Printer,
(Like the cover of an old book,
Its contents torn out,
And stripped of its lettering and gilding)
Lies here, food for worms.
But the work shall not be lost,
For it will (as he believed) appear once more,
In a new, and more elegant edition,
Revised and corrected
by
The Author.
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1705, and died in Philadel-
* It was said in the cotemporary papers at the time of his funeral, that this site was selected,
•' in order that, if a monument should be erected over his grave, it might be seen to more adyan-
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 577
phia 17th April, 1790. His biography would be too long, even were it not
too well known, to be inserted here. One of the most interesting scenes
in his life was his first arrival in Philadelphia in October, 1723, then at
the age of 17. It is well known that he had been an apprentice in his
brother's printing office in Boston; had disagreed with his brother, and
had left home without the knowledge of his parents in a sloop for New-
York. Thence he had come on foot to Burlington, where he embarked
in one of the passage boats that then plied between there and Philadel-
phia. The doctor says : —
We arrived on Sunday about eight or niije o'clock in the morning and landed pn Market-st.
wharf. I have entered into the particulars of my voyage, and shall, in like manner, describe my
first entrance into this city, that you may compare beginnings so little auspicious, with the figure
I have since made.
On my arrival in Philadelphia I was in iiiy working dress, my best clothes being to come by
eea. I was covered with dirt : my pockets were filled with shirts and stockings ; I was unac-
quainted with a single soul in the place, and knew not where to look for a lodging. Fatigued
with walking, rowing, and having passed the night without sleep, I was extremely hungry, and
all my money consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a shilling's worth of coppers, which I gave
to the boatman for my passage. As I had assisted them in rowing, they refused it at first ; but
I insisted on their taking it. A man is sometimes more generous when he has little, than when
he has much money ; probably because, in the first case, he is desirous of concealing his pov-
erty.
I walked towards the top of the street, Iop)dng eagerly on both sides, till I came to Market-
st., where I met with a child vrith a loaf of bread. Often had I made my dinner on dry bread.
I inquired where he had bought it, and went straight to the baker's shop which he pointed out to
me. I asked for some biscuits, expecting to find such as we had at Boston ; but they made, it
seems, none of that sort at Philadelphia. I then asked for a three-penny loaf. They made no
loaves of that price. Finding myself ignorant of the prices, as well as of the different kinds of
bread, I desired him to let me have three-pennyworth of bread of some kind or other. He gave
me three large rolls. I was surprised at receiving so much. I took them, however, and having
no room in my pockets, I walked on with a roll under each arm, eating the third. In this man-
ner I went through Market-street to Fourth-street, and passed the house of Mr. Reed, the father
of my future wife. She was standing at the door, observed me, and thought, with reason, that I
made a very singular and grotesque appearance.
I then turned the corner, and went through Chestnut-street, eating my roll all the way ; and
having made this round, I found myself again on Market-streeet wharf, near the boat in which
I arrived. I stepped into it to take a draught of the river water ; and, finding myself satisfied
with the first roll, I gave the other two to a woman and her child, who had come down the river
with us in the boat, and was waiting to continue her journey. Thus refreshed, I regained thp
street, which was now full of well-dressed people, all going the same way. I joined them, and
was thus led to a large Quaker meeting-house near the market-place. I sat down with the rest,
and, after looking around me for some time, hearing nothing said, and being drowsy from my last
night's labor and want of rest, I fell into a sound sleep. In this state I continued till the assem.
bly dispersed, when one of the congregation had the goodness to wake me. This was conse-
qucntly the first house I entered, or in which I slept in Philadelphia.
I began again to walk along the street by the river-side ; and, looking attentively in the face
of every one I met with, I at length perceived a yomig Quaker whose countenance pleased me.
I accosted him, and begged hini to inform me where a stranger might find a lodging. We were
then near the sign of the Three Mariners. They receive travellers here, said he, but it is not a
house that bears a good character ; if you will go with me, I will show you a better one. He
conducted me to the Crooked Billet, in Water-street. There I ordered something for dinner,
and, during my meal, a number of cijrious questions were put to me ; my youth and appearance
exciting the suspicion of my being a runaway. After dinner my drowsiness returned, and I
threw myself upon a bed without taking oft' my clothes, and slept till six o'clock in the evening,
when I was called to supper. I afterwards went to bed at a very early hour, and did not awake
till the next mprning.
tage." It is p rhaps better that the giave should be left with the simple monument prescribed
by his will : but could not some expedient be adopted by which not only citizens but strangers
might be indulged with a sight of this interesting spot ? It is now seldom that either have the
opportunity. The process of hunting up a sexton to unlock the gate of the cemetery is neither
agreeable nor convenient. If one or two rods of neat and appropriate iron railing were inserted
in the brick wall at this point, every person might view the grave without inconvenipnce. — D.
73
578 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
As soon as I got up I put myself in as decent a trim as I could, and went to the house of
Andrew Bradford, tlio printer. I found his father in the shop, whom I had seen at New York.
Havinjr travelled on horseback, he had arrived at Philadelphia before me. He introduced me to
his son, who received me with civility, and jr;\ve me some breakfast : but told me he had no oc-
casion at present for a joui ncynian, liaviujr lately procured one. He added, that there was an.
other printer newly settled in the town, of the name of Keimer, who might perhaps employ me ;
and that in case of refusal, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a
little work now and then, till something better should oHer.
The old man otlered to introduce me to the new printer. When wc were at his house, "Neigh-
bor," said he, " I bring you a young man in the printing business ; perhaps you may have need
of his services."
Keimer asked mo some questions, put a composing stick in my hand, to see how I could work,
and tli(!n said, that at present ho had nothing for me to do, but that he should soon be able to
employ me. At the same time, taking old Bradford for an inhabitant of the town well-disposed to.
wards him, he communicated his project to him, and the prospect he had of success. Bradford
was careful not to discover that he was the father of the other printer ; and from what Keimer
had said, that he hojjed shortly to be in possession of the greater part of the business of the
town, led him, by artful (picstions, and by starting some dilhculties, to disclose all his views, what
his hopes were founded upon, and how he intended to proceed. I was present, and heard it all.
I instantly saw that one of the two was a cunning old fox, and the other a perfect novice.
Bradford left me with Keimer, who was strangely surprised when I informed him who the old
man was.
I found Keimer's printing materials to consist of an old damaged i)ress, and a small fount of
worn-out English letters, with which he himself was at work upon an elegy on Aquila Rose,
whom I have mentioned above, an ingenious young man, and of an excellent character, highly
esteemed in the town, secretary to the assembly, and a very tolerable poet. Keimer also made
verses, but they were indifferent ones. He could not be said to write in verse, for his method
was to set the lines as they flowed i'rom his muse ; and as he worked without copy, had but one
set of letter-cases, and as the elegy would probably occupy all his types, it was impossible for any
one to assist him. I cn<leavored to put his ])ress in order, which he had not yet used, and of
which indeed he understood nothing ; and, having promised to come and work off his elegy as
soon as it should be ready, I returned to the house of Bradford, who gave me some trifle to do for
the pres(;nt, for which 1 had my board and lodging.
In a few days Keimer sent for mo to print off his elegy. He had now procured another act of
letter-cases, and had a pai)ii)hlet to re[)rint, ujton which he set me to work.
The two Philadelphia iirinters ajtpeared destitute; of every qualification necessary in their pro-
fession. Bradford had not been brought up to it, and was very illiterate. Keimer, though he un-
derstood a little of the business, was merely a compositor, and wholly incapable of working at
press. He had been one of the French prophets, and knew how to imitate their sui)ernatural
agitations. At the time of our first aeeiiiaiiitance he j)rofessed no particular religion, but a little
of all upon occasion. He was totally ignorant of the world, and a great knave at heart, as Ihud
afterwards an opportunity of experiencing.
Keimer could not endure that, working with him, I should lodge at Bradford's. He had in-
deed a house, but it was unfurnished ; so that he could not take me in. He procured me a lodg-
ing at Mr. Reed's his landlord, whom I have already mentioned. My trunk and effects being
now arrived, I thought of making, in the eyes of Miss lieed, a more respectable appearance than
when chance exhibited me to her view, eating my roll, and wandering in the streets.
From this jfcriod 1 began to contract acquainlanci! with such young people as were fond of
reading, and sjx'nt my (wenings with them agreeably, while, at the same time, I gained money
by my industry, and, thanks to my frugality, lived contented. I thus forgot Boston as much as
possible, and wished every one to be ignorant of the jilaec of my residence, except my friend
ColUna ; to whom I wrote, and who kept my secret.
It would be superfluous to erect a splendid monument over the grave
of Dr. Franklin: there are many monuments of his fame, and his prac-
tical benevolence and wisdom, already in Philadelphia — among which,
perhaps, the most spUmdid and appropriate is the Philadelphia Library,
situated in Fifth-st., opposite Independence-square.
The Philadelphia Library originated in a club, or "junto," established by Franklin and his in-
timate friends, about the year 1727, who met every week in Pewter Platter alley, for mutual im-
provement in reading and debate. Some of the most eminent men of the day, whose characters
Franklin has sketched, were members of this club; the most remarkable of whom, after Frank-
lin, was Thomas (Godfrey, the self-taught mathematician, and inventor of the mariner's quadrant
Their little stocks of books were united, and about the yo\r 1730 Franklin enlarged the library.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
579
hy starling a public Rubsnription, and raisinjr a company of fifty members. " This," says Frank-
lin, " was the nioltier of all the North American Hiibseription libraries, now ho numerous." The
proprietaries, particularly Thomas Pcnn, encourafred the plan, by makin^r several valuable dona-
tions, and by (^rantinjj a charter of incorporation, in 174^. Several other libraries, the Amicable,
the Association, and the Union, jrrew uj) in the city, and were finally blended, by a lejrislativo
act, in 17(j!i, as the Library Company of Philadelj)liia. The Lojfanian Jjibrary, consisting of
rare and curious books, principally in the ancic^nt languages, was originally collected by James
I/Ogan, the distinguished secretary f)f the jiroviiiet!, as well as the scholar and the stat(-sman ;
V. hich at his death was bequeathed to the city, under certain regulations, vesting the office of
librarian in the liOgan family. Valuable additions have since been made by members of the Lo-
gan family; and by a legislative act of 17'J!2, the library is to be under the same roof, and the
same managetneiit, with the Philadelphia Ijibrary, although the two arc separately arranged.
The Philadelphia Library contains ui)warils of .')0,OOU volumes, and the Jjoganian Library about
11,000.
Another monument to the memory of Franklin is the American Philo-
sophical Society, which has its hall on Indcipendence-square, opposite the
Philadelphia Library. The Atheneum also occupies rooms in the same
edifice..
On the (14th May, O. .S.) 2.'>th May, 1743, Franklin started another junto, consisting of nine
members, of whom six had been members of the old junto, of Pewter Platter alley. Franklin's
early philosoj)hical experiments engaged the attention of this association. It existed a few years,
and declined. Another junto, of other and younger members, arose in 17.50 ; which also declined,
and was succeeded by the American Philosophical Society, and the American Society for the
Promotion of Useful Knowledge. These two were blended in 17f)Ii, by an act of ineor[)oration,
under the title of the American Philosophical Society for the J'romotion of Useful Knowledge.
Of this society Dr. Franklin was elected the first president, over Ex-Oov. Hamilton. The first
great work of tlu; Society was to provide for taking observations of the transit of Venus, on the
3d June, 17()9, under the direction of David Rittenhouse. Among the transactions of this So-
ciety, subsequent to this period, were observations and surveys, with a view of connecting the
waters of the Delaware and Chesapeake by means of a canal ; attempts to encourage the rais-
ing of silk ; resolutions touching the cultivation of the grape-vine ; and among the archives of
the Society was found a report favorable to the first steam-engine put up in this country, and
which was approved of because it had made one or two strokes, being prevented from going be-
yond that amount of labor through the defectiveness of the machinery ; but which would no
doubt have succeeded, had it been of better workmanship. The Pennsylvania ilistorical Socie-
ty, of which the venerable Peter S. Du Ponceau is president, was originally the Historical Com-
mittee of the Philosophical Society, and has its library and collections in the same edifice. It
has caused to be published many valuable documents connected with the early history of Penn-
sylvania.
Pennsylvania Hospital.
The Pennsylvania Hospital, occupying the whole square between Spruce and Pine, and be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets, originated in 1751 by the pubhc spirit of Dr. Thomas Bond,
680
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
aided by the advice and legislative tact of Dr. Franklin, and the subscriptiorts of wealthy citi-
zens. As Dr. Franklin tells the story, Dr. Bond came to him with the compliment that every
one to whom he applied for subscription inquired, " what does Franklin think about it ? Have
you consulted him ?" And when he said he had not, they did not subscribe, but said " they
would consider about it." Franklin immediately subscribed, used his influence to induce others,
and got a bill through the legislature subscribing on the part of the province £:2,000, on condi-
tion that the citizens should subscribe a like sum. The citizens clinched the nail thus driven,
and the Hospital was first establislied in a rented house on the south side of Market-street, tho
.lird house above Fifth-street. A lot was purchased in 1754, at the present site, and the pro-
irietaries afterwards granted the whole square to the institution. The foundation stone of the
fivst part erected, (the wing on Eighth-st.,) was laid on the 28th May, 1755, and bears an in-
• cription written by Dr. Franklin.
The first managers were Joshua Crosby, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Bond, Samuel Hazard,
Richard Peters, Israel Pemberton, junr., Samuel Rhoads, Hugh Roberts, Joseph Morris, John
Smith, Evan Morgan, Charles Norris. First Treasurer, John Reynell. First attending physi-
cians were Doctors Lloyd Zachary, Thomas and Phineas Bond ; and the consulting physicians
were Doctors Graeme, Cadwalader, Moore, and Redman. Tlie institution contains a choice li-
brary and anatomical museum, theatre for operations, baths, and other appropriate apartments.
Beautiful gardens surround the buildings, and in the front yard stands a statue of Wm. Penn,
of lead, bronzed, on a marble pedestal. This statue was presented in 1801, by John Penn, Esq.
of London. The squares opposite the hospital were kept open until within a few years past, and
the one in front is still vacant. This circumstance has contributed greatly to the health of the
inmates; When the yellow fever desolated the city in 1793, and upwards of 4,000 died of it
within four months, it is said that not a person in the hospital took it. On the hospital square
in Spruce-street is a small building containing West's celebrated picture of Christ healing the
sick, with other productions of his pencil. This picture was presented to the institution by tlie
distinguished artist, and the revenue derived from its exhibition is appropriated to the use of the
hospital;
University of Pennsylvania.
The University buildings are situated within a pleasant enclosure,
fronting on Ninth-street, between Market and Chestnut streets. The
edifice on the left in the above view, is devoted to the medical depart-
ment.
Education commenced at an early date in Philadelphia. IMr. Proud tells us that in 1683 Enoch
Flower from Wiltshire, taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, at eight shillings per quarter ;
and in 1689 a public school was established by the Society of Friends, but open to all, which re-
ceived in 1711 a charter from Wm. Penn. George Keith, from Aberdeen, a man of learning,
and famous in Quaker history for his polemical character, was the first teacher.
In 1749 a subscription was set on foot by a number of gentlemen of the city, among whom
were Thomas Hopkinson, Tench Francis, Richard Peters, and Benjamin Franklin, to establish
an academy and charitable school, which was opened the following year for instruction in the
Latin and English languages, and mathematics. It was incorporated in 1753, and the proprie-
taries endowed it with money and lands amounting to ^3,000. Lindley Murray, the grammari-
an, was a pupil of this college. Rev. Wm. Smith was appointed Principal, Rev. Francis Allison
Master of the Latin school. The institution soon grew into a college by an act of incorporation
in 1755, under the title of the College, Academy, and Charitable School of Philadelphia. Rev.
Dr. Smith was elected Provost, and the same year degrees were conferred upon six pupils, Rev
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 581
Mr. Duche, Rev. Dr. Samuel Magaw, Rev. James Latta, Dr. Hrigh Williamson, Francis Hop-
kinson, Esq.,* and Mr. Hall.
In 1764 the foundation of the first medical school was laid by a course of lectures on anatomy,
delivered by Dr. Wm. Shippen. His pupils amounted to only ten. The next year Dr. John
Morgan was associated with him as Professor of the Institutes of Medicine. Both these gentle-
men were graduates at Edinburgh. In 1768 Dr. A. Kuhn was appointed Professor of Botany;
in 1769 Dr. B. Rush took the chemical chair; and Dr. Thomas Bond delivered clinical lectures
in the Pennsylvania Hospital. Thus was organized the most intportant medical school in the
United States, which now numbers its 400 students annually.
Dr< Smith, the Provost, was an able and learned man, and had been very efficient in procuring
funds for it in Europe ; yet he was suspected of being not very favorable to a separation from
Great Britain ; and being strongly attached to the Church of England, the more ardent whigs,
and some of the Presbyterians, who were whigs to a man, determined to remove him from office,
much against the judgment of the friends of the institution. The old provincial charter was
abrogated, and a new institution, the University of Pennsylvania, was chartered by the state
legislature in 1779, and endowed with the property of the old college and with the confiscated
property of tories. Rev. Dr. John Ewing, the senior Presbyterian clergyman in the state, was
chosen Provost. The old college was revived for a short time in 1789, but it did not long con-
tinue, and was blended in 1791, by legislative enactment, with the University. Dr. Ewing contin-
ued as Provost until 1803. He was succeeded by Rev. Dr. John McDowell, from Maryland,
who resigned in 1809, and his successors have been Rev. Dr. John Andrews in 1811 ; Rev.
Frederick Beasly, D. D., in 1813; Rev. Wm. H. Delancy in 1828 — who resigned in 1834, and
was succeeded by Rev. John Ludlow, D. D.
The original academy and college occupied the building in Fourth-street, between Market and
Arch streets, erected by Whitfield, and long known as the Old College. In 1802 the University
purchased an edifice on the present site, which had been erected by the state of Pennsylvania
as a mansion for the president of the United States, but never used as such. This building was
taken down, and the present buildings erected in 1830.
Among the eminent teachers in Philadelphia about the middle of the last century were Robert
Proud, the historian, who was a Scotchman by birth ; and David James Dove, an Englishman,
much celebrated as a teacher, and no less as a small politician and a dealer in the minor kind of
satirical poetry. Graydon relates the following anecdote of him : " DOve was a humorist, and a per-
son not unlikely to be engaged in ludicrous scenes. It was his practice, in his school, to substitute
disgrace for corporal punishment. He had a contrivance for boys who were late in their morning
attendance. This was to dispatch a committee of five or six scholars for them, with a bell and
lighted lantern, and in this ' odd equipage,' in broad daylight, the bell all the while tingling, were
they escorted through the streets to school. As Dove affected a strict regard for justice in his
dispensations of punishment, and always professed a willingness to have an equal measure of it
meted out to himself in case of his transgressing, the boys took him at his word ; and one morn-
ing, when he had overstaid his time, either through laziness, inattention, or design, he found him-
self waited on in the usual form. He immediately admitted the justice of the procedure, and,
putting himself behind the lantern and bell, marched with great solemnity to school, to the no
email gratification of the boys, and entertainment of the spectators."
The Merchants' Exchange, a magnificent edifice of white marble, occu-
pies a triangular space formed by Third, Walnut, and Dock streets. It
was commenced in 1834, after the design of Mr. Strickland. It contains
a rotunda for the meeting of merchants, a reading-room, several insurance
and brokers' offices, and the post-office in the basement. Previously to the
erection of this edifice the merchants had assembled for many years in
the old Coffee-house formerly kept by Mr. Sanderson in Second-st., next
door below the Pennsylvania Bank. In the annexed view, beyond the
Exchange on the right is seen the Girard Bank, formerly Stephen Girard's
Bank, and originally erected for, and occupied by, the first Bank of the
United States.
Philadelphia has been distinguished by the residence of the two most
* A signer of the Declaration of Independence, and afterwards Judge of the U. S. District
Court. He was also the author of the " Battle of the Kegs," inserted on page 575. He died in
1791. His son, the late Joseph Hopkinson, who died in 1842, was also Judge of the U. S. Dis-
trict Court. In 1798 the latter wrote the popular song of " Hail Columbia." It was composed
at a veiy short notice, for a friend of his, a theatrical singer, to be sung on the night of his
benefit.
682
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
Merchants' Exchange, and Girard Bank.
eminent merchants and financiers of the United States, Robert Morris
and Stephen Girard.
Robert Morris, whose father was a merchant of Liverpool, came out to Maryland when a
child. He was left an orphan at the age of 15. He was reared as a clerk in the counting--rooni
of Charles Willing, an eminent merchant of Philadelphia, and in 1754 entered into partnership
with Thomas Willing — a partnership which continued ilntil 1793, nearly 40 years. Before the
revolution they were more extensively engaged in commerce than any house in Philadelphia.
Nevertheless Mr. Morris entered most cordially into the non-importation agreements which pre-
ceded the war, although at the cost of great pecuniary sacrifices. He was a member of the
second Congress in 1775 that met at Philadelphia, and in 1776 signed the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. The success of the revolution was quite as much promoted by the commercial tact,
the enthusiastic patriotism, and profound financial knowledge of Robert Morris, as by the wis-
dom of the political philosophers, and the bravery of the military heroes of that period. Mr.
Morris was at the head of all the congressional committees for procuring the importation of
arms, ammunition, sulphur, saltpetre, lead, &c., for the army ; for fitting out a naval armament ;
for negotiating bills of exchange, and for procuring foreign loans. His own credit often stood
higher than that of his country ; and of this he did not hesitate to avail himself whenever public
necessities required it ; and when Gen. Washington's victorious army were about passing into
Virginia to meet Cornwallis, their march must have been inevitably arrested, and perhaps the
fortunes of the day changed, had not Morris's ready tact procured the loan of the French mili-
tary chest, through Count Rochambeau. In 1781 he was appointed by Congress Superintendent
of Finance, and in this capacity proposed and established the Old Bank of North America, be-
ing himself a large subscriber. With this financial engine he succeeded in negotiating heavy
loans for the government at a period of great discouragement. Mr. Morris assisted in the con-
vention to form the Federal Constitution, and was a member of the first Congress under it. After
the war closed he entered very extensively into the East India trade ; and also purchased im-
mense bodies of land in the interior of New York and Pennsylvania, which fell afterwards into
the hands of the Holland Land Co., and others.
Notwithstanding his numerous public and private engagements, his house was the seat of ele
gant but unostentatious hospitality, and no one more freely parted with his gains for public or
private objects of benevolence. Unfortunately, the mania common with many rich men overtook
Mr. Morris in his later years, — and he commenced the construction of an immense marble man-
sion, which, with its grounds, was to occupy the whole square between Walnut and Chestnut
and Seventh and Eighth streets. In size, in architectural splendor, and durability of foundation.
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 583
the edifice was to rival the ancient palace of the Caesars, and the gardens were to he Fields of
Elysium. The plan was beyond his means, and unsuited to the country : he broke down under
ft, and the patriot who had lavished his wealth for his country in her hour of need, died in Phil,
adelphia in 1806, at the age of 73, insolvent. The marbles of the unfinished palace now form
part of the uniform rows of houses in Sansom-street.
Girard College.
The Girard College is situated near the Ridge road, about two miles
northwest from the Exchange. This splendid establishment was com-
menced in 1833. The corner-stone of the principal edifice was laid on
the 4th July of that year, by Nicholas Biddle, Esq., chairman of the trus-
tees, who delivered an address on the occasion. All the buildings are to
be of marble. The central edifice, erected after the design of Thomas U.
Walter, Esq., is in the form of a temple of the Corinthian order, 160 feet by
217, including the porticoes ; and, when finished, will be one of the most
magnificent buildings in the world. Whether it is strictly in accordance
with Stephen Girard's taste, character, and design, is another question —
still unsettled in the public mind.
This edifice contains the more important public halls of the in.stitution.
The smaller buildings on each side are designed for the lodging and study
rooms of the pupils. It is now ten years since the corner-stone was laid,
and only the two buildings seen on the left of the annexed view are com-
pleted. The main part of the great temple is erected, and the side porti-
coes— the pediments, and end porticoes, and interior, being still incom-
plete ; and the foundations are not yet laid of the tw^o buildings on the
right. No pupils have yet been admitted.
Stephen Girard was born of very iiumble parents, near Bordeaux in France, on the 24th May,
1750. Such education as he ever had, he must have picked up in the world at large. He com-
menced his career at the age of ten or twelve — leaving France for the first and last time, as a
cabin boy, bound to the W. Indies. Thence he went to New York, and sailed for some years
between there and the W. Indies and New Orleans, as cabin-boy, sailor, mate, and eventually
master and owner. Having made some money, he started a small shop in Water-street, Phila-
delphia, in 1769, and in 1770 married a pretty girl, the dvaughterof a caulker. He lived with her
some twenty years ; but not very happily, on account of his own asperity of temper. She be-
came insane in 1790, and died in the Philadelphia Hospital in 1815. An only child died in in-
fancy. After his marriage he continued business in Water-street, occasionally going as master
of his own vessels — in one of which he was captured on a voyage to St. Domingo. He came
584 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
home poor, and started a little cider and wine bottling shop in Water-street, aided by his wife,
the year before the revolutionary war. He was a friend to the revolution, and removed to Mount
Holly while the British occupied Philadelphia. About the year 1782 he took on lease a num-
ber of stores on Water-street, which proved a profitable operation, — and afterwards went into
business with his brother, Capt. John Girard, who came out from France. They drove a profita-
ble trade with St. Domingo ; and at their dissolution (for they could not agree) John was worth
$60,000, and Stephen $30,000. After this he went largely into the St. Domingo trade ; and,
while a brig and schooner of his were lying at Cape Fran^oise, the great revolt of the negroes
occurred. Many planters, in the panic, removed their valuables on board his vessels, and again
returning to the shore, were cut oft" by the negroes. Whole families thus perished together ; and
Mr. Girard, by the most extensive advertising, could never ascertain the heirs of the wealtli (said
to be about $50,000) that thys fell into his hands. His next commercial enterprises were in the
East India trade, in which he had several ships, and acquired a large fortune. At the expiration
of the charter of tiie old United States Bank in 1810-^-11, he purchased, through tlie Barings, in
London, about $500,000 of that stock ; and not long afterwards — purchasing the banking-house
of the institution in Tliird-st., and making an arrangement with the former cashier, Mr. George
Simpson — he started his own private bank in May, 1812, with a capital of .g 1,200,000. This
was a bold step at the opening of the war with Great Britain — yet the specie was never refused
for a bank-note of Stephen Glrard's. When the new U. S. Bank was started, in 181(5, he waited
until the last moment before the subscription books closed, and then, inquiring if all that wished
had subscribed, he coolly took the balance of the stock, amounting to $3,100,000 ; some of
which he afterwards parted with. By the subsequent rise of this stock his fortune was immense-
ly augmented. His own bank was continued till his death, when it had accumulated a capital
of $4,000,000. The bank was afterwards chartered by the legislature as the Girard Bank, with
individual stockholders ; and has since failed. Mr. Girard died of inSuenza, on the 26th Dec.
1831, at his residence in Water, above Market street.
Stephen Girard was exceedingly plain in his dress and personal appearance. He was always
blind of one eye ; and in middle life might be mistaken for a stout sailor, and in maturer years
for a plain old farmer. His dwelling-house was under the same roof with his counting-house, in
Water-street — a neighborhood occupied entirely by stores ; and his furniture was of the plainest
\ kind. His equipage was an old chaise and a plain farm-horse. He indulged in no pleasures, or
scenes of social life ; had no one with whom he sympathized as a friend ; and when his sympa-
thies were exercised at all, they seemed to be for masses of men, and not for individuals — for fu-
ture generations, and not for the present. He had a sort of instinctive fondness for giving med-
ical advice ; and when the yellow-fever desolated the city, in 1793, regardless of danger, he
spent his whole time in persogal attendance upon the sick, in all parts of the city. His temper
was irritable, and when excited he would break out upon his dependents, in his broken English,
with great volubility.
He was seldom or never moved to acts of pecuniary charity by tales of distress. Of religion, in
the ordinary use of the term, he had little, or none ; and, although interred in a Catholic cemetery, no
clergyman attended his funeral. His character vt'as like his eyesight — totally deficient on one
side. Yet, in his darling pursuit, the accumulation of wealth, he exhibited gigantic powers.
Still he did not idolize gold, nor spend it upon his own gratification ; but his greatest delight
was to see it usefully employed. His ships and houses were always neatly and substantially
built ; but ornament he dishked. While living he gave away moderate sums for public objects,
but seldom so much as $1,000 at a time. The following anecdote is told by his biographer.
He had encouraged Samuel Coates, a shrewd Quaker, to call on him next day for some aid
needed by the Pennsylvania Hospital, and if he found him on the right footing, he might give
something. Samuel came at breakfast-time. " Well, what have you come for, Samuel ?" " Any
thing thee pleases, Stephen." Girard gave him a check for $200, which Samuel stuffed into his
pocket without looking at it. " What ! you no look at the check I gave you ?" " No, Stephen :
beggars must not be choosers." " Hand me back the check again," demanded Girard. " No,
no, Stephen — a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." " By George !" exclaimed Girard,
" you have caught me on the right footing." He then drew a check for $500 ; and, presenting
it to Mr. Coates, asked him to look at it. " Well, to please thee, Stephen, I will." " Now give
me back the first check," demanded Girard — which was instantly complied with. Few under-
stood him, however, as well as Samuel Coates. A Baptist clergyman, to whom he gave $200,
in the same way, for a church, made a remark concerning his ability to give much more. " Let
me look at the check," said Girard. It was handed to him, and he tore it up with indignation.
Of his immense wealth, estimated variously at from six to twelve millions, he bequeathed a
few very moderate legacies to his relatives — to no one of them more than $10,000, except to his
niece, Mrs. Hemphill, to whom he left $60,000 ; to the Pennsylvania Hospital, $30,000 ; to
other public charities various sums, from $20,000 downwards ; to the city of New Orleans a
considerable amount of real estate in Louisiana ; to the state of Pennsylvania $300,000, to b«
expended in improvement by canal navigation ; and the great bulk of his fortune he bestowed
upon the city of Philadelphia, in trust : $500,000 to be expended in opening, widening, ^nd im-
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
585
proving a street along the Delaware, in front of the city, to be called Delaware-avenue, and also
to widen Water-street ; sundry residuary sums to improve the police of the city, and promote
the health and comfort of the inhabitants ; and, as his great and favorite object, J$2,000,000, or
more if necessary, to build and endow a college for the education and maintenance of " poor
white male orphans," as many as " the said income shall be adequate to maintain ; to be received
between the ages of six and ten, and to be bound out between the ages of fourteen and eighteen,
to suitable occupations, as those of agriculture, navigation, arts, mechanical trades, and manu-
factures."' The following injunctions are extracted from the will : —
" The orphans admitted into the college shall be there fed with plain but wholesome food,
■clothed with plain but decent apparel, (no distinctive dress ever to be worn,) and lodged in a
plain but safe manner. Due regard shall be paid to their health ; and to this end their persons
and clotlics shall be kept clean, and they shall have suitable and rational exercise and recreation.
They shall be instructed in the various branches of a sound education, compreiiending reading,
writing, grammar, arithmetic, geography, navigation, surveying, practical mathematics, astrono-
my, natural, chemical, and experimental philosophy, the French and Spanish languages, (I do
not forbid, but I do not recommend the Greek and Latin languages ;) and such other learning
and science as the capacities of the several scholars may merit or warrant. I would have them
taught facts and things, rather than words or signs. And, especially, I desire that, by every
proper means, a pure attachment to our republican institutions, and to the sacred rights of con-
science, as. guarantied by our happy constitutions, shall be formed and fostered in the minds of
the scholars."
" I enjoin and require that no ecclesiastic, missionary, or minister, of any sect whatsoever,
shall ever hold or exercise any station or duty whatever in the said college ; nor shall any such
person ever be admitted, for any purpose, or as a visiter, within the premises appropriated to the
purposes of the said college. In making this restriction, I do not mean to cast any reflection
upon any sect or person whatsoever; but, as there is such a multitude of sects, and such a diver-
.sityof opinion amongst them, I desire to keep the tender minds of the orphans, wiio are to de-
rive advantage from this bequest, free frojn the excitement which clashing doctrines and sectarian
controversy are so apt to produce : my desire is, that all the instructors and teachers in the col-
lege shall take pains to instil into the minds of the scholars the purest principles of morality, so
that, on their entrance into active life, they may, from inclination and habit, evince benevolence
toward^ their fellow-creatures, and a love of truth, sobriety, and industry — adopting at the same
time such religious tenets as their matured reason may enable them to prefer."
United States Mint.
The edifice occupied by the U. S. Mint is one of the chaste designs
of Mr. Strickland. It is built of white marble, and was erected in 1830.
It has a front on Chestnut-st. of 122 feet, and the same on the Centre
Square. All the processes of assaying, refining, and coining, are carried
on within its walls. The Mint was established in 1790, and the opera-
tion of coining was coqimenced in 1703, in the building in Seventh-st., now
74
586
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
occupied by the Apprentices' Library Co. R. M. Patterson, Esq., has been
for several years at the head of the establishment.
_,^
ifijVirtwir^iir/ii'ii'i ^.-^i
United States Bank.
The chaste and beautiful banking-house occupied by the United States
Bank is situated on Chestnut-st., between Fourth and Fifth streets. It
was commenced in 1819, after the designs of the accomplished architect,
William Strickland, and occupied nearly five years in its construction.
The original cost was $500,000. It is built entirely of white marble, and
its general form is that of the celebrated Parthenon, at Athens ; the lat-
eral colonnades being omitted. A part of the Philadelphia Bank (incor"
porated in 1804) is seen on the left of the view. On the right is seen a
part of the edifice in which the Mercantile Library is kept. It was
formed in 1822, and now contains about 6,000 volumes.
The first Bank of the United States was incorporated by congress, in Feb. 1791, with a view
to its aid in " conducting the national finances," and its " advantages to trade and industry in
general." Congress having refused to renew the charter, it expired by its own limitation, in 1811.
Stephen Girard purchased the building in Third-st., where its business had been transacted.
A new United States Bank was chartered by congress, and approved by President Madison
on the 10th April, 1816, with a capital of $35,000,000; the government taking $7,000,000 of
the stock. During the war of 1812-14, all the state banks had been in a state of suspension.
The organization and management of the United States Bank, on a specie basis, caused them to
resume. The stock of the Bank was made an object of speculation, and stood at one time as
high as $156 per 100. The dividends varied from 5 to 6 per cent. The branches of the Bank
were at Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, Providence, Hartford, New York, Baltimore, Washington,
Richmond, Norfolk, Fayetteville, Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans, Nashville, Louis-
ville, Lexington, Cincinnati, Chillicothe, and Pittsburg. The Bank commenced operations under
the presidency of Capt. William Jones, in Jan., 1817. In 1820, the distinguished Langdon
Cheves, of South Carolina, took charge of it, and restored it from a languishing condition to one
of great prosperity. Nicholas Biddle, Esq., succeeded him in 1823. About the year 1828-29,
the subject of the renewal of its charter began to be agitated. The Bunk was drawn into the
vortex of politics, and a fierce war was waged between its partisans and opponents. In Oct.
1833, the deposits of the government, which had hitlierto been made exclusively with this bank,
were removed, by order of President Jackson. A bill to rccharter the Bank had been vetoed by
him, in the previous year. The charter expired, according to Limitation, in 1836. In the same
year, the United States Bank of Pennsylvania was chartered, by the state legislature, with the
pame capital of $35,000,000 ; and purchasing the assets, and assuming the liabilities, of th")
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
former United States Bank, continued the business under the same roof.
Went into liquidation, early in 1841.*
587
This bank failed, and
United States Naval Asylum.
The U. S. Naval Asylum is situated on the Gray's ferry road, near thd
eastern bank of the Schuylkill, below South-street. It was completed in
1835, having been erected by the government from the proceeds of the
*' hospital money" regularly paid by the officers and seamen of the navy
out of their wages for many years past. It is designed as an asylum for
sick seamen, and a home for the veterans of the navy, and for a naval
school. The building, which is capable of lodging about 400 persons, is
of white marble : the entire cost was about -$300,000. It was under the
charge of Commodore Biddle in 1842. Not far below this, on the Gray's
ferry road, is the I). S. Arsenal.
w ^ /^ -m
Blockley Almshouse.
The Almshouse of the city and county is an immense range of build*
ings occupying an elevated site near the west bank of the Schuylkill,
nearly opposite the U. S. Arsenal. There are few cities whose paupers
* See the Outline History, page 51.
588
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
can boast of so splendid a country seat. The buildings, with the neceS'
sary enclosures, cover an area of nearly ten acres. The establishment
includes, besides the lodging-rooms for the inmates, and an immense din-
ing hall, capable of accommodating more than 500 persons — workshopsy
where the inmates find employment ; an asylum and a school for male
and female children ; an obstetric department, with the requisite appli-
ances ; an hospital for the sick and the insane ; an extensive library, both
medical and miscellaneous ; a depository for manufactures, &c. A farm
of about 170 acres surrounds the establishment. The whole cost of the
buildings and grounds was $850,000. The average number of the in-
mates is about 1,500, increasing to nearly 2,000 in winter, and dimin-
ished in the summer. The establishment is governed by 12 directors ;
and is under the more immediate management of a superintendent and
matron. The students of the various medical schools in the city enjoy
the advantage of weekly clinical lectures given here by their professors.
Wire Suspension Bridge.
The new Wire Suspension Bridge crosses the Schuylkill at Fairmount, and occupies the site of
Mr. Wemwag's bridge, which was burned down three or four years since. Several chain bridges of
cheap construction have been used for some years in the U. States, but this is the first specimen
of a suspension bridge erected in this country in which the principles of this graceful style have
been fully carried out in a scientific and workmanlike manner ; although they have been com-
mon in Europe for twenty years past. This bridge was erected at the expense of the county by
Charles Ellet, Esq., civil engineer, who furnished the plan, and contracted for the work at
$50,000. It was opened for travel in the spring of 1842, and its strength has been fully tested.
The length between the abutments is 343 feet, and between the supporting rollers at the apex of
the columns 357 feet ; width of floor and foot-ways 27 feet. There are five distinct cables on
each, side, each containing 2G0 strands of wire about 1-8 of an inch in diameter. Each cable is
2 5-8 inches diameter, weighs 4 tons, is 650 feet in length, and is capable of sustaining a weight
of 800 tons. The perpendicular cables or ropes by which each floor-beam is suspended from the
cables are also made of smull wires, and are 1 inch in diameter, each capable of sustaining 2
tons ; there are 17 of these to each cable. The larger cables pass over iron rollers on the piHars,
which tend to equalize the tension, and are fastened around numerous stout iron bars transversely
imbedded in the solid rock, or in an immense body of masonry. The towers are of massive
blocks of granite, quarried in Maine. The cables are covered with a coating of peculiar com-
position to protect them from rust. The whole of the iron was made of Juniata ore at Baston,
Penn. The fonner bridge which stood on this site, was famous in the annals of bridge architec-
ture. It consisted of a single arch of wood, of 340 feet span, the longest wooden arch by 96
feet in the world 1 It was 50 feet wide at the abutments, and 35 feet in the centre, being braced,
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY. 589
by this variation in width, against lateral pressure. A view of it may be seen in the large
enoraving of Fairmount. It was finished in 1813, at a cost of $120,000, by Lewis Wern-
wag, the architect, who has since erected many fine bridges throughout the United States,
but none on so bold a plan as this. It was originally owned by a company, of which the late
Jacob Ridgway* was president.
The Permanent bridge across the Schuylkill at Market-st. was erected by a company incorpo-
rated in 1798, at an expense of !g>275,000, including the cost of the site. It was considered a
famous piece of architecture in its day, and still maintains its reputation for strength, though
structures now abound throughout the state far exceeding it in magnitude of design. It was re-
markable, however, for the numerous obstacles with which the builders were met in sinking the
piers, especially the western one, which is sunk, says Dr. Maese, " in a depth of water unexam-
pled in hydraulic architecture, the top of the rock on which it stands being 41 feet below com-
mon high tides." Both piers were built within cofler dams, and all the ingenuity of hydraulic en-
gineers was severely tested, as well as the perseverance of the company.
The Fairmount Water Works, justly the pride of Philadelphia, are sit-
uated on the left bank of the Schuylkill, about two miles northwest from
the heart of the city. The name of this enchanting spot was conferred
in the earliest days of the province, and Wm. Penn " had his eye, but not
his heart, on it" for a country seat. The simple process by which the
city is supplied with water is by means of a dam thrown across the
Schuylkill, the water-power from which turns six large wooden wheels,
which keep in operation six forcing purrlps to raise the water from the
pool of the dam 92 feet to the four reservoirs on the summit of the hill.
These reservoirs, which are about 100 feet above tide, and 56 feet above
the highest ground in the city, are capable of containing about 22,000,000
of gallons. From the reservoirs the water is distributed throughout the
city by iron pipes, the aggregate length of which is about 110 miles.
Only a part of the pumps are ordinarily in use at the same time. The
average daily consumption of water for public and private use is about
4,000,000 of gallons. Each private family pays $5 a year for the use of
the water. On the summit and slopes of the hill neat gravel walks and
staircases are arranged, with here and there a graceful balcony for re-
pose ; and at the base of the precipice, in the spaces not occupied by the
machinery, a beautiful garden has been laid out, tastefully adorned with
flowers, shrubbery, statues, and fountains. From the summit a magnifi-
cent prospect is enjoyed of the city, of the splendid public institutions
that encircle it, of the Schuylkill, with its canals, and its beautiful bridges,
and the romantic scenery of its valley. It is not surprising that the place
should be a favorite resort for strangers and citizens.
Dr. Franklin had foreseen the want of pure water that would be felt, as the city became
densely populated; and by his will provided that one of his accumulative legacies, after 100
years, should be used for mtroducing the waters of Wisahiccon cr. to the city. The suggestion
was more useful than the legacy : the attention of the citizens was turned to the subject ; and
one of the objects of the old Schuylkill and Delaware canal, incorporated in 1792, two years
after Frankhn's death, was to introduce the water of the Schuylkill into the city, fiom the level
* Jacob Ridgway, who died in 1843, has been regarded as the wealthiest man in
Pennsylvania since Stephen Girard. His property is valued at about $6,000,000, and is of va-
rious kinds ; all of which is the result of a long life of untiring industry and perseverance. In
early life he was a ship-carpenter. He subsequently was appointed U. S. Consul at Antwerp,
where he resided during a portion of the great war of the European powers, and when the rights
of American citizens stood in need of protection from the blind encroachments of angry belhge-
rents. After residing a short time in Paris, he returned to the United States, where he continued
engaged in laudable and useful enterprises to the day of his death. His real property is very
extensive, lying in various parts of the Union, but principally in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and
Delaware. His heirs are a son and two daughters, Mrs. Dr. Rush, and Mrs. Roatch. The lat-
ter is a widow. Mr. Ridgway is represented as an amiable, kind-hearted man, kind to his work-
men, indulgent to his tenants, and liberal towards his friends and the distressed.
690
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
of Conshohocken. This attempt failed. The Wisahiccon project was also deemed too costly, at
that day. In 1799, an apparatus was devised by Mr. Latrobe, the engineer, at the expense of
the city, for raising water by means of a steam-engine, situated on the Schuylkill, at the foot of
Chestnut-st. This engine raised the water 54 feet, into a tunnel, which conducted it to Centre-
Bquare ; where it was again raised, by another steam-engine, into a distributing reservoir. About
700,000 gallons were raised in twenty-four hours, and distributed, by wooden pipes, through the
city. This affair cost the city about $500,000, and the annual cost, in 1811, was near $30,000 ;
of which only about one-third was reimbursed by water-rents, the remainder being raised by a
tax.
In 1812-15, a new steam-engine was erected at Fairmount, in the large edifice still standing
there ; and one or more of the present reservoirs were constructed on the top of the hill. This con.
cern cost an additional $350,000 ; but it yielded, in three or four years, to the present cheap and
simple plan. This plan had been in use, at the Moravian town of Bethlehem, ever since 1752.
Like Columbus's device with the egg, its simplicity is such that every one now wonders why it
was not sooner thought of in Philadelphia. To accomplish the object, it became necessary ftr
the city to purchase the mill-sites, destroyed at the falls above, for $150,000 ; and also to procure
from the Schuylkill Navigation Co. their exclusive privilege of damming the river, which was
granted, on condition that the city should construct tbe short canal and locks, on the western
side. The works were commenced in 1819, and the first water was raised in July, 1822. An
immense amount of labor and powder was expended, in cutting down the rocky base of the
precipice, that originally extended quite to the river. Since the city commenced the work, con-
stant improvements and additions have been annually made, until the total expenditure at Fair-
mount, since 1819, had amounted, in 1840, to nearly one and a half millions of dollars — nearly
all of which had been reimbursed by the water-rents. The daily expenses for supplying the same
quantity of water now used, by steam, would be about $200 per day ; by water-power it is only
from $7 to $10. Among the expenses of the old steam-works, during the whole term of its use,
nearly $900 were charged for ichi.tkei/ — whether for raising the steam or not does not appear.
The present Works use nothing but cold water.
Eastern Penitentiary.
The Eastern Penitentiary is situated on elevated ground about two miles northwest from the
city, and half a mile east of Fairmount. A wall of thirty feet high encloses an area of 640
feet square, or about ten acres. The edifices are constructed of stone in heavy masses. Every
room is vaulted and fire-proof. The buildings for the keeper and the officers make a part of tlie
front wall on each side of the centre. The octangular tower 80 feet high over the entrance, con.
tains the alarm-bell and clock, and affords a point of observation over the whole premises. In
the centre of the yard is erected the observatory, and on seven lines radiating from it are the
blocks of cells, — thus permitting the sentinel in the observatory to observe any movement in
either of the long corridors. Connected with each cell on the outside is an exercising yard, the
entrance to which from the cell is by double doors. The prisoner may be seen by the keeper
through a small orifice (1-4 of an inch in diameter) in the passage way, widening in a conical
form so as to command a view of any part of the cell. Food is passed through a small drawer
inserted in the door of each cell. Ventilation, light, and cleanliness, are secured by very inge-
nious contrivances in each cell, which at the same time permit no communication between tiie
convicts. The corner-stone of the penitentiary was laid on the 23d May, 1823. The architect
was Mr. John Haviland.
It was originally designed by the legislature, in its efforts to reform the penal code, that com.
victs should be confined in perfect solitude, without occupation of any sort ; and both the peaL •
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
591
fentiaries were coustructed with that design. But this was justly considered as the severest of
all punishments — an outrage upon humanity which the spirit of the age would not tolerate, that
must destroy the health of the prisoner, and possibly result in rendering him an idiot or a mad-
man. The plan was modified by the acts of 1829 and 1831, so as to admit of occupation within
the cells. " This system of punishment," says Judge Gordon, in his Gazetteer, " is emphatically
called the system of Pennsylvania, and consists in solitary confinement at labor, wiiii instructions
in labor, in morals, and religion. It is an experiment in the success of which all good men are
interested, and the prospect of a beneficial result is highly flattering, so far as it relates not only
to the morals of the prisoner, but to the means of supporting him from the produce of his labor.
Solitary confinement has not, as was predicted, been found injuiious to the mental or physical
health of the prisoner.
" When a convict first arrives, he is placed in a cell and left alone, without work, and without
any book. His mind can only operate upon itself. Generally, but few hours elapse before he pe-
titions for something to d), and for a Bible. No instance has occurred in which such a petition
has been delayed for more than a day or two. If the prisoner have a trade that can be pursued
in his cell, he is put to work as a favor ; as a reward for good beliavior, and as a favor, a Bible is
allowed to him. If he have no trade, or one that cannot be pursued in his cell, he is allowed to
choose one that can, and he is instructed by one of the overseers, all of whom are master work-
men in the trades they respectively superintend and teach. Thus work, and moral and religious
instruction, are regarded and received as favors, and are withheld as a punishment."
Moyamensing Prison.
The Philadelphia County Prison, usually known as the Moyamensing Prison, is situated about
one mile south of the city, between Tenth and Eleventh streets. The whole exterior is built with a
blue sienitic granite, from the Quincy quarries in Massachusetts. The architecture is in the Tudor
style of English Gothic, in which the castles of the middle ages were built ; and the design re-
flects great credit upon the architect, Mr. Thomas U. Walter. The interior is disposed in two
general divisions, one for the untried prisoners, and the other for male convicts whose term of
service does not exceed two years ; the females being confined in a building in the rear of the
debtor's apartment. The main prison contains 408 separate cells in two blocks of three stories
each ; the cells open into a corridor of 20 feet wide, extending along the centre of each block.
The debtor's apartment (seen on the right of the view) presents a front of 90 feet, composed of
brown sandstone, in the Egyptian style of architecture. The aggregate cost of the whole es-
tablishment was more than ^450,000. The county prison was founded in 1832, and finished in
1835; the debtor's apartment in 1836; and that for females in 1837-38. Previous to the erec-
tion of this prison, and the Eastern penitentiary, the two prisons of Philadelphia had been situa.
led, one at the southeast corner of Sixth and Walnut streets ; and the other in the upper part of
Arch-st. Both these sites are now occupied by splendid dwellings.
The Laurel Hill Cemetery, situated on the banks of the Schu3'lkill,
four miles northwest of the city, was laid out by a company of citizens in
1836. The site was originally occupied by the country seat of a wealthy
citizen. No better selection could possibly be made for the repose of the
dead. Nature seems to have lavished every variety of beauty and grandeur
on this secluded spot ; the grounds are laid out with serpentine gravelled
walks, and the whole is shaded by ancient forest and ornamental trees.
A beautiful Gothic chapel, with its immense variegated window of stain-
ed glass, stands in the upper part of the grounds. At the entrance of the
592
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
cemetery is a splendid colonnade, with appropriate architectural devices,
and just within the gate, in a small structure erected expressly for it, is
an admirable group of statuary by Mr. Thorn, the self-taught artist, rep-
resenting Sir Walter Scott conversing with Old Mortality. The remains
of several public benefactors have been already entombed here ; among
which are those of the " man of truth," Charles Thompson, secretary of
the Continental Congress ; Joseph S. Lewis, for so many years the effi-
cient chairman of the watering committee ; Birch, the munificent bene-
factor of the blind ; and Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant, over whom
a beautiful and appropriate monument has recently been erected.
Another beautiful enclosure, called the Monument Cemetery, situated
nearer the city, not far fi"om the Girard College, was laid out in 1838.
And another is known as llonaldson's Cemetery, between Ninth and
Tenth streets, in the southwest section of the city. Mr. James Ronald-
son deserves much credit as the pioneer in this laudable enterprise. He
laid out this cemetery on a square belonging to himself several years before
that of Laurel Hill was commenced, and it now contains a large number
of splendid tombs, shaded with appropriate trees, and adorned with flow-
ers and shrubbery.
About a mile below Laurel Hill, the splendid bridge of the Columbia
railroad crosses the Schuylkill. This bridge is at the foot of the inclined
plane. A short distance above Laurel Hill the Reading railroad crosses
the Schuylkill on a fine bridge recently constructed near the Falls.
Manayunk,
Manayunk is a bustling and populous manufacturing village, on the
left bank of the Schuylkill, seven miles from Philadelphia. This village
has grown up entirely since 1818, by the impetus given by the comple-
tion of the Schuylkill canal, which has created a vast amount of water-
power at this place. Previous to that time, and to the erection of the
Fairmount dam, it was remarkable only for an extensive shad fishery,
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
593
with one or two houses scattered here and there. Among the earlier
residents here were the Leverings and the Tibbin's family. In 1823 the
only factory enumerated as being here was Mark Richards' "■ Flat Rock
Cotton Factory." There are now erected along the canal, 5 cotton fac-
tories, 3 woollen factories, 2 paper-mills, 1 rolling-mill, 1 steel manufac-
tory, 1 machine-shop, 1 mill for polishing saws, and 2 flouring-mills.
Two neat bridges cross the Schuylkill here. The Norristown railroad
passes through the place. The village also contains Catholic, Dutch Re-
formed, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches. The slope of
the hill above the village affords a delightful site for dwelling-houses,
commanding a fine prospect of this picturesque valley.
Germantovvn is a very ancient village six miles northwest from Phila-
delphia. It has no lateral streets, but is composed of dwellings, stores,
taverns, and occasionally splendid mansions extending for four or five
miles on each side of the turnpike. The houses are substantially built
generally of stone, and many of them still bear the quaint pent-eaves and
ponderous cornices of the last century. The population of this lengthy
place may be about 2,500. Many of the citizens are wealthy — having
retired from business in the city — and all appear to enjoy that happy
competence that results from quiet industry, uninterrupted by the excite-
ment and expensive luxuries of a large city, but still enjoying all the ad-
vantage of its market. A railroad to the city affords a ready means of
3ommunication several times a day. At the southern end of the village
is situated Logan's hill, the favorite country residence of James Logan,
long the distinguished confidential secretary of Wm. Penn, and eminent
in the annals of the early province as a scholar and statesman. Here he
spent the later years of his life, when his infirmities had forced him into
retirement. He died in 1751, aged 77, and lies among the Friends, in the
cemetery in Arch, below Fourth st. The mansion and grounds are still
untouched by the encroachments of modern lot-speculators, and are occu-
pied by his descendants.
Birthplace of David Rittenhouse.
In a secluded valley about a mile west of Germantown stand an an-
cient mill and a house, represented in the annexed view. This was the
75
594 PHILADELPHIA COUNTY.
birthplace of David Rittenhouse, and about this mill he first learned to
exercise his mechanical genius. The following sketch of his life is from
Mr. Lord's American edition of the Universal Biography :
This eminent mathematician was born at Germantown, Pa., April 8th, 1732. His ancestors
were emigrants from Holland. He was employed during the early part of his life in agriculture,
and occupied himself habitually at tliat period with mathematical studies. While residing with
his father he made himself master of Newton's Principia, by an English translation, and also
discovered the science of fluxions, of which he for a long time supposed himself to be the first in-
ventor. His constitution being too feeble for an agricultural life, he became a clock and mathe-
matical instrument maker, and, without the aid of an instructor, produced work superior to that
of the foreign artists. He also contrived and erected an orrery, much more complete than any
which liad been before constructed. In 1770 he removed to Philadelphia, and employed himself
in his trade. He was elected a member of the pliilosophical society of that city, and one of the
number appointed to observe the transit of Venus in 1769, an account of which he communicated to
the society. His excitement was so great on perceiving the contact of that planet with the sun at
the moment predicted, that he fainted. He was one of the conmiissioners employed to determine
the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Virginia, and between New York and Massachusetts
He held the office of treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1789. In 1791 he was chosen
president of the philosophical society, and held the place till his death. He was also, in 1792,
appointed director of the United States mjnt, and continued in the office till 1795, when ill health
induced him to resign. His mathematical talents were of the highest order ; and had it been his
lot to have had the advantages of education wliich the great European mathematicians enjoyed,
he would undoubtedly have been excelled by none of them in the extent of his discoveries, and
lustre of his fame.
The celebrated battle of Germantown has been described under Mont-
gomery county, on pages 490 to 495. The following extracts are from
several numbers written by John F. Watson, Esq., and published in Haz-
ard's Register and the Village Telegraph.
The Germantown settlement was first taken up by Francis Danl. Pastorius, the I2th of the
8th month, 1683, by a purchase from William Penn ; and was surveyed and laid out by the sur-
veyor-general, 2d of 3d month, 1684, under a grant to him, for himself and others, of 6000 acres.
It proved, however, to contain but 5700 acres.
It was a part of Springetsbury manor, and was distributed among the proprietaries as follows,
viz. : 200 acres to Francis D. Pastorius himself, on Chestnut hill ; 150 to Jurian Hartsfielder,
(the same who in 1676 owned all Campington ;) 5350 to Pastorius, as agent to German and
Dutch owners.
Pastorius and Hartsfielder were to pay yearly Is. per 100 acres, quit-rent ; and all the others
at the rate of Is. per 1000 acres, ("they having bought off the quit-rents,") forever to Wm.
Penn and heirs.
Germantown was incorporated as a borough town by a patent from Wm. Penn, executed in
England in 1689. J'rancis Daniel Pastorius, civilian, was made first bailiff; and Jacob Tellner,
Dirk Isaacs op den Graff, and Herman op den Graff, three burghers, to act ex-officio as town
magistrates ; and eight yeomen ; — the whole to form a general court to sit once a month. Tliey
made laws and laid taxes.
The town lost its charter for want of a due election, (officers not being found willing to serve,)
Bomewhere about 1704. In a letter from Pastorius to Wm. Penn, dated in 1701-2, he states his
concern that he shall not be able to get men to serve in the general court for " conscience sake ;"
and he trusts, for a remedy, to an expected arrival of emigrants. This difficulty probably arose
from the oaths used in court proceedings.
All the settlers in Cresheim (or Cresum) built on the Cresum road before settling a house on the
Germantown road through Cresheim. There is an old map, made in 1700, in which all their
residences and bams at that time are marked.
The original of the following curious paper is in the hands of John Johnson, Esq. :
" We whose names are to these presents subscribed, do hereby certify unto all whom it may
concern, that soon after our arrival in this province of Pennsylvania, in October, 1683, to our
certain knowledge, Herman op den Graff, Dirk op den Graff, and Abraham op den Graff, as well
as we ourselves, in the cave of Francis Daniel Pastorius, at Philadelphia, did cast lots for the
respective lots which they and we then began to settle in Germantown ; and the said Graffs (three
brothers) have sold their several lots, each by himself, no less than if a division in writing had
been made by them. Witness our hands this 29th Nov. A. D. 1709. Lenart Arets, Jan Lensen,
Thomas Hundus, William Streygert, Abraham Tunes, Jan Lucken, Reiner Tysen."
The first paper-mill in Pennsylvania >vas built by Yarret Rittenhouse. It stood about 100
PIKE COUNTY. 595
yards higher up the stream than where old Martin Rittenhouse now lives, at C. Markles's. It
was carried off by a freshet. Wm. Penn wrote a letter, soliciting the good people to give some
aid In rebuilding it with the money. The grist-mill, now Nicholas Rittenhouse's on Wissahic-
Con, below Markles's, was built there, without the use of carts, or roads, or barrows.
Thomas Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant, was born in Bristol township, about one mile
from Germantown, in the year 1704, on a farm adjoining to Lukens' mill, on the Church lane.
His father died when he was but one year old. His mother put her son out to learn the business
of a glazier and painter.
While engaged at this business on the premises at Stenton, (J. Logan's place,) accidentally
•fbserving a piece of fallen glass, an idea presented to his reflecting mind, which caused him
to quit his scaffold and go Into Mr. Logan's library, where he took down a volume of Newton.
Mr. Logan entering at this time, and seeing the book in his hand, inquired into the motive of his
search, when he was exceedingly pleased with Godfrey's ingenuity, and from that time became
his zealous friend. He procured for him a skilful person to try his quadrant at sea ; and finding
it fully answered every wish, he endeavored to serve him by writing to his friends In England,
especially to Sir Hans Sloane, so as to get for him the reward offered by the Royal Society. This
was intended to be a measure in opposition to the claim of Hadley, — who, it was supposed, had
obtained the description of the instrument from his nephew, who, it was recollected, had seen it
in the West Indies. Such is the tradition of the matter in tiie Logan family, as preserved by
Mrs. Logan. James Logan asserts, in a letter to one of his friends, that Godfrey's discovery
was two years prior to Hadley's.
