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diff --git a/old/69956-0.txt b/old/69956-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1521d04..0000000 --- a/old/69956-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,55559 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Daily stories of Pennsylvania, by -Frederick A. Godcharles - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Daily stories of Pennsylvania - prepared for publication in the leading daily newspapers of the - state... - -Author: Frederick A. Godcharles - -Release Date: February 4, 2023 [eBook #69956] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor, KD Weeks, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAILY STORIES OF -PENNSYLVANIA *** - - - Transcriber’s Note: - -This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. -Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. - -The few footnotes have been moved to follow the paragraphs in which they -are referenced. - -The many sections of this volume are presented in order of the month and -day, regardless of the year, beginning with January 1. - -The Contents lists the topics alphabetically, and refers to a date -(month and day) rather than a page number. These descriptions do not -necessarily exactly match the title of the sections verbatim, and the -same section occasionally appears twice, with different descriptions. -There is a more detailed index at the end of the volume, with page -references. - -Minor errors, attributable to the printer, have been corrected. Please -see the transcriber’s note at the end of this text for details regarding -the handling of any issues encountered during its preparation. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE CAPITOL BUILDING] - - DAILY STORIES - OF - PENNSYLVANIA - - - Prepared for publication in the leading daily - newspapers of the State by - - FREDERIC A. GODCHARLES - MILTON, PENNSYLVANIA - - FORMER REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, STATE - SENATOR, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH, - MEMBER HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, - HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF UNION COUNTY, - HISTORICAL SOCIETY LYCOMING COUNTY, - AND OTHERS - - - Author of _Freemasonry in Northumberland_ - _and Snyder Counties, Pennsylvania_ - - -[Illustration: logo] - - - - - MILTON, PA. - 1924 - - - - - - - - - COPYRIGHTED 1924 - BY - FREDERIC A. GODCHARLES - - ------- - - Printed in the United States of America - - - - -[Illustration: publisher logo] - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - THESE DAILY STORIES OF PENNSYLVANIA - ARE DEDICATED TO - - MY MOTHER - - THROUGH WHOM I AM DESCENDED FROM - SOME OF ITS EARLIEST PIONEERS AND - PATRIOTS AND FROM WHOM I INHERITED - MUCH LOVE FOR THE STORY OF MY NATIVE - STATE. - -[Illustration: _Frederic A. Godcharles._] - - PRINCIPAL SOURCES UTILIZED - - Archives of Pennsylvania. - Colonial Records of Pennsylvania. - Hazard’s Annals of Philadelphia. - Egle’s History of Pennsylvania. - Gordon’s History of Pennsylvania. - Cornell’s History of Pennsylvania. - Day’s Historical Collection. - Shimmel’s Pennsylvania. - Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania. - Pennypacker’s Pennsylvania The Keystone. - The Shippen Papers. - Loudon’s Indian Narratives. - Sachse’s German Pietists. - Rupp’s County Histories. - Magazine of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. - American Magazine of History. - Egle’s Notes and Queries. - Harvey’s Wilkes Barre. - Miner’s History of Wyoming. - Jenkin’s Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal. - Scharf and Westcott’s History of Philadelphia. - Lossing’s Field Book of the Revolution. - On the Frontier with Colonel Antes. - Meginness’ Otzinachson. - Linn’s Annals of Buffalo Valley. - Hassler’s Old Westmoreland. - Fisher’s Making of Pennsylvania. - McClure’s Old Time Notes. - Parkman’s Works. - Shoemaker’s Folklore, Legends and Mountain Stories. - Jones’ Juniata Valley. - Prowell’s York County. - Smull’s Legislative Hand Book. - Journal of Christopher Gist. - Journal of William Maclay. - Journal of Samuel Maclay. - Journal of Rev. Charles Beatty. - Scrap Books of Thirty Years’ Preparation. - Annual Reports State Federation of Historical Societies. - And others. - - INTRODUCTION - - -The Daily Stories of Pennsylvania were published in the newspapers under -the title “Today’s Story in Pennsylvania History,” and there has been a -genuine demand for their publication in book form. - -During all his active life the author has been impressed with the -unparalleled influence of Pennsylvania in the development of affairs -which have resulted in the United States of America. - -Since youth he has carefully preserved dates and facts of historical -importance and has so arranged this data that it made possible these -stories, each of which appeared on the actual anniversary of the event -or person presented. - -This idea seems to have been a new venture in journalism and the -enterprising editors of our great Commonwealth, contracted for and -published “Today’s Story in Pennsylvania History,” and their readers -have manifested a deep interest to these editors and to the author. - -Soon as there developed a demand for the collection of stories in book -form, the author determined to add a story for the fifty-three Sunday -dates, which have not before been published, and to arrange the entire -collection according to the calendar, and not chronologically. In this -arrangement they can be more readily found when desired for quick -reference or study. - -These stories have been prepared from many different sources, not a few -from original manuscripts, or from writings which have not been -heretofore used; many are rewritten from familiar publications, but too -frequent reference to such sources has been omitted as these would -encumber the foot of so many pages that the stories would require a much -larger book or a second volume, either of which would be objectionable -and unnecessary. - -It is a hopeless task to acknowledge the many courtesies received, but -in some slight manner the author must recognize the friendship of Prof. -Hiram H. Shenk, custodian of records in the State Library, who so -generously placed him in touch with many valuable papers, books and -manuscripts, and in many ways assisted in much of the historical data. -The names of Dr. Thomas L. Montgomery, Librarian Historical Society of -Pennsylvania; Dr. George P. Donehoo, former State Librarian; the late -Julius Sachse; the late Dr. Hugh Hamilton; former Governor Hon. Edwin S. -Stuart and Colonel Henry W. Shoemaker, each of whom contributed such -assistance as was requested. The valuable help extended by officers and -assistants in the State Library, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, -The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, The Historical Society of -Dauphin County, The Lycoming County Historical Society and other similar -organizations deserves particular mention and gratitude. - -It is also a matter of intense satisfaction that the author acknowledges -the following progressive newspapers which carried the stories, and the -editors of which so materially assisted by their personal attention in -making his work such an unusual success: Allentown Chronicle and News, -Altoona Mirror, Berwick Enterprise, Bethlehem Globe, Bloomsburg Morning -Press, Carlisle Sentinel, Chester Times, Coatesville Record, Danville -Morning News, Doylestown Democrat, Du Bois Courier, Easton Free Press, -Ellwood City Ledger, Erie Dispatch-Herald, Farrell News, Greensburg -Record, Greenville Advance Argus, Harrisburg Evening News, Hazleton -Standard-Sentinel, Indiana Gazette, Johnstown Tribune, Lancaster -Intelligencer, Lansford Evening Record, Mauch Chunk Daily News, -Meadville Tribune-Republican, Milton Evening Standard, Mount Carmel -Item, Norristown Times-Herald, Philadelphia Public Ledger, Pittsburgh -Chronicle-Telegraph, Pittston Gazette, Pottsville Republican, Reading -Herald-Telegram, Ridgway Record, Scranton Republican, Shamokin Dispatch, -Sharon Herald, Shenandoah Herald, Stroudsburg Times-Democrat, Sunbury -Daily Item, Tamaqua Courier, Titusville Herald, Uniontown Herald, -Waynesboro Record-Herald, Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, Williamsport Sun, -and York Gazette. - - FREDERIC A. GODCHARLES. - -Milton, Penna., September 4, 1924. - - - - - CONTENTS - - Adoption of Federal Constitution Sept. 17 - - Allummapees, King of Delaware Indians Aug. 12 - - American, John Penn, the Jan. 29 - - Antes, Lt. Col. John Henry May 13 - - Antes, Pious Henry Jan. 12 - - Anti-Masonic Investigation Dec. 4 - - Anti-Masonic Outbreak in Pennsylvania Aug. 18 - - Anti-Masonic Period Terminates Dec. 4 - - Armed Force to Forks of Ohio Feb. 17 - - Armstrong, Captain John, Murdered April 9 - - Armstrong Destroys Kittanning Sept. 8 - - Arnold Arrested, General Benedict Feb. 3 - - Asylum, the French Settlement Dec. 20 - - Attempted Slaughter of Indians at Wichetunk Oct. 12 - - Attempt to Navigate Susquehanna Fails April 27 - - Baldwin, Matthias Jan. 8 - - Bank, First in America Dec. 31 - - Bank of North America Jan. 7 - - Bard Family Captured by Indians April 13 - - Bartram, John March 23 - - Battle of Brandywine Sept. 11 - - Battle of Bushy Run Aug. 6 - - Battle of Fallen Timbers Aug. 20 - - Battle of Germantown Oct. 4 - - Battle of Gettysburg July 1 and 2 - - Battle of the Kegs Jan. 5 - - Battle of Lake Erie Sept. 10 - - Battle of Minisinks July 22 - - Battle of Monongahela July 9 - - Battle of Muncy Hills Aug. 26 - - Battle of Trenton Dec. 26 - - Beatty, Rev. Charles, and Old Log College Jan. 22 - - Bedford County Erected March 9 - - Beissel, John Conrad July 6 - - Bell for State House June 2 - - Berks County Outrages Nov. 14 - - Bethlehem as Base Hospital in Revolution March 27 - - Bi-centennial Oct. 21 - - Bills of Credit Put State on Paper Money Basis March 2 - - Binns, John Nov. 16 - - Binns, John June 24 - - Binns, John, Fights Duel with Samuel Stewart Dec. 14 - - Black Boys Nov. 26 - - Bloody Saturday Aug. 14 - - Bloody Election Oct. 1 - - Boone, Daniel Oct. 22 - - Border Troubles Reach Provincial Authorities May 14 - - Border Troubles with Maryland May 25 - - Border Troubles with Thomas Cresap Nov. 23 - - Boundary Disputes Settled Nov. 5 - - Boundary Dispute with Maryland May 10 - - Boundary Dispute with Virginia Sept. 23 - - Bounty for Indian Scalps April 14 - - Bouquet Defeats Indians at Bushy Run Aug. 6 - - Bouquet Relieves Fort Pitt Aug. 10 - - Boyd, Captain John Feb. 22 - - Boyd, Lieutenant Thomas Murdered Sept. 13 - - Braddock’s Defeat July 9 - - Braddock’s Road Begun May 6 - - Braddock’s Troops Arrive Feb. 20 - - Brady, Captain James, Killed Aug. 8 - - Brady, Captain John April 11 - - British and Indians Attack and Destroy Fort Freeland July 28 - - British Destroy Indian Towns Aug. 25 - - British Evacuate Philadelphia June 17 - - British Invest Philadelphia Sept. 26 - - Brodhead Arrives at Fort Pitt to Fight Indians Mar. 5 - - Broadhead Destroys Coshocton April 20 - - Brodhead Makes Indian Raid Aug. 11 - - Brown, General Jacob Feb. 24 - - Brulé, Etienne Oct. 24 - - Buchanan, President James April 23 - - Buck Shot War Dec. 5 - - Bucks County Homes Headquarters for Washington and Staff Dec. 8 - - Bull, Ole Feb. 5 - - Bull, Gen John June 1; Aug. 9 - - Cameron, Colonel James July 21 - - Cameron Defeats Forney for Senate Jan. 13 - - Cammerhoff, Bishop John Christopher Jan. 6 - - Camp Curtin April 18 - - Canal Lottery, Union April 17 - - Canals Projected in Great Meeting Oct. 20 - - Canal System Started Feb. 19 - - Capitol, Burning of Feb. 2 - - Capitol, New State Jan. 2 - - Capital, Removed to Harrisburg Feb. 21 - - Capture of Timothy Pickering June 26 - - Carlisle Indian School July 31 - - Carlisle Raided by Rebels June 27 - - Carey, Matthew Sept. 16 - - Chambers-Rieger Duel May 11 - - Chambersburg Sacked and Burned by Rebels July 30 - - Charter for City of Pittsburgh Mar. 18 - - Charter for Pennsylvania Received by William Penn Mar. 4 - - Chester County, Deed for June 25 - - Church West of Alleghenies, First June 20 - - Civil Government Established in Pennsylvania Aug. 3 - - Clapham Builds Fort Halifax June 7 - - Clapham Family Murdered by Indians May 28 - - Clark Drafts Troops for Detroit Expedition Mar. 3 - - Coal First Burned in a Grate Feb. 11 - - Cochran, Dr. John Sept. 1 - - Cooke & Co. Fail, Jay Sept. 18 - - Cooper Shop and Union Saloon Restaurants May 27 - - Commissioners Appointed to Purchase Indian Lands Feb. 29 - - Conestoga Indians Killed by Paxtang Boys Dec. 27 - - Confederate Raids into Pennsylvania Oct. 10 - - Congress Threatened by Mob of Soldiers June 21 - - Constitutional Convention of 1790 Nov. 21 - - Constitution of 1790 March 24; Sept. 2 - - Constitution of United States Adopted Sept. 17 - - Continental Congress First Meets in Philadelphia Sept. 5 - - Conway Cabal Nov. 28 - - Cornerstones Laid for Germantown Academy April 21 - - Council of Censors Nov. 13 - - Cornwallis Defeats Americans at Brandywine Sept. 11 - - Counties, First Division into Feb. 1 - - Counties of Pennsylvania Organized Mar. 10 - - Courts, Early Records Jan. 11 - - Court Moved from Upland to Kingsesse June 8 - - Cruel Murder of Colonel William June 11 and 12 - Crawford - - Crawford Burned at Stake by Indians June 12 - - Crawford Captured by Indians, Colonel William June 11 - - Cresap’s Invasion Nov. 23 - - Croghan, George, King of Traders May 7 - - Crooked Billet Massacre May 1 - - Curtin Inaugurated Governor Jan. 15 - - - Darrah, Lydia Dec. 11 - - Davy, the Lame Indian May 30 - - Declaration of Independence July 4 - - Deed for Chester County June 25 - - Deed for Province Obtained by Penn Aug. 31 - - Denny Succeeded by Governor Hamilton Oct. 9 - - De Vries Arrives on Delaware Dec. 6 - - Dickinson, John Nov. 10 - - Disberry, Joseph, Thief Nov. 22 - - Doan Brothers, Famous Outlaws Sept. 24 - - Donation Lands Mar. 12 - - Drake Brings in First Oil Well Aug. 28 - - Duel, Binns-Stewart Dec. 14 - - Duel in Which Capt. Stephen Chambers is Killed May 11 - - Dutch Gain Control of Delaware Sept. 25 - - - Easton, Indian Conference at Jan. 27; Aug. 7; Oct. 8 - - Education Established, Public School Mar. 11 - - End of Indian War Oct. 23 - - Ephrata Society July 6 - - Era of Indian Traders Aug. 12 - - Erie County Settled Feb. 28 - - Erie Riots Dec. 9 - - Erie Triangle April 3 - - Etymology of Counties Aug. 30 - - Europeans Explore Waters of Pennsylvania Aug. 27 - - Ewell Leads Raid on Carlisle June 27 - - Excise Laws, First Mar. 17 - - Expedition Against Indians Nov. 4; Nov. 8 - - Exploits of David Lewis, the Robber March 25 and 26 - - - Farmer’s Letters, Dickinson’s Nov. 10 - - Federal Constitution Ratified by Pennsylvania Dec. 12 - - Federal Party Broken Up Nov. 29 - - Fell Successfully Burns Anthracite Coal Feb. 11 - - Fires, Early, in Province Dec. 7 - - First Bank in America Dec. 31 - - First Bank in United States Jan. 7 - - First Church in Province Sept. 4 - - First Church West of Allegheny Mountains June 20 - - First Continental Congress Sept. 5 - - First Excise Laws Mar. 17 - - First Fire Company in Province Dec. 7 - - First Forty Settlers Arrive at Wyoming Feb. 8 - - First Governor of Commonwealth Dec. 21 - - First Jury Drawn in Province Nov. 12 - - First Law to Educate Poor Children Mar. 1 - - First Magazine in America Feb. 13 - - First Massacre at Wyoming Oct. 15 - - First Mint in United States April 2 - - First Oil Well in America Aug. 28 - - First Newspaper in Province Dec. 22 - - First Newspaper West of Allegheny Mountains July 29 - - First Northern Camp in Civil War April 18 - - First Paper Mill in America Feb. 18 - - First Permanent Settlement Sept. 4 - - First Post Office Nov. 27 - - First Protest Against Slavery Feb. 12 - - First Settlement of Germantown Oct. 6 - - First Theatrical Performances April 15 - - First Troops to Reach Washington at Cambridge July 25 - - First Union Officer Killed in Civil War July 21 - - Flag, Story of June 14 - - Flight of Tories from Fort Pitt Mar. 28 - - Forbes Invests Fort Duquesne Nov. 25 - - Forney Defeated for U. S. Senate by General Simon Cameron Jan. 13 - - Forrest, Edwin April 7 - - Forrest Home for Actors April 7 - - Fort Augusta Mar. 29 - - Fort Freeland Destroyed by British and Indians July 28 - - Fort Granville Destroyed Aug. 1 - - Fort Halifax June 7 - - Fort Henry Jan. 25 - - Fort Hunter Jan. 9 - - Fort Laurens Attacked by Simon Girty Feb. 23 - - Fort Mifflin Siege Begins Sept. 27 - - Fort Montgomery Sept. 6 - - Fort Patterson Oct. 2 - - Fort Pitt First So Called Nov. 25 - - Forts Built by Colonel Benjamin Franklin Dec. 29 - - Fort Swatara Oct. 30 - - Fort Wilson Attacked by Mob Oct. 5 - - Frame of Government April 25 - - Francis, Colonel Turbutt, Leads Troops to Wyoming June 22 - - Franklin, Benjamin Jan. 17 - - Franklin at Carlisle Conference Sept. 22 - - Franklin at French Court Dec. 28 - - Franklin Builds Chain of Forts Dec. 29 - - Franklin County Erected Sept. 9 - - Franklin Sails for England Nov. 8 - - Free Society of Traders May 29 - - French and Indians Destroy Fort Granville Aug. 1 - - French and Indian War May 5 - - French and Indian War Started Feb. 20 - - French Defeat Major Grant at Fort Duquesne Sept. 14 - - French Plant Leaden Plates June 15 - - Frenchtown, or Asylum Founded by Refugees Dec. 20 - - Frietchie, Barbara Dec. 18 - - Fries Rebellion Mar. 14 - - Fulton, Robert Aug. 17 - - - Gallatin, Albert Jan. 20 - - Galloway, Joseph Aug. 29 - - Garrison at Fort Pitt Relieved by Colonel Henry Bouquet Aug. 10 - - German Pietists Organize Harmony Society Feb. 15 - - Germantown Academy April 21 - - Gettysburg Address, Lincoln’s Nov. 19 - - Gnadenhutten Destroyed Nov. 24 - - Gnadenhutten (Ohio) Destroyed Mar. 8 - - Gibson’s Lambs July 16 - - Gilbert Family in Indian Captivity Aug. 22 - - Girard, Captain Stephen May 21 - - Girty Attacks Fort Laurens Feb. 23 - - Girty, Simon, Outlaw and Renegade Jan. 16 - - Gordon, Governor Patrick Aug. 5 - - Grant Leaves Philadelphia on World Tour Dec. 16 - - Grant Suffers Defeat at Fort Duquesne Sept. 14 - - Great Runaway July 5 - - Groshong’s, Massacre at Jacob May 16 - - - Hambright’s Expedition Against Great Island Nov. 4 - - - Hamilton, James, Becomes Governor Oct. 9 - - Hand, General Edward Sept. 3 - - Hand’s Expedition Moves from Fort Pitt Oct. 19 - - Hannastown Burned July 13 - - Hannastown Jail Stormed by Mob Feb. 7 - - Harmony Society Feb. 15 - - Harris, John Oct. 25 - - Hartley’s Expedition Against Indians Sept. 7 - - Hiester, Governor Joseph Nov. 18 - - Hiokatoo, Chief Nov. 20 - - Hospital at Bethlehem, Base Mar. 27 - - Hot Water War Mar. 14 - - Howe Moves Against Philadelphia July 23 - - - Impeachment, Supreme Court Judges Yeates, Smith and Shippen Dec. 13 - - Inland Waterways Meeting Oct. 20 - - Inquisition on Free Masonry a Fiasco Dec. 19 - - Inauguration of Governor Curtin Jan. 15 - - Inauguration, Governor Thomas Mifflin Dec. 21 - - Inauguration of Governor Packer Jan. 19 - - Indian Conference at Easton Jan. 27; Aug. 7; Oct. 8 - - Indian Conference at Harris Ferry April 1 - - Indian Conference at Philadelphia June 30; Aug. 16 - - Indian Conference at Lancaster Apr. 1 - - Indian School at Carlisle July 31 - - Indian Shoots at Washington Nov. 15 - - Indian Traders, Era of Aug. 12 - - Indian War Ends Oct. 23 - - Indians Capture Assemblyman James McKnight April 26 - - Indians Commit Outrages in Berks County Nov. 14 - - Indians Defeated at Fallen Timbers Aug. 20 - - Indians Destroy Widow Smith’s Mill July 8 - - Indians Kill Major John Lee and Family Aug. 13 - - Indians Murder Colonel William Clapham and Family May 28 - - Indians Ravage McDowell Mill - Settlement Oct. 31 - - Indians Slaughtered at Gnadenhutten, Ohio Mar. 8 - - - Jail at Hannastown Stormed Feb. 7 - - Jennison, Mary, Capture of April 5 - - Johnstown Flood May 31 - - Journey of Bishop Cammerhoff Jan. 6 - - Judges Yeates, Shippin and Smith Impeached Dec. 13 - - - Kegs, Battle of the Jan. 5 - - Keith, Sir William Nov. 17 - - Kelly, Colonel John April 8 - - Kittanning Destroyed by Colonel John Armstrong Sept. 8 - - Know Nothing Party and Pollock June 5 - - - Labor Riots After Civil War Sept. 18 - - Lacock, General Abner April 12 - - Lafayette Retreats at Matson’s Ford May 20 - - Leaning Tower, John Mason’s April 22 - - Lee Family, Massacre of Aug. 13 - - Lewis, David, The Robber March 25 and 26 - - Lewistown Riot Sept. 12 - - Liberty Bell Hung in State House June 2 - - Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address Nov. 19 - - Littlehales Murdered by Mollie Maguires March 15 - - Lochry Musters Troops in Westmoreland County Aug. 2 - - Locomotive, First Successful Jan. 8 - - Logan, Hon. James Oct. 28 - - Logan’s Family Slain, Chief May 24 - - Log College, Old Jan. 22 - - Lost Sister of Wyoming Nov. 2 - - Lottery for Union Canal April 17 - - Lower Counties in Turmoil Nov. 1 - - Lumbermen’s War at Williamsport July 10 - - Lycans, Andrew Mar. 7 - - - Maclay, Samuel Jan. 4 - - Maclay, Hon. William July 20 - - Magazine, First in America Feb. 13 - - Major Murdered by Mollie Maguires Nov. 3 - - Maguires, Mollie Jan. 18; Feb. 1#; March 15; May - 4; Aug. 14; Nov. 3; Dec. 2 - - Mason & Dixon Boundary Line Dec. 30 - - Mason, John, and His Leaning Tower April 22 - - Massacre Along Juniata River Jan. 28 - - Massacre at Conococheague Valley July 26 - - Massacre at Crooked Billet May 1 - - Massacre at French Jacob Groshong’s May 16 - - Massacre at Mahanoy Creek Oct. 18 - - Massacre at Patterson’s Fort Oct. 2 - - Massacre at Penn’s Creek Oct. 16 - - Massacre at Standing Stone June 19 - - Massacre at Williamsport June 10 - - Massacre at Wyoming July 3 - - Massacre of Americans at Paoli Sept. 20 - - McAllister, Colonel Richard Oct. 7 - - McDowell’s Mills, Outrages at Oct. 31 - - McFarlane, Andrew Feb. 25 - - McKee, Captain Thomas Jan. 24 - - McKnight, James, Captured by Indians April 26 - - Meschianza May 18 - - Mexican War Dec. 15 - - Mifflin, General Thomas Jan. 21 - - Mifflin, General Thomas, Inaugurated Governor Dec. 21 - - Military Laws Repealed Mar. 20 - - Militia Organization Jan. 23 - - Minisink Battle July 22 - - Mint, First in United States April 2 - - Minuit, Peter, Arrives Mar. 30 - - Mob Attacks Court House at Lewistown Sept. 12 - - Mob Attacks Home of James Wilson Oct. 5 - - Mob Threatens Congress June 21 - - Monmouth, Battle of June 28 - - Montour, Madame Sept. 15 - - Moravian Church Established when Mob Assails Pastor July 27 - - Moravian Indian Mission at Wyalusing May 23 - - Moravians Massacred at Gnadenhutten Nov. 24 - - Moravians Visit Great Island July 11 - - More, Dr. Nicholas May 15 - - Morris, Robert Jan. 31 - - Mother Northumberland, Old Mar. 21 - - Mott, Lucretia Jan. 3 - - Murder of Sanger and Uren by Mollie Maguires Feb. 10 - - Mutiny in Pennsylvania Line Jan. 1 - - - Navy of Pennsylvania May 8 - - Negro Boy Starts Race Riot in Philadelphia July 12 - - Negro School at Nazareth Started by Whitefield May 3 - - Neville, Captain John, Sent to Fort Pitt July 17 - - News of Revolution Reaches Philadelphia April 24 - - New Sweden, Governor Printz Arrives Feb. 16 - - Northumberland County Erected Mar. 21 - - - Oil Discovered at Titusville Aug. 28 - - - Pack Trains Attacked at Fort Loudoun Mar. 6 - - Paoli Massacre Sept. 20 - - Paper Mill, First in America Feb. 18 - - Paper Money Basis Mar. 2 - - Pastorius and Germans Settle at Germantown Oct. 6 - - Patent for Province Given Duke of York June 29 - - Patriotic Women Feed Soldiers in Civil War May 27 - - Pattison to Burning of Capitol Feb. 2 - - Paxtang Boys Kill Conestoga Indians Dec. 27 - - Pence, Peter Mar. 22 - - Penn, John Feb. 9 - - Penn (John) Succeeds Richard Penn as Governor Feb. 4 - - Penn, John, “The American” Jan. 29 - - Penn Lands in His Province Oct. 29 - - Penn Obtains Deed for Province Aug. 31 - - Penn Receives Charter for Pennsylvania Mar. 4 - - Penn Sails for England Nov. 1 - - Penn, William Oct. 14 - - Penn’s Creek Massacre Oct. 16 - - Penn’s First Wife, John June 6 - - Penn’s Frame of Government April 25 - - Penn’s Second Visit to Province Dec. 1 - - Penn’s Trip Through Pennsylvania April 6 - - Pennamites Driven from Wyoming Aug. 15 - - Pennsylvania in Battle of Monmouth June 28 - - Pennsylvania Line, Mutiny in Jan. 1 - - Pennsylvania Navy in Revolution May 8 - - Pennsylvanian Proposes Railway to Pacific June 23 - - Pennsylvania Railroad Organized Mar. 31 - - Pennsylvania Ratifies Federal Constitution Dec. 12 - - Pennsylvania Reserve Corps April 19 - - Perry Wins Victory on Lake Erie Sept. 10 - - Philadelphia Evacuated by British June 17 - - Philadelphia Invested by British Sept. 26 - - Philadelphia Riots July 7 - - Pickering, Colonel Timothy June 26 - - Pitcher, Molly Oct. 13 - - Pittsburgh Gazette July 29 - - Pittsburgh Receives City Charter Mar. 18 - - Pittsburgh Railroads Fight for Entrance Jan. 14 - - Plot to Kidnap Governor Snyder Nov. 9 - - Pluck, Colonel John, Parades May 19 - - Plunket Defeated by Yankees Dec. 25 - - Plunket Defeats Yankees Sept. 28 - - Plunket’s Expedition Against Yankees Dec. 24 - - Pollock and Know Nothing Party June 5 - - Pontiac’s Conspiracy May 17 - - Post, Christian Frederic April 29 - - Post Office, Pioneer Nov. 27 - - Powder Exploit, Gibson’s July 16 - - Powell, Morgan, Murdered by Mollie Maguires Dec. 2 - - Presqu’ Isle Destroyed by Indians June 4 - - Preston, Margaret Junkin Mar. 19 - - Priestley, Dr. Joseph Feb. 6 - - Printz, Johan Feb. 16 - - Provincial Conference June 18 - - Provincial Convention July 15 - - Provincial Troops March Against Wyoming Settlements June 22 - - Public Education Established Mar. 11 - - Purchase Caused Boundary Dispute June 9 - - - Quakers Protest vs. Slavery Feb. 12 - - Quick, Tom July 19 - - - Race Riot in Philadelphia July 12 - - Railroads Fight to Enter Pittsburgh Jan. 14 - - Reading Railroad Organized April 4 - - Rebels Raid on Carlisle June 27 - - Rebels Sack and Burn Chambersburg July 30 - - Records of Early Courts Jan. 11 - - Reign of Mollie Maguire Terror Ended Jan. 18 - - Riots at Philadelphia July 7 - - Rittenhouse, William Feb. 18 - - Ross, Betsy Jan. 30 - - Ross, George July 14 - - Ruffians Mob Pastor July 27 - - Runaway, Great July 5 - - - Sailors Cause Bloody Election Oct. 1 - - Saturday Evening Post Aug. 4 - - Sawdust War July 10 - - School Law, First Mar. 1 - - Schoolmaster and Pupils Murdered by Indians July 26 - - Second Constitution for State Mar. 24 - - Settlers Massacred at Lycoming Creek June 10 - - Settlers Slay Chief Logan’s Family May 24 - - Shawnee Indians Murder Conestoga Indians April 28 - - Shikellamy, Chief Dec. 17 - - Sholes, Christopher L., Inventor of typewriter Feb. 14 - - Siege at Fort Mifflin Opens Sept. 27 - - Slate Roof House Jan. 29 - - Slavery, Quakers Protest Against Feb. 12 - - Slocum, Francis, Indian Captive Nov. 2 - - Smith, Captain James Nov. 26 - - Smith, Captain John Sept. 29; July 24 - - Smith, Colonel Matthew Mar. 13; - [Oct. 10]. - - Smith’s Mill, Widow July 8 - - Snyder Calls for Troops in War of 1812 Aug. 24 - - Snyder Escapes Kidnapping Nov. 9 - - Springettsbury Manor June 16 - - Squaw Campaign May 2 - - Stamp Act Nov. 7 - - Steamboat, Robert Fulton’s Aug. 17 - - Steamboat “Susquehanna” Explodes April 27 - - Stevens, Inquiry About Free Masonry Dec. 19 - - Story of “Singed Cat” Aug. 4 - - Stump, Frederick Jan. 10 - - Sullivan’s Expedition Against Six Nations May 26 - - Sunbury & Erie Railroad Oct. 17 - - Susquehanna Company Feb. 8 - - Susquehanna Company Organized July 18 - - Swedes Come to Delaware River Mar. 30 - - Swedes Make First Permanent Settlement Sept. 4 - - - Tedyuskung Annoys Moravians at Bethlehem Aug. 21 - - Tedyuskung at Easton Conference Oct. 8 - - Tedyuskung Defends Himself at Easton Council Aug. 7 - - Tedyuskung, King of Delaware Indians April 16 - - Theatrical Performances, First April 15 - - Thief Joseph Disberry Nov. 22 - - Thompson’s Battalion of Riflemen, Colonel William July 25 - - Threatened War with France Nov. 11 - - Tories Flee from Fort Pitt Mar. 28 - - Tories of Sinking Valley April 10 - - Transit of Venus June 3 - - Treaty of Albany Oct. 26 - - Treaty Ratified by Congress, Wayne’s Dec. 3 - - Trent, Captain William Feb. 17 - - Trimble, James Jan. 26 - - Tulliallan or Story of John Penn’s First Wife $1 - - Turmoil in Lower Counties Nov. 1 - - Typewriter, Sholes Invents the Feb. 14 - - - Unholy Alliance with Indians Sept. 21 - - Upland Changed to Chester Oct. 29 - - - Venus, Observation of Transit of June 3 - - Veterans French and Indian War Organize April 30 - - Vincent, Bishop John Heyl May 9 - - Walking Purchase Sept. 19 - - War of 1812 Aug. 24 - - War of 1812 Begun May 12 - - Washington and Whisky Insurrection Sept. 30 - - Washington at Logstown Nov. 30 - - Washington Leads Troops in Whisky Insurrections Oct. 3 - - Washington Shot at by Indians Nov. 15 - - Washington to Command Troops in War with France Nov. 11 - - Washington Uses Bucks County Homes for Headquarters Dec. 8 - - Washington, Lady Martha May 22 - - Waters of State Explored by Europeans Aug. 27 - - Watson, John Fanning Dec. 23 - - Wayne Defeats Indians Dec. 3 - - Wayne Defeats Indians at Fallen Timbers Aug. 20 - - Weiser, Conrad June 13 - - Westmoreland County Erected Feb. 26 - - Whisky Insurrection in Pennsylvania Sept. 30 - - Whitefield Starts Negro School at Nazareth May 3 - - White Woman of Genesee April 5 - - Wiconisco Valley Suffers Indian Attack Mar. 7 - - Wilmot, David Mar. 16 - - Wilson, Alexander, The Ornithologist Aug. 23 - - Wilson’s Indian Mission Oct. 27 - - Witchcraft in Pennsylvania Feb. 27 - - Wolf, Governor George and Public Education Mar. 11 - - Wyalusing Indian Mission May 23 - - Wyoming, First Massacre Oct. 15 - - Wyoming Massacre July 3 - - Yankees Drive Pennamites from Wyoming Aug. 15 - - - Yankees Humiliatingly Defeat Colonel - Plunket Dec. 25 - - Yellow Fever Scourges Nov. 6 - - York County in Revolution Aug. 19 - - York, Duke of June 29 - - Yost Murdered by Mollie Maguires May 4 - - - Zinzindorf, Count Nicholas Dec. 10 - - - - - Mutiny Broke Out in Pennsylvania Line, - January 1, 1781 - - -As the year 1780 drew to a close there were warm disputes in the -Pennsylvania regiments as to the terms on which the men had been -enlisted. This led to such a condition by New Year’s Day, 1781, that -there broke out in the encampment at Morristown, N. J., a mutiny among -the soldiers that required the best efforts of Congress, the Government -of Pennsylvania and the officers of the army to subdue. - -New Year’s Day being a day of customary festivity, an extra proportion -of rum was served to the soldiers. This, together with what they were -able to purchase, was sufficient to influence the minds of the men, -already predisposed by a mixture of real and imaginary injuries, to -break forth into outrage and disorder. - -The Pennsylvania Line comprised 2500 troops, almost two-thirds of the -Continental Army, the soldiers from the other colonies having, in the -main, gone home. The officers maintained that at least a quarter part of -the soldiers had enlisted for three years and the war. This seems to -have been the fact, but the soldiers, distressed and disgusted for want -of pay and clothing, and seeing the large bounties paid to those who -re-enlisted, declared that the enlistment was for three years or the -war. - -As the three years had now expired, they demanded their discharges. They -were refused, and on January 1, 1781, the whole line, 1300 in number, -broke out into open revolt. An officer attempting to restrain them was -killed and several others were wounded. - -Under the leadership of a board of sergeants, the men marched toward -Princeton, with the avowed purpose of going to Philadelphia to demand of -Congress a fulfillment of their many promises. - -General “Mad” Anthony Wayne was in command of these troops, and was much -beloved by them. By threats and persuasions he tried to bring them back -to duty until their real grievances could be redressed. They would not -listen to him; and when he cocked his pistol, in a menacing manner, they -presented their bayonets to his breast, saying: - -“We respect and love you; you have often led us into the line of battle; -but we are no longer under your command. We warn you to be on your -guard. If you fire your pistol or attempt to enforce your commands, we -shall put you instantly to death.” - -General Wayne appealed to their patriotism. They pointed to the broken -promises of Congress. He reminded them of the effect their conduct would -have on the enemy. They pointed to their tattered garments and emaciated -forms. They avowed their willingness to support the cause of -independence if adequate provision could be made for their comfort and -they boldly reiterated their determination to march to Philadelphia, at -all hazards, to demand from Congress a redress of their grievances. - -General Wayne determined to accompany them to Philadelphia. When they -reached Princeton the soldiers presented the general with a written list -of their demands. These demands appeared so reasonable that he had them -laid before Congress. They consisted of six general items of complaint -and were signed by William Bearnell and the other sergeants of the -committee, William Bouzar, acting as secretary. - -Joseph Reed, President of Pennsylvania, who had been authorized by -Congress to make propositions to the mutineers, advanced near Princeton -on January 6, when he wrote to General Wayne in which he expressed some -doubts as to going into the camp of the insurgents. The general showed -this letter to the sergeants and they immediately wrote the President: - -“Your Excellency need not be in the least afraid or apprehensive of any -irregularities or ill treatment.” - -President Reed went into Princeton. His entry was greeted with the whole -line drawn up for his reception, and every mark of military honor and -respect was shown him. - -Articles of agreement were finally assented to and confirmed on both -sides, January 7, 1781. These articles consisted of five sections and -related to the time of their enlistment, terms of payment, arrearages -and clothes. It was also agreed that the State of Pennsylvania should -carry out its part of their contract. - -The agreement was signed by Joseph Reed and General James Potter. - -General Arthur St. Clair, the distinguished Pennsylvanian, and General -Lafayette went voluntarily to Princeton and offered their services in -the settlement of the difficulty, especially as they had learned of the -attempt of the British to win the malcontents to their cause. - -When Sir Henry Clinton heard of the revolt of the Pennsylvania Line he -misunderstood the spirit of the mutineers and dispatched two -emissaries—a British sergeant named John Mason and a New Jersey Tory -named James Ogden—to the insurgents, with a written offer that, on -laying down their arms and marching to New York, they should receive -their arrearages; be furnished with good clothes, have a free pardon for -all past offenses and be taken under the protection of the British -Government and that no military service should be required of them -unless voluntarily offered. - -Sir Henry entirely misapprehended the temper of the Pennsylvanians. They -felt justified in using their power to obtain a redress of grievances, -but they looked with horror upon the armed oppressors of their country; -and they regarded the act and stain of treason under the circumstances -as worse than the infliction of death. - -Clinton’s proposals were rejected with disdain. “See, comrades,” said -one of them, “he takes us for traitors. Let us show him that the -American army can furnish but one Arnold, and that America has no truer -friends than we.” - -They seized the two emissaries, and delivered them, with Clinton’s -papers, into the hands of General Wayne. - -The court of inquiry sat January 10, 1781, at Somerset, N. J., with the -court composed of General Wayne, president, and General William Irvine, -Colonel Richard Butler, Colonel Walter Stewart and Major Benjamin -Fishbourne. The court found John Mason and James Ogden guilty and -condemned them to be hanged. - -Lieutenant Colonel Harmar, Inspector General of the Pennsylvania Line, -was directed to carry the execution into effect. The prisoners were -taken to “cross roads from the upper ferry from Trenton to Philadelphia -at four lanes’ ends,” and executed. - -The reward which had been offered for the apprehension of the offenders -was tendered to the mutineers who seized them. They sealed the pledge of -patriotism by nobly refusing it, saying: “Necessity wrung from us the -act of demanding justice from Congress, but we desire no reward for -doing our duty to our bleeding country.” - -The whole movement, when all the circumstances are taken into account, -should not be execrated as a military rebellion, for, if ever there was -a just cause for men to lift up their strength against authority, these -mutineers of the Pennsylvania Line possessed it. It must be acknowledged -that they conducted themselves in the business, culpable as it was, with -unexpected order and regularity. - -A great part of the Pennsylvania Line was disbanded for the winter, but -was promptly filled by new recruits in the spring and many of the old -soldiers re-enlisted. - - ---------- - - - - - General Assembly Occupies New State - Capitol, January 2, 1822 - - -The General Assembly of Pennsylvania met in the Dauphin County -courthouse for the last time December 21, 1821, and then a joint -resolution was adopted: - -“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, That when the -Legislature meets at the new State Capitol, on Wednesday, the 2d of -January next, that it is highly proper, before either house proceeds to -business, they unite in prayer to the Almighty God, imploring His -blessing on their future deliberations, and that the joint committee -already appointed be authorized to make the necessary arrangements for -that purpose.” - -On Wednesday, January 2, 1822, on motion of Mr. Lehman and Mr. Todd, the -House proceeded to the building lately occupied by the Legislature. -There they joined the procession to the Capitol and attended to the -solemnities directed by the resolution of December 21, relative to the -ceremonies to be observed by the Legislature upon taking possession of -the State Capitol. - -The Harrisburg _Chronicle_ of January 3, 1822, printed an account of the -proceedings from which the following is taken: - -“The members of both branches of the Legislature met in the morning at -10 o’clock, at the old State House (court house) whence they moved to -the Capitol in the following - - ORDER OF PROCESSION - The Architect and his Workmen, two and two. - Clergy. - Governor and Heads of Departments. - Officers of the Senate. - Speaker of the Senate. - Members of the Senate, two and two. - Officers of the House of Representatives. - Speaker of the House of Representatives. - Members, two and two. - Judges. - Civil Authorities of Harrisburg. - Citizens. - -“In front of the Capitol the architect and his workmen opened into two -lines and admitted the procession to pass between them and the Capitol. - -“The service was opened by a pertinent and impressive prayer, by Rev. -Dr. A. Lochman, of Harrisburg. The prayer was followed by an appropriate -discourse, by Rev. D. Mason, principal of Dickinson College, Carlisle, -Pa., which concluded as follows: - -“Sixty years have not elapsed since the sound of the first axe was heard -in the woods of Harrisburg. The wild beasts and wilder men occupied the -banks of the Susquehanna. Since that time, with the mildness which has -characterized the descendants of William Penn, and that industry which -has marked all the generations of Pennsylvania, the forests have been -subdued, the wild beasts driven away to parts more congenial to their -nature, and the wilder men have withdrawn to regions where they hunt the -deer and entrap the fish according to the mode practiced by their -ancestors. - -“In the room of all these there has started up, in the course of a few -years, a town respectable for the number of its inhabitants, for its -progressive industry, for the seat of legislation in this powerful -State. - -“What remains to be accomplished of all our temporal wishes? What more -have we to say? What more can be said, but go on and prosper, carry the -spirit of your improvements through till the sound of the hammer, the -whip of the wagoner, the busy hum of man, the voices of innumerable -children issuing from the places of instruction, the lofty spires of -worship, till richly endowed colleges of education, till all those arts -which embellish man shall gladden the banks of the Susquehanna and the -Delaware, and exact from admiring strangers that cheerful and grateful -tribute, this is the work of a Pennsylvania Legislature!” - -The act to erect the State Capitol was passed March 18, 1816, and -carried an appropriation of $50,000. A supplement to this act was -approved February 27, 1819, when there was appropriated $70,000, with -the provision that the said Capitol should not cost more than $120,000. - -But a further supplement was approved March 28, 1820, for “the purpose -of constructing columns and capitols there of hewn stone, and to cover -the roof of the dome, etc.,” there was appropriated $15,000. - -At this time the total cost of all the public buildings was $275,000, -and consisted of the new Capitol, $135,000; executive offices on both -sides of the Capitol building, $93,000; Arsenal, $12,000, and public -grounds, its enclosure and embellishment, $35,000. - -The cornerstone of this new Capitol was laid at 12 o’clock on Monday, -May 31, 1819, by Governor William Findlay, assisted by Stephen Hills, -the architect and contractor for the execution of the work; William -Smith, stone cutter, and Valentine Kergan and Samuel White, masons, in -the presence of the Commissioners and a large concourse of citizens. The -ceremony was followed by the firing of three volleys from the public -cannon. - -The newspaper account of the event states that the above-mentioned -citizens then partook of a cold collation, provided on the public ground -by Mr. Rahn. - -The Building Commissioners deposited in the cornerstone the following -documents: - -Charter of Charles II to William Penn. - -Declaration of Independence. - -Constitution of Pennsylvania, 1776. - -Articles of Confederation and perpetual union between the several -States. - -Copy of so much of an act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, by -which indemnity was made to the heirs of William Penn for their interest -in Pennsylvania. - -Treaty of peace and acknowledgment by Great Britain of the independence -of the United States. - -Constitution of the United States, 1787. - -Constitution of Pennsylvania, 1790. - -Acts of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, by which the seat of government -was removed from Philadelphia to Lancaster and Harrisburg, and the -building of a State Capitol at the latter place authorized. - -A list of the names of the Commissioners, architects, stonecutter and -chief masons; likewise, a list of the then officers of the Government of -Pennsylvania, embracing the Speakers of the two Houses of the -Legislature, the Governor, the heads of departments, the Judges of the -Supreme Court and Attorney General, with the names of the President and -Vice President of the United States. - -It was a singular oversight that this cornerstone was not marked as -such, and in after years it was not known at which corner of the -building the stone was situated. - -An act providing for the furnishing of the State Capitol was approved -March 30, 1821: Section 1. The Governor, Auditor General, State -Treasurer, William Graydon, Jacob Bucher, Francis R. Shunk and Joseph A. -McGinsey were appointed Commissioners to superintend the furnishing of -the State Capitol. This able commission expended the $15,000 -appropriated, and the new Capitol was a credit to the Commonwealth of -Pennsylvania when the General Assembly formally occupied it January 2, -1822. - - ---------- - - - - - Lucretia Mott, Celebrated Advocate of - Anti-Slavery, Born January 3, 1793 - - -From the earliest settlement at Germantown, and especially in the period -following the Revolutionary War, there were many thoughtful people in -all walks of life who considered slavery to be an evil which should be -stopped. But the question of actually freeing the slaves was first -seriously brought forward in 1831, by William Lloyd Garrison, in his -excellent paper, “The Liberator,” published in Boston. - -Seventy-five delegates met in Philadelphia in 1833 to form a National -Anti-Slavery Society. It was unpopular in those stirring days to be an -abolitionist. John Greenleaf Whittier acted as one of the secretaries, -and four women, all Quakers, attended the convention. - -When the platform of this new society was being discussed, one of the -four women rose to speak. A gentleman present afterward said: “I had -never before heard a woman speak at a public meeting. She said only a -few words, but these were spoken so modestly, in such sweet tones and -yet so decisively, that no one could fail to be pleased.” The woman who -spoke was Lucretia Mott. - -Lucretia Coffin was born in Nantucket January 3, 1793. In 1804 her -parents, who were Quakers, removed to Boston. She was soon afterward -sent to the Nine Partners’ Boarding School in Duchess County, N. Y., -where her teacher (Deborah Willetts) lived until 1879. Thence she went -to Philadelphia, where her parents were residing. - -At the age of eighteen years she married James Mott. In 1818 she became -a preacher among Friends, and all her long life she labored for the good -of her fellow creatures, especially for those who were in bonds of any -kind. - -She was ever a most earnest advocate of temperance, pleaded for the -freedom of the slaves, and was one of the active founders of the -“American Anti-Slavery Society” in Philadelphia in 1833. - -She was appointed a delegate to the World’s Anti-Slavery convention, -held in London in 1840, but was denied a seat in it on account of her -sex. She also was a very prominent advocate of the emancipation of her -sex from the disabilities to which law and custom subjected them. - -When the Female Anti-Slavery Society was organized Lucretia Mott was its -first president and served in that office for many years. - -The anti-slavery enthusiasts dedicated a building, Pennsylvania Hall, in -Philadelphia, May 14, 1838, which excited the rage of their enemies and -the mob burned the building three days later. The excited crowd marched -through the streets, threatening also to burn the houses of the -abolitionists. - -The home of Mr. and Mrs. James Mott stood on Ninth Street above Race. -Lucretia Mott and her husband were warned of their danger, but refused -to leave their home. Their son ran in from the street, crying, “They’re -coming!” - -The mob intended to burn the house, but a young man friendly to the -family assumed leadership and with the cry “On to Motts!” led them past -the place and the mob satisfied its thirst by burning a home for colored -orphans, and did not return. - -Such incidents failed to daunt the spirit of Lucretia Mott, and her -husband, who approved the part she took. - -A meeting of the Anti-Slavery Society in New York City was broken up by -roughs, and several of the speakers, as they left the hall, were beaten -by the mob. Lucretia Mott was being escorted from the hall by a -gentleman. - -When she noticed some of the other ladies were frightened, she asked her -friend to leave her and take care of the others. “Who will look after -you?” he asked. Lucretia laid her hand on the arm of one of the roughest -in the mob, saying: “This man will see me safely through the crowd.” -Pleased by the mark of confidence, the rioter did as she asked and took -her to safety. - -The home of the Motts was always open for the relief of poor colored -persons, and they helped in sending fugitive slaves to places of refuge. -On one occasion the Motts heard the noise of an approaching mob. Mr. -Mott rushed to the door and found a poor colored man, pursued by the -mob, rushing toward the friendly Mott house. He entered and escaped by -the rear door. A brick hurled at Mr. Mott fortunately missed him, but -broke the door directly over his head. - -A sequel to the riot at Christiana, Lancaster County, September 11, -1851, which occurred on the farm then owned by Levi Powell, was the -arrest of Castner Hanway and Elijah Lewis, two Quakers of the -neighborhood, and nearly fifty others, mostly Negroes, on the charge of -high treason for levying war against the Government of the United -States. - -The trial began in the United States Court at Philadelphia, before -Judges Green and Kane, November 24. It was one of the most exciting ever -held in the State. Thaddeus Stevens, John M. Read, Theodore C. Cuyler, -and Joseph J. Lewis, conducted the defense, while District Attorney John -W. Ashmead was assisted by the Attorney General of Maryland, and by -James Cooper, then a Whig United States Senator from Pennsylvania. - -Lucretia Mott attended the trial personally every day, and after the -elaborate argument of counsel, Judge Green delivered his charge. The -jury returned a verdict, in ten minutes, of “not guilty.” - -A colored man named Dangerfield was seized on a farm near Harrisburg on -a charge of being a fugitive slave. He was manacled and taken to -Philadelphia for trial. - -The abolitionists engaged a lawyer to defend the Negro. Lucretia Mott -sat by the side of the prisoner during the trial. Largely through her -presence and influence Dangerfield was released. The mob outside the -court awaited Dangerfield to deliver him over to his former master, but -a band of young Quakers deceived the crowd by accompanying another Negro -to a carriage and Dangerfield walked off in another direction. - -Lucretia Mott and her friends were rejoiced to see the Negroes all free. -There was still much to be done after the Civil War. This noble woman -remained a hard worker for their cause all through her life. - -Lucretia Mott died in Philadelphia, November 21, 1881, at the age of -nearly ninety years. Thousands attended her funeral, the proceedings -were mostly in silence. At last some one said, “Will no one speak?” The -answer came back: “Who can speak now? The preacher is dead.” Her motto -in life had been “Truth for authority, not authority for truth.” - -Lucretia Mott’s influence still lives. Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, -Hampton Institute in Virginia, and Lincoln University in Chester County, -Pennsylvania, are institutions made possible by such as she, and in them -young colored persons are taught occupations and professions in which -they can render the best service to themselves and to their country. - - ---------- - - - - - Samuel Maclay Resigned From United - States Senate January 4, 1809 - - -A monument was unveiled in memory of Samuel Maclay, a great -Pennsylvanian, October 16, 1908. The scene of these impressive -ceremonies was a beautiful little cemetery close by the old Dreisbach -Church, a few miles west of Lewisburg in the picturesque Buffalo Valley, -Union County. - -Samuel Maclay was the eighth United States Senator from Pennsylvania and -had the proud distinction of being the brother of William Maclay, one of -the first United States Senators from Pennsylvania. The Maclays are the -only brothers to ever sit in the highest legislative body of this -country. The third brother, John, was also prominent and served in the -Senate of Pennsylvania. - -The imposing shaft was erected by Pennsylvania at a cost of only $1000, -which included the contract for the marble shaft and the reinterment of -the Senator’s body. - -Miss Helen Argyl Maclay, of Belleville, a great-great-granddaughter of -Samuel Maclay, unveiled the monument assisted by her two brothers, Ralph -and Robert Maclay. Rev. A. A. Stapleton, D. D., delivered the principal -address. Other speakers included Frank L. Dersham, then the -Representative in the General Assembly from Union County, who introduced -the bill for this memorial; Alfred Hayes, now deceased, also a former -member of the Assembly, who represented the Union County Historical -Society; Captain Samuel R. Maclay, of Mineral Point, Mo., a grandson of -Senator Samuel Maclay. - -Lieutenant Governor Robert Murphy attended the ceremony, as did many -distinguished citizens from this and other States, school children and -military, civic, historical and patriotic societies. There were -thirty-five representatives of the Maclay family in attendance. - -Perhaps the strangest emotion during the preparation of this shaft and -its unveiling was caused by the seeming lack of knowledge of this -statesman, farmer, frontiersman, soldier, surveyor, citizen, who was an -officer in the Continental Army during the Revolution, who was a -foremost actor in the actual development of the interior of the State to -commerce, one who sat in the highest legislative councils of this -Commonwealth and presided over its Senate, who represented his State in -Congress and later in the United States Senate, and so serving was the -compeer of men whose names are radiant with luster on the pages of -American history. - -Yet, strange to say, the memory of this man had so completely faded from -public view that college professors, members of the General Assembly and -men who held some claim to be styled historians asked in wonder, when -the bill was before the Legislature, “Who was this man?” - -The ancestors of Senator Maclay came from Scotland, where the clan -Maclay inhabited the mountains of County Boss in the northlands. - -When the darkest chapter of Scotch-Irish history was written in tears -and blood, emigration was the only alternative to starvation, and among -the 30,000 exiles who left for these shores were two Maclays. - -These two exiles were sons of Charles Maclay, of County Antrim and -titular Baron of Finga. Their names were Charles, born in 1703, and -John, born in 1707. They set sail for America May 30, 1734. - -Upon arrival they first settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where -they remained nearly seven years, when they removed to what is now -Lurgan Township, Franklin County, on an estate, which is still in -possession of their descendants. - -Here John, son of Charles, the immigrant, built a mill in 1755, which, -with modern improvements and alterations, is still operated by the third -succeeding generation. This mill was stockaded during the French and -Indian War, as it was located on the well-traveled highway leading from -McAllister’s Gap to Shippensburg. - -During the Revolution every male member of the Maclay family, of -military age, was in the service, and every one an officer. - -John Maclay, the younger of the immigrant brothers, married Jane -MacDonald in 1747. To this union were born three sons and one daughter; -John born 1748, a soldier of the Revolution, died 1800; Charles, born -1750, a captain in the Continental Army, who fell in the action at -Crooked Billet, 1778; Samuel, born 1751, also an officer, fell at Bunker -Hill; Elizabeth, wife of Colonel Samuel Culbertson, of the Revolution. - -Charles Maclay, the elder immigrant brother, died in 1753. His wife, -Eleanore, whom he had married in Ireland, died in 1789. To them were -born four sons and one daughter: John, born in Ireland, 1734, for many -years a magistrate, and in 1776 he was a delegate to convention in -Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia. He also served in the General Assembly, -1790–1792 and 1794; William, born in Chester County, July 20, 1737, -whose sketch appears in another story; Charles, also born in Chester -County, in 1739, was a soldier of the Revolution, died in 1834 at -Maclays Mills; Samuel, the subject of our sketch, was born June 17, -1741. - -Samuel Maclay was educated in the classical school conducted by Dr. J. -Allison, of Middle Spring. He also mastered the science of surveying, -which he followed for years. In 1769 he was engaged with his brother -William and Surveyor General Lukens in surveying the officers’ tracts on -the West Branch of the Susquehanna, which had been awarded to the -officers of First Battalion in Bouquet’s expedition. - -A coincident fact is that the remains of this distinguished patriot lie -buried on the allotment awarded Captain John Brady, who drew the third -choice, and which was surveyed for him by Maclay. - -Samuel Maclay, November 10, 1773, married Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel -William Plunket, then President Judge of Northumberland County, and -commandant of the garrison at Fort Augusta. They took up their residence -on the Brady tract in Buffalo Valley. To this union six sons and three -daughters were born. - -From the moment Samuel Maclay became a resident of what is now Union -County until his death he was identified with the important history of -the valley. - -Samuel Maclay was one of the commissioners to survey the headwaters of -the Schuylkill, Susquehanna and Allegheny Rivers. The others were -Timothy Matlack, of Philadelphia, and John Adlum, of York. They were -commissioned April 9, 1789. These eminent men were skilled -hydrographical and topographical engineers and completed the first great -survey of Pennsylvania. - -The journal kept by Maclay is interesting and valuable and relates many -thrilling experiences quite foreign to those of present-day surveyors. - -He was lieutenant colonel of the First Battalion, Northumberland County -Militia, organized at Derr’s Mills, now Lewisburg, September 12, 1775. - -In 1787 Samuel Maclay was elected to Pennsylvania Assembly and served -until 1791, when he became Associate Justice of Northumberland County. -In 1794 he was elected to Congress. Three years later he was elected to -Pennsylvania Senate, where he served six years. He was elected Speaker -in 1802 and he served in this capacity until March 16, 1802, when he -took his seat in the United States Senate, where he continued until -January 4, 1809, resigning on account of broken health. - -He died October 5, 1811, at the age of seventy years. His wife, -Elizabeth Plunket Maclay, survived her distinguished husband until 1835. - - ---------- - - - - - Amusing and Memorable “Battle of the - Kegs,” January 5, 1778 - - -In January, 1778, while the British were in possession of Philadelphia, -some Americans had formed a project of sending down by the ebb tide a -number of kegs, or machines that resembled kegs as they were floating, -charged with gunpowder and furnished with machinery, so constructed that -on the least touch of anything obstructing their free passage they would -immediately explode with great force. - -The plan was to injure the British shipping, which lay at anchor -opposite the city in such great numbers that the kegs could not pass -without encountering some of them. But on January 4, the very evening in -which these kegs were sent down, the first hard frost came on and the -vessels were hauled into the docks to avoid the ice which was forming, -and the entire scheme failed. - -One of the kegs, however, happened to explode near the town. This gave a -general alarm in the city, and soon the wharves were filled with troops, -and the greater part of the following day was spent in firing at every -chip or stick that was seen floating in the river. The kegs were under -water, nothing appearing on the surface but a small buoy. - -This circumstance gave occasion for many stories of this incident to be -published in the papers of that day. The following account is taken from -a letter dated Philadelphia, January 9, 1778: - -“This city hath lately been entertained with a most astonishing instance -of activity, bravery and military skill of the royal army and navy of -Great Britain. The affair is somewhat particular and deserves your -notice. Some time last week a keg of singular construction was observed -floating in the river. The crew of a barge attempting to take it up, it -suddenly exploded, killed four of the hands and wounded the rest. - -“On Monday last some of the kegs of a singular construction made their -appearance. The alarm was immediately given. Various reports prevailed -in the city, filling the royal troops with unspeakable consternation. -Some asserted that these kegs were filled with rebels, who were to issue -forth in the dead of night, as the Grecians did of old from the wooden -horse at the siege of Troy, and take the city by surprise. Some declared -they had seen the points of bayonets sticking out of the bung-holes of -the kegs. Others said they were filled with inflammable combustibles -which would set the Delaware in flames and consume all the shipping in -the harbor. Others conjectured that they were machines constructed by -art magic and expected to see them mount the wharves and roll, all -flaming with infernal fire, through the streets of the city. - -“I say nothing as to these reports and apprehensions, but certain it is, -the ships of war were immediately manned and the wharves crowded with -chosen men. Hostilities were commenced without much ceremony and it was -surprising to behold the incessant firing that was poured upon the -enemy’s kegs. Both officers and men exhibited unparalleled skill and -prowess on the occasion, whilst the citizens stood gaping as solemn -witnesses of this dreadful scene. - -“In truth, not a chip, stick or drift log passed by without experiencing -the vigor of the British arms. The action began about sunrise and would -have terminated in favor of the British by noon had not an old market -woman, in crossing the river with provisions, unfortunately let a keg of -butter fall overboard, which as it was then ebb tide, floated down to -the scene of battle. At sight of this unexpected re-enforcement of the -enemy the attack was renewed with fresh forces, and the firing from the -marine and land troops was beyond imagination and so continued until -night closed the conflict. - -“The rebel kegs were either totally demolished or obliged to fly, as -none of them have shown their heads since. It is said that His -Excellency, Lord Howe, has dispatched a swift sailing packet with an -account of this signal victory to the Court of London. In short, Monday, -January 5, 1778, will be memorable in history for the renowned battle of -the kegs.” - -The entire transaction was laughable in the extreme and furnished the -theme for unnumbered sallies of wit from the Whig press, while the -distinguished author of “Hail Columbia,” Joseph H. Hopkinson, -paraphrased it in a ballad which was immensely popular at the time. - -This ballad is worthy of reproduction and is given almost in full: - - THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS - By JOSEPH H. HOPKINSON - - Gallants attend and hear a friend, - Trill forth harmonious ditty, - Strange things I‘ll tell which late befell - In Philadelphia City. - - ‘Twas early day, as poets say, - Just when the sun was rising, - A soldier stood on a log of wood - And saw a thing surprising. - - As in a maze he stood to gaze, - The truth can’t be denied, sir, - He spied a score of kegs or more, - Come floating down the tide, sir. - - A sailor too in jerkin blue, - This strange appearance viewing, - First d—d his eyes, in great surprise, - Then said “some mischief’s brewing. - - “These kegs, I‘m told, the rebels bold - Pack up like pickl’d herring; - And they’re come down t’attack the town - In this new way of ferry’ng.” - - The soldier flew, the sailor too, - And scar’d almost to death, sir, - Wore out their shoes, to spread the news, - And ran till out of breath, sir. - - Now up and down throughout the town, - Most frantic scenes were acted; - And some ran here, and others there, - Like men almost distracted. - - Some fire cry’d, which some denied, - But said the earth had quaked; - And girls and boys, with hideous noise - Ran thro‘ the streets half naked. - - “The motley crew, in vessels new, - With Satan for their guide, sir, - Pack’d up in bags, or wooden kegs, - Come driving down the tide, sir. - - “Therefore prepare for bloody war, - These kegs must all be routed, - Or surely despis’d we shall be - And British courage doubted.” - - The cannons roar from shore to shore, - The small arms loud did rattle, - Since wars began I‘m sure no man - E‘er saw so strange a battle. - - The rebel dales, the rebel vales, - With rebel trees surrounded; - The distant woods, the hills and floods, - With rebel echoes sounded. - - The fish below swam to and fro, - Attack’d from ev’ry quarter; - Why sure, thought they, the devil’s to pay, - ‘Mongst folks above the water. - - The kegs, ’tis said, tho’ strongly made - Of rebel staves and hoops, sir, - Could not oppose their powerful foes, - The conqr’ing British troops, sir. - - From morn to night these men of might, - Display’d amazing courage— - And when the sun was fairly down, - Retir’d to sup their porrage. - - A hundred men with each a pen, - Or more upon my word, sir, - It is most true would be too few, - Their valor to record, sir. - - Such feats did they perform that day, - Against these wicked kegs, sir, - That years to come, if they get home - They’ll make their boasts and brags, sir. - - ---------- - - - - - Bishop Cammerhoff Started Journey Among - Indians on January 6, 1748 - - -John Christopher Cammerhoff was a Moravian missionary who undertook -several hazardous trips to the Indians along the Susquehanna and to -Onondaga, and of whom there is an interesting story to be told. - -He came to America in the summer of 1747, in company with Baron John de -Watteville, a bishop of the Moravian Church, and son-in-law and -principal assistant of Count Zinzindorf. They were also accompanied on -the voyage by the Reverend John Martin Mack and the Reverend David -Zeisberger, the latter also an interpreter, and each of these figured -very prominently in the early history among the Indians of the great -Susquehanna Valleys. - -Cammerhoff was born near Magdeburg, Germany, July 28, 1721; died at -Bethlehem, Pa., April 28, 1751. He was educated at Jena and at the age -of twenty-five was consecrated Bishop in London and came to America. - -His greatest success was among the Indians of Pennsylvania and New York. -The Iroquois adopted him into the Turtle Tribe of the Oneida Nation, and -gave him the name of Gallichwio or “A Good Message.” - -Accompanied only by Joseph Powell, he set out from Bethlehem for -Shamokin on the afternoon of January 6, 1748, and reached Macungy, now -Emaus, by night. The next day they traveled through deep snow, sleeping -that night at the home of Moses Starr, a Quaker. Early next morning the -Schuylkill was reached, which was partly frozen over. A crossing was -effected with great risk over the thin ice, leading their horses, which -broke through and nearly drowned. They passed through Heidelberg, Berks -County, and reached Tulpehocken, where they slept at Michael -Schaeffer’s. - -Next morning they arrived at George Loesch’s and here determined to -leave the mountain road via the Great Swatara Gap and Mahanoy Mountains, -and to travel along the Indian path leading from Harris’ Ferry, which -they were to meet at the river. - -They got as far as Henry Zender’s, where they spent the night, and next -morning set out for Harris’ Ferry, a long day’s journey along the Great -Swatara, which they reached at noon. Seven miles from Harris’ they got -lost in the woods, but the missionaries arrived at Harris’ at 7 o’clock -and found there a great company of traders. - -Next morning, January 11, they proceeded toward Shamokin, following the -path made by some Indians who the previous day had traveled from -Shamokin to Harris’ Ferry. They passed by Chambers’ Mill, at the mouth -of Fishing Creek, seven miles above the ferry. They proceeded, after a -sumptuous noonday meal, and in a few hours struck the base of the -mountain, which marked the northern limit of Proprietaries’ land. They -passed over Peter’s Mountain, then forded Powell’s Creek, and, -completely exhausted, arrived at Armstrong’s house, which was at the -mouth of the present Armstrong Creek, above Halifax. - -In spite of a hard storm during the night they pressed on the next day -and nearly lost their lives crossing Manhantango Creek, which was very -high, reached the house of Captain Thomas McKee and passed the night. - -At 3 o’clock next day they reached Mahanoy Creek, which they forded at a -place McKee had advised, and night overtook them five miles from their -destination, but in the moonlight they pressed on, and descending the -steep hills they encountered a miraculous escape, and again at Shamokin -Creek were carried nearly 100 yards down stream by the raging current. -Here Missionary Mack and others, anticipating their approach, met them -at 9 o’clock at night and cheered them on the last two miles of their -long and tedious trip. They arrived at Shamokin (now Sunbury) at -daybreak on Sunday, January 14. - -Shikellamy went to see Cammerhoff and expressed his regret that he had -such a fatiguing journey, and during his stay at that great Indian -capital showed him every attention. - -Following the great conference at Philadelphia, in August, 1749, it -became necessary the next spring for the Moravian missionaries to visit -the Great Council of the Six Nations at Onondaga. - -It was arranged that the Rev. David Zeisberger, who was then at -Shamokin, should join Bishop Cammerhoff at Wyoming and accompany him on -this journey. The latter, having obtained a passport from Governor -Hamilton, set out from Bethlehem on May 14, accompanied by John Martin -Mark, Timothy Horsfield and Gottlieb Bezold. They journeyed on foot up -the Lehigh to Gnadenhutten, then over the mountains to Wyoming, where -they arrived May 20, 1750, and “at once went to Nanticoke town; there -they were kindly welcomed, and where they awaited the Indian who was to -guide them.” - -When the Cayuga chief arrived, accompanied by his wife, his son, aged -fourteen, and his daughter, aged four years, they departed in canoes on -the afternoon of May 28. “David and I, with the boy and girl, set out in -our canoe and the Cayuga and his wife in their hunting skiff,” records -Cammerhoff. - -On June 6, they passed Wyalusing Falls, and then came to Gahontoto, the -site of an ancient Indian city where a peculiar nation once lived. -Traces of their former Indian city were discernible in the old ruined -corn fields. The Cayuga chief told the Bishop that the Five Nations had -fought and exterminated the inhabitants of this city long before they -fought with guns. - -They proceeded up the Susquehanna and then into the Tioga or Chemung -River, and disembarked at Gandtscherat, a Cayuga village near Waverly, -N. Y. Thence they traveled overland by way of Cayuga to Onondaga, where -they arrived June 21, the very day the big council was to convene, but -its actual assembly was delayed because a majority of the Indians got -drunk. - -When the council finally met at Onondaga, the design of the proposed -negotiations, as made known to the visitors, was that emissaries of the -French were endeavoring to entice the Six Nations from their compact -with the English. - -During the course of the conference, Cammerhoff presented to the Council -a petition from the Nanticoke Indians at Wyoming, to the effect that -they might have a blacksmith shop, under Moravian auspices, set up in -their village. This request was denied by the Council, and the -Nanticokes informed that they could avail themselves of the services of -the blacksmith at Shamokin. This smith was Anthony Schmidt, who was sent -to Shamokin from the Moravian Mission at Bethlehem. He arrived there -August 3, 1747, accompanied by his wife. He remained there many years -and performed his task to the general satisfaction of the Indians who -traveled 100 or more miles to have a gun barrel straightened or the -firelock repaired. - -Their business at Onondaga being finished, Cammerhoff and Zeisberger -journeyed overland to the Susquehanna, where they embarked in a canoe -and floated down the river as far as the village of the Nanticoke, which -they reached Sunday, August 2, 1750. They tarried only a day and then -proceeded to Shamokin, where they arrived August 6, having traveled more -than 600 miles on horseback, afoot and in canoes. - - ---------- - - - - - Bank of North America, First Incorporated - Bank in the United States, Commenced - Business January 7, 1782 - - -The first incorporated bank in America was the Bank of North America, -and its operations commenced January 7, 1782, in the commodious store -belonging to its cashier, Tench Francis, on the north side of Chestnut -Street, west of Third. - -In 1780 the Assembly of Pennsylvania made a strong effort to relieve the -people from the withering blight of the Continental money. It tried to -redeem it by taxation at the rate of 1 to 40. But neither this nor any -other measure prevented the coinage of the phrase, “It is not worth a -Continental.” - -To assist Congress in providing for the army, Robert Morris and other -financiers of the State established the Bank of Pennsylvania, the first -bank in America. The last attempt to prolong the life of the -“Continentals” was made by the Supreme Executive Council in May, 1781; -but the remedy proved fatal. Pelatiah Webster said of the proceedings: -“Thus fell, ended and died the Continental currency, aged six years.” - -During the Revolutionary War the country was extremely poor, with few -industries but agriculture, and was quite denuded of the precious -metals, owing to a heavy and long continued adverse foreign trade, so -that the Congress of the United States experienced great difficulties in -providing the requisite means for carrying on the hostilities. - -On May 10, 1775, soon after the battle of Lexington, Congress made -preparation to issue Continental paper, $2,000,000 of which were put in -circulation on June 22 following. - -From month to month these issues, which in the aggregate reached three -hundred millions, depreciated, until eventually they became entirely -valueless, notwithstanding the passage of laws making them a legal -tender for the payment of debts. - -On May 17, 1781, a plan for a National Bank was submitted to Congress by -Robert Morris, of Pennsylvania, the principal provisions of which were -as follows: The capital to be $400,000, in shares of $400 each; that -each share be entitled to a vote for directors; that there be twelve -directors chosen from those entitled to vote, who at their first meeting -shall choose one as president; that the directors meet quarterly; that -the board be empowered from time to time to open new subscriptions for -the purpose of increasing the capital of the bank; statements to be made -to the Superintendent of the Finances of America; that the bank notes -payable on demand shall by law be made receivable for duties and taxes -in any state, and from the respective states by the treasury of the -United States; that the Superintendent of Finances of America shall have -a right at all times to examine into the affairs of the bank. - -On May 26, 1781, Congress adopted the following: “Resolved, that -Congress do approve of the plan for the establishment of a National Bank -in these United States, submitted for their consideration by Mr. R. -Morris, May 17, 1781, and that they will promote and support the same by -such ways and means, from time to time, as may appear necessary for the -institution and consistent with the public good; that the subscribers to -the said bank shall be incorporated agreeably to the principles and -terms of the plan, under the name of ‘The President, Directors, and -Company of the Bank of North America,’ so soon as the subscription shall -be filled, the directors and president chosen, and application for that -purpose made to Congress by the president and directors elected.” - -On December 31 following Congress adopted “an ordinance to incorporate -the subscribers to the Bank of North America.” - -The first president was Thomas Willing, and the cashier was Tench -Francis. The bank became at once a most important auxiliary in aid of -the finances of the government, and so continued to the end of the war. - -This institution was also incorporated by the State of Pennsylvania, on -April 18, 1782. - -Robert Morris subscribed for 633 shares of the bank on account of the -United States, paying therefore $254,000, but, owing to the necessities -of the government, he was almost immediately compelled to borrow a like -amount from the bank, so that the institution derived but little benefit -from the government subscription. - -The deposits gradually assumed large proportions. Some of the States -gave to the bank the assistance of their recognition. Connecticut made -the notes receivable in payment of taxes, Rhode Island provided -punishment for counterfeiting its issue, and Massachusetts created it a -corporation according to the laws of that Commonwealth. - -The operations of the bank were almost immediately attended with the -restoration of confidence and credit. The State of Pennsylvania being -unable to pay the officers of its army, relief was found in the bank, -which advanced the money for the state, and received its reimbursement -when the revenue was collected. - -The public enemy infested the Delaware River and Bay, and seized vessels -in the port of Philadelphia. The bank advanced $22,500, which enabled -the merchants to fit out a ship of war, which not only cleared the river -of the enemy, but captured a cruiser of twenty guns belonging to the -British fleet. - -The defense of the Western frontier was promoted by the advance of £5000 -by the bank in 1782. - -In the year 1785, when an ill feeling had arisen between the government -of the State of Pennsylvania and the bank, the former repealed the -charter which it had granted in 1782. The bank, however, continued its -operations under the charter granted by the Federal Government till -1787, when it was rechartered by Pennsylvania. - -The charter of the Bank of North America has been renewed from time to -time, and was made a National Bank, December, 1864, and is still one of -the leading financial institutions of the State and Nation. - -It is one of the only three banks in existence at the time of the -adoption of the Federal Constitution, the others being the Bank of New -York, at New York City, and the Bank of Massachusetts, at Boston. - - ---------- - - - - - Matthias Baldwin Completed First Successful - Locomotive January 8, 1831 - - -The first successful American locomotive was made in Philadelphia by -Matthias William Baldwin, and completed January 8, 1831. - -The story of the man and his wonderful achievement is the story of one -of the greatest industrial plans in the world and is full of human -interest. - -Matthias Baldwin was born December 10, 1795, the son of an Elizabeth, N. -J., carriage-maker, who was in affluent circumstances at the time of his -death, but the mismanagement of his property caused the loss of nearly -all. Matthias was the youngest of five children and but four years old -when his father died. He inherited his father’s skill with tools and -early began to construct labor-saving devices to assist his mother in -her housework. - -At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to a firm of jewelers in -Frankford, now a part of Philadelphia. His habits were sober, -industrious and earnest. He devoted much of his spare time to singing in -the little Presbyterian Church. - -At twenty-one he became an apprentice in the firm of Fletcher & Gardner, -silversmiths and jewelers, of Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. - -In 1825 he formed a partnership with David Mason, a machinist, for the -manufacture of bookbinder tools and cylinders for calico printing. Their -first shop was in a small alley running north from Walnut Street above -Fourth. Afterwards they moved into a shop on Minor Street, where they -also began to manufacture machines of Mr. Baldwin’s invention. - -The first such invention was a small upright engine adapted to the -motive power of a small factory. From this success the manufacture of -stationary steam engines took a prominent place in the establishment. - -The plant now employed a number of young men. Baldwin felt that these -needed some place where they could get instruction in science and -mechanical art, so that they might become more intelligent and -inventive. He talked over the matter with many other employers, and the -result was the founding of Franklin Institute, the cornerstone of which -was laid with Masonic ceremonies, June 8, 1824. This is still one of the -active and valuable institutions of the country. - -About this time Mr. Mason withdrew from the firm, Mr. Baldwin continuing -the manufacture of engines. - -It was in 1829–30 that steam, as a motive power on railroads, began to -attract the attention of American engineers. George Stephenson had -produced a successful locomotive in England. In 1830 the Camden and -Amboy Railroad Company brought across the ocean a locomotive, which was -kept hidden from the public eye until it should be used. - -Franklin Peale, who owned the Philadelphia Museum, where up-to-date -novelties were shown, wished to have a small working model of a -locomotive to exhibit, and he turned to Matthias Baldwin. - -The two men found out where the locomotive was kept, and visited the -place. Baldwin was already familiar with the published description and -sketches of engines which had taken part in the Rainhill competitions in -England, but he now had an opportunity to see and measure for himself an -actual engine. - -Baldwin made the model, completing it January 8, 1831. It was taken to -the museum and on April 25 was put in motion on a circular track made of -pine boards, covered with hoop-iron. It drew two small cars, each -holding four persons, and attracted great attention from the crowds who -saw it. Both anthracite and pine-knot coal were used as fuel, and the -steam was discharged through the smokestack to increase the draught. - -The success of the model obtained for Mr. Baldwin an order for a -locomotive for the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad -Company. - -This engine when completed was called “Old Ironsides” and left the shop -November 23, 1832. It stood on the rails like a “thing of life.” Its -light weight, between four and five tons, did not give it that tractive -power necessary to draw a loaded train on wet and slippery rails, hence -the newspapers of that day termed it a “fair weather” locomotive, -because the notices specified that “the locomotive built by Mr. M. W. -Baldwin, of this city, will depart daily, when the weather is fair, with -a train of passenger cars. On rainy days horses will be attached.” - -The “Old Ironsides” was a four-wheeled engine, modeled essentially on -the English fashion of that day. The wheels were made with heavy -cast-iron hubs, wooden spokes and rims, and wrought-iron tires. The -price of this engine was $4,000, but the company claimed that it did not -perform according to contract, and after correction had been made as far -as possible, a compromise was effected and Mr. Baldwin received $3,500 -for his work. - -“Old Ironsides” on subsequent trials attained a speed of thirty miles an -hour with the usual train. - -Only one man in Baldwin’s shop, besides the inventor himself, could -properly run “Old Ironsides.” This man fell sick, and others who tried, -could not get it to run satisfactorily. The president of the road was -about to throw it back on Baldwin’s hands when the engineer recovered -and the locomotive gave satisfaction. But Baldwin was so thoroughly -disgusted with all the complaints, and such was his first locomotive -that he said with much decision, “That is our last locomotive.” But -other great men have been known to change their minds, and when Matthias -Baldwin died, his works had built more than 1500 locomotives. - -“The Miller,” for the Charleston and Hamburg, S. C., Railroad Company -was the next engine built by Mr. Baldwin. During 1834 he completed five -locomotives, and his business was now fairly established. It was during -this year that larger quarters were necessary, and Mr. Baldwin removed -his shops to the location on Broad and Hamilton Streets, where, in 1835, -the present Baldwin Locomotive Works had their origin, and where they -have since developed into their immense proportions. - -The financial difficulties of 1836–37 did not leave Mr. Baldwin -unscathed. Great as his embarrassments were a full consultation with his -creditors resulted in the wise determination to leave him in full and -complete possession of the plant and business, under an agreement to pay -full amount of indebtedness, principal and interest. In five years -Baldwin discharged every dollar of debt. - -August 25, 1842, Mr. Baldwin obtained a patent for a six-wheel connected -engine, which revived the business. In 1840 Baldwin built a locomotive -for Austria and in 1845 he built three for Wurtemburg. - -Mr. Baldwin died September 7, 1865, after he had virtually perfected the -locomotive and witnessed the rise and wonderful increase of the most -important material interest of the age, to the completion of which he -had contributed more than any other individual. His name was familiar -where the locomotive was known and his personal character as a Christian -and a philanthropist was as highly esteemed by his associates and -acquaintances as his scientific achievements were valued by the -profession. - - ---------- - - - - - Fort Hunter, an Important Defense, - Garrisoned January 9, 1756 - - -A motorist touring north along the Susquehanna Trail, when six miles -above Harrisburg, just at the point in the roadway where one would turn -off sharply to the right, if going to the beautiful Country Club of -Harrisburg, can see a boulder which marks the site of Fort Hunter, one -of the busy places during the stirring period immediately following -hostilities which inaugurated the French and Indian War. - -This fort stood on the south bank of Fishing Creek, at its junction with -the Susquehanna River, on property now occupied by John W. Reily near -the village known as Rockville. - -The date of its erection is uncertain, but it is probable that it was -built by the settlers about October, 1755, immediately after the two -terrible Indian massacres at Penn’s Creek and Mahanoy Creek. It was -completed by the Provincial Government in January, 1756. - -Benjamin Chambers was the first white man to settle in that vicinity, -where he built a mill in 1720. He was the senior of four brothers, all -sturdy Presbyterians from the County of Antrim in the north of Ireland. -He was subsequently joined by his three brothers, and in 1735 all but -Thomas removed to the Cumberland Valley. - -Benjamin erected Fort Chambers and became a most influential citizen. -Thomas remained on Fishing Creek and operated a mill. His son-in-law, -Robert Hunter, subsequently fell heir to the improvements and henceforth -the stockade was known as the fort at Hunter’s Mill, or Fort Hunter. - -The first orders on record relating to Fort Hunter were issued January -9, 1756, by Governor Morris to Adam Read, of Hanover Township, Lancaster -County, and were as follows: - -“The Commissioner thinking that a company of fifty men under your -command are sufficient to guard the frontier along the Kittektiny Hills, -from your own house to Hunter’s Mill, have refused for the present to -take any other men in that quarter into the pay of the Government, and -requested me to order, and I do hereby order you to detach twenty-five -of the men now at your house, to the fort at Hunter’s Mill, upon -Susquehanna, under the command of your lieutenant, or officer next under -yourself, or in case there be none such appointed by the Government, -then under the command of such person as you shall appoint for that -service; and you are to give orders to the commander of such detachment -to keep his men in order and fit for duty, and to cause a party of them, -from time to time, to range the woods along and near the mountains -toward your house; and you are in like manner to keep the men with you -in good order, and to cause a party of them from time to time, to range -the woods on or near the mountains toward Hunter’s Mill, and you and -they are to continue upon this service till further order. - -“You are to add ten men to your company out of the township of Paxton, -and to make the detachment at Hunter’s Mill of twenty more men, which -with those ten, are to complete thirty for service, and keep an account -of the time when these ten enter themselves, that you may be enabled to -make up your muster roll upon oath.” - -Hardly had the above order been executed and the men recruited until -additional orders were dispatched by the Governor to Captain Read: “I -have also appointed Thomas McKee to take post at or near Hunter’s Mill -with thirty men.” - -An interesting sentence in his letter revealed the hardships of a -Provincial soldier: “But as the Province is at present in want of arms -and blankets, if any of the men you shall enlist will find themselves -with those articles, they shall receive half a dollar for the use of -their gun, and half a dollar for the use of a blanket.” - -At the same time Governor Morris wrote to James Galbraith, Esq., a -Provincial Commissioner, rehearsing the sundry orders given to Captains -Read and McKee, to which he added: - -“I have also instructed Capt. McKee to advise with you whether to finish -the fort already begun at Hunter’s Mill, or to build a new one, and as -to the place where it would be best to erect such new one. I therefore -desire you will assist him in those matters, or in anything else that -the King’s service and the safety of the inhabitants may require.” - -On December 9, 1755, Thomas Foster and Thomas McKee were furnished with -“12½ pounds powder and 25 pounds swan shot.” It is therefore more than -probable the soldiers ordered there in January, 1756, by Governor Morris -were the first Provincial soldiers put on duty at Fort Hunter. - -The activity of the French, in their efforts to enlist the Indians of -the Province to take up the hatchet against the English, was felt at -this post, as letters written by Captain McKee to Edward Shippen and -others reveal. - -At this time the Province had decided to erect a great fortress at the -forks of the Susquehanna, which was subsequently built and named Fort -Augusta. Colonel William Clapham was commissioned early in April, 1756, -to recruit a regiment of 400 men for this purpose. - -Governor Morris advised Colonel Clapham, April 7, that he had directed a -rendezvous to be established at Fort Hunter and advised the colonel to -use it for the safe storage of supplies and stocks which he would -require in his expedition farther up the river. - -June 11, 1756, Colonel Clapham stationed twenty-four troops there, under -command of a Mr. Johnson, and directed him to “escort provisions, from -there to McKee’s store.” November 3 the garrison consisted of “2 -sargants and 34 Private Men.” - -March 14, 1757, at a conference on the defense of the Province, held at -Philadelphia, it was decided that 400 men should be kept at Fort -Augusta; 100 should constitute the garrison at Fort Halifax, and that -Fort Hunter should be demolished, only fifty being retained there -temporarily until the removal of the magazine which was to take place as -soon as possible. - -The long frontier of the Blue Mountain, between the Susquehanna and -Delaware was to be defended by Colonel Conrad Weiser’s battalion, and -the forts reduced to three in number. - -This caused consternation among the settlers near Fort Hunter and they -appealed to the Provincial authorities. - -Commissary Young, the Reverend John Elder and others appeared in person -August 25 in Philadelphia, and strongly urged the retention of the -garrison at this important place. Their appeal was effective. Fort -Hunter was not demolished but strengthened. - -Indians appeared within twenty rods of Fort Hunter, October, 1757. -William Martin was killed and scalped while picking chestnuts. - -Colonel James Patterson was in command of the garrison in January, 1758. -From that time until the Pontiac Conspiracy in 1763, there was not much -activity about Fort Hunter, when it again became the rendezvous of -Provincial troops. After peace was declared Fort Hunter slowly but -surely passed out of existence until the last log was rotted and -disappeared and the old fort only existed as an historical memory. - - ---------- - - - - - Founder of Stumpstown Murdered Ten - Indians, January 10, 1768 - - -About a dozen years ago the members of the Lebanon County Historical -Society enjoyed three evenings of entertainment when that able and -clever historian, Dr. E. Grumbine, of Mt. Zion, gave a history of -interesting events, traditions and anecdotes of early Fredericksburg, -known for many years as Stumpstown. - -The village was laid out in 1761 by Frederick Stump, who for years -afterwards led a most unusual and exciting life. The town was then in -Lancaster County, later in Dauphin, then after 1813 in Lebanon County. - -In the year 1826 a postoffice was established in the place, which with -eminent propriety received the name Stumpstown. In 1843 the name of the -postoffice became Fredericksburg. - -In 1828 two enterprising citizens, named Henry and Martin Meily, built a -canal boat, as the Union Canal had recently been opened and the canal -was the talk of the day. While Stumpstown was distant from the canal, -the Meilys did not seem to care for this handicap, but using a vacant -corner of the only graveyard in the village, they constructed their boat -and when finished they loaded it on heavy wagons and conveyed it four -miles overland to Jonestown, where they christened it “Columbus” and -launched it on the raging canal. It carried freight to and from -Philadelphia for many years. - -In 1767 the German Lutherans erected a church of logs, which served its -purpose for sixty years. - -Like many places, Stumpstown had a big fire which destroyed nearly -one-fourth of the village. That was in 1827, and was caused by a boy -shooting at a crow perched on the thatched roof of a stable. His old -flint-rock was wadded with tow, which being inflammable, set fire to the -straw thatch, and soon the barn was in flames, and fanned by a strong -northwest breeze, a total of twenty buildings including a tannery, -sheds, dwelling of owner, blacksmith shop, the only school house, and -other houses were consumed. - -Frederick Stump, the founder, was a notorious character. He was born in -1735 in the neighborhood of Stumpstown, and in 1768 was living near the -mouth of Middle Creek in what is now Snyder County. - -On Sunday morning, January 10, 1768, six Indians went to the house of -Frederick Stump. They were White Mingo, Cornelius, John Campbell, Jones -and two squaws. They were in a drunken condition and behaved in a -suspicious manner. Stump endeavored to get them to leave, but without -success. Fearing injury to himself, he and his servant, John Ironcutter, -killed them all, dragging their bodies to the creek, where they cut a -hole in the ice and pushed their bodies into the stream. - -Fearing the news might be carried to the other Indians, Stump went the -next day to their cabins, fourteen miles up the creek, where he found -one squaw, two girls and one child. These he killed and threw their -bodies in the cabin and burned it. - -The details of these murders were told by Stump to William Blythe, who -found the charred remains of the four in the cabin ruins. Blythe -testified to these acts before the Provincial authorities in -Philadelphia, January 19, 1768. - -One of the bodies which Stump pushed through the hole in the ice floated -down the Susquehanna until it finally lodged against the shore on the -Cumberland County side, opposite Harrisburg, below the site of the -present bridge at Market Street. - -The Indian had been killed by being struck on the forehead with some -blunt instrument, which crushed in his skull. His entire scalp, -including his ears, was torn from his head. An inquest was held February -28, 1768, at the spot where his body was found. - -John Blair Linn, in his “Annals of Buffalo Valley,” places the scene of -this crime on the run that enters the creek at Middleburgh, known by the -name of Stump’s Run to this day. - -This crime caused the greatest consternation throughout the Province, as -the authorities had just cause to fear a repetition of the Indian -outrages unless Stump was apprehended and punished for his crime. - -A few Indians who escaped the wrath of Stump chased him toward Fort -Augusta. Stump did not enter the fort, but rushed into a house occupied -by two women. He claimed their protection, alleging he was pursued by -Indians. They did not believe him, and feared the Indians, if his story -be true, but he begged piteously they hide him between two beds. - -The Indians were but a moment behind Stump, but the women insisted they -knew nothing of him. Before the Indians left the house they seized a -cat, plucked out its hair and tore it to pieces, illustrating the -reception which awaited Stump, had they found him. - -Captain William Patterson led a score of his neighbors to assist in -arresting Stump and Ironcutter. - -On their approach Stump fled to the woods, but Patterson pretended that -he wanted Stump to accompany him to Great Island to kill Indians. This -appealed to Stump, who returned to the house, when Patterson arrested -and bound him and took him and his servant to Carlisle, where they were -lodged in jail, Saturday evening, March 23, 1768. - -But justice was to be cheated. The magistrates fought over the place of -Stump’s trial, and it was decided to try him in Philadelphia. - -On Monday morning following his arrest, the Sheriff proceeded to do his -duty, but was restrained by the magistrates. On Wednesday, forty of the -country people assembled on the outskirts of Carlisle, and sent two -messengers to the jail. When they learned Stump was not to be sent to -Philadelphia for trial, they dispersed. - -On Friday a company from Sherman’s Valley, where Stump had lived, -marched toward Carlisle, about eight entering the town. Two of them went -to the jail and asked the jailor for liquor. As he was serving them the -others entered with drawn cutlasses and pistols and demanded he make no -outcry. Sixty others now surrounded the jail. Stump was taken from the -dungeon, the handcuffs removed and he was released. - -The Sheriff, Colonel John Armstrong and others attempted to restrain the -mob, but in the struggle which ensued Stump escaped, as did his servant, -Ironcutter. - -The Governor was angered at this escape and issued instructions for his -rearrest and then a formal proclamation offering a reward of £200 for -Stump and £100 for Ironcutter. - -After their rescue from the Carlisle jail both Stump and Ironcutter -returned to the neighborhood of their bloody crime, but as their -presence was not longer agreeable to the inhabitants, Stump soon left -and went to the residence of his father at Tulpehocken and Ironcutter -was spirited away by friends. - -They were never again arrested, for the settlers generally sympathized -with them, but Stump and his servant both went to Virginia, where it is -known that Stump died at an advanced age. - - ---------- - - - - - First Records of Courts in State Preserved - January 11, 1682 - - -Nearly a month after the signing of the charter, March 4, 1681, King -Charles II, April 2, issued a declaration informing the inhabitants and -planters of the Province that William Penn, their absolute Proprietary, -was clothed with all the powers and pre-eminences necessary for the -Government. A few days later, April 8, the Proprietary addressed a -proclamation to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania. - -Captain William Markham, a cousin of William Penn, was appointed Deputy -Governor and his commission contained five items of instructions, the -fourth being “to erect courts, appoint sheriffs, justices of the peace, -etc.” These courts were established and the new Government was soon -functioning. - -The records of these early courts are interesting to both the lawyer and -those who care for the history of our State. - -Most of our citizens are but little attracted by the tedious accounts of -routine practice, or the fine distinction between one jurisdiction and -another, yet they find gratification in contemplating the manners, -customs and modes of thought once prevalent in our courts of justice. - -A review of the practice of the courts of Pennsylvania in the -seventeenth century and as late as the eighteenth present many -interesting subjects. - -The power to erect courts of justice and to appoint all judicial -officers in and for the Province of Pennsylvania was by the express -terms of the charter conferred upon the Proprietary. But, in deference -to the wishes of the people, Penn was willing to forego to some degree -the exercise of this extraordinary right and the concurrence of the -Assembly was invariably required to the bill for the erection of a -court. The judges during the early years of the Province were also -selected by the Provincial Council, the members of which were elected -annually by the people in accordance with provisions of the Frame of -Government. - -The County Courts of the Province had their origin in 1673, under the -Government of James, Duke of York, and were established in every county, -“to decide all matters under twenty pounds without appeal,” and to have -exclusive jurisdiction in the administration of criminal justice, with -an appeal, however, in cases extending to “Life, Limbo and Banishment,” -to the Court of Assizes in New York. These courts usually consisted of -five or six justices, which met quarterly. No one learned in the law -presided on the bench, no attorney was allowed to practice for pay. -Juries were only allowed to consist of six or seven men, except in cases -of life and death, and in all save those instances, the conclusions of -the majority were allowed to prevail. - -The first court held in the Province, the records of which are -preserved, was held in Philadelphia January 11, 1682. There were six -bills presented to the Grand Jury, all but one having to do with the -highway. That one exception was a petition for a court house. - -These tribunals lacked almost every element of distinctly English -procedure, but were continued by Penn. Justices of the Peace were from -time to time commissioned, some for the whole Province and some for a -particular county. Their attendance at court was secured by the penalty -of a fine. - -Twelve jurymen were subsequently provided whose unanimous opinion was -required to bring in a verdict. The panel of jurymen was drawn in a -highly primitive manner. “The names of the freemen were writ on small -pieces of paper and put into a hat and shaken, forty-eight of whom were -drawn by a child, and those so drawn stood for the Sheriff’s return.” - -The civil jurisdiction of the County Courts was first distinctly defined -in 1683, when all actions of debt, account or slander and all actions of -trespass were by Act of Assembly declared to be originally cognizable -solely by them. Other jurisdiction was given them by subsequent action -of the Legislature. - -The justices interfered to promote and defend the popular interests in -all matters that were of public concern. In very early times they -granted letters of administration. They superintended the laying out of -roads, apportioned the town lots to responsible applicants, took -acknowledgments of deeds and registered the private brands and marks of -considerable owners of cattle. - -They exercised, too, a supervision over all bond servants, regulated the -sale of their time, afforded summary relief if they were abused by their -masters, punished them with stripes or the pillory if they attempted to -escape, and took care that they were at liberty to purchase their -freedom on reasonable terms. - -July 8, 1683, “Philip England made complaint against Sea Captain James -Kilner, who denieth all alleged against him, only the kicking of the -maid, and that was for spilling a chamber vessel upon the deck; -otherwise he was very kind to them.” - -They were also intrusted with other duties. The minutes of the -Provincial Council for February 12, 1687–8, show that the County Court -of Philadelphia was ordered to cause “stocks and a cage to be provided,” -and was required “to suppress the noise and drunkenness of Indians, -especially in the night, and to cause the crier to go to the extent of -each street when he has anything to cry, and to put a check to horse -racing.” - -In 1702 the Grand Jury found true bills for the following offenses: - -“John Simes, ordinary, and others, for keeping a disorderly house to -debauch the youth. John was disguised in women’s clothes walking the -streets openly, and going from house to house against the laws of God -and this Province, to the staining of the holy profession, and against -the law of nature. Edward James, a like offender, at an unreasonable -hour of night. - -“Dorothy, wife of Richard Conterill, is indicted also for being masked -in men’s clothes, walking and dancing in the house of said John Simes at -10 o’clock at night. Sarah Stiver, wife of John Stiver, was also at the -same house, dressed in men’s clothes, and walked the streets.” - -It is quite probable that these indictments stopped any further attempts -to hold “masquerade balls” in Philadelphia for some years. - -In 1703 three barbers were indicted for “trimming on the First day”; -three persons were brought before the Court for playing cards; a butcher -was in court for “killing meat in the street and leaving their blood and -offals there,” another for “setting up a great reed stack on Mulberry -Street, and making a close fence about the same.” Many runaways were -publicly whipped. - -In the year 1708 “Solomon Cresson, a constable of the City of -Philadelphia, going his rounds at 1 o’clock at night and discovering a -very riotous assembly in a tavern, immediately ordered them to disperse, -when John Evans, Esq., Governor of the Province, happened to be one of -them, and called Solomon in the house and flogged him very severely, and -had him imprisoned for two days.” - -In 1731, at New Castle, “Catherine Bevan is ordered to be burned alive, -for the murder of her husband; and Peter Murphy, the servant who -assisted her, to be hanged.” - - ---------- - - - - - Pious Henry Antes Organized First - Moravian Synod January 12, 1742 - - -Pious Henry Antes assembled at his home in Germantown on January 12, -1742, thirty-five persons, representing eight distinct denominations of -the Christian religion, and formed the first Moravian Synod. - -Heinrich Antes (Von Blume) of a noble family in the Palatinate, was born -about 1620. He left a son, Philip Frederick, born about 1670. - -When Philip Frederick and his wife came to America they brought only the -oldest, Johann Heinrich, born in 1701, and the youngest, Mary Elizabeth, -along. - -It is not known exactly when the Antes family arrived in America. The -last time we find the name of Philip Frederick Antes in the Freinsheim -Church book of baptisms is in September, 1716. The first time we find -his name in America is in the Deed Book of Philadelphia County, in -February, 1723, when there was recorded a deed conveying to Antes a -tract of 154 acres along the Swamp Creek. In the deed Antes is described -as a resident of Germantown. On April 9, 1742, he married Elizabeth -Wayman. In 1725, Philip Frederick Antes lived in Frederick Township, -where he died November 28, 1746. - -Henry Antes, the son, was taught the trade of carpenter and mill-wright -before coming to America. He was tall in stature, of a large frame, -strong physique and enjoyed robust health. - -After his father moved to New Hanover Township, Henry stayed in -Germantown, where he engaged in partnership with William Dewees in the -construction of a paper mill and grist mill, both at Crefeld along the -Wissahickon. - -On February 2, 1726, Henry Antes was married to his partner’s daughter, -Christina Elizabeth Dewees, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1702. She -died October 5, 1782. The ceremony was celebrated by John Philip Boehm, -pastor of the German Reformed congregations of Falkner Swamp, Skippack -and Whitemarsh. - -His trade took him to various parts of the settled portion of -Pennsylvania. His services were in constant demand. Antes became known -to many people. He was thoroughly familiar with the streams, water -power, forest and soil of many localities. - -On September 2, 1735, he bought 175 acres in Frederick Township, near -his father’s farm. In partnership with George Heebner he at once began -the erection of a grist mill upon his own property, which for many years -was known far and wide as Antes’ Mill. - -Antes lived the rest of his life on his Frederick Township farm, except -when temporarily called away, and during his short residence in -Bethlehem among the Moravians. - -In 1736 Antes had a quarrel with the Reverend Mr. Boehm, the cause of -which is not known. Boehm said he had occasion to speak to Antes several -times on necessary matters. A statement friendly to Antes said it was -caused by Antes rebuking Boehm for unbecoming behavior. It was probably -caused by Boehm speaking to Antes in protest at his close association -with Bishop Spangenberg. At any rate Antes left Boehm’s church and -became a Moravian. - -In religious matters Henry Antes displayed much zeal and activity. He -became known as the “Pious Layman of Fredericktown.” He taught the -proper way of life to his countrymen, frequently calling them together -in their homes for prayers, reading of the scriptures and exhortation. -He was thus employed in Oley as early as 1736. - -In 1740 a great religious revival occurred in Falkner Swamp. George -Whitefield, the great