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CONTENTS. 


Introductory  part :  from  the  earliest  settlements  made  in  PenU' 
sylvania,  to  the  first  settlements  made  within  the  present  limits 
of  Lancaster  county. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Colinization,  remarks  on,  p.  13 ;  Purchases  made  from  the  Indians,  14 ; 
In  New  England,  15;  By  Calvert,  15;  By  Roger  Williams,  15  ;  By  the 
Swedes,  15;  By  Carteret,  16;  Penn  follows  their  example,  16;  Early  set- 
tlement of  Delaware  bay  and  river,  17;  Swedes  supplanted  by  the  Dutch, 
18;  Dutch  triumph  short,  18;  Delaware  taken  possession  of  by  the  En""- 
lish,  18;  Penn  purchases  New  Castle,  18. 

CHAPTER  II. 

William  Penn  bom,  p.  19 ;  How  he  was  m.ade  acquainted  with  America, 
XO;  Instrumental  in  settling  West  New  Jersey,  20;  Obtains  a  charter  for 
Pennsylvania,  21;  First  purchasers  embark  for  America,  22;  Markham's 
instruction,  22  ;  He  holds  a  treaty  with  tbe  Indians,  22 ;  Penn  arrives  in 
America,  23;  Convenes  an  Assembly  at  Upland,  23;  Interview  with  Lord 
Baltimore,  23  ;  Religious  visits,  23  ;  Visits  New  Jersey,  the  Duke  of  York, 
his  friends  on  Long  Islands  returns  to  Piiiladeiphia,  hold?  his  grand  treatr 
with  the  Indians,  24-26;  IWuie  arrivals  from  Europe,  26;  Emigrante  pro- 
Tide  shelters,  27;  Form  plarrtatibns,  27;  Philadelphia  laid  out,  28 ;  Coun- 
ties organized,  28  ;  Second  Assembly  convoked,  28  ;  Penn  obliged  to  return 
to  Europe,  29. 

CH/VPTER    III. 

Brief  sketch  of  the  History  of  Pennsylva;;!:i  from  1684  to  1699,  p.  30- 
t7;  Provincial  executives  from  1684  to  1699,  31;  Boundaries  of  Chester 
coimty  determined,  34;  Increase  of  po{.>ulation,  34;  First  mills  in  Chester 

1* 


count}',  34 ;  Penn's  effort  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  natives,  35  - 
Efforts  to  christianize  the  Indians,  35 ;  Penn's  nev.'  treaty  with  the  Susque- 
hanna, Shawanese  and  Ganawese,  &c.  natives,  36 ;  A  new  form  of  Govern- 
ment framed,  37;  Penn  appoints  Andrew  HamiUon  deputy  governor:  sails 
for  England,  37. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Prince  William  dies,  p.  38  ;  Anne  ascends  the  throne,  38  ;  Penn  in  favor 
with  her,  38  ;  State  of  affairs  hi  tlie  province,  39  ;  Disquiet  among  the  Indi- 
ans, 39;  Messenger  sent  to  the  (Jonestogo  Indians  :  Secretary  of  the  council 
and  sheriff  of  Chester  and  New  Castle  are  sent  to  them,  40 ;  Thomas 
Chalkley  preaches  at  Conestogo,  41 ;  Governor  visits  the  (3onestogo  Indi- 
ans, 44 ;  Indian  eloquence,  44;  Gov.  Evans'  strange  character,  and  second 
journey  to  Susquehanna,  45;  Governor's  journal  of  his  interview  with  the 
Indians,  46 ;  Nicole  apprehended  at  Paxtan,  conveyed  to  Philadelphia  and 
imprisoned,  51. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Cause  of  disquietude  among  the  Indians,  p.  53 ;  Indians  at  Conestogo 
send  a  messenger  to  tlie  council,  53  ;  Mitchell  and  other  Europeans  intrude 
upon  the  Indians,  54;  Governor  Evan.i'  explanation  of  Mitchell's  course, 
55;  Critical  juncture,  55;  Evans  re-called,  56  ;  Gookin  appointed  governor, 
56;  Penn's  embarrassment,  56;  Quitrents,  56;  Emigration  impeded,  57. 
Gookin  sends  a  message  to  the  Indians  at  Conestogo,  57  ;  Swedish  mission- 
ary at  Conestogo,  59;  His  sermon  and  Indian  chief's  answer,  59-60; 
French  and  Worley  on  a  message  to  Conestogo. 


SECOND    PAIiT. 

Frojn  the  earliest  settlements  made  ivithin  tlie  present  limits  of  the 
county  to  its  organization  in.- the  year  1729. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Preliminary  remarks,  p.  67;  Unsettled  state  of  affairs  in  Europe,  68; 
Consequent  emigration  of  Swiss,  Germans,  French  and  others,  into  America 
70;  Into  Pennsylvania,  72;  Swiss  Mennonites  settle  in  Pequea  Valley,  74; 
Purchase  ton  thousand  acres  of  land,  76  ;  Make  improvements,  78,  Others 
purchase  V^ixAs,  79;  The  Mennonites  call  a  meeting  to  send  a  person  to 
Europe  for  the  residue  of  their  families,  80 ;  Kendig  goes  and  returns  wilh  a 


ir'W^-^}^P  A   ^'■-'^ 


number  of  families,  81 ;   Settlements  augmented,  83 ;   Governor  Gookiii's 
journey  to  Conestogo,  86. 

CHAPTER  II. 

Ferree  family  make  preparations  to  emigrate  to  America,  90;  Procure 
certifiicates  of  civil  and  religious  standing,  92 ;  By  way  of  Holland  and 
England  come  to  New  York,  96;  Acquire  the  rights  of  citizenship,  96; 
Settle  in  liancaster  county,  101 ;  Several  documents  of  interest,  103  ;  Tra- 
dition of  the  ancestors  of  the  Ferrees,  by  Joel  Lightner,  Esq.,  108;  Tusca^^ 
rora  Indians  winter  with  the  Five  Nations,  113. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Augmentation  of  settlements,  p.  115  ;  Germans  and  English  settle  around 
the  Swiss  or  Palatines,  1 17;  Settlements  in  different  parts  of  the  county,  120 ; 
Names  of  persons  naturalized,  123;  Notice  of  Slaymakers,  127;  Conestoga 
Manor  surveyed,  129  ;  Names  of  first  purchasers,  131 ;  Graffchal  settled, 
133;  Lancaster  and  vicinity  settled,  135;  Squatters  on  the  west  side  of  Sus- 
quehanna, 136  ;  Indians  at  Conestoga  address  a  letter  to  Logan,  136  ;  Col. 
French  goes  to  (;;onestoga:  holds  a  treaty  with  the  Indians,  137;  Logan 
meets  them  on  the  Susquehanna,  141 ;  Samuel  Robins  sent  to  Virginia,  153. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Governor  Keith  visits  the  governor  of  Virginia,  p.  154;  Holds  a  ccuiicil 
with  the  Indians  at  Conestogo  155  ;  Indians  complain  of  the  use  of  rum,  &c. 
158;  Their  trade  in  pelts  impaired,  160;  Secretary  Logan  holds  a  discourse 
with  Ghesaont,  169;  Ghesaont's  reply,  &c.  170;  Disturbances  created  by 
intruders  under  pretence  of  finding  copper  mines,  &c.  175  ;  Governor  Keith 
has  a  survey  made  on  the  west  side  of  Susquehanna.  176;  Indians  alarmed 
by  Maryland  intruders,  176 ;  Logan,  French  and  sheriff  of  the  county  hold 
a  council  at  Conestogo,  177;,  Keith  determines  to  resist  attempted  encroach- 
ments by  the  Marylanders,  178  ;  A  council  is  held  at  Conestogo,  179; 
Springetsbury  manor  surveyed,  182;  Council  held  at  Conoytown,  183; 
Settlement  of  Germans  at  Swatars^  and  Tulpehocken,  182. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Donegal  township  organized,  p.  135;  First  settlers,  185;  Harris  attempted 
to  settle  at  Conoy,  185;  Settles  at  Paxton,  186;  Settlement  commenced  by 
Barber,  Wright  and  Blunston,  187;  Settlements  back  from  the  river,  189; 
Eeamstown  settlement,  190;  Welsh  settlement,  191;  Weber's  Thai  settle- 
ment, 192  ;  Settlem-ent  at  Saeue  Schwamm,  or  New  Holland,  193  ;  Germans 
misrepresented,  194;  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  facts :  makes 


report,  196;  Thomas  Wright  killed  by  the  Indians,  197;  Inhabitants  of  the 
upper  part  of  Chester  county  alarmed,  198;  Governor  Gordon  goes  to  Con- 
estogo  and  holds  a  treaty  with  the  Indians,  199;  Returns  to  Philadelphia: 
Note  :  Iron  works,  206 ;  David  Dieffenderfer,  brief  notice  of,  207, 

CHAPTER   VI. 

Ephrata,  p.  211 ;  Origin  of  German  Baptists  in  Europe,  and  their  emi- 
gration to  America,  212;  Sieben  Taeger  Association  formed  at  Ephrata  by- 
Conrad  Beissei,  215;  Change  of  life  among  them,  216;  They  built  Kedar 
andZion,  217;  Singular  architecture  of  buildings,  218;  Fractur:  Schriften 
by  the  Sisters,  219  ;  Specimens  of  original  poetry,  220  ;  Eckerlein  and  the 
bell,  222  ;  Its  destination,  223 ;  Sabbath  school  established,  224 ;  Miller 
succeeds  Beissel,  225;  Juliana  Penn's  letter,  229;  Poetry  dedicated  to 
Miller,  230 ;  Present  state  of  Ephrata,  232  ;  List  of  names  of  the  first 
inhabitants  of  Ephrata,  232 ;  Names  of  some  of  the  early  settlers  in  Lancas- 
ter county,  233. 


THIRD  PART. 

From  tli-3  organization  of  Lancaster  county,  one  thousand  sevsTi 
hundred  and  twenty-nine. 

CHAPTER   L 

Erection  and  organization  of  the  county,  p.  235  ;  Boundaries  of,  239  ; 
Seat  of  Justice,  242  ;  James  Annesly,  243  ;  Boundaries  of  townships,  244  ; 
First  court  held  at  Postlewhaites,  250;  Extracts  of  court  records,  250. 
Morris  Cannady  indicted,  250 ;  Found  guilty  and  sold,  252 ;  Constables, 
overseers  and  supervisors  appointed,  252  ;  A-ppIicants  to  be  Indian  traders, 
253;  Petitions  for  license  to  sell  rum,  254  ;  First  court  held  at  Lancaster, 
S55;  Conrad  Weiser,  notice  of,  256  ;  Notes,  &c.  260. 

CHAPTER  ii. 

Eoad  from  Lancaster  to  Philadc!})hia  ordered  to  be  laid  out,  &c.  p.  262 ; 
Election  excitement,  or  violent  contest,  264;  Border  frays,  265  ;  Townships 
erected,  266;  Fennsborough  and  Hopewell,  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  266; 
Hanover,  267;  Little  Britain,  367;  James  Evving  bom,  567;  Contest 
between  the  Marylanders  and  inhabitants  of  Lancaster,  268  ;  Cressap  and 
his  associates  attempt  to  displace  the  Germans,  269  ;  Is  apprehended  and 
Imprisoned.  269;  Governor  Ogle  sends  messengers  to  Philadelphia,  269; 


German  settlers  seized  and  carried  to  Baltimore,  269 ;  The  council  sends 
an  embassy  to  Governor  Ogle,  270  ;  Marylanders  break  into  Lancaster  jail, 
270;  Germans  naturalized,  271  ;  Notes  of  variety,  272. 

CHAPTER   III. 

Governor  Thomas  appointed,  p.  274 ;  The  county  divided  into  eight 
districts,  274 ;  Several  nevsr  townships  formed,  275 ;  John  Wright's  charge 
to  the  grand  jury,  276;  Brief  memoir  of  VV  right,  281;  Serjeant  attempts 
to  instruct  the  Indians,  282 ;  Omish  apply  to  the  Assembly  for  an  act  of  na- 
turalization, 282 ;  Count  Zinzendorf  in  Ijancaster,  283 ;  Visits  Wyoming, 
284  ;  Indians  conclude  to  massacre  him,  284  ;  Singular  incident  dissuades 
them,  285;  Attempts  made  to  prejudice  the  Assembly  against  the  Germans, 
286 ;  Martin  Meylin's  house  built,  286 ;  Church  council  convoked,  287 ; 
Irish  behavoir  or  conduct  at  an  election,  288  ;  Disputes  between  Irish  and 
Germans,  288  ;  Murhanceilin  murders  Armstrong  and  his  two  servants,  289; 
Murhancellin  arrested  and  imprisoned,  289 ;  Indian  treaty  held  in  Lancas- 
ter, 289  ;  Indians  peel  Musser's  walnut  trees,  290  ;  Lutheran  excitement  in 
Lancaster,  291 ;  Lindley  Murray  born,  291  ;  Notes  of  variety,  292. 

CHAPTER   IV. 

York  county  organized,  p.  293 ;  Election  frauds,  294 ;  Sabbath  school 
commenced  at  Ephrata,  294 ;  David  Ramsay  born:  memoir  of,  295 ;  Bart 
township  organized,  297;  House  of  employment  provided,  298;  General 
Clark,  299  ;  Abundant  crops,  299  ;  Distilleries  erected.  299  ;  Partial  famine, 
300;  Indian  alarms  and  horrid  atrocities,  300 ;  French  neutrals  imported, 
301;  Their  condition  unenviable,  302;  An  Act  to  disperse  them,  208; 
Cooper,  Webb  and  Le  Fevre  appointed  to  execute  the  several  provisions  of 
the  act,  303 ;  Another  Act  passed  relative  to  tlie  French  neutrals,  304 ; 
Notes  of  variety,  306. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Moravian  community  at  Liti^,  p.  308  ;  Zinzendorf  in  Lancaster,  309 ;  Ap- 
plication  to  the  conference  at'Bethlehem,  310;  Commencement  of  Litiz, 
311  ;  Parsonage  built,  311 ;  School-house  removed  ;  Rev.  B.  A.  Grube,  312; 
Present  condition  or  state  of  Litiz :  Improvements :  Church  and  consecra- 
tion of  it,  &c.  313  ;  List  of  the  names  of  pastors,  315;  Schools  and  names 
of  teachers,  317;  Brother  and  sister  houses,  320;  The  grave  yard,  324; 
The  spring,  328 ;  Population,  mechanics,  &c.  329. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Hostihties  between  the  English  and  the  French  in  America,  p.  332 ;  Dela- 
ware and  Shawanese  Indians  commit  murders,  333 ;  General  Braddocks's 


10 

arrival,  333 ;  Braddock's  defeat,  334 ;  Dismay  caused  among  the  froiitier 
settlers,  334  ;  Paxton  and  Tulpehocken  refugees  at  Eplirata,  335  ;  Murders 
committed  by  the  Indians,  335;  Block-house  erected  at  Lancaster,  336  ;  In- 
habitants of  Lancaster  county  petition  the  Assembly  for  a  militia*  law,  337  ; 
Scalping  parties,  338 ;  War  suspended  against  the  Indians,  338 ;  Prepera. 
tions  made  to  repel  Indian  incursions,  339  ;  Conrad  Weiser  commands  nino 
companies,  339  ;  French  hostilities  continued,  340 ;  Murders  committed  by 
the  Indians  in  1757,  339  ;  Indian  treaties,  at  Lancaster  and  at  Eagton,  340  ; 
Minutes  extract  from,  of  Indian  treaty,  at  Lancaster.  340  ;  King  Beaver's 
speech,  342 ;  Treaty  held  at  Easton :  fifteen  tribes  of  Indians  represented ; 
Murders  by  Indians  in  Tulpehocken,  343;  Murders  committed  by  the  In- 
dians in  1758,  344;  Cumberland  over-iun  by  savages,  344  ;  Inhabitants  fled 
to  Lancaster,  &c.,  345 ;  Barracks  erected  at  Lancaster,  346 ;  Work-house 
erected  at  Lancaster,  346 ;  The  Irish  sell  to  the  Germans,  and  seat  them- 
selves at  Chestnut  Glade,  347 ;  Baron  Sticgel  lays  out  Manheim,  347  ;  No- 
lice  of  the  Baron,  348;  Notes  of  variety;  Emanuel  Carpenter,  394. 

CI^APTERVIL 

Tendency  of  war,  p.  350  ;  Hostilities  continued,  351  ;  Lancaster  county 
exposed  to  Indian  incursions,  352;  Treachery  of  the  Conestoga  Indians, 
352;  Paxton  and  Donegal  Rangers  watch  the  Indians  closely,  359  ;  Indian 
villagers  massacred,  356 ;  Those  abroad  taken  under  protection  by  the  mag- 
istrates of  Lancaster,  356  ;  Governor  Penn's  proclamation,  357  ;  The  Pax- 
ton boys  at  Lancaster:  massacre  the  Indians,  358  ;  Governor  Penn  issues 
another  proclamation,  360  ;  The  Paxton  boys  grow  desperate,  and  "  show 
up  some  l^ndian,"  362  ;  Resort  to  Philadelphia,  363  ;  Their  non-commenda- 
ble conduct  there,  363  ;  They  return  peaceably  to  their  homes,  leaving  two 
of  their  number  to  present  their  grievances  to  the  Assembly,  365;  Robert 
Fulton,  356;  B.  S.  Barton,  367;  Notes  of  variety. 

CHAPTER  yilL 

Hail  storm,  p.  369 ;  Proceedings,  &c.  by  the  citizens  of  Lancaster  county 
touching  the  usurpation  of  Parliament,  in  Great  Britain,  371  ;  Letter  from 
the  committee  of  correspondence  at  Philadelphia,  372  ;  Meeting  at  the  court 
house  in  Lancaster,  373  ;  Copy  of  a  circular  letter  from  Philadelphia,  376  ; 
Meeting  called  at  Lancaster,  378  ;  Subscriptions  opened  for  the  relief  of  tha 
suffering  Bostonians,  380;  Letters  from  Philadelphia,  382  ;  Meeting  called, 
to  be  held  at  Lancaster,  383 ;  Committee  appointed,  384 ;  Meeting  held, 
385  ;  Letter  from  Reading,  387  ;  Meeting  of  the  committee  of  inspection, 
&c,,  388 ;  Committee  men  from  different  townships  meet  at  Lancaster,  395  j 
Their  proceedings,  &c.   &c.  395. 


11 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Course  of  the  mother  country  objectionable,  p.  404;  Military  convention 
at  Lancaster,  405;  Daniel  Roberdeun  and  James  Ewing  elected  Brigadier 
Generals,  407;  Resolutions  pas>-ed  and  adopted,  407;  Committee  of  safety: 
convention  to  form  the  first  State  Constitution,  408;  Pennsylvania  and  Lan- 
caster county  active,  409  ;  Numerous  incidents,  &c.  in  l,ancaster  county 
during  the  Revolution,  410  ;  General  Wayne's  head  quarters  and  correspon- 
dence with  his  Excellency,  Thomas  Wharton,  President  of  the  Executive 
Council  of  Pennsylvania,  411 ;  (Congress  repairs  from  Philadelphia  to  Lan- 
caster, thence  to  York,  420  ;  Military  meeting  at  Manheim,  421  ;  Surviving 
Revolutionary  soldiers:  Philip  Meek,  323;  John  Ganter,  424  ;  George 
Leonard,  Peter  Mauerer,  Peter  Shindle,  Jacob  Hoover,  425;  Notes,  426. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Lancaster  county  after  the  Revolution,  427;  Germans  and  those  of  Ger- 
man extraction:  views  on  education,  427;  Franklin  college  established,  428; 
First  board  of  Trustees,  428  ;  Reichenbach:  New  Jerusalem  Ctiurch  ;  the 
twelve  articles  received  by  that  church,  429 ;  Improvements  great  in  the 
county,  433 ;  Columbia  laid  out,  433  ;  Lancaster  city,  seat  of  government 
434 ;  Late  war :  means  of  Lancaster  county,  434 ;  Notes  of  variety,  435. 

CHAPTER  XL 

EnrcATToN  : — Preliminary  remarks:  Importance  of  general  education,  p_ 
436  ;  Views  of  colonists,  437;  Mennonites' views  of  education,  438  ;  Scotch 
and  Irish  settlers,  made  at  first  little  preparation,  &c,  till  1798,  439  ;  First 
schools  in  the  town  of  Lancaster,  440  ;  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed 
churches  have  schools  under  their  auspices,  440  ;  Rev.  M.  Schlatter,  indefat- 
igable in  his  efforts  to  establish  schools,  443 ;  Extract  from  Coetuale  pro- 
ceedings of  1760,  442  ;  Trustees  and  managers  of  public  schools,  443 ; 
Germans  patriotic,  modest  and  unassuming,  &c.  443  ;  Ludwig  Hacker  es- 
tablishes a  Sabbath  school  at' Ephrata,  444;  German  classical  school  at 
Ephrata,  445  ;  Academy  at  Ephrat  i,  445 ;  Academy  at  Litiz,  &c.  445, 446 ; 
Select  Academy  at  Lancaster,  446  ;  Franklin  college,  s&c.  447  ;  Private 
schools  and  Academies  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  448  ;  An  act  for  the 
■education  of  children  in  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  448  ;  The  Mechanics' 
Society,  450  ;  Classical  Academy :  Lancaster  County  Academy  :  Classical 
Academies  in  the  county, 451,  453  ;  Seminaries:  Common  Schools:  Sab- 
bath Schools  Lyceums,  &c.  453. 

CHAPTER  XIL 

Relisiocs  Deno^hnaticns. — Early  missionaries  among  the  Conestoga 
and  other  Indians  p.  455  ;    The  Mennonites,  356  ;   The  Friends  and  Qua- 


13 

kers,  457 ;  The  Ornish  or  Amish,  457 ;  The  Episcopalians,  457  ;  The  Pres- 
byterians, 457  ;  The  German  Baptists,  458 ;  The  German  Seventh  Day 
Baptists,  458  ;  The  Lutherans,  45S  ;  The  German  Reformed,  459  ;  The 
United  Brethren  or  Moravians,  461;  The  Roman  Cathohcs,  461;  The 
Methodist  Episcopal,  461 ;  The  Nev?  Jerusalem  Church,  462  ;  The  Evan- 
geUcal  Association,  462;  The  Reformed  JMennonites,  462  ;  The  Universal- 
ists ;  The  Seceders ;  The  United  Brethren ;  The  Church  of  God  ;  The 
Calvanistic  Baptists,  463;  The  Mormons,  "  Millerites"  and  African 
Churches,  464. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Geology  of  Lancaster  County,  p.  465  ;  Natural  History,  467 ;  Mamma- 
lia, 470  :  Reptiha,  471 ;  Ophidia,  471  ;  Sauria,  472  ;  Amphibia,  472 ;  Pis- 
ces, 472  ;  Coleoptera,  474  ;  Orthoptera,  Hemipteia,  jVeuroptera,  Hymenop- 
tera,  Lepidoptera,  Diptera,  478  ;  Mollusca,  479  ;  Helicidae,  481 ;  Unionidae, 

48-?. 

CHAPTER  XIV, 

Catalogue  of  the  Filicoid  and  Flowering  Plants  of  Lancaster  county,  483. 
Li5T  of  Birds,  by  Libhart,  508. 

Appendix. — A.  The  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  boundary  hne.  B. 
James  Le  Tort.     C.   The  Huguenots.    . 


HISTORY  OF  LANCASTER  COtlNTY. 


INTRODUCTORY  PART: 

FROM    THE    EARLIEST    SETTLEMENTS    IN    PENNSYLVANIA, 

TO    THE    FIRST    SETTLEMENTS    MADE   WITHIN  THE 

PRESENT  LIMITS  OF  LANCASTER  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER   I. 

Colonization,  remarks  on — Purchases  made  from  the  Aborigines— In  New 
England — By  Calvert — By  Roger  Williams — By  the  Swedes — By  Car- 
teret— Penn  follows  their  example — Early  settlements  on  Delaware  bay 
and  river — Swedes  supplanted  by  the  Dutch — Dutch  triumph  shorts 
Delaware  taken  possession  of  by  the  English--^Penn  purchases  New 
Castle. 

From  History  it  is  evident  that  the  formation  of  Colo- 
nies, which  is  among  the  oldest  occurrences  recorded,  or 
handed  down  by  tradition,  was  owing  to  various  causes, 
and  different  circumstances.  Perhaps  the  avaricious 
desire  of  man  as  an  individual  to  increase  his  possessions, 
and  collectively  as  a  nation  to  enlarge  his  domains,  by 
extending  the  boundaries  of  empire,  and  to  secure  a 
country  acquired  by  the  right  of  discovery,  taken  by 
conquest,  or  otherwise  obtained,  is  a  leading,  among 
many  causes,  of  colonization. 

Colonies  have  been  the  consequences  from  emigration^ 
and  which  was  either  owing  to  a  great  increase  of  popu- 
lation at  home,  in  a  limited  territory;  or,  produced  by 
civil,  as  well  as  religious   oppression.     Phoenecia  and 

2 


14  HISTORY   OF 

Greece,  maratime  states,  possessing  as  they  did,  a  limited 
territory,  would  naturally  have  to  resort  to  emigration. — 
Commercial  enterprize  led  as  much  to  colonization  as  any 
one  single  cause. 

Many  of  the  Colonies  of  North  America  were  the 
consequences  of  emigration,  either  voluntary,  or  produced 
~hj  religious  persecution,  in  the  Fatherland,  where  many 
an  aching  heart  yearned  after  a  place  of  peace  and 
repose,  where  in  obedience  to  the  dictates  of  a  quickened 
conscience,  strains  of  v\rorship,  praises  of  the  Almighty, 
might  he  poured  forth  unmolestedly. 

The  Colonies  established  by  the  Carthagenians,  were 
made  through  conquest  and  for  the  purpose  of  keeping 
the  country  m  subjection.     The  policy  of  the  Romans 
was,  in  the  earliest  ages  of  the  republic,  of  sending  out 
colonies  to  the  conquered  nations,  to  enforce  the  authority 
of  the  mother  country  upon  the  vanquished  people. — 
Their  colonies,  in  this  respect,  differed  essentially  from 
many  others;  and  have  very  appropriately  been  called 
I>ie  Roemische  Besatziingen,  the  outposts  of  Rome. — 
Tlie  Venetian  system  of  colonies  in  Candia  and  Cyprus, 
resembled  that  of  Rome.     The  limits  of  this  chapter  will 
not  permit  enlargement. 

A  principle  had  obtained  in  Europe,  that  a  new  dis- 
covered country  belonged  to  the  nation,  whose  people 
first  discovered  it.  Eugene  TV.  and  Alexander  VI.  suc- 
cessively granted  to  Portugal  and  Spain  all  the  countries 
possessed  by  infidels,  which  should  be  occupied  by  the 
industry  of  their  subjects,  and  subdued  by  the  force  of 
their  arms.  The  colonies,  established  in  North  America, 
were  founded  upon  more  equitable  principles.  In  almost 
every  instance,  possession  of  the  country  was  taken  with 
the  least  possible  injury  to  the  aborigines.  Lands  were 
piirchased  from  tlie  natives.     It  had  been,  according  to 


LANCA3TE    R     COUNTY.  15 

Bellmapj  a  common  thing  in  New  England  to  make  fair 
and  regular  purchases  from  the  Indians;  many  of  their 
deeds  are  still  preserved  in  the  public  records.     Nume- 
rous instances,  showing  that  the  purchases  were  made  , 
from  the  Indians,  might  be  quoted ;  a  few  must  suffice. 

The  noble  hearted,  who  were  not  allured  by  the  love 
of  conquest,  and  the  power  of  wealth,  in  their  efforts  to 
colonize,  purchased  the  right  of  possession  from  the  sons 
of  the  forest.  Calvert,  a  Roman  Catholic,  when  he 
planted  his  colony,  1634,  in  the  province  of  Maryland, 
commenced  with  an  act  of  justice,  of  which  the  natives 
of  that  State  may  well  be  proud;  he  purchased  of  the 
savage  proprietors,  a  right  to  the  soil,  before  he  took  pos- 
session ;  for  a  compensation  with  which  the  Indians  were 
satisfied.* 

Roger  Williams,  a  baptist,  on  his  expulsion  from  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  1636,  went  to  Seconk,  where  he  procured 
a  grant  of  land  from  Osamaquin,  the  chief  Sachem  of 
Pokanot.  He  honestly  purchased  their  land,  and  a  suf- 
ficiency of  it,  for  his  little  colony;  he  was  uniformly 
their  friend,  and  neglected  no  opportunity  of  ameliorat- 
ing their  condition,  and  elevating  their  character.t  The 
Swedes,  landing  at  Inlopen,  1637  or  1638,  on  the  west- 
ern shore  of  the  Delaware  Bay,  proceeded  up  the  river, 
opened  communications  with  the  Indians;  and  purchased 
from  them  the   soil  upon  the  western  shore,  from  the 

*Haw's  Contribution,  I.  23,        f Holmes'  Annals,  I.  233, 

Note. — In  Roger  Williams^  Life,  published  by  J.  Knowles, 
in  1834,  it  is  stated  that  Aquedueck  Island,  now  Rhode  Island, 
was  ceded  or  sold  to  him  for  forty  fathoms  of  white  beads, 
then  the  currency  of  the  country,  by  the  realm  owner 
Canonicus,  King  of  the  Naragansets,  because  he  was  a  good 
•man  and  a  friend  of  the  Indians,  having  settled  among  them  in 
i634,  at  Mochasuck,  now  Providence— MSS.  14. 


16  HISTORY   OF 

eapes  to  the  falls  at  Sanldkans,  opposite  to  the  present 
city  of  Trenton.  "They  maintained  a  harmonious  in- 
tercourse with  the  natives,  acknowledging  the  right  of 
soil  to  be  in  the  aborignes.  They  not  only  scrupulously 
refrained  from  injuring  them,  but  cultivated  their  friend- 
ship by  acts  of  justice,  and  kindness  in  supplying  their 
necessities:"  they  aimed  in  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  by 
friendly  means,  to  civilize  and  win  them  over  to  the 
christian  faith. 

Philip  Carteret,  appointed  in  1665,  as  Governor  of 
New  Jersey,  "purchased  from  the  Indians  their  titles  to 
all  the  lands  which  were  occupied.  This  proceeding 
was  afterAvards  approved  by  the  proprietaries,  who  then 
established  the  rule,  that  all  lands  should  be  purchased 
from  the  Indians,  by  the  Governor  and  Council,  who 
were  to  be  re-imbursed  by  the  settlers,  in  proportion  to 
their  respective  possessions."* 

William  Penn,  the  'sole  lord'  of  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, followed  the  examples  of  Justice  and  modera- 
tion, set  him  by  former  Europeans,  in  their  magnanimous 
conduct  towards  the  aborigines  of  America.  Having 
tlms  united  his  example  with  theirs,  for  the  imitation  of 
all  succeeding  adventurers  and  settlers  of  colonies,  he  de- 
serves equal  praise  with  those  who  set  the  example,  and 
those  who  follow.! 

*Frost's  U.  S.  130. 

f  "  We  find  that  Penn  had  sent  a  letter,  previous  to  his  arrival, 
by  the  first  colony  for  Pennsylvania,  to  the  Indians,  informing 
them  that  the  Great  God  had  been  pleased  to  make  him  con- 
cerned in  their  part  of  the  world,  and  that  the  king  of  the 
country,  where  he  lived,  had  given  him  a  province  therein; 
but  that  he  had  no  desire  to  enjoy  it  without  their  consent;  that 
he  was  a  man  of  peace,  and  that  the  people  whom  he  had  sent 
•were  of  the  same  disposition ;  but  if  any  difference  should 
happen  between  them,  it  might  be  adjusted  by  an  equal  nura- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  17 

Among  historical  writers  there  is  a  diversity  of  opinion 
as  to  the  time  when  the  first  permanent  settlement  was 
made  in  Delaware.  Darby,  in  his  View  of  the  United 
States,  says,  that  a  Swedish  colony,  under  the  auspices  of 
Gustavus  Adolphus,  reached  Delaware,  1628.  Accord- 
ing to  Gordon's  History,  Darby's  assertion  appears  to  be 
■erroneous.  The  fact,  however,  that  Delaware  bay  and 
dver  were  explored  as  early  as  1623,  by  Captain  May,  is 
well  established.  He  sailed  up  the  river  as  far  as  Glou- 
cester point,  in  New  Jersey,  a  few  miles  below  the  city 
of  Camden,  where  he  built  a  fort  called  Nassau.  Accord- 
ing to  Gordon,  the  Swedes  visited  Cape  Henlopen,  which, 
on  account  of  its  verdure  and  fertility,  they  named  Para- 
dise Point,  and  began  a  settlement  on  the  Delaware  bay 
and  river  J  having,  however,  previous  to  making  their 
settlements,  bought  land  of  the  measurably  civilized  na- 
tives.* "  Their  first  settlement  was  near  Wilmington,  at 
the  mouth  of  Christina  creek,  and  they  afterwards  built 
forts  at  Lewistown  and  Tinicum  isle :  which  last  was  the 
seat  of  government  of  their  colony  of  New  Sweden. — 
Here  Jolin  Printz,  their  governor,  built  himself  a  spacious 
mansion,  to  which  they  gave  the  name  Printz' s  hall.^' 
According  to  Watson,  the  Swedes   settled  many  other 

ber  of  men,  chosen  on  both  sides.  With  this  he  appointed 
commissioners  to  treat  with  the  Indians,  about  purchasing  land, 
and  promised  them,  that  he  would  shortly  come  and  converse 
with  them  in  person."    Belknap,  II.  40. 

*The  Indians  at  the  Swedish  settlement  were  very  industrious 
and  civilized.  They  sold  the  use  of  the  land  very  cheap :  400 
acres  of  land  for  a  yard  of  baize  or  a  bottle  of  brandy.  They 
had  large  fields  of  maize,  beans,  gourds,  pumpkins,  melons, 
&c.,  with  orchards  of  plum  and  peaches.  Holm  confirms  this, 
and  even  says  that  the  squaws  spun  and  wove  cloth  of  yarn, 
out  of  nettles,  and  wild  hemp,  which  Kalm  called  Apocynuna 
cannabinum.    MSS.  Remarks  on  the  early  His.  Pa.  p- 13. 

%* 


18  HISTORY    OP 

places  within  the  present  limits  of  Delaware  and  Penn- 
sylvania; among  these  maybe  enumerated^  M?co/>owaca, 
the  present  town  of  Chester,  Manaiung,  a  fort  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Schuylkill.  They  seemed  to  flourish ;  but 
amid  their  prosperity,  some  envied  them;  for  it  appears, 
-the  Dutch  colonists  viewed  the  Swedes  as  rivals,  or  in- 
truders. Notwithstanding  the  solemn  protestations  of  the 
Swedes,  the  Dutch  built  a  fort  in  1651,  at  New  Castle,  in 
the  very  heart  of  New  Sweden.  Risingh,  Printz's  suc- 
cessor, by  a  well  matured  stratagem,  displaced  the  intru- 
ders. This  success  did  not  damit  the  Dutch; — viewed  as 
an  insult  to  them,  Peter  Stuyvesant,  Dutch  governor,  em- 
barked at  New  Amsterdam,  with  an  armament  consisting 
of  six  vessels,  and  seven  hundred  choice  men;  invaded 
New  Sweden;  reduced  the  whole  colony,  in  1655.  Al- 
though the  Swedish  empire  was  of  brief  destiny ;  the  tri- 
umph of  the  Dutch  was  alike  short.  "In  1664,  Charles 
II.  of  England,  regardless  of  previous  settlements  by 
others,  deemed  it  not  inexpedient  to  grant  all  the  large 
territory,  not  only  of  New  Netherland,  but  New  Sweden, 
to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York  :  and  the  country  was 
taken  possession  of  by  an  expedition  of  three  ships  and 
six  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Richard 
Nichols.  New  Amsterdam  was  thenceforth  called  New 
York."  The  Duke's  grant,  from  the  King,  also  included 
New  Jersey.  He  likewise  obtained  Delaware.  In  1682 
William  Penn  purchased  New  Castle,  and  the  countiy 
for  a  compass  of  twelve  miles  around  it,  of  the  Duke  of 
Y'ork;  and  afterwards  extended  his  purchase  to  Cape 
Henlopen.  This  country,  called  the  Lower  Counties  of 
Delaivare,  remained  a  portion  of  the  colony  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, till  1703. 


LANCASTER   COtTNTT.  10 


CHAPTER  11. 


William  Penn  bom— How  he  was  made  acquainted  with  this  country— In»- 
strumental  in  settling  West  New  Jersey — Obtains  a  charter  for  Pennsyl-- 
Tania — First  purchasers  embark  for  America — Markham's  instructions — 
He  holds  a  Treaty  with  the  Indians— Penn  arrives  in  America — Convenes- 
an  Assembly  at  Upland — Interview  with  Lord  Baltimore — Religious  visit 
— Visits  New  Jersey ;  the  Duke  of  York ;  his  friends  on  Long  Island ; 
returns  to  Philadelphia ;  holds  his  grand  Treaty  with  the  Indians — More 
arrivals  from  Europe — Emigrants  provide  shelters— Form  plantations — ' 
Philadelphia  laid  out — Counties  organized— Second  Asssembly  convoked 
— Penn  obhged  to  return  to  Europe. 

William  Penn,  the  Founder  of  Pennsylvania,  born 
in  London,  October  16,  1644,  was  the  grand-son  of  Giles 
Penn,  and  son  of  Sir  William,  an  Admiral  of  the  Eng- 
lish Navy.  He  was  educated  at  Christ  Church,  Oxford, 
where,  on  hearing  Thomas  Loe,  a  quaker  of  eminence, 
he  imbibed  his  principles,  which  a  few  years  afterwards 
he  publicly  professed.  He  was  in  consequence,  twice 
turned  out  doors  by  his  father.  In  lees'  he  began  to 
preach  in  public,  and  to  write  in  defence  of  his  embraced 
doctrines.  For  this  he  was  twice  incarcerated,  and  once 
brought  to  trial.  It  was  during  his  first  imprisonment 
that  he  wrote — No  Cross,  No  Crown.  In  1672,  he 
married  Gulielma  Maria  Springett,  a  lady  of  his  religious 
principles.  In  1677,  he  visited  Holland  and  Germany, 
to  propagate  his  favorite  doctrines.  He  devoted  much  of 
his  time  to  preaching,  writing,  and  visiting  several  coun- 
tries on  the  continent,  and  Ireland. 

To  show  the  reader  how  Penn,  whom  Montesquieu 
denominates  the  modern  Lycurgus,  the  real  founder  of 


% 


'20  HISTORY    Oi" 

Pennsylvania,  was  made  acquainted  with  the  country,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  briefly  notice  a  train  of  circum- 
stances which  led  to  results  of  so  much  magnitude  to  the 
world,  as  the  colonization  of  Pennsylvania — "the  asy- 
lum of  the  oppressed." 

In  or  about  the  year  1675,  says  Proud,  Lord  Berkeley 
sold  his  half  of  the  province  of  New  Jersey  to  a  person 
named  John  Fenwick,  in  trust  for  Edward  Byllinge,  and 
his  assigns,  in  consequence  of  which  the  former,  this 
year,  arrived  with  a  number  of  passengers,  in  a  ship 
called  Griffith,  from  London,  on  a  visit  to  his  new  pur- 
chase. He  landed  at  a  place,  in  West  Jersey,  situated 
upon  a  creek,  or  small  river,  which  rans  into  the  rive^ 
Delaware;  to  which  place  he  gave  the  name  Salem;  a 
name  which  both  the  place  and  creek  still  retain.  This 
was  the  first  English  ship  which  came  to  West  Jersey; 
and  it  was  near  two  years  before  any  more  followed. — 
This  long  interval  is  supposed  to  have  been  occasioned 
by  a  disagreement  between  Fenwick  and  Byllinge; 
which  was  at  last  composed  by  the  kind  offices  of  Wil- 
liam Penn. 

Byllinge,  having  been  reduced  in  circumstances,  had 
agreed  to  present  his  interest  in  New  Jersey  to  his  cred- 
itors, by  whose  entreaty  and  importunity  William  Penn, 
though,  it  is  said,  with  reluctance,  was  prevailed  upon  to 
become  joint  trustee  with  two  of  tliem,Gawen  Lawrie^of 
London,  and  Nicholas  Lucas,  of  Hertford,  for  the  manage- 
ment thereof.  These  he  invested  with  his  own  moiety  of 
the  province ;  it  being  all  his  remaining  fortmie,for  the  sat- 
isfaction of  his  creditors.  Hence  William  Pemi  became 
one  of  the  chief  instruments  in  settling  West  New  Jer- 
sey; and  thereby  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  adjacent 
country  of  Pennsylvania;  before  it  had  that  name,  or 


LANCASTER    COFNTT.  21 

was  granted  to  him.*  Having  learned  the  advantages 
offered  to  settlers  in  West  New  Jersey,  he  spared  neither 
pains  nor  time  to  point  out  to  brethren  of  the  same  faith 
the  benefits  to  be  derived  in  settling  here;  and,  on  his 
suggestions,  many  of  them  emigrated  thither,  piar- 
chased  land,  and  built  towns  and  villages,  principally  on 
the  eastern  shore  of  the  Delaware  river;  and  several  of 
them  settled  as  early  as  1675,  at  Upland,  now  Chester^ 
Kensington,  and  several  other  places,  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Delaware. 

Having  spent  much  time  in  the  laudable  employment 
of  ameliorating  the  condition  of  others,  he  projected  the 
design  to  colonize  the  country  contiguous  to  that,  which 
he  had  been  the  chief  instrument  to  settle ;  he  availed 
himself  of  his  favorite  estimation,  which  the  eminent 
services  of  his  father  had  gained  him,  and  petitionedi 
King  Charles  II.  that  in  lieu  of  a  large  sum  of  money,, 
due  his  father,  from  the  government,!  at  the:  time  of  his 
death,  letters  patent  might  be  granted  him,  for  a  tract  of 
land  in  America,  "lying  north  of  Maryland;,  on  the  east,, 
bounded  by  Delaware  river;  on  the  west,,  limited  as- 
Maryland;  and  northward,  to  extend  as  far  as  plantable." 

*Proud  I.  136, 137.  Penn  despatched  no  less  than  eight  hun- 
dred s.ettlers  during  the  year  1677 — '78,  for  West  New  Jersey;, 
these  were  mostly  Quakers  and  persons  of  property  and  res- 
pectability. 

fHis  father,  distinguished,  in  English  History,  by  the  con- 
quest of  Jamaica,  and  by  his  conduct,  discretion  and  courage 
in  the  signal  battle  against  the  Dutch  in  1665,  bequeathed  tO' 
his  son,  a  claim  on  the  government  for  sixteen  thousand:  pounds. 
Massachusetts  had  bought  Maine  for  a  little  more-  tlian  one. 
thousand  pounds ;  then,  and  long  afterwards,  colonial  property 
was  lightly  esteemed;  and  to  the  prodigal  Charles  IL. always, 
embarrassed  for  money,  the  grant  of  a  province  seemed  the-, 
easiest  mode  of  cancelling  the  debt — Bancroft,  11.  3031 


32  HISTORY    OP 

His  request  being  duly  considered  by  the  King,  by 
the  Privy  Council,  and  by  the  Lords  of  the  Committee 
of  Trade  and  Plantations ;  and  Lord  North,  Chief  Jus- 
tice; and  Sir  William  Jones,  the  Attorney  General, 
having  been  consulted,  William  Penn  obtained,,  amidst 
great  opposition,  a  royal  charter  from  Charles  IL  bearing 
date,  Westminster,  March  4,  1681. 

Having  been,,  by  virtue  of  this  charter,  constituted  sole 
proprietary  of  Pennsylvania,,  he  made  sales  of  lands  to 
adventurers,  called  first  purchasers,  who  embarked 
some  at  London,  others  at  Bristol,  in  1681,  for  America, 
and  arrived,  "at  the  place  where  Chester  now  stands,  on 
the  11th  of  December."  Among  these  was  William 
Markham,  a  relative  of  the  proprietary,  whom  he  had 
appointed  deputy  governor,  and  certain  conmiissioners, 
with  plenary  powers,  and  instructions  to  confer  with  the 
Indians,  respecting  their  lands,  and  to  confirm  with  them 
a  league  of  peace.  From  these  instructions,  to  the 
deputy  governor  and  to  the  commissioners,  it  will  be  seen, 
the  examples  set  by  the  New  England  States,  by  Calvert, 
Williams,  by  the  Swedes,  Carteret  and  others  to  pur- 
chase the  right  of  soil  from  the  Aborigines,  were 
honorably  followed  by  Penn,  notwithstanding  the  principle 
which  had  obtained  among  European  nations,  "  to  wrest 
the  soil  by  force^^  from  the  people  to  whom  it  naturally 
belonged.  It  needs  scarce  repetition,  in  this  place,  to  state^ 
'^'^it  has  been  erroneously  supposed  that  Markham,  or 
Penn,  was  the  first  man  who  purchased  lands  from  ths 
,Jlhoriginal  Americans  I V^ 

Markham,  in  obedience  to  his  instructions,  held  a  treaty 
in  June,  1682,  with  the  Indians,  and  purchased  lands 
from  them,  as  appears  from  a  deed,  dated  July  15,  1682, 
signed  by  Idquahon,  lannottowe,  Idquoqueywon,  Sa- 
hoppe,  for    liimself  .an.d    Okonichoft;  jSwampisse,  Na- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  23 

hoosey,  Tomackhickow,  Weskekitt  and  Talawsis,  Indian 
Shackamakers.  Markham  made  several  purchases  pre- 
vious to  the  arrival  of  Penn,  who  with  many  of  his 
friends,  chiefly  from  Sussex,  sailed  for  America,  and 
landed  at  New  Castle  on  the  27th  October,  1682,  where 
he  was  received  with  demonstrations  of  joy.  Penn  then 
went  to  Upland,  now  called  Chester,  where  he  'convened 
an  assembly  on  the  4th  of  December.  This  body,  dur- 
ing a  session  of  three  days,  enacted  several  important 
laws,  one  of  which  was  ah  act  to  naturalize  the  Dutch, 
Swedes,  and  other  foreigners. 

Penn  was  deVoted  to  the  interest  of  the  colony;  he 
lost  no  time  in  delays.  No  sooner,  according  to  Gordon, 
had  the  assembly  adjourned,  than  Penn  hastened  to 
Maryland,  to  see  Lord  Baltimore,  who  had  set  up 
claims,  arising  from  an  indistinctness  of  grant,  touch- 
ing the  boundary  lines  between  the  two  provinces,  which 
caused  much  disquiet  to  the  border  colonists — with  the 
intention,  if  possible  to  adjust  the  difficulties,  he  spent 
several  days,  without  being  able  to  effect  the  object  of 
his  interview  with  Lord  Baltimore.  The  negotiation 
was  postponed  till  next  spring.*  The  dispute  was 
finally  settled,  in  1762!  Penn  spent  some  time  in 
Maryland,  in  religious  visits,  and  then  returned  to 
Chester. 

•Lord  Baltimore  relied  on  tTic  priority  and  distinctness  of 
his  own  title  ;  while  Penn  defended  a  later  and  more  indistinct 
grant,  on  a  plea  which  had  been  suggested  to  him  by  the 
Committee  of  Plantations  of  England — ^that  it  had  never  been 
intended  to  confer  on  Lord  Baltimore  any  other  territory  but 
such  as  was  inhabited  by  savages  only,  at  the  date  of  his 
Sjhartcr;  and  that  the  language  of  the  charter  was,  therefore, 
inconsistent  with  its  intcndent,  in  so  far  as  it  seemed  to  au- 
thorize his  claim  to  any  part  of  the  region  previously  colonized 
by  the  Swedes  and  Dutch — Graham,  IL  341 ;  also.  See  Ap- 
pendix A. 


24  HISTORT   OP 

"From  Chester,  tradition  describes  the  journey  of 
Penn  to  have  been  continued  with  a  few  friends,  in  an 
open  boat,  in  the  earhest  days  of  November,  to  the 
beautiful  bank,  fringed  with  Pine  trees,  on  which  the 
city  of  Philadelphia  was  soon  to  rise."  The  following 
weeks,  Penn,  from  a  natural  impulse,  visited  New  Jersey, 
New  York,  the  metropolis  of  his  neighbor  proprietary, 
the  Duke  of  York,  and,  after  meeting  friends  on  Long 
Island,  he  returned  to  the  banks  of  the  Delaware. 

To  this  period  belongs  his  first  grand  treaty  with  the 
Indians.  It  was  held  contiguous  to  Philadelphia.— 
Here,  Penn,  with  a  few  friends,  met  the  numerous  dele- 
gation of  the  Lenni  Lenape  tribes.  Here  he  confirmed 
what  he  had  promised  the  Indians  through  Markham; 
Under  the  bleak,  frost-shorn  forest,  Penn  proclaimed  to 
the  men  of  the  Algonquin  race,  from  both  banks  of  the 
Delaware,  from  the  borders  of  the  Schuylkill,  and  it  may 
be,  for  the  news  had  spread  far  and  wide,  that  the 
Quaker  King  was  come,  even  to  Mengwis  from  the 
shores  of  the  Susquehanna,  the  message  of  peace  and 
iove,  which  George  Fox  had  professed  before  Cromwell, 
and  Mary  Fisher  had  borne  to  the  Grand  Turk.  "  The 
English  and  Indians  should  respect  the  same  moral  law, 
should  be  alike  secure  in  their  pm'suits,  and  in  their 
possessions,  and  adjust  every  difference  by  a  peacefid 
tribunal,  composed  of  an  equal  number  of  men  from 
each  race." 

"We  meet,  said  Penn,  on  the  broad  pathway  of  good 
iaith,  and  good  will;  no  advantage  shall  be  taken  on 
cither  side,  but  all  shall  be  openess  and  love.  I  will  not 
Call  you  children;  for  parents  sometimes  chide  their  chil- 
dren too  severely;  nor  brothers  only;  for  brothers  differ. 
The  friendship  between  me  and  you,  I  will  not  compare 
to  a  chain ;  for  that  the  rains  might  rust,  or  the  falling- 


•     LANCASTER    COUNTY.  25 

tree  might  break.  We  are  the  same,  as  if  one  man's 
fcody  were  divided  into  two  parts;  we  are  all  one  flesh 
and  one  blood."         * 

These  touches  of  pathetic  eloquence,  clothed  by  the 
"sacredness  of  that  sound  doctrine  which  flowed  from  the 
speaker,  reached  their  understandings,  affected  their 
hearts,  assuaged  their  revenge,  and  removed  their  guile- 
They  received  the  presents  of  Penn  with  more  than  mere 
formality,  it  was  with  sincere  cordiality ;  they  accepted  his 
gifts,  and  in  friendship  gave  him  the  belt  of  wampum. 
■*^We,  exclaimed  they,  as  with  a  sound  of  many  waters, 
will  live  in  love  with  William  Penn  and  his  children,  as 
iong  as  the  moon  and  the  sun  shall  endure," 

This  treaty  of  peace  and  friendship  was  made  under 
the  open  sky,  by  the  side  of  the  Delaware,  with  the  sun, 
Ihe  river,  and  the  leafless  forest,  for  witness.  It  was 
not  confirmed  by  an  oath:  it  was. not  ratified  by  signa- 
tures and  seals :  no  written  record  of  the  conferences  can 
be  found-;  and  its  terms  and  conditions,  had  no  abiding 
monument  but  on  the  heart.*  There  they  were  written 
like  the  law  of  God,  and  were  never  forgotten.  The 
artless  sons  of  the  wilderness,  rettirning  to  their  wigwams 
and  their  cabins,  would  count  over  shells  on  a  clean  piece 
of  bark,  and  recall  to  their  memory,  and  repeat  to  their 
children,  or  to  the  stranger,  the  words  of  the  Quaker 
King.  This  treaty,  executed  without  oath,  was  inviola- 
bly kept  for  forty  six  years,  on  the  part  of  the  natives.! 

It  has  been  well  observed  that  the  benevolence  of  Wil- 
liam Penn's  disposition  led  him  to  exercise  great  tender- 
ness towards  the  tawny  sons  of  the  woods,  which,  however, 
was  much  increased  by  the  opinion  he  had  formed,  and 
which  he  boldly  and  ingenuously  avowed,  supporting  it 

^Bancroft,  11.  383.  f  GoL  Rec.  III.  301-35Q, 


Z6  HISTORY    OP 

by  plausible  inductions,  that  they  were  the  ten  dispersed 
tribes  of  Israel*  He  travelled  into  the  country,  visited 
them  in  their  cabins,  was  present  at  their  feasts,  conversed 
with  them  in  a  free  and  familiar  manner,  and  gained  their 
affections  by  his  affability,  and  repeated  acts  of  generosity. 
On  public  occasions,  he  did  not  forget  the  dignity  of  his 
station;  he  always  received  them  with  ceremony,  trans- 
acted business  with  solemnity  and  becoming  order. 

In  one  of  his  excursions  in  the  winter,  he  found  a  chief 
warrior  sick,  and  his  wife  preparing  to  sweat  him,  in  the 
usual  manner,  by  pouring  water  on  a  heap  of  heated 
stones,  in  a  closely  covered  hut,  and  then  plunging  him 
into  the  river,  through  a  hole  cut  in  the  ice.  To  divert 
himself  during  the  sweating  operation,  the  chief  sang  the 
exploits  of  his  ancestors,  then  his  own,  and  concluded  his 
song  with  this  reflection:  Why  are  we  sick,  and  these 
strangers  well?  It  seems  as  if  they  were  sent  to  inherit 
the  land  in  our  stead!  Ah!  it  is  because  they  love  the 
Great  Mannitto — the  Great  Spirit,  and  we  do  not! — 
The  sentiment  was  rational,  and  such  as  often  occurred 
to  the  sagacious  among  the  natives.  It  cannot  have 
been  disagreeable  to  Penn,  to  hear  such  sentiments  uttered, 
whose  view  it  was  to  impress  them  with  an  idea  of  his 
honest  and  pacific  intentions,  and  to  make  a  fair  bargain 
with  them.  Some  of  their  chiefs  made  him  a  voluntary 
present  of  the  land  which  they  claimed;  others  sold  it  at 
a  stipulated  price.  Penn  himself  described  one  of  these 
interviews  in  a  letter  to  a  friend  of  his  in  England.! 

The  same  year  Penn  arrived,  there  was  quite  an  ac- 
cession; between  twenty  and  thirty  ships  landed  with 
passengers,  and  the  two  next  succeeding  years  settlers 
from  London,  Bristol,  Ireland,  Wales,  Holland,  Germany, 

*Proud,  I.  259.  jBelknap,  II.  413. 


I.ANCASTER   COUNTY.  27 

&c.  arrived  to  the  number  of  about  fifty  sail;  among 
these  were  German  Quakers,  from  Cresheim,  near  Worms. 
in  the  Palatinate.  The  banks  of  the  Delaware  presented 
motion  and  life.  "On  landing,  they  set  bustling  about  to 
procure  shelter.  Some  lodged  in  the  woods  in  hollow 
trees,  some  under  the  extended  boughs  of  trees,  some  in 
caves  which  were  easily  dug  on  the  high  banks  of  the 
Wissahi<;kon  and  the  Delaware,  and  others  in  haste 
erected  huts.  They  were  abundantly  supplied  with 
wood,  water,  and  fertile  land."  Nor  had  they  been  for- 
getful to  bring  with  them,  the  necessary  implements  for 
building  and  husbandry.  Having  now  housed,  treed,  or 
caved,  their  provisions  and  portable  property,  under  such 
shelter  as  they  could  find,  or  had  provided,  some  were 
procuring  warrants  of  survey  for  taking  up  so  much 
land  as  was  sufficient  for  immediate  settling,  "others 
went  diversely  further  into  the  woods  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.  All  the  country,  fur- 
ther than  about  two  miles  from  the  river,  except  the 
Indians'  movable  settlements,  was  an  entire  wilderness, 
producing  nothing  for  the  support  of  human  life,  but  "the 
wild  fruits  and  animals  of  the  woods."* 

They  soon  formed  plantations  of  Indian  corn  and  wheat. 
The  forest  furnished  deer,  rabits,  squirrels,  young  bears, 
wild  turkeys  of  enormous  size,  pigeons;  the  rivers 
abounded  with  fish,  such  as  sturgeons,  shad,  rock,  her- 
ring, perch,  trout,  sahnon;  the  fruits  of  the  Woods  were 
chestnuts,  grapes  of  diverse  sorts;  walnuts,  cranberries. 
"The  first  settlers  endured  some  hardships,  it  is  true,  but 

♦Proud,  I.  220. 


28  HISTOET   OF 

they  were  in  a  rich  country,  and  their  knowledge  of  re- 
sources, and  of  the  free  institutions  which  they  were- 
about  to  transmit  to  their  posterity,  enabled  them  tO" 
conquer  all  difficulties."* 

"At  the  close  of  the  year  16S2,  according  to  Gordon^ 
the  proprietary,  with  the  assistance  of  his  Surveyor 
General,  Thomas  Holme,  proceeded  to-  lay  out  his^ 
promised  city,  Philadelphia.  During  the  first  year 
eighty  houses  were  erected  in  the  city,  and  an  equitable 
and  profitable  trade  opened  with  the  Indians.  The 
Governor  chose  his  own  residence  in  a  manor,  which  he 
called  Pemisbury,  situated  a  few  miles  below  the  falls  of 
the  Delaware,  and  about  twenty-five  from  the  city,, 
where  he  built  a  large  and  convenient  brick  house,, 
having  an  extensive  hall  for  his  Indian  conferences." 

"The  survey  of  the  country  inhabited  by  Europeans^ 
having  been  completed,  the  proprietary,  in  1682,  divided 
it  into  six  counties;  three  in  the  province  of  Pemisyl- 
vanla  and  the  like  number  in  the  territory  of  Delaware. 
Philadelphia,  Bucks,  and  Chester,  in  Pennsylvania — and 
Newcastle,  Kent,  and  Sussex,  in  Delaware.  The  county 
organization  was  completed  by  the  appointment  of 
sheriffs  and  other  officers."  t 

The  state  of  affairs  rendered  it  necessary  for  a  second 
assembly:]:  to  be  convoked,  which  met  at  Philadelphia,. 

*Frost. 

■j-The  sheriffs  of  each  county  in  Pennsylvania,  were,  for 
Philadelphia  county,  John  Tost;  for  Bucks,  Richard  Noble; 
for  Chester,  Thomas  Usher. 

^Members  of  the  second  assembly,  for  Chester  county,, 
were,  John  Hoskins,  Robert  Wade,  George  Wood,  Joha 
Blunston,  Dennis  Rochford,  Thomas  Bracy,  John  Bezer,  Joha 
Harding,  Joseph  Phipps. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  29 

March  12th,  1683.  During  this  session  Penn  created  a 
second  frame  of  government,  differing  in  some  points 
from  the  former,  to  which  the  assembly  readily  assented. 
They  also  enacted  a  variety  of  salutary  regulations,  by 
which  the  growing  prosperity  of  the  province  was  pro- 
moted, and  its  peace  and  order  preserved.  In  1684,  the 
province  and  territories  were  divided  into  twenty-two 
townships,  containing  7,000  inhabitants,  of  whom  2,500 
resided  in  Philadelphia.*  This  city  already  comprised 
three  hundred  houses." 

On  information  received  from  his  agent  that  his 
presence  was  needed  in  England,  and  another  addi- 
tional cause,  his  dispute  with  Lord  Baltimore,  Peim 
sailed  for  Europe,  August  16,  1684;  leaving  the  province 
under  the  government  of  five  commissioners,  chosen 
from  the  Provincial  council.  Pretsious  to  his  departure 
he  had  made,  according  to  Oldmixon,  a  leagus  of  amity 
with  nineteen  Indian  nations,  between  them  and  all  the 
English  America 

*John  Key,  born  1682,  in  a  cave,  long  afterwards  known  by 
the  name  of  Penny-pot,  near  Sasafras  street,  was  the  first 
child  born  of  English  parents  in  Philadelphia,  in  compliment 
of  which  William  Penn  gave  him  a  lot  of  ground  ;  he  died  dX 
Kennet,  in  Chester  county,  July  5,  1767,  aged  85  year^. — 
Ftoud.. 


30  HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER  III. 


Brief  sketch  of  the  Histoiy  of  Pennsylvania,  from  1684  to  1699 — Pro- 
vincial Executives  from  1684  to  1699 — Boundaries  of  Chester  county 
determined — Increase  of  population — First  mills  in  Chester  county — - 
Penn's  effort  to  improve  the  condition  of  the  natives — Efforts  to  christianize 
the  Indians — Penn's  new  treaty  with  Susquehanna,  &hawanese  and 
Ganawese,  &c.  nations — A  new  form  of  Government  framed — Penis' 
appoints  Andrew  Hamilton,  Deputy  Governor — Sails  for  Engiand, 

As  it  will  be  necessary  to  occasionally  recur  to  the- 
main  history  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  order  to  preserve 
some  connection  in  tlie  narrative  of  events  of  the  period 
between  Penn's  departure,  in  1684,  for  Europe,  and  his 
return,  in  1699,  to  America,  a  brief  historical  sketch  of 
that  time  is  given,  though  some  of  the  incidents  con- 
nected with  the  early  settlements  of  Lancaster  county, 
and  to  which  the  order  of  time  has  not  yet  brought  us, 
are  thereby  anticipated. 

Soon  after  Penn's  retmii  to  England,  Charles  II.  died, 
February  6,  1684 — 5;  and  James  II.  ascended  the 
throne,  who  was  proclaimed  King  m  the  province.  May 
2d,  1685.  "Penn's  attachment  to  the  Stuart  family 
induced  him  to  adhere  to  this  unfortunate  monarch  till 
long  after  his  fall  ;"^  and  for  two  years  after  the  revolu- 
tion which  placed  William,  Prince  of  Orange,  and  Mary, 
the  daughter  of  James,  on  the  throne,  the  province  was 
administered  in  the  name  of  James.  This  could  not  fail 
to  draw  down  the  indignation  of  King  William  on  the 
devoted  head  of  the  proprietary,  who  suffered  much 
persecution  for  his  unflinching  loyalty.     He   was  four 

*James   abdicated,  and    went   to    France,    December  23, 

1688.— B/azV's  Chronol. 


LANCASTER   COUNTT.  31 

times  imprisoned.  The  King  took  the  government  of 
Pennsylvania  into  his  own  hands;  and  appointed  Colonel 
Fletcher  to  administer  the  government  of  this  province, 
as  well  as  that  of  New  York.  It  at  length  became 
apparent  to  the  King,  that  Penn's  attachment  to  the 
Stuarts  was  merely  personal,  and  not  attended  with  any 
treasonable  designs;  and  he  was  restored  to  favor. — 
Being  permitted  to  resume  and  exercise  his  rights,  he 
appointed  William  Markham  to  be  his  Deputy  Go- 
vernor.'^* 

"In  1699,  the  assembly  complained  to  Governor 
Markham  of  a  breach  of  their  chartered  privileges;  and 
in  consequence  of  their  remonstrance,  a  bill  of  settle- 
ment, proposed  and  passed  by  the  assembly,  was  ap- 
proved by  the  Governor,  forming  the  third  frame  of 
government  of  Pennsylvania.  This  constitution  was 
more  democratic  than  the  former.'^ 

"In  16^9,  Penn  again  visited  his  colony,  accompanied 
by  his  family,  with  the  design  of  spending  the  remainder 
of  his  life  among  his  people.  He  was  disappointed, 
however,  by  finding  the  colonists  dissatisfied  with  the 
existing,  state  of  things.  Negro  slavery,  and  the  inter- 
course with  the  Indian  tribes,  were  the  subjects  of  much 

*Provincial  Executives  during  Penn's  absence : 

1.  Council  and  President,  Thomas  Lloyd,  from  August, 
1684,  to  December,  1688. 

2.  John  Black  well,  Deputy  Governor,  from  December,  1688, 
to  February,  1689. 

3.  Council  and  President,  Thomas  Lloyd,  from  1689,  to 
April,  1693. 

4.  Benjamin  Fletcher,  GoverBor,^^from  April,  1693,,  to  June, 
1693. 

5.  William  Markham,  Deputy  Governor,  from  June,  1693,  to 
1699,  when  Penn  arrived* 


32  HISTORY   OF 

unpleasant  altercation  between  the  proprietary  and  the 
colonists.  Certain  laws  which  he  proposed  for  regulat- 
ing these  affairs,  were  rejected  by  the  assembly.  His 
exertions,  in  recommending  a  liberal  system  to  his  own 
sect,  were  attended  with  better  success,  and  the  final 
abolition  of  slavery,  in  Pennsylvania,  was  ultimately 
owing  to  these  powerful  influences."* 

The  proprietary,  previous  to  his  departure  for  Eng- 
land, had  divided  the  lower  part  of  Pensylvania,  into 
three  counties,  viz :  Philadelphia,  Bucks  and  Chester,  and 
cast  the  counties  into  townships,  for  large  lots  of  land',^ 
but,  as  appears  from  the  Colonial  Records,  did  not  so 
clearly  define  and  precisely  fix  upon  the  boundaries  of 
the  counties,,  as  to  prevent,  among  peaceable  quakcrs 
themselves,  subsequent  misunderstandings.. 

The  boundaries  of  Chester  county,  especially  its  en- 
largement, had  been  made  the  subject  of  more  than  a 
mere  transient  conversation.  Penn,  in  a  discourse,  a  few 
days  before  he  left  the  province,  did  declare  "upon  the 
banli:  (Delaware)   by  John  Simcock's  house, J  to  John 

»Frost'sU.  S.  139, 140. 

fit  appears  to  have  been  part  of  the  plan  of  William  Penn- 
to  have  laid  out  the  province  into  townships  of  5,000  or  10,000 
acres,  and  to  have  surveys  made  within  the  respective  bounda- 
ries of  such  townships;  and  that  purchasers  of  large  tracts 
might  lie  together;  he  accordingly  introduced  this  clause  into 
his  warram.  "According  to  the  method  of  townships  ap- 
pointed by  me."  This  plan  was  not  long  pursued — Smith's 
Laws,  11.  UO. 

|John  Simock  lived  in  Chester  county.  He  was  a  man  of 
good  education;  was  one  of  the  proprietor's  first  commis- 
sioners of  property,  and  one  of  his  most  trusty  friends  in  the 
government.  He  was  a  Quaker  preacher.: — He  died  January 
27,1702. 


LANCASTER   COUNTT.  33 

Blunston  and  others,  when  he  was  moved  to  decide, 
how  the  bounds  of  Chester  county  were  to  be  run,  so  as 
to  enlarge  the  hmits  or  boundary  thereof;  being  at  that 
time  but  a  small  tract  of  land  not  above  nine  miles 
square.  Owing,  however,  to  his  departure,  being  press- 
ingly  urged  to  return  for  Europe,  nothing  definite,  was 
then  done  as  to  the  enlargement  of  the  county  of 
Chester.  In  1685,  the  council  having  seriously  weighed 
and  considered  the  same,  ordered  the  bomids  to  be 
estabhshed.* 

Although  Chester  county  had  been  partly  settled  be- 
fore Penn  arrived  the  first  time ;  and  notwithstanding  his 
benevolent  spirit,  in  looking  more  to  moral  worth  and 
fitness  in  inviting  emigrants  of  every  peculiarity  of 
creed  to  his  province,,  it,  nevertheless,  appears  that 
Chester  county,  with  its  limited  territory,  was  only 
thinly  seated,  prior  to  1689.  The  smallness  of  tract  of 
land,  and  its  sparse  population,  were  then  urged,  by  the 
inhabitants  of  the  comity,  as  a  consideration  to  the  Go- 
Ternor  and  council  for  enlargement,  as  will  appear  from 
their  humble  petition,  in  1689. 

"The  humble  petition  of  ye  Justices  of  Chester 
county,  in  the  behalfe  of  themselves  and  inliabitants  of 
ye  said  county,  sheweth :  * 

That  whereas,  ye  said  county  is  but  a  small  tract  of 
land,  not  nine  miles  square,  and  but  thmly  seated, 
whereby  ye  said  county  is  not  able  to  support  the  charge 
thereoff ;  vpon  our  humble  request  to  the  Proprietor  and 
Governor,  and  his  serious  consideration  of  our  weak 
conditions,  was  pleased  out  of  compassion  to  vs,  to  grant 
an  enlargement  of  ye  same,  in  manner  following,  viz  ; 
to  runn  vp  ffrom  Dellaware  river,  along  Darby  Mill 

»Col.  Red.  74. 


34  HISTOHY   OF 

creek,  ye  severall  courses  thereof,  vntill  they  took  in- 
Radnor  and  Herford  townshipps  then  downe  to  the 
Skoulkill;  then  vpwards  along  the  several  courses  there- 
off,  without  limmitt. 

Therefore,  wee  humbly  pray  you  will  he  pleased  to 
confirme  ye  said  hounds,  wherebye  the  county  of  Chester 
may  be  in  some  measure  able  to  defray  their  necessary 
charge,  and  wee  shall,  as  in  duty  bound."* 

It  was  signed  by  John  Blunston,  Thomas  Brassie^ 
Randell  Vernon,  Caleb  Pusey,  Thomas  Usher.  The 
prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  considered  at  several 
councils,  viz :  March  25  and  26,  1689.  Some  time  in 
1693,  the  petitioners,  inhabhants  of  Chester  county,  who 
had  sufferred  long  for  the  want  of  the  division,  between 
the  county  of  New  Castle,  State  of  Delaware,  and 
Chester  county,  having  again  prayed  the  council  to  adjust 
bounds,  a  temporary  division  between  the  two  counties 
was  ordered  to  be  made,  August  9,  1693.t  The 
boundaries  of  the  county  extended  indefinitely  west- 
ward, and  remained  unchanged  till  Lancaster  and  Berks 
were  successively  formed. 

The  increase  of  inhabitants  in  the  colony  and  in  Ches- 
ter county,  between  the  time  of  adjusting  the  boundary 
between  New  Castle  and  Chester  and  Penn's  second 
arrival,  was  considerable;  gradually  augmenting  the 
population ;  and  the  settlement  extended  to  Brandy  wine 
creek ;  where,  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  people,  Corne- 
lius Empson,  as  early  as  16S9,  erected  a  mill;  being,  as 
it  is  believed,  the  second  mill  erected  in  the  county  of 
Chester;  Karkus's  mill  having  been  erected  about  1681. 

It  has  been  stated  that  Perm  was  not  successful  in  his 

*Col.  Rec.  I.  221.  fCol.  Rec.  I.  340,  345. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  35 

attempts  to  obtain  legislative  restrictions  upon  the  inter- 
course with  the  Indians  to  prevent  shameful  practices 
upon  these  poor  creatures,  by  unprincipled  whites,  whose 
conduct  was    occasionally  beastly;    not  satisfied  with 
selling  them  all  manner  of  spirituous  liquors  for  the  sake 
of  gain,  but  would  frequsntly  disgrace  themselves  and 
their  wretched  victims.*     His  not  succeeding  in  having 
legislative  co-operation,  to  prevent  their  temporal  ruin, 
he  Avas  determined  to  improve  their  condition ;  he  paid 
the  sons  of  the  forest  a  visit,  participating  in  all  their 
innocent  amusements,  and  in  turn  received  their  visits  at 
his  own  house  at  Pennsbury.t     He  co-operated  with  his 
friends,  who,  as  early  as  1685,  signalized  by  an  attempt 
with  the  annual  meeting  of  their  society  at  Burlington, 
in    New  Jersey,    to    communicate    the    knowledge  of 
christian  truth  to  the  Indians.     With  what  success,  may 
be  learned  from  Proud's  statement :  "  that  the  Indians  in 
general  acknowledged  at  that  time,  what  they  heard  was 
very    wise,   weighty    and  tru3 ;  and  never  afterwards 
thought  about  it."     So  far  as  is  known  to  us,  the  Quaker 
Missionaries  have  kept  no  particular  accounts  of  the 
the  number  of  Indian  converts  to  Quakerism.     There  is 
no  doubt  that  the  savages  acceded  readily  to  the  con- 
ferences that  were  proposed  to  them,  and  listened  with 
their  usual  gravity  and  decorum  to  the  sedate  Quaker  j 
who,  in  professing  to  obey  the  command  of  the  Saviour, 
"  to  teach  and  baptize  all  nations,^'  ever  ventm*ed  to 
teach  them  that  baptism  was  not  an  ordinance  of  divine 

♦See  a  case,  Col.  Rec.  I.  96. 

-j-Penn,  at  a  former  treaty,  had  promised  the  Shawanese 
Chief,  protection.  "To  enable  him  to  fulfil  this  promise,  he 
visited  them  in  person  at  Conestogo,  attended  by  many  gen- 
tlemen of  distinction." — Col.  Rec.  II.  253. 


36  HISTORY    OF 

or  christian  appointment!  Indian  converts  to  Christi- 
anity, if  history  be  true,  have  been  gained  in  America  by 
CathoUcs,  Puritans,  Moravians,  Baptists,  &c.;*  but  no 
records  are  extant,  showing  the  probable  number  of 
conversions  of  Indians  to  Christianity,  by  Quakers^ 
though  it  is  admitted,  some  of  the  Friends  preached 
with  much  freedom  to  them. 

Pemi,  in  1700,  formed  a  new  treaty  with  the  Susque- 
hanna, the  Sliawanese,  the  Ganawese,t  and  tribes  of  the 
Five  Nations.  This  treaty  provided  for  perpetual  peace 
and  good  officers  between  the  parties,  confirmed  to  the 
Indians  the  benefits,  and  subjected  them  to  the  penalties 
of  the  English  law,  in  their  intercourse  with  the  whites  : 
it  stipulated  that  both  parties  should  refuse  credence  to 
unauthorized  reports  of  hostility  intended  by  either :  that 
the  Indians  should  never  suffer  strange  tribes  to  settle  in 
any  part  of  the  province  without  permission  from  the 
Governor  :  that  no  European  should  engage  in  the  Indian 
trade  without  the  license  of  the  government ;  and  lastly, 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Conestogo,  should  be  con- 

*  According  to  Stiles'  Literary  Diary,  there  were  in  1696, 
thirty  Indian  churches  in  New  England. — Holmes,  Z.459. 

f  The  Piscatawise,  or  Ganawese,  having  removed  nearer  the 
Susquehanna  Indians,  in  1698,  met  William  Penn  in  council 
in  May,  1701,  and  entered  into  new  articles  of  agreement; 
the  Susquehanna  Indians  became  sureties  for  their  peaceable 
behavior.— Proud  I.  428.— Col.  Rec.  II.  9-12. 

"William  Penn  permitted  the  Piscatawese  or  Ganawese,  to 
remove  higher  up  the  Potomoc,  within  his  claim;  and  tradi- 
tion says,  he  purchased  their  right  of  soil  on  the  Potomoc,  to 
strengthen  his  demand  on  Lord  Baltimore." — Lan.  InteU.  <^ 
Jour. 

J  Gordon. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  3? 

firmed.*  In  the  spirit  of  this  treaty,  the  Provincial 
Council  formed  a  company  of  traders  exclusively  au- 
thorized to  repress  the  inebriety  of  the  nations,  and  to 
impress  upon  them  a  sense  of  the  christian  religion  by 
examples  of  probity  and  candor. 

While  busily  employed  in  promoting  the  temporal 
welfare  of  the  Indians,  and  improving  the  condition  of 
the  colonists,  he  received  intelligence  from  England  that 
measures  were  agitated  to  reduce  all  the  proprietary 
governments  in  America  to  royal  ones,  which  induced 
him  to  change  his  mind,  and  he  at  once  determined  to 
return  to  Europe,  as  soon  as  he  had  some  frame  of 
government  firmly  established.  The  assembly  met 
September  15,  1701.  A  form  of  government  was  estab- 
lished, that  gave  the  representatives  of  the  people  the 
right  of  originating  laws,  which  was  before  solely  vested 
in  the  Governor:  it  allowed  the  "Governor  the  veto 
power  on  bills  passed  by  the  assembly :  also  the  right  of 
appointing  his  council,  and  of  exercising  the  whole  ex- 
ecutive power.  Soon  after  the  formation  of  this  frame 
of  government,  Penn  returned  to  England.  He  sailed 
from  Philadelphia,  November  1st,  1701;  before  his  de- 
parture, he  appointed  Andrew  Hamilton,  Esq.,  Deputy 
Governor,  and  James  Logan,  Secretary  of  the  province 
and  clerk  of  the  council. 

*Prou(i. 


BISTORT    07 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Prince  William  dies — Anne  ascends  the  throne — Penn  in  favor  with  her-^-^ 
State  of  affairs  in  the  province — Disquiet  among  the  Indians — Messenger 
sent  to  the  Conestogo  Indians — Secretary  of  Council  and  Sheriff  of 
Chester  and  New  Castle  are  sent  to  them — Thomas  Chalkley  preaches 
at  Conestogo — Governor  visits  the  Conestogo  Indians — Indian  Eloquence 
— Gov.  Evans'  strange  character,  and  second  journey  to  the  Susquehanna 
— Governor's  journal  of  his  interview  with  the  Indians — Nicole  app?©- 
hended  at  Pixtan,  conveyed  to  Philadelphia  and  imprisoned. 

In  the  preceding  chapter  the  reason  of  Penn's  hasten- 
ing to  England  is  stated.  He  arrived  there  about  the 
middle  of  December,  1701.  At  home  he  had  sufficient 
influence  to  arrest  the  bill  in  its  progress,  for  changing 
the  proprietary  governments,  in  America,  into  royal 
ones. 

The  reigning  Prince,  William  HI.  died  January  18, 
1702;  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Princess  Anne  of  Den- 
mark, during  whose  reign  Pennsylvania  received  aug- 
mented accessions.  Penn  became  her  favorite.  She 
greatly  promoted  his  interest.  Though  he  basked  in  her 
favor,  he  was  not  protected  against  the  storms  of 
pohtical  life.  He  was  harrassed  by  complaints  on  the 
part  of  the  provincialists,  on  account  of  the  appointment 
of  his  Deputy  Governor,  Evans,  whom  he  had,  on  the 
death  of  Mr.  Hamilton,  constituted  as    his  successor.* 

*Mr.  H.  died  at  Amboy,  whilst  on  a  visit  to  his  family,  who 
resided  at  that  place,  April  20,  1703.  It  was  this  year  that  the 
representatives  of  the  territory  of  Pennsylvania  persisting  in 
an  absolute  refusal  to  join  with  those  of  the  province  in  legis- 
lation, it  was  now  agreed  and  settled  between  them,  that  they 
should  compose  distinct  assemblies,  entirely  independent  of 
each  other,  pursuant  to  the  liberty  allowed  by  a  clause  in  the 
charter. — Holmes,  I.  485. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  39 

The  state  of  things  in  the  province  was  such  as  to  em- 
bitter Hamilton's  brief  administration,  by  the  disputes  of 
the  assembly.  Evans,  whose  life  and  conduct  were 
objectionable,  was  re-called,  and  superseded,  by  the 
appointment  of  Charles  Gookin,  as  Governor,  who 
arrived  in  March,  1709.  He  continued  in  office  till  1717. 
During  his  administration,  the  first  permanent  settlements 
were  made  within  the  present  limits  of  Lancaster,  then 
Chester  coimty.* 

Though  no  actual  settlements  had  been  made,  prior  to 
1708,  or  1709,  in  Lancaster  county,  a  few  whites  had 
their  abodes  among  the  Indians  on  the  Susquehanna. — 
These  were  Indian  traders,  viz :  Joseph  Jessop,  James  Le 
Tort,  [t]  Peter  Bezalion,  Martin  Chartier,  all  Frenchmen, 
the  latter  had  lived,  prior  to  1704,  long  among  the 
Shawanah  Indians,  and  upon  the.  Susquehanna  ;"§  and 
one  Mitchel,  a  Swiss.J  Nicole  Godin,  an  active  young 
fellow,  but  rather  a  sneak,  and  one  Francois.  These, 
however,  had  no  license  to  trade  among  and  with  the 
Indians. 

It  appears  from  a  French  letter,  from  Madame  Letort, 
the  French  woman  at  Conestogo,  directed  to  Edmund 
Ffarmer,  bearing  date  15th  March,  1703-4,  that  the 
Towittois  Indians  had  come  down  and  cut  off  the  two 
families  of  neighbor  Indians  at  Conestogo,  and  that  they 
were  all  there  under  great  apprehensions  of  further  mis- 
chief  from  them,  and  were  preparing  to  demand  succor 

*Lancaster  county  originally  formed  part  of  Chester,  from 
which  it  was  separated  in  1729. 

[f  ]  See  Appendix  B. 

^See  Col.  Rec.  II.  133. 

JHe  had  been  sent  out  by  the  Canton  of  Berne,  Switzerland, 
to  search  for  vacant  land. 


40  HISTORY   OF 

of    the    government    in  case  the  disorders  should  be 
continued.* 

"The  subject,  mentioned  in  the  letter,  was  considered 
in  council,  March  22d;  and  it  was  resoked  that  mes- 
sengers be  forthwith  despatched  to  Coi4«stogoe,  by  way 
of  New  Castle,  to  know  the  truth  of  the  information,  the- 
relation,  as  it  appeared,  being  somewhat  suspicious." 

So  repeatedly  were  vague  reports  of  Indian  disturb- 
ances from  this  quarter,  and  Indian  conferences,  held  at 
Philadelphia,  that  the  Governor  was  induced  to  send  the 
Secretary  of  the  council,  in  October,  1705,  to  Conestogo. 
The  Secretary,  in  company  with  the  Sheriff,  and  Clerk 
of  Chester  county,  and  the  Sheriff  of  New  Castle,  and 
Hercules  Coutts,  Hermanns  Alricks,  Edmimd  Shippen,. 
Jr.,  and  others,  being  ten  m  number,  went  to  Conestogo,. 
as  the  chief  place,  telling  the  Indians  that  he  was  come 
from  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  who  had  always, 
been  a  friend  of  all  the  Indians  within  the  boimds  of  it. — 
Among  others,  he  would  mention  things  of  great  im- 
portance at  the  present  time,  and  which  he  must  lay 
before  them: 

"  First,  That  they  should  take  great  care  of  giving  ear 
to  malicious  reports,  spread  and  carried  by  ill  men,  for 
that  we  heard  they  had  been  alarmed  at  the  christians 
putting  themselves  in  arms  in  all  these  parts  and  muster- 
ing; the  reason  of  this,  was  the  war  with  the  French, 
and  was  designed  rather  to  help  than  hurt  them ;  but,  as 
they  and  their  brethren  each  must  be  assistant  to  the 
other,  and  therefore  the  English  took  up  arms  to  defend 
themselves,  and  the  Indians,  also,  against  both  their  ene- 
mies.    That  notwithstanding  they  ought  all,  as  far  as 

*Col.  Record  II.  123.— 0:::^' This  winter  was  remarkable,  in 
Pennsylvania,  for  a  great  snow,  in  general  about  one  yard 
deep. — Proud. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  41 

possible,  to  avoid  war,  for  peace  was  most  desirable,  and 
war  must  be  only  for  defence." 

"That  we  are  also  informed  some  of  the  Maryland 
Indians,  then  among  them,  had  differed  with  the 
English  there,  and  were  afraid  to  return,  or  come  among 
the  English  of  that  government.  If  so,  they  might 
then  continue  among  us,  till  matters  were  fully  settled, 
that  our  Governor  would  treat  with  the  Governor  of 
Maryland  in  their  favor ;  but  they  must  not  quarrel  with 
any  of  the  subjects  of  England,  for  we  are  all  under  one 
crown,  and  are  as  one  people." 

In  the  same  year  (1705,)  Thomas  Chalkley,  an  emi- 
nent preacher  among  the  Quakers,  as  he  was  visiting  some 
of  his  brethren  at  Nottingham,  in  the  province  of  Maryland 
had  a  concern,  says  he,  on  my  mind  to  visit  the  Indians 
living  near  Susquehannagh,  at  Conestogoe,  and  I  laid  it 
before  the  elders  at  Nottingham  meeting,  with  which 
they  expressed  their  amity,  and  promoted  my  visiting 
them.  We  got  an  interpreter,  and  thirteen  or  fourteen 
of  us  travelled  through  the  woods  about  fifty  miles,  car- 
rying our  provisions  with  us,  and  on  the  journey  set 
down  by  a  river,  and  spread  our  food  on  the  grass  and 
refreshed  ourselves  and  horses,  and  then  went  on  cheer- 
fully and  with  good  will,  and  much  love  to  the  poor 
Indians,  and  when  we  came  they  received  us  kindly, 
treating  civilly  in  their  way.  We  treated  about  having 
a  meeting  with  them  in  a  religious  way;  upon  which 
they  called  a  council,  in  which  they  were  very  grave,  and 
spoke,  one  after  another,  without  any  heat  or  jarring — • 
and  some  of  the  most  esteemed  of  their  women  speak  in 
their  councils.  I  asked  our  interpreter,  why  they  suf- 
fered or  permitted  the  women  to  speak  in  their  comicils? 
His  answer  was,  "that  some  women  were  wiser  than 

some  men.^' 

4» 


43  '  HISTORY   OP 

<'  Our  interpreter  told  me  that  they  had  not  doBe  an  j 
thing  for  many  years  without  the  counsels  of  an  ancient 
grave  woman;  who,  I  observed,  spoke  much  in  their 
councils ;  for  as  I  was  permitted  to  be  present  at  it,  and  I 
asked,  what  it  was  the  woman  said?  He  told  me,  she 
was  an  Empress;  and  they  gave  much  heed  to  what 
she  said  amongst  them ;  and  that  she  then  said  to  him,, 
"she  looked  upon  our  coming  among  them  to  be  more  than  , 
natural,  because  we  did  not  come  to  buy  or  sell,  or  get  ; 
gain,  but  come  in  love  and  respect  to  them — and  j, 
desired  their  well-doing  both  here  and  hereafter-/'  and/ 
further  continued,  "that  our  meetings  among  them  might 
be  very  beneficial  to  their  young  people" — and  related 
a  dream  which  she  had  three  days  before,  and  interpreted 
it,  viz :  "  that  she  was  in  London^  and  that  London  was 
the  finest  place  that  she  ever  saw — it  was  like  to  Phila- 
delphia ;  but  much  bigger — and  she  went  across  six 
streets,  and  in  the  seventh  she  saw  William  Penn 
preaching  to  the  people,  which  was  a  great  multitude, 
both  she  and  William  Pemi  rejoiced  to  see  each  other; 
and  after  meeting  she  went  to  him,  and  he  told  her  that 
in  a  little  time  he  would  come  over  and  preach  to  them 
also,  of  which  she  was  very  glad.  And  now  she  said 
her  dream  was  fulfilled,  for  one  of  his  friends  was  come 
to  preach  to  them." 

"She  advised  them  to  hear  us,  and  entertain  us 
kindly ;  and  accordingly  they  did.  There  were  two  na- 
tions of  them,  the  Senecas  and  Shawanese.^ 

"The  Shawanese  had  wigwams  along  the  bank  of  the  Octto- 
raro  creek,  near  the  present  boundary  of  Chester  and  Lanccis- 
ter  county.  When  the  road,  in  1719,  to  Christiana  bridge,  &c. 
WEUJ  laid,  its  course  was  defined — "to  the  fording  place  at  Oct- 
toKafp,  at  Old  Shawana  town,  thence  over  Octtoraro,  along  the 
Indian  Path,  &c. —  Court  Records,  at  Chester,  Aug,  Term,  1719. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  43 

"We  had  first  a  meeting  with  the  Senecas,  with  which 
they  were  much  affected;  and  they  called  the  other 
nation,  viz;  the  Shawanese,  and  interpreted  to  them 
what  we  spoke  in  their  meeting,  and  the  poor  Indians, 
and  particularly  some  of  the  young  men  and  women, 
were  under  a  solid  exercise  and  concern.  We  had  also  a 
meeting  with  the  other  nation,  and  they  were  all  very 
kind  to  us,  and  desired  more  such  opportunities;  the 
which,  I  hope,  Divine  Providence  will  order  them^  if  they 
are  worthy  thereof. 

The  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  was  preached  fireely  to 
them,  and  faith  in  Christ,  who  was  pmt  to  death  at  Jeru- 
salem, by  the  unbelieving  Jews;  and  that  this  same 
Jesus  came  to  save  people  from  their  sins,  and  by  his; 
grace  and  light  in  the  soul,  shows  to-  man  his  sins,  and 
convinceth  him  thereof;  delivering  him  out  of  them,  and 
gives  inward  peace  and  comfort  to  the  soul  for  well-do- 
ing; and  sorrow  and  trouble  for  evil-doing;  to  all  which 
as  their  manner  is,  gave  public  assent ;  and  to  that  of  the 
light  of  the  soul,  they  gave  a  double  assent,  and  seemed 
much  affected  with  the  doctrine  of  truth;  also  the 
benefit  of  the  holy  scriptures  was  largely  opened  to 
them." 

"After  this,  we  returned  to  our  respective  habitations, 
thankful  in  our  hearts  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Several  of  the  friends  that  went 
with  me  expressed  their  satisfaction  in  this  visit>  and 
offered  themselves  freely  to  go  again  to  the  like 
services.* 

♦Thomas  Chalkley,  wife  and  family,  came  from  England  to 
Pennsylvania,  in  1701,  where  he  settled  and  resided  for  upwards 
of  forty  years,  except  when  absent  on  business.  He  was, 
besides,  a  sea-faring  man ;  also  engaged  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel;  the  discharge  of  duty,  in  this  double  capacity,  neces- 


44  HISTORY    OP 

It  appears  that  the  Indians,  at  Conestogo  were  quite 
an  object  of  attention;  fearful  they  might  be  aUenated, 
Governor  Evans  conceived  it  of  the  utmost  importance, 
under  these  existing  circumstances*  "  to  maintain,  as  far 
as  possible,  a  perfect  good  understanding  with  the 
Indians,  and  to  labor  to  keep  them  secure  in  the  Queen's 
interest  against  the  machinations  used  by  the  enemy  to 
debauch  them  from"  the  people  of  the  province.  To 
effect  this,  he  proposed,  in  August,  1706,  the  year  after 
Chalkley's  errand  to  them  as  messenger  of  Peace.,  to 
visit  very  speedily  the  Indians  of  Conestogo,  and  the  ad- 
jacent settlement.  He  went,  and  had  a  personal  inter- 
view with  them  at  Conestogo;  and  it  proved,  as  he 
hoped,  of  great  service. 

It  was  then,  perhaps,  he  was  so  eloquently  addressed 
by  an  Indian  Orator,  who,  as  the  Poet  says,  spake : 
"Hos  docet  ore  loqui  facilis  natura  diserto ; 

Linguae  grand©  loquens  est  idioma  suae. 
/  With  native  eloquence  their  speech  abounds^ 
V  Untaught  with  figures  grand,  and  lofty  sounds." 
/    "Father — -we  love  quiet;    we    suffer    the    mouse  to 
play ;  when  the  leaves  are  rustled  by  the  wind  we  fear 
not;  when  the  leaves  are  disturbed  in  ambush,  we  are 
uneasy ;   when  a  cloud  obscures  your  brilliant  sun,  our 
eyes  feel  dim;   but  when  the  rays  appear,  they  give 
great  heat  ta  the  body,  and  joy  to  the  heart.     Treachery 

sarily  called  him  much  away  from  his  family.  He  was  a 
successful  minister — beloved  and  highly  esteemed  for  his 
rirtues.  "He  was  a  man  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit;  and  he 
possessed  an  engaging  sweetness,  both  in  ministry  and  con- 
versation." "While  on  a  religious  visit  to  the  Island  of  Tortola, 
he  died  in  1741.  He  left  behind  him  some  religious  works, 
and  a  Journal,  from  which  the  above  extract  has  been  copied — 
Page,  47-51. 

*There  was  war,  between  the  French  and,  English  at  the 
time. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  45 

darkens  the  chain  of  friendship,  but  truth  makes  it  ; 
brighter  than  ever.     This  is  the  peace  we  desire.* 

The  Governor  and  Council  having  been  informed  of 
the  treacherous  and  murderous  conduct  of  Nicole  and 
Francois,  in  their  endeavors  to  incense  the  Indians  on  the 
Susquehanna,  against  the  English,  it  was  deemed  expe- 
dient that  they  should  be  visited  again. 

In  the  summer  season  of  1707,  Gov.  Evans  made 
another  journey  among  the  Indians.  With  what  mo- 
tives he  undertook  this  second  jom'ney,is  somewhat  diffi- 
cult to  decide,  if  it  should  be  maintained  they  tvere  pure- 
ly patriotic.  If  historians  have  not  been  biased,  if  they 
have  been  accurate,  faithful  and  impartial,  in  reporting  to 
future  ages  his  actions,  he  presents  to  the  world  a  strange 
character;  not  worthy  of  imitation.  Govemois  do  act 
strangely  sometimes !     Of  him  it  is  recorded : 

"  He  increased  the  number  of  taverns,  and  ale  houses 
for  the  sake  of  license  money,,  which  he  had  doubled : 
that  in  his  private  life  he  was  indecorous  and  immoral ; 
had  practised  abominations^  with  the  Indians  at 
Conestogo ;  committed  at  his  own  country  residence 
notorious  excesses  and  debaucheries,  not  fit  to  be  re- 
hearsed, and  had  beaten  several  of  the  peace  officers, 
who,  ignorant  of  his  presence^  at  a  house  of  ill-fame, 
had  attempted  to  disperse  the  company,  at  ten  o''clock  in 
the  morning  ;t   and,  though  by  his  example,  he  weak- 

*Lan.  Intel].  &  Jour. 

f "  William  Penn,  Jr.,  who  came  with  Evans  from  England, 
was  one  of  the  parties  of  this  night  brawl,,  and  was  indicted 
for  his  conduct  in  the  eity  court.  He  professed  the  faith  of  the 
Church  of  England,  but  had  worn,  it  would  seem,  hitherto  in 
the  province  a  quaker  garb.  Upon  the  institution  of  this 
prosecution  he  threw  off  all  disguise,  abandoned  his  quaker 
connexions,  and  openly  proclaimed  his  principles."— Xo^a», 
M8S. 


46  HISTORY    OP 

ened  the  hands  of  the  magistrates,  he  hypocritically 
caused  his  proclamations  to  be  read  in  the  churches  and 
religious  meetings,  against  the  very  disorders  which  he 
himself  committed." 

^''He  permitted  French  papists  from  Canada  to 
trade  with  the  Indians,  and'  seduce  them  from  ths 
English  interest.^[* 

Having  presented  the  reader  a  historical  brief  of  his 
moral  and  political  character,  an  account  of  his  last 
journey,  as  laid  before  the  Board  in  council,  the  22d 
July,  1707,  is  given  in  extenso,  in  these  words:  "The 
Governor,  with  Messrs.  John  French,  Wm.  Tonge, 
Mitchel  Bezaillion,  Gray,  and  four  servants,  set  out  from 
New  Castle  the  27th  of  June,  and  the-  next  mo^ming 
arrived  at  Octoraro,  where  the  Governor  was  presented 
with  some  skins  by  the  Indians,  and  the  same  night  we 
arrived  at  Pequehan,  "  at  the  mouth  of  Pequae  creek" 
being  received  at  Martines,t  by  O  Pessah,  "the  chief 
of  the  Shawanoes,"  and  some  Indian  chiefs,  who  con- 
ducted us  to  the  town,  at  our  entrance  into  which  place, 
we  were  saluted  by  the  Indians  with  a  volley  of  fire 
arms.  On  Monday,  we  went  to  Dekanoagah,  upon  the 
river  Susquehanna,  being  about  nine  miles  from  Peque- 
han. Some  time  after  our  coming  here  a  meeting  was 
held  of  the  Shawanois,  Senequois  and  Canoise  Indians, 
and  the  Nantikoke  Indians  from  the  seven  following 
towns,  viz:  Matcheattochouisie,  Witichquaom,  Teah- 
quois,  Matchcouchtin,  Natahquois,  Byengeahtein,  and 
Pohecommoati;  an  Indian  presented  to  the  Governor 
and  his  cewnpany,  and  all  the  Indians  then  present,  a 

♦Gordon,  150  ;  Proud,  1. 482. 

fMartin  Chartier,  who  had  lived  long  among  the  Shawanah 
Indians  ^.—Coh  Rec.  I  J,  133. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  47 

large  pipe  with  tobacco,  out  of  which  every  one  smoked, 
and  then  the  Governor  acquainted  the  Indians  that  he 
had  received  a  message  from  the  Senequois  Indians,  of 
Conestogo  and  those  of  Pequehan,  how  that  several 
strange  Indians  were  amongst  them,  and  desired  his 
presence  there;  that  although  he  had  the  charge  and 
care  ef  many  thousands  of  the  great  Queen  of  Eng- 
land's subjects,  yet  he  was  now  come  to  this  place  to 
know  their  desires,  and  was  willing  to  serve  them  in, 
whatsoever  lay  in  his  power.  To  which  a  Nantikoke 
Indian  replied,  that  they  were  extremely  glad  the 
Governor  was  with  them,  and  that  they  had  waited  ten 
days  to  see  him. 

Adjunkoe,  one  of  the  Sachems  of  Conestogo,  said 
he  was  well  satisfied  with  the  relation  the  Nantikoke 
Indians  had  given  of  their  affairs;  yet,  notwithstanding,  he 
was  very  desirous  they  should  make  it  known  to  the 
Governor  that  he  might  also  be  satisfied  with  it;  a  Nan- 
tikoke Indian  took  into  his  hands  a  belt  of  wampun 
from  him  whereon  there  was  hung  nineteen  others,  and 
several  strings  of  beads,  and  said  that  they  had  been 
given  to  understand  the  Queen  had  sent  orders  that  the 
Indians  should  live  in  peace  with  one  another,  and  that 
they  were  sent  to  give  some  of  those  belts  in  behalf  of 
the  Governor  of  Maryland,  and  themselves  to  the  Five 
Nations,  as  our  Indians  also  intended  to  do  to  others  for 
Pennsylvania  and  themselves,  if  the  Governor  thought 
fit,  in  order  to  renew  their  league  with  the  Five 
Nations. 

Governor — How  long  have  you  been  at  peace  with 
this  nation? 

Nantikoke  Indians — Twenty-seven  years. 

Governor — ^What  is  the  reason,  then,  of  so  many  belts 
iof  wampum  and  strings  of  beads? 


48  HISTORY    OF 

Nantikoke  Indians — We  send  them  as  a  tribute. 

Governor — I  am  very  well  satisfied  with  what  has 
\)QGu.  told  me,  and  with  what  the  Governor  of  Maryland 
has  done,  and  had  I  been  acquainted  with  this  business 
at  Philadelphia,  I  would  have  sent  a  belt  of  wampum  as 
a  token  of  friendship  to  the  Five  Nations ;  but  same  of 
those  Five  Nations  were  with  me  not  long  since,  by 
whom  I  sent  a  belt;  and  then  Adjunlcoe  took  a  belt 
in  his  hands,  saying,  he  mearit  to  send  it  to  the  Five 
Nations  for  Penn  and  themselves. 

Indian  Harry,  by  order  of  the  Conestogo  Sachem, 
spoke  in  English  to  the  Nantikoke,  who  all  understood 
that  language,  as  follows,  viz :  you  are  going  to  the 
'Onandagoes;  be  siu*e  keep  on  your  way;  many  may  tell 
you  several  things  to  fright  you,  and  that  they  are  great 
men,  and  you  will  be  killed.  Yet  keep  on  your  way  and 
believe  them  not,  for  you  will  find  the  King  of  the  Five 
Nations  a  very  great  one,  and  as  good  a  king  as  any 
amongst  the  Indians. 

Governor — X  am  very  glad  to  see  you  altogether  at 
this  time,  and  it  is  my  desire,  and  shall  be  my  endeavor, 
that  you  all  live  in  peace.  Your  enemies  are  ours,  and 
whosoever  shall  pretend  to  injure  you,  I  will  endeavor 
that  you  shall  have  ^satisfaction  made  for  it. 

Then  the  conference  ended,  and  the  Goveiiior  treated 
the  Indian  chiefs  at  dinner,  and  at  night  returned  to 
Pequehan. 

Pequehan,  30th  June. 

Present: — Shawanois  Indians,  and  some  of  the  Five 
Nations. 

O  Pessah  spoke  in  behalf  of  the  youth  of  the  town,  as 
follows,  viz : 

We  thank  the  Governor  for  his  kindness  in  supporting 
our  people.     We  are  happy  to  live  in  a  cotintry  at  peace, 


LANCASTER   COTJNTT.  61  . 

S 

the  sacred  inviolable  natural  right  of  every  man,  to  ex- 
amine and  judge  for  himself. 

Therefore,  we  think  it  evident  that  our  notions  of 
future  rewards  and  punishments  were  either  revealed 
from  Heaven  immediately  to  some  of  our  forefathers, 
and  from  them  descended  to  us,  or  that  it  was  implanted 
in  each  of  us  at  our  creation  by  the  Creator  of  all  things, 
Whatever  the  method  might  have  been,  whereby  God 
has  been  pleased  to  make  known  to  us  his  will  and  give 
us  a  knowledge  of  our  duty,  it  is  in  our  sense  a  divine 
revelation.  Now  we  desire  t@  propose  to  him  some 
questions.  Does  he  believe  that  our  forefathers,  men, 
eminent  for  their  piety,  constant  and  warm  in  their 
pursuit  of  virtue ;  hoping  thereby  to  merit  eternal  happi- 
ness, Avere  all  damned.  Does  he  think,  that  we,  who 
are  zealous  imitators  in  good  works,  and  influenced  by 
the  same  motives,  as  we  are,  earnestly  endeavoring  with 
the  greatest  circumspection  to  tread  the  path  of  integrity, 
are  in  a  state  of  damnation?  If  that  be  his  sentiments, 
it  is  surely  as  impious  as  it  is  bold  and  daring.  In  the 
next  place  we  beg  that  he  would  explain  himself  more, 
particularly  concerning  the  revelation,  if  he  admits  of  no 
other,  than  what  is  contained  in  his  written  book;  the 
contrary  is  evident  from  what  has  been  shown  before. — 
But  if  he  says,  God  has  revealed  himself  to  us,  but  not 
sufficiently  for  our  salvation,  then  we  ask,  to  what  pur- 
pose should  he  have  revealed  himself  to  us  in  any  wise. 
It  is  clear,  that  a  revelation  insufficient  to  save,  cannot 
put  us  in  a  better  condition  than  we  be  without  revela- 
tion at  all.  We  cannot  conceive  that  God  should  point 
out  to  us  the  end  we  ought  to  arrive  at,  without 
opening  to  tis  the  way  to  arrive  at  that  end.  But  sup- 
posing our  understanding  to  be  so  far  illuminated  as  to 


62  HISTORY    OP 

know  it  to  be  our  duty  to  please  God,  who  yet  has  left 
us  under  an  incapacity  of  doing  it ;  will  this  missionary 
therefore  conclude  we  shall  be  eternally  damned  ?  Will 
he  take  upon  him  to  pronounce  damnation  against  us  for 
not  doing  those  things  which  he  himself  acknowledgeth 
were  impossible  by  us  to  be  done.  It  is  our  opinion,  that 
every  man  is  possessed  with  sufficient  knowledge  for  his 
own  salvation.  The  Almighty,  for  any  thing  we  know, 
may  have  communicated  himself  to  different  races  of  peo- 
ple in  a  different  manner.  Some  say,  they  have  the  will  of 
God  in  writings ;  be  it  so,  their  revelation  has  no  advan- 
tage above  ours,  since  both  must  be  equally  sufficient  to 
save,  or  the  end  of  revelation  would  be  frustrated ;  be- 
sides, if  they  both  be  true,  they  must  be  the  same  in  sub- 
stance, and  the  difference  can  only  lay  in  the  mode  of 
commmiication.  He  tells  us  there  are  many  precepts  in 
this  written  revelation,  which  we  are  entirely  ignorant 
of;  but  those  written  commands  could  only  be  assigned 
for  those  who  have  the  writings,  they  cannot  possibly 
regard  us.  Had  the  Almighty  thought  so  much 
knowledge  necessary  for  our  salvation,  his  goodness 
would  not  so  long  defer  the  communication  of  it  to  us. — 
And  to  say  in  a  matter  so  necessary  he  could  not  at  one 
and  the  same  time  reveal  himself  to  all  mankind,  is 
nothing  else  than  an  absolute  denial  of  his  omnipotence. 
Without  doubt  he  can  make  his  will  manifest  without 
the  help  of  any  book,  or  the  assistance  of  any  bookish 
man  whatever.  We  shall,  in  the  next  place,  consider 
the  arguments  which  arise  from  the  consideration  of 
Providence. 

If  we  be  the  work  of  God,  (which  we  presume  will 
not  be  denied)  it  follows  from  thence,  that  we  are  under 
the  care  and  protection  of  God;  for  it  cannot  be  sup- 
posed that  the  Deity  should  abandon  his  own  creatures. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  63 

aiid  be  utterly  regardless  of  their  welfare.  Then  to  say 
that  the  Almighty  has  permitted  us  to  remain  in  a 
fatal  error  through  so  many  ages,  is  to  represent  him  as  a 
tyrant 

How  is  it  consistent  with  his  justice  to  force  life  upon 
a  race  of  mortals  without  their  consent,  and  then  to 
damn  them  eternally  without  ever  opening  to  them  a 
door  to  salvation?  Our  conceptions  of  the  gracious  God 
are  much  more  noble,  and  we  think  that  those  who 
teach  otherwise,  do  little  less  than  blaspheme.  Again  it 
is  through  the  care  and  goodness  of  the  Almighty,  that 
from  the  beginning  of  time  through  so  many  generations 
to  this  day,  our  name  has  been  preserved  unblotted  out 
by  our  enemies,  and  umeduced  to  nothing.  By  the  same 
csLie  we  now  enjoy  our  lives,  and  are  furnished  with  the 
necessary  means  of  preserving  these  lives.  But  all 
these  things,  compared  Avith  our  salvation,  are  trifling. — 
Tlierefore,  since  God  has  been  so  careful  of  us  in  matters 
of  little  consequence,  it  would  be  absurd  to  affirm  that 
he  has  neglected  us  in  cases  of  the  greatest  importance ; 
admit  he  has  forsaken  us,  yet  it  could  not  be  without  a 
just  cause. 

Let  us  suppose  that  some  heinous  crimes  were  com- 
mitted by  some  of  our  ancestors,  like  to  that  we  are  told 
<y£  another  race  of  people,  in  such  a  case,  God  would 
certainly  punish  the  criminal,  but  would  never  involve 
us  that  are  innocent  in  the  guHt ;  those  who  think  other- 
wise must  make  the  Almighty  a  very  whimsical  evil-na- 
tured  being. 

Once    more:    are  the  christians  more  virtuous?    or 

rather,  are  they  not  more  vicious  than  we  are?  if  so, 

how  came  it  to  pass  that  they  are  the  objects  of  God's 

beneficence,  while  we  are  neglected  ?  does  he  daily  confer 

his  favors  without  reason,  and  with  so  much  partiality? 


64  HISTORY    OF 

In  a  word:  we  find  the  christians  much  more 
depraved  in  their  morals  than  we  are — and  we  judge 
from  their  doctrine  by  the  badness  of  their  hves. 

Shortly  after  Governor  Gookin's  visit  to  the  Indians^ 
hesenttwomessengers,  Col.  John  French  and  Henry  Wor- 
ley,  to  them.  After  a  friendly  interview,  they  returned  to 
Philadelphia,  and  laid  before  the  board  of  council,  in, 
session,  June  16,  1710,  their  report. 

'-'■M  Co7iestogo,  June  S,  1710. 

Present: — John  French,  Henry  Worley,  Iwaagenst? 
Terrutanaren  and  Teonnotein,  chiefs  of  the  Tusearoroes, 
Civility,  the  Senegues  kings,  and  four  chiefs  of  the  na- 
tions with  Opessa,  the  Shawanois  king. 

The  Indians  were  told  that  according  to  their  request, 
we  were  come  from  the  Governor  and  Government,  to 
hear  what  prosposals  they  had  to  make  anent  a  peace, 
according  to  the  purport  of  their  embassy  from  their  own 
people. 

They  signified  to  us  by  a  belt  of  wampum*  which  was 
sent  them  from  their  old  women,  that  those  implored 
their  friendship  of  christians  and  Indians  of  this  govern- 
ment, that  without  danger  or  trouble  they  might  fetch 
wood  and  water. 

*"  Wampom  or  wampum,  says  Loskeil,  is  an  Iroquois  word 
meaning  a  muscle.  A  number  of  these  muscles  strung  to- 
gether is  called  a  string  of  wampum,  which  when  a  fathom, 
six  feet  long,  is  termed  a  fathom  or  belt  of  wampum, 
but  the  word  string  is  commonly  used,  whether  it  be  long  or 
short.  Before  the  Europeans  came  to  North  America,  the  In- 
dians used  to  make  their  strings  of  wampum  chiefly  of  small 
pieces  of  wood  of  equal  size,  stained  either  black  or  white. — 
Few  were  made  of  muscles,  which  were  esteemed  very  valua- 
ble and  difficult  to  make ;  for  not  having  proper  tools,  they 
spent  much  time  in  finishing  them,  and  yet  their  work  had  a 
clumsy  appearance.    But  the  Europeans  soon  contrived  to 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  65 

The  sword  belt  was  sent  from  their  young  men  fit  to 
hunt,  that  privilege  to  leave  their  towns,  and  seek  provi- 
sion for  their  aged,  might  be  granted  to  them  without 
fear  of  death  or  slavery. 

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  liberty  to  visit  their 
neighbors. 

The  sixth  was  sent  from  their  kings  and  chiefs,  desir- 
ing a  lasting  peace  with  the  christians  and  Indians  of  this 
Government,  that  thereby  they  might  be  secured  against 
those  fearful  apprehensions  they  have  for  these  several 
years  felt. 

The  seventh  was  sent  in  order  to  entreat  a  cessation 
from  murdering  and  taking  them,  that  by  the  allowance 
thereof,  they  may  not  be  afraid  of  a  mouse,  ar  other 
thing  that  ruffles  the  leaves. 

The  eighth  was  sent  to  declare,  that  as  being  hitherto 
strangers  to  this  place,  they  now  came  as  people  blind, 
no  path  nor  communication  being  betwixt  us  and 
them;  but  now  they  hope  we  will  take  them  by  the 

make  strings  of  wampum,  both  neat  and  elegant,  and  in  great 

abundance.     Those  they  bartered  with  the  Indians  for  other 

oods,  and  found  this  traffic  very  advantageous..    The  Indians 

mmediately  gave  up  the  use  of  old  wood  as  substitutes  for 

wampum,  and  procured  those  made  of  muscles. 

Every  thing  of  moment  transacted  at  solemn  council,  either 
between  the  Indians  themselves,,  or  with  Europeans,  is  ratified, 
aad  made  valid  by  strings  and  belt  of  wampum.  Formerly 
they  used  to  give  sanction  to  their  treaties  by  delivering  a  wing 
of  some  large  bird.  This  custom  still  prevailed  as  late  as 
1775,  among  the  more  western  nations,  in  transacting  business 
"With  the  Delawares"— f2k>sAej7. 


Q6  HISTORY   09 

hand  and  lead  them,  and  then  they  will  lift  up 
theii'  heads,  in  the  woods,  without  any  danger  or 
fear. 

These  belts,  they  say,  are  only  sent  as  an  introduction, 
and  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  contment 
were  the  subjects  of  the  crown  of  Great  Britain,  though 
divided  into  several  govermiients,  so  it  is  expected  their 
intentions  are  not  only  peaceable  towards  us,  but  also  to 
all  the  subjects  of  the  crown ;  and  that  if  they  uitend  to 
settle,  and  live  amicably  here,  they  need  not  doubt  the 
protection  of  this  Government,  m  such  things  as  were 
honest  and  good;  but  that  to  confirm  the  sincerity  of 
ther  past  carriage  towards  the  English,  and  to  raise  in  us 
a  good  opmion  of  them,  it  would  be  very  necessary  to 
procure  a  certificate  from  the  Government,  they  leave  to 
this,  of  their  good  behavior,  and  then  they  might  be 
assured  of  a  favorable  reception. 

The  Senegues  return  their  hearty  thanks  to  the  Go- 
vernment for  their  trouble  in  sending  to  them,  and 
acquainted  us  that  by  advice  of  a  comrcil  amongst  them, 
it  was  determined  to  send  these  belts,  by  the  Tuscaro- 
roes,  to  the  Five  Nations.''* 

*Col.  Rec.  IL  553-4. 


LAWCASTBR   COtTNTr,  67 


SECOND    PART; 


FROM    THE    EARLIEST    SETTLEMENTS    MADE    WITHINT 

THE    PRESENT    LIMITS    OF    THE    COUNTY  TO    ITS 

ORGANIZATION    IN    THE    YEAR    1729. 


CHAPTER   I. 


Preliminary  remarks — Unsettled  state  of  affairs  in  Europe — Consequent 
emigration  of  Swiss,  Germans,  French  and  others,  into  America — Into 
Pennsylvania — Swiss  Mennonites  settle  in  Pequea  Valley — Purchase  ten- 
tliousand  acres  of  land — Make  improvements — Others  purchase  lands — 
The  Mennonites  call  a  meeting  to  send  a  person  to  Europe  for  the  residue 
of  their  families — Kendig  goes  and  returns  with  a  number  of  families- 
Settlements  augmented — Governor  Gookin's  journey  to  Conestogo. 

The  unsettled  state  of  affairs  in  Europe  subjected 
many  of  the  Germans,  French,  Swiss  and  others,  to  sore 
persecutions  because  they  could  not  change  their  reli- 
gious opinions  so  as  to  coincide  invariably  with  those  of 
the  ruling  Prince.  The  religious  complexion  of  the 
country  was  frequently  determined  or  influenced  by  the 
diaracter  of  the  rulers — as  they  changed,  it  was  changed, 
either  by  force,  or  by  inducements  to  ^^hold  it  with 
Uie  populace,"  To  these  changes  it  was  impossible  for 
the  Germans,  the  Swiss,  the  French,  to  conform* 


68  HISTOHT   OF 

Frederick  II,  Elector  Palatine,  embraced  the  Lutheran 
faith;  Frederick  III.  became  a  Catholic;  Lodovic  V. 
restored  the  Lutheran  church ;  his  son,  and  successor, 
was  a  Calvinist.  These,  in  their  turn,  protected  some, 
others  they  did  not.  The  last  Prince,  son  of  LodoTic, 
was  succeded  by  a  Catholic  family,  during  whose 
reign  it  was  the  lot  of  the  Protestants  to  be  mikindly  op- 
pressed. Besides  these  unpropitious  changes,  and  of 
being  subjects  of  alarm  and  persecution,  the  Germans 
occupied  the  mienviable  position  of  living  between  two 
powerful  belligerent  rivals.  War  seemed  to  be  the  very 
element  of  these  ruling  Princes,  then,  of  those  coimtries. 

In  the  year  1622,  Count  Tilly,  the  Imperial  General^ 
took  Heidelberg,  and  put  five  hundred  of  the  inhabitants, 
to  the  sword.  In  1634,  Louis  XIV.  entered  the  city  and 
destroyed  many  of  the  inhabitants. 

The  close  of  the  seventeenth  century,  was  an  eventful 
period.  The  celebrated  Edict  of  Nantes,  issued  by 
Henry  IV.  in  1598,  in  favor  of  the  Huguenots*  or 
Protestants,  was  revoked,  Oct.  23,  1685,  by  Louis.  XIV. 
whose  name  was  execrated  over  a  great  part  of  Europe. 
Consequent  upon  there  vocation  of  this  edict,  there  was 
Oiie  of  the  most  terrible  persecutions  ever  suffered  in 
France.  It  is  recorded  in  History,  "about  that  time, 
though  the  frontiers  Avere  vigilantly  guarded,  upwards  of 
five  hundred  thousand  Huguenots  made  their  escape  to 

*  Huguenots — This  epithet  has  been  the  subject  of  some  dis- 
cussion. We  are  inclined  to  the  opinion,  that  the  origin  of  the 
word  is  derived  from  the  German,  Eidgenossen,  confederatesi 
A  party  thus  designated  existed  at  Geneva ;  and  it  is  probable 
that  the  French  Protestants  would  adopt  a  term  so  applicable, 
to  themselves.  This  opinion  is  supported  by  Mezeray,  Main- 
bowg,  and  Diodati,  Professor  of  Theology  at  Geneva— W., 
<S.  Browning'' s  His.  Hug.  292. 
See  AppendixC,  for  a  fuller  account  of  the  Huguenots. 


LANCAST^ER    OOUNTY.  69 

Switzerland,  Germany,  Holland,  England  and  America. 
"The  unfortunate  were  more  wakeful  to  fly,  than  the 
ministers  of  tyramiy  to  restrain."* 

At  this  critical  juncture,  the  Mennonites  were  perse- 
cuted in  Switzerland,  and  driven  into  various  countries ; 
some  to  Alsace,  above  Strasburg,  others  to  Holland,  &c., 
where  they  lived,  simple  and  exemplary  lives ;  in  the 
villages  as  farmers,  in  the  towns  by  trades,  free  from  the 
charge  of  any  gross  immoralities,  and  professing  the 
most  pure  and  simple  principles,  which  they  exemplied 
in  a  holy  conversation.  Some  of  those  about  Strasburg, 
with  other  High  and  Low  Germans  transported  them- 
selves about  the  year  1683,  by  the  encouragement  of 
William  Penn,  to  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  prmcipally 
at  Germantown;  the  greater  part  of  whom  were  natural- 
ized in  1709.t 

In  16S8,  Heidelberg  was  taken  the  second  time,  by 
the  French,  who  laid  the  inhabitants  mider  oppressive- 
contributions  ;  after  which,  at  the  approach  of  the  impe- 
rial army,  they  blew  up  the  citidal,  and  reduced  the 
town  to  ashes.     It  soon  rose  again  upon  its  cinders,  and 

*The  Huguenots  put  a  new  aspect  on  the  North  of  Germany, 
where  they  filled  entire  towns,  and  sections  of  cities,  introduc- 
ing manufactures  before  unknown.  A  suburb  of  London  was 
filled  with  French  mechanics ;  the  Prince  of  Oi*ange  gained 
entire  regiments  of  soldiers,  as  brave  as  those  whom  Crom- 
well led  to  victory ;  a  colony  of  them  even  reached  Good 
Hope.  The  American  colonies,  influenced  by  religious  sym- 
pathy, were  ever  open  to  receive  the  Huguenots.  They  set- 
tled in  the  New  England  States,  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States.  The  United  States,  says  Bancroft,  are  full  of  monu- 
ments of  the  emigrations  from  France. 

The  limits  of  afoot-note^  will  not  admit  of  enlargentent  here* 
See^  Appendix  G. 

tCoL  Rec.  II.  514. 


70  HISTOKT    OP 

again  it  was  taken  by  a  French  army,  who  laid  it,  a 
second  time,  into  ashes,  iii  1693.  The  inhabitants,  men, 
women  and  children,  about  1 500,  stripped  of  all,  were 
forced  to  flee,  m  consternation,  to  the  fields  by  nights — 
Once  more,  on  the  retreat  of  tlie  French  army,  were  the 
former  inhabitants  prevailed  upon  to  rebuild  the  city^. 
unconscious,  however,  of  the  treachery  of  a  perfidious 
Elector,  who  had  sacredly  promised  them  liberty  of  con- 
science— Heaven's  choicest  boon--rand  exemption  from 
taxes  for  thirty  years.  After  some  time,  the  Elector^ 
whose  creed,  it  appears,  embraced  the  essential  ingre- 
dient, ^'Promises  made  to  heretics  should  not  be  re- 
deemed,''^ harrassed  his  duped  subjects,  with  relentless 
persecution.  The  French  army  having  crossed  the 
Rliine,  the  distressed  Palatines  persecuted  by  their  heart- 
less Prince — plundered  by  a  foreign  enemy,  fled  i£> 
escape  from  death,  and  about  six  thousand  of  them,  for 
protection,  to  England,  in  consequence  of  encourage- 
ment, they  had  received  from  Queen  Anne,  by  proclama- 
tion, in  1 708.  Among  these  was  a  number  to  be  men^ 
tioned  in  the  sequel  of  our  narrative. 

Many  also  had,  prior  to  the  issuing  of  Anne's  procla- 
mation, determined  to  seek  refuge  in  America.  The 
Canton  of  Bern,  in  Switzerland,  had  employed  Christo- 
pher de  Graffenried  and  Lev/is  Mitchel  or  Michelle,  as 
pioneers,  with  instructions  to  search  for  vacant  lands  in 
Pennsylvania,  Virginia  or  Carolina.  One  of  these, 
Michelle,  a  Swiss  mmer,  had  been  in  America,  prior  to 
1704  or  1.'705,  traversmg  the  country  to  seek  out  "a  con- 
venient tract  to  settle  a  colony  of  their  people  on."  He 
was  among  the  Indians  in  and  about  Conestogo  during 
1706  and  1707,  "in  search  of  some  mineral  or  ore;"* 
and,  "it  is  believed,  he   and    his    associates    built    a 

*Col.  Rec.  II.  420— Williams,  His.  N.  C. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  71 

fort    not  far    from    Connejaghera,  many  miles  above 
Conestogo." 

Before  those  of  Bern  had  fully  executed  their  project, 
tliey  were  induced  to  fly  for  safety,  to  London,  in  the 
vicinity  of  which,  they  pitched  their  tents,  and  were 
supported  at  the  pubUc  expense  until  they  could  be 
sihipped  off  for  America — some  sailed  for  New  York,* 
Pemisylvania,  and  others  for  North  Carolina,  where 
they  arrived  in  December,  1709,  at  the  conflifence  of  the 
Neuse  and  Trent.  This  year  a  respectable  number  of 
Mennonites  left  Strasburg,  in  Germany,  whither  they 
had  fled  from  their  Vaterland,  and  sailed  for  America  to 
seek  a  refuge  free  from  persecution.  At  home  they 
were  persecuted  by  arrogant  man,  "glorying  in  the  mag- 
nitude of  his  power,  who  was  every  where  impioiisly  inter* 
posing  between  the  homage  of  his  fellow  and  his  Creator, 
and  striving,  by  coercion,  to  apostatize  mankind  from  the 
line  of  duty  which  conscience  pointed  out  to  tread;" 
and  the  Mennonites,  unwilling  to  sacrifice  their  principles 
of  religion  upon  the  altar  of  expediency,  were  not 
tolerated  to  enjoy  mimolestedly  the  privilege  of  worship- 
ing God  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience.  Many 
of  the  ancestors  of  those  who  first  settled  in  this  county, 
whose  lineal  descendants  still  possess  the  lands  pur- 
dia^ed  and  improved  by  them,  were  beheaded,  some 
beaten  with  many  stripes,  others  incarcerated,  and  some 

*'Oolonel  UoTDBTt  Hunter,  appointed  Governor  of  New  York, 
an'ived  at  that  province,  June  14, 1710,  brought  with  him  3,000 
Palatines,  who,  in  the  previous  year,  had  fled  to  England  from 
the  rage  of  persecution  in  Germany.  Many  of  whom  settled 
in  the  city  of  New  York ;  others  in  Germantown,  Livingston 
Manor,  €oIumbia  county,  and  others  in  Pennsylvania.— 
Amith'^i  New  York,  I.  123. 

Smith  says  "the  Queen's  liberality  to  these  people  was  bo 
moxe  beneficial  to  them,  than  serviceable  to  the  country." 


72  HISTORY  or 

banished  from  Switzerland.  Of  those  who  suffered,  and 
who  might  be  mentioned,  were  Hans  Landis,  at  Zurich, 
in  Switzerland,  Hans  Miller,  Hans  Jacob  Hess,  Rudolph 
Bachman,  Ulrich  Miller,  Oswald  Landis,  Fanny  Landis, 
Barbara  Neff,  Hans  Meylin  and  two  of  his  sons — all 
these  suffered  between  1638  and  1643. 

Martin  Meylin,  son  of  Hans,  was  an  eminent  minister 
of  the  gospel  of  the  Mennonite  church,  in  the  Palatinate 
and  Alsace.  His  talents  were  above  the  mediocrity. — 
He  rendered  himself  conspicuous  as  an  Ecclesiastical 
writer ;  his  manuscripts  on  the  sufferings  of  the  Meimo- 
nites  of  1645,  and  other  works  of  his,  as  well  as  those 
by  Jeremiah  Ma,ntgalt,  his  colleague,  were  subsequently 
published,  and  are  copiously  quoted,  by  that  voluminous 
writer,  T.  Von  Bracht,  author  of  the  Maertyrer 
Sjjiegel. 

Those  who  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  had  fled  from 
the  Cantons  of  Zurich,  Bern,  Shaffhausen,  Switzerland, 
to  Alsace,  above  Strasburg,*  where  they  remained  for 
some  time,  thence  they  came  to  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  offence  of  which  they  were  guilty,  bringing  down 
upon  them  so  much  suffering  and  persecution,  was  their 
non-conformity  to  what  seemed  to  them,  at  least,  a  cor- 

*Many  of  the  Mennonites  fled  from  the  Cantons  of  Zurich, 
Berne,  Schaffhausen,  &c.,  Switzerland — several  edicts  were 
issued  forbidding  them  the  free  exercise  of  their  religious 
opinions.  One  at  Sx;haffhausen,  A.  D.  1650.  One  was  issued 
by  the  Prince  of  Newberg,  A.  D.  1653:  in  1671,  they  were  se- 
verely persecuted,  and  extensively  dispersed. — Brachfs  His- 
tory, p.  1019-1023.— Eng.  Trans. 

Extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Jacob  Everling  in  Obersuelt- 
zen,  April  7, 1671:  ''In  answer  to  the  inquiry  of  your  friends, 
touching  the  condition  of  our  Swiss  brethren  in  the  department 
of  Bern,  it  is  an  unvarnished  fact,  that  they  are  in  a  distressed 


•     LANCASTER   COUNTY.  73 

?rapt  pTactice,  "To  hear  all  manner  of  preaching." — 
They  then  had,  and  even  at  the  present  day,  some  have 
•conscientious  scruples  in  attending  public  worship  with 
other  religious  assemblies.  They  also  did,  as  they  now 
do,  openly  discard  the  doctrine  of  self-defence  and  vio- 
lent resistance.  They  have  been,  and  are  still,  opposed  to 
war;  they  believe  it  comports  illy  with  the  christian  pro- 
fession to  fight  with  carnal  weapons.  They  have 
•always  been  peaceable,  and  domestic  in  their  habits. — 
They  ever  cultivated  the  mild  arts  of  peace,  and  trusted 
to  their  own  domestic  resources. 

The  decendants  of  the  puritans  boast  that  their  an- 
cestors fled  from  the  face  of  their  persecutors,  willing  to 
encounter  <  perils  in  the  wilderness  and  perils  by  the 
heathen,'  rather  than  be  deprived,  by  the  ruthless  perse- 
cutor, of  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion.  The  descen- 
dants of  the  Swiss  Mennonites,  who,  amid  hardships  and 
trials,  made  the  first  settlements  among  the  tawney  sons 
of  the  forest,  in  the  west  end  of  Chester  county,  can  lay 
claim  to  more.  Their  ancestors  did  not  seek  for  them- 
selves and  theirs  only,  the  unmolested  exercise  of  faith, 
and  the  practice  of  worship ;  but  they  in  turn  did  not 

condition— four  weeks  since  they  had  arrested  nearly  forty  per- 
sons, male  and  female — one  of  whom  has  since  arrived  at  our 
place.  They  also  whipped  a  minister  of  the  word,  took 
him  out  in  the  country  as  far  as  Burgundy— marked  him  with 
a  branding  iron,  and  let  him  go  among  the  French ;  but  as  he 
could  not  speak  their  language,  he  had  to  wander  three  days 
before  he  could  get  his  wound  dressed  and  obtain  any  refresh- 
ment, &c. — BracliVs  His.  p.  1022. 

From  the  same,  dated  May  23d,  1761 :  The  persecution  of 
our  friends  still  continues  in  all  its  violence,  so  that  we  are  as- 
tonished that  they  do  not  make  greater  haste  to  leave  the 
country.  One  or  two  occasionally  arrive  here  in  a  miserable 
condition;  but  the  most  of  them  stay  above  Strasburg,  in 
Alsace ;  some  chopping  wood,  others  labor  in  the  vineyard,  kc. 

7 


HISTORY    OF 

persecute  others,  who  differed  from  them  in  religiouf 
opinion.  They  plead  for  universal  toleration,  and  their 
practice  confirmed  it. 

About  the  year  1706  or  1707,  a  member  of  the  perse- 
cuted Swiss  Meniioiiites  went  to  England,  ;ind  made  a 
particular  agreement  with  the  Honorable  Proprietor 
William  Penn,  at  London,  for  lands  to  be  taken  up,* — 
Several  families,  from  th-'  Palatinate,  dose  rndants  of  the 
distressed  Swiss,  emigrated  to  America  and  settled  in 
Lancaster  county  in  the  vear  170.9.t 

The  traditions,  respecting  the  first  visit  to  the  place  of 
subsequent  settlem:ints,  are  discrepant.  From  public  " 
documents  and  some  private  papers  in  the  possession  of 
Abraham  Meylin,  and  others,  residing  in  West  Lampe- 
ter township,  we  may  confidently  state  that  the  Menno- 
nites  commenced  a  settlement  in  1709  or  1710,  at  the 
place  where  the  Herrs  and  Meyiins  now  reside,  near 
Willow  Street. 

A  Swiss  company,  to  emigrate  to  America,  and  settle 
in  the  wilderness,  had  been  organized,  but  who  the  pro- 
jector of  it  was,  we  cannot  state.  The  pioneers  were 
Hans  Meylin,  his  son  Martinj:  and  John,§  Hans  Herr, 
John  Rudolph  Bundely,  JSIartin  Kendig,  Jacob  Miller, 

*Col.  Rec.  III.  397. 

flm  Jahr  1709,  kanien  etliche  familien  von  der  Pfalz  welc'i* 
Ton  den  vertreibjiien  Schweizern  abstammten  und  liessen 
sich  neider  in  Lancaster  County. — Benjamin  Eby's  Geschichten 
der  Mennoniten.p.  151. 

JMartin  Meylin,  son  of  Hans  Melin,  was  the  first  gun-smith 
within  the  limits  of  Lancaster  county;  as  early  as  1719,  he 
erected  a  boring-mill,  on  what  is  known  as  Meylin's  run,  on 
the  farm  nuw  owned  by  Martin  Meylin,  WestLi.mpeter  town- 

{John  Meylin  connected  himself  with  the  Sieben  Taeger,  at 
Ephrata— he  assumed  the  name  'Amos,'  or  '^Bruder  Amos,' 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  75 

Martin  Oberholtz,  Hans  Funk,  Michael  Oberholtz,  Wen- 
del  Bowraan  and  others,  who  came  to  Conestoga  in 
1709,  selected  a  tract  of  ten  thousand  acres  of  land  on 
the  north  side  of  Pequae  creek,  and  shortly  afterwards, 
procured  a  warrant  for  the  same.  It  is  dated  October 
10,  1710 — the  warrant  was  recorded,  and  the  land  sur- 
veyed, the  23d  of  the  same  month.  The  27th  of  April, 
1711,  the  Surveyor  General,  at  the  request  of  the  first 
purchasers,  subdivided  the  said  ten  thousand  acres, 
"into  S)  many  parts  as  they  had  previously  agreed 
upon." 

It  appears  frorn  tradition  and  other  corroborating  testi- 

ship.  He  wa^  esteemed  one  of  the  most  skilful  workmen,  in 
iron,  of  his  day.  He  was  an  active,  useful  member  of  the  newr 
colony  ;  and  transacted  much  of  their  business  abroad. 

We  here  present  a  few  copies  of  the  many  papers  in  the  pos- 
aession  of  Abraham  I\leyiin,  Mill-right,  grandson  of  Martin 
Meylin,  from  which  t  will  suificiently  appear  that  he  transact- 
ed business  abroad. 

In  1729,  an  act  was  passed  to  naturalize  many  of  the  Swiss 
and  German  settlers — April  14th,  1730— Received  of  Martia 
Meylin  £14,  43.  6d.  for  the  naturalization  of  seven  persons. 

Samuei-  Blunston. 

In  1729,  the  fears  of  the  government  were  excited,  because 
the  Germans  adhered  to  each  other,  and  used  their  own  lan- 
guage exclusively ;  their  emigration  to  this  country  was  to  be 
discouraged  by  passing  an  act  to  lay  a  duty  of  forty  shillingspcr 
head  on  all  aliens ! ! 

Received,  September  29th,  1731,  of  Martin  Meylin,  £?,  lis. 
8d.  for  passage  and  head  money  of  John  Eschellman, 

Thomas  Lawrence. 

Philadelphia;  17th,  3d.  mo.,  1729— Received  of  Martin  Mey- 
lin, £10, 18-^  8d.  money  of  Pa.,  with  which  £9,  formerly  paid 
to  me  by  James  Dawson,  is  in  full  for  the  principal,  interest 
and  quit-rents,  due  to  the  proprietaries  for  200  hundred  acres 
of  land  near  Conestoga,  first  granted  and  surveyed  to  the  said 
James  Dawson,  but  now  iti  possession  of  said  Martin  Meylin. 

James  Steel,  Receiver  General. 


T6  HISTORY  or 

mony,  that  by  virtue  of  the  agreement  with  WiniaTO 
Pcnn,  and  permission  from  the  Deputy  Governor,  Hon. 
Charles  Gookin,  they  commenced  making  improvements 
before  a  warrant  had  been  issued,  and  that  while  some 
were  felling  trees,  removing  underbrush,  building  cabins,, 
others  went  to  Philadelphia  to  obtain  a  warrant  for  their 
choice  tract  of  woods.  The  following  document* 
strengthen  the  tradition  to  be  correct  in  the  main  facts. 

"  By  the  commissioners  of  property — Whereas  we 
have  agreed  with  John  Rudolph  Bundely,  Martin  Ken- 
dig,  Jacob  Miller,  Hans  Herr,  Martin  Oberholtz,  Hans 
Funk,  Michael  Oberholtz  and  one  Wendal  Bowman, 
Swissers,  lately  arrived  in  this  province,  for  ten  thousand 
acres  of  land,*  situate  on  the  northwesterly  side  of  a 
hill,  about  twenty  miles  easterly  from  Connystogoe,  near 
the  head  of  Pecquin  creek,,  for  which  sard  land,  they  are 
to  pay  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds,,  sterling  money 
oif  Great  Britain,  in  manner  following:  that  is  to  say,  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  pounds,  part  thereof  in  hands,  at 
ye  insuing  of  these  presents,  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
pounds  more  thereof  (together  with  forty  eight  pounds, 
like  money,  being   the  interest  of  four  hundred  pounds 


*It  was  part  of  Penn's  policy  to  sell  large  tracts  in  on© 
body,  and  under  such  restrictions  as  to  induce  families  to  unite 
in  settlements.  In  a  proclamation,^  concerning  the  treaty  of 
land,  dated  in  Old  England,  the  24th  of  the  11th  month,  1686, 
Penn  declares,  ''Since  there  was  no  other  thing  I  had  m  my 
eye  in  the  settlement  of  ihis  province,  next  to  the  advancement 
of  virtue,  than  the  comfortable  situation  of  the  inhabitants 
therein  ;  and  for  that  end,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
most  eminent  of  the  first. purchasers,  ordained  that  every  town- 
ship, consisting  of  five  thousand  acres,  should  have  ten  fami- 
lies, at  least,  to  the  end  the  province  might  not  lie  like  a  wil- 
derness, &c.'* 

Those  who  purchased  in  large  tracts  were  required  by  certaia 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  77 

for  two  years)  at  the  end  of  two  years  and*  six  months, 
from  the  time  of  the  survey  of  the  said  lands,  (one-half 
year's  interest  of  the  whole  being  abated),  one  hundred 
and  eighteen  pounds  further,  part  thereof  with  interest, 
included  within  one  year,  then  next  after  one  hundred 
and  twelve  pounds  (the  interest  being  included)  further 
part  thereof,  within  one  year,  then  next  after,  the  sum  of 
one  hundred  and  six  pounds  full  residue  thereof,  that  of 
all  interest  for  the  same,  within  one  year,  that  next  fol- 
lowing, so  that  the  said  live  hundred  pounds  and  interest, 
as  aforefaid,  is  to  be  paid  in  six  years  next  after  the  time 
of  survey.  And  also  that  the  said  purchasers,  their  heirs 
and  assigns,  shall  pay  uoto  the  proprietary  and  Governor 
William  Penn,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  the  sum  of  one 
shiUing  sterling  aforesaid,  quit-rent  yearly  forever, 
for  every  hundred  acres  of  the  said  ten  thousand 
acres  of  land,  and  that  said  purchasers  shall  have  said 
lands  free  of  quit-rent  for  the  two  first  years  next  after 
the  survey  thereof,  and  the  said  purchasers  requesting  of 
us  a  warrant  for  the  location  and  survey  of  the  said  land 
aforesaid.     These  are,  therefore,  to  authorize  and  require 

concessions  to  plant  a  family  within  three  years  after  it  was 
surveyed,  on  every  thousand  acres.  These  regulations  were, 
howevp.r,  not  generally  observed. 

By  warrant,  daled.  July  5,  1712,  there  were  surveyed,  Nov, 
1,  17l2,  Pcquea,  now  Strasburg  township,  for  Amos  S'rettle, 
3380  acres,  who  afterwards  sold  it  in  smaller  tracts;  the  prin- 
cipal persons  to  whom  he  sold,  prior  to  1734,  were  PTenry 
Shank,  Ulrich  Brack  bill,  Augustine  Widower,  Alexander 
Fridley,  Martin  Miller,  George  Snavely,  Christian  Musser,  An- 
drew Shultz.  John  Fouts,  Jacob  Stein,  John  Hickman,  John 
Bowman,  ValenTmo  Miller,  Jacob  Hain,  John  Herr,  Henry 
Carpenter,  Daniel  Ferree,  Isaac  Lefevre,  Christian  Stoner, 
John  Bciers,  Hans  Lein,  Abraham  Smith,  John  Jacob  Hoovei", 
Septimus  Robinson,  Samuel  Hess,  Samuel  Boyer,  Joha 
Musgrove.  * 

7* 


78  HISTORY    OF 

thee  to  survey  or  cause  to  be  surveyed ,  unto  the  said 
purchasers  the  full  quantity  of  ten  thousand  acres  of 
land  (with  reasonable  allowance  for  roads  and  highways) 
in  one  entire  tract,  at  or  near  the  place  aforesaid,  and  to 
subdivide  the  same  (if  they  request  it)  into  so  many 
small  tracts  or  parts  as  they  shall  agree  or  appoint  to 
each  of  them  his  respective  share  to  be  holden  by  the 
purchasers,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  under  the  rents,  pay- 
ments and  agreements  aforesaid,  subject  to  distress  for 
the  said  rent  in  case  of  non-payment,  and  of  thy  trans- 
actions and  doings  in  the  premises,  by  virtue  of  these 
presents  thou  art  to  make  such  returns  into  the  Secretary's 
office,  with  all  reasonable  expedition.  Given  under  our 
hands  and  seals  of  the  province,  the  tenth  day  of  the 
eighth  month  at  Philadelphia,  A.  D.  1710. 

EDWARD  SHIPPEN, 
GRIFFITH  OWEN, 
THOS:  STORY." 

To  Jacob  Taylor,  Surveyor  General. 
Warrant  Book,  1700—1714,  p.  29. 

On  the  23d  of  October,  the  land  was  surveyed  and  di- 
\'ided  among  the  Meylins,  Herr,  Kendig,  and  others  of 
the  company. 

Having  erected  temporary  shelters,  to  answer  their 
wants,  some  set  about  it,  and  put  up  dwellings  of  mie 
durableness.  Martin  Kendig  erected  one  of  hewed  wal- 
nut logs  on  his  tract,  which  withstood  the  storms  and 
rain — the  gnawings  of  the  tooth  of  time,  for  rising  of  one 
hundred  and  ten  years,  and  might,  had  it  not  been  re^ 
moved  in  1841,  and  its  place  taken  up  by  one  of  mcra 
durable  materials,  have  withstood  the  corroding  elem(  nts- 
for  generations  to    come.     Th'ey  now  began  to  build 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  79 

houses  and  add  new   acquisitions  of  lands  to  their  first 
possessions.'^ 

To  depend  upon  their  Indian  neighbors  for  provisions, 
was  useless— the  Indians  depended  mainly  upon  game 
and  fish — and  of  course,  the  suppUes  of  provisions  were 
scanty,  and  what  tht-y  had  they  were  under  necessity  to 
transport  from  a  distant  settlementt  for  some  time,  till 
the  seeds  sown  in  a  fertile  soil,  yielded  some  thirty, 
others  forty  fold.  Fish  and  fowl  were  plenty  in  the 
w  Ids.  The  season  of  their  arrival  was  favorable — 
arouid  them  they  saw  crowned  the  tall  hazel  with  rich 
festoons  of  a  lucious  grape.J 

*Martin  Kendig,  lately  an  inhabitant  of  Switzerland,  had 
surveyed  him  a  tract  of  land  in  Strasburg  township,  1060  acres, 
bounded  by  the  lands  of  Martin  Meylin,  Christian  Herrand  John 
Funk.  Another  tract  of  530  acres,  bounded  by  John  Herr's 
land.    Another  of  265  acres. — Recorded  Sept.  1711. 

Christopher  Franciscus,  of  Switzerland^ 530  acres,  bounded 
by  lands  of  Janob  Miller,  Wendel  Bowman,  John  Rudolph 
Bandely— in  ITIC,  John  Funk  530  acres,  bounded  by  lands  of 
Martin  Kendig,  Jacob  Miller.— Surveyed  Feb.  28,  1711.  John 
Ru  lolph  Bundely,  late  of  Switzerland,  500  acres,  bounded  by 
lands  of  Wendel  Bowman,  Surveyed,  1710,  and  Martin  May-, 
\U*  265  acres.  Christian  Herr,  530  acres,  John  Herr,  530  acres, 
all  recorded  July  3,  1711.  Wendel  Bowman  550  acre?,  re- 
corded July  7,  1711.  The  warrants  for  all  the  above  traits  are 
dated  1710. 

• 
f  Their  nearest  mill  was  at  Wilmington,  on  the  Brandywine, 

Delaware. 

I"  Of  living  creatures,  fish,  fowl  and  the  beast  of  the  wood 
hen  J  are  divers  sorts,  some  for  food  and  profit,  and  some  for 
profit  only;  for  food  and  profit,  the  elk,  as  big  as  a  small  ox; 
deer,  bigger  than  ours  ;  beaver,  raccoon,  rabbits,  squirrels  and 
some  eat  young  bear,  and  commend  it.  Of  fowl  of  the  land, 
there  is  the  turkey,  (forty  and  fifty  pounds  weight)  which  is 
very  great;   pheasants,  heath-birds  pigeons,  and  partriges,  in 


80  HISTORY   OF 

After  they  had  been  scarce  fairly  seated,  they  thought 
of  their  old  homes,  their  country  and  friends — they 
sighed  for  those  whom  they  had  left  for  a  season ;  "  They 
reme.jnbered  them  that  wei^e  in  bonds  asbdund  with  them 
and  which  suffered  adversity,"  and  ere  the  earth  began 
to  yield  a  return  in  "  kindly  fruits,'^  to  their  labors,  con- 
sultations were  held  and  measures  advised,  to  send  some 
one  to  their  Vaterland,  to  bring  the  residue  of  some  of 
their  families  ;  also  their  kindred  and  brothers  in  a  land 
of  trouble  and  oppression,  to  their  new  home  ;  into  a 
land  where  peace  reigned,  and  abundance  of  the  comforts 
of  life  could  not  fail ;  they  had  strong  faith  in  the  fruit- 
fulness  and  natural  advantages  of  their  choice  of  lands. 
They  knew  these  would  prove  to  them  and  their  children, 
the  home  of  plenty — their  anticipations  have  never 
failed. 

A  council  of  the  whole  society  was  called ;  at  which 
their  venerable  minister  and  pastor,  Hans  Herr,  pre- 
sided, and  after  fraternal  and  free  interchange  of  senti- 
ment, much  consultation  and  serious  reflection,  lots,  in 
conformity  to  the  customs  of  the    Mennonites,  were  cast, 

abundance,  &c.     Of  fish,  sturgeon,   herring,  rock,  shad,  cats- 
head,  eel,  trout,  salmon,  &c. 

Thu  fruits  that  I  find  in  the  woods,  are  the  white  and  black 
mulberry,  chesnut,  walnut,  plums,  strawberries,  cranberrieSj 
hurtleberries,  and  grapes  efdiversesorts.  The  great  red  grape, 
called  by  ignorance,  the  fox-grape." — Penn's  lelier  to  the  Free 
Society  of  traders,  at  London,  dated  Philadelphia,  the  IGthAugvst^ 
1683. 

Well  might  the  poet  say, 

"Quaevis  sylva  feris,  et  piscibus  amnis  abundat; 
Fertque  suum  fructus  quaelibet  arbor  onus. 
With  beasts  the  wood.s,  with  fish  the  streams  abound  ; 
The  bending  trees  with  plenteous  fruits  are  crowned." 

Nakjn, 


LANCASTER   COUNTy.  81 

to  decide  who  should  return  to  Europe  for  the  families 
left  behind  and  others.  The  lot  fell  upon  Hans  Herr,  who 
had  left  five  sons,  Christian,  Emanuel,  John,  Abraham 
and  one,  whose  name  we  have  not  learned.*  This  deci- 
sion was  agreeable  to  his  own  mind  ;  but  to  his  friends 
and  charge,  it  was  unacceptable ;  to  be  separated  von 
ihrem  prediger,  from  their  preacher,  could  be  borne  with 
relu3tance  and  heaviness  of  heart  only.  They  were  all 
too  ardently  attached  to  him  to  cheerfully  acquiesce  in 
this  determination — reluctantly  they  consented  to  his 
departure — after  much  anxiety  manifested  on  account  of 
this  unexpected  call  of  their  pastor  from  them ;  their  sor- 
rows were  alleviated  by  a  proposal  made  on  the  part  of 
Martin  Kendig,  that,  if  approved,  he  would  take  Hans 
Hen's  place — this  was  cordially  assented  to  by  all. — 
Without  unnecessary  delay,  Martin,  the  devoted  friend  of 
the  colony,  made  ready — went  to  Philadelphia,  and  there 
embar  .ed  for  Europe;  after  a  prosperous  voyage  of  five 
or  six  weeks,  he  reached  the  home  of  his  friends,  where 
he  was  received  with  apostolic  greetings  and  salutations 
of  joy.  Having  spent  some  time  in  preliminary  arrange- 
ments, he  and  a  company  of  Swiss  and  some  Ger- 
mans, bade  a  lasting  aiieu  to  their  old  homes,  and  dis- 
lolveJ  the  ti>nder  ties  of  friendship  with  those  whom 
ihey  left.  With  his  company,  consisting  of  the  residue 
of  some  of  those  in  America,  and  of  Peter  Yordea,  Jacob 
M.ller,  Hans  Tschantz,  Henry  Funk,  John  Houser,  John 
Bachnian,  Jacob  Weber,  Schlegi-l,  Venerick.  Guldin,  and 
othe  s,  he  returned  to  the  jiew  hom.,  where  they  were  all 
cordially  embraced  by  their  fattiers  and  friends. 

♦Three  of  Hans  Herr's  sons  settled  in  what  is  now  called 
West  Larrpeter  township,  and  twi  in  Manor  townshp  ;  from 
th  ■  e  sprang  a  numerous  connexion  uf  Herrs;  rising  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  of  that  nann.e,  descendants  of  Hans  Herr,  are 
taxablt's,  re-'iding  within  the  present  limits  of  the  county. 


82  HISTORY    OF 

With  all  this  accession,  the  settlement  was  considerablf 
augmented  and  now  numbered  about  thirty  families ; 
though  they  hved  in  the  midst  of  the  Mingoe  or  Cones- 
togo,  Pequae  and  Shawanese  Indians,  ihey  were  never- 
theless safely  seated  ;  they  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the 
Indians.*  They  mingled  with  them  in  fishing  and  hunt- 
ing. "  The  Indians  were  hospitable  and  respectful  to  the 
whites,  and  exceedingly  Civil." 

This  little  colony  improved  their  lands,  planted 
orcliard?,t  erected  dwellings,  and  a  meeting  and  school- 
house  for  the  settlement,  in  which  religious  instructidi, 
on  the  Sabbath,  and  during  the  week,  a  knowledge  of 
letters,  reading  and  writing,  were  given  to   those   who. 

*The  Honorable  Chas.  Gookin,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Gov.  Pa. 
made  a  journey  to  Conestogo,  and  in  a  speech  to  the  Indians^ 
June,  18lb,  1711,  he  says,  "He  intends  to  present  five  belts  of 
wampum  to  the  Five  Nations,  and  one  to  yoa,  of  Conestogo, 
and  requires  your  friendship  to  the  Palatines,  settled  near 
Pequea." 

To  which  they  answer,  "That  they  are  well  pleased  with  this 
Governor's  speech  *  *  •  ''As  to  the  Palatines,  ihey  are  J» 
their  opinion  safely  seated." — Col.  Rec.  11.  p.  556-7         0M^m^ 

The  several  nations  of  Indians,  living  on  the  Susquehanna 
at  this  lime,  were  Mingoes,  or  those  of  the  Conestoga,  Dela- 
ware Indians  settled  at  Peshtang,  above  Conestoga,  and  other 
adjacent  places,  and  Ganavvese.  "The  Piquaws  had  theic 
wigwams  scattered  along  the  banks  of  the  Pequea." — CoJ. 
Rec.  II.  489. 

fSome  of  the  first  planted  fruit  frees  may  yet  be  seen  on  t'h» 
farm  of  Christian  Herr,  great  grandson  of  Hans  Herr.  Thers 
we  saw  a  cherry  tree  in  full  vigor,  which,  it  is  said,  is  ri-^ing  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty  years  old.  We  measured  it,  and 
found  it  15  feet  and  4  inches  in  circumference.  Also  a 
a  Catalpa,  Bignonia  calalpa,  which  was  transplanted  by 
Christian  Herv's  moiher;  it  measures  fifteen  feet  in  circum- 
ference. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  S3 

j 

assembled  to  receive  information.  The  Mennomtes 
never  wasted  money,  in  rearing  stately  temples,  or  in 
building  massive  colleges,  in  which  to  impart  usefal 
knowledge.  They  ever  observed  it  religiously,  to  have 
their  children  instructed  in  reading  and  writing,  at  least, 
since  the  days  of  Menno  Simon,  the  great  reformer,  and 
to  bring  them  up  in  habits  of  industry,  and  teaching 
them  such  trades  as  were  suitable  to  their  wants,  expe- 
dient and  adapted  to  their  age  and  constitution."*  Their 
sons  and  daughters  were  kept  under  strict  parental  au- 
thority, and  as  a  consequence,  were  not  led  into  tempta- 
tions by  which  so  many  youths,  of  both  sexes,  at  the 
present  day,  are  ruined. 

Their  rehgious  meetings  and  schools  were  for  a  long 
time  held  in  the  same  rude  buildings.  Among  their  first 
preachers  were  Hans  Herr,  Hans  Tschantz,  Ulricli  Brech- 
billjt  who  was  accidentally  killed,  while  driving  his 
team  on  the  road  to  Philadelphia.  Their  ministers  were 
men  of  sound  minds,  of  irreproachable  conversation. — 
la  this  country  the  Mennonite  ministers,  especially  in 
this  county,  are  not,  in  the  parlance  oi  the  age,  classi- 
cally educated.  "  In  Europe,  at  Amsterdam,  the  Menno- 
nites  have  a  college,  in  which  all  the  useful  branches  are 
taught.     Students  of  Theology  receive  instruction  in  a 

*"  Haltet  und  foerdert  die  kindern  zu  lesen  und  schreiben  ; 
lahret  sie  spinnen  and  andere  Haende  werkthun,  was  ihren 
Jahren  und  personen  nach  fueglich,  nuetzlich,  eitraeglich  und 
Jbequem  ist," — Menno  Simon. 

fl739,  October  den  ]9ten,  Ulrich  Breckbiil,  eindienerder 
genieinde  ist  aufder  Philadelphia  Strasse,  mit  seinem  wagen 
ploetzlich  ungekommen, — Meylin's  Family  Bible. 

Q:^  Samuel  Miller,  son  of  Jacob  Miller,  was  the  first  child 
born  in  the  Swiss  Colony  ;  he  was  born  January  22,  1711. 

Jacob  Miller,  Samuel's  father,  was  born  in  Europe,  1663, 
came  to  America,  in  1710,  died  the  20th  April,  1739— interred 


84  HISTORY    OP 

room,  containing  the  library,  over  the  Mennonite  ChapeL 
The  lectures  are  delivered  in  Latin ;  and  each  student, 
before  his  entrance,  must  be  acquainted  with  Latin  and 
Greek.  They  attend  at  a  literary  institution  for  instruc- 
tion in  Hebrew,  Ecclesiastical  History,  Physics,  Natural 
and  Moral  Philosophy,  &c.  The  college  was  established 
nearly  a  century  ago,  and  was  at  first  supported  by  the 
Amsterdam  Mennonites,  alone;  but  lately,  other  Men- 
nonite churches  sent  in  their  contributions.  Some  of  the 
students  receive  support  from  a  public  fund ;  they  are  all 
intended  for  the  christian  ministry." — Dr,  Ypeij. 

in  Tschantz's  burying  ground,  now  on  the  farm  owned  by 
Doctor  Martin  Musser. 

Barbara  Meylin,  consort  of  Martin  Meylin,  was  born  in  the 
year  1672;  after  living  twenty-four  years  in  matrimony,  she 
died  April  2d  1742,  aged  70  years. 

Hans  Meylin,  born  in  1714.  died  at  the  age  of  19  years,  the 
26th  of  December,  1733 — all  interred  in  Ti-chantz's  grave  yard. 
Preacher  Tschantz  set  apart  from  his  farm  two  hundred  and 
fifty-six  perches  for  the  purposes  of  a  grave-yard.  Releised 
all  personal  claim  thereto  in  1740,  for  the  use  of  the  neighbor- 
hood. 

Note. — Menno  Simon,  one  of  the  distinguished  reformers  of 
the  sixteenth  century,  a  man  whose  apostolic  spirit  and  labors 
have  never  yet  been  fully  appreciated,  was  born  at  Witmar- 
sum,  in  Friesland,  1505.  In  1528  he  entered  into  orders  as  a 
Romish  Priest;  but  after  examining  the  New  Testament  for 
himself,  he  seceded  from  that  sect. 

About  the  year  1537,  he  was  earnestly  solicited  by  many  of 
the  christians  with  whom  he  connected  himself,  to  assume 
among  them  the  rank  and  functions  of  a  public  teacher;  and 
as  he  looked  upon  tliese  brethren  as  being  exempt  from  the 
fanatical  phrensy  of  the  Munsterites,  he  yielded  to  their  en- 
treaties. Their  community  was  greatly  scattered  till  1533. 
about  that  time  they  obtained  a  regular  state  of  church  order, 
separate  from  all  Dutch  and  German  Protestants,  who,  at  that 
time,  had  not  been  formed  into  one  body  by  any  bonds  of 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  85 

A  settlement  having  begun,  forming  the  nucleus  of  a 
neighborhood  or  community  of  neighbors,  German  and 
French  settled  around  them;  among  these  were  the 
Ferree  family,  t)aniel  Ferree  and  his  sons;  Isaac  Le- 
fevre,*  Slaymaker  and  others,  of  whom  a  particular  ac- 
count will  be  given  in  the  sequel.     Ever}'-  new  country, 

unity.  This  advantage  was  procured  them  by  the  sensible  and 
prudent  management  of  that  champion  in  Protestanism,  Menno 
Simon.  This  wise,  learned  and  prudent  man,  as  said  before, 
was  chosen  by  them  as  their  leader,  that  they  might  by  his 
paternal  efforts,  in  the  eyes  of  all  Christendom,  be  cleared 
from  the  blame  which  some  of  the  Munsterites  had  incurred, 
and  which  the  enemies  of  the  friends  of  Menno  laid  to  their 
charge.  Menno  accomplished  this  object-^some  of  the  per- 
fectionists he  reclaimed  to  order,  and  others  he  excluded.  He 
purified  also  the  religious  doctrines  of  the  Baptists.  He  was 
indefatigable  in  labors — he  founded  many  communities,  viz: — ' 
in  Friesland,  Holland,  Groningen,  East  Friesland,  Brabant — 
on  the  borders  of  the  Baltic  Sea — in  Germany,  in  the  Palati- 
nate, in  Alsace,  Bavaria,  Suabia,  Switzerland,  Austria,  Mora- 
via, &c.  He  suffered  more  persecution,  and.  endured  more 
fatigue,  than  all  the  rest  of  the  reformers  of  his  day — ^he  died 
the  death  of  the  righteous,  at  Fresenburg,  January  31st,  1531. 

*"  William  Penn,  Proprietor,  &c. — Whereas  my  late  com- 
missioners of  property,  by  a  warrant  bearing  date  the  lOth 
October,  1710,  granted  unto  John  Rudolph  Bundely,  Hans 
Herr,  and  divers  other  Germans,  late  inhabitants  in  or 
near  the  Palatinate  of  the  Rhine,  10,000  acres  of  land,  to  be 
laid  out  by  them  on  the  north  side  of  a  hill  about  twenty  miles 
easterly  of  Conestogo,  and  near  the  head  of  Peqiiea  creek,  in 
this  province,  by  virtue  of  which  warrant  there  was  surveyed 
and  subdivided,  at  the  instance  of  the  said  Martin  Kendig,  for 
the  use  of  Daniel  Ferree  and  Isaac  Lefevre,  late  of  Steinmeis- 
ter,  in  the  I'alatinate  of  the  llhine,  a  certain  tract  of  land,  situ- 
ated and  bounded  by  lands  of  Thomas  Story,  &c.,  two  thousand 
^  acres." — Recorded  Julyl^th,  1712. 


86  HISTORY    OF 

it  is  believed,  has  had  its  man  of  ^'notoriety" — Ken- 
tucky had  a  Boone — Pequae,  a  Franc  iscus.* 

Not  to  deviate  too  far  from  a  chronological  order,  we 
shall  now  present  Governor  Gookin's  minutes  of  a 
journey  in  1711,  to  the  Indians  in  the  vicinage  of  the 
Palatines;  such  the  Mennonite  settlement  was  called. 

On  information  received  from  Peter  Bezallion,  that  the 
Queen  and  some  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Conestogo  Indians, 
would  be  glad  to  see  the  Governor  and  some  of  the 
council,  touching  the  death  of  one  Le  Tore,  who  it  ap- 
pears, had  been  killed  before  Gookin's  arrival  in  America, 
and  to  have  a  talk  Avith  some  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Five 
Nations,  who  were  waiting ;  he  and  some  of  the  coim~ 
cil  proceeded  to  Conestogo.  The  following  is  a  copy  of 
the  journal,  which  was  laid  before  the  council  at  a  ses- 
sion, June  23,  1711. 

"^t  Conestogo,  June  18,  1711. 
Present: — The   Hon.    Charles   Gookin,   Esq.,  Lieut. 
Governor,  and  Joseph  Growdon,  Richard  Hill,  Griffith 
Owen,  Caleb  Pusey,  Esq.,  council. 

*Christopher  Franciscus  was  an  adventurous  Swiss,  and  one 
of  the  first  settlers  in  the  county.  It  is  said  the  current  of  dar- 
ing runs  in  the  blood  of  the  Franciscuses.  His  sons,  after  him, 
and  his  son's  sons,  and  grandson's  sons  have,  since  the  old 
man's  day,  been  known  as  stout  men.  They  made  many  "a 
fellow''''  cry  out,  in  the  language  of  Terence,  aurihus  teneo  lu- 
pum,  i.  e.  I  know  7iot  lohich  way  tg  turn,  as  said  the  wolf  when 
Franciscus  hugged  him. 

Of  Daniel  Boone,  the  Kentucky  adventurer,  it  is  said,  he 
slew  a  bear;  of  Franciscus  and  his  daughter,  it  is  related,  they 
eviscerated  a  wolt,  with  a  similar  weapon,  a  butcher-knife. — 
We  give  the  traditional  story  as  we  have  it  from  one  who  as- 
sures us,  it  is  true.  While  Francis,  one  evening  in  the  fall  of 
the  year,  was  reclining  on  his  bed,  and  the  rest  of  the  family 
having  all  retired,  except  a  daughter,  who  was  about  "laying 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  87 

A  present  of  50  pounds  of  powder,  1  piece  of  Stroud- 
water,  1  piece  of  Duffils,  100  pounds  of  shot — being 
laid  upon  the  floor,  the  Governor,  by  Indian  Harry,  the 
Interpreter  thus  spoke : 

Governor  Penn,  upon  all  occasions,  is  willmg  to  show 
how  great  a  regard  he  bears  to  you,  therefore  has  sent 
this  small  present,  a  forerunner  of  a  greater  one  to 
come  next  spring,  to  you,  and  hath  required  me  to  ac- 
quaint you  that  he  is  about  to  settle  some  people  upon 
the  branches  of  the  Potomack,  and  doubts  not  but  the 
same  mutual  friendship  which  has  all  along  as  brothers 
passt  betwixt  the  inhabitants  of  this  Government  and 
you,  will  also  continue  betwixt  you  and  those  he  is  about 
to  settle;  he  intends  to  present  five  belts  of  wampum  to 
the  Five  Nations,  and  one  to  you  of  Conestogo,  and 
requires  your  friendship  to  the  Palatines,  settled  near 
Pequae. 

To  which  they  answer  : 

That  they  are  extremely  well  pleased  with  the  Go- 

her  head  on  the  ear,"  the  father  heard  a  noise  at  the  cabin's 
door,  he  went  and  opened  it,  at  that  instant  a  wolf  seized  him 
by  the  breast  of  his  jacket — Franciscus  hugged  him  tightly — 
called  to  his  daughter  to  bring  the  butcher-knife  and  rip  open 
the  beast — she  did — and  the  wolf  was  butchered. 

The  place  where  the  wolf  was  slain,  is  marked  by  the  head  of 
a  fine  spring,  near  Lampeter  Square,  where  Daniel  Zimmerman, 
who  bought  of  Franciscus,  erected  a  substantial  sandstone 
house  in  1750.  Daniel  was  the  son  of  Henry  Zimmerman,  or 
Carpenter,  a  Swiss  patriot,  of  whom  we  shall  have  occasion  to 
speak  hereafter. 

Col.  Bouquet,  a  Swiss,  in  the  English  service  during  the 
French  and  Indian  War,  visited  Daniel  Zimmerman,  in  1758, 
while  his  detachment  of  men  was  quartered  at  Lancaster. 

John  Miller,  grandfather  of  Jacob  Miller,  who  communi- 
cated these  facts,  raised  one  Paulus,  who  was  Bouquet's  driver 
— he  drove  what  B.  called  miin  roth  wagelii. 


8S  HISTORY    OP 

vernor's  speech ;  but  as  they  are  at  present  m  war  with 
the  Toscororoes  and  other  Indians,  they  think  that  place 
not  safe  for  any  christians,  and  are  afraid  if  any  damage 
should  happen  to  these  the  blame  may  be  laid  upon 
them,  that  settlement  being  situated  betwixt  them  and 
those  at  war  with  them.  As  to  the  Palatines,  they  are^ 
hi  their  opinian,  safely  seated,  but  earnestly  desire  that 
the  death  of  Le  Tore  may  be  now  adjusted,  for  that 
they  shall  not  think  themselves  safe  till  it  is." 

July  ISth,  Tuesday  about  twelve. 
The  Senoquois  and  Shawnois  met  the  Governor  and 
Council,   Opessah,  chief   of  the  Shawnois,  by   Martin 
Chartier,  interpreter,  thus  spoke : 

Were  it  posssible  for  us  by  presents,  or  any  other  way, 
to  atone  for  the  lives  of  these  yoimg  men,  our  young 
people  unadvisedly  slew,  we  would  be  partly  willing  to 
make  satisfaction,  and  such  a  condescention  would  for- 
ever be  gratefully  remembered  and  more  eagerly  engage 
us,  and  for  the  futm'e  render  us  more  careful.  The 
uneasiness  we  had  on  that  account  was  such  that  we 
could  not  sleep  until  the  last  tinle  the  Governor  and 
his  people  were  up  here,  and  which  time  we  had  some 
hopes  given  us  of  adjusting  the  matter,  since  the 
murderers  are  all  dead,  save  one,  who  is  gone  to 
Mesassippi. 

To  which  the  Governor  answered : 
That  the  laws  of  England  were  such  that  whosoever 
killed  a  man  must  run  the  same  fate ;  yet  considering  the 
previous  cicrumstances  to  that  murder,  the  length  of 
the  time  since  the  account,  the  distance  of  place  where 
acted  from  this  Government,  and  before  my  coming  here, 
and  the  persons  all,  save  one,  who  is  absconded  since, 
?ire  dead,  I  am  willing  to  forbear  further  prosecution  on 
enquiring  into  it,  but  withal  caution  you  if  any  such 


/  LANCASTER    COUNTY.  89 

thijig  hereafter  falls  out,  you  may  be  assured  I  shall  as 
well  know  how  to  do  justice,  as  I  have  now  showed  you 
mei-cy,  for  which  they  return  the  Governor  their  hearty 
thanks,  and  Opessah  assures  that  if  hereafter  any  such 
thing  should  happen,  he  himself  would  be  executioner, 
and  burn  them  that  should  dare  do  it. 

The  Senequois  acquaint : 

That  Opessah  being  thereto  solicited  by  John  Hans 
Steelman,  had  sent  out  some  of  his  people,  either  to 
brmg  back  or  kill  Francis  De  Le  Tore  and  his  company. 
Opessah,  he  affirms  he  was  entirely  innocent,  for  that 
John  Hans  came  to  his  cabin,  where  he  and  his  young 
people,  who  were  there  going  a  hunting,  were  in  coun- 
cil, told  him  that  some  o£  his  slaves  and  dogs  (meaning 
Le  Tore  and  company)  were  fled,  therefore  desired  him 
forthwith  to  send  some  of  his  people  to  bring  them  back 
or  kill  them,  and  take  goods  for  their  trouble,  at  which 
motive  Opessah  being  surprised,  told  him  that  he  ought, 
by  no  means,  to  disco m'se  after  that  manner  before  young 
people  who  were  going  to  the  woods,  and  might, 
by  accident,  meet  those  people,  and  therefore  ordered 
him  to  desist, utterly  denying  his  request. 

The  Senoquois  also  acquainted  the  Governor  that  Le 
Tore  had  taken  a  boy  from  them  and  had  sold 
him  at  New  York,  and  requested  the  Governor 
would  enquire  after  him,  that  he  might  hear  from  him 
again." 

8* 


90  HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER   II. 


Ferree  family  make  preparations  to  emigrate  to  America — Procure  certifi. 
cates  of  civil  and  religious  standing — By  way  of  Holland  and  England 
come  to  New  York — Acquire  the  rights  of  citizenship — Settle  in  Lan- 
caster county — Several  documents  of  interest — Tradition  of  the  ancestors 
of  the  Ferrees,  by  Joel  Lightner,  Esq. — Tuscorora  Indians  unite  with  the 
Five  Nations. 

About  the  year  1709,  as  stated  in  a  preceding  chapter^ 
a  large  emigration  from  the  Lower  Palatinate  to  the 
British  colonies,  took  place.  Among  these  were  the  well 
known  names,  besides  those  mentioned  in  the  last  chap- 
ter, of  Weigand,  Fisher,  Kennan,  Volck,  Plettel,  Gnlch, 
Hubertson,  Schaneman,  Lefever,  Ferree  and  others,  as 
they  are  at  present  spelled.  Some  of  them  located  them- 
selves and  became  permanent  inhabitants  of  what  is  now 
Lancaster  comity.  It  is  certain  that  the  Ferrees  and  Le- 
fevers,  who  were  what  was  called  Walloons,  did  settle 
and  improved  lands,  taken  up  by  Martin  Kendig,* 
which  was  part  of  ten  thousand  acres  previously  pur- 
chased from  the  proprietary's  commissioners,  by  him,  a 
member  of  a  Swiss  company;  and  it  is  both  interesting 
and  instructive  to  see  with  what  carefulness  and  regard 
for  their  own  characters,  both  as  citizens  and  christians 
for  the  good  opinion  of  the  world,  these  sterling  people 

*"At  a  meeting  of  the  commissioners  Sept.  10,  1712 
■ — the  late  commissioners  having  granted  10,000  acres  of 
land  to  the  Palatines,  by  their  warrant  dated  6th,  8th, 
1710,  in  pursuance  thereof  there  was  laid  out  to  Martin  Kendig, 
besides  the  2,000  acres  already  confirmed  and  paid  for,  the  like 
quantity  of  2,000  acres,  towards  Susquehanna,  of  which  the 
General  Surveyor  has  made  a  return.  The  said  Martin  Ken- 
dig  now  appearing  desirous  that  the  said  land  may  be  granted 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  91 

condncted  their  removal  from  their  former,  and  the  set- 
tlement in  their  new  homes. 

There  is  little  similarity  between  the  proceedings  of 
these  progenitors  of  some  of  our  good  old  fashioned 
Lancaster  county  farmers,  and  those  of  the  flitting  popu- 
lation of  the  present  day.  The  latter  in  their  inconsid- 
ered  removals  only  seem  desirous  of  carrying  with  them 
as  large  an  amomit  as  possible  of  this  world's  wealth, 
regardless  of  any  other  proof  of  respectability,  and 
trusting  to  it  to  make  way  for  them  in  all  the  pursuits 
and  relations  of  life.  By  way  of  contrast,  and  of  gain- 
ing instruction  from  the  actions  of  our  ancestors,  we 
shall  present  a  somewhat  detailed  account  of  the  re- 
moval and  settlement  of  a  particular  family. 

Owmg  to  French  incursions  into  the  Palatinate  and 
other  oppressions  of  a  religious  nature,  the  family  of  the 
Ferrees  turned  to  seek  a  home  in  the  new  world,  about 
the  begimiing  of  the  last  century,  when  thousands  came 
to  America.  Its  members  Avere  Daniel  Ferree,  his 
widowed  mother,  (the  wife  of  Daniel  Ferree  deceased) 
his  wife  and  their  two  sons,  Andrew  and  John.  The 
first  step  as  good  citizens  was  to  obtain  the  consent 
of  their  country  to  their  departure,  as  appears  by  the 
following  oinginal  document. 

and  confirmed  to  Maria  Warenbuer,  for  whom  the  same  was 
taken  up,  or  intended,  and  who  is  to  pay  the  consideration  of 
it.  But  upon  further  consideration  of  the  matter,  it  is  agreed 
among  themselves  that  the  said  land  shall  be  confirmed  to 
Daniel  Fierre  and  Isaac  Lefevre^-f  two  of  the  said  widow's  sons, 
and  the  consideration  money,  viz :  £140  at  £7  per  100  acres, 
by  agreement  having  been  for  some  time  due,  but  is  now  to  be 
paid  down  in  one  sum.  'Tis  agreed  they  shall  only  pay  £10 
for  interest,  that  is  £150  for  the  whole." 

(flsaac  Lefevre  was  her  son-in  law.) 


92  HISTORY    01' 

Demnach  Maria,  Daniel  Fuehre's  Wittib,  mit  ihrem 
sohn  Daniel  Fuehre,  dessen  Eheweib  imd  noch  andem 
sechs  ledigen  Kindern,  ihrer  hoffenden  Besserung,  Gele- 
genheit  und  Wohlfahrts  willen,  von  Steinweiler  aiis  der 
ober  Schultheiserey  Bittigheim,  des  Churpfaeltzischen 
oberamts  Germersheim,  aiif  die  insul  Pennsylvanien  per 
Holland  und  Engelland  sich  zubegeben  und  allda  zu 
wohnen  vorhaben,  und  dahero  um  ein  beglaubtiges 
Certifikat,  dasz  sie  mit  vorwissen  Ton  dem  ort  Stein- 
weiler geschieden  und  sich  gewaehrter  ihrer  wohnungs- 
zeit  vertraeglieh  und  ohne  klag  verhalten,  auch  niemand 
mit  schulden  verwandt,  desgleichen  keiner  leibeigen- 
schaft  zugethan,  gebuehrend  angesucht :  als  hat  man 
denselben  ihr  suchen  and  bitten  willfahren,  anbey  tmyer- 
halten  wollen,  dasz  obgedachte  leute  ganz  offenbar  von 
hier  wegziehen,  waehrender  zeit  als  ihr  vater,  die  wittib 
und  kinder  in  mehrgedaehten  Steinweiler  gewohnt,  sich 
fromm  und  ehrbarlich  verhalten,  dasz  man  sie  gern  laen- 
ger  all  hier  und  der  orten  gesehen  haette.  So-  sind  sie 
auch  der  leibeigenschaft  nicht  unterworfen,  massen  die 
ober  schultheiserey  Bittigheim,Avorin  Steinweiler  gelegen 
freyzuegig;.  auch  haben  sie  ihrem  gebuehrenden  abzug 
oder  nachsteur  fuer  gnaedigste  herrschaft  hinterlassen : 
von  schulden,  damit  sie  andern  verwandt  seyn  sollen,  hat 
man  nichts  vernommen,  als  schultheis  Hr.  Fischer  in 
Steinweiler,  welcher  express©  deswegen  gehoert  worden, 
zeugniss  alles  dessen  giebt.  Dessen  in  urkund  habe  ich 
dieses  in  abwesenheit  Churpfaelzischen  regierungs  rath, 
oberamtmann  und  gemeinschaeft  Gudenberg,  Fauthe  zu 
Altenstatt  und  ober  schultheis  allhier  Herr  von  Gun  aus- 
gefertiget  und  den  aus  dieser  nothdurft  behaendiget. — 
Siegel  Bittigheim  den  lOten  Martii,  170S. 

[Siegel.]  J.  P.  DIETRICH,.  Greffier. 


LANCASTER   OOXyiCTT.  93, 

Translation. — ^Whereas  Maria,  Daniel  Fuehre's  (Fe- 
lies')  widow,  and  her  son  Daniel  Ferie  with  his  wife  and 
other  six  single  children,  in  view  of  improving  their 
condition  and  in  furtherance  of  their  prosperity,  purpose 
to  emigrate  from  Steinweiler  in  the  mayoralty  of  Bittig- 
lieim^  High  Bailiwick  Germersheim,  via  Holland  and 
England,  to  the  island  of  Pennsylvania,  to  reside  there, 
tliey  have  requested  an  accredited  certificate  that  they 
left  the  town  of  Steinweiler  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
proper  authorities,  and  have  deported  themselves  peacea- 
bly and  witliDut  cause  for  censure,  and  are  indebted  to  no 
one,  and  not  subject  to ,  vassalage,  being  duly  solicited,  it 
has  been  thought  proper  to  grant  their  petition,  declaring 
tliat  the  above  named  persons  are  not  moving^  away 
clandestinely — that,  during  the  time  their  father,  the 
widow  and  children  resided  in  this  place  they  behaved 
themselves  piously  and  honestly — that  it  would  have 
been  highly  gratifying  to  us  to  see  them  remain  among 
us — that  they  are  not  subject  to  bodily  bondage,  the 
mayoralty  not  being  subject  to  vassalage — they  have 
also  paid  for  their  permission  to  emigrate ;  Mr.  Fischer, 
the  mayor  of  Steinweiler,  being  expressly  interrogated, 
it  has  been  ascertained  that  they  are  not  liable  for  any 
debts.  In  witness  whereof,  I  have,  in  the  absence  of 
the  counsellor  of  the  Palatinate,  &c.,  signed  these 
presents,  gave  the  same  to  the  persons  who  intended  to 
emigrate.     Dated  Bittigheim,  March  10th,  170S., 

[L.  S.]  J.  P.  DIETRICH,  Coic7^i  Clerks 

Next,  as  christians,  they  obtained  a  certificate  of  their 
religious  standing  from  the  proper  church  officers,  even 
to  a  statement  of  the  time  and  place  of  the  christian 
baptism  of  their  young  children.  No  doubt  they  es- 
teemed the  following,  which  viras  thus  obtained,  as  the 


•t 


94  HISTORY    OP 

most   valuable    article    among    their  possession.      We 
present  the  original  and  a  translation. 

Temoignage  pour  Daniel  Fim^e  et  sa  famille. 

Nous  Pasteur,  Anciens  et  Diacres  de  I'Eglise  Re- 
formee,  Vallonne  de  Pelican  au  has  Palatinat  ayants  este 
prie  par  I'honorable  Daniel  Firre,  sa  femme  Anne  Marie 
Leininger,  et  leurs  enfants,  Andrie  et  Jean  Firre,  de  leur 
accordir  un  temoignage  de  leur  vie  et  religion,  certiiions 
et  attestons  quils  out  toutjours  fait  profession  de  la  pure 
Religion;  Reformee,  frequente  nos  saintes  assembleesy 
et  participe  a  la  cene  du  Seigneur  avec  les  autres  fideles : 
Au  reste  ils  se  sont  toutjours  comporte  honnestement 
sans  avoir  donne  aucun  scandale  qui  soit  venu  en  notre 
connoissance :  Estants  maintenant  sur  leur  depart,  po  ox; 
ses  establir  ailleurs,  nous  les  recommendons  a  laguarde 
de  Dieu  et  a  la  bienveillance  de  tons  nos  freres  en 
Seign :  Xt :  En  foy-  de  quoy  nous  avons  signe  ce  present 
temoignage  de  nos  signes  et  marquess  accustumees :  fait  a 
Pelican  en  nostre  consistoire  le  10  de  Mais,  1708. 
[L.  S.         MICHAEL  MEESSAKOP,' 

J.  ROMAN,  Pasteur  et  Inspecteur, 
PIERRE  SSCHARLET, 
JAQUE  BAILLEAUX,  Diacre, 
JEAN  BAPTISTS  LA  PLACE,  i)/a em. 

Les  enfans  sus  nome  a  scav.oir,  Andrie  et  Jean  Firre 
out  esti  Baptistes,  le  premier  dans  I'Eglise  de  Steinviler 
Pan.  1701,  le  28  me  de  Septembre:  son  parain  estoit 
Andrie  Leininger  et  sa  Mariee  Margarithe  Leininger, 
L'autre  ce  scavoir  Jean  a  este  Baptize  dans  I'Eglise  de 
Rhorbac,  I'an.  1703,  le  8  me  de  fevrier:  le  parain 
estoit  Abraham  Ptillion  et  Judith  Mille  tons  deux  de 
Steinviler. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  95 

Certificate  for  Daniel  Firre  and  his  family. 
Translation. — We,  the  Pastor,  Elders  and  Deacons 
of  the  Reformed  Walloon  Church  of  Pelican,  in  the 
Lower  Palatinate,  having  been  requested  by  the  Hon- 
orable Daniel  Firre,  his  wife  Anne  Maria  Leininger 
and  their  children  Andrew  and  John  Firre,  to  grant 
them  a  testimonial  of  their  life  and  religion,  do  certify 
and  atttest  that  they  have  always  made  profession  of  the 
pure  Reformed  religion,  frequented  our  sacred  assemblies, 
and  have  partaken  of  the  supper  of  the  Lord  with  the 
other  members  of  the  faith:  in  addition  to  which  they 
have  always  conducted  themselves  uprightly  without 
having  given  any  cause  for  scandal,  that  has  come  to 
our  knowledge :  being  now  on  their  departure  to  settle 
elsewhere,  we  commend  them  to  the  protection  of  God, 
and  to  the  kindness  of  all  our  brethren  in  the  Lord 
Christ.  In  witness  of  which  we  have  signed  this 
present  testimonial,  with  our  signatures  and  usual 
marks.  Done  at  Pelican  in  our  consistory,  the  10th  of 
May,  1708. 

MICHAEL  MEESSAKOP, 
J.  ROMAN,  Pastor  and  Inspector^ 
PETER  SSCHARLET, 
JAINIES  BAILLEAUX,  Deacon, 
JOHN  BAPTIST  LAPLACE,  Deacon. 
The  undernamed  children,  to  wit:  Andrew  and  John 
Firre  were  baptized,  the  first  in  the  church  of  Stein- 
weiler  in  the  year  1701,  on  the   2Sth  of  September:  his 
sponsors  were  Andrew  Leminger  and  his  wife  INIargaret 
Leininger :  the  other,  to  wit :  John  was  baptized  in  the 
church  of  Rhorbac,  in  the  year   1703,  on  the   Sth  of 
February:   the   sponsors    Were  Abraham  Ptillion  and 
Judith  Miller,  both  of  Steinweiler. 

Note.— It  was  customary  among  the  Reformed  to  procure  a 
church  certificate  before  leaving  their  Vaterlayid. 


96  HISTORY    OP 

Having  openly  and  honestly  adjusted  their  affairs 
previous  to  their  departure,  they  bade  adieu  to  their  old 
and  endeared  home,  this  family,  via  Holland  and 
England*  rtiade  their  way  to  the  'neiv  world,  where  they 
arrived,  sometime  in  1709,  in  the  city  of  New  York. — 
Having  arrived,  and  being  pleased  with  the  comitr3r, 
their  next  step  was  to  acquire  the  rights  of  'citizenship 
from  the  proper  authority.  The  following  letters  'patent, 
under  the  P?rvy  seal  of  Queen  Anne  will  show  they 
were  successful  in  their  application,  and  will  be  read 
with  interest  by  the  descendants  of  all  named  in  it. 

Anne,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land, Queen,  defender  of  faith,  &c.  To  Avhom  all  these 
presents  may  come,  know  ye  that  we  for  good  causes 
and  considerations  especially  moving  us  hereunto  by 
our  special  grace,  moving  us  thereunto,  do  grant  for  om- 
selves,  our  heirs  and  successors  to  our  beloved  Joshua 
Rocherthal,  Sybella  Charlotte,  his  wife,  Christian  Joshua 
his  son,  and  Sybella  and  Susanna  his  daughters,  Law- 
rence Schwisser,  and  Ami  Catharine  his  wife,  and  John 

*According  to  the  statements  of  R.  Conyngham,  Esq.,  a  man 
of  erudition  and  well  known  as  one  *f  more  than  ordinary  re- 
search into  Historical  facts,  Mary,  the  mother  of  Daniel  Ferree, 
accompS.nied  by  her  children,  and  armed  with  a  spirit  of  reso- 
lution superior  to  her  sex,  went  to  London,  from  thence  to 
Kensington,  where  "William  Penn  resided,  to  be  near  Queen 
Anne-,  of  whom  he  was  deservedly  a  favorite.  Madame 
Ferree  made  her  wishes  known  to  him:  William  Penn  sympa- 
thized with  her  in  her  misfortunes  and  became  interested  for 
her  and  her  children,  and  next  day  introduced  her  to  Queen 
Anne. 

The  Queen  was  delighted  in  thtis  *being  afforded  an  opportu- 
nity to  display  the  natural  feelings  of  her  heart.  Lodgings 
were  obtained  for  Madame  Ferree  in  the  vicinity  until  a  vessel 
was  ready  to  sail  for  New  York. — Redmond  Conyngham's 
Address  of  July  4f/»,  1842. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  97 

his  son,  Henry  Rennau,  and  Johanna  his  wife,  and  Law- 
rence and  Hemy  his  sons,  Susanna  Lisboscliain,  and 
Mary.  Johanna  Lisboschain;  Andrew  Volk,  and  Ann 
Catharine  his  wife,  and  George  Heeronimus  his  son,  and 
Mary  Barbara,  and  Ann  Gertrtraude  his  daughters,  Mi- 
chael Weigand,  Ann  Catharine  his  wife,  Tobias  and 
George  his  sons,  Ann  Mary  his  daughter,  Jacob  Weber, 
and  Ann  Elisabeth  his  wife,  and  Eve  Elisabeth,  and 
Eve  Mary  his  daughters,  John  Jacob  Plettel,  Ann  Elisa- 
beth his  wife,  and  Margaret,  Ann,  Sarah  and  Catharine 
his  daughters,  John  Fisher-,  and  Mary  Barbara  his  wife, 
Melchior  Gulch,  Ann  Catharine  his  wife,  Henry  his  son, 
and  Magdalen  his  daughter,  Isaac  Twek,  Peter  Rose  and 
Joannah  his  wife,  Mary  Wemarin,  and  Catharine  We- 
marin  his  daughters,  Isaac  Feher,^  Catharine  his  ivife, 
and  Mraham  his  so7i,  Daniel  Firre,  Ann  Mary  his 
wife  and  Andrew  and  John  his  sons,  Hubert  Hubert- 
son,  and  Jacob  his  son,  and  Harman  Schuneman ; 
v/hich  persons  are  truly  German  Lutherans;  and  who 

♦Undoubtedly  Isaac  Le  Fevr6  who  had  married  Gatharine, 
the  daughter  of  Mary  Ferree,  and  who  settled  within  the  limits 
of  this  county  at  the  time  Daniel  Ferree  did.  According  to  Mr. 
Convngham's  statement,  "Isaac  Le  Fevre  was  born  in  1669, 
and  in  1686,  came  to  Philadelphia  from  Esopus.  He  married 
Catharine  soon  after  her  arrival."  He  was  but  a  youth  when 
he  left  his  ^ays  naifflZ,  Fatherland.  Mr.  C.  in  an  eloquent  ad' 
dress  on  the  Early  Settlement  of  the  Valley  of  Pequea,  delivered 
July  4,  1842,  speaking  of  the  Ferree  family,  says  :  "  And  noio 
let  me  turn  your  attention  to  a  youth  of  fourteen  :  his  parents 
had  perished  in  the  religious  wars  which  had  desolated  France 
— an  orphan — friendless — he  travelled  through  Holland— ^went 
to  London — came  to  Kensington  where  he  made  known  his  in- 
tentions to  William  Penn.  Alone?  oh  no!  he  had  one  com- 
panion— it  was  his  consolator  in  Europe — it  was  his  comforter 
in  Pennsylvania — that  companion  wa5  his  Bible.  That  young 
lad  was  Isaac  Le  Fevre.    That  Bible  is  still  preserved  by  the 

tamily  of  L3  Fevres  as  a  most  precious  relic."' 

9 


9S  HISTORY    OP 

being  reduced  to  extreme  poverty  by  the  frequent 
French  incursions  into  the  Palatinate  in  Germany,  lately 
have  fled  for  refuge  to  this  our  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain,  and  further  have  gone  to  live  in  our  province  of 
New  York,  in  America,  and  therefore  they  shall  and 
will  be  esteemed  as  natural  born  subjects  and  reputed  as 
such  by  our  heirs  and  successors  of  this  our  Kingdom  of 
Great  Britain,  and  their  heirs  respectively  shall  and  will 
be  esteemed  as  such  by  our  heirs  and  successors,  and 
their  heirs  shall  and  will  be  dealt  with,  reputed  and 
governed  as  such,  as  the  rest  of  our  faithful  subjects  of 
this  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  and  they  shall  be  so 
esteemed  in  every  place  and  jurisdiction  under  this  our 
crown  of  Great  Britain,  and  shall  be  lawfull  for  them  or 
their  heirs  respectively  in  all  actions  of  what  kindsover 
they  may  be  to  pursue  for  and  enter  complaint  in  and 
about  the  same  in  whatsoever  place  or  jurisdiction  they 
may  be  in  or  under  in  this  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain, 
and  elsewhere,  under  our  Government  to  have,  exercise, 
use  and  enjoy  the  full  privilege  of  making  answer  and 

The  descendants  of  Isaac  Le  Fevre  are  numerous  and  res- 
pectable in  this  county;  and  many  of  them  are  settled  in  va- 
rious parts  of  Pennsylvania,  and  other  states.  Isaac  had  four 
sons  and  two  daughters — Abraham,  Philip,  Daniel,  Samuel, 
Mary  and  Esther.  Philip,  the  second  son,  was  a  gunsmith, 
settled  on  a  farm  now  owned  by  George  Meek,  and  by  Henry 
Le  Fever,  both  lineal  descendants.  Philip,  had  four  sons  and 
four  daughters;  Isaac,  George,  Adam,  Jacob,  Catharine^ 
Esther,  Eve  and  Elisabeth. 

Catharine  was  born  in  March,  1734,  and  was  married  to 
Nicholas  Meek;  both  resided  for  many  years  in  this  county. — 
They  spent  their  last  days  with  their  son  Jacob  Meek,  at  Har- 
risburg,  where  both  died  at  an  advanced  age.  Nicholas  Meek 
died  April  16, 1803,  aged  71  years,  4  months  and  4  days  ;  Cath- 
arine Meek  died  October  2nd,  1804,  aged  70  years  and  7 
months.    Philip,  their  eldest  son,  aged  87,  is  yet  living. 


LANCASTER  COUNXr.  99 

defence  in  all  matter  or  matters  whatsoever  as  any  others 
of  these  our  natural  born  subjects  of  Great  Britain,  and 
moreover  it  shall  be  lawfull  for  them  or  their  heirs  res- 
pectively to  hold  lands  and  the  same  to  convey ;  and  to 
hold  places  of  trust  anywhere  under  this  our  Crown  of 
Great  Britain,  and  the  land  purchased  the  same  to  enjoy 
and  hold  and  possess  to  themselves  and  their  heirs,  or  in 
any  other  manner  to  make  clear  titles  or  to  alienate  the 
same  to  any  person  or  persons  that  they,  at  their  own 
pleasure,  may  think  proper  and  the  same  to  be  peaceably 
and  honestly  enjoyed  as  well  as  by  any  others  of  our 
faitliful  subjects  of  this  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain, 
born  within  the  same,  and  it  be  lawfull  for  themselves  or 
their  heirs  respectively,  to  hold  and  enjoy  the  mannor  of 
lands  and  hereditaments  wiiereby  they  may  be  to  them- 
selves or  those  whom  they  muy  think  proper  to  convey 
them  respectively,  or  to  any  person  or  persons  whatso- 
ever, him  or  them,  the  same  to  enjoy  honestly  and 
peaceably,  as  well  as  if  they  were  originally  born  in  this 
our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  and  the  same  to  hold, 
enjoy  and  possess  from  any  grievance  whatever  from 
any  grievance  from  our  heirs  or  successors  or  ministry,  or 
any  other  whatsoever,  nevertheless,  it  is  our  will  that  the 
persons  and  those  to  whom  respectively,  in  the  first 
place,  and  to  whom  their  heirs  respectively,  relative  shall 
make  or  cause  to  be  made  obeisance  to  us  our  heirs  or 
successors  and  shall  contribute  and  pay  as  may  seem  just, 
them  and  their  heirs  respectively,  shall  pay  to  our  heirs 
and  successors,  our  custom  and  subsidy  on  their  mer- 
chandize as  well  as  merchant  strangers  ought  or  should 
pay,  and  they  or  their  heirs  respectively,  shall  pay  due 
regard  to  every  ordination  act,  statute  and  proclamation 
of  this  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  and  shall  be  obe- 
dient as  may  appear  just  and  formal,  and  shall  render  a 


100  HISTORY    OF 

due  regard  to  magistrates  and  to  our  ships  of  war  and 
shall  be  in  subordination  to  our  corporations  mercantile 
of  this  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  by  any  charters 
or  letters  patent  of  ours,  any  others  of  our  predecessors 
heretofore  granted,  and  at  any  time  hereafter,  or  any 
person  or  persons  that  are  or  will  be  master  of  ship  or 
matters  of  ships  or  may  follow  merchandize,  that  then 
this  shall  be  void  and  of  none  effect :  Promded,  never- 
theless, That  we  reserve  for  the  time  being  to  ourselves,, 
our  heirs  and  successors,  our  full  power  and  authority 
from  time  to  time  of  revoking  and  determining,  by  letters 
patent,  under  the  Great  Seal  of  Great  Britain,  these 
Letters  Dennizens  to  such  person  or  persons,  concerning 
whom  we,  our  heirs,  or  our  successors,  in  order,  in  pri- 
vate counsel  to  our  heirs  or  successors  will  declare  as. 
may  appear  right  to  us,  to  om*  heirs  or  successors,  in 
making  Demiizens  to 'those  person  or  persons  as  may 
appear  hurtfull  or  inconvenient  to  us  our  heirs  or  succes- 
sors, yet  giving  and  granting  to  persons,  and  any  others,, 
reasonable  ajid  sufficient  time  of  selhng,  alienating^  as- 
signing or  disposing  of  their  manors,  messuages,  lands, 
so  held  hereditaments,  and  their  merchandize,  respec- 
tively, and  likewise  of  removing  their  respective  goods 
and  effects  of  whatsoever  kind  or  qualifytheymay.be 
before  determination  of  these  letters  patent  as  appears.  In 
witness  whereof  we  caused  these  letters  patent  to  be 
made  and  done:  witness  myself  at  Westminster,  this 
21st  day  of  August,  1708  in  the  seventh  year  of  our 
reign.     Registered  under  our  Private  Seal.       COCKS. 

New  York,  Aug.  10th,  1709,  Recorded  in  the  Secre- 
tary's office  of  the  province  of  New  York,  in  the  Book 
of  General  Records,  Lib:  No.  L.  Foho  141  &  142. 

Copied  from  the  original,  word  for  word,  and  concord- 
iiig  thereto  as  a  sworn  evidence. 

JOHN  CONRAD  CODWEIS,  Interpreter, 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  101 

New  York,  27th  day  of  August,  in  the  year   1709, 
diligently  compared  and  examined  this  true  copy. 
JOHN  CONRAD  CODWEIS,  (Deponent,) 

San  me  tendering  the  oath. 

Before  me, 

D:  PROVOOK, 

Signed  with  the  Great  Seal  of  Great  Britain. 

After  spending  some  time  in  New  York,  they  went, 
according  to  tradition,  to  Esopus  Settlement,  in  Ulster 
County,*  about  seventy  miles  from  Albany.     Here  they 

*That  there  was  then  a  settlement  in  Ulster  county,  N.  Y. 
of  those  who  always  made  ^'■profession  de  la  pure  religion  re- 
formee"  is  a  matter  of  history.  The  following  extract  of  a 
letter,  from  our  friend,  Edmund  Eltinge,  to  us,  dated  New 
Paltz,  Feb.  25, 1843,  will  go  to  strengthen  the  tradition  m  the 
main  facts.  Speaking  of  the  Huguenots  when  leaving  France, 
says,  "The  greatest  proportion  went  to  Germany  and  a  party 
of  them  settled  at  a  place  called  Paltz  on  the  River  Rhine. — 
This  was  about  the  year  1650,  A.  D.  Here  they  remained  ten 
years,  and  in  1660  emigrated  to  New  York,  then  under  the 
Dutch  Dynasty.  What  number  came  at  this  time,  I  cannot  say 
— probably  hundreds.  The  most  opulent  settled  in  New  York 
city  and  on  Long  Island.  The  second  class  in  point  of  wealth 
at  New  Rochelle,  and  those  who  were  poor  came  to  Kingston, 
(formerly  Esopus  R.)  in  this  (Ulster)  county,  then  called 
WiJdwyke  (Wild-retreat)  and  inhabited  by  the  Dutch. 

The  names  of  Huguenots  who  came  to  Kingston,  twelve  in 
number,  were  Louis  Du  Bois  and  his  sons  Abraliam  and  Isaac, 
Christian,  Doaice  or  Deys,  AbraJiam  Hosbrouch,  Andries  Lefevre, 
Jean  Brook  or  John  Hosbrouch,  Lewis  Berier,  Antonie  Crispell, 
Hugo  Freer  and  Simon  Lefevre.  Eleven  of  these  came  in 
1660.  Abraham  Hasbrouch  accompanied  them  as  far  as  Eng- 
land, where  he  remained  for  a  year  or  two,  and  while  there 
joined  the  army,  and  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Edmund  An- 
dres,who  was  subsequently  the  Governor  of  this  colonj' — when 
became — he  and  those  who  accompanied  him,  went  into  Canada 
— where  they  located  I  cannot  say — Mr.  Hosbrouch  was  how- 

9* 


102  HISTORY    OP 

remained  about  two  years.  Whence  they  proceeded  to 
Pennsylvania,  where  (as  is  evident  from  documents) 
Martin  Kendig  had  taken  up  for  Maria  Warenbuer, 
widow  of  Daniel  Ferree,  two  thousand  acres  of  land,  as 
appears  from  the  minutes  of  the  commissioners,  Sept. 
10,  1712,  quoted  at  large: — See  pages  90,  91,  "The 
said  Martin  Kendig  now  (Sept.  10,  1712)  appearing 
desirous  that  the  said  (2000  acres)  land  may  be  granted 
and  confirmed  to  Maria  Warenbuer, /or  ivhom  the  same 
was  taken  up  or  intended,  <5r." 

This  tract  was  then  in  Chester  county,  Conestoga 
township,  now  East  Strasburg,  in  this  county.  It 
composed  the  farms  now  owned  by  Henry  A.  Carpenter, 
Ferre  Brinton,  John  C.  Lefevre,  Joseph  L.  Lefevre,  Jacob 

ever  iuforn:i8d  that  his  brother  Jean  Brook  was  in  this  county, 
and  he  came  hither. 

The  Huguenots  cf  Ulster  spent  a  few  years  of  unsettled  life 
at  Kingston  and  in  the  meantime  explored  the  country.  They 
finally  concluded  upon  purchasing  a  tract  now  enclosed  within 
the  boundaries  of  this  town,  and  comprising  about  two-thirds 
of  its  surface.  The  purchase  was  made  from  the  Indians,  sub- 
ject however  to  the  claim  of  the  Government.  The  Indians, 
though  so  universally  charged  with  treachery,  yet  in  this 
instance  observed  strict  fidelity  to  their  covenant,  and  the 
Huguenots  were  never  molested  by  them  on  this  soil.  In 
order  to  get  a  perfect  title  it  was  necessary  to  obtain  a  cession 
from  the  Government  of  these  lands,  and  Abraham  Hoshrouch 
who  was  entrusted  with  the  commission,  being  acquainted 
with  Edmund  Andros,  obtained  letters  patent  in  1677,  Sept. 
29th.  confirming  to  the  twelve  individvals  above  named  their 
purchase  without  charge.  This  tract  comprised  about  ninety 
square  miles."  *  *  *  "Some  of  the  Huguenots'  descen- 
dants, who  reside  in  your  county,  (Lancaster),  emigrated  from 
this  county,  or  rather  their  ancestors.  The  name  of  Lefevre 
and  Du  Bois,  is  from  here.  One  by  the  name  of  Lefevre  was 
in  Congress  some  years  since,  v.'hose  ancestors  resided  in  this 
town." 


LANCASTER   COUNTr.  103 

Hershey,  Christian  Leman,  Henry  and  Jacob  Brackbill, 
Theo.  Sherts,  Isaac  B.  Burrowes,  Jacob  Eshleman,  Chris- 
tian Hershey,  Messrs.  Witmers,  R.  Conyngham,  Esq.  R. 
Taggart,  Philip  Foster,  Hem-y  Shertz,  John  Shertz,  F.  S. 
Burrowes,  D.  Lefevre. 

While  speaking  of  the  family  of  Ferrees,  it  will  not 
be  out  of  place  to  direct  the  attention  of  the  reader  to 
two  other  documents ;  one  is  an  inventory  of  goods  and 
chattels  of  a  farm  of  the  early  times,  being  the  list  of 
appraisement  of  the  personal  property  of  Andrew 
Ferree,  the  same  person  who.  is  mentioned  as  the  eldest, 
son  of  Daniel,  the  first  settler.  It  shows  the  prices  of 
articles  at  that  time.  The  reader  will  find  in  it  plenty  of 
all  the  useful  and  necessary  food,  and  implements,  of  a 
farmer;  but  will  seek  in  vain  for  the  fine  furniture  of 
the  present  day.*    The  other  document  is  the  marriage 

*  Inventory  of  the  goods  and  chattels  of  Andrew  Ferree^ 
deceased. 

To  wheat  in  the  stack  at  £8 — wheat  and  rye  in  the 

ground,  £6, 
To  great  waggon,  £12:— little  waggon,.  £5, 
To  a  plow  and  two  pairs  of  irons, 
To  two  mauls  and  three  iron  wedges,.  9s — to  four 

old  weeding  hoes,  4s, 
To  a  spade  and  shovel,  8d — to  a  raatock  and  ,three 

dung  forks,  10s, 
To  two  broad-axes,  12s — to  joyner's  axe  and  adze, 

Ts, 
To  Sundry  carpenter  tools,  £1 — sundry  joyner's 

tools,  £2  53, 
To  seven  duch  sythes. 
To  four  stock  bands,  two  pair  hinges,  sundry  old 

iron, 
To  a  hand-saw,  £2 — to  five  sickles  and  two  old 

hooks, 


£14:  0 

17    0 

1  10 

0 
0 
0 

0  13 

0 

0  18 

0 

0  19 

0 

3    5 
0  12 

0 
0 

0  14 

0 

Oil 

0 

104  HISTORY  or 

of  Daniel  Ferree,  Jr.,  who  was  a  son  of  the  first  settler; 
DUt  bom  in  this  country,  with  Mary  Carpenter  or  Zim- 
merman. It  is  somewhat  in  the  form  now  used  by  tlie 
Society  of  Friends.  Many  of  the  present  citizens  of 
the  vicinity  will  recognize  the  names  of  their  ancestorSy. 
in  tlie  list  of  signers  and  guests  at  the  wedding. 

To  a  cutting  box,  two  knives,  £1 — to  twenty -two 

baggs,  £2  10s,  3  10'  0 

To  two  pair  chains,  Ms,  two  hackles, ,  £1 10 — to 

five  bales,  12s,  ,  2  16    0 

To  four  smal  chains  and  other  horse  geers  at  14    0 

To  other  horse  geers  at  £1  10 — to  a  mans'  saddle 

at£l  10,  3    0    0 

To  three  falling  axes  at  10s — to  two  fowling  pieces, 
£2, 

To. a  large  Byble, 

To  two  father  beds  at  £G — to  wearing  cloaths,  £7, 

So  sundry  pewter,  £2  8 — to  a  box  iron,  4s, 

To  sundry  iron  ware,  £2 — to  a  watering  pot,  6s, 

To  sundry  wooden  ware  at  £l' — to  two  iron  pot- 
racks,  £1,  2    0    0 

To  four  working  horses,  £24^— to  a.  mare  and  tvi^o 

colts,  £11,  35    0    0 

To  six  grown  cows  at  £15 — to  ten  head  of  yong^ 
cattle,  £13  10, 

To  eleven  sheep,  £3  IT— to  swine,  £1  10, 

To  two  chests,  15s — to  a  spinning-wheel,  8s, 

To  sley,  6s — to  cash  received  of  Samuel  Tayler, 

To  cash  received  for  a  servant  girles  time, 

£152    8    6 

As  apraised  this  24th.  day  of  the  month  called  November, 
1735.  HATTIL  VARMAN, 

SAM'L  JONES. 

Note. — Thomas  Makin,  in  his  Descriptio  Pennsylvaniae, 
Anno,  1729,  describes  most  graphically  the  rural  state  of  affairs 
at  that  time : 


2  10 

0 

2-  0 

0 

13  a 

0 

2  12 

0 

2    6 

0 

28  10 

0 

5    7 

0 

r  3 

0 

2    8 

0 

3    0 

0 

LANCASTER   COUNTY,  105 

"  Whereas,  Daniel  Feire,  Junior,  of  the  county  of 
Lancaster  and  province  of  Pennsylvania,  yoeman,  and 
Mary  Carpenter,  daughter  of  Henry  Carpenter  of  the 
county  and  province  aforesaid,  spinster,  having  made  due 
publication  of  their  intention  of  marriage  as  the  law- 
directs  : — These  are  therefore  to  certify  all  whom  it  may 
concern  that  on  the  first  of  May,  Anno  Domini,  1739, 
before  me  Emanuel  Carpenter,  one  of  his  Majesty's 
justices  of  the  peace  for  the  said  county,  they,  the  said 
Daniel  Fiere  and  Mary  Carpenter  appeared  in  a  public 
g,nd  solemn  assembly  for  that  purpose  appointed  and 
meet  together  at  the  dwelling  house  of  the  aforesaid 
Henry  Carpenter,  where  he  the  said  Daniel  Fiere  did 

Providus  in  morem  formicae  alimentareponit 

Rusticus  hiberni  frigoris  usque  memor. 
Aestivo  reput£tns  quodumque  labore  lucratur, 

Quae  mox  insequitur,  longa  vorabit  hymens. 

Stramine  tecta  replet  Cerealibus  horrea.donis 
Impeger,  et  curat  condere  quicquid  habet: 

Despi<:;it  exoticas  que  dapes,  vestesque  superbas, 
Coutentus  modicis  vivere  pace  suis. 

Esuriens  dulces  epulas  depromit  inemptas,, 

Et  proprio  vestis  vellere  texta  placet, 
Parva  humilisque  domus,  latos  quae  prospicit  agcos, 

Parta  vel  emptg,,  sibi  sufficet  atque  suis. 

Utilis  est  illi,  si  non  opulenta  supella ; 

Res  sapiens  omnes  utilitate  probat. 
0  !  mihi  si  liceat  sylvas  iiabitare  beatus, 

Et  modico  victu,  non  sine  pace,  frui. 

TRANSLATION. 

The  farmer,  provident,  amidst  his  cares, 
For  winter,  like  the  prudent  ant,  prepares  ; 

Foreknowing,  all  that  summer  doth  produce, 
Is  only  for  consuming  winter's  use. 


106  HISTORY    OF 

openly  declare  that  he  took  the  said  Mary  Carpenter  to 
he  his  wife,  promising  to  be  unto  her  a  loving  and  faith- 
ful husband  till  death  should  separate  them,  and  she,  the 
said  Mary  Carpenter,  then  and  there  in  the  assembly,  did 
in  like  manner  openly  declare  that  she  took  the  said 
Daniel  Fiere  to  be  her  husband,  promising  to  be  unto 
him  a  loving,  faithful  and  obedient  wife  till  death  should-, 
separate  them,  and  for  a  further  confirmation  thereof, 
both  the  said  parties  to  these  presents  have  hereunto  in- 
terchangeably put  their  hands,  she  after  the  custom  of 
marriage,  assuming  the  surname  of  her  husband ;  and 
we  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  being  wit- 
nesses present  at  the  solemnization  thereof,  tlie  year  and 
day  first  above  written. 

Witness:  DANIEL  FIERE, 

Emanttel  Carpenter,        MARY  FIERE. 

Henry  Hanes,  Elizabeth  Kemp,  Paulus,    Peter   Apfel,,, 
Hemy  Carpenter,  Salome  Carpenter,  Lawrence  Hayn,. 
Daniel  Le  Fevre,  Henrich  Zimmerman,  William  Buffing- 
He  fills  his  barns  and  cellars  with  good  cheer, 

Against  that  dreary  season  of  the  year. 
He  sa»")is  exotic  foods,  and  gaudy  dress. 
Content  to  live  on  homely  fare,  in  peace. 

Sweet  to  the  taste  Jiis  unbouglit  dainties  are 

And  his  own  home  spun  he  delights  to  wear. 
His  lowly  dwelling  views  his  large  domain, 

Iraprov'd  in  part,  where  peace  and  plenty  reign. 

Plain  furniture,  but  useful,  he  doth  chuse ;, 

And  wisely  values  ev'ry  thing  for  use. 
In  these  blest  shades  may  I.  delight  to  be  ; 

Here  little  is  enough,  with  peace,  for  me.     [motto, was: 

These  were  days  of  peace  and  plenty — the  German's 

"  Selbst-gesponnen,  und  selbst-gemacht ; 
Rein  dabei,  ist  Bauern  Tracht''' — which  he.  practised. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  107 

ton,  Daniel  Zimmerman,  Hans  Hauser,  Gabriel  Zimmer- 
man, Jacob  Carpenter,  Theophiliis  Hartman,  Christian 
Zimmerman,  Hani  Hartman,  Isaac  Fiere,  Peter  Fiere, 
Johann  Conrad  Kaempf,  Isaac  Le  Fevre,  Daniel  Har- 
man,  Johamies  Volkaemmer,  George  Philip  Dollinger, 
Christian  Harman,  Maria  Herman,  Abraham  Fiere, 
Susan  Zimmerman,  Hester  Le  Fevre,  Jacob  Fiere, 
Philip  Le  Fevre,  Samuel  Le  Fevre,  Salome  Harman, 
Leah  Fiere,  Mary  Hain,  Jonas  le  Rou,  Rachael  Fiere, 
Isaac  Fiere. 

This  tract,  spoken  of  before,  had  been  taken  up,  or 
intended,  for  Maria  Warenbuer.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
commissioners,  10th,  7th  mo.  1712,  Martin  Kendig,  the 
widow,  her  son  Daniel,  and  son-in-law  Isaac  Le  Fevre, 
appeared  before  them,  Kendig  desired  that  the  land  mjght 
be  granted  and  confirmed  by  patent  to  Maria,  the  widow : 
— ^^  but  upon  further  consideration  of  the  matter,  it  was 
agreed  among  themselves  that  the  said  land  be  confirmed 
to  Daniel  Fierre  and  Isaac  Lefevre — and  the  considera- 
tion money,  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds,  at  seven 
shillings  per  hundred  acres,  having  been  for  some  time 
due,  but  was  to  be  paid  down  in  one  sum,  it  was  agreed 
they  should  only  pay  ten  pounds  for  interest,  that  is  one 
himdred  and  fifty  pounds." 

The  receipts  for  the  purchase  of  this  tract  and  quit- 
rents  for  several  years,  signed  by  James  Logan,  and 
others,  are  yet  in  existence,  carefully  preserved.*  Much 
care  manifests  itself  in  the  business  of  this  family. 

In"tf  ^^^';^^'Y^  nietnoQnd  regular  mamier  was  tlie  emi- 
gration ofl-v-  /""^'ir  Cc  German  settlers  conducted :  and  in 
^  '''^^r  th<.  ' 

*\Ve  here  present mpopy  of  a  reciept:  "Philadelphia,  11, 
7, 1712,  Received  of  Maria  Warenbuer,  twenty  shillings  sterl- 
ing, for  one  year's  quit-rent  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land, 
laid  out  to  her  at  Strashurg,  in  this  Province. 