" Joshua Fisher, of Lewistown, afterwards of Philadelphia, merchant, first tried the quadrant
in the bay of Delaware." Afterwards, Capt. Wright carried It to Jamaica, where, unsuspicious
of the piracy, he showed and explained it to several Englishmen, among whom was a nephew of
Hadley's.
Godfrey's affection for mathematical science occurred at an early period, from a chance oppor-
tunity of reading a book on that study. Finding the subject perplexed with Latin terms, he ap-
plied himself to that language with such diligence as to be able to read the occasional Latin he
found. Optics and astronomy became his favorite studies. He died in Dec. 1749. His re-
mains have recently been removed to Laurel Hill cemetery.
PIKE COUNTY.
I'iKE COUNTY was Separated from Wayne, by the act of 26th March,
1814 ; and in 1835 a portion of it was cut off to form Monroe co. Length
23 miles, breadth 23 ; area about 580 sq. miles. Population in 1820, on-
ly 2,894 ; in 1830,4,843; and in 1840, 3,832. This remarkably sparse
population, in a county bordering on the Delaware, only eighty miles
from New York and Philadelphia, is caused by the rugged and moun-
tainous character of the greater portion of the county.
A broad range of broken spurs of the Pokono, and more northwesterly
ridges of the Apalachian system — composed principally of the slates,
shales, and sandstones of formations VIII. and IX. of our state geologists —
sweeps through this county, forming a high, broken, and rather cold coun-
try, covered with a dense forest of pine, hemlock, oak, and other timber.
The soil of this region is comparatively poor, that is, in comparison with
the warm fertile vallej's of slate and limestone below the Blue mountain,
or at the west ; but, though generally too cold for corn, it produces, under
the hand of cultivation, good rye, oats, potatoes, and grass, and is well
adapted for dairy farms. The extensive alluvial flats, along the margin
of the Delaware, are very fertile, adapted for all agricultural products,
and generally well-cultivated. The county is abundantly watered, and
contains some of the best mill-sites in the state, many of which are only
396
PIKE COUNTY.
partially improved. The Delaware forms the northeast and southeast
boundaries. The other streams are the Waullenpaupaek, on the northwest
boundary ; the Lackawaxen, which flows across the northern corner ; the
Shoholo and Bushkill ; and those of less note are Masthope cr., Big-pond
or., Glass cr., Sawkill, Ramy's kill, Dingman's cr., &c. &c. The number
of kills, (the Dutch word for creek,) marks the fact of the early settle-
ment of the Dutch along the Delaware. (See Monroe co., page 474.)
Most of these streams have their sources in ponds and marshes, and
flow rather sluggishly, for many miles, through broad, alluvial flats, show-
ing the existence of a high table-land : on approaching the verge of the
great slate and shale formation, near the Delaware, they are precipitated
from a great height into wild, narrow, and rocky glens, through which
they go foaming and tumbling on towards the Delaware. The Waullen-
paupaek, near the Oswego and Milford turnpike, pours down a chasm of
70 feet, and then dashes over three successive cataracts, of 150 feet in all,
within a mile and a half The Sawkill, at Milford, also falls over a sim-
ilar precipice. The Delaware and Hudson canal, from Carpenter's point,
passes up the Delaware, on the New York side, crosses into Pike co. at
the mouth of Lackawaxen, and continues up the valley of that stream
into Wayne co. The citizens derive a great part of their subsistence
from the forest, and agriculture has been hitherto but a secondary busi-
ness. Many German and Irish emigrants are coming in, the former of
whom make good farmers. There are great quantities of unseated land
in the interior of the county, to be had at from $2 to $5 per acre, which
would make many a happy and independent home to the poor laborers
hovering around our great cities in want of work. The neighboring
county of Sullivan, in New York, with an equally mountainous surface,
and the same kind of soil, bears a population of nearly 20 to the square
mile ; while Pike co. has scarcely 7 per square mile.
View in Milford.
The first settlement made at Milford, the county seat, was about the
year 1799, by one Vandermark, a Dutchman, who gave name to the creek
north of the village. In the year 1800, there were but two houses and Ji
PIKE COUNTY. 597
blacksmith's shop on the site. The whole plain was thickly grown over
with pines, hemlocks, and bushes. By some carelessness the under-brush
took ^re, and the fire extended over the whole plain — not, however, de-
stroying the buildings above mentioned. Some wag published a state-
ment in the papers, that " a fire had ravaged the town of Milford, and
had left but two houses and a blacksmith's shop standing !" The town,
in its present shape, was laid out by Mr. John Beddis.
In 1814 it became the county seat of Pike co., since which time it has
increased gradually — most rapidly in the speculative times of 1836. The
buildings are situated principally on two streets, in the shape of an L.
The preceding view was taken from the centre of the street running north
and south. The town contains the courthouse, a jail seldom tenanted,
a Presbyterian and a Methodist church, and an academy. The Sawkill,
which dashes down the ravine near the southern border of the town,
turns several mills in its course. The citizens are much engaged in the
lumber-trade. There is a fine bridge here across the Delaware. Many
of the inhabitants of the village, and quite a number of farmers in the
vicinity, are immigrants from France. They make industrious and thriv-
ing citizens and farmers ; and by their good taste give an air of neatness
and embellishment to their dwellings, which stimulates others to do like-
wise. The construction of the Delaware and Hudson canal has taken
much business away from this town to Port Jarvis, in New York, six
miles above.
About a mile and a quarter southwest of Milford, in a very secluded
spot, may be seen the magnificent falls of the Sawkill. This stream, af-
ter flowing sluggishly for some miles through level table-land, is here
precipitated over two perpendicular ledges of slate rock — the first of
about 20 feet, and the second about 60 feet — into a wild, rocky gorge.
The stream still continues, dashing and foaming on for a quarter of a
mile, over smaller precipices, and through chasms scarcely wide enough
for an individual to pass. The beetling cliffs that form the sides of the
gorge are surmounted and shaded by cedars and hemlocks, that impart a
peculiarly sombre and terrific air to the scenery.
The surface of the hill by which they are approached is on a level
with the top of the second fall ; and the spectator, on account of the
bushes and trees, may reach the very verge of the precipice, and within
almost leaping distance of the falls, before he perceives them ; and if he
should happen for the first time to have trodden that lonely path without
a companion, after the shades of twilight had thrown a deeper gloom
around the glen, he will not soon forget the awful sublimity of the scene.
WiLsoNviLLE is situated on the right bank of the Waullenpaupack,
where the Oswego turnpike crosses it, and near the great falls of that
creek. It was formerly the seat of justice of Wayne county, before the
separation of Pike co. ; but the removal of the county business checked
its prosperity. The inhabitants are principally engaged in the lumber
business. On the turnpike, about a mile or two southeast of Wilsonville,
is Tafton, a small, but smart village, of recent growth.
Bushville is a small village on the Delaware, near Bushkill creek.
The Sylvania Association, a company recently formed in New York
and Albany for carrying out the system of " Industrial organization and
social reform, propounded by Charles Fourier," have started a colony in
598
PIKE COUNTY.
Sawkill Falls.
Lackawaxen township, between Shoholy and Lackawaxen creeks,
northeast of the Milford and Owego turnpike. Great benefits are antici-
pated by this colony from the principle of association, — that is, from own-
ing and cultivating their " domain" in common, and dwelling together in
one or more immense mansions called phalanxteries, — whereby the ex-
penses of separate house-building and house-keeping shall be avoided,
and the distinction of master and servant be abolished. The following
facts are derived from a pamphlet containing the constitution and bye-
laws, with some additional information from an officer of the association
POTTER COUNTY. 599
The association was formed early in 1843, by a few citizens of New York and Albany, mainly
mechanics. In April, about 2500 acres of land, in three large tracts, was purchased, and a pio-
neer division of some 40 persons entered upon the possession and improvement of the land. The
number has been increased (in Oct. 1843) to about 130 or 140, including about 25 whole families
of men, women, and children, and some single persons. These colonists are gcncruily young, or
in the vigor of life, and " all recognizing labor as the true and noble destiny of man on earth."
The soil of the domain is a deep loam, well calculated for tillage and grazing. About 80 acres
had been cleared before the association purchased the tract ; and they found upon it a saw-mill,
an unfinished grist-mill, and two or three dwellings, &.C., which have served for the temporary
accommodation of the colonists. They have now about 160 acres cleared. It is intended to
erect a spacious edifice for a dwelling, with workshop, &c. The land lies in gentle sloping ridges,
with valleys between and wide level table-lands at the top. Much of it can be cleared at i^G per
acre. A small stream, or branch of the Shoholy, passes through it, affording abundant water-
power for all purposes. The domain is three to five miles from the Delaware and Hudson canal,
14 miles northwest from Milford, and 1)4 from New York city by the Milford turnpike, or 110 by
way of Port Jervis, Middletown, and tiie N. Y. and Erie railroad.
Any person of good character m;iy become a member of the association, by owning a share,
(,"^25,; and laboring on the domain under the rules of the association.
A capital of )^10,000 has been raised by subscription, upon which legal interest is paid by the
association. This capital is to be increased, when practicable, to .$100,000. Labor is paid for
on a graduated scale of compensation, according as it is considered more or less repulsive, neces-
sary, useful, or agreeable. Members are at liberty to pursue any branch of employment they
may select ; but all labor performed must be for the benefit of the association, and must be pros-
ecuted on the domain, or under the direction of the association. Disputes must be settled by
arbitration, vi'ith privilege of appeal to a supreme court of the colony; but any member who
seeks legal redress out of the colony shall be expelled. Women receive five-eighths the wages
of a man ; children from ten to fifteen one-third — from fifteen to eighteen one-half. Profits are
divided annually, and all balances due individuals, above their board, clothing, and other items
of expenditure, are to be credited as stock. A library, and suitable apartments for public exer-
cises and amusements, are to be provided. The great edifice is to be leased according to an as-
sessment of the various apartments, at an annual rent of ten per cent, on its cost. Members
who wish to take their meals separately may do so by paying extra, and may use any extra fur-
niture which they choose to have at their individual cost. Children under ten, and the aged and
infirm, are at the charge of the association. Young women may vote at the age of eighteen,
and young men at twenty. The association may not hire a minister of religion, but provides a
room, in which any one invited and paid by individuals may preach. The association may not
8uppr«es any public amusement, nor " exclude wine or ardent spirits from the tables of the asso-
ciation, but shall furnish the same to any member desirous of using them, according to the plan
adopted with reference to wearing apparel, or other articles." " Drunkenness subjects the
guilty party to public rebuke, fine, or expulsion." If too many select any one occupation, the
supernumeraries are detached by lot Thomas W. Whiteley, president ; J. D. Pierson, vice-pres-
ident ; J. T. S. Smith, secretary ; Horace Greeley, treasurer — all of whom at present reside in
New York city, except the vice-president.
Another colony of individuals, principally from Brooklyn, N. Y., under
the title of the " Social Reform Unity," have recently made a settlement
in the southwestern part of the county, adjoining the Monroe co. line.
POTTER COUNTY.
Potter county was separated from Lycoming, by the act of 2r)th March,
1804. Length 37 miles, breadth 30; area 1,106 sq. miles. Population
in 1810, 29; in 1820, 180; in 1830, 1,265; in 1840, 3,371.
The county comprises the high, rolling, and table-land, adjacent to the
northern boundary of the state, lying on the outskirts of the great bitu-
minous coal formation. Its streams are the sources of the Allegheny, the
Genesee, and the West branch of the Susquehanna ; and a resident of
600 POTTER COUNTY.
the connty says that all these streams head so near together, that a man
in three hours may drink from waters that flow into the Gulf of St. Law-
rence, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Chesapeake bay, respectively. The
names of these sources are the Allegheny, the Genesee, the East branch
of Sinnemahoning, Kettle cr.. Pine cr., and Cowanesque cr. The soil is
a chocolate-colored loam, of fair quality, covered with a heavy growth
of beech, maple, elm, basswood, pine, oak, chestnut, and hemlock ; and
along the streams, hickory, butternut, and thorn. The land is well adapt-
ed for grazing. In the south part of the county, bituminous coal and
iron-ore are found ; and a bed of coal has been recently discovered within
three miles of Coudersport. The leading roads of the county are as good
as could be expected rn a new county.
Coudersport the county seat, is a small but thriving town, situated on
the right bank of the Allegheny, at the crossing of the great east and
west state road. Another road leads to Jersey Shore, on the West Branch.
The place contains a stone courthouse and jail, an academy, three stores,
two taverns, a carding-machine, mills, and dwellings. Stated preaching,
by ministers of different denominations, is regularly enjoyed on the sabbath.
John Keating, Esq., of Philadelphia, who owns immense tracts of wild
lands in this region, presented one half of the town-plot for the use of
the county, and $500 for the academy. He also gave 50 acres of land
to each of the first 50 families that settled on his land ; and many other
benevolent acts of that gentleman are gratefully remembered by the early
settlers.
It is evident, from a comparison of the population with the area, that
the greater part of the county is still a wilderness ; and although enter-
prising settlers are fast coming in, there is still a vast quantity of " un-
seated" farming land, that may be purchased at a low rate. The history
of the early pioneers is one of extreme toil and hardship, yet health and
competence have been their reward ; and where they found nought but
a howling wilderness, traversed only by the Indian, the bear, the wolf,
the panther, the elk, and the deer, they now see cultivated fields, abound-
ing with cattle and sheep, and an industrious population, furnished with
mills, schools, and manufactories. The following extracts are from the
correspondence of respectable citizens of the county. An early settler,
Benjamin Birt, Esq., says —
In the year 1808 an east and west road was opened through Potter co. Messrs. John Keating
& Co., of Philadelphia, owning large tracts of land in the northwest part of the county, agreed
with Isaac Lyman, Esq., to undertake the opening of the road. In the fall of 1809 Mr. Lyman
came in, with several hands, and erected a rude cabin, into which he moved in March, 1810.
He then had but one neighbor in the county, who was four miles distant. I moved in on the 4th
May, 1811, and had to follow the fashion of the country for building and other domestic concerns,
— which was rather tough, there being not a bushel of grain or potatoes, nor a pound of meat, ex-
cept wild, to be had in the county ; but there were leeks and nettles in abundance, which, with
venison and bear's meat, seasoned with hard work and a keen appetite, made a most delicious
dish. The friendly Indians of different tribes frequently visited us on their hunting excursions.
Among other vexations were the gnats, a very minute but poisonous insect, that annoyed us far
more than musquitoes, or even than hunger and cold ; and in summer we could not work without
raising a smoke around us.
Our roads were so bad that we had to fetch our provisions 50 to 70 miles on pack-horses. In
this way we lived until we could raise our own grain and meat. By the time we had grain to
grind, Mr. Lyman had built a small grist-mill ; but the roads still being bad, and the mill at some
distance from me, I fixed an Indian samp-mortar to pound my corn, and afterwards I contrived
a small hand-mill, by which I have ground n.^ny a bushel, — but it was hard work. When we
went out after provisions with a team, we were compelled to camp out in the woods ; and, if in
POTTER COUNTY.
601
Early method of pounding corn.
the winter, to chop down a maple-tree for our cattle to browse on all night, — and on this kind of
long fodder we had to keep our cattle a good part of the winter.
When I came here I had a horse that I called " Main dependence " on account pf his being a
good steady old fellow. He used to carry my whole family on his back whenever we went to
a wedding, a raising, a logging-bee, or to visit our neighbors, for several years, — until the increas-
ing load comprised myself, my wife, and three children — five in all.
We had otlen to pack our provisions 80 miles from Jersey Shore. 60 miles of the road was
without a house ; and in the winter, when deep snows came on and caught us on the road with-
out fire, we should have perished if several of us had not been in company to assist each other.
The want of leather, after our first shoes were worn out, was severely felt. Neither tanner nor
shoemaker lived in the county. But " necessity is the mother of invention." I made me a
trough out of a big pine-tree, into which I put the hides of any cattle that died among us. I
used ashes for tanning them instead of lime, and bear's grease for oil. The thickest served for
sole leather, and the thinner ones, dressed with a drawing-knife, for upper leather ; and thus I
made shoes for myself and neighbors.
I had 14 miles to go in winter to mill with an ox team. The weather was cold, and the snow
deep ; no roads were broken, and no bridges built across the streams. I had to wade the streams,
and carry the- bags on my back. The ice was frozen to my coat as heavy as a bushel of com.
I worked hard all day and got only seven miles the first night, when I chained my team to a tree,
and walked three miles to house myself At the second night I reached the mill. My courage
often failed, and I had almost resolved to return ; but when I thought of my children crying for
bread, I took new courage.
Mr. John Peat, another old pioneer, in a communication in the Forester
in 1834, says :
It will be 23 years the 23d day of May, 1834, since I moved into Potter county. Old Mr.
Ayrcs was in the county at that time, and had been in the county about five years alone. In
the fall before I came, three families — (Benjamin Birt, Major Lyman, and a Mr. Sherman) —
moved to the county. The East and West State Road was cut out the year before I moved in.
It was very lonesome for several years. People would move in, and stay a short time, and
move away again. It has been but a few years since settlers began to stick. I made some
little clearing, and planted some garden seeds, &c., the first spring. We brought a small stock
of provisions with us. On the 3d day of July I started, with my two yoke of oxen, to go to Jer-
sey Shore, to mill, to procure flour. I crossed Pine creek eighty times going to, and eighty times
coming from mill, was gone eighteen days, broke two axletrees to my wagon, upset twice, and one
wheel came off" in crossing the creek.
Jersey Shore was the nearest place to procure provisions, and the road was dreadful. The few
seeds that I was able to plant the first year, yielded but little produce. We however raised some
half-grown potatoes, some turnips, and soft corn, with which we made out to live, without suffer-
ing, till the next spring, at planting time, when I planted all the seeds that I had left ; and
when I finished planting, we had nothing to eat but leeks, cow-cabbage, and milk. We lived on
leeks and cow-cabbage as long as they kept green — about six weeks. My family cousiated of
my wife and two children ; and I was obliged to work, though faint for want of food.
76
602 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
The first winter, the snow fell very deep. The first winter month, it snowed 95 days out of
30 ; and during the three winter months it snowed 70 days. I sold one yoke of my oxen in the
fall, the other yoke I wintered on browse ; but in the spring one ox died, and the other I sold to
procure food for my family, and was now destitute of a team, and had nothing but my own hands
to depend upon to clear my lands and raise provisions. We wore out all our shoes the first year.
We had no way to get more, — no money, nothing to sell, and but little to eat, — and were in dread-
ful distress for the want of the necessaries of life. I was obliged to work and travel in the woods
barefooted. After a while, our clotlies were worn out. Our family increased, and the children
were nearly naked. I had a broken slate that I brought from Jersey Shore. I sold that to Harry
Lyman, and bought two fawn-skins, of which my wife made a petticoat for Mary ; and Mary
wore the petticoat until she outgrew it ; then Rhoda took it, till she outgrew it ; then Susan had
it, till she outgrew it ; then it fell to Abigail, and she wore it out.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
Schuylkill county was separated from Berks and Northampton, by the
act of 1st March, 1811, Length 30 miles, breadth 20 ; area 745 sq. miles.
Population in 1820, 11,339; in 1830, 20,744; in 1840, 29,053.
The surface of the county is very mountainous and rugged. A pleas-
ant and fertile red-shale valley lies between the Kittatinny and Second
mountains ; but the region beyond, with the exception of the narrow val-
leys of the streams, is of little value, comparatively, for agricultural pur-
poses—the great Avealth of that region consisting in its coal-mines.
There are farms there, it is true, arid more will be opened, stimulated by
the excellent market in the immediate vicinity ; but, as a general rule,
the coal-region of Schuylkill county must look below the Second moun-
tain, or even below the Blue mountain, for its agricultural supplies. Tho
mountain ranges run from southwest to northeast : the leading chains are
the Kittatinny, or Blue mountain, which forms the southeastern boundary
of the county ; the Second mountain ; Sharp mountain, which is the south-
eastern limit of the coal measures ; Mine hill, and Broad mountain,
which contain the principal veins of coal ; and the Mahantango and Ma-
hanoy mountain, the northwestern boundary of the county.
The Schuylkill, with its branches, Little Schuylkill, Norwegian, and
Mill cr., is the principal stream of the county. The Swatara, the Ma-
hantango, and Mahanoy creeks drain the southwestern end ; and the
sources of Catawissa cr., Lizard, and Mahoning creeks are also within
the county.
The great southern anthracite coal-field is about 65 miles long, extend-
ing from the Summit-mine of Mauch Chunk to the neighborhood of Pine
Grove, where it divides into two branches : the northern one, under the
name of Wiconisco mountain, extending westwardly beyond the county
line to Lyken's valley, in Dauphin county ; and the other embraced be-
tween the Stony mountain and a continuation of the Sharp mountain,
reaching nearly to the Susquehanna. This coal-field is about five miles
in width, between the northern slope of Sharp mountain and the south-
ern slope of Broad mountain ; and is divided by low ridges, or anticlinal
axes, caused by subterranean forces, into the minor basins of Broad moun-
tain. Mine hill, and Pottsville. Professor Rogers, the state geologist, re-
marks : " From geological evidences, too numerous and striking to be
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 603
questioned, we infer that all the coal deposits of our anthracite region
owe their more or less inclined posture, and their limits, to the influence
of two grand causes, namely — subterranean elevation, and the superficial
d(muding action of a deluge." " Connected with this violent upheaving ac-
tion of the coal strata, outside of the coal basins, enormous parallel wrink-
lings of the coal measures themselves have taken place, causing great intri-
cacy in the internal structure of many parts of these regions. This is aug-
mented by the existence of great dislocations, the results of the same
subterranean movements." To the same cause Prof. Rogers attributes
the peculiar phenomena discovered in Sharp mountain, throughout an
extent of probably thirty miles, indicating that the coal measures of that
mountain have been tilted over backwards, or towards the north, break-
ing the coal up into small flakes, and giving to its strata a dip contrary
to that which they should naturally have on the southern side of the basin.
Broad and Sharp mountains, the boundaries of the basin, are cUt down
at various places, by the difierent streams that take their rise in the coal-
field, or pass through it. It is penetrated by the Little Schuylkill, at Ta-
maqua, by the river Schuylkill at Pottsville, by the West Branch at Mi-
nersville, and by Swatara creek at Pine Grove ; and at the west by the
Wiconisco and Stony creeks. The northern boundary is also cut through
by Roush's creek, a branch of Mahantango. These creeks, or passes
through the mountains, afford outlets for the coal, and favorable sites for
the location of canals and railroads. The principal of these improve-
ments are the Schuylkill Navigation, penetrating the first coal-field at
Pottsville, and terminating at Port Carbon ; the Reading railroad, termi-
nating, itself, at Pottsville, but connecting there with another railroad up
the Schuylkill valley, ten miles — with the Danville and Pottsville rail-
road, and several other small roads diverging from Pottsville — and with
the West Branch railroad at Schuylkill Haven, and the Little Schuylkill
railroad at Port Clinton. The Union canal reaches near to the coal-field
at Pine Grove, from which railroads diverge to the mines. These larger
railroads have innumerable lateral branches, communicating with each
diff*erent mine. Besides these improvements, there is an excellent stoned
turnpike leading from Reading, through Orwigsburg and Pottsville, to
Sunbury. Iron-ore of good quality has been found at a number of the
coal-mines, and a successful attempt has been made, at Pottsville^ in
reducing iron-ore with the anthracite ; but hitherto the coal business
has been found the most profitable. The original population of the lower
part of the county consisted of German farmers from Berks (bounty ; the
greater part of the miners are Welsh and Irish, with a sprinkling of Scotch
and Germans ; and the trading classes in the coal-region are from Penn-
sylvania, New York and New England, and Ireland.
As early as 1790, a few quiet German farmers, among whom was the
founder of Orwigsburg, had ventured up from the more thickly settled
parts of Bucks county, into the red-shale valleys between the Kittatinny
and Second mountain. These settlements increased, as all German set-
tlements do, very slowly and surely, until the establishment of the county,
in 1811, aided to build up the county town, and infused a more vigorous
growth in the settlement. Still the region above Second mountain re-
mained a desolate wilderness : a lonely road ran through the wild gorges,
and over the Broad mountain, to Sunbury ; and here and there was the
604 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
cabin of some daring backwoodsman, or hardy lumberman, who kept an
humble house of entertainment for the few who were compelled to go
over the road. As for the lands that now sell for their $100,000, for a
small tract, and pour forth annually their thousand tons of coal, if they
had the honor of being owned at all, they were known only as the value-
less property of some venerable German, or lone widow, who esteemed
it a burden to pay the taxes. Some of them had been taken, and some
of them had been refused, by city merchants, in payment for desperate
debts. The following history of the discovery and introduction of the
coal of this region into notice, is from a report made, in 1833, to the Coal
Mining Association ; and from a report to the state senate, in 1834, by
Samuel J. Packer, Esq. : —
So early as 1790, coal was known to abound in this county ; but, it being of a different quality
from that known to our smiths as bituminous coal, and being hard of ignition, it was deemed
useless, until about the year 1795, when a blacksmith, named Whetstone, brought it into notice,
by using it in his smithery. His success induced several to dig for coal, and, when found, to at-
tempt the burning of it ; but the difficulty was so great that it did not succeed.
About tlie year 1800, a Mr. William Morriss, who owned a large tract of land in the neigh-
borhood of Port Carbon, procured a quantity of coal, and took it to Philadelphia ; but he was
imable, with all his exertions, to bring it into notice. He abandoned all his plans, returned, and
sold his lands to Mr. Pott, the late proprietor. From that time to about the year 1806, no fur-
ther efforts to use it were made. About that time, in cutting the tail-race for the Valley Forge,
on the Schuylkill, they struck on a seam of coal, which induced David Berlin, a blacksmith in
the neighborhood, to make trial of it. His success was complete ; and from that period it hag
been partially used.
In the year 1812, our fellow-citizen. Col. George Shoemaker, procured a quantity of coal from
a shaft sunk on a tract he had recently purchased, on the Norwegian, and now owned by the
North American Coal Company, and known as the Centreville mines. With this he loaded nine
wagons, and proceeded to Philadelphia. Much time was spent by him in endeavoring to intro-
duce it to notice ; but all his efforts proved unavailing. Those who deigned to try it declared
Col. Shoemaker to be an impostor, for attempting to impose stone on them for coal ; and were
clamorous against him. Not discouraged by the sneers and sarcasms cast upon him, he persistcl
in the undertaking ; and at last succeeded in disposing of two loads, for the cost of transporta.
lion. The remaining seven he gave to persons who promised to try to use it, and lost all the
coal and charges. Messrs. Mellon and Bishop, at his earnest solicitation, were induced to make
trial of it in their rolling-mill, in Delaware county; and finding it to answer fully the character
given it by Col. Shoemaker, noticed its usefulness in the Philadelphia papers. From that period
we may date the triumph of reason, aided by perseverance, over prejudice.
At this period the mountains were but partially explored, and the scant but hardy population
of the county depended, in a great measure, on hunting, for their immediate wants ; and on lum.
ber for supplying those articles of foreign product that were required for their comforts or necea-
sitics. The lumber procured during the winter was formed into rafts, and sent down when spring
freshets rendered the river navigable. By this uncertain and, at all times, precarious mode of
conveyance, the product of this county was conveyed to market, until the canal was completed,
in the year 1825.
In the year 1814, a few of the most enterprising of the citizens projected a canal from Phila-
delphia to this place, under an impression that the lumber of Schuylkill county, and the grain
df the counties bordering on tlie Susquehanna, would find a vent, and ultimately afford a divi-
dend to the stockholders. At that period there were a few who looked forward to a time when
the coal from this county would be the principal article of export, and would become an article
of general use ; but the number was small, and a vast majority looked on the formation of a ca-
nal, through this wild and mountainous region, as a chimerical scheme, more fitted for specula-
tors in a stock-market than from any benefit that might result to the stockholders or the public.
In the year 1813, several small openings were made, in different parts of the county, by sink-
ing shafts ; and the coal taken out was vended to tl'.e smiths, and others in the neighborhood, at
twenty-five cents per bushel, or $3 50 per ton, at the pit's mouth. These shafts were sunk but a
few feet, in the crop of the vein, and the coal raised by means of the common windlass and
buckets ; and, so soon as they attained a depth where the water became troublesome, (which sel-
dom exceeded thirty feet,) the shaft was abandoned and another sunk, and the same process un-
dergone.
In the year 1823, an improvement was made in the mode of working, in substituting horse-
power, by the gin, for the windlass heretofore used ; by which they are enabled to clear the watei
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 605
from the shafts with greater facility, and to sink further on the veins. But with this (as it was
then conceived) great improvement, they were only enabled to run down the vein for a short dis-
tance ; and the coal, in point of comparison, was inferior — as experience has since taught that
the crop is not equal to the coal that is taken out lower, and when the roof and floor have at-
tained the regularity and hardness so necessary to ensure good coal.
As far back as 1814, drifts had been run on the heads of veins, in several places, and the coal
biouo-ht from them in wheelbarrows ; but it was not until 1827 that the railroad was introduced
into drifts. From that period to the present, drifts have been the universal mode. Improve-
ments have been making from that to the present time ; and it is believed they have attained that
degree of perfection which has so long been desired, and such as to enable the miner to work on
the best and cheapest plan.
The Schuylkill Navigation Company were incorporated without mining and trading privileges ;
and hence it was, and of consequence must continue to be, their interest to invite tonnage from
every quarter, and from every source. This valuable improvement, 108 miles in length, was
commenced in 1815, and completed at an expense of ,$2,966,480. Tolls were first taken in
1818, amounting to $233 ; and from that time until 1825, it does not appear, from the annual
reports of the company, that any account was kept of the tolls on the separate articles of ton-
nage, but that the whole amounted, for the year 1824, to $635. The next year, 1825, at which
period may be dated the commencement of the coal-trade on the Schuylkill, the tolls increased
to $15,775. Of this sum, $9,700 were received from coal. Having a free navigation, open to
all who chose to participate in its facilities, and entering the first coal-field at its centre, individ-
uals of capital and enterprise were attracted to the scene, and railroads constructed, diverging in
all directions to the mines. Laborers and mechanics, of all kinds and from all nations, thronged
to the place, and found ready and constant employment. A new era seemed to have dawned in
the mountains. The wilderness was subdued. The coal basin seemed to be literally running
over with active and resolute adventurers ; a rapidly growing population became established : the
wild animal was driven back to give place to a host of miners, who now pierce its thousand hills.
Houses, many of which are costly and splendid, and towns, the principal of which is Pottsville,
sprang up in various parts of the region. Coal-lands, the basis of all this promising superstruc-
ture, grew rapidly in value. Being owned by numerous individuals, or yet remaining the property
of the state, and considered until now scarcely worth the taxes, they were eagerly sought after,
and presented strong inducements for the investment of capital. Sales were made to a large
amount ; it being now estimated that four millions of dollars have been invested in lands in the
first coal district. Many individuals purchased lands and removed upon them, with their fami-
lies, designing to convert them into permanent residences ; and, as the farmer cultivates his farm,
to prosecute the mining business with their own hands, and their own means. Other lands are
held by capitalists, some residing in the district, and some at a distance ; the mining operations
being carried on by tenants. Associations of individuals, forming joint-stock companies, having
obtained charters for the mining of coal, from the legislatures of other states, also purchased
lands, which, to evade the statutes of mortmain, declared to be in force in Pennsylvania, were
held in virtue of deeds of trust, and were used and occupied by those companies. Two of them,
viz. the Delaware Coal Co. and the North American Coal Co., were incorporated [in 1833] for
the term of five years.
Capital was thus introduced, and important public improvements made. The country has
grown and flourished beyond example. The farmer shared alike the general prosperity, in the
new, convenient, and certain market for all his produce. In the midst of this hum of industry,
this tide of prosperity, and flow of capital, it was not to have been expected that a spirit of spec
ulation should have remained entirely dormant, or all who purchased lands did so with the bona
fide intention either of occupying them themselves, by actual resident settlement, or of realizing
their expenditures from the product of the mines. Hence a fictitious value was sometimes given
to coal-lands. Calculations being made to ascertain the number of square yards of coal con-
tained in an acre of land, and its value ; and some calculating also the quantity that each acre
was capable of producing, without either knowing that it contained coal at all, or counting the
cost, labor, and expense of producing it ; the adventurer considered the sum of one, two, or three
thousand dollars per acre a very inadequate price. The few who thus ran into error and extrav-
agance, and purchased lands under these impressions, and with these expectations, (and it is
rather a matter of surprise that the number was not greater,) were compelled either to lose money
themselves, or impose their losses upon others. They were therefore interested in producing fluc-
tuations and uncertainty, rather than steadiness and certainty, in the coal market. Their for-
tunes could not be injured by the most sudden change, but might possibly be benefited ; and if(
a supply of coal were one year withheld, in order that the price might advance to ten, twelve, or
fifteen dollars per ton, data would be afforded for another estimate of the value of their lands, by
the square yard of coal, and the owner again realize, and perhaps double, the amount of his pur-
chase money. These, however, are of the things that have been, and it is believed have now
passed away. It is not now in the power of the speculator seriously to affect, nor of the monop-
olist permanently to control, the coal-trade of Pennsylvania. This mineral is happily too vast.
606
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
and the facilities for traftspdrting it to market too numerous and diversified, to be gfasped by thft
hand of one or the other. At one time, and but a few years since, this might have been doncj
had the locahties of our coal deposits been acfcuratfely known. But this knowledge was imparted
in proportion as the interest or ambition of one impels him ahead of another, and as necessity
leads to invention and discovery ; and it is not now probable that such a state of things wUl ever
occur.
The following table exhibits the quantity of coal shipped for the different mining regions of
Pennsylvania, from the commencement of the trade ; together with the annual amount of in-
crease and consumption, and quantity remaining over unsold, and disposed of on the line of the
canal : —
Year.
SchuylkUl.
Lehigh.
Pine Grove,
Shamokin. Wilkesbarre. Lackawanna.
Aggregate.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons. Tons Tons.
Tons.
1820....
365
• ..
• •
365
1821....
;
1,073
..
1,073
1822....
2,240
...
.;
2,240
1823....
, *....•
5,523
...
..
5,523
1824....
,
9,541
..
9,541
1825....
6,500
28,393
..
••• >.;*■•
34,593
1826....
16,776
31,280
...
i.
48,047
1827....
31,360
32,074
..
63,434
1828....
47,284
30,232
77,516
1829....
79,973
25,110
..
7,000
112,083
1830....
89,984
41,750
..
43,000
174,734
1831....
81,853
40,966
....I.
.;.
54,000
176,520
1832....
209,271
70,000
..
84,600
363,871
1833....
252,971
123,000
....
..
111,777
487,748
1834....
226,692
106,244
4
.»
43,700
376,636
1835...
339,508
131,250
...
..
90,000
560,758
1836....
432,045
146,522
....
.. ...
103,561
682,428
1837....
523,152
225,937
17,000
115,387
881,476
1838....
433,875
214,211
13,000
.. ;..
78,207
739,293
1839....
442,608
221,850
20,639
11,930
122,300
819,327
1840....
452,291
225,288
23,860
15,505
148,470
865,444
1841....
584,692
142,841
17,653
21,463
192,270
958,899
1842....
540,892
272,129
32,381
10,000 47,346 205,253
1,108,001
Total
... 4,791,719
Annual
2,128,099
Unsold
127,533
58,i
i98 47,346 1,399,825
Annual Unsold
8,550,420
Sold on
Sold on
Year.
Increase. Consumet
. AprU 1.
Canal.
Year.
Increase.
Consumed. April 1.
Canal.
Tons. Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons. Tons.
Tons.
1820
1832
187,051
298,871 None.
13,429
1821
708
1833
123,877
434,986 65,100
19,429
1822
1,167
1834
Decr'se.
415,186 117,762
18,571
1823
3,598
1835
184,122
635,935 79,212
17,863
1824
3,718 ...;:.
1836
121,670
632,428 4,035
21,749
1825
25,352
1837
199,048
680,441 54,035
28,775
1826
13,154
3,154
1838
Decr'se.
788,968 255,070
30,390
1827
15,837
3,372
1839
80,034
867,000 205,395
28,924
1828
14,082
3,322
1840
46,087
973,136 157,622
41,223
1829
34,567
5,321
1841
93,485
958,899 100,000
40,584
1830
62,651
6,150
1842
149,102
100,000
34,619
1831
2,086 177,00C
10,048
Although mining coal for shipment was commenced in the Schuylkill region in 1825, five years
later than the Lehigh, there has been 1,080,552 tons more sent to market from this region than
from all the other anthracite regions in the state combined.
The magnitude of this trade Well corresponds with the amount of capital invested in the differ,
ent improvements of the region. Upwards of four millions of dollars have been invested in the
following manner : 65 miles of incorporated railroads, 40 miles of individual railroads, 50 miles
do. under ground ; 2000 railroad cars, 1500 drift carS ; 17 collieries below water level, with steam*,
engines, pumps, &c. ; 100 collieries above water level ; 80 landings ; 850 canal boats ; 900 boat
horses, &.c. There are thirty-one steam-engines in the county, including colliery engines, —
amounting to upwards of one thousand horse power. Twenty-three of these engines were manu-
factured in Schuylkill county. Previous to 1841, the horse-power was only 350 ; during the last
two years there was an addition of 370 horse power, making, in the aggregate, 720 horse power
engaged in collieries.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 607
Orwigsburg, the county town, is a rural village, situated on the Read-
ing and Sunbury turnpike, in a pleasant valley about five miles east of
Schuylkill Haven, and five miles southeast from Pottsville. The town
contains a courthouse and other public offices, situated on a spacious
square in the centre, an academy incorporated in 1813, and a Lutheran
church, of stone, erected about the year 1831.
Orwigsburg was laid out by Peter Orwig in 1796, but was not much
settled until after the separation of the county from Berks, when it was
made the county seat. It was incorporated as a borough 12th March,
1813. The population was, in 1820, 600 ; in 1830, 773 ; in 1840, 779.
The citizens are chiefly of German origin, and speak that language. The
public and private edifices are well built, and the village has a neat and
quiet appearance ; w^hile the smiling farms and verdant orchards around
it denote the thrift of the German farmers. The history of such a people
is soon told. They have cleared and cultivated their lands, attended to
their own business, begotten sons and daughters, and been gathered to
their fathers. Speculation has rattled and roared among the mountains
beyond them, but has not seduced them from their persevering industry
and frugal habits. Although the population of Pottsville and its vicinity
far outnumbers that of the townships around Orwigsburg, yet the latter
still retains its dignity as the county seat, in consequence of the balanced
state of political parties.
It is said that at the junction of the little creek that winds around Or-
wigsburg with the Schuylkill, was an ancient Indian village, on or near
Scollop hill. No vestige of it now remains.
Pottsville, the principal town of the county, and the great mart of the
coal trade, is situated just above the gorge by which the Schuylkill breaks
through Sharp mountain. The main branch of the rjver here comes in
from the east, and, receiving Norwegian creek from the north, turns sud-
denly to the south and flows away through the gorge. Pottsville proper,
as seen in the accompanying view, occupies the northern slope of the
mountain, and the valley of Norwegian creek. Immediately below it,
on a narrow neck along the turnpike, is Morrisville ; — near the junction
of the streams, to the left of the point, is Greenwood ; and below the
junction, immediately in the gorge, is Mount Carbon. All these were
incorporated on the 19th Feb. 1828, in the borough of Pottsville, which
also includes what were once known as Bath, Salem, and Allenville.
Pottsville is famous for its rapid growth, and the speculations that ac-
companied its origin. In 1822, the house since known as the White Horse
tavern was kept by Mr. John Pott, who owned land in the vicinity, as a
sort of watering-place for the stages on the Sunbury road. In 1824, we
hear of five scattered dwellings in the vicinity. The causes which led to
the influx of miners and speculators about the year 1825, have been de-
scribed above. The town was soon laid out — or rather several towns —
for each prominent adventurer had his favorite location ; and as each
successive arrival of greedy adventurers tended to fan the flame of
speculation, town lots and coal tracts (some with coal and many whose
coal was but imaginary) doubled, trebled, and quadrupled in value, and
passed from hand to hand like currency. Houses were rapidly construct-
ed to accommodate the immense crowds that came to search for lots and
lands, and in 1828 we hear of several excellent stone houses and stores,
COS SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
Others of brick and frame, a weekly newspaper, (the Miner's Journal,) a
reading room, hotels, &c. Messrs. John and Benjamin Pott had al'so
erected their Greenwood furnace and forge, and were making iron from
ore obtained below the Blue mountain. The next year " Clinton row,"
on Mahantango-st., and another row of houses, were erected ; and such
was the activity in building, that it became necessary to send to Phila-
delphia for lumber, to use in a region that hitherto had exported little
else than lumber and coal. A daily stage to Philadelphia was also es-
tablished in that year, and a trip of 14 hours was " cracked up" as some-
thing remarkable. A dozen little towns had already risen around Potts-
ville. Railroads also began then to be introduced, imparting a new im-
petus to the coal trade. The Schuylkill Valley, the Mill Creek, and the
Mount Carbon railroads were started in that year. The following ex-
tract from the Miner's Journal for 1829, will give an idea of the rapid rise
of coal lands.
Five years ago, [1824,] the "Peacock" tract of coal-land, belonging to the New York and
Schuylkill Coal Co., was purchased by them for the sum of $9,000. Last week it was sold, and
bought in by the original seller, for the sum of !^42,000. The present owner, we understand,
would not dispose of it for ,$70,000.
A tract of 120 acres, on the Broad mountain, was disposed of for the sura of $12,000 ; wkich
was bought nine months ago for $1,400.
One fourtii of another tract, of 450 acres, on the Broad mountain, has been disposed of for
$9,000 ; at which rate the whole tract would be worth $36,000. But this estimate is too low :
the remaining three fourths will bring that sum alone, at the present time. This tract was pur-
chased, about six years ago, for $190.
A tract on the West Branch sold for $6,000, which was purchased nine months ago for $700.
Another tract sold for $16,000, which was purchased nine months ago for $1,000.
All these sales have taken place within the last week, besides several others, of which we have
not heard the particulars.
In 1831, the number of buildings had increased to 535, of which there
were 62 of brick, and 68 of stone ; together with an Episcopal church, a
meeting-house, and a beautiful structure for the Miners' Bank, of which the
front is of cast-iron ; and the commodious hotels of Mr. Seitzinger and
Col. Shoemaker. There were also 70 stores, richly stocked, among which
were those of two booksellers and stationers, and of tailors, milliners,
and dressmakers. And they boasted too of a circulating library, a me-
chanics' library, and Exchange Reading-rooms ; two newspapers ; and a
seminary, under the care of J. Sanderson, Esq. A writer in the Potts-
ville Advocate, early in 1831, thus speaks of the place. We make the
extract by way of recording the names, that are contained in it, of some
of the enterprising men of that day, and giving our readers an opportu-
nity of comparing the state of things then with present appearances.
The town of Pottsville, by the late census, contains upwards of 2,500 inhabitants. The fluc-
tuating population having withdrawn, there may be a trifling decrease ; for, at the time when the
census was taken, we were thronged with strangers, drawn to the place by the ill-advised and
premature uproar so foolishly raised about it. That, however, fortunately did no essential harm,
and is an earnest that, for the future, it is not even in the power of our friends to injure us. We
have now seventy stores, of various kinds, richly s'tocked, many of them rivalling those of Phil-
adeJphia in appearance.
Since last spring, about 50 new brick buildings have been erected in the town, more than half
of which are large three-story houses. Among these are the uniform stores erected by Jamea
Appleton, at the upper part of Centre-st. Jacob Alter has also erected three handsome stores
in the neighborhood of the Arcade.
Nor are our private houses less creditable to us than our public improvements. Among tho3<
which have lately been completed, we would mention Francis B. Nichols's and Abraham Potts's,
on Market-st., J. Sanderson's, Burd Patterson's, on Mahantango-st., J. C. Offerman's, on Centre
e ;s-n
,s^
"S a be
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 609
St., and many others less remarkable ; but imparting an air of neatness and comfort not often
seen in towns of such rapid growth. In the lower part of the town, we have Thomas Ridge-
way's, and several others, comprising part of what is usually called Morrisville, which, with
Mount Carbon, forms a striking entrance to the town from the south.
We must not omit to mention M. B. Buckley's beautiful addition to Pottsville, distinguished
by the name of Greenwood ; occupying a point remarkable for its beauty, and the varied scenery
which it commands. Among the improvements, we remark a large stone hotel, and a row of
handsome stone houses. In the rear, on the river-road to Port Carbon, there is a large brewery,
in full operation, established by A. Y. Moore, enabling us to boast of beer fully equal to that of
Philadelphia.
Adjoining Morrisville, as we remarked above, stands Mount Carbon, which, under the foster-
ing care of John White, now fully equals any part of the town in appearance. During the past
season, many valuable additions have been completed ; particularly a hotel, which would do
credit to a city, and a row of stores. The Norwegian railroad terminates here.
Mount Carbon comprises the southern extremity of Pottsville. It stands on the Schuylkill,
at the foot of the Sharp mountain, lying in the valley between that and Second mountain.
Its situation is romantic ; the abrupt hills, rising almost perpendicularljf around, are strikingly
grand ; while the Schuylkill, winding through the gorges of the mountain, completes a scene of
picturesque beauty unsurpassed by the points in whose praise our northern tourists are so fluent.
Sharp mountain itself is a remarkable natural curiosity ; resembling a rampart-boundary to the
coal region on the south.
The original town of Mount Carbon received considerable additions during the last year.
Since the closing of navigation, the lock at the mouth of the canal has been renewed,
under the superintendence of Mr. Mills, the agent for the Canal Co. In the pool above are the
docks of Messrs. Ellmaker, Audenreid, and White and Coombe, who have two docks at the rear
of their storehouses, each 28 feet wide ; and in length one is 100 and the other 150 feet. Beyond
are Mr. Eldridge's landings, adjoining the range now constructing for Messrs. Thouron and Mac-
gregor. On the opposite side lie the boat-yards of Mr. Shelly, and the extensive landings of the
North American Co. Again on the left are Mr. S. J. Pott's wharves ; those of Messrs. Morris ;
and Mr. C. Storer's boat-yard, on which we perceive he is erecting a screw-dock. The latter lie
at the foot of Morrisville.
The pool below the bridge affords wharves to the storehouses of Messrs. Moore and Graham,
Nathans, Thurston, and others. Several new landings are here constructing, the margin of the
river presenting every facility for works of this nature. The principal buildings lately erected
are a range of stone stores and dwelling-houses, the hotel on Centre-st. ; and on Market-st. six
stone and twelve frame buildings. The hotel is a beautiful edifice of stone, 45 feet wide by 82,
exclusive of the piazza, which presents a promenade to each story, embracing a view of the
mountainous scenery around. These improvements are owing to the enterprising spirit of Messrs.
White and Coombe.
The Mount Carbon railroad, projected as an outlet for the rich coal formations of the Norwe-
gian creek valleys, was commenced in Oct. 1829, under the superintendence of William R. Hop-
kins, chief-engineer, and John White, president. At the termination the road is elevated upon
31 piers of masonry, erected upon the landings ; thence it passes through the gap of Sharp
mountain, across the landings before mentioned, following the valley of the Schuylkill to Morris-
ville. At this point we have, on the left, Messrs. Morris's mines, and on the opposite side of the
river, on the Lippincott and Richards tract, the mines now worked by Mr. Baraclough. The
road here leaves the Schuylkill, at its junction with the Norwegian creek, stretching up the valley
of the latter, parallel with the Greenwood improvements, directly through Pottsville, to the forks :
a distance of 6,208 feet from the piers. Below this are the mines now working by Mr. M'Kech-
ney, and several openings on land belonging to D. J. Rhoads, Esq.
On the last branch, which is 14,200 feet in length, the first lateral above the forks belongs to
the North American Co., and leads to their Centreville collieries, where they have twelve open-
ings, upon the celebrated Lewis and Spohn veins. This coal is in high estimation, and has
greatly aided in establishing the reputation of Schuylkill county coal, in the eastern markets.
Beyond thi-i the road passes through Benjamin Pott's lands, and again strikes the Spohn vein at
the east mines of the North American Co. The Hillsborough tract comes next, on the right, on
which are several openings. Here we diverge to the left, through the celebrated Peach mountain
tract, belonging to J. White, and pass five openings made by him. Next the Rose hill tract,
owned by L. Ellmaker : on these lands are several mines, leased by the Messrs. Warner, Wade,
and others, near the town of Wadesville : a thriving little place, laid out by Mr. Ellmaker. Above
the town, the lateral road from Capt. Wade's mine comes down. The east branch terminates
upon the Flowery field tract, belonging to Messrs. Bonsall, Wetherill, and Cummings. This land
has been extensively worked by various individuals.
The West Branch commences at Marysville, on the Oak hill tract, and is 16,400 feet in length.
On this estate are the mines leased by Messrs. Smith, Hart, Maxwell, Wade, Hall, Depnis, Gal-
lagher, and Martin. Among those are the celebrated Diamond and Oak hill veins. We must
77
610 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
not omit the hotel kept here, by Mr. B. Gallagher, at a convenient distance from Pottsville for aa
excursion. Below Oak hill arc the Green park and Clinton tracts ; the former belonging to John
White, and the latter to Mrs. Spohn. At Green park there is one opening under the superintend-
ence of Mr. James Dill. Adjoining this is the Belmont estate — also John White's. Next the
Thouron tract, a portion of which has been purchased by Benj. Pott ; the Spohn vein passing
through it. Contiguous are the Spohn, Lewis, and Duncan estates. The railroad here passes
B. Pott's saw-mill, and extends in a perfectly straight line, a mile in length, nearly to the junc-
tion with the main road.
Since the above extract was published, now twelve years, many im-
portant changes have taken place. Old mines have been exhausted or
abandoned, and new ones opened ; a great number of new railroads have
been constructed ; several mines have been explored, and profitably
worked, below the water level. The geology of the region has been
fully explored ; the Pottsville, Reading, and Philadelphia railroad has
been opened, in 1842, affording daily communication in seven hours to
Philadelphia, and promising to effect a complete revolution in the trans-
portation of coal ; the speculations of 1836 have expanded and exploded.
Pottsville has increased its population from 2,424 in 1830, and 3,117 in
1835, to 4,345 in 1840 ; and is now a compact, bustling place. Its trade,
no longer driven back and forth by the tide of speculation, has settled, or
is settling, into a steady channel, well understood, and well managed by
capitalists, merchants, and miners. The town now contains a handsome
Episcopal church, and a splendid new Catholic cathedral, both in the
Gothic style ; a German Catholic church, and neat edifices for the Pres-
byterian, Baptist, and Methodist denominations ; an academy ; a spacious
town hall ; a splendid hotel, called Pennsylvania Hall, and several
other spacious hotels ; a furnace, at which iron has been successfully
made with anthracite coal ; a forge and rolling-mill ; a large foundry ; a
steam-engine factory and machine shop ; a boat-yard, brewery, &c.
The Danville and Pottsville railroad, designed to connect the Schuyl-
kill Navigation, at Pottsville, w^ith the Susquehanna at Danville and Sun-
bury, was projected in 1820, and was completed in 1834 as far as Girard-
ville, a small hamlet of three or four houses, ten miles north of Pottsville.
Sixteen miles are also completed on the Sunbury end. The death of its
chief patrons, the late Stephen Girard, and Gen. Daniel Montgomery, of
Danville, with whom the project originated, has retarded the progress of
the work. On the ten miles near Pottsville, a tunnel of 700 feet long,
and four inclined planes, have been constructed at an enormous expense ;
but the tunnel 2,500 feet long, into the Girard coal-mines, on Mahanoy,
is but partially completed. Until this is done, this part of the road can-
not be profitably used, and the superstructure is now rotting in the sun.
(A notice of the opening of the Reading railroad will be found on page
142.)
As the mines in favorable situations, above the water level, become
exhausted, it is necessary either to seek new ones at a greater dis-
tance, and an increased cost of transportation, or to dive deeper into the
bowels of the earth. The latter course has been adopted in several val-
uable mines, about Pottsville, by Mr. Charles Lawton, Messrs. Potts and
Bannan, Mr. Charles Ellet, the Delaware Coal Co., Milne and Haywood,
and Mr. George H. Potts, and others. Mr. Lawton is undermining the
very town of Pottsville itself These veins are inclined at an inclination
of about 40°. A wide shaft, or descending passage, is first sunk, at the-
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 611
inclination of the vein, wide enough for a double-track railroad^ upon
which the loaded cars are hauled to the top of the mine. The Miners'
Journal says, (in 1842) —
The colliery of Potts and Bannan is one of the most interesting of the kind in the region ; and
will well repay the trouble, and wc might add the fatigues, of a visit. The colliery is better
known as the Guinea hill, or Black mine, and is one of the deepest in our coal basin. The depth
of the slope is 400 feet, which, at an inclination of 40 degrees, would givb a perpendicular depth
of 252 feet into the very bowels of the earth. The pitch of the vein, as soon as it loses the in-
Buence of the hill, is very regular ; and the coal becomes of a purer and better quality, and is
found in greater masses between the slates. The colliery is worked with two steam-engines —
one of fifty-horse power, and the other of twenty. The former is used in pumping the water
which accumulates in the mines, and the latter in hoisting the coal in cars to the mouth of the
slope. The pump used in tlie colliery is of cast-iron, 12 inches in diameter, and extends the en-
lire depth of the slope — 400 feet. The column of water brought up by the engine, at each lift
of the pump, is equal in weight to about 8i tons.
At the depth of 200 feet of this slope, a tunnel has been driven 90 yards south to the Tunnel
vein, and 70 yards north to the Lawton vein — both through sohd rock ; which enables the pro-
prietors to "work three veins, with the present engines and fixtures. As the visitor leaves the slope,
and finds himself, lantern in hand, groping his way through the gangway into the heart of the
mine, he is half bewildered and startled, as the almost indistinct masses of coal, slate, dirt, &c.,
fashion themselves into something bordering upon a dark, dusky, and even forbidding outline. It
seems as if you had fallen upon a subterranean city, buried by some great convulsion of nature ;
and the illusion is still further heightened by observing workmen busUy engaged, apparently in
excavating the ruins. Or, if you are highly imaginative, and have read the Odyssey, you might
readily fancy the feelings of Ulysses, that " godlike and much-enduring man," when he paid a
visit to the infernal shades, for the purpose of ascertaining the shortest and most direct cut to his
beloved Ithaca. Homer, however, does not inform us whether or not the shades carried lamps
in their caps, without which the pick would be of little use to our miners.
Port Carbon, (which must not be confounded by our readers with
Mount Carbon,) is a very busy and thriving village on the main branch
of the Schuylkill, two miles northeast of Pottsville, and at the head of
the Schuylkill navigation. This place is happily located, surrounded al-
most by lofty mountains, well stored with the mineral wealth of the re-
gion, which can be conveyed to the landings with great facility. The
town was laid out in 1828 by several enterprising individuals ; the lots
adjoining the landings by Abraham Pott and Jacob W. Seitzinger: Law-
tonville, adjoining to the westward, was laid out by Wm, Lawton, Esq. ;
and Rhoadsville, on the continuation of the river Schuylkill, by Daniel J,
Rhoades, Esq. :■ — the whole of which constitute Port Carbon. Mill creek
enters the Schuylkill here, and a railroad along its valley brings down
the produce of the mines in the vicinity of St. Clairsville and New Cas-
tle. The Schuylkill valley railroad, with its numerous lateral intersec-
tions from the various openings in Mine hill, brings in a vast amount of
coal. This road passes through the small villages of Patterson, Middle-
port, New Philadelphia, and Tuscarora. These villages were laid out
about the year 1828, and have increased more or less according to the
mining business near them.
Minersvii.le is beautifully situated, 4 miles N. W. of Pottsville, in the
bosom of a valley through which meanders the western branch of the
♦Schuylkill. It is the most important towTi on the West Branch. It con-
tains a flouring-mill, steam saw-mill, foundry, car-manufactory, two or
three neat churches, and 1,265 inhabitants. The West Branch railroad
passes through the place. Nearly all the towns in Schuylkill co, were laid
out by several different speculators, each preferring their own hill or val-
ley, or landing-place, as the case might be, and each starting with a little
cluster of frame houses. Consequently all such towns are like Washing
612 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
ton city in one respect, cities " of magnificent distances." Minersville
forms no exception to the remark — it consists of three or four once dis-
tinct settlements, now nearly merged in one. It was laid out in 1829,
and in 1831 was incorporated as a borough. Its early growth was re-
markably rapid, as will appear by the following from the Miner's Jour-
nal of Dec. 1830:
A little more than a twelvemonth ago, the present site of the town dwelt in all the loneliness
of uncultivated nature, since whicn its aspect has undergone a wonderful change in improve-
ments and population. Along the margin of the stream the West Branch railroad extends, and
terminates at Schuylkill Haven, distance seven and a half miles from Minersville, affording an
easy and expeditious mode of transportation. The principal street bears the name of Sunbury,
on which are situated all tlie stores and public buildings. It was formerly the old Sunbury road,
communicating with the rich valleys in the direction of the Susquehanna. The northern portion
of the village is of firm, dry soil, gradually rising, and affording a southern exposure — of favora-
ble character for private dwellings. Seven large houses have already been erected during the
present season on this spot by Messrs. Bennett & Gilmore, together with a number of small
buildings in tiie same quarter. Last spring there were but six dwellings in all, since which there
has been an increase of forty-nine substantial houses. The place contains six taverns, in any
one of which are to be found respectable accommodations, eight stores, well supplied with every
article for country consumption, six blacksmith shops, one saddlery, one bakery, two tailors'
shops, and two butchers — all seeming to be in a thriving way. The population is estimated at
500 inhabitants. On Thursday evening, the 9th inst, a concert was given at Minersville by the
diminutive songstress. Miss Clark, at which a numerous audience attended. Her warblings, a
year ago, would have found an accompaniment in the uninterrupted solitude of a wilderness, in-
stead of being listened to with marked pleasure by an animated and numerous assembly.
On the West Branch, al)out two miles west of Minersville, is the little
village of Llewellyn, which obtained its name from the Welsh miners
employed in the vicinity. Two and a half miles northwest from Llewel-
lyn is the immense tunnel of the New York company now in progress,
under the superintendence of Mr. Deforest, the company's agent. This
tunnel, which is wide enough for a double track railroad, and has al-
ready been driven about 900 feet directly into Broad mountain, is opened
for the purpose of cutting the coal veins at right angles to their range.
From the tunnel drifts are made at right angles to it into each vein of
coal, and by means of these drifts the miners work out the breast of coal.
But perhaps the reader who is a stranger to the anthracite region may
not comprehend these terms. A tunnel among the miners is what has
been described above. A drift is a passage barely wide enough for a
horse and car, or rhan and car, to pass, — entering generally at the edge
or end of a coal vein, and following its range nearly on a level. The
coal veins in the anthracite region are generally inclined at angles vary-
ing from 30 to 60 degrees with the horizon, and usually a^op out, or reach
the surface of the hill, at a greater or less height. Sometimes they bend
over the hill — or saddle over, as the term is — without coming to the sur-
face at all. The height between the water level and the place where
the vein reaches the upper surface of the hill, is called a breast ; and a
vein is said to have itiore or less breast according to its height in the hill.