revivalist, preached at the house of Christopher -Wiegner at Skippack, then later in the day he preached at the house of -Henry Antes. About two thousand persons, mostly Germans, with some -Quakers, Dunkards, Swedes, Huguenots and other church people were in -attendance. - -Antes yearned for the unity of the followers of the Christian religion. - -On November 24, 1741, Count Zinzindorf came to Philadelphia to unite the -leading men of the several denominations in Pennsylvania for evangelical -work. John Bechtel indorsed the movement, and Henry Antes issued a call -for the first meeting in furtherance of this object to be held in -Germantown. In order to command the confidence of German colonists it -was necessary that the movement be recommended by one well known to the -people, so Antes issued the call. - -Because the movement did not meet with success in the way anticipated -Henry Antes really died of a broken heart. The Moravian Church, however, -was one of the results. - -During the session of the Moravian Synod, March, 1745, at the home of -Henry Antes, he offered the use of his farm and buildings and his mill -for the brethren to be used as boarding school for boys. - -On June 3, 1745, the school was started with thirty-four scholars. -Christina Francke Christopher, of Bethlehem, was superintendent, and -John C. Heyne, a teacher. The Moravians named it Mount Frederick School, -and it was the first nonsectarian school in Pennsylvania. - -Antes and his family, excepting two sons, John and Henry, who remained -as pupils, moved to Bethlehem. Here he gave his whole time to the -temporal affairs of the Moravians. He planned and superintended the -building of the first mills, dams, bridges and houses at the different -Moravian settlements. - -On December 15, 1745, he was appointed by King George of England, to be -Justice of the Peace for Bucks County, in which Bethlehem was then a -part. October 27, 1748, Henry Antes was appointed business manager of -the Moravians. - -In 1750 Antes withdrew from the Moravians, because he did not approve of -the introduction of the wearing of a white surplice by the minister at -the celebration of the Eucharist. - -During the summer of that year the white scholars were transferred to -the schools at Oley and Macgungie and the Indians and Negroes to -Bethlehem, and in September, 1750, Mount Frederick School was closed and -Henry Antes moved back to his farm. - -In 1752 Antes was appointed justice of the peace for Philadelphia -County, but at this time his health was broken, caused by an injury -received during the construction of the Friedenstal Mill, near Nazareth. - -On August 25, 1752, Antes accompanied Bishop Spangenberg to North -Carolina. Antes was in miserable health and returned home in the spring -of 1753. He was an invalid until he died July 20, 1755. - -He was buried by the Moravians in the family graveyard beside his -father. Bishop Spangenberg preached the funeral sermon. Ten pall-bearers -from Bethlehem carried his body to its final resting place. - -Antes left four distinguished sons: Frederick, a delegate to the -Provincial Convention in Carpenters’ Hall, a colonel of the Sixth -Battalion of Philadelphia County Militia, which participated in the -Battle of Brandywine, etc. He removed to Northumberland where he held -many important positions of honor and trust, and was president judge of -the county. He was the father-in-law of Governor Simon Snyder; William, -a lieutenant colonel in the Revolution; John, a Moravian who suffered -untold agonies in a mission field in Egypt; and John Henry, Lieutenant -Colonel in Revolution, sheriff of Northumberland County and the pioneer -settler of what is Nippenose Valley in Lycoming County. Five daughters -also survived Pious Henry Antes. - - ---------- - - - - - General Simon Cameron Defeated Colonel - Forney for United States Senate, - January 13, 1857 - - -Great excitement prevailed all over the State of Pennsylvania, and the -Democracy of the great Commonwealth were thrown into intense -perturbation and indignation, January 13, 1857, by dispatches from -Harrisburg announcing that Representatives Samuel Manear, of York -County, William H. Lebo, and G. Wagenseller, of Schuylkill County, -Democratic members of the Legislature, had not only refused to support -John W. Forney, the caucus nominee of their party for United States -Senator, but had given their votes to the opposition candidate, Simon -Cameron. - -Forney was one of the favorites of the Philadelphia Democracy at this -time, and they were moved to the warmest feelings of resentment by the -base treachery which had removed from his grasp the cherished object of -his ambition. - -Meetings were held by various clubs and organizations, denouncing the -traitors in unmeasured terms. The names of Manear, Lebo and Wagonseller -remained for many years synonymous with corruption. - -At Harrisburg the hotels long refused to receive them, and in -Philadelphia and other places there yet remain some who have not -forgotten to regard them with contempt. - -The result of this unforeseen defeat of Colonel Forney was the loss of -an accomplished publicist and statesman, and to give Philadelphia, in -the career which opened before him a few months later, its most eminent -journalist. - -The story of this political event is interesting to students of the -history of our state. - -When Hon. James Buchanan was appointed Secretary of State, by President -Polk, in 1845, he resigned from the United States Senate to accept the -cabinet portfolio. - -This vacancy brought into the political limelight Simon Cameron, then -one of the leaders of the Democratic Party in the State. - -Cameron had arisen from his printer’s case in his native county of -Lancaster, and had attained prominence as a newspaper publisher in -Doylestown and Harrisburg, and had been appointed to the office of -Adjutant General by Governor Shulze, when he was but thirty years of -age. He had extensive banking and large iron interests for that day. He -had become a wealthy and influential man. - -On account of his business interests he did not give enthusiastic -support to Polk, yet held his grip on the management of the party in -Pennsylvania. - -There were a number of prominent candidates for the senatorship to -succeed Buchanan, one of whom was the able George W. Woodward, who -finally received the nomination of his party, and there did not seem to -be a ripple on the political surface. - -But Cameron saw his opportunity, and with the power of the canal board, -which he controlled, together with a combination of Protection or -Cameron Democrats with the Whigs, Cameron defeated Woodward, and served -from 1845 to 1849. His election was a keen disappointment to President -Polk and Secretary of State Buchanan. - -The new Republican Party became a national organization in 1856. - -Former Senator Simon Cameron was in the Know Nothing organization but -was smarting under his long and bitter contest for Senator in 1855, when -he was defeated by former Governor William Bigler. - -Colonel John W. Forney was chairman of Democratic State Committee and -had absolute charge of the battle that was fought for the election of -James Buchanan, to whom he was romantically attached. - -In the event of Buchanan’s election Forney was assured the editorship of -the Washington Union, the organ of the administration, and the Senate -printing. There were subsequent developments which led the President to -assent to the sacrifice of Forney, and when tendered a cabinet position, -the President was forced to recall it. - -President Buchanan then turned to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, which -was still Democratic, and asked that Colonel Forney be elected United -States Senator. - -The Democratic Party was demoralized in 1856, when many of its most -distinguished members supported Fremont, and in this condition, the -party lines were rather closely drawn. The Senate stood fifteen -Democrats to eighteen opposition, and the House had fifty-three -Democrats to forty-seven opposition, giving the Democrats three majority -on joint ballot. - -The nomination of Forney was not cordially supported by those who were -smarting under the defeat he had given them in October, but there were -very few who were favorable to Cameron, and certainly not one-fourth of -the members would have preferred him as a candidate. - -But Cameron, with his exceptional shrewdness as a political manager, saw -that he could depend upon the resentments against Forney among the -opposition members to support him if he could assure them of his ability -to defeat Forney. - -Cameron was most fortunate in having in the Senate as one of his earnest -friends Charles B. Penrose, of Philadelphia, a former Senator, and a man -of ripe experience and great political sagacity. He was quite as earnest -in his desire to punish Forney as he was to promote his friend, General -Cameron. - -Cameron was not nominated in the caucus, but had the assurance from -Representatives Lebo, Manear and Wagonseller, all Democrats, that they -would vote for him if their votes could elect him. - -This information was communicated to Senator Penrose, who very shrewdly -stated to the Republican caucus that the defection of these three votes -would elect General Cameron, if they would unite in their support. The -Republicans refused to take any action until the members could have -absolute information as to the Democratic defection. - -Penrose had the caucus name three members who could be trusted and he -would arrange for an interview. This was held at Omit’s Hotel, and Lebo, -Manear and Wagonseller gave the assurance required, and the committee -reported the fact to the caucus, but they were pledged not to divulge -the names of the three persons. - -The caucus was somewhat distrustful, but agreed to vote once for -Cameron. - -The voting took place only in joint convention, and when the House and -Senate met, the compact was carried out to the letter, and Cameron was -elected over Forney for a full term senatorship. - -The whole arrangement was conducted with such secrecy that not one of -the opposition legislators had any idea as to what Democrats had bolted, -and the Democrats themselves did not doubt the fidelity of any of their -members. - - ---------- - - - - - Railroads Fight to Enter Pittsburgh. Great - State Convention January 14, 1846 - - -It was but natural that the great undeveloped wealth of the Mississippi -Valley should attract those who had any vision as to the future of this -vast country. This enormous wealth must be dumped into the great cities -planted along the Atlantic seaboard. - -General Washington, skilled surveyor that he was, early trained his eyes -westward, and he spent much time in outlining plans for connecting the -Potomac and Ohio Rivers by means of a canal. Twenty-five years after his -death the Erie Canal was opened, when the merchants of Philadelphia and -Baltimore realized they must awaken or succumb. - -Baltimore believed a railroad should be built to the West. The Baltimore -and Ohio, first of all great railroads, shows by its name the purpose -for which it was incorporated. Pennsylvania, however, undertook to -connect the West by a system of combined railroads and canals. - -From the first both cities looked to Pittsburgh as the logical terminus -of their improvements. Then began a struggle of Philadelphia-Baltimore -rivalry, which lasted for forty-three years, from 1828 to 1871. - -In 1828 Pennsylvania had given a charter to the Baltimore and Ohio, by -which it could construct its line through Southwestern Pennsylvania to -Pittsburgh. The members of the Legislature at that time did not consider -future competition, for the State works had not been built. - -The charter was granted for fifteen years, and, in 1839, another act -extended its provisions until 1847. This act, among other onerous -conditions, was discriminating in favor of traffic to Philadelphia; it -also contained a heavy State tax on freight, and the company could not -accept it. - -The Pennsylvania State works from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh were -completed in 1834. When the charter of the Baltimore and Ohio expired in -1843, the road was completed only as far as Cumberland. - -The company tried to obtain better terms from Pennsylvania. The -residents of the western part of the State were all eager for an -additional outlet to the coast, but the Philadelphia politicians were -unwilling to yield any concession to their Baltimore rivals. - -Several years later it was admitted that the State works would never -provide adequate transportation facilities to the West, even though in -excess of $10,000,000 had already been expended and the State seriously -involved. Pennsylvanians were made to realize that railroads were -superior to canals and that the commercial solution of Philadelphia lay -in a central railroad to Pittsburgh. - -The feeling in all three cities reached fever heat. The legislative hall -was the battleground and all interests were well represented. The battle -centered on the bill granting right of way through Pennsylvania to the -Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. - -Public meetings were held in Philadelphia and elsewhere. A State -railroad convention was held at Harrisburg, January 14, 1846, where -resolutions were adopted favoring the Central Railroad scheme and -against the Baltimore and Ohio right of way grant. - -The people of Pennsylvania believed since a railroad must be built it -would be better for it to be run entirely through Pennsylvania and be a -Pennsylvania institution. They also felt that if the Baltimore and Ohio -Railroad was given the franchise, it would be next to impossible to -raise money to build the Pennsylvania Railroad. - -Pittsburgh business interests were fearful if the Baltimore and Ohio -Railroad was refused admission to Pennsylvania that road would extend -its rails farther down the Ohio to Wheeling, perhaps, and thus control -river trade, which had been long enjoyed at Pittsburgh. Many meetings -were held in Pittsburgh urging the support of the Baltimore bill. It -must also be understood that State prejudice held back railroads from -entering other States. In 1846 States rights theories were more -potential than they are today. - -In this connection the position of the Baltimore and Ohio was -unfortunate and interesting. Either Pennsylvania or Virginia must -charter the company before a road of great importance could be built. -Neither State was willing to do so. - -The Baltimore and Ohio bill was defeated in the Senate February 23, -1846, by a single vote. Philadelphia rejoiced and Pittsburgh was sad. -The Senate reversed itself February 26, and Philadelphia was maddened -beyond reason. - -On April 10 the Baltimore bill passed the House, with an amendment -providing that the grant to the Baltimore and Ohio should be null and -void if the Pennsylvania Railroad obtained subscriptions of $3,000,000 -in capital stock, of which $900,000 must be paid in cash by July 31. The -bill passed the Senate and was signed by Governor Shunk, April 21. - -Every effort was exerted to procure the subscriptions, a house-to-house -canvass resulting in 2600 subscriptions. Nearly all of which were for -five shares or less. - -Philadelphia won the struggle and the conditions were met in time. -Governor Shunk issued a proclamation announcing the grant to Baltimore -and Ohio Railroad to be null and void. - -In 1837 a group of Pittsburgh men obtained a charter for the Pittsburgh -and Connellsville Railroad. This with the design to get into Baltimore, -as it would build fifty-eight miles of the route to that city. - -That scheme fell through, but in 1843 the charter was renewed and the -interest of the Baltimore crowd was obtained. But they did not seem to -appreciate the advantage secured for them by the astute Pittsburgh -business men, and the Pittsburgh and Connellsville relapsed into -slumberland until 1853. - -The Baltimore and Ohio had completed its line to Wheeling and the -Pennsylvania was about to finish its line into Pittsburgh. The -Pittsburgh and Connellsville obtained authority to make connection with -the Baltimore and Ohio at Cumberland. But new troubles arose. The -president of the company embezzled the funds and the City of Baltimore -failed to give as liberally as promised. - -In spite of those obstacles the road was opened from Pittsburgh to -Connellsville January, 1857. Then came the panic of 1857 and the -depression by the prospect of the Civil War. - -In 1864 the stretch of ninety miles between Uniontown and Cumberland -again became a political matter. Thomas A. Scott, president of the -Pennsylvania Railroad, determined this link should not be built, as the -last thing he wanted was a competing line in Pittsburgh. - -On April 11, 1864, two bills were introduced into the Legislature. One -claimed the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad had misused its -charter; the other incorporated a new railroad from Connellsville. The -bills passed and became laws without the approval of Governor Curtin. - -Judge Grier in United States Court June 20, 1865, held the repeal of the -Pittsburgh and Connellsville to be unconstitutional. This case now -became a legal battle for years and eventually got into Congress and -back into the Pennsylvania Legislature. On January 29, 1868, the Supreme -Court of Pennsylvania unanimously decided in favor of the Pittsburgh and -Connellsville Railroad. The next day the Legislature repealed the Act of -1864. - -The happy ending was in spite of all litigation. Pittsburgh and the -great mineral and lumber wealth along the Monongahela and Youghiogheny -Valleys was opened up, and on June 26, 1871, the Pittsburgh, Washington -and Baltimore Railroad was formally opened and the long struggle for -Pittsburgh ended. - - ---------- - - - - - Governor Andrew G. Curtin Inaugurated - War Governor January 15, 1861 - - -Andrew Gregg Curtin, of Bellefonte, was inaugurated Governor of -Pennsylvania January 15, 1861, and assumed the office at a time when the -gravest problems ever presented to American statesmanship were to be -solved. The mutterings of the coming storm were approaching nearer and -nearer, and the year opened up gloomily. - -In his inaugural he took occasion “to declare that Pennsylvania would, -under any circumstances, render a full and determined support of the -free institutions of the Union,” and pledged himself to stand between -the Constitution and all encroachments instigated by hatred, ambition, -fanaticism and folly. - -He spoke with words of deliberation, decision and wisdom, and made a -record of statesmanship that stood the severe test of years of bloody -and lasting war. The conflict obliterated old and sacred landmarks in -political teaching. - -On February 17, the House adopted resolutions pledging to Maryland the -fellowship and support of Pennsylvania. On January 24, the House had -adopted resolutions taking high ground in favor of sustaining the -Constitution of the Union. - -Threatening as was the danger, while the Legislature was in session and -meetings were being held in Philadelphia and throughout the State, no -one anticipated that the strife would actually break forth so suddenly, -nor that it would grow to such fearful proportions at the very -beginning. - -It is true, that the soldiers of the South, who had long secretly been -preparing to dissolve the Union unmasked their design when the guns of -Fort Moultrie were trained on Fort Sumter, in Charleston harbor, South -Carolina, April 12, 1861. No State in the Union was less prepared, so -far as munitions of war were concerned, to take its part in the conflict -than Pennsylvania. Her volunteer soldiery system had fallen in decay. - -There were fewer volunteer companies of militia in Pennsylvania at that -moment than ever before on the rolls of the Adjutant General’s office. -But when the first overt act was committed, and the news was flashed -over the Northland, it created no fiercer feeling of resentment anywhere -than it did throughout the Keystone State. - -On the morning of April 12, 1861, a message was handed to Governor -Curtin in Harrisburg which read as follows: - -“The war is commenced. The batteries began firing at 4 o’clock this -morning. Major Anderson replied, and a brisk cannonading commenced. This -is reliable and has just come by Associated Press. The vessels were not -in sight.” - -Later in the day, in response to the Governor’s suggestion, the -Legislature passed an act reorganizing the military department of the -State and appropriated $500,000 for the purpose. - -President Lincoln issued a proclamation, April 15, calling out 75,000 -militia from the different States to serve for three months. A -requisition was at once made on Pennsylvania for fourteen regiments. The -alacrity with which these regiments were furnished demonstrated not so -much the military ardor as it did the patriotic spirit of the people. -Sufficient men were rushed to Harrisburg not only to fill up the State -quota of fourteen regiments, but enough to organize twenty-five. - -There were two distinguished patriotic Pennsylvanians who comprehended -the seriousness of the situation from the outset. General Simon Cameron, -who had resigned his seat in the United States Senate to become the -Secretary of War in President Lincoln’s Cabinet, advised the -organization of the most powerful army the North could raise, so that at -one blow armed rebellion might be effectually crushed. Governor Curtin -took advantage of the excess men offering their services and began at -once, after the complement of the three months’ men had been furnished -to the Federal Government, to organize the famous Reserve Corps. - -He discovered the approaching tornado in the distance, and thus -commenced to prepare for its fury, the Reserves being the only troops -well organized and disciplined in the North ready for the services of -the Union at the moment of the disaster of the first battle of Bull Run. - -During the second year of the Civil War, Governor Curtin broke down his -health through overwork and anxiety, and was compelled to give himself, -for weeks at a time, to the exclusive care of eminent physicians. - -President Lincoln, appreciating Curtin’s faithful services, and -recognizing the necessity for a change of climate and employment, -formally tendered him a first-class Foreign Mission, which the Governor -signified his willingness to accept when his term should expire. But in -the meantime he was nominated for re-election, and again entered upon -the canvass, and was elected by more than 15,000 majority. - -As is well known, the early part of the war went against the Union -forces. All through the North there were many persons, the “peace at any -price” men, who thought war was wrong, or a failure, and tried to have -it end. Governor Curtin, in order to check this feeling, issued an -invitation to the Northern Governors to hold a meeting, for the purpose -of considering how the Government might be more strongly supported and -how the loyalty of the people might be increased. - -In September, 1862, just after the battle of Antietam, which stopped -Lee’s invasion of the north, eleven Governors met at Altoona. They -adopted an address to President Lincoln, warmly commending his -Emancipation Proclamation. The Governors then went to Washington, -presented the address, and asked Lincoln to keep on hand in the various -states a reserve army of 100,000, and pledged “Loyal and cordial -support, hereafter as heretofore.” It gave Lincoln renewed courage for -his heavy task. - -In 1866, his health was such that his life was despaired of and in -November his physicians ordered him to Cuba to recuperate. President -Johnson offered him a foreign post but he again declined to leave his -executive duties in the state and completed his term. - -In 1867 he was a strong candidate for the United States Senate and a -year later received a large vote for vice president in the Republican -Convention which nominated General Grant for President. Soon after Grant -became President, he nominated former Governor Curtin for Minister to -Russia, and he was promptly confirmed by the Senate. - -Before embarking for his new post of duty Governor Curtin was the -recipient of a marked evidence of devotion. The Councils of Philadelphia -unanimously invited him to a public reception in Independence Hall and -in addition, the leading citizens, without distinction of party, united -in giving him a banquet at the Academy of Music, that has seldom been -equalled for elegance and every manifestation of popular affection and -applause. - -He sailed June, 1869, and in the discharge of his diplomatic duties -proved himself one of the most popular representatives ever sent abroad -by our nation. He was again supported for the vice presidential -nomination in 1872. - -Governor Curtin died October 7, 1894, in fullness of years, and -Bellefonte mourned as it had never done before, and there was given to -the great War Governor the biggest soldier’s funeral that the Bald Eagle -Valley ever saw. - - ---------- - - - - - Simon Girty, Outlaw and Renegade, - Born January 16, 1744 - - -Much of the ride along the Susquehanna trail on the western side of the -Susquehanna River is at the base of majestic hills along the old -Pennsylvania Canal bed, and more beautiful scenery it is not possible to -find anywhere. Especially is this true as the motorist nears the quaint -town of Liverpool. A few miles before reaching this place there is a gap -in the mountains long known as Girty’s Gap, named in memory of one of -the most despised outlaws in the provincial history of Pennsylvania. - -The rocks on the face of the precipitous hills at this point have formed -an almost perfect Indian head; indeed, it seems to be smiling down upon -the thousands who pause to view this wonderful natural likeness of the -primitive American race. - -So important is this rock-face that when the new State highway was being -built at this point summer of 1922, the engineers intended that the -rocks should be blasted out and the road straightened at this bend, but -on account of the sentiment connected with this really wonderful image -the roadway was finally laid around the rocks and so the Indian face at -Girty’s Notch is still to be seen. - -Simon Girty, Senior, was a licensed Indian trader on the frontiers of -Pennsylvania as early as 1740, and about that period he located on -Sherman’s Creek, in what is now Perry County. Here his son, Simon, who -figures so conspicuously in the annals of border life, was born January -16, 1744. There were three other sons, Thomas, George and James. - -In 1750, the father and sundry other “squatters” on Sherman’s Creek, -were dispossessed of their settlements by the Sheriff of Cumberland -County and his posses, under orders of the Provincial authorities. - -Girty removed his family to the east side of the Susquehanna River, near -where the town of Halifax is now situated. Afterward he moved to the -Conococheague settlement, where it is related he was killed in a drunken -brawl. In 1756, his widow was killed by the savages, and Simon, George -and James were taken captives by the Indians. Thomas, the eldest -brother, being absent at his uncle’s at Antietam, was the only one who -escaped. - -Simon Girty was adopted by the Seneca and given the Indian name of -Katepacomen. He became an expert hunter, and in dress, language and -habits became a thorough Indian. The author of “Crawford’s Campaign” -says that “it must be passed to his credit that his early training as a -savage was compulsory, not voluntary as has generally been supposed.” - -George Girty was adopted by the Delaware and became a fierce and -ferocious savage, while James, who was adopted into the Shawnee nation, -became no less infamous as a cruel and bloodthirsty raider of the -Kentucky border, “sparing not even women and children from horrid -tortures.” - -Simon Girty and his tribe roamed the wilderness northwest of the Ohio, -and when the expedition under Colonel Henry Bouquet, at the close of the -Pontiac War, in 1764, dictated peace to the Indian tribe on the -Muskingum, one of the hostages given up by the Ohio Indians was Simon -Girty. Preferring the wild life of the savage, Girty soon escaped and -returned to his home among the Seneca. - -One of the conditions of the treaty referred to, was the yielding up by -the Ohio Indians of all their captives, willing or unwilling. This being -the case, Girty was again returned to the settlements and took up his -home near Fort Pitt, on the little run emptying into the Allegheny and -since known as Girty’s Run. - -In the unprovoked war of Lord Dunmore, in company with Simon Kenton, -Girty served as a hunter and scout. He subsequently acted as an Indian -agent, and became intimately acquainted with Colonel William Crawford, -at whose cabin on the Youghiogheny he was a frequent and welcome guest, -and it is stated by some writers, although without any worthwhile -evidence to substantiate it, was a suitor for the hand of one of his -daughters, but was rejected. - -At the outset of the Revolution, Simon Girty was a commissioned officer -of militia at Fort Pitt, took the test oath as required by the Committee -of Safety, but March 28, 1778, deserted to the enemy, in company with -the notorious Alexander McKee and Matthew Elliott. - -Simon Girty began his wild career by sudden forays against the -borderers, and in his fierceness and cruelty outdid the Indians -themselves. Hence the sobriquet of “Girty the White Savage.” - -Many atrocious crimes were attributed to the notorious renegade, but the -campaign against the Sandusky Indian towns in 1782, under the command of -Colonel William Crawford, proved to be the one in which Girty displayed -the most hardened nature and showed him to be a relentless foe of the -Colonies. - -Girty’s brutality reached its climax when he refused any request, even -to discuss terms of easier punishment for his former friend and brother -officer, but viewed with apparent satisfaction the most horrible and -excruciating tortures which that ill-fated but brave and gallant -Crawford was doomed to suffer. This episode in his career has placed his -name among the most infamous whose long list of crimes causes a shudder -as the details are told, even after a lapse of a century and a half. - -During the next seven years but little is recorded of this renegade and -desperado, except that a year after Crawford’s defeat, he married -Catharine Malott, a captive among the Shawnee. They had several children -and she survived her husband many years, dying at an advanced age. - -Notwithstanding Girty’s brutality and depravity he never lost the -confidence of the Indians; the advice of Simon Girty was always -conclusive. - -Girty acted as interpreter when the United States attempted to negotiate -with the Confederated Nations, for an adjustment of the difficulties -during which his conduct was insolent, and he was false in his duty as -interpreter. - -In the defeat of General St. Clair, Girty saw and knew General Richard -Butler, who was writhing in agony with his wounds. The traitor told a -savage warrior he was a high officer, whereupon the Indian buried his -tomahawk in General Butler’s head, scalped him, took his heart out and -divided it into as many pieces as there were tribes engaged in the -battle. - -When General Anthony Wayne in 1795 forever destroyed the power of the -Indians of the Northwest, Girty sold his trading post and removed to -Canada, where he settled upon a farm near Malden, on the Detroit River, -the recipient of a British pension. Here he resided until the War of -1812 undisturbed, but almost blind. - -After the capture of the British fleet on Lake Erie, Girty followed the -British in retreat and remained away from his home until the treaty of -peace was signed, when he returned to his farm, where he died in the -fall of 1819, aged seventy-four years. - -There have been efforts to make a hero of Girty, but without success. He -was without one redeeming quality. He reveled in the very excess of -malignity and above all in his hatred for his own countrymen. Such was -the life and career of Simon Girty, the outlaw and renegade. - - ---------- - - - - - Benjamin Franklin, Youngest Son of Seventeen - Children, Born January 17, 1706 - - -Benjamin Franklin, American statesman, philosopher and printer, was born -in Boston January 17, 1706, youngest son of the seventeen children of -Josiah and Abiah Folger Franklin. - -Born a subject of Queen Anne of England and on the same day receiving -the baptismal name of Benjamin in the Old South Church, he continued for -more than seventy of the eighty-four years of his life a subject of four -successive British monarchs. During that period, neither Anne nor the -three Georges, who succeeded her, had a subject of whom they had more -reason to be proud nor one whom at his death their people generally -supposed they had more reason to detest. - -Franklin learned the art of printing with his brother, but they -disagreeing, Benjamin left Boston when seventeen years old, sought -employment in New York, but, not succeeding, went to Philadelphia and -there found success, and for much more than half a century was the -greatest man in Pennsylvania. - -Franklin soon attracted the attention of Governor Keith, who, making him -a promise of the Government printing, induced young Franklin to go to -England to purchase printing materials. He was deceived and remained -there eighteen months, working as a journeyman printer in London. He -returned to Philadelphia late in 1726, an accomplished printer and a man -of the world. - -In 1730 he had a printing establishment and newspaper, the Pennsylvania -Gazette, and stationers’ shop of his own. Was married to Deborah Read, a -young woman whose husband had absconded, and was already pressing upon -public opinion with a powerful leverage. - -For many years he published an almanac under the assumed name of Richard -Saunders. It became widely known as “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” and is -still one of the marvels of modern literature. - -As a practical printer Franklin was reported to have had no superiors. -As a journalist he exerted an influence not only unrivaled in his day, -but more potent, on this continent at least, than either of his -sovereigns or their parliaments. - -Franklin was the chief founder of the Philadelphia Library in 1731. The -organization of a police and later of the militia for Philadelphia; of -companies for extinguishing fires; making the sweeping and paving of the -streets a municipal function, and establishment of an academy which has -matured into the now famous University of Pennsylvania, were among the -conspicuous reforms which he planted and watered in the columns of the -Gazette. - -In 1736 he became clerk of the Provincial Assembly, and the following -year was postmaster of Philadelphia. He was the founder of the -Philosophical Society of Philadelphia in 1744, and six years later was -elected to the Provincial Assembly. - -In 1753 Franklin was appointed deputy postmaster for the -English-American colonies. In 1754 he was a delegate to the Colonial -Congress at Albany, in which he prepared a plan of union for the -colonies, which was the basis of the Articles of Confederation adopted -by Congress more than twenty years afterward. - -Franklin graduated from journalism into diplomacy as naturally as winter -glides into spring. - -The question of taxing the Penn Proprietary estates for the defense of -the Province from the French and Indians had assumed such an acute stage -in 1757 that the Assembly decided to petition the King upon the subject, -and selected Franklin to visit London and present their petition. The -next forty-one years of his life were virtually spent in the diplomatic -service. - -Franklin was five years absent on this first mission. Every interest in -London was against him. He finally obtained a compromise, and for his -success the Penns and their partisans never forgave him, and his fellow -Colonists never forgot him. - -Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1762, but not to remain. The -question of taxing the Colonies without representation was soon thrust -upon them in the shape of a stamp duty, and Franklin was sent out again -to urge its repeal. He reached London in November, 1764, where he -remained the next eleven years, until it became apparent that there -would never be a change during the reign of George III. - -Satisfied that his usefulness was at an end, he sailed for Philadelphia -March 21, 1775, and on the morning of his arrival was elected by the -Assembly of Pennsylvania a delegate to Continental Congress. - -Franklin served on ten committees in this Congress. He was one of five -who drew up the Declaration of Independence, July, 1776, and in -September following was chosen unanimously as one of the three -commissioners to be sent to solicit for the infant Republic the aid of -France and the sympathies of Continental Europe. - -Franklin had begun his investigations and experiments in electricity, by -which he demonstrated its identity with lightning, as early as 1746. The -publication of his account of these experiments procured his election as -an honorary member of the Royal Society of London and his undisputed -rank among the most eminent natural philosophers of his time. - -He received the Copley gold medal and the degree of LL.D. from Oxford -and Edinburgh in 1762. Harvard and Yale had previously conferred upon -him the degree of master of arts. - -When Franklin arrived in Paris, therefore, he was already a member of -every important learned society in Europe. - -The history of his mission and how Franklin succeeded in procuring -financial aid from the French King, and finally a treaty of peace more -favorable to his country than either England or France wished to -concede, has been often told. - -Franklin’s reputation grew with his success. More was published about -him in the newspapers of the world than of any other man that ever -lived. - -Franklin landed in Philadelphia on September 13, 1785, on the same wharf -on which sixty-two years before he had stepped, a friendless and -virtually penniless runaway apprentice of seventeen. - -Though now in his seventy-ninth year and a victim of infirmities, he had -hardly unpacked his trunks when he was chosen a member of the Municipal -Council of Philadelphia and its chairman. Shortly after he was elected -President of Pennsylvania, his own vote only lacking to make the vote -unanimous. - -He was unanimously elected for two succeeding years, and while holding -that office was chosen a member of the convention which met in May, -1787, to frame the Constitution under which the people of the United -States are still living. With the adoption of that instrument, to which -he contributed as much as any other individual, he retired from official -life, though not from the service of the public. - -His last public act was the signing of a memorial to Congress on the -subject of human slavery by the Abolition Society, of which he was the -founder and president. - -He died in Philadelphia April 17, 1790, and four days later his body was -interred in Christ Church burying ground. His funeral was such as the -greatest philosopher and statesman had deserved. - - ---------- - - - - - Long Reign of Terror by Mollie Maguires - Brought to End January 18, 1876 - - -January 18, 1876, was an eventful day in Mauch Chunk, the county seat of -Carbon County, and, in fact, for the State of Pennsylvania and the -entire country. - -On that day Michael J. Doyle, of Mount Laffee, Schuylkill County, and -Edward Kelly were arraigned charged with the crime of the murder of John -P. Jones, of Lansford. - -For years preceding this murder the coal regions of Pennsylvania had -been infested by a most desperate class of men, banded together for the -worst purposes—called by some the Buckshots, by others the Mollie -Maguires. They made such sad havoc of the country that life was no -longer secure and the regions suffered in many ways. - -The unusual circumstance of this trial was the fact that it was the -first indictment of a “Mollie Maguire” in this country which had a -possible chance for ultimate conviction. - -John P. Jones was a mine boss who had incurred the illwill of some of -the Irish connected with the organization of Mollie Maguires, masking -under the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and on the morning of September -3, 1875, he left his home in Lansford, in which were his wife and seven -children, and traveled toward the breaker where he was employed. The -three assassins, James Kerrigan, Mike Doyle and Edward Kelly, were lying -in wait for him and cruelly shot him down, killing him on the spot. - -This crime was no more revolting or cruel than the many others committed -by this murderous organization, but it was the one in which the -Pinkerton detective, James McParlan, had been able to connect all the -facts in the case, and with the additional assistance of James Kerrigan -turning State’s witness the civil authorities were able to conduct such -a trial that the two other murderers were convicted. - -Michael Doyle was found guilty January 22, 1876, and sentenced to death. -This was the first conviction of a Mollie Maguire in this country. -Edward Kelly was subsequently placed on trial for the same crime and on -March 29 was found guilty. Doyle and Kelly both were hanged at Mauch -Chunk, June 21, 1876, and the Mollie Maguires ceased to be the terror of -civilized people. - -To form some idea of the operations of these desperadoes it must be -known that the Mollie Maguires were more than bloodthirsty and active in -1865. On August 25, that year, David Muir, superintendent of a colliery, -was shot and killed in broad daylight. On January 10, 1866, Henry H. -Dunne, a well known citizen of Pottsville, and superintendent of a large -colliery, was murdered on the highway near the city limits, while riding -home in his carriage. On Saturday, October 17, 1868, Alexander Rea, -another mining superintendent, was killed on the wagon road, near -Centralia, Columbia County. Several arrests were made but no -convictions. - -On March 15, 1869, William H. Littlehales, superintendent of the Glen -Carbon Company, was killed on the highway enroute to his home in -Pottsville. F. W. S. Langdon, George K. Smith and Graham Powell, all -mine officials, met death at the hands of assassins. - -On December 2, 1871, Morgan Powell, assistant superintendent of the -Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal and Iron Company, at Summitt Hill, Carbon -County, was shot down on the street. - -In October, 1873, F. B. Gowen, president of the Philadelphia and Reading -Railway Company and the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, -employed Allan Pinkerton, the noted detective, to take charge of a -thorough investigation of this organization. - -Pinkerton accepted the commission and selected James McParlan, a young -Irish street-car conductor of Chicago, to be his chief operative in this -hazardous enterprise. On the evening of October 27, 1873, there arrived -at Port Carbon a tramp who gave his name as one James McKenna, who was -seeking work in the mines. This McKenna was none other than Detective -McParlan and well did he perform his task. - -McParlan cleverly assumed the role of an old member of the order, and as -one who had committed such atrocious crimes in other parts of this -country that he must be careful of undue publicity. He could sing and -dance, and was an all around good fellow, but only feigned the drunken -stupor in which he was so constantly being found by his associates. - -The crowning event in his three years’ work was his initiation into the -Ancient Order of Hibernians, at Shenandoah, April 14, 1874. He was soon -appointed secretary on account of his better education. In fact, he was -a leader and supposedly the most hardened criminal of the coal regions. - -October 31, 1874, George Major, Chief Burgess of Mahanoy City, was shot -and killed by Mollie Maguires. On April 6, 1875, a despicable plot to -destroy the great bridge on the Catawissa Railroad only failed because -the Mollies in charge of the work failed to make the fire burn the -structure. McParlan was in on this crime, but had much to do with its -failure. - -Conditions were so serious by June 1, 1875, that Governor Hartranft sent -militia to Shenandoah and in their very faces 700 Mollies attempted to -capture and destroy a breaker, June 3. August 11 there was a great riot -in Shenandoah. Edward Cosgrove and Gomer James were murdered and a -bystander was killed during the riot. - -August 14, 1875, has since been known as “Bloody Saturday” in the coal -regions. On that day Thomas Gwyther, a justice of the peace, of -Girardville, was murdered. Miners rioted in many places. - -September 1, Thomas Sanger, boss at Heaton & Co., colliery, near -Ashland, and William Uren were murdered. On September 3, John J. Jones, -already mentioned, was killed. - -At the great trial the Commonwealth was represented by E. R. Siewers, -the able district attorney; F. W. Hughes, of Pottsville; General Charles -Albright, of Mauch Chunk, and Allen Craig. For the defense appeared Linn -Bartholomew, J. B. Reilly and John W. Ryon, of Pottsville; Daniel -Kalbfus and Edward Mulhearn of Mauch Chunk. James Kerrigan gave State’s -testimony, which left no doubt of the guilt of the prisoner, and this -also was the death knell to the Mollies. Arrests rapidly followed for -the other murders. - -When the Mollies learned of McParlan’s true character, they planned his -destruction, March 5, 1876, but now it was too late. Their nefarious -work was at an end. - -What might be said to be the closing climax of this reign of terror was -the trial in Bloomsburg, February 24, 1877, when Pat Hester, Pat Tully -and Peter McHugh were arraigned for the murder of Alexander Rea. The -first trial February 2, 1869, had resulted in acquittal for Thomas -Donahue, and the other cases were dropped, but this time the three -prisoners were found “guilty” and were hanged in Columbia County jail, -March 25, 1878, nine years after the murder of Rea. - -On May 21, 1877, Governor Hartranft signed the death warrants for eight -other Mollies and on June 21 they were hanged. These, with the three -hanged at Bloomsburg, brought to a close the business of the Mollie -Maguires. - - ---------- - - - - - Prophetic Letter to President Buchanan by - Governor Packer, Who Was Inaugurated - January 19, 1858 - - -The campaign of 1857 was unusually active, as there were three prominent -candidates in the contest. The Democrats nominated State Senator William -F. Packer, of Williamsport, one of the most widely known of the -representative men of the State; the Republicans named the Hon. David -Wilmot, of Towanda, author of the “Wilmot Proviso,” who enjoyed a -wide-spread reputation as a public speaker and a politician; and the -Hon. Isaac Hazlehurst, was the choice of the Native American Party, -still quite a factor in Pennsylvania politics. After a spirited campaign -Senator Packer was elected by a majority of fourteen thousand votes over -both the other candidates. He was inaugurated January 19, 1858. - -The political question which overshadowed all others at this period was, -whether Kansas should be admitted into the union with or without a -constitutional recognition of slavery. - -Governor Packer was an ardent friend of James Buchanan, and labored -zealously to secure his nomination for the Presidency. Mr. Buchanan was -inaugurated about the time of Packer’s nomination for Governor. The -clouds were rapidly forming in Kansas where a state of hostility existed -between the inhabitants and the general Government, and the agents of -the latter, for their safety, had been compelled to flee from the -territory. The slave-holders were making a desperate effort to control -the state and thus extend their sway. - -Buchanan had been in Washington only a few days when he received a -letter from Mr. Packer, which in view of his prophetic utterances, -honest advice and the further fact that it was written by a -Pennsylvanian, so soon to become Governor, to a Pennsylvania President -of the United States, that the following paragraphs should prove of -interest. - -The letter was dated Harrisburg, March 24, 1857. - -“Our people confidently expect that your administration will see that -equal and exact justice shall be done to all parties—the free-state as -well as the pro-slavery men—and they will be satisfied with nothing -short of that. We approve of the Kansas bill; but in God’s name let its -provisions be honestly carried out; let the law be faithfully executed. -Let the conduct of the public agents in Kansas not only be right, but -let it _appear to be right_. If slavery should be instituted by, or -under a slave-holding executive; and Kansas should claim admission as a -slave state, it does not require a prophet to foretell the consequences -north of Mason and Dixon’s line. - -“The Democratic party, which has stood by the Constitution and the -rights of the South with such unflinching fidelity, would be stricken -down in the few remaining States where it is yet in the ascendancy; the -balance of power would be lost; and Black Republicans would rule this -nation, or civil war, and disunion would inevitably follow. - -“What, then, is to be done? Will you permit me to make a suggestion? The -post of honor and renown, if successfully and satisfactorily filled, at -this moment in the gift of the President, is the Governorship of Kansas. -Send one of the first men of the nation there—some gentleman who enjoys -the confidence of the North and the South—and let him cover himself with -glory by a fearless and a faithful discharge of the duties of his -station. Sustain him, then, with the whole power of the Government, and -follow with swift vengeance any party that dares to raise a hand against -the law or its prompt and faithful execution. - -“The time for trifling is past. Bold, efficient action is required. To -waver or to vacillate, is to fail. Who, then, should be appointed? If -General Scott would accept of the position, and if the duties are -compatible with those of the military station he now holds, I answer, -appoint General Winfield Scott. He has the confidence of the nation. He -is acceptable to the South, having been born and reared in Virginia; and -he is not unacceptable to the North, inasmuch as he now resides there. -If requested by the President, in view of the importance of the Mission, -I do not think that he would decline. However, let some such man be -appointed—some man well known to the American people, and in whom they -confide, and the result will be the same. All will be well. Otherwise I -tremble for the result.” - -It was during Governor Packer’s administration in 1858, that the office -of superintendent of public schools was separated from that of secretary -of the Commonwealth. The first state normal school was located at -Millersville, Lancaster County. - -In 1859 the celebrated raid into Virginia by John Brown occurred, by -which the public property of the United States at Harper’s Ferry was -seized, and the lives of citizens of that State sacrificed by that band -of fanatics, who, in their mad zeal, attempted to excite the slave -population to insurrection. The plans for this raid were perfected in -Chambersburg, where John Brown and his associates lived for a time, -under assumed names. - -The subsequent trial and conviction of John Brown, and his followers, by -no means quenched the fire of disunion which was then kindling. - -Governor Packer, in his last message to the Legislature, expressed in -plain terms the fearful position in which South Carolina, and the other -states preparing for similar rebellious action, had placed themselves. - -Mutterings of the coming storm were approaching nearer and nearer and -the year 1861 opened up with a gloomy aspect. In the midst of this -portentous overshadowing, Andrew G. Curtin took charge of the helm of -State. - - ---------- - - - - - Albert Gallatin, Soldier, Statesman and - Financier, Born January 20, 1761 - - -Albert Gallatin was born in Geneva, Switzerland, January 20, 1761. Both -of his parents were of distinguished families and died while he was an -infant. He graduated from the University of Geneva in 1779. - -Feeling a great sympathy for the American colonists in their struggle -for liberty, he came to Massachusetts in 1780, entered the military -service, and for a few months commanded the post at Passamaquoddy. - -At the close of the war he taught French at Harvard University, where he -remained until 1784, when he received his patrimonial estate. He -invested it in land in West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania, and, in -1786, he settled on land on the banks of the Monongahela River, in -Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Here he lived and became naturalized. - -The town was named New Geneva from his native place in Switzerland. Here -he built a log house, which subsequently gave place to a stone structure -yet standing. He was a partner in establishing the first glass house in -that section of the State. He became one of the foremost citizens of -America. - -He served in the General Assembly of Pennsylvania for several terms and -in 1793 was chosen a United States Senator for Pennsylvania, but was -declared ineligible on the ground that he had not been a citizen of the -United States the required nine years. - -During the Whisky Insurrection in Western Pennsylvania, 1794, Albert -Gallatin played a conspicuous role. - -In the meeting of the malcontents, August 14, 1794, at Parkinson’s -Ferry, where 260 delegates, elected by the several counties, organized -and adopted some intemperate resolutions, Colonel Edward Cook was -appointed chairman, and Albert Gallatin, secretary. The organic force of -the insurrection was condensed into a committee of sixty and that -committee was again represented by a Standing Committee of twelve. - -Gallatin was energetic in working with his friends to gain time and -restore quietness. He presented with great force the folly of resistance -and the ruinous consequences to the country of the continuance of the -insurrection. He urged that the Government was bound to vindicate the -laws and that it would surely send an overwhelming force against them. -He placed the subject in a new light and showed the insurrection to be a -much more serious affair than it had before appeared. - -After the Pennsylvania commissioners had reached Pittsburgh and met with -those of the National Government and the committee appointed at the -meeting at Parkinson’s Ferry, a conference of the committee of sixty was -held at Redstone Old Fort, now Brownsville. - -This meeting was opened by a long, sensible and