JAMES  LOGAN,  Receiver:' 


108  HISTORY    OF 

the  present  instance,  it  is  a  fine  commentary  on  such 
honest  proceedings  to  find  the  land  thus  obtained  to  be 
still  in  the  hands  of  the  lineal  descendants  of  such 
worthy  ancestors.  Henry  A.  Carpenter,  from  whom 
Ave  have  obtained  the  foregoing  documents,  is  now  the 
owner  of  the  old  Ferree  Homestead,^  containing  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres,  and  nearly  all  the  owners  of 
the  other  farms  makingup  the  tract  of  two  thousand  acres, 
first  purchased  by  Daniel  Ferree  and  Isaac  Le  Fevre, 
are  either  relatives,  or  closely  connected  with  the  Ferrees. 
H.  A.  Carpenter  is  the  fifth  in  descent  from  Daniel  Ferree. 
-His  father  was  Abraham  Carpenter. ' 

Before  closing  this  chapter,  we  shall  introduce  a  tra- 
ditionary account  of  the  Ferree  family,  furnished  us  by 
Joel  Lightner,Esq.,  of  Leacock  township.  It  was  written, 
in  answer  to  several  inquiries  put  to  Mr.  Lightner,  in 
1822,  by  the  Hon.  Jlbraham  Shreiver^Esq.,oiYxe(xeT\c:k 
county,  INIaryland.  We  have  added  a  few  notes'.-^ 
Shreiver's  mother  was  a  Ferree. 

"An  account  of  the  ancestors  of  tlie  Ferrie  family,  as 
given  by  John  Ferrie,  aged  84  years,  (in  1822)  Joseph 
Le  Fevert  and  Leah  Lightner,^  aged  about  63,  (in  18^), 
and  from  some  of  the  original  -title  papers  to  the  lands 
purchased  from  the  Hon.  William  Penn,  proprietor  t>f 
the  province  of  Pennsylvania. 

*Mary  Ferree,  whose  maiden  name  was  Warenbuer,  died  at 
an  advanced  age,  in  Conestoga  township,  1716.  On  her  death, 
Peter  Evans,  Register  General  for  the  probate  of  Wills,  and 
granting  Letters  of  Administration,  in  and  for  the  province  of 
Pennsylvania,  fee.  granted  Letters  of  Administration  to  Mary's 
sons,  Daniel,  Philip  and  John,  the  20tli  of  September,  1716-. 

f  Joel  Lightner's  wife's  father. 
iThe  mother  of  Joel  Lightner. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  109 

In  the  reign  of  Louis  XIV.  King  of  France,  the  pri- 
vileges of  the  Protestants  were  openly  violated,  mission, 
aries  were  sent  for  their  conversion,  supported  by 
dragoons,  and  severities  were  exercised  which  excited 
the  horror  and  indignation  of  all  the  reformed  states  of 
Europe.  In  1685,  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes, 
first .  granted  by  Henry  IV.  and  confirmed  by  Louis 
XIII.  deprived  the  Protestants  of  all  exercise  of  their 
religion,  and  tore  them  from  their  children  to  be  educated 
CathoUcs.  The  tyrant,  at  the  same  time,  issued  his 
decrees  against  emigrations,  and  placed  guards  on  his 
coasts;  nevertheless,  vast  numbers  escaped  from  his 
machinations  and  carried  their  arts  and  industry  to 
foreign  and  hostile  nations. 

Louis  became  ambitious  of  the  fame  that  would 
attach  to  the  extirpation  of  heresy  from  his  kingdom. 
Calvinism  in  France,  since  the  victory  over  it  by  Riche- 
lieu had  become  a  peaceful  separation  from  the  national 
church,  and  its  sectaries  were  useful  citizens,  chiefly 
attached  to  manufactures  and  commerce.  Influenced  by 
a  spirit  of  intolerance  a,nd  bigotry,  he  undertook  to  put  an 
end  to  it.  About  this  time  the  husband  of  Mary  Ferrie 
or  Verre  resided  in  the  town  of  Lindau,  not  far  from  the 
river  Rhine,  in  the  kingdom  of  France ;  hiT  family  con- 
sisted of  himself,  his  wife,  three  sons  and  three  daugli- 
ters ;  the  names  of  the  sons  were  Daniel,  Philip  a.nd  John, 
the  daughters'  names  were  Catharine,  Mary  and  Jane. 
Mr.  Ferrie,-  the  father,  was  a  siik-weaver  by  trade,  his 
religion  Calvinistic;  consequently  he  became  one  of  the 
sufferers  under  those  decrees.  The  troops  had  entered 
their  town  and  commenced  murdering  the  Protestants, 
taking  and  destroying  their  property,  they  had  no  other 
shift  but  to  take  flight,  leaving  behind  them  all  their 
property  except  some  trifling  articles,  and  some  cash ; 

10 


110  HISTORY    OF 

they  made  flight  into  Gemmny,  not  far  from  Strasburg, 
where  they  resided  two  years.  On  their  leaving  France, 
they  were  accompanied  by  a  young  man  by  the  name  of 
Isaac  Le  Fevre,  who  stated  that  his  family  were  nearly 
all  put  to  death  by  the  soldiers,  that  he  himself  escaped 
with  difficulty,  unhurt :  he  continued  as  one  of  the  family 
until  they  arrived  in  America  and  married  one  of  their 
daughters,  Catharine  Ferrie,  and  from  whom,  as  far  as 
we  can  learn,  all  the  names  of  the  Le  Fevres,  in  this 
county,  spring. 

During  their  residence  in  Germany,  the  father  died,  and 
Mary  Ferrie,  the  widow,  (it  is  singular  that  after  she 
came  to  America,  she  was  not  pleased  to  be  called  by 
any  other  name  than  that  of  Mary  Warrinbuer,  that 
being  her  maiden  name) — Iiearing  of  a  fine  province, 
called  Pennsylvania,  in  North  America,  that  the  pro- 
prietor, William  Penn,  resided  in  London,  determined  to 
set  out  for  that  place,  that  if  she  could  find  sufficient 
encouragement  from  Penn,  she  would  try  to  get  to 
America ;  she  accordingly  set  out  for  London  with  her 
famity,  and  when  she  arrived  there,  she  employed  a 
person  to  direct  her  to  William  Penn's  residence.  When 
on  their  way,  her  conductor  pointed  out  to  her  Penn's 
carriage,  which  was  just  meeting  them:  she  being  of  a 
persevering  disposition,  called  Penn,  who  immediately 
stopped  his  carriage,  and  he  being  well  acquainted  with 
the  French  language,*  which  was  quite  gratifying  to  her, 
as  she  could  neither  speak  nor  understand  the  English. — 
Penn  having  learned  the  nature  and  object  of  her  call, 

*PenD,  while  in  France,  in  1662  and  1663,  studied  Theology 
and  French,  undei-  the  instrucllon  of  Moses  Amyraut,  a  Calvi- 
nistic  or  French  Protestant  divine,  a  native  of  Bourgeuil ;  a 
man  of  unbounded  charity  and  compassion.  He  inculcated 
tliese  principles  into  all  his  students,  and  exemplified  them  in 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  Ill 

invited  her  into  his  carriage,  as  he  was  then  on  his  way 
home,  when  he  would  be  more  particularly  attentive  to 
v/hat  she  had  to  say.  Penn  told  her,  he  had  an  agent  in 
Pennsylvania,  that  to  him,  he  would  give  her  a  recommen- 
dation, so  that  her  business,  he  hoped,  might  be  done  to 
her  satisfaction. 

Penn  treated  her  very  kindly  whilst  at  his  house. — 
They  remained  in  London  about  six  months,  when  a 
vessel  was  about  to  sail  for  the  North  river,  in  which 
tiiey  took  passage.  On  their  arrival  at  New  York,  they 
moved  up  the  North  river  to  a  place  called  Esopus,* 
where  they  remained  about  two  years,  then  moved  to 
Philadelphia  ;  thence  into  Pequea  settlement.  Previous 
to  which  they  had  taken  up  a  large  tract  of  land.  Be- 
fore they  sailed  from  London  for  America,  a  variety  of 
implements  of  husbandry  was  presented  to  them  by 
Queen  Anne,  which  they  found  of  great  use  when  they 
commenced  clearing  land. 

Philip,  one  of  the  sons,  was  now  about  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  and  had -a  desire  to  earn  something  for 
himself ;  and  having  formed  an  acquaintance  with 
several  families  at  Esopus,  he  made  for  that  place,  where 
he  hired  for  one  year  with  a  respectable  farmer,  by  the 
name   of   Abraham  Dubois,  whose  daughter  Leah  he 

his  actions  ;  during  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life,  he  bestowed 
his  whole  salary,  which  was  considerable,  upon  the  poor, 
without  distincti9n  of  Catholic  or  Protestant.  Amyraut  was  a 
man  of  moderation  and  candor,  and  had  the  rare  fortune  to  be 
esteemed  by  men  of  all  sects.  His  Theological  works  are 
numerous.    He  died  in  1664. 

*Esopus  was  an  eaily  settlement,  between  eighty  and  ninety 
miles  north  of  the  city  of  New  York.  ■  It  was  also  formerly 
called  Wildwycke,  now  Kingston.  The  village  of  that  place 
was  burned  by  the  British  under  Vaughan,  in  October,  1777, 
when  great  quantities  of  stores  were  destroyed. 


113  HISTORY   OP 

married  at  the  expiration  of  the  year,  and  brought  her 
to  his  people  in  Pequea  settlement,  where  he  com- 
menced improving  a  tract  of  land  on  the  north  side  of 
Pequea  creek,  (on  part  of  which  Joel  Lightner,  Esq.,, 
resides  at  present)  Avhich  land  had  been  prerionsly 
allotted  to  him  by  his  mother.* 

Some  of  their  first  labor  was  to  cut  grass  in  the 
woods  for  the  purpose  of  making  hay,t  no  land  being 
cleared  on  that  part — for  a  shelter,  house  and  barn,  they 
placed  timbers,  forked  at  the  top,  into  the  ground,  laid 
poles  across  them,  built  their  hay  upon  the  frame,  which 
served  as  a  roof  to  their  house,  under  which  they  lived 
several  months ;  during  their  ^'■suhstach  stay^^  in  this 
rude  shelter,  their  son  Abraham,  was  born. 

They  lived  to  raise  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three 
daughters ;  the  names  of  the  sons  were  Abraham,  Isaac, 
Jacob,  Philip  and  Joel ;  the  daughters'  names  were  Lena, 
who  intermarried  with  William  Buffington;  Leah  was 
married  to  Peter  Baker,  and  Elisabeth  to  IsaacFerrie. — 
Abraham,  first  born,  was  married  about  the  year  1735  or 
36,  to  a  woman  by  the  name  of  Eltinge,  from  Esopus,  her 
parents  were  Low  Dutch.  Abraham  lived  on  part  of 
the  land  owned  by  his  grand-mother,  Mary  Ferrie. 
They  had  several  children. J      He  died  at  an  advanced 

*From  a  communication  to  us,  dated  Dec.  21,  1842,  by  Isaac 
F.  Lightner,  it  appears,  Abraham  Dubois  patented  one  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  in  Lancaster  county,  which  he  gave  to  his 
daughter  Mary,  who  had  married  Philip  Ferree.  The  patent 
was  granted  May  7,  1717. 

f  The  great  flats  of  Pequea  were  natural  meadows  on  which 
grass  grew  luxuriantly,  which  proved  a  great  source  of  com- 
fort to  new  settlers. — Conyngham. 

tTheir  children  were,  Cornelius,  Israel  and  Rebecca,  Cor- 
nelius settled  in  Virginia;  Israel  married  a  Miss  Dickey; 
Rebecca  was  married  to  David  Shreiver,  father  of  the  Hon, 
Abraham  Shreiver,  of  Frederick  county,  Md. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  113 

age,  and  was  buried  in  a  place  now  called  Carpenter\s 
grave-yard,  about  one  mile  from  where  he  was  born — 
the  burial  ground  was  pointed  out  by  his  grand-mother, 
Mary  Ferrie,  where  she  and  several  of  her  family  were 
buried.*  After  Abraham's  death,  his  widow  married 
one  Curgus  or  Circus — they  moved  up  the  Susque- 
hanna, and  I  cannot  tell  what  became  of  them  after- 
wards."! 

This  year,  1712  or  13,  the  Five  Nations  received  into 
their  confederacy,  the  Tuscororas. 

We  would  ask  the  indulgent  reader  to  follow  us  in  an 
apparent  digression  from  the  main  narrative,  while  a 
few  relevant  facts  are  adduced  to  show  how  the  Tusca- 
rora  nation  came  to  unite  with  the  Five  Nations. 

In  1712,  the  Tuscaroras,  the  Corees,  Avith  whom 
Baron  de  Graffenried,  Governor  of  the  Palatines,  in 
North  Carolina,  mentioned  in  a  preceding  part  of  our 
narrative,  made  a  treaty  in  the  town  of  CorJ  and  other 
Indian  tribes,  in  North  Carolina,  formed  a  conspiracy  to 
exterminate  the  English.  To  be  secure  themselves,  the 
chief  town  in  the  Tuscarora  nation,  was  enclosed  by 
kind  of  stockades;  within  this  enclosure,  1,200  bowmen, 
of  different  tribes,  met.     Under  the  mask  of  friendship, 

*"M.ary  Ferrie  vested  in  Trustees  a  piece  of  land  near  Para- 
dise, as  a  burial  place  for  the  use  of  the  settlement.  It  is 
neatly  walled  and  kept  in  good  condition  by  the  neighbors, 
whose  ancestors  repose  within  its  limits." — Redmond  Conyng- 
Jiam. 

f'l  have  found  a  copy  of  a  will  of  Abraham  Dubois,  dated  Oct. 
1st,  1731,  among  his  grand-father,  Joel  Ferrie's  papers,  which 
had  been  some  time  in  possession  of  his  son  Isaac  Ferree, 
from  which  it  appears  that  a  person  by  the  name  of  Roeloff 
EUsting,  as  spelt  in  that  instrument,  is  recognized  as  a  son-in- 
law,  married  to  his  daughter  Leah. 

tWiUiams'  N.  C.  I.  287. 

10* 


114  HISTORY   OF 

small  parties  went  in  various  directions  into  the  settle- 
ments, and  after  night,  committed  the  most  atrocious 
murders.  Near  Roanoke,  they  killed  a  great  number  of 
the  Palatines,  who  had  come  to  America  with  Graffen- 
ried,  and  many  others.  This  distressing  inteUigence 
coming  to  the  ears  of  iGovernor  Craven^  Avho  immedi- 
ately despatched  Col.  Barnwell,  with  600  militia  and 
366  Indians,  to  the  relief  of  the  settlers.  As  soon  as  Barn- 
well and  his  men  arrived,  he  attacked  the  Indians,  killed 
300,  and  took  about  100  prisoners.  After  this  rough 
encounter,  the  Tuscaroras  retreated  to  their  fortified 
town ;  Barnwell  pursued  and  surrounded  them,  killed  a 
considerable  number,  and  obliged  the  living  to  sue 
for  peace.  About  one  thousand  of  them  were  killed, 
wounded  and  taken. 

Most  of  the  Tuscaroras,  after  this  defeat,  abandoned 
their  country  and  repaired  to  the  Five  Nations,  who 
received  them  in  their  confederacy,  and  made  them  the 
Sixth  Nation.-* 

Gov.  Spotswood,  in  a  letter  dated  Williamsburg, 
January  25,  1719-20,  speaking  of  the  Indians  on  the 
Susquehanna:  You?'  Indians 'yexe  actually  in  these 
parts  (Virginia)  assisting  the  Tuscaroras,  who  had  mas- 
sacred in  cold  blood  S'  )me  hundreds  of  the  English,  and 
were  then  (1712  and  1713)  warring  against  us,  and  they 
have  at  this  very  day  (1719)  the  chief  murderers,  with 
the  greatest  part  of  that  nation,  seated  under  their  pro- 
tection, near  Susquehannah  river,  whither  tliey  removed 

•     \ 
*Jefferson's  Va.  138. 

Note— "1717,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wayman,  missionary  to  the  Welsh 
settlements  of  Radnor  and  Oxford,  frequently  visited  Pequea, 
Conestoga,  and  the  Indian  settlements  of  Conestogue.  He 
baptized  many  children  of  Quakers,  and  some  who  had  been 
Quakers."— R.  C.  Lcn.  Intell.  &  Jour. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  115 

them,  when  they  found  they  could  no  longer  support 
them  against  the  force  which  the  English  brought  upon 
them  in  these  parts.* 


CHAPTER   Iir. 


Augmentation  of  settlements — Germans  and  English  settle  around  the 
Swiss  or  Palatines — Settlements  in  different  parts  of  the  county — Names 
of  persons  naturalized — Notice  of  Slaymakers — Conestoga  Manor  sur- 
veyed— Names  of  first  purchasers — Graff  Thai  settled — Lancaster  and 
vicinity  settled — Squatters  on  the  west  side  of  Susquehaima — Indians  at 
Conestoga  address  a  letter  to  Logan — Colonel  French  goes  to  Conestoga; 
holds  a  treaty  with  the  Indians — Logan  meets  the  Indians  on  the  Susque- 
hanna— Samuel  Robins  sent  to  Virginia. 

Settlements  had  noAV  been  fairly  made  amidst  the 
Indians;  the  hardships  that  presented  themselves  in  the 
mcipient  stage  of  settling,  began  to  vanish,  and  almost 
every  discouraging  obstacle  was  surmounted.  "Their 
success,  the  glowing,  yet  by  no  means  exaggerated 
accounts  given  by  them,  of  the  scenery  of  the  country, 
the  fertility  of  the  soil  they  cultivated,  the  abundance  of 
game  with  which  the  forest  teemed,  the  quantity  and 
delicacy  of  the  fish  which  the  rivers  yielded;  but  above 
all,  the  kind  and  amicable  relationship  they  cultivated 
and  mamtained  with  their  Indian  neighbors,  all  conspired 
to  make  them  the  objects  of  attention,  and  afterwards 
one  of  the  prominent  points  whither  emigration  tended 
in  an  increasing  and  continued  stream."t  The  perse- 
cuted of  every  land,  and  of  different  tongues,  settled 
around  them,  in  various  directions  of  the  county. 

In  1713,  Christopher  Schlegel,  late  of  Saxony,  took 
up  witli  a  view  to  settle,  though  he  afterwards  trans- 

*Col.  Rec.  III.  77.  fGeo.  Ford's,  MSS. 


116  HISTORY    OP 

ferred  his  interest  in  his  tract  of  one  thousand  acres,  to 
others; — this  land  is  on  a  stream  flowing  into  the  Cones- 
toga,  "  not  far  from  land  granted  to  the  Palatmes."  It 
was  afterwards  the  place  where  the  Cartliges,  Indian 
agents,  resided.  Another  person,  Benedictns  Venerick, 
late  of  Germany,  took  up  two  hundred  acres,  near  the 
Palatines,  in  1715.*  Between  the  Peqiaea  and  Cones- 
toga  creeks,  near  the  Susquehanna,  Richard  Carter,  an 
Englishman,  a  wheel-right,  located  and  improved  two 
hundred  acres,  in  1716.  The  same  year,  Alexander 
Bews,  took  up  four  hundred  acres  on  the  south  side  of 
the  Conestoga;  Anthony  Pretter,  of  East  Jersey,  three 
hundred  acres,  near  Pequea,  or  south  side  of  Conestoga ; 
and  John  Gardiner,  Jr.,  from  Philadelphia  county,  two 
hundred  acres,  on  the  same  side  of  Conestoga.  About 
this  time,  Jacob  Greider,  or  Kreider,t  Jacob  Hostater, 

*In  and  about  Smoketown^  in  1715,  Peter  Bellas,.  Daniel 
Harman,  William  Evans,  James  Smith,  settled. 

fThe  relentless  spirit  of  persecution,  els  the  number  of  its 
subjects  of  oppression  decreased,  singled  out  individual  fami- 
lies ;  of  these  oppressed,  were  the  Kreiders  and  Hostaters — 
these  fled  for  life  from  Switzerland  to  Wurtemburg ;  taking 
nothing  with  them  from  their  Fatherland,  except  their  families, 
and  small  quantities  of  tow  cloth,  a  few  linens,  and  some 
wearing  apparel.  Kreider  remained  but  a  short  time — but 
emigrated  to  America,  and  in  company  with  Hostater,  after 
paying  the  brethren  of  their  faith,  a  visit,  at  Pequea,  settled  on 
the  north  side  of  the  Conestoga,  about  two  miles  south  from 
the  present  site  of  Lancaster,  where  he  took  up  <eight  hundred 
acres  of  land  in  1716  or  1717,  "among  the  new  surveys  at 
Conestoga." 

Here,  he  erected  a  temporary  shelter,  a  tent  covered  with 
tow  cloth  brought  from  Switzerland,  which  served  him  and  his 
family  till  autumn,  when  the  tent  gave  way  to  a  cabin  buil^ 
of  round,  unhewn  hickory  saplings,  and  covered  with  bark — 
both  were  abundant. 

When  the  weather  became  cold,  his  tawny  neighbors,  the 


LANCASTER   COUNTT.  117 

Hans  Frantz,  Schenk,  and  others,  settled  on  the  banlcs  of 
Conestoga;  Joseph  Cloud,  in  1717,  took  up  500  acres 
near  Pequea  creek.  The  same  year,  settlements  were 
began  on  the  banks  of  Octoraro,  William  Grimson, 
constable  of  Sadsbury  township,  in  1717,  was  among 
the  first  settlers  on  the  Octoraro ;  his  neighbors  were  the 
Cooksons,  Mayes,  Jervis,  Irwins,  and  some  years  after- 
wards, the  Pattersons,  Darbys,  Mackrels,  Leonards, 
Jones,  Steels,  Matthews,  Cowens,  Mm'rays,  MillerSj 
Allisons,  Mitchels,  and  others,  all  of  whom  settled  on  or 
near  Octoraro. 

The  Swiss  settlement  received  an  augmentation  in 
1715-16  and  17;  besides  those  already  named,  were 
Hans    Mayer,  Hans  liaigy.   Christian   Hearsey,  Hans 

Indians,  paid  him  regular  night  visits  to  shelter  with  him,  and 
sleep  by  the  side  of  a  genial  fire.  They  were  on  perfect  terms 
of  intimacy  and  friendship ;  the  Indians  frequently  supplied 
him  and  family  with  fish  and  venison,  which  they  gave  in  ex- 
change for  bread.  Fish  were  very  abundant  in  the  Conestoga 
and  all  the  streams  of  the  country ;  these  they  took  with  nets 
made  of  bark,  or  speared  them  with  a  gig  made  of  Ashwaod. — 
The  inventive  genius  of  the  Indian  is  known  to  all  who  have 
spent  some  time  among  them,  or  are  conversant  with  their 
mechanism.  Perhaps  the  reader  may  wish  to  know  ho^v  to 
make  a  fish-gig,  if  he  should  ever  be  placed  in  the  Indians' 
situation,  we  will  tell,  as  we  were  told,  how  the  Hickory 
Indians,  on  Conestoga,  made  theirs.  Christian  Kreider,  grand- 
son of  the  first  settler,  says,  "  The  Indians  took  a  very  slender 
sapling  of  Ashwood, — this  kind  of  wood  was  preferred  on 
account  of  its  hardness :  and  burned  it  to  a  point  at  one  end ;" 
this,  says  the  reader,  is  simple.  So  it  is,  just  as  easy  to  be 
done  as  setting  up  an  egg  on  the  point  end,  or  the  discovery  of 
America,  after  it  is  known.  The  reader,  especially  our  young 
friends,  would,  we  think,  be  pleased  to  know  how  the  fish 
were  secured  with  a  barbless,  pointed  stick.  The  Indian  is 
never  at  a  loss  to  take  a  fish,  if  he  has  no  net,  he  takes  either 
his  bow  and  arrow  or  his  spear,  such  an  one  one  as  has  just. 


118  HISTORY    OF 

Graaf,  (who  afterwards  settled  Graaf's  Thai)  Hans  Pu- 
pather,  Michael  Shank,  Henry  Pare,  Peter  Leman, 
Melchior  Breneman,  Benedictus  Witmer,  Henry  Funk, 
Jacob  Landis,  Ulrich  Houry,  Hans  Faber,  Isaac  Coff- 
man,  Melchior  Erisman,  Michael  Miller,  Jacob  Kreutzer, 
Jacob  Boehm,  Theodoras  Eby,  Michael  Donegar,  and 
others. 

Down  the  Conestoga,  towards  Susquehanna,  settle- 
ments were  made  between  1716  and  1719 — among  those 
who  took  up  lands  and  settled  thereon,  were  David 
Jones,  Edmund  Cartlidge  and  John  Cartlidge.  Edmund 
Cartlidge  resided  in  Darby  township,  Chester  county,  as 
early  as   1698,  and  in   1711,  in  Philadelphia  county,* 

been  described,  and  his  tiny,  barky  boat;  he  glides  to  a  place 
where,  as  every  skilled  piscator  knows,  fish  are;  here,  through 
the  calm  and  transparent  water  he  strikes  the  spear  thrqugh 
the  body  of  the  fish,  passes  one  hand  below,  and  takes  a  huge 
salmon  or  some  other  fish. 

Qn  a  certain  occasion,  as  Kreider  had  the  honor  of  the  com- 
pany of  his  Indian  neighbors,  and  having  that  day  consulted 
his  almanack  to  regulate  his  clock,  by  its  indication  of  rising 
and  setting  of  the  sun,  noticed  the  moon  would,  in  afew  weeks, 
be  eclipsed  ;  he  informed  the  guests  that  on  a  certain  evening, 
a  few  weeks  from  that  time,  the  moon  would  hide  her  face» 

just  as  the  clock  would  strike ;   to  hear,  that  the  moon 

would  refuse  to  shine,  was  nothing  new  to  them,  they  had  seen 
eclipses  before ;  but  that  their  white  neighbor  should  possess 
so  much  prescience  as  to  know  this  before,  hand,  loas  strange  to 
tliem.  At  the  time  specified  when  the  hroad-faced  moon  was  to 
hide  her  disc,  fifty  or  sixty  Indians  assembled  ;  they  were  all 
attention;  scarce  had  the  clock  struck,  to  their  utter  astonish- 
ment, the  moon's  face  began  to  lessen.  Profound  silence  pre- 
vailed. Their  spokesman  expressed  the  cogitations  of  the 
wonder-stricken  visitors,  uttered  it  as  their  sage  conclusion,  in 
these  words :  'Tis  the  white  man's  God  tells  him  this,  else  he, 
would  not  know  it  before  hand." 

♦Public  Rec.  West  Chester,  Vol.  A.  p.  291: 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  119 

John,  his  brother,  for  many  years  an  Indian  agent,  was 
at  one  tin:]i.e  held  in  high  estimation  by  the  proprietary's 
agents;  buthke  many  others,  the  day  of  trouble  came  upon 
him  ^^andhe  was  not  remembered.''^ '^  A  warrant  'for  land ' 
was  issued,  dated  "October  1st,  1718,  for  him  to  take  up 
on  the  north  side  of  Conestoga  creek  at  some  convenient 
place,  three  hundred  acres,  and  to  make,  an  addition 
thereunto  of  two  hundred  acres,  to  be  by  him  enclosed 
and  held  for  the  conveniency  of  pasturage  for  the  term 
of  fourteen  years,  in  consideration  of  his  services  among 
the  new  settlers," 

It  was  at  the  house  of  this  gentleman  a  number  of 
councils  were  held  with  the  Indians.  We  have  been  in 
the  house,  built  in  1719,  in  which  the  councils  were 
held.  It  is  now  owned  by  Benjamin  Wright,  of  Manor 
township. 

It  appears  from  the  Public  Records  at  West  Chester, 
that  John  Qartlidge  sold  liquor  by  the  small,  prior  to 
1718,  among  the  neighbors  on  the  banks  of  the  Cones- 
toga.  It  was  so  reported  by  his  vigilant  "  fellow  inhabi- 
tant," to  the  court.  Christian  and  Joseph  Stoneman, 
Sigismund  Landart,  all  late  of  Germany,  took  up  lands 
on  the  Conestoga,  prior  to  1719,  and  Francis  Neiff  on 
the  west  branch  of  Little  Conestoga,  prior  to  1715. 

The  following  persons  located  lands  in  1719:  Jenkin 
Davis,  late  of  Wales,  near  or  on  the  branch  of  Cones- 
toga creek,  George  Steward,  near  the  Susquehanna, 
James  Le  Tort,  on  or  near  Susquehamia,  where  he  had 
his  station  as  Indian  trader,  and  received  a  warrant  for  one 
hundred  acres.  Le  Tort,  Bizaillon  and  Chartier,  had 
resided  some  years  previous  to  the  commencement  of 
Swiss  settlements  among   the    Indians;    Chartier    was 

*John  Cartlidge  was  one  of  His  Majesty's  Justice  -of  Peace, 
appointed  in  1718,  JuJy  4th.— CoZ.  Rec.  III.  40. 


120  HISTORY    OF 

among  them  before  1704/*  and  in  1717,  upon  his  request, 
he  received  a  warrant  for  three  hundred  acres,  where  he 
"had  seated  himself  on  the  Susquehanna  river,  above 
Conestoga  creek,  inckiding  within  the  survey  the  im- 
provement then  made  by  him,  for  which  he  agreed,  on 
behalf  of  his  son  Peter  Chartier,  in  whose  name  he 
desired  the  survey  to  be  made,  to  pay  for  the  same. 

In  1714,  Peter  Bizaillon,  who  had  license  to  trade, 
prior  to  1703,t  received  a  warrant  from  the  commis- 
sioners of  pioperty :  *"  We  do  hereby  authorize  and  allow, 
Peter  Bezaillon,  Indian  trader,  to  seat  himself  at  Pash- 
tang,  or  any  other  Indian  town  or  place  on  Silsqua- 
hamiah,  in  this  province,  and  to  erect  such  buildings  as 
are  necessary  for  his  trade,  and  to  enclose  and  improve 
«uch  quantities  of  land  as  he  shall  think  fit,  for  the 
accommodation  of  his  family  there,  until  further  order 
shall  be  given  by  the  proprietor  or  his  commissioners : 
Provided,  always,  That  the  ^aid  Peter  shaU  not  act  or 
proceed  in  any  thing  under  color  hereof,  but  by  the  free 
leave  and  approbation  of  the  Indians  amongst  whom  he 
tlwells  or  resides.'^ 

In  various'  parts  of  the  county  surveys  were  made, 
from  1714,  to  1718.  A.  Dubrie,  Esq.,  of  Drmnore 
township,  kindly  furnished  us  accounts  of  surveys  made 
in  Little  Britain  and  other  southern  townships. 

A  survey  was  made  in  Little  Britain  for  Alexander 
Ross-7-warrant  dated  Nov.  5,  i714 — land  situated  near 
the  middle  of  the  township,  on  Little  Conowingo  creek, 
now  held  by  Christian  King,  and  others.  Another 
survey  in  part  of  seven  hundred  acres  was  made  for 
Edward  Sleadwell,  granted  to  him  by  warrant  dated 
May  5,  1717,  situated  in  the  south  west  corner  of  the 
county,  nearly  surrounded  by  Octoraro  creek,  and  con- 

*Col.  Rec.  II.  133       fCol.  Rec.  11. 100. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  l21 

tained  two  hundred  acres,  and  after  his  decease  was 
divided  between  his  son  and  son-in-law,  John  Priest; 
and  has  since  passed  by  the  name  of  ^^  Pries  fs  Neck." 
There  were  other  surveys  made  between  1715  and 
1720  in  the  south  west  part  of  the  township. 

^Teague's  Endeavor." — A  Maryland  patent  was 
granted  to  Mary  Graham,  June  6,  1715,  for  one  hundred 
Eucres,  now  held  by  Robert  Maxwell 

"  Cornwall." — A  Maryland  patent,  granted  to 
Emanuel  Grubb,  for  one  hundred  acres,  in  1716,  and 
and  another,  1720,  for  two  hundred  acres;  now  held  by 
Jeremiah  B.  Haines,  Levi  Brown  and  others.  Three 
Partiurs. — Another  Maryland  patent,  granted  to  Thomas 
Jacobs,  September  16,  1720,  a  large  tract  now  held  by 
James  Porter  and  others.*  From  the  foregoing,  it  is 
evident,  that  the  Swiss  Settleynent,  with  their  fine 
country^  attracted  considerable  attention,  while  it  was 
yet  in  its  infancy. 

Not  to  weary  the  reader  with  general  details  of 
individual  settlers,  we  shall  present  a  public  document 
possessing  more  than  Ordinary  interest  to  the  numerous 
descendants  of  those  whose  names  are  recorded  in  it. — 
They  had  all  come  to  this  country  previous  to  1718,  and 
had  purcliased  and  held  lands  before  1729.  We  are 
indebted  to  Abraham  Meylin,  of  West  Lampeter  town- 
ship, for  a  copy  of  it.  This  document  has  been  upwards 
of  one  hundred  and  fourteen  years  in  the  possession  of 
the  MeyJin  family.  It  is  an  act  passed  Jinno  Regni, 
Georgii  11.  Regis  Magnae  Britanniae,  Franciae,  et 
Hiberniae,  tertio.\     October  14,  1729. 

*If  the  reader  will  examine  the  article  in  the  Appendix,  A, 
he  will  understand  these  patents  fully. 

fin  the  third  year  of  the  reign  of  George,  11.  King  of  Great 

Britain,  France  and  Ireland. 

U 


122  HISTORY    OF 

Whereas,  By  encouragement  given  by  the  Honorabie 
William  Penn,  Esq.,  late  Proprietary*  and  Governor  of 
the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  and  by  permission  of  his 
Majesty,  King  George  the  First,  of  blessed  memory, 
and  his  predecessors,  Kings  and  Queens  of  England,  &c. 
divers  Protestants,  who  were  subjects  to  the  Emperor  of 
Germany,  a  Prince  in  amity  with  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain,  transported  themselves  and  estates  into  the 
province  of  Pennsylvania,  between  the  years  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred,  and  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  eighteen;  and  since  they  came  hither  have  con- 
tributed very  much  to  the  enlargement  of  the  British 

*William  Penn,  the  Proprietary  and  Founder  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, died  July  30,  1718,  at  Rushcomb,  near  Twyford,  in 
Buckinghamshire,  England,  aged  about  seventy -four  years. — ■ 
In  1612,  he  had  been  seized  witn  some  fits  of  the  aooplectic 
kind ;  which,  for  the  last  six  years  of  his  life,  had  so  affected 
his  mental  faculties,  especially  his  memory,  as  to  render  him 
in  a  great  measure  incapable  of  public  business ;  which,  with 
the  gradual  decline  of  his  strength  of  body,  continued  to 
increase  till  the  last  period  of  his  days.  As  a  leader  of  a 
christian  sect,  he  has  left  no  mean  name.  He  was  a  man  of 
more  than  ordinary  zeal  and  courage;  he  was  ardent  and 
enthusiastic,  yet  discreet.  As  a  statesman,  he  was  wise  and 
judicious.  As  an  economist,  liberal,  even  to  his  own  pecu- 
niary embarrassment.  As  a  writer,  much  esteemed  by  his 
friends.  In  his  demeanor,  it  is  said,  he  was  grave,  yet  free 
from,  moroseness.  Christians  are  not  morose.  He  had  been 
twice  married;  his  first  wife  was  Gulielma  Maria  Springett, 
daughter  of  Sir  William  Springett,  of  Darling, in  Sussex; 
with  her  he  had  two  sons  and  one  daughter,  Springett,  William 
and  Letitia.  Spi'ingett  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years, 
in  1696.  William  and  Letitia,  and  three  grand  children^ 
children  of  his  son  William,  survived  him.  His  second  wife 
was  Hannah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Caliowhill,  of  Bristol,  by 
whom  he  had  five  children,  John,  Thomas,  Margaretta, 
Richard  and  Dennis,  who,  with  their  mother,  were  living  at 
their  father's  death. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  '  123 

Empire,  and  to  the  raising  and  improving  sundry  com- 
modities fit  for  the  markets  of  Europe,  and  and  have 
always  behaved  themselves  religiously  and  peaceably, 
and  have  paid  a  due  regard  and  obedience  to  the  laws 
and  Government  of  this  province ;  Jind  whereas,  Many 
of  said  persons,  to  wit,  Martin  Meylin,  Hans  Graaf,  and 
others,  all  of  Lancaster  county,  in  the  said  province,  in 
demonstration  of  their  affection  and  zeal  for  his  present 
Majesty's  person  and  Government,  quahfied  themselves 
by  taking  the  qualification,  and  subscribing  the  declara- 
tion directed  to  be  taken  and  subscribed  by  the  several 
acts  of  parliament,  made  for  the  security  of  his  Majesty's 
person  and  Government,  and  for  preventing  the  dangers 
which  may  happen  by  Popish  Recusants,  &c.,  and 
thereupon,  have  humbly  signified  to  the  Governor  and 
Representatives  of  the  freemen  of  this  province,  in 
General  Assembly,  that  they  have  purchased  and  do 
hold  lands  of  the  proprietary,  and  others,  his  Majesty's 
subjects  within  this  province,  and  have  likewise  repre- 
sented their  great  desire  of  being  made  partakers  of 
those  privileges  which  the  natural  born  subjects  of  Great 
Britain  do  enjoy  within  this  province ;  and  it  being  just 
and  reasonable,  that  those  persons  who  have  bona  fide 
purchased  lands,  and  who  have  given  such  testimony  of 
their  affection  and  obedience  to  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain  should  as  well  be  secured  in  the  enjoyment  of 
their  estates,  as  encouraged  in  their  laudable  affection 
and  zeal  for  the  English  constitution; 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Hon.  Patrick  Gordon^  Esq., 
Lieut.  Governor  of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  &c., 
by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  oi  the  freemen  of 
the  said  province,  in  General  Assembly  met,  and  by  the 
authority    of  the  same,    That    Martin  Meylin,  Hans 


124  HISTORY    OI* 

Graaf,  Christian  Stoneman,  Jacob  Funlv,  Francis  Neiff,*^ 
Francis  Neiff,  Jr.,  George  Kindeck,  John  Burkholder, 
John  Burkholder,  Jr.,  Abraham  Burkholder,  Michael 
Bowman,  John  Hess,  John  Frederick,  Chris^tophei 
Preniman,  Martin  Harnist,  Joseph  Buckwalter^  Felix 
Landes,  Jr.,  Adam  Preniman,  John  Funk,  John  Boh- 

*Francis  Neff,  his  sons  Francis,  Jr.,  Henry  and  Daniel,  and 
the  sons  of  Daniel,  namely:  Henry  and  Daniel,  grandsons  of 
Francis  the  elder,  were  all  natives  of  Switzerland.  On 
account  of  religious  persecution,  being  Mennonites,  they  fled 
from  their  Vaterland,  to  Alsace,  thence  they  emigrated  to 
America,  and  settled  at  a  veiy  early  date  on  a  small  stream, 
NefF's  run,  which  empties  into  the  west  branch  of  the  Little 
Conestoga,  where  the  great  ancestor  took  up  a  large  tract  of 
land,  and  which  is  stiil  owned  by  some  of  the  lineal  descen- 
dants, of  the  male  and  female  issue. 

As  it  may  be  interesting  to  the  numerous  descendants  of  one 
of  the  first  families,  in  this  part  of  the  county,  we  insert  a 
brief  genealogy  of  Francis  NefF's  progeny,  as  furnished  us, 
verbally,  by  Mrs.  Magdalen  Sehner,  aged  79,  the  great  grand- 
daughter of  Francis,  the  elder,  and  grand-daughter  of  Daniel 
Neflf,  who  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz:  Henry, 
Daniel,  John,  Jacob,  the  grand-father  of  Jacob  K.  Neflf,  M.  D., 
of  Lancaster;  Barbara,  who  interman'ied  with  Musselman, 
and  Ann,  married  to  Isaac  Kauflfman.  Henry,  the  oldest  son 
of  Daniel  NefF,  married  a  Miss  Oberholtzer;  their  children 
were  John,  Daniel,  David,  Jacob,  Henry  and  one  daughter, 
Mrs.  Keller,  Dr.  John  Eberle's  grand  mother. 

The  original  Homestead  is  now  principally  owned  by  Gott- 
lieb Sehner  and  Jacob  Neff.  We  seek  for  the  descendants  of 
Francis  NefF,  in  the  male  lineage,  the  numerous  Neffs  in  Lan- 
caster and  Huntingdon  county.  Pa,,  and  in  Virginia;  in  the 
female,  the  name  of  Musselman,  KaufFman,  Miller,  Mayer, 
Henneberger,  Schwar,  Sehner,  Ruth,  Cassel,  Florey,  Keller, 
Eberle — the  two  last  named  are  noticed  in  the  sequel — Bear, 
Brandt,  Shelly,  Bowman  and  others,,  principally  in  this 
county. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  125 

man,  John  Taylor,  Henry  Neiff,  Michael  Mire,  Henry 
Bare,  Peter  Bunigarner,  Melcor  Hufford,  Melcor  Eris- 
man,  John  Brubaker,  Jacob  Nisley,  Hans  Snevely, 
Jacob  Goot,  John  Woolslegle,  Jacob  Mire,  Christopher 
Sowers,  Joseph  Stoneman,  Daniel  Ashleman,  Christian 
Peelman,  John  Henry  Neiff,*  John  Henry  Neiff,  Jr., 
Abraliam  Hare,  John  Ferie,  Jacob  Biere,  Peter  Yordea, 
Peter  Leamon,  Hans  Jacob  Snevely,  Isaac  Coffman', 
Andrew  Coffman,  Woolrich  Rodte,  Henry  Funk,  Roody 
Mire,  John  Mylin,  Jacob  Bheme,  John  Coffman, 
Michael  Doneder,  Charles  Christopher,  Andrew  Shultz, 
Joim  Houser,  Christian  Preniman,  Jacob  Miller,  black, 

*Jolm  Henry  Neff,  known  as  the  "  Old  Doctor,"  a  brother  of 
Francis  NefF,  named  above.  He  was  undoubtedly  the  first 
regularly  bred  physician  in  Lancaster  county.  Who  has  not 
heard  of  Doctor  Hans  Heinrich  Neff  ?  So  well  was  Dr.  Neif 
known,  that  when  the  boundaries  of  townships  were  fixed 
upon,  June  9th,  1729,  one  of  the  lines  of  Manheim  township, 
is  thus  defined:  "thence  down  the  said  creek  to  the  ''Old 
Doctor'' s  Ford."  Hans  Henry  Neff,  Doctor  of  Physic,  had 
taken  up  land  on  the  Conestoga,  a  few  miles  from  the  present 
site  of  Lancaster  city.  Among  his  descendants,  are,  besides 
the  NefFs,  Millers,  Tchantzs,  Kendigs,  Weavers,  Bears,  and 
others. 

The  Neffs  were  of  those,  "  who,  mare;/ years  since,  came  into 
this  province  under  a  particular  agreement  with  the  late  Honor- 
able Proprietor,  William  Penn,  at  London  ;  and  had  regularly 
taken  up  lands  under  him.  And  who,  it  appears  to  me,"  said 
Gov.  Gordon,  January  13th,  1729,  "by  good  information,  that 
they  have  hitherto  behaved  themselves  well,  and  have  generally 
so  good  a  character  for  honesty  and  industry,  as  deserves  the  esteem 
of  this  Government,  and  a  mark  of  regard  for  them." — Col,  Rec. 
Ill  296, 


I2.f>  HISTORY    OF 

Henry  Carpenter,*  Emanuel  Carpenter,t  Gabriel  Car- 
penter, Daniel  Herman,  Christian  Herman,  Philip  Fiere, 
Mathias  Slaremaker,|  Big  John  Shank,  Jacob  Churts, 
Jacob  Snevely,  Jr„  John  Woolrich  Hover,  John  Groy- 
der,  John  Leeghte,  John  Stampher,  Martin  Graaf,  Peter 
Newcomat,  Jacob  Bare,  Jr.,  John  Henry  Bare,  Jacob 
Weaver,  Henry  Weaver,  John  Weaver,  David  Longan- 
icker,  George  Weaver,  Abraham  Mire,  Woolrick  Houser, 
John  Mire,  Henry  Musselman,  Michael  Shank,  Jacob 
Miller,  Jacob  Miller,  Jr.,  Martin  Miller,  Peter  Abye, 
Hans  Goot,  Christian  Staner,  John  Jacob  Light,  Adam 
Brand,  Christopher  Franciscus,  Casper  Loughman, 
Frederick  Stay,  John  Line,  John  Swope,  Bastian  Royer, 
Jonas  Lerow,  Simeon  King,  John  Abye,  Everhard 
Ream,  all  of  Lancaster  county,  be,  and  shall  be  to  all 
intents  and  purposes  deemed,  taken,  and  esteemed.  His 
Majesty's  natural  born  subjects  of  this  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, as  if  they,  and  each  of  them  had  been  born 
within  the  said  province ;  and  shall  and  may,  and  every 
one  of  them  shall  and  may,  within  this  province,  take, 
receive,  enjoy,  and  be  entitled  to  all  rights,  privileges 
and  advantages  of  natural  born  subjects,  as  fully,  to  all 

*"Henry  Zimmerman  or  Carpenter  arrived  in  Pennsylvania 
in  the  year  1698,  and  returned  afterwards  to  Europe  for  his 
family,  whom  he  brought  out  in  1706,  and  settled  first  in  Ger- 
man town,  and  removed  within  the  present  bounds  of  Lan- 
caster Bounty,  (then  Chester)  in  1717."  His  descendants  are 
very  numerous  and  respectable. 

fEmanuel  Zimmerman  or  Carpenter,  son  of  Henry  Car- 
penter, was  born  in  Switzerland,  in  the  year  1702  and 
died  1780.  His  influence  was  salutary  and  great  in  the 
county.  He  had  the  unbounded  confidence  of  his  fellow 
citizens,  as  will  appear  from  the  sequel. 

JThe  name  was  originally  in  German  Schleiermacher. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  127 

intents  and  constructions  and  purposes,  whatsoever,  as 
any  of  his  Majesty's  natural  born    subjects    of    this 

The  subjoined  communications  will  be  read  with  more  than 
orrdinary  interest.  The  first  is  from  H.  F.  Slaymaker,  Esq.^ 
and  the  other  from  John  Slaymaker,  Esq.,  both  written  in  reply 
to  several  queries  previously  proposed  touching  the  ancestors 
of  this  highly  respectable  family : 

"  Mathias  Slaymaker  emigrated  from  Strasburg,  in  Germany 
He  was  born  and  bred  in  Hess  Castle,  and  came  to  this  coun- 
try about  the  year  1710.  He  settled  on  what  is  called  the 
"London  Lands;"  a  tract  of  1,000  acres,  near  the  present 
residence  of  Peter  J.  Eckert,  in  Strasburg  township,  which  is 
supposed  to  have  been  named  by  him;  he  was  at  that  time 
surrounded  by  Indians ;  their  names  are  not  known. 

He  had  two  brothers  ;  one  of  whom  was  a  clergyman^  and 
settled  in  the  Emperor's  dominion,  high  up  in  Germany ;  he 
was  appointed  Secretary  of  Legation  from  that  Government 
to  the  Court  of  St.  James;  afterwards.  Charge  d'Affairs,  and 
there  married.  President  John  Adams,  when  minister  to  the 
Court  of  St.  James,  resided  with  one  of  his  descendants. — 
His  oldest  son  was  Governor  of  an  Island, 

The  other  brother  was  major  in  the  King  of  Prussia's  full 
regiment;  and  afterwards,  it  is  probable,  his  son  was  one  of  the 
officers  (a  Major)  in  the  Hessian  troops — as  one  of  that  name 
was  confined  as  a  prisoner  of  war  in  the  Lancaster  jail. 

The  first  named,  Mathias,  had  five  sons,  Lawrence,  Mathias,. 
John,  Henry,  Daniel  and  two  daughters,  Margaret  and  Bar- 
bara Eeckman.  He  was  married  before  he  came  to  this 
country — and  Lawrence  and  Margaret  were  born  in  Germany. 
Lawrence  married  a  sister  of  Jacob  Pfautz,  and  had  one  child 
who  married  a  person  by  the  name  of  Lefevre,  and  moved  to 
Cumberland  county. 

Mathias  married  a  Miss  Smith,  and  had  two  sons  and  three  . 
daughters,  John,  William,  Rachel,  Rebecca  and  ElisabeUi. 

John  married  Elisabeth  White,  and  had  Mathias,  John,  Wil- 
liam and  Alexander,  and  five  daughters,  Jane,  Elisabeth,  Mary, 
Kitty  and  Ann. 

Henry  married  Faithful  Richardson,  and  had  three  sons, 
Amos,  Henry  and  Samuel,  and  six  daughters,  Mary,  Hannah, 


iOS7 


128  HISTORY    OP 

province,  can,  do,  or  ought  to  enjoy,  by  virtue  of  their 
being  His  Majesty's  natural  born  subjects  of  His 
Majesty's  said  province  of  Pennsylvania. 

Faithful,  Lydia,  Sarah  and  Sophia.  Daniel  married  Gilsey 
Young,  and  had  Daniel,  William  and  Mathias,  and  two  daugh- 
ters. Margaret  married  Michael  Fickle,  and  had  a  large 
family.    Barbara  married  Hironimeus  Eckman. 

Henry,  the  father  of  Amos,  assisted  in  clearing  the  ground  on 
which  part  of  the  city  of  Lancaster  is  now  founded. 

The  "London  Land,"  alluded  to,  descended  to  the  four  sons, 
John,  Henry,  Mathias  and  Daniel,  all  of  whom  had  children, 
and  left  their  estates  to  their  respective  descendants —  a  large 
portion  of  which  is  still  held  in  the  name. 

Active  measures  were  taken  by  the  emissaries  of  the  British,, 
to  prevail  on  the  inhabitants  to  take  protections  from  the 
Crown,  and  Henry  Slaymaker  was  called  upon  to  take  one, 
but  refused,  having  taken  part  with  the  Republic,  and  was  a 
magistrate  at  that  time,  and  received  the  oath  of  allegiance 
from  all  who  were  friendly  to  the  Republic.  He  was  the  oldest 
Justice,  and  after  M.  Hubley  became  incapable  of  trying  a 
cause,  he  was  appointed  principal  Judge,  and  presided  for  a 
year. 

In  the  time  of  the  Revolution  there  was  a  company  of  young 
men  who  entered  into  articles  of  agreement  for  the  purpose  of 
suppressing  all  who  were  then  called  tories — at  the  head  of 
this,  Wcis  Col.  James  Mercer,  an  active  whig — Amos  Slay- 
maker,  (son  of  Henry)  was  one  of  this  association,  and  his 
Father  (Henry)  also  an  active  whig,  had,  at  all  times,  informa- 
tion of  what  was  going  on  so  as  to  suppress  any  attempts  at 
rising  against  the  Republic,  or  stealing  or  carrying  off 
property.  It  was  very  effective  in  suppressing  the  incursions. 
of  the  tories,  who  were  very  annoying  to  the  eastern  section  of 
Lancaster  county,  by  stealing  and  carrying  off  horses  and 
other  property  to  the  British  army — but  was  attended  with 
great  hazard  to  the  members.  They  were  ordered  out  by 
Henry  Slaymaker,  (father  of  Amos)  when  information  was 
given  of  their  presence  in  the  neighborhood  :.  and  I  have  often 
heard  my  father  (Amos)  relate  adventures  he  had  in  pursuit  of 
them  at  night,  which  was  their  time  for  committing  depreda- 


LANCASTER   COUNTY,  129 

The  same  year  the  Conestoga  Manor  was  surveyed 
for  the  use  of  the  proprietary,  by  order  of  the  Commis- 

tions,  and  he  has  often  been  out  whole  nights  after  thera — one 
in  particular,  when  they  were  informed  that  the  Doanes,  who 
were  celebrated  tories,  were  encamped  in  a  swamp  near  the 
Gap,  about  where  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  passes  the  Gap, 
and  the  associations  went  in  pursuit  of  them  through  a  tremen- 
dous storm  of  rain,  sleet,  thunder  and  lightning,  but  after  grea* 
difficulty  from  underwood,  briars,  and  in  gaining  their  retreat, 
they  found  some  of  the  disaffected  in  the  neighborhood,  had  in 
the  mean  time  apprised  them  of  their  approach,  and  they  had 
escaped.  The  members  of  this  company  were  in  constant 
danger  of  losing  their  lives,  as  many  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
county  were  disaffected — and  they  were  in  danger  of  being 
shot  even  at  their  ordinary  occupations.  Amos  served  two 
terms  in  the  Revolutionary  war  as  an  Ensign  of  a  company, 
commanded  by  his  uncle  Capt.  John  S.  (father  of  the  present 
Captain)  who  was  also  an  officer  in  Braddock's  war.  Amos 
was  magistrate  for  many  years — a  member  of  the  Legislature 
and  of  the  Pennsylvania  Senate,  and  also  a  member  of 
Congress." 

[Extract  of  a  Letter  from  John  SlaymaJcer,  Esq.} 
"My  father  John,  was  in  Braddock's  campaign,  as  a 
wagoner.  He  was  put  to  draw  a  cannon  at  the  place  of  ren- 
dezvous, and  took  it  into  battle  on  the  day  of  Braddock's 
defeat — he  had  eleven  horses  to  it  on  that  day,  which  were  all 
shot  before  the  retreat.  I  have  often  heard  him  say  if  it  had 
not  been  for  Washington's  brave  conduct  in  covering  the 
retreat,  there  would  hardly  a  man  have  escaped.  In  this  conflict 
the  most  of  the  American  troops  were  killed — my  father  came 
off  safe.  In  1776,  he  marched  at  the  head  of  a  company  to 
Bergen,  in  Jersey — was  in  the  skirmish  on  Chesnut  Hill,  under 
General  Bull,  where  Bull  was  taken  prisoner.  After  his  return 
home,  he  was  chosen  County  Commissioner,  which  end£d  his 
public  services.    He  died  in  1798,  aged  65  years. 

The  sale  of  the  "London  Land"  was  in  the  year  1761,  in 
Philadelphia.    Father  paid  £800  for  346  acres  of  said  tract. 

Note — London   Lands,  in  Lancaster  county. — It  appears 
that  a  land  company  was  organized  at  an  early  date.    In 


130  HISTORY    OP 

sioners  of  Property,^  to  Jacob  Taylor,  Surveyor  Gen- 
eral— lie  had  been  Surveyor  General  for  many  year&.. — 

1696,  this  company,  called  the  London  Company,  owned 
65,000  acres  of  land  in  Pennsylvania,  usually  known  by  the 
name  of  London  Lands ;  of  this,  there  were  47,800,  in  Lancas- 
ter and  Berks,  Part  of  these  lands  were  rented  at  the  rate  of 
£2  per  100  acres,  with  exception  of  some  thousands  of  acres  sold 
from  1718 — 1720,  by  the  company  to  different  persons. 
The  rest  remained  in  possession  of  the  company  until  1762. — 
At  this  time  the  heirs  of  those  who  originally  constituted  the 
company  had  been  considerably  scattered,  and  many  entirely 
unknown.  An  Act  of  Parliament  was  therefore  procured 
authorizing  the  sale  of  the  land,  and  Dr.  Fothergill,  Daniel 
Zachary,  Thomas  How,  Deboreaux  Bowly,  Luke  Hinde, 
Richard  How,  Jacob  Hagen,  Sylvanus  Grove  and  William 
Heron,  were  the  agents  appointed  to  superintend  the  business. 
Their  attorneys  in  this  country  were  Samuel  Shoemaker, 
Jacob  Cooper  and  Joshua  Howell.  In  1762,  sales  were  ac- 
cordingly effected  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  occupants  of 
the  land,  who  had  generally  made  considerable  improvements, 
cleared  away  the  wood,  and  erected  comfortable  farm-houses, 
and  out-buildings,  many  of  them  not  being  altogether  aware  of 
titles;  but  supposing  that  they  were  possessed  of  a  fee  simple 
estate  in  soil — Uie  prices  however  at  which  they  were  held, 
were  not  urweasonable ;  each  settler,  it  is  believed,  with  few 
exceptions,  pui'chased  the  tract  upon  which  he  was  seated. — 
There  were  a  few  squatters  who  were  not  willing  to  comply. 
The  case  of  Horrabine  is  still  remembered  by  some  of  the 
descendants  of  the  first  settlers  on  the  London  Lands.  One 
Ptichard  Brazier  had  squatted  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Slay- 
makers.  Brazier  died,  left  a  widow  and  some  money — Horra- 
bine made  suit  to,  and  married  the  widow.  He  forged  a  deed 
for  a  London  tract — the  misdating  of  three  days  exposed  the- 
forgery — and  he  was  tried,  convicted,  cropped  and  sent  to 
Honduras  Bay  to  chop  Logwood.  His  family  was  left  penny- 
less, 

*These  are  to  authorize  and  require  thee  without  any  delay 
to  survey  or  cause  to  be  surveyed  all  that  tract  of  land  lying 
between  Sasquahannah  river  and  Conestogo  creek,  from  the 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  131 

from  1706  to  1733,  when  Benjamin  Eastbum  was 
appointed. 

mouth  of  said  creek  as  far  up  the  river  as  the  land  already- 
granted  to  Peter  Chartier,  and  then  by  a  line  running  from  the 
said  river  to  Conestogo  creek,  all  which  tract  of  land  for  th« 
proper  use  and  behoof  of  William  Penn,  Esq.,  proprietary 
and  Governor  in  Chief  the  said  Province,  his  heirs  and  assigns 
forever.  Given  under  our  hands,  March  1,  1717-18.  The 
Manor  was  afterwards  divided  and  sold  to  purchasers. 

CONESTOGA  MANOR. 

Note. — This  survey  included  rising  of  16^00.  It  was  after* 
wards  sold  in  small  tracts  and  patented.  The  following  were 
the  principal  patentees :  Israel  Pemberton  held  300  acres^  date 
of  his  patent,  October  1st,  1723.  The  Messrs.  Wrights  own 
1500  acres — date  of  patent,  December  13,  1735 — sold  after- 
wards in  smaller  parcels  to  John  Herr,  Andrew  Stineman, 
Daniel  Lintner,  Jacob  Killhaver,  Rudy  Herr,  Jacob  Frantz, 
Godfrey  Klugh,  Mathew  Oberholtzer,  Rudy  Herr,  Jr.,  John 
Killhaver,  Christian  Hershy,  Andrew  Kauffman — James  Patti- 
son,  107  acres,  Nov.  21,  1734,  James  Logan,  700  acres,  patent 
dated  July  15,  1737,  afterv/ards  held  by  George  Brenner. 
Philip  Brenner,  Christian  StoufFer,  Casper  Souter,  Adam 
Fisher,  Valentine  Rummel,  Lawrence  Clifler,  Christian  Stake 
— Michael  Baughman,  489,  Michael  Mayer,  131  acres,  both 
same  date,  Feb.  20,  1738,  Michael  Mayer,  sen.,  217  acres, 
patent  dated  October  16,  1737,  Abraham  Steiner,  63  acres, 
May  3,  1740,  John  Wistler,  167  acres,  July  3,  1741,  Jacob 
Kuntz,  166,  Anna  Ottila  Betty  Koffer,  166,  Jacob  Hostetter, 
475,  John  Shank,  197  acres,  patent  dated  July  30, 1741,  Edward 
Smout,  113  acres,  June  21, 1743,  Michael  Baughman,  339,  May 
28, 1752,  Abraham  Hare,  424,  April  22,  1751,  Jacob  Wistler, 
125,  Valentine  Miller,  140,  both  May  25,  1756,  Martin  Funk, 
237,  Dec.  18, 1758,  Jacob  Wistler,  202,  Jacob  Shuck,  185,  Aug. 
18, 1759,  Abraham  and  John  Miller,  89,  Valentine  Haith,  29, 
Robert  Beatty,  226,  Feb.  1760,  Samuel  Herr,  247,  John  Keagy, 
188,  Henry  Funk,  150,  Jacob  Wistler,  173,  Ludwich  and 
Frederick  Ziegler,  209  June,  1760,  John  Witmer,  77,  Abraham 
-Miller,  204,  Rudolph  Herr,  176,  Jacob  Witmer,  77,  Nov.  1761, 


135  HISTORY    OF 

Passing,  we  \vd\ild  add  the  remark,  that  "technically 
speaking,  there  were  no  Manors,  (that  is,  lands  belong- 
ing to  a  Lord  or  Nobleman,  or  so  much  land  as  a  Lord 
formerly  kept  in  his  own  hands  for  the  use  and  sub- 
sistence of  his  family)  in  Pennsylvania,  although  the 
proprietary's  tithesj  and  other  large  surveys  for  them, 
were  so  called," 

Tlie  settlement  of  the  Ferrees  and  Lefevres,  received 
a  considerable  augmentation  about  this  time.  The 
promising  fruitfulness  of  the  country,  beside  other 
advantages,  attracted  settlers,  among  them  were  the 
Slaymakers,  Witmers,  Lightners,  Eschelman,  Herr, 
Hershey,  Espenshade,  Baer,  Groff,  Graaf,  Zimmerman^ 
Koenig,  Keneagy,  Denlinger,  Beck,  Soudor,  Becker^ 
Heam,  and  many  others. 

James  M'Master,  247,  April,  1761,  John  Keagy,  159,  Henry 
Funk,  177,  David  Hare,  195,  John  Miller,  150,  George  Adam 
Dustier,  112,  John  Correll,  209,  Christian  Stoner,  244,  all  dated 
1761,  Michael  KaufFman,  116,  John  KauflFman,  118,  Jacob 
Kauffman,  167,  Christian  KaufFman,  163,  Michael  KaufFman, 
118,  Abraham  Steiner,200,  John\Vormely,  115,  Jacob  Whistler, 
19,  John  Kreemer,  184,  Bartholomew  Butt,  40,  John  GrafF, 
136,  all  dated  1762,  Philip  Ulweiler,  39,  Benjamin  Miller,  220^ 
David  Hare,  Jr.  94,  Peter  Snyder,  86,  Henry  Atkinson  and 
Adam  Bigging,  49,  Peter  Witmer,  132,  dated  1763,  John  Miller, 
60,  Jan.  19,  1764,  John  Newcomer,  109,  Joseph  Nelson,  109, 
Jacob  Wisler,  178,  Mary  Wright,  119,  dated  1767,  John  Kendrick, 
558,  James  Pratt,  232, 1768,  Henry  Buckley,  150, 1769,  William 
Wright,  257,  1770,,  Ulrich  Rebur,  232,  John  Manning,  165, 
1772,  Jacob  Ashleman,  340,  1774,  Indian  Town,  414,  Blue 
Rock,  800  acres.    We  omitted  fractious  of  acres. 

Note. — Thomas  Penn  estimated  the  value  of  Conestoga 
Manor,  being  65  miles  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  13,400,  at 
£40  per  hundred  acres,  £5,360,  Pennsylvania  currency.-^ 
There  is  no  date  to  the  paper  from  which  we  made  the  extracti 
Sparks''  Franklin,  III.  553. 


LANCASTER   COtJNTTi,  133 

A  settlement  was  also  commenced  in  the  interior  of 
the  county ;  Hans  Graaf  located  at  the  head  of  a  small 
stream,  known  by  the  name  of  Grove's  run,  in  West  Earl 
township.*     He  was  joined  next  year  by  Mr.  Wenger, 

*Hans  Graaf  fled  from  Switzerland  to  Alsace,  with  one  of 
his  brothers,  about  the  year  1695  or  96,  he  came  to  Germantown, 
where  he  remained  a  short  time;  afterwards  settled  on  Grove's 
Run,  in  Earl  township,  both  of  which  were  named  in  honor  of 
him.  The  following  circumstance,  as  related  to  us  by  one  of 
his  lineal  descendants,  will  show  the  reader  how  Graaf  was  led 
to  settle  in  Graaf  s  Thaal ;  for  this  is  the  name  by  which  the 
settlement  is  known  to  this  day : 

His  horses  having  strayed  from  Pequea;  while  in  pursuit  of 
them  in  a  northern  direction  from  the  inhabited  parts,  he  dis- 
covered a  fine  spring  in  a  heavily  timbered  spot;  the  head  of 
Grove's  Run.  In  this  elysian  dale,  said  he,  will  I  fix  my  per- 
manent abode.  He  nevertheless  pursued  his  horses  till  he 
found  them,  and  returned  to  Pequea.  A  short  time  afterwards 
he  made  a  disposition  of  his  effects.  Now  he  returned  to  the 
spring,  and  about  one-half  mile  down,  on  the  north  side,  he 
erected  a  cabin  under  a  large  AVliite  Oak  tree,  in  which  he,  his 
wife  and  an  only  child,  stayed  all  winter.  In  the  spring  of  the 
year,  having  secured  by  a  warrant,  dated  November  22,1717,  a 
large  ti-act  of  land,  he  erected  a  house  near  the  cabin.  The 
spot  where  he  erected  the  house  in  the  spring  of  1718,  is  still 
pointed  out  by  his  progenitors.  At  this  time,  as  was  common 
with  the  aborigines  in  all  the  new  settlements,  the  Indians  called 
frequently  at  his  house  to  sell  baskets  and  Hickory  brooms. — 
Mr.  Graaf  had  six  sons;  as  soon  as  some  of  them  were  grown 
up,  he  turned  his  attention  to  dealing  in  blankets,  and  other 
articles  of  merchandize,  which  he  procured  at  Philadelphia, 
and  took  them  to  Harris's  Ferry,  on  the  Susquehanna,  and 
exchanged  them  for  skins,  furs  and  the  like. 

He  spoke,  it  is  said,  the  Indian  language  fluently.  When 
one  of  the  sons  drove,  the  old  gentleman  accompanied  him, 
riding  a  fine  steed,  for  he  kept  none  but  fine  horses.  On  one 
occsaion,  as  his  team  was  returning  to  Philadelphia,  Peter,  the 
oldest,  was  driving,  in  crossing  the  Brandywine,  which  was 
very  flush  at  the  time,  he  was  in  danger  of  a  watery  grave  ; 

13 


134  HISTORT   OP 

CHie  of  whose  grand-sons,  Joseph  Wenger,  oocupies  the 
Homestead. 

From  and  after  1718,  settlements,  in  their  incipient 
stages,  had  been  pretty  general  throughout  the  greater 
part  of  the  county.  The  Mill  Creek  Settlement,  and 
others,  were  commenced  about  the  year  1719,  or  20. 

About  the  year  1708,  Alexander  Mack,  of  Shriesheim, 
and  seven  others  in  Schwarzenau,  Germany,  met  in  a 
religious  capacity;  from  which  society,  arose,  what  is 
well  known,  the  Tunl{:ers,  or  First  Day  German  Bap- 
tists; and  who,  though  apparently  inoffensive,  were 
made  subjects  of  persecution,  and  were  driven  by  force 
of  oppression  into  Holland,  some  to  Creyfels,  and  the 
mother  church  voluntarily  removed  to  Serustervin,  in 
Friesland,  and  thence  emigrated  to  America,  in  1719, 
and  dispersed  to  different  parts  in  Pennsylvania,  some  to 
Conestoga,  some  to  Mill  Creek,  some  to  Oley,  some  to 
Skippack,  some  remained  at  Germantown,  where  they 

the  father  on  a  lofty  steed,  rode  in,  took  the  young  fellow  on 
his  own  horse  behind  him,  and  seizing  the  lines,  drove  safely 
through  the  rushing  stream. 

He  raised  six  sons,  Peter,  David,  the  grandfather  of  John 
Graaf  our  informant,  John,  Daniel,  Marcus  and  Samuel, 
who  was  known  as  Graaf,  der  Jaeger,  the  huntsman. 

Hans  Graaf,  after  having  served  his  day  and  generation,  the 
public  also  on  several  occasions,!  and  having  divided  his  land 
among  his  sons,  died,  leaving  a  large  family  connection. — 
Perhaps  there  is  no  family  in  the  county,  more  numerous 
respectable  and  useful  citizens  than  the  Graafs.  So,  without 
doubt,  the  magistrates  and  inhabitants  of  Lancaster  county 
thought,  when  they  met  to  settle  upon  the  bounds  and  give 
names  to  townships,  June  9, 1729:  they  had  regard  to  the  worth 
of  this  family  in  calling  one  of  the  townships,  after  the  first  set- 
tlers of  Graaf,  i.  e.  Earl  township. 

fCol.  Rec.  III.  420— 673. 


LANCASTER   COUNTr.  135 

formed  a  church  in  1723,  under  the  charge  of  Peter 
Becker. 

Among  the  early  settlers  on  Mill  Creek,  were  Conrad 
Beissel,  a  man  of  some  notoriety  in  the  religious 
history  of  the  county,  Joseph  Shaeffer,  Hans  Meyer, 
Henry  Hoehn,  and  several  Landises. 

The  settlement  near  and  around  Lancaster,  began  to 
increase.  Francis  Neff,  Hans  Henry  Neff,  Doctor  of 
Physic,  who,  and  his  descendants,  are  well  known,  Roody 
Mire,  Michael  Shank,  Jacob  Imble,  and  others,  having 
settled  here  for  some  time.  Lancaster  was  com- 
menced about  the  year  1721,  or  1722.  "  The  settlements 
about  the  Indian  villages  of  Conestoga  were  considera- 
bly advanced  in  improvements  at  this  time;  the  land 
thereabouts  being  exceedingly  rich;  it  is  now  (1721) 
surrounded  with  divers  fine  plantations,  or  farms,  where 
tiiey  raise  quantities  of  wheat,  barley,  flax  and  hemp, 
without  the  help  of  any  dung."* 

According  to  tradition,  where  Lancaster  is  now  built, 
was  once  an  Indian  wigwam ;  a  Hickory  tree  stood  in  its 
centre,  not  far  from  a  spring;  under  this,  the  councils 
met,  and  it  was  from  one  of  these  that  a  deputation  was 
sent  to  confer  with  William  Perm,  at  Shackamaxon, 
1683.  The  Indian  nation  was  called  Hickory,  and  the 
town  was  called  Hickory  Town,  before  Lancaster  was 
laid  outt  "Gibson,  tavern-keeper,  had  a  Hickory  tree 
X)ainted  upon  his  sign,  about  the  year  1722.  His  tavern 
was  situated  near  where  Slaymaker's  Hotel  was  for 
many    years,    now  occupied   by    the    Hon.  Benjamin 

♦Proud,  II.  128. 

f  According  to  Gordon,  I.ancaster  was  originally  laid  out  in 
1728,  by  James  Hamilton,  Esq.  of  Philadeldhia,  at  the  request, 
it  is  said,  of  the  proprietaries,  but  certainly  with  a  design  on 
the  pg^t  of  tlie  founder  to  increase  his  estate. 


136  HISTORY   OF 

Champneys,  on  East  King  street."  Another  Indian 
town  was  built  on  a  flat  land  north-east  of  Hardwick, 
the  seat  of  the  late  William  Coleman,  Esq.,  and  a  Poplar 
tree  was  the  emblem  of  the  tribe,  whence  their  name  was 
derived ;  this  wigwam  was  situated  near  Conestoga,  and 
the  tree  stood  upon  its  banlc. 

About  the  time  that  Lancaster  was  building,  some 
persons,  without  any  warrant  for  land,  settled  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Susquehanna.  There  was  one  John 
Grist,  very  abusive  to  the  Indians,  so  much  so,  that  they 
complained  to  the  Governor  of  the  mal-treatment  re- 
ceived at  the  hands  of  this  squatter.  He  was  rather  a 
reckless  character;  he,  and  his  accomplices,  were  auda- 
cious, contemned  the  authority  of  Government.  John 
Cartledge,  Esq.,  by  a  warrant  under  the  hand  and  seal 
of  the  Governor,  raised  a  Posse  Comitatus  with  instruc- 
tions to  burn  and  destroy  Grist's,  and  his  accomplices, 
dwellings;  Cartledge  did  not,  however,  enforce  with 
stern  rigidness  the  letter  of  his  instructions ;  but  simply 
warned  and  admonished  them  forthwith  to  relinquish  the 
lands  they  had  unlawfully  taken  possession  of  Grist, 
notwithstanding  this  pointed  warning,  refused  to  remove ; 
whereupon  the  Indians  did  destroy  some  of  their  cattle. 
Grist,  with  the  fool  hardihood  of  an  inured  transgressor, 
repaired  to  Philadelphia  to  raise  complaint  against  the 
Indians.  His  contumacious  behavior,  which  was  con- 
sidered insolent  and  seditious,  procured  him  lodgings  in 
jail.  The  Board,  who  were  moved  in  compassion  for 
his  poor  family,  granted  him  conditional  release  from 
prison.  He  returned  home  in  Aug.  1723,  and  removed 
his  family  after  he  had  gathered  his  corn.t 

Some  time  in  the  latter  end  of  April,  1719,  the 
Indians  at  Conestoga  addressed  a  letter  to  Mr.  Logan^ 

fCol.  Rec.  III.  133-5.        - 


LANCASTEB    COUNTY.  137 

Secretary,  informing,  through  him,  the  Governor,  that 
some  of  their  Indians,  while  on  a  hunting  expedition, 
were  attacked  near  the  head  of  Potomack  river,  by  a 
body  of  southern  Indians  who  had  come  out  to  war 
against  the  Five  Nations,  and  the  Indian  settlements  on 
Susquehanna;  that  the  southern  Indians  had  killed 
several  of  their  people,  by  which  those  at  Conestoga 
were  so  much  alarmed  that,  in  their  opinion,  "  The  care- 
ful attention  and  vigilance  of  Government  was  never 
more  called  upon  than  at  this  jmicture." 

Measures  were  adopted  by  Government,  "towards 
quieting  the  minds  of  the  Indians,  and  also  to  prevent 
incursions  upon  tliem  from  southern  Indians.  In  a  letter 
from  them,  to  the  Governor,  in  the  beginning  of  June, 
the  Indians  at  Conestoga  stated,  "that  if  any  of  them  had 
done  an^iiss,  and  departed  from  what  was  right  and  good, 
in  not  strictly  keeping  their  promises,  and  observing 
peace  with  all  the  Indians  in  friendship  and  league  with 
the  English,  they  would,  having  admitted  their  errors 
and  mistakes,  offend  no  more,  in  that  nature  or  case." 

Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  the  letter,  in  question, 
Col.  French  was  sent  to  Conestoga,  by  the  advice  of  the 
Board,  to  treat  with  the  Indians.  French  met  them 
at  Conestoga,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1719;  on  that  day,  he 
spc^e  to  them, as  follows: 

Friends  and  Brothers: 

"By  the  seal  to  this  paper  affixed,  and  my  old  ac- 
quaintance and  friendship  with  you,  you  will  believe  me 
that  I  am  a  true  man,  and  sent  from  your  good  friend 
and.  brother,  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  to  let  you 
know  that  he  is  well  pleased  and  satisfied  with  the  letter 
he  received  by  the  care  of  our  good  friend,  John  Cart- 
ledge,  in  the  begimiing  of  this  month,  signed  in  behalf 
of  your  nations  here  met,  in  which  letter  you  declare, 

13* 


138  HISTORY    OF 

severally,  your  intentions  of  keeping  his  words,  and  if 
any  amongst  you  have  done  amiss,  and  departed  from 
what  was  right  and  good  in  keeping  your  promises,  to 
observe,  strictly,  peace  with  all  the  Indians  in  friendship 
and  league  with  the  English,  you  have  therein 
acknowledged  your  errors  and  mistakes,  and  engaged  to 
offend  no  more  in  that  nature  or  case. 

The  Governor  takes  these  assurances  of  your  good 
behavior  very  kindly,  and  now  he  and  his  council  have 
sent  me  on  purpose  to  visit  you  that  I  might  further 
treat  with  you,  and  receive  you  in  the  same  manner,  and 
as  fully  as  he  and  his  council,  of  which  I  am  a  one,  were 
all  here  and  present  Avith  you,  so  well  begun  with  our 
good  friend,  John  Cartledge,  and  that  I  might  more  fully 
and  largely  give  him  an  account  of  your  affairs,  and  how 
matters  go  with  you.  I  must,  therefore,  acquaint  you 
from  my  Governor,  that  as  you,  in  your  treaty,  call 
yourselves  his  children,  he  will  always  trust  you  as  his 
sons,  and  that  he  has  ever  since  your  good  friend, 
William  Penn,  who  is  now  dead,  sent  amongst  you,  and 
endeavored  by  all  means  to  keep  you  in  peace,  and  given 
you  other  tokens  of  his  friendship,  that  you  might 
flourish  and  increase,  that  your  old  men  might  see  their 
children  grow  up  to  their  comfort  and  pleasure,  and  that 
the  young  men  might  bury  their  old  parents  when  they 
die,  which  is  much  better  than  to  see  your  old  people 
mourn  for  their  young  sons,  Avho  rashly,  and  without 
cause,  go  to  war  and  are  killed  in  the  prime  of  their 
years ;  and  he  hopes  now  that  you  are  all  fully  con- 
vinced that  peace  is  better  than  war,  which  destroys  you 
and  will  bring  you  to  nothing ;  your  strong  young  people 
being  first  killed,  the  old  women  and  children  are  left 
defenceless,  who  soon  will  become  a  prey:  and  so  all 
the  nation  perishes  withqut  leaving  a  name  to  posterity. 


LANCASTEE   COXTNTr.  139 

This  is  a  plain  mark  that  he  and  we  are  your  true 
friends;  for,  if  we  were  not,  then  we  would  encourage 
you  to  destroy  one  another:  for  friends  save  people  from 
ruin  and  destruction,  but  enemies  destroy  them.  And 
this  will  serve  as  a  mark  to  know  all  people  by,  who 
aje  your  enemies,  either  amongst  you  or  elsewhere,  if 
they  want,  or  study  to  throw  strife  and  dissention 
amongst  you:  these  are  a  base  and  bad  people,  and 
ought  to  be  rooted  out  from  amongst  you ;  for  love  and 
friendship  make  people  multiply,  but  malice  and  strife 
ruin  and  destroy.  Such  should,  therefore,  be  shut  out, 
both  from  you  and  us,  as  disturbers  of  our  peace  and 
friendship  which  have  always  continued. 

I  am  also  to  acquaint  you,  that  you  have  in  a  grave 
and  solemn  manner  renewed  your  last  treaty  with  me,  on 
which  message  I  am  now  come,  that  our  Governor  will 
write  to  all  the  Governors  of  the  English  that  the  Indians 
within  his  Government  are  resolved  to  live  peaceably 
and  quietly,  and  for  that  reason  that  they  should  give 
notice  to  all  their  Indians  thereof,  and  that  all  the  friends 
to  the  English  should  be  accounted  as  one  people,  and 
the  Government  desires  you  will  let  him  know  of 
what  nation  these  Indians  were  who  gave  you  the 
late  disturbance,  that  they  may  especially  be  ordered  to 
do  so  no  more. 

I  am  also  to  acquaint  you  that  it  is  the  Governor's 
pleasure  that  if  any  of  the  Five  Nations  came  amongst 
you  to  trade  or  hunt,  that  you  receive  them  as  friends 
and  brothers;  but  if  they  come  amongst  you,  either  to 
persuade  you  to  go  to  war  or  to  go  themselves,  or  in 
their  return  from  it,  that  then  you  have  nothing  to  do 
with  them  nor  entertain  them ;  for  he  expects  that  none 
of  his  friends  will  Imow  any  people  but  such  as  are 


140  HISTORY   OP 

peaceable,  lest  they  bring  you  into  a  snare  and  you  suffer 
hurt  for  their  faults. 

The  Governor  expects  and  requires,  that  if  any 
prrisoners,  by  any  means  whatever,  fall  into  any  of  your 
hands,  that  he  be  quicldy  acquainted  with  it,  and  that 
no  person  offer  to  take  upon  him  to  kill  any  stranger 
prisoner,  for  it  will  not  be  suffered  here.  He  has  been 
much  displeased  at  what  happened,  and  was  done  by 
some  amongst  you  last  year  in  these  parts,  but  is  now 
again  a  friend  upon  their  promise  and  engagement  to  do 
so  no  more,  and  will  take  no  more  notice  of  it,  if  they 
observe  and  fulfil  their  words.  It  is  indeed,  a  shameful 
and  base  thing  to  treat  a  creature  of  their  OAvn  shape 
and  kind  worse  and  more  barbarously  than  they  would 
a  bear  or  wolf,  or  the  most  wicked  creature  upon  earth. 
It  is  not  man-like  to  see  a  hundred  or  more  people  sing- 
ing songs  of  joy  for  the  taking  of  a  prisoner,  but  it  is 
much  worse  to  see  them  use  all  their  contrivances  of 
torture  and  pain,  to  put  that  unfortunate  creature  to 
death  after  such  a  manner,  and  was  as  other  nations, 
especially  the  English,  now  heard  of  j  for^  if  they  m  a 
just  war  kill  their  enemies,  it  is  like  men,  in  the  battle, 
and  if  they  take  them  prisoners,  they  use  them  well 
and  kindly,  mitil  their  King  gives  orders  to  return  them 
to  their  own  country.  They  take  no  pleasure  meanly  to 
bum,  pinch  or  slash,  a  poor  man  who  cannot  defend 
himself,  it  shows  mean  spirits  and  want  of  true  courage 
to  do  so.  For  men  of  true  courage  are  always  full  of 
mercy.  I  am  commanded  to  tell  you,  and  should  liave 
you  remember  it  well,  that  na  person  whatever  offer, 
after  this  time,  to  put  any  man  to  death  by  torture  here, 
for  whosoever  does  it  must  answer  it  to  the  Governor 
and  Government  at  their  peril.  It  is  inconsistent  with 
the  ways  of  nations ;  it  is  a  violent  affront  to  our  Govern- 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  141 

ment,  and  is  contrary  to  the  laws  of  the  Great  King, 
who  will  not  suffer  it. 

As  our  mutual  and  good  friendship  has  long  con- 
tinued; so  the  Governor  hopes,  and  the  GoYernment 
also,  that  it  will  last  from  one  generation  to  another,  as 
long  as  the  sun  endures ;  and  that  we  shall  be  of  one 
mind,  one  heart,  one  inclination,  ready  to  help  one 
another  in  all  just  and  good  ways,  by  charity,  compas- 
sion and  mercy,  sticking  closely  and  inviolately  to  all 
treaties  heretofore  made ;  and  most  exactly  to  this  now 
concluded,  which  he  hopes  will  forever  last  and  remain 
to  your  good  and  prosperity,  which  he  and  this  Govern- 
ment heartily  wish ;  and  it  is  expected  that  every  article 
of  this  treaty  be  from  the  whole  hearts  of  all  of  you ;  so, 
if  amongst  yourselves,  you  know  of  any  who  have  from 
your  last  treaty,  or  will  dissent  from  this,  let  them  be 
known  either  by  their  own  words  or  your  knowledge  of 
them,  for  what  I  do,  I  have  done  with  the  whole  consent 
of  our  Governor,  council  and  people." 

Col.  John  French,  in  company  with  Capt.  James 
Gould,  Joseph  Pigeon,  John  Cartledge  and  James  Hen- 
drickson,  iP.et  the  next  day  in  council  at  Conestoga. — 
There  were  present,  on  part  of  the  Indians,  Canatowa, 
Queen  of  the  Mingoes,  Sevana,  King  of  the  Shawenese, 
Wightomina,  King  of  the  Dela wares,.  Wininehack, 
King  of  the  Canawages,  and  Captain  Civility,  of 
Conestoga. 

Civility  J  interpreter,  in  behalf  of  the  four  nations, 
who  all  agreed  to  return  one  answer,  acquainted  John 
Cartledge,  interpreter  for  the  EngHsh,  that  this  day  the 
Indians  were  met  to  return  an  answer  to  the  Governor's 
speech  by  Colonel  French,  and  no  other  account. — 
Looking  upon  every  thing  said  to  Colonel  French  to  be 
said   as  if    the  Governor  and  his  council  were  then 


142  HISTORY    OF 

pTesent,  and  Colonel  French  to  be  a  true  man  to  the 
Government  and  to  the  Indians ;  they  return  with  one 
heart  and  mind  their  thanlte  to  the  Governor  for  this 
kind  message.  They  meet  him  and  take  him  by  the 
hand,  and  are  forever  determined  that  his  will  shall 
be  tlieirs,  and  that,  on  all  occasions,  tliey  will  be  ruled  by 
them. 

They  desire  that  the  Governor  may  b©  acquainted 
that  they  are  much  pleased  that  his  message  came 
whilst  tlieir  young  people  were  at  home,  for  whom  they 
had  lately  been  in  pain  and  trouble  as  being  absent  or 
ai>road,  that  they  might  hear  his  good  words  and  counsel, 
which  both  old  and  young  of  the  Mingoes,  Shawanese, 
Belawares  and  Cona wages,  are  resolved  to  hearken  to; 
for  tliough  hitherto  they  have  taken  night  for  day,  ye.t 
now  by  his  good  counsel  they  can  see  the  light  and 
what  is  good  for  them.  They  are  glad  that  none  of 
their  young  people  miscarried  in  their  late  journey,  and 
tiiat  being  now  present,  they  have  an  opportmiity  of 
hearing  tlie  Governor's  message  by  Col.  French,  for 
most  of  them  were,  when  the  other  letters  from  the 
Governor  came,  also  that  they  have  an  opportmiity  to 
ask  tlieir  opmions  and  designs.  Their  yomig  people 
agree  to  obey  the  Governor's  words  and  message.  And 
as  Colonel  French  yesterday  told  tliem,  that  what  he 
said  Was  with  the  whole  heart  of  Governor  and  council ; 
so  tliey  declare  that  what  they  say  is  not  from  their 
mouths  only,  but  from  their  whole  hearts,  and  the  heart 
of  every  one.  They  desire  the  Governor  to  believe,  and 
be  assm'ed  that  they  will  be  obedient  to  his  words,  and 
that  they  ever  have,  and  ever  will,  advise  their  young 
people  to  be  mindful  of  his  good  advice.  They 
acknowledge  themselves  so  much  obliged  to  the  Go- 
yernar  for  his  eare  and  concern  for  them,  that  they  iiitend 


LANCASTER   COUNTT.  143 

m  two  months'  time  to  wait  upon  the  Governor 
personally,  to  retm'n  their  hearty  thanlis  for  such  love 
from  him  and  his  Government" 

James  Logan,  Secretary,  being  on  business  up  the 
farther  end  of  the  Great  Valley,  on  the  road  to  Cones- 
toga,  went  to  the  Susquehanna,  at  the  request  of  the 
Governor,  where  he,  by  appointment  with  the  Indians, 
vj^o  were  desirous  to  speak  with  him  on  the  27th  of 
June,  met  them  at  the  house  of  John  Cartledg-e.     The 
chiefs  of  the  Mingoes  or  Conestogoe  Indians,  the  sachem 
or  chief  of  the  Shawanese,  the  chief  of  the  Ganawese, 
with  several  of  their  people  and  some  of  the  Delawarea, 
had  assembled  there  ;   John   Carfledge  and  Peter  Bi- 
zaillon,  interpreter,  having  seated    themselves;    James 
Logan  addressed  the  Indians,  "telling  them  that  as  they 
had  been  long  expected  at  Philadelphia,  in  pursuance  of 
their  own  messages  for  that  purpose ;   but  instead  of 
coming,  had  lately  sent  to  the  Governor,  desiring  some 
reasons  that  he  would  come  up  to  them.     Here  their  old 
friends,  with  whom  they  had  been  acquainted  in  their 
treaties    for  twenty    years  past,   being  now  come  on 
business    into  these  parts  were  willing   to  hear  from 
themselves,  not  only  how  it  was  with  them,  but  the 
occasion  of  their  delaying  their  journey  to  Philadelphia 
so  long,  and  at  length  sending  the  said  message  to  the 
Governor.      They  hereupon  sat  silent  without  appearing 
ready  to  speak  to  any  thing,  and  making  no  return,  tlie 
secretary  pressed  them  to  answer  him,  telling  them  that 
he  asked  these  questions  in  behalf  of  the  Governor  and 
Government,  that  they  themselves  had  appeared  desi- 
rous to  speak  to  him,  and  that  as  they  now  had  an 
opportunity  they  ought  to  proceed  and  speak  their  minds 
freely.     To  which  at  length  they  answered,  that  there 
had  been  lately  killed,  by  the  southern  Indians,  twelve 


144  HISTORY    OF 

men;  two  of  the  Mingoes  or  Five  Nations  and  two 
Shawanese,  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  from 
that  place,  which  was  the  occasion  of  their  sending  that 
message.  James  Logan  asked  them,  whether  these  two 
Shawanese  had  been  abroad  hunting:  they  answered, 
no !  They  had  gone  out  to  war.  He  then  demanded 
the  reason  why  they  would  offer  to  go  to  war  after  their 
solemn  promises  to  our  Government  to  the  contrary. 
The  chief  of  the  Shawanese  replied,  that  a  dispute  aris- 
ing among  some  of  their  young  men,  who  was  the  best 
man,  to  end  it,  they  resolved  to  make  the  trial  by  going 
to  war,  that  they  could  not  be  restrained,  but  took  the 
opportunity  of  accompanying  some  of  the  Five  Nations 
that  were  going  out  and  took  their  road  that  way. 

The  Secretary  told  them  he  should  have  a  great  deal 
to  say  to  them  on  these  heads,  and  that  the  day  being 
now  far  advanced,  he  must  desire  them  to  meet  him  in 
the  same  place  in  the  mxorning,  and  then  treating  them 
with  some  drink  Avithdrew. 

Next  morning  the  same  persons  attended,  bringing 
some  bundles  of  skins  with  them;  from  whence  it  being 
conjectured  that  the  Indians  designed  to  begin  a  discourse. 
All  being  seated,  after  some  time  spent  in  silence,  the 
Mingoes  or  Conestogoe  Indians  began ;  a  Ganawese  In- 
dian, who  called  him  Capt.  Smith,  and  is  said  to  speak 
all  the  several  languages,  viz  :  his  own,  or  the  Ganawese, 
the  Mingoe,  the  Shanawese  and  Delaware,  to  perfection, 
being  appointed  interpreter  into  the  Delaware  tongue, 
and  Peter  Bizaillon  and  John  Cartledge  interpreting  into 
English.     They  spoke  as  follows: 

"  The  last  year  Colonel  French  came  to  them  on  a 
message  from  the  Governor,  to  inquire  into  their  health, 
and  how  it  was  with  them,  their  children  and  grand- 
children." 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  145 

That  they  Were  not  then  ready  to  give  an  answer 
to  all  that  he  said  to  them,  but  that  now  they  would 
speak  freely  from  the  bottom  of  their  hearts,  and  their 
friends  might  depend  on  not  having  words  only,  but 
their  truest  inward  sentiments  without  reserve :  and  then 
they  laid  down  a  bundle  of  undressed  deer  skins. 

That  Col.  French  and  those  with  him  told  them  from 
the  Governor  that  the  message  the  Governor  sent  them, 
and' the  advice  he  gave  them,  loere  from  his  heart  and  for 
their  good,  and  they  would  as  freely  speak  from  their 
hearts.  The  Governor  advised  them  to  go  out  no  more 
to  war,  nor  to  join  with  any  of  the  Five  Nations,  or 
others  that  went  out  for  that  purpose,  but  to  live  at 
peace  with  all  people,  and  if  any  prisoners  were  brought 
to  their  towns,  they  should  not  suffer  them  to  be  burned 
or  toptured.  That  though  some  of  their  people  were 
killed  once  or  again,  yet  they  should  not  go  out,  but  bear 
it,  but  the  third  time  they  might  all  go  out  as  one  man 
together;  that  this  they  thought  was  somewhat  too  hard 
upon  them,  if  they  must  be  as  prisoners  at  home,  and 
could  not  go  to  meet  their  enemies  that  came  against 
them;  that  when  Governor  Penn  first  held  councils 
with  them,  he  promised  them  so  much  love  and  friend- 
ship that  he  would  not  call  them  brothers,  because 
brothers  might  differ,  nor  children,  because  these  might 
offend  and  reqtike  correction,  but  he  would  reckon  them 
as  one  body,  one  blood,  one  heart  and  one  head;  that 
they  always  remembered  this,  and  should  on  their  parts 
act  accordingly ;  that  five  of  the  old  men  who  were  at 
those  councils  were  living;  these  were  removed,  and 
those  who  were  then  very  young  are  now  grown  up  to 
succeed,  but  transmitted  it  to  their  children,  and  they  and 
all  theirs  should  remember  it  forever ;  thut  they  regarded 
not  reports,  or  what  was  said  abroad,  their  head  was  at 

13 


146  HISTO&Y   OB- 

Philadelphia,  and  they  were  one  with  him;  on  him  they 
depended  that  they  should  know  every  thing  that  con* 
earned  them. 

The  Ganawese,  in  behalf  of  their  people  say,  they  are 
glad  that  they  never  heard  any  thing  from  the  Govern- 
ment at  Philadelphia,  but  good  advice,  and  what  is  for 
their  advantage ;  that  their  present  chief  was  once  at  a 
council  with  William  Penn  before  they  removed  into  this 
province,  and  that  since  they  came  into  it,  they  have 
always  lived  quiet  and  in  peace,  which  they  acknowledge, 
and  are  thankful  for  it ;  that  the  advice  that  is  sent  them 
is  always  so  much  for  their  good  that  they  cannot  but 
gladly  receive  it.  When  the  smi  sets  they  sleep  in 
peace,  and  in  peace  they  rise  with  him,  and  so  continue 
while  he  continues  his  course,  and  think  themselves 
happy  in  their  friendship,  which  they  shall  take  care  to 
have  continued  from  generation  to  generation.  And 
that  as  it  shall  thus  forever  continue  on  their  side,  so 
they  desire  the  same  may  continue  on  the  Governor's 
part;  and  that  if  any  reports  should  be  heard  concerning 
them,  they  desire  it  may  not  be  believed  to  their  disad- 
vantage, for  they  will  still  be  true  and  the  same  they  at 
first  professed  themselves ;  and  then  laid  down  a  bundle 
of  deer  skins. 

The  Conestogas  say  : 

That  William  Penn  made  a  league  with  them  to  last 
for  three  or  four  generations ;  that  he  is  now  dead,  and 
most  of  their  ancients  are  also  dead,  but  the  league  of 
friendship  contmues  strong,  and  shall  forever  contmue  so 
on  their  part.  And  this  is  not  said  on  behalf  of  them- 
selves, the  Mingoes  only,  but  of  all  the  Indians  on  the 
river;  and  they  gave  another  bundle  of  deer  skins. 
Captain  Civility  threw  down  a  small  bundle  of  furs, 
saying : 


LANCASTER    COFNTY.  147 

"  That  they  all  join  and  sent  that  as  a  present  to  the 
Governor  to  make  him  a  beaver  hat.  They  say  in 
behalf  of  the  Ganawese,  that  they  have  no  writing  to 
show  their  league  of  friendship  as  the  others  have,  and 
therefore  desire  they  may  be  favored  with  one  lest,  if  they 
should  transgress  by  reason  of  rum,  which  was  brought 
to  them  in  too  large  quantities,  they  may  be  cast  off 
and  forgotten  that  ever  they  were  in  friendship  with  us.'* 

The  Indians  being  met  again  after  some  refreshments, 
the  secretary  spoke  to  them  as  follows: 

"It  must  be  a  great  satisfaction  to  all  honest  and  good 
men  to  find  that  the  measures  that  great  man,  William 
Pemi,  took  to  establish  a  firm  friendship  with  you  had 
such  excellent  success.  Your  predecessors  and  you 
always  found  him  sincere  in  what  he  professed.  He 
always  ordered  all  those  in  power  during  his  absence  to 
show  you  all  the  like  friendship  and  affection.  Every 
Governor  that  has  been  the  same  to  you,  and  the  present 
Governor,  Colonel  Keith,  showed  the  same  disposition 
immediately  upon  his  arrival,  by  hastening  up  to  you 
with  his  council  and  many  of  his  friends  as  soon  as  he 
heard  you  were  in  trouble. 

You,  on  your  part,  have  been  faithful  and  true  to  us, 
whatever  reports  might  be  spread,  yet  the  chain  was 
still  preserved  strong  and  bright.  We  have  lived  in 
perfect  peace  and  unity  above  any  other  Government  in 
America.  And  you  renewing  the  chain  at  this  time  upon 
the  decease  of  your  great  friend  with  us  who  remain 
alive,  is  so  affectionate  and  kind  that  I  shall  not  fail  to 
represent  it  duly  to  the  Governor  and  your  good  friends 
in  Philadelphia.  This  chain  has  been  made  forty  years 
ago ;  it  is  at  this  time  strong  and  bright  as  ever,  and  I 
hope  will  continue  so  between  oua:  children  and  your 
children,,  and  their  chil<iren's  children  to  all  generations 


148  HISTORY    OF 

while  the  water  flows  or  the  sun  shines  in  the  heavens; 
and  may  the  Great  Spirit,  who  rules  the  heavens,  and  the 
earth,  and  who  made  and  supported  us  all,  who  is  a  friend 
to  all  good  men  who  love  justice  and  peace,  continue  the 
same  blessings  upon  it  forever. 

But  my  friends  and  brothers,  as  we  are  obliged  to  care 
for  each  other,  and  as  the  English  have  opportunities  of 
seeing  farther  than  you,  I  find  myself  obliged,  in  behalf 
of  the  Governor  and  Government,  to  offer  you  some 
advice  that  may  be  of  great  importance  to  you,  and 
which  at  this  time  is  absolutely  necessary. 

You  acquainted  me  yesterday  with  a  loss  you  had 
sustained,  viz :  that  twelve  men,  ten  of  the  Five  Nations 
and  two  Shawanese,  had  been  lately  cut  off  by  the 
southern  Indians,  not  two  hundred  miles  from  this  place, 
which  grieves  me  exceedingly. 

I  am  scarcely  willing  to  mention  the  cause  of  it,  lest  I 
should  trouble  you,  but  I  must  do  it  for  your  good; 
I  should  not  be  your  true  friend  should  I  forbear. 

You  know  then,  my  brothers,  that  the  cause  is  nhat 
some  of  your  young  men  have  unadvisedly  gone  out  ta 
war  in  company  with  others  of  the  Five  Nations 
against  the  southern  Indians.  Yomig  men  love  to  go 
sometimes  to  war  to  show  their  manhood,  but  they  have 
unhappily  gone  against  Indians  that  are  in  friendship 
with  the  English.  You  know,  that  as  of  the  Five 
Nations,  some  are  called  Isawandswaes,  some  Cayoogoes, 
some  Anondogees,  some  Oneyookes,  and  some  Con- 
nyinngoes,  yet  they  are  all  one  people ;  so  the  English, 
though  they  have  different  Governments,  and  are  divided 
into  New  England,  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland,  Virginia  and  Carolina,  yet  they  are  all 
mider  one  great  king  who  has  twenty  times  as  many 
subjects    as  all  these,  and  has  in  one  city  as  many 


LANCASTER  COUNTY.  149 

subjects  as  all  the  Indians  we  know  are  in  North 
America.  To  him  we  are  all  subject  and  are  all 
governed  by  the  same  laws;  therefore,  those  Indians 
who  are  in  league  with  one  Goremment  are  in  league 
with  all ;  your  friendship  with  us  recommends  you  to  the 
friendship  of  all  other  English  Governments,  and 
their  friends  are  our  friends.  You  must  not,  therefore, 
hurt  or  annoy  any  of  the  English  or  any  of  their  friends 
whatsoever. 

Those  southern  Indians,  especially  the  Tootelese, 
formerly  made  friendship  with  you,  and  I  believe  it  was 
them  who  lately  sent,  yqu  nine  belts  of  wampum  to  con- 
tinue the  league.  They  desired  peace,  yet  the  Five 
Nations,  and  some  of  your  rash  young  men  have  set 
upontliem;  pray,  remember,  they  are  men  as  well  as 
you;  consider,  therefore,  I  request,  what  you  would 
think  of  yourselves,  should  you  suffer  these  or  any  other 
people  to  come  year  after  year  and  cut  off  your  towns, 
yom-  wives  and  children,  and  those  that  escape  should  sit 
still  and  not  go  out  against  them ;  you  would  not  then 
deserve  to  be  accounted  men ;  and  as  they,  you  find,  are 
men,  it  is  no  wonder  if  they  come  o-ut  to  meet  these 
young  fellows  and  endeavor  to  destroy  those  whose 
business  it  is  to  destroy  them  and  their  families." 

I  must  further,  my  friend,  lay  before  you  the  conse- 
quence of  your  suffering  any  of  your  young  men  to  join 
with  tliose  of  the  Five  Nations.  They  come  tlirough 
your  towns  and  bring  back  their  prisoners  through  your 
settlements,  thus  they  open  a  clear  path  from  these 
southern  Indians  to  your  towns,  and  they  who  have 
been  wrong  may  follow  that  open  path,  and  first  come 
directly  as  the  path  leads  to  you.  Thus  you-  have  done 
but  little,  and  by  the  instigation  and  advice  of  others 
uiay  be  the  first  that  are  fallen  upon,,  while  those  of  the 

13* 


150  HISTORY   OP 

Five  Nations  are  safe  at  home,  at  a  great  distance  with 
their  wives  and  children,  and  you  may  be  the  only 
sufferers. 

They  have  hitherto  come  out  to  meet  their  enemies 
who  were  going  to  attack  them,  and  lilce  men  they  fight 
them ;  but  as  I  am  your  friend,  I  must  further  inform  you 
that  these  people  would  come  quite  up  to  your  towns  to 
do  the  same  to  you  that  they  have  suffered,  but  your 
being  settled  among  the  English  has  hitherto  preserved 
you,  for  the  Governors  of  Virginia  and  Carolina  can  no 
longer  hinder  them  from  defending  themselves.  They 
desired  peace,  and  would  live  in  peace,  if  it  might  be 
granted  them. 

I  must  further  inform  you,  as  your  friend,  that  this 
whole  business  of  making  war  m  the  manner  you  do,  is 
now  owmg  to  those  who  desire  nothing  more  than  to  see 
all  the  Indians  cut  off,  as  well  to  the  northward  as  to  the 
southward,  that  is  the  French  of  Canada,  for  they  would 
have  the  Five  Nations  to  destroy  the  southern  nations, 
the  destruction  of  all  being  their  desire.  The  Governor 
told  you,  by  Col.  French,  that  they  were  your  enemies 
who  put  you  upon  war;  and  they  are  your  truest 
friends,  who  would  preserve  you  in  peace  ;  hearken  to 
the  advice  of  your  friends,  and  you  will  be  preserved. — 
You  see  your  numbers  yearly  lessen;  I  have  known 
above  three  score  men  belonging  to  this  tovvai,  and  now 
I  see  not  five  of  the  old  men  remaining. 

What  the  Governor  has  said  to  you  by  myself  and  by 
Colonel  French,  and  v/hat  I  now  say  to  you  is  for  your 
own  advantage,  and  if  you  are  your  own  friends  you 
wiR  pursue  the  advice  that  is  given  you.  If  any  of  the 
Five  Nations  come  this  way  in  their  going  to  war,  and. 
call  on  any  of  ^^ou  to  accompany  them,  you  must  inform 
them  as  you  are  in  league  with  us,  and  are  our  people*. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY..  15l\ 

you  cannot  break  your  promises,  aa^  it  cannot  but  be. 
pleasing  to  them  to  see  youlivie  in  such  friendship  with 
us.  I  have  said  enough  on  these  heads,  and  you  I  hope 
will  lay  it  up  in  your  hearts,,  and  duly  observe  it :  let  it 
sink  into  your  minds,  fop  it  is  of  great  weight, 

The  Ganawese  have  behaved  tiiemselves  well  since 
they  c£uiie  amongst  us,  and  they  sh^ll  have  what  they 
desire.  Your  people  of  Conestogoe,,  about  twenty  years 
ago,  brought  the  Shawanese  to  Philadelphia  to  see  and. 
treat  with  Governor  Penn,  and  then  promised  the 
Governor  that  they  would  answer  for  the  Shawanese 
that  they  would  live  peaceably  and  in  friendship  with  us, 
but  we  find  their  ears  are  thick,  they  do  not  hear  what 
we  say  to  them,  nor  regard  our  advice. 

The  chief  of  the  Shawanese  answered  to  this  with 
deep  concern ;  that  this  was  occasioned  by  the  young 
men  who  lived  under  no  Government ;  that  when  their 
king,  who  was  then  living,  Opessah,  took  the  Govern- 
ment upon  him,  but  the  people  differed  with  him;  he  left 
them,  they  had  no  chief,  therefore  some  of  them  applied 
to, him  to  take  that  charge  upon  him,  but  that  he  had 
only  the  nation  without  any  authority,  and  would  do 
nothing.  He  counselled  them,  but  they  would  not  obey,, 
therefore  he  cannot  answer  for  them ;  and  divers  that 
were  present,  both  English  and  Indians,  confirmed  the 
truth  of  this. 

The  secretary  hereupon  admonished  him  and  the  rest 
to  take  a  further  care,  that  what  had  been  said  should 
be  pressed  upon  the  young  people  and  duly  observed ; 
and  then  calling  for  liquor  and  drinliing  with  them 
dismissed  them. 

But  the  Indians,  before  they  would  depart,  earnestly 
pressed  that  an  account  of  this  treaty  should,  with  all 
possible  speed,  be  despatched  to  the  Governors  to  the 


l$2'  HISTORY    OF 

southward,  and  to  their  Indians,  that  further  mischief' 
might  he  prevented;  for  they  were  apprehensive  the 
southern  Indians  might  come  out  to  meet  the  Five 
Nations,  and  then  they,  as  had  been  said  to  them,  lying 
in  the  road  might  be  the  sufferers,  but  they  truly  desired 
peace,  and  were  always  against  molesting  any  Indians 
that  were  under  the  protection  &r  lived  i-n  friendship 
with  the  English. 

The  secretary  then  proposed  to  them  that  they  should 
send  some  of  their  people  with  belts  of  wampum  to  the 
Governor  of  Virginia,  to  assure  him  of  their  resolution 
to  live  in  peace,  and  to  desire  him  to  acquaint  all  his 
Indians  wjth  the  same.  They  readily  agreed  to  send 
belts  without  delay,  and  promised  the  following  week  to 
bring  them  to  Philadelphia;  but  they  seemed  appre- 
hensive of  danger  to  their  people  in  going  to  Virginia, 
where  they  were  all  strangers,  unless  the  Governor 
would  send  some  English  in  company  with  them  to 
protect  them. 

After  this  conference  was  ended.  Civility  desired  to 
speak  with  the  secretary  in  private,  and  an  opportunity 
being  given,  he  acquainted  the  secretary  that  some  of 
the  Five  Nations,  especially  the  Gayoogoes,  had  at  divers 
times  expressed  a  dissatisfaction  at  the  large  settlements 
made  by  the  English  on  the  Susquehanna,  and  that 
they  seemed  to  claim  a  property  or  right  to  those-  lands. 
The  secretary  answered,  that  he  (Civility)  and  all  the 
nations  were  sensible  of  the  contrary,  and  that  the  Five 
Nations  had  long  since  made  aver  all  their  right  to  Sus- 
quehaima  to  the  Government  of  New  York,*  and  that 

*William  Penn  had  engaged  Thomas  Dongan,  late  Governor 
of  New  York,  to  make  a  purchase  of  these  lands.  Dongan, 
(January  13th,  1696,)  conveyed  by  deeds  to  William  Penn  all 
that  tract  o£  land  lying,  owbotk  sides  of  the  river  Suscjuehanngi,. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  153^ 

Governor  Penn  had  purchased  that  right  with  which 
tliey  had  been  fully  acquainted.  Civility  acknowledged 
the  truth  of  this,  but  proceeded  to  say  he  thought  it  his 
duty  to  inform  us  of  it,  that  we  might  the  better  prevent 
all  misunderstanding." 

The  following  week  they  redeemed  their  promises  "  to 
send  their  belts  of  wampum  without  delay  to  Philadel- 
phia." The  Conestogos  sent  their  belts  by  Tagoleless  or 
Civility,  Oyanowhachso,  Sohais  Connedechto's  son  and, 
Tayucheinjch :  the  Ganawese,  by  Ousewayteichks  or 
Captain  Smith,  Sahpechtah,  Meemeeivoonnook,  Win^- 
jock's  son,  George  Waapessum  and  John  Prince :  Ken- 
neope  carried  the  Shawanese  belt  of  wampum. 

He  mformed  them  that  he  was  pleased  to  hear  that 
ihej  were  disposed  to  be  peaceable,  and  that  he  would, 
with  all  possible  despatch,  send  a  message  to  the  south, 
to  acquaint  the  Indians  there  of  their  peaceable  inten- 
tions ;  but  as  it  would  require  some  time  to  do  this  fully, 
he  advised  those  present,  and  through  them  then  about 
Susquehanna,  to  take  care  of  themselves  and  keep  out  of 
tlie  warrior's  paths  till  a  full  and  perfect  peace  and  good 
understanding  can  be  settled. 

The  Governor  and  council  sent  Samuel  Robins  to 
Governor  Spotswood,  of  Virginia,  with  these  belts;  he 
delivered  them ;  and  returned  in  March  following,  with 
two  belts  from  the  Indians  of  Virginia,  which  were  sent 

and  the  Lakes  ad|acent,  in  ornear  the  provincje  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  consideration  of  £100  sterhng:.  beginning  at  the 
mountains^  or  head  of  the  said  river,  and  running  as  far  as, 
and  into  the  bay  of  Chesapeak,  which  the  said  Thomas  lately 
purchased  of,  or  had  given  him  by  the  Susquehanna  Indians, 
with  warranty  from  the  Susquehanna  Indians. — Smith,  II.  Ill, 
112.  This  pm'chase  was  confirmed  in  1700,  when  Penn  held 
a  treaty  with  the  Mingoes ;  and.  subsequently  at  a  meeting  at 
Conestoga  it  was  again  confirmed. — Col.  Rec.  II J.  95. 


;^«J*. 


154  HISTORY    OP 

to  those  of  Conestogoe,  assuring  them  that  they  "  will 
not  in  future  pass  over  Potomack  river  to  eastward  or 
northward,  or  the  high  ridge  mountains  extending  along- 
tlie  back  of  Virginia:  Provided,  That  those  of  Cones- 
togo,  and  those  to  the  northward,  shall  not  pass  over 
Potomack  into  Virginia,  to  the  southward,  nor  shall  go 
over  to  the  eastward  of  the  said  ridge  of  mountains." — 
Jolm  Cartledge  delivered  them  the  belts  and  interpreted 
the  messaa:e. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


Governor  Keith  visits  the  Governor  of  Virginia — Holds  a  council  with 
the  Indians  at  Conestoga — Indians  complain  of  the  use  of  rum,  &c. — 
Their  trade  in  pelts  impaired — Secretary  Logan  holds  a  discourse  with 
Ghesaont — Ghesaont's  reply,  &c. — Disturbances  created  by  intruders 
under  pretence  of  finding  coppermines,  &c. — Governor  Keith  has  a 
survey  of  lands  made  on  the  West  side  of  Susquehanna — Indians: 
aJarmedby  Maryland  intruders — Logan,  French  and  Sheriff  of  the  county 
hold  a  council  at  Conestoga — Keith  determines  to  resist  attempted 
raicroachmcnts  by  the  Marylanders — A  council  is  held  at  Conestoga — 
Springetsburg  manor  surveyed — Council  held  at  Conoytown-^Settlement 
of  Germans  at  Swatara  and  Tulpehocken.. 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  it  is  stated,  that  Samuel 
Robins  had  been  sent,  by  the  Governor  and  council,  to 
Governor  Spottswood,  of  Virginia ;  but  before  he 
returned,  Governor  Keith  started  for  Virginia;  on  his 
way  thither,  he  met  Robins,  at  Chester,  returning  to 
Philadelphia.  Keith,  after  an  interview  had  with 
Robins,  pursued  his  journey. 

In  order  to  reconcile  the  Pennsylvania  Indians  and 
those  of  the  south,  he  visited  the  Governor  of  Virginia^ 
in  person.  The  dissentions  among  the  belligerents  were 
caused  about  theii    hunting    grounds.      The  quari:eL^; 


LANCASTER    COUNTT.  155 

• 

between  the  Indians  were  such  as  to  disturb  the  peace 
of  the  province.  To  prevent  this,  Keith  entered  into 
articles  of  stipulation;  returned,  determined  on,  and 
soon  afterwards,  visiting  the  Indians  at  Conestoga,  to 
have  them  ratify  the  treaty,  which  was  in  substance: 
"  That  the  Indians  resident  on  the  north  and  south  of  the 
Potomac  be  confined  to  their  respective  sides  of  the 
river." 

Governor  Keith,  accompanied  by  a  suit  of  seventy 
horsemen,  many  of  them  well  armed,  repaired  to 
Conestoga.*  "He  arrived  there,  July  5th,  1721,  at 
noon,  and  in  the  evening  went  to  Captain  Civility's 
cabin,  where  four  deputies  of  the  Five  Nations,  and 
some  few  more  of  their  people,  came  to  see  the  Go- 
vernor, who  spake  to  them  by  an  interpreter  to  this 
purpose : 

That  this  being  the  first  time  that  the  Five  Nations 
had  thought  fit  to  send  any  of  their  chiefs  to  visit  him 
(the  Governor  had  invited  them  to  Philadelphia;  but  they 
refused),  he  had  come  a  great  way  from  home  to  bid 
them  welcome ;  that  he  hoped  to  be  better  acquainted 
and  hold  a  further  discourse  with  them  before  he  left  the 
place. 

They  answered,  that  they  were  eome  a  long  way  on 
purpose  to  see  the  Governor  and  speak  with  him ;  that 
they  had  heard  much  of  him,  and  would  have  come 
here  before  now,  but  that  the  faults  or  mistakes  of  their 
young  men  had  made  them  ashamed  to  shew  their  faces, 
but  now  that  they  had  seen  the  Governor's  face,  they 
were  well  satisfied  with  their  journey,  whether  any  thing 
else  was  done  or  not. 

The  Governor  told  them  that  to-morrow  morning  he 
designsd    to  speak  a  few  words  to  his  brothers  and 

»Proud,  II.  12a. 


136  '  HISTORY   01? 

children,  the  Indians  of  Conestoga  and  their  friends 
Upon  Susquehanna,  and  desired  that  deputies  of  the 
Five  Nations  might  be  present  in  council  to  hear  what  is 
■said  to  them. 

At  a  council  held  at  Conestoga,  July  6th,  1721 — 
Present:  the  Hon.  Sir  William  Keith,  Bart.,  Gov. 
Richard  Hdl,  Caleb  Pusey,  Jonathan  Dickinsors,  Col. 
John  French,  James  Logan,  secretary. 

The  Governor  spoke  to  the  Indians,  as  follows :  My 
brothers  and  children,  soon  as  you  sent  me  word  that 
your  fnends  and  relations,  the  chiefs  of  the  Five 
Nations,  were  come  to  visit  you,  I  made  haste  and  came 
up  to  see  both  you  and  them,  and  to  assure  all  the 
Indians  of  the  continuance  of  my  love  to  them. 

Your  old  acquaintance  and  true  friend,  the  great 
William  Penn,  was  a  wise  man,  and  therefore  he  did  not 
approve  of  wars  among  the  Indians  whom  he  loved, 
because  it  wasted  and  destroyed  their  people,  but 
always  recommended  peace  to  the  Indians  as  the  surest 
way  to  make  them  rich  and  strong  by  increasing  their 
numbers. 

Some  of  you  can  well  remember  since  WUiiam  Penu 
and  his  friends  came  first  to  settle  among  you  in  this 
country ;  it  is  but  a  few  years,  and  lil<:e  as  yesterday,  to 
an  old  man;  nevertheless,  by  folio wmg  that  great  man's 
peaceable  comicils  this  Government  is  now  become 
wealtliy  and  powerful,  in  great  numbers  of  people ;  and 
though,  many  of  our  inhabitants  are  not  accustomed  to 
war,  and  dislike  the  practice  of  men  killing  one  another, 
yet  you  cannot  but  know  I  am  able  to  bring  several 
thousands  into  the  field  well  armed  to  defend  both  your 
people  and  ours  from  being  hm't  by  any  enemy  that 
durst  attempt  to  invade  us.  However,  we  do  not  forget 
what  William  Penn  often  told  us,  "  That  the  experience 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  157 

of  old  age,  which  is  true  wisdom,  advises  peace,''  and  I 
say  to  you,  that  the  wisest  man  is  also  the  bravest  man, 
for  he  safely  depends  on  his  wisdom,  and  there  is  no 
true  courage  without  it.  I  have  so  great  a  love  for  you, 
my  dear  brothers,  who  live  under  the  protection  of  this 
Government,  that  I  cannot  suffer  you  to  be  hurt  no  more 
than  I  would  my  own  children.  I  am  just  now  returned 
from  Virginia,  where  I  wearied  myself  in  a  long  journey 
both  by  land  and  water,  only  to  make  peace  for  you,  my 
childi'en,  that  you  may  safely  hunt  in  the  woods  without 
danger  from  Virginia,  and  the  many  Indian  nations  that 
are  at  peace  with  that  Government.  But  the  Governor 
of  Virginia  expects  that  you  will  not  hunt  within  the 
Great  Mountains,  on  the  other  side  of  Potomac  river; 
being  it  is  a  small  tract  of  land  which  he  keeps  for  the 
Virginia  Indians  to  hunt  in;  and  he  promises  that  his 
Indians  shall  not  any  more  come  on  this  side  Potomac, 
or  behind  the  Great  Mountains,  this  way,  to  disturb  your 
hunting;  and  this  is  the  condition  I  have  made  for  you, 
which  I  expect  you  will  firmly  keep,  and  not  break  it  on 
any  consideration  whatsoever. 

I  desire  that  what  I  have  now  said  to  you,  may  be 
interpreted  to  the  chiefs  of  the  Five  Nations,  present; 
for  as  you  are  a  part  of  them.  They  are  in  like  manner 
one  with  us,  as  you  yourselves  are ;  and  therefore  our 
councils  must  agree  and  be  made  known  to  one  another; 
for  our  hearts  should  be  open,  that  we  may  perfectly  see 
into  one  another's  breasts.  And  that  your  friends  may 
speak  to  me  freely,  tell  them  I  am  willing  to  forget  the 
mistakes  which  some  of  their  young  men  were  gtiilty  off 
among  our  people ;  I  hope  they  will  grow  wiser  with 
age,  and  hearken  to  the  grave  counsels  of  their  old  men 
whose  valor  we  esteem  because  they  are  Wise;  but 
the  rashness  of  their  young  men  is  altogeth^  Colly. 

r4 


158  H1ST0R7   OF 

At  Conestoga,  in  council,  July  7th. — Present:  Gov^ 
Keith,  Richard  Hill,  Caleb  Pusey,  Jonathan  Dickinson, 
CoL  John  French,  James  Logan,  Secretary,  with  divers 
other  gentlemen.  Present,  also :  The  chiefs  or  deputifflr 
sent  by  the  Five  Nations  to  treat  with  the  Govemmenk, 
viz :  Sinnekaes  nation,  Ghesaont,  Awennool,  Onondagoes 
nation,  Tannawree,  Skeetowas,  Gayoogoes  nation, 
Sahoode,  Tchehuque. 

Smith,  the  Ganawese  Indian  interpreter  of  the  Mingo 
language  to  the  Delawares;  Jolin  Cartledge  and  James 
Le  Tort,  interpreter  of  the  Delaware  into  English. 

Ghesaont,  in  the  name  and  on  the  behalf  of  all  the 
Five  Nations,  delivered  himself  in  speaking  to  the 
Governor,  as  follows : 

They  were  glad  to  see  the  Governor  and  his  council 
at  this  place,  for  they  had  heard  much  of  the  Governor 
in  their  towns  before  they  came  from  home,  and  now 
they  find  him  to  be  what  they  had  then  heard  of  him, 
viz :  their  friend  and  brother,  and  the  same  as  if  William 
Penn  were  still  amongst  them.  They  assure  the  Go- 
vernor and  council  that  they  had  not  forgot  William 
Penn's  treaties  with  them,  and  that  his  advice  to  them 
was  still  fresh  in  their  memories. 

Though  they  cannot  write,  yet  they  retain  every  thing 
said  in  their  councils  with  all  the  nations  they  treat 
with,  and  preserve  it  as  carefully  in  their  memories 
as  if  it'.jvas  committed  in  our  method  to  writing. 

They  complain  that^our  traders  carrying  goods  and 
liquors  up  the  Susquehanna  river,  sometimes  meet  with 
their  young  men  out  to  war,  and  treat  them  unkindly;, 
not  only  refusing  to  give  them  a  dram  of  their  liquor, 
but  use  them  with  ill  language,  and  call  them  dogs,  &c. 

They  take  this  unldndly,  because  dogs  have  no  sense 
or  understanduig;  whereas  they  are  men,  and  think  that 


LANCASTER   COTTNTr,  159 

their  brothers  should  not  compare  them  to  such  creatures. 
That  some  of  our  traders  calling  their  young  men  by 
those  names,  the  young  men  answered,  "if  they  were 
dogs  then  they  might  act  as  such;"  whereupon,  they 
seized  a  keg  of  their  liquor  and  ran  away  with  it. 

N.  B. — This  seems  to  be  told  in  their  artful  way  to 
excuse  some  small  robberies  that  had  been  committed  by 
their  young  people. 

Then  laying  down  a  belt  of  wampum  upon  the  table, 
he  proceeded,  and  said:  That  all  their  disorders  arose 
from  the  use  of  rum  and  strong  spirits,  which  took  away 
their  sense  and  memory ;  that  they  had  no  such  liquors 
among  themselves,  but  were  hurt  with  what  we  fuj- 
nished  to  them,  and  therefore  desired  them  that  no 
more  of  that  sort  might  be  sent  among  them. 

He  presented  a  bundle  of  dressed  skins,  and  said: 
That  the  Five  Nations,  faithfully,  remembered  all  their 
ancient  treaties,  and  now  desire  that  the  chain  of  friend- 
ship, between  them  and  us,  may  be  made  strong  as  that 
none  of  the  links  can  never  be  broken. 

Presents  a  bundle  of  raw  skins,  and  observes :  That  a 
chain  may  contract  rust  with  lying  and  become  weaker, 
wherefore,  he  desires  it  may  now  become  so  well 
cleaned  as  to  remain  brighter  and  stronger  than  ever  it 
was  before. 

Presents  another  parcel  of  skins,  and  says :  That  as  in 
the  firmament  all  clouds  and  darkness  are  removed  from 
the  face  of  the  sun,  so  they  desire  that  all  misunderstand- 
ings may  be  fully  done  away ;  so  that  when  they  who 
aie  now  here  shall  be  dead  and  gone,  their  whole  people 
with  their  children  and  posterity,  may  enjoy  the  clear 
sunshine  of  friendship  with  us  forever,  ■without  any 
tiling  to  interpose  and  obscure  it 

Presents  another  bundle  of  skinsj  and  says :   That 


160  HISTORT   OF 

looking  Kpon  the  Governor,  as  if  William  Penn  was 
present,  they  desire,  that  in  case  any  disorders  should 
hereafter  happen  between  their  young  and  ours,  we 
would  not  be  too  hasty  in  resenting  any  such  accident, 
until  their  council  and  ours  can  have  some  opportunity  to 
treat  amicably  upon  it,  and  so  to  adjust  all  matters  as 
that  the  friendship  between  us  may  still  be  uiviolably 
preserved. 

Presents  another  parcel  of  dressed  skins  and  desires  t 
That  we  may  now  be  together  as  one  people,  treating 
one  another's  children  kindly  and  affectionately  on  all 
occasions.  He  proceeds,  and  says :  That  they  consider 
themselves,  in  this  treaty,  as  the  full  plenipotentiaries 
and  representations  of  the  Five  Nations,  and  they  look 
upon  the  Governor  as  the  Great  King  of  England's 
Representative,  and  therefore  they  expect  that  every 
tiling  now  stipulated  will  be  made  absolutely  firm  and 
good  on  both  sides. 

Presents  a  bundle  of  bear  skins,  and  says:  That 
having  now  made  a  firm  league  witii  us  as  becomes  OUF 
brothers,  they  complain  that  they  get  too  little  for  their 
skms  and  furs,  so  as  they  cannot  live  by  their  hunting. — 
They  desire  us,  therefore,  to  take  compassion  on 
them  and  contrive  some  way  to  help  them  in  that 
particular. 

Presenting  a  few  furs,  he  speaks  only  as  for  himself  to 
acquaint  the  Governor  that  the  Five  Nations  having 
heard  that  the  Governor  of  Virginia  wanted  to  speak 
with  them.  He  himself,  with  some  of  his  company, 
intend  to  proceed  to  Virginia,  but  da  not  know  the  way 
how  to  get  safe  thither. 

At  a  council  held  at  the  house  of  John  Cartledge,  Esq. 
near  Conestoga,  July  8th,  1721.    Present,  Gov.  Keith, 


LANCASTEB   COUNTY.  161 

Richard  Hill,  Jonathan  Dickinson,  Col.  John  French, 
James  Logan,  secretary. 

The  Governor  desired  the  Board  would  advise  him  as  to 
the  quantity  and  kind  of  presents  that  must  be  made  to 
the  Indians  in  return  to  theirs,  and  in  confirmation  of  his 
speech  to  them.  Whereupon  it  was  agreed  that  twenty- 
five  strowd  match  coats  of  two  yards  each,  one 
hundred  weight  of  gunpowder,  two  hundred  weight  of 
lead,  with  some  biscuit,  tobacco  and  pipes,  should  be 
delivered  as  the  Governor's  present  to  the  Five  Nations. 
And  the  same  being  prepared  accordingly,  the  coimcil 
was  adjourned  to  Conestoga,  the  place  of  treaty. 

At  a  council  held  at  Conestoga,  July  8th,  1721.  P.  M. 
Present :  Gov.  Keith,  and  the  same  members  as  before, 
with  divers"  gentlemen  attending,  the  Governor  and  the 
chiefs  of  the  Five  Nations  being  all  seated  in  comicil, 
and  the  presents  laid  down  before  the  Indians.— 
The  Governor  spoke  to  them,  by  the  interpreters,  in 
these  words : 

My  friends  and  brothers,  it  is  a  great  satisfaction  to  me 
that  I  have  this  opportunity  of  speaking  to  the  valient 
and  wise  Five  Nations,  whom  you  tell  me  you  are  fully 
empowered  to  represent.  I  treat  with  you,  therefore,  as 
if  all  these  nations,  here,  were  present;  and  you  are  to 
understand  that  what  I  now  say  to  be  agreeable  to  the 
minds  of  our  great  monarch,  George,  the  King  of  Eng- 
land, who  lends  his  care  to  establish  peace  amongst  all 
the  mighty  nations  of  Europe,  and  unto  whom  all  the 
the  people,  in  these  parts,  are  as  it  were  but  like  one 
drop  of  a  bucket;  so  that  what  is  now  transacted 
between  us  must  be  laid  up  as  the  words  of  the  whole 
body  of  your  people  and  our  people,  to  be  kept  in 
perpetual  remembrance.  I  am  also  glad  to  find  that 
you  renoember  what  William  Penn  formerly  said  to  you. 

U* 


162  HISTORY    OF 

He  was  a  great  man,  and  a  good  man;  his  own  people 
loved  him;  he  loved  the  Indians,  and  they  also  loved 
him;  he  was  as  their  father;  he  would  never  suffer 
them  to  be  wronged;  never  would  he  let  his  people  enter 
upon  any  lands  until  he  had  first  purchased  them  of  the 
Indians.  He  was  just,  and  therefore  the  Indians  loved 
him. 

Though  he  is  now  removed  from  us,  yet  his  children 
and  people  follow  his  example,  will  always  take  the 
same  measures,  so  that  his  and  our  posterity  will  be  as  a 
long  chain  of  which  he  was  the  first  liiik,  and  one  link 
ends  another  succeeds,  and  then  another  being  all  firmly 
bound  together  in  one  strong  chain  to  endure  forever. — 
He  formerly  knit  the  chain  of  friendship  with  you  as  the 
chief  of  all  the  Indians  in  these  parts,  lest  this  chain 
should  grow  rusty  you  now  desire  it  may  be  secured  and 
made  strong,  to  bind  us  as  one  people  together.  We  do 
assure  you  it  is,  and  has  always  been  bright  on  one  side, 
and  so  we  will  ever  keep  it. 

As  to  your  complaint  of  our  traders,  that  they  have 
treated  some  of  your  young  men  unkindly,  I  take  that  to 
be  said  only  by  way  of  excuse  for  the  follies  of  your 
people,  thereby  endeavoring  to  persuade  me  that  they 
were  provoked  to  do  what  you  very  well  know  they  did ; 
but,  as  I  told  our  own  Indians  two  days  ago,  I  am 
willing  to  pass  by  all  these  things.  You  may  therefore  be 
assured  that  our  people  shall  not  offer  any  injury  to 
yours;  or  if  I  know  that  they  do,  they  shall  be  severely 
punished  for  it.  So  you  must,  in  like  manner,  strictly 
command  your  young  men  that  they  do  not  offer  any 
injury  to  ours;  for  when  they  pass  through  the  utmost 
skirts  of  our  inhabitants,  where  there  ase  no  people  yet 
settled,  but  a  few  traders,  they  should  be  more  careful  of 
them  as  having  separated  themselves  from  the  body  of 


LANCASTER   COUNTY..  IGS- 

their  friends,  purely  to  serve  tiie  Indians  more  commo-- 
diously  with  what  they  want.  Nevertheless,  if  any 
little  disorders  should  at  any  time  hereafter  arise,  w«- 
will  endeavor  that  it  shall  not  break  or  weaken  the 
chain  of  frieadship  between  us;  to  which  end,  if  any  of 
your  people  take  offence,  you  must  in  that  case  apply  to 
me  or  to  our  chiefs;  and  when  we  shall  have  any  cause 
to  complain,  we  shall,,  as  you  desire,  apply  to  your 
chiefs  by  our  friends,  the  Conestogoe  Indians,  but  on 
both  sides  we  must  labor  to  prevent  every  thing  of  this 
kmd  as  much  as  we  can. 

You  complain  that  our  traders  come  into  the  path  of 
yom*  young  men  going  out  to  war,  and  thereby  occasion 
disorders  amongst  them;  I  will  therefore,  my  friends  and 
brothers,  speak  very  plainly  to  you  on  this  head.  Your 
young  men  come  down  the  Susquehanna  river  and  take 
their  road  through  our  Indian  towns  and  settlements,  and 
make  a  path  between  us  and  the  people  against  whom 
they  go  out  to.  war;  now  you  must  know,  that  the  path 
this  way,  leads  them  only  to  the  Indians  who  are  in 
alliance  with  the  English,,  and  first  those  who  are  in 
strict  league  of  friendship  v/:ith  the  great  Governor  of 
Virginia,  just  as  these,  our  friends  and  children,  who  are 
settled  amongst  us,  are  in  league  with  me  and  our 
people.  You  cannot  therefore  make  war  upon  the 
Indians  in  league  with  Virginia  without  weakening  the 
chain  with  the  English ;  for  as  we  would  not  suffer  these 
our  friends  and  brothers  of  Conestogoe,  and  upon  this 
river,  to  be  hurt  by  any  persons  without  considering  it 
was  done  to  ourselves;  so,  the  Governor  of  Virginia 
looks  upon  the  injuries  done  to  his  Indian  brothers  and 
friends  as  if  they  were  done  to  himself;  and.  you  very 
well  know  that  though  you,  are  five  different  nations,  yet 
you  are  but  one  people,  so  as  that  any  wrong  done  to 


164  nisTORT  OP 

our  nation  is  received  as  an  injury  done  to  all.  In  the 
same  manner,  and  much  more  so  it  is  with  the  English, 
who  are  all  united  under  one  Great  King,  who  hajs 
more  people  in  that  one  town  where  he  lives,  than  all 
the  Indians  in  North  America  put  together. 

You  are  in  a  league  with  New  York  as  your  ancient 
friends  and  nearest  neighbors,  and  you  are  in  a  league 
with  us  by  treaties  often  repeated,  and  by  a  chain  which 
you  have  now  brightened.  As  therefore  all  the  English 
are  but  one  people,  you  are  actually  in  league  with  all 
the  English  Governments,  and  must  equally  preserve 
the  peace  with  all  as  with  one  Government. 

You  pleased  me  very  much  when  you  told  me  that 
you  were  going  to  treat  with  the  Governor  of  Virginia. 
Your  nations  formerly  entered  into  a  firm  league  with 
that  Government,  and  if  you  have  suffered  that  chain  to 
grow  rusty  it  is  time  to  scour  it;  and  the  Five 
Nations  have  done  very  wisely  to  send  you  there  for  that 
purpose. 

I  do  assure  you,  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  is  a  great 
and  good  man.  He  loves  the  Indians  as  his  children, 
and  so  protects  and  defends,  them?  for  he  is  very  strong,, 
having  many  thousand  christian  warriors  under  his  com- 
mand, whereby  he  is  able  to  assist  all  those  who  are  in 
any  league  of  friendship  with  him.  Hasten,  therefore, 
my  friends,,  to  brighten  and  strengthen  the  chain  with  that 
great  man ;  for  he  desires  it,  and  will  receive  you  kindly. 
He  is  my  great  and  good  friend;  I  have  been  lately 
with  him.  And  since  you  say  you  are  strangers,  I  will 
give  you  a  letter  to  him  to  inform  him  of  what  we  have, 
done,  and  of  the  good  design  of  your  visit  to  him  and  tO; 
his  country. 

My  friends  and  brothers,  I  told  you  a  few  days  ago,, 
that  W€  must  open  our  breasts  to  each  Qther;,  I  shall,, 


LANCASTER   COUNTT.  J!£S> 

therefre,  like  your  true  friend,  open  mine  yet  further  to 
you  for  your  good. 

You  see  that  the  English,  from  a  very  small  people  at 
first,,  are  by  peace  amongst  themselves,  become  a  very 
great  people  amongst  you,  far  exceeding  the  number  of 
all  the  Indians  that  we  know  of.  But  while  we  are  at 
peace,  the  Indians  continue  to  make  war  upon,  one 
another,  and  destroy  each  other,  as  if  they  intended  that 
none  of  their  people  should  be  left  alive ;  by  which 
means  you  are,  from  a  great  people,  become  a  very 
small  people,  and  yet  you  will  go  on  to  destroy 
yourselves. 

The  Indians  of  the  south,  though  they  speak  a 
different  language,  yet  they  are  the  same  people,  and 
inhabit  the  same  land  with  those  of  the  north,  we  there- 
fore cannot  but  wonder  how  you,  that  are  a  wise  people^ 
should  take  delight  in  putting  an  end  to  your  race :  the 
English,  being  your  true  friends,  labor  to  prevent  this. — 
We  would  have  you  strong  as  a  part  of  ourselves;  for 
as  our  strength  is  your  strength,  so  we  would  have  yours. 
to  be  as  our  own. 

I  have  persuaded  all  my  brethren  in  these  parts  to 
consider  what  is  for  your  good,  and  not  to  go  out  any 
more  to  war;  but  your  young  men,  as  they  come  this 
way,  endeavor  to  force  them,  and  because  they  incline  to 
follow  the  counsels  of  peace  and  advice  of  their  true 
friends,  yoiu  people  use  them  ill  and  often  prevail  with 
them  to  go  out  to  their  own  destruction;  Thus  it  was 
that  this  town  of  Conestogoe,  lost  their  good  King  not 
long  ago,  and  thus  many  have  been  lost.  Their  young 
children  are  left  without  parents,,  their  wives  without 
husbands,  the  old  men,  contrary  to  the  course  of  nature, 
mourn  the  death  of  their  young,  the  people  decay  and 


166  HISTORY    OF 

grow  weak,  we  lose  our  dear  friends  and  are  afflicted, 
and  this  is  chiefly  owing  to  your  young  men. 

Surely  you  cannot  suppose  to  get  either  riches  or 
possessions  by  going  thus  out  to  war;  for  when  you  kill 
a  deer  you  have  the  flesh  to  eat  and  the  skin  to  sell,  but 
when  you  return  from  war  you  bring  nothing  home  but 
the  scalp  of  a  dead  man,  who,  perhaps,  was  husband  to 
a  kind  wife,  and  father  to  tender  children,  who  never 
wronged  you,  though  by  losing  him  you  have  robbed 
them  of  this  help  and  protection,  and  at  the  same  time 
got  nothing  by  it. 

If  I  were  not  your  true  friend,  I  would  not  take  the 
trouble  of  saying  all  these  things  to  you,  which  I  desire 
may  be  fully  related  to  all  your  people,  when  you  return 
home,  that  they  may  consider  in  time  what  is  for  their 
own  good;  and  after  this,  if  any  will  be  so  madly  deaf 
and  blind  as  neither  to  hear  nor  see  the  danger  before 
tliem,  but  will  still  go  out  to  destroy  and  be  destroyed  for 
nothing,  I  must  desire  that  foohsh  yomig  men  will  take 
another  path,  and  not  pass  this  way  amongst  our  people, 
whose  eyes  I  have  opened  and  they  have  wisely  hearkened, 
to  my  advice.  So  that  I  must  tell  them  plainly,,  as  t  am 
their  best  friend,  and  this  Government  is  their  protector,, 
and  as  a  father  to  them.  We  will  not  suffer  them 
any  more  to  go  out  as  they  have  done  to  their  destruc- 
tion. I  say  again,  we  will  not  suffer  it,  for  we  have  the 
counsel  of  wisdom  amongst  us,  and  know  what  is  for 
their  good;  for  though  they  are  weak,  yet  they  are  our 
brethren.  We  will  therefore  take  care  of  them  that  they 
are  not  misled  with  ill  council;  you  mourn  when  you 
lose  a  brother,  we  mourn  \vhen  any  of  them  are 
lost;  to  prevent  which,  they  shall  not  be  suffered  to  ga 
out  as  they  have  done  to  be  destroyed  by  waj. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  167 

My  good  friends  and  brothers,  I  give  you  the  same 
•counsel,  and  earnestly  desire  that  you  will  follow  it^ 
^ce  it  will  make  you  a  happy  people.  I  give  you  this 
advice,  because  I  am  your  true  friend,  but  I  much  fear 
you  hearken  to  others  who  never  were  nor  never  will  be 
your  friends.  You  know  very  well  that  the  French  have 
been  your  enemies  from  the  beginning,  and  though  they 
were  at  peace  with  you  about  two  and  twenty  years 
ago,  yet  by  subtle  practices  they  still  endeavor  to  ensnare 
you.  They  use  arts  and  tricks,  and  tell  you  lies  to 
deceive  you,  and  if  you  would  make  use  of  your  own 
eyes,  and  not  be  deluded  by  their  Jesuits  and  inter- 
preters, you  would  see  this  yourselves;  for,  you  know, 
tliey  have  had  no  goods  of  any  value,  these  several 
years  past,  except  what  has  been  sent  to  them  from  the 
English,  of  New  York,  and  that  is  now  all  over.  They 
give  fair  speeches  instead  of  real  services,  and  as  for 
many  years  they  attempted  to  destroy  you  in  war,  so 
they  now  endeavor  to  do  it  in  peace;  for  when  they 
persuade  you  to  go  out  to  war  against  others,  it  is  only 
that  you  may  be  destroyed  yourselves,  while  we,  els 
your  true  friends,  labor  to  prevent,  because  we  would 
have  your  numbers  increased  that  you  may  grow  strong, 
?nid  that  we  may  be  all  strengthened  in  friendship  and 
peace  together. 

As  to  what  you  have  said  of  trade,  I  suppose  the 
great  distance  at  which  you  live  from  us  has  prevented 
ail  commerce  between  us  and  your  people.  We  believe, 
those  who  go  into  the  woods  and  spend  aU  their  time 
-apon  it,  endeavor  to  make  the  best  bargams  they  can  for 
themselves;  so,  on  your  part,  you  must  take  care  to 
make  the  best  bargain  you  can  with  them,  but  we  hope 
our  traders  do  not  exact,  for  we  think  that  a  stroud  coat, 
or  a  pound  of  powder  is  now  sold  for  no  more  buck- 


168  HISTORY    OP 

iskins  than  formerly;  beaver,  indeed,  is  not  of  late  so 
much  used  in  Europe,  and  therefore  does  not  give  so 
good  a  price,  and  we  deal  but  very  little  in  that 
commodity.  But  deer-skins  sell  very  well  amongst  us, 
and  I  shall  always  take  care  that  the  Indians  be  not 
wronged,  but  expect  other  measures  be  taken  to  regulate 
the  Indian  trade  every  where ;  the  common  methods  used 
in  trade  wiU  still  be  followed,  and  every  man  must  take 
care  of  himself,  for  thus  I  must  do  myself,  when  I  buy 
any  thing  from  our  own  people,  if  I  do  not  give  them 
their  price,  they  will  keep  it,  for  we  are  a  free  people. — 
But  if  you  have  any  further  proposals  to  make  about 
these  affairs,  I  am  willing  to  hear  and  consider  them, 
for  it  is  my  desire  that  the  trade  be  well  regulated  to 
yom*  content. 

I  am  sensible  rvrni  is  very  hurtful  to  the  Indians;  we 
have  made  laws  that  none  should  be  carried  amongst 
them,  or  if  any  were,  that  it  should  be  staved  and  thrown 
upon  the  ground ;  and  the  Indians  have  been  ordered  to 
destroy  all  the  rum  that  comes  in  their  way;  but  they 
will  not  do  it,  they  will  have  rum,  and  when  we  refuse 
it,  they  will  travel  to  the  neighboring  provinces  and 
fetch  it;  their  own  women  go  to  purchase  it,  and  then 
sell  it  amongst  their  own  people  at  excessive  rates.  I 
would  gladly  make  any  laws  to  prevent  this  that  could 
be  effectual,  but  the  coun|fy  is  so  wide,  the  woods  are  so 
dark  and  private,  and  so  far  out  of  my  sight,  that  if  the 
Indians  themselves  do  not  prohibit  their  own  people, 
there  is  no  other  way  to  prevent  it;  for  my  part,  I  shall 
readily  join  in  any  measures  that  can  be  proposed  for  so 
good  a  purpose. 

I  have  now,  my  friends  and  brothers,  said  all 
that  I  think  can  be  of  any  service  at  this  time,  and  I 
give  you  these  things  here  laid  before  you  to  confirm  my 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  169 

Words,  viz :  five  stroud  coats,  twenty  pounds  of  powder, 
and  forty  pounds  of  lead,  for  each  of  the  Five  Nations ; 
that  is,  twenty-five  coats,  one  hundred  weight  of  powder, 
and  two  hundred  of  lead,  in  the  whole,  which  I  desire 
may  be  delivered  to  them,  with  these  my  words  in  my 
name  and  the  behalf  of  the  province. 

I  shall  be  glad  frequently  to  see  some  of  your  chief 
men  sent  in  the  name  of  all  the  rest,  but  desire  you  will 
be  so  kind  as  to  come  to  us  to  Philadelphia  to  visit  our 
families  and  children  born  there,  where  we  can  provide 
better  for  you  and  make  you  more  welcome ;  for  people 
always  receive  their  friends  best  at  their  own  houses, — 
I  heartily  wish  you  well  on  your  journey  and  good 
success  on  it  And  when  you  return  home,  I  desire  you 
will  give  my  very  kind  love,  and  the  love  of  all  our 
people,  to  your  kings  and  to  all  their  people. 

Then  the  Governor  rose  up  from  his  chair,  and  when 
he  had  called  Ghesaont,  the  speaker  to  him,  he  took  a 
coronation  medal  of  the  King's  oUt  of  his  pocket,  and 
presented  it  to  the  Indians,  in  these  words: 

That  our  children,  when  we  are  dead,  may  not  forget 
these  things,  but  keep  this  treaty  between  us  in  perpetual 
remembrance,  I  here  deliver  you  a  picture  in  gold, 
bearing  the  image  of  my  great  master,  the  King  of  all 
the  English ;  and  when  you  return  home  I  charge  you  to 
deliver  tliis  piece  into  the  hands  of  the  first  man  or 
greatest  chief  of  all  the  Vive  Nations,  whom  you  call 
Kannygoodk,  to  be  laid  up  and  kept  as  a  token  to  your 
children's  cliildren,  that  an  entire  and  lasting  friendship  is 
now  established  forever  between  the  English,  in  this 
country,  and  the  great  Five  Nations." 

By  the  approbation  and  direction  of  Gov.  Keith,  James 
Logan,  secretary,  held  a  discourse  with  Ghesaont,  on  the 
9th  of  July.    Logan  reminded  Ghesaont  of  the  great 

15 


170  HISTOKY    OF 

satisfaction  the  Governor  had  expressed  to  him  in  the 
.council  upon  their  kind  visit,  and  the  freedom  and 
openness  that  had  been  used  to  them  on  our  parts,  and 
therefore  advised  him  if  he  had  any  thing  in  his  thoughts 
further  relatmg  to  the  friendship  established  between  us 
and  the  matters  treated  in  council,  he  would  open  his 
breast  in  this  free  conversation,  and  speak  it  without 
reserve,  and  whatever  he  said  on  those  heads  should  be 
reported  faithfully  to  the  Governor. 

Ghesaont  then  said,  that  he  was  very  well  pleased 
with  what  had  been  spoken.  He  saw  the  Governor  and 
the  English  were  true  friends  to  the  Five  Nations,  but  as 
to  their  young  people  going  out  to  war,  which  we 
chiefly  insisted  on ;  the  prmcipal  reason  was  that  their 
young  men  were  become  very  poor,  they  could  get  no 
goods  nor  clothing  from  the  English,  and  therefore  they 
went  abroad  to  gain  them  from  their  enemies.  That 
they  had  once  a  clear  sky  and  sunshine  at  Albany,  but 
now  all  was  overcast;  they  could  no  longer  trade  and 
and  get  goods  as  they  had  done,  of  which  he  could  not 
know  the  reason,  and  therefore  they  had  resolved  to 
try  whether  it  was  the  same  among  the  other  English 
Governments. 

To  v/liich  Logan  answered,  that  they  had  from  the 
first  settlement  of  New  York  and  Albany,  been  in  a  strict 
league  and  friendship  with  that  Government,  and  had 
always  had  a  trade  with  and  been  supplied  by  them 
Yv^ith  goods  they  v/anted.  That  it  was  true,  for  three  or 
four  years  past,  the  French  had  come  from  Canada  to 
Albany,  in  New  York,  and  purchased  and  carried  av;;-ay 
great  part  of  the  goods,  strov/d  waters,  especially, 
sometimes  thi-ee  or  four  hundred  pieces  in  a  year,  which 
the  Five  Nations  ought  to  have  had;  but  that  now, 
another    Governor  being  lately  sent  thither,  from  the 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  171 

great  King  of  England;  he  made  a  law  that  the 
French  should  not  have  any  more  goods  from  the 
English ;  that  this  had  been  the  reason  of  the  clouds  and 
dark  weather  they  complained  of;  but  that  now  a  clear 
sunshine,  as  they  desired,  would  be  restored  to  them- 
that  he  very  well  kne>w  this  gentleman,  the  new 
Governor,  that  he  had  not  long  since  been  at  Philadel- 
phia, and  at  his  (the  secretary's)  house,  and  that  he 
heard  him  say  he  would  take  care  his  Indians  should 
be  well  supplied  for  the  future,.,  and  accordingly  they 
might  depend  on  it. 

Ghesaont  hereupon  asked,  whether  they,  did  not  know 
that  the  French  had^  for  some  years  past,  had  the  cloths 
from  the  English,  answered,  that  they  knew  very  well 
that  these  English  goods  went  now  in  a  new  path, 
different  from  that  they  had  .formerly  gone  in,  that  they 
knew  not  where  they  went,  but  they  went  beside  them 
and  they  could  not  get  hold  of  them,  though  they  much 
wanted  them. 

The  secretary  proceeded  to  say,  that  as  New  York  and 
Albany  had  been  their  most  ancient  friends,  so  they 
could  best. supply  them,  and  they  could  certainly  do  it,  if 
they  continued  in  duty  on  their  part;  that  they  were 
sensible  the  great  King  of  England  had  a  regard  for 
them,  by  the  notice  that  he  took  of  them  almost  every 
year;  that  all  the  English,  every  where,  were  friends. — 
"We  were  now  very  glad  to  see  them,  but  wished  for  the 
future  they  would  come  to  Philadelphia,  as  they 
formerly  used  to  do;  that  he  himself  had  seen  their 
chiefs  twice  at  Philadelphia,  the  two  years  that  William 
Penn  was  last  here,  and  that  when  his  son  came  over 
about  three  years  after,  now  about  seventeen  years  ago,, 
a  considerable  number  of  them  came  down  and  held  a 
g^eat  council^  with  us,  and  therefore    he  hoped  they 


172  HISTORY   OF 

would  visit  us  then  again,  which  would  be  much  more 
convenient  than  so  far  back  in  the  woods  where  it  was 
diiRcult  to  accommodate  them  and  ourselves,  that,  how- 
ever, we  were  glad  to  see  them  here.  This  they  knew 
wa5  a  Government  but  lately  settled,  but  that  they  were 
now  going  into  two  Governments  that  had  been  much 
longer  seated,  and  were  very  rich,  and  would  make  them 
exceedingly  welcome ;  that  we  saw  them  in  tlie  woods 
onl}'',  at  a  great  distance  from  home,  but  they  would  see 
the  Governors  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  at  their  own 
towns  and  houses,  where  they  would  entertain  them 
much  better;  that  they  would  be  very  kindly  received., 
for  we  were  all  of  one  heart  and  mind,  and  should 
always  entertain  them  as  our  brothers. 

Ghesaont  took  an  opportunity  of  himself  to  enter  again 
on  the  subject  of  their  people  making  peace  with  the 
other  Indians  on  the  main.  He  said  that  he  had  in  his 
own  person  labored  for  it  to  the  utmost;  that  he  had 
taken  more  pains  to  have  it  established  than  all  the 
English  had  done ;  that  their  people  had  lately  made 
peace  with  the  Tweuchtwese;  that  they  had  now  a 
universal  peace  with  all  the  Indians,  excepting  three 
small  nations  to  the  southward,  with  whom  they  hoped 
to  have  concluded  upon  his  present  journey  by  means  of 
the  Governor  of  Virginia;  that  his  own  desires  were 
very  strong  for  peace,  as  his  endeavors  had  shewn,  and 
that  he  doubted  not  to  see  it  established  every  where. — 
He  said  the  Governor  had  spoken  very  well  in  the  coun- 
cil against  their  young  men  going  to  war,  yet  had  not 
done  it  fully  enough,  for  he  should  have  told  them 
positively  that  they  should  not  on  any  account  be 
suffered  to  go  out  to  war,  and  he  would  have  reported 
it  accordingly,  and  this  would  have  been  a  more 
effectual  way  to  prevent  them. 


LANCASTER    COITNTr.  173 

The  secretary  then  proceeded  to  treat  with  them  about 
•fee  road  they  were  to  take,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the  chief 
of  the  Nanticokes,  a  sensible  man,  who  was  then  present, 
should  conduct  them  from  Conestogoe  to  their  town,  on 
Wye  river,  that  they  should  be  furnished  with  provi- 
sions for  their  journey  sufficient  to  carry  them  among  the 
inhabitants,  after  which  they  were  directed,  as  the 
Governor  had  before  ordered,  that  they  should  produce 
his  passport  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  country  where  they 
travelled,  by  whom  they  would  be  provided  for ;  and  the 
Nanticoke  chief  was  further  desired,  upon  their  leaving  . 
the  Nanticoke  towns,  to  direct  rthem  to  some  of  the  chief 
gentlemen  and  officers  of  those  posts  who  would  im- 
doubtedly  take  care  of  them  on  sight  of  these  passports, 
and  thereby  knowing  their  business,  have  them  trans-  - 
ported  over  the  bay  of  Annapolis.  Being  further  asked  ' 
how  they  would  f get  an  interpreter  to  Virginia  v/here 
the  Indians  knov/  nothing  of  their  language,  and  some 
proposals  being  made  to  furnish  them,  they  answered, 
there  would  be  no  occasion  for  any  care  of  that  kind,  for 
they  very  \iiell  knew  the  Governor  of  Virginia  had  an 
interpreter  of  their  language  always  with  him. 

Provisions  being  then  ordered  for  their  journey,  as  also 
at  their  desire,  some  for  those  of  their  company,  who 
with  their  women  and  children  were  to  return  directly, 
home  by  water  up  the  river  Susquehanna,  viz :  a  bag  of 
biscuit,  some  pieces  of  bacon  and  dried  venison ;  these 
matters  were  concluded  with  great  expressions  of 
thankfulness  for  the  Governor's  great  care  of  them 
and  their  families^,  which  kindness  they  said  they  never 
should  flcffget. 

The  discourse  being:,continued,  they  were  told  it  was 
now  very  near,  vizi,  within  one  moon  of  thirty-seven 
years  since  a  great  man  ..of  England,  Governor  of  Vir- 


174  HISTORY   OP 

ginia,  called  the  Lord  Effingham,  together  with  Colonel 
Dongan,  Governor  of  New  York,  held  a  treaty 
with  them  at  Albany,  of  which  we  had  the  writings  to 
this  day. 

Ghesaont  answered,  they  knew  it  w6ll,  and  the  sub- 
jects of  that  treaty,  it  was,  he  said  about  settling  of 
lands.  Being  further  told,  that  in  that  treaty  the  Five 
Nations  had  given  up  all  their  right  to  all  the  lands  on 
Susquehanna  to  the  Duke  of  York,  then  brother  to  the 
King  of  England.  He  acknowledged  this  to  be  so,  and 
thai  William  Pemi  since  had  the  rights  of  these  lands. — 
To  which  Civility,  a  descendant  of  the  ancient  Sasque- 
hannah  Indians,  the  old  settlers  of  these  parts,  but  now 
reputed  as  of  an  Iroquois  descent,  added  that  he  had 
been  informed  by  their  old  men,  that  they  were  troubled, 
when  they  heard  that  their  lands  had  been  given  up  to  a 
place  so  far  distant  as  New  York,  and  that  they  were 
overjoyed  when  they  understood  William  Penn  had 
brought  them  back  again,  and  that  they  had  confirmed 
all  their  right  to  him. 

Divers  questions  were  further  asked  him,  especially- 
concerning  the  French  of  Canada,  their  trade  and  fortifi- 
cations, on  Avhich  he  said  that  the  French  had  three  forts 
on  this  side  the  river  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  between  their 
towns  and  Mentual,  furnished  with  great  numbers  of 
great  guns,  that  the  French  drove  a  great  trade  with 
them,  had  people  constantly  in,  or  going  to  and  coming 
from  their  towns,  that  the  French  kept  young  people  in 
their  towns  on  purpose  to  learn  the  Indian  language, 
which  many  of  them  now  spoke  as  well  as  themselves ; 
that  they  had  a  great  intercourse  with  them,  that  about 
three  hundred  of  their  men,  viz  :  of  the  Five  Nations, 
were  seated  on  the  other  side  of  the  great  river,  that  the 
French  had  this  last  spring  begun  to  build  or  to  provide 


LANCASTER    COUIfTT'.  175 

for  biiilding  a  fort  at  Niagara  Falls,  but  they  had  since 
declined  it ;  he  knew  not  for  what  reasons ;  and  they 
(the  French)  hadisenfeto  his  town  (the  Isanandonas)  this 
last  winter  a  great  deal  of  powder  to  be  distributed 
among  them,  but  nothing  was  done  upon  it  Being 
particularly  asked  whether  the  French  had  ever  treated 
with  tliem  about  any  of  their  lands,  or  whether  the 
Idians  had  ever  granted  the  French  any;  He  answered, 
no !  that  his  people  knew  the  French  too  well  to  treat 
with  them  about  lands ;  they  had  never  done  it,  or  ever 
granted  them  any  upon  any  account  whatsoever,  and  of 
this  he  said,  we  might  assure  ourselves.  Thus  the  day 
was  spent  in  such  discourses,  with  a  pipe  and  some 
small  mixed  liquors,  and  the  next  morning  Ghesaont, 
with  the  rest  of  his  company,  returning  from  the  Indian 
town  to  John  Cartledge,  took  their  leaves  very  affec. 
tionately,  with  great  expressions  of  thankfulness  to  the 
Governor  and  this  Government  for  their  kind  reception." 
Sliortly  after  the  treaty  held  at  Conestoga,  the  Go- 
vernor received  information  that  the  Indians  were  likely 
to  be  distifrbed  by  the  secret  and  underhanded  practices 
of  persons,  both  from  Maryland  and  Philadelphia,  who, 
under  the  pretence  of  finding  a  copper  mine,  were  about 
to  survey  and  take  up  lands  on  the  other  side  of  the  Sus-. 
quehannah,  contrary  to  a  former  order  of  Government ; 
Keith  determined  to  prevent  this.  He  not  only  sent  a 
special  messenger  with  a  writ  under  the  lesser  seal,  but 
himself  went  to  the  upper  parts  of  Chester  county  to 
locate  a  small  quantity  of  land,  for  which  he  purchased 
ail  origmal  proprietary  right ;  on  his  way,  he  understood 
that  some  persons  were  actually  come  with  a  Maryland 
right  to  survey  lands  upon  the  Susquehanna,  fifteen 
miles  above  Conestoga ;  he  pursued  his  course  directly 
to  that    place,    and   fortunately    arrived    but    a    very 


176  HISTORY   OF 

few  hours  in  time  to  prevent  the  execution  of  their 
design. 

"Having,"  says  Keith,  "the  Surveyor  General  of  this 
province  with  me  in  company,  after  a  little  consideration, 
I  ordered  him  to  locate  and  survey  some  part  of  the  right 
I  possessed,  viz :  only  five  hundred  acres  upon  that  spot 
on  the  other  side  of  Susquehanna,  which  was  likely  to 
prove  a  bone  of  contention,  and  breed  so  much  mischief, 
and  he  did  so  accordingly,  upon  the  4th  and  5th  of  April ; 
after  which  I  returned  to  Conestoga  to  discourse  with  the 
Indians  Upon  what  happened ;  but  in  my  way  thither,  I 
was  very  much  surprised  with  a  certain  account  that  the 
young  men  of  Conestoga  had  made  a  famous^jtr^ar  dance 
the  night  before,  and  that  they  were  all  going  to  v/ar 
immediately;  hereupon,  I  appointed  a  council  to  be  held 
with  the  Indians  next  morning  in  Civility's  cabin." 

The  particulars  of  this  meeting  were  never  recorded. 
But  before  long  the  Indians  became  considerably 
alarmed,  at  the  proposed,  encroachments  of  the  Mary- 
landers;  Governor  Keith)  shortly  afterwards,  held  a 
council  with  the  Indians  at  Conestoga,  June  15^  1722,  to 
procure  from  them  a  grari,t  to  survey  a  tract ^f  land, 
known  by  the  name  of  "  Springett  Manor, ^^  in  York 
county. 

Closely  connected  with  the  Maryland  intrusions  as  iJo 
time,  an  account  of  which  has  been  presented,  the  fears 
of  the  people  of  the  province  were  again  awakened  by 
a  quarrel  between  two  brothers,  named  Cartledge,  and 
an  Indian,  named  Saanteenee,  near  Conestoga,  in  which 
the  latter  was  killed,  with  many  ^  circumstances  of 
cruelty. 

The  known  principles  of  revenge^-  professed  by  the 
Iridians,  gave  reason  to  apprehend, severe. retaliation.—^ 


LANCASTER   CCTJNTT.  I'TT 

Policy  and  justice  required  a-  rigid  inquiry,  and  the 
infliction  of  exemplary  punishment."* 

The  Governor  sent  James  Logan  and  Colonel  Frencli, 
and  the  high  sheriff  of  the  county  of  Chester,  who  left 
Philadelphia,  March  7th,  and  arrived  at  the  house  of 
John  Cartledge,  the  9th,  to  execute  their  commission, 
and  to  investigate  the  whole  matter  connected  with  the 
death  of  Saanteenee. 

They  then  proceeded  to  ■  Gonestoga,  where  they  held  a 
council  tlie  14th  day  of  March,  1721-22,  with  the  Indians, 
viz:  Civility,  Tannacharoe,  Gunnehatorooja,  Toweena, 
and  other  old  men  of  the  Conestogoe  Indians,  Savannah, 
chief  of  the  Shawanese,  Winjack,  chief  of  the  Gana- 
wese,  Tekaachroo,  a  Cayoogoe,  Oweeyekanowa,  Nosh- 
targhkamen,  Delawares.  Present,  divers  English  and 
Indians — the  acused  were  arrested,  and  confined  at 
Philadelphia. 

Great  pains,  says  Proud,  were  taken  in  this  affair;  an 
Indian  messenger,  Satcheecho,  was  despatched  to  the 
Five  Nations.  The  Governor,  with  two  of  the  coimcil, 
met  and  treated  with  the  Five  Nations,  at  Albany, 
respecting  it;  besides  the  presents,  which  were  made  to 
the  Indians.  "  The  Five  Nations  desired  that  the  Cart- 
ledges  should  not  suffer  death;:  and  the  affair  was  at 
length  amicably  settled."  "  One  life,"  said  the  Indian 
King,  "  on  this  occasion,  is  enough  to  be  lost,  there  should 
not  two  die."t 

In  a  preceding  page  we  stated  that  the  Marylanders 
attempted  encroachments  on  the  lands  within  the  limits 
of  Pennsylvania.  Keith  was  determined  to  resist  them 
by  force;  he  ordered  out  a  company  of  militia,  from 
New  Castle,  to  march  to  Ouchteraro,  (Octoraro),  where 
they  were  to  await  his  fm-ther  orders.     His  councils^, 

♦Gordon's  Pa.  188.       f  Votes  of  Assembly. 


17S  HISTORY    OP 

however,  who  were  disposed  to  resort  to  no  violence, 
even  should  the  Marylanders  employ  force  to  gain  their 
object,  did  not  coincide  with  the  Governor  in  these 
violent  measures.  The  Indians  had  become  greatly 
alarmed ;  a  council,  was  held  at  Conestoga,  on  Friday 
and  Saturday,  the  l'5th  and  16th  June,  1722;  vAien  the 
Indians  agreed,  in  order  Governor  Keith  might  have  a 
better  title  to  resist  the  Marylanders,  that  a  large  tract 
should  be  conveyed  to  him  for  the  use  of  Springett 
Penn,  grandson  of  William  Penn,  senior. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  tliB  minutes  of  the  council, 
held  at  Conestoga:  Present,  Governor  W.  Keith,  Colonel 
Jolm  French,  Francis  Worley,  Esq.;  the  chiefs  of  the 
Gonestogoe,  Shawana  and  Ganaway  Indians ;  Smith, 
tlie  Ganaway  Indian,  and  James  Le  Tort,  interpreters. 

The  Goi-ernor  spoke  as  follows :  Friends  and  brothers, 
the  belts  which  I  lately  received  from  the  Five  Nations, 
signify  that  they  are  one  people  with  the  English,  and 
our  very  kind  neighbors  and  friends.  They  invite  me 
to  come  to  them,  and  I  purpose,  in  a  short  time,  to  go 
and  meet  them  at  Albany,  and  to  make  the  chain  as 
bright  as  the  sun.  When  they  see  me,  they  will  remem- 
ber their  great  friend  William  Penn;  and  then  our 
hearts  will  be  filled  with  love,  and  our  councils  v/ith 
peace. 

Friends  and  brothers,  you  say  you  love  me,  because  I 
come  from  your  father,  William  Penn,  to  follow  his 
ways,  and  to  fulfil  all  his  kind  promises  to  the  Indians. 
You  call  me  William  Penn,  and  I  am  proud  of  the  name 
you  give  me.  But  if  we  have  a  true  love  for  th^ 
memory  of  William  Penn,  we  roust  show  it  to  his 
family  and  his  children,  that  are  grown  up  to  be  men  in 
;^ngland,  and  will  soon  come  over  to  represent  him  here. 
The    last  time    I,  was  with  you  at  Gonestogoe,  you 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  179 

showed  me  a  parchment  which  you  had  received  from 
WilHara  Pemi,  containing  many  articles  of  friendship 
between  him  and  you,  and  between  his  children  and 
your  children.  You  then  told  me,  he  desired  you  to 
remember  it  well  for  three  generations  ;  but  I  hope  you 
and  your  children  will  never  forget  it.  That  parchment 
fully  declared  your  consent  to  William  Perm's  purchase 
and  right  to  the  lands  on  both  sides  of  the  Susquehanna. 
But  I  find  both"  you  and  we  are  likely  to  be  disturbed  by 
idle  people  from  Maryland,  and  also  by  others'*  who 
have  presumed  to  survey  on  the  banks  of  the  Susque- 
hanna without  any  powers  from  William  Penn  or  his 
ciiildren,  to  whom  they  belong,  and  without  so  much  as 
asking  your  consent.  I  am  therefore  now  come 
to  hold  a  council  and  consult  with  you  how  to  prevent 
such  unjust  practices  for  the  future.  And  hereby  we 
will  show  our  love  and  respect  for  the  great  William 
Penn's  children,  who  inherit  their  father's  estate  in  this 
country,  and  have  a  just  right  to  the  hearty  love  and 
friendship  of  ail  the  Indians,  promised  to  them  in  many 
treaties.  I  have  fully  considered  this  thing;  and  if  you 
approve  my  thoughts,  I  will  immediately  cause  to  be 
taken  a  large  tract  on  the  other  side  of  Susquehanna,  for 
the  grandson  of  William  Pemi,  who  is  now  a  man  as 
tall  as  I  am.  For  when  the  land  is  marked  with  his 
name  upon  the  trees,  it  will  keep  off  the  Marylanders, 
and  every  other  person  whatsoever,  from  coming  to 
settle  near  you  to  disturb  you.  And  he  bearing  the 
same  kind  heart  to  the  Indians  which  his  grand-^father 
did,  will  be  glad  to  give  you  a  part  of  his  land  for  your 

*One  John  Grist  and  divers  others,  had,  without  warrants,  or 
permission,  settled  their  families,  and  taken  up  lands  on  the 
west  side  cf  the  Susquehanna,  prior  to  1721.— CoJ,  Rec.  III. 
133. 


l^D  HlSTOSy   Of 

own  use  and  convenience ;  but  if  other  people  take  it 
up,  they  will  make  settlements  upon  it,  and  then 
It  will  not  be  in  his  power  to  give  it  you  as  you  want  it 

My  friends  and  brothers,  those  who  have  any  wisdom 
amongst  you,  must  see  and  be  convinced  that  what  I 
now  say  is  entirely  for  your  good;  for  this  will 
effectually  hinder  and  prevent  any  person  from  settling 
lands  on  the  other  side  of  Susquehanna,  according  to 
your  desire  ;  and,  consequently,  you  will  be  secure  from 
being  disturbed  by  ill  neighbors,  and  will  have  all  that 
land  at  the  same  time  in  your  own  power  to  make  use 
o£  This  will  also  beget  a  true  hearty  love  and  friend- 
ship between  you,  your  children,  and  the  great  William 
Penn's  grandson,  who  is  now  Lord  of  all  this  country 
in  the  room  of  his  grand-father.  It  is  therefore  fit  and 
necessary  for  you  to  begin  as  soon  as  you  can  to 
express  your  respect  and  love  to  him.  He  expects  it 
from  you  according  to  your  promises  in  many  treaties, 
-and  he  will  take  it  very  kindly. 

Consider,  then,  my  brothers,  that  I  am  now  giving  you 
an  opportunity  to  speak  your  thoughts  lovingly  and 
freely  unto  this  brave  young  man,  WilHam  Penn's 
grand-son;  and  1,  whom  you  know  to  be  your  true 
friend,  will  take  care  to  write  down  your  words,  and  to 
send  them  to  England,  to  this  gentleman,  who  will 
return  you  a  kind  answer;  and  so  many  hearts  will  be 
made  gkid  to  see  that  great  William  Penn  still  lives  in  his 
children  to  love  and  serve  the  Indians, 

Council  met  on  the  16th.  The  Indians  replied  through 
Tawenea,  spokesman:  They  have  considered  of  what 
the  Governor  proposed  to  them  yesterday,  and  think  it  a 
matter  of  very  great  consequence  to  them  to  hinder  the 
Marylanders  from  settling  or  taking  up  lands  so  near 
them  upon  Susquehanna.     They  very  much  approve 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  181 

what  the  Governor  spoke,  and  like  his  counsel  to  them 
very  well;  but  they  are  not  willing  to  discourse  particu- 
larly on  the  business  of  land,  lest  the  Five  Nations  may 
reproach  or  blame  them. 

They  declare  again  their  satisfaction  to  them  in  coun- 
cil; and  although  they  know  that  the  Five  Nations  have 
not  "any  right  to  their  lands,  and  that  four  of  the  towns 
do  not  belong  to  any,  yet  the  fifth  town,  viz:  the 
Cayugoes,  are  always  claiming  some  right  to  the  lands 
on  the  Susquehanna,  even  where  they  themselves  live ; 
wherefore  they  think  it  will  be  a  proper  time,  when  the 
Governor  goes  to  Albany,  to  settle  that  matter  with  the 
Cayugoes,  and  then  all  parties  will  be  satisfied. 

They  asked  the  Governor  whereabouts,  and  what 
quantity  of  land,  does  he  propose  to  survey  for  Mr. 
Penn  ?  It  is  answered,  from  over  against  the  mouth  of 
Conestoga  creek,  up  to  the  Governor's  new  settlement, 
and  so  far  back  from  the  river,  as  that  no  person  can 
come  to  annoy  or  disturb  them  in  their  towns  on  this 
side.  They  proceed  and  say,  that  they  are  at  this 
very  apprehensive  that  people  Avill  come  when  the 
Governor  is  gone  to  Albany,  and  survey  this  land; 
wherefore  they  earnestly  desire  that  the  Governor  will 
immediately  cause  the  surveyor  to  come  and  lay  out  the 
land  for  William  Penn's  grand-son,  to  secure  them ;  and 
they  doubt  not  but  the  Governor's  appearance  and  con- 
duct afterwards  at  Albany,  will  make  all  things  easy 
there."* 

.Having  obtained  the  consent  from  the  Indians,  the 
■Governor  issued  his  warrant,  June  ISth,  and  on  the  19th 

*A  congress  of  several  Governors,  of  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Virginia,  and  commissioners  were  held  in  September, 
1722,  with  the  Six  Nations,  at  Albany ;  and  the  ancient  friend- 
ship was  renewed. 

16'^ 


182  HISTORY   OF 

and  20th,  June,  Springettsbury  Manor  made  by  Col. 
John  French,  Francis  Worley  and  James  Mitchell.— 
They  had  been  directed,  by  the  Governor,  to  take  with 
them  such  of  the  neighboring  inhabitants  as  they  thought 
fit  to  call  to  their  assistance,  immediately  to  cross  the 
river  Susquehanna,  and  to  survey  or  cause  to  be  sur- 
veyed, marked  and  located,  the  quantity  of  seventy 
thousand  acres,  or  thereabouts.^ 

There  was  a  council  held  at  Coney  town,  July,  1722, 
in  Donegal  township.  James  Mitchell,  Esq.  and  Mr. 
James  Le  Tort,  were  desired  to  be  present  with  the 
chiefs  of  the  Conestogoes,  Sawaneis,  and  Conoys, 
together  with  seven  chief  men  of  the  Nanticoke  Indians, 
who  were  upon  a  journey  to  the  Five  Nations,  in  order 
to  renew  former  friendship,  and  strengthen  it  in  unity  for 
time  to  come.  Anxious  to  make  the  best  of  their 
journey,  they  determined  upon  having  the  best  inter- 
preter they  could  find  at  Conoy  town,  they  made  appli- 
cation to  Captain  Smitli^  to  accompany  them;  but  in 
consequence  of  having  engaged  to  accompany  Governor 
Keith  to  Albany,  in  August,  he  declmed.  Mr.  Mitche]! 
hastened  to  inform  Governor  Keith  of  the  presence  of 
the  Nanticokes,  who  were  a  peaceable  people,  and 
lived    quietly    amongst  the    English,  in  Maryland. 

About  the  year  1723,  a  number  of  Germans,  lately 
from  ^  Schoharie,  New  York,  settled  on  the  Swatara  and 
Tulpehocken  creeks.  It  may  be  interesting  to  readers  to 
know  how  these  Germans  came  to  Tulpehocken. 

On  a  proclamation  of  Queen  ^rVune,  of  England,  170S, 
some  three  or  four  thousand  Germans  went  in  1709,  to 
Holland,  and  were  thence  transported  to   England. — 

'fCol.  Rec.  III.  195. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  183 

They  encamped  near  London.  In  1710,  Col.  Nicholson, 
and  Colonel  Schuyler,  accompanied  by  five  sachems  or 
Indian  chiefs,  returned  from  America  to  England,  to 
soUcit  additional  force  against  Canada.*  While  in 
London,  the  chiefs  of  the  confederated  Indians  saw  the 
miserable  condition  of  the  Germans,  and  commiserating 
their  case,  one  of  them  voluntarily  presented  the  Queen 
a  tract  of  his.  land  in  Schoharie,  New  York,  for  the  use 
and  benefit  of  the  Germans.t  About  this  time,  Colonel 
Robert  Hunter,  appointed  Governor  of  New  York, 
sailing  for  America,  brought  with  him  about  three 
thousand  of  these  Germans  or  Palatines,  to  the  town  of 
New  York,  where  they  encamped  several  months,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1710,  were  moved,  at  the  Queen's  expense, 
to  Livingston  District.  In  this  wilderness  home,  it  was 
allotted  them,  that  they  should  manufacture  tar  and  raise 
hemp  to  repay  freightage,  from  Holland  to  England, 
and  thence  to  New  York.t  In  this  business,  they  were 
unsuccessful.  However,  they  were  released  of  all 
freightage  upon  them  in  1713.  About  one  hundred  and 
fifty  of  the  families,  Avilling  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
advantages  of  their  present  from  the  Indians  to  Queen 
Anne,  moved  through  a  dense  forest,  to  Schoharie,  west 
of  Albany,  and  seated  themselves  among  their  Maqua 
or  Mohawk  friends.  Here  their  sufferings,  for  a  v/hile, 
were  great ;  they  were  deprived  of  nearly  all  the  neces- 
saries of  life.     Their  neighbors,  like  Indians,  "  are  ivonf 

*His.  N.  Y.  39,  Holmes,  An.  I.  501. 

fHallische  Nachrichten,  973—981 

tDiese  Teutche  Colonie  solte  Theer  brennen  und  Hanf 
banen,  fuer  Erstatt«ng  ihrer  Fracht  von  Holland  bis  England, 
und  von  da  bis  nach  Neuyork.— /f.  M.  Muehlenierg,  Hal 
Nach.  p.  974:. 


184  mSTORT    OF 

not  to  dd'^ — laid  up  np  stores  from  which  they  conld 
supply  the  wants  of  their  white  brethren — depending 
entirely  upon  Nature's  store-house ;  believing  that  their 
hands  were  not  made  to  labor  with,  but  to  have  rule 
over  the  birds  of  -the  air,  the  fishes  of  the  stream, 
and  the  game  in  Nature's  park. 

In  Schoharie,  having  ;^emiission  from  the  Indians,  tliis 
colony  commenced,  under  discouraging  circumstances, 
improving  lands  and  building  houses.  They  labored 
for  ten  years,  when  they  were  dispersed;  and  in  1723,  a 
portion  of  them,  surrounded  by  difficulties  in  travelling, 
rising  of  tiiree  hundred  miles,  seated  themselves,  some 
eighty  or  ninety  miles  from  Philadelphia,  at  Swatara  and 
Tulpehocken.*  Among  this  number  were  the  Weisers,t 
whose  descendants  are  numerous  and  respectable;  these 
are  the  Muhlenbergs  and  others. 

*Hallische  Nachrichten. 

fConrad  Weiseiv  who  remained  in  New  York,  when  his 
father  came  here  in  1723,  arrived  at  Tulpehocken  in  1729.  Iii 
a  subsequent  page  the  reader  will  find  a  notice  of  C.  W. 


LANCASTER  COUNTY.  189'' 

game ;  in  retm-n,  they  looked  for  nothing  but  bread  and 
milk,  of  v/hich  they  Avere  very  fond.  When  their  supply 
orf  flour  run  low,  they  had  to  hide  their  bread.  The 
Indians  had  no  idea  of  any  thing  being  withheld; 
whilst  either  party  had  it,  all  slitgi;ild  partake."  The 
descendants  of  these  pioneers  s0  reside  in  the  county. 
This  settlement  soon  attracted  '^e  attention  of  others. — 
Repugnant  as  they  are  in  feelings,  the  Irish  and  Germans 
soon  afterwards  established  themselves  as  neighbors, 
living  on  terms  of  mtimacy  for  a  while.  In  newly 
settled  comitries  all  is  sociability,  and  perfect  friendship 
prevails.  Former  distinct  nationalities  are  not  cherished; 
yet  never  forgotten.     German  and  Irish  are  opposites. 

The  land  back  from  the  river  was  settled  principally 
by  Germans:  Forrys,  Stricklers,  Garbers,  and  others. — 
Their  first  purchase  was,  it  is  said,  from  an  old  woman 
named  3Iari/  Biicher*  who  used  to  go  through  the 
country  making  what  was  called  improvements — a  few 
sticks  piled  together,  a  fire  kindled,  and  a  pot  hung  over 
it,  constituted  a  first  right.  Those  Avho  could  pay  for  the 
land  had  first  choice,  but  these  improvements  were 
generally  bought  for  a  trifle  by  those  able  to  pay  for  the 
lands. 

This  old  Mary  Ditcher  seems  to  have  been  rather  a 
singular  personage.  She  is  described  as  wandering 
through  the  woods,  leading  an  old  horse,  her  onl^r 
property,  with  her  knitting  in  her  hand,  and  clad  in  a 
garment  chiefly  of  sheep-skin. 

Hempfield  township  was  so  called  from  the  great  quan- 
tity of  hemp  raised  there.  Manor,  from  lands  reserved  by 
the  proprietors.  The  settlers  adjoining  Barber's  and 
Wright's,  -were  Irish  families,  named  Patton,  who  gave 
name  tt)  the  hill  and  the  current  below,  called  Patton's . 

*Haz.  Reg.  IX.  113. 


190  HISTORY    OP 

current.  It  has  been  said  there  was  once  a  great 
slaughter  of  the  Indians  at  that  place,  by  a  party  of 
cruel  men,  headed  by  a  person  naaned  Bell.  In  the 
neighborhood  were  many  places  said  to  be  graves  of  the 
Indians,  and  it  was  believed  that  a  piece  of  cannon  lay 
sunk  in  the  current.  Below  this,  the  settlers  were 
Germans:  Stinemans,  Kauffmans,  Herrs,  Rupleys. — 
The  township  (where  ■  Wright  first  settled)  above,  was 
called  Donegal  by  the  Irish  settlers,  Andersons,  Cooks, 
Tates,  Kays. 

In  the  noith-eastern  part  of  the  county,  a  settlement 
was  commenced  about  the  year  1723  or  4,  by  Everhard 
Ream,  whose  descendants  still  reside  in  the  village  called 
after  the  first  settler  and  proprietor.  This  place,  like  many 
others,  was  occupied  solely  by  the  Indians,  at  the  time 
Mr.  Ream  located  here.  He  ventured  with  his  wagon 
and  horse  into  the  woods,  where  he  unloaded  his  ^'■fix- 
tures and  furniture,^'  under  a  large  oak  tree  that 
spread  its  extended  boughs  over  him  and  his  small 
family  till  he  had  put  up  a  rude  hut  of  logs,  wliiph  he 
built  upon  Avhat  is  now  Lesher's  farm.  His  nearest  mill 
was  on  the  Brandy  wine,  and  his  nearest  neighbors,  the 
Miilbachers,  then  living  on  Mill  creek.  After  clearing  a 
small  spot,  he  procured  a  warrant  and  located  about 
four  hundred  acres;  afterwards,  in  1725,  received  a 
patent  for  the  same. 

Some  of  his  first  or  early  neighbors,  who  had  been 
attracted  by  the  improved  spot  and  fine  water,  were 
Bucher,  Huber,  Walter,  Keller,  Schwarzwalder,  Leader, 
Schneider,  Killion,  Dock,  Forney,  Rupp,  Balmer, 
May,  Mayer,  Hahn,  Resler,  Beyer,  Leet,  Schlott,  Graf,. 
Wolf,  Feierstein,  Weidman,  and  others. 

At  the  very  infancy  of  the  Pennsylvania  colony,  a 
nimiber  of  Welsh,  of  sterling  worth  and  excellent  charac-. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  191 

ter,  arrived  in  the  province  in  16S2.  "They  had  early 
purchased  of  the  proprietary,  in  England,  forty  thousand 
acres  of  land,  and  settled  west  of  the  Schuylkill.  In  a 
few  years  their  number  was  so  much  augmented,  that 
they  had  settled^  before  1692,  six  townships  in  the  lower 
counties. 

The  Welsh  custom,  and  that  of  the  Swiss  and  Pala- 
tines, in  settling  new  countries,  were  similar  in  many 
respects.  At  first  they  would  send  persons  across  the 
Atlantic,  to  take  up  land  for  them,  and  made  some 
preparations  for  the  reception  of  their  families.  Among 
the  Welsh,  who  acted  as  pioneer,  was  the  well  known 
Rowland  Elhs,  who  sent  over  Thomas  Owen  and  family 
to  make  a  settlement,  and  as  soon  as  Owen  had  made 
some  improvements,  in  which  he  spent  a  few  years, 
Ellis,  and  one  hundred  other  Welsh  passengers,  arrived 
in  16S6. 

In  165S,  other  Welsh  families  arrived;  among  whom 
were  William  Jones,  Thomas  Evans,  Robert  Evans, 
Owen  Evans,  Cadwallader  Evans,  Hugh  Griffith, 
Edward  Foulke,  John  Humphrey,  Robert  Jones,  and 
others,  who  purchased  ten  thousand  acres  of  land 
of  Robert  Turner,  in  Guinedd  township,  Chester 
county. 

Another  settlement  was  commenced,  about  the  year 
1722  or  3,  by  the  Welsh,  extending  up  as  far  as  to  the 
present  site  of  Churchtown.  Among  the  principal 
settlers  were  Torbet,  Douglas,  E.  Davis,  A.  Billing,  Z. 
Davis,  Spenger,  Henderson,  Evans,  Ford,  Lardner, 
Morgan,  Robinet,  Edwards,  Jenkins. 

While  the  Welsh  were  making  improvements,  a  few 
miles  south  of  Allegany;"^  a  region  on  the  Tulpehocken, 

*The  country  along  Alleghany  creek,  a  small  stream  which 
enters  Tulpehocken,  is  still  known  by  that  name. 


192  HISTORY    OF 

some  Swiss  and  Germans  settled  in  TVeber  Thai,  south 
of  Conestoga  creek,  so  called  from  the  Webers,  or 
Weavers,  who  took  up  between  two  and  three  thousand 
acres  of  land,  in  1723  or  4.  George  Weber  and  Hans 
Guth,  brothers-in-law,  Jacob  Weber  and  Henry  Weber, 
all  Swiss,  were  the  first  settlers  contiguous  to  the 
Welsh.  Guth  located  north-east  from  the  Webers. — 
The  plain,  or  thai,  was  timberless  when  the  first  settlers 
commenced.  Guth  or  Good  settled  in  Brecknock  town- 
ship, where  a  numerous  connexion  of  them  reside. 

The  Webers  and  Guths  had,  previous  to  taking  up 
land  here,  lived  some  twelve  or  fifteen  years  near 
Lancaster.  They  were  a  young  famil^^,  seeking  a  place 
of  permanent  abode,  where  they  have  since  become 
both  wealthy  and  numerous.*  George,  the  oldest  of  the 
three  brothers,  had  three  sons  and  two  daughters :  Hans, 
Henry,  Samuel,  JNIaria  and  JMagdalena.  The  present 
generation  of  Weavers  still  possess  the  lands  of  their 
ancestors.  Some  of  them  have  moved  to  the  ''Far 
JVesf,"    others  to   Canada.      The  Webers  were  soon 

*The  following,  which  we  copied  at  the  house  of  Samuel 
Weaver,  in  18-12,  may  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the 
numerical  strength  of  the  family.  Christian  Weaver's  father 
"vvas  a  native  of  Switzerland. 

Christian  Weaver  was  born  in  Earl  township,  Lancaster 
county,  Pa.  Dec.  25,  1731 — married  Sept,  30,  1749,  to  Miss 
Magdalen  Ruth — lived  55  years  in  a  state  of  matrimony,  and 
16  years  as  a  widower.  He  v.'as  a  member  of  the  Mcnnonite 
church.  Died  of  a  lingering  disease,  Feb.  13,  1820,  aged  88 
years,  1  month,  1  week  and  2  days.  Had  eight  sons  and 
five  daughters.  Of  the  seven  sons  and  five  daughters  were 
born,  before  C.  W's.  death,  and  living  at  the  time,  99  grand- 
children, 88  grand  children's  children,  and  55  great  grand  ' 
chilhren's  children.  His  lineal  descendants  were  309.  Henry 
Martin  preached  his  funeral  discourse.    Text,  John,  14, 12, 13. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  193 

Joined  by  the  Martins,  Schneders,  Millers,  Zimmermans, 
Ruths,  and  many  others,  principally  Mennonites. 

During  the  year  1727,  rishig  of  one  thousand  Pala- 
tines arrived  in  Pennsylvania;  among  these  were  the 
Dieffenderfers,  Ekmans,  Meyers,  Bowmans,  Eberlees, 
Zugs,  Shultzes,  Funks,  Frans,  and  others,  whose 
descendants  constitute  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Lancaster  county.*  Two  brothers,  Alexander  and  John 
Bieffenderfer,  sailed  from  Rotterdam,t  arrived  at  Phila- 
delphia in  the  month  of  September ;  Alexander  settled  in 
Oley,  now  Berks  county,  and  John  at  Saeue  Schioamm, 
now  New  Holland,  in  the  woods.  His  grand-son, 
David,  son  of  Michael  Dieffenderfer,  now  in  his  ninety- 
second  year,!  informed  us  that  his  grand-father's  house- 

*They  were  of  those  who  first  subscribed  a  "writing,  de- 
claring their  allegiance  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  and 
fidelity  to  the  proprietary  of  the  province."  The  paper  was 
drawn  up  in  these  words :  "  We,  subscribers,  natives  and  late 
inhabitants  of  the  Palatinate  upon  the  Rhine,  and  places  adja- 
cent, having  transported  ourselves  and  families  into  this 
province  of  Pennsylvania,  a  colony  subject  to  the  Crown  of 
Great  Britain,  in  hopes  and  expectation  of  finding  a  retreat 
and  peaceable  settlement  therein,  do  solemnly  promise  and 
engage,  that  we  will  be  faithful  and  bear  true  allegiance  to  his 
present  Majesty,  King  George  the  Second,  and  his  suc- 
cessors, Kings  of  Great  Britain,  and  will  be  faithful  to  the 
Proprietor  of  this  province;  and  that  we  will  demean  our- 
selves peaceably  to  all  his  said  majesty's  subjects,  and  strictly 
observe  and  conform  to  the  laws  of  England  and  of  this 
province,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power  and  best  of  our  under- 
standing." 

f  They  sailed  in  the  Ship  William  and  Sarah,  William  Hill, 
master.  There  were  ninety  Palatine  families,  making  in  all 
about  400  persons,  in  this  ship. — Col.  Rec.  III.  390. 

XSee  a  brief  sketch  of  his  public  life,  at  the  close  of  this 
chapter. 

17 


194  HISTORY   OF 

lold  goods  were  brought  from  Pliiladelpliia,  lay  one 
Martin,  and  unloaded  under  an  Oak  tree.  In  the  course 
}f  a  few  days  after  their  arrival,  a  hut  or  cabin  was 
erected  by  the  aid  of  the  neighbors,  who  Were  kind;  and 
:he  goods  snugly  housed,  and  the  family  comfortably 
situated.     Michael,  David's  father,  was  then  a  child. 

The  neighbors  were  attentive  in  relieving  their  wants, 
md  supplying  them  with  necessaries.  Mr.  Bear 
jestowed  them  a  cow;  Mr.  Ma.rtin  and  Hans  Graaf, 
ome  flour  and  meat.  Shortly  afterwards,  other  German 
.'amilies  settled  here ;  among  these  were  Ranck,  Bachert, 
Beck,  Mayer,  Brimmer,  Koch,  Hinkel,  Schneider,  Seger, 
Stehly,  Brubacher,  Meixel,  Diller,  and  others. 

The  caprice  of  Keith,  induced  him  to  receive  the 
Application  of  the  Swiss  and  Germans,  with  perfect 
indifference.  They  applied  as  early  as  1721;  but  the 
consideration  of  their  petition  was  procrastinated,  days, 
months  and  years,  till  1724,  and  then  only  was  leave 
granted  to  bring  in  a  bill  to  naturalize  them,  on  the  hu- 
aiiliating  condition,  provided  each  Swiss  or  German 
should  individually  obtain  from  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
a  certificate  of  the  value  of  his  property,  and  the 
nature  of  his  religious  faith — not  enough  yet — a 
representation  is  made  (1727)  to  Governor  Gordon 
Keith's  successor;  "that  a  large  number  of  Germans, 
peculiar  in  their  dress,  religion,  and  notions  of  political 
Governments,  had  settled  on  Pequea,  and  were  deter- 
mined not  to  obey  the  lawful  authority  of  Government; 
that  they  had  resolved  to  speak  their  own  language,  (a 
^rave  charge  indeed  !)  and  to  acknowledge  no  sovereign, 
but  the  Great  Creator  of  the  Universe." 

There  Avas,  perhaps,  never  a  people  who  feel  less 
disposed  to  disobey  the  lawful  authority  of  Government 
than  the  Mennonites,  against  whom  these  charges  were 


XAKCASTER   V^ZTSJ^^  195 

made.  In  justice  to  them,  we  sSoll  jikress  from  our 
narrative,  and  introduce  tliei:  own  b  irwents  on  tiiir^ 
subject:  "We  dedicate  ourselves  to  the/-c,  --.^Tjity  of  good 
Government,  and  the  preservation  of  hlM^n  life.  A3 
Christ  commanded  Peter  to  pay  tribute  to  i  ^^  so  wo 
shall  ahvays  pay  our  taxes.  We  are  subjb^.  1  higli 
authority,  as  Paul  advises,  for  those  in  authority  t  JJT  iiot 
the  sword  in  vain  to  execute  wrath,  but  to  euK^aiu 
mercy.  We  hope  and  pray,  that  we  may  not  oif  ^■gidd>-» 
JMay  God  govern  the  hearts  of  our  rulers,  that  thay  dl 
those  good  things  which  v/ill  add  to  their  own,  and  otS 
happiness." 

It  is  also  well  known,  that  it  was  owing  to  their  con- 
scientious scruples  to  take  up  arms  against  the  mother 
country,  to  whom  they  had  vowed  loyalty,  that  they 
v/ere  the  last  to  resist  a  high  authority;  but  no  sooner 
had  the  American  Independence  been  acknowledged — • 
lawful  authority  established — than  they  obeyed  the 
rulers  of  their  country.  They  have  never,  as  a  class,  ar 
a3  individuals,  so  far  as  we  know,  been  disloyal,  trouble- 
some, or  expensive  to  Government.  They  pay  their 
taxes  regularly;  support  the  poor  of  their  faith,  at  their 
own  expense:  You  look  in  vain  in  the  poor-house  for 
any  of  their  brethren  or  sisters. 

To  add  food  ta.  keep  alive  jealousies,  and  excite  mis« 
givings  against  the  Germans,  "it  was  reported  that  some 
thousands  were  expected  to  arrive  in  the  ensuing  season 
of  1727."  It  is  true  that  three  hundred  and  forty-eight 
Palatine  families,  making  in  all  twelve  hundred  and  forty 
persons,  did  arrive.*     They  came  not  as  disloyalists,  but 

•The  number  of  German  emigrants,  during  1728,  was  less 
than  the  preceding  yearj  only  152^  families,  consisting  of  390 
persons  arrived  at  Philadelphia  {during  1729  it  was  still  less; 
only  ^*S  Palatine  passengers  arrived.    Strange,  that. this  Qiim* 


196  H15T0RY   OF 

were  encoiirag^^^oax  come  'o  Pennsylvania  to  settle  and 
improve  the  ^ys.  ^kj,  upon  the  invitation  of  the  proprie- 
tary. TheH^iliJ^ustry  and  utility  had  before  that  period 
been  prp^'J«s  sjal. 

This(tl.  Jhiation,  and  the  report  of  expected  arrivals,. 
Averp'M,itd  before  tlie  Assembly,  whereupon  William 
\V>e.febjXfSamuel  Hollingsworth,  and  John  Carter,  were 
app,©)i(nted  a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  facts,  and  make 
rf^rt  to  the  nest  House.  These  gentlemen  investigated 
t|je  grave  charges,  and  in  17-28,  made  a  report  favorable 
to  the  Germans  and  Swiss,  who  had  been  invited  by  the 
original  proprietary,  William ;  "that  they  had  honestly 
paid  for  their  lands,  and  were  a  quiet  and  industrious 
people,  honestly  discharging  their  civil  and  religious 
duties.  But  that  some  had  made  a  settlement  on  lands 
without  any  right,  and  refused  to  yield  obedience  to 
the  Government;  that  those  persons  had  entered  this 
colony  from  that  of  New  York,"  says  the  report,  &c. — 
These  some,  were  but  few  who  had  settled  "  upon  Tul- 
pahaca  creek,"  about  the  year  1722,  or  23.  These, 
"from  New  York,"  had  settled  on  the  Tulpehocken 
lands,  by  Governor  Keith's  permission.  They  were 
thirty-three  families  in  1723  with  other  natives  of 
Germany,  who  were  by  the  bounty  and  goodness  of 
Queen    Anne    induced    to    transport    themselves    and 

ber  should  alarm  the  Government  so  much  as  to  pass  an  act 
laying  a  duty  of  forty  shillings,  per  head,  on  aliens,  i.  e.  Ger- 
mans, Swiss,  Dutch  and  French  ! ! !  The  influx  of  paupers — 
not  Germans — which  was  so  great  during  1729,  should  have 
excited  more  alarm,  than  the  few  aliens. 

During  the  year  1729,  there  were  of  English  and  Welsh  pas- 
sengers and  servants,  267,  Scotch  servants,  43^  Zris/i  passengers 
and  servants,  1155,  Palatine  (alien,  or40  shillinghead)  passen- 
gers, 243  ;  by  the  way  of  New  Castle,  chiefly  passengers  and 
servants  from  Ireland,  4500. — Hugh,  His.  Acd.  163. 


I.AirCASTE:R:  cotintt.  I9T 

families  to  the  colony  of  Ne\vr  York,  in  1710,  or  1711,, 
where  they  settled.  But  their  families  increasing,  and 
being  in  that  Government  confined  to  the  scanty  allow- 
ance of  ten  acres  of  land  to  each  family,  whereupon  they 
could  not  well  siabsist,  hehig  informed  of  the  kind  recep- 
tion which  the  Germans  usually  met  within  the  province 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  hoping  they  might,  with  what 
substance  they  had,  acquire  larger  settlements  in  the 
province  of  Pennsylvania,  did  leave  their  settlements  in 
New  York,  and  came  with  their  families  j  applied  to  the 
Governor,  who  granted  them  permission  to  settle." 

The  names  of  many  of  these  are  still  preserved 
recorded,  viz :  Johannes  Yans,  Peter  Ritt,  Conrad  Schitz, 
Paltus  Unsf,  Toritine  Serbo,,  Josap  Sab,  Jorge  Ritt, 
Godfreyt  Filler,  Johannes  Claes  Shaver,  lo,  Hameler 
Ritt,  Antonis  Shart,  Johan  Peter  Pacht,  Jocham  Michael 
Cricht,  Sabastian  PisaSj,  Andrew  Falborn.* 

As  the  settlements  were  now  becoming  numerous,  and 
settlers  located  in  various  parts,  they  came  frequently  and 
more  closely  in  contact  with  the  Indians ;  and  in  despite 
of  tire  efforts  of  the  Government  to  prevent  bloodshed, 
owing  to  some  violence  on  the- part  of  both  whites  and 
natives,  a  person  named  Thomas  Wright  was  killed  by 
some  Indians  at  Snaketo.wn,  forty  miles  above  Conestoga. 
John  Wright  addressed  a  letter,  carried  by  Jonas  Deven- 
port,  to  Secretary  Logan,  at  Philadelphia,  which  was 
laid  before  the  council,  Sept.  27,  1727.  The  account  in 
the  letter  stated,,  that  on  the  Llth  of  September,  several 
Indians,  together  with  one  John  Burt,  an  Indian  trader, 
and  Thomas  Wright,,  were  drinldng  near  the  house  of 
Burt,  who  was  singing  and  dancing  with  the  Indians, 
and  the  said  Wright;  Burt  bade  Wright  to  knock  down 
the  Indian,  whereupon  Wright  laid  hold  of  the  Indian,, 

*CoLIlec.  III.  341. 

17» 


198  HISTORY    OF 

but  did  not  beat  him,  that  afterwards  Burt  struck  the 
Indian  several  blows  with  the  fist,  that  the  said  Wright 
and  Burt  afterwards  returned  into  the  house  where  the 
Indians  followed  them  and  broke  open  the  door,  that 
while  Wright  was  endeavoring  to  pacify  them,  Burt 
called  out  for  his  gun,  and  continued  to  provoke  them  more 
and  more ;  that  hereupon  said  Wright  fled  to  the  hen- 
house to  hide  himself,  whither  the  Indians  pursued  him, 
and  next  morning  he  was  found  dead.  The  inquisition 
on  the  body  set  forth,  tliat  the  said  Wright  came  to  his 
death  by  several  blows  on  his  head,  neck  and  temples, 
which  the  jurors  said,  they  believe,  were  done  by  the  In- 
dians. This  quarrel  arose  from  too  free  use  of  rmn,  sold 
by  Burt,  the  Indian  trader.* 

About  this  time  the  colonists  of  Pennsylvania  were 
much  annoyed  by  non-resident  Indians,  who  frequently, 
in  small  parties,  roved  on  the  borders  of  the  settlements, 
and  stimulated  by  drink  and  cupidity,  committed  out- 
rages upon  the  persons  and  property  of  the  inhabitants. 
This  was  the  case  in  the  settlements  on  Manatay  creek, 
which  empties  into  the  Schuylkill,  thirty  miles  above 
Philadelphia.! 

In  the  spring  of  172S,  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper 
part  of  Chester  aounty,  were  considerably  alarmed,  in 
view  of  a  quarrel  that  was  likely  to  ensue  between  the 
Indians  of  these  parts  and  the  Shawanese,  who  had 
killed  two  of  the  Conestogoe  Indians.  Mr.  Wright 
acquainted  the  Governor  by  letter  that  the  Indians 
seemed  to  prepare  for  war,  and  that  therefore  his  presence 
was  desired  as  necessary  to  settle  these  differenceSy 
which  might,  in  the  end,  affect  the  peace  of  the  people  of 
the  province.     In  the  back  parts  of  the  county,  whole, 

*Gol.  Rec.  III.  302.  jGordon,  206. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.-.  W9' 

families  had-  left  their  habitations,  through  fear  of  being 
attacked  by  the  Indians. 

The  Governor  and  council  paid  strict  attention  to  the 
representations  of  Mr.  Wright,  and  made  necessary 
arrangements  to  go  to  the  seat  of  disturbance  to  recon- 
cile those  at  enmity.  The  Governor,  attended  with 
SPme  members  of  the  council,  and  divers  other  gentle- 
men, tp  the  number  of  about  thirty,  set  out  from  Phila- 
delphia, May  22, 1728,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  23rd, 
arrived  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Andrew  Cornish,  about  a 
mile  distant  from  Indiantown.  Here  they  spent  the  24th 
suid  25th,  in  waiting  for  some  other  persons  expected  at 
tlie  treaty  and  in  mutual  civilities;  and  on  the  26th,  the 
treaty,  began  at  the  Indian  town  of  Conestogoe. 

Present:  The  Hon.  Patrick  Gordon,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Go- 
v,ernor,  some  members  of  council  and  divers  other  gen- 
tlemen. Present,  also,  viz:  Ganyataronga,  Tawenna, 
Tanniatchiaro,  Taquatarensaly,  alias  Captain  Civility, 
(iiiefs  of  the  Conestqgoe  Indians;  Oholykon,  Peyeas- 
hiskon,  Wikimjkyona,  chiefs  of  some  of  the  Delaware 
Ipdians,  on  Brandy  wine;  Howickyoma,  Skayanannego, 
Onneygheat,  Nanamakamen,  Peyhiohinas,  chiefs  of  the 
Ganawese  Indians;  Weysow-walow,  Keyscykakalow 
Nichtamskakow,  chiefs  of  the  Shawanese. 

Shakawtawlin,  or  Sam,  interpreter  from  the  Delaware 
into  the  Shawanese  and  Mingoe,  (alias  Conestogoe). — 
Poraapechtoa,  interpreter  from  the  Delaware  into  the 
Ganawese  language.  Nicholas  Scull,  John  Scull,  and 
Peter  5iz  allien,  assistant  interpreters. 

The  Govern ofr  spoke  as  follows:  My  friends  and 
brethren,  you  are  sensible  that  the  great  William  Penn, 
the  father  of  this  country,  when  he  first  brought  his 
people  with  him  over  the  broad  sea,  took  all  the  Indians, 
the  old  inhabitants,  by  the  hand,  and  because  he  found. 


200  HISTORY    OF 

them  to  be  sincere,  honest  people,  he  took  them  to  his 
heart  and  loved  them  as  his  own.  He  then  made  a 
strong  league  and  chain  of  friendship  with  them,  by 
which  it  was  agreed  that  the  Indians  and  English,  with 
all  the  christians,  should  be  as  one  people.  Your  friend 
and  father,  William  Penn,  still  retained  a  warm  affection 
for  all  the  Indians,  and  strictly  commanded  those  Avhom 
he  had  sent  to'  govern  this  people  to  treat  the  Indians  as 
his  children,  and  continued  in  this  kind  love  for  them 
until  his  death. 

His  sons  have  now  sent  me  over  in  their  stead,  and 
they  gave  me  strict  charge  to  love  all  the  Indians  as  their 
brethren,  and  as  their  father,  William  Penn,  loved  you. 
I  would  have  seen  you  before  this  time,  but  I  fell  sick 
soon  after  I  came  over,  and  continued  so  until  next 
spring.  I  then  waited  to  receive  some  of  the  Five 
Nations  who  came  to  see  me  at  Philadelphia,  and  last 
fall  I  heard  you  were  all  gone  hunting. 

I  am  now  come  to  see  you,  and  to  renew  the  ancient 
friendship  which  has  been  between  William  Penn's 
people  and  you.  I  was  in  hopes  that  Sassoonan  and 
Opekasset,  with  their  people,  would  have  been  likewise 
here;  they  have  sent  me  kind  messages  and  have  a 
warm  love  for  the  christians.  I  believe  they  will  come 
to  me  at  Philadelphia,  for  since  they  could  not  get  hither 
I  have  desired  them  to  meet  me  there.  I  am  now  to 
discourse  with  my  brethren,  the  Conestogoes,  Delawares, 
Ganawese  and  Shawanese  Indians  upon  Susquehanna, 
and  to  speak  m  love  to  them. 

My  brethren,  you  have  been  faithful  to  your  leagues 
with  us,  your  hearts  have  been  clean,  and  you  have 
preserved  the  chain  from  spots  or  rust,  or,  if  there  were 
any,  you  have  been  careful  to  wipe  them  away.  Your 
Leagues  with  your  father,  William  Penn,  and  with  his 


LANCASTER    COUTSTTY.  201 

Governors,  are  in  writing  on  record,  that  our  children's 
children  may  have  them  in  everlasting  remembrance. — 
And  we  know  that  you  preserve  the  memory  of 
those  things  amongst  you  by  telling  them  to  your 
children,  and  they  again  to  the  next  generation,  so  that 
they  remained  stamped  on  your  minds  never  to  be  forgot. 
The  chief  heads  or  strongest  links  of  this  chain,  I  find 
are  these  nine,  viz : 

1.  That  all  William  Penn's  people  or  christians,  and' 
all  the  Indians  should  be  brethren,  the  children  of  one 
father,  joined  together  as  with  one  heart,  one  head,  and 
one  body. 

2.  That  all  paths  should  be  open  and  free  to  both 
christians  and  Indians. 

3.  That  the  doors  of  the  christian's  house  should  be 
open  to  the  Indians,  and  the  houses  of  the  Indians  to 
the  christians,  and  that  they  should  make  each  other 
welcome  as  friends. 

4.  That  the  christians  should  not  believe  any  false 
rumors  or  reports  of  the  Indians,  nor  the  Indians  believe 
any  such  rumors  or  reports  of  the  christians,  but  should 
first  come  as  brethren  to  inquire  of  each  other;  and  that 
both  christians  and  Indians  when  they  hear  such  false 
reports  of  their  brethren,  should  bury  them  as  in  a  bot- 
tomless pit. 

5.  That  if  the  christians  heard  any  ill  news  that  ma^r 
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  acquaint  each  other  with  it  speedily,  as  true 
friends  and  brethren. 

6.  That  the  Indians  should  do  no  more  any  manner  of 
harm  to  the  christians,  nor  their  creatures,  nor  the  chris- 
tians do  any  hurt  to  any  Indians,  but  each  trust  the  other 
as  their  brethren. 


202  Teiistory  of 

7.  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  forgotten,  and  be 
buried  as  in  a  bottomless  pit. 

S.  That  the  Indians  should  in  all  things  assist  the 
cJrristians,  and  the  christians  assist  the  Indians  against 
all  wicked  people  that  would  disturb  them. 

9.  And  lastly,  that  both  christians  and  Indians  should 
acquaint  their  children  ivith  this  league  and  firm  chain 
of  friendship  made  between  them,  and  that  it  should 
always  be  made  stronger  and  stronger,  and  be  kept 
bright  and  clean,  without  rust  or  spot  between  our 
children,  while  the  creeks  and  rivers  run,  and  while  the 
sun  and  moon  and  stars  endure. 

And  for  a  confirmation  on  our  parts  all  these  several 
parcels  of  goods,  viz :  twenty  strowd  match  coats, 
twenty  duffels,  twenty  blankets,  twenty  shirts,  one 
hundred  pounds  of  gmipowder,  two  hundred  pounds  of 
lead,  five  hundred  flints  and  fifty  knives. 

After  which  the  Governor  proceeded  and  said:  My 
brethren,  I  have  now  spoke  to  the  league  and  chain  of' 
friendship,  first  made  by  your  father,  William  Penn, 
with  your  fathers,  which  is  confirmed.  I  am  now  to 
acquaint  you  with  an  unhappy  accident  that  has  afflicted' 
me  and  all  good  people  amongst  us,,  and  we  lament  and, 
mourn  with  you  on  the  heavy  misfortune. 

About  forty  days  ago  we  heard  that  the  Tvvechtweys* 
were  coming  as  enemies  agaiiist  this-  eou-ntry.     I  believe 

*Thjs  intelligeuce  was  conaimunicalie<i  to  the  Governor  by 
James  Le  Tort,  Indian  trader,,  then  at  Philadelphia,  who  had; 
just  come  froiiift  Chenasy,  in  the-  upper  parts  of  thj©  rivet;  Sus=^ 
quehannah.r-^ CoZ,  iJec, ///.  312,. 


M. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  203 

it  is  false,  for  we  never  hurt  the  Twechtweys;  and  about 
eighteen  days  since,  I  received  an  express  from  the  Iron 
Works  at  Mahanatawny,*  acquainted  me  that  eleven 
foreign  Indians,  painted  for  war,  and  armed  with  guns, 
pistols  and  swords,  were  come  amongst  our  inhabitants, 
plundering  them  and  taking  away  their  provisions  by 
force,  whereupon  some  of  our  people,  to  the  number  of 
twenty  men,  with  arms,  went  to  speak  to  them  civilly, 
but  the  Indians  fired  upon  them  and  Avounded  some  of 
them;  our  men  likewise  fired  on  the  Indians  and 
wounded  some  of  them  also,  but  the  Indians  fired  first.! 
It  was  very  ill  done  to  fire. 

As  soon  as  I  heard  this  account,  I  took  my  horse  and 
went  to  Mahanatawny,  with  several  gentlemen  of 
Philadelphia;  but  the  Indians  were  gone  off.  I  found 
our  people  believed  there  Avere  more  coming,  and  there- 
fore some  hundreds  met  together  with  their  arms  to  defend 
themselves  in  case  the  Indians  should  attack  them.  As 
I  was  returning  home,  I  heard  news  that  grieved  me 
exceedingly.  I  was  told  that  two  or  three  furious  men 
amongst  us  had  killed  three  of  om'  Indian  friends  and 
hurt  two  girls.  I  Avent  back  mourning,  and  sent  out 
men  to  take  the  murderers,  Avho  v/ere  accordingly  taken, 
and  tiiey  are  now  in  irons  in  a  dungeon  to  be  tried  by 
the  laws  of  the  Great  King  of  all  the  English,  as  if  they 
had  killed  so  many  of  his  own  subjects.  I  haA'-e  likeAvise 
caused  search  to  be  made  for  the  dead  bodies,  and  tAvo 
women  Avere  found  murdered,  Avho,  by  my  order,  Avere 
laid  in  a  grave  and  covered  Avith  shirts  and  stroAvds.  I 
hear  likcAvise  that  the  dead  body  of  an  Indian  man  has 
been  found  and  Avas  buried. 

*About  30  miles  above  Philadelphia,  in  Berks  county. 

fThey    were  non-resident  Indians,  headed  by  a  Spanish 
Indian.— CoZ.  Rec.  IIL  321. 


,204  HISTORY    OP 

Yon  know  there  are  wicked  people  amongst  all 
nations ;  there  are  ill  people  amongst  you,  and  you  are 
sometimes  forced  to  put  them  to  death.  The  Enghsh 
are  a  great  people,  and  there  are  likewise  wicked  men 
amongst  them.  I  mourn  for  this  misfortune,  and  will  do 
all  I  can  to  comfort  the  relations  of  (he  dead  when  I  see 
them,  which  I  hope  will  he  at  Philadelphia  with 
Sassoonan.  and  Opekasset 

About  eight  months  ago,  I  received  an  account  that  an 
Englishman  was  killed  by  some  Indians,  at  the  house  of 
John  Burt,  in  Snaketown.  I  heard  John  Burt  was  very 
abusive  to  the  Indians,  and  I  sent  to  apprehend  him,  but 
he  fled;  if  he  can  be  taken  he  will  be  punished.  But 
since  there  was  a  man  killed,  we  expect  the  Indians  will 
do  us  justice,  for  we  must  be  just  and  faithful  to  each 
other,  that  this  spat  may  be  wiped  away  and  the  chain 
be  kept  bright  and  clean. 

You  know,  my  brethren,  that  one  link  of  the  chain  is, 
that  when  the  Indians  are  uneasy,  they  should  tell  it  to 
us,  and  when  we  are  uneasy,  we  will  tell  it  to  them.  I 
therefore  desire  your  hearts  may  be  open,  that  I  may 
know  if  you  have  any  cause  of  grief,  which  I  will 
endeavor  to  remove,  for  I  am  your  brother. 