The first practice in mining coal was by quarrying, as at Mauch Chunk ;
or by opening vast caverns, witli columns of coal, as at Carbondale and
Wilkesbarre ; or by sinking shafts from the top of the hill, and hauling
up the coal, as at first in Schuylkill co., and as still in use for mines below
the water level ; but all these modes have yielded to the easier and
cheaper mode of drifting. The gorges of the small streams through
Mine hill and Broad mountain offered the best sites for drifts. But many
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 613
of these veins have been exhausted above the w^ater level, as far as the
owners on the streams have a right to work. Those who have no ac-
commodating stream to cut through their land for them, are therefore
obliged to adopt the mode of tunnelling. The lateral drifts are generally
let out to clubs of three or four miners in each, at so much per ton. These
men drive their car in along the drift. One of them with his pick digs
out the breast above the car in the shape of a broad chimney, letting his
lumps fall against some rails placed at the foot of the breast ; when a
load is thus accumulated, the miner below draws one of the rails — the
coal falls into the car, and is trundled out into the world. The miner
thus keeps working upward till he reaches the out-crop. To prevent the
mountain falling in where the coal has been taken out, stout props and
cross-pieces are placed at intervals along the drift and the breast. This
propping requires an immense quantity of timber, and the hills around
Pottsville have been consequently despoiled of their original forests.
When a mine has been long exhausted and abandoned, these props decay,
and the earth caves in. Lines of these unsightly holes begin to appear
in many parts of the region about Pottsville — some of them for half a
mile continuously.
On the West Branch, about three miles above Minersville, is a little
miner's hamlet called Coal Castle. A little west of this place, at the
"jugular vein" in Broad mountain, a coal mine took fire in the winter of
1838-39, and has since defied all attempts to extinguish it. It has even
roasted the rocky strata of the mountain above it, destroying every trace
of vegetation along the line of the breast, and causing vast yawning
chasms, where the earth has fallen in, from which issue hot and sulphur-
ous fumes, as from a volcano. The mine was ignited by a careless miner,
who, to moderate the temperature, placed a hanging grate at the mouth
of the drift. The fire communicated to the props, and then to the rail-
road, and such a heat was soon caused that it must have cracked ofi'
lumps of coal to feed the flames. It seems scarcely possible that the
compact vein itself can be on fire, although such may be the case. Two
unfortunate miners perished in the mine. The lessee, Mr. Dougherty,
after trying various expedients to extinguish it, abandoned it, with a heavy
loss.
New Castle, on the Sunbury turnpike, was laid out on the opening of
the coal trade, and such houses as it has are substantially built of stone ;
but it has increased very slowly.
Schuylkill Haven is situated on the left bank of the river, four miles
below Pottsville, and immediately below the junction of the West Branch.
Fertile farms and very picturesque scenery surround the town, and the
bright river here meanders among the broad meadows as if delighted
with being unrestrained by the rocky precipices of the coal region. This
place was laid out in 1829, by Mr. Daniel J. Rhodes and others. The
West Branch railroad here communicates with the Schuylkill Navigation,
and the transhipment of the coal has created a business, upon which the
town has thrived. It now contains two or three churches, schools, a
weigh lock for canal boats, a grist and saw mill, and two bridges across
the Schuylkill. The population may be estimated at about 700. The
county almshouse, one rrlile east of Schuylkill Haven, is a spacious brick
edifice, with a fine farm attached, which does great credit to the county.
614 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
At Scollop hill, three miles below Schuylkill Haven, the canal passes
through a long and expensive tunnel. The West Branch railroad brings
in the product of many rich mines. It has been constructed in a substan-
tial manner, and of such dimensions that the heavy cars of the Reading
railroad, with which it here intersects, may run upon it. What effect
this circumstance may have upon the welfare of Schuylkill Haven, by
dispensing with the necessity of transhipment, remains to be determined*
In the annexed view, part of one of the churches is seen on the left — in
Schuylkill Haven.
the foreground is the river and basin, with its numerous boats and rail*
road tracks, and a little beyond, on the right, is the bridge of the Reading
railroad.
TAMAauA was laid out in 1820, by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co.,
on the Little Schuylkill river, 17 miles above its junction with the main
stream, and 15 miles east of Pottsville. It lies in a deep valley, shut in
by the Sharp and Locust mountains. It is now quite a smart village,
with some half dozen stores, several taverns, two churches, a car and
coach manufactory, and 465 inhabitants. It depends for its support upon
the mines that surround it. Like the other coal towns, it is built on a
scale of magnificent distances. There are several detachments^ or regi-
ments of houses, on the main road, up the river, down the river, and on
the hill. Above the village, on a high eminence, stands the Catholic
church, bidding defiance, as it were, to the Lutheran or Presbyterian
church, which looks down from another eminence. The annexed view
was taken at the western entrance of the street, on the Pottsville road.
On the hill east of the village, the large mansion erected by Mr. Burd
Patterson, and now occupied by Mr. Franklin, makes quite a conspicuous
appearance.
The Lehigh Co. own large tracts of coal-lands in this vicinity. A con-
tinuation of the Little Schuylkill road, to connect with the Quakake and
Catawissa railroad, was projected ; but the Catawissa road has not been
made. A stage-road connects Tamaqua with the Mauch Chunk rail-
SOMERSET COUNTY
615
Tamaqua.
road, five miles east, and with the Schuylkill Valley railroad, four miles
west.
Port Clinton is a thriving place, laid out in 1829, at the mouth of Little
Schuylkill river. It has grown up by the shipment here of the product
of the mines around Tamaqua.
Pine Grove is situated on the right bank of the Swatara creek, in the
valley between the Kittatinny and Second mountains, about 14 miles
west of Pottsville. A branch of the Union canal has been extended to
this place ; and a railroad extends up the Swatara, four or five miles, to
the coal-mines on Lorberry creek, and the main branch of Swatara,
above Sharp mountain. About 20,000 tons of coal were shipped from
this region in 1841. A forge has been established here since 1828. This
region, before the coal-trade commenced, was settled by a few scattered
German farmers and lumbermen, from Lebanon co.
SOMERSET COUNTY.
Somerset county was taken from Bedford, by the act of 17th April, 1795.
Length 38 miles, breadth 28 ; area 1,066 sq. miles. Population in 1800,
10,188; in 1810, 11,284; in 1820, 13,890 ; in 1830, 17,741 ; and in 1840,
19,650. The county is composed of a high and rather level table-land,
between the Great Allegheny mountain and Laurel hill. It abounds in
what are called glades — level wet lands, about the head-waters of the
numerous streams that rise in this county. The climate of this elevated
region is too cold, and the summers too short, for raising corn ; and the
land is generally too wet for wheat. Oats, rye, hay, and potatoes are the
principal crops, for which a ready market is found among the numerous
drovers and wagoners crossing the mountains by the " glades road." This
road, not being macadamized, affords a softer path to the tender feet
616 SOMERSET COUNTY.
of the fat cattle of the west. The glades, when properly managed, form
productive dairy farms. The well-known glades butter bears the palm in
Baltimore and Washington. Besides the Allegheny and Laurel Hill
mountains, the Negro mountain, a bold ridge, runs up from Maryland,
nearly to the centre of the county ; the Little Allegheny mountain forms
the southeastern boundary ; and Savage mountain crosses the southern
boundary from Maryland, and unites with the Little Allegheny near Wills'
creek. Laurel Hill creek and Castleman's river water the southern end
of the county, uniting with the Yougli'ogheny. Wills' creek drains the
valley between the Great and Little Allegheny mountains ; and the Que-
mahoning, Stony, and Shade creeks water the northern end, flowing into
the Conemaugh, in Cambria co. Seams of coal, from three to five feet in
thickness, are opened in various townships. In some of the shales be-
tween the coal-seams occur thin flaggy bands of iron-ore, of considerable
purity. There likewise exists a bed of limestone, nearly three feet in
thickness. Iron-ore prevails about Elk Lick creek, near Castleman's
river, and in many places along the western declivity of the Allegheny
mountain. Bog-ore is also found, but the deposits rarely give evidence
of a large supply.
The citizens of this county are chiefly of German descent, and German
is the prevailing language. In 1830 this population was divided into the
following religious sects : the Lutheran, having 17 churches, German
Reformed 12, Methodists 8, Mennonists 5, Baptists 4, Omish 4, Presby-
terians 2, and Roman Catholic 1.
The principal business of the county is grazing. The raising of sheep,
with a view to wool-growing, for the last few years, has claimed the at-
tention of the farmers. A furnace and forge were established by Messrs.
Mark Richards & Co., on Shade creek : the forge only is in operation.
Another forge was owned by D. Livingston, but is not in operation.
The national road passes through the southwestern part of the county.
Glade turnpike, from Washington to Bedford, passes through the centre ;
a clay turnpike runs seven miles south of the Glade road. The Cham-
bersburg and Pittsburg turnpike passes ten miles north of Somerset,
through Stoystown. The Somerset and Cumberland turnpike opens a
communication with the Baltimore railroad, at Cumberland. About two
miles north of the Glade turnpike, 14 miles east of Somerset, is the low-
est depression in the Allegheny mountain.
In the southwestern part of the county, about 20 miles from Somerset,
there are three ancient fortifications, within sight of each other, near
Castleman's river, erected long before the memory of the oldest settlers.
They are called M'Clintock's, Jennings's, and 'Skinner's forts, after the
farmers on whose lands they are. M'Clintock's is on the left bank of
Castleman's river, on a rising ground, which has been cultivated for many
years. On the side of the hill issues a fine spring, and to that spring,
from the site of the fort, there is said to be a subterranean passage,
walled up with stone. In a part of the field, near the fort, one of the
M'Clintocks had, for several successive years, perceived the point of his
plough to strike a stone, at a particular spot. At last curiosity induced
him to examine the place, when he found a large, flat, hewn stone, of
about six feet in diameter, covering a round hole, about fifteen feet deep,
in which were a great quantity of bones. These forts are in Turkey's
SOMERSET COUNTY. 617
Foot and Addison townships. It is matter of curious speculation by
whom they were built.
The first opening through the wilderness of what is now Somerset co.,
was made by no less a personage than Lieut. Col. George Washington,
in 1754. (See page 331.) This road crossed the southwestern corner of
the county, passing the Yough'ogheny about two miles north of where
the present national road crosses. Mr. Sparks, in his Life of Washington,
says —
So many obstacles intervened, that the progress was slow. Trees were to be felled, bridges
made, marshes filled up, and rocks removed. In the midst of these difficulties the provisions
failed — the commissaries having neglected to fulfil their engagements — and there was great dis-
tress for want of bread. At the Yough'ogheny, where they were detained in constructing a
bridge, Col. Washington was told by the traders and Indians, that, except at one place, a pas-
sage might be had by water down that river. To ascertain this point — extremely advanta-
geous, if true — he embarked in a canoe, with five men, on a tour of discovery, leaving the army
under the command of a subordinate officer. His hopes were disappointed. After navigating
the river in his canoe near thirty miles, encountering rocks and shoals, he passed between two
mountains, and came to a fall tji^t arrested h^s course. He returned, and the project of a convey-
ance by water was given up.
The following year. Gen. Braddock — accompanied by Washington, then
colonel — marched his unfortunate army over this same road. It was for
many years thereafter known as Braddock's road. (See Fayette and Al-
legheny counties.)
In 1758, the wilderness in the northern part of the co. was penetrated
in a similar manner by Col. Bouquet, and several companies. They con-
structed a fort at Stony cr., where Stoystown now is ; and it is probable
that Miller's breastworks, at the forks of the road on the Allegheny
mountain, were thrown up at the same time. Late in October, Gen.
Forbes, with an army of six thousand men, marched over the road.
Washington also held an important station in this expedition. (See
Westmoreland co.)
During the memorable invasion by Pontiac in 1763, the little garrison
at Stoystown was called in to strengthen that at Bedford.
Bouquet's road continued for years to be the only means of communi-
cation between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. It is probable that, not long
after both these roads were opened, traders and pioneers found their way
to this county, and made settlements ; but their names and adventures,
if any, have not been recorded.
During the revolutionary war, and the Indian wars that succeeded it,
parties of hostile Indians occasionally came down and drove the scattered
settlers on the outskirts of the co. into the more populous region about
Berlin, in Brothers' valley. This is one of the oldest places in the co.,
settled originally by Germans, many of whom were Dunkards. The
name of Brothers' valley was derived from the affectionate appellation
bestowed upon each other by the Dunkards. (See page 413.) The town
is situated in a fertile region on the sources of Stony cr., 9 miles south-
east of the county seat. It contains a Lutheran and a German Reformed
church, about 100 dwellings, and, by the census of 1840, 524 inhabitants.
Somerset, the county seat, is a neatly-built town, situated on the sum-
mit of a hill, near the centre of the co. It was laid out in the year 1795,
by Mr. Bruner, and for some time was called Brunerstown. It was in-
corporated as a borough by the act of 1804, and a supplementary act of
78
618
SOMERSET COUNTY.
1807. It contains three churches — German Reformed, Lutheran, and
Methodist, — an academy, the usual county buildings, and 638 inhabit-
ants. The place is eminently healthy, and enjoj'S the advantages of pure
mountain air and water. Cox's creek passes the town at the foot of the
hill. The turnpike between Bedford and Washington passes through the
centre of the place. The view here annexed shows the entrance into the
Somerset.
village on the turnpike from the east. A turnpike is also located, and
partly completed, from Somerset to the national road at Cumberland. The
distance to Cumberland is 30 miles, — and to Johnstown, the nearest point
on the Pennsylvania improvements, 26 miles ; to Bedford, 37 miles.
The first settlers about Somerset were Mr. Bruner, (the founder of the
town,) Mr. Philson, and Mr. Husband, whose descendants still reside in
the vicinity. During the great whiskey rebellion the citizens of this
county took no very active part, though they were generally secretly op-
posed to the excise. Mr. Philson and Mr. Husband were more bold in the
expression of their sentiments, and were, in consequence, arrested, sent
to Philadelphia, and imprisoned. Mr. Husband died in Philadelphia,
after enduring an imprisonment of about eight months. Mr. Philson was
released. Hon. Judge Black, presiding judge of the district, resides in
Somerset. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of the co., about
eight miles east of the town. At his father's place was quite an extensive
trading establishment. It is said that the distinguished Philip Doddridge,
for many years the pride of the western bar, was born in this co.
The following account of a destructive fire which desolated Somerset
in 1833, is from the Somerset Whig ; — the catalogue of names and occu-
pations may be interesting for reference at some future day :
About half-past 2 o'clock on Wednesday morninor,
streets. It was discovered to be in a house owned
cupied in part as a dwelling, and in part by several
originated cannot be correctly ascertained — further
hatter's shop. In a few moments we had presented
spread with inconceivable rapidity, east, north, and
getic exertions were made to subdue it, its progress
(Oct. 16, 1833,) the cry of fire was heard in our
by J. F. Cox and James Armstrong, and oc-
mechanics as shops. Where the fire first
than it was either in ei cabinetmaker's or a
before us an awful conflagration. The flames
west, and notwithstanding the most ener-
was not arrested until 20 dwejling-houses, 15
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. 619
shops and offices, 3 stores, 2 taverns, in one of which was kept the post-office, and a number of
fetables, smoke-houses, and other back-buildings were destroyed. From main cross-street in the
diamond of tlie town west to the cross street at Jacob Kurtz's, every building in froiit has been
consumed, together with the greatest part of the back-buildings.
The fire reached the diamond about daylight, and for a time all hopes of saving that part
of the town east of main cross-street, seemed desperate ; there was a strong current of air from
the southwest, and if one building on the east side of the diamond had taken fire, all must in-
evitably have been consumed. But here, as with the same impulse, all the citizens made one
united and powerful effort : nothing that could be done by united strength and concentrated action
was left undone ; and finally, after a hard struggle, the progress of the flames was arrested by
the most vigorous and powerful exertions that were perhaps every made under the same circum-
stances in a case of the kind. It was stopped in the west with less difficulty in consequence of
the wind not favoring its progress in that direction, and on the north for want of buildings to
consume.
A list of sufferers by the conflagration, as far as the undersigned, a committee of -distribution,
&c., have at present ascertained the same, viz. :
Samuel Stahl, hatter, loss — one large dwelling-house and hatter-shop ; also some personal prop-
erty. Samuel Nedrow, blacksmith, loss — all his personal property and toolSi Philip Anthony
and three daughters, loss — all their personal property. Elijah Horner, cabinetmaker, loss — alibis
personal property and tools ; also a small confectionery. John Armstrong's estate, loss — three
houses. David Williamson, stonecutter, loss — jiis tools and stone work finished. Neff &, Stahl,
merchants — large store and dwelling-house, barn and granary; also part of their merchandise.
George Chorpenning — one large new brick house, intended for a tavern stand, and one frame,
house and warehouse ; also two offices, and a large amount of personal property. John L. Sny.
dor, merchant and druggist — one large new brick house ; also considerable merchandise and fur-
niture. Jacob Snyder, Esq. — two frame houses, and a part of his personal property. Charles
Ogle, Esq. — one large tavern stand occupied as the stage office, &c., by J. Webster. John Web-
ster, postmaster — a variety of personal property. Clifford Elder &, Co. — one dwelling-house ;
also one saddler, one tinner, and one hatter shop — and part of his personal property. Geo. Pile,
Esq. — one dwelling-house and tavern stand. Samuel C. Pile, innkeeper — part of his personal
property. John Houpt, saddler — some personal property and stock. C. W. Michaels, merchant
— ,$300 in cash. Michael Hugus' estate — one large dwelling-house, formerly occupied as a tav-
erji stand ; also one saddler shop and office. John Witt, Esq., sheriff — one dwelling-house, and
part of his furniture. John Kurtz, Esq. — one dwelling-house and druggist, including medicines.
Martin Shaffer, hatter — -all his personal property. Joshua F. Cox and James Armstrong — one
large dwelling-house, hatter shop, and stable. Cephas Gillet, hatter — considerable stock and
hats ; also his account books. Jacob Glessner, cabinetmaker — a large assortment of tools, and
a considerable quantity of valuable furniture. William Philson — all his personal property ; also
notes, accounts, tStc. Daniel Bauchman, shoemaker — one dwelling-house and stable ; also part
of his stock and personal property. John Neff — considerable personal property. Gilbert & Snee,
shoemakers — all their stock and tools. Rev. John Tiedeman's estate — one dwelling-house and
stable. Henry Marteeny — one dwelling-house. Thomas Crocket, chairmaker — all his tools.
Leonard Stahl, chairmaker — a considerable quantity of chairs.
Committee of distribution. — Isaac Ankeny, Joseph Imhoff, Samuel G. Bailey, Henry Benfdrd.
Stoystown is a flourishing village 10 miles N. E. of Somerset, situate-d
on the Bedford and Pittsburg turnpike, where it crosses Stony creek. It
was incorporated as a borough in 1819 ; it contains a German Reformed
church, and about sixtjr dwellings ; population in 1840, 357. This place
was laid out by an old revolutionary soldier by the name of Stoy. Sev-
eral years since Mr. Stoy used to point out the ruins of a house built at
the time of Gen. Forbes's expedition in 1758.
The other villages of the co. are Smithfield, containing about 200 in-
habitants, Petersburg 200, Salisbury 150, MruFORD, and Jennersville.
Their relative position may be best ascertained by reference to the map.
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
SusauEHANNA COUNTY was taken from Luzerne by the act of 1st Feb.,
1810, and received its name from the circumstance that in this co. the
620 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
Susquehanna river first enters the state. Length 34 miles, breadth 23 ?
area 797 sq. miles. Population in 1820, 9,960 ; in 1830, 16,787 ; in 1840,
21,195.
The county is not very mountainous, but the face of the country is di-
versified by hills, rather high, but gradual and easy, which lie principally
in ridges conforming to the course of the streams. Many of these hills
are cultivated to their very tops, and afford the best land for grain. The
soil is in general good, especially for grazing. Rye and oats succeed
better than other grain. There is very little barren or waste land. The
mountains of the county are, the Ocquago mountain, north of the Sus-
quehanna, on the northern boundary of the state ; the Moosic mountain,
at the head of Lackawannock creek ; Mount Ararat, a spur of Moosic
mountain, near the northeast part of the co. ; and Elk mountain, in the
eastern part of the co. The latter is the extreme knob of Tunkhannock
mountain, and forms the eastern termination of the main Allegheny
mountain in Pennsylvania.
The Susquehanna river makes a very capricious bend out of the state
of New York into the northern part of the co., and after turning round
Ocquago mountain, recrosses the boundary. The Susquehanna at the
bend approaches within ten miles of the Delaware. The other impor-
tant streams of the co. are, Starucca, Salt Lick, Snake, Choconut, Wya-
1 using, Meshoppen, Martin's, Tunkhannock, and Lackawannock creeks.
The first three reach the Susquehanna at the bend ; of the others only
the head branches water this county. These streams afford fine sites for
mills ; they take their rise generally in clear, copious springs, or in beau-
tiful lakes, of which there are many in the county. The west branch of
Snake creek rises in Silver lake, a beautiful sheet of water nearly a mile
long, in the northwest part of the county. Its name was conferred by the
late Dr. Robert H. Rose, who built an elegant country seat near its mar-
gin. Quaker lake, a little larger, lies two miles north of it. Lathrop's
and Stevens's lakes lie near together at the sources of the Wyalusing,
about five miles southwest of Montrose ; and there are two beautiful
lakes near Dundaff, one of which is on the county line, and the other in
Luzerne co.
There is a salt spring on Snake creek, and licks upon Salt Lick creek,
as its name indicates. The county lies entirely without the coal region,
unless a small portion of the Lackawannock basin may possibly touch
the extreme southeast corner of the co. The Milford and Owego turn-
pike crosses the co. diagonally through the centre : there are also several
other turnpikes, among which are the Belmont and Oquago road, and
one from the Great Bend to Philadelphia. The great East and West
State road from the Delaware to Erie, also crosses the county.
In consequence of the great altitude of this region, the spring is later,
and the autumnal frosts earlier, than in the country below the Allegheny
mountain ; but this circumstance, together with the pure running waters,
contributes greatly to the health of the inhabitants.
The career of this county has been comparatively tranquil. The origi-
nal settlers were chiefly from New England, many of whom took up their
land under color of the Connecticut title : this, however, was many years
after the violent disputes in the Wyoming valley, and the Pennsylvania
title was already beginning to gain ground. Mr. Hines, the step-father
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. 621
of Judge Post, of Montrose, emigrated from Long Island to this county,
about the year 1799, intending to take up land under the Connecticut
title ; but, finding it defective, he purchased of the Pennsylvania claim-
ants. For this he was mobbed by the Yankees, who would not bear that
their titles should be suspected. Finding him at a distance from home,
in another township, they insulted him, burnt him in effigy, and threatened
his life — hoping, by intimidation, to make him accede to their views.
But the old gentleman had been a revolutionary soldier, and was not to
be frightened so easily. They released him, threatening his life if he
complained. He made a complaint the next day ; and although the
offenders were nominally put in jail, they only remained there during the
daytime, at night having liberty to go where they chose. Such was the
state of public feeling, that these outrages were little reprobated ; and
many of these same men became afterwards sheriffs, justices, and repre-
sentatives.
Among the more prominent of the early settlers were Putnam Catlin,
Esq., of Great Bend, Mr. Hines, Judge Post and his brother, Mr. Chase
of Montrose, Dr. R. H. Rose, Mr. Carmalt of Friendsville, Mr. Asa La-
throp, Charles Miner, Esq. — who came out in 1799, then a young man,
and a zealous advocate for the Connecticut title — ^and others whose
names are unknown to us. A small creek of the county bears the singu-
lar name of Nine-partners' creek, from an association of the early immi-
grants.
It is well-known that, soon after the revolution, all the lands in the
northern part of the state, then a wilderness, became an object of specu-
lation, and were taken up in immense tracts by Robert Morris, John Nich-
olson,* George Clymer, John Read, Judge Peters, Tench Francis, and
others. It was difficult, for some years, to get actual settlers to come in
under the Pennsylvania title, on account of the opposition from the Yan-
kees already here. Among those most eminent in sustaining the Penn-
sylvania title was Dr. Robert H. Rose, from Chester co., who came to this
county while it was yet a wilderness. He was a man of refined taste, as
a poet and a scholar, of great enterprise, and indomitable firmness. He
purchased about 100,000 acres of land, from the w^idow Francis and
* John Nicholson was comptroller of the state of Pennsylvania, from 1782 to 1794; during
which period more than .^27,000,000 of public money passed through his hands, under circum-
stances of peculiar complication and difficulty, arising from the then state of paper money and
government credit. He became the object of political persecution, and resigned his office. His
private transactions were very extensive. At this period he was the owner of about 3,700,000
acres of land in Pennsylvania, besides large possessions, real and personal, elsewhere. To meet
his various pecuniary engagements for these lands, he fornled joint-stock companies, to which he
conveyed a large portion of them. His affairs became embarrassed ; he was committed to
prison, and died in confinement, and insane, during the year 1800. So early as the 17th and
18th of March, 1797, deeds had been made to the Pennsylvaina Land Co. ; and individual cred-
itors had obtained judgments against him.
The commonwealth had an immense claim against him for unsettled land-warrants, stock ac-
counts, and other items, in liquidation of which the vast amount of lands held in his name,
throughout thirty-nine counties, reverted to the commonwealth, and have since been taken up
or purchased by others. Conflicting claims, besides that of the state, were previously existing ;
and have tended greatly to complicate the title to these lands. The matter has several times
been closed, and as often re-opened, by legislative enactments, special courts, and new lawsuits ;
and recently a sweeping claim has been laid, by the individual heirs of Nicholson, to an im.
raense amount of lands throughout the whole state — attempting to unsettle titles supposed to
be quieted many years since.
622
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.
Others, at a low price, and became the agent for a great portion of the
Pennsylvania claimants. Mr. Caleb Carmalt, too, was of great assistance
to him, in furnishing him with capital, and joining him in his purchases*
Mr. Carmalt settled subsequently at Friendsville, a neat and pleasant
Quaker village, in the northwest part of the county. Dr. Rose, after en-^
tering, with great public spirit, into various enterprises for the establish-
ment and improvement of the county, erected for himself an elegant man-
sion, on the bank of Silver lake, surrounded by one of the largest farms
Silver Lake.
in the state. In the cultivation of this farm, in the sale of his lands, and
in the enjoyments of an extensive and well-selected library, he passed
his later years. He terminated his useful life about two years since.
Among the most admired of his literary productions was a vivid descrip-
tion of a panther-hunt, published in the " Port Folio," the scene of which
was laid near the cabin of Mr. Conrad Sox, an old pioneer, on the head-
waters of the Lehigh. He also published several poems.
During the last twenty years, enterprising settlers from New York,
New Jersey, and the eastern states, have continued to come in ; and the
county now abounds with well-cultivated farms. There is still room,
however, for a much larger population ; and many tracts of good land
can be bought for from $3 to $5 an acre.
Montrose, the county town, is delightfully situated on a hill above the
sources of Wyalusing and Meshoppen creeks. From its elevated site it
commands a fine view of the adjacent country. It contains a neat court-
house and other county buildings, an academy, the Susquehanna County
Bank, and Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Universalist, and
African churches. Population in 1830, 450 ; in 1840, 632. There is a
striking air of neatness and comfort about this village that denotes a peo-
ple who love their homes and take a pride in adorning them. The pri-
vate dwellings are generally of wood painted white, with green blinds —
many of them displaying architectural elegance, and set back from the
street amid yards and gardens full of flowers and shrubbery. The streets
are wide, and well shaded with trees. The w^hole appearance of the
town is that of a place which has grown up gradually in the midst of a
SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY
623
thriving and intelligent agricultural population, remote from the expen-
sive luxury of large cities, and the great highways of speculation. The
place was laid out in 1811, and received its name of Mont-Rose in honor
of Dr. Robert H. Rose, who, with the Messrs. Post, and other gentlemen,
made donations of lots for the use of the county. Previous to that time
the old frame house, built in 1807, (and now occupied as a tavern by Mr.
Morse,) and a log cabin, were the only buildings on the site. The bo-
rough was incorporated 29th March, 1824. The Silver Lake Bank, now
extinct, was established in 1816.
The annexed view was taken from Mr. Morse's tavern. On the left,
Central part of Montrose.
is the post-office. On the right, about half-way up the street, is the bank,
the academy, and private dwellings.
DuNDAFF is a pleasant town situated near Crystal lake, in the south-
eastern corner of the co., 22 miles from Montrose, and 7 from Carbondale.
It contains a Presbyterian church ; a banking house, formerly used by a
bank now extinct ; a glass factory, established by Messrs. Gould, Phin-
ney & Co., in 1831 ; and dwellings, stores, &c., sufficient for the accom-
modation of 304 inhabitants. Peter Graham, Esq., of Philadelphia, has a
splendid country seat, with an extensive farm, adjoining the village.
Great Bend is a village on the Susquehanna, at the mouth of Salt Lick
creek, about three miles above where the river re-enters the state of
New York. It is built upon an extensive flat surrounded on all sides by
hills. A trestle bridge GOO feet long crosses the river here. It was erect-
ed by individual subscription, in 1814, at an expense of $6,500. A turn-
pike runs from here to Coshecton on the Delaware. Were it not for the
difficulties attendant upon two different state jurisdictions, the New York
and Erie railroad would undoubtedly have passed through Great Bend :
at present it is located about ten miles north of it. When finished, it
will be of great advantage to this section of the county. Among the
earlier settlers at Great Bend was Putnam Catlin, Esq., the father of
George Catlin, the distinguished artist and traveller among the Indians.
The latter is a native of the county.
624 TIOGA COUNTY.
Harmony is another small village on the eastern side of the Great Bend,
on the left bank of the river, about two miles below the New York line.
There are several other small but pleasant villages in the county, each
containing their post-office, tavern, church, stores, and blacksmith's shop,
with dwellings more or less according to the situation. Such are Friends-
viLLE, 10 miles N. W. of Montrose ; " the Forks," (of Wyalusing,) 12
miles west, and Rushville, 14 miles west of Montrose ; Harford, in the
eastern part of the county ; Herrick, New Milford, Springville, Auburn,
Jackson, Gibson, Brooklyn, &c.
TIOGA COUNTY.
Tioga county was separated from Lycoming by the act of 25th March,
1804: in 1806 the seat of justice was established at Wellsborough : in
1808 county commissioners were first elected, and in 1812 the county was
fully organized for judicial purposes. Length 36 miles, breadth 31 ; area
1,108 sq. miles. Population in 1810, 1,687 ; in 1820, 4,021 ; in 1830, 9,071 ;
in 1840, 15,498.
The county is traversed by the high undulating ridges skirting the
northwestern base of the Allegheny mountain, or rather of Laurel hill,
which sweeps past the southeastern corner of the county. These ridges
pertain generally to the hard sandstone strata of formations X. and XII.
of our state geologists, and the lower strata of formation XIII., which
comprehends the coal measures. The uplands in the vicinity of the
larger streams are well covered with white pines of a superior quality ;
the sugar-maple abounds in many places, and large quantities of sugar
are produced from it. The county is well supplied with navigable
streams, having the Tioga river, a south branch of the Chemung, on the
east, which is navigable for rafts and arks about 30 miles above the N.
York line ; the Cowanesque creek on the north, navigable about the same
distance, and Pine creek on the west, also navigable ; so that no part of
the county is distant more than ten miles from descending navigation. A
very extensive lumber business has been done on these streams, especial-
ly on Pine creek, whence a vast amount has annually been sent down
the Susquehanna. The recent crisis in monetary affairs has tended in
some measure to check this trade. Several men from the cities, with
more capital than industry, and more enterprise than prudence, had em-
barked in the business, and driven it beyond its profitable limit.
Until the year 1790-'7, Tioga and the neighboring counties were a
howling wilderness, entirely cut off from the West Branch settlements by
the lofty barrier of the Allegheny mountain — and trodden only by the
beasts of the forest, and the savage on his hostile expedition to the lower
settlements. About that time a Mr. Williamson of New York, an agent
for Sir William Pulteney. first opened a rough wagon road through this
wilderness, across the mountains from the mouth of Lycoming cr. to the
sources of the Tioga, and thence down that river to Painted Post in New
York. This road was made at the expense of Sir William Pulteney for
TIOGA COUNTY. 625
the purpose of rendering his lands in the state of New York accessible
to German or other emigrants coming up from Philadelphia and Balti-
more. Old Mr. Covenhoven (Crownover) of Lycoming co., and Mr. Pat-
terson, superintended the workmen on the road, who were principally
German redemptioners. This road became a great thoroughfare, and
was extensively known as the " Blockhouse road," from a log-house,
(called blockhauss by the Germans,) erected by Williamson near the
mountains for the accommodation of travellers.
It is still a tavern stand and the site of a post-office, about 12 miles
south of Blossburg. This house was kept in the primitive times by one
Anthonyson, a sort' of half French and half Dutchman. Anthony, ac-
cording to his OMm story, had spent most of his life as a soldier, during
the stormy times of the French revolution ; and he had thereby neither
improved his morals nor his fortune. He rnade no scruple, by way of
amusing his guests, of boasting of his bold-faced villany— there was no
one of the ten commg,ndments which he had not specifically broken, time
and again. With the habits of the old soldier, he had little disposition
to get his living by tilling the ground ; and found the military mode of
pillage much more to his taste. He raised no oats, but always charged
travellers for the use of his troughs, and for sleeping before his fire.
Whiskey was the staple commodity at his house, serving both as meat
and drink. Many of the early emigrants to the Genesee country drove
their young cattle along. There was a wide track of some fearful tor-
nado, not far from Anthony's house, in which he had contrived to cut an
open space, with a narrow passage into it ; rqiaking a kind of unseen pen.
To this spot the cattle of his guests were very apt to stray, in the night.
In the morning the poor emigrants were hunting, far and near, for their
cattle, with Anthony for their guide ; but on such occasions he never
happened to think of the windfall.
The unsuspecting guests, after two or three days of fryiitless search,
would leave, paying roundly for their detention ; and instructing the old
scoundrel to hunt the cattle, and when found, to write to a certain ad-
dress, with a promise of reward for his trouble. Anthony never had oc-
casion to write ; but it was always remarked that he kept his smoke-
house well supplied with what he called elk-meat. When or where he
caught the elks was never known. Some lone travellers, who stopped
at his house, it is strongly suspected, never reached their intended desti-
nation.
After the opening of this road, many of the pioneers from the Wyoming
country, and from New England, came into the eastern part of the county,
and took up lands under the Connecticut title. For quite a number of
years, the uncertainty of this title gave rise to much wrangling and liti-
gation. A Mr. Gobin, an assistant-surveyor under the Pennsylvania title,
was shot in his camp, but not killed. At length the litigation was ended
by the compromise at Trenton : the settlers quietly acknowledged the va-
lidity of the Pennsylvania title, and compromised their claims with the
agents of the landholders from Philadelphia. A large portion of the
lands, in the eastern section of the county, belongs to the Bingham es-
tate.
Soon after the cutting of the Blockhouse road, Mr. John Norris, from
Philadelphia, first came, about the beginning of the year 1799, to the
79
TIOGA COUNTY.
southwestern part of the county, as an agent for Mr. Benjamin Morns,
who owned lands in that region. He was accompanied by his brother-
in-law, Mr. Mordecai Jackson, then a young lad. On Mr. Norris's arri-
val, he erected a grist and saw mill, on the waters of Little Pine creek,
just within the boundary of Lycoming county. This establishment was
generally known as Morris's mills. The country was then a complete
wilderness, and in traversing its wilds these first adventurers endured the
many hardships incident to a pioneer's life ; such as sleeping on the ground
in the open air, often without fire — searching for the blazes on the
trees, at night, to find the way through the forest — and travelling long
journeys for their provisions, to the older settlements, for one or two
years after their first arrival. These hardships were doubly severe to
young men, reared among the comforts and luxuries of Philadelphia.
After remaining at Morris's mills for five or six years, and inducing some
half dozen settlers to immigrate, Mr. Norris removed to the vicinity of
the Big Marsh; and subsequently, in 1807, to the place where he now
lives, within a mile of Wellsborough. The mill at that place had been
built the year previous, (1806,) by Samuel W. Fisher, of Philadelphia ;
and the same year the county seat was fixed at Wellsborough. Among
the first settlers, at or near Wellsborough, besides Mr. Norris, were Ben-
jamin W. Morris, David Linsey, Alpheus Cheney, and Daniel Kelsey, Esq.
Central part of Wellsborough.
Wellsborough, the county seat, is located near the centre of the county,
three miles from the navigable waters of Pine creek, on the great state-
road, passing through the northern range of counties. The north and
south road, from the mouth of Lycoming creek to the 109th mile-stone,
on the state line, also passes through the place. The village is built up-
on level ground, on a long and wide street, sheltered on the north and
east by high hills. There existed, for many years, a great strife for the
removal of the county seat. The towns on the Tioga and Cowanesque,
appearing to be most favored with the increase of population and im-
provement, contended for the removal ; and settlers were consequently
TIOGA COUNTY. 627
diverted from selecting a location at or near Wellsborough. This had a
blighting effect upon the place ; and in 1831 the village paper describes
the place as containing only " 40 or 50 indifferent dwelling-houses, a court-
house and jail, of no very reputable appearance," &c., &c. At length,
in 1835, a majority of the citizens of the county authorized the erection
of the new stone courthouse and county offices, which confirmed to the
place its title as the seat of justice.
Since that time it has greatly improved, and many new frame buildings
have been erected : among them an Episcopal and a Methodist church,
in a very neat style of architecture. There is also an academy. The
private dwellings are built with much taste, and even some of the stores
and taverns exhibit the tasteful proportions of Grecian architecture.
Pleasant front yards, gardens, and green blinds indicate the origin of the
population, from New York and New England. The courthouse, seen
on the left, in the annexed view, is a fine edifice of white sandstone, sur-
mounted with a cupola. A tri- weekly stage runs to Covington, 12 miles
east. Population in 1840, 369. Coal has been discovered about seven
miles south of the borough.
Covington is a large and flourishing village, at the intersection of the
great state-road with the Tioga river. The railroad of the Tioga Navi-
gation Co. also passes through the village. Mr. Washburn, Mr. Elijah
Putnam, and Mr. Mallory settled at Covington " corners," previous to
1806. Mr. Bloss and Mr. Hovey had settled about the year 1801, two
miles below ; and Mr. Sacket also lived near the same place. The land
titles were for a long time in dispute between the Connecticut and Penn-
sylvania claimants. When at last they were settled in favor of the Penn-
sylvanians, or " Pennamites," as the " Connecticut boys" called them, Mr.
William Patten came in as their agent, and laid out the town, about the
year 1822, and started a store and tavern. For some years the place in-
creased very slowly, and was only known as "The Corners." In 1831 it
assumed the dignity of a borough ; soon afterwards the great fever of
internal improvement and speculation began to rise, and Covington, be-
ing an important point, rose with it.
Lands both for farming and timber, and town lots, w^ere eagerly taken up,
and passed from hand to hand, sometimes doubled and trebled in value at
each transfer ; coal mines and iron mines were opened, and water-powers
were sought out and improved ; saw-mills, furnaces, houses, stores, and
taverns, went up as if by magic ; bank notes poured in from New York
and Towanda, and everybody seemed to be getting rich. But at length,
in 1841-42, the bubble burst — bank notes melted in the hand, property
became unsaleable, and the whole community embarrassed. The fever
had subsided, and left in its place a hard-shaking ague.
The following tragic tale is copied from the newspapers of Feb. 1842,
and will serve to explain much of the embarrassment that has overtaken
Covington and the vicinity.
Philadelphia, 17th Feb. 1842. This morning, at about 6 o'clock, Mr. J. G. Boyd, late cashier
and agent of the Towanda Bank, killed himself, at his residence in Schuylkill Seventh-st, by
firing a loaded pistol into his mouth. Previously to his late dismissal as the cashier of the bank,
it was ascertained that he had, as the signing officer of the relief issues of that bank, put out
Eome thousands of dollars on his own account. The Penn Township Bank, one of the losers by
this fraudulent issue, and by some of his other transactions, had commenced a suit against him
and it was while in the custody of the sheriff, and when he saw that the whole fraud must be ex-
628 TIOGA COUNTY
posed, that he committed the melancholy act. About two years since he had married an inter*
esting young lady at Trenton, New Jersey, and was keeping house with her at the time of his
suicide in Philadelphia. He had furnished this house splendidly — had settled upon his wife a
farm near Germantown, worth about $8000, and had made many munificent presents to her rela-
tives. But it appears that all this time he had another wife, a most estimable lady, at Covington,
Tioga CO., by whom he had several children, and with whom he was living on most affectionate
terms, whenever his business called him to that vicinity. With his Philadelphia wife he passed
as Mr. Henry Seymour — represented himself as a drover having large transactions with the inte-
rior counties, and often spoke of his intimate friend Mr. John G. Boyd. So adroitly was the de-
ception maintained, that neither of these unfortunate ladies ever suspected the least impropriety
in his conduct, or alienation of his affections.
Mr. Boyd had come out from the state of New York to Tioga and Bradford counties some
three or four years since. He was a man of about 35 years of age, with a gentlemanly, but
plain and business-like exterior, — exhibiting extraordinary tact and readiness in matters of busi-
ness, and a good degree of common sense, apparently, in the management of his enterprises.
Although comparatively a stranger, yet so plausible was his address, that he soon gained the con-
fidence of wealthy men, who intrusted him with means to enter largely into the lumber busi-
ness, and afterwards into the iron business, and coal land speculations in Tioga county. He had
several large mills near Covington, a furnace at Blossburg, and was engaged in many of the
most prominent schemes for improving these two places. His business led bim into intimate
connection with the Towanda Bank ; and he was successively appointed clerk, agent for the
transaction of the bank's business in Philadelphia, and cashier. Tlie latter office, after the credit
of the bank began to decline, he was compelled to give up. He still, however, secretly continued
his fraudulent issues of Towanda relief notes in Philadelphia, until a short time previous to the
tragic close of his career.
Covington, however, though shocked and thrown back by this calami-
ty, added to the ordinary embarrassment of the times, still has many ad-
vantages for becoming a prosperous town, — particularly an extensive
farming and lumbering country constantly opening to the west of it,
which finds here the most convenient depot for its produce and lumber.
Quite a brisk business is still done. No church has yet been erected in
the place. The Presbyterians worship in a school-house. The Baptists
and Methodists have it in contemplation to erect churches soon. The
extensive lumber establishment of Boyd & Clever is about half a mile
below the town.
Blossburg took its name from the aged Mr. Aaron Bloss, (now of Cov-
ington,) who originally settled here and owned the property. Before Mr.
Bloss removed here, about the year 1802. one Gaylord, a worthless fellow,
had kept a tavern. Mr. Bloss removed from near Covington, and bought
him out. The place at that time went by the name of " Peter's camp."
This Peters was a German, who did the baking in an immense oven for
the large company of German redemptioners at work on the Blockhouse
road. Peters was not remarkable for cleanliness of i>erson ; and his
comrades, unable any longer to tolerate his filth, caught him and com-
menced the necessary ablution by pouring sundry buckets of cold water
upon his head, .stroking and smoothing down his hair in a becoming
manner, — and were about to complete the process by putting him into
the river, when the superintendent of the road interfered.
Blossburg is situated on the Tioga river, at the head of the railroad
connecting the bituminous coal and iron mines of Tioga co. with the Che-
mung river and canal, and promises to become a point of some import-
ance when all the natural resources in its vicinity shall be properly de-
veloped.
The railroad from Blossburg, through Covington, to Corning in the state
of New York, 40 miles, was constructed by the Tioga Navigation Co.,
instead of a canal or slackwater navigation, and was opened for locomo-
TIOGA COUNTY.
629
tives in July, 1840< This road opens a connection between the coal
mines of Blossburg and the Chemung canal of New York. The annexed
Hotel, depot, and coal mine at Blossburg.
view shows, on the right, the large hotel erected by the late Mr. Boyd ;
and near it, the extensive depot and workshops of the railroad. Beyond,
on the hill, is seen the opening of the Arbon company's coal mine, and
the inclined plane by which the coal descends. These mines are exten-
sive and valuable. The vein is about five feet in thickness.
A large iron furnace stands at the upper end of the village, which had
been leased by Mr. Boyd and another person. It was originally wrought
with charcoal, but had been altered for coke ; and the workmen were
conducting a successful blast with the latter, when Mr. Boyd's catastro-
phe occurred, and the hearth was allowed " to chill." The same blight-
ing chill came over many of the enterprises in this region from the same
cause. Blossburg has become quite a village since the opening of the
mines and the railroad. Like most other coal towns in Pennsylvania, it
resembles an army with its tents pitched in different detachments — here
one row of houses in uniform, and there another. The houses are con-
structed with good taste, principally of wood. The country around is
wild and rugged. The Tioga, here but a narrow stream, flows in a deep
and narrow valley, surrounded on both sides by precipitous hills.
Tioga, or Willardsburg, situated at the confluence of Crooked creek
and the Tioga river, was settled about the year 1800 by Mr. Willard.
The opening of the country to a market has given it an impetus, and it
has rapidly increased, until it rivals the towns above it on the river. It
contains Methodist and Baptist churches.
Mansfield is on the right bank of the Tioga, at the mouth of Canoe
Camp creek, three miles below Covington. Mainsville is four miles east
of Mansfield, on the road to Towanda. Not far from this place, in Union
township, in Sept, 1835, Major Ezra Long is said to have discovered a
considerable quantity of lead ore, the specimens of which were equal to
the best lead ores of the west.
Lawrenceville is a small village just within the state line, at the con-
630 UNION COUNTY.
fluence of the Cowanesque with the Tioga river. Furmantown is on the
state road, 12 miles west of Wellsboro ; and Mixtown lies near the west-
ern boundary of the co., on a small branch of Pine creek, six or seven
miles N. W. from Furmantown.
UNION COUNTY.
Union county was separated from Northumberland by the act of 22d
March, 1813 ; and the same act fixed the seat of justice at New Berlin.
Length 26 miles, breadth 21 ; area, 550 sq. miles. Population in 1820
18,619 ; in 1830, 20,795 ; and in 1840, 22,787. Several of the prominent
ranges of the great Apalachian system traverse the county from S. W. to
N. E., and between these ranges there intervene broad limestone valleys
of exuberant fertility. The mountains are, commencing on the south,
Shade mountain, Jack's mountain, and its apparent continuation, Mon-
tour's ridge ; Path Valley, Buffalo, Nittany, and White Deer mountains ;
the isolated Blue hill, opposite Sunbury ; and several ridges of less ele-
vation. The principal valleys are Middle Creek valley, Penn's valley,
Buffalo valley, and White Deer valley — each M^atered by a stream of the
same name. Dry valley, between New Berlin and Northumberland, is
without a stream. These valleys and mountains present an extensive
range of geological strata, from formation V. to IX. (of our state geolo-
gists) inclusive. Iron ore occurs in various localities, principally the hard
fossiliferous ore, agreeing with that of Montour's ridge, and the brown
argillaceous honeycomb ore ; but these ores do not exist in sufficient
quantity to justify the establishment of extensive iron- works. Mr. Brooks,
of Chester co., had a furnace on Penn's cr., above New Berlin, at the foot
of Jack's mountain. It is said that lead ore has been found in certain
places in the co. The Pennsylvania canal passes up the west bank of
the Susquehanna to Northumberland, and thence the West Branch canal
pursues the northern side of that branch. A communication is formed
with it at Lewisburg, which accommodates that part of Union co.
The population of Union county is perhaps more exclusively of German
extraction than that of any other in the state, unless Berks and Lebanon
might be excepted ; and its public men have held high stations in the
commonwealth, and in congress. Simon Snyder, George Kremer, and
Ner Middleswarth, were citizens of this co. Agriculture is the chief, and
almost the only pursuit of the inhabitants ; and for this there is a mutual
adaptation between the nature of the soil and the steady, persevering in-
dustry of the German character.
The early history of Union co. is closely interwoven with that of
Northumberland, of which it formed a part. The treaty of 1 768 at Fort
Stanwix threw open this region for settlement by the whites ; and al-
though the peace then established with the Indians was at best precari-
ous, many bold adventurers, Irish, Germans, and Dutch, pushed for-
ward upon the newly-acquired lands. The first settlements were made
along the West Branch, and upon the Susquehanna. But a few years
UNION COUNTY. G31
elapsed before the savages again took up the hatchet, in coalition with
Great Britain during the revolution. The scattered pioneers of Buffalo
and Penn's valleys placed their families near the forts for protection, and
stood ready with their rifles to defend their homes — tilling their fields and
gathering their crops with armed sentinels upon the fence. Several fami-
lies, who chose to remain on their farms, were murdered or carried into
captivity by the Indians.
The following, from the Lancaster Intelligencer, was written by the
daughter of a revolutionary soldier conversant with the facts.
James Thompson lived, at the commencement of the revolutionary war, on a beautiful farm
near Spruce run, in White Deer township. On a contiguous farm lived a family named Young.
One morning in march they were surprised by five Indians, who took Thompson and Margaret
Young prisoners. Thompson was a very active young man, and determined to rescue Miss
Young, and make his own escape. On the second night of their captivity, while the Indians
were asleep, — each with his rifle, tomahawk, and scalping-knife wrapped, with himself, in his
blanket, — Thompson found a stone weighing about two pounds, and kneeling down beside the
nearest Indian, with his left hand he felt for his temple — his intention being to kill one, and, hav-
ing secured his tomahawk, he thought he could dispatch the rest successively as they arose.
The darkness of the night, however, frustrated his plan ; for, not seeing, he did no serious injury.
The Indian bounded up with a fierce yell, which awoke the others, and springing on the young
man — who had thrown his stone as far from him as he possibly could — would have put an end to
his existence, liad not the rest interfered and secured Thompson. The Indian immediately ac-
cused him of endeavoring to kill him — while he signified that he had only struck him with his
fist — and nothing appearing to induce them to doubt his word, they were highly amused at the
idea of an Indian making so terrible an outcry at any stroke a paleface could inflict with his
naked hand. He, however, although he had not an ocular, had certainly a very feeling demon-
stration that something weightier than a hand had been used — but was shamed into silence by the
laugh raised at his expense. Our prisoners were now taken up the Susquehanna, crossed the
river in a canoe, and proceeded up Loyal Sock creek. For five nights he was laid upon his back,
with his arms extended and tied to stakes. On the seventh night, near the mouth of To-
wanda creek, the Indians directed Thompson and his companion, as usual, to kindle a fire for
themselves, while they built another. By this means he had an opportunity of communicating
to her his intention of leaving the company that very evening. She advised him to go without
her. He expressed great unwillingness ; but she overruled his objections, declaring that even did
she now escape, she would not be able to reach home. Accordingly, in gathering the dry sticks
which were strewn round, he went further from the circle, throwing each stick, as he found it,
towards the fire, and then wandering slowly, though not unconsciously, still further for the next,
until he had gone as far as he thought he could without exciting suspicion ; then he precipitately
fled. They were soon in pursuit, but were unable to overtake him ; and he ran in such a quick
zig-zag manner, that they could not aim straight enough to shoot him.
He was obliged to travel principally at night ; and in going down Loyal Sock creek, he fre-
quently came upon Indian encampments, when he had either to wade the stream, or cross the
slippery mountains, to avoid them. Sometimes he cajne to places where they had encamped.
The bones of deer, &.C., which he found at these places, he broke open, and swallowed the mar-
row. This, with the few roots he could find, was all the food he was able to procure. Once,
when almost overcome with fatigue and loss of sleep, he thought of getting into a hollow tree to
rest ; but this would not do, for where he could get in a wild animal might also get, and, although
naturally possessed of great courage, he did not like to be attacked in that manner, where he had
no means of defence. In this way he reached the Susquehanna, where he found the canoe as
they left it. He entered it, and descended the river ; but fatigue, and want of nourishment and
rest, had so overcome him, that when he reached Fort Freeland — a short distance above where
Milton now stands — he was unable to rise. He lay in the canoe until discovered by the inhabit-
ants, who took him ashore ; and by careful treatment he was restored to healtii. He afterwards
received a pension from the United States, and died about the year 1838, in the 96th year of his
The Indians, meantime, pursued their course, taking Miss Young with them, to the neighbor-
hood of Montreal, in Canada. She had frequently understood them to lament the loss of Thomp-
son. As he was a fine active young man, they were keeping him as a subject upon which to
exercise their cruelty. Miss Young was given to an old squaw, who wished to make her work
sufficiently to maintain them both ; but an old colored man advised her to work as little as pos-
sible— and what she must do, she should do as badly as she could ; " for," said he, " if you work
well she will keep you for a slave, — but be lazy, and do your work wrong, and she will get tired of
you, and sell you to the whites." Poor young girl I away from her home and her friends, she was
632
UNION COUNTY.
grrateful for the advice whicli even an old colored man gave. She acted her part well ; for when
tlie corn was ready for hoeing, she would cut up the corn, and neatly dress some weed in its
stead. The old squaw thought she was too stupid ever to learn — for, notwithstanding all the
pains she had taken to teach her, she was still as awkward and ignorant as ever ; and think-
ing her a useless burden, she sent her to Montreal, according to her wisli, and sold her. Her
purchaser was a man of some distinction, of the name of Young ; and when he discovered her
name, he began to trace relationship, and found they actually were cousins. This was a happy
discovery. She lived almost as contentedly, in her cousin's family, as in her father's house.
Some time after the conclusion of the war, she became very anxious to visit her friends in the
United States. She came home, where she sickened and died soon after.
New Berlin, the county seat, is a pleasant village, in the midst of a
fertile limestone valley, on the left bank of Penn's creek, nine miles from
Lewisburg, and eleven from Northumberland. It contains about 100
dwellings, with stores and taverns ; a very handsome courthouse and
offices, of brick ; a stone prison, and two handsome churches — German
Lutheran and German Methodist. The annexed view, taken from the
New Berlin.
window of the Evangelical book establishment, shows the public offices,
courthouse, and German Lutheran church, on the left. In the background
is seen the round end of Jack's mountain, which terminates abruptly three
miles west of the town. An English Lutheran and an English Methodist
church are in progress of erection. Penn's creek is navigable for arks
and rafts above 50 miles, and yields an abundant water-power. There
are five valuable mills upon it, within two miles of the town. Great
quantities of wheat are ground here. The population, which is chiefly
German, was, in 1840, 679. Some idea may be formed of the great inte-
rest taken in politics, by the citizens of this county, from the fact that
there are four party papers published here — two English and two Ger-
man— besides one or two at Lewisburg. There is also a German reli-
gious paper extensively circulated, called the " Christlicke Botschafter,"
or Christian Embassador, published here, by the " Book Concern" of the
" Evangelical Communion," (sometimes known as the Albright denomina'
tion.)
New Berlin was laid out about the commencement of the present cen-
tury, by a Mr. Long, who afterwards sold out and moved away, about the
UNION COUNTY
633
year 1813, It was for some years called Longstown. The act establish-
ing the county, in 1813, changed the name to New Berlin. The town
was then built exclusively upon the southernmost of the two principal
streets, of which it now consists. Mr. John Mauch, who came here at
that time, says there were standing only four frame houses. On the es-
tablishment of the county, the owners of the outlets north of the town,
and under Montours ridge, threw them into common stock, and made a
lottery of them, at $25 per share of one lot. Many of the drawers have
never claimed their lots. This township, now Union, was formerly part
of Buffalo township. (See the proceedings of committee of safety, page
528.)
Lewisburg.
Lewisblrg is situated on the right bank of the West branch of Susque-
hanna, eight miles above Northumberland, and just below the mouth of
Buffalo creek. It is a remarkably thriving village, and has the appear-
ance and bustle of a little city. Within the last few years, about 150
houses have been erected, many of them large brick edifices, whose style
would do credit to any place. It is the market town for Buffalo valley,
and a great part of Penn's valley. A dam opposite the town, built in
1833, forms a basin, which, with a short cross-cut, enables the trade of
the place to reach the West Branch canal, at a distance of about half a
mile. A substantial bridge crosses the West Branch. A turnpike leads
from this place, through Mifflinburg and Hartleystown, to Potter's fort, in
Penn's valley. There are four churches here — Lutheran, Presbyterian,
Methodist, and Christian ; two newspapers, a foundry, several large
warehouses, &c. Population in 1840, 1,220.
Lewisburg was first laid out by Ludwig or Louis Derr, an old German,
who owned the land, and had an Indian trading-house here. He left the
property to his son, who became embarrassed, went to Philadelphia, and
sold the lots at auction, to various purchasers, who, as the town did not
at that time increase rapidly, lost sight of their lots. They were occu-
pied without title, but with mean improvements ; and the uncertainty of
the title prevented, for a long time, the advancement of the town. These
634 UNION COUNTY.
titles, however, were a few years since settled, and the town has since
grown rapidly. In an old geography, by Scott, published in 1806, Lewis-
burg is spoken of as " a post-town, containing upwards of 70 houses."
The following extract is from the numbers by " Kiskiminetas," in the
"Blairsville Record:"—
When Capt. John Brady left Shippensburg, he located himself at the Standing-stone, the
present town of Huntingdon. From thence he removed to the West branch of the Susquehanna,
opposite to the spot on which Lewisburg, or Derrstown, in Union county, stands. If I mistake
not, the tract settled on by him now belongs to George Kremer, Esq. Derr had a small mill on
the run that empties into the river, below the town, and a trading-house, from whence the Indians
were supplied with powder, lead, tobacco, and rum. In the commencement of the strife between
the colonies and the mother country, Brady discovered that the Indians were likely to be tam-
pered with by the British. The Seneca and Muncy tribes were in considerable force, and Pine
and Lycoming creeks were navigable, almost to the state line, for canoes. Fort Augusta had
been built upon the east side of the North Branch, immediately where it connects with the West,
about a mile above the present town of Sunbury. It was garrisoned by '• a fearless few," and
commanded by Capt. (afterwards Maj.) Hunter, a meritorious officer. He had under his com-
mand about 50 men. In the season for tillage, some attention was paid to farming ; but the
women and children mostly resided in the fort, or were taken there on the slightest alarm. Capt.
John Brady suggested to his neighbors and comrades under arms, at Fort Augusta, the propriety
of making a treaty with the Seneca and Muncy tribes ; knowing them to be at variance with the
Delawares. This course was approved of, and petitions sent on to the proper authorities, praying
the appointment of cqmmissioners for the purpose of holding a treaty. Fort Augusta was desig-
nated as the place of conference.
On the day appointed for holding the treaty, the Indians appeared, with their wives and chil-
dren. There were about 100 men, all warriors, and dressed in war costume. Care had been
taken that the little fort should look as fierce as possible ; and every man was on the alert.
In former treaties the Indians had received large presents, and were expecting them here ; but
finding the fort too poor to give any thing of value, (and an Indian never trusts,) all efforts to
form a treaty with them proved abortive. They left the fort, however, apparently in good-humor,
and well satisfied with their treatment ; and, taking to their canoes, proceeded homeward. The
remainder of the day was chiefly spent, by the officers and people of the fort, in devising means
of protection against the anticipated attacks of the Indians. Late in the day, Brady thought of
Derr's trading-house; and, foreboding evil from that point, mounted a small mare he had at the
fort, and crossed the North Branch, riding with all possible speed. On his way home, he saw the
canoes of the Indians on the bank of the river, near Derr's. When near enough to observe the
river, he saw the squaws exerting themselves to the utmost, at their paddles, to work the canoes
over to his side of the river ; and that, when they landed, they made for thickets of sumach,
which grew in abundance on his land. He was not slow in conjecturing the cause. He rode on
to where the squaws were landing, and saw that they were conveying rifles, tomahawks, and
knives into the sumach thickets, and hiding them. He immediately jumped into a canoe, and
crossed to Derr's trading-house, where he found the Indians brutally drunk. He saw a barrel of
rum standing on end, before Derr's door, with the head out. He instantly overset it, and spilled
the rum ; saying to Derr, " My God I Frederick, what have you done ?" Derr replied, " Dey
dcUs me you gif um no dreat town on de fort, so I dinks as I gif um one here, als he go home
in beace."