eloquent speech by -Albert Gallatin in favor of law and order. Backed by Judge Hugh H. -Brackenridge, Gallatin won the day, and the insurrection was happily -ended before the army was called into action. - -Gallatin was censured for the part he had taken, but no man stood higher -in the opinion, not only of President Washington, but of the -Pennsylvania authorities. In the General Assembly December, 1794, in an -able speech Gallatin admitted his “political sin” in the course he had -taken in the insurrectionary movement. - -He was elected to Congress in 1795, and in a debate on Jay’s Treaty in -1796 he charged Washington and Jay with having pusillanimously -surrendered the honor of their country. This, from the lips of a young -foreigner, exasperated the Federalists. He was a leader of the Democrats -and directed his attention particularly to financial matters. - -Gallatin remained in Congress until 1801, when President Thomas -Jefferson appointed him Secretary of the Treasury, which office he held -until 1813, and obtained the credit of being one of the best financiers -of the age. - -The opponents of Jefferson’s Administration complained vehemently in -1808 that the country was threatened with direct taxation at a time when -the sources of its wealth, by the orders and decrees of Great Britain -and France, were drying up. Gallatin replied to these complaints, as -Secretary of the Treasury, by reproducing a flattering but delusive -suggestion contained in his annual report the preceding year. - -He suggested that as the United States was not likely to be involved in -frequent wars, a revenue derived solely from duties on imports, even -though liable to diminution during war, would yet amply suffice to pay -off, during long intervals of peace, the expenses of such wars as might -be undertaken. - -Should the United States become involved in war with both France and -Great Britain, no internal taxes would be necessary to carry it on, nor -any other financial expedient, beyond borrowing money and doubling the -duties on import. The scheme, afterwards tried, bore bitter fruit. - -His influence was felt in other departments of Government and in the -politics of the country. Opposed to going to war against Great Britain -in 1812, he exerted all his influence to avert it. - -In March, 1813, he was appointed one of the envoys to Russia to -negotiate for the mediation of the Czar between the United States and -Great Britain. He sailed for St. Petersburg, but the Senate in special -sessions, refused to ratify his appointment because he was Secretary of -the Treasury. The attempt at mediation was unsuccessful. - -When, in January, 1814, Great Britain proposed a direct negotiation for -peace, Gallatin, who was still abroad, was appointed one of the United -States Commissioners. He resigned his secretaryship. He was one of the -signers of the Treaty of Ghent. - -In 1815 he was appointed Minister to France, where he remained until -1823. He refused a seat in the Cabinet of President Monroe on his return -and also declined to be a candidate for Vice President to which the -dominant Democratic Party nominated him. - -President Adams appointed him Minister to Great Britain, where he -negotiated several important commercial conventions. - -Returning to America in 1827, he took up his residence in New York City. -There he was engaged in public service in various ways until 1839, when -he withdrew from public duties and directed the remainder of his life to -literary pursuits. - -Although strictly in private life, Gallatin took special interest in the -progress of the country, and wrote much on the subject. His published -works include such subjects as finance, politics and ethnology. - -Mr. Gallatin was chief founder, in 1842, and the first president of the -American Ethnological Society, and was president of the New York -Historical Society from 1843 until his death, August 12, 1849, at -Astoria, L. I. - - ---------- - - - - - General Thomas Mifflin, Soldier, Statesman - and Several Times Governor, Died - January 21, 1800 - - -When the venerable Franklin was about to step aside as the President of -the Council and withdraw from public employment, the people of -Pennsylvania became concerned in the successor to so brilliant a man. -The choice fell upon Thomas Mifflin, and he occupied the enviable -position of Chief Executive of the Commonwealth longer than any other -Pennsylvanian, two years as President of the Council and three times -Governor, an aggregate of eleven years. - -Thomas Mifflin was the son of Quaker parents, and was born in -Philadelphia in 1744. He was educated in the Philadelphia College, and -his parents intended that Thomas should follow a mercantile profession. -Upon the completion of his college course he entered the counting house -of William Coleman. At the age of twenty-one he made a tour of Europe -and then entered into a business partnership with his brother in -Philadelphia. - -In 1772 he was elected one of the two members of the Legislature from -the City of Philadelphia, and was re-elected the following year, when he -was the colleague of Franklin, then just returned from his mission to -England. - -So conspicuous were his services in the Assembly, that when the -appointment of delegates to the first Continental Congress came to be -made, Mifflin was selected as one, and he occupied a position of -commanding influence. - -“When the news,” says Dr. Rawle, his biographer, “of the battle of -Lexington reached Philadelphia, a town meeting was called and the fellow -citizens of Mifflin were delighted by his animated oratory.” None did -more than he to arouse the populace to a sense of the danger which -threatened. He did not only exhort, but he put in practice his pleading. -When the troops were to be enlisted and drilled, Mifflin was among the -foremost to train them, and was selected as a major in one of the -earliest formed regiments. - -The patriot blood spilled at Lexington and Concord fired a martial -spirit throughout America by which the bold leaders in every State were -nerved to resist and resent those unprovoked assaults, and when -Washington appeared at the camp in Boston as the Commander-in-Chief of -the American armies, Mifflin was by his side. - -Recognizing his great personal popularity, the ease and dignity of his -manners, breadth and soundness of his views, Washington placed Mifflin -at the head of his military family. In the absence of, or at the -retirement from the table of the chief it fell upon Mifflin to occupy -his place and do the honors; and for this duty, by his social position -at home and his foreign travel he was admirably fitted. Colonel Mifflin -was the first person in America who officiated as aide-de-camp. - -When Washington, July, 1775, organized the entire army, the difficult -position of quartermaster general was assigned to Mifflin. The duties -were new and arduous. Everything was in chaos. Order had to be -established and system inaugurated. - -On May 19, 1776, Congress appointed and commissioned Mifflin to be a -brigadier general and he was given command of Pennsylvania troops. An -assignment to the active field was much more to his liking than one at -headquarters. - -Upon taking the field Mifflin was relieved as quartermaster general by -General Stephen Moylan, who was ill suited to the difficult task of -providing for an army where the authority for calling in supplies was -little respected and the means of paying for them was rarely in hand; -and not long after accepting the position he abandoned it. - -Congress called upon Mifflin to again assume the duties of quartermaster -general and he reluctantly responded to the call of his country, deeming -it a matter of duty. - -The reverses of the American Army during the summer and fall of 1776 -culminated in its withdrawal into New Jersey, hotly pursued by the -British troops. Pennsylvania was threatened and especially Philadelphia, -where Congress was sitting. At this dark hour Mifflin was sent with -dispatches from Washington to Congress, calling on that body loudly for -help. - -Mifflin, at the request of Congress, made a stirring address, setting -forth the perilous situation, and appealing for the means to oppose the -further advance of the defiant enemy. That body was greatly exercised -and ordered that General Mifflin should remain near Congress for -consultation and advice. - -As the enemy pressed toward Philadelphia, General Putnam was sent to -take command in the city and General Mifflin was placed in charge of the -war material and stores. - -The victory at Trenton produced a gleam of hope and Congress dispatched -Mifflin throughout the State of Pennsylvania in order that, by his -personal appeals, volunteers might be drawn to the support of -Washington’s decimated ranks. He caused large numbers to enlist. - -Mifflin was mixed up in the “Conway Cabal,” but in after years he -explained his position, and it would seem to prove the intensity of his -devotion to the struggle in which he had staked fortune and life itself. - -In 1783 General Mifflin was elected a member of Congress, and had the -satisfaction of being President of that body, when General Washington, -December 23, 1783, resigned his commission into its hands. Mifflin made -an eloquent reply. - -General Mifflin was a member of the Assembly of Pennsylvania which met -in 1785; also of the convention which sat in 1787 and framed the -Constitution of the United States. - -In 1788 he was chosen a member of the Supreme Executive Council, and -upon the retirement of Franklin, he was elected President. - -General Mifflin was the president of the convention that framed the -State Constitution of 1790, and he and General Arthur St. Clair were the -two candidates for Governor. Mifflin triumphed and was continued in -office for that and the two succeeding terms. - -Governor Mifflin was very efficient in quelling the Whisky Insurrection -of 1794, and personally commanded the troops from Pennsylvania. - -His last official communication as Governor was made December 7, 1799. -It contained his farewell sentiments on taking leave of office and was -received with every manifestation of respect by the Assembly. - -He was elected to the Assembly and took his seat, but did not long -survive. He died during a session of the House, then sitting in -Lancaster, on January 21, 1800. His decease was noticed with becoming -ceremonies, resolutions being adopted expressive of the high sense -entertained for him as a soldier and statesman, authorizing his -interment at the public expense and providing for the erection of a -monument to his memory. - -“Thus ended,” says Dr. Rawle, “the checkered life of Thomas -Mifflin—brilliant in its outset—troubled and perplexed at a period more -advanced—again distinguished, prosperous and happy—finally clouded by -poverty and oppressed by creditors. In patriotic principle never -changing—in public action never faltering—in personal friendship -sincerely warm—in relieving the distressed always active and humane—in -his own affairs improvident—in the business of others scrupulously -just.” - - ---------- - - - - - Story of the Old Log College and the - Reverend Charles Beatty, Born - January 22, 1715 - - -The pioneer seminary for aspirants to the Presbyterian ministry nearly -two hundred years ago, was long known as “The Old Log College.” It stood -at Neshaminy in Warwick Township, Bucks County. - -When the celebrated evangelist George Whitefield came to America in -1739, he preached here to three thousand persons. - -The deed for the land upon which this early educational institution was -built, was dated 1728, and was given by Hon. James Logan, the secretary -of the Province and one of the most illustrious of the early officials -of Pennsylvania, to his cousin, Reverend William Tennent, an Irish -emigrant, who shortly after his arrival in America renounced his -allegiance to the Church of England and united with the Philadelphia -Presbytery. - -The gift consisted of fifty acres of land and the part of it on which -the college stood is believed to have been an ancient Indian burying -ground. The log college, twenty feet by thirty feet in size, was for -many years the only institute south of New England where young men could -be prepared for the ministry. - -The Log College flourished under Mr. Tennent for twenty years, when its -place was eminently supplied by kindred institutions thereabouts. From -its walls came many noted preachers of Scotch-Irish descent, among them -four of his own sons. One of the latter, Gilbert Tennent, preached most -eloquently to stir up patriotism during the French and Indian War. - -It is said that a carload of these sermons were very opportunely -discovered in an old lumber room of Dr. Benjamin Franklin’s when the -American patriots were hunting for paper to make cartridges, after the -British evacuated Philadelphia, June 17, 1778. The sermons were utilized -as cases for cartridges, and told effectively afterwards on the -retreating British in the battle of Monmouth. Thus these eloquent -sermons served the country in two great wars, more than is usually the -case. - -The Reverend Charles Beatty, an Irish Presbyterian, who was chaplain -with Colonel Benjamin Franklin in his army on the Lehigh and later with -Colonel William Clapham in his regiment which marched to Fort Augusta at -the Forks of the Susquehanna, was a student here. - -The Rev. Mr. Beatty was the son of an officer in the British Army, and -was born in Ireland, January 22, 1715. He obtained a fairly accurate -classical education in his own country and when he emigrated to America -in 1740, his circumstances being meager, he employed several of the -first years of his residence as a peddler. - -He halted one day at the Log College, where he addressed the Reverend -William Tennent familiarly in correct and classical Latin. After some -conversation in which the peddler manifested much piety and considerable -religious zeal, Tennent said, “Go and sell the contents of your pack, -and return immediately and study with me. It will be a sin for you to -continue a peddler, when you can be so much more useful in another -profession.” - -Beatty accepted Tennent’s offer, became an eminent preacher, and -succeeded his preceptor, as head of the Log College. He was ordained in -the Presbyterian Ministry, December 1, 1743, and passed most of his life -in charge of “ye congregation of Warwick, in ye forks of the Neshaminy.” - -An interesting incident is related of his military service. The soldiers -were issued a gill of rum each day in addition to their regular -stipulation, one-half being dealt out in the morning and the balance in -the evening. - -Chaplain Beatty complained to Colonel Franklin that the soldiers were -not punctual in attending divine service, when Franklin suggested, “It -is, perhaps, below the dignity of your profession to act as a steward of -the rum, but if you were to distribute it out only just after prayers, -you would have them all about you.” - -Mr. Beatty profited by the advice and in the future had no reason to -complain of non-attendance. A few hands regularly measured out the -liquor after prayers. - -When Colonel William Clapham was detached from Franklin’s command and -ordered to recruit a regiment to build Fort Augusta, he selected Beatty -as the chaplain of the regiment. He kept an interesting journal of this -tour of duty, of which the following is the first paragraph: - -“Having received his honor, the Governor’s commission to be chaplain to -the regiment of foot in the provincial service under the command of -Colonel William Clapham, and having the advice and concurrence of the -Commission of the Synod, who appointed supplies for the congregation in -my absence—set out from home in order to join the regiment at Harris’ -Ferry, Monday, May 3, 1756. I was accompanied as far as Schuylkill by my -elders and some other friends, and having stopped at a friend’s house, -not far from the road to refresh myself, reached as far as the Sign of -the Ship on the Lancaster road, at which I lodged. Felt my need of the -Divine Presence to be with me in my dangerous or at least difficult -undertaking.” - -He reached Lancaster the following afternoon, where he was met by -Colonel Clapham and Captain Thomas Lloyd, who advised him that Governor -Morris was in town. They called on His Excellency, who received them -very kindly. - -They all set out the following morning for Harris’ Ferry, arrived at -Barney Hughes’ hotel in time for dinner and reached Harris’ Ferry in the -evening, when the soldiers were ordered to assemble for prayer and to -meet their distinguished guests. - -Just as the assembly call sounded, a fire broke out in John Harris’ -house and there were no prayers. - -He frequently lamented in his well-kept journal, that some trifling -incident prevented officers or men, or both, from attending prayer. -“Just as service began in the afternoon, had an alarm, but few, alas, -seemed to regret the disappointment. Wickedness seems to increase in the -camp, which gives me a great deal of uneasiness.” - -The following Sunday, “One of the bateaux which had on it a cannon was -upset, which occasioned a great deal of labor, and what profane swearing -there was. If I stay in the camp my ears are greeted with profane oaths, -and if I go out to shun it, I am in danger of the enemy—what a dilemma -is this? But my eyes would be toward the Lord.” - -In 1766 he was appointed, with the Rev. George Duffield, missionary to -the frontier settlements in the new purchase and to the Indians of the -Ohio River. He died August 12, 1772, at Barbados whither he had gone to -collect money for the New Jersey College, which is now Princeton -University. - -The Rev. Philip Fithian, who traveled through Central Pennsylvania in -1775, and who kept such an interesting journal of his experiences, was a -son-in-law of the Rev. Charles Beatty.[1] - -Footnote 1: - - Reverend Charles Beatty had four sons, all officers in the Continental - Army; John, who rose to the rank of colonel, and after the Revolution - became a brigadier-general in the militia; Charles Clinton, a - lieutenant, who was accidentally killed when another soldier of his - command shot him while carelessly handling a pistol; Reading, a - surgeon; and Eukuries, a lieutenant and paymaster, who continued long - in the military service of his country after the Revolution, and was a - major during the Indian campaign of 1788–1792. - - - ------- - - Militia Organized at Provincial Council - Meeting January 23, 1775 - - -A Provincial Convention was held in Philadelphia, January 23, 1775, -which lasted six days. At the organization of the convention, General -Joseph Reed was chosen chairman. - -Strong resolutions were adopted, heartily approving the conduct and -proceedings of the Continental Congress; opposing future importation of -slaves into this Province; protecting members of committees of Congress -from embarrassment on account of this service, and one, “That in case -the trade of the city and liberties of Philadelphia shall be suspended -in consequence of the present struggle, it is the opinion of this -convention that the several counties should, and that the members of -this convention will exert themselves to afford the necessary relief and -assistance to the inhabitants of the said city and liberties; who will -be more immediately affected by such an event.” - -This convention also adopted a lengthy resolution which tended toward -the regulation of the supply and consumption of foodstuffs, and the -necessities of life, especially such as had been regulated by laws of -England. - -The crisis to which the convention looked forward when framing these -resolutions had arrived. The battle of Lexington had been fought and -submission to the arbitrary acts of Parliament was attempted to be -enforced by the bayonet. Soon as the news of this battle spread -multitudes of men, at the suggestion of the county committees of -observation, entered into an association for defense. - -The officers of these organizations were generally men of unusual -military skill, men who were veterans of several campaigns and some of -innumerable Indian incursions. This was not as generally true of the -older portion of the Province. This had been peaceable, and remote from -the frontiers, so the chief officers in these countries were frequently -without military experience, who owed their preferment to political -activity, or social prominence. - -Dickinson accepted the colonelcy of the first battalion, while the -others raised in the City of Philadelphia were commanded by Daniel -Roderdeau, merchant and politician; John Cadwallader, a shopkeeper, son -of one of the Governor’s Council; Thomas McKean, lawyer and lately -Speaker of the Delaware Assembly, and Timothy Matlack, politician. - -The colonels of the six battalions raised in Philadelphia County, which -then included what is now Montgomery County were: William Hamilton, -Robert Lewis, Thomas Potts, Samuel Miles, a veteran of French and Indian -War, and Hill Tench Francis, brother of Colonel Turbutt Francis, also a -hero of the French and Indian War, sons of the deceased Attorney General -Tench Francis. The colonels from the other counties were: - -Bucks County—Joseph Kirkbride, Joseph Hart, Andrew Kachlein and Arthur -Erwin. - -Chester County—James Moore, Thomas Hockley, Hugh Lloyd, William -Montgomery and Richard Thomas. - -Lancaster—George Ross, Matthias Slough, Curtis Grubb, Thomas Porter, -John Ferree, James Burd, hero of the French and Indian War and of many -other campaigns; Peter Grubb and Bartram Galbraith. - -York County—Robert Callender, William Thompson, John Montgomery and -James Wilson. - -Berks County—Edward Biddle, Mark Bird, Daniel Brodhead, veteran of the -French and Indian War; Balzer Geehr and Christian Louer. - -Northampton County—George Taylor, Henry Geiger, Yost Dreisbach and Jacob -Stroud. - -Bedford County—Bernard Dougherty and Samuel Davidson. - -Northumberland County—Samuel Hunter, James Potter and William Plunket, -each a hero of the French and Indian War and thoroughly trained as -officers. - -Westmoreland County—John Proctor and John Cornahan. - -To assist in carrying into effect the many measures passed for the -defense of the province, the Assembly on June 30, appointed a Committee -of Safety, consisting of ten from City of Philadelphia, four from the -county and one from each of the other counties excepting Chester, which -had two members. - -Benjamin Franklin was chosen president of the committee at its first -meeting, July 3, 1775; William Garrett was named clerk and Michael -Hillegas treasurer. - -The several County Commissioners were asked to purchase a specified -number of guns with bayonets, cartridge boxes with twenty-three rounds -of cartridges and knapsacks. - -The Assembly offered £20 for every hundredweight of saltpeter -manufactured in the province within the next three months. - -Among the first labors of the Committee of Safety was that of preparing -articles for the government of the military organizations known as -Associators. A set of resolutions to that effect were adopted August 19, -which included every possible phase of a soldier’s life, including his -personal appearance, conduct, sobriety, loyalty, demeanor as an officer, -noncommissioned officer or private, etc. - -Many of the citizens refused to subscribe to the regulations, alleging -that numerous persons, rich and able to perform military duty claimed -exemption under pretense of conscientious scruples and asserting that -where liberty of all was at stake, all should aid in its defense, and -that where the cause was common to all, it was inconsistent with justice -and equity that the burden should be partial. - -The Friends addressed the Legislature, setting forth their religious -faith and practice with respect to bearing arms, and claiming exemption -from military service by virtue of laws agreed upon in England and the -Charter of William Penn. The Mennonites and German Baptists also -remonstrated, praying exemption, but willing to contribute pecuniary -aid. - -Assembly resolved that “all persons between the ages of sixteen and -fifty capable of bearing arms, who do not associate for the defense of -the Province, ought to contribute an equivalent for the time spent by -the associators in acquiring military discipline; ministers of the -gospel of all denominations and servants purchased bona fide for -valuable consideration only excepted.” - -Returns were required from the assessors of all persons within military -age, and the captains of the companies of the Associators were directed -to furnish to their colonels and the colonels to the County -Commissioners lists of such persons as had joined the Associators. The -commissioners were empowered to assess those not associated £2 10s -annually, in addition to the ordinary tax. - -The Assembly also adopted rules and regulations for the better -government of the military association, the thirty-fifth article of -which provided “that if any associator called into actual service should -leave a family not of ability to maintain themselves in his absence, the -justices of the peace of the proper city or county, with the overseer of -the poor, should make provisions for their maintenance.” - - ---------- - - - - - Captain Thomas McKee, Indian Trader, - Makes Deposition Before Governor - January 24, 1743 - - -Thomas McKee was the most noted of the later Shamokin Traders, and we -have records of his trading expeditions as far west as the Ohio. - -His career was highly romantic, and a consideration of the same will -enable us to understand his son, Captain Alexander McKee, who afterwards -became well-known at Fort Pitt, and rendered himself notorious in border -history by deserting to the British during the time of the Revolutionary -War, carrying over to that interest a great many Indians whom he had -befriended during his service as Deputy Indian Agent under the Crown. We -will then know better why he should seek more congenial company among -the Ohio Indians and in the service of the King, than he had found among -the American forces at Fort Pitt, who were enemies of both. - -Dr. W. H. Egle has stated that Thomas McKee was a son of Patrick, but it -is quite possible that he was the son of one Alexander McKee who died in -Donegal Township, Lancaster County, in May, 1740, leaving a son, Thomas, -who was the executor of his will. - -A contributor to Dr. Egle’s “Notes and Queries” relates a traditionary -account of Thomas McKee’s marriage, which had been told to him in his -boyhood days by his father, a native of the Susquehanna Valley. This -story was to the effect that Thomas McKee, in his early manhood began -trading with the Indians, and after learning the language of the -Delaware, established a trading post among them, in the vicinity of -Shamokin (now Sunbury), at or near the Forks of the Susquehanna. - -In the performance of this enterprise while he was on a trading -expedition farther up the West Branch, he ventured into the camp of -strange Indians, who stole his goods, drank his rum, and then becoming -incensed at the resistance he made to their proceedings, bound him as a -captive, and decided to burn him at the stake the following day. - -During the night, an Indian maiden came to the wigwam where he lay bound -to a log. She released him, and they fled together, making their escape. -McKee from gratitude, made the girl his squaw and they lived together -during the remainder of their lives as husband and wife. - -Edward Shippen, of Lancaster, wrote to Governor Morris April 19, 1756, -after a visit to Captain McKee’s fort, where he found ten Indians, among -them John Shikellamy. He adds; “Shikellamy let me know that he wished -the Indians would be moved down to Barney Hughes, where Captain McKee’s -woman and children live.” - -In a conference between Sir William Johnson and Canaghquiesa, an Oneida -chief, the latter reported on his mission to the hostile Shawnee of -Northern Pennsylvania. He advised Sir William that one who lived near -those Indians had applied to the Delaware to accompany them to the -proposed meeting at Onondaga, which they refused to do, saying that “One -Thomas McGee, who lives on the Susquehanna and is married to a Shawnese -squaw, had told them that in ten days’ time an army of the English would -come and destroy them.” - -The Moravian Bishop, Cammerhoff, visited Captain Thomas McKee’s trading -post in 1748. In his journal he writes under date of January 13: - -“We have before us twenty long miles to Shamokin, also two bad creeks -and the narrowest passes along the river to pass. At 9 o’clock we -reached Thomas McKee’s, the last white settlement on the river, below -Shamokin.” - -This trading post was at the site of the present village of Dalmatia, -Northumberland County. His other post at this time was below the mouth -of the Juniata, not far distant from Big (now Haldeman’s) Island. Both -these trading posts are shown on Scull’s map of 1759. - -The bishop further wrote in his journal: “McKee holds a captain’s -commission under the Government, is an extensive Indian trader, bears a -good name among them and drives a brisk trade with the Allegheny -country. His wife, who was brought up among the Indians, speaks but -little English. They received us with much kindness and hospitality.” - -Thomas McKee’s “woman,” “squaw” or “wife” as referred to by Edward -Shippen, Chief Canaghquiesa and Bishop Cammerhoff, respectively, may -have been the same who assisted him to escape from the unfriendly party -of Indians in the early winter of 1743. The details of that adventure -are set forth in an affidavit which McKee made before Governor Thomas in -Philadelphia, January 24, 1743. - -In this deposition McKee states he had a store near the Big Island, and -that “on the 12th or 13th of this instant, January, about 7 o’clock in -the morning, the Indians of the town came to the deponent’s store and -told him they had heard the Dead Halloa and were much surprised at it. -Whereupon he, with a servant of his, took a canoe and went over to the -island, and in his passage heard the Indians belonging to the town call -over to those on the island. To which they answered that the white men -had killed some of their men. A council was called, and this deponent -attended at the Council House and was admitted.” - -At the council the leader of the Iroquois war band informed the Shawnee -of an attack made upon their war expedition in Virginia, in which four -Indians were killed. - -McKee addressed the council, reminding them that these disorders had not -happened in Pennsylvania, and urged them to press in their council a -treaty of peace with Pennsylvania. The Shawnee did not receive the -suggestion kindly. A short time after McKee was informed by a white -woman, who had been taken prisoner, that it was left with the Shawnee to -deal with him as they pleased and that they were going to hold a council -concerning him at some distance from the town, and that if he did not -escape he would certainly be cut off. - -McKee realized the advice was timely and, with his servant, they -departed, leaving all his goods behind. The two traveled three days and -three nights before they believed themselves out of danger. - -Captain Thomas McKee was in command at Fort Hunter in 1756. He died near -McKee’s Half Falls, on the eastern side of the Susquehanna, in 1772, -leaving two sons, Alexander and James. The former was then at Fort Pitt -as an assistant to George Croghan, the deputy Indian agent for the -Crown, and where he owned a large tract of land at the mouth of the -Chartiers Creek, including McKee’s Rock, still a noted landmark on the -Ohio River, just below Pittsburgh. When he deserted from the garrison at -Fort Pitt and joined the British in 1777 his possessions in Pennsylvania -passed to his brother, whose descendants are still living in Allegheny -County. - -If the woman Captain Thomas McKee had made his wife was the white -captive of the Shawnee, who had been adopted into their tribe, it is not -hard to understand why her son, Alexander the renegade, should have -inherited a half-savage nature. This would be even more true if his -mother was a Shawnee squaw. His adherence to the British Government when -the Revolution came, a government which had so long been his paymaster, -is less to be wondered at than his temporary defection therefrom during -the first two years of the struggle. - - ---------- - - - - - Work Commenced on Erection of Fort - Henry January 25, 1756 - - -The Provincial authorities in 1755 sent Colonel Benjamin Franklin and -others to erect a chain of forts, about ten or twelve miles apart, -stretching in a line from the Delaware to the Susquehanna River. - -The principal fort on the Lehigh River was Fort Allen, where the town of -Weissport, Carbon County, now stands. Fort Swatara was the principal -fort on the end of the chain as it approached the Susquehanna, although -Fort Hunter was situated on the east bank of that river, about six miles -above the present City of Harrisburg. - -Fourteen miles east of Fort Swatara was erected Fort Henry, and it soon -became the most important place of defense between the two great rivers -in this chain of forts. - -It is sometimes referred to as Busse’s Fort, in honor of Captain -Christian Busse, who commanded the garrison there during its most active -period. It was frequently referred to as the “Fort at Deitrick Six’s,” -because of the Indian atrocities which occurred there and which had much -to do with the decision to erect the fort on part of Six’s farm. - -Fort Henry was situated on the main road to Shamokin (now Sunbury), -where Fort Augusta commanded the forks of the Susquehanna, and protected -the settlers resident on both the north and west branches of that river. - -There was no town in the vicinity of Fort Henry, nor did it guard any -mountain pass or prominent stream, but it did command the connecting -highways between the Swatara Creek and the settlements near that stream. -The Indians were obliged to pass through Talihaio Gap to reach any of -the white settlements in that region. - -The history of Fort Henry really begins with the attack from ambush made -on a company of six settlers traveling to Deitrick Six’s, Saturday -afternoon, November 15, 1755. - -None was killed in the first attack, but as the terrified settlers -hastened toward a watch-house, a half mile distant, they were overtaken -by the savages and three of them killed and scalped, and one Indian was -killed. During the late afternoon three other settlers were killed and -three wounded. - -The Indians remained in the neighborhood and the following night killed -a servant of Thomas Bower and set fire to his house and barn. - -Conrad Weiser informed Governor Morris of this tragic affair in a long -letter and related this and many other incursions made by the Indians in -the region now embraced by Berks, Lebanon, Dauphin, and part of -Northumberland Counties. Weiser concluded his letter as follows: - -“The Fire alarmed a neighbor, who came with two or three more Men; they -fired by the way and made a great noise, scared the Indians away from -Bower’s House, after they had set fire to it, but by Thomas Bower’s -Diligence and Conduct was timely put out again. So, Thos. Bower, with -his Family, went off that night to his Neighbor Daniel Schneider, who -came to his assistance. By 8 of ye Clock Parties came up from -Tulpenhacon & Heidleberg. - -“The first Party saw four Indians running off. They had some prisoners, -whom they scalped immediately; three children lay scalped, yet alive, -one died since, the other two are like to do well. Another Party found a -woman just expired, with a Male Child by her side, both killed and -Scalped. The Woman lay upon her Face, my son Frederick turned her about -to see who she might have been and to his and his companions Surprize -they found a Babe of about 14 Days old under her, and life was yet in -it, and recovered again. - -“Upon the whole, there is about 15 killed of our People, Including Men, -Women and Children, and the Enemy not beat but scared off. Several -Houses and Barns are Burned; I have no true account how many. We are in -a dismal Situation, some of this Murder has been committed in -Tulpenhacon Township. The People left their Plantation to within 6 or 7 -miles of my house (which was located at the present town of Womelsdorf) -against another attack. - -“Guns and Ammunition is very much wanted here. My Sons have been obliged -to part with most of what was sent for the use of the Indians. I pray -your Honour will be pleased, if it lies in your Power, to send us up a -Quantity upon any Condition. I must stand my Ground or my Neighbours -will all go away, and leave their Habitations to be destroyed by the -Enemy or our own People. This enough of such melancholy Account for -this.” - -Conrad Weiser had been on a mission to the seat of government, to which -place he had escorted a band of friendly Indians, and it was on his -return that he learned of the terrible murders. In fact, the trusted -chief Scarouady, also known as the Half-King, and a company of Delaware -were still with him at his home when his sons recited the melancholy -news. - -It is not to be wondered that many of the settlers did not fully -understand the exact position which Colonel Weiser held, both toward the -Provincial Government and towards the Indians. Both had implicit faith -and confidence in him. The angry settlers were so incensed at Weiser -that had not the smoke of fire along the mountain scared them off he -might have paid the price of his friendship toward the Indians with his -own life. - -These atrocities decided the position of Fort Henry, and January 25, -1756, Captain Christian Busse, with a company of fifty provincial -soldiers, reported there and began the erection of a fort. Governor -Morris advised Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, and Colonel George -Washington that he had ordered Fort Henry built at this important place. - -It was at Fort Henry where Colonel Weiser held his councils with the -officers of the other forts and planned the protection of the farmers -during harvest, etc. - -During June, 1756, Fort Henry was honored by a visit from Governor -Morris, which was occasioned by a threatened attack by the French on -Fort Augusta, and at a time when the terms of enlistment of many men had -expired. - -The Governor directed the movement of troops to the larger fortresses. -More than fifty of the inhabitants called at Fort Henry and laid their -grievances before the Governor in person. - -Soon after this visit the Indians committed many murders. Five children -were carried off in one day and a sick man was slain in his bed. His -daughter, hidden under a bed in the adjoining room, saw her father -killed. Two other families were destroyed. - -A French deserter was captured and held at Fort Henry. He was taken to -Weiser’s home, and put through the third degree. He proved to be quite -clever and nothing of value was learned. He was a lad of seventeen and -had been sent from Fort Machault, on the Allegheny River, on a marauding -expedition in command of thirty-three Indians, when he accidentally got -lost in the mountains and he approached the sentry at Fort Henry, as he -had been seven days without food. - -June 19, 1757, the Indians carried away the wife of John Frantz and -three of their children, who lived only six miles from Fort Henry. - -The actual history of Fort Henry, except for the incidents recorded -here, was one of routine military work, but it remained a garrisoned -fortification for some years, surely until the summer of 1763, for at -that time Governor Hamilton wrote to Colonel John Armstrong about -disposition of troops for Lancaster, Berks and Northampton Counties, and -mentioned Fort Henry as one of the chain of forts then occupied by -provincial troops. - - ---------- - - - - - James Trimble, First Deputy Secretary of the - Commonwealth, Public Servant Sixty-seven - Years, Died January 26, 1837 - - -When James Trimble died at his home in Harrisburg, January 26, 1837, he -closed a record of sixty-seven years service as an official of -Pennsylvania, a record which none other has ever approached. - -Another unusual feature of this record is the fact that Mr. Trimble was -the first Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, beginning his service as -such March 6, 1777, and being the only occupant of that important office -until his death, nearly sixty years afterwards. - -James Trimble was born in Philadelphia, July 19, 1755. His father, -Alexander Trimble, emigrated from the North of Ireland; was a -Protestant, and soon became a member of the Second Presbyterian Church -of Philadelphia, then under the care of Reverend Gilbert Tennent, of -whom it is believed he was a relative. - -Alexander Trimble was married to Eleanor Rogers, of Abington, June 20, -1754. Alexander died about 1769. - -James was the eldest of several children, and though only a lad at the -time of his father’s death, he manifested all those qualities of mind -and heart for which he was so justly noted throughout a long life -devoted to the service of his country. - -When his mother was left a widow with a store, James assisted her in the -conduct of the business. - -One day James Tilghman, Secretary of the Land Office under the -Proprietaries, called at the Trimble store and made some purchases. -Young Trimble, who waited upon him, also made out his bill, and the -great gentleman was so much pleased with his writing and business style -that he at once took measures to secure his services in his department. -Thus James Trimble at the age of fifteen years became an apprenticed -clerk in the Land Office. - -The endorsement upon the archives of the Board of War and the Council of -Safety indicates that James Trimble was subordinate clerk in the State -Council as early as 1775, and when Colonel Timothy Matlack became the -first Secretary of the Commonwealth, March 6, 1777, James Trimble became -Deputy Secretary, and so continued down to Thursday, January 14, 1837. - -Pending some difficulties with the Supreme Executive Council in regard -to his accounts of his money trust, Colonel Matlack resigned his -position as Secretary, and March 25, 1783, General John Armstrong, Jr., -was commissioned in his stead. - -General Armstrong was elected a member of Congress in 1787, and November -7 of that year Charles Biddle became Secretary. He served in that office -until January 19, 1791, when Alexander James Dallas, Esq., was -commissioned by Governor Thomas Mifflin the first secretary of the -Commonwealth, under the Constitution of 1790. - -On March 12, 1791, the very day the Governor approved the Act of -Assembly providing for a Deputy Secretary, Mr. Dallas appointed James -Trimble, who had served continuously under his several predecessors, to -be Deputy Secretary, and the appointment was approved by the Governor. - -Secretary Dallas resigned his commission December 2, 1801, when Thomas -McKean Thompson succeeded him. Nathaniel B. Boileau became Secretary of -the Commonwealth, December 20, 1808, and remained through the three -terms of Governor Simon Snyder, when he was succeeded by Thomas -Sergeant, December 16, 1817; he resigned July 6, 1819, when Samuel B. -Ingham was commissioned; Andrew Gregg took up the reins of office -December 19, 1820, serving three years, when Molton C. Rogers became -Secretary; he resigned January 2, 1826, to be succeeded by Isaac G. -Barnhard, who served less than two years, when Calvin Blythe was -commissioned November 28, 1827; Samuel McKean was commissioned December -16, 1829, and was succeeded by James Findley who served until December -15, 1835, when Thomas H. Burrowes became Secretary of the Commonwealth, -and in all this time, and with these fifteen changes in the office of -Secretary, a commission and dedimus issued regularly every three years -to James Trimble as Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth. - -His records are models of neatness, his papers elaborately endorsed, and -filed with great care, so that in those days of tallow candles, when he -was wont to enter his office at night, he could, without striking a -light, lay his hands on any paper he wished. - -James Trimble was of slight stature, dignified, brisk in his movements -and carefully dressed in solemn black knee pants, queue, long hose, and -buckle shoes. - -When he died, Harrisburg lost its last gentleman of the old school for -Alexander Graydon, his peer in dress and address, had gone before. - -In the judgment of his contemporaries James Trimble was a faithful -public servant, a man of unimpeachable integrity, and obliging manners, -and respected by the community at large. - -On April 22, 1782, he married Clarissa, widow of John Hastings; her -maiden name was Claypoole. She was a descendant of James Claypoole, an -intimate of William Penn, and brother to John Claypoole who married -Elizabeth, daughter of Oliver Cromwell. Mrs. Trimble died at Lancaster, -February 6, 1810. Of their eleven children two only survived them—Dr. -James Trimble, who died in Huntingdon County, in 1838, and Thomas R., -who died in Chester County in 1868. - -James Trimble helped pack and remove the State papers at the time the -British occupied Philadelphia, and again when the seat of government was -removed to Lancaster in 1799, and from Lancaster to Harrisburg in 1812. - -After he removed to Harrisburg he was chosen trustee and treasurer of -the Presbyterian Church there, in which capacity he served until his -death. - -That he survived his removal from office only eleven days many believed -he died of a broken heart. Truly if such be the case, party spirit must -have been at fever heat to cause the removal of such a public servant, -without some other position for him. - - ---------- - - - - - Great Indian Conference Began in Easton - on January 27, 1777 - - -The year 1777 opened for the colonists with much brighter prospects, as -General Washington had defeated the Hessians at Trenton, and close upon -this victory followed the action at Princeton, in which many -Pennsylvania organizations displayed such valor, but in which General -Hugh Mercer and a number of other officers and men fell. - -On Monday, January 20, Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, with about -400 militia, composed of the two Westmoreland independent companies, of -Wyoming, Pa., and New Jersey militia, defeated a foraging party of the -enemy of an equal number, near a bridge at Millstone River, two miles -from Somerset Court House, New Jersey, and took forty wagons and one -hundred horses, a large number of sheep and cattle, and some prisoners. -General Dickinson lost but five men. - -To return to internal affairs: early in January, 1777, Continental -Congress received information “that certain tribes of Indians living in -the back parts of the country, near the waters of the Susquehanna within -the Confederacy and under the protection of the Six Nations, the friends -and allies of the United States,” were on their way to Easton for the -purpose of holding a conference or treaty with the General Government. - -Congress thereupon appointed a commission, consisting of George Taylor, -of Easton; George Walton and others to purchase suitable presents for -the Indians and conduct a treaty with them. The Assembly of Pennsylvania -named Colonels Lowrey and Cunningham, while the Council of Safety sent -Colonels Dean and Bull. Thomas Paine was appointed secretary to the -commission. - -On January 7, a company of Indians arrived at Wilkes-Barre to announce -the coming of the larger body en route to Easton. About January 15 the -main delegation reached Wilkes-Barre. There were seventy men and one -hundred women and children in the party. - -Among the chiefs were the following: Taasquah, or “King Charles,” of the -Cayuga; Tawanah, or “The Big Tree,” of the Seneca; Mytakawha, or -“Walking on Foot,” and Kaknah, or “Standing by a Tree,” of the Munsee; -Amatincka, or “Raising Anything” of the Nanticoke; Wilakinko, or “King -Last Night” of the Conoy, and Thomas Green, whose wife was a Mohawk, as -interpreter. - -The Indians held an informal conference there and received food from the -Wyoming authorities. - -The conference was formally opened at Easton, January 27, in the new -First (German) Reformed Church, on North Third street. It is said that -while the organ played the members of the commission and the Indians -shook hands with each other and drank rum to the health of the Congress -and the Six Nations and their allies before proceeding to business. - -It was soon learned that the English, through the influence of Colonel -John Butler, in the King’s service at Niagara, were making a great -effort to turn the Indians against the Americans. - -In an official report of the treaty, subsequently made to the Supreme -Executive Council of Pennsylvania, it was stated: “The Indians seem to -be inclined to act the wise part with respect to the present dispute. If -they are to be relied upon, they mean to be neuter. We have already -learnt their good intentions.” - -The members of the Supreme Executive Council, chosen under the -Constitution of the State, met for the first time March 4, 1777, and -proceeded to form an organization and the Council of Safety was -dissolved. In joint convention with the Assembly, Thomas Wharton, Jr., -was elected president, and George Bryan, vice president. To give new -dignity to the executive of the new Government, the inauguration took -place on the following day, March 5. - -Thomas Wharton, Jr., was born in Philadelphia in 1735. He was descended -from an ancient English family and was the grandson of Richard Wharton, -who emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1683. His father, Joseph Wharton, of -Walnut Grove, was an aristocrat of the day. Thomas Wharton was twice -married, first to Susan, daughter of Thomas Lloyd, and subsequently to -Elizabeth, daughter of William Fishbourne. He was a warm supporter of -the principles of the Revolution, and on the change of government was -elected to the highest office in the State. - -President Wharton died suddenly May 25 of the following year of an -attack of quinsy, at Lancaster. His funeral on the day following was -conducted by the State authorities, and as commander-in-chief of the -forces of the State he was buried with military honors, and at the -request of the vestry was interred within the walls of Trinity Church in -Lancaster. By his decease, the Vice President, George Bryan, assumed the -executive functions. - -On March 13 the Supreme Executive Council appointed a navy board, -consisting of Andrew Caldwell, Joseph Blewer, Joseph Marsh, Emmanuel -Eyre, Robert Ritchie, Paul Cox, Samuel Massey, William Bradford, Thomas -Fitzsimmons, Samuel Morris, Jr., and J. Thomas Barclay, to which board -was committed all powers necessary for that service. The board entered -very promptly upon its duties, meeting with many difficulties, boats out -of repair and inefficiently manned, difficulties about rank in the -fleet, all of which it succeeded in overcoming. - -The same day a Board of War was appointed consisting of David -Rittenhouse, Owen Biddle, William Moore, Joseph Dean, Samuel Morris, -Sr., Samuel Cadwallader Morris, John Bayard, George Gray and Colonel -John Bull. This board served most capably in assisting to carry out the -provisions of the new militia law. - -The Speaker of the House being seriously ill, John Bayard was chosen -Speaker March 17. On the 20th Joseph Reed was appointed Chief Justice of -Pennsylvania, but he declined on account of military engagements and on -July 28 Thomas McKean was named for that office. - -On June 13, the Assembly required all white male inhabitants over -eighteen years of age, except in Bedford, Northumberland, and -Westmoreland Counties to take an oath of allegiance before July 1, and -those in said counties before August 1, excepting, however, delegates in -Congress, prisoners of war, officers and soldiers in the Continental -army and merchants and marines in port trading from foreign powers and -not becoming subjects. Any person refusing should be incapable of -holding office, serving on juries, electing or being elected or even -bringing lawsuits, or buying or selling lands and as was perfectly -reasonable, should be disarmed. - -Early in June, General Howe, commander of the British forces at New -York, showed a disposition to advance by land across New Jersey, and to -take possession of Philadelphia. On the 14th of that month he actually -made an advance by two columns, which led General Washington to believe -that this was his real intention. General Mifflin again came to -Philadelphia with messages to Congress and the Assembly, and there was -intrusted to him and De Coudray the arrangements of the defense of the -Delaware River. - -The same day General Morris appeared before Congress to say that -Philadelphia was in danger. - - ---------- - - - - - Massacre of Settlers Along the Juniata River - Began January 28, 1756 - - -The Delaware Indians, especially those who lived west of the Susquehanna -River, were exceedingly angry because of the sale of the lands along the -Susquehanna and Juniata to the whites, and declared that those coveted -hunting grounds had been given to them (the Delaware) by the Six -Nations, and that therefore the latter had no right to sell them. - -The Six Nations admitted that they had given the region to their -cousins, the Delaware, as a hunting ground, yet they did not hesitate to -make the sale to the English in 1754, and to confirm it in 1758. - -The Delaware received none of the 400 pounds which had been paid to the -Six Nations, and it is little wonder that they sought an opportunity and -pretext for that revenge against the English which they dared not show -against their ancient conquerors, the Six Nations. - -Such an opportunity was presented by General Braddock’s disaster on the -Monongahela, July 9, 1755, immediately after which they, with the -Shawnee, became the active allies of the French. - -Within three months their war parties had crossed the Alleghanies -eastward, and had committed atrocities among the frontier settlements. - -On October 16 occurred the massacre on Penn’s Creek, in what is now -Snyder County, and on the 25th, John Harris’ party was ambushed at -Mahanoy Creek. - -On January 27, 1756, a party of Indians from Shamokin (now Sunbury) made -a foray in the Juniata Valley, first attacking the house of Hugh -Mitcheltree, who was absent at Carlisle, having left his house in the -care of his wife and a young man named Edward Nicholas. Both of these -were killed by the Indians, who then went up the river to the house of -Edward Nicholas, Sr., whom they killed, also his wife, and took seven -prisoners, namely, Joseph, Thomas and Catherine Nicholas, John Wilcox -and the wife and two children of James Armstrong. - -The