I  have  issued  a  proclamation  requiring  all  people  to 
use  you  well,  which  shall  be  read  unto  you  before  I  go 
away.  I  will  prevent  any  hurt  being  done  to  our 
friends,  the  Indians,  because  those  who  do  not  behave 
themselves  agreeable  to  what  is  therein  commanded, 
will  be  severely  punished.  The  Governor,  council, 
Indians,  and  others,  as  the  day  before,  met  at  the  same 
place.  May  27th. 

Tawenna,  in  the  name,  and  on  the  behalf  of  all  the 
Indians  spoke  to  the  Governor,  which  was  rendered  into 
English,  by  Jolm  Scull,  mterpreter. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  205 

Give  ear,  said  Tawenna,  my  brethren,  of  Philadel- 
phia, the  Conestogoe  Indians,  the  Shawanese,  the 
Ganawese,  and  Delawares,  have  somewhat  to  say, 
which  they  will  speak  presently. 

They  say,  they  look  upon  the  Governor  as  if  William 
Penn  himself  were  present.  They  are  four  nations  and 
among  them  are  several  foolish  people,  as  if  they  were 
just  sprung  from  the  earth;  but  that  since  their  first 
friendship  with  William  Penn,  they  never  have  received 
any  wrong  or  injury  from  him  or  any  of  his  people. — 
That  several  foolish  people  among  them  committed  follies 
and  indiscretions,  but  they  hope  these  will  never  inter- 
rupt the  friendship  which  is  between  their  people  and 
us,  for  that  they  and  all  William  Penn's  people  are  as 
one  people,  that  eat  as  it  were,  with  one  mouth,  and  are 
one  body,  and  one  heart.  ^ 

Then  presenting  a  belt  of  wampum  of  eight  rows, 
they  say :  They  would  not  have  the  Governor  grieve  too 
much  for  the  rash  inconsiderations  that  of  late  have  been 
committed;  they  must  be  buried  and  forgot,  for  that  what 
has  happened  was  done  by  their  friends ;  if  it  had  been 
done  by  their  enemies,  they  would  have  resented  it,  but 
that  we  and  they  are  one ;  that  they  have  always  met 
with  justice  and  kindness  from  William  Penn,  and  from 
all  the  Governors  whom  he  had  sent  here,  and  thus  do 
all  the  Indians  of  Conestogoe,  Delaware,  the  Shawanese 
and  Ganawese,  say.  That  they  are  extremely  glad  and 
satisfied  with  what  the  Governor  said  to  those  yesterday, 
it  greatly  rejoiced  their  hearts  that  they  had  no  such 
speech  made  to  them  since  the  time  that  the  great 
William  Penn  was  amongst  them,  all  was  good,  and 
nothing  was  amiss. 

Tiien  presenting  four  strings  of  wampum,  they  say : 
They  will  visit  the  Governor  at  Philadelphia,  after  the 

18 


206  HISTOSY    O? 

harvest  is  over,  and  then  they  will  speak  fully  to'hinij  as 
their  brother  and  friend,  for  the  Conestogoes,  Delawares, 
Shawanese,  and  Ganawese  will  then  come  to  him,  and 
he  may  look  up  the  Conestogoe  road  and  expect  them. 
That  what  had  happened  at  John  Burt's  House,  was  not 
done  by  them,  it  was  done  by  one  of  the  Menysinicks, 
who  are  of  another  nation,  and  therefore,  they  can  say 
nothing  to  it." 

After  this  answer  of  the  Indians,  some  of  the  gentle- 
man present,  moved  the  Governor  that  seeing  there  was 
now:  a  numerous  *  company  of  our  inhabitants  met 
together,  he  would  be  pleased  to  press  the  Indians  to 
declare  to  him  if,  they  suffered  any  grievance  or  hard- 
ship from  this  Government,  because  several  reports  had 
been  industriously  spread  abroad,  as  if  they  had  some 
just  cause  of  complaint.  And  the  Governor  havmg 
ordered  the  interpreters  to  acquaint  them  therewith; 
they  all  answered  that  they  had  no  cause  of  complaint, 
that  William  Penn  and  his  people  had  still  them  treated 
Tvrell,  and  they  had  no  uneasiness. 

The  Governor  thei\  told  them,  that  he  was  well 
pleased  with  what^  they  ha(|  said  mito  him,  and  that 
since  the  Indian,  who  kilted  the  Englishman  at  Burt's 
house,  is  not  of  rheif  nation,  he  would  demand  justice 
from  that  nation  to' which  he  belonged. 

After  giving  the  Indians  a  few  presents,  the  Governor 
took  all  the  Indian-  chiefs  by  the  hand,  and  desired  them 
that  when  they  returned  home  they  should  acquaint  all 
their  people  with  what  had  now  passed  between  them  and 
us,  that  the  remembrance  thereof  might  endure  forever. 

jSToTE.^Iron  Works—"  Kurtz,  it  is  supposed,  established  the 
first  Iron  Works  in  1726,  within  the  present  bounds  of  Lancaster 
county.  The  Grubbs  were  distinguished  for  their  industry  and 
enterprize  :  they  commenced  operations  in  1728." — Haz.  Reg. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  209 

To  close  this  chapter,  we  have  mtroduced  fferings 
sketch  of  the  pubhc  services  of  our  old  father,  3ssian 
Dieffenderffer,  residing  at  Hew  Holland.  n  at 

David  Dieffenderffer,  was  born,  February  e  of 
1752,  near  New  Holland;  before  he  had  reached  .Id 
tenth  year,  his  father,  Michael  Dieffenderffer,  moved  tL, 
Lancaster.  David,  when  in  his  eleventh,  saw  a  sight  in 
Lancaster,  "too  horrible  to  relate,"  to  use  his  own 
language,  the  massacred  Indians  in  their  gore,  and  one 
in  the  agonies  of  death,  menacing  revenge  by  the  motion 
of  "his  dying  hands." 

At  the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  sternly  advocated  the 
suffering  cause  of  his  bleeding  country,  by  actual  and 
personal  services;  first  in  the  character  of  a  militia  man? 
after  the  expiration  of  his  tour,  he  served  as  an  enlisted 
volunteer  of  Colonel  Houssacker's*  regiment,  under 
Captain  David  Wilbert,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Lieut.  Col. 
George  Strieker,  father  of  General  Strieker,  late  of 
Baltimore. 

He  wis  ift  many  important  engagements.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  taking  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton,  where 
Colonel  Rahl,  the  Hessian  commander,  and  a  gallant 
officer,  was  mortally  wounded,  besides  six  other 
officers,  and  between  twenty  and  thirty  privates,  of  the 
enemy,  were  killed,  Decembsr  26,  1776,  and  twenty- 
tliree  officers,  and  rising  of  nine  hundred  privates,  were 
taken  prisoners  by  the  Americans,  who  lost  only  four 

*Houssacker,  who  afterwards  deserted  the  Americans,  and 
surrendered  twenty  or  more  of  his  men,  at  Princeton,  had 
been  originally  commissioned  a  major  of  Wayne's  battalion. 
"  He  had,"  says  Graydon,  "if  I  mistake  not,  been  an  adjutant 
of  the  Royal  Americans ;  and  was  considered  a  capable  dis- 
ciplinarian, He  was  a  German,  or  rather  a  man  of  no  country 
or  any  country ;  a  citizen  of  the  world,  a  soldier  of  fortune, 
andatrvje  mercenary." — Graydon's  Mem.  218. 


so© 


HISTORY    OF 


harvest  i^  ^^^^  ^^yQ  Qf  these  were  frozen  to  death.  He 
their  hjji.  ^.j-^g  cannonadmg  of  Trenton,  Januarys,  1777; 
ShaWj^  the  Americans  were  repulsed,  "I  ran,"  said  the 
^®  "Van  to  us,  in  his  ninety -first  year,  "  hke  a  Hollander, 
^"lile  the  hullets  whistled  about  my  ears,  and  rattled 
*-^?ke  hailstones  against  the  fence."  He  was  in  the  en- 
^gagement  where  there  was  a  fearful  odds  in  numbers  and 
tact  against  the  Americans,  when  they  had  to  contend 
agamst  Lord  Cornwallis's  troops,  and  reinforced  by  regi- 
ments under  the  command  of  Colonel  Maywood,  at  the 
battle  of  Princeton,  January  3rd,  1777;  here  the  British 
loss  was  more  than  one  hundred  killed,  and  rising  of 
three  hundred  prisoners  taken.  "But  the  victory  was 
by  no  means  a  bloodless  one  to  the  Americans;  General 
Mercer  was  mortally  wounded.  Col.  Haslet,  CoL  Potter, 
and  other  officers  of  subordinate  rank,  were  killed." 

He  was  with  the  American  army  at  Morristown,  in 
winter  quarters.  Here  Washington,  not  trusting  to  the 
barriers  nature  had  thrown  around  his  position,  sent  out 
detachments  to  assail  and  harass  General  Howe's  troops ;; 
and  it  was  in  these  expeditions  Dieffenderffer  frequently 
took  part. 

In  a  skirmish  at  Monmouth,  in  the  spring  of  '77y 
Dieffenderffer  was  taken  prisoner  and  shamefully  mal- 
treated by  one  of  the  British,  who  struck  him  in  his 
face  with  his  musket ;  a  scar  is  still  visible  on  his  upper 
lip ;  blow  upon  blow  would  have  been  repeated,  but  for 
the  manly  and  timely  interposition  of  a  small  Scotch- 
man, he  was  treated  as  a  prisoner.  He,  and  twenty-five 
or  thirty  fellow-prisoners,  were  conveyed  to  New  York, 
and  confined  in  a  sugar-refinery,  covered  in  part  with 
tile.  The  sufferings  they  endured,  excited  universal 
indignation,  and  will,  everlastingly,  reflect  reproach  on 
the  British  commander.      Many  of   them  sunk  midei 


LANCASTER    COFHrTY.  209 

their  sufferings  and  died.  Dieffenderffer's  sufferings 
were  mitigated  by  the  kindness  of  a  Mr.  Miller,  Hessian 
commissary  in  the  English  service;  having  been  at 
Lancaster,  he  had  taken  lodging  at  the  public  house  of 
Michael  Dieffenderffer,  and  who,  in  a  conversation,  told 
Miller  he  had  a  son,  a  suffering  prisoner,  at  New  York, 
and  if  he  had  an  opportunity,  would  send  him  some 
money.  Miller  informed  him  he  would  shortly  return  to 
New  York,  and  would  be  pleased  to  have  it  in  his  power 
to  befriend  him  or  his  suffering  son;  the  opportunity  waS 
improved,  and  four  half-johannes,  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  commissary,  who,  with  the  characteristic  fidelity  of 
an  honest  Hessian,  on  his  arrival,  delivered  the  gold  to 
David.*  He  received,  he  said,  with  gratitude,  and  in 
tears,  the  money,  a  kind  father  had  sent  him.  His  condi- 
tion was  greatly  ameliorated. 

Notwithstanding  the  economy  he  used,  his  money,  as 
his  imprisonment  was  protracted,  was  reduced  to  a  few 
cents ;  and  while,  as  a  prisoner  of  hope,  he  was  meditat- 
ing how  his  future  sufferings  should  be  mitigated,  Capt. 
Michael  Smyser,t  of  York  county,  on  his  return  from 
Long  Island,  by  way  of  New  York,  to  his  home,  handed 
him  an  English  guinea.  After  five  months'  suffering, 
in  the  latter  part  of  October,  he  went  to  Long  Island 
where  he  was,  on  parole,  laboring  for  his  board  and 
clothing  for  some  time  ;  he  returned  to  New  York  ;  was 

*This  statement  we  have  from  the  old  father  himself;  while 
relating  to  us  the  incidents  of  his  eventful  life,  at  this  particu- 
lar, we  saw  steal  down  his  cheeks,  in  hurried  succession,  tears 
from  his  sightless  organs  ;  he  added,  "I  had  a  kind  father." 

f  Captain  Michael  Smyser  was  one  of  the  virtuous  band  of 
the  gloomy  period  of  '76.  At  the  unfortunate  capture  of  Fort 
Washington,  he  was  made  prisoner,  and  could  appreciate  the 
sufferings  of  his  fellow-citizens. 

18* 


210  HISTORY    OF 

exchanged,  and  received  a  permit ;  and  in  company  with 
Colonel  Atlee,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner  before, 
came  to  Trenton,  where  they  parted.  Dieffenderffer,  by 
way  of  Valley  Forge  returned  to  Lancaster.  He 
remained  a  short  time  at  home  ;  then  in  company  with 
Captain  Wilbert,  went  to  Valley  Forge;  here  he 
remained  fom'  weeks,  sufficiently  long  to  witness  the 
sufferings  of  the  American  army. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  1778,  General  Howe  evacuated 
Philadelphia,  and  crossed  over  into  New  Jersey,  whither 
they  were  speedily  followed  by  Washington ;  pursuing  the 
enemy;  and  on  the  28th  of  June,  gained  a  signal 
victory  at  Monmouth,  over  the  British.  Dieffenderffer 
was  in  this  engagement.  This,  says  he,  was  one  of  the 
hottest  days  that  he  ever  experienced;  several  fell  dead 
from  drinking  cold  water.  From  Monmouth,  they 
marched  to  the  White  Plains,  a  few  miles  to  the  north- 
eastward of  New  York  Island.  Thence  they  went  to 
West  Point,  where  Vf  ashington  had  his  head  quarters. —  . 
Here  Dieffenderffer  having  received  a  furlough, 
returned  to  Lancaster,  where  he  remained  till  March, 
1779,  when  he  returned  to  the  regiment  at  Easton. — 
Under  the  command  of  General  Sullivan,  they  marched 
into  the  Wyoming  country,  and  Gennesee  Flats ;  thence 
returned  to  Wyoming ;  then  the  regiment,  under  the 
direction  of  Major  Weldner,  came  on  to  Sunbury. — 
Owing  to  sickness,  Dieffenderffer,  as  ensign,  resigned  his 
commission,  and  returned  to  Lancaster,  in  1779. 

His  eventful  life,  through  habits  of  temperance  and 
moderation,  has  been  lengthened  four  score  and  ten, — 
Though  sightless  for  some  years,  he  enjoys  at  present 
remarkable  health ;  and  enjoys  the  company  of  a 
virtuous  and  inteUigent  offspring  and  relatives.  Here 
we    would  add  that  his  cousin,  Jacob    Dieffenderffer, 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  211 

residing  in  the  same  village,  New  Holknd,  was 
in  the  service  of  his  country,  when  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  was  taken.  We  regret  that  we  have  not  the 
particulars  of  his  services.  May  they  both  continue  to 
command  the  esteem  which  they  so  richly  merit,  and 
when  their  warfare  on  earth,  ends,  may  they  rest  in 
peace. 


CHAPTER   Vr. 


Ephrata — Origin  of  German  Baptists  in  Europe,  and  their  emigrartibn  ta 
America — Some  settle  at  Muelbach — Sieben  Taeger  association  formed 
at  Ephrata,  by  Conrad  Beissel — Change  of  life  among  them — They  built 
Kedar  and  Zion — Singular  architecture  of  buildings — Fractur-Schriften 
by  the  Sisters — Specimens  of  original  poetry — Eckerlein  and  the  bell- 
Its  destination — Sabbath  School  established — Miller  succeeds  Beissel — 
Juliana  Penix's  letter — Poetry  dedicated  to.  Miller — Present  state  of 
Ephrata.  List  of  names  of  the  first  inhabitants  of  Ephrata— Names  of 
some  of  the  early  settlers  in  Lancaster  count}'. 

A  settlement  was  commenced,  in  1725,  or  1726,  on 
the  banks  of  the  Cocalico  creek,  where  the  Reading 
road,  and  Downingtown  turnpike  intersect,  at  present,  in 
Ephrata  township,  and  is  well  known  by  the  name  of 
"Kloster,"  or  "Ephrata,"  or  "Dunkertown,"  a  nick- 
name from  the  word  Dunker,  or  Tunker,  a  corruption 
of  Taeufer,  Baptists.  To  show  the  origin  of  this  settle- 
ment, we  shall  introduce  a^  preliminary,  a  brief  histori- 
cal sketch  of  the  German  Baptists,  from  whom  the 
founder  of  the  society  at  Ephrata,  seceded.  Those 
at  Ephrata,  are  generally  known  by  the  name  of  "Sieben 
Taeger,"  Seventh  Day  People;  because  they  keep  the 
seventh,  instead  of  the  first  day  of  the  week,  as  the 
Sabbath. 


21^  HISTORY    OF 

In  the  year  1708,  eight  persons,  five  brethren  and  three 
sisters,  viz:  Alexander  Mack,  of  Schreisheim,  in  the 
Palatinate,  Germany,  George  Graby  and  Lucas  Fetter, 
of  Hesse  Cassel,  Andrew  Boney,  of  Basle,  in  Switzer- 
land, and  John  Kipping,  from  Wirtemhurg,  and  Johanna 
Bong,  Anna  Margaretta  Mack,  and  Johanna  Kipping, 
entered  into  a  covenant  with  each  other,  to  meet  regu- 
larly, to  carefully  and  impartially  examine  the  doctrines 
of  the  New  Testament,  and  by  the  help  of  God,  to  ascer- 
tain what  are  the  obligations  it  imposes  on  professed  fol- 
lowers of  the  meek  and  the  humble  Saviour;  laying 
aside  pre-conceived  opinions,  and,  if  possible,  to  attain 
to  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  by  rendering  implicit 
obedience  to  the  commands  of  the  Lord  Jesus ;  to  follow 
him  in  evil  as  well  as  in  good  report.  The  result  of 
their  meetings  and  prayerful  investigations  was  the 
formation  of  a  society,  that  as  brethren  and  sisters,  under 
the  cross  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  dwelled  together  in 
unity  of  a  living  faith.  This  society  is  now  called  the 
Bunkers,  from  the  mode  of  administering  baptism,  in 
water,  by  trine  immersion. 

The  society  having  been  formed,  and,  as  they  con- 
ceived that  immersion  was  the  only  valid  mode  of 
administering  baptism,  and  none  of  them  thus  baptized, 
they  felt  themselves  m  a  difficulty,  says  one  of  their 
writers,  "not  soon  got  over;"  one  of  their  number,  who 
labored  among  them  in  word,  visited  the  societies  in 
differents  parts  of  Germany,  to  collect  the  opinion  of  the 
awakened  generally,  upon  the  subject  of  baptism;  the 
greater  number  acknowledged  that  immersion  was  the 
mode  practiced  by  the  Apostles  and  primitive  christians, 
but  still  endeavoring  to  satisfy  themselves,  that  a  hand- 
full  of  water  by  pouring,  Avould  answer  the  same  end, 
provided  it  was  administered  to  proper  subjects  only. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  213 

*'The  consciences  of  the  before  mentioned  could,  how- 
ever, find  no  satisfaction  in  these;  they,  therefore, 
desired  him,  who  was  their  minister,  to  baptize  them  by 
immersion;  according  to  the  example  and  practice  of 
the  first  christians  and  primitive  believers;  he  felt  a 
diffidence  to  comply  with  their  request  on  account  of  his 
not  being  baptized  himself,  he  desired,  therefore,  first  to 
be  baptized  before  he  could  conscientiously  baptize  any 
of  them;  and  they  betook  themselves  to  fasting  and 
prayer,  in  order  to  obtain  help  and  direction  in  this  case, 
from  Him  who  is  the  restorer  of  paths  to  dwell  in,  for  they 
were  all  desirous  to  be  baptized.  In  this  dilemma,  a 
testimony  of  scripture  revived  in  their  minds,. "  Where 
two  or  three  are  gathered  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  / 
midst." 

"Wherefore,  with  an  unbroken  confidence  in  the 
precious  promise  of  God,  they  cast  lots,  who  of  the 
four  brethren  should  baptize  him,  that  was  anxiously 
desirous  of  being  baptized;  they  pledged  their  word,  at 
the  same  time,  that  it  should  remain  a  secret  upon  whom 
the  lot  fell,  that  no  one  might  take  occasion  to  call  the  < 
society  by  the  name  of  any  man,  as  was  the  case  with 
the  Corinthian  church,  which  was  sharply  reproved  by 
the  Apostle."  | 

*"'The  crisis  for  the  camp  to  move  forward,  had  now  | 
arrived;  they  were  now  made  willing  in  the  day  of  the  I 
Lord's  power;  accordingly,  they  went  out  in  the  morn-  j 
ing,  to  a  stream  called  Ader,  and  then,  he,  upon  whom  i 
the  lot  had  fallen,  baptized  the  brother,  who  was  so  i 
anxious  to  submit  to  the  ordinance.  This  being  done, 
he  was  acknowledged  as  duly  qualified;  he  baptized  / 
him  first  by  whom  he  had  been  baptized,  and  the  tliree  j 
remaining  brethren,  and  the  sisters;  thus  were  these 
eight,  at  an  early  hour  in  the  morning,  baptized  in  the 


214  HISTORY    OF 

water  by  trine  immersion ;  and  after  they  came  up  out 
of  the  water,  and  had  changed  their  clothes,  they  were 
filled  Avith  joy,  and  by  the  grace  of  God,  these  expres- 
sions Avere  revived  in  their  minds  with  pecuUar  energy, 
"be  ye  fruitful  and  multiply." 

They  met  with  no  small  share  of  opposition  and  per- 
vsecution,  notwithstanding  these,  they  soon  increased, 
wherever  the  hand  of  persecution  had  driven  them; 
some  iled  to  Holland,  some  to  Creyfels,  in  tlije  Dutchy  of 
Cleves;  and  the  mother  church  voluntarily  removed  to 
Serustervin,  in  Friesland.  In  a  very  short  time,  there  were 
efficient  laborers  in  this  branch  of  God's  moral  vineyard ; 
especially  at  Creyfels.  Among  the  brethren  there  were 
John  H.  Kalklosor,  from  Frankenthal,  Christian  Leib, 
and  Abraham  Dubois,  from  Ebstein,  John  Naas,  and 
others,  from  the  north,  Peter  Becker,  from  Dilsheim, 
John  H,  Traut,  and  his  brethren,  and  Stephen  Koch, 
George  B.  Gantz,  from  Umstadt,  and  Michael  Ecker- 
ling,  from  Strasburg.  Among  these,  as  theh  leader,  was 
Alexander  Mack,  who  devoted  his  property  to  the  com- 
mon use  of  the  society,  and  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania, 
in  1729,*  where  persecuted  virtue  found  an  asylum 
under  the  benign  Government  of  Penn.  They  first 
settled  at  Germantown,  some  at  Skippack,  Ole^^,  others 
at  Conestoga,  and  elsewhere.  A  congregation  of  them 
was  organized,  and  they  chose  Peter  Becker,  as  official 
baptizer. 

The  society  increased  rapidly,  and  soon  a  church  was 
formed  in  Lancaster  county,  at  Muelbach,  (Mill  creek) . 
One  of  the  prominent  mei,iibers  o,f  this  last  mentioned 

*Im  lahr,  1729,  ist  Alexander  Mack,  der  Urstaender  der 
Taeufer,  samt  den  uebrigen  gedachter  Gemeinde,  von  Fries- 
land  abgesetzt  nnd  in  Pennsylvanien  angekommen. — Peter 
Miller, 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  215 

church,  was  Conrad  Beissel,  a  native  of  Germany.  He 
was  converted  in  1715.  He  liad  fled  from  the  persecu- 
tions of  that  period.  He  arrived  in  America  in  1720, 
and  in  1721,  settled  at  Mill  creek,  where  he,  and  one 
Stuntz,  built  a  house;  and  they  were  soon  joined  by 
Isaac  Von  Babern,  George  Stiefel,  and  others.  It 
appears  from  an  extract  of  the  Ephrata  Chronicle,  that 
Conrad  Beissel  was  baptized  by  Peter  Becker,  in  Pequea 
creek,  in  1724.  Soon  a  new  organization  arose  from 
the  Dunkers.*  Beissel,  "wholly  intent  upon  seeking 
out  the  true  obligation  of  the  word  of  God,  and  the 
proper  observances  of  the  rites  and  ceremonies  it  im- 
poses, stripped  of  human  authority,  he  conceived  that 
there  was  an  error  among  the  Dunkers,  in  the  ob- 
servance of  the  day  for  the  Sabbath ;    that  the  seventh 

*About  the  same  time,  another  religious  sect  was  formed  in 
Oley,  now  Berks  county.  This  association  was  headed  by  one 
Mathias  Baumann.  His  followers  or  disciples  were  styled 
"  Tlie  New-born." 

They  professed  to  be  impeccable,  or  of  having  attained  a 
state  of  sinlessness:  they  were  perfectionists.  They  boasted 
they  were  sent  of  God  to  confound  others.  Their  disputations 
were  frequently  heard  in  the  market  places  of  Philadelphia. — 
On  one  occasion,  Baumann,  to  show  that  his  doctrine  was 
from  God,  proposed  to  wade  across  the  Delaware  river. 

They  were,  as  it  is  the  custom  of  enthusiasts  and  fanatics, 
contentious,  wandering  through  the  country,  displaying  zeal 
for  their  doctrines,  by  controverting  with  all  who  differed  from 
them  in  matters  of  faith.  Conrad  Beissel,  the  founder  of  the 
Sieben  Taeger,  was  occasionally  annoyed  in  his  recluse  situa- 
tion, by  them. 

Baumann,  their  leader,  was  a  native  of  Lamshelm,  Palati- 
nate ;  born  in  1701 ;  came  to  America  between  the  years,  1719, 
and  1722;  he  died,  1727.  It  is  reported,  he  was  an  honest  and 
sincere  man  ;  not  solicitous  to  accumulate  property  ;  but,  that 
Kuehlenwein,  Jotter,  and  others  of  his  followers,  loved  the 
good  things  of  the  world  inordinately. 


216  HISTORY    OF 

day  was  the  command  of  the  Lord  God,  and  that  day- 
being  established  and  sanctified,  by  the  Great  Jehovah, 
forever!  And  no  change,  nor  authority  for  change,  ever 
having  been  announced  to  man,  by  any  power  sufficient 
to  set  aside  the  solemn  decree  of  the  Ahnighty;  a 
decree  which  he  declared  that  he  had  sanctified  forever ! 
He  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  contend  for  the  observance  of 
that  day.  About  the  year  1725,  he  published  a  tract 
entering  into  a  discussion  of  this  point,  which  created 
some  excitement  and  disturbance  in  the  society,  at  Mill 
creek ;  upon  which  he  retired  from  the  settlement,  and 
went  secretly,  to  a  cell  on  the  banks  of  the  Cocalico,* 
that  had  previously  been  occupied  by  one  Elimelich,  a 
hermit.  His  place  of  retirement  was  unknown  for 
sometime  to  the  people  he  had  left,  and  when  discovered, 
many  of  the  society  at  Mill  creek,  who  had  become 
convinced  of  the  truth  of  his  proposition  for  the  observ- 
ance of  the  Sabbath,  settled  around  him,  in  solitary 
cottages.  They  adopted  the  original  Sabbath — the 
seventh  day — for  public  worship,  m  the  year  1728; 
which  has  ever  since  been  observed  by  their  descendants, 
even  unto  the  present  day. 

In  the  year  1732,  the  solitary  life  was  changed  into  a 
conventicle  one,  and  a  monastic  society  was  established 
as  soon  as  the  first  buildings  erected  for  that  purpose 
were  finished.  May,  1733.  The  habit  of  the  Capuchins, 
or  White  Friars,t  was  adopted  by  both  the  brethren  and 

*  Cocalico,  called  by  the  Delaware  Indians,  Koch-Hdlekung, 
Germanice,  Schlangenhoehle,  Serpents  den ;  from  the  abun- 
dance of  serpents  along  the  stream. — Chron.  Eph.  52. 

fCapuziner,  eine  Abart  des  Franciscaner  Ordens,  welche 
gegen  das  lahr  1525,  ihren  Anfang  nahm.  Sie  tragen  eine 
lange  spitz  zulaufende  capuze  und  einen  langen  Bart;  die 
Verfassung  des  ordens  ist  streng  und  zeichnet  sich  durcb 
Enthaltsamkeit  aus. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  ^17 

Visters ;  which  consisted  of  a  shht,  trowsers,  and  vest, 
with  along  wliitc  gown  or  cowl,  of  woolen  web  in 
winter,  and  linen  in  summer.  That  of  the  sisters 
differed  only  in  the  substitution  of  petticoats  for  trowsers, 
and  some  little  peculiarity  in  the  shape  of  the  cov/l. — 
Monastic  names  were  given  to  all  who  entered  the 
cloister.  On^ssimus  (Israel  Eckerlin)  was  constituted 
Prior,  who  was  succeeded  by  Jaebez  (Peter  Miller)  and 
the  title  of  Father — spiritual  father — was  bestowed  by 
Ihe  society,  upon  Beisel,  whose  monastic  name  was 
Friedsiim;  to  which  the  brethren  afterwards  added 
Gottrecht ;  hnplying,  together,  Peaceable,  Godright.  In 
the  year  1740,  there  were  thirty-six  single  brethren  iu 
the  cloister,  and  thirty-five  sisters :  and  at  one  time,  the 
societ;^,  including  the  members  living  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, numbered  nearly  three  hundred. 

The  first  buildings  of  the  society  of  any  consequence, 
were  Keda.r  and  Zion;  a  meeting  house  and  a  comment, 
which  were  erected  on  the  hill  called  Mount  Zion. — 
They  afterwards  built  larger  accommodations,  in  the 
meadow,  below,  comprising  a  sister's  house,  called  Saroii, 
to  which  is  attached  a  large  chapel  and  "  Saal "  for  the 
purpose  of  holding  Agapas,  or  Love  Feasts.  A 
brother's  house,  called  Bethania,  with  which  is  con- 
nected the  large  meeting  room,  Avith  galleries,  in  which 
the  whole  society  assembled,  for  public  worship,  in  tlie 
days  of  their  prosperity,  and  which  are  still  standing, 
surrounded  by  smaller  buildings,  that  were  occupied  as 
printing-oifice,  bake-house,  school-house,  almonry,  and 
others,  for  different  purposes ;  on  one  of  which,  a  one 
story  house,  the  town  clock  is  erected.* 

*One  of  the  buildings  having  been  erected  thirty  eight  years, 
was  converted  into  a  Hospital  in  the  American  Revolution, 
«nd  afterwards  occupied  as  a  school  house.    The  house  stands 

19 


218  HISTORY    O^" 

"The  buildings  are  singular,  and  of  rery  ancient 
architecture  5  all  the  outwalls  being  covered  with  shin- 
gles, or  clapboards.  The  two  houses,  for  the  brethren 
and  sisters,  are  very  large,  being  three  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  sixt\,  so  that  six 
dormitories,  which  are  barely  large  enough  to  contain  a 
cot  (in  early  days  a  bench,  and  a  billet  of  wood  for  the 
head)  a  closet  and  an  hour  glass  surrounded  a  common 
room,  in   which  each  subdivision  pursued  their  respec* 

no  more  j  the  spot  it  occupied  is  still  pointed  out  to  the  casual 
visitor,  by  the  courteous  inhabitants  of  Ephrata. 

A  few  days  after  the  battle  of  Brandyvvine  had  been  foughtf 
Septennber  11,  17T7,  four  or  five  hundred  of  the  wounded 
soldiers  were  taken  to  Ephrata,  and  placed  in  the  Hospital.-— 
Doctors  Yerkel,  Scott  and  Harrison,  v/ere  the  attending 
surgeons  and  physicians.  The  wounds  and  camp  fever,, 
baffled  their  skill :  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  soldiers  died 
here ;  they  were  principally  from  the  Eastern  States,  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  few  British,  who  had  deserted  and  joined 
the  American  Army.  "The  first  of  them  that  died  here,  was 
buried  by  the  honors  of  war;  a  funeral  sermon,  preached  by 
one  of  their  own  number,  appointed  for  that  purpose.  This 
practice  was  continued  for  some  time,  till  they  began  to  drop 
off  too  rapidly  to  ailow  time  for  the  performance  of  the  cere- 
mony, when  every  thing  of  the  kind  was  dispensed  with." 

The  place  where  they  rest,  is  enclosed;  and  for  many  years,, 
a  board,  with  this  inscription : 

.vas  placed  over  the  gate  of  the  enclosure.  The  board,  wiib, 
the  inscription,  is  no  more.  Measures  are  now,  upon  sugges- 
tion of  Joseph  Konigmacher,  Esq.,  and  many  of  his  fellow 
citizens,  taken  to  place  a  plain  and  durable  monument,  tc 
rescue  from  oblivion,  and  perpetuate  the  memories  of  the 
entombed  soldiers,  who  were  wounded  at  Brandywine,  and  died 
at  Ephrata. 


LANCASTER    COUNTr.  219 

tive  avocations.  On  entering  these  silent  cells,  and 
traversing  the  long  narrow  passages,  visitors  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  meeting  a  second,  he  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 ;  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,  exe- 
cuted in  a  very  handsome  manner,  in  ornamented 
Gothic  letters,  called  in  German,  Fractur-Schrifter. 
They  are  done  on  large  sheets  of  paper,  manufactured 
for  the  purpose  at  their  own  mill,  some  of  which  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,  which  it  would  be 
difficult  to  describe;  it  is  very  curious  and  ingenious : 
the  whole  of  the  road  is  filled  up  with  texts  of  scripture, 
adverting  the  disciples  of  their  duties,  and  the  obliga- 
tions 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 


220  HISTORY    OF 

three  feet  wide,  three  hundred  figures  in  Capuchin  dress^. 
can  be  counted,  with  harps  in  their  hands,  with  heads  of 
an  innumerable  host ;  and  in  the  third  is  seen  the  Throne 
surrounded  by  two  hundred  Arch-Angels.  Many  of 
these  Fractur-Schriften  express  their  own  enthusiastic 
sentiments  on  the  subject  of  Celibacy,  and  the  virtue  of 
a  recluse  hfe,  whilst  others  are  devotional  pieces.  The 
following  are  from  two  found  in  the  chapel  of  the 
sisters'  convent.  We  copy  the  sentiment,  but  cannot 
convey  an  idea  of  their  style. 

Die  Leib  its  unsre  kron  und  heller  tugund  spicgel. 

Die  Weisheit  unsre  Lust,  und  reines  Gottes  Siegel ; 

Das  Lamm  ist  unser  schatz  wir  uns  an  verfrauen, 

Und  folgen  seinem  Gang  alst  reinste  Jungfrauen. 

Unsre  Kronen  die  wir  tragen  in  dieser  sterblichkeit, 

Werden  uns  in  Trupbsals-tagcn  durcli  viel  Leid  zubcreit, 

Da  muss  unsre  Hoffnung  bluehen  und  der  Glaube  wachsen  auf 

Wan  sich  Welt  und  Fleisch  bemuechen  uns  zu  schwaechem  im 

Lauf, 
0,  wol  dan  !  weil  vvirgezaehlet  zu  der  reinen  Laemmer  Heerd, 
Die  dem  keuschen  Lamm  vermaehlet,  und  erkauftvon  der  Erd 
Bleibet  schon  alhier   verborgen,  unser  Ehren  Schmuck   und, 

Kron, 
Wird  us  doch  an  jenem  Morgen  Kroenen,  lesus  Gottes  Sohn. 

Above  the  door,  as  you  enter  from  the  sister  house 
in  the  saal,  is  one  which  we  copied  while  on  a  visit  to 
the  place. 

Die  Tfauer  zum  eingang  in  das  haus 

Wo  die  vereinte  Seclen  wohnen 

Laesst  keines  mehr,  von  da  hinaus 

Wiel  Gott  thut  selber  unter  ihnen  thronen 

Ihr  Glueck  blueht  in  vereinten  Liebes  Fiaramen, 

Wiel  sie  aus  Gott  und  seiner  Lieb  hertstammen. 

Immediately  to   the  right  of  this  is  another  which. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  221 

by  the  aid    of  Schwester    Barbara,  we    were  able  to 
copy. 

So  lebet  dann  die  reine  Schaar 

Im  innern  Tempel  hier  biesamen, 

Entrissen  aller  Welt-Gefahr 

In  heiss  verliebten  Liebes-Flammen  ; 

Und  lebet  dann  in  HofFning  bin, 

Nach  der  beglueckten  Freiheit  die  dort  oben  ; 

Da  sie  nach  dem  verliebten  Sinn 

Ihn  ohne  zeit  und  end  wird  loben. 

Another  on  the  same  wall,  which,  as  we  have  been 
informed,  was  a  favorite  Reim  in  their  more  prosperous 
days. 

So  steht  der  Tempel  da  erfuellt  mit  reinen  Seelen, 
Die  sich  das  keusche  Lamm  zu  eigen  thut  vermaehlen  : 
£s  gehet  vor  uns  her,  wir  folgen  treulich  nach, 
Und  nehmen  mit  auf  uns  sein  Kreuz  und  Ungemach. 
Bleiben  wir  so  in  ihm  so  ist  das  Ziel  getroffen  ; 
Und  haben  dorten  einst  das  wahre  Gut  zu  hofFen  : 
Bleiben  ihm  gespart,  bis  es  sich  wird  vermaehlen, 
Und  wir  in  jener  Welt,  ewig  sein  Lob  erzaehlen. 
DieLieb  ist  unsere  kron  und  heiliger  Tugendspeigel: 
Die  Weisheit  unsere  Lust  und  remes  Gottes  Seigel, 
Das  Lamm  ist  unser  Schatz  dem  wir  uns  anvertrauen, 
Uad  folgen  seinem  Gang  als  reinst)  J  UlI;^!'  aaea. 

In  the  rooms  which  any  sister  has  occupied,  and  is 
departed,  a  piece,  which  is  framed  in  imitation  of  a 
tablet,  is  put  up  expressive  of  the  character  and  virtues 
of  the  deceased,  or  some  feeling  memorial  of  love  is 
inscribed.  The  following  was  found  in  the  kammer 
which  had  been  occupied  by  Zenobia,  a  very  beiiutiful;, 
lovely  and  devout  sister : 

ZENOBIA. 

"Wird  greunen  und  Gedeyen  ihre  Arbeit  wird  nichtvergel- 
lich,  noch  anch  ihrc  Hoffnung,  verlohren  seyn,  ihr  Erbe 
iluehet  mitten  unter  den  Heiligen.'^ 

19* 


223  HISTORY    OF 

"'A    room    was  set  apart  for  such    purposes,  called 
"  Das  Schreib  Zimmer,"  the   writing  room,  and  several 
sisters  devoted  their  whole   attention    to  this  labor,  as 
well  as  to  transcribing  the  writings  of  the  founder  of  the 
society;  thus  multiplying  copies  for   the   wants  of  the 
community,  before    they  had  a    printing    press.     Two 
sisters,    named  Jlnnastasia   and   Iphigenia^  were    the 
principal   ornamental  writers.     They  left  a  large  folio 
volume  of  sample  alphabets.^  of  various  sizes  and  style  j 
which  are  both  elegant  and  curious,  exhibiting  the  most 
patient  application.     The  letters  of  the  first  alphabet  are 
twelve   inches  long,  surrounded  by  a  deep  border,  in 
imitation  of  copper-plate  engraving ;  each  one  of  which 
is  different  in  the  filling  up.     It  was  finish.ed  in  the  year 
1750,  and  is  still  preserved  in  the   hands  of  the  trustees. 
There    v/as     another    transcribing    room    appropriated 
exclusively  to  copying  music.      Hundreds  of   volumes, 
each  containing  five  or  six  hundred  pieces,  were  trans- 
ferred   from  book   to   book,  with    as  much    accuracy, 
and    almost    as    much    neatness,    as   if    done  with  a 
graver. 

"It  was  in  contemplation,  at  one  time,  by  the  Ecker- 
lins,  three  brothers,  one  of  whom  was  d,  prior,  and  had 
the  superintendence  of  the  secular  concerns,  to  make  it  a 
place  of  more  importance  than  a  mere  religious  refuge. 
They  were  from  Germany,  and  had  been  brought  up 
Catholics.  They  conceived  a  project  of  erecting  exten- 
sive buildings,  and  connecting  trades  with  it ;  and  had 
some  preparations  under  wayj  the  timber  all  hewn,  as 
all  the  buildings  are  of  wood,  even  the  chimneys,  which 
remain  in  use  at  this  da,y  ;  and  in  readiness  to  erect  a 
lower,  and  had  sent  to  Europe,  where  they  had  exten- 
sive connexions,  and  got  a  chime  of  bells  cast,  unknown 
to  the  society,  until  thriy  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  and  the 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  ^S-S" 

bill  for  payni3nt  was  forwarded  to  them.  The  society- 
resolved  not  to  receive  them,  but  had  them  sold  and  paid 
the  loss.  One  of  these  bells  having  upon  it,  "  Ephrata — 
Israel  Eckerlin,  Prior/'*  was  purchased,  and  is  nov  on 
one  of  the  churches  in  Lancaster. 

"Tills  transaction  led  to  the  discovery  of  a  conspiracy 
of  the  Eckerlins  to  possess  themselves  of  the  titles  of 
the  property,  which  was  much  more  extensive  and 
valuable  tha  n  now,  and  which  terminated  in  the  expuh 
sion  of  Israel  from  the   office  of  Prior.     The  Eckerlins 

*Israel  Eckerlin,  Prior;  this  is  given  on  the  authority  of  W. 
A.  Fahnestock,  M.  D.,  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  much  of 
this  article.  We  believe  the  bell  alluded  to,  is  the  one  on  the 
Lutheran  church.  If  it  is,  it  has  this  inscription  :  Sub  auspicio 
viri  venerandi  Onesimi  Societ.  Ephrat,  Praepositi,  A.  O, 
MDCCXLV.  Which  we  translated:  "  Under  the  auspices  of 
the  venerable  man,  Onesimus,  placed  over  tlie  society  at 
Ephrata,  A.  D.  1745. 

Note. — At  a  church  council  held  at  Ephrata,  Biessel,  and 
Itis  associates,  had  determined  to  break  the  bell  and  inter  the 
fra^ents  ;  hov.'ever,  on  a  night's  reflection,  it  was  resolved  to 
dispose  of  it  differently  :  the  bell  was  pardoned  from  its  de- 
cree i  fate,  and  sold  to  the  Lutherans,  at  Lancaster.  We  quote 
WiQ  Chomican  Epliratense :  "  Um  diesselbe  zeit,  1T45,  kam  die 
ansehnliche  Glocke  in  Philadelphia  an  von  England,  welche 
dij  Eckerlin  sollen  bestellt  haben,  folgendes  motto  war  um 
d'.eselbe  gegosjen  :  Suh  auspicio  viri  venerandi  Onesimi  Socie- 
tasis  Ephratensis  Praepositi :  Auf  diese  empfangene  Nachricht 
ward  Rath  gehalten  in  des  Vorslehers  Gegenwart,  welcher 
fur  die  Glocke  sehr  enguenstig  ausfiel :  das  sie  soke  in 
stuecken  zerschlagen,  und  unter  die  erde  vergraben  werden  ; 
abjr  wie  sie  solte  bezahlt  wsrden,  wu.ste  nieraand,  dan  sie 
k  jstete  80  pfund.  Des  andern  Morgens  erschein  der  Vorsteher 
abermahl  im  Rath,  und  sagte  :  Erhaette  nachgedacht,  v.'eil  die 
Braeder  arm  waeren,  solte  die  Glocke  pardonirt  werden,  und 
al  0  istsie  an  die  Lutherische  Kirche,in  Lancaster  kommen.-^ 
C/jfy/i.  Eph.p.  164, 


224  HISTORY    01* 

afterwards  moved  to  Virginia,  where  they  obtained 
some  notoriety  in  connection  with  some  Indian  affairs. — - 
Tlie  society  was  wedded  to  apostolic  simplicity ;  they 
desired  no  tower — no  bells.  They  refused  to  have  a 
bell  to  call  them  to  meeting,  even  the  midnight  meeting, 
which  was  regularly  held  at  twelve  o'clock :  Friedsam 
contending  that  the  spirit  of  devotion  ought  to  be  suffi- 
cient to  make  them  punctual  to  the  hour,  which  generally 
proved  to  be  adequate. 

"  The  community  was  a  republic,  in  which  all  stood 
upon  perfect  equality  and  freedom.  No  monastic  vows 
were  taken,  neither  had  they  any  written  covenants,  as 
is  common  in  the  Baptist  churches.  The  New  Testa- 
ment was  their  confession  of  faith,  their  code  of  laws, 
and  church  discipline.  The  property  which  belonged 
to  the  society,  by  donation,  and  the  labor  of  the  single 
brethren  and  sisters,  was  common  stock ;  but  none  was 
obliged  to  throw  in  his  own  property,  or  give  up  any 
possessions.  The  society  was  supported  by  the  income 
of  the  farm  and  grist  mill,  paper  mill,  oil  mill,  fulling 
mill,  and  the  labor  of  the  brethren  and  sisters,  in  the 
cloister. 

Many  of  the  male  members  were  men  of  education, 
and  the  school  which  they  had  established,  attracted 
attention  abroad;  young  men  from  Baltimore  and  of 
Philadelphia,  were  sent  to  this  place  to  be  educated.— 
Ludwig  Hacker,  the  teacher  of  the  common  school, 
projected  the  plan  of  holding  a  school  in  the  afternoons 
of  the  Sabbath,  or  Saturday,  and  who,  in  connexion 
with  some  of  the  brethren,  commenced  it,  to  give  instruc- 
tion to  the  indigent  children  who  were  kept  from  regular 
school  by  employments  which  their  necessities  obliged 
them  to  be  engaged  at  during  the  week,  as  well  as  to 
s'ive  religious    instruction  to  those  of   better   circum- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  225 

stances.     The  precise  time  when  this  school  was  estab- 
lished, is  not  known  ;  it  was  after  1739. 

The  society,  after  an  existence  of  fifty  years,  began  to 
decline,  from  some  cause,  which  we  have  not  been  able 
to  learn.  Some  say  that  Biessel's  successor,  Peter  Miller, 
wanted  vigor  of  mind.  This, '  says  Dr.  Fahnestock, 
is  not,  he  believes,  the  cause ;  for  he  assured  us,  in  a 
conversation  with  him  on  this  subject,  in  1836,  so  far  as 
he  could  learn,  Peter  Miller  was  a  man  of  much  greater 
powers  of  mind  than  Biessel,  and  that  he  had  the 
management  of  the  establishment  during  Biessel's  time  ;* 
and  to  whose  energy  and  perseverence  is  mainly 
attributable  the  great  prosperity  of  the  institution  in  its 
early  days. 

That  Miller  was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  powers 
of  mind,  is  evident  from  the  testimony  of  the  Rev. 
Jedediah  Andrews,  an  alumnus  of  Harvard  College,  of 
the  class  of  1695.  Andrews  Speaking  of  Miller,  in  a 
letter,  dated  Philadelphia,  8th,  14th,  1730. 

"  There  is  lately  come  over  a  Palatine  candidate  of  the 
ministry,  who  having  applied  to  us  at  the  Synod  (Scotch 
Synod)  for  ordination,  'tis  left  to  three  ministers,  (these 
were  Tenant,  Andrews  and  Boyd),  to  do  it.  He  is  an 
extraordinary  person  for  sense  and  learning.  We  gave 
him  a  question  to  discuss  about  Justification,  and  he 
answered  it,  in  a  whole  sheet  of  paper,  in  a  very  notable 
manner.  His  name  is  John  Peter  Miller,  and  speaks 
Latin  as  readily  as  we  do  our  vernacular  tongue,  and  so 
does  the  other,  Mr.  Weiss." t 

*Biessel  died  July  6th,  1768,  aged  77  years  and  4  months. — 
He  was  a  native  of  Oberbach,  in  the  Palatinate. 

f  George  Michael  Weiss,  was  born  at  Stebbeck,  in  Neclier- 
thal,  Germany.  Mr.  Miller  and  he  were  fellow  students  at 
Heidelberg.      Weiss  came    to  America,  some    years     before 


226  KISTOKT    OF 

At  an  early  period,  they  established  a  German  printing 
office,  which  enabled  them  to  distribute'  tracts  and 
liyrans,  and  afterwards  to  print  several  large  works,  in 
which  the  views  of  the  founder  are  fully  explained. — 
Many  of  these  books  have  been  lost  and  destroyed.  In 
the  Hevolutionary  war,  just  before  the  battle  of  Ger- 
maiitown,  three  wagon  toads  of  books,  in  sheets,  were 
siezed  and  taken  away  for  cartriges.  They  came  to  the 
paper  mill  to  got  paper,  and  not  finding  any  tliere,  they 
pressed  the  books  in  sheets.  The  printing  press,  used 
then,  is  now  in  possession  of  R.  R.  Heitler,  Esq.,  at 
Ephrata. 

"  Music  was  much  cultivated.  Biessel  was  a  first  rate 
musician  and  composer.  In  composing  sacred  music  he 
took  his  style  from  the  Music  of  Nature,  and  the  whole 
comprising  several  large  volumes  are  founded  on  the 
tones  of  the  Aeol'an  harp;  the  singing  is  the  Aeolian 
harp  harmonized;  it  is  very  peculiar  in  its  style  and 
concords,  and  in  its  execution.  The  tones  issuing  from: 
the  choir  imitate  very  soft  instrumental  music ;  convey- 
ing a  softness  and  devotion  almost  super-human   to   the 

Miller  finished  his  studies.  Bofore  Miller's  ordination,  Weiss 
had  been  Pastor  ot  the  German  Reformed  congregation,  in 
Philadelphia,  and  about  that  time,  in  company  with  an  Elder, 
named  Reif,  visited  Holland,  and  other  parts  of  Europe,  fur 
the  purpose  of  making  collections  in  aid  of  the  feeble  congre- 
gations, in  Pennsylvania. 

Mr.  Miller,  Weiss,  and  John  Bartholomew  Rieger,  fellow 
students,  were  on  terms  of  intimacy,  at  home  and  in  America. 
Rieger  was  a  native  of  Oberingelheim,  Palatinate.  He 
studied  at  Basel  and  Heidelberg,  arrived  in  America,  in  1731, 
and  afterwards  settled  in  Lancaater  county  ;  he  had  charge  of 
several  German  Reformed  congregations  in  this  county.  He 
died  at  Lancaster,  March  14,  1769,  aged  62  years,  2  months 
and  4  days;  buried  in  the  German  Reformed  church  gravC" 
Tard. 


LANCASTER   CoUNTlT.  227 

auditor.     Their  music  is  set  in  four,  six,  and  eight  parts. 
All  the  parts,  save  the  bass,  are  led  and  sung  exclusive- 
ly by  females,  the  men  being  confined  to  the  bass,  which 
is  set  in  two  parts,  the  high  and  the  low  bass— the  latter 
resembling  the  deep  tones  of  the   organ,  and  the  first,  in 
combination  with  one  of  the  female  parts,  is  an  excellent 
imitation  of  the  concert  horn.     The  whole  is  sung  on  the 
falsetto  voice,  the  singers  scarcely  opening  their  mouths, 
or  moving  their  lips,  which  throws  the  voice  up   to  the 
cieling,  which  is  not  high,  and  the  tones,  which  seem  to 
be  more  than  human,  at  least  so  far  from  common  church 
singing  appears  to  be  entering  from  above,  and  hovering 
over  the  heads  of  the  assembly." 

The  reader  may  form  some  idea  of  their  Tuusic  from 
the  following  extract  of   a  letter  written  by  a  tourist 
during     the    proprietary    administration  of    Governor 
Penn  :    *'  The  counter,  treble,  tenor,  and  bass,  were  all 
sung  by  women,  with  sweet,  shrill,  and  small  voices,  but 
with  a  truth  and  exactness  in  time  arid  intonation,  that 
was  admirable.      It  is  impossible  to  describe  to  your 
Lordship,  my  feelings  upon    this    occasion.     The  per- 
formers sat  with  their  heads  reclined,  their  countenances 
solemn  and  dejected,  their  faces  pale  and  emaciated  from 
their  manner  of  living,  the  clothing  exceeding  white  and 
quite  picturesque,  and  their  music  such  as  thrilled  to  the 
very  soul ;  I  almost  began  to  think  myself  in  the   world 
of  spirits,  and  that  the  objects  before  me  were  ethereal. 
In  short,  the  impression  this  scene  made  upon  my  mind, 
continued  strong  for  many  days,  and  I  believe  will  never 
be  wholly  obliterated." 

This  music  is  lost,  entirely  now,  at  Ephrata  j  not  the 
music  books,  but  the  style  of  singing;  they  never 
attempt  it  any  more.  It  is,  however,  still  preserved  and 
'finely  executed,  though  m  a  faint  degree,  at  Snow  kilt. 


22S  HISTOJaY   OF 

in  Franklin  county,  where  there  is  a  branch  of  the 
society,  and  which  is  now  the  principal  settlement  oi 
the  Seventh  day  Baptists.* 

This  society  attracted  considerable  attention.     Men  of 
various  rank  and  standijig  visited  the  place. 

George  Thomas,  formerly   an  Antigua   planter,  ap- 
pointed in  1737,  Governor  of  tiie   province  of  Pennsyl- 
Yania,  visited  Ephrata,  in   1741.     He  came,  says  Peter 
Miller,  accompanied  by  a  retinue  of  twenty  horses,  and  a 
large  number  of  distinguished  gentlemen  from  Maryland 
and  Virginia  5  they  were  all  lionoiably  received  by  the 
brethren.     The  Governor  said  he  was  much  gratified  to 
see  such  an  institution.     He  spoke  very  favorably  of 
their    religious    and     economical  arrangements.      The 
motives  of  visit,  it  is  believed,  were   sinister.      Without 
doubt,  he  gained  the  object  of  his  visit  more   easily  by 
adulation  than  he  would  have  otherwise.     At  this  time, 
the  talented,  and  active  Conrad  Weiser,  was  a  member 
of  the  association.      It  was  the   Governor's  object,  if 
possible,  to  secure  once  more  the   services  of  this  man  in 
a  capacity,  for  which  he  seems  to  have,  been  felicitiously 
suited,  that  of  an  Indian  interpreter.     He  tendered  him 
the   appointment  of  justice   of    the  peace,  which    he 
accepted.      Weiser    frequently    presided    at   court,  as 
chief  justice,  toith  his  beard.i       He  was  afterwards 
apppointed  provincial  interpreter,  in  which  capacity  he 
Tendered  his  country  essential  services  for  many  years. — 
Governor  William  Denny,  spent  some  time    here,  in 

*The  leading  religious  tenets  of  this  society,  may  be  seen  in 
a  work,  entitled  "He  Pasa  Ecclesia,"  published  by  Rupp, 
Clyde  &  Wilhams,  Octavo,  900  pages,  1843. 

fMan  hat  ihn,  C.  W.  auf  der  Court  als  oberstc    ""'^^ter 
gesehen  unter  Krone  sitzen  mlt  seinem  gewoelich 
Chron,  Eph,  68. 


LANCASTER  COTTNTT.  229 

1756,  and  through  an  interpreter,  had  a  long  conversa- 
with  Beissel,  touching  the  condition  of  the  country. 

Peter  Miller  was  a  native  of  Oberant  Lautern,  came 
to  America  in  1730  ;  soon  after  his  arrival,  was  ordained 
by  a  Scotch  Synod,  at  Philadelphia ;  received  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Society  at  Ephrata,  by  being  baptized  in  1735, 
and  remained  sixty-one  years,  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
September  25,  1796,  a  member  thereof. — His  remains 
rest  in  the  grave  yard  at  that  place. 

He  was  well  known  in  the  religious  and  literary 
world.  It  is  said,  he  translated  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence into  seven  languages.  His  correspondence  was 
extensive ;  he  was  visited  by  hundreds :  General  Lee, 
David  Rittenhouse,  Count  Zinzendorf,  and  several  noble- 
men of  Europe,  have  been  the  guests  of  the  establishment. 
We  have  space  to  insert  a  few  of  his  correspondents' 
•communications.  The  first  is  from  a  female;  the  other 
is  "  a  rhymic  effusion, ^^  by  a  young  gentleman  of  Phila- 
delphia, written  many  years  ago,  in  consequence  of  a 
visit  he  made  Peter  Miller,  and  to  whom  he  dedicated 
the  Poem. 

September  29th,  1774. 
Sir: — Your  very  respectable  character  would  make  me 
ashamed  to  addres  you  with  words  merely  of  form. — 
I  hope,  therefore,  you  will  not  suspect  me  of  using  any 
such,  when  I  assure  you,  I  received  the  favor  of  your  let- 
ter with  great  pleasure.  And  permit  me,  sir,  to  join  the 
thanks  I  owe  to  those  worthy  women,  the  holy  sisters  at 
Ephrata,  with  those  I  now  present  to  you,  for  the  g^ood 
opinion  you  and  they  may  have  of  me.  I  claim  only 
that  of  respecting  merit,  when  I  find  it ;  and  of  wishing 
an  increase  in  the  world,  of  that  piety  to  the  Almighty, 
and  peace  to  our  fellow-creatures,  that  I  am  convinced  is 
in  your  hearts ;  and,  therefore,  do  me  the  justice  to 

20 


230  HISTORY    OF 

believe,  you  have  my  wishes  of  prosperity  here,  sxid 
happiness  hereafter. 

I  did  not  receive  the  precious  stone,  you  were  so  good 
to  send  me,  imtil  yesterday.  I  am  most  extremely 
obliged  to  you  for  it.  It  deserves  to  be  particularly 
distinguished,  on  its  own,  as  well  as  the  giver's  account. 
I  shall  keep  it  with  grateful  remembrance  of  my  obliga- 
tions to  you. 

Mr,  Pemi,  as  well  as  myself,  were  much  obliged  to 
you  for  remarking  to  us,  that  the  paper  you  wrote  on, 
was  the  manufacture  of  Ephrata.  It  had,  on  that  ac- 
comit,  great  merit  to  us  ;  and  he  has  desired  our  friend, 
Mr.  Barton,  to  send  him  some  specimens  of  the  occupa- 
tion of  some  of  your  society.  I  heard  him  say,  that  he 
rejoices  to  hear  of  your  and  their  welfare. 

It  is  I,  that  should  beg  pardon  for  interruptmg  your 
quiet,  and  profitable  moments,  by  an  intercourse  so  little 
beneficial  as  mine ;  but  trust  your  benevolence  will  in- 
dulge this  satisfaction  to  one  v^/'ho  wishes  to  assure  ycu, 
sir,  that  she  is,  with  sincere  rega.rd,  your  obliged  and 
faithful  well  wisher. 

JULIANNA  PENN. 

'TO    PETER    MILLER,   PRINCIPAL    OF   THE     SOCIETY     OF   DUNKEKS 
AT  EPHRATA." 

Th'  Eternal  God  from  his  exalted  throne, 
Surveys  at  once,  earth,  heav'n,  and  worlds  unknown— 
All  tilings  that  are,  before  his  piercing  eye, 
Like  the  plain  tracings  of  a  picture  lie — 
Unutter'd  thoughts,  deep  in  the  heart  conceal'd, 
In  strong  expression  stand  to  him  reveal'd — 
Thousands  and  twice  ten  thousands,  every  day, 
To  Him  or  feign'd  or  real  homage  pay — 
Like  clouds  of  incense  rolling  to  the  skies, 
In  various  forms  their  supplications  rise. 

Their  various  forms  to  him  no  access  gain — 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  231 

Without  the  Heart's  true  incense  all  are  vain ; 
The  suppliant's  secret  motives  there  appear, 
The  genuine  source  of  every  ofFer'd  prayer. 

Some  place  Religion  on  a  throne  superb, 
And  deck  with  jewels  her  resplendent  garb  ; 
Painting  and  sculpture  all  their  powers  display, 
And  lofty  tapers  shed  a  lambent  ray. 
High  on  the  full-ton'd  organ's  swelling  sound, 
The  pleasing  anthem  floats  serenely  round; 
Harmonic  strains  their  thrilling  pow'rs  combine, 
And  lift  the  soul  to  ecstacy  divine. 

In  Ephrata^s  deep  gloom  you  tix  your  seat, 
And  seek  Religion  in  the  dark  retreat; 
In  sable  weeds  you  dress  the  heav'n-born  maid, 
And  place  her  pensive  in  the  lonely  shade  ; 
Recluse,  unsocial,  you,  your  hours  employ, 
And  fearful,  banish  every  harmless  joy. 

Each  may  admire  and  use  their  fav'rite  form, 
If  Heav'n's  own  flame  their  glowing  bosoms  warm. 
If  love  divine  of  God  and  man  be  there. 
The  deep-felt  want  that  forms  the  ardent  prayer. 
The  grateful  sense  of  blessings  freely  given, 
The  boon,  unsought,  unmerited  of  Heav'n, 
*Tis  true  devotion — and  the  Lord  of  Love, 
Such  pray'rs  and  praises  kindly  will  approve, 
Whether  from  golden  altars  they  arise. 
And  wrapt  in  sound  and  mcense  reach  the  skies ; 
Or  from  your  Ephrata,  so  meek,  so  low, 
In  soft  and  silent  aspirations  flow. 

Oh!  let  the  Christian  bless  that  glorious  day. 
When  outward  forms  shall  all  be  done  away. 
When  we,  in  spirit  and  in  truth  alone, 
Shall  bend,  0  God!  before  thy  awful  throne, 
And  thou  our  purer  worship  shalt  approve, 
By  sweet  returns  of  everlasting  love. 

What  yet   remains  of   Ephrata,  is  worthy  a  long 
journey  to  be  seen;  "its  weather  beaten  walls;  upon 


232  HISTORY    OF 

which  the  tooth  of  time  has  been  gnawing  for  nearly 
one  and  a  half  century,  are  crumbling  to  pieces,  render- 
ing it  more  interesting  from  its  antiquity.     "Many  traces 
of  the  olden  time  remain,  but  its  life  has  departed. — 
There  are,  however,  many  delightful  associations  con- 
nected with  the  mouldering  walls,  and  like  some  of  the 
dilapidated  castles,  which  are  apparently  falling  to  the 
gromid,  deserted  and  given  to  the  rooks  and  owls,  yet  it 
contains  many  habitable  and  comfortable  apartments." 
These    are   occupied  by  several  single  sisters,  one   of 
whom,  sister  Barbara,  has  been  here  fifty -five  years; 
but  mider  different  Government;    in  former  days  the 
whole  property  and  mcome  belonged  exclusively  to  the 
smgle    bretlixen    and  sisters ;    but  now  by    legislative 
enactment  is  invested  in  all  the  members,  single  and  mar- 
ried.    The  sisters,  smce  this  enactment,  in  the  convent, 
are  7iof  supported  out  of  the  common  stock  and  their 
common  labor,  but  each  has  house-room,  which  all  the 
married  members  are  entitled  to,  v/ho  require  it,  as  well 
as  firewood,  flour  and  milk,  from  the  society,  who  still 
possess  some  land  and  a   mill,  and   their   labor  they 
apply  to  their  own  use,  or  dispose  of  it  as  they  see  proper." 
We  state,  Avith  regret,  that  the  prescribed  limits  of  this 
work,  preclude    a  detailed  account  of    this  highly  in- 
teresting association. 

The  descendants  of  those  who  were  comiected  at  an 
early  date,  are  numerous,  and  many  of  them  influencial 
in  society.  The  principal  ones  comiected  with  the 
society,  in  early  existence,  were  Conrad  Beissel,  Urner, 
Landis,  Lang,  Meylin,  Graff,  Weber,  Grebil,  Funk, 
Eicher,  Naegly,  Frey,  Wolfart,  Gass,  Hildebrand,  Hoehn, 
Sigmund,  Landart,  Peter  Miller,  Conrad  Weiser,  Heur- 
man,  Zimi,  Hoecker,  Pettikoffer,  Gorgas,  Mack,  Ries- 
man,  Eckstein,  Kinsing,  Eckerlin,  Heipel,  Koch,  Meyer^ 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  233 

Hordie,  Stretch,  Pearcol,  Derborough,  Griffyth,  Peas- 
cify,  Rogger,  Seymour,  Hackly,  these  were  English^— 
Philip  Beusel,  Lohman,  Kimmel,  Sangmeister,  Hoellen- 
thal,  Martin,  Horn,  Koenig,  Beller,  Hummer,  Senseman, 
and  others,  who  all  were  members  prior  to  the  death  of 
C.  Beissel,  who  died  June  6th,  1768. 

Note. — We  shall  close  this  chapter  with  a  list  of  the  names 
of  land-holders  (not  before  mentioned)  who  settled  at  an  early 
date,  within  the  present  limits  of  the  county,  some  before, 
others  shortly  after,  Lancaster  county  had  been  erected.    For 
the  want  of  information,  the  list  is  necessarily  limited.    Those 
named,  all  settled  prior  to  1735.    Among  these,  in  various 
parts  of  the  county,  were  the  Roddyes,  Craigheads,  Towstea- 
beriers,  Cooksons,  Mayes,  Jervis,  McCawlys,  Storys,  Greena, 
Whitehills,    Hermans,    Irwins,    Wolfs,    Bezoars,    Venericks, 
Ritters,  Millseps,  Royers,  Woolricks,  Houslemans,  Byerlys, 
Simons,    Palmers,    Poutchs,    Kitchs,    Travengsrs,    Linders, 
Verdrees,  Wises,  Barnetts,  Pv-ingers,  Stoners,  Alberts,  Beards, 
Pendalls,    Kores,    Owens,    Eaves,    Thornburys,    Marshalls, 
Brickers,  Lertys,  Jacksons,  Beesons,  Nessleys,  Swoops,  Bears, 
Emmets,  Herseys,  Astons,  Steers,  M'Nabbs,  Smiths,  Beckers, 
Forneys,  Rowlands,  Weidlers,  Elroods,  Stumps,    Snevelys, 
Eberles,  Oikelbergers,  Wypreights,  Finks,  Longs,  Lindseya, 
Kings,  Reads,  Wells,  Blyths,  Fullertons,    Moores,   Francis, 
McKanes,  Dehoofs,  Goughnours,  Lines,  Dyers,  Hietts,  Stam- 
bach,  Bumgarners,  HofFs,  Noacres,  Lytles,  Darbys,  Douglas, 
Sturm,    Echman,    Guy,    Philips,    Easier,   Shinover,   Scroop, 
Varner,  Mackrells,  Shillys,  Turners,  Hoffmans,  Knowls,  Whit- 
raers,  Kinrighs,  Burkhards,  Leepharts,  Pleystows,  Weightmans, 
Burkhunters,  Andersons,  Piggots,  Wiesenants,  Blacks,  Leon- 
ards, Steels,  Ramsays,  Sypes,  Lyncks,  Lov/dons,  ilusselmans, 
Matthews,  McClanaghans,  Staigys,  Bradens,  Burtons,  Gales, 
Gowens,  Robinsons,  Murrays,   Bensons,  Shannons,   Browns, 
Kellys,  Allisons,  Eddys,  Fultons,  Mitchells  of  Sadsbury,  Fos- 
ters, Graypeels,  Shryers,  Clinehaws,  Harnist,  Webbs,  Reiffs, 
Watsons,  Montgomerys,  McCardys,  LeRues,  Adlumns,  Clem- 
sons,  Conodes,  Plumbs,  Shieflfers,  Warders,  Dennings,  Reists, 
Slemmans,   Armors,    Templemans,   McConnels,'  Sensineys, 
Tillers,  Hustons,  Mcixells,  Geers,  Wolfspaniers,  Baughmans, 

2C*      I 


j^34  fflSTORT  0¥ 

Ters,  Henning^s,  Andrevvs^  McNealys,  Rudenegl'ee,  Kitzmillers, 
Ire  Chaars,  Bushans,  Roodes,  Birshings,  Jacks,  Flemmings, 
M'Clellands,  Howards,  Ellmakers,  Adams,  Haines,  Haltzingers, 
Tettenhauers,  Hokenbracks,  Davisons,  Bishairs,  Seldenridge, 
Saunders,  Sherrards,  Molers,  Stinsons,  Rancks,  Keysers, 
Sherks,  Davids,  Paxtons  of  Sadsbury,  Robertsons,  Coxs,  Heis- 
tandts.  Fences,  Painters,  Pouts,  Livistones,  Kellers,  Wingers, 
Lightners,  Bombergers,  Kreils,  McG-arrys,  Shallybergers,  Hig- 
genbothems,  Evalts,  Walters,  Middletons,  Hanricks,  Heys, 
Baldwyns,  Campbells,  Vanleres,  Stiles,  Musgroves,  Balls, 
McKimms,  Phillips,  Pegellis,  Brittans,  Dyers,  Dieffenbachs, 
Gillmores,  Boyds,  Overs,  Georges,  Lambs,  Bishops,  Stritchs, 
Krebs,  Hastings,  Alexanders,  McNealys,  Kahoons,  Hudsons, 
Wendels,  Feezers,  Westhavers,  Cuffroots,  Weitmans,  Lloyds, 
Lyncks,  Hewstons,  Berriers,  Buchanans,  Saudters,  Sherricks, 
Perrys,  Cumptons,  Pteynolds,  Moflfats,  Moodys,  Allinsons, 
McClenns,  Littles,  Shennons,  Classprinners,  Klings,  Griffiths, 
Shizlers,  Hendersons,  McClures,  Hughes,  Thomes,  Walters, 
Duffields,  Stetters,  Kates,  Cralls,  Hollers,  Crawfords,  Dennys, 
Scotts,  Baltens,  Brackens,  McPhersons,  Pennocks,  Rippys, 
Daws,  Walkers,  Rohrers,  Richardsons,  Linvilles,  Walls,  Gaills, 
Ross,  Postlewhaits,  Pughs,  Beckott,  Encks,  Imbles,  Boosons, 
Kyles,  Bauds,  Elis,  Blackshaws,  Doughertys. 


LANCASTER   COUNTr^  2.3S 


THIRD    PART. 


FROM    THE    ORGANIZATION    OF    LANCASTER    COUNTY,    ONE 
THOUSAND    SEVEN    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY-NINE. 


CHAPTER   I. 


Erection  and  organization  of  the  county — Boundaries  of — Seat  of  Justice — 
James  Annesly — Boundaries  of  townships — First  court  held  at  Postle- 
whaites — Extracts  of  court  records — Morris  Cannaday  indicted — Found 
guilty  and  sold — Constables,  Overseers  and  Supervisors  appointed — 
AppUcants  to  be  Indian  traders — Petitions  for  Ucense  to  sell  rum — First 
court  held  at  Lancaster — Conrad  Weiser,  notice  of — INotes,  &c. 

Settlements  on  both  sides  of  the  Susquehanna, 
especially  on  the  eastern,  having  been  extended  and 
greatly  augmented  by  the  influx  of  a  mixed  population;: 
emigrations  from  abroad  and  natives  of  the  province; 
the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  parts  of  Chester  county 
deemed  it  necessary  as  early  as  1628,  to  avoid  inconve- 
niencies  arising  daily  from  the  want  "of  justice  at  every 
mail's,^'  to  petition  the  proper  authorities,  to  erect  and 
establish  a  new  comity.  Petitions  were  accordingly 
forwarded  to  the  council  at  Philadelphia,  Februar)-'  6th, 
1738-9,  and  received  due  consideration. 


236  HISTOET   OP 

"At  a  council  held  at  Philadelphia,  February  6th, 
1728-9:  Present,  the  Hon.  Patrick  Gordon,  Esq.,  Lieut. 
Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  and  James  Logan,  Richard 
Hill,  Isaac  Norris,  Samuel  Preston,  WilUam  Fishbourn, 
Clement  Plumsted,  Samuel  Hazle,  Esquires ;  a  petition 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  parts  of  Chester  county 
was  laid  before  the  board  and  read,  setting  forth  that  by 
reason  of  their  great  distance  from  the  county  town, 
where  courts  are  held,  offices  are  kept,  and  annual  elec- 
tions made,  they  lie  under  very  great  inconveniences, 
being  obliged,  m  the  recovery  of  their  just  debts,  to 
travel  near  one  hundred  miles*  to  obtain  a  writ;  that  for 
want  of  a  sufficient  number  of  justices,  constables  and 
other  officers,  in  those  parts,  no  care  is  taken  of  the 
high-ways;  townships  are  not  laid  out,  nor  bridges  built, 
when  there  is  an  apparent  necessity  for  them;  and 
further,  that  for  want  of  a  gaol  there,  several  vagabonds 
and  other  dissolute  people  harbor  among  them,  thinldng 
themselves  safe  from  justice  in  so  remote  a  place ;  and 
therefore  praying  that  a  division  line  be  made  between 
tlie  upper  and  lov/er  part  of  said  county,  and  the  upper 
part  thereof  erected  into  a  county,  with  aU  the  immu- 
nities, rights  and  privileges  which  any  other  county  of 
this  province  does  enjoy. 

"''The  board  taking  the  same  into  consideration,  are  of 
opinion,  that  the  Governor  is  fully  empowered  by  virtue 
of  his  commission,  to  grant  the  prayer  of  the  petition,  if 
the  same  shall  appear  necessary;  but  as  it  is  a  matter  of 
some  moment,  and  vv^ill  require  a  mature  deliberation,  it 

*The  courts,  &c.  were  held  at  Upland  or  Chester,  on  Dela- 
ware river,  15  miles  S.  W.  from  Philadelphia.  Upland  is  an 
ancient  place.  The  first  adventurers  under  Penn  landed  here, 
Dec.  11, 1652.  It  was  also  the  seat  of  the  first  legislature  after 
the  arrival  of  William  Penn. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  237 

was  moved  and  agreed  that  the  further  consideration 
thereof  should  be  deferred  till  to-morrow  at  nine  o'clock* 
beforenoon,  to  which  time  the  council  is  adjourned." 

"  Council  met  next  day — the  minutes  of  the  three  pre- 
ceeding  councils  being  read  and  approved,  the  board 
according  to  order  entered  into  the  consideration  of  the 
petition  in  the  minutes  of  yesterday,  touching  the 
division  of  Chester  county,  and  after  the  same  had 
been  fully  considered  and  debated,  the  board  came  to 
the  following  resolution :  That,  as  well  for  as  reasons  set 
forth  in  the  said  petition,  as  the  security,  peace  and  good 
Older  of  the  whole  government,  there  doth  appear  a  real 
necessity  that  a  new  county  should  be  erected,  according 
to  the  prayer  of  said  petition  5  and  although  the  power 
of  erecting  counties  is  v/holly  vested  in  the  proprietary, 
and  therefore  in  the  Governor,  or  his  lieutenant,  yet,  in- 
asmuch as  this  will  require  the  establishment  of  courts 
of  judicature,  with  other  alterations,  for  which  a  due 
provision  will  best  be  made  by  a  law ;  it  may  be 
convenient  that  the  government  acquaint  the  House  of 
Representatives  now  sitting,  with  the  application  made 
to  him,  that  the  same  may  be  carried  on  with,  and 
strengthened  by  the  joint  and  unanimous  concurrence  of 
the  whole  Legislature." 

"At  a  council  held  at  Philadelphia,  February  20th, 
1728-9.  The  minutes  of  the  preceeding  council  being 
read  and  approved,  the  Governor  informed  the  board 
that  pm'suant  to  the  resolution  of  the  last  council,  he  had 
acquainted  the  House  of  Representives  with  his  inten- 
tion to  erect  the  upper  part  of  the  county  of  Chester 
into  a  separate  county,  in  which  they  had  concurred  and 
desired  that  an  equal  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
lower  and  upper  part  might  run  the  division  line ;  and 
therefore,  he  was  now  to  recommend  to  the  board  ta 


23S  HISTORY   OP 

chose  fit  and  well  qualified  persons  for  that  service,  and 
to  consider  of  proper  directions  for  their  guidance 
therein;  and  after  due  consideration  thereof: 

'Tis  Ordered  That,  Henry  Hayes,  Samuel  Nutt, 
Samuel  Hollingsworth,  Philip  Taylor,  Elisha  Gatchel, 
James  James,  John  Wright,  Tobias  Hendricks,  Samuel 
BImiston,  Andrew  Cornish,  Thomas  Edwards  and  John 
Musgrove,  or  a  major  part  of  them,  calling  to  their 
assistance  John  Taylor,  the  surveyor  of  Chester  coimty, 
meet  at  some  convenient  place  near  Octoraro  creek  or 
river,  and  cause  a  marked  line  to  be  run  from  the  most 
northerly  or  main  branch  of  the  said  creek  northward,  or 
to  the  east  or  west  thereof,  as  it  shall  be  found  most  con- 
venient, to  the  next  high  ridge  of  barren  or  miinhabited 
hills  that  lead  from  thence  to  Schuylkill  river,  keeping  as 
near  as  may  be  to  the  right  of  said  hills,  and  to  proceed 
along  the  ridge  thereof,  yet  with  as  few  changes  in  the 
course  as  their  situation  will  admit,  and  fixing  the  same 
to  the  most  conspicuous,  natural  and  durable  marks,  that 
may  be  least  subject  to  uncertainty  or  variation ;  to  be 
bounded  southward  by  the  southern  bounds  of  the  prov- 
ince, and  eastwardly  the  said  Octoraro  creek  ;  and  from 
tiience  the  northern  line  to  be  by  them  run  as  aforesaid, 
to  the  said  hills,  from  thence  the  said  line  along  the  said 
hills  to  Schuylkill,  and  from  thence  to  the  main  northern 
or  easterly  branch  thereof,  above  the  forks  of  said  river, 
to  lie  open  on  the  westward,  till  further  orders  shall  be 
given  therein ;  and  to  make  report  of  their  proceedings 
to  this  board. 

"At  a  council  held  at  Philadelphia,  May  2d,  1729:— 
Present,  the  Hon.  Patrick  Gordon,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Governor 
Richard  Hill,  Wilham  Fishbourn,  Clement  Plumsted, 
Tliomas  Lawrence  and  Samuel  Hazle,  Esquires.  A 
return  being  made  by  the  order,  dated  the  20th  February 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  239 

last,  for  running  a  division  line  in  the  county  of  Chester, 
and  setthng  the  boundaries  of  the  county  to  be  erected 
in  the  back  parts  of  this  province  towards  Susquehanna, 
pursuant  to  the  minutes  of  council  of  the  20th  of  said 
February,  the  same  was  read,  approved  and  confirmed, 
and  is  in  these  words: 

"Pursuant  to  a  warrant  from  the  Hon.  Patrick 
Gordon,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Governor  of  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  counties  of  New  Castle,  Kent  and  Sussex, 
upon  Delaware,  bearing  date  the  22d  day  of  February 
last  past.  We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed, 
met  together  on  the  17th  day  of  March,  1728-9,  near 
the  head  of  the  northern  branch  of  Octoraro  creek,  and 
with  the  assistance  of  John  Taylor,  Surveyor  of  the 
county  of  Chester,  run  a  line  from  the  said  branch  to  the 
river  Schuylkill,  according  to  the  courses  following,  viz : 
Beginning  on  a  corner  marked  white  oak  standing  on  the 
eastern  side  of  the  said  branch,  on  the  land  of  John 
Minshall,  thence  north-east  by  north,  five  hundred  and 
dght  perches  to  a  chesnut  oak  standing  on  the  top  of  a 
barren  mountain  at  the  head  of  the  branches  of  the  said 
Octoraro  creek,  thence  along  the  said  mountain,  north- 
east by  east,  three  hundred  and  forty  perches  to  a  chest- 
nut tree,  thence  north  north-east,  four  hundred  and  forty 
perches  to  a  white  oak  by  a  branch  of  Pequea  creek, 
thence  continuing  the  same  course  along  the  said  moun- 
tain four  hundred  and  eight  perches  to  a  chestnut  oak, 
thence  north  by  east  seven  hundred  perches  to  a  white 
oak  near  a  small  branch  of  Brandywine  creek,  thence 
north  by  west  six  hundred  and  sixteen  perches  to  a 
diestnut  tree  standing  on  the  top  of  a  mountain  at  tte 
head  of  the  western  branch  of  the  said  Brandywine 
creek,  thence  east  north-east  along  the  said  mountain 
two  thousand   two  himdred  and  twenty  perches  to  a 


540  HISTORY   OF 

chestnut  tree  near  the  v/estern  branch  of  the  French 
creek,  thence  northeast  by  east  three  hundred  and  fifty 
perches  to  a  red  oak,  thence  north  east  one  hundred  and 
nmety  perches  to  a  chestnut  oak  near  another  branch  of 
the  said  French  creek,  thence  north  east  by  north  two 
thousand  one  hundred  perches  to  a  corner  marked  white 
oak,  standing  by  the  said  river  Schuylkill,  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  below  the  house  of  John  Burroughs. 

Henry  Hayes,  Samuel  HoUingsworth,  Philip  Taylor, 
Elisha  Gatchel,  James  James,  John  Wright,  Tobias 
Hendricks,  Samuel  Blunston,  Andrew  Cornish,  Thomas 
Edwards,  John  Musgrove. 

"And  the  upper  parts  of  the  province  described  as 
aforesaid,  are  hereby  declared  to  be  erected,  and  are 
accordingly  erected  into  a  county  by  the  name  of 
Lancaster  County.'*  And  'tis  ordered  that  the  same 
be  signified  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  the 
return  laid  before  them  for  their  direction  in  describing 
the  boundaries  thereof  in  the  bill  now  before  them  for 
establishing  courts  of  judicature,  &c,  within  the  same. 

"May  Sth,  1729,  the  governor  recommended  to  the 
board  to  consider  of  proper  persons  to  be  appointed 
justices  of  the  peace  of  the  said  county  of  Lancaster, 
and  tlie  following  persons  were  named  justices,  viz  : — 
John  Wright,  Tobias  Hendricks,  Samuel  Blunston, 
Andrew  Cornish,  Thomas  Edwards,  Caleb  Pierce, 
Thomas  Reid,  and  Samuel  Jones,  Esqrs. 

*Lancaster  county  was  named  by  John  Wright — "  When 
Lancaster  county  was  laid  oft"  from  Chester,  my  grand  father, 
says  AVilliam  Wright  of  Columbia,  in  a  letter  to  George  Ford, 
Esq.,  gave  it,  its  name,  after  the  county  he  came  from  in  Eng- 
land." Wright  came  from  Lancashire,  England,  in  1714,  and 
settled  in  Chester;  in  1726  he  moved  to,  and  settled  on  the 
Susquehanna,  at  Columbia. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  241 

Robert  Barber  was  likewise  appointed  sheriff,  and 
Andrew  Galbraith,  Coroner ;  and  commissioners  were 
■ordered  to  be  proposed  accordingly. 

"  May  10th,  1729,  the  House  of  Representatives  waited 
on  the  Governor,  and  the  Speaker  presented  a  bill  passed 
into  a  law,  which  was  accordingly  by  the  Governor 
passed  into  a  law  of  this  province.  Be  it  enacted,  That 
all  and  singular  the  lands  within  the  province  of  Penn- 
sylvania, lying  to  the  northward  of  Octoraro  creek,  and 
to  the  westward  of  a  line  of  marked  trees,  running  from 
the  north  branch  of  said  Octoraro  creek,  northeasterly  to 
the  river  Schuylkill,  be  erected  into  a  county,  and  the 
same  is  hereby  erected  into  a  comity,  named,  and  from 
henceforth  to  be  called  Lancaster  County  ;  and  the  said 
Octoraro  creek  the  line  of  marked  trees.  From  the  sub- 
sequent organization  of  other  counties  the  original  boun- 
daries of  Lancaster  have  been  altered. 

"At  a  council  held  at  Philadelphia,  Feb.  18, 1729-30. — 
The  Governor  acquainted  the  board  that  whereas,  by  the 
law  for  erecting  Lancaster  county,  John  Wright,  Caleb 
Pierce,  Thomas  Edwards  and  James  Mitchell,  or  any 
three  of  them,  are  empowered  to  purchase  for  the  use  of 
the  said  county,  a  convenient  piece  of  land  to  be  ap- 
proved of  by  the  Governor,  and  thereon  to  build  a  court 
house  and  prison,  and  that  now  the  said  John  Wright, 
Caleb  Pierce  and  James  Mitchell,  have  by  a  certificate 
under  their  hands,  signified  that  they  have  agreed  upon 
a  lot  of  land  for  the  use  aforesaid,  lying  on  or  near  a 
small  run  of  water,  between  the  plantations  of  Rudy 
Mire^*  Michael  Shanlt  and  Jacob  Imble,  about  ten  miles 

*Rudy  Mirs  had  settled  here  about  the  year  1712.  It  is  said, 
bis  son  Abraham  was  the  eighth  white  child  bora  in  Lancaster 
county.  Abraham  was  a  minister  of  the  Mennonite  denomi- 
nation, and  the  first  German  Scrivener  in  Lancaster.    Though 

21 


242  HISTORY    OF 

from  Susquehanna  river,  and  prayed  his  approbation  of 

the  same.     The  Governor  therefore  referred  the  matter 

to  the  consideration  of  the  board,  whether  the  situation 

of  the  place  those  gentlemen  had  pitched  on  for  a  town 

might  be  fit  to  be  confirmed,  and  that  a  town  should 

accordingly  be  fixed  there.       But  the  question  being 

asked  to  whom  the  land  they  had  made  choice  of  now 

belongs,  and  who  has  the  property  of  it,  because  it  may 

be  in  such  hands  as   will  part   with,   or   at  least,   on 

reasonable  terms  for  that  use,  and  this  not  being  known 

by  any  at  the  board,  it  was  deferred  till  such  time  as  that 

could  be  ascertained.     But   as  it  is  presumed  for  any 

thing  that  is  yet  known,  to  be  unsurveyed  land,  and  that 

the  right  is  only  in  the  proprietor,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the 

board,  that  it  is  nwre  proper    to    be   granted  by  the 

proprietor  for  such  uses,  than  by  any  other  person. 

Mem. — "The  Governor  having  understood  that  the 
right  of  the  land  pitched  upon  for  the  townstead  of  Lan- 
caster, remains  yet  in  the  proprietaries,  was  advised  to 
approve  of  the  place  agreed  on  by  INIessrs.  Wright, 
Pierce  and  Mitchel,  and  the  same  was  confirmed  ac- 
cordingly by  a  writing  dated  May  1st,  1730. 

According  to  tradition, it  appears,  "that  on  the  division 
of  the  county,  a  contention  arose  as  to  the  most  suitable 
location  for  the  seat  of  Justice.     Wright's  Ferry  was 

Abraham  was  a  defenceless  Mennonite,  his  son  Christian  took  a 
decided  and  active  part  with  the  Whigs  in  the  Revolution  ;  he 
was  an  officer  in  the  army.  The  sword,  with  which  he  so  val- 
iantly defended  his  country,  was  presented  by  his  widow,  to  a 
relative,  to  Capt.  George  Eichholtz,  while  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States  in  1814. 

John  Jacob  Eichholtz,  grandfather  of  Capt.  George,  was 
married  to  Christian  Meyer's  sister.  Mr.  Eichholtz  Avas  wag- 
onmaster  at  the  time  of  Braddock's  defeat;  and  it  is  said,  upon 
good  authority,  the  first  brick-maker  in  Lancaster  county. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  243 

Strenuously  recommended.  So  confident  was  the  first 
sheriff  of  the  county,  who  resided  at  Wright's  Ferry, 
tliat  the  seat  would  be  fixed  there,  "that  he  had  a  strong 
wooden  building  put  up  near  his  residence,  which  was 
intended  for  the  county  jail.  It  is  only  a  few  years  since 
this  building  was  pulled  down."* 

"Postlewhait's,  from  its  being  an  old  settlement,  (now 
Jacob  Fehl's,  Esq.,)  the  original  site  of  an  Indian 
wigwam,  appearing  to  possess  superior  advantages,  a 
temporary  court  house  of  logs  and  jail  were  there 
Gii-ected."  Courts,  as  will  appear  from  the  records,  were 
held  at  Postlewhait's,  till  August  term,  1730,  and  after- 
wards at  Lancaster. 

"Governor  Hamilton  made  an  offer  of  two  places, 
the  old  'Indian  Field,'  'High  Plain,'  'Gibson's  Pasture,' 
'Sanderson's  Pasture;'  the  other  the  'Waving  Hills,' 
embosomed  in  wood,  bounded  by  "  Roaring  Brook,'  on 
the  west.  The  road  from  Philadelphia  to  Harris's 
Ferry,  passed  through  the  centre.  Gibson  resided  near 
a  fine  spring,  with  a  large  hickory  tree  before  his  door. — 
This  was  the  favorite  tree  of  the  Indian  tribe  who  lived 
in  tlie  vicinity,  and  were  called  by  the  wliites  from  that 
circumstance,  the  '  Hickory  Indians.' 

"There  were  two  swamps,  one  called  the  'Dark 
Hazel  Swamp,'t  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the  proposed 

•Rev.  D.  Goheen. 

f  «'The  Dark  Hazel  Swamp  was  attempted  to  be  cleared 
from  wood,  and  a  drain  made  to  carry  off  the  water,  in  the 
yeai- 1745." 

Note. — "  James,  afterwards  Lord  Altham,  was  confined  i% 
the  prison  erected  at  Wright's  Ferry.  The  history  of  this  indi- 
vidual is  curious,  and  illustrates  the  remark,  ^^Truth  is  stranger 
than  fiction,"  The  individual,  the  subject  of  this  note,  came  to 
this  Qountry  in  1728,  when  quite  young,  aad  served  hi3  time  as 


244  HISTOKY    OF 

town ;  the  other,  *  The  Long  Swamp/  running  from  a 
south  westerly  direction  through  the  northern  hmits  to 
*  Roaring  Brook.'" 

After  the  county  had  been  erected,  justices,  sheriffs^, 
and  other  officers  appointed,  a  meeting  was  held  the  9th 
of  June,  1729,  by  magistrates  and  inhabitants  of  the 
county,  to  settle  and  agree  upon  the  names  and  bounda- 
ries of  townships.  The  following  names  and  bounda- 
ries were  agreed  on,  and  confirmed  by  the  Court  of 
Quarter  Sessions,  held  the  first  Tuesday  in  August, 
1729. 

Drumose. — The  township  of  Drumore,  beginning  at 
the  south  line  of  Sadsbury  by  Octoraro,  thence  down 
the  said  creek  to  the  province  line  towards  Maryland, 
thence  up  the  Sasquehanah  to  the  mouth  of  Muddy  run, 
thence  by  the  said  run  to  Richard  Booson's  land,  and 
from  thence  on  a  direct  course  to  the  south-west  corner 
of  John  Kyle's  land  on  Sadsbury  line,  and  by  the  said 
line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

J  ames  Annesly,  with  a  farmer  on  the  Lancaster  road.  From 
some  cause  he  ran  away  from  his  master  ;  and  was  caught  and 
confined  in  the  jail  at  Columbia.  He  was  a  fine  singer,  and 
the  neighbors  frequently  visited  the  prison  to  hear  him  sing. 
The  events  of  his  life  furnished  the  ground  work  for  ^'Roderick 
Random,''^  and  the  popular  novel  oi '■'■Florence  McCartey.^^  The 
facts  concerning  this  singular  case  are  taken  from  the  evidence 
given  on  his  trial  and  may  be  relied  on  as  authentic. 

"Arthur  Annesley  (Lord  Altham)  married  Mary  SheJRfield, 
natural  daughter  of  the  earl  of  Buckingham.  By  her,  in  the 
year  1715,  he  had  a  son,  James,  the  subject  of  these  remarks. 
In  the  next  year,  the  parents  had  some  differences,  which  ter- 
minated in  separation.  The  father,  contrary  to  the  wish  of  the 
mother,  took  exclusive  possession  of  his  son  James,  and  man- 
ifested much  fondness  for  him,  until  the  year  1722,  when  he 
formed  some  intimacy  with  Mrs.  Gregory.  His  wife  died 
about  the  same  time.    Miss  Gregory  expecting  now  tq  become 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  245 

Sadsburt. — The  township  of  Sadsbury,  by  the  county 
line  at  the  mountain  which  divides  Octoraro  and  Pequea, 
thence  westerly  along  the  said  mountain  to  the  north- 
west corner  of  John  Kyle's  land,  thence  by  said  land  to 
the  south-west  corner,  and  from  thence  south  200 
perches,  thence  east  to  Octoraro,  thence  up  the  said 
county  line,  and  along  the  said  line  to  said  place  of 
beginning. 

Martock. — The  township  of  Martock,  beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  Muddy  run,  thence  up  Sasquehanah  to 
Pequea,  thence  up  Pequea  to  the  mouth  of  Great  Beaver 
ca-eek,  thence  up  the  said  creek  to  Sadsbury  line,  thence 
by  the  said  line  to  John  Kyle's  corner  aforesaid,  thence 
by  Drumore  township  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

CoNosTOGA. — The  township  of  Conostoga,  begin- 
ning at  the  mouth  of  Pequea,  thence  up  Sasquehanah, 
to  said  mouth  of  Conestogoe  creek,  thence  up  the  said 
creek  to  the  mouth  of  Mill  creek,  thence  by  a  direct  line 

his  wife,  exerted  herself  to  alienate  his  affections  from  his  son, 
by  insinuating  that  he  was  not  his  lawful  child.  She  succeeded 
to  get  him  placed  from  home,  at  a  school  in  Dublin.  In  No- 
vember, 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  entered  on  board  of  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  twelve  years 
of  his  time  in  rough  labor,  when  a  seeming  accident,  in  the 
year  1740,  brought  him  to  such  acquaintances  as  led,  in  the 
next  year  to  his  return  home.  The  case  vvas  as  follows  : — Two 
Irishmen,  John  and  William  Broders,  travelling  the  Lancaster 
road  in  1740,  stopped  at  the  house  near  the  forty  mile  stone, 
where  James  was  in  service  with  an  old  German.  These  coun- 
trymen entering  into  conversation  perceived  that  they  were 
sererally  from  Dumaine,  in-*ie  county  of  Wexford,  and  that 
James  Annesly  was  the  son  of  Arthur.  The  ty/o  Broders  vol- 
unteered to  go  back  to  Ireland,  and  testify  to  the  discovery, 

21* 


MS  HISTORY   ©E^ 

to  PecLuea  at  the  mouth  of  Beaver  creek,  thence  dowa 
Pequea  to  the  place  of  beginning.  * 

HEMPFiEi.D.-^The  township  of  Hempfield,  beginning; 
j^t  the  mouth  of  Conestoga,  thenqe  up  Sasquehanah  to 
Chickasalunge,  thence  up  the  said  creek  to  Peters'  Road 
by  the  Log  Cabins,  thence  to  Little  Conestoga,  and 
down  the  same  to  the  Manor  line,  and  thence  down  the 
said  line  to  Great  Conestoga,  and  down  the  same  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Donegal.— ^The  township  of  Donegal,  beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Chickasalunge,  thence  up  the  East 
Branch  to  Peters'  Road,  thence  (taking  in  the  present 
inhabitants)  on  a  northerly  course  to  Conewago,  thence 
by  the  same  and  the  said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Derry.— -The  township  of  Derry,  beginning  at  the 
mouth  of  Conewago,  thence  up   Sasquehanah  to   the 

which  they  had  made,  and  actually  kept  their  word,  and  ap- 
peared as  witnesses  at  the  trial  which  afterward  occurred. 
James  subsequently  stated  his  case  to  Robert  Ellis,  Esq.,  of 
Philadelphia,  who  compassionately  heard  his  case,  procured  a 
passage  for  him  to  Admiral  Vernon,  then  in  the  West  Indies, 
by  whom  he  was  afterwards  landed  in  England.  But  shortly 
after  James  had  arrived  in  London,  he  unfortunately  killed  a 
man,  for  which  he  had  to  stand  a  trial.  He  was  acquitted  not- 
withstanding the  efforts  of  his  unnatural  uncle  to  have  him 
convicted.  An  action  was  then  brought  against  the  uncle. 
Lord  Altham,  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  his  uncle  in  quiet  possession  of 
his  ill-gotten'estate,  and  who  while  he  contiaued  to  live,  which 
was  not  long,  exhibited  the  spectacle  of  the  finished  villain  in 
the  Irish  nohleman. "^Cohimhia  Spy,  vol.  2d,  No.  35. 

*NoTE. — Conestoga  was  originally  organized,  about  1712 — 
prior  to  1719,  it  was  divided  into  East  and  West  Conestoga. 
David  Ferree  was  the  first  Constable  of  East  Conestoga,  and 
Idmes  Hendricks,  of  West  Conestoga. 


ILANCASTEB   COTTNTT.  04T 

Biouth  of  Suataaro,  thence  up  Suataaro  to  the  mouth  of 
Quetopohello,  thence  south  on  a  direct  hne  to  Conegawo,. 
and  down  the  same  to  the  place  of  beginning.* 

Peshtane. — The  township  of  Peshtank,t  beginning 
at  the  mouth  of  Suataaro,  thence  up  the  river  to  Keh- 
tolitoning  hill  above  Peter  Aliens,  thence  eastward  by 
the  south  side  of  said  hill  to  the  meridian  of  Queto- 
pohello mouth,  thence  on  a  south  course  to  the  mouth 
ctf  the  same  at  Suataaro,  and  down  Suataaro  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Lebanon. — Lebanon^  township,  beginning  under  the 
aforesaid  hill  at  the  north-east  corner  of  Peshtank,  thence 
by  the  said  hill  easterly  to  the  meridian  of  the  west  line 
erf  Tolpehockan  manor,  thence  southerly  and  by  the 
said  line  to  the  hills  bounding  Warwick  township,  thence 
by  the  said  hills  and  township  westerly  to  the  corner  of 
Derry  on  Conewago,  thence  northerly  by  Derry  and 
Peshtank  to  the  place  of  beginnhig. 

Earl. — Earl  township,  beginning-  at  Peters'  Road  by 
Conestogoe  creek  being  a  corner  of  Leacock  township, 
thence  up  Conestogoe  creek  and  up  Muddy  creek  to  the 
Indian  Path,  thence  along  the  southern  branch  of  said 
creek  to  the  brow  of  Turkey  hill,  thence  southerly  in  a 
direct  course  to  the  north-east  corner  of  Thomas  Ed- 
wards* land  and  by  the  said  land  southerly  over  Cones- 
togoe creek  to  another  corner  of  said  land,  thence  on  a 
direct  course  to  the  corner  of  the  west  line  of  Nathan 
Evans'  land,  thence  by  the  said  land  and  along  southerly 
to  the  top  of  the  mountain,  tlience  westerly  along  the^ 

•Now  in  Dauphin  county. 

fNow  in  Dauphin  county. 

tNow  in  Lebanon  county.  • 


248  HISTORY   OP 

said  mountain  by  Salisbury  line  to  David  Cowen's  west 
comer,  thence  to  Peters'  Road  and  along  the  same  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Warwick. — Warwick  township,  beginning  by  Cones- 
toga  creek  at  a  corner  of  Manheim  township  by  Peters' 
Road,  thence  up  by  the  west  side  of  Conestoga  to 
Hans  Graff's  mill,  thence  up  a  northerly  branch  to  David 
Preist's  mill,  thence  westerly  along  the  hills  by  Lebanon 
township  to  Derry,  thence  southerly  by  Donegal  to  the 
aforesaid  road,  thence  along  the  said  road  easterly  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

Manheim. — Manheim  township  beginning  by  Peters' 
Road  at  a  corner  of  Donegal  and  Warwick  townships 
near  the  head  of  Little  Conestoga  creek,  thence  down 
the  said  road  by  Warwick  township  to  Conestoga  creek^ 
thence  down  the  said  creek  to  the  Old  Doctor^s*  Ford, 
thence  westerly  by  Lancaster  township  on  a  direct  line 
to  Little  Conestoga  at  the  upper  side  of  Peter  Bom- 
gamer's  land,  thence  up  the  said  creek  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Lancaster. — Lancaster  township,  beginning  at  the 
Old  Doctor's  Ford,  thence  down  the  west  side  of  Cones- 
toga to  the  Manor  line,  thence  by  the  said  line  to  Little 
Conestoga,  thence  up  the  said  creek  by  Hempfield 
township,  thence  by  the  said  township  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Leacock. — Leacock  township,  beginning  at  the  mouth 
of  Beaver  creek,  thence  up  the  east  side  of  Pequea  to 
Pliilip  Feire's  lower  corner,  thence  west  by  Lampeter 
township  to  Conestoga  creek  at  the  upper  corner  of 
George  Bard's  land,  thence  up  the  said  creek  to  Peters' 
Road,  thence  easterly  along  the  said  road  by  Earl  town- 
ship to  David  Cowen's  land,  thence  southerly  and  wes- 

♦Hans  Henry  Neff,  Doctor  of  Physick. 


LANCASTER   COUIfTT.  249 

terljr  by  Salisbury,  Sadsbury  and  Martick  townships  to 
the  place  of  beginning. 

Lampeter. — Lampeter  township,  beginning  at  the 
mouth  of  Mill  creek  at  a  corner  of  Conestoga  township, 
tlience  up  the  east  side  of  Conestoga  creek  to  Leacock 
township,  thence  easterly  by  the  said  township,  Pec[uea, 
tlience  down  Pequea  by  the  said  township,  Beaver 
creek,  thence  by  Conestoga  township  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

Salisbury. — Salisbury  township,  begmning  at  the 
county  line  at  the  north-easterly  corner  of  Sadsbury 
township,  thence  northerly  along  the  said  line  to  the 
moimtains  at  Brandy  wine  head,  thence  westerly  by 
Caernarvon  township  along  the  said  mountain  to  a 
corner  of  Leacock  township  by  David  Cowen,  thence  by 
the  said  township  southerly  to  the  east  line  of  Thomas 
Story's  land,  thence  continuing  by  the  said  township 
along  another  mountain  to  Sadsbury  line,  thence  to  the 
said  line  easterly  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Caernarvon. — Caernarvon  township,  beginning  at 
the  county  line  at  a  corner  of  Salisbury  on  the  moun- 
tains, thence  northerly  along  the  said  hne  to  the  north- 
east corner  of  CadwaJeder  Elis's  land,  thence  westerly 

by township  along  a  ridge  of  mountains  to  Earl 

township  at  the  north-east  corner  of  Thomas  Edwards' 
land,  thence  southerly  by  the  said  township  to  th<e 
corner  of  Leacock  and  Salisbury  township,  thence 
easterly  by  Salisbury  and  along  the  said  mountain  to  the 
place  of  begmning. 

Several  extracts  from  the  early  court  records  are 
presented,  which  will,  it  is  beheved,  be  read  with  some 
interest. 

At  a  court  of    General    Quarter    Sessions    of    the 


250  HISTORY   OF 

Peace  held  at  the  house  of  John  Postleiuhait*  in  the 
township  oi  Conestoga,  for  the  county  of  Lancaster,  the 
fifth  day  of  August,  in  the  third  year  of  the  Reign  of 
o^ur  Sovereign  Lord,  the  second  by  the  grace  of  God  of 
Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith,  &c.  Before  John  Wright,  Tobias  Hendricks, 
Andrew  Cornish,  Thomas  Read  and  Samuel  Jones, 
Esquires,  Justices  of  our  said  Lord,  the  King,  the  peace 
af  our  same  Lord,  the  King,  in  said  county,  aforesaid,  ta 
keep,  as  also  divers  felonies,  tresspasses,  and  other  mis- 
demeanors, in  the  said  county,  committed  to  hear  and 
determine  assigned,  &c. 

The  court  being  opened,  the  sheriff,  to  wit,  Robert 
Barber,  Esq.,  retimis  the  writ  of  Venire  Facias  to  him 
directed,  with  the  panel  thereunto  annexed,  and  tlie 
following  persons  were  sworn  and  affirmed  on  the 
Grand  Inquest,  viz:  James  Mitchell,  George  Stuart, 
Edward  Smout,  Edmund  Cartlidge,  James  Patterson, 
Andrew  Galbraith,  John  Hendricks,  James  Hendricks, 
Thomas  Baldwyn,  James  Roddy,  Francis  Jones,  Samuel 
Taylor,  Patrick  Campbell,  William  Hey,  John  Gail- 
braith,  Matthew  Atkinson,  Ephraim  Moor. 

DoMiNus  Rex,  vs.  Morris  Cannady. 

And  now,  at  this  day,  Morris  Cannady,  being  indicted 
by  the  Grand  Inquest  for  this  county,  for  having:  feloni- 

'Postlewhail's,  in  Conestoga  township,  7  S.  W.  from  Lancas-. 
ter,  now  Jacob  FehVs.  On  John  Postlewhait^s  decease,  Charles 
Norris,  and  other  persons,  Trustees  for  the  General  Land 
Office,  sold  Postlewhait's  farm  to  Joseph  Pugh,  of  Lancaster, 
in  June  1756.  Pugh  sold  to  Tobias  Stooeirian  the  same  month, 
to  whom  the  children  of  Postlewhait,  namely,  Susana,  married 
to  Benjamin  Price,  John,  Samuel  and  Edmund,  released,  Oct.. 
28th,  1761.  Stoneman  sold  in  1762  to  Andrew  Foehl,  grand- 
father of  Jacob  Fehl,  Esq.  This  farm  has  been  held  rising  of 
80  years  by  the  Fehls. 


LANCASTER   COtTNTY.  251 

ously  taken  and  carried  away  fourteen  pounds,  seven 
shillings,  the  goods  and  chattels  of  Daniel  Cookson,  was 
brought  to  the  bar  in  custody  of  the  sheriff,  and  being 
asked  how  he  would  hereof   acquit  himself,  pleaded 
tJiereunto  instantly  not  guilty,  and  for  trial  put  himself 
upon  the  country,  and  Joseph  Growdon,  Jr.,  Esq.,  who, 
for  our  Sovereign  Lord,  the  King,  this  behalf  prosecutes 
in  like  manner;  and  thereupon  a  jury  being  called,  im- 
mediately came  in,  viz:  John  Lawrence,  Robert  Black- 
shaw,    Thomas    Gale,  John  Mitchell,  Joseph  Burton, 
Edmund  Dougherty,  Richard  Hough,  Joshua  Minshall, 
Richard  Carter,  Joseph  Worke,  David  Jones,  Lawrence 
Bankson,  who  the  truth  of  and  upon  the  premises  being 
duly  elected,  tried,  sworn  or  affirmed  upon  their  oath  or 
affirmation,  respectively  do  say,  that  the   said  JVlorris 
Cannady  is  guilty  of  the  felony  as  in  manner  and  for  as 
he  stands  indicted;  and  thereupon  it  is  considered  by 
the  court  that  the  said  Morris  Cannady  pay  to  the  Go- 
vernor, for  the  support  of  this  Government,  (the  money 
stolen  having  before  been  restored  unto  the  said  Daniel 
Cookson,  the  right  owner  thereof)  the  sum  of  fourteen 
pounds,  seven  shillings,  and  that  he  further  pay  the 
costs   of  this  prosecution,  together  with  two   poimds, 
eighteen  shillings,  by  the  court  allowed,  the  said  Daniel 
Cookson,  for  his  lossfjf  time,  charges  and  disbursements 
in  the  apprehending  and  prosecuting  the   said  IMorris 
Cannady,  and  that  the  said  Morris  stand  committed  to  the 
custody  of  the   sheriff  of  this  county,  until  he  make 
satisfaction  for  the  same  aforesaid  by  the  court  in  manner 
aforesaid    adjudged,  and  moreover  shall  be  publickly 
whipped     *     *     *     on  his  bare  back  with  twenty-one 
stripes  well  laid  on. 

Upon  the  petition  of  Morris  Cannady,  setting  forth  that 
he  hath  no  estate  or  effects  whatsoever,  to  satisfy  the 


:252  HISTORY   Of 

fine  to  the  Honorable,  the  Governor  of  this  province^ 
and  to  discharge  the  costs  of  prosecution  against  him^ 
and  humbly  praying  the  rehef  of  this  court  in  the 
premises;  it  is  therefore  ordered 7:?er  curia,  that  the  said 
Morris  be  sold  by  the  said  sheriff  of  this  county,  to  the 
highest  bidder  for  any  term  not  exceeding  six  years,  and 
that  the  money  thence  arising  be  applied  for  or  towards 
payment  of  the  fine  and  costs  aforesaid;  and  that  the 
sheriff  make  retm-n  of  his  doings  herein  to  the  next 
court. 

1730,  November  3. — At  a  court  held  at  Lancaster. — ■ 
Robert  Barber,  late  sheriff  of  the  county,  reports  to  the 
court,  that  pursuant  to  a  former  order  he  had  sold  Morris 
Cannady  for  the  time  limited  by  said  order  to  one  John 
Lawrence,  of  Peshtank,  for  sixteen  pounds,  of  which 
sum  he  had  only  received  the  value  of  fourteen  pounds, 
five  shillings,  and  the  said  John  being  insolvent,  the 
remainder  could  not  be  had ;  he,  therefore,  prays  this 
court  would  order  the  costs  of  suit  and  other  charges 
against  said  Canady  to  be  settled  and  the  state  thereof 
represented  to  the  Governor  that  the  said  sheriff  may  be 
no  further  liable  than  he  hath  effects  to  answer. 

Ordered,  per  curia,  that  Tobias  Hendricks  and  An- 
drew Galbraith,  Esqrs.,  settle  the  said  accounts  and 
certify  their  proceedings  to  the  Governor  in  behalf  of 
said  sheriff,  according  to  his  prayer. 

To  completely  organize  the  townships  after  their 
erection,  the  court,  at  the  session  for  August,  1729,  made 
the  following  appointments,  viz :  For  Hempfield  town- 
ship, Joshua  Low,  for  John  Brubaker,  constable;  Ed* 
mund  Smout,  over-seer  of  the  poor;  Joshua  Law  and 
Henry  Neiff,  supervisors.  Conestoga,  Albert  Hendricks, 
constable;  David  Jones,  over-seer  of  the  poor;  John 
Linville,  supervisor.     Martock,  George  Littleton,  con- 


LANCASTER  COUNTY.  253 

Stable.  Drumore,  Patrick  Ewings,  constable.  Sads- 
bury,  Robert  Young,  constable.  Leacock,  Henry  Jones, 
for  Hans  Good,  constable;  Israel  Robinson  and  Daniel 
Fiere,  supervisors.  Lampeter,  John  Wall,  for  Wendel 
Bowman,  constable  ;  Stephen  Atkinson,  over-seer  of  the 
poor;  Edmund  Cartledge  and  Adam  Brand,  supervisors. 
Manheim,  Thomas  Gall,  constable  ;  Thomas  Thornbury 
and  John  Mire,  supervisors.  Salisbury,  James  Gaut, 
constable.  Warwick,  Richard  Carter,  constable.  Co- 
calico,  Edmund  Carpenter,  constable.  Earl,  Martin 
Grove,  constable.  Lebanon,  John  McCurry,  constable. 
Robmson,  Francis  Hughes,  constable.  Tulpehocken, 
Michael  Shaver,  constable.  Carnaervon,  George  Hud- 
son, constable.  Peshtank,  Thomas  Garner,  constable; 
Peter  Allen,  overseer  of  the  poor.  Donegal,  Patrick 
Campbell. 

Petition  presented  to  court  by  the  subscribers,  "pray- 
ing that  they  may  be  recommended  to  the  Governor  as 
suitable  persons  to  trade  with  the  Indians,"  was  allowed 
•per  curiara. 

James  Pattison,  Edmund  Cartledge,  Peter  Chartier, 
John  Lav/rence,  Jonas  Davenport,  Oliver  Wallis,  Patrick 
Boyd,  Lazarus  Lowry,  William  Dunlap,  William  Bes- 
wick,  John  Wilkins,  Thomas  Perrin,  John  Harris. 

At  the  same  session  petitions  were  presented  to  the 
court  praying  to  be  recommended  to  the  Governor  as 
proper  persons  to  keep  public  houses  of  entertainment, 
which  were  severally  granted  /jer  curiam,  in  favor  of 
John  Postlewhait,  John  Miller,  Jacob  Fmik,  Christian 
Stoneman,  Jacob  Biere,  Edmund  Dougherty,  Samuel 
Taylor,  Francis  Jones,  Mary  Denny. 

Upon  the  petition  of  divers  inhabitants  of  this  county 
setting  forth  the  necessity  of  a  high-way  through  Hemp- 
field  township,  from  the  first  unsurveyed  land  near  Sas- 

23 


254  HISTORY   OF 

qiiehaiinah  tO'  Christian  Stoneman,  his  mil],  and  from  the 
said  mill  to  Daniel  Cookson's,  at  the  head  of  Pequea 
and  praying  that  fit  persons  may  be  appointed  to  view 
and  lay  out  the  same  accordingly.  It  is  ordered  per 
curiam  that  Edmund  Cartledge,  William  Hughes, 
Charles  Jones,  Henry  Neiff,  John  Brubaker  and  James 
Pattison,  do  view  the  place,  and  if  they,  or  any  four  of 
them  are  satisfied  that  there  is  occasion  for  the  said  road, 
they  lay  out  the  same  and  make  return  by  course  and 
distance  under  their  hands  to  the  next  court. 

Whereas,  At  a  meeting  of  the  magistrates  and 
others  lat  the  house  of  John  Postlewhait,  on  the  ninth  of 
June  past,  (1729)  it  was  agreed  that  for  the  present 
supply  of  this  county,  the  sheriff  should  erect  a  building 
sufficient  to  hold  prisoners  and  should  be  allowed  towards 
defraying  the  expense,  the  sum  of  five  pounds,  public 
money — which  building  is  now  nearly  built.  It  is  there- 
fore agreed  and  ordered  by  this  court  that  the  said 
sheriff  shall  with  all  expedition  finish  the  said  building 
which  when  finished  shall  thenceforth  be  reputed  the 
common  jail  of  the  county  of  Lancaster,  till  the  prison 
be  built,  and  with  this  order  the  sheriff  agrees. 

November  4,  1729. — The  court  appointed,  ordered 
that,  Tobias  Hendricks  and  Andrew  Galbraith,  view 
the  prison  and  make  report  to  the  county  and  assessors, 
accordingly,  &c. 

From  the  following  extracts — May  term,  1730 — it  will 
be  seen  that  Lancaster  count)'  had,  at  an  early  day,  a 
good  supply  of  places  to  "  to  sell  rum  by  the  smalV^ — 
these  are  the  words  of  the  petitioners. 

List  of  those  licensed,  May  5th,  1730,  and  rate  of 
license. 

Jacob  Bear,  40  shillings;  Francis  Jones,  10  s. ;  James 
Patterson,  40   s. ;  James   Cook,   20. ;  Andrew  Cornish, 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  255 

40  s.;  Erasmus  Bachman,  20  s.;  Martin  Harnist,  20  s.; 
John  Harris,  40  s. ;  John  Postlewhait,  60  a.;  Christian 
Stoneman,  50  s.;  Edward  Dougherty,  30  s.;  John  Steel, 
25  s.;  Christopher  Franciscus,  20  s.;  John  Miller,  20  s. ; 
Samuel  Bethel,  40  s.;  John  David,  30  s. ;  George  Stuart, 
20  s.;  Thomas  Armstrong,  20  s.;  Jacob  Funk,  30  s.; 
William  White,  10  s.;  Thomas  Baldwin,  30  s. ;  Peter 
Allen,  40  s. ;  Edward  Cartledge,  30  s. ;  Jones  Daven- 
port, 30  s. ;  Henry  Baily,  20  s. ;  William  Dunlap,  20  s. ; 
William  Clark,  20  s.;  Henry  Snevely,  20  s.;  Michael 
Mire,  20  s.;  John  Wilkins,  20  s.;  Lazarus  Lowry,  20  s.; 
Michael  Shank,  20  s.;  Casper  Laughman,  40  s. ;  George 
Haynes,  30  s. ;  Isaac  Miranda,  20  s. ;  John  Hen- 
dricks, 20  s. 

At  a  court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace, 
held  at  Lancaster,  the  third  day  of  November,  m  the 
fourth  year  of  his  Majesty's  Reign,  Anno,  1730,  before 
John  Wright,  Thomas  Edwards,  Tobias  Hendricks, 
Andrew  Cornish,  Andrew  Galbraith  and  Caleb  Pearce, 
Esqrs.,  Justices  of  our  Lord,  the  King,  the  peace  of  our 
said  Lord,  the  King  in  the  comity  aforesaid,  &c. 

The  court  being  opened,  the  sheriff,  to  wit:  John 
Galbraith  retm*ns  the  writ  of  Venire  Facias  to  him 
directed  with  the  panel  thereunto  annexed,  and  the 
following  persons  were  sworn  and  affirmed  on  the  Grand 
Inquest. 

Edward  Smout,  Jr.,  James  Patterson,  Jolin  Kile, 
Randel  Chambers,  Hatwell  Varnon,  Ephraim  Moore, 
Richard  Hough,  George  Stites,  Christian  Vanlere, 
Daniel  Cookson,  John  Jones,  Jolm  Musgrove,  Jr.,  James 
Gait,  James  Whitehill,  Thomas  Johnston,  WUliam  Wil- 
kins, William  Richardson. 

Robert  Barber,  late  sheriff  of  the  said  county,  re- 
turned to  this  court  by  indenture  under  the  hands  and 


256  HISTORY   OF 

seals  of  six  free-holders  of  the  said  county,  Gabriel 
Davis,  John  Caldwell,  Joshua  Low,  Emanuel  Carpenter, 
Walter  Denny  and  Thomas  Wilkins,  for  assessors,  and 
John  Davis  commissioned  for  the  ensuing  year. 

We  have  introduced  a  brief  notice  of  one  whose  name 
is  intimately  associated  with  the  history  of  Lancaster 
county,  and  the  early  history  of  the  United  States. 

Conrad  Weiser,  an  active,  enterprising  man,  con- 
spicuous in  the  annals  of  this  county  from  its  organiza- 
tion till  1760,  was  born  in  Germany,  1696.  At  the  age 
■of  13,  in  1709,  he  left  his  Vaterland,  accompanied  by 
his  father  and  seven  brothers  and  sisters,  with  three  or 
four  thousand  other  Germans,  they  went  to  England  ;* 
thence  they  sailed  for  New  York,  where  they  arrived, 
the  13th  June,  1710.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  the 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  notice,  and  hundreds  of 
German  families,  were  transferred  at  Queen  Anne's 
expense  to  Livingston  District,  where  many  of  them 
remained  till  1713;  that  year  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  families  moved  to  Schoharie  to  occupy  lands  pre- 
sented to  Queen  Anne  by  a  Mohawk  chief,  for  the 
benefit  of  these  Germans.  While  residing  here,  Conrad 
Weiser 's  father,  in  1714,  became  acquainted  with  Quag- 
nant,  a  chief  of  Maqua  or  Mohawk  nation.  Quagnant 
proposed  to  the  father  to  take  Conrad  with  him  into 
.  his  country,  and  to  teach  him  the  language  spoken  by 
his  nation;  the  father  consented,  and  Conrad  accom- 
panied the  chief  to  his  house  in  the  autumn  of  1714. — 
Here  his  sufferings,  according  to  Weiser 's  own  journal,. 
were  almost  intolerable.  He  was  exposed  to  the  in- 
clemencies of  a  severe  winter,  ^^ pinched  by  hunger  and 
frost,"  menaced  with  death  by  the  inebriated  Indians; 
to  escape  which,  he  had  often  to  flee  and  conceal  himself 

*See  page  182— 184-. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  257 

till  reason  was  restored,  and  "«  second  sober  thought, ^^ 
restrained  their  threats.  Having  spent  eight  months 
among  them,  and  acquired  the  principal  part  of  the 
Mohawk  language,  he  returned  to  the  German 
colony,  where,  as  interpreter,  he  acquired  a  competent 
knowledge  of  the  language;,  in  a  very  short  time. 

Owing  to  a  defect  in  the  titles  to  their  lands  which 
involved  them  in  difficulties,  this  German  colony  was 
dispersed;  some  remained  at  Schoharie,  among  these 
was  Weiser,  the  interpreter,  others  left,  in  search  of  a 
new  home ;  these  wended  their  course  in  a  south-wes- 
terly direction  till  they  struck  Susquehanna,  yvhere 
they  made  canoes,  freighted  these  with  their  families  and 
goods ;  floated  down  the  river  to  the  mouth  of  Swatara 
creek,  thence  they  worked  their  way  up  till  they  reached 
a  fertile  spot  in  Tulpehocken,  where  they  settled  amidst 
the  Indians,  in  1723. 

Weiser,  as  stated,  remained  at  Schoharie,  till  1729, 
wh^n  he,  his  wife  and  four  children  left,  and  followed 
his  relations  and  friends  to  Tulpehocken,  where  they 
were  all  cordially  received.  Here  he  took  up  a  tract 
of  land  within  a  few  miles  of  the  site  of  Wommelsdorf. 

He,  as  occasion  demanded  it,  acted  as  interpreter 
between  the  Indians  and  the  German  settlers.  Though 
he  had  determined  to  spend  his  remaining  days  in 
private,  his  talents  soon  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
Government,  and  his  services,  as  interpreter,  Y\^ere  re- 
quired, by  the  Hon.  Patrick  Gordon,  Lieut.  Governor 
of  Pennsylvania,  as  early  as  1631;  for  that  purpose, 
Weiser  accompanied  Shekellany  and  Cehachquey,  In- 
dians, who  had  returned  from  the  Six  Nations,  to  Phila- 
delphia.*    He    was    called  on    repeatedly   to    act    as 

♦Col.  Ilec.452. 

22* 


258  HISTORY   OF 

interpreter  while  pursmng  the  improvement  of  his^ 
farm. 

He  was  a  man  of  rniboiinded  benevoleneey  and  dis- 
posed "/o  hope  all  things'^ — it  was  through  him  the 
Moravian  brethren  were  made  attentive  to  Indian 
natives,,  especially  the  Iroquois,  or  Six  Nations.  Mr. 
Spangenberger  received  the  first  account  of  them  from 
Conrad  Weiser,  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  interpreter  to 
the  Government  in  Pennsylvania.*  The  Governor  and 
Proprietor  of  Pennsylvania  had  sent  him  in  the  winter 
of  1736,  to  treat  with  the  Iroquois,  concerning  a  war 
ready  to  break  out  between  them  and  the  Indians  of 
Virginia,  and  to  endeavor  to  settle  the  dispute  amicably. 
On  this  journey,  of  nearly  five  hundred  miles,  he  suffered 
great  hardships.  The  weather  was  uncommonly  severe, 
and  he  had  to  force  his  way,  mostly  on  foot,  through 
deep  snow,  thick  forests,  brooks  and  rivers,  carrying 
provisions  fcr  several  weeks  on  his  back.t 

If  it  may  be  called  such,  he  had  the  good  fortune  to 
become  acquainted  with  many  of  the  conspicuous 
characters  of  his  day.  Count  Zinzendorf  visited  him 
August  14,  1752,  where  he  met,  at  Tulpehocken,  a 
numerous  embassy  of  sachems  or  heads  of  the  Six 
Nations,  returning  from  Philadelphia.  The  count  was 
desirous  of  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  Indians ;  Weiser 
was  interpreter  on  this  occasion ;  adding  in  conclusion 
of  the  discourse:  "This  is  the  man,  whom  God  bath 
sent,  both  to  the  Indians  and  to  the  white  people,  to 
make  Imown  his  will  mito  them,^'  confirming  his  words, 

*Loskiel.  P.  T,  4,  5. 

fHe  was  appointed  in  1741.  Die  Landes  Obrigkeit  gevvann 
ihn  lieb,  wegen  seines  ehiiichen  und  besonders  nuelzlichen 
Characters,  und  machte  ihn  1741,  zum  Friede-Kichter  und 
r  othschafter  bey  den  Indianer-Nalion.    Hall,  NachricMcn  978. 


LANCA^STER  COUNTY.  259 

after  the  Indian  custom,  by  a  priesent  of  a  piece  of  red 
cloth.* 

Sometime  in  the  month  of  September,  Gonrad  Weiser 
visited  Shomakin,  a  populous  Indian  town,  where  he 
interpreted  bet^veen  Shikellimus  and  the  count. 

He  attended  all  the  principal  Indian  treaties  held  for  a 
period  of  rising  twenty-five  years.  About  the  year 
1752,  Conrad  Weiser,  in  connexion  with  the  Governor 
of  Pennsylvania,  Chief  Justice  Allen,  Mr.  Peters,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Land  Office,  Messrs.  Turner,  and  B.  Frank- 
lin, was  appointed  a  trustee  and  manager  of  the  public 
schools,  which  were  established  through  the  efforts  of 
the  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter.  •  By  virtue  of  their  com- 
mission, the  trustees  established  schools  at  Lancaster, 
York,  Reading,  New  Hanover,^  Skippack,  and  Goshen- 
hopen.t 

During  the  French  and  Indian  hostihties,  as  Lieut. 
Colonel,  he  commanded  the  seccnd  battalion  of  the 
Pennsylvania  regiment,  consisting  of  nine  companies — 
"they  were  thus  distributed — one  company  at  Fort 
Augusta,  one  at  Hunter's  mill,  seven  miles  above  Har- 
risburg,  an  the  Susquehanna,  one  half  company  on  the 
Swatara,  at  the  foot  of  the  North  mountain,  one  com- 
pany and  a  half  at  Fort  Henry,  close  to  the  Gap  of  the 
mountain,  called  the  Tothea  Gap,  one  company  at  Fort 
Williams,  near  the  forks  of  the  Schuylkill  river,  six 
miles  beyond  the  momitains,  one  company  at  Fort  Allen, 
at  Gnadenhuetten,  on  the  Lehigh,  the  other  three  com- 
panies were  scattered  between  the  rivers  Lehigh  and 
Delaware,  at  the  disposition  of  the  captains,  at  farm- 
houses, others  at  mills,  from  three  to  twenty  in  a  place."| 

The  duties  of  the  numerous  stations  of  hfe  he  held, 
were  always  discharged  with  fidelity  and  ability ;  he  was 

*Ibid.  27.        fHall.  Nach.  661.        t Gordon's  Pa.  341. 


260  HISTORY    OF 

both  capable  and  honest.  The  space  allowed  us,  we 
regret,  will  not  admit  of  details.  He  closed  his  eventful 
life,  July  13,  1760 — his  remains  were  interred  July  15, 
near  Wommelsdorf,  Berks  county.  He  left  seven  chil- 
dren and  numerous  relatives  to  lament  his  departure. — 
Weiser  was  a  man  of  strong  mind — cultivated  in  the 
never  failing  school  of  experience.  His  poetical  effu- 
sions, a  few  of  which  only  remain,  are  said  to  be  weU 
written.  The  following  is  a  concluding  verse  of  a  hymn 
furnished  by  W.  at  a  church  dedication : 

Fuer  Feuer,  Krieg  und  Wassers-Noth 
Wollst  du  dis  Haus  bewahren ! 
Damit  nach  unserm  selgen  Tod 
Die  Nachkommen  erfahren, 
Dasz  wir  dich,  wahren  Gott,  geliebt 
Und  uns  in  deinem  Wort  geuebt, 
Um  deines  Nam  ens  Avillen. 

Notes. — Hatvvel  Varnon  was  a  native  of  Wrexford,  Ireland. 
In  1728,  he  settled  in  Lancaster  county,  now  Leacock  town- 
ship. It  is  said  he  was  a  man  of  rare  endowments  ;  and  ac- 
tive and  useful  Friend — died  1747,  1  mo.  1  day. — Friend's  Mis- 
cellany, Vol.  IV.  25. 

Quakers  were  numerous  in  Lancaster  county,  as  early  as 
1730.  "  The  Quakers  extended  their  settlements  to  the  Susque- 
hanna, one  thousand  families  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  settled 
in  Chester  county,  before  1700.  A  thousand  families  of 
Friends  were  settled  in  Lancaster  county,  at  the  time  or  shortly 
after  its  erection.  The  meeting  house  in  Lancaster  city,  was, 
for  a  length  of  time,  numerously  attended." — R.  C.  Lan.  Jour. 

In  the  spring  of  1729,  John  and  James  Hendricks  made, 
under  the  authority  of  Government,  the  first  authoi'ized  settle- 
ment on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna,  now  called  York 
county.    They  were  soon  followed  by  other  families. 

The  following  mills  had  ail  been  erected  in  Lancaster 
county,  prior  to  1729:  Christian  Stoneman's,  Hans  Graff's, 
Samuel  Taylor's. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  261 

In  May  1729,  the  Conestogoe,  Ganawese  and  Delaware 
Indians,  went  to  Philadelphia  to  have  an  interview  with  Gov. 
Gordon.  The  chiefs  of  the  Conestogoe  were  Tawenna,  Gaya- 
torouga  and  Taquatarensaly,  sometimes  called  Civility ;  those 
of  the  Ganawese,  Amawoolit,*  Peyhiohinas  and  Yaochkon- 
guess;  those  of  the  Delawares,  Peyashickon,  Whawyayga- 
men  and  Saykalin.  Peter  Bizallion  and  John  Scull,  were 
interpreters. — Col.  Rec.  III.  383. 

1730,  May  5th,  at  Postlewhait's,  John  Emerson,  Gent.,  upon 
his  humble  suit  to  court,  was  admitted  to  practice  as  an  at- 
torney at  law  within  the  same. 

1731,  May  4,  at  Lancaster,  Edward  Harris,  Gent.,  upon  his 
humble  suit  to  court,  was  admitted  to  practice  as  an  attorney 
at  law. 

1730,  Lancaster  town  contained  about  200  inhabitants — this 
year  Stephen  Atkinson  built  a  fulling  mill  at  a  great  expense  ; 
but  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  part  of  the  creek  assembled 
and  pulled  down  the  dam  on  the  Conestoga,  as  it  prevented 
them  from  rafting  and  getting  their  usual  supply  of  fish.  At- 
kinson altered  his  dam  with  a  twenty  feet  passage  for  boats  and 
fish. 

Members  of  the  Assembly  from  Lancaster  county  for  1727, 
were  Thomas  Edwards,  John  Wright,  James  Mitchell  and 
Thomas  Reed.  For  1730,  John  Musgrove,  Thomas  Edwards, 
John  Wright  and  George  Stuart., 


262  ,  HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER   II.      . 

Eoad  from  liancaster  to  Philadelphia  ordered  to  be  laid  out,  &c. — Election 
excitement,  orviolent  contest — Border  frays — Townships  erected — Penns- 
borough  and  Hopewell,  west  of  the  Susquehanna — Hanover — Little 
Britain — James  Ewing  born — Contest  between  the  Marylandeis  and 
inhabitants  of  Lancaster — Cressap  and  his  associates  attempt  to  displace 
the  Germans — Is  apprehended  and  imprisoned — Governor  Ogle  sends 
messengers  to  Philadelphia — German  settlers  seized  and  carried  to  Balti- 
more— The  council  sends  an  embassy  to  Governor  Ogle — Maijlanders 
break  into  Lancaster  jail — Germans  naturalized — IVotes  of  variety. 

Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  comity,  httle  or  no 
care  had  been  taken  of  the  high-ways.  The  first,  and 
leading  object  of  the  inhabitants,  after  townships  had 
been  erected  and  organized  by  the  appointment  of 
the  requisite  officers,  was  laying  out  roads  and  build- 
ing bridges  where  there  was  necessity.  "A  petition  of 
the  magistrates,  grand  jury,  and  other  inhabitants  of 
Lancaster  county,  was  presented  to  the  board  of  coun- 
cil held  at  Philadelphia,  January  29,  1730 — 1,  setting 
forth  that  nort  having  the  conveniences  of  any  navigable 
water,  for  bringing  the  produce  of  their  labors  to  Phila- 
delphia, they  are  obliged,  at  a  great  expense,  to  transport 
them  by  land  carriage,  which  burthen  became  heavier 
tlirough  the  want  of  suitable  roads  for  carriages  to  pass. 
Thett  there  are  no  public  roads  leading  to  Philadelphia, 
yet  laid  out  through  their  county,  and  those  in  Chester 
county,  through  which  they  now  pass,  are  in  many 
places  incommodious.  And  therefore  praying  that  proper 
persons  may  be  appointed  to  view  and  lay  out  a  road  for 
public  service,  from  the  town  of  Lancaster,  till  it  falls  in 
with  the  high  road  in  the  county  of  Chester,  leading  to 
the  Ferry  of  Schuylkill  at  High  street,  and  that  a  review 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  263 

may  be  had  of  the  said  pubUc  road  in  the  comity  of 
Chester;  the  prayer  of  which  petition  being  granted: 

"  It  15  ordered  that  Thomas  Edwards,  Edward  Smout, 
Robert  Barber,  Hans  Graaf,  Caleb  Peirce,  Samuel  Jones 
and  Andrew  Cornish,  of  the  county  of  Lancaster,  or 
any  five  of  them  view  and  lay  out  by  course  and  dis- 
tance, a  convenient  high  road  from  the  said  town  of 
Lancaster;  and  that  Thomas  Green,  George  Aston, 
William  Paschal,  Richard  Buffington,  William  jNIarch, 
Samuel  Miller  and  Robert  Parke,  of  the  county  of 
Chester,  or  any  five  of  them,  in  continuing  to  lay  out  as 
aforesaid,  the  said  road  from  the  division  line  aforesaid, 
till  it  falls  in  with  the  King's  high  road  in  the  county  of 
Chester,  leading  to  Philadelphia,  and  make  return 
thereof  to  this  board.  And  they,  the  above  named  per- 
sons of  the  county  of  Lancaster,  or  any  five  of  them, 
together  with  the  above  named  persons  of  the  county  of 
Chester,  or  any  five  of  them,  are  further  empowered 
jointly  to  review  the  said  road  within  the  last  mentioned 
county,  and  to  report  to  this  board  what  alterations  may 
be  necessary  to  be  made  therein,  and  suit  the  conve- 
niency  of  carriages,  and  for  the  better  accommodation  of 
the  inhabitants  of  this  province. 

The  persons  appointed  to  view  and  lay  out  the  road, 
made  report  to  the  board,  October  4,  1733,  that  they  had 
attended  to  the  business  assigned  them,  which  report 
was  approved  and  confirmed ;  and  it  was  then  ordered 
that  the  road  thus  laid  out,  be  declared  the  King's  High- 
way, or  Public  Road,  and  that  the  same  be  forthwith 
cleared  and  rendered  commodious  for  public  service.* 

*The  courts  ordered,  the  Governor  and  council  having  certi- 
fied the  same,  that  the  respective  supervisors  open  and  clear 
the  King's  Road  leading  from  Lancaster  to  Philadelphia ;  to 
clear  the  same  on  the  north  side  of  the  marked  trees,  at  least 


264  HISTORY    OF 

In  the  history  of  this  county,  the  yeal'  1732,-  is  re- 
markable on  account  of  a  violent  contest,  and  border 
frays,  in  both  of  which  females  played  "  a  manly  part ;" 
Mrs.  Galbraith  "  figured  "  in  the  former,  and  Mrs.  Louse 
"  shone  "  in  the  latter.  Andrew  Galbraith  of  Donegal, 
and  John  Wright  of  Hempfield,  were  both  candidates 
for  member  of  Assembly  ;  it  was  an  excitting  time  pro- 
duced by  exciting  causes.  "Andrew  Galbraith  was 
pushed  forward  by  his  friends.  Mrs.  Galbraith  mounted 
her  favorite  mare,  Nelly;  a  spur,  she  fastened  to  her 
ancle,  and,  away  she  went,  her  red  cloak  flowing  to  the 
wind,  to  scour  the  county  for  Andrew.  She  did  him 
good  service ;  for  Andrew  Galbraith  was  elected  and 
returned  a  member,  and  took  his  seat,"  among  his  col- 
leagues of  the  county,  viz :  Messrs.  George  Stuart, 
Thomas  Edwards,  and  Samuel  Blunston. 

"  John  Wright  contested  the  election,  and  Wright  and 
Galbraith  were  heard  at  the  bar  of  the  House,  and  after 
hearing  their  claims,  the  House  resolved  "  that  Andrew 
Galbraith  is  duly  returned  a  member  for  the  county  of 
Lancaster."* 

John  Wright  was  a  short  time  after  elected  in  the  , 
place  of  George  Stuart,  who  had  died  a  short  time  after 
his  election. 

thirty  feet  wide,  and  grub  the  underwood,  at  least  fifteen  feet 
of  the  said  space  on  the  side  north  the  marked  trees  and  make 
necessary  bridges  over  swamps  so  as  to  render  the  same  safe 
and  passable  for  horse  and  wagon. — Docket  of  Quar.  Ses.for 
1733. 

*John  Wright  contested  the  seat  of  A.  Galbraith,  on  the 
ground  that  a  number  of  the  tickets  on  which  his  name  was 
written,  were  rejected,  because  the  tickets  contained  but  three 
names  instead  of  four.  The  House  resolved,  "  That  a  ticket 
containing  a  less  number  of  names  than  by  law  directed,  be  a 
bad  ticket.'" — Votes  of  AssemUy. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  2,^5 

Sometime  in  1732,  as  appears  from  the  affidavits  of 
James  Hendricks,  William  McMannack,  John  Capper, 
John  Brubaker,  Charles  Jones,  John  Patten,  Alexander 
McKey,  JoshiiaMinshal,  Francis  Ward,  Rebecca  Hen- 
dricks, Joshua  and  Tobias  Hendricks,  taken  before  John 
Wright  and  Samuel  Blunston,  Hempfield,  that  "James 
Patterson  had  been  informed  that  one  or  more  of  his 
horses  had  been  killed  near  John  Lowe's  plantation,  and 
that  his  two  sons,  Daniel  and  William,  had  been  seen 
presenting  a  gun  to  fire  at  another  horse,  but  were  pre- 
vented by  being  discovered,  sent  some  persons  thither  to 
enquire  into  the  truth  of  the  matter,  who,  finding  one  of 
them  lying  dead  near  Lowe's  house,  made  some  expos- 
tjilations  with  his  sons  on  that  head,  who  were  so  far 
from  disowning  the  fact,  that  they  said  they  would  kill 
all  the  horses  which  came  upon  that  land,  and  having 
assaulted    and    grossly  abused    Patterson's  messenger, 
threatened  they  would  tie  and  whip  all  those  he  should 
send  over  thither ;  that  upon  complaint  hereof  made,  a 
warrant  was  issued  for  apprehending  the  two  persons 
who  had  been  thus  guilty  of  that  assault."     The  war- 
rant was  directed  to  Charles  Jones,  constable  of  Hemp- 
field  township,  who,  with  his  staff  in  hand,  and  in  con- 
sequence of  threats  from  Thomas  Cressap  and  his  asso- 
ciates— "Maryland    intruders,"-r-to    shoot    any  officer 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  came  mto  those  parts  to  do  his 

Note. — Thomas  Penn,  son  of  William  Perm,  arrived  in 
Pennsylvania,  1732.  He  was  at  Lancaster  in  October,  1736— 
signed  licenses  or  grants  for  settlements  that  had  been  made 
previously  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna.  Samuel 
Blunston  was  engaged  as  his  agent  to  grant  licenses  for  12,000 
acres,  to  satisfy  the  rights  of  settlers,  &c.  These  licenses,  or 
rather  promises  to  the  settlers,  to  grant  them  patents  for  the 
lands  they  had  settled,  are  signed  by  T.  Penn,  himself. — 
Smith. 

23 


266  HISTOR?    OF 

duty,  Jones  demanded  the  assistance  of  James  Pattfei*-' 
sons,  senior  and  junior,  William  McMannack,  Alexander 
McKey,  John  Capper,  John  Hart,  John  Patten,  James 
Patten  and  Matthew  Bailey,  "who  took  three  guns,  and 
these  not  loaded,  serving  only  as  an  appearance  of 
defence,"  went  to  the  house  of  Mr.  LoWe,  apprehended 
Daniel  and  William,  who  made  considerable  resistance. 
Mrs.  Lowe  raised  an  alarm  to  raise  the  neighborhood,* 
whereupon,  Thomas  Cressap,  William  Canon  and  Ed- 
ward Evans,  followed  to  rescue  the  prisoners,  and 
wounded  John  Hart ;  but  were  obliged  to  desist.  The 
Lowes  were  arrested  and  imprisoned  at  Lancaster. 

This  was  soon  followed  by  more  "  unhappy  frays," 
accompanied  by  acts  of  atrocity  committed  by  the  Mary- 
landers  "upon  the  Pennsylvanians."  The  Lancaste- 
rians  were  aroused  to  action,  they  called  "to  arms,"  and 
a  body  of  the  mostr  esolute,  entered  into  Maryland  and 
compelled  Cressap  and  his  associates  to  flee.  The  Lan- 
cdsterians  convinced  the  Marylanders  that  they  were  not 
to  be  assailed  with  impunity. 

Though  Lancaster  county  was  without  specified 
limits,  at  this  time,  settlements  had  now  been  made  west 
of  the  Susquehanna,  within  the  present  boundaries  of 
York,  Adams,  Franldin,  Cumberland,  Perry;  the  inhabi- 
tants in  various  parts  presented  petitions  to  the  court  at 
Lancaster  for  the  erection  of  townships.  At  the  Novem- 
ber session,  1735,  upon  the  petition  of  many  inhabitants 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna  river,  opposite  to 
Paxton,  praying  that  the  parts  settled  between  said  river 

*Lowe's  house,  where  his  sons  were  taken,  was  within  the 
boundaries  of  Pennsylvania.  About  400  people  lived  more 
south  than  Lowe's  house,  who  paid  taxes  in  Lancaster  county,, 
and  had  always  acknowledged  themselves  inhabitants  of  Penn- 
sylvania.—CoZ.  Rec.  III.  507 


LANCASTER   COUNTY".  267 

and  Potomac  river,  on  Conedogwainst,  Yellow  Britches 
and  Conegochegue  creeks,  may  be  divided  into  two 
.townships,  and  constables  appointed  in  them,  it  was 
ordered  by  court  that  a  line  running  northerly  from  the 
hills  to  the  southward  of  Yellow  Britches  (crossing  a 
direct  line  by  the  Great  Spring)  to  Keghtoterjing  moun- 
tain, be  the  division  line,  and  the  eastern-most  township, 
be  called  Pennsborough,  and  the  western,  Hopewell. — 
(Cumberland  county.) 

At  the  February  session,  1736-7,  upon  a  petition  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Lancaster  county,  Hanover  township 
was  erected;  divided  on  the  west  from  Peshtank  by 
Beaver  creek  from  its  mouth  to  the  mountain,  from 
Lebanon  on  the  east,  arxd  Derry  on  the  south  by  Sua- 
taaro  creek,  from  Beaver  mouth  to  the  forks,  thence  by 
the  north  branch  thereof  to  the  mountain. 

At  the  February  session,  1737-8.— The  petition  of 
many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Drumore  township,  setting 
forth  the  inconveniences  they  lie  under  by  the  largeness 
of  the  township,  and  praying  the  same  may  be  divided 

Note. — James  Ewing  was  born  about  the  year  1736,  in 
Manor  township,  of  this  county,  of  Irish  parents.  When  yet  a 
lad  his  parents  moved  to  Hellam  township,  Lancaster,  now 
York  county.  Our  young  hero,  at  the  age  of  18  or  19,  was 
engaged  in  repelling,  with  his  associates,  and  citizens  soldiers, 
the  incursions  of  the  Indians.  He  took,  at  an  early  day,  an 
active  part  in  the  Indian  or  French  army;  and  was,  it  is  be- 
lieved, a  lieutenant  in  Braddock's  army,  and  present  at  the 
disastrous  slaughter  usually  called  f  Braddock's  Defeat." 

He  served  his  country  in  various  capacities.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Legislature  for  six  or  seven  years.  He  was 
Brigadier  General,  and  attached  to  the  Flying  Camp  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  He  was  in  public  life  till  1800 — died  in 
March,  1806,  aged  about  70  years.  Of  him  it  is  said,  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  what  is  said  of  few :  "  He  died  without  an 
enemy." 


268  SfSTORY    OF 

by  a  line  running  from  a  marked  Spanish  oak  standing 
on  the  brow  of  a  roundish  hill  by  Sasquehanah  opposite 
an  island,  called  Mount  Johnson,  north-east  by  east  to 
Octoraro  creek,  and  that  the  said  "western  division  may 
be  called  the  township  of  Little  Britain,  which  said 
petition  being  considered  and  approved  of,  the  same  is 
ordered  per  curiam  to  be  recorded  in  manner  aforesaid. 

The  year  1736,  there  was  a  contest  between  the  Mary- 
Janders  and  the  inhabitants  of  Lancaster,  arising  from 
the  undefined  boundary  between  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland.  A  respectable  number  of  Germans  and 
others  had  settled  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  now  York 
county,  under  Pennsylvania  titles;  but  to  avoid  paying 
taxes,  imposed  by  the  province,  these  settlers  accepted 
titles  from  Maryland,  "and  attorned  to  Lord  Baltimore; 
but,  becommg  satisfied  that  adhesion  to  him  might  ulti- 
mately prejudice  their  interests,  they  formally  renomiced 
their  allegiance,  and  sought  protection  from  Penn- 
s^rlvania." 

This  course  of  shifting  greatly  displeased  the  Mary- 
landers;  they  were  determined  to  eject  the  "miscreants" 
from  their  possessions.  Three  hundred  men,  headed  by 
the  sheriff  of  the  county  of  Baltimore,  advanced  within 
the  borders  of  Pennsylvania  to  execute  their  ejectment. 
The  citizens  of  Lancaster  county  could  not  look  with 
indifference  upon  the  conduct  of  the  Marylanders: 
Samuel  Smith,  the  sheriff  of  Lancaster  county,  drew  out 
a  Posse  Co77iitati(s,  i.  e.  citizens  to. oppose  the  aggres- 
sions of  rioters  or  invaders,  and  to  protect  the  settlers 
west  of  the  Susquehanna.  Smith  succeeded  without 
violence  in  having  the  Marylanders  leave  the  areola, 
v/here  they  proposed  to  execute  the  design  of  their  mis- 
sion, with  the  understanding  the  settlers  there  would, 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  269 

after  consultation,  "  give  an  answer  to  Lord  Baltimore's 
expedition  to  acknowledge  his  authority." 

For  a  short  time,  disturbances  seemed  to  be  settled ; 
but  before  long,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Captain 
Thomas  Cressap,  a  restless,  quarrelsome  individual,  an 
association  was  formed  with  the  knowledge  of  Governor 
Ogle,  of  some  fifty  or  sixty  persons,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Captain,  to  displace  the  Germans,  being  the  prin- 
cipal settlers;  and  to  divide  their  lands,  according  to  the 
agrarian  laws  of  Rome:  "to  distribute  the  lands  of  the 
conquered  among  the  conquerors ;  for  Cressap  had 
promised  each  of  his  associates  two  hmidred  acres  of 
land. 

In  the  prosecution  of  their  design,  they  killed  one 
Knowles,  who  had  resisted  them.  Their  leader,  how- 
ever, did  not  escape  with  impunity;  the  sheriff  of  Lan- 
caster assailed  him,  and  on  the  23d  of  November,  1736, 
after  he  was  wounded,  took  him  as  prisoner  and  con- 
veyed him  to  Philadelphia  jail. 

"Governor  Ogle,  on  receipt  of  this  inteUigence, 
despatched  Edmund  Jennings  and  Daniel  Dulany  to 
Philadelphia,  to  demand  reparation,  and  the  release  of 
Cressap.  Both  were  refused  by  the  president  and  coun- 
cil, who  earnestly  remonstrated  against  the  encroach- 
ments of  the  people  of  Maryland,  encouraged  and  pro- 
tected by  their  Governor. 

"  Governor  Ogle  immediately  ordered  reprisal.  Four 
German  settlers  were  seized  and  carried  to  Baltimore, 
and  a  band  of  associators,  under  one  Higgenbotham, 
proceeded  forcibly  to  expel  the  Germans.  Again  the 
council  ordered  out  the  sheriff  of  Lancaster,  and  the 
power  of  his  county,  with  directions  to  dispose  detach- 
ments in  proper  positions  to  protect  the  people;  and  they 
despatched  Messrs.  Lawrence  and  Ashton,  members  of 

5>3« 


270  HISTORY    OF 

tke  board,  to  support  him  in  the  execution  of  their  orders. 
When  the  sheriff  entered  the  field,  the  invaders  retired, 
ibut  returned  as  soon  as  his  force  was  withdrawn.  Cap- 
tures were  made  on  both  sides.  The  German  settlers 
were  harassed  perpetually;  in  many  instances  driven 
from  their  farms,  and  in  others  deterred  from  every 
attempt  to  plant  or  improve. 

"In  May,  1737,  the  council  sent  Samuel  Preston  and 
John  Kinsey,  on  an  embassy  to  Governor  Ogle,  to  treat 
on  some  measures  which  might  preserve  the  quiet  of 
the  border,  until  the  pleasure  of  the  King  should  be 
known,  to  whom  both  parties  had  appealed.  But  Go- 
vernor Ogle  requiring  some  concessions  incompatible 
with  the  rights  of  the  proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  deputies  returned  without  having  made  any  agree- 
ment. In  October,  1737,  a  party  of  Marylanders,  six- 
teen daring  fellows,  under  the  direction  of  a  desperado. 
named  Richard  Lowder,  broke  open  the  jail  at  Lan- 
caster, and  released  the  rioters  who  had  been  appre- 
hended by  the  sheriff,  among  whom  was  a  brother  of 
the  leader.  Fortmiately,  when  indignation  was  prompt- 
ing the  inhabitants  on  both  sides  of  the  line  to  further 
breaches  of  peace,  an  order  of  the  King  in  council,  on 
the  subject  of  the  boundary,  induced  both  parties  to  re- 
frain from  further  violence,  to  drop  all  persecutions, 
and  to  discharge  their  respective  prisoners  on  bail." 

In  1738,  a  respectable  number  of  Swiss  and  Germans 
having  applied,  were  naturalized.  Many  of  the  appli- 
cants had  been  in  the  countr}-  as  early  as  1727,  but  the 
greater  part  of  them  came  in  between  1731  and  1735. — 
The  Act  was  passed  at  a  session  held  from  October,  1738. 
to  May,  1739. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  those  naturalized,  all 
of  Lancaster  county: 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  271 

Michael  Albert,  William  Albert,  Leonard  Bender, 
George  Miller,  John  Bushong,*  Nicholas  Candle,  John 
Hagey,  Charles  Keller,  Stephen  Remsberger,  Ludowick 
Dettenburn,  Jacob  Bare,  Jr.,  John  Leiberger,  Michael 
Becker,  John-  Peter  Cooher,  Christian  Lawer,  John  Li- 
bough,  Bartholomew  Shaver,  Casper  Stump,  Jacob 
Becker,  Tobias  Pickle,  Peter  Rutt,  George  Klein,  Paul 
Tittenhoffer,  Matthias  Tise^  George  Lodowick  Horst, 
Sebastian  Graff,  John  Henry  Basseler,  Matthias  Yung, 
Jacob  Schloug,  Henry  Michael  Immel,  Felix  Miller, 
Martin  Weybrecht,  Frederick  Eighelberger,  Sebastian 
Fink,  Hans  Adam  Schreiner,.  Christian  Lang,  Casper 
Fillar,  Anthony  Bretfer,  Leonhard  EUmaker,  Andreas 
Bersinger,  Hans  Graff,  Jacob  Hartman,  Theophilus 
Hartman,  Theophilus  Hartman,  Jr.,  Benjamin  Witmer, 
Abraham  Witmer,  Johannes  Pinkley,  Turst  Buckwalter, 
Henry  Neaf,  Jr.,  Valentine  Hergelrat,  Henry  Basseler, 
John  Stetler,  Leonhard  Romler,  Leonhard  Heyer,  Peter 
Schell,  John  Nohaker,  Nicholas  Miller,  Johan  Hock, 
Thomas  Knoppenheffer,  Michael  Knoppenheffer,  Chris- 
tian Leman,  George  Unrook,  Jacob  Scheffer,  Valentine 
Keffer,  Jacob  Etshberger,  Herman  Walburn,  Casper 
Reed,  Christian  Manusmith,  Nicholas  Kutts,  George 
Weyrick,  Christopher  Ley,  Jacob  Lower,  Hans  Moor, 

"■John  Bushong,  a  French  Huguenot,  sailed  in  the  same  vessel 
with  the  Rev.  Johannes  Bartholomews  E,ieger.  They  left 
Rotterdam  by  way  of  Cowes,  in  the  Ship  Britannia  of  London, 
Michael  Franklyn,  Master,  and  arrived  at  Philadelphia  in  Sept. 
1731.  Some  of  Bushong's  descendants  reside  in  East  Lam- 
peter, near  Heller's  Church.  Among  others,  who  arrived  in 
the  same  vessel,  are  the  well  known  names  of  Beyer,  Bock, 
Frey,  Hiestand,  Carl,  Keyser,  Kraft,  Kobell,  Lehman,  Lutz, 
Nehs,  Roth,  Ruppert,  Vogler,  Schwartz,  Weis,  Wirtz,  Seig- 
mund,  Weynand,  Schroter,  Bihlmeier,  Mentz,  Horsch,  Boor, 
Bahn— Co?  Rec.  III.  431. 


272  HISTORY    OP 

Johannes  Blum,  George  Steitz,  Erasmus  Buckenmeyer^ 
George  Graff;  '^  being  all  of  the  Protestant  or  Reformed 
religion,  and  subjects  of  the  Emperor  of  Germany,  and 
other  provinces  now  in  amity  with  the  King  of  Great 
Britain ;  every  one  of  them  loas  by  this  act  declared  citi- 
zens, and  all  the  immunities  enjoyed  by  natural  liege  sub- 
jects, were  to  be  enjoyed  by  them." 

Notes  of  variety. — In  1732  locusts  were  very  numerous, 
and  the  noise  made  by  them  was  sufficient  to  drown  ones 
voice  in  conversation — orchards  and  young  trees  generally 
suffered  much  by  ihQm.—rMeylin  s  Family  Bible. 

Smith's  mill  in  Martic,  Buckley's  mill  on  the  Octorora,  and 
Emanuel  Herr's  on  Pequea,  had  been  erected  prior  to  1733. 

The  first  house  erected  in  Strasburg,  1733. 

In  1734,  Lutheran  Church  and  School  House  were  commen- 
ced in  Lancaster,  the  Church  was  dedicated  October  28,  1738. 
The  same  year  (1738)  an  Episcopal  Church  was  built  in  Con- 
estoga  15  miles  from  Lancaster.  The  sam.e  year  the  hottest 
summer  ever  experienced  in  the  county -^harvest  men  died  in 
the  fields — multitude  of  birds  were  found  dead. 

The  Court  of  Nov.  term,  1735,  appointed  Randle  Chambers, 
Jacob  Peat,  James  Silvers,  Thomas  Eastland,  John  Lawrence 
and  Abraham  Endless,  to  view  and  lay  out  a  road  from  Harris' 
Ferry  towards  Potomac,  so  as  best  to  answer  the  necessities  of 
the  inhabitants. 

Aug.  5,  1735,  James  Calder,  Attorney  at  Law,  on  applica- 
tion, was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Lancaster  court. 

June  20,  1736,  the  first  German  Reformed  Church,  in  Lan- 
caster, dedicated — a  log  building,  nearly  opposite  the  present 
church — after  1771,  when  the  new  church  had  been  finished,  it 
was  converted  into  a  private  dwelling  and  occupied  as  such 
till  Jan.  14,  1836,  when  it  v/as  destroyed  by  fire.  Kev.  John 
Jacob  Hook  or  Huck,  V.  D.  M.  was  German  Ref.  pastor  at 
Lancaster,  in  1730. 

Dec.  7, 1737— :at  night  a  smart  earthquake  was  felt  at  Cones- 
toga  and  Philadelphia. 


LANCASTER    COUNTr.  273 

Nov.  2,  1736,  Alexander  Pearcy— May  3,  1737,  James  Kea- 
ting—admitted to  practice  law  at  the  Lancaster  bar.  In  1736-7 
settlements  commenced  at  Adamstown — first  settlers  were 
William  Adams,  Abraham  Kearn,  John  Johns,  Philip  Steffy, 
Mathias  Fansler,  Flickingers  and  others. 

'■'■How  to  settle  with  some  Doctors  in  olden  times.'''' — August  5, 
1736,  at  a  court  of  Gen.  Quarter  Session  :  Doct.  William  Smith, 
a  vagabond  and  beggar,  being  convicted  before  the  court  of 
being  an  impostor,  it  is  the  judgment  of  the  court  that  he  re- 
cieve,  in  the  town  of  Lancaster,  ten  lashes,  and  be  conducted 
from  Constable  to  Constable,  and  be  whipped  with  ten  lashes, 
in  the  most  public  place,  till  he  comes  to  the  bounds  of  the 
county,  at  Octorora,  and  there  be  dismissed."  Be  patient  in 
suffering,  as  the  Doctor  said,  when  he  received  his^ay. 

In  1738,  the  number  of  taxables,  in  Lancaster  county,-was 
2560.  About  the  year  1738,  many  emigrants  from  the  Pala- 
tinate, Germany,  settled  in  Brecknock  township;  among  these 
were  Jacob  Guth,  Christian  Guth,  who  erected  the  first  grist 
mill  in  the  township;  John  Mussleman,  Francis  Diller,  who 
erected  the  first  distillery  in  Brecknock ;  Jacob  Schneder, 
Francis  Eckert,  Herman  Deis,  Christopher  Waldhauer,  Wil- 
liam Morris,  Englishman,  and  some  others. — S.  Boicman's 
Letter. 

Member  of  Assembly  for  Lancaster  county.  1731:  John 
Koyle,  Andrew  Galbraith,  John  Musgrove,  Thomas  Edwrads — 
1732:  George  Stuart,  Thomas  Edwards,  Samuel  Blunston, 
Andrew  Galbraith — 1733 :  Andrew  Galbraith,  Thomas  Edwards, 
John  Wright,  John  Koyle — 1734:  James  Hamilton,  John  Em- 
erson, Andrew  Galbraith,  John  Wright — 1735  and  1736:  James 
Hamilton,  Tbomas  Edwards,  Andrew  Galbraith,  Thomas  Arm- 
strong— 1737:  James  Hamilton,  John  AYright,  Andrew  Gal- 
braith, Samuel  Smith. 


274  •  HISTORY    OP 


CHAPTER   III. 


Governor  Thomas  appointed — The  county  divided  into  eiglit  Districts — 
Several  new  townships  formed — John  Wright's  charge  to  the  grand  jury — 
Brief  memoir  of  Wright — Serjeant  attempts  to  instruct  the  Indians — 
Ornish  apply  to  the  Assembly  for  an  act  of  naturalization — Count  Zin- 
zendorf  in  Lancaster — Visits  Wyoming — Indians  conclude  to  massacre 
him — Singular  incident  dissuade  them — Attempts  made  to  prejudice  the 
Assembly  against  the  Germans — Martin  Meylin's  house  built — Church 
council  convoked — Irish  behavior  or  conduct  at  an  election — Disputes 
between  Irish  and  Germans — Murhancellin  murders  Armstrong  and  his 
two  servants — Murhancellin  arrested  and  imprisoned — Indian  treaty  held 
in  Lancaster — Indians  bark  Musser's  Walnut  trees — Lutheran  excite- 
ment in  Lancaster — Lindiey  Murray  bora — Notes  of  variety. 

On  the  death  of  Governor  Gordon,  James  Logan, 
senior  member  of  the  council,  discharged  the  duties  of 
president,  from  August,  1736,  to  August,  1738,v/hen  he 
was  superseded  by  George  Thomas,  Esq.,  a  planter  of 
Antigua,  as  Govjrnor  of  the  province  and  territories. — 
He  was  p.ppoivited  in  1737,  "but  his  assumption  of  office 
was  delayed  by  the  remonstrance  of  Lord  Bahimore, 
•agamst  the  right  of  the  proprietaries  to  the  Lower  coun- 
ties. He  met  the  Assembly  of  the  province,  on  the  6th 
of  August,  1738."  He  was  Deputy  Governor  till  1747. 
During  his  administration,  events  of  a  local  and  general 
character  transpired,  of  some  interest  to  the  reader;  the 
leading  ones  shall  be  noticed. 

Pursuant  to  an  act  of  Assembly,  passed  in  1739,  for 
the  dividing  the  comity  into  districts,  the  justices  of  the 
courts  of  Quarter  Sessions,  made  and  agreed  to  the  fol- 
lowing divisions:  The  first  district  was  constituted  of 
Hempfield,  Lancaster  and  Hellam  townships.  Hellam 
is  now  part  of  York  county.  The  second  district  em- 
traced  Donegal,  Paxton,  Derry  and  Hanover.     The  last 


LANCASTER    COU^TTT.  275 

ihtee  aire  within  the  bounds  of  Dauphin  county.  The 
third  district  was  composed  of  Sadsbury,  Salisbury?-,  Lea- 
cock  and  Strasburg.  Tlie  fourth  district  of  Warwick, 
JNIanheim,  Lampeter  and  Lebanon.  The  last  named  is 
in  Lebanon  county.  The  fifth  district  included  Cones- 
toga,  Martic,  Drumore  and  Little  Britain.  The  sixth  of 
Tolpehocken,  Hidelberg,  Berne*  and  Bethel;!  all  in 
Berks  county.  The  seventh  of  Robinson,  Cocalico,  Car- 
naervon  and  Earl ;  the  first  is  in  Berks.  The  eighth  was 
constituted  of  Pennsboro  and  Hopewell ;  both  in  Cum- 
berland; but  since  divided  into  fifteen  or  sixteen  town- 
ships, in  that  county. 

The  year  1741,  is  remarkable  in  the  history  of  the 
county,  and  in  the  life  of  the  incorruptible  John  Wright, 
Esq.,  for  his  immoveable  resistance  to  the  encroachments 
made  upon  ancient  usages.  "During  the  administration 
of  Governor  Thomas,  the  enlisting  of  indented  or 
bought  servantSjJ  for  soldieYs,  was  first  permitted  to  be 

*Berne  had  been  part  of  Tulpehocken,  till  May,  1738,  when 
it  was  divided  or  separated  from  the  latter,  by  order  of  the 
court. 

f  Bethel  was  part  of  Lebanon  township,  till  May,  1739.  The 
court  ordered  that  it  be  divided  and  bounded  as  follows,  viz  : 

"  That  the  division  line  begin  at  Svvatara  creek,  at  a  stony 
ridge,  about  half  a  mile  below  John  Tittles,  and  continuing 
along  the  said  ridge  easterly  to  Tolpehockon  township  to  the 
northward  of  Tobias  Pickel's,  so  as  in  its  course  to  leave  John 
Benaugle,  Adam  Steel,  Thomas  Ewersly  and  Matthias  Tise,  to 
the  southward  of  the  said  line  ;  that  the  northermost  division 
be  named  and  called  Bethel — the  southern  division  continue  the 
name  Lebanon." 

fThe  number  of  bought  and  indented  servants,  who  were 
thus  taken  from  their  masters,  as  appears  by  the  printed  votes 
of  tire  Assembly,  were  about  276;  whose  masters  were  com- 
pensated by  the  Assembly  for  their  loss  sustained  thereby,  to 
the  amount  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  and  eighty-eight 
pounds. — Proud. 


276  HISTORY    OP 

carried  into  execution,  in  the  provinccj  before  the  act  of 
parhament,  in  that  case,  was  made ;  which  being  disa- 
greeable and  injurious  to  many  of  the  inhabitants,  and 
contrary  to  ancient  tisage/'  John  Wright,  the  mild  but 
firm  Quaker,  of  Wright's  Ferry,  of  this  county,  and 
who  had  for  many  years  been  a  member  of  the  Assem- 
bly, spoke  out  freely  and  firmly  against  this  measure ;  as 
a  consequence,  he  fell  a  victim  to  Governor  Thomas'  in- 
tolerance. Having  understood  that  the  Governor  in- 
tended to  remove  him  from  office ;  he  had  at  that  time 
been  justice  of  the  peace,  and  president  of  the  Common 
Pleas,  he  attended  the  May  session  of  the  court,  1741, 
and  before  the  new  commissioners  had  been  published, 
delivered  a  charge  to  the  grand  jury,  which  was  pub- 
lished by  their  order;  and  which  deserves  to  be  en- 
graven upon  the  hearts  of  all  who  hate  executive 
domination. 

"  As  a  new  commission  of  the  peace,  for  this  county, 
is,  I  suppose,  now  to  be  published,  in  which  my  name, 
and  some  of  my  brethren,  are,  I  presume,  left  out;  I 
desire  your  patience  and  attention  a  few  moments,  while 
I  give  the  last  charge  to  the  grand  jury,  which  I  shall 
ever  do,  from  this  place,  and  take  leave  of  my  brethren, 
the  justices,  and  my  friends,  the  good  people  of  the 
county,  as  a  magistrate. 

"I  have,  for  upwards  of  twenty  years,  borne  a  com- 
mission of  the  peace,  in  Chester  and  Lancaster  counties, 
under  the  respective  Governors  of  this  province,  and  have 
'  lived  in  familiar  friendship  and  good  understanding  with 
all  of  them,  until  of  late. 

"  About  twelve  years  ago,  under  the  mild  and  peace- 
able administration  of  Governor  Gordon,  I  was  one  of 
those  who  were  instrumental  in  procuring  this  part  of 
the  province  to  be  erected  into  a  separate  county,  and 


LA'NCASTER    COUNTY.  277 

liave  contributed,  according  to  my  small  ability,  to  have 
rule  and  order  established  and  preserved  among  us.  I 
have  always  attended  the  courts  of  judicature;  except 
when  want  of  health,  or  the  service  of  my  country,  in 
some  other  station,  require  my  absence  ;  and  it  has  been 
my  lot  repeatedly  to  give  the  charge  to  the  gentlemen  of 
the  grand  juries  from  this  place. 

"I  am  now  an  old  man;  too  old,  if  both  opportunity 
and  inclination  should  invite  (which  I  am  assured  never 
will)  ever  to  take  the  burden  upon  me  again;  and,  there- 
fore, am  willing  to  make  you  a  few  observations  on  power 
and  Government,  and  the  present  posture  of  affairs  here. 
"  I  shall  pass  over  the  original  of  the  English  constitu- 
tion; the  several  steps  and  gradations,  by  which  it  has 
rose  to  the  purity  and  perfection,  it  is  at  this  day ;  the 
many  attempts,  which  have  been  made  to  invade  it,  and 
the  blood  and  treason,  which  have  been  spent,  in  defence 
of  that  constitution,  and  those  liberties,  which  render  the 
English  nation  so  famous  throughout  the  world. 

"'And,  first,  I  observe  to  you.  Gentlemen  of  the  Grand 
Jury,  that  the  privilege  of  trials,  by  juries  is  counted 
older  than  the  English  Government,  and  was  not  un- 
known to  the  ancient  Britons:  juries  are  looked  upon 
as  essential  felicity  to  English  subjects;  and  are  put  in 
the  first  rank  among  English  liberties;  the  reason  given 
is  this;  because  no  man's  life  shall  be  touched,  for  any 
crime  (out  of  parliament)  unless  he  be  thought  guilty  by 
two  several  juries ;  and  these  juries,  being  substantial 
men,  taken,  from  time  to  time,  out  of  the  neighborhood 
■of  the  person  accused,  cannot  be  supposed  to  be  biased; 
whereas,  it  is  observable,  that  judges  are  made  by  pre- 
orogatives  and  many  have  been  preferred  by  corrupt  min- 
isters of  state;    and   may  be  so  again;   and  such  ad- 

24 


y-e- 


"^ytt|. 


278  HISTORY    OP 

vanced  as  will  serve  a  present  turn,  rather  than  those  of 
more  integrity  and  skill,  in  the  laws. 

^^  Juries  are  of  two  kinds,  and  are  commonly  distin- 
guished by  Grand  and  Petit  Juries;  the  former,  which 
you  are,  have  larger  power  than  the  other,  as  very 
plainly  appears  by  the  qualification,  which  you  have 
taken.  Your  power  extends  to  all  offences  within  the 
county;  and  your  office  is  principally  concerned  in  two 
things,  presentments  and  indictments ;  the  difference  of 
which  is  this,  the  first  is,  where  you,  of  your  own 
knowledge,  or  inquiry,  take  notice  of  some  offence, 
crime,  or  nuisance,  to  the  injury  of  the  public,  which  you 
think  ought  to  be  punished,  or  removed,  and  give  notice 
to  the  court,  in  writing,  briefly,  of  the  nature  of  the 
thing,  and  the  person's  name  and  place:  this  is 
called  a  presentment,  and  differs  from  an  indict- 
ment in  these  two  respects  :  first,  in  that  it  is  not  drawn 
up  in  form;  Avhereas  indictments  are  generally  drawn 
up  and  presented  to  you,  by  the  Attorney  General  and 
the  witnesses  qualified  to  attend  you;  and  when  you 
have  examined  them  you  either  indorse,  that  it  is  a  true 
hill;  or,  that  it  does  not  appear  to  you,  sufficient  grounds 
for  the  accusation,  that  the  person's  life,  estate,  or  repu- 
tation, should  be  brought  in  question;  all  which  is  under- 
stood, by  indorsing  the  word  ignoramus.  From  hence, 
it  appears,  that  you  are  appointed,  as  well  to  be  guar- 
dians of  the  lives,  liberties,  estates,  and  even  reputations 
of  the  innocent,  as  to  be  a  means  of  bringing  offenders 
to  justice.  And,  as  you  are  endued  with  a  sufficient 
portion  of  understanding  to  know  what  offences  are 
represent  able  by  you,  I  shall  not  enumerate  them; 
having  already  said,  they  are  generally  under  your 
notice ;  but  shall  rather  recommend  to  you,  and  your 
successors,  a  steady  care,  both  for  the  security  of  the 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  279 

innocent,  (for  by  you  malicious  prosecutions  may  be 
cropped  in  bud)  and  bringing  offenders  to  the  justice  of 
the  law  ;  that  by  their  public  shame  and  suffering,  they 
and  others  may  be  deterred  from  the  like  offences,  for  the 
future. 

"The  office  of  a  civil  magistrate,  or  justice  of  the  peace, 
is  an  office  of  high  trust,  and  ought  to  be  executed  with 
great  care,  circumspection,  and  good  conscience.  Magis- 
trates may  be  looked  upon  as  ministers  under  God, 
invested  with  some  branches  of  power,  for  the  public 
benefit,  viz:  To  be  a  terror  and  scourge  to  evil  doers, 
and  to  praise  them  who  do  to  ell ;  and  while  they  lead 
lives  exemplary  of  this,  and  in  their  public  actions,  have 
this  principally  in  view,  distributing  justice  impartially, 
with  clean  hands  and  pure  hearts,  their  post  is  truly  hon- 
orable, and  they  are  highly  worthy  of  regard.  But  if 
they  unhappily  deviate  from  this  rule,  if  they  are  found  in 
the  practice  of  those  crimes,  which  they  ought  to  punish 
and  suppress,  if  they  pervert  justice  for  bribes,  and  op- 
press the  poor  and  innocent,  they  therefore  render  them- 
selves highly  imworthy  of  an  office  of  so  great  a  trust. 

"  I  was  always  a  friend  to  power,  well  knowing  that 
good  and  wholesome  laws,  duly  executed,  are  so  far  from 
being  a  restraint  upon  true  liberty,  that  they  are  only  as 
regulating  springs  to  the  passions,  and  productive  of  it; 
and  our  worthy  founder,  and  first  proprietor  tells  us, 
"  That  he  composed  his  frame  of  Government  with  a 
view  to  support  power  in  reverence  with  the  people,  and 
to  secure  the  pyeople  frotn  the  abuse  of  power  :^'  and  these 
two  are  generally  observed  to  attend  each  other,  as  causes 
and  effects.  And  a  noted  professor  of  the  law,  in  this 
province,  some  years  ago,  when  he  espoused  the  cause  of 
liberty,  and  loaded  with  age  and  infirmities,  took  a  long 
journey  in  defence  of  it,  has  these  words  on  power:    "It 


280  HISTORY    OP 

may  justly  be  compared  to  a  great  river,  which,  while 
kept  within  due  bounds,  is  both  beautiful  and  useful;  but 
when  it  overflows  its  banks,  it  is  then  too  impetuous  to 
be  stemmed!  it  bears  down  all  before  it,  and  brings 
destruction  and  desolation  where  it  comes." 

"If,  then,  these  are  the  ill  effects  of  lawless  power,  every 
wise  man  ought  to  be  on  his  guard,  to  prevent  them,  by 
keeping  up  the  banks  of  liberty,  and  common  right,  the 
only  bulwark  against  it. 

"  It  was  in  defence  and  support  of  this  great  bulwark, 
against  the  attempts  of  power,  under  a  pretence  of  serving 
his  majesty,  but  done  in  such  a  manner  as  I  apprehend, 
cannot  be  supposed  was  ever  intended,  or  expected,  by 
our  most  gracious  sovereign ;  whose  distinguishing  char- 
acter is,  to  protect  and  not  to  oppress;  and  whatever 
burden  the  necessity  of  the  times  requires  to  be  laid  on 
the  subjects  under  his  immediate  and  just  administra- 
tion, is  laid  equally  and  impartially;  I  say,  it  was  to  the 
opposition  given  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  to  the 
manner  in  which  these  attempts  were  made,  and  the  just 
concern  and  dislike  shewed  thereto,  that  we  may  impute 
the  late  changes  made  in  the  commissions  of  the  peace 
throughout  the  province,  whatever  other  pretences  they 
may  be  glossed  with. 

"  For  this  cause,  my  friends  and  countrymen,  for  the 
cause  of  English  liberty,  for  standing  in  the  civil  defence 
of  right  and  property,  are  we  dismissed;  and  I  rejoice, 
and  am  heartily  glad,  that  I  have  been  one  of  those, 
who  are  thought  worthy  of  displeasure. 

"And  now,  to  conclude,  I  take  my  leave,  in  the  words 
of  a  Judge  of  Israel.  "  Here  I  am,  witness  against  me : 
whom  have  I  defrauded;  whom  have  I  oppressed;  or,  of 
whose  hands  have  I  received  any  bribe,  to  blind  my 
eyes  therewith?  And  I  will  restore  it." 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  281 

"May  the  Prince  of  Peace,  who  is  the  King  of  Kings, 
protect  the  people  of  this  province  from  domestic  foes 
and  foreign  enemies,  is  my  hearty  desire;  and  so  I  bid 
you  all  farewell." 

"Respecting  this  same  John  Wright,  it  may  be 
further  observed,  in  this  place,  that  he  died  about  the 
year  1751,  in  Lancaster  county,  where  he  had  lived,  in 
the  eighty-fourth  of  his  age. 

It  is  recorded  of  him,  "That  he  was  born  in  the  year 
1667,  in  Lancashire,  in  England,  of  religious  and  repu- 
table parents ;  who  were  among  the  early  professors  of 
the  doctrine  held  by  people  called  Quakers,  and  lived 
and  died  highly  esteemed  members  of  that  community. 
He  was  educated  with  a  view  to  the  practice  of  physic ;. 
but  he  declined  pursuing  it,  and  entered  into  trade,  till 
the  year  1714;  when  he  removed  with  his  family  into 
Pennsylvania,  well  recommended  by  certificates,  from 
his  friends,  the  Quakers,  in  that  part  of  England,  both 
as  to'his  moi'al  character,  and  as  a  preacher,  in  the  society; 
width  whom  they  .had,  for  many  years,  lived  in  strict 
amity. 

"Soon  on  his  settlement  in  the  province,  his  principles 
and  conduct  recommended  him  to  the  notice  of  the 
public :  he  was  a  representative  to  the  General  Assembly, 
for  Chester  county,  and  many  years  one  for  Lancaster 
county.  In  his  station  as  a  Judge,  for  the  last  county, 
he  was  noted  for  prompt,  honest  principles,  and  candor, 
and  an  inflexible  integrity ;  one  instajice  of  which  ap- 
pears in  the  cause  and  manner  of  his  dismission  from  that 
office,  in  1741,  as  above  mentioned. 

"He  continued  to  attend  the  Assemblies,  till  broken 
health,  and  an  advanced  age,  rendered  such  attendance 
difficult,  and  sometimes  impracticable ;  although  the 
people  among  whom  he  lived,  from  a  long  experience  of 

24* 


282  HISTORY   OP 

his  services,  and  regard  to  him,  would  not  be  prevailed 
on  by  himself,  or  his  family,  to  name  another  in  his  stead, 
for  that  station ;  but  continued  to  retui'n  his  name  till  he 
died. 

"  Through  every  station  in  life,  his  good  will  to  man- 
kind, his  love  of  peace  and  good  order,  and  his  en- 
deavors to  giva  them  a  permanent  footing  in  his  neigh- 
hood,  and  in  the  county  in  general,  were  known  to  be 
his  delight  and  study :  his  sense  of  religion,  and  the 
testimony  he  bore  to  it,  were  free  from  intemperate  zeal, 
yet  earnest,  and  attended  with  life  and  spirit,  influenced 
by  the  love  of  God,  and  benevolence  to  his  whole  crea- 
tion ;  such  he  continued,  with  his  understanding  clear, 
his  mind  calm,  cheerful  and  resigned,  to  the  advanced 
period  of  old  age,  when  he  expired  without  a  groan."* 

This  year,  1741,  a  Mr.  Serjeant,  a  gentlemen  of  New 
England,  took  a  journey  to  the  Shawanese,  and  some 
other  tribes  on  the  Susquehanna,  and  he  may,  it  is  proba- 
ble, have  visited  the  Indians  in  this  county,  and  offered 
to  instruct  them  in  the  christian  religion ;  but  they  would 
have  none  of  his  instruction  5  they  rejected  his  offer 
with  disdain.  The  poor  fellows  had  experienced,  to 
their  sorrow,  too  many  wrongs  at  the  hands  of  those 
who  should  have  treated  them  kindly.  "They  re- 
proached Christianity,  judging  it,  as  they  did  by  the  lives 
of  those  who  jjrofessed  to  be  christians.  They  told  him 
the  traders  would  lie,  cheat,  and  debauch  their  daughters 
and  sisters,  and  even  their  wives,  if  their  husbands  were 
not  at  home.  They  said  further,  that  the  Senecas  had 
given  them  their  country,  but  charged  them,  never  to 
receive  Christianity  from  the  EnglishJ'\ 

1742. — A  respectable  number  of  the  Omish,  of  Lan- 
caster county,  petitioned  the  General  Assembly  that  a. 

*rroud.         tFi'oud,  II.  312. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  283 

Special  law  of  naturalization  for  their  benefit,  might  be 
passed.  They  stated, "  They  had  emigrated  from  Europe 
by  an  invitation  from  the  proprietaries  j  that  they  had 
been  brought  up  and  were  attached  to  the  Ornish  doctrine, 
and  were  conscienciously  scrupulous  against  taking 
oaths — they  therefore  cannot  be  naturalized  agreeably  to 
the  existing  law."  A  law  was  passed  in  conformity  to 
their  request.* 

The  year  1742,  is  also  remarkable  in  the  annals  of 
this  county,  for  the  visits  of  Louis  Nicholas  Zinzendorf, 
usually  called  Count  Zinzendorf.  This  remarkable  man 
arrived  in  America  in  1741,  and  in  1742,  visited  Lan- 
caster county  and  city.  On  his  arrival,  permission  was 
granted  him  to  preach  in  the  court  house.  He  made 
converts  wherever  he  went;  among  his  first  fruits  was 
the  conversion  of  George  Kline  to  his  views,  who  after- 
wards, as  may  be  seen  from  the  sequel,  aided  in  the  pro- 
motion of  a   Moravian  church  in  this  county.t     His 

*Haz.  Reg. 

Note. — Touching  oaths,  they  maintain  the  following  as 
set  forth  in  their  own  words:  Was  das  Eid  Schwoeren  angehet, 
davon  glauben  und  bekennen  wir:  Das  der  Herr  Christus  dds- 
selbe  gleichfals  den  seinen  abgerathen  und  verboten  habe : 
naemlich,  das  sie  keinesweges  solten  schwoeren,  sondern  das 
ja,  ja,  und  nein,  nein  sollte  seyn. — Glaubens  Bekenntniss, 
Art.  15. 

The  Ornish  and  Mennonites  hold  the  same  doctrines.  They 
maintain  that  Christ  in  Matt.  v.  34-37,  totally  and  explicitly 
prohibited  his  followers  the  use  of  oaths,  and  has  given  them 
permission  to  ratify  their  cause  with  nothing  more  than  a  yea^ 
)'ea  or  a  nay,  nay.  His  disciples,  they  maintain  ought  to  be 
children  of  truth. — Illustrating  Mirror,  by  John  Herr,  p.  127-133 
Lane.  Ed.  1834. 

f See  chapter  V. 


2S4  HISTORY    OF 

engrossing  aim  was  to  christianize  the  Indians.  With 
this  view  he  visited  a  distant  part  of  Lancaster  county — . 
the  Wyoming  country — inhabited  by  tlie  Shawanese 
Indians.  Zinzendorf,  and  his  little  company,  pitched 
their  tents  on  the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna,  a  little 
below  the  town.  This  caused  no  small  degree  of  alarm 
among  the  Indians ;  "  a  council  of  the  chiefs  was  assem- 
bled, the  declared  purpose  of  Zinzendorf  was  deliber- 
ately considered.  To  these  unlettered  children  of -the 
wilderness  it  appeared  altogether  improbable  that  a 
stranger  should  brave  the  dangers  of  a  boisterous  ocean, 
three  thousand  miles  broad,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  in- 
structing them  in  the  means  of  obtaining  happiness  after 
death,  and  that  too  without  requiring  any  compensation 
for  his  trouble  and  expense;  and  as  they  had  observed 
the  anxiety  of  the  white  people  to  purchase  lands  of  the 
Indians,  they  naturally  concluded  that  the  real  object  of 
Zinzendorf  was  either  to  procure  them  the  lands  at 
Wyoming  for  his  own  use,  to  search  for  hidden  treasures, 
or  to  examine  the  country  with  a  view  to  future  con- 
quest. It  was  accordingly  resolved  to  assassinate  him,  and 
to  do  it  privately,  lest  the  knowledge  of  the  transaction 

Note. — ZmzENoor.F,  the  patron  of  the  sect  of  the  Moravians, 
was  born  at  Dresden,  May,  1700.  He  studied  at  Hale  and 
Utrecht.  About  the  year  1722,  he  began  to  preach  and  write  to 
mstruct  his  fellow  men.  He  travelled  extensively  in  Europe. 
In  1737  he  visited  London ;  1741  he  came  to  America,  and 
preached  in  various  parts  in  Pennsylvania.  He  with  his  daugh-. 
ter,  Benigna,  and  several  brethren  and  sisters,  visited  various 
tribesof  Indians.  At  Sheconneco  he  established  the  first  Indian 
Moravian  Congregation  in  America..  In  1743  he  returned  to 
Europe.  He  died  at  Herrnhut  in  1760,  and  his  cotfin  was  car- 
ried to  the  grave  by  thirty-two  preachers  and  missionaries, 
whom  he  had  reared  and  some  of  whom  had  toiled  in  Holland, 
England.  Ireland,  North  America,  and  Greenland.  What  mon- 
arch teas  ever  Jionored  by  a  funeral  like  this  ? — Allen. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


285 


should  produce  war  with  the  EngUsh  who  were  settling 
the  country  below  the  mountains. 

"Zinzendorf  was  alone  in  his  tent,  seated  upon  a  bun- 
dle of  dry  weeds,  which  composed  his  bed,  and  engaged 
in  writing,  when  the  assassins  approached  to  execute  theii: 
bloody  mission.     It  was  night,  and  the  cool  air  of  Sep- 
tember had  rendered  a  small  fire  necessary  to  his  comfort 
and  convenience,     A  curtain  formed  of  a  blanket  and   , 
hung  upon  pins  was  the  only  guard  to  the  entrance  9f 
his  tent.     The  heat  of  his  small  fire  had  roused  a  large 
rattlesnake  which  lay  in  the  weeds  not  far  from  it ;  and 
the  reptile,  to  enjoy  it  more  effectually,  crawled  slowly 
into  the  tent  and  passed   over  one   of   his  legs  undis- 
covered.    Without,  all  was  still  and  quiet,  except  the 
gentle  murmur  of  the  river  at  the  rapids,  a  mile  below. 
At  this  moment,  the  Indians  softly  approached  the  door 
of  his  tent,  and  slightly  removed  the  curtain,  contem- 
plated the  venerable  man  too  deeply  engaged  in  the 
subject  of  his  thoughts  to  notice  either  their  approach, 
or  the  snake  which  lay  extended  before  him.     At  a  sight 
like  this,  even  the  heart  of  the  savage  shrunk  from  the 
idea  of  committing  so  horrid  an  act,  and  quitting  the 
spot,  they  hastily  returned  to  the  town  and  informed 
their  companions  that  the   Great  Spirit  protected  the 
white  man,  for  they  had  found  him  with  no  door  but  a 
blanket,  and  had  seen  a  large  rattlesnake  crawl  over  his 
legs  without  attempting  to   injure  him.     This  circum- 
stance,   together  with  the  arrival  soon  afterwards   of 
Conrad  Weiser,  procured  Zinzendorf  the  friendship  and 
confidence   of  the  Indians."*     After  spending  twenty 
days  at  Wyoming,  he  returned  to  Bethlehem. 

The  Indians  had  been  so  repeatedly  duped  that  their 
suspicions  were  nearly  as  often  excited  as  those  of  the 

♦Chapman's  His.  of  Wyoming, 


2SG  HISTORY    OF 

whites  against  tlieir  own  brethren ;  however,  with  this 
difference,  that  in  both  cases  under  consideration  there 
was  no  cause  at  all  for  these  suspicions.  The  inoffensive 
Count,  as  well  as  the  inoffensive  Mennonite  and  Ger- 
mans, had  the  singular  fortune  to  be  noticed  "with  green 
eyes.''^ 

When  excitements  run  high,  arising  from  prejudice, 
the  innocent  themselves  feel  as  though  it  were  a  duty 
they  owe  their  fellow  men,  to  avoid  every  appearance 
that  might  engender  unfounded  suspicions.  This  the 
Mennonites  of  Lancaster  county  did  on  more  than  one 
occasion.  "In  1741,  a  second  attempt  was  made-  to 
prejudice  the  Assembly  against  the  Germans,  but  in  the 
message  of  the  Assembly  to  Governor  Thomas,  the 
House  expressed  their  viev/s  as  follows:  Who  they  are 
that  look  with  jealous  eyes  at  the  Germans,  the  Go- 
vernor has  not  been  pleased  to  inform  us,  nor  do  we 
laiow.  Nothing  of  the  kind  can  be  justly  attributed  to 
us,  or  any  preceding  Assembly,  to  our  knowledge. — 
The  Legislature  of  this  province  has  generally,  on  appli- 
cation made  to  them,  admitted  the  Germans  to  partake 
of  the  privileges  enjoyed  by  the  King's  natural  subjects; 
and  as  we  look  upon  them  to  be  a  laborious,  industrious 
people,  Vv^e  shall  cheerfully  perform  what  can  be  expected 
from  us  for  their  benefit,  and  for  those  who  may  here- 
after arrive." 

To  allay  unfounded  prejudices,  the  Mennonites  gave 
a  decided  proof  thereof  in  1742,  in  convoking  a  church 
council,  consisting  of  elders,  preachers  and  the  bishop,, 
and  meeting  at  the  house  of  Martin  Meylin,  in  Lam- 
peter township. 

Martin  Meylin,  grandfather  of  Martin  Meylin,  Jacob 
Meylin,  John  Meylin,  and  Abraham  Meylin,  all  at 
pjesent  residing  in  West  Lampeter  township,  built  what 


•.    ../•    -^  ifi: 


\ 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  287 

was  then  called  a.  palace,  of  sandstone.  It  was,  in  1742, 
one  of  the  most  stately  mansions  in  the  country ;  and  as 
the  Mennonites  were  a  plain  people,  and  Martin  Meylin, 
an  active  member,  the  house  was  not  only  considered  too 
palace-like,  but  the  appearance  of  it  might,  as  they  rea- 
soned, strengthen  their  enemies  in  prejudicing  the  gov- 
ernment against  them — they  had  been  virtually  charged 
with  disloyalty — "determined  not  to  obey  the  lawful 
authority  of  government — that  they  were  disposed  to 
organize  a  government  of  their  own." 

The  bishop,  Hans  Tschantz,  with  his  elders  and 
assistance,  having  repaired  to  the  humble  log  cottage 
hard  by  the  "stately  mansion,"  and  organized  the 
meeting,  himself  presiding  over  the  deliberations  of  the 
assembled.  Martin  was  first  questioned,  upon  conscience, 
to  openly  declare  what  his  intentions  were  in  erecting  so 
large,  so  gorgeous  a  dwelling — reminding  him  of  the 
rumor  some  twelve  or  thirteen  years  ago ;  and  lately,  of 
the  prejudices  excited  against  the  Germans.  He  stated, 
he  consulted  only  his  comfort,  and  that  he  had  no 
sinister  views.  Next  he  was  reminded  that,  in  their 
view,  the  house  was  rather  too  showy  for  a  Mennonite. 
The  question  was,  whether  he  deserved  severe  censure, 
if  not  suspension  from  church  privileges,  for  this  over- 
sight. After  some  concessions,  and  mutual  forbearance, 
by  the  parties,  it  was  resolved  that  Martin  be  kindly 
reprimanded ;  to  which  he  submitted — thus  the  matter 
ended,  and  all  parted  as  brethren. 

The  Germans  were  at  one  time  viewed  in  "  double 
visionf  both  as  objects  of  suspicion,  and  subjects  of 
easy  imposition.  Even  at  this  day,  many  of  us  scarcely 
understand  the  "spicy  and  sweet  words"  "  of  the  dear 
people" — "  the  bone  and  sinew  of  the  country,"  &c. 
uttered  by  politicians  in  their  scrambles  for  seats  of 


2S8  HISTORY    01* 

honor,  a:iid  the  fat  things  of  office.  The  "  scenes  gone 
over,""  and  now  playing,  remmd  us  of  the  recorded 
past. 

Scrambling  for  office  among  the  Enghsh  and  Irish  in 
this  comity  is  nothing  new  ;  as  early  as  1732  there  was 
a  violent  contest  between  Galbraith  and  Wright.  In 
1743  the  Irish  strove  for  "ascendancy  at  the  polls."  An 
election  was  held  this  year  to  supply  the  vacancy  occa- 
sioned by  the  death  of  Thomas  Linsey.  The  Irish  com- 
pelled the  sheriff  to  receive  such  tickets  as  they  approved, 
and  make  a  return  accordingly.  The  following  resolu- 
tion was  passed  in  Assembly  :  Resolved,  Tliat  the  sheriff 
having  assumed  upon  himself  the  power  of  being  sole 
judge  at  the  late  election,  exclusive  of  the  inspectors 
chosen  by  the  framers  of  said  county  of  Lancaster,  is 
illegal,  unwarrantable  and  an  infringement  of  the 
the  liberties  of  the  people  of  the  province ;  that  it  gave 
just  cause  for  discontent  to  the  inhabitants  of  said 
county ;  that  if  any  disturbances  followed  thereupon,  it 
is  justly  imputed  to  his  own  misconduct.  Besolved 
further.  That  the  sheriff  of  Lancaster  county  be 
admonished  by  the  speaker.  The  sheriff  attended,  and 
being  admonished,  promised  he  would  take  care  and  keep 
the  law  in  future.  He  also  altered  the  return,  as 
Samuel  Blunston  was  entitled  to  take  his  seat.* 

The  Germans  began,  about  this  time,t  to  look  to  their 
rights  as  well  as  their  interests ;  they  had  determined 
upon  maintaining  these  with  firmness.  Disturbances  be- 
tween the  Irish  and  Germans,  were  common.  The  pro- 
proprietors,  to  prevent  these,  "on  the  organization  of 
York  and  Cumberland,  gave  orders  to  their  agents  to  sell 

»Votes  of  Assembly. 

fGordon's  Pa.  p.  241,  242. 


LANCASTER   COTJNTT.  289 

EO  lands  in  York  and  Lancaster  counties  to  the  Irish ; 
and  also  to  make  advantageous  overtures  to  the  Irish 
settlers  on  Paxton  and  Swatara,  and  Donegal  townships, 
to  induce  them  to  remove  to  Cumberland  county,  which 
offer  being  liberal,  was  accepted  by  many."* 

While  warm  feelings  were  engendered  among  the 
Germans  and  Irish  against  each  other,  the  savage  Indian 
was,  in  a  distant  part  of  the  county,  imbruing  his  hands 
in  the  blood  of  the  whites.  Murhancellin,  an  Indian 
chief,  of  the  Delaware  tribe,  murdered  John  Armstrong 
and  his  two  servants  on  Juniata.  He  was  soon  appre- 
hended by  Captain  Jack's  party,  conveyed  to  Lancaster 
jail,  where  after  several  months,  imprisonment  he  was 
removed  to  Philadelphia  jail,  "lest  he  should  escape,  or 
his  trial  and  execution  should  produce  an  unfavorable 
impression  on  his  countrymen  about  to  assemble,  for  a 
conference  with  the  whites,  at  Lancaster."  The  gov- 
ernor also  required  that  the  property  of  the  deceased 
should  be  returned  to  his  family;  and  he  invited  a  dep- 
utation to  attend  the  trial  of  the  Indian,  and  his  execu- 
tion, should  he  be  found  guilty.t 

The  proposed  conference,  held  in  Lancaster  1745,  was 
attended  by  Gov.  Thomas  himself,  in  person,  and  by 
agents  from  Virginia  and  Maryland,  and  from  the 
Iroquois  tribes.  This  treaty  or  conference  was  con- 
ducted with  much  parade  and  formality,  after  the  Indian 
manner.  "All  matters  of  dispute  between  the  parties 
were  satisfactorily  settled.  The  Indians  engaged  to 
prevent  the  French,  and  the  Indians  in  their  alliance, 
from  marching   through  their    country,  to  attack  the 

*The  Works,  Moores,  Galbraiths,  Bells,  Whitehills,  Silvers, 
Samples,  Sterrits,  Woods,  early  settlers  in  the  east  end  oi 
Cumberland  county,  were  from  Donegal  township. 

fGordon's  Pa.  246,  247. 

22 


290  HISTORY    OP 

English  settlements;  and  that  they  would  give  the 
earliest  information  they  received  of  the  enemy's  designs ; 
and,  in  consideration  of  four  hundred  pounds,  they 
recognized  the  title  of  the  king  to  the  colony  of  Virginia, 
as  it  was  then,  or  should  be,  afterwards  bounded.  The 
favor  of  the  Indians  was  not  obtained  gratuitously. 
Pennsylvania  presented  them  with  three  hundred  pounds 
currency ;  Maryland  one  hundred  pounds  ;  and  Virginia 
two  hundred  pounds,  with  the  addition  of  a  promise  to 
recommend  the  Six  Nations  to  the  consideration  of  his 
majesty. 

But  this  conference  did  not  remove  causes  of  future 
disquiet.  These  lay  in  the  encroachments  of  the  settlers, 
and  in  the  conduct  of  the  traders ;  who,  in  defiance  of 
the  law,  carried  spirituous  liquors  to  the  Indian  wigwams ; 
and,  taking  advantage  of  the  inordinate  passion  of  the 
savage  for  this  poison,  cheated  them  of  their  skins,  and 
their  wampum,  and  debauched  their  wives.  "  Is  it  not 
to  be  wondered  at  then,  said  Governor  Thomas,  if  when 
the  Indians  recover  from  their  drunken-fit, they  should  take 
severe  revenge.  Or  would  it  have  been  a  matter  of 
surprise,  had  they  charged  on  whites,  in  the  aggregate, 
the  vices  of  individuals,  and  sought  vengeance  on  the 
natives  whose  citizens  daily  assumed  their  soil,  and 
destroyed  the  best  of  their  people." 

The  Indians  about  the  town  of  Lancaster  were  also 
committing  depredations  in  a  small  way;  some  of  them 
found  their  cabins  wanted  roofs,  and  to  secure  the 
shingles,  they  barked  John  Musser's  Walnut  trees, 
which  stood  in  town,  to  cover  their  cabins  with.  Musser 
made  complaint  to  the  Governor,  touching  the  barking 
of  his  trees,  demanding  six  pounds  damage  ;  the  Assem- 
bly gave  him  three  pounds."'" 

*  Votes  of  Assembly,  17-14. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.-  .  291 

The  year  1745,  is  remarlcable  in  the  history  of  the 
Lutheran  church,  in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  on  account  of 
a  great  ferment  excited  among  the  Lutherans.  The 
Rev.  Neyberg,  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  church,  united  a 
portion  of  his  congregation  witli  the  Moravians ;  this 
caused  an  excitement  among  the  Lutherans;  they  in- 
formed tlie  Governor  they  were  compelled  to  hear  a  doc- 
trine which  they  did  not  approve,  or  they  must  resign 
their  church.  The  Governor  kindly  informed  them  that 
he  could  not  interfere,  that  the  law  protected  all  alike, 
and  their  rights  were  thus  secure,  and  it  was  to  the  law 
they  should  look  for  protection.*  Li  1746,  after  Rev. 
Henry  Melchior  Mvhlenberg,  had  visited  the  congrega- 
tion to  reconcile  the  parties,  Neyberg  withdrew,  and 
had  a  Moravian  church  built.  In  1748,  Rev.  Handschuh, 
took  charge  of  the  Lutheran  congregation.! 

*Haz.  Reg. 

f  Nachricht  der  Ev.  Gem.  in  America,  67. 

Notes. — Lindley  Murray,  the  English  Grammarian,  was 
born  in  1745,  near  Swatara,  Lancaster  county.  He  died  in 
England,  1826. 

October  1741,  by  the  special  order  and  direc<-ion  of  the  pro- 
prietaries, Thomas  Cookson,  Deputy  Surveyor  of  Lancaster 
county,  laid  out  the  town  of  York. 

John  Eby's  mill,  Elias  Myer's  mill,  and  George  Eby's  mill- 
all  erected  before  1739.  The  winter  of  1740,  dreadfully  severe 
— the  snow  in  general  more  than  three  feet  deep — the  back 
inhabitants  suffered  much  from  want  of  bread— many  of  the 
families  of  the  new  settlers  had  little  else  to  subsist  upon  but 
the  carcases  of  deer  they  found  dead  or  dying  in  the  swamps  or 
run  about  their  houses.  The  Indians  found  a  great  scarcity  of 
deer  and  turkeys. 

Tradition  speaks  of  a  great  iiood  in  the  spring  of  1740 — 
January  6th  and  7th  1741,  the  coldest  days  for  many  years. 
William  Smith's  mill  on  Beaver  creek  had  been  erected  prior 


292  HISTORY  OP 

to  1741.  In  1741  Mr  John  Ross,  keeper  of  the  ferry  at  Blue 
Rock,  on  the  Susquehanna,  prayed  the  court  for  a  road  from 
his  ferry  to  the  town  of  Lancaster. 

The  neighborhood  of  Reinholdsville  was  settled  between  tho 
years  of  1735 — 40  by  Germans,  by  Hans  Beelman,  Hans  Zim- 
merman, Peter  Shoemaker,  large  landholders,  and  others. 

Rapho  township. — May  1741,  the  inhabitants  of  the  north  east 
part  of  Donegal  township,  petitioned  for  the  erection  of  a 
new  township  to  be  called  Rapho. 

In  1742,  a  party  of  Indians,  twenty-one  Onondagoes,  and 
seven  Oneidas,  on  their  way  to  Virginia,  in  an  excursion 
against  the  Tallapoosas  there,  left  their  caroes  at  Harris's 
landing — came  to  Lancaster  county,  procured  a  pass  from  a 
magistrate — travelled  peaceably  through  the  province,  obtain- 
ing supplies  of  provisions  from  the  inhabitants.  They  were 
directed  to  obtain  a  renewal  of  their  pass  from  the  authorities 
of  Virginia,  after  they  should  cross  the  Potomac;  but  this  they 
found  impossible,  being  unable  to  make  themselves  under- 
stood— were  foiled  in  the  object  of  their  excursion. — Gordon". 

In  1745,  the  Catholics  procured  a  lot,  in  the  city  ot  Lancas- 
ter, from  Hamilton's  estate,  on  which  a  few  years  afterwards,  a 
small  log  church  was  erected,  in  1760  this  wa-s  burnt  down.— » 
In  1762,  the  present  Catholic  church  was  founded. 

May  1,  1742,  Lancaster  was  incorporated  as  a  borough  by 
George  Thomas,  by  charter. 

A  German  Reformed  congregation  was  organized,  near 
Adamstown,  called  "Modecrick  Church,"  in  1743. 

October  3,  1744,  the  Episcopalians  held  a  meeting  at  Lan- 
caster, for  the  organization  of  a  parish — St.  James'  church. — 
The  Rev.  Richard  Locke,  an  itinerant  missionary,  was  the 
first  officiating  minister.  Measures  were  taken,  April  15, 1745, 
for  the  erection  of  a  small  stone  church,  which  however  was 
not  completed  till  1753. 

In  1754,  the  Moravians  held  a  provincial  council  in  Lan- 
caster, In  1746,  they  built  a  church  and  school  house — the 
former  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  church.  Their  first 
pastor  at  Lancaster  was  Rev.  L.  T.  Neyberg. 

September  22, 1746,  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  V.  D.  M.of  St. 
Qall,  Switzerl?ind,  in  company  with  Rev.  Weiss,  of  Philadel- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


293 


phia,  visited  Rev.   John  B.  Rieger,  V.  D.  M.  Pastor  Loci, 
Lancaster. 

Members  of  Assembly  from  Lancaster  county,  for  1738,  were 
James  Hamilton,  John  Wright,  Andrew  Galbraith,  Samuel 
Smith;  in  1739,  John  Wright,  Thomas  Ewing,  Thomas  Lind- 
ley,  Thomas  Edwards;  in  1740,  Anthony  Shaw,  and  the  same 
as  before,  except  Thomas  Edwards ;  in  1741  and  1742,  Samuel 
Blunston,  and  the  same  as  before,  except  Thomas  Edwards. 


CHAPTER   IV. 


York  county  organized — Election  frauds — Sabbath  school  commenced  at 
Ephrata— David  Ramsay  born  ;  Memoir  of— Bart  township  organized — 
House  of  Employment  provided — General  Miller— General  Clark — 
Abundant  crops — Distilleries  erected — Partial  famine — Indian  alarms, 
and  horrid  atrocities — French  neutrals  imported — Their  condition  unen- 
viable— An  Act  to  disperse  them — Cooper,  Webb  and  Le  Fevre  ap- 
pointed to  execute  the  several  provisions  of  the  Act — Another  act  passed 
relative  to  the  French  neutrals — Notes  of  variety. 

As  the  settlements  extended  westward  of  the  Susque- 
hanna, and  the  population  augmented,  the  difficulty,  as 
is  the  case  in  newly  settled  countries,  increased  among 
the  orderly  portion  to  secure  themselves  against  thefts 
and  abuses,  frequently  committed  amongst  them  by  idle 
and  dissolute  persons,  who  resorted  to  the  remote  parts 
of  the  province,  and  by  reason  of  the  great  distance 
from  the  court  or  the  prison,  frequently  found  means  of 
escape.  These  facts  were  urged  by  the  mhabitants  west 
of  the  Susquehanna,  as  with  one  voice,  for  consideration, 
upon  the  Legislature.  The  Governor  with  the  Assem- 
bly, on  the  19th  of  August,  1749,  made  a  division  of 
Lancaster  county,  and  the  part  west  of  the  Susquehamia 
was  called  York. 


294  HISTORY   OF 

The  same  year  York  was  separated  from  Lancaster^ 
"  James  Webb  complained  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  undue  election  and  return  of  a  member  from  Lan- 
caster county,  and  praying  redress.  It  was  given  in  evi- 
dence before  the  Assembly,  that  the  election  had  been 
conducted  in  a  violent  and  unbecoming  manner;  that 
votes  had  been  received  by  persons  unauthorized  to  re- 
ceive the  same,  and  particularly  two  by  Christian  Herr, 
one  of  the  inspectors ;  that  many  persons  voted  as 
often  as  four,  five,  six,  and  even  ten  times ;  that  one  of  the 
candidates,  who  was  elected,  encouraged  them,  and 
although  there  had  not  been  one  thousand  persons  upon 
the  ground,  yet  two  thousand  three  hmidred  votes  had 
been  received. 

The  House  resolved.  That  the  election  be  confirmed, 
and  the  officers  be  admonished  and  censured  by  the 
speaker:  they  were  severely  censured." 

Sabbath  school  instruction,  which  is  so  common  in  the 
world,  was  first  introduced  in  this  county,  at  Ephrata. — 
Ludwick  Hacker,  whom  we  mentioned  before,  was  a 
man  devoted  to  the  cause  of  juvenile  instruction.  "He 
came  to  Ephrata  in  1739,  and  shortly  on  his  arrival,  was 
appointed  the  teacher  of  the  common  school.  After 
being  a  short  time  employed  in  this  responsible  station, 
he  likewise  opened  a  school  m  the  afternoon  of  the  sab- 
bath ;  aided  by  some  of  his  brethren,  imparted  instruc- 
tion to  the  poorer  class  of  children,  who  were  kept  from 
regular  school  by  employments  in  which  their  necessities 
obliged  them  to  be  engaged  during  the  week,  as  well  as  to 
give  religious  instruction  to  those  of  better  circumstances. 

It  is  not  exactly  known  in  what  year  the  Sabbath 
school  was  commenced.  "  It  appears  from  the  records  of 
the  minutes  of  the  society,  that  materials  for  a  Sabbath 
school  room  were  furnished  in  the  year  1749.     This 


LANCASTER  COUNTY.  295 

school  flourished  many  years,  and  was  attended  with 
some  remarkable  consequences.  It  produced  an  anxious 
iiiquiry  among  the  juvenile  class,  who  attended  the 
school,  which  increased  and  grew  into  what  is  now 
termed  a  revival  of  religion.  The  scholars  of  the  Sab- 
bath school  met  together  every  day  before  and  after 
common  school  hours,  to  pray  and  exhort  one  another, 
under  the  superintendance  of  one  of  the  brethren." 

The  year  1749,  is  remarkable  in  the  annals  of  Lan- 
caster county,  for  the  birth  of  David  Ramsay,  the  great 
American  Historian.  He  was  born  in  Drumore  town- 
ship, the  2d  of  April,  1749.  He  was  the  youngest  son 
of  James  Ramsay,*  a  respectable  farmer,  who  had  emi- 
grated from  Ireland  at  an  early  age,  and  by  the  cultiva- 
tion of  his  farm,  with  his  own  hands,  provided  the  means 
of  subsistence  and  education  for  a  numerous  family. — 
He  was  a  man  of  intelligence  and  piety,  and  early  sowed 
seeds  of  Imowledge  and  religion  in  the  minds  of  his 
children.  He  lived  to  reap  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  and 
to  see  his  offspring  grow  up  around  him,  ornaments  of 
society,  and  props  to  him  in  the  evening  of  his  eventful 
life. 

David  Ramsay  was  educated  at  Princeton  college,  and 
took  the  degree  of  bachelor  of  arts  at  the  age  of  16. — 
After  devoting  some  time  to  the  general  cultivation  of 
his  mind,  he  began  the  study  of  physic,  at  Philadelphia, 
and  attended  the  lectures  at  the  college  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  commenced  the  active  duties  of  his  profession  in 
Maryland,  where  he  continued  one  year,  and  then  went 
to  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  with  a  letter  of  very  high 
recommendation  from    Dr.   Rush.      He  soon  acquired 

♦David's  mother  was  a  Miss  Montgomery,  Many  of  his 
relatives  still  reside  in  this  county;  among  whom  are  the 
Pattersons,  Clendenins,  and  others,  of  Little  Britain. 


296  HISTORY    OP 

celebrity  in  his  profession  ;  but  his  diversified  talents  and 
active  mind  soon  took  a  wider  range.  From  the  com- 
mencement of  the  revolution,  he  was  an  ardent  patriot, 
and  exerted  all  his  powers  to  promote  the  independence 
of  his  country.  From  the  declaration  of  independence 
to  the  termination  of  the  war,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
privy  council,  and  with  two  others  of  that  body  was 
among  the  citizens  of  Charleston  who,  in  1780,  were 
banished  by  the  British  to  St.  Augustine.  On  an 
exchange  of  prisoners,  after  an  absence  of  eleven  months, 
he  was  sent  back  to  the  United  States.  In  1782  he  was 
elected  a  member  to  Congress;  in  1755,  Mr.  Hancock 
being  unable  to  attend.  Dr.  Ramsay  was  elected  president 
pro  tempore,  and  for  one  year  discharged  the  duties  of 
that  station  with  abihty,  industry,  and  impartiality.  In 
1786  he  returned  to  Charleston,  and  resumed  the  duties 
of  his  profession,  and  his  historical  labors,  in  which  he 
continued  to  be  occupied  during  the  remainder  of  life. 
"  The  predominant  trait  in  the  character  of  Ramsay," 
says  his  biographer,  "  was  philanthrophy."  The  experi- 
ence of  his  philanthropy  and  beneficence  in  early  life 
in  the  attentions  received  from  him  at  Charleston,  and  in 
letters  of  introduction,  which  he  spontaneously  offered, 
to  the  highly  respectable  family  of  Barnwell  and  to  others 
in  Beaufort,  and  in  a  very  obliging  historical  correspon- 
dence of  later  years,  has  left  an  indelible  impression  on 
the  mind  of  the  present  writer,  who  must  be  indulged  in 
the  concurrent  testimony.  He  was  also  a  man  of  exem- 
plary piety.  He  was  a  member  of  the  independent  or 
Congregational  church  in  Charleston,  and  adorned  his 
christian  profession.  The  last  scene  of  his  life  furnished 
bright  evidence  of  his  faith  and  piety,  of  his  love  and 
charity,  and  of  his  immortal  hope,  "  through  the  blood 
of  the  Redeemer." 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  297 

He  was  assassinated  in  the  street,  a  few  paces  from  his 
own  dwelling,  in  the  open  day,  by  a  maniac,  who  shot 
him  with  a  pistol  loaded  with  three  balls.  One  of  his 
wounds  proved  mortal  the  second  day.  "  Death  had  for 
him  no  terrors."  The  publications  of  Dr.  Ramsay, 
which  have  met  with  a  very  favorable  reception  in 
Europe  as  well  as  in  America,  are,  "  The  History  of  the 
Revolution,  in  S.  Car.  pub.  1784 — His.  Am.  Rev.  pub. 
1790— Life  of  Washington,  1801— The  History  of  S. 
Car. — being  the  extension  of  an  interesting  work,  pub- 
lished in  1795,  entitled  "A  Sketch  of  the  Soil,  Climate, 
Weather,  Diseases,  of  S.  C. — Memoirs  of  the  Life  of 
Martha  Laurens  Ramsay,  1810.  Among  his  manu- 
scripts were,  "A  History  of  the  U.  S.  from  the  first  set- 
tlement to  English  Colonies,"  and  a  series  of  historical 
volumes  to  be  entitled  "  Universal  History  Americanised, 
or.  An  Historical  View  of  the  World,  from  the  earliest 
records  to  the  nineteenth  century,  with  a  particular 
reference  to  the  state  of  society,  literature,  religion,  and 
form  of  government  in  the  U.  S.  of  America."  This 
Universal  History,  has  been  published  in  12  volumes, 
Phila.  1818.* 

The  citizens  of  Sadsbury  having  petitioned  for  a  divi- 
sion of  the  township,  the  court,  at  the  November  Session 
of  1743,  appointed  Calvin  Cooper,  George  Leonard,  sen. 
James  Wilson,  Samuel  Ramsay,  Robert  Wilson  and 
James  Milkr,  to  divide  the  same — "they  met  the  20th 
of  March,  and  considered  the  most  proper  place.  The 
line  is  to  begin  in  a  road  called  Aaron  Musgrove's  road, 
near  the  coppermines,  at  Strasburg  township  line,  where 
it  divides  from  Sadsbury,  and  down  the  several  courses 
thereof  to  the  east  side  of  said  road  to  a  new  road 
branching  therefrom,  leading   to  Jolin    Taylor's  mill, 

*Thatchers  Med.  Diet.  Vol.  I.  Art.  Ramsay. 