One of the Indians, who saw the rum spilled, but was unable to prevent it, told Brady he would
one day rue the spilling of that barrel. Being well acquainted with the Indian character, he
knew death was the penalty of his offence ; and was constantly on his guard, for several years.
On the 8th April, 1835, amid a solemn and imposing military array, a
splendid monument was erected, in the Presbj'terian cemetery in Lewis-
burg, to the memory of the late distinguished Col. John Kelly, of Kelly
township. After the ceremony, James Merrill, Esq., delivered an address,
from which the following particulars are derived : —
Col. John Kelly was bom in Lancaster county, in Feb. 1774. After the purchase from the In-
dians, in 1768, and before the opening of the land-oflice in 1769, he came to Buffalo valley, then
part of Berks county. Here he suffered the hardships inseparable from the first settlement of
a new country. He was tall, about six feet two, vigorous and muscular, with a body inured to
labor, and insensible of fatigue, and a mind fearless of danger. He was a major in the revolu-
tionary army, at the age of 27, (see proceedings of committee of safety, page 328 ;) and was en-
gaged in the brilliant actions at Trenton and Princeton
UNION COUNTY. 635
In the course of one of their retreats, the commander-in-chief, through Col. Potter, sent an or-
der to Maj. Kelly to have a certain bridge cut down to prevent the advance of the British, who
were then in sight. The major sent for an axe, but represented that the enterprise would be very
hazardous. Still the British advance must be stopped, and the order was not withdrawn. He
said he could not order another to do what some might say he was afraid to do himself; he would
cut down the bridge. Before all the logs on which the bridge lay were cut off, he was completely
within the range of the British fire, and several balls struck the log on which he stood. The last
log broke down sooner than he expected, and he fell with it into the swollen stream. Our sol-
diers moved on, not believing it possible for him to make his escape. He, however, by great ex-
ertions, reached the shore, through the high water and the floating timber, and followed the
troops. Encumbered as he must have been with his wet and frozen clothes, he made a prisoner,
on his road, of a British scout, an armed soldier, and took him into camp. History mentions
that our army was preserved by the destruction of that bridge ; but the manner in which it was
done, or the name of the person who did it, is not mentioned. It was but one of a series of he-
roic acts, which happened every day ; and our soldiers were then more familiar with the sword
than the pen.
After his discharge, Maj. Kelly returned to his farm and his family, and during the three suc-
ceeding years the Indians were troublesome to tliis then frontier settlement. He became colonel
of the regiment, and it was his duty to keep watch against the incursions of hostile Indians,
through our mountain passes. At one time our people were too weak to resist, and our whole
beautiful country was abandoned. Col. KeUy was among the first to return. For at least two
harvests, reapers took their rifles to the fields, and some of the company watched while others
wrought. Col. Kelly had the principal command of scouting parties in this valley, and very
often he was out in person. Many and many nights has he laid among the limbs of a fallen tree,
16 keep himself out of the mud, without a fire; because a fire would indicate his position to th6
enemy. He had become well skilled in their mode of warfare. One circumstance deserves par-
ticular notice. The Indians seemed to have resolved on his death, without choosing to attack
him openly. One night he had reason to apprehend that they were near. He rose the next
rnorning, and, by looking through the crevices of his log-house, he ascertained that two at least,
if not more, were lying with their arms, so as to shoot him when he should open his door. He
fixed his own rifle, and took his position so that, by a string, he could open the door, and watch
the Indians. The moment he pulled the door open, two balls came into the house, and the In-
dians rose to advance. He fired and wounded one, and both retreated. After waiting to satisfy
himself that no others remained, he followed them by blood ; but they escaped.
For many years Col. Kelly held the office of a magistrate of the county. In the administra-
tion of justice, he exhibited the same anxiety to do right, and disregard of self, which had char-
acterized him in the military service of the country. He would at any time forgive his own fees,
and, if the parties were poor, pay the constable's cost, to procure a compromise.
Seling's Grove is a flourishing village on the right bank of Penn's cr.,
near its confluence with the Susquehanna. The mouth of Middle creek
is but a mile or two below, and opposite the two mouths there is, or was,
a long island called the isle of Q. The passage of the canal along this
island has closed the upper thoroughfare, and forced both streams to emp-
ty their waters under the aqueduct, at the lower end of the (now^) penin-
sula. Seling's Grove contains about 100 houses, with the usual stores
and taverns, and one church. The Northumberland and Harrisburg stage
passes daily through the place. Charlestown, a small village connected
with Seling's Grove, has recently grown up on the isle of Q, along the
canal. Seling's Grove was founded by Anthony Seling, a brother-in-law
of Gov. Simon Snyder. It is settled chiefly by Germans and their de^
scendants. Population about 500. Gov. Snyder's residence was about
two miles below. Hon. Henry Snyder's son now occupies the family
mansion. It is said that during Gov. Snyder's administration, while he
was residing here, a certain celebrated Mrs. Carson, whose paramour had
been condemned to death, came up from Philadelphia intending to steal
away the governor's youngest son, then an infant, and secrete him until
her paramour was pardoned. Her plot was discovered before it could be
put in execution.
October 28th, 1755. Accounts from Faxton, Oct. 20, that some Indiana had begun hoetili-
656 VENANGO COUNTY.
ties on the Susquehanna, and {lad killed or drove away all the inhabitants settled in the nppef
part of Cumberland county, at a place called Penn's creek, about four miles south of Sha-
mokin. The people (says C. Wciser, Oct. 22,) are in great consternation, coming down, leaving
their plantations and corn behind them. 25 persons, men, women, and children, killed, scalped,
and carried away, on the 16th Oct ; 13 killed, who were men and elderly women, and one child >
the rest being young women and children carried away ; a house burnt up. He had raised 300
people, who marched to a short distance and afterwards returned to defend their own townships.
All requesting relief of the governor. On the 23d, upwards of 40 of the inhabitants of Paxton
creek went up to bury the dead, but found it done ; they went on to Shamokin, to visit the friend-
ly Indians there ; staid there all night, and in returning on the west side of the Susquehanna,
in crossing the river in the morning of the 25th, at Mahanoy creek, were fired upon by a number
of Indians that lay in the bushes. Lost several men — they killed 4 of the Indians. These In-
dians spoke the Delaware tongue. — Provincial Records.
During the winter of 1767-68, one Frederick Stump, an old Dutchman, and a famous " In-
dian Killer," or, in other words, a white savage, assisted by one Eirncutter, murdered at his owr»
house six friendly Indians, four males and two females, who were hunting or fishing in this re-
gion, and had sought his hospitality. He cast the bodies of his victims into Middle creek, about
a mile from where the aqueduct now is, through a hole in the ice, and proceeded to a cabin about
four miles from his house, where he found two Indian girls and one child, whom he also slew,
and set fire to the cabin that he might consume their remains. Stump was arrested for this
crime by the indignant neighbors, and imprisoned at Carlisle to await his trial ; but such wa&
the state of public sentiment on the border that even he had his friends : and a party of " black
boys," or frontier men in disguise, rescued him from prison, and he escaped unhung. (See page
531.)
MiFn.iNBURG is a large village in Buffalo valley, 5 miles N. W. of New
Berlin, and 8 miles from Lewisburg. It contains about 500 inhabitants,
2 handsome churches, Lutheran and Methodist, and an academy. The
place was incor}>orated as a borough 14th April, 1827.
Hartleystown is 5 miles S. W. of Mitflinburg, on the road to Potters
fort. It contains about 30 dwellings and a Lutheran church.
MiDULEBURG is on the left bank of Middle cr., about 6 miles S. W. of
New Berlin. It contains 50 dwellings and a Lutheran church. In the same
valley are the smaller villages of Freeburg, Beaver, and Adamsburg.
Centreville is a small village at the end of Jack's mountain, 3 miles
W. of New Berlin.
New Columbus is a village containing about 30 dwellings, on the West
Branch at the mouth of White Deer valley, nearly opposite Milton.
VENANGO COUNTY.
Venango* county was taken from Allegheny and Lycoming by act of
12th March, 1800, and M^as organized for judicial purposes by act of 1st
April, 1805. In 1839 its limits were curtailed by the establishment of
Clarion co,, the Clarion river having been previously the S. E. boundary.
The county now forms a very irregular figure, with an area of about 850 sq,
miles. Population in 1800, 1,130 ; in 1810, 3,060 ; in 1820, 4,915 ; in 1830.
9,470 ; in 1840, 17,900.
The Allegheny river flows through the centre of the co. in a direction
* Venango river was the name given by the French to French creek. The word Venango is
a corruption of the Indian word In-nun.gah, which had some reference to a rude and indecent
figure carted upon a tree, which the Senecas found here when they first came to this region.
VENANGO COUNTY. 637
SO very circuitous that there is not a point of the compass to which it does
not direct its course. The country along its banks is exceedingly wild
and rugged, the river-hills being high and precipitous. The valley is nar-
row, but bounded alternately on either side by elevated alluvial lands,
■which furnish excellent sites for farms. French creek, which comes in at
Franklin, and Oil creek a short distance above, are the other two princi-
pal streams. Racoon, Tionesta, Pit-hole, Sandy, and Scrubgrass creeks,
are streams of minor importance. All these streams flow in deeply in-
dented valleys, rendering the general surface quite hilly : and many of
the component rocks of these hills pertaining to the lower conglomerates
of the coal formation, make on the whole a rugged country. Still there
are large bodies of what may be called good farming land. All the hills
abound with iron ore of excellent quality. Bituminous coal is plenty in
the southern part of the co., and some has been found within two or three
miles of Franklin. Limestone abounds in the southwestern end of the
CO. A great advantage possessed by this co. is its pure water, which pro-
motes good health. Fine water-powers exist on all the tributaries of the
Allegheny, especially on French creek.
The Susquehanna and Waterford turnpike road, laid out at the early
settlement of the country, passes diagonally through the county, crossing
the Allegheny river at Franklin on a splendid new bridge. The French
Creek Canal and Slackwater Navigation, a division of the public improve-
ments of the state, opens a communication from Franklin to Meadville,
and thence by means of the Beaver and Erie extension (nearly completed
in 1843) to Lake Erie. The principal productions of the co. for export
are lumber and iron. There are several furnaces in operation in a circle
of ten or twelve miles around Franklin. This trade for a few years was
driven with great activity, so much so as to absorb all the agricultural
produce of the region : but for one or two years past it has been depress-
ed in common with other departments of industry.
There are several natural curiosities in the county, the most remarka-
ble of which is the peculiarly inflammable oil found floating on the sur-
face of Oil creek. The following interesting extract from one of several
historical numbers which appeared in the (Franklin) Democr. Arch, in
1842, relates to this subject:
" The Seneca oil from the oil springs on Oil creek was used by the Seneca Indians as an un-
guent, and in their religious worship. It is almost as celebrated as the far-famed Naptha of the
Caspian sea. With it the Senecas mixed their war-paint, which gave them a hideous glistening
appearance, and added great permanency to the paint, as it rendered it impervious to water.
What a startling spectacle the oil-anointed warrior of the Senecas must have been as he gave
forth the fearful war-whoop, or paddled his light canoe along the dark blue waters of the Alle-
gheny and Venango '."
" The otlier use made of the oil was for religious worship. Here I cannot better describe it
than in the imaginative language of the commandant of Fort Duquesne to his Excellency Gen.
Montcalm, the unfortunate hero of Quebec. ' I would desire,' says the commandant, ' to assure
your excellency that this is a most delightful land. Some of the most astonishing natural won-
ders have been discovered by our people. While descending the Allegheny, fifteen leagues below
the mouth of the Conewango, and three above Fort Venango, we were invited by the chief of
the Senecas to attend a religious ceremony of his tribe. We landed and drew up our canoes on
a point where a small stream entered the river. The tribe appeared unusually solemn. We
marched up the stream about half a league, where the company, a large band it appeared, had
arrived some days before us. Gigantic hills begirt us on every side. The scene was really
sublime. The great chief then recited the conquests and heroism of their ancestors. The sur-
face of the stream was covered with a thick scum, which burst into a complete conflagration.
The oil had been gathered and lighted with a torch. At the sight of the flames the Indians gave
C3S
VENANGO COUNTS.
forlli n Iriurnplinnt sliout, tlmt rnado tlio liills iuid valley ro-edio afrain !' IlcrO then is revived
the ancient lirc-worsliiji of tli(! Eiist ; — licrc tlicn arc the ' Cliildrcn of the Sun.' "
A iii()n> :i|)|)r()|)ri:if(' rcj^ioii could li.ii'dly •»' sclcc-tcd lor the rosidonce of
an liidi;m li-ihr. 'I'lic rii^^cd liills, clollicd uifh ("orcsls, ;iiid :tl)oiniding
with ^^•lln(• — llic. pun' .sp.-irklin^ slrcutds llowiiij; .'inion^^ llicsc, lulls, (ur-
iiisliiii<i^ l)(tlli <!xc(dlciit lisliiiifi;-jz;rounds and lh(^ nK^ans ot" coiiiinmii(;al,ion,
bordered \\crv, and tlicrc; witli lerlik; bolfoni lands, as sit<\s lor their vil-
lages and corn(i(dds, and overlooked by remarkabh; headlands and " hi^h
places" for their graves and places of w^orship — some of these hills con-
taining^ lead, loo, and perh.'ips other metals j^n^atly prized by them — tlu^so
Were strong altracttions Ibr the red natives of tlu^ Ibrest. Aceordiiij^ly
we lind in .iliiiost every direclion traces of ;). niiuu'rons Indian popiihition
once iidiabilin^ this region. Ilem;i.ins orvill.a^es an; found at the mouth
of Oil creek, and about the mouth and alon^ the waters of French
creek.
About five miles directly south of Franklin, and nine by the river, on the
left bank of the Alh>f2:heny, is a remarkable rock, known to the present
inhabitants as "the Indian (mxI."
The Indian God.
The above sketch shows its situation and appearance to one de*
scendinf? the river. The same writer quoted above says: "This rock un-
doubtedly records the history of many hundred years. Amonfj^ the fif^ures
you can disi inguish a turtle, a snake, an eye, an arrow, a sun. Th(^S(>, arc
symbols or hieroglyj)hics. 'J'hey record the exploits and illustrious ac-
tions of departed ant! foi<;ott(>n nations and their battles. Who shall de-
cipher these wondrous charact(!rs ?"
llc^re arc a few of the more prominent of the figures as they appeared
to the person who took the sketch, during a hasty examination. He had
not the above extract with him at the time, which may account for Ids
not having observed and sel(;cted all which are there mentioned. They
are cut, or rath<;r indented, as if with some rude pointed instrument, upon
the upper face of the rock ; their appearance being much like that of fig-
VENANGO COUNTY 639
y/^ r-^
W'-^ - -^:rfil
/'^
Figures on the rock called " tlie Indian God."
ures burned upon an old hat by successive applications of a sunglass.
The same writer, in relation to the Indians, also says : —
A few rods northeast of the fort, near Franklin, are a ^eat number of graves. These are the
long-horncs of the soldier and the savage. They are not the graves of white men alone, for
Bome of our citizens a few years since opened several of them, and found Indian remains and
arms. This custom of burying arms, clothing, or culinary vessels, with the deceased, prevailed
not among the French or English, but among the Indians alone. It was a pleasant and enchant-
ing spot to lie down in that " dread sleep which knows no waking." There corne the Allegheny
and French creek, and mingle their waters, like streams of life flowing on to the gulf of eternity.
Who shall tell the story of the sleepers in these narrow habitations ? None I No column, no
stone, however lowly, tells a letter of their history. Yet there sleep rnen who once engaged in
the bloody struggle ibr universal empire, in the eighteenth century, between the Bourbon and the
Briton. There are many graves scattered throughout the county. On the summit of the hill
above the dam, there is the grave undoubtedly of some great chief. The excavation is unusually
deep, and great care and labor have been expended in its construction. It occupies a commanding
position. The town, and stream, and landscape around, are seen to great advantage from this
point. With anxious eye the aged chief has cast a dying glance on the home of his childhood
and age, and the wigwams of his people below, and then composed himself in death on the sum-
mit of this hill. His grave is like the grave of the great chieftain of Israel, made amidst the
rocks and the solitude of the mountain. In the wild and poetic religion of the Indian, the spirit
of the warrior was often seen upon that lonely hill, like some sleepless sentinel pointing out to
his tribe the path of safety and glory.
A number have been found in the vicinity of Cooperstown, and some skeletons were dug out
of the bank near the mill-dam, in that place. Indeed, the whole valley of .Sugar creek once
sustained a dense Indian population. Tradition says that the P'rench, a century ago, worked a
silver mine on the spot where the village just mentioned now stands. When the dam was being
erected for the mill, they made quite an excavation in front of the place now occupied by the store
of Fetterman &. Bradley. Some six feet below the surface, a quantity of charcoal was found,
together with a furnace and smelting vessel. Several specimens of ore were obtained also. The
vein appears to be under the bed of the stream, as a deep excavation has been made there. It
created some excitement for awhile, but it soon passed away, as it will always when men are not
found to analyze the specimens and produce the metal. This tradition exactly corresponds with
an idea I have for many years entertained, viz. : that an abundance of lead, and perhaps of the
precious metals, will yet be discovered in this county. The Indians undoubtedly procured thei.
lead somewhere in this vicinity. They have always been exceedingly jealous of their mines, and
accident alone has revealed thern to the white man. The French were equally jealous, because
they expected to regain the empire which they had lost in America. This is evident from the
various and valuable articles found in the well of the fort at Presqu'isle ; but particularly the
curious iron chest and its contents, concealed in the vicinity of Fort Le Boeuf Thus the French,
too, have been instrumental in concealing the minerals of this country. No nation ever enjoyed
the confidence of the Indians so entirely as the French, and none used that power so kindly.
Whence arose these traditions ? Where did the Indians procure their bullet lead ? Indian chiefs
have been known to take silver ore from this section to Canada, and trade it to British merctiants.
640 VEN'ANGO COUNTY.
If valuable ore was not found here, why did the French so represent it ? Why this general be-
lief, more prevalent many years ago than now, that treasures were concealed in this county ?
These are questions that may awake some curiosity, especially in connection with the following
facts : —
Some of our old citizens may remember seeing, thirty years ago, an aged Moncey chief of the
name of Ross. He confidently assured an aged citizen of this county, that there were metals
found, and mines worked by the Senecas. He and Black Snake, a Seneca chief, concur in sta-
ting that there were three different mines between this place and Conewango. One of these is
situated about seven miles from town. Any person who has been up the Warren turnpike to
Oil creek, will remember a deep, dark ravine, overhung with rocks, hemlock, and pine, about a
quarter of a mile this side of HoUiday's. Ross led the white man up the ravine about a hun-
dred and twenty rods: there another gulf comes down from the right, up which they passed some
fifty rods further. The gap here assumes a fearfully dark and forbidding appearance. Vast rocks
are thrown and piled upon one another, and the hill has the appearance of having been rent by
an earthquake. The chief bade the white man stop, and after mentioning the awful death in-
flicted upon one who disclosed the mines to strangers, he said, " I can go no further. This mine is
within five rods of here — find it for yourself" At the same time he showed many specimens of
metal procured there. It was of an excellent quality, though poorly refined. The mineral was
found, as in South America, in crevices of sandstone rock. A tradition says that it was discov-
ered in the same way as the rich mines of Potosi. An Indian fleeing from a wounded panther,
caught hold of a laurel-bush as he ascended the hill. The laurel was uprooted, and a shining
substance was seen among the rocks. After the danger was over, the Indian returned and found
it to be ore of silver. Any person would have his curiosity awakened and gratified by a ram-
ble up that wild and romantic glen.
The second mine was near the mouth of Pit-hole, not far from Mr. Holeman's. It is called
Gushing, from the Seneca word cush, meaning hog. Black Snake is supposed to have taken
considerable quantities of the mineral to Canada, and traded with it. The other mine was on
the east side of the river. Black Snake and other chiefs wore large trinkets got from these mines,
around their arms and necks.
I cannot omit a strange page in the history of the Moncey chief, Ross. He and Locke, an-
other Moncey, were in the employ of the British during the revolution. They together crossed
the mountains on a trip for massacre and booty. Somewhere on the borders of Huntingdon
or Franklin county, they murdered, in cold blood, a schoolmaster and twenty-five or thirty chil-
dren. Taking the scalps, they proceeded to Niagara, disposed of them, and received the " boun-
ty." Locke was somewhat of a bravado, and on their return to Hickorytown, represented him-
self as the principal hero of the scene. Ross was mortified, and determined on revenge. In true
Indian style, he waited years for a suitable opportunity, and at last, in a drunken war-dance,
murdered Locke. He appeared before a council of the Senecas, and was condemned to support
Locke's widow for twenty years. At the expiration of that time, he was to be slain by the near
est relative of Locke then living. This mild sentence was passed on account of his great bravery.
At the end of twenty years, he surrendered himself up to the council of the tribe assembled near
Buffalo. In the mean time, the only son of Locke had married the daughter of Ross. His son-
in-law was unwilling to slay him, for time had long since worn off" the edge of his revenge, and
so the sentence was never executed. He lived to a great age, and died on the banks of his na-
tive stream, the noble Allegheny. Black Snake has a son, a chief among the Senecas, a man
of great dignity and worth. He resides among his people.
This spot has been a familiar one to Cornplanter. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
granted him a tract of about 500 acres of land, situated at the mouth of Oil creek, seven miles
above this place, and including the oil springs, some time about 1792. He sold it some 20 years
ago. This spot has been the theatre of many of his actions ; he was frequently here, and had
traded extensively at this place in 1787, and subsequently, and had, I suppose, also traded with
the French when they occupied this ground. {See Warren county.)
The French traders and missionaries were undoubtedly the first white
men that explored the waters of French creek, and the Upper Allegheny.
The Monsey Indians, a branch of the Delawares, who had been crowded
out from the eastern waters by the encroachments of the whites, came
out as early as 1724 to this region, which had been assigned them as a
home by the Six Nations. The wily Joncaire, the French trader and
adopted member of the Seneca tribe, soon found his way among them ;
and no efforts were spared to seduce them from their allegiance to the
English. The movements of the French in their endeavors to obtain
conunand of the Ohio have been so fully described under the heads of
VENAN.'JO r«>uvrv. 641
Allegheny and Eric counties, tlmt it will bo only necessary here to touch
upon those incidents that occurred in this immediate vicinity.
There are at and near Franklin, the remains of three fortifications.
One of these, which will be subsequently noticed, adjoins the village, and
is known to be of American origin. The other two are below the village,
one of them near the end of the new Allegheny bridge, and the other
nearly a mile below it. Each of these is near the mouth of a small run,
by which it was partly protected, and from which, by means of a dam,
water could be introduced into the ditches surrounding the forts. These
forts, (although the one near the bridge is known in the obscure traditions
of the neighborhood as the English Ibrt,) were probably both erected by
the French; the first one, doubtless about the year 1750, (see page 311,)
and the other, perhaps, in 1758, after the French had abandoned Fort
Duquesne. The following extract is from Col. Bouquet's letter to Chief-
justice Wm. Allen, dated Fort Duquesne, 25th Nov. 1758. After noticing
the arHval of the provincial army at Fort Duquesne, he says: —
We marched this morning and found the report true. They have blown up and destroyed all
their fortifications, houses, ovens, and magazines ; all their Indian goods burnt in the stores,
which seems to have been very considerable. They seem to have been about 400 men : part is
gone down the Ohio; 100 by land, supposed to Presqu'isle, and 200 with the Gov., M. De Lig-
nery, to Venango, where, he told the Indians, he intended to stay this winter, with an intention
to dislodge us in the spring. We would soon make him shift his quarters, hud we only provis-
ions, but we are scarcely able to maintain ourselves a few days here to treat with the neighbor-
ing Indians who are summoned to meet us. The destruction of the fort, the want of victuals,
and the impossibility of being supplied in time, at this distance and season of the year, obliges
us to go back and leave a small detachment of 200 men only, by way of keeping possession of
the ground.
In 1759, the French withdrew their forces from Venango, Le Boeuf,
and Presqu'isle, to strengthen Fort Niagara, then vigorously attacked by
Sir Wm. Johnson. M. De Lignery, the commander, no doubt burned the
works here as he had done those at Fort Duquesne. It does not appear
that this post was garrisoned by the British at all, although their engi-
neers may have taken drawings of its construction. At the time of the
famous war of Pontiac, in 1763, no mention is made of any garrison at
Venango by the early writers in their catalogue of places invested by the
Indian forces.* The writer in the Democratic Arch, thus describes the
forts :
Both of these forts, although erected at different periods, were so located as to command the
Allegheny, (originally called La Belle Riviere by the French,) just below the junction of French
creek. One of them, and the most ancient of the two, the people of the village call the French
fort. Its ruins plainly indicate its destruction by fire. Burnt stone, melted glass, and iron,
leave no doubt of this. All through the ground-works, are to be found great quantities of mould,
ering bones. Amongst the ruins knives, gun-barrcls, locks, and musket-balls have been frequent-
ly found and still continue to be found. About the centre of the area there is seen the ruins of
the magazine, in which, with what truth I cannot vouch, is said to be a well. The same tradi-
tion also adds — " and in that well there is a cannon" — but no examination has been made for it.
It will be observed that the French evacuated the fortification here ; and I have no doubt that
the ancient work we call the English fort, was that erected by the French after the destruction
of the first one. Neither history nor tradition furnishes us with any name or number of Eng-
lishmen here. That a formal possession was taken of the fort here by the British, and perhaps
* There is a tradition in the neighborhood that one of these forts was taken from the French,
during Pontiac's war, by stratagem — that a party of Indians in friendly disguise were playing
ball without the fort, and, while the garrison were off their guard, rushed in and overpowered
them. A comparison of dates shows that Pontiac's war took place four years after the French
had left the country.
81
642 VENANGO COUNTY.
occupied for a short time by them, I have no doubt ; but that it was erected by them, is quite
unhkely. The remains of this work, which I will call Fort Venango, are still very distinct.
From the top of the embankment to the bottom of the ditch is yet about eight feet in depth
The bastions were four in number, and commanded completely all the angles of the fort. The
fortification was square — the length of each side was about 100 feet. Inside of the embankment
was a deep ditch, and within the area formed by the ditch, was situated the blockhouse and
magazine. From the southeast corner of the fort was a subterranean passage to the little stream
that passes within 150 feet of it. Here a dam had been erected, the foundation timbers of which
still exist, and are to be seen. Whether this subterranean passage was made for a cover, by
means of which water could always be procured in safety, or for the purpose of filling the ditches
around the blockhouse, thus surromiding it with a formidable barrier of water six or seven feet
deep and twice that wide, I am not sufficiently military in taste or education to know ; but was
told by an accomplished officer on the ground, that this had been the object of the ditches and
the passage to the creek.
The traveller into our village passes the ruins of this fort on his left, a few rods from the
western extremity of the bridge. The northern angle of the breastworks has been almost en-
tirely removed, to construct the embankment at the western end of this bridge. When I first
saw this, I could not resist the reflection, that corporations, always soulless, have superadded, in
this instance, to their list of virtues, that of heartlessness. It is true, the old remains could be
of but little prnctical use, still they arc part of the evidences on which the history of this place
rests, and should be preserved. We treasure up, as sacred, the gifts and mementoes of departed
friends, as well as trophies recovered from vanquished foes — we do it, not because they are valu-
able, but because they are the silent but distinct historians of other times and other scenes.
What will be the fate of the ruins that remain of this old fortification ? Experience whispers,
what the past will justify us in believing, that some enterprising citizen will fill up its ditches,
harrow down its remaining embankments, obliterate its bastions, and of it make a ■potato patch !
" Sic transit gloria niundi .'"
A draft of this fort, I have been informed, was in the hands of the late Judge Shippen, made
by an uncle, perhaps in 1758 or '59, when the work was perfect. This exhibited the stockade on
the embankment, the bastions, and gates of the fort, all in order, together with the very strong
olockhouse in the centre, which had no less than sixteen chimneys. Below the southeast cor-
ner of the fort stood a saw-mill, erected on the little stream that passes it. This draft has no
notes on it, explaining in whose possession it was, or by whom built.
That these works had cannon on them, cannot be doubted, as a small one, perhaps a four-
pounder, was found in the bank of the river some four or five years ago. The old gun, which
doubtless had withstood the shock of contending foes — had survived the discomfort of savage
association, and while a century of storm, of sunshine, and of flood and tide, had rolled away,
had lain snug, hale, and hearty, in its place of security — was at last discovered by some people,
who dragged it from its resting-place, and with their advantage in science over its old masters,
loaded it to the muzzle with powder and sand, and — blew it to pieces .' It is a wonder that its
last loud and parting peal did not awaken from his deep slumber some old friend to avenge the
indignity !
The errana upon which Major George Washington came to this place
in Dec. 1753, while it was occupied by the French, has been fully stated
on page 312. The following extracts relate to the incidents which oc-
curred here :
" The Half-king told me [at Logstown] he had inquired of the [French] general after two Eng-
lishmen who were made prisoners, and received this answer : ' Child, you think it a great hard-
ship that I made prisoners of those two people at Venango. Don't you concern yourself about
it. We took and carried them to Canada, to get intelligence of what the English were doing in
Virginia.' "
We set out [from Logstown, on the Ohio] about nine o'clock, with the half-king, Jeskakake,
White Thunder, and the Hunter, and travelled on the road to Venango, where we arrived the 4th
of December, without any thing remarkable happening but a continued series of bad weather.
This is an old Indian town, situated at the mouth of French creek, on the Ohio, and lies near
north about 60 miles from Logstown, but more than 70 the way we were obliged to go.
We found the French colors hoisted at a house from which they had driven Mr. John Frazier,
an English subject. I immediately repaired to it, to know where the commander resided. There
were three officers, one of whom, Capt. Joncaire, informed me that he had the command of the
Ohio, but that there was a general officer at the near fort, where he advised me to apply for an
answer. He invited us to sup with them, and treated us with the greatest complaisance. The
wine — as they dosed themselves pretty plentifully with it — soon banished the restraint which at
first appeared in their conversation, and gave a license to their tongues to reveal their sentiments
more freely.
VEN'ANUO COUN IT. 643
They told me that it was their absolute design to take possession of the Ohio, and by G — d
they would do it ; for that, although they were sensible the English could raise two men for their
one, yet they knew' their motions were too slow and dilatory to prevent any undertaking of theirs.
They pretend to have an undoubted right to the river, from a discovery made by one La Salle,
60 years ago ; and the rise of this expedition is to prevent our settling on the river, or waters of
it, as they heard of some families moving out in order thereto.
From the best ilitelligence I could get, there have been 1,500 men on this side Ontario lake ;
hut upon the death of the general, all were recalled to about 600 or 700, who were left to garrison
4 forts, 150 or thereabouts in each. The first of them is on French creek, near a small lake,
about 60 miles from Venango, near N. N. W. The next lies on Lake Erie, where the greater
part of their stores are kept, about 15 miles from the other. From this it is 120 miles to the car-
rying-plaee, at the falls of Lake Eric, where there is a small fort, at wliich they lodge their goods
in bringing them frOm Montreal — the place from whence all their stores are brought. The next
fort lies about 20 miles from this, on Ontario lake. Between this fort and Montreal there are
3 others, the first of which is nearly opposite to the English fort Oswego. From the fort on Lake
Erie to Montreal is about 600 miles, which, they say, requires no more (if good weather) than 4
weeks' voyage, if they go in barks, or large vessels, so that they may cross the lake ; but if they
come in canoes, it will require 5 or 6 weeks, — for they are obliged to keep under the shore.
Dec. 5th. Rained excessively all day, which prevented our travelling. Capt. Joncaire sent for
the Half-king, as he had but just heard that he came with me. He affected to be much concerned
that I did not make free to bring them in before. I excused it in the best manner of which I was
capable, and told him I did not think their company agreeable, as I had heard him say a good
deal in dispraise of Indians in general. But another motive prevented me from bringing them
into his company : I knew that he was an interpreter, and a person of very great influence among
the Indians, and had lately used all possible means to draw them over to his interest ; therefore,
I was desirous of giving him no opportunity that could be avoided.
When they came in, there was great pleasure expressed at seeing them. He wondered how
they could be so near without coming to visit him, made several trifling presents, and applied
liquor so fast that they were soon rendered incapable of the business they came about, notwith-
standing the caution which was given.
6th. The Half-king came to my tent, quite sober, and insisted very much that I should stay
and hear what he had to say to the French. I fain would have prevented him from speaking
any thing until he came to the commandant, but could not prevail. He told me that at this place
a council-fire was kindled where all their business with these people was to be transacted, and
that the management of the Indian affairs was left solely to Monsieur Joncaire. As I was de-
sirous of knowing the issue of this, I agreed to stay, but sent our horses a little way up French
creek, to raft over and encamp, which I knew would make it near night. About 10 o'clock they
met in council. The king spoke much the same as he had before done to the general, and of-
fered the French speech-belt, which had before been demanded, with the marks of four towns on
it — which Monsieur Joncaire refused to receive, but desired him to carry it to the fort to the com-
mander.
7th. Monsieur La Force, commissary of the Frcncli stores, and three other soldiers, came
over to accompany us up to Le BcEuf. (See, for a continuation of the journal, page 312.)
We did not reach Venango [on our return] until the 22d, w^here we met with our horses. This-
creek is extremely crooked. I dare say the distance between the fort and Venango cannot be
less than 130 miles, to follow the meanders.
23d. When I got things ready to set off, I sent for the Half-king, to know whether he intended
to go with us, or hy water. He told me that White Thunder had hurt himself much, and was
sick, and unable to walk ; therefore he was obliged to carry him down in a canoe. As I found
he intended to stay here a day or two, and knew that Mons. Joncaire would employ every scheme
to set him against the English, as he had before done, I told him I hoped he would guard against
this flattery, and let no fine speeches influence him in their favor. He desired I might not be
concerned, for he knew the French too well for any thing to engage him in their favor ; and that,
though he could not go down with us, he yet would endeavor to meet at the Forks wnth Joseph
Campbell, to deliver a speech for me to carry to his honor the governor. He told me he would
order the Young Hunter to attend us, and get provision, «fcc., if wanted.
Our liorses were now so weak and feeble, and the baggage so heavy, (as we were obliged to
provide all the necessaries which the journey would require,) that we doubted much their per-
forming it. Therefore myself and others (except the drivers, who were obliged to ride,) gave up
our horses for packs, to assist along with the baggage. I put myself in an Indian walking-dress,
and continued with them three days, until I found there was no probability of their getting home
in any reasonable time. The horses became less able to travel every day, the cold increased very
fast, and the roads were becoming much worse by a deep snow, continually freezing ; therefore,
as I was uneasy to get back, to make report of my proceedings to his honor the governor, I de-
termined to prosecute my journey the nearest way through the woods, on foot. (See continuation
of the journey on page 90.)
644 VENANGO COUNTY,
In April, 1754, Mons. Joncaire evacuated the fort here, and descended
the Allegheny, under command of Capt. ContreccEur, with a fleet of GO
batteaux, and 300 canoes, conveying 1,000 men and 18 pieces of cannon.
What a brilliant spectacle they must have presented ! This formidable
force reached the forks of the Ohio just in time to pounce upon Ensign
Ward and his little party of forty men, who were busily engaged in build-
ing a British fort.
After the final departure of the French, in 1759, this region remained
in the exclusive possession of the Indians, untrodden probably by the foot
of a white man, until the year 1767; when an unarmed man, of short
stature, remarkably plain in his dress, and humble and peaceable in his
demeanor, emerged from the thick forest upon the Allegheny river, in the
neighborhood of the Seneca towns. This was the Moravian missionary.
Rev. David Zeisberger, who, led by Anthony and John Papanhunk, In-
dian guides, and assistants in his pious labors, had penetrated the dense
wilderness of Northern Pennsylvania, from Wyalusing, on the Susque-
hanna, to preach the gospel to the Indians in this region. His intended
station was at Goshgoshunk, which appears to have been on the left bank
of the Allegheny, not far from the mouth of Tionesta. Possibly Goshgo-
shunk was the same as the Indian name Cush-cush. (See pages 103, 138,
and 173.) The following account of the mission in this vicinity is con-
densed from Loskiel's History of the Moravian Missions : —
The Seneca chief, believing- Br. Zeisberger to be a spy, received him roughly at first ; but, soft-
ened by his mild demeanor, or perhaps by the holy truths which he declared to the chief, he at
length bade him welcome, and permitted him to go to Goshgoshunk. He warned him, however,
not to trast the people there ; for they had not their equals in wickedness and thirst for blood.
This was but another incentive to hiin who came to preach, " not to the righteous, but to sinners."
However, on his arrival he was well received, and shared the hospitality of a relative of one of
his guides. " Goshgoshunk, a town of the Dclawares, consisted of three villages on the banks
of the Ohio." The whole town seemed to rejoice at the novelty of this visit. The mis'sionary
found, however, that the Seneca chief had told him truly. He was shocked at their heathenish
and diabolical rites, and especially by their abuse of the holy name of God. An Indian preach-
er, called Wangonien, strenuously resisted the new doctrines of the missionaries, especially that
of the incarnation of the Deity, and instigated the jealousy of his people ; but the truth, preached
in its simplicity and power, by the missionaries, overcame him ; and he yielded his opposition so
far as to join the other Indians in an invitation to the missionaries to settle among them. The
old blind chief, Allemewi, was awakened, and afterwards baptized, with the Christian name of
Solomon. The missionary went home, to report his progress to his friends in Bethlehem. The
following year Zeisberger returned, accompanied by Br. Gottlob Senseman, and several Mora-
vian Indian families from the Susquehanna, to establish a regular mission at Goshgoshunk. They
built a blockhouse, planted corn, and, gathering round their blockhouse several huts of believing
Indians, they formed a small hamlet, a little separated from the other towns. " To this a great
number resorted, and there the brethren ceased not, by day and night, to teach and preach Jesus,
and God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself." These meetings were fully attended,
" and it was curious to see so many of the audience with their faces painted black and vermilion,
and heads decorated with clusters of feathers and fox-tails." A violent opposition, however, suc-
ceeded, occasioned by the malicious lies of the magicians and old women — " the corn was blast-
ed, the deer and game began to retire from the woods, no chestnuts nor bilberries would grow any
more, merely because the missionaries preached a strange doctrine, and the Indians were chang-
ing their way of life." Added to this, the grand council at Onondaga and Zeneschio (Ischua)
looked with extreme jealousy upon this new encroachment of white-men upon their territories,
and discountenanced the establishment. In consequence of these things the missionaries left
Goshgoshunk, and retired 15 miles further up the river, to a place called Lawanakanuck, on the
Opposite bank — probably near Hickory-town. Here they again started a new settlement ; built
at first a hunting hut, and afterwards a chapel and a dwelling-house, " and a bell, which they
received from Bethlehem, was hung in a convenient place." That bell ! the glad herald of
Christianity and civilization ; it was the first time the sound of the church-going bell had e\er
reverberated among the wild glens of Venango co.
Allemewi, and other Indian disciples, took up their abode around the missionary dweHiug
VENANGO COUNTY. 645
Their pious efforts were prosecuted with alternate success and discouraj[jemcnt for about two
years, when a singular circumstance occasioned another rmigration. " Lawanakanuck began
to be much troubled by the warriors who frequently passed through. The Senecas having broken
the treaty with the Cherokees, murdered several of the latter. The Cherokees therefore caught
two Senecas, cut oS' all their fingers, and sent them home with the following message : " We
had made a perpetual peace with you ; but the treaty was scarce concluded when you broke it
again ; you had promised us to hold fast the chain of friendship, but you have not done it. Now,
because you will not hold the chain of friendship with your hands, wc will cut them off, and
send you herewith a specimen." Upon this hostilities commenced, and as the brethren and their
Indians wished to withdrav/ from the vicinity of tiie war, and the numbers of those who moved
to Lawanakanuck to hear tiie gospel increased so fast that they began to want room, they re-
solved to accept of the friendly offer repeatedly made by the chiefs in Kaskaskunk, [in Butler co.]
and to settle in the neighborhood of that town. April 17, 1770, the congregation broke up, and
set out in 16 canoes, passing down the river Ohio, by Pittsburg, to the mouth of Beaver cr. and
thence to the interior of what is now Beaver co., where they established the new station of
Friedenstadt, or Town of Peace.
Thus closes another scene in the drama of Venango.
The next important personages who made their appearance upon these
shifting scenes, were the sires of those who now occupy the soil. A few,
indeed, of the original settlers still remain. The original adventurers,
who came in under the act of 1792, were from different sections of the
country ; some from New England, some from Wyoming valley, and
many from the middle counties of Penn.sylvania. They endured the usual
hardships of a frontier life until after Wayne's treaty, in 1795, when
alarms ceased, population flowed in more rapidly, and they continued to
prosper, especially after the litigation that originated under the land law
of- 1792 had been quieted. (See page 260.)
The following description of Fort Franklin is from the writer in the
Democratic Arch :
In the spring of 1787 a company of United States troops, under the command of Capt. Hart,
arrived at this place from Fort Pitt, now Pittsburg. They amounted in number to 87, including
officers. There were, perhaps, a dozen of other persons not immediately connected with the
corps, and this constituted the whole force at that time. Immediately on their arrival, they com-
menced erecting what they called Fort Franklin, and from which the name of our town is de-
rived. In place of locating it at the mouth of French creek, so as to command that stream, as
well as the Allegheny river, they made their location about 180 rods above the mouth of the
former, and at a point that would not at all command the latter. The road from Fort Pitt to
Le Bceuf crossed the creek within a few rods of the fort, and bad as the reason may appear, it
was perhaps the only one that induced the selection. It was a mere path then, but the fording
was good, and the ascent of the opposite hill was the most practicable from it. Indeed, the ex-
istence of this path, and the erection of the fort near it, induced those who settled here at an
early period to make their locations also as near as possible to both these supposed advantages.
The road, or path, was the only inland thoroughfare to the place, and on it, in the town, was
established the hotel, and near this the merchant erected his stall, and the mechanic his shop.
Thus was that town in time built upon its present site, far from where strangers think it ought to
have been located.
Fort Franklin was located immediately above and west of the south end of the French creek
bridge, and consequently on the south bank of French creek. Like old Fort Venango, it is a
parallelogram, the out-works including about 100 feet square. These works consisted of high
embankments, outside of which arose tall pine pickets, 16 feet high. There were four bastions,
surmounted by small cannon. Within the area formed by the ditches was the blockhouse, with
a huge stack of chimneys in the centre. In this building were the magazine and munitions.
The huts of the soldiers were in the ditch around the blockhouse, and within the pickets. This
fort was situated on a bluff bank of the creek, 25 or 30 feet high, and nearly perpendicular. To
this day is distinctly to be seen a deep ditch running along the top, and near the edge of this
bank, some 120 feet in length, up the creek. This was intended for a covered way leading from
the fort to a small redoubt at the very margin of the creek, which was surmoimted by two guns —
4-pounders, I think. The garrison had what they called a green-house, or cave, in which they
kept vegetables and meat, witliin a few feet of the excavation now being made at the end of the
bridge, for the site of a new toll-house. A garrison of near 100, including officers and men, was
kept at Fort Franklin until 1796, when what is familiarly known as the ' Old Garriaon,' at the
646
VENANGO COUNTY.
mouth of the creek, was erected by the troops at the fort, at a point more convenient for receiv
ing provisions and munitions brought up by boats and canoes from Pittsburg. It was a strong
wooden building, a story and a half high, and perhaps 30 by 34 feet in length. It was picketed
in, but not calculated to be mounted witii cannon. Indeed, the necessity for this had ceased, as
the treaty of Gen. Wayne with the Indians at Fort Greenville had been made in August, 1793,
and was then believed, as it turned out to be, a lasting peace. The troops at this position re.
moved from the fort, which was from that time suffered to dilapidate, and occupied the garrison
This they continued to do until 1803, when they were withdrawn from Franklin altogether
Fort Franklin soon went entirely to ruin. The stone in the chimneys, like those in Fort Ve-
nango, were hauled away by the citizens of the place, and used in building foundations and
chimneys for private dwellings. The " Old Garrison" was occupied from the organization of
the county, in 1805, until 1819, as a common jail, when the county jail was completed. It re-
mained standing, though in ruins, until 1824, when the last vestige disappeared. Indeed, I am
told that the very foundation on which it stood, has been washed away, and is now part of the
bed of French Creek.
Franklin, the county seat, was laid out by the commissioners, Gen.
Wm. Irvine and Andrei Ellicott, under the act of 1795, at the same time
with the Waterford turnpike, and the towns of Erie and Waterford. It
contains the usual county buildings, and Presbyterian, Methodist, and
Cumberland Presbyterian churches. It is situated upon a broad plain, a
little above the mouth of French cr., and is surrounded with scenery
highly picturesque. There are in the vicinity a furnace, a forge, and
several mills, and the place derives considerable trade from several iron
works in the surrounding region. The French cr. division of the Penn-
sylvania canal terminates here, and when the Beaver and Erie canal is
completed, a communication will be open from here to the lake. The
Allegheny is navigable, in high water, for steamboats to Pittsburg — dis-
tance, by water, 124 miles. The distance by land is only 68 miles. Two
dams on the French cr. navigation, within a mile of the town, afford an
immense water-power ; and there are several other dams further up the
creek. A splendid new bridge crosses the Allegheny here, and there is
also one across French cr. Population in 1 840, 595. -
Public Square in Franklin.
Among the first settlers at this place were Mr. George Powers and Mr.
Wm. Connolly, both still living. Mr. Connolly came from Meadville in
1800. Mr. Powers came out, in 1787, to assist in erecting the barracks,
and subsequently came in '93 on his own account, and established a store
WARREN COUNTY. 647
for the purpose of trading with the Indians. Col. McDowell came not
long after. Samuel Ray came in 1795, and John Andrews ; but the latter
removed to Warren co., where his father, Robert, had settled, near Broken-
straw. In 1797 there were only three or four white families in the place.
Many particulars relating to the early history of this place are recited in
the extracts above.
Utica is a small but smart village on French cr., 8 miles above Frank-
lin. It was started about ten years since, (1832,) by Aaron W. Raymond,
Esq., the proprietor. It contains a fine flouring-mill, woollen and card-
ing establishment, a steam distillery, and a Methodist church.
CooPERSTovvN, a village on Sugar cr., was started about the year 1827,
by Wm. Cooper, Esq., upon a donation tract belonging to his father, who
held the rank of ensign in the army. Messrs. Hilliard and Booth have
a large woollen manufactory here. There are also several other mills.
The place contains Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
Hickory-town is a small settlement at the mouth of Hickory cr., a little
below the Warren co. line. The early settlements of the Moravians in
this region are noticed above in the historical sketch of the co.
The other villages are Dempseytown, Sunville, and Clintonville.
WARREN COUNTY.
Warren county was taken from Lycoming co. by the act of 12th
March, 1800. By the act of 1805 the co. was annexed to Venango for
judicial purposes. On the 16th March, 1819, the county was fully organ-
ized, and the seat of justice fixed at Warren. Length 32 miles east and
west, breadth 26 : area, 832 square miles. Population in 1800, only 230 ;
in 1810, 827 ; in 1820, 1,976 ; in 1830, 4,706 ; in 1840, 9,278.
The Allegheny river runs, with its meanderings, not less than 50 miles
within the co., entering at the northeast corner and leaving at the south-
west. It consists of extensive sheets of dead water and short ripples, and
furnishes power to drive several extensive saw-mills at different points.
The Conewango creek, which enters the co. from the state of New York
and meets the Allegheny at Warren, is also a large and navigable stream,
and turns many valuable mills. The other principal streams are the Bro-
kenstraw. Little Brokenstraw, Tionesta, Tedioute, Kinjua, Stillwater,
Coffee, and Fairbank creeks, and Jackson's, Alkley's, Valentine's, and
Morrison's runs, &c. — on all of which the lumbering business is carried
on extensively.
The surface of the county is undulating, and, near the large streams,
deeply indented, and sometimes rocky. The lands in the townships con-
tiguous to the state line are generally of good quality, and will admit of
dense settlements ; and the same may be said of those between Broken-
straw and Conewango creeks, except the river hills. " The land between
the two Brokenstraw creeks," says another writer, " for several miles is
stony and broken indeed. A land speculator from ' the land of steady
habits,' once travelling over it, where ' stones peep o'er stones, and rocks
on rocks arise,' remarked, that ' it would never be settled till it was set-
648 WARREN COUNTY.
tied by an airtliquake. " Bej^ond this, near the Crawford co. line, is a
large body of good land. On all the rivers of the co. are broad alluvial
margins, producing corn and wheat abundantly when properly cultivated.
Previous to the year 1827, that part of the co. southeast of the Allegheny
river was but little known or explored, and the land abandoned by its
owners was principally sold for taxes ; but since the titles could be per-
fected, settlers have moved in, and found the region to be well timbered,
supplied with abundant water-power, and containing much good arable
land.
In a letter vio-itten by Gen. Wm. Irvine, of the revolutionary army, to
Gen. Washington, after the close of the war, concerning the best means
of opening a water communication between Lake Erie and the Ohio, he
makes allusion to the traces and traditions then existing of an old road cut
by the French over the portage between Chautauque lake and Lake Erie,
and intimates his belief that it was once or twice used by them, and after-
wards abandoned for the Presqu'isle portage. This must have been be-
tween the years 1728 and '50. Previous to this, and subsequently, this
whole region was owned and occupied by the Seneca Indians. In the
year 1784 the treaty to which Cornplanter was a party was made at Fort
Stanwix, ceding the whole of Northwestern Pennsylvania to the common-
wealth, with the exception of a small individual reserve to Cornplanter.
The frontier, however, was not at peace for some years after that, nor,
indeed, until Wayne's treaty, in 1795. About the time of Wayne's
treaty, (and some say even previous to that event, and as early as
1790, — but it is not at all probable,) several adventurous Irishmen
started from Philadelphia, and passing up the Susquehanna and Sinne-
mahoning, penetrated the wilderness of McKean co., built canoes, and
launched them upon the waters of the Allegheny at the Canoe-place, two
miles above Port Allegheny. Floating down past Olean to the mouth of
Conewango, they left the river, and made the first settlement in Warren
CO., among the beachwoods of Pine Grove and Sugar Grove townships.
Their names were Robert Miles, John Russel, John Frew, John and Hugh
Marsh, and Isaiah Jones. When they arrived upon their lands, their
whole stock of " specie and specie funds" was only three dollars !
About the year 1795, the venerable James Morrison (who died m
1840, at the age of 104 years) came out, and took up the large island
at the mouth of Kinjua creek. He was also the owner of Morri-
son's island, at the mouth of Morrison's creek, a few miles above War-
ren. At Irwinville, James Harriot built the first mills, about the year
1812 or '13. Messrs Faulkner, Wilson, Smith, and Hall were the first
settlers near Pine Grove, about the years 1816 to '20. The McKin-
ney family were also early settlers : John settled on Brokenstraw, and
Barney and Michael on the Conewango. Major Robert Andrews, and
Messrs. Hicks, Wilson, Youngs, and Kinnear, were also early settlers on
Brokenstraw. Most of them were lumbermen. Tomes, Etn Irishman, and
Daniel McQuay, also settled on Brokenstraw.
Among the earlier settlers and most enterprising lumbermen of the comity was Jacob Hook,
better known, perhaps, as " Jake Hook." He emigrated either from Boston or Maine somewhere
about the year 1798, bringing with him, as his stock in trade, a package of the bills of some
bank that had failed so recently " down east," that Jake had time to circulate his bills here be-
fore the failure became known. This served to start him ; and eventually, by dint of sharp bar-
gains and hard work, rolling saw logs, digging mill-races, and other speculations appurtenant to
WARREN COUNTY. 649
a lumber country, Jake arrived to the dignity of owning more mills and running more lumber
than any other man in the county. In connection with some of his speculations, the charge of
perjury had been fastened upon him, and he had made himself extremely obnoxious to many of
the citizens. A party attempted to arrest him for trial, and he killed one of them in the affray,
— was tried for his life, but escaped by an informality in the legal proceedings. The following is
from the New York Censor, copied into the Conewango Emigrant of 21st July, 1824. " It was
proved on this trial that seven men, headed by one Asa Scott, went to the house of Hook, about
4 miles above Warren, on the left bank of the Allegheny, between sunset and dark on the 25th
March, for the avowed purpose of taking Hook to Warren that night. They all admitted that
they intended to use force, if necessary. One stated that they meant to take him at all events.
These persons were inimical to Hook with one or two exceptions, and had with them one or two
loaded rifles. On arriving at Hook's they found his doors fastened. One of the company endeav-
ored to prevail on him to surrender ; but he refused, alleging that he feared to trust himself with
such men. About 9 o'clock, Scott and his followers went to the house and demanded admit-
tance ; but he persisted in stating that he considered himself in danger, and that he looked upon
them as a mob. Scott also stated, that on his demanding admittance, Hook infonned him, by a
token peculiar to a particular society, that he was in danger, and that he (Scott) assured him that
he would be safe. Scott immediately burst open the outer door with considerable violence ; and
almost at the same instant a gun was fired off within the house, by which one of the assailants
(Caleb Wallace) was killed, and another wounded. On the trial, the counsel for the prosecution
attempted to show that Scott was a deputy sheriff, and had a legal warrant on Hook for perjury.
The court, however, on examining the deputation under which he pretended to act, decided that
it was void, and gave him no authority." Hook was acquitted on that ground. He had always
been at sword's points with the Warren people, and this affair had no tendency to heal the breach.
He died about 1829 or '30.
The settlement of Warren county, more than of any of the neigh-
boring counties, was greatly retarded by the misconstructions and litiga-
tion resulting from the land law of 1792, and the peculiar management
of the Holland Land Co. This company, under the act of '92, had taken
up the greater portion of the best lands in the county, northwest of the
Allegheny and Conewango ; and by wa\ of aiding and encouraging set-
tlers upon their lands, they established a large store at Warren — one of
the first buildings erected in the place. Daniel McQuay had charge of
it. Pine limiber, however, was the great object of pursuit in this county,
and not agriculture, and so long as a lumberman had but the color of a
title, he would remain long enough on the land to cut the timber, and
then set up a claim to a new tract. Many thus made entries under the
act of '92 upon land claimed by the Holland Land Co., and were in con-
sequence in continual conflict with the company's agents. The latter re-
fused to sell to such persons any thing from their store, or in any way to
countenance them, without a compromise with the company. During
this uncertainty the better class of settlers were deterred from purchas-
ing, and the population in 1810 was only 827, and in 1820 was less than
2,000. On the southeast of the Allegheny, the Lancaster Land Co. had
taken up a large tract, which had been disposed of by lottery, or in some
such other way as to scatter the titles among various unknown and dis-
tant owners, who came at length to abandon their lands as of no value,
and they were sold for taxes. This part of the county is still compara-
tively unsettled. By the great speculations of 1828 to '40, the demand
for lumber throughout the great West was increased, the value of pine
lands enhanced, and great activity was infused into the lumber-business
along the Conewango and Allegheny.
Warren, the county seat, is situated on a plain of about 300 acres, on
the right bank of the Allegheny, just below the mouth of Conewango cr.
The town is principally built along the river bank, which is about 35 ft.
above the water, and commands a picturesque view above and below. A
82
650
WARREN COUNTY.
noble bridge here crosses the Allegheny, from which the annexed view
of a part of the street along the river was taken.
Warre7i.
It is allovred to be one of the most eligible sites on the river. The
town w^as laid out and the lots sold by Gen. \Vm. Irvine and Andrew El-
liott, commissioners appointed by the state. The borough was incorpo-
rated in 1832. Near the centre of the plot is the public square or dia-
mond, around vi^hich are situated the courthouse and public offices, of
brick ; and the jail, of stone ; a bank, of stone — a solid structure with-
out, but broken within — and an academy, of brick. The population
of the place (737 in 1840) is not yet commensurate with its original
plan, and the consequence is, that the public buildings make rather a
lonely appearance, separated as they are at some distance from the com-
pact business street along the river. There are three churches, Presby-
terian, Methodist, and German Methodist. There are also Baptist and
German Lutheran congregations, who have not yet erected houses of w^or-
ship. The dwellings and stores are generally of frame, neatly built, and
painted white. The place is 120 miles from Pittsburg by land, and 22
from Jamestown, on the outlet of Chautauque lake.
Warren, in common with the county, was retarded in its improvement
by the causes mentioned above, and in 1813 it boasted but five houses.
The Holland Land Co. at an early day erected their storehouse on the
river bank, just above the blacksmith's shop ; and Daniel Jackson built
another house on the corner. Abraham Tanner, Esq., who is still living,
came to Warren from Trumbull co., Ohio, embarked in the lumber busi-
ness, and pursued it for some years with success. Robert Falconer, Esq.,
a Scotch gentleman of considerable fortune, came to the place a few years
after Mr. Tanner. In 1816 Samuel Dale surveyed the Lancaster lands
opposite the town, across the river. The lands on the hills north of the
river, and west of the Conewango, and one mile from each, are called
the state's lands ; they extend from one to two miles in width, nearly
through the co., being lands which the Holland Co. did not include in
their survey.
The business of A^ aiTen varies with the season of the year, In the
WARREN COUNTY. 651
midst of winter or summer the place is exceedingly dull ; but at the
breaking up of the ice in the spring, and during the subsequent floods,
the town, and the whole country above, on the Conewango and Alleghe-
ny, is alive with the bustle of preparation among the lumbermen. Large
rafts are continually coming down the Allegheny, and smaller ones down
the Conewango, and rounding in at Warren to be coupled into rafts of
immense area, 60 or 70 feet wide, and from 250 to 300 feet long, in which
shape they pursue their course to Pittsburg and Cincinnati. Large boats,
too, or " broad-horns," as they are called, from the width of their oar's,
form part of the fleet.
These rafts, like immense floating islands, form at once the vehicle and
the temporary residence of several families on their way down the river.
Old and young, from the gray-haired pioneer of sixty down to the boy of
twelve years, are interested in their departure, and compose the crews to
navigate them. There is not probably a boy of twelve years old living
on any stream in Warren co. who has not made his voyage to Cincinnati,
perhaps to " Orleans."
It is a cheering sight to see the bright broad raft floating slowly down
ihe picturesque passes of the Allegheny, with its little shanties, and busy
population; some lifting the long heavy oars, some cooking at the great
tire, some eating their bacon from a broad clean shingle — superior to
French porcelain — some lounging in the sun, and some practising their
coarse wit upon the gazers from the shore, and making the wild hills echo
with their shouts. The unsettled habits induced by these semi-annual
voyages are far from being congenial to the agricultural interests of the
county. Among those who have become distinguished in the lumber bu-
siness, is Guy C. Irvin, Esq., who resides on the Conewango, a short dis-
tance below Pine Grove. He is a complete Napoleon in the lumber bu-
siness. His name, person, and character, are known in every large town
from Olean to New Orleans. He owns, or has owned, more pine lands
and saw-mills, and " run" more lumber, than any man on the waters of
the Allegheny. While the business was driven to its full extent in 1836-
'38, he frequently sent to market 20 millions of feet of boards in a season.