scene of the first of these incursions was on the farm of James -Mitcheltree, who was a warrantee in Delaware Township in 1755, and where -he died in the early part of 1803. This farm then passed into the hands -of John Thompson, and it is still in the hands of his descendants. Hugh -Mitcheltree, who escaped death or capture in this foray, was carried off -by the Indians two months later, March 29, 1756. The Mitcheltree family -lived near the present Thompsontown, Juniata County. - -While the Indians were committing the murders at the Mitcheltree and -Nicholas homes, an Indian named James Cotties, who wished to be captain -of the party, but could not be so chosen, took with him a young brave -and went to Sherman’s Creek, where they killed William Sheridan and his -family, thirteen in number. They then went down the creek to the home of -two old men and an elderly woman, named French, whom they killed. -Cotties often boasted afterward that he and the boy took more scalps -than all the others of the party. - -James Cotties, in 1757, went to Fort Hunter and killed a young man named -William Martin, while he was busy picking chestnuts. After the war was -over, the same Cotties being again at the same fort was reproached by -another Indian, named Hambus, for the death of young Martin, and a -quarrel ensued in which Hambus killed Cotties. - -There are letters extant which give an account of the massacre by the -Indians, on the river between Thompsontown and Mexico. They reveal the -fact that this was the largest butchery of the whites that ever took -place in the east end of Juniata County. - -A letter of January 28 proves that Captain James Patterson was with his -company at his fort, on the Juniata, the day of the massacres. - -Extract from a letter dated Carlisle January 29, 1756, says: - -“This afternoon came to town a man that lived on Juniata, who in his -journey this way called at the house where the woolcombers lived, about -ten miles from this place, and saw at his door a bed-tick, and going -into the house found a child lying dead and scalped. This alarmed us -much and while we were consulting what to do, we received the enclosed, -which puts it past all doubt that the enemy intend to attack Sherman’s -Valley or this place. We thought it necessary to acquaint you as soon as -possible, not only to hurry you home, but, if thought needful, that the -people of York might send over some aid.” - -The “enclosed” referred to in the above, was a long letter written by a -soldier in the garrison at “Patterson’s Fort, of Juniata,” dated January -28, 1756, in which the fifteen murders of the Wilcox, Nicholas and -Armstrong families were explained in all their horrible details, the -writer having visited the several places and witnessed for himself the -bodies of the victims. - -The letter continues: - -“The party that went to bury the dead, found one Sheridan and his wife, -three children and a man-servant, all murdered; also two others in -another house: these within a few miles of Carlisle. - -“I am heartily sorry that I must grieve you with an account of a most -inhuman murder committed by the Indians at Juniata and Sherman’s Creek -on the 27th of last month. Within three miles of Patterson’s Fort was -found Adam Nicholson and his wife dead and scalped and his two sons and -a daughter carried off; William Wilcock and his wife dead and scalped; -Mrs. Hugh Micheltree and son of said Nicholson dead and scalped, with -many children, in all about seventeen. The same day one Sheridan, a -Quaker, his wife and three children, and a servant were killed and -scalped, together with one William Hamilton and his wife and daughter -and one French, within ten miles of Carlisle, a little beyond Stephen’s -Gap.” - -On March 24, Captain James Patterson with his scouting party of -borderers fell in with a party of Indians on Middle Creek, now Snyder -County, attacked them, killed and scalped one and put the rest to -flight. On their return, Patterson reported that the country from the -forks of the Susquehanna to the Juniata was “swarming with Indians, -looking for scalps and plunder, and burning all the houses and -destroying all the grain which the fugitive settlers had left in the -region.” - -The Indians who committed these depredations were of the Delaware -Nation; there were no Shawnee among them. They had their headquarters on -the North Branch at Nescopeck and Wyoming, and were so incited by the -craftiness of the French that they threatened “to break the heads of any -of their own race who advised peace with the English.” - - ---------- - - - - - John Penn, “The American,” Born in Slate-Roof - House January 29, 1700 - - -When William Penn crossed the ocean in the Canterbury to visit his -province in 1699, he came up to Chester, December 1. Two days later Penn -reached Philadelphia, and made a formal call upon his deputy, Governor -William Markham, and other dignitaries of the town and province. - -From Markham’s house Penn proceeded to the Friends’ meeting house at -Second and High Streets, and took part in the afternoon meeting, -offering a prayer and delivering one of those short incisive addresses -in which he was so happy. - -Penn was very well received by all classes, says James Logan, who had -come out with the Governor and was in constant attendance upon him. - -After the meeting was over and the Friends had dispersed to their homes, -Penn and his suite went to the house of Edward Shippen, and lived there -for a month. About January 14 he took up his residence in the -“Slate-Roof House,” which was his home during his sojourn in his -province. - -On January 29, his son John, known as “The American,” was born. John was -the only one of William Penn’s children born in his province. - -This old mansion when first built was the largest house in Philadelphia, -and better known than any other, not excepting the “Letitia House,” of -any place of historic interest connected with William Penn and the city -he founded. - -The Slate-Roof House was built on the southeast corner of Second Street -and Norris Alley, the site for many years of the Chamber of Commerce. -The house was built by Samuel Carpenter, and it stood until 1867. - -Besides being the residence of Penn in 1699, James Logan entertained -Lord Cornbury there in 1702 and Governor James Hamilton, Mrs. Howell and -Mrs. Graydon were successively its occupants, the ladies using it for a -boarding house. - -Alexander Graydon, who lived there and whose mother was the Desdemona of -the pert British officers of the day and kept the place as a boarding -house just before the Revolution, describes the old house, “as a -singular old-fashioned structure, laid out in the style of a -fortification, with abundance of angles, both salient and re-entering. -Its two wings projected to the street in the manner of bastions, to -which the main building, retreating from sixteen to eighteen feet, -served for a curtain. Within it was cut up into a number of apartments -and on that account was exceedingly well adapted to the purpose of a -lodging house, to which it had long been appropriated.” - -The yard or garden was graced with a row of venerable pine trees, and -the association of the place gave it a substantial historic interest. It -bore much less the look of a fortress than Captain Graydon’s military -eye conceived. - -The back building was as peaceful looking as the culinary offices should -be and the neat little chambers in the so-called bastions were cozy -nooks, with chimney places in the corners. The kitchen had a giant pile -of chimney, with a great fireplace and the garrets were high and roomy. - -This house was built for Samuel Carpenter by James Portens. It was -erected about 1698, and William Penn was probably its first occupant. - -Samuel Carpenter had built in 1684–85 a house on Front Street, near his -wharf and warehouses, and it is likely he lived there after the -Slate-Roof House was completed. - -Carpenter was a man of great ability and enterprise, accumulating wealth -rapidly and doing much to build up the city of his adoption. He married -Hannah Hardiman, a Welsh Quakeress and preacher, in 1684, and held many -important positions, member of the Assembly, treasurer of the province, -etc. He bought large tracts of land, owned numerous vessels, mines, -quarries and mill seats, so much property, in fact, that it impoverished -him and threw him into serious pecuniary embarrassment, though he was -ranked as the richest man in the province. - -Samuel Carpenter died in his house on King Street (now Water Street) -between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, April 10, 1714, and the Friends -Meeting, after his death, said of him that “he was a pattern of -humility, patience and self-denial; a man fearing God and hating -covetousness; much given to hospitality and good works. He was a loving, -affectionate husband, tender father, and a faithful friend and brother.” - -When Carpenter leased his Slate-Roof House to Penn it was furnished and -so occupied until his departure for England, when James Logan moved into -it. - -The Slate-Roof House was sold in the latter part of 1703 to William -Trent, the Iverness miller, who founded and gave his name to Trenton, N. -J. - -Trent paid £850 for the property. In 1709 he sold it for £900 -Pennsylvania currency to Isaac Norris, who occupied it until his removal -to Fairhill in 1717. - -Logan was very desirous that Penn should buy the house when Trent -offered it for sale, and said that it was hard that the Governor did not -have the money to spare. “I would give twenty to thirty pounds out of my -own pocket, that it were thine, nobody’s but thine,” said honest James. - -The Slate-Roof House remained in possession of the Norris family until -1807, when it was bought by the Chamber of Commerce and torn down. - -From 1717 onward it seems to have been used as a boarding and lodging -house, being in the hands of Mrs. Howell and then of Mrs. Graydon. - -General John Forbes, successor to General Edward Braddock, died in the -Slate-Roof House in 1759, at which time the house was kept by Mrs. -Howell. Baron de Kalb lodged there in 1768–69, when he was the secret -agent of France. Sir William Draper, the target of Junius’ sarcasm, -lodged there during his visit to the colonies. James Rivington, the Tory -printer and publisher, ate and slept there. - -It is also reported that John Hancock and George Washington lodged there -during the first sessions of the Continental Congress. Baron Steuben, -Peter S. Duponceau and others lodged there after the British evacuated -Philadelphia. - -The Slate-Roof House then became the seat of a boarding school, kept by -Madame Berdeau, reputed to be the widow of Dr. Dodd, hanged in London -for forgery in 1777. - -Then this historic old mansion became a workshop, a general place of -business, a tenement house, with shops on the ground floor, which were -occupied by tailors, engravers, watch-makers, silversmiths, etc. Under -one of the “bastions,” a notable oyster cellar was opened, the resort of -the merchants and bankers doing business in that vicinity. - - ---------- - - - - - Betsy Ross, Who Made First American Flag, - Died January 30, 1836 - - -When Elizabeth Claypoole died at her home in Arch Street, Philadelphia, -January 30, 1836, aged eighty-four years, her body was borne to Mount -Moriah Cemetery and interred by the side of her husband, who had -preceded her in death nearly twenty years. A simple monument records the -above facts, but does not tell those of the present generation that this -heroine was none other than Betsy Ross. - -The school children of today are learning more of the history of our -country and its flag, but the story of the woman who made the first -American flag is always interesting. - -The fact that the flag of our country had its birth in the City of -Philadelphia; that it was a patriotic woman of Philadelphia who made the -first flag; that it first waved over the United States Congress then in -session in Independence Hall, is sufficient incentive for every boy and -girl in Pennsylvania to be justly proud. - -The story of the flag is told on another day, but the story of how Betsy -Ross became associated with it is to be today’s story. - -Ever since the Revolution began there was real necessity for an American -flag, but there was, however, no national flag authorized by an act of -the Continental Congress until June 14, 1777. - -The committee appointed by Congress to prepare a design for the new flag -consisted of General George Washington, Robert Morris and Colonel George -Ross. - -Colonel Ross had a relative, Betsy Ross, who lived at 239 Arch Street, -and who had previously made flags for the American Army and Navy. - -The committee called upon Mrs. Ross, stated their mission, and asked her -if she would make a flag such as was ordered by Congress. - -“I do not know whether I can, but I’ll try,” was her reply. - -The act of Congress did not specify the number of points of the stars, -or their arrangement, simply stating: “That the flag of the thirteen -United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the -union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new -constellation.” - -Mrs. Ross suggested that a star of five points would be more distinct, -pleasing and appropriative than the six-pointed star which the committee -had designed. Folding a piece of white paper, she cut, with a single -clip of her scissors, a five-pointed star, and placing it on a blue -field, delighted the committee with her taste, ingenuity and judgment. - -The committee decided that the stars, thirteen in number, should be -arranged in a circle in a blue field, as the circle is typical of -eternity. - -So well pleased were the committee with the flag which Betsy Ross made -that they authorized her, in the name of Congress, to make the United -States flags. Betsy Ross employed many hands to aid her, and made flags -for the army, navy and public buildings. - -The maiden name of Betsy Ross was Elizabeth Griscom. She was born in -Philadelphia in 1752, of Quaker parents. At an early age she married -John Ross, son of an English clergyman, an upholsterer. He was a nephew -of Colonel George Ross, of Lancaster, one of the signers of the -Declaration and one of the leaders of the young republic. Betsy never -went back to “Friends’ Meeting,” and was “read out” of meeting for this -marriage. - -John Ross died soon after his marriage and Mrs. Ross continued the -upholstering business at 239 Arch Street, which had once been number 89. -This house is still standing, and is one of the most valued of the many -historic places in old Philadelphia. It was in this little house, where -Betsy Ross, a widow at twenty-five years of age, made the first United -States flag. - -Betsy Ross was not only noted for her skill with the needle, but quite -as well for her piety and patriotism. So widely was her extraordinary -skill recognized that she adorned the parlors of the wealthy with -draperies, the theatres with curtains, hotels with quilts and even -state-rooms of the finest packet boats were fitted up by her. It is also -said that she made the handsome ruffled shirt bosoms worn by General -Washington, and not a few for other patriots who held high office in the -young nation. - -At an early date, and before she made United States flags, she made -Colonial flags for the army and navy and there is a minute dated May 29, -1777, “an order on William Webb to Elizabeth Ross for fourteen pounds -twelve shillings and two pence, for making ships’ colors,” etc. - -In time Mrs. Ross married Joseph Ashburn, who was captured on the -privateer Luzerene and died a prisoner of war in Mill Prison, England. -By this marriage she had two children, Zillah, who died in infancy, and -Eliza, who married a Mr. Sullivan. Ashburn sent a farewell message to -his wife by a fellow-prisoner, John Claypoole, who later was exchanged -for a British prisoner. On reaching Philadelphia he delivered his -message and personal effects, and about a year later married Mrs. -Elizabeth Ashburn. - -In April, 1783, the Stars and Stripes were put to their first national -use in the demonstration for peace throughout the new nation. The Flag -of Peace was the name given to it in this widespread employment of the -ensign. - -Two weeks after this occasion Betsy Ross (Ashburn) and John Claypoole -were married. - -By this marriage five children were born. One, Clarissa by name, the -first child of this marriage, married a Mr. Wilson and succeeded to the -business of upholstering and making American flags. Subsequently Mrs. -Wilson became a member of the Society of Friends, and relinquished the -business of making flags for the United States Army and Navy, and thus -after many years, the making of the American flags passed from the house -and family of Betsy Ross. - -Clarissa was thirty-one years old when her father died from -war-inflicted diseases. - -After about eighty years of making American flags for the United States -Government, the contracts passed from the Ross family, when Clarissa -Claypoole Wilson made the following public declarations: “From -conscientious motives ceased to furnish flags for military and naval -purposes,” and “retired from the business on account of conscientious -scruples.” - -Thus the Ross family discontinued to fill Government contracts a quarter -of a century after the death of Betsy Ross. - -During all the eighty years women and girls were exclusively employed in -making flags, mostly daughters and granddaughters of Betsy Ross and her -neighbors, as the work grew in volume. - -So the tradition of Betsy Ross, as the maker of the first American flag, -known as the Stars and Stripes, has quite as interesting a sequel in the -action of her daughter. - - ---------- - - - - - Robert Morris, Financier of the Revolution, - Born January 31, 1734 - - -Robert Morris was born in Liverpool, England, January 31, 1734, son of -Robert Morris, a nail maker, and grandson of Andrew Morris, who was a -seafearing man of the British Isles. - -Robert Morris, Sr., was the Maryland agent of a London tobacco firm. -When Robert, Jr., was thirteen years old, his mother having died, he -came to America, rejoined his father and was for a time under the -tuition of a clergyman and then entered the mercantile firm of Charles -and Thomas Willing. - -In 1750, Morris, the father, died leaving a small estate. When Robert, -the son, reached the age of twenty-one, Charles Willing made him a -partner in the business and turned over his own share to his son, -Thomas. The firm of Willing & Morris became famous, and soon their trade -was extended to Europe and the West Indies. Long before the battle drums -of the Revolution were heard the two partners became wealthy men and -were regarded as among the foremost people of the city. - -Willing and Morris were among the merchants who protested against the -Stamp Act, and in 1766 Robert Morris was one of the Board of Port -Wardens. - -As soon as the news of Lexington reached Philadelphia, the Assembly -appointed a Committee of Safety. Robert Morris was a member and helped -greatly to get powder and firearms, to organize troops and to fortify -the Delaware. - -The Assembly elected him a member of the Continental Congress and his -practical knowledge of ships made him a member of the Naval Committee -and the first American Navy was soon launched. - -April, 1776, he was specially commissioned to suggest methods and -provide plans for procuring money to prosecute the war. No other man in -Congress, probably, could have succeeded so well, and he was not -relieved from this task while the war lasted. - -However reluctantly he subscribed to the Declaration of Independence, -when the crucial moment came he risked his fortune and faced beggary for -his family and he looked at the gallows for himself as bravely as any of -his contemporaries. Other Pennsylvanians who voted against it lost their -places, but neither Pennsylvania nor the Colonies could spare Robert -Morris. - -When Congress in a fright fled from Philadelphia to Baltimore, Morris, -with two other men, was left in charge of its affairs and the defense of -the capital of the infant republic. The two men who were to assist -Morris failed to appear, but Morris stuck faithfully to his post, and he -became really the ruler of the city. - -When Washington defeated the British at Trenton, the English were -surprised but not troubled. They expected Washington’s unpaid army to -disband and Morris thought so too. He promised $10 extra pay to each -soldier if he would remain six weeks longer, then went to his Quaker -friends and on his personal credit borrowed the money and turned the -cash over to Washington on New Year’s Day. Hope sprang up again in -patriotic hearts. - -After the battle of Brandywine there remained no hope of saving -Philadelphia. Congress fled once more, this time to Lancaster, then to -York. The Liberty Bell was hauled away to Allentown, where it was hidden -under the floor of the Zion Reformed Church. The State officials went to -Lancaster, and Morris traveled there also. - -Morris was not eligible for re-election in 1778, but he worked to supply -the army. He turned over a cargo of ninety tons of lead for cartridges -at a time when the troops sorely needed them. In 1780 he was again -chosen to the Assembly, and a year later was chosen by Congress to be -Superintendent of Finance. - -Some persons had wished Alexander Hamilton to take this post, but -Hamilton himself proposed Morris. Until the end of the war Morris had -power to appoint and dismiss all employes in his own department and -could even fix their salaries. No one else connected with the Government -possessed such extensive powers. - -Morris counseled with Washington the project of transferring his army -southward to block Cornwallis. When the troops appeared in Philadelphia, -Washington, Count de Rochambeau and other generals dined with Morris and -used his house on Market Street as their headquarters. - -During this visit Morris borrowed money which the Count de Rochambeau -had brought to pay his own soldiers and gave it to the Americans. He -advanced every shilling of his own money and borrowed all he could -obtain from his friends. - -Robert Morris realized that a national bank was necessary, but few had -sufficient confidence to invest in the shares, but just at this time -France sent over some hard money, which was landed at Boston. Morris -sent two trustworthy men to bring the coins to Philadelphia. - -The treasure amounted to half a million dollars. The coins were packed -in great oak boxes, which when filled weighed a ton. These chests were -set on the axle of a cart and driven by oxen, through country which -contained many English troops. After a drive of two months, the coins -were safely dragged into Philadelphia. Half the money was used to start -the bank, which was chartered December 31, 1781, as the “Bank of North -America.” - -At the same time the bank opened its doors, Morris reported to Congress -that a mint should be established, in which money could be coined of one -kind and one standard. The mint was established and has been making -coins to this day. - -Robert Morris was a member of the convention which framed the Federal -Constitution, and he had the pleasure of nominating his friend, General -Washington, for presiding officer. - -After this Constitution was ratified by the States, Pennsylvania chose -Robert Morris and William Maclay as her first two Senators. - -Morris owned several magnificent homes, and much desirable real estate, -and was regarded as the richest man in America. But he had been too -hopeful. Land values did not rise quickly and he and his partners could -not sell their properties, nor were they able to pay their debts. - -At last the crash came and Morris was sent to prison for debt, February -15, 1798. Close to the prison sat the Congress which, on April 4, 1800, -passed the Bankrupt Act, though it was not until August 26, 1801, that -Morris regained his liberty. He came out with three millions of debt to -be a pensioner on his family. - -On May 7, 1806, Robert Morris died and was buried in Christ Churchyard. -His widow, who survived him twenty-one years, in 1824 received the first -private call made by Lafayette in Philadelphia. - -It is sad to think that a man who did so much for his country should at -last have done so badly for himself. If we had had no Robert Morris -there would probably have been no United States. All he had was at the -service of America. There was no truer patriot. It was his confidence in -the quick growth of the young nation that ruined him. Our country owes a -great debt to Robert Morris, the Financier of the Revolution. - - ---------- - - - - - First Division of Province Into Counties - Begun February 1, 1685 - - -After William Penn had spent nearly two years in his new province and -had made a trip of investigation as far interior as the Susquehanna -River, held many interviews with Lord Baltimore over the vexed question -of boundary, made several treaties with the Indians and placed the -government of his province in competent hands, he returned to England, -where he arrived during August, 1684. - -Charles II died December 12 following, and was succeeded by James, Duke -of York, whose accession was greatly dreaded by the Protestants, who -apprehended a revival of the persecutions during the reign of Mary. Penn -might have taken advantage of these apprehensions to induce more -emigrants to settle in Pennsylvania, but he was disinterested and used -his influence with the King to grant liberty of conscience to all -religionists, and more especially to the Quakers. - -Penn stood in high favor with King James long before he ascended the -throne, on account of friendship which James had for his father, who had -bravely fought under his flag, and this was increased by the son, who by -that means succeeded in obtaining from the King’s Council a favorable -decree in his dispute with Lord Baltimore over the boundaries of his -province. - -The lines of separation between the County of Philadelphia and those of -Bucks and Chester were confirmed by the Provincial Assembly February 1, -1685. - -This was a peculiar situation. Bucks and Chester were laid out with -specified boundaries adjoining Philadelphia, and, as a consequence, the -County of Philadelphia embraced the whole province between Chester and -Bucks and north-northwest and northeast to an indefinite extent. This, -of course, meant as far as Penn had purchased the land from the Indians. - -During his absence from the province all was not well with William Penn -in England or with his followers in the beloved Pennsylvania. -Dissensions sprang up between the Legislature and the Executive, and -between the members from the territories and those from the province -proper, which threatened the loss of all his possessions. Troubles of -Penn in America were not all confined to civil affairs, for his -religious society was torn with dissension. - -In 1685, the Proprietary appointed Nicholas More, a London lawyer, -president of the “Free Traders” and a member of the Assembly, to the -office of Chief Justice. The Assembly was jealous of its prerogatives -and disregarded the fundamental laws of the province in enacting -statutes without previously publishing them as required to do by the -constitution. - -Chief Justice More opposed some of the laws of the Assembly, and -particularly those which attempted to alter the organization of the -courts, and he incurred the enmity of the House, which proceeded to -impeach him. He was charged with violence, partiality and negligence, in -a cause in which the society of Free Traders was interested. Ten -articles were preferred against him, which he refused to answer, though -frequently summoned by the Council. - -More was saved from conviction by a technicality, but was not protected -from punishment. He was expelled from the Assembly, and was interdicted -all places of trust by the Council until he should be tried upon the -articles of impeachment or give satisfaction to the board. His -punishment was not severe because he retained the confidence of the -Proprietary. - -The anger of the House was extended to Patrick Robinson, clerk of the -Provincial Court, who refused to produce the minutes of that court. They -voted him to be a public enemy and ordered him into the custody of the -Sheriff. - -When brought before the House Robinson refused to answer questions and -threw himself at full length upon the floor. He was disqualified from -holding any office in the province or territories, but this sentence -does not seem to have been enforced, for he afterward held the clerkship -in the Council and other offices. - -Neither More nor Robinson were Quakers. They were charged with enmity to -that sect, or, in the language of Penn, “were esteemed the most unquiet -and cross to Friends.” - -There were other disturbances at this time in the province. John Curtis -was charged with “uttering troublesome and dangerous words against the -King.” - -Charges were made against several officers of the Government for -extortion, and gross immoralities were practiced among the lower class -of people inhabiting the caves on the banks of the Delaware. These and -other things were reported with great exaggeration in England by the -enemies of Penn and the Quakers. They prevented emigration and greatly -affected the reputation of the Society of Friends and the Proprietary. - -In 1686 Penn changed the form of executive government to a board of five -commissioners, any three of whom were empowered to act. The board -consisted of Thomas Lloyd, Nicholas More, James Claypoole, Robert Turner -and John Eckley. - -In 1688 the actions of the Assembly were marked by the usual want of -unanimity and the objectionable act of laying on its members a solemn -injunction of secrecy. This measure was not without an exhibition of -undignified violence. Lloyd requested to be relieved from his office, -and his request was reluctantly granted, and on his recommendation the -Proprietary changed the plural executive into a single deputy, and named -Captain John Blackwell, formerly an officer of Cromwell, under whom he -had earned a distinguished reputation in England and Ireland. He was in -New England when he received his commission, dated July 25, 1688. - -Governor Blackwell met the Assembly in March, 1689, but through some -misunderstanding between him and some of the Council the public affairs -were not managed with harmony, and but little was done during his -administration, which terminated in December when he returned to -England, and the government of the province, according to charter, again -devolved upon the Council, with Thomas Lloyd as president. - -The revolution in England during 1688, which drove James from the -throne, also lost for the Proprietary all his influence at the English -court. He was now an object of suspicion. His religious and political -principles were misrepresented. He was denounced as a Catholic, a Jesuit -of St. Omers, and a self-devoted slave of despotism, and was even -charged with conspiracy to restore James. He was freed of all these -charges and arranged to again visit his Province of Pennsylvania, and -was about to set sail when he was detained by another persecution. - -He was charged with being engaged in a conspiracy of the Papists to -raise a rebellion, and restore James to the throne. He narrowly escaped -arrest on his return from the funeral of George Fox, the celebrated -founder of the Society of Friends. Rather than suffer the ordeal of -another trial he retired to privacy and his contemplated colony failed -and the expense of the outfit was lost. - - ---------- - - - - - Governor Pattison’s Administration to Burning - of Capitol, February 2, 1897 - - -In the campaign of 1890 the political conditions in Pennsylvania were -somewhat similar to those of the preceding gubernatorial campaign. - -Four candidates were again in the field. The Republicans named as their -standard bearer George W. Delamater, who defeated Daniel H. Hastings in -the convention by eleven votes; former Governor Robert E. Pattison was -now eligible to again become a candidate and was promptly nominated by -the Democrats, and the Prohibition and Labor parties named John D. Gill -and T. P. Rynder as their candidates. - -The campaign again revealed great dissatisfaction in the majority party -and Pattison was elected for a second time. He was inaugurated on -January 20, 1891. - -During the month of May, 1891, there occurred great excitement by -failure of the Keystone and Spring Garden National Banks of -Philadelphia. John Bardsley, familiarly known as “Honest John,” was City -Treasurer, and a depositor not only of moneys belonging to that city, -but also of taxes collected for the Commonwealth. - -A few days after the failure of these banks it was found that Bardsley’s -losses would make him a defaulter to the city and the State to a large -amount. He at once resigned his office, and was as promptly prosecuted -for embezzling public funds. On trial, he pleaded guilty and was -sentenced to fifteen years’ imprisonment and to pay a fine of $237,000. - -Ballot reform became one of the leading questions before the Legislature -and on June 19, 1891, a reform act was passed, which was known as the -“Australian” ballot system, which provided for secrecy in voting. - -There were several serious labor disputes during Governor Pattison’s -Administration, in the suppression of which it was necessary to use the -strong arm of State authority. April 2, 1891, a riot occurred in -Westmoreland County in which seven persons were killed and twenty-one -wounded. Two regiments of the National Guard were sent to assist the -sheriff in restoring peace. - -The great labor riots at Homestead occurred early in July, 1892, and on -the sixth the sheriff of Allegheny County asked the Governor for militia -assistance. - -The cause of the trouble here was a reduction of wages in the Carnegie -Steel Company, and the officials of the corporation employed armed men -to patrol the property and protect the men who accepted the cut in wages -and remained at their jobs. A large force of Pinkerton detectives was -also employed to assist in this protection. The striking miners attacked -those detectives and in the riots a dozen lives were lost. - -The militia was not sent on first call for aid, but on July 10, after -other riots, Governor Pattison ordered two brigades of the National -Guard to Homestead. They arrived there on the morning of July 12. The -presence of the troopers overawed the malcontents and peace was -immediately restored. - -Another riot occurred January 27, 1893, at Mansfield, Allegheny County, -which resulted in loss of life and property. In June, 1894, it was -necessary to send two regiments of militia into Jefferson County to -preserve life and property on account of rioting among foreign miners. -There were fifty-three strikes in 1893, and twenty-seven in 1894, all -failing in their purpose save three. - -The interest in forestry had increased to such an extent that in 1893 a -commission on forestry was created by Act of Legislature. William F. -Shunk was appointed engineer and Dr. J. F. Rothrock, botanist of the -commission. - -In 1893, the Legislature appropriated half a million dollars for the -erection of a fireproof building on the east side of the Capitol -grounds, to be occupied by the State Library and various executive -offices. - -In the campaign of 1894, five candidates contested the election for -Governor. General Daniel H. Hastings, of Bellefonte, was nominated by -the Republicans, William M. Singerly, of Philadelphia, was the -Democratic standard bearer, while Charles I. Hawley, Jerome T. Allman -and Thomas H. Grundy, represented the Prohibition, People’s and -Socialist-Labor parties respectively. The Republicans presented a united -front and easily elected General Hastings, who assumed office on January -15, 1895. - -The first important change in the Government was the creation of the -Superior Court, which was done by an act passed June 24, 1895. - -Governor Hastings, June 28, appointed Ex-Governor James A. Beaver, -Edward N. Willard, John J. Wickham, Charles E. Rice, Howard J. Reeder, -George B. Orlady and Henry J. McCarthy as the original members of the -Court, with Charles E. Rice as President Judge. At the ensuing election -the six first named and Peter P. Smith were elected for the full term of -ten years. - -The first vacancy was occasioned by the resignation of Justice Willard, -September 1, 1897, and William W. Porter was commissioned September 14; -next was the death of Justice John J. Wickham, June 18, 1898, and he was -succeeded by William D. Porter, July 6; then Justice Reeder died -December 28, 1898, to be succeeded by Dimner Beeber, January 2, 1899, -who served only until his successor was elected. - -James I. Mitchell was commissioned December 6, 1899, and resigned -November 28, 1902, his place being filled by Thomas A. Morrison, -December 30, 1902; Justice William W. Porter resigned January 27, 1903, -his place being filled by John J. Henderson. John B. Head was elected -1905, and resigned April 12, 1922. John W. Kephart was elected 1913, and -resigned January 6, 1919, to become a member of the Supreme Court, his -place being filled by the commission of William H. Keller. - -Former Governor James A. Beaver died January 31, 1914, and Frank M. -Trexler was commissioned February 6. J. Henry Williams succeeded Justice -Morrison December 9, 1915; he died October 24, 1919, and was succeeded -by William B. Linn, November 5. President Charles E. Rice retired at the -end of his term, December, 1915. Justice Head resigned April 12, 1922, -and Robert S. Gawthrop was commissioned. - -The present court is composed of President Judge George B. Orlady, the -only survivor of the original court; William D. Porter, who has served -since July 6, 1898; John J. Henderson, who was commissioned March 11, -1903; Frank M. Trexler, William H. Keller, William B. Linn and Robert S. -Gawthrop. - -The Department of Agriculture was created by act of March 13, 1895, and -Thomas J. Edge was commissioned the first Secretary. His successors have -been John Hamilton, N. B. Critchfield, Charles E. Patton, Frederic -Rasmussen and Frank P. Willits, the incumbent. - -July 3, 1895, the Legislature authorized the erection of a monument to -each Pennsylvania regiment engaged in battles of Chickamauga and -Chattanooga. These were all placed in the proper positions by 1898, and -reflect much credit to the State and those who had this patriotic work -in charge. - -The old Capitol Building was destroyed by fire February 2, 1897. The -Governor took immediate steps for the erection of a new Capitol Building -and the Legislature promptly authorized a commission to supervise the -erection of the same. - - ---------- - - - - - Benedict Arnold Arrested for Conduct in - Philadelphia February 3, 1779 - - -When our troops took possession of Philadelphia the day following the -evacuation of the British, June 18, 1778, General Benedict Arnold, then -flushed with the recent capture of Burgoyne, was sent by General -Washington to assume command of the city, and his headquarters were -established at Henry Gurney’s. - -The autocratic demeanor of Arnold would make it appear as if -Philadelphia, appalled at the circumstances, deemed it provident to make -no resistance. Arnold, however, to their agreeable surprise, was polite -and clever, as were his able aides, Major Franks and Captain Clarkson. - -It was here that Arnold entered upon a style of living but ill according -with republican simplicity. He issued a proclamation, among other -things, to prevent the removal, transfer, or sale of goods or -merchandise in possession of the inhabitants belonging to the King of -Great Britain. - -Arnold prevented even army officers from purchasing while he made -purchases on his own account, and then through agents sold them at -exorbitant prices. - -The first incident in Arnold’s administration which attracted attention -to his conduct was his questionable handling of the award of prize money -obtained in the capture of the British sloop “Active.” - -Having succeeded in ingratiating himself into the good will of the -Shippen family, Arnold won the affections of Margaret (“Peggy”) Shippen, -the young and accomplished daughter of Edward Shippen, afterward Chief -Justice of the State, who became his second wife. - -Owing to a recent wound received under circumstances which would alone -have established a claim to grateful remembrances, had not his -subsequent extraordinary defection obliterated his name from the roll of -his country’s heroes, Arnold during his marriage ceremony was supported -by a soldier and when seated his disabled limb was propped upon a camp -stool. These wounds may perhaps have made him more interesting to the -lovely but unfortunate bride. - -At all events, her “hero,” except for his character for extravagance, -was at that moment regarded with a share of public favor, if not with -any feeling of popular affection. He had rendered “some service to the -State,” and was distinguished for gallantry among the bravest of the -land. - -It is as unjust as vain to urge, as some have done, in palliation of his -stupendous crime, the fashionable and expensive propensities of his -beautiful and accomplished wife. That she was addicted to displays of -wealth inconsistent with the spirit of her time and the condition of -public affairs may not with propriety be questioned; but no external -influence can move a truly great and honorable mind and heart from a -fixed purpose of patriotic or social duty. - -When a mob was formed which gave out an intention to assault the house -of Hon. James Wilson, which became known as “Fort Wilson,” and assault -his person, it was a day of great excitement in Philadelphia. Wilson’s -friends gathered around him and prepared to defend him as best they -could. - -In the meantime, the mob and militia assembled on the commons, while a -meeting of the principal citizens took place at the Coffee House. The -mob began its march from Arch above Fifth Street. General Arnold came to -repress the mob, but he was so unpopular they stoned him. - -Arnold’s conduct had given great offense to many of the active -supporters of the American cause, which involved him in a quarrel with -the authorities of Pennsylvania, and February 3, 1779, the Supreme -Executive Council ordered the Attorney General of the State to prosecute -General Arnold for illegal and oppressive conduct while in command of -the military in Philadelphia. Active among those who urged an -investigation of the charges was General Joseph Reed, President of the -Council. - -A copy of the charges was presented to General Arnold, but he did not -care to meet them, and under pretense of attending to his duty, “fled -from the inquiry.” - -From the camp on the Raritan, whence he had gone, he addressed a letter -“To the Publick,” expressing his willingness that Congress should direct -a court-martial to inquire into his conduct. The accusations of the -Supreme Executive Council were laid before that body, but the trial was -delayed and not until January, 1780, was the court-martial held. - -Arnold was “convicted of using the public wagons for his own benefit,” -but he was acquitted of any corrupt intent and sentenced to be -reprimanded by General Washington. - -The verdict exasperated Arnold, who was still further humiliated by the -action of Congress on claims preferred by him growing out of the -Canadian expedition. His estimate was materially reduced by the Treasury -officers, and when Arnold appealed to Congress a committee reported that -a larger sum had been allowed him than was really due. Having failed to -secure a loan from the French Ambassador, he determined to betray his -country for British gold. - -The extravagance of Arnold produced the want of money and probably the -predilections of the wife for what was splendid in the British army -influenced them both to forfeit home and country for a splendid but -elusive hope. - -It must be remarked of “Peggy” Shippen that she had been the belle of -Philadelphia and the standing toast of the British officers while their -army was in Philadelphia. She had been brought up in British affections. -Her father, Chief Justice Edward Shippen, was biased on that side. Major -Andre was intimate in the family, which led to a friendly correspondence -between Miss Shippen and him. - -After Arnold married her he, of course, became acquainted with that -fact, and encouraged its continuance. It was continued, until at last -Arnold and Andre opened it more directly between themselves, under the -names of Gustavus for the former and John Anderson for the latter. - -The failure of Arnold’s scheme to surrender West Point, his flight, the -execution of Andre, and the unhappy life of “Peggy” Shippen Arnold are -familiar facts of history. - -In September, 1780, the populace of the city of Philadelphia were drawn -together in great excitement to witness the degradation and burning of -Arnold, the traitor, in effigy. His figure, in regimental uniform, was -placed on a cart and drawn through the city, to be burned on High Street -Hill. - -The effigy had two faces and a mask in his left hand. Near him was the -devil, in black robes, holding out to him a purse of money. Near them -were transparencies of pictures and letters describing his treachery and -treason. - -The procession began from the rear of St. George’s Methodist Church, in -Fourth Street, and was in the following order: Gentlemen on horseback, a -line of Continental officers, sundry gentlemen in a line, a guard of the -City Infantry. Just before the cart, drums and fifes playing all the way -the “Rogues’ March.” Guards on each side of the cart. - -The procession was attended with a numerous concourse of people who -after expressing their abhorrence of the treason and traitor, committed -him to the flames, and left both the effigy and the original to sink -into ashes and oblivion. - - ---------- - - - - - John Penn, Last Proprietary Governor, Succeeds - Richard Penn, Who Died - February 4, 1771 - - -Richard Penn, one of the Proprietors, died February 4, 1771, and under -the terms of the family settlement, and his own will, Lieutenant -Governor John Penn succeeded to Richard Penn’s one-fourth interest in -Pennsylvania, and to the legal title of Governor. - -On May 4, Governor John Penn embarked for England, when Mr. James -Hamilton administered the executive powers of the government as -president of council. - -Richard Penn, second son of the deceased Proprietary, and previously a -member of the Governor’s Council, was appointed by his uncle and brother -to be Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania and the Lower Counties. - -He arrived a second time in Pennsylvania on October 6, 1771. - -The following May he married Miss Mary Masters, of Philadelphia. She was -a lady possessed of sufficient property to make her distinguished -husband somewhat independent. - -Richard Penn was blessed with a pleasing personality and most charming -manners, which, with his genuine desire to keep on intimate and friendly -terms with the people, contributed much toward making him the most -popular member of the founder’s family. - -He had a dispute with his brother, John, concerning his father’s will. -He claimed that the manors were not appurtenant to the Proprietorship, -but were included in the private real estate directed to be sold for the -benefit of the residuary legatees. - -Thomas Penn took the side of John, and the two found fault with -Richard’s conduct in the government, but the latter defended himself, -and spoke of his father’s promise to try to have the family agreement of -1732 dissolved as unfair to his younger children in its stipulation that -the Proprietaryship should go to the eldest son, charged only with -payments to the widows and younger children of certain sums which had -since become entirely disproportionate to the estates. - -Governor Richard Penn was superseded in office by his brother, John, who -arrived back in the Province in August, 1773. - -For a long time Richard did not go near him, and maintained that he had -been greatly injured. John offered, as long as he should be governor, to -allow him £500 a year, but Richard declared he would not be his -brother’s pensioner. - -There is a story told that the brothers attended a banquet, sitting -opposite to each other, on the right and left hand of the head of the -feast, but they did not speak to each other during the whole -entertainment. - -Richard was, in May, 1774, induced to execute a release of his claim, -and a reconciliation took place, when John appointed him naval officer, -and Richard, accepting the position, called to thank him. - -During the administration of John Penn the counties of Northumberland, -March 21, 1772, and Westmoreland, February 26, 1773, were erected. - -The Connecticut claimants were unusually active at this time and -extended their settlements, not only in the Wyoming Valley, but built -forts and houses as far east as Shoholy and Lackawaxen, on the Delaware, -where the Proprietary had manors, and on the west they seated themselves -on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. - -He made strenuous efforts to eject the Pennsylvania claimants, but the -Provincial authorities succeeded in holding the Yankees in check. - -The colony of Connecticut endeavored to have Governor John Penn define a -boundary, who would not accede to their demands, but advised the -claimants that they should take their dispute before the King and -Council, where the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania would appear, and use -their best offices toward a final decision. - -But this was not the only trouble Governor Penn had to contend with -usurpers, for at this very moment the boundary dispute with Virginia -claimed his best effort. - -This contest was over the western limit of the province, where many -settlers, west of the Allegheny Mountains, believed they were the -subjects of the government of Virginia. Even George Croghan maintained -that the limits of Pennsylvania ended at the Laurel Hill Range. He -understood that a degree of longitude meant forty-eight miles only. - -But other and darker clouds were appearing above the horizon than those -of boundary strips. - -The importation of tea had been forbidden by the determined colonists, -and but a small quantity had been brought into the country. - -Large accumulations had to be disposed of and the owners were determined -to unload it on the American market. - -On the approach of tea ships pilots refused to conduct them into the -harbor. A large cargo landed in Charleston, S. C., was stored in damp -cellars, and rotted. - -Ships designed for Boston entered that port, but before the tea could be -landed, a number of colonists boarded the vessels and emptied the cargo -into the sea. - -The King and Parliament closed the port of Boston, and the colonists -believed that their civil rights were destroyed. - -The terms “Whigs” and “Tories” were introduced at this time—the former -to describe those in sympathy with the cause of Boston, and arrayed on -the side of the colonies against Parliament; the latter to designate -those whose sympathies were with Great Britain against the colonies. - -Throughout the Province of Pennsylvania the warmest interest and most -cordial sympathy were manifested for the people of Boston. - -Governor Penn declined to convene the Assembly. The Committee of -Correspondence for Philadelphia sought the sentiments of the -inhabitants, and in a meeting held in the State House, resolutions were -adopted which resulted in the great meeting of Provincial deputies in -Philadelphia, July 15, 1774, which called upon the colonies to organize -a Continental Congress. - -Such was the determined stand taken by the people of Pennsylvania, says -Sherman Day, who, with loyalty upon their lips, but the spirit of -resistance in their hearts, pushed forward the Revolution. - - ---------- - - - - - Ole Bull, Founder of Colony in Potter - -County, Born February 5, 1810 - - -Several years ago more than one thousand persons from every section of -Pennsylvania, and not a few from Southern New York State, journeyed to a -most out-of-the-way place up in the wilds of Potter County to do homage -to the memory of a great man, and to view the scene of one of the -saddest failures in the history of the settlement of our great -Commonwealth. - -This pilgrimage was to the land of Ole Bull, the great Norwegian -violinist, who during his lifetime played before the royal families of -Europe and distinguished personages all over the world. - -Ole Bornemann Bull was born in Bergen, Norway, February 5, 1810, and in -his earliest childhood developed a fondness for music, especially that -of a violin. - -Ole was destined for the church but failed to pass the necessary -examination, and at once decided that he would make music his vocation -in life. He became a pupil of Paulsen for a short time, about the only -instruction he ever received from a master. - -It was upon a visit to Paris that Paganini heard of the youthful genius -and saw in him the latent possibility of a great musician. He encouraged -him to become a violin virtuoso. His first appearance on the concert -stage was with Ernst and Chopin, and he was received with such approval -that it was not long before his fame had spread over the entire -continent of Europe. - -At a time before his talent was appreciated he had become so despondent -that he attempted suicide by drowning in the river Seine, but was -rescued by a young French woman, Alexandriene Felice Villeminot, whom he -married in 1836, and with whom he lived happily until her death in 1863. - -He married a second time in 1870, taking as his bride Sara C. Thorpe, of -Wisconsin. Ole Bull died on the island of Lyso, near his native Bergen, -in Norway, August 17, 1880. - -Ole Bull first visited the United States in the winter of 1843–44. He -had grave doubts of the success of an American tour but was persuaded by -friends to come here. His success was instantaneous. He was received -with wild acclaim and the financial returns were far beyond his fondest -dreams. - -He again returned to America in 1852, and it was during this concert -tour that he went to Williamsport and played before a vast audience, -when the newspapers of that time wrote of him as “an attractive figure -with gold snuff box, diamond-studded buttons in his shirt and his -fingers almost covered with rings.” - -Certainly a fastidious personage and one with such talent could not fail -his audiences. The bow with which he produced such perfect melody -contained a large diamond setting which sparkled as he drew it across -the strings. - -During his trip to Williamsport Ole Bull was entertained in the home of -John F. Cowan, and