298  HISTORY    OF 

commonly  known  by  the  name  of  Buckley's  mill,  on  the 
east  side  of  said  road,  the  several  com'ses  thereof,  to  a 
road  branching  therefrom  commonly  known  by  the  name 
of  Rustan's  road,  and  on  the  east  side  thereof,  by  the 
line  that  divides  Colerain  and  Sadsbury ;  all  which  we 
allow  and  conclude  to  be  the  division.  The  eastern  part 
thereof  retaining  tlie  name  Sadsbury,  and  the  western 
part,  to  be  called  Bart."" 

The  condition  of  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
county  was,  in  1750  and  1751,  such  as  to  induce  the 
people  of  the  county  to  call  meetings  to  devise  measures 
to  obviate  the  sufferings  of  the  destitute.  "  In  pursuance 
of  a  resolution  passed  at  a  large  and  respectable 
meeting  of  the  freemen  of  Lancaster  county,  in  the 
town  of  Lancaster,  it  was  stated  that  a  number,  of  the 
settlers  had  severely  suffered,  both  from  the  hardships  of 
a  new  settlement  and  the  hostilities  of  the  Indians — and 

Note. — Gen.  H.  Miller  was  born  near  Lancaster  city  Feb.  13, 
1741.  Took  a  dislinguished  part  in  the  Revolution.  He  was 
in  all  the  important  engagements  on  Long  Island,  York  Island, 
White  Plains,  Trenton,  Princeton,  Head  of  Elk,  Brandywine, 
Germantown,  Monmouth ;  at  this  latter  place  two  horses 
were  successively  shot  under  him. 

In  a  letter  of  General  Washington's  to  Congress,  dated 
"Trenton  Falls,  Dec.  12,  1776,"  it  is  said,  "  Captain  Miller,  of 
Colonel  Hand's  regiment,  also  informs  me,  that  a  body  of  the 
enemy  were  marching  to  Burlington,  yesterday  morning. — 
He  had  been  sent  over  v/ith  a  strong  scouting  party,  and  at 
day  break  fell  in  with  their  advanced  guards,  consisting  of 
about  four  hundred  Hessian  troops,  who  fired  upon  him  before 
they  ware  discovered,  l)ut  without  any  loss,  and  obliged  him 
to  retreat  with  his  party,  and  to  take  the  boat." 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature — Quarter  master  in  the 
Whiskey  Expedition— Brigadier  General  of  the  Militia  of  the 
United  States,  during  the  late  war,  at  Baltimore.  He  held 
other  civil  offices— died  at  Carlisle,  Aprils,  1824. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  299 

therefore  resolved,  That  a  house  of  employment  be  pro- 
vided for  the  industrious,  in  indigent  circumstances. — 
The  building  was  accordingly  erected  by  the  benevo- 
lent spirit  which  disposed  all  sects  and  all  countries  to 
contribute  their  aid  for  so  excellent  a  purpose. 

A  farm  Avas  procured,  and  farming  implements  pro- 
vided ;  also  manufacturing  articles  for  the  encouragement 
of  honest  but  indigent  industry.  Lancaster  became 
soon  remarkable  for  the  excellence  of  its  stockings,  made 
in  that  establishment." 

The  year  1752  is  remarkable  in  the  annals  of  Lan- 
caster county  for  the  abundance  of  all  cereal  products, 
especially  wheat.  Since  the  settling  of  the  county,  the 
crops  had  not  yielded  so  bountifully  as  they  did  in  1751 
and  1752.  The  mercies,  received  at  the  hands  of  a 
munificent  Giver,  were  not  duly  appreciated,  and  thank- 
fully enjoyed.  They  induced  to  lead  men  into  excess. — 
Many  in  their  levity  and  wantoness,  destroyed  this  rich 
store  of  provision,  fattened  their  hogs  on  wheat,  "  which 
they  consumed  upon  their  lusts."  Others  in  various 
parts  of  the  county,  erected  distilleries,  and  thus  consumed 
the  wheat,  by  converting  it  into  a  poison,  and  thereby 
brought  a  great  evil  upon  community.* 

*Die  jahre  1751  und  1752,  siud  so  fruchtbar  an  Weitzen  und 
andern  Fruechten  gewesen,  dasz  die  Menschen  in  ihrer  Leicht- 
sinnigkeit  aus  Muthwillen  haben  gesucht,  diesen  Vorrath  zu 
verschwe'nden :  dann  sie  haben  mit  dem  edlen  Weitzen,  von 
welchem  viele  Arme  liaetten  leben  koennen,  die  Schweine 
gemaestet,  welche  sie  hernach  in  ihrer  Wohllust  verzehret 
haben.  Daneben  hat  man  allenthalben  Brenn-Kessel  ange- 
schaft,  und  aus  diesem  Segen  starke  Getraenke  gebrannt, 
welches  grosse  Unordnung  hat  verursachet. — Chron.  Ephrat. 
190. 

Note. — Gen.  John  Clark,  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born 
in  1751 — at  twenty-five  he  entered  the  public  services  of  his 


3bO  HISTORY   OF 

These  years  of  plenty  were  followed  by  years  of 
scarcity.  The  summers  of  '53,  '54,  and  '55,  were 
remarkable  for  continued  drought,  and  consequent 
want  o(  food  for  man,  and  provender  for  beast ;  both 
lacked  the  wonted  abundance — both  were,  in  some  in- 
stances, reduced  to  the  point  of  starvation.  There  was 
a  public  calamity  in  the  land,  and  not  unlike  the  famine 
in  the  days  of  David,  (2  Sam.  31) ;  the  indigent  suffered 
greatly.  In  addition  to  their  pressing  wants,  Indian  hos- 
tilities having  commenced,  the  fear  of  being  murdered  by 
the  Indians,  cast  a  deep  gloom  over  the  face  of  the 
country.  They  felt  it  as  a  merited  rebuke  of  heaven  for 
their  excesses.  "For  about  the  20th  of  October,  1755^ 
the  news  was  received  at  Lancaster,  that  the  French  and 

country.  Congress  appointed  him,  February  6,  1778,  as  one 
of  the  auditors  for  the  army  under  General  Washington.  He 
was  also  aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Green.  The  following  letter  from 
Washington,  to  Congress,  speaks  of  Clark's  character: 

Head  QuaTte?-s,  Valley  Forge,  Jan.  2,  1778. 
I  take  the  liberty  of  introducing  Gen.  John  Clark,  the  bearer 
of  this,  to  your  notice.  He  entered  the  service  at  the  com- 
meiacement  of  the  war,  and  has  for  some  time  past  acted  as 
aid-de-camp  to  Major  General  Green.  He  is  active,  sensible, 
and  enterprising,  and  has  rendered  me  great  services  since  the 
enemy  has  been  in  Pennsylvania,  by  procuring  me  constant, 
and  certain  intelligence  of  the  motives  and  intentions  of  the 
enemy.  It  is  somewhat  uncertain  whether  the  state  of  his 
health  will  admit  of  his  remaining  in  the  military  line ;  if  it 
should,  I  shall  perhaps  have  occasion  to  recommend  him  in  a 
more  particular  manner  to  the  favor  of  Congress  at  a  future 
time.  At  present,  I  can  assure,  that  if  you  should,  while  he 
remains  at  York,  have  any  occasion  for  his  services,  you  wilt 
find  him  not  only  willing,  but  very  capable  of  executing  any 
of  your  commands.  Respectfully, 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 
At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  Clark  resumed  the  practice 
of  law  at  York.    He  died  December  27, 1819. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  301 

Indians  had  massacred  and  scalped  many  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, not  more  than  forty  miles  above  Harris's  Ferry, 
(Harrisbm-g).  About  forty-five  persons  from  Paxton 
immediately  proceeded  to  the  spot,  where  they  fomid 
fourteen  bodies  shockingly  mangled,  which  they  in- 
terred." At  Reading,  October  22,  1755,  says  Conrad 
Weiser,  the  people  are  in  a  great  consternation,  coming 
down,  leaving  their  plantations  and  corn  behind  them; 
twenty-five  persons,  men,  women  and  children,  killed, 
scalped  and  carried  away  on  the  16th  October;  thirteen 
killed,  who  were  men,  and  elderly  women,  and  one 
child;  the  rest  being  young  women  and  children  carried 
away ;  a  house  burnt  up.  Many  had  been  alarmed 
before. 

The  defeat  of  Braddock's  army,  July  9,  1755,  threw 
the  inhabitants  into  the  utmost  consternation.  "All  the 
females  and  children  of  the  settlements,  at  Wright's 
Ferry,  numbering  about  thirty,  were  removed  to  Phila- 
delphia, where  they  spent  the  winter.  They  occupied  a 
house  in  Chestnut  street,  which  has  since  been  pulled 
down  to  make  room  for  the  Arcade.  The  men  only 
remained."* 

Toward  the  close  of  the  year,  1755,  a  large  number 
of  French  neutrals  were  transported  from  Nova  Scotia 
into  the  different  English  provinces  of  America;  and 
many  of  these  unfortunate  persons,  men,  women  and 
children,  destitute  of  means  to  support  themselves,  were 
thrown  into  Lancaster  county,  and  became  a  public 
charge  to  the  inhabitants. 

While  preparations  were  making  on  the  part  of  Eng^ 

land  to  carry  on  the  war  against  the  French,  in  1755,  an 

expedition  was  undertaken  against  Nova  Scotia,  under 

•  the  command  of   Colonel  Monckton.     The  expedition 

*D.  Goheen. 


303  HISTORY   OF 

proved  successful,  and  the  French  forces  in  Nova  Scotia 
were  vanquished.  "A  question  then  arose  how  the 
French  inhabitants  should  be  disposed  of.  They  had 
called  themselves  neutrals;  but  some  of  them  were 
found  in  arms,  and  they  had,  as  appeared,  supplied  the 
French  with  arms,  and  thus  seven  thousand  of  them 
were  distressed  in  consequence  of  a  few  taking  up  arms. 
The  rest  were  peaceable,  industrious,  pious  and  frugal 
people.  A  proposal  was  made  to  such  of  them  as  had 
not  borne  arms,  to  remain  in  possession  of  their  lands, 
upon  condition  that  they  would  take  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  the  British  Government,  without  qualification  j 
this  they  refused;  for  they  might  then  have  been  com- 
pelled to  take  up  arms  against  their  own  kindred  and 
Indian  neighbors,  which  they  deemed  a  flagrant  abuse  of 
a  former  right :  for  by  tlie  treaty  of  Utrecht,  1713,  they 
were  permitted  to  retain  their  lands,  on  taking  the  oath 
of  allegiance  to  their  new  sovereign.  Queen  Anne,  luith 
the  graiijicaiio'n  that  they  should  not  be  comjielled  to 
hear  arms  against  their  Indian  neighbors,  or  their 
countryman,  the  French;  and  this  immunity  was,  at 
subsequent  periods,  assured  to  their  children.  On 
refusing  to  take  the  proposed  oath  of  allegiance,  their 
property  was  destroyed,  and  they  were  transported  and 
distributed  among  the  several  British  Colonies.  Some  of 
them  were  thrown  on  the  public  charge  of  this  county." 
Their  condition  was  unenviable — deplorable  indeed. — 
From  a  pathetic  address,  drawn  up  by  themselves,  to  his 
most  excellent  Majest}'-,  King  of  Great  Britain,  we  learn 
that  the  miseries  they  endured  were  great.  "The 
miseries."  said  they,  "we  have  endured  since  om*  depar- 
ture fi-om  Nova  Scotia,  cannot  be  sufficiently  expressed, 
being  reduced  for  a  livelihood  to  toil  and  labor  in  a 
southern  climate,  so  disagreeable  to  our  constitutions, 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  303 

that  most  of  us  have  been  prevented  by  sickness  from 
procuring  the  necessary  subsistence  for  our  families;  and 
therefore  are  threatened  with  that  which  we  esteem  the 
greatest  aggravation  of  all  our  suffering,  even  of  having 
our  children  forced  from  us  and  bound  out  to  strangers, 
and  exposed  to  contagious  distempers  unknown  in  our 
native  country.  This,  compared  with  the  atiluence  we 
enjoyed,  shows  our  condition  to  be  extremely  wretched. 
We  have  already  seen  in  the  province  of  Pennsylvania, 
two  hundred  and  fifty  of  our  people,  perish  through 
miseries  and  various  diseases." 

This  memorial,  says  Halyburton,  in  his  History  of 
Nova  Scotia,  had  not  the  effect  of  procuring  them 
redress;  they  were  left  to  undergo  their  punishment  in 
exile,  and  to  mingle  with  the  population  among  whom 
they  were  distributed. 

In  this  county,  the  citizens  petitioned  the  Legislature 
for  the  passage  of  an  Act  to  disperse  the  inhabitants  of 
Nova  Scotia,  thrown  upon  them.  An  Act  was  passed 
March  5,  1756,  by  which  Calvin  Cooper,  James  Webb 
and  Samuel  Le  Fevre,  were  appointed  to  carry  its 
several  provisions  into  execution.  The  Act  empowered 
and  required  them,  or  a  majority  of  them,  or  their  sur- 
vivors, and  enjoined  it,  that  within  twenty  days  after  the 
passage  of  the  Act,  to  order  and  appoint  the  disposition 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Nova  Scotia  imported  and  per- 
mitted to  be  landed,  in  such  manner  and  proportions  as 
to  them  appeared  most  equitable  under  certain  limita- 
tions, to  have  regard  to  such  lands  and  plantations,  or 
other  employment  as  they  might  procm-e  for  them 
towards  maintaining  themselves  and  families,  and  there- 
by easing  the  province  of  the  heavy  charge  of  support- 
ing them.  The  act  further  provided  in  these  words : — 
^^  And:  for  the  more  effectual  settling  and  employmg  said 


304  HISTORY    OF 

inhabitants,  it  was  enacted  that  the  overseers  of  the 
poor  of  the  severat  townships  of  Lancaster  county  were 
required  and  enjoined  to  accept  of,  provide  for,  and 
receive  into  their  respective  townships  such  of  the  Nova 
Scotians,  as  were  to  be  allotted,  and  sent  into  their  town- 
ships, by  an  order  under  the  hands  and  seals  of  at  least 
two  of  the  above  named  persons;  provided,  that  not 
more  than  one  family  was  allotted  to  the  care  of  the 
overseers  of  the  poor  of  any  one  township.  They  were 
to  secure  them  employment,  as  was  most  suitable  to  the 
circumstances  of  the  families  and  persons  allotted,  and 
appointed  for  their  respective  townships,  as  directed. — 
The  overseers  were  directed  to  keep  just  and  true  ac- 
counts of  all  such  unavoidable  charges  and  expenses  as 
might  have  accrued ;  which  accounts  were  directed  to 
be  transmitted  under  oath,  or  affirmed,  to  the  persons 
nominated. 

Those  who  had  been  bred  to  farming,  farms  at  a  rea- 
sonable rate,  were  to  be  rented  for  them,  and  some  small 
assistance  was  to  be  afforded  them  toward  settlement 
thereof.  The  commissioners  were  authorized  to  pur- 
chase or  procure  such  stock  or  utensils  of  husbandry  for 
making  settlements,  provided  the  supplies  allotted  to  any 
single  family  did  not  exceed  in  the  whole  ten  pounds. — 
The  expenses  incurred  were  to  be  defrayed  and  paid  out 
of  the  money  given  to  the  King's  use  by  an  Act  of 
Assembly. 

Their  condition  was  such  as  to  make  it  necessary  for 
the  Assembly  to  pass  another  Act,  January  18,  1757: — 
"Whereas  it  has  been  found  by  experience  that  the  Act 
of  March  4,  1756,  has  not  answered  the  good  intentions 
of  the  Legislature  of  uniting  them  with  his  Majesty's 
loyal  subjects  by  granting  the  said  inhabitants  of  Nova 
Scotia  equal  privileges  and  immunities  with  the  inhabi- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  305 

tants  and  settlers  of  the  province,  and  the  grievous  bur- 
dens of  maintaining  them  in  the  manner  hitherto  used  is 
greater  than  the  good  people  of  this  province,  under  their 
present  distressed  circumstances,  are  well  able  to  bear, 
and  for  as  much  as  there  are  numbers  of  children  among 
them  whose  real  advantage  and  interest  it  would  un- 
doubtedly prove  to  be  brought  up  in  industry  and  fru- 
gality, and  bound  out  to  learn  husbandry,  or  some  other 
profitable  art,  whereby  they  might  become  reputable 
inhabitants,  entitled  to  the  rights  of  the  British  subjects, 
and  tlieir  parents  thereby  eased  of  the  charge  of  tlieir 
maintenance  as  well  as  the  public,  which  by  proper  care 
may  be  in  a  good  degree  relieved  from  the  present  heavy 
expenses." 

It  was  enacted  that  the  overseers  of  the  poor  of  the 
townships  in  which  the  Nova  Scotians  were  dispersed, 
were  required  and  enjoined  within  two  months  of  the 
passage  of  the  Act,  or  as  soon  afterv/ards  as  convenient, 
by  and  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  one  or  more 
justices  of  the  peace  to  bind  out,  such  of  the  children  of 
the  Nova  Scotians,  whose  parents  or  friends  were  not 
capable  to  maintain  them,  or  neglected  otherv/ise  to  pro- 
vide for  them,  to  kind  masters  and  mistresses,  on  the 
best  terms  they  could  obtain;  on  condition  the  children 
were  taught  to  read  and  write  the  English  language,,  and 
such  reputable  and  profitable  occupations  as  would  ena- 
ble them  to  support  themselves  at  the  expiration  of  the 
term  of  apprenticeship;  males  were  to  be  bomid  out  till 
twenty-one ;  females  till  eighteen. 

Further  provision  was  also  made  for  those,  who,  by 
reason  of  age,  impotence,  or  any  bodily  infirmity,  were 
rendered  incapable  to  maintain  themselves,  that  they  Avere 
provided  for,  and  maintained,  as  other  poor  of  the  town- 
ship; but  at  the  charge  of  the  province. 

26* 


306  HISTORY    OF 

We  doubt  not,  there  may  some  of  the  descendants  of 
the  French  neutrals,  reside  in  the  county.  Vestiges  of 
them  remained  in  Philadelphia  for  a  long  time.  "They 
refused,"  says  Gordon,  speaking  of  those  in  Philadel- 
phia, "for  a  long  time  to  labor,  but,  finally,  settled  in  low 
huts,  in  a  quarter  of  the  town,  where  a  vestige  continued 
until  the  year  1800." 

Those  who  were  carried  to  Bciltimore,  soon  found  means 
to  become  proprietors  of  much  of  the  ground  on  South 
Charles  street,  and  erected  thereon  their  habitations, 
which  lon'^  bare  the  name  of  French  town.  Many 
of  the  French  descendants  of  the  old  French  neutrals,  are 
still  there. 

Notes.— October  20, 1749,  the  Annual  Synod  of  the  Germaa 
Reformed  church,  met  for  the  first  time  in  Lancaster.  Rev. 
Bartholumaeus,  V.  D.  M.  pr.-ached  the  Synodical  sermon. — 
The  number  of  German  reformed  ministers  in  America  was 
small  in  1749;  these  were  John  Philip  Boehm,  George  Michael 
Weiss,  P.  B.  Rieger,  Jacob  Lischy,  formerly  a  Moravian, 
Rev.  Eartholcmaeus,  John  Philip  Leydich,  Michael  Schlatter, 
missionary  from  Holland,  two  on  probation,  Conrad  Temple- 
man,  at  Swatara,  J.  C.  Wirts,  at  Sacany,  and  two  students 
lately  from  Europe,  David  Marinus,  and  Jonathan  Du  Bois. 

January  27th,  1749-50,  Cumberland  county  was  erected — 
March  11th,  1752,  Berks  was  erected — June  land  2,  1750,  se- 
vere fru:t — ice  in  many  places — rye  and  corn  injured. 

Governor  Pownall  in  Lancaster  in  1754: — "  I  took  the  road 
from  P  :iiaiie!phia  to  Wright's  Ferry,  on  the  Susquehanna.-^ 
Lancah'tT  i.s  a  growing  town,  and  making  money — a  manu- 
factory i:;  ;  (.re  of  guns — it  is  a  stage  town — 500  houses — 2,000 
inhabits  ,13.  Between  Lancaster  and  Wright's  Ferry,  I  saw 
the  fiiiv  t  fai-ra  one  can  possible  conceive,  in  the  highest  culture  ; 
itbelo:  _,  i.)  a  Sv.itzer.  Here  it  was,  I  saw  the  method  of  wa- 
tering i;!jadu\vs  by  cutting  troughs  in  the  side  of  the  hill  for 
the  spi;ii!;.js  to  run  in;  the  water  runs  over  the  sides  and  waters 
whole  ;/    -n-Ml.—roic'iiairs  JourniL 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  307 

Lancaster  county  had,  for  half  a  century,  been  celebrated 
for  the  manfacture  of  guns.  This  business  was  successfully 
carried  on  by  John  Fondersmith,  a  European,  who  located  at 
Strasburg,  in  1749,  where,  assisted  by  one  of  his  sons,  he 
made  "  defensive  arms''  for  the  Revolucionary  patriots. 

The  late  Dr.  Ebei'le's  father — a  peerless  genius  in  steel  and 
iron — a  natural  mechanic — manufactured  bayonets,  during  the 
Revolution,  not  inferior  to  the  damask  blade. 

Peter  Schaub,  of  Lancaster  county,  setting  forth  to  the 
Assembly,  that  when  the  forces  under  Col.  Dunbar  were  at 
Lancaster,  on  the"ir  way  to  Philadelphia,  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  horses  and  cattle  belonging  to  them  were  put  into  his 
meadow,  and  kept  there  for  two  days,  whereby  the  greatest 
part  of  the  grass  was  destroyed,  required  compensation  for 
damages  sustained;  Jacob  Myers  and  others  valued  the 
damages  at  £11,  7s.  The  Assembly  considered  the  petition, 
September  19th,  1755.  John  Brubaker  presented  a  similar 
petition;  his  damages  were  £8,  6s.* 

Col.  Dunbar  was  an  oflficer  under  Edward  Braddock,  who 
met  with  a  fatal  reproof,  July  9th,  1755,  near  Pittsburg,  for  his 
overweening  confidence  and  reckless  temerity. 

Members  of  Assembly  for  Lancaster  county,  for  1743: — 
Anthony  Shaw,  Arthur  Patterson,  Thomas  Lindly,  John  Wright 
— in  1744:  James  Mitchell,  John  Wright,  Arthur  Patterson, 
Samuel  Blunston — in  1745  and  1746:  John  Wright,  James 
Mitchell,  Arthur  Patterson,  James  Wriglit— in  1747  and  1748: 
John  Wright,  Arthur  Patterson,  James  Webb,  Peter  Worrall. 

*Votes  of  Assembly. 


308  BISTORY  Off 


CHAPTER  V. 


Moravian  community  at  Litiz — Zinzendorf  in  Lancaster — Application  to 
the  conference  at  Bethlehem — Commencement  of  Litiz — Parsonage 
built — School  House  removed'^— Rev.  B,  A.  Grube — Present  condition,  or 
state  of  Litiz;  Improvements;  Church,  and  consecration  of  it,  &c. — List 
of  the  names  of  Pastors — Schools  and  names  of  Teachers — Brother  and 
Sister  Houses — The  grave  yard — The  spring — Population,  mechanics,  &c. 

The  Moravians,  those  who  embraced  the  views  of 
Count  Zinzendorf,  of  whom  a  passing  notice  has  been 
given  in  a  preceding  page,  commenced  the  formation  of 
a  community,  in  this  county,  about  tlie  year  1755  or  56, 
at  Litiz,  eight  miles  north  of  the  city,  of  which  we 
shall  give  a  detailed  account.     The  subject  is  interesting.* 

To  give  a  full  account  of  this  village,  and  the  first 
settlement  of  the  Moravians  in  Lancaster  county,  we 
shall  begin  with  the  year  1743.  It  happened,  in  that 
year,  that  Count  Zinzendorf,  the  patron  of  the  renewed 
church  of  the  United  Brethren  or  Moravians,  who  being 
persecuted  in  Saxony,  by  such  as  disliked  his  attempts  to 
form  Christian  communities,  which  were  not  to  be 
governed  by  the  established  church  government  of  that 
Kingdom,  directed  his  attention  and  Christian  eye  to 
Pennsylvania,  where,  at  a  previous  period,  a  great  num- 
ber of  German  Separatists  had  emigrated;  accordingly, 
he  visited  Pennsylvania,  and  believing  that  his  visit 
might  be  rendered  more  profitable,  if  he  could  succeed 
in  miiting  many  of  these  emigrated  Christians,  who 
differed  in  some  particular  points,  he  set  out  on  his  tour 
through  Pennsylvania,  and  whenever  he  had  an  oppor- 

*This  article  has  been  furnished  by  a  member  of  the  Mora- 
vian Society  of  Litiz. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  305 

tants  and  settlers  of  the  province,  and  the  grievous  bur- 
dens of  maintaining  them  in  the  manner  hitherto  used  is 
greater  than  the  good  people  of  this  province,  under  their 
present  distressed  circumstances,  are  well  able  to  bear, 
and  for  as  much  as  there  are  numbers  of  children  among 
them  whose  real  advantage  and  interest  it  would  un- 
doubtedly prove  to  be  brought  up  in  industry  and  fru- 
gality, and  bound  out  to  learn  husbandry,  or  some  other 
profitable  art,  whereby  they  might  become  reputable 
inhabitants,  entitled  to  the  rights  of  the  British  subjects, 
and'  their  parents  thereby  eased  of  the  charge  of  their 
maintenpcnce  as  well  as  the  public,  which  by  proper  care 
may  be  in  a  good  degree  relieved  from  the  present  heavy 
expenses." 

It  was  enacted  that  the  overseers  of  the  poor  of  the 
townships  in  which  the  Nova  Scotians  were  dispersed, 
were  required  and  enjoined  within  two  months  of  the 
passage  of  the  Act,  or  as  soon  afterwards  as  convenient, 
by  and  with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  one  or  more 
justices  of  the  peace  to  bind  out,  such  of  the  children  of 
the  Nova  Scotians,  whose  parents  or  friends  were  not 
capable  to  maintain  them,  or  neglected  otherwise  to  pro- 
vide for  them,  to  kind  masters  and  mistresses,  on  the 
best  terms  they  could  obtain;  on  condition  the  children 
were  taught  to  read  and  write  the  English  language,,  and 
such  reputable  and  profitable  occupations  as  would  ena- 
ble them  to  support  themselves  at  the  expiration  of  the 
term  of  apprenticeship ;  males  were  to  be  bomid  out  till 
twenty-one ;  females  till  eighteen. 

Further  provision  was  also  made  for  those,  who,  by 
reason  of  age,  impotence,  or  any.  bodily  infirmity,  were 
rendered  incapable  to  maintain  themselves,  that  they  were 
provided  for,  and  maintaijiied,  as  other  poor  of  the  town- 
ship ;  but  at  the  charge  of  the  province. 

26* 


306  HISTORY    OF 

We  doubt  not,  there  may  some  of  the  descendants  of 
the  French  neutrals,  reside  in  the  county.  Vestiges  of 
them  remained  in  Philadelphia  for  a  long  time.  "They 
refused,"  says  Gordon,  speaking  of  those  in  Philadel- 
phia, "for  a  long  time  to  labor,  but,  finally,  settled  in  low 
huts,  in  a  quarter  of  the  town,  where  a  vestige  continued 
until  the  year  1800." 

Those  who  were  carried  to  Baltimore,  soon  found  means 
to  become  proprietors  of  much  of  the  ground  on  South 
Charles  street,  and  erected  thereon  their  habitations, 
which  lon<^  bore  the  name  of  French  town.  Many 
of  the  French  descendants  of  the  old  French  neutrals,  are 
still  there. 

Notes.— October  20, 1749,  the  Annual  Synod  of  the  German 
Reformed  church,  met  for  the  first  time  in  Lancaster.  Rev. 
Bartholomaeus,  V.  D.  M.  pr.-ached  the  Synodical  sermon. — 
The  number  of  German  reformed  ministers  in  America  was 
small  in  1749;  these  were  John  Philip  Boehm,  George  Michael 
Weiss,  P.  B.  Rieger,  Jacob  Lischy,  formerly  a  Moravian, 
Rev.  Bartholomaeus,  John  Philip  Leydich,  Michael  Schlatter, 
missionary  from  Holland,  two  on  probation,  Conrad  Temple- 
man,  at  Swatara,  J.  C.  Wirts,  at  Sacany,  and  two  students 
lately  from  Europe,  David  Marinus,  and  Jonathan  Du  Bois. 

January  27th,  1749-50,  Cumberland  county  was  erected — 
March  11th,  1752,  Berks  was  erected — June  land  2,  1750,  se- 
vere frost — ice  in  many  places — rye  and  corn  injured. 

Governor  Pownall  in  Lancaster  in  1754: — "  I  took  the  road 
from  Philadelphia  to  "Wright's  Ferry,  on  the  Susquehanna. — 
Lancaster  is  a  growing  town,  and  making  money — a  manu- 
factory is  here  of  guns — it  is  a  stage  town — 500  houses — 2,000 
inhabitants.  Between  Lancaster  and  Wright's  Ferry,  I  saw 
the  tinest  farm  one  can  possible  conceive,  in  the  highest  culture  ; 
it  belongs  to  a  Switzer.  Here  it  was,  I  saw  the  method  of  wa- 
tering meadows  by  cutting  troughs  In  the  side  of  the  hill  for 
the  springs  to  run  in;  the  water  runs  over  the  sides  and  waters 
whole  ground. — PownaIVs  Journil. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  307' 

Lancaster  county  had,  for  half  a  century,  been  celebrated 
for  the  manfacture  of  guns.  This  business  was  successfully 
carried  on  by  John  Fondersmith,  a  European,  who  located  at 
Strasburg,  in  1749,  where,  assisted  by  one  of  his  sons,  he 
made  "defensive  arms*'  for  the  Revolutionary  patriots. 

The  late  Dr.  Eberle's  father — a  peerless  genius  in  steel  and. 
iron — a  natural  mechanic — manufactured  bayonets,  during  the 
Revolution,  not  inferior  to  the  damask  blade. 

Peter  Schaub,  of  Lancaster  county,  setting  forth  to  the 
Assembly,  that  when  the  forces  under  Col.  Dunbar  were  at 
Lancaster,  on  their  way  to  Philadelphia,  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  horses  and  cattle  belonging  to  them  were  put  into  his 
meadow,  and  kept  there  for  two  days,  whereby  the  greatest 
part  of  the  grass  was  destroyed,  required  compensation  for 
damages  sustained;  Jacob  Myers  and  others  valued  the 
damages  at  £11,  7s.  The  Assembly  considered  the  petition, 
September  19th,  1755.  John  Brubaker  presented  a  similar 
petition ;  his  damages  were  j£8,  6s.* 

Col.  Dunbar  was  an  officer  under  Edward  Braddock,  who 
met  with  a  fatal  reproof,  July  9th,  1755,  near  Pittsburg,  for  his 
overweening  confidence  and  reckless  temerity. 

Members  of  Assembly  for  Lancaster  county,  for  1743: — 
Anthony  Shaw,  Arthur  Patterson,  Thomas  Lindly,  John  Wright 
— in  1744:  James  Mitchell,  John  Wright,  Arthur  Patterson, 
Samuel  Blunston — in  1745  and  1746  ;■  John  Wright,  James 
Mitchell,  Arthur  Patterson,  James  Wright— in  1747  and  1748: 
John  Wright,  Arthur  Patterson,  James  Webb,  Peter  Worrall. 

*Votes  of  Assembly. 


SQ8  HISTORY   Of 


CHAPTER  V. 


Moravian  community  at  Litiz — Zinzendorf  in  Lancaster — Application  to 
the  conference  at  Bethlehem — Commencement  of  Litiz — Parsonage 
built — School  House  removed — Rev.  B.  A.  Grube — Present  condition,  or 
state  of  Litiz ;  Improvements ;  Church,  and  consecration  of  it,  &c. — List 
of  the  names  of  Pastors — Schools  and  names  of  Teachers — -Brother  and 
Sister  Houses — The  grave  yard — The  spring — Population,  mechanics,  &c. 

The  Moravians,  those  Avho  embraced  the  vieAvs  of 
Count  Zmzendorf,  of  whom  a  passing  notice  has  been 
given  in  a  preceding  page,  commenced  the  formation  of 
a  community,  in  this  county,  about  the  year  1755  or  56, 
at  Litiz,  eight  miles  north  of  the  city,  of  which  we 
shall  give  a  detailed  account.     The  subject  is  interesting.* 

To  give  a  full  account  of  this  village,  and  the  first 
settlement  of  the  Moravians  in  Lancaster  county,  we 
shall  begin  with  the  year  1743.  It  happened,  in  that 
year,  that  Count  Zinzendorf,  the  patron  of  the  renewed 
church  of  the  United  Brethren  or  Moravians,,  who  being 
persecuted  in  Saxony,  by  such  as  disliked  his  attempts  to 
form  Christian  communities,  which  were  not  to  be 
governed  by  the  established  church  government  of  that 
Kingdom,  directed  his  attention  and  Christian  eye  to 
Pennsylvania,  where,  at  a  previous  period,  a  great  num- 
ber of  German  Separatists  had  emigrated;  accordingly^ 
he  visited  Pennsylvania,  and  believing  that  his  visit 
might  be  rendered  more  profitable,  if  he  could  succeed 
in  miiting  many  of  these  emigrated  Christians,  who 
differed  in  some  particular  points,  he  set  out  on  his  tour 
through  Pennsylvania,  and  whenever  he  had  an  oppor- 

*This  article  has  been  furnished  by  a  member  of  the  Mora- 
vian Society  of  Litiz. 


LANCASTER   COTTNTY.  Sll 

"Spring  of  that  year,  Mr.  Geogre  Kline  liad  built  a  large 
tw6  story  stone  house  for  a  residence,  which,  however, 
he  occupied  but  a  short  period,  as  he  moved  to  Bethle- 
.  hem,  where  he  ended  his  life.  This  house  stands  to  this 
day,  and  is  found  in  the  central  part  of  the  village,  and 
according  to  it,  the  main  street  has  been  located,  and 
which  causes,  that  it  does  not  run  due  east  or  west. 

In  1757,  the  village  was  laid  out  by  the  Rev.  Na- 
thaniel Seidel,  and  Mr.  John  Renter,  who  were  sent  from 
Bethlehem  for  that  purpose,  and  the  name  of  Litiz  was 
given  to  it,  in  memory  of  a  village  in  Bohemia,  from 
which  the  forefathers  of  the  United  Brethren  had  emi- 
grated. *  *  *  The  same  religious  basis  was  then 
given  to  all  the  future  proceedings  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren, in  Litiz,  which  is  characteristic  of  all  their  settle- 
ments, in  Eufoi||!ev^Bd  in  this  country,  and  accordingly, 
the  Brother  and  Sister  Houses,  of  which  we  shall  say 
more  hereafter,  were  built  in  the  years,  1758  and  1759. 

In  1761,  the  present  Parsonage  was  built,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  upper  story  was  dedicated  for  a  place 
of  worship.  It  was  provided  with  a  small  organ,  and 
the  walls  were  adorned  with  a  number  of  beautiful  oil 
paintings ;  the  works  of  the  celebrated  Hayd,  represent- 
ing all  the  most  remarkable  scenes  of  our  Saviour's  hfe. 
In  this  Hall,  the  congregation  worshiped  until  the  1 3th  of 
August,  1787,  wken  the  present  church,  of  which  we 
shall  say  more  hereafter,  was  consecrated  for  spiritual 
services. 

In  1762,  the  Warwick  church  and  school  house,  of 
which  we  spoke  above,  was  removed  into  the  village,  to 
serve  as  a  dwelling  and  school  house  for  the  teacher, 
who  had  the  charge  of  the  school  for  such  children  as 
did  not  belong  to  the  Society.  In  those  days,  schools 
were  not  as  numerous  as  in  our  day,  and  there  was  not 


312  HISTORY    OF 

another  school  withhi  four  miles  of  Litiz,  consequently, 
the  children,  from  the  adjacent  country,  were  all  sent  to 
this  school.  The  children  of  the  Society,  had  then  a 
separate  school.  Among  those  who  resided  in  this  house,, 
and  served  as  teachers,  the  Rev.  Bernhard  A.  Grube, 
deserves  particular  notice.  It  was  not  only  the  object  of 
this  good  man  to  teach  the  children  to  read,  write  and 
cypher,  but  also  to  impress  good  morals  on  their  minds, 
and  to  acquaint  them  with  their  Saviour.  Various  were 
the  methods  which  he  adopted,  but  one  in  particular  we 
would  mention:  Being  an  excellent  ornamental  writer^ 
he  wrote  into  his  pupils'  book,  their  names,  adding  some 
wish  or  prayer,  and  from  time  to  time,  he  presented  them 
with  iiyams  of  his  own  composition,  or  passage  from 
Scripture,  beautifully  written.  Many  of ^these  trifling 
presents,  proved  as  seeds  sown  into^(@i^^bund,  which 
grew,  and  have  brought  fruits  unto  salvation.  To  this 
day,  there  are  Bibles  and  spelling  books  to  be  found  in 
Warwick  township,  in  which  is  found  his  writing,  and 
many,  who  are  grand,  and  great-grand  children,  of  those, 
who,  as  children  received  of  his  trifling  presents  in  those 
long  by-gone  days,  hold  them  as  dear  as  their  fore- 
fathers did. 

In  1771,  the  St.  Jacob's  church,  to  which  we  referred 
to,  in  a  preceding  page,  being  much  out  of  repair,  and 
not  used  any  more  for  sacred  worship,  was  taken  down, 
and  removed  to  the  fulling  mill  below  the  village,  and 
converted  into  a  dwelling  house,  for  the  miller;  this 
house  stands  to  this  da}^,  and  is  at  present  the  property  of 
Mr.  John  Keller. 

The  grave  yard,  which  belonged  to  this  church,  is  yet 
in  existence,  and  is  known  by  the  name  of  "Warwick 
Grave  Yard;"  it  is  located  a  short  distance  southwardly 
from  the  village,  near  the  Lancaster  road.     To  persons 

♦  ••-■  ■"■  . 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  313 

Who  are  fond  of  reading  old  epitaphs  oil  tombstones,  tliis 
place  oners  a  fine  opportunity." 

Having  given  the  reader  some  account  of  the  early 
settlement  of  this  interesting  village,  we  shall  now 
attempt  to  describe  it,  as  v/e  find  it  in  our  day. 

It  is  not  saying  too  much,  if  v/e  state,  that  it  is  ptoba- 
bly  the  neatest  and  cleanest  village  tn  Lancaster  county. 
As  said  before,  its  location  is  nearly  east  and  west,  ex- 
tending in  that  direction,  about  one-half  a  mile.  There 
is  not  only  pavement  before  all  the  houses  tlnough  the 
whole  village,  but  the  different  paths  leading  to  the 
church,  schools,  &c.,  are  well  paved,  with  creek  or  lime- 
stone slabs.  The  square,  around  which  are  located  the 
institutions,  church  and  parsonage,  is,  perhaps,  not  sur- 
passed in  beauty  by  any  other  spot  in  the  county  5  sucli 
is  its  splendor  m  the  summer  season,  that  it  frequently 
occurs,  that  travelters  stop  in  their  journey  to  give  it  ti 
closer  examination  than  a  mere  transient  notice". 

It  is  enclosed  by  a  v/hite  fence,  and  tastefully  laid  out 
in  gravel  walks;  around  it  is  an  avenue  of  locust  and 
cedar  trees,  and  the  interior  is  adorned  with  Linden 
^Cedar  and  Balm  of  GilcsL'd  trees,  and  a  very  great  variety 
of  shrubbery.  FrOm  the  beginning  of  May,  till  the  end 
of  October,  different  kinds  of  flowers  are  there  found  in 
bloom;  its  greatest  splendor  is  in  August,  when  the  great 
.variety  of  Hollyhocks  and  Dahlias  are  in  bloom,  and, 
there  are  probably  few  places  where  such  a  variety  of 
tint  and  color  is  found  as  in  this  spot.  The  superin- 
tendence of  this  truly  delightful  spot  is  under  the  care 
and  direction  of  Mr.  Mathias  Tschudy.         ^ 

The  church,  to  which  reference  has  been  made,  is  66 
feet  in  length,  and  50  feet  in  depth;  it  is  built  of  lime- 
stone, and  lias  a  very  fine  appearance,  and  the  mason 
work  in  its  front  is  generally  considered  a  master-piece  of 

27 


314  HisToRY    OF 

workmanship ;  it  is  ornamented  with  a  tieat  spire,  and 
4ias  a  town  clock,  which  is  remarkable,  because  it  strikes 
the  quarters.  It  has  two  entrances,  at  one  of  which  the 
Brethren,  and.  at  the  other  the  Sisters  enter.  Its  interior 
is  plain  and  very  neat;  there  are  no  pews  in  it,  but 
benches  with  backs.  It  has  two  galleries,  and  is  pro- 
vided with  an  excellent  organ.  Originally,  there  was  no 
pulpit  in  the  church,  but  merely  a  table,  covered  with 
black  cloth,  at  which  the  minister  officiated.  It  being 
fifty  years  in  1837,  since  the  church  had  been  conse^ 
crated,  various  alterations  were  undertaken  in  that  year, 
and  among  others,  also,  that  of  placing  a  pulpit  in  the 
place  of  the  table.  After  all  the  repairs  were  com- 
pleted, the  congregation  celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniver- 
sary of  their  church  on  Sunday  the  13th  of  August, 
1837.  A  brief  account  of  such  a  celebration  among  the 
Moravians  may  perhaps  be  interesting  to  the  reader ;  we 
shall,  therefore,  attempt  to  give  some  description  of  this 
church  festival.  The  church  was  previously  beautifully 
adorned  with  various  inscriptions,  and  most  tastefully 
decorated  with  flowers  and  evergreens,  and  the  musicians 
selected  and  practiced  their  best  sacred  music ;  and  to 
render  it  still  more  harmonious,  invited  a  number  of  the 
best  vocal  and  instrumental  performers  from  Bethleliem 
and  Nazareth,  to  assist  them  on  the  occasion.  On  the 
evening  of  the  12th,  the  congregation  met  for  the  pur- 
pose of  solemnly  closing  the  remarkable  period  of  fifty 
years,  during  which  tiie  Lord  had  permitted  them  to 
worship  in  this  sanctuary.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the 
iSth,  all  the  inhabitants  were  awakened  by  solemn 
music,  announcing  to  them  the  approach  of  the  happy 
day,  for  which  old  and  young  had  been  looking  wi*^h 
such  joyful  anticipation.  At  eight  o'clock,,  the  congre- 
gation  met  for  the  first  time,  in  the  new  period  of  their 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  31 0 

church's  existence,  and  dedicated  the  church,  as  well  as 
themselves  anew  to  the  Lord.  At  ten  o'clock,  they  met 
again,  when  an  excellent  address,  suitable  to  the  occa- 
sion, was  delivered,  and  an  account  read  of  the  first  con- 
secration, August  13th,  1787,  and  also  the  names  of  all 
those  who  served  as  ministers  within  the  transpired 
period.  At  two  o'clock,  there  was  a  Love  Feast,  a 
church  ceremony  which  is  customary  at  all  festival  occa- 
sions among  the  Moravians — in  token  of  fellowship  and 
brotherly  union,  and  is  in  imitation  of  a  custom  in  the 
primitive  churches ;  during  which  the  congregation  and 
the  choir,  accompanied  with  instrumental  music,  alter- 
nately, sang  anthems,  which  tiad  been  expressly  printed 
for  the  occasion ;  after  that,  the  communicants  met  for 
the  first  time  at  the  Lord's  table  in  this  new  era  of  their 
church.  In  the  evening,  the  beautiful  square,  which  we 
have  attempted  to  describe,  was  tastefully  illuminated 
with  upwards  of  800  lights,  and  the  whole  congregation, 
together  with  numbers  from  the  adjacent  country,  met  in 
it  for  the  purpose  of  solemnly  closing  this  joyful  festival. 
Anthems,  which  had  been  expressly  printed  for  the  occa- 
sion, were  handed  to  all  present,  when  in  the  solemn 
evening  hour  of  that  blessed  sabbath,  surrounded  by 
thousands  of  beautiful  flowers,  and  accompanied  with 
instrumental  music,  all  united  in  singmg  the  praises  of  the 
Lord,  for  all  the  blessings  conferred  on  them  as  a  con- 
gregation ;  the  scene  was  a  heavenly  one,  and  will  long 
be  remembered  by  all  who  witnessed  it. 

The  following  ministers  labored  in  succession,  in  the 
congregation  at  Litiz : 

1742,  Count  Nicolas  Louis  de  Zinzendorf;  1743,  Jacob 
Lischy;  1745,  Daniel  Neuberts;  1747,  Leonard  Schnell; 
1749,  Christian  H.  Ranch;  1748  to  1753,  Abraham 
Reinke,  Senior;    1754,  Michael  Zahm,  and    Christian 


-1 


316  HISTORY    OF 

Bader;  1755,  Christian  Krogstmpp  and  Abraham 
Reinke,  Senior;  1755  to  1787,  Mathew  Hehl;  175S 
Francis  Christian  Lembke;  1756,  David  Nitshmann, 
Daniel  Bishop  and  Daniel  Neuhert;  1757,  George 
Weiser;  1759,  Jacob  Till;  1760,  Abraham  Rusmyer  and 
Godfrey  Roesler;  1762,  Christian  Krogstrupp;  1763,. 
Bernhard  AdamGrnbe;  1765,  Nicholas  Eberhard;  1774., 
Godfrey  Roesler;  1784,  John  Klingsohr;  1790,  Andrew 
Huebner  and  Abraham  Reinke,  Junior;  1801,  John 
Herbst,  John  Meder  and  John  F.  Freeauf;  1811,  Jacob 
Van  Vleck  and  Constantine  Miller;  1812,  Andrew  Be- 
nade,  John  M.  Beck  and  Abraham  Reinke,  Junior; 
1822,  Thomas  Longballe;  1823,  John  Christian  Beckler; 
1829,  Andrew  Benade  and  John  F.  Loeffler;  1836, 
William  Eberman  and  Charles  F.  Kluge;  1843,  Peter 
Wolle  and  Charles  W.  Senft. 

The  Schools. — Litiz  has  long  been  celebrated  for  its 
schools,  and  we  shall  attempt  to  give  some  description  of 
them. 

There  are  four  schools  in  the  village  ;  two  of  them  are 
however,  infant  schools ;  one  for  the  little  boys  and  one 
for  the  little  girls.  In  these  schools,  the  small  children  of 
the  village,  and  some  from  the  neighborhood,  are  taught 
to  read,  the  rudiments  of  arithmetic,  and  some  writing, 
and  from  these,  they  are  promoted  into  the  tv^o  existing 
higher  schools.  . ,.  •' 

The  young  Ladies'  Seminary.- — The  commence- 
ment of  this  Institution  v/as  as  yearly  as  1794.  Previ- 
ous to  the  building  of  the-  edifice  in  Avhich  we  find  it  at 
present,  it  walrconducted  partly  in  the  Sister's  House,  and 
partly  in  a  small  house,  adjacent  thereto.  In  the  year 
1804,  on  the  26th  of  October,  the  pupils  then  living  in 
the  Sister's  House,  moved  into  the  new  building,  expressly 
built -for  school  purposes.     It  is  three  stories  high,  and  86 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  317 

feet  in  length  and  40  in  depth.  In  the  basement,  is  a 
large  dining  room,  and  the  first  and  second  story  are  the 
schoolrooms,  principal's  residence,  and  a  chapel  for 
spiritual  devotions.  The  third  story  is  occupied  as  a 
dormitory,  and  a  room  called  the  sickroom,  which  is 
expressly  set  apart  for  such  as  may  be  indisposed  ;  a  nurse 
resides  in  this  room,  whose  duty  it  is  to  attend  to  such  of 
the  pupils,  as  it  may  be  found  necessary  to  remove 
into  it.  In  the  rear  of  the  building  is  a  large  yard,  or 
play-ground,  provided  with  a  pavillion,  seats,  swings, 
&c.  for  the  pleasure  and  amusement  of  the  pupils.  The 
Insthution  is  provided  with  a  very  extensive  Library, 
and  as  music  is  taught,  every  room  is  provided  with  a 
piano.  It  is  customary  in  this  Institution  to  have 
musical  entertainments  from  time  to  time.  A  friend  of 
ours  who  has  occasionally  been  present,  assures  us,  that 
the  performances  of  the  pupils,  in  vocal  and  instrumen- 
tal music,  are  truly  excelleiit,  and  are  probably  not  sur- 
passed in  any  other  Institution  of  the  kind.  Ornamental 
needlework  of  various  kinds,  is  also  taught  to  great  per- 
fection, and  all  other  branches,  v/hich  constitute  a  practi- 
cal education,  receive  their  due  share  of  attention. — ■ 
Their  are  six  Tutoresses  engaged,  two  always  residing 
in  each  schoolroom,  with  about  fourteen  pupiis,  whose 
duty  it  is,  not  only  to  instruct  them,  but  to  have  a 
watchful  eye  over  their  morals,  and  to  take  walks  with 
them,  after  the  daily  exercises  are  closed.  We  are 
indeed  happy  to  be  able  to  say,  that  the  school  is  at 
present  in  a  very  li'jurishing  condition,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  its  present  efficient  Principal,  Mr.  E.  A.  Freeauf, 
and  his  amiable  lady. 

The  Principals   of  this  Institution,  since   its  establish- 
ment have  been  as  follows: 

1794,  Rev.  John  A.  Huebner ;  ISOl,  Rev.  John  Herbst, 
27* 


318  HISTORY    OP 

1802,  Rev.  John  Meder ;  1805,  Rev.  John  F.  Freeauf; 
1815,  Rev.  Andrew  Benade ;  1822,  Rev.  John  C.  Beck- 
ler;  1824,  Rev.  Samuel  Renike ;  1826,  Rev.  John  G. 
Kummer;  1833,  Rev.  Charles  F.  Kluge;  1836,  Rev. 
Peter  Wolle;  1843,  Rev.  Eugene  A.  Freeauf. 

Among  these.  Rev.  John  F.  Freeauf,  the  father  of  the 
present  Prmcipal,  and  the  Rev.  Andrew  Benade,  deserve 
particularly  to  be  noticed,  as  it  was  under  their  direction 
that  this  Institution  was  in  its  most  flourishing  condition. 
Long  will  the  names  of  good  Old  Pappy  Freeauf,  and 
good  Pappy  Benade,  as  the  young  ladies  were  wont  to 
call  them,  be  remembered  by  the  many  who  were  placed 
into  their  care,  and  there  is  no  doubt,  should  this  meet 
the  eye  of  such,  they  will  remember  with  pleasure  those 
happy  days  which  they  spent  in  Litiz  school  under  their 
care  and  the  many  devout  prayers  they  offered  in  their 
behalf,  when  met  in  the  little  chapel,  as  well  as  the  many 
good  and  fatherly  admonitions  they  gave  them  from  time 
to  time. 

The  Youxg  Gentlemen's  Academy. — We  have 
already  stated  that  in  the  early  years  of  Litiz, 
there  were  two  schools,  one  for  the  boys,  belonging  to 
the  society,  and  the  other  for  those  from  the  adjacent 
comitr]^  As  Warwick  township  became  more  settled,  so 
the  schools  increased,  and  there  was  no  more  necessity  to 
send  the  children  to  Litiz,  consequently,  the  one  for  the 
children  from  the  country  was  discontinued.  Mr.  Chris- 
tian Schropp  conducted  the  town  school,  for  many  years, 
and  on  the  2nd  of  January,  1815,  Mr.  John  Beck,  the 
present  Principal,  took  charge  of  it.  At  that  period,  the 
school  was  held  in  an  old  building,  Avhich  had  been  fixed 
up  for  that  purpose,  and  which  stood  at  the  same  place, 
v/here  the  present  brick  school  house  stands. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  319 

Mr.  Beck  spared  neither  pains  nor  expense  in  improv- 
ing the  school,  and  his  indefatigable  exertions,  as  well  as 
the  various  methods  he  adopted  to  further  his  pupils  in 
their  studies,  became  a  subject  of  general  remark.  In 
1819,  the  school  began  to  attract  the  attention  of  parents 
from  abroad,  and  boys  were  brought  from  various  places. 
In  1822,  it  was  found  necessary  to  erect  the  present 
brick  school  house;  the  old  building  being  too  small  to 
contain  all  the  pupils.  This  building  is  two  stories  high, 
and  is  adorned  with  a  neat  cupola.  Tlie  second  story  is, 
however,  not  occupied  for  school  purposes,  but  as  a 
concert  hall,  where  the  musical  society  of  Litiz  meets. — 
It  is  provided  with  an  extensive  musical  library,  and  a 
number  of  instruments  belonging  to  the  Society. 

Tiie  school  continued  to  increase  from  year  to  year ; 
and  boys  were  brought  from  various  parts  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Virginia,  Ohio,  the  Carolinas,  Maryland,  Louisi- 
ana,   &c.     This  continued  increase,  rendered    it  neces- 
sary, not  only  to  add  another  building,  but  also  more 
teachers.       Accordingly,  the    large   building,  formerly 
called  the  "Brethren's  House,"  which  is  near  the  brick 
house,  was  engaged,  and  arranged  for  school  purposes. 
The   school  is  therefore   at  present  conducted  in  two 
buildings,   in  which  five  teachers  are   employed;    the 
school  rooms,  five  in  number,  are  large,  and  well  venti- 
lated, and  furnished  with  every  thing  that  can  render 
pupils  comfortable;  each  pupil  has  his  own  desk  and 
chair,  and  the  number  admitted  into  a  room  never  ex- 
ceeds, at  highest,  twenty-four — this  arrangement  is  made 
with  the  view  to   enable  the  teacher  of  each  class,  not 
only  to  do  ample  justice  to  each  one  in  his  charge,  but 
also  for  the  preservation  of  good  order,  and  the  separa- 
tion of  the  larger  boys  from  the  smaller  ones.     Each 
room  is  provided  with  a  time-piece,  and  tlie  walls  are 


320  HISTORY    OF 

adorned  with  handsomely  painted  moral  lessons,  as  well 
as  Astronomical,  Historical,  Mathematical,  and  Geo- 
graphical Charts.  The  school  is  likewise  provided  with 
an  excellent  Library,  and  a  very  extensive  Philosophical 
and  Chemical  apparatns.  Not  far  from  the  school,  is  a 
large  play  ground  for  the  pnpils ;  it  is  enclosed  with  a 
high  fence,  and  has  a  number  of  shade  trees  in  it.  Over 
the  gate,  leading  to  it,  there  is  an  arch,  on  the  inside  of 
which  is  the  following  inscription  in  gold  letters,  the 
object  of  which  is  to  serve  as  a  perpetual  monitor  to  the 
boys  while  at  play :  "  In  all  your  actions  and  amuse- 
ments, avoid  profane  language  and  quarrels."  The 
principal  object  in  view  in  this  institution,  is  to  give  a 
good  and  practical  English,  Mathema,tical  and  Scien- 
tific education.  The  Latin  and  German  languages  are 
also  taught,  and  for  such  as  wish  to  learn  drawing  and 
draughting  on  mathematical  principles,  as  well  as  music,, 
it  offers  likewise  advantages.  The  c|uiet  village  is  very 
suitable  for  schools,  and  particularly  for  boys,  there  being 
no  kind  of  temptations  in  their  way ;  the  great  difference 
between  Mr.  Beck's  method,  and  that  of  similar  schools,, 
attempted  in  imitation  of  his,  has  always  been  his  socia- 
ble and  parental  intercourse  v/itli  his  pupils,  by  which 
means  he  gains  their  esteem  and  affection,  and  checks 
the  slightest  irregularity;  the  enthuiasm  with  which  he, 
has  always  been  found  to  enter  on  liis  arduous  duties, 
and  responsible  calling,  deserves  the  highest  commenda- 
tion. 

The  Brother  and  Sister  Houses. — We  have  had 
occasion  to  refer  to  these  institutions,  and  as  they  form  a 
a  very  conspicuous  part  in  the  beautiful  square  we  have 
endeavored  to  describe,  some  account  of  their  intent  and 
origin  may  be  interesting  to  the  reader.  This  we  give 
also  with  a  view  to  remove  erroneous  ideas,  which  are 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  321 

lield  by  many  about  them,  namely,  that  thsy  are  con- 
vents or  nmm cries,  such  as  are  found  in  the  Roman 
church.  In  order  to  give  the  reader  their  origin,  we 
must  refer  him  back  as  early  as  1727,  and  in  the  last 
century.  It  was  at  that  period,  when  the  emigrants 
fi-om  Bohemia  and  Moravia,  from  the  latter  of  which  the 
saciety  has- its  name,  settled  on  the  estate  of  Count  Zin- 
z'endorf,  in  Saxony.  At  that  place,  they  built  their  first 
town  called  Herrnhut,  wiijeh  means  in  English,  "The 
Lord's  protection."  Hrxving  united  Vv^ith  the  great 
object  in  view,  to  be  a  congregation  of  the  Lord,  to  keep 
sacred,  in  holy  union,  those'  doctrines  contained  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  1o  promote,  not  only  their  own  wel- 
fare, but  also  that  of  their  fellow  men,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  adopt  some  meliiod  or  system.  Among  others 
was  that  of  dividing  llie  congregation  into  different 
classes,  namely:  the  class  of  the  married  persons,  the 
classes  of  single  brethren  and  sisters,  the  classes  of 
widowers  and  widows,  the  classes  of  boys  and  girls,  be- 
tween tiie  ages  of  twelve  and  eighteen,  and  the  classes 
of  children  of  both  sexes.  This  classification  they  con- 
sidqj^d  necessary  for  the  well-being  of  the  spiritual  and 
temporal  wehare  of  their  members,  but  always  subject 
to  su3h  altera,tions  and  improvements  as  they  should 
deem  proper  to  make  from  time  to  time,  or  even  to  dis- 
continue the  same  if  not  found  applicable.  After  some 
years  of  their  existence  in  Saxony,  it  occurred  that  a 
great  many  persons  applied^td  be  admitted  as  members  of 
the  community;  among  these  were  many  single  persons 
of  both  sexes,  for  whom  employment,  as  well  as  a  home 
had  to  be  provided,  Avhich  in  their  peculiar  situation  was 
often  attended  with  difficulty.  Tiie  plan  of  building 
houses  for  them,  was  then  adopted,  namely :  one  for  the 
single  men,  and  one  for  the  single  women,  which  they 


322  HISTORY    OF 

called  Brother  and  Sister  Houses.  It  was  thonght,  in 
these  houses  the  men  could  follow  their  professions,  and 
the  women  sustain  themselves  with  knitting,  spinning,  &c^ 
This  was  the  beginning  of  these  institutions,  and  to  this 
day,  they  are  found  in  various  parts  of  Germany,  Holland, 
France,  England,  Switzerland  and  Russia.  The  plan 
meeting  with  so  much  success  in  Europe,  they  were  also 
introduced  into  this  country,  and  accordingly,  when  Litiz 
was  laid  out,  the  places  for  their  location  were  laid  down 
in  the  original  plan. 

In  1759,  the  brethren's  house  at  Litiz  was  built — 
which,  however,  is  not  used  for  iis  original  intent  at 
present — it  is  built  of  limestone,  is  three  stories  high,  60 
feet  in  length  and  37  feet  in  depth.  The  basement  story 
was  occupied  as  a  kilchen  and  dining  room ;  the  first 
story  was  divided  into  four  rooms,  in  each  of  which  nine 
or  ten  brethren  resided ;  part  of  the  second  story  con- 
sisted of  a  la,rge  hall  or  chapel,  for  spiritual  purposes, 
which  was  provided  with  a  very  excellent  organ.  The 
remaining  part  was  divided  into  dwelling  rooms,  in  one 
of  which  resided  the  elder  and  steward ;  the  duty  of  the 
former  was  to  care  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  those  in 
the  house,  and  those  of  the  latter  for  the  temporal  con- 
cerns thereof.  One  of  the  rooms  in  the  second  story  was 
set  apart  for  the  boys  between  the  ages  of  twelve  and 
eighteeii.  The  greater  part  of  the  third  story  was  occu- 
pied as  a  dormitory,  where  they  all  slept ;  aside  of  it, 
was  a  room  set  apart  for  such  as  might  get  sick,  and  one 
of  the  brethren,  who  had  the  office  of  waiting  on  them, 
resided  in  this  room.  In  each  room,  where  the  brethren 
resided,  there  was  one  who  was  called  the  overseer, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  correct  any  disorders  which  might 
arise,  care  for  fuel,  repairs  and  cleanliness  in  the  room. — 
In  the  room  in  which  the  boys  resided,  there  were 


LANCASTER    COUNTr.  323 

generally  three  overseers,  whose  duty  it  was  to  guard 
over  their  morals,  and  to  guide  them  in  the  path  of 
Virtue  and  religion,  go  with  them  to  church,  and  during 
the  winter  season,  to  devote  three  evenings  in  the 
week  for  instructing  them  in  useful  services.  These 
boys  were  partly  employed  in  the  town,  and  partly  in 
the  Brother  House,  in  learning  various  mechanical  trades. 
In  the  rear  of  the  building,  there  are  several  houses, 
which  were  formerly  occupied  as  shops  for  cabinet 
makers,  chair  makers,  weavers,  &c.  The  shoemakers 
and  tailors  had  their  shops  in  the  house.  There  also 
belonged  a  very  extensive  farm  to  it,  on  which  a  num- 
ber were  employed.  Much  attention  was  paid  to  fatten- 
ing cattle,  and  it  was  nothing  unusual  to  buy  whole  droves 
for  that  purpose,  which  when  fat  were  sold  to  the  Lan- 
caster and  Philadelphia  butchers.  In  the  year  1817  it 
was  found  proper  to  discontinue  the  Brother  House  at 
Litiz,  and  after  that  period,  it  was  for  a  time  occupied  by 
several  families,  and  at  present  is  used  for  school  purposes. 
During  the  Revolutionary  war,  it  was  for  a  short  period 
used  as  a  hospital  for  invalid  soldiers,  a  number  of  whom 
died  there,  and  were  buried  a  short  distance  eastwardly 
from  the  village.  Although  this  system  did  not  suit  aU 
who  resided  in  this  house,  yet  it  must  be  admitted,  that 
there  are  numbers^  who  will  ever  ascribe  their  welfare  to 
having  been  in  their  younger  years  an  inmate,  and  under 
the  care  and  admonition  of  such,  who  from  experience 
could  guide  and  instruct  them. 

The  Sister's  House.— This  was  built  A.  D.  1758.— 
It  is  likewise  built  of  limestone,  three  stories  high,  90  feet 
in  length,  and  37  feet  in  depth.  The  basement  story  is, 
like  that  formerly  in  the  Brother  House,  used  for  a  kitchen 
and  dining  room ;  the  first  as  well  as  part  of  the  second 
story  is  divided  into  dwelling  rooms;   one  part  of  the 


824  HISTOSY    OF 

second  story,  is  a  hall  or  chapel  for  spiritual  purposes  and 
provided  with  an  organ ;  the  greater  part  of  the  third 
story  is  a  dormitory,  aside  of  which  is  a  room  for  such  as 
may  be  indisposed.  The  arrangements  a,re  in  all  respects 
similar  to  those  we  ha.ve  described  in  the  Brother  House. 
A  small  farm,  together  with  a  very  large  vegetable 
garden,  from  which  the  kitchen  which  furnishes  the  table 
of  the  Ladies'  Seminary  is  provided,  are  attached  to  it. 
The  number  of  sisters,  who  reside  in  the  house  at  this 
present  time,  is  not  so  large  as  formerly,  yet  the  greater 
part  of  the  rooms  remain,  occupied.  There  was  never 
any  kind  of  vow  of  celibacy  connected  vnth  these  Insti- 
tutions ;  any  of  the  sisters  can  leave  the  house  if  she  has 
any  desire  to  change  her  situation. 

In  larger  Moravian  communities,  similar  houses  are 
established  for  such  widows  as  desire  to  live  retired,  and 
are  called  widows'  houses.  The  individuals  residing  in 
these  establishments  pay  a  small  rent,  by  which,  and  by 
the  sums  paid  for  their  board,  the  expenses  thereof  are 
defrayed,  assisted  occasionally  by  the  profits  on  the  sale 
of  ornamental  needlework,  confectionaries,  &c.  on  which 
some  of  the  inmates  subsist.  We  hope  our  account  of 
these  Institutions  will  prove  satisfactory  to  our  readers, 
and  particularly  to  such  as  have  hitherto  entertained 
different  opinions.  They  are  in  their  character  nothing 
more  than  the  different  asylums  for  v/idows  &c.  which 
tire  found  in  Philadelphia  and  other  cities,  and  we  are 
inclined  to  think,  the  idea  for  establishing  those  in  the 
cities,  has  been  borrowed  from  the  Moravian  Institutions. 

The  GiiAVE  Yaud.* — This  beautiful  spot  is  located 
on  a  rising  ground  to  the  south  of  the  village,  of  which 

*]S'ovcmber  8,  1753,  a  lad  of  three  years,  named  John  Baum- 
gartner,  was  baried  in  this  Gra"ce  Yard;  being  the  first  inter- 
ment; the  occasion  was  improved  by  solemnly  consecrating 


LANCASTER    COUNTT.  SZtt 

"^e  will  give  the  reader  some  account,  there  being  perhaps 
not  another  similar  arrangement  to  be  found  in  Lan- 
caster county.  It  is  enclosed  with  a  white  fence,  along 
whidi  there  is  an  avenue  of  trees ;  there  are  three  gates 
leading  to  it,  one  large  one,  and  two  at  its  sides  of  smaller 
dimensions ;  the  large  one  is  never  opened  except  on 
funeral  occasions.  Over  this  there  is  an  arch,  on 
which  are  the  following  inscriptions,  in  golden  letters  : 
Firstly,  that  which  is  seen  by  the  visitor  as  he  approaches 
it,  through  a  thickly  planted  grove,  "  Blessed  are  the 
dead  Avhich  die  in  the  Lord:" — Rev.  chap.  14-13  v:  Sec- 
ondly, that  on  the  interior  side,  "I  am  the  resurrection, 
and  the  life,  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were 
dead,  yet  shall  he  live:" — St.  John  chap.  11-25  v. 
After  entering  the  gate,  the  visitor  finds  himself  in  a 
beautiful  avenue  of  cedar  trees,  which  separates  the 
graves  of  the  males  from  those  of  the  females,  the  former 
being  on  the  right  and  the  latter  on  the  left  as  he  passes 
on.  We  have  before  stated  that  the  congregation  is 
divided  into  classes ;  in  the  same  order  then  as  it  is 
divided,  so  they  are  laid  on  the  grave  yard ;  here  the 
visitors  find  the  rows  containing  nothing  but  the  married 
men  and  on  the  opposite  side  married  women  ;  as  he 
passes  on,  those  of  the  single  classes,  and  further,  those 
of  little  boys  and  girls  under  the  age  of  twelve.  The 
graves  are  all  of  two  sizes,  being  without  distinction  of 

this  parcel  of  ground  as  a  resting  {lace  for  the  remains  of  the 
departed.  On  the  arrival  of  the  funeral  procession,  an  appro- 
priate address  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mathew  Hchl,  then,  the 
usual  funeral  service  while  the  corpse  was  letin  the  grave,  was 
read;  after  which,  the  assembled  congregation  knelt  down, 
and  with  solemn  prayer  consecrated  the  spot,  for  all  who  in 
future  would  be  enterred  here,  to  rest  in  hope  till  that  import- 
ant moment  when  Christ  shall  call  those  who  died  in  the  Lord, 
from  their  graves  to  a  glorious  resurrection.  B.    ' 

«       28 


32ff  HisTORr  OF 

an  oblong  shape,  and  flats  on  the  top,  to  which  shape  ' 
they  are  brought  by  two  moulds,  expressly  kept  for  that 
purpose,  one  for  adults  and  the  other  for  children.  The 
sides  are  planted  with  sod,  and  the  tops  are  overrun  with 
the  Virginia  mountain  pink,  which  in  the  month  of  May 
is  in  full  bloom,  and  renders  the  appearance  of  the  graves 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  imaginable.  On  each  grave 
there  is  a  marble  tombstone  which,  without  distinction, 
lays  flat  on  the  grave,  verifying  the  old  adage  "  Death 
levels  all,  both  great  and  small." 

The  epitaphs  contain  the  name,  birth  and  departure  : 
to  some,  a  few  more  lines  have  been  added,  a  number  of 
which  are  truly  edifying,  and  very  striking.  Each  tomb- 
stone is  numbered  and  the  highest  number  in  May,  1843, 
is  527.     The  first  person  was  buried  there  in  1758. 

It  is  truly  remarkable,  that  out  of  the  several  thousand 
children,  who  have  been  sent  to  the  Litiz  Schools,  only 
one  died  while  at  school.  This  wa.s  Miss  Sarah  Ann 
Cazy,  from  Kent  county,  Maryland,  and  who  we  are 
informed,  was  in  a  delicate  state  of  health  when  brought 
to  the  school;  her  grave  is  No.  379,  and  is  found  in  one 
of  the  rows  containing  young  girls  between  the  ages  of 
twelve  and  eighteen.  This  only  death,  certainly  speaks 
volumes  in  favor  of  the  healthy  location  of  the  village, 
as  well  as  of  the  care  and  attention  which  is  paid  to  the 
children  entrusted  to  these  schools. 

Having  given  the  reader  an  account  of  the  graveyard., 
it  may  also  be  agreeable  to  him  to  know  how  funerals 
are  conducted  among  these  Moravians,  who  live  in  a 
com.munity  together.  When  a  member  dies  or  "  goes 
HOME,"  as  it  is  generally  termed  among  them,  the  depar- 
ture is  immediately  announced  with  solemn  music  from 
the  steeple  of  the  cliurch.  It  is  customary  not  to  bury 
any  person  after  his  departure,  until  three  days  have 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  327 

elapsed,  and  in  order  to  accomplish  this,  particularly  in 
the  summer  season,  when  bodies  are  more  subject  to 
corruption,  there  is  a  small  building  or  vault  behind  the 
church  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  the  departed  in  a  better 
state  of  preservation.  To  this  place  the  remains  are 
removed,  which  however,  is  optional  with  the  relatives 
of  the  departed ;  another  reason  why  they  have  this 
arrangement,  is,  in  case  a  person  dies  of  a  contagious 
disease,  that  it  may  be  prevented  from  spreading  further, 
by  removing  the  body  from  his  residence.  On  all  funeral 
occasions,  there  is  first  an  address  to  the  congregation  in 
the  church,  which  is  closed  by  the  choir  singing  an  ap- 
propriate anthem.  The  congregation  then  assembles  in 
the  large  yard  behind  the  church,  in  the  middle  of  which 
is  placed  the  bier  with  the  coffin,  which  is  covered  with 
a  white  pall,  instead  of  black,  as  is  the  general  custom  ; 
on  the  pall  the  words  "  Jesus  my  Redeemer  liveth,"  are 
wrought  in  blue  silk.  After  the  singing  of  a  hymn  the 
procession  moves  in  the  following  order  :  First  the  chil- 
dren, two  by  two,  attended  by  their  teachers,  next  the 
music  and  clergy,  and  then  the  corpse  and  relatives  ;  if  it 
be  a  funeral  of  a  brother,  the  brethren  follow  next  to  the 
relations,  and  if  a  sister,  the  sisters  ;  as  the  procession 
moves,  the  solemn  music  of  the  band  is  heard  playing 
tunes  of  well  known  hymns,  expressing  the  hopes  of 
eternal  life,  and  a  glorious  resurrection.  After  the  con- 
gregation is  arranged  on  the  graveyard,  the  corpse  is 
lowered  into  the  grave  during  the  singing  of  an  appro- 
priate hymn ;  after  which  the  funeral  service  customary 
at  burials  is  read,  and  the  singing  of  another  hymn  closes 
the  ceremony ;  the  procession  then  returns  in  the  same 
order  as  before  described.  We  have  been  thus  explicit 
on  this  subject  because  the  grave  yard  and  fimerals,  in 
nearly  every  respect  arc  different  from  those  elsewhere 


628  HISTOKT    GE- 

and  that  an  accurate  description  might  prove  interesting 
to  the  reader. 

The  Litiz  Spring. — Tliis  spring,  which  is  visited  by 
so  many  persons,  is  situated  on  the  land  of  the  Society^ 
about  one-lialf  mile  westwardly  from  the  village,  and  is 
probably  one  of  the  largest  springs  in  Pennsylvania.-^ 
There  is  only  one  fountain  from  which  all  the  water, 
which  forms  a  considerable  stream,  is  discharged,  and 
has  water  sufficient  for  some  of  the  largest  merchant 
mills  in  the  county.  From  its  head  to  the  Conestoga, 
into  which  the  stream,  denominated  on  the  map  of  Lan- 
caster county,  "  Carter's  Creek,"  empties,  it  is  six  miles, 
and  in  that  distance,  there  are  seven  mills.  The  water 
is  the  pure  limestone,  and  very  fresh.  In  former  times, 
ii  formed  a  large  pond,  around  which  Indians  resided,  of 
which  the  number  of  Indian  arrorw  heads,  hatchets,  and 
stones  used  for  throwing  in  their  slings,  give  ample 
proof.  Could  these  Indians  return  and  see  the  great 
change  which  has  taken  place  at  their  spring,  they 
would  probably  not  believe  it  to  be  the  same,  from  which 
they  had  formerly  drunk.  About  the  year  1780,  some  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Litiz  began  to  improve  it  by  enclosing 
it  with  a  circular  wall  and  filling  up  part  of  the  pond, 
and  in  later  years  the  remaining  part  was  filled  up,  and 
there,  where  there  was  formerly  a  considerable  body  of 
water,  there  is  at  this  time  a  beautiful  park  of  trees. — 
Various  improvements  were  undertaken  from  time  to 
time ;  but  at  no  period  was  it  found  in  such  an  im- 
proved state  as  at  this  time.  Around  it  are  a  number  of 
seats,  and  on  the  hill,  from  under  which  it  has  its  source, 
there  are  handsomely  laid  out  gardens,  arbors  and  orna- 
mental shrubbery.  From  the  spring  to  the  village  is  an 
avenue  of  Linden  and  Maple  trees,  winding  along  the 
stream,  the  path  of  which  is  partly  covered  with  gravely. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  329 

■  and  partly  with  tan,  which  renders  access  to  it  easy  in 
wet,  as^TcU  as  dry  weather.  Along  this  avenue  there 
are  var^^us  seats  under  shade  trees  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  visitors,  and  also  several  neat  bridges,  in  case 
they  wish  to  cross  the  stream.  Among  other  attractions, 
there  is  a  water  work  on  a  small  scale ;  this  consists  of  a 
forcing  pump,  the  wheel  of  which  is  set  in  motion  by  the 
stream,  and  forces  the  water  into  a  circular  basin, 
located  under  a  number  of  oaks,  which  have  grown 
there  in  a  circular  form,  as  if  natiu'c  had  predestined  the 
spot  for  a  retreat  of  pleasure.  In  the  centre  of  the 
basin  there  is  a  jet,  through  which  the  water  is  forced  by 
the  pump  to  the  height  of  fifteen  feet,  forming  thereby  a 
beautiful  fountain,  and  rendering  the  spot  still  more 
delightful. 

Fire  Engines. — The  village  is  provided  with  two 
excellent  Fire  Engines,  one  of  which  called  the  "  Friend- 
ship," was  built  in  Philadelphia,  by  Messrs.  Agnew  & 
Merrick,  and  the  other,  called  the  "  Assistance,"  by  Mr. 
Martin  Shreiner  of  Lancaster.  The  Friendship  is  kept 
in  the  upper  part  of  the  town,  and  the  Assistance  in  the 
lower,  in  buildings  expressly  put  up  for  that  purpose. — 
There  are  two  well  organized  companies,  and  their 
apparatus,  consisting  of  hose,  ladders,  axes,  hooks,  &c., 
is  very  extensive.  Only  one  fire  occurred  in  Litiz  since 
its  estabhshment ;  this  was  on  the  16th  of  July,  1837, 
when  five  buildings  were  consumed,  and  among  them 
was  the  house  to  which  we  have  referred,  which 
formerly  was  the  so  called  Warwick  church. 

Population,  Mechanics,  &c. — The    population    of 
of  Litiz  is  at  present  366  ;  it  contains  fifty-five  dwelling 
houses,  and  the  following  number  of  mechanics :  two 
shoemakers,  three  tailors,  one  confectioner,  one  weaver 
one  tanner,  one  brewer,  two  clock  and  watch-makers 

28* 


330  HISTORY    OP 

one  silver-smith,  one  potter,  one  smoke-pipe ,  manufac- 
turer, two  stores,  one  tavern,  two  coopers;  -v^^  3  chaii- 
maker,  two  cabinet  makers,  two  tin-smith  ioT^le  lock- 
smith, one  copper-smith,  two  saddlers,  one  T^iue  dyer, 
one  giue-boiler,  one  blacksmith,  one  wheel-wright,  one 
hatter,  three  tobacconists,  one  malt  manufacturer,  one 
post  office,  four  schools,  one  justice  of  the  peace,  and  one 
conveyancer. 

One  of  the  stores  and  the  tavern  belong  to  the  com- 
munity, to  which  also,  belongs  the  land,  which  is  partly 
divided  into  farms,  and  partly  into  lots,  which  are  rented 
by  the  inhabitants,  and  the  profits  arising  from  the  rents, 
are  apphed  for  various  purposes. 

Formerly  there  was  an  extensive  chip  hat  and  bonnet 
manufactoiy  carried  on  by  Mr.  Mathias  Tschudy, 
which  gave  employment  to  many.  He  was  the  only 
person  in  the  United  States  that  understood  the  art  of 
manufacturing  them,  and  supplied  nearly  all  the  cities 
and  country  with  his  hats.  The  palm  leaf  and  straw 
hats,  coming  into  fashion,  they  were  preferred,  and  con- 
sequeiitly  the  factory  was  discontinued. 

Organs  were  also  built  in  Litiz  in  former  times,  which 
for  tone  and  excellent  workmanship,  are  very  celebrated. 
A  number  of  the  best  organs  in  Philadelphia,  Baltimore 
9,nd  Lancaster,  are  specimens  thereof;  and  among 
others,  the  large  and  beautiful  organ  in  the  Lutheran 
church,  at  Lancaster,  is  one  of  them. 

In  ioimer  times,  the  augers  which  were  sent  from 
England  liad  no  screw,  serving  as  a  point,  as  we  have 
them  ill  our  day.  The  invention  of  this  screw  was  first 
made  at  Lit  z,  by  Mr.  John  H.  Ranch,  Senior,  during  the 
last  ceiilury;  the  pattern  was  then  sent  to  England  by 
Judge  H<i:ry,  after  which  the  screw  point  was  generally 
introduced. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  331 

The  first  plan  of  the  ten-plate  stoves  was  also  invented 
at  Litiz,  Ly  Mr.  Godfrey  Albright,  who  made  a  pattern 
and  gave  it  to  Robert  Coleman,  Esq.,  and  who  then 
introduced  them. 

Note. — Members  of  the  Assembly  for  Lancaster  county. — 1749, 
James  Wright,  Arthur  Patterson,  Calvin  Cooper,  Peter'Worrall ; 
1750,  Arthur  Patterson,  Calvin  Cooper,  James  Wright,  James 
Webb;  1751,  Peter  Worrall,  James  Wright,  Calvin  Cooper, 
Arthur  Patterson  ;  those  of  1751,  were  alt  re-elected  for  1752, 
1753  and  1754 ;  1755,  no  return  made,  but  James  Wright  and 
James  Webb,  appeared;  1756,  Emanuel  Carpenter,  James 
Wright,  James  Webb,  John  Douglass;  1757,  Isaac  Saunders, 
Emanuel  Carpenter,  James  Webb,  James  Wright;  those  of 
1757^  were  re-elected  for  1758, 1759  and  1760. 


333  HISTORY    OF 


CHAPTER   VI. 


Hostilities  between  the  English  and  the  French  in  America — Delaware 
and  Shawanese  Indians  commit  murders — General  Braddock's  arrival 
&c. — Braddock's  defeat — Dismay  caused  among  the  irontier  settlers — 
Paxton  and  Tulpehocken  refugees  at  Ephrata — Murders  committed  by 
the  Indians — Block  House  erected  at  Lancaster — Inhabitants  of  Lan- 
caster county  petition  the  Assembly  for  a  Militia  law — Scalping  parties — ■ 
War  suspended  against  the  Indians — Preparations  made  to  repel  Indian 
incursions — Conrad  Weiser  commands  nine  companies — French  hos- 
tilities continued — Murders  committed  by  the  Indians  in  1757 — Indian 
treaties,  at  Lancaster  and  at  Easton — Minutes,  extract  from,  of  Indian 
treaty,  at  Lancaster — King  Beaver's  speech — Treaty  held  at  Easton; 
fifteen  tribes  of  Indians  represented — Murders  by  Indians  in  Tulpe- 
hocken— Murders  committed  by  the  Indians  in  1758 — Cumbrrland  over- 
run by  savages — Inhabitants  flee  to  Lancaster,  &c. — Barracks  erected  at 
Lancaster — Work-House  erected  at  Lancaster — The  Irish  sell  to  the 
Germans,  and  seat  themselves  at  Chestnut  Glade — Baron  Stiegel  lays  out 
Manheira — Notice  of  the  Baron — Notes  of  variety  ;  Emanuel  Carpenter.. 

Ardent  hostilities  between  the  EngUsh  and  French 
commenced  in  America,  in  1754.  The  events  of  that 
year  in  America,  had  determined  both  England  and 
France  to  send  re-inforcements  to  their  colonies.  The 
French  courted,  and  won  the  assistance  of  many  of  the 
Indians,  who  had  felt  themselves  aggrieved  by  the 
English;    especially  the    Dela wares  and   Shawanese,* 

*The  Indians  felt  themselves  aggrieved.  At  a  treat}^  held 
with  the  Indians,  at  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  in  November,  1756; 
upon  the  Governor  requesting  of  the  Indians  to  know  the 
cause  of  their  uneasiness,  and  hostile  conduct.  Teedyuscung, 
chief  of  the  Delawares,  and  who  then  represented  several 
nations,  mentioned  several;  among  Vvhich  were  the  instiga- 
tions of  the  French,  and  the  ill  usage  or  grievance  they  had 
suffered  both  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey.  When  the 
Governor  desired  to  be  informed  \/hat  these  grievances  were, 
Teedyuscung  replied,  "  I  have  not  far  to  go  fur  an  instance  : 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  333 

whose  cruelty  was  stimulated  by  the  French  promising 
"to  restore  their  lands."  They  committed  gross  atroci- 
ties upon  the  provincialists — perpetrated  cruel  and  cold- 
blooded murders.  At  this  time  the  Six  Nations,  a 
numerous. people,  were  seated  on  the  western  waters — 
they  were  cold  towards  the  English  cause — "divided 
among  themselves,  and  barely  maintained  their  neutrality. 
Some  of  them  had  moved  to  Canada — those  who  re- 
mained were  only  kept  pacific  by  the  liberality  of  the 
province.  The  French  were  making  preparations  to 
subdue  the  country,  and  while  thus  preparing,  England 
determined  to  oppose  ^^  their  growing  power.''  General 
Braddock,  Adjutant  General  St.  Clair,  and  the  regiments 
of  Dunbar  and  Halkett,  arrived  from  Europe,  in  March, 
1755,  at  Alexandria,  Virginia. 

To  oppose  a  formidable  obstacle  to  the  invasion  of  the 
French,  Franklin  was  commissioned  on  "  liberal  terms  to 
procure  one  hundred  fifty  wagons,  and  fifteen  hundred 
pack-horses.  In  fr'few  weeks  all  the  wagons,  and  two 
hundred  and  fifty  pack-horses  were  obtained  in  Lan- 
caster, York,  and  Cumberland  county.  The  wagons  and. 
pack-horses,  with  the  necessary  provisions,  met  General 
Braddock  on  Will's  creek.  Fort  Cumberland.  Braddock 
being  amply  furnished  with  all  the  necessaries,  and  re-in- 
forced  by  a  numerous  body  of  Americans  and  Indians, 

this  very  ground,  that  is  under  me;"  striking  it  with  his  foot; 
"was  my  land  and  inheritance;  and  is  taken  from  me  by 
fraud:  when  I  say  this  ground,  I  mean  all  the  land  lying  be- 
tween Tohiccon  creek  and  Wyoming,  on  the  river  Susque- 
hanna. *  *  *  I  have  been  served  so  in  this  province." — <■ 
Minutes  of  Conference  at  Easton. 

The  Delawares  and  Shawanese,  who  had  emigrated  from  the 
south,  and  by  mere  permission  to  settle  in  1698,  had  no  title  to 
land,  yet  they  claimed  some  by  the  permission  from  the 
proper  owners. 


334  HISTORY    OF 

broke  up  his  encampment,  June  12th,  and  marched  his 
army  to  the  fatal  field,  where,  on  the  Pth  of  July,  1755, 
he  met  with  an  unparalleled  discomfiture.  He  had  five 
horses  shot  under  him,  and  received  a  ball  through  the 
arms  and  lungs — he  expired  the  ISth  of  July.  Sixt^r- 
four,  out  of  eighty-four  of  his  officers  and  one-half 
of  his  privates,  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  issue 
of  this  battle  inspirited  the  enemy,  and  dispirited,  the 
provincialists.  Dismay  and  consternation  brooded  upon 
the  frontier  settlers.  "The  enemy  now  roamed  unmo- 
lestedly  and  fearlessly  along  the  western  lines  of  Vir- 
ginia, Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  committing  the  most 
appalling  outrages,  and  wanton  cruelties,  that  the  cu- 
pidity, and  the  ferocity  of  the  savage  could  dictate. — 
The  first  invasions  were  in  Cumberland  county,  whence 
they  soon  extended  to  the  Susquehanna.  The  inhabi- 
tants, dwelling  at  the  distance  of  from  one  to  three  miles 
apart,  fell  unresistingly,  were  captured,  or  fled  in  terror 
to  the  interior  settlement.  The  main  body  of  the  enemy 
encamped  on  the  Susquehanna,  thirty  miles  above  Harris' 
Ferry,  whence  they  extended  themselves  on  both  sides 
the  river.  The  setdements  at  the  great  Cove  in  Cum- 
berland county,  were  destroyed,  and  many  of  the  inhabi- 
tants slaughtered  or  made  captives,*  and  the  same  fate 
fell  upon  them  at  Tulpehocken."t 

*One  Johnson,  had  been  captured  in  Lancaster  county — 
Washington  while  being  on  a  scouting  party — 1758,  took  three 
prisoners  of  the  Indians  among  whom  was  Johnson. — Gor- 
don's Pa.  367. 

f  On  the  14th  of  December  1755,  the  savages  attacked  the 
house  of  F.  Reichelsderfer,  in  Albany  township,  Berks  county. 
U.  was  in  the  field,  and  escaped.  The  Indians  murdered  his 
two  children,  set  his  buildings  on  fire,  destroyed  his  grain,  and 
killed  his  cattle.    At  Jacob  Gerhart's,  neighbor  of  Mr.  Reich* 


LANCASTER    COUNTy.  335 

During  the  time  of  these  hostiUties,  the  doors  of  the 
Sieben  Taeger  at  Ephrata  Avere  open  for  the  reception 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Tulpehoclven  and  Paxton  settle- 
ments. They  did  not  even  consider  their  cloisters, 
chapels  and  meeting  rooms  too  sacred  ;  these  they  gave 
for  the  accommodation  of  those  who  were  driven  fron^ 
their  homes  by  the  incursions  of  the  hostile  Indians.  To 
give  both  the  inhabitants  and  those  who  fled  thither, 
protection  against  the  infuriated  savage,  a  company  of 
infantry  was  despatched  by  the  Government  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Ephrata,*  and  on  representation  of  the 
character  of  the  society,  by  the  commissioners  who  were 
sent  to  visit  the  place,  the  Government  made  them  offers 
of  large  presents,  which  they  respectfully  declined  to 
receive,  except  two  large  communion  goblets,  which  was 
the  only  recompence  they  would  receive.t 

elsderfer,  they  killed  one  man,  two  women.  Six  children, 
slipped  under  the  bed,  one  of  whom  was  burned,  the  other 
escaped. 

In  March,  1756,  they  burned  the  house  and  barn  of  Barnabas 
Seitle,  and  the  mill  of  Peter  Conrad,  in  Berks  county,  and 
killed  the  wife  of  Balser  Neytong,  and  made  captive  his  son,  a 
lad  of  eight  years  of  age:  they  fired  upon  David  Howel,  five 
times,  and  the  last  time  shot  him  through  the  arm. — Gordon. 

Peter  Miller,  in  his  Chronicon  Ephratense,  p.  203,  speak- 
ing of  this  period,  says: — Unterdessen  kam  der  Fiend  alle 
Tage  dem  Lager  der  Einsamen  naehcr,  und  war  nur  noch  13 
Meilen  davon  ab,  die  Fiuectlingeliefen  Ephrata  zu  und  suchten 
shutz  by  denen,  die  des  shultzes  selbst  bedurften.  Alle  Tage 
brachten  die  Boten  neue  Nachtrichten  von  Mordthaten, 
welches  sie  ins  gemien  einem  neuen  Zusatz  vermehrten. 

*Manche  zeiten  war  Ephrata  voller  Roth-roecke. —  Chron, 
Ephra.  202. 

tW.  M.  Fahnestock,  M.  D, 


386  HISTORY    OP 

In  the  town  of  Lancaster,  preparations  were  made  in 
the  latter  part  of  November,  and  the  early  part  of 
December,  to  erect  a  block-house.  From  the  followmg- 
letter,  dated  Lancaster,  December  1st,  1755,  addressed  to 
James  Hamilton,  Esq.,  we  may  learn  that  the  inhabitants 
of  the  county  feared  the  incursions  of  the  Indians  : 

Honored  Sir: — I  received  the  favor  of  yours  of  the 
24th,  November,  and  we  are  all  much  pleased  by  your 
Avillingness  to  contribute  to  the  building  of  a  block -house. 
The  savages  who  committed  the  murders  in  Paxton  are 
now  believed  to  be  very  numerous,  perhaps,  one 
hundred.  A  number  of  families,  but  thirty-five  mites 
]^om  us,  are  entirely  cut  off.  Farmers  are  flying  from 
their  plantations  to  Reading.  An  alarm,  last  night, 
about  twelve  o'clock;  we  assembled  in  the  square,  say, 
three  hundred,  but  with  fifty  guns  ;  it  was  shocking  to 
hear  at  such  a  moment,  when  in  expectation  of  the 
savages,  that  we  had  neither  a  sufficiency  of  guns,  nor 
ammunition.  Thanks  be  to  God,  the  alarm  was  false.- — 
The  block-house  will  be  built  on  tlie  north  side  of  the 
north  end  of  Queen  street.  Tiiere  will  be  a  wide  ditch 
around  it,  a  small  draw  bridge  ;  one  important  use  is  to 

Note. — A  petition  was  presented,  November  7,  1755,  to  the 
Assembly,  from  divers  inhabitants  of  Paxton  Narrows,  Lancas- 
ter county,  praying  for  the  enactment  of  a  militia  lavi?,  or  to  gran 
asufficient  sum  of  money  to  maintain  such  a  number  of  regular 
troops  as  may  be  thought  necessary  to  defend  their  frontiers, 
and  builJ  fortifications  in  proper  places;  also,  that  Conrad 
Weiser  might  be  sent  to  the  Indians,  at  or  about  Shamokin,  in 
order  to  sound  their  dispositions,  and  engage  them  to  come 
down  among  the  inhabitants  with  their  wives  and  children, 
where  they  might  be  plentifully  supplied  with  every  necessary, 
and  be  out  of  the  reach  of  the  intrigues  of  enemies.— Foies  of 
Assemhlif. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  337 

place    our  wives,  girls  and  and  children  within,  that 
they  may  be  in  safety.     *     *     *     *     These  are  fearful 
times.     God  only  knows  how  they  will  end. 
I  am  yours, 

Edavard  Shippen. 
Another,  dated  Lancaster,  December  5,  1755. 
Honored  Sir: — The  fort  Ave  have  agreed  to  build,  is 
as  follows :  For  the  stockage,  the  logs  split  in  the  mid- 
dle, and  set  on  end,  three  feet  in  the  ground,  placed  on 
the  north  side  of  the  town,  between  Queen  and  Duke 
street;  with  curtains  100  feet.  The  planks  of  the 
bastions,  16  feet;  and  the  saAvs  of  said  bastions,  30  feet 
each.  Yours,  &c., 

Edavard  Shippen. 
James  Hamilton.,  Esq.,  Bush  Hill. 

Marauding  parties  of  French  and  Indians  were  still 
on  the  frontiers  in  January,  1756,  attacking  the  settle- 
ments on  the  Juniata  river,  murdering  and  scalping  such 
of  the  inhabitants  as  did  not  escape,  or  Avere  not  pri- 
soners. To  guard  against  these  devastations,  a  chain  of 
forts  and  block-houses  Avere  built,  garrisoned  with  from 
tAventy  to  seventy -five  provincials,  as  the  situation  and 
importance  of  the  places  required. 

"The  friendly  Indians  Avere  gathered  in  from  the 
Susquehanna  to  Philadelphia,  lest  they  should  be  mis- 
taken for  enemies.  These  did  not  remain  long  at  Phila- 
delphia, headed  by  their  leaders.  Scarroyady  and  Mon- 
tour— they  merited  praise  from  the  Avhites — at  the  risk  of 
their  lives  they  Ansited  the  several  tribes  of  Indians 
seated  along  the  Susquehanna,  to  dissuade  them  from 
taking  up  arms. 

While  preparations  Avere  in  progress  to  wage  war  with 
certainty  against  the   ShaAvanese  and    Delawares,  in- 

39 


SSe  HISTORY    OF 

formation  was  received  by  the  Governor,*  "that  Sir 
William  Johnson,  through  the  mediation  of  the  Six 
Nations,  had  succeeded  in  disposing  the  Shawanese  and 
Delawares  to  an  accommodation,  and  that  these  tribes 
had  promised  to  refrain  from  hostilities.  On  the  part  of 
the  province,  the  Governor  suspended  the  war  against 
the  Indians,  by  proclamation."  A  treaty  was  pro- 
posed, and  acceded  to.  It  was  held  at  Easton,  But 
scarce  had  the  Indians  returned  to  their  wigwams,  when 
new  scenes  of  cruel  murders  were  perpetrated  on  the 
southward  of  the  Blue  Mountains.!  The  frontier  set- 
tlers were  driven  into  the  interior.  "In  1755,  the 
country  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  possessed  three 
thousand  men  fit  to  bear  arms,  and  in  1756,  exclusive  of 
the  provincial  forces,  there  were  not  one  huhdred;  fear 
having  driven  the  greater  part  into  the  interior." 

Successfully  to  repel  the  insurgents,  the  Governor  and 
provincial  commissioners  raised  twenty-five  companies, 
amounting  to  fourteen  hundred  men. J     Nine  of  these 

•Governor  Morris  of  Pennsylvania,  thought  proper  by  pro- 
clamation, to  declare  war  against  all  Indian  nations  who  should 
persist  in  so  doing ;  ofiering  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  for 
every  hostile  Delaware  Indian  talcen  alive,  and  one  hundred 
and  thirty  dollars  for  every  scalp,  inviting  at  the  same  time, 
all  those  who  laid  down  the  hatchet,  to  meet  at  a  treaty  of 
peace. — Heckew elder'' s  Nar.  50. 

f  Heckewelders  Narrative. 

^t  appears  the  government  was  somewhat  remiss  in  timely 
action.  Intelligence  arrived  at  Philadelphia,  April  13,  1756, 
that  the  people  of  the  back  counties  were  about  to  meet  at 
Lancaster  to  march  to  Philadelphia,  and  make  some  demands 
of  the  legislature  in  session.  The  15th  of  the  same  month  Mr. 
Chew  and  others  were  sent  by  the  governor  to  persuade  the 
people  to  desist.  April  21,  Mr.  Chew  and  others  returned  from 
Lancaster  ;  and  the  governor  summoned  the  Assembly  for  the 
aOth  of  May.— Haz.  P<z.  Reg.   V.  287. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  339 

companies  were  commanded  by  Lieut.  Colonel  Conrad 
Weiser;  they  were  stationed  at  different  points,  to  meet 
the  exigencies  of  the  time  and  place,  one  at  Fort  Augusta; 
one  at  Hunter's  mill,  seven  miles  above  Harrisburg,  on 
the  Susquehanna;  one-half  company  on  the  Swatara,  at 
the  foot  of  the  North  Mountain;  one  company  and  a 
half  at  Fort  Henry,  close  to  the  gap  of  the  mountain, 
called  Tothea  Gap;  one  company  at  Fort  William,  near 
the  forks  of  the  Schuylkill  river,  six  miles  beyond  the 
mountain;  one  company  at  Fort  Allen,  at  Gnadenhuttenj 
a  Moravian  settlement :  the  other  three  companies  were 
scattered  between  the  rivers  Lehigh  and  Delaware,  at 
the  disposition  of  the  captains,  some  at  farm-houses, 
others  at  mills,  from  three  to  twenty  in  a  place.  Major 
James  Burd  and  Colonel  Armstrong,  had  the  command 
of  the  other  companies;  these  were  principally  sta- 
tioned west  of  the  Susquehanna.*  "The  Shawanese  and 
Delaware  Indians,  stimulated  and  abetted  by  the  French, 
kept  up  their  hostilities,  till  1757,  vdien  negotiations  for 
peace  commenced  with  Teedyuscung,  the  chief  of  the 
Delaware  and  Shawanese  tribes,  on  the  Susquehanna, 
their  fury  abated.  But  the  French  and  Western  Indians, 
still  roamed  in  small  parties  over  the  country,  committing 
murders.  The  counties  of  Cumberland,  Berks,  North- 
ampton and  Lancaster,  were,  during  the  spring  and 
summer  months,  of  1757,  kept  in  continual  alarm,t  and 

*Gordon's  Pa. 

fMarch  29,  1757,  the  Indians  made  a  breach  at  Rocky- 
Springs,  where  one  man  was  killed  and  eleven  taken  prisoners. 
April  2d,  1757,  William  McKinnie  and  his  son  were  killed  near 
Chambers's  fort.  April  17th,  Jeremiah  Jack,  near  Potomac, 
was  taken  captive,  and  two  of  his  sons  killed,  and  a  man  and 
woman  were  drowned  in  the  Potomac,  while  endeavoring  to 
escape.      April  23d,  John   Martin  and  William  Blair  were 


340  HISTORY    OF 

some  of  the  savage  scalping  parties  weye  pushed  on,  to 
within  thirty  miles  of  Philadelphia." 

Several   Indian  treaties  were  held,  in  1757;    one  at 
Lancaster,*  in  May;  another  at  Easton,  in  August.     At. 

killed,  and  Patrick  McClelland  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  who 
afterwards  died  of  his  wound,  near  Maxwell's  fort,  on  Cono- 
cocheague  creek.  May  14th,  Major  Campbell  and  one  Tussey 
were  killed  or  taken  captive,  with  fourteen  others,  near 
Potomac.  May  12,  John  Martin  and  Andrew  Paul,  both  old 
men,  were  taken  from  Conococheague.  May  13,  two  men 
killed,  near  McCormick'sfort,  Conodoguinet.  May  16,  eleven 
persons  killed  at  Paxton,  Lancaster  county.  June  9,  James 
Holiday,  and  fourteen  men  killed  and  taken ;  James  Long's 
son  and  another  man,  killed  ia  a  quarry  at  Fort  Frederick. — 
Nineteen  men  killed  in  a  millatQuitipiliilla,  Lancaster  county, 
and  four  were  killed  in  Shearman's  valley  ;  all  done  in  one 
week.  June  6,  two  men  were  killed,  and  five  taken  prisoners, 
near  Sliippensburg.  July  18,  six  men  killed  or  taken  from  a 
field,  near  Sliippensburg.  July  19,  nineteen  men  killed  and 
taken  while  reaping  in  a  field,  near  Shippensburg.  August 
17,  William  Waugh's  barn  was  burnt,  in  the  Tract,  York 
county,  by  Indians.  September  9,  one  boy  and  girl  taken 
from  Donegal,  Lancaster  county.  October  1  and  2,  a  very 
great  slaughter,  near  Opiken,  in  Virginia,  v/here  more  than 
sixty  were  killed  and  taken.  November  9,  John  Woods,  his 
wife  and  mother-in-law,  and  John  Archer's  wife  were  killed, 
four  children  taken,  and  nine  men  killed,  near  McDowell's 
fort— Loudo7i's  Narrative,  II.  200-208. 

*At  the  t.teaty  held,  May  29,  1757,  between  Governor  Denny 
and  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations,  they  complained  of 
grievances,  and  assigned  a  few  causes  of  disaffection. 

"  Brothers,  some  years  ago,  in  the  Jer-eys,  one  of  the  head 
of  the  Delawares  had  been  out  hunting.  On  his  return,  he 
called  to  see  a  gentleman,  a  friend  of  his,  one  of  your  people, 
whom  he  found  in  the  field:  when  the  gentlemen  saw  him,  he 
came  to  meet  him.  It  was  rainy  weather,  and  the  Delaware 
chief  had  his  gun  under  his  arm  ;  they  met  at  a  fence,  and  as  they 
reached  their  hands  to  each  other,  the  Delaware's  gun  went 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  341 

the  latter,  three  hundred  Indians,  representations  of  ten 
tribes,  chiefly  from  the  Susquehanna,  (those  on  the  Ohio 
were  not  included)  with  their  chief,  Teedyuscung,  at- 
tended.    Before  departing  from  the  treaty,  they  not  only 

off,  by  accident,  and  shot  him  dead.  He  was  very  much 
grieved,  went  to  the  house,  and  told  the  gentleman's  wife  what 
had  happened;  and  said,  he  was  willing  to  die,  and  did  not 
choose  to  live  after  his  friend.  She  immediately  sent  for  a 
number  of  the  inhabitants:  when  they  were  gathered,  some 
said  it  was  an  accident,  and  could  not  be  helped  ;  but  the 
greatest  number  were  for  hanging  him;  and  he  was  taken 
by  the  sheriff,  and  carried  to  Amboy,  where  he  was  tried  and 
hanged. 

"  There  was  another  misfortune  happened  :  a  party  of  the 
Shawanese,  who  were  going  to  war  against  their  enemies,  in 
their  way  through  Carolina,  called  at  a  house,  not  suspecting 
any  harm,  as  they  were  among  their  friends  :  a  number  of  the 
mhabitants  rose  and  took  them  prisoners,  on  account  of  some 
mischief  which  was  done  them  about  that  time;  suspecting 
them  to  be  the  people  who  had  done  the  mischief;  and  carried 
them  to  Charleston,  and  put  them  in  prison,  where  the  chief 
man,  called  "  The  Pride,"'  died. 

"The  relations  of  those  people  were  much  exasperated 
against  you,  our  brothers,  the  English,  on  account  of  the  ill 
treatment  you  gave  their  friends;  and  have  been  continually 
spiriting  up  their  nations  to  take  revenge, 

"  Brothers,  you  desired  us  to  open  our  hearts,  and  inform 
you  of  every  thing  we  knew  that  might  have  given  rise  to  the 
quarrel  between  you  and  our  nephews  and  brothers:  That,  in 
former  times,  our  fore-fathers  conquered  the  Delawares,  and 
put  petticoats  on  them  ;  a  long  time  after  that,  they  lived 
among  you,  our  brothers;  but,  upon  some  difference  between 
you  and  them,  we  thought  proper  to  remove  them,  giving  them 
lands  to  plant  and  hunt  on,  at  Wyoming  and  Juniata,  on  the 
Susquehanna:  but  you,  covetous  of  land,  made  plantations 
there,  and  spoiled  their  hunting  ground^;  they  then  com- 
plained to  us,  and  we  looked  over  those  lands,  and  found  their 
complaints  to  be  true. 

"At  this  time  they  carried  on  a  correspondence  with  the 
29* 


343  HISTORY    OF 

agreed  to  a  cessation  of  hostilities  against  the  provin- 
cialists,  but  agreed  to  take  up  arms  against  the  French. 
A  definite  treaty,  however,  was  not  held  between  the 
English  and  Indians,  before  the  month  of  October,  1748, 
when  a  convention  was  held  at  Easton  with  the  Indians, 
which  lasted  from  the  17th  to  the  26th  of  that  month. — 
There  were  present,  on  the  part  of  the  English,  the  Go- 
vernors of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  with  Sir  Wil- 
liam Johnson,  and  other  agents.  The  Indians  who 
assisted  at  this  treaty,  were   the    Mohawks,  Oneidas, 

Frsnch;  by  which  means  the  French  became  acquainted  with 
all  the  causes  of  complaint  they  had  against  you :  and  as  your 
people  were  daily  increasing  their  settlements,  and  by  these 
means  you  drove  them  back  into  the  arms  of  the  French  ;  and 
they  took  the  advantage  of  spiriting  them  up  against  you,  by 
telling  them,  '  Children,  you  see,  and  we  have  often  told  you, 
how  the  English,  your  brothers,  serve  you;  they  plant  all  the 
CO  untry,  and  drive  you  back;  so  that,  in  a  little  time,  you  will 
have  no  land  :  it  is  not  so  with  us;  though  we  build  trading 
houses  on  your  lands,  we  do  not  plant;  we  have  our  provisions 
from  over  the  great  water.' 

'We  have  opened  our  hearts,  and  told  you  what  complaints 
we  have  heard  that  they  had  against  you  ;  and  our  advice  to 
you  is,  that  3'ou  send  for  the  Senecas  and  for  them  ;  treat  them' 
kindly,  and  rather  give  them  part  of  their  fields  back  again 
than  differ  with  them.  It  is  in  your  power  to  settle  all  the 
differences  with  them,  if  you  please.' — Minutes  of  the  Indian 
Treaties. 

"  King.r  eaver  was  also  present,  and  made  a  speech :  'When 
our  Great  Father  came  first,  we  stood  on  the  Indian's  path; 
we  looked  to  the  sun  as  he  rose  in  the  east;  we  gave  the 
English  venison;  the  English  gave  us  many,  many  good 
things;  but  the  English  trod  on  our  toes. — we  turned  our  faces 
to  the  west — the  English  trod  on  our  heels — we  walked  on — 
the  English  followed — we  walked  on,  not  knowing  where  to 
rest — the  English  were  at  our  heels.  Father,  we  are  weary, 
>ve  M'ish  to  rest.'" 


LANCASTER    COUNTT.  343 

Onondagas,  Cayugas,  Senecas,  Tuscaroras,  Nanticokes, 
Conoys,  Tuteloes,  Chugnuts,  Delawares,  Unamies,  Mini- 
sinks,  Mohicons,  and  Wappingers,  whose  deputies,  with 
their  women  and  children,  amounted  to  507.*  Peace 
and  friendship  had  now  been  estabHshed  between  the 
English  and  Indians;  all  fear  of  an  Indian  ivar  YdiW- 
ished,  and  the  minds  of  the  people  had  been  at  rest  for 
some  time;  but  the  French  war  still  continued,  and  occa- 
sional barbarities  were  committed  upon  the  frontier  set- 
tlers, by  the  Indians,  till  near  the  close  of  the  war  be- 
tween the  English  and  the  French,  in  1762  ;t  "for  there 
had  been  a  secret  confederacy  formed  among  the  Shawa- 
nese,  the  tribes  upon  the  Ohio  and  its  tributary  Avalers, 
and  about  Detroit,  to  attack,  simultaneously,  all  the 
English  posts  and  settlements  on  the  frontiers.  Their 
plan  was  deliberately  and  skilfully  projected.  The 
border  settlements  were  to  be  invaded  during  harvest,  the 
men,  corn,  and  cattle,  to  be  destroyed,  and  the  out-posts 
to  be  reduced  by  famine,  by  cutting  off  their  supplies. — 
Pursuant  to  this  plan,  the  Indians  fell  suddenly  upon  the 
traders,  whom  they  had  invited  among  them,  mur- 
dering many,  and  plundered  the  effects  of  all,  to 
an  immense  value. 

*Holmes'  An.  II.  86. 

fjuly  1,  1757,  three  men  and  four  children,  were  murdered 
and  scalped  in  the  vicinity  of  Tulpehocken.  The  Rev.  John 
Nicholas  Kurtz,  pastor  of  the  Lutheran  congregation,  at  Tul- 
pehocken, in  writing  to  the  Rev.  Muhlenberg,  pastor  of  the 
Lutheran  congregation  at  New  Providence,  under  date  of 
July  5,  1757,  says:  Diesen  Morgen,  wurden  sieben  ermordete 
und  gescalpte,  nemlich  drey  Maenner  and  vier  Kinder,  zur 
Beerdigung  auf  unsern  Kirchhof  gebracht,  so  gestern  bey 
Sonnen  Untergang,  fuenf  Meilen  von  hier  von  den  Indianern 
«mgebracht  wordcn,  und  alie  in  einemHause  ! 


.r*^ 
-H 


544  HISTORY    OF 

"  The  frontiers  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  Vir- 
ginia, were  overrun  by  scalping  parties,  marking  their 
way  with  blood  and  devastation,"* 

"The  upper  part  of  Cumberland  was  overrun  by  the 
savages,  in  1763,  who  set  fire  to  houses, barns, corn,  hay 
and  every  thing  that  was  combustible;  the  inhabitants  were 
surprised  and  murdered  with  the  utmost  cruelty  and  bar- 
barity. Those  who  could,  escaped — some  to  Shippens-^ 
burg,  others  to  Carlisle,  where  houses  and  stables  were 
crowded  with  refugees.  Many  of  them  sought  shelter 
(in  Lancaster  county)  in  the  woods,  with  their  families, 
and  with  their  cattle.t     Some  staid  with  their  relatives^. 

*April  2d,  1758,  two  men  were  killed  near  Shippensbuvg. — 
Apsil  5,  one  man  killed  and  ten  taken,  near  Black's  Gap,  on  the 
South  mountain.  April  13,  one  man  killed  and  nine  taken  near 
Archibald  Bard's  South  mountain.  May  21,  one  man  and  five 
women  taken  from  Yellow  Breeches  creek.  May  23,  Joseph 
Gallady  killed,  his  wife  and  one  child  taken  from  Conoco- 
cheague.  May  29, 1759,  one  Dunwiddie  and  Crawford  shot  by 
two  Indians,  in  Carrol's  tract,  York  county.  July  20,  a  boy  was 
plowing  at  Swatara,  was  shot  by  two  Indians,  one  horse  killed, 
and  the  other  wounded. — Loudon's  Narrative. 

Note. — It  was  apprehended  that  the  Indians  of  Conestoga, 
were  becoming  restless.  In  May,  1758,  intelligence  was  re- 
ceived at  Philadelphia  that  the  Indians  at  Conestoga  designed 
to  move  off  to  the  woods — a  message  was  sent  them — May  3, 
some  of  the  Indians  arrived,  at  Philadelphia,  from  Conestoga 
-rrthey  Stated,  in  conference,  that  they  did  not  intend  leaving 
Conestoga,  though  some  had  gone  to  Susquehanna.  They 
had  thought  of  going  to  Susquehanna  to  hunt  and  tiade. — 
Will  Sock,  Chazrea  and  others  of  them,  gave  Conrad  Weiser 
the  news  of  Indian  incursions. — Haz.  Reg.  V.  272. 

f"  In  July,  1763,  the  reapers  of  Lancaster  county  tpok  their 
guns  and  ammunition  with  them  into  the  harvest  fields  to  de- 
fend themselves  from  the  Indians." — Lan.  Intell.  ^  Jour. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  345 

and  never  returned  to  the  place  from  which  they  had 
fled.* 

"  After  the  first  panic  had  passed  away,  the  refugee 
settlers  associated  themselves  together,  and  under  the 
care  of  divisions  of  the  regular  troops  and  militia, 
succeeded  in  collecting  and  saving  the  remnant  of  their 
crops." 

In  the  latter  end  of  August,  a  party  of  volunteers 
from  Lancaster  county,  one  hundred  and  ten  in  number, 
intercepted  at  Muncy  hill,  a  number  of  Indians,  pro- 
ceeding from  Great  Island,  in  the  Susquehanna,  to  the 
frontier  settlements.  In  several  skirmishes  with  the 
Indians,  the  Lancasterians  killed  twelve  of  them — four 
of  their  own  men  Avere  killed,  and  a  like  number 
wounded. 

After  General  Forbes  had  taken  possession  of  Fort 
Du  Quesne,  November  25,  175S,  and  garrisoned  it  by 
men,  chiefly  provincial  troops,  from  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 

*The  following  we  copied  at  the  Donegal  cliurcli:  "In  mem- 
ory of  William  McDowell,  late  of  Conecaelieague,  wlio  was  a 
tender  parent  and  careful  instructor,  and  an  example  of  piety 
to  a  numerous  progeny.  Wlien  the  settlement  was  obliged  to 
fly  by  the  barbaro  us  Indian  war,  he  deceased  in  these  parts. — 
So  was  interred  here  September  12,  1759,  aged  77." 

Note. — Extracts  from  letters  to  James  Hamilton,  Esq.  dated 
Carlisle,  July  3d  and  5th,  1763,  signed  Henry  Boquet : 

If  the  measures  I  had  the  honor  to  recommend  to  you  in  my 
letter  of  yesterday,  are  riot  immediately  put  into  execution,  I 
foresee  the  rnin  of  the  posts  of  the  province  on  this  side  of  the 
Susquehanna;  and  as  York  count}i.  would  be  covered  by 
Cumberland,  I  think  they  ought  to  assist  in  building  the  post, 
and  sowing  the  harvest.  It  would  not  be  the  less  necessary 
to  send  armsand.ammunition  to  be  distributed  among  the  in- 
habitants for  the  protection  of  the  reapers. 

May,  5.  The  road  was  nearly  covered  with  women  and  chil- 
dren flying  to  Lancaster  and  Philadelphia. 


346  HISTORY    OF 

land  and  Virginia,  under  the  command  of  Calotiel 
Mercer,  many  of  the  other  soldiers  were  marched  into 
the  interior,  and  quartered  at  Lancaster,  Reading  and  Phi- 
ladelphia, the  soldiers  were  quartered  or  billetted  among 
the  inhabitants,  who  complained  grievously  of  the 
men,  and  the  caprice,  favor  and  oppression,  of  the 
officers.  The  assembly,  having  remonstrated  in  vain  on 
these  enormities,  directed  a  barracks  to  be  erected, 
1759,  in  the  town  of  Lancaster,  to  contain  500  men. — 
Mr.  Bausman  was  appointed  Barrack  master."'^ 

The  influence  of  war  is  ever  pernicious  to  the  morals 
of  society — the  train  of  evils  consequent  upon  war  are 
baleful.  Lancaster  county  felt  its  effects,  not  only  in  the 
shape  of  burdens  and  taxest  upon  the  industrious  por- 
^tion  of  its  inhabitants.  The  true  condition  of  the  state 
of  -morals,  and  the  fruits  of  war,  may  be  learnt  from  a 
petition  presented  to  the  Assembly,  in  1763,  praying  the 
Legislature  for  the  passage  of  an  Act  for  erecting  a 
House  of  Correction.  The  preamble  to  the  Act,  recites 
part  of  the  petition : 

Whereas,  It  hath  been  represented  to  this  House,  by 
petitioners  from  a  considerable  number  of  inhabitants  of 
the  borough  and  county  of  Lancaster,  that  they  now, 
and  for  a  long  time,  have  suffered  most  grievously,  as 
well  by  unruly,  disobedient  servants,  as  by  idle  strolling 
vagrants  from  divers  parts,  who  have  taken  shelter  in 
the  county  and  borough;  that  drunkenness,  profane 
swearing,  breach  of  the  Sabbath,  tumults,  and  other 
vices,  so  much  prevail,  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  the 

*  Gordon;  Haz.  Reg. 

f  The  tax  assessed  in  Lancaster  county  in  1760,  amounted  to 
upwards  of  sixteen  thousand  dollars.  The  land  estimated  in  the 
county  to  be  436,346  acres.  Taxables  5,635,  £\.  2s.  to  each 
taxable ;  amounted  to  ^£6,178  10s. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  347 

magistrates  to  suppress  them,  and  preserve  peace  and 
good  order,  having  no  house  of  correction  for  the  punish- 
ment of  sucli  offenders.  A  law  was  passed — a  house  of 
correction,  or  work  house,  erected.  "  Tliis  was  the 
work  house  in  wliich  the  Indians  were  '  despatched '  by 
the  Paxton  Rangers,  Tuesday,  the  27th  of  December, 
1763. 

For  several  successive  winters,  and  especially  in  the 
year  1763,  the  frost  was  severe  upon  the  winter  and 
summer  grain,  in  the  low  lands  and  limestone  soil. — 
This  circumstance,  and  the  heavy  timber,  induced  many 
of  the  Irish  to  seat  themselves,  in  1763,  along  the 
northern  line  of  the  counties  of  Chester  and  Lancaster, 
well  known  at  an  early  period  by  the  name  of  Chestnut 
Glade.  The  Germans  purchased  their  little  improve- 
ments, and  were  not  intimidated  either  by  the  difficulty 
of  clearing  their  lands,  the  scarcity  of  water,  and  the 
liability  of  frost  which,  at  this  period,  was  experienced 
every  month  of  the  year.* 

About  the  year  1760  or  61,  JNIr.  Steigel,  who  managed 
the  Elizabeth  iron  works  for  many  years,  when  they 
were  owned  by  Benezet  &Co.  of  Philadelphia, commenced 
his  singular  career.  He  was  well  known  as  the  eccentric 
German  Baron,  or  Wilhelm  Heinrich  Steigel,  proprietor 
of  Manheim.  Having  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  from  the  Messrs.  Stedmans  of  Philadelphia,  he 
erected  a  grand  chateau,  (castle)  very  singular  in  its 
structure,!  and  afterwards  laid  out  a  town,  to  which  he 

•Haz.  Reg.  V.  12. 

f  This  house  is  now  occupied  by  Mr.  John  Arndt,  merchant, 
■who,  we  state  it  with  regret,  in  improving  the  house,  made  such 
alterations  that  the  original  of  the  internal  arrangement  is  so 
materially  altered  as  to  leave  neither  the  Baron's  pulpit,  from 
which,  in  a  large  upper  saloon,  he,  in  the  capacity  of  a  preacher, 


348  HISTORY    OF 

gave  the  naiiie  of  his  place  of  nativity — MAi^BtEiM.— ■ 
This  town  was  laid  out  in  1761,  and  in  1762,  contained 
'three  houses.  One  of  his  countrymen,  Mr.  Andrew 
Bartruff,  father  of  Colonel  John  Bartruff,  erected  the 
third  house  in  the  town — he  kept  the  first  grocery.* 

To  give  encouragement  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  place^ 
and  to  advance  his  own  interest,  as  proprietor,  the  Baron 
erected  a  glass  house,  where  the  manufacture  of  the 
article  of  glass,  in  all  its  varieties,  was  successfully  carried 
on  for  some  years,  by  Steigel  himself,  a,nd  afterwards  by 
a  Mr.  Jenkins.  Nothing  remains  of  the  glass  house. — 
The  place  Avhere  it  stood  is  still  pointed  out,  to  the  enquir- 
ing visitants,  by  the  attentive  and  courteous  inhabitants 
of  Manheim. 

In  1761,  Wilham  Adams  laid  out  Adamstov/n,  First 
holders  of  lots  were  Bicher,  Eichholtz,  Fansler,  Negle, 
Kearn,  Richards,  Brendle,  Steffs,  Flickinger,  Schlough, 
Reager  and  others. 

addressed  his  hands  employed  at  the  glass  factory ;  nor  are 
other  fixtures  any  longer  visible.  Wliat  remains  of  the  inter- 
nal, has  not  its  lilie,  in  the  United  States.  Its  rich  scenery 
painting  of  falconry  on  the  sides  of  the  room  walls — the  tab- 
lets of  china,  curiously  painted  and  fastened  on  the  jambs,  at- 
tract and  excite  the  admiration  of  all  who  have  the  pleasure  of 
spending  a  few  moments  with  the  hospitable  and  affable  owner 
of  the  house. 

The  Baron  was,  as  well  as  his  fortune,  singular.  His 
vicissitudes  in  life  were  varied.  He  was  Baron  in  Europe — an 
iron  master,  glass  manufacturer,  a  preacher,  a  teacher — rich 
and  poor,  in  America.  He  died  a  schoolmaster.  At  liberty; 
and  imprisoned.  A  special  act  was  passed  forhis  relief,  De-' 
Gember24,  1774.     So  gehts  dem  Mensch. 

*■  Among  the  first  settlers  of  the  place  were,  besides  those 
already  mentioned,  the  Naumans,  Minnichs,  Wherlys,  Kaisers, 
Longs,  Hentzelmans,  who  kept  the  first  tavern.  About  the 
town  were  the  Lightners,R,eists,  Hershys,  Hostetters,  Lehmans^ 
Longeneckers,  Brandts,  Witmers,  Hollars  and  others. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  349 

Notes. — In  1757  Elizabeth  township  was  erected — then 
"bounded  :  beginning  at  the  land  of  Joseph  Cratser,  bounding 
upon  Heidleberg,  thence  by  the  same  to  Cocalico  township, 
thence  by  Cocalico  to  Warvvick^  thence  by  the  same  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

January  10th,  1759,  Christian  Frederick  Post  arrived  at  the 
town  of  Lancaster,  from  his  journey  to  the  Indians  on  Ohio,  to 
whom  he  had  gone  to  deliver  a  message  from  Governor  Denny. 
Post  had  started  from  Easton,  for  Ohio,  Oct.  25,  1758. 

July  13th,  1760,  Conrad  Weiser,  the  Indian  agent,  died  in 
Heidleberg  township,  Berks  county. 

1760,  Emauucl  Carpenter  was  appointed  Presiding  justice  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Lancaster  county.  He  filled 
this  office  until  1780,  the  time  of  his  death.  "He  lived  beloved 
and  died  lamented  by  all.  He  was  in  every  sense  an  honest 
man  ;  always  just,  liberal  and  tolerant.  He  was  an  arbiter  in 
all  matters  of  dispute  among  his  neighbors;  and  from  his  deci- 
sions they  never  appealed,  such  was  the  confidence  of  his 
integrity." 

He  left  a  numerous  connection  of  relatives  and  friends.  His 
remains  rest  in  Zimmerman's  grave  yard,  near  Earlvillo,  at 
whose  side  rest  those  of  his  consort,  Catharine  Line,  who  died 
1785.  Their  lineal  descendanis  are  many,  and  are  to  be  found 
in  the  names  of  the  Carpenters,  GrofFs,  Ferrees,  Pieiga:rts, 
M'Clcerys  and  others. 

"In  1761,  the  inhabitants  of  Tulpchockcn  and   Heidleberg 
townships,  raised  1.50  men  as  rangers,  to  guard  the  county  lines  / 
of  Berks  and  Lancaster."  y 

1762,  Charles  Mason  and  Jeremiah  Dixon,  two  able  aati  inge- 
nious mathematicians,  after  their  return  from  Good  Hope  Cape, 
were  employed  to  run  the  line  so  lung  the  subject  of  angry  con- 
troversy. The  business  was  accordingly  perfonricd  agreeably 
to  directions,  and  stone  pillars  erected  to  exhibit  clearly,  an  i 
fix  with  certainty  the  long  disputed  boundary. 

Maytown  was  laid  out  May  1st,  1762,  by  Mr.  Doner.  To  cele- 
brate the  day  of  laying  out  Maytown,  a  fair,  "a  gathering  of 
loose  heels,''  was  held,  and  dancing  performed  in  its  best  style, 
in  the  middle  of  the  main  street  in  the  "  houseless  town."  It 
is  to  be  regretted  tl'.at  the  dance  could  not  have  been  performed 

30 


W^^*^^''"*^"' 


350  BISTORT   OF 

in  the  absence  of  human  beings,  as  well  &s  in  the  absence  of 
houses. 

"  An  Indian  conference  was  held,  August  9, 1762,  and  a  treaty- 
made  at  Lancaster,  which  restored,  for  a  short  period,' the  tran- 
quility of  the  inhabitants." 

Members  of  Assembly  from  Lancaster  county,  1761  and  1762— 
Emanuel  Carpenter,  James  Wright,  James  Webb,  John  Doug- 
lass. 1763,  Isaac  Saunders  and  those  before  named,  except 
James  Webb.  1764,  James  Webb,  and  those  of  1763  except 
John  Douglass. 


CHAPTER   VII. 


Tendency  of  war — Hostilities  continued — I/ancaster  county  exposed  to 
Indian  incursions,  &c. — Treachery  of  the  Conestoga  Indians — Paxton 
and  Donegal  Rangers  watch  the  Indians  closely — The  Paxton  Boys 
surprize  the  Indians  at  Conestoga — Indian  villagers  massacred — Those 
abroad  taken  under  protection  by  the  magistrates  of  Lancaster — Governor 
Penn's  proclamation — The  Paxton  Boys  at  Lancaster;  massacre  the  In- 
dians— Governor  Penn  issues  another  proclamation — The  Paxton  Boys 
grow  desperate,  and  "  show  up  some  Indian" — Resort  to  Philadelphia — 
Their  non-commendable  conduct  there — They  return  peaceably  to  their 
homes,  leaving  two  of  their  number  to  represent  their  grievances  to  the 
Assembly. 

In  war,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  calamities  of  war,  the 
nrdinary  sympathies  of  our  nature  seem  to  forsake  man. 
In  the  savage,  war  whets  the  destructive  propensities, 
and  his  thirst  to  shed  hlood  increases  in  ardency  as  the 
mnnber  of  his  victims  swells.  Total  extirpation  only  cir- 
cumscribes his  sphere  of  slaughter;  hence,  the  indis- 
criminate murders  of  the  innocent  and  the  guilty,  by  the 
savage.  War  makes  demi-savages  of  the  civilized,  and 
the  demi-savage,  though  \\s.  formerly  felt  his  whole  soul 
thrilled  at  hearing  of,  or  seeing,  the  mu:'der  of  one  single 
individual,  in  turn,  when  inured  to  tlie  miseries  of  war, 
can  hstento  the  report  of  countless  murders  as  an  amusing 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  351 

tale,  and  be  prepared  to  resent  to  the  utmost  every 
wrong ;  avenge  himself  in  the  destruction  of  those  whom 
he  believes  to  be  aggressors,  or  mere  abettors.     Of  this, 
we  have  a  striking  case  in  the  "cruelties  reciprocally 
committed "  among  the  whites  and  Indians  upon  each 
other,  during  the  bloody  times  of  the  middle  of  the  last 
century.     Hostilities  were  kept  up  by  the  Indians,  and 
barbarities  committed,  calculated  to  excite  the  calmest 
to  revenge  the  wrongs  which  the  inhabitants  of  Lan- 
caster and  the  adjacent  counties,  suffered  at  the  hands  of 
hostile  Indians,  from  1754  to  1765.*     Those  whose  path 
was  marked,  wherever  they  went  among  the    whites, 
"  with  cruelty  and  murder,"  were  called  hostile  Indians, 
to  distinguish  them  from  the  peaceable  ones,  residing  at 
Conestoga,  Nain  and  Wichetung. 

The  inhabitants  of  Lancaster  county,  (especially  those 
in  Paxton  and  Donegal  townships,  being  most  exposed  to 
the  merciless  Indians)  reflecting  upon  the  past,  and  the 
present  with  them;  "that  the  bloody  barbarians  had 
exercised  on  their  fathers,  mothers,  brothers,  sisters, IviVes 
and  children,  and  relatives,  the  most  unnatural  and 
leisurely  tortures  ;  butchered  others  in  their  beds,  at  their 
meals,  or  in  some  unguarded  hour.  Recalling  to  their 
minds,  sights  of  horror,  scenes  of  slaughter;  seeing 
scalps  clotted  with  gore !  mangled  limbs  !  women  ripped 

*"  1763.  Two  letters  were  received  from  Jonas  Seely,  Esq. 
from  Berks  county,  dated,  10th  and  llth  September,  1763. 

"We  are  all  in  a  state  of  alarm.  Indians  have  destroyed 
dwellings,  and  murdered  with  savage  barbarity  their  helpless 
inmates  ;  even  in  the  neighborhood  of  Reading,  Where  these 
Indians  come  from,  and  where  going  we  know  not.  These 
are  dangerous  times.  Send  us  an  armed  force  to  aid  our  Ran- 
gers of  Berks  and  Lancaster." 

"Those  letters  were  laid  belore  the  Assembly,  September 
16, 1763." — Lancaster  Intelligencer  &  Journal. 


352  HISTORY    OF 

up  !  the  heart  and  bowels  still  palpitating  with  life,  and 
smoking  on  the  ground !  See  savages  swilling  their 
blood,  and  imbibing  a  more  courageous  fury  with  the 
human  draught.  They  reasoned  thus :  These  are  not 
men;  they  are  not  beasts  of  prey;  they  are  something 
Avorse ;  they  must  be  "  wfernal  furies  in  human  shaped' 
Are  we,  asked  they,  tamely  to  look  on  and  "suffer  them 
to  exercise  these  hellish  barbarities  upon  our  children  and 
wives  !  our  brethren  and  fellow  citizens !  Shall  these 
savages — even  those  whom  v/e  suspect  as  accessories — 
shall  they  escape  ? 

Who  could,  with  all  the  influences  of  a  continued  war 
upon  him,  and  under  such  circumstances,  let  escape  one 
Indian,  and  if  only  strongly  suspected  of  treachery, 
however  specious  his  conduct,  in  the  light  of  day? 
These,  we  conceive,  were  the  feelings  that  incited  the 
whites  to  acts  of  cruelty ;  as  we  would  vieiv  them  now. 

That  some  of  the  Conestoga  Indians  were  treach- 
erous, appears  abundantly,  from  the  facts  set  forth  in  the 
folldtv4ng  affidavits: 

"Abraham  Newcomer,  a  Mennonite  ;  by  trade  a  gun- 
smith, upon  his  aflirmation,  declared  that  several  times, 
within  these  few  years,  Bill  Soc  and  Indian  John,  two  of 
of  the  Conestogoe  Indians,  threatened  to  scalp  him  for 
refusing  to  mend  their  tomahawks,  and  swore  they 
Avould  as  soon  scalp  him,  as  they  would  a  dog.  A  few 
days  before  Bill  Soc  was  killed,  he  brought  a  tomahawk 
to  be  steeled.  Bill  said,  "  if  you  will  not,  I'll  have  it 
mended  to  your  sorrow,"  from  which  expression,  "I 
apprehended  danger." 

"  Mrs.  Thompson,  of  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  per^ 
sonally  appeared  before  the  Chief  Justice  Burgess,  and 
upon  his  solemn  oath,  on  the  Holy  Evangelists,  said  that 
in  the  summer  of  1761,  Bill  Soc  come  to  her  apartment. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  357 

Yocently  erected  workhouse,  a  strong  building,  as  the  place 
of  greatest  safety." 

When  the  news  of  this  unkind  treatment  of  the  Indians 
by  the  Paxtonians  reached  Philadelphia,  the  Gcvernor 
issued  the  following  proclamation  : 

Whereas,  I  have  received  information,  that  on  Wed- 
nesday the  14th  of  this  month,  a  number  of  people  well 
armed  and  m.ounted  on  horseback,  unlawfully  assembled 
together,  and  went  to  the  Indiantown  in  the  Concstoga 
manor,  in  Lancaster  county,  and  without  the  least  reason 
of  provocation,  in  cold  blood,  barbarously  killed  six  of  the 
Indians  settled  there,  and  burnt  and  destroyed  all  their 
houses  and  effects ;  and  whereas  so  cruel  and  inhuman 
an  act^  committed  in  the  heart  of  this  province  on  the  said 
Indians,  who  have  lived  peaceably  and  inoffensively 
among  us  during  all  our  late  troubles,  and  for  many  years 
before,  and  were  justly  considered  as  under  the  protection 
of  this  government  and  its  laws,  calls  loudly  for  the  vigor- 
ous exertion  of  the  civil  authority,  to  detect  the  offenders 
and  bring  them  to  condign  punishment ;  I  have,  therefore, 
by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  council,  thought 
fit  to  issue  this  proclamation,  and  do  hereby  strictly  charge 
and  enjoin  all  judges,  justices,  sheriffs,  constables,  officers, 
civil  and  military,  and  all  other  his  Majesty's  lirge  subjects 
within  this  province,  to  make  diligent  search  and  inquiry 
after  the  authors  and  perpetrators  of  the  said  crime,  their 
abettors  and  accomplices,  and  use  all  possible  means  to 
apprehend  and  to  secure  them  in  some  of  the  public  jails 
of  this  province,  that  they  may  be  brought  to  their  trials, 
and  be  proceeded  against  according  to  law. 

And  whereas  a  number  of  other  Indians,  who  lately 
lived  on  or  near  the  frontiers  of  this  province,  bemg 
willing  and  desirous  to  preserve  and  continue  the  ancient 
friendship  which  heretofore  subsisted  between  them  and 


f 


358  HISTORY    OF. 

the  good  people  of  this  province,  have,  at  their  own 
earnest  request,  been  removed  from  their  habitations  and 
brought  into  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  where  provision 
is  made  for  them  at  the  public  expense  ;  I  do,  therefore, 
hereby  strictly  forbid  all  persons  whatsoever,  to  molest  or"" 
injure  any  of  the  said  Indians,  as  they  will  answer  the 
contrary  at  their  peril. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  great  seal  of  the  said 
province,  at  Philadelphia,  A.  D.  1763,  Dec.  22d,  and  in 
the  4th  year  of  his  Majesty's  reign. 

By  his  honor's  command.  John  Penn. 

Joseph  Shipped,  Jr.,  Sec'y. 

"  God  save  the.  King.'' 

Notwithstanding  the  governor's  interposition,  the 
people  were  too  much  exasperated  to  have  their  fury 
allayed  by  a  proclamation  from  a  supine  governor. 
"  They  assembled,*  sa^rs  Gordon,  in  great  numbers,  forced 
the  prison,  and  butchered  all  the  miserable  wretches  they 
found  within  the  walls.  Unarmed  and  unprotected,  the 
Indians  prostrated  themselves  with  their  children  before 
their  murderers,  protesting  their  innocence  and  their  love 
to  the  English,  and  in  this  posture  they  all  received  the 
hatchet." 

The  following  letter  by  William  Henry,  Esq.  of  Lan- 
caster, to  a  gentleman  of  Philadelphia,  may  enable  the 
readei"  to  form  some  idea  of  the  treatment  the  Indians 
received  at  the  hands  of  the  "  Paxton  Boys.'' 

"There  are  few,  if  any  murders  to  be  compared  with 
the  cruel  murder  committed  on  the  Conestogo  Indians  in 
the  jail  of  Lancaster,  in  1763,  by  the  Paxton  boys,  as 
th^  were  then  called.  From  fifteen  to  twenty  Indians, 
as  report  stated,  were  placed  there  for  protection.     A 

•Tuesday,  the  27th  Dec.  1763. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  301 

'feir  habitation;  notwithstanding  which,  I  have  received 
information,  that  on  the  27th  of  the  same  month,  a  large 
party  of  armed  men  again  assembled  and  met  together  in 
-a  riotous  and  tumultuous  manner,  in  the  county  of  Lan- 
caster, where  they  violently  broke  open  the  workhouse, 
and  butchered  and  put  to  death  14  of  the  said  Conestoga 
Indians,  men,  women  and  children,'  who  had  been  taken 
under  the  immediate  care   of  the  magistrates  of  said 
county,  and  lodged  for  their  better  security  in  the  said 
workhouse,  till  they  should  be  more  effectually  provided 
for  by  order  of  the  government ;   and  whom  common 
justice  loudly  demands,  and  the  laws  of  the  land  (upon 
the  prosecution  of  which  not  only  the  liberty  and  security 
of  every  individual,  but  the  being  of  government  itself 
depends,)  require,  that  the  above  offenders  should  be 
brought  to  condign  punishment ;  I  have,  therefore,  by 
and  with  the  advice  of  the  council,  published  this  procla- 
mation, and  do  hereby  strictly  charge  and  command  all 
judges,  justices,  sheriffs,  constables,  officers  civil  and  mili- 
tary, and  all  others  his  Majesty's  faithful  liege  subjects 
within  this  province,  to  make  diligent  search  and  inquiry 
after  the  authors  and  perpetrators  of  the  said  last  men- 
tioned offenders,  their  abettors  and  accomplices,,  and  that 
they  use  all  possible  means  to  apprehend  and  secure  them 
in  some  of  the  public  jails  of  this  province,  to  be  dealt 
with  according  to  law. 

And  I  do  hereby  further  promise  and  engage,  that  any 
person  or  persons,  who  shall  apprehend  and  secm'e,  or 
or  cause  to  be  apprehended  or  secured,  any  three  of  the 
ringleaders  of  the  said  party,  and  prosecute  them  to  con- 
viction, shall  have  and  receive  for  each  the  public  reward 
of  '^200 ;  and  any  accomplice,  not  concerned  in  the  imme- 
diate shedding  the  blood  of  said  Indians,  who  shall  make 
discovery  of  any  or  either  of  the  said  ringleaders,  and 

31 


362  HISTOKT    OF 

apprehend  and  prosecute  them  to  conviction,  shall  bvef 
and  above  the  said  reward,  have  all  the  weight  and  influ- 
ence of  the  government,  for  obtaining  his  Majesty's 
pardon  for  his  offence. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  great  seal  of  the  pro- 
vince, at  Philadelphia,  January  3,  in  the  4th  year  of  his 
Majesty's  reign,  A.  D.  1764. 

By  his  command.  John  Penn. 

Joseph  Shippen,  Jr.,  Sec'y. 

"  God  save  the  KingJ'^ 
The  Paxton  Boys  had  become  desperate,  and  in  turn 
^^  showed  up  some  Indian,''^*  as  is  manifest  from  their 
conduct  in  destroying  the  Indians  at  Lancaster. 

*David  Rittenhouse,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  speaking  of  the 
Paxton  Boys  in  Piiiladelpliia,  on  this  occason,  says  :  "  About 
fifty  of  the  scoundrels  marched  by  my  work-shop.  I  have 
seen  hundreds  of  Indians  travelling  the  country,  and  can  with 
truth  aftirm,  that  the  behavior  of  tliese  fellows  was  ten  times 
more  savage  and  brutal  than  theirs.  Frightening  women,  by 
•running  the  muzzles  of  iheir  guns  through  v.  indovvs,  swearing 
and  hallooing ;  attacking  men  ^vithout  the  least  provocation ; 
dragging  them  by  the  hair  to  the  ground,  and  pretending  to 
scalp  them  ;  shooting  a  number  of  dogs  and  fowls  ;  these  are 
some  of  their  exploits." — Ritienliouse' s  Mem.  jj.  148. 

In  another  letter,  Mr.  Barlon  says :  "  I  received  a  letter  from 
sister  E.  soon  after  the  alaim  at  Philadelphia  was  over,  and 
will  give,  &c.  &c. 

"On  Monday  mornipg,  between  one  and  two  o'clock,  an 
express  came  to  the  Governor,  infoiming  that  the  rebels  were 
on  their  way,  and  that  a  great  number  of  them  were  on  this 
side  the  White  Horse.  There  was  one  express  after  another, 
till  Iheie  was  certain  intelligenci;  that  some  t)f  them  were  at 
■Geiniantown.  When  the  fir-t  express  came,  the  bells  were 
rung,  the  drums  beat,  and  the  constables  were  ordered  to  go 
from  h.ouse  to  house,  to  knock  up  the  inhabitants,  and  bid  them 
put  candles  at  their  doors:  it  had  the  appearance  of  all  the 
houses    being    illuminated.     Before    day,    there    was    about 


LANCASTER    COUNTr.  -f^'A  "^^^ 

The  Moravian  Indians  were  placed  for  safety  in  the 
barracks  at  Philadelpliia,  and  no  sooner  had  this  intelU- 
gence  been  received  in  Lancaster,  than  a  large  number 
assembled  and  marched  to  Philadelphia.  They  produced 
considerable  alarm  in  the  city.  "  The  Governor  fled 
to  the  house  of  Dr.  Franklin  for  safety  ;  and  nothing  but 

twenty  men  met  at  T.  T's,  and  chose  their  oiRcers,  Before 
night  they  were  increased  to  nearly  an  hundred  ;  as  were  like- 
wise most  of  the  other  companies.     E and  all  our  mea 

were  in  captain  Wood's  company.  They  all  appeared  to  be 
in  high  spirits,  and  desirous  to  meet  the  rebels.  On  Tuesday, 
when  the  Mayor  and  other  gentlemen  set  ofi'for  Germantown, 
tlie  heads  of  companies  begged  of  them  not  to  comply  with 
any  dishonorable  terms,  and  told  them  :  "  Gentlemen,  we  are 
ready  to  go  wherever  you  may  command  us  ;  and  we  had  much 
rather  you  would  let  us  treat  with  them,  with  our  guns."  Oa 
their  return,  there  was  a  general  murmur  among  the  compa- 
nies against  the  proceedmgs  of  our  great  men  ;  they  knew  it, 
and  there  was  a  long  harangue  made  by  Mr.  Chew  ;  but  it  did 

not  answer  the  end.     On  Wednesday  morning  I  went  to ^ 

as  usual,  and  on  my  return  home,  I  stopped  at  our  friend  H. 
T's,  when,  on  a  sudden  an  alarm  gun  was  fired,  the  bells  began 
to  ring,  and  the  men  called  "  to  arms,"  as  loud  as  possible.  I 
cannot  describe,  my  dear  brother,  how  I  felt :  we  ran  to  the 

door,  when,  to  add  to  my  fright  I  saw  E ,  amidst  hundreds 

of  others,  run  by  with  his  gun.  They  met  at  the  court  house, 
formed  themselves  into  regular  companies,  and  marched  up 
Second  street  as  far  as  the  barracks  ;  where  they  found  it  was 
a  false  alarm. 

"  It  was  a  pleasing,  though  melancholy  sight,  to  view  the 
activity  of  our  men.  In  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  they 
were  all  on  their  march — it  is  supposed  above  a  thousand  of 

them;  and  by  all  accounts,  there  were  not  ten  among 

them.     It  was  the  very  common  cry,  while  our  men  were 

parading— "What!    not    one  among  us] !     Instead  of 

joining  with  others,  they  would  sneak  into  corners  and  applaud 
the  "  Paxton  Boys."  Their  behavior  on  this  occasion  has 
made  them  blacker  than  ever." 


36^4  HISTORY    OF 

the  spirited  measures  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  saved 
it  from  the  fury  of  an  exasperated  multitude,  who  would 
not  have  hesitated  to  extend  vengeance  from  the  Indians 
to  their  protectors." 

After  some  consultation  among  themselves,  on  salu- 
tary advice  given,  they  concluded  to  peaceably  return  to 
their  homes,  leaving  Matthew  Smith  and  James  Gibson, 
two  of  their  number,  to  represent  their  views  to  govern- 
ment."    They  laid  their  grievances,  before  the  Governor 
and  the  Assembly,  by  a  memorial  in  behalf  of  Lancaster^ 
>.irork,  Cumberland,  Berks,  and  Northampton,  complain- 
ing that  these  counties  were  irregularly  represented  in  the 
Assembly,  sending  collectively  ten  members  only,  whilst 
the  three  counties  of  Philadelphia,  Chester,  and  Bucks, 
:sent  twenty-six ;   that  a  bill  had  passed  the  Assembly, 
•  directing  the  trial  of  persons  charged  with  the  murder  of 
an  Indian  in  Lancaster  county,  to  be  had  in  some  of  the 
latter    counties ;    that    whilst    more    than  a    thousand 
families,  reduced  to  extreme  distress,  during  the  past  and 
present    war,  by    the    attacks  of    skulking   parties  of 
Indians  upon  the  frontiers,  were  destitute,  and  were  suf- 
fered by  the   public  to  depend  on  private  charity,  on& 
hundred  and  ticenty  of  the  jperpetrators   of   the   most 
horrid   barbarities    were    supported   by   the    province, 
and  protected  from  the  fury  of  the  brave  relatives  of  th& 
murdered ;  that  the  cruelties  of  the  Indians  were  exten- 
uated, and  efforts  improperly  made  to  excite  commis- 
eration for  them,  on  the  plea  that  they  were  not  parties 
to  the  war  ;  "  But,  in  what  nation,"  said  the  memorial- 
ists, "was  it  ever  the  custom  that,  when  a  neighboring 
nation  took  up  arms,  not  an  individual  of  that  nation 
should  be  touched,  but  only  the  persons  that  offered 
hostilities  ?     Whoever  proclaimed  war  with  part  of   a 
uation,  and  not  witli  the  whole  ?     Had  these  Indians 


4 

LANCASTER    COUNTY.  3G5 

disapproved  the  perfidy  of  their  tribe,  and  been  wiUing 
to  cultivate  and  preserve  friendship  with  us,  why  did 
they  not  give  notice  of  the  war  before  it  happened,  as  it 
is  linown  to  be  the  result  of  long  deliberation  and  precon- 
certed combination  ?  Why  did  they  not  leave  their  tribe 
immediately,  and  come  amongst  us,  before  there  was 
cause  to  suspect  them,  or  war  was  actually  waged  ? — 
No,  they  staid  amongst  them,  were  privy  to  their  murders 
and  ravages,  until  we  had  destroyed  their  provisions,  and 
when  they  could  no  longer  subsist  at  home,  they  came — 
not  as  deserters,  but — as  friends,  to  be  maintained  through 
the  winter,  that  they  might  scalp  and  butcher  us  in  the 
spring."* 

"  The  memorialists  further  remonstrated  against  the 
policy  of  suffering  any  Indians  whatever,  to  live  within 
the  inhabited  parts  of  the  province,  whilst  it  was  engaged 
in  an  Indian  war ;  experience  having  taught  that  they 
were  all  perfidious,  and  that  their  claim  to  freedom  and 
independence  enabled  them  to  act  as  spies,  to  entertain 
and  give  iiitelligence  to  our  enemies,  and  to  furnish  them 
with  provisions  and  warlike  stores.  To  this  fatal  inter- 
course, between  pretended  friends  and  open  enemies,  they 
ascribed  the  greater  part  of  the  ravages  and  murders  that 
had  been  committed  during  the  last  and  present  wars. — 
This  grievance  they  prayed  might  be  considered  and  re- 
medied. They  remonstrated  against  the  neglect,  by  the 
province,  of  the  frontier  inhabitants,  who  had  been 
wounded  in  its  defence,  and  required  that  they  should  be 
relieved  at  the  public  cost.  They  expostulated  against 
the  policy  of  the  government,  in  refraining  to  grant 
rewards  for  Indian  scalps,  "  which  damped  the  spirits  of 
brave  men,  who  were  willing  to  venture  their  lives 
against  the   enemy ;"    and  they  proposed  that  public 

*Votes  of  Assembl)'^,  and  Gordon's  Pa. 
31* 


S66  *  HISTORY    OP 

rewards  might  be  granted  for  their  trophies,  adequate  to 
the  danger  of  procuring  them.  They  lamented  that 
numbers  of  their  nearest  and  dearest  relatives  were 
retained  in  captivity  among  the  savage  heathen,  to  be 
trained  up  in  ignorance  and  barbarity,  or  be  cruelly  tor- 
mented to  death  for  attempting  their  escape :  and  they 
prayed  that  no  trade  might  be  permitted  with  the  Indians 
until  their  prisoners  were  returned." 

The  year  1765  is  remarkable  for  the  birth  of  Robert 
Fulton,  who  was  born  in  Little  Britain.  He  early  showed 
peculiar  talents,  and  cultivated  them  abroad,  as  well  as  in 
his  own  country.  He  is  distinguished  as  an  inventor  of 
steamboats.  In  1803,  at  the  joint  expense  of  himself  and 
Robert  R.  Livingston,  chancellor  of  New  York,  and 
minister  of  the  United  States  to  the  French  court,  he  con- 
structed a  boat  on  the  River  Seine,  by  which  he  fully 
evinced  the  practicability  of  propelling  boats  by  steam. — 
On  returning  to  America  in  1806,  he  commenced,  in  con-, 
junction  with  Mr.  Livingston,  the  construction  of  the 
first  Fulton  boat,  which  was  launched  in  the  spring  of 
1807  from  a  ship  yard  at  New  York.  There  was  great 
incredulity  among  the  people  on  the  subject ;  but  this 
boat  demonstrated,  on  the  first  experiment,  to  a  numerous 
assemblage  of  astonished  spectators,  the  correctness  of 
his  expectations,  and  the  value  of  his  invention.  The 
same  year,  he  suggested  the  first  idea  of  joining  the 
western  lakes  and  the  Atlantic  ocean  by  canal. 

-In  1810,  the  legislature  of  New  York  appointed  com- 
missioners, with  whom  Mr.  Fulton  was  joined  the  next 
session,  to  explore  the  route  of  inland  navigation  from 
the  Hudson  river  to  the  lake  Ontario  and  Erie.  The 
commissioners  reported  in  1811,  12, 14.  Mr.  Fulton  was 
very  estimable  in  his  domestic  and  social  relations ;  "but 
what  was  most  conspicuous  in  his  character,  was  his  calm 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  367 

constancy,  his  industry,  and  that  indefatigable  patience 
and  perseverance,  which  always  enabled  him  to  over- 
come difficulties."  A  distinguished  foreigner,  the  chevalier 
de  Gessicourt  observes,  "  Steamboats  offer  such  advan- 
tages to  commerce,  that  England,  France  and  America, 
with  one  accord,  proclaim  the  glory  of  Fulton." — De- 
laplaine's  Rejjository ,  I.  p,  201,  223. 

In  1766,  Benjamin  S.  Barton,  professor  in  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  at  Lancaster,  Pa. 
His  mother  was  the  sister  of  the  celebrated  David  Ritten- 
house.  In  1786,  he  went  to  Great  Britain  and  pursued 
his  medical  studies  at  Edinburg  and  London.  He  after- 
wards visited  Gottirigen,  and  there  obtained  the  degree  of 
Doctor  in  Medicine.  On  his  return  from  Europe  in  1789, 
he  established  himself  as  a  physician  in  Philadelphia, 
and  soon  obtained  an  extensive  practice.  In  the  same 
year  he.  was  appointed  professor  of  natural  history  and 
botany  in  the  college  of  Philadelphia. 

On  the  resignation  of  Doctor  Griffiths,  he  was  appoint- 
ed professor  of  Materia  Medica  ;  and  succeeded  Doctor 
Rush  in  the  department  of  the  theory  and  practice  of 
medicine.  He  died  in  1815.  His  chief  publication  is 
"  Elements  of  Zoology  and  Botany." 

1769.  This  year  the  Rev.  John  Woodhull  came  to 
Lancaster  Borough,  as  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
He  was  their  first  pastor.  They  preached  occasionally 
in  the  court  house,  before  Woodhull  came.  In  1770  or 
'71,  a  meeting  house  was  finished.  The  leading  men 
among  the  Presbyterians  at  that  time  were  E.  Shippen, 
Esq.,  Dr.  R.  Boyd,  W.  White,  H.  Halen,  C.  Hall,  S. 
Boyd,  W.  Montgomery,  W.  Ross,  Judge  Yeates,  M.  San- 
derson, in  the  town;  W.  Davis,  T.  Davis  and  John  Jacks, 
in  the  country. 


26S  HISTORY    OV 

From  1769  to  1775,  a  score  and  two  of  lawyers  were 
admitted  at  the  Lancaster  Bar. 

In  1769  Thomas  Hood,  Jacob  Moore,  Casper  Weitzelj 
Jacob  Rush,  Christian  Hook  and  Thomas  Hartly.  1770, 
John  Hubley,  Abel  Evans  and  Andrew  Ross.  1771, 
James  Lukens,  David  Grear,  Ashton  Humphries,  George 
Noarth  and  Nathaniel  Ramsey.  1772,  Edward  Burd, 
Francis  Johnson,  Peter  Zachary  Lloyd,  Charles  Stedman 
and  Mr.  Collinson.  1773,  John  Stedman  and  George 
Ross,  Jr.     1775,  WiUiam  Barton. 

Members  of  Assembly  from  Lancaster  county  for  1765, 
Emanuel  Carpenter,  James  Wright,  James  Webb,  Jacob 
Carpenter;  those  of  1765  were  re-elected  for  1766  and 
1767.  1768,  Emanuel  Carpenter,  James  Wright,  James 
Webb,  George  Ross.  1769,  Emanuel  Carpenter,  Jacob 
Carpenter,  James  Webb,  George  Ross.  1770,  Emanuel 
Carpenter,  James  Wright,  Joseph  Ferree,  George  Ross. 
1771,  Emanuel  Carpenter,  George  Ross,  Joseph  Ferree, 
William  Downing.  1772,  Joseph  Ferree,  Jacob  Carpen- 
ter, Isaac  Whitelock,  James  Webb.  1773  and  1774,  Jo- 
seph Ferree,  James  Webb,  George  Ross,  Matthias  Slough. 

Notes. — In  the  year  1765,  the  following  named  gentlemen 
were  admitted,  at  Lancaster,  to  practice  law  :  Alexander  Wil-. 
cocks,  Jasper  Yeates,  Richard  Peters,  Jr.,  Andrew  Allen, 
James  Allen,  James  Sayre  and  Henry  Ewes,  In  1766,  Elisha 
Price,  George  Campbell,  practising  attorneys  from  Irelands,, 
and  William  Swainey. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  369; 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Hail  storm — Proceedings,  &c.  by  the  citizens  of  Lancaster  county  touching 
tlie  usurpation  of  Parliament,  in  Great  Britain — Letter  from  the  commit" 
tee  of  correspondence  at  Philadelphia — Meeting  at  the  court  house  ia 
Lancaster — Copy  of  a  circular  letter  from  Philadelphia — Meeting  called 
at  Lancaster — Subscriptions  opened  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering  Bosto- 
nians — Letters  from  Philadelphia — Meeting  called  to  be  held  at  Lancas- 
ter— Committees  appointed — Meeting  held — Letter  from  Reading — 
Meeting  of  the  committee  of  inspection,  &c. — Committee  men  from  differ- 
ent townships  meet  at  Lancaster — Their  proceedings,  &c.  &c. 

Nothing  of  thrilling  interest  appears  in  the  annals  of 
this  county  from  the  close  of  Indian  incursions,  to  the 
time  when  the  indignation  of  the  colonists  was  generally 
excited  by  the  attempted  oppressions  on  the  part  of  the 
mother  country.  There  are,  nevertheless,  a  few  things 
we  deem  worthy  of  notice. 

In  1768,  in  the  month  of  June,  Lancaster  county  was 
visited  by  a  dreadful  hail-storm.  A  writer  in  the  Penr^- 
sylvania  Chronicle,  of  June,  1768,  says,  "I  now  sit 
down,'^  in  writing  to  the  Editor,  "under  the  shade  of  a 
iriendly  oak  in  the  country,  in  order  to  give  you  some 
account  of  the  late  dreadful  storm  here,  the  effects  of 
which,  I  have  taken  pains  to  examine,  having  rid  several 
miles  for  that  purpose. 

"  On  Friday,  the  17th  inst.  about  2  o'clock  P.  M.  the 
sky  was  overspread  with  flying  clouds,  apparently 
charged  with  heavy  rain.  The  wind  blew  pretty  fresh 
from  the  south-east,  and  thickened  the  clouds  in  the  op- 
posite quarter  f  so  that  about  4  o'clock  there  was  dark- 
ness visible  in  the  north-west  attended  with  distant  rum- 
bling thunder,  and  now  and  then  with  a  small  gleam  of 
lightning,  without  any  explosions.     The  clouds  deepened 


S70  HISTORY    OP 

more  and  more  in  the  north-west,  and  thus  seemed  to 
make  a  stand,  being  opposed  by  the  wind  from  the 
opposite  points.  At  half-after  four,  they  assumed  a 
frightful  appearance,  and  at  last  a  large  crescent,  with  its 
concave  sides  to  the  wind,  and  its  inner  edges  tinged 
with  a  dusky  violet  color.  About  five  the  wind  veered 
about  to  the  north-west,  which  immediately  gave  motion 
to  the  clouds,  and  discharged  a  most  dreadful  and  destruc- 
tive volley  of  hail.  The  storm  then  proceeded  in  a  south- 
east direction,  at  the  rate  of  twelve  miles  an  hour, 
attended  with  a  most  dreadful  noise,  somethhig  like  the 
sounds  of  cannon,  drums  and  bells  mingled  together, — 
The  hail  stones  were  of  various  dimensions,  shapes  and 
forms.  Some  measured  nine  inches  in  circumfer- 
ence, some  seven,  whilst  others  were  not  larger  than 
peas.  As  to  their  forms,  some  were  of  globular,  some 
spheroidical,  surrounded  with  small  excresences  or  knobs, 
some  eliptical,  and  some  irregular  and  smooth,  like  pieces 
of  ice.  Such  as  were  globular,  were  endued  with  so 
much  elasticity,  that  they  rebounded  from  the  ground 
Hke  a  tennis  ball.  This  storm  divided  into  several 
branches,  or  veins,  if  I  may  use  such  terms,  all  which 
kept  the  same  course,  but  bent  their  fiuy  mostly  towards 
the  mountains  hills  and  highlands. 

"  At  Susquehannah  the  hail  was  as  large  as  pigeon's 
eggs ;  at  Lancaster  about  the  size  of  peas ;  at  Dunker- 
town,  and  in  the  vaUey,  between  the  Welsh  and  Reading 
hills,  they  were  as  large  as  turkey's  eggs  ;  in  some  other 
places,  still  larger ;  and  at  Reading  no  hail  appeared. — ■ 
The  damage  done  by  this  storm  is  very  great;  the  county 
of  Lancaster  alone,  it  is  thought,  has  suffered  several 
tliousand  pounds.  In  many  places  there  is  not  a  single 
ear  of  wheat,  rye,  barley,  &c.  but  what  is  cut  off;  and 
nothing  left  but  the  green  straw,  bruised  and  beat  to 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  371 

■pieces     It  is   melancholy   to  see  fine  plantations,  and 
extensive  fields,  which  a  few  days  ago  waved  with  luxu- 
riant crops,  now  lying  waste.     Many  able  farmers  who 
expected  to  carry  several  hundred  bushels  of  grain  to 
market,  will  be  obliged  to  buy  bread  for  their  families  ; 
and  many  of  the  poorer  kind  will  be  ruined,  and  reduced 
to   beggary.     All    these   people   are  mowing  their  late 
promising  and  rich  crops,  as  fodder  for  their  cattle. — 
Their  distress  is  moving  and  alarming.     At  Dunkertown 
it  is  said,  with  what  truth  I  cannot  say,  that  cattle  were 
killed  by  tlie  hail ;  but  certain  it  is,  that  about  Muddy 
creek,  in  this  county,  calves,  pigs,  fowls,  &c.  were  killed 
in  that  settlement ;  the  ground  in  the  woods  is  as  thick 
covered  with  green  foliage,  beaten  from  the  trees,  as  it  is 
with  the  fallen  leaves  in  the  month  of  October;  and  in 
many  places  the   birds  are   found   dead  in  woods  and 
orchards.     The  north-west  side   of  the  fruit  trees  are 
barked,  and  all  the  glass  windows  on  that  side,  that  were 
not  secured  by  shutters,  are  demolished  ;   and  even  the 
rails  of  the  fences,  visibly  show  the   impression  of  hail 
upon  them.     In  short,  this  storm   threw   every   person 
who  saw  it,  into  the  most  dreadful  consternation;  for  the 
oldest  man  here  never  saw  or  heard  any  thing  like  it." 

As  early  as  1765,  the  British  Parliament  passed  an  act 
that  all  instruments  of  writing,  such  as  promissory  notes, 
bonds,  indentures,  &c.  were  to  be  null  and  void,  unless 
written  on  paper  or  parchment  stamped  with  specific 
duty.  This  measure  was  opposed  in  England  and  in  this 
country  ;  and  being  found  unpopular,  the  act  was  repeal- 
ed in  176G  ;  but  another  act  was  passed  by  Parhament, 
declaring  that  the  British  Parliament  had  a  right  to  make 
laws  binding  the  colonies  in  ail  cases  whatever  ;  this  act 
was  soon  foUovx^ed  by  another,  imposing,  in  the  colonies, 
duties  on  glass,  paper,  painters  colors,  and  tea.     These 


'373  ."■  ■    HISTORY    OF 

several  acts  kindled  in  every  patriotic  bosom,  a  strong 
opposition  to  the  measures  of  the  mother  country,  and 
one  circumstance  after  another  led  to  an  open  rupture 
"between  the  colonies  and  the  parent  country,  which  hap- 
pened about  the  year  1773,  when  the  Bostonians  threw 
the  tea  overboard.  From  that  time  on,  a  flame  was 
kindled  in  every  breast.  Gen.  Gage,  from  Britain,  arrived 
at  Boston  in  1774,  with  more  troops,  some  having  arrived 
before,  "to  dragoon  the  Bostonians  into  compliance." — 
The  Bostonians  had  to  suffer  much;  but  their  sufferings 
excited  the  sympathy  of  others.  Associations  for  their 
relief  were  formed  in  nearly  all  the  colonies ;  even  this 
county  was  not  the  last  nor  least  to  aid  in  relieving  their 
suffering  brethren,  as  will  fully  appear  from  the  following 
precious  relic,  which  is  deposited  in  the  Prothonotary's 
office  of  Lancaster  county  :* 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  the  committee  of  con'espondence 
for  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  directed  to  the  freeholders 
and  other  inhabitants  of  this  place,  dated  about  the  12th 
of  June,  1774.     Runs  in  the  words  following  to  wit: 

Philadelphia. 

Gentlemen: — We  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  enclosed 
paper  for  the  steps  we  have  taken  on  the  present  alarm- 
ing occasion.  The  Governor  declining  to  call  the  As- 
sembly, renders  it  necessary  to  take  the  sentiments  of 
the  Inhabitants ;  and  for  that  purpose  it  is  agreed  to  call 
a  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  city  and  the  county 
at  the  State  House,  on  Wednesday,  the  15th  instant. — 
And  as  we  would  wish  to  have  the  sentiments  and  con- 
currence of  our  brethren  in  the  several  counties,  who 
are  equally  interested  with  us  in  the  General  Cause,  we 
earnestly  desire  you  to  call  together  the  principal  Inhab- 

*An  abridgement  of  this  relic  would  have  destroyed  the  in- 
terest of  the  whole. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  379 

itants  of  your  county  and  take  their  sentiments.  We 
shall  forward  to  you  by  every  occasion,  any  matters  of 
consequence  that  come  to  our  knowledge,  and  we  should 
be  glad  you  would  choose  and  appoint  a  Committee  to 
Correspond  with  us. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  committee  of  Corres* 
pondenccjfor  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 
Charles  Thompson,  Clerk. 

In  pursuance  of  which,  and  also  of  another  large  jetter 
wrote  by  Mr.  Charles  Thompson,  and  sent  to  the  inhabi* 
tants  of  this  borough,  directed  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Atlee,  a  meeting  was  held  on  the  15th  day  of  June, 
1774.  And  the  following  Resolves  were  agreed  on,  viz: 
At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  borough  of  Lan* 
faster,  at  the  court  house  in  the  said  borough,  on  Wednes- 
day, the  15th  day  of  June,  1774  :  Agreed^that  to  pre- 
serve the  Constitutional  rights  of  the  inhabitants  of 
America,  it  is  incumbent  on  every  colony,  to  unite  and 
use  the  most  effectual  means  to  procure  a  repeal  of  the 
late  act  of  Parliament  against  the  town  of  Boston. 

That  the  act  of  Parliament  for  blocking  up  the  port 
and  harbor  of  Boston,  is  an  invasion  of  the  rights  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  said  town,  as  subjects  of  the  crown  of 
Great  Britain.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  inhabitants 
at  this  meeting  that  the  proper  and  effectual  means  to  ''i 
be  used  to  obtain  a  repeal  of  the  said  act,  will  be  to  put 
an  immediate  stop  to  all  imports,  and  exports,  to  and 
from  Great  Britain,  until  the  same  act  be  repealed. 

That  the  traders  and  inhabitants  of  this  town  will  join     / 
and  concur  with  the  patriotic  merchants,  manufacturers,    ;' 
tradesmen,  and  freeholders,  of  the  city  and  county  of  ' 
Philadelphia,  and  other  parts  of  this    province,  in  an' I 
association  or  solemn  agreement  to  this  purpose,  if  the  ' 
same  shall  be  by  them  thought  necessary. 

32 


374  _^  HISTORY    OF 

That  Edwa-rd  Shippen,  Esq.,  George  Ross,  Esq.,  JaspeT 
Yeates,  Esq.,  Mathias  Slough,  Esq.,  James  Webb,  Esq..y 
William  Atlee,  Esq.,  William  Henry,  Esq.,  Mr.  Ludwig 
Laumaii,  Mr.  William  BausmaR  and  Mr.  Charles  Hall,. 
be  a  committee  to  correspond  with  the  general  committee 
of  Philadelphia  ;  that  these  sentiments  be  immediately- 
forwarded  to  the  committee  of  correspondence  at 
Philadclphia. 

The  gentlemen  above  named,  after  being  chosen  and 
appointed  a  committee  of  correspondence,  resolved  upon 
the  following  letter  to  be  transmitted  to  the  committee  of 
Philadelphia,  directed  to  Mr.  Charles  Thompson,  and  is  as 
follows,  viz  : 

Lancaster,  the  15th  Jmie,  1774. 
Sir  : — Agreeable   to  the  request  of  the   Committee  of 
Correspondence  for  the  city  of  Philadelphia^  signified  to 
some  of  the  Inhabitants  here,  by   your  letter.     We  have 
this  evening  had  a  Meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
Town,  (at  which  a  very  great  number  attended)  at  the 
Court  House,  and  unanimously  gave  their  assent  to  the 
Resolves  or  Agreement  inclosed.     As  taking   the   senti- 
ments of  the  county  could  n^jt  be  so  expeditiously  done 
by  having  a  general  Meeting  of   the   Inhabitants,  we 
thought  best  to  give  you  those  of  the  Town,  and   have 
the  pleasure  now  to  assure    you  that   the  Inhabitants  of 
the  county  in  general  begin  to  entertain  similar  opinions 
within,  as  to  this  matter — and  no  doubt,  heartily  concur 
in  them  at  a  Meeting  which  we  shall  endeavor  as  soon  as 
possible  to  have  with  them.     We  hope  you  will  give  us 
intelligence   of    any  matters   worthy   of  notice,  and   be 
assured  we  shall  do  everything  in  our  power  to  promote 
the  General  Interest. 

We  are,  &c.  Signed  by 

Edward   Shippen,  James    Webb,   Matthias    Sloughy 


LANCASTER    COUNTr.  375 

William  Atlee,  William  Henry,  Esqrs.,  Messrs.  Ludwig 
Lauman,  William  Bausman,  Charles  Hall. 

Ordered  that  Eberhart  Michael  the  clerk  of  this  com- 
mittee do  forward  a  copy  of  this  day's  resolves  to  Mr. 
Charles  Thompson,  the  clerk  of  the  committee  at  Philadel- 
phia, whh  a  copy  of  this  letter,  signed  by  him. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  correspondence,  ap- 
pointed for  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  the  2d  of  July, 
1774,  Edward  Shippen,  Esq.  being  chosen  chairman: 
The  committee  taking  into  consideration  the  resolves  of 
the  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  city  and  county  of  Phil- 
adelphia, on  the  18th  of  June  last;  as  also,  the  circular 
letters  signed  by  the  chairman  of  their  said  committee^ 
the  honorable  Thomas  Willig,  Esq. 

Resolved,  That  they  do  most  heartily  concur  with  their 
brethren  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  mode  proposed  for  taking 
the  sentiments  of  the  good  people  of  this  province,  on  the 
present  alarming  and  critical  situation  of  the  Americaa 
colonies,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  notice  be  given  to  the  freemen  and 
inhabitants  of  this  county  with  the  utmost  expedition,  to 
choose  a  committee  to  join  with  the  committees  of  the 
other  counties  of  this  province  to  meet  at  Philadelphia, 
for  the  very  great  and  useful  purposes  mentioned  in  the 
said  resolves  and  circular  letters:  and  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  freemen  and  inhabitants  of  this 
county  be  requested  to  meet  on  Saturday,  the  ninth  day 
of  this  instant,  at  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  at  the  court 
house,  in  Lancaster,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

N.  B.  The  said  resolves  of  the  committee  at  this 
meeting,  being  ordered  to  be  printed,  and  the  same  after 
they  were  printed,  signed  by  Edward  Shippen,  Esq.,  the 
chairman.  Sent  and  put  up  at  all  public  places  m  the 
county; 


376  HISTORY    OF 

Now  following  the  copy  of  the  circular  letter  mention-^ 
ed  in  the  last  foregoing  resolves,  and  is  from  word  to 
word,  as  folio weth,  to  wit  : 

Philadelphia,  June  28th,  1774. 

Gentlemen: — The  committee  of  correspondence  for  this 
city  and  county  beg  leave  to  enclose  you  printed  copies 
of  the  resolves  passed  at  a  very  large  and  respectable 
meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  freemen,  in  the  State 
House  square,  on  Saturday,  the  18th  instant.  By  the  4th 
of  those  resolves,  you  will  observe  that  it  was  left  for  the 
committee  "  To  determine  on  the  most  proper  mode  of 
collecting  the  sense  of  this  province  in  the  present  critical 
situation  of  bur  affairs,  and  appointing  deputies  to  attend 
the  proposed  Congress.  In  pursuance  of  this  trust,  we 
have,  upon  the  maturest  deliberation,  determined  upon  a 
mode  contained  in  the  two  following  propositions,  which^, 
we  hope,  may  meet  Avith  the  approbation  and  concur- 
rence of  your  respectable  county,  viz : 

First:  "That  the  Speaker  of  the  honorable  House  of 
Representatives  be  desired  to  write  to  the  several  mem- 
bers of  Assembly  in  this  province,  requesting  them  to 
meet  in  this  city  as  soon  as  possible,  but  no  later  than  the 
1st  of  August  next,  to  take  into  their  consideration  our 
Tery  alarming  situation. 

Second  :  '  That  letters  be  written  to  proper  persons  in 
each  county,  recommending  it  to  them,  to  get  committees 
appointed  to  their  respective  counties,  aud  that  the  said 
committees  or  such  a  number  of  them  as  may  be  thought 
proper,  may  meet  at  Philadelphia,  at  the  time  the  repre- 
sentatives are  convened,  in  order  to  consult  and  advise 
on  the  most  expedient  mode  of  appointing  deputies  for 
the  general  Congress,  and  to  give  their  weight  to  such  as 
may  be  appointed.' 

The  Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  in  a  very  obliging  and 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  377 

ready  manner,  had  agreed  to  comply  with  the  request  in 
the  former  of  those  propositions  ;  but  we  are  now  inform- 
ed that,  on  account  of  the  Indian  disturbances,  the  Gov- 
ernor has  found  it  necessary  to  call  the  Assembly  to  meet 
in  their  legislative  capacity,  on  Monday,  tlie  1 8th  of  July, 
being  about  the  same  time  the  Speaker  would  probably 
have  invited  them  to  a  conference  or  convention  in  their 
private  capacity. 

What  we  have  therefore  to  request'  is,  that  if  you 
approve  of  the  mode  expressed  in  the  second  proposition, 
the  whole  or  part  of  the  committee  appointed,  or  to  be 
appointed  for  your  county,  will  meet  the  committees  from 
the  other  counties,  at  Philadelphia,  on  Friday  the  fifteenth 
of  July,  in  order  to  assist  in  framing  instructions,  and 
preparing  such  matter  as  may  be  proper  to  recommend 
to  our  representatives,  at  their  meeting  the  Mojiday 
following. 

We  trust,  no  apology  is  necessary  for  the  trouble  we 
propose  giving  your  committee  of  attending  at  Philadel- 
phia, as  we  are  persuaded  you  are  fully  convinced  of  the 
necessity  of  the  closest  Union  among  oursolves,  both  in 
sentiment  and  action  ;  nor  can  such  union  be  obtained  so 
well  by  any  other  m.ethod,  as  by  a  meeting  of  the  county 
committees  of  each  particular  province  in  one  place, 
preparatory  to  the  general  Congress. 

We  would  not  offer  such  an  affront  to  the  well  known 
public  spirit  of  Pennsylvania,  as  to  question  your  zeal  on 
the  present  occasion.  Our  very  existence  in  the  ranks'  of 
freemen,  and  the  security  of  all  that  ought  to  be  dear  to 
us,  evidently  depend  upon  our  conducting  this  great  causs 
to  its  proper  issue  by  firmness,  wisdom  and  unanimity. 
We  cannot  therefore  doubt  your  ready  concurrence  in 
every  measure  that  may  be  conducive  to  the  public  good; 
and  it  is  with  pleasure  we  can  assure  you,  that  all  th@ 

32* 


378  HISTORY    OP 

colonies,  from  South  Carolina  to  New  Hampshire,  seem 
animated  with  one  spirit  in  the  common  cause,  and  con- 
sider this  as  the  proper  crisis  for  having  our  differences 
with  the  mother  country  hrought  to  some  certain  issue,, 
and  our  liberty  fixt  upon  a  permanent  foundation.  This 
desirable  end  can  only  be  accomplished  by  a  free  com- 
munion of  sentiments,  and  a  sincere  fervent  regard  to  the 
interests  of  our  common  country.  We  beg  to  be  favored 
with  an  answer  to  this,  and  whether  the  committee  for 
your  county  can  attend  at  Philadelphia,  at  the  time  pro- 
posed. Signed  by  order  of  the  committee. 

Tpiomas  Willig,  Chairman. 
To  the  committee  for  Lancaster  county. 

Pursuant  to  the  publication  of  the  resolves  of  the  com- 
mittee before  mentioned :  A  general  meeting  of  the 
freemen  and  inhabitants  of  this  county,  (of  Lancaster,) 
was  held  on  Saturday,  the  9th  of  July,  1774. 

George  Ross,  Esq.,  being  chosen  chairman.  This 
assembly  taking  into  serious  consideration  the  several  late 
acts  of  the  British  Parliament,  relative  to  America ;  came 
unanimously  to  the  following  declarations  and  resolves, 
viz : 

1.  We  do  sincerely  profess  and  declare,  that  his  most 
gracious  majesty  King  George  the  third,  is  our  rightful 
and  lawful  sovereign;  and  that  we  will  support  and 
deiend  him  to  the  utmost  of  our  power  with  our  lives 
and  fortunes  against  his  enemies. 

2.  We  do  further  declare  that  no  power  is  constitu- 
tionally lodged  in  the  hands  of  any  body  of  men,  to  give 
and  grant  our  money,  save  only  our  representatives  in 
Assembly,  who  have  at  all  times  cheerfully  granted  aid 
to  his  majesty  whenever  he  has  made  requisition  from 
them. 

3.  That  the  acts  of  the  British  Parliament  for  divest 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  379^ 

ing  us  of  such  right,  and  assuming  such  power  them- 
selves, are  unconstitutional,  unjust  and  oppressive. 

4.  That  it  is  an  indispensible  duty  we  owe  to  ourselves- 
and  posterity,  to  oppose  with  decency  and  firmness,  every 
measure  tending  to  deprive  us  of  our  just  rights  and 
privileges. 

5.  That  a  close  union  of  the  colonies,  and  their  faith- 
fully adhering  to  such  measures  as  a  general  Congress 
shall  judge  proper,  are  the  most  likely  means  to  procure 
redress  of  American  grievances,  and  settle  the  rights  of 
the  colonies  on  a  permanent  basis. 

6.  That  it  is  highly  expedient  to  appoint  a  committee 
to  meet  the  committees  of  the  other  counties  of  this  prov- 
ince, at  Philadelphia,  on  the  15th  instant,  to  confer 
with  them  on  the  important  matters,  mentioned  in  the 
letter  from  the  chairman  of  the  committe  of  Philadelphia. 

7.  That  we  will  sincerely  and  heartily  agree  to  and 
abide  by  the  measures  which  shall  be  adopted  by  the 
members  of  the  general  Congress  of  the  colonies. 

8.  That  we  tenderly  sympathize  with  our  brethren  of 
Boston,  who  are  suffering  in  the  American  cause,  by  an. 
unconstitutional  and  oppressive  act  of  the  British  Parlia- 
ment, called  the  Boston  Port  bill 

9.  That  a  subscription  be  opened  for  the  relief  of  our 
suffering  brethren  there, 

10.  That  the  subscription  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
committee  of  this  county,  to  be  by  them  laid  out  in  the  pur- 
chase of  provisions  and  sent  to  Boston  towards  the  relief 
of  their  distresses. 

11.  That  the  committee  for  the  borough  of  Lancaster 
already  appointed,  be  a  committee  of  correspondence, 
and  that  George  Ross,  James  Webb,  Matliias  Siough, 
Joseph  Ferree,  Emanuel  Carpenter  and  William  Atlee, 
Esqrs.,  Mr.  Alexander  Lovvry,  Mr.  Moses  Irwin,  be  a 


380  HISTORY    OP 

committee  to  meet  and  consult  with  the  committees  of  the 
other  comities  of  this  province  at  Philadelphia  the  15th 
inst,  and  also  to  join  with  the  committee  of  correspond- 
ence in  receiving  subscriptions  for  the  relief  our  Boston 
brethren. 

It  was  then  moved,  that  the  thanks  of  the  freemen  and 
inhabitants  present,  should  be  rendered  to  the  worthy 
Chairman  for  the  very  proper  and  spirited  address  made 
by  him  to  this  Assembly,  replete  with  the  warmest 
expressions  of  loyalty  to  his  Majesty,  and  fervent  zeal 
for  the  common  interest  of  America — which  motion  was 
agreed  to  by  a  general  holding  up  of  hands,  and  the 
thanks  of  the  Assembly  were  then  presented  to  Mr.  Ro«s 
for  his  patriotic  conduct  upon  this  occasion. 

Eberhart  Michael,  Clk. 

A  subscription  was  then  immediately  opened  by  the 
committee  for  the  benefit  of  our  suffering  brethren  of  the 
town  of  Boston,  and  very  handsome  sums  subscribed  by 
several  of  the  persons  present,  and  at  the  request  of 
numbers  of  the  reputable  inhabitants,  papers  are  printing 
and  sending  to  the  different  townships,  to  receive  the 
subscriptions  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  county,  whichy 
it  is  expected,  will  amount  to  a  considerable  sum,  and 
will  be  collected  as  expeditiously  as  possible  by  the  com- 
mittee and  laid  out  as  shall  be  thought  to  answer  the  good 
purpose  intended. 

A  paper  was  delivered  by  Mr.  Elijah  Weikersham,  to 
the  Chairman  at  this  meeting,  and  read  by  him,  contain- 
ing similar  resolves  (with  the  above)  of  the  freemen  of 
the  townships  of  Paxton  and  Derry,  at  their  meeting  at 
the  town  of  Middletown  on  the  8th  last  past,  and  signed 
by  James  Bird,  Esq.,  chairman. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  the  county  of  Lan- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  381 

master,  at  Lancaster,  on  the  9th  September,  1774,  Edward 
Shippen,  Esq.  in  the  chair. 

The  subscription  received  for  the  reUef  of  the  distresses 
of  tlio  poor  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Boston,  were  laid 
before  the  committee,  and  it  appeareth  that  the  sum  of 
•one  hundred  and  fifty  three  pounds,  fifteen  shillings  and 
two  pence,  has  been  collected  in  the  Borough  of  Lancas- 
ter for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  and  it  being  put  to  the  vote 
whether  the  said  sum  should  not  be  immediately  remitted 
to  Philadelphia  to  Mr.  John  Nixon  the  Treasurer  of  the 
city  and  county  of  Philadelphia,  to  be  laid  out  in  such 
manner  as  the  committee  for  the  said  city  and  county 
should  think  proper  for  the  relief  of  our  distressed  poor 
brethren  of  the  town  of  Boston,  the  same  was  carried  in 
the  affirmative,  and  Edward  Shippen,  Esq.,  the  chairman, 
is  requested  to  forward  the  said  sum  of  money  forthwith 
to  Philadelphia  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

At  this  time  no  proper  account  could  possibly  be  had 
of  the  subscription  papers  of  the  several  townships  in 
this  county. 

The  following  letter  was  omitted  entering  in  its  proper 
place,  and  is  as  follows,  to  wit : — 

Gentlemen  :— Enclosed  you  will  receive  a  printed  cir- 
cular letter  signed  by  the  chairman  of  our  committee,  and 
the  resolves  therein  referred  to,  with  some  other  printed 
papers.  The  use  to  be  made  of  them,  your  own  prudence 
and  good  judgment  will  suggest ;  we  would  be  glad  to 
hear  as  soon  as  possible  from  the  committee  for  your 
county,  and  are  Your  most  humble  servant, 

William  Smith. 
Your  assured  friend, 

Isaac  Howell. 

Philadelphia,  June  29,  1774. 

To  Edward  Shippen  and  George  Ross,  Esq'rs.,  who 


t 

S82  HISTORY    OF 

are  requested  to  communicate  the  enclosed  papers  to  the 
other  gentlemen  of  the  committee. 

Those  gentlemen  named  and  appointed  at  the  meeting 
of  the  9th  July  last,  did  attend  the  provincial  convention 
at  Philadelphia,  on  Monday  the  15th  then  next.  And 
the  proceedings  together  with  the  resolves  of  that  provin- 
cial committee,  hath  been  inserted  in  the  public  papers. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  August  llth,  they  were 
informed  that  Joshua  and  Robert  Lockharts,  of  this 
borough,  shopkeepers,  had  brought  to  this  town  a 
quantity  of  tea,  that  hath  paid  duty  under  the  late  act  of 
parliament.  A  note  was  therefore  sent  to  them  by  the 
committee  requiring  their  immediate  attendance.  In 
consequence  thereof  one  of  the  partners  called  on  the 
committee,  but  denied  their  having  received  any  tea,  but 
as  this  account  by  no  means  appeared  satisfactory  from 
several  matters  which  escaped  the  partner  attending,  the 
Gommittee  did  inspect  their  shop,  and  with  some  diffi- 
culty learned  of  a  chest  of  Bohea  tea,  weight  349 
neat  weight  which  they  had  bought  from  a  certain 
merchant  in  Philadelphia.  The  committee  taking  an 
account  of  all  the  marks  of  the  case  in  which  it  was 
packed,  removed  the  tea,  and  wrote  to  the  committee  of 
Philadelphia,  who  examined  the  matter,  and  it  appeareth 
that  this  tea  never  had  paid  any  duty,  but  was  part  of  a 
seizure  m.ade  by  the  Custom  house  and  was  afterwads 
purchased  at  public  sale  by  the  original  owner  of  it^  as  by 
a  letter  from  the  committee  of  Philadelphia,  dated 
August  25th,  wrote  and  signed  by  the  Honorable 
Thomas  Willing,  the  chairman,  directed  to  this  committee, 
appears ;  upon  which,  the  said  teas  were  returned  again, 
and  the  said  Lockharts  were  acquitted. 

The  Continenlal  Congress  held  at  Philadelphia,  the  5th 
of  September,  1774,  continued  to   the   25th  of   October^ 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  3S3 

The  votes  and  proceedings  of  which,  have  since  been  pub- 
hshed  in  the  public  papers,  and  printed  also  by  a  pam- 
phlet containing  the  bill  of  rights,  list  of  grievances, 
occasional  resolves,  the  association,  an  address  to  the 
people  of  Great  Britain,  a  memorial  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  British  American  Colonies,  and  petition  to  the 
King. 

November  22nd,  1774.  The  committee  of  this  bor- 
ough met  and  the  following  hand  bill  by  them  ordered  to 
be  printed,  and  sent  to,  and  put  up  at  all  the  public  places 
in  this  county  viz  : 

To  the  freeholders  and  electors  of  the  county  of 
Lancaster : 

The  committee  for  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  taking  in 
their  consideration  the  resolves  and  recommendations  of 
the  American  continental  Congress,  request  that  the  free- 
holders and  others  qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  in 
Assembly  for  the  county  of  Lancaster,  would  meet  at  the 
Court  house,  in  Lancaster,  on  Thursday  the  fifteenth  day 
of  December  next,  to  choose  by  ballot  sixty  proper 
persons  for  a  committee,  to  observe  the  conduct  of  all . 
persons  touching  the  general  Association  of  the  general 
Congress ;  which  committee,  it  is  proposed,  when  elected, 
Slliall  divide  the  county  into  different  districts,  and  appoint 
fnombers  of  the  committee  to  superintend  each  district, 
and  any  six  of  the  members  so  appointed  for  a  district  to 
be  a  quorum  for  transacting  business. 

It  will  be  necessary,  previous  to  the  general  election, 
that  each  township  shall  elect  a  proper  person  to  act  as 
inspector,  and  receive  the  tickets  of  the  electors  on  that 
day. 

On  the  said  15th  day  of  December,  in  pursuance  to  the 
notice  above  mentioned,  a  general  election  was  held  at 
the  borough  of  Lancaster,  for  this  county,  and  the  fol- 


584  History  op 

lowing  persons  were  chosen  as,  and  for,  a  committee,  viz: 
Lancaster  borough — ^Edward  Shippen,  George  RosSj 
James  Webb,  Adam  Sim.  Kuhn,  Jasper  Yeates,  Wilham 
Atlee,  Adam  Reigart,  Wm.  Bailsman,  Christian  Voghty 
Eberhart  Michael,  Charles  Hall,  Casper  Shaffner. 
Conestoga — Martin  Bare.  Manor— John  Killhafer,  Jacob 
Wistler,  *James  Jacks.  Hempfiald — Val.  Breneman. — 
Manheim — Samuel  Bear,  Sebastian  Graff.  (As  the  first 
district.)  Upper  Paxton,  Londonderry,  Derry,  Hanover 
and  Paxton,  (the  second  district,) — Paxton- — James  Burd, 
do.  Joseph  Sherer — Hanover,  Timothy  Green — Derry, 
Castle  Byers,  do.  *  William  Laird,  do.  ^Robert  McKee — ■ 
Londonderry,  John  Campbell, — Paxton,  John  Bakes- 
tose — Upper  Paxton,  William  Patterson — Hanover, 
William  Brown,  do.  James  Crawford.  Warwick,  Rapho, 
Mountjoy  and  Donegal,  (the  3rd  district,)  Mouutjoy, 
*James  Cunningham,  do.  Abrm.  Frederick — Rapho,  Ja- 
cob Erisman,  do.  Patrick  Hay — Donegal,  *Bartram  Gal- 
braith,  do.  Alexander  Lowrey,  do.  Fred'k  Mumma — - 
Warwick,  Jacob  Erb,  do.  Peter  Grubb.  Bethel,  Heidel- 
berg, Elizabeth  and  Lebanon,  (the  4th  District, — Leba- 
non, Thomas  Clark,  do.  Curtis  Grubb,  do.  Henry  Light — 
Bethel,  *Ludwig  Shuy,  do.  '^Casper  Corr,  do.  *John  Bi- 
shon — Heidleburg,  Joiin  Weiser — Bethel,  *Killian  Long, 
do.  *Sam'l  Jones — Elizabeth,  Hans  Frantz,  Lebanon, 
Henry  Bealor.  Brecknock,  Carnarvon j  Cocalico  and 
Earl,  (the  5th  District,)— Earl,  *Alex'r  Martin,  do. 
*^Einanuel  Carpenter,  do.  *Anthony  Ellrnaker,  do.  Wm. 
Smith,  do.  *Zacheus  Davis,  do.  Geo.  Rein,  do.  Jno.  Bru- 
baker — Cocalico,  John  Jones — Brecknock,  Benj.  Lessley — 
Carnarvon,  David  Jenkins.  Lampeter,  Strasburg,  Lea- 
cock  and  Salisbmy,  (the  6th  District,) — Salisbury  *James 
Clemson,  do.  *Jno.  Whitehill — Leacock,  David  Watson, 
do.   Nath'l   Lightner — Strasburg,   Eberhart   Grube,  do. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  385 

Mich'l  Witter — Lampeter,  Jno.  Witmer,  Jr.  Martick, 
Bart,  Sadsbury,  Colerain,  Little  Britain  and  Drumore, 
(the  7th  district,) — Sadsbury,  Robert  Baily — Little  Brit- 
ain, John  Allton — Drumore,  ^Thos,  Porter — Bart,  Jacob 
Bare— Colerain,  Joshua  Anderson — Martick,  Jno.  Snod- 
grass —  Drumore,  *  William  McEntire — Little  Britain, 
Thomas  Whitesides — Bart,  Hieronimus  Hickman. 

N.  B.  The  names  with  Astericks  (*)  before  them,  were 
-elected  in  their  respective  townships,  and  upon  proper 
certificates  by  them  produced  of  their  being  duly  elected, 
their  names  being  added  to  committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  the  borough  of  Lan- 
caster. Present,  Edward  Shippen,  Esq.  Wm.  Bausman, 
Charles  Hall,  Christian  Voght,  Sebastian  Graff,  Adam 
Reigart,  Casper  Shaffner,  William  Atlee,  Peter  Grubb, 
and  Eberhart  Michael,  Edward  Shippen,  Esq.  in  the  chair. 

Several  of  the  reputable  inhabitants  of  this  borough  of 
Lancaster,  having  mentioned  their  dislike  to  Mr.  Francis 
— — -,  having  opened  a  dancing  school  in  this  borough,  (at 
the  present  time)  and  that  in  their  opinion  the  same  was 
contrary  to  th«  eighth  article  of  the  association  of  the 
continental  Congress,  and  requesting  a  meeting  of  this 
committee  and  their  sentiments  on  the  occasion.  Upon 
consideration  of  the  matter,  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  com- 
mittee, that  the  said  Mr.  Francis  — — ,  opening  and 
keeping  a  dancing  school  in  the  said  borough,  comes 
within  the  meaning  of  the  eighth  article  of  the  association 
of  the  continental  Congress,  and  that  the  same  ought,  at 
the  present  time,  during  the  unhappy  dispute  with  the 
mother  country,  to  be  discontinued.     And  Mr.  Francis 

being  sent  for,  waited  upon  the  committee,  and 

being  informed  of  the  sentiments  of  this  committee,  agreed 
and  promised  to  break  up  and  discontinue  his  said  schooL 

Signed  by  the  members  above  named. 

33 


386  felSTOSr    OF 

A  letter  received  fi-ora  the  committee  of  corre;!potidetf6fe' 
of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  dated  the  2 2d  December^ 
1774,  directed  to  the  committee  of  this  place,  of  whicb 
the  following  is  a  copy,  viz  : 

Gentlemen:  By  order  of  the  committee  of  the  City  and 
Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  we  have  the  pleasm-e  to  trans- 
mit you  the  following  resolves,  passed  this  day  with  great 
unanimity,  viz  : 

"That  this  committee  think  it  absolutely  necessary  that 
the  conmiittees  of  the  counties  of  this  province,  or  such 
deputies  as  they  may  appoint  for  this  purpose,  be  request- 
ed to  meet  together  in  provincial  convention  as  soon  as 
■convenient. 

"That  it  be  recommended  to  the  county  committees  to 
meet  in  said  convention,  on  Monday,  the  23d  day  of  Jan» 
uary  next,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia."^ 

From  a  view  of  the  present  situation  of  public  affairs. 
the  committee  have  been  induced  to  propose  this  conven- 
tion, that  the  sense  of  the  province  may  be  obtained ;  and 
that  the  measures  to  be  taken  thereupon,  may  be  ths 
'result  of  the  united  wisdom  of  the  colony. 

The  obvious  necessity  of  giving  an  immediate  conside- 
ration to  many  matters  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the 
general  welfare,  will,  we  hope,  sufficiently  apologize  to 
you  for  naming  so  early  a  day  as  the  23d  of  January. 
We  are,  gentlemen,  respectfully, 
Your  humble  servants, 

Jos,  Reed,  Charles  Thompson,  Geo.  Clymer,  John  Nis- 
'on,  John  Benezet,  Sam'l  Meredith,  Thos.  Mifflin,  Jona, 
B.  Smith,  Committee  of  correspondence. 

The  following  letter  from  the  committee  of  correspond- 
ence for  the  county  of  Berks,  was  sent  to  the  committe® 
'^  this  place,  viz: 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  S87 

Reading,  2d  January,  1775. 

This  day  the  committee  of  this  comity  met  here.  A 
letter  from  the  committee  of  correspondence  of  the  City 
and  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  (meaning  the  same  above,) 
was  laid  before  them  proposing  a  provincial  convention, 
to  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  the  22d  instant.  Tiie  letter 
being  duly  considered,  the  committee  unanimously  agreed 
to  the  proposed  convention,  and  appointed  Edward  Bid- 
die,  Jonathan  Potts,  Mark  Bird,  Christopher  Shultz,  John 
Patton,  Sebastian  Levan,  and  Balzer  Gehr,  a  committee 
to  attend  to  said  convention,  in  behalf  of  this  county. — 
The  committee  then  proceeded  to  choose  a  conmiittee  of 
correspondence,  and  Edward  Biddle,  William  Reerer, 
Mark  Bird,  Jonathan  Potts,  and  Christopher  Wittman, 
were  duly  elected  a  committee  of  correspondence  for  this 
county.     Extract  from  the  proceedings  of  the  committee. 

Jonathan  Potts,  Clerk. 

Another  letter  from  the  same  committee  of  correspond- 
ence of  the  county  of  Berks,  to  the  committee  of  this 
place,  viz  : 

Gentlemen :     Enclosed  is  an  extract  from  the  proceed 
ings  of  the  committee  of  this  county,  by  which  you  will 
see  that  deputies  are  appointed  to  attend  the  proposed 
provincial  convention. 

When  we  consider  that  our  disputes  are  drawing  fast  to 
a  crisis,  and  that  the  most  cordial  unanimity  is  absolutely 
necessary  for  our  preservation  ;  we  cannot  doubt  but  that 
your  respectable  committee  will  without  hesitation  appoint 
deputies  to  attend  the  provincial  Congress.  The  neglect 
of  any  one  county  may  have  the  most  fatal  consequences. 
And  we  well  know  the  pleasure  it  would  give  our  ene- 
mies to  see  even  the  appearance  of  a  disunion  at  this 
very  important  time. 


388  HISTORY    OF 

The  great  consequence  of  this  subject  will,  we  hope^ 
apologize  for  this  freedom. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
Your  most  obedient  humble  servants, 

Edward  Biddle,  Jonathan  Potts,  William  Reerer^ 
Christopher  Witman,  Mark  Bird, 

Committee  of  correspondence. 
Reading,  5th  January,  1775. 

N.  B.  Tlie  above  mentioned  extracts,  &c.  are  put 
among  the  files  of  other  papers  relative  to  the  committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  inspection  of  the 
county  of  Lancaster,  at  the  Court  house,  in  Lancaster,  on 
Saturday,  the  14th  day  of  January,  1775,  Edward  Ship- 
pen,  Esq.  was  chosen  chairman. 

It  was  unanimously  agreed  that  in  case  of  any  differ- 
ence in  sentiments,  the  question  proposed  be  determined 
by  the  members  of  committee,  voting  by  townships. 

A  letter  from  the  committee  of  correspondence  of  the 
City  and  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  and  another  letter  from 
the  committee  of  correspondence  of  Berks  county,  were 
then  read;  audit  being  put  to  vote,  whether  this  com- 
mittee would  appoint  deputies  to  meet  the  other  counties 
of  this  province  in  provincial  convention,  on  Monday,  the 
23d  January  instant,  the  same  was  carried  in  the  affir- 
mative : 

Yeas ;  Borough  of  Lancaster,  Hempfield  township, 
Manheim  township,  Paxton  township,  Hanover  township, 
Londonderry  township,  Mountjoy  township,  Rapho  town- 
ship, Donegal  township,  Warwick  township,  Lebanon 
township.  Bethel  township,  Elizabeth  township.  Earl 
township,  Brecknock  township,  Caernarvon  township^ 
Salisbury  township,  Leacock  township,  Lampeter  town- 
ship, Sadsbury  township,  Little  Britain  township,  Dru» 
mere  township,  Colerain  township. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  388 

Nays  ;  Lancaster  township,  Derry  township,  Strasburg 
township,  Bart  township. 

Absent ;  Conestoga  township,  Upper  Paxton  township, 
Heidleberg  township,  Cocalico  township.,  Martick  town- 
ship, Manor  township. 

The  committee  then  proceeded  to  appoint  deputies,  and 
the  following  gentlemen,  to  wit  :-^Adam  Simon  Kiihn, 
James  Burd,  James  Clemson,  Esq.,  Peter  Grubb,  Sebas- 
tian Graff,  David  Jenkins  and  Bartram  Galbraith,  or  any 
five  of  them,  were  nominated  to  attend  the  said  provin- 
cial convention,  in  behalf  of  the  county  of  Lancaster. 
Edward  Shippen,  Chairman, 

The  preceding  proceedings  of  the  committees  and 
occurrences,  being  recorded  by  E.  M.  (June  3d,  1775.) 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  inspection  and  obser- 
vation, of  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  the  27th  of  April, 
1775,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart. 

Present;  Edward  Shippen,  Esq.,  William  Atlee,  Wro. 
Bausman,  Charles  Hall,  William  Patterson,  Casper  Sliaff- 
ner,  Eberhart  Michael,  Adam  Reigart. 

Edward  Shippen,  Esq.  was  chosen  president. 

It  appearing  by  intelligence  from  divers  places  and  by 
the  papers,  that  General  Gage,  hath  at  length  attacked 
tlie  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  killed  and 
wounded  many  of  them,  and  the  latest  accounts  from 
England  confirming  the  accounts  that  the  Parliament  of 
Great  Britain  are  determined  by  fprce  of  arms  to  compel 
the  colonies  to  an  abject  submission  to  the  late  acts  of  the 
British  Parliament,  calculated  to  deprive  the  inhabitants 
of  the  colonies  of  their  inestimable  rights  and  privileges  ; 
and  that  a  formidable  fleet  and  army  are  preparing  to 
invade  the  colonies  or  some  of  them ;  it  is  therefore 
thought  proper  to  request  a  general  meeting  of  the  com- 
mittee for  this  county,  to  consult  and  determine  upon  suck 

33 1 


390  HISTORY  or 

measures  as  may  be  necessary  to  be  pursued  at  this 
alarming  crisis ;  and  it  is  unanimously  agreed  that  hand- 
bills be  immediately  printed  and  distributed  throughout 
the  county,  requesting  the  members  of  the  committee  to 
meet  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart,  in  the  borough  of 
Lancaster,  on  Monday,  the  first  day  of  May  next,  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  for  those  purposes  ;  and  Mr.  Bai- 
ley is  requested  to  print  a  sufficient  number  of  hand-bills 
for  this  purpose,  in  the  following  words,  to  wit : 

The  members  of  the  committee  of  observation  for  the 
respective  districts  and  townships,  are  desired  to  meet  at 
the  borough  of  Lancaster,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart, 
in  the  said  borough,  on  Monday,  the  first  day  of  May 
next,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  consult  and 
determine  upon  proper  and  necessary  measures  to  be 
taken  for  the  general  good  in  the  present  alarming  situa- 
tion of  affairs. 

At  the  request  of  the  committee  of  observation,  in  the 
borough  of  Lancaster.  (Signed.) 

Edwakd  Shippen,  Chairman. 
Lancaster,  the  27th  April,  1775. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  observation,  at  the 
house  of  Adam  Reigart,  the  thirtieth  day  of  March,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-five.  ^  ^ 

Present,  George  Ross,  Esq.,  Jasper  Yeates,  Esq.,  Wm. 
Atlee,  Esq.,  Adam  Reigart,  William  Bausman,  Esq., 
Charles  Hall,  Casper  Shaffner,  Samuel  Bare,  Eberhart 
Michael,  James  Cunningham,  Alexander  Martin,  Wm.. 
Smith: — George  Ross,  Esq.,  chosen  chairman;  George 
Ross,  jun.,  chosen  clerk. 

A  complaint  being  made  to  the  committee,  that  Charles 
Hamilton  had  sold  tea  contrary  to  the  association  of  the 
continental  Congress.     Ordered  that  notice  be  given  to 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  SSI 

said  Charles  Hamilton.     Thereupon  a  copy  of  the  follow- 
ing notice  was  sent  to  Mr.  Charles  Hamilton. 

"  Sir — You  are  charged  before  the  committee  for  this 
county  of  having  vended  a  quantity  of  tea  since  the  first 
instant,  contrary  to  the  association  of  the  continental 
Congress.  The  committee  are  now  sitting  at  Mr,  Adam 
Reigart's,  and  desire  your  attendance  to  answer  to.  the 
charge."  (Signed) 

Geo.  Ross,  jun.,  Clerk. 

To  Mr.  Charles  Hamilton,  shopkeeper. 

March  30,  1775. 

Mr.  Hamilton  having  attended,  and  it  appearing  by  the 
oath  of  John  Taylor,  the  clerk,  that  the  tea  was  sold  in 
Mr.  Hamilton's  absence  at  Philadelphia,  contrary  to  the 
express  orders  given  by  him  in  his  store  since  the  first  of 
March  instant ;  and  Mr.  Hamilton,  upon  knowing  of  the 
said  tea  being  sold,  immediately  disapproved  of  the  sale 
thereof.  And  Mr.  Hamilton  himself,  upon  oath,  declar- 
ing that  ever  since  the  first  of  March  instant,  his  orders 
in  the  store  have  been  to  his  clerk,  that  they  should  sell 
no  tea  whatsoever,  and  that  the  said  sale  was  in  his 
absence,  and  that  he  disapproves  thereof.  Upon  conside- 
ration of  the  premises  by  the  committee,  it  is  their  unani- 
mous opinion,  that  Mr.  Hamilton  stands  acquitted  of  the 
charge  against  him,  and  that  he  hath  not  counteracted. the 
association  of  the  continental  Congress. 

"  I,  Charles  Hamilton,  of  the  borough  of  Lancaster,, 
shopkeeper,  do  hereby  declare  and  assert,  that  I  utterly 
disapprove  of  the  sales  of  any  tea  in  my  store  since  the 
first  day  of  March,  instant,  and  it  is  and  always  hath  been 
my  fixed  intention  and  determination  to  adhere  inviola- 
bly to  the  association  of  the  American  continental  Con- 
gress, being  fully  convinced  that  the  measures  proposed 
thereby  are  the  only  probable  modes  of  rescuing  America 


393  HISTORY    OF 

from  British  Parliamentary  despotism.  Witness  my 
hand,  the  thirtieth  day  of  March,  A.  D.,  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-five.  (Signed) 

"Charles  Hamilton." 

Edward  Shippen,  Esq.,  George  Ross,  Esq.,  Jasper 
Yeates,  Esq.,  William  Atlee,  Esq.,  Adam  Simon  Kuhn, 
Esq.,  and  William  Bausman,  Esq.,  or  any  four  of  them, 
are  appointed  a  standing  committee  of  correspondence  for 
the  county  of  Lancaster. 

The  members  of  the  committee  for  the  county  of  Lan- 
caster, now  present,  taking  into  consideration  the  conduct 
of  George  Ross,  Esq.,  in  the  late  interesting  dispute  in 
the  House  of  Assembly  of  this  province,  respecting  the 
answer  given  to  his  honor,  the  Governor's  message,  re- 
commending a  separate  petition  to  his  Majesty  from  the 
the  said  House  of  Assembly,  do  unanimously  approve  of 
the  active  part  taken  by  the  said  Mr.  Ross  in  opposition 
to,  that  measure,  as  the  same  would  tend  to  introduce  dis- 
union amongst  the<colonies  ;  and  do  return  the  thanks  of 
tlie  committee  to  Mr.  Ross,  and  the  other  worthy  members 
of  the  honorable  house,  who  have  so  steadily  adhered^  to 
the  true  welfare  of  their  constituents  in  opposing  a  deep- 
laid  plan  to  disunite  us. 

jSIay  1st: — The  association  of  the  freemen  and  inhabi- 
tants of  the  county  of  Lancaster,  the  1st  May,  1775, 

W^hereas,  the  enemies  of  Great  Britain  and  America 
have  resolved  by  force  of  arms  to  carry  into  execution  the 
most  unjust,  tyrannical,  and  cruel  edicts  of  the  British 
Parliament,  and  reduce  the  freeborn  sons.of  America  to  a 
iBtate  of  vassalage,  and  have  flattered  themselves,,  from 
our  unacquaintance  with  military  discipline,  that  we 
should  become  an  easy  prey  to  them,  or  tamely  submit 
and  bend  our  necks  to  the  yoke  prepared  for  us :  We  do 
mqst  solemnly  agree  and  associate  under  the  deepest  sen&«^ 


LAJN'CASTER    COUNTY.  393' 

of  our  duty  to  God,  our  country,  ourselves  and  posterity,. 
to  defend  and  protect  the  religious  and  civil  rights  of  this 
and  our  sister  colonies,  with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  to  the 
utmost  of  our  abilities,  against  any  power  whatsoever 
that  shall  attempt  to  deprive  us  of  them. 

And  the  better  to  enable  us  so  to  do,  we  will  use  our 
utmost  diligence  to  acquaint  our  ourselves  with  military 
discipline  and  the  art  of  war.. 

We  do  further  agree  to  divide  ourselves  into  companies 
not  exceeding  one  hundred  men,  each,  so  as  to  make  it 
most  convenient  to  our  situation  and  settlement,  and  to 
elect  and  choose  such  persons  as  the  majority  of  each 
company  shall  think  proper  for  officers,  viz  :  for  each 
company  a  captain,  two  lieutenants  and  one  ensign,  who 
shall  have  the  power  of  appointing  the  other  officers 
under  them,  necessary  for  the  companies. 

That  when  the  companies  are  formed  and  the  officers 
chosen  and  appointed,  an  association  shall  be  signed  by 
the  officers  and  soldiers  of  each  company,  for  the  good 
order  and  government  of  the  officers  and  soldiers. 

May  3d :  Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  commit- 
tee of  the  county  of  Lancaster,  do,  with  the  utmost  expe- 
dition, take  an  account  of  the  number  of  whites — men, 
women  and  children — to  the  respective  townships  of  this 
county,  and  transmit  the  same  to  the  members  of  the 
committee,  residing  in  Lancaster,  to  be  forwarded  to  the 
members  of  the  general  Congress  for  the  province  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  committee  do 
examine  the  quantity  of  powder  and  lead  the  store-keepers 
have  in  their  hands,  in  the  respective  townships,  and  that 
the  store-keepers  be  required  that  they  sell  no  powder  or 
lead  before  the  first  of  June  next,  as  they  tender  the  trade 
and  custom  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  respective  townships, 


394  HISTORY    OF 

provided  that  it  be  sold  only  by  such  store-keepers  having 
a  license  from  two  members  of  the  committee. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  observation,  on  the 
4th  day  of  May,  1775,  the  Commissioners  of  the  county 
being  also  present,  Mr.  Charles  Hamilton  agrees,  that  the 
county  shall  have  his  powder,  being  26  casks,  at  the  rate 
of  ^14  per  cwt.  and  they  paying  the  carriage  ;  and  that 
the  county  shall  have  his  lead,  being  about  eight  hundred 
AiiTQight,  at  45  pence  per  cwt.* 

Messrs.  Josiah  &  Robert  Lockhart  agree  that  the  county 
shall  have  their  powder,  being  five  quarter  casks,,  at  £15 
per  cwt.,  they  paying  the  carriage  ;  and  their  lead  at  45 
pence  per  cwt. 

Mr.  Matthias  Slough  agrees  that  the  county  shall  have 
his  powder,  being  four  quarter  casks,  at  £15  per  cwt., 
they  paying  the  carriage ;  and  his  lead  at  45  pence  per 
cwt. 

Mr.  Simons  by  Mr.  Levy,  Andrew  Levy,  agrees  that 
the  counties  shall  have  his  powder,  being  2  quarter  casks, 
at  the  rate  of  ^615  per  cwt.,  they  paying  the  carriage  ;  and 
his  lead,  being  about  200  pounds,  at  45  per  cwt. 

Mr.  Christian  Wirtz  agrees  that  the  county  shall  have 
his  powder,  being  5  quarter  casks  and  some  pounds  loose, 
at  the  rate  of  £15  per  cwt.,  they  paying  the  carriage ; 
and  his  lead,  being  about  150  pounds,  at  45  per  cwt. 

Mr  John  Hopson  agrees  that  the  county  shall  have  his 
powder,  being  2  quarter  casks,  at  the  rate  of  £15  per  cwt., 
they  paying  the  carriage. 

*January  22,  1774,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly, that  no  person  or  persons  within  the  limits  of  Lanpaster 
borough,^  shall  keep  iD  any  house  or  shop,  cellar,  store,  or  other 
place  pore  than  twenty-five  pounds  weight  of  gunpowderiand 
that  was  to  be  kept  in  the  highest  story  of  the  house,  at  any 
one  time,  unless  it  had  been  fifty  yards  distant  from  any  dwell- 
ing house,  under  the  penalty  of  five  pounds. 


LAlJCASTER    COUNTY.  395 

Mr.  Crawford  agrees  that  the  county  shall  have  his 
powder,  being  10  or  12  pounds,  at  the  rate  of  £15  per 
cwt.  and  carriage. 

Mr.  Bickham  agrees  that  the  county  shall  have  his 
powder,  being  1  quarter  cask  and  some  loose  powder,  at 
the  rate  of  £15  per  cwt.  and  carriage  ;  and  his  lead  at 
45  per  cwt. 

Mr.  Graff  agrees  that  the  county  shall  have  his  powder, 
being  about  a  quarter  cask,  at  the  rate  o{  £15  per  cwt. 
paying  carriage. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  of  observation  for  the 
borough  and  county  of  Lancaster,  at  the  house  of  Adam 
Reigart-,  the  15th  May,  1775. 

Present ;  George  Ross,  Esq.,  chairman,  Jasper  Yeates, 
Esq.,  William  Atlee,  Esq.,  Charles  Hall,  Eberhart  Mi- 
chael, Casper  Shaffner,  Adam  Reigart,  Sebastian  Graff, 
Esq.,  Emanuel  Carpenter,  Esq.,  James  Clemson,  Esq., 
Alexander  Lowry,  James  Cunningham,  Samuel  Bare, 
James  Burd,  Esq.,  Christian  Voght  and  Jacob  Erb. 