The shore for a mile or two above Pittsburg is frequently lined with his
rafts waiting a rise of the waters. Mr. Irvin came out from the West
branch of the Susquehanna about the year 1817, with little other capital
than a strong, comprehensive mind, and an untiring spirit of enterprise.
The failure of the Lumberman's Bank at Warren, three or four years
since, was fraught with disaster to the middle and poorer classes of citi-
zens of Warren co. The history of this bank, could its materials be
gathered at this day, would be an excellent beacon for similar institutions.
By means of the great extent of country throughout which the lumber
ti'ade was prosecuted, its bills were widely circulated, as well at home,
as at Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and further down. The short and prompt
loans, originally made, became long ones, and eventually permanent ; the
borrowers were few, and heavy dealers and land speculators — they soon
had the bank in their power ; the securities assumed the form of pine
lands, and unsaleable property — the specie was exhausted — ^the bank
failed, with a circulation in the hands of the needy, who sold at a heavy
discount to the large borrowers, who thus paid their debts at an easy
rate.
652 WARREN COUNTY.
In a note, by the editors of the United States Gazette, referring to the ancient village of Eph->
rata, situated in Lancaster county, in this state, the fact is noted that " one of the first printing-
presses introduced into the stale," was located in that village. As a small item of history con*
nected with our profession we have to add, that the identical press in question, became the prop-
erty of the editor of this paper in the year 1804. He caused the woodwork to be renewed, and
removed it to Meadville in the fall of that year. It was the Jirst printing-press introduced int«
this state, northwest of the Allegheny river, and from which the ^rs< sheet issued in this region.
All the continental money, issued by congress, while in session at Lancaster and York, during
the revolutionary war, was struck upon it. This relic of antiquity is now, we believe, the prop,
erty of Mr. Purviance, of the neighboring county of Warren, and from which the " Union," a
very respectable sheet, is issued. Long may it continue to administer to the welfare, prosperity,
and happiness of the Union. — Crawford Messenger, 1830.
The Hon. Joseph Hackney departed this hfe at Warren on the 20th of May, 1832, at the age
of 69 years.
He was distinguished for stanch integrity, uprightness, and generosity in his intercourse with
the world ; modest, unobtrusive, amiable, and possessing reliance, for at least the last year of
his pilgrimage, on the atonement of the blessed Redeemer.
A development of the murderous ontrage upon the happiness of his paternal roof by a savage
foe would harrow up the feelings of sensibility. He was a soldier with Col. Harmar, at the
building of Fort Harmar, at the mouth of the Muskingimi, in 1785,
In 1789, he went with Major, afterwards Gen. Doughty, up the Tennessee river, to conciliate
the Indians in that region by a distribution of presents from the United States. The party, con-
sisting of 15, landed at the encampment of the first Indian village. The tawny natives seemed
to manifest great friendship, but the discerning Maj. Doughty descried something which fore-
boded treachery. He put his men on their guard — and having bestowed the presents designed,
the Indians all gave them their hands in token of their pretended amicable feelings, but Dough-
ty and his men had scarcely wheeled their boat in order to proceed to another village, when the
savages levelled their muskets and killed 11 at the first fire. Mr. Hackney escaped with his
life, as did the two officers and one more ; but one of his arms was broken by a ball, and hung
useless to his side. With the other he managed the boat. The enemy pursued, to the number
of 60, yet by the well-directed fire of the three uninjured warriors, using the loaded guns of their
fallen brethren, they killed many of their pursuers, beat off the residue — and defeated them !
Mr. Hackney then repaired to a Spanish fort on the Mississippi, where, with surgical aid and
the blessing of Heaven, his limb was fully restored.
He was afterwards with Harmar on his campaign in 1790. During this memorable period, he
WBS sent out under Major Willis and Lieut. Ebenezer Frothingham, on what may with propriety
be called a forlorn hope, as one of a battahon intrusted with a duty, in the region of the San-
dusky. The Indians killed every member of the battalion, except 11, of which Mr. Hackney
was one.
In 1793, he settled in Meadville, diligent in liis lawful pursuits, happy in his domestic relations,
arid beloved by all his acquaintance. He was colonel of the first regiment in Crawford county.
He removed to the banks of the Konnewonggo, in 1817, and gained by his urbanity, hospital-
ity, and correct conduct, the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and their suffrages for various offices.
He was appointed an associate judge, on tlie organization of Warren county for judicial purposes,
and discharged the duties of the office with dignity, establishing his character as an upright and
Useful judge, till the close of his life. — Crawford Messenger.
Pine Grove is situated on the right bank of the Conewango, 7 miles
above Warren, at the head of the rapids. It is compactly built — con-
tains some 40 or 50 dwellings, store, taverns, &c. Russel's mills are
situated here, on one of the best water-privileges in the county. Three
saw^-mills and a grist-mill, besides other works, are in operation here, and
nearly a mile below is another large saw-mill. Establishments like these,
it is said, might be erected on each mile between Pine Grove and Warren.
YouNGsviLLE is situatcd on both sides of Big Brokenstraw, 3 miles from
its mouth. It contains about 20 dwellings, and a Methodist church.
Some of the largest and best-cultivated farms in the county, surround
this village. Sugar Grove is situated in the township of that name, one
and a half miles south of the N. Y. state line. It contains some 20 or 30
dwellings, a saw and grist-mill. It is pleasantly situated, and surrounded
with groves of sugar-maple — hence the name. Lottsville is in the same
WARREN COUNTY. 653
township, on the Little Brokenstraw. Fayette is on a branch of the Big
Brokenstraw, in Columbus township. At all these places there are good
water-privileges. At each of these villages there is a post-office, as also
at Deerfield, Klnjua, Spring Valley, and Irvine.
A colony of German Protestants have recently purchased (May, 1843)
10,000 acres of land in Limestone township, which they are about settling
on the principle of community of property. It is believed, however, that
they intend to retain the common property organization for only five or
ten years, or until the land is fully paid for, when they expect to divide
the shares. A similar colony, of the Catholic denomination, have also
purchased a tract in the eastern part of the county, near the boundary
of McKean co.
About six miles below Warren, near the mouth of Brokenstraw creek,
the traveller, who has thus far passed the usual plain log or frame cot-
tages by the roadside, is struck with the appearance of an elegant man-
sion of stone, of a chaste and neat design, standing a little back from the
road, with a fine farm around it. A short distance beyond he sees an-
other, after the same model, adorning a similar farm : a little further on,
another still, and near it, by the roadside, the " Cornplanter Hotel," built
of freestone, in a style and of a magnitude that would do honor to Chest-
nut-st., in Philadelphia. Opposite the hotel is a row of stores, in the
same style of architecture ; a neat bridge crosses the creek ; on one side
are the wild rocky hills, and on the other the broad alluvial meadows
that border the Allegheny. Besides the buildings enumerated above,
there is a mill and miller's house ; two other elegant stone cottages be-
low the creek ; and about a mile below, near the Allegheny, is the man-
sion of the proprietor. This village, intended eventually to become the
town of Cornplanter, was erected and is owned entirely by Dr. Wm. A.
Irvine. It stands on a large tract of fine land inherited from his father,
the late Commissary-Gen. Callender Irvine, who was the son of Gen. Wm.
Irvine of the revolutionary army. The village was built in anticipation
of the construction of the Sunbury and Erie railroad ; which was located
directly through it, and was to pass up the Brokenstraw valley. It will
be some years before this road is constructed.
On the flats below the village once stood an Indian village, called
Buckaloon, which was destroyed by a detachment under Col. Broadhead
from Pittsburg, in 1781. It required a siege of some days to drive out
the Indians, who retreated to the hills in the rear of the village. Several
days afterwards Major Morrison, (afterwards a distinguished citizen of
Lexington, Kentucky,) returned to reconnoitre, and had stooped to drink
at the mouth of the creek, when a rifle ball from an Indian splashed the
water in his face. This fact was long after confirmed to Dr. Irvine by
one of Cornplanter's men. Gen. Wm. Irvine was for several years en-
gaged as commissioner for the state in superintending the surveys of land
northwest of the Allegheny, under the land law of 1792; and either he
or his son, Gen. Callender Irvine, took up large tracts on Brokenstraw
creek. The latter came to this place in 1795, erected a cabin, and placed
in charge of it, by way of perfecting " an actual settlement," a faithful
old negro servant. A very affectionate intimacy subsisted between Gen.
Irvine and Cornplanter, and reciprocal visits were often made by them.
One day while Gen. Callender Irvine was staying at the cabin, two Mon-
654 WARREN COUNTY.
sey's, a small clan of whom lived in the vicinity, came to the cabin for
some salt. Salt in those days was as precious as silver, being packed on
horses over the mountains. The old negro took out his measure of salt
to give them a little, but they wanted the whole, and vowed they would
have it by fair means or foul. Gen. Irvine here interfered and drove
them oft. A few days afterwards one of Cornplanter's men came down
to visit and hunt, and spent a fortnight with the general. This was no
uncommon occurrence at his hospitable cabin, and he thought nothing of
it. Months afterwards Cornplanter told the general that the Monseys
had threatened his (the general's) life, and that he had sent the Indian
down secretly to watch their movements.
KiNJUA is a small village on the left bank of the Allegheny, at the
mouth of Kinjua creek, and 12 miles above Warren. Five miles above
Kinjua, on the right bank of the Allegheny, and four miles below the
state line, is the reservation, and late residence of Cornplanter, the dis-
tinguished Seneca chief. The Allegheny reservation of the Seneca na-
tion is above the state line, extending for thirty miles along the river, and
one mile in breadth. The Senecas were by far the most numerous and
warlike of the Six Nations. The peculiar organization of that confed-
eracy, and the rank which the Senecas held in it, have been mentioned
on page 6 of the Outline History. The history of their wrongs at the
hands of land speculators, and of the gradual diminution of their num-
bers, belongs more properly to the history of New- York than to that of
Pennsylvania. By various treaties they have been deprived of one piece
of their fair domain after another, until they were crowded upon four
small reservations, one at Tonawanta, 8 or 10 miles N. W. of Batavia,
one 3 miles east of Buffalo, one at Cattaraugus creek, 28 miles south of
Buffalo, and the fourth on the Allegheny, as mentioned above. At each
of these reservations, except the Tonawanta, the American Board have
a mission station, with a church and schools. The following is from the
"Day spring" of Feb. 1842.
The whole number of schools on all the reservations is 12, containing 210 pupils. In addition
to these are eight Sabbath-schools, embracing 155 piipilS. To the 4 churches about 50 members
have been added during the year 1842. And there has been a very great advance in the cause
of temperance. For three years past there has been great excitement and alienation growing out
of their political difficulties. In 1838 a treaty was obtained from them, in which the Senecas
sold all their reservations except the last two, and that portion of the Tuscarora which the Tus-
caroras held by purchase. By the conditions of this treaty they were to receive $100,000, also
$102,000 for their improvements; and the United States government were to furnish $400,000
to remove them west of the Mississippi and support them one year in the west. It has been
estimated that the allowance made them for their improvements will not be half adequate to
enable them to make as good houses and fields on the new lands to which they go, as they had
on those which they leave, and that by this bargain, should it be carried into effect, they would
lose more than half their available property, and be for some years to come, comparatively poor
and destitute. A compromise was effected last spring, by which they sell only a part of Tusca-
rora and the whole Tonawanda and Buffalo reservations, and receive a proportionable part of the
compensation stipulated in the former treaty ; but they receive nothing for removal and subsist-
ence. The case at present stands thus. The Indians on the ceded part of the Tuscarora reser-
vation must remove to that part which is not sold. Here they wUl have land enough for their
present wants. The Indians on the Tonawanda and Buffalo reservations must all remove. Cat-
taraugus and Allegheny remain for the present undisturbed. The Indians from Tonawanda and
Buffalo intend, most of them, to settle at Cattaraugus. Some say they will go west of the Mis-
sissippi, some to Canada, and a few will probably go to Allegheny. Two years are allowed by
the treaty for removing, nearly 18 months of wliich still remain. The present number of In-
dians on these reservations is about 3,000.
Few names are more distinguished in the frontier history of Pennsylvania than that of Com-
WARREN COUNTY. 655
planter.* His Indian name was Ga-nio-di-euh, or Handsome LnJce. He was born at Conewau-
gus, on the Genesee river ; being a hall'-brccd, tlie son of a wlute man named John O'Bail, a
trader from the Mohawk valley. In a letter written in later years to the governor of Pennsyl
vania, he thus speaks of his early youth :
"When I was a child I played with the butterfly, the grasshopper, and the frogs ; and as I
grew up, I began to pay some attention and play with the Indian boys in the neighborhood ; and
they took notice of my skin being of a different color from theirs, and spoke about it. I inquired
of my mother the cause, and she told me that my father was a resident in Albany. I still ate
my victuals out of a bark dish. I grew up to be a young man, and married me a wife, and I
liad no kettle or gun. I then knew where my father lived, and went to see him, and found he
was a white man and spoke the English language. He gave me victuals while I was at his
house, but when I started to return home, he gave me no provision to eat on the way. He gave
me neither kettle nor gun." * * *
Little further is known of his early life beyond the fact that he was allied with the French in
the engagement against Gen. Braddock in July, 1755. He was probably at that time at least
twenty years old. During the revolution he was a war chief, of high rank, in the lull vigor of
manhood, active, sagacious, eloquent, and brave ; and lie most probably participated in the prm-
cipal Indian engagements against the United States during that war. He is supposed to have
been present at the cruelties of Wyoming and Cherry Valley, in which the Senecas took a pro-
minent part. He was on the war-path with Brant during Gen. Sullivan's campaign, in 1779 ;
and in the following year, under Brant and Sir John Johnson, he led the Senecas in sweeping
through the Schoharie Kill and the Mohawk. On this occasion he took his father a prisoner,
but with such caution as to avoid an immediate recognition. After marching the old man some
ten or twelve miles, he stepped before him, faced about, and addressed him in the following
terms :
" My name is John O'Bail, commonly called Cornplanter. I am your son ! You are my fa-
ther ! You are now my prisoner, and subject to the customs of Indian warfare. But you shall
not be harmed. You need not fear. I am a warrior ! Many are the scalps which I have
taken ! many prisoners I have tortured to death ! I am your son. I was anxious to see you,
and greet you in friendship. I went to your cabin, and took you by force ; but your life shall be
spared. Indians love their friends and their kindred, and treat them with kindness. If now you
choose to follow the fortunes of your yellow son, and to live with our people, I will cherish your
old age with plenty of venison, and you shall live easy. But if it is your choice to return to your
fields and live with your white children, I will send a party of my trusty young men to conduct
you back in safety. I respect you, my father. You have been friendly to Indians, and they are
your friends." The elder O'Bail preferred his white cliildren and green fields to his yellow ofF-
epring and the wild woods, and chose to return.
Notwithstanding his bitter hostility while the war continued, he became the fast friend of the
U. 8. when once the hatchet was buried. His sagacious intellect comprehended at a glance the
growing power of the U. S., and the abandonment with which Great Britain had requited the
fidelity of the Senecas. He therefore threw all his influence, at the treaties of Fort Stanwix and
Fort Harmar, in favor of peace ; and, notwithstanding the vast concessions which he saw his
people were necessitated to make, still, by his energy and prudence in the negotiation, he retained
for them an ample and beautiful reservation. For the course which he took on those occasions
the state of Pennsylvania granted him the fine reservation upon which he resided, on the Alle-
gheny. The Senecas, however, were never well satisfied with his course in relation to these trea-
ties ; and Red Jacket, more artful and eloquent than his elder rival, but less frank and honest,
seized upon this circumstance to promote his own popularity at the expense of Cornplanter.
Having buried the hatchet, Cornplanter sought to make his talents useful to his people by con-
dilating the good-will of the whites, and securing from further encroachment the little remnant
of his national domain. On more than one occasion, when some reckless and bloodthirsty whites
on the frontier had massacred unoffending Indians in cold blood, did Cornplanter interfere to re-
strain the vengeance of his people. During all the Indian wars from 1791 to 1794, which termi.
nated with Wayne's treaty, Cornplanter pledged himself that the Senecas should remain friendly
to the U. S. He often gave notice to the garrison at Fort Franklin of intended attacks from hos-
tile parties, and>ieven hazarded his life on a mediatorial mission to the Western tribes. He ever
entertained a high respect and personal friendship for Gen. Washington, " the great councillor of
the Thirteen Fires," and often visited him, during his presidency, on the business of his tribe.
His speeches on these occasions exhibit both his talent in composition and his adroitness in di-
plomacy. Washington fully reciprocated his respect and friendship. They had fought against
each other on the disastrous day of Braddock's field. Both were then young men. More than
* For the facts contained in the first part of this biograpliical sketch, we are indebted to Col.
Stone's Life of Red Jacket, where a more extended memoir, and a number of Cornplanter's
speeches, may be found.
656 WARREN COUNTY.
forty years afterwards, when Washington was about retiring from the presidency, Cornplanter
made a special visit to Philadelphia to take an affectionate leave of the great benefactor of the
white man and the red.
After peace was permanently established between the Indians and the U. S., Cornplanter re-
tired from public life and devoted his labors to his own people. He deplored the evils of intem-
perance, and exerted himself to suppress it. The benevolent efforts of missionaries among his
tribe always received his encouragement, and at one time his own heart seemed to be softened by
the words of truth ; yet he preserved, in his later years, many of the peculiar notions of the In-
dian faith.
In the war of 1812-14, when the Senecas took up the hatchet in alliance with the United States,
Cornplanter appears to have taken no active part ; but his son. Major Henry O'Bail, and his in-
timate friend and neighbor Halftown, were conspicuous in several engagements on the Niagara
frontier.
Rev. Timothy Aldcn, then president of Allegheny College, who visited Cornplanter in 1816,
thus describes the chief and his village :
" Jennesedaga, Cornplanter's village, is on a handsome piece of bottom land, and comprises
about a dozen buildings. It was grateful to notice the agricultural habits of the place, and the
numerous enclosures of buckwheat, corn, and oats. We also saw a number of oxen, cows, and
horses ; and many logs designed for the saw-mill and the Pittsburg market. Last year, 1815,
the Western Missionary Society established a school in the village, under Mr. Samuel Oldham.
Cornplanter, as soon as apprised of our arrival, came over to see us, and took charge of our
horses. Though having many around him to obey his commands, yet, in the ancient patriarchal
style, he chose to serve us himself, and actually went into the field, cut the oats, and fed our
beasts. He appears to be about 68 years of age, and 5 feet 10 inches in height. His counte-
nance is strongly marked with intelligence and reflection. Contrary to the aboriginal custom, his
chin is covered with a beard three or four inches in length. His house is of princely dimensions
compared with most Indian huts, and has a piazza in front. He is owner of 1,300 acres of ex-
cellent land, 600 of which encircle the ground-plot of his little town. He receives an annual sti-
pend from the United States of $250. Cornplanter's brother, lately deceased, called the prophet,
was known by the high-sounding name Gaskukewanna Konnediu, or Large Beautiful Lake.
Kinjuquade, the name of another chief, signified the place of many fishes; — hence probably the
name of Kinjua."
In 1821-22 the commissioners of Warren co. assumed the right to tax the private property of
Cornplanter, and proceeded to enforce its collection. The old chief resisted it, conceiving it not
only unlawful, but a personal indignity. The sheriff again appeared with a small posse of armed
men. Cornplanter took the deputation to a room around which were ranged about a hundred
rifles, and, with the sententious brevity of an Indian, intimated that for each rifle a warrior
would appear at his call. The sheriff' and his men speedily withdrew, determined, however, to
call out the militia. Several prudent citizens, fearing a sanguinary collision, sent for the old
chief in a friendly way to come to Warren and compromise the matter. He came, and after
some persuasion, gave his note for the tax, amounting to $43.79. He addressed, however, a re-
monstrance to the governor of Pennsylvania, soliciting a return of his money, and an exemption
from such demands against land which the state itself had presented to him. The legislature
annulled the tax, and sent two commissioners to explain the affair to him. He met them at the
courthouse in Warren, on which occasion he delivered the following speech, eminently charac-
teristic of himself and his race :
" Brothers : Yesterday was appointed for us all to meet here. The talk which the governor
sent us pleased us very much. I think that the Great Spirit is very much pleased that the white
people have been induced so to assist the Indians as they have done, and that he is pleased also
to see the great men of this state and of the United States so friendly to us. We are much
pleased with what has been done."
" The Great Spirit first made the world, and next the flying animals, and found all things good
and prosperous. He is immortal and everlasting. After finishing the flying animals, he came
down on earth and there stood. Then he made different kinds of trees, and weeds of all sorts,
and people of every kind. He made the spring and other seasons, and the weather suitable for
planting. These he did make. But stills to make whiskey to be given to Indians he did not
make. The Great Spirit bids me tell the white people not to give Indians this kind of liquor.
When the Great Spirit had made the earth and its animals, he went into the great lakes, where
he breathed as easily as anywhere else, and then made all the different kinds of fish. The Great
Spirit looked back on all that he had made. The different kinds he made to be separate, and not
to mix with and disturb each other. But the white people have broken his command by mixing
their color with the Indians. The Indians have done better by not doing so. The Great Spirit
wishes that all wars and fightings should cease."
" He next told us that there were three things for our people to attend to. First, we ought to
take care of our wives and children. Secondly, the white people ought to attend to their farms
and cattle. Thirdly, the Great Spirit has given the bears and deers to the Indians. He is the
WARREN COUNTV. 657
cause of all things that exist, and it is very wicked to g^o against his will. The Great Spirit
wishes me to inform the people that they should quit drinking intoxicating drink, as being the
cause of disease and death. He told us not to sell any njore of our lands, for he never sold lands
to any one. Some of us now keep the seventh day ; but I wish to quit it, for the Great Spirit
made it for others, but not for the Indians, who ought every day to attend to their business. He
has ordered rae to quit drinking any intoxicating drink, and not to lust after any women but my
own, and informs me that by doing so I should live the longer. He made known to me that it
is very wicked to tell lies. Let no one suppose this I have said now is not true."
" I have now to thank the governor for what he has done. I have informed him what the
Great Spirit has ordered me to cease from, and I wish the governor to inform others of what I
have communicated. This is all I have at present to say."
The old chief appears after this again to have fallen into entire seclusion, taking no part even in
the politics of his people. He died at his residence on the 7th March, 1836, at the age of 100 years
and upwards. " Whether at the time of his death he expected to go the fair hunting-grounds of
his own people or to the heaven of the Christian, is not known."
"Notwithstanding his profession of Christianity, Cornplanter was very superstitious. 'Not
long since,' says Mr. Foote, of Chautauque co., ' he said the Good Spirit had told him not to have
any thing to do with the white people, or even to preserve any mementoes or relics that had been
given to hiin, from time to time, by the pale-faces, — whereupon, among other things, he burnt up his
belt, and broke his elegant sword."
In reference to the personal appearance of Cornplanter at the close of his life, a writer in the
Democratic Arch (Venango co.) says —
" I once saw the aged and venerable chief, and had an interesting interview with him, about a
year and a half before his death. I thought of many things when seated near him, beneath the
wide-spreading shade of an old sycamore, on the banks of the Allegheny — many things to ask
him — the scenes of the revolution, the generals that fought its battles and conquered, the Indians,
his tribe, the Six Nations, and himself. He was constitutionally sedate, — was never observed to
smile, much less to indulge in the ' luxury of a laugii.' When I saw him, he estimated his age
to be over 100 years. I think 103 was about his reckoning of it. This would make him near
105 years old at the time of his decease. His person was much stooped, and hi« stature was far
short of what it once had been — not being over 5 feet 6 inches at the time I speak of. Mr. John
Struthers, of Ohio, told me, some years since, that he had seen him near 50 years ago, and at
that period he was about his height — viz., 6 feet 1 inch. Time and hardship had made dreadful
impressions upon that ancient form. The chest was sunken, and his shoulders were drawn for-
ward, making the upper part of his body resemble a trough. His Hmbs had lost their size and
become crooked. His feet, too, (for he had taken off his moccasins,) were deformed and haggard
by injury. I would say that most of the fingers on one hand were useless : the sinews had been
severed by a blow of the tomahawk or scalping-knife. How I longed to ask him what scene of
blood and strife had thus stamped the enduring evidence of its existence upon his person ! But
to have done so would, in all probability, have put an end to all further conversation on any sub-
ject,— the information desired would certainly not have been received, — and I had to forego my
curiosity. He had but one eye, and even the socket of the lost organ was hid by the overhang-
ing brow resting upon the high cheek-bone. His remaining eye was of the brightest and black-
est hue. Never have I seen one, in young or old, that equalled it in brilliancy. Perhaps it had
borrowed lustre from the eternal darkness that rested on its neighboring orbit. His ears had been
dressed in the Indian mode : all but the outside ring had been cut way. On the one ear this ring
had been torn asunder near the top, and hung down his neck like a useless rag. He had a full
head of hair, white as the ' driven snow,' which covered a head of ample dimensions and admira-
ble shape. His face was not swarthy ; but this may be accounted for from the fact, also, that he
was but half Indian. He told me that he had been at Franklin more than 80 years before the
period of our conversation, on his passage down the Ohio and Mississippi with the warriors of
his tribe, on some expedition against the Creeks or Osages. He had long been a man of peace,
and I believe his great characteristics were humanity and truth. It is said that Brant and the
Cornplanter were never friends after the massacre of Cherry Valley. Some have alleged, because
the Wyoming massacre was perpetrated by the Senecas, that the Cornplanter was there. Of the
justice of this suspicion there are many reasons for doubt. It is certain that he was not the chief
of the Senecas at that time : the name of the chief in that expedition was Ge-en-quah-toh, or
He-goes-in-the-smoke. As he stood before me — the ancient chief in ruins — how forcibly was I
struck with the truth of the beautiful figure of the old aboriginal chieftain, who, in describing
himself, said he was ' like an aged hemlock, dead at the top, and whose branches alone were
green.' After more than one hundred years of most varied Ufe — of strife, of danger, of peace-
he at last slumbers in deep repose, on the banks of his own beloved Allegheny."
33
658 WASHINGTON COUNTY.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Washington county was the first established by the legislature after
the declaration of independence. It was taken from Westmoreland by
the act of 28th March, 1781. Its dimensions were reduced in 1788 and
1796, by the establishment of Allegheny and Greene counties. Length
31 miles, breadth 28; area, 888 square miles. Population in 1790,
23,866; in 1800, 28,293; in 1810, 36,289; in 1020, 40,038; in 1830,
42,860 ; and in 1840, 41,279.
The surface of the county is undulating, and in some parts hilly ; but
there are no mountains, and the hills can be cultivated to the very tops.
The surface of this region was originally part of one great uniform slope,
extending from the mountains to the Ohio, and has been brought to its
present shape by the wearing action of the waters during countless ages.
These deep indentations of the original surface have laid open and made
accessible rich beds of coal and limestone. The soil is exceedingly fer-
tile, producing abundant crops of grain and fruits. Luxuriant meadows
are found along the streams, and pasturage on the hill-sides. The princi-
pal river is the Monongahela, which flows through a deep valley along
the eastern boundary. The centre of the county is a summit level, from
which flow, in various directions, the sources of Chartiers creek, Buffalo
creek. Ten Mile creek, and several smaller streams. There are some 15
or 20 steam-mills in the county, for making flour and carding wool, and
several woollen manufactories, among which, one at Washington is said
to consume about 30,000 pounds of wool annually. The predominant
business, however, is agriculture, and especially the departments of breed-
ing and grazing cattle, and the raising of wool. Within the last 20 years
the attention of the farmers has been directed to the latter product, until
it has become the staple commodity of the county. In 1830, the estimate
was made that there were in the county about 145,000 sheep ; the census
of 1840 shows 222,631, yielding annually from 500,000 to 700,000 pounds
of wool. In the palmy days of 1836, while wool was at 50 cents per
pound, the business was considered highly profitable ; but at 25 cents, the
price of 1842, the farmers talk of abandoning it. A writer, in 1828, re-
marked, in relation to this county —
Our cleared land is estimated at 250,000 acres, capable of maintaining, on an average, two
sheep to the acre, without rendering our population dependent on others lor those agricultural
products which we consume, and now produce within ourselves. According to this estimate, we
can keep 500,000 sheep, yielding 1,500,000 pounds of washed wool, which will leave, after de-
ducting the quantity necessarily consumed by a population of 50,000, a surplus for sale, of more
than a million of pounds. We know from experience, that sheep (provided there be suffi-
cient inducement) may be increased at a ratio of 20 per cent, yearly — which in six years would
give this county the number we have before estimated it is capable of maintaining. No
country in the world is better adapted to growing wool than the western parts of Pennsylvania,
and the adjoining parts of Ohio and Virginia ; and the wool from such flocks as have been judi-
ciously managed, has been found to improve in quality and increase in quantity ; indeed, much
of it will bear comparison with the best Saxon wool we have seen.
The county is intersected by three excellent turnpikes ; the national
road, passing through the centre, the Washingtoi and Pittsburg turnpike,
and the Washington and Williamsport, or Mor ongahela city turnpike,
passing on towards Sofnerset, and generally kno' ^n as the " Glades road.'
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 659
• This county can boast several excellent literary institutions, the most
prominent of which are Washington College and the Female Seminary
at Washington, and Jefferson College, at Canonsburg.
The county was originally settled by Scotch-Irish from Bedford and
York counties, from the Kittatinny valley, from Virginia, and directly
from Ireland ; and although Germans and othe^^races have since come in,
the descendants of the original settlers still predominate, and their in-
fluence prevails in the manners and religious and literary institutions of
the county.
After the retreat of the French from Fort Duquesne, in 1758, the
country \vas, to some extent, free for the entrance of traders and pioneers,
but their principal attention was then directed to the more prominent
points on the great rivers. It is possible that a few may have ventured
across the Monongahela in the immediate neighborhood of Redstone Old
Fort, (Brownsville,) which was built in 1759. After Pontiac's sanguinary
war, in 1763, the western settlements enjoyed peace until the spring of
1774. "During this period," says Mr. Doddridge, " the settlements in-
creased with great rapidity along the whole extent of the western fron-
tier. The settlements along the Monongahela commenced in the year
1 772, and in the succeeding year they reached the Ohio river. The shores
of the Ohio, on the Virginia side, had a considerable population as early
as the year 1774."
In April of that year, Capt. Cresap, Daniel Greathouse, and others,
without the least provocation, first murdered two Indians passing down
the river, near Wheeling, in a canoe ; they then went down to an Indian
encampment at the mouth of Captina creek, and killed several there ;
and a few days afterwards went up with a party of 32 men and mur-
dered, in cold blood, and under circumstances of most hypocritical
treachery, another party of Indians at the mouth of Big Yellow creek,
above SteubenVille. These massacres were unquestionably the principal,
if not the sole causes of " Lord Dunmore's war" of 1774. Although
this massacre was not within the limits of Pennsylvania, yet^ as it had an
intimate connection with the history of Logan, the Cayuga chief, we ex-
tract the following details from Rev. Joseph Doddridge's Notes.
The ostensible object for raising the party under Greathouse, was that of defending the family
of Baker, whose hoUse Was opposite to a large encampment of Indians, at the mouth of Big
Yellow creek. The party were concealed in ambuscade, while their commander went over the
river, under the mask of friendship, to the Indian camp, to ascertain their number ; while there,
an Indian woman advised him to return home speedily, saying that the Indians were drinking,
and angry on account of the murder of their people down the river, and might do him some
mischief. On his return to his party he reported that the Indians were too strong for an open
attack. He returned to Baker's and requested him to give any Indians who might come over,
in the course of the day, as much rum as they might call for, and get as many of them drimk
as he possibly could. The plan succeeded. Several Indian men, with two women, came over
the river to Baker's, who had previously been in the habit of selling rum to the Indians. The
men drank freely and became intoxicated. In this state they were all killed by Greathouse and
a few of his party. I say a few of his party, for it is but justice to state, that not more than five
or six of the whole number had any participation in the slaughter at the house. The rest pro-
tested against it, as an atrocious murder. From their number, being by far the majority, they
might have prevented the deed ; but alas ! they did not. A little Indian girl alone was saved
from the slaughter, by the humanity of some one of the party, whose name is not now known.
The Indians in the camps, hearing the firing at the house, sent a canoe with two men in it to
inquire what had happened. These two Indians were both shot down, as soon as they landed
on the beach. A second and larger canoe was then manned with a number of Indians in arms ;
but in attempting to reach the shore, sonie distance below the house, were received by a well-
directed fire from the party, which killed the greater number of them, and compelled the sur.
060 WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Tivors to r6tum. A great number of shots were exchanged across the river, bat without damage
to the white party ; not one of whom was even wounded. The Indian men who were murdered
Were all scalped.
The woman who gave the friendly advice to the commander of the party, when in the Indian
carap, was amongst the slain at Baker's house.
The massacres of the Indians at Captina and Yellow creek, comprehended the whole of the
family of the famous, but unfortunate Logan, who, before these events, had been a lover of the
whites, and a strenuous advocate^r peace ; but in the conflict which followed them, by way of
revenge for the death of his people, he became a brave and sanguinary chief.
The apprehension of war was soon realized. In a short time the Indians commenced hiostilj-
ties along the whole extent of our frontiers.
Lord Dunmore led his expedition beyond the Ohio, as far as the
Scioto, where a treaty was made in Nov. 1 774, at Camp Charlotte. Lo-
gan assented to the treaty, but, still indignant at the murder of his family,
he refused to attend with the other chiefs at the camp of Dunmore. Ac-
cording to the Indian usage, he sent his speech, with a belt of wampum,
by an interpreter, to be read at the treaty. (See page 468.)
The period of the revolution, and the ten years immediately succeed-
ing it, was rendered memorable along the Ohio valley by a series of san-
guinary wars and partisan forays, often as disastrous and as disgraceful
to the whites as to the Indians. The principal scenes of these bloody
transactions were beyond the limits of Pennsylvania, along the Ohio,
Muskingum, and Scioto rivers ; yet their inevitable consequence was the
constant intrusion of small parties of hostile Indians into the settlements
of Pennsylvania, whose tracks were marked with fire, devastation, and
blood. Mcintosh's campaign was in 1778; the Coshocton campaign
against the Indian villages on the Muskingum, in 1780 ; the Moravian
campaign in March, 1782 ; Crawford's disastrous, and to himself fatal,
campaign, in May and June, 1782. After the peace with Great Britain,
in 1783, a short interval of quiet was enjoyed until 1790, when the Indian
depredations, incited, probably, by the British traders on the Lakes, had
increased to such a degree, that Gen. Harmar was dispatched upon an-
other expedition to destroy the Indian towns. This, and the subsequent
campaign of Gen. St. Clair, were both alike disastrous to the whites.
The more triumphant campaign of Gen. Wayne, in 1793-94, closed the
frontier war with the treaty of Greenville, in Aug. 1795. The details of
these campaigns, and of the astonishing feats of personal prowess, hair-
breadth escapes, and murderous exploits of the Cresaps, the Wetzels,
and other frontier men, belong more properly to the history of Virginia
and Ohio.
During the continuance of these wars the labors of the farms along
the frontier were performed with danger and difficulty. The whole popu-
lation huddled together in their little forts, and left the country with the
appearance of a deserted region. Every settler was also a soldier, and
their work was often carried on by parties, each of whom bore his rifle
and his warlike equipments. These were deposited in some central part
of the field. A sentry was stationed on the fence, and on the least alarm
the whole seized their arms. Among the scenes of those days the fol-
lowing is related by a writer in the National Intelligencer, probably Wm.
Darby, Esq., the distinguished geographer.
"A child between six and seven years of age, I was removed by my parents, in Dec. 1781,
tO Washington co., about 5 miles west of where Washington borough now stands. Capt. Haw-
kins and several others were massacred within a few miles of our dwelling, (previo^te to the
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 661
MoraviaTi campaign of 1782.) Though so young at the time, the cireumstancea were too start-
ling not to make life-long impressions, and in fancy, I see her now, Martha Jolly, the beloved
eister of Henry, and who shared no slight heroism with her brother, as she rushed to our cabin
to warn us of our danger, and to inform us that Henry with others had marched to the scene of
blood. In three hours we were in Jacob Wolfs fort. Henry Jolly and a still younger brother
William, were both there in arms. Lewis Wetzel, Frank M'Guire, Jonathan Lane, and Henry
Jolly, were the great champions of that bloody ground. True, there were many others as gallant
and as brave, who shared their dangers, toils, and watchings, among whom I ought to name Da-
vid Jolly, still living in the vicinity of Hillsboro', Ohio."
Another event of similar character was the attack on Rice's fort,* in
Sept. 1782. Rev. Mr. Doddridge gives the following account of it.
Three hundred Indians had besieged the fort at Wheeling, but were compelled to retire. To
revenge this defeat they determined that 100 of their picked warriors should take some fort in
the interior and massacre all its people. Rice's fort consisted of some cabins and a small block-
house, and was, in dangerous times, the residence and place of refuge for twelve families of its
immediate neighborhood. It was situated on Buffalo creek, about 12 or 15 miles from its junc-
tion with the river Ohio.
News of the plan adopted by the Indians, was given by two white men, who had been made
prisoners when lads, raised among the Indians and taken to war with them. These men desert-
ed from them soon after their council at the close of the siege of Wheeling. The notice was in-
deed but short, but it reached Rice's fort about half an hour before the commencement of the
attack. The intelligence was brought by Mr. Jacob Miller, who received it at Dr. Moore's in
the neighborhood of Washington. Making all speed home, he fortunately arrived in time to as«
sist in the defence of the place. On receiving this news, the people of the fort felt assured that
the blow was intended for them, and in this conjecture they were not mistaken. But little time
was allowed them for preparation.
The Indians had surrounded the place before they were discovered ; but they were still at some
distance. When discovered, the alarm was given, on which every man ran to his cabin for his
gvcn and took refuge in the blockhouse. The Indians, answering the alarm with a war-whoop
from their whole line, commenced firing and running towards the fort from every direction. It
was evidently their intention to take the place by assault ; but the fire of the Indians was an-
swered by that of six brave and skilful sharpshooters. This unexpected reception prevented the
intended assault and made the Indians take refuge behind logs, stumps, and trees. The firing
continued with little intermission for about four hours.
In the intervals of the firing the Indians frequently called out to the people of the fort, " Give
up, give up, too many Indian. Indian too big. No kill." They were answered with defiance.
" Come on, you cowards ; we are ready for you. Show us your yellow hides and we will make
holes in them for you."
During the evening, many of the Indians, at some distance from the fort, amused themselves
* " The reader will understand by this term, not only a place of defence, but the residence of a
small number of families belonging to the same neighborhood. As the Indian mode of warfare
was an indiscriminate slaughter of all ages, and both sexes, it was as requisite to provide for
the safety of the women and children as for that of the men."
" The fort consisted of cabins, blockhouses, and stockades. A range of cabins commonly form-
ed one side at least of the fort. Divisions, or partitions of logs separated the cabins from each
other. The walls on the outside were ten or twelve feet high, the slope of the roof being turned
wholly inward. A very few of these cabins had puncheon floors, the greater part were earthen.
The blockhouses were built at the angles of the fort. They projected about two feet beyond the
outer walls of the cabins and stockades. Their upper stories were about eighteen inches every
way larger in dimension than the under one, leaving an opening at the commencement of the
second story to prevent the enemy from making a lodgment under their walls. In some forts,
instead of blockhouses, the angles of the fort were furnished with bastions. A large folding gate
made of thick slabs, nearest the spring, closed the fort. The stockades, bastions, cabins, and
blockhouse walls, were furnished with port-holes at proper heights and distances. The whole of
the outside was made completely bullet-proof."
" It may be truly said that necessity is the mother of invention ; for the whole of this work was
made without the aid of a single nail or spike of iron ; and for this reason, such things were not
to be had. In some places, less exposed, a single blockhouse, with a cabin or two, constituted
the whole fort. Such places of refuge may appear very trifling to those who have been in the
habit of seeing the formidable military garrisons of Europe and America ; but they answered the
purpose, as the Indians had no artillery. They seldom attacked, and scarcely ever look one of
them." — Doddridge^s Notes,
662 WASHINGTON COUNTY.
by shooting the horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep, until the bottom was strewed with theif dead
bodies.
About 10 o'clock at night the Indians set fire to a barn about 30 yards from the fort. The
barn was large and full of grain and hay. The flame was frightful, and at first it seemed to en-
danger the burning of the fort, but the barn stood on lower ground than the fort. The night was
calm, with the exception of a slight breeze up the creek. This carried the flame and burning
splinters in a different direction, so that the burning of the barn, which at first was regarded as
a dangerous, if not fatal occurrence, proved in the issue the means of throwing a strong light to
a great distance in every direction, so that the Indians durst not approach the fort to set fire to
the cabins, which they might have done at little risk, under the cover of darkness.
After the barn was set on fire, the Indians collected on the side of the fort opposite the barn,
so as to have the advantage of the light, and kept up a ptetty constant fire, which was as steadily
answered by that of the fort, until about 2 o'clock, when the Indians left the place and made a
hasty retreat.
Thus was this little place defended by a Spartan band of six men, against 100 chosen war-
riors, exasperated to madness by their failure at Wheeling fort. Their names shall be inscribed
in the list of the heroes of our early times. They were Jacob Miller, George Lefler, Peter Ful-
lenweider, Daniel Rice, George Felebaum, and Jacob Lefler, jun. George Felebaum was shot
in the forehead, through a port-hole at the second fire of the Indians, and instantly expired, so
that in reality the defence of the place was made by only five men.
The loss of the Indians was four, three of whom were killed at the first fire from the fort, the
other was killed about sundown. There can be no doubt but that a number more were killed and
wounded in the engagement, but concealed or carried off".
A large division of these Indians, on their retreat, passed within a Httle distance of my father's
fort. In following their trail, a few days afterwards, I found a large poultice of chewed sassafras
leaves. This is the dressing which the Indians usually apply to recent gunshot wounds. The
poultice which I found having become too old and dry, was removed and replaced with a new one.
Examples of personal bravery, and hairbreadth escapes, are always acceptable to readers of
history. An instance of both of these happened during the attack on this fort, which may be
worth recording. Abraham Rice, one of the principal men belonging to the fort, on hearing the
report of the deserters from the Indians, mounted a strong active mare and rode to another fort,
about three and a half miles distant, for further news.
Just as he reached the place, he heard the report of the guns at his own fort. He instantly
returned, until he arrived within sight of the fort. Finding that it still held out, he determined
to reach it and assist in its defence, or perish in the attempt. In doing this, he had to cross the
creek, the fort being some distance from it on the opposite bank. He saw no Indians imtil his
mare sprang down the bank of the creek, at which instant, about 14 of them jumped up from
among the weeds and bushes, and discharged their guns at him. One bullet wounded him in the
fleshy part of the right arm above the elbow. By this time several more of the Indians came up
and shot at him. A second ball wounded him in the thigh a little above the knee, but without
breaking the bone ; the ball then passed transversely through the neck of the mare ; she, how-
ever, sprang up the bank of the creek, fell to her knees and stumbled along about a rod before
she recovered ; during this time several Indians came running up to tomahawk him. He made
his escape after having about thirty shots fired at him from a very short distance. After riding
about four miles, he reached Lamb's fort much exhausted with the loss of blood. After getting
his wounds dressed and resting awhile, he set off" late in the evening with 12 men, determined if
possible to reach the fort under cover of the night. When they got within about 200 yards of it
they halted. The firing at the fort still continued. Ten of the men thinking the enterprise too
hazardous, refused to go any further, and retreated. Rice and two other men crept silently along
towards the fort ; but had not proceeded far before they came close upon an Indian in his con-
cealment. He gave the alarm yell, which was instantly passed round the Hnes with the utmost
regularity. This occasioned the Indians to make their last effort to take the place, and make
their retreat under cover of the night. Rice and his tw« companions returned in safety to
Lamb's fort.
The whole region on the Monongahela, and west of it, was supposed
to belong to Virginia, and was taken up under Virginia warrants, toma-
hawk rights, and other usages of that province. Lord Dunmore firmly
believed it to be within his jurisdiction, and even sent a party in 1774 to
occupy Fort Pitt ; but the governor of Pennsylvania soon expelled the
garrison, and extended his jurisdiction over this section of the province,
as part of the county of Westmoreland. After this it became necessary
for settlers to secure their titles under Pennsylvania. Under the head
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 668
of Fayette co., on page 337, will be found some interesting notes on the
subject of taking up the land in this region.
It is pleasing, after the revolting details of frontier warfare, to contem-
plate the more peaceful and convivial scenes of the early pioneers, as
drawn by the graphic pencil of Rev. Mr. Doddridge :
For a long time after the first settlement of this country, the inhabitants in general married
young. There was no distinction of rank, and very little of fortune. On these accounts the
first impression of love resulted in marriage ; and a family establishment cost but a little labor,
and nothing else, A description of a wedding from the beginning to the end will serve to show
the manners of our forefathers, and mark the grade of civilization which has succeeded to their
rude state of society in the course of a few years. At an early period, the practice of celebrating
ihc marriage at the house of the bride began, and, it should seem, with great propriety. She also
has the choice of the priest to perform the ceremony.
A wedding engaged the attention of a whole neighborhood ; and the frolic was anticipated by
old and young with eager expectation. Tliis is not to be wondered at, when it is told that a
wedding was almost the only gathering which was not accompanied with the labor of reaping,
log-rolling, building a cabin, or planning some scout or campaign.
In the morning of the weddingrday, the groom and his attendants assembled at the house of
his father for the purpose of reacliing the mansion of his bride by noon, which was the usual
time for celebrating the nuptials, which for certain must take place before dinner.
Let the reader imagine an assemblage of people, without a store, tailor, or mantuamaker,
within a hundred miles ; and an assemblage of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within
an equal distance. The gentlemen dressed in shoe-packs, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins,
linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made. The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats, and linsey or
linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves, if any. If there
were any buckles, rings, buttons, or ruffles, they were the relics of old times ; family pieces from
parents or grand-parents. The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles or halters,
and pack-saddles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them ; a rope or string as oiten constituted
the girth, as a piece of leather.
The march, in double file, was often interrupted by the narrowness and obstructions of our
horse-paths, as they were called, for we had no roads ; and these difficulties were often increased,
sometimes by the good, and sometimes by the ill-will of neighbors, by falling trees, and tying
grape-vines across the way. Sometimes an ambuscade was formea by the wayside, and an un-
expected discharge of several guns took place, so as to cover the wedding party with smoke. Let
tiie reader imagine the scene which followed this discharge ; the sudden spring of the horses, the
shrieks of the girls, and the chivalric bustle of their partners to save them from falling. Some-
limes, in spite of all that could be done to prevent it, some were thrown to the ground. If a
wrist, elbow, or ankle, happened to be sprained, it was tied with a handkerchief, and little more
ivas thought or said about it.
Another ceremony commonly took place before the party reached the house of the bride, after
the practice of making whiskey began, which was at an early period ; when the party were about
a mile from the place of their destination, two young men would single out to run for the bottle ;
, the worse the path, the more logs, brush, and deep hollows, the better, as these obstacles afforded
an opportunity for the greater display of intrepidity and horsemanship. The English fox-chase,
in point of danger to the riders and their horses, is nothing to this race for the bottle. The start
was announced by an Indian yell ; logs, brush, muddy hollows, hill and glen, were speedily passed
by the rival ponies. The bottle was always filled for the occasion, so that there was no use for
judges ; for the first who reached the door was presented with the prize, with which he return-
ed in triumph to the company. On approaching them, he announced his victory over his rival
by a shrill whoop. At the head of the troop, he gave the bottle first to the groom and his atten-
dants, and then to each pair in succession to the rear of the line, giving each a dram ; and then
putting the bottle in the bosom of his hunting-shirt, took his station in the company.
The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner, which was a substantial backwoods feast
of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes venison and bear-meat, roasted and boiled, with plenty of po-
tatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables. During the dinner the greatest hilarity always prevailed,
although the table might be a large slab of timber, hewed out with a broadaxe, supported by four
sticks set in auger holes ; and the furniture, some old pewter dishes and plates ; the rest, wooden
bowls and trenchers : a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at
some tables. The rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce, the deficiency was made
up by the scalping-knives, which were carried in sheaths suspended to the belt of the hunting-
shirt.
After dinner the dancing commenced, and generally lasted till the next morning. The figures
' of the dances were three and four-handed reels, or square setts, and jigs. The commencement
. was always a square four, which was followed by what was called jigging it off ; that is, two of
664 WASHINGTON COUNTY.
the four would single out for a jig, and were followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were
often accompanied with what was called cutting out ; that is, when either of the parties became
tired of the dance, on intimation the place was supplied by some one of the company without
any interruption of the dance. In this way a dance was often continued till the musician was
heartily tired of his situation. Towards the latter part of the night, if any of the company, through
weariness, attempted to conceal themselves, for the purpose of sleeping, they were hunted up,
paraded on the floor, and the fiddler ordered to play " Hang out till to-morrow morning."
About nine or ten o'clock, a deputation of the young ladies stole off the bride, and put her to
bed. In doing this, it frequently happened that they had to ascend a ladder instead of a pair of
stairs, leading from the dining and ball-room to the loft, the floor of which was made of clap,
boards, lying loose and without nails. As the foot of the ladder was commonly behind the door,
which was purposely opened for the occasion, and its rounds at the inner ends were well hung
with hunting-shirts, petticoats, and other articles of clothing, the candles being on the opposite
side of the house, the exit of the bride was noticed but by few. This done, a deputation of
young men in like manner stole off the groom, and placed him snugly by the side of his bride.
The dance still continued ; and if seats happened to be scarce, which was often the case, every
young man, when not engaged in the dance, was obliged to offer his lap as a seat for one of the
girls ; and the offer was sure to be accepted. In the midst of this hilarity the bride and groom
were not forgotten. Pretty late in the night, some one would remind the company that the new
couple must stand in need of some refreshment ; black Betty, which was the name of the bottle,
was called for, and sent up the ladder ; but sometimes black Betty did not go alone. I have
many times seen as much bread, beef, pork, and cabbage, sent along with her, as would afford a
good meal for half a dozen hungry men. The young couple were compelled to eat and drink,
more or less, of whatever was offered them.
It often happened that some neighbors or relations, not being asked to the wedding, took of-
fence ; and the mode of revenge adopted by them on such occasions, was that of cutting off the
manes, forctops, and tails of the horses of the wedding company.
On returning to the infare, the order of procession, and the race for black Betty was the same
as before. The feasting and dancing often lasted for several days, at the end of which the whole
company were so exhausted with loss of sleep, that several days rest were requisite to fit them
to return to their ordinary labors.
Should I be asked why I have presented this unpleasant portrait of the rude manners of our
forefathers — I in my turn would ask my reader, why are you pleased with the histories of the
blood and carnage of battles ? Why are you delighted with the fictions of poetry, the novel,
and romance ? I have related truth, and only truth, strange as it may seem. I have depicted a
state of society and manners which are fast vanishing from the memory of man, with a view to
give the youth of our country a knowledge of the advantages of civilization, and to give con-
tentment to the aged, by preventing thera from saying " that former times were better than the
present."
Washington, the county seat, is a large and flourishing borough, situa-
ted nearly in the centre of the county. It is pleasantly located on high
ground, surrounded by a fertile country, and is noted for its salubrity.
Population in 1840, 2,062. The courthouse, a new and splendid edi-
fice, completed in 1842, does honor to the county. It is adorned with a
Doric portico in front, and surmounted with an elegant cupola, upon the
top of which is a statue of Washington. The churches are generally
plain, unassuming edifices, pleasantly arranged on the outer skirts of the
borough. There are the Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Protestant
Methodist, Seceders, Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian, German Lu-
theran, and African Methodist. The citizens, generally descendants of
the Scotch-Irish, are noted as an orderly, well-educated, and church-going
people ; and the best evidence of this is the number and flourishing state
of the colleges, seminaries, and benevolent institutions of the town and
its vicinity. Three great thoroughfares — the National road, the Glades
road, and the Pittsburg and Washington turnpike — intersect each other
here, and bring an immense amount of travel daily. Stages on the Na-
tional road are rattling through the town at almost every hour. There
is here a large steam woollen manufactory, owned and conducted by Mr.
Hazlett, which is said to manufacture about 30,000 pounds of wool an-
a
2 i-J
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
665
nually. The purchase of wool is a principal branch of the trade of the
town.
Washington College occupies an elevated site, on the eastern border of
the borough. The building on the right in the annexed view, partially
Washington College.
hidden by the trees, was erected about the year 1821 ; that on the left
about the year 1837. The latter contains the chapel, the halls and libra-
ry rooms of the rival literary societies. There are three libraries con-
nected with the college, containing about 3,000 volumes — together with
a cabinet of minerals, shells, antiquities, and curiosities. Rev. Daniel
M'Conaughy, D. D., is president, and Professor of Moral Science. The
other chairs are well filled, and the schedule of studies is such as to place
the college on a footing with the most respectable literary institutions of
the east. A preparatory department is connected with the college. The
institution contained in 1843, 78 students in the college proper ; and 95
in the " Classical and English departments," " select studies," and " art of
teaching." There were 130 graduates from 1809 to 1830, among whom
were many now eminent in public life; from 1830 to 1841, 129 grad-
uates.
Washington College was incorporated in the year 1806. It was en-
grafted upon the Washington Academy, which had been incorporated as
early as the year 1787, and endowed with 5,000 acres of land by the
commonwealth. This appropriation, like many others of a similar na-
ture, remained for years unproductive. In 1797 the legislature granted
$3,000 to the academy " to complete the buildings for the institution,"
and also provided for the admission of not over ten indigent students,
gratis, none of them to remain longer than two years. After the institu-
tion became a college the legislature granted to it $5,000, payable in an-
nual instalments, commencing with 1820. The number of' students in
1822 was 69, and the college was then considered as in a flourishing state
by its friends ; but it afterwards languished, and for a time its operations
were suspended. In the autumn of 1830 it was resuscitated under its
present direction. By a vote of the trustees, a number of indigent and
pious youth will be admitted without payment of tuition.
84
666 WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The Washington Female Seminary was established about the year
1836, commencing with 40 pupils, and the necessary accommodations for
that number. In 1842, its catalogue numbered 147 ; and it has facilities
for the instruction and personal accommodation of an increased number.
Rev. Dr. IM'Conaughy is president of the board of trustees. Miss Sarah
R. Foster is the principal. The new building, erected expressly for tho
institution, contains a large hall, recitation rooms, and 40 lodging rooms.
Five experienced teachers reside in the house. The grounds adjacent are
tastefully laid off and ornamented, and sufficiently large for exercise and
recreation.
The existence and prosperity of such institutions reflects a bright lus-
tre upon the taste and character of the citizens of the co.
Catfish run is a small stream passing the southern boundary of the bo-
rough. This name was derived from a half-breed Indian of that name,
who had a wigwam on the run, and owned the surrounding land. Mr.
Hoge, who was sheriff of Cumberland co. at an early day, was occasion-
ally out in this region on business, and, some traditions say, became pos-
sessed of the land here in the settlement of legal claims against Catfish ;
but his heirs, and others, think that he took up the land by " a tomahawk
right." Mr. Hoge's two sons, John and William, subsequently came out
from the Conococheague settlements in Franklin co., occupied the land,
and laid out the town in 1782. The county was for a long time part of
Ohio CO. in Virginia, and the old courthouse is said to have stood two
miles west of Washington. The first court of the present Washington
CO. was held in a stable, and the next in a log cabin in the lower part of
the borough. The present courthouse is the third on that site. Judge
Wilkeson of Buffalo, an early settler, says, in the American Pioneer —
A more intelligent, virtuous, and resolute class of men never settled any country, than the first
settlers of Western Pennsylvania ; and the women who shared their sufferings and sacrifices were
no less worthy. Very many of the settlers in what are now Washington and Allegheny counties
were professors of religion of the strictest sect of Seceders. At a very early period, a distinguished
minister of that denomination, Mr. Henderson, was settled near Canonshurgh. It was common
for families to ride from ten to fifteen miles to meeting. The young people regularly walked five
or six miles, and in summer carried their stockings and shoes, if they had any, in their hands. I
believe that no houses of worship were erected in the country until about 1790. Even in winter
the meetings were held in the open air. A grove was selected, a log pulpit was erected, and logs
furnished the audience with seats. Among the men who attended public worship in winter, ten
were obliged to substitute a blanket or coverlet for a great coat, where one enjoyed the lu.xury of
that article. So great was the destitution of comfortable clothing, that when the first court of
Common Pleas was held in Catfish, now Washington, a highly respectable citizen, whose pres-
ence was required as a magistrate, could not attend court without first borrowing a pair of leather
breeches from an equally respectable neighbor who was summoned on the grand jury. The latter
lent them, and, having no others, had to stay at home. This scarcity of clothing will not seem
surprising when we consider the condition of the country at that time, and that most of these
settlers brought but a scanty supply of clothing and bedding with them. Tlieir stock could not
be replenished until flax was grown and made into cloth.
The labor of all the settlers was greatly interrupted by the Indian war. Although the older
settlers had some sheep, yet their increase was slow, as the country abounded in wolves. It was
therefore the work of time to secure a supply of wool. Deer-skin was a substitute for cloth for
men and boys, but not for women and girls, although they were sometimes compelled to resort
to it. The women had to spin and generally to weave all the cloth for their families ; and when
the wife was feeble, and had a large family, her utmost efforts could not enable her to provide
them with any thing like comfortable clothing. The wonder is — and I shall never cease to won-
der— that they did not sink under their burdens.
In 1777, Mr. David Bradford, who was afterwards conspicuous in tho
Whiskey rebellion, owned the first shingle-roof house in the place
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 667
Bradford fled down the Ohio river to Bayou Sara, to avoid arrest for his
part ill the Whiskey Insurrection. The following anecdote, received from
one of the McLellan family, illustrates the peculiar state of feeling that
prevailed in relation to the excise law, and is an instance of nice distinc-
tion between official and individual conduct :
Mr. James McLellan, one of the early settlers, lived about three miles out of town at that time.
Tom Spears, of Canonsburgh, a friend of liis, who had been active in the rebellion, was closely
pursued by the federal officers, and was in the habit of taking refuge at McLellan's house. Wm.
McLellan, formerly sheriff' of York co., was sent out here by the government with a troop of light-
horse, to arrest offenders and enforce the excise law. The sheriff and one of his officers had
called at James Mclicllan's on a friendly visit — both being of the same name, and old friends.
They were sitting together over the bottle, when who should dash into the house but Tom Spears,
in breathless haste, crying, " I've got clear of them at last !" His eye caught the officers in their
uniform, and he thought it a gone case ; but the superior officer, Wm. McLellan, rose, and bade
him be tranquil, saying, " You are perfectly safe, sir, — you are in the house of your friend, and
so am I." The troop of horse soon galloped up in chase ; but Capt. McLellan gave the " right
about," and they returned to town without their game.
Among the early settlers in or near the place were Mr. Wilson, Mr.
Carr, Mr. Darby the geographer's family, Mr. Leet, Mr. Moore, Rev.