the attention of the great violinist was called to -certain tracts of land owned by Cowan situated in Abbott and Stewardson -Townships, Potter County, and the great advantages of this location for -colonization purposes, which so impressed Bull that he visited the site -and noting a striking resemblance to his native Norway, decided at once -to found a colony of his countrymen at this spot on the headwaters of -Kettle Creek. - -The following year about thirty of his countrymen, forming the advance -guard, arrived in this country and proceeded to their new home in the -wilderness. These adventurers were not of the ordinary immigrant class, -but persons of culture and refinement, many being musicians of repute. - -Ten days following the arrival of the first settlers, 105 other -colonists joined them and settled in one of the four villages. These -brought a minister and religious services were begun the first Sunday -following. - -The first difficulty encountered by these new arrivals was the -transportation of their personal effects, which could only be hauled by -wagon and then under the worst conditions imaginable. - -Ole Bull’s colonization scheme attracted much attention, and friends and -admirers of his contributed stock, machinery and farming implements. -Among those who thus offered encouragement was Henry Clay, of Kentucky, -who gave blooded horses and cattle, descendants of which are still among -those in use in Potter County. - -Four villages were laid out: Oleona, named in honor of Ole Bull; New -Norway, New Bergen and Walhalla. Sixteen houses were soon under -construction at Oleona, all finished within a year. - -Ole Bull soon after his arrival selected a site for his castle and -garden. Soon as the spot was determined upon, a flag pole of beautiful -straight pine was cut, trimmed and placed. By arrangement the name by -which the town was to be known was to be pronounced as the flag was -unfurled to the mountain breeze; “Oleona” was the name of the home of -the Norwegians. Thirty-one cheers, one for each State, were given and -three long ones for Ole Bull. - -The evening was one of rejoicing and celebration. Bonfires were burning -everywhere. Ole Bull made an address and then, taking his violin, played -an anthem suitable to the occasion. At the conclusion of the hymn of -liberty of old Norway, a gentleman representing the State of -Pennsylvania, stepped forward and welcomed Ole Bull and the Norwegians -to the United States of America, and to the Commonwealth of -Pennsylvania. - -Old Bull turned his attention to the erection of his castle, which was -built on a high eminence, about 200 feet above the valley below. From -this site he could view every part of his colony. A great retaining wall -was built at its base, extending one hundred and twenty feet in length -and rising to a height of sixteen feet. This wall gave to the place the -appearance of a large fortress and resembled some ancient castle of the -old world. - -A broad road was constructed leading up to the castle, which was broad -enough to drive three teams abreast. - -Any one familiar with the conditions these colonists had to face, in an -almost unbroken wilderness, far from any base of supplies with little -money and less business sagacity, can realize that the colony was doomed -to failure the very day it started. Bull was compelled to abandon his -project with the loss of his wealth, and again play in concert to recoup -his fortune. - -Ole Bull was a musical genius, but building five cities in the wilds of -Potter County was a different thing than playing Beethoven’s Eighth -Sonata on a violin. He could move audiences but not mountains. - -The title of the lands he bought was defective, and, while it has been -charged that he was defrauded by Cowan, there is no evidence to -substantiate that. Cowan took back the property and refunded Bull the -purchase money. - -The castle was never fully completed and never occupied by Bull. The -doors and windows were never put in place, and soon after this breaking -up of the colony the building began to fall into decay until all that -now remains are the cellar and retaining wall. - -Ole Bull never again visited the scene of his visionary paradise, but -his name is still perpetuated in the town of Oleona. - - ---------- - - - - - Dr. Joseph Priestley, Discoverer of Oxygen, - Died at Northumberland February 6, 1804 - - -Dr. Joseph Priestley was born near Leeds in Yorkshire, England, March -13, 1733. He died at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1804. - -Joseph was the youngest of nine children. His father and grandfather -were prosperous cloth makers, employing, for that age, a large force of -workmen. From his parents, who were strict Calvinists, Joseph inherited -a deeply religious nature. He attended the school of the neighborhood -and at eleven had read most of the Latin authors, and in a few years had -made considerable progress in Greek and Hebrew, with some knowledge of -Chaldee, Syrian and Arabic. - -He began to experiment at the age of eleven, when he selected spiders -and insects and placed them in bottles to ascertain how long they could -live without fresh air. - -A few years later he made “electrifying machines,” and a kite of fine -silk, six feet wide, which he could take apart and carry in his pocket. -The string was composed of thirty-six threads and a wire, similar to -that used by Dr. Franklin, in Philadelphia, to “bring electric fire from -the clouds.” - -At nineteen, Priestley was sent to Daventry, where he embraced the -heterodox side of almost every question, as he afterwards wrote of his -three years at Daventry: “In my time the academy was in a state -peculiarly favorable to the serious pursuits of truth, and the students -were about equally divided upon every question of much importance, such -as ‘Liberty and Necessity,’ the ‘Sleep of the Soul’ and all the articles -of theological orthodoxy and heresy.” - -After leaving Daventry, he preached for three years to a dissenting -congregation at Needham. In 1761 he was a professor at Warrington -Academy. While here he published several of his books and made such -experiments in electricity and “fixed air,” that the results began to be -noised abroad. He married, while at Warrington, a daughter of a wealthy -iron manufacturer, a Mr. Wilkinson. - -In one of his visits to London he met Benjamin Franklin. He became a -member of a famous club which met at the London Coffee House, and here -he interested Franklin in his experiments, and they became the closest -friends. Both became members of the Royal Society and both in turn -received its highest honor, the Copley medal. Each obtained from -Edinburgh University the degree LL. D. Oxford conferred a like degree -upon Franklin, while for a space of a century it ignored his heretical -friend. - -In 1860 a statue of Dr. Priestley was erected at Oxford by Prince -Albert, afterward King Edward. - -Franklin wrote to Priestley, in 1777: “I rejoice to hear of your -continual progress in those useful discoveries. I find you have set all -the philosophers of Europe at work upon fixed air (carbonic acid gas); -and it is with great pleasure I observe how high you stand in their -opinion, for I enjoy my friend’s fame as my own.” - -When Franklin was in France during the closing days of the Revolution, -Priestley was there pursuing literary work. He was afterward made a -citizen and offered a seat in the National Assembly. - -Shortly before the American Revolution, Priestley wrote anonymously -three pamphlets in defense of the colonies. His influence was potent. - -Dr. Priestley announced his discovery of “dephlogisticated air” (oxygen) -in 1774, to a large assemblage of philosophers who were dining at the -house of M. Lavoisier in Paris. This was man’s first introduction to the -mighty element that makes one-fifth of the atmosphere in volume and -eight-ninths of the ocean by weight, besides forming one-half of the -earth’s solid crust and supporting all fire and all life. - -It is unfortunate that Dr. Priestley did not have a biographer worthy -the name, for his life is full of dramatic incidents, scientific -attainment, learning and human interest. - -We find him the central figure in the great gatherings of that day, -receiving the highest honors of his own and other Governments, and, when -the tide turned, denounced, persecuted, the victim of the mob, home and -library burned and pillaged. Through all the changes of this eventful -life we find him the same able, earnest, fearless and cheerful spirit to -the end. - -Dr. Priestley, disregarding the warning of David Hume, and against the -wishes of his philosophic friends, took up the cause of liberty in -religion. In his letters he makes a strong appeal for Christianity. His -desire was to revive in France and England the simple spiritual -communion of the early church. - -He published many works upon his religious views which made him the most -hated man in England. He was everywhere detested. The streets of London -were strewn with scurrilous handbills and caricatures of him. Even his -fellow associates in the Royal Society turned their backs upon him. - -But it must be remembered that the men, at home and abroad, who opposed -Priestley’s doctrines, were the very men who honored him as a man. - -At Birmingham, in 1791, the last great religious riot in England -occurred. It is often spoken of today as “Priestley’s Riots,” for the -doctor was the chief object of the mobs. - -It was during a celebration on the anniversary of the fall of the -Bastille, at which Dr. Priestley was not present, that the cry of the -mob was “Church and King.” Dr. Priestley had favored the agitation, then -rife in Birmingham, for the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts. The -mob suddenly marched toward his home and Dr. and Mrs. Priestley, who -were playing a game of backgammon, barely succeeded in escaping. The -doctor was pursued for several days and his life threatened. - -The mob vented its rage by pillaging Priestley’s house and tearing it to -pieces. The rioters made a pyre of his furniture, manuscripts, priceless -apparatus, a library of 30,000 volumes, his private correspondence, and -his diaries, and all were destroyed by fire. - -In 1794 Dr. Priestley came to America and settled at Northumberland, Pa. -Here he erected a fine house and laboratory, and resumed his -experiments, which resulted in the discovery of three new gases. Here he -wrote many books. - -Dr. Priestley made trips to Philadelphia, where he lectured on -historical and religious subjects, founding, in 1796, the first -Unitarian Church in that city. - -The University of Pennsylvania offered him the chair of chemistry, and -afterward its presidency, but he preferred the quiet of his home at the -“Forks of the Susquehanna.” - -In 1874 the chemists of America met at Northumberland to celebrate at -the grave of Dr. Priestley the centennial of his great discovery. -Messages were flashed across the Atlantic to chemists who met the same -day at Birmingham to unveil a colossal statue of the man whom that city -had, eighty years before, driven from the streets, and burned his home -and possessions. - -Dr. Joseph Priestley was one of the most distinguished adopted citizens -of our great State. - - ---------- - - - - - - - -Western Boundary in Dispute—Jail at| Hannastown Stormed February 7, 1775 - -Virginia, by virtue of her “sea-to-sea” charter, made an indefinite -claim to all lands west and northwest of her coast line. She therefore -held that the region about the forks of the Ohio belonged to her. -Accordingly, in 1749, the Ohio Land Company obtained from King George II -a grant of half a million acres on the branches of the Ohio. The object -was to form a barrier against the French and to establish trade with the -Indians. - -Christopher Gist was sent to explore the country, and, with eleven other -families, he settled within the present limits of Fayette County. - -A fort was begun in 1754 on the present site of Pittsburgh, but the -French captured the Virginians, finished the fort and named it Fort -Duquesne. In November, 1758, General John Forbes captured the fort from -the French. It was rebuilt and named Fort Pitt. - -Before 1758 the western part of Pennsylvania could be approached from -the east only by the route of the Juniata and the Kiskiminitas. In that -year Forbes finished as far as Loyalhanna the road previously begun from -Fort Loudon by way of Bedford. Many Scotch-Irish settlers seated -themselves in the Ligonier Valley at Hannastown, and about the forks of -the Ohio, and, with settlers from Maryland and Virginia, they possessed -the land in comparative quiet until Pontiac’s War. - -Pittsburgh, begun in 1760, was cut off from communication during -Pontiac’s conspiracy, and had it not have been for Colonel Bouquet’s -victory over the savages at Busby Run in 1764 it might have been -entirely destroyed. - -The growth of Pittsburgh was slow. England after the French and Indian -War had forbidden colonists to settle west of the headwaters of the -rivers in the Atlantic basin, and the settlers on Redstone Creek and the -Cheat River were at one time driven off by the same British -proclamation. A law was passed by the Assembly of Pennsylvania which -imposed a death penalty, without benefit of clergy, for trespassing upon -lands not purchased from the Indians. - -But the continued accession of emigrants into this region made it -necessary to erect a new county, and the General Assembly, February 26, -1773, established Westmoreland County, which included all of the -southwestern portion of the province west of Laurel Hill. Robert Hanna’s -settlement, on the old Forbes road near the present site of Greensburg, -was made the county seat and named Hannastown. - -When Virginia saw that Pennsylvania was extending jurisdiction over the -forks of the Ohio she renewed her claims to that country. - -The Earl of Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, asserted that Pittsburgh was -outside the limits of Pennsylvania. In this contention he was supported -by Colonel George Croghan and many others, who believed that the five -degrees of longitude which were to be the extent westward of -Pennsylvania placed the Monongahela beyond the limits of that province. -Croghan maintained that the limits were at the Alleghenies or Laurel -Hill Range, “having heard, among other things, that a degree of -longitude at the time of the charter of William Penn meant forty-eight -miles.” - -At the close of 1773 Governor Dunmore appointed Dr. John Connelly, a -Pennsylvanian, as commandant of the militia of Pittsburgh. He took -possession of Fort Pitt and changed its name to Fort Dunmore. - -Connelly defied Pennsylvania authority and commanded all the people to -appear as a militia under the authority of Lord Dunmore. - -Arthur St. Clair, Prothonotary, Clerk, and Recorder of Westmoreland -County, had Connelly arrested and bound over to keep the peace. St. -Clair reported his actions to Governor Penn, who sent to Lord Dunmore a -draught of the lines of Pennsylvania as surveyed by David Rittenhouse, -William Smith and Surveyor General John Lukens, showing that Pittsburgh -was east of the westernmost limit of the grant to the Proprietaries. - -Dunmore demanded better evidence and that St. Clair should be dismissed -from office for committing Dr. Connelly to jail. - -A large company paraded in arms through the streets of Pittsburgh, and -opened a cask of rum. St. Clair issued an order for them to disperse. - -The Sheriff allowed Connelly to go to Pittsburgh under promise to -return. He traveled about collecting adherents, and on the day he was to -return he appeared before the Hannastown court house at the head of 200 -men, all armed and colors flying. He placed sentinels at the door and -kept the magistrates from entering unless they agreed to act under -Virginia authority, and he demanded their decision in writing. - -The magistrates declared they would continue to act under authority of -Pennsylvania, when Connelly, a few days later, had them arrested and -brought before him in Pittsburgh. When they refused to give bail, he -sent them to the court of Augusta County, at Staunton, Va. - -Governor Penn advised the three magistrates to get bail, but sent the -Attorney General of Pennsylvania and James Tilghman, as commissioners to -induce Lord Dunmore to join with the Proprietaries in a petition to the -King to have the boundary line run and marked, and in the meantime to -agree to a temporary line of jurisdiction, suggesting that the -Monongahela River would answer for a line. - -The application to the King was consented to, but the boundary was not -agreed upon. - -The adherents of Virginia increased in strength at Pittsburgh, and it -became impossible to collect taxes imposed by Pennsylvania. How these -troubles would have ended is unforeseen, for during the latter part of -1774, the attention of all the western frontier was turned to the Indian -invasion, since known as Dunmore’s War. - -While this war was confined to the western border of Virginia, the -inhabitants of Westmoreland County organized, under command of St. -Clair, assisted by Colonels Proctor and Lochrey and Captain James Smith, -and put the frontier in a state of defense. - -On February 7, 1775, by order of a Virginia magistrate, a man named -Benjamin Harrison with an armed party broke open the jail at Hannastown -and set free the prisoners. Robert Hanna, who was a magistrate, read to -them the riot act, but Harrison said he did not regard that act, or -those who read it, or those who made it. Two weeks later Hanna and -another magistrate, James Cavett, were arrested and confined in Fort -Dunmore, where they remained for months. - -The controversy got into Congress, but the Revolution brought about a -more amicable feeling, and by 1779 the Virginians and Pennsylvanians -agreed to a settlement. - -A commission surveyed the boundary by extending the Mason and Dixon’s -line to its western limit of five degrees. There a meridian was drawn as -far north as the Ohio. - -Ceding her western lands, north of the Ohio to Congress in 1784, -Virginia had no further interest in the boundary and the next year -Pennsylvania alone extended the meridian to Lake Erie. - -After the Revolution, affairs in Western Pennsylvania were generally -peaceful. - - ---------- - - - - - First Members of Susquehanna Company - Settle in Wyoming, February 8, 1769 - - -The Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, determined to hold possession of -lands in the Wyoming Valley, which were claimed by the Connecticut -settlers, sent Captain Amos Ogden, John Anderson, Charles Stewart, -Alexander Patterson, John Jennings and several other Pennsylvanians and -New Jerseymen into that section with the intention of becoming lessees -or purchasers of the proprietary lands at Wyoming. - -They established themselves on Mill Creek, December, 1768, where they -erected a small fort or blockhouse, this settlement being within the -Manor of Stoke, which had been located and surveyed for the -Proprietaries December 9 of that year. - -The Susquehanna Company, which had been organized at Windham, Conn., -July 18, 1753, determined to take possession formally of the lands -located at Wyoming, purchased by them from the Indians at Albany. The -first forty settlers under this company arrived at Wyoming February 8, -1769. A large body, led by Major John Durkee, with authority from the -Susquehanna Company, arrived at Wyoming from Connecticut and New York -May 12, 1769. They immediately began the erection of about twenty -substantial and commodious one-story log cabins. A few days later 150 -additional settlers arrived. - -The Connecticut settlers finished the erection of their first -twenty-five cabins by May 20 and a week later began the erection of the -stockade to surround them, which, when completed, they named “Fort -Durkee,” in honor of their leader, Major John Durkee. - -Governor John Penn was immediately advised of the arrival of the -Connecticut settlers, and he at once planned to discourage their -permanent location and directed letters to Colonel Turbutt Francis, then -in command of the small garrison of provincial troops stationed at Fort -Augusta, and to John Jennings, of Bethlehem, Sheriff of Northampton -County. These letters urged them to discourage unlawful settlements, but -to use force, if necessary, to drive them off. - -May 24 Sheriff Jennings arrived at Wyoming and read the Governor’s -proclamation to the “intruders.” - -An exciting occurrence took place when “Colonel Turbut Francis, -commanding a fine company from the city (Philadelphia), in full military -array, with colors streaming and martial music, descended into the plain -and sat down before Fort Durkee about the 20th of June, but finding the -Yankees too strongly fortified, returned to await re-enforcements below -the mountains.” - -Another version of the affair is: “June 22 Colonel Francis, with sixty -men, in a hostile manner demanded a surrender of our houses and -possessions. He embodied his forces within thirty or forty rods of their -(the settlers) dwelling, threatened to fire their houses and kill our -people unless they surrendered and quitted their possessions, which they -refused to do; and after many terrible threatenings by him he withdrew.” - -Soon as Major Durkee, who had been in Easton on court business, returned -to Wyoming and learned of the hostile demonstration of Colonel Francis -and his small force he set about to strengthen the defenses of Fort -Durkee. It was at this time, July 1, 1769, that the major compounded and -originated the almost unique name “Wilkes-Barre” and bestowed it upon -the settlement and territory at and immediately adjacent to Fort Durkee. - -Governor Penn was fully aware that the Yankees were determined to keep -possession of the lands upon which they were settled, and on August 24, -1769, wrote to Colonel Francis at Fort Augusta, directing him to raise -an expedition to assist the Sheriff of Northampton County in executing -the King’s writ, and concluded as follows: “It is hoped you will be able -to procure the people to go without pay, as they have already manifested -a very good disposition to bring the intruders to justice.” - -The attempt to serve these writs in September, 1769, precipitated the -first of the so-called Pennamite-Yankee Wars. The Sheriff approached a -number of the settlers at work, and they were attacked by men of his -posse under the command of Amos and Nathan Ogden, and “several of the -settlers were beat and wounded.” This action and its results may be -understood from a letter written to Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut: - -“In September Amos and Nathan Ogden, with twenty-six others armed with -pistols and clubs, assaulted and wounded sundry of our people, whereby -their lives were endangered. The same month thirteen of our people in -three canoes loaded with wheat and flour, about sixty miles below -Wyoming, were met and robbed of their canoes and loading by thirty armed -men who came from Fort Augusta, about one-half mile away. - -“In the same month came the trial of many of our men at Easton; the -charge against them was riot. * * * In the course of the trial challenge -was made to a juryman for having some time before expressed an opinion -openly against our people; but neither that nor any other exception -would prevail. The jury were treated with wine by the King’s attorney -before verdict, which verdict was brought in against the prisoners, and -they condemned them to pay a fine of £10 each, with large costs, in -which was included the cost of the wine the jury were treated with.” - -Some paid the fine, others were imprisoned. These later escaped from -jail at Easton September 24, and a reward of £60 was offered by the -sheriff for their apprehension. None of the twelve was captured, for -they all fled to Connecticut. - -Another skirmish took place in November, 1769, between the Yankee -settlers at Fort Durkee and a small party of Pennsylvanians under the -command of the Ogdens. - -On the afternoon of November 11 Captain Ogden, apprised of the approach -of Sheriff Jennings and his “posse comitatus,” gathered together his -whole force of Pennamites, numbering about forty, and dashed rapidly and -unexpectedly on a small party of Yankees, among whom was Major Durkee, -and captured them. - -Captain Ogden, also a justice of the peace, prepared legal papers for -the commitment of Major Durkee in the city jail at Philadelphia, -shackled him with irons and sent him under heavy escort to Philadelphia, -where he was imprisoned. Emboldened by their success, Ogden and his men -that night surrounded Fort Durkee and fired upon the men within. - -Sheriff Jennings and his posse arrived upon the scene the next morning -(Sunday) and paraded the whole body of Pennamites, about 200 in number, -before Fort Durkee. While Jennings was carrying on a parley with the -Yankee garrison, Ogden and a party drove off all the horses and cattle -belonging to the Yankees. - -The following day the Pennamites assembled in front of Fort Durkee, -where they threw up breastworks, upon which they mounted a four-pounder -brought from Fort Augusta. They demanded the surrender of the fort, or -its destruction. Deprived of their commander and having nothing but -rifles, the Yankees agreed to sign articles of capitulation. - -By the terms of this agreement all but fourteen of the settlers were to -leave the region within three days; the others were allowed to remain -and live at Fort Durkee until His Majesty’s decree should determine who -had proper title to the lands at Wyoming. - -Ogden and his men, however, starved out the fourteen settlers who -remained, and in a short time they were compelled to follow their -companions in exile. - - ---------- - - - - - John Penn, Last of Proprietary Governors, - Died February 9, 1795 - - -John Penn, son of Richard, and grandson of William Penn, the founder, -arrived in Philadelphia October 30, 1763, and assumed the duties of -Deputy Governor. - -John was the eldest son of Richard, and was born in England in 1728. At -the age of twenty-five, he first visited the Province of Pennsylvania, -and ten years later, he came bearing the commission of Deputy Governor. -The day he arrived to assume his office was on Sunday, and was marked by -the shock of an earthquake, which the superstitious interpreted as an -evil omen to his administration. - -At the time of his appointment as Governor, his father was proprietor of -one-third of the Province, and his uncle, Thomas, of two-thirds, the -latter having inherited the share of John, the oldest of the three -original proprietors, upon the occasion of his death in 1746. - -When John Penn arrived as Deputy Governor he was received with great -demonstrations of respect, and many entertainments were given in his -honor, one of which was a civic feast which cost £203 17s. - -The administration of John Penn began when the Province was in the -throes of the terrible Pontiac War, and the condition along the frontier -was deplorable. The “Paxtang Boys” soon thereafter murdered the Moravian -Indians in the work house at Conestoga, and Governor Penn issued several -proclamations, offering rewards for the chief actors in that affair. - -On July 7, 1765, Governor Penn again declared war against the Shawnee -and Delaware Indians, and sent Colonel Bouquet to Fort Pitt, who subdued -the savages. - -On March 22, 1765, the obnoxious Stamp Act was passed by the British -Parliament, and the real troubles for Governor Penn began in earnest. -This in addition to the long controversy with the Government of -Connecticut over the claims of the Susquehanna Company for lands in the -Susquehanna Valley. - -Early in 1771 Governor Penn was called to England by the death of his -father, leaving the government of the Province in the hands of the -Council, of which James Hamilton was President, who thus for the third -time became in effect Governor. - -On October 17, 1771, Richard Penn, second son of the late Richard, -arrived in the Province, bearing the commission of Lieutenant Governor. -His administration was marked by the troubles with the Connecticut -settlers, which extended throughout his administration, a little less -than two years. - -He was well fitted by nature and education to serve as Governor and when -his commission was unexpectedly revoked August 30, 1773, there was much -genuine regret among the people of the Province. - -In May, 1772, he married Miss Mary Masters, of Philadelphia, and on -being superseded as Governor, he became a member of Council. - -A few months later the merchants presented him with an address and -invited him to dine with them. He had acted with prudence and manliness -in difficult times, and the people believed in him. - -Governor John Penn was present at the dinner. Robert Morris, who -presided, placed one on his right and the other on his left, but the -brothers did not speak. Richard had been deprived of his office without -cause and he resented it. However, Richard was induced to execute in -May, 1774, a release of his claim, and a reconciliation took place when -John appointed him naval officer, and Richard, accepting the position, -called to thank him. - -Richard was intimate with members of the Continental Congress and when, -in 1775, he returned to England, he was intrusted with the last petition -from the Colonies ever presented to the King. He was examined respecting -American affairs at the bar of the House of Lords and gave testimony so -favorable to the Colonial cause that he incurred the displeasure of the -Peers. - -Upon the death of his father, February 4, 1771, Governor John Penn -inherited the one-third of the Proprietary interest. - -Soon after John Penn again assumed the gubernatorial powers his -attention was directed to Indian hostilities on the western border of -the Province. Then soon came the harsh measures adopted by Parliament -toward the Massachusetts Colony, especially toward the town of Boston. - -A public meeting was held in Philadelphia, but the Governor refused to -convene the Assembly, and another meeting was held, at which nearly 8000 -persons were present and John Dickinson and Thomas Willing presided. - -The outcome of these meetings was a movement to urge the convening of a -Continental Congress and committees to that end were appointed. The -first Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, September 4, 1774. - -Without manifesting partisan zeal, Governor Penn was believed to -sympathize with the Colonies, though he mildly remonstrated against the -system of congressional rather than Colonial action. - -During the stirring times of the early days of the Revolution, Governor -Penn was only a witness to the proceedings in the province he claimed as -his own. - -On September 28, 1776, the Assembly, which had existed for nearly a -century under the organic law of William Penn, ceased to exist, and John -Penn was shorn of his power as Proprietary Governor of Pennsylvania. - -After he was superseded in authority by the Supreme Executive Council, -he seems to have submitted gracefully to the progress of events, which -he found himself unable to control, and remained during the Revolution a -quiet spectator of the long struggle without manifesting any particular -interest in its result. - -He married Anne Allen, daughter of William Allen, Chief Justice of the -province. - -In person he is described as of middle size, reserved in manners and -very nearsighted. - -When Howe sailed with his army from New York to make a mighty effort to -end the Revolution by capturing Philadelphia, the Continental Congress, -July 31, 1777, recommended to the Government of Pennsylvania to make -prisoners of such of the Crown and proprietary officers as were -disaffected. - -Accordingly a warrant was made out for the apprehension of the former -Governor, John Penn, and his Chief Justice, Benjamin Chew. Some of the -City Troop made the arrest. - -Both Penn and Chew refused to sign any parole, and they were taken to -Fredericksburg, Va., under care of an officer and six of the troopers. -They were soon paroled and resided at the Union Iron Works until May 15, -1778, when Congress discharged them from their parole. - -Penn continued to reside in Bucks County, where he died February 9, -1795. He was buried in the aisle of Christ Church in front of the -chancel, nineteen feet from the north wall. He was sixty-seven years -old. - - ---------- - - - - - Munley and McAllister, Mollie Maguires, - Arrested for Murder of Thomas Sanger - and William Uren, February - -10, 1876 - - -Thomas Munley and Charles McAllister were arrested February 10, 1876, -charged with the murder of Thomas Sanger and William Uren, at Raven’s -Run, near Ashland, Wednesday, September 1, 1875. - -These two Mollie Maguires were brought to trial in June 1876, at -Pottsville. Munley was tried first, before Judge D. B. Green, and a -verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree was returned July 12. - -It was in this case that Hon. Franklin B. Gowen, assisting the -prosecution, made his memorable address against the Mollie Maguires. - -To return to the crime, which followed in two weeks the murders of Gomer -James and Squire Gwyther. - -Facts brought to light by James McParlan, the Pinkerton detective, who -joined the Mollies under the name of James McKenna and lived among them -until he collected sufficient evidence to send so many to the gallows -that they ceased to function as an organization, are as follows: - -On the eventful morning, Hiram Beninger, a carpenter connected with the -colliery owned by Heaton & Company, near Ashland, was on his way to -work, when he noticed two strangers sitting on some lumber near the -carpenter shop, but such being a common occurrence he passed by, but -remembered their personal appearance. John Nicolls noticed three -strangers resting on some idle trucks as he passed by to enter the -colliery, one of whom addressed him, when he returned the salutation and -almost immediately noticed the two others, where the carpenter found -them. He also remembered how they were dressed, and the fact that they -spoke to him, he could recall many details in their clothing and -personal appearance. - -About fifteen minutes afterward Thomas Sanger, a boss in Heaton & -Company’s colliery, accompanied by William Uren, a miner, who boarded in -his family and who was employed in the same mine, came along the road, -carrying their dinner pails in their hands. - -Sanger was a man greatly respected by his employes and neighbors, about -thirty-three years of age, and while he had long been in the employ of -the firm, he had failed to make any enemies, excepting among the -Mollies. He had been several times threatened, but more recently -believed the anger of his organized enemies was buried, forgotten, or -appeased. This proved to be a great mistake. - -Sanger and his companion had not gone far from the Sanger home, when -they were both fired upon and both mortally wounded, by the same strange -men noticed by the carpenter and Nicolls. - -Beninger heard the shots, and rushed out of the shop, and saw Mr. Robert -Heaton, one of the proprietors of the colliery, firing his pistol at and -running after two of the murderers. - -Two of the five assassins at this moment stopped in the flight, turned -and fired their revolvers at Heaton, but without hitting him. Mr. Heaton -boldly stood his ground and continued to empty his revolver at the -strangers. - -The five men then quickly turned and ran up the mountains. Heaton -followed and when opportunity offered he continued to fire at them, but -apparently none was wounded. - -It was this dogged and determined courage of Mr. Heaton which made him a -marked man for the nefarious organization of murderers, and which -eventually drove him from the coal regions to reside elsewhere. - -Had any of the others who witnessed the exchange of shots between Mr. -Heaton and the Mollies been armed and helped in the uneven chase, some -of them might have been killed or captured. - -The assassins made good their escape in the timber and bushes of the -mountains. - -Both Sanger and Uren were removed to the home of a neighbor named -Wheevil, where every attention was given them. Mrs. Sanger soon arrived -and almost immediately that a physician came into the house Sanger -expired. Uren, who had been shot in the right groin, about same place as -Sanger had been hit, lingered until next day, when he died. Neither man -retained consciousness long enough to give any coherent description of -the manner in which they had been attacked. - -Mr. Heaton was eating his breakfast when he heard the firing, and at -once his mind reverted to the men he had seen sitting by the carpenter -shop. He seized his pistol and ran out of the house. He first saw -Sanger, groaning on the ground, who said: “Don’t stop for me, Bob, but -give it to them!” - -Heaton then gave the chase, as before related. - -A young Williams, who wanted to join Heaton in pursuit, was prevented by -his mother, but they both saw the men attack Sanger and were able to -relate the manner in which the cold-blooded murder was committed. - -The careful description of the story of this murder as related in the -Shenandoah Herald, gave McParlan the clue which he pursued in running -down the murderers. It was at this time that he was believed to be the -worst Mollie in the world and was in constant danger of being killed by -people who did not know his true character. - -On February 10, 1875, Captain R. J. Linden, a fellow Pinkerton operative -with McParlan, captured Thomas Munley at his home in Gilberton. Charles -McAllister was apprehended at the same time. - -McAllister demanded a separate trial and George Kaercher, Esq., the -District Attorney, elected to try Munley first. - -McParlan voluntarily testified in the case, and his evidence was so -accurate and convincing that no other verdict could be possible. - -The wonderful address of Mr. Gowen, and those of General Charles -Albright, Hon. F. W. Hughes, and Guy E. Farquhar, Esq., added just the -argument which the jury required to find a just verdict of “guilty of -murder in the first degree.” - -In November McAllister was convicted. - -Munley was hanged in the Pottsville jail August 16, 1876, and McAllister -was hanged later. - - ---------- - - - - - First Anthracite Coal Burned in Grate by - -Judge Jesse Fell, February 11, 1808 - - -The first knowledge of anthracite in America dates back to about 1750 or -1755, when an Indian brought a supply of it to a gunsmith at Nazareth -for repairing his rifle, the smith’s supply of charcoal having become -exhausted. - -Stone coal was used by the garrison at Fort Augusta, mention of which -fact is made by Colonel William Plunket, who was one of the original -soldiers sent to build this important provincial fortress. The records -in the British War Office also contain references to its use there. - -A certain Ensign Holler, of the fort’s garrison, wrote that in the -winter of 1758 the house was heated by stone coal brought down the river -from near Nanticoke and that a wagon load had been brought from a place -six leagues from Fort Augusta, which point must have been at or near -either the present Shamokin or Mount Carmel. - -Anthracite had been used in the Wyoming Valley before 1755, and during -the Revolutionary War it was shipped down the Susquehanna for the use of -the arsenal at Carlisle. - -On November 25, 1780, the Congress “Resolved, That all the artificers in -the department of military stores in Pennsylvania be removed to Carlisle -and that in the future only an issuing store and an elaboratory fixing -ammunition be kept in Philadelphia.” - -Immediately thereafter Colonel Blaine was directed to prepare stores, -etc., for the troops, and during the month of December of 1780 nearly -all the artificers were sent to Carlisle. - -There is no doubt that coal from Wyoming was there used in the casting -of cannon, as it could have been more readily brought down the -Susquehanna in bateaux than hauled from the seaports for that purpose. -It is also well known that provisions were taken up the Susquehanna, and -as coal was then known and probably mined, the bateaux in returning -evidently conveyed the fuel to Kelso’s ferry, opposite Harrisburg. - -The barracks erected by the Hessian soldiers captured by General -Washington at the battle of Trenton, and sent to Carlisle as prisoners -of war, later became one of the historic buildings of Pennsylvania. The -building was one long used by the Carlisle Indian School and is still -standing on the Government reservation there. - -Pittsburgh, too, had used fuel dug from a high bluff before the town. -Coal was known to have existed near the present City of Pottsville as -early as 1790, when Nicho Allen is said to have discovered some of the -black stones and tested their burning qualities. - -An act approved by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, March 15, 1784, was -“for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Schuylkill so as to -make it passable at all times, enabling the inhabitants to bring their -produce to market, furnishing the county adjoining the same and the City -of Philadelphia with coal, masts, boards,” etc. - -In 1766 a company of Nanticoke and Mohican Indians visited Philadelphia -and reported to the Governor that there were mines in Wyoming. A survey -of Wyoming in 1768 notes “stone coal” near the mouth of Toby’s Creek. -One of General Sullivan’s officers in 1779 records the presence of “vast -mines of coal, pewter, lead and copperas.” - -Obadiah Gore used coal in his blacksmith forge as early as 1769. He also -used it in nailing in 1788. - -The Conestoga wagons might have transported the products of the farm to -market for many years more had not Philip Ginter, the hunter, in 1791 -discovered “stone coals” under the roots of a fallen tree nine miles -west of Mauch Chunk. - -About the same time that Ginter made his discovery coal was discovered -by Isaac Tomlinson at what is now Shamokin. He had recently removed on a -farm between there and Mount Carmel and found the coals lying in the bed -of Quaker Run, a stream running through his farm and so called because -he was a member of the Society of Friends. - -Thus we see that the three discoverers of anthracite were Allen, Ginter -and Tomlinson, and what is more remarkable, all these discoveries were -made about the same time, and yet it is a fact that coal was mined at -Wyoming nearly a quarter century before these “discoveries.” - -Philip Ginter did not exactly “discover anthracite.” He knew all about -the existence of coal at Wyoming and something of its use. But his -discovery of coal in 1791 while hunting on the mountains where is now -Summit Hill is the date from which the great business of the Lehigh Coal -and Navigation Company originated, though it was twenty-nine years -before the coal trade really began. - -The date is usually accepted as 1820, the time that the Lehigh schemes -got into action. - -Ginter made known his discovery to Colonel Jacob Weiss, residing at what -is now known as Weissport, who took a sample in his saddlebags to -Philadelphia. - -But the coal trade was active in Wyoming Valley as early as 1807, when -the Smiths shipped a boat load to Columbia. George H. Hollenback shipped -two loads down the river in 1813, and sent coal by wagon to -Philadelphia. Lord Butler and Crandall Wilcox both shipped coal in 1814. - -The use of anthracite for domestic purposes seems to have been -discovered by Judge Jesse Fell, of Wilkes-Barre. The following -memorandum was made at the time on the fly-leaf of one of his books: - -“February 11, 1808, made the experiment of burning the common stone coal -of the valley in a grate, in a common fireplace in my house, and found -it will answer the purpose of fuel, making a clearer and better fire, at -less expense, than burning wood in the common way. Jesse Fell.” - -News of this successful experiment soon spread through the town and -country, and people flocked to witness the discovery. Similar grates -were soon constructed by Judge Fell’s neighbors, and in a short time -were in general use throughout the valley. - -In the spring of that year, John and Abijah Smith loaded two arks with -coal at Ransoms Creek, in Plymouth, and took it down the river to -Columbia; but on offering it for sale, no person could be induced to -purchase. They were compelled to leave the black stones behind them -unsold, when they returned to their homes. - -The next year the Smiths, not in the least discouraged, took two arks of -coal and a grate, and again proceeded to Columbia. The grate was put up, -and the coals were burned in it, thus proving the practicability of -using coal as a fuel. The result was a sale of the coal, and thus began -the initiative of the immense coal trade of Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Quakers Make Protest Against Slavery to - Congress February 12, 1790 - - -There is unmistakable evidence of Negro slavery among the Dutch on the -South (now Delaware) River as early as the year 1639. In that year a -convict from Manhattan was sentenced to serve with the blacks on that -river. - -In September and October, 1664, the English defeated the Dutch, and some -of the Dutch soldiers were sold in Virginia as slaves. The Negro slaves -were also confiscated by the victors and sold. A cargo of three hundred -of those unhappy beings having just landed, failed to escape capture. - -In 1688 Pastorius, the Op den Graffs (now Updegraffs), and Gerhardt -Hendricks sent to the Friends’ meeting house the first public protest -ever made on this continent against the holding of slaves, or as they -uncompromisingly styled it, “the traffick of men’s body.” - -These early residents of Germantown compared Negro slavery to slavery -under Turkish pirates, and failed to note that one was better than the -other. Their protest said: - -“There is a saying that we shall doe to all men licke as we will be done -ourselves; making no difference of what generation, descent, or colour -they are. And those who steal or robb men, and those who buy or purchase -them, are they not all alicke? Here is liberty of Conscience, which is -right and reasonable; here ought to be likewise liberty of ye body, -except of evil doers, which is another case. In Europe there are many -oppressed for Conscience sake; and here there are those oppressed which -are of a black colour.” - -This memorial is believed to be in the handwriting of Francis Daniel -Pastorius, and at the date it was written New England was doing a large -business in the Guinea trade, the slave depots being located chiefly at -Newport, where the gangs for the Southern market were arranged. - -All honor is due these honest first settlers of Germantown, who asked -categorically: “Have these Negers not as much right to fight for their -freedom as you have to keep them slaves?” - -They asked, further, to be informed what right Christians have to -maintain slavery, “to the end we shall be satisfied on this point and -satisfy likewise our good friends and acquaintances in our natif -country, to whom it is a fairfull thing that men should be handled so in -Pennsilvania.” - -The Quakers were embarrassed by the memorial and its blunt style of -interrogatory. It was submitted to the Monthly Meeting at Dublin -Township, “inspected” and found so “weighty” that it was passed on to -the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting, which “recommended” it to the Yearly -Meeting at Burlington, where it was adjudged “not to be so proper for -this meeting to give a positive judgment in the case, it having so -general a relation to many other parts, and, therefore, at present they -forebore it.” So the matter slept. - -Very soon thereafter slavery in Philadelphia was not very different from -what it was in the South at a later period. The white mechanics and -laborers complained to the authorities that their wages were reduced by -the competition of Negroes hired out by their owners, and the owners -objected to the capital punishment of slaves for crime, as thereby their -property would be destroyed. - -In 1708 two slaves, Tony and Quashy, were sentenced to death for -burglary, but their owners were allowed to sell them out of the province -after a severe flogging had been given them upon the streets on three -successive market days. - -The Assembly of Pennsylvania soon viewed with much concern and -apprehension the introduction of so many slaves into the province, but -the House would not consider any proposition to free Negroes, deciding -that to attempt to do so would be “neither just nor convenient,” but it -did resolve to discourage the introduction of Negroes from Africa and -the West Indies. It laid a tax of £20 a head upon all such importations. -The Queen and Royal Council failed to approve the act, for the British -Government was set like flint against any provincial attempt to arrest -the African slave trade or tax it out of existence—that trade was a -royal perquisite. - -The year 1780 is memorable in the annals of Pennsylvania for the passage -of an act for the gradual abolition of slavery in this State. On -February 5, 1780, the Supreme Executive Council in its message to the -Assembly, called the attention of that body to this subject, and -although it was forcibly presented, the matter was dismissed, “as the -Constitution would not allow them to receive the law from the Council.” - -On March 1, 1780, by a vote of thirty-four to twenty-one, an abolition -act passed the Assembly. It provided for the registration of every Negro -or mulatto slave or servant for life, or till the age of thirty-one -years, before the first of November following, and also provided “that -no man or woman of any nation or color except the Negroes or mulattoes -who shall be registered as aforesaid, shall at any time hereafter be -deemed, or adjudged, or holden within the territory of this -Commonwealth, as slaves or servants for life, but as free men and free -women.” - -The Quakers partly forgot their woes on hearing of an act which they so -much approved, as in 1774 the Pennsylvania Yearly Meeting had taken a -definite and decided stand against slavery. - -They proceeded without delay to urge war on the system. - -On February 12, 1790, the Quakers made their first formal protest to -Congress for the abolition of slavery in every form. - -The movement against slavery had been making quiet progress during all -these years, and on January 1, 1794, a convention was held in -Philadelphia by invitation of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, of -delegates from all societies throughout the United States. - -At this convention two memorials were adopted, one to the Legislature of -Pennsylvania, and the other to Congress, asking for suitable laws to -suppress the slave trade. - -The petition to Congress was referred to a committee, which made a -report recommending the passage of a law against the fitting out of any -ship or vessel in any port of the United States, or by foreigners, for -the purpose of procuring from any part of the coast of Africa the -inhabitants of the said country, to be transshipped into any foreign -ports or places of the world to be sold or disposed of as slaves. The -law was finally passed on March 22, 1794, and vessels were thereafter -liable to heavy fine and forfeiture, and the freedom of the slaves on -board. - -Thus after the taunt of the early German settlers, the Quakers cleared -their own skirts and then led in the movement which abolished slaves -from Pennsylvania and were the first to lay this great question before -Congress. - - ---------- - - - - - First Magazine in America Published in - -Philadelphia, February 13, 1741 - - -There has been recent controversy, especially among New York newspapers, -regarding the oldest magazine in America, one such newspaper concluding -that the oldest such publication was Oliver Oldschool’s “Portfolio,” -published by Bradford and Inskeep, of Philadelphia, and Inskeep and -Bradford, in New York, 1809–1810. - -That is not the fact and Pennsylvania cannot be denied the honor of -being the home of the earliest magazine published on this continent. - -On November 6, 1740, Andrew Bradford’s “Mercury,” published in -Philadelphia, contained a two page editorial which must surely have -caused some sensation, heralding as it did a genuine innovation. - -“’Tis not in mortals to command success,” and if the innovator in this -case failed, he was at least the first to make the attempt, not alone in -Philadelphia, but throughout America. - -The editorial plunged headlong into the business at hand as follows: - -“The PLAN of an intended MAGAZINE.” - -“The Success and Approbation which the Magazines, published in Great -Britain, have met with for many years past among all Ranks and Degrees -of People, Encouraged us to Attempt a Work of the like Nature in -America. But the Plan on which we intend to proceed, being in many -respects different from the British Models, it therefore becomes -necessary, in the first Place, to lay before the Reader a general -Prospect of the present Design. - -“It is proposed to publish Monthly, ‘An Account of the Publick Affairs -transacted in His Majesty’s Colonies, as well on the Continent of -America, as well as in the West India Islands,’ and at the end of each -session, ‘an Extract of the Laws therein passed, with the Reasons on -which they were founded, the Grievances intended to be Remedied by them, -and the Benefits expected from them.” - -The prospectus then proceeds to apologize beforehand for “the mistakes -which will probably be committed in handling so great a Variety of -Matter.” It sketches the general lines of the future magazine in regard -to “remarkable Trials as well Civil as Criminal,” also the “Course of -Exchange, Party-Disputes, Free Inquiry into all sorts of Subjects, its -views of the Liberty and Licentiousness of the Press, its contempt for -the rude Clamours of envious Ignorance,’ and the ‘base suggestions of -the Malevolence’,” and then terminates as follows: - -“To conclude, the Reader is desired to consider the Undertaking as an -attempt to Erect on Neutral Principles A PUBLIC THEATRE in the Center of -the British Empire in America, on which the most remarkable Transactions -of each Government may be impartially represented, and fairly exhibited -to the View of all His Majesty’s Subjects, whether at Home or abroad, -who are disposed to be Spectators. - - “This is TRUE Liberty, when freeborn Men, - Having to advise the Publick, may speak free, - Which he who can, and will, deserves high Praise; - Who neither can, nor will, may hold his Peace; - What can be juster in a State than this? - -“From Euripides, by Milton, for a motto to his Vindication of the -Subject’s Right to the Liberty of the Press.” - -The first number of this, The American Magazine, was to