The  question  being  put  whether  the  powder,  lead,  and 
other  military   stores,  which  can   be   collected  in    the 
county.         *         *         *         *         «         •*         * 
[Here  the  connection  is  broken.] 

Wednesday,  November  8th,  1775. 

A  number  of  the  members  of  committee,  chosen  and 
appointed  by  the  several  townships  in  Lancaster  county, 
to  serve  as  committee  men  for  the  ensuing  year,  assem- 
bled at  the  Court  house,  in  Lancaster. 
PresenL 

For  the  borough  of  Lancaster— ^William  Bausman,  Ja- 
■cob  Clatz,  Casper  Shaffner,  Christian  Voght,  Abraham 
Dehuff,  Michael  Musser.  For  Lancaster— Andrew  Graff 
Michael  Shank.  For  Manheini— ^Peter  Bachman,  Se- 
l>astian  Graff,  Jasper  Yeates.    For  Manor-^Leonard  Rod- 


396  HISTORY    OTS" 

funk.  For  Conestoga — William  Atlee,  Michael  Haber- 
stick,  Abraham  Newcomer.  For  Strasburg — Everhard 
Gruber,  John  Breckbill.  For  Warwick — John  Erb,  Pe- 
ter Kratser.  For  Cocalico — Michael  Witmer.  For  Lam- 
peter— John  Whitman,  jr.,  Henry  Kendig.  For  Caer- 
narvon— David  Jenkins,  Joshua  Evans,  Henry  Weaver. 
For  Lebanon — John  Philip  de  Haas,  Philip  Greenwalt. 
For  Bethel — Casper  Kohr,  John  Beshore,  Killian  Long. 
For  Hanover — John  Rogers,  John  McKewn.  For  Lon- 
donderry— WiUiani  Hays.  For  Donegal  —  Alexander 
Lowry,  Robert  Craig.  For  Mouiitjoy — James  Cunning- 
ham, John  Jamison,  Abraham  Scott.  For  Upper  Pax- 
tang — Samuel  Taylor,  James  Morrow.  For  Brecknock- 
Benjamin  Leslie. 

The  members  present  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a 
chairman,  when  Jasper  Yeates,  Esq.  was  elected,  and 
■took  his  seat  accordingly. 

George   Ross,  junior,  Esq.  was  chosen  Secretary. 

Peter  Riblet  was  appointed  door-keeper  and  messenger 
to  this  connnittee. 

The  returns  of  the  elections  in  the  several  townships 
were  produced,  and  read,  and  approved  of  by  this  com- 
mittee ;  the  following  gentlemen  thereby  appearing  to 
have  been  duly  chosen  in  the  respective  townships  as 
members  of  committee  in  the  county  of  Lancaster,  viz  : 

In  the  borough  of  Lancaster — Edward  Shippen,  Geo. 
Ross,  William  Bausman,  Jacob  Clatz,  Casper  Shaffner, 
George  Moore,  Christian  Voght,  Abraham  Dehuff,  Jacob 
Krug,  Michael  Musser,  Adam  Reigart.  In  Lancaster 
township — Matthias  Slough,  Andrew  Graff,  Michael 
Shank.  In  Hempfield — Peter  Brubaker,  Robert  Spear, 
John  Hoover.  In  Manheim — Peter  Bachman,  Sebastian 
Graff,  Jasper  Yeates.  In  Manor— Leonard  Rodfunk, 
Jacob  Rupley,  Henry   Funk.     In  Conestogo — William 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  397 

Atlee,  Michael  Haberstick,  Abraham  Newcomer.  In 
Drumore — John  Long,  Wilham  McEntire,  John  Smiley. 
In  Strasburg — Samuel  Lefevre,  Everhard  Gruber,  Jolin 
BreckbiU.  In  Lampeter — John  Whitman,  jun.,  Henry 
Kendig,  John  Kirk.  In  Warwick — Valentine  Griner, 
Jacob  Erb,  Peter  Cratzer.  In  Elizabeth— George  Hoyle, 
Christian  Staley,  Christian  Royer.  In  Cocalico — Michael 
Witman,  Adam  Grill,  George  Elick.  In  Earl — Gabriel 
Davis,  George  Rhine,  Jonathan  Roland.  In  Ccernarvon-^ 
David  Jenkins,  Joshua  Evans,  Henry  W^eaver.  In  Breck- 
nock— Benjamin  Leslie,  Peter  Good,  Conrad  Popp.  In 
Heidleberg— Henry  Eckart,  George  Hudson,  Michael 
Ley  In  Lebanon — John  Philip  de  Haas,  Philip  Green- 
wait,  3"ohn  Light.  In  Bethel — Casper  Kohr,  John  Be- 
shore,  Killian  Long.  In  Hanovtr — John  M.cKown,  John 
Rogers,  William  Cathcart.  In  Londonderry — William 
Hays,  Robert  Clark,  Jacob  Cook.  In  Donegal — ^Bartram 
Galbraith,  Alexander  Lowry,  Robert  Craig.  In  Mount- 
joy — James  Cuimingham,  Abraham  Scott,  John  Jami- 
son. In  Rapho — James  Patterson,  Jacob  Haldeman,  Jo- 
seph Litle.  In  Upper  Paxtang — Adam  Warts,  Jame$ 
Murray,  Samliel  Taylor. 

The  return  from  the  township  of  Paxtang  being  pro- 
duced in  these  words,  to  wit : 

"  At  an  election  held  at  Mr.  William  Dickey's,  in  Pax- 
ton  township,  the  17th  October,  1775,  the  following  six 
persons  were  elected  as  members  of  the  county  commit- 
tee for  the  county  of  Lancaster,  to  wit :  James  Burd,  Jo- 
seph Sherer,  William  Brown,  John  Harris,  James  Crouch^ 
and  Jacob  Awl,  or  any  three  of  these  men  to  be  admitted 
in  the  committee  from  time  to  time." 

Certified  by  James  Burd  and  Joseph  Sherer.  Tha 
same  was  objected  to,  and  it  being  put  to  vote  whether 
the  same  return  should  be  received,  as  it  contained  sv 

34 


398  HISTORY    OF 

return  6f  six  persons  instead  of  three,  it  passed  in  the 
negative  unanimously. 

Resolved,  That  in  determining  a  question  in  this  com- 
mittee, the  borough  of  Lancaster  and  the  several  town- 
ships in  this  county  sliall  have  each  one  vote,  and  the 
majority  of  the  townships  or  borough  and  tov/nships  so 
voting  shall  determine  the  question. 

Resolved,  That  no  person  shall  speak  more  than  twice 
on  the  same  point,  without  leave  cf  the  committee. 

The  letters  of  the  committee  of  safety  of  this  province^ 
to  the  committee  of  this  county,  respecting  J.  Brooks  and 
Doctor  John  Kearsley,  (Avhich  were  received  at  Lancas- 
ter, between  the  time  of  the  election  of  this  committee, 
and  this  meeting,)  v.^ere  read  ;  and  the  proceedings  of  the 
gentlemen  of  the  committee  who  negociated  that  busi- 
ness, and  escorted  Doctor  Kearsley  to  York,  being  taken 
•into  consideration,  their  conduct  is  approved  of  by  this 
committee.  And  the  following  persons,  to  wit:  George 
Ross,  Jasper  Yeates,  William  Atlee,  William  Bausman, 
Matthias  Slough,  Christian  Voght,  Jacob  Glatz,  Abraham 
Dehuff,  Sebastian  Graff,  Andrew  Graff,  John  Whitmer, 
jun.,  and  Jacob  Krug  are  appointed  by  the  members  of 
the  committee  nov\^  present,  a  sub-committee  lo  see  the 
sentence  and  resolves  of  the  committee  of  safety  ri'spect- 
ing  J.  Brooks,  a  prisoner  in  goal  of  this  county,  strictly 
■carried  into  execution.  And  it  is  ordered  that  no  person 
be  admitted  into  the  company  of  the  said  J.  Brooks,  but 
in  the  presence  of  one  or  more  of  tlie  sub-committee 
aforesaid,  of  which  the  goaler  is  to  have  notice. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow  morning,  eleven  o'clock. 
Thursday,  November  9th,  1775. 

The  committee  met  accorduig  to  adjournment. 
Present, 

The  same   members  who   attended    yesterdaj^,    and 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  399 

moreover  George  Ross,  Jacob  Krug,  George  Moon  and 
Adam  Reigart,  for  the  borough  of  Lancaster:  Henry 
Eckert  and  Michael  Ley  for  Heidleberg  township;  and 
Gabriel  Davis  for  Bart  township. 

A  new  return  of  members  elected  for  Paxtang  town- 
ship being  produced  to  the  committee,  certifying  that  Jo- 
seph Sherer,  William  Brown  and  John  Harris  were  duly 
chosen  to  serve  as  members  of  the  committee  for  the  said 
townships,  the  said  return  is  approved  of,  and  they  took 
their  seats  accordingly. 

A  letter  from  the  committee  of  safety  to  the  late  com- 
mittee of  this  county,  dated  October  7th,  1775,  respecting 
some  provincial  muskets  supposed  to  be  in  the  hands  of 
the  military  associators  and  others  in  this  county,  being 
produced  and  read  : 

Resolved,  That  William  Atlee,  Alexander  Lowry  and 
Sebastian  Graff  be  a  committee  for  preparing  the  draft  of 
an  answer  to  the  said  letter,  and  that  they  report  the  same 
to  this  committee  in  the  afternoon. 

Resolved,  Unanimously,  that  this  committee  will  use 
their  endeavors  to  carry  into  immediate  execution  the 
resolves  of  the  honorable  House  of  Assembly  respecting 
the  six  hundred  stand  of  arms  and  other  military  accou- 
trements to  be  furnished  by  the  county  of  Lancaster. 

The  question  being  put  whether  the  gun-smiths  residing 
in  the  borough  of  Lancaster  should  not  be  immediately 
sent  for  to  give  their  reasons  to  this  committee,  why  they 
have  not  set  about  making  the  arms  directed  by  the  hon- 
orable House  of  Assembly  to  be  made  in  the  county  of 
Lancaster,  agreeable  to  the  application  of  the  commis- 
sioners and  assessors  of  the  said  county.  The  same  was 
imanimously  carried  in  the  affirmative,  and  the  gun- 
smiths were  sent  for  accordingly. 

A  petition  signed  by  Henry  Zericher  being  presented 


400  HISTORY    OF 

to  the  committee,  upon  inctuiry  into  the  facts  therein 
contained,  it  is  ordered  by  this  committee  (three  town- 
ships dissenting)  that  the  said  Henry  Zericher  be  allowed 
jB.ve  pounds  of  powder,  and  no  more,  out  of  the  public 
magazine,  for  the  purposes  expressed  in  the  petition,  he 
paying  for  the  same  into  the  county  treasury  at  the  rate 
four  shillings  per  pound. 

The  sub-committee  appointed  to  essay  the  draft  of  an 
answer  to  the  letter  of  the  committee  of  safety  respecting 
the  provincial  muskets,  do  now  report  to  this  committee, 
the  draft  of  the  answer  which  they  had  prepared,  in  these 
words,  to  wit  : 

Lancaster,  November  9th,  1775. 
Gentlemen : — Your  letter  of  the  7th  day  of  October 
last,  directed  to  the-  committee  of  Lancaster  county 
respecting  the  provincial  muskets,  in  the  hands  of  the 
military  associators  and  others  in  this  county,  has  been 
laid  before  this  committee  and  taken  into  consideration. 

We  find  that  the  gentlemen  who  were  the  committee 
of  correspondence,  appointed  by  the  late  county  commit- 
tee, had  upon  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  published  and 
dispersed  hand-bills  throughout  the  county  requiring  the 
persons  possessed  of  such  muskets  to  bring  them  in  at 
this  time.  As  none  are  brought  in,  we  beg  leave  to 
suggest  to  you  some  facts,  relative  to  those  arms,  and 
wait  your  further  directions. 

After  the  troops  raised  by  the  province  in  the  late  war 
were  disbanded,  a  number  of  muskets  and  military  accou- 
trements were  lodged  at  a  Mr.  Carson's  in  Paxtang, 
where  they  remained  without  any  notice  or  care  being 
taken  of  them,  until  the  unhappy  disputes  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  Colonies  rendered  it  indispensably  neces- 
sary for  our  safety  to  associate  and  arm  in  defence  of  our 
rights,     'fhe  then  committee  of  this  county  upon  hearing 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  40B 

of  those  arms,  requested  some  of  their  members  to  exam- 
me  and  send  them  down,  mtending  an  apphcation  to  the 
Assembly  to  have  them  repaired  at  the  pubhc  expense, 
and  put  into  the  hands  of  such  associators  as  were  unable 
to  furnish  themselves,  and  who  were  to  give  receipts  for 
them  to  be  returned,  if  not  lost  in  actual  service.  At 
this  time  arms  were  sought  for  with  great  assiduity  by 
every  one,  who  v^^ished  to  be  instructed  in  the  military 
discipline.  The  inhabitants  of  Cumberland  county, 
knowing  also  of  the  provincial  muskets,  were  beforehand 
with  us,  and  having  the  first  choice,  took  between  sixty 
and  seventy  of  the  best  of  them  (for  v/hich  Mr.  Carson 
has  a  receipt)  leaving  a  parcel  of  rubbish  Vvdiich  v/ere  sent 
to  this  town,  consisting  of  barrels  mostly  without  locks 
and  stoclcs,  and  ail  of  them  so  covered  with  rust  that  they 
were  thought  almost  unfit  for  use,  and  scarcely  worth 
repairing.  Many  of  them  vv^ero  loaded  and  had  probably 
been  so  for  many  years.  Some  of  the  poor  associators 
here  took  the  barrels,  and  with  much  labor  had  them 
cleaned.  By  the  help  of  some  old  locks  which  about  this 
time  were  found  in  a  garret  in  this  town  (without  an 
owner)  and  were  distributed  amongst  them,  they  had 
them  put  into  such  repair,  as  to  serve  them  to  exercise 
with.  These  persons  have  been  at  a  considerable  expense 
in  putting  them  in  the  order  they  now  are ;  and  if  they 
are  deprived  of  them,  are  not  able  to  purchase  others. — 
There  arc  a  few  indeed  of  the  best  of  the  firelocks  which 
we  think  could  safely  be  trusted  to  for  reai  service^  To 
take  the  arms  from  the  poor  people  under  such  circum- 
stances would  greatly  damp  their  martial  spirit. 

We  conceive  it  our  dutj^  to  mention  these  things  to  the 
con:imittee  of  safety.  If  that  honorable  Board,  neverthe- 
less, shall  be  of  opinion  that  such  firelocks  will  be  of  use 
and  will  direct  in  what  manner  the  people  who  have 

31* 


403  HISTORY    OF 

Tseen  at  expense  in  repairing  them  are  to  be  reimbursed^, 
\re  shall  cheerfully  exert  ourselves  to  the  utmost  of  our 
power  in  calling  them  in,  and  forwarding  them  to  Phila- 
delphia. 

This,  gentlemen,  is  the  first  opportunity  we  have  had 
of  answering  your  letter  relative  to  the  arms.  Give  us 
leave  to  assure  you,  it  will  afford  us  great  pleasure  to  be 
instrumental  in  any  degree  to  the  safety  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  We  feel  very  sensibly  the  situation  of  your 
citizens ;  we  deem  ourselves  most  strongly  bound  to  give 
every  assistance  in  our  power  to  repel  any  attack  which 
may  be  attempted  against  you,  and  humbly  trust  we  shall 
not  be  deficient  in  the  day  of  danger. 

Your  letter  of  the  19th  October,  came  to  our  hands. — ■ 
According  to  your  desire  a  proper  guard  from  hence  con- 
ducted Dr.  Kearsley  to  York,  and  took  a  receipt  for  his 
safe  delivery  to  the  committee  there.  S.  Brooks  remains 
confined  in  our  gaol.  A  sub-committee  of  twelve  gen- 
tlemen residing  in  and  near  this  town,  has  been  appoint- 
ed to  see  that  your  sentence  and  resolves  respecting 
Brooks,  be  carried  into  executi')n,  and  no  person  is  per- 
mitted to  visit  him  but  in  the  presence  of  one  or  more  of 
those  gentlemen. 

By  order  of  the  committee  of  Lancaster  county. 

The  foregoing  answer  being  read  at  the  table,  was 
unanimously  approved  of,  and  it  is  ordered  that  the  same 
be  transmitted  to  the  committee  of  safety  by  the  first 
conveyance. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock 

Friday,  November  10th,  1775-. 

The  committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 
Present . 

The  same  members  who  attended  yesterday,  and 
tn^oreover  Joseph  Litle  for  Rapho  township. 


LANCASTER    COUNTr.  403 

Upon  motion,  Resolved,  That  in  case  any  of  the  gun- 
smiths, in  the  county  of  Lancaster,  upon  apphcation  made 
to  them  by  the  members  of  the  committees  of  the  respec- 
tive townships  to  which  they  belong,  shall  refuse  to  go  to 
work  and  make  their-  proportion  of  the  firelocks  and 
bayonets  required  by  this  county,  by  the  honorable  House 
of  Assembly,  within  two  weeks  from  such  application 
agreeble  to  the,  patterns,  at  the  Philadelphia  prices ; — 
such  gun-smiths  shall  have  their  names  inserted  in  the 
minutes  of  this  committee  as  enemies  to  their  country, 
SLiid  published  as  such,  and  the  tools  of  the  said  gun- 
smiths so  refusing  shall  be  taken  from  them,  and  more- 
over the  said  gun-smiths  shall  not  be  permitted  to  carry 
on  their  trades,  until  tliey  shall  engage  to  go  to  work  as 
aforesaid,  nor  shall  leave  their  respective  places  of  resi- 
dence, until  the  arms  are  completed.     And  it  is  further 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  correspondence  and 
observation,  do  take  especial  care  that  their  resolves  be 
carried  into  execution. 

Christiain  Isch  and  Peter  Reigart  appeared  in  commit- 
tee, and  agreed  to  set  to  work  on  Monday,  the  twentieth 
day  of  November  instant,  and  make  muskets  and  bayo- 
nets for  this  county,  (part  of  the  number  required  from 
this  county,  by  the  honorable  House  of  Assembly,)  at 
the  Philadelphia  prices ;  and  that  they  will  confine  them- 
selves to  that  work  entirely  from  that  time  to  the  first  day 
of  March  next,  and  furnish  as  many  as  they  can  possibly 
complete  in  the  time,  and  deliver  the  same  to  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  county  or  this  committee. 

Michael  Withers  appeared  in  committee,  and  agreed 
to  set  to  work  as  soon  as  he  hath  completed  a  few  guns 
which  he  hath  now  in  hand,  and  make  muskets  and 
bayonets  for  this  county  (part  of  the  number  from  this 
county  by  the  honorable  House  of  Assembly,)  at  the 


404  HISTORY    OF 

Philadelphia  prices  ;  that  he  will  confine  himself,  and  his 
workmen  to  that  work  and  carry, on  the  same  as  expedi- 
tiously as  he  can,  and  that  he  will  deliver  in  to  the  com- 
missioners and  assessors  of  this  comity  or  to  this  com- 
mittee as  many  muskets.  (If  further  proceedings  were 
had,  they  cannot  be  found. 

Note. — Members  of  Assembly  from  Lancaster  county  for 
1775:  Curtis  Grubb,  Matthias  Slough,  George  Ross,  James 
Webb,  Thomas  Porter,  Bartram  Galbraith.  177G:  William 
Brown,  John  M'i\lillan,  Philip  Marsteller,  James  Anderson^ 
Alexander  Lourey,  LuJwig  Louman. 


CHAPTER   IX. 


Course  of  the  mother  country  objectionable — Mih'tary  convention  at  Lan- 
caster— Daniel  Robcrdeau  and  James  Ewing  elected  Brigadier  Generals — 
Resolutions  passed  and  adopted — Committee  of  safety  ;  Convention  to- 
form  the  first  State  constitution.  Pennsylvania  and  Lancaster  county 
active — INumerous  incidents,  &c.  in  Lancaster  county  during  the  Revolu- 
tion— General  Wayne's  head  quarters  and  correspondence  with  his 
^cellency,  Thomas  Wharton,  president  of  the  executive  council  of  Penn- 
sylvania— Congress  repairs  from  Philadelphia  to  Lancaster,  thence  to 
York — Military  meeting  atManhcim — Surviving  Revolutionary  soldiers — 
Notes,  &c. 

The  course  pursued  by  the  mother  country,  incensed 
the  people  of  the  several  colonies — a  continental  Congress 
assembled  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  4,  1774 — resolutions 
were  pag?;ed  approving  the  course  of  the  people  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, in  opposition  to  Gen.  Gage — the  openi  and 
decided  hostilities  eventuated  in  bloodshed  at  the  battle 
of  Lexington,  April  19,  1775  ;  which  was  soon  followed 
by  another,  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  June  17th.  To 
meet  the  emergency,  the  colonists  held  conventions,  mili- 
tary and  other  meetings.     In  this  great  conflict  between 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  405  ' 

the  mother  country  and  the  colonists,  the  inhabitants  of 
Lancaster  and  adjacent  counties,  met  at  Lancaster 
borough,  July  4th,  1776.  The  meeting  consisted  of  the 
officers  and  privates  of  the  fifty-three  battalions  of  the 
Associators  of  the  colony  of  Pennsylvania,  to  choose  two 
Brigadier  Generals,  to  command  the  battalions  and  forces 
of  Pennsylvania.  Col.  George  Ross,  was  president  of 
the  meeting,  and  Col.  David  Clymer,  secretary. 

Tire  following  officers  and  privates  attended,  as  dele- 
gates to  the  convention,  from  Philadelphia  city  and  Lib- 
erties: Colonels,  Chevalier,  Roberdeau,  Clymer  and 
Major  Knox.  Captains,  Copenwhait,  Bradford,  Du- 
lancy,  Brewster,  and  Bitting.  Privates,  Messrs.  Nevil, 
Nelson,  Montgomery,  Pool,  Cox,  Prior,  Brower,  Keck, 
Craig  and  Kitter.  From  Philadelphia  county :  Major 
Hughs,  and  George  Grey  standard  bearer ;  Captains 
Hart  and  Edwards  ;  Privates;  Roberts,  Smith,  Whitten, 
Simpson,  Hazelett  and  Hicks. 

From  Bucks  county  :  Colonels  Heckline,  and  Erwin  ; 
Lieutenant  colonels  Bryan  and  Robinson ;  Captains 
Jarvis,  Falwell,  Jameson,  and  Adjutant  Thompson ;  pri- 
vates. Watts,  Fenton,  Hollis,  Herr,  Patterson,  Stoneback, 
Middleswarth,  and  Titus. 

From  Chester  county :  Major  Culbertson ;  Colonel 
Montgomery;  Lieutenant  colonel  Gibson  ;  Captains  Wal- 
lace, Scott,  Gardiner ;  privates,  Cunningham,*  Boyd, 
Denny,  Culbertson  Mackey,  and  Fulton. 

From  Lancaster  county  :  Colonels,  George  Rossy  Curtis 
Grubb,  James  Crawford,  M.  Slough,  John  Ferre,  Peter 
Grubb,  Timothy  Green;  Lieutenant  colonels,  Adam  Rei- 
gart,  R.  Thompson,  Lowry,  Leonard  Rautfaung,  Peter 
Hendricks,  Christian  Weyman,  Andrew  Little ;  Majors, 
Philip  Marstaler,  Thomas  Smith,  James  Cunningham, 
Michael  Fire  ;  Captains,  Joseph  Sherrer,  James  Murray, 


406  HISTORY    OE 

James  INIimr,  Henry  Weaver;  priv^ates,  Christian  Werts, 
Francis  Baily,  James  Sullivan,  Luclwick  Ziering,  John 
Smiley,  Isaac  Erwin,  Abraham  Darr,  William  Leard, 
Henry  Slaymaker,  John  Wliitehill,  George  Bealy,  John 
Jameson,  Christian  Bough,  Simon  Snider,  George  Line, 
Joseph  Whitehill,  William  Smith,  George  Wry,  William 
Barnet,  George  Little,  Michael  DitYebaugh,  and  Anthony 
Debler. 

From  York  county  :  Colonels  Smith,  Diel,  and  Lieur 
tenant  colonel  Donaldson  ;  Majors  Donwiddie,  Jefferies, 
Andrew,  Finley  and  Craft ;  Captains  Smiser  and  Camp- 
ble;  privates,  W.  Scott,  Ewing,  Clinghan,  Hamilton, 
Little,  Shley,  J.  Scott,  Nealor,  Messerty. 

From  Cumberland  county :  Colonel  J.  Armstrong,  and 
Lieutenant  colonels  Blair,  Clark,  Watts ;  Captains  J. 
Steel,  M'Clelland,  Davison,  M'Farland,  Ftobinson  ;  Ma- 
jor J.  M'Calmont:  privates  Hogge,  E.  Steel,  Smith,  Paw- 
ling, ]5row"n,  Sterrett,  Flamilton,  Read,  Finley,  Vance. 

From  Berks  county:  Colonels  Bird,  Patton,  Levan  ; 
Majors,  G.  Hiester,  Jones,  Lindimuth,  Loeffler;  Lieuten- 
ants,. Cremer,  Lutz,  Rice,  Miller ;  Adjutant,  S.  Eby ; 
Captains,  Keim,  May  ;  privates,  Ilartman,  Filbert,  Mor- 
gan, Tolbut,  Spoon,  Winrich,  Moser,  Seltzer,  Winter, 
Hill,  Larke,  Wister,  Smack. 

From  Northampton  county  :  Colonels,  Guigar,  Stroud; 
INIajors,  Lebar,  Siegfried ;  Captains,  Orndt,  Snider,  Kearn, 
Jayne ;  privates,  M'Farren,  Upp,  Barkhaus,  Haas, 
Brown,  Best,  J.  M'Dawd,jr.,  D.  Von  Flick. 

From  Northumberland  county:  Colonel  B.  Vv^eiser, 
and  Lieutenants  Calhoun,  JM'Kinzie ;  Lieutenant  colo- 
nels, M'Clay,  IMoodie;  Captains,  Gillespie  and  Gray; 
Major,  Brady  ;  privates.  Stone,  M'Cariney,  Gattes,  Cul- 
bertson,  Matlock,  Yokan,  Starret,  M'Clanahan. 

From  Westmoreland  countv :    Colonel,  P.   INIornly ; 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  407 

Captains,  V.  Orey,  Thompson ;  Major,  James  Smith ; 
privates,  WiUiam  Guthrey,  W.  Perry,  Carmichael  and 
George  Gray. 

A  question  was  put,  whether  the  officers  and  privates 
shall  vote  by  ballot,  singly;  and  it  was  agreed  they 
should.  It  was  also  further  resolved  that  both  Brigadier 
generals  be  voted  for  at  the  same  time,  and  the  highest 
in  votes  to  be  the  commanding  officer.  After  colonel 
Mark  Bird  and  captain  Sharp  Dulancy,  with  colonel 
George  Ross,  president  of  the  convention,  were  appointed 
judges  of  the  election  of  Brigadier  generals,  an  election 
was  held,  and  after  casting  at  the  poll,  the  votes  stood 
thus  for  Brigadier  general:  Daniel  Roberdeau  160; 
James  Ewing  863  Samuel  Miles  8,2;  James  Potter  24;: 
Curtis  Grubb  9 ;  George  Ross  9  ;  Thomas  McKean  8 ; 
Mark  Bird  7.  Robertdeau  was  elected  first  Brigadier 
general,  Ewing  second  Brigadier  general. 

Resolutions  were  then  adopted,  that  the  Brigadier  gen- 
erals shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  call  out  any 
number  of  the  associators  of  this  province  into  action^ 
and  that  power  be  continued  until  superceded  by  the 
convention,  or  by  any  authority  under  the  appointment. 
That  the  president  of  the  board  shall  have  full  power  and' 
authorit}-  to  grant  commissions  to  the  two  Brigadi(>r  gen- 
erals until  commissions  issue  from  the  convention ;  or  any 
authority  they  shall  appoint  to  succeed  them.  That  we 
will  march  under  the  direction  and  command  of  our  Brig- 
adier general,  to  the  assistance  of  all  or  any  of  the  Free 
and  Independent  states  of  America.  That  associators  to 
be  drafted  out  of  each  county,  by  the  Brigadier  generals, 
shall  be  in  the  same  proportion  as  that  directed  by  the 
late  provincial  conference  held  in  Philadelphia.  This 
conference  met  June  18,  and  adjourned  the  25th.  Dele- 
gates to  this  conference  were  William  Atlee,  Esq.,  Mr. 


408  HISTORY    OP 

Lodowick  Lowman,  colonel  Bartram  Galbraith,  colonel 
Alexander  Lowrey,  captain  Andrew  Graaf,  Mr.  William 
Brown,  Mr.  John  Smiley,  major  James  Cunningham, 
major  David  Jenkins. 

While  the  convention  was  holding  in  Lancaster,  the 
friends  of  American  Independence,  having  met  in  con- 
vention at  Philadelphia,  and  discussed  the  suject  fully 
and  dispassionately,  passed  a  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, on  the  same  day  the  convention  was  held  in  Lan- 
caster. Now  the  contest  was  fairly  begun.  The  diffi- 
culties, on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  in  supporting  theii* 
pretensions,  as  a  declared  free  and  independent  people, 
were  of  the  most  appalling  character. 

After  the  Declaration,  the  magistrates  who  held 
appointments  under  the  royal  authority  declined  serving 
longer  ;  the  business  of  the  courts  was  suspended.  Our 
citizens  were  left  for  a  while  without  any  constitutional 
government.  In  this  state  of  things  a  committee  of 
safety  in  Philadelphia  undertook  the  management  of 
affairs,  under  the  unassuming  name  of  reconnnendationsy 
prescribed  to  the  people  of  the  state. 

"  On  Monday  the  15th  of  Ju  y,  1776,  a  convention  for 
forming  the  constitution  of  Pennsylvania,  met  at  Phila- 
delphia, and  elected  Benjamin  Franklin,  president ;  col- 
onel George  Ross,  vice  president;  John  Morris,  secre- 
taiy,  and  Jacob  Garrigues,  assistant  secretary.  The  dele- 
gates from  Lancaster  county,  were  George  Ross,  Philip, 
!Marsteller,  Thomas  Porter,  Bartram  Galbraith,  Joseph 
Sherer,  John  Hubley,  Henry  Slaymaker  and  x\lexander 
Lowrey.  The  convention,  after  framing  the  first  consti- 
tution of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  adjourned  the  2Sth 
September.* 

*Several  of  the  provinces  had  adopted  state  constitutions, 
before  and  after  Pennsylvania.     New  Hampshire  adopted  the 


LANCAStEH    COtTNTT.  «  409 

As  soon  as  this  convention  was  organized,  it  assumed 
the  powers  of  the  committee  of  safety — the  political 
powet  of  the  state.  One  of  its  first  acts  was  the  appoint- 
ment of  delegates  to  Congress.  The  delegates  were, 
Messrs.  Franklin,  Morton,  Morris,  Wilson,  George  Ross, 
James  Smith,  Benjamin  Rush,  George  Clymer  and  Geo. 
'Taylor. 

Pennsylvania  made  prodigious  exertions,  in  co-opera- 
ting with  the  allied  colonies,  fully  to  meet  the  hostilities- 
Several  regiments  were  raised  and  equipped  in  Lancaster 
county.  "  It  is  believed,  had  all  the  other  provinces  don« 
as  much  in  proportion  to  their  ability,*  and  the  men  been 

first  state  constitution,  January  5,  1776  ;  South  Carolina,  March 
24,  1776 ;  Virginia,  June  29,  1776  ;  New  Jersey,  July  2,  1776 
Maryland,  August  14,1776;  Pennsylvania,  September,  1776 
Delaware,  September,  1776  ;  North  Carolina,  December,  1776 
New  York,  April,  1777  ;  Massachusetts,  March,  1770  ;  Vermont, 
July  4,  1786;  Georgia,  May,  1789. 

The  first  constitution  of  Pennsylvania  of  1776,  was  altered 
and  amended  by  a  convention,  held  at  Philadelphia  in  Novem- 
ber, 1789.  Delegates  from  Lancaster  county  were  Edv^^ard 
Hand,  Robert  Coleman,  Sebastian  Graff,  William  Atlee,  John 
Hubley,  and  John  Breckbill.  This  convention  framed  the- 
second  constitution.  Another  convention  was  held  at  Harria- 
burg,  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1837.  Met  May  2 — after 
two  month's  session,  it  afterwards  met  at  Philadelphia.  Thfi 
present  or  third  constitution  of  Pennsylvania,  was  framed  by 
this  convention.  Delegates  from  Lancaster  county  were  V/il- 
liam  Hiester,  James  Porter,  Jeremiah  Brown,  Lindley  Coates, 
R.  E.  Cochran,  Joseph  IConighmacher,  Henry  G.  Long, 
Emanuel  C.  Reigart. 

A  convention  commenced  at  Philadelphia,  November  20, 
1787,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  into  consideration  the  consti- 
tution framed  by  the  federal  convention  for  the  United  States. 
The  delegates  from  Lancaster  county  were  Stephen  Chambers, 
Robert  Coleman,  Sebastian  Graff,  John  Hubley,  Jasper  Yeates, 
and  John  WhitehilL 

*Graydon's  Mem.  116. 

35 


410  HISTORY    OF 

enlisted  in  war,  the  Americans  might  have  avoided  the 
hair-breadth  escapes  which  ensued/'*  as  well  as  the  long 
continued,  arduous  conflict  of  eight  years,  and  an  enor- 
mous sum  of  expense,  besides  saving  many  valuable 
lives,  in  delivering  themselves  from  a  foreign  dominion, 
and  gaining,  as  they  did,  a  rank  among  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  Much  treasure,  and  many  lives  might  have  been 
saved.  Great  Britain  expended  more  than  one  hundred 
millions  of  dollars,  with  a  hundred  thousand  lives,  and 
won  nothing.  America  expended  rising  of  ninety  millions 
of  dollars,  and  lost  many  lives,  and  endured  cruelty  and 
distress. 

Lancaster  county  furnished  its  full  quota  of  militia  and 
continentals,  during  the  Revolution.  Her  citizens  acted 
early  and  efficiently.  "  Prior  to  the  four  regiments  of  St. 
Clair,  Shee,  Wa^aie  and  Magaw,  that  of  De  Haas,  and 
Hand's  rifle  company,  were  already  raised  and  equipped, 
respectively  commanded  by  INIiles  and  Atlee,  in  the 
whole,  nine  regiments  complete  and  very  reputably 
oflicered." 

Numerous  are  the  incidents,  and  some  full  of  adven- 
ture, which  happened  in  this  county  during  the  Revolu- 
tion. Gen.  Washington,  and  other  distinguished  Ameri- 
can and  British  officers  were  in  the  borough  of  Lancaster 
at  the  period  referred  to.  Though  neither  battles,  nor 
skirmishes  took  place  within  the  limits  of  the  county,  the 
wounded  and  prisoners  here  were  many.  At  the  battle 
and  cannonading  of  Trenton,  December  26, 1776,  many  of 

*The  quota  furnished  by  Pennsylvania  from  1775  to  1763, 
consisted  of  7357  militia  and  22,198  continentals.  The  aggre- 
gate quota  by  all  the  states  was  234,971  continentals  and  56,- 
163  militia— total  270,134.  In  the  year  1776,  Pennsylvania  fur- 
nished 5,519  continentals  and  4,876  militia— total  10,395. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  •  411 

the  Hessians,*  prisoners  taken  there,  were  conveyed  to 
Lancaster  borough. 

American  soldiers  were  quartered  at  the  barracks  and 
other  parts  of  the  county  during  the  winter  of  '77  and 
'78.  Both  the  Lutheran  and  Reformed  cliurch  at  Man- 
heim  were  quartered  with  soldiers.  When  the  battle  of 
Brandywine  was  fought,  September  11th,  1777,  many  of 
the  wounded  soldiers  were  conveyed  to  Ephrata,  where 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  their  number,  which  was 
rising  of  five  hundred,  died. 

While  General  Washington  took  v/inter  quarters,  Gen- 
eral Wayne  encamped  in  this  county,  in  Mountjoy  town- 
ship, where  his  men  endured  no  small  degree  of  suffering, 
as  appears  from  the  following  letters,  from  the  General 
to  his  excellency,  Thomas  Wharton,  Esq.,  at  Lancaster : 

*In  1775,  the  British  King  entered  into  treaties  with  some  of 
the  German  princes  for  about  seventeen  thousand  men,  who 
were  sent  to  America  early  in  1776,  to  assist  in  subduing  the 
colonies.  Among  these  were  the  Hessians,  who  had  been 
taken  at  Trenton  and  conveyed  as  prisoners  to  Lancaster.  At 
the  close  of  the  Revolution  many  of  them  remained  and  in- 
termarried with  German  and  English  families,  whose  descend- 
ants are  respectable,  and  some  of  the  best  citizens. 

In  September,  1843,  we  visited  one  of  the  German  mercene- 
ries,  living  at  Millport,  Warwick  township;  a  Mr.  Jacob  Ha- 
genberger,  who  according  to  his  own  statement,  was  born  March 
3d,  1750,  arrived  at  Quebeck,  March  5,  1775.  He  belonged  to 
Captain  Sch.achter's  company  ;  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  the 
surrender  of  General  Burgoyne,  October  17,  1777 ;  taken  to 
the  barracks  near  Boston,  thence  to  Winchester,  Virginia, 
thence  to  Reading,  and  lastly  to  Lancaster,  where,  on  the 
close  of  the  war,  he  was  sold  for  eighty  dollars,  for  the  term  of 
nearly  three  years  to  Captain  Jacob  Zimmerman,  of  Earl 
township.  Hagenberger  is  now  in  his  94th  year.  Hjs  health 
is  good  and  memory  remarkable. 


.4.12  p  HISTOSY   OP 

Th  his  excellency,  Thomas  Wharton,  Esq. 

Mountjoy,  28th  Dec,  177T.* 

Dear  sir: — I  was  favored   with  yours  of   the    12tll 
instant,  but  the  enemy  being  then  out,  prevented  me  from 
» J,  acknowledging  it  sooner. 

I  can't  help  expressing  both  surprise  and  concern,  at 
the  councils  directing  the  clothing  collected  in  this  state 
k  into  the  hands  of  the  Clothier  general— especially  after 
being  informed  that  the  other  states  were  collecting 
clothing  for  the  use  of  their  troops  j  clothing  for  the 
Eastern  troops  has  actually  arrived — they  are  now  com- 
fortable, whilst  ours  are  perishing. 

His  excellency  is  also  informed  that  Governor  Henry 
of  Virginia,  has  ordered  on  clothing  for  the  troops  of  that 
state,  which  he  expects  every  hour. 

Thus  sir,  whilst  other  states  are  exerting  every  power 
(under  a  resolve  of  Congress)  to  provide  for  their  own 
troops  only — you  are  following  the  generous  course  of 
providing  for  the  whole — this  sir,  is  being  generous  out 
of  time — it  is  an  old  adage,  that  a  man  ought  to  be  just, 
before  he  can  be  permitted  to  be  generous — the  case 
applies  in  full  force  here.  Supply  the  immediate  wants 
of  your  own  troops  first — then  give  scope  to  youi 
generosity. 

Enclosed  is  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  650  suits  of 
uniform,  which  Mr.  Zantzinger  has  provided  for  the 
troops  of  that  state.     He  is  in  great  want  of  money.     I 

*  Secretary's  Office,  Harrisburg,  Oct.  11,  1843. 

Mr.  T.  D.  Rupp — Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  9th  instant  was  re- 
eelved,  and  in  reply  I  would  inform  you  that  it  appears  front 
the  letters  you  mentioned,  that  General  Wayne  liad  his  camp 
atMountjoy,  in  Lancaster  county,  during  the  winter  of  177T 
and  1T78.  Very  respectfully,  yours, 

Chas.  M'Cluke. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  413 

■wish  you  would  as&ist  him  to  the  cash  he  wants,  and  to 
take  some  effectual  method  to  clothe  the  troops  in  the  best, 
speediest,  and  neatest  manner  possible.  Lest  you  should 
be  under  a  deception  with  regard  to  the  mode  in  which 
the  clothing  in  the  hands  of  the  Clothier  general  is  dis- 
tributed, I,  am  to  inform  you  that  they  are  delivered  in 
proportion  to  their  wants  (or  in  plain  English)  to  the 
number  of  men  in  each  regiment  throughout  the  army. 

Judge  how  far  inadequate  our  proportion  must  be  to 
our  wants,  whilst  the  troops  from  other  states  have  an 
equal  dividend  in  addition  to  their  other  supplies. 

At  this  inclement  season,  one  third  of  our  troops  are 
totally  destitute  of  either  shoes,  stockings,  shirts  or 
blankets,*  so  that  unless  they  receive  an  immediate 
supply  of  those  necessary  articles,  sickness,  death  and. 
desertion  will  be  the  inevitable  consequence. 

I  am  your  excellency's  most  ob't  humble  serv't, 

Ant'y  Wayne,  B.  G. 

I  have  directed  Mr.  Zantzinger  to  call  on  you  for- 
money.  I  wish  you  to  order  the  clothier  general  to  esti- 
mate the  price  of  the  clothing,  which,  agreeable  to  a 
resolve  of  Congress  is  to  be  in  proportion  to  the  pay  of 
the  officers  and  men — the  states  to  be  at  the  loss  of  the 
surplus.  A.  W. 

To  his  excellency,  Thomas    Whcirton,  Esq.,  President 
of  Pennsylvania,  Lancastevi 

Camp  Mountjoy,  February,  1778. 
Dear  sir  : — Enclosed  is  a  list  of  the  officers  sent  on  the 

*1777,  2d]May,  Bartram  Galbraith,  James  Crawford,  Adam 
Ordt,  Robert  Thompson,  Josliua  Elder,  Christopher  Crawford, 
William  Atlee,  John  Hubley,  Alexander  Lowry,  Curtis  Grubb, 
Philip  Marsteller,  Matthias  Slough  and  Adam  Reigart,  were 
appointed  by  the  war-office,  to  supply  the  army  with  blankets, 
&c.  for  Lancaster  county,  Pa. 

35* 


414  HISTORY    OF 

recruiting  service  from  my  division  who,  you  will  see  by 
the  within  instructions,  are  directed  to  wait  on  your  ex- 
cellency for  recruiting  orders.  I  wish  they  may  meet 
with  that  success  that  the  exigence  of  the  case 
requires,  but  I  fear  that  nothing  short  of  a  draft  will  save 
America ;  however  the  effect  of  a  total  prohibition'  of  the 
substitute  business  ought  first  to  be  tried.  I  flatter 
myself  that  when  the  people  (who  used  to  hire  themselves 
£is  substitutes)  once  find  that  no  more  hundred  dollars 
can  be  had  in  that  way,  that  they  will  enhst  in  the  line 
of  the  continent. 

But  I  am  confident  that  they  never  will  whilst  any 
idea  is  held  up  of  a  family  substitute,  for  it  is  only 
hiring  a  man  to-day, 'and  he  may  be  sent  to-morrow  as 
substitute  belonging  to  my  family. 

Will  you,  and  the  honorable  Council,  use  your  influence 
with  the  House^  of  Assembly  to  put  this  substitute  busi- 
ness totally  cut  of  the  question,  for  believe  me  that  the 
salvation  of  this  State  depends  upon  the  exertions  that 
may  be  made  during  the  winter  towards  filling  the  con- 
tinental regiment. 

I  wish  you  to  on  er  all  such  recruits  as  may  be  enlisted, 
to  be  completely  uniformed  before  they  leave  Lancaster. 
I  also  wish  that  no  more  cloth  be  made  up  in  coats  unless 
it  be  blue ;  but  that  all  the  rest  be  made  into  over-alls 
and  vests,  except  such  colors  as  will  admit  of  being  dyed 
blue.  The  Virginians  have  received  blue  cloth  suflicient 
for  to  uniform  the  whole  of  their  troops,  so  that  I  fear 
we  shall  be  eclipsed  by  all  the  other  states,  unless  we 
take  some  pains  to  give  our  soldiers  an  elegant  uniform. ; 
for  I  do  lay  it  doAvn  as  a  position  that  the  best  dressed 
troops  will  ever  be  both  the  healthiest  and  bravest  v/ith 
equal  discipline  and  regimen. 

The  Clothier  general  informed  me  when  I  was  at  Lan- 


LANCASTER  COUNTY.  415 

caster,  that  there  were  shirts  plenty  at  camp ;  I  find  he 
was  mistaken,  for  although  some  hundreds  of  our  poor 
worthy  fellows  have  not  a  single  rag  of  a  shirt,  (but  are 
obliged  to  wear  their  waistcoats  next  their  skins,  and  to 
sleep  in  them  at  night,)  I  have  not  been  able  to  draw  a 
single  shirt  from  the  store;  for  the  want  of  which  our 
men  are  falling  sick  in  numbers  every  day — contracting 
vermin,  and  dying  in  hospitals,  in  a  condition  shocking 
to  humanity,  and  horrid  in  idea  ;  for  God's  sake  procure 
a  quantity  for  me,  if  you  strip  the  Dutchmen  for  them — 
which  I  beg  your  order  to  camp,  together  with  such  other 
dothing  as  may  be  ready,  with  all  possible  despatch.. 
Interim,  I  am  your  excellency's  most  obedient 
And  very  humble  servant, 

Ant'y  Wayne-. 
7^0  his  excellency   Thomas  Wharton,  Esq,  Lancaster  *■ 
Mountjoy,  27th  March,  1776. 

Dear  sir : — It's  at  last  concluded  to  throw  the  Pennsyl- 
vania troops  into  one  division,  after  reducing  them  to  ten 
regiments,  which  I  believe  will  be  as  many  as  we  can 
fill.  I  have  but  little  hopes  of  being  supplied  with  many 
recruits,  unless  the  officers  in  the  back  counties  meet  with 
more  success  than  those  in  Philadelphia  and  Chester ;  an 
ofiicer  from  the  latter  came  in  yesterday,  after  being  out 
five  weeks,  without  a  single  recruit. 

I  woul^  beg  leave  ta  suggest  the  expediency  of  em- 
ploying a  greater  number  of  officers  on  that  business  in 
Berks,  Lancaster,  York  and  Cumberland  counties,  as  the 
most  likely  places  to  meet  with  success.  I  fear  all  our 
exertions  in  this  way  will  fall  far  short  of  our  wishes,  and 
that  nothing  but  a  draft  will  be  adequate  to  the  business. 

It's  rumored  that  the  enemy  have  evacuated  Rhode 
Island,  and  are  drawing  all  their  force  to  one  focus.  If 
this  should  be  the  case,  as  we  have  grounds  to  think  it  is. 


416  HISTORY     OF 

they  will  be  too  powerful  for  us  in  the  field,  unless  great 
and  speedy  supplies  be  thrown  in.  It  therefore  becomes 
the  duty  of  the  state  to  make  an  immediate  and  effectual 
exertion  to  complete  her  quota  of  men ;,  but  whilst  this  is 
doing,  let  me  entreat  you,  sir,  not  to  neglect  providing 
the  linen  over-alls  and  other  clothing,  to  enable  us  to  take 
the  field  with  some  eclat,  which  will  add  both  spirit  and 
health  to  your  troops  ;  for  you  may  rest  assured  nine  out 
of  ten  deaths  and  desertions,  in  this  army,  are  owing  to 
dirt  and  nakedness. 

I  have  the  happiness  to  inform  your  excellency  that 
the  troops  of  this  state  enjoy  a  much  greater  share  of 
health  than  any  other  post  of  the  army,  and  I  pledge  my 
reputation  to  keep  them  so,  on  condition  that  I  can  be 
provided  with  linen  and  other  clotliing. 

It's  to  you,  sir,  that  we  look  up  to  for  those  matters — 
and  in  this  case  we  consider  you  as  our  conmion  father. 
Adieu,  my  dear  sir,  and  believe  me 

Yours,  most  sincerely, 

Ant'y  Wayij-.e. 
To  his  excellency,  Governor  Thomas   Wharton,  Esq., 

Lancaster  : 

Mountjoy,  April  10th,  177S. 

Dear  sir : — Agreeable  to  your  desire,  I  have  ordered 
up  an  additional  number  of  recruiting  officers,  who  are 
well  recommended  for  their  industry  and  sobriety,  and 
who  I  wish  were  tolerated  to  enlist  in  any  quarter  where 
it  is  most  probable  they  may  meet  with  success ;  as  con- 
fining them  to.  particular  counties  will  rather  retard  than 
expedite  the  rQcruiting  service.  I  communicated  your 
idea  to  his  excellency,  of  constantly  employing  some 
officers  in  that  business,  in  order  to  keep  the  regiment 
and  corps  complete,  which  meet  his  warmest  approba- 
tion, and.  he  requests,  through  me,  that  your  excellency 


LANCASTlR   COUNTY.  417 

Would  adopt  so  salutary  a  measure,  as  it  is  of  the  first 
Consequence  to  have  veterans,  in  place  of  raw  raised 
troops,  which  will  always  be  the  case  if  the  recruiting, 
business  is  put  off  till  the  spring  of  the  year ;  and  then- 
the  time  is  so  short  ihat  we  can't  hope  either  to  complete- 
or  maneuvre  our  corps  before  they  take  the  field.  I. 
wish  your  excellency  to  order  the  recruits  to  be  clothed, 
and  appointed  before  they  leave  Lancaster,  as  they  can't 
be  supplied  here,  the  sixteen  additional  regiments,  and- 
the  Carolina  troops  being  ordered  to  be  supplied  previous 
to  any  others,  so  that  we  have  little  prospect  of  receiving 
any  benefit  from  the  Clothier  general's  store  in  this 
quarter;  and  although  tolerable  with  regard  to  shoes^, 
stockings  and  hats,  we  are  but  wretchedly  provided  in, 
■Other  respects,  particularly  as  to  shirts.  I  do  assure  youF 
excellency  that  there  are  near  one-third  of  my  men  that 
have  no  kind  of  shirts  under  heaven  ;  and  scarcely  a 
man  in  the  division  with  more  than  one,  nor  have  I  been 
able  to  draw  any  during  this  whole  winter.  For  God's 
sake  endeavor  to  do  something  for  us ;  the  season  has 
now  arrived  that  requires  every  attention  to  keep  the 
troops  healthy,  and  nothing  will  be  more  conducive  to  it 
than  clean  linen  5  in  this  article  we  are  in  a  worse  con- 
dition than  any  troops  on  the  ground ;  now  worse  than 
Falstaff's  recruits — they  had  a  shirt  and  a  half  to  a  com- 
pany. You  will  pardon  me  for  dwelling  so  long  on  this 
subject,  but  upon  my  soul  I  cannot  help  it ;  my  feelings 
as  a  man  are  so  much  hurt  by  the  complainings  and 
misery  of  the  poor  fellows,  loho  have  no  shirts  at  all, 
that  I  can  have  no  peace  of  mind  until  they  are  provided. 
A  quantity  of  superfine  cloth,  and  about  12  or  1500 
yards  of  linens  and  cloths  were  purchased  by  Colonel 
Miller,  and  left  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Jacob  Eichelberger 
at  York,  for  the  use  of  our  troops ;  will  you  be  kind 


418  HISTORY    OF 

enough  to  order  Mr.  Howell  to  send  for  it,  lest  other 
troops  should  receive  the  benefit  of  that  which  we  are  so 
much  in  want  of 

A  woman  who  has  been  in  Philadelaphia  for  three  or 
four  days,  and  this  moment  returned,  says  that  the  gen- 
eral report  there  is,  that  in  the  course  of  two  weeks  the 
enemy  intend  to  take  the  field ;  but  at  the  quarters  of 
some  principal  officers  they  have  frequently  been  over- 
heard talking  in  a  desponding  style,  and  tha,t  they  can't 
move  until  they  receive  reinforcements,  witli  severe 
sarcasms  against  their  generals.  Who  they  wish  to  be 
recalled,  and  who  I  hope  will  not,  until  we  have  an 
opportunity  to  Burgoyne  him  ;  but  this  will  depend  upon 
the  exertion  of  the  states;  at  present  he  out  numbers  us, 
and  by  the  last  accounts  New  England  is  so  absorbed  in 
accumulating  wealth,  that  they  have  become  totally 
insensible  to  our  sufferings  and  danger,  and  sunk  into  a 
torpid  supineness,  from  which  it  is  difficult  to  rouse  them. 
I  am  your  excellency's  most  obedient 

And  very  humble  servant, 
By  order  of  General  Wayne. 

Ben.  Fishburn,  A.  D.  C. 
To  his  excellency  Thomas   Wharton,  Esq.,  Lancaster  : 

Mountjoy,  16th  April,  1778. 
Dear  sir : — Mr.  Donaldson  of  York,  who  will  deliver 
you  this  letter,  has  been  kind  enough  to  offer  his  services 
in  procuring  shirts  for  our  troops.  He  thinks  that  he 
could  supply  us  with  three  or  four  hundred  in  a  week, 
and  that  he  has  linnen  now  on  hand  sufficient  to  make 
six  hundred,  and  that  he  can  procure  a  large  quantity  if 
properly  empowered  and  supplied  with  cash. 

The  necessitous  situation  of  our  troops,  for  want  of 
shirts,  justify  any  manner,  and  requires  every  exertion  to 
procure  our  immediate  supply. 


LANCASTER    COUN'fi?'.  419 

1  therefore  wish  your  excellency  to  give  Mr.  Donald- 
son power  for  that  purpose.  We  shall  certainly  want  in 
the  whole  9000  shirts,  and  9000  pair  of  overalls. 

I  herewith  transmit  you  the  returns  of  the  two  Brigades 
of  Pennsylvania  troops,  under  my  command — the  sick 
now  in  company  contained  in  the  returns,  have  been  laid 
up  for  want  of  clothing,  except  in  a  few  instances  ;  there 
is  scarcely  one  of  them  that  has  a  shirt.     I  shall  order  a 
general  return  of  the  whole  Pennsylvania  line  to  be  made 
out,  which  I  shall  transmit  next  week. 
Interim  I  am  with  every  esteem, 
Your  excellency's  most  obedient 
And  very  humble  servant, 

Ant't  Wayne.  ■ 
To  his  excellency  Thomas  Wharton,  Esq.,  Lancaster : 

Mountjoy,  18th  April,  1778. 
Dear  sir: — Colonel  Butler  of  the  9  th  Pennsylvania  regi- 
ment, among  other  business,  wants  clothing  for  his  regi- 
ment.  I  wish  him  to  be  indulged  if  it  can  be  done  without 
prejudice  to  the  other  part  of  the  line. 

I  have  procured  from  Mr.  Zantzinger,  since  November 
last,  about  five  hundred  and  fifty  coats,  two  hundred 
waistcoats,  three  hundred  and  eighty  pair  of  breeches, 
and  an  equal  number  of  stockings,  about  one  hundred 
pair  of  shoes,  and  several  hundred  hats ;  these  have  been 
distributed  among  nine  regiments,  and  has  only  in  part 
clothed  about  one  fourth  of  them.  All  the  clothing  as 
yet  furnished  by  this  state,  has  been  distributed  between 
the  3d,  6th,  9th,  12th  and  13th,  which  I  believe  is  rather 
more  than  came  to  the  share  of  the  other  nine.  I  there- 
fore wish  all  such  clothing  as  may  be  ready  to  be  sent 
together,  and  I  will  undertake  to  see  impartial  justice 
done  to  the  whole,  for  I  believe  no  one  at  present  is 
better  off  for  them  than  another,  except  Colonel  Stewart 


420  HISTORY    OP 

and  Colonel  Hartly,  which  are  well  clothed;  most  of  the 
others  are  in  a  wretched  condition. 

I  am  your  excellency's  humble  servant, 

Ant'y  Wayne. 

Fearful  their  deliberations  might  be  interrupted,  while 
in  session  at  Philadelphia,  Congress  resolved  to  remove 
from  Philadelphia.  "  On  the  18th  of  September,  1777, 
Congress  sat  as  usual,  and  after  having  fulfilled  the  regu- 
lar hours  of  daily  service,  adjourned  to  10  o'clock  the 
next  morning,  but  during  the  adjournment  the  president 
received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Hamilton,  one  of  General 
"Washington's  aids,  which  intimated  the  necessity  of  Con- 
gress leaving  their  place  of  deliberation.  The  members 
resolved  at  once  to  repair  to  Lancaster,  where  they 
arrived  on  the  27th  of  September,  the  very  day  when 
Sir  William  Howe  entered  Philadelphia,  and  took  peace- 
able possession  of  it. 

The  treasury  books,  papers,  money,  &c.  were  carried 
from  Philadelphia  to  Bristol,  thence  by  Reading  to  Lan- 
caster. This  circuitous  route  was  to  avoid  falling  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  who  were  at  that  time  still  in 
Chester  county,  where,  a  few  days  previous,  the  battle  of 
Brandy  wine  had  been  fought. 

Congress  met,  but  fearful  that  Lancaster  was  too  easily 
accessible  to  the  enemy,  they  determined  the  broad  Sus- 
quehanna should  flow  between  them  and  the  enemy. — 
They  adjourned  the  same  day  of  their  first  meeting  to 
York.  The  first  day  of  their  session  at  York  was  the 
30th  September,  1777  ;  here  Congress  remained  till  June 
27,  1778,  when  they  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  State  House 
in  Philadelphia.* 

Though  the  conflict  continued  long,  the  ardor  of  the 
citizens  of  Lancaster  coun*y  did  not  abate  in  opposing 

*His.  York  county. 


LANCASfEiiL    CbtTNTY.  421 

'e'aC]foachments  upon  their  rights,  no  matter  from  what 
source  they  anticipated  them.  Action,  vigilance  and 
union  of  efforts,  seemed  to  have  been  their  motto  on  all 
occasions  of  apprehended  or  real  danger. 

A  circular  was  issued  at  Hanover,  now  Dauphin 
county,  November  28,  1782,  calling  a  meeting  at  Man- 
heim,  to  take  into  consideration  measures  touching  their 
jeoparded  liberties,  as  it  was  then  thought.  We  give  the 
circular  and  proceedings  : 

Dear  sir : — The  officers  and  representatives  of  the  ninth 
battalion  of  Lancaster  county  militia,  upon  consultation, 
have  concluded  from  the  present  complexion  of  the 
present  House  of  Assembly,  that  the  constitution  and 
liberty  of  the  State  are  at  stake  in  some  measure;  and 
sensible  of  the  importance  of  what  has  caused  us  so  much 
blood  and  treasure,  we  have  thought  it  incumbent  upon 
us  to  exert  ourselves  for  their  preservation,  as  far  as  our 
influence  extends,  and  to  warn  all  who  would  wish  to  be 
free  Irom  the  dangers  that  seem  to  impend,  not  doubting 
at  the  same  time  but  you  are  ready  to  take  the  alarm,  as 
you  must  be  sensible  of  the  same  danger. 

We  do  not  think  it  necessary  to  multiply  words,  tending 
to  inspire  your  spirit,  for  we  are  of  opinion  you  possess 
the  same,  and  have  been  only  waiting  to  know  the  senti- 
ments of  your  fellow  friends  of  Liheriy.  Let  us  not 
then  coolly  and  simph^  suffer  any  of  our  rights  to  be 
taken  from  us  by  any  men,  especially  as  our  constitution 

invests  us  with  full  power  to  oppose  any  such  attempt. 

Perhaps  our  fears  are  groundless  ;  but  in  case  of  appar- 
ent danger,  which  undoubtedly  is  our  present  case,  a  wise 
man  will  be  on  his  guard ;  and  therefore  let  us  meet  at 
Manheim,  on  the  15th  day  of  January  r\QYA,  in  order  that 
we  may  mutually  contrive  such  measures  as  may  have  a 


422  HISTORY    OF 

tendency  to  preserve  our  good  and  inestimable  constitu- 
tion, and  our  dear  Independence  and  sweet  Liberty. 
Be  active  and  do  not  fail  to  fu.fil  our  request. 

John  Rogers,  Colonel. 
To  the  Colonels  of  Lancaster  cou7ity  militia, 
Hanover,  November  28th,  1782. 

Militia  Meeting. 

Present :  Colonel  Thomas  Edwards,  colonel  Ziegler^ 
colonel  Lowry,  majors  Cook,  Kelly,  Hays  and  Hare, 
colonel  Ross,  Mr.  Chambers,  captain  Ewing^  captain  J. 
Hubley,  colonel  Rogers,  Mr.  Clark,  captain  Laird,  colo- 
nel Elder. 

On  motion,  colonel  Rogers  was  unanimously  chosen 
chairman,  and  captain  Joseph  Hubley,  secretary. 

Colonel  Rogers  made  a  neat  and  appropriate  speech, 
explaining  the  objects  of  the  meeting,  that  a  rumor  was 
in  circulation  calculated  to  do  much  injury:  "  That  the 
President*  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  was  hostile 
to  the  independence  of  Jlmerica.'^ 

On  motion,  this  question  was  put  to  each  battalion  :  Is 
it  the  opinion  of  the  members  present,  that  they  approve 
of  the  appointment  of  John  Dickinson,  Esq.  as  President 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  or  not  ?  Jlnswer :  The 
members  of  the  second  battalion  are  of  opinion  that  a 
better  choice  of  a  President  could  not  be  made. 

Colonel  Ziegler,  same  opinion :  seventh  battahon,  same; 
eighth  battalion,  same;  ninth  battalion:   we  hope  the 

*The  persons  who  presided  over  the  Executive  council  of 
Pennsylvania,  from  1779  to  1790,  were  styled  Presidents.  The 
first  under  the  constitution  of  1779,  was  Thonaas  Wharton  ; 
second,  Joseph  Read;  third,  John  Dickinson;  fourth,  Benja- 
min Franklin  ;  fifth,  Thomas  Mifflin.  In  1790,  a  new  constitu- 
tion was  adopted.  Thomas  Miflflia  was  elected  governor,  Octo- 
ber 12th  1790. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  41^3 

Assembly  have  made  a  good  choice,  and  if  they  have  we 
thank  them.  Colonel  Elder  agrees  in  opinion  with  the 
ninth. 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  the  people  have  a  right 
to  assemble  together  for  their  coinmon  good,  to  instruct 
our  Representatives,  and  to  apply  to  the  Legislature  for 
redress  of  grievances,  by  address,  petition,  or  remon- 
strance. 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  in  opinion  of  the  deputies 
from  the  different  battalions  now  met,  that  the  complex- 
ion of  the  present  House  of  Assembly  is  such  that  we 
have  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  independence  and  con- 
stitution of  this  state  are  safe,  and  that  we  highly  approve 
of  his  excellency,  John  Dickinson,  Esq.  as  President. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  Tliat  we  approve  of  colonel 
Rogers  calling  this  meeting,  as  it  has  tended  to  remove 
doubts  and  unjust  charges  that  were  in  circulation  to  the 
disadvantage  of  his  excellency,  the  President  of  this  state, 
and  two  of  our  members  of  Congress,  James  Wiison  and 
John  Montgomery,  Esquires ;  and  we.  conceive  such 
meetings  have  a  tendency  to  suppress  false  and  malicious 
reports,  and  that  thereby  virtue  may  meet  with  its  just 
reward,  and  vice  be  depicted  in  its  true  deformity. 

Signed,  John  Rogers,  chairman. 

J.  HuBLEY,  secretary. 

Manheim,  June  15th,  1783. 

For  the  want  of  space,  we  are  obliged  to  close,  imper- 
fect as  it  is,  the  sketch  of  some  of  those  incidents  which 
occurred  in  this  county  during  the  Revolution,  by  noti- 
cing some  of  the  surviving  Revolutionary  soldiers,  natives 
of  this  county. 

Still  a  few  of  the  patriotic  Revolutionary  veterans  are 
living.  Of  this  number  is  Mr.  Philip  Meek,  of  West 
Lampeter  township,  now  in  his  87th  year.     At  the  age 


424  HISTORY    OP 

of  nineteen,  he  entered  under  Captain  George  Grove,  the 
service  of  his  country.  He  belonged  to  the  "  Flying 
Camp,"  established  on  a  resolution  of  Congress,  passed 
June  3,  1776,  and  consisted  of  ten  thousand  militia, 
whereof  Pennsylvania  furnished  6,000,  Maryland  3,400, 
and  Delaware  600.  Meek  was  in  several  engage- 
ments. He  was  in  the  bloody  engagement  on  Long 
Island,  August  27,  1776,  where  Lord  Percy  and  Grant 
commanded  the  British  and  Hessians,  and  a  division  of 
the  American  army  was  commanded  by  General  Putnam. 
At  the  White  Plains,  October  28, 1776,  and  at  Fort  Wash- 
ington, November  1776.  It  was  here  Hezekiah  Davis, 
one  of  the  lieutenants  in  the  Flying  camp  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, was  made  prisoner,  and  held  in  captivity  till  Decem- 
ber, 1780.  After  this  engagement,  M.  went  to  New 
Brunswick,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  tour  of  six 
months,  wsls  dismissed.  The  sufferings  he  endured  were 
many  ;  and  it  is  remarkable  to  see  him  now,  far  advan- 
ced in  life,  to  enjoy  unusual  health,  and  the  full  possession 
of  all  his  mental  faculties.  Mr.  Meek  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster county. 

John  Gantner,  born  in  Lancaster,  July  4th,  1761.  At 
the  age  of  17  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  state  of  Penn- 
sylvania, under  the  command  of  Captain  John  Hubley; 
under  whose  command  he  marched  to  Shamokin,  and 
several  other  places.  After  sustaining  the  hardships  of  a 
winter  campaign,  he  returned  to  Lancaster  and  was  dis- 
charged. He  afterward  joined  Colonel  Armand's  corps j 
was  two  years  in  the  service  of  his  country  as  a  United 
States  regular,  and  after  many  skirmishes,  fatiguing 
marches,  &c.  he  was  honorably  discharged.  Mr.  Gant- 
ner was  a  private  in  Captain  Sharp's  company  of 
dragoons,  and  was  on  his  march  to  Yorktown,  when 
iiitelhgence  was  received  of  the  capture  of  Lord  Corn- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  425 

wallis ;  they  did  not  proceed  to  the  place  of  destination. 

George  Leonard,  also  a  native  of  this  county,  born. 
September  13,  1758,  enlisted  in  1776  under  Captain  Mat- 
thew M'Donald  in  Philadelphia,having,  however,  served 
nearly  two  months  before  as  a  militia  man.  He  was 
nearly  three  years  in  the  service,  and  in  several  battles, 
viz  :  at  Trenton,  Germantown,  Princeton. 

Peter  Mauerer,  born  June  13.  1757,  volunteered  in 
1776,  under  Captain  John  Henry,  went  to  Philadelphia, 
Trenton,  and  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.  After  a  tour  of  two 
months,  he  returned  to  Lancaster,  and  late  in  the  fall, 
under  his  former  captain,  went  to  Pliiladelphia,  thence  to 
Burlington,  Trenton  and  Elizabethtown,  where  they 
united  with  the  main  army  in  winter  quartere — helped  to 
build  a  fort.  After  serving  a  second  tour,  returned  to 
Lancaster,  and  aided  in  guarding  Hessian  and  other  pris- 
oners, where  rising  of  two  thousand  were  kept.  When 
the  Hessian  prisoners  were  taken  to  New  York  to  bQ 
exchanged  for  American  prisoners,  Peter  Mauerer  was 
one  of  those  who  accompanied  them.  He  saw  Washing* 
ton  and  La  Fayette  frequently  during  the  war ;  and  ir% 
1824  dined  with  La  Fayette  at  Lancaster. 

Peter  Shindle,  born  April  29th,  1760,  was  also  in  the 
Revolutionary  service.  He  went  in  the  capacity  of  a 
fifer,  in  Ju'y  1776,  under  Captain  Andrew  Graaf,  of  Colo- 
nel George  Ross'  regiment;  and  in  September,  1777, 
under  Captain  Stoever,  of  Greenawalt's  regiment.  He 
was  promoted  to  brigade  fife  major.  He  was  present  at 
the  battle  of  Brandywine  and  Germantown.  He  went 
out  a  third  time  under  Captain  William  Wertz ;  and  in 
1778,  he  volunteered  to  aid  taking  the  Hessian  prisoners 
of  Lincaster  to  Pniladelphia,  in  Captain  App's  company. 

Jacob  Hoover,  of  the  city  of  Lancaster,  enlisted  in  the 
war  of  the  Kevoiutioa  in  the  year  1776,  under  captain 

36* 


436  ■■  HISTORY    OF 

Bull  of  Carlisle  ;  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Long  Island^ 
August,  1776;  battle  of  Brandywine,  Germantown, 
Trenton  and  Monmouth,  and  several  small  skirmishes., 
and  was  regularly  discharged  in  the  year  1779,  in  Phila- 
delphia, 

In  a  preceding  part  of  our  book,  we  noticed  David 
Dieffenderfer  and  others.     See  page  207. 

Notes. — The  winter  of  1780,  is  denominated  the  "  The  Hard 
Winter.''''  Ice  was  from  16  to  19  inches  thick — frost  penetrated 
the  ground  from  4  to  5  feet.  During  this  winter  the  ears  of  the 
horned  cattle,  and  the  feet  of  hogs  exposed  to  the  air,  were 
frost  bitten.  Squirrels  perished  in  their  holes,  and  partriges 
were  often  found  dead. — Haz.  2;  379. 

In  1781.  Methodist  ministers  first  visited  Lancaster  county ; 
and  in  1762,  what  was  then  called  "Lancaster  circuit,"  was 
formed,  and  the  Eev.  William  Partridge  appointed  to  it  as 
minister.  It  then  contained  seventy  members  of  society  ;  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  not  yet  having  been  organized. — 
Among  the  early  ministers  who  preached  in  the  county,  may 
be  named  :  Reverends  William  Glendeoing,  W.  Jesup,  Isaac 
Robertson,  W.  Hunter,  J.  P.  Chandler  and  Simon  Miller,  a 
native  of  the  county. — Goheen. 

In  1782,  John  F.  Mifflin,  John  Wilks  Kittera  and  George 
Thompson,  were  admitted  at  the  bar  of  Lancaster,  to  practice 
law. 

Members  of  Assembly  for  Lancaster  county  for  1777  :^Cur- 
tis  Grubb,  Matthias  Slough,  George  Ross  and  James  Webb. 
1778,  John  Gillchrist,  Curtis  Grubb,  Alexander  Lowrey,  John 
Smiley,  James  Anderson,  Y/illiam  Brown.  1779,  James  An- 
derson, John  Smiley,  John  Gillchrist,  Christopher  Kucher, 
James  Cunningham,  William  Brown,  sen.,  Emanuel  Carpen- 
ter, jr.,  William  Porter.  1780.  John  Whitehill,  Emanuel  Car- 
penter, Jacob  Cook,  Christopher  Kucher,  James  Anderson, 
Adam  Reigart,  James  Cowden,  Alexander  Lowrey,  Matthias 
Slough,  James  Jacks.  1791,  John  Whitehill,  Christopher 
Kucher,  Jacob  Cook,  Jacob  Carpenter,  Abraham  Scott,  James 
Jack?',  Matthias  Slough,  William  Brown,  Jacob  Krug,  James 
Mercer,  James  Porter.     1762,  Joseph  Montgomery.  Christo- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  *         4^7 

V 

pher  Kucher,  John  Whitehill,  Samuel  John  Atlee,  Abraham 
Scott,  James  Jacks,  John  Craig,  Matthias  Slough,  Curtis  Grubb, 
William  Brown,  James  Mercer.  1783,  Abraham  Scott,  William 
Brown,  James  Mercer,  John  Craig,  Matthias  Slough,  Joseph 
Work,  Adam  Orth,  Adam  Hubley,  Jacob  Cook,  William  Parr, 
Robert  Coleman. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Lancaster  county  after  the  Revolutioii — Germans,  and  those  of  German 
extraction  ;  views  on  education — Franklin  College  established — First 
board  of  Trustees — Reichenbach ;  New  Jerusalem  Church ;  the  twelve 
articles  received  by  that  church — Improvements  great  in  the  county — 
Columbia  laid  out — Lancaster  city,  seat  of  government — Late  war; 
means  of  Lancaster  countj--;— Notes  of  variety. 

Lancaster  county,  in  common  with  other  comities  of 
this  state,  and  the  United  States  in  general,  dming  the 
struggle  of  the  Revolution,  paid  but  little  attention  to 
endowing  and  sustaining  schools  of  advanced  standing. 
In  this  county,  education  for  many  years  fell  far  short  of 
the  wealth  and  leisure  the  citizens  had  to  bestow  upon 
the  education  of  their  sons  and  daughters,  beyond  that  of 
a  common  school  education.  The  citizens  of  this  county, 
principally  Germans,  have  always  entertained  peculiar 
views  touching  ''college  learning;"  they  ever  preferred 
being  taxed  to  make  ample  provision  for  the  erection  of 
poorhouses  and  hospitals,  and  the  maintenance  of  the 
unfortunate  and  poor,  and  cheerfully  to  pay  towards 
educating  the  children  of  the  indigent,  than  to  aid  in 
building  college  edifices,  and  endowing  professorships. — 
Shortly  after  the  close  of  tlie  Revolutiori,  the  subject  of 
education  in  this  county  received  a  new  impulse. 

In  the  year  1787,  a  number  of  citizens  of  this  state,  of 
German  birth  and  extraction,  in  conjunction  with  others, 


428  HISTORY    OF 

from  a  desire  to  increase  and  perpetuate  the  blessings 
derived  to  them  from  the  possession  of  property  and  a 
free  government,  applied  to  the  Legislature  for  a  charter 
of  incorporation  and  a  donation  of  lands,  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  and  endowing  a  college  and  charity  school 
in  the  borough  of  Lancaster.  Their  petition  was  granted  j 
a  board  of  trustees,  as  a  corporate  body,  was  established, 
styled,  in  honor  of  his  excellency,  Benjamin  Franklin, 
Esq.,  "  The,  trustees  of  Franklin  college,  in  the  borough 
and  county  of  Lancaster.''^ 

The  first  board  of  trustees  were:  the  honorable  Thomas 
Mifflin,  Hon.  Thomas  M'Kean,  Rev.  John  H.  C.  Hel- 
inuth,  Rev.  Casper  Weiburg,  Rev.  Henry  Muhlenberg, 
Rev.  William  Hendell,  Rev.  Nicholas  Kurz,  Rev.  George 
Troldiener,  Rev.  John  Herbst,  Rev.  Joseph  Hutchins, 
Rev.  Fred.  Weyiand,  Rev.  Albertus  Helfenstein,  Rev.  W. 
Ingold,  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Buskirk,  Rev.  Abraham  Blumer, 
Rev.  Fred.  Dalecker,  Rev.  C.  E.  Schultz,  Rev.  F.  V. 
Meltzheimer,  Messrs.  John  Hubley,  Joseph  Hiester,  Cas- 
per Schaffner,  Peter  Hooffnagle,  Christopher  Crawford, 
Paul  Zantzinger,  Adam  Hubley,  Adam  Reigart,  Jasper 
Yeates,  Stephen  Chambers,  Robert  Morris,  George  Cly- 
mer,  Philip  Wagner,  Wiiiiarn  Bingham,  W^illiam  Hamil- 
ton, William  Rawle,  Lewis  Farmer,  Christopher  Kucher, 
Philip  Groenwaldt,  Michael  Hahn,  George  Stake,  sen., 
John  Musser. 

Franklin  college  was  located  in  North  Queen  street, 
known  for  many  years  as  "The  old  storehouse,"  now 
as  "Franklin  row.*  The  college  was  opened  for  the 
instruition  of  youth,  in  the  German,  English,  Latin, 
Greek  and  other  learned  languages;  in  Theology,  and  in 
the  u^eiui  art:^',  sciences  and  literature.     It  remained  in  a 

*The  compiler  occupies  (1843)  one  of  the  apartments  of 
"Franklin  row." 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  429 

ilourisbing  condition  for  several  years ;  owing,  however^ 
to  some  defect  in  the  charter,  and  the  pecuniary  resources 
of  the  trustees  failing,  it  was  suspended.* 

Among  the  first  teachers  of  this  institution  was  William. 
Reichenbach,  a  native  of  Saxony,  a  man  of  classical 
-attainments.  In  1785,  he  left  Germany;  immediately  on 
his  arrival  at  Lancaster,  was  appointed  professor  of 
mathematics  and  German  literature.  About  the  same 
time  Henry  Von  Buelow,  a  native  of  Prussia,  a  German 
nobleman,  who  had  in  his  juvenile  years  adopted  the 
military  profession,  visited  America  and  spent  some  time 
ill  Lancaster.  Buelow  had  embraced  the  peculiar  views 
of  Em.  Swedenborg,t  and  with  a  view  to  disseminate 

'See  chapter  XI  on  education. 

f  These  views  being  so  peculiar  and  not  generally  known, 
we  here  devote  a  small  space  to  presenting  the  leading  doc- 
trines of  the  New  Jerusalem  Church.  The  founder  of  this 
church  was  Emanuel  Swedenborg,  son  of  a  bishop  of  Skara. 
Emanuel  was  born  1689,  at  Stockholm.  He  was,  it  is  admitted 
by  all,  a  learned  and  pious  man.     He  died  in  1772. 

The  following  twelve  articles  are  received  by  the  New  Jeru- 
salem church : 

I.  That  Jehovah  God,  the  Creator  and  Preserver  of  heaven 
and  earth,  is  Love  Itself  and  Wisdom  Itself,  or  Good  Itself  and 
Truth  Itself:  That  he  is  One  both  in  Essence  and  in  Person, 
in  whom,  nevertheless,  is  the  Divine  Trinity  of  Father,  Son, 
and  Holy  Spirit,  which  are  the  Essential  Divinity,  the  Divine 
Humanity,  and  the  Divine  Proceeding,  answering  to  the  soul, 
the  body,  and  the  operative  energy  in  man:  And  that  the 
Lord  and  Savior  Jesus  Christ  is  that  God. 

II.  That  Jehovah  God  himself  descended  from  heaven,  as 
Divine  Truth,  which  is  the  Word,  and  took  upon  him  Human 
Nature  for  the  purpose  of  removing  from  man  the  power  of 
hell,  and  restoring  to  order  all  things  in  the  spiritual  world,  and 
all  things  in  the  church :  That  he  removed  from  man  the 
powers  of  hell,  by  combats  against  and  victories  over  them  ; 
in  which  consisted  the  great  work  of  Redemption :    That  by 


430  HISTORY   OP 

thenoj  he  brought  with  him,  from  Europe,  a  number  of 
Nev^  Church  works,  for  gratuitous  distribution,  and  for 
sale.  Keichenbach,  on  examining  the  doctrhies,  embra- 
ced and  avowed  them  openly.  Ho  afterwards  pubhshed 
several  works  on  the  doctrines  of  the  New  Church.  One 
entitled  Jlgatkon,  published  m  English  and  German, 
which  was  favorably  received. 

From  the  efforts  of  Von  Buelow,  who  afterwards  re- 

the  same  acts,  which  v/ere  his  temptations,  the  last  of  which 
was  the  passion  of  the  cru  s,  he  united,  ii;  his  Humanity,  Divine 
Truth  to  I'iviae  Good,  or  Divine  V/ibdom  to  Divine  Love,  and 
so  returned  into  his  Divinity  in  which  he  was  from  eternity, 
together  with,  and  in,  his  Glorified  humanity  ;  whence  he  for- 
ever keeps  the  infernal  powers  in  subjection  to  himself:  And 
that  all  vvIk/  believe  in  him,  with  the  understanding,  from  the 
heart,  and  live  accordingly,  will  be  saved. 

III.  That  the  Sacred  Scripture,  or  Word  of  God,  is  Divine 
Truth  Itself;  containing  a  Spiritual  Sense  heretofore  un- 
known, whence  it  is  divinely  inspired  and.  holy  in  every  syl- 
lable ;  as  well  as  a  Literal  Sense,  which  is  the  basis  of  its 
Spii  itual  Sense,  and  in  which  Divine  Truth  is  in  its  fulness,  its 
sa.ictity,  and  its  power :  thus  that  it  is  accommodated  to  the 
apprehension  both  of  angels  and  men  :  That  the  spiritual  and 
natural  senses  ar-.  united,  by  correspondences,  like  soul  and 
body,  every  natural  expression  and  image  answering  to,  and 
including,  a  spiritual  and  divine  idea:  And  thus  that  the 
Wurd  is  the  medium  of  communication  with  heaven,  and  of 
conjunction  with  the  Lord. 

IV,  That  the  government  of  the  Lord's  Divine  Love  and 
Wisdom  is  the  Divine  Providence;  which  is  universal,  exer- 
cised according  to  certain  fixed  laws  of  Order,  and  extending 
to  the  minutest  particulars  of  the  life  of  all  men,  both  of  the 
good  and  of  the  evil;  That  in  all  its  operations  it  has  respect 
to  v/hat  is  infinite  and  eternal,  and  makes  no  account  of  things. 
transitury  but  as  they  are  subservient  to  eternal  ends;  thus,  that 
it  mainly  consists,  with  man,  in  the  connection  of  things  tern* 
poral  with  things  eternal;  for  that  the  continual  aim  of  the 
Lord,  by  his  Divine  Providence,  is  to  join  man  to  himself  and 


Lancaster  cotjntt.  431 

turned  to  Europe,  there  arose  a  small  band  of  brothers^ 
about  the  year  1788,  who  hold  the  peculiar  views  of 
baron  Swedenborg;  among  the  first,  besides  comit  Bueiow 
and  Reichenbach,  in  this  county,  who  were  receivers  of 
the  doctrines  of  the  New  Jerusalem  Church,  were  Fran- 
cis Bailey  and  family,  Mr.  Eckstein,  Jacob  Carpenter,  the 
intimate  friend  of  Buelow,  Frederick  Damish,  a  Saxon,  a 
teacher  of  music.  There  still  exists  in  this  county,  a  respect- 

himself  to  man,  that  he  may  be  able  to  give  him  the  felicities 
of  eternal  life :  And  that  the  laws  of  permission  are  also  laws 
of  the  Divine  Providence;  since  evil  cannot  be  prevented 
■without  destroying  the  nature  of  man  as  an  accountable  agent  5 
«nd  because,  also,  it  cannot  be  removed  unless  it  be  known, 
and  cannot  be  known  unless  it  appear:  Thus,  that  no  evil  is 
permitted  but  to  prevent  a  greater;  and  all  is  overruled,  by 
the  Lord's  Divine  Providence,  for  the  greatest  possible  good. 

V.  That  man  is  not  life,  but  is  only  a  recipient  of  life  from 
tlie  Lord,  who,  as  he  is  Love  Itself  and  Wisdom  Itself,  is  also 
Life  Itself;  which  life  is  communicated  by  influx  to  all  in  the 
spiiituai  world,  whether  belonging  to  heaven  or  to  hell,  and  to 
all  in  the  natural  world;  but  is  received  differently  by  every 
■one,  according  to  his  quality  and  consequent  state  of  re- 
ception. 

VI.  That  man,  during  his  abode  in  the  world,  is,  as  to  his 
spirit,  in  the  midst  between  heaven  and  hell,  acted  upon  by 
influences  from  both,  and  thus  is  kept  in  a  state  of  spiritual 
■equilibrium  between  good  and  evil;  in  consequence  of  which 
he  enjoys  free-will,  or  freedom  of  choice,  in  spiritual  things 
as  well  as  in  natural,  and  possesses  the  capacity  of  either 
turning  himself  to  the  Lord  and  his  kingdom,  or  turning  him- 
self away  from  the  Lord,  and  connecting  himself  with  the 
kingdom  of  darkness :  And  that,  unless  man  had  such  free- 
dom of  choice,  the  Word  would  be  of  no  use,  the  Church 
would  be  a  mere  name,  man  would  possess  nothing  by  virtue 
of  which  he  could  be  conjoined  to  the  Lord,  and  the  cause  of 
€Yil  would  be  chargeable  on  God  himself. 

VII.  That  man  at  this  day  is  born  into  evil  of  all  kinds,  or 
with  tendencies  towards  it:     That,  therefore,  in  order  to  his 


452  MiSTORY    OF 

able  number  of  receivers  and  embracers  of  the  New  Church 
doctrines.  In  point  of  intellect  and  activity,  unsurpassed 
by  the  same  number,  who,  though  few,  did,  unaided  by 
other  religious  denominations,  purchase  a  lot  of  ground 
in  Lancaster  city,  and  erected  a  neat  New  Jerusalem 
temple,  in  1837,  in  which  stated  meetings  for  religious 
exercises  are  held.  The  exercises  are  conducted  by  a  lay 
member  elected  for  that  purpose.     The  sacraments  are 

entering  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  he  must  be  regenerated  or 
created  anew  ;  which  great  work  is  effected  in  a  progressive 
manner,  by  the  Lord  alone,  by  charity  and  faith  as  mediums, 
during  man's  co-operalion  :  That  as  all  men  are  redeemed, 
all  are  capable  of  being  regenerated,  and  consequently  saved, 
every  one  according  to  his  state:  And  that  the  regenerate 
man  is  in  communion  with  the  angels  of  heaven,  and  the  un- 
regenerate  with  the  spirits  of  hell:  But  that  no  one  is  con- 
demned for  hei'editary  evil,  any  further  than  as  he  makes  it 
his  own  by  actual  life  ;  whence  all  who  die  in  infancy  are 
saved,  special  means  being  provided  by  the  Lord  in  the  other 
life  for  that  purpose. 

VIII.  That  Repentance  is  the  first  beginning  of  the  Cliurcli 
in  man  ;  and  that  it  consists  in  a  man's  examining  himself, 
both  in  regard  to  his  deeds  and  his  intentions,  in  knowing  and 
acknowledging  his  sins,  confessing  them  before  the  Lord,  sup- 
plicating liim  for  aid,  and  beginning  a  new  life:  That  to  this 
end,  all  evils,  whether  of  affection,  of  thought,  or  of  life,  are 
to  be  abhorred  and  shunned  as  sins  against  God,  and  because 
they  proceed  from  infernal  spirits,  who  in  the  aggregate  are 
called  the  Devil  and  Satan  ;  and  that  good  affections,  good 
thoughts,  and  good  actions,  are  to  be  cherished  and  performed, 
because  they  are  of  God  and  from  God :  That  these  things  are 
to  be  dune  by  man  as  of  himself;  nevertheless,  under  the  ac- 
knowledgment and  belief,  that  it  is  from  the  Lord,  operating  in 
him  and  by  him  :  That  so  far  as  man  shuns  evils  as  sins,  so 
far  they  are  removed,  remitted,  or  forgiven  ;  so  far  also  he  does 
good,  not  from  himself,  but  from  the  Lord;  and  in  the  same 
degree  he  loves  truth,  has  faith,  and  is  a  spiritual  man;  And 
that  the  Decalogue  teaches  v.'hat  evils  are  sins. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  433 

administered  by  a  regularly  ordained  minister,  who  visits 
the  congregation  as  often  as  the  wants  of  the  cliurch 
demand. 

From  and  after  the  year  1785,  Lancaster  county  began 
to  improve  rapidly;  towns  in  various  parts  of  the  county 
were  laid  out.  Samuol  Wright  laid  out  the  town  of  Co- 
hnnbia  in  1787,  and  in  a  few  years  afterwards  others 
were  laid  out.     Agriculture  and  commerce  prospered. — 

IX.  That  Charity,  Faith,  and  G-ood  Works,  are  unitedly  ne- 
cessary to  man's  salvation  ;  since  charity,  without  faith,  is  not 
spiritual,  but  natural;  and  faith,  without  charity,  is  not  living, 
but  dead  ;  and  both  charity  and  faith,  without  good  works,  are 
merely  mental  and  perishable  things,  because  without  use  or 
fixedness:  And  that  nothing  of  faith,  of  charity,  or  of  good 
works,  is  of  man  ;  but  that  all  is  of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  merit 
is  his  alone. 

X.  That  Baptism  and  the  Holy  Supper  are  sacraments  of 
divine  institution,  and  are  to  be  permanently  observed ;  Bap- 
tism being  an  external  medium  of  introduction  into  the  Cburch, 
and  a  sign  representative  of  man's  purification  and  regenera- 
tion ;  and  the  Holy  Supper  being  an  external  medium,  to  those 
who  receive  it  v/orthily,  of  introduction,  as  to  spirit,  into 
heaven,  and  of  conjunction  with  the  Loi'd  ;  of  which  also  it  is 
a  sign  and  seal. 

XL  That  immediately  after  death,  v/hich  is  only  a  putting  off 
of  the  material  body,  never  to  be  resumed,  man  rises  again  in 
a  spiritual  or  substantial  body,  in  which  he  continues  to  live  to 
•  eternity;  in  heaven,  if  his  ruling  affections,  and  thence  his 
life,  have  been  good  ;  and  in  hell,  if  his  ruling  affections,  and 
thence  liis  life,  have  been  evil. 

XII.  That  Now  is  the  time  of  the  Second  Advent  of  the 
Lord,  which  is  a  Coming,  not  in  Person,  but  in  the  power  and 
glory  of  his  Holy  AYord :  That  it  is  attended,  like  his  first 
Coming,  with  the  restoration  to  order  of  all  things  in  the  spiri- 
tual world,  where  the  wonderful  divine  operation,  commonly 
expected  under  the  name  of  the  Last  Judgment,  has  in  conse- 
quence been  performed  ;  and  with  the  preparing  of  the  way 
for  a  New  Church  on  the  earth, — the  first  Christian  Church 

37 


% 


434  r.    HISTORY  OP 

All  was  tranquility  till  1794,  when  the  Whiskey  insurrec' 
tion  took  place  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania; 
many  in  this  county  began  to  fear  that  the  stabiUty  of  our 
government  was  not  immova-ble,  but  their  apprehensions 
were  removed  before  the  expiration  of  that  year.  From 
that  period  down  to  the  present,  there  is  little  of  special 
interest  in  the  history  of  the  county  that  is  not  common 
to  the  adjacent  and  even  more  distant  counties  of  the 
state,  except  that  Lancaster  city  was  the  capital  of  the 
state  from  December  1799,  till  1812,  when  the  seat  of 
government  was  removed  to  Harrisburg.  The  law  for 
locating  the  seat  of  government  at  the  latter  place,  was 
approved  21st  February,  ISIO  ;  and  the  offices  were  re- 
moved from  j^ancaster  12th  October,  1S12.  The  com- 
missioners for  that  purpose  were  Robert  Harris,  George 
Hoyer,  George  Ziegler. 

During  the  late  war  of  1S12,  '13,  '14,  no  county  in  the 
state  was  more  ready  to  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  times 
than  the  militia  and  volunteers  of  Lancaster  county, — 
Companies  were  raised,  and  prepared  to  confront  the 
haughty  invaders  of  cur  country,  and  effectually  to  curb 
the  proud  Britons  in  their  headlong  course  against  our 
common  country. 

Lpmeaster  county,  though  of  limited  territory,  has  all 

having  spiritually  come  to  its  end  or  consummation,  through 
evils  of  life  and  errors  of  doctrine,  as  foretold  b)^  the  Lord  in 
the  Gospels:  And  that  this  New  or  Second  Christian  Church, 
which  v.ill  be  the  Crown  of  all  Churches,  and  will  stand  for 
ever,  is  what  was  representatively  seen  by  John,  when  he 
beheld  the  holy  city,  New  Jerusalem,  descending  from  God  out 
of  heaven,  prepared  as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  husband. 

The  writings  cf  Swedenborg,  in  German,  English  and 
French,  and  other  New  Church  publications,  can  be  had  at 
their  Booli  Depository,  kept  by  F.  J.  Krawph,  merchant  tailor, 
Lancaster.  Pa.  :   ■■ 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  435 

the  elements,  natural,  physical,  moral  and  intellectual,  if 
these  are  properly  cultivated,  to  secure  to  itself  a  niche  of 
distinction  in  the  Keystone  State. 

Notes. — The  winter  of  1784,  was  considered  one  of  the 
hardest  winters  for  forty  years.  The  same  year  there  was  a 
high  flood  of  the  Susquehanna. 

Travelling  in  1784.  This  year  Frederick  Schaeffer  establish- 
ed a  travelling  accommodation  stage,  which  occupied  three 
days  in  returning  to  and  from  Philadelphia. 

In  1792  the  turnpike  from  Lancaster  to  Philadelphia,  62  miles 
in  length,  was  commenced,  and  finished  in  1794 — cost  $465,000; 
at  about  $7,516  per  mile. 

Population  of  Lancaster  county  in  1790.  Free  white  male 
persons  of  16  years  and  upwards,  including  heads  of  families, 
9,713;  free  white  males  under  16  years,  8,070;  free  white 
females,  including  heads  of  families,  17,471;  all  other  free 
persons,  545 ;  slaves,  348— total  30,179. 

Members  of  Assembly  from  Lancaster  county : — 1789,  James 
Clemson,  John  Hopkins,  Henry  Bering,  James  Cunningham, 
Jacob  Erb,  John  Miller.  1790,  James  Cunningham,  Williani 
Webb,  Abraham  Carpenter,  Jacob  Erb,  John  Breckbill. 


43^  HlsTonf  OP 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Edvcation:— Preliminary  remarks;  Importance  of  general  education-— 
Views  of  the  colonists— Mennonitcs'  views  of  education — Scotch-Irish- 
scttlers,  made  at  first  little  preparation,  &c.  till  1798— First  schools  in  the 
town  of  Lancaster — Lutheran  and  German  iveformed  churches  have- 
schools  under  their  auspices — Rev.  M.  Schlatter  indefatigable  in  his  efforts  to 
establish  schools^Extract  frojn  Coetuale  proceedings  of  1760 — Trustees 
and  managers  of  public  schools — Germans  patriotic,  modest  and  unas- 
suming, ccc— Ludvvig  Hacker  establishes  a  Sabbath  school  at  Ephrata — 
German  cl^issical  school  at  Ephrata — Academ}-  at  Epl;rata — Academy  at 
Litiz — S-elect  Academy  at  Ijancasier — Franklin  college,  &c. — Private 
scjiools  and  acadamies  in  various  sections  of  the  county — An  act  fi:ir  the 
education  of  children  in  the  borough  of  Lancaster — The  Mechanics'  So- 
ciety—Classical Academy  ;  Lancaster  County  Academy;  Classical  Acad- 
emies in  the  county — Seminaries;  Common  Schools;  Sabbath  Schools, 
Lyceums,  &c. 

The  permanency  of  all  Republics,  depends  upon  the  en- 
lightenment of  the  people.  As  education  is  therefore  encour- 
aged or  neglected,  so  will  their  foundations  be  sure  and  stable, 
or  loose  and  unsettled  ;  and  it  is  difficult  to  say,  whether  in 
tlieir  moral  relations  or  political  privileges,  this  truth  is  most 
self-evident.  The  certainty,  stability  and  perpetuity  of  a  re-- 
publican  government,  with  all  its  vast  machinery  of  offices  and 
officers,  such  as  the  efficient  administration  of  the  government 
by  the  Executive,  the  judicious  and  wholesome  exercise  of  its 
powers  by  the  Legislature,  the  prompt  and  energetic  adminis- 
tration of  justice  by  faithful  Judges,  and  above  all,  the  just  de- 
termination of  the  rights  of  parties  by  impartial  Jurors,  naust 
depend  alone  upon  the  people.  There  is  no  other  foundation 
upon  which  the  structure  can  rest.  This  constitutes  its  chief 
excellence,  its  greatest  strength. 

In  a  government  then  such  as  ours,  based  as  it  is  upon  ac- 
knowledged democratic  principles,  in  the  theory  and  practice 
of  which,  it  is  admitted  that  the  people  are  the  source  of  all 
pov/er,  making  and  unmaking  at  stated  intervals  all  their  func- 
tionaries, from  the  Chief  magistrate  of  the  nation,  down  to  the 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  437. 

humblest  officer  created  by  a  Borough  charter,  the  necessity  of 
having  that  same  people  educated,  will  not  for  a  moment  be 
questioned.     For,  as  they  are  enlightened  or  unenlightened,  so 
will  their  government  be  elevated  in  character,  or  depressed 
in  a  corresponding  degree.     Called  upon  as  they  are,  to  the 
frequent  exercise  of  the  elective  franchise,  and  thus  necessarily 
to  judge  of  men  and  measures,  their  course  of  action  must  be 
determined,  either  by  each  man's  own  personal  examination 
into  the  character  of  the  one,  and  a  careful  investigation  into 
the  propriety  or  expediency  of  the  other,  or  else  it  must  be 
suggested  and  fixed  by  the  advice  and  opinions  of  others.    And 
what  a  prolific  source  of  abuse  is  this.    It  is  seldom  indeed 
that  such  advice  is  honest,  for  the  most  part  it  is  the  gratuitous 
offering  of  interested  men.     How  shall  those  whose  minds  are 
obscured  by  the  clouds  of  ignorance,  be  capable  of  discrimina- 
ting between  the  correctness  and  incorrectness  of  questions 
of  public  policy]   How  shall  they  judge  between  the  patriot 
and  the   ambitous,  self-aggrandizing  demagogue  1    Are  they 
competent  to  arrive  at  a  proper  decision  of  the  various  compli- 
cated questions,  necessarily  arising  for  their  determination,  and 
by  a  reference  to  which,  their  choice  is  to  be  regulated  in  the 
selection  of  officers  and  representatives  1     Let  the  people  bo 
educated,  and  thus  each  individual  will  be  rightly  impressed 
with  the  impoi'tant  truth,  that  his  own  interests  are  identified 
with  those  of  the  State.     For  no  government  is  so  free  as  that 
which  is  upheld  by  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  no  com- 
munity so  happy  as  that  in  which  the  youth,  by  proper  educa- 
tion, are  disciplined  to  the  exercise  of  all  those  moral  virtues 
that  ennoble  human  nature. 

So  thought  and  so  acted,  almost  all  of  the  early  settlers  of 
nearly  every  state  in  the  Union.  Although  Colonists  it  is  true, 
and  perhaps  entertaining  not  even  the  most  remote  idea  of  a 
separate  existence,  at  any  period  of  time,  as  a  nation,  they 
were  in  their  Colonial  government,  if  not  essentially,  at  least 
partially  Democratic.  Returning  by  a  popular  vote,  their  own 
Representatives,  and — -with  the  exception  of  their  Governors — • 
the  greater  part  of  all  their  prominent  officers,  they  felt  the 
necessity  of  so  enlightening  this  first  great  power,  that  at  a 
very  early  day,  schools  and  institutions  of  learning  were  estab- 
lished and  founded  by  voluntary  contributions  among  them.— 

37* 


43S  HISTORY  or 

Such  is  the  history  of  the  Puritans  of  New  England,  the  Roman 
Catholics  of  Maryland,  the  Quakers  of  Pennsylvania  and  the 
Huguenots  of  the  Carolinas.  True,  their  first  efforts  in  this 
respect  were  feeble.  The  country  was  new,  and  surrounded 
as  the  inhabitants  were  by  savage  foes,  the  first  elements  of 
education  which  the  children  obtained,  were  communicated  b-y 
the  parents  themselves,  in  the  midst  of  dangers  and  unexam- 
pled hardships.  By  degrees  hovcever,  as  the  different  settle- 
ments increased  in  number  and  strength,  schools  vv'ere  establish- 
ed for  the  instruction  of  the  children,  in  the  ordinary  branch- 
es of  the  education  of  the  country  from  whence  the  parents 
had  emigrated ;  and  as  in  time,  wealth  began  to  flow  in  upon  the 
Colonists,  schools,  academies  and  colleges  came  to  be  endow- 
ed either  by  individual  liberality  or  Legislative  munificence. — 
Truly  the  good  seed  sown  thus  early  by  the  settlers,  has  yielded 
abundantly,  "some  thirty,  some  sixty  and  seme  an  hundred 
fold." 

In  general  terms  and  fewer  words,  we  have  thus  described 
the  progressive  history  of  the  education  of  almost  every  com- 
munity in  the  United  States.  In  some  parts  v,"e  admit,  the  ad- 
vance has  been  accelerated  miore  perhaps  by  the  comparative 
extent  of  tlie  information  of  the  first  emigrants  and  the  dimin- 
ished number  of  obstacles  encountered  by  theni  in  subduing 
the  country,  than  from  any  other  cause.  Under  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances, this  might  therefore  suffice  for  the  object  to  which 
the  present  chapter  is  devoted;  but  as  it  is  intended  to  pre- 
sent to  the  reader,  a  detailed  account  of  all  matters  of  sufficient 
importance  and  worthy  of  being  embodied  in  a  v/cik  of  this 
kind,  it  is  our  duty  as  a  faithful  historian,  to  enter  into  details. 

As  has  been  already  shevrn  in  a  former  part  of  this  v/ork,* 
the  first  settlement  of  any  extent  in  Lancaster  county,  was 
made  by  the  Germ^an  Mennonites  in  17C9  and  '10  in  the  neigh- 
borhood  of  AVillow-street,  in  Lampeter  and  Conestoga  town- 
ships. They  were — as  their  descendants  still  are — a  highly 
moral  and  religious  people.  Holding  Peace-principles,  and 
taking  very  little  if  any  part  in  the  aifairs  of  government,  they 
taught  their  young  men,  that  tlie  first  great  duty  of  life,  was 
for  ea.ch  man  to  7niiul  his  own  business.  Practising  upon  this 
.  maxim,  they  encouraged  industry  by  their  own  examples,  and 

*pa~e  74  antea. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  439 

discouraged  ambition  by  a  representation  of  the  evils  neces- 
sarily following  in  its  train.  Devoting  themselves  and  their 
families  to  religion,  they  labored  and  were  happy.  Spurning 
alike  the  honors  and  emoluments  of  office,  they  kept  on  in  the 
even  tenor  of  their  way,  rejoicing.  Why  then  should  thoy 
spend  much  time  in  Literary  pursuits'?  They  v/ere  farmers, 
why  waste  time  precious  to  them,  in  the  acquisition  of 
that  which  when  obtained,  to  a  people  of  such  simple  habits 
of  life  and  so  unassuming,  could  be  of  no  present  or  conceiv- 
able advantage"?  Thus  reasoned  the  father,  so  argued  the  sons, 
and  as  a  consequence,  learning  was — with  the  exception  of  so 
much  as  barely  enabled  them  to  read  the  Bible  and  the  Psalm- 
book,  to  write  a  little  in  the  German  and  master  the  three  first 
rules  in  Arithmetic — not  only  neglected  but  absolutely  dis- 
couraged by  them.  Although  there  has  been  a  vast  improve- 
ment in  the  Society  for  the  better  in  this  respect;  and  notwith- 
standing many  of  its  members  possess  superior  abilities  and 
attainments,  still  the  same  opinions  are  entertained  by  the 
Society  at  large  ;  and  vvdiile  almost  every  other  sect  has  made 
its  efforts  towards  the  establishment  of  Academies,  Colleges, 
and  Theological  Seminaries,  they  have  been  content  to  walk 
in  the  ways  of  their  fathers,  and  to  hear  "the  word  of  life" 
expounded,  by  men  of  as  simple  tastes  and  habits  as  them- 
selves. Let  no  man  here  reproach  them  with  hostility  to 
learning  for  learning's  sake,  for  such  a  reproach  will  be  as 
unjust  as  it  is  undeserved.  They  oppose  its  extension  among 
their  youth,  beyond  v/hat  v/e  have  already  stated,  simply 
because  in  their  estimation,  it  begets  a  state  of  life  inconsist- 
ent with  their  profession  of  religion.  Of  them  it  may  be  truly 
said,  they  worship  God,  not  only  in  the  "beauty  "  but  also  in 
the  simplicity  of  "  of  holiness." 

In  the  year  1717*  a  settlement  was  C&mmenced  on  the  banks 
of  the  Octorara  Creek,  by  a  party  of  what  are  now  known  as 
"  the  Scotch-L'ish."  They  had  many  difficulties  to  encounter, 
for  besides  being  destitute  of  any  large  amount  of  this  world's 
goods,  they  had  the  misfortune  of  settling  upon  a  soil  by  no 
means  so  fertile  or  so  kind  as  that  secured  by  their  more  for- 
tunate fellow  emigrants — the  German  Mennonites.  From  ne-? 
cessity  and  poverty,  they  made  but  little  progress  in  the  estab- 

*PaKe  117  antea. 


440  HISTORY    OF 

lishment  of  schools  for  the  education  of  their  youth;  and  at 
no  time  until  about  the  year  1798,  was  there  any  effort  made  to 
support  a  classical  and  mathematical  school  among  them. — . 
Their  progress  however  in  this  respect,  on  a  comparison,  will 
be  found  to  be  but  little  behind  even  the  boasted  efforts  of  the 
colony  at  Plymouth.  They  and  their  descendants  have  always 
been  justly  regarded  as  among  the  most  intelligent  people  of 
Lancaster  county. 

The  Borough,,  now  the  city  of  Lancaster,  as  we  have  seenf 
was  originally  founded  in  1730.  The  first  lot  holders  were 
Quakers  and  English  Protestants  ;  but  before  any  settled  plan, 
other  than  the  ordinary  schools  supported  by  voluntary  sub- 
scription could  be  adopted  by  them  for  the  education  of  youth,. 
German  Protestants  from  the  upper  and  lower  Palatinates, 
holding  the  doctrines  of  the  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed 
Churches,  with  all  their  attachments — strong  and  powerful  as 
they  are — emigrated  to  this  flourishing  and  prosperous  town. 
Entering  at  once  upon  the  business  of  life  as  Tradesmen  and. 
Mechanics  they  labored  with  all  the  indomitable  perseverance 
of  the  Saxon  character,  until  by  an  increase  of  numbers  from 
additional  emigrations  and  the  accumulation  of  a  little  wealth, 
they  were  enabled  to  build  a  Lutheran  and  also  a  German 
[Reformed  church  for  tlie  accommodation  of  themselves  and 
those  holding  the  doctrines  of  these  respective  churches.  The 
first  great  duty  with  these  people,  was  the  erection  and  dedi- 
cation of  Houses  of  Worship  to  Almighty  God.  The  next,  was 
to  supply  them  with  those  who  should  minister  to  their  spiritual 
wants  in  holy  things ;  and  the  third  but  co-equal  duty  with  the 
latter,  was  to  secure  the  services  of  a  competent  School-mas- 
ter, to  instruct  their  children  in  the  elements  of  a  good  German 
education. 

At  no  part  of  this  Plistory  better  than  the  present,  can  it 
with  greater  propriety  be  observed,  that  almost  co-existent 
with  the  establishment  of  the  first  Lutheran  churches  in  Ger- 
many and  of  the  Reformed  churches  in  Switzerland  and  Hol- 
land, there  sprang  up  a  custom  among  their  members  peculiar 
to  themselves.  Each  congregation  was  regarded  as  a  spiritual 
municipal  corporation,  and  among  other  duties  performed  by 
•hose  having  its  controul  or  government,  in  order  that  "the 

•j-Page  242  antea,. 


LANCASTER    COUNTT.  44X 

word  might  not  perish  for  lack  of  knowledge  among  the 
people,"  they  employed  a  competent  teacher,  to  instruct  the 
youth  of  both  sexes,  without  any  regard  whatever  to  the  wealth 
or  standing  of  the  parents  in  society.  Generally  each  church 
was  supplied  with  an  organ — indeed  this  instrnment  was  re- 
garded as  indispensable  to  the  proper  worship  of  the  Almighty, 
and  the  person  employed  to  perform  upon  it  during  divine 
service,  was  required  to  unite  with  his  skill  and  knowledge  as 
a  musician,  the  profession  of  a  School-teacher.  He  usually 
received  a  stated  salary,  and  was  furnished  with  proper  accom- 
dations  for  his  school,  himself  and  family  at  the  common  cost 
of  the  congregation.  In  return  for  this,  and  in  addition  to  his 
duty  as  an  organist — as  has  been  shewn — he  was  required  to 
teach  the  children  of  the  congregation  upon  such  terms  as  the 
vestry  might  from  time  to  time  determine.  The  sum  thus  fixed, 
was  paid  to  him  by  the  parents  of  such  of  the  children,  as 
were  able  to  afford  it,  while  the  children  of  those  who  were 
in  indigent  circumstances,  were  taught  the  same  branches, 
without  charge  and  in  consideration  of  the  salary  paid  by  the 
congregation.  This  mode  of  educating  their  own  poor,  by  a 
system  so  simple,  was  regarded  as  a  religious  duty.  It  was  so 
taughtfrom  generation  to  generation,  through  successive  years ; 
and  when  the  two  churches  we  have  referred  to,  were  founded 
in  Lancaster,  the  Lutheran  A.  D.  1734  and  the  German  Re- 
formed A.  D.  1736,  it  was  not  forgotten. 

As  may  well  be  supposed,  the  schools  thus  established  were 
not  at  first  very  far  advanced,  beyond  the  ability  to  impart  a, 
knowledge  of  what  are  now  known  as  the  first  rudiments  of  a 
common  education,  but  in  a  few  j^ears,  they  attained  to  some 
eminence,  and  from  being  originally  intended  only  for  the 
benefit  of  the  children  of  their  particular  churches,  they  came 
to  be  multiplied  and  extended,  for  the  benefit  of  all  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Borough  and  adjacent  country.  So  rapidly  indeed 
had  the  scholars  increased,  and  with  so  much  success  were  the 
schools  conducted,  under  the  united  efforts  and  persevering 
industry  of  the  Pastors  of  the  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed 
congregations,  that  from  about  the  year  1745  to  1784,  they  vv-ere 
almost  the  only  schools  of  character  in  the  county — except  those 
atEphrata  and  Litiz,  of  which  we  shall  speak  hereafter.  During 
the  earlier  part  of  this  time,  great  interest  was  taken  in  the  es- 


442  HISTORY    OF 

tablishment  of  Schools  in  America,  by  the  Highest  Ecclesias-- 
tical  bodies  of  these  two  Churches  in  Europe.  By  the  Reform- 
ed Synod  of  Amsterdam,  Schoolmasters  were  sent  out  for  the 
instruction — and  German  Bibles  and  other  religious  books  for- 
warded to  meet  the  wants  of  the  community  not  only  at  Lan- 
caster but  throughout  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  and  New  York. 

In  the  Coetuale  proceedings  of  the  Reformed  church  in  Hol- 
land, for  the  year  1760,  we  find  a  Report  dated  May  20,  A.  D- 
1760,  in  which,  among  other  things,  it  is  stated  as  follows: 
"We  begin  with  Lancaster.  After  Mr.  Stoy  came  here,  A.  D. 
1758,  in  the  mouth  of  October,  he  found  about  one  hundred 
families  that  belonged  to  the  church.  He  has  baptized  since 
that  time  to  the  month  of  May,  1760,  one  hundred,  instructed 
forty  young  persons  in  the  confession  of  faith,  and  received 
them  as  communicants.  At  present  sixty  children  attend  the 
school."* 

For  years  anterior  to  the  time  we  are  writing  of,  the  minis- 
ters of  the  German  Reformed  church  in  America  as  well  as  in 
Europe,  Vsere  among  the  most  learned  of  ail  Divines.  Essen- 
tially Calvinistic  in  their  doctrines,  they  were  necessaril}^  able 
and  astute  polemics.  Called  upon  as  they  were  daily  to  combat 
the  errors  of  the  Rom.ish,  and  to  explain  the  difference  and 
defend  their  doctrines  from  those  of  the  Lutheran  church — 
which  also  ranked  among  its  ministers  men  of  great  learning 
and  erudition — f  they  were  constrained  to  search  the  Scrip- 

*It  is  worth}'  of  remark  here,  that  a!l  the  proceeding?,  reports,  &c.,  of  the 
Sj-r.od;?  of  this  Church  were,  until  toward  the  close  of  the  ]8th  Century,  con- 
ducted in  the  Latin  or  Dutch  languages  :  The  report  spoken  of  in  the  text) 
is  in  the  Dutch  and  as  follows,  viz: 

"  Wy  maken  den  et  hegin  met  Lancaster.  Nadicn  Domine  Stoy.  A.  D. 
1758  in  de  Maand  Octob  :  daar  hen  quani,  zoo  vond  hy  omtrent  een  hundred 
Hai&houdingen,  die  tot  die  Kerke  behooren.  Hy  heelft  zint  die  tyd  tot  de 
Maand  Mey  1760  daar  gedoopt  116  Kinderen  ;  40  jongs  personen  in  die 
Geloofe  Belydenisse  onderweeren,  en  tot  Ledematcn  aangenomen,  In  die 
School  gan  tcgenwoordig  60  Kindere : 

■[The  Rev.  Henry  M.  Muhlenberg,  for  a  long  time  the  pastor  of  the  Lu- 
theran Congregation  at  Philadelphia,  spoke  the  Latin  with  great  fluency. 
He  also  preached  in  the  Swcedish,  Dutch,  German,  French  and  English 
languages.  He  was  a  profound  linguist,  and  was  familiar  with  the  Greek 
and  Hebrew. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  443 

tures  and  to  read  the  Fathers  in  the  original.*   To  do  so  effectu- 
ally, they  devoted  themselves  to  the  study  not  only  of  the  dead 
but  also  of  the  living  languages  ;  so  necessary  was  this  know- 
ledge considered,  that  with  but  few  exceptions,  none  but  rare 
and  ripe  scholars  were  found  in  her  pulpits.     Hence,  the  deep 
and  intense  interest  manifested  for  the  education  of  the  youth, 
in  such  of  the  Lord's  vine3^ards  as  were  planted  by  their  hands. 
We  have  already  shewnf  that  about  the  year  1752,  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Pennsylvania,  Chief  Justice  Allen,  Mr.  Peters,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Land  Office,  Messrs.  Turner,  Benjamin  Franklia' 
and  Conrad  Weiser,  were  appointed  trustees  and  managers  of 
the  public  schools,  which  it  was  intended  to  establish  in  the 
province.     Previous  to  this  time  however,  a  large   number  of 
schools  were  in  successful  operation  in  several  counties,  and  in 
the  town  of  Lancaster  particularly,  through  the  active  exer- 
tions of  the  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter.    He  was  a  German  Re- 
formed minister,  and  came  out  at  the  expense  of  the  Reformed 
Synod  of  Amsterdam,  A.  D.  1746,  for  this  single  purpose.     It 
is  more  than  probable,  that  the  schools  which  it  is  alleged  these 
trustees  established   at  Lancaster  and  elsev/here,   were    only 
branches  of  those  already  in  operation  under  his  auspices,  and 
the  enterprise  of  the  Lutheran  and  German  Reformed  con- 
gregations, for  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  the  plan  of  the  trus- 
tees named,  did  not  succeed,  and  the  schools  soon  fell  back 
under  their  original  charge. 

"The  Germans  are  a  patient,  modest  and  unassuming  peo- 
ple. Their  character  is  either  imperfectly  understood  or  wil- 
fully misrepresented.  For  their  attachment  to  learning  and 
their  untiring  efforts  in  the  cause  of  education,  they  receive  but 
little  credit,  even  from  those  whose  acquaintance  with  the 
facts — independent  of  their  German  origin — should  prompt 
them  upon  all  occasions,  to  become  their  readiest  defenders. — 
How  many  valuable  hints  have  v/e — whose  mother  tongue  is 
the  Englisii — not  received  "from  tliis  too-lightly  estimated  peo- 
ple ]  How  many  schemes  for  the  dissemination  of  knowledge 
among  men,"  have  they  not  successfully  devised,  and  other 
nations  as  well  as  ourselves,  as  successfully  put  into  operation, 

*They  not  unfrequently  convevscJ  in   Jjatiii  and  all  their  correspondence 
was  conducted  chiefly  in  that  tongue.     Vide  also  page  225  antea. 
|Page259  an  tea. 


444  BI5T0HY    OF 

without  so  ffiucli  as  crediting  the  source  from  whence  derivedT 
Nay  more,  how  often  is  it  that  they  and  we  have  seized  upon 
a  plan  devised  by  them  for  the  education  of  youth-^crude, 
and  it  may  be  ill-digested,  because  of  its  novelty — and  im- 
proving upon  it,  have  as  unceremoniously  and  unblushingly 
claimed  for  ourselves,  the  credit  of  the  discovery '!  With  no 
other  people  would  it  have  been  attempted ;  and  they 
have  submitted  to  the  moral  wrong,  only  because  they  re- 
joiced more  in  the  good  that  followed  to  others,  than  in  the  en- 
joyment of  the  honor  that  was  due  to  the  discovery,  for  them- 
selves."* 

We  are  led  to  introduce  these  remarks,  in  consequence  of 
our  now  approaching  a  period  in  the  history  of  education  in 
Lancaster  county,  where  we  are,  as  a  faithful  historian,  to  claim 
for — comparatively  speaking — an  obscure  German,  the  honor 
not  only  of  suggesting,  but  also  of  successfully  carrying  into 
practical  operation,  the  never-to-be-too-much-encouraged  Sab- 
bath Schools  of  the  present  day.  About  the  year  1740,  af 
German  by  the  name  of  Ludwig  Hacker,  a  man  of  much 
learning  and  great  piety,  the  teacher  of  the  school  which  had 
been  previously  established  by  the  society  of  Seventh-day 
Baptists  at  Ephrata,  proposed  the  plan  of  holding  a  school  in 
the  afternoon  of  their  Sabbath,  which  was  and  is,  the  seventh 
instead  of  the  first  day  of  the  week.  It  v/as  at  once  carried  out 
by  the  brethren  into  practical  operation,  and  continued  to  dis- 
pense its  blessings  among  the  children  of  the  neighborhood, 
until  September  1777,  when — after  the  battle  of  Brandywine — 
tlie  room  used  for  the  school,  was  with  the  whole  building,  con- 
verted into  a  military  hospital  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
American  soldiers  wounded  upon  that  sanguinary  field.  After 
this  event,  the  school  was  never  again  opened  ;  but  the  plan 
years  afterwards,  was  revived  in  England;  and  the  poor  Ger- 
man scholar,  Ludwig  Hacker  who  sleeps  in  the  bosum  of  his 
mother  earth,  without  a  stone  to  mark  his  resting  place,  is  for- 
gotten in  the  pi'aises  and  blessings  which  are  lavished  upon 
the  memory  of  him|  who  but  resuscitated  and  improved  upoa 
his  plan. 

•MSS.  by  Ge^juge  Forp,  Esq. 

•j-Robert  Raikcs. 

iPage  224  antca. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  445 

rlft.a  former  part  of  this  work*  the  efforts  of  this  society  in 
the  extension  of  knowledge,  have  been  already  shewn.     Co- 
existent with  their  change  of  life  from  a  conventicle  to  a  mon- 
astic one,  A.  D.  1733  a  school  for  the  education  of  themselves 
.and  their  youth  in  German  and  Classic  Literature,  was  estab- 
lished.    It  was  of  course  local  in  its  operations,  and  its  advanta- 
ges never  became  to  any  extent  known  to  the  public  ;  but  its 
reputation  and  the  ability  of  its  teachers,  are  attested  by  the 
many  evidences  of  their  skill    and  proficiency,  remaining 
among  the  archives  of  the  society.     The   school  thus  estab- 
lished, continued  its  beneficial  operations  until  with  the  grad- 
ual decay  of  the  society,  it  was  finally  suspended.     Thus  it 
,  remained  uatil  after  the  passage  of  an  Act  by  the  Legislature 
of  the  State,  February  21,  1814,  incorporating  the  few  members 
which  yet  remained  of  the  society.     With  a  pious  re-verenoe 
for  the  memories  and  virtues  of  their  fathers,  and  desirous  of 
emulating,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  efforts  made  by  them  iu 
their  day  and  generation,  these  survivors,  chiefly  through  the 
active  exertions  of  Mr.  William  Konigmacher,  by  virtue  of  the 
..provisions  of  the  act  referred  to,   and  also  of  others  subse- 
■quently  passed  for  the  purpose,  started  an  acadamy  where  the 
English    and    German    languages,    mathematics    and    other 
branches  are  successfully  taught. 

Like  their  German  brethren  at  Ephrata,  the  Moravians  at 
Litiz,  were  and  still  are  the  devoted  friends  of  Education.^- 
Their  first  settlement  at  Warwick,  A.  D.  1742,  was  marked  by 
the  establishment  of  a  school  under  the  charge  of  their  min- 
.  ister,  the  Rev.  Leonard  Schnell,f  a  German  of  considerable 
literary  attainments  ;  and  when  at  length  in  1754,  a  monastic 
life  was  determined  on,  and  the  village  of  Litiz  in  consequence 
thereof  founded,  their  school  had  attained  to  some  local  emin- 
ence. In  the  year  1762,  it  was  removed  to  the  latter  place, 
and  there  continued  until  A.  D.  17944  when  it  was  divided 
into  two  departments,  one  for  each  sex.  Out  of  the  Female 
department,  the  now  justly  celebrated  Young  Ladies  Semi- 
U^ry,  sprung  into  existence  as  a  Boarding  school,  with  what 

*Page  210  R'ltea. 

fPage  310  a;itea. 

,^Page  316  antea. 

3S 


446  HISTORY   OF 

success  and  liow  much  benefit  to  the  community,  its  present 
widely  extended  reputation  will  best  attest. 

The  school  for  the  education  of  the  male  youth  of  the  soci- 
ety and  adjacent  country,  continued  its  operations  until  in  the 
year  1815,*  when  it  was  assigned  to  Mr.  John  Beck,  the  pre- 
sent able  and  indefatigable  principal — a  gentleman  of  ac- 
knowledged ability,  of  great  goodness  of  heart,  enthusiastical- 
ly devoted  to  his  profession,  and  remarkable  for  the  fatherly 
care  and  afiection  which  he  has  always  evinced  for  his  pupils, 
the  school  grew  rapidly  into  public  favor  under  his  superin- 
tendence ;  and  at  this  day,  its  reputation  is  deservedly  high  as 
an  academy  where  the  English  and  German  languages.  Mathe- 
matics, Chemistry,  Astronomy  and  all  the  sciences  are  taught 
Avith  unsurpassed  skill,  to  young  men  from  almost  every  State 
in  the  Union. 

We  now  return  once  more  to  the  movements  of  the  friends 
of  education,  in  the  borough  of  Lancaster.  Being  the  metrop- 
olis of  the  county,  we  must  judge  of  the  progress  of  know- 
ledge in  the  rural  districts  by  the  encouragement  given  to 
learning  in  this  local  Capital.  About  the  year  1780,  Jasper 
Yeates,  Esq.,  Casper  Shaftner,  Esq.,  Col.  George  E,oss,  Chai'les 
Hall,  Esq.,  and  other  gentlemen  of  the  place,  finding  that  the 
existing  Schools  under  the  charge  of  the  Lutheran  and  German 
Reformed  Congregations,  as  also  the  one  established  a  number 
of  years  previous  by  the  Moravians,  and  conducted  upon  the 
.same  plan,  were  inadequate  to  the  growing  wants  of  the  people, 
and  incapable  of  teaching  the  higher  branches,  engaged  the 
services  of  a  teacher  of  recommended  abilities,  to  conduct  a 
select  academy  for  the  education  of  their  male  children.  This 
Academy  continued  in  existence  for  several  years,  as  the  High 
School  of  the  place,  until,  owing  to  the  violent  temper  of  the 
teacher  and  the  many  indignities  which  he  offered  to  the  pupils 
under  his  charge,  it  v/as  finally  suspended.  This  school  sugges- 
ted the  idea  of  establishing  another;  but  upon  a  surer  basis, 
under  the  control  of  Trustees  by  an  act  of  incorporation,  and 
ultimately  begat  the  application  to  the  Legislature  for  the  incor- 
poration of  "Franklin  College." 

On  the  10th  of  March,  A.  D.  1787,*  the  General  Assembly  of 


*Page  318  antea. 

■j-2  Sm.  laws,  page  398. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  447 

tlie  State,  granted  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners,  and  passed  an 
act  with  the  following  title  :  "  An  act  to  incorporate  and  endow 
the  German  College  and  Charity  School  in  the  borough  of 
Lancaster,  in  this  State."  The  Preamble  of  the  act  explains 
the  object  which  it  was  intended  to  effect,  and  is  in  the  follow- 
ing words,  viz :  "  Whereas,  the  citizens  of  this  State  of  German 
birth  or  extraction,  have  eminently  contributed,  by  their  indus- 
try, economy  and  public  virtues,  to  raise  the  State  to  its  present 
happiness  and  prosperity  :  And,  whereas,  a  number  of  citizens 
of  the  above  description,  in  conjunction  with  others,  from  a 
desire  to  increase  and  perpetuate  the  blessings  desired  to  them 
from  the  possession  of  property  and  a  free  government,  have- 
applied  to  this  House  for  a  charter  of  Incorporation,  and  a  do- 
nation of  lands,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  and  endowing 
a  College  and  Charity  School,  in  the  borough  of  Lancaster. 
And,  whereas,  the  preservation  of  the  principles  of  the  Chris- 
tian Religion,  and  of  our  E,epublican  form  of  Government  in 
their  purity,  depend,  under  God,  in  a  great  measure,  on  the 
establishment  and  support  of  suitable  places  of  education,  for 
the  purpose  of  training  up  a  succession  of  youth,  who  by  being 
enabled  fully  to  understand  the  grounds  of  both,  may  be  led 
the  more  zealously,  to  practice  the  one,  and  the  more  strenu- 
ously to  defend  the  other.  Therefore,  &c."  Here  then  follow 
the  different  sections  of  the  act,  the  prominent  features  of 
which  are  these:  ^2.  That  the  youth  shall  be  taught  in  the 
German,  English,  Latin,  Greek  and  other  learned  languages, 
in  Theology,  in  the  useful  arts,  sciences  and  Literature.  The 
corporate  title  shall  be  "Franklin  College,"  in  honor  of  His 
Excellency  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esquire,  President  of  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council,  &c.  The  first  Trustees  are  named 
and  incorporated  with  the  usual  powers.  Yearly  income  not 
to  exceed  £10,000.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  trustees  to  be 
at  Lancaster,  nine  of  them  to  be  a  quorum  and  to  appoint  their 
own  officers.  The  Principal,  vice  Principal  or  Professors 
while  they  remain  such,,  are  not  to  hold  the  office  of  trustee. 
The  style  and  powers  of  the  faculty  are  prescribed.  Propor- 
tion of  Trustees  how  to  be  chosen,  and  Principal  to  be  chosen 
alternately  from  the  Lutheran  or  Calvinist  Churches.  Seat  of 
Trustee  being  a  Clergyman,  to  be  filled  with  another  Clergy- 
man, but  the  proportion  of  Lutheran  and  Calvinist  trustees  to 


448  HISTORY    OF 

be  invariably  preserved.  Trustees  empowered  to  appoint 
other  officers  not  named  in  the  charter,  to  fix  salaries,  &c. 
Misnomer  not  to  defeat  any  gift  &c.,  nor  non-user  to  create  a 
forfeiture,  &c.  ^3.  The  Constitution  not  to  be  altered  but  by 
the  Legislature.  ^4.  The  College  endowed  with  10,000  acres 
of  land,  &c. 

Under  this  charter  and  a  donation  subsequently  granted  by 
an  act  of  Assembly,  consisting  of  an  old  military  store-house 
and  two  lots  of  ground  in  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  worth 
about  $2000,  the  College  went  into  operation,  A.  D.  1786,  as 
a  Grammar  School,  with  a  Professor  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  lan- 
guages, and  also  a  Professor  of  Mathematics.  The  first  pro- 
fessor was  a  German  by  the  name  of  Melsheimer.  Ardently 
attached  to  literary  pursuits,  he  strove  long  and  earnestly  to 
create  a  proper  taste  for  them,  among  the  Germans  and  their 
descendants.  To  some  extent  he  succeeded,  for  under  his 
management  the  Hohe  Schule*  prospered  for  a  little  while ; 
but  continually  owing  to  the  want  of  a  proper  management  of 
its  finances,  it  afterwards  gradually  declined,  until^about  the 
year  1821,  when  it  ceased  all  further  practical  operations : 
But  it  was  not  doomed  to  sleep  in  inglorious  inactivity,  like 
the  PhoBnix  from-  her  ashes,  it  was  destined  to  rise  again  with 
renewed  usefulness,  as  we  shall  hereafter  shew,  when  through 
the  prudence  of  its  Trustees,  its  funds  should  be  carefully  hus- 
banded, and  their  ability  to  support  its  existence  from  the 
income,  would  be  undoubted. 

In  the  meanwhile,  private  schools  and  academies  were  estab- 
lished and  supported  in  the  Borough  and  various  sections  of 
the  county,  but  no  organized  or  settled  system  being  adopted 
for  their  government,  none  of  them  attained  to  any  eminence. 
It  is  true,  large  numbers  of  poor  children  in  the  county,  as 
well  as  the  city,  were  educated  free  of  expense,  pursuant  to 
the  provisions  of  the  act  of  Assembly  of  April  4,  A.  D.  1809,f 
entitled  "An  act  for  the  education  of  the  poor  gratis;"  but 
such  education,  owing  to  the  general  incompetency  of  the 
teachers,  was  exceedingly  limited.  The  system  established  by 
this  act,  having  been  found  in  its  practicaloperation,  tobe  both 
expensive  and  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  the  people  in  the 

*Anglice-Iligli  School. 

|5  Sm.  laws,  pages  73  and  74. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  449 

city  of  Lancaster,  another  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature 
on  the  1st  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1822,'  entitled  "An  act  to 
provide  for  the  education  of  children  at  the  public  expense, 
within  the  city  and  incorporated  Boroughs  of  the  County  of 
Lancaster."  By  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  city  and  incor- 
porated boroughs  of  the  county,  were  erected  into  a  school 
district,  by  the  name,  style  and  title  of  the  "  Second  School 
District  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania."  Twelve  Directors  were 
to  be  annually  appointed  by  the  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  of 
the  County — their  duties  and  powers  were  prescribed — the  ad- 
mission of  children  regulated — the  Lancasterian  system  ordered 
to  be  adopted — the  expenses  provided  for — the  duty  of  the 
County  Commissioners  set  forth,  and  the  division  of  the 
district  into  sections  whenever  required — how  to  be  done. — 
Under  this  act,  the  first  and  only  section  of  the  district  was  com 
posed  of  the  city  of  Lancaster. 

The  Directors  appointed  by  the-  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions, 
proceeded  at  once,  to  purchase  a  lot  of  ground,  erect  a  large 
and  commodious  school  house,  employ  male  and  female  teach- 
ers, admit  scholars,  and  in  pursuance  of  the  law,  adopting  the 
Lancasterian  system  of  education,  opened  their  schools  with 
the  highest  hopes  of  success.  In  this  they  were  not  disappointed. 
The  plan  worked  so  well,  that  the  city  of  Lancaster  until  lately 
,did.  not  become  an  accepting  school  district  under  the  provisions 
of  the  general  school  law  of  June  13,  A.  D.  1838. f  But  the 
expense  of  erecting  a  school-house,  and  of  continuing  the 
schools,  being  borne  out  of  the  County  treasury,  it  never 
ceased,  because  of  its  partiality,  to  be  a  source  of  complaint 
on  the  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  county.  Nevertheless, 
the  schools — male  and  female  departments — continued  in  ope- 
ration under  this  special  law — with  all  their  objectionable 
features  as  pauper  schools — until  in  the  month  of  May,  A.  D. 
1838,  when,  in  pursuance  of  the  provisions  of  certain  Resolu- 
tions, passed  by  the  Legislature  on  the  14th  day  of  April,  A.  D. 
1838,1  the  inhabitants,  by  a  popular  vote,  determmed  upon  an 
acceptance  of  the  Common  School  System,  modified  and  adopt- 
ed to  their  circumstances  by  the  Resolutions  already  referred  to. 

«7  Sm.  laws,  538. 

fPam.  laws  1835-'36,  page  525.. 

^Pam.  laws  1837-'8,  page  686. 

38* 


450  HISTORY    OF 

Upon  the  result  of  this  vote  being  made  known,  the  Board  of 
Directors  was  organized,  and  through  their  indefatigable  exer- 
tions, schools  have  been  established  so  numerous  and  so  well 
graded,  that  every  child  in  the  city  can  be  educated  "without 
money  and  without  price,"  to  an  extent  which  but  fifty  years 
ago  was  seldom  attained  even  by  the  children  of  wealthy 
parents. 

While  upon  this  subject,  it  may  as  well  be  observed,  that  a 
deep  and  growing  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  is  mani- 
festing itself  daily,  in  the  rural  districts,  for  out  of  thirty-three 
school  districts  in  the  county,  eighteen  in  1842,  had  accepted 
the  provisions  of  the  Common  School  law.* 

It  must  not  be  supposed  while  these  eflbrts  were  making  to 
instruct  the  great  mass  of  the  children  of  Lancaster  county  in 
the  elementary  branches  of  an  English  education,  the  inhab- 
itants were  unmindful  of  the  higher  and  more  diificult  ones. — 
We  shall  speak  of  these  hereafter.  Thus  have  the  exertions  of 
the  friends  of  education  been  crowned  with  eminent  success, 
in  the  establishment  and  support  of  Common  Schools,  as  well 
in  many  parts  of  the  county  as  in  the  city  of  Lancaster. 

While  these  movements  were  making  for  the  extension  of 
learning  to  and  among  the  children  of  the  town  and  county,  a 
number  of  Master  Mechanics  of  the  city,  perceiving  that  their 
apprentices  were  destitute  of  the  means  of  mental  iraprove- 
■  ment,  and  taught  by  their  own  experience,  that  idleness  is  the 
prolific  source  of  vice — a  rock  upon  which  has  stranded  the 
highest  hopes  and  fondest  expectations  of  parents  and  friends — 
with  a  commendable  determination  to  project  some  plan,  by 
which  the  leisure  hours  of  their  apprentices  might  be  rationally 
employed,  convened  a  public  meeting  for  consultation  and 
advice  upon  this  subject,  on  the  evening  of  July  8,  A.  D.  1829. 
At  this  meeting  Hugh  Maxwell,  Esq.  presided;  and  out  of  it 
soon  grew  "  The  Mechanics  Society."  A  constitution  was 
soon  after  formed,  agreed  upon  and  submitted  to  the  Supreme 
Court,  by  which  a  charter  was  decreed,  May  26,  A.  D.  1831. — 
Having  thus  procured  a  legal  existence,  the  society  soon  went 
into  active  operation.  By  voluntary  contributions,  a  Library 
was  commenced  and  has  gone  on  increasing  in  sizeaud  value,, 

*9lh  annual  Report  of  the  Superintendent  of  Commfn  Schoolr.. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  451 

until  it  now  numbers  near  2,000  volumes,  besides  a  valuable 
collection  of  maps,  globes,  philosophical  apparatus,  fee.  5cc. 

The  Library  soon  became  the  centre  of  attraction  to  the^ 
apprentices,  and  an  improvement  morally  as  v/ell  as  mentally, 
became  apparent  in  their  habits  and  condition.  Increasing  in 
strength  and  character,  the  society  found  it  necessary  to 
procure  a  Hall  for  their  accommodation,  in  which  a  system  of 
'.'popular  instruction,  by  familiar  lectures,"  was  soon  after 
(A.  D.  1836)  carried  into  operation  under  the  management  of 
a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose.  These  lectures,  at 
first  confined  to  Chemistry,  Natural  Philosophy,  Astronomy, 
&c.  soon  became  popular,  and  in  a  short  time  after,were  ex- 
tended and  enlarged  so  as  to  embrace  almost  every  science 
and  every  subject,  except  that  of  Religion.  In  1838,  a  new 
and  capacious  Hall  was  erected  in  South  Queen  street,  for  the 
better  accommodation  of  the  crowds  which  gather  from  time 
to  time  listen  to  the  words  of  instruction  and  of  interest,  as  they 
fall  from  the  lips  of  the  Lecturers,  engaged  through  the  enter- 
prize  and  liberality  of  the  Society,  Of  it,  all  that  we  have  to 
say  is,  that  it  has  done  much  and  great  good,  and  to  it,  we  have 
only  to  add  our  prayer — Esto  perpetua! 

We  now  return  to  consider  the  efforts  made  for  the  endow- 
ment and  support  of  schools  of  a  higher  order  than  those  here- 
tofore treated  of — classical  and  mathematical  acadamies,  where 
inquiring  youth  might  attain  a  knowledge  of  the  languages 
of  Homer  and  Demosthenes,  of  Cicero  and  Virgil — where  they 
miglit  be  taught  to  solve  the  problems  of  Euclid — to  study  the 
worlis  of  Gallileo^explore  the  vast  fields  of  Natural  Philoso- 
phy, Astronomy  and  Chemistry,  with  all  the  various  sciences, 
necessary  to  the  constitution  of  a  finished  scholar. 

Immediately  after  the  suspension  of  the  Grammar  or  High 
School  of  the  "Franklin  College,"  as  already  shewn,.but  one 
private  classical  academy  existed  in  Lancaster,  This  school 
was  at  best  but  feebly  supported,  and  was  at  length  discon-. 
tinued.  A  taste  for  classic  literature  however,  having  been 
created  to  some  extent,  among  the  people,  application  was 
made  to  the  Legislature  during  the  session  of  1826-'7,  for  the 
incorporation  of  an  academy  at  Lancaster,  and  on  the  14th 
day  of  April,  A..  D.  1827,*  an  act  was  passed  entitfed  "  An  act 

*Pain.  laws,  page  337^, 


4,52  HISTORY   OP 

incorporating  the  Lancaster  County  Academy."  In  this  set 
certain  gentlemen  were  named  as  Trustees — the  corporation 
was  established  with  the  usual  powers — the  powers,  privileges, 
meetings  and  duties  of  the  trustees  were  prescribed — a  dona- 
tion of  $3,000  was  granted  by  the  state,  and  poor  children,  not 
axceeding  at  any  one  time,  four  in  number,  to  be  educated  m 
consideration  thereof:  The  Trustees  thus  appointed  by  the 
act,  organized,  received  subscriptions,  purchased  a  lot  of 
ground  in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  and  in  the  year  1828,  erected 
a  large  and  commodious  house  for  their  schools.  They  em- 
ployed a  competent  Teacher,  and  the  academy  was  opened 
under  very  flattering  auspices.  With  varied,  and  at  best,  but 
indifferent  success,  it  continued  in  operation,  until  in  the 
Summer  of  1839,  when,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  Assembly, 
passed  on  the  15th  of  May,  A.  D.  1839,  authorizing  the  arrange- 
ment, the  buildings  of  the  Academ.y  were  conveyed  to  the 
Trustees  of  Franklin  College,  and  after  being  considerably 
enlarged  by  the  latter  corporation,  the  "Hohe  Schule"  again 
went  into  operation  upon  an  entirely  new  plan,  and  under  such 
an  arrangement,  as  to  secure  its  permanent  existence  and  use- 
fulness. So  far  indeed  has  it  succeeded,  that  it  now  supports  a 
professor  of  the  Greek  and  Latin,  and  also  one  of  the  German, 
French,  Spanish  and  Italian  languages.  The  English  and 
Mathem.atical  department  is  also  under  the  charge  of  a  gentle- 
man of  superior  ability.  Thus  has  the  intention  of  those  who 
originally  projected  the  plan  and  procured  the  incorporation 
of  the  "Hohe  Schule"  or  Franklin  College,  at  Lancaster,  been 
practically  carried  out.  Long  may  it  continue  to  flourish,  and 
be  what  it  now  is — an  honor  to  the  couzity,  and  the  dispenser  of 
riches  more  "  precious  than  rubies  or  fine  gold  !" 

Simultaneous  with  this  movement,  in  the  city,  efforts  were 
made 'with  great  success  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  for  the 
Ciitablishment  of  Classical  and  Mathematical  academies,  inde- 
pendently of  those  already  existing  at  Litiz  and  Ephrata.  Of 
iiiese  there  are  at  this  day,  som^e  of  very  high  character  and 
extensive  reputation  as  Boarding  schools.  Among  the  most 
prominent,  is  "  The  Mountjoy  Institute,"  at  the  village  of 
Mountjoy,  under  the  charge  of  J,  H.  Brown,  Esq. — "  The 
Strasburg  Academy,"  at  the  village  of  Strasburg,  under  the 
direction  of  the  E.ev.  Dr.  McCarter— -"The  Paradise  Academy," 


LANCASTER  COUNTY.  453 

xander  the  care  of  Mr.  Enos  Stevens,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Timlow's 
Academy,  at  Bellevue.  The  Columbia  Academy  is  also  re- 
spectable in  character,  but  only  as  a  Day  School,  where  boys 
are  taught  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages — Mathematics,  &c. 

In  this  honorable  provision  for  the  mental  improvement  of 
the  youth  of  the  sterner — it  must  not  be  supposed  that  those 
of  the  softer — sex,  have  been  ungenerously  forgotten  :  Impress- 
ed with  the  importance  of  this  great  truth — that  good  mothers 
train  up  good  sons,  and  that  they — more  than  the  fathers — form 
the  characters  of  their  children — the  citizens  of  the  city  and 
county  alike,  have  sought  with  commendable  zeal,  to  secure 
the  services  of  able  and  competent  teachers,  whose  attention,, 
should  be  devoted  exclusively  to  the  proper  education  of  fe- 
males. As  a  result  of  these  efforts — a  Seminary  has  been 
established  and  is  in  successful  operation  in  the  city  under  the 
control  of  James  Damant,  Esq.  which  in  point  of  standing  and 
character  is  equal  to  any  other  in  Pennsylvania.  As  a  Board- 
ing School,  the  Young  Ladies  Seminary  at  Litiz  has  been 
already  spoken  of;  and  in  addition  to  it,  "The  Young  Ladies 
Lyceum  Institute" — Rev.  N.  Dodge,  A.  M.  Principal — located 
on  the  banks  of  the  Chicquesalunga  creek  near  the  village  of 
Mountjoy — is  perhaps,  as  regards  accommodations — kind 
attention  to  the  wants  of  the  pupils — facility  for  acquiring  a 
competent  and  thorough  knowledge  of  all  the  various  branches 
and  accomplishments  taught  at  similar  institutions,  if  not 
superior  to,  at  least  surpassed  by  none  other  in  the  country. 

The  civilization  of  any  people  is  progressive,'so  also  is  their 
education.  Habits  inconsistent  Avith  the  growth  of  the  former, 
and  tastes  incompatible  with  the  advance  of  the  latter,  are  to 
be  changed  and  overcome.  Hence  the  transition  is  not  nor 
can  it  ever  be,  either  immediate  ox'  instantaneous.  The  move- 
ments are  at  first  slow,  gradual  a.nd  confined  to  the  few  ;  but 
as  their  benefits  are  extended,  they  become  accelerated  and 
penetrate  into  all  the  various  strata  of  society.  AVith  regard 
to  Lancaster  county,  this  has  been  particularly  so.  At  first,, 
the  inhabitants  were  content  with  schools  conducted  by  teach- 
ers who  would  scarcely  be  tolerated  by  an;,^  community  at 
the  present  day.  But  as  we  have  already  stated  generally,  in 
the  commencement  of  this  chapter,  as  they  increased  in  pop- 
ulation and  .wealth,  their  tastes  improved  with  their  pecu«. 


454  HISTORY    OP 

aiary  abilities  and  as  a  consequence,their  schools  advanced  in 
character  in  an  equal  degree,  so  that  they  will  now  bear  com- 
parison with  those  of  any  other  community  in  the  Union. — 
Born  and  bred  as  we  were  upon  her  soil,  when  we  contem- 
plate the  efforts  of  her  citizens  in  the  cause  of  Education,  as 
they  have  been  practically  carried  out  in  the  establishment 
and  liberal  support  of  our  Common  and  Sabbath  schools, 
Lyceums — and  Academies  and  Female  Seminaries,  we  have 
abundant  cause  for  gratulation,  that  our  lot  has  been  cast 
in  such  a  land. 

It  has  been  said  somewhere,  by  some  one,  that  Pericles,  who 
succeeded  Aristides,  found  the  city  of  Athens  of  brick  and 
left  it  of  marble.  Truly  the  Germans  who  first  penetrated  into 
and  settled  Lancaster  county,  have  done  more  than  this.  They 
found  it  in  its  physical  aspect,  a  wilderness — they  left  it  to  their 
children  blooming  as  the  rose,  and  they  in  turn  with  their 
descendants,  have  so  improved  the  mental  character  of  its 
people,  that  their  light  is  seen  and  felt  from  afar  off.  Be  the 
endeavor  cf  this  and  succeeding  generations,  not  only  to 
maintain  their  present  character,  but  to  improve  it  still  mors  ; 
and  as  they  gather  beneath  the  banner  whereon  is  inscribed 
"the  Education  of  all"— let  there  be   one  universal  shovt— ■ 

EXCELSIOB. ! 


•LANCASTER    COUNTY.  455 


CHAPTER  XII, 


IRBLitJioxjs  DENOMiNATioNs — Early  missionaries  among  the  Conestoga  and 
other  Indians— 'The  Mennoniles — The  Friends  or  Quakers — The  Ornish 
or  Amish — Tiis  Episcopalians — The  Presbyterians — The  German  Bap- 
tists— The  German  Seventh  Day  Baptists — The  Lutherans — The  German 
Reformed — The  United  Brethren  or  Moravians — The  Roman  CathoUcs — 
Tlie  Methodist  Episcopal — Tlie  New  Jerusalem  Church— The  Evangeli- 
cal Association  or  "Abrecht's  Leute" — The  Reformed  Mennonites — The 
Universalists — The  Seceders — The  United  Brethren  or  "Allgeineine 
Brueder" — The  Church  of  God — The  Calyanistic  Baptists — The  Mor- 
mons, &c. 

If  diversity  of  creeds,  or  multiplicity  of  religious  sects  serve 
'as  a  standard  of  deep  toned  piety  and  christian  benevolence, 
then  may  the  people  of  Lancaster  county  lay  claim  to  a  goodly 
share  ;  for  there  is  no  spot  upon  earth,  with  so  limited  a  popu- 
lation and  the  same  confined  territory,  that  counts  more  de- 
nominations, than  Lancaster.  But  with  all  this  diversity,  there 
are  few,  if  any,  i?'religious  controversies,  that  usually  charac- 
terize bigots,  among  the  inhabitants.  Each  seems  to  promote 
his  own  and  his  neighbor's  welfare,  and  therewith  appears 
content. 

In  this  chapter  we  shall  attempt  a  succinct  sketch  of  the  seve- 
ral religious  denominations  found  in  this  county.  We  regret 
it,  that  only  a  few  of  the  score  of  ministers  whom  we  addressed 
to  furnish  religious  statistics,  have  seen  proper  to  comply.* 

At  an  early  period  missionaries  of  the  Swedish  church  visited 
the  Indians,  within  the  present  limits  of  Lancaster  county.— 
The  Friends  also  paid  some  attention  to  the  Indians.     As  early 

*For  an  accurate  and  impartial  account  of  the  Idstory  and  doctrines  of 
all  the  religious  denominations  in  the  Ui;ited  States,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
a  work  entitled  He  Pasa  Ecclesia,ortht  Whole  Church  in  the  United  Si aies; 
•every  article  of  the  work  quoted  has  been  expressly  written  for  it  by  eminent 
theological  professors,  ministers  or  distinguished  lay  members  of  each  re- 
spective denomination.  It  is  the  only  work  extant  that  can  be  relied  on  as 
being  impartial  and  authentic.  Rupp,  Clyde,  Williams  &  Co.,  of  Harris- 
huTS,  Pa.,  are  the  publishers.    The  work  is  in  press. 


45B  HisTORf  oir 

-as  1'7GS,  Thomas  Chalkley,  an  eminent  preacher  among  the 
^^Quakers,  visited  the  Indians  living  near  Susquehanna,  at  Con- 
'estoga,  and  preached  to  them.  In  1708  or  1709,  a  Swedish  Lu- 
-tiieran,  in  the  capacity  of  a  missionary,  resided  among  the 
■€onestoga  Indians,  to  instruct  them  in  the  christian  religion. 

The  Mennonites.— In  1709,  several  families  from  the  Pala- 
tinate, descendants  of  the  distressed  Swiss  Mennonites  settled 
■on  Pequea  creek.  With  this  colony  came  Hans  Herr,  a  Men- 
:iionite  minister,  who  dispensed  to  them  the  word  of  life.  The 
-Mennonites  were  of  course  the  first  regularly  organized  de- 
nomination in  the  county.  Among  their  first  ministers  in  this 
county,  before  1725,  were  Hans  Herr,  Ulrich  Breckbill,  Hans 
Tschantz,  Hans  Burkholter,  Christian  Herr,  Benedict  Hirschi, 
Martin  Bear,  Johannes  Bauman.  They  had  been  very  num.er^ 
cms  till  about  the  year  1791,  or  '92,  when  a  certain  Martin 
Boehm  and  others  made  inroads  upon  them,  and  a  considera- 
ble number  seceded  and  united  themselves  with  the  United 
Brethren  or  Vereinigte  Brueder,  nevertheless,  they  are  still  the 
prevalent  denomination  in  this  county.  They  have  about 
forty-five  ministers  in  the  county.  These  are  divided  into 
bishops  and  ordinary  ministers.  The  bishops  at  present  are 
tlie  Revds.  Jacob  Hostater,  Jacob  Zimmerman, 'Christian  Herr, 
Henry  Schenk,  and  Mr.  Bomberger;  among  their  ordinary 
teachers  are  the  Revds.  Daniel  Gehman,  Mr.  Guth,  Mr. 
Gehman,  Tobias  Warner,  Mr.  Sherick,  Joseph  Wenger, 
Jacob  Weaver,  Jacob  Stauffer,  Joseph  Hershy,  Joseph  Horst, 
Jacob  Hershy,  Henry  Breneman,  Benjamin  Herr,  John  Kreider, 
David  Witmer,  Mr.  Staufer,  Benjamin  Eby,  A.  Brubaker,  John 
Shenk,  Andrew  KaufFman,  Christian  Herr,  Martin  Mayer, 
Daniel  Sterneman,  John  Hoover,  Christian  Kaufman,  John 
Kindig,  John  Nissly,  Christian  Nissly,  John  Schlott,  David 
Ehersole,  Peter  Ebersole,  Mr.  Brubecker  and  others  whose 
names  we  have  not  learned. 

These  all  preach  in  German.  They  have  upwards  of  thirty- 
five  meeting  houses.  Some  of  the  congregations  are  largCj- 
numbering  rising  of  two  hundred  members.  The  probabfe 
number  of  Mennonite  church  members,  we  tiiink  cannot 
be  less  than  six  thousand.  As  they  keep  no  records  of  names^ 
it  is  somewhat  difficult  to  ascertain  the  exact  number.  Their 
forefathers  all  brought  Bibles  with  them^    We  have  seen  within. 


LANCASTER   COTTNTT.  457 

llie  last  year,  several  of  Froschauer's  edition  of  the  Swiss 
Bible,  printed  at  Zurich,  1540,  and  still  in  a  good  state  of  pre- 
servation, with  the  Mennonites. 

The  Friends  or  Quakers. — These  are  next  in  order  to  the 
Mennonites.  They  were  very  numerous  about  the  years  1725 
and  1730.  Their  meetings  were  well  attended  for  a  long  time. 
In  1729,  there  were  at  least  1000  families  of  Friends  in  ths 
county.  They  have  since  greatly  diminished  ;  at  present  they 
have  only  9  or  10  places  of  worship.  There  are  two  denomi- 
nations of  them  in  the  county — Orthodox  and  other  Friends. 

The  Omish. — This  society  are  Rigid  Mennonites,  not  differing 
essentially  from  the  Mennonites.  At  present,  the  chief  differ- 
ence between  the  Omish  and  Mennonites,  consists  in  the 
former  being  more  simple  in  their  dress,  and  more  strict  in 
their  discipline.  They  settled  in  this  county  at  an  early  date. 
^.They  were  numerous  in  1735.  Their  number  is  comparatively 
small,  having  5  or  6  ministers.  They  hold  their  religious 
meetings  in  private  houses,  founding  this  practice  upon 
Acts  I.  46. 

The  Episcopalians. — Their  ministers  visited  this  county  as 
early  as  1717  or  1719.  They  were  the  first  after  the  Mennon- 
ites and  Qualvers,  to  erect  houses  for  religious  worship.  We 
could  not  obtain  the  names  of  their  first  ministers,  except  those 
who  labored  principally  in  the  city  of  Lancaster.  In  1744,  the 
Episcopalians  held  a  meeting  at  Lancaster,  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  parish.  The  Rev.  Richard  Locke,  an  itinerant  mis- 
sionary, was  the  first  ofiiciating  minister.  The  following  is  the 
order  in  which  others  succeeded  him  :  1751,  Rev.  Geo.  Craig  ; 
1759,  Rev.  Thomas  Barton  ;  1783,  Rev.  Joseph  Hutchins;  1791, 
Rev.  Elisha  Rigg;  1799,  Rev.  Joseph  Clarkson  ;  1820,  Rev. 
W.  A.  Muhlenberg  became  associated  with  the  Rev.  Clarkson; 
1826,  Rev.  L.  S.  Ives  ;  1827,  Rev.  Samuel  Bowman,  the  present 
Rector;  besides  him,  two  others  officiate  in  the  county:  the 
Rev'ds  Levi  Bull  and  E.  Y.  Buchanan.  They  have  4  places  of 
public  worship  in  the  county. 

The  Presbyterians.— About  the  year  1717  a  number  of 
Scotch  and  Irish  Presbyterians,  settled  in  the  Octorara  region. 
Among  their  first  ministers  was  the  Rev.  Adam  Boyd,  whe 
preached  in  Octorara  in  1724.  In  1726,  Rev.  Anderson  received 
a  call  from  the  Donegal  church.    Rev.  Alexander  Craighead 

39 


458  HisTORr  OP 

preached  in  Pequeain  1736.  Rev.  John  Elderof  Paxton.  was  or» 
dained  in  1738;  R.ev.Dan'1  Alexander  was  in  Pequeal739.  The 
city  was  occasionally  visited  between  the  years  174-5  and  1760» 
In  1769,  the  Rev.  John  WoodhuU*  became  their  regular  min- 
ister in  the  borough  of  Lancaster.  In  1779,  the  Rev.  Nathaniel 
W.  Semple  was  called,  and  was  their  pastor  for  40  years  ;  in 
1821,  Rev.  William  Ashmead  succeeded.  These  are  in  their 
order.  In  1829,  Rev.  Richard  Dickinson;  1834,  Rev.  J.  T. 
Marshall  Davie ;  1840,  Rev.  John  M'Nair.  There  are  nine 
Presb3'terian  ministers  residing  in  the  county  :  Rev'ds, M'Nair, 
Joseph  Barr,  Lindley  C.  Rutter,  David  M'Carter,  T.  Marshall 
Boggs,  Philip  J.  Timlow,  Alfred  Nevin,.  Robert  W.  Dunlap, 
John  Wallace  and  Samuel  Dickey.     They  have  15  churches. 

The  German  Baptists. — A  number  of  these  settled  in  this 
county  prior  to  1721.  They  constituted  a  church  in  1723,  under 
the  charge  of  Rev.  Peter  Becker.  At  first  they  increased  rap- 
idly, but  at  present  their  number  is  small.  They,  like  the 
Ornish,  meet  in  private  houses  to  hold  their  religious  meetings. 
They  hold  their  meetings  at  some  12  or  15  difterent  houses  in 
the  county,  and  in  a  tew  instances  at  school  houses. 

The  German  Seventh-day  Baptists,  or  Sieben  Taeger. — 
This  society  took  its  rise  about  the  year  1724  or  1725.  The 
founder  was  Conrad  Beisel,  who  seceded  from  the  German 
Baptists.  This  society  flourished  for  many  years  at  Ephrata, 
where  is  their  only  place  of  holding  meetings  in  the  county. — 
See  pages  211,  233. 

The  Lutherans. — Many  of  this  denomination  emigrated  to 
Lancaster  county  before  1730.  Missionaries  visited  the  scat- 
tered brethren.  Among  these  were,  in  1731,  1732,  &;c.  the 
Rev'ds  C.  J.  Shultz,  Casper  Stoever,  who  also  ministered  as 
the  first  pastors  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  the  city.  The  fol- 
lowing succeeded  them:  In  1740,  Rev.  T.  Dylander,  Swedish 
Pv,ector  of  Philadelphia;  1741,  Rev.  Valentine  Kraft;  1743, 
Rev.  L,  Nyberg;  Rev.  G.  Nauman,  Swedish  Rector  of  Phila- 
delphia, preached  occasionally  in  Lancaster,  from  1746  to 
1748;  this  year  Rev.  T.  F.  Handschuh  preached  till  1751. 
From  1751  to  1753,  the  congregation  was  successively  served 
by  the  Rev'ds  Tobias  Wagner,  England,  H.  B.  G.  Wortman. 
From  1753  to  1769,  the  Rev.  Siegfried  Gerock ;  from  the  latter 

*See  page  367. 


LANCASTER    COUNTr.  459 

period,  the  congregatian  was  visited  by  the  Rev'ds  Dr.  Henry 
Melchoir  Muhlenberg,  E.  Shultz,  N.  Kurtz  and  others,  for  a 
short  time  ;  when  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Helmuth,  late  from  Europe, 
was  called  and  continued  till  1779;  in  1780,  Rev.  11.  Muhlen- 
berg, son  of  Dr.  H.  M.  Muhlenberg,  took  charge  of  the  con- 
gregation, and  was  their  pastor  till  1815,  when  Rev.  Dr.  C.  En- 
dress  succeeded  him  and  continued  till  1827.  The  present 
pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Baker,  took  charge  of  the  congrega- 
tion in  1828.  Besides  Dr.  Baker's  church,  there  is  another  in  the 
city,  exclusively  German,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev. 
W.  Beates. 

There  are  at  present  seven  Lutheran  n^inisters  residing  in 
the  county:  Dr.  John  C. Baker,  Rev'dsW.  Beates,  J.  J.  Strein, 
S.  Trumbauer,  C.  G.  Frederick,  C.  Barnitz  and  L.  Gerhart. — 
They  have  27  places  of  public  v/orship.  Here  we  would  add 
the  names  of  the  Rev'ds  A.  C.  Muhlenberg,  Schroeter,  Yung, 
Ernst,  Scriba,  Riemenschneider,  Rothrauff,  Bernheim,  Sahm 
and  Mueller,  all  of  whom  had  charge  of  congregations  at  dif- 
ferent times. 

The  German  Reformed. — In  the  beginning  of  1700,  a 
number  of  Reformed  came  to  the  province  of  Pennsylvania. 
The  Ferrees,  members  of  the  Reformed  Walloon  church  of 
Pelican,  in  the  Lower  Palatinate,  left  Europe  for  America,  and 
settled  in  this  county  about  the  year  1712.*  With  the  Ferrees, 
Isaac  Le  Lever  came  to  this  county  and  brought  with  him  his 
French  Bible,  which  is  still  preserved  by  his  descendants  as  a 
precious  relic. 

As  early  as  1717  or  1718,  the  Rev.  P.  Boehm  of  Witpen,  one 
of  the  oldest  German  Reformed  preachers,  had  charge  of  a 
German  Reformed  church.  Rev.  Boehm,  the  Rev.  G.  M. 
Weiss,  who  had  charge  of  a  congregation  in  Philadelphia, 
about  the  year  1724,  and  the  Rev.  H.  Dorstius  of  Bucks  county, 
occasionally  visited  the  pastorless  German  Reformed  who  had 
settled  in  this  county  prior  to  1729. 

In  1727,  a  large  number  of  Germans,  among  whom  were 
many  German  Reformed,  came  into  this  county:  these  were 
the  Dieftenderfer's  and  others,  whose  number  was  augmented 
in  1731  by  the  arrival  of  the  Bushongs,-);   Nehs,  Schwartz,. 

*See  pages  .308  and  30. 
fSee  page  371, 


460  HISTORY   OF 

Mentz,  and  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Rieger,*  who  had  charge  for  many 
years  of  German  Reformed  congregations  in  this  county, 
among  others  was  "  Seltenreich's  Kirche,"  near  New  Holland. 
In  1730  or  1731,  the  Rev.  John  Peter  Miller,  ordained  hj  the 
Scotch  Presbyterian  Synod,  in  1730,  visited'  German  Reformed 
congregations  at  Cocalico  and  Tulpehocken.  About  this  time 
several  congregations  were  organized,  one  at  Lancaster,  and 
in  other  parts  of  the  county.  In  1743,  there  was  one  formed  at 
"Modecrick,"  near  Adamstown.  However,  there  was  a  great 
and  general  destitution  of  pious  and  qualified  pastors  in  this 
branch  of  the  church  till  the  middle  of  the  last  century.  In 
1746,  the  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  of  St.  Gall,  in  Switzerland, 
in  consequence  of  information  he  had  received  of  the  destitute 
condition  of  the  German  Reformed  churches,  left  his  pastoral 
charge,  and  having  received  a  regular  apponitment  and  re- 
commendation, visited  the  churches  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
while  in  the  discharge  of  this  duty,  visited  those  in  Lancaster 
county.  Besides  the  visits  paid  them  by  the  Rev.  Schlatter, 
the  Rev'ds  Folk,  Loescher,  Waldsmith,  Deckert,  Fuetzmiller, 
Wittner,  Templeman  and  others  ministered  occasionally  in 
spiritual  things  among  the  German  Reformed.  The  Rev'ds 
J.  C.  Bucher,  W.  Runkel,  W.  Stoy  and  others  labored  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  county  prior  to  the  Revolution.  In  the  Co- 
calico  charge,  now  principally  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
Rev.  Daniel  Hertz,  the  Rev'ds  Gobrecht,  Hautz,  Wilhelms, 
Charles  Helffenstein,  Faber,  A.  Herman  ;  and  since  1819,  the 
Rev.  Hertz,  labored  from  time  to  time.  The  Rev.  Henry 
Schaffner  of  Marietta,  had,  for  rising  of  thirty  years,  a  number 
of  congregations  in  charge.  The  Rev.  Hiester  also  had  charge 
of  several  congregations. 

The  congregation  in  the  city,  at  an  early  period,  was  occa- 
sionally served  by  the  Rev'ds  Hoch,  Rieger,  Hochreutnen 
Steiner,  Schlatter  and  others.  In  1752,  the  Rev.  W.  Otterbein 
took  charge  of  it.  The  Rev.  Stoy  was  a  supply  for  a  short 
time,  and  so  was  the  Rev.  L,  C.  Boehm.  In  1779  the  Rev.  A. 
Helffenstein  was  called ;  in  1782  the  Rev.  W.  Hendel;  in  1795 
the  Rev.  Becker;  in  1806  the  Rev.  HofFmeier;  in  1832  the 
Rev.  Brunner;  in  1840  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  G.  W. 
Glessner,  was  called.    The  Rev'ds  Weiler  and  Hoflf  heins  have 

•See  page  226, 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  46   1 

charge  of  congregations.  The  German  Reformed  have 
twenty  places  of  public  worship,  and  if  they  had  a  competent 
number  of  efficient  ministers,  might  easily  organize  ten  or 
fifteen  congregations  in  a  few  years.  Here  is  a  large  field  for 
home  missionary  enterprize. 

The  United  Brethren  or  Moravians. — This  denomination 
is  essentially  missionary  in  their  operations;  and  as  early  as 
1742,  several  congregations  were  organized  in  this  county.  In 
1742,  count  Zinzendorlf,  the  apostle  of  the  American  Mora- 
vians, visited  Lancaster.  In  1746  they  held  a  provincial  council 
in  the  town  of  Lancaster.  At  Litiz  they  have  a  large  commu- 
nity.* The  following  ministers  have  presided  over  the  congre- 
gation at  Lancaster:  1746,  Rev.  L.  T.  Nyberg ;  1748,  Rev'ds 
L.  Schnell  and  R.  Ultey ;  1749,  Rev.  A.  Reinke,  sen.;  175], 
Rev.  G.  Weiser;  1753,  Rev'ds  C.  Kauch  and  A.  Wagner; 
1754,  Rev.  0.  Krogstrup ;  1755,  Rev'ds  C.  Bader  and  C.  F. 
Oerter;  1756,  Rev.  A.  L.  Rusmyer;  1757,  Rev.  C.  G.  Rundt; 
1758,  Rev'ds  Rundt,  Rusmyer  and  Bader;  1753,  Rev.  C.  Bader; 
1762,  Rev.  A.  L.  Rusmyer;  1766,  Rev.  A.  Langgaard;  1773, 
Rev.  0.  Krogstrup;  1785,  Rev.  L.  F.  Boehler;  1786,  Rev.  J. 
Herbst;  1791,  Rev.  A.  Reinke,  jr. ;  1795,  Rev.  L.  Huebner; 
1800,  Rev.  J.  M.  Beck;  1803,  Rev.  A.  Reinke,  jr. ;  1808,  Rev.  J. 
M.  Beck;  1810,  Rev.  C.  Mueller;  1819,  Rev.  S.  Reinke;  1823, 
Rev.  Peter  Wolle  ;  1826,  Rev.  J.  G.  Herman  ;  1829,  Rev.  C.  F. 
Reinhel;  1834,  Rev.  C,  A.  Vanvleck  ;  1835,  Rev.  S.  Reinke; 
1839,  Rev.  George  F.  Bahnson,  present  pastor. 

The  Hojian  Catholics. — A  church,  by  this  denomination 
was  organized  about  the  year  1740.  The  members  were  regu- 
larly visited  by  pastors  from  Philadelphia.  It  appears  they 
had  no  regular  settled  pastor  among  them  before  1800.  Their 
number  has  steadily  increased,  principally  however  from 
foreign  emigrations  of  German  and  Irish  Catholics.  Their 
present  pastor  is  the  indefatigable  Rev.  B.  Keenan,  They  have 
3  or  4  places  of  public  worship  in  the  county. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal. — In  1781,  Methodist  ministers 
first  visited  this  county;  and  in  1782  the  Lancaster  Circuit  was 
formed,  and  the  Rev.  William  Partridge  appointed  as  minister, 
Among  the  early  ministers  who  preached  in  different  parts  of 

fSee  pages  308  and  20. 

39* 


462  HISTORY    OP 

this  county,  were  the  Rev'ds  William  Glendening,  W.  Jesup, 
Isaac  Robertson,  W.  Hunter,  T.  P.  Chandler  and  Simon  Miller 
a  native  of  the  county. 

In  the  city  of  Lancaster,  the  Rev.  Jacob  Gruber  preached 
occasionally  about  the  year  1705  and  1706.  The  first  regular 
service  held  in  town,  was  in  the  house  of  Philip  Benedict,  by 
Rev.  Henry  Boehm  in  1807.  In  1808  the  Rev'ds  Thomas  Birch 
and  James  succeeded  Boehm.  Their  successors  were  the 
Rev'ds  Joseph  Samson,  Thomas  Ware,  John  Walter,  John 
Tally,  George  Cookman,  Jacob  Gruber,  John  Leonard,  John 
Woolson,  Wesley  Wallace,  W.  Torbert,  Thomas  Neal,  John 
Ogden,  James  Moore,  as  circuit  preachers.  In  1829,  Lancas- 
ter was  made  a  regular  charge,  where  stationed  ministers  have 
since  been  located  :  these  were  Rev'ds  Joseph  M'Cool,  Thomas 
Miller,  John  Nicholson,  Thomas  Sovereign,  James  Houston, 
James  Neil,  D.  D.  Lore,  S.  H.  Higgins,  and  the  present  pastor, 
the  Rev.  Robert  Gerr3\  The  following  named  preachers  are 
stationed  in  various  parts  of  the  county  :  Rev'ds  T.  Sumtion, 
T.  C.  Murphy,  J.  W.  Arthur,  E.  Reed,  A.  W.  Milby,  Mr.  Hum- 
phries. The  Methodists  have  rising  of  twent)^  places  of  public 
Vi'orship  in  the  count3^ 

The  New  Jerxtsali::.!  CHur.cH. — For  an  account  of  this  de- 
nomination, see  page  431. 

The  Evangelical  Association. — This  sect,  sometimes  called 
"Die  Albrechts  Leute,"  is  of  comparative  recent  origin.     It 
took  its  rise  in  this  county  about  the   year  1800,  through  the 
indefatigable  efforts  ot  Jacob  Albrecht,  a  native  of  Berks  coun- 
ty ;  but  he  had  settled  previous  to   1800  in  Earl  township. — 
They  have  8  or  9  places  of  worship,  besides  several  churches. 
The  Reformed  Mennonites. — It  appears  that  prior  to  1810, 
some  conceived  that  there  was  spiritual  declension  among  those 
who  had  embraced  the  doctrines  of  Menno  Simon,  and  in  order 
to  renew  these  doctrines  and  re-establish  that  church,  a  few  of 
them,  among  whom  was  their  persevering  friend  and  minister, 
John  Herr,  of  Strasburg  township,  united  for  that  purpose,  and 
in  1811,  organized  an  association,  now  generally  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Reformed  Mennonites.     Their  number  of  minis- 
ters is  small,  and  their  members,  though  active,  is  stiircompar- 
ativelynot  large.     They  have  two  orders  of  ministers,  bishops 
and  ordinary  ministers.      Their  bishops  at  present,  in    thQ 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  463 

county,  are  the  Rev'ds.  John  Hen-,  John  Keeport,  and  Henry 
Bowman.  Among  their  ordinary  ministers  are  the  Rev'ds. 
Abraham  Landis,  John  Landis,  Joseph  Weaver,  Abraham 
Snevely,  Christian  Resh,  and  Samuel  Hershy.  They  preach 
English  occasionally.  They  have  three  meeting  houses;  and 
hold  meetings  at  eight  or  ten  other  stated  places  in  the  county. 

The  Universalists. — There  are  comparatively  few  of  them 
in  this  county  ;  they  have  three  places  of  public  worship  ;  but 
at  present  they  have  no  one  that  officiates  in  spiritual  things. 

The  Secedeks. — The  number  known  by  this  name  is  small 
in  this  county.  They  have  one  minister,  the  Rev.  Easton,  and 
two  places  of  public  worship. 

The  United  Bkethren,  or  Vereinigte  Brueder. — There  are 
some  of  this  respectable  body  in  the  county.  Wekiiow  neither 
the  probable  number  of  their  ministers  nor  places  of  worship. 

The  Chukch  of  God. — This  denomination  is  of  compara- 
tively recent  origin.  The  name  of  "  Church  of  God,'"  was  as- 
sumed by  them  about  the  year  1827  or  '28.  The  church  in  the 
city  was  first  gathered  about  the  year  1820,  under  the  ministry 
of  the  late  Rev.  John  Elliott,  who  preached  the  gospel  many 
years  faithfully  and  with  success,  to  an  independent  congrega- 
tion in  the  city.  After  he  left,  the  church  declined,  till  about 
the  year  1841,  when  the  Rev.  John  Winebrenner,  V.  D.  M.  of 
Harrisburg,  Rev'ds  Jacob  Flake  and  Joseph  Ross  and  others  of 
the  Eldership  of  the  Church  of  God,  held  protracted  meetings, 
when  a  number  were  revived  and  others  awakened,  and  a  deep 
interest  manifested,  and  soon  a  congregation  of  one  or  two 
hundred  was  organized.  The  Rev.  Winebrenner,  and  their 
present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Jacob  Flake,  labored  jointly  in  the 
city  till  lately. 

The  number  of  ministers  at  present  in  the  county,  is  five, 
Tiz:  the  Rev'ds  J.  Flake,  J.  H.  Bomberger,  J.  Tucker,  I.  Bra- 
dy, J.  Stamm.  Their  places  of  public  worship,  may  range 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  in  the  county.  Within  the  last  few 
years  they  have  erected  several  houses  for  public  worship. 

•The  Calvanistic  Baptists. — This  denomination  although 
characterized  for  their  missionary  enterprises,  made  no  effort 
in  this  county  to  promulgate  their  views,  and  organize  congre- 
gations, until  within  a  few  years,  except  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  county,  where  a  church  has  been  built  rising  of  twenty. 


464  HISTORY    OF 

five  years  since.  In  the  year  1835,  the  Rev.  Leonard  Fletcher, 
then  stationed  in  Chester  county,  preached  occasionally  at 
Churchtown,  and  baptized  a  number  of  persons.  Sometime 
about  1639,  a  member  of  that  denomination,  Gilbert  Hills,  late 
from  Connecticut  located  in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  at  whose 
instance  baptist  ministers  were  invited  to  visit  the  place.  The 
same  year  the  Rev.  Kingsford  preached  occasionally,  and  he 
v/as  soon  followed  by  others,  among  those  were  the  the  Rev'ds. 
Gillette,  Kennard,  Babcock,  Dodge,  Keys,  Woolsy,  Fletcher, 
Dickinson,  Dean,  Brettell,  Higgins,  who  organized  a  church  in 
February,  1841  ;  after  which  missionaries  and  visiting  minis- 
ters preached — these  were  Rev.  Shadrac,  Miller,  Burbank, 
Keys,  Smith  and  Hendrickson. 

In  the  spring  of  1843,  the  Baptists  purchased  a  house  for 
public  worship  in  Lancaster,  on  Chestnut,  near  Duke  street. — 
Their  present  pastor,  October,  1843,  is  the  Eev.  Leonard 
Fletcher,  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Society.  He 
and  the  Kev.  Enos  M.  Philips  of  Colerain,  are  the  only  Baptist 
ministers  in  Lancaster  county.  They  have  three  places  of 
public  worship. 

The  MoRMO^ys. — A  few  are  found  in  the  county  who  hold 
the  views  of  this  sect;  and  also  some  theoretical  MiUerites, 
who  are  ready  to  ride  into  notice  on  every  "cloud  of  novelty." 
These  are  hahes  in  knowledge  and  piety,  8.nd  full-grown  in  the 
love  of  the  world — ceaseless  in  schemss  "  to  raise  the  wind." 
Besides  these,  there  are  also  several  African  churches  in  the 
county. 


LANCASTER   COUNTY.  465 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

GEOLOGY  OF  LANCASTER  COUNTY. 

FoK  an  extended  view  of  the  Geology  of  the  county,  we 
must  refer  to  the  final  report  of  the  general  survey  authorized 
by  the  State  government. 

In  glancing  over  Mr.  Scott's  very  beautiful  and  accurate  map 
of  Lancaster  county,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  surface  is  broken 
by  irregular  east  and  west  ranges  of  hills,  no  one  of  which  can 
be  properly  styled  a  mountain.  Commencing  at  the  south, 
we  find  an  extensive  formation  of  primary  stratified,  or  meta- 
morphic  rocks,  such  as  mica  slate  and  talcose  slate,  the  latter 
"having  garnets  imbedded  in  it.  These  are  quite  abundant  on 
the  Susquehanna,  below  Pequea  creek.  Occasional  patches 
of  limestone*  and  clay  slate  occur,  and  the  latter  is  extensively 
worked  for  roofing  purposes,  at  a  place  called  Slate-hill. — 
Ascending  the  river,  we  find  the  same  formation  extending  to 
Turkey-hill,  where  it  terminates,  about  two  miles  below  the 
village  of  Washington,  or  about  the  fortieth  parallel  of  latitude. 

The  next  rock  in  ascending  order,  is  a  close  grained,  very 
hard,  siliceous  sandstone,  best  seen  at  the  mouth  of  the  Chic- 
quesalunga,  between  Columbia  and  Marietta,  where  it  strikes 
the  Susquehanna  in  a  bold  bluff  upwards  of  three  hundred  feet 
in  height.  It  is  found  at  the  opposite  boundary  of  the  county, 
and  extending  into  Berks,  forms  the  hill  on  the  south  side  of 
Reading.  A  great  deal  of  iron  ore  (argillaceous  oxid  and 
hematite)  has  been  taken  from  the  clay  overlying  this  forma- 
tion, which  although  possessing  some  of  the  characters  of  the 
preceding,  such  as  large  veins  of  quartz,  and  traces  of  fel- 
spar and  tourmalin,  may  probably  be  looked  upon  as  the 
lowest  of  the  transition,  rather  than  the  uppermost  of  the  pri- 
mary stratified.  This  conclusion,  however,  could  scarcely  be 
attained  from  an  examination  of  the  rock,  limited  to  our  own 
localities.  To  understand  it  fully,  it  must  be  studied  in  tho 
.«tate  of  New  York. 

*Tvyo  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  Conestoga,  for  example. 


466  HISTORY    OP 

Next  above  this  lies  "formation  number  11"  of  the  stats- 
survey,  including  the  tracts  of  limestone  found  in  our  valleys 
and  level  districts,  and  approaching  the  base  of  most  of  the 
larger  hills,  but  seldom  itself  rising  into  ridges  much  above  the 
general  undulations  of  the  surface. 

The  northern  border  of  the  county  is  made  up  of  a  formation 
of  red  and  grey  shales,  or  soft  slates,  grits,  and  pudding  stones, 
furnishing  in  some  places  a  material  sufficiently  hard  and 
compact  to  afford,  an  excellent  material  for  mill  stones.  These 
are  accordingly  wrought  out  of  the  large  detached  fragments 
found  upon  the  surface  in  Cocalico  township.  In  several  loca- 
lities the  same  formation  has  afforded  indications  of  coal,  but 
as  it  is  entirely  distinct  from  the  great  coal  formation  of  the 
commonwealth,  it  is  very  probable  that  veins  which  can  be 
advantageously  worked,  will  never  be  discovered.  Iron  ore  is 
of  rather  frequent  occurrence,  and  we  have  met  with  indica- 
tions of  copper.  In  several  localities  on  the  southern  border 
of  this  series,  the  curious  calcareous  rock  called  Potomac 
marble  occurs;  namely,  east  of  Bainbridge,  and  north  of  Man- 
heim. 

But  the  most  interesting  feature  in  the  Conewago  hills, 
is  the  large  amount  of  weathered  blocks  upon  the  surface,  of  a 
hard  grey  stone  made  up  of  white  and  black  particles.  This  is  a 
^rap  rock  of  the  variety  called  greenstone,  and  identical  in 
composition  with  the  smaller  ridges  which  traverse  different 
parts  of  the  country,  under  the  name  of  ironstone,  a  mineral; 
remarkable  for  the  sonorous  ring  produced  when  struck.  The 
finer  texture  cf  the  latter  is  produced  by  the  rapid  cooling  of 
the  material,  consequent  upon  the  comparatively  small  quan- 
tity of  matter;  this  rock  being  of  igneous  origin,  and  injected, 
from  below  in  a  melted,  condition.  In  the  Conewago  rock 
the  quantity  of  material  is  so  great,  that  in  the  length  of  time 
required  to  solidify,  the  constituents  were  able  to  enter  into 
combinations;  or  crystallize,  in  a  manner;  whence  the  felspar 
and  hornblend  appear  in  distinct  particles. 

A  flood  sweeping  across  these  hills,  has  carried  large  blocks 
of  the  rock  for  miles  southward,  and  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
highest  floods  of  the  Susquehanna.  That  a  powerful  current 
swept  over  the  country  from  the  north-west,  is  proved  by  the 
additional  fact  that  primary  sienitic  pebbles  are  found  among 


LAKC ASTER   COU'NTY.  467 

"the  accumulations  of  gravel  which  must  have  been  derived 
from  the  regions  of  the  great  lakes. 

Besides  the  ores  of  iron  mentioned,  the  sulphuret  occurs  in 
detached  cubic  crystals,  over  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
surface ;  galena,  or  sulphuret  of  lead,  and  plumbago,  have 
been  found  in  small  quantities  ;  and  chromate  of  iron  and  sul^ 
phate  of  magnesia  have  been  mined  in  the  southern  section  of 
the  county,  for  economical  purposes;  but  as  we  possess  no 
granitic  roclis,  our  list  of  mineral  species  is  much  more  meagre 
than  those  oi  the  counties  lying  more  to  the  east. 


NATURAL  HISTORY  OF  LANCASTER  COUNTY, 

In  giving  a  sketch  of  the  Natural  History  of  a  single  county-^ 
in  a  work  of  this  character,  it  is  of  course  necessary  to  com'^ 
press  the  m.atteras  much  as  possible,  as  the  zoology  and  botany 
would  separately  require  volumes  equal  to  the  present  one  in 
size,  were  ihey  to  be  discussed  ai  some  length.  Our  collections 
have  been  made  more  with  a  view  to  the  Natural  History  of  the 
commonwealth  at  large,  than  to  any  particular  county  ;  so 
that  no  care  has  been  taken  to  prevent  objects  collected  in 
other  part-i  of  the  state  from  being  intermixed  with  those  now 
under  consideration  ;  whence  it  has  been  necessary  to  omit  the 
mention  of  some  which  may  have  been  collected  within  our 
borders. 

A  note  of  interrogation  has  been  added  to  some  species  to 
indicate  that  the  species  may  not  be  properly  named,  or  may 
not  occur  within  the  boundary  of  the  county.  Thus  among 
the  fishes,  not  having  been  able  to  examine  the  trout  found  in 
our  streams,  we  quote  the  name  Salmo  fontinalis  with  doubt; 
and  Menopoma  Alleghaniensis  has  been  cited  with  a  question, 
because  this  reptile  has  been  caught  in  the  Susquehanna  some 
miles  above  the  boundary  line  of  the  county.  We  have  in- 
serted both  species  of  "black-snake,"  not  being  certain  which 
of  the  two  occurs  with  us;  but  it  is  not  improbable  that  we 
have  them  both.  We  have  seen  a  green  snake  in  the  south-west- 


468  HISTORY    OP 

ern  part  of  the  county,  but  not  having  a  specimen,  are  unable  to 
name  it  with  certainty. 

English  names  are  given  to  such  animals  as  have  received 
them,  and  short  notes  have  been  added  to  some  of  the  species 
to  enable  the  reader  to  recognize  them  ;  but  it  would  have 
extended  this  article  to  too  greata  length  to  follow  out  this  plan 
to  any  considerable  extent.  The  objects  are  so  numerous, 
that  in  most  cases,  a  dry  list  of  names  must  suffice  ;  as  the 
reader  who  wishes  to  know  more  about  the  object  themselves, 
must  refer  to  works  expressly  devoted  to  their  history.  Some 
of  these  are  noted  at  the  foot  of  the  pages ;  but  unfortunately 
several  of  the  more  important  branches  are  still  unillustrated, 
as  the  fishes  and  insects  ;  and  much  as  works  devoted  to  these 
branches  are  wanted,  it  is  probable  that  little  will  be  done  until 
the  necessity  calls  forth  the  patronage  of  legislative  enact- 
ment, as  in  Massachusetts  and  New  York. 

Our  vertebrate  animals,  except  the  fishes,  are  pretty  well 
known  to  naturalists,  and  the  number  of  species  found  within  the 
borders  of  the  county,  may  be  stated  approximately  as  follow^s  : 
Beasts,  SO  ;  Birds,  180;  Reptiles,  40  ;  Fishes,  50. 

Among  the  Mammalia,  the  Cervus  Virginianus  (deer)  might 
have  been  included,  as  it  sometimes  crosses  the  Susquehanna 
from  York  county.  The  Lutra  Canadensis  (otter)  is  said  to 
have  inhabited  the  islands  of  the  Susquehanna  at  an  early 
day  ;  and  within  ten  years,  a  species  of  wolf  has  c  rossed  the 
same  river  from  the  western  side. 

But  the  greater  part  of  the  zoology  of  most  countries,  is  that 
which  takes  cognizance  of  the  Annulosa,  including  the  exten- 
sive class  of  Ptilota  or  winged  insects;  the  Arachnida,  or 
spiders ;  the  Crustacea,  of  which  the  crab  and  lobster  are 
familiar  examples,  and  of  which  class  all  our  springs  and 
streams  contain  species,  some  of  them  so  minute,  as  to  be  re- 
cognized with  difficulty  by  the  naked  eye  ;  and  the  class  Ame- 
TOBOLA,  represented  by  the  centipedes  found  under  stones  and 
logs. 

Taking  all  these  together,  the  number  to  be  found  in  Lan- 
caster county,  cannot  fall  short  of  six  thousand  species ;  the 
Ptilota  or  winged  insects  being  the  most  numerous,  and  of 
these,  the  order  Coleoptera  (distinguished  by  having  the  wings 
folded  under  a  pair  of  hard  elytra)  is  the  most  extensive  ;  and 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  469 

■although  they  do  not  possess  the  brilliant  beauty  of  the  Lepi- 
doptera,  or  butterfly  order,  they  have  hitherto  secured  the  prin- 
cipal attention  of  entomologists  ;  whence  it  happens  that  they 
are  best  known,  and  we  have  devoted  more  space  to  them  than 
to  the  remaining  orders. 

The  Coleoptera  deserve  a  careful  study,  as  a  knowledge  of 
their  habits  will  enable  us  to  turn  them  to  account  in  the  de- 
struction of  noxious  species.  Thus  the  genus  Coccinella  (la- 
dybug)  feeds  upon  the  Aphides  or  plant  lice,  so  destructive  to 
roses  and  other  plants ;  and  in  their  larva  state  they  may  be 
found  upon  the  leaves  of  useful  vegetables,  devouring  small 
insects  or  grubs  which,  when  numerous,  destroy  the  plants  by 
eating  the  leaves.  The  Cecidomyia  destructor  (wheat  fly)  is 
extensively  destroyed  in  the  grub  state,  by  the  young  of 
another  minute  insect.  The  carnivorous  tribes  are  readily 
distinguishable  from  those  which  feed  upon  vegetable  food ; 
and  the  greater  number  and  variety  of  the  former  to  be  found 
in  gardens  and  fields,  the  more  likely  will  they  be  to  destroy 
the  noxious  kinds,  or  to  prevent  their  increase  by  the  destruc- 
tion of  their  eggs. 

There  can  be  no  necessity  in  giving  common  names  to  ani- 
mals which  have  not  already  received  them,  as  they  can  be  just 
as  well  recognized  by  the  scientific  name.  Common  names  are 
frequently  local,  and  the  same  iianie  is  applied  to  different  an- 
imals in  different  parts  of  the  country ;  whilst  the  scientific 
name,  being  that  under  which  animals  are  described,  are 
known  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  whatever  may  be  the  language 
spoken.  The  English  apply  the  name  ground-hog  to  an  Afri- 
can animal  not  at  all  like  our  ground-hog,  which  some  authors 
call  by  a  name  under  which  most  people  would  not  recognize 
it.  One  of  our  hawks  is  called  a  buzzard  in  England,  and  our 
buzzard  a  vulture.  A  mammal  is  called  gopher  in  the  west, 
and  the  same  vulgar  name  is  applied  to  a  tortoise  in  the  south. 
In  a  work  upon  North  American  birds,  one  author  has  called 
our  Hirundo  rufa  (barn  swallow)  chimney  swallow!  doubtless 
because  it  is  like  the  chimney  swallow  of  England  ;  instead  of 
preserving  this  name  for  the  Cha?tura  pelasgia,  which  actually 
frequents  chimneys.  Bald  eagle  is  the  common  name  for  Ha- 
Jiatseus  leucocephalus  throughout  the  United  States,  yet  some 
.|)eople  affectedly  call  it  the  whiteheaded  eagle !   Thus  it  some- 

40 


470  HISTORY    OF 

times  happens  that  authors  use  neither  the  proper  nor  fbe 
common  name  of  an  animal,  but  adopt  one,  perhaps  entirely 
unknown  to  those  best  acquainted  with  it. 

The  scientific  appellation  is  the  only  true  name  of  a  plant  or 
an  animal,  as  no  other  will  answer  our  principal  purpose,  that 
of  giving  a  distinct  name  to  every  organized  object.  Nothing 
is  gained  by  naming  certain  insects  weavil,  hammerbug  or 
schnellkaefer,  when  there  are  more  than  a  hundred  difi^erent 
kinds  of  each  in  Pennsylvania,  each  of  which  has  its  proper 
name.  We  call  an  insect  the  rose  bug,  but  this  n  .me  will  not 
enable  us  to  discover  the  true  appellation  under  v/hich  it  may 
be  found  in  European  books,  whether  English,  French  or  Ger- 
man. A  little  consideration  upon  this  subject  will  convince 
any  one  that  an  animal  or  plant  is  not  properly  known  until 
we  are  acquainted  with  its  name,  and  every  one  interested  in 
the  study  of  zoology  or  botany,  should  endeavor  to  become 
familiar  with  the  proper  names.  Naturalists  themselves  are 
often  to  blame  in  this  matter,  from  a  jealousy  that  the  public 
at  large  will  finally  become  as  wise  as  themselves;  and  they 
accordingly  invent  English  names  which  they  set  forth  in  large 
capitals,  so  that  the  proper  names  will  be  less  likely  to  attract 
attention. 


MAM^MAIJA*— Beasts. 

Four  species  of  bat  occur  in  Lancaster  county,  viz: 
Vespertilio  Carolinensis ;  chesnut  brown  above,  yellowish 
beneath:  V.  Noveboraccnsis  ;  reddish  brown  :  V.  pruinosus; 
fur  dark,  tipped  with  white:  V.  subulatus]  Scalops  Cana- 
densis; mole.  Condylura  macroura;  star-nose  mole.  Sorex 
brevicaudus;  found  along  w.ater  courses,  where  it  constructs 
burrows  in  the  grass.  Procyon  lotor;  the  raccoon  is  not  un- 
commun  in  some  parts  of  the  county.  Mustela  erminea;  de- 
scribed under  this  name  by  Godman,  and  usually  called  weasel. 
Mustela  lutreola ;  mink.  Mephitis  Americana;  the  skunk  or 
polecat.  Vulpes  fulvus;  red  fox  :  V.  cinereo-argentatus  ;  grey 
fox.     Didelphis  Virginiana  ;  possum,  incorrectly  named  o'pos- 

*Anierican  Natural  flistoij,  by  John  D.  GoJman,  3  vols.  8  vo.  plates. 


# 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  471" 


sum  in  modern  books.  Fiber  zibethicus;  muskrat.  Arvicolft 
xanthognatus  ;  meadow  mouse  :  A.  viparius;  tail  short,  inhab- 
its marshes.  Mus  agrariusl  Gerbillus  Canadensis;  kanga- 
roo, jumping  mouse.  Arctomys  monax ;  ground-hog.  Sciu- 
ruscinereus;  cat  squirrel :  S.  Hudsonius;  red  squirrel:  S.  ni- 
ger?  black  squirrel.  Tamias  striata  ;  ground  squirrel.  Pter- 
omys  volucella  ;  flying  squirrel.     Lepus  sylvaticus  ;  rabbit. 


REPTILIA*— Reptiles. 

Test  uclinata. 

Cistuda  Carolina;  the  color  of  the  common  land  tortoise  is 
yellow,  mottled  with  dark  brown  or  black.  Emys  geographica; 
shell  8  inches  long,  with  a  ridge  along  the  back  ;  dark  brown, 
with  lighter,  indistinct,  irregular  lines  ;  used  as  food,  and  usu- 
ally called  terrapin.  Emys  Muhlenbergii !  4  inches  long,  a 
large  orange  spot  upon  each  side  of  the  neck;  doubtful  as  a 
native  of  this  county.  Emys  picta;  5  inches  long,  margin  of 
the  shell  ma'rked  with  red  stripes,  common  in  ponds  and  small 
streams,  fond  of  reposing  in  the  sun.  Emys  guttala;  black, 
with  small  yellow  spots,  less  than  the  preceding,  with  which  it 
is  frequently  found.  Emys  insculpta  ;  yellow  and  black,  each, 
plate  comprising  the  carapax  or  upper  shell  is  roughened  by 
concentric  and  radiating  furrows,  a  b  ack  spot  upon  each  plate 
of  the  sternum.  E.  rubriventrif  1  sternum  marked  with  red;  it 
may  be  found  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  Susquehanna.  Sterno- 
thorus  odoratus;  length  about  4  inches,  dark  brown,  sternum 
very  narrow,  carapax  oval,  convex  and  smooth,  chin  with 
several  small  warts.  Kinosternon  Pennsylvanicum  \  nearly 
resembles  the  preceding,  but  the  sternum  is  wider,  and  separ- 
ated into  three  parts,  not  hitherto  observed  within  the  county. 
Emysaura  serpentina;  (snapper)  head  large,  tail  long  and 
strongly  serrated  above;  highly  prized  for  "terrapin  soup." 

QpHiDiA — Serpents. 

Coluber  constrictor  ;  blacksnake  :  C.  sipedon  ;  watersnake  : 
C  sirtalis;  gartersnake:  C.  saurita;  gartersnake:  C.  septem- 

*HoIbrook's  North  American  Herpetology.     5.  vols,  quarto. 


472  HISTORY    OF 

vittatusl  gartersnake:  C.  punctatus;  greenish  orange  below^. 
a  light  ring  around  the  neck:  C.  amasnus;  light  brown  with 
violet  reflexions,  head  very  small:  C.  eximius ;  house-snake,. 

The  above  species  are  at  present  included  in  several  genera.  . 

Heterodon  platirhinus ;  viper,  harmless.  Trigonocephalu3 
contortrix  ;  copperhead. 

Satjuia — Lizards. 
Tropidolepis  undulatus;    inhabits  woods,  brown,  mottled, 
scales  very  rough,  tail  long,  active,  innoxious.    Scincus  fascia- 
tus  ;  back  with  5  yellow  stripes,  tail  blue. 


AMPHIBIA. 

Rana  pipiens  ;  bullfrog  :  R,.  halecina  ;  shadfrog,  green  with 
black  spots  :  R.  sylvatica;  woodfrog,  reddish  brown,  2  inches: 
E,.  palustris;  brown,  with  rows  of  square  dark  brown  spots,  3 
inches:  E,.  gryllus ;  1  inch  long.  Hyla  versicolor;  treefrog, 
treetoad.  Bufo  Americanos  ;  toad.  Salamandra  erythronota; 
S.  cinereahi :  woods,  under  logs  and  stones:  S.  longicauda  : 
S.  maculatal  S.  fasciatal  S.  venenosal 


PISCES— Fishes. 

Ofthelifty  species  of  this  class  which  are  probably  found 
in  our  waters,  we  are  not  prepared  to  give  a  complete  list,  as 
we  have  not  yet  compared  the  greater  part  of  our  specimens 
with  authentic  individuals  from  other  states  ;  and  we  are  there- 
fore in  doubt  as  to  the  names  they  ought  to  bear.  This  remark 
applies  particularly  to  the  species  first  made  known  by  Dr. 
Mitchill,  and  which  were  found  in  the  waters  of  New  York. 

The  several  dams  in  the  Susquehanna,  have  nearly  cut  ofi' 
the  supply  of  the  shad,  so  important  an  article  in  domestic 
economy,  until  a  recent  period,  that  families  within  twenty 
miles  of  the  fisheries,  thought  it  impossible  to  pass  through  a 
season  unsupplied  with  a  barrel  of  salted  shad. 

Fishing  is  not  conducted  upon  an  extensive  scale  at  present, 
the  seine  being  employed  for  the  shad  and  herring  alone.     The 

4 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  473 

former  is  sometimes  caught  by  means  of  a  large  scoopnet,  iu 
such  places  where  it  is  necessary  for  the  fish  to  approach  near 
the  shore  or  a  rock,  to  pass  upwards. 

Angling  is  in  considerable  repute,  and  the  out-line  is  fre- 
quently employed.  This  consists  of  a  stout  cord  about  a  hun- 
dred yards  long,  to  which  the  hooks  are  attached  at  intervals, 
by  lines  (or  links)  a  yard  long;  the  whole  being  stretched  and 
anchored  in  a  suitable  place  during  the  night.  Live  bait  is  em- 
ployed, and  should  be  supplied  from  time  to  time  to  the  hooks 
which  have  been  stripped. 

Various  species  are  abundantly  caught  in  the  fall  of  the  year 
in  fish-baskets,  made  of  lathwork,  with  diverging  walls  of 
stones,  leading  from  the  entrance  up  the  stream  for  one 
hundred  or  two  hundred  yards.  In  the  shallow  waters,  fishes 
are  speared  or  gigged  by  torch  light ;  the  smaller  streams  are 
fished  with  a  bow-net,  into  the  mouth  of  which  the  fishes  are 
driven  by  beating  the  water;  and  set-nets  of  a  cylindrical 
shape,  kept  open  by  hoops,  with  an  expanded  mouth,  and  pro- 
vided with  funi.ols  to  prevent  the  return  of  the  prisoners  once 
entered.  These  are  set  in  dams,  at  the  mouths  cf  creeks  in 
deep  water,  when  suckers  are  principally  caught ;  but  when 
set  in  the  Susquehanna,  catlishes  and  sunfishes  are  usually 
taken. 

The  published  materials  on  the  history  of  our  fishes  are  scat- 
tered through  many  different  v/orks,  and  are  inaccessible 
except  to  the  professed  naturalist. 

Perca  lutea,  Rafinesque  ;  (flavescens,  Cuvier,)  the  yellow 
perch  is  common  in  the  Susquehanna.  Labras  lincatus,  Lin; 
rockfish :  L.  aibus;  P.af.  (mucror.atus,  Cuv.)  white  perch. — 
Percina  nebulosa;  Hald :  P.  minima,  (Etheostoma  Olmstedi, 
Storer.)  Pomctis  appendix,  MilchiU  ;  black-eared  sunfish:* 
P.  auritus,  Lin ;  (moccasinus,  Pcaf.)  ye!lov,-eared  sunfish. — 
Lucioperca  Americana!  Cuv.;  salmon.  Cottus  viscoc-us,  Hald.- 
(cognatus  ]  Rich.)  resembles  a  small  Pimeiodus  or  catfish. — 
These  nine  species  include  all  those  which  have  spiny  rays  ia 
the  first  dorsal  fin,  as  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  determine, 

Cyprinus  cornutus;  Ivlitchill — hornchub,  and  several  other 
species.  Catostomus  cyprinus,  Lesueur;  carp,  not  allied  to 
the  European  carp  :  C.  maculosus,  Les. ;  stoueroller  and  some 

^Thcse  EngUsh  names  ars  also  applied  to  certain  marine  fishes. 
40* 


474  HISTORY    OF 

Others.  Leuciscus  corporalis;  fall  fish  and  several  other 
species  of  chub.  Exoglossum  maxilingua,  Las.  ;  remarkable 
for  the  manner  in  which  the  tongue  projects,  to  form  part  of 
the  lower  jaw.  Esox  reticulatus,  Les. ;  pike.  Belone  trun- 
cata  I  Les. ;  green  gar.  Pimelodus ;  one  or  two  species  of 
catfish.*  Noturus;  one  species.  Salmo  fontinalis'!  Mitchill ; 
trout.  The  fish  properly  called  salmon  belongs  to  this  genus, 
and  has  never  been  caught  so  far  south  as  Pennsylvania.  Alosa 
sapidissima,  Wilson  ;  shad.  Clupea  vernalis,  Mitchill ;  her- 
ring. Lepisosteus  osseus,  Lin.;  gar*.  Anguilla;  one  or  two 
species  of  eel.  Accipenser;  one  species  of  sturgeon.  Pe- 
tromyzon  Americanus,  Les,;  lampereel.  Bdellostoma  nigri- 
cans, Les. ;  found  attached  to  the  shad.  Ammocoetes  bicolor, 
Les.  ;  lives  under  sand  and  mud. 


COLEOPTERA. 

We  commence  with  the  Coleopteia,  because  we  intend  to 
say  but  little  on  the  remaining  orders,  otherwise  it  would  have 
been  proper  to  begin  the  sei'les  with  the  Hymenoptera,  (inclu- 
ding bees,  ants,  wasps,  &c.)  which  appear  to  stand  at  the  head 
of  the  class.  That  the  attention  may  be  more  particularly 
called  to  the  insects  themselves,  we  add  a  few  notes  on  twenty 
species,  such  as  may  be  readily  recognised  : 

Cicindcla.  This  genus  stands  at  the  head  of  our  carniverous 
insects,  and  the  species  may  be  known  by  their  bright  colors, 
strong  jaws,  long  legs,  the  activity  with  which  they  run  upon 
the  bare  ground,  and  the  ease  with  which  they  take  wing. 

Casnonia  Pennsylvanica  has  the  head  and  slender  thorax 
black,  and  rather  longer  than  the  remainder  of  the  body.  The 
elytra  (vv'ing  covers)  are  yellowish,  each  one  with  3  blaek 
spots ;  3-10  of  an  inch  long. 

Galerita  Americana;  length  |  of  an  inch,  head  and  thorax 
slender,  the  former  black,  the  latter,  with  the  legs  yellowish 
brown,  elytra  blue-black. 

Brachinus  fumans,  half  an  inch  long,  greatly  resembling  the 
preceding,  but  the  head  is  of  the  same  color  as  the  elytra; 

*Thes?  Englis'.i  names  are  also  applied  to  certain  marine  fisllcs. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  475. 

when  caught,  ii  throws  out  a  jet  of  vapor  with  a  slight  explosion. 

Scaritessubterraneus;  an  inch  in  length,  black,  with  a  strong. 
pair  of  jaws,  head  and  thorax  as  long  as  the  hinder  part,  and 
somewhat  wider — lives  under  logs. 

Calosoma  scrutator;  length  1  1-4  inches,  head  black,  thorax 
(pronotum)  purple,  margined  with  golden,  elytra  bright 
green, with  a  golden  margin. 

Calosoma  calidum  ;  length  of  the  preceding,  but  much 
narrower,  black,  elytra  striate,  with  numerous  golden 
punctures. 

Agonum  octopunctatum  ;  length  3-10  inches,  active,  green, 
with  four  impressed  punctures  arranged  in  a  line  upon  the  in- 
ner margin  of  each  elytron. 

Anorops  obliquatus;  half  an  inch  long,  short  oval,  dull  black, 
except  a  small  orange  spot  at  the  inner  base  of  the  elytra, 
punctured  longitudinally — found  in  decayed  wood. 

Diaperis  maculata  ;  quarter  of  an  inch  long,  oblong  hemis- 
pherical, elytra  light  yellowish  brown,  with  two  black  spots 
upon  each,  near  the  base,  and  a  larger  irregular  spot  towards 
the  extremity,  and  upon  the  outer  margin,  head  and  thorax 
black. 

Coprobius  volvens ;  (tumble-bug)  is  commonly  .seen  in 
pairs  roiling  a  ball  of  dung.  A  much  larger  insect,  an  inch 
long,  black  with  the  elytra  coarsely  furrowed,  is  named  Copris 
Carolina,  and  is  proportionally  shorter  than  the  Scarabaeus 
Jamaicensis,  which  is  tinged  with  brown,  the  head  of  the  male 
being  armed  with  a  long  recurved  horn  ;  a  small  species  quar- 
ter of  an  inch  long. 

Onthophagus  Janus;  has  two  straight,  upright  horns  uporL 
the  head  ;  it  is  found  in  rotten  fungi. 

Pelidnota  punctata;  is  an  inch  long,  of  a  brownish  yellow,, 
each  elytron  with  three  black  spots,  a  similar  spot  on  each 
side  of  the  thorax ;  found  upon  grape  vines.  Nearly  allied, 
but  without  spots,  is  the  Pelidnota  lanigera,  of  a  fine  lemon 
yellow  color. 

Macrodactyla  subspinosa  ;  is  the  abundant  and  destructive 
rosebug  or  cherrybug. 

Crioceris  trilineata;  a  common  garden  insect,  quarter  of  an 
inch  long,  yellow,  with  three  black,  conspicuous,  longitudinal 
lines  upon  the  elytra,  and  two  black  dots  upon  the  pronotum.. 


476  HISTORY    OF 

The  nearly  allied  Galeruca  vittata  (cucumber  bug)  is  smaller 
with  narrower  bands,  and  Galeruca  12-punctata,  intermediate 
in  size,  is  marl<ed  with  three  transverse  rows  of  black  dots, 
four  in  each  row. 

Coccinella  borealis,  yellow  spotted  with  black,  the  largest 
species  of  our  ladybugs. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  species  captured  principally 
within  the  last  year,  and  of  a  number  of  them,  but  a  single  spe- 
cimen was  taken. 

Cicindela  punctulata:  C.  vulgaris:  C.  hirticollis :  C.  sex- 
guttata:  C.  marginalis:  C.  purpurea:  C.  patruela.  Casnonia 
Pennsylvanica.  Galerita  Americana.  Brachinus  fumans:  B. 
alternans:  B.  curticollis:  B.  pcrplexus.  Plochionus  Bonfilsii. 
Cyminas  pilosus:  C.  limbatus.  Dromius  piceus.  Lebia  atri- 
ventris:  L.  ornata:  L.  vittata:  L.  scapularis:  L.  viridis:  L, 
pumila.  Scarites  subterrancus.  Clivina  quadrimaculata :  C. 
morio:  C.  viridis.  Sphoeroderus  stenostomus.  Carabus  ser- 
ratus :  C.  ligatus.  Calosoma  scrutator :  C.  caliduni :  C.  ex- 
ternus.  Omophron  labiatum.  Elaphrus  ruscarius.  Nutiophi- 
lus  semistriatus:  N.  porrectus.  Chloenius  sericeus:  C.  oesti- 
vus :  C.  chlorophanus :  C.  emarginatus:  C.  nemoralis:  C.  to- 
iTientosL'.s.  Dica3lus  violaceus:  D.  dilatatus:  D.  simplex.  Pa- 
nagaus  fasciatus.  Patrobus  longicornis.  Calathus  greganus. 
Anchomenus  extensicollis.  Agonum  octopunctatum :  A.  cu- 
pripenne:  A.  punctiforme:  A.  excavatum.  Poecilus  chalci- 
tes:  P.  iucublanda.  Omaseus  stygica :  0.  complanata:  0. 
politus:  0.  morosal  Platysma  adoxa.  Amara  basillaris  :  A. 
impuncticollis:  A.  muscuiis.  Captus  incrassatus.  Bractylus 
cxaratus.  Agonoderus  paliipes.  Selenophorus  troglodytes, 
Pangus  caliginosus.  Anisodactyluscarbonarius:  A.  agricolus: 
A.  Ballimoriensis:  A.  rusticu.s.  Harpalus  faunus:  H.  bicolor: 
H.  interstitialis :  H.  dichrous:  II.  herbivagus:  H.  terminatus. 
Stenolophus  ochropegus.  Acupalpus  rupestris.  Bembidium 
coxendix:  B.  patruelum.  Dyticus  verticalis.  Laccophilus 
maculosus.  Haliphus  immaculicoUis.  Hydroporus  lacustris. 
Cyclous  Americanos.  Hydrophiius  natator.  Pcsderus  littora- 
rius.  Pinophilus  latipes.  Emus  villosus:  E.  maculosus:  E. 
cinnamopterus:  E.  angulatus.  Stalious  armatus]  Buprestis. 
Cholcophora  Virginica.  Dircera  divarica.ta.  Agrilus  ruficol- 
lis.    Chrysabothris  sexsignata.    Brachys  ovata.    Aiaus  ocula- 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  477 

tus.    Limonius  quercinus.    Cardiophorus  areolatus.    Athous 
longicollis.     Steatoderus  attenuatus.     Ludius  piceus:  L.  nem- 
nonius:  L.  bellus.  Cratonychus  communis.  DolopiLissericens. 
Limonius    cylindriformis.     Oephorus  dorsalis :    0.  delectus: 
0.  instabilis,    Anomala  pinicola.     Omaloplia  vespertina.    Di- 
chelonycha  hexagona.     Macrodactyla  subspinosa.     Hoplia  vi- 
rens.     Trichius  piger:    T.  affinis.     Cetonia  inda :  C.  fulgida. 
Gymnetis  nitida.     Lucanus  capreolus.     Passalus  cornutus. — 
Capris   Carolina:  C.  Ammon :    C.    anaglyptieus.     Coprobius 
volvens.     Phanceus  carmifex.    Onthophagusjanus:  0.  hecate. 
ScaraboBUs  tityus:  S.  satyrus.     Pelidnota  punctata:  P.   lani- 
gera.     Phyllophago  ilicis :  P.  quercina:  P.  pilosicollis.     Iph- 
thinus    Pennsylvanicus :    I.  saperdoides :   I.  rufipes.     Opatri- 
nus  notum.     Tenebrio  obscurus.      Uloma  rubens.     Diaperis 
Hydni.     Anorops  obliquatus.    "Helops  vittatus:    H.  pullus. — 
Cisiela  suturalis:  C.  fuscipes.     Melandria  striata:  M.  labiata. 
Pyrochroa  flabellata.     Mordella  atrata :    M.  marginata.     No- 
toxus  monodon:  N.  bicolor.     Athicus,   5  species.     Scirtes  sol- 
stitialis.     Ellychma  corusca  :  E.  arcuata.     Photuris  versicolor. 
Epicauta  marginita:    E.  vittata.     Chauliognalbus  bimaculatus. 
Telephorus  Carolina.    Malachias  cinctus.    Anobium  notatum: 
A.  capitata.     Cupes  cinerea.     Hister  depurator:  H.  abbrevia- 
tus :  H.  14  striatus :    H.   12  lineatus.     Necrophorus  grandis : 
N.  tomentosus  :    N.  arbicollis.     Necrodes  sui  inamensis.     Sil- 
pha  Americana  :  S.  marginalis:  S.  inequalis.    Hololepta  a3qua- 
lis.     Platysoma  sordid  urn.     Nitidula  colon.     Ips  4  maculosa. 
Dermestes  lardarius.     Attagenus  cylindricornis.     Aathrenus 
niger.     Parnus  fastigiatus.     Bruchus   pisi.     Phyllobius  taenia- 
tus.    Hylobius  pales  :  H.  picivorus.     Sixus  scrobicoUis.     Cra- 
toparis  lunatus.    Balamirus  nasicus.     Prionus  brevicornis:  P. 
cylindricus.     Cerasphorus  cinctus.     Clytus  flexuosus  :  ^.  ery- 
throcephalus:  C.  colonus:  C.  obliquus,  Kn.  pallialus,  H:  C. 
mucronatus  !    C.  picipes.     Hylotrupes  bajulus.     Monochamu- 
nus  pini.     Molorchus  bimaculatus.     Tetraopes  tornator.     Sa- 
perda  lateralis:  S.   tripunctata.     Strangalia  luteicornis.     Lep- 
tura  4  vittata.     Uroplata  quad  rata:  U.  naturalis.     Cassida  cla- 
vata.    Chlanys  plicata.    Celaspis  ovatus.    Chrysomela  trimacu- 
culata:  C.  scalaris.   Galeruca  vittata:  G.  12-punctata.    Systena 
striolata.  Oedionchus  vians.  DisonychiacoUaris.  Zygogramma 
pulchra.  Craptoderaerythropoda,  Phratoraseneus.  Triplaxliu- 


478  HISTORY    OP 

meralis,  Coccinella  borealis  :  C.  9-notada:  C.  10-maculata:-C, 
20-maculata:  C.  tibialis:  C.  parenthesis :  C,  munda:  C.  abre- 
viata.     Cheilocorus  stigma. 

Orthoptera. 

Gryllotalpa  brevipennis  ;  mole  cricl^et.  Acheta  abbreviata  ; 
ciicket.  Pterophylla  concavus  ;  katydid.  Locusta  Carolina  ; 
our  largest  grasshopper.     L.  viridifasciata. 

Hemiptera. 