Dr. Brown, the first Presbyterian preacher, and now president of Jeffer-
son College, and Dr. Murdock — many of whom are still living. In those
early days no daily stages rattled along stone roads at the rate of ten
miles an hour — no commodious Conestoga wagon, even, creaked along
the national road with its three tons of goods — no steamboats came up
from New Orleans in two or three w^eeks' passage — no whizzing iron
horse dragged his hundreds of passengers, with frightful velocity, among
the mountains of Cumberland. But let Mr. Doddridge tell the story :
The acquisition of the indispensable articles of salt, iron, steel, and castings, presented great
difficulties to the first settlers of the western country. They had no stores of any kind — no salt,
iron, nor iron works ; nor had they money to make purchases where those articles could be ob-
tained. Peltry and furs were their only resources before they had time to raise cattle and horses
for sale in the Atlantic stat&s.
Every family collected what peltry and fur they could obtain throughout the year, for the pur-
pose of sending them over the mountains for barter. In the fall of the year, after seeding time,
every family formed an association with some of their neighbors for starting the little caravan.
A master-driver was selected from among them, who was to be assisted by one or more young
men and sometimes a boy or two. The horses were fitted out with pack-saddles, to the hinder
part of which was fastened a pair of hobbles made of hickory withes. A bell and collar omac
mented his neck. The bags provided for the conveyance of the salt were filled with feed for the
horses. On the journey, a part of this feed was left at convenient stages on the way down, to
support the return of the caravan. Large wallets, well filled with bread, jirk, boiled ham, and
cheese, furnished provision for the drivers. At night, after feeding, the horses (whether put it
pasture or turned out into the woods) were hobbled, and the bells were opened.
The barter for salt and iron was first made at Baltimore. Frederick, Hagerstown, Oldtown,
and Fort Cumberland, in succession became the place of exchange. Each horse carried two
bushels of alum salt, Weighing 84 lbs. the bushel. This, to be sure, was not a heavy load for the
horses ; but it was enough, considering the scanty subsistence allowed them on the journey. The
common price of a bushel of alum salt, at an early period, was a cow and calf ; and, until weight*
were introduced, the salt was measured into the half-bushel by hand, as lightly as possible. Nf
one was permitted to walk heavily over the floor while the operation of measuring was going on.
The following anecdote will serve to show how little the native sons of the forest knew of tha
etiquette of the Atlantic cities :
A neighbor of my father, some years after the settlement of the countrj-, had collected a smal-
drove of cattle for the Baltimore market. Among the hands employed to drive them rt-as One who
never had seen any condition of society but that of woodsmen. At one of their lodging-places
in the mountain, the landlord and his hired man, in the course of the night, stole two of the bells
belonging to the drove, and liid them in a piece of woods. The drove had not gone far in the
morning, before the bells were missed ; and a detachment went back to recover them. The
men were found rcapitig in tlie field of the landlord. They were accused of the theft, but they
denied the charge. The torture of sweating according to the custom of that time — that is, of
mS WASHINGTON COUNTY.
suspenfflon by the arms pinioned behind their backs — brought a confession, ■ The bells were pre
cured, and hung around the necks of the thieves. In this condition they were driven on foot be;
fore the detachment, until they overtook the drove, which by this time had gone nine miles. A
halt was called and a jury selected to try the culprits. They were condemned to receive a cer-
tain number of lashes on the bare back from the hand of each drover. The man above alluded
to was the owner of one of the bells. When it came to his turn to use the hickory, " Now, (says
he to the thief,) you infernal scoundrel, I'll work your jacket nineteen to the dozen. Only think
what a rascally figure I should make in the streets of Baltimore without a bell on my horse I"
The man wa» in earnest. Having seen no horses used without bells, he tljought they were requi-
site in every situation.
Canonsburgh is a pleasant town 7 miles north of Washington and 18
from Pittsburg. It is surrounded by a fertile and highly cultivated coun-
try. It was incorporated as a borough in Feb. 1802. Population in
1840, 687. Among the first settlers here were Mr. Canon, who gave
name to the place, Mr. Thomas Spears, Rev. Dr. McMillan, Rev. Mr,
Henderson, and others. Canon and Spears took a prominent part in the
Whiskey Insurrection.
From the first settlement of this vicinity the ordinances of the gospel
were enjoyed to a considerable degree. The Rev. Dr. McMillan, justly
called the father of the Presbyterian church here, settled in the county
about the year 1773, and was for more than 50 years the pastor of the
Chartier congregation, which he collected. With the commencement of
his labors he began to lay the foundation of a literary institution at Can-
onsburgh, and which, with the blessing of God, he intended should be a
nursery for the church as well as the state. This was the first literary
institution west of the mountains. It originated in a small log cabin,
where the first Latin school was taught by the Hon. James Ross of Pitts-
burg, under the patronage of Rev. Dr. McMillan. The number of stu-
dents having increased, a comfortable stone building was erected in 1790.
The Canonsburgh academy was then instituted, and respectable profes-
sors were appointed in various departments. Here many of the most
distinguished men in the western country received their education,
although their names do not appear as graduates under the college
charter.
Jefferson College, in which the academy was merged, was chartered
by the state, and regularly organized in 1802. The legislature at that
time granted to it $3,000, and afterwards $5,000 ; but it has been chiefly
indebted to private benefactions, and the exertions of its friends, for its
prosperity. The first president, after the act of incorporation, was Rev,
Thomas Watson. Mr. Watson was a self-made man, but of extraordi-
nary talents. He was poor in his youth, and attended the bar of the vil-
lage tavern. During his leisure moments he picked up a knowledge of
Latin : he was noticed and patronised by Judge Addison, Dr. McMillan,
and others ; and was sent to Princeton College, where he was the first
scholar in his class. He was elected president soon after he graduated ;
but he lived only a year or two after entering upon the duties of the ofiice.
He was succeeded by the late Dr. Dunlap, who, after several years, re*
signed, and was succeeded by Rev, Dr. Andrew Wylie : who was after,
wards president of Washington College, and since of the Indiana State
University. Dr. Wylie was succeeded by Rev. Mr. McMillan, since presi-
dent of a college in Ohio ; and he was succeeded by Rev. Matthew Brown,
D. D., still at the head of the institution, (in 1843.) In 1839, G18 had
graduated at this college, of whom 309 were ministers of the gospel.
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
b<59
Number of students, in 1842, in the college proper, 149; irregulars 22;
preparatory 37.
The annexed view was taken from the post-office. The president's
house is seen among the shrubbery, beyond the college buildings. The
Jefferson College, at Canonshurg.
building in the centre, which has been erected but a few years, contains
the chapel, recitation rooms, refectory, halls for the literary societies, cab-
inet of minerals and curiosities. The edifice on the left is the old col-
lege building, containing 24 lodging-rooms. A valuable farm of 200
acres is connected with the institution, affording facilities for reducing
the expenses and promoting the health of the students.
There is also at this place a Theological Seminary, under the direction
of the Associate church. The building is large and commodious, con-
taining a large hall, rooms for library, recitation, students' lodgings, &c.
There are two professors. Rev. Dr. James Ramsey, and Rev. Thomas
Berridge, A. M. There are also in the town two churches, the Associate
and Associate Reformed.
MoNONGAHELA CiTY, (lately Williamsport, and formerly Parkinson's
Ferry,) is situated 18 miles east of Washington, on the left bank of the
Monongahela, at the mouth of Pigeon creek. The town occupies a beau-
tiful alluvial plain, gradually ascending from the river. Iron-ore, salt-
wells, and coal, for manufacturing purposes, and rich land for farming,
abound in the vicinity. The Glades turnpike-road here crosses the river.
The place was settled at an early day, being famous as a crossing-place ;
and still more famous as the place where the insurgents held a great
meeting, in 1794, during the Whiskey Insurrection. Until 1830 its ad-
vantages appear to have been overlooked ; but since that time it has rap-
idly increased. It contains two glass manufactories, two steam saw-mills,
two steam carding-machincs, and many mechanics' shops ; besides Meth-
670 WASHINGTON COUNTY.
odist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Cumberland Presbyterian churches. Pop-
ulation in 1840, 752.
The other villages and boroughs of Washington county are Florence,
a smart place on the Pittsburgh and Steubenville turnpike, 12 miles east
of the latter — population about 270 ; Claysville, on the National road,
10 miles west of Washington — population 292 ; Middleborough, 312 in-
habitants ; West Middleborough, 260 ; Greenfield, 264 ; West Alexan-.
DRiA, Hillsborough, Bentleyville, Amity, Mount Pleasant, Eldersvillb,
BuRGETSTowN, and other places of less note.
Washington county took a leading part in the great Whiskey Insurrec-
tion, of 1791-94. Gen. Hamilton, then secretary of the treasury, says —
" This county uniformly distinguished its resistance by a more excessive
spirit than had appeared in the other counties, and was chiefly instru-
mental in kindling and keeping alive the flame." That part of the county
contiguous to Mingo creek was justly entitled the cradle of the insurrec-
tion.*
The province of Pennsylvania, as early as 1756, had looked to the excise on ardent spirits for
the means of sustaining its bills of credit. The original law, passed to continue only ten years,
was from time to time continued, as necessities pressed upon the treasury. During the revolu
tion, the law was generally evaded, in the west, by considering all spirits as for domestic use,
such being excepted from excise ; but when the debts of the revolution began to press upon the
states, they became more vigilant in the enforcement of the law. Opposition arose at once in
the western counties. Liberty-poles were erected, and people, assembled in arms, chased oft' the
officers appointed to enforce the law, tarred and feathered some of them, singed their wigs, cut
off" tlie tails of their horses, put coals in their boots, and compelled others to resign. " Their ob.
ject was to compel a repeal of the law, but they had not the least idea of subverting the govern-
ment."
The pioneers of this region, descended as they were from the people of North Britain and Ire-
land, had come very honestly by their love of whiskey ; and many of them had brought their
hatred of an exciseman directly from the old country. The western insurgents followed, as they sup-
posed, the recent example of the American revolution. The first attempt of the British parliament —
the very cause of the revolution — had been an excise law. There was nothing at that day dis.
reputable in either drinking or making whiskey. No temperance societies then existed : to drink
whiskey was as common and honorable as to eat bread ; and the fame of " old Monongahela"
was proverbial, both at the east and the west. Distilling was then esteemed as moral and re-
spectable as any other business. It was early commenced, and extensively carried on, in West-
ern Pennsylvania. There was neither home nor foreign market for rye, their principal crop ; the
grain would not bear packing across the mountains. A horse could carry but four bushels : but
he could take the product of 24 bushels in the shape of alcohol. Whiskey, therefore, was the
most important item of remittance, to pay for their salt, sugar, and iron. " The people had cul-
tivated their land, for years, at the peril of their lives, with Uttle or no protection from the federal
government ; and when, by extraordinary efforts, they were enabled to raise a little more grain
than their immediate wants required, they were met with a law restraining them in the liberty of
doing what they pleased with the surplus. The people of Western Pennsylvania, therefore, re-
garded a tax on whiskey in the same light as the citizens of Ohio would now regard a United
States tax on lard, pork, or flour."
It should be remembered also in this connection, that the new federal government was but re-
cently organized ; its powers were but little understood in the west ; and the people of that sec-
tion generally, for the previous twenty years, had been much more in tlie habit of opposing a
foreign government, than of sustaining one of their own.
The state excise law, after remaining for years a dead letter, was repealed, a circumstance not
likely to incline the people to submit to a similar law passed by Congress on the 3d March, 1791,
at the suggestion of Gen. Hamilton, secretary of the treasury. This law laid an excise of four
* The facts for this brief sketch have been derived principally from the following sources : —
Hugh H Breckenridge's Incidents of the Western Insurrection ; William Findlay's History of
the Insurrection ; Gen. Hamilton's official report, in the American State Papers ; a recent bio-
graphical memoir of Judge Breckenridge, in the Southern Literary Messenger for Jan. 1842 ;
Judge Lobingeir's address, in 1842, before the temperance societies of Mount Pleasant; and a
communication, by Judge Wilkeson of Buffalo, in the American Pioneer, May, 1843. Many
passages from these works have been copied verbatim.
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 671
pence per gallon on all distilled spirits. The members from Western Penn., Smiley of Fayette,
and Findley of Westmoreland, stoutly opposed tlio passage of the law, and on their return among
their constituents loudly and openly disapproved of it. Albert Gallatin, then residing in Fayette
CO., also opposed the law by all constitutional methods. It was with some difficulty that any one
could be found to accept the office of inspector in the western district on account of its unpopu-
larity.* In this inflammatory state of the public mind, all that was necessary to kindle a blaze,
was to apply the torch.
The first public meeting was held at Redstone Old Fort, 27th July, 1791, where it was con-
certed that county committees should meet at the four county seats of Fayette, Allegheny, West-
moreland, and Washington. On the 23d Aug., the committee of Washington co. passed resolu-
tions, and published them in the Pittsburg Gazette, to the efFect that " any person who had ac-
cepted or might accept an office under Congress, in order to carry the law into effect, should be
considered inimical to the interests of the country ; and recommending to the citizens of Wash-
ington CO. to treat every person accepting such office with contempt, and absolutely to refuse all
kind of communication or intercourse with him, and withhold from him all aid, support, or
comfort." Delegates from the four counties met at Pittsburg 7th Sept., 1791, and passed severe
resolutions against the law. These meetings, composed of influential citizens, served to give
consistency to the opposition.
On tith Sept. 1791, a party, armed and disguised, waylaid Robert Johnson, collector for Alle-
gheny and Washington, near Pigeon creek, in Washington co., tarred and feathered him, cut oflT
his hair, and took away his horse, leaving him to travel on foot in that mortifying condition.
John Robertson, John Hamilton, and Thomas McComb, were proceeded against for the outrage,
but Joseph Fox, the deputy-marshal, dared not serve the process ; and " if he had attempted it,
believes he should not have returned alive." Clement Biddle was the chief-marshal. The man
sent privately with the process, was seized, whipped, tarred and feathered, his money and horse
taken from him — blindfolded, and tied in the woods, where he remained five hours.
In Oct. 1791, an unhappy person named Wilson, who was in some measure disordered in his
intellects, and affected to be, perhaps thought he was, an exciseman, and was making inquiry for
distillers, was pursued by a party in disguise, taken out of his bed, and carried several miles to
a blacksmith's shop. There they stripped off" his clothes and burned them ; and having burned
him with a hot iron in several places, they tarred and feathered him, and dismissed him, naked
and wounded. The unhappy man conceived himself to be a martyr to the discharge of an im-
portant duty. Not long afterward, one Roseberry was tarred and feathered for speaking in favor
of the government.
In Congress, 8th May, 1792, material modifications were made in the law, lightening the du-
ty, allowing monthly payments, &c.
In Aug. 1792, government succeeded in getting the use of Wm. Faulkner's house, a captain
in the U. S. army, for an inspection office. He was threatened with scalping, tarring and feath-
ering, and compelled to promise not to let his house for that purpose, and to publish his promise
in the Pittsburg Gazette. The Pittsburg Gazette dared not refuse the publication of these no-
tices.
The president issued a proclamation 15th Sept. 1792, enjoining all persons to submit to the
law, and desist from all unlawful proceedings. Government determined, 1st, to prosecute de-
linquents ; 2d, to seize unexcised spirits on their way to market ; and 3d, to make no purchases
for the army except of such spirits as had paid duty.
In April, 1793, a party in disguise attacked in the night the house of Benjamin Wells, collec-
tor in Fayette co., (at Connellsville ;) but he being from home, they broke open his house, threat-
ened, terrified, and abused his family. Warrants were issued against the oflfenders by Judges
Isaac Meason and James Findlay, but the sheriff" refused to execute them ; whereupon he was
indicted. On the 22d Nov. they again attacked the house of Benjamin Wells in the night.
* In order to allay opposition as far as possible, Gen. John Neville, a man of the most deserved
popularity, was appointed [chief inspector] for Western Pennsylvania. He accepted the appoint,
ment from a sense of duty to his country. He was one of the few men of great wealth, who
had put his all at hazard for independence. At his own expense he raised and equipped a com-
pany of soldiers, marched them to Boston, and placed them with his son under the command of
Gen. Washington. He was the brother-in-law to the distinguished Gen. Morgan, and father-in-
law to Majors Craig and Kirkpatrick, officers highly respected in the western country. Besides
Gen. Neville's claims as a soldier and a patriot, he had contributed greatly to relieve the suffer-
ings of the settlers in his vicinity. He divided his last loaf with the needy ; and in a season of
more than ordinary scarcity, as soon as his wheat was sufficiently matured to be converted into
food, he opened his fields to those who were suffering with hunger. If any man could have ex-
ecuted this odious law. Gen. Neville was that man. He entered upon the duties of his office,
and appointed his deputies from among the most popular citizens, The first attempts, however,
to enforce the law, were resisted. — Judge Wilkeson,
672 WASHINGTON COUNTY
They compelled him to surrender his commission and books, and required him to publish a resig-
nation of his office within two weeks in the papers, on pain of having his house burned.
Notwithstanding these excesses, the law ajjpcarcd during the latter part of 11(93 to be rather
gaining ground. Several principal distillers complied, and others^howed a disposition, but were
restrained by fear.
In Jan'y, 1794, further violence commenced. Wm. Richmond, who had informed in the affair
of Wilson, (the maniac,) had his barn, grain, and hay burnt ; and Robert Strawhan, a comply-
ing distiller, also had his barn burnt. James Kiddoe, a complying distiller, had his still-house
broken open ; balls were fired under the still, and parts of his grist-mill carried away. Wm.
Coughran's still was destroyed ; the saw of his saw-mill stolen, and his grist-mill greatly injured
He was threatened, in a figurative but expressive note, with having his property burned, if he
did not himself publish in the Pittsburg Gazette the wrongs already inflicted on him.
In June, 1794, John Wells, the collector for Westmoreland, opened his office at the house of
Philip Reagan, in that co. The house was at different times attacked m the night by armed
men, who frequently fired on it ; but they were always repulsed by Reagan and Wells, and the
office was maintained during the remainder of the month.*
The office in Washington opened to receive the annual entries of stills, after repeated attempts
was suppressed. At first the sign was pulled down. On the 6th of June, twelve persons, armed
and painted black, broke into the house of John Lynn, where the office was kept, and, beguiling
him by a promise of safety to come down stairs, they seized and tied him, threatened to hang
him, took him into the woods, cut off his hair, tarred and feathered him, and swore him never
again to allow the use of his house for an office, never to disclose their names, and never again
to aid the excise ; having done this, they bound him, naked, to a tree, and left him. He ex-
tricated himself next morning. They afterwards pulled down part of his house, and compelled
him to seek an asylum elsewhere.
A term had come into popular use to designate the opposition to the excise law ; it was that
of Tom the Tinker. It was not given by adversaries as a term of reproach, but assumed by the
insurgents in disguise at an early period. " A certain John Holcroft," says Mr. Breckenridge,
" was thought to have made the first application of it at the attack on Wm. Coughran, whose
still was cut to pieces. This was humorously called mending his still. The menders of course
must be tinkers, and the name collectively became Tom the Tinker." Advertisements were put
up on trees, and other conspicuous places, with the signature of Tom the Tinker, threatening in-
dividuals, admonishing, or commanding them. Menacing letters with the same signature were
sent to the Pittsburg Gazette, with orders to publish them — and the editor did not dare refuse.
" At Braddock''s field the acclamation was, ' Hurrah for Tom the Tinker !' — ' Are you a Tom
* Such is Findlay's and Hamilton's account. Judge Lobingeir, who has recently refreshed
his recollections, by a conversation with Mr. Reagan, still living, gives the story more in detail,
as follows : — The attack was made in the night by a numerous body of men. Reagan expected
them and had prepared himself with guns, and one or two men. The firing commenced from
the house, and the assailants fired at it for some time, without effect on either side. The insur.
gents then set fire to Reagan's barn, which they burned, and retired. In the course of a day or
two, 150 men returned to renew the attack. After some parleying, Reagan, rather than shed
blood, proposed to capitulate, provided they would do it on honorable terms, and give him assur-
ance that they would neither abuse his person, nor destroy his property ; and he would agree, on
his part, to give up his commission, and never again act as an exciseman. These stipulations
were agreed to, reduced to writing, and signed by the parties. Reagan then opened his door,
and came out with a keg of whiskey and treated them. However, after the whiskey was drunk,
some of them began to say that the old rascal was let off" too easy, and that he ought to be set
up as a target to be shot at. Some were for tarring and feathering him, but others took his part,
and said he had acted manfully, and that after capitulating they were bound to treat him honor-
ably. At length they got to fighting amongst themselves. After this it was proposed and carried,
that Reagan should be court-martialled, and that they would march off" right away to Ben. Wells,
of Fayette co., the excise officer there, and catch him and try him and Reagan both together.
They set out accordingly, taking Reagan along, but when they arrived at Wells's house he was
not there, so they set fire to it and burned it to the ground with all its contents. They left an
ambush near the ruins, in order to seize Wells. Next morning he was taken, but during the
night, as Reagan had escaped, and Wells was very submissive with them, they let him off" with-
out further molestation.
The next attack was made on Capt. Webster, the excise officer for Somerset county, by a
company of about 150 men from Westmoreland. They took his commission from him, and made
him promise never again to act as a collector of excise. An attempt was made by some of the
party to fire his haystacks, but it was prevented by others. They marched homeward, taking
Webster a few miles. Seeing him very submissive, they ordered him to mount a stump, and re-
peat his promise never again to act as a collector of excise, and to hurrah three times for Tom
the Tinker, after which they dismissed him.
WASHINGTON COUNTY 673
Tinker's man V Every man was willing to be thought so, and some had great trouble to wipe
off imputations to the contrary." Mr. Findlay says, " it afterwards appeared that the letters did
not originate with Holcroft, though the inventor of them has never been discovered."
In Congress, on the 5th June, 1794, the excise law was amended. Those, however, who de-
sired not amendment, but absolute repeal, were thereby incited to push matters to a more violent
crisis. It became indispensable for the government to meet the opposition with more decision.
Process issued against a nmnber of non-complying distillers in Fayette and Allegheny. Indict,
nients were found against Robert Smilie and John McCuUoch, rioters, and process issued ac-
cordingly.
It was cause of great and just complaint in the western counties, that the federal courts sat
snly on the eastern side of the mountains, and that individuals were subjected to ruinous ex-
penses when forced to attend them. The processes, requiring the delinquent distillers to appear
at Philadelphia, arrived in the west at the period of harvest, when small parties of men wpre
likely to be assembled together in the fields. In Fayette county the marshal executed his prOf
cesses without interruption, though under discouraging circumstances. In that county the most
influential citizens and distillers had, at a meeting in the winter or spring previous, agreed to
promote submission to the laws, on condition that a change should be made in the officers.
In Allegheny, the marshal had successfully served all the processes except the last, when, un-
fortunately, he went into Pittsburg. The next day, 15th July, 1794, he went in company with
Gen. Neville, the inspector, to serve the last writ on a distiller named Miller, near Peter's creek.
After the writ was served, a number of men from the harvest-field pursued the officers and fired
upon them. Miller afterwards told H. H. Breckenridge, "that he was mad with passion when
lie reflected that being obliged to pay $250, and the expense of going to Philadelphia, would ruin
him ; and his blood boiled at seeing Gen. Neville along, to pilot the officer to his yery door."
Early next morning, John Holcroft, the reputed Tom the Tinker, and about 36 others, ap-
peared at Gen. Neville's house, (about seven miles southwest from Pittsburg.) Their conduct
was suspicious ; they were fired on from the house, and after returning the fire, they were fired
on from the negro houses adjoining. They retired with six wounded — one, Oliver Miller, mor-
tally. The family received no injury. Gen. Neville was prepared, and had armed his negroes.
The next morning not less than 500 men, mostly armed, attended at Couch's fort, a few miles from
Gen. Neville's house; many of them probably because they had not sufficient firmness to refuse.
Rev. Mr. Clark, a venerable clergyman, endeavored to dissuade them from their purpose, but in
vain. From Couch's fort they marched to Gen. Neville's house. Major James M'Farlane, who
had been an officer in the revolution, of good standing and character, was appointed to com-
mand the attack.
On the other hand, Maj. Abraham Kirkpatrick, with a detachment of 11 men, from the garri-
son at Pittsburg, had arrived that morning, to assist Gen. Neville. The latter, when informed
of the force coming against him, had prudently withdrawn to a place of concealment, leaving
his house in charge of his kinsman Kirkpatrick. The females were permitted to retire before the
attack was made. A deputation was sent from the insurgents to demand the commission of the
inspector ; they supposing that without the commission he would be compelled to cease from hia
official duties. The commission was refused. The attack commenced and continued but fifteen
minutes, when it was thought a flag had been exhibited from the house ; on which Maj. McFar.
lane stepped out from behind a tree, with a white handkerchief on the end of a stick. He was
mortally wounded by a shot from the house. The attack was renewed with fury, and the prop-
erty burnt down and destroyed. Maj. Kirkpatrick was compelled by the fire to surrender, but
no one was Injured after the surrender. Judge Wllkeson says : " At about eight o'clock in the
evening, I witnessed the commencement of the fire, at a distance of two miles, and saw the
flames ascend from the burning houses, until the actors in the scene became visible in the in-
creasing light. It was a painful sight, especially to those who had experienced the hospitality
of the only fine mansion in the country, to see it destroyed by a lawless mob, and its Inmates ex-
posed to their fury. Even those who were opposed to the measures of the administration, and
had countenanced resistance to the execution of the excise law, were overwhelmed by this ap-
palling commencement of open insurrection."
A meeting was held in the latter part of July, by the insurgents, at the Mingo Creek meeting,
house. At this meeting, Messrs. Bradford, Parkinson, Cook, Marshall, and Breckenridge, whose
names became so conspicuous afterwards, appeared on the scene publicly, for the first time. Da-
vid Bradford was a rash and headstrong attorney, from Washington county. He openly advo-
cated what had been done, and urged the necessity of unanimity. Breckenridge, whose object
was to gain their confidence, that he might, under a disguise, eventually beguile them into mode-
ration, seemed to countenance their conduct, but ventured to suggest that, though what they had
done might be morally right, yet it was legally wrong ; and suggested the propriety of consult-
ng their fellow-citizens. A meeting of delegates from the four counties was, therefore, re-
commended at Parkinson's ferry, (now Wllllamsport, or Monongahela City,) on the 14th August.
Soon after the Mingo meeting, Bradford and some of his hot-headed coadjutors caused the
United States mail, from Pittsburg, to be robbed, near Greensburg, by a kinsman and namesake
85
674 WASHINGTON COUNTY.
of Bradford, and a man named Mitcliell, both of Washington county. They found therein let-
ters from Gen. Gibson, Col. Presley Neville, (son of the inspector,) Mr. Bryson, and Mr. Edward
Day, which gave great offence to the insurgents. The letter-writers were, in consequence, obhged
to leave Pittsburg, by some circuitous route, or conceal themselves, that it might be given out
publicly that they were gone.
In the mean time, Bradford and others, without a semblance of authority, issued a circular, or
order, to the colonels of militia in the western counties, requiring them to assemble in arms at
Braddock's field, for the ostensible purpose of pulling down the inspector's office, and banishing
the traitors from Pittsburg. This order was signed I. Canon, B. Parkinson, D. Bradford, A.
Fulton, T. Spcers, J. Lochry, J. Marshall. Strange to say, it was in many instances promptly
obeyed : many, who despised it at heart, did not dare to disobey it. Bradford afterwards denied
that he gave such an order.
There were but three days between the date of the orders, and the time of assemblage ; yet a
vast and excited multitude was brought together, many in companies, under arms. Some were
well-disposed towards the government, but came for fear of being proscribed ; others as mere
spectators — others, such as Hugh H. Breckenridge, and several from Pittsburg, to put themselves,
if possible, under the mask of insurrection, at the head of tlie multitude, and restrain them, by
organization and management, from proceeding to open outrage and rebellion. Great appreben-
sion was entertained that the insurgents might proceed to Pittsburg, and bum the town. The
obnoxious persons had been banished, as if by authority, in deference to the demands of the Tom
Tinker men ; and the Pittsburg delegation were careful to announce the fact at Braddock's field.
Probably the majority of those assembled were secretly well disposed towards the government,
but afraid to come out and avow it. Mr. Breckenridge thus describes the feeling that prevailed
there, and throughout the western counties : " A breath in favor of the law was sufficient to ruin
any man. It was considered as a badge of toryism. A clergyman was not thought orthodox in
the pulpit, unless against the law. A physician was not capable of administering n>edicine, un-
less his principles were right in this respect. A lawyer could have got no practice without at
least conceaUng his sentiments, if for the law ; nor could a merchant at a country store get cus-
tom. On the contrary, to talk against the law was the way to office and emolument. To go to
the legislature or to congress, you must make a noise against it. It was the Shibboleth of safe-
ty, and the ladder of ambition."
It was proposed by Bradford to march and attack the garrison at Pittsburg ; but this was
abandoned. Bradford now moved that the troops should go on to Pittsburg. " Yes," said
Breckenridge, " by all means ; at least to give a proof that the strictest order can be observed,
and no damage done. We will just march through, and, taking a turn, come out upon the plain,
on the banks of the Monongahela ; and after taking a little whiskey with the inhabitants, the troops
will embark, and cross the river." Officers having been appointed — Edward Cook, and Brad-
ford, generals, and Col. Blakenay officer of the day— the insurgents marched in a body, by the
Monongahela road, to Pittsburg. By the wily management of some of the Pittsburg gentlemen,
the greater part of the company, after being diverted by a treat, were got across the Mononga-
hela. A few, however, remained ; determined to burn Gen. Neville's house, in town, and Gen.
Gibson's, and others. By the influence of Col. Cook, Marshall, and others of the insurgent par-
ty, this outrage was prevented. Major Kirkpatrick's barn, across the river, was burned. If they
had succeeded in burning two or three houses, the whole town must have been consumed. " The
people," says Mr. Breckenridge, " were mad. It never came into my head to use force on the
occasion. I thought it safest to give good words and good drink, rather than balls and powder.
It cost me four barrels of old whiskey that day ; and I would rather spare that than a quart of
blood."
The meeting at Parkinson's ferry was composed of 260 delegates from the four western coun-
ties— from Bedford, also, and from Ohio co. in Virginia. Many had been sent with a view to
stem the current of disorder until it had time to cool down. This, however, was only to be ac-
complished, as some thought, not by open opposition, but by covert management. Col. Cook was
appointed chairman, and Albert Gallatin secretary. Gallatin, Breckenridge, and Judge Edgar
of Washington co., took a prominent part in the discussions. The intemperate resolutions and
treasonable plans of Bradford and Marshall were gradually softened down or explained away.
The organic force of the insurrection was condensed into a committee of 60, one from each
township ; and this committee was again represented by a standing executive committee of 12.
The committee of 60 was to meet at Redstone Old Fort, on the 2d Sept. ; and the standing com-
mittee were in the mean time to confer with the U. S. commissioners, whose arrival had been
announced at Pittsburg. To gain time and restore quietness was the great object with Gallatin
and his friends. " Mr. Gallatin," says Judge Wilkeson, " although a foreigner, who could with
difficulty make himself understood in English, yet presented with great force the folly of past re-
sistance, and the ruinous consequences to the country of the continuance of the insurrection. Ho
urged that the government was bound to vindicate the laws, and that it would surely send an
overwhelming force against them. He placed the subject in a new light, and showed the insur-
rection to be a much more serious affair than it had before appeared."
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 675
Breckenridge was actuated by the same motives, but he supported the measures in a different
way — often appearinff to act with Bradford's party, and oppose Gallaiin. Yet he always con-
tributed to bring the proceedings to the same issue with the latter.
The commissioners of the government proposed an amnesty, and certain favorable methods for
adjusting delinquencies, on condition that the meeting at Redstone should declare their detenni*
nation to comply with the laws, and cease opposition and intimidation of others.
On the 28th Aug. the committee of 60 met at Redstone. While they were collecting, the af-
fair occurred with Samuel Jackson the Quaker, which has been described on page 344. Not-
withstanding violent threats and denunciations had been circulated by Tom the Tinker against
the twelve conferees, (the standing committee,) they all, except Bradford, recommended the ac-
ceptance of the propositions of the commissioners. The meeting was opened by a long, sensible,
and eloquent speech by Mr. Gallatin, in favor of law and order. Mr. Breckenridge now threw
off his mask, and enforced and enlarged upon the arguments already advanced by Gallatin.
Bradford, in opposition, let off a most intemperate harangue ; but when he found the vote, 34 to
23, was against him, he retired in disgust. Afterwards, alleging that he was not supported by his
friends, he signed the terms of submission, and advised others to do it. But this did not wipe out
his offences. He was excepted from the amnesty, and when the army came he fled down the
Mississippi into the Spanish territory. Judge Edgar summed up the argument for submission,
and, by his pious and respectable character and his venerable appearance, won many over to his
side.
Such was the fear of the popular phrensy that it was with difficulty a vote could be had at this
meeting. No one would vote by standing up. None would write a yea or nay, lest his hand-
writing should be recognized. At last it was determined that yea and nay should be written by
the secretary on the same pieces of paper, and be distributed, leaving each member to chew up
or destroy one of the words, while he put the other in the box.
This meeting virtually closed the insurrection. Although their propositions did not exactly
meet the views of the commissioners, yet the existence of a decided majority on the side of law
and order was here fully exposed.
The commissioners — of whom Hon. James Ross, of Pittsburgh, was one — now put forth a test
of submission, to be subscribed individually by the citizens throughout the country. Only six
days remained for signing this promise over a country containing 70,000 people and nearly as
large as the state of Connecticut. Many came forward readily and signed, encouraged others,
and associated for their defence. Tom the Tinker, with his men, refused outright, and threat-
ened the signers with death, by which many were intimidated. Some came forward after the
time was expired, soliciting, with tears, the privilege of signing. Many refused to sign, conscious
of having done no wrong. The people of Fayette were of this class— though, at a meeting of
citizens collectively, they passed resolutions tantamount to the test.
On the whole, however, there were enough malcontents left to render it necessary, in the opin-
ion of the president, to send forward the army which had been collected at the east. This army
consisted of 15,000 men, and was composed of troops and volunteers from Maryland, Virginia,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Gov. Lee, of Virginia, had the chief command of the army.
The other generals were Gov. Mifflin of Pennsylvania, Gov. Howell of New Jersey, Gen. Daniel
Morgan, and Adj. Gen. Hand. Gen. Knox, Secretary of War, and Gen. Hamilton, Secretary of
the Treasury, and Judge Peters of the U. S. Court, also went out to Pittsburg. The army ar.
rived in November, but met with no opposition and shed no blood. At Pittsburg, a kind of in-
quisitorial court was held at the quarters of the Secretary of the Treasury, in which testimony
was taken against citizens denounced for treasonable acts or expressions. " Many of the inform-
ers, influenced by prejudice, implicated those who had been guilty of no offence against the gov-
ernment. After a few days spent in these " Star Chamber'''' proceedings, the dragoons were put
in requisition, and officers sent with guides to arrest the offenders. Such of the proscribed as
apprehended no danger were soon taken, and, without any intimation of the offence with which
they stood charged, were carried to Pittsburg. Here many found acquaintances or influential
friends, who interposed in their behalf and obtained their release. Others less fortunate were sent
to Philadelphia for trial, where they were imprisoned for ten or twelve months without even an
indictment being found against them." Only two or three were tried and convicted, and these
were afterwards pardoned.
The peculiar course which Mr. Breckenridge had taken placed him, for a time, in a very awk-
ward predicament, as well as in personal danger. He was denounced to the government as hav-
ing been one of the leaders of the insurrection. He had certainly taken an active part in the
public meetings, and apparently acted with the insurgents. The turning point in his case was
the quo animo, the motive for his peculiar conduct. Fortunately, his motives had been fully
known, throughout his whole course, to Hon. James Ross, who explained his conduct to the Sec.
retary of the Treasury. At the close of the examination the secretary, Gen. Hamilton, said to
him. " In the course of yesterday I had uneasy feelings. I was concerned for you as for a man
»f talents. My impressions were unfavorable. You may have observed it. I now think it my
duty to inform you that not a single one remains. Had we listened to some people, I do not know
676 WAYNE COUNTY.
what might have been done. There is a side to your account. Your conduct has been horribly
misrepresented, owing to misconception. I will announce you in this point to Gen. Lee, who
represents the Executive. You are in no personal danger. You will not be troubled even by a
simple inquisition by the judge. What may be due to yourself with the public, is another ques-
tion." (See page 88.)
The army returned to their homes. Gen. Morgan was left with a few battalions to preserve
quiet during the winter. In the spring the military was withdrawn, order bad been fully restored,
the law was acquiesced in, and business resumed its wonted course
Wayne county.
Wayne county was taken from Northampton co. by act of 21st March,
1798, and its size was diminished by the formation of Pike co., in 1814.
The ancient southern boundary was a straight line from Geo. M'Michael's
farm on the Delaware, (below Coolbaughs,) to the mouth of Trout run,
on the Lehigh. This line now passes through Monroe co. The co. was
named in honor of Gen. Anthony Wayne. Length 53 miles, breadth 22^ j
area 720 sq. miles. Population in 1800, 2,562; in 1810, 4,125; in 1820,
(Pike off,) 4,127 ; in 1830, 7,663; in 1840, 11,848.
A continuous upland, with a general elevation above tide of about
1,600 feet, occupies the greater portion of the county, comprising the
usual variety of surface peculiar to mountainous regions. This upland
is indented with long narrow valleys. Moosic mountain rises above the
upland about 600 feet, forming for some distance a barrier between
Wayne and the adjacent counties on the west. Mount Ararat, of about
equal height, continues the range towards the N. E. a short distance ; and
beyond this, on the north, is the smaller eminence of Sugar Loaf. The
inequalities of surface present no serious obstacle to agricultural opera-
tions ; the slopes are generally gradual, and, with a few exceptions, every
part is susceptible of cultivation. The greater part of the co. is yet
overshadowed by its native forest, with interspersed patches of clearing ;
and the citizens find their greatest source of wealth in the productions
of this forest. The " open woods," without underbrush, afford pine, oak,
chestnut, and hemlock ; the " beech woods" furnish cherry, white-wood,
or poplar, bass, white pine, ash, maple, beech, and hemlock. It is esti-
mated that 50,000,000 of feet of lumber annually descend the Delaware,
cif which Wayne county and two adjoining counties in New York furnish
the greater portion. Much maple-sugar is also made in the county.
Both the soil and climate are more congenial for grazing-farms than for
corn and wheat ; but the latter are raised to some extent. Lakes are
found in every township except Sterling. These elegant little sheets of
water, clear as crystal, comprise from 50 to 300 acres each, and con-
tribute much to the natural beauty of the landscape. Their outlets
afford excellent mill sites. The Delaware river bounds the northeastern
side of the co., receiving from it a number of small tributaries, of which
the great Equinunk and Corkins' creek are the most important. The
Delaware and Susquehanna rivers here approach within 10 miles of each
other, and in wet seasons, the nearest sources of their small tributaries
are said to form a complete union. The Lackawaxen, with its branches,
WAYNE COUNTY. 677
Dyberry, Middle cr., and Waullenpaupack, water the southeastern and
central parts of the co.
The great falls of the Wallenpaupack are of sufficient importance to merit a notice. From the
head of the Wallenpaupack flats, the creek, after a previous rapid course, flows in a sinuouS
channel for a distance of 15 miles with scarcely any sensible motion. Arrived at the head of
the falls, the bed of the creek appears suddenly depressed, and forms a chasm, into which the
Water pours down a depth of near 70 feet, and then rushing furiously in a deep rocky channel,
is precipitated over three successive cataracts within a distance Of a mile and a half of the
mouth of the creek, producing a total fall in that distance of 150 feet. The width of the creek
above the falls is 70 feet. The site of the upper fall is improved by two saw-mills and a grist-
mill, a short distance above which a wooden bridge crosses and connects the route of the Mil-
ford and Owego turnpike road. The remains of Wilsonville, the ancient seat of justice of
Wayne county, are situated near this place. But local policy has transferred the scene of public
business to other places, and the creek is now the common boundary of Wayne and Pike co's. — ■
Davis's Sketches of Wayne co,*
This CO. abounds in turnpikes. There are the Cochecten and Great
Bend turnpike, incorporated 29th March, 1804; the Milford and Owego,
incorporated 26th Jan., 1807 ; the Bethany and Dingman's Choice, incor-
porated 2d April, 1811; the Belmont and Easton, incorporated 13th March,
1812; Belmont and Oghquaga, incorporated 26th Feb., 1817; the Lu-
zerne and Wayne co., incorporated 24th Feb., 1820. In addition to these
facilities for locomotion, there are the natural descending highways of
the rivers, and the Hudson and Del. canal, and the Honesdale and Car-
bondale railroad. The route of the great New York and Erie railroad
passes along the New York side of the Delaware river.
Wayne co. is settled by people of all races, and from different sections
of the country ; perhaps those from New York and New England pre-
dominate.
Concerning the early settlement of the co. little has been preserved.
From its position, it fell of course within the territory so long in dispute
between Connecticut and Pennsylvania ; and from a document still on
file in Northampton co., it would appear that here was made the first
actual attempt to settle under the Connecticut title. This document,
dated 8th June, 1761, issued by William Allen, chief-justice of the pro-
vince, orders the sheriff of Northampton co. to arrest Daniel Skinner,
Timothy Skinner, Simon Corkins, John Smith, Jedediah Willis, James
Adams, Irwin Evan, and others, for having intruded upon the Indian lands
about Cushetunk. The warrant is endorsed, " Warrant to the sheriff of
Northampton co., to take up such Connecticut men and others as have
settled at Cushetunk, &c., without leave." Cushetunk was doubtless the
Indian name from which the modern Cochecton is derived ; and the fact
that Simon Corkins was one of the early settlers, leaves no doubt that
this settlement was made about the mouth of Corkins' creek. Chapman
states, in his history of Wyoming, that in the summer of 1757, the Dela-
ware Co. commenced a settlement at Cushetunk, on the Delaware river;
and again, that in 1760 the settlement contained thirty dwelling-houses,
three large log-houses, a blockhouse for defence, one grist-mill, and one
saw-mill. The settlers were driven off, but subsequently returned and
penetrated further into the state, and took up the valley of Wyoming,
where their history has been traced in letters of blood.
* For the topography of this co. we are indebted to a sketch by the late Jacob S. Davis, Esq.,
who made a careful survey, with the intention of publishing separate maps of each township,
for the guidance of the proprietors of land ; but the publication was never completed.
678 WAYNE COUNTY.
The north boundary line of the state was ascertained and fixed in December, 1774, by David
Rittenhouse, on the part of Pennsylvania, and Samuel Holland, on the part of New York, who
set a stone in a small island in the western or Mohawk branch of the Delaware, for the N. E.
corner of Pennsylvania, marked with the letters and figures. New York, 1774, cut on the north
side, and the letters and figures, Lat. 42", Var. 4" 20^, cut on the top of said stone ; and in a
direction due west from thence, on the west side of the river, collected and placed a heap of
stones at the water-mark, and proceeding further west four perches, planted another stone in the
said line, marked with the letters and figures PENNSYLVANIA, Lat. 42*^, Var. 4° 20', cut on
the top. The rigor of the season prevented them from proceeding. The further prosecution of
this business was deferred until 1786 and 1787, during which years the line was completed by
Andrew Ellicot, on the part of Pennsylvania, and James Clinton and Simeon Dewitt, on the part
of New York. The western line of this county was run in pursuance of an act passed April
17, 1795. — Davis's Sketches.
Within the territory now forming Wayne co., there were in the year
1800, but about 800 inhabitants, viz.: Buckingham 110, Canaan 183,
Damascus 145, Mount Pleasant 188, and say one half of Palmyra 179 ;
total, 805. The townships now in Pike co. 'were then, one half of Pal-
myra, with 179 inhabitants, Lackawaxen 103, Delaware 380, Middle
Smithfield 499, Upper Smithfield 585 — showing that the bulk of the popu-
lation at that time was along the Delaware.
HoNESDALE, which lias recently been made the county seat, is situated
on a level plain, at the confluence of the Dyberry with the Lackawaxen.
It takes its name from Philip Hone, Esq., of New York, who richly mer-
ited the honor by his early and efficient patronage of the Delaware and
Hudson Canal.
The town was first laid out about the year 1826, on the commencement
of active operations at the upper termination of the canal. Previously
the site had been covered by the primitive forest. It increased rapidly
with the progress of the public improvements, and is now a beautiful
village. It was incorporated as a borough 26th Jan., 1831. Population
in 1840, 1,086. It is laid out with broad streets at right angles ; and
there are none of those filthy alleys which disfigure some villages. The
courthouse, erected in 1842, is surrounded by a spacious square, enclosed
and adorned with shade-trees. Both public and private dwellings evince
good taste in their construction. The latter are generally of wood, paint-
ed white, with green blinds, and their gable ends turned to the street, af-
ter the fashion of New England ; with their front-yards adorned with
flowers and shrubbery, and shaded with trees. Every house seems to be
a neat and pleasant home, which its inmates delight to embellish. The
sidewalks are well protected with railings. Besides the county buildings,
Honesdale contains Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, and Cath-
olic churches. In the rear of the town, to the northeast, rises a high pre-
cipitous hill, surmounted on two of its knobs with beetling cliffs, bearing
the appearance of two fortresses commanding the valley below. Along
the foot of this hill flows the Lackawaxen creek, turning several mills, a
foundry, &c., in its course. In front of the village to the southeast, rises
another hill, along the side of which passes the railroad from which the
coal is conveniently discharged into the boats in the canal at the foot of
the hill. The annexed view was taken from this hill. In the foreground
is the railroad with its apparatus. Below it is seen the principal hotel —
an excellent one, kept by Mr. Field in 1842 — and beyond are the court-
house, churches, &c., with the fortress-like hill in the background. The
dark object resembling a volcano in front of the hotel, is an immense
WAYNE COUNTY.
679
Honesdale.
heap of siftings accumulated by the coal company. In the busy season
the company ships about 700 tons of coal per day.
Maurice and John Wurts, in 1823 and 1825, obtained acts of incorporation, and succeeded in
forming the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. This company undertook and completed
the Herculean task of constructing a railroad over the Moosic mountain, and a canal from Hones-
dale to the Hudson river, thus connecting the Lackawanna coal field with the city of New York.
The county was then a wilderness. In 1840 Carbondale contained a population of 2,398, and
Honesdale of 1,086. The whole length of the canal and railroad is 123 miles ; and cost about
$2,000,000, when first completed. From Honesdale the railroad extends up the valley of the
West branch of Lackawaxen, and crossing near the mouth of Vanorba brook, continues in a
western direction towards Rix's gap, where it crosses Moosic mountain and descends to Carbon-
dale. Its length is 16 1-2 miles, overcoming an elevation and descent of 1,812 feet, or a summit
oi about 900 feet, by 8 inclined planes. On 5 of these planes stationary steam-engines are
used ; the others are managed by gravitation and horse-power. A new route is now in progress
which will obviate the use of many of the horses or mules. The Lackawaxen canal extends 25
miles from Honesdale down the valley of that creek to its mouth, where it crosses the Delaware
into New York, and takes the name of the Delaware and Hudson canal. From the mouth of
the Lackawaxen to the Hudson at Rondout, near Kingston, (94 miles above New York city,) is
about 92 miles. The canal and locks are adapted for boats of about 30 tons. The cost of min-
ing and placing a ton of coal at Rondout by this route, including every thing except the profit to
the company, was estimated, in 1840, at $3.82, and in 1841, at $3.50.
Bethany, the seat of justice of the county until 1842, is situated three
and a half miles north of Honesdale, on a commanding eminence which
declines on every side except the north, and overlooks the adjacent coun-
try for a considerable distance. It is a pretty village, distinguished for
the taste displayed in many of the buildings. It contains a population
of about 300, a Presbyterian church and an academy. About a mile
and a half from Bethany are the extensive glassworks of Messrs. Greele
& Taatz : they manufacture window-glass chiefly.
Damascus and Stockport are small villages on the Delaware nver. At
the former a bridge crosses the river to Cochecton.
The other villages of the co. are, Belmont, Centreville, Clarksville,
or Canaan Corners, Weymart, Pompton, Salem Corners, and Naglesville
in the western tier of townships, and Leonardsville on the canal. These
villages contain each a church or two, some dozen or twenty houses, with
the usual stores and taverns to accommodate the surrounding country.
680 WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
Westmoreland county was taken from Bedford co. by the act of 26th
Feb. 1773. It then included the whole of the southwestern corner of the
state. Its length is at present 37 miles, breadth 29; area 1,004 sq, miles.
The population in 1790 was 16,018; in 1800,22,726; in 1810, 26,492; in
1820, 30,540 ; in 1830, 38,500 ; and in 1840, 42,699.
The county is separated from Somerset and Cambria on the east by
the lofty and well-defined range of Laurel hill ; parallel to this, is the
lower range of Chestnut ridge ; and between them, the long and elevated
Ligonier valley, about ten miles wide. West of Chestnut ridge the coun-
ty assumes the surface common to all the western counties, that of an
original table-land or inclined plane, scooped out into hills and valleys by
the action of water. Near the larger streams the hills are higher and
more precipitous ; between the sources of the smaller streams, they rise
in gentle undulations, nicely suited to the purposes of agriculture. From
the summit of Chestnut ridge the country seems to spread out into a vast
verdant plain. The soil, except in the mountainous regions, is very fer-
tile ; limestone and coal are accessible in nearly all parts of the county ;
iron ore at several points. Along the Kiskiminetas and Allegheny rivers
are some 20 or 30 salt-wells, generally in operation. (See Indiana co.)
The county is abundantly watered. The Kiskiminetas flows along the
northeast boundary ; the Yough'ogheny crosses the southwest corner.
Tributary to these are the Loyalhanna, Big and Little Sewickly, Jacob's
creek, Turtle creek, Beaver Dam creek, and others of less note. There
are one or two iron works, and a few other manufactories, but the pre-
dominant pursuit of the inhabitants is agriculture. Wheat and live-stock
are the principal articles of export. The county was originally settled
by Irish and German emigrants, whose descendants still occupy the soil.
The German population is gradually augmenting in numbers. Schools
and churches are well patronized. The appearance of the farms exhibits
the industrious and thriving character of the people. The Bedford and
Pittsburg turnpike passes through the centre ; the Northern turnpike, be-
tween Pittsburg and Blairsville, and another from Somerset, through Mt.
Pleasant to Washington, also cross the county.
It is said by Scott, in his Gazetteer, published in 1806, that "in Wheat-
field township there is a remarkable mound, from which several antiques
have been dug, consisting of a sort of stone serpent, five inches in diame-
ter ; part of the entablature of a column — both rudely carved, in the form
of diamonds and leaves ; an earthen urn with ashes ; and many others,
of which we have no account. It is thought that it was the ruins of an
ancient Indian temple."
Previous to the year 1758, Westmoreland was a wilderness, trodden
only by the wild beast, the savage, and an occasional white trader, or
frontier-man. The access to the Forks of the Ohio, in those days, w^as
either up the Juniata, and then by water down the Kiskiminetas, or by
Braddock's road from Virginia, and thence down the Monongahela. The
first opening through the wilderness of Westmoreland county was cut by
Gen. Forbes's army, in 1758. The details of his march, as far as Bed-
WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 681
ford, are given on page 118. While the main body of the army was de-
layed at Raystown, (Bedford,) Col. Bouquet pushed forward, in July,
with 2,500 men towards Loyalhanna, cutting the road as he went. While
on his way, he dispatched Maj. Grant, with 800 men, to reconnoitre Fort
Duquesne. The disastrous issue of Grant's expedition is well known.
(See page 76.) While Bouquet was still at Loyalhanna, in October, the
French and Indians, in considerable force, attacked him, with vigor ; but
he repulsed them, after a combat of some hours. A second attack was
equally unsuccessful. Col. Bouquet's loss, in killed and wounded, amounted
to 67. The intrenchment thrown up at this place, to secure the deposit
of provisions for the army, was afterwards called Fort Ligonier.
Col. Washington joined the advanced corps at Loyalhanna, in October ;
and, with the temporary rank ot' brigadier, was advanced with a division
to cut out the road still further — to throw up intrenchments for the secu-
rity of provisions, and to keep out scouts and patrolling guards, to pre-
vent surprise. His letters represent the party as " encountering every
hardship that an advanced season, want of clothes, and a small stock of
provisions" could expose them to. Gen. Forbes, with the main army,
reached Loyalhanna late in October; and a council of war, called soon
after, determined that it was not advisable to proceed further that sea-
son. But on learning, through some prisoners taken by Col. Washington,
the weak state of the garrison at Fort Duquesne, they resolved to pro-
ceed; and the army took up its march from Loyalhanna about the 17th
Nov. When they arrived at the Ohio, the French had abandoned the
fort, and fled down the river.
This road opened the way for numerous pioneers into this region ; but
it was only safe for them to live under the protection of the forts. For
five years they enjoyed comparative quiet and security ; but during Pon-
tiac's war, in 1763, (see pages 28 and 314,) the Indians had invested Fort
Pitt with a strong force, and, by attacking Fort Ligonier at the same
time, had completely cut off all communication between Fort Pitt and
the lower settlements. When the news reached Lord Amherst, then in
command, Col. Bouquet, with two regiments of regulars, lately returned
from Cuba in a shattered condition, was ordered to march to the relief
of Fort Pitt, with a quantity of military stores and provisions. Fort Li-
gonier had been bravely defended by Lieut. Blane and his resolute little
garrison ; and the savages were repulsed. The following extract is con-
densed from the historical account of Bouquet's expedition, published in
Philadelphia, by William Bradford, in 1765, and more recently copied in-
to Hazard's Register : —
Twenty volunteers, all good woodsmen, had been sent to Ligonier from Bedford, and Bouquet
also sent forward a party of 30 regulars, who succeeded in reaching the fort through a running
fire from the enemy. Bouquet reached Ligonier near the close of July, left his wagons there, and
proceeded only with the pack-horses. He was still without the least intelligence from Fort Pitt,
so effectually had the frontier been scoured by the Indians. The latter had better intelligence,
and no sooner learned the march of Bouquet than they broke up the siege of Fort Pitt, to way-
lay the advancing regiments. The army moved forward. Before them lay a dangerous defile at
Turtle creek, several miles in length, commanded the whole way by craggy hills. This defile he
intended to have passed the ensuing night, by a forced march ; and with that intent, proposed to
refresh the troops a short time during the day at Bushy run.
When they came within half a mile of that place, about one in the afternoon, (August 5th,
1763,) after a harassing march of 17 miles, and just as they were expecting to relax from their
fatigue, they were suddenly attacked by the Indians, on their advanced guard ; which being
speedily and firmly supported, the enemy was beat off, and even pursued. But the flight of these
86
682 WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
barbarians must often be considered as a part of the engagement, (if we may use the expression,
rather than a dereliction of the field. The moment the pursuit ended, they returned with renew-
ed vigor to the attack. Several other parties, who had been in ambush in some high grounds
which lay along the flanks of the army, now started up at once, and falling with a resolution
equal to that of their companions, galled our troops with a most obstinate fire.
It was necessary to make a general charge with the whole line to dislodge them from these
heights. This charge succeeded ; but still the success produced no decisive advantage ; for as
soon as the savages were driven from one post, they still appeared on another, till by constant
reinforcements they were at length able to surround the whole detachment, and attack the cou-
Toy which had been left in the rear. This manoeuvre obliged the main body to fall back in order
to protect it. The action, which grew every moment hotter and hotter, now became general.
Our troops were attacked on every side ; the savages supported their spirit throughout ; but the
steady behavior of the English troops, who were not thrown into the least confusion by the very
discouraging nature of this service, in the end prevailed ; they repulsed the enemy, and drove
them from all the posts with fixed bayonets. The engagement ended only with the day, having
continued from one o'clock without any intermission.
The ground on which the action ended, was not altogether inconvenient for an encampment.
The convoy and the wounded were in the middle, and the troops, disposed in a circle, encom-
passed the whole. In this manner, and with little repose, they passed an anxious night, obliged
to the strictest vigilance by an enterprising enemy.
At the first dawn of light the savages began to declare themselves all about the camp, at the
distance of about 500 yards, by shouting and yelling in the most horrid manner. After this
alarming preparative, they made several bold eftbrts to penetrate the camp. They were repulsed
in every attempt, but by no means discouraged from new ones. Our troops were extremely fa-
tigued with a long march, and with the equally long action of the preceding day ; and distressed
by total want of water, much more intolerable than the enemy's fire.
Tied to their convoy, they could not lose sight of it for a moment, without exposing, not only
that, but their wounded men, to fall a prey to the savages. To move was impracticable. Many
of the horses were lost, and many of the drivers, stupefied by their fears, hid themselves in the
bushes, and were incapable of hearing or obeying orders. Their situation became extremely
critical. The fate of Brad dock was every moment before their eyes ; but they were more ably
conducted.
The commander was sensible that every thing depended upon bringing the savages to a close
engagement, and to stand their ground when attacked. Their audacity, which had increased
with their success, seemed favorable to this design. He endeavored, therefore, to increase their
confidence as much as possible, and contrived the following stratagem. Our troops were posted
on an eminence, and formed a circle round their convoy from the preceding night, which order
they still retained. Col. Bouquet gave directions that two companies of his troops, who had
been posted in the most advanced situations, should fall within the circle ; the troops on tlie
right and left immediately opened their files, and filled up the vacant space, that they might seem
to cover their retreat. Another company of light infantry, with one of grenadiers, were ordered
to lie in ambuscade, to support the first two companies of grenadiers, who moved on the feigned
retreat, and were intended to begin the real attack.
The savages gave entirely into the snare. The thin line of troops, which took possession of
LUv ground which the two companies of light-foot had left, being brought in nearer to the centre
of the circle, the Indians mistook those motions for a retreat, abandoned the woods which cov-
ered them, hurried headlong on, and advancing with the most daring intrepidity, galled the Eng-
lish troops with their heavy fire. But at the very moment when they thought themselves mas-
ters of the camp, the first two companies sallying out from a part of the hill which could not be
observed, fell furiously upon their right flank. The savages, though disappointed and exposed,
preserved their recollection, and resolutely returned the fire. Then it was the superiority of com-
bined strength and discipline appeared. On the second charge they could no longer sustain the
irresistible shock of the regular troops, who rushing upon them, killed many, and put the rest to
flight.
At the instant when the savages betook themselves to flight, the other two companies, which
had been ordered to support the first, rose from the ambuscade, marched to the enemy, and gave
them their full fire. This accomplished their defeat. The four companies, now united, did not
give the enemy time to look behind them, but pursued them till they were totally dispersed. The
other bodies of the savages attempted nothing. They were kept in awe, during the engagement,
by the rest of the British troops, who were so posted, as to be ready to fall on them upon the
least motion.
The enemy lost about 60 men on this occasion, some of them their chief warriors. The Eng-
lish lost about 50 men, and had about GO wounded. The savages, thus signally defeated in all
their attempts, began to retreat to their remote settlements, giving up their designs against Fort
Pitt, at which place Col. Bouquet arrived safe with his convoy, four days after the action ; re
ceiving no further molestation on the road than a few scattered shot from a flying enemy.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 68i3
The following graphic sketch of the burning of Hanna's town is from
the Greensburg Argus of 183G :
About three miles from Greensburg, on the old road to New Alexandria, there stand two mod-
ern-built log tenements, to one of which a sign-post and a sign is appended, giving due notice
that at the seven yellow stars, the wayfarer may partake of the good things of this world. Be-
tween the tavern and the Indian gallows hill on the west, once stood Hanna's town, the first
place west of the Allegheny mountains where justice was dispensed according to the legal forms
by the white man. Tlie county of Westmoreland was established by the provincial legislature
on the 26th of Feb. 1773, and the courts directed to be held at Hanna's town. It consisted of
about thirty habitations, some of them cabins, but most of them aspiring to the name of houses,
having two stories, of hewed logs. There were a wooden courthouse and a jail of the like con-
struction. A fort stockaded with logs, completed the civil and military arrangements of the
town. The first prothonotary and clerk of the courts was Arthur St. Clair, Esq., afterwards
general in the revolutionary army. Robert Hanna, Esq., was the first presiding justice in the
courts; and the first Court of Common Pleas was held in April, 1773. Thomas Smith, Esq.,
afterwards one of the judges on the supreme bench, brought quarterly, from the east, the most
abstruse learning of the profession, to puzzle the backwoods lawyers ; and it was here that Hugh
Henry Breckenridge, afterwards also a judge on the supreme bench, made his debut, in the pro-
fession which he afterwards illustrated and adorned by his genius and learning. The road first
opened to Fort Pitt by Gen. Forbes and his army, passed through the town. The periodical re-
turn of the court brought together a hardy, adventurous, frank, and open-hearted set of men from
the Redstone, the Georges creek, the Yough'ogheny, the Monongahela, and the Catfish settle-
ments, as well as from the region, now in its circumscribed limits, still called " Old Westmore-
land." It may well be supposed that on such occasions, there was many an uproarious merry,
making. Sucli men, when they occasionally met at courts, met joyously. But the plough has
long since gone over the place of merry-making; and no log or mound of earth remains to tell
where justice had her scales.
On the 13th July, 1782, a party of the townsfolk went to O'Connor's fields, about a mile and
a half north of the village, to cut the harvest of Michael Huffuagle. * * « * The summer
of '82 was a sorrowful one to the frontier inhabitants. The blood of many a family had sprink-
led their own fields. The frontier northwest of the town was almost deserted ; the inhabitants
had fled for safety and repose towards the Sewickly settlement. At this very time there were a
number of families at Miller's station, about two miles south of the town. There was, therefore,
little impediment to the Indians, either by way of resistance, or even of giving warning of their
approach. When the reapers had cut down one field, one of the number who had crossed to the
side next to the woods, returned in great alarm, and reported that he had seen a number of In-
dians approaching. The whole reaping party ran for the town, each one intent upon his own
safety. The scene which then presented itself may more readily be conceived than described.
Fathers seeking for their wives and children, and children calling upon their parents and friends,
and all hurrying in a state of consternation to the fort. Some criminals were confined in jail,
tiie doors of which were thrown open. After some time it was proposed that some person should
reconnoitre, and relieve them from uncertainty. Four young men, David Shaw, James Brison,
and two others, with their rifles, started on foot through the highlands, between that and Crab,
tree creek, pursuing a direct course towards O'Connor's fields ; whilst Capt. J , who happen-
ed to be in the town, pursued a more circuitous route on horseback.
The captain was the first to arrive at the fields, and his eye was not long in doubt, for the
whole force of the savages was there mustered. He turned his horse to fly, but was observed
and pursued. When he had proceeded a short distance, he met the four on foot — told them to fly
for their lives — that the savages were coming in great force — that he would take a circuitous
route and alarm the settlements. He went to Love's, where Frederick Beaver now lives, about
a mile and a quarter east of the town, and assisted tiie family to fly, taking Mrs. Love on the
horse behind him. The four made all speed for the town, but the foremost Indians obtained sight
of them, and gave them hot pursuit. By the time they had reached the Crab-tree creek, they
could hear the distinct footfalls of their pursuers, and see the sunbeams glistening through the
foliage of the trees upon their naked skins. When, however, they got into the mouth of the ra^
vine that led up from the creek to the town, they felt almost secure. The Indians, who knew
nothing of the previous alarm given to the town, and supposed that they would take it by sur.
prise, did not fire, lest that might give notice of their approach ; this saved the lives of David
Shaw and his companions. When they got to the top of the hill, the strong instinct of nature
impelled Shaw to go first into the town, and see whether his kindred had gone into the fort, be-
fore he entered it himself. As he reached his father's threshold and saw all within desolate, he
turned and saw the savages, with their tufts of hair flying in the wind, and their brandished torn-
ahawks, for they had emerged into the open space around the town, and commenced the war-
whoop. He resolved to make one of them give his death halloo, and raising his rifle to his eye,
kis bullet whizzed true, for the stout savage at whom he aimed bounded into the air and fell up-
Q84 WESTMORELAND COUNTY".
on his face. Then, with the speed of an arrow, he fled for the fort, which he entered in safety.
The Indians were exasperated when they found the town deserted, and after pillaging the houses,
they set them on fire. Although a considerable part of the town was within rifle range of the
fort, the whites did but little execution, being more intent on their own safety than solicitous
about destroying the enemy. One savage, who had put on the military coat of one of the inhab-*
itants, paraded himself so ostentatiou,sly that he was shot down. Except this one, and the one
laid low by Shaw, there was no evidence of any other execution, but some human bones found
among the ashes of one of the houses, where they, it was supposed, burnt those that were killed.
There were not more than 14 or 15 rifles in the fort ; and a company having marched from the town
some time before, in Lochry's ill-fated can^paign, many of the most efficient men were absent ; not
more than 20 or 25 remained. A maiden, Jennet Shaw, was killed in the fort; a child having
fun opposite the gate, in which there were some apertures through which a bullet from the In-
dians occasionally whistled, she followed it, and as she stooped to pick it up, a bullet entered her
bosom — she thus fell a victim to her kindness of heart. The savages, with their wild yells and
hideous gesticidations, exulted as the flames spread, and looked like demoniacs rejoicing over the
lost hopes of mortals.
Soon after the arrival of the marauders, a large party of them was observed to break oflf, by what
seemed concerted signals, and march towards Miller's station. At that place there had been a
wedding the day before. Love is a delicate plant, but will take root in the midst of perils in
gentle bosoms. A young couple, fugitives from the frontier, fell in love and were married. Among
those who visited the bridal festivity, were Mrs. H and her two beautiful daughters, from
the town. John Brownlee, who then owned what is now the fine farm of Frederick J. Cope, and
his family, were also there. This individual was well known in frontier forage and scouting par-
ties. His courage, activity, generosity, and manly form, won for him among his associates, as
they win everywhere, confidence and attachment. Many of the Indians were acquainted with
his character, some of them probably had seen his person. There were in addition to the man-
sion a number of cabins, rudely constructed, in which those families who had been driven from
their homes resided. The station was generally called Miller's town. The bridal party were en-
joying themselves in the principal mansion, without the least shadow of approaching danger.
Some men were mowing in the meadow — people in the cabins were variously occupied — when
suddenly the war-whoop, like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky, broke upon their astonish-
ed ears. The people in the cabins and those in the meadow, mostly made their escape. One
incident always excites emotions in my bosom when I have heard it related. Many who fled
took an east course, over the long steep hills which ascend towards Peter George's farm. One
man was carrying his child, and assisting his mother in the flight, and when they got towards
the top of the hill, the mother exclaimed they would be murdered, that the savages were gaining
space upon them. The son and father put down and abandoned his child that he might more
effectually assist bis mother. Let tliosc disposed to condemn, keep silence until the same strug-
gle of nature takes place in their own bosoms. Perhaps he thought the savages would be more
apt to spare the innocence of infancy than the weakness of age. But most likely it was the instinct
of feeling, and even a brave man had hardly tin>e to think under such circumstances. At all
events, Providence seemed to smile on the act, for at the dawn of the next morning, when the
father returned to the cabin, he found his little innocent curled upon his bed, sound asleep, the
only human thing left amidst the desolation. Let fathers appreciate his feelings : whether the
Indians had found the child and took compassion on it, and carried it back, or whether the little
creature had been unobserved, and when it became tired of its solitude, had wandered home
through brush and over briers, will never he known. The latter supposition would seem most
probable from being found in its own cabin and on its own bed. At the principal mansion, the
party were so agitated by the cries of women and children, minghng with the yell of the savage,
that all were for a moment irresolute, and that moment scaled their fate. One young man of
powerful frame grasped a child near him, which happened to be Brownlee's, and effected his es-
cape. He was pursued by three or four savages. But his strength enabled him to gain slightly
upon his followers, when he came to a rye-field, and taking advantage of a thick copse, which
by a sudden turn intervened between him and them, he got on the fence and leaped far into the
rye, where he lay down with the child. He heard the quick tread of the savages as they passed,
and their slower steps as they returned, muttering their guttural disappointment. That man
lived to an honored old age, but is now no more. Brownlee made his way to the door, having
seized a rifle ; he saw however that it was a desperate game, but made a rush at some Indians
who were entering the gate. The shrill clear voice of his wife, exclaiming, " Jack, will you
leave me ?" instantly recalled him, and he sat down beside her at the door, yielding himself a
willing victim. The party were made prisoners, including the bridegroom and bride, and several
of the family of Miller. At this point of time, Capt. J was seen coming up the lane in
full gallop. The Indians were certain of their prey, and the prisoners were dismayed at his rash-
ness. Fortunately he noticed the peril in which he was placed in time to save himself. Eagerly
bent upon giving warning to the people, his mind was so engrossed with that idea, that he did
liot see the enemy until he was within full gun-shot. When he did see them, and turned to fiy
WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 685
several bullets whistled by him, one of which cut his bridle-rein, but he escaped. When those
of the marauders who had pursued the fugitives returned, and when they had safely secured their
prisoners and loaded them with plunder, they commenced their retreat.
Heavy were the hearts of the women and maidens as they were led into captivity. Who can
tell the bitterness of their sorrow ? They looked, as they thought, for the last time upon the
dear fields of their country, and of civilized life. They thought of their fathers, their husbands,
their brothers, and, as their eyes streamed with tears, the cruelty and uncertainty which lumg over
their fate as prisoners of savages overwhehned tliem in despair. They had proceeded about half a
mile, and 4 or 5 Indians near the group of prisoners in which was Brownlee were observed to ex-
change rapid sentences among each other and look earnestly at him. Some of the prisoners had
named him ; and, whether it was from that circumstance or because some of the Indians had
recognized his person, it Was evident that he was a doomed man. He stooped slightly to adjust
his child on his back, which he carried in addition to the luggage which they had put on him ;
and, as he did so, one of the Indians who had looked so earnestly at him stepped to him hastily
and buried a tomaliawk in his head. When he fell, the child was quickly dispatched by the same
individual. One of the women captives screamed at this butchery, and the same bloody instru-
ment and ferocious hand immediately ended her agony of spirit. God tempers the wind to the
shorn lamb, and he enabled Mrs. Brownlee to bear that scene in speechless agony of wo. Their
bodies were found the next day by the settlers, and interred where they fell. The spot is marked
to this day in Mechling's field. As the shades of evening began to fall, the marauders met again
on the plains of Hanna's town. They retired into the low grounds about the Crabtree creek,
and tliere regaled themselves on what they had stolen. It was their intention to attack the fort
the next morning before the dawn of day.
At nightfall thirty yeomen, good and true, had assembled at George's farm, not far from Mil-
ler's, determined to give, that night, what succor they could to the people in the fort. They set
off for the town, each with his trusty rifle, some on horseback and some on foot. As soon as
they came near the fort the greatest caution and circumspection was observed. Experienced
woodsmen soon ascertained that the enemy was in the crab-tree bottom, and that they might enter
the fort. Accordingly, tiiey all marched to the gate, and were most joyfully welcomed by those
within. After some consultation, it was the general opinion that the Indians intended to make
an attack the next morning ; and, as there were but about 45 rifles in the fort, and about 55 or
60 men, the contest was considered extremely doubtful, considering the great superiority of num-
bers on the part of the savages. It became, therefore, a matter of the first importance to impress
the enemy with a belief that large reinforcements were arriving. For that purpose the horses
were mounted by active men and brought full trot over the bridge of plank that was across the
ditch which surrounded the stockading. This was frequently repeated. Two old drums were
found in the fort, which were new braced, and music on the fife and drum was kept occasionally
going during the night. While marching and counter-marching, the bridge was frequently
crossed on foot by the whole garrison. These measures had the desired effect. The military
music from the fort, the trampling of the horses, and the marching over the bridge, were borne on
the silence of night over the low lands of the crab-tree, and the sounds carried terror into the bo-
soms of the cowardly savages. They feared the retribution which they deserved, and fled shortly
after midnight in their stealthy and wolf-like habits. 300 Indians, and about 60 white savages
in the shape of refugees, (as they were then called,) crossed the crab-tree that day, with the in-
tention of destroying Hanna's town and Miller's station.
The next day a number of the whites pursued the trail as far as the Kiskiminetas without
being able to overtake them.
The little community, which had now no homes but what the fort supplied, looked out on the
ruins of the town with the deepest sorrow. It had been to them the scene of heartfelt joys — em-
bracing the intensity and tenderness of all which renders the domestic hearth and family altar
sacred. By degrees they all sought themselves places where they might, like Noah's dove, find
rest for the soles of their feet. The lots of the town, either by sale or abandonment, became
merged in the adjoining farm ; and the labors of the husbandman soon eflfaced what time might
have spared. Many a tall harvest have I seen growing upon the ground ; but never did I look
upon its waving luxuriance without thinking of the severe trials, the patient fortitude, the high
courage which characterized the early settlers.
The prisoners were surrendered by the Indians to the British in Canada. The beauty and
misfortune of the Misses H attracted attention ; and an English officer — perhaps moved by
beauty in distress to love her for the dangers she had passed — wooed and won the fair and gentle
Marian. After the peace of '83 the rest of the captives were delivered up, and returned to their
country.
Greensburg, the county seat, is situated on the Pittsburg and Bedford
turnpike, 31 miles east from Pittsburg, in the midst of a fertile and well-
cultivated country. It contains a very neat courthouse, jail, market-
686
WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
house, and public offices ; an academy, and German Reformed, Lutheran.
Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Covenanters churches. The
town is situated on elevated ground, and compactly built ; the houses are
principally of brick.
Greensburg v^^as laid out not long after the burning of Hanna's town
It was incorporated as a borough in Feb. 1799. The original owners of
the place were Gen. Wm. Jack, and Col. Christopher Trueby. The ven-
erable Mr. McLellan, still living, about 90 years old, Judge Lobengeir,
the Campbell family, and Dr. Postlethwaite, were early settlers in the
town or its vicinity. The annexed view was taken from near the big
spring north of the turnpike, about half a mile west of the town.
Greenshurg.
Greensburg has been one of those tranquil places that furnish little
of historical incident. Its growth has been gradual, corresponding to the
progress of the surrounding agricultural region : having no manufactur-
ing facilities, and in mercantile business obliged to compete with a num-
ber of similar towns, it will probably not increase with great rapidity.
Population in 1840, 800. The society of the place is said to be highly
intelligent and moral.
General Arthur St. Clair was interred in the Presbyterian churchyard.
For years the spot where repose the ashes of this brave but unfortunate
general, had been marked by nothing save thorns and thistles, which had
profusely grown over it. In 1832 the Masonic fraternity placed what
they modestly call " an humble monument" over the grave, with the fol'
lowing inscriptions :
On the South side. — The earthly remains of Major-General Arthur St. Clair, are deposited
beneath this humble monument, which is erected to supply the place of a nobler one, due from
his country. He died Aug. 31, 1818, in the 84th year of his age.
On the North side. — This stone is erected over the remains of their departed brother, by mem.
bers of the Masonic Society.
A blank is left on one of the panels, on which it is intended to place a suitable inscription to
the memory of the wife of the deceased, who lies buried by his side.
Gen. St. Clair was born at Edinburgh, in Scotland, and accompanied the fleet under Admiral
Boscawen to America in 175.5. He was a lieutenant in the British army under Gen. Wolfe
When the French war was closed, he had the command of Fort Ligonier assigned to him ; and
WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
687
Gen. St. Clair's Monument.
also received a grant of 1,000 acres of land in that vicinity, which he fancifully chose to lay out
in the form of a circle. Here he settled, and was appointed to several civil offices under the gov
emment of Pennsylvania. When the revolution commenced he embraced the American cause,
and in Jan. 1776 was appointed to command a battalion of Pennsylvania militia. He was en-
gaged in the expedition to Canada, and was second in command in the proposed attack on the
British post at Trois Rivieres. He was afterwards in the battle of Trenton, and had the credit
of suggesting the attack on the British at Princeton, which proved so fortunate. In Aug. 1776
he was appointed a brigadier, and in Feb. '77 major-general. He was the commanding officer at
Ticonderoga when that post was invested by the British, and evacuated it July 6, 1777, with
such secrecy that a considerable part of the public stores were safely conveyed away. Charges
of cowardice, treachery, and incapacity were brought against him in consequence, but a court of
inquiry honorably acquitted him. He afterwards joined the army under Gen. Greene, in the
south, and at the close of the war returned to his former residence. In 1783 he was a member
of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, and the same year was elected president of the Cin-
cinnati Society of that state. In 1785 he was elected to Congress, and in Feb. '87 was appoint-
ed president of that body. In Oct. following he was appointed governor of the territory of the
United States northwest of the Ohio, an office which he retained until Nov. 1803, when he was
removed by Jefferson in consequence of the too free expression of his political opinions. He had
previously, in 1790, been the unsuccessful candidate of the federal party, against Gen. Mifflin for
the office of governor of Pennsylvania, under the new constitution. In 1791 he commanded an
army against the Miami Indians, and was defeated on the 4th of Nov. with the loss of 6 or 700
men. He was on that occasion worn down by a fever, but nevertlieless exerted himself with a
courage and presence of mind worthy of a better fate. He was borne on a litter to the different
points of the battle-ground, and in this condition directed the movements of the troops. On
this occasion a portion of the citizens were loud in their censures of his conduct ; but a commit-
tee of inquiry of the House of Representatives acquitted him from blame. He resigned his com-
mission as major-general in 1792. With the profuse liberality of a soldier, he became reduced
in his old age to poverty, and resided in a dreary part of Westmoreland co., on Chestnut ridge,
a little south of the turnpike. He applied to Congress for relief. His claims on the sympathy
of his country were listened to with indifference, and admitted with reluctance. After a long
suspense he obtained a pension of $60 per month. He died Aug. 31st, 1818, in his 84th year.
Mount Pleasant is a smart and flourishing borough, on the Bedford
and Washington turnpike, 10 miles south of Greensburg. As its name
would indicate, it has an elevated site, from which is obtained a pictur-
esque view of a beautiful country. It has Methodist, Presbyterian, Bap-
tist, United Brethren, and Unionist churches, and there is a small Mennon-
ist settlement in the vicinity. The place was started some thirty years
since. The Messrs. Neal and McCredy were the original owners of the
688 WYOMING COUNTY
site. The central street has quite a lively, business-like air. Population
554.
New Alexandria is a large borough on the Northern turnpike, 10 miles
northeast from Greensburg, and 8 from Blairsville. It contains 427 in-
habitants.
YouNGSTowN is on the Pittsburg and Bedford turnpike, 1 1 miles east of
Greensburg, near the western base of Chestnut ridge. There are two
churches in the place, Methodist and Lutheran. One mile east from this
place stands the residence of Gen. St. Clair : and three miles north the
former residence of Gov. Findley, now the residence of Mr. Geo. Lemer.
Gov. Findley is still living in Philadelphia. Population 415.
The other villages of the county are, Stewartsville, Jacksonville, Ad-
AMSBURG, Grapeville, Ligonier, (pop. 294,) and Laughlinstown, all on the
Pittsburg and Bedford turnpike : Robstown and Port Royal, on the
Yough'ogheny. Salem Cross-roads, now a borough, (pop. 204,) and Mur-
EAYsviLLE, ou the Northern turnpike ; and Pleasant Unity, on the Big Se-
wickly, southeast of Greensburg.
WYOMING COUNTY.
Wyoming is a new county, taken from the northwestern part of Lu-
zerne, by an act passed at the legislative session of 1841-42. Its boun-
daries were somewhat modified by the act of 28th June, 1842. It forms
an oblique parallelogram, 23 miles long by 15 wide ; containing an area
of about 345 sq. miles. The southern boundary is a line running west
from the Flat Rock Rifts, in the Susquehanna, about three miles below
Buttermilk Falls. The eastern boundary is an irregular zig-zag line,
commencing at Flat Rock Rifts, and pursuing a general course nearly N.
N. E. w^ith certain deviations, and terminating at the intersection of the
Susquehanna co. line with the north fork of Tunkhannock cr. Population
in 1840, as nearly as can be estimated, about 8,100.
The county is exceedingly mountainous, being occupied principally by
the main chain of the Allegheny mountain, here broken into a great
number of isolated knobs and spurs, and spread out into broad and ele-
vated table-lands. The scenery along the Susquehanna, where the river
breaks through the mountains, or winds among the headlands, is magnifi-
cent and sublime. The most prominent elevations are Bowman's moun-
tain. Knob mountain, and Tunkhannock mountain, near Tunkhannock ;
the latter forms a distinct range, running in a northeasterly direction.
Big Mahoopeny, Mahoopeny, and Little Mahoopeny mountains, occupy
the western portion of the county. The principal streams, besides the
Susquehanna — which meanders diagonally through the co., from the north-
western to the southeastern corner — are, Tuscarora, Meshoppen, Tunk-
hannock, and Falls creeks, tributaries on the east side of the Susquehanna,
and Big and Little Mahoopeny, and Bowman's creeks on the western side.
All these streams abound in excellent mill sites. One of these sites is
at Buttermilk Falls, on Falls cr., a view of which has been given under
the head of Luzerne co., (page 428,) by mistake. The woollen factory
WYOMING COUNTY. 689
of Messrs. Sterling and Parker, on the Big Meshoppen cr., has been in
operation several years, furnishing a market for wool, and manufacturing
excellent cloths.
Notwithstanding the mountainous character of this county, yet it con-
tains much good land ; the soil of the alluvial bottoms along the Sus-
quehanna and its tributary creeks, is very productive and well adapted
for grain. Of the high lands, on the hill slopes, a considerable portion
may be cultivated, and they are particularly adapted for grass for dairy
farms, and for the rearing of sheep. The mountains are covered with
heavy forests of valuable timber — white pine, oak, chestnut, cherry, &c. ;
and large quantities of lumber are annually taken to market. This has
been an important branch of the industry of the citizens.
The citizens of the county are descended from the New England stock,
many of the early settlers having taken up land under the Connecticut
title.
Little has been recorded concerning the early history of this county.
The early settlers were emigrants either directly from New England, or
from the Wyoming valley, and took their lands under the Connecticut
title. If any had settled here previous to the revolutionary war, they
must have withdrawn into the lower valleys before Butler's terrific in-
cursion in 1778. It is probable that some attempts had been m^de to
settle along the Susquehanna in this vicinity before the revolution, from
the fact that the Moravians of Wyalusing, who removed to the west in
1772, complained of being annoyed by an increasing number of emi-
grants from New England, who w^ere taking land around them under
Connecticut title. After the peace of Great Britain in 1783, and between
that time and the year 1800, a great number of emigrants were en-
couraged by the Susquehanna Company (of Connecticut) to occupy lands
both in the Wyoming valley, and north of it, in what are now Bradford,
Wyoming, and Susquehanna counties. Their object was, by an increase
of able-bodied men in the colony, to intimidate the Pennsylvania claim-
ants, and either force them to an abandonment of their claims, or to a
compromise upon more favorable terms.
Among the names of the earlier settlers in the co. we find those of
Zebulon Marcy, who was settled at Tunkhannock in 1788, of Benjamin
Slocum, also settled at or near Tunkhannock, and a Mr. Kilborn, who
had a cabin near the Black-walnut bottom. John Nicholson, the great
landholder, had caused a settlement to be made at an early day in the
township which bears his name.
In the spring of 1780, Major Van Campen and others were taken pris-
oners at Fishing creek by a party of Indians. A desperate encounter
took place between the parties near Little Tunkhannock cr., in this co.,
of which a full narrative is given on page 246.
But the Indians were not the only persons who took white men prison-
ers and brought them into these regions, as will appear by the following
narrative, condensed from the letter of Col. Pickering to his son, which
may be found in detail in Hazard's Register, Vol. 7. It should be re-
marked, however, that few, if any of the ancestors of the present citi-
zens of Wyoming and Luzerne were concerned in the affair, and the
account is given merely as a specimen of the numerous contests connected
with the land titles of this vicinity.
87
690 WYOMING COUNTY.
When the county of Luzerne was established, in 1787, Col. Timothy Pickering', formerly of
Massachusetts, and aid-de-camp to Gen. Washington during the revolution, was sent as a com-
missioner to organize the county, and reconcile the minds of the Wyoming people to the new
jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. He assured the Connecticut settlers that he had strong reasons to
express the opinion, that the legislature would pass a law to quiet them in their possessions
" But," says Col. Pickering, "just as I was closing, a pretty shrewd man, John Jenkins, a major
of their militia, the second leader in the interests of the Susquehanna Company, rose and said,
' they had too often experienced the bad faith of Pennsylvania to place confidence in any new
measure of its legislature, and that if they should enact a quieting law, thev would repeal it as
soon as the Connecticut settlers submitted, and were completely saddled with the laws of the
state.' This was prophetic, but I had then no faith in the prophecy." " Their first leader, a
man able, bold, and energetic, was [Col.] John Franklin, a native of Connecticut, and who was
at this time consulting with the Susquehanna Company on the means of defeating the pacific
measures of Pennsylvania."
Col. Pickering was soon brought into collision with Franklin and his followers. Franklin
made himself so active in opposing the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, that Chief-justice McKean
ordered his arrest by four resolute men. A scuffle ensued, in which Col. Pickering interfered,
and advised them to place Franklin on a horse, with his legs tied together ; and in this condition
he was carried to Philadelphia. This act of course exposed Col. Pickering to the vengeful re-
sentment of Franklin's adherents. Col. Pickering had taken up his abode in the Wyoming val-
ley, near Wilkesbarre, to show the confidence he had in the possibility and probability of quiet
being restored. On the 26th June, 1788, at the dead of night, a party of armed men, with their
faces blacked, broke into his bedroom, where his family was, pinioned his arms with a cord, and
led him off up the Susquehanna. It was evident, from many circumstances, that their object
was merely to make reprisals for Col. Franklin's Imprisonment, and to endeavor to procure his
release. They made no attempt upon Col. Pickering's life, and even in many instances appeared
to show him that outward respect and care for his person which his rank in society might claim ;
that is, so far as it was consistent with their ultimate design of forcing him to a compromise.
Thus, they advised him to bring his overcoat or blanket along, to guard against the cold, although
it was in summer. When they crossed Lackawannock creek, one of the party carried him over on
his back, instead of forcing him to wade, as they themselves did ; and when a deer was killed,
a choice piece was selected by the leader, cooked, seasoned, and presented to Col. Pickering.
Still he endured many indignities at their hands, and much personal suffering, incident to a march
through the wilderness. At night they concealed themselves in wild glens, and during their
march frequently crossed the river, to avoid pursuit. The second night they arrived at a log-
house, near the western bank of the Susquehanna. Here the colonel was permitted to sleep on a
bed, and found himself unplnioned. The next day, to avoid discovery, he was taken back from
the river, about a mile, amid thunder and rain. The next day they crossed the river to the east-
ern side, and followed up the bank. Col. Pickering had now discovered that two of the party
were Gideon and Joseph Dudley, sons of a near neighbor of his ; there were also two brothers
by the name of Earl, and two more by the name of Kilborn, who had a house near Black-walnut
"bottom. There was also one Cady, whom the colonel represents as a very bad character.
Having halted in a sequestered place, back from the river, they fastened an iron band, with a
chain attached to it, round the colonel's ankle, and attached the other end of the chain, by a
staple, to a tree. Col. Franklin, they said, had been put in irons at Philadelphia ; and they must
put irons on Col. Pickering, although it was not agreeable to them to do it — " but their great men
required it." At night one of the party had the chain attached to his own ankle, so that the col-
onel could not attempt an escape without awaking him. " But," says Col. Pickering, " I had
determined not to make the attempt ; for I soon considered my life was not in danger, and I ex-
pected them to grow weary of their enterprise. So I patiently endured present affliction. Be-
sides, if I escaped they could take me again, unless I quitted the country ; which was the precise
object of the outrage — to get rid of me." " After breakfast one of them went down to a house,
by the river, and returned in haste, to tell his comrades that ' the Boys' and the militia had met,
and that in the battle Capt. Ross of the militia, (since Gen. William Ross, of Wilkesbarre,) had
been wounded" — as they thought mortally, but it proved not to be fatal. This affair occurred
near Black- walnut bottom, about 16 miles above Tunkhannock. The next day," says the colo-
nel, " we crossed to the western side of the river, and passed through a thick wood, to the house
of one Kilborn, fattier to two of the party. There we lodged, and the next morning pushed back
into the woods, about four miles from the river. This was the third and last station." The
party were now becoming tired of their enterprise, and aware of its danger. They had made
frequent overtures to the colonel, on the march, wishing him to intercede with the executive
council for the discharge of Col. Franklin. His reply on the first day had been — " The execu-
tive council better understand their duty than to discharge a traitor to procure the release of an
innocent man." This enraged them, and one of them had well-nigh tomahawked the colonel,
but was prevented. This demand was frequently made, but as often resolutely refused. " Will
jou intercede for our pardon 7" said they. He replied, " While I have been in your hands, jou
YORK COUNTY. 691
have told me of your ' great men,' and that you have been acting in obedience tc their orders.
By them you have been misled and deceived. Give me their names, and I have no doubt of ob-
taining your pardon." But this they would never do. After an imprisonment of nineteen days, dur-
ing ten of which he had worn the chain ; after sleeping night after night in the woods, with no
appliances for repose but a stone pillow, and a shelter of boughs ; after living upon a scanty al-
lowance of salt pork, venison, and corn-bread, and winter-green tea, without a razor for his beard
or a change of linen, the colonel was released, on his own terms — which were merely that he
would write a petition for them to the executive council, and take it himself to Wilkesbarre, and
Bend it to Philadelphia. The party had thoroughly relented, and were aware of the extremely
treasonable and hazardous nature of the enterprise. The colonel found shelter, for a night, at
the hospitable dwelling of Zebulon Marcy, at Tunkhannock ; and soon returned to his anxious
family.
The offenders fled to the state of New York ; but a part of them were met by a company of
militia under Capt. Roswell Franklin : shots were exchanged, and Joseph Dudley, one of the
offienders, was badly wounded. He was taken home in a canoe to Wilkesbarre, where, as it hap-
pened. Col. Pickering furnished medicine for his relief, and when he died, a few days afterward,
his friends sent to Mrs. Pickering to beg a winding-sheet, which she gave them.
Tunkhannock, the county seat, is situated on the left bank of the Sus-
quehanna, just above the mouth of Tunkannock creek, and 28 miles
north of Wilkesbarre. The scenery around the town is very picturesque.
Triangle hill, a lofty spur of Tunkhannock mountain, here rises to the
height of 650 feet above the river, and immediately opposite to it is an-
other towering knob 1,150 feet high. The place contains tw^o or three
churches, and the public buildings of the county. The population of the
village is not given in the census: that of the township in 1830 was
1,039 ; and in 1840, 1,933. Appropriate ceremonies were observed when
the town was first invested with the honors of the seat of justice. The
stakes for the new courthouse were set on the 25th May, 1842, upon two
acres of land presented to the county by Thomas T. Slocum, Esq. " The citi-
zens collected were addressed in an eloquent speech by Mr. Headly, one
of the commissioners, followed by Col. H. B. Wright, in a short address
in his usual happy style." A considerable business is done here with the
Tunkhannock valley, which is thickly settled. A great quantity of lum-
ber is sent annually from this valley, and that of Meshoppen cr. The
North Branch canal, when completed, will pass through the place.
At Buttermilk Falls, a small village has grown up since the com-
mencement of the North Branch canal. The immense water-power
here, which now belongs to the heirs of the late Jacob Sigler, will, when
properly improved, give impetus to a large manufacturing business. (See
page 428.)
YORK COUNTY.
York county was separated from Lancaster by the act of 9th August,
1749. Its limits were curtailed by the separation of Adams co. in Jan.
1800. Length 31 miles, breadth 29 ; area 900 square miles. Population
m 1790, 37,747; in 1800, (Adams co. off,) 25,643; in 1810,31,938; in
1820, 38,759 ; in 1830, 42,859 ; in 1840, 47,010.
The surface of the county, though not mountainous, is generally hilly :
the South mountain, here broken into many irregular spurs, lies near the
692 YORK COUNTY.
northwestern boundary ; the Conewago hills, a branch of the Sotfth
mountain, cross the co. near York Haven ; the Pigeon hills rise in the
■western part of the co. } and the southeastern corner is occupied by a
chain of slaty and sandstone hills. Among these latter hills are the
" York Barrens," a name given to the slaty lands here, not on account of
their w^ant of fertility, but from the circumstance that the original settlers
found immense tracts entirely denuded of timber by the annual fires,
kindled by the Indians for the purpose of improving their hunting-ground-
A strip of limestone, six or seven, miles wide, crosses the co. about the
centre from northeast to southwest. This tract is covered with rich
farms, which have been brought into an admirable state of cultivation
by the German farmers. Deposits of iron ore are found in several town-
ships, particularly in Windsor, and Upper and Lower Chanceford. There
are two furnaces and four forges in the county. Indications of copper
exist in a number of places, and particles of gold have been found, but
all efforts to find any valuable deposits of these two metals have proved
hitherto delusive. Roofing-slate has been obtained from the quarries in
Peach-bottom township.
This county is finely watered : the Susquehanna flows for more than
fifty miles along the northeastern boundary, and its natural facilities for
navigation are improved by the Pennsylvania and Tidewater canals, and
a canal around Conewago falls. Conewago cr., a large stream with its
branches, drains the northern portion of the co. ; Codorus cr., improved
by slackwater navigation, flows through the centre, past York, and Mud-
dy cr. drains the southeastern section. These streams, flowing through
a hilly country, furnish an abundance of mill-sites. The German race
arid German language predominate throughout the centre of the co. ; the
descendants of the Scotch-Irish occupy the region of the Barrens ; and
the descendants of the original Quaker settlers from Chester co. are found
about Wrightstown, and in the northern corner of the co. All these three
classes have inherited the industrious and thrifty habits of their fathers.
Farming is their principal employment, and they find for their products
a convenient market at Baltimore, which they may reach by means of
the canals mentioned above, or by the York and Baltimore railroad. By
riieans of the York and Columbia railroad, a communication is also open-
ed with Philadelphia. Several excellent turnpikes cross the co., among
which are, one from Columbia through York to Chambersburg, the Balti-
more and Carlisle turnpike, and the York and Harrisburg turnpike.
The territory west of the Susquehanna, now comprising York and
several neighboring counties, was first purchased from the Indians on ac-
count of Wm. Penn, by Gov. Donga n, of New York, who transferred it
to Penn in 1796. This deed was confirmed to Penn in 1700 by " Widagh
and Addagyjunkquagh, kings or sachems of the Susquehanna Indians."
As these deeds, however, only conveyed " the Susquehanna river, and
lands next adjoining the same," and as the Conestoga Indians were
offended at the sale, and would not acknowledge its validity, Penn and
his successors did not consider the Indian title, particularly to lands west
of the river, as fully extinguished. In 1736, with the approbation of the
grand council of Onondaga, the Six Nations conveyed to the proprietaries
all the lands as far up as the Kittatinny mountains, and west of the Sus-
quehanna " as far as the setting sun."
YORK COUNTY. €93
Several years previous, however, to this purchase of 1736, even before
the death of Wm. Penn, in 1718, the violent disputes between the proprie-
tors of Pennsylvania and those of Maryland had commenced in regard
to the boundary line. It was not the practice of the proprietors of Penn-
sylvania to permit settlements or surveys to be made on any lands until
the Indian title was fully and indisputably extinguished. The proprieta-
ries of Maryland, on the other hand, were mainly intent upon securing a
boundary further north than has since been allowed, and cared as little
for the rights of the Indians as for the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.
They therefore encouraged a desperate set of traders and settlers to enter
upon the lands west of the Susquehanna, and far north of the disputed
boundary. Gov. Keith, of Pennsylvania, wished to check the encroach-
ments of Maryland, and yet, by the usage and laws of the province, was
unable to grant rights to Pennsylvanians. To extricate himself from
this difficulty, he consulted with the Conestogo Indians and other tribes in
1722, and obtained their consent that he should make a large survey west
of the Susquehanna. The Indians, equally with himself, were jealous
of the encroachments of Maryland, and felt sure of obtaining from Penn-
sylvania a return of any part of the land they might want for their own
use. On the 19th and 20th June, 1722, the first survey of Springettsbury
Manor (now known as " Keith's survey") was made.
Not long after the survey, settlements were made within the manor
under Pennsylvania title ; but as the lands were not fully purchased of
the Indians, licenses to settle were granted by Samuel Blunston, of Wright's
ferry, who was commissioned by the proprietaries. The first license
issued by Blunston is dated 24th Jan., 1733-4, and the last on the 31st
Oct. 1737. It became necessary to make a re-survey of Springettsbury
Manor in 1768, about the time that Mason and Dixon's line was run.
The boundaries of this survey differed from those of the first. This
manor, with others, was excepted from the general confiscation of the
proprietary property at the time of the revolution, and descended as the
private property of the Penn family, by whom it is held — most of it — until
the present day. Tedious and bitter litigation has grown out of this pos-
session during the last thirty or forty years. " The early settlement of
York CO.," says Mr. Carter, " commenced in quarrels, and the effects of
those quarrels have descended to our days."
Several squatters, under Maryland titles, particularly Michael Tanner,
Edward Parnell, Paul Williams, and JefTerey Sumerford, had for some
years dwelt on the west side of the Susquehanna, as high up as four
miles north of the latitude of Philadelphia. They were driven off by the
provincial authorities in 1728. John and James Hendricks, in the spring
of 1729, made the first authorized settlement in the co. on Kreutz creek,
in Hellam township, on the same tracts from which the squatters had
been removed. They were soon followed by other families, principally
Germans, who settled around them within ten or twelve miles, along Co-
dorus creek. The rest of the lands were in the undisturbed possession
of the Indians : even in the white settlements they had their huts.
Thomas Cresap was a blustering and desperate bully, who had volun-
teered his services to the governor of Maryland to raise a party of ma-
rauders, and drive oft^ the Pennsylvania settlers. He commenced his out-
rages about the year 1731, and continued them until he was arrested, in
694 YORK COUNTY.
1736, by a party of armed men under the sheriff of Lancaster co. He
had contrived to enlist a number of the German settlers, and inveigle
them into his plans. One Daunt was murdered by him, and several mur-
derous affrays occurred between him and the Pennsylvanians. John
Hendricks and Joshua Minshall were seized by the Marylanders, and im
prisoned in Annapolis jail.
The following extracts are from the History of York co., by Messrs. W.
C. Carter and A. J. Glossbrenner, to which we are also indebted for many
other facts mentioned above and in the subsequent pages.
The earliest settlers were English — these were, however, eoon succeeded by vast numbers of
German emigrants. It is a remarkable fact, that when the first settlements were made in this
CO., the greater portion of the lands in the eastern and southeastern part of it were destitute of
large timber. In sections where now the finest forests stand, miles might then have been traversed
without the discovery of any plant of greater magnitude than scrub-oak ; and in many places
not even that. This was attributed to a custom among the aborigines of destroying by fire all
vegetation in particular sections of country for the purpose of increasing the facilities of hunting.
Most of the German emigrants settled in the neighborhood of Kreutz or., while the English
located themselves in the neighborhood of the Pigeon Hills. In the whole of what was called
the " Kreutz cr. settlement," (if we except Wrightsville,) there was but one Enghsh family, that
of William Morgan.
The early inhabitants of the Kreutz cr. region were clothed, for some years, altogether in tow
cloth, as wool was an article not to be obtained. Their dress was simple, consisting of a shirt,
trousers, and a frock. During summer, a shirt and trousers formed the only raiment. In the
fall, the tow frock was superadded. In winter, the dress was adapted to the season by increas-
ing the number of frocks, so that in the coldest part of the winter some of the sturdy settlers
were wrapped in four, five, and even more frocks, bound closely about their loins.
But man ever progresses, and when sheep were introduced, a mixture of tow and wool waa
considered an article of luxury. But tow was shortly afterward succeeded by cotton, and then
linsey-woolsey was a piece of the wildest extravagance. If these simple, plain, and honest wor-
thies could look down upon their descendants of the present day, they would wonder and weep
at the changes of men and things. If a party of them could be spectators at a ball of these
times, in the borough of York, and see silks, and crapes, and jewels, and gold, in lieu of tow-
frocks and linsey-woolsey finery, they would scarcely recognise their descendants in the costly
and splendid dresses before them ; but would no doubt be ready to imagine that the nobles and
princes of the earth were assembled at a royal bridal. But these honest progenitors of ours
have passed away, and have left many of us, we fear, nothing but the names they bore, to mark
us as their descendants.
But all of good did not die with them. If they would find cause of regret at our departure
from their simplicity and frugality, they would find much to admire in the improved aspect of
the country — the rapid march of improvement in the soil of their adoption. Where they left un-
occupied land, they would find valuable plantations, and thriving villages, and temples dedicated
to the worship of the God of Christians. Where they left a field covered with brush- wood, they
would find a flourishing and populous town. The Codorus, whose power was scantily used to
propel a few inconsiderable mills, they would see with its banks lined with large and valuable
grist-mills, saw-mills, and fulling-mills — they would find the power of its water used in the
manufactory of paper and wire — and they would find immense arks of lumber and coal floating
on its bosom from the Susquehanna to the very doors of the citizens of a town whose existence
commenced after their departure from the earth.
But to return to the situation of the early settlers. For some time there was neither a shoe-
maker nor tanner in any part of what is now York co. A supply of shoes for family use was
annually obtained from Philadelphia ; itinerant cobblers, travelling from one farm-house to another,
earned a livelihood by mending shoes. The first established shoemaker in the co. was Samuel
Landys, who had his shop somewhere on Kreutz cr. The first, and for a long time the only
tailor, was Valentine Heyer, who made clothes for men and women. The first blacksmith was
Peter Gardner. The first school-master was known by no other name than that of " Der Dicke
Schulmeister."
The first dwelling-houses of the earliest settlers were of wood ; and for some years no other
material was used in the construction. But about the year 1735, John and Martin Shultz each
built a stone dwelling-house on Kreutz creek, and in a few years the example was numerously
followed.
About the year 1734, '35, and '36, families from Ireland and Scotland settled in the south
eastern part of the co., in what is now known as the " York Barrens." They consisted princi
pally of the better order of peasantry — were a sober, industrious, moral, and intelligent people—
YORK COUNTY. 695
and were for the most part rigid Presbyterians. Their manners partook of that simplicity, kind-
ness, and hospitality characteristic of the class to which they belonged in their native countries.
The descendants of these people still retain the lands which their respectable progenitors se-
lected. And we are happy to add, that the present inhabitants inherited, with the lands, the
sobriety, industry, intelligence, morality, and hospitable kindness of their predecessors.
The townships comprised in the " Barrens," are Chanceford, Fawn, Peach-bottom, Hopewell,
and part of Windsor, and from the improvements which have of late years been made in the agri-
culture of these townships, the soil is beginning to present an appearance which is entirely at
variance with the idea a stranger would be induced to form of a section of country bearing the
unpromising name of " Barrens."
The early home of Presbyterianism in York co. was at the Slate Ridge
church, in Peach-bottom township. A log-church was erected here, near
Muddy creek, soon after the original settlement. Rev. Mr. Whittlesey
w^as the first preacher, who ministered to all the Scotch-Irish in the neigh-
boring townships. The original church was burnt. Several others suc-
ceeded it, the site being occasionally changed. Rev. Mr. Morrison, from
Scotland, who came about the year 1750, and Rev. Messrs. John Strain
and Smith, Dr. Samuel Martin, and Mr. Parke, were the successive
preachers in one or the other of these churches in the Barrens. Notwith-
standing the straitened circumstances of the early Scotch settlers, many
of their boys contrived, as the Scotch always will, to pick up a good
classical education, and several have become very eminent in public life.
Of these w^ere Hon. James Smith, of York co., one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, Judge Hugh H. Breckenridge, and Hon.
James Ross, of Pittsburg, and Senator Rowan, of Kentucky.
" As early as 1758," says Dr. Fahnestock, " there was a branch of the
Dunkards, or Seventh-day Baptist Society, established near Bermudian
cr., about 15 miles northwest of York borough ; some of the members
of w^hich still remain, though they have been without preaching many
years."
About the same time that the " Barrens" were settled, Newberry township and the circumja-
cent region, (in the northern part of the co.,) was settled by a number of families from Chester
CO., who, under the auspicious influence of that spirit of peace and amity which had been incul-
cated by Mr. Penn, sate themselves down here and there in a few rude cabins, surrounded on all
sides by the still more rude wigwams of tiieir aboriginal neighbors. Thomas Hall, John Mc-
Fesson, Joseph Bennet, John Rankin, and Ellis Lewis, were the first persons to visit this section
of the CO. ; and having selected the valley in which the borough of Lewisbury is situated, they
gave it the name of the " Red Lands," from the color of the soil and " red rock" on which it is
based. By this name it was principally known to them and their eastern friends for many years.
It was by a descendant of Ellis Lewis that Lewisbury was laid out — and it is from Joseph Ben-
net that the main stream through the valley derives its name of " Bennet's Run."
An anecdote is related of Bennet, Rankin, and Lewis, connected with their first visit to the
" Red Lands." Having arrived at the eastern bank of the Susquehanna river, and there being no
other kind of craft than canoes to cross in, they fastened two together, and placing their horses
with their hinder feet in one, and their fore feet in the other, thus paddled to the shore, at the
imminent peril of their lives !
This section of the country, naturally productive, had suffered a material deterioration of
quality, and was indeed almost " worn out," by a hard system of tillage, when the introduction
of clover and plaster, in the year 1800, established a new era in the husbandry of the neighbor-
hood, and gradually produced a considerable melioration of the soil. At present the spirit of
" liming" is gaining ground rapidly in Newberry and the adjoining townships, and promises very
fairly to effect a material increase of productiveness.
We have now fairly settled those parts of the co. which were the first to be inhabited by whites.
Those parts of which we have made no mention, in noticing the early settlements, were not in
fact taken up by emigrants to York co., but became populated from the stock which we have in-
troduced to our readers. In the course of time the Kreutz cr. settlement increased in population,
and gave inhabitants to a large tract of country surrounding it, including parts of Hellam,
Spring-garden, York, and Shrewsbury townships. The few early settlers of the region in which
Hanover stands, gave population to several townships in that quarter of the county. The num.
696 YORK COUNTY.
ber of families in the " Red Lands" and thereabout, was for some time annually augmented by
fresh emigrants from Chester co. ; the small portion of territory at first chosen became too smal.
for the increased population, and the whole northern division of the co., comprising Newberry,
Fairview, Monahan, Warrington, Franklin, and Washington townships, were partially settled as
early as 1740-50.
A considerable portion of the inhabitants of the townships we have just named, are members
of the Society of Friends. There are also Methodists, Lutherans, and Reformed Presbyterians.
" The following account of that noted impostor, Dr. Dady, is taken nearly
word for word from that written by the Hon. John Joseph Henry, and
sent by him to Philadelphia, with the convicted impostors. Judge Henry
wrote the account from notes taken at the trial."
Dr. Dady, who was a German by birth, came to this country with the Hessians during the
American revolution. Possessing a fascinating eloquence in the German language, and being
very fluent in the English, he was afterwards employed as a minister of the gospel by unin-
formed, but honest Germans.
When the sacerdotal robe could no longer be subservient to his avaricious views, he laid it
aside and assumed the character of a physician. As such he came to York co., and dwelt
among the poor inhabitants of a mountainous part thereof, (now within the limits of Adams co.,)
where, in various artful ways, he preyed on the purses of the unwary.
Of all the numerous impositions with which his name is connected, and to which he lent his
aid, we will mention but two. The scene of one of them is in what is now Adams co., where he
dwelt ; and of the other in the " Barrens" of York co.
The following is an account of the Adams co. imposition :
Rice Williams, or rather Rainsford Rogers, a New Englander, and John Hall, a New Yorker,
(both of whom had been plundering the inhabitants of the southern states by their wiles,) came
to the house of Clayton Chamberlain, a neighbor of Dady, in July, 1797.
On the following morning, Dady went to Chamberlain's, and had a private conversation with
Williams and Hall before breakfast. After Dady had left them, Williams asked Chamberlain
whether the place was not haunted. Being answered in the negative, he said that it was haunted
— that he had been born with a veil over his face — could see spirits, and had been conducted
thither, sixty miles, by a spirit. Hall assented to the truth of this. In the evening of the same
day, they had another interview with Dady. Williams then told Chamberlain, that if he would
permit him to tarry over night, he would show him a spirit. This being agreed to, they went into
a field in the evening, and Williams drew a circle on the ground, around which he directed Hall
and Chamberlain to walk in silence. A terrible screech was soon heard proceeding from a blade
ghost (!) in the woods, at a little distance from the parties, in a direction opposite to the place
where Williams stood. In a few minutes a white ghost appeared, which Williams addressed in
a language which those who heard him could not understand — the ghost replied in the same lan-
gvage .' After his ghostship had gone away, Williams said that the spirit knew of a treasure
which it was permitted to discover to eleven men — they must be honest, religious, and sensible,
and neither horse-jockeys nor Irishmen.
The intercourse between Williams and Dady now ceased to be apparent ; but it was continued
in private. Chamberlain, convinced of the existence of a ghost and a treasure, was easily in-
duced to form a company, which was soon eftected.
Each candidate was initiated by the receipt of a small sealed paper, containing a little yellow
sand, which was called " the power." This " power" the candidate was to bury in the earth to the
depth of one inch, for three days and three nights — performing several other absurd ceremonies,
too obscene to be described here.
A circle, two perches in diameter, was formed in the field, in the centre of which there was a
hole six inches wide and as many deep. A captain, a lieutenant, and three committee-men were
elected. Hall had the honor of the captaincy. The exercise was to pace around the circle, &c.
This, it was said, propitiated and strengthened the white ghost, who was opposed by an un-
friendly black ghost, who rejoiced in the appellation of Pompey. In the course of their nocturnal
exercises they often saw the white ghost — they saw Mr. Pompey too, but he appeared to have " his
back up," bellowed loudly, and threw stones at them.
On the night of the Idth of August, 1797, Williams undertook to get instructions from the
white ghost. It was done in the following manner. He took a sheet of clean white paper, and
folded it in the form of a letter, when each member breathed into it three times ; this being re-
peated several times, and the paper laid over the hole in the centre of the circle, the instructions
of the ghost were obtained. The following is a short extract from the epistle written by the ghost :
" Go on, and do right, and prosper, and the treasure shall be yours. I am permitted to write
this in the same hand I wrote in the flesh for your direction — O J^ Take care of your
powers, in the name and fear of God our protector — if not, leave the work. There is a great
YORK COUNTY. 697
treasure, 4,000 pounds apiece for you. Don't trust the black one. Obey orders. Break the en-
cliantment, which you will not do until you get an ounce of mineral dulcimer eliximer ; some
German doctors has it. It is near, and dear, and scarce. Let the committee get it — but don't
let the doctor know what you are about — he is wicked."
The above is but a small part of this precious communication. In consequence of these
ghostly directions, a young man named Abraham Kephart waited, by order of the committee,
on Dr. Dady. The Dr. preserved his eliximer in a bottle sealed with a la-^ge red seal, aijd buried
in a heap of oats, and demanded fifteen dollars for an oujice of it. Young Kephart could not
afford to give so much, but gave him thirty-six dollars and three bushels of oats for three ounces
of it. Yost Liner, another of these wise committee-men, gave the doctor 121 dollars for eleven
•ounces of the stuff.
The company was soon increased to 39 persons, many of whom were wealthy. Among those
who were most miserably duped may be mentioned Clayton Chamberlain, Yost Liner, Thomas
Bigham, William Bigham, Samuel Togert, John M'Kinney, James Agnew, (the elder,) James
M'Cleary, Robert Thompson, David Kissinger, George Sheekley, Peter Wikeart, and John Phil,
lips. All these and many other men were, in the words of the indictment, " cheated and de-
frauded by means of certain false tokens and pretences — to wit, by means of pretended spirits,
certain circles, certain brown powder, and certain compositions called mineral dulcimer elixir, and
Dederick's mineral elixir."
But the- wiles of these impostors were soon exerted in other parts. The following is an account
of their proceedings in and about Shrewsbury township, in this county. Williams intimated that
he had received a call from a ghost, resident in those parts, at tlie distance of 40 miles from Da-
dy's. Jacob Wister, one of the conspirators, was the agent of Williams on tliis occasion. He
instituted a company of 21 persons, all of whom were, of course, most ignorant people. The
same, and even more absurd ceremonies were performed by these people ; and the communica-
tions of the ghost were obtained in a still more ridiculous manner than before. The communi-
cations mentioned Dr. Dady as the person from whom they should obtain the dulcimer elixir, as
likewise a kind of sand which the ghost called the " Asiatic sand," and which was necessary in
order to give efficacy to the " powers." Ulricli Neaff, a committee-man, of this company, paid
to Dr. Dady ^90 for 7i ounces of the elixir. The elixir was put into vials, and each person,
who had one of them, held it in his hand and shook it, as he pranced around the circle. On cer-
tain occasions he anointed his head with it ; and afterwards, by order of the spirit, the vial was
buried in the ground.
Paul Baliter, another of the committee-men, took with him to Dr. Dady's $100, to purchase
" Asiatic sand," at $3 per ounce. Dady being absent, Williams procured from the doctor's shop
as much sand as the money would purchase. In this instance Williams cheated the doctor, for
he kept the spoil to himself; and thence arose an overthrow of the good fraternity.
Each of them now set up for himself. Williams procured directions from his ghost, that each
of the companies should dispatch a committee-man to Lancaster, to buy " Dederick's mineral
elixir" of a physician in that place. In the mean time W^illiams and his wife went to Lancas-
ter, where they prepared the elixir, which was nothing but a composition of copperas and cayenne
pepper. Mrs. Williams, as the wife of John Huber, a German doctor, went to Dr. Rose, with a
letter dated " 13 miles from Newcastle, Delaware," which directed liim how to sell the article,
&c. The enormity of the price aroused the suspicion of Dr. Rose. In a few days the delegates
from the committee arrived, and purchased elixir to the amount of $740.33. When the lady
came for the money she was arrested, and the secret became known. Her husband, Williams,
escaped.
The Lancaster expedition having led to the discovery of the tricks of the impostors, a few
days after the disclosures made by Mrs. Williams an indictment was presented, in the criminal
court of York county, against Dr. John Dady, Rice Williams, Jesse Miller, Jacob Wister the el-
der, and Jacob Wister the younger, for a conspiracy to cheat and defraud. The trial took place
in June following, and resulted in the conviction of Wister the elder, and of Dr. Dady — the for-
mer of whom was fined .$10, and imprisoned one month in the county jail ; the latter fined $90,
and sentenced to two years' confinement in the penitentiary of Philadelphia.
Dady had just been convicted of participating in the conspiracy at Shrewsbury, when he and
Hall were found guilty of a like crime in Adams county — whereupon Hall was fined $100, and
sent to the penitentiary for two years ; and Dady was fined $1G0, and sentenced to undergo an
additional servitude of two years in the penitentiary, to commence in June, 1800, when his first
term would expire.
Thus ended the history of a man in this county, who certainly was not devoid of talent ; who
possessed a most winning address, and was a thorough master in quick and correct discernment
of character. He reigned, for a season, with undisputed sway, in what was then the western
part of York county. His cunning, for a long time, lulled suspicion to sleep. The history of
his exorcisms should teach the credulous that the ghosts which appear now-a-days are as mate-
rial as our ovm flesh.
88
698 YORK COUNTY.
York, the seat of justice, is situated on the banks of Codorus creek, 1 1
miles from the Susquehanna, It is a rich and thriving borough, surrounded
by a fertile and well-cultivated limestone region. The private dwellings
are very substantially built, and several of the public buildings are splen-
did. Among the latter is the new courthouse, a magnificent edifice of
granite, in the form of a Grecian temple, which was erected in 1841-42,
at a cost of about $150,000. The other public edifices are a county
prison, of stone ; an academy, and ten churches, namely — 2 Lutheran,
German Reformed, Moravian, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian,
Methodist, Quaker, and African Methodist. Several of these churches
display great architectural elegance, and are adorned with tall spires.
In the cemetery of the German Reformed church is the grave of Hon.
Philip Livingston, a member of congress from New York. He died June
11, 1778, while congress was in session here. A splendid pyramid of
white marble, surmounted with an urn, is erected over the grave. Con-
gress retired to this place, from Philadelphia, at the time of the battle of
Brandywine, in Sept. 1777; and held their sessions for nine months in
the old courthouse, which stood on the centre of the public square, but
was demolished in 1841. York was incorporated, as a borough, 24tb
Sept. 1787. Population in 1790, 2,076; in 1800, 2,503; in 1820, 3,545;
in 1830,4,216; in 1840,4,779. The town is supplied with wholesome
spring- water, by a company incorporated in 1806. The Codorus creek
is made navigable by a series of slackwater pools and locks, completed
by a company, in 1833, from this place to the Susquehanna. A railroad,
completed about the year 1838, affords easy and daily access to Balti-
more ; and another at Columbia, completed about the year 1839, connects
there with the state railroad to Philadelphia. York is distant from Har-
risburg 25 miles, from Columbia 11, from Philadelphia 83, and from Bal-
timore 56. The principal trade of the town, as well as the county, is
done with Baltimore. Turnpikes radiate from York to Baltimore, to Get-
tysburg, to Columbia, and to Harrisburg. The society of the place is
excellent ; and the intelligent citizens of the borough exercise a com-
manding influence throughout the county.
The following notes, relating to the history of the borough, are selected
and abridged from Messrs. Carter and Glossbrenner's History of the
county : —
The borough of York was by no means the earliest settlement of the county. Although there
were many habitations in its neighborhood, yet so late as the year 1740 there was not one build-
ing within the present limits of the borough. The " tract of land on botli sides of Codorus
creek," within the manor of Springettsbury, upon which the town was to be laid out, was, by the
sjiecial order of the proprietaries, surveyed by Thomas Cookson, then deputy-surveyor of Lan
caster county, in Oct. 1741. The part east of Codorus was immediately laid out into squares,
after the manner of Philadelphia. The proprietors gave " tickets" to each person who wished to
take up a lot. These tickets were transferable ; the owiier of them might sell them, assign them,
or do what he pleased with them. The possession of a ticket was by no means the same as
owning a lot. It only gave a right to build, to obtain a patent ; for the lots were granted upon
particular conditions, strenuously enforced. One of the usual conditions was this, viz. : " that
the applicant build upon the lot, at his own proper cost, one substantial dwelling-house, of the
dimensions of 16 feet square, at least, with a good chimney of brick or stone, to be leiid in, or
built with lime and sand, within the space of one year from the time of his entry for the same."
A perpetual rent of seven shillings sterling per lot was to be paid to the proprietors, Thomas and
Richard Penn.