Halys  arborea,  Say.  Cylnus  bilineatus,  Say.  Berrytus 
spinosus,  S.  Mysdocbus  serripes,  Latr.  Syrtes  erosa.  Tingis, 
four  species  including  T.  elongata,  Say,  first  observed  in  Mis- 
souri ;  it  is  found  upon  Baptisia  tinctoria  in  June.  Galgulus 
oculatus.  Belostoma  Americana.  Cicada  pruinosa  ;  locust. 
C.  septendecim  ;  17-year  locust.  Membracis  bimaculatis,  F  : 
M.  accuminata,  F  :  M.  vau,  Say  :  M.  calva,  say. 

Neueoptera — Dragonjlies,  c^-c. 

Aeshna  vinosa,  Say.  Lileliula  pulchelia  :  L.  Turnaria,  Say  : 
L.  Lydia.  Corydalis  cornutus,  L.  Chauliodes  pectinicorniF, 
L.     Phryganea  semifasciata,  S. 

HyMENOPETRA. 

Tremex  columba,  L.  Pelicinus  polycerator.  Pimpla  atrata, 
F.  Trogus  fulvus.  Odynerus  quadricornis.  Polistes  fuscata, 
L;  wasp.     Vespa  maculata,  L  ;  hornet.     Leucospis  fraterna. 

Li-PiDOPTEEA — Bidierjlies. 

Papilio  Turnus:  P.  glaucus:  (female  of  the  former.)  P. 
Philenor:  P.  Asterius:  P.  Triolus :  Ajax. 

DiPTERA — Tivo-icinged  flies. 

Midus  flatus.  Sphyracophala  brevicornis.  Conops  sagitta- 
ria.     Tabanus  atratus. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  479 


MOLL.USCA. 

The  mollusca  constitute  a  class  of  animals  which  includea 
all  our  land  and  freshwater  shells  ;  but  as  the  county  is  out  of 
the  influence  of  salt  water,  and  not  even  touched  by  the  tide  ; 
we  are  without  any  of  the  more  beautiful  species  which  occur 
in  the  sea  alone.  This,  however,  should  not  lead  us  to  neglect 
these  humble  creatures,  for  they,  as  well  as  the  most  highly 
organized,  have  had  their  station  given  to  them  in  the  great 
scheme  of  creation. 

Those  which  construct  a  univalve  shell,  are  the  most  highly 
organized,  and  include  the  so  called  snails,  whether  of  the 
land  or  water.  These  move  about  slowly  upon  a  disk  called 
the  foot,  in  search  of  their  vegetable  food  ;  and  instantly  re- 
tract themselves  within  their  spiral  shell,  upon  being  distur- 
bed. The  bivalve  species  are  enclosed  in  a  pair  of  valves, 
lined  by  the  mantle  of  the  animal,  and  closed  by  two  strong 
transverse  muscles,  thus  differing  from  the  genus  Ostrea 
(oyster)  the  valves  of  which  are  closed  by  a  single  muscle. 
Upon  each  side  of  the  body  of  the  animal  are  two  long  flaps, 
which  ai'e  the  gills,  and  the  water  is  admitted  by  two  siphons 
projected  a  little,  from  the  upper  and  hinder  part  of  the  shell. 
The  animal  moves  with  the  open  margin  of  the  shell  turned 
down  into  the  sand,  and  draws  itself  forward,  making  a  furrow 
as  it  advances  by  means  of  its  foot,  with  which  the  oyster  is 
not  provided,  as  it  never  moves  from  the  place  to  which  it  was 
first  attached.  The  freshwater  univalve  shells  have  two  tenta- 
cles projecting  from  the  head,  and  are  divided  into  those  which 
breathe  water,  and  those  which  breathe  air;  the  former  have 
the  eyes  situated  upon  an  enlargement  of  the  outside  base  of 
the  tentacles;  whilst  in  the  latter,  they  are  upon  the  head, near 
the  inside  of  these  organs.  At  the  head  of  our  Mollusca,  the 
genus  Melania  may  be  placed.  It  contains  but  a  single  spe- 
cies, Melania  Virginica,  which  occurs  throughout  the  Susque- 
hanna, and  in  many  of  the  larger  streams.  The  shell  is  an  inch 
long,  with  eight  or  ten  turns  ;  the  color  green,  with  two  spiral 
reddish  bands,  in  some  individuals.  With  this  species  occurs 
another  belonging  to  the  allied  genus  Anculosa,  and  called, 
frem  the  dissimilarity  of  the  various  individuals,  Areculosa  dis- 
similis.    Length  half  an  inch. 


480  HISTORY    OP 

In  the  genus  Palttdina,  the  head  is  much  smaller,  and  the 
foot  much  larger,  than  in  Melania.  Two  species  are  found  in 
some  parts  of  the  Susquehanna,  the  larger  one,  Paludina 
decisa,  having  a  short  smooth  light  green  shell,  nearly  an  inch 
long,  whilst  that  of  the  other  is  smaller,  rough  with  transverse 
spiral  lives,  of  a  dull  light  green  color,  and  with  a  rounder 
aperture. 

Amnicola  presents  a  shell  which  is  a  niiniature  representa- 
tion of  Paludina.  Amnicola  limosa  is  one  eighth  of  an  inch 
long,  and  resembles  Paludina  decisa,  but  the  aperture  is  pro- 
portionally wider.  Amnicola  lustrica  is  of  the  same  size,  but 
is  more  nearly  globular,  the  aperture  is  circular,  and  the  base 
of  the  shell  presetits  an  opening.  Amnicola  granum  resem- 
bles the  latter,  and  is  our  smallest  freshwater  shell,  being  less 
than  the  one  twentieth' of  an  inch  in  length. 

Valvata  TRiCARiNATA  is  our  only  representative  of  this  ge- 
nus, which  is  distinguished  by  the  circular  aperture  and  open 
base. 

The  members  of  the  family  of  freshwater  univalve  shells 
qalled  Phisadae,  though  they  live  in  waters  of  ponds  and  small 
streams,  breathe  free  air,  and  are  therefore  compelled  to  come 
to  the  surface  to  breathe,  which  is  eifected  by  opening  a 
small  aperture  to  admit  the  air.  The  shells  are  thin  and  deli- 
cate, and  of  uniform  tints.  Physa  heterostropha  is  extensively 
distributed  over  the  United  States,  and  is  our  only  species  in 
this  genus,  which  has  the  peculiarity  of  having  the  turns  of  the 
shell  reversed,  or  turned  in  a  contrary  direction  from  most 
spiral  shells.  Nearly  allied  is  the  genus  Limnea,  of  which  we 
have  the  following  species;  L.  palustris  ;  shell  brown,  oblong 
conic,  with  six  whirls,  the  surface  frequently  marked  with 
irregular  elevated  lines — length  about  an  inch.  It  is  a  Europe-* 
an  species,  but  those  of  this  country  were  named  L.  elodes,  by 
Say,  under  the  impression  of  their  being  a  distinct  species. 

L.  desidiosa  ;  a  light  yellowish  delicate  shell,  growing  to  the 
length  of  3-4  of  an  inch,  and  presenting  numerous  varieties. 

L.  caperata;  very  dark  brown,  approaching  to  blackish, 
-shell  covered  with  fine  spiral  elevated  lines,  3-4  of  an  inch 
long. 

L.  humilis ;  shell  ovate-conic,  short  and  inflated,  less  than 
half  an  inch  long.  A  slender  variety,  considered  a  distinct 
species  by  some  authors;  has  been  named  L.  medicella. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  481 

Planokbis  is  a  genus  in  which  the  shell  is  a  flattened  discoid 
spiral;  the  most  common  species  throughout  the  country  being 
Planorbis  bicarinatus.  A  small  species,  P..  parvus,  is  more 
rarely  found  within  our  limits,  and  may  be  recognized  by  its 
small  size,  being  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  by  its  compressed  form. 

In  the  remaining  genus  of  the  family  Physadse,  the  shell  is 
not  spiral,  but  has  an  oval  conical  shape,  like  a  shallow  cup, 
being  a  minute  representation  of  the  shell  of  the  marine  genus 
Patella.  It  may  be  found  attached  to  stones  under  water. — 
The  only  species  observed  within  the  county  is  named  Ancy- 
lus  rivularis. 

HeLICIDjE. 

The  land  snails  have  four  tentacles,  the  principal  or  upper 
pair,  bearing  undeveloped  eyes  upon  their  summits,  and  pos- 
sessing a  peculiar  structure,  by  means  of  which  they  can  be 
withdrawn  ;  being  tubular,  the  extremity  turns  inwards,  when 
the  whole  tentacle  follows.  Snails  live  under  bark,  logs  and 
stones,  our  species  seldom  moving  abroad,  except  in  wet 
weather,  or  during  the  night.  Our  largest  species  is  named, 
from  the  broad  white  lip  of  the  shell.  Helix  albolabris.  The 
next  in  size,  and  nearly  like  the  preceding,  is  H.  thyroidus,  dis- 
tinguished by  a  white  projection  or  tooth,  upon  the  inner  side 
of  the  aperture. 

Helix  tridentata;  shell  depressed,  base  open,  lip  white,  with 
two  teeth,  opposite  to  which,  on  the  inner  side,  is  a  third  large 
•curved  tooth  ;  length  three-fourths  of  an  inch. 

Helix  concava ;  shell  polished,  base  very  open,  aperture 
nearly  circular,  the  lip  expanded. 

Helix  alternata;  shell  nearly  an  inch  in  size,  open  below, 
lip  sharp  ;  color  yellowish  brown,  mottled  with  reddish  bands 
lines  of  growth  coarse. 

Helix  hirsuta  may  be  recognised  by  the  rough  exterior,  and 
the  narrow,  radiating  aperture,  which  is  closed  up  in  such 
a  manner  by  a  large  tooth,  that  one  might  suppose  it  difficult 
for  the  animal  to  pass  ;  shell  less  than  half  an  inch. 

I  have  observed  the  following  species  of  Helix  within  our 
borders,  together  with  several  others  which  m.ay  have  been 
•collected  in  the  neighboring  counties  : 

Helix  albolabris  ;  H.  thyroidus  ;   H.  alternata;  H.  concava; 
41 


482  HISTORT   OF 

H.  palliata"?   H.  fuliginosa;  H.  hirsuta;  H.  palchella;  H.  i'd" 
dentata  ;  H.  electrina  1  H.  labyrinthica. 

1  have  found  Succinea  obliqua  upon  the  islands  in  the  Sus- 
quehanna, opposite  to  Washington.  The  shell  presents  a 
strong  resemblance  to  some  of  the  forms  of  Limnea  colum- 
ella, a  species  which  will  probably  be  detected  hereafter  in' 
this  county,  as  it  occurs  in  other  parts  of  the  state,  as  in  the 
vicinity  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  York  county, 

UNIONIDiE. 

This  family  includes  all  our  large  bivalve  shells,  usually 
called  mussles. 

Unio  is  the  principal  genus,  and  contains  the  greatest  num-' 
ber  of  species.  It  is  known  by  having  one  or  two  short,  robust 
teeth  at  the  hinge,  and  behind  them  one  or  two  others,  whicb 
are  flat  and  blade-shaped;  the  former  are  called  card'mal — the; 
latter  laraellar  teeth. 

Alasmodon  wants  the  lamellar  teeth,  and 

Anodon  is  without  either  kind.  The  following  species  in- 
habit the  Susquehanna  and  branches: 

Unio  cariosus ;  shell  straw  yellow,  3  or  4  inches.  U.  radia- 
tus;  covered  with  broad  green  bands,  4  or  5  inches.  U.  com- 
planatus  ;  compressed,  dull  brown,  inside  frequently  purple  ; 
young  sometimes  rayed  ;  extremely  variable  in  form  ;  our 
most  common  species,  3  inches.  U.  viridis;  a  small,  fragile, 
brown  or  green,  rayed  species,  with  the  cardinal  teeth  com- 
pressed, and  very  variable  ;  usual  length  14  inch. 

Alasmodon  undulatus;  dark  brown,  rayed,  a  very  robust 
tooth  in  each  valve,  1|  inch.  A.  marginatus;  green,  rayed  j 
cardinal  teeth  small  and  thin  ;  posterior  extremity  of  the  shell 
truncated  ;  2  inches. 

Anodon  cataractus;  bright  green,  rayed;  delicate,  4  or  5 
inches. 

Anodon  undulatus;  dark  brown,  hinges  slightly  thickened, 
.having  a  tendency  to  form  a  slight  pair  of  teeth,  2  or  3  inches. 
See  Conrad's  work  for  information  upon  this  family;  Binney's 
on  those  of  the  land,  and  Haldeman's  on  the  freshwater  uni- 
valve species. 


I.ANCASTER    COUNTY.  48S 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


■P4  ■ 

A  CATALOGUE 

OF   THE 

FILICOID  AND  FLOWERING  PLANTS 

OF 

LANCASTER  COUNTY,  PENN. 


ARKANGED  IN  CONFORMITY  WITH  ENDLICHER'S 
GENERA  PLANTARUM. 


The  following  attempt  to  enumerate  the  Filicoid  and  Flower- 
ing Plants  of  Lancaster  county,  is  based  upon  the  hidex  Floras 
Lancastriensis  of  that  eminent  Botanist,  the  late  Rev.  Dr. 
Muhlenberg;  adding  thereto,  such  species  as  have  been  since 
ascertained  to  grow  in  the  county, — or  which,  being  found  ia 
the  adjacent  county  of  Chester,  may  be  safely  enumerated 
am.ong  the  Lancaster  Plants.  The  List  is,  unquestionably,  still 
incomplete  ;  but  it  was  thought  better,  generally,  to  omit 
plants  of  doubtful  liahitat,  rather  than  to  insert  them  on  mere 
conjecture.  A  few  species,  however,  have  been  included,  as 
probable  natives, — with  a  mark  of  doubt  [!]  prefixed. 

By  the  arrangement  in  Natural  Families,  it  will  be  perceived 
that  kindred  plants  are  grouped  together  according  to  their 
structural  and  other  affinities;  thereby  rendering  the  investiga- 
tion of  them  more  interesting  to  the  Student, — as  well  as  afford- 
ing a  clue  to  their  economical  properties.  The  most  usual 
common,  or  English  Name,  is  annexed  to  such  Species  as  have 


484 


HISTORY    OF 


acquired  a  popular  designation — so  far  as  the  same  is  known 
to  the  Compiler. 

Oi^The  numerals  prefixed  to  the  Generic  Names,  refer  to 
the  number  of  the  G'e?iMs,  in  End licher's  great  work;  and,  for 
the  sake  of  ready  distinction,  the  names  of  those  plants  which 
are  cultivated  for  useful  pur jjoses,  are  printed  in  italic. 

W.  D. 


REGlOnCORMOPHYTi 

Sectio  HE.  Aci°<i>l}rya, 
Cohors  II.  Prolophyta. 

CLASSIS  VI.  EQUISETA. 

OEDO    XXV.    EQUISETACEAE. 

601  Eqiiisetum,  L. 
sylvaticiim,  L 

hyemale,  L.  Scouring  Rush, 
arvense,  L.  Horse-tail, 
fluviatile,  L] 
CLASSIS  VII.  FILICES. 

ORDO  XXVI.    FOLYPODIACEAE, 

Suh  or  do  I.  Polypodieae, 
615  Poly  podium,  L. 

vulgare,  L 

hexagonopterum,  Mx 

Phegopteris,  L 
618  Cheilanthcs,  Sw. 

vestita,  Willd 
620  Adiantum,  L. 

pedatum,  L.  Maiden's  Hair. 
622  Pteris,  L. 

atropurpurea,  L  [en. 

aquilind,  L.  Brake,  or  Brack- 

caudata,  L 

628  Struthiopteris,  Willd. 
Pennsylvanica,  Willd 

629  Onoclea,  L. 
sensibilis,  L 

630  As])lenium,  L. 
rhizophyllum,  Willd 
angustifoiiimi,  Mx     '*; 
ebeneum,  Willd 
Trichomanes,  L 
thelypterioides,  Mx 
Kuta-muraria,  L 


639  Nephrouium,  Rich, 
acrostichoides,  Mx 
thelypterioides,  Mx 
marginale,Mx 
bulbiferum,  Mx 
asplenioides,  Mx 
tenue,  Mx 

640  Aspidiiim,  Sw, 
Thelypteris,  Willd 
Lancastriense,  Spreng 

644  Dicksonia,  Hcrit. 

pilosiuscLila,  Willd 
646  Woodsia,  K.  Br. 

liven  sis,  R.  Br 

Rufidula,  Beck 

PerrJniana,  Hook  &  Groy 

ORDO  XXX.   OSMUNDACEAE- 

665  Osmunda,  L. 
interrupta,  Mx 
spectabilis,  Willd 
cinnamomea,  L 

ORDO  XXXII.  OPHIOGLOSSEAE. 

671   Ophioglossiim,  L. 

vulgatum,  L 
674  Botrychiiim,  Sw. 

fumarioides,  Willd 

dissectum,  Willd 

Virginic'im,  Sw 

CLASSIS  IX.  SELAGINES. 

ORDO    XXXV.  ISOETEAE. 

693  Isoetes,  L. 
lacustris,  L 

ORDO  XXXVI.  LYCOPODIACEAE 

696  Lycopodiiim,  L. 
clavatum,  L.  Club  Moss 
complanatum,  L 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


485 


dendroideum,  Mx 
alopecuroides,  L 
rupestre,  L 
apodum,  L 
liicidulum,  Mx 

ISccJio  IV.  AiMpBii- 
brya. 

CLASSIS  XII.  GLUMACEAE. 

ORDO    XLII.   GRAMINEAE. 

Tribus  I.  Oryzeae. 
728  Leersia,  Solaiid, 

oryzoides,  S\v.  Cut-Grass 

Virgiiiica,  Willd 
731   Hydrochloa,  Beauv. 

aquatica,  Beauv.  Water  Oats 
Tribus  II.  Phalarideae. 
742  Zea.  L. 

Mays,  L.  Indian  Corn 
747  Alopecuriis,  L. 

pratensis,  L 
750  Phlenm,  L. 

praiense,  L.  Timothy 

753  Phalaris,  L. 
arundinacea,  L 

754  Holcus,  L. 
lanatus  L.  Feather-grass 

755  Hierochloa,  Gmel. 
borealis,  Roem  &  Schult 

756  Authoxanthum,  L. 
oderatum,  L 

Tribus  III.  Paniceae. 
761   Paspalum,  L. 

filiforme,  Svv 

laeve,  Mx 

setaceum,  Mx 
770  Pauicum,  L. 

sanguinale,  L 

glabrum,  Gaud 

agro-toides,  Muhl 

proliferum,  Lam 

virgatum,  L 

dichotomum, 

nitidum,  Lam 

mierocarpum,  Muhl 

anceps,  Mx 

capillare,  L 

latifolium,  L 

41* 


clandestinum,  L 

rectum,  Koem  &  Schult 
77S  Opiismenus,  Beauv. 

Crus  Gain,  Kunth 
781   Peniiisetum,  Rich. 

glaucum,  \\  Br.  Foxtail  Grass 

viride,  II  Br.  Bottle  Grass 

verticillatum,  K  Br 

Italicum,  It  Br  var.  g-.  Kunth, 
Millet 
Tribus  IV.    Stipaceae. 
798  Stipa,  L. 

avenacea,  L 
801  Aristida,  L. 

dichotoma,  Mx 

stricta,  Mx'^     Poverty  Grass 
Tribus  V.  Agrostideae. 
803  Muhlenbcrgia,  Schreb. 

diffusa,  Willd 

Wildenowii,  Tria 

sylvatica,  Gray 

aristata,  Pers 

Mexicana,  Trin 

sobolifera,  Tria 
803  Ciiina,  L. 

arundinacea,  L 

809  Sporobolus,  R.  Br. 
Virginicus,  Kunth 

810  Agrostis,  L. 
vulgaris,  Sm.     Herd's  Grass 
laxiflora,  Ricliards 
cornucopiae,  Fras 

Tribus  VI.  Arundinaceae. 
817  Calamagrostis,  Adaiis. 

Canadensis,  Beauv 

coarctata,  Torr 
824  Phragmites,  Trin. 

communis,  Trin 
Tribus  VIII.  Chlornideae. 
841  Eleusiae,  Gaertn. 

Indica,  Gaertn,      Dog's  tail 

Grass 

846  Spartina,  Schreb. 
cynosuroides,  Willd 

847  Eutriana,  Trin. 
curtipendula,  Trin 

Tribus  IX.  AvenaoeM^ 


486 


HISTORY    OF 


857  Deschampsia,  Beauv. 

cespitosa,  Beauv 
859  Aira,  L. 

flexuosa,  L 

863  Trisetum,  Kunth. 
Pennsylvanicum,  Trin 

864  Aveiia,  L. 

sativa,  L.     Common  Oafs 
palustris,  Mx 

865  Arrhenatherum,  Beauv 
avenaceum,  Beauv.  Oat-Grass 

871  Danthonia,  DC. 
spicata,  Roem  &  Scliult 

872  Uralepis,  Nutt. 
cup  re  a,  Kunth 

TriJjus  X.  Feshicaceae. 
876  Poa,  L. 

pilosa,  L 

hirsuta,  Mx 

capillaris,  L 

Eragrustis,  L 

reptans,  Mx 

annua,  L  [Grass 

trivialis,  L.     PiOugh  Meadow 

pralensis.  L.     Green    Grass 

viompressa,  L.     Blue   Grass 

pungens,  Nutt 
878  Glyceria,  R.  Br. 

fluitans.  H.  Br 

Michauxii,  Kunth 
880  Eatonia,  Raf. 

truncata,   [cfr  Trisetum] 
883  Briza,  L. 

media,  L 

Canadensis,  Mx 
887  .Melica,  L. 

speciosa,  Muhl 
892  Dactylis,  L. 

glomerata.  L.     Orchard  Grass 

899  Festuca,  L. 
Tenella  V/illd 
duriuscula,  L 
Pratensis,  Herds,  Fescue 
elatior,  L 

nutans,  Spreng 

900  Bromus,  L. 
secalinus,  L.  Cheat.  Chess 


arvensis,  LI  (cfr,  mollis) 
purgans,  L 
ciliatus,  L 
pubescens,  Muhl 
902  Uniola,  L. 
latifolia,  Mx 

Trihus  XI.  Hordeaceae. 

912  Loliura,   L. 
perenne,  L.  Rye  grass 

913  Triticum,  L. 

vulgare,  Vill.  Wheat.  (Several 

varieties  cultivated) 
Spslta,  L.  Spelt 
Polnnicum,  L.  Polish  Wheat 
repens,  L.  Couch  grass 

914  Sccale,  L. 
cereale,  L.  Rye 

915  Eiymus,"  L. 
Canadensis,  L 
striatus,  Willd 
viliosus,  Muhl 
Virginicus,  L 

916  Gymnostichum,  Schreb. 
'  Hystrix,  Schreb 

917  Hordeiim,  L. 
vulgare,  L.  Barley  [Zej' 
distichum,  L.  Two-rowed  Bar- 
Tribiis  XII.  Rottboclliaceae. 

930  Tripsacum,  L. 

dactyloides,  L.  Gama  Grass 
Trihus  XIII.  Andropogoneae. 
950  Aiidropogon,  L, 

scoparius,  Mx.  Indian  Grass 

furcatus,  Muhl 

macrourus,  Mx 

Virginicus,  L 

Sorghum,  Brot.  Indian  Millet 

cernuus,  Roxb.  Guinea   Corn 

hico/or,   Roxb.   CJhocolate  Corn 

saccharatus,     Roxb.       Broom 
Corn 

avenaceus,  Mx.  Indian  Grass 

OKDO  XLIII.    CTPEP.ACEAE. 
Trikus   I.  Cariccae. 
957  Carex,  L,    Sedge, 
rosea,  Schic 
cephalophora,  Muhl 
sparganioides,  Muhl 


LANCASTER    COFNTT. 


487 


Muhlenbergii,  Schk 

vulpinoidea,  Mx 

multiflora,  Muhl 

bromoides,  Schk 

slelliilata,  Good 

scoparia,  Schk.  (and  var) 

festucacea,  Schk 

cristata,  Schw 

strainuiea,  Schk 

cespitosa,  L 

acuta,  L 

crinita,  Lam 

polytrichoides,  Muhl 

pedunculata,  Muhl 

Isquarrosa,  L 

hirsuta,  Willd 

viresccns,  M-iihl 

graciltinia,  Schw 

IDavisii,  Schw,  &  Torr 

lanuginosa,  Mx 

vestita,  Willd 

Pennsylvanica,  Lam 

pubescens,  Muhl 

laxiflora.  Lam 

Granularis,  Muhl 

anceps,  Muhl 

oligocarpa,  Schk 

debilis,  Mx 

intumescens,  Rudge 

lupulina,  Muhl 

tentaculata,  Muhl 

buUata,  Schk 

vesicaria,  L 

trichocarpa,  Muhl 

lacrestris,  Willd 

1  scab  rata,  Schw 

h}'Stericina,  Muhl 

pseudo-c)''perus,  L 

niiliacea,  Muhl 

umbellata,  Schk 

Tribv.s  III.   Sderieae. 
964  Scleria,  Berg. 

pauciflora,  Muhl 

triglomerata.  Mx 

!  verticillata,  Muhl 

Tribus  IV.  Rhynchosporeac. 
967  Rhynchospora,  Valil. 

cymosa,  Nutt 

alba,  Vahl 

1  capillacea,  Torr 


Glomerata,  Vahl 
Tribus  VIII.  Fuireneae. 

998  Fiinbristylis,  Vahl. 
Baldwiniana,  Torr 

■?  spadicea;  Vahl 
autumnalis,  !;oem.  &  Schult. 
Tribus  IX.  Scirpeae. 

999  Isolepis,  R.  Br. 
subsquarrosa,  Sclifad 
capillaris,  Roem  &  Schult 

1000  Scirpus,  1^. 
planifolius,  Muhl 
debilis,  Pursh 
lacustris,  L.     Bull  Rush 
triqueter,  L.      Chairmaker's 

Hush, 
atrovirens,  Muhl 
brunneus,  Muhl 
palustris,  L 
intermedins,  Muhl 
obtusus,  Willd 
acicularis,  L 
tenuis,  Willd 

1001  Eriophoriim,  L. 
Virginicum,  L 
angustifulium,  Rich 
cyperinum,  L 
lineatum,  EndH 

Tribus  X.    Cypereae. 

1002  Dulichium,  Rich, 
spathaceura,  Pers 

1003  Cyperus,  L. 
diandrus,  Torr 
strigosus,  L 

■?  repens.  Ell 
filiculmis,  Vahl 
dentatus,  Torr 
inflexus,  Muhl 
ovularis,  Torr 
erythrorhyzos,  Muhl 
retrofractus,  Endll 
CLASSIS    XIIl     ENANTIO- 
BLASTAE. 

ORDO    XLVir.    XYRIDEAE. 

1025  Xyris,  L. 
Caroliniana,  Walt 

ORDO     XLVIII.     C03rMELrXA- 
CEAE. 


^ 


* 


488 


mstORY    OP 


1031  Tradescantia,  L. 

Vircinica,  L.     Spiderwort 
CLA'SSISXIV.  HELOBIAE. 

ORDO  XLIX.  ALISMACEAE. 

1041  Aiisma,  .hiss, 
Plantago,  L.  Water  Plantain 

1042  Sagittaria,  L. 
sagittaefolia,  L.  Arrow-head 
heterophylla,  Pursh 

CLASSIS  XV.  CORONARIAE 

ORDO  I.I.    JUNCACEAE. 

1047  Luzula,  DC. 

pilosa,  A¥illd 

cainpestris,  Willd 
1049  JllilCUS,  DC. 

eff'usus,  L.     Soft  Rush 

setaceus,  Rostk 

tenuis,  Willd 

nodosus,  L 

marginatus,  Rostk 

bufonius,  L 

acuminatus,  Mx 

polycephalus,  Mx 

ORDO    LIII.  MELANTHACEAE. 

1066  Helonias,  L. 
dioica,  Pursh.    Blazing  Star 

106G  Amianthium,  A.  Gray, 
laetuin,  A.  Gray 

1067  Veratrum,  Tournef. 
viride,  Ait.    Indian  Poke. 

1067    Leimanthium,  Willd. 

Virginirum,  Willd 
1080  Uvularia,  L. 

perfoliata,  L 

sessilifoua,  L 

ORDO    LIV.  PONTEDERACEAE. 

1087  Heteranthera,  Paiiz  & 
Pavon. 

reniformis,  Ptuiz  &  Pav 
graminea,  Vahl 

1088  Poiitederia,  L. 
cordata,  L 

ORDO    LV,  LILIACEAE. 
Sub  orclo  I.  Tulipaceae. 
1090  Erythroniurn^  L. 
Americanum,  Sm 


1  albidum,  Nutt 
1098  Lilium,  L. 

Philadelpliicum,  L. 

Canadense,^  L 

superbum,  L 
Sub  or  do  IV.  Asphodeleae-. 
Tribus  I.  Hyacintheae. 
1132  Ornithogalum,  Link 

umbellatum,  L.  Ten  o'clock 
1137  Allium,  L. 

Canadense,  L. 

vineale,  L.     Crow  Garlic 

tricoccum,  Ait 

P  or  rum,  L.  Leek 

sativum,  L.     Eiiglish  Garlic 

schoenoprasitm,  L.  Chives 

Cepa,  L.   Onion 

Tribus  II.  Anthericeae. 
1143  Hemerocallis,  L. 

fulva,  L.    Day  Lily 
Tribus  III.  Asparageae. 
1164  Asparagus,  L. 

officinaiiSy  L.  Asparagus. 

ORDO    LVI.    SMILACEAE. 
Tribus  I.  Parideae, 

1177  Trillium,  Mill, 
pendulum,  Muhl 
'!  e rectum,  L 

1178  Medeola,  Gronov. 
Virginica,  L, 

Tribus  II.   ConvaJlarieae. 
1181  Polygonatum,  Tournef. 
multiflorum,  Desf 
angustifolium,  Pursh 
1  pubescens,  Pursh 

1183  Smilacina,  Desf. 
bifolia,  Ker 
?  stellata,  Desf. 
racemosa,  Desf 

1184  Smilax,  Tournef. 
rotundifolia,  L.    Green  Briar 
caduca, L 

herbacea,  L.  Carrion  flower 
]  pcduncularis,  Muhl 

CLASSIS  XVi.  ARTORHIZEAE. 
ORDO    EVII.    BIOSCOREAE. 

1201  Dioscorea,  Plum. 


♦# 


t 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


489 


villosa,  L 
CLASS.IS  XVII  ENSATAE. 

ORDO   LIX.  HYDROCHARIDEAE. 
Tribus  I.  Anacharideae. 
1206  Udora,  Nutt. 
Canadensis,  Nutt 
Tribus  II.    Valisnerieae. 
1209  Vallisaeria,  Michel, 
spiralis,  L.     Eel-grass 

ORDO   LXI.  IRIDEAE. 

1220  Sisyhnchium,  L. 

mucroiiatum,  Mx 

anceps,  Cavan 
1226  Iris,  L. 

versicolor,  L 

ORDO  LXII.  HAEMODORACEAE. 

1259  Aletris,  L. 
farinosa,  L 

ORDO    LXIII,    HYPOXIDEAE. 

1264  Hypoxis,  L. 

erecta,  L.  Star  of  Bethlehem. 
CLASSIS    XVIII.  GYMNAN- 
DRAE. 

ORDO    LXVI.    ORCHIDEAE. 
Sub  ordo  I.  Malaxideae. 
1335  Microstylis,  Nutt. 
ophioglossoides,  Nutt 

1339  Coralloihiza,  Kail, 
verfia,  Nutt 
oduutDrhiza,  Nutt 
muititlora,  Nutt 
hyeraalis,  L.  Adam  &  Eve 

1340  Liparis,  Rich. 
lilifulia,  Rich 

Sub  ordo   IV.   Ophrydeae. 
1509  Gymnadenia,  R.  Br. 

tridentatri,  Lindl 
1515  Platantlicra,  Rich. 

orbiculata,  Lindl 

herbiola,  Lindl  [non  L 

lacera,      (psychedas,  Lindl) 

psychodes,  (timbriata,  Lindl) 

1  incisa,  Lindl 

1  fissa,  Lindl 

ciliaris,  Lindl 

1517  Peristylus,  Blum. 


bracteatus,  Lindl 

1  virescens,  Lindl 
1525  Habancaria,  Willd. 

spectabilirf.  Sprang 

Sub  ordo   VI.  Neottieae. 
1547  Spiranthes,  Rich. 

tortilis,  Rich 

cernua.  Rich 
1559  Goody  era,  R.  Br.' 

pubescens,  R  Br 
Sub  ordo  VII.  Arethuseae. 

1600  Calopogon,  R.  Br. 
pulchellus,  R  Br 

1601  Pogoaia,  Juss. 
ophioglossoides,  Ker 
verticiilata,  Nutt 
pendula,  Spreng 

1602  Arothusa,  Grono/. 
buibosa,  L 
Sub  ordo  VIII.  Cypripedieae. 

1618  CypripediuQi,  L. 
candidum,  Willd 
pubescens,  Sw.  Noah's  Ark 
1  spectabiie,  S'.v 
acaule.  Ait 
CLASSIS  XX.  FLUVIALES. 

ORDO  LXXI.  NAIADEAE. 

1655  Cau'inia,  Willd. 

llexilis,  Willd 

Hragilis,  Willd 
1664  Potainogetoii,  L. 

natans,  L 

perfoliatus,  L 

lucens,  L 

compressus,  L 

pauciflorus,  Pursli 
1668  Lemiia,  L. 

trisulea,  L 

minor,  L.  Duckmeat 

polvrhiza,  L 
CLASSIS  XXI.  SPADICIFLO- 
RAE. 

ORDO  LXXII.  AROIDEAE. 

1676  Arum,  L. 

dracontium,  L 

triphyllum,  L.  Indian  Turnep 
1685  Peltandra,  Raf. 


4C0 


HISTORY    OF 


Virginica,  Raf 

1705  Symplocarpiis,  Salisb. 
foetida,  Nutt.  Skunk  cabbage 

1706  Orontium,  L. 
aqiiaticum,  L.  Golden  club 

170S  Acorns,  L, 
calamus,  L.  Calamus 

ORDO  LXXIII.  TYPHACEAE. 

1709  Typha,  Tournef. 
latifolia,  L.   Cat-tail 

■?  augustifolia,  L 

1710  Sparganinm,  Tournef. 
Americanum,  Nutt.  Bur-reed 
]  ramosum,  Sm 

Srcfiio  ¥.  ^craaBiplsi- 

C'olsors  I.  Gijntitospernifse 

CLASSIS     xi'III.     CONIFE 
RAE. 

ORDO     LXXVI.     CUPRESSINAE 

17S9  Jiiiiiperiis,  L. 
communis,  L.  Juniper 
Virginiana,  L.  Red  Cedar 

OKBO  LXXVII.    ABIETINAE. 

1795  Piniis,  L. 
inops,  Ait.  Scrub  Pine 
rigida,  L 

Strobus,  L.  White  Pine 
Canadensis,     L.      Hemlock 
Spruce 

ORDO   LXXVIII.    TAXTNEAE. 

1799  Taxus  Tournef. 
1  Canadensis,  Willd.    Yew 

CLASSISXXlV.  PIPERITAE. 

OKDO    LXXXII. -SAURUREAE. 

1824  Saururus,  L. 

cernuus,  L.  Lizard's  tail 
CLASSIS  XXV.  AQUATICAE 

■ORDO  LXXXIII.  eERATOPHYLLEAE 

1829  Ceratophyllnm,  L. 
demersum,  L 

-ORDO    LXXXIV..  CALLITRICHINAE, 

1830  Callitriche,  L. 
verna,  L.  (and  vars) 

ORDO   LXXXV.   PODOSTEMMEAE. 


1832  Podostemon,  Eicli. 

ceratophyllum,  Mx 
CLASSIS    XXVI     JULIFLO- 
RAE. 

ORDO   LXXXVII.  MYRICEAE. 

1839  Myrica,  L. 
cerifera,  L 
asplenitolia,  EndlT 

ORDO  LXXXVIU.  BETULACEAE. 

1S40  Betula,  Tournef. 
1  populifoiia.  Ait 
nigra,  L 
lenta,  L.  Sweet  Birch 

1841  Alnus,  Tournef. 
serrulata,  Willd.    Alder 

ORDO   LXXXIX.  CUPULIFERAE. 

1842  Ostrya,  Michel. 
Virginica,  Willd.  Hop  Horn- 
bean 

1843  Carpinus,  L. 
Americana,    Willd.     Horn- 
beam 

1844  Corylus,  Tournef. 
Americana,  Walt.    Hazelnut 
cornuta,  Marsh 

1845  Quercus,  L. 
nigra,  Willd.  Black  Jack 
tinctoria,  Willd.  Black  Oak 
1  discolor,  Willd 
coccinea,  Wangenh 
rubra,  t.  Red  Oak 
falcata,  Mx.  Spanish  Oak 
palustris,  Mx.  Pin  Oak 
ilicifolia,    Wangenh.     Scrub 

Oak 
obtusiloba,  Mx 
macrocarna,  L 
alba,  L.  White  Oak 
Prinus,  L 
Michauxii,  Nutt 
montana,  Willd 
Castanea,Muhl. Chestnut  Oak 
chinquapin,  Mx 

1847  Fagus,  Tournef. 
sylvatica,  L.  Beech 

1848  Castanea,  Tom-nel 
vesca,  Willd.     Chestnut 
purnila,  Willd.    Chinquapin 


LANCASTER   COtTNTT. 


491 


ORDO    XC.   ULMACEAE. 

1850  Ulmus,  L. 
Americana,  L 
fulva,  Mx.     Slippery  Elm 

ORDO   XCI.    CELTIDEAE. 

1S51   Celtis,  Tournef. 
occidentalis,  L.    Nettle  tree 
crassifolia,  Lam 

OEDO     XCIl.    MOHEAE. 

1856  Moms,  Toumef. 
rubra,  L.  I^ed  Mulberry- 
alba,  L.  White  Mulberry. 
multicaulis,   Perrot.    {var.  of 
alba) 
1858  Broussonetia,  Vent, 
papysifera,  Vent.  Paper  Mul 
berry 

ORDO    XCIV.    URTICACEAE. 

1879  Urtica,  Toumef. 
pumila,  L 
urens,  L 

dioica,  L.  Stinging  Nettle 
Canadensis,  L 

1884  Boehmeria,  Jacq. 
cylindrica,  Willd 

1885  Parietaria,  Toumef. 
Pennsylvanica,  Muhl 

ORDO   XCV.  CANNABINEAE. 

1890  Cannabis,  Tournef. 
sativa,  L.  Hemp 

1891  Humulus,  L. 
Lupulus,  L.  Hop 

ORDO  XCVII.  PLATANEAE. 

1901  Platanus,  L. 
occidentalis,  L.  Button  wood 

ORDO  XCIX.  SALICINEAE. 

1903  Salix,  Toumef. 
Muhlenbergiana,  Willd 
conifera,  VVangenh 
discolor,  Willd 
longifolia,  Muhl  (low 

Bahylonica,  L.  Weeping  Wil- 
Purshiana,  Spreng 
nigra.  Marsh 
lucida,  Muhl 
Tcordata,  Muhl 
grisea,  Willd 
vitellina,  L.  Yellow  V/iUoiv 


1904  Populus,  Toumef. 

balsamifera,  L 

tremuloides,  Mx.  Aspen 

grandidentata,  Mx 

heterophylla,  L. 

graeca.  Ait.  Athenian  Poplar 

dilatata,  Ait.  Lnmbardy  Poplar 
CLASSIS  XXVII.  OLERACE- 
AE. 

ORDO  CI.  CHENOPODEAE. 

1912  Atriplex,  L. 
hortensis,  L.  Orach 

1914  Acnida,  Mitch, 
cannabina,  L 

1915  Spinacia,  ToUrnef. 
oleracea,  L.  Spinach 

1921  Blitum,  L. 

capitatum,     L.     Strawberry 
Elite 
1924  Beta,  Toumef. 

vulgaris,  L.  Beet 

cicla,  L.  Mangel  Wurtzel 
1930  Clienopodium,  L. 

rhombifolium,  Muhl 

album,  L.  Lamb's  Quarters 

ambrosioides,  L 

Botrys,  L  (seed 

anthelminticum,    L.   Worm- 

ORDO   CII.  AMARANTACEAE. 

1972  Aniarantus,  L, 
albus,  L 
hybridus,  L 
spinosus,  L 

ORDO  GUI.  POLYGONEAE. 

1948  Rheum,  L. 

rhaponticum,   Ait.    Pie  Rhu- 
barb 
1986  Polygonum,  L. 

aviculare,  L.    Knot  grass 

ercctuui,  Muhl 

tenue,  Mx 

punctatum,  Ell 

mite,   Pers 

Virginianura,  L 

amphibium,  L 

Pennsylvanicum,  L 

lapathifolium,  L 

Persicaria,  L 


492 


HISTORY    OF 


orientale,  L 

sagittatum,  L 

arifolium,  L.  Tear  thumb 

convolvulus,  L 

scandens,  [j 
1987  Fagopyrum,  Tournef. 

escukntum,     Moench,  Buck- 
wheat 
1993  Rumex,  L. 

crispus,  I,.    Sour  Dock 

aquatlcus,  L 

sanguineus,  L 

Patient ia,  L.     Patience  Dock. 

Britannica,  L 


Virginiea,  L  [tain 

lanceolata,  L.  English  Plan- 

CLASSIS  XXXI.  AGGREGA- 
TAE. 

ORDO  CXVIII.  VALERIANEAE. 

2181  Valerianella,  Moench. 
olitoria,  Moench 
radiata,  Dufr 

ORDO  CXIX.  DIPSACEAE. 

2191  Dipsacus,  Tournef. 
sylvestris,  M.  Wild  Teasel 
F'ulhnum,  L-  FuUer''s  Teasel 

ORDO  CXX.  COMPOSITAE. 

Suh  ordo  I.  Tuhuliflorae. 
Trihus  I.  Vernoniaceae. 


obtusifolius,  L.  Bitter  Dock  ^,.>.^„^.   ,  ^. 

Acetosella,  L.   Sheep   Sorrel  2204  Vernonia,  Schreb. 

CLASSIS   XXVllI.    THYME  ■'     

l.EAE. 


ORDO  CVI.  LAURINEAE. 
Trihus  X.  Flavijlorae. 

2056  Sassafras,  Nees. 
officinale,  Nees.  Sassafras 

2057  Benzoin,  Nees. 
odorjferum,  Nees. Spice  wood 

ORDO   CVni.  SANTALACEAE. 

2076  Commandra,  Nutt. 

unabellata,  Nutt 
2086   Nyssa,  L. 

multiflora,  Walt,  Sour  Gum 

ORDO  CIX.  DAPHNOIDEAE. 

2091  Dirca,  L. 

palustris,  L.  Leatherwood 

CLASSIS  XXIX.  SERTENTA- 

RIAE. 

ORDO  CXIV.  ARISTOLOCHIEAE. 

2160  Asarum,  Tournef. 
Canadense,  L.  Wild  Ginger 
1  Virgin icum,  L 
2162  Aristo lochia,  Tournef. 
Serpentaria,  L.  Virg.  Snake 
root 
Cohors  III  Gfimopetalae. 
CLASSIS  XXX.    PLUMBAG- 
INES. 

ORDO   CXVI.  PLANTAGINEAE. 

2170  Plantago,  L. 
major,  L.  Great  Plantain 
media,  L 


Noveboracensis,  Willd.  Iron 
Weed 

Tribus  II.  Eupatoriaceae. 
2270  Liatris,  Schreb. 

spicata,  Willd. 
2275  Conociiniura,  DC. 

coelestinum,  DC. 
22S0  Eupalorium,  Tournef. 

purpureum,  L.  (vars.) 

album,  L 

teucrifolium,  Willd 

rotundifulium,  L 

sessilifolium,  L  [stem 

perfoliatum,     L.    Thorough- 

ageratoides,  L.  f. 

aromaticum,  L 
2282  Mikania,  Willd. 

scandens,  Willd 

Trihus  III.  Asteroideae. 
2301  Aster,  Nees. 

1  Radula,  Ait 

pat(ins.  Ait.  [&  var.] 

laevis,  L 

undulatus,  L 

cordifolius,  L 

1  sagittifolius,  Willd 

ericordes,  L 

miser,  L 

simplex,  Willd 

Novi  Belgii,  L 

puniceus,  L 

prenanthoidea,  Muhl 


LAN'CAS'TbR  'COUNTY. 


498 


•l^ovae  Angliae,  L 
■5(2310  Sericocarpus,  Nees. 

conyzoides,  Nees 

solidagineus,  Nees 
5316  Biotia,  DC. 

corymbosa,  DC 

rftacrophylla,  DC 
■2319  Diplostephitim,  Cass 

cornifolium,  DC 

1  amygdalinum,  Cass 

umbellatum,  DC 
2821   DiplopappuS)  DC. 

linariifolius,  Hook 
-2332  Erigeron,  DC. 

Canadense,  L 

bellidit'oiium,  Muhl 

■Philadelphicum,  L 

Strigosum,  Muhl 
2339  Steiiactis,  Nees. 

annua,  Nees 
:2373  Chrysopsis,  Nutt. 

Mariana,  Nutt 
^37-6    Solidago,    L.    Golden 
rod. 

squarrosa,  Muhl 

•bicolor,  L 

latifolia,  L 

caesia,  L 

speciosa,  Nutt 

Irigida,  L 

patula,  Muhl 

■-arguta,  Ait 

Muhlenbergii,  Torr  &  Gray 

-altis.sima,  L 

ulmifulia,  Muhl 

■odora,  Ait 

neinoralis,  Ait 

Canadensis,  L 

serotina.  Ait 

gigantea.  Ait 

lanceolata,  L 
2426  Inula,  Gaertn. 

Helenium,  L.    Elecampane. 
Trib\s  IV.  Senecionidcae. 

2474  Silphium,  L. 
perfoliatum,  L 

2475  Polymnia,  L. 
Canadensis,  L 


UveiValia,  L 
2480  Xanthium,  Touvnef. 

strumarium,  L.     Clot-bur 

1  spinosum,  L 
24S2  Ambrosia,  Tournef. 

trifida,  L  [weed. 

artemisiaefolia,     L.      Bitter- 
2506  Heliopsis,  Pers. 

laevis,  Pers 
2514  Rudbeclda,  L. 

hirta,  L 

fulgida,  Ait 

laciniata,  L 
2516  Obeliscaria,  Cass. 

1  pinnata,  Cass 
2526  Chrysostemma,  Less. 

tripteris,  Less 
2530  Actinomeris,  Nutt. 

squarrosa,  Nutt 
2538  Helianthus,  L. 

giganteus,  L 

strumosus,  L 

decapeialus,  L 

divaricatus,  L  [choke 

tuherosus,  L-  Jerusalem  Arti- 

annuus,  L.    Sunflower. 
2541  Bidens,  L. 

frondosa,  L 

connata,  L 

cernua,  L.     Beggar  ticks 

chrysanthemoides,  Mx  [dies. 

bipinnata,  L.    Spanish  Nee- 
2603  Helenium,  L. 

autumnale,  L 

2639  Anthemis,  DC. 
arvensis,  L 
nobilis,  L.     Chamomile 

2640  Maruta,  Cass, 
foetida,  Cass.  Stinking  Cham- 
omile 

2649  Achillea,  Neck. 

millefolium,  L.    Yarrow 
2667  Leucanthenuim, Tour- 
nef. 

vulgare.  Lam.  Ox-eye  Daisy 
2694  Artemisia,  L. 

AOrotanum,  L.  Southern  wood 


42 


14 


ItlSTORT    OF 


vulgaris,  L.  Mug^vvort 

Absinthium,  L.  Wormwood 
36 96  Tanacetum,  L. 

vulgare,  L.  Tansey 
3746  Giiaphalium,  Don. 

polycephaluiTi,Mx.  Life  ever- 
lasting 

uliginosum,  L 

purpureum,  L 
2752  Filago,  Tournef. 

German ica,  L 
2767  Antennaria,  R.  Br. 

dioica,  Gaertn.  Cud  weed 

plantaginea,  R.  Br 

margaritacea,  R.  Br 
2790  Erechtites,  Raf. 

hieracifolia,  Raf.  Fire  weed 
2800  Arnica,  L. 

]  nudicaulis,  Ell 
2806  Cacalia,  DC. 

suaveolons,  L 

atriplicifolia,  L 

reniformis,  Mulil 
3811   Senccio,  Less. 

aureus,  L.  (et.  vars) 
Tribus  V.  Cynareae. 

2871  Centaurca,  Less. 
cyanus,  L.  Blue  bottle 

2872  CricLis,  Vail!. 
lenedictus,     Gaertn.     Blessed 

Thistle 
2375  Carthamiis,  Tournef. 

tindorius,  L.  Bastard  Saffron 
2887  Cirsiiim,  Tonrnel'. 
lanceolatum,  Scop,  Common 

Thistle 
discolor,  Spreng 
allissimum.  Spreng 
arver.se,  Scop.  Canada  Tliis- 

tle 
pumikim,  .Spreng 
Ihorridulum,  Mx 
muticum,  Mx 
1  Virginianum,  Mx 
3892  Lappa,  Tournef. 
major,  Gaertn.  Bur-dock 
Sub  ordo  III.  Ligulijlorae. 


Tribus  VIII.  Cichoradeddj 
2978  Cichorium,  Tournef., 
Intybus,  L.  Wild  Succory 
Endivia,  Willd.  Endive 

2981  Krigia,  Schreb. 
Virginica,  Willd 

2982  Troximon,  Gaertn. 
Virginicum,  Pursh 

2995  Tragopogon,  L. 

porrifoliiis,  L,      Oyster  Plant 
3003  Sonchus,  L. 

ciliatus,  lam?  Sow  thistle 

asper,  Viin 
3005  Prenanthes,  Gaertn. 

altissima,  L 

Serpentaria,  Pursh 
3008  Lacluca,  L. 

elongata,  Muhl 

sativa,  L.     Li^ttuce 
3010  Taraxacum,  Juss. 

Dens  Leonis,  Desf.     Dande- 
lion 
3020  Pachylepis,  Less. 

■JKalmii,  Less 
3026  Hieracium,  Tournef. 

venosum,  L.    Hawkweed 

Gronovii,  L.  [&  var] 

paniculatum,  [j 
3028  Muigedium,  Cass. 

Floridanum,  DC 

acuminatum,  DC 
CLASSIS  XXXII.  CAMPAN- 
U;  INAE. 

OEDO  CXXIV.  LOBELIACEAE. 

3058  Lobelia,  L. 
spicata,  1  am 
1  puberula,  Mx 
syphilitica,  L 

inflata,  L.    Indian  Tobacco 
cardinalis,  L 

ORDO   CXXV.    CAMPANULACEAE. 

3085  Campanula,  L. 
rotundifolia,  L 
aparinoides,  Pursh 
Americana,  L 

3086  Spe'cularia,  Heist, 
pcrfoliata,  Alph.  D'> 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


495 


CAPRl- 


CLASSIS   XXXUI 
FOLIA. 

OKDO   CXXVII.    RUBIACEAE. 

3100  Galium,  L. 
Aparine,  L-  Cleavers 
trifidum,  L 
asprellum,  Mx 
trifloriim,  Mx 
pilosum,  Ait 
circaezans,  Mx.  [et  var] 
boreale,  L 

3101  Rubia,  Tournef. 
Tinctorum  L.    Madder. 

3123  Diodia,  L. 

teres,  Walt 
3138  Cephalanthus,  L. 

occidentalis,  L.  Button  bush 
3188  Mitchella,  L. 

repens,  L.  Partridge  Berry 
3240  Hedyotis,  Lam. 

caerulea,  Hook 

purpurea,  Torr  &  Gray 

ORDO    CXXVIII.    LONICEUEAE. 

3336  Diervilla,  Tournef. 
trifida,  Moench 

3337  Lonicera,  Desf. 
1  grata,  Ait 
1  parviflora,  Lam 

3338  Triosteura,  L. 
perfoliatum,  L 
langustitblium,  L 

3340  Viburnum,  L. 
nudum,  L 

prunifolium,  L.  Black  Haw 
Lentago,  L 
dentatum,   L 
acerifulium,  L 
opulus,  L.    Snowball 
llantanoides,  Mx 

3341  Sambucus,  Tournef. 
Canadensis,  L.  Elderbush 

CLASSIS  XXXIV.  CONTOR 
TAE. 

ORDO  CXXX.  OLEACEAE. 

3346  Chionaiithus,  L. 

Virginica,  L.  Fringe  tree 
3352  Ligustrum,  Tournef. 


vulgare,  L.  Privet 
3353  Fraxinus,  Tournef. 
sambucifolia,  Willd 
acuminata,  1  am 
pubescens,  Walt 

I      ORDO  CXXXII.  APOCYNACEAE 

13422  Apocynum,L. 
androsaemifolium,  L 
I     cannabinum,  L 

I    ORDO  CXXXIII.  ASCLEPIADEAE. 

J3488  Acerates,  Ell. 

viridiflora,  Ell 
[3490  Asclepias,L. 

syriaca,  L.  Silk  weed 

amoena,  L 

obtusifolia,  Mx 

variegata,  L 

phytolaccoides,  Lyon 

laurifolia,  Mx 

incarnata,  L 

quadrif'olia,  Jacq 

verticillata,  L 

tuberosa,  L.  Butterfly  weed 
3495  Gonolobus,  Rich. 

1  obliquus,  R.  Br 

ORDO   CXXXIV.  GENTIANEAE, 

3528  Gentiana,  L, 

Saponaria,  L 

]  ochroleuca,  Willd 

crinita,  Willd 
3542  Ceutaurella,  Rich. 

paniculata,  Mx 
i3543  Erythraea,  Ren. 
I     pulchella,  Hook 
1 3546  Sa  batia,  Adans 
I    angularis,  Pursh.  Centourey 
13564  Menyanthes,  L. 
1     1  trifoliata,  L 
3565  V^illarsia,  Vent. 

1  lacunosa.  Vent. 

CLASSIS    XXXV.    NUCULI- 
FEKAE. 

ORDO  CXXXVI.  LABIATAE. 

Trihus  I.  Ocimoideae. 
3569  Ocimum,L. 

basilicum,  L.     Sweet  Basil, 
3585  Lavandula,  L. 


496 


HISTORY    OP 


Spica,  L.     Lavender 
Trihus  II.  Menthoideae. 
3592  Isanthus,  Rich. 
1  caeruleus,  Mx. 

3594  Mentha,  L. 
viridis,  L.  Speer  Mint 
piperita,  L.  Pepper  Mint 
arvensis,  L 
Canadensis,  L 

3595  L^^copus,  L. 
Virginicus,  L 
sinuatus,  Ell 

Tribus  III.  Monardeae. 
3597  Salvia,  L. 

lyrata,  L.     Wild   Sage 

qfficinalis,  L.    Garden  Sage 

Sclarea,    L.    Clary 
3600  Monarda,  L. 

didyma,  L.    Burgamot 

fistulosa,  L.   Horse  Mint 

1  punctata,  L 
5601  Blepliilia,  Raf. 

Tciliata,  Paf 
Trilus    IV.   Saturcineae, 
3605  Pycnauthemum,  Benth. 

incanum,  Mx 

linifolium,  Pursh 

lanceolatum,  Pursh 

1  muticum,  Pers 

3608  Origanum,  L. 
vulgare,  L 

3609  Majorana,  Moench. 
liortensis,  Moench,  Marjoram 

3610  Thymus,  L. 
Serpyllum,  L.    Wild  Thyme 
vulgaris,  L.    Garden  Thyme 

3611  Satureia,  L. 
liortensis,  L.     Slimmer  Savory 

3612  Hyssopus,  L. 
officinalis,  L.   Hyssop 

3613  Coilmsonia,  L. 
Canadensis,  L 

3614  Cunila,  L. 
Mariana,  L.    Dittany 

Trihus    V.    Melissinae. 

3615  Hedeoma,  Pers. 
pulegioideSjPers.  Pennyroyal 


3617  Melissa,  Benth, 

officinalis,  L.   Balm 

Clinopodium,  Benth. 

"!  Calamintha,   L 
Tribus  VI.   Scutellarineae^     ] 
3624  Prunella,   L. 

vulgaris,  L.   Heal-all 
3626  Scutellaria,  L. 

1  galericulata,  L.   Scull  cap 

1  nervosa,  Pursh 

parvula,  Mx  [cap 

lateriflora,  L.  Mad-dog  Scull 

integrifolia,  L 

pilosa,  Mx 

1  canescens,  Nutt 

Tribus    VIII.  Nepeteae. 

3635  Lophanthus,  Benth. 
nepetoides,  Benth 
scrophulariaefolius,  Benth 

3636  Nepeta,  Benth. 
Cataria,  L.  Catmint  [Ivy 
Glechoma,    Benth.      Ground 

Tribus '  IX.  Stacliydeae. 
3641  Physostegia,  Benth. 

Virginiana,  Benth 
3645  Lamium,  L. 

amplexicaule,  L.  Henbit. 
3647  Leonurus,  L. 

Cardiaca,  L.   Motherwort 
3650  Stachys,  Benth. 

aspera,  Mx 

sylvatica,  LI 

"!  tenuifolia,  Muhl 
3657  Marrubium,  L. 

vulgare,  L.  Horehound 
Trihus    XI.    Ajugoideae. 

3678  Trichostemma,  L. 
dichotoma,  L 

3679  Teucrium,   L. 
Canadense,  L 

ORDO         CXXXVII.       VERBENA- 
CEAE. 

3684  Lippia,  L. 
nodiflora,  Mx 

3685  Verbena,   L. 
hastata,  L.   Vervain 
]  spuria,  L 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


497 


urticaefolia,  L 
angustitblia,  Mx 
3690  Priva,  Adans. 
leptostachya,  Juss 

ORDO    CXLIII.     ASPEPiIFOLIAE. 

Suh  ordo  II.   Boragineae. 
Trihus  I.   Anchuseae, 
3755  Onosmodiiim,  Rich. 

hispidum,  Mx 
3757  Echium,  Tournef, 

vulgare,  L.    Blue  Devils. 
3759  Pulaionaria,  Tournef. 

Virginica,  L 
3761  Lithospermum,   Tour. 

arvense,  L.   Stotie-weed 

officinale.  L 

canescens,  Lehm 
3772  Myosotis,  L.  \ 

palustn.>,Ptoth.  Forget  me  not 

arvensi^,  Siblh 
3776   Symphytum,   L. 

officinale,   L.     Comfrey 
Tribiis  II.    Cynoglosseae. 
37S4  Cynoa;!ossum,   L. 

officinale,  L.  Hound's  tongue 

Virginicuin,  L.  Wild  Comfrey 
3786  Echiiiospermum,  Sw. 

Virginicuin,  Lehm 
CLASSIS  XXXVI.  TUBIFLO- 
j;AE. 

OKDO      CXLIV.      CONVOLVULA- 
CEAE. 

3801   Calystegia,  R,  Br. 

spithamaea,  Pursh 

sepiuni,  Pursh 
3803  Convolvulus,  L. 

arvensis,  L 

panduratus,  L 

purpureus, L.  Morning  Glory 
3807  Batatas,  Chois. 

edidis,  Chois.   Sweet  Potato 
SSI 6  Cuscuta,  Tournef. 

Americana,  L.  Dodder 

Earopaeal  L.   Flax  vine 

ORDO  CXLV.  POLEMONIACEAE. 

3819  Phlox,  L. 
paniculata,  L 

4; 


maculata,  L 
aristata,  Mx 
uivaricata,  L 
']  reptans,  Mx 
subulata,  L 
3822  Polemonium,  Tournef. 
reptans,  L.   Jacob's  Ladder 

ORDO       CXLVI.       HYDROPHYL- 
LEAE. 

3827  Hydrophyllum,  Tour, 
nef. 
Virginicum,  L 
Canadenae,  L 

3830  Eutoca,  R.  Br. 
parviflora,  R.  Br 

3831  Phacelia,  Juss. 
fimbriata,  Mx 

lORDO    CXLVIII.     SOLANACEAE. 

Tribus  I.    Nicotianeae. 
3841   Nicotiana,  L. 
Tabrcum,L.    Tobacco 
Tribus  II.   Datureae. 
3845  Daturus,  L. 
Stramoniuni,  L.  Jimson 
Tatula,  L 

Tribus  IV.    Solaneae. 
3851   Physalis,  L. 
viscosa,  L.   Ground  cherry 

3854  Capsicum,  Tournef. 
avnuum,  L.  Red  Pepper 

3855  Solaiinm,  L. 
dulcamara,  L.   Bittersweet 
nigrum,  L,  Nightshade 
tuberosum,   L.    Potato 
esculentum,  Dunal.  Egg  Plant 

3856  Lycoparsicum,  Tournef 
esculentum.  Mill.     Tomato 

CLASSIS  XXXVIL  PEKSON- 
ATAE. 

ORDO     CXLIX.      SCROPHUEARI- 
NAE. 

Tribus  I.    Verbasceae. 

3878  Verbascum,  L. 
Thapsus,  L.  Mullein 
Blattaria,  L.   Moth  Mullein 

3883  Scropliularia,  Tournef. 
Marilandica,  L. 


498 


HISTORY   OF 


Tribus  III.  Antirrhineae. 
3891  Linaria,  Tournef, 
vulgaris,  Mill.    Toad  Flax 
Tribus    V.    Digitaleae, 

3908  Chelone,  L. 
glabra,  L 

3909  Pentstemon,  Herit. 
pubescens,  Pursh 

3915  Digitalis,  Tournef. 

purpurea,  L.    Fox  Glove 
Tribus   VI.    GratioUae. 
3935  Mimulus,  L. 

ringens,  L.    Monkey  flower 

alatus,  L 
3946  Gratiola,  R.  Br. 

Virginica,  L 

anagallidea,  Mx 
Tribus  VII.  Buchnereae. 
3960  Buchiiera,  L. 

1  Americana,  L 

Tribus  IX.  Veroniceae. 
3977  Limosella,  L. 

subulata,  Ives 

3979  Veronica,  L. 
serpyllifuiia,  L 
scutellata,  L 
Anagailis  L 
Beccabunga,  L 
officinalis,  L,    Speedwell 
peregrina,  L 
arveiisis,  L 
hederaeloiia,  L 

3980  Paecierota,  L. 
Virginica,  Endl 

Tribus  X.  Gerardieae. 
3996  Gerardia,  L. 
purpurea,  L 
tenuifuJia,  L 
1  auriculata,  Mx 
flava.  L 
glauca,  Eddy 
pedicularia,  L 
Tribus  XI.  Rhinanilieac. 
4004  Cr.stilieja,  Mutis. 
coccinea,  Spreng.      Painted 
cup. 
4015  Pedicu'aris,  Tournef. 


Canadensis,  L.     LousewoTt 
pallida,  Pursh 
4018    Melampyrum,   Tour- 
nef. 
Americanum,      Mx.       Govt 
wheat. 
4026  Obolaria,  L. 
Virginica,  L.    Pennywort, 

OKDO  CL.    ACANTHACEAE. 

4047  Ruellia,  L. 

strepens,  L 
4093?  Justicia,  L. 

pedunculosa,  Mx 

ORDO  CLI.    BIGNONIACEAE. 

4113  Catalpa,  Juss. 
syringaefolia,  Sims.  Catawba 

4114  Tecoma,  Juss. 
Radicans,    Juss.       Trumpet 

Flower 

ORDO  CLIV.  OROBANCHEAE. 

4182  Epiphegus,  Nutt. 

Americanus,    Nutt.       Beech 
drops 
4184  Conopholis,  Wallr. 

Americana,  Wallr 
4189  Anoplanthus,  Endl. 

uniflora,  Endl 

ORDO    CLV.      UTRICTJLARIEAE. 

4193  Utricularia,  L. 

macrorliiza,  Le  Conte 

ceratophylla,  Mx 
CLASSIS    XXXVIII.     PETA- 
LAMTHAE. 

ORDO     CLVI.      PRIMIJI.ACEAE. 

4202  Dodecatheon,  L. 
Meadia,  L 

4207  Lysimachia,  Moench. 
stricta,  Ait 

quadrifolia,  L 
ciliata,  L 
niybrida,  Mx 

4208  Trientalis,  L. 
Americana,  Pursh 

4213  Anagailis.  L. 
arvensis,  L.  Chickweed. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


499 


4215  Samolus,  Tournef, 
Valerandi,  L 

ORDO  CLIX.    EBENACEAE. 

4249  Diospyros,  L. 
Virginiana,  L.     Persimmon 
CLASSIS   XXXIX.   BICOR- 

NES. 

ORDO  CLXI.  ERICACEAE. 
Sub  ordo  I.  Ericinae. 

4318  Andromeda,  L. 
calyculata,  L 
1  racemosa,  L 
1  Mariana,  L 

4319  Lyoiiia,  Nutt. 
paniculata,  Nutt 

4320  Clethra,  L. 
"?  alnifolia,  L 

4322  Epigala,  L. 
repens,  L 

4323  Gaultheria,  L. 
procumbens,  L.    Tea  berry 

Sub  ordo  IT.    Vaccinieae. 

4331  Oxycoccus,  Tournef. 
macrocarpus,    Pers.     Cran 

berry 

4332  Vaccinium,  L. 
album  L.     Deer  berry 
frondosum,  L.  Whortleberry 
resinosum,  Ait 
corymbosum,  L 
virgatum,  Ait 
Sub  ordo  III.  Rhododendreae. 

4339  Kalmia,  L. 

latifolia,  L.     Laurel 

angustifulia,  L 
4341   Rliododendron,  L. 

nudiflorum,Torr,  Honeysuc- 
kle 

viscosum,  Torr 

maximum,  L.  Mountain  Lau- 
rel 

Ericaceis  qffines 

4348  Chim'aphila,  Piirsh. 
umbellata,   Nutt.     Pipsisswa 
maculata,  Pur^h 

4349  Pyrola,  Tournef. 
rotundifolia,  L 


elliptica,  Nutt 
1  minor,  L 
secunda,  L 

4351  Monotropa,  Nutt. 
uniflora,  L.    Indian  fipe 

4352  Hypopithys,  Dillen. 
lanuginosa,  Nutt.  Pine  sap 

Cohors    If\    Itialypetd- 
Ine. 

CLASSIS  XL.  DISCA?^THAE. 

ORDO  CLXII.  UMBELLIFERAE. 
Sub  ordo  I.  Orthospermae. 
Tribus  I.  Hydrocotyleae. 
4355  Hydrocotyle,  Tournef. 
Americana,  L 
T:  umbellata,  L 
ranunculoides,  L 
4359  Erigenia,  Nutt. 
bulbosa,  Nutt 

Tribus  III.  Saniculeae. 
4382  Sanicula,  Tournef.' 
Marilandica,  L 

Tribus  IV.  Ammineae. 

4391  Cicuta,  L. 
maculata,  L.     Wild  Parsnep 

4392  Zizia,  Koch, 
aurea,  Koch 
cordata,  Koch 
integerrima,  DC. 

4393  Apium,  Hoffm. 
graveolens,  L.     Celery 

4394  Petroselinum,  Hoffm. 
I     sativum,  Hoffm.     Parsley 
4406  Carum,  Koch. 

Carui.  L.      Caraway 
4409  Cryptotaenia,  DC. 
Canadensis,  DC 

4413  Slum,  Koch, 
latifolium,  L 
lineare,  Mx 

4414  Bupleurum,    Tournef. 
I     rotund  I  folium,  L 
I          Tribus  V.  Seselineae. 
4425  Foeniculum,  Adans. 

mdgare,  Gaertn.     Fennel 
44 3S  Thaspium,  Nutt. 
barbinode,  Nutt 


500 


HISTORY    OF 


Trihus  VII.  Angeliceae. 
4453  Levisticum,  Koch 
officinale,  Koch.     Lavage 
4457  Archangelica,  Hoffm 

atropurpurea,  Hoffm 
'  hirsLita,  Torr  &  Gray 
Tribus    VIII.  Peucedaneae. 

4472  Archemora,  DC. 
rigida,  DC.     Cowbane 

4473  Pastinaca,  Tournef. 
sativa,  L.     Farsncp 

AAll  Heracleuni,  L. 
lanatiim,  Mx.     Cow  Parsnep 
Tribus  XII.   Dauciiieae. 
4497  DaucLis,  Tournef. 
Carota,  L.     Carrot. 
Sub  ordo  II.   Campy lospermae. 
Tribus  XV.  Scandicinae. 
4506  Chac-rophyllum,  L. 

procumbens,  L 
4515  Osniovliiza,  Raf. 
longistylis,  DC.  Sweet  cicely 
brevistylis,  DC 
Tribus  XVI.  S7nyrneae. 
4532   Couiiim,  L, 
maculatum,  L.     Hemlock      i 
Sub  ordo  III.   Coelospe7-mae. 
Tribus  XVII.   Coriandreae. 
4549  Coriandrum,  L. 
sativum,  L.   Coriander. 
OEDO  CLXIII.  AKALIACEAE. 

4551   Panax, 

quinquefulium,  L.     Ginseng 

trifolium,  L 
4558  Araiia,  L. 

racemosa,  L.     Spikenard 

nudicaulis,  L,  Sarsaparilla 

hispida,  Mx 

spinob^a,  L 

ORDO   CLXIV.  AMPELIDEAE. 

4566  Cissiis,  L. 
quinquefolia,   Desf.   Virginia 

Creeper 

4567  Vitis,  L. 
Labrusta,  L.   Fox  Grape 
aestivalis, Mx.  Summer  Grape 
cordifolia,Mx.Cliicken  Grape 


riparia,  Mx 
vinifera,  L.  (vars) 

ORDO     CLXV.     CORNEAE. 

4574  Cornus,  Tournef. 
aiternifolia,  L.  f 
circinata,  Herit 
paniculata,  Herit 
sericea,  L 
Florida,  L.   Dogwood 

OKDO     CLXVI.   LORANTIIACEAE, 

4584  Viscum,  L. 
flavescens,  Pursh.  Misselto 

ORDO   CLXVII.   HAMAMELIDEAE. 

4591   Hamamelis,  L. 

Virginica.  L.    Witch  Hazel 

CLASSISXLI.  CORNICULA- 

TAE. 

ORDO   CLXIX.    CRASSULACEAE. 

4622  Seciiun,  L. 

ternalum,  Mx 
4625  Penlhorum,  L. 

sedoides,  L 

ORDO    CLXX.   SAXIFRAGACEAE. 
Sub  ordo  I.    Saxifrageae. 

4634  Saxifraga,  L. 
Virginiensis,  Mx 
Pennsylvanica,  L. 

4635  Clnysospleniumj  Tour- 
nef. 

American  am,  Schw. 
4639  Hetichera,  L. 

Americana,  L. 
4641  Mitella,  Tournef. 

diphylla.  L 
Sub  ordo  III,  Hydrangeae. 
4668  Hydrangea,  L. 

arborescens,  L. 

ORDO    CLXXI.   RIBESIACEAE. 

4682  Ribes,  L. 
floridum,  Herit 
rubrum,  L.   Red  Currant 
nigrum,   L.   Black  Currant 
Uva  crispa,  L.   Gooseberry 

CLASSIS  XLII.    POLYCAR- 
PICAE. 

ORDO   CLXXn.   BIENISPERMACEAE. 

4685  Menispermum,  Tour- 
nef. 


LANCASTER    COUNTr. 


501 


Canadense,  L.    Moonseed 

ORDO   CLXXIV.   ANONACEAE. 

4717  Uvaria,  L. 

triloba,  Torr  &  Gray.  Papaw 

ORDO   CLXXVI.    MAGNOUACEAE. 

4737  Magnolia,  L. 

glauca,  L 

1  Umbrella,  Lam 

acuminata,  L 
4740  Liriodendron,  L, 

tulipifera,  L.     Tulip  Poplar 

ORDO  CLXXVIIl.  UANUNCULACEAE. 
Tribus  I.   Clematideae. 

4768  Clematis,  L. 
Virginiana,  L.  Virgin's  Bower 
viorna,  L 

4769  Atragene,  DC. 
Americana,    Sims 

Tribus  II.  Anemoneae. 
A112  Thalictrum,  Tournef. 
dioicum,  L 
Cornuti,  L 
anemonoides,  Mx 

4773  Anemone,  Hall, 
nemorosa,  L 
Virginiana,  L 
Pennsylvanica,  L 

4774  Hepatica,  Dillen. 
triloba,  Chaix.     Liver-wort 

4777  Hydrastis,  L. 

Canadensis,  L.  Yellow  root 
Tribus  IIL  Ranunculeae. 
4783  Ranunculus,  Hall. 

aquatilis,  L 

Flam mu la,  L 

reptans,  L 

pusillus,  Poir 

abortivus,  L 

sceleratus,  L.    drow  foot 

I  acris,  L 

repens,  L 

Pennsylvanicus,  L 

recurvatus,  Poir 

fascicularis,  Muhl 

bulbosus,  L.     Butter  cup 
Tribus  IV.  Helleboreae. 
4786  Caltha,  L. 

palustris,  L.  Marsh  Marygold 


4787  TroUius,  L. 
1  laxus,  Salisb 

4795  Aquilegia,  Tournef, 
Canadensis,  L.     Columbine 

4796  Delphinium,  Toumef. 
Consolida,  L.     Larkspur 

Tribus  V.  Paeonieae. 

4799  Actaea,  L 
alba,  Bigel.     White   Cohosh 

4800  Botrophis,  Raf. 
racemosa,  Raf.   Black  Snake 

root 

ORDO   CLXXIX.   BERBERIDEAE. 

4806  Podophyllum,  L. 

peltatum,  L.    May  apple 
4810  Leontice,  L. 

thalictroides,  L.  Blue  Cohosh 
CLASSISXLIII.RHOEADES. 

ORDO    CLXXX.    PAPAVERACEAE, 
Sub  ordo  L  Papavereae. 

4818  Sanguinaria,  L. 
Canadensis,   L.     Red-root 

4819  Chelidouium,  Tournef. 
majus,  L.     Celandine 

4821   Argemone,  Tournef. 
Mexicana,  L.  Prickley  Pop- 

py 

4823  Papaver,  Tournef., 
%  dubium,  L 
Sub  ordo  II.  Fumariaccae. 

4836  Dicentra,  Borkh. 
CucuUaria,   Endl.     Breeches 

flower 
Canadensis,   Endl.     Squirrel 
Corn 

4837  Adlumia,  Raf 
cirrhosa,  i;af. 

4839  Corydalis,  DC. 

aurea,  Willd 

Glauca,  Pursh 
4843  Fumaria,  Tournef 

officinalis,  L.   Fumitory 

ORDO   CLXXXT.    CRUCIFERAE. 
Sub  ordo  I.  Pteurorhizeae. 
Tribus  I.  Arabideae. 
4850  Nasturtium,  R.  Br. 
officinale,  R,  Br.  "Water  Cress 


502 


HISTORY    OF 


palustre,  DC. 
amphibium,  R.  Br 
4851   Barbarea,  R.  Br. 
vulgaris,  R.  Br. 
praecox,  R.  B.  Scurvy  Grass 
4854  Arabis,  L. 
hirsuta,  Scop 
lyrata,  L 
laevigata,  DC 
Canadensis,  L 
4859  Carclamine,  L. 
rhoniboidpa.  DC 
Irutundifulia,  Mx 
hirsuta,  L 
4861  Dentaria,  Tournef. 
laciniata,  Muhl 
diphylla,  Mx 

Trihus  II.  Alyssineae. 
4880  Draba,  L. 

ICaruliniana,  Walt 
48S1  Erophila,  DC. 

vulgaris,  DC 
4882  Cochlearia,  L. 
Armoracia,  L.    Horse  Radish 
Tribus  III.  Thlaspideae. 
4SS8    Cynocardamum,     W, 
&  B. 
Virginicum,  Webb  &  Benth 
Siih  ordo  II.  Notorhizp.ae. 
Tribus  VII.  Sisymbrieae. 
4906  Sisymbrium,  L. 

olficinaie,  Scop.  Hedge  Mus- 
tard 
1  canescens,  Kutt 
Thaliana,  Gay 
Tribus  VIII.   CmneJineae. 
4919  Camelina,  Crantz. 
sativa,  Crantz.     Wild  Flax 
Tribus  JX.  Lepidnicae. 
4927  Capsella,  Vent. 
Bursa     Pastoris,       Moench, 
Shepherd's  Purse 
4933  Lepidiiim,  R.  Br. 
Sativum,  L.   Tongue  grass 
Sub  ordo  TIL  Orthnploceae. 
Tribus  XII.  Brassiceae, 
4949  Brassica,  L. 


oV-'raceae,  L.     Cabbage 

campsstris,  L.    Ruta  baga 

Rapa,  L.     Turnep 
4950  Sinapis,  Tom'nef. 

nigra,  L.     Black  Mustard 

alba,  L.      White  Mustard. 
Tribus  XVI.  Raphaneae. 
4972  Raphauus,  Tournef. 

sativus,  L.       Radish. 

ORDO    CLXXXII.    CAPPARIDEAE, 

4988  Polauisia,  Raf. 

graveolens,  Raf 
CLASSIb  XLIV.  NELUMBIA, 

ORDO   CXXXV.    NYMPHAEACEAE. 

5020  Nymphaea,  Neck, 
odorata.  Ait.     Water  Lily 

5021  Nupliar,  Sm. 
Advena,  Ait.  Spatter  Dock 
*  Sarracsniaceae. 

5023  Sarracenia,  L. 
purpurea     L.        Sidesaddle 
flower 

ORDO   CLXXXVI.    CABOMBEAE. 

5025  Brasenia,  Schreb. 
peltata,  Pursh 

CLASSIS     XLV.     PARIETA 

LES. 

ORDO   CLXXXYIII.   CISTINEAE. 

5029    Heliantliemum,  Tour- 
nef. 

Canadense,  Mx.  [&  vars] 
5930  Lechea,  L. 

major,  Mx 

minor,  !  am.     Pin  weed 

ORDO    CLXXXIX.  DROSERACEAE. 

5033  Drosera,  L. 
rutundifolia,  I,.     Sun  dew 

OKDO   CXC.   VIOLARIEAE. 

5040  Viola,  L.  Violet, 
pedata,  L 
palmata,  L 
cucuUata,  Ait 
sororia,  Willd 
sasittata,  Ait 
blanda,  Willd 
primulaefolia,  L 
striata,  Ait 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


5,03 


Muhlenbergii,  Torr 
rostrata,  Pursh 
pubescens,  Ait 
Canadensis,  L 
tricolor,  L 
CLASSIS  XLVI.   PEPONIFE 
HAE. 

ORDO   ecu.    CUCURBITACEAE. 

5126  Melothria,  L. 

pcndula,  L 
5131  Citmllus,  Neck. 

eduUs,  Spacli.      Water  Melon 

5136  Lagenaria,  Ser. 
vulgaris,  Ser.     Calabash 

5137  Cucumis,  L. 
Melo,  L.     Cantalcupe 
sativus,  L.     Cucumber 
Anguria,  L.    Prickly  Cucum- 
ber. 

5138  Cucurhita,  L. 
Pepo,  L.     Pumpkin 
Melopepo,  \,.     Cymling 
verrucosa,  L.    Long  Squash 

5141    Echinocystis,  Torr   & 
Gray, 
lobata,  Torr  &  Gray 
5146  Sicyos,  L. 

angulatus,  L 
CLASSIS    XLVIIT.     CARYO- 
PHYLDINAE. 

ORDO    CCVI.    PORTULACEAE 

5174  Portulaca,Tournef. 

oleracea,  [,.     Purslane 
5178  Talinum,  Adans. 

Meretifolium,  Pursh 
5180  Claytouia,  li. 

Virginica,  L 
5186  Moiiugo,  L. 

verticillata,  L.     Carpet  weed 

ORDO     CCVII.    CARYOPHYLLEAE. 
Sub  ordn  I.  Paronychieae. 
Tribus  I.  Illecebreae. 
5203  Paronycliia,  Juss. 
Canadensis,  Endl 

Tribus  Y.  Polycarpeae. 
5318  Spergularia,  Pers. 
?  arvensis,  St.  Hil 


^  rubra,  St.  Hil 
Sub  nrdo  II.  Scleranlheae. 
5233  Scleranthus,  L. 
1  annuus,  L.  Knawel. 
Sub  ordo  III.  Alsineae. 
Tribus  I.  Sabulineae. 
5237  Alsuie,  Wahlenb. 
!  Michauxii,  Fenzl. 
Tribus  III.  Stellarineae. 
5334  Arenaria,  L. 
serpyllifolia,  L 
lateriflora,  L 

5340  Stellaria,  L. 
media,  Sm. 
1  pubera,  Mx 
longifulia,  Muhl 

i     aquatica,  Pollich 

5341  Cerastium,  L, 
vulgatum,  L 
viscosum,  L 
arvense,  L 
villosum.  Muhl 
nutans,  Kaf 

Sub  ordo  IV.  Sileneaet 
5348  Silene,  L. 

stellata.  Ait 

nivea,  DC 

Antirrhina,  L 

Pennsylvanica,  L 

olficinalis,  Endl.  Soap  wort 
5350  Lychnis,  Tournef. 

Githago,  Lam.     Cockle 

ORDO    covin.     PHYTOLACCAbEAE* 

5363  Phytolacca,  Tournef, 

decandra.  L.     Poke 
CLASSIS  XI  IX.    COLUMNI- 
FEiiAE. 

ORDO  CCIX.  MALVACEAE. 

T/  ibus  11.  Malveae. 

5370  Althaea,  Cavan. 
officinalis,  L.     Marsh  Mallow 
rosea,  Cavan.    Holly  Hock 

5371  Malva,  L. 
rotundifolia,  L.  Running  Mal- 
low 

moschata,  L.     Musk  Mallow 

sylvestris,  L 

crispa,  L.   Curled  Mallow 


S04 


HISTORf   OP 


Trihus  III.  Hibisceae.  I 

S277  Hibiscus,  L. 
Trionum,  L 
Syriacus,  L.- 
S281  Abelmoschus,  Medik. 
esculentus,  Moench.    Okra. 
moschentos,  Medik 
Trihus  IV.  Sideae. 
5289  Sida,  Kmith. 
spinosa,  L 
Irhombifolia,  L 
5292  Abutiloii,  Gaertn. 
Avicennae,    Gaertn.    Indian 
Mallow 

ORDO   CCXII.  TILIACEAE. 

5373  Tilia,  L. 
Americana,  L.    Linden 
CLASSIS  L.  GUTTIFERAE. 

ORDO    CCXVIII.    HYPERICINEAE. 

5463  Ascyriim,  L. 
Crux  Andreae,  L 

5464  Hypericum,  L. 
perforatum,  L.      St.    John's 

Wort 
corymb osum,  Muhl 
mutilum,  L 
Canadense,  L 
Sarothra,  Mx 

5465  Eiodea,  Adans. 
Virginica,  Nutt 

CLASSIS  LII.  ACEHA. 

ORDO   CCXXVII.  ACERINEAE. 

555S  Acer,  Moencli. 
saccharinum,  L.    Sugar  Ma- 
ple [Maple, 
dasycarpum,    Ehrh.      Silver 
rubrum,  I,.  Red  Maple 
5559  Ne2;nndo,  Moench. 
aceroides,  Moench,    Box  El- 
der 
CLASSIS  LIII.    POLYGALI- 
NAE. 

ORDO     CCXXXIII.    POLYGALEAE. 

5647  Polygala,  L. 
sanguinea,  L 
cruciata,  L 
verticillata,  L 
ambigua,  Nutt 


Senega,  L.  SenecaSnake  root 
polygama,  Walt 
1  paucifolia,  Willd 
CLASSIS  LIV.   FRANGULAi 
CEAE. 

ORDO    CCXXXV.    STAPHYLEACEAE. 

5673  Staphylea,  L. 
trifolia,  L.    Bladder  Nut 

ORDO    CCXXXVI.  CELASTRINEAE. 

5676  Euonymus,  Tournef.- 
atropurpureus,  Jacq.    Burn- 
ing bush 
Americanus,  L 

5679  Celastrus,  Kunth. 
scandens,  L 

ORDO  CCXXXVm.    ILICINEAE. 

5705  Ilex,  L. 
opaca.  Ait.    Holly 

5706  Prinos,  L. 
verticillatus,  L.  Black  Alder 
ambiguus,  Mx 

ORDO  CCXXXIX.  RHAMeNeA. 

5722  Rhamnus,  Juss. 

1  alnifolius,  Herit 
5726  Ceanothus,  L. 

Americanus,  L.   Ne\v  Jersey 
Tea 
Ci  ASSIS  LV.  TRICOCCAE. 

ORDO  CCXLIII.    eTJPHORBIACeAe. 
Trihus  I.  Euphorhieae. 
5766  Euphorbia,  L. 
hypericifolia,L 
macuJata,  L 
Peplus,  L 

Lathyris,  L.  Mole  tree 
corollata,  L       '"'• 
'Inemoralis,    Fl.   Cestr.    non 
Kit 

Trihus  III.  Acalyplieae, 
5787  Acalypha,  L...   . 
Virginica  L  vA^ 

Trihus  V.  Phyllahtlieae, 
5847  Pliyllanthus,  Sw. 

Caroliniensis,  Walt. 
CLASSIS      LVI.     TEREBIN- 
THINEAE. 

ORDO   CCXLIV.  JUGLANDeAe, 

5889  Garya,  Nutt. 


LANCASTER    COUNT! 


S05 


sulcata,  Nutt  , 

alba,  Nutt.     Shellbark  Hickory 
tomentosa,  Nutt 
amara,  Nutt 
porciiia,  Nutt.    Pignut 
"?  microcarpa,  Nutt 
S890  Juglans,  L. 
nigra,  L.    Black  Walnut 
cinera,  L.    Butternut 
regm,  L.    English  Walnut 

ORDO   CCXLV.     ANACARDIANCEAE, 

6905  Rhus,  L. 
typhina,  L.  Staghom  Sumach 
glabra,  L.  Smooth  Sumach 
copallina,  L. 

venenata,  DC.  Poison  Sumach 
toxicodendron,  L.  Poison  vine 

ORDO   CCL.   ZANTHOXYLEAE. 

6972  Zanthoxylon,  Kunth. 

fraxineura,  Willd.  Prickly  Ash 
CLASSIS  LVir.  GRUINALES. 

ORDO   CCLIV.     GERANIACEAE. 

8046  Geranium  Herit. 
maculatum,  L 
CaroKnianum, 
?pusillum.  L 

ORDO   CCLV.     LINEAE. 

$656  Linum,  L. 
-  Virginianum,  L 

vsitatissimum,  L.    Flax. 

ORDO    CCLVI.    OXALIDEAE. 

6058  Oxalis,  L.  -  Wood  Sorrel, 
violacea.  K^--  ;••.:— 
stricta,  L. 

ORDO   CCLVII.     EALSAMINEAE. 

6060  Impatiens,  L.     Snap  weed, 
pallida,  Nutt. 
fulva,  Nutt. 

ORDO    CCLVIII.    TROPEOLEAE. 

6063  Tropaeolum,  L. 

majusj  L.  Nasturtium. 

ORDO   CCIIX.    LIMNANTHEAE. 

6<>65  Floerka  Willd. 

proserpinacoides,  Willd. 
CLASSIS  LVIII.  CALYCIFLORAE 

ORDO  CCLXV. OENOTHEREAE. 

Tribus  I.  Jussieueae. 
6111  Isuardi,  DC. 
alternifolia,  DC. 
palustris,  L. 

43 


Trihii  11  ■  Epilobicac, 
6115  Oenothera,  L. 
bieimis,  L.  Evening  Primrose 
fruticosa,  L. 
•16121  Epilobium,.L. 
angustifolium,  L. 
Coloratum,  Muhl. 
palustre,  L.  (and  var.) 
Tribus  VI.  Circaeaceae. 
6.130  Circaea,  Toumef. 
Lutetiana,  L.  Enchanter's  Niglit 
shade. 

Tribus  VII.  Gaureae. 
6131  Gaura,  L. 
biennis,  L. 

ORDO   CCLXVI.    HALQRAGEAE. 

6134  Hippuris,  L. 
?  vulgaris,  L.  Horse-tail. 

ORDO   CCXLVII,    LYTHRARIEAE. 

6146  Ammaniiia,  Houst. 

?  humilis,  Mx. 

6151  Cuphea,  Jacq. 

viscosisissima,  Jacq. 
CLASSIS  LIX.  MYRTIFLORAE 

ORDO  CCXLVIII.  MELASTOMACEAE. 

6200  Rhexia,  R.  Br, 
Virginica,  L. 
CLASSIS  LX.  ROSIFLORAE. 

ORDO   CCLXX.    POMACEAE. 

6341  Cydonia,  Tournef. 
vulgaris,  Pers.   Quince, 

6342  Pyrus,  Lindl. 
communis.^  L.  Pear. 
Malus,  L.  Apple. 
Coronaria,  L.  Crab  Apple, 
arbutifolia,  L.  f. 

6345  Amelanchier,  Medik. 

Canadensis,  Torr  &  Gray. 
6353  Crataegus,  L. 

ovyacantha,  L. 

crusgalli,  L.  Couckspur  Thorn. 

coccinea,  L. 

tomentosa,  L. 

punctata,  L.  Jacq. 

?  parviFolia,  Ait. 

ORDO  CCLXXI.   ROSACEAE. 

cordata.  Ait.  Washington  Thorn. 

Sub  Grdoj  I.  .Roseae. 
6357  Rosa,  Toumef. 
Carolina,  L,  Swamp  Rose. 


506 


HISTORY  OF 


lucida,  Ehrh.  Dwarf  Rose. 

rubiginosa,  L.  Sweet  Briar. 

Sub  or  do  II.  Dryadeaxi. 

6360  Rubus,  L. 

Idaeus,  L.  Garden  Raspberry. ' 
odoratus,  Flowering  Raspberry, 
occidentalis,  L.  Raspberry, 
villosusj  Ait.  Blackberry. 
Canadensis,  L.  Dewberry, 
hispidus,  L.  Swamp  Dewberry. 

6361  Fragaria,  L. 
Virginiana,  Ehrh.  Wild  Straw- 
berry. 

vesca  L.  Garden  Strawberry. 
6363  Potentilla,  L. 

Norvegica  L. 

Canadensis,  L.  Cinquefoil. 
6398  Agrimonia,  Tournef. 

Eupatoria,  L. 
6373  Sanguisorba,  L. 

Canadensis,  L. 
6386  Geum,  L. 

Virginianum,  L. 

rivale,  L. 
Sub  or  do  III.  Spiracaceae. 
6391  Spiraea,  L. 

opulifolia,  L. 

salicifolia,  L. 

tomentosa,  L. 
6393    Gillenia,  Moench. 

trifoliata,       Mounch.       Indian 
Physic. 

ORDO    CCLXXIII.      AMYGDALEAE. 

6405^  Amygdalus.  L. 

Persica,  L.     Peach. 
6406  Prunus.  L. 

Armeniaca,  L.     Apricot. 

dasycarpa,  L.     Black  Apricot. 

domestica,  L.     Damson  Plum. 

Americana,  Marsh.   Red  Plum, 

chicasa,  Mx.     Chicasa  Plum. 

Cerasus,  L.     Cherry. 

puniila,  L. 

Virginiana,  L. 

serotina,  Ehrh.     Wild  Cherry. 
CLASSIS  LXI.  LEGUMINOSAE 

ORDO    CCLXXV.      PAPILIONACEAE. 

Tribus,  I.     Podalyricae. 
6421  Baptisa,  Vent. 

tinctoria,  R.  Br.  Wild  Indigo. 


Tribus,  II.    Loteae. 

6472  Crotalaria,  L. 
sagittalis,  L.  Rattle  box 

6473  Lupinus,  Tournef. 
pereimis,  L.    Wild  Lupine.  ^  % 

6507  Medicago,  L. 

sativa,  L.     Lucerne. 
lupulina,  L.  Hop  Trefoil.         f  ^ 

6510  Mehlotus,  Tournef. 
officinalis,  Willd.  Melilot, 

6511  Trifolium.  Tournef. 
arvense,  L.     Stone  Clover. 

pratense,  L.   Red  Clover. 

reflexum,  L. 

repens,  L.    White  Clover. 

?  procumbens,  L. 

agrarium,  L.     Yellow  Clover. 
6539  Tephrosia,  Pers. 

Virgmiana,  Pers.     Cat-gut. 
6546  Robinia,  L. 

Psued-aca«ia,  L.    Locust  tree. 

viscosa,  Vent.  Clammy  Locust, 
Tribus,   III.     Vicieae. 

6578  Cicer,  Tournef. 
arietinum,  L.  Chick  Pea. 

6579  Pisum,  Tournef. 
sativum,  L.  Garden  Pea. 

6580  Ervum,  Tournef. 
Lens,  L.  Lentil. 
1  hirsutum,  L. 

6581  Vicia,  L. 
Faba,  L.  Horse  Bean.  ) 
Americana,  Muhl. 
Cracca,  L. 

6582  Lathyrus,  L,    • 
venosus,  L. 

Tribus  IV.  Hedysareac. 
6600  Stylosanthes,  Sw. 

elatior,  Sw. 
6615  Desmodium.  DC. 

nudiflorum,  DC. 

acuminatum,  DC.  " 

1  pauciflorum,  DC. 

canescensj  DC. 

Dillenii,  Darlingt. 

cuspidatum,  Torr  &  Gray. 

viridiflorum,  Beck. 

Marilanf "cum,  Boot!;. 

ciliare,  DC. 

]  rigidum,  DC. 


LANCASTER  COUNTY. 


507 


paniculatum,  DC. 

rotundifolinm,  DC. 
6623  Lespedeza,  Rich, 

procumbens,  Mx. 

violacea,  Pers. 

?  Stuvei,  Nutt. 

hirta,  Ell. 

capitata,  Mx. 

Tribus  V.  Phaseoleae. 
6630  Amphicarpaea,  Ell. 

monoica,  Torr  &  Gray. 
6653  Galactia,  P.  Br. 

?  glabella,  Mx. 

6673  Apios,  Boerh. 
tuberosa,  Moench. 

6674  Phaseolus,  L. 


perennis  Walt. 

1  diversifolius,  Pers. 

helvolus,  L. 

C  vulgaris,  L.  Pole  Bean. 

t.var.  nanus.  Bunch  Bean. 

lunatus,  L.  Lima  Bean. 
Tribus  VII.  Sophoreae. 
6750  Cercis;  L. 

Canadensis,  L.  Judas  Tree. 
Tribus  VIII.  Caesalpineae. 
6756  Gleditschia,  L. 

triacanthos,  L.  Honey  Locust. 
6781  Cassia,  L. 

Marilandica,  L.  Wild  Senna. 

Chamaecrista,  L. 

nictitans,  L. 


The  preceding  List  contains  about  550  Genera,  and  something 
more  than  1200  Species:  of  which  upwards  of  100  species  may  be 
found  under  cultivatio'a,  in  the  fields,  or  gardens,  of  Lancaster  coun- 
ty. A  detailed  description  of  the  greater  portion  of  the  plants,  here 
enumerated,  is  furnished  in  the  Flora  of  Chester  County :  and  the 
whole  of  them — except,  perhaps,  a  fewof  the  cultivated  ones, — 
-will  be  comprised  in  Torrey  &  Grat's  truly  national  work,  the 
Flora  of  North  America— now  in  process  of  publication. 

October,  1843. 


508  HISTORY    OF 


BIRDS  OF  LANCASTER  COUNTY, 


BY    J.    J.    LIBHART. 


In  arranging  this  catalogue,  no  particular  'c-lassification  has  been 
followed.  Species  are  placed  under  the  generic  names  of  the  older 
Systematis,  with  the  expectation  of  rendering  it  more  satisfactory  to 
the  general  reader. 

ORDER— ACCIPITRES—LiNAEus. 

Cathartes  aura,  turkey  buzzard.  Falco  peregrinuS,  wandering 
falcon:  F.  spouverius,  sparrow  hawk.  Halioetos  leucocephalus, 
bald  eagle.  Pandion  halicBtus  fish-hawk.  Astur  cooperii.  Coop- 
er's hawk.  Buteo  lagopus,  rough-legged  hawk :  B.  buteoides,  short 
winged  hawk :  B.  leverianus,  red-tailed  hawk.  Circus  uliginous, 
hen  harrier.  Surnio  nyctea,  snowy  owl :  S.  asio,  red  owl :  S.  nosvia,* 
mottled  owl.  Bubo  Virginiana,  great  horned  owl.  Ulula  otus,  long 
eared  owl :  U.  nebulosa,  barred  owl.     Strix  Americana,  barn  pwl. 

ORDER— PASSERES—cuviER. 

Family — dentirostres — Cuv. 

Lanius  exubitor,  great  American  shirke.  Muscicapa  tyrannus, 
king-bird.  M.  crinita,  crested  fly  catcher :  M.  atra,  pewit  fly  catch- 
er :  M.  vireds,  wood  pewee  :  M.  acadica,  small  pewee.  Setophaga 
ruticcilla,.red  start :  M.  ccerula,  sylvan  fly  catcher.  Vireo  flavifrons, 
yellow  throated  vireo :  V.  noveboracensis,  white  eyed  vireo :  V.  sul- 
vuS;,  warbling  vireo :  V.  olivaeeus,  red-eyed  vireo.  Icteria  viridis, 
yellow-breasted  chat.  Sylvia  coronata,  myrtle  bn-d :  S.  petechia, 
red-poll  warbler :  S.  setiva,  yellow  warbler :  S.  pardalina,  Canada 
warbler :  S.  macules,  black  and  yellow  warbler :    S.  vivens,  black 

*We  are  confirmed  in  the  opinion,  that  Wilson  was  correct  in  making  the 
red  and  mottled  owls  distinct  species.  We  possess  an  old  female  red  ow! 
and  ils  young,  already  fledged,  possesssing  the  same  colors,  shot  from  the 
nest.  Later  authors,  say  the  mottled  individuals  are  the  old  and  mature 
birds,  and  the  red  ones  the  young. 


LANCASTER  COUNTY.  509 

throated  green,  warbler :  S.  blackburnice,  blackbumian  warbler:  S. 
castenea,  bay  breasted  warbler  :  S.  striata,  black-poll  warbler :  S.  va- 
ria,  spotted  warbler:  S.  pinus,  piae  warbler:  S.  formosa,* Kentucky- 
warbler:  S.  trichas,  yellow  throated  warbler.  Dacnis  veritiivora, 
worm-eating  warbler :  D.  solitaria,  blue  winged  yellow  warbler. — 
Regulus  calenduluSj  ruby-crowned  wien :  R.  cristatus,  golden  crest- 
ed wren,  Sialia  Wilsonii,  blue  bird.  Bombycilla  carolinensis,  ce- 
dar-bird. Orpheus  poUyglottus,  mocking  bird :  0.  rufus,  feruginus 
thrush :  0.  felivox,  cat  bird.  Turdus  migratorius,  robin :  T.  Mus 
telinus,  wood  thrush :  T.  minor,  little  hermit  thrush :  T.  Wilsonii, 
Wilson's  thrush.    Pyranga  rubra,  black-winged  red-bird. 

Family — fissirostres — Cuv. 

Hirundo  purpurea,  purple  martin :  H.  rufa,  barn  swallow  :  H.  bi- 
color,  white  bellied  swallow :  H.  reparia,  bank  swallow :  H.  fulva,t 
cliff  swallow.  Cypselus  pelasgius,  chimney  swallow.  Caprimul- 
gus  vociferous,  whip-poor-will :  C.  Virginianus,  night-hawk. 

Family — conirostres — Cuv. 

Sturnus  ludovicianus,  meadow  lark.  Icterus  phoeniceus,  red- 
v/inged  blackbird:  I.  Baltimore,  oriole:  I.  spurious,  orchard  oriole. 
Emberiza  agripennis,  bob-o-link:  E.  Americana,  black-throated 
bunting:  E.  nivalis,  snow  bunting,  Spiza  cyanea,  indigo  bird:  S. 
Pennsylvanica,  white-throated  sparrow  :  S.  melodia,  song  sparrow : 
S.  savanna,  savannah  sparrow :  S.  graminea,  grass  sparrow :  S.  can- 
adensis, tree  sparrow:  S.  socialis,  chipping  sparrow:  S.  nivialis, 
common  snow  bird.  Carduelis  tristis,  American  gold-finch.  Frin- 
gilla  erythropthalma,  towee  finch.  Erythrpspiza  purpurea,  purple 
finch.  Guiraces  cardinalis,  cardinal  grosbeak :  G.  ludoviciana  rose- 
breasted  grosbeak :  G.  coBrulea,j  blue  grosbeak.    Pyrrhula  enuclea- 

*Thi3  Sylvia,  it  is  said,  is  not  found  east  of  the  mountains.  I  have  several 
specimens  in  my  collection,  procured  here. 

jThis  species  was  first  observed  in  this  vicinity  eight  or  ten  years  ago.^ — ■ 
They  attached  their  singular  and  ingenius  nest  on  the  sides  of  the  piers  of 
the  Columbia  bridge. 

iBartram,  saw  this  bird  near  the  city  of  Lancaster;  it  is  seldom  seen  in 
the  UnioHi 

43* 


510  HISTORY   OF 

tor/*  pine  grosbeak.  Parus  bicolor,  tufted  titmouse :  P.  palustris, 
black-capped  titmouse.  Alauda  alpistris,  shore  lark.  Garrulus  cris- 
tatus,  blue  Jay.  Corvos  corone,  common  crow,  Quiscalis,  versico- 
lor, crow  blackbird :  Q.  baritus.  slender  billed  blackbird  :  Q.  ferru- 
gineus,  rusty  blackbii'd. 

Family— TE^viRosT'R^s — Cuv. 

Sitta  Caroliiiensis,  white  breasted  nuthatch :  S.  Canadensis,  red- 
billed  nuthatch.  Certhia  familiaris,  brown  creeper.  Troglodytes 
fulvus,  house  wren  :  T.  eurepseus,  winter  wren  :  T.  palustris,  marsh 
wren.    Mellisuga  colubris,  ruby-throated  humming  bird. 

ORDER— ALCYONES—TUMMiNCE. 

Alcedo  alcyon,  belted  king  fishej. 

ORDER— SCANSORES— Cuv. 

Colaptes  auratus,  golden  wood  pecker  or  flicker.  Piscus  pileatus, 
log-cock:  P.  erjrthrocephalus,  red-headed  wood  pecker;  P.  varius, 
yellow-bellied  wood  pecker:  P.  Carolinus,  red-bellied  wood  pecker: 
P.  villosus,  hairy  wood  pecker:  P.  pupescens,  downy  wood  pecker. 
Coecygus  Americanus,  black-billed  cuckoo  :  C.  dominicus,  yellow- 
billed  cuckoo. 

ORDER— GALLING— CUV. 

Maleagris  gallopavo,t  wild  turkey.  Ortyx  Viginiana,  partridge. 
Tetrao  umbellus,  ruffed  grouse  or  pheasant.  Columbo  Carolinensis, 
turtle  dove  :  C.  migratorias,  wild  pigeon. 

ORDER— GRALL^— CUV. 

Caladris  arenaria,  sand  plover.  Charadrius  pluvialis,  golden 
plover:  C.  melodia,  ring  plover:  C.  vociferous,  kildeer  plover: 
Squatarola  helvetica,  field  plover.  Tringa  pectoralis,  pectoral 
sand    piper:    T.    Wilsonii,    Wilson's  sand    piper.       Heteropoda 

*It  is  not  often  that  this  species  extends  its  emigration  this  far  south. — 
Late  in  November,  1836,  the  writer  obtained  several  individuals  in  this  vi- 
cinity,  from  a  flock  of  fifteen  or  twenty. 

j-The  wild  turkey  is  still  occasionally  to  be  met  with  on  the  northern  con- 
fines of  the  county.  A  few  are  also  known  still  to  exist  on  Chesnut  hill 
lidge.  Several  years  ago  an  individual  was  shot  near  Chiques  creek,  on  the 
grounds,  now  the  property  of  S.  Boyd,  Esq.,  by  Mr.  F.  Nagle. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  511 

semipalmai,  semipalmated  snipe.  Totanus,  vociferas,  greater  yel- 
low shanks  tattler :  T.  flavipes,  smaller  yellow  shanks  tattler :  T. 
chloropygius,  green  rump  tattler  :  T.  macularius,  peet-weet  snipe. 
Limosa  fedoa,  mardled  godwit.  Numenius  longinostris,*  long  bill- 
ed curlew ;  N.  hudsonicus  esquimaux  curlew.  Scolopax  Wilsonii, 
American  snipe.  Rusticola  minor,  woodcock.  Rallus  Virginianus, 
Virginia  rail.  Crex  CarolinuSj  soree  or  rail.  Ardea  herodius,  great 
blue  heron :  A.  nycticorax,  qua-bird  :  A.  lentiginous,  bittern ;  A. 
virescens,  green  heron  or  fly-up  the  creek :  A.  exillis,  least  bittern. 

ORDER— NATATORES—viEiLLOT. 

Phcehicopterus  ruber,!  red  flamingo.  Fulica  Americana,  coot. 
Podiceps  cornutu,  dobchick.  Hydroka  Corolinensis,  pied-billed 
dobchick.  Sterna  argentea,$  silvery  tern.  Larus  capistratus,  brown 
masked  gull.  L.  canus,  common  gull :  L.  aigentatus,  herring  gull : 
Zonorhynchus,  ringed-billed  gull.  Anser  hyperboreus,  white  snow 
goose:  A.  Canadensis,  common  wild  goose:  A.  bamicla,  brent 
goose.  Cynus  ferus,  white  swan.  Anas  clypeata,  shoveler  duck : 
A.  domestica,  mallard  duck :  A.  strepera,  gadwall  duck :  A.  acutaj 
grey  or  pintail  duck :  A.  Americana,  bald  pate  duck  :  A.  obscura, 
black  duck :  A.  discors,  blue  winged  teal :  A.  erecca,  green  winged 
teal.  Dendronessa  sponsa,  wood  duck.  Oidemia  fusca,  velvet 
duck :  0.  Americana,  American  scoter  duck :  0.  nigra,  scoter  duck, 
Gymura  rubida,  ruddy  duck.  Fuligula  valisneria,  canvass-back 
duck :  F.  ferina,  pochard  or  red-headed  duck :  F.  rufitorques,  ring- 
necked  duck.  Clangula  vulgaris,  whistling  or  golden  eyed  duck: 
C.  Albeola,  spirit  duck.  Herelda  glacialis,  long-tailed  duck,  or 
"  South  Southerly."  Mergus  merganser,  goosander  or  great  fisher 
duck :  M.  serrator,  red  breasted  fisher  duck :  M.  eucullatus,  hooded 
fisher  duck.    Colymbus  glacialis,  loon. 

The  principal  number  of  the  species  enumerated  in  the  foregoing 
catalogue,  have  come  under  the  observation  ot  the  writer  •  and  are 
known  to  be  residents,  or  casual  visiters  within  the  limits  of  the 
county.  Specimens  of  most  of  them  are  in  Libhart's  '•  Museum  of 
the  Arts  and  Sciences,"  in  Marietta,  and  were  obtained  in  that 
vicinity. 

«This  and  the  following  species  have  been  shot  on  the  Conestoga,  near 
Lancaster, — now  in  the  museum  of  that  city. 

■[We  have  been  informed  that  the  specimen  in  the  Lancaster  museum,  was 
shot  on  the  Conestoga.  When  found  thus  far  north  they  must  be  considered 
only  as  stragglers. 

,4A  specimen  now  in  my  possession,  shot  on  the  Susquehanna  in  1840, 


512  HISTORY   OF 


AFPEMBIX. 

A.  p.  23. 

Thomas  and  Richard  Penn  surviving  proprietors  of  the  province  of 
Pennsylvania  entered,  July  4, 1760,  with  Lord  Baltimore  into  a  definite 
agreement  touching  the  final  adjustment  of  the  boundary  line  between  Ma- 
ryland and  Pennsylvania.  Commissioners  were  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
Those  for  Maryland  were  Horatio  Sharpe,  Benjamin  Tasker,  jr.,  Edward 
Lloyd,  Robert  Jenkins  Henry,  Daniel  Dulany,  Stephen  Bordley,  Rev.  Alex- 
ander Malcolm  ;  on  the  part  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Hon.  James  Hamiltoni 
William  Allen,  Richard  Peters,  Benjamin  Chew,  Lynford  Lardner,  Ryves 
Holt,  George  Stephenson. 

While  the  committee  were  engaged  in  their  labors,  the  following  persons 
were  appointed  on  the  part  of  Maryland  to  supply  vacancies,  the  Rev.  John 
Boardley,  George  Stuart,  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  an^l  John  Beale 
Boardley.  To  supply  vacancies  on  part  of  Pennsylvania,  Rev.  John  Ewing, 
William  Coleman,  Edward  Shippen  and  Thomas  Willing. 

The  commissioners  convened  at  New  Castle,  Nov.  19,  1760,  and  after 
much  deliberation  made  a  final  report  the  9th  Nov.  1763.  The  whole  of 
their  transactions  have  been  faithfully  recorded,  and  the  document  been  pre- 
served. In  1762,  Charles  Mason  and  Jeremiah  Dizon  were  employed  to 
run  the  line,  and  put  an  end  to  a  subject  of  early  and  continued  warm 
controversy. 

Before  the  final  adjustment  of  this  vexed  question,  and  ihe  definiteness  of 
the  line,  many  had  taken  up  lands  under  Maryland  warrants.  The  lands 
now  owned  by  David  Brown,  and  James  Barnes,  in  Drumore  township,  and 
by  James  M'Sparran,  Jeremiah  and  Slater  Brown,  James  A.  Caldwell,  Nich- 
olas  Boyde,  Timothy  Haines,  Allen  Cook,  Robert  Maxwell,  William  Cook 
and  others  of  Little  Britain  township,  were,  we  have  been  informed,  all  taken 
up  under  Maryland  warrants. 

B.  p.  39. 

James  Le  Tort  was  according  to  R,  Coni/nghaTn,'Esq.,  a  French  Hugue- 
not, and  member  of  the  French  settlement  on  the  Schuylkill ;  living  among 
the  Indians,  he  acquired  a  knowledge  of  their  language,  and  was  useful  to 
the  government  as  an  Indian  agent  and  interpreter.  He  lived  on  or  near 
the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna,  within  the  present  limits  of  Lancaster  county 
in  1719.  From  the  Colonial  Records,  vol.  II.  p.  100 — it  seems  he  came  to 
this  country  when  quite  young.  "  Having  been  bred  in  it  from  his  infancy,'* 
and  from  p.  123,  it  appears  he  had  been  at  Conestoga  prior  to  1703;  and  accord- 
ing to  Hazzard's  Register,  vol.  XV.  p.  82,  he  penetrated  to  Cunberland 
Valley  as  early  as  1731,  and  settled  at  Le  Tort's  spring  near  Carlisle. 


LANCASTER    COUNTY.  51S 

C.  p.  69. 

TiiE  HoGUENOTH. — This  term,  now  so  well  understood  as  an  honorable, 
rather  than  a  dishonorable  designation  of  those  who  professed  the  Re- 
formed religion  in  France,  during  the  persecutions  and  civil  wars  in  that 
kingdom,  is  involved  in  some  obscurity.  Whether  it  was  originally  confer- 
ed  upon  them  by  the  adherents'of  the  so  styled  "  Mother  Church  "  as  a  term 
of  reproach,  or  volunterily  assumed  by  themselves  as  a  party  man,  or 
whether  it  is  a  derivation  from  some  other  word,  having  an  analogous  sound, 
and  introduced  from  some  foreign  language,  is  equally  uncertain.  Many 
and  various  are  the  sources  to  which  the  learned  and  the  curious  have  en- 
deavored to  trace  the  etymology  of  this  word ;  but  like  every  thing  else 
founded  upon  conjecture,  we  are  left  as  much  in  the  dark  as  ever. 

Some  have  asserted  that  the  term  was  originally  applied  to  the  members 
of  the  Reformed  by  the  digsitaries  of  the  Romish  Church,  as  one  of  reproach . 
To  sustain  this  position,  it  is  argued  that  when  the  new  doctrine  was  first 
preached  in  France,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Tours — 
which  afterwards,  and  next  to  the  city  of  Rochelle,  ranked  as  the  strongest 
hold  of  the  Reformed  party — embraced  the  same.  Unlike  the  Romanistp, 
their  worship  was  conducted  in  the  evening  as  well  as  in  the  daj'.  Culti- 
vating a  spirit  of  genuine  piety,  they  met  after  night  in  each  others  houser, 
for  social  prayer.  In  this,  they  imitated  the  example  of  primitive  christians, 
and  hke  them,  they  became  the  subjects  of  a  persecution  almost  as  relent- 
less. Going  from  house  to  house  as  the  place  of  meeting  might  chance  to 
be,  after  the  labors  of  the  day  were  over,  to  attend  to  this  pious  duty,  and 
returning  therefrom  at  a  later  hour,  their  enemies,  the  papists,  endeavored  to 
prevent  the  extension  of  their  doctrines,  by  reporting  at  first  that  they  wero 
engaged  in  some  foul  conspiracy  against  the  government,  and  afterwards 
against  the  people.  Failing  in  their  attempts  to  effect  them  in  this  way> 
and  finding  that  the  fallow  ground  was  being  broken  up  daily,  withthe  pro- 
mise of  a  rich  return,  and  that  the  seed  of  the  true  faith  which  was  sown  in 
confidence,  was  germinating  and  yielding  an  abundant  harvest,  despite  their 
efforts,  to  the  contrary,  they  next  changed  their  mode  of  warfare,  and  en- 
deavored to  effect  their  object  by  bringing  them  in  to  ridicule  and  contempt. 
For  the  purpose,  they  seized  upon  the  fact  of  their  meeting  after  night,  and 
connected  with  it  a  story,  then  current,  concerning  the  ciiy  of  Tours.  One 
of  the  greatest  of  the  city,  it  seems,  was  called  Hugo,  and  according  to  a  popu- 
lar tradition  from  Hugo,  comte  Tours,  who  it  seems  according  to  the  same 
tradition,  was  eminent  in  life  only  for  his  crimes,  oppression  and  cruelty, — 
After  his  death — so  runs  the  story — his  spirit  incapable  of  repose,  haunted 
immediately  after  nightfall,  the  scene,  which  was  the  neighborhood  of  the 
gate  in  question,  of  its  cruelty  and  crimes,  when  embodied  in  the  flesh. — ■ 
i^Iany  and   strange  pranks  were  played,  and  many  a  haples?  wight  was 


514  HISTORY   OF 

bruised  and  beaten  by  his  pugnacioHs  spirit,  all  of  which  added  to  horrible 
sounds  and  unearthly  noises  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  its  walks,  so 
alarmed  the  inhabitants  as  to  induce  them  to  keep  closely  hocused,  whenever 
the  hour  for  its  appearance  drew  near.  Hence,  Hugo  and  ghost  came  to  be 
synonymous ;  and  as  has  been  already  shown,  the  social  worship  of  night- 
meetings  of  the  Reformers  being  so  wide  different  from  the  imposing  cere- 
mony of  the  Romish  church,  and  requiring  them  consequently  to  be  out 
more  after  night  that  the  latter,  each  individual  of  the  former  was  called  a 
Hugo,  the  whole  Huguenots.  Thus  much  for  this  derivation,  and  the  tale 
that  thereby  hangs. 

The  next  suppored  derivation,  is  that  it  was  a  term  voluntarily  assumed 
by  themselves  as  a  party  name,  when  their  religion  was  attacked  and  they 
were  forced  to  take  arms  against  the  government  in  self-defence.  As  they 
were  rigid  Calvinisms,  of  great  sanctity  of  character  and  purity  of  morals. 
Caseneuve  has  pretended  to  have  discovered  the  original  in  ths  Flemish 
word  Heghenon  or  Huguenon,  which  means  Cathari  or  Puritan  ;  but  this 
is  not  very  probable,  inasmuch  as  it  is  not  likely,  that  having  a  word  in  their 
own  vocabulary,  so  expressive  as  "  Puritan,"  they  would  be  disposed  to  bor- 
row  from  a  language  no  more  known  than  the  Flemish. 

Another  author  has  attempted  to  trace  its  origin  to  Huguenote,  a  name 
given  to  an  iron  or  earthen  pot  for  cooking,  by  connecting  it  with  the  persecu- 
tions to  which  the  Reformed  were  subjected  in  France ;  and  basing  it  upon 
the  hypothesis,  that  some  of  their  number  may  have  been  roasted  or  tortured 
and  exposed  to  the  flames  like  a  vessel  used  for  culinary  purposes. 

These  are  all,  however,  but  mere  surmises,  unsupported  and  unsustained 
by  any  thing  at  all  calculated  to  give  them  a  proper  title  to  serious  consider- 
ation. The  only  etymology  then,  which  in  our  humble  opinion  remains, 
is  undoubtedly  the  true  one — this  we  shall  briefly  attempt  to  prove  by  the 
history  of  the  times  and  the  people. 

Eidgenoss  is  a  German  compounded  word,  in  the  Saxon  and  Dutch  dial- 
ects Eedgennotten  ;  of  which  the  singular  is  Eidgenoss  or  Eedgenot.*  It  is 
formed  from  Eid  an  oath,  and  Eenoss  a  confederate  or  partaken  of  the  oath ; 
and  was  the  original  de?ignation  of  the  three  Swiss  patriots,  William  Tell, 
Walter  Fuerest  and  Arnold  of  Melcthal,  f  on  then  night  of  the  7th  Nov.  1307, 
met  at  Ruetli  on  the  lake  of  Luzerne  and  their  bound  themselves  by  a  solemn 
oath,  to  shake  off  the  yoke  of  their  Austrain  oppressors,  and  to  re-establish, 
the  liberties  of  their  country.  The  conspiracy  thus  formed  was  embraced 
with  delight  by  all  to  whom  it  was  communicated,  each  member  of  which 
was  called  an  Eidgenoss  and  afterwards,  January  7,  A.  D.  1308  when  the 
people  of  the  Waldstetter,  composed  of  the  Cantons  Appenzell,  Glaris  and 
Uri,  met  in  solemn  council  and  took  the  oath  of  perpetual  alliance,  they  were 
designated  as  the  EidgennossenscJiaft  i.  e.  Confederation.  Through  suc- 
cessive generations  they  were  thus  known,  and  when  in  aftertimes,  the  peo- 
ple of  Geneva  which  had  now  been  included  in  the  Swiss  confederation,  em- 
braced the  doctrines  of  John  Calvin;  they  threw  off  the  allegiance  of  the 
Duke  of  Savoy  ;  and  in  order  to  maintain  their  independence,  foimed  a  con- 
federacy after  the  example  of  the  Waldstetter  with  the  Cantons  of  Bern  and 
Freibourg,  which  was  also  confirmed  by  an  oath  of  all  the  contradicting  par- 
ties. Like  the  original  patriots,  they  in  turn  were  called  Eidgenossen.  This, 
movement  being  half  temporal  and  half  ecclesiastic  or  spiritual,  related  to. 

*Lewis  Mayer,  D.  D.    See  his  letter  Oct.  11, 1843 . 

IDavenport,  article  Fuerst. 


lANCASTER   COUNTY. 


515 


their  freedom  of  government  as  men  and  the  rights  of  conscience  as  Oh'ris' 
tiuns.  Hence  in  its  popular  usage,  this  term  conveyed  the  primary  idea  of 
Jreemen,  in  contradistinction  to  mamelukes,  serfs,  or  slaves,  by  which  name 
the  party  of  the  Duke  was  better  known ;  and  also  the  secondary  idea  of  a 
religious  reformation,  in  the  mind  of  the  adherents  to  the  Romish  faith.  For 
the  city  of  Geneva,  having  embraced  the  Reformed  doctrines,  and  immedi- 
ately thereafter,  thrown  off  their  allegiance,  under  the  circumstances  already 
given ,  the  term  Eigenbs&en  became  identified  among  the  papists  with  the 
notion  of  rebels,  or  apoStateS  from  the  church,  and  was  therefore  consequent- 
ly used  as  a  term  of  reproach. 

From  Geneva,  where  he  had  taught  with  so  much  siiccess  that  instead  of 
Zurich,  it  became  the  nietropolis  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  Calvin,  ardent 
in  the  discharge  of  what  he  conceived  his  duty,  pushed  his  doctrines  with 
eminent  success  into  his  native  kingdom  of  France.    They  were  readily  em- 
braced by  the  learned  and  the  pious,  without  regard  to  caste  or  standing  iu 
society.      The  admiral  Gaspar  de  Goligni,  D'Andelot,  Mornay,  Duplessis, 
I.a  Renandie,   the   Prince  de  Conde  Ann  Dubourg,  Theodore  Beza,  and  a 
host  of  others  equally  worthy  and  eminent  for  their  virtues,  were  among  the 
firmest  supporters  of  the  Reformation,  and  the  teachers  of  its  doctrines.— 
Sustained  by  such  men  even  against  the  power  of  the  court ;  in  the  midst  of 
persecutions  and  civil  wars — the  professors  of  the  Reformed  religion  were 
spoken  of  with  respect;  and  although  the  term  Eidgeness  or  Eedgenot,  was 
known  in  France  at  the  time,  still  no  eflbrt  was  made  to  bring  them  into 
disrepute  by  the  application  of  this  or  any  other  term  of  ridicule  expect  when 
they  were  occasionally  called  '•  the  pretended  roformed"  or  "  seditious  relig- 
ionists" in  the  papers.      Thus  they  remained,  until   on  the  accession  of 
Francis,  II.  to  the  throne  and  his  early  marriage  with  Mary,  Queen  of  Scot- 
land.     Being  very  young  in  years,  and  devotedly  attached  to  his  young 
Queen,  he  reaJily  transfered  the  care  of  his  kingdom  to  his  wife's  uncle,  the 
Dukes  of  Guise  and  Loraine,    This  begat  discontent  among  the  protestants 
who  only  wanted  a  leader  to  organize  them  into  a  formidable  body.    Calvin 
like  Thomas  Cranmer,  the  celebrated  reformer,  had  taught  that  the  king  was 
supreme,  and  acting  upon  this  principle,  the  French  Calvinist  maintained 
that  the  King  being  yet  in  his  minority  was  to  be  protected  by  his  subjects 
from  the  tyranny  of  his  uncles ;  to  this  end  a  plan  was  concerted  known  as 
the  conspiracy  of  Amboise,  for  their  overthrow  of  which  the  Prince  de  Conde 
was  unanimously  chosen  as  leader;  but  without  his  knowledge,  nor  was  he 
to  be  considered  as  a  participator,  until  the  time  of  action  arrived.     John  De 
Bari,  and  the  SieurLa  Renandi,  in  the  meantime  were  to  direct  all  their 
movements.    In  conformity  with  this   plan  they  convened  a  meeting  of  the 
protestant  leaders  at  Nantes,  in  the  darkness  of  the  night  in  a  ruined  build- 
ing on  the  outskirts  of  "the  town.    Before  they  proceeded  to  develope  their 
schemes,  Le  Renandi,  administered  solemn  oaths  "  nothing  be  done  or  at- 
tempted against  the  King  and  Queen-mother,  or  princes,  his  brothers.'    To 
this  agreement  they  all  swore ;   and  after  praying  for  success,  they  parted 
with  fraternal  embraces  and  in  tears.    The  time  and  place  of  carrying  their 
plot  into  execution,  was  to  be  at  Blois,  on  the  15th  of  March,  1 550.    By  some 
means  the  plot  was  discovered  to  the  Count  and  therefore,  the  Duke  of  Guise 
was  appointed  Lieutenant  General  of  the  Kingdom,  with  supreme  power  in 
all  cases,  civil  and  military.    Armed  with  this  authority  he  adopted  the  most 
energetic  measures  to  suppress  the  protestants,  and  although  succeeded  in 
defeating  and  killing  Le  Renandi  and  a  few  of  his  companions,  yet  the 
effect  was  not  produced  which  the  Count  anticipated  ;  but  on  the  contrary, 


6l6  HISTORY    Or 

the  Roformeil  party  increased  in  numbers  and  displayed  additional  zeal  and 
activity  in  all  their  movements  much  to  the  annoyance  of  the  Guises  and 
their  adherents." 

It  is  only  at  this  period  of  history  in  France  then  that  we  find  the  profesi 
Bors  of  the  Reformed  religion  first  designated  by  the  term  Huguenots.  They 
were  identified  in  faith  with  the  Reformed  at  Geneva,  and  like  them,  upon 
the  discovery  of  the  conspiracy  referred  to,  were  called  Eidgenossen,  that  ig 
in  the  Papist  sense,  rebels  and  apostates.  From  this,  owing  to  their  igno- 
ranee  of  the  orthography  of  the  German  word,  and  their  inability  to  pro* 
nounce  it  correctly ;  but  yet  well  knowing  its  import,  it  is  easy  to  conceive, 
that  Frenchmen  would  readily  corrupt  it  inio  Huguenot.  The  analogy  is 
striking,  the  facts  undoubted,  and  the  reasons  given,  to  our  mind,  at  least 
satisfactory. 

With  this  brief  inquiry  into  the  origin  of  the  term  Eidgenossen,  i.  e, 
Huguenot,  we  might  rest,  but  as  there  are  many  descendants  of  this  brave, 
taoral,  religious  and  much  persecuted  people,  residing  in  Lancaster  county 
and  in  some  instances  still  living  upon  the  farms  originally  patented  by  their 
refugee  ancestors,  we  feel  bound  to  say  a  word  concerning  them.  After  the 
Huguenot  colonies  at  New  Rochelle,  West  Chester  county,  Esnpus,  Ulster 
county,  New  York,  had  been  formed,  some  of  their  number  at  an  early  day, 
as  has  been  shown  (pages,  101, 107,  111,)  emigrated  to  this  county  and  com- 
menced settlements.  This  soon  opened  the  way  for  a  direct  emigration  of 
their  persecuted  brethren  still  remaining  in  France,  and  of  others  who  had 
sought  protection  of  the  protestant  powers  of  Switzerland,  Germany,  Hol- 
land and  England.  Among  the  most  promment  of  these  early  Huguenot 
settlers  in  this  county,  we  give  the  names  of  several  heads  of  famiUes,  as 
follows :  Le  Fevre,  Firre,  or  Fuehre.  now  corrupted  into  Ferree,  Brinton,  Le 
Mont,  now  written  Leman,  Bushong,  Deshong,  Le  Roy,  anglified  into 
King,  Le  Bazure,  now  corrupted  into  Bezoar,  or  Besore,  La  Rue,  Dubois, 
La  Pierre,  anglified  into  Stein,  Goshen,  BarreDe  Normandie,  Meessakop, 
now  spelt  Messenkop,  Bucher,  Verdre,  De  Hoof,  now  spelt  Dehuff,  Le  Chaar , 
now  written  Lescher,  Cherrard,  and  others. 

These  pious  and  persecuted  men  with  their  fellow  refugees  and  families 
passed  "  through  much  tribulation,''  until  at  length  they  secured  for  them- 
selves and  posterity  an  assylum  where  they  could  "  worship  God  according-, 
to  the  dictates  ot  their  own  consciences."  Although  they  succeeded  far  be- 
yond their  most  sanguine  expectations,  still  they  looked  back  with  regret,  and 
in  many  instances  with  home-sick  hearts,  upon  the  vine-clad  hills  and  sunny 
fields  of  their  own  much  loved  France.  They  were  exiles  from  the  land  of 
their  nativity,  the  broad  billows  of  the  Atlantic  rolled  between  them  and  the 
graves  of  their  fathers.  Separated  from  friends  and  kindred,  who  in  turji 
were  driven  to  seek  the  protection  of  foreign  potentates  or  restrained  by  the 
policy  of  the  government,  after  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes,  from 
emigrating  and  forced  into  an  abjuration  of  their  faith — how  harrassing  must 
have  been  their  feelings  and  how  sore  their  trials ! !  But, "  He  who  tampers 
Ihe  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,"  was  still  gracious  unto  them  ;  he  who  hadpro- 
tected  and  defended  them  from  dangers  imminent  and  terrible,  was  still 
"  their  strength  and  abiding  place."  Time  blunted  the  keeriess  of  their  sor- 
rows, and  as  the  forest  began  to  bloom  beneath  their  labors,  they  sat  down  in 
contentment,  and  in  daily  prayer  returned  thanksgiving  unto  Him,  who  is 
the  Author  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift. 


LANCASTEia    COUNTY. 


517 


SUBSCRIBERS'    NAMES 


Lancaster  Cilg. 
Samuel  Bowman 
John  C  Baker 
G  W  Glcssner 
George  F  Bahnson 
Bernard  Keenan 
S  Hale  Higgins,  Phila. 
Jacob  Flake 
John  McNair 
\\  m  Beates 
Edward  D  Bryan 
W  K  Benade 
C  F  Hoffmeier 
Robert  Gerry 
E  C  Reigart 
Thaddeus  Stevens 
A  D  Uitmars 
Nathaniel  Eilmaker 
Samuel  Humes  Porter 
Hon.  James  Buchanan 
George  Ford 
George  Heckert 
Thomas  E  Franklin 
George  M  Kline 
Reah  Frazer 
John  K  Findlay 
John  R  Montgomery 
Henry  G  Long 
John  L  Thompson 
Wm  Mathiat 
Wm  Huston 
Bernard  (Jornyn 
J  B  Am  wake 
J  B  Kautiman 
James  Cameron 
J)  B  Vondersinith 
R  R  Bryan 


Francis  Bacon 
J   Ijandis 

Hon.  B  Champneys 
Hon.  Ellis  Lewis 
Hon.  B.  Sehaeffer 
Hon.  A  li  Hayes 
George  B  Kerfoot 
F  A  Muhlenberg 
JKNeff 
John  L  Atlee 
J  Heiss 

Washington  L  Atlee 
Abm  Brenneman 
Henry  Carpenter 
A  M  Cassiday 
i Samuel  Laucks 
Edward  C  ]iand}S 
Charles  H  Cameron 
Jacob  K  Smeltz 
Christian  Bachman 
John  W  Forney 
Peter  McConomy 
A  H  Hood 
Charles  S  Getz 
J  f    Filson,  Philadelphia 
W  M  Grant 
Thomas  Cox 
George  L^nkle 
Abm  W  Russel 
J  F  Kramph 
John  George  Fetter 
Jacob  Kreider 
.1  Howett 
Jamesi  Smith 
Christian  Gast 
John  FLitz 
C  Kieflfer 

44 


James  H  Bryson 
Henry  P  Carson 
John  W  Hubley 
Carpenter  M'Cleery 
Charles  Gillespie 
C  Hager 
John  Miller 
William  Ihling 
Matthias  Resch 
Matson  Marsh 
Wm  Kirkpatrick 
N  S  Pinkei-ton 
John  S  Gable 
David  Cockley 
J  C  Van  Camp 
R  F  Ranch 
P  Reitzel 
John  Bear 

Edward  C  Darlington 
A  Mchaffey 
I  N  Lightner 
Horace  Rathvon 
Robert  D  Carson 
R  White  Middleton 
iM  M  Moore 
Philip  C  Ranninger 
Peter  (ierber 
G  Hal  bach 
Wm  J  Pearson 
Wm  Buthanan 
N  C  Scholfield 
W  Russell 
M  Bachman 
R  Model  well 
C  C  Ihling 
Thomas  Fairer 
I  Carpenter 


518 


filSToRY    OP 


M  S  Peiper 
Jacob  Gahle 
Boughter  &  Hosfetter 
David  A  Donnelly 
Jacob  N  Miller 
J  F  Heinitsh 
Dennis  Cojie 
Daniel  Fagan 
John  Hamilton 
Jacob  Foltz 
Samuel  Beam 
Wm  Gable. 
H  Rotharmel 
Jacob  Rotharmel 
R  Erben 
E  riavkins 
S  J  Young 
Joseph  VVelchans 
Jacob  Rathvon 
Ely  Pairy 
G  B  Markley 
James  Andrews 
Michael  Royer 
Joseph  Brintnal 
J  Gish 

Thomas  R  Torr 
D  Marion 
John  h  Benedict 
Mason  J  Haines 
John  Gemperling 
VV  K  riuffnagle  &  Co, 
Jacob  Hess 
John  Stewart 
Jacob  Myers 
Daniel  Brown 
D  Heitshu 
John  Fordney 
Peter  H  Flick 
George   Martin 
Daniel  ("ampbell 
Frederick  L  Kline 
E  Kirk  Patrick 
John  Bender 
Benjamin  M  Sherer 
G  Day 
John  Ehler 
H  F  Benedict 
John  Brown 
Samuel  McComsey 
A  N  Brenneman 
E  McLenegan 
John  Wise 
0  H  Sheaff 


Dayton  Ball 

Wm  Gumph 

John  Weidler 

Jacob  Fordney 

Jacob  Weaver 

Steinman  &  Soji 

John  P  Myer 

Jacob  Price 

John  R  Russell 

John  Beam 

John  S  Clendenin 

George  H  Bomberger 

Michael  Kehrcr 

'I'homas  Peningtoii 

Zacharias  Weaver 

M  Dickson,  Post  Mistress 

M  Carpenter 

John  R  Beatty 

Arthur  Armstrong 

George  Wilson 

George  Mayer 

John  Fondersmith 

McCalia  &  Metzgar 

John  H  Duchman 

W  F  Mackay 

Lewis  Hartraan 

Henry  Kitch 

A  F  Hambright 

B  Samson 

J  Cunningham 

(.J  Nauraaii 

Ahm  McKimm 

Charles  Johnson 

Adam  Wolf 

David  Lebkicher 

Christian  Rine 

George  Metzger 

H  Baumgardner 

John  Yackley 

Geo  H  King 

Wm  C  Chamberlin  i 

Mary  B  Danncr 

Geo  A  Miller 

John  Davy 

James  Whitehill 

John  F  Long 

Philip  M(?tzger 

Juliana  Jordan 

Henry  Kepple 

VV  G  Chandler 

Adam  Kendig 

Joseph  Stallings, 

Wm  Taylor 


Thos  Bilumgafdndr 
Jas  H  Pennell 
John  Block 
A  E  Roberts 
George  Black 
Geo  b  Mefllrt 
Wm  Nauman 
Chas  Cordis 
Andrew  Bear 
John  Shaffher 
Jacob  Griel 
N  E  Leaman 
Jacob  Metzger 
Jacob  Glass 
W  Righter 
Edm  C  Landis 
Owen  Hopple 
Jos  S  Royal 
H  C  Locher 
Henry  E  Leraan 
John  Warfel 
Wm  J  Kryder 
Watson  H  Miller 
George  Miller 
Wm  Morton 
Wra  C  Hull 
W  Carpenter 
Jas  Scott 
(Conrad  Anne,  jr. 
Daniel  Harman 
H  Nauman 
Jacob  Snyder,  jr. 
A  E  Reigart 
Levi  R  Cole 
Jacob  Spahr 
Daniel  Erisman 
David  Erisman 
Jacob  Bundel 
John  F  Remly 
David  Hook 
Peter  G  Eberman 
George  Dellet 
Adaline  Hensel 
Gerhart  Metzger 
J  Zimmerman 
L  J  Demuth 
Mathias  Zahm 
George  Wineour 
David  Killinger   . 
John  Trissler 
John  McGrann 
J  S  (^Jarpenter 
E  E  Demuth 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


519 


Zuriel  Swope 
David  Royer' 
Joseph  Shirk 
George  Eichelberger 
George  Paist 
Eml  Vankanan 
-Tohn  H  Longenecker 
David   Longenecker 
F  B  8turgis 
James  Doon 
Jacob  Zecher 
Frederick  Zecher 
Christian  Zecher 
Joseph  Pool 
Edward  Leeds 
Peter  Bruner 
Robert  Johnson 
Jacob  D  Gill 
Frederick  Dcrn 
J  Grosli 
J  Huber 

Michael  McGrann 
Huber  &  Marks 
J  M  VVesthaefler 
H  H  Lichty 
W  Heitshu 
Hugh  Maxwell 
Martin  Bomberger 
Wm  G  Taylor 
Starr  iihorwood 
Leonard  Keiser 
B  D  Campbell 
Patrick  Ferry 
Peter  Pastor 
Garret  Everts 
J  S  Miller 
John  A  Seibert 
John  Lippincott 
D  Sabins 
James  Damant 
John  S  Jackson 
M  H  Mercer 
Henry  Bundel 
Joseph  Bear 
Jonathan  Brillhart 
Jacob  Locher 
Josh  A  KaulTman 
Ann  Mary  Gibbs 
Christian  Hukey 
Hugh  Fitzpatrick 
C  Brown 
D  E  Bruner 
Mrs  D  Brien 


Mrs  Sarah  Bethel  | 

Frs  Keen  an 
E  C  Stehman 
Geo  D  Eberman 
Christian  Hcrshey 
Benj  S  Bender 
Misses  Doughertys 
Henry  Tallman 
John  A  Tryer 
L  J  Hiener 

los  Lewis,  Cecil  co,  Md. 
E  F  Shoenberger,  Abbe- 
ville 
RevB  HThomas,fIanis'g 
J  F  Markley,  Perry  co 
David  Longenecker,  Phil. 
H  Diffenderfer,  Baltimore 
Jacob  G  Kitteman 
VVm  H  Iiewis,  Harrisb'g 
S  M  E  Goheen,  St  Louis 
J  C  Stanley,  Chester  co. 
Henry  Dufneid,  Carlisle 
Henry  Dehuff,  Lebanon 
Geo  VV  Kline,  do 

John  Weidman,  do 
Martin  Cramer,  do 
Kline  &Masterson    do 

Lancaster  Township. 
Salome  Livcrgood 
C  Bronncr 
Samuel  Bausmau 
John  Schmaling 
Thos  H  Burrowes 
John  Baker 
John  Haverstick 
Jacob  Huber,  jr 
Henry  Summy 
David  Seitz 
I  Daniel  U  Markley 
Daniel  Dietrich 
Emanuel  Daveler 

West  Lampe'ei . 
Abm    Mylin,   millwright 
Abraham  S  Mylin 
Jacob  Mylin 
Martin  Mylin 
Abraham  MyHn 
Martin  Myiin,  farmer 
John  H  Miller 
Fanny  Ken  Jig,Conestoga 
John  Kindig 


J  H  Longen;ecker,  mer'bt 

Lewis  Urban 

Henry  Goss 

Samuel  Barr 

George  Meek 

John  Rohrer 

Jacob  Ilerr 

Christian  Herr,  farmer 

lohn  Barr 

Daniel  Musser,  M.  D. 

Francis  J  Harrison 

Peter  Lyan 

Jhristian  Iless,  surveyor 

Samuel  Lefever 

Samuel  Miller 

John  Houser 

H    Bowman,  coachmaker 

David  Erb 

David  Book 

Christian  Weaver 

Isaac  Weaver 

Jacob  Houser 

Joseph  Hebblen,  teacher 

Johannes  Meek,  bauer 

Jacob  Meek,  teacher 

Abraham  Herr,  miller 

Siias  J  Leachey 

J  Eshlenian,  miller 

Martin  Kindeg 

Sam.uel  Kreider 

J   Stoutzcnberger,  tanner 

Hoover 
Jacob  Spring 
George  Lutz 
John  Forrer 
J  Herr,  Tobias'  son 
Abraham.  M  Hoover 
A  Stoner,  sawyer 
David  Landis,  miller 
Isaac  Houser 
Daniel  Wiker 
Wm  Wilson,  blacksmith 
Daniel  Froelich 
Hepry  Grubb 
Peter  Weaver,  farmer 
George  Weaver 
Henry  JjB  Fevre 
Adam  Lefever 
Jacob  Echmam 
Siimuel  Weaver 
George  Lefever 
(Christian  Koutz 
John  C  Lefever 


•* 


530 


HISTORY    OF 


Hein7  Hess 
Abraham  Herr 
Jacob  Oarpenter 
Francis  Herr,  farmer 
Philip  Geist 
George  Morgan 
David  Miller,  blacksmith| 
Jacob  Trasher 
Henry  Aument 
John  Musselman,  miller 
Christian  Binkley,  miller 
Daniel  Potts,  miller 
Martin  Herr 
Benjamin  B  Miller 
S  Marchbank,  teacher 
John  Landis,  shoemaker 
David  L  Ijonginccker 
Joseph  Herr,  sen. 
Frederick  Daso 
John  H  Bear 
Henry  Spahr 
Christian  Kreider 
Jacob  N  Landis 
Robert  Atkinson 
C  Riddle,  shoemaker 
Henry  Gr eider 
Martin  Greider 
David  Burkholder  sen. 
Benjamin  Landis 
Daniel  McGowen,  cooper 
John  Kreider,  jr. 
George  Grubb 
Addison  Bartholomew 
Abraham  I^andis 
Martin  Denlinger 
Morgan  Bowers,  cooper 
Frederick  Nixdorf 
John  Price 
Jacob  Dcets 
D  Miller,  fencemaker 
Jacob  Grabb 
John  R  Landis 
H  R  Mu?Si?lman,  !eicher( 
Jacob  H  Light 
Christian  B  Herr 
Christian    Herr,   Pequea 
Henry     Musser,   student 
of  medicine 


East  Lampeter. 

John  Kreider 

Martin  Struble,  weaver 

Christian  Neff 

Henry  Neff, 

Joseph  Weaver 

Abraham  M  Svvertly 

Benjamin  Leaman 

Abraham  Kreider 

Jacob  Denlinger 

John  Denlinger 

Samuel  Brua 

Henry  Denlinger 

William  Ball,  Gatekeep- 
er, No.  15 

Benj.  Pickel,  blacksmith 

Rudolph  Kauflman,  cart- 
ight 

David  Stamm,  tanner 

Martin  Groff 

Benjamin  Denlinger 

George  Lefevre 

Isaac  Dieffenbauch 

John  Rohrer,  tanner 

Andrew  Kennedy 

Jacob  Bachman,  cabinet- 
maker 

Jacob  Brenneraan 

Jacol)  Hartman 

Abraham  Howry 

John  Weaver 

John  Smith,  teacher 

Samuel  Baily 

Abraham  Lefevre 

Benjamin  Brackbill,  co. 
Commissioner 

Jonas  Stinehiser, 

.Benjamin  Hoover,  Post- 
master &  gatekeeper 

Samuel  Crug 

Daniel  Downer 

Israel  W  Groff,  card  ma- 
chine manufacturer 

I  Jacob  W  Groff 

Andrew  Schwartz,  cloth 
m.'inufccturer 

S  Z  Hall 

Jacob  Zook 


Alpheus  Carpenter,  son  of  Samuel  Leamair 

Henry  (.>arpentfr,  Esq  John  Landis 
John  Martin  Emanuel  Landis 

Benjamin  Herr  Martin  Beck,  inilier 

David  Beck,  miller 


Levi  Landis 
Henry  Zook 
Jacob  M  Frantz,  teacher 
Benjamin  Harnish 
Landis  &  Swartly 
Levi  L  Landis 
John  Bushong 
Benjamin  Bushong 
Jacob   S  I^andis 
Jacob  L  Ijandis 
Emanuel  L   Landis 
iames  C  Cooper,  nierch't 
'Israel  Baker 
Henry  Gurce 
Daniel  Potts,   miller  and 

mill  owner 
Abraham  Diffenbangh 
H  Diffenbaugh,  tanner 
Herij.  Eshleman,  miller 
Henry  Downer,  farmer 
David  Fulton,  teacher 
Abraham  Buchwalter 
Em'l  Zercher,  carpenter 
Henry  -Bach waiter 
Jacob  Buchwalter,  horse 

Farrier 
BenjamJn  Groff 
Henry  Brubaker,  shoem'r 
Abraham  S  Landis 
David  Witmer 
Henry  Stauffer,  teacher 
Jacob  H  Musrer,  M  D 
Benjamin  H  Frantz,  stu- 
dent of  medicine 
John  Mathiot. 

Strashurg    Eorongh, 
Rev  David  M(  Carter 
Rev  James  llaiid 
George  Diffenbach 
James  McPhai! 
Robert  Evans 
Jesse  Gyger 
James  B  Ramsay 
lospph  Potts 
James  Paul  - 
David  Fulmer 
Richard  B  Groff 
Henry  Aument 
Abraham  B  Witmer 
Benj  B  Cunder 

E.  Strashurg  Toiovship. 
Henry  A  Carpenter 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


521 


Benjamin  Herr 
Theophilus  Shcits 
John  Slaymakcr 
George  D  Mcllvaine 
James  P  Mcllvaine 
Fcrrcc  Brinton 
(yhrislian  F  Row 
Jacob  Den  linger 
Isaac  B  Burrowes 
Isaac  Rife 
Wm  Eckcrt 
Pcler  J  Eckcrt 
Thomas  H  Linvill 
James  H  Slaymakcr 
Jacob  King 
Henry  Slay  maker 
Nathl.  E  felaymaker 
Hugh  Aikin 
John  K  Falck 
John  Smith 
Bcnj  Brackbill 
John  K  Kiester 
H  Lechler 
Enos  Stevens 
Henry  Eckert 
Wm  Echternoch 
Jacob  Frantz 
Jacob  Eshleman 
David  Witmer 
John  W  xMiller 
Henry  Smoker 
John  K  Herr 

W.  Slrashurg  Township 
F  B  Groft" 
Benj  G  Herr 
John  K  Herr 
Martin  Hawlc 
George  Lefever,  jr. 
Peter  Lefever 
Philip  Wiker 
John  Wiker 
John  S  Hawk 
John  B  Mellinger 
Adam  Longenecker 
Henry   Herr 
Augustus  Stoncsifer 
Henry  fl  Hoover 
John  Brackbill 
Hiram  Harting 
Jacob  Sides 
John  Hcrsli 
Benjamin  Hoover 


IJacob  Neff'.jr 
John  Nell 

Benj  &  Joseph  Kindig 
Jacob  Brubaker 
Martin  Roiirer 
Jacob  Brenner 
Levi  H  McCue 
John  Hoffman 
Benjamin   Barr 
Jacob  Miller 
Samuel  Kindig 
Jauob  Fritz 
Emanuel  GrofF 
Jacob  Martin 
(saac  H  Mayer 
D  &  J    EcUman 
Tweed  &  Evans 
Abr  Metz 
Samuel  Benar 
(christian  Shultz 
Adam  Beck 
Richard  Fisher 
John  Raub 
Isaac  Graft 
John  Meyer 
Henry  Jjcfever 
Amos  li  Kinports 
Emanuel  Winter 
Robert  Hathorn 
Benjamin  GrofF 
Michael  Book 
Borough  of  Washmgton 
Geo  G  Crush 
L  Uiban 
A  Bitner,  M  D 
P  Haldeman 
Jacob  Taylor 
Abm  Harnley 
G  E  Sehner 
C  A  Wolf 
Geo  M  Gibbs 
David  Miller 
Benjamin  Kauflman 
John  Shumau 
Jacob  Snyder 
Wm  Reese 
Dai.iel  Kise 
Jacob  Kise 
Henry  B  Barney 
Henry  Fisher 

Milleislovm. 
Henry  Funk 


J  Augustus  Ehler,   M  D 
David  K abler 
>amu('i  Bender 
John  McC'ollaugh 
!■;  S  Baer,  M  D 
Leonard  Piekcl 
;J  B  Ghrisl 
Ahr  Peters 
Henry  VV  Hackman 
John  Ncidich 
B  F  W  Bostick 
John  Ilerr 
Geo  L  MundorlT 

Manor  Township. 
Reuben  Kendi^ 
John  Witmer 
John  Brady 
fohn  Doner 
Jacob  Seitz 
Henry  Hershey 
Michael  Kauffman 
Geo  M  Houch 
Abraham  Zook 
Charles  Willis 
(Christian  Brubaker 
Christian  Newcomer 
John  Killhcffer 
Henry  Hohrer 
("hristian  H  Hershey 
Dainel  Forry 
Jacob  Peiffer 
Christian  Mellinger 
Ephraim  Rohrer 
Daniel  Myers 
Jacob  Shultz 
Geo  Geiger 
Daniel  Green 
Michael  Sourbecr 
Andrew  J  Kauffman 
David  Shartzcr,  jr 
Wni  Parker 
Benjamin  Landis 
Christian  Habecker 
Elizabeth  Sloan 
Abraham  Buckwalter 
Adam  Brencman 
John  W  Wright 
Samuel  Kauffman 
Andrew  Bausman 
Josep.h  Jicrshey 
Jacob  G  Shuman 
John  Mann 


«: 


522 


HlSTOKY    OP 


John  Mann,  jr 
Geo  W  Seltz 
Christian  Ilerr 
Christian  Shu  man 
David  O  Wissler 
Adam  Shuman 
Christian  O  Ilerr 
Benjamin  Hershey 
Frederick  Faulck 
II  S  Meliinger,  i\I  D 
Jacob  S  Witmer 
(Christian  B  Herr 
Henry  Lintner 
John  Lintncr 
Jacob  Martin 
Benjamin  Young,  jr 
Benjamin  Witmer 
Gottlieb  Schner 
Jacob  Ncff 
Christian  Zimmer,  jr 
Daniel  L  Carpenter,  jr 
John  S  iManning 
Geo  Lutz 
Abr  Brenneman 
John  Shissler 
Daniel  W  Kauffman 
Henry  Lover 
John  Staman,  jr 
John  E  Mellinger 
Susanna  Herb 
Benjamin  II  Ilertzler 
John  Mussehnan 
Benjamin  Smitli 
Columbia. 
D  Gohecn 
E,  W  Diinlap 
Joshua  Humphries 
Geo  Moore 
H  McCorkle 
J  S  Clarkson 
Theo  D  Cochran 
A  D  Boggs 
John  List 
John  Spear 
Josejth  Black 
J  V  X  Zeigler 
John  Felix 
\Vm  Foesig 
N  Ilogentoblcr 
SarahVeish 
Daniel  Herr 
J  W  Cottrell 
Jeffrey  S  medley 


iJohn  Frederick  Houston 

John  J  McLaughlin 
jj  W  Fisher 
(Henry  D  Zeigler 
jJ  C  McKissick 
|\Vm  Cowden 
j Esther  Ann  Simpson 
|F  C  Haughey 
\\Vm  Hantsch 
I  Henry  Brimner 

Patience  Slack 

Francis  Bradley 

.Martin  Neil 

1  homas  Groom,  jr 

George  Groom 

Almira  Jane  Dishop 

Jemima  l\  Mann 

H  E  Wolf 

H  Suydam 

las  Burrell 

Henry  SoLirbeer 

John  Hogendobler 
Jo'nn  Humel 

Isaac  Clinton 

Andrew  Gohn 
Caleb  Lombard 

Francis  Hays 

Mariella. 
Rev  H  B  ShaiTner 
Wm  W  JJartin,  M  D 
Peter  Baker 
Henry  Conghenour 
Thomas  Slence 
Peter  Goodman 
John  Barr 
John  B  Carter 
John  J   Libhart 
Francis  Flury 
James  Mehaffey 
George  \V  Stackhcv.se 
James  Whitehill 
Samuel  Patterson 
John  Peck 
Franl^lin  Thompson 
Henry  Sultzbach 
Catharine  Jamieson 
Thomas  Zell 
Joshua  Loiigenecker 
S  S  Rathvon 
H  R  Musser 
Catharine  Geist 
Win  McCiure 


Samuel  Souders 
Jeremiah  McMinn 

E.  Hempfeld    Townahip. 
John  Gamber 
David  Brubakcr 
John   Davis 
Henry  Bear 
John  Lehman 
Henry  Getz 
William  Mj'ers 
FJIer  Keese 
David  Baker 
lacob  t^umray 
Tobias  S  Kauffman 
Michael  Seilz 
.i'ohn  Ream,  M  D 
John  Denlinger,  sen. 
KphraimGrolT 
John  Kauffman 
Jacob  S   Kauffman 
Reuben  Bowman 
John  C  I-andis 
Gei  rge  W  Robinson 
Andrew  Landis 
J  H  Kurtz,  ftl   D 
C  Sireng 
Joseph  Bowman 
John  Stauffer 
laeob  Fordncy 
Andrew  H  oils  worth 
Jacob  Bossier 
Abraham  Long 
C  K   Long 
George  Fisher 
John  Shenk 
Henry  Steman 
Samuel  Martzall 
Andrew  Dillinger 
Christian  Kauffman 
William  Wiley 
Jacob  Acker 
Alexander  Klefelker 
A  &  C  Reigart 
Jacob  L  Hershey 
David  Brubaker 
Susanna  Snyder 
Mary  Heisiand 
Jacob  Shugar 
William  Bernlheiscl 

W-  Hcmpjield  Township. 
S  S  Haldeman 


LANCASTER    COUNTY". 


523 


Abraham  Stouffer 
Robert  FuUerton 
William  Allen 
D  W  VVitmer 
A  K  Rohrer,  M  D 
Jacob  \V   Witmer 
Andrew  Metzgar 
Lewis  Shuman 
Philp  F^Wislar 
Isaac  Hinkle 
Jacob  Forry 
Michael  Williams 
Michael  Bowers 
("Charles  Mathiot 
Nelson  Sutton 
David  Bucher 
Jacob  Colom 
Jacob  S trickier 
William  S  Boyd 
Samuel  Boyd 
John  Stibge 
Henry  Musselman 
Jacob  M  G rider 
Henry  Copenhafer 
Henry  Bruckhart 
J  S  Denlinger 
George  Retlew 
Jacob  Gamber,  sen 
Jacob  Greider 
Tobias  Clark 
Gideon  Smith 
John  Dombach 
Jonas  Nolt 
Jacob  H  Hershey 
John  Greider,  jr 
Tobias  B  Stehman 
Peter  Harlacher 
Adam  Bell 
Samuel  F  Mann 
Allen  S  Ruby 

Manheim  Borough. 
John  Sheaffer 
Thos  W  Veazey,  M  D 
George  Mcngle 
Samuel  Long 
Charles  Wclker 
George  Eby 
Philip  Arndt 
Joseph  Peifer 
Emanuel   [,intner 
John  M  Ensminger 
Michael  H  Schwartz 


licwis  W  Gibble 
Samuel  Witmeyer 
Henry  D  Miller 

Rapho   Township, 
John  Hawthorn 
Joseph  Fry 
Jacob  M  Kauff'man 
Daniel  S  Burns 
John  N  Long,  jr 
George  Brown 
Daniel  Swords 
Christian  Nissley 
Samuel  Brubaker 
John  Rohrer 
Abraham  Brubaker 
William  Brooks 
Abraham  M  Erisman 
Henry   M  Erisman 
Peter  Roy 
Peter  Brubaker, 
Benjamin  Brown 
David  Strickler 
Henry  Fisher  « 

John  Strickler 
Samuel   Ebersole 
James  A  Patterson 
Michael  Garber 
Samuel  Horst 
John  Lehman 
Joseph  Masterson 
Joseph  W  Numbers 
James  Doneghy 

Salisbury   Township, 
Henry  F  Slaymaker 
Rev  P  J  Timlow 
James  H  Houston 
J  Boyd   Baker 
John  H  Marsh 
John  Umble 
Benjamin  Linville 
Daniel  Plank 
Davis  Clemson 
Geo  W  Buckley 
Joseph  Summers 
John  Summers 
Jacob  Gabel 
Jacob  Martin 
Jacob  Sowers 
Henry  Dickinson 
Henry  Slaymaker 
B  F  Houston 


I  Cyrus  J  Russell 
Geo  F  Brinton 
Brinton  &■  Brothers 
FA'his  Eby 
Peter  Uiiil 
Wm  Ferry 
John  Ilalligan 
Robert  Baldwin 
Joseph  F  Paxson 
Amos  S  Henderson 
Henry  W  Worrest 
Reuben  H  Linville 
Thomas  A  McNeil 
Rev  John  Wallace 
Peter  Rceser 
Jacob  Yoder 
A  Lighlner  Henderson 
Jacob  Barley 
Henry  Worst 
John  Greenleaf 
Wm  P  Gault 
Hugh  R  Buchanan 
John  Myers 
Joseph  D  Martin 
John  Wright 
Geo  W  Dean 
John  Weaver 
Wm  Wright 
Isaac  S  McCamant 
Jacob  Mast 
Isaac  Plank 
Jacob  Reeser 
John  E  Chalfant 
John  Gabel 
John  H  Andrews 
Reuben  Chambers 

Caernarvon  Township 
Rev  L  Bull,  Chester  co 
Hanson  B  Jacobs 
Jas  H  Jacobs 
Jacob  Albright 
Cyrus  II  Jacobs 
Levi  Proudfoot 
John  Wcller 
William  Northeimer 
Benoni  Quaintance 
Edward  Augustus  Evans 
William  Witman 
Michael  Silknitter 
Mrs  Sarah  Thomas 
Mrs  Ann  Lebes 
Jacob  Dolby 


521 


HISTORY    OP 


AnJrew  Lawrence 
David  L  Eahy 
William  Oolby 
Hiram  Evans 
Joseph  L  AVeavcr 
Benjamin  Bauiuan 
John  R  R utter 
Daniel  Coler 
Moses  Engel 
C  S  Lichtj' 
Josiah  Hawk 
John  Ringwalt 
Rev  Alfred  Nevin 
John  Carson 
Edward  Ddvies 
Thomas  B  Jacobs 
M  Bicliham 
Christian  Schnader 
Henry  Eppehimer 
Jacob  Yohn 
John  Cox 
John  Hertzler 
Moses  Horst 
Abner  F  Old 
Christian  Shirk 
John  Trif)ple 
William  Williamson 
Henry  Lynch 
William   Corbet    Lyr 
Eli  Becker 


Jacob  Everly 
Sarnie'.' C  Schweitzer 
Samuel  lancoin 
Daniel  Mast 
David  Buckwalter 
Daniel  Buckwalter 
Philip  Garman 
Joseph  Shirk 
Jacob  Shirk 
Samuel  Yoder 
David  Buckwalter 
John  Deihm 
Samuel  B  Eppihimer 
Robert  Jones 
David  Bylcr 
John  W  Jones 
George  W  Guest 
WiUiam  Stc-pheson 
Davis  Horst 


Lltiz. 

John  Beck 

Rev  Peter  WoUe 

Rev  Samuel  Reinke,  Ka- 
I     zareth 
'Eugene  A  FrueaufF 

Jacob  Ziegler 

Jacob  B  'I'shudy 
ch  Levi  Hell,  M  D 

Charles  H  Krvder 


George  T  Greider 
Samuel  Lichtenthaeler 
Francis  L  Lennert 
Franklin  Miller 
F  G  Lennert 
Jacob  Geitner 
William  H  Albright 
Jonas  Meyer 
Christian  H  Ranch 
John  Wm  Rauch 
VV  A  Shelly,  M  D 
Charles  \y  Sturgis 
G  E  Keller 
Daniel  C  Maurer 
J  Levin  Clewell 
Chambers  Hahn 
George  Irwins 
Daniel  Kreider 
Martin  Kreider 
Peter  Fieles 
Aaron  Treager 
A  brm  Lichtenthaler 
P  Ricksicker 
Samuel  Grosh  - 
George  Thomas 
John  Grosh 
Edwin  P  Fetter 
Ferdinand  D  Rickert 
Christian  Wolf 
Augustus  Christ 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


526 


Lancaster  city. 
John  A  Tryer 
John   Osier,   Northum- 
berland county 
Ilickok  &  Cantine,  Har- 

risburg' 
John  S  Foster,  E,  Stras- 

burg 
John  Christ 
Robert  Loag 
Wm  A  Ham  bright 
Bernard  McGrana 
Joshua  Jack 
Davis  Kitch 
Jacob  Forney 
John  Dougherty 
Samuel  White 
John  McGrann 
John  Yost 
James  Evans 
Hertzler  &  Locher 
C  L  Baker,  M  D 
Samuel  Humes 

Jacob  R  Smeltz 

David  Wiley 

Jacob  Sehner 

G  Sehner 

Josiah  Devish 

Clement  B  Grubb 

Michael  Malone 

Anthony  McGlinn 

John  Kauffman 

Philip  Benedict 

Felix  P  Devlin 

Wm  W  Morrows 

Henry      Kmzer,     East 
Slrasburg 

Catharine  Eicholts 

Daniel  Burgert 

James  Regan 

Mrs  H  A  M'Lenegan 

Henry  Hines 

Bernard  Huber 

John  Maguire 

Bernard  Flyna 

George  Rees 

Henry  Flick 

John  Young,  Columbia 

William  Hensel 

John  H  Pearsol 

John  F  Shroder 

David  Reese 

William  Yerger- 


J  G  Hathaway 
B  P  Miller 
D  W  Patterson 
Henry  M  White 
Andrew  McGinnis 
George  Sener 
John  Flick 

Henry  B  Good,  Colum- 
bia 
James  Warren,  jr.  M  D 

Strasburg 
W  C   Bradley,  Lebanon 

county 
Mich'l  Horst,  Rapho  tp. 
Benjamin  Grosh,  do 
John  Shaub,  Lampeter 
Benj  M  Frick      do 
A  W  Baldwin      do 
John  McLeod      do 
George  H  Miller      do 
Abraham  Leman    do 
John  Conklin,  Rapho 
Abraham  Cassel  do 
Martin  BIyraire    do 
Henry  Gurce,  Lampeter 
John  Young,  Columbia 
George  P  Luttman  do 
William  Mathiot    do 

Brecknock  tp. 
Samuel  Bowman 
Daniel  Polm 
Daniel  Sensenig 
William  Sneader 
Isaac  Messner 
William  Lupole 
Ephraim  Shober 
Frederick  Ream 
Philip  Von  Neida 
Chr'n  Schneder  jr 
Daniel  Bowman 
Samuel  Fox 
George  Zeller 
Richard  Davis 
Samuel  McColm 

East  Earl  Ip, 
Huston  Goshen 
Henry  Yundt 
Daniel  S  Geist 
Davis  Wallace 
Eckert  Sheafer 
Stephen  Kurtz 


John  L  Neft 
John  Jacobs  jr 
John  Martin 
Peter  Good 
Peter  Stauifer 
Michael  Sensenig 
George  Wallace 
David  Witmer 
Samuel  D  Patton 
Edward  S  Francis 
Henry  W  Hess 
Joshua  Mitchell 
Jacob  F  Shofer 
Amos  K  Bower 
George  Witwer 
John  McCartney 
J  B  Good 
W  Boyd 
John  Kreider 
Amos  S  Kinzer 
W  B  Young 
John  Weaver 

Henry  Martin 
Henry  Martin,  miller 
Christian  D  Schnader 
John  Shirk 

Samuel  Watts 

John  Hurst 

John  Newpher 

David  Martin 

John  Weaver 

Levi  Weiler 

John  Staufer 

A  E  Roberts 

Allen  Yundt 

Isaac  Winters,  M  D 

John  W  Meckley 

Henry  M  Weaver 

Jacob  Weaver 

John  Senders 

Jas  Lee&WmRodgers 

William  Burkholder 

William  Eynso 

John  Fauslenauer 

Abraham  Morrow 

David  Albright 

Daniel  Epler 

Solomon  Fair 

Isaac  Johnston 

Henry  Shirk 

William  E  Ranek 

Joseph  Gear 

Levi  Edwards 


526. 


HISTORY    OF 


William  Furgerson 

John  Davies 

Davies  Ranck 

John  Becher 

John  A  McLaughlin 

Samuel  E  Ranck 

David  Grosh 

Williara  Stuukard 

John  Lightner 

Henry  Ranck 

Mahlon  Rulh 

Phebe  A  Dehaven 

Naomi  Azoline  Diller 

William  Kinzer 

Isaac  Smoker 

Isaac  Hoover 

Samuel  Grahill 

William  Gabel 

William  Miller 

Daniel  Becher 

Solomon  Parmer 

David  Bear 

Esaias  E  Ellmaker 

Solomon  Sheafer 

Abraham  GrofF 

Cyrus  Bear 

Abraham  Clowner 

John  How 

Paler  S  Eshleman 

John  CofFroad 

John  Killhefner 

William  Boyer 

Adam  Weitzel 

Henry  Mehring 

Jacob  Uner 

Gideon   Howder 

John  Howder 

William  Diller 

Nancy  Rhoades 

Samuel  Weaver 

John  Gansman 

Jsaac  Overly 
Jacob  Ranck 
Abrabam  Ratt 
George  Harkey 
Gabriel  Davis 
John  W  Sheaffer 
Solomon  Diffenderfer 
Col  Henry  Brimmer 
Caroline  T    Kinzer 
Abraham  Royer 
Jacob  Brown 
Peter  Diller 


Joseph  Jones 
Peter  Ream 
Amos  Diller 
Benj  Bear 
John  Mentzer 
John  Miller 
David  Hoover 
Jeremiah  Ranck 
Michael  Good 
Mary  Ann  Rudy 
Simon  Nagel 
John  W  Mills 
Emanuel  E  Gates 
John  Dick 
John  Brimmer 
John  Ranck 
Solomon  Martin 
Daniel  Rife 
Martin  Meyer  jr 
Christian  Musselman 
Levi  Rhoads,  Leacock 
Samuel  Lutz 
Mary  Grabill 
John  R  Rutter 
George  F  Dosh 
Joseph  Hoover 
Roland  Diller 
W  Hiester 
Michael  Diffenderfer 
David  Stone 
Henry  Rowland 
David  Shultz 
Henry  A  Shultz 
John  R  Brubaker 
Richard  Goshen 
John  W  Luther  M  D 
Solomon  Weaver 
John  C  Loser 
Solomon  Diller 
Michael  Rowland 
John  Sensenig 
Martin  Buchwalter 
Henry  Musser 
Lewis  Bowers 
Samuel  HoU 
Abraham  Sleugh 
Isaac  Vogan 
Jojni  Vogan 
M  S  Groff 
Adam  L  Harting 
Isaac  M  Weaver. 
Christian  S  Hoffman 
John  Peiershine 


John  Hunpberger 
George  S  Deitrick 
Elias  Zuck 
Amos  Reiter 
David  Waid 
Abraham  Harting 

West  Earl  tp. 
J  W  GroffEsq 
John  Moore, 
Henry  Reemsnyder 
Christian  Wenger 
Christian  Garber,  M  D 
F  Garber,   coachmaker 
Jacob  Zook 
Levi  Carpenter 
Peter  Kafroth 
David  Good 
Henry  Grebill 
John  Johns 
Mark  Connel 
Henry  Haverstick 
Gabriel  Balmer 
Henry  Slouch,  teaches^ 
Benjamin  Wenger 
Samuel  Wenger 
David  Groff 
Eckert  Myers 
C  F  Groff,  M  D 
George  Reed,  Esq 
Samuel  Rupp 
David  Groff 
John  G  Wenger 
Eli  J  Smith 
Isaac  Good! 
Jacob  Sheaffer 
James  Vogan 
Epinger  Cake 
Seth  G  Burkholder 
Christian  Oberholtzer. 
John  Sheaffer 
Levi  Bard 
George  Byerle 
John  Sheaffer 
Henry  Bard 
Daniel  Bitzer 
Daniel  Kenoper 

Leacock  tp. 
Jacob  HoU  i 
Isaac  C  Weidler,  M  D 
Amos  Weidler 
Levi  E  Kinzer 


LANCASTER    COUNTY. 


5^27 


Rev    Samuel  Trumbaur 
G  Bryan  &  S  Vonder- 

saal 
Mark  Connell  jr 
John  Buckwalier 
Isaac  B  Wcidler 
Emanuel  Weidler 
Washington  Simmons 
Isaac  L  Bear 
William  Frilz 
lienry  Barton 
Emanuel  Keremea 
George  Mearig 
John  Bard  jr 
Peter  Vandersaal 
Jacob  Vandersaal 
Jacob  Brubacher 
Isaac  Kling 
Abraham  Sheibly 
Samuel  Stafford 
Samuel  Ranck 
Samuel  Weidler 
Andrew  Kolb 
Henry  Weidler 
John  F  Leahman 
Andrew  Bard 
Daniel  Bard 
Lewis  Sheaffer 
Sam'l  Sf  Israel  Fink 
Isaac  &  Abr'm  Johns 
Reuben  Weidler 
William  Weidraan  Esq 
Adam  Bare 
Samael  W  Beecher 
John  Bender 
Samuel  Cassel,  teacher 
Andrew  Bare 
Samuel  Ranck 
Christian  Kennel 
Roland  Wenger 
John  Miller 
Joseph  Miller  Esq 
Amos  Rutter 
Peter  Kling 
Jaeob  K  Eckert 
Samuel  Cowen  jr 
Daniel  S  Eaby 
Daniel  Groff 
Peter  Bofferameyer 
Solomon  Groff 
Jacob  Bard,  Lampeter 
Joseph  Wenger 
James  Lytle 
Ellas  Bare 


Christian  Landis 
Benjamin  Stauffer 
Jacob  Coughnour 
Jonas  Buckwalter 
Abraham  Gibbons 
Jacob  Steman 

Conestoga  tp. 

Abner  Rohrer,  shoem'kr 

Jacoblehl 

John  Warfel 

J  E  Mellinger 

Martin  Light 

Isaac  Heiney 

Christian  R  Herr 

Michael  Johns 

John  Mecartney 

John  Charles 

Daniel  &  Benj'n  Con- 
rad, blacksmiths 

Jacob  Charles,  merch'nt 

Chr'n  Yordy,  weaver 

B  Snavely,    blacksmith 

Andrew  Mehaffey,  tax 
collector 

Johh  Charles  jr 

David  Meyers,  farmer 

George  Kreider 

Amos  Mylin 

JohnHarman 

Christian  R  Sterneman 

Mans  Hoopes 

Christian  Forrer 

Henry  RMusselman 

Abraham  Charles 

Michael  McMillan 

Christian  Warfel 

Benjamin  Sourbeer 

John  Dailey 

P  S  Clinger  M  D 

Christian  Shenk  , 

Samuel  Crossen 

David  P  Sterneman 

Abner  Miller 

Daniel  Harnish 

Amos  Miller 

Elizabeth  Miller 

Abraham  Kendig 

Daniel  W  How 

John  Martin 

Sadshury  tp, 
William  Noble 


Henry  Bear 
Samuel  L  Denney 
Elijah  Lewis 
Caleb  C  Hood 
E  P  Irwin 
Isaac  Rodgers 
Andrew  Watkins 
James  J  Brinton 
John  Boon 
David  H  Agncws 
John  Jones 
Benjamin  Skeen 
William  Thornton 
Lewis  Skeen 
William  T  Carr 
Sprowl  Knote 
James  Wright 
John  H  Mecawley 
Alvin  White,  Sirasburg 
Slater  C  Moore 
W  Easton 
Thomas  McClure 
Thomas  Withrow 
William  Boyd 
John  Fite 

Abraham  Musketnus 
Joseph  Powel 
Hesekiah  Clemmans 
John  Williams 

Martic  tp. 
John  W  Rawlins 
John  Peoples 
Leonard  Null  jr 
Martin  Smith 
James  H  Pagan 
Stewart  McMulIen 
David  Creamer 
Hugh  O  Neil 
Rev  J  C  Owens 
Samuel  Herr 
Henry  Strohra      "'' 
Benjamin  Hess 
John  Hess 
David  Hoble 
Benjamin  Gochenour 
John  Winter 
Benjamin  Barr 
Daniel  Bleacher 
Henry  Good 
James  Stence 
James  Kelly 
John  Spence  jr 


528 


HISTORY    OB* 


John  Corran 
H  L  Thompson,  teacher 
Stephen  Owens 
Josiah  Burgess 
Geo  W  Smithson 
Henry  Fisher 
James  W  Walker 
Geo  Horn 
Jesse  Engles 
Washington  Travis 
W  Morris  Woods 
Thomas  Wentz 
David  W  Scott 
R  B  McAllister  Esq 
John  Elliot 
Benjamin  Miller 
John  F  Anderson 
Geo  Dunkle 
John  Ravirlins 
Daniel  M  Dunkle 
Christian  Cramerjr 
Jacob  Huber 
Henry  Stoek,  merchant 
Rev  Henry  Bowman 
Abraham  Miller 
Jacob  Miller,  miller 
William  McCreary 
John  K  Rohrer 
Samuel  Forrey 

Colerain  tp. 
Robt  B  Cabean 
Maria  Marshall 
David  Burnite 
James  W  Andrews 
James  Elwell 
James  Brown 
Andrew  B  Magough 
Wincent  King 
James  W  Paxsori 
Joseph  Walker 
Joseph  Paxson 
James  Richardson 
Samnel  McCowraon 
John  Clark 
John  Clendenm 
Robert  Hodgson 
Benjamin  Swaynejr 
Samuel  Pennock 
Aaron  Foulk 


Benjamin  Kent 
William  Broseus 

Drumore  tp. 
Alexander  Gordon  M  D 
DBair 
Jas  C  Penny 
Valentine  Creamer 
C  M  Johnston 
George  Hammond 
George  Brown 
Reuben  Alexander 
William  Arnold 
Charles  Stewart 
William  Shanks 
Stephen  B  Ails 
John  Wells 
Jonathan  Pritchard 
E  M  Pusey 
Elwood  H  Doan 
Boyd  Mahow  «&  Co 
Gardner  Furness 
John  McSparrea 
Jacob  McCall 
Washington  C  Scott 
John  Lynch 
John  Retzer  jr 
Thos  C  McDowell 
James  Rorkey 
William  C  Westcott 
Samuel  J  Davies 
Jesse  McConkey 
James  A  Towson 
Robert  Alexander 
Wesley  Fergerson 
Samuel  M  Steele 
Joseph  Showalter 
Cornelius  Campbell 
Joseph  Furguson 
Reuben  Reynolds 
John  Hastings 
Benjamin  F  Scott 
Jacob  Philips 
David  Lewis 
A  N  Landis 
John  Rees 

Joshua  M  Deaver  M  D 
Christian  DifFenbach 
Jsseph  Elliot 
Amos  Elliot 


Mark  Showalter 
Benjamin  Bleacher 
Edward  Wicks 
Thomas  Lewis 
Levi  Somers 
William  Barckley 
A  Dubree  Esqr 

Bart  tp. 
Custer  Lewis 
Jacob  Mowrer 
James  McColgan 
Jacob  Bp.rr 
George  W  Hensel 
George  Shaub  ' 
Peter  Iboch 
Sarah  Jane  Campbell 
Samuel  Forrey 
John  Elliot 
A  Ankrim 
Morris  Cooper 
James  Calwell 
Nathaniel  Mills 
Caleb  Hood 
John  Funk 
Asa  Walton 
William  Pickel 
Joseph  McClure 
William  P  Cooper 
Jacob  Baughman 
William  Rakestraw 
Henry  Hess 
George  Whitson 
John  Matthews,  jr 
George  Heidlebaugh 
Levi  Pierce,  jr 
John  Kidd 
Hugh  Donlay 
James  Duncan. 
John  Bossier 
George  Hersh 
Henry  Burd 
Joshua  Keehn 
Abraham  Hare    . 
Wm   Darlington,  West 

Chester 
Caleb  C  Hood 
Alvin  White,  Strasburg 
William  Howell 


COR  RECTI  ON. 
In  page  445,  line  19  from  top,  read  Benjamin  Konignmcher, 
instead,  of  William. 


HIST  OEY 


OF 


YORK     COUNTY, 


FROM  ONE  THOUSAND  SEVEN  HUNDRED  &  NINETEEN  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME; 


APPENDIX; 


TOPOGRAPHY    AND    STATISTICS, 

COMPRISING  A  GEOLOCICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  COUNTy  ;  TOPOGRAPHICAL  DESCRIPTIONS 
OF  THE  TOWNSHIPS,  TOWNS,  VILLAGES,  AND  CENSUS  OF  EACH  OF  1840. 


COMPILED  FROM  AUTHENTIC  SOURCES,  BY 

I.  DANIEL  RUPP, 

AUTHOR  OF  THE  HISTORY  OF  BERKS  AND  LEBANON  COUNTIES,  &€.,  &C.,  &C. 


PUBLISHED  AND  SOLD  BY 
GILDERT  HILLS,  PROPRIETOR. 

XANCAST£B,  FA. 

1845. 


'^^it' 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


In  compiling  these  pages,  we  availed  ourselves  of  numerous 
sources  in  collecting  materials.  The  usual  marks  of  credit 
have  been  generally  given. 

To  those  gentlemen  who  have  been  pleased  to  furnish 
original  matter,  we  here  return  our  cordial  thanks  for  favors 
conferred  upon  us,  by  them. 

Lancaster,  Dec.  1844. 

Ip^Several  communications,  intended  for  these  pages,  came 
too  late  to  hand  for  insertion. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 

Penn's  Charter — Treaties  with  the  Indians — Dougan's  purchase — First 
Settlements  in  Lancaster  county — Squatters  west  of  the  Susque- 
hanna— John  Grist  Removed— Border  Difficulties — Uneasiness 
among  the  Conestoga  Indians — Governor  Keith  visits  the  Indians 
— Keith's  Survey  West  of  the  Susquehanna — Philip  Syng  claims 
Keith's  Tract — Syng  arrested  and  examined — Keith  prevents  Mary- 
landers  from  making  Surveys — Holds  a  Council  with  the  Indians — 
Causes  Springettsbury  Manor  to  be  surveyed — Keith  addresses 
Governor  Ogle  of  Maryland — Copy  of  Warrant  to  survey,  &c. — 
The  Return  by  French,  Worley  and  Mitchell,  Surveyors.  Note. — 
Springettsbury  Manor  Re-surveyed — p,  525. 

CHAPTER  II 

First  English  settlers  west  of  Susquehanna — These  removed  by  Gov- 
ernor Gordon—Hendricks  and  others  settle  by  authority-^Policy  to 
induce  settlers — Samuel  Blunston  authorized  to  grant  license,  «&c. 
—Maryland  intruders— Hendricks  and  Marshall  abducted— 1  he  no- 
torious Cressap,  threatenings,  &c.— With  force  and  arms  makes  a 
Survey — Germans  seduced— Apply  to  the  government  of  Pennsyl- 
vania for  protection— Maryland  militia,  &c.— Governor  issues  a 
proclamation  to  all  to  preserve  the  peace — A  new  scheme — Irish 
called  on  to  help  to  remove  the  Germans  from  their  homes — Far- 
ther aggressions— Cressap  is  arrested — Proceedings  between  the 
Governor  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland — The  issue— p.  547. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Early  settlements — Kreutz'  creek — Origin  of  the  name — Hendricks^ 
&c. — First  settlers'  simple  habits — Plain  dress — Want  of  Shoemak- 
ers, &c.— First  dwellings — Stone  houses— Settlement  of  the  Barrens 
— Whence  the  appellation — Origin  of  first  settlers — Strict  Presby- 
terians— Revd.  Whittlessy — Great  improvements,  &c. — Generous 
people — The  Red  Lands— Names  of  first  settlers— Settled  by  Quak- 
ers—Anecdote— Digges'  choice  of  Hanover  settlement— Digges  lo- 
cates lands— The  forest— York  and  vicinity — Principal  settlements 
arise  from  those  enumerated — p.  564. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

First  public  road  from  Wright's  ferry,  &c. — York  first  laid  out — Pub- 
lic road  from  York  to  Smith's  land — First  public  house  at  York — 
York  at  first  improves  slowly — Causes  thereof — Billmayer's,  Falk- 
er's  and  Schall's  case — Clashing  interests — First  settlers  at  York, 
•principally  Germans — Names  of  some  families — Ministers  visit 
congregations — Influx  of  Germans  great — No  lands  sold  to  the  Irish 
— Many  Irish  moved  to  Cumberland— p.  571. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Erection  of  York  county — Petition  presented— Deferred—Granted— 
Act  passed— Court  House  built— First  Court  of  General  Quarter 
Sessions— List  of  Jurors— Constables— First  county  officers— Sher- 

-  ifi''s  election — AS"ray  at — M'Callister  elected  ;  but  Hamilton  was 
commissioned— Overseers  of  the  Poor— Election  for  Representa- 
tives— Afl'ray  at— The  Sheriff  before  the  Assembly— Is  reproved, 
and  advised  to  keep  better  order— French  and  Indian  war — Inhab- 
itants of  York  much  alarmed— Letter  to  Governor  Morris — Indians 
commit  massacres  in  York  county—Bard's  abduction— Dunwiddie 
and  Brawford  killed— p.  577. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Tranquility  restored — Boundary  line  determined  and  settled— Hano- 
ver laid  out— "Rogues  Resort,"  &c.— Difficulties  at  York— Relief 


CONTENTS. 

afforded  to  the  Bostoia  sufferers—Proceedings,  &c.— Donations  or 
contributions  from  York  Town,  Germany  township,  Manheim, 
Manchester,  Shrewsbury,  Dover,  Fawn,  Codorus  &  Paradise,  p.  595. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Revolution—Meeting  at  York— Meetings  of  Coinmittee,  Ac- 
companies formed  in  York  Town— Address  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Delegates  in  Congress— A  company  marches  to  Boston— Committee 
of  safety  and  committee  of  correspondence  appointed— More  com- 
panies formed — Flying  camp — Officers  of  companies— Remarks — 
Congress  meets  at  York — Extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the 
Journal,  &c.— Correspondence,  &c.— p.  602. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Riot  in  York  Town— Federal  Constitution  procession,  &c.— Sheriff 's 
election  of,  in  '89 — "Chronicles" — Western  insurrection,  &c. — Hail 
storms — Fire  in  the  Borough  of  York — Doctor  Dady  and  his  ac- 
complices. Rice  Williams  or  Rainsford  Rogers,  John  Hall,  «&c.,  in 
York  county — their  trial  and  conviction — Lancaster  expedition  and 
detection  of  Dady  and  others— p.  638. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

York  county  reduced  in  its  limits — Warm  controversies— Negro  con- 
spiracy—Poor house  and  house  of  employment  erected-Late  war- 
Companies  from  York  go  to  Baltimore—Cooorus  floods---Flood  of 
1817;  much  property  destroyed  and  many  lives  lost— Flood  of  1822 
—Drought  of  1822— Storm  of  1030— p.  648. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Education— Schools  among  the  first  settlers— Luther's  views  of 
schools— Systematic  effort  to  establish  schools— Schools  patronised 
by  the  English  and  Quakers— Penn's  views  of  the  importance  of 
education— York  County  Academy— Theological  Seminary  at  York 
—Present  state  education— Common  Schools,  &c.—iVoie.— Scheme 
of  educating  Germans,  and  others,  in  1775— p.  668. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Religious  History— the  Lutherans— The  German  Reformed— The 
Presbyterians— The  Episcopalians — The  Moravians— The  German 
Seventh  Day  Baptists— The  Roman  Catholics— The  Methodists— 
The  Baptists— The  Evangelical  Association— The  Church  of  God 
-The  German  Baptists— The  Friends  or  Quakers— The  Menno- 
nites— p.  791.  _      ^.^ 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

'Penn's  Charter — Treaties  'ivith  the  Indians — Dougan's  purchase — First 
Settlements  in  Lancaster  county — Squatters  west  of  the  Susque- 
hanna— John  Grist  Removed— Border  Difficulties — Uneasiness 
amon^  the  Conestoga  Indians — Governor  Keith  visits  the  Indians 
— Keith's  Survey  West  of  the  Susquehanna — Philip  Syng  claims 
Keith's  Tract — Syng  arrested  and  examined — Keith  prevents  Mary- 
landers  from  making  Surveys— Holds  a  Council  with  the  Indians. — 
Causes  Springettsbury  Manor  to  be  surveyed — Keith  addresses 
Governor  Ogle  of  Maryland — Copy  of  Warrant  to  survey,  &c. — 
The  Return  by  French,  Worley  and  Mitchell,  Surveyors.  Note. — 
Springettsbury  Manor  Re-surveyed — p.  525. 

In  the  year  1681,  Charles  II.,  King  of  England,  granted 
to  William  Penn,  a  charter  for  a  large  tract  of  land  on  this 
side  ol  the  Atlantic,  in  lieu  of  the  payment  of  claims  he  had 
upon  the  British  government  for  services  rendered  to  that 
country  by  his  father.  Sir  William  Penn,  Admiral  of  the 
English  Navy.  The  charter  embraced  Pennsylvania  and 
Delaware.  Before  Penn  obtained  this  charter,  settlements 
had  been  commenced  by  some  Sv^redes  and  Dutch,  on  the 
Delaware  river,  within  the  present  boundaries  of  Delaware 
and  Pennsylvania. 

The  date  of  the  charter  is  March  4th,  1681.  Soon  after- 
w^ards  Penn  made  sales  to  adventurers,  called  first  settlers, 
who  embarked  the  same  year,  some  at  London,  others  at 
Bristol  for  America,  and  arrived  at  Upland,  now  Chester, 
December  11,  1681.      The  next  year   Penn,  with  many 


526  HISTORY  OP  YORK  COUNTY. 

Friends,  chiefly  from  Sussex,  England,  sailed  for  America, 
and  landed  at  Newcastle,  October  27th,  1682. 

In  conformity  with  a  principle  that  had  obtained  in  Eu- 
rope, and  by  virtue  of  his  charter,  Penn  had  an  undoubted 
right  to  the  soil  granted  him  by  Charles  II. ;  but  he  "was 
influenced  by  a  purer  morality,  and  sounder  policy,  than  that 
prevailing  principle  which  actuated  the  more  sordid.  His 
religious  principles  did  not  permit  him  to  wrest  the  soil  of 
Pennsylvania  by  force  from  the  people  to  whom  God  and 
nature  gave  it,  nor  to  establish  his  title  in  blood ;  but  under 
the  shade  of  the  lofty  trees  of  the  forest,  his  right  was  fixed 
by  treaties  with  the  natives,  and  sanctified,  as  it  were,  by 
smoking  from  the  calumet  of  peace."* 

Prior  to  his  arrival,  he  had  instructed  William  Markham^ 
the  deputy  Governor,  who  arrived  in  Pennsylvania  in  1681, 
to  hold  treaties  with  the  Indians,  to  procure  their  lands 
peaceably.  Markham,  a  short  time  previous  to  Penn's  ar- 
rival, held  such  a  treaty,  July  15,  1972,  for  some  lands  on 
the  Delawr.re  river.  Penn  held  similar  treaties  ;  and  before 
his  return  to  England,  in  1684,  adopted  measures  "  to  por- 
chaso  the  lands  on  the  Susquehanna  from  the  Five  Nations, 
who  pretended  a  right  to  them,  having  conquered  the  people 
formerly  settled  there."  The  Five  Nations  resided  princi- 
pally in  New  York;  and  Penn's  time  being  too  much  en- 
grossed to  visit  them  personally,  engaged  Thomas  Dongan, 
Governor  of  New  York,  to  purchase  from  the  Indians,  "  all 
that  tract  oi  land  lying  on  both  sides  of  the  river  Susque- 
hanna, and  the  lakes  adjacent  in  or  near  the  province  of 
Pennsylvania."  Dongan  effected  a  purchase,  and  conveyed 
the  same  to  William  Penn,  January  13,  1696,  "in consider- 
ation of  one  hundred  pounds  sterling."! 

It  was  Penn's  object  to  secure  the  river  through  the  whole 
extent  of  the  province ;  and  subsequent  transactions  with  the 

•Smith's  Laws,  Pa.,  ii.,  105.  f  Smith's  Laws,  Pa.,  ii.,  HI- 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY.  527 

Indians  show  how  careful  he  was  to  have  this  purchase  well 
confirmed. 

"  September  13th,  1700 ;  Widagh  and  Jindaggy-junk- 
quagh,  Kings  or  Sachemas  of  the  Susquehanna  Indians,  and 
of  the  river  under  that  name,  and  lands  lying  on  both  sides 
thereof.  Deed  to  W.  Penn  for  all  the  said  river  Susquehan- 
nagh,  and  all  the  islands  therein,  and  all  the  lands  situate, 
lying  and  being  upon  both  sides  of  the  said  river,  and  next 
adjoining  the  same,  to  the  utmost  confines  of  the  lands 
which  are,  or  formerly  were,  the  right  of  the  people  or  na- 
tion called  the  Susquehannagh  Indians,  or  by  what  name 
soever  they  were  called,  as  fully  and  amply  as  we  or  any  of 
our  ancestors,  have,  could,  might  or  ought  to  have  had,  held 
or  enjoyed,  and  also  confirm  the  bargain  and  sale  of  the  said 
lands,  made  unto  Col.  Thomas  Dongan,  now  earl  of  Limer- 
ick, and  formerly  governor  of  New  York,  whose  deed  of  sale 
to  said  Governor  Penn  we  have  seen."* 

The  sale  to  William  Penn  from  the  Five  Nations  was 
thus  well  confirmed;  the  Conestoga  Indians, however,  would 
not  recognize  the  validity  of  this  sale,  believing  that  the 
Five  Nations  had  no  proper  authority  to  transfer  their  pos- 
sessions, to  secure  the  lands  conveyed  to  him  by  Dongan, 
Penn  entered  into  articles  of  agreement,  shortly  after  his 
second  visit  to  Pennsylvania,  with  the  Susquehanna,  Potow- 
flaask  and  Conestoga  Indians.  The  agreement  is  dated 
April  23,  1701.  In  this  agreement  the  Indians  ratified  and 
confirmed  Governor  Dongan's  deed  of  January,  1696,  and 
the  deed  by  Widagh  and  Andaggy-junkquagh,  of  Septem- 
ber 13,  1700.t 

Notwithstanding  all  these  sales  and  transfers,  the  lands 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna  were  still  claimed  by 
the  Indians;  for  the  words  in  the  deed  of  Sept.  13,  1700, 
^'  next  adjoining  the  same,"  were  considered   inconsistent 

*  Book  F,  vol.  viii.,  p.  242.  f  Smith's  Laws,  Pa.,  ii.,  112. 


228  HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY. 

iwith  an  extensive  western  purchase ;  and  the  Indians  of  the 
<^Five  Nations  still  continued  to  claim  aright  to  the  river  and 
the  adjoining  l&nds.  The  sachems  or  chiefs,  with  all  the 
others  of  the  Five  Nations,  met  in  the  summer  of  1736,  at 
a  great  council  held  in  the  country  of  the  Onondagoes,  in 
the  State  of  New  York ;  and  as  the  old  claims  had  not  as 
yet  been  adjusted,  they  resolved  that  an  end  should  be  put  to 
all  disputes  connected  with  it.  They  accordingly  appointed 
their  sachems  or  chiefs  with  plenary  powers  to  repair  to 
Philadelphia,  and  there  among  other  things,  settle  and  adjust 
all  demands  and  claims  connected  with  the  Susquehanna  and 
the  adjoining  lands.  Ob  their  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  they 
renewed  old  treaties  of  friendship,  and  on  the  11th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1736,  made  a  deed  to  John  Penn,  Thomas  Penn,  and 
Richard  Penn,  their  heirs,  successors  and  assigns.  The  deed 
was  signed  by  twenty-three  Indian  chiefs  of  the  Onomhigo, 
Seneca,  Oneida  and  Tuscarora  nations,  granted  the  Penn's 
"  all  the  said  river  Susquehanna,  with  the  lands  lying  on 
both  sides  thereof,  to  extend  eastward  as  far  as  the  heads 
of  the  branches  or  springs  which  run  into  the  said  Susque- 
hanna, and  all  the  lands  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the  said 
river  to  the  setting  of  the  sun,  and  to  extend  from  the  mouth 
of  the  said  river,  northward,  up  the  same  to  the  hills  or 
mountains,  called  in  the  language  of  said  nations,  Taya- 
mentasachta,  and  by  the  Delaware  Indians  the  Kekachtana- 
min  hills."*  Thus  were  the  claims  of  the  Indians  upon  the 
lands  of  this  part  of  Pennsylvania  relinquished  to  the  pro- 
prietors ;  nevertheless  surveys  had  been  authorized  to  be 
made,  and  had  actually  been  made  west  of  the  Susquehanna 
prior  to  1736,  by  both  the  Governor  of  Maryland  as  well 
as  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania. 

As  early  as  1708  a  company  of  Swiss  immigrated  to  Ame- 
rica, and  settled  on  Pequa  creek,  within  the  present  bounds 
*  Smith's  Laws,  Pa.,  ii.,  115. 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY.  529 

of  Lancaster  county,  in  1709,  in  the  midst  of  the  Indians ; 
these  were  soon  followed  by  others,  who  settled  principally 
on  the  same  stream,  and  along  the  Conestoga,  towards  the 
Susquehanna  river ;  among  these  were  the  two  Cartlidges, 
Edward  and  John,  who  for  some  years  had  been  Indian  agents 
and  interpreters.  They  settled  within  the  bounds  of  Manor 
township,  and  erected  a  house  in  1719,  in  which  a  numbe 
of  councils  were  held  with  the  Indians.* 

Notwithstanding  the  early  settlements  made  contiguous  to 
the  Susquehanna,  and  directly  opposite  the  most  fertile  por- 
tion of  York  county,  few  whites  veutured  to  settle  west  of 
the  Susquehanna,  prior  to  1725,  except  some  Marylanders, 
who  were  viewed  as  intruders.  So  determined  was  govern- 
ment that  none  should  intrude  to  the  annoyance  of  the  Indi- 
ans, that  the  commissioners  of  property,  on  complaint  to 
them  of  any  intruders  by  the  Indians,  they  caused  them  to 
be  arrested  and  imprisoned. 

A  certain  John  Greist,  or  Grist,  with  divers  others  fami- 
lies, settled  himself  and  family  on  the  west  side  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna about  the  year  1716  or  1720,  took  up  lands  within 
the  limits  of  Pennsylvania,  without  any  warrant  from  the 
commissioners  of  property,  or  any  other  legal  right  to  the 
same.  The  Indians  complained  to  Governor  Keith  when  at 
Conestoga  in  July,  1721,  that  the  said  John  Grist,  and 
others,  had  abused  them.  "The  Governor,  with  the  advice 
of  some  of  the  commissioners  of  property  then  with  him  at 
Conestoga,  judged  it  absolutely  necessary  for  the  quiet  of 
the  Indians,  and  also  to  prevent  such  audacious  behavior  in 
contempt  of  the  authority  of  this  government,  for  the  time 
to  come,  by  a  warrant  under  his  hand  and  seal,  to  direct 
John  Cartlidge,  Esq.,  one  of  his  Majesty's  justices  of  the 
peace,  residing  at  Conestoga,  to  warn  and  admonish  said 
John  Grist  and  his  accomplices,  forthwith  to  relinquish  the 

*  His.  Lan.  Co.,  74,  119. 
3* 


530  HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY. 

said  lands  whereon  they  had  taken  possession,  without  the 
least  color  of  right  or  title  thereto,  and  in  case  of  their  re- 
fusal, the  Governor  by  his  warrant,  did  further  require  the 
said  John  Cartlidge  to  raise  the  ponse  comitatus,  and  to  burn 
and  destroy  their  dwelling  houses  and  habitations,  the  first 
part  of  which  said  orders  having  been  exactly  observed,  and 
notice  given,  the  said  persons  to  remove  themselves  accord- 
ingly. Notwithstanding  whereof,  they  still  refusing  to  show 
any  regard  to  the  Governor's  orders,  or  to  remove  them- 
selves from  off  the  said  Ian  s,  the  Indians  did  thereupon  de- 
stroy some  of  their  cattle;  whereof,  the  said  John  Grist 
coming  to  complain  to  the  Governor  at  Philadelphia,  the 
Governor  being  just  then  going  out  of  town,  remitted  with 
his  complaint  against  the  Indians  to  the  Secretary,  before 
whom  behaving  himself  in  a  very  insolent,  seditious  manner, 
the  Secretary,  with  the  advice  of  the  Attorney  General, 
committed  him  to  gaol  for  want  of  security,  to  be  forthcom- 
ing when  required,  and  for  the  good  behavior."* 

John  Grist  was  committed  to  gaol ;  on  the  17th  of  Au- 
gust, 1721,  his  petition  to  the  Council,  at  Philadelphia,  for 
enlargement,  was  taken  into  consideration.  In  compassion 
to  his  poor  family,  the  Board  was  pleased  to  order  "  that 
leave  be  given  to  Grist  to  carry  off  his  corn  then  on  the 
ground  ;  and  that  upon  his  entering  into  a  recognizance  for 
two  hundred  pounds,  conditioned  for  his  removal  from  off 
the  said  lands,  within  the  space  of  one  month,  and  for  his 
good  behavior  for  twelve  months,"  he  was  discharged,  and 
on  paying  the  fees,  set  at  liberty.  Before  his  dismissal,  the 
Governor  first  reprehended  him  severely,  "  for  his  past  con- 
tumy  and  insolent  behavior,  and  admonished  him  to  behave 
himself  civilly  and  respectfully  for  the  future." 

Owing  to  the  indistinctness  of  grant  respecting  the  boun- 
dary lines  between  the  province  of  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
*  Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Council,  iii.,  133,  134. 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY.  531 

lahd,  disputes  arose,  touching  the  boundary,  between  Wil- 
liam Penn  and  Lord  Baltimrre,  soon  on  the  first  ariival  of 
the  proprietary  of  Pennsylvania,  which  caused  repeated  and 
continual  disputes  between  the  Pennsylvanias  and  Mary- 
landers  for  nearly  eicrhty  years.  But  at  no  time  had  these 
disputes  been  so  violent  as  they  were  soon  after  the  death  of 
William  Penn,  when,  it  seems,  the  Marylanders  were  bent 
upon  aggressing.  Their  nefarious  plots,  as  well  as  the  se- 
cret and  underhanded  pretences  of  some  Pennsylvanians,  to 
search  for  copper  mines,  west  of  the  Susquehanna,  caused 
great  disturbance  among  the  Indians.  To  allay  these  dis- 
turbances. Governor  Keith  went  early  in  the  spring  of  1722, 
to  the  upper  part  of  Chester  county,  now  Lancaster,  and 
understanding  from  some,  on  his  way,  "  that  some  persons 
were  actually  come  from  with  a  Maryland  right  to  survey- 
lands  upon  Susquehanna,  fifteen  miles  from  Conestoga,  he 
pursued  his  course  directly  thither,  and  happily  arrived  but 
a  very  few  hours  in  time  to  prevent  the  execution  of  their 
design."* 

The  governor  having  with  him  at  the  time,  the  Surveyor 
General  of  the  Province,  he  ordered  him  to  locate  and  sur- 
vey some  part  of  the  right  he  possessed,  viz :  only  five  hun- 
dred acres  of  the  spot,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehan- 
na, which  was  like  to  prove  a  bone  of  contention,  and  bred 
so  much  mischief.  The  Surveyor  General  accordingly  made 
a  survey  on  the  4th  and  5th  of  April — the  Governor  re- 
turned in  the  meantime  to  Conestoga,  to  inform  the  Indiang 
of  what  was  done. 

This  tract  surveyed,  at  the  instance  of  Governor  Keith, 
was  subsequently  claimed  by  Philip  Syng,  silvejsmith  of 
Philadelphia,  as  appears  from  the  minutes  of  the  council 
held  at  Philadelphia,  May  28,  1722. 

"  Philip  »S^yng,  of  Philadelphia,  silversmith,  having  been 
*  Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Council,  iii.,  199. 


532  HisTORy  OF  york  county. 

yesterday  committed  into  the  custody  of  the  sheriff  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, by  the  governor's  warrant,  grounded  upon  the 
affidavit  of  Robert  Baker  and  James  M'Clean,  taken  before 
Francis  VVorley,  Esq.,  one  of  his  Majesty's  justice  of  the 
peace  for  the  county  of  Chester,  at  Conestoga,  the  21st  of 
May  instant,  whereby  it  appears  that  the  said  Philip  Syng, 
the  20th  of  May  inst.,  did  say,  that  the  tract  of  land  upon 
the  west  side  of  Susquehanna,  lately  surveyed  by  William 
Keith,  Bart.,  Governor  of  this  Province,  did  belong  to  him, 
the  said  Philip  Syng  and  company,  by  a  Maryland  title,  and 
that  the  said  tract  of  land  was  lately  surveyed  by  his  order, 
and  for  his  use,  by  the  surveyor  from  Maryland,  thereby 
endeavoring,  as  much  as  in  him  lies,  not  only  to  defraud  the 
proprietor  of  this  province  of  his  just  rights,  but  also  to 
create  a  misunderstanding  between  this  government  and  its 
good  neighbors  of  Maryland,  and  to  disturb  the  Indians 
settled  upon  Susquehanna  river  under  this  government,  at 
this  juncture,  when  it  is  requisite  to  give  them  all  possible 
satisfaction.  And  the  sheriff  being  ordered  to  attend  with 
his  prisoner,  he  was  called  in,  and  being  examined  upon 
matters  alleged  against  him,  in  the  before  recited  affidavits, 
marie  answers  to  the  several  interrogatories  put  to  him,  as 
foliow^s: 

Question. — Have  you  surveyed  any  lands  by  virtue  of  a 
Maryland  right  upon  the  west  bank  of  Susquehanna,  viz  ; 
that  place  known  by  the  name  of  "  the  Mine  ?"* 

Answer. — I  have. 

Q. — How  much  land  did  you  then  survey? 

A. — Two  hundred  acres. 

*  Lewis  Michelle,  was  a  Swiss  miner — came  to  America  about  the 
year  1703  or  1704.  He  was  among  the  Indians  in  and  about  Cones- 
toga,  during  1706  and  1707,  in  search  of  some  mineral,  or  ore,  and  it 
is  probable  he  may  have  been  here  too  in  search  of  gold.  It  is  believed 
he  and  his  associates  had  erected  a  fortress  a  few  miles  above  Con- 
estoga.   His.  Lan.  co*  pp.  70,  71. 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY.  533 

Q.  By  what  surveyor  ? 

A.  John  Dussey,  a  surveyor  in  Maryland. 

Q.  How  came  you  to  think  that  place  was  in  Maryland? 

A.  I  was  informed  so. 

Q.  When  the  Governor  met  with  you  on  the  4th  of  Aprils 
at  Patterson's,  had  you  then  made  his  survey? 

A.  No. 

Q.  Did  not  the  Governor  acquaint  you  that  that  place 
was  not  within  the  limits  of  Maryland,  and  that  if  you  pre- 
sumed to  make  any  survey  there,  he  would  commit  you  ? 

A.  I  do  not  remember  that  the  Governor  said  if  he  found 
us  there  it  would  have  amounted  to  a  severe  fine ;  but,  as  to 
the  rest,  I  have  forgotten. 

Sic  subscr.     A.  Hamilton. 

Then  the  said  Philip  Syng  was  ordered  to  withdraw. 
Upon  consideration  of  the  premises,  Richard  Hill,  Esq.  one 
of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  being  present,  it  was 
moved  that  he  should  withdraw  and  commit  the  said  Philip 
Syng  into  the  sheriff's  custody,  in  order  to  be  prosecuted 
according  to  law,  which  he  did  accordingly. 

The  Governor  of  Maryland  had  fully  determined  to  make, 
at  this  time,  surveys  on  the  Susquehanna,  within  the  bounds 
claimed  by  Pennsylvania,  and  within  the  present  bounds  of 
York  county ;  Governor  Keith  resolved  with  equal  determi- 
nation, to  resist  all  such  attempts  by  a  competent  force,  and 
for  that  purpose  ordered  out  the  militia  company  from  New- 
castle. This  measure,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  subjoined 
action  of  the  council,  was  not  approved  by  the  council. 
The  movements  of  the  Marylanders  greatly  alarmed  the 
Indians.  They  had  not  forgotten  the  repulse  their  brethren, 
had  met  with  some  years  before.  Governor  Keith  deemed 
this  an  auspicious  time  to  hold  a  council  with  them ;  and 
accordingly,  repaired  to  Conestoga,  in  June,  1722,  After 
some  hesitation,  they  consented  to  convey  to  Keith,  a  large 


534 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY. 


tract  of  land,  (hitherto  the  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna had  not  been  conveyed,)  for  the  use  of  Springett 
Penn,  the  grandson  of  William  Penn.  This  tract  is  well 
known  as  the  Springettsbury  Manor.  He  argued  that  if  they 
would  convey  this  tract,  that  he  would  have  a  better  title  to 
resist  the  Marylanders.  Of  two  evils,  the  Indians  chose  the 
lesser — they  consented,  and  the  survey  was  made. 

The  following,  which  it  is  believed  will  be  read  with  in- 
terest, is  a  copy  of  the  transactions  relative  to  the  whole 
affair : — 

"At  a  council  with  the  Indians,  held  at  Conestogue,  June 
15,  1722.  Present— Sir  William  Keith,  Bart.,  Governor  ; 
Colonel  John  French  and  Francis  Worley,  Esq.  The  Chiefs 
of  the  Conestoga,  Shawana  and  Ganaway  Indians.  Smith, 
the  Ganaway  Indian,  and  James  Le  Tort,  Interpreters. 
The  Governor  spoke  as  follows  : — 

Friends  &  Brothers — The  belts  which  I  have  lately  re- 
ceived from  the  Five  Nations,  signify  that  they  are  one 
people  with  the  English,  and  our  very  kind  neighbors  and 
friends.  They  invite  me  to  come  to  them;  and  I  purpose  in 
a  short  time  to  go  and  meet  them  at  Albany,  and  make  the 
chain  between  them  and  us  as  bright  as  the  sun.  When  they 
see  me  they  will  remember  their  great  friend  William  Penn, 
and  then  our  hearts  will  be  filled  with  love  and  our  councils 
with  peace. 

You  say  you  love  me,  because  T  came  from  your  father, 
William  Penn,  to  follow  his  peaceable  ways,  and  to  fulfil  all 
his  kind  promises  to  the  Indians.  You  call  me  William  Penn, 
and  I  am  very  proud  of  the  name  you  give  me.  But  if  we 
have  a  true  love  for  the  memory  of  William  Penn,  we  must 
now  show  it  to  his  family  and  to  his  children  that  ara  grown 
up  to  be  men  in  England,  and  will  soon  come  over  to  repre- 
sent him  here.  Last  time  I  was  with  you  at  Conestoga,  you 
showed  me  a  parchment  which  you  had  received  from  Wil- 


HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY.  535 

liam  Penn,  containing  many  articles  of  friendship  between 
him  and  you,  and  between  his  children  and  your  children — 
you  then  told,  he  desired  you  to  remember  it  well  for  three 
generations ;  but  I  hope  you  and  your  children  will  never 
forget  it.  That  parchment  fully  declare  your  consent  to 
WilHam  Penn's  purchase  and  right  to  the  lands  on  both  sides 
Susquehanna  ;  but  I  find  both  you  and  we  are  alike  disturbed 
by  idle  people  from  Maryland,  and  also  by  others  who  have 
presumed  to  survey  lands  on  the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna, 
without  any  powers  from  William  Penn,  or  his  children,  to 
whom  they  belong,  and  without  so  much  as  asking  your  consent. 

I  am,  therefore,  now  come  to  hold  a  council  and  consult 
with  you  how  to  prevent  such  unjust  practices  in  future : 
and  hereby  we  will  show  our  love  and  respect  for  the  great 
William  Penn's  children,  who  inh.  rit  their  father's  estate  in 
this  country,  and  have  a  just  right  to  the  hearty  love  and 
friendship  of  all  the  Indians  promised  to  them  in  many  trea- 
ties. I  have  fully  considered  this  thing,  and  if  you  approve 
my  thoughts,  I  will  immediately  cause  to  take  up  a  large 
tract  of  land  on  the  other  side  of  Susquehanna  for  the  grand- 
son of  William  Penn  who  is  now  a  man  as  tall  as  I  am ;  for 
when  the  land  is  marked  with  his  name  upon  the  trees,  it 
will  keep  oif  the  Marylanders  and  every  other  person  what- 
soever from  coming  to  settle  near  you  to  disturb  you  ;  and 
he  bearing  the  same  kind  heart  to  the  Indians  which  his 
grandfather  did,  will  be  glad  to  give  yon  any  part  of  his 
land  for  your  own  use  and  convenience;  but  if  other  people 
take  it  up,  they  will  make  settlements  upon  it,  and  then  it 
will  not  be  in  his  power  to  give  it  to  you,  as  you  want  it. 

My  dear  Friends  and  Brothers ; — Those  who  have  any 
wisdom  amongst  you  must  see  and  be  convinced  that  what  I 
now  say,  is  entirely  for  your  good ;  for  this  will  eifectually 
hinder  and  prevent  any  person  from  settling  lands  on  the 
other   side  of  Susquehanna   according  to  your  desire,  and 


536  HISTORY  OF  YORK  COUNTY. 

have  all  that  land  at  the  same  time  in  your  own  power  to 
make  use  of.  This  will  also  beget  a  true  hearty  love  and 
friendship  between  you,  your  children,  and  the  great  William 
Penn's  grandson,  who  is  now  lord  of  all  this  country  in 
room  of  his  grandfather.  It  is  therefore  fit  and  necessary  for 
you  to  begin  as  soon  as  you  can  to  express  your  respect  and 
love  for  him ;  he  expects  it  from  you  according  to  your  pro- 
raises  in  many  treaties,  and  he  will  take  it  very  kindly. 

Consider  then  my  brothers  that  I  am  now  givmg  you  an 
opportunity  to  speak  your  thoughts  lovingly  and  freely  unto 
this  brave  young  man,  Mr.  Penn's  grandson,  and  I,  whom 
you  know  to  be  your  true  friend,  will  take  care  to  write 
down  your  words,  and  to  send  them  to  England  to  this  gen- 
tleman, who  will  return  you  a  kind  answer,  and  so  your 
hearts  will  be  made  glad  to  see  that  the  great  William  Penn 
still  lives  in  his  children  to  love  and  serve  the  Indians." 

The  next  council  met  again — all  present  that  were  in  at- 
tendance on  the  loth. 

The  Indians  spoke  in  answer  by  Ta^venoa,  as  follows : 

They  have  considered  of  what  the  Governor  proposed  to 
them  yesterday,  and  think  it  a  matter  of  very  great  impor- 
tance to  them  to  hinder  the  Marylanders  from  settling  or 
taking  up  lands  so  near  them  on  Susquehanna.  They  very 
much  approve  what  the  Governor  spoke,  and  like  his  coun- 
sel to  them  very  well,  but  they  are  not  willing  to  discourse 
particularly  on  the  business  of  land,  lest  the  Five  Nations 
may  reproach  them. 

They  declare  again  their  satisfaction  with  all  that  the  Go- 
vernor said  yesterday  to  them  in  council;  and  although  they 
knew  that  the  Five  Nations  have  not  an\  right  to  those 
lands,  and  that  four  of  the  towns  do  not  pretend  to  any, 
yet  the  fifth  town,  viz  :  the  Cayugoes  are  always  claiming 
some  right  to  lauds  or  Susquehanna,  even  where  they  them- 
selves now  live  ;  wherefrom  they  think  it  will  be  a  very  pro- 


HISTORY   OF   YORK    COLNTY.  537 

'per  time  when  the  Governor  goes  to  Albany  to  settle  that 
matter  with  the  Cayugoes,  and  then  all  parties  will  be  sa- 
tisfied. 

They  ask  the  Governor  whereabouts  and  what  quantity 
of  land  does  he  propose  to  survey  for  Mr.  Penn?  It  is  an- 
swered, from  over  against  the  mouth  of  Conestoga  creek  up 
to  the  Governor's  new  settlement,  and  so  far  back  from  the 
river  as  no  person  can  come  to  annoy  or  disturb  them  in  their 
towns  on  this  side. 

They  proceed  and  say,  that  they  are  at  this  time  very 
apprehensive  that  people  will  come  when  the  Governor  is 
:gone  to  Albany  and  survey  this  land  ;  wherefore  they  ear- 
nestly desire  that  the  Governor  will  immediately  cause  the 
surveyor  to  come  and  lay  out  the  land  for  Mr.  Penn's  grand- 
son to  secure  them,  and  they  doubt  not  but  the  Governor's 
appearance  and  conduct  afterwards  at  Albany  will  make  all 
things  easy  there." 

After  the  council  broke  up,  Governor  Keith  left  for  Phila- 
delphia; but  owing  to  intelligence  received  that  the  Mary- 
landers  were  about  making  surveys  on  the  Susquehanna,  he 
returned  to  Conestoga,  and  sent  an  express  to  the  Council 
at  Philadelphia,  bearing  the  following  communication,  dated 
June  18th,  1722. 

"Gentlemen: — Finding  the  Indians,  since  I  came  last 
here,  to  be  very  much  alarmed  with  the  noise  of  an  intended 
survey  from  Maryland,  upon  the  banks  of  Susquehanna,  I 
held  a  council  with  them  at  Conestoga,  upon  Friday  and 
Saturday  last,  wherein  I  proposed  to  them  to  cause  a  large 
tract  of  land  to  be  surveyed  on  the  other  side  of  that  river 
for  the  Proprietor,  to  begin  from  the  upper  line  of  my  New 
Settlement  six  miles  back,  and  extending  downwards  upon 
the  river  as  far  as  over  against  the  mouth  of  Conestoga  creek. 

"They  were  all  exceedingly  pleased  with  this  proposition, 
and  pressed  to  have  it  immediately  done,  which  I  fully  de- 


538  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

signed  as  soon  as  I  got  home  with  the  assistance  of  your 
advice;  and  accordingly  I  set  out  yesterday  morning  to  re- 
turn to  Philadelphia  by  way  of  New  Castle,  and  after  I  had 
rode  twenty  miles  to  a  place  called  the  Long  Marsh,  I  re- 
ceived the  inclosed  letter  by  express,  that  informed  me  that 
the  Marylanders  were  set  out  for  Susquehanna  this  day. — 
Upon  consulting  with  Colonel  French,  who  has  been  with 
me  all  along,  I  returned  immediately  to  this  place,  with  a 
resolution  to  go  over  to  Susquehanna  and  see  the  above  sur- 
vey made  and  run  out  directly,  and  I  propose  to  begin  to- 
morrow morning,  and  to  cause  a  return  thereof  to  be  made 
1 0  the  Governor  and  council.  In  the  mean  time  I  have  di- 
ected  a  company  of  militia  from  New  Castle  to  march  ta 
Ouchteraroe  (Octoraro)  where  they  are  to  wait  lor  my  fur- 
ther orders.  And  because  the  magistracy  every  where  are 
at  a  loss  what  measures  to  follow  in  cases  of  this  nature,  for 
want  of  being  instructed,  how  far  their  powers  and  authori- 
ties may  reach.  I  am  fully  determined  with  your  advice  to 
take  this  opportunity  of  running  the  old  Auchteraroe  line  as 
far  west  as  the  branches  of  the  Patowmack,  for  according  to 
my  present  view  of  their  proceedings  iin  Maryland,  I  cannot 
think  of  any  other  effectual  method  for  preserving  the  peace. 
I  will,  however,  wait  for  your  sentiments  in  a  matter  of  such 
importance,  and  I  desire  your  answer  with  all  speed  to  be 
sent  to  me  if  you  think  fit,  by  some  of  your  own  members. 

There  being  no  bread  corn  to  be  had  in  these  parts,  I  de- 
sire you  will  concur  with  me  in  directing  the  Provincial 
Treasurer  to  hire  a  wagon  and  send  up  directly  one  thou- 
sand weight  of  bread,  three  bushels  of  salt,  and  forty  gallons 
of  the  best  rum,  with  sugar  proportionable. 
I  remain,  gentlemen. 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

W.  KEITH. 

From  Francis  Worley's,  near  Conestoga,  June  18, 1722. 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 


539 


P.  S.  As  soon  as  I  receive  your  answer,  I  purposed  to  send 
m  Express  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland. 

The  following  is  an  answer  to  the  above  from  the  Coun- 
cil, dated  at  Philadelphia,  June  20,  1722. 
May  it  please  the  Governor : 

In  obedience  to  a  summons,  we  met  this  morning  to  re- 
ceive the  Governor's  commands;  upon  which  George  Bar- 
clay communicated  a  paper  from  the  Governor,  directed  to  us 
upon  several  heads,  which  having  been  duly  considered  as 
far  as  concerns  this  Board,  we  humbly  offer  our  sentiments 
of  them  as  follows : 

As  the  Governor  has,  since  his  accession  to  this  govern- 
ment, given  evident  proofs  of  his  abilities  in  managing  the 
affairs  of  the  public,  we  shall  not  here  take  upon  us  to  form 
any  judgment  of  his  treaties  with  the  Indians  on  matterswith 
which  we  cannot,  at  this  distance,  be  duly  acquainted  ;  but, 
undoubtedly  it  will  be  of  service  to  keep  the  notions  of  these 
people  right  in  relation  to  any  encroachments  made  or  in- 
tended by  Maryland,  nor  can  we  conceive  that  it  lies  before 
us  as  a  council  of  state  to  concern  ourselves  with  surveys  of 
the  proprietor's  lands.  The  Governor  has  the  best  reason 
to  be  acquainted  with  his  powers  and  instructions  in  those 
affairs  to  which  we  must  wholly  refer  him. 

"As  to  running  a  line  from  the  mouth  of  Octoraro  west- 
ward to  Patowmack,  since  it  is  a  matter  of  such  a  nature 
as  may  concern  the  peace  of  the  public,  we  think  it  our  duty 
more  freely  to  speak  of  it,  and  must  say,  that,  could  it  be 
done  by  concert  between  the  Governors  of  both  Provinces, 
and  fixed  as  a  boundary  by  consent,  not  to  be  passed  till 
such  time  as  the  division  line  is  settled  by  either  side,  we 
believe  it  would  be  very  happy  and  contribute  much  to  the 
tranquility  of  the  whole;  but  if  that  cannot  be  done,  we  are 
apprehensive  that  the  attempt  at  this  time  might  only  occa- 
sion further  disturbances  without  proving  any  manner  of 


540  *  HISTORY    OF    YORE    COUNTY^ 

security.  By  the  Governor's  prudence  and  care^  a  very 
good  understanding  has  hitherto  been  maintained  between 
the  two  governments  of  Maryland  and  this  Province;  and 
we  have  still  reason  to  hope,  notwithstanding  the  warmth 
and  rashness  of  some  on  the  borders  on  the  side  of  Mary- 
land, and  the  reports  taken  up  there,  yet  that  worthy  gen- 
tlemen, their  Governor,  will  not  easily  be  induced  to  violate 
those  pacific  measures  which  he  has  hitherto  taken.  We 
could,  therefore,  wish,  that  before  any  thing  be  attempted 
on  the  part  of  this  government^  which  may  occasion  a 
breach,  or  give  uneasiness,  the  Governor  would  be  pleased, 
first  to  treat,  and  expostulate  with  Colonel  Calvert  upon  the 
tendency  and  consequence  of  any  other  measures  than  such 
as  have  hitherto  been  taken.  But  if  that  government  should 
forcibly  proceed  to  make  such  surveys  as  have  been  talked 
of,  they  ought,  we  conceive,  to  be  diverted  from  it  by  all  the 
methods  that  can  safely  and  justifiably  be  used  among  subjects 
to  the  same  sovereign,  but  no  other;  and  we  doubt  not,  but 
the  Governor  in  his  prudence  will  always  have  this  in  view, 
that  no  hasty  steps  be  made  which  may  involve  us  in  greater 
difficulties,  and  lead  us  into  inconveniences  which  we  might, 
when  too  late,  wish  to  have  recalled. 

These,  may  it  please  the  Governor,  are  our  sentiments 
upon  what  the  Governor  has  been  pleased  to  refer  to  us.  We 
heartily  approve  of  his  hastening  an  express  to  the  Gover- 
nor of  Maryland. 

We  are  troubled  to  hear  of  the  scarcity  of  provisions  there,^ 
but  seeing  the  Governor  has  not  mentioned  to  what  public 
use  the  bread,  salt  and  rum,  he  desires,  is  to  be  applied,  we 
cannot  with  submission  understand  that  this  Board  can  regu- 
larly or  justifiably  concern  themselves  in  ordering  it. 

We  'are,  with  all  due  respect,  the  Governor's  assured 
friends — 

Robert  Ashton,  A.  Hamilton,   Tho.  Masters,  William 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  541 

Assheton,  James  Logan,  Richard  Hill,  Isaac  Norris,  Samuel 
Preston,  Anthony  Palmer. 

The  Governor,  Mr.  Keith,  sent  a  letter,  dated  at  New- 
berry, on  Susquehanna,  June  23d,  1722,  to  the  Governor  of 
Maryland,  after  he  had  caused  the  Springettsbury  Manor 
survey  to  be  made. 

Sir ; — After  I  had  been  here  some  days,  I  set  out  on  Sun- 
day morning  last  from  Conestoga  toward  New  Castle,  by 
way  of  Nottingham,  not  without  some  hopes  of  having  the 
happiness  to  meet  you  about  the  head  of  the  Bay,  from 
whence  I  daily  expected  to  hear  from  you.  But  after  I  had 
proceeded  twenty  miles  on  my  journey,  I  received  an  express 
on  the  road  from  the  magistrates  of  Pennsylvania,  informing 
rae  that  they,  with  some  others,  had  been  taken  prisoners 
by  a  party  of  men  in  arms  from  Cecil  county,  and  carried 
before  the  justices  of  that  court,  who  detained  them  in  cus- 
tody two  days,  and  afterwards  dismissed  them  upon  a  verbal 
promise  to  appear  there  the  next  court.  They  also  acquain- 
ted me  of  their  being  certainly  informed  by  the  Cecil  ma- 
gistrates, that  a  warrant  was  issued  by  Mr.  Lloyd,  for  sur- 
veying a  Manor  to  my  Lord  Baltimore,  upon  the  banks  of 
the  Susquehanna  above  Conestoga,  including  this  settlement, 
from  whence  I  now  write,  and  that  an  order  had  been  issued 
by  yourself  in  council,  to  press  men  and  horses  for  that  ser- 
vice, and  that  they  were  set  out  from  Baltimore  on  Monday, 
viz:  next  day,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Dursey.  Now, 
sir,  though  I  did  not  by  any  means  give  credit  to  all  this 
relation,  yet  knowing  the  weakness  and  former  attempts  of 
some  of  your  people,  of  whom  I  have  formerly  complained 
to  yourself,  who  justly  bear  the  character  of  land  pirates, 
I  was  resolved  to  put  it  out  of  their  power  on  this  occasion, 
to  embroil  us  by  their  ridiculous  projects,  and  returning  im- 
mediately to  Conestoga,  where  I,  indeed,  had  left  the  Indians 
,  but  two  days  before,  much  alarmed,  with  general  reports 

3* 


542  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

that  the  Marylanders  were  coming  to  survey  the  lands,  which 
no  reasonable  man  could  then  believe. 

I  now  did,  at  the  earnest  request  of  the  Indians,  order  a 
survey  to  be  forthwith  made  upon  the  banks  of  Susquehan- 
nah,  right  against  our  Indian  towns;  and  you  will  find  the 
reasons  I  had  for  it,  more  fully  set  forth  in  a  copy  of  the 
warrant  of  the  survey  here  enclosed.*  As  I  found  this  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  be  done  for  quieting  the  Indians,  as  well 
as  to  prevent  mischief,  which  might  happen,  upon  any  of  our 
people's  presuming  to  encroach  upon  what  these  heathens 
call  their  own  property ;  so,  likewise,  it  appeared  to  me  to 
be  the  only  method  I  could  take  at  this  juncture  for  prevent- 
ing our  own  people  from  taking  up,  or  settling  on  land  on 
this  side,  to  disturb  or  hamper  the  Indians,  unto  whom  this 
Province  is  bound  by  old  treaties,  to  give  them  full  scope  and 
liberty  in  their  settlements,  from  the  Christian  inhabitants. 

But  that  all  things  of  this  nature  may  be  carried  on  with 
that  openness  of  heart  and  perfect  good  understanding,  which 
I  am  sure,  we  both  desire,  and  that  your  own  prudent  con- 
duct may  be  strengthened  with  all  the  arguments  I  can  fur- 
nish you  for  putting  a  just  restraint  upon  that  covetous  and 
most  licentious  humor,  with  which  you  see  we  are  continu- 
ally plagued,  I  thought  it  my  duty,  without  delay,  to  ac- 
quaint you  by  express,  with  all  that  has  been  done  here, 
with  the  reasons  at  large. 

Perhaps  some  ignorant,  or  I  should  rather  say,  some  de- 
signing people,  will  endeavor  to  persuade  you  that  this  place 
is  upon  the  border  of  Maryland ;  whereas,  in  truth,  there 
oannot  be  a  clearer  demonstration  in  any  thing  of  that  na- 
cure,  than  that  it  is  about  twelve  miles  to  the  northward  of 
Philadelphia,  and  I  am  sure,  I  need  not  say  more  to  con- 
vince you;  at  least,  I  have  good  reason  to  insist  upon  its 

*  The  copy  follows  below. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


543 


being  within  the  limits  of  this  Province,  without  all  manner 
of  dispute. 

My  fatigue  in  the  woods  has  brought  a  small  fever  upon 
me,  which  an' ounce  of  bark  has  pretty  much  abated,  so  that 
to-morrow  I  shall  return  home  by  slow  journeys,  directly  to 
Philadelphia,  where  I  should  rejoice  to  see  you  once  more; 
but  in  all  places,  and  at  all  times,  I  shall  be,  while  living, 
most  faithfully,  &c. 

W.  KEITH. 

(Jopy  of  the  Warrant  for  Surveying  the  Manor  of  Spring- 

ettshury.  * 

vSir  William  Keith,  Bart.  Governor  of  Pennsylvania,  &c. 

To  Colonel  John  French,  Francis  Worley  and  James 
Mitchell,  Esqs. 

Whereas,  the  Three  Nations  of  Indians,  settled  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river  Susquehanna,  in  his  Majesty's  peace, 
and  under  the  protection  of  this  government,  viz:  the  Con- 
estogoes,  the  Shawanoes,  and  the  Cawnoyes,  are  very  much 
disturbed,  and  the  peace  of  this  colony  is  hourly  in  danger 
of  being  broken  by  persons,  who,  pursuing  their  own  private 
gain,  without  any  regard  to  justice,  have  attempted,  and 
do  still  threaten,  to  survey  and  take  up  lands  on  the  south- 
west branch  of  the  said  river,  right  against  the  towns  and 
settlements  of  the  said  Indians,  without  any  right  or  pre- 
tence of  authority  so  to  do,  from  the  proprietor  of  this 
province,  unto  whom  the  lands  unquestionably  belong. 

And  whereas,  it  is  reasonable  and  agreeable  to  former 
treaties  with  the  Indians,  that  a  sufficient  quantity  of  land 
upon  the  southwest  side  of  the  river  Susquehanna,  be  re- 
served in  the  proprietor's  hands,  for  accommodating  said 
Indian  nations,  when  it  may  hereafter  be  thought  proper 
and  convenient  for  them  to  remove  their  settlements  fur- 
ther from  the  Christian  inhabitants. 


544  HISTORY   OP    YORK   COUNTY. 

And  lastly,  whereas,  at  a  treaty  held  between  the  Indi- 
ans and  me,  the  15th  and  16th  of  this  inst.,  (June,)  they 
did  earnestly  desire,  and  request  me  forthwith  to  cause  a 
large  tract  of  land,  right  against  their  towns  upon  Sus- 
quehanna, to  be  surveyed,  and  located  for  the  proprietor's 
use  only;  because,  from  his  bounty  and  goodness,  they 
would  always  be  sure  to  obtain  whatsoever  was  necessary 
and  convenient  for  them,  from  time  to  time. 

These  are  therefore,  by  virtue  of  the  powers  wherewith  I 
am  intrusted  for  the  preservation  of  his  majesty's  peace  in 
this  Province,  and  with  a  due  and  perfect  regard  to  thePro- 
irietor's  absolute  title  and  unquestionable  rights  to  authorize, 
empower  and  command  you,  the  said  Colonel  John  French, 
Francis  Worley  and  John  Mitchell,  with  such  of  the  neigh- 
boring inhabitants  as  you  shall  think  fit  to  call  to  your  as- 
sistance, immediately  to  cross  the  river  Susquehanna,  and  to 
survey,  or  cause  to  be  surveyed,  marked  and  located,  the 
quantity  of  seventy  thousand  acres,  or  thereabouts,  in  the 
jame,  and  for  the  use  of  the  Honorable  Springett  Penn,  Esq., 
which  shall  bear  the  name  and  be  called  The  Mannor  of 
Springettsbury ;  beginning  your  survey  as  near  as  you  can 
upon  the  south-west  bank  of  the  river  Susquehanna,  over 
against  the  mouth  of  Conestoga  creek ;  from  thence  by  a 
line  W.  S.  W.  distance  ten  miles  more  or  less;  from  thence 
by  a  line  N.  W.  by  N.  twelve  miles  more  or  less;  thence  by 
a  line  E.  N.  E.  until  you  meet  with  the  uppermost  corner 
tree  of  my  Settlement  called  JYeivberry;  from  thence  S.  E. 
by  S.  along  my  head  line  until  you  come  at  my  Southern 
corner  tree  in  the  woods;  from  thence  down  the  side  line  of 
7ny  land'Ei.  N.  E.  until  you  come  at  the  river  Susquehanna, 
and  from  thence  by  said  river's  side  unto  the  place  where 
you  first  began,  which  line  will  be  the  fourth  side  of  the 
said  survey,  and  when  it  is  done  and  finished,  you  are  to 
make  a  return  thereof  upon  the  back  of  this  warrant  unto 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  545 

the  Governor  and  Council  of  Pennsylvania ;  for  which  this 
shall  be  unto  you,  the  said  Colonel  John  French,  Francis 
Worley,  and  every  one  of  you,  a  sufficient  warrant  and  power 
and  authority. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal,  at  Conestoga,  the  l8th 
day  of  June,  in  the  eighth  year  of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George,, 
inno  Dora.  1722. 

Signed,  W.  KEITH. 

In  obedience  to  their  instructions,  French,  Worley  and 
Mitchell,  surveyed   the  Manor,  and  made  the  following  re- 
turn thereof. 
May  it  please  your  excellency — 

In  obedience  to  the  within  warrant,  to  us  directed,  we 
did,  upon  the  nineteenth  and  twentieth  days  of  this  instant, 
June,  begin  and  complete  the  survey  of  the  Manor  of 
Springettsbury,  upon  the  river  Susquehanna,  in  manner  fol- 
lowing, viz:  From  a  red  oak  upon  the  said  river,  (by  a 
run's  side,  called  Penn's  run,)  marked  S.  P.  west,  southwest 
ten  miles  to  a  chestnut,  (by  a  run's  side,  called  French  run,) 
marked  S.  P.;  from  thence  northw^est,  and  by  north  to  a 
black  oak,  marked  S.  P.,  twelve  miles;  from  thence  east, 
northeast  to  Sir  William  Keith's  western  corner  tree,  in  the 
woods,  eight  miles;  from  thence  along  the  southeast  and 
northeast  lines  of  the  said  Sir  William  Keith's  tract,  called 
Newberry,  unto  the  river  Susquehanna  again,  and  from 
thence  along  the  river  side  to  the  place  of  beginning — the 
whole  containing  seventy-five  thousand  five  hundred  and 
twenty  acres,  according  to  a  plan  thereof  hereunto  annexed, 
all  of  which  is  humbly  submitted  by 
Your  excellency's 

Most  humble  and  obedient  servants, 
JOHN  FRENCH, 
FRAN.  WORLEY, 
JA.  MITCHELL. 

At  Newberry,  June  21,  1722. 


546  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY,' 

J^ote. — James  Hamilton,  Lieut.  Governor  of  Pennsylvania, 
issued  a  warrant,  May  21,  1762,  directing  a  re-survey  of 
this  Manor.  The  survey,  as  directed,  was  not  made,  at  the 
time,  on  account  of  the  still  vexed  question  of  the  unsettled 
boundary  between  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  After  the 
disputed  line  was  fixed,  "  James  Tilghman,  Secretary  of  the 
Land  Office,  wrote.  May  13,  1768,  to  John  Lukens,  Sur- 
veyor General,  requesting  him  to  proceed  with  all  expedi- 
tion on  the  re-survey."  Lukens  executed  his  instructions — 
re-surveyed  the  Manor,  between  the  12th  and  30th  of  June, 
1768.  The  survey  made  by  Lukens,  is  known  as  "  Hawr 
ilton's  Survey,"  or  "  Survey  of  '68." 

November  27, 1779,  the  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania  passed 
an  Act,  vesting  the  estates  of  the  late  proprietaries,  in  the 
commonwealth.  The  proprietary  tenths,  or  Manors,  sur- 
veyed and  returned  to  the  Land  Office,  prior  to  July  4, 
1776,  were  reserved  by  the  proprietaries,  and  by  conse- 
quence Springettshury  Manor  remained  the  private  property 
of  the  Penns  and  their  heirs ;  and,  as  such,  it  has  been  held,. 
for  the  most  part,  down  to  our  time.* 

*  Smith's  Laws  of  Pa., 


HISTORY   OP    YORK   COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  II. 


547 


First  English  settlers  west  of  Susquehanna — These  removed  by  Gover- 
nor Gordon — Hendricks  and  others  settle  by  authority— Policy  to 
induce  settlers — Samuel  Blunston  authorized  to  grant  license,  &c. 
—Maryland  intruders— Hendricks  and  Marshall  abducted— The  no- 
torious Cressap,  threatenings,  &c.— With  force  and  arms  makes  a 
Survey— Germans  seduced — Apply  to  the  government  of  Pennsyl- 
vania for  protection — Maryland  militia,  &c. — Governor  issues  a 
proclamation  to  all  to  preserve  the  peace — A  new  scheme — Irish 
called  on  to  help  to  remove  the  Germans  from  their  homes — Farther 
aggressions — Cressap  is  arrested — Proceedings!  between  the  Gover- 
nor of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland — The  issue. 

In  the  preceding  chapter  it  has  been  shown,  that  Gover- 
nor Keith  had  agreed,  in  a  treaty,  held  June  15  and  16, 
1722,  with  the  Indians,  that  those  lands  on  the  west  side 
of  the  Susquehanna,  (opposite  Conestoga,  and  higher  up,) 
should  remain  unsettled  by  Christians,  and  be  for  the  benefit 
of  the  tawny  sons  of  the  forest — reserved  to  them  for  hunt- 
ing and  planting ;  but  notwithstanding  this  positive  agree- 
ment, some  whites  commenced  to  settle  there,  shortly  after 
the  treaty  alluded  to.  These  were,  Michael  Tanner,  Ed- 
ward Parnell,  Paul  Williams,  and  Jefferey  Sumerford,  who 
settled  near  the  Indian  town,  Coneshela.  In  1728  the  In- 
dians applied  to  Governor  Gordon,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  re- 
quested him  to  remove  them.*  Towards  the  latter  end  of 
the  year,  these  three  intruders  were  removed,  by  order  of  the 
Pennsylvania  government,  and  their  places  left  vacant  for 
the  use  of  the  Indians.  These  lands  were  afterwards  taken 
possession  of  by  a  desperado,  Thomas  Cressap,  who  played  a 
conspicuous  part  in  his  day,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  sequel. 

*  Min.  Prov.  Council,  iii.,  512. 


048  HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY. 

In  1729,  Lancaster  county  was  erected  out  of  the  upper 
part  of  Chester  county — the  same  year  settlements  were 
made  by  persons  under  the  authority  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Susquehanna.  John  Hendricks  and  James 
Hendricks,  Junior,  and  several  others,  settled  about  three 
miles  north  J  whence  Tanner,  Parnell,  Williams  and  Sumerford 
had  been  removed;  and  about  that  time,  several  other  per- 
sons settled  back  from  the  Susquehanna,  south-west  from 
the  Hendricks'es,  on  or  near  Codorus  creek,  to  the  distance 
of  ten  or  twelve  miles. 

After  obtaining  the  consent  of  the  Indians,  James  Hen- 
dricks, in  1731,  went  to  settle  on  part  of  the  lands  first  set- 
tled by  Parnell  and  his  associates;  but  as  he  was  going  to 
view  the  lands,  and  to  fix  on  a  place  to  build  his  house,  his 
gun  accidentally  went  off  and  shot  his  son — this  accident 
prevented  him  from  settling  there.  Shortly  after  this  oc- 
currence, Thomas  Cressap,  under  a  pretence  of  a  right  from 
Maryland,  squatted  upon  these  lands.  Soon  a  number  of 
Maryland  intruders  followed  his  example,  and  others  settled 
here  without  authority. 

"In  order  to  counteract  the  encroachments  by  the  Mary- 
landers,  it  was  the  policy  of  the  proprietory  agents  to  invito 
and  encourage  settlements  on  the  borders.  Such  settlements 
were  made  within  the  Manor  of  Springettsbury.  There  was 
a  contract  that  titles  should  be  made  to  the  settlers  whenever 
the  lands  should  be  purchased  of  the  Indians.  Certificates 
or  licenses  were  accordingly  issued,  furnishing  patents  upon 
the  usual  terms  for  which  other  lands  in  the  county  were 
sold.  A  commission  was  issued  to  Samuel  Blunston,  the 
11th  of  January,  1733-34,  to  grant  licenses  to  settle  and 
take  up  lands  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna.  The 
first  license  issued  by  Samuel  Blunston,  is  dated/  January 
24,  1733-34,  and  the  last,  October  31,  1737.  All  the  nu- 
merous licenses  prior  to  the  11th  of  October,  1736,  were 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  549 

for  lands  out  of  the  Indian  purchases;  yet  these  grants,  ' 
though  at  first  very  irregular,  were  of  right  to  be  confirmed 
by  the  proprietors  as  soon  as  the  lands  were  purchased  of 
the  natives.  Thomas  Penn,  son  of  William  Penn,  the  elder, 
was  at  Lancaster  in  1736 — signed  licenses  or  grants  for  set- 
tlements that  had  been  previously  made  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Susquehanna."* 

Hundreds  of  individuals  accepted  of  the  invitations  from 
the  proprietary's  agents,  and  soon  a  dense  settlement  was 
made  along  Kreutz  or  Kreis^  creek.  Many  of  the  first 
settlers  were  Germans ;  some  of  whom  were  seduced  by  the 
notorious  Cressap  as  to  dechne  paying  their  rates  to  Penn- 
sylvania, and  he  prevailed  upon  them  to  acknowledge  the 
Maryland  jurisdiction  for  some  time.  To  pursue  this  course, 
they  were  compelled,  to  prevent  sudden  ruin  threatened  upon 
them  by  Cressap. 

The  unsettled  and  undefined  boundary  line  between  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  gave  rise,  and  en- 
couragement to  desperadoes  to  commit  acts  of  violence. 
While  the  commissioners,  to  fix  the  boundary  line,  were  ne- 
gociating,  Cressap,  determined  to  keep  possession,  by  force 
of  the  lands  upon  which  he  had  squatted,  began  to  imbrue 
his  hands  in  blood.  In  January,  1733,  he  feloniously  mur- 
dered one  Daunt.  In  order  to  keep  possession,  "  he,  by  fair 
promises  of  grants  from  the  Maryland  government,  exemp- 
tion from  taxes,  and  by  force  and  threatnings  to  turn  the 
German  settlers  out  of  their  settlemants  and  ruin  them,  did  pre- 
vail on  soms  few  of  his  neighbors,  so  far  only  as  to  acknowl- 
edge the  Maryland  jurisdiction  and  to  refuse  to  pay  rates  or 
taxes  to  the  Province  oi  Pennsylvania,  and  thus  threw  them- 
selves under  the  protection  of  Maryland — they  were  princi- 
pally Germans.  They  had  been  compelled  to  take  this 
course  in  order  to  escape  immediate  ruin  and  destruction 
*  Smith's  Ijaws,  Pa.,  ii.,  147. 

4 


550  HISTORV  OF  Ytm^  CJ6tJN1?Y. 

tfereatett^  them  by  Cressap  and  his  associates.  Having 
suhmitted  to  this  without  making  forcible  resistance.  Thi& 
netitrality  encouraged  the  Deputy  Governor,  Mr.  Ogle,  un- 
der Lord  Baltimore,  to  appear  personally  on  this  disputed 
ground,  and  abbetted  Cressap  by  promising  the  German 
settlers  sufficient  warrants  for  their  lands.  He  never  re- 
deemed these  promises;  but,  on  the  contrary  Cressap,  his 
nstrument,  extorted  from  divers  inhabitants  several  sums  to 
a  considerable  value ;  besides,  several  of  them  were  abducted, 
and  imprisoned  in  the  public  goal  at  Annapolis — these  were 
John  Hendricks  and  Joshua  Minshall,  who  had  plantations 
several  miles  above  Conestoga,  The  course  pursued  by 
Governor  Ogle  was  illy  calculated  to  settle  disputes,  but 
greatly  encouraged  Cressap  and  his  associates  to  commit 
further  aggressions.  "John  Wright,  Esq.,  a  justice  of  peace^ 
residing  in  Lancaster  county,  having  sown  a  field  of  wheat 
on  the  West  side  of  Susquehanna  river,  opposite  to  the  plan- 
tation (Columbia)  where  he  lived,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
'same.  Mr.  Wright,  with  his  servants,  in  the  month  of  July, 
1735,  went  to  reap  the  same;  but  Thomas  Cressap,  with 
twenty  persons,  with  guns,  swords,  pistols,  blunderbusses, 
•  and  drums  beating,  came,  in  a  hostile  manner,  to  the  terror 
■of  the  people,  into  the  field,  with  wagons,  with  the  intention 
to  prevent  Mr.  Wright  from  reaping  his  field,  and  in  order 
to  carry  off  the  grain.  Cressap  presented  a  drawn  sword  in 
one  hand  and  a  cocked  pistol  in  the  other,  to  Mr.  Wright's 
breast.  Mr.  Wright,  nothing  daunted,  commanded  Cressap 
to  keep  the  peace,  at  his  peril;  which  had  some  weight 
with  the  company  who  were  with  Cressap ;  who,  on  their 
part,  seemed  unwilling  to  proceed  to  hostilities ;  but  Cressap 
declared  he  was  come  to  fight  the  Pennsylvanians,  if  they 
would  think  fit  to  engage." 

Among  <hese  desperadoes  or  Maryland  intruders,  besides 
Cressap,  were  Mark  Evans,  Michael  Risner,  Francis  CJap- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNTY. 


551 


saddle,  Christian  Crowl,  Barnard  Weyman,  Nicholas  Kens, 
and  Martin  Shuts,  all  of  whom  lived  not  more  than  a  mile 
to  the  southward  of  Hendricks'.  These  all  called  themselves 
Marylanders."* 

Some  time  in  October,  1735,  '^  Cressap  declared,  that  if 
the  Maryland  Governor  would  allow  him  fifty  men,  he 
would  go  over  into  that  part  of  Lancaster  county,  lying  on 
the  east  side  of  the  Susquehanna  river,  and  would  put  Sam- 
uel Blunston  and  the  inhabitants  of  Donegal,  out  of  their 
houses;  and  would  pass  through  the  Province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania to  Philadelphia — and  Cressap  desired  persons  to  re- 
quest the  Maryland  Governor's  people  to  assist  him  there- 
in." The  Governor,  in  his  folly,  did  assist  him;  for,  in 
December,  he  did  aid  him  not  with  fifty  men  only,  hut  with 
three  hundred  men,  in  arms,  for  that  purpose." 

*  September,  Tuesday,  22,  1735,  Robert  Buchanan,  Esq.,  high  sher- 
iflF  of  Lancaster,  and  the  under  sheriff,  John  Powell,  accompanied  by 
their  assistants,  viz:  Arthur  Buchanan,  Matthew  George,  John  Mit 
chei  and  Alexander  Mitchel,  crossed  the  Susquehanna,  without  any 
arms,  to  execute  writs  on  some  debtors,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Sus" 
quehanna — upon  Andrew  M'Gill,  Jacob  Lochman,  blacksmith,  being 
about  seven  miles  west  from  the  house  of  John  Hendricks — the  writs 
were  served  at  the  suit  of  William  Branson,  of  Philadelphia,  mer- 
chant, M'Gill  had  been  sent  on  to  jail,  and  while  the  sheriff  and 
three  of  his  assistants  were  bringing  Lochman  to  jail — and  when  they 
were  about  three  miles  west  of  John  Hendricks'  house — one  Mark 
Evans  met  them,  and  asked  the  sheriff  where  he  was  carrying  Loch- 
man 1  The  sheriff  said,  for  the  want  of  bail,  he  would  carry  him  to 
jail ;  to  this  Evans  replied,  bail  could  be  given.  At  this  instant,  twenty 
or  thirtj"-  well  armed  men,  appeared  on  horseback,  among  whom,  be- 
sides Evans,  were  Risner,  Clapsaddle,  Crowl,  Weyman,  Kens  and 
Schutz — they  fell  upon  the  sheriff  and  his  aids,  in  a  most  furious  and 
violent  manner — they  beat  and  wounded  them  severely — rescued 
Lochman — put  the  sheriff  and  his  associates  to  flight;  but  the  sheriff's 
horse  failing  him,  he  fell  again  into  their  hands,  and  was  severely 
beaten — he  escaped  at  the  great  peril  of  life,— Minutes  of  the  Provin- 
cial Council,  iii.,  664,  665. 


552  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

Cressap  repeatedly  declared,  "  if  the  sheriff  and  officers  of 
Maryland  could  not  remove  John  Wright,  or  cause  him  to 
abandon  his  improvements  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susque- 
hanna, near  John  Hendricks'  plantation,  that  he  would  burn 
Wright's  house  over  his  head."  He  further  declared,  in 
December,  1735,  "  that,  before  he  was  six  months  older,  he 
would  bring  up  cannons,  and  batter  down  the  houses  of  some 
of  the  inhabitants  in  Lancaster  county,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  river;  and  particularly  Samuel  Blunston's  house,  stand- 
ing opposite  Wright's." 

Cressap's  threats  were,  hitherto,  little  regarded;  but  were, 
however,  soon  followed  by  more  flagrant  attempts  by  the 
Marylanders,  upon  the  rights  of  the  Pennsylvanians;  for,  on 
the  6th  of  May,  1736,  Cressap,  with  about  twenty  men, 
armed  with  muskets,  pistols,  blundei busses  and  cutlasses, 
escorted    the  Maryland  surveyor,    with  his  assistants,    to 
make  a  survey  on  the  Susquehanna,  within  the  Province  of 
Pennsylvania.     Cressap  declared  this  was  done  by  the  au- 
thority of  Lord  Baltimore.     "  The  Pennsylvanians  told  him, 
that  land  had  been  surveyed  long  ago,  and  regularly  re- 
turned into  the  Pennsylvania  Land  Office.     They  said  they 
should  not  regard  that.     The  Pennsylvanians  asked  them 
why  they  brought  all  those  armed  men.     They  bade  him  to 
ask  Cressap.     They  did  so.     Cressap  replied,  he  had  orders 
from  Governor  Ogle  to  raise  the  militia,  and  guard  the  sur- 
veyor from  the  Pennsylvanians.     The  Pennsylvania  people 
asked  why  they  came  so  far  north,  beyond  any  of  their 
usual  extensions,  for  that  now  they  wei'e  several  miles  north 
of  Philadelphia;    and  told  the  surveyor,  they  themselves 
knew  they  were  surveying  land  in  Pennsylvania.     The  sur- 
veyor answered  that  was  none  of  his  business,  he  was  to 
follow  the  Governor  of  Maryland's  orders.     Cressap,  seeing 
more  persons  coming  from  Mr.  Wright's,  ordered  his  trum- 
peter to  sound,  and  his  men  to  draw  together,  and  stand  to 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY.  553 

their  arms,  though  none  of  the  Pennsylvanians,  who  were 
come,  or  coming,  had  any  arms  at  al],  except  one  gentleman, 
a  hanger  by  his  side.  There  came  on,  to  Cressap's  assist- 
ance, ten  or  twelve  more  of  Cressap's  men,  mostly  armed ; 
and  insulted  the  Pennsylvanians;  and  the  surveyor  and  his 
company  proceeded,  in  that  forcible  way." 

In  the  month  of  August,  Gordon,  the  late  Governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  died ;  soon  after  his  death,  the  Marylanders 
pushed  their  invasions  to  an  alarming  extent — "  About  fifty 
or  sixty  persons,  heads  of  the  German  families,  addressed 
Governor  Ogle,  August  11,  1736,  complaining  of  the  op- 
pressions they  had  met  with  from  Maryland — different  from 
the  Maryland  tenants — which  made  them  conclude  that  the 
Governor  and  magistrates  of  Maryland  themselves  did  not 
believe  them  to  be  settled  in  their  Province ;  but  that  they 
had  been  seduced  and  made  use  of,  first  by  promises,  and 
then  by  threats  and  punishment,  to  answer  purposes  which 
were  unjustifiable,  and  would  end  in  their  ruin;  wherefore, 
they,  with  many  of  their  neighbors,  being  at  last  truly  sen- 
sible of  the  wrong  t^hey  had  done  the  Pennsylvania  proprie- 
tors, in  settling  on  their  lands  without  paying  obedience  to 
their  government,  did  resolve  to  return  to  their  duty,  and 
live  under  the  laws  and  government  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
which  they  believed  themselves  seated ;  and  that  they  would 
adhere  to,  till  the  contrary  should  be  determined  by  a  legal 
decision  of  the  disputed  bounds;  and  their  honest  and  just 
intention  they  desired  to  be  made  known  to  the  Maryland 
Governor." 

Two  days  after  writing,  to  Governor  Ogle,  forty-seven  of 
them  signed  and  sent  a  petition  to  Mr.  Logan,  President  of 
thie  Council,  at  Philadelphia,  setting  forth  that  they  had 
been  deceived,  through  their  ignorance,  to  settle  under  Ma- 
ryland ;  and  had  particularly  been  told  that  the  river  was 
the  division — that  they  had  been  illy  u§ed — that  they  wejpe 

4* 


554  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

now  informed  that  not  the  river,  but  an  east  and  west  line 
across  the  river,  must  be  the  division;  and  observing  that 
the  people  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  inhabitants  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  live  much  more  southward  than  they,  enjoyed 
their  possessions  peaceably,  without  any  claim  from  Mary- 
land, they  saw  they  had  been  imposed  upon,  to  answer  some 
purpose  from  Maryland,  and  that  they  were  not  settled 
within  that  province,  as  made  to  believe;  from  a  sense 
whereof,  and  of  the  wrong  they  were  doing  to  Pennsylvania, 
they  resolved  to  return  to  their  duty,  and  prayed  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Council  to  impute  their  late  errors  to  their  want 
of  better  information,  and  to  receive  them  into  protection  of 
the  Pennsylvania  laws  and  government,  to  which  they  pro- 
mised all  faithful  obedience  for  the  future." 

They  were  according  to  their  own  voluntary  petition  re- 
ceived as  tenants  of  Pennsylvania..  This  course  exceedingly 
exasperated  the  Marylanders — they  now  resorted  to  sterner 
measures  for  the  purpose  of  ejecting  the  "miscreants"  from 
their  possessions.  Previous,  however,  to  any  further  open 
ruptures,  some  correspondence  took  place  between  Governor 
Ogle  and  Mr.  Logan. 

"  August  3] ,  1736,  Governor  Ogle  wrote  to  President 
Logan,  and  inclosed  him  a  copy  of  what  had  been  sent  him 
by  the  German  settlers,  and  insinuated,  that  though  he  was 
unwilling  to  believe  the  Pennsylvania  government  would 
support  such  behavior,  yet  he  apprehended  it  must  have  ta- 
ken its  rise  from  the  encouragement  and  prevalency  of  some 
magistrates  of  that  government. 

"  Whereupon,  the  two  principal  agents  v/ho  managed  for 
all  those  persons,  were  examined  before  two  justices,  and 
solemnly  declared  that  their  return  to  Pennsylvania  was  made 
of  the  people's  own  mere  motion  and  free  will,  without  any 
previous  persuasion,  or  threatening,  or  compulsion  from  the 
the  magistrates,  or  any  other  person,  to  their  knowledge ; 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


556 


and  that  the  said  letter  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland,  wag 
written  at  their  own  request." 

Cressap,  it  appears,  was  privy  to  all  what  was  going  on^ 
ror  he  was  heard  to  repeatedly  declare,  that  he  was  waiting 
for  a  great  many  armed  men  from  Maryland,  to  aid  him  in 
taking  prisoners,  all  those  who  lived  between  John  Wright' 
ferry  and  Codorus  creek,  because  they  refused  to  ackn^j.^ 
ledge  themselves  the  tenants  of  Lord  Baltimore,  "anr'a  jg_ 
then,  and  till  then,  he  would  waylay  both  the  roadgy^  i^jj.^ 
der  to  take  them — he  declared  that  he  would  sf^'g  petition 

flats  and  canoes  that  belonged  to  Wright,  tb^g-ent in  all 

•should  come  over  the  river  to  their  assistanf^^^  settlements 
out  threats  made  before,  he  exhibited  some  l^ded  with  more 
he  declared  was  to  make  matches  with,  i;  the  former." 
the  roof  of  John  Wright's  house,  to  f-cheme  had  proceeded 
.the  people  should  fly  thither  for  shej^en  of  which,  had  too 

In  the  meantime,  "  the  militia  jern  in  the  event  to  act 
•and  mustered  by  Nathaniel  Rigbscheme  was,  io  pick  up  a 
for  twelve  hours;  and  the  cole  other  new-coiners,  who  as 
common  soldiers,  in  the  Gove  of  their  own ;  and  to  promise 
seemed  unwilhng,  whereupc  drive  out  these  Germans,  they 
want  of  duty  to  the  Goveds,  buildings  and  improvements  fl 
number  of  men  out  of  his.orrid  and  barbarous,  this  scheme, 
under  a  penalty  of  fifty  "and  their  wives  and  children  out 
then  next,  with  arms,  e-ovements,  was  to  be  executed  as 
call,  each  man,  to  marc^r  began,  in  the  severe  winters  ol 
by  declared  that  if  the  le  cokl  is  most  intense." 
submit  to  Maryland,  tbr  of  men  were  picked  up,  and  they 

They  had  now  prepa,  by  the  help  of  Mr.  Henderson,  pe- 
sions.  On  Sunday  the^r  lands,  which,  if  he  would  grant 
up  from  Maryland,  and  defend  the  same,  and  Lord  BaJti- 
beating  and  trumpets  ith  their  lives  and  fortunes,  and  Go- 
at Susquehanna,  near 

,  tenant  vassal,  by  ■which  he  consents  to  re- 

men  who  came  up,  bla^^p^^^^^ 


556  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

bances  that  had  been  in  those  parts,  and  said  they  were  not 
obhged  to  fight  against  the  Pennsylvanians  in  Cressap's  be- 
half. 

Cressap  became  exasperated,  and  swore  "  they  were  only 
afraid  of  their  mother's  calves-skins,  and  that  it  was 
Mjord  Baltimore's  right  he  was  maintaining;  and  he  disre- 
purjfled  them,  for  he  had  the  Governor  of  Maryland's  order 
■withiiihat  he  did."  He  frequently  called  Colonel  Hall,  who 
whereof,ded  the  three  hundred  militia,  a  "damned  coward.^'" 
they  resoh'^ering  him  to  fire  with  a  blunderbuss  upon  the 
dent  of  the  Ci.  people,  who  v\"ere  coming  over  the  river  in  a 
of  better  inform. 

the  Pennsylvania-ut  leaden  bars,  and  declared  those  were  to 
mised  all  faithful  o^^ns — upon  the  company  coming  over  the 

They  were  accordiiressap  marched  his  men  to  the  river  in 
ceived  as  tenants  of  Pen?lunderbuss.  They  seized  two  per- 
exasperated  the  Maryland's,  under  pretence  there  was  some 
measures  for  the  purpose  ofi^ds  reward  against  them.  They 
their  possessions.  Previous,°ople,  but  were  refused.  The 
ruptures,  some  correspondence'^nd  on  their  defence— the  mi- 
Ogle  and  Mr.  Logan.  ^t  and  took  pewter  and  linen 

"  August  31 ,  1736,  Governor^^etence  of  some  public  dues 
Log;an,  and  inclosed  him  a  copy  01— and  finding  force  and 
by  the  German  settlers,  and  insinut  employed  a  person  to  go 
unwilling  to  believe  the  Pennsylva^abitants,  and  acquaint 
support  such  behavior,  jet  he  apprelF^and,  he  would  engage 
ken  its  rise  from  the  encouragement  eie  boundary  line  should 
magistrates  of  that  government. 

"  Whereupon,  the  two  principal  a^ig  on,  the  president  and 
all  those  persons,  were  examined  be^lamation,  commanding 
solemnly  declared  that  their  return  to  JP  the  meantime  wrote 
of  the  people's  own  mere  motion  and  j^st  these  riotous  pro- 
previous  persuasion,  or  threatening,  oletriment  of  the  Penn- 
the  magistrates,  or  any  other  person -hannah;  declaring  in 


HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNTY.  557 

their  letters  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland,  that  the  president 
and  council  "knew  nothing  at  all,  nor  had  the  least  hand  in 
advising  or  influencing  the  attorment*  ol  those  Germans,  but 
could  obtain  no  sort  of  redress."  Only  a  temporary  stop  of 
these  violent  proceedings  followed. 

So  restless  were  they,  however,  on  the  part  of  Maryland, 
that  a  new  scheme  was  put  on  foot — aggressive  rioters  are 
ever  full  of  schemes.  This  scheme  was  started  by  the  "  de- 
puty governor  and  council  of  Maryland — by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Henderson,  the  first  petitioner  in  the  clergy's  cross  petition, 
and  by  Thomas  Cressap,  the  '  great  agitator' — agent — in  all 
these  troubles,  still  to  get  away  these  Gernaan  settlements 
by  force;  and  this  scheme  was  to  be  attended  with  more 
shocking  circumstances  and  cruelties  than  the  former." 

"The  want  of  success  in  the  former  scheme  had  proceeded 
from  their  own  militia,  the  common  men  of  which,  had  too 
much  humanity,  and  too  little  concern  in  the  event  to  act 
heartily  in  it;  therefore,  the  new  scheme  was,  to  pick  up  a 
set  of  people  from  Ireland,  and  other  neiv-coiners,  who  as 
yet  had  no  settlement  or  lands  of  their  own ;  and  to  promise 
them,  if  they  would  assist  to  drive  out  these  Germans,  they 
should  have  their  cleared  lands,  buildings  and  improvements ! ! 
And  to  make  this  the  more  horrid  and  barbarous,  this  scheme, 
to  turn  the  poor  Germans  and  their  wives  and  children  out 
of  their  houses  and  improvements,  was  to  be  executed  as 
soon  as  the  hard  weather  began,  in  the  severe  winters  of 
North  America,  when  the  cold  is  most  intense." 

"Accordingly  a  number  of  men  were  picked  up,  and  they 
were  to  petition,  and  did,  by  the  help  of  Mr.  Henderson,  pe- 
tition Governor  Ogle  for  lands,  which,  if  he  would  grant 
them,  they  promised  to  defend  the  same,  and  Lord  Balti- 
more's right  thereto,  with  their  lives  and  fortunes,  and  Go- 

*  The  act  of  feudatory  or  tenant  vassal,  by  which  he  consents  to  re- 
ceive a  new  lord  or  another  superior. 


058  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

vernor  Ogle  himself  signed  an  order  that  fifty  of  them  should 
have  each  of  them  two  hundred  acres  laid  out — Governor 
Ogle  and  his  council  concerted  and  promised  that  the  militia 
should  go  up,  and  meet  those  new  petitioners,  and  give  them 
possession  of  their  land—  arms  were  accordingly  prepared 
for  that  scheme;  and  Cressap  showed  the  persons  who  were 
to  have  those  lands,  the  Germans'  houses,  mills,  settlements 
and  improvements." 

To  repel  the  encroachments  of  these  Irish  and  other  new 
comers,  as  well  as  to  bring  to  condign  punishment  for  another 
offence,  Cressap  the  agitator,  the  two  Justices  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  Pennsylvania,  issued  out  a  warrant  to  Samuel 
Smith,  Sheriff  of  Lancaster  county,  reciting  complaints  made 
to  them,  that  Cressap  had  murdered  one  Daunt,  and  that  he 
stood  charged  with  other  high  crimes  and  misdemeanors; 
therefore  commanding  in  his  Majesty's  name  (as  they  had 
divers  times  before  commanded)  the  Sheriff  to  apprehend 
Cressap,  and  bring  him  before  them,  to  be  dealt  with  accor- 
ding to  law." 

Cressap  still  persisted  in  his  threats — nothing  intimidated ; 
for  he  declared  publicly,  "  that  in  the  winter  next  coming, 
when  the  ice  was  on  the  river,  a  -great  number  of  armed  men 
would  come  up  from  Maryland,  and  be  in  the  woods,  near 
the  German  inhabitants,  and  Cressap,  with  ten  armed  men, 
would  go  from  house  to  house,  and  take  the  masters  of  the 
families'  prisoners,  and  Avhen  they  had  as  many  as  they  could 
manage,  they  would  carry  them  to  the  armed  force  in  the 
woods,  and  return  again  till  he  had  taken  all  who  would 
not  submit  to  Maryland.  And,  if  any  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Pennsylvania  should  come  to  their  relief,  the  armed  force 
who  lay  in  the  woods,  would  pursue,  take  and  carry  them 
all  prisoners  to  Maryland ;  and  if  any  of  them  fled  from 
their  houses,  he  would  turn  the  women  and  children  out-  of 
doors,  and  bring  up  other  people  from  Maryland,  and  place 


HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY.  559 

them  in  their  possessions ;  who  should  hold  the  same  by 
force  of  arms  for  Lord  Baltimore. 

"Cressap  openly  declared  that  he  himself  had  advised  the 
sheriff,  when  the  three  hundred  men  came  up  before,  to  fire 
on  the  people  in  the  boats  crossing  the  river,  but  said  that 
they  were  fools  and  cowards,  and  had  done  no  good  in  com- 
ing up.  He  also  declared  that  the  Governor  of  Maryland 
had  now  sent  up  a  great  number  of  small  arms,  cannons  and 
ammunition,  to  Colonel  Rigby's,  to  be  conveyed  to  Cres- 
sap's,  and  that  the  sheriffs  and  officers  were  sent,  to  dispos- 
sess and  confine  all  the  German  people  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river,  southwesterly  from  John  Hendricks',  who  would 
not  submit  to  the  Maryland  government ;  and  that  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Maryland  sent  to  Newcastle  and  Chester  county 
for  Irish  people,  (Governor's  have  a  liking  for  the  Irish,) 
who  were  to  come  up  and  be  put  in  possession  by  the  sherit! 
and  officers  of  the  German  people's  possessions." 

Cressap  was  quite  a  patriot,  disregarding  sacrifices,  of 
either  of  his  money  or  the  lives  of  others.  So  valorous  was 
he  as  to  enlist  "  one  man  m  his  service,  at  fifteen  pounds  a 
year,  as  his  drummer,  and  to  exercise  his  men,  and  promised 
to  recommend  him  to  the  Governor,  to  make  it  worth  twen- 
ty-five or  thirty  pounds  a  year — and  promised  him,  to  give 
him  one  of  the  German  people's  plantation,  if  he  would  help 
to  dispossess  them." 

In  the  month  of  November  his  heart  pulsated  freely,  "and 
he  enlisted  another  at  twelve  pounds  a  year  to  defend  him^ 
and  to  go  on  such  enterprises  against  the  Pennsylvanians 
as  Cressap  should  think  proper.  By  this  time  Mrs.  Cressap 
had  an  opportunity  to  show  her  feefing  in  this  affair — she 
brought  her  husband  news  that  Munday  and  Leet,  two  of  the 
heads  of  those  people,  who  had  petitioned  for  the  German 
people's  lands,  were  taken  with  their  papers,  and  with  Go- 
vernor Ogle's  orders ;   and  she  proposed  if  Cressap  and  Ja- 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

^ob  (a  servant)  would  go  over  the  river,  one  Mary  Emerson 
should  engage  John  Ross  at  a  game  of  cards,  and  in  the 
mean  time  Cressap  should  go,  and  sieze  him,  and  carry  him 
away — Jacob  swore  he  would  be  revenged  of  Mr.  Ross, 
and  would  go  over  the  water  and  shoot  him ;  and  Cressap 
told  him,  he  would  not  be  a  faithful  servant  unless  he  did  it. 
Another  of  Cressap's  men  present,  offered  to  go  over  with 
Jacob  and  wait  in  the  canoe,  while  he  committed  the  murder, 
and  take  him  safely  back;  and  Cressap  added,  the  promise 
of  his  freedom  if  he  did  it,  and  a  discharge,  with  a  pass  to 
travel  into  Marylrnd,  where,  he  said,  the  Pennsylvania  men 
dare  not  follow  him.^' 

"On  the  24th  of  November,  1736,  Cressap  sent  down  two 
men  with  four  horses,  to  Colonel  Rigby's,  for  the  arms  and 
ammunition,  and  declared  that  he  daily  expected  up  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  who  were  to  be,  by  him,  con- 
ducted to  the  German  settlements,  to  take  the  people  out 
of  their  houses  in  the  night  by  force  of  arms,  and  carry  them 
to  Maryland,  and  that  these  people  were  to  hold  the  said 
places  by  force  of  arms,  as  tenants  to  Lord  Baltimore." 

In  all  of  the  foregoing  instances  the  people  of  Pennsylva- 
nia were  passive,  and  submitted  peaceably  to  these  treat- 
ments ;  the  only  charge  against  them,  wherein  they  were 
said  to  be  active,  was  the  apprehending  of  Cressap  upon  a 
legal  warrant,  to  answer  for  murder  he  had  committed,  and 
for  many  disorders  he  had  been  guilty  of.  Cressap  was  ap- 
prehendeded  on  the  24th  of  November,  by  the  sheriff  of 
Lancaster  county,  aided  by  a  ^oy^e.  The  circumstances  of 
taking  him,  as  deposed  by  a  number  of  respectable  witness- 
es, were  as  follows — 

A  posse,  consisting  of  twenty-three,  for  his  protection 
against  violence  from  the  Marylanders,  accompanied  the 
sheriff.  •'  Fie  went  to  Cressap's  house  early  in  the  morning 
— he,  himself  and   others,  read  the  warrant  for  murder,  t«»» 


\ 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY.  y  561 

Cressap,  and  in  his  hearing,  several  times  over.  The  sheriff 
required  Cressap  several  times  to  surrender  peaceably.  In 
answer  thereto,  Cressap  swore,  he  would  never  surrender 
till  he  was  dead.  He  called  for  a  dram  of  rum,  and  drank 
"Damnatioji  to  himself  and  all  with  him,  if  ever  they  would 
surrender^' !  I  He  swore  he  would  kill  all  the  Pennsylvanians 
before  he  would  be  taken.  He  would  shoot  the  first  of  his 
own  men  who  would  refuse  to  fire  at  his  command,  or  who 
offered  to  capitulate." 

''Before  any  force  or  violence  was  offered,  two  blunder- 
busses with  shot  were  fired  from  Cressap's  house,  upon  the 
Sheriff  and  his  assistants,  some  of  whom  were  wounded. — 
The  Sheriff  desired  and  entreated  him  to  let  his  wife  go  out 
of  the  house,  and  the  Sheriff  and  his  assistants  would  retire ; 
but  he  refused.  Cressap  declared  he  had  sent  down  to  Ma- 
ryland for  arms,  and  expected  three  hundred  men  by  the  time 
it  should  be  night.  Therefore  night  coming  on,  some  of  the 
people  without  the  sheriff's  consent,  set  fire  to  a  shed  near 
to  the  house,  v/hich  was  only  round  logs  of  wood,  piled  upc)n 
each  other,  and  was  very  low,  the  roof  being  within  reach ; 
the  Sheriff  endeavored  to  put  it  out ;  and  then  Cressap  and 
his  men  rushed  out,  and  fired  upon  the  Sheriff  and  his  as- 
sistants, and  wounded  several.  Michael  Risner,  one  of  Cres- 
sap's men  shot  a  Marylander  in  a  mistake  for  a  Pennsyfva- 
nian — he  shot  Laughlin  Malone,  and  killed  him. 

They  now  seized  Cressap,  and  Risner — and  carried  both 
to  Lancaster,  where  Cressap  uttered  menaces — declaring 
that  they  could  not  keep  him  long,  "  for  he  could  soon  be 
relieved,  and  the  town  set  on  fire — he  declared  once  and 
again,  that  a  body  of  men  would  soon  be  sent  from  Mary- 
land, and  burn  Lancaster  to  ashes,  and  that  it  was  the  sher- 
iff's best  way  to  remove  him  from  thence  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble." He  was  then  conveyed  to  Philadelphia  jail.*  Mor- 
*  Gordon's  Pa.,  320. 

5 


562  HISTOKY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

ris,  Graver,  Low,  Hendricks,  Evans,  Joseph,  and  others, 
were  imprisoned  at  Lancaster.* 

The  news  of  Cressap's  confinement  in  jail  having  reached 
Governor  Ogle,  he  despatched  Edmund  Jennings  and  Daniel 
Dulany,  to  Philadelphia,  to  demand  reparation,  and  the  re- 
lease of  Cressap.  The  Council  refused  both — they  had  ear- 
nestly remonstrated  against  the  encroachment  of  the  people 
of  Maryland,  encouraged  and  protected  by  their  Governor. 
To  gratify  his  revenge,  the  Governor  of  Maryland  ordered 
reprisals.  Four  German  settlers,  under  one  Higginbothan, 
aided  by  a  band,  after  several  efforts  were  made  to  expel 
the  Germans  from  their  rightful  possessions — were  abducted. 

At  this  crisis,  the  Council  again  ordered  out  the  sheriff 
of  Lancaster,  and  the  power  of  the  county,  with  directions 
to  dispose  detachments,  in  proper  positions,  to  protect  the 
people.     They  despatched  for  this  purpose,  Messrs.  Law- 

*  At  the  November  Session  of  1736,  John  Morris,  and  Philip  Gra- 
ver, were  indicted  and  tried,  with  divers  other  malefactors  and  dis- 
turbers of  peace,  who  riotously  and  unlawfully,  with  force  and  arms, 
entered  upon  inclosed  land  of  John  Wright,  Jr. — did  enter  three  hun- 
dred acres  thereof  forthe  use  of  Thomas  Cressap — did  survey  without 
any  loyal  warrant  for  so  doing.  The  prisoners  at  the  bar,  confessed 
they  could  not  gainsay.  They  were  mulcted  ten  pounds,  and  had  te 
pay  costs,  and  enter  bail  for  good  behavior. 

At  the  same  session,  Daniel  Low  was  placed  at  the  bar  for  trial, 
who,  with  other  malefactors,  &.C.,  to  the  number  of  three  hundred,  in 
warlike  manner,  riotously  assembled,  with  sound  of  trumpet,  and  beat 
of  drums — with  force  of  arms — fell  upon  John  Wilkins,  and  did  him 
assault,  make,  and  have  prisoner  for  fourteen  hours.  He  was  fined 
seventy  pounds,  &c. 

John  Hendricks,  at  the  same  time,  was  fined  seventy  pounds  for 
entering  the  house  of  John  Wilkins  and  Henry  Hendricks ;  and  scared 
the  children  and  'servants  greatly,  and  took  two  pewter  dishes,  two 
pewter  plates,  and  one  iron  stew  kettle. 

Daniel  Low,  John  Low,  Edward  Evans  and  Nicholas,  were  each 
fined  twenty  pounds,  for  having  assaulted  Charles  Jones,  and  held  him 
a  prisoner  for  fifteen  hours.    Rec.  Courts  of  Q.  S.  of  Lan.  co. 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY.  563 

rence  and  Ashton,  members  of  the  board,  to  support  the 
sheriff  in  the  execution  of  their  orders.  When  the  sheriff 
entered  the  field,  the  invaders  retired,  but  returned  as  soon 
as  his  force  was  withdrawn.  Captures  were  made  on  both 
sides — the  German  settlers  were  harrassed  perpetually ;  in 
many  instances  driven  from  their  farms,  and  in  others  de- 
terred from  every  attempt  to  plant  or  improve. 

In  May,  1737,  the  council  sent  Samuel  Preston  and  John 
Kinsey,  on  an  embassy  to  Governor  Ogle,  to  treat  on  some 
measure  which  might  preserve  the  quiet  of  the  border,  until 
the  pleasure  of  the  King  should  be  known,  to  whom  both 
parties  had  appealed.  But  Governor  Ogle  requiring  some 
concessions  imcompatible  with  the  rights  of  the  proprietaries 
of  Pennsylvania — the  deputies  returned  without  having  made 
any  agreement. 

In  October,  1737,  a  party  of  Marylanders,  to  the  num- 
bers of  sixteen,  broke  into  the  jail  at  Lancaster,  and  released 
the  rioters  who  had  been  apprehended  by  the  Sheriff,  among 
whom  was  a  brother  of  their  leader.  Fortunately,  when 
indignation  was  prompting  the  inhabitants  on  both  sides  of 
the  line  to  further  breaches  of  the  peace,  an  order  of  the 
King  in  council,  on  the  subject  of  the  boundary,  induced 
both  parties  to  refrain  from  further  violence — to  drop  all 
prosecutions,  and  discharge  their  respective  prisoners  on 
bail.* 

*  Gordon's  Pa.,  221. 


564  HISTORY  OF   YORK   COUNTY^ 


CHAPTER  III. 


Early  settlements — Kreutz'^  Creek — Origin  of  the  name — Hendricks, 
&c. — First  settler's  simple  hatits — Plain  dress — Want  of  Shoemak- 
ers, &c. — First  dwellings — Stone  houses — Settlement  of  the  Barrens 
— Whence  the  appellation — Origin  of  first  settlers — Strict  Presby' 
terians — Revd.  iWhittlesey — Great  improvements,  &c. — Generous 
people — The  Red  Lands — Names  of  first  settlers — settled  by  Quak- 
ers— Anecdote — Digges'  choice  of  Hanover  settlement — Digges  lo- 
cates lands — The  forest— ^York  and  vicinity — Principal  settlements 
arise  from  those  enumerated. 

From  the  preceding,  it  is  evident  that  the  first  settlements 
under  the  authority  of  the  government  of  Pennsylvania  were 
made  at  Kreutz  creek,  and  principally  by  Germans.  There 
is  some  speculation  among  the  curious  as  to  the  origin  of  the 
name  of  the  creek  on  which  the  first  settlers  located.  By 
some  it  is  asserted,  the  stream  has  its  name  from  George 
Kreis,  an  early  settler  on  that  creek,  near  the  Susquehanna. 
Others,  calling  to  aid  the  union  of  two  streams,  forming  a 
cross,  or  Kreutz,  in  German ;  hence,  Kreutz  creek,  by  which 
name  the  settlement  has  been  known  since  1739,  the  date 
when  a  full  purchase  was  made  from  the  Indians,  for  all  the 
lands  in  York  county.* 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  John  Hendricks,  James 
Hendricks,  Joshua  Minshall,  John  Wright,  Charles  Jones, 

*, These  are  the  views  of  Carter  and  Glossbreaner^  May  the  stream 
not  have  derived  its  name  from  John  Grist,  "  who  with  divers  other 
persons,  settled  himself  and  family,  and  had  taken  up  land,"  as  early 
as  1718,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Susquehanna,  as  shown  before.  In 
a  Report  of  1739,  touching  the  location  of  a  road  from  Wright's  ferry 
towards  Potomack,  Grist  creek  is  mentioned. — Rcc.  Court  of  Q.  S.  of 
Lmi.  CO. 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  565 

Henry  Hendricks,  and  others,  had  made  settlements  within 
Springettsbury  Manor,  prior  to  1733 ;  and,  that  all  these 
were  greatly  molested  by  Maryland  intruders.  The  Ger- 
mans, as  stated,  were,  however,  the  principal  settlers  here, 
(except  at  Wrightsville,)  while  many  of  the  English  located 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Pigeon  Hills.  William  Morgan's 
was  the  only  English  family  among  the  Germans,  in  this 
fertile  vale. 

The  first  settlers,  and  their  children,  were  of  simple  and 
plain  habits — no  superfluity  of  dress — for  the  want  of  wool 
neither  imported  nor  homespun,  and  home  made  woollen 
cloth  was  worn.  Tow  served  as  a  substitute.  And  this 
was  made  up  only  into  shirts,  trowsers  and  frocks — vests 
and  coats  they  had  none.  To  protect  themselves  against 
the  "increase  of  cold  weather,"  they  wore  one,  two,  or 
more  tow  frocks  at  the  same  time.  No  sooner  had  they 
cleared  a  spot,  erected  a  cabin,  and  raised  a  few  sheep,  than 
they  manufactured  linsey  woolseyior  their  own  "comforts.'^ 
For  a  short  time  they  had  no  mills  nearer  than  Christian 
Stoneman's,  Hans  Graff's,  and  Samuel  Taylor's,  all  erected 
in  Lancaster  county,  prior  to  1729.  Stoneman's  was  the 
nearest,  being  on  the  Conestoga  creek,  not  many  miles  from 
the  Susquehanna.  Soon,  however,  some  mills  were  erected 
on  the  streams  which  meander  through  the  glens:  where  now 
are  scores  of  mills  of  every  description. 

It  has  been  stated*  that,  for  some  time  after  settlements 
had  been  commenced,  shoemakers  and  tanners  were  wanting, 
and  that  the  families  were  supplied  with  shoes  from  the  city 
of  Philadelphia.  When  mending  was  needed,  to  supply  the 
place  of  tanners  and  shoemakers,  itinerant  cobblers,  with  a 
supply  of  leather  for  "  patching  and  soleing,"  travelled  from 
house  to  house,  much  as  parish  visiters  are  wont  to  do,  "  to 
care  for  soles,''  and  if  it  needs  be,  Tmnd  them.     The  first 

*  Glosbrenner's  History  of  York  county,  p.l26. 
5* 


566  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

permanent  shoemaker  in  the  county  was  Samuel  Landys, 
who  established  his  shop  near,  or  on  Kreutz'  creek.  For  a 
compeer,  in  another  department  of  "wearahhs,'^  the  shoe- 
maker had  Valentine  Heyer,  who  for  many  years  was  the 
only  tailor  here,  and  as  Landy's  made  men's  and  women's 
shoes — Heyer  made  clothes  for  men  and  women  too.  This, 
no  doubt,  was  done  to  compensate  in  part  the  women,  who 
did  men's  work;  for  many  of  them  wielded  the  axe,  and  held 
a  steady  plough,  in  assisting  their  frugal  husbands  in  labor- 
ing for  "  the  meat  that  perishes.'' 

Peter  Gardener  was  the  first  blacksmith  in  all  the  settle- 
ment,^— Jacob  Lochman,  a  blacksmith,  resided  seven  miles 
west  from  John  Hendricks,  in  1735,*  While  the  mechanic 
and  farmer  were  busily  engaged  in  their  daily  avocations, 
the  schoolmaster  was  abroad  among  the  Germans.  Nothing 
of  his  success  as  a  teacher  can  be  said  with  much  confidence. 
Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  his  personal  services;  he  was 
familiarly  known,  as  "Der  Diche  Schulmeister"  and  he 
was,  undoubtedly,  feared  by  all  the  urchins  of  the  neighbor- 
hood. 

The  first  dwellings  were  mere  cabins,  or  round-log  houses 
— wood  being  for  some  years  the  only  material  used  in  build- 
jug.  About  the  year  1735,  two  brothers,  John  Schultz  and 
Martin  Schultz,  built  each  a  house  of  stone  on  Kreutz  creek. 
Not  long  afterwards  others  were  erected  of  the  same  mate- 
rial. At  present,  though  only  a  little  more  than  a  century 
ago,  when  no  human  habitations,  except  a  few  Indian  wig- 
wams were  to  be  found  here,  this  portion  is  thickly  studded 
with  substantial  and  commodious  dwellings,  and  other  im- 
provements corresponding  thereto. 

The  townships  of  Chanceford,  Lower  Chanceford,  Fawn 
Hopewell,  and  the  Southern  portion  of  Windsor,  comprise 
what  is  usually  denominated  The  York  Barrens,  amounting 
*  Min.  Prov.  Council,  iii.,  665. 


^'  HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY.  567 

^0  one  hundred  and  thirty  thousand  acres  of  arenaceous, 
gravelly  and  loamy  soil.  The  term  Barrens  has  not  been 
applied  to  this  portion  of  the  county  from  the  sterility  of  the 
.soil;  but  from  the^circumstance  that  the  Indians  for  many  years 
and  until  1730  or  1731,  to  improve  this  portion  of  their 
Great  Park  for  the  purpose  of  hunting,  fired  the  copse  or 
bushes  as  oft  as  their  convenience  seemed  to  call  for  it ;  and 
thus  when  the  whites  commenced  settling  here,  they  found 
no  timber,  hence  they  applied  the  term  Barrens,  a  common 
appellation  at  that  time,  to  such  portions  of  coimtry,however 
fertile  the  soil.  Portions  that  were  sixty  or  seventy  years 
ago  without  any  timber  are  now  thickly  covered  with  sturdy 
oaks,  and  large  hickories. 

This  portion  of  the  county  was  originally  settled  by  Irish 
and  Scotch,  between  the  years  1731  and  1735.  Tradition 
has  it,  "that  they  were  principally  of  the  better  order  of 
peasantry — they  were  a  sober,  industrious,  moral  and  intel- 
ligent people.  As  to  religion,  strict  Presbyterians ;  and  as 
these  are  ever  wont  to  do,  they  erected  soon  after  their  first 
settling,  a  log  church  near  Muddy  creek.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Whittlesey  was  their  first  pastor,  who  ministered  to  all  the 
Scotch  and  Irish  in  the  above  named  and  contiguous  town- 
ships.    The  original  church  was  burnt. 

The  lands  settled  by  the  first  immigrants  are,  in  many 
instances,  still  owned  by  their  descendants ;  but  much  im- 
proved within  the  last  thirty  years.  These  worthy  sons  of 
worthy  sires,  know  from  experience,  the  force  of  the  maxim, 
"  The  wise  man  is  his  own  best  assistant,"  and  are  aware 
that  no  man  is  truly  independent,  who  depends  on  the  labor 
or  fidelity  of  others,  for  comfort.  Having  abandoned  the 
deteriorating  routine  of  farming,  and  introduced  a  better 
system,  their  lands,  which  had  been  rendered  actually  barren, 
have  since  been  much  improved.  Years,  heretofore,  their 
practice  in  farming  was  to  clear  a  piece  of  land,  sow  it  with 


% 


568  HISTORY    OP    YORK    COUNTY.  f; 

wheat,  which  would  yield  from  fifteen  to  twenty  bushels  per 
acre ;  then  follow  it  by  rye,  corn,  oats — the  same  course 
repeated  till  the  soil  was  so  much  exhausted  as  not  to  yield 
any  thing  adequate  in  return  for  the  toil  bestowed  upon  it. 
This  course  of  farming  has  been  changed — now  the  face  o 
the  country  wears  a  more  favorable  aspect ;  and  if  improve- 
ment in  agricultural  is  progressive,  the  Barrens  of  York  will 
be  fruitfully  productive,  when  another  generation  succeeds.* 
About  the  year  1735,  Thomas  Hall,  John  W.Fesson,  Jos. 
Eennet,  John  Rankin  and  Ellis  Lews,  from  Chester  county, 
in  search  of  a  future  residence,  west-ward  from  thelhomes  of 
their  fathers,  visited  the  northern  part  of  York  county,  then 
within  the  bounds  of  Lancaster  county ;  and  after  several 
days'  excursion,  they  resolved  to  locate  in  the  valley  conti- 
sjious  to  Horshoe  or  Fishinp^  creek.  From  the  red  shale 
abounding  there,  or  "  Red  Rock"  forming  the  substratum  of 
the  soil,  they  named  it  the  Red  Valley,  or  Red  Lands.  Af- 
ter they  had  located,  others,  of  Irish  and  Scoth  descent, 
from  the  same  county,  joined  with  them,  in  settling  among 
the  tawny  sons  of  the  forest — the  aborigines.  They  newly 
settled,  and  Indians  lived  for  some  years  on  terms  of  intima- 
cy ;  for  they  were  Quakers,  or  the  spiritual  kindred  of  the 

*  Fronfi  the  first  hardy  settlers  have  sprung  a  generous  race — both 
hospitable  and  intelligent — which  circumstance,  with  other  advan 
tages,  makes  this  portion  inviting.  "  I  know  of  no  place,"  says  a  cer. 
tain  writer,  "  where  the  valitudinarian,  or  the  man  wearied  with  the 
toils,  and  vexations  incident  to  a  bustling  world,  could  retire  for  a 
time,  with  a  more  prospect  of  advantage.  The  pure,  fresh  mountain 
breezes,  and  the  icy  coldness  of  their  limpid,  bubbling  springs,  impart 
a  salutary  and  invigorating  effect  to  the  former;  while  the  turbulent 
passions  of  the  latter  are  delightfully  calmed,  as  he  traverses  their 
'interminable  forests,  admiring  the  works  of  nature,  or  pursuing  the 
different  varieties  of  game  that  sport  upon  their  boughs,  and  gambol 
in  their  sha,des  ;  or  angling  for  the  speckled  trout,  which  glide  in 
goodly  numbers  through  the  silvery  fluid  that  gushes  along  in  unsul- 
lied brightness  over  its  pebbly  bed." — Columbia  Spy. 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  5G9 

•Onas  (Penn)  of  whom,  and  them,  the  Indians  for  years,. 
spoke  in  no  other  than  terms  of  respect. 

Nothing  memorable  of  the  first  settlers  here  has  been  pre- 
served, or  handed  down  by  tradition,  except  an  anecdote 
oft  related,  which  is  given  below.  Passing  it  might  be  re- 
marked, the  name  "  Bmnet,"  while  the  main  stream  in  the 
Red  valley  winds  its  devious  way  'down  the  glen,  and  is 
known  as  Bennefs  Rim,  vnll  be  remembered. 

The  anecdote  alluded  to,  runs  thus — When  Bennet,  Ran- 
■kin  and  Lewis  w^ere  making  their  adventurous  visit  into  the 
wilds  of  Lancaster  county — wending  their  faces  west- ward, 
they  naturally,  on  their  way  from  Chester  county,  met  in 
their  course,  the  "Majestic  Susquehanna,"  whose  broad  wa- 
ters unceasingly  roll,  between  the  mouths  of  the  Swatara  and 
Fishing  creek — this  imposing  obstacle  they  ventured  to  pass 
over,  for  the  want  of  flats  at  hand,  in  a  craft  construct- 
ed for  the  emergency.  Each  of  them  had  a  horse.  To 
carrying  these  across,  they  lashed  two  canoes  laterally,  pla- 
cing their  horses  with  their  hinder  feet  in  one  and  their  fore 
feet  in  the  other,  they  paddled  across  to  the  west  side,  at 
no  small  peril  of  safety  to  their  horses,  and  their  own  lives. 

At  a  comparatively  early  period  of  the  first  settlements 
made  within  the  bounds  of  York  county,  a  noted  person, 
named  John  Digges,  obtained  from  the  proprietor  of  Mary- 
land, a  grant  for  ten  thousand  acres  of  land — it  was  left 
optional  with  Digges  to  locate  unimproved  lands  wherever 
he  found  them,  either  north  or  south  of  the  disputed  boun- 
dary between  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  so  that  it  would 
be  somewhere  within  the  bounds  of  Lord  Baltimore's  claims. 
Mr.  Digges,  at  the  suggestion  of  Tom,  the  Indian  chief  on 
Tom's  creek,  located  six  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-two acres,  of  which  Hanover  forms  a  part.  This  formed 
the  nucleus  of  a  settlement,  that  may  be  ranked  among  the 
early  one's  of  the  country.    Tradition  has  it,  that  this  re- 


570  HISTORY   OP   YORK   COUNTY. 

« 

gion  was  thickly  and  heavily  wooded  with  hickory;  and 
also,  that  for  causes  sufficient,  it  is  maintained,  it  was  the 
resort  "for  rogues."  Of  this  more  will  be  said  in  the 
sequel. 

These,  then,  were  the  principal  early  settlements  in  York 
county,  viz :  Kreutz  creek,  the  Barrens,  the  Redlands,  and 
Digges'  choice,  or  Hanover;  all  of  which,  in  the  progress  of 
some  years,  by  new  accessions,  increased  in  population  and 
extent.  Kreutz  creek  settlement,  and  York,  supplied  a 
people  for  a  large  tract  around  them,  comprising  parts  of 
Hellam,  Spring-garden,  Shrewsbury,  Manchester,  Dover, 
&c.  The  Barrens  gave  a  population  to  all  the  eastern  and 
southeastern  portion  of  York  county ;  the  Redlands,  with 
some  emigrants  from  Berks,  Lancaster,  and  Cumberland 
counties,  on  the  Yellow  Breeches,  populated  the  whole  nor- 
thern portion,  embracing  Fairview,  Newberry,  MonahaB, 
Franklin,  Carroll,  Warrington  and  Washington  townships. 

York,  and  its  vicinity,  may  be  reckoned  among  the  earli- 
est settlements.  Here  a  settlement  was  commenced,  prior 
to  1732.  Soon  after  the  last  mentioned  period,  emigration 
was  great  to  the  west  of  the  Susquehanna.  In  1740  the 
number  of  taxables  exceeded  six  hundred ;  and  in  1749,  the 
taxables  amounted  to  nearly  1500,  besides  many  "  idle  and 
dissolute  persons,  who  resorted  to  the  remote  parts  to  escape 
justice." 


HISTORY   OP    YORK   COUNtY.  571 


CHA^q^ER  iV. 

First  public  road  from  Wright's  fejrry,  &c. — York  first  laid  out — Pub- 
lic road  from  York  to'  Smith's  land — First  public  house  at  York — 
York,  at  first,  improves  slowly — Causes  thereof — Billmayer's,  Falk- 
er's  and  Schall's  case — Clashing  interests — First  settlers  at  York, 
principally  Germans — Thames  of  some  families — Ministers  visi': 
congregations — Influx  of  Germans  great — No  lands  sold  to  the  Irisii 
— Many  Irish  moved  to  Cumberland. 

Public  roads,  in  improved,  as  well  as  in  new  countries, 
are  highly  important,  and  as  the  Kreutzcreek  and  the  York 
settlements  were,  for  many  years  before  Pennsylvanians  set- 
tled west  of  the  Susquehanna,  a  thorough-pass  through  the 
wilderness  from  the  west-ward  inhabited  parts  in  the  pro- 
Tince  of  Maryland  to  the  eastern  towns ;  and  the  wants  of 
the  new  settlers  demanded  it,  a  petition  was  presented  from 
inhabitants  of  Hallem  township,  recently  erected,  to  the 
court  of  Lancaster  lor  a  road  from  Wrights  Ferry  to  the 
Potomac.  The  court  appointed  the  following  persons  to 
view  and  locate  a  road  as  petitioned  for,  viz :  Joshua  Min- 
shal,  Henry  Hendricks,  Francis  Worley,  Christian  Crawl, 
Michael  Tanner,  and  Woolrick  Whistler.  The  road  was 
viewed  and  located.  The  viewer's  report  was  presented  to 
the  court,  Feb,  1739-40 ;  which  was  confirmed  and  ordered 
to  be  recorded.     The  report  is  in  substance  as  follows: 

The  road  commenced  on  the  line  between  the  lands  of 
John  Wright,  jr.,  and  Samuel  Tayler,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Susquehanna — thence  south  80  degrees,  west  500  perch- 
es ;  S.72,  W.562  perches  to  Crawl's  Run,  s.  70,  w.  430  p.  to 
a  marked  White  Oak,  w.  76  p.  to  Canoe  Run,  s.  68,  454  to 
a  Black  Oak,  s.  53,  w.  540  to  the  West  Branch  of  Grist 


^72  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

Cre^k,  s.  66,  w.  280,  s.  84,  w.  264,  w.  166  to  LittU  Codo- 
rus,  s.  82,  w.  102,  w.  104,  s.  64,  w.  220,  s.  72,  w.  260,  to 
the  Big  Codorus — continuing  the  same  course  360  perches 
to  Perrin's  Rim ;  w.  269  perches  to  Springer's  Field,  s. 
72,  w.  80  p.,  s.  w.  160  p.,  s.  60,  w.  126,  p.  to  the  Point  of 
a  steep  hill,  s.  48,  w.  134  p.,  s.  69,  w.  200  p.,  s.  58,  w.  240 
p.  to  Loreman's  Rim,  s.  51,  w.  40  p.,  s.  71,  w.  166  p.  to  a 
Black  Oak,  by  Christian  Oysters,  s.  55,  w.  142  p.,  s.  40,  w. 
330  p.,  s.  52,  w.  172  p.  to  Mcholas  Coucker's  Run,  s.  44, 
w.  380  p.,  s.  58,  w.  376  p.,  s.  22,  w.  120  p.  to  the  West 
Branch  of  Codorus  Creek,  s.  30,  w.  214  p.,  s.  50,  w.  66  p., 
s.  36,  w.  60  p.,  s.  26,  w.  66,  p.,  s.  104  p.,  s,  46,  w  132  p. 
to  Jos.  Link's  Pt,un,  by  the  Barrens,  s.  65,  w.  420  p.  to 
Conrad  Low's,  s.  38,  w.  282  p.,  s.  3,  w.  230  p.,  s.  46,  w. 
97  p.,  w.  500  p.  to  Adam  Harney's,  s.  48,  w.  640  p.  to 
Jacob  Banker's,  s.  68,  w.  170  p.,  s.  81,  w.  820  p.,  s.  71,  w. 
100  p.  to  the  Monocosy  Road  near  the  Province  line,  con- 
taining 34  miles  and  290  perches. 

Not  many  months  after  the  first  public  road  had  been  lo- 
cated, the  proprietaries  directed  Thomas  Cookson,  deputy 
surveyor  of  Lancaster  county,  to  lay  out  a  plot  of  ground 
within  the  Manor  of  Springettsbury,  to  build  a  town  upon, 
somewhat  laid  out  like  Philadelphia.  The  surveyor  had 
received  specific  instructions  from  the  proprietors,  on  this 
point,  in  October,  1741.  That  part  of  the  Manor,  on  both 
sides  of  the  Codorus,  was  fixed  on  for  the  town.  Cookson 
proceeded  at  once,  so  lay  off  that  portion  east  of  the  Codo- 
rus, into  squares,  after  the  manner  of  Philadelphia.  "  The 
squares,  or  rather  oblongs,  were  to  be  480  feet  broad,  and 
520  long— the  lots  320  by  65— alleys  20  feet— two  streets 
80  feet  broad  each;  to  cross  at  right  angles — and  65  feet 
squares  to  be  cut  off  the  corner  of  each  lot,  to  form  a  square 
for  public  buildings — or  a  market  space  of  110  feet  on  each 
side.     The  lots  to  be  let  for  seven  shillings  sterling,  or  value 


HISTORY   OF    YOEK    COUNTY.  573 

in  coin,  current,  according  to  the  exchange ;  the  squares  to 
be  laid  out  the  length  of  two  squares  to  the  east  ward  of 
Codorus,  when  any  number,  such  as  twenty  houses  are  built. 

"  On  the  margin  of  the  original  draught  of  the  town,  as 
then  laid  out,  are  these  words,  '  The  above  squares  count, 
in  each,  480  feet,  on  every  side,  which  in  lots  of  60  feet  front 
and  340  deep,  will  make  16  lots ;  which  multiplied  by  the 
number  of  squares  (viz :  16  for  the  original  draught  contains 
no  more)  gives  256  lots ;  which  together  wiih  the  streets, 
at  60  feet  wide,  will  not  take  up  above  102  acres.'  "* 

No  sooner  had  the  survey  and  plot  been  completed  than  a 
number  of  applications  were  made  to  constitute  persons  to 
receive  and  register  the  'names.  In  November  1741,  the 
lollowing  persons  applied,  to  have  their  names  entered  for 
lots  in  the  town  of  York,  in  the  county  of  Lancaster.  The 
applicants  were,  John  Bishop,  for  lot  No.  57 ;  Jacob 
Welsch,  58;  Ballmer  Spengler,  70;  Michael  Schwoop,  75  ; 
Christopher  CroU,  85  ;  Michael  Laub,  86  ;  George  Schwoop, 
87,104,124,140;  Zachariah  Shugart,  102;  Samuel  Hoake, 
105 ;  Hermanus  Bott,  106 ;  George  Hoake,  107,  117  ; 
Jacob  Crebill,  108  ;  Matthias  Onvensant,  18 ;  Martin  Eich- 
elberger,  120 ;  Andrew  Coaler  121  ;  Henry  Hendricks, 
122  ;  Joseph  Hinsman,  123. 

On  the  11th  and  12th  of  March,  1746,  44  lots  more  were 
-disposed  of ;  and  in  1748,  49  and  50,  apphcations  were  nu- 
merous for  lots.  The  place  began  to  attract  some  attention  ; 
for,  as  early  as  1742  it  was  spoken  of  as  to  be  ere  long  the 
-shire  tovm,  for  the  first  comity  west  of  the  Susquehanna. 

At  the  Nov.  session  of  court,  at  Lancaster,  in  1741,  a  num- 
ber of  inhabitants,  near  Codorus  creek  prayed  for  a  view  and 
location  of  a  road,  by  the  nearest  way  from  the  town  in 
Great  Codorus  to  William  Smith's  patented  land  under 
Maryland.  Smith's  land  was  about  ten  miles  from  town. 
*  Glosbrenners  His.  York.  co. 

6 


574  HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNrS". 

Their  prayer  was  granted,  and  the  court  appointed,  as  view- 
ers, Woolrich  Whisler,  Michael  Kreger,  Michael  Tanner, 
Michael  Roshe,  Adam  Miller  and  George  Copel.  The  road 
was  viewed  and  located — confirmed  and  recorded,  at  the 
February  term  1741-42.  The  road  began  at  a  Spanish  oak, 
on  the  west  line  of  Smith's  land,  N.  88  deg.  37  perches — 
and  in  the  same  course,  with  slight  variations,  by  way  of 
Woolrick  Whisler 's  mill,  which  was  a  little  over  two  miles 
and  a  quarter  or  745  perches  from  York — "  to  the  end  of 
the  street  leading  to  the  place  intended  for  a  court  house  in 
the  town  of  York,  up  the  said  street,  N.  16i  degrees  to  the 
said  place  52  perches  in  the  road  leading  to  John  Wright's 
ferry.  The  whole  lenghth  of  the  road  is  3239  perches  or 
lO  miles  39  perches  to  the  town  of  York  on  Great  Codorus, 
and  from  John  Myer's  ferry  to  the  aforesaid  town,  12  miles 
and  3  perches." 

York  had  become  a  small  town  shortly  after  it  had  been 
laid  out.  It  contained  a  public  house,  and  if  public  records 
cord  can  be  relied  on,  Adam  Miller  was  landlord  in  1741  or 
1742,  At  the  November  session  of  the  court,  Adam  Miller 
applied,  at  Lancaster,  to  be  recommended  to  the  governor  as 
a  suitable  person  to  keep  a  public  house  at  the  town  of 
York.     His  petition  was  granted. 

It  is  said,  the  town  did  not  grow  rapidly  in  its  incipiency. 
This  undoubtedly  was  not  so  much  owing  to  any  thing  ad- 
ventitious ;  as  to  conditions  somewhat  arbitrary.  "  One  of 
the  usual  ones  was^— that  the  applicant  should  build  upon 
the  lot,  at  his  own  proper  cost,  one  substantial  dwelling 
house,  of  the  dimensions  of  sixteen  feet  square  at  least,  with 
a  good  chimney  of  brick  or  stone,  be  laid  in  or  built  with 
lime  and  sand,  within  the  space  of  one  year  from  the  time 
of  his  entry  for  the  same." 

A  yearly  quit-rent,  for  an  unlimited  time,  "of  seven  shil- 
lings sterling,  money  of  Great  Britain,  or  the  value  thereof, 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


575 


in  coin  current,  according  as  the  exchange  should  be  between 
the  province  and  city  of  liOndon,"  was  to  be  paid  to  the 
proprietors,  Thomas  Penn  and  Richard  Penn.  Besides  this, 
the  lot  was  held  in  free  and  common  soccage,  by  fealty  only 
in  lieu  of  all  other  services." 

When  the  applicant  had  built,  or  in  some  cases,  had  com- 
menced to  build,  he  received,  if  he  wished  it,  a  patent.  This 
patent,  however,  stated  most  explicitly  what  the  conditions 
were ;  if  these  were  not  complied  with,  the  lot  was  trans- 
ferred to  another. 

Indeed,  there  were  not  a  few  difficulties  and  inconveni- 
ences which  arose  from  neglect  or  carelessness,  to  overcome 
by  the  first  lot-holders.  One  of  these  may  have  arisen  from 
Cookson's,  the  surveyor's  neglect  to  return  the  survey  made 
of  the  lands  on  which  York  stands,  into  the  Land  Office. 
To  remedy  this,  George  Stevenson  re-surveyed  the  land  in 
1741,  when  he  found  it  to  be  436  acres  and  a  half. 

Again,  other  "difficulties  arose  from  persons  taking  pos- 
session of  lots  without  a  legal  right  thereto.  Some  erected 
small  houses  on  different  lots,  without  Hcense  or  entry;" for 
this  they  were  reported  to  the  proper  authority.  Instances 
are  found,  recorded,  among  old  papers.  The  cases  alluded 
to,  are  those  of  Jacob  Billmayer,  who  built  on  lot  No.  55; 
Jacob  Falker,  on  lot  60 ;  and  Avit  Shall  on  lot  74 — all  of 
them,  "  without  the  proprietaries'  license."  They  were  all 
compelled  to  surrender  possession,  April  30,  1751,  to  Nich- 
olas Scull,  Esq.,  the  proprietaries'  agent.  In  a  word,  the 
early  settling  of  the  town  of  York  was  one  continual  scene 
of  disturbance  and  contention — there  were  warring  rights 
and  clashing  interests. 

The  first  settlers  of  York  and  vicinity,  were  principally 
Germans,  and  members  of  the  Lutheran,  or  German  Re- 
formed church.  Of  the  former,  were  the  Crolls  or  Grolls, 
Zieglers,  Schultz,  Schwaabs,  Diehls,  Scherers,  Schmeisers, 


576  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

Bauers,  Zimmerman's,  Beyers,  Walches,  Eisen,  BurkhardtS;. 
Zaucks,  Manch,  Kraut ;  of  the  latter,  or  German  Reformed,, 
were  the  Meyers,  Rothrocks,  Welsches,  Spanglers,  Hoakes, 
Gugges  or  Coockas,  Danners,  Welschhans,  Schultz,  Scheibs, 
and  others. 

Congregations  had  been  organized  here,  and  at  Kreutz 
creek,  prior  to  1740  or  1742.  The  Rev.  Candler,  Muhlen- 
berg, Handschuh,  and  others,  visited  these  congregations 
before  York  county  was  erected.  The  Rev.  Lischy  accepted 
a  call  from  the  German  Reformed  congregation,  some  time 
in  1745.* 

Te  influx  of  the  Germans  of  1747,  was  great.  From  and 
after  that  period,  they  were  in  the  majority.  It  has  been 
shown,  that  ten  years  previous,  the  Irish  were  to  occupy 
the  improvements  of  the  Germans,  on  condition  they  would 
aid  Cressap  to  force  them  from  their  homes.  From  that  time 
on,  disturbances  between  the  Irish  and  Germans,  were  com- 
mon. The  proprietors,  to  prevent  them,  gave  orders  to  their 
agents  to  sell  no  lands  hereafter  in  Lancaster  and  York 
counties,  to  the  Irish — but  hold  out  strong  inducements,  by 
advantageous  overtures,  to  settle  in  Cumberland  county  .f 
The  offers  made  to  the  Irish,  were  liberal,  and  were  ac-^ 
cepted. 

*  See  the  Sequel — Religious  History  of  York  county. 

f  Cumberland  county  was  originally  settled  by  Irish.  Between  the 
years  1765  and  1772,  Germans  went  into  the  county  and  purchased 
from  the  first  settlers.  Among  the  first  German  families  were  the 
Sailors,  Emmingers,  Webers,  Rupp,  Meyers,  Gramlich,  Schiely,  Krie- 
ger,  Krause,  &c. 


# 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  577 


-»< 


CHAPTER  V. 

Erection  of  York  county — Petition  presented — Deferred — Granted  — 
Act  passed — Court-house  built — First  Court  of  General  Quarter 
Sessions — List  of  Jurors — Constables — First  county  officers — Sher- 
iff's election — Affray  at — M'Callister  electedj;  but  Hamilton  was 
commissioned— Overseers  of  the  Poor — Election  for  Representa- 
tives— Affray  at — The  Sheriff  beforej  the  Assembly — Is  reproved, 
and  advised  to  keep  better  order — French  and  Indian  war — Inhabit- 
ants of  York  much  alarmed — Letter  to  Governor  Morris — Indians 
commit  massacres  in  York  county — Bard's  abduction — Dunwiddie 
and  Crawford  killed. 

Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  America  in  1682,  WilHam 
Penn  established  Philadelphia,  Bucks  and  Chester  counties. 
In  1729  Lancaster  county  was  erected  out  of  Chester. 
Lancaster  originally  embraced,  besides  what  is  within  its 
present  limits,  all  the  land  west  of  the  Schuylkill,  except  Ches- 
ter county,  within  the  province  of  Pennsylvania.  Not  many 
years  after  its  erection,  both  sides  of  the  Susquehanna  were 
settled  by  an  influx  of  a  mixed  population.  Here  settled  the 
Swiss,  the  Frenchman,  the  German,  the  Dutch,  the  Scotch, 
the  Irish,  the  English,  the  Anglo-American,  and  the  Welsh. 

The  fertility  of  the  soil  and  other  natural  advantages  in- 
( ."ice<l  many  to  settle  on  the  west  of  the  Susquehanna ;  the 
]3«/pulation  augmented,  and  with  its  increase,  as  is  always 
the  rase  in  new  countries,  among  the  orderly,  the  disorderly 
also  seek  subsistence, — often  these  "  live  by  stealing" — To 
secure  themselves  against  such — there  were  such  among  them 
who  were  styled  "idle  and  dissolute  persons,"  the  inhabitants 
west  of  the  Susquehanna  petitioned  the  Governor  and  the 
Assembly  in  1747,  praying  for  the  erection  of  a  new  county.* 
•  Votes  of  Assembly,  iv.,  55,  56. 

6* 


•o78 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


Their  prayer  was  unheard.  Again,  in  1748,  as  with  one 
voice,  they  urged  it  upon  the  Legislature  to  hear  them.'' 
Setting  forth  that  they  labored  under  very  great  difficulties 
on  account  of  their  distant  situation  from  the  county  town, 
Lancaster,  where  the  courts  are  held,  and  justice  is  distri- 
buted, the  river  also  intervening,  which  at  sometimes  could 
not  be  passed  for  many  days ;  that  prosecutions  were  dis- 
couraged by  the  expense  and  loss  of  time  attending  them, 
and  wicked  and  disorderly  persons  who  resort  to  the  remote  I 

parts  of  the  pro\dnce,  are  encouraged  to  commit  thefts  end  m 

other  crimes,  from  the  greater  prospect  of  escaping  justice ;  B 

that  the  tract  of  land  lying  on  the  west  side  of  Susquehanna, 
and  between  the  South  Mountain  and  Maryland,  is  now  well 
inhabited,  and  of  sufficient*  extent  for  a  county,  and  the 
people  able  and  willing  to  bear  the  charge ;  and  therefore 
praying  that  the  said  tract  be  divided  from  the  county  of 
Lancaster,  and  erected  into  a  new  county." 

In  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  petitioners,  their 
prayer  was  considered — an  act  was  passed,  August  19, 1749, 
by  the  Assembly,  "  That  all  and  singular  the  lands  lying 
within  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  to  the  westward  of 
the  river  Susquehanna,  and  southward  and  eastward  of  the 
South  Mountain,  be  erected  into  a  county,  named  York — 
bounded  northward  and  westward  by  a  line,  to  be  run  from 
the  river  Susquehanna,  along  the  ridge  of  the  said  South 
Mountain,  until  it  shall  intersect  the  Maryland  line,  south- 
ward by  the  said  Maryland  line,  and  eastward  by  the  said 
river  Susquehanna. f 

By  the  same  act,  Thomas  Cox,  Michael  Tanner,  George 
Swoope,  Nathan  Hussey,  and  John  Wright,  junior,  all  of 

*  The  county  of  York  had,  in  1749,  1,466  taxables  ;  in  1750,  1,798 
taxables,  and  in  1751,  2,043  taxables  ;  sho\V-ing  an  increase  of  nearly 
one  third,  in  two  years. 

t  York  county  was  reduced,  by  erecting  Adams  county,  in  1800, 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  579 

York  county,  or  any  three  of  them,  were  authorized  to  pur-' 
chase  a  piece  of  land,  situate  in  some  convenient  place  in 
the  county,  to  be  approved  of  by  the  Governor,  in  trust, 
and  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  county,  and  thereon 
to  erect  and  build  a  court  house  and  prison,  sufficient  to  ac- 
commodate the  public  service  of  the  county,  and  for  the  ease 
and  convenience  of  the  inhabitants.  "For  several  years 
after  the  erection  of  the  county,  nothing  v^as  eifectually 
done  towards  building  the  court  house.  The  courts  were 
held  till  1754,  in  private  houses—  it  is  said  the  commission- 
ers usually  held  their  meetings  at  George  Schaab's." 

"  In  1754,  the  commissioners  of  the  county  entered  into 
an  agreement  with  William  Willis,  bricklayer,  of  Manches- 
ter township,  to  erect  the  walls  of  the  building — with  Henry 
Clark,  of  Warrington,  to  saw  and  deliver  scantlings  for  the 
building ;  and  also  with  John  Meem  and  Jacob  Klein,  car- 
penters of  York  town,  to  do  the  joiner's  and  carpenter's 
work — they  engaged  Robert  Jones  to  bring  seven  thousand 
shingles  from  Philadelphia — the  building  progressed  slowly 
till  it  was  completed,  in  1756.  It  stood  till  within  a  few- 
years.  It  is  worthy  of  memory  that  Congress  sat  in  it  for 
about  nine  months  in  1777  and  1778,  the  most  gloomy  pe- 
,  riod  of  the  Revolution.  Another  court  house  was  erected 
in  1841-42,  at  a  cost  of  rising  one  hundred  thousand  dollars, 

Tlie  first  court  of  General  Quarter  Sessions  of  the  Peace 
for  the  county  was  held  before  John  Day,  Esq.  and  his  as- 
sistants, the  31st  of  October  A.  D.  1749 ;  and  in  the  twenty- 
third  year  of  the  reign  of  George  II. 

The  first  panel  of  jurors  was  returned  by  Hans  Hamilton, 
Sheriff,  31st  Oct.  1749.  They  were,  Michael  McCreary,* 
William  McLellan,*  James  Agnew,*  Richard  Proctor,!  Hugh 
Brigham,*  John  Pope,t  James  Hall,*  William  Proctor,* 
William  Betty,*  Nathan  Dicks,t  Jeremiah  Louchridge,* 
•  Sworn.  f  Affirmed. 


580  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

Thomas  Hosack,*  Thomas  Sillick,*  Samuel  Moore,*  James 
Smith,*  Richard  Brown,*  and  Thomas  Neily." 

At  the  General  Quarter  Session  of  October  1749,  the  fol- 
lowing persons  w'ere  recognised  as  constables ;  for  Newberry 
township,  Peter  Hughs ;  for  Tyrone,  John  Duffield ;  War- 
rington, Robert  Vale;  Codorus,  George  Leigher;  Man- 
chester, Christian  Lowe,  Hallem,  John  Bishop  ;  Chanceford, 
George  Karr ;  Fawn,  James  Edger ;  Dover,  Caleb  Hendricks  ; 
York,  (^»rge  Crepill ;  Huntingdon,  Wilham  Caxon ;  Mo- 
nallen,  Robert  Moore  ;  Reading,  Leonard  Leece  ;  Straban, 
John  Carroll ;  Cumberland,  Thomas  Jameson ;  Berwick, 
Christopher  Sleagle ;  Manheim,  Valentine  Herr ;  Mount- 
joy,  Vincent  Small ;  Monahan,  William  Langley  ;  Paradise, 
John  Frankleberry  ;  Hamilton's  Bond,  John  Carr;  Shrews- 
bury, Hugh  Low. 

The  county  having  "  been  fully  organized"  by  a  compe- 
tent set  of  officers  at  the  helm,  with  municipal  powers — 
Hans  Hamilton,  Sheriff;  John  Day,  Thomas  Cox,  John 
Wright,  jr.,  George  Schwaabe,  Matthew  Diel,  Hans  Ham- 
ilton, Patrick  Watson,  and  George  Stevenson,  Justices  of 
the  Peace ;  George  Stevenson,  Prothonotary,  and  Clerk  to 
the  several  courts,  and  Register  and  Recorder;  also  the  first 
Deputy  Surveyor,  and  Chief  Ranger ;%  David  M'Con- 
aughy,§  Treasurer;  George  Schwaabe,  Commissioner;  Al- 
exander Love,  Coroner;  besides  a  number  of  "  Law-fuW 
counsellors — among  whom  were  William  Peters,  John  Law- 
rence, George  Ross,  David  Stout,  and  John  Renshaw.  On 
so  "formidable  organization,"  peace  aud  harmony,  it  might 
be  expected,  would  be  preserved,  if  earthly  men  had  not 

*  Sworn. 
-j-  Affirmed. 

^  See  Miscellaneous  Chapter. 

§  David  M'Conaughy,  had  been  appointed  by  the  Assembly,  also,  as 
Collector  of  Taxes. 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  581 

human  passions,  had  it  not  been  for  an  affray  at  the  first 
election,  in  York  county,  "  which  cast  a  shadow  of  coming 
events.''* 

For  sheriff,  two  prominent  candidates,  Hans  Hamilton  and 
Richard  M'Allister,  were  before  the  people.  The  place  of 
hustings,  or  election,  was  at  York,  in  1749,  and  for  years 
afterwards  at  the  pubHc  house  of  Baltzer  Spengler.  It  was 
an  unfinished  building  of  logs,  through  an  opening  of  which, 
at  one  end,  tickets  were  received.  In  the  cool  of  the  morn- 
ing all  was  quiet,  but  as  the  sun  warmed  the  voters,  they 
grew  in  ardor  for  action.  Hamilton,  the  Irish  candidate, 
was  from  what  is  now  Adams  county.  M'Allister  was  the 
favorite  of  the  "  Dutch."  The  Germans,  as  they  are  wont, 
without  much  ado,  worked  well  for  their  candidate,  evi- 
dently gaining  on  their  competitors ;  this  vexed  the  "  ireful 
friends"  of  Hamilton.     Two  or   three  stout   Hibernians — 

*  In  this  connexion,  it  might  be  mentioned,  that  the  following  per- 
sons were  recommended  by  the  Court,  in  1749,  to  the  Governor,  to 
keep  public  houses  of  entertainment,  viz:  Michael  Swoope,  George 
Mendinhall,  John  Edwards,  Michael  Bardt,  George  Hooke,  Jacob  Fok- 
ler,  and  William  Sinkler. 

Note, — Agreeably  to  Act  of  1718,  the  Justice  of  Peace,  in  their 
Quarter  Sessions,  January  28,  1752,  established  the  following  tavern 
rates  for  York  county  : 

One  quart  of  sangaree,  made  with  one  pint  of  good  Madeira  wine, 
with  loaf  sugar,  1  shilling  and  6  pence ;  a  bowl  of  punch,  made  with 
one  quart  of  water,  with  loaf  sugar,  and  good  Jamaica  spirits,  1  shil- 
ling and  3  pence;  one  pint  of  good  Madeira  wine,  1  shilling  and  3 
pence;  one  pint  of  good  Vidonia  wine,  10  pence;  one  pint  of  good 
Port  wine,  1  shilling;  one  quart  of  Mimbo,  made  with  West  India  rum 
and  loaf  sugar,  10  shillings ;  a  quart  of  Mimbo,  made  with  New  En- 
gland rum  and  loaf  sugar,  9  pence ;  a  gill  of  good  West  India  rum,  4 
pence;  a  gill  of  good  New  England  rum,  3  pence;  a  gill  of  good 
whiskey,  3  pence  ;  a  quart  of  good  beer,  4  pence  ;  a  quart  of  good 
cider,  4  pence  ;  a  man's  breakfast,  6  pence  ;  a  man's  dinner,  8  pence  ; 
a  man's  supper,  6  pence;  a  horse  at  hay,  24  hours,  10  pence;  ahorse 
at  hay,  one  night,  8  pence ;  half  a  gallon  of  good  oats,  3  pence. 


582  HISTOKY    OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

boxers  as  they  are  called — took  possession  of  the  opening' 
through  the  logs,  where  tickets  were  received — determined 
that  none  but  their  friends  should  enjoy  the  right  of  voting. 
A  stout  German,  equally  determined  to  enjoy  his  sacred 
rights,  without  yielding  an  inch,  went  to  the  place  of  voting 
— tripped  up  the  heels  of  one  of  the  Irish  buHies — which 
eventuated  in  an  affray.  The  standing  saplings,  which  were 
near  at  hand,  were  soon  torn  down  and  cut  from  the  ground, 
and  used  as  offensive  and  defensive  weapons — blows  promis- 
cuously dealt  out — the  Irish  were  routed  and  put  to  flight, 
and  to  escape  fully  merited  chastisement,  fled  beyond  the 
Codorus — and,  for  their  lives,  dared  not  to  show  themselves 
the  remaining  part  of  the  day,  east  of  the  Codorus.  No 
lives  were  lost — a  few  human  limbs  were  broken,  and  some 
blood  spilt.  The  Germans  then  voted  immediately,  and 
elected  M'Alhster,  by  an  overwhelming  majority.  But,  in 
this  instance,  James  Hamilton,  Deputy  Governor,  as  it  were, 
to  gratify  the  Irish  party,  disregarded  the  popular  will,  and 
exercised  executive  power,  and  commissioned  Hans  Hamil- 
ton, sheriff,  for  one  year.  Illy  considered  policy,  as  the 
sequel  proved. 

The  system  of  poor  laws,  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
helpless,  that  now  prevails  in  Pennsylvania,  was  borrowed 
in  its  leading  features,  good  and  evil,  from  that  adopted  in 
England,  in  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  and  was  introduced  into 
this  State  by  an  act  of  Assembly,  in  1771,  which  led  to 
the  abolishing  of  the  appointment  of  Overseers  of  the  poor; 
a  system  which  was  in  vogue  at  an  early  period  in  every 
county  of  the  State.  In  1750,  "  at  a  court  of  private 
sessions  of  the  peace  held  at  York  for  York  county,  the  26th 
of  March,  in  the  XXIII  year  of  the  reign  of  George  II,  &c., 
A.  D.  before  John  Day,  Thomas  Cox,  George  Swope  and 
Patrick  Watson,  Esqrs.,  the  following  persons  were  appoint- 
ed  Overseers  of  the  poor :  for  Yorktown,  WilUam  Sinkler, 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  583 

and  Michael  Laub;  Hellam,  Casper  Williart  and  Peter 
Gardner;  Chanceford,  Robert  More  ton  and  John  Hill; 
Fawn,  Alexander  McCandless  and  John  Gordon ;  Shrews- 
berry,  Hugh  Montgomery  and  Hugh  Low ;  Godorus,  Peter 
Dinkle  and  John  Wothering  ;  Manchesterj  Peter  Wolf  and 
Valentine  Grans;  Newberry,  Nathan  Hussey  and  George 
Thauly ;  Dover,  Philip  Couf  and  Andrew  Spangler  ;  War- 
rington, William  Griffith  and  George  Grist ;  Huntingdon, 
Isaac  Cook  and  Archibald  M'Grew ;  Monaghan,  James 
Carothers  and  George  Cohoon ;  Reading,  William  Wilson 
and  Mathias  Maloon ;  Tyrone,  Robert  M'lllvaine  and 
Finley  M'Grew ;  Straban,  David  Turner  and  James  Ste- 
venson ;  Monallin,  John  Gilliland  and  John  Lawrence ; 
Cumberland,  John  M'Farren  and  David  Porter ;  Hamilton's 
Ban,  James  Agnew  and  William  Wagh  ;  Mountjoy,  James 
Hunter  and  William  Gibson  ;  Germany,  Jacob  Koontz  and 
Peter  Little  ;  Mountpleasant,  William  Black  and  Alexander 
M'Carter ;  Heidelberg,  Peter  Schultz  and  Andrew  Schrei- 

ber  ;  Berwick,  Caspar  Weiser  and  George  Baker  ;  

Clement,  Studebecker  and  John  Rode ;   Manheim,  Samuel 
Bugdel  and  Solomon  Miller. 

Nothing  of  a  special  character,  not  common  to  the  other 
counties,  occurred  in  York  county  this  year,  except  what 
the  return  of  the  election  of  October  1750  unbosomed.  The 
past  had  not  been  forgotten.  At  the  second  election  held 
in  York  county,  October  30,  1750,  for  Representatives  a 
large  party  of  Germans  drove  the  jjeople  from  the  election 
ground.  The  Sheriff  left  the  box  and  went  out  to  speak  to 
them,  but  was  knocked  down,  with  others. 

The  case  of  the  affray  was  brought  before  the  Assembly. 
The  following  are  the  remonstrances  in  the  case,  and  expla- 
nation of  the  facts.  Hamilton  appeared  before  the  Assem- 
bly, in  November,  1750 — presented  a  remonstrance  to  the 
House,  setting  forth  that  he  opened  the  election  at  the  town 


584  HISTORY  OP   YORK   COUNTY. 

of  York,  and,  with  the  assistance  o±  seven  inspectors,  began 
to  take  the  poll,  and  continued  regularly  and  quietly  for 
some  time,  until  the  multitude  of  people,  chielly  Germans, 
armed  with  sticks  and  billets  of  wood,  excited  and  encour- 
ged  by  Nicholas  Ryland,  the  coroner,  began  to  beat  and 
drive  away  all  the  people  from  about  the  court  house,  v/here- 
upon  he,  Hamilton,  with  Patrick  Watson,  Esq.,  one  of  the 
justices  of  the  peace,  went  out  to  pacify  them,  and  used 
their  endeavors,  but  in  vain,  for  they  were  both  struck  by 
the  people,  and  with  difficulty  escaped  back  into  the  house, 
and  then  he  suspended  taking  the  poll,  in  hopes  the  tumult 
would  subside;  but  the  people  grew  more  outrageous, 
broke  the  windows,  and  throwing  stones  and  brickbats ;  he 
and  four  of  the  inspectors  were  obliged  to  quit  the  house, 
through  a  back  window;  whereupon  the  rioters  took  posses- 
sion of  the  court  house,  and  the  box  with  the  ballots — that 
about  one-fourth  of  an  hour  after  this,  he  returned  to  the 
court  house,  in  order  to  go  on  with  the  election,  but  was 
refused  admittance — the  coroner,  with  three  remaining  in- 
spectors, having  assumed  to  continue  the  polls,  and  being 
supported  by  the  outrageous  multitude,  kept  possession  of 
the  box,  whereby  he  was  disabled  from  making  a  regular 
return." 

This  is  the  Sheriff's  statement.  The  others  were  also 
heard,  by  petition,  which  cast  some  additional  light  on  the 
subject.  The  petition  sets  forth  that,  Hans  Hamilton  did 
not  open  the  election  till  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  which 
caused  no  little  uneasiness  among  the  people.  That  Hamil- 
ton's party,  the  Marsh  creek  people,  gathered  about  the 
election  house  to  give  in  their  tickets  and  would  not  sulfer 
the  Dutch  people  and  other  friends  to  come  near  the  house, 
but  did  what  they  could  to  keep  them  off  with  clubs,  so  that 
the  Dutch  w^ere  obliged  to  do  the  best  they  could,  or  else 
go  home  without  voting ;  and  being  the  most  in  number, 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  585 

they  drove  the  people  from  the  house,  and  when  they  had 
done  so,  they  came  in  a  peaceable  manner  to  give  in  their 
votes;  but  when  the  Sheriff  saw  his  party  was  mastered,  he 
locked  up  the  box,  and  would  not  suffer  the  inspectors  tg 
take  away  more  tickets,  which  made  the  Dutch  people  an- 
gry, and  they  strove  to  break  into  the  house — and  then  the 
sober  people  desired  the  sheriff  to  continue  the  election ;  but 
he  would  not,  and  went  away  out  of  the  back  window,  sev- 
eral of  the  inspectors  going  with  him — and  then  the  free- 
holders desired  the  coroner  to  carry  on  the  election — which 
having  done  carefully  and  justly :  and,  afterwards,  the  sher- 
iff was  asked  to  come  and  see  the  votes  read,  and  an  ac- 
count taken  of  them;  but  he  refused,  &c. 

The  whole  matter  was  investigated — the  sheriff  was  called 
before  the  Assembly,  publicly  admonished  by  the  speaker, 
and  advised  to  preserve  better  order  in  future.* 

Nothing  of  a  local  nature  transpired  within  the  bounds  of 
the  county,  from  the  time  after  the  excitement  produced  by 
the  second  election,  till  after  the  defeat  of  General  Braddock, 
near  Pittsburg,  July  9,  1755,  when  on  a  sudden  the  people 
of  York  county,  as  well  as  the  western  inhabitants,  were 
thrown  into  the  utmost  consternation;  many  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  county  fled  to  the  more  densely  settled  parts — 
some  even  to  Wright's  ferry.  Here  even,  they  were  not 
deemed  safe — all  the  females  and  children,  at  the  latter 
place,  numbering  some  thirty  or  more,  were  removed. 

York  county  was  not  as  much  exposed  as  Cumberland, 
and  the  western  parts  of  Lancaster,  Berks  and  Northamp- 
ton were.  This  was  owing  to  its  peculiar  situation,  having 
Cumberland  on  its  north  and  northwestern  boundary,  as  a 
a  protection  against  the  incursions  of  the  Indians.     The  in- 

*  Votes  of  Assembly,  iv.,  133,  153. 
7 


586  HISTORY  OF  YORK   COUNTY. 

habitants  of  the  Great  Cove,*  which  was  west,  and  north-^ 
west  of  York  county,  and  then  within  the  southwestern  part 
of  Cumberland,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Conococheague,  took 
into  pay  a  band  of  thirty  or  more  hunters,  inured  to  hard- 
ships, and  well  acquainted  with  the  country;  intrepid  and 
resolute — under  the  command  of  a  person  who  had  been  an 
Indian  captain  for  many  years ;  who,  by  scouting  at  a  dis- 
tance, gave  timely  notice  of  danger.  To  these,  it  is  thought 
York  county  was  greatly  indebted  for  protection.  However, 
there  were  some  depredations  committed  within  the  then 
limits  of  York  county,  as  will  be  shown  in  the  sequel. 

Though  not  exposed,  as  many  of  their  fellow  citizens, 
whom  they  were  ready  to  protect,  the  situation  of  the  inha- 
bitants here,  was  far  from  being  enviable,  as  will  appear 
from  the  following  communication  to  Governor  Morris : — 
York,  Nov.  1st,  11  o'clock,  P.  M.,  1755, 
May  it  please  your  Honor : 

We  received  sundry  accounts  lately,  all  concurring  in  this, 
that  a  numerous  body  of  Indians,  and  some  French,  are  in 
this  province,  which  has  put  the  inhabitants  Aere  in  the 
greatest  confusion,  the  principal  of  whom  we  have  met  sun- 
dry times,  and  on  examination  find,  that  many  of  us  have 
neither  arms  nor  ammunition. 

*  The  settlement  in  the  Great  Cove,  on  the  north  side  of  the  North 
Mountain,  (30  or  40  miles  west  of  York|  county,)  was  attacked  Nov. 
3,  1755 — their  houses  burned,  six  persons  murdered,  and  seventeen 
carried  off,  and  the  whole  settlemetit  broken  up  and  destroyed. — Pro- 
vincial Records,  N.,  p.  251. 

From  the  following  extract,  taken  from  the   Pennsylvania  Gazette,  o 
Nov.  13,  1755,  the  names  of  the  murdered  and  missing  at  Great  Cove 
may  be  seen— "  Elizabeth  Gallway,  Henry  Gibson,  Robert  Peer,  Wil- 
liam Berryhill,  and  David  M'Clelland,  were  murdered. 

The  missing  are  John  Martin's  wife,  and  two  children,  and  a  young 
woman ;  Charles  Stewart's  wife  and  two  children ;  David  M'Clelland's 
wife  and  two  children.  "William  Fleming  and  wife  were  taken  pris- 
oners.   Fleming's  son,  and  one  Hicks,  were  killed  and  scalped." 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  587 

Herewith  we  send  you  a  copy  of  the  express,  just  arrived 
from  John  Harris's  ferry,  (Harrisburg,)  by  way  of  James 
Anderson's,  with  intelligence  that  the  Indians  emcamped  up 
Susquehanna,  within  a  day  or  two's  march  of  that  place, 
and  it  is  probable,  before  this  comes  to  hand,  part  of  those 
back  counties  may  be  destroyed. 

We  believe  there  are  men  enough  willing  to  bear  arms, 
and  go  out  against  the  enemy,  were  they  supplied  with  arms 
and  ammunition,  and  a  reasonable  allowance  for  their  time; 
but  without  this,  at  least  arms  and  ammunition,  we  fear  lit- 
tle to  no  purpose,  can  be  done. 

If  some  measures  are  not  speedily  fallen  upon,  we  must 
either  sit  at  home  till  we  are  butchered,  without  mercy  or 
resistance,  run  away,  or  go  out  a  confused  multitude,  desti- 
tute of  arms  and  ammunition,  and  without  discipline,  or  pro- 
per officers,  or  any  way  fixed,  or  to  be  suppHed  with  provis- 
ions. In  short,  we  know  not  what  to  do,  and  have  not  much 
time  to  deliberate. 

As  the  company  who  go  from  this  town,  and  parts  adja- 
cents,  to-morrow,  to  the  assistance  of  the  inhabitants  on  our 
frontiers,  will  take  almost  all  our  arms  and  ammunition  with 
them,  we  humbly  pray  your  honor,  to  order  us  some  arms 
and  ammunitions,  otherwise  we  must  desert  our  habitations.. 

We  have  sent  the  bearer,  expressly  with  this  letter,  and 
also  a  petition  to  the  Assembly,  which  our  people  were  sign- 
ing, when  the  express  came  to  hand. 

We  humbly  hope  your  Honor  will  excuse  this  freedom, 
which  our  distress  has  obliged  us  to  use,  and  beg  leave  to 
subscribe  ourselves. 

Honored  sir. 
Your  most  obedient  and  humble  servants, 
•George  Stevenson,  Hermanns  UpdegrafF,  Thomas  Armor, 

James  Smith,  John  Adlum. 


588  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

The  following  letter  from  John  Harris,  of  Harris's  Ferry, 
(Harrisburg,)  to  Governor  Morris,  will  cast  some  addi- 
tional light  on  this  point : 

Paxton,  October  20,  1755. 
May  it  please  your  Honor — 

I  was  informed  last  night,  by  a  person  that  came  down 
our  river,  that  there  was  a  Dutch  (German)  woman,  who 
made  her  escape  to  George  Gabriel's,  and  informs  us  that 
last  Friday  evening,  on  her  way  home  from  this  settlement, 
on  Mahahony,  or  Penn's  creek,  where  her  family  lived,  she 
called  at  a  neighbor's  house,  and  saw  two  persons  lying  by 
the  door  of  said  house,  murdered  and  scalped ;  and  there 
were  some  Dutch  (German)  families  that  lived  near  their 
places,  immediately  left,  not  thinking  it  safe  to  stay  any 
longer.  It  is  the  opinion  of  the  people  up  the  river,  that 
the  families  on  Penn's  creek  being  scattered,  that  but  few  in 
number  are  killed  or  carried  off,  except  the  above  said  wo- 
man, the  certainty  of  which  will  soon  be  known,  as  there  are 
some  men  gone  out  to  bury  the  dead. 

By  report,  this  evening,  I  was  likewise  informed  by  the 
belt  of  wampum,  and  these  Indians  here,  there  were  seen, 
near  Shamokin,  about  six  days  ago,  two  French  Indians  of 
the  Canawago  tribe.  I,  a  little  doubted  the  truth  of  the 
report  at  first ;  but  the  Indians  have  seemed  so  afraid,  that 
they  despatched  messengers,  immediately,  to  the  mountains, 
above  my  house,  to  bring  in  some  of  their  women  that  were 
gathering  chestnuts,  for  fear  of  their  being  killed. 

By  a  person  just  arrived  down  our  river,  brought  inform- 
ation of  two  men  being  murdered  within  five  miles  of  Geo. 
Gabriel's,  four  women  carried  off,  and  there  is  one  man 
wounded  in  three  places,  who  escaped  to  Gabriel's,  and  it  is 
imagined  that  all  the  inhabitants  on  Penn's  creek  and  Little 
Mahahony,  are  killed  or  carried  off,  as  most  of  them  live 
much  higher  up,  where  the  first  murder  was  discovered.  The 


I 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  589 

Indian  waraiors  here  send  you  these  two  strings  of  white 
\Kampum,  and  the  women  the  black  one,  both  requesting  that 
you  would  lay  by  all  your  council  pipes,  immediately,  and 
open  your  eyes  and  ears,  and  view  your  slain  people  in  this 
land,  and  to  put  a  stop  to  it  immediately,  and  come  to  this 
place  to  our  assistance  without  any  delay ;  and  the  belt  of 
wampum  particularly  mentions  that  the  proprietors  and  your 
honor  would  immediately  act  in  defence  of  their  country,  as 
the  old  chain  of  friendship  now  is  broken  by  several  nationin 
of  Indians,  and  it  seems  to  be  such  as  they  never  expected 
to  see  or  hear  of.  Any  delay  on  our  acting  vigorously  now 
at  this  time,  would  be  the  loss  of  all  Indian  interest,  and 
perhaps  our  ruin  in  these  parts. 

I  am  your  honor's 

Most  obedient  servant, 
'■'■  John  Harris. 

P.  S.  I  shall  endeavor  to  get  a  number  of  my  neighbors 
■fco  go  out  as  far  as  the  murder  has  been  committed;  and, 
perhaps,  to  Shamokin,  to  know  the  minds  of  the  Indians, 
and  their  opinions  of  these  times,  and  to  get  what  intelli- 
gence I  can  from  them,  and  to  encourage  some  of  their  young 
men  to  scout  about,  back  of  the  frontiers,  to  give  us  notice 
of  the  enemy's  approach,  if  possible,  at  any  time  hereafter. 
I  heartily  wish  your  honor  and  the  assembly,  would  please 
to  agree  on  some  method  at  this  time  towards  protecting 
this  province,  as  this  part  of  it  seems  actually  in  danger  now ; 
for  should  but  a  company  of  Indians  come  and  murder,  but 
a  few  families  hereabouts,  which  is  daily  expected,  the  situ- 
ation we  are  in,  would  oblige  numbers  to  abandon  their 
plantations,  and  our  cattle  and  provisions,  which  we  have 
plenty  of,  must  then  fall  a  prey  to  the  enemy. 

Our  Indians  here  seem  much  discouraged  at  the  large  num- 
ber of  families  passing  here,  every  day,  on  account  of  the 
'■  kte  murders  done  on  the  Potomack,  and  will  be  much  more 

^i  7* 


590  HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY. 

SO,  if  it  should  happen  to  be  our  case.  There  were  two  In- 
dian women  set  out  from  here  two  days  ago,  for  the  OhiOj 
to  bring  some  of  their  relations  (as  they  say)  down  here; 
and  should  the  French,  or  their  Indians,  hear  by  them,  as 
they  will  be  inquiring  for  news,  the  effect  that  their  late 
murders  has  had  among  our  inhabitants,  it  will  be  a  matter 
of  encouragement  to  them. 

I  conclude,  your  honor's 

Most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

John  Harris. 

During  the  French  and  Indian  war,  the  Indians  committed 
numerous  depredations  within  the  limits  of  York  county.  In 
1757,  August  17,  they  set  fire  to  William  Waugh's  barn, 
m  the  "  Tract:'  On  the  13th  of  April,  1758,  there  was  a 
man  killed,  and  nine  persons  abducted,  near  Archibald  Bard's, 
at  the  south  mountain.  On  the  21st  of  May,  onfe  man  and 
five  women  were  taken  from  the  Yellow  Breeches,* 

Richard  Bard  was  of  the  number  abducted.  Th«  follow- 
ing is  an  extract  from  a  thrilling  narrative  of  the  captivity 
of  Richard  Bard,  as  written  by  his  son,  collected  from  the 
manuscript  of  his  father : 

"  My  father,  Richard  Bard,  lived  in  York  coraty,  now 
Adams,  and  owned  the  mill,  now  called  Marshall's  mill,  in 
what  is  called  Carroll's  tract,  where,  on  the  morning  of  the 
13th  of  April,  1758,  his  house  was  invested  by  a  party  of 
nineteen  Indians.  They  were  discovered  by  a  little  girl, 
called  Hannah  M'Bride,  who  was  at  the  door,  and  on  see- 
ing them,  screamed,  and  ran  into  the  house. 

At  this  time,  there  were  in  the  house,  my  father,  mother 
and  Lieutenant  Thomas  Potter,  (brother  of  General  Potter) 
who  had  come  the  evening  before  (being  a  full  cousin)  to- 
gether with  a  child  of  about  six  months  old,  and  a  bound 
boy.  The  Indians  rushed  into  the  house,  and  one  of  them, 
Loudon's  Narrative. 


HISTORY   OF    YOKK   COUNTY.  591 

with  a  large  cutlass  in  his  hand,  made  a  blow  at  Potter,  but 
he  so  managed  it  as  to  wrest  the  sword  from  the  Indian,  and 
return  the  blow,  which  would  have  put  an  end  to  his  exist- 
ence, had  not  the  point  struck  the  ceiling,  which  turned  the 
sword  so  as  to  cut  the  Indian's  hand. 

In  the  meantime,  my  father,  (Mr.  Bard,)  laid  hold  of  a 
horseman's  pistol  that  hung  on  a  nail,  and  snapped  it  at  the 
breast  of  one  of  the  Indians,  but  there  being  tow  in  the  pan 
it  did  not  go  off;  at  this,  the  Indians  seeing  the  pistol,  ran 
out  of  the  house. 

By  this  time  one  of  the  Indians  at  the  door,  shot  at  Pot- 
ter, but  the  ball  took  him  only  in  the  little  finger..  The  door 
was  now  shut,  and  secured  as  well  as  possible ;  but  finding 
the  Indians  to  be  very  numerous,  and  having  no  powder  or 
ball,  and  as  the  savages  might  easily  burn  down  the.  house 
by  reason  of  the  thatched  roof,  and  the  quantity  of  mill  wood 
piled  at  the  back  of  the  building,  added  to  the  declarations 
of  the  Indians,  that  they  would  not  be  put  to  death,  deter- 
mined to  surrender ;  on  which  a  party  of  the  Indians  went  to 
a  field,  and  made  prisoners  Samuel  Hunter  and  Daniel  Mc- 
Manimy.  A  lad  of  the  name  of  William  White,  coming  to 
the  mill,  was  also  made  a  prisoner. 

At  the  distance  of  about  seventy  rods  frobi  the  house,  con- 
trary to  all  their  promises,  they  put  Thomas  Potter  to  death; 
and  having  proceeded  to  the  mountain  about  three  or  four 
miles,  one  of  the  Indiana  struck  the  spear  of  his  tomahawk 
into  the  bi-east  of  the  small  child,  and  after  repeated  blows 
scalped  it.  After  crossing  the  mountain,  they  passed  the 
house  of  Mr.  Halbert  T—  and  seeing  him  out,  shot  at  him, 
but  without  effect.  Thence  passing  late  in  the  evening 
M'Cord's  old  fort,  they  encamped  about  half  a  mile  in  the  gap 
— the  second  day  having  passed  into  the  Path  Valley,  they 
discovered  a  party  of  white  men  in  pursuit  of  them  ;  on  which 
they  ordered  the  prisoners  to  hasten,  for  should  the  whites 


592  '  HISTORY    OF    VORK    COUNTY.. 

5 

come  up  with  them,  they  should  be  all  tomahawked.  Hav- 
ing thus  hurried,  they  reached  the  top  of  the  Tuscarora 
mountain,  and  all  had  sat  down  to  rest,  when  an  Indian, 
without  any  previous  warning,  sunk  a  tomahawk  into  the 
forehead'  of  Samuel  Hunter — He  was  scalped  and  the  In- 
dians proceeded  on  their  journey,  &c."* 

The  Indians  were  constantly  prowling  in  quest  of  victims, 
and  while  the  contiguous  counties  presented  scenes  of  many 
murders,  the  savages  occasionally  fell,  as  is  their  custom, 
unawares  upon  the  people  of  this  county,  as  late  as  1759 ; 
for  on  the  29th  of  May,  of  that  year,  Mr.  Dunwiddie  and 
one  Crawford  were  shot  by  two  Indians  in  Carrol's  District, 
York  county.*  The  inhabitants  had  their  fears  and  hopes 
constantly  excited  till  the  close  of  the  French  and  Indian 
war. 

It  might  be  here  remarked,  that  York  county  furnished 
four  companies  of  foot  soldiers,  in  the  expedition  against 
Fort  Du  Quesne  in  1758,  w^hich  was  committed  to  General 
Forbes  at  the  head  of  8,000  men.  The  captains  from  York 
county  were,  Robert  M'Pherson,  Thomas  Hamilton,  David 
Hunter ;  the  Lieutenants  were  Andrew  Findlay,  James  Ew- 
ing,  Alexander  M'Kean,  Victor  King ;  the  ensigns  were 
William  Haddin,  Peter  Mim,  James  Armstrong  and  William 
M'Dowell. 

From  the  following  letter,  it  will  be  seen  that  John  Mann 
had  been  taken  by  the  Indians  from  York,  now  Adams 
county. 

Albany,  June  15,  1761. 
Hon.  Gov.  Hamilton — 
Sir: 
Amongst  the  children  lately  sent,  that  had  been  in  the 

*  Loudon's  Narrative,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  57-65, 


HISTORY  OF    YORK    COUNTY.  5913 

hands  of  the  Indians,  and  some  that  had  been  secreted  bv 
the  Canadians,  I  find  there  are  six  that  were  taken  in  the 
government  of  Pennsylvania,  and  two  in  Virginia.  All 
whom  I  send  you,  with  the  enclosed  return,  which  contains 
all  the  intelligence  I  can  give  you  of  them,  and  I  beg  leave 
you  will  be  pleased  to  deliver  them  to  their  parents  or  rela- 
tions, and  forward  the  two  belonging  to  Virginia,  with  a 
proper  passport,  that  they  may  be  restored  to  their  parents. 
The  person  whom  I  have  sent  with  these  children,  has 
received  provisions  for  them  during  their  passport,  and  has 
my  orders,  on  his  arrival  at  Amboy,  to  pro\ide  them  with 
what  they  may  want,  and  proceed  with  them  to  Philadel- 
phia. 

I  am,  with  great  regard, 
Sir, 
Your  obedient  and  humble 
Servant, 

Jeff.  Amherst, 


RETURN  OF  CHILDREN,  &c. 

Nicholas  Silvias,  of  Plowpark,  in  Pennsylvania,  taken  in 
1755,  by  the  Indians. 

John  Mann,  of  Marsh  creek,  in  Pa.,  taken  in  1758,  by 
the  Indians. 

Frederick  Payer,  of  Low  Bergen,  Pa.,  taken  in  1756. 
His  father  killed ;  but  his  mother  is,  he  believes,  still  living. 

Anne  Coon,  of  Pa.,  her  mother  died,  and  her  father  was 
taken  at  the  same  time. 

Isaac  Toople,  taken  near  Presque  Isle,  in  1756. 

Mary  Williams,  daughter  of  one  Daniel  Williams,  taken 
by  the  Indians,  on  Delaware,  above years  ago — be- 
lieves her  father  and  mother  were  killed. 


HS^ 


594 


HiaiUitX    OF   YORK    COUNTY. 


Peter  Dawson,  of  Virginia,  taken  in  1755,  near  the 
Ohio. 

Richard  Underwood — taken  about  Winchester — belongs 
to  Virginia. 

James  Cristis,  upon  examination,  appears  to  belong  to  the 
Mohawk  river,  and  therefore  is  not  sent. 


HISTORY   OP    YORK   COUNTY.  595 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Tranquility  restored — Boundary  line  determined  and  settled — Hano- 
ver laid  out — "  Rogues  Resort,"  &c. — Difficulties  at  York — Relief 
afforded  to  the  Boston  sufferers — Proceedings,  &c. — ^Donations  or 
contributions — From  Yo^  town,  Germany  township,  Manheim, 
Manchester,  Shrewsbury,  Dover,  Fa"wn,  Codorus,  and  Paradise. 

After  the  close  of  the  French  and  Indian  war,  and  when  the 
fears  of  the  people  were  quieted,  which  had  been  excited 
from  the  massacres  committed  by  the  Indians,  and  the  vexed 
question  touching  the  boundary  line  between  the  province  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,*  had  been  settled,  "  the  wil- 
derness" began  again  to  blossom,  and  towns  were  laid  out; 
for  in  the  year  1764,  Richard  M'AlUster  laid  out  lots,  in  the 
woods,  where  now  Hanover  is.  It  is  recorded,  "  that  when 
the  rumor  of  Mr.  M'Allister's  intention,  of  laying  out  a 
town,  was  spread,  throughout  the  neighborhood,  the  people 

*  Thomas  and  Richard  Penn,  and  Lord  Baltimore,  July  4,  1760, 
jointly, appointed  commissioners  to  finally  adjust  the  boundary.  Those 
for  Maryland,  were  Horatio  Sharpe,  Benjamin  Tasker,  Jr.,  Edward 
Lloyd,  Robert  Jenkins  Henry,  Daniel  Dulany,  Stephen  Bordley,  and 
Rev.  Alexander  Malcolm.  On  the  part  of  Pennsylvanja,  the  Hon. 
James  Hamilton,  William  Allen,  Richard  Peters,  Benjamin  Chew, 
Lynford  Lardner,  Ryves  Holt,  and  George  Stevenson. 

While  the  committee  were  engaged  in  their  labors,  the  following 
persons  were  appointed,  on  the  part  of  Maryland,  to  supply  vacancies: 
the  Rev.  John  Bordley,  George  Stuart,  Daniel,  of  St.  Thos.  Janifer,  and 
John  Beal  Boardly.  On  the  part  of  Pennsylvania,  Rev.  John  Ewing, 
William  Coleman,  Edward  Shippen,  and  Thomas  Willing. 

The  commissioners  convened  at  Newcastle,  Nov.  19, 1760 — made  a 
final  report,  Nov.  9,  1763.  Mason  and  Dixon  were  employed  to  run 
the  line.    The  warm  controversy  ended. 


596  HisTORy  OF  york  county. 

generally  laughed  at  his  project,  and  considered  it  the  effect 
of  a  wild  fancy. 

"  A  very  aged  and  respectable  lady  of  a  remarkable  re- 
tentive memory,  related  some  years  ago,  the  following  an- 
ecdote on  this  subject.  "  A  certain  farmer  in  those  days  re- 
turning to  his  family  after  some  visits  through  the  neighbor- 
hood, thus  addressed  his  "  home-half  ,''  in  the  presence  of 
the  lady  above  alluded  to — "  Mammy  !  mammy  !  (this  was 
the  endearing  appellation  of  Germans  to  their  wives  in  those 
days  of  simplicity)  mammy,  I  say,  I  have  great,  great  news 
to  tell  you — Richard  M'Alister  is  going  to  Tnake  a  town.' 
Mammy,  after  some  pointed  inquiries  and  observations,  sar- 
castingly  remarked,  or  rather  exclaimed  sneeringly :  ^  Ha ! 
Ha ! !  Ha ! !  I  I  am  afraid  that  man  will  turn  a  fool,  at  last — 
I  thing  he'll  call  his  new  town.  Hickory  town.'  The  place 
where  the  new  town  was  located  was  near,  an  almost  im- 
penetrable hickory  grove." 

M'Alister  proceeded.  "  His  farm  house  is  yet  in  existence. 
It  is  a  two  story  building  on  Baltimore  street.  Eut  the  first 
house  erected  in  town  proper,  was  built  in  1764  by  Ja- 
cob Nusser — a  one  story  log  house  on  Frederick  street. 
Soon  a  few  other  buildings  were  erected,  and  the  progress  of 
improvement  gradual." 

Hanover  was  known  for  some  years  as  M'Allistertown — 
and  it,  and  vicinity  were  not  improperly,  prior  to  the  Revo- 
lution of  '76,  called  ^^ Rogue's  Resort;"  for  all  refugees  from 
Justice  resorted  to  this  place.  The  reason  of  this  was  sim- 
ply, that  so  long  as  the  disputed  boundary  between  the  two 
provinces,  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  was  not  adjusted. 
Lord  Baltimore  and  the  Penns  alike  claimed  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Hanover.  Both  claiments  granted  rights  to  settlers, 
and  so  long  as  the  boundary  was  not  defined,  the  laws  of 
neither  province  were  inforced  against  delinquents,  and  re- 
fugees from  justice  here. 


HISTORY  OF    YOaK   COUNTY. 


597 


:;C**  If  the  sheriff  of  York  county  .could  catch  the  deUnquent  one 
half  mile  out  of  town,  in  a  north  western  direction,  then  he 
might  legally  make  him  his  prisoner  under  the  authority  of 
the  courts  of  this  county  ;  but  in  town  not  nearer  than  that, 
had  he  any  ministerial  power. 

"An  anecdote  has  been  related,  by  a  respectable,  old  gen- 
tlemen of  Hanover,  which  deserves  credit.  A  number  of 
robbers  having  broken  into  the  store  of  the  proprietor,  Mr. 
M'Allister,  he  seized  them  and  conveyed  them  to  York  for 
safe  keeping ;  but  the  sheriff  refused  to  receive  them,  with  the 
remark,  "You  of  Hanover,  wish  to  be  independent,  there- 
fore, punish  your  villains  yourselves."  The  past  strongly 
•  reminded  the  officer,  of  their  pleaded  privileges. 

In  York,  where  difficulties  occasionally  presented  them- 
selves, "from  its  foundation,"  some  more  of  these  again 
presented  themselves,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  following 
communication,  addressed  to  Mr.  Peters,  Secretary  of  the 
Land  Office : 

York,  June  »th,  1764. 

"Yesterday,  at  6  o'clock,  P.  M.,  Mr.  Homel  and  myself, 
met  the  two  Doudels  together,  with  sundry  inhabitants  of 
this  place,  to  try  to  settle  the  differences  between  them, 
about  the  lots  lately  granted  to  Michael,  on  the  west  side  of 
Codorus  creek,  and  south  side  of  High  street,  continued. 

"After  many  things  said  on  both  sides,  Michael  proposed 
to  bind  himself,  by  any  reasonable  instrument  of  writing, 
not  to  build  a  tan  yard  on  the  said  lots  for  the  space  of  five 
years  next  to  come — which  I  thought  was  reasonable^  But 
nothing  would  satisfy  Jacob  but  the  lots;  and  he  offered  to 
give  Michael  the  two  opposite  lots,  on  the  other  side  of  High 
street,  and  to  plough  them  and  fence  them,  (for  Michael  has 
ploughed  and  fenced  his.")  This  offer  gave  great  offence 
to  all  the  company.  "What,"  said  they,  "is  nobody  to 
have  a  lot  but  the  two  Doudtis .''" 

7 


598  HISTORY   OF    YO^RK   CfOUNTT. 

For  ray  own  part,  I  do  acknowledge,  they  are  industrrous 
men,  and  deserve  a  lot  as  well  as  their  neighbors ;  but  at  the 
same  time,  there  are  other  people,  who  have  paid  dear  for 
lots  here,  and  have  improved  them  well,  and  deserve  lots  as 
well  as  they. 

Sundry  persons  are  building  in  the  proprietor's  lots,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  creek,  saying  they  deserve,  and  want  lots, 
as  well  as  the  Doudels.  I  think  an  immediate  stop  ought 
to  be  put  to  this;  otherwise,  it  will  be  productive  of  great 
trouble  to  you. 

I  make  free  to  write  this  account  of  these  things,  to  put 
you  upon  your  guard,  and  beg  leave  to  advise  you  not  to 
grant  any  other  lots,  until  I  see  you,  which  will  be  in  about 
two  weeks.  In  the  meantime,  I  shall  lay  out  the  parson's 
lot  for  his  pasture,  and  shall  bring  down  an  exact  draught 
of  it,  and  all  the  low  bottom  lands. 

Pray,  let  me  hear  from  you  about  these  people  that  will 
build,  and  have  built — Fas  aut  nefas. 

I  am,  &c. 

George  Stevenson. 

As  stated  above,  tranquility  seemed  to  pervade  York 
county,  except  some  slight  disturbances  from  some  local 
causes,  and  these  were  confined  to  the  places  producing 
them,  till  about  1772  or  1773,  when  the  citizens'  blood  was 
stirred  with  a  feeling  of  sympathy  towards  their  suffering, 
though  distantly  situated  fellow  citizens — the  Bostonians— 
and  a  feeling  of  disgust  and  indignation  at  the  mother 
country. 

The  measures  in  the  Eritish  Parhament,  from  1765  to 
1772,*  eventuated  in  an  open  rupture  bntween  America  and 

*  "This  year,  1772,  there  was  an  uncoramon^fall  of  snow  ni  York 
county.  On  the  27th  of  Januaiy  the  snow  was  about  three  feet  and  a 
half  deep.  A  heavy  rain  came  on,  which,  freezing,  formed  a  thick 
crust — aU  York  county  turned  out  to  chase  deer;  for  it  was^^with 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY.  599 

Great  Britain.  All  are  familiar  with  the  noble  deed  of  the 
Bostonians'  throwing  "the  taxed  tea  overboard"^ — and  the 
consequent  mission  of  Gen.  Gage,  from  Britain,  "  to  dragoon 
the  Bostonians  into  compliance."  At  this  time  the  Bosto- 
nians suffered  much — the  sympathies  of  their  fellow  citizens 
were  excited  in  their  behalf.  York  county,  though  several 
hundred  miles  distant  from  their  suffering  brethren,  felt 
''  feelingly  for  them,''  and  did  as  much  as  lay  in  their  power 
to  relieve  them  from  their  distresses. 

Meetings  were  called,  funds  and  provisions  raised,  and  for- 
warded to  Boston,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  following  com- 
munication, from  the  committee  of  York  county,  to  John 
Hancock  and  Thomas  Gushing,  Esqrs.,  committee  for  re- 
ceiving and  distributing  donations  for  the  poor  of  Boston. 

York  town,  April  13, 1775. 
Honored  Friends  and  Countrymen : 

Sorry  are  we  to  hear  that  the  hand  of  oppression  still  bears 
hard  on  your  city,  and  that  the  distresses  of  your  poor  are 
not  yet  alleviated.  If  your  misfortunes  and  sufferings  could 
be  divided,  the  inhabitants  of  this  county  would  cheerfully 
bear  a  part.  This,  it  seems,  cannot  be  done — your  destined 
town  must  stand  the  shock  alone.  We  want  words  to  ex- 
press the  high  sense  we  have  for  your  conduct  and  virtue; 
fevr  men  in  the  world  would  have  opposed  despotism,  and 
stood  the  torrent  of  ministerial  vengeance  with  so  much  stea- 
diness, intrepidity,  and  resolution,  as  the  inhabitants  of  your 
town  and  country  have  done.  You  have  true  notions  of 
hberty.  You  have  purchased  it.  You  ought  to  enjoy  it. 
The  noble  stand  made  by  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  if  faith- 
fully adhered    to,  has  laid  the  foundation  of  establishing 

■auch  difficulty  the  deer  could  get  along  at  all ;  the  crust  bearing  the 
pursuer,  and  thus  the  deer  were  readily  taken.  Thus  this  gcnus^cervm 
vrere  nearly  wholly  extirpated  in  this  county.  Previous  to  that,  deer 
were  numerous." 


600  HISTORr    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

Atnerican  liberty  on  the  most  firm  bases.  The  other  colo- 
nies will  be  equal  gainers  by  a  favorable  termination  of  the 
conquest,  and  will  not  desert  you  in  the  time  of  danger ;  they 
\7ill,  doubtless,  grant  you  the  most  effectual  assistance. 

This  county,  upon  the  earliest  intelligence  of  your  dis- 
tress, forwarded  subscriptions  for  the  poor  of  Boston.  Grain 
was  generally  subscribed — we  expected  to  have  sent  it  last 
fall,  but  could  not  collect  it  at  any  sea-port  before  the  win- 
ter season  came  on,  so  that  the  shipping  of  it  was  postponed 
till  the  spring.     Upon  the  meeting  of  the  committee  of  this 
county,  in  February  last,  shortly  after  the  receipt  of  the 
King's  speech  to  the  Parliament,  it  was  thought  it  would 
not  be  safe  to  send  grain.     The  committee,  therefore,  deter- 
mined to  convert  the  grain  into  cash,  and  remit  the  sum  in 
specie  or  bills  of  exchange  to  you.    Your  poor  have  suffered 
much  by  this  resolution,  as  the  price  of  wheat  is  greatly 
fallen.     The  subscriptions  of  but  a  part  of  the  county  are 
yet  come  in.     We  send  you  the  sum  of  £246, 8^.  and  lOd., 
to  be  remitted  to  you  in  bills  of  exchange,  or  specie,  by 
Messrs.  Jonathan  B.  Smith,  and  John  Mitchell,  merchants 
of  Philadelphia,  which,  be  pleased  to  distribute  among  our 
poor  and  unhappy  countrymen  in  your  town,  or  in  its  neigh- 
borhood, in  such  a  manner  as  you  shall  think  proper.     As 
there  are  a  few  disaffected  people  in  this  province,  we  must 
trouble  you  to  publish  the  receipt  of  the  donations,  as  is 
mentions  in  the  enclosed  paper,* 

*  The  Committee  of  Boston  received  the  sum  of  £246,  8s.  lOd,  val- 
ued at  the  rate  of  Pennsylvania  money,  being  donations  from  a  part 
of  the  county  of  York,  in  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  to  the  poor 
of  Boston,  and  its  neighborhood ;  subscribed  as  follows  :  York  town, 
£124,  10s.  9d.  Heidelberg  township,  £36, 17s.  5d.  Germany  township, 
£16,  2s.  Qd.  Manheim,  by  the  hands  of  Adam  Eichelberger,  £5,  15s. 
6c?.— by  the  hands  of  Michael  Karl,  £5,  9s.  9d.—by  the  hands  of  David 
Newman,"£3,  16s.  3c?.  Manchester  township,  from  the  following,  by 
the  hands  of  Michael  Smyser,  £6,  12s.  1(?.— Simon  Cappenhoffer,  £2, 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  601 

Your  friends  here  are  numerous,  and  most  heartily  inter- 
est themselves  in  your,  favor.  As  soon  as  the  rest  of  the 
subscriptions  in  the  county  are  paid,  we  shall  cheerfully  re- 
mit the  same  to  you. 

We  wish  you  a  speedy  relief  from  all  your  sufferings,  and 
are,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  real  friends, 
and  most  obedient  humble  servants, 

James  Smith,  Pres.  Com. 

George  Eichelberger,  Michael  Doudle,  David  Grier,  Mi- 
chael Swope,  Peter  Reel,  Thomas  Hartley,  George  Fuvin^ 
Jas.  Donaldson,  Michael  Smyser,  Balzer  Spangler,  John 
Hay,  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  York  county. 

17s.  7f?.— Jacob  Hark,  £G,  18s.  Gd.  Shrewsberry  township,  £10,  Os.  Od 
Dover  township,  £6,  9s.  Od.  Fawn,  £6,  Os.  Od.  Codorus,  £2,  16s.  6d. 
Dover  township,  62A  bushels  of  wheat,  and  J  bushel  of  r3-e.  Manches- 
ter township,  39^  bushels  of  wheat.  Paradise  township,  20  bushels  of 
wheat.  Codorus  township,  5  bushels  of  wheat,  and  ^  bushel  of  rye 
York  township,  4  bushels,  of  wheat — paft  of  which  grain  has  been 
made  into  flour  and  sold  here,  £16,  13s.  3d. 

£246,  8s.  lOd. 


602  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Revolution — Meeting  at  York — Meetings  of  Committee,  &c. — 
Companies  formed  in  York  town — Address  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Delegates  in  Congress — A  company  marches  to  Boston — Committee 
of  safety,  and  committee  of  correspondence  appointed — More  com- 
panies formed — Flying  camp — Officers  of  companies — Remarks — 
Congress  meets  at  York — Extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the 
Journal,  &c. — Correspondence,  &c. 

The  transition  from  the  defensive,  to  open  resistance,  on 
account  of  its  proximity,  is  natural  and  easy.  The  course 
pursued  by  the  mother  country,  roused  the  people  of  the  co- 
lonies. The  opposition  of  the  Bostonians  to  Gen.  Gage 
was  approved  by  Congress  then  assembled  at  Philadelphia, 
(Sept.  7,  1774)  Committees  were  everywhere  appointed.— 
No  where  was  the  love  of  liberty  earlier  and  more  lively 
displayed  than  in  York  county.  Meetings  were  called  by 
committees  for  that  purpose,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  follow- 
ing :— 

YoRKTowN,  June  24,  1774. 
In  consequence  of  a  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Phila- 
delphia, the  inhabitants  of  this  town  met  on  Monday,  the 
21st  ult.,  Michael  Swope,  Esq.,  was  appointed  chairman, 
who  explained  the  design  and  cause  of  the  meeting;  the  dis- 
tressed state  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston;  and  the  nature 
and  tendency  of  the  Acts  of  Parliament  lately  passed.  Af- 
ter due  deliberation,  the  following  resolves  were  come  into, 
nem  con. 

1.  That  we  will  concur  with  our  brethren  of  Philadelphia 
and  Sister  colonies,  in  any  constitutional  measure,  in  order 
to  obtain  redress. 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  60o 

2.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Boston  are  now  suffering  in  the  common  cause  of 
liberty. 

3.  It  is  directed,  that  to  obtain  the  sense  of  our  fellow  in- 
habitants of  York  county  upon  the  present  important  and 
alarming  occasion,  notice  shall  be  given  to  the  inhabitants 
of  this  county,  that  they,  or  such  as  shall  be  delegated  by 
the  several  townships  in  the  county,  do  meet  at  the  court 
house,  in  York  town,  on  Monday,  the  4th  of  July  next,  at 
one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  to  enter  into  such  resolves  as 
may  be  for  the  public  good,  and  tend  to  restore  the  liberties 
of  British  America. 

A  committee  of  thirteen  persons  was  then  appointed  for 
this  town,  to  remain  till  altered  by  any  other  general  meet- 
ting,  which  they  were  authorized  and  directed  to  call. 

Several  meetings  were  held  between  the  4th  of  July  and 
the  month  of  December,  adopting  decisive  measures. 

Agreeable  to  notice  given  to  the  Freeholders  and  inhabi- 
tants of  York  county,  entitled  to  vote  for  members  of  As- 
sembly, a  respectable  number  of  them  met  at  the  court 
house,  in  York,  December  16,  1774. 

James  Dickson,  Philip  Rothrock,  John  Hay,  Michael 
Hahn,  and  Richard  Bott,  were  appointed  judges  of  the 
election. 

Whereupon  the  electors  proceeded  to  vote  by  ballot,  and 
the  following  persons  were  duly  chosen  as  a  committee  for 
that  county,  Henry  Slegle,  Joseph  Donaldson,  George 
Eichelberger,  George  Irwin,  John  Hay,  Archibald  M'Lean, 
David  Grier,  David  Kennedy,  Thomas  Fisher,  John  Kean, 
John  Houston,  George  Kuntz,  Simon  Coppenheffer,  Joseph 
Jefferies,  Robert  M'Corley,  Michael  Hahn,  Baltzer  Speng- 
ler,  Daniel  MefFerly,  Nicholas  Bittinger,  Michael  Davis, 
Jacob  Dahtel,  Frederick  Fischel,  James  Dickson,  William 
M'Clellan,   of  Cumberland   township,   William   Cathcart, 


^04  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

Patrick  Scott,  Michael  Dautel,  Michael  Bard,  Casper  Rein- 
ecker,  Henry  Liebhard,  John  Maxwell,  George  Oge,  John 
0.  Blenes,  Wm.  Dill,  Henry  Banta,  sen.,  William  Kilmary, 
Wiffiam  Chesne,  Francis  Holton,  Peter  Reel  and  Andrew 
Finley ;  and  ten  of  whom,  with  their  President  or  Vice 
President,  (if  their  attendance  can  be  had)  to  do  business, 
•except  in  such  case  in  which  other  regularities  may  be 
made. 

This  committe  is  chosen  in  such  a  manner,  that  there  is 
at  least  one  of  that  body  in  each  township  of  Ihe  county,  so 
that  the  inhabitants  .  of  the  several  districts  will  have  the 
earliest  intelligence  of  any  material  transactions,  or  may  be 
assembled  upon  important  business  on  the  shortest  notice. 

On  the  day  following  the  election,  the  committee  met  at 
the  same  place,  when  they  elected  James  Smith,  President, 
Thomas  Hartley,  Vice  President,  John  Hay,  Treasures, 
and  George  Lewis  Lefler,  Clerk  of  the  Committee. 

The}'  formed  Rules  to  direct  them  in  the  course  of  their 
proceedings,  entered  into  measures  for  the  raising  of  a  fund 
to  defray  the  expense  of  communicating  intelligence,  and 
give  instructions  for  the  forwarding  the  subscriptions  for  the 
poor  at  Boston.  They  then  adjourned  to  Thursday,  the 
29th  day  of  December,  instant,  of  the  court  house,  York. 
Geo.  Lewis  Lefler,  Clerk  of  Com. 

This  meeting  was  soon  followed  by  a  second  one,  held  at 
York,  the  14th  of  February,  1775. 

The  committee  took  into  consideration  the  proceedings  of 
the  late  Provincial  convention,  &c. 

1.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  we  heartily  approve  of 
the  proceedings  of  that  convention. 

2.  The  committee,  apprehending,  that  from  the  non-im- 
portation agreement,  and  the  present  state  of  public  affairs, 
unless  great  care  be  taken,  there  would,  in  a  short  time,  be 
a  scarcity  of  gunpowder,  which  is  so  necessary  to  our  In- 


HISTORY   OP   YORK   COUNTY.  600 ; 

•dian  trade,  and  the  hunters  of  this  province.  Therefore, 
Resolved,  That  w^e  recommend  it  to  the  several  members  of 
this  committee,  that  they,  in  their  respective  townships,  with 
the  assistance  of  the  township  committee  men,  do  discourage 
the  consuming  of  that  article,  but  for  the  most  useful  pur- 
poses. 

3.  It  being  represented  that  sundry  persons  in  this  county 
had  formed  themselves  into  military  associations,  and  that 
they  would  discontinue  them  if  disagreeable  to  this  commit- 
tee; upon  consideration  of  which.  Resolved;  unanimously, 
That  we  would  by  no  means  discourage  these  proceedings; 
on  the  contrary,  we  are  of  opinion  that  said  associations,  if 
conducted  with  prudence,  moderation,  and  a  strict  regard  to 
good  order,  under  the  direction  of  a  man  of  probity  and 
understanding,  would  tend  much  to  the  security  of  this 
country,  against  the  attempts  of  our  enemies. 

4.  Resolved,  unanimously.  That  w^e  recommend  to  the 
inhabitants  of  this  country,  a  strict  adherence  to  the  Asso- 
ciation of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  the  directions  of  our 
late  provincial  convention;  and  that,  in  case  any  township 
committee  should  meet  with  obstructions  in  carrying  the  same 
into  execution,  that  we  will,  and  the  rest  of  the  county, 
ought  to  assist  them. 

5.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  tow^nship  committee 
men  in  this  county  ought,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  collect  the 
flour  and  grain  subscribed  for  the  poor  of  Boston,  and  con- 
rert  the  same  into  cash;  and  that  they  immediately  pay 
such  cash  and  all  other  moneys  subscribed,  into  the  hands 
of  Messrs.  John  Donaldson  and  George  Irwin,  who,  with 
the  direction  of  any  ten  of  the  committee,  are  to  remit  the 
same  in  Bills  of  Exchange  to  the  committee  of  Boston,  for 
the  poor  of  that  place. 

6.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  in  case  the  committee 
of  correspondence  of  this  Province  appointed  at  the  last 


606  HISTORY    OP    YORK    COUNTY. 

convention,  shall  think  proper,  or  if  a  majority  of  the  coun- 
ty committee  shall  consider  it  expedient  that  another  Pro- 
vincial convention  should  be  held,  we  do  appoint  James 
Ewing,  Michael  Swope,  James  Smith,  Thomas  Hartley^ 
and  Henry  Slegle,  Esqrs.,  and  George  Irwin,  George  Eich- 
elberger,  David  Kennedy,  and  John  Houston,  or  any  five 
or  more  of  them,  as  the  deputies  of  this  county  to  attend 
such  committee,  and  to  agree  to  such  matters  and  things  as 
may  be  deemed  necessary  for  the  safety  and  welfare  of  this 
province,  or  the  common  cause  of  American  Liberty. 

Extracts  from  the  proceedings  of  the  said  committee. 
George  Lewis  Lefler,  Clk.  Com. 

In  the  interim  companies  were  formed  as  early  as  De- 
cember 1774  "in  the  town  of  York,  the  object  of  which 
was  to  make  soldiers,  w^ho  would  be  well  disciplined  for 
battle  in  case  the  disaffection  then  existing  towards  Eng- 
land, should  proceed  to  open  hostilities.  The  officers  of 
this  company  were  James  Smith,  Capt. ;  Thomas  Hartley, 
First  Lieut. ;  David  Green,  Second  Lieut. ;  and  Henry 
Miller,  Ensign.  Each  ol  these  officers,  thus  early  attached 
to  the  cause  of  liberty,  w^as  much  distinguished  in  the  subse- 
quent history  of  the  country.  The  first  was  a  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  ;  the  second,  a  Colonel  in  the 
Revolution,  and  for  eleven  years  a  member  of  Congress; 
the  third,  and  the  fourth,  each  was  a  distinguished  officer, 
and  "  acquired  a  fame  and  a  name "  connected  with  the 
cause  they  so  ardently  espoused.* 

"  A  second  company  was  formed  in  York  town,  Februa- 
ry 1755.  The  officers  w^ere,  Hartman  Deustch,  Captain  ; 
Mr.  Grubb,  First  Lieut.;  Philip  Entler,  Second  Lent. ;  and 
Luke  Rause,  Ensign. "f 

While  these  preliminaries  were  making,  the  committee  of 

*  Gloss  brenner's  His.  of  York  cc,  77. 
t  Ibid. 


HiStORY   OF   YORK   COCNTY.  607 

York  county  addressed  the  Pennsylvania  Delegates  in  Con- 
gress. 

York  town,  July  1,  1775. 
Gentlemen : 

We  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  favor  of  the  15th 
ultimo,  enclosing  a  resolve  of  the  Continental  Congress  of 
the  14th  ultimo.  We  immediately  summoned  the  committee 
of  this  county,  and  laid  before  them  your  letter,  &c.  The 
committee  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  officers  fit  to  be  re- 
commended to  the  Congress,  to  command  the  company  of' 
riflemen  to  be  raised,  and  appointed  six  commissioners  to 
provide  the  necessaries  for  them.  Every  resolve  passed  in 
committee  with  the  greatest  unanimity,  and  the  gentlemen 
of  York  town,  after  the  meetmg,  dispersed  themselves 
through  the  county,  and  assisted  the  officers  in  recruiting. 

The  spirit  of  the  people,  on  this  occasion,  gave  the  com- 
mittee infinite  spirit.  The  men  seemed  actuated  with  the 
greatest  zeal,  and  thought  themselves  honored  in  having 
their  names  enrolled  among  the  sons  of  liberty,  who  are  to 
fight  for  their  country,  and  in  defence  of  their  dearest  rights 
and  privileges.  The  only  uneasiness  they  feel  is,  that  they 
are  not  this  moment  at  the  scene  of  action.  From  the  spirit 
of  the  soldiers,  we  entertain  the  most  flattering  hopes  that 
they  will  prove  serviceable  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  re- 
flect honor  on  this  county. 

The  principal  people  here  have  caught  the  spirit  of  the 
honorable  Congress,  and  in  their  small  circle  have  done 
every  thing  in  their  power  to  animate  their  neighbors  to 
stand  forth  in  this  day  of  despotism,  and  resist  the  arbitrary 
and  unjust  measures  of  Parliament  with  all  the  power  which 
Heaven  has  given  them.  And  we  have  the  pleasure  to  in- 
form you  that  their  labors  have  not  been  in  vain,  and  that 
the  county  is  ready  to  strain  every  nerve  to  put  nto  execu- 


608  HISTORY   OF   YORK  GOUNTY. 

tion  any  measures  which  the  Congress  may  judge  nejCessar  j 
to  our  common  defence. 

The  officers  now  take  the  hberty  to  recommend  to  you. 
Captain  Michael  Dowdle,  Lieuts.  Henry  Miller,  John 
Dill  and  John  Watson.  They  are  men  whose  courage  » 
we  have  the  highest  opinion  of.  The  company  including 
the  officers  and  soldiers,  are  beyond  the  number  fixed  for 
this  county,  and  as  General  Gates  thought  it  improper  to 
discharge  any,  we  have  sent  all. 

We  request  the  favor  of  you  that  proper  care  be  takeu 
that  none  are  draughted  out  of  their  company  into  another. 
This  is  the  request  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  county,  many 
of  them  having  their  dearest  friends  engaged  in  the  service, 
and  would  not  by  any  means  have  them  taken  from  their 
present  officers. 

We  hope  no  alteration  will  be  made  in  the  officers.  The 
captain  has  behaved  very  well  on  this  occasion,  and  has 
done  all  in  his  power,  by  advancing  money,  &c.  to  forward 
the  important  common  cause. 

Mr.  Miller  is  known  to  some  of  you,  gentlemen.  The 
other  officers  are  men  of  worth  and  property ;  they  have  all 
wives  and  families,  and  are  entitled  to  the  warmest  thanks 
of  their  country. 

The  commissioners  appointed  to  provide  missions  for  the 
men,  will  forward  their  accounts  as  soon  as  they  possibly 
can. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servants, 
James  Smith,  George  Irvin,  John  Kean,  Joseph  Donaldson, 
Thomas  Hartley,  Michael  Hahn. 

"  The  first  company  that  marched  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Boston,  was  a  rifle  company  from  the  towli  of  York — they 
left  here,  July  1st,  1775."  The  time  of  resolute  and  organ- 
ized action  having  arrived,  no  time  was  lost,  to  elect  or  ap- 


HISfOftY   OF   YOR:^    C6t)NTtv 

point  a  county  committee,  and  a  committeii'  of  correspond- 
ence. Preparatory  meetings  Were  held — returnsfrom  twen- 
ty-six townships  were  male,  and  a  committee  chosen.  The 
following.^  are  the  proceedings : 

On  the  3d  of  November,  1775,  thtt  returns  of  twenty-^six 
townships  were  received  at  York,  whereby  th6  following 
gentlemen  appear  to  be  chosen  as  a  committee  for  York 
county,  to  continue  for  the  space  of  one  year,  unless  they 
shall  think  it  expedient  to  dissolve  themselves  sooner,  viz: 

Michael  Swope,  James  Smith,  Thomas'  Hartley^  John 
Hay,  Charles  Lukens,  David  Grier,  Joseph  Donaldson,  Geo. 
Irwin,  John  Kean,  WiUiam  Leaise,  William  Scott,  George 
Eichelberger,  Philip  Albright,  Michael  Hahn,  David  Can- 
dler, Baltzer  Spangler,  John  Huston,  Thomas  Armor,  John 
Sichultz,  Christopher  Slagle,  Andrew  Rutter,  Peter  Wolfe, 
Philip  Jacob  King,  Zachariah  Shugart,  JohnHerbach,  Wil- 
liam Johnston,  John  Spangler,  James  Dixon,  Francis  Cre* 
zart,  George  Brenkerhoof,  John  Semple,  Robert  M'Pher- 
son,  Samuel  Edie,  William  M'Clellan,  Thomas  Douglass, 
John  Agnew,  David  Kennedy,  George  Clingen,  Geo.  Kerr, 
Abraham  Banta,  John  Mickle,  Jr.,  Samuel  M'Conaughy, 
John  Blackburn,  William  Walker,  Richard  M'Allister, 
Christian  Graff,  Jacob  Will,  Henry  Slagle,  John  Hamilton, 
John  Mintecth,  Thomas  Lilley,  Richard  Parsel,  Charles 
Gilwix,  John  M'Clure,  William  Shakly,  Frederick  Gilwix, 
John  Hinkel,  John  Hoover,  Patrick  M'Sherry,  James  Lee- 
per,  Joseph  Read,  Patrick  Scott,  James  Egal-,  Benjamin 
Savage,  Andrew  Thompson,  Peter  Baker,  Jacob  Kasel, 
William  Mitchell,  John  Williams,  Lewis  Williams;  WiUiam 
Rankin,  James  Nailer,  Baltzer  Kuertzer,  Henry  Mathias, 
George  Stough,  Daniel  Messerle,  John  Nesbit,  Wilham 
Wakely.  John  Chamberlin,  Andrew  Thompson,  Alexander 
Sanderson. 

9 


010  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY* 

On  the  same  day,  the  committee  met  at  the  court  house^ 
in  York,  when  James  Smith  was  chosen  President,  and  Tho- 
mas Hartley,  "Vice  President  of  the  committee. 

The  followmg  gentlemen  were  unanimously  elected,  as  a 
committee  of  correspondence  for  York  county,  viz :  James 
Smith,  Mifijfcael  Swope,  Thomas  Hartley,  Joseph  Donald- 
son, George  Eichelberger,  Charles  Lukens,  David  Grier, 
George  Irwin,  Thomas  Armor,  William  Lease,  Geo.  ding- 
er, John  Nesbit,  James  Leeper,  Francis  Crezart,  Peter 
Wolfe,  David  M'Conaughy,  and  five,  or  more  of  them,  were 
empowered  to  act. 

The  committee  men  in  York  town,  or  any  two,  or  more 
of  them,  were  appointed  to  carry  into  execution  the  orders 
of  the  committee  of  safety,  relating  to  the  person  of  Dr, 
John  Kearsley,  now  confined  in  the  jail  of  this  county,  and 
were  fully  empowered  to  act  in  this  matter. 

The  committee  adjourned  to  the  first  Thursday  in  Decem- 
ber next,  to  meet  at  the  court  house,  in  York. 

Thomas  Armor,  Clerk. 

The  committee  of  the  county  were  exceedingly  careful  to 
have  every  Provincial  resolve  observed,  as  may  appear  from 
the  following: 

York  town,  Aug.  22,  1775. 

Whereas,  the  committee  of  York  county  has  received 
information  that  sundry  butchers  and  drovers,  from  Mary- 
land, have  lately  been  purchasing  sheep,  in  this  county,  con- 
trary to  the  Resolutions  of  the  Convention  of  the  Province  of 
Pennsylvania. 

These  are,  therefore,  to  give  public  notice  to  all  such  per- 
sons who  purchase  sheep  to  kill,  or  sell  to  butchers,  that  if 
they  hereafter  be  detected  in  purchasing  any  sheep  in  this 
couny,  or  driving  any  through  it,  purchased  in  this  province. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  61 1 

under  four  years  old,  that  they  will  be  stopped,  and  treated 
as  enemies  to  their  country. 

By  order  of  the  Committee: 

Thomas  Armor,  Clerk. 

In  December,  1775,  a  third  company  was  formed  in  York 
town,  called  '  The  Independent  Light  Infantry  Company,^ 
belonging  to  the  first  battalion  of  York  county."*  This 
company  formed,  adopted,  and  signed  a  Constitution,  consist- 
ing of  thirty-two  articles — the  original  manuscript  of  it, 
with  the  signatures  of  all  the  officers  and  privates,  is  still 
preserved. 

"  The  Constitution  was  signed  December  16,  1775,  by 
the  following  officers,  viz :  James  Smith,  Colonel ;  Thomas 
Hartley,  Lieutenant  Colonel;  Joseph  Donaldson,  Major; 
Michael  Swoope,  Major ;  George  Irwin,  Captain ;  John 
Hay,  First  Lieutenant;  William  Bailey ,  Second  Lieutenant ; 
Christopher  Lauman,  Ensign ;  Paul  Metzgar,  Henry  Wal- 
ter, Jacob  Gardener,  and  John  Shultz,  Sergeants;  William 
Scott,  Clerk.  Then  follow  the  names  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-two  privates. 

"  This  company  was  commanded  in  1777,  by  William 
Bailey,  Captain;  Christoph  Lauman,  First  Lieutenant,  and 
William  Scott,  Second  Lieutenant. — Mr.  John  Hay  being 
elected  a  member  of  the  State  Convention,  held  in  that 
year. 

"  Companies  were  already  formed  throughout  all  the 
county,  and  every  thing  spoke  of  freemen  under  arms  tor 
liberty.  But  confining  ourselves  to  York  town,  we  will 
mention  the  other  companies  which  were  formed  here  at  the 
commencement  of  the  Revolution.  The  fourth  company 
was '' formed  in  the  spring  of  1776;  and  its  officers  were 
Michael  Hahn,  Captain ;  Baltzer  Spengler,  First  Lieuten- 

*  Glosbrenner's  His.  York.  co. 


612 


HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNTY. 


ant;  Michael  BiUnieyer,  Second  Lieutenant;  and  George- 
Spengler,  Ensign.  The  fifth  company  was  likewise  formed 
in  the  spring  of  1776,  whereof  Charles  Lukens  was  Captain;. 
Christian  Stake,  First  Lieutenant;  and  Cornelius  Sheriff, 
Second  Lieutenant.  The  sixth  company  was  formed  in 
May,  of  the  same  year,  and  was  commanded  hy  Captain 
Rudolph  Spangler.  The  first  and  second  companies,  formed 
in  town,  had  long  since  been  dissolved,  and  the  soldiers 
thereof,  joined  and  became  a  part  of  the  fifth  and  sixth  com- 
panies:  so  that  in  June,  1776,  there  were  four  didierent  mi- 
litary associations  of  the  town  of  York.  The  third,  fourth, 
fifth,  and  sixth  companies,  constituted  a  part  of  those  five 
battalions  which  marched  to  New  Jersey,  in  1 776,  to  form 
the  flying  camp.  Though  they  thus  marched  out  of  the 
county,  yet  it  was  to  no  warlike  field  ;  the  only  object  being 
to  form  other  companies,  which  shall  be  mentioned  in  their 
places. 

"  We  will,  secondly,  consider  the  companies  composed  of 
the  citizens,  both  of  York  town  and  York  county,  which 
were  formed  with  a  view  for  actual  service,  and  which  shared 
in  the  dangers  and  glories  of  the  Revolution. 

"  1.  The  first  company  to  be  mentioned,  is  the  rifle  com- 
pany already  alluded  to,  which  left  York  on  the  1st  of  July, 
1775,  and  marched  directly  to  Cambridge,  near  Boston.  It 
was  at  first  commanded  by  Captain  Michael  Doudle;  who, 
however,  was  soon  succeeded  by  his  First  Lieutenant,  Henry 
Miller.  Those  who  belonged  to  this  company,  may  be  called 
enlisted  volunteers ;  for  they  actually  enlisted,  and  bound 
themselves  to  military  service  for  the  space  of  one  year,  and 
this  they  did  "of  their  own  heads,"  without  being  required, 
or  even  so  much  as  requested  thereto,  by  the  State  or  by 
Congress. 

"2.  In  1776,  the  counties  of  York  and  Cumberland  were 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COCNTY.  613 

required,  each,  to  raise  four  companies,  for  the  forming  of  a 
regiment.  Of  this  regiment,  William  Irwine,  at  first,  was 
Colonel;  Thomas  Hartley,  Lieutenant  Colonel;  and  James 
Dunlap,  Major.  Of  the  four  companies  raised  in  York  coun- 
ty, David  Grier  was  Captain  of  the  first,  Moses  M'Lean  of 
the  second,  Archibald  M'Allister  of  the  third — the  name  of 
the  Captain  of  the  fourth,  we  cannot  give.  These  compa- 
nies, which  were  enlisted  for  fifteen  months,  left  the  county 
to  follow  the  fate  of  war  in  the  latter  end  of  March.  In  the 
year  1777,  this  regiment  formed  the  11th  regiment  of  the 
Pennsylvania  line;  and  its  officers  were,  Thomas  Hartley, 
Colonel ;  David  Grier,  Lieutenant  Colonel ;  and  Lewis  Bush, 
Major. 

"3.  Early  in  May,  1776,  a  ritle  company,  which  had 
been  enlisted  to  serve  fifteen  months,  marched  from  the  coun- 
ty of  York  to  Philadelphia,  where  it  was  attached  to  Colo- 
nel Miles'  Rifle  Regiment.  The  Captain  of  this  company 
was  William  M'Pherson;  and  the  Third  Lieutenant  was 
Jacob  Stake. 

"4.  In  July,  1776,  five  battalions  of  militia  marched 
from  York  county  to  New  Jersey.  Out  of  these  five  battal- 
ions, there  were  formed,  in  about  six  weeks  after  their  arri- 
val, two  battalions  of  the  Flying  Camp.  Those  who  did  not 
belong  to  the  camp,  returned  home.  The  reason  of  so  many 
more  than  there  was  occasion  for,  being  called  forth  from 
all  the  counties,  seems  to  have  been,  firstly,  to  try  the  spirit 
of  the  people  ;  and,  secondly,  to  show  the  enemy  the  power 
of  the  nation  they  warred  against. 

"As  the  Flying  Camp  is  closely  connected  with  the  hon- 
ors and  the  sufferings  of  many  men  in  this  county,  we  will 
briefly  state  its  history.  Congress,  on  the  3d  of  June,  1776, 
•  Resolved,  that  a  Flying  Camp  be  established  in  the  middle 
colonies,  and  thatit  consist  of  10,000  men:'  to  complete 

9* 


614  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY* 

which  number,  it  was  resolved,  that  the  colony  of  Pennsyl- 
vania be  required  to  furnish  of  the  militia,  6,000 
Maryland,  jp  3,400 
Delaware,                            '  600 

10,000 
"  The  militia  were  to  be  engaged  until  the  1st  of  Decem- 
ber following;  that  is,  about  six  months.  The  conference 
of  committees  for  Pennsylvania,  then  held  at  Philadelphia, 
resolved,  on  the  14th  of  June,  that  4,500  of  the  militia 
should  be  embodied ;  which,  with  the  1,500  then  in  the  pay 
of  the  Province,  would  make  6,000,  the  quota  required  by 
Congress.  The  same  conference,  on  the  25th,  recommended 
to  the  associators  of  York  county,  to  furnish  400, 

Thus,  York  county  furnishing  400 

The  other  counties,  and  Philadelphia  city,  in  all      4,100 
Troops  under  Col.  Miles,  1,500 


Made,  6,000 

"  The  Convention  of  the  State,  on  the  12th  of  August, 
resolved  to  add  four  additional  battalions  of  the  Flying 
Camp,  York  county  being  required  to  furnish  515  men  to- 
ward making  out  the  number  of  2,894,  the  amount  of  the 
four  new  battalions.  On  the  same  day.  Col.  George  Ross, 
Vice  President  of  the  Convention,  Col.  Thomas  Matlack  of 
Philadelphia,  and  Col.  Henry  Schlegel,  of  York  county, 
were  chosen,  by  ballot,  commissioners,  to  go  to  head  quar- 
ters, New  Jersey,  to  form  the  Flying  Camp. 

"  The  Flying  Camp  was,  accordingly,  soon  formed :  it 
consisted  of  three  brigades.  The  Brigadier  General  of  the 
first  brigade  was  James  Ewing  of  York  county ;  his  brigade 
consisted  of  three  battalions,  the  first  of  wliich  was  com- 
manded by  Col.  Swope,  of  York  county;  the  second,  by 
Col.  Bull,  of  Chester  county ;  and  the  third,  by  Col.  Watts, 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  615 

of  Cumberland  county,  father  of  the  late  David  Watts,  Esq. 
of  Carlisle.  Of  the  other  brigades  and  battalions,  we  are 
not,  at  present,  able  to  speak  with  much  certainty. 

"As  the  two  battalions,  formed  from  the  five  battalions  of 
York  county  militia,  which  marched  to  New  Jersey,  under- 
went the  hard  fate  of  severe  war,  we  will  be  somewhat 
particular  concerning  them. 

"  The  oflScers  of  the  first  battalion  were  Col.  Michael 
Swope,  Lieut.  Col.  Robert  Stevenson,  and  Major  William 
Baily.  It  was  composed  of  eight  companies,  of  each  of 
which  we  will  give  the  names  of  the  officers,  as  far  as  we 
have  been  able  to  learn  them: 

1st  Company. — Michael  Schmeiser,  Captain;  Zachariah 
Shugart,  First  Lieut, ;  Andrew  Robinson,  Second  Lieut. ; 
William  Wayne,  Ensign, 

2d  Company. — Gerhart  GraefF,  Captain;  Lieutenant 
KaufFman. 

3d  Company. — Jacob  Dritt,  Captain;  Baymiller,  First 
Lieut.  ;  Clayton,^Second  Lieut. ;  Jacob  Mayer,  Ensign. 

4th  Company. — Christian  Stake,  Capt.;*  Cornelius  Sher- 
iff, First  Lieut.;  Jacob  Holtzinger,  Second  Lieut.;  Jacob 
Barnitz,  Ensign. 

•5th  Company. — John  McDonald,  Captain  ;  ^William 
Scott,  First  Lieut. ;  Robert  Patten,  Second  Lieut. ;  En- 
sign, Howe. 

6th  CompanY. — John  Ewing,  Captain  ;  John  Paysley, 
Ensign. 

7th  Company. — William  Nelson,  Captain ;  Todd,  First 
Lieut. ;  Joseph  Welsh,  Second  Lieut. ;  Nesbit,  Ensign. 

*  We  perceive,  by  a  number  of  letters,  now  in  our  possession,  from 
Gen.  Washington,  and  Gen.  Greene,  &c,,  to  Major  Clark,  that  the  lat- 
ter gentleman  stood  verj-^  high  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the 
American  commander-in-chief.  He  ■was  employed,  during  the  war, 
in  duties  for  which  no  individual  would  have  been  selected,  who  was 
n.ot  deemed  true  as  steel. 


616  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

8th  Company. — Captain  Williams. 
"The  officers  of  the  second  battallion  were  Col.  Richard 
McAllister  (father  of  Archibald  McAllister,  already  mention- 
ed) Lieut.  Col.  David  Kennedy,  and  Major  John  Clark. 
The  Captains  were  Bittinger,  McCarter,  McCoskey,  Laird, 
Wilson  and  Paxton,  from  York  county.  To  this  battalion 
were  added  two  companies  from  the  county  of  Bucks. — 
Thus  each  battalion  consisted  of  eight  companies. 

"The  above  hst,  as  to  both  battahons,  is  very  imperfect;  but 
there  is  not  a  document  in  existence  by  which  to  complete  it. 
The  above  information,  as  likewise  nearly  all  that  follows, 
has  been  communicated  to  us  by  a  few  men  of  silvered  hairs, 
whose  memories  are  still  fresh  with  respect  to  the  warlike 
hardships  and  dangers  of  their  more  youthful  days. 

"  The  battalion  of  Col.  Swope  suffered  as  severely  as 
any  one  during  the  revolution. 

"  The  company  of  Gerhart  GraefF  belonging  to  that  regi- 
ment, was  taken  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island,  and  but  eigh- 
teen of  the  men  returned  to  join  the  regiment.  Not  one  of 
this  company  is  now  alive. 

"  But  the  place  which  proved  the  grave  of  their  hopes, 
was  Fort  Washington,  on  the  Hudson,  near  the  city  of  New 
York.  The  officers  belonging  to  Swope's  battalion,  that 
were  taken  at  that  place  on  the  16th  of  November,  1776, 
were  the  following  fourteen :  Col.  Michael  Swope,  Major 
WiUiam  Bailey,  Surgeon  Humphrey  Fullerton,  Capt.  Mi- 
chael Schmeiser,  Capt.  David  Dritt,  Capt.  Christian  Stake, 
Capt.  John  M'Donald,  Lieut.  Zachariah  Shugard,  Lieut. 
Jacob  Holtzinger,  Lieut.  Andrew  Robinson,  Lieut.  Robert 
Patten,  Lieut.  Joseph  Welsch;  Ensign  Jacob  Barnitz;  En- 
sign Adjutant  Howe;  and  Ensign  Jacob  Meyer.  Of  the 
company  of  Capt.  Stake,  we  are  enabled  to  give  the  names 
of  those,  beside  the  three  officers  already  mentioned,  who 
were  taken  prisoners:  they  were  Serj.  Peter  Haak,    Serj. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNTY.  617 

John  Dicks,  Serj.  Henry  Counselman,  Corp.  John  Adlun, 
David  Parker,  James  Dobbins,  Hugh  Dobbins,  Henry  Mil- 
ler, (now  living  in  Virginia,)  John  Strohman,  Christim 
Strohman,  James  Berry,  Joseph  Bay,  Henry  Hof,  Joseph 
Updegraff,  Daniel  Miller,  Henry  Shultze,  Bill  Lukens— a 
mulatto — and  a  waiter  in  the  company ;  with  perhaps,  snne 
more.  The  company  of  Capt.  Stake,  consisted  mostly  of 
spirited  and  high-minded  young  men,  from  the  town  of  li'ork 
and  its  vicinity. 

"  Though  each  party  suffered  much,  and  the  nutual 
slaughter  was  great,  yet  but  two  officers  of  the  Hying 
Camp  were  wounded  on  that  day.  The  first  was  Captain 
M' Carter,  who  was  from  the  neighborhood  of  Hano-ssr,  and 
was  about  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  belonged  to  he  bat- 
talion of  Col.  M'Allister,  and  commanded  the  pique-guard, 
when  he  was  shot  through  the  breast.  His  woundd  fellow 
officer,  who  lay  by  his  side,  saw  him  stiffened  in  (eath  on 
the  fifth  day.  The  other  was  ensign  Jacob  Barnit;,  of  the 
town  of  York.  Mr.  Barnitz  was  wounded  in  botblegs,  and 
laid  for  fifteen  months  a  comfortless  prisoner,  witlout  hope, 
his  wounds  still  unhealed  and  festering.  After  hv  return  he 
lived  for  years  to  enjoy  the  confidence  and  esteen  of  his  fel- 
low citizens;  but,  after  sufferings  which  wrung  lim  to  the 
soul,  he  was  obliged  to  commit  himself  to  the  ikill  of  the 
surgeon,  and  to  suffer  the  loss  of  one  of  ihc&e  members 
which  had  once  borne  the  hero  and  the  patriot,  as  he  proud- 
ly waved  to  the  winds  of  the  country's  liberty, 

The  stars  and  stripes, 
The  banner  of  the  free  heart's  only  hone." 

"As  the  Continental  Congress  sat  some  nx>nths  in  the 
Revolution,  at  Yorktown,  this  chapter  may  be  appropriately 
closed  hy  the  following,  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  A.  J. 
Glossbrenner,  Esq.,  taken  from  his  History  of  York  county. 

"On  the  4th  of  September,  1777,  Congress,  then  sitting 


6 


8  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 


at|Philadelphia,  and  having  strong  reasons  to  believe  that 
thit  city  would  soon  be  in  possession  of  the  British,  resolv- 
ed! that,  if  they  would  be  obliged  to  move  from  Philadel- 
phlfi,  Lancaster  should  be  the  place  to  meet. 

^\  On  September  18,  Congress,  as  usual,  sat,  und  after 
sitting  the  usual  hours  of  daily  service  adjourned  to  10 
o'cldjk  the  next  morning  ;  but  during  the  adjournment  the 
presicent  received  a  letter  from  Col.  Hamilton,  one  of  Gen. 
Washngton's  aids,  which  intimated  the  necessity  of  remov- 
ing the  Congress  immediately  from  Philadelphia.  Upon  this 
the  members  left  the  city,  and  agreeably  to  a  former  reso- 
lution, Repaired  to  Lancaster.  Philadeldhia  was  shortly  af- 
terwar(te,  viz  :  on  the  27th  of  September,  taken  by  Sir 
Winiai:^  Howe,  which  shewed  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of 
Congrea  in  leaving  that  capital. 

"  Congress  met  at  Lancaster  on  the  27th  ot  September, 
(the  veri  day  Philadelphia  was  taken)  but  as  they  had  good 
reasons  f^r  fearing  molestation  even  in  that  place,  they  de- 
termined Ihat  the  Susquehanna  should  flow  between  them 
and  the  e^emy,  and  accordingly,  on  the  same  day,  adjourn- 
ed to  Yor\:.*  The  first  day  of  their  session  at  York  w^as 
the  30th  ot  September,  1777. 

"  Congr^s  continued  about  nine  months,  to  hold  their 
sessions  in  tl|is  place,  and  in  the  same  court  house  which  stands 
no  more.  In  June,  1778,  the  British  evacuated  Philadelphia 
and  marched  in  to  New  Jersey,  and  of  thisCongress  received 
information  on  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  by  a  letter  from 

i 

*  The  treasuj-y  books,  papers,  money,  «S:c.,  were  carried  from^Phil- 
adelphia  to  Bristol,  and  round  by  Reading  to  Lancaster,  and  thence  to 
York  town.       ', 

See  Journal  cf  Congress  for  Nov.  28,  1777. 

This  circuitous  route  was  onjaccount  of  fear,  that'theyfshould  fall 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  who  were,  at  that  time,  in  Chester  coun- 
iy,  still  fresh  from  the  battle  of  Brandywine. 


HISTORV    OP   YORK   COUNTY.  619 

Gen.  Washington.  They  sat  in  York  but  a  few  days  lon- 
ger, for  on  Saturday  the  27th  of  June,  1778  they  adjourned 
to  Philadelphia,  at  which  place  they  met  on  the  7th  of  July 
following. 

"  Among  the  other  business  transacted  by  Congress  du- 
ring its  sessions  in  York,  we  find  the  following  items  recor- 
ded in  the  Journals : 

1777,  October  4,   Resolved,  that  a  letter  be  written  to 
General  Gates,  informing  him  that  Congress  highly  approve  • 
of  the  prowess  and  behaviour  of  the  troops  under  his  com- 
mand, in  their  late  gallant  repulse  of  the  enemy  under  Gen- 
eral Burgoyne. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  be  presented  to 
General  Stark  of  the  New  Hampshire  militia,  and  the  offi- 
cers and  troops  under  his  command,  for  their  brave  and 
successful  attack  upon,  and  signal  victory  over  the  enemy 
in  their  lines  at  Bennington ;  and  that  Brigadier  Stark  be 
appointed  a  Brigadier  General  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States. 

"  Oct.  6,  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  le- 
gislatures of  the  several  states  to  pass  laws,  declaring  that 
any  person,  his  aider  or  abettor,  who  shall  wilfully  and 
maliciously  burn  or  destroy,  or  attempt  or  conspire  to  burn 
or  destroy,  any  magazine  of  provisions,  of  military  or  naval 
stores,  belonging  to  the  United  States ;  or  if  any  master, 
officer,  seaman,  mariner  or  other  person,  intrusted  with  the 
navigation  or  care  of  any  continental  vessel,  shall  wilfully 
and  maliciously  burn  or  destroy  or  attempt  or  conspire  to 
burn  or  destroy,  any  such  vessel,  or  shall  wilfully  betray, 
or  voluntarily  yield  or  deliver,  or  attempt  to  conspire  to  be- 
tray, yield  or  deliver,  any  such  vessel  to  the  enemies  of  the 
United  States,  such  person  his  aider  or  abettor  on  legal  con- 
viction thereof  shall  suffer  death  without  benefit  of  clergy. 

"  Oct.  8,  Resolved,  Unanimously,  that  the^thanks  of  Con- 


C20  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

gress  be  given  to  General  Washington  for  his  wise  and  well 
concerted  attack  upon  the  enemy's  army  near  Germantown 
on  the  4th  instant,  and  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
army  for  their  brave  exertions  on  that  occasion:  Congress 
being  well  satisfied  that  the  best  designs  and  boldest  efforts 
may  sometimes  fall  by  unforseen  incidents,  trusting  that  on 
future  occasions  the  valour  and  virtue  of  the  army  will  by 
the  blessings  of  heaven  be  crowned  with  complete  and  de- 
served success. 

Oct.  14,  Whereas  the  British  nation  have  received  into 
their  ports,  and  condemned  in  their  courts  of  admiralty  as 
lawful  prize  several  vessels  and  their  cargoes  belonging  to 
these  states,  which  the  mariners,  in  breach  of  the  trust  and 
confidence  reposed  in  them,  have  betrayed  and  delivered  to 
the  officers  of  the  British  crown. 

"  Resolved,  therefore.  That  any  vessel  or  cargo,  or  pro- 
perty of  any  British  subject,  not  an  inhabitant  of  Bermuda, 
or  of  any  of  the  Bahama  Islands,  brought  into  any  of  the 
ports  or  harbors  of  any  of  these  United  States,  by  the  mas- 
ters or  mariners,  shall  be  adjudged  a  lawful  prize,  and  di- 
vided among  the  captors,  in  the  same  proportion  as  if  taken 
by  any  continental  vessel  of  war. 

"  Oct.  17,  Resolved,  That  the  committee  of  intelligence 
be  authorized  to  take  the  most  speedy  and  effectual  mea- 
sures for  getting  a  printing  press  erected  in  York  town,  for 
the  purpose  of  conveying  to  the  public  the  intelligence  that 
Congress  may  from  time  to  time  receive. 

"  Oct.  31.  The  Secretary  laid  before  Congress  a  copy  of 
the  speech  with  which  Mr.  Hancock  took  leave  of  Congress, 
which  was  ordered  to  be  entered  on  the  Journals,  and  is  as 
follows: 

"  Gentlemen,  Friday  last  completed  two  years  and  five 
months  since  you  did  me  the  honor  of  electing  me  to  fill  this 
chair.    As  I  could  never  flatter  myself  your  choice  proceed- 


HISTORY   OP   YORK   COtJNTY.  621 

ed  from  any  idea  of  ray  abilities,  but  rather  from  a  partial 
opinion  of  my  attachment  to  the  hberties  of  America,  I  felt 
myself  under  the  strongest  obligations  to  discharge  the  du- 
ties of  the  office,  and  I  accepted  the  appointment  with  the 
firmest  resolution  to  go  through  the  business  annexed  to  it, 
in  the  best  manner  I  was  able.  Every  argument  conspired 
to  make  me  exert  myself,  and  I  endeavored  by  industry  and 
attention,  to  make  up  for  eveiy  other  deficiency. 

"As  my  conduct,  both  in  and  out  of  Congress,  in  the  ex- 
ecution of  your  business,  it  is  improper  for  me  to  say  any 
thing.  You  are  the  best  judges.  But  I  think  I  shall  be 
forgiven,  if  I  say  I  have  spared  no  pains,  expense,  or  labor, 
to  gratify  your  wishes,  and  to  accomplish  the  views  of 
Congress. 

"  My  health  being  much  impaired,  I  find  some  relaxation 
absolutely  necessary  after  such  constant  application ;  I  must, 
therefore,  request  your  indulgence  for  leave  of  absence  for 
two  months. 

"  But  I  cannot  take  my  departure,  gentlemen,  without 
expressing  my  thanks  for  the  civility  and  politeness  I  have 
experienced  from  you.  It  is  impossible  to  mention  this 
without  a  heartfelt  pleasure, 

"  If,  in  the  course  of  so  long  a  period  as  I  have  had  the 
honor  to  fill  this  chair,  any  expressions  may  have  dropped 
frow  me  that  may  have  given  the  least  offence  to  any  mem- 
ber, as  it  was  not  intentional,  so  I  hope  his  candor  will  pa^ 
it  over. 

"'  May  every  happiness,  gentlemen,  attend  you,  both  as 
members  of  this  House,  and  as  individuals;  and  I  pray  Hea- 
ven that  unanimity  and  perseverance  may  go  hand  in  hand 
in  this  House  ;  and  that  every  thing  which  may  tend  to  dis- 
tract or  divide  your  councils  be  forever  banished.' 

"  It  was  then  resolved  '  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  be 
presented  to  John  Hancock,  Esquire,  for  the  unremitted  at- 

10 


62^  HISTORV   OP   YORK   COUNTY  ^ 

teiition  and  steady  impartiality  which  he  has  manifested  ifit- 
discharge  of  various  duties  of  his  office  as  President,  since, 
his  election  to  the  chair,  on  the  24th  of  May,  1775.' 

"  Nov.  1,  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Prea- 
dent ;  and  the  ballots  being  taken,  the  honorable  Heniy 
Laurens  was  elected. 

"  Nov.  4,  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  in  their 
own  name,  and  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  thirteen 
United  States,  be  presented  to  Major  General  Gates,  com- 
mander-in-chief in  the  northern  department,  and  to  the  Ma- 
jors General  Lincoln  and  Arnold,  and  the  rest  of  the  officers 
and  troops  under  his  command,  for  their  brave  and  success- 
fwl  effiarts  in  support  of  the  independence  of  their  country, 
whereby  an  army  of  the  enemy,  of  ten  thousand  men,  has 
been  totally  defeated — one  large  detachment  of  it,  that 
strongly  posted  and  entrenched,  having  been  conquered  at 
Bennington,  another  with  loss  and  disgrace  from  Fort 
Schuyler,  and  the  main  army  of  six  thousand  men,  under 
Lieut.  General  Burgoyne,  after  being  beaten  in  different  ac- 
tions, and  driven  from  a  formidable  post,  and  strong  en- 
trenchments, reduced  to  the  necessity  of  surrendering  them- 
selves upon  terms  honorable  and  advantageous  to  these 
States,  on  the  17th  of  October  last,  to  Major  General  Gates; 
and  that  a  medal  of  gold  be  struck  under  the  direction  of  the 
board  of  war,  in  commemoration  of  this  great  event,  and  in 
the  name  of  these  United  States,  presented  by  the  President 
to  Major  General  Gates. 

"  Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  informed,  it  is 
highly  agreeable  to  Congress,  that  the  Marquis  De  La  Fay- 
ette be  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  division  in  the  con- 
tinental army. 

"  Dec.  11,  The  board  of  war  report,  *  that  in  their  opin- 
ion, the  public  interest  will  be  promoted  by  erecting  in  the 
town  of  York,  temporary  barracks  or  sheds,  sufficient  for 


HISTORY   OF    YdRK   COUNTY.  623 

containing  six  hundred  men,  for  the  purpose  of  accommoda- 
ting such  recruits  and  other  troops  as  may  be  from  time  to 
time  stationed  or  detained  at  the  said  place,  either  as  guards, 
or  for  the  purpose  of  equipment  and  discipline  :'  whereupon 

"Resolved,  That  the  board  of  war  be  directed  to  cause 
the  said  barracks  or  sheds  to  be  erected,  with  all  possible 
despatch,  and  in  the  most  reasonable  manner  they  can 
devise. 

"  1778,  Jan.  14,  Whereas,  Baron  Steuben,  a  Lieutenant 
General  in  foreign  service,  has,  in  a  most  disinterested  and 
heroic  manner,  offered  his  services  co  these  States,  in  a  qua- 
lity of  a  volunteer: 

"Resolved,  That  the  President  present  the  thanks  of 
Congress,  in  behalf  of  these  United  States,  to  Baron  Steu- 
nen,  for  the  zeal  he  has  shown  for  the  cause  of  America, 
and  the  disinterested  tender  he  has  been  pleased  to  make  of 
his  military  talents;  and  inform  him  that  Congress  cheer- 
fully accept  of  his  service  as  a  volunteer  in  the  army  of  these 
States,  and  wish  him  to  repair  to  General  Washington's 
quarters  as  soon  as  convenient. 

"  Feb.  6,  That  Mathew  Clarkson  and  Major  John  Clark 
be  appointed  auditors  for  the  army,  under  the  command  of 
General  Washington ;  and  that  they  be  authorized  to  ap- 
point two  clerks,  and  allow  each  of  them  fifty  dollars  a 
month,  and  two  rations  a  day. 

"  March  28,  Resolved,  That  count  Pulaski  retain  his  rank 
of  Brigadier  in  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and  that  be 
raise,  and  have  the  command  of  an  independent  corps,  to 
consist  of  sixty-eight  horse,  and  two  hundred  foot,  the  horse 
to  be  armed  with  lances,  and  the  foot  equipped  in  the  man- 
ner of  light  infantry ;  the  corps  to  be  raised  in  such  way, 
and  composed  of  such  men  as  General  Washington  shall 
think  expedient  and  proper;  and  if  it  shall  be  thought  by 
General  Washington,  that  it  will  not  be  injurious  to  the 


624  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

service,  that  he  have  liberty  to  dispense,  in  this  particular 
instance,  with  the  resolve  of  Congress  against  enlisting  de- 
serters. 

"  June  12,  1778,  Congress  being  informed  that  Mr.  P. 
Livingston,  one  of  the  delegates  for  the  State  of  New  York, 
died  last  night,  and  that  circumstances  require  him  to  be 
interred  this  evenino; : 

"  Resolved,  That  Congress  will,  in  a  body,  attend  the 
funeral  this  evening,  at  .six  o'clock,  with  a  crape  round  the 
arm,  and  will  continue  in  mourning  for  the  space  of  one 
month. 

June  27,  1778,  adjourned  to  Thursday  next,  to  meet  at 
the  State-house'  in  Philadelphia. 

Livingston  was  interred  in  the  cemetery  of  the  German 
Reformed  church,  where  his  grand-son  had  a  Pyramid  of 
white  marble,  surmounted  with  an  urn,  erected  over  his 
grave,  with  this  inscription — 

Sacred 

To  the  memory  of  the  Honorable 

-Philip  Livingston, 

who  died  June  12th,  1778, 

Aged  63  years. 

While  attending  the  Congress 

of  the  United  States,  at  York 

Town,  Penna.,  as  a  Delegate  from 

the  State  of  New  York. 

Eminently  distinguished  for 

his  talents  and  rectitude,  he  deservedly 

enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his 

country,  and  the  love  and  veneration 

of  his  friends  and  children. 

This  monument,  erected  by 

his  grand-son, 
Stephen  Van  Renselafr. 


f 

HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  625 

From  the. commencement  of  the  Revolution,  to  the  close 
of  it,  the  inhabitants  of  this  county  were  active  in  defence 
of  their  common  country,  and  ardently  devoted  to  the  cause 
of  the  American  Independence. 

There  are  still  some  living  who  remember  the  York  Bon- 
fire, on  receiving  the  news  of  the  surrender  of  Lord  Corn- 
wallis,  in  October,  1781.  For  some  months  after  the  ces- 
sation of  hostilities  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain,  there  were  at  York,  as  well  as  in  other  parts  of 
the  United  States,  companies  of  men  not  yet  disbanded. 

The  following  correspondence,  touching  the  disbanding 
of  a  legion  at  York,  is  here  introduced,  to  show  the  kind 
feelings  existing  between  the  citizens  of  York,  and  the  com- 
manding officers : 

York  Town,  Nov.  18th,  1783.  ' 
To  Brigadier  General  Armand  Marquis  De  La  Rouerie. 

Hearing  that  your  legion  is  about  to  be  disbanded,  and 
that  you  will  soon  return  to  your  native  comitry,  we,  the 
inhabitants  of  York,  in  Pennsylvania,  express  to  you  the 
high  sense  we  entertain  of  the  strict  discipline,  good  conduct 
and  deportment  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  your  corps, 
while  stationed  amongst  us  for  ten  months  past. 

We  return  to  you  our  hearty  thanks,  as  well  for  the  ser- 
vice rendered  to  America  in  the  field,  as  for  ,the  attention 
you  have  paid  to  the  property  and  civil  rights  of  the  peo- 
ple. Be  pleased  to  communicate  our  sentiments  to  Major 
Shaffner,  and  all  your  worthy  officers,  and  assure  them  we 
shall  ever  hold  them  in  the  greatest  esteem. 

We  pray  that  you  may  have  an  agreeable  passage  acros« 
the  ocean,  and  that  you  may  receive  from  your  illustrioui 
actions,  performed  in  support  of  liberty  and  the  honor  of  the 
alHed  arms,  and  are  with  great  regard  your  most,  &c. 

10* 


626  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

James  Smith,  Thomas  Hartley,  Archibald  M'Clean,  Wil- 
liam Bailey,  David  Jameson,  George  Stake,  David  Grier, 
John  Johnson,  Michael  Grayhil,  Zacheus  Shughart,  George 
Gibon,  Henfy  Miller,  Andrew^  Billmeyer,  Frederick  Youce, 
Edward  Langworthy,  George  Lewis  Leffler,  John  Ehrman, 
Robert  Dunn,  Jacob  Hay,  Joseph  Rothrock,  Martin  Kreber, 
John  M'Pherson,  Baltzer  Spangler,  Edward  Crawford,  Mi- 
chael Everly,  H.  Alexander,  Godfrey  Lenhart,  James  Edie, 
David  Caulder,  Conrad  Laub,  Michael  Hahn. 

^         York,  Nov.  19,  1783. 
Gentlemen — 

I  received  your  polite  address  of  the  18th,  and  from  its 
impressions  on  my  own  feelings,  and  of  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers of  the  legion,  I  am  truly  happy  in  giving  you  our 
united  and  most  hearty  thanks. 

If  the  legion  has  observed  that  good  conduct,  which  mer- 
its the  applause  you  give  it,  1  conceive  that,  in  so  doing, 
they  have  only  discharged  their  duty,  and  obeyed  punctu- 
ally the  orders  and  intention  of  His  Excellency,  General 
Washington,  whose  exemplary  virtues,  talents  and  honor, 
must  have  raised  ambition  to  some  merit  in  those,  who,  like 
the  corps  I  had  the  honor  to  command,  placed  all  their  con- 
fidence in  him. 

Permit  me  to  say,  gentlemen,  that  soldiers  cannot  be 
guilty  of  misconduct,  where  the  inhabitants  are  kind  to 
them,  also  are  attached  to  the  cause  of  their  country,  and 
so  respectable  as  those  of  York.  I  think  it  my  duty  to 
thank  you  for  the  good  behavior  of  the  legion  whilst  amongst 
you,  for  it  was  encouraged  and  supported  by  your  conduct 
towards  them. 

I  shall  only  add,  that  although  the  greater  part  of  us 
will  shortly  return  home,  the  conclusion  of  the  war  render- 


f 

HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  627 

ing  our  longer  stay  unnecessary,  we  shall  be  happy  again  to 
join  the  array  of  America,  if,  in  future,  our  services  should 
be  deemed  of  importance: 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with,  &c., 

Armand  Marquis  De  La  Rouerie. 


f 


628  HISTORY   OP    YORK    COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Riot  in  York  Town — Federal  Constitution  procession,  &c. — Sheriffs- 
election  of,  in  '89 — "  Chronicles" — Western  insurrection,  &c. — Hail 
storms — Fire  in  the  Borough  of  York — Doctor  Dady  and  his  ac- 
complices, Rice  Williams  or  Rainsford  Rogers,  John  Hall,  &c.,  in 
York  county — their  trial  and  conviction — Lancaster  expedition  and 
detection  of  Dady,  and  others. 

From  the  close  of  the  Revolution  till  the  year  1800,  for 
a  period  of  nearly  twenty  years,  only  a  few  leading  inci- 
dents of  "various  character"  occurred  of  which  any  "no- 
tice "  has  been  kept.  These,  with  an  occasional  remark, 
are  detailed  in  this  chapter,  in  their  order. 

The  Riot  of  '86,  in  York  town,  occasioned  by  the  then 
existing  Excise  Law  happened  in  December,  of  that  year, 
under  the  following  concomitants. 

"  A  certain  man  in  Manchester,  named  Jacob  Bixler,  re- 
fused to  pay  his  tax,  or  rather  excise  :  w^hereupon  his  cow 
was  distrained  or  taken  by  the  collector,  for  the  payment. 
It  was  to  rescue,  (i.  e.  forcibly  take  from  the  hands  of  the 
officer)  this  cow,  that  the  affray  happened.  The  beast  had 
been  driven  by  the  officer  from  Manchester  to  York  town, 
and,  by  advertisement,  was  on  a  certain  day  to  be  exposed 
to  sale.  On  the  day  of  the  sale  a  company  of  about  one 
hundred  men  set  out  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  poor  ani- 
mal's former  residence,  armed,  some  with  clubs,  others  with 
pistols  or  guns  ;  and  directing  their  march  towards  York 
they  crossed  Chicken  bridge  [at  the  end  of  north  George 
stree]  and  in  single  or  Indian  file,  marched  into  town.  Their 
captain,  Godfrey  King,  led  them  on,  with  dread  determina- 


h       f'  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  629 

tien,  to  the  place  where  her  vaccine  excellence  was  exposed 
to  vendition.  This  was  the  square  where  Maine  and  Bea- 
ver street  cross  each  other,  Th^  appearance  of  such  a  bo- 
dy of  men  armed  for  outrage',  wris  tft  cause  of  an  instant 
alarm.  They  had  hardly  proceeded  to  commit  violence, 
when  the  whole  town,  as  on  the  alarm  of  fire,  was  assem- 
bled toglther.  The  inhabitants  m^  the  rioters  with  the 
like  weapons,  clubs,  pistols,  guns  andfiwords.  One  justice 
Hall,  deprived  of  his  senses  hastened  tdlthe  spot  and  support- 
ing himself  wdth  both  hands  againslji  corner  said  "  I  com- 
mand thee  in  my  name  to  keep  pd|ice."  But  something 
more  forcible  was  found  in  the  weapons  of  Henry  Miller, 
John  Hay,  John  Edie,  William  Baii|^,  &c.,  all  well  prepared 
fir  the  battle.      Miller  during  thej  affray,    struck  with  his 

0rd  at  one  Hoake,  who  leaping  over  a  wagon-tongue, 
escaped  the  blow ;  the  sword  falling  upon  the  wagon- 

ngue,  sunk  into  it  about  an  inch. 

After  some  boxing  and  striking,  the  party  dispersed  in 
every  direction,  and  the  whole  tumult  hushed.  The  men 
became  ashamed  of  their  folly,  and  said  that  "they  had  just 
come  in  to  see  what  became  of  the  money." 

Frederick  Hoake  was  afterwards  severely  finpd  for  cutting 
the  rope  around  the  cow's  neck,  and  letting  her  loose ; 
though  the  fact  was,  Peter  Schneider,  jun,,  did  the  very 
thing  for  which  Hoake,  innocent  as  to  this,  was  punished. 

The  several  rioters  were  shortly  afterwards  brought  be- 
fore the  justices  of  the  peace,  and  bound  for  appearance  at 
next  court,  and  on  the  23d  of  January,  1787,  Godfrey 
King,  Andrew  Hoake,  Philip  King,  [son  of  Godfrey,]  Philip 
Wintemeyer,  George  Miller,  and  Adam  Hoake,  were  each 
bound  before  the  court  of  Quarter  Sessions,  in  a  considera- 
ble sum,  to  appear  at  the  next  Supreme  Court,  to  answer 
such  bills  of  indictment  as  should  be  presented  against  them, 
and  not  to  depart  the  court  without  leave,  and  in  the  mean- 


630  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

time,  to  keep  the  peace  to  all  the  liege  subjects  of  the  com- 
monwealth," They  accordhigly  appeared,  and  with  others 
of  their  brethren,  were  fined,  "judgment  being  tempered 
with  mercy."  Thus  ended  an  affray  of  which  many  speak, 
and  of  which,  from  the  much  speaking,  we  have  been  induced 
to  write.  It  was,  in  fact,  a  mw-insurrestion;  it  brought 
Manchester  and  Yoik  into  a  fond  and  loving  union."* 

The  inhabitants  qf  this  county,  on  every  suitable  occa- 
sion, manifested  theilr  attachment  to  their  country,  and  her 
institutions.  In  time  of  peril,  they  were  ever  ready  to  de- 
fend her  rights,  repel  invaders,  and  at  times,  when  an  ex- 
pression of  sentiment  was  necessary,  either  in  favor  of,  or 
against  a  measure,  they  were  heard  ;  of  this  we  have  a 
striking  exhibition  in  the  following  toasts,  given  at  York, 
by  the  bearers  of  the  flags,  in  procession,  formed  to  cele- 
brate the  progress  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  July  4th, 
1788. 

Toasts  given  by  ths  bearer  of  the  flag  of  the  United  States. 
May  our  powers  explore  every  inlet  of  the  habitable  globe 
— our  flag  ride  triumphant  on  every  ocean.  May  imparti- 
ality wield  the  sword  of  Justice,  and  impetuosity  the  sword 
of  War. 

Flag  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. — The  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania— may  she  hold  the  federal  balance,  and  become 
the  arbitress  of  the  continent. 

Magistrnte's  Flag. — May  Justice  vdth  the  sword  protect 
her  scales— may  nothing  but  righteo  usness  turn  the  beam,  and 
may  she  write  on  Sophistry,  what  convulsed  Belshazzer, 
"  Thou  ar,t  weighed  in  the  balance  and  art  found  wanting.'' 

Farmer's  Flag.—  Perpetual  laurels  to  the  men  who  have 
'•  beaten  the  sword  of  civil  dissention  into  a  plough  share'" 
—who  have  sown  the  seed  of  good  government;    may  it 

*  Glosbrenner's  His.  York.  co. 


HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY.  631 

spring  up  without  tares,  and  may  each  revolving  harvest 
witness  its  increase. 

Mason's  and  Bricklayer's  Flag. — May  the  component 
parts  of  the  Federal  edifice  be  squared  by  the  plummet  of 
impartial  justice,  inseparably  attached  by  the  cement  of  ci- 
tizenship. 