When the applicant had built, or in some csises had begun to build, he received, if he so
wished, a patent. But this patent most explicitly stated the conditions ; and if these conditions
were not fulfilled, he was deprived of his lot, and it was granted to some one else. The building
YORK COUNTY 699
proceeded slowly ; for, though many took up lots, few were enabled fully to comply with the con-
ditions. The consequence was, the lots were forfeited, and thereby honest industry discouraged.
At that time, the conveniences for house-building were few. It appears, from a statement made
by George Stevenson, on lOtli April, 1751, that at that time there were 50 lots built on, agreeably
to the tickets. Three of these lots were then occupied by churches, viz. : two by the German
Lutheran, and one by the German Reformed. Hence there could not have been, at that time,
more than 47 dwelling-houses in the town ; and many of them must have been truly miserable.
The early settling of York town was one continual scene of disturbance and contention : there
were warring rights, and clashing interests. It often happened that different men wanted the
same lot ; and when tlie lot was granted to one. the others were watchful to bring about a for-
feiture. The loss of lots, by not fulfilling conditions, was for a long time a serious evil, con-
cerning which clamors were loud.
On the 24th Sept. 1787, was erected the " Borough of York." The first burgesses were Hen-
ry Miller, Esq., aud David Cantler, whereof the former was chief burgess. The first assistant,
burgesses were Baltzer Spengler, Michael Doudel, Christian Launian, Peter Mundorf, David
Grier, Esq., and James Smith, Esq. The first high-constable was Christian Stoer, and the first
town-clerk was George Lewis Leoffler.
About the year 1814 a considerable addition was made, by the heirs of John Hay, deceased,
in the northern part of the borough, known by the name of " Hay's Addition."
There is no part of Pennsylvania where the love of liberty displayed itself earlier, or more
strongly, than in the county of York. Military companies were formed in York, while the people
of the neighboring counties slept. In those days there were men here, of broad breast and firm
step, who feared no power, and bowed to no dominion. The first company that marched from
Pennsylvania to the fields of war, was a company of riflemen, from the town of York : they left
this place on the first of July, 1775. York county sent out more soldiers during the revolu-
tion than any one of her neighboring sisters.
Fairs were held in York in olden time, [such as are described on page 397.] There were many
negroes owned here, by the early inhabitants, before the abolition of slavery in this state. In
1803, the negroes in and near York conspired to set fire to the town, and had well-nigh effected
their purpose : fires broke out every day for three weeks. At length one of them carried an open
pan of coals, at noonday, and threw it on the hay in her master's barn. She was seen, and con-
fessed that she had done it, in concert with others, to fire the whole town, " at 12 o'clock ;" but
she had mistaken 12 o'clock at noon for the same hour at midnight.
A Lutheran congregation was formed in the Codorus valley as early as 1733, by emigrants
from VVurtemburg, although they had no settled minister. Twentyfour famOies enrolled their
names on the baptismal record-book, which is still preserved.
" Among these venerable 24 founders of the congregation, all of whom have long since mould,
ered in the grave, we find many whose descendants at the present day may be traced by their
names. Such are Christian GroU, Philip Ziegler, Heinrich Shultz, George Schwaab, John Adam
Diehl, Jacob Sherer, Mathias Schmeiser, George Schmeiser, Martin Bauer, George Adam Zim-
merman, George Ziegler, Joseph Beyer, Jacob Ziegler, Valentine SchuUz, &-c. &c. Other names,
less familiar at the present day, are Michael Walch, Carl Eisen, Paul Burkhardt, Henrich Zauck,
Gotfried Manch, Christian Kraut, &c. &.c."
The first church in York was built by this congregation, in 1744, of wood. Rev. Mr. Schaum
was their pastor ; and his successors were, for some years, Messrs. Hochheimer, Bager, Raus,
Hornell, Kurtz, and Gccring. Rev. Dr. John George Schmucker has ministered to the congrega.
tion for 34 years.
Tlie Episcopal congregation was formed about the year 1765, under Rev. Thomas Minshall,
and a church was built by lottery during the revolution. One of the clergymen who occasionally
officiated at this church. Rev. Mr. Batwell, of Adams co., was ducked by the people of York in
Codorus creek for being a tory, and was further abused and imprisoned by the people of his own
neighborhood. He was an accomplished scholar and a good man. He returned to England,
where he died. Queen Caroline of England presented a bell to this church in 1774; but by
some means it got into the cupola of the old courthouse, and, no doubt, served to call together a
rebel congress in 1778. The Presbyterian congregation had no separate house of worship at York
•mtil 1789, when their present brick church was erected, under tlie ministry of Rev. Robert Cath-
cart, who also officiated at Hopewell, formerly called the Round Hill church.
The German Reformed congregation was formed in the co. at a very early day, and erected
their first church in York, of wood, about the year 1746. Rev. Mr. Lischy was the first minis,
ter, — an excellent man ; but he seems to have been difficult to be had, and still more so to be
kept.
The Theological Seminary of the German Reformed church, first started in Carlisle in 1825,
was removed to York in 1828, and was here under the charge of Rev. Drs. Mayer and Rauch.
It has since been removed to Mercersburg, Dr. Mayer remaining in York.
The Roman Catholic congregation, St. Patrick's, first worshipped in a stone dwelling-housCjn
700 YORK COUNTY^
presented to them by Joseph Smith about the year 1776, and altered into a church ; but they hac
no regular priest until Rev. Lawrence Hubcr came in 1810.
The Moravian congregation was formed in 1750, under the ministry of Rev. Philip Maurcty
and erected their first church in 1756.
The first Methodist preacher who visited York was the celebrated Freeborn Garretson, on tho
24th Jan. 1781.
Hon. James Smith was one of the signers of the declaration of independence. He was also a
member of several important state conventions, held a high rank at the bar, and was a man of
great wit and good humor. He came from Ireland very young, and died at York, 11th July,
1806, at the age of about 93.
Col. Tjiomas Hartley was a native of Berks co., born on 7th Sept. 1748 ; but studied law in
York, and commenced practice here. He entered the army at the opening of the revolution, and
soon became distinguished. He commanded a corps in the Wyoming and Susquehanna valleys,
after the descent of Butler and the Indians. He was a member of congress in 1788, and con-
tinued to hold the office during 12 3'ears, and held several distinguished offices in the common-
wealth. He died 21st Dec. 1800, aged 52 years.
Gen. Henry Miller was born near Lancaster, 13th Feb. 1751. " The high school of Miller,
as of Washington and Franklin, was the world of active life." He studied law, and commenced
practice ; but the war of the revolution breaking out, he joined a company as lieutenant. They
marclied first to Boston ; and the second day after this march of 500 miles, he proposed to his
captain to give him a handful of men to surprise the British guard. The captain refused ; but
Miller persisted, and said he would go to the general for permission. He made the attack, but
was not successful. He was engaged in most of the battles in the Middle states, and was se-
lected as one of the best partisan officers. At the battle of Monmouth two horses were shot un-
der him — he mounted a third, and was soon in the thickest of the fight. Gen. Washington had
a high opinion of him, and appointed him Inspector of one of the districts of Pennsylvania while
the Excise law was in force. He was afterwards a merchant at Baltimore, where, during the
last war, he again buckled on the sword in defence of Fort McHenry. He afterwards removed
to Perry co., and eventually to Carlisle, where he died, 5th April, 1824.
Gen. James Ewing, a native of Lancaster co., and long a resident of York co., was a hero of
two wars, commencing his military career in Braddock's unfortunate expedition. He was a
brigadier-general during the revolution, and was present at the battle of Trenton. He was also
vice-president of the commonwealth uruler President Dickinson, and was several times a member
of the legislature. He died at his country-seat in Hellam township, in March, 1806, aged about
70 years.
Among the other citizens of York co. who were distinguished during
the revolution, were Gen. John Clark, Gen. Jacob DnrrT, and Col. Michael
SciLMEI.SER.
Hanover borough is situated in the southwest part of the co., on the
headlands between the sources of Conewago and Codorus creeks, and
near the Adams co. line. This is the second borough in size and impor-
tance in the co. The Baltimore and Carlisle turnpike, and the road from
Frederickstown to York, intersect each other in the centre of the town.
Along these roads the greater part of the houses are built, and each
street derives its name from the direction of its road. The place contains
German Reformed and German Lutheran churches. A few Roman Cath-
olics worship at a chapel in Adams co., about four miles distant. The
population is almost exclusively of German descent, and that language is
spoken by all, yet the English is beginning to be used by the young. A
very large proportion of the citizens are wealthy, or in comfortable cir-
cumstances. The borough was incorporated 4th March, 1815. Popula-
tion in 1840, 1,070.
This place was laid out by Richard McAlester, Esq., about the year
1763 or '64, in the midst of a hickory forest ; and so little expectation had
his neighbors that it would ever become a town, that an old lady called
it HicTiurytown. It was known for some years as McAlester's town. The
two-story log house, originally built by Mr. McAlester, was .standing in
1818, on Baltimore-street, and perhaps is there still. It was then occu-
pied by Mr. Henry Albright, jun. The land around Hanover, to the ex
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YORK COUNTY. 701
tent of nearly 7,000 acres, including its site, was originally taken up by
John Digges, a petty nobleman, Under a title from the proprietor of Mary-
land. Being so near the boundary, it was quite doubtful — until Mason and
Dixon's line was run in 1768, and the proprietary proclamations confirm-
ed it in 1774 — whether "Digges' choice" or "Digges' manor," was in Ma-
ryland or Pennsylvania. It became consequently for some years a sort
of rogues' resort, where they could defy the jurisdiction of sheriffs. McAl-
ester once seized a number of robbers, who had broken into his store, and
took them to York jail, but the sheriff there refused to admit them, saying
to him, " You of Hanover wish to be independent ; therefore punish your
villains yourselves."
Wrightsville is situated on the right bank of the Susquehanna, at the
western end of the Columbia bridge. It occupies an elevated site gently
sloping towards the river, and commanding a view of the most magnifi-
cent scenery. The borough was incorporated with its present name on
the 14th April, 1834. It had previously been known as Wright's ferry,
but the construction of the bridge, like the marriage of a lady, changed
the latter part of the name. Population in 1840, 672. "It was at one
time in contemplation to make this place the site of the capitol of the
United States. Gen. Washington earnestly advocated its selection, urg-
ing its beauty, its security, &c., but a small majority prevailed against
him. Several incidents connected with the early history of this vicinity
will be found on page 407.
Lewisbury is agreeably situated among the pleasant " Red Lands," on
a small tributary of the Conewago, 14 miles northwest from York, and
10 miles south of Harrisburg. It was incorporated as a borough 2d
April, 1832. It contains a Methodist church, and there is one in the vi-
cinity for Lutherans and Reformed Presbyterians. There are several
mills in the place, one of which is for boring and grinding gun-barrels.
The place took its name from Ellis Lewis, by whom it was founded.
DiLLSBURG is near the base of South mountain, 20 miles northwest from
York, and 12 from Harrisburg. It was incorporated as a borough on the
9th April, 1833. Population in 1833, 244.
Shrewsbury, formerly called Strasburg, was incorporated as a borough
on the 9th April, 1834. It is situated on the Baltimore turnpike, 13 miles
south of York. Population in 1840, 340.
York Haven is situated on the right bank of the Susquehanna, at the
foot of the Conewago falls, 10 miles north of York, and 14 from Har-
risburg. A canal of about a mile in length, around the falls, terminates
here, and permits the descending trade to avoid the dangers of the rapids.
Great expectations were formed of the prosperity of this place ; large
mills were built, and the capitalists of Baltimore made extensive prepara-
tions for sustaining a wheat-market here ; but when the Pennsylvania
canal on the other side, and the Tidewater canal below, were construct-
ed, the glory of York Haven departed.
The other villages of York co. are, Dover, Freystown, Franklin, Jef-
ferson, Liverpool, Logansville, Newberry, New Holland, New Market,
RossTOWN, SiDDONSBURG, Stewartstown, or Mechanicsburg, Strinestown,
and Weigelstown. These are, many of them, pleasant villages, some of
an ancient date, and are adapted to the trade and wants of the agricul-
tural regions around them.
703. ELK COUNTY.
ELK COUNTY.
\
The new county of Elk was separated from Clearfield, Jefferson, and
McKean, by the act of April, 1843. It comprises the region watered by
the sources of Bennet's Branch of the Sinnemahoning, formerly in Clear-
field CO., and that on the head branches of Clarion river, formerly the
northeastern part of Jefferson co. and the southern part of McKean co.
The county derives its name from Elk mountain, an eminence formerly in
the northwest corner of Clearfield co. The greater part of the county is
still covered with the primitive forest. Large tracts of wild land are to
be had here at a moderate rate ; and the county, with its new organiza-
tion, offers a fine field for industrious pioneers. A description of the sur-
face, soil, and timber, would not vary materially from those already given
of McKean, Clearfield, and Jefferson counties. Judge Geddes, who sur-
veyed the Clarion and Sinnemahoning summit some 12 years or more
since, with a view to a canal route, says — " At the head of Bennet's
Branch of the Sinnemahoning is an extensive marsh called Flag Swamp,
from which, in wet seasons, the water flows both ways, and where, at
such seasons, the summit might easily be passed by a canoe. This point
is remarkable as probably the only one in Pennsylvania where the beaver
may be found. Everywhere else, they have been driven out by the ap-
proach of human footsteps. In the same region a few Elks still remain.**
A road leads from Karthauss, on the West branch of the Susquehanna,
to Ridgway. At the intersection of this road with Bennet's Branch is
Caledonia, a thriving village, started a few years since by the pioneers
from New York and New England. A road leads from this place to
Clearfield.
Kersey is another village on the same road, about 12 miles northwest
from Caledonia. Kersey's Mill, on one of the sources of the Clarion
river, was established here some 20 years since, and is probably the old-
est settlement in the co.
A few miles north of Kersey, the German Union Bond Society (Roman
Catholics) have recently purchased 35,000 acres from the U. S. Land Co.,
— sometimes known as the Boston Co. The settlers are principally from
Philadelphia. Thirty-one families went out and commenced the colony
in the autumn of 1842, 33 more followed in the spring of 1843, and 33
were to go in the fall ; and so on until they number 200 families, or pos-
sibly 350, which will give 1,000 acres to each family. When they have
paid for their land, they can, by a vote of the members, divide the shares ;
and this is believed to be their intention.
RiDGVVAY is a thriving settlement of New York and New England
people, chiefly lumbermen, made some years since on the Little Mill cr
branch of Clarion river, about 12 miles northwest of Kersey. It took its
name from the late Jacob Ridgway, who owned large tracts of land in
the vicinity. There is a road from this place to Brookville. Ridgway
was selected as the seat of justice by the Commissioners who ran out the
boundary lines of the new county, in September, 1843.
INDEX TO COUNTIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES.
703
Aaronsburg, 206 i
Abbotslown, 61 |
Ahinsdon, 5»l2
Ailaiii^biiig, Union CO., 636
Adams County, 55
Adiinistown, 413
A(lamsvill«^ 259
AdainsbiirK, Westin'd Co., 688
Alexindria, 373
Ali.koheny County, 63
Allegheny city, 65
AlU'ntown, 4-25
Amity, 670
Andalnsia, 151
Armagh, 379
Armstrong County, 93
AstonvilU', 456
Asylum, 148
Athens, 143
Attleboioiigh, 171
Auburn, 6'24
Bainbridge, 410
Bakerstown, 92
Bath, 520
Beaver borough, 106
Beaver County, 102
Beaver, Union co., 636
Beaver Meadow, 198
Bedford County, 114
Bedlord borough, 115
BelleCoiUe, 203
Belleveriion, 345
Belleville. 472
Beluiout, 679
Bentleyville, 670
Berks County, 126
Berlin, 61
Berlinville, 520
Berwick, 248
Bethany, 679
Bethlehem, 514
Beulah, 181
Big Island. 235
Birdsborough, 136
Birmingham, Allegh'y co.,fi9
Birmingham, Hunt'n CO., 373
Blairsville, 378
Blockley, 543
Bloody Run, 125
Bioomfield, 540
Bloomsburg, 244
Blossburg, 628
Boalsburg, 206
Bradford, 460
Bradford County, 136
Bridgepoint, 171
Bridgetown, 171
Bridgewater, 109
Brighton, 108
Bristol borough, 164
Bristol township, 543
Brockway, 382
Brooklyn, 624
Brookville, 381
Brownsburg, 171
Brownsville, 341
Bucks County, 150
Buckingham township, 155
Burgetstown, 670
Builington, 148
Biisliville, .597
Butler County, 172
Butler borough, 174
Buttermilk Falls, 428, 691
Byberrj', 543
Caledonia, 233, 702
Callensburg, 229
Calhounsville, 387
Cambria County, 178
Cambridge, 259
Cainiibellstown, 421
Canaan Cnniers, 679
Canonsburgb, 668
Canton, 148
Carbon Countt, 184
Carbondale, 446
(\irlesville, 229
Carlisle, 264
Carlisle S|iiing8, 271
Culawissa, 243
Centre County, 200
Centre Bridge, 171
Centreville, Bucks Co., 171
Centreville, Butler co., 177
Centreville, Crawford CO., 259
Centreville, North'n Co., 522
Centreville, Union Co., 636
Centreville, Wayne co., 679
Ceres, 460
Chambersburg, 349
Charles , (.'hesler CO., 224
Cliarkston, I.aiK'asler co., 413
Charlt'slown, tiiiS
Cherryville, 520
Chester, 21)8
Chester County, 206
Christian Spring, 520
Clarion County, 227
Clarion borouL'h, 228
Claiksville, 302
( 'larksville, or Caii'n Cor., 679
Claysvllle, 670
Clearfield County, 230
Cleartield town, 232
Clifton, 199
Clinton, 362
Clinton County^ 234
Clintonville, 647
Coal Castle, 613
Coatesville, 223
Cocliranville, 226
Columbia County, 240
Columbia borough, 406
Connelsville, 344
Conniotville, 259
Consholiocken, 503
Conyngham, 447
Cookslown, 345
Cooperstown, 647
Cornplanter, (village,) 653
Conderspcnt, 600
Coventry, 224
Covington, 627
Crawford County, 249
Cumberland County, 262
Curwensville, 233
Damascus, 679
Danville, 241
Darby, 304
Darlington, 114
Dauphin County, 272
Deertield, 653
Delaware County, 290
Dempseylown, 647
Dillsburg, 701
Donnegal, 410
Dover, 701
Downinglowii, 222
Doylestown, 161
Duncannon, 541
Duncan's Island, 289, 541
Dundatr, 623
Dunnstown, 239
Dutotsburg, 478
Earleysville, 206
East Liberty, 90
Easton, 51 1
Ebensbnrg, 180
Economy, 110
Eldersville, 670
Elizabethlown, Allegh'y, 91
Elizabethtown, Lane, cu.,412
Emmaus, 427
Ennisville, 374
Ephrata, 413
Erie County, 308
Erie borough, 318
Espyville, 2.59
Evansburg, Montgom. Co., 502
Evansville, 177
Exetertown, 136
Fairfield, 413
Fairview, Cumber'd Co., 272
Fairview, Erie Co., 327
Fallsington, 171
Fallston, 109
Falmouth, 413
Fanneisburg, 357
Farrandsviile, 239
Fayette, 653
Fayette County, 328
Florence, 670
FInnrtown, 503
Foglesville, 427
Forks of Wyalusing, 624
Forty Fort, 446
Francisville, 554
Frankford, 543
Frankfort, 114
Franklin County, 347
Franklin, Venango Co., 646
Franklin, York co., 701
Frankstowii, 372
Freebnrg, 636
Freedom, 1 10
Freeporl, 98
Frenchtown, 148
Freyburg, 427
Freystown, 701
Friendsville, 622
Fruitstown, 249
Furmantown, 630
Gap, the, 200
Georgetown, Beaver co., 114
Georgetown, Mercer co., 4(')4
Georgetown, Northumb., 532
German to wn, Fayette co., 345
Gerinantown, Fhila. co., 593
Gettysburg, 57
Gibson, 624
Ginalshurg, 460
Girard, 327
Gnadenthal, 520
Goshenhoppen, 488, 503
Grapevine, 688
Great Bend, 623
Greene County, 358
Greencastle, 357
Greenfield, 670
Greensburg, Greene CO., 361
Greensburg, Westm'd CO., 685
Greenvillage, 357
Greenville, Bucks CO., 171
Greenville, Clarion co. 229
Gwinned township, 502
Halifax, 288
Hamburg, 135
Haniiltonville, 472
Hanover, 700
Hanstown, 413
Harford, 624
Harmony, Butler co., 176
Harmony, Susqueh'a co., 624
Harlington, 171
Harmonsburg, 259
Harrisburg, 282
Harrisville, 177
Hartleystown, 636
Hartztown, 259
Hartzville, 164
Hatborongh, 5t)2
Haydentown, 345
Hazelton, 199
Herrick, 624
Hickorytown, 647
Hillsborough, 670
Hinkletown, 413
Hollidaysburg, 370
Honesdale, 678
Hooksiown, 114
Howelstown, 472
Horsham Square, 303
Evansburg, Crawford CO., 359 Uoughville, 171
Howardsville, 92
Ilowart-town, 520
ilulmeville, 171
llnmmelstovvn, 288
Hunterstown, 61
Huntingdon Co., 362
Huntingdon borough, 368
Ickeslmrg, 542
Indiana Co., 374
Indiana borough, 378
Intercourse, 413
Irvine, 653
Jackson, 624
.lacksonville, 68"^
.lelierson, Greene co., 362
.lefierson, York Co., 701
Iefierson Co., 380
h tl'riestovvn, 92
Jcnkintown, 502
leiHiersville, 619
lennesedaga, 656
Jersey Shore, 454
Jerseytown, 249
Johnstown, 182
Jonestown, 421
Juniata Co., 382
Karthauss, 233
Keiinet Square, 226
Kensington, 543, 548
Kernsville, 520
Kersey, 702
Kimberton, 225
King.sessing, 304, 543
Kingston, 446
Kingstown, 259
Kinjua, 654
Kittanning, 94
Klingletown, 503
Kreidersville, 520
Kutztown, 135
Lancaster County, 387
Lancaster City, 395
Landisburg, 542
Laughlinstown, 688
Lausanne, 199
Lawrenceburg, 99
Lawrenceville, Allegh'y, 90
Lawrenceville, Tioga co., 62!J
Lebanon County, 416
Lebanon borough, 419
Leechburg, 99
Lehigh County, 422
Lehighton, 199
Leonardsville, 679
Lewisberg, 633
Lewisbury, 695, 701
Lewistown, 468
Ligonicr, 688
Line Lexington, 171, J03
Linnville, 427
Litiz, 411
Little Britain, 413
Littlestown, 61
Liverpool, Perry co., 542
Liverpool, York co,, 701
Llewellyn, 612
Lock Haven, 237
Logaiisville, 701
London Grove, 227
Loretto, 184
Lollsville, 652
Louden, 357
Lower Dublin, 543
Lower Merion, 485
Lowrytown, 199
Lnmberville, 171
Luthersburg, 233
Luzerne County, 427
Lycoming County, 448
M'ConncIsbuTg, 374
M'Conoelstown, 125
704
INDEX TO COUNTIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES.
M'Cunesviile, 536
W'Kean County, 457
ArKeespori, 92
M'Lellaiidstowii, 345
Al'Veytown, 472
Mainsville, 629
Manayuiik, 592
Manchester, 89
Manlieini, 412
Maiistield, 629
Mapletown, 362
Marietta, 4U9
Martirjsbiirp, 125
Mauch Cliiink, 192
Meudvillc, 2j5
Mechaiiicsliiirfi, Cumb., 272
M»»cliaiiic.sl)urK, York CO., 701
Mercer County, 461
Mercer borough, 462
Mercersburg, 354
Merritstovvii, 345
Mertztown, 136
Mexico, 386
Meyersbjrg, 148
Middleboroujih, 670
Middlebiirg, 636
Middleport, 611
Middlelon, 92
Middletown, Dauphin CO., 286
Middletown, Fayette co., 345
Mifflin County, 464
Mifflin, 386
MilHiiiburg, Union co., 636
Mifflinburg, Columbiaco.,249
Milesburg, 205
Milford, Pike co., 596
Milford, Somerset co., 619
Milheim, 206
Millersburg, Berks co., 136
Millersburg, Dauphin co., 288
Millerstovvn, Adams co., 61
Millerstown, Lane. Co., 413
Millerstowii, Lehigh Co., 427
Millerstown, Lebanon co.,420
Millerstown, Perry co., 541
Mill Hall, 239
Milton, 535
Minersville, Allegheny co.,91
Minersville, Schuyl. co., 611
Mixtown, 630
Monongahela City, 669
Monroe County, 473
Monroe, Bradford co., 148
Monroe, Bucks co., 171
Monroe, Fayette co., 345
Montrose, 622
Montgomery Square, 502
Mo.ntgomery County, 480
Aloreland, 543
Morrison's Cove, 125
Morrisville, Bucks Co., 169
Morrisville, Greene co., 362
Mount Bethel, 510, 522
Mount Carbon, 609
Mount Jackson, 114
Mount Joy, 411
Mount Morris, 362
Mt. Pleasant, Clear'd Co., 233
Mt. Pleasant, Wash. Co., 670.
Mt. Pleasant, Westnior'd, 687
Moyamensiiig, ,543
Muininasburg, 61
Muncy, 456
Munster, 184
Murraysvllle, 688
Murrinsville, 177
Myerstown, 421
Newlin, 226
iVewport, Bucks co., 171
Newport, Perry co., 542
Newry, 373
xVewton Hamilton, 472
Newtown, Greene co., 362
Newtown, Bucks co., 170
Newville, 272
New Alexandria, 688
New Bedford, 464
New Berlin, 632
New Brighton, 109
New Buffalo, 542
New Columbus, 636
New Cumberland, 272
New Garden, 226
New Geneva. 345
New Holland, York co., 701
New Holland, Lancaster, 412
New Hope, 168
New London, 226
New Liberty, 240
New Market, York Co., 701
New Market, Lancaster, 413
New Milford, 624
New Philadelphia, 611
New Salem, 345
New Tripoli, 427
Noblesborough, 92
Norristown, 498
Northampton County, 503
Northeast, 327
Northern Liberties, 543
Northumberland Co., 524
Northumberland, 532
North Wales, 502
Nottingham, 227
iPottsville, 607
Pricetown, 136
Prospect, 177
Pughlnwn, 226
Pulaski, 464
Punxatawny, 382
Q-uakertown, 171
Radnor, 306
Rainsburg, 125
Ralston, 456
Reading, 128
Reamstown, 413
Red Lion, 226
Reedville, 472
Reesville, 503
Richland, 411
Richmond, 522
Ridgeville, 387
Ridge way, 382, 702
Robstown, 688
Rochester, 110
Rockville, 259
Rome, 148
Rosstown, 70]
Roxborough, 543
Rushville,"624
Oakville, 456
Orangeville, 249
Orbisonia, 373
Orwell, ]48
Orwigsburg, 607
Oxford, 61
Oxford township, 543
Naglcsville, 679
Nazareth, 519
Nescopeck, 447
Nesqui^honing, 199
Neflsville, 413
Newbury-, Lycoming co., 454
Newberry, York co., 695, 701
Newcastle, Schuylkill Co., 613
Newcastle, Mercer ca, 463
Palmyra, 421
Paradise, 412
Parksville, 226
Parryville, 200
Patterson, 611
Pattonsville, 206
Passyunk, 543
Penn Haven, 199
Penn township, 543, 554
Perritsport, 92
Perry County, 537
Perryopolis, 345
Perrysville, Allegheny Co., 92
Perrysville, Juniata co., 386
Petersburg, Adams co., 61
Petersburg, Beaver co., 114
Petersburg, Lancaster co., 413
Petersburg, Perry co., 541
Petersburg, Somerset co., 619
Phenixville, 225
Philadelphia co. & city, 542
Phillipsburg, Beaver co., 110
Phillipsburg, Centre co., 205
Pike County, 595
Pikeland, 224
Pine Grove, Schuvl. co., 615
Puie Grove, Warren co., 652
Pittsburg, 64
Pleasant Unity, 688
Plymouth, or Shawnee'n, 446
Potter County, 599
Potter's Bank, 205
Potter's Fort, 202
Pompton, 679
Port Allegheny, 460
Port Carbon, 611
Port Clinton, 615
Port Royal, 688
Portersvilie, 177
Pottsgrove, 536
Pottatown, 500
Safe Harbor, 413
Sadsbury, 226
Sagerstown, 259
St. Clair, 125
Salem Cross Roads, 688
Salem Corners, 679
Salisbury, 619
Salona, 240
Saltzburg, 379
Schoenick, 520
Schuylkill County, 602
Schuylkill Haven, 613
Segarsville, 427
Seling's Grove, 635
ShaelTerstown, 420
Shamokin, 532
Sharon, 109/
Sharon, 464'
Sharpsburgh, 91
Sheshequin, 147
Shippensville, 229
Shirleysburg, 373
Shoemakertown, 501
Sliousetown, 92
Shrewsbury, 701
Shugarttown, 226
Siddonsburg, 701
Silver Lake, 622
Sligo, 89
Suiethport, 459
Smithtield, Fayette co., 345
Smithfield, Somerset co., 619
Snow Hill, 357
Snyderstovvn, 536
Somerset County, 615
Somerset, 617
iomervillp, or Troy, 382
.-iMidiMslxirg, 413
Sinitli i'.asiun, 511
Souiluvark, 543
Springlield, Crawford co.,259
Springtield, Delaware Co., 306
Spring Garden, 543
Spring Valley, 653
Springville, 624
Stewarlstown, Allegheny, 91
StewarLstown, York Co., 701
Stewartsville, 688
Stockport, 679
Stoddartsville, 447
Stoughstown, 259
Stoyslown, 619
Strasburg, Franklin co., 357
Strasburg, Lancaster co., 412
StrattanviUe, 229
Strawhntown, 171
Strinestown, 701
Stroudsbutg, 475
I Sugar Grove, 652
Sumanytown, 503
Summit, 184
Sunbiiry, 530
Snnville, 647
Susquehanna County, 630
Swopestown, 413
Sylvania, 597
Tamaqua, 614
Tainmaiiytown, 386
Tarentuu], 92
Taylor's Retreat, 199
Taylorsville, 171
Tentonia, 460
Thompsontown, 386
TiooA County, 024
Tioga, or Willardsbure, 629
Titusville, 259
Towanda, 142
'I'redyffrin, 224
Trexlerstown, 427
Troy, Bradford co., 148
Troy, Luzerne co., 446
Troy, or Somerville, Jeff., 382
Tunkhannock, 691
Tuscarora, 611
Ulster, 148
Union County, 630
Uniontown, 3.39
Unionville, Berks co., 136
Unionville, Chester co., 226
Utica, 647
Uwchlan, 224
Venango County, 636
Vincent, 224
Walkersville, 206
Warfordsburg, 125
Warren County, 647
Warren borough, 649
Warren, Armstrong co., 99
Warrensburg, 136
Warwick, 413
Washington County, 658
Washington borough, 664
Washington, Colum. Co., 249
Washington, Lanc'r co., 413
Waterford, Erie co., 327
Waterford, Juniata co., 387
Waterloo, 387
Watsonburg, 536
Wattsburg, 327
Wayne County, 676
Waynesburg, Chester Co., 226
Waynesburg, Franklin, 3,57
Waynesburg, Greene co., 361
Weaverslown, 136
Weigelstown, 701
Weissport, 199
Wellsborough, 626
West Alexandria, 670
Westchester, 218
West Greenville, 463
West Middleborough, 670
Westmoreland Co., 680
West Philadelphia, 543
Weyniari, 679
Whitehall, 249
Whitemarsh, 494
White's Haven, 447
Wicacoa, 557
Wilkesbarre, 445
Wilkinsburg, 91
Williamsburg, Columbia, 249
Williamsburg, Hunt'n co., 373
Williamsburg, North'on, 522
Williamsport, Lycoming, 452
Williamsport, VVash. co., 669
Willow Grove, 503
Wilsonville, 597
Wohlbertstown, 136
Womelsdort; 134
Woodbridge, 345
WoodvUle, 1^7
GENERAL INDEX.
705
Wormlosyburg, 272
Wriiihtstowii, 171
VVrif:litsville, 701
VVvoMiNO County, 688
VVyoniiiig Valley, 430
Wysox, 148
Yardleyville, 171
Yellow Springs, 224
York Countv, (i'Jl
York borougli, 698
York Haven, 701
York Springs, 01
Youngstown, 688
VoungsvillP, 652
Young Wouianstown, 340
Zellenople, 177
GENERAL INDEX.
Aborlsrines, history of
Aililison, Judge, notice of
Aiijiinquagh, Indian chief
Allen family, of Allenlown
Allen township, early settlement
.Mlison, Dr. Francis
Anderson, Rev. Jaines, of Donnegal...
Andre, Major,at Philadelphia
Andre, Major, at Carlisle ■
Aniiesly, Lord James, a redeniptioner.
Anthonyson.on Blockhouse road
Arbon Coal Company
Armstrong, Gen., destroys Kittanning. .
Arnold^ the traitor, at Philadelphia
Assembly House, ancient, at Chester...
Aughwick, history of
Aymich
Bald Eagle, Indian chief
Bailey, Joseph, carried otTby ice at Jersey Shore
Bald Eagle Valley, history of
Baldwin, Judge Henry
Ballooning Extraordinary
Baptists in Philadelphia
Barber family, of Columbia
Bard, Richard, taKen prisoner by Indians
Burnett, Joseph, pioneer of Jefferson co
Battle of Rraddock's field
Battle of Trenton
Battle of Brandy wine
Battle of Paoli
Battle of Lake Erie
Battle of Germantown
Battle of Bushy Run
Battle of Wyoming Valley
Battle of the Kegs
Beatty, Rev. Clia.s., anecdote 164.
Beeson, Henry, pioneer of Fayette co
Beissel, Conrad, leader of the Dunkards
Benezet, Anthony, anecdote
Benner, Gen. P., biography
Biddle, Nicholas, country seat
Bigham's Fort, in Tuscarora Valley
Big Runaway, the, on VV. Branch
Blair, settled near HoUidaysburg
Blockhouse road cut
Blockley Almshouse
Bohnar's Seminary, at Westchester
Boundary, Northern, run out
Boundary dispute with Maryland 296.
Bouquet, Col., in Hidford and Allegheny co 79.
Bouquet's E.xpidition and Battle, 176:1
Boyd, Sergeant, shot at Forty Fort
Boyd, J. G., comniilted suicide
Bozarth, Mrs., lights with Indians
Brackenridge, H. H., biography
Brackenridge, H. H., in Whiskey Insurrection
Brackenridge's, H. M., recollections 83.
Braddock's defeat
Braddock's grave
Bradford, David, in Whiskey Insurrection
Brady, Samuel, adventure at Brady's bend
Brady, Samuel, Exploit in Armstrong co
Brady, Samuel, at Slippery Rock Creek
Brady, Samuel, adventure near Beaver
Brady, James, killed
Brady, John, and old Derr
Brainerd, Rev. David, lives at Forks of Delaware
Brainerd, Rev. David, at Shamokin
Brainerd, Rev. D., at Duncan's Island
B rant, Joseph, not at Wyoming battle
Brant proposes to attack Presqu'isle
British in Philadelphia
Broadhead, Gen., at Pittsburg
Broadliead Settlement, Monroe co
89
5
86
390
42ti
510
30
410
573
2t)H
40ri
6-25
629
96
574
301
363
393
201
456
364
87
60
564
408
62
380
73
158
210
214
321
490
6S1
4'iS
575
188
340
413
560
2U5
151
383
451
372
625
587
220
678
693
119
681
441
627
360
87
674
174
73
334
673
229
Brown family murdered at Shirleysburg 374
Brown, Judge Wm., picmeer of Kishikokelas Valley.. 466
Buchanan, James 355
Buckaloon, ancient Indian village 6.53
liutfingloii, Richard 303
ISurd, Col. J., journal at Redstone 336
Burnt Cabins, origin of name 363
Burt, Benjamin, pioneer of Potter co 600
Butler, Col. Zebulon, at Wyoming battle 438
Butler, Col. John, at Wyoming battle 438
Calhoun, John C, parents from Lancaster co 404
Campaigns in the Northwest, dates 600
Canal, old Schuylkill and Delaware •••• 499
Canassatego, Dr. Franklin's anecdote of 134
Catiassatpgo, speech to the Delawares 509
Carey, John, journey to Stroudsburg 477
Carey, Samuel, captured at Wyoming 446
Catfish, an old Indian 666
Cave near Carlisle
Cave, Delany's, near Laurel Hill 329
Cave at Durham, Bucks co 151
Caves in Mifflin co 465
Caves of the early settlers at Philadelphia 546
Cayugas govern the Suquehanna 137
Chambers, Moses, anecdote of 377
Chambers family, of Chambersburg 350
Chew House, in Germantowii 492
Chinklakamoose's Oldtown 231
Christ Church, inSccond-st 562
Church, Jeremiah, lays out Lock Haven 2.37
College, Allegheny, at Meadville, 2.57
College, Bristol 166
College, Dickinson, at Carlisle 268
College, Franklinyat Lancaster 396
College, Girard1*it Philadelphia 583
College, Jefferson, at Canonsburg 668
College, Lafayette, at Easton 511
College, Marshall, at Mercersburg 356
College, Madison, at Uniontown 339
College, Pennsylvania, at Gettysburg 59
College, Washington, at Washington 665
Colson, Rev. Chas. William 253
Coal basins of Luzerne co 428
Coal basin, Mahanoy and Shamokin 524
Coal basin of Pottsville 602
Coal first used in Luzerne co 429
Coal discovery in Carbon co 192
Coal discovered in Schuylkill co 604
Coal, methods of mining , on, 612
Coal, speculation in lands 608
Coal, Anthracite, table of shipments 606
Coal mine on fire 613
Conunittee of Safety, Northumberland co 528
Conaugliy, Robert, murderer, hung 374
Conestoga massacre 398
Conestogas, origin, etc 390
Conoys, or Ganawese Indians, Lancaster co 389
Constitution of State, 1776 37
" 1790 43
" U. Statefi, 1787 43
Conway, Gen., character 133
Copper nimr, ancient, in Lancaster co 388
Corbly, Rev. John, family killed by Indians 359
Com Mortar, worked with a sweep, 601
Cornplanter's biography 655
Clornwallis, persoiial appearance i!14
Coryeir.s ferry, passed by army 158
Coviiilidviii, Roli.it, biography, etc 451. 455. 536
Crait;V srtricnient, history ;. 590
(^resap, i'hnMias, liitiudes upon York Co 693
Cre.sap, Ca|>t. Michael, at Redstone 342
Cresap, Capt., murders Logan's family ■. 659
Crawford, Col. Wni., biography 344
Croghan, Col. George 311. 333
706
GENERAL INDEX.
Dady, Dr., noted impostor in York co 696
Danville and Pottsville railroad 610
Darrach, Lydia, revolutionary adventure 4U4
Declar. ol'liideperid., hist, of, and wliere written. .568. 571
Delaware liidians, history 7
Delawares in Wyoming valley 431
Deniiison, Col., at Wyoming battle 438
Depreciation lands 259
Depuis, French pioneer of Monroe co 475
Derr, Ludwig, adventure with Indians 634
De Vries's colony destroyed 9
Dixon, Scotch Jemmy, anecdote 253
Doane I'aniity in Bnclis co 160
Dock creek, its former appearance 560
Doctor John, an Indian, murdered 267
Doddridge, Philip, native of Somerset 618
Doddridge, Rev. J., at Bedford 125
Doddridge, Kev. J., describes early scenes. . . 337. 663. 66
Donation lands 259
Donnegal Presbyterian church 410
Dorrance, Col., at Wyoming battle 438
Donville, Le Sieur, at Duquesne
Duncan, Judge James, biography 265
Duncan family of Duncan's island 290
Dunkards, history of 413
Dunmore's war in 1774 659
Dunkards of Snow Hill, Franklin co 358
Du Ponceau, office of foreign affairs 571
Dutch, early colony 9
Dutch in Delaware co 293. 295
Dutch, early settlements at Minisink 474
Eckerlins, or Eckerleys, at Ephrata 414
Eckerleys killed by Indians 3G0
Education, outline history 48
Elder, Kev. Mr., of Harrisburg 278. 235
Einmaus Institute 288
Episcopal churches, ancient Welsh.... 484
Eries, or Irrironnons, tribe of Indians 309
Evans, Cadwallader and brothers, anecdote 4S:i
Ewing, Gen. James, notice of 700
Exchange, Philadelphia 5b"2
Fairman's mansion, description 551
Fairmount Water-works 589
Fair-play men , 451)
Fairs, description of, at Lancaster 397
Falling-spring Presbyterian church 9 353
Faus.sett, Tom, shot Gen. Bradrfock 335
Fell, Geo. B., carried away by Hood I(i9
Fellenlterg school at Bristol IQi
Finances of the state 50
Finley, Gov. William, born at Mcrcersburg 354
Fisher, George, founder of Middletown 287
Fitz, marauder in Chester co 217
Flanegans, murderers near Ebensburg 182
Flat-head Indians, relics of 410
Flood of 1843, in Delaware co 297
Flood at New Hope 1(39
Floods at Wyoming ,. 285.444
Flower's mill in Delaware co 298. 303
Forbes's, Gen., expedition to Pittsburg 118
Forks of the Delaware 505
Forts Christina and Kasimir 2113
Fort Augusta 5-17
Forts Miflliu and Mercer 39
Fort Stanwix, treaties for land 141
Fort of the pioneers described (Vjl
Fort Venango, history of 04 1
Fort Shirley evacuated 304
Fort Franklin, in Venango co 045
Fort Hamilton, at Stroudsburg 470
Forts on the West branch of Susquehanna 451
Fort M'Intosh erected 104
Fort Stanwix. lands purchaseil at 449
Fort Freeland captured 5:(0
Fort Pitt 77
Fort Ligonier attacked 081
Fort Granvdie taken 405
Forty fort, site of 43 1
" capitulation 440
Fortifications, ancient, in Somerset co 616
Portilication, ancient, near Jersey Shore 454
Fortitication, Spanish, Bradford co 137. 147
Franklui, Benjamin, his grave 570
„ " " his arrival in Ptiiladelphia 577
Franklin, Dr., builds Fort Allen 187
Frey, Geo., biogiaphy....
French, Col. John, journey to Conestogo
French colony in Clearfield CO
French inscription on leaden plate
French moTements in 1750-55 , 24.311.
Friends' meetings, early, in Bucks co
" " " in Delaware CO
" " " in Chester CO 224
" " " in Lancaster CO
" " " in Montgomery CO
" " " in Philadelphia CO
Fries, John, his insurrection in 1799
Pulton, Robert, biography
Galbraith, Mrs., electioneers for her husband
Gallatin, Albert, biography, house, &c
Gallatin, Albert, in Whiskey Insurrection
Gallitzin, Rev. Dr., Russian prince
Germans settle York co
Germans first settle in Berks co
Germans first settle in Lancaster co
Germans first settle in Montgomery co
German Common Property colony, M'Kean co
German Community colonies in Warren co
German Society settle on Loyalsock cr
Gi-en-gwah-toh, Seneca chief, at Wyoming battle
Gilbert family, Indian captivity
(;jrai(l, Stephen, biography and college
(;i.st. Clirisliiplier, pioneer of Fayette co 70. 90.
(;iailes (if Somerset co
Glikkikan, Indian chief
Gnadenhutten destroyed
Godfrey, Thomas, inventor of quadrant
Gotlenberg, New, built by Swedes
Governors of state, list of
Grant, Mrs., of Sunbury..-.
Grant, Maj., defeat at Fort Duquesne
Graydon, Alex., reminiscences of Readuig
Great Meadows, capitulation of.
Great Western Iroii-vi'orks
Greene, Maj. Gen., personal appearance
Gregg, Hon. Andrew, biography
Gray, John, adventures and lawsuit
Gummerie's Seminary, at Haverford
391
233
311
641
15-2
304
226
394
484
547
422
404
304
.346
674
180
694
127
392
487
460
653
457
438
190
583
329
61&
173
186
595
292
45
533
76
132
33»
94
214
204
384
291
Hackney, Hon. Joseph, biography 653
Half-king, Indian chief 643
Hamilton, Gen., adventure at Valley Forge 498
Hannastown, burning of 683
Hannah, Old, Indian 208
Ilarilgraves lamily saved from a flood 298
Harrises of Harrisburg, fattier and son 283
Hartley, Col. Thomas, notice of 700
Hazleton Travellers 442
Herbe.son Massy, narrative 175
Hewett, Capt. Dieteiick, at Wyoming 43i)
Hicks, Edward, painter 171
Hiester, Gov. J., biography of 134
Hiiies, Mr., mobbed in Susquehanna co.... 621
Holland Land Co., notice of 261
Holland Land Co., Warren co 649
lloiikinson.tlilher and son, notice of 58/
Hook, Jacob, pioneer ill Warren €0 648
Howe, Sir Wm., personal appearance 214
Hudson and Delaware Canal Co., history 679
(luiilekoper, H. J., agent of Holland Land Co 255
Hillings, Marcus, of Duncan's island 290
Huntingdon, Countess of, biography 369
Ice flood of 1784-85 285.445
Ice gorged at Kittaiining 97
Independent Treasury, the widow S 101
Independence Hall 567
Indian Walk, or walking purchase 152.505
Indian God, a sculptured rock 638
Insanity, remarkable case 254
Insanity at Noriheast, from Millerism 327
Insurrection in Lehigh and Northampton, in 1799 422
Insurrection, Whiskey 670
Internal improvement, general history 46
Iron-works of Centre co 201
Iron-works of Huntingdon co 362.368
Iroquois, or Six Nations 6
Irvin, Guy C, great lumberman 651
Irvine, Gen. Win., at Pittsburg 79
Irvine, Gen., describes an ancient French road 648
Irvine family of Warren CO 653
GENERAL INDEX.
707
Jack Cant., the- 'black hunter'. 264 ] Moravians at Kaskaskunk 173
Jackson, Samuel, anecdote of » Scrub ftuaker" 344 | Moravians at Litiz 411
•lacob.-i, Old, an Indian 90
.lenkins, Mrs., powder made at Wyoming 441
Jolly family in Washington co Clil
Joncaire, French trader 3"*
Joncaire and Contrecoeur descend the Allegheny 644
.himonville, death of 332
.luniata canal 3().5
Jiiniala island, Indians visited by Brainerd 275
Krummacher, Rev. Dr., invited to Mercersburg 4. 357
Kiiypliausen, his personal appearance 214
Kittaiinny valley, change in its population 416. 511
Kishikokelas valley, history of 466
King, Rev. Dr., notice of 355
Kickenepanling's Oldtown 1*^2
Key, John, the first born in Philadelplii;i 546
Kelly, Col. John, biography 634
Keating, John, large landl'ioldur 149. 61)0
Lackawannock coal-basin ; 428.446
Lafayette wounded 212. 214
Lake Erie first traversed by French 310
Lake Erie,battleof 321
Lake Erie, first steamboat on 319
Land law of 1792 260
Laurel Hill Cemetery 5!ll
Lead found by Indians 3H5
Lead-mine, ancient, in Huntingdon co 366
Le BoBuf fort, history of 312
Lee, Capt. or Maj., personal appearance 214
Lee, Capt. or Maj., adventure at Valley Forge 496
Lee, Capt. or Maj., adventure at Lancaster barracks. . 400
Lehigh Navigation Co., history 194
Leimi Lenapes, liistory of ; • • 5
Letitia House 552
Letort's Spring 265
Library, Philadelphia, its origin 578
Locusts in 1715, among the Swedes 305
Log- college in IJucks CO. . 164
Logan, James, notice of 593
Logan, ' Mingo chief,' his residence, anecdotes, speech 467
Logan, the chief, his family murdered 659
Logstown, ancient village 70. 103. 330
London Cofi'ee-house 571
Long dollars, new species of currency 368
Louis Philippe at Pittsburg 82
I^utheran church, ancient, in Montgomery co 487
Lumberman's Bank failed 651
Lumber trade, increase of 381
Lumber trade of Warren co 651
Lykens' valley history and coal-mines 289
M'.^lester, early settler in Dauphin co 281
McCabe's recollections of Huntingdon co 366
M'Clure' s Fort 245
MrDowell, Esther, adventures in Lycoming co 453
M'Dowell, Scotch family of Stroudsburg 478
M'Kean, Chief-justice 286
McLane, Col. Allen, adventure at Shoemakertown... . 501
McLellan, adventure at his house 667
McMillan, Rev. Dr., notice of. 668
Manor of Mask 56
Marauders in Franklin co 350
Marsh Creek, Presb. Congregation 58
Marshall, Edward, performs Indian walk .507
Marshall family attacked by Indians 523
Markham, Win., arrives at Philadelphia 544
Marshall, Ch. J., at Brandy wine 214
Mead, David, biography 251
Merion, Lower, Friends Meeting-house 485
Mennonists, history, doctrines, etc 393
Mcschianza at Philadelphia 573
Mittlin, Gov. Thomas, biography 403
Miles, Wm., of Erie co., anecdote 317
Miller, Gen. Henry, notice of 700
Miner, Hon. Chas., notice of. 442
Mint of the U. S 585
Minisink settlements on the Delaware 474
Montgomery family, of Danville 242
Monument Cemetery 592
Moores, brothers, pioneers of Holliday.sburg 371
Moravians, history of Bethlehem 516
Moravians in Beaver co 103
Moravians at Gnadenhulten 185
Moravians at Gosligoshunk, Venango co 644
Moravians settle at Shamokin 527
Moravians at Wyalusmg and Sheshequin 138, 139
Moreau, Gen., biography 170
Morris, Robert, biography 58-2
Morris, Thoma,s, receives an Indian name 145
Morris, Saml., anecdote of, at Trenton 159
Morrison's Cove, early history 125
Montour, Catharine 144
Morns Muliicaulis speculation 166
Mound, ancient, in Westmoreland co 680
Mount Bethel, early Presbyterian church 510
Moyamensing Prison 591
Muhlenberg, Rev. H. M., biography 487
Muhlenberg, Gen. Peter, epitaph 487
Nanticoke Indians, Lancaster co 3r'9
Nanticokes remove to N. Y. State 433
Neslianriock pot:iloe?, from Mercer co 402
Neville, Gill. Jiiliri, in Whiskey Insurrection 671. 673
New York Company, coal tunnel 612
Nicholson, John, notice of 621
Nippenose Valley described 443
North American Land Company 261
Norris, John, pioneer of Tioga co 62.T
Notl's stove sent to Mt. San Bernard 121}
Nowian family drowned in a flood 29H
Nutimus, an Indian chief 509
Orr, Judge Robert, biography 97
Opessah, Indian chief...- 389
Ornish 393
Oil Springs, on Oil Creek... 250. 637
Ohio River, meaning of name 64
Ohiopile Falls, in Fayette co 328
Ohio Company, in Allegh. and Fayette counties. . 70. 329
O'Hara, James, salt merchant ..... 89
Ogden, brothers, adventures at Wyoming 435
Packhorse trade of the West 667
Paoli massacre 215
Patemi, Indian chief, visited by Zinzendorf 517
Paxton boys, massacre at Conestoga 399
Paxton boys, exculpation of 279
Paxton boys, alarm in Philadelphia 566
Peat, John, pioneer of Potter co 601
Penitentiary, western 69
Penitentiary, eastern 590
Penn. Wm., arrives in 1682 13
Penni Wm., lands at New Castle 299
Penn, Win., arrives at Chester 300
Penn, Wm., arrives at Philadelphia 546
Penn, Wm., his character, manners, and life 553. 555
Penn, John, proprietor ; 23
Penn, Thomas, proprietor 22, 23
Penn, John, governor 29
Pennsbury Manor 154
Penn's Creek, Indian massacre near raouth of . . . . 636
Pennsylvania Hospital 579
Permanent Bridge, Market-st 589
Perry, Commodore, notice of 326
Philosophical Society, American 579
Pickering, Col. T., describes battle of Germantown. .. 493
Pickering, Col. T., lynched in Wyoming co 690
Plumbago mine in Bucks co 151
Plunkett, Col., defeated at Nanticoke pasa 437
Pont Volant, or Flying bridge 95
Pontiac's War, in 1763 38. 314. 681
Population Company 261
Portage Railroad, description 183
Portage Railroad first crossed by a boat 184
Porter, Gen. Andrew, and family 500
Potter, Gen., settles Peon's Valley 203
Pownal,Gov., visits Lancaster 398
Presbyteri.in church in the Barrens 695
Presbyterian church in Cumberland co 269
Presbyterians in Philadelphia 563
Presbyterian churches, old, in Montgomery co 499
Presbyterian ch., ancient, of Conococheague 355
Piesqu'isle Fort, history of 310. 314
Priestley, Dr. Joseph, biography 534
Priming Press, ancient, in Warren 652
Prisoners restored, at Carlisle 267
Pumpkin flood of 1787 , 385. 445
450
Quakers settle on West Branch.,
708
GENERAL INDEX.
Queen Esther, alias Cath. Montour 144
Railroad, Reading, opened
Railroad, Columbia, notice of
Railroad, Danville and Pottsville
Randolph, Robert F., biography
Rapp's settlement at Economy
Redemptioners, anecdote
Red Stone Old Fort, history
Reed House, and Reed family
Relief Notes, origin of.
Revolution, outline history
Reynolds, Miss Mary, curious insanity
Rice's Fort, attacked by Indians
Ridgevvay, Jacob, notice of.
Riots in SlitHin CO
Rittenhouse, David, birthplace and biography
Robb, Col. Robert, and Committee of safety ..
Robinson, Robert, pioneers' narrative
Rocliefoucault, Liancourt, travels
Rocky Spring, Presbyterian church
Rogers, Mr. Jonah, of Huntingdon
Rodgers, Rev. Mr., converted under Whilheld.
Ronaldson's Cemetery
Rose, Dr. Robert H., notice of.
Ross, Hon. James, notice of
Ross, a Monsey chief
Padsbury township first settled
St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, biography
Salt Works, on the Conemaugh and Kiskiininetas
Sawkill Falls, at Milford 597,
Schuylkill Navigation Co 132
Schwenckfelders, history
Scotch-Iri.sh ; see AUauis, Allegheny, Dauphin, Frank-
lin, JN'orlhanipton, Northumberland, Cuniburland,
Lancaster, Lycoming, and York counties.
Scott, Mrs., poetess
Seneca Nation
Shackamaxon, village and treaty
Shades of Death 473.
Shamokin, early history
Shawanees in Cumberland co
Shawanees on West. Branch
Shawanees in Lancaster co
Shawanees in Wyoming Valley
Sheep reared in Washington co
Sherman's Valley, liistory of.
Shewell family. Rucks co
Shikellimus, Cayuga chief, notice of 525,
Sliippen, Edward, notice of
Shippeu's Great House
Silver Lake
Silver-mines, Indian traditions
Sinking Springs, in Huntmgdon co
Simiemahoning summit
SiXjNfltions, history of.
Slate-quarry in Northampton co
Slocum, Frances, story of her capture
Smiley, Dr., anecdote of his wife
Smith, Hon. James, notice of
Smith, Col. James, at Bedford 117.
Smith, Dr., I'rovost of University
Snake story, at AUentowu
" " at Sunbury
Snow-shoe camp. Centre co
Snyder, Gov. Simon
Social Reform Unity
Society of Free Traders
Solebury township, history
Spalding, Gen., settles at Shcshequin
Springetsbury Manor, York Co., surveyed
Steamboat business at Pittsburg
Steigel, Baron, Ins iron-works and ' Folly' 388.
Stewart, Lazarus, his declaration
Stinton family nmrdered
Stobo, Capt., letter from
Stocks, depreciation of
Strauss's blockhouse, near the Juniata
Straw paper first invented
Stump, the • Indian killer' 531.
Sullivan, Gen., expedition of, 1779 141.
Susquehatma Co. of Connecticut
Swamp, The, in Montgomery co
Swedes, early liistory
Swedes settle in Delaware co 292.
Swedes settle in Montgomery co
1,32
407
530
252
, in
209
, 336
319
53
31
254
fi61
589
4
593
529
539
140
354
240
505
592
621
87
640
394
68()
376
598
605
488
Swedes Church at Wicaco ■ 557
Swedes Ford, British cross at 489
Sylvania colony, on Fourier's plan 599
Tamanend, or Tammany 162. 300
Tanacharisson, an Indian chief 331
Tarascon, L. A., sends vessel to Leghorn 82
Teedy uscung, biography 477
Teedyuscung at Easlon treaties 513
Tennent, Gilbert, sermons used for cartridges 574
Theological Institute, Allegheny 69
Theological Seminary, of Allegheny 68
Theological Seminary, Lutheran, at Gettysburg 58
Theological Seminary, German Reformed, at Meicers-
hurg 356
Theological Serahiary, Seceders, Canonsburg 619
Thompson, James, taken prisoner by Indians 631
Thompson, Charles, secretary, at Easton 513
Tioga point, liistory 144
Tinicum island settled by Swedes 292
Tomahawk rights for land 337
Townsend, Richard, ancient cottage 4.303.482
Trappe, Old Lutiieran church at 487
Trealy-tree and treaty at Kensington 14.548
Treaties at Easton 5i3
Treaty of Gen. Wayne at Greenville, in 1795 43
Trenton bridge 169
Triangle, purchase of 315
Todd, John, of Bedford, biography 124
Tuscarora Indians first arrive from south 391
Tuscarora valley first settled 383
Tull family killed by Lidians 122
Tunnels on public works 375. 419. 610. 612
Turkey, an Indian, anecdote 242
Union Canal, history of 418
United States Arsenal, near Pittsburg 70
" " Bank 586
" " Naval Asylum 587
University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia 580
" " Western 67
Upland, or Opiaudt, history of 296. 291
Valley Forge encampment, in 1777-78 495. 497
VanCampen's adventure in Clinton co 236
" Maj., biography 2-15
Van Horn, Cornelius, adventure with Indians 252
Vickroy, Thomas, old surveyor 81. 122
Vincent family at Freeland's fort 537
Waullenpaupack Falls, Wayne co 677
Wampum, used by Indians in treaties 549
Washington, Gen.; see Battle, Fort, Valley Forge, and
Allegheny, Erie, Venango, Beaver, Fayette, Bedford,
Westmoreland, and Montgomery counties.
Water-gap of the Delaware 479
Water-gaj) of the Leiiigh described 504
Watson, Rev. Thomas, notice of 668
W.iyne, Gen. Anthony, biography 216
Weeks family, seven fell in battle of Wyoming 44J
Weddings among early pioneers described 663
Weiser, Conrad, biography 134
Wells, adventure with Indians 123
Welsh settle in Chester co 209
Welsh settle Montgomery co 483
" settlers in Cambria co 181
Wequetank built and burirt 189. 518
Wernwag's bridge atFairmount 588
West, Benj., birthplace and biography 307
Wesltown Friends' school 221
VVliii-kiy Insurrection 670
Wbitf, l!i>li(]p, notice of 563
WhitrieUI, Key. G., builds house at Nazareth 519
" preaches in Del. co. and Philadelphia 303. 565
Widows , singular marriage 101
Wilkins, Judge, his character 86
Williams, gallant defence of his house 442
Wire Suspension Bridge 588
Wilson, Rev. J. P., notice of 563
Wright family of Columbia 407
Wyalusing, Moravians settle there 138
Wyoming valley described 430
Young, Marg't, prisoner with Indians 631
Zinzendorf visits Bethlehem 517
" Cotuil, anecdote of, at Wyoming 43S
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