Clock  and  Watchmaker's  Flag. — May  virtue  be  the 
mainspring  of  our  Government — Patriotism  keep  its  works 
in  order.  May  the  popular  voice  wind  up  its  chain,  and 
may  its  hand  point  to  the  public  good. 

Bakers. — May  an  oven,  "seven  times  heated"  be  the 
fate  of  him,  whose  only  objects  are  "the  loaves  and  fishes." 

Stocking  Weavers. — May  he  who  first  broached  the  for- 
mation of  a  new  government,  have  a  wreath  of  laurel  twis- 
ted round  his  brow,  and  a  garland  of  honorary  flowers  wove 
for  his  reward. 

Taylors. — May  Fate  with  her  shears  cut  the  thread  of 
that  man's  life.  Fame  dishonor  him  with  the  name  of  Goose, 
and  Society  baste  him,  who  endeavors  to  Cabbage  from  his 
country. 

Coppersmiths  and  Founders.  May  we  be  brazed  toge- 
ther by  a  love  of  country,  as  by  borax  and  spelter,  and 
rivetted  by  an  energetic  government. 

Potters.  As  often  as  the  wheel  of  time  revolves  this  day, 
let  gratitude  tell  of  the  heroes,  who  were  proven  as  by  fire ; 
let  a  tear  of  remembrance  fall  for  such  as  were  cracked. 

Rough  Carpenters.  May  his  head  be  divorced  from  his 
body  by  the  broadaxe  of  Justice,  who  does  not  square  hiS' 
conduct  by  the  rule  of  Right. 

House  Carpenters.  The  new  political  mansion — May 
its  apartments  be  commodious — may  three  rafters  be  added 
to  the  ten  which  already  support  its  roof:  and  may  its  lights 
be  great  and  many. 

Blacksmiths.     May  the  thirteea  States  be  welded  into 


632  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

one  united  empire,  by  the  hammer  of  conciUation  on  the  ek- 
vil  of  peace ;  and  may  the  man  who  attempts  to  blow  the 
coals  of  discord,  be  burned  by  the  sparks. 

Nailers.  May  our  government  be  well  pointed  and  have 
a  good  head. 

Painters.  The  new  Constitution  in  its  true  colors;  nei-^ 
ther  caricatured  nor  flattered,  and  may  the  brush  of  investi- 
gation correct  the  glare  of  light  given  by  its  friends,  and  the 
profusion  of  shade  thrown  on  it  by  its  enemies. 

Glaziers.  May  the  Pane  remain  forever  uncracked,  that 
threw  light  on  the  subject  of  our  late  war,  and  may  the  rays 
of  truth  be  drawn  to  a  focus  by  the  glass  of  genius. 

Saddlers.  A  curb  bit,  and  a  transverse  rain  to  the  impor- 
tation of  foreign  luxuries;  and  may  the  man  who  denies  his 
encouragement  to  home  manufactures,  be  stirruped  round 
the  world. 

Hatters.  May  he  who  twangs  the  bow  of  tumult,  be 
stripped  to  the  pelt,  then  dipped  into  a  kettle  of  blacking ; 
may  his  head  be  brought  to  the  block,  and  their  union  con- 
stitute his  character. 

Shoe  and  Bootmakers.  May  we  wax  a  great  and  happy 
nation ;  be  bound  by  principles  of  mutual  regard,  actuated 
as  by  one  soul,  and  may  our  prosperity  as  a  people  last  un- 
til the  end  of  time. 

Breeches  makers  and  Skinners. — May  he  be  shorn  against 
the  grain,  smoked  and  w^elted,  who  has  not  brains  to  know 
that  the  bands  of  the  old  government  were  loosed. 

Tobacconists. — May  the  leaves  of  anti-federalism  be 
twisted  together,  and  fastened  by  thorns,  or  be  rolled  into 
tubes,  and  end  in  a  puff. 

Wagon  Makers. — three  more  Spokes  to  our  new  wheel — 
a  federal  band  for  its  lire — a  willing  people  for  its  axis — 
political  wisdom  to  set  it  in  motion ;  and  may  its  progress 
never  be  retarded  by  the  lockehain  of  opposition. 


blSTORY   OP   YORIi   COONTY.  638 

Saddle-ttee  Makers.  As  we  are  chips  of  the  same  block; 
branches  from  the  same  tree ;  may  we  be  glued  together  by 
a  general  efficient  government. 

Bine  Dyers  and  Stampers.  May  Falme  stamp  immortal- 
ity on  their  names,  who  hdive' died  for  our  country. 

Tanners  and  Curriers.  May  every  limb  of  that  man  be 
hacked — may  he  be  leathered  through  society — and  have  his 
hide  completely  tanned — who  is  mean  enough  to  curry 
favor. 

Weavers.  Forever  honored  be  the  names  of  those,  who, 
rejecting  even  the  thrumbs  of  the  old  web,  have  cut  it  out 
of  the  loom,  and  wove  another  to  clothe  the  political  naked- 
ness of  their  country. 

Tin-plate  Workers.  May  the  shears  of  liberality  and 
and  extended  policy  cut  away  local  prejudices,  and  may  the 
late  heat  of  political  disquisition  only  tend  to  melt  the  ce- 
ment that  is  to  solder  us  together. 

Scythe  and  Sickle  Makers.  May  the  sickle  of  industry 
be  filled  with  heavy  harvests,  until  Time,  with  his  scythe, 
shall  mow  down  empires  and  ages. 

Butchers.  As  the  marrow  is  connected  with  the  bone,  or 
one  joint  with  another,  so  let  us  be  united,  and  may  no 
-"Cleaver  ever  disjoint  us. 

Gun-smiths.  When  the  implements  of  war  are  requisite 
to  defend  our  country's  rights,  or  resent  her  wrongs,  may 
coolness  take  the  sight,  and  courage  draw  the  trigger. 

Printers.  May  no  government  be  so  potent  as  to  restrain 
the  liberty  of  the  press;  or  so  impotent  as  not  to  be  able  to 
check  its  licentiousness. 

Brewers.  May  he  be  choked  with  the  grains,  or  drowned 
in  his  ale,  whose  business  it  is  to  brew  mischief. 

Barbers.  Hot  curling  irons  and  a  dull  razor,  to  the  wig 
they  once  took  upon  them,  may  they  remain  as  they  now 
are,  in  the  suds. 

IL 


634  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COT?]Sflr., 

Turners.  May  the  anti-federalists  be,  "  turned  from 
the  evil  of  their  ways,"  and  he  be  held  no  longer  in  the  vice 
of  groundless  opposition. 

Coopers.  May  the  new  government  prove  a  binding 
hoop  to  the  States,  and  never  suffer  them  to  go  to  staves. 

Brickmakers.  The  materials  which  compose  our  new 
constitution — may  they  sustain  the  heat  of  party  rage  with- 
out a  crack,  and  come  out  more  perfect  from  the  kiln  of 
faction. 

Ropemakers.  May  the  production  of  our  trade  be  the 
neck- cloth  of  him,  who  attempts  to  untwist  the  poHtical 
rope  of  our  union. 

Mathematical  Instrument  Makers.  The  political  com- 
pass— as  it  has  been  graduated  by  the  finger  of  accuracy ; 
may  it  prove  our  guide  in  the  winds  of  legislation,  and  pre- 
serve its  counterpoise,  however  shaken  by  the  storms  of  for- 
eign invasion  or  domestic  broil. 

Joiners.  The  unanimity,  which  augurs  that  the  hatchet 
shall  soon  be  buried. 

Surveyors.  May  the  needle  of  the  new  government  be 
magnetized  by  an  honest  love  of  fame,  and  make  the  ap- 
plause of  the  people  its  pole — may  the  sight  be  taken  by 
the  pervading  eye  of  genius — the  course  be  sloped  by  integ- 
rity— and  may  there  be  no  variation  from  national  honor. 

Merchants.  The  new  constitution — may  it  prove  100 
per  cent,  better  than  the  old  one ;  may  justice,  mercy,  and 
wisdom,  be  found  in  the  invoice  of  its  excellencies ;  and  may 
its  nett  proceeds  be  in  good  order  at  home,  and  respect  in 
the  councils  of  Europe. 

Lawyers.  A  mild  judge,  a  believing  jury,  a  blundering 
opponent,  a  good  cause,  a  handsome  fee,  and  a  federal  cli- 
ent, to  every  advocate  of  our  infant  constitution. 

Physicians.  The  political  physicians,  who,  in  place  of 
mending,  have  made  a  constitution — may  it  retain  its  health 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  635 

and  vigor,  without  the  aid  of  medicine,  and  may  the  quack 
undergo,  at  the  same  time,  the  double  operation  of  cathar- 
tic and  emetic,  who  prescribe  bleeding. 

The  contest  at  elections  is  unusually  characterized  by 
warmth;  but,  it  is  believed,  that  York  county  has  never 
been  a  "whit"  behind  other  counties  in  this  respect.  The 
first  election  for  Sheriff,  in  the  county,  and  the  election  of 
the  year  following,  were  both  "spirited  and  bloody" — as 
well  as  the  election  of  1789,  when  two  rival  candidates,  of 
equal  strength,  were  be  lore  the  people.  Conrad  Laub  and 
William  M'Clellan,  were  the  candidates.  Laub  received 
2,130  votes;  M'Clellan  2,11 1.  Shortly  after  the  election, 
WiUiara  Harris,  a  merchant  of  York,  faithfully  and  face- 
tiously chronicled  the  passing  events  and  scenes,  in  one  of 
the  York  papers  of  the  campaign.  Place  is  given,  below, 
to  the 

"  First  Chapter  of  Chronicles.'^ 

1.  Now  it  came  to  pass  in  these  days,  when  George*  was 
President,  even  George  the  Great,  was  President  over  the 
Nation,  and  John,'\  even  John,  surnamed  the  steady,  who 
had  done  justice  and  judgment  among  the  people,  had  ful- 
filled his  time,  that  there  was  a  great  stir  among  the  peo- 
ple, whom  they  should  choose  to  reign  in  his  stead. 

2.  Then  the  Williamites,j  who  inhabited  the  w^estern 
country,  and  the  people  gathered  themselves  together,  and 
communed  one  with  another,  and  said :  We  will  make  Wil- 
liam to  rule  over  us,  for  he  is  a  proper  young  man,  and  will 
do  justice  over  us,  for  he  is  a  proper  young  man,  and  will 
do  justice  and  judgment,  even  as  John  has  done,  whose  work 
is  fulfilled. 

3.  And  when  these  sayings  went  abroad  among  the  peo- 

*  George  Washington. 

j-  John.  Edie,  former  Sheriff. 

+  The  friends  of  William  M'Clellan. 


636  HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

pie,  there  were  certain  men  rose  up  and  withstood  the  Wtl- 
Lamites,  and  said,  God  do  so  to  us,  and  more  also,  if  Wil- 
liam shall  rule  over  us  at  this  time,  in  the  stead  of  John. 

4.  Then  the  governors,  the  judges,  the  captains  of  the 
fifties,  and  the  rulers  of  the  people  gathered  themselves  to- 
gether. 

5.  And  so  it. was  that  they  communed  together,  even  the 
Schlegelites*  the  Rudisellites,j  the  Shermani(es,t  the  Gos~ 
shrites,^  the  Millerites,\\  the  Campbellites,'\\  the  tribe  of 
Eli**  and  John,  the  Lawyer. \\ 

6.  Now  all  entered  into  a  covenant,  and  said,  of  a  truth, 
we  will  make  ConradtX  our  ruler,  for  he  is  an  upright  man, 
and  will  do  what  is  right  in  the  eyes  of  the  people. 

7.  And  after  these  things,  it  came  to  pass  on  the  thir- 
teenth day  of  the  tenth  month,  about  the  eleventh  hour,  in 
the  fourteenth  year  after  the  people  had  come  out  of  the 
house  of  bondage,  that  the  people  strove  with  one  another, 
even  the  Williamites  on  the  one  side,  and  the  Conradites  on 
the  other. 

8.  And  there  was  a  great  slaughter,  for  the  battle  contin- 
ued until  the  going  down  of  the  sun. 

9.  For  the  Conradites  came  forth  by  hundreds  and  by 
thousands,  by  their  tribes,  as  sands  by  the  sea- shore  for 
multitude. 

10.  And  so  it  came  to  pass,  that  the  army  of  the  Wil- 
liamites was  discomfitted. 

*  The  friends  of  Henry  Schlegel. 
f  The  friends  of  Jacob  Rudisel. 
t  The  friends  of  Conrad  Sherman. 
§  The  friends  of  Philip  Gossler. 
I  The  friends  of  Henry  Miller. 
1  The  friends  of  John  Campbell. 
••  Eli  Lewis, 
-j-j-  John  Lukens. 
*+  Conrad  Laub, 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 


637 


11.  Now  the  land  will  have  rest  for  three  full  years." 

The  inhabitants  of  York  county,  it  seems,  to  have,  for 
some  five  or  six  years,  enjoyed  peace  within  their  borders ; 
every  thing  flourished ;  towns  and  villages  were  being  laid 
out,  of  which  some  notice  will  be  taken  in  the  sequel ;  but 
were,  like  many  others  of  their  fellov/  citizens,  untranquil- 
ised  by  the  illegal  combination  of  those  opposed  to  "Excise 
on  ardent  spirits.'^ 

"  On  the  7th  of  August,  1794,  President  Washington 
issued  a  proclamation,  setting  forth  that  illegal  combinations 
existed  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvania,  to  "  defeat  the 
execution  of  the  laws  laying  duties  upon  stills,  and  upon 
Spirits  distilled  in  the  United  States" — and  that  the  conspir- 
ators had  attacked  the  house  of  John  Neville,  one  of  the 
inspectors  of  the  "revenue  of  Pennsylvania,  and  had  seized 
and  maltreated  David  Lennox,  marshal  of  the  District  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  proclamation  concluded  with  a  call  to 
all  good  citizens,  to  aid  the  government  in  "  suppressing  and 
preventing  such  dangerous  proceedings." 

"  Immediately  on  the  appearance  of  the  President's  call, 
Governor  Mifflin,  of  Pennsylvania,  issued  a  proclamation, 
requiring  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Commonwealth,  to 
meet  forthwith,  at  the  State  House,  in  Philadelphia,  for  the 
purpose  of  devising  the  necessary  means  to  maintain  the 
peace  and  dignity  of  the  Commonwealth.  The  Legislature 
accordingly  convened  September  2d,  1794.  One  of  their 
earliest  acts  was  to  provide  for  engaging  the  service  of  the 
militia  of  the  Commonwealth,  in  defence  of  the  laws." 

In  the  opinion  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  an 
army  of  fifteen  thousand  was  deemed  necessary — to  be 
composed  of  troops  and  volunteers  from  Maryland,  Virginia, 
New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania.  Governor  Lee,  of  Virginia^ 
had  the  chief  command  of  the  army.  The  other  Generals 
were  Governor  Thomas  Mifflin,  of  this  State,    Governor 

11* 


638  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

Howell,  of  New  Jersey,  Gen.  Daniel  Morgan,  and  Adju- 
tant  General  Hand,  Gen.  Knox,  Secretary  of  War,  and  Gen. 
Hamilton,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  Judge  Peters  of 
the  United  States  Court,  also  went  to  the  scene  of  action. 

"  York  county,  ever  ready  to  act  when  the  public  inter- 
est, honor,  or  safety  requires  an  appeal  to  arms,  furnished, 
in  this  emergency,  a  regiment  of  militia,  and  two  companies 
of  volunteers.  The  regiment  was  commanded  by  Colonel 
Daniel  May.  One  company  of  volunteers  was  commanded 
by  Captain  Andrew  Johnston.  Of  this  company,  Charles 
Barnitz  was  first  Lieutenant,  and  John  Green,  Ensign.  Of 
the  other,  a  rifle  company,  James  Cross  was  Captain." 

A  formidable  army  was  raised — the  soldiers  arrived  on 
the  martial  ground  in  November,  1794 — but  met  no  opposi- 
tion— and  no  blood  was  shed  ! ! 

The  year  1797  is  somewhat  remarkable  in  the  annals  of 
this  county  for  hail-storms,  and  fire  in  the  Borough  of  York. 
The  following  -account  of  a  hail-storm  in  1767,  is  extract- 
ed from  manuscripts  left  by  the  Hon.  Thomas  Hartley. 

"On  the  ****  day  of  June,  1797,  there  was  a  hail  storm 
in  the  town  of  York,  and  in  a  part  of  the  neighborhood, 
which,  as  far  as  it  extended,  destroyed  the  gardens  and 
broke  down  the  winter  grain  in  a  most  extraordinary  man- 
ner :  there  was  hardly  a  hope  that  any  would  be  saved ;  but 
the  farmers  were  able,  in  the  harvest,  to  gather  more  than 
half  of  what  they  considered  as  lost.  The  Indian  corn  was 
apparently  injured,  but  the  sun  brought  it  up  again.  The 
hail  stones  were  prodigiously  large.  Several  persons  were 
in  danger  of  losing  their  lives  from  them.  Many  fowls  and 
birds  were  killed.  Some  of  the  stones  were  as  large  as  a 
pullet's  egg,  or  as  the  apples  then  growing.  It  is  supposed 
that  in  York  town  and  Butts-town,  fully  10,000  panes  of 
glass  were  broken. 

Fire  in  1797. — As  an  account  of  the  fire  which  raged  in 


HISTORY    OF   YORK    COUNTY.  639 

York  town,  in  the  year  1797,  we  give  two  extracts,  the 
first  from  the  manuscripts  of  the  Hon.  Thomas  Hartley,  and 
the  second  from  the  private  papers  of  another  late  member 
of  the  York  bar. 

"  The  hail-storm  made  a  serious  impression  upon  the  citi- 
zens ;  but  on  Wednesday  night,  the  5th  of  July,  1797,  be- 
tween the  hours  of  12  and  1  o'clock,  the  town  Avas  alarmed 
by  the  cry  of  fire,  which,  it  seems,  had  been  communicated 
from  an  oven  of  Mr.  John  Hay.  The  house  of  Mr.  John 
Hay  was  soon  in  flames.  The  German  Reformed  Church 
also  took  fire.  The  kitchen  and  small  stable  were  soon  on 
fire ;  the  stable  stood  about  forty  feet  from  my  back  build- 
ings. The  sparks  and  inflamed  parts  of  shingles  ascended 
into  the  air,  and  were  then  dispersed  and  carried  upon  parts 
of  the  town,  and  far  into  the  neighboring  country.  Between 
twenty  and  thirty  houses  and  barns  were  on  fire  nearly  at 
the  same  time;  but  by  mighty  exertions,  none  were  materi- 
ally injured,  beside  those  I  first  mentioned.  My  house,  it 
is  said,  was  on  fire  four  or  five  times.  A  willow  tree  nearly 
fifty  feet  high,  standing  beyond  my  buildings,  away  from 
the  fire,  had  several  of  its  upper  branches  scorched  and 
burnt. — The  trees  and  shrubs  in  the  garden  were  hurt.  A 
small  bush  of  a  monthly  white  rose,  at  the  distance  of  per- 
haps seventy  feet  from  the  church,  was  totally  blasted  and 
destroyed,  never  to  rise  again.  So  great  was  the  heat,  that 
pears  hanging  on  espaliers  in  my  garden,  fifty  feet  from  the 
flames,  were  in  part  roasted.  The  circumstances  of  the  gar- 
den, I  carefully  noticed  on  my  return  home,  (which  was  on 
the  8th  of  July ;)  and  I  shewed  the  trees  and  pears  to  seve- 
ral of  my  acquaintances,  among  others,  to  Mr.  Milledge,  a 
member  of  Congress  from  Georgia.  There  was  scarcely  any 
wind  at  York  on  the  night  of  the  fire,  (Mr.  Milledge  says 
that  at  the  great  fire  at  Savannah,  the  air  was  calm,  and 
the  horizon  clear  and  serene.)     But  after  the  flames  had 


640  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

ascended  some  height  in  the  sky,  the  sparks  became  dis- 
turbed and  more  scattered,  and  fell  upon  several  houses, 
v;hich  caught  fire  at  the  same  time,  and  drew  off  the  people 
from  the  places  at  which  they  were  first  engaged  to  take 
care  of  their  respective  dwellings.  What  does  great  honor 
to  the  town  is,  that,  though  the  furniture, -goods,  wares,  and 
merchandize  were  carried  out  by  different  hands,  yet  scarce- 
1}^  a  single  article  is,  as  I  hear,  missing. 

Thomas  Hartley." 

The  second  account  is  as  follows : 

"Last  Wednesday  night  was  a  night  of  terror  to  the  in- 
habitants of  this  place.  Between  the  hours  of  twelve  and 
o'clock,  a  fire  broke  out  in  the  back-buildings,  adjoining  the 
dwelhng-house  of  John  Hay,  Esq.  Mr.  Hay,  who  slept  in 
one  of  the  back  rooms,  on  being  awakened  by  the  noise  of 
the  fire,  immediately  arose  and  gave  alarm.  But  before  the 
citizens  had  collected  in  numbers  sufficient  to  make  an  effec- 
tual resistance  to  its  progress,  the  fire  had  been  communi- 
cated to  the  dwelling  house  and  to  the  German  Reformed 
Church,  both  of  which  were  in  a  few  minutes  all  in  flames. 
The  fire  advanced  with  such  rapidity,  that  all  the  efforts  to 
save  those  buildings  were  soon  found  to  be  in  vain.  The 
burning  was,  in  a  small  degree,  an  object  of  terror. — 
Sparks  of  fire,  and  blazing  shingles  were  thrown  to  a  vast 
height,  and  many  of  them  falling  upon  houses  and  stables  in 
different  parts  of  the  town.  From  fifteen  to  twenty  build- 
ings, among  which  was  the  court  house,  were  on  fire  during 
the  night.  All,  however,  except  the  tvro  first  mentioned, 
were  saved  through  the  vigilance  and  activity  of  the  citi- 
zens. The  buildings  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Mr. 
Hay's  house  and  of  the  church,  were  almort  continually  on 
fire;  but,  by  the  most  surprising  intrepidity  and  persever- 
ance of  the  citizens,  the  ruinous  element,  which  threatened 


HISTORY   OP   YORK    COUNTY.  641 

general  devastation,  was,  at  last,  under  the  favor  of  a  calna 
uight,  happily  subdued. 

"The  citizens,  animated  with  a  sense  of  duty  as  well  as 
danger,  exerted  their  utmost  strength  in  warring  against  the 
invading  flames.  Some  were  stationed  on  the  roofs  of  the 
neighboring  houses,  where  they  remained  for  hours  amidst 
iire  and  smoke,  resisting  the  progress  of  the  destroying  ele- 
ment, which  seemed  every  moment  to  be  gathering  with 
fresh  fury  around  them :  some  kept  the  fire  engines  in  con- 
tinual operation,  while  others  furnished  a  constant  supply  of 
water.  Many  of  the  fair  sex,  of  every  age,  strengthened 
by  strong  apprehensions  of  danger,  were  employed  the  grea- 
ter part  of  the  night  in  conveying  water,  thereby  contribu- 
ting much  to  the  common  safety.  A  few  strangers,  who 
were  accidentally  in  the  town,  also  rendered  essential  ser- 
vice. 

"  At  about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  danger  was 
over.  .  No  lives  were  lost,  and  but  two  persons  were  mate- 
jially  hurt.  Mr.  Hay  lost  part  of  his  furniture,  a  large 
quantity  of  grain,  &c.,  but  his  papers,  and  most  valuable 
effects,  it  is  said  were  saved.  The  church  organ,  bells,  and 
records  were  entirely  destroyed.         *         *         * 

"  The  fire  appears  to  have  originated  from  an  oven,  in 
the  walls  of  which  a  wooden  post  was  placed  to  support  the 
shed  above.  The  oven  had  been  twice  heated  the  prece^ 
ding  day  ;  and  as  there  was  but  the  thickness  of  a  brick  be- 
iween  the  fire  and  the  wooden  post,  it  is  probable  that  by 
long  and  repeated  use  of  the  oven,  the  wall  separating  the 
fire  from  the  wood,  had  been  in  some  measure  demolished  ; 
so  that  the  wood  became  exposed,  and  when  the  oven  was 
heated,  took  fire ;  but  that,  for  want  of  air,  the  fire  made 
so  slow  a  progress  that  it  did  not  break  out  till  late  at 
night." 

Within  the  period  comprised  in  this  chapter  several  noto- 


642  HisTORy  OF  york  county. 

rious  impostors  carried  on  some  nefarious  schemes,  "  to  raise 
the  wind,"  among  the  people  of  York  county.  They  fig- 
ured first,  for  some  time  in  Dauphin,  now  Lebanon  county, 
then  tried  another  region.  To  show,  what  may  be  done 
among  a  people  of  simplicity,  place  is  given  to  the  following. 
Wholesome  lessons  may  be  deduced  from  the  whole. — 
The  account  is  from  the  pen  of  the  Hon.  Judge  Henry, 
and  sent  by  him  to  Philadelphia  with  the  convicted  impos- 
tors. 

Dr.  Dady,  who  was  a  German  by  birth,  came  to  this  coun- 
try with  the  Hessians  during  the  American  revolution.  Pos- 
sessing a  fascinating  eloquence  in  the  German  language,  and 
being  very  fluent  in  the  English,  he  was  afterwards  employ- 
ed as  a  minister  oi  the  gospel  by  uninformed,  but  honest  Ger- 
mans. 

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  went  to  York  county, 
and  dvt/elt  among  the  poor  inhabitants  of  a  mountainous  part 
thereof,  (now  within  the  limits  of  Adams  county,)  where,  in 
various  artful  ways,  he  preyed  on  the  purse  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 
county,  where  he  dwelt ;  and  of  the  other  in  the  "barrens" 
of  York  county. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  Adams  county  impo- 
sition : — 

Rice  Williams,  or  rather  Rainsford  Rogers,  a  New  Eng- 
lander,  and  John  Hall,  a  New  Yorker,  (both  of  whom  had 
been  plundering  the  inhabitants  of  the  southern  states  by 
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, 


HISTORY   OP    YORK    COUNTY.  64-> 

and  had  a  private  conversation  between  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  » 
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  di- 
rected Hall  and  Chamberlain  to  walk  in  silence.  A  terrible 
screech  was  soon  heard  proceeding  from  a  black  ghost  (!!!) 
in  the  woods,  at  a  little  distance  from  the  parties,  in  a  direc- 
tion 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  under- 
stand— the  ghost  replied  in  the  same  language!  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  nei- 
ther horse  jockeys  nor  Irishmen. 

The  intercourse  between  Williams  and  Dady  now  ceased 
to  be  apparent ;  but  it  was  continued  in  private.  Chamber- 
lain, convinced  of  the  existence  of  a  ghost  and  a  treasure, 
was  easily  induced  to  form  a  company,  which  was  soon  ef- 
fected. 

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  under  the  earth  to  the  depth  of  one  inch,  for  three  days 
and  three  nights — performing  several  absurd  ceremonies,  too 
obscene  to  be  described  here. 


644  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY* 

A  circle,  two  inches  in  diameter,  was  formed  in  the  fieltf,- 
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  wag 
opposed  by  an  unfriendly  black  ghost  who  rejoiced  in  the  ap- 
pellation of  Pompey.  In  the  course  of  their  nocturnal  exercises 
they  often  saw  the  w^hite  ghost — they  saw  Mr.  Pompey 
too,  but  he  appeared  to  have  "his  back  up,"  bellowed  loud- 
ly, and  threw  stones  at  them. 

On  the  night  of  the  18th  of  August,  1797,  Williams  un- 
dertook 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,  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  tlo  right,  and  prosper,  and  the  treasure  shall 
be  yours.     I  am  permitted  to  write  this  in  the  same  hand  t 

wTOte  in  the  flesh  for  your  direction — O ,^20-     Take 

care  of  your  powers  in  the  name  and  fear  of  God  our  pro- 
tector— if  not,  leave  the  work.  There  is  a  great  treasure, 
4000  pounds  a-piece  for  you.  Don't  trust  the  black  one. — 
Obey  orders.  Break  the  enchantment,  which  you  wall  not 
do  until  you  get  an  ounce  of  mineral  dulcimer  eliximer; 
some  German  doctor  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  communi- 
cation. In  consequence  of  these  ghostly  directions,,  a  youn^ 
man  named  Abraham  Kephart  waited,  by  order  of  the  com- 
mittee, on  Dr.  Dady.     The  Dr.  preserved  his  eliximer  in  a 


ffiSTORY  OF  YOKK.  COUNTY.  645 

bottle  sealed  with  a  large  red  seal,  and  buried  in  a  heap  of 
oats,  and  demanded  fifteen  dollars  for  anounce  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  30  persons,  many  of 
whom  were  wealthy.  Among  those  who  were  most  miser- 
ably duped,  may  be  mentioned  Clayton  ChamberUn,  Yost 
Liner,  Thomas  Bigham,  William  Bigham,  Samuel  Tagert, 
John  M'Kinney,  James  Agnew  the  elder,  James  M'Cleary, 
Robert  Thompson,  David  Kissinger,  George  Sheckley,  Pe- 
ter Wikeart,  and  John  Philips.  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  dul- 
<;imer  elixer,  and  Deterick's  mineral  elixer." 

But  the  wiles  of  these  impostors  were  soon  exerted  in 
other  parts.  The  following  is  an  account  of  their  proceed- 
ings in  and  about  Shrewsbury  township,  in  York  county, 
Williams  intimated  he  had  received  a  call  from  a  ghost,  res- 
ident in  those  parts,  at  the  distance  of  forty  miles  from  Da- 
ly's. Jacob  Wister,  one  of  the  conspirators,  was  the  agent 
of  Williams  on  this  occasion.  He  instituted  a  company  of 
twenty-one  persons,  all  of  whom  \yere,  of  course,  most  ig- 
norant people.  The  same  and  even  more  absurd  ceremonies 
were  performed  by  these  people,  and  the  communications  of 
the  ghost  were  obtained  in  a  still  more  ridiculous  manner 
than  before.  The  communications  mentioned  Dr.  Dady  as 
the  person  from  whom  they  should  obtain  the  dulcimer  elix- 
er, 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."     Ulrich  Neaff,  a  committee  man 

11 


646  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

of  this  company,  paid  to  Dr.  Dady  ninety  dollars  for  severs 
and  a  half  ounces  of  the  elixer.  The  elixer  was  put  into 
vials,  and  each  person  who  had  one  of  them,  held  it  in  his 
hand  and  shook  it,  as  he  pranced  round  the  circle ;  on  cer- 
tain occasions  he  annointed  his  head  with  it,  and  afterwards, 
by  order  of  the  spirit,  the  phial  was  buried  in  the  ground. 

Paul  Baliter,  another  of  the  committee  men,  took  with 
him  to  Dr.  Dady's,  a  hundred  dollars,  to  purchase  "Asiatic 
sand,"  at  three  dollars  per  ounce.  Dady  being  absent,  Wil- 
liams 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 
despatch  a  committee  to  Lancaster  to  buy  "  Deterick's  mi- 
neral elixer,"  of  a  physician  in  that  place.  In  the  meantime 
Williams  and  his  wife  went  to  Lancaster,  where  they  pre- 
pared the  elixer,  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  him  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  el- 
ixer 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  a  discovery  of  the 
tricks  of  the  impostors,  a  few  days  after  the  disclosures  made 
by  Mrs.  Williams,  an  indictment  was  presented  in  the  crim- 
inal court  of  York  county,  against  Dr.  John  Dady,  Rice 
Williams,  Jesse  Miller,  Jacob  Wister,  the  elder,  and  Jacob 
Wister,  the  younger,  for  a  conspiracy  to  cheat  and  defraud. 


HISTORY    OF   YORK   COUNTY.  647 

The  trial  took  place  in  June  following,  and  resulted  in  the 
conviction  of  Wister,  the  elder,  and  Dr.  Dady — the  former  of 
whom  was  fined  ten  dollars,  and  imprisoned  one  month  in  the 
county  jail,  the  latter  fined  ninety  dollars,  and  sentenced  to 
two  years  confinement  in  the  penitentiary  at  Philadelphia. 

Dady  had  just  been  convicted  of  participating  in  the  con- 
spiracy in  Shrewsbury,  when  he  and  Hall  were  found  guilty 
of  a  like  crime  in  Adams  county — whereupon  Hall  was 
fined  one  hundred  dollars  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for 
two  years,  and  Dady  was  fined  one  himdred  and  sixty  dol- 
lars, 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  Doctor  Dady,  who  certainly 
was  not  devoid  of  talent,  who  possessed  a  most  winning  ad- 
dress, and  was  a  thorough  master  in  quick  and  correct  dis- 
cernment of  character.  He  reigned,  for  a  season,  with  un- 
disputed 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  cred- 
ulous that  the  ghosts  which  appear  now-a-days,  are  as  ma- 
terial as  our  own  flesh.* 

*  Glosbrenner's  His.  York  co. 


648  HISTORY   OP    YORK   COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

York  county  reduced  in  its  limits — Warm  controversies — Negro  con^ 
spiracy — Poorhouse,  and  house  of  employment  erected — Late  war ; 
companies  from  York  go  to  Baltimore — Codorus  floods — Flood  of 
1817;  much  property  destroyed  and  many  lives  lost — Flood  of  1823 
Drought  of  1822— Storm  of  1830. 

Some  time  previous  to  1800,  a  controversy  arose  between 
the  inhabitants  of  eastern   or   lower,  and  western  or  upper 
parts  of  York  county,  touching  the  division  of  it.    The  con- 
troversy was   conducted  with   no  ordinary  share  of  zeal — 
long  and  warm  debates  ensued — essays  for,  and  against  the 
division,  were  written  and  published.     Meetings  called — 
petitions  for,  and  remonstrances  against  the  forming  of  a 
new  county,  were  presented.   After  much  debating,  disputes 
were  settled — parties  so  far  satisfied,  that  an  act  was  passed 
by  the  Legislature,  January  22,  1800,  for  dividing  Adams 
county  from  the  western  part  of  York  county.    Three  com- 
missioners were  appointed  by  the  Governor,  Thomas  Mc- 
Kean,  to  run  and   mark  the  dividing  line  between  Adams 
and  York  counties.     The  commissioners  were  Jacob  Span- 
gler,  deputy  surveyor  of  York  county,  Samuel  Sloan,  depu- 
ty surveyor  of  Adams  county,  and  Mr.  William  Waugh.  At 
the  present,  York  county  is  bounded  north  by  Cumberland; 
east  by  the  Susquehanna  river,  separating  it  from  Dauphin 
and  Lancaster;  south  by  the  State  of  Maryland,  and  west 
by  Adams  county;  length,  thirty-one  miles;  breadth,  twen- 
ty-nine;   area,   900   square  miles.     Population  in   1790, 
37,747;  in  18Q0,  25,643;  in  1810,  31,938;  1820,38,759; 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


649 


1830,42,859;  1840,47,010;  1844,  about  50,000,  or  up- 
wards.* 

The  year  1803,  is  remarkable  in  the  annals  of  this  coun- 
try, for  a  negro  conspiracy : — 

"  On  the  23d  of  February,  1803,  a  negro  woman,  named 
Margaret  Bradley,  was  convicted  for  a  misdemeanor  in  at- 
tempting to  poison  Sophia  Bentz,  and  Matilda  Bentz,  both 
of  York ;  and  in  consequence  thereof,  was  sentenced  to  un- 
dergo an  imprisonment  of  four  years  in  the  penitentiary,  at 
Philadelphia.     The  negroes  of  the  place,  being  dissatisfied 
with  the  above  conviction  and  sentence,  determined  to  have 
revenge  on  the  whites,  and  sought   it  in  the  destruction  of 
their  property.     They  conspired  together  to  burn  the  town 
of  York,  and  almost  succeeded  in  their  nefarious  purpose. 
So  secret  and  artful  was  the  conspiracy,  that  though  the 
fires  were  known  to  be  the  work  of  incendiaries,  yet  no  sus- 
picion was  for  a  long  time  attached  to  the  blacks  of  the 
place.     On  nearly  every  successive  day,  or  night,  for  about 
three  weeks,  they  set  fire  to  some  part  of  the  town ;  but 
through  the  incessant  vigilance  and  unwearied  exertions  of 
the  citizens,  their  dark  designs  were  frustrated.     Numerous 
patrols  were  established ;  strong  guards  were  kept  on  foot 
by  the  citizens ;  and  the  governor  ordered  out  a  detachment 
of  the  mihtia,  which  was  constantly  on  duty.     Indeed  so 
great  was  the  danger,  and  so  high  had  the  public  fear  risen, 
that  the  Governor  of  the  State,  Thomas  M'Kean,  offered  by 
proclamation,  on  the  17th  of  March,  the  sum  of  three  hun- 
dred dollars,  to  any  person  who  should  discover  those  who 
were  engaged  in  the  conspiracy  for   burniug  the  Borough. 
But  happily  for  the  town,  suspicion  had  already  been  at- 
tached, and  arrests  made,  which  were  followed  by  confes- 
sions.    A  negro  girl,  who  had  received  instructions  to  set 
fire  to  Mr.  Zinn's  barn,  at  twelve  o'clock,  mistaking  mid-day 

*  For  the  division  of  the  county  into  townships,  see  Appendix. 

12* 


650  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

for  midnight,  perpetrated  the  deed  at  noon;  in  consequence 
of  the  concealed  crime  (for  she  openly  carried  a  pan  of  coals 
into  the  barn  and  scattered  them  on  the  hay,)  she  was  ar- 
rested, and  confessed  herself  guilty ;  thereby  lending  a  key 
to  the  conspiracy. — Several  other  negroes  were  immediately 
arrested  on  suspicion;  and  during  the  following  week  a  num- 
ber more  were  cast  into  prison,  some  of  whom  confessed. 
Fires  now  ceased  to  be  kindled,  and  peace  and  safety  were 
again  restored  to  the  town. — The  persons  apprehended  lay 
in  jail  until  May,  when  their  trial  came  on  in  the  court  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer.  One  indictment  was  presented  against 
twenty-one  negroes  and  mulattoes,  for  the  crime  of  arson — 
that  is,  house-burning — a  part  of  whom  were  convicted  and 
sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  a  goodly  length  of  years.  Thus 
ended  this  dark  conspiracy,  which  for  a  long  time  baffled 
discovery. 

"Among  the  principal  fires  in  York,  (for  they  burnt  some 
buildings  out  of  the  borough)  may  be  mentioned  the  follow- 
ing: 

"  On  the  night  of  Sunday,  the  20th  of  February,  the  sta- 
ble of  Richard  Koch  was  set  on  fire  and  burnt  to  the  ground. 
This  building  was  well  selected,  for  it  was  joined  to  the 
kitchen  by  one  and  the  same  roof,  and  stood  within  a  few 
feet  of  the  stable  on  an  adjoining  lot  in  which  there  was  a 
quantity  of  hay.  The  roof  of  the  kitchen  being  torn  down, 
the  fire  was,  by  means  of  the  engines,  confined  to  the  stable : 
but  had  it  not  been  discovered  until  a  httle  later,  it  would 
have  destroyed  all  the  neighboring  buildings. 

"  On  the  night  of  Monday,  the  7th  of  March,  they  set 
fire  to  the  stable  of  Mr.  Edie,  then  in  the  tenure  of  Doctor 
Spangler.  The  flames  were  communicated  with  uncontrol- 
able  rapidity  to  the  stable  of  Dr.  Jameson  on  the  west,  and 
to  that  of  the  widow  Updegraff  on  the  east.  Those  three 
buildings  were  all  on  fire  at  the  same  time,  and  sunk  down 


HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY.  651 

in  one  common  ruin:  by  uniting  their  flames,  they  formed  a 
tremendous  fire,  which  seemed  to  threaten  the  destruction  of 
a  great  part  of  the  town. 

"  On  the  8th  of  March,  the  Academy*  was  on  fire,  but 
the  flames  were  quickly  and  fortunately  extinguished.  This 
was  the  fifth  fire  in  the  town  within  the  period  of  nine 
days. 

"On  the  14th  of  March,  they  set  fire  to  the  barn  of  Mr. 
Zinn,  whence  the  flames  were  communicated  to  the  barn  of 
Rudolph  Spangler,  Jacob  Spangler,  G.  L.  Loeffler,  and  Phi- 
lip Gossler.  These  five  barns,  built  of  wood,  filled  with  hay 
and  straw,  and  standing  near  one  another,  formed  but  one 
fire.  Through  great  exertions,  and  a  fortunate  change  of 
the  wind,  the  houses  and  other  buildings  in  the  neighbor- 
hood were  saved.  This  was  the  fire  which  led  to  the  im- 
mediate discovery  of  the  conspiracy. 

"After  the  fires  had  ceased,  and  most  of  those  who  had 
been  engaged  in  the  conspiracy  were  confined  in  prison,  the 
justices  of  the  peace  and  burgesses  of  the  borough  published 
a  notice  (on  the  21st  of  March,)  "to  the  inhabitants  of  York 
and  vicinity,  to  the  distance  of  ten  miles,"  requiring  such  as 
had  negroes  "  to  keep  them  at  home  under  strict  discipline 
and  watch,  and  not  to  let  them  come  to  town  on  any  pre- 
tence whatsoever,  without  a  written  pass:"  and  when  they 
came,  they  were  to  leave  town  one  hour  at  least  before  sun- 
down, "on  pain  of  being  imprisoned,  or  at  the  risk  of  their 
lives."     Free  negroes  were  "  to  get  a  pass  from  a  justice  of 

*  This  fire  is  believed  not  to  have  been  caused  b}'  the  blacks,  but 
is  supposed  to  have  originated  in  the  carelessness  of  one  of  the  teach- 
ers, who  either  directed  or  permitted  hot  ashes  to  be  poured  on  the 
floor  of  an  unoccupied  room,  containing  some  dry  wood  and  chips 
which  were  in  consequence  ignited,  and  communicated  the  fire  to  the 
floor  and  wood-work  of  the  room. 


652  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

the  peace,  in  order  that  they  might  not  be  restrained  from 
their  daily  labor." 

A  few  years.after  the  division  of  the  county,  the  people 
of  York  made  efforts  to  dispense  with  having  the  poor,  to 
use  a  common  expression,  "  on  the  township."  The  legis- 
lature passed  an  act  Feb.  6,  1803,  authorizing  the  erection 
of  a  house  for  the  employment  and  support  of  the  poor  in 
this  county. 

"  The  persons  originally  appointed  to  determine  upon, 
and  fix  the  place  for  the  erection  of  the  Poor  House,  were 
Martin  Gardner,  Samuel  Collins,  Abraham  Grofius,  Christ- 
ian Hetrich,  Peter  Small,  Peter  Storm,  John  Heneisen,  Hen- 
ry Grieger,  and  Daniel  Spangler. 

"After  a  number  of  meetings,  they  made  their  report  on 
the  30th  of  June,  1804.  They  fixed  on  the  spot  of  ground 
within  the  bounds  of  the  borough  of  York,  called  the  town 
common,  being  the  south-west  part,  next  adjoining  Codorus 
creek  and  Water  street,  containing  about  twenty-five  acres." 
But  in  consequence  of  different  claims  having  been  made  to 
the  site  they  fixed  upon,  it  was  thought  improper  to  erect 
the  necessary  building.  This  was  represented  to  the  legis- 
lature: and  that  body  on  the  1st  of  April,  1805,  empower- 
ed the  then  directors  to  determine  upon  such  a  site  as  to  them 
might  appear  eligible,  and  likewise  to  cause  the  necessary 
necessary  buildings  to  be  erected  thereon.  The  directors 
immediately  proceeded  on  the  business  committed  to  their 
charge,  and  on  the  16th  of  the  same  month,  made  report  of 
their  proceedings.  From  their  written  account  of  what  they 
had  done,  it  appears  that  they  "made  purchase  of  a  certain 
plantation,  and  tract  ol  land,  of  and  from  Andrew  Robin- 
son,  Esq.,  called  Elm-spring  farm*  within  one  mile  of  the 

*  The  history  of  this   farm   is   as  follows  :    On  the  17th  Oct.  1776, 
Thomas  Penn  and  Richard  Penn  granted  a  patent  to  John  Hahn  and 


HISTORY   QF   YORK   COUNTY^  653 

borough  of  York,  as  also  one  piece  of  timber  land*  contain- 
ing nearly  one  hundred  acres,  within  two  miles  of  the  afore- 
said plantation."  Shortly  after  this,  in  1805,  the  old  buil- 
dings were  erectedf  and  the  poor  were  removed  thither 
from  all  parts  of  the  county,  in  April  1806.  The  office  of 
overseers  of  the  poor  ceased  now  to  exist,  and  their  duties 
devolved,  in  part,  upon  the  directors. 

"  The  first  election  of  directors  of  the  poor  was  held  on 
the  9th  October,  1804.  The  three  persons  elected  met  a: 
the  Court  house  on  the  5th  November  following,  and  divi- 
ded themselves  into  three  classes.  The  place  of  the  firs; 
class  was  to  be  vacated  at  the  expiration  of  the  first  year ; 
that  of  the  second  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  year ;  anc 
that  of  the  third  at  the  expiration  of  the  third  year : — SC' 
that  those  who  have  been  chosen  since  the  first  election 
have  been  chosen  to  serve  for  three  years ;  and  one  third  is 
annually  chosen.  Their  style  is  "  The  Directors  of  tba 
Poor  and  House  of  Employment  for  the  county  of  York.'' 

"In  the  year  l828,  another  building  was  erected  near 
the  poor  house,  and  connected  with  that  institution.  This 
was  the  elegant  brick  hospital  which  greets  the  eye  tf  the 
stranger  coming  into  York  by  the  Philadelphia  road,  and  is 

Michael  Hahn,  for  a  tract  calledj  "  Rigen."  On  4th  of  Nov.  John 
sold  to  Michael  Hahn.  On  20th  Nov.  Michael  Hahn  sold  to  Mathias 
Sitler.  On  27th  Nov.,  1796,  Sitler  sold  to  George  Bentz.  On  15th. 
April,  1796,  Bentz  sold  to  Henry  King.  On  2d  March,  1802,  King  sold 
to  Andrew  Robinson.  In  April,  1805,  it  passed  to  the  directors  of  the 
poor,  in  consideration  of  4400  pounds ;  the  tract  purchased,  containing 
132  acres,  156  perches,  and  allowance. 

*  This  tract,  which  is  known  by  the  name  of  the  "Hermitage  farm," 
contains  159  acres  and  17  perches, with  allowance,  and  was  purchased 
for  600  pounds. 

t  The  price  of  "  Elm  Spring"  and  "  Hermitage"  farms  was  $13,. 
333  33.  The  cash  expended  for  brick,  lime,  stone,  sand,  and  other- 
maJerials  towards  building  the  poor  house  amounted  to  $ifi7l  34. 


654  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

distinguished  for  its  neatness,  elegance  and  comfort.  It  is 
of  brick,  two  stories  high,  its  interior  judiciously  divided  and 
the  whole  well  fitted  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  erec- 
ted. 

"  The  entire  cost  in  cash,  to  the  county,  of  this  excellent 
building,  was  $7800,  a  sum  much  less  than  it  would  have 
been  but  that  a  good  deal  of  labor  was  performed,  at  its 
erection,  by  paupers  supported  at  the  poor  house." 
I  Whenever  the  emergency  of  the  country  called'  for,  the 
^ople  of  York  connty,  were  always  ready  to  do  duty  ;  of 
tjiis  they  gave  another  instance  in  the  late  war  of  1812. 

"In  1814,  when  the  city  of  Baltimore  was  endangered  by 
tiie  approach  of  the  British,  York  county  was  prompt  in 
cpming  forward  to  the  aid  of  the  Baltimoreans.  A  number 
of  companies  in  various  parts  of  the  county  were  immedi- 
ately ready  to  march  to  the  city,  prepared  to  confront  the 
ptoud  invader,  and,  if  necessary,  to  lay  down  their  lives  in 
the  effort  to  check  his  progress. 

"  \lthough,  of  the  companies  raised  here  for  the  purpose 
of  defending  Baltimore,  but  one  reached  that  city  in  time 
to  sha^  the  danger  ar.d  glory  of  an  actual  engagement  with 
the  enemy — yet,  the  fact  that  they  marched  to  the  point  of 
invasion  as  early  as  circumstances  permitted,  will  shield  all 
of  them  who  did  not  arrive  in  time,  from  any  imputation  of 
indifference  to  the  fate  of  Baltimore.  When  they  did  leave 
their  homes,  they  left  them  in  the  full  expectation  that  they 
were  to  meet  an  enemy  flushed  and  insolent  with  success, 
and  surpassing  them  in  military  discipline.  It  was  no  fault 
of  theirs,  that,  when  they  arrived  at  Baltimore,  an  attack 
had  already  been  made — it  was  no  fault  of  theirs  that  they 
had  not  assisted  in  the  gallant  defence  of  the  city  and  the 
repulse  of  the  invader. 

"The  "YORK  VOLUNTEERS,"  who  did  arrive  in 
time,  were  nearly  one  hundred  strong,  were  composed  prin- 


'history   of    YORK   COUNTY.  655 

dpally  of  young  men,  "  the  flower  of  the  county,"  ahd  were 
commanded  by  Captain  (afterwards  Colonel)  Michael  H. 
iSpangler,  of  the  borough  of  York. 

"  This  gallant  company  marched  from  York  on  the  29th 
of  August,  1814,  without  any  provision  other  than  that  con- 
tributed by  the  citizens  of  the  borough.  Immediately  upon 
their  arrival  at  the  city,  they  tendered  their  services  to  the 
general  in  command,  and  in  consequence  of  their  respectable 
appearance  and  discipline,  were  sohcited  to  attach  them- 
selves to  the  fifth  regiment,  a  fine  body  of  Baltimore  troops, 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Sterett.  They  were  marched 
with  their  regiment  to  oppose  the  enemy  at  North  Point, 
and  until  overpowered  by  numbers,  fought  with  the  bravery 
of  veterans.  Notwithstanding  the  formidable  host  opposed 
to  them,  they  resolutely  maintained  their  ground,  until  a  re- 
treat, thrice  ordered,  became  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent 
their  being  surrounded  and  cut  off.  Two  of  their  number 
were  taken  prisoners  and  several  wounded — one  very  severe- 
ly. After  the  battle,  and  until  the  enemy  retired,  their  du- 
ty was  of  the  most  severe  and  arduous  kind,  and  they  ac- 
quitted themselves  in  a  manner  fully  satisfactory  to  their 
commanders  and  highly  honorable  to  themselves. 

"In  testimony  of  the  gallant  bearing  of  the  "Volunteers" 
at  Baltimore,  we  subjoin  the  discharge  of  Gen.  Smith,  a  pri- 
vate letter  of  Maj.  Heath,  and  an  extract  from  the  regimen- 
tal orders  of  the  brave  Col.  Sterett,  of  September  20,  1814.  • 

(  Head  Quarters,  Baltimore, 
I  September  20,  1814. 
*'  Captain  Spangler  and  his  company  of  volunteers  from 
York,  Pa.,  having  honorably  performed  the  tour  of  duty  for 
which  they  had  offered  their  services,  are  hereby  permitted 
to  return  to  their  homes.  In  taking  leave  of  this  gallant 
corps,  the  major  general  commanding  has  great  pleasure  in 
bearing  testimony  to  the  undaunted  courage  they  displayed 


f 


656  HISTORY   OP   YORK   COUNTY. 

in  the  affair  of  the  12th  inst.j  and  in  tenderfng  them  his 
thanks  for  the  essential  aid  they  contributed  towards  the 
defence  of  the  country. 

S.  Smith,  Maj»  Gen.  Commanding." 

Baltimore,  September  20, 1814. 
To  Captain  Spangler. 

Dear  Sir — Hearing  that  you  are  about  to  depart  from  our 
city  with  your  brave  corps,  I  cannot  do  justice  to  my  own 
feelings  without  expressing  the  obligations  I  am  under  to 
you  and  them  for  the  promptness  with  which  you  uniformly 
executed  my  orders,  your  readiness  at  all  times  to  perform 
your  duty,  and  the  cool  and  manly  conduct  manifested  by 
the  officers  and  men  under  your  command  during  the  action 
with  the  enemy  on  the  12th  inst.  May  you  all  return  in 
health  to  the  bosoms  of  your  families,  and  long- enjoy  happi- 
ness uninterrupted. 

"  I  am  sir,  with  sentiments  of  sincere  respect,  your  frieno 
and  humble  servant. 

R.  K.  Heath,  1st  major,  5th  reg't." 

Regimental  Orders — Fifth  Regiment. 

«  Baltimore,  Sept.  20,  1814. 
"  Captain  Spangler's  company  of  York  Volunteers  having 
permission  to  return  to  their  respective  homes,  the  lieutenant 
colonel  cannot  permit  them  to  depart  without  thanking  them, 
for  their   soldier-like  and  orderly  conduct.     The  few  days 
they  were  attached  to  the  5th  regiment,  was  a  momentous 
period  of  trial — they  not  only  had  to  face  the  dangers  of." 
battle,  but  to  bear  the  inclemencies  of  weather  and  suffer  all. 
the  inconveniencies  of  fatigue,  watching  and  hunger  to  which: 
the  soldier  is  liable  in  the  hour  of  alarm — those  w^ere  met 
and  borne  by  them  with  a  manly  fortitude,  which  does  them 
honor  and  entitles  them  to  the  gratitude  of  Baltimore,  and 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  457 

particularly  to  the  friendship  and  esteem  of  the  officers  and 
men  of  the  5th  regiment,  which  are  thus  publicly  and  cheer- 
fully accorded  to  them. 

"  The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  and  men  composing 
the  company  of  "York  Volunteers,"  when  that  company 
marched  from  York  on  the  invasion  of  Baltimore — August 
29,1814: 

Michael  H.  Spangler,  Captain. 

Jacob  Barnifz,  First  Lieutenant. 

John  M'Curdy,  Second  Lieutenant. 

George  F.  Doll,  Ensign. 

Musicians. — John  A.  Leitner,  Daniel  Small,  G.  P.  Kurtz. 

Non-commissioned  Officers. — John  Hay,  Adam  King, 
Joseph  Schall,  David  Wilson,  Charles  Kurtz,  Michael  Hahn, 
John  Kuntz,  Daniel  UpdegrafF. 

Privates. — Peter  Lanius,  Henry  Sleeger,  James  Gibson, 
G,  W.  Spangler,  Hugh  Ingram,  John  Brickel,  Thos.  Mil- 
ler, Jacob  Lehman,  Jacob  Wiesenthal,  Jacob  Frey,  George 
Dunn,  John  M'Clean,  George  Holter,  George  Reisinger, 
Michael  Miller,  John  Devine,  John  M'Anulty,  John-^Sinn, 
Anthony  T.  Burns,  Jacob  Gartner,  Peter  O'Conner,  Chas. 
Stroman,  Enoch  Thompson,  Henry  Wolf,  David  Hoffijrt, 
Richard  Coody,  James  Dugan,  Andrew  KaufFman,  Charles 
Stuck,  Hugh  Stewart,  Jacob  Lottraan,  Sacob  Sheffer,  Pe- 
ter Siers,  Jacob  Reisinger,  William  Burns,  Jacob  Glessner, 
Emanuel  Raab,  Jacob  Rupp,  Grafton  Duvall,  Samuel  Hays, 
George  Beard,  George  Brickel,  Christian  Eshbach,  Joseph 
Kerr,  John  Taylor,  John  Byron,  Daniel  Coyle,  Jac.  Herbst, 
.Peter  Grimes,  Hugh  M'Gosker,  Abraham  Keller,  Henry 
MundorfF,  G.  M.  Leitner,  Walter  Bull,  William  Nes,  Dan- 
iel Heckert,  James  S.  Connellee,  David  Trimble,  J.  W.  Al- 
temus,  Thomas  Thompson,  Chester  Smith,  E.  W.  Murphy, 
Robert  Pierson,  Daniel  Baumgardner,  Frederick  Witz,  Fre- 
derick Kercher,  Jacob  Noell,  George  Ilgenfritz,  Geo.  Laub, 

13 


685  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

Joseph  Woodyear,  Joseph  M'Cbnniken,  John  Fisher,  John 
Giesy,  Jacob  Levan,  Jacob  Stoshr,  Peter  Cooker,  Hugh 
M'Lear,  sen.,  Hugh  M'Alear,  jun,,  David  KaufFman,  Wil- 
liam Warson,  Dennis  Kearney,  Aaron  Holt. 

"  Of  the  members  of  the  above  company,  only  about  twen- 
ty-five are  nov»^  (1834)  living.  The  arduous  duty  performed 
at  Baltimore,  and  the  exposure  to  a  number  of  damp  and 
cold  nights  in  September,  to  which  many  of  them  were  un- 
accustomed, Ave  have  no  doubt  implanted  in  their  systems 
ihe  germs  of  diseases,  by  which  they  were  afterwards  hur- 
ried to  their  graves.  Their  gallant  captain  died  on  Sunday, 
the  7th  of  September,  1834,  and  was  attended  to  his  grsive 
On  the  following  morning  Tuesday  by  a  vast  concourse  of 
mourning  relatives  and  friends,  by  the  officers  of  the  94th 
Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Militia,  by  the  survivors  of  the 
"York  Volunteers,"  and  by  the  following  companies,  "Wash- 
ington Artillerists,"  "  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,"  "  Citizen 
Guards,''^  National  Grays,"  and  "York  Rangers." 

The  Codorus  had  risen  several  times,  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  York  county,  so  high  as  to  cause  considerable  de- 
struction of  property.  The  flood  of  March,  1784,  denom- 
inated the  "Ice  Flood,"  and  the  flood  of  October,  1786,  did 
considerable  damage;  but  neithe?  of  these  was  so  destruc- 
tive as  the  flood  of  1817,  when  the  water  had  risen  a  fathom 
higher  than  it  had  risen  in  '86. 

'•'  On  Friday,  August  8th,  1817,  at  10  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  clouds  dark  and  blue  were  seen  lowering,  which 
v;as  succeeded  by  a  gentle  rain.  At  midnight  the  rain  in- 
creased; and  by  one  it  poured  down  in  torrents,  accompa- 
nied wich  considerable  wind.  The  storm  continjied  till 
nearly  1  o'clock,  on  Saturday,  P.  M.,  when  the  sky  became 
on  a  sudden,  clear."  The  gloom  of  feeling  caused  by  the 
unusual  and  incessant  storm,  had  indeed  caused  some  melan- 
choly forebodings ;  but  all  heaviness  of  soul  was  dissipated 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  659 

by  the  view  of  a  sky  again  clear  and  serene.  Every  where 
there  was  cheerfulness,  without  a  dream  of  the  approach  of 
il  anger. 

"  By  the  rain,  the  Codorus  had  swollen  beyond  its  banks. 
In  the  strength  of  its  course,  it  swept  away  the  large  wood- 
en bridge,  which  coHnected  George  street  with  the  York 
Haven  Turnpike  Road.  The  destruction  of  the  bridge, 
however,  did  not  excite  the  fears  of  the  inhabitants.  Many 
of  them  were  amused  at  the  novel  sight  of  a  bridge  moving 
off  with  the  current. 

"  The  water,  in  the  meantime,  was  rising  rapidly — it  soon 
covered  Main  street,  from  above  Water  street,  on  the  east- 
ern to  NeAvberry  street,  on  the  western  side  of  the  creek. 
The  people  now  removed  from  the  lower  stories  of  their 
houses ;  but  no  one  foreboded  the  approach  of  disaster. 

"At  length  news  arrived  that  the  large  dam  at  Sprmg 
Forge,  on  the  Codorns,  some  miles  above  York,  had  yielded 
to  the  fury  of  the  waters.  This  intelligence  was  communi- 
cated to  the  people  who  lived  west  of  the  creek,  and  imme- 
diately beyond  the  stone  bridge  in  Main  street.  They  were 
advised  to  save  themselves  by  going  to  some  place  of  secu- 
rity, while  the  water  might  yet  be  waded.  They  appre- 
hended, however,  no  danger,  supposing  that  their  houses 
would  save  them — and,  consequently,  they  did  not  remove. 

"  The  waters  of  the  Spring  Forge  dam,  and  of  the  other 
dams  above  York,  broken  by  the  discharged  fury  of  the  first, 
came  now  foaming,  rolling,  roaring  on,  acquiring  new 
stre:  igth  as  they  progressed,  and  sweeping  down  every  thing 
in  their  course,  until  finally  lost  in  the  Susquehanna.  Be- 
fore the  creek,  however,  had  arisen  to  the  fullness  of  its 
fearful  height.  Col.  Michael  H.  Spangler,  first,  with  a  horse, 
and  afterwards  with  a  boat,  removed  many  people  from  their 
houses,  thereby  saving  them,  most  probably,  from  a  death 
amid  the  waters.     At  one  time  there  were  eight  persons  at- 


660  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

teched  to  the  boat,  so  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  make 
it  move  over  the  waves.  A  few  minutes  more,  and  it  would 
have  been  too  late  to  have  saved  these  beings  from  the  fury 
of  a  merciless  element. 

"  The  water  had  now  risen  so  high,  that  communication 
between  the  people  in  their  houses,  and  those  on  the  shores, 
became  impossible.  As  the  danger  of  removing  was  greater 
than  that  of  remaining,  those  who  were  exposed  were  obliged 
to  continue  where  they  were,  each  seeming  affixed  to  the 
spot,  fearing  each  moment,  that  in  the  next,  they  should  be 
precipitated  in  the  flood. 

"  The  torrent  now  rolled  through  the  streets  of  York,  as 
though  the  fountains  of  the  great  deep  had  been  broken  up. 
The  Codarus  had  swollen  into  a  mighty  river — it  was  from 
a  quarter  to  a  half  mile  wide,  and  deep  enough  to  float  the 
proudest  war-ship  that  rides  the  ocean.  On  came  the  tor- 
rent, bearing  on  its- broad  bosom  trophies  of  the  ruin  and 
destruction  it  had  already  spread  throughout  the  region  of 
its  march.  Bridges,  the  wood- work  of  dams,  mills,  houses, 
barns,  stables,  &c..  from  the  country  above,  all,  in  rapid 
succession,  came  floating  through  the  town. 

"  House  after  house  either  rose  on  the  water  and  was 
borne  off",  or  was  undermined  and  sunk  beneath  the  waves. 
As  the  small  and  less  strong  houses  were  most  exposed  to 
danger,  their,  inhabitants  betook  themselves  to  those  which 
were  more  fortified  against  the  element.  Many  beat  holes 
from  room  to  room,  thereby  ascending  to  the  tops  of  their 
dwellings :  and  then,  by  jumping  from  roof  to  roof,  they 
escaped.  In  some  instances,  the  houses  deserted  were  swept 
away  in  less  than  a  minute  from  the  time  they  were  left. 

"  The  houses  in  which  the  people  mostly  collected  for 
safety,  were  Mrs.  Margaret  Doudle's,  Jesse  Spangler's  and 
Jesse  Love's.  There  were  eight  persons  saved  in  Mrs. 
Doudle's  house ;  six  in  Mr.  Spangler's ;  and  between  twen- 


''  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  661 

ty-five  and  thirty  in  Mr.  Love's.  The  people  in  these  hou- 
ses remained  for  nearly  four  hours  in  continued  expectation 
of  instant  death  ;  for  the  houses  stood  in  the  midst  of  a  cur- 
rent which  was  on  all  sides  overthrowing  buildings  appar- 
ently as  firm  as  they.  These  houses,  with  several  others, 
were  watched  from  the  shore  with  a  breathless  anxiety  ;  but 
though  one  corner  after  another  had  given,  or  was  giving 
way,  yet  enough  remained  to  secure  the  lives  of  those  who 
were  in  them  and  upon  them. 

"  Helpless  relatives  and  friends  were  seen  extending  their 
arms  from  roofs  and  v;indows  for  assistance,  expecting  that 
the  house  which  sustained  them,  would  instantly  yield  be- 
neath them,  or  float  down  the  torrent.  The  cries  of  tlie 
the  living  and  dying  were  heard  on  all  sides  ;  and  every  one 
was  taking,  in  breathless  agony,  a  last  look  at  some  dear 
object  of  affection. 

"It  would  be  a  labor  almost  endless  to  recount  all  the 
hair-breadth  escapes,  and  to  detail  every  deed  of  individual 
prowess,  for  which  this  day  will  long  be  mentioned  with  a 
melancholy  and  a  tearful  recollection.  Every  thing  which 
human  power  could  effect,  was  done  to  aid  and  to  save. — 
There  were  a  few  men  whose  exertions  on  this  occasion  en- 
titles them  to  honorable  notice.  Messrs.  Penrose.  Robinson 
and  John  Wolf  secured  two  coloured  people  who  were  floa- 
ting down  the  torrent  on  the  roof  of  a  house,  at  the  risk 
of  their  own  hves.  Messrs.  Seacrist,  Eichelberger,  Leitner, 
Cookes,  Hart,  Doughen,  Detterman,  and  John  Miller  exer- 
ted themselves  in  boats,  like  heroes,  fearless  of  the  waves, 
and  despising  danger. 

"  There  were  ten  persons  who  lost  their  lives  by  this 

flood ;  they  were  Mr.  Hugh  Cunningham  and  lady,  Mr. 

Daniel  UpdegrafF  (formerly  editor  of  a  paper  entitled  "The 

Expositor")  Master  Samuel  Eichelberger,  (son  of  Martin 

Eichelberger,)   aged  about  fifteen  years,   a  Miss  Colvin  of 

13* 


• 


662  HISTORY   OF   YOKK   COUNTY. 

York  county,  a  child  of  Mr.  John  F.  Williams,  aged  about 
two  years ;  and  four  persons  of  colour. 

"  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cunningham,  and  Samuel  Eichelberger 
were  found  in  one  and  the  same  room,  lying  dead  side  by 
side.  They  were  in  part  of  Mr.  Clellan's  house,  which  was 
lodged  a  few  perches  from  the  channel  against  a  tree.  Out 
of  this  house,  Mr.  McClellan  had  been  taken  but  a  few  min- 
utes before  it  was  carried  away.  Mr.  Joseph  Wren,  a  sol- 
dier of  the  revolution,  was  found  alive  in  the  garret  of  the 
same  house.  Mrs.  Williams'  child  was  thrown  from  its 
cradle  in  sight  of  its  mother,  who  was  herself  saved  with 
difficulty. 

"  The  following  is  a  list  of  most  of  the  buildings  that  were 
ruined  or  carried  off  by  the  flood,  between  Water  and  New- 
berry streets. 

Michael  Doudel's  large  currying  ''shop,  tan  house,  &c., 
and  his  stock  of  hides  and  leather,  all  swept  away.  Jacob 
Barnitz's  stone  brewery  destroyed.  Samuel  Welsh's  brick 
brewery  (with  all  its  contents)  nail-factory,  and  out-houses, 
carried  off;  and  the  brick  dwelling  house  much  injured .- 
Jesse  Spangler's  hatter  shop,  stable,  and  out-houses  destroy- 
ed ;  and  his  dwelling  house,  (occupied  by  him  as  a  tavern) 
ruined.  Mr.  Schlosser's  brick  dwelling  house,  stable,  and 
out-house  destroyed.  Joseph  Morris'  kitchen,  stable,  and 
out-houses  destroyed  ;  his  dwelling  house  greatly  injured. 
Mrs.  Morris'  stable  and  out-houses  destroyed;  dwelling 
house  injured.  Mr.  Hantz's  tavern,  (occupied  by  Thomas 
Smith)  stable,  sheds,  and  out-houses  carried  off:  the  tavern 
and  back-building  all  of  brick,  nearly  ruined.  Peter  Ruhl's 
dwelling  house,  kitchen,  and  stable  carried  off.  John  F. 
Williams'  brick  grocery  store,  brick  kitchen,  stable,  and 
oub-houses  destroyed :  dwelling  house  ruined.  Alexander 
Underwood's  kitchen,  stable,  and  out-houses  destroyed  : 
dwelling  house  very  much  injured.      Messrs.  Jessop's  and 


HISTORY   OP   YORK   COUNTY.  663 

Davis's  jeweller's  shop  carried  off.  Jonathan  Jessop's  cot- 
ton ware-house,  with  a  large  quantity  of  cotton  ;  his  stables, 
and  out-houses,  all  carried  off.  John  Elgar's  nail-factory, 
stable,  and  out-houses  destroyed  ;  dwelling  house  greatly 
injured.  George  Rothrock's  stables  and  out-houses  destroy- 
ed. Mr.  Lanius'  stable  and^out-houses  destroyed.  Mar- 
tin Spangler's  tan-house,  two  other  houses,  and  stable  de- 
stroyed ;  dwelling  house  injured.  Jacob  Smyser's  tan-house 
&c.,  destroyed. 

Mr.  Inglefritz's  stable  was  carried  off.  Mr.  Jacob  Gard- 
ner's  tan-house,  bark-house,  barn,&c.,  carried  off;  dwelling 
house  injured.  Israel  Gardner's  new  two-story  brick  house 
(occupied  by  George  Lauman)  with  all  its  contents  carried 
off:  back  buildings  injured.  Thomas  O wing's  back-build- 
ing and  stable  carried  off;  dwelling  house  ruined.  John 
Love's  tan-house,  bark-house,  stable,  &c.,  carried  off.  The 
Rev.  Michael  Dunn's  stable  and  out-houses  carried  ©ff; 
dwelling  house  injured.  Weirich  Bentz's  two  dwelling  hou- 
ses, stables,  and  out-houses  carried  off.  Mrs.  Margaret 
Doudel's  tan-house  aud  out-houses  carried  off:  her  large 
and  strong  two-story  brick  dwelling  house  very  much  inju- 
red by  the  falling  in  of  the  whole  west  gable  end.  Mrs. 
Rummel's  stable,  and  Mr.  Carnan's  stable  carried  off.  Mr. 
Behler's  log-house  and  still-house  in  Water  street  carried 
off. 

Mr.  Siechrist's  shed  full  of  bricks  carried  off  the  whole  of 
the  curtain  and  wing  walls  of  the  stone  bridge  in  High 
street  broken  down.  In  most  of  these  cases  the  buildings 
and  improvements  were  either  entirely  carried  off,  or  were 
so  much  injured  as  to  be  incapable  of  repair. 

"  The  tenants  who  suffered,  and  who  mostly  lost  their  all, 
were  Martin  Eichelberger,  Mrs.  M'Clellan,  G.  K.  Kane, 
Samuel  Hartman,  George  Lauman,  Abner  Thomas,  and  se- 
veral others. 


664  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

"  One  account  of  the  flood  says,  that  'seven  tan  yards, 
two  taverns,  three  stores,  two  breweries,  one  candle  and  soap 
factory,  one  whip  factory,  two  nail  factories,  one  jeweller's 
shop,  one  coppersmith's  shop,  and  several  other  shops,  be- 
sides other  buildings ;  in  all,  fifty-four  buildings  were  de- 
stroyed.' The  same  account  says,  '  The  expanse  of  several 
miles  of  water  below  the  town  was  covered  with  ruins : — 
Roofs  floating  dow^n  wuth  people  on  them,  reaching  and  cry- 
ing for  assistance;  stables  with  dogs,  fowls,  and  other  do- 
mestic animals ;  wrecks  covered  with  tables,  beds,  bedsteads, 
chairs,  desks,  bureaus,  clocks  and  clock  cases,  trunks,  cra- 
dles, sideboards,  and  many  other  articles,  both  of  furniture 
and  clothing,  dry  goods  and  groceries,  barrels,  hogsheads, 
timber  and  mill-wheels,  trees,  wheat  and  rye  sheaves,  corn, 
©ats,  fences,  &c.,  all  passing  along  with  lifeless  bodies,  down 
the  torrent.  In  the  country  there  was  great  distress.  The 
saw-mill  of  J.  P.  King  was  carried  away.  A  house  occu- 
pied by  Samuel  Eoyer,  wlio  lived  at  King's  paper  mill,  w^as 
swept  off,  anfl  v/ith  it  went  every  thing  I\Ir.  Boyer  had,  ex- 
cept the  clothes  on  his  back.  The  bridges  on  the  Baltimore 
road  were  broken  down  ;  the  stage  was  unable  to  travel  the 
road  on  Monday.  The  large  bridge  over  the  Conewago,  on 
the  York  Haven  road,  was  destroyed.  And  so  of  a  thou- 
sand other  things.' 

Another  account  says,  "  all  the  barns,  stables,  and  out- 
houses, with  one  or  two  exceptions,  from  the  creek  to  New- 
bury street,  w-ere  carried  away.  The  buildings  swept  away 
or  injured,  such  as  dwelling  houses,  barns,  stables  and  work- 
shops, could  not  be  far  from  one  hundred." 

"  It  is  estimated  that  the  damage  done  to  York  and  its 
immediate  vicinity,  amounted  to  more  than  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  Nearly  fifty  families  were  nearly  ruined. 
In   short,  many  people  worth  from  one  to  seven  thousand 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  666 

dollars  on  Saturday  morning,  were  in  a  few  hours  reduced 
to  poverty. 

"As  this  great  and  awful  inundation  was  a  cause  not  of 
private  calamities  only,  but  of  losses  of  a  public  nature,  ap- 
plication was  made  to  the  legislature  of  the  state  for  relief. 
That  body,  at  their  first  session  after  the  flood,  granted  (on 
13th  Feb.,  1818,)  the  sum  of  5000  dollars  to  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  county,  to  be  applied  in  building  and  repair- 
ing the  public  bridges  which  had  been  destroyed  or  injured ; 
and  hkewise  the  sum  of  lOOO  dollars  to  the  burgesses  of 
York,  to  be  applied  in  repairing  the  pubhc  streets  of  the 
borough. 

In  the  year  1822,  York  suffered  from  another  flood.  A 
snow  of  between  fifteen  and  eighteen  inches  deep,  fell  on 
the  18th  of  February.  On  the  evening  of  the  20th,  a  south 
wind  arose,  accompanied  with  heavy  rain;  the  snow  dis- 
solved with  unexampled  rapidity ;  and  on  the  21st,  the  Co- 
dorus  was  swollen  to  a  river.  The  water  was  within  four 
feet  and  four  inches  of  being  as  high  as  on  the  memorable 
9th  of  August,  1817.  From  the  vast  quantity  of  floating 
ice,  the  flood  was  very  destructive  to  bridges,  mill-dams, 
&c..  See. 

In  particular,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  three  arches  of 
the  bridge  in  Main  street,  York,  and  five  arches  of  the  new 
stone  bridge  over  Conewago,  at  Berlin,  were  thrown  down 
by  the  ice,  &c.,  the  bridges  being  thereby  destroyed. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  principal  sufferers  in 
York  borough : 

The  tannery  of  Michael  Doudle  was  much  injured — he 
lost,  moreover,  a  shop,  and  a  considerable  quantity  of  hides 
and  leather.  The  dwelling  house  and  brew  house  of  Sam- 
uel Welsh  were  much  injured :  he  lost  a  frame  storehouse. 
Jacob  Schlosser  lost  his  still  house  and  distillery.    The  sta- 


i 


o66  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

bles  of  Jesse  Spangler,  of  Joseph  Morris,  Esq.y  and  of  An- 
drew  Newman  were  carried  off.  Jacob  Siechrist  sustained 
considerable  loss  in  his  brick-yard. 

Though  this  flood  did  much  damage,  and  was  well  an 
object  of  terror,  yet  the  remembrance  of  it  loses  much  of  its 
interest,  and  its  dread,  on  account  of  the  greater  power  and 
far  more  destructive  consequences  of  its  predecessor. 

The  last  flood  spoken  of,  was  followed  by  a  very  remark- 
able drought. 

"  Persons  who  had  lived  nearly  a  century,  had  witnessed 
nothing  like  the  great  drought  of  1822.  There  was  no  rain 
of  any  consequence  from  the  21st  of  February,  the  time  of 
the  flood,  until  some  time  in  September — a  period  of  about 
six  months.  Fountains  which  had  been  considered  as  pe- 
rennial, were  dried  up.  Grinding  was  not  done  at  one  mill 
out  of  ten;,  and  where  grinding  was  done,  the  demand  for 
flour  was  not  supplied.  Many  farmers  went  twenty  miles 
to  mill,  and  then  w^ere  obhged  to  return  with  a  quantity  of 
flour  not  sufricient  to  satisfy  immediate  want. 

An  account  of  the  drought,  written  the  13th  of  Augusts 
says,  "  The  summer  crops  have  almost  totally  failed ;  some 
flelds  will  not  yield  a  grain  of  corn,  and  the  best  fields  not 
more  than  a  few  bushels  to  the  acre." 

Shortly  after  this  there  were  two  showers,  which  greatly 
^-elieved  the  distress  of  the  country — the  one  fell  on  the  23d, 
and  on  the  other  on  the  24th  of  August.  The  showers, 
however,  did  not  extend  to  the  north-western  part  of  the 
county,  where  the  distress,  arising  from  the  drought,  was 
still  excessive.  As  a  proof  that  the  scarcity  of  water,  at 
this  time,  was  unparalleled,  it  may  be  mentioned,  that  on 
the  i3th  of  September,  1822,  there  was  not  a  drop  of  water 
to  be  seen  in  the  channel  of  the  Big  Conewago,  at  the  place 
where  the  bridge  is  thrown  across  it,  on  the  road  to  Carlisle 


HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY.  667 

road.     At  low  water  *i»ark,  the  s^g^^is  generally  from  90 
to  120  feet  wide."  ^^^     * 

The  year  1830  is  remarkable  in  the  annals  of  this  cojant^ 
for  a  great  storm  of  wind.  ^  *   \       WV  w 

On  the  18th  of  May,  1830,  a  storm  visitect(h^(%hHbr-  % 
hood  of  York,  and  brought  with  a  number  of  Ducks  of  a 
peculiar  kind,  heretofore  unknown,  and  none  like  them  ever 
seen  by  any  of  the  oldest  inhabitants. 

These  beautiful  little  animals,  it  is  possible  were  on  their 
way  to  the  north  lakes,  the  place  of  resort  in  their  flights.  - 
The  storm  bemg  sudden  and  very  heavy,  brought  many  of 
them  to  the  ground,  and  next  morning  were  taken  by  the 
people  in  this  place  and  neighborhood.  About  four  miles 
jtrom  York,  a  number  of  the  same  kind  were  taken. 


668  HISTOBlf   OF    tORK   COUNTY.- 


»//;? 


m/*i^- 


CHAPTER  X. 


Edacation-^SchooIs  among  the  first  settlers — Luther's  views  of 
schools — Systematic  effort  to  establish  schools — Schools  patronised 
by  the  Englibh  and  Quakers — Penn's  views  of  the  importance  of 
education — York  County  Academy — Theological  Seminary  at  York 
— Present  state  of  education — Common  schools,  &g. — J^ote — Scheme 
of  educating  Germans,  and  others,  in  1755. 

Common  Schools  were  encouraged  as  a  matter  of  course, 
as  soon  as  the  first  settlers  had  opened  a  field  or  two,  erect- 
ed a  few  houses,  and  made  other  correspondent  improve- 
ments. The  early  custom  of  the  Germans  was  to  have  a 
person  employed  who  discharged  both  the  duties  of  the 
School  master  and  partly  that  of  the  minister.  Many  of  the 
first  German  settlers  in  Pennsylvania  brought  with  them 
their  school  masters  and  ministers. 

Common  Schools,  however,  were  few  in  number  in  this 
county,  especially  among  the  Germans  before  the  arrival  of 
the  Rev.  Muhlenberg  in  1742,  and  the  Rev.  Michael  Schlat- 
ter in  1746.  It  was  the  unceasing  efforts  of  these  fathers 
of  the  German  churches ;  the  former  of  the  Lutheran,  the 
latter  of  the  German  Reformed,  to  establish  schools  in  con- 
nection with  all  the  churches.  They,  like  all  great  refor- 
mers, appreciated,  and  will  ever  appreciate,  the  importance  of 
common  schools.  Luther — the  immortal  Luther — when 
speaking  of  schools  and  school  masters,  used  the  following 
emphatic  language : 

Die  Schulen  sind  kleine,  doch  sehr  nuetzliche  Concilien 
und  dieedelsten  Kleinode  der  Kirche;  und  die  Lehre  dersel- 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  669 

ben  ein  koestliches  Amt  und  Werk.  Ich  wollte  das  keiner 
zu  einem  Prediger  erwaehlt  wuerde,  er  haette  sich  denn 
Schon  mit  dem  Unterricht  der  Kinder  beschaeftiget.  Wer 
dem  Teufel  in  seinem  Reiche  einen  Schaden  zufuegen  will, 
der  ihn  recht  beisse,  der  mach  sich  an  die  Jugend  und  Kin- 
der, und  suche  bey  ihnen  einen  Grund  zu  legen,  der  fuer  und 
fuer  bleibe. 

No  systematic  efforts  were  made  to  improve  the  schools 
among  the  Germans,  in  Pennsylvania,  till  after  1751,  when 
on  the  representation  of  Michael  Schlatter,  who  had  been 
some  time  in  Pennsylvania,  to  the  churches  of  Holland.  A 
scheme  was  started  by  a  society  of  noblemen  of  Europe,  for 
the  instruction  of  Germans  and  their  descendants  in  Penn- 
sylvania. These  foreign  gentlemen  "were  truly  concerned 
to  find  that  any  of  their  fellow  subjects,  in  part  of  the  Brit- 
ish dominions,  were  not  fully  provided  with  the  means  of 
knowledge  and  salvation.  They  considered  it  a  matter  of 
the  greatest  importance  to  the  cause  of  Christianity  in  gene- 
ral, and  the  protestant  interest  in  particular,  not  to  neglect 
such  a  vast  body  of  useful  people,  situated  in  a  dark,  barren 
region,  with  almost  none  to  protect  them,  or  their  helpless 
children,  who  'are  coming  forth  in  multitudes,  and  exposed 
an  easy  prey  to  the  total  ignorance  of  their  savage  neigh- 
bors on  the  one  hand,  and  the  corruption  of  their  Jesuilical 
enemies,  on  whom  they  bordered,  on  the  other  hand  ;  and  of 
whom  there  were  always,  perhaps,  too  many  mixed  among 
them.  Moved  by  these  interesting  considerations,  these  no- 
blemen and  others,  did  accordingly  take  the  good  design  into 
their  immediate  protection,  and  formed  themselves  into  a  so- 
ciety for  the  effectual  management  of  carrying  out  the  scheme 
ef  instructing  the  Germans. — [See  the  close  of  this  chapter.] 

Schools  were  subsequently  organized  at  Reading,  Tulpe- 
hocken,  York,  Lancaster,  Easton,  &c.,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Rev.  Michael  Schlatter,  as  Visitor  or  Supervisor  Ge- 

14 


670  HISTORY   OP    YORK    COUNTY. 

neral  of  the  schools;  but  met  with  little  or  no  success,  a^ 
least  not  commensurate  with  the  importance  of  the  enterprize^ 
The  designing — these  are  always  to  be  found — persuaded' 
the  more  ignorant,  that  it  was  a  scheme  gotten  up  to  enslave 
them !  The  scheme  for,  and  its  effects  upon  those  whom  it 
was  intended  to  benefit,  evanesced.  The  consequence  was, 
that  schools  were  still  few  till  about  the  time  when  the  Lu- 
theran and  German  Reformed  congregations  were  more  per" 
manently  organized,  through  the  efforts  of  the  Reverends 
Muhlenberg,  Schlatter,  and  their  coadjutors. 

The  English  portion,  especially  their  Friends  or  Quakers, 
had  good  common  schools  among  them  from  their  first  set- 
tling in  this  county.  This  class  of  community  always  patron- 
ised and  cherished  schools,  and  education  in  general.  The 
founder  of  this  great  State  was  a  Friend,  as  well  as  a  pa- 
tron of  learning;  he  deemed  education  as  indispensable 
among  all  classes,  to  secure,  enjoy,  and  perpetuate  the  bless- 
ings of  civil  and  religious  liberty ;  and  his  views  have  ever 
been  held  as  sound  among  the  Friends.  To  show  to  some 
extent  what  these  views  are,  an  extract  or  two  is  presented 
irom  Penn's  writings: 

"  Nothing  weakens  kingdoms  like  vice ;  Lt  does  not  only 
disease  Heaven,  but  disable  them;" — "It  is  our  interest  to 
be  good,  and  it  is  none  of  the  least  arguments  for  religion, 
that  the  piety  and  practice  of  it  is  the  peace  and  prosperity 
of  government;  and  consequently  that  vice,  the  enemy  of 
rehgion,  is,  at  the  same  time,  the  enemy  of  human  society. 
What,  then,  could  be  more  concerned  for  the  preservation 
of  virtue,  than  government?  that,  in  its  abstract,  and  true 
sense  is  not  only  founded  upon  virtue,  but  without  the  pre- 
servation of  virtue,  it  is  impossible  to  maintain  the  best  con- 
stitution that  can  be  made.  And,  however  some  particular 
men  may  prosper  that  are  wicked,  and  some  piivate  good 
men  miscarry,  in  the  things  of  this  world,  in  which  sense, 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  671 

things  may  be  said  to  happen  alike  to  all,  to  the  righteous 
as  to  the  wicked,  yet  I  dare  boldly  affirm,  and  challenge  any 
man  to  the  truth  thereof;  that,  in  the  many  volumes  of  the 
history  of  all  ages  and  kingdoms  of  the  world,  there  is  not 
one  instance  to  be  found,  where  the  hand  of  God  was  against 
a  righteous  nation,  or  where  the  hand  of  God  was  not  against 
an  unrighteous  nation,  first  or  last ;  nor  where  a  just  gov- 
ernment perished,  nor  an  unjust  government  long  prospered. 
Kingdoms  are  rarely  so  short  lived  as  men  ;  yet  they  also 
have  a  time  to  die ;  but  as  temperance  giveth  health  1o  men, 
so  virtue  gives  time  to  kingdoms ;  and  as  vice  brings  men 
betimes  to  their  graves,  so  nations  to  their  ruin. 

Respecting  modes  of  government,  the  memorable  founder 
of  that  of  Pennsylvania  declares, — "  There  is  hardly  one 
frame  of  government  in  the  world,  so  ill  designed  by  its  foun- 
der, that,  in  good  hands,  would  not  do  well  enough ;  and 
history  tell  us,  the  best,  in  ill  ones,  can  do  nothing,  that  is 
great  or  good  ;  witness  the  Jewish  and  the  Roman  states. 
Governments,  like  clocks,  go  from  the  motion,  which  men 
give  them ;  and  as  governments  are  made  and  moved  by 
men,  so  by  them  are  they  ruined  too:  wherefore  govern- 
ments rather  depend  upon  men,  than  men  upon  governments. 
Let  men  be  good  and  the  governments  cannot  be  bad ;  if  it 
be  ill  they  will  cure  it :  but  if  men  be  bad,  let  the  govern- 
ment be  naver  so  good,  they  will  endeavor  to  warp  and  spoil 
it  to  their  turn." — "  That,  therefore,  which  makes  a  good 
constitution,  must  keep  it,  viz :  men  of  wdsdom  and  virtue  ; 
qualities,  that,  because  they  descend  not  with  worldly  inhe- 
ritances, must  be  carefully  propagated  by  a  virtuous  educa- 
tion of  youth ;  for  which,  after  ages  will  owe  more  to  the 
care  and  prudence  of  founders,  and  the  successive  magistra- 
cy, than  to  their  parents,  for  their  private  patrimonies." 
"  I  would  think  (says  he  in  another  place)  that  there  are 
but  few  people  so  vicious,  as  to  care  to  see  their  children 


67^  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

SO  :  and  yet  to  me  it  seems  a  plain  case,  that,  as  we  leave 
the  government,  they  will  find  it :  if  some  effectual  course 
be  not  taken,  what  with  neglect,  and  what  with  example, 
impiety  and  the  miseries  that  follow  it,  will  be  entailed  upon 
our  children.  Certainly  it  were  better  that  the  world  ended 
with  us,  than  that  we  should  transmit  our  vices,  or  sow 
those  evil  seeds,  in  our  day,  that  will  ripen  to  their  ruin,  and 
fill  our  country  with  miseries,  after  we  are  gone ;  thereby 
exposing  it  to  the  curse  of  God,  and  violence  of  our  neigh- 
bors. Bnt  it  is  an  infelicity  we  ought  to  bewail,  that  men 
are  apt  to  prefer  the  base  pleasures  of  their  present  extrav- 
agancies to  all  endeavors  after  a  future  benefit ;  for,  besides 
the  guilt  they  draw  down  upon  themselves,  our  posterity 
must  be  greatly  injured  thereby;  who  will  find  those  debts 
and  incumbrances  harder  to  pay  than  all  the  rest,  we  can 
leave  them  under." 

"Upon  the  whole  matter  (continues  he)  I  take  the  free- 
dom to  say,  that,  if  we  would  preserve  our  government,  we 
must  endear  it  to  the  people.  To  do  this,  besides  the  ne- 
cessity of  present,  just  and  wise  things,  we  must  secure  the 
youth  ;  this  is  not  to  be  done,  but  by  the  amendment  of  the 
way  of  their  education ;  and  that  with  all  convenient  speed 
and  diligence.  I  say,  the  government  is  highly  obliged :  it 
is  a  sort  of  trustee  for  the  youth  of  the  kingdom ;  who, 
though  now  minors,  yet  will  have  the  government  when  we 
are  gone.  Therefore  depress  vice,  and  cherish  virtue  :  that 
through  good  education,  they  may  become  good  ;  which  will 
truly  render  them  happy  in  this  world,  and  a  good  way  fit- 
ted for  that  which  is  to  come.  If  this  be  done,  they  will 
owe  more  to  your  memories  for  their  education,  than  for 
their  estates." 

Common  Schools-  a  few  of  advanced  standing — were 
pretty  generally  established  in  the  country,  which  were 
usually  open  from  three  to  six  months  in  a  year. 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


673 


Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution  of  '76,  a  school 
of  a  higher  order  was  estadlished  in  the  Borough  of  York. 
The  following,  from  the  "History  of  York  county,^'  gives 
tharise  and  progress  of  the  school  alluded  to. 


THE  YORK  COUNTY  ACADEMY. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1777,  Conrad  Leatherman  obtained 
a  ticket  for  lot  No.  638,  in  the  town  of  York.  He  con- 
tinued to  be  the  owner  of  the  lot  until  the  28th  of  February 
1785,  when  he  sold  it  to  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
of  St.  John's. 

The  Rev.  John  Campbell  then  journeyed  throughout 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  neighboring  states,  and  obtained  from 
the  generosity  of  individuals,  the  sum  of  about  5000  dollars 
towards  building  a  school  house  or  academy  on  the  above 
mentioned  lot,  and  a  parsonage  house  on  a  lot  adjoining. — 
The  building  of  the  academy  was  immediately  commenced, 
and  towards  the  close  of  the  year  1787,  although  it  was 
not  fully  completed,  instruction  first  commenced.  The 
building,  as  soon  afterwards  completed,  was  (and  it  stands 
the  same  at  present)  a  large  and  convenient  two  story  brick 
edifice,  having  forty  feet  in  front,  and  60  feet  in  depth,  with 
three  spacious  rooms  on  each  floor. 

The  general  assembly  of  Pennsylvania  on  the  20th  of 
September  17S7,  incorporated  the  Episcopal  Church  to 
which  this  institution  was  then  attached.  Under  the  incor- 
poration, as  far  as  regards  the  academy,  Thomas  Hartley 
was  the  first  president,  Robert  Hetrich  the  first  secretary, 
Henry  Miller  the  first  treasurer,  and  Messrs.  James  Smith, 
David  Grier,  William  Harris,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Henderson, 
the  first  visiters.     The  first  instructors  were  two,  viz:  James 

14* 


674 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 


Armstrong  of  the  English  language,  and  Robert  Hetrich  of 
the  Latin  and  Greek  languages.  The  first  official  meeting, 
particularly  with  respect  to  the  academy,  recorded  in  its 
archives,  was  held  on  the  28th  of  February  1788. 

From  the  small  number  of  Episcopahans  belonging  to  the 
church,  and  from  the  want  of  proper  funds,  the  corporation 
was  "unable  to  uphold  and  support  the  academy."  On  this 
account  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  legislature  on  the 
13th  of  March  1797,  the  object  of  which  was  to  surrender 
the  building  to  the  state  on  condition  that  it  be  used  as  a 
school-house  for  the  county  of  York,  and  that  such  a  sum 
of  money  be  granted  as  would  be  sufficient  to  support  it. — 
The  legislature  accepted  this  offer  of  surrender,  and  on  the 
first  of  March,  1799,  incorporated  and  endowed  the  "York 
County  Academy." 

The  first  trustees  appointed  under  the  new  charter,  were 
James  Campbell,  Jacob  Goering,  Daniel  Wagner,  John 
Black,  Robert  Cathcart,  William  Paxton,  Thomas  Hartley, 
James  Smith,  John  Edie,  John  Clark,  Jacob  Hay,  Jacob 
Rudisell,  EUhu  Underwood,  William  Ross  of  Chanceford? 
John  Barnitz,  Michael  Schmeiser,  Conrad  Laub,  WilHam 
McLean,  William  Scott,  Philip  Gossler  and  George  Bard. 
The  first  President  of  the  board  of  trustees  was  the  Hon. 
James  Smith,  Esq.,  he  was  elected  at  the  first  meeting,  but 
on  account  of  his  age  and  infirmities  he  resigned  on  the  8th 
of  March  1800,  when  John  Edie  was  elected  his  successor. 
The  first  instructor  under  the  first  incorporation  was  Mr. 
Robert  Hetrich. 

In  the  year  1814,  endeavors  were  made  to  obtain  a  repeal 
of  the  act  which  incorporated  the  "York  County  Academy." 
On  the  14th  of  January  the  rector,  church-wardens  and 
vestrymen  of  the  Episcopal  church  of  St.  John,  petitioned 
the  legislature  for  that  purpose.  On  the  22d,  the  trustees 
of  the  academy,  and  some  inhabitants  of  the  borough  of 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  675 

York  retnonstrated  to  tbe  legislature  against  the  above  peti- 
tion. On  the  30th,  a  number  of  inhabitants  of  the  borough 
and  county  petitioned.  The  legislature  having  taken  the 
subject  into  consideration,  resolved  on  the  26th  of  February 
that  the  petition  of  the  rector,  &c.,  could  not  be  granted. 

In  April  1817,  the  rector,  church-wardens,  and  vestry- 
men of  the  church  of  St.  John  brought  an  action  against 
trustees  of  the  Academy,  in  order  to  obtain  the  repossession 
of  the  lot  and  builcjing. 

The  male  and  female  departments  of  this  institution  are 
now  under  the  superintendance  of  excellent  teachers.  The 
Rev.  Stephen  Boyer,  a  gentleman  of  extensive  literary  at- 
tainments, has  charge  of  the  male  department — and  Mrs. 
is  at  the  head  of  the  female  department. 


THE  THEOLOGICAL  SExVIINARY  AT  YORK. 

This  institution  was  founded  by  an  act  of  the  Synod  of 
the  German  Reformed  Church  at  its  session  in  Bedford  in 
September  1824,  and  commenced  its  operations  in  Carlisle 
on  17th  of  May,  1825,  the  inauguration  of  the  Professor 
having  previously  taken  place  on  the  6th  of  April.  It  was 
removed  to  York  in  October  1828,  in  pursuance  of  an  act 
of  Synod  at  its  session  at  Lebanon  in  September  of  the  same 
year.  The  institution  had  a  library  of  between  3000  and 
4000  volumes,  chiefly  in  the  German  language,  among 
which  some  rare  works.  There  were  two  professors,  viz  : 
L.  Mayer,  D.  D.  Professor  of  Dogmatic  Theology,  and 
Rev.  F.  A.  Ranch,  D.  D.  Professor  of  Sacred  Literature. 

A  Classical  School  under  the  auspices  of  the  Synod  of 
the  German  Reformed  Church  was  founded  by  a  resolution 
of  Synod  at  Harrisburg  in  September  1831.      It  was  com- 


676  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

menced  in  May  1832.  Mr.  William  A  Good,  of  Readng, 
Pa.,  now  pastor  of  the  Reformed  congregation  in  Hagers- 
town,  Md.,  was  appointed  Teacher.  In  September  1832, 
the  Synod  at  Frederick,  Md.,  appointed  Dr.  F.  A.  Ranch 
Principal  of  the  institution  and  Professor  in  the  Theological 
Seminary.  Rev.  John  H.  Agnew,  formerly  Professor  of 
Languages  in  Washingotn  College,  Pa.,  was  subsequently 
appointed  Assistant,  and  upon  his  resignation  in  September 
1833,  the  Board  of  Visiters  elected  Rev.  H.  Miller  his  suc- 
cessor. Rev.  Charles  Dover,  pastor  of  the  Moravian  church 
in  York  was  also  engaged  as  assistant  in  May  1832,  and  in 
the  Spring  of  1834,  on  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Miller,  Mr. 
Samuel  W.  Budd  A.  B.  was  appointed  to  the  vacancy. 

The  Teachers  then  employed  in  the  school  were  Rev. 
Dr.  F.  A.  Ranch,  Principal,  Mr.  Samuel  W.  Budd  and 
Rev.  Charles  Dober,  Assistants.  The  number  of  students 
in  the  two  institutions  then  (July  1834)  was  about  80, 
who  were  generally  from  a  distance. 

The  general  state  of  education,  at  present,  is  not  flourish- 
ing. The  common  school  system  is  only  partially  adopted, 
and  except  the  schools  in  the  principal  boroughs  and  towns, 
are  indifferently  conducted,  and  in  some  parts  of  the  coun- 
try education  is  much  neglected.  An  imperfect  knowledge 
of  the  elements  of  common  instruction,  and  writing  consti- 
tutes the  sum  of  education  in  some  neighborhood. 

So  much  are  the  people  opposed  to  the  common  school; 
system  that  out  the  thirty  two  school  districts,  only  seven- 
teen have  accepted  the  law  establishing  a  system  of  educa-^ 
tion  by  common  schools,  and  have  in  operation  only  one 
hundred  and  seventeen  schools,  and  these  are  only  four  or 
five  months  in  the  year,  open  for  instruction. 

The  following  townships  with  a  population  of  rising 
twenty  three  thousand,  have  hitherto  refused  to  accept  the 
law  making  provisions  for  education,  and  would,  at  present. 


HISTORY    OF    YOEK    COUNTY.  677 

be  entitled  to  the  sums,  set  opposite  the  name  of  the  town- 
ship, as  their  portion  of  the  State  appropriation : — Dover 
$3,532,38;  Franklin  $1,609,66;  Codorus  $1,995,58; 
North  Codorus  $2,616,60 ;  Conewago  $2,179,58 ;  Heidle- 
berg  $2,915,56;  Manchester  $3,912,35;  Manheim 
$2,796,48  ;  West  Manchester  $2,360,60 ;  Paradise  $3,- 
566,81;  Springfield  $2,400,00;  Spring  Garden  $3,203,14; 
Washington  $2,333,81 ;  Windsor,  Upper  $638,00 ;  York 
township  $2,699,00. 

In  the  non-accepting  districts  schools  are  unusually  of 
very  low  standing. 

JVote. — The  following  is  the  scheme  alluded  to  in  a  pre- 
ceding page,  259,  for  instructing  the  Germans : 

"A  brief  history  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  charitable 
society,  carrying  on  by  a  society  of  noble  and  gentlemen  in 
London,  for  the  relief  and  instruction  of  poor  Germans  and 
their  descendants,  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  &c.,  published 
for  the  information  of  those  whom  it  may  concern,  by  James 
Hamilton,  William  Allen,  Richard  Peters,  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin, and  Conrad  Weiser,  Esquires,  and  the  Rev.  William 
Smith,  Trustees  General,  appointed  for  the  management  of 
the  said  charitable  scheme. 

For  several  years  past,  the  small  number  of  Reformed 
Protestant  ministers,  settled  among  the  German  emigrants 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  finding  the  harvest  great,  hut  the  la- 
borers few,  have  been  deeply  affected  with  a  true  Christian 
concern,  for  the  welfare  of  their  distressed  countrymen,  and 
the  salvation  of  their  precious  souls.  In  consequence  of  this,, 
they  have,  from  time  time,  in  the  most  solemn  and  moving 
manner,  entreated  the  churches  of  Holland,  to  commisserate 
their  unhappy  fellow  Christians,  who  mourn  under  the  deep- 
est affliction,  being  settled  in  a  remote  corner  of  the  world, 
where  the  light  of  the  gospel  has  lately  reached,  and  wher^ 


678  ^     HISTORY   OF   YORK    COUNTY. 

they  are  very  much  destitute  of  the  means  of  knowledge 
and  salvation. 

The  churches  of  Holland,  being  accordingly  moved  with 
friendly  compassion,  did,  from  time  to  time,  contribute  to  the 
support  of  religion  in  these  remote  parts.  But  in  the  year 
1751,  a  very  moving  representation  of  their  state  having 
been  made  by  a  person,  whose  unwearied  labors  for  the  ben- 
efit of  his  dear  countrymen,  have  been  for  some  years  con- 
spicuous, the  states  of  Holland  and  West  Friesland,  granted 
2000  guilders  per  annum,  for  five  years,  from  that  time,  to  be 
applied  towards  the  instruction  of  the  said  Germans  and 
their  children,  in  Pennsylvania.  A  considerable  sum  was 
also  collected  in  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  and  elsewhere ;  and 
upon  motion  made  by  the  same  zealous  person,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Thomson*  was  commissioned  by  the  Synod  of  Holland,  and 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  to  solicit  the  friendly  assistance  of  the 
churches  of  England  and  Amsterdam. 

When  Mr.  Thomson  arrived  in  Great  Britain,  he  found 
the  readiest  encouragement  among  persons  of  tbe  first  rank, 
both  in  Church  and  State.  It  is  the  peculiar  glory  of  the 
British  government,  equally  to  consult  the  happiness  of  all 
who  live  under  it,  however  remote,  wherever  born,  or  of 
whatsoever  denomination.  Wicked  and  inhuman  tyrants, 
whose  ambition  is  to  rule  over  slaves,  find  it  their  interest  to 
keep  the  people  ignorant.  But,  in  a  virtuous  and  free  gov- 
ernment, like  that  of  Great  Britain,  the  case  is  far  other- 
wise. By  its  very  nature  and  spirit,  it  desires  every  mem- 
ber of  the  community  enlightened  with  useful  knowledge, 
and  especially  the  knowledge  of  the  blessed  gospel,  which 
contains  the  best  and  most  powerful  motives  for  making 
good  subjects,  as  well   as   good  men.     Considered  in  this 

*  Mr.  T.  was  a  minister  of  one  of  the  English  churches,  in  Amster- 
dam, and  a  member  of  said  Synod  and  Classis. 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY.  679 

light,  Mr.  Thomson's  design  could  not  fail  to  be  encouraged 
in  our  mother  country,  since  it  was  evidently  calculated  to 
save  a  multitude  of  most  industrious  from  the  gloom  of  ig- 
norance, and  quahfy  them  for  the  enjoyment  of  all  those  pri- 
vileges, to  vphich  it  is  now  their  good  fortune  to  be  ad- 
mitted, in  common  with  the  happy  subjects  of  a  free  Pro- 
testant government. 

Mr.  Thomson  having  thus  made  his  business  known  in 
England,  and  prepared  the  way  for  encouragement  there, 
he,  in  the  meantime,  went  down  to  Scotland  ;  and,  himself 
being  known  in  that  country,  he  represented  the  case  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  church,  then  sitting  at  Edinburgh, 
upon  which  a  national  collection  was  made,  amounting  to 
upwards  of  £1200  sterling.  Such  an  instance  of  generosity 
is  one  out  of  many,  to  show  how  ready  that  church  has  al- 
ways been  to  contribute  towards  the  advancement  of  Truth, 
Virtue^  and  Freedom. 

Mr.  Thompson,  upon  his  return  from  Scotland,  found  that 
his  pastoral  duty  called  him  back  to  Holland.  He  saw  like- 
wise that  it  would  be  absolutely  necessary  to  have  some 
person  in  London,  not  only  the  monies  already  collected, 
but  also  to  solicit  and  receive  the  contributions  of  the  rich 
and  the  benevolent  in  England,  where  nothing  had  yet  been 
collected,  and  where  much  might  be  hoped  for.  With  this 
view,  he  begged  a  certain  number  of  noblemen  and  gentle- 
men, of  the  first  rank,  to  take  the  management  of  the  design 
upon  themselves. 

This  proposal  was  readily  agreed  to  by  those  noble  and 
worthy  persons.  They  were  truly  concerned  to  find  that 
there  were  any  of  their  fellow  subjects,  in  any  part  of  the 
British  dominions,  not  fully  provided  with  the  means  of 
knowledge  and  salvation.  They  considered  it  a  matter  of 
the  greatest  importance  to  the  cause  of  Christianity  in  gen- 
eral, and  the  protestant  interest  in  particular,  not  to  neglect 


680  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

such  a  vast  body  of  useful  people,  situated  in  a  dark  and 
barren  region,  with  almost  none  to  instruct  them,  or  their 
helpless  children,  who  are  coming  forward  in  the  world  in 
multitudes,  and  exposed  an  easy  prey  to  the  total  ignorance 
of  their  savage  neighbors  on  the  one  hand,  aud  corruption  of 
our  Jesuitical  enemies,  on  whom  they  border,  on  the  other 
hand  ;  and  of  whom  they  are  always,  perhaps,  too  many 
mixed  among  them.  Moved  by  these  interesting  considera- 
tions, the  said  noblemen  and  gentlemen,  with  a  considera- 
tion peculiar  to  great  and  generous  souls,  did  accordingly 
take  the  good  design  into  their  immediate  protection,  and 
form  themselves  into  a  society,  for  the  effectual  management 
of  it. 

The  first  members  of  this  society  were  as  follows,  though 
we  believe  several  are  added  this  winter,  (1775,)  whose 
names  have  not  yet  been  transmitted  to  us. 

The  Right  Hon.  Earl  of  Shaftesbury,  Earl  of  Morton, 
Earl  of  Finlater,  and  Lord  Willoughby,  of  Parham.  Sir 
Luke  Schaub,  and  Sir  Joshua  Van  Neck,  Baronets.  Mr. 
Commission  Vernon,  Mr.  Chitly,  and  Mr.  Fluddyer,  Alder- 
men of  London.  John  Bance,  Robert  Furguson,  and  Na- 
thaniel Paice,  Esqrs.  of  London.  Rev.  Benjamin  Avory, 
L.  L.  D.,  Rev.  Thomas  Birch,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Mr.  Casper 
Wetstein,  Rev.  Mr.  David  Thomson,  and  Rev.  Samuel 
Chandler,  Secretary. 

The  first  thing  said  society  did,  was  to  agree  to  a  liberal 
subscription  among  themselves ;  and,  upon  laying  the  case 
before  the  King,  His  Majesty,  hke  a  true  father  of  his  peo- 
ple, granted  £1000  towards  it.  Her  Royal  Highness,  the 
Princess  Dowager  of  Wales,  granted  d£100 ;  and  the  honor- 
able proprietors  of  this  province,  willing  to  concur  in  every 
design  for  the  ease  and  welfare  of  their  people,  generously 
engaged  to  give  a  considerable  sum,  yearly,  for  promoting 
the  most  essential   part  of  the  undertaking.     From  such  a 


HISTORY   OP   YORK   COONTY.  6^1 

fair  beginning,  and  from  some  hopes  they  reasonably  enter- 
tain of  a  more  public  nature,  the  honorable  doubt  not  of 
their  being  able  to  complete  such  a  fund  as  may  effectually 
answer  their  pious  design,  in  time  coming.  In  the  mean- 
time they  have  come  to  the  following  general  resolutions, 
with  regard  to  the  management  of  the  whole. 

I.  To  assist  the  people  in  the  encouragement  of  pious  and 
industrious  protestant  ministers  that  are,  or  shall  be  regular- 
ly ordained  and  settled  among  the  said  Germans,  or  their 
descendants^  in  America ;  beginning  first  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  the  want  of  ministers  is  greatest,  and  proceeding  to 
the  neighboring  British  colonies,  as  they  shall  be  enabled  by 
an  increase  of  their  funds. 

II.  To  establish  some  charitable  schools  for  the  pious  ed- 
ucation of  German  youths  of  all  denominations,  as  well  as 
those  English  youths  who  may  reside  among  them.  Now, 
as  a  religious  education  of  youth,  while  the  tender  mind  is 
yet  open  to  every  impression,  is  the  most  effectual  means  of 
making  a  people  wise,  virtuous,  and  happy,  the  honorable 
society  have  declared  that  they  have  this  part  of  their  de- 
sign, in  a  particular  manner,  at  heart ;  it  being  chiefly  from 
the  care  that  shall  be  taken  of  the  rising  generation,  that 
they  expect  the  success  of  their  whole  undertaking. 

III.  The  said  honorable  society,  considering  that  they 
reside  at  too  great  a  distance,  either  to  know  what  ministers 
deserve  their  encouragement,  or  what  places  are  most  con- 
venient to  fix  the  schools  in, — -and  as  they  would  neither  be- 
stow their  bounty  on  any  who  do  not  deserve  it ;  therefore 
they  have  devolved  the  general  execution  of  the  whole  upon 
us,  under  the  name  of  Trustees  General,  for  the  management 
of  their  charity  among  the  German  emigrants  in  America. — 
And  as  our  residence  is  in  this  province,  where  the  chief  bo- 
dy is  settled,  and  where  we  may  acquaint  them  with  the 

15 


G82  HISTOHY   OF    YORK   COUNTY* 

circumstances  of  the  people,  the  generous  society  hope  that 
we  cannot  be  imposed  upon,  or  deceived,  in  the  direction  or 
application  of  their  excellent  charity. 

IV.  And  lastly,  considering  that  our  engagements  in  other 
matters,  would  not  permit  us  personally  to  consult  with  the 
people  in  the  country,  nor  to  visit  the  schools  as  often  as  it 
might  be  necessary  for  their  success,  the  honorable  society 
have,  out  of  their  true  fatherly  care,  appointed  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Schlatter,  to  act  under  our  direction,  as  Visitor  or  Su- 
'pervisor  of  the  schools,  knowing  that  he  has  already  taken 
incredible  pains  in  this  whole  affair,  and  being  acquainted 
with  the  people  in  all  parts  of  the  country,  can  converse  with 
them  on  the  spot,  and  bring  us  the  best  advices  from  time  to 
time,  concerning  the  measures  fit  to  be  taken. 

This  is  a  brief  history  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  this  no- 
ble charity,  till  it  was  committed  to' our  management,  under 
which  we  hope  it  shall  be  so  conducted,  as  fully  to  answer 
the  expectation  of  the  worthy  society,  and  give  all  reasona- 
ble satisfaction  to  the  parties  for  whose  benefit  it  is  intended. 
We  shall  spare  no  pains  to  inform  ourselves  of  the  wants 
and  circumstances  of  the  people  ;  as  will  appear  by  the  fol- 
lowing plan  which  we  have  concerted  for  the  general  exam- 
ination of  onr  trust,  leaving  room  to  alter  or  amend  it,  as 
circumstances  shall  require,  and  time  discover  defects  in  it. 

With  regard  to  that  part  of  the  society's  design  which 
proposes  the  encouragement  of  pious  protestant  ministers, 
we  shall  impartially  proportion  the  monies  set  apart  for  this 
purpose  according  to  the  instruction  of  the  said  society ;  as 
soon  as  such  ministers  shall  put  it  in  our  power  so  to  do,  by 
making  their  labors  and  circumstances  known  to  us,  either 
by  their  own  personal'  application,  or  by  means  of  Mrc 
Schlatter,  or  any  other  creditable  person. 

As  to  the  important  article  of  establishing  schools,  the 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  683 

Ibllowing  general  plan  is  proposed,  which  may  be  from  time 
to  time,  improved  or  perfected. 

1st.  It  is  intended  that  every  school  to  be  opened  upon 
this  charity,  shall  be  equally  to  the  benefit  of  protestant 
youth  of  all  denominations ;  and  therefore  the  education  will 
be  in  such  things  as  are  generally  useful  to  advance  industry 
and  true  godliness.  The  youth  will  be  instructed  in  both 
the  English  and  German  languages ;  likewise  in  writing 
keeping  of  common  accounts,  singing  of  Psalms,  and  the  true 
principles  of  the  holy  protestant  religion,  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  the  tathers  of  those  Germans  were  instructed,  at  the 
schools  in  those  countries  from  which  they  came. 

2dly.  As  it  may  be  of  great  service  to  religion  and  indus- 
try, to  have  some  schools  tor  girls,  also,  we  shall  use  our 
endeavors  with  the  honorable  society,  to  have  some  few 
school  mistresses  encourged,  to  teach  reading,  and  the  use 
of  the  needle.  And  though  this  was  no  part  of  the  original 
design,  yet  as  the  society  have  nothing  but  the  general  good 
of  all  at  heart,  we  doubt  not  they  will  extend  their  benefac- 
tion for  this  charitable  purpose  also. 

Sdly.  That  all  may  be  induced,  in  their  early  youth,  to 
seek  the  knowledge  and  love  of  God,  in  that  manner  which 
is  most  agreeable  to  their  own  consciences,  the  children  of 
all  protestant  denominations,  English  and  Dutch,  (German) 
shall  be  instructed  in  the  catechism  of  sound  doctrine,  which  is 
approved  of  and  used  by  their  own  parents  and  ministers. — 
All  unreasonable  sort  of  compulsion  and  partiality  is  direct- 
ly opposite  to  the  design  and  spirit  of  this  charity,  which  is 
generously  undertaken  to  promote  useful  knowledge,  true 
rehgion,  pubHc  peace,  and  Christian  love,  among  all  ranks 
and  denominations. 

4thly.  For  the  use  of  the  schools,  the  several  catechisms 
that  are  now  taught  among  the  Calvinists,  Lutherans,  and 
other  protestant  denominations,  will  be  printed  in  English 


684  HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

and  Dutch,  (German)  and  distributed  among  the  poor,  to^ 
gether  with  some  other  good  books,  at  the  expense  of  the 
society. 

5thly.  In  order  that  all  parents  may  be  certain  of  having 
justice  done  to  their  children,  the  immediate  care  and  inspec- 
tion of  every  school  will  be  committed  to  a  certain  number 
of  sober  and  respectable  persons,  living  near  the  place  where 
every  such  school  shall  be  fixed.  These  persons  will  be  de- 
nominated Assistant  or  Deputy  Trustees ;  and  it  will  be 
their  business,  monthly  or  quarterly,  to  visit  that  particular 
school  for  which  they  are  appointed,  and  see  that  both  mas- 
ter and  scholars  do  their  duty.  It  will  also  be  their  busi- 
ness to  send  an  account  of  the  state  and  progress  of  the 
schools,  at  every  such  visitation,  to  us  as  Trustees  General. 
These  accounts  we  shall  transmit  from  Philadelphia  to  the 
society  in  London ;  and  the  society  will  from  time  to  time, 
be  enabled,  by  these  means,  to  lay  the  state  of  the  whole 
schools  before  the  public ;  and  thus  charitable  and  well  dis- 
posed people,  both  in  Great  Britain  and  Holland,  seeing  the 
good  use  that  has  been  made  of  their  former  contributions, 
will  be  inclined  to  give  still  more  and  more  for  so  glorious 
and  benevolent  undertakino-. 

This  method  cannot  fail  to  be  of  great  advantage  to  the 
schools,  since  the  Deputy  Trustees,  being  part  of  the  very 
people  for  whom  the  work  is  undertaken,  and  having  their 
own  children  at  the  same  schools,  they  must  have  an  inter- 
est in  the  reputation  of  them,  and  do  all  in  their  power  to 
advance  good  education  in  them.  Besides  this,  being  always 
near  at  hand,  they  can  advise  and  encourage  the  master, 
and  help  him  over  any  difficulties  he  may  meet  with. 

But,  6thly.  As  the  keeping  up  a  spirit  of  emulation  among 
the  youth  is  the  life  of  all  schools,  therefore,  that  we  may 
leave  as  little  room  as  possible  for  that  remissness,  which 
sometimes  hurts  charities  of  this  nature,  we  shall,  as. far  as 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY.  685 

our  situation  will  permit,  have  a  personal  regard  to  the  ex- 
ecution of  the  whole.  As  the  Assistant  Trustees  may  often 
want  our  advice  in  removing  difiiculties  and  making  new 
regulations,  we  shall  so  contrive  it,  that  Mr.  Schlatter  shall 
be  present  with  them  at  their  quarterly  meetings,  to  consult 
with  them,  and  concert  the  proper  measures  to  be  taken. — 
Besides  this,  we  shall  have  one  general  visitation  of  the 
whole  schools  every  year,  at  which  one  or  more  of  us  shall 
endeavor  to  be  present.  On  these  occasions,  such  regula- 
tions shall  be  made,  as  may  be  wanted;  and  careful  inquiry 
will  be  made  whether  any  parents  think  themselves  injured, 
by  any  unjust  exclusion  of  their  children  from  an  equal  bene- 
fit of  the  common  charity,  or  by  the  partiality  of  the  mas- 
ters or  otherwise.  At  such  visitations,  books  will  be  given 
as  rewards  and  encouragement,  to  the  diligent  and  deserv- 
ing scholars.  The  masters  will  likewise  have  proper  marks 
of  esteem  shown  them  in  proportion  to  their  fidelity  and  in- 
dustry in  the  discharge  of  their  office. 

7thly.  With  regard  to  the  number  of  schools  to  be  open- 
ed, that  will  depend  partly  on  the  encouragement  given  by 
the  people  themselves,  and  partly  on  the  increase  of  the  so- 
ciety's funds.  A  considerable  number  of  places  are  propo- 
sed to  fix  schools  in ;  but  none  are  yet  absolutely  determi- 
ned upon,  but  New  Hanover,  New  Providence,  and  Read- 
ing.* These  places  were  first  fixed  upon  because  the  peo- 
ple of  all  persuasions,  Lutherans,  Calvinists,  and  other  Pro- 
testants, moved  with  a  pious  and  fatherly  concern  for  the 

*  Since  the  original  publication,  petitions  have  been  sent  to  the 
Trustees  General,  from  Upper  Solfort,  from  Vincent  township,  in 
Chester  county,  from  the  borough  of  Lancaster,  from  Tulpehocke a 
and  several  other  places,  all  which  will  be  considered  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible.    Feb.  25,  1755.— Penna.  Gaz. 

Note. — Schools  were  also  established  in  1756,  besides  the  places 
mentioned  at  Lancaster,  York,  Easton,  and  several  other  places. 

15* 


HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

illiterate  state  of  their  helpless  children,  did,  with  true  Chris- 
tian harmony,  present  their  petitions,  pra\  ing  that  their  nu- 
merous children  of  all  denominations  in  these  parts,  might 
be  made  the  common  object  of  the  intended  charity.  And 
for  this  benevolent  purpose,  they  did  further  agree  to  offer 
school  bouses  in  which  their  children  might  be  instructed 
together,  as  dear  fellow  Christians,  redeemed  by  the  same 
common  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  travelling  to  the  same  heav- 
enly country,  through  this  valley  of  tears,  notwithstanding 
they  may  sometimes  take  roads  a  little  different  in  points  of 
smaller  moment. 

This  striking  example  of  unanimity  and  good  agreement 
among  all  denominations,  we  hope,  will  be  imitated  by  those 
who  shall  afterwards  apply  to  us  for  fixing  schools  among 
them ;  since  it  is  onlv  upon  the  aforesaid  generous  plan  for 
the  common  benefit  of  all,  that  we  find  ourselves  em- 
powered to  institute  such  schools.  But  while  the  petitions 
are  agreeable  to  this,  our  plan,  as  now  explained,  they  will 
not  be  overlooked,  as  long  as  the  funds  continue.  And  if 
the  petitioners  shall  recommend  school  masters,  as  was  the 
case  at  New  Hanover,  New  Providence,  and  Reading,  such 
school  masters  will  have  the  preference,  provided  they  are 
men  of  sufficient  probity  and  knowledge,  agreeable  to  all 
parties,  and  acquainted  with  both  the  English  and  Dutch 
(German)  languages,  or  willing  to  learn  either  of  these  lan- 
guages which  they  may  not  then  be  perfectly  acquainted 
with. 

These  are  essential  qualifications ;  and  unless  the  generous 
society  had  made  provision  for  teaching  English  as  well  as 
Dutch,  (German)  it  would  not  have  answered  their  benevo- 
lent design,  which  is  to  qualify  the  Germans  for  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  native  English  subject.  But  this  could  not  have 
been  done,  without  giving  them  an  opportunity  of  learning 
English,  by  speaking  of  which  they  may  expect  to  rise  to 


HISTORV    OP    YORK    COUNTY.  687 

to  places  of  profit  and  honor  in  the  country.  They  will 
likewise  be  thereby  enabled  to  buy  or  sell  to  the  greater  ad* 
vantage  in  our  markets,  to  understand  their  own  causes  in 
courts  of  justice,  where  pleading  are  in  English,  to  know 
what  is  doing  in  the  country  around  them,  and,  in  a  word', 
to  judge  and  act  entirely  for  themselves  without  being  obli' 
ged  to  take  things  upon  the  word  of  others,  whose  interest 
it  may  be  to  deceive  and  mislead  them. 

We  have  ©nly  further  to  add,  that  having  thus  published, 
in  our  names,  a  true  and  faithful  account  of  the  rise  and 
progress  of  this  excellent  charity,  down  to  the  present  time, 
we  hope  it  will  candidly  be  received  as  such,  and  prevent 
many  wrong  conjectures  and  insinuations,  that  might  other- 
wise have  been  made,  if  we  had  not  given  this  genuine  and 
necessary  information  concerning  it.  From  the  foregoing 
plan,  it  plainly  appears,  that  as  the  chief  management  is  in 
the  people  themselves,  it  must  be  entirely  their  own  faults, 
if  these  schools  do  not  become  the  greatest  blessing  to  many 
generations,  that  ever  was  proposed  in  this  country.  Such, 
and  so  benevolent  are  the  designs  of  this  new  society ! 

And  surely,  now,  we  may  be  permitted,  in  their  name,  to 
address  you,  countrymen  and  fellow  Christians,  for  whose 
benefit  the  great  work  is  undertaken  I  We  cannot  but  en- 
treat you  to  consider,  of  what  importance  such  a  scheme 
must  be  to  you,  and  your  children  after  you.  We  are  un- 
willing that  there  are  any  persons,  who  do  not  heartily  wish 
success  to  a  design  so  pious  and  benevolent.  But,  if,  un- 
happily for  themselves,  there  should  be  any  such  among  us, 
M"e  are  bound  in  charity  to  suppose  they  have  never  yet  re- 
flected that,  whilst  they  indulge  such  wishes,  they  are  in 
fact  acting  a  part,  plainly  repugnant  to  the  interests  of  lib- 
erty, true  religion,  and  even  of  human  nature. 

Mankind  in  general  are,  perhaps,  scarcely  raised  more,  by 
their  nature,  above  the  brutes,  than  a  man  well  instructed 


688  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

above  the  man  of  no  knowledge  or  education ;  and  whoever 
strives  to  keep  a  people  in  ignorance,  must  certainly  harbor 
notions  or  designs  that  are  unfavorable,  either  to  their  civil 
or  religious  liberty.  For  whilst  a  people  are  incapable  of 
knowing  their  own  interests,  or  judging  for  themselves,  they 
cannot  be  governed  by  free  principles,  or  by  their  own 
choice ;  and  though  they  should  not  be  immediate  slaves  of 
the  government  under  which  they  live,  yet  they  must  be 
slaves  or  dupes  to  those  w^hose  councils  they  are  obliged  to 
have  recourse  to,  and  follow  blindly,  on  all  occasions,  which 
is  the  most  dishonorable  species  of  slavery. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  a  design  for  instructing  a  people, 
and  adorning  the  minds  of  their  children  with  useful  know- 
ledge, can  carry  nothing  in  it  but  what  is  friendly  to  liberty, 
and  auspicious  to  all  the  most  sacred  interests  of  mankind. 

Were  it  otherwise,  why  are  so  many  of  the  greatest  and 
best  men,  both  of  the  British  and  the  German  nations,  en- 
gaged in  the  undertaking?  Why  have  they,  as  it  were, 
stooped  from  their  high  spheres,  and  even  condescended  to 
beg  from  house  to  house,  in  order  to  promote  it !  Is  not  all 
this  done  wuth  the  glorious  intention  of  relieving  from  dis- 
tressful ignorance  that  was  like  to  fall  upon  you  ?  Is  it  not 
done  with  a  view  to  call  you  up  to  all  the  advantages  of 
free  and  enlightened  subjects,  capable  of  thinking  and  acting 
for  yourselves  ?  And  shall  they  call  you  in  vain  ?  God 
forbid  !  If  by  any  infatuation  you  should  neglect  the  means 
of  knowledge  and  eternal  happiness,  now  offered  you,  think 
seriously  what  must  be  the  consequence.  You  will  be  ac- 
countable in  the  sight  of  Almighty  God,  not  only  for  your 
own  sad  negligence,  but  for  all  that  misery  and  slavery, 
which  you  may  thereby  entail  upon  your  hapless  offspring 
to  the  latest  generations.  Your  very  names  will  be  held  in 
abhorrence  by  your  own  children,  if,  for  the  want  of  instruc- 
tion, their  privileges  should  either  be  abridged  here,  or  they 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  689 

should  fall  a  prey  to  the  error  and  slavery  of  our  restless 
enemies. 

But  on  the  contrary,  if  proper  instructions  are  begun  now, 
and  constantly  carried  on  among  you,  no  design  can  ever  be 
hatched  against  your  religion  or  liberties,  but  what  you  shall 
quickly  be  able  to  discover  and  defeat.  All  the  arts  of  your 
enemies  will  be  of  no  avail  to  sever  you  from  your  true  in- 
terests, as  men  and  as  protestants.  You  shall  know  how  to 
make  the  true  use  of  all  your  noble  privileges,  and  instead 
of  moving  in  a  dry  and  barren  land,  where  no  water  is,  you 
and  your  posterity  shall  flourish  from  age  to  age,  in  all  that 
is  valuable  in  human  hfe.  A  barren  region  shall  be  turned 
into  a  fruitful  country,  and  a  thirsty  land  into  pools  of  wa- 
ter. The  wilderness  and  solitary  place  shall  be  glad  through 
you,  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose. — 
Isa.  35. 

That  you  may  soon  be  placed  in  these  happy  circumstan- 
ces, shall  be  our  continual  endeavor,  as  it  is  our  sincere 
prayer.  But  if  ever  you  hope  to  be  so,  or  to  transmit  the 
glorious  privileges  of  Protestants  and  Freemen  to  your  pos- 
terity, we  must  observe,  that  in  this  time  of  danger,  (when 
a  popish  enemy  has  advanced  far  into  our  country,  even  to 
your  very  doors,)  it  becomes  you  to  be  extremely  jealous  for 
your  safety.  It  becomes  you  to  exert  yourselves  for  the 
calm  enjoyment  of  that  religion,  for  the  sake  of  which  you 
crossed  the  stormy  ocean,  and  encountered  the  horrors  of  the 
desert.  It  becomes  you  to  secure  your  children  the  full  and 
free  possession  of  these  fair  seats,  which  your  own  hands 
have  formed  out  of  the  vast  wilderness.  Whatever  unfavor- 
able notions  you  may  apprehend  the  government  at  home 
has  fallen  into  concerning  your  conduct,  on  account  of  the 
great  distance,  you  may  now  be  sure,  that  while  you  do 
your  duty  as  good  subjects,  we  shall  at  all  times  present 
you  in  the  most  impartial  light  to  the  honorable  society  of 


690  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

London;  and  as  this  Society  consists  of  some  of  the  best  and 
greatest  men  of  the  English  nation,  who  have  generously 
taken  you  and  all  your  concerns  under  their  protection,  they 
will  always  be  glad  to  receive  you  in  kind  and  acceptable 
terms,  to  the  continuance  of  our  most  gracious  Sovereign. 
By  order,  and  in  behalf  of  the  Trustees  General. 

William  Smith,  Secretary. 
Philadelphia,  Feb.  25,  1755. 


HISTORY  OF   YORK   COUNTY.  791 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Religious  History — The  Lutherans — The  German  Reformed — The 
Presbyterians — The  Episcopalians — The  Moravians — The  German 
Seventh  Day  Baptists — The  Roman  Catholics — The  Methodists — 
The  Baptists — The  Evangelical  Association — The  Church  of  God 
— The  German  Baptists — The  Friends  or  Quakers — the  Menno- 
nites. 

Lutherans. — It  has  been  ascertained  that  some  Luther- 
ans had  immigrated  to  America  as  early  as  1621 ;  and  ma- 
ny before  1650,  and  settled  in  New  York ;  but  they  had 
no  minister  of  their  own  denomination  laboring  among  them 
before  1659,  when  Jacob  Fabricius  arrived  and  labored 
among  the  Lutherans  in  New  York  for  eighteen  years,  and 
then  left  his  flock  there  and  went  to  Pennsylvania,  connect- 
ed himself  with  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Church  at  Wicaco, 
now  Southwark,  Philadelphia,  where  he  preached  fourteen 
years ;  during  nine  of  which  he  was  blind.     He  died  1692. 

From  A.  D.  1682,  especially  in  1708,  '9,  '10,  and  1720, 
thousands  of  Germans  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  settled  in 
various  parts  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  North  Caro- 
lina, among  whom  were  many  Lutherans :  some  of  settled  at 
Schoharia,  and  Schenectady,  in  the  state  of  New  York, 
among  these  Revds.  Falkner,  Knoll,  Rochendaler,  Wolf, 
Hartwick,  Van  Duehren,  Bockenmeyer  and  others,  minis- 
tered. 

Of  the  first  who  labored  in  the  interior  of  Pennsylvania 
was  the  Rev.  Stoever,  who  had  collected  a  congregation  as 
early  as  1732,  near  Lebanon.     Settlements  of  Germans  hav- 


692  HISTORY   OF  YORK   COUNTY. 

ing  been  made  in  the  lower  part  of  York  county  ;  at  Hano- 
ver and  at  York;  four  and  twenty  heads  of  famiHes,  prin- 
cipally from  Wuertember,  associated  in  1733,  and  formed 
the  first  Lutheran  Congregation  west  of  the  Susquehanna 
river.  The  names  of  the  members  of  the  first  congregation 
who  had  thus  associated,  are,  as  far  as  can  be  ascertained, 
Christial  Groll,  Philip  Ziegler,  Heinrich  Schultz,  George 
Schwaab,  John  Adam  Diehl,  Jacob  Sherer,  Mathias  Schmei- 
ser,  George  Schmeiser,  Martin  Bauer,  George  Adam  Zim- 
merman, George  Ziegler,  Joseph  Beyer,  Jacob  Ziegler,  Va- 
lentine Schultz,  Michael  Walch,  Carl  Eisen,  Paul  Burk- 
harddt,  Henrich  Zauck,  Gottfried  Mauch,  Christian  Kraut. 
They  procured  a  Church  Book  in  which  the  names  of  the 
first,  and  all  subsequent  members  have  been  registered. 

During  the  first  ten  or  fifteen  years,  the  congregation  was 
visited  by  the  Revds.  Candler,  H.  M.  Muhlenberg,  F. 
Handschuh,  Brunnholtz.  In  1744  a  church  was  built  in 
York;  having  previous  worshipped  in  private  dwellings. 
Soon  after  the  church  was  finished  the  Revd.  Mr.  Schaum 
became  their  pastor ;  he,  however,  remained  a  few  years, 
and  was  succeeded  by  the  Revds.  Hochheimer,  Bager,  and 
Rause. 

During  Rause's  time,  the  congregation  grew  consider- 
ably, so  that  in  the  year  1762,  it  consisted  of  five  hundred 
and  fifty  members.  The  successors  of  Rause  w^ere  the  Revds. 
Hornell,'  Bager,  Nicolaus  Kurtz,  Jacob  Goering;  a  sound 
and  learned  divine,  of  extensive  erudition  and  powerful  elo- 
quence. He  administered  to  the  congregation  twenty-one 
years.     He  died  November  27,  1807. 

The  Revd.  John  George  Schmucker,  D.  D.,  became  pas- 
tor of  this  and  other  congregations  in  connexion  with  this,  in 
August,  1809.  He  labored  faithfulfy  in  his  arduous  charge 
for  thirty  years  ;  but  owing  to  bodily  infirmity,  disabling  him 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office,  as  he  would  wished  to 


HISTOKY    OF    YORK   COUNTY.  693 

have  done,  he  relinquished  the  York  congregation ;  and  it  is 
now  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Augustus  H.  Loch- 
man. 

At  present  there  is  another  Lutheran  Church  in  the  Bo- 
rough of  York,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Oswald. 
Besides  these  two,  there  are  rising  of  twenty  oi  more  Lu- 
theran congregations  and  churches  in  York  county.  The 
Rev.  Schmucker,  Lochman,  Albert,  Deininger,  Oswald, 
German,  and  Bjirke,  ojSiciate  in  the  several  Lutheran 
Churches. 

German  Reformed. — From  the  year  1682,  at  different 
intervening  periods,  Germans  immigrated  to  America,  some 
of  whom,  at  a  comparatively  early  period,  settled  in  North 
Carolina,  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  and  other  States — 
among  these  were  many  who  were  members  of  the  German 
Reformed  Church,  and  whose  care  it  was  to  have  ministers 
of  their  own  denomination  in  their  midst.  Thus  we  find,  in 
the  early  settlements  at  Schoharie  in  New  York,  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  had  a  Church  in  Weisersdorff,  and  the  Revd. 
Frederick  Heger,  a  German  Reformed  minister,  officiated 
there  as  early  as  1720.  Heger  was  succeded  by  the  Revd. 
John  Jacob  Sehl,  also  a  German  Reformed  minister. 

At  Goshenhoppen,  in  this  State,  German  settlements  were 
commenced  about  the  years  1699,  or  1700;  and  there  we 
find  a  German  Reformed  congregation  organized  as  early 
as  1717,  and  having  for  their  pastor  the  Revd.  Henry  Goet- 
schy,  whose  field  of  labor  was  very  extensive. 

Many  German  Reformed  settled,  at  an  early  period  in 
Philadelphia,  and  they  had  the  Rev.  George  Michael  Weiss, 
as  their  pastor  as  early  as  1727.  The  numerous  German 
Reformed  of  Lancaster  county  had  as  their  minister,  the 
Revd.  Johannes  Bartholomaeus  Rieger,  who  arrived  in  this 
country  in  1731. 

And  in  this  county,  the  German  Reformed  were  so  anxi- 
16 


694  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY- 

OTIS  to  have  a  spiritual  instructor,  that  from  necessity  they 
waived  the  good  custom,  to  have  a  German  Reformed  min- 
ister, they  called  the  Rev.  Jacob  Lischy,  then  a  Moravian, 
to  settle  among  them. 

On  the  12th  of  August,  1744,  George  Meyer,  Philip 
Rothrock,  Elders  of  the  church,  and  others  invited,  by  let- 
ter, the  Rev.  Jacob  Lischy,  to  assume  the  pttstoral  charge 
of  the  German  Reformed  at  York.  This  invitation  he  de- 
clined ;  but  ere  long  another  invitation  was  sent  him,  which 
he  accepted,  in  May  1745  ;  and  shortly  afterwards  arrived 
at  York,  took  charge  of  the  German  Reformed  congregation. 

On  the  same  Sabbath  that  he  preached  his  introductory 
sermon,  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  was  dispensed 
to  the  members  of  the  congregation.  Shortly  on  Lischy's 
arrival,  the  trustees  of  the  congregation — Jacob  Welsch  and 
Samuel  Welsch  took  up  a  lot  in  the  town  of  York,  to  erect 
a  house  of  worship  on.  This  was  lot  No.  91 — surveyed  by 
T.  Cookson,  March  11th,  1746,  for  the  use  of  the  congre- 
gation. Here  they  erected  a  wooden  building,  as  the  first 
German  Reformed  Church  west  of  the  Susquehanna  river. 
Having  a  church,  they  were  also  mindful  to  secure  a  par- 
sonage, "or  to  erect  a  house  for  their  minister  for  the  time 
being."  Lot  No.  48  was  purchased.  It  was  originally 
surveyed  to  George  Schwaab,  George  Meyer,  Henry  Wolf, 
Jacob  Obb,  Joseph  Welschhans  and  George  Hoak,  as  Trus- 
tees for  the  congregation. 

Shortly  after  the  congregation  at  York  was  fully  organ- 
zed  ;  others  were  established  in  the  county  ;  but  they  were 
still  few  in  number.  From  the  Church  Records  at  York,  it 
appears  that  in  1751,  there  were  congregations  at  York- 
town,  Kreutz  creek,  Codorus  and  Bermudian  creek,  all  un- 
der the  pastoral  charge  of  Lischy — the  whole  of  those  num- 
bering only  eighty  seven  members. 

The  Revd.  Lischy  remained  here  till  about  the  year  1758 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  695 

or  '59.  It  appears  that  he  either  voluntarily  seceded  from 
the  German  Reformed  connection,  or  was  suspended,  and 
subsequently  expelled.  In  the  Coetual  proceedings  of  that 
body,  of  October,  1760,  it  is  urged  against  him  as  a  com- 
plaint, that  he  was  acting  with  duplicity,  and  that  his  course 
of  conduct  was  exceedingly  objectionable : 

"  Dr.  Lischy  heeft  ons  niet  laaten  weeten  van  die  vriend- 
elyke  Brief  van  de  Hoog.  Eerw.  Synodeus  und  E.  Classis 
aen  hem  geschrewen,  endas  hebben  wy'er  onkundig  van  ge- 
weest :  zyn  gedrag  zoo  ergerlyk  zynde,  dat  men  geen  ge- 
meynschap  kenne  hebben  en  schynt  van  dag  to  dag  erger  to 
worden,  zoo  dat  men  niets  goeds  van  hein  hopen  kerme  in 't 
toekomende." 

After  Lischy 's  leaving,  the  congregation  here,  and  others 
in  the  county,  were,  for  a  short  time,  destitute  of  a  pastor. 
In  seeking  for  another  minister,  their  attention  was  turned 
to  the  Revd.  Johann  Conrad  Wirtz,  pastor  of  the  churches 
of  Rachor  and  Fally,  in  Jersey.  The  congregation  sent 
him  a  letter  of  invitation,  by  the  hands  of  Mr.  Spengler,  of 
York.  He  visited  them  in  September,  1761,  and  preached. 
Soon  after,  he  consented  to  become  their  pastor ;  provided 
his  congregations  in  Jersey  would  agree  to  his  leaving  them, 
and  by  the  approbation  of  the  English  Presbytery  of  Bruns- 
wick, who  had  ordained  him  to  the  ministry.  Having  ob- 
tained the  consent  of  his  congregation  and  Presbytery,  he 
returned  to  York,  May  5th,  1762,  and  on  the  9th,  being 
the  Sabbath,  he  preached  his  inaugural  sermon  from  these 
woids :  Und  ich  nahm  das  Buechlein  von  der  Hand  des  En- 
gels,  und  verschlang  es.  Und  eswar  sues  in  meinem  Munde, 
wie  Honig ;  und  da  ich  es  gegessen  hatte,  grimmete  michs 
im  Bauche. 

It  appears  the  congregations  under  the  pastoral  care  ol 
Revd.  Wirtz,  prospered  ;  though  his  usefuhiess  among  them 


696  HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNTYi 

was  soon  interrupted  ;  for   he  died  on  Wednesday,  Septem- 
ber 21st,  1768. 

On  the  death  of  their  faithful  and  beloved  minister,  the 
congregations  were  destitute  of  a  pastor  for  two  years.  In 
September,  1765,  the  Revd.  William  Otterbein  commenced 
his  labors  here,  and  continued  to  administer  to  these  con- 
gregations for  nearly  nine  years. 

In  May,  1764,  the  Revd.  Daniel  Wagner  took  charge  of 
the  congregation,  and  ministered  faithfully,  and  with  great 
success,  till  1786,  when  he  removed  to  Tulpehocken,  in 
Berks  county.  During  Mr.  Wagner's  stay  at  Tulpehock- 
en, the  Revds.  Stock  and  Droldenier,  were  the  pastors  here. 
In  1793,  in  the  month  of  October,  the  Revd.  Wagner  re- 
turned again  to  York,  and  took  charge  of  the  congregation, 
and  remained  till  October,  1802,  when,  on  an  invitation 
from  the  German  Reformed,  in  Maryland,  he  settled  in 
Frederick  city. 

After  an  interval  of  eighteen  months,  the  Revd.  George 
Geistweit  took  charge  of  the  congregation,  in  May,  1804, 
and  continued  till  1820,  when  he  resigned  his  charge.  He 
was  then  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Lewis  Mayer,  D.  D.,  who 
arrived  here,  January  8th,  1821 ;  and  labored  with  great 
faithfulness,  till  April,  1825;  when,  having  accepted  the 
appointment  of  Theological  Professor  of  the  German  Re- 
formed Theological  Seminary,  then  located  at  Carlisle,  he 
resigned  his  pastoral  charge.  The  Revd.  Mayer  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  Ross  Reily,  in  April,  1827,  and  contin- 
ued till  his  health  failed  him  in  1831.  The  congregation 
was,  from  the  time  of  Reily's  resignation,  for  a  period  of  a 
year,  supplied  by  the  Professors  and  Students  of  the  Theo- 
logical Seminary — as  the  Seminary  had  been  removed  from 
Carlisle  to  York.  In  October,  1832,  the  Revd.  John  Cares 
was  called  as  their  pastor  by  the  congregation.     He  dis- 


HISTORY    OF    YORK   COUNTY.  697 

charged  the  duties  of  his  office  till  he  was  disabled  by  severe 
indisposition.  He  died  in  1843.  The  Revd.  Herman  Doug- 
las had  charge  of  the  congregation  for  some  time — immedi- 
ately after  the  decease  of  the  Rev.  Cares. 

The  number  of  German  Reformed  congregations  in  this 
county,  is  thirty-one.  The  ministers  laboring  in  this  county 
are  the  Revds.  Daniel  Ziegler,  Herman  Douglas,  Jacob 
Sechler,  John  Reinecke,  William  C.  Bennett,  Daniel  Riegel, 
Frederick  W.  Vander  Sloot,  and  Jacob  Geiger.  The  num- 
ber of  church  members  exceeds  two  thousand  in  the  county. 

Presbyterians. — Settlements  were  made  at  an  early  pe- 
riod, principally  by  English  and  Scotch  families  in  what  are 
termed  the  York  county  Barrens.  The  first  settlers  here 
were  Presbyterians.  A  congregation  was  organized  and 
church  erected,  near  Muddy  creek,  prior  to  1750.  The 
Revd.  Whittlesay  was  their  first  pastor  ;  and  as  the  popu- 
lation was  rather  sparse,  when  he  commenced  his  labors, 
he  administered  to  the  wants  of  those  who  then  inhabited 
what  is  now  within  the  limits  of  Chanceford,  Lower  Chance- 
lord,  Fawn  and  Peachbottom  townships.  As  the  popula- 
tion increased,  several  churches  were  erected  within  the  li- 
mits of  these  townships,  and  also  in  various  parts  of  the 
county,  viz :  at  York,  and  in  Manahan,  now  Carroll  town- 
ship. 

The  Revd.  Whittlessy  labored  some  years  among  the 
people  of  his  charge  in  the  "Barrens."  He  was  succeeded 
by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Morrison,  an  emigrant  from  Scotland. — 
During  his  time  the  second  church  was  erected.  Mr.  Mor- 
rison was  succeeded  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Black,  who  took 
charge  of  the  two  congregations,  and  during  his  time  the 
the  third  church  was  erected.  The  successor  of  Mr.  Black, 
was  the  Revd.  Johp  Strain,  who  was,  in  1760,  installed 

16* 


698  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

joint  pastor  of  several  congregations.   In  his  time  the  fourtii 
church  was  erected.     Mr.  Strain  died  March  1774. 

The  Revd,  Smith  succeeded  Strain.  He  preached  at  the 
Slate  Ridge,  and  Lower  Chanceford  Church.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  John  Slemons,  who  preached  at  Slate 
Ridge  and  Lower  Chanceford  ;  having  preached  ten  years 
at  the  former  place,  he  resigned  that  part  of  his  charge; 
but  continued  to  labor  a  few  years  longer  at  the  latter  place. 
As  soon  as  Mr.  Slemon  resigned  the  Slate  Ridge,  the  Revd. 
Dr.  Samuel  Martin  became  pastor  of  this  congregation,  and 
on  the  resignation  by  Mr.  Slemon  of  the  Lower  Chanceford 
church,  he  took  charge  of  both,  where  he  labored  till  1812  ; 
but  sometime  in  1814  became  pastor  of  the  Lower  Chance- 
ford congregation  anew,  and  the  Revd.  Mr.  Parke  took 
charge  of  the  Slate  Ridge*  congregation.  Each  continued 
till  1834. 

Presbyterian  congregation  in  York. — Several  Pres- 
byterian families  resided  in  York  prior  to  1751 ;  but  no 
separate  place  of  public  worship  was  owned  by  them.  An 
Episcopal  church  had  been  erected  in  York  about  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Revolution  of '76,  in  which  the  Presbyterians 
worshipped,  for  some  years,  in  common  with  the  members 
of  the  Church  of  England. 

In  1789,  they  erected  a  house  of  their  own,  in  which  they 
have  since  worshipped.  Their  first  stated  pastor  here,  was 
the  Revd.  Robert  Cathcart,  who  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  this  and  the  HopewM  congregation  by  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Carlisle,  in  October,  1793.  The  congregation,  at 
the  time  of  his  ordination,  consisted  of  some  twenty-five 
families. 

The  present  pastor  is  the  Revd.  Wallace. 

•  The  Slate  Ridge  Church  is  near  the  Maryland  line. 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  6S9 

The  Hopewell  congregation  was  formed  about  the  year 
1760.  In  1793,  the  Hopewell  and  York  congregations  were 
connected.  Previous  to  '93  the  Hopewell  congregation^ 
had  pastoral  visits  from  several  ministers  deputed  by  the 
Presbytery. 

There  is  also  a  congregation  at  Dillsburg,  which  has  been 
in  existence  for  many  years.  Their  pastor  is  the  Rev,  J.  H, 
Murray. 

Episcopalians. — It  appears  that  about  the  year  1760, 
"divine  service  had  been  performed,  in  York,  according  to 
the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  that 
preparatory  measures  were  taken  about  the  year  1765,  for 
the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship  by  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copalians ;  in  that  year  Thomas  Minshall  was  appointed  to 
make  arrangement  towards  building  a  church.  In  1776, 
the  Revd.  Doctor  Peters  obtained,  upon  application  to  the 
proprietors,  a  lot  of  ground  in  York,  for  the  site  of  a  church 
and  burial  ground.  The  warrant  for  the  lot  was  granted  to 
Samuel  Johnston,  Thomas  Minshall,  and  Joseph  Aldum, 
trustees  for  the  congregation.  After  various  efforts,  they 
succeeded  in  completing  the  building.  ^ 

A  number  of  divines  of  the  Episcopal  church  visited  the 
congregation  at  this  place  ;  among  others  of  distinction,  was 
the  Rev.  John  Andrews,  one  of  the  missionaries  in  York  and 
Cumberland  counties,  from  the  society  for  the  propagation 
of  the  gospel.  The  first  regular  preacher,  whose  name  ap- 
pears in  the  church  records,  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  Batwell,  a 
missionary  from  England ;  he  arrived  shortly  before  the 
the  commencement  of  the  Revolution  of  '76.  His  opinion 
illy  according  with  those  imbibed  by  the  Whigs,  subjected 
him  to  some  carceral  inconveniences.  He  had  leave  given 
him  to  return  to  England,     The  church  stood  vacant ;   or, 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 


in  other  words,  no  church  service  was  had  in  it  for  a  space 
of  five  years. 

In  1778  or  '79,  the  Revd.  John  Andrews,  late  Provost  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  came  here,  and  continued 
to  preach,  rising  a  year ;  after  which  the  church  was  vacant 
till  1784,  when,  July  6,  the  Revd,  John  Campbell  took 
charge  of  the  congregation,  and  remained  till  1804.  There 
was  again  a  vacancy  till  April,  1810,  when  the  Revd.  John 
Armstrong  became  the  regular  minister,  and  remained  till 
1818.  The  Revd.  Grandison  Aisquith  succeeded  Mr.  Arm- 
strong ;  he,  however,  remained  but  one  year. 

In  1821,  the  Revd.  Geo.  B.  Shaeffer  was  elected  minis- 
ter, and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  pastoral  duties ; 
but  continued  only  a  little  more  than  a  year ;  when,  in  June, 
1823,  he  -was  succeeded  by  the  Revd.  Charles  Williams. 
After  nearly  two  years  labor  here — being  then  elected  Pre- 
sident of  Baltimore  College,  in  1825 — he  left  York,  and  was 
succeeded  by  the  Revd.  R.  D.  Hall,  in  1826.  Hall's  suc- 
cessor was  the  Revd.  S.  V.  E.  Thorn,  of  Carlisle;  he,  how- 
ever, never  located  in  York,  but  continued  to  reside  at  Car- 
lisle, and  visited  this  congregation,  statedly,  every  other 
Sabbath.  Mr.  Thorn  resigned  the  charge  of  the  congrega- 
tion in  1831. 

The  Moravians. — The  Moravians,  as  early  as  1744. 
made  attempts  to  preach  the  gospel  in  this  county.  Sev- 
eral .missionaries  labored  here,  namely  the  Revd.  Jacob 
Lischy,  in  1744;  and  the  Revd.  Lawrence  Thorstansson 
Nyberg;  and  in  1751,  the  Revd.  John  Philip  Meurer,  was 
appointed  the  first  regular  minister  to^labor  at  York,  while 
another,  whose  name  is  not  given,  resided  in  Codorus  town- 
ship. 
,    "  The  meetings  for  divine  service  were  held  in  a  private 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  701 

house,  until  1755,  when  a  stone  building  was  erected  in  the 
out-skirts  of  the  town,  on  the  banks  of  the  Codorus,  con- 
taining both  a  dwelling  for  the  minister  and  a  place  of  wor- 
ship. The  latter  was  consecrated  Dec.  21,  1755.  This 
building  is  now  occupied  as  a  parsonage  and  school  room. 
The  present  church  was  erected  and  consecrated  in  1828. 

The  Moravians  here  had  rising  of  twenty  different  pas- 
tors, since  1751,  the  time  of  the  Revd.  Meuer — these  were 
the  Revds.  Engel,  Neisser,  Soelle,  Schlegel,  Schmidt,  Herr, 
Lindenmeyer,  Krogstrup,  Schweisshaupt,  Roth,  Reinke, 
Huebner,  Bochler,  Molther,  Beck,  Rond thaler.  Miller, 
Loeffler,  Kluge,^Dober,  Van  Vleck,  Lennert. 

The  German  Seventh  Day  Baptists. — The  Sieben 
Taeger  as  they  are  commonly  called  have  for  their  founder 
Conrad  Beissel,  who  had  seceded  from  the  German  Baptists 
about  the  year  1724,  >nd  in  1728,  he  and  those  associated 
with  him,  adopted  the  original  Sabbath — the  seventh  day  or 
Saturday — for  pubUc  worship  ;  which  has  ever  since  been 
observed  by  the  sect. 

Conrad  Beissel  founded  a  monastic  society,  in  1732,  at 
Ephrata,  Lancaster  county.  This  society  was  in  a  flowing 
condition  for  a  number  of  years. 

As  early  as  1758,  there  was  a  branch  of  the  original 
society  established  at  the  Bermudian  creek,  in  York  county ; 
about  fifteen  miles  from  the  borough  of  York.  The  leading 
members  here  were  Frederick  Reider,  Jacob  Kimmel,  Mi- 
chael Kimmel,  Joel  Kimmel,  John  Meily,  Samuel  Fahne- 
stock,  Daniel  Fahnestock,  Boreas  Fahnestock,  and  others. 
Some  few  members  still  reside  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
place,  (at  East  Berlin,)  but  they  have  been  without  preach- 
ing for  many  years.  Those  that  remain,  usually  attend  once 
a  year,  an  Allgemeine  Yersammlung,  or  General  Meeting. 
*  He  Pasa  Ekklesia,  pp.  98,  1 11. 


702  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

held  at  Snow  Hill,  in  Franklin  county.     [See  pages  211y 
220. 

Catholics.— In  the  year  1776,  Joseph  Smith  purchased 
a  lot,  with  a  house,  in  the  borough  of  York,  and  conveyed 
the  same,  gratuitously,  to  the  Catholics.  This  house  was 
their  chapel  till  1810,  when  the  present  chapel  was  erected. 

For  many  years  they  had  no  stated  priest  among  them 
here — they  were  supplied  from  the  Conewago  settlement  of 
CathoHcs,  till  1819,  when  the  Revd.  Lawrence  Huber  lo- 
cated here,  and  staid  six  months.  The  second  was  the 
Revd.  George  D.  Hogan,  who  came  here  in  1820.  The 
third  one  was  the  Revd.  P.  J.  Dween,  who  remained  from 
1822,  till  the  day  of  his  death. 

The  Catholics,  recently,  built  a  magnificent  chapel  at  the 
west  end  of  York  county.     The  Rev.  Sacce  officiates  there. 

Methodists. — Some  time  in  1781,  the  well  known  Free- 
born Garretson  visited  York  county,  and  preached,  January 
24,  1781,  near  York,  at  Worley's  tavern,  where  "  the  first 
conversion  to  Methodism,in  York  county,  was  made."  From 
that  time  onward,  Methodism  moved  gradually  along  for 
some  years,  till  a  considerable  society  has  been  organized, 
who  met  at  private  dwellings,  from  time  to  time,  till  they 
succeeded  in  erecting  a  church  for  public  worship.  From 
1781  to  1819,  little  is  recorded  of  their  progress.  In  the 
latter  year,  the  Revd.  Andrew  Hemphill  was  stationed  at 
York.  The  congregation  then  numbered  about  one  hundred 
and  ten  white,  and  ten  or  twelve  colored  members.  In  1821 
the  Revd.  William  Prettyman  succeeded  the  Revd.  Hemp- 
hill. In  1822  the  Revd.  Vinton  was  stationed  at  York, and 
the  Rev.  Tobias  Reily  was  placed  on  the  York  circuit.  In 
1823  the  Rev.  Larkin  was  stationed  here ;  and  in  1824  the 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY.  '70^ 

Rev.  Basil  Barry.  In  1827  the  Revd.  Hemphill  succeeded 
Barry.  In  1829  the  Revd.  Henry  Smith,  and  the  Revd. 
James  Brunt,  were  at  the  York  station.  In  1830,  Smith 
was  here  alone.  The  Revd.  John  A.  Gere  supplied  this 
station  in  1831  and  '32.  In  1833  and  '34,  the  Revd.  Ed- 
ward Smith  took  charge  of  this  station. 

Evangelicals. — This  sect,  sometimes  called  Albrechts 
Leute,  after  the  founder  of  this  association,  Jacob  Albrecht, 
is  of  comparative  recent  origin.  This  denomination  took 
its  rise  about  the  year  1800.  The  conspicuous  ministers 
who  were  most  active,  when  this  society  was  in  its  infancy 
were  the  Revds.  Jacob  Albrecht,  John  Walker  and  George 
Miller,  and  of  a  later  date  the  Revd.  Adam  Ettinger,  who 
labored  most  faithfully  for  many  years  in  York  county,  to 
promulgate  the  doctrines  held  by  the  Evangelical  Associa- 
tion. A  number  of  societies  have  been  found,  in  this  coun-* 
ty  within  the  last  thirty  years ;  and  several  churches  have 
been  erected  by  them,  and  within  the  last  three  years,  one 
in  the  borough  of  York.  This  sect  like  many  of  the  modern 
ones  manifest  a  commendable  zeal  in  spread  of  their  views ; 
requiring  as  they  do,  of  their  ministers,  some  educational 
qualifications  for  the  ministry. 

Baptists. — There  is  but  one  church  of  this  denomination 
in  York  county — The  house  of  worship  is  located  in  Dover 
township.  It  is  known  by  the  name  of  the  "Dover  Baptist 
Church."  Most  of  the  members  live  contiguous  to  the  Co- 
newago  creek. 

The  following  from  the  pen  of  the  Revd.  J.  Y.  Allison, 
V.  D.  M.  is  the  history  and  condition  of  the  church. 

"  About  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century,  a  few  per- 
sons residing  in  that  neighborhood,  who  believed  they  had 
experienced  a  change  of  heart,  embraced  the  doctrine  that 


704  HisgroRV  of  York  county; 

the  immersion  of  a  believer  in  water  was  necessary  to  con- 
stitute Cliristian  baptism,  and  wrote  to  the  Vincent  Baptist 
Church,  of  Chester  county,  desiring  that  church  to  send  a 
person  properly  qualified  to  baptize  them.  The  request  was 
granted,  and  about  six  or  eight  persons  yielded  obedience  to 
the  divine  command,  requiring  them  to  be  baptized  in  the 
name  of  the  triune  God.  Not  long  afterwards,  another 
minister  of  the  Gospel  visited  the  place  and  baptized  a  few 
others,  and  in  the  year  1804,  those  baptized,  numbering 
ten  or  twelve  persons,  were  duly  constituted  a  church  of 
God,  denominated  the  Dover  Baptist  Church. 

This  church  has  never  enjoyed  pastoral  labor,  with  the 
exception  of  four  years.  The  remaining  thirty-eight  years 
of  its  existence  it  has  been  visited  occasionally  by  ministers 
of  the  Gospel,  but  not  so  often  as  once  a  year.  At  one  time 
this  body  was  quite  large  but  now  numbers  only  twenty-six 
members. 

Among  the  constituent  members  w^ere  several  persons  by 
the  name  of  Davis.  On  the  present  list  of  names  are  Gun- 
kels.  Lairds,  Spanglers,  Grays,  &c. 

Arrangements  are  now  being  made  by  which  Rev.  Henry 
Essick,  pastor  of  the  Newtown  Baptist  Church,  Delaware 
county,  will  remove  to  Dover,  to  preach  the  gospel  there, 
and  elsewhere  in  York  county,  under  whose  faithful  labors, 
rendered  efficient  by  the  blessing  of  God,  it  is  hoped  the 
cause  will  be  extended." 

JVb^e.— Among  the  first  members  of  this  church  were 
Moses  Davis,  Susanna  Davis,  Anna  Davis,  William  Smith. 
Sarah  Smith,  Phebe  Hawk,  William  Laird,  Anne  Bear, 
Catharine  Laird. 

CpuRCH  OF  God. — Sometime  in  1830  the  Revd.  John 
Winebrenner,  and  the  Revd.  John  Elliot,  of  Lancaster,  and 
others,  met  in  Harrisburg  ;  and  after  some  prehrainary  mea- 


HisToay  OF  YORK  covSTY'  70A 

sures  bad  bp^  agreed  upon  by  them^  organized  an  asso- 
ciation, holding,  as  a  sect,  sentiments,  and  observing  prac- 
tices, diflferent  from  many  of  the  orthodox  denominations  of 
the  present  day, — assuming  the  distinctive  name  of  "  The 
Church  of  God" — discarding  the  name  of  the  founder,  or 
founders  of  the  association. 

The  Rev.  John  Winebrenner  was  the  chief  instrument,  or 
means,  in  establishing  this  organization ;  and  hence,  accord- 
ing to  usus  loquendi,  when  speaking  of  the  founders  of  sects, 
the  members  of  this  association  are  frequently  called  "  Wine- 
brennerians,"  a  name  which  is  not  assumed  by  them — pre- 
fering,  as  they  do,  to  be  known  by  none  other  than  that 
adopted  by  the  founder  of  this  religious  denomination — "The 
Church  of  God."  .^jumi  1:1 

Though  this  is  a  comparatively  recently  organised  body, 
they  have  the  names  of  some  fifty  ministers,  enrolled  in  their 
ecclesiastical  records  in  Pennsylvania — several  of  whom  la- 
bor in  York  county,  viz :  the  Rev.  Kiester,  Maxwell,  and 
others. 

German  Baptists. — The  German  Baptists,  or  Brethren, 
took  their  rise  in  the  year  1708 ;  some  of  this  denomination 
emigrated  to  America  in  1719,  and  dispersed  themselves  in 
different  parts  of  Pennsylvania,  some  at  Germantown,  Skip- 
pack,  Oley,  Conestoga,  in  Lancaster  county,  and  soon  after 
the  erection  of  York,  some  settled  here.  At  present  they 
are  perhaps  more  numerous  in  this  county  than  at  any  other 
period.  As  did  the  apoatles  in  the  primitive  ages  of  the 
church,  so  do  the  Brethren  meet  for  worship  in  private 
dwelUngs. 

Among  their  first  ministers  in  this  county,  were  Fathers 
Deardorff,  Blaeser,  and,  at  present,  Heikes,  Trimmer,  and 
others.     They  discard  all  literary  acquirements  in  their  mi- 

17 


70l5 


HISTORY   OP   YORK   COUNTY. 


nisters.     Their  manner  of  preaching,  is  simple  and  unaf- 
fected. 

Friends,  or  Quakers. — When  York  was  first  erected^ 
this  respectable  body  of  Christians  was  quite  numerous  in 
several  sections  of  the  county,  however,  principally  in  the 
north  and  north-western  parts.  At  present  their  number  is 
greatly  reduced;  not  numbering,  in  all,  more  than  from 
one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  members  in  the  county. 

Those  still  here,  are  principally  classed  as  embracing  the 
views  of  Ehas  Hicks. 

Mennonites. — At  an  early  period  of  the  first  settlements 
made  within  the  limits  of  this  county,  the  Mennonites  had 
several  houses  of  public  worship ;  but,  at  present,  the  num- 
ber of  their  members  is  very  small,  and  their  places  of  wor- 
ship very  few.  The  number  of  members  not  exceeding  one 
hundred. 


APPENDIX. 


TOPOGRAPHY  AND  STATISTICS : 

Comprising  a  geological  sketch  of  the  county  ;  topo- 
graphical DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  TOWNSHIPS,  TOWNS, 
VILLAGES,  AND  CENSUS  OF  EACH  OF  1840. 


^OlTiiJ, 


K»i  :  1. 1  /iijoa  3HT  Ml)  I' 


> 


CHAPTER  I. 

Geology  and  Mineralogv. 

The  southern  part  of  the  county,  according  to  the  Report 
of  the  State  Geologist's,  is  occupied  chiefly  by  rocks  of 
stratified  primary  class,  consistmg  principally  of  talcose  slates 
Avith  occasional  silicious  strata,  some  of  which  approach  the 
character  of  sandstone. 

In  some  places  are  found  beds  of  slate  which  may  be  split 
with  great  regularity  into  thin  plates,  yielding  roofing  slate 
of  good  quality.  Extensive  quarries  of  tMs  material  are 
worked  in  the  neighborhood  of  Peach  Bottom.*  It  also 
occurs  in  the  slate  ridge  south  of  the  limestone  valley,  about 
six  miles  east  of  York. 

Near  Slate  Ridge  Church,  about  four  miles  west  of  the 
Susquehanna  river,  are  two  or  three  belts  of  serpentine,  one 
of  which  is  crossed  by  the  State  line  between  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland.  This  serpentine  is  accompanied  by  chlorite 
slate,  containing  beautiful  octohedral  crystals  of  iron,  asbes- 
tus,  actinolite,  titaniferous  and  magnetic  iron  ore,  &c.  Red 
oxide  of  titannium  occurs  in  several  places,  but  is  most 
abundant  near  the  State  line,  about  nine  miles  from  the  river. 

Beautiful  cubic  crystals  of  sulphuret  of  iron  are  found  in 
the  slate  below  Wrightsville,  and  are  common  in  many  other 
places ;  being  frequently  found  loose  in  the  soil  and  having 

*  See  Peach  Bottom  township. 
17* 


710  HISTORY   OF    YOEK   COUNTY. 


I 


their  external  surface  changed  by  rust  from  a  bright  golden 
yellow  to  a  brown  color.  These  abound  a  few  miles  below 
York. 

Iron  ore  has  been  dug  near  Susan  Anna  Furnace,  thir- 
teen miles  south-east  from  York  ;  but  it  is  found  of  a  better 
quality,  eight  miles  further  west- ward  near  the  turnpike  road 
from  York  to  Baltimore.  On  the  canal,  above  M'Call's 
Ferry,  purple  sulphuret  and  green  carbonate  of  copper  oc- 
cur in  the  white  quartz  veins  of  the  slate  strata,  but  from 
appearances  only  in  a  small  quantity. 

On  Cabin  branch  run,  five  miles  below  Wrightsville,  is  a 
belt  of  limestone  crossing  from  Lancaster  county  and  termi- 
nating in  a  point  a  few  miles  west  of  the  river,  being  sepa- 
rated from  the  limestone  formation  of  York  valley,  by  a 
slate  ridge  which  extends  west-ward  from  the  river  below 
Wrightsville.  Near  the  western  termination  of  this  lime- 
stone is  a  valuable  deposite  of  iron  ore  which  has  been  ex- 
tensively mineiJ  for  the  supply  of  Margaretta  Furnace,  in 
its  immediate  vicinity.  Pursuing  the  same  range  further  to 
the  west,  we  find  banks  of  calcareous  rock  near  the  York 
Baltimore  turnpike,  and  a  little  west  of  the  Baltimore  and 
Susquehanna  Railroad,  ten  miles  south  of  York.  Here  the 
rock  is  quarried  as  a  limestone,  and  though  by  no  means 
pure,  it  is  valuable  for  burning  into  lime  for  agricultural 
purposes.  From  this  place  it  extends  west-ward  tow^ards 
the  village  of  Jefferson,  being  accompanied  by  iron  ore  which 
appears  on  the  surface  of  the  soil. 

Extending  w^est-ward  from  the  Susquehanna  at  Wrights- 
ville, is  a  belt  ot  limestone,  occupying  the  valley  between 
the  slate  hills  on  the  south,  and  the  sandstones  and  slates 
of  Chicques  ridge,  which  crosses  the  river  above  Wrights- 
ville. This  limestone  stretches  west-ward  by  York,  as  far 
as  to  the  Pigeon  Hills,  where  it  is  divided  into  two  branches ; 
the  southern  extending  south  of  those  hills  to  Hanover,  and 


W  HISTORY    OF   YORK   COUNTY.  711 

thence  into  Adams  county  ;  while  the  northern  is  soon  lost 
beneath  the  overlying  red  shales  and  sandstones  north  of  the 
Pigeon  Hills. 

At  several  places,  within  its  range,  this  limestone  presents 
beds  which  are  white,  flesh  colored,  and  variagated,  where 
a  beautiful  marble  might  be  obtained,  if  the  strata  were 
sufficiently  thick  and  compact  to  aiford  solid  blocks  of  suffi- 
cient size,  to  be  profitably  worked.  Iron  ore  occurs  at 
several  places  along  the  south  side  of  Pigeon  Hills,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Hanover,  and  between  this  and  Littlestown, 
in  Adams  county  ;  but  some  of  it  seems  to  be  of  rather  in- 
different quality.  A  •  dike  traprock  crosses  the  limestone 
valley  four  miles  east  of  York,  and  another  a  little  west  of 
the  borough  of  York. 

The  rocks  of  the  Pigeon  Hills  consist  principally  of  slates 
and  sandstones,  forming  an  elliptical  range  of  elevations  that 
extend  from  within  eight  miles  of  York  to  the  western  line 
of  the  county.  The  slate  of  these  hills  occasionally  contains 
a  green  carbonate  of  copper,  and  fine  specimens  of  foliated 
oxide  of  iron  occur  in  the  veins  of  white  quartz,  which  tra- 
verse the  slate.  In  the  vicinity  of  Abbbttstown,  the  foliated 
oxide  of  iron  is  abundant,  especially  near  Pigeon  Hills. 

In  the  ridge  prolonged  westward  from  the  Susquehanna, 
above  Wrightsville,  there  is  a  hard  white  sandstone,  with 
accompanying  beds  of  slate,  extending  on  the  river  from  a 
little  above  Wrightsville,  to  the  mouth  of  Codorus  creek, 
above  which  a  small  point  of  limestone  crosses  the  river, 
from  the  east  side,  appearing  at  the  village  of  New  Holland, 
and  terminating  a  short  distance  west  of  the  river.  The 
western  termination  of  the  sandstone  ridge,  is  a  little  east  of 
the  turnpike  from  York  to  Harrisburg. 

North  of  this  is  a  wide  extent  of  the  middle,  secondary 
red  shales  and  sandstones,  the  southern  border  of  which 
overlaps  the  hmestone  at  the  river,  above  New  Holland,  and 


712  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

west  of  it,  rests  upon  the  slate,  on  the  north  of  the  ridge 
last  mentioned,  until  it  reaches  the  main  limestone  of  the 
valley,  about  three  miles  north  of  York.  Thence  ranging 
south-westward,  the  red  shales  and  sandstones  border  upon 
the  limestone,  until,  at  a  point  about  ten  miles  west  from 
York,  they  meet  the  slate  on  the  north  side  of  the  Pigeon 
Hills,  and  extend  along  their  northern  base  to  the  line  of 
Adams  county. 

The  northern  border  of  the  red  sandstone  formation  ex- 
tends to  the  limestone  of  Cumberland  valley,  meeting  in  an 
irregular  line  on  the  south  of  Yellow  Breeches  creek,  and 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Lisburn,  crossing  that  stream  with 
Cumberland  county.  The  upper  beds  of  this  formation  are 
here  marked  by  their  usual  conglomorate  character,  con- 
taining rounded  pebbles  of  calcareous  and  silicious  rocks. — 
The  red  sand  stone  in  many  places  affords  an  excellent  ma- 
terial for  building,  and  has  been  much  used  for  furnace 
hearths,  architectural  purposes,  locks,  aqueducts,  bridges, 
and  other  uses  where  cut  stone  is  required. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  county  are  many  hills  and 
ridges  of  the  traprock,  some  of  which  are  of  such  elevation 
as  to  assume  the  character  of  mountains.  These  are  chiefly 
in  the  rough  and  rocky  region  between  Conewago  and  Yel- 
low Breeches  creek.  Magnetic  iron  ore  occurs  in  several 
places  associated  with  these  rocks ;  traces  of  copper  also  ap- 
pear, and  the  altered  shales  and  sandstones  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  trap  ridges  about  Lewisbury  and  Newberry  contain 
foliated  and  micaceous  oxide  of  iron,  epidote,  &c.* 

Mineral  Deposites. — The  following  is  a  list  of  minerals 
found  in  York  county. 

Quartz  is  abundant. — There  abound  hyalin,  milky,  fer- 
ruginous, drusy,  auriferous,  smoky,  massive,  prase,  fetid, 
resinous,  lydienne. 

*  Trego's  Geog.  of  Pa.,  pp.  373,  '74. 


HISTOiar    OF   YORK    COUNTY.  713 

Colophonite,  garnets,  wavelite,  chlorite,  epidote,  pipeclay, 
haloysit,  talc,  steatite,  amphibole,  mica,  feldspar. 

Carbonate  of  lime,  white,  yellow,  blue,  flesh  colored, 
porphoritic. 

Mark,  in  the  vicinity  of  Dillsburg.  (See  Carroll  town- 
ship.) 

Oxides  of  iron — Octohedral  crystals  of,  and  micacious, 
magnetic,  hoemetitic. 

Sulphuret  of  iron,  in  various  parts  of  the  county. 

Copper — native,  red,  oxide,  carbonate,  sulphuret. 

Go/(^native;  particles  of  which  have  been  found,  and 
strong  indications  of  deposites  of  this  mineral  in  several 
townships  south  of  the  limestone  valley. 

Sulphuret  of  lead  or  Galena  has  been  found  in  small  por- 
tions near  the  Susquehanna. 

Anthracite  coal. — A  thin  layer  of  coal  has  been  discover- 
ed in  several  localities  by  those  who  have  sunk  wells  as  in 
East  and  West  Manchester,  or  in  digging  cellars,  as  in  Pa- 
radise township,  at  Brand's,  when  digging  the  foundation 
for  the  Catholic  church  in  1843. 


714  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Statistics  and  Topography. 

York  county  contains  an  era  of  900  s  quare  miles,  and 
about  576,000  acres  of  cleared  and  uncleared  land,  the  soil 
being  limestone,  slate,  gravel,  sienite  or  mountain  rock.  In 
1838,  when  the  agricultural  statistics  of  Pennsylvania  were 
taken,  in  York  county,  only  eighteen  districts  out  of  thirty 
reported.  From  that  imperfect  return,  we  gather  the  follow- 
ing.— There  were  in  1838,  20,550  acres  of  limestone  land 
cleared  ;  8,050  acres  uncleared  ;  20,500  slate  land  cleared, 
10,750  uncleared  ;  92,650  gravel  land  cleared,  43,270  un- 
cleared ;  35,940  sand  land  cleared  ;  20,660  of  mountain 
rock;  10  acres  known  to  contain  iron  ore. — The  whole 
quantity  of  cleared  land  of  all  kinds  149,680  ;  the  whole 
quantity  of  uncleared  land,  but  fit  for  cultivation  47,820 
acres ;  the  whole  quantity  of  uncleared  land,  unfit  for  culti- 
vation, 30,540  acres. 

The  average  value  per  acre  of  cleared  land  $25 — of  wood- 
land fit  for  cultivation  $15  ;  of  woodland  unfit  for  cultiva- 
tion $5.  The  whole  value  of  all  the  cleared  land  $3,225,- 
110— of  all  the  uncleared  land  $968,370.  The  whole  num- 
ber of  farms  reported  1,984;  the  average  size  of  each  110 
acres  ;  the  whole  number  of  stone  farm  houses  569 ;  the 
whole  number  of  brick  farm  houses  115  ;  of  wooden  farm 
houses  1,820 ;  tenant  houses  750 ;  stone  barns  340  ;  brick 
barns  18  ;  wooden  barns  2,160 ;  acres  in  wheat  10,360 ;  in 


HlsfoRY  OP  vork  county.  715 

rye  18,140 ;  in  oats  14,500 ;  in  barley  15  ;  in  corn  14,350; 
in  clover  10,600  ;  in  timothy  5,140  ;  acres  of  natural  mea- 
dow 7,900 ;  in  potatoes  910 ;  in  turnips  15 ;  in  buckwheat 
1,300  ;  in  hemp  10 ;  in  flax  80 ;  average  yield  of  wheat 
per  acre  14  bushels ;  rye  12  ;  oats  25  ;  barley  20 ;  corn 
30 ;  potatoes  150  ;  turnips  120  ;  buckwheat  17  ;  flaxed 
dressed  175  pounds  from  the  acre. 

The  whole  quantity  of  lime  used  as  a  manure,  55,300 
bushels,  at  12i  cents  a  bushel ;  from  60  to  70  were  applied 
to  the  acre.  One  thousand  six  hundred  and  twenty  tons  of 
plaster  were  sowed  in  1838. 

It  had  in  1840,  four  furnaces,  which  produced  five  thou- 
sand one  hundred  and  thirteen  tons  of  iron ;  four  forges, 
produced  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  eigheeen  tons  of 
bar  iron;  the  furnaces  and  forges  consumed  fifteen  thousand, 
two  hundred  tons  of  fuel,  and  gave  employment,  including 
mining  operations,  to  three  hundred  and  eight  hands.  The 
capital  invested  in  the  iron  operations,  amounted  to  seventy- 
four  thousand  dollars.  The  estimated  value  produced  by 
mines  $2,500,  employed  twelve  men,  capital  invested  in 
mining,  $1,000. 

The  value  of  lime  and  other  stone,  valued  at  $6,300  ;  em- 
ployed twenty-two  hands ;  capital  invested  $5,100. 

The  number  of  horses  was  twelve  thousand  six  hundred 
and  seventy-three ;  thirty-four  thousand,  four  hundred  and 
twenty-five  cattle ;  thirty-six  thousand,  three  hundred  and 
forty-seven  sheep;  fifty-six  thousand,  two  hundred  and  nine- 
ty-seven swine ;  poultry  of  all  kinds  estimated  at  $19,920  ; 
three  hundred,  fifty-seven  thousand,  five  hundred  and  fifteen 
bushels  of  wheat  were  raised  ;  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  fourteen  bushels  of  barley ;  five  hundred,  ninety-seven 
thousand,  one  hundred  and  forty-four  bushels  of  oats;  three 
hundred,  sixty-three  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  eighty-six 
bushels  of  rye;  twelve  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  ninety 


716  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY. 

bushels  of  buckwheat,  six  hundrted  thousand  bushels  of  Iii- 
dian  corn;  fifty-six  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  thirty-one 
pounds  of  wool ;  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  thirty 
pounds  of  hops ;  one  hundred  and  seventy-three  thousand 
bushels  of  potatoes ;  there  were  made  thirty-eight  thousand 
tons  of  hay;  twelve  tons  of  hemp  and  flax  were  raised;  one 
himdred  and  sixty-three  pounds  of  tobacco  gathered;  one 
hundred  and  seventy-nine  pounds  of  silk  cocoons ;  nine  thou- 
sand and  seventy-two  cords  of  wood  were  sold  ;  the  pro- 
ducts of  the  orchard  $13,044 ;  one  hundred  and  fifty-five 
gallons  of  wine  were  made.  The  value  of  home  made  goods 
was  estimated  $30,946. 

The  value  of  tobacco  manufactured  was  $22,400  ;  and 
gave  employment  to  fifty-seven  persons.  The  value  of  hats 
and  caps  manufactured  was  $23,100.  There  were  fifty-three 
tanneries  in  the  county ;  tanned  twenty-four  thousand,  three 
hundred  and  sixty-two  sides  of  sole  leather ;  eleven  thou- 
sand, five  hundred  and  eighty-one  of  upper ;  employed  one 
hundred  and  eighty-four  hands,  capital  invested  $188,700  ; 
there  were  forty-eight  saddleries,  the  value  of  their  manu- 
factured articles  was  $63,215  ;  capital  invested  $10,387. 

There  were  manufactured  ten  thousand  pounds  of  soap, 
twenty-five  thousand  pounds  of  candles.  York  county  con- 
tained in  1840,  two  hundred  and  sixteen  distilleries  which 
produced  nine  hundred,  thirty  thousand,  three  hundred  and 
four  gallons  of  ardent  spirits;  four  breweries,  produced  thir- 
ty-six thousand  gallons  of  beer;  the  breweries  and  distille- 
ries employed  two  hundred  and  seventy  men  ;  with  a  vested 
capital  of  $121,745. 

There  were  nine  potteries,  the  value  of  manufactnred  ar- 
ticles, estimated  at  $4,550;  employed  fifteen  hands,  capi- 
tal invested  $3,000.  The  value  of  produce  of  nurseries 
$590.  Retail  and  dry  goods  Stores  one  hundred  fifty  nine  ; 
capital  invested  $528,575 ;  lumber  yards  seventeen  :  capi- 


HISTORY   OP   YORK   .COUNTX-  717 

tal  $900.  Value  of  machinery  manufactured  $5,000,  twelve 
men  employed.  Value  of  hardware,  cutlery  manufactured 
$24,500.  Value  of  bricks  and  lime  burned  $29,120.  There 
were  seven  fulling  mills,  ten  woollen  factories :  value  of  man- 
ufactured goods  $34,700 :  employed  forty-nine  hands :  with 
a  capital  of  $27,500. 

There  were  four  paper  mills:  value  produced  $21,780: 
employed  thirty-three  men,  with  a  capital  of  $42,000.  Six 
printing  offices — seven  weekly  newspapers.  Carriages  and 
wagons  manufactured  to  the  value  of  $27,385 :  employed 
one  hundred  and  twenty  men:  capital  invested  $18,015. 
Seven  flouring  mills  manufactured  twenty  thousand  and  fifty 
six  barrels  of  flour.  Grist  mills,  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
two:  saw  mills,  one  hundred  and  four:  oil  mills,  nine:  value 
of  manufacture  by  all  the  mills,  $787,283:  employed  two 
hundred  and  sixty  men:  capital  invested  $484,275. 

Value  of  furniture  manufactured  $6,000 :  employed  twen- 
ty-three hands :  capital  invested,  $2,900.  In  1840,  there 
were  eighteen  brick  houses  built :  fifty-eight  wooden :  two 
hundred  and  fifty-eight  men  engaged :  the  value  of  construct- 
ing buildings,  $61,800.  The  total  capital  invested  in  all 
manufactured  in  this  county,  in  1840,  was  $990,010^— nearly 
one  million  of  dollars. 


IS 


718  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Topography  and  Statistics  of  Townships,  &c. 

In  giving  the  topography  of  townships,  they  have  bees 
arranged  under  five  different  heads;  viz:  the  Eastern,  South- 
ern, Western,  Northern  and  Interior  townships. 

Eastern  Townships  are  Fairview,  Newberry,  Conewa- 
go,  Manchester,  Hellam,  Lower  Windsor,  Chanceford,  Low- 
er Chanceford  and  Peach-bottom. 

Fairview  township  was  erected  in  1803.  It  is  bounded 
north  by  the  Yellow  breeches  creek,  which  separates  it  from 
Cumberland  county  :  on  the  east  by  the  Susquehanna  river, 
separating  it  from  Dauphin  county :  south  by  Newberry 
townshipj  and  west  by  Warrington  and  Monaghan.  It  is 
watered  by  the  Yellow  breeches  creek.  Fishing  creek,  orig- 
inally called  Horse-shoe  creek.  Miller's  run,  and  a  number 
of  smaller  stseams.  According  to  the  census  of  1840,  there 
were  raised  in  it  28,778  bushels  of  wheat,  40,854  of  oats, 
18,823  of  rye,  1,357  of  buckwheat,  36,999  of  corn,  6,216 
bushels  of  potatoes,  1,717  tons  of  hay  were  made,  11,425 
pounds  of  tobacco  gathered.  There  were  2  tanneries :  ten 
distillesies,  which  produced  68,440  gallons :  one  flouring 
mill,  manufactured  4,190  barrels :  3  grist  mills,  3  saw  mills, 
and  one  oil  mill. 

It  contained  in  1840,  a  population  of  1,993.  The  surface 
of  the  township  is  partly  hilly :  some  limestone  soil,  well 
improved :  the  greater  part  is  gravel  soil,  much  of  which  has 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  719 

been  greatly  improved,  by  using  lime  as  a  stimulating  ma- 
nure. 

New  Market,  a  little  below  the  mouth  of  Yellow  breeches, 
is  this  township,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Susquehanna.  This 
village  was  laid  out  in  1807,  by  Wm.  Culbertson  and  Henry 
Musser,  and  contains  about  thirty  dwellings  population  175 
or  180.     It  contains  a  small  grocery  store. 

The  York  and  Harrisburg  turnpike  passes  through  this 
township  along  the  Susquehanna  river. 

Newberry  township  was  erected  prior  to  1750,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Fairview  township :  east  by  the 
Susquehanna  river :  south  by  Conewago,  and  west  by  War- 
rington township.  It  is  watered  by  Horse-shoe  creek,  or 
Fishing  creek,  that  glides  gently  through  a  valley  of  the 
same  name.  Horse-shoe,  or  Fishing  creek  valley,  has  its 
name  from  the  peculiar  configuration  of  the  hills.  The  land 
in  this  township,  especially  in  this  valley,  has  been  much 
improved  by  a  judicious  course  of  terraculture  :  the  applica- 
tion of  lime,  as  a  manure,  and  proper  rotation  of  crops. 

The  township  was,  at  one  time,  a  principal  seat  of  Friends 
— among  the  early  settlers  in  Horse-shoe  valley,  were  the 
Garrets,  Wickershams,  and  others.  According  to  the  cen- 
sus of  1840,  there  were  12,248  bushels  of  wheat  raised  : 
oats  23,245: -rye  14,817;  buckwheat  840:  corn  23,296: 
bushels  of  potatoes,  2,047:  hay  1,366  tons:  41,103  pounds 
of  tobacco  gathered.  It  contains  2  tanneries :  four  grist 
mills :  two  saw  mills :  one  clover  mill :  one  woollen  factory  : 
several  potteries.  Population  1,850.  This  township  con- 
tains several  small  towns-— 

Yocumstown,  a  post  village,  on  the  road  leading  from 
Lewistown  to  Middletown :  laid  out  by  Elijah  Yocum,  about 
twenty-five  years  ago.  The  first  settlers,  besides  the  pro- 
prietor, were  Isaiah  Yocum,  Daniel  Brookhart,  Lee  Mont- 
gomery.   It  is  fifteen  miles  from  York.    It  contains  eleven 


720  HISTORY   OF    YORK   COTJNTY; 

dwellings :  one  tavern  and  a  store :  a  school  -and  meeting 
house :  a  woollen  factory  on  Fishing  creek,  erected  by  Mr. 
Arnold,  now  owned  by  Ginder,  and  is  successfully  managed 
by  the  Messrs.  Heathcoates. 

Smoketown,  two  miles  east  of  Yocumstown,  consists  of  a 
small  cluster  of  farm  houses. 

The  York  and  Harrisburg  turnpike  passes  through  this 
township  along  the  Susquehanna  river. 

Newberrytown,  laid  out  by  Cornelius  Garretson,  about 
fifty  years  ago,  contains  twenty  dwellings,  one  store,  two 
taverns,  an  extensive  pottery,  owned  by  Thomas  Wicker- 
sham,  which  gives  employment  to  six  or  more  persons :  two 
schools,  and  a  meeting  house.  The  manufacture  of  cigars 
and  tobacco  is  carried  on  to  some  extent.  It  is  twelve  miles 
from  York  and  thirteen  from  Harrisburg.  Near  this  place 
is  a  Quaker  meeting  house.  Here,  and  at  Lewisberry,  the 
Friends  were  very  numerous  at  one  time — now  nearly  ex- 
tinct— these  principally  embrace  Hicks'  views. 

Lewisberry,  on  the  road  leading  from  Lisbon  to  York — 
fourteen  miles  from  the  latter,  and  ten  miles  from  Harris- 
burg. It  was  laid  out  by  Eli  Lewis  rising  of  forty  years 
ago.  Among  the  first  lot  holders  were  the  Messrs.  Sheafer, 
Nicholas,  Benedict,  Mateer,  Jacob  Kirk  and  Isaac  Kirk. 
The  Kirks  were  originally  from  Chester  county  ;  the  elder 
of  the  Kirks  settled  here,  or  vicinity  of  the  town,  forty  or 
fifty  years  before  it  was  laid  out.  Mr.  Jacob  Kirk  well 
remembers  when  the  number  of  houses  was  five ;  since  his 
youthful  days,  many  changes  have  taken  place  here.  Jacob 
Kirk  is  among  the  oldest  living  in  the  place. 

The  town  contains  between  forty  and  fifty  dwelhngs :  two 
stores,  two  taverns,  one  school,  and  a  Methodist  meeting 
house.  (There  is  a  German  Reformed  and  Lutheran  church 
near  town.)  The  town  contains  the  usual  number  of  handi- 
craft.   Harry  Hammond's  Window  Spring  factory,  known 


HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY.  721 

almost  every  where  in  the  United  States,  is  here.  He  an- 
nually manufactures  and  sells,  between  30  and  40,000  win- 
dow springs. 

Contiguous  to  the  town  is  Joseph  Potts'  Coffee  Mill  man- 
ufactory, on  Bennett's  run.  The  praise  of  his  mills  is  heard 
"  from  the  bosom"  of  many  a  fair  maid,  and  coffee  drinking 
matron.  A  great  variety  of  mechanical  branches  are  skil- 
fully pursued  in  this  thrifty  town.  Jacob  Kirk  excels  in 
mechanical  skill. 

Lewisberry  was  incorporated  the  2d  of  April,  1822.  The 
vicinage  is  quite  inviting. 

York  Haven  is  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  im- 
mediately below  the  Conewago  Falls,  ten  miles  north  of 
York,  on  the  turnpike  leading  from  York  to  Harrisburg. 
Here  the  canal,  of  about  a  mile  in  length,  around  the  Falls, 
ends,  and  permits  the  descending  trade  to  avoid  the  dangers 
of  the  rapids,  which  often  proved  destructive. 

At  one  time  the  town  bade  fair  to  become  a  business  place. 
Several  large  mills  were  built ;  the  principal  one  of  which 
has  been  burnt ;  and  some  wealthy  capitalists  of  Baltimore 
made  extensive  preparations  for  sustaining  the  wheat  mar- 
ket here ;  but  no  sooner  had  the  Pennsylvania  canal  on  the 
opposite  side  been  constructed,  than  business  began  to  de- 
cline here;  and  since  the  Tide  Water  Canal  has  been  opened. 
York  Haven  is  nearly  without  any  trade  at  all.  Its  prospects 
have  been  blasted.  There  are  several  stores  and  taverns 
here.     Population  about  150,  or  upwards. 

Conewago  township  was  erected  in  1818,  and  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Big  Conewago  creek,  which  separates  it 
from  Newberry  township ;  southeast  by  Little  Conewago, 
dividing  it  from  Manchester ;  southwest  by  Dover  town- 
ship. In  1840  it  contained  a  population  of  1,068.  There 
were  raised  6,910  bushels  of  wheat;  10,975  oats;  9,920 
rye;  93  buckwheat;  16,065  corn;  1,507  bushels  of  pota- 

18* 


722  HISTORY    OF    YORK    COUNTY. 

toes  ;  889  tons  of  hay ;  one  tannery,  three  distilleries,  four 
stores,  three  grist  mills,  and  three  saw  mills. 

This  township  is  crossed  by  the  Conewago  hills.  There 
is  one  small  village  in  it. 

Strinestown,  laid  out  about  sixty  years  ago,  by  Peter 
Strein,  is  about  five  miles  from  York,  on  the  road  leading 
from  York  to  Newberry ;  it  contains  twenty  dwellings — one 
store  and  tavern.  The  land  around  it  is  gravel — some  of  it 
is  well  improved. 

Manchester  township  was  erected  prior  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  county ;  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  New- 
berry towhship,  east  by  the  Susquehanna  river,  south  by 
Heiiam  township,  and  Spring  Garden,  southwest  by  West 
Manchester;  northwest  by  Conewago;  the  surface  is  more 
level  than  of  the  township  northward ;  considerable  portion 
of  the  soil  is  limestone,  and  much  of  it  very  productive.  The 
York  and  Conewago  turnpike  road  passes  through  this.  The 
population  in  1840  was  2,152. 

In  1840,  23,045  bushels  of  M^heat  raised ;  400  barley  ; 
27,656  rye ;  67  buckwheat ;  48,735  corn ;  4,583  bushels 
of  potatoes  ;  1,879  tons  of  hay ;  two  tanneries,  fifteen  distil- 
leries, one  pottery,  four  stores,  two  lumber  yards,  one  flour- 
ing mill,  eight  grist  mills,  five  saw  mills.  There  are  several 
small  towns  in  this  township, 

Liverpool,  laid  out  about  thirty  years  ago  by  William 
Reeser,  is ,  seven  miles  north  of  York,  on  the  turnpike  lead- 
ing from  York  to  Harrisburg:  it  contains  between  thirty 
and  forty  houses — two  taverns,  two  stores,  a  Union  meeting 
house.  Population,  between  230  and  240.  The  country 
around  it  is  well  improved.  The  turnpike  passes  nearly 
centrally  through  the  township. 

New  Holland,  laid  out  about  forty  years  ago  by  Freder- 
ick Day,  is  on  the  bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  contains 
thirty  or  more  dwellings — three  stores,  two  taverns,  and  a 


HISTORY   OF    YORK    COUNTY.  723 

church,  which  has  been  recently  built ;  the  corner  stone  of 
which  was  laid  in  June.  Population  about  175.  This  town 
has  opposite  it,  Silver  Lake  Island.  Codorus  furnace  and 
forge,  owned  by  Grubb  and  company,  are  near  this.  About 
four  hundred  tons  of  bar  iron  are  annually  manufactured  at 
this  forge. 

Hellam,  is  one  of  the  fiist  organized  townships  in  the 
county,  haying  been  erected  more  than  one  hundred  years 
ago :  it  is  bounded  on  the  northeast,  and  east,  by  the  Sus- 
quehanna river,  south  by  Lower  Windsor  township,  west  by 
Springfield,  north  by  Manchester:  the  surface  of  it  gener- 
ally level ;  soil,  much  of  it,  limestone,  and  of  a  very  good 
quahty.  This  town  presents  a  neatness  not  surpassed  by 
any  in  the  township,  in  the  appearance  of  farm  buildings — 
these,  with  the  improvement  of  the  farms,  arrest  the  atten- 
tion of  the  traveller,  either  in  passing  along  on  the  turnpike 
or  railroad,  for  both  pass  through  this  township.  Population 
of  the  township  1,421. 

There  was  in  it  in  1840,  one  furnace,  which  produced 
2,363  tons  of  cast  iron ;  also  one  forge — 18,373  bushels  of 
wheat  raised,  27,023  oats,  15,819  rye,  28,638  corn,  5,383 
bushels  of  potatoes,  1,007  tons  of  hay ;  84,195  pounds  of 
tobacco  gathered  ;  two  tanneries,  six  distilleries,  eight  stores, 
two  lumber  yards :  bricks  and  lime  manufactured,  valued  at 
S2,301 ;  five  grist  mills  and  four  saw  mills. 

This  township  was  made  the  scene,  at  an  early  day,  of 
strife  and  contention.  It  contains  an  incorporated  town,  for- 
merly, and  for  many  years,  known  as  Wright's  Ferry. 

Wrightsville,  formerly  Wright's  ferry — but  since  the  erec- 
tion of  the  Columbia  bridge  across  the  Susquehanna  at  this 
place,  in  1814,  it  has  borne  the  name  by  which  it  is  now 
generally  known.  The  place  was  first  settled  by  John 
Wright,  Jr.,  about  the  year  1730  or  1731,  and  was  the  scene 


724  msTORt  OP  york  county. 

of  no  little  disturbance  in  the  days  of  Cressap,  of  whom  has 
been  spoken  in  another  part  of  this  book. 

"It  was,  at  one  time,  in  contemplation,  to  make  the  ground 
upon  which  Wrightsville  stands,  the  site  for  the  Capitol  of 
ihe  United  States.  General  Washington  was  much  in  favor 
of  erecting  the  national  buildings  here ;  urging  its  imrivalled 
beauty,  its  advantageous  situation  as  to  security,  and  ease 
of  access,  &c.,  as  the  ground  of  his  preferencs ;  however,  a 
shall  majority  was  against  him,  and  he  was  defeated  in  his 
intentions.  It  is  more  than  probable  that  the  Capitol  of  this 
great  nation  would  have  escaped,  in  the  late  war,  from  being 
enveloped  in  flames — flames  that  lighted  Briton's  fame  to 
the  "degraded  point  of  unheard  of  dastardness  and  ignomi- 
ny," had  the  wishes  of  Washington  prevailed." 

This  town  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
Susquehanna,  at  the  western  end  of  the  Columbia  bridge.  It 
occupies  an  elevated  site,  sloping  very  gradually  towards 
the  river,  commands  a  scenery  of  magnificence  and  grandeur. 
The  borough  was  incorporated  with  its  present  name,  April 
14,  1834.  It  contains  between  sixty  and  seventy  dwell- 
ings— several  stores  and  taverns.  Population  about  eight 
hundred.  A  good  turnpike  leads  from  this  plctce  through 
York  to  Gettysburg,  in  Adams  county,  and  is  continued 
westward  till  it  connects  with  the  Harrisburg  turnpike  at 
Chambersburg.  A  noble  bridge  which  crosses  the  Susque- 
hanna is  here.  The  Susquehanna  and  Tide  Water  Canal 
extends  from  Wrightsville  down  the  western  side  of  the  riv- 
er. The  York  and  Wrightsville  Railroad,  connecting  with 
the  Columbia  and  Philadelphia  Railroad,  passes  through  the 
borough.  This  place  may,  before  many  years,  become  of 
some  note  and  distinction.  It  bids  very  fair  to  rise  emi- 
nently. 

Some  Indian  relics  were  found  here  in  1835.    "A  brass 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNtY*  725 

-Medal  has  been  left  at  this  office" — says  the  editor  of  the 
Columbia  Spy — "  which,  together  with  several  other  arti- 
cles, and  a  human  skull,  was  dug  up  a  few  days  since,  in 
Wrightsville,  York  county,  Pa. — It  bears  on  one  side,  a 
head,  with  the  inscription, '  George,  King  of  Great  Britain,' 
and  on  the  other,  an  Indian  with  his  bow  and  arrow,  in  the 
act  of  shooting  a  deer.  It  appears  to  have  been  worn  as  an 
ornament  for  the  nose  or  ears.  There  were  found  also,  two 
others  of  similar  description — a  brass  kettle — a  string  of 
white  beads,  one  yard  and  a  half  in  length — some  red  paint, 
and  twenty-five  rings,  one  of  which  was  dated  1716." 

Lower  Windsor  township,  is  part  of  Windsor,  which  had 
been  erected  in  1763 — it  has  been  separated  from  W^mdsor, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Hellam  township,  east  by 
the  Susquehanna  river,  south  by  Chanceford,  west  by  Upper 
Windsor,  and  north  by  Manchester.  The  surface  of  this 
township  is  hilly;  soil  gravelly  loam.  Since  the  construction 
of  the  canal,  it  has  been  somewhat  improved  by  liming. 
This  township  is  drained  by  a  branch  of  Kreutz  or  Grist 
creek — by  Cabin  Branch,  Fishing  creek,  on  which  Marga- 
retta  furnace,  and  Windsor  forge  are,  in  Canadochly  valley. 
Iron  ore  is  convenient  here.  There  is  also  a  belt  of  lime- 
stone crossing  from  Lancaster  county,  found  here. 

The  population  of  1840  was  1,687.  Wheat  raised  13,423 
bushels,  oats  28,094,  rye  13,463,  buckwheat  653,  corn  19,- 
215,  potatoes  9,810,  901  tons  of  hay,  25,610  pounds  of  to- 
bacco gathered :  one  flouring  mill,  four  grist  mills,  and  three 
saw  mills, 

Chanceford  township,  erected  prior  to  1750,  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Windsor,  northeast  by  the  Susquehanna  ri- 
ver, southeast  by  Lower  Chanceford,  southwest  by  Hope- 
well, and  northwest  by  Windsor :  the  surface  of  this  town- 
ship is  very  much  broken  and  hilly ;  soil  generally  poor,  of  a 
gravelly  and  arenaceous  character ;  but  in  some  places  con- 


726  HISTORY  OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

siderably  improved.  Population  1,439.  Chancelord  has  in 
it  one  furnace,  which  produced  in  1840,  1000  tons  of  cast 
iron ;  4,503  bushels  of  wheat  raised,  14,947  oats,  3,661  rye, 
945  buckwheat,  9,483  corn,  8,501  bushels  of  potatoes,  1,038 
tons  of  hay,  one  tannery,  two  distilleries,  five  stores,  two 
grist  mills,  one  saw  mill.  This  township  is  comprised  within 
the  hmits  of  "  York  Barrens."  The  Barrens  have,  however, 
been  in  many  places  rendered  fruitful  and  productive;  amply 
repaying  the  husbandman  for  the  labor  bestowed  upon  it. 

Lower  Chanceford  formed,  originally,  part  of  Chanceford* 
It  was  erected  in  1807,  and  is  bounded  on  the  northwest  by 
Chanceford  township,  northeast  by  the  Susquehanna  river, 
south  by  Peachbottom,  southwest  by  Fawn :  surface  broken 
and  uneven ;  soil  gravelly  and  poor,  but  beginning  to  be 
considerably  improved  in  some  parts  of  it.  It  has  one  fur- 
nace; produced  600  tons  of  cast  iron;  one  forge  produced 
320  tons  of  bar  iron.  There  were  in  it,  in  1840,  three  hun- 
dred and  forty-four  horses,  seven  hundred  and  twenty  cattle, 
one  thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety-seven  sheep,  one  thou- 
sand three  hundred  and  forty-one  swine ;  poultry  valued  at 
$640;  wheat  2,568  bushels,  11,149  oats,  1,741  rye,  827 
buckwheat,  9,923  corn,  2,255  pounds  of  wool,  4,793  bush- 
els of  potatoes,  533  tons  of  hay,  345  cords  of  wood  sold; 
value  of  the  produce  of  the  dairy  $3,343,  of  orchards  $396, 
value  of  home  made  goods  $1,072  :  one  tannery,  four  stores; 
capital  $8,500 :  one  woollen  manufactory :  value  of  manu- 
factured goods  $1,500:  one  paper  mill:  value  of  produce 
$3,780 :  three  saw  mills :  total  capital  invested  in  all  manu- 
factures, $21,760.  There  are  two  churches  in  this  town- 
ship, both  near  Orson's  mill. 

Peachbottom  township  was  erected  in  1817,  and  is  bound' 
ed  on  the  north  by  Lower  Chanceford,  northeast  by  the 
Susquehanna  river,  south  by  the  State  of  Maryland,  and 
west  by  Fawn  township ;  the  surface  is  generally  level;  soil 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY.  *72'7 

gravel,  slate,  and  rather  poor ;  but  like  many  of  the  town-^ 
ship  north  and  westward,  have  been  considerably  improved 
within  the  last  ten  years.  Extensive  quarries  of  roofing 
slate  of  a  good  quality,  are  worked  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Peachbottom.  The  quarry  is  owned  by  Mr.  Williamson, 
and  was  opened  in  1805.  At  present  from  twenty-five  to 
thirty  hands  are  employed  at  these  quarries.  Slate  is  taken 
out  some  eighty  feet  below  the  surface. 

Population  of  1840,  1074,  bushels  of  wheat  raised  4,412, 
12,782  oats,  1,656  rye,  1325  buckwheat,  13,613  corn,  6,184 
bushels  of  Potatoes,  1,014  tons  of  hay,  one  tannery,  five 
grist  mills,  two  saw  mills,  seven  stores.  There  is  a  church 
in  this  township  near  the  Maryland  line.  This  township  is 
watered  by  Muddy  creek  which  receives  Neel's,  Holerun, 
Fishing  creek  and  some  other  small  streams. 

Southern  townships — these  are  Fawn,  Hopewell,  Shrews- 
berry,  old  or  south  Codorus  and  Manheim. 

Fawn  township,  was  one  of  the  original  townships  when 
the  county  was  erected  ;  it  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Low- 
er Chanceford  ;  east  by  Peachbottom ;  south  by  the  State 
of  Maryland  ;  west  by  Hopewell ;  the  surface  of  this  town- 
ship is  hilly,  or  greatly  undulating ;  soil,  gravel  and  of  an 
inferior  quality — really  poor.  It  legtimately  forms  a  barren 
portion  of  the  Barrens.  Population  859,  and  slowly  in- 
creasing. 

In  1840  there  were  raised  in  it  3,529  bushels  of  wheat ; 
12,840  oats;  1,709  rye;  826  buckwheat;  8,180  corn; 
12,488  bushels  of  potatoes ;  795  tons  of  hay ;  one  tannery ; 
four  grist  mills;  two  saw  mills.  There  are  several  qjiurches 
in  this  township. 

Hopewell  township  was  erected  in  1768,  and  is  boimded 
on  the  north  by  York  township  and  Upper  Windsor ;  east 
by  Chanceford  and  Fawn ;  south  by  the  State  of  Maryland; 
west  by  Shrewsberry  and  Spring^eld  ;  surface  of  the  coun- 


728  HISTORY   OF   YORK   COUNTY. 

try,  undulating ;  the  soil  is  principally  loam,  but  a  portion 
of  it  is  of  a  good  quality,  and  considerably  improved  ;  es- 
pecially in  the  vicinity  of  Ebaugh'smill.     Population  1,095. 

In  1840  there  were  raised  in  it  6,206  bushels  of  wheat, 
31,392  oats,  10,247  rye,  1,951  buckwheat,  18,625  corn, 
12,038  bushels  of  potatoes,  1,628  tons  of  hay ;  ,two  tanne- 
ries, nine  distilleries,  ten  grist  mills,  eight  saw  mills,  one  oil 
mill. 

Mechanicstown  or  Stewartsville  is  in  this  township,  near 
the  southern  boundary  of  it,  about  four  miles  from  Shrews- 
berry  and  eighteen  miles  from  York.  It  is  at  the  head  of 
Deer  creek,  which  flows  into  Maryland. 

Shrewsbury  township  is  one  of  the  original  townships,  hav- 
ing been  established  at  the  time  the  county  was  erected,  it  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Springfield,  east  by  Hopewell, 
south  by  the  State  of  Maryland,  and  west  by  Old  Codorus ; 
the  surface  of  the  country  is  very  hilly  ;  soil  gravelly  and 
poor ;  but  has  been,  in  many  places,  very  much  improved  by 
lime,  and  a  proper  rotation  of  culture.  The  population  in 
1840  was  1,328. 

In  1840,  5,897  bushels  of  wheat  were  raised ;  13,655 
oats;  6,772  rye;  321  buckwheat;  9,116  corn;  10,503 
bushels  of  potatoes,  1,Q14  tons  of  hay ;  two  tanneries ;  ten 
distilleries  produced  75,800  gallons ;  seven  grist  mills ;  seven 
saw  mills.     This  township  contains  one  town. 

Shrewsbury,  formerly  called  Strasburg,  is  thirteen  miles 
south  from  York,  on  the  turnpike  road  leading  from  York  to 
Baltimore.  It  is  quite  a  thriving  little  village,  population 
about  400  at  present,  and  was  incorporated  August  9,  1834. 
It  contains  several  churches,  viz :  German  Reformed,  Lu- 
theran, Methodist,  and  one  or  two  school  houses,  several 
stores  and  taverns.  The  land  in  the  vicinity  of  this  borough, 
though  naturally  of  an  inferior  quality,  has  been  much  im- 
proved. Mr.  Ludwig  Kuntz  published  a  paper  here  called 
"Der  Amerikanische  Scharfschuetz." 


HISTORY   OF    YORK   COUNTY.  720 

Old  Codorusor  South  Codorus  township,  had  been  erected 
before  the  county  was  organized,  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
New  or  North  Codorus  township,  east  by  Shrewsberry, 
south  by  the  State  of  Maryland,  west  by  Manheim  town- 
ship :  the  surface  of  the  country  is  rolling,  soil  gravelly  and 
very  indifferent,  and  not  much  improved.  Population  1,131. 

There  were  3,301  bushels  of  wheat  raised,  242  barley, 
6,674  oats,  7,616  rye,  163  buckwheat,  4,593  corn,  4,644 
bushels  of  potatoes,  697  tons  of  hay ;  one  tannery,  twenty- 
eight  distilleries,  five  grist  mills,  three  saw  mills,  and  seve- 
ral stores. 

Manheim  was  one  of  the  original  townships  of  the  county, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Heidelberg  township,  east 
by  Old  Codorus,  south  by  the  State  of  Maryland,  and  west 
by  Adams  county ;  the  surface  of  the  country  is  undulating ; 
loam  and  some  gravel  soil — much  of  it  is  of  a  good  quality. 
The  Hanover  and  Maryland  turnpike  road  passes  through 
it.     Population  1,525. 

There  were  raised  in  it  in  1840,  4,649  bushels  of  wheat, 
135  barley,  10,998  oats,  12,739  rye,  395  buckwheat,  14,322 
corn,  7,391  bushels  of  potatoes,  1,428  tons  of  hay;  thirty- 
six  distilleries,  four  tanneries,  eleven  grist  mills,  twelve  saw 
mills,  one  oil  mill,  a  paper  mill,  and  a  fulling  mill.  There  is 
a  church  near  Sherman's  tavern. 

Western  Townships — These  are  Heidelberg,  Paradise, 
Washington  and  Franklin. 

Heidelberg  township  was  erected  prior  to  1750,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Paradise,  east  by  North  Codorus, 
south  by  Manheim,  west  by  Adams  county;  the  surface  of 
the  country  is  level,  the  greater  part  of  the  soil  is  limestone, 
of  a  good  quality,  and  much  of  it  well  improved.  Popula- 
ton  1,438,  exclusive  of  that  of  Hanover,  which  contains 
1/00. 

^2  bushels  of  whea^t,  27,942 


730  HISTORY   OF   YORKT  COUNTY. 

oats,  24,796  rye,  24,550  corn,  7,002  bushels  of  potatoes, 
2,193  tons  of  hay ;  four  tanneries,  sixteen  distilleries,  two 
storer,  nine  grist  mills,  and  seven  saw  mills. 

Hanover,  laid  out  by  Richard  M'Allister,  in  the  y£ar 
1763  or  '64.  It  is  remarkable  for  several  incidents  .already 
mentioned.     [See  page  295.] 

Hanover  is  six  miles  from  the  Maryland  line,  one  from 
Adams  county,  18  from  York,  41  from  Baltimore,  41  from 
Frederick,  and  16  from  Gettysburg.  It  contains  rising  of 
200  houses,  7  dry  good  stores,  9  taverns,  3  drug  stores,  1 
hardware  store,  5  confectionaries,  1  foundry,  2  machme 
shops,  2  printing  offices,  1  book  bindery,  4  coach  maker 
shops,  2  silver  platers,  3  watch  makers,  4  chair  manufacto- 
ries, 4i  tanneries,  1  glove  manufacturer,  1  academy,  and  se- 
veral school  houses ;  three  churches,  viz :  German  Reformed, 
Lutheran  and  Methodist.  It  would  seem,  that  between  1748 
and  1760,  a  congregation  was  formed.  The  name  of  the 
Revd.  Lachy  appears  as  the  first  minister — stationed  here  in 
1769.  He  was  succeeded  consecutively  by  the  Reverends 
Wildbahn,  in  1775,  Carl  Ludwig  Boehm,  1775,  Christopher 
Gobrecht,  who  also  had  the  charge  of  the  Kreutz  Kirch, 
Abbottstown  and  Bermudian  congregations.  Mr.  Gobrecht 
was  succeeded  by  the  Revds.  Charles  Helffenstein,  Jacob 
Weistling,  F.  W.  Bindeman,  in  1826 ;  Samuel  Gutelius,  in 
1828^;  Jacob  Sechler,  the  present  pastor,  in  1837. 

As  early  as  1743,  the  nucleus  of  a  Lutheran  congregation 
had,  been  collected  by  the  Revd.  David  Candler,  under  the 
name  of  the  Cone wago  congregation.  The  co^story  was 
comprised  of  Leonard  Barnitz  and  John  Momingstar,  El- 
ders; Andrew  Lerch  and  Frederick  Gelwitz,  Deacons.  The 
Revd.  Candler  ministered  but  a  short  time  among  his  flock 
here ;  he  died  in  1744.  From  that  period  the  congregation 
was  under  the  inspection  of  tb  ^'^^^  ^^^  ^^^"^  '^^^^'^  Lanc^- 
ter,  tUl  1773,  when  the  B^^^ished  a  paper  here  callea  e 
•  letz." 


'/ 


97-4. B^l  ^^^ 

R87  Rupp,   Daniel 


AUTHOR 


History  of  Lancaster  and 
^'^^E  lovK   countTes^ 


DATE   DUE 


BORROWER'S    NAME 


W^^^ra  ^- 


974. S4I 
R87  ' 


8087 


Rupp,  Daniel 

History  of  Lancaster 
and  York  counties. 


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