be published “in -March next, if by that Time there are a Sufficient Number of -Subscriptions.” - -But something went wrong with the plans. The very week following this -announcement, out came Benjamin Franklin with the charge that this -scheme now put forth by John Webbe and Bradford was really his own, -“Communicated in Confidence,” to the said Webbe, who was to be the -editor of his magazine. - -Webbe was not slow to indignantly repudiate the charge, and an unseemly -controversy followed between the two rival printing houses, which, no -doubt, interfered considerably with the ultimate result or their -respective ventures. - -Be that as it may, “The American Magazine, or a monthly view of the -Political State of the British Colonies,” 8vo size, price eight pence -sterling, made its appearance, not in March as advertised and expected, -but on February 13, 1741. - -Thus the first magazine in America made its initial bow to the public, -and only three days later, Franklin’s press brought out “The General -Magazine and Historical Chronicle, for All the British Plantations in -America.” - -Both of these periodicals were advertised as monthly publications, and -the Mercury carried a small advertisement March 19, which announced the -issuance of “The American Magazine” for February; but alas! that is the -last we read of Andrew Bradford’s pioneer magazine publication. - -Franklin’s “General Magazine” reached its sixth month of existence, -after which it simply ceased, no explanation of its discontinuance, not -a semblance of a valedictory appeared in “The Gazette,” where its -monthly advent had been so well heralded and advertised. - -The name of these original “magazines” naturally suggests to the -present-day reader a very incorrect idea of their general appearance and -contents, thanks to the luxurious works of art that American enterprise -has put into publications now classed as magazines. - -Franklin’s magazine, for example, had but one illustration, and a poor -one at that, a representation of the Prince of Wales’ feathers and the -motto “Ich dien” on its front page. - -It was only a 12mo; yet under existing conditions the labor of filling -seventy-six pages with small print month after month and the neat manner -in which the work was performed reflect the highest credit upon the -publisher and was deserving of more favorable circumstances. The -contents of each number bear a favorable comparison with the best -magazines of today. - -Dr. William Smith, provost of the University of Pennsylvania, soon -manifested a practical interest in intellectual affairs in the province -in an effort to found a literary review called “The American Magazine -and Monthly Chronicle for the British Colonies.” - -The first number appeared October, 1757, and was printed by William -Bradford, presumably for “a society of gentlemen,” which in truth -consisted of Dr. Smith and several of his pupils in the college. This -periodical was principally devoted to political matters, literary -discussions and poetry. It was discontinued November 14, 1758, and -Pennsylvania had not yet had a successful magazine. - -Between 1741 and the close of the century nearly fifty magazines were -born in America, only deservedly to die. Philadelphia and Boston -struggled for literary supremacy, yet the four magazines of today which -may be called the veterans of the field are the North American Review, -Harper’s, and Scribner’s, each published in New York, and the Atlantic, -published in Boston. - -But Philadelphia was long the home of three widely circulated -magazines—Graham’s, Peterson’s and Godey’s Lady’s Book. The last named -was perhaps the most famous, established in July, 1830, by Louis A. -Godey, and it reached the enormous circulation of 150,000 a month in the -heyday of its prosperity. - -If the Saturday Evening Post is regarded as a magazine, Philadelphia is -today the home of the oldest and largest in the world. - - ---------- - - - - - Christopher L. Sholes, Inventor of Typewriter, - Born in Mooresburg, February - 14, 1819 - - -More than a score of attempts, both in this country and abroad, were -made to perfect a typewriter after the birth of the idea in the mind of -Henry Mill, an English engineer, who obtained a patent from Queen Ann of -England, January 1, 1714, but none was successful. - -It remained for an humble country boy, a printer, by the name of -Christopher Latham Sholes, who was born in the little village of -Mooresburg, Montour County, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1819, to perfect -a model in the winter of 1866–67, which, after later improvements, was -the basis for the typewriting machines which are now so much a part of -commercial life throughout the world. - -The patent granted to Henry Mill by Queen Ann never availed the -imaginative engineer anything, because he lacked the essential ability -to perfect a model which might be manufactured on a commercial basis. It -is true, nevertheless, that he had the idea for a “writing machine for -the impressing or transcribing of letters singly or progressively one -after the other,” but this was not sufficient to be practical in any -sense of the term. - -The same difficulty that beset Mill prevented others from attaining -success, and it was a century and a half before the actual birth of a -commercial typewriter. - -This interesting event was enacted in a small machine shop in the -outskirts of Milwaukee. An interesting history was published recently by -the Herkimer County (New York) Historical Society in commemoration of -the fiftieth anniversary of the manufacture of the first typewriter for -commercial use. According to this story the principals were Carlos -Gliden, the son of a successful iron monger of Ohio, who was engaged in -developing a mechanical plow; Samuel W. Soule and Christopher Latham -Sholes, both printers, who were engaged in developing a machine for -numbering serially the pages of blank books, etc. - -Sholes was the central figure in the association subsequently formed -among the three. Sholes began his active life as an apprentice in the -office of the Danville, Pa., Intelligencer. - -The Intelligencer was then the oldest paper in Montour County, founded -in 1828 by Valentine Best. At the time of Sholes’ apprenticeship the -newspaper was a leading Democratic organ. The Intelligencer office was -an excellent school for a boy when Christopher Sholes became the “devil” -and began the career which was to stamp him as one of the great -inventors of the country. - -Thomas Chalfant purchased the property July 15, 1861. He was a prominent -Democratic politician, serving as member of the Legislature and as State -Senator. He was a Civil War veteran and many years postmaster at -Danville. Through all his various offices Chalfant devoted much time to -his newspaper. - -Sholes was diligent and progressed in his chosen profession, becoming in -turn, editor of several newspapers and ultimately an owner. In 1866 he -was collector of the port of Milwaukee and had held other public -offices, including State Senator and Assemblyman. - -Sholes’ subsequent invention of the typewriter is ascribed to -inspiration he and Glidden obtained from a description of a machine -invented by John Pratt, of Alabama, which, however, was very crude and -impracticable. - -The three friends engaged the services of skilled mechanics to help them -in the construction of their typewriter, the first working model of -which was completed in that small Milwaukee shop in the fall of 1866, -but it was not until the following June that a patent was obtained for -the invention. - -This original machine had innumerable defects and was a crude and -cumbersome affair, but it wrote accurately and rapidly, and after all -that was their objective. - -Sholes was the one of the trio who did most to produce this machine, and -while he was not satisfied, he soon scored a notable triumph and made -the machine its own best advertiser. A number of letters were written -with it, among them one to James Densmore, then a resident of Meadville, -Pa. Densmore was immediately interested. Like Sholes and Soule, he had -been both printer and editor, and could realize the importance of such a -machine. - -The relationship between Sholes and Densmore was a strange meeting of -opposites, the former was a dreamer and an idealist, the latter was -bold, aggressive and arrogant and by some considered a plain “crank.” - -Densmore was not impressed with the machine more than to regard the idea -as feasible, but he determined to make an attempt at selling it to some -firm with the facility and financial resources to manufacture it. - -Densmore paid all the debts incurred by Sholes whereby he obtained an -interest in the invention. He then engaged the services of a Mr. Yost, -with whom he had been associated in a Pennsylvania oil business, and -together they presented the proposition to the old firm of gun makers, -E. Remington & Son, of Ilion, N. Y. - -A tentative agreement was effected between the Remingtons and Sholes and -his new partners, and the first contract signed for the manufacture of a -typewriter for commercial use, the one built by Sholes was made in -March, 1873. - -The original contract was for the manufacture only, but in time the -Remingtons acquired complete ownership. - -Sholes, soon thereafter, sold out his royalty right to Densmore for -$12,000, which was a goodly sum in those days, but was the only reward -that he ever received for his priceless invention and the years of -earnest labor and expense he had bestowed upon it. - -Densmore did not part with his royalty rights and was subsequently -enriched. - -Further improvements were made on Sholes’ invention when the skilled -mechanics of the Remington factory were brought into service, but the -fact remains that the Montour County printer was the inventor of the -almost universally used typewriter and Densmore, another Pennsylvanian, -was the medium by which the invention was saved from the scrap heap and -commercially developed to the almost perfect machine of today. Thus -Pennsylvania has given to the world the typewriter. - - ---------- - - - - - German Christians Organized Harmony - Society in Butler, February 15, 1805 - - -The Harmony Society, as it was organized by George Rapp in Wurtemberg -and established in America, was an outgrowth of a Separatistic movement -in Germany and an attempt to put into practice, under favorable -circumstances, Separatistic principles. - -The members of the society had constituted a congregation of -Separatists, where they listened to the teachings of their pastor, -George Rapp. According to his instructions, they left their homes in -Wurtemberg and followed him to America. They settled at Harmony, Butler -County, Pennsylvania. - -Without election, by common consent George Rapp had maintained himself -as their leader. - -In order to put their society on a firm basis, and to prevent -misunderstanding, articles of association were drawn up and signed by -the members February 15, 1805. This was the date recognized as the -birthday of the society, and in after years its anniversary was -celebrated as the “Harmoniefest.” - -The agreement contains five articles to which the subscribers pledged -themselves: - -(1) To give absolutely all their property to George Rapp and his -associates. - -(2) To obey the rules and regulations of the community and to work for -its welfare. - -(3) If they desired to withdraw from the society, not to demand any -reward for labor or services. - -In return, George Rapp and his associates pledged themselves: - -(1) To supply the subscribers with all the necessities of life, both in -health and sickness, and after death, to provide for their families. - -(2) In case of withdrawal to return them the value of property -contributed without interest and to give a donation in moneys to such as -contributed nothing. - -The original of this agreement was in German, which was the language -used by the society. - -George Rapp was born November 1, 1757, in Iptingen, Wurtemberg, the son -of Adam Rapp, a peasant. He learned the trade of weaving. Like many of -his neighbors he also engaged in wine growing. - -Early in life he became deeply interested in religion. He identified -himself with the Separatists of Wurtemberg, who believed that the true -Christian must live a life of self-denial and that he must suffer -ridicule and persecution on account of the purity of his life. They -regarded the established clergy as hypocrites. - -The Government interfered with their plans for living in the manner of -the early Christians with community of goods, and their religious -meetings were prohibited at the instigation of the clergy. George Rapp -decided to lead his congregation to America. - -In this great undertaking, as in others of a similar nature in later -years, he displayed rare judgment in making his plans and great ability -in executing them. He did not underestimate the difficulties of such an -enterprise. - -He advised his people of the hardships to be expected. He directed those -who were determined to follow him to sell their property and prepare -themselves for the journey. - -He came to America in 1803, with money of his own amounting to 2000 -gulden, to choose a site for the proposed settlement. He left behind him -in charge of his congregation a young man of high character, Frederick -Reickert, who in Pennsylvania was adopted by him as his son and is known -in the history of the society as Frederick Rapp. - -George Rapp landed at Baltimore and early in September, 1803, was in -Lancaster, Pa., considering offers of land for his settlement. - -After inspecting several tracts of land, Rapp purchased 5000 acres in -Butler County, on the Connoquenessing Creek, about twelve miles from the -Ohio River at Beaver. He then sent for his people. - -They came in several companies. The ship “Aurora” brought about 300 -persons to Baltimore, July 4, 1804. - -Another party of 260 persons, headed by Frederick Rapp, arrived on the -ship “Atlantic” at Philadelphia in August. - -The remainder of the people came in a third ship, the “Margaretta,” but -these settled in Lycoming County, under the direction of Mr. Haller, who -had assisted George Rapp in exploration for a site. - -The settlers who went to the new settlement worked hard to build their -town, Harmony. They were sustained in their labors by religious -enthusiasm. After a few months they were joined by their friends and on -February 15, 1805, the Harmony Society was formally organized. - -During the first year fifty log houses were erected, nearly 200 acres -cleared and a house of worship, grist mill, barn and shops were built. -The following year 400 acres more were cleared, a saw mill, tannery, -distillery and brick store house were erected and a vineyard planted. - -They raised 600 bushels of wheat more than their requirements and had -3000 gallons of whisky to sell. - -They soon made woolen cloth, spinning the yarn by hand. In 1809 they -erected a woolen factory for manufacturing of broadcloth from the wool -of merino sheep, which they were among the first to introduce in this -country. They had their own mechanics and tradesmen. - -The society was always a religious community and George Rapp, in -temporal affairs was extremely practical, but he was an enthusiast only -in religion. He would not allow his authority to be questioned. - -While the settlers were prosperous, they were disappointed in their -settlement in some respects. In Germany they had raised grapes and made -wine, and had hoped to engage in that industry here, but the land was -poorly adapted to the culture of the vine. As their manufactures -increased their transportation troubles also increased, as they were -twelve miles distant from the Ohio River. - -They accordingly decided to move, and in 1814 George Rapp, John L. Baker -and Lewis Shriver explored the Western country in search of a new site -for settlement. They found a suitable place on the Wabash, in Posey -County, Indiana, and in 1815 the whole society moved there. - -They had lived in Harmony ten years, during which time 100 members had -died. They were buried in a small plot, and, as was their custom, the -graves were not marked, but only numbered. - -This little graveyard, together with the substantial brick buildings of -the village, is all the memorial the Harmonists have left of their first -home in America. - -The society again removed, in 1825, to Economy, Beaver County, -Pennsylvania, where they arrived May 17, 1825, making the trip by boat, -their new home being located on the Ohio River twenty miles from the -first home of the society, at Harmony, and eighteen miles from -Pittsburgh. - -George Rapp died August 7, 1847, aged ninety years. The society remained -intact, although reduced in membership, until May 12, 1903, when there -were but four members. - - ---------- - - - - - Johan Printz Arrives as Governor of New - Sweden, February 16, 1643 - - -The Swedes followed the Dutch in settling along the Delaware River, -which they called the Zuydt or South River. The Swedes formed several -companies for the purpose of trade with the New World, as America was -then called. - -The first expedition came under Peter Minuit, a Hollander, in March, -1638, and settled on Christiana Creek, near the present Wilmington, Del. -Here they built Fort Christiana and gave the country the name New -Sweden. Two other expeditions came from Sweden and with them came -colonists whose names are still borne by families in Pennsylvania. - -In 1642, Johan Printz, who had been kept busy capturing delinquent -Finns, who were committing all sorts of depredations in Sweden, and -refusing to either desist or return to their own Finland, was knighted -by the Swedish Government and appointed Governor of New Sweden. - -He had been a lieutenant colonel of a regiment of cavalry in the Thirty -Years’ War, and had been dismissed from the service because of what was -held to be a too feeble defense of a city in which he had command. - -Accompanied by his wife, daughter Armegot, and a minister, the Rev. John -Campanius, and two vessels, the Fawn and the Swan, loaded with wine, -malt, grain, peas, nets, muskets, shoes, stockings, wearing apparel, -writing paper, sealing wax, oranges, lemons and hay, and having on board -a number of poachers, deserters and culprit Finns, he arrived at Fort -Christiana, February 16, 1643, after a stormy voyage of five months. - -This was an unusual expedition in that it was the most important of all -those sent out by Sweden and in the further fact that Printz was, next -to Minuit, the most conspicuous figure connected with New Sweden. - -In the instructions he received with his commission, he was to deal with -the English at Varkens Kill, near the present Salem, New Jersey, and the -Dutch at Fort Nassau; to treat with the Indians with humanity, protect -them, and “civilize” them—especially to sell them goods at lower prices -than the English or Dutch. - -He was allowed to choose his residence at Cape Henlopen, Christiana, or -Jacques Island; but he was ordered to see that his fort commanded the -river, and that a good winter harbor for vessels was close at hand. - -Printz lost no time in carrying out his instructions. Proceeding up the -river from Christiana, he decided to make the seat of government at -Jacques Island, the place called by the Indians Tenacong and since -Tinicum. Here he built a fort of green logs, mounted on it four brass -cannon, and called it Nye (New) Gottenburg. - -Thus Printz made the first settlement by white men in what is now -Pennsylvania which was destined to survive. Kling was sent to make a -settlement on the Schuylkill, and he built a fort near its mouth, called -New Korsholm. - -Printz, however, was not content with the forts already erected, but a -third was built, in 1643, on the east side of the river below Mill -Creek, called Fort Elfborg, which was mounted with eight cannon and a -mortar, and garrisoned with thirteen soldiers, under Swen Skute. The -story is that later the men were driven out by mosquitoes. This fort was -intended to shut up the river, a matter which greatly exasperated the -Dutch, whose ships, when passing, had to lower their colors and were -boarded by the Swedes. - -In 1645 these Swedes started what was undoubtedly the first industrial -plant in Pennsylvania. That was a small grist mill, which they built on -the waters of Cobbs Creek, and when its wheels began to turn the -industry of the greatest industrial State in the world began its -production. - -At Tinicum the Swedish settlements now centered. In three or four years -following Printz’s arrival, Tinicum gradually assumed the character of a -hamlet. - -In 1645, he built a mansion on Tinicum Island, and it long bore the name -of Printzhof. - -A church was also built at this time, which the Reverend Mr. Campanius -dedicated September 4, 1646. This was the first house of Christian -worship within the present limits of Pennsylvania. - -Indian troubles threatened during 1644. The shocking and unpardonable -cruelties of Kieft, the Governor of Manhattan, in which hundreds of -Indians, along the Hudson, were slain, caused the belief among the -natives that the newcomers were cruel. - -In the spring of 1644, two white soldiers and a laborer were killed on -the Delaware, below Christiana, and later a Swedish woman and her -English husband were killed between Tinicum and Upland. This event was -the first tragedy in which white blood was shed in Pennsylvania by the -Indians. - -Printz assembled his people for defense at Upland, but the Indian chiefs -of the region came in, disowned the act, and effected a treaty. - -There was a long period during which no ships from Sweden came, and the -colonists were destitute for necessities which they depended on -receiving from the homeland. There was no vessel from March, 1644, until -the “Golden Shark” arrived October 1, 1646. - -The settlement of the country, however, proceeded very slowly under -Swedish enterprise, while trade was pushed to an extent never before -known upon the river. This greatly annoyed the Dutch, and in consequence -of having lost this trade to the Swedes, the Dutch Governor, Kieft, sent -Hudde to keep watch on the proceedings of Governor Printz and to resist -his supposed innovation. These two soon got into angry controversy, but -through the negotiation of the Reverend Mr. Campanius, an amicable -arrangement was entered into regarding the trade of the Schuylkill. - -But the real object of the Dutch was to plant a settlement on the -western shore of the Delaware, and to this Governor Printz entered a -sharp protest. - -Governor Kieft was recalled about this time, and he was succeeded by -Peter Stuyvesant, whose Administration commenced May 27, 1647, and -continued until 1664, when the American interests of the Dutch passed -into the hands of the English. - -The disagreement between the Dutch and Swedes continued, giving rise to -mutual hatred and jealousy. The Dutch “arms” were set up on the west -bank and as promptly taken down by the Swedes. - -Printz had requested to be relieved, but he was ordered to remain when -new grants of land were made to him, and he remained at his post until -October, 1653, when he transferred the charge of the Government to his -son-in-law, John Papegoja, and sailed for Sweden. - - ---------- - - - - - Captain William Trent Leads First English - Armed Force to Forks of Ohio, - February 17, 1754 - - -Previous to the French and Indian War, and in fact until the Revolution, -Virginia held that the upper Ohio Valley, in what is now Pennsylvania, -was a part of their Dominion. - -Governor Dinwiddie feared the aggressions of the French in that region -and commenced preparations for raising a force to be sent to the “Forks -of the Ohio” (Pittsburgh), to occupy that strategic point, and build a -defensive work that would enable him to resist the French. - -This force, a company of Colonial Militiamen under command of Captain -William Trent, marched from Virginia, in January, 1754, and reached the -Forks February 17, following. - -Work was begun, but proceeded slowly on account of the severity of the -weather, and Captain Trent returning to Will’s Creek, left in charge a -young commissioned officer, an ensign, named Edward Ward. - -This was not, however, the first aggressive action on the part of -Virginia. - -Pennsylvania authorities believed that the limits of the State were -about what they are today, but they had so many internal jealousies and -quarrels on their hands at the time the French became active intruders -along the French Creek, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, that they delayed -making any action against them. - -While Virginia was experiencing almost similar difficulties as -Pennsylvania, she did, in 1753, take steps to put a stop to the farther -advance of the French. - -Governor Dinwiddie dispatched Captain William Trent to ascertain the -activities of the French, but he neglected his duty, and went no farther -than Logstown. In a letter to the Lords of Trade, Dinwiddie said of -them: “He reports the French were then one hundred and fifty miles up -the river, and, I believe, was afraid to go to them.” - -The home government advised Dinwiddie to obtain information and for this -purpose to dispatch a messenger. Acting under these instructions, -Dinwiddie sent a young man who was destined to become finally the most -illustrious figure in American history. This was George Washington. - -Following out his instructions, young Washington proceeded to Logstown, -and thence with Tanacharison or the Half-King, Jeskakake, White Thunder, -and Guyasutha or the Hunter, he set out November 30, and on December 11, -reached Fort Le Boeuf, which was on the site of the present Waterford, -Erie County, Pennsylvania. - -Having accomplished the purpose of his mission, and obtained full -information of the strength and plans of the French, and an answer to -the letter which he had carried from Governor Dinwiddie to the French -commandant, he returned with much hardship to Virginia, reaching -Williamsburg, January 16, 1754, where he made his report to the -Governor. - -This information led at once to military measures for the defense of the -Ohio, and the command of Captain Trent pushed forward. - -The French were promptly warned of the arrival of Trent’s troops, and -were not long idle. - -On April 17, when the fort was still uncompleted, Ensign Ward suddenly -found himself surrounded by a force of one thousand men, French and -Indians, under the command of Captain Contrecoeur, with eighteen pieces -of artillery. - -By Chevalier Le Mercier, captain of the artillery of Canada, Contrecoeur -sent a summons to the commanding officer of the English to surrender, -informing him that he, Contrecoeur, “was come out into this place, -charged with orders from his General to request him (the English -commander) to retreat peaceably, with his troops from off the lands of -the French king, and not to return, or else he would find himself -obliged to fulfill his duty, and compel him to it.” “I hope,” continued -Contrecoeur, in his summons, “that you will not defer one instant, and -that you will not force me to the last extremity. In that case, sir, you -may be persuaded that I will give orders that there shall be no damage -done by my detachment.” - -The friendly Half King, who was present, advised Ward to reply that he -was not an officer of rank with power to answer the demand, and to -request delay until he could send for his superior officer. - -Contrecoeur refused to parley, and demanded immediate surrender. - -Having less than forty men in a half finished stockade, Ward was unable -to resist the force opposed to him, and therefore prudently yielded to -the demand without further hesitation. - -He was allowed to withdraw his men and take his tools with him, and on -the morning of April 18, he left the position and started on his return -to Virginia. - -This affair was one of the initial events of the French and Indian War, -an epoch-making struggle. - -The French took possession of the half-finished fort and completed it, -naming it Fort Duquesne, in honor of Marquis Du Quesne, then Governor -General of Canada. - -Captain William Trent who led the first English armed force into the -Ohio Valley, February 17, 1754, was a native of Chester County, -Pennsylvania. His name is given to Trenton, N. J. - -In 1746, Governor Thomas appointed him captain of one of the four -companies raised in Pennsylvania, for an intended expedition against -Canada. In 1749, Governor Hamilton appointed him a justice for -Cumberland County, where in the following year he formed a partnership -with George Croghan to engage in the Indian trade, and he went to -Logstown. - -In 1753, the Governor of Virginia directed him to build a fort at the -“Forks of the Ohio,” which seems to be the first time he recognized the -authority of Virginia. - -Captain Trent again entered the service of Pennsylvania, in 1755, as a -member of the Council, but two years later he again entered the employ -of Virginia. - -In 1763, his large trading house near Fort Pitt was destroyed by the -Indians. - -During the Revolution Congress gave him a commission as major. - - ---------- - - - - - William Rittenhouse, Who Built First Paper - -Mill in America, Died February 18,1708 - - -The first paper mill on the American continent was established in 1690 -by the Reverend William Rittenhouse, upon a branch of Wissahickon Creek, -and from that date until 1710 there was no other paper mill in the -American Colonies. - -This mill was situated on a meadow along the bank of a stream known as -Paper-Mill Run, which empties into the Wissahickon Creek, about two -miles above its confluence with the Schuylkill. - -The founder emigrated from Holland, where he was born in the -Principality of Broich, in the year 1644. He spelled his name then -Ryttinhuisen, which is anglicized into Rittenhouse. - -His ancestors had been engaged for generations in paper-making, and he -had learned the same business. It has been stated that he had a brother -who originally came to New York while it was a Dutch Colony; that the -brother settled in New Jersey, but William, with his two sons, Claus or -Nicholas, and Garrett or Gerhard, came to Pennsylvania prior to or -during the year 1690. The Rittenhouses were among “sixty-four of the -first Germantown inhabitants,” as they were styled, who were granted -naturalization by Thomas Lloyd, Deputy Governor, on May 7, 1691. - -At the time Rittenhouse arrived in Germantown there was a printer, -William Bradford, already established in an office in Philadelphia, and -it may be that he induced the paper-makers to locate there. Anyway they -no sooner settled at Germantown than they began the erection of a paper -mill, on property purchased from Samuel Carpenter, of Philadelphia. - -It appears from the original deed that William Bradford, Robert Turner -and Thomas Tresse were interested with William Rittenhouse in the -enterprise. They were deeded twenty acres. - -The mill was built, but soon thereafter Robert Turner died, and Bradford -and Tresse assigned their rights to William Rittenhouse, who became the -sole owner. Their deed for this property was acknowledged December 6, -1693. The term of the lease was for 975 years from the 29th of -September, 1705, and the rent reserved was five shillings sterling per -annum. - -It thus appears that there was at first a company regularly organized to -establish a paper mill. Samuel Carpenter and Robert Turner were -extensive land owners and were advisers and coadjutors of William Penn. -Thomas Tresse was a rich iron monger and William Bradford was the famous -printer who established the first printing press in the middle colonies -of America, in 1685. - -The chief and most important member of this company was William -Rittenhouse, who became the sole proprietor prior to 1705, unless the -interest of Tresse was purchased by Claus Rittenhouse, about 1701. It -also seems that the son bought Bradford’s interest in 1704. Father and -son were practical papermakers and the owners. - -Bradford got himself into trouble when he printed the charter without -leave of the ruling powers, and then for printing a pamphlet of George -Keith, a seceding Scotch Quaker. He was arraigned in court, and in 1693 -left Philadelphia and established himself in New York, where he -introduced the first printing plant in that province. - -When Bradford left Philadelphia he was to receive for his share of the -mill paper of the value of six pounds, two shillings, and the assurance -that he had a monopoly of the entire printing paper that was made in -America from September 1, 1697, until September 1, 1707. The quantity is -not stated, neither is there anything by which we can determine, at this -late day, the capacity of the mill. - -All paper was then manufactured by hand, each sheet being made -separately. At that early day and long afterward the rags were pounded -into pulp in stone and iron mortars by the aid of trip-hammers, and -several days were required to furnish a sample sheet of dry-finished -paper. At that time a day’s production per man was one and a half reams -of newspaper of the size of 20 by 30 inches. Small as was this mill, its -importance can hardly be understood, for the greatest commercial -metropolis of America drew its supply of printing paper from this mill. - -There, in this secluded spot, away from any except the hermits who lived -in the caves along the Wissahickon, and with no access to Philadelphia -except by Germantown, William Rittenhouse, and his son devoted -themselves with untiring industry to their useful and honorable art. -They soon acquired a wide reputation as producers of “good paper,” and -to this they usually affixed a water-mark. - -In 1701 a great misfortune overtook the honest craftsmen. The little -stream on which they depended for their water-power experienced a -freshet of such fury that the mill was swept away and entirely -destroyed, and all machinery, stock, tools and much personal property -carried away in the flood. - -Nothing daunted they resolved to begin anew. They chose another site a -short distance below the first mill and in 1702 a mill, better than the -original, was erected. - -In the new mill Bradford still retained an interest but Claus -Rittenhouse would not renew his monopoly on the mill’s supply. On June -30, 1704, Bradford sold his share in the mill, and from that day the -paper mill became a Rittenhouse concern and so continued for -generations, until the mill had been rebuilt a fourth time, when it was -converted into a cotton factory. - -William Rittenhouse died February 18, 1708, and was succeeded in the -business by his son, Claus. Both father and son were also Mennonite -preachers. - -Claus continued to supply not only Bradford in New York, but the home -market in Germantown and Philadelphia. Bradford paid partly in fine rags -for his paper. - -A second paper mill was erected in 1710, in Germantown, by William De -Wees, a brother-in-law of Claus Rittenhouse, under whom he learned the -trade of papermaking. Claus Rittenhouse obtained possession of this mill -in 1713, and it was operated for many years. - -When Andrew Bradford established The American Mercury, in Philadelphia, -December 22, 1719, the first newspaper ever printed in the British -Middle Colonies, the paper for his Mercury was made at the Rittenhouse -mill. - -Claus Rittenhouse, the second papermaker in America, died in May, 1734, -aged sixty-eight. He was born in Holland, June 15, 1666. He was the -grandfather of David Rittenhouse, the American astronomer, who was also -treasurer of Pennsylvania during the Revolution. - - ---------- - - - - - Canal System Started with Committee Report - of February 19, 1791 - - -In the earliest days, before railroads and steam power were developed, -water communication was the popular mode of commercial transportation. -The spirit of the early settlers in Pennsylvania was alive with the idea -of internal improvement, and very early they were anxious to reach out -toward the western empire that was to become the promised land and -furnish food for the world. The ultimate result of this vision was the -construction of the grand system of canals connecting the navigable -rivers, Delaware and Ohio, by which products of the States and -Territories to the westward could be carried to Philadelphia, the -metropolitan seaport city of Pennsylvania. - -William Penn fostered the idea and recommended a scheme to connect the -Susquehanna at what is now Middletown with Philadelphia by uniting the -waters of the Schuylkill River at Reading with those of Tulpehocken -Creek and the Quittapahilla, which flowed into the Swatara ten miles -westward and thence into the Susquehanna at Middletown. - -As early as 1761 Commissioners were appointed by the Proprietaries to -clear, scour and make the Schuylkill navigable for boats, flats, rafts, -canoes and other small vessels, from the ridge of mountains commonly -called the Blue Mountains to the river Delaware. This action was the -initial step in the formation of the Schuylkill Navigation Company. - -The broad river itself in many portions was concentrated into pools -forming slack water navigation and these pools were connected by -sections of canals with a depth of six feet of water, passing boats with -a capacity of 200 tons. - -The committee appointed in January, 1791, to examine the report of the -Commissioners who explored the Delaware and western waters of the -Susquehanna, reported February 19. They considered the Delaware toward -New York State and to Lake Ontario; the Lehigh and Schuylkill, the -latter with the object of reaching Harrisburg; the Juniata and the north -and west branches of the Susquehanna. - -The several principal canals of the State in the order of the dates in -which they were created by acts of Assembly, and from which all others -were either extensions or feeders, were as follows: - -1. Schuylkill and Susquehanna Navigation Company, created September 29, -1791, passed through the counties of Dauphin, Lebanon and Berks. It -began at Columbia on the Susquehanna and extended to the mouth of the -Juniata, then later on up along that river to Hollidaysburg at the -eastern base of the Allegheny Mountains—a total length of 171 miles. - -2. Delaware and Schuylkill, April 10, 1792, in Berks, Montgomery and -Philadelphia Counties. - -3. Conewago Canal in York County, April 10, 1793. - -4. Brandywine Canal and Lock Navigation, April 10, 1793. - -5. Lehigh Navigation, February 27, 1798, in Northampton and Luzerne -Counties. A total of forty-six miles. - -6. Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, February 19, 1801. - -7. Concocheague Navigation, February 7, 1803; connected Chambersburg -with the Potomac. - -8. Conestoga Lock and Dam Navigation, March 17, 1806, in Lancaster -County, was an improvement of Conestoga Creek by locks and dams from its -mouth to the city of Lancaster, a distance of fourteen miles. - -9. Union Canal Company, April 2, 1811, connected the Susquehanna at -Middletown to the Schuylkill two miles below Reading; length eighty-two -miles. There was also a branch canal and feeder twenty-two miles in -length with a railroad of four miles to Pine Grove coal mines. - -10. Neshaminy Lock Navigation, March 26, 1814. - -11. Schuylkill Navigation, March 8, 1815, in Schuylkill, Berks, -Montgomery, Chester and Philadelphia Counties. This began at Port Carbon -on Schuylkill, and ran to Philadelphia, a distance of 108 miles. - -12. Lackawanna Navigation, February 5, 1817, a part of the Delaware and -Hudson Canal, from Honesdale on the Lackawaxen to the mouth of that -stream, a distance of twenty miles. - -13. Monongahela Navigation, March 24, 1817, in Fayette, Greene, -Westmoreland, Washington and Allegheny Counties. From Johnstown on the -Conemaugh, at the western base of the Allegheny down the Conemaugh, -Kiskiminetas and Allegheny to Pittsburgh—distance, 105 miles. - -14. Octoraro Navigation, March 29, 1819. - -15. Conewago Canal, east side, March 29, 1814. - -In the report of Canal Commissioners made in 1827 was this paragraph: - -“In the latter end of May the location of a line from the mouth of the -Juniata to Northumberland was commenced, beginning at Duncan Island, and -extending up the west side to a point opposite Northumberland.” This -canal was thirty-seven miles in length. - -The North Branch began at Northumberland and extended to two miles below -Wilkes-Barre, and later extended to New York State line. - -The West Branch began at Northumberland and ran to Muncy Dam, a distance -of twenty-six miles, but later was extended to Bald Eagle, where it -united with the Erie Canal. - -After extensive surveys made in 1824 and 1825, the Commonwealth entered, -in the year 1826, into the actual construction of an extended system of -internal improvements and continued the annual expenditure of large sums -of money for canals and railroads for fifteen years, or until 1841. - -Ground was broken at Harrisburg for the building of the Pennsylvania -Canal, on July 4, 1826. By the year 1834 a total of 673 miles of public -works had been completed, at a time when the credit of the State was -good. But unfortunately too extensive a system was undertaken and the -works were not constructed or managed with economy. The debt of 1834 had -mounted to twenty-three millions. By 1841 it reached forty-two millions, -and the State defaulted even the interest on these bonds and all work -ceased. - - ---------- - - - - - French and Indian War Started by Arrival of - -Braddock’s Troops February 20, 1755 - - -The French and Indian War opened April 17, 1754, when Ensign Ward was -surprised by the appearance of a large French force, under Contrecoeur, -while he was engaged in completing a stockade at the forks of the Ohio. -The Ensign was obliged to surrender his position to the superior forces -and retreat. - -Governor Hamilton strongly urged the Pennsylvania Assembly to organize -the militia and aid the Virginians, but they questioned the right of -Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia to invade the Province of Pennsylvania -and charged his action as impudent. - -Virginia raised a force of 300 men, under command of Colonel Fry and -Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, and near the Great Meadows, in -Pennsylvania, a detachment of the French forces, under Jumonville, which -had been sent to intercept the Virginians, was defeated and Jumonville -killed. - -Colonel Washington erected Fort Necessity near this point, and upon the -death of Colonel Fry was promoted to the command. - -Washington led the small column against Fort Duquesne, but a large -French force compelled the Virginians to fall back upon their stockade. -The French, under M. de Villier, attacked them and, after a desperate -defense, Washington was obliged to capitulate. - -In October, 1754, Governor Hamilton was succeeded by Robert Hunter -Morris, who assumed his duties at the same time that a new Assembly was -elected. At the session in December the Governor laid before it the -royal order for a concert of action with the other colonies, commanding -them to act vigorously in defense of their own province and to aid the -other colonies to repel every hostile invasion. - -The Assembly appropriated £40,000 of which £20,000 was for the King’s -use, redeemable by the excise in twelve years, the balance to supplant -the torn and defaced bills of former issues. - -Great Britain determined to oppose the growing power of France in -America, and ordered two regiments of foot from Ireland, under command -of Colonels Dunbar and Halkett, to Virginia, to be there reinforced; -other troops were ordered to be raised in America, 2000 in New England, -3000 in Pennsylvania, which were to be placed at the disposal of a -commander-in-chief, who would be sent over for that purpose. - -Pennsylvania was, in addition, required to supply the foreign troops on -their arrival with provisions and all necessaries for the soldiers -landed or raised in the Province; also to provide the officers with -means for traveling; and to impress carriages and quarter troops. All -the expense of this program was to be borne by the Province; whilst -articles of more general concern would be charged upon a common fund to -be raised from all the colonies of North America, of which the Province -of Pennsylvania would be required to bear its proportionate share. The -Governor of Pennsylvania was also directed to urge the Assembly to -contribute liberally, until a union of the northern colonies for general -defense could be effected. At this late day it would appear that the -mother country depended more on Pennsylvania and Virginia than on all -her other possessions in North America; and more on Pennsylvania than on -Virginia for men and provisions. - -Governor Morris and the Assembly fenced for position on the proposition -of a grant of an enormous sum for the King’s use. Neither side would -yield. Finally the Assembly borrowed, on the credit of the House, £5000, -to be expended in the purchase of fresh provisions, for the use of the -King’s troops on their arrival, and appointed a committee to negotiate -the loan. This action was unquestionably arrived at in an effort to -prove to the Crown that their disposition was to assist the mother -government, if treated by the Proprietary as they had a right to expect. - -On January 14, 1755, Major General Edward Braddock, Sir John St. Clair, -Adjutant General, and the regiments of Colonels Dunbar and Halkett -sailed from Cork. They arrived at Alexandria, Va., February 20, whence -they marched to Fredericktown, Md. - -The place of debarkation was selected with that ignorance and want of -judgment which distinguished the British Ministry. Neither the country -of Maryland nor Virginia could furnish provisions or carriages for the -army, while Pennsylvania, rich in grain and well stocked with wagons and -stock, could readily supply food and the means of transportation -required by officers and men in moving an army to any point. - -The Assembly could hardly feel otherwise at such a move, than that -either the British ministry or Major-General Braddock was prejudiced -against the government of this Province, so Dr. Franklin was sent to -General Braddock, to undeceive him. - -While Franklin was yet with the army the return of the wagons obtainable -was made to the general, from which it appeared that there were not more -than twenty-five, and not all these serviceable. - -Braddock was so thoroughly disgusted with this condition of affairs that -he declared the expedition at an end and exclaimed against the Ministers -who would send him into a country destitute of the means of -transportation. Franklin expressed his regret that the army had not been -landed in Pennsylvania, where such means abounded. Braddock seized his -words and at once commissioned him on liberal terms to procure 150 -wagons and 1500 pack horses. - -Franklin immediately returned to Philadelphia and circulated -advertisements through the counties of Lancaster, York and Cumberland, -and by a clever address obtained in two weeks all the wagons, 250 pack -horses and much popularity for himself. - -Franklin stated in his address that he found General Braddock incensed -at the delay of the horses and carriages he had expected from -Philadelphia, and was disposed to send an armed force to seize -carriages, horses and drivers necessary to the service. But that he, -apprehending the visit of British soldiers in their present temper would -be very inconvenient to the inhabitants and that he was desirous to try -what might be done by fair and equitable means; and that now an -opportunity was presented of obtaining £30,000 in silver and gold, which -would supply the deficiency of the Provincial currency. He expended £800 -received from the general, advanced £200 from his own purse and gave his -personal bond for the payment of the value of such horses as should be -lost in the service. The claims made upon him in consequence of this -engagement amounted to £20,000, and were not settled by the Government -until after much trouble and delay. - - ---------- - - - - - State Capital Removed to Harrisburg by Act - -of February 21, 1810 - - -Very soon after the close of the Revolution there began an agitation -about the removal of the seat of the State Government from Philadelphia. - -In March, 1787, the Assembly, then a single branch, resolved that -Philadelphia was “an unfortunate location” and expressed by their votes -its determination to build a State house at Harrisburg on a plot of -ground the property of the Commonwealth, etc., being four and a half -acres, conveyed by John Harris in 1785. Harrisburg was then a town of -nearly 600 inhabitants. - -Action was not taken, but again in subsequent sessions, as in 1795, the -House voted thirty-six to thirty-four in favor of moving the seat of -Government to Carlisle. The Senate did not concur. - -In 1798 the House agreed to remove to Wrightsville, York County, -“without delay.” Again the Senate refused to concur. - -But in 1799 the effort in favor of removal was crowned with success. -Both branches voted this time to remove to Lancaster, then a town of -great importance, by far the most considerable in the interior. -Accordingly, in December, 1799, the Legislature met in Lancaster, -continuing to do so until the spring of 1812, when the seat of -Government was removed to its present location in Harrisburg. - -The provisions of the Constitution now require that no removal can -hereafter be made without the consent of the people at a general -election, and, although there have been many attempts made to relocate -at Philadelphia and elsewhere since 1812, it is hardly probable that any -other city or section will ever be acceptable to the citizens. - -It appears the choice of Lancaster was not as satisfactory as expected -as agitation for another removal was almost immediately commenced. On -December 9, 1801, a motion was made by Stacy Potts, of Dauphin County, -seconded by Mr. Lord Butler, of Luzerne County, calling for the -appointment of a committee to consider and report on “the most eligible -place to fix the permanent seat of government of this State.” The House -voted to consider the report, January 13, 1802, but nothing further was -done during that session, except an attempt to introduce the measure -under a fresh dress. A measure was introduced for the erection of a -structure for the “safe preservation” of the State papers. Under this -thin disguise, the subject of removal was very skillfully avoided by -those opposed to removal in a debate extending through December, 1802, -and ending latter part of the following January. - -Senator Laird, January 4, 1809, presented the petition of sundry -inhabitants of the town of Northumberland, at the forks of the -Susquehanna, setting forth the central situation of that growing town, -and showing the advantages of fixing the State government there, -offering accommodations for the officers of the State and members of the -Legislature, and praying a removal of the seat of government thither. - -This petition was referred to a committee consisting of Senators Laird, -Heston, Doty, Hiester and Laycock. - -The committee shortly after submitted a report recommending the removal -of the seat of government to the town of Northumberland. The Senate, -however, when the report was under consideration, struck out the word -“Northumberland,” and from that moment onward the subject was constantly -agitated. - -On February 17, 1809, the Senate, in Committee of the Whole, endeavored -to have the words “City of Philadelphia,” inserted as the place for the -seat of government, but, on vote, the motion was lost when only eight -Senators supported the motion. Then another effort to insert the name of -Northumberland was made, also Middletown, and Harrisburg. Northumberland -received only seven votes, but when Harrisburg was voted upon the Senate -supported it by a vote of fourteen to ten, but the House refused to -consider the bill during that session. No further action was taken until -February, 1810, when a bill passed both branches of the Legislature and -became a law, February 21, 1810. - -This act consisted of ten sections and provided “that within the month -of October, 1812, all the offices attached to the seat of government of -this State shall be removed to the Borough of Harrisburg,” etc. - -Robert Harris, George Hoyer and George Ziegler were named in the act as -commissioners to superintend and direct the removal of books, records, -papers and other documents, etc., and to provide good and suitable rooms -and apartments for the accommodation of the Legislature and the State -departments. - -The Governor was directed to accept “on behalf and in the name of the -Commonwealth the offer of ten acres of land in or adjoining the said -Borough of Harrisburg, at $100 per acre, made by William Maclay, -adjoining to the four-acre lot formerly appropriated by John Harris for -the use of the State,” etc. - -Appropriations were made for the payment of this land and for the -erection of office buildings. The Governor was authorized to appoint -three commissioners to fix upon a site, procure plans for and -superintend the erection of the buildings. - -Governor Simon Snyder appointed William Findlay, Richard M. Crain, -George Bryan, John B. Gibson and William Gibbons as commissioners and -they selected Stephen Mills as architect. - -A supplement to the act passed February 7, 1812, provided that all the -offices should be removed to Harrisburg during the month of April. A -second supplement passed March 10, 1812, directed “the clerks of the two -houses, on or before the 1st of June next (1812), to remove or cause to -be removed all the papers, records, books and documents belonging to -each house aforesaid, together with whatever furniture may be thought -fit for removal.” - -From these records it is ascertained that the Government of the State -was removed in all its departments, in the year 1812, from Lancaster to -Harrisburg, and that the first organization at the latter place was in -December of that year. - -The first sessions of the Legislature were held in the old court house. - -The cornerstone of the capitol was laid Monday, May 31, 1819, by -Governor William Findlay. The construction was rapidly pushed forward, -and the building made ready for occupancy in December, 1821. - -The Legislature met in the new capitol, Wednesday, January 2, 1822, when -proper ceremonies were held in honor of the event. This building was -destroyed by fire February 2, 1897. - -The present magnificent capitol building was constructed by a Commission -composed of Governor William A. Stone, Edward Bailey, William P. Snyder, -Nathan C. Schaeffer and William H. Graham. Other officers of the -commission were T. L. Erye, superintendent; Robert K. Young, general -counsel; Edgar C. Gerwig, secretary; Joseph M. Huston, architect, and -George F. Payne, contractor. - -The capitol was dedicated, October 4, 1906, when President Roosevelt -delivered the oration, and was entertained at luncheon by Governor -Pennypacker. - - ---------- - - - - - Service and Captivity of Captain John Boyd, - Born February 22, 1750 - - -One of the distinguished patriots of the Continental Army during the -Revolution was Captain John Boyd, a frontiersman, who suffered Indian -captivity and lived to rejoin his family and again become one of the -foremost citizens of his time. - -The Boyd family gained a foothold in America when John Boyd, the -emigrant from the North of Ireland, landed on these shores in 1744, and -settled in Chester County. He married Sarah De Vane, and they removed to -Northumberland County, where they continued to reside until their -decease. They were the parents of three patriotic sons—John, born -February 22, 1750; Thomas, born in 1752, and William, born in 1755. - -William Boyd was a lieutenant in the Twelfth Regiment of the Continental -Line, under Colonel William Cooke. He fell at the Battle of Brandywine. - -Thomas Boyd was a lieutenant in General John Sullivan’s command when he -made his successful campaign against the Six Nations in Northern -Pennsylvania and Southern New York in 1779. Lieutenant Boyd was in -charge of a scouting detail on the march when he was captured by the -Indians and Tories under command of Colonel John Butler, near Little -Beard’s Town, in the Genesee. - -Boyd was surrounded by a strong detachment of the enemy, who killed -fourteen of his men. He and a soldier were captured and only eight -escaped. When General Sullivan learned of Boyd’s fate the advance was -quickened in the hope they could reach him, but on arriving at Genesee -Castle his remains and those of the other prisoners were found, -surrounded by all the horrid evidences of savage barbarity. The torture -fires were yet burning. Flaming pine knots had been thrust into their -flesh, their fingernails pulled out, their tongues cut off and their -heads severed from their bodies. - -John, the eldest brother, was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the -Continental Army in May, 1777, which rank he held until February, 1781, -when he received a captain’s commission from the State of Pennsylvania, -which had resolved to raise and equip three companies of Rangers for the -defense of the western frontier, then sorely distressed by the hostile -incursions of the savages. It was to the command of one of these -companies, that Captain John Boyd was promoted. - -In June, 1781, while marching his men across the Allegheny Mountains, he -fell into an ambuscade of Indians near the headwaters of the Raystown -branch of the Juniata River, in Bedford County, and was made a prisoner -with a number of his soldiers, and led captive through the wilderness to -Canada. - -Captain Boyd was confined during his imprisonment in Canada on an island -in the St. Lawrence, near Montreal. - -In the spring of 1782 an exchange of prisoners took place and he was -returned to Philadelphia with a number of his fellow soldiers. - -Previous to his capture he had been engaged in the Battles of White -Plains, Germantown, Brandywine and Stony Point. He was one of the fifty -who composed the “forlorn hope,” led by Mad Anthony Wayne at Stony -Point, who met within the fort. He was at West Point and witnessed the -execution of the unfortunate Major Andre. - -At the time of the ambuscade Captain Boyd was wounded during the -skirmish, but after his capture and in spite of his wounds, he made a -desperate effort to escape by running, but was pursued and received -three terrible gashes in his head with a tomahawk when he was -re-captured. - -The Indians immediately struck across the country, reaching the West -Branch of the Susquehanna near the mouth of the Sinnemahoning Creek. -They also had another prisoner named Ross, who was wounded even more -severely than Boyd, and could travel no farther. He was fastened to a -stake, with his arms tied behind his back; his body was cut with sharp -points and pitch-pine splinters stuck into the incisions; the fire was -lighted and the savages danced around him in fiendish glee. His tortures -were terrible before death relieved him. - -During this tragic scene Captain Boyd, faint from the loss of blood, was -tied to a small oak sapling, in such a position that he could not -refrain from being a silent spectator of the horrible scene; realizing -that he was soon to suffer the same tortures. - -He summoned up all his courage and resigned himself to his fate. -Certainly his thoughts must have reminded him of the sufferings of his -heroic brother only two years before, almost in the same manner. - -While the incarnate fiends were making preparations to torture him to -death by inches, he sang a pretty Masonic song, with a plaintive air -which attracted their attention and they listened to it closely until it -was finished. At this critical moment an old squaw came up and claimed -him for her son. The Indians did not interfere and she immediately -dressed his wounds and attended to his comfort, carefully guarding him -during their journey to Canada. - -This old squaw accompanied Captain Boyd to Quebec, where he was placed -in a hospital and attended by an English surgeon. When he recovered he -was turned out on the street without a penny or a friend. - -He found a Masonic Inn and made himself known to the proprietor who -cared for him until he was exchanged. - -The old squaw who befriended him belonged to the Oneida tribe. Captain -Boyd remembered her kindly as one of his best friends and frequently -sent her presents of money and trinkets. On one occasion he made a -journey north to visit her in her aboriginal home and personally thank -her for saving his life. - -Captain Boyd, in partnership with Colonel William Wilson, operated a -mill on Chillisquaque Creek, Northumberland County, for many years. - -He was one of the surviving officers who enjoyed the provisions of the -act of Congress, May, 1828. - -He was a delegate to the convention which ratified the Federal -Constitution December 12, 1787. - -He was an elector of President and Vice President in 1792, when he voted -for Washington and Adams. He was appointed by President Washington -Inspector of Internal Revenue for Pennsylvania. He also served as -Register and Recorder of Northumberland County. - -Captain Boyd married May 13, 1794, Rebecca, daughter of Colonel John -Bull, famous Revolutionary officer. They were the parents of five -daughters and two sons. He died February 23, 1831. - - ---------- - - - - - Simon Girty, the Renegade, and Indians - Attacked Fort Laurens, February - 23,1779 - - -Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, who had been sent by Congress and -General Washington to restore peace on the harried western frontier of -Pennsylvania, relieved General Edward Hand of his command at Fort Pitt. - -A treaty of peace with the Delaware Indians was concluded September 17, -1778, and General McIntosh immediately prepared an expedition against -the British post at Detroit. - -On October 1, the army, consisting of 1300 troops, of whom 500 were -regulars of the Eighth Pennsylvania and Thirteenth Virginia, marched -from Fort Pitt down the Ohio, to the mouth of the Beaver. - -Four weeks were occupied in building a fort within the present town of -Beaver, which was named Fort McIntosh, in honor of the commanding -officer. - -A herd of lean cattle arrived at Fort McIntosh November 3, and on the -5th the army began its march, but they did not reach the Tuscarawas -River until November 19. - -In accord with a provision in the treaty with the Delaware, General -McIntosh was pledged to erect a protection for the Indian women and -children. During the march to the Tuscarawas a Delaware chief was shot -by a Virginia militiaman, and many Indians deserted the American force. - -General McIntosh, with great reluctance, determined not to continue the -campaign so late in the year, and to employ the troops and make a show -of enterprise, he began the construction of a stockade fort at -Tuscarawas, where the army then encamped and from which place it would -again set out in the spring on another attempt against Detroit. - -The fort was named Fort Laurens, in honor of the President of the -Continental Congress. - -Before this fort was finished General McIntosh realized he could not get -forward a sufficient quantity of provisions to maintain his large force -in the Indian country long enough even for an expedition against the -Sandusky towns. - -The Virginians were enlisted only until the end of the year, the weather -became intensely cold, starvation and deep snows threatened, which -seemed enough to discourage any commander and the general was forced to -march his army to the Ohio. - -He left 150 men of the Thirteenth Virginia, under command of Colonel -John Gibson, one of the stoutest-hearted of the frontiersmen. Colonel -Daniel Brodhead, of Northampton County, with a detachment of the Eighth -Pennsylvania, formed the winter garrison at Fort McIntosh, while General -McIntosh took up his quarters at Fort Pitt much chagrined over his -disappointments. - -The little garrison at Fort Laurens experienced a terrible winter. They -were short of food and clothing. The troops hunted until driven out of -the woods by the hostile Indians. - -The erection of this fort in the very heart of the Indian country -greatly provoked the Wyandot, Miami and Mingo tribes, and they plotted -its destruction. Early in January, 1779, they began to prowl about the -post. - -General McIntosh promised to send provisions to the post by the middle -of January, and Captain John Clark, of the Eighth Pennsylvania, was sent -from McIntosh with fifteen men to convoy the pack horses loaded with -flour and meat to the relief of the post on the Tuscarawas. - -This detail reached the fort January 21, and two days later set out on -their return to the Ohio. Three miles from the fort the party was -attacked from ambush by seventeen Mingo Indians, under the leadership of -Simon Girty, the renegade and Tory, and two soldiers were killed, four -wounded and one captured. - -Captain Clark was forced back to Fort Laurens, but a few days afterward -he again started and led his little detail through without molestation. -Girty led his captive soldier to Detroit, and while there raised a much -larger force and returned to the vicinity of Fort Laurens, where he -arrived about the middle of February. - -Fort Laurens was now surrounded by a band of 200 Miami and Mingo Indians -led by Girty and Captain Henry Bird. Colonel Gibson succeeded in sending -a messenger through the savage lines, who carried the distressing news -to General McIntosh. - -On February 23, 1779, a wagon was sent out from the fort under an escort -of eighteen soldiers to haul some firewood which had been cut by the -troops. About a half a mile from the fort the little party passed an -ancient Indian mound behind which a band of Indians lay hidden. The -Indians burst upon them, both front and rear, and every man in the -detail was killed and scalped except two, who were taken prisoners. - -The Indians then planned a regular siege upon the fort and endeavored to -starve the garrison into surrender. - -Colonel Gibson dispatched another messenger, who eluded the watchful -Indians and reached Fort McCord March 3. - -In the interim the condition in the garrison became desperate. A sortie -in force was contemplated but the strength of the savages caused this -plan to be abandoned. The Indians paraded over the crest of the hill -within plain sight, and about 850 warriors were counted. It was -afterward learned that 200 had been marched to make a show, four times -the strength. - -Captain Bird after this stratagem, sent in a demand for surrender, -promising safe passage for the soldiers to Fort McIntosh, but Gibson -sternly refused. The Indians then promised to withdraw if Gibson would -furnish them with a barrel of flour and a barrel of meat. - -Bird believed the garrison was reduced to its last ration and would, of -necessity, refuse the request, and therefore he felt certain that in a -few days the garrison must surrender. - -Gibson had but a few barrels of food, and that in bad condition; but he -quickly complied with the demand, sent out two barrels and said he had -plenty yet inside. They enjoyed a feast on the flour and meat, and on -the following day left that vicinity and returned to their towns in -Northwestern Ohio. - -On March 23, General McIntosh appeared with his relieving force of 300 -regulars and 200 militia escorting a train of pack horses with -provisions. For more than a week the men had subsisted on roots and soup -made by boiling raw hides. - -The famished troops sallied forth, and fired a volley to express their -joy. The shooting frightened the pack horses, causing them to stampede -through the woods, scattering food in every direction. Many of the -horses were never recovered and the food lost. - -By the middle of May the garrison was compelled to return to Fort -McIntosh to escape actual starvation. The fort was finally dismantled -and the men returned to Fort Pitt. - - ---------- - - - - - General Jacob Brown, Hero of War of 1812, - Died February 24, 1828; Native of - Pennsylvania - - -When General Jacob Brown died in Washington, D. C., February 24, 1828, a -monument was erected over his remains in the historic Congressional -burial ground, which bore the following inscription: - -“Sacred to the memory of General Jacob Brown. He was born in Bucks -County, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of May, 1775, and died in the city of -Washington, commanding-general of the army, on the 24th of February, -1828. - - “Let him who e’er in after days - Shall view this monument of praise, - For honor heave the patriot sigh - And for his country learn to die.” - -Then this surely was an unusual man and such is the fact. - -He was born of Quaker parentage, in the house long since known as the -Warner mansion, about three and a half miles below Morrisville, on the -banks of the Delaware River, where his father lived until the son Jacob -was grown, and they removed to New York toward the close of the century. - -From his eighteenth to his twenty-first year Jacob Brown taught school -at Crosswicks, N. J., and passed the next two years in surveying lands -in Ohio. - -In 1798 he opened a select school in New York City, and at the same time -studied law. - -Some of his newspaper essays attracted the attention of General -Alexander Hamilton, to whom he became secretary while that officer was -acting General-in-Chief of the army raised in anticipation of a war with -France. - -When those war clouds disappeared Brown went to northern New York, -purchased lands on the banks of the Black River, not far distant from -Sackett’s Harbor, and founded the flourishing settlement of Brownsville, -where he erected the first building within thirty miles of Lake Ontario. - -There Brown became county judge; colonel of the local militia in 1809; -brigadier general in 1810; and, in 1812, received the appointment of -commander of the frontier from Oswego to Lake St. Francis, a line two -hundred miles in extent. - -During the War of 1812–14, he performed most conspicuous service, -receiving two severe wounds in battle. - -At the second attack upon Sackett’s Harbor, May 27, 1813, when the news -of the approach of the British squadron reached there Colonel Backus was -in command. General Jacob Brown was at his home, a few miles distant. He -was notified and arrived before dawn of the 28th. He sent expresses in -all directions to summon the militia to the field, and fired guns to -arouse the inhabitants. - -As rapidly as the militia came in they were armed and sent to Horse -Island, where it was expected the enemy would attempt to land. On the -appearance of some American gun boats the British squadron went out on -the open lake. But when the enemy discovered the real weakness of the -defenders, the squadron returned on the morning of the 29th and landed a -large force on Horse Island. - -The militia had been withdrawn from the island to the mainland, and fled -at the first fire of the invaders. - -This disgraceful conduct astonished General Brown, who rallied his -troops, when he discovered the store houses and a ship in flames, set on -fire by Americans who believed their militia was in full retreat. This -caused General Brown to redouble his exertions to rally the militia. He -succeeded, and so turned the fortunes of the day in favor of his -country. - -When Sir George Prevost, mounted on a high stump, saw the rallying -militia on his flank and rear, he believed them to be American -reinforcements and sounded a retreat. - -For his conduct in the defense of Sackett’s Harbor, Brown was made a -brigadier in the United States Army. - -General Brown made the only redeeming movement in Wilkinson’s -disgraceful expedition down the St. Lawrence River against Montreal, -November, 1813. Brown captured and held the post at the foot of the -rapids, which movement permitted the union of the several armies, or the -defeat would have been even more disastrous. - -General Brown was severely wounded at the repulse of the British at Fort -Erie, August 15, 1814. - -Both parties prepared to renew the contest, and General Brown remained -in command. On September 17, he stormed the attacking forces by a sortie -from the fort, and won a brilliant victory. This saved Fort Erie with -Buffalo, and the stores on the Niagara frontier. - -Public honors were bestowed upon Generals Brown, Porter and Ripley. -Congress presented each with a gold medal. - -To the chief commander, General Brown, it was said, “no enterprise which -he undertook ever failed,” and the city of New York gave him the freedom -of the city in a beautiful gold box. The Governor of New York presented -him with an elegant sword. - -At the function in New York City, held February 4, 1815, Mayor DeWitt -Clinton presided, and the aldermen and principal citizens hailed him as -the hero of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane. - -The citizens of Philadelphia gave him a great public banquet at -Washington Hall, Chief Justice Tilghman presiding, and Major Jackson, -vice president. - -The sanguinary battle near the cataract of the Niagara is known in -history as the battle of Lundy’s Lane. - -The British had just been defeated (July 5, 1814), at Chippewa, and were -smarting under the disgrace of having their veteran troops defeated by -raw Americans. - -General Brown was ably supported by General Scott in this action and -both were severely wounded. The command devolved upon General Ripley who -disobeyed General Brown’s orders, lost the advantage of a brilliant -victory, and was soon replaced by General E. P. Gaines. - -At the close of the war, General Brown was retained in command of the -northern division of the army, and was made general-in-chief, March 10, -1821, which exalted position he held with honor and credit till his -death. - - ---------- - - - - - Andrew McFarlane Captured by Indians at - -Kittanning February 25, 1777 - - -The Indian depredations along the Ohio River in the fall of 1776 began -along its eastern shore, when small parties of the Mingo tribe made -incursions among the settlements, inflicting only slight damage. But in -the spring of 1777, the outrages became general and more destructive. -The first outrage was on the frontier of Westmoreland County when Andrew -McFarlane was captured at an outpost of Kittanning. - -McFarlane soon after the close of the French and Indian War, made his -way west to Fort Pitt, where he engaged in the Indian trade with his -brother James. When the territorial dispute with Virginia became acute, -in January, 1774, Andrew McFarlane was appointed a justice of the peace -by Governor Penn and he vigorously upheld the Pennsylvania authority. - -Captain John Connolly, at the head of his Virginia militia, interrupted -the sessions of the Pennsylvania court at Hannastown, April, 1774, and -arrested three Pennsylvania justices, who resided in Pittsburgh; Andrew -McFarlane, Devereux Smith and Captain Aeneas Mackay. They were taken as -prisoners to Staunton, Va., and there detained four weeks, until -released by order of Governor Dunmore. - -On the evening of his arrest in Pittsburgh, McFarlane managed to send a -letter to Governor Penn, in which he said: “I am taken at a great -inconvenience, as my business is suffering much on account of my -absence, but I am willing to suffer a great deal more rather than bring -a disgrace upon the commission which I bear under your honor.” One -result of his arrest indicates that McFarlane did not really suffer much -during his captivity at Staunton for there he met and married Margaret -Lynn Lewis, daughter of William Lewis, famed in the military history of -Virginia. - -Andrew and James McFarlane, to escape exactions and persecutions of -Virginia military authority, removed their store, in the autumn of 1774, -to Kittanning, at that time the extreme limit of white settlements -toward the North. Here they prospered. - -When the Iroquois tribe began to give concern to the settlers on the -western frontier, after the Revolution opened, the Continental Congress -in July 1776, ordered the raising of a regiment consisting of seven -companies from Westmoreland and one from Bedford, to build and garrison -forts at Kittanning, Le Boeuf and Erie and protect that region from -British and Iroquois. - -These troops were promptly raised under command of Colonel Aeneas -Mackay, with George Wilson, lieutenant colonel, and Richard Butler, as -major. This regiment rendezvoused at Kittanning preparatory to an -advance up the Allegheny, to build two other forts. - -A call was received for the regiment to march eastward, across the -State, and join the hard-pressed army of General Washington, then near -the Delaware. This regiment obeyed the call, in spite of a storm of -protest on the frontier, and became known as the Eighth Pennsylvania. -The long march began early in January, 1777. - -Many settlers believed the western frontier was not in imminent danger -but Andrew McFarlane was not one of these. As soon as Mackay’s regiment -departed Justice McFarlane begged of the Westmoreland Commissioners that -a company of militia be sent to Kittanning. He could hardly restrain his -neighbors from running away, and during the late winter many did flee, -leaving McFarlane and two clerks the only men at the place. - -There were many stores left at Kittanning by Colonel Mackay but no -soldiers could be spared to guard them. In this emergency Samuel -Moorhead, who lived at Black Lick Creek, undertook the formation of a -company of volunteer rangers. He chose McFarlane as his lieutenant, and -these two spent much time trying to recruit a small company from the -scattered settlers. - -The story of the capture of Andrew McFarlane is preserved in two forms: -One is gathered from letters written at the time, while the other is a -tradition handed down in the Lewis family of Virginia. The Lewis story -is now preserved in a history of Lynchburg, Va., and is in part as -follows: - -“When Margaret Lynn Lewis married Mr. McFarlane, of Pittsburgh, and left -the parental roof, she traveled through a wilderness infested with -hostile Indians till she reached that place. Once, when they least -apprehended danger, a war whoop was heard, her husband taken prisoner, -the tomahawk raised and she averted her eyes to avoid witnessing the -fatal stroke. - -The river was between them and she, with her infant and maid servant, of -course endeavored to fly, knowing the inevitable consequences of delay. -After starting, the servant reminded Mrs. McFarlane of her husband’s -money and valuable papers, but she desired the girl not to mention -anything of that sort at such a moment; but, regardless of the commands -of her mistress, the servant returned to the dwelling, bringing with her -all of the money and as many of the papers as she could hold in her -apron, overtaking, in a short time, her mistress, as the snow was three -feet deep. On looking back she saw the house in flames, and pursuing -their journey with incredible fatigue, reached the house of Colonel -Crawford, a distance of fourteen miles. - -The contemporary account of this event is found in letters from the -frontier, written to the officers of the Pennsylvania Government at -Philadelphia and made public in later years. “Two British subalterns, -two Chippewa and two Iroquois Indians were sent by the commandant of -Fort Niagara, to descend to Allegheny. - -“On February 25, 1777, they arrived opposite the little settlement of -Kittanning. Standing on the shore, they shouted toward the far shore, -calling for a canoe. Thinking the Indians had come to trade or to bring -important news McFarlane decided to venture across. The instant he -stepped from his boat he was seized by the savages and told he was their -prisoner. His capture was witnessed by his wife and some men at the -settlement.” - -At the time Andrew McFarlane was captured, his brother James was a -lieutenant in the First Pennsylvania of the Continental Line. It was -through his personal efforts that Andrew was exchanged, in the fall of -1780. The released man immediately rejoined his wife and child at -Staunton, and they soon afterward returned to the vicinity of -Pittsburgh. Kittanning being deserted and exposed, Andrew McFarlane -opened a store on Chartier’s Creek, where he lived for many years. - -His eldest son, Andrew, doubtless the infant whom Mrs. McFarlane carried -in her arms when she fled from Kittanning, became one of the pioneer -settlers on the Shenango, near the present New Castle, Pa., and his -descendants are numerous in Lawrence County. - - ---------- - - - - - Westmoreland County, Last Under Proprietary, - -Erected February 26, 1773 - - -The county of Westmoreland was erected by the Assembly of the Province -of Pennsylvania by an act of February 26, 1773. It was the eleventh -county in Pennsylvania and the last erected under the Proprietary -Government. Like all the other counties, except Philadelphia, it -received its name from a county in England. - -In 1771 this wide region was included in the county of Bedford, but -settlements grew so rapidly west of the mountains during the year 1772 -that a new frontier county was demanded. The evacuation of Fort Pitt by -the British troops in the fall of 1772 also led the frontiersmen to -demand a stronger civil government. - -When Westmoreland was erected it included all the Province west of -Laurel Hill, being what is broadly known as Southwestern Pennsylvania -and included what is now Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, Greene, and -the parts of Allegheny and Beaver Counties south of the Ohio River and -about two-thirds of Indiana and one-third of Armstrong County, a total -area of 4,700 square miles. - -While this was the area of Westmoreland County in the intent of the -Provincial Government, it was restricted in fact by Virginia’s seizure -and government of a large portion of the territory. - -A general settlement of the country west of the Allegheny Mountains did -not begin until after the land office was opened in April, 1769. - -The settlers flocked into this new region from two directions. The Scots -from the Cumberland Valley and other settled posts of the Province made -their way westward along the Forbes military road and planted their -cabins along its course. These men were loyal Pennsylvanians, and they -held their lands under the Provincial Government. Other Scots came from -the South, principally from the Old Dominion; they crossed the mountains -by the Braddock road and occupied the fertile lands along the -Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers and Chartiers Creek. These men were -Virginians and believed their settlements were still within that -territory. - -A lively contest was carried on between Pennsylvania and Virginia for -control of this region, and the organization of Westmoreland County had -signal influence in strengthening the Pennsylvania authority, especially -when sixteen magistrates were commissioned to administer justice within -its boundaries. - -The county seat was established at Robert Hanna’s little settlement on -Forbes Road, about thirty-five miles east of Fort Pitt, and here at -Hannastown, the first Pennsylvania court, west of the mountains, was -held April 13, 1773. It was a Court of Quarter Sessions and William -Crawford presided. These proceedings stirred up the Virginia -authorities. - -The Earl of Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, took forcible possession of -the disputed territory. He appointed John Connolly, of Pittsburgh, -“captain commandant of Pittsburgh and its dependencies.” - -Connolly mustered the militia under the Virginia law, seized and -garrisoned Fort Pitt, intimidated the Pennsylvania magistrates, marched -some of them off to prison, and established the authority of Virginia -throughout all the region between the Monongahela and the Ohio. -Pennsylvania had no militia law at that time and was powerless to resist -the usurpation. - -By this action upon the part of Virginia the territory of Westmoreland -County, during the period of the Revolution, was limited to about half -its actual area. It was not until the summer of 1780 that Virginia -finally agreed to accept the results of a joint survey which would -extend the southern boundary line of Pennsylvania to a distance of 5 -degrees of longitude west of the Delaware River. - -Ligonier Valley, which extends along the eastern border of the county, -was well settled by 1775, the largest settlement being Ligonier, where -the British had built a fort in 1758. The principal citizen here was -Captain, afterwards General Arthur St. Clair, a Scotchman who served -under Wolfe at Quebec and afterwards became the agent of the Penn family -in Western Pennsylvania. - -Settlements also became numerous west of Chestnut Ridge, along the -Loyalhanna and its tributaries, as far as Hannastown on the Forbes Road. -Derry settlement was to the north of the road, between the Loyalhanna -and the Conemaugh. Nearly all the settlers were Scots from Ulster, or -their immediate descendants, with a sprinkling of Irish of Presbyterian -faith. There was another Ulster settlement at the Braddock road crossing -of Big Sewickley Creek, while lower down that stream were cabins and -blockhouses of German emigrants from the Rhine Palatinate. - -The Virginia settlers along the Monongahela and Youghiogheny were a -generation or more removed from the old country, but were nearly all of -Scotch stock. The richest of these brought their slaves with them from -Virginia, who were held in bondage long after the Revolution. - -The traders and principal citizens in the vicinity of Fort Pitt were -members of the Church of England; it was from among these that the Tory -sentiment developed during the Revolution. Old Westmoreland was, -however, decidedly a Scotch and Calvinistic settlement. - -The Scotch pioneers were bold, stout and industrious men, sharp at -bargains, fond of religious and political controversy and not strongly -attached to government either of the royal or the proprietary brand. In -nearly every cabin could be found three principal articles, the Bible, a -rifle and a whiskey jug. Their hatred of the treacherous Indian was a -strong characteristic. - -In 1775 the most prominent representatives of the Pennsylvania -interests, in addition to General Arthur St. Clair, were Colonel John -Proctor and Colonel Archibald Lochry, who lived near the Forbes Road, -west of Chestnut Ridge; Robert Hanna and Michael Huffnagle, of -Hannastown; James Cavet and Christopher Hays, of Sewickley; John Ormsby, -Devereux Smith and Aeneas Mackay, traders and storekeepers at -Pittsburgh; Edward Cook, near Redstone, and George Wilson, whose -plantation was in the very heart of the Virginia sympathizers, on the -Monongahela at the mouth of George’s Creek. - - ---------- - - - - - Early Days of Witchcraft in Pennsylvania—Two - Women on Trial February 27, 1683 - - -The most conspicuous of the early provincial tribunals and by far the -best known to the present-day reader was the Provincial Council. Its -duties were at once executive, legislative and judicial. - -The judicial functions discharged by the members of the Council were -both interesting and important, and the volume of such business was very -great. Its members were regarded by all classes as the supreme judges of -the land. - -The trial of Margaret Mattson, which took place on February 27, 1683, -before William Penn himself, is of great interest, both on account of -the peculiarity of the accusation and the notoriety it has acquired as -illustrating the temper of our ancestors. - -The records of the early Provincial Council contain this item: - -“1683, 7th, 12th mo., Margaret Mattson and Yethro Hendrickson were -examined and about to be proved witches; whereupon this board ordered -that Neels Mattson should enter into a recognizance of fifty pounds for -his wife’s appearance before this board on the 27th instant. Hendrick -Jacobson doth the same for his wife.” - -“27th of the 12th mo. Margaret Mattson’s indictment was read, and she -pleads not guilty, and will be tryed by ye country.” - -It is a matter of historical interest that the Council was then composed -of William Penn, Proprietor and Governor, and James Harrison, William -Biles, Lasse Cock, William Haigue, Chris Taylor, William Clayton and -Thomas Holmes. - -The Grand Jury was as follows: Robert Euer, foreman; Samuel Carpenter, -Andrew Griscom, Benjamin Whiteman, John Barnes, Samuel Allen, John -Parsons, Richard Orne, John Day, John Fisher, John Barnes, Gunner Rambo, -Enoch Flower, Henry Drystreet, Thomas Mosse, Thomas Duckett, Dennis -Lince, Thomas Phillips, Thomas Millard, John Yattman and Harnaby Wilcox. - -The petit jury was composed of John Hastings, foreman; Robert Wade, -William Hewes, John Gibbons, Albortus Hendrickson, Nathaniel Evans, -Jeremiah Collett, Walter Martin, Robert Piles, Edward Carter, John -Kinsman and Edward Bezac. - -The evidence adduced against the prisoner was of the most trifling -character, and such as now would be scouted from the witness-box of a -court of justice. - -“Henry Drystreet, one of the Grand Jurors attested, saith he was tould -20 years agoe that the prisoner at the Barr was a witch and that -severall cows were bewitcht by her, also that James Sunderling’s mother -tould that she bewitcht her cow but afterwards said it was a mistake and -that her cow should doe well againe for it was not her cow but another -persons that should dye. - -“Charles Ashcom attested, saith, that Anthony’s wife being asked why she -sould her cattle was because his mother had bewitcht them having taken -the witchcraft off of Hendricks cattle and put on their oxen, she might -keep but noe other cattle; and also that one night the Daughter of the -Prisoner called him up hastily and when he came she sayd there was a -great Light but just before and an old woman with a knife in her hand at -the Bedd’s feet and therefore shee cryed out and desired Jno. Symcock to -take away his calves or else she would send them to Hell. - -“Annakey Coolin attested, saith, her husband tooke the heart of a calfe -that dyed as they thought by witchcraft and Boyled it whereupon the -Prisoner at the Barr came in and asked them what they were doing, they -said boyling of flesh, she said they had better they had boyled the -bones with severall other unseemly Expressions. - -“Margaret Mattson saith that she values not Drystreets Evidence but if -Sunderlin’s mother had come she would have answered her also denyeth -Charles Ashcoms attestation at her soul and saith where is my daughter -lett her come and say so. - -“Annakey Coolin’s attestation concerning the Gees she denyeth, saying -she was never out of her conoo, and also that she never said any such -things concerning the calves heart. - -“The Prisoner denyeth all things and saith that ye witnesses speake only -by hear say. - -“After which the Govr. gave the jury their charge concerning ye Prisoner -at ye Barr. - -“The jury went forth and upon their Returne brought her in Guilty of -having the common fame of a witch but not Guilty in the manner and forme -as she stands indicted. - -“Neels Mattson and Anthon. Neelson Enters into Recognizance of fifty -pounds apiece for the good behavior of Margaret Mattson for six months.” - -In 1695 Robert Roman, presented by the grand inquest of Chester County -for practicing geomancy according to Hidon, and divining by a stick. He -submitted himself to the bench and was fined £5, and his books, Hidon’s -Temple of Wisdom, Scott’s Discovery of Witchcraft, and Cornelius -Agrippa’s Geomancy, were ordered to be taken from him and brought into -Court. - -In 1701 a petition of Robert Guard and his wife was read before Council, -setting forth “That a certain strange woman lately arrived in this town, -being seized with a very sudden illness after she had been in their -company on the 17th instant, and several pins being taken out of her -breasts, one John Richards Butler and his wife Ann charged the -petitioners with witchcraft and as being the authors of the said -mischief.” A summons was issued accordingly, but the matter, being -judged trifling, was dismissed. - -Even as late as 1719, the Commissions to the justices of Chester County -empowered them to inquire of all “witchcrafts, enchantments, sorceries -and magic arts.” - -George Shrunk, of Germantown, known as “Old Shrunk,” was a great -conjuror and many persons from Philadelphia and elsewhere went to him to -learn where stolen goods were secreted and to have him tell their -fortunes. They believed he could make any thieves stand still, while -they desired to run away. They believed he could tell them where to dig -for money and hidden treasures, and this brought “Old Shrunk” much -business, for the idea was very prevalent that the pirates of -Blackbeard’s day had deposited treasures along the Delaware and -Schuylkill Rivers. - - ---------- - - - - - Towns Laid Out in Erie County by Act of - Assembly, February 28, 1794 - - -The frontiers of Pennsylvania had not been seriously harassed by the -Indians since the close of the Revolution, but late in 1793 they again -became restive and early in the following year so many depredations had -been committed along the western frontier of the State that the Assembly -on February 28, 1794, passed an act for enlisting soldiers for the -defense of the Delaware River and the western frontiers. At the same -time efforts were made toward the laying out of a town at Presqu’ Isle, -“in order to facilitate and promote the progress of settlement within -the Commonwealth and to afford additional security to the frontiers -thereof.” - -Governor Mifflin transmitted to the President of the United States a -copy of this act, apprehending the difficulties which soon manifested -themselves. Prior to this he had sent to Captain Ebenezer Denny a -commission, giving him command of the Allegheny Company, which was -ordered to protect William Irvine, Andrew Elliott and Albert Gallatin, -who had been appointed Commissioners to lay out the town. For the same -object a post had been established at Le Boeuf, two miles below the old -French fort of the same name. - -The three Commissioners were instructed to lay out 1,600 acres for town -lots and thirty-four acres for out-lots at Erie, the town lots to -contain about one-third of an acre and the out-lots to contain five -acres. In addition, sixty acres were reserved for the use of the United -States near the entrance of the harbor for forts, etc. Upon completion -of the surveys the Governor was authorized to offer at auction one-third -of all the lots, conditioned upon the building upon the lots within two -years of a house with a stone or brick chimney. - -The troops were busily employed to protect the surveyors from the -incursions of the Indians. Miss Sanford in her History of Erie County -says: - -“Thomas Rees, Esq., for more than half a century a citizen of Erie -County, made a deposition in 1806 as follows: ‘Thomas Rees of Harbor -Creek Township, in Erie County, farmer, being sworn according to law, -etc. I was appointed deputy surveyor of District No. 1 north and west of -the rivers Ohio, Allegheny and Connewango Creek, now Erie County, in -May, 1792, and opened an office in Northumberland County, which was the -adjoining. The reason of this was, all the accounts of the country north -and west of the rivers, Ohio, Allegheny, and the Connewango Creek, -represented it as dangerous to go into the country. In the latter part -of said year I received three hundred and ninety warrants, the property -of the Penn Population company for land situated in the Triangle and -entered the same year in my book of entries. In 1793 I made an attempt -to go; went to the mouth of Buffalo Creek to inquire of the Indians -there whether they would permit me to go into my district to make -surveys. They refused and added that if I went into the country I would -be killed. At the same time I received information from different -quarters which prevented me from going that year. - -“‘In 1794 I went into District No. 1, now Erie County, and made surveys -on the three hundred and ninety warrants, mentioned above in the -Triangle, except one or two for which no lands could be found. Among the -surveys made on the warrants above mentioned, was that on the warrant in -the name of John McCullough. - -“‘Before I had completed I was frequently alarmed by hearing of Indians -killing persons on the Allegheny River, in consequence of which, as soon -as the surveys were completed, I moved from the country and went to -Franklin, where I was informed that there were a number of Indians -belonging to the Six Nations going to Le Boeuf to order the troops off -that ground. I immediately returned to Le Boeuf. The Indians had left -the place one day before I arrived there. I was told by Major Denny, -then commanding at that place, that the Indians had brought General -Chapin, the Indian agent, with them to Le Boeuf; that they were very -much displeased, and told him not to build a garrison at Presqu’ Isle. - -“‘There were no improvements made, nor any person living on any tract of -land within my district during the year 1794. - -“‘In 1795 I went into the country and took a number of men with me. We -kept in a body, as there appeared to be great danger, and continued so -for that season. There was no work done of any consequence, nor was any -person, to my knowledge, residing on any tract within my district. In -the course of the summer the Commissioners came on to lay out the town -of Erie, with a company of men to guard them. - -“There were two persons killed within one mile of Presqu’ Isle, and -others in different parts of the country. Such were the fears that -though some did occasionally venture out to view the lands, many would -not. We all laid under the protection of the troops. I sold, as agent of -the Penn Population Company, during that season, 79,700 acres of land, -of which 7,150 acres were a gratuity. The above quantity of land was -applied for and sold to 200 persons. That fall we left the country,’” - -Captain Martin Strong, of Waterford, who had arrived at Presqu’ Isle the -last of July, 1795, said: - -“A few days previous to this a company of United States troops had -commenced felling the timber on Garrison hill, headed by General -Elliott, escorted by a company of Pennsylvania militia commanded by -Captain John Grubb, to lay out the town of Erie. We were in some degree -under martial law, the two Rutledges having been shot a few days before -(July 26 or 27) by the Indians near the present site of the present -railway depot. - -“In 1795 there were but four families residing in what is now Erie -County. These were the names of Reed, Talmadge, Miles and Baird. The -first mill built in the Triangle was at the mouth of Walnut Creek; there -were two others built about the same time in what is now Erie County; -one by William Miles, on the north branch of French Creek, now Union; -the other by William Culbertson, at the inlet of Conneautte Lake, near -Edinboro.” - -In spite of all these preparations, the Legislature suspended the laying -out of a town at Presqu’ Isle, and it was not until April 18, 1795, the -difficulties were removed and the Assembly authorized the laying out of -the towns at Le Boeuf, at the mouth of Conewango Creek, at the mouth of -French Creek and at Presqu’ Isle. - -July 25, 1796, the Harrisburg and Presqu’ Isle Company was formed “for -the settling, improving and populating the country near and adjoining to -Lake Erie.” - -Erie County was erected March 12, 1800, and Erie named as the place for -holding courts of justice, but it was not organized judicially until -April, 1803, when Judge Jesse Moore held the first court near French and -Third Streets. - - ---------- - - - - - Commissioners Appointed to Purchase Last - Indian Lands, February 29, 1784 - - -William Maclay, Samuel John Atlee and Francis Johnson were appointed -February 29, 1784, by the Supreme Executive Council to be Commissioners -to treat with the Indians claiming the unpurchased territory within the -acknowledged limits of the State. - -At the close of the Revolution, in 1783, the ownership of a large area -of the territory within the charter boundaries of Pennsylvania was still -claimed by the Indians of the several tribes that were commonly known as -the Six Nations. - -The last purchase of lands from these Indians by the Proprietaries was -made at Fort Stanwix, November 5, 1768. The Indian claim, therefore, -embraced all that part of the State lying to the northwest of the -purchase lines of 1768. - -As early as March 12, 1783, the General Assembly had passed an act -setting apart certain lands lying north and west of the Ohio and -Allegheny Rivers and Conewango Creek to be sold for the purpose of -redeeming the depreciation certificates given to the officers and -soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line, and for the purpose of making -donations of land to the same officers and soldiers in compliance with a -resolution adopted in 1780. - -At the time this resolution was adopted the Indian claim of title to -these lands was still in force, but the authorities were fully alive to -the necessity of securing the right to all the lands within the -State—about five-sixteenths of its area—that remained unpurchased after -the treaty of 1768. - -September 25, 1783, the General Assembly placed itself on record in the -form of a resolution which recommended the appointment of a committee to -devise ways and means for this acquisition. - -The three persons named as commissioners acknowledged their appointment -to the trust May 17, and recommended that Samuel Weiser, a son of -Colonel Conrad Weiser, a proper person to notify the Indians of the -desire to treat with them, as he was familiar with their language and -customs and could also act as interpreter. - -The Continental Congress had likewise appointed Commissioners to meet -the Six Nations for the purpose of purchasing lands beyond the limits of -Pennsylvania, and these arranged for the meeting at Fort Stanwix. The -Commissioners of Pennsylvania reached Fort Stanwix early in the month of -October, where they found some of the tribes already assembled, and with -them the Commissioners of the Continental Congress. - -The negotiations continued until the twenty-third of the month, and on -that day ended in an agreement by which the Indian title to all the -lands within the boundaries of the State that remained after the title -of 1768 was extinguished. The consideration agreed upon for this -surrender of their rights was $5,000. - -This deed, dated October 23, 1784, is signed by all the chiefs of the -Six Nations and by the Continental Commissioners as witnesses. - -The territory thus acquired included a part of the present Bradford, -Tioga, Clinton, Center, Clearfield, Indiana, Armstrong, Allegheny and -Beaver Counties, and all of the land within Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, -Butler, Venango, Clarion, Forest, Jefferson, Elk, Warren, McKean, Potter -and Cameron Counties and all of Erie County, excepting the small portion -of the Erie triangle which did not become a part of Erie County until -1792. - -After the Commissioners had accomplished in so satisfactory a manner the -object for which they journeyed to Fort Stanwix, it became necessary to -appease the Western Indians, the Wyandot and the Delaware, who also -claimed rights to the same lands. - -The same Commissioners were therefore sent to Fort Mcintosh, on the Ohio -River, at the site of the present town of Beaver, where in January, -1785, they were successful in reaching an agreement with those Indians -for the same lands. This deed, signed by the chiefs of both tribes, is -dated January 21, 1785, and is in the same words (except as to the -consideration money, which is $2,000) and recites the same boundaries as -the deed signed at Fort Stanwix. - -The Indian claim of right to the soil of Pennsylvania, within its -charter limits, had thus, in a period of a little more than one hundred -years ceased to exist. - -This large and important division of our great Commonwealth, now teeming -with population and wealth, thriving villages, busy towns and great -cities, was, in 1784, largely an uninhabited and untraversed wilderness. - -After the purchase of 1768 a disagreement arose between the Proprietary -Government and the Indians as to whether the creek flowing into the West -Branch of the Susquehanna, and called in the deed “Tyadaghton” was -intended for Lycoming Creek or Pine Creek. The Indians said it was the -former, the proprietaries claimed the latter stream to be the extent of -the purchase, but in order to avoid any trouble that might arise from -the dispute, it was wisely determined that no rights should be granted -for lands west of Lycoming Creek. - -This determination, however, did not deter or prevent adventurous -pioneers from making settlements within the disputed territory. - -These settlers, being classed as outlaws, were compelled to enter into -an agreement for their government and protection. This resulted in an -organization known as Fair Play Men. - -It is handed down as a tradition that they met when and where the -exigencies arose, and on short notice, tried the case at hand. - -It is related that when a squatter refused to abide by the decision of -the court, he was immediately placed in a canoe, in which was a small -quantity of food, then rowed to the mouth of Lycoming Creek, the -boundary line of civilization, and there sent adrift down the river. - -These Fair Play courts were composed of three commissioners as they were -termed, and after hearing a case and making a decision, there was no -appeal. - -After the purchase of 1784 it was discovered that the trouble was likely -to arise with the original squatters and the Legislature passed an act -entitling those who had made actual settlement prior to 1780, the -benefit of pre-emption to their respective possessions. - - ---------- - - - - - First Law to Educate Poor Children Signed - -March 1, 1802 - - -The same earnest solicitude for public education which made itself -manifest in the settlement of the New England Colonies in an unusual -degree does not run through the early history of Pennsylvania, yet, -outside of the Puritan settlements, there was no other colony which paid -so much attention as Pennsylvania to the mental training of youth. - -During the seventeenth century the general character of the province, as -regards the intelligence of its people, stood deservedly high. The -school-house, with its inevitable concomitant, the printing-press, never -at any time ceased to exert its wholesome influence in training up a -population which as regards sobriety, thrift, and all the substantial -qualities that flow from instructions, has never been surpassed by any -other great community. - -William Penn, who was one of the most accomplished scholars of his time, -never wearied in pointing out to the colony the advantages of public -education. The Constitution which he proposed for the infant -Commonwealth contains the direction that virtue and wisdom must be -propagated by educating the youth, and that after ages would have the -benefit of the care and prudence of the founders in this respect. - -It was one of the provisions of the great law of April 25, 1683, that -“schools should be established for the education of the young” and those -in authority did not long delay in carrying it into practical effect. - -On December 26, 1683, the subject of education was brought up in the -Provincial Council, when it was agreed that there existed a great -necessity for a schoolmaster. Accordingly an agreement was entered into -with Enoch Flower, who promised that in conducting such an establishment -as was needed he would charge only four shillings for teaching English -each quarter, six shillings for reading, writing and costing accounts. A -scholar who boarded with him would receive his tuition as well as his -lodging, meals and washing for £10 a year. - -This was the first regular English school in Pennsylvania. There had -been schools during the ascendancy of the Swedes and the Dutch. The -former are known to have maintained schools at Chester and Tinicum as -early as 1642, and the Dutch records show that in 1657 Evert Pieterson -came over from Holland, and in the capacity of “schoolmaster, comforter -of the sick and setter of Psalms,” sought twenty-five pupils. - -In 1689 George Keith was engaged at a salary of £50 a year, the use of a -house, and the profits of the school for one year, to open a grammar -school in Philadelphia. This institution was a flourishing one for many -years. Here the children of the poor were instructed free of charge, the -schoolhouse being located on Fourth Street, below Chestnut, and -conducted under a charter which had been procured by Edward Shippen, -David Lloyd, John Jones, Samuel Carpenter, Anthony Morris, James Fox, -William Southby and others. - -Darby became the seat of a school in 1692. One was established in -Germantown in 1701, with the learned Pastorius at its head. - -No church or sect was more active in education than the Moravians, and -schools were established at Germantown, Nazareth, Bethlehem and Lititz. -Christopher Dock, “the pious schoolmaster of the Skippack,” taught a -Moravian school in Germantown, and is the author of the first book on -school teaching published in America. - -During the sixty years following the establishment of Keith’s school -there was no attempt made to start schools that would be free to all and -not marked by the distinction between the rich and poor children. This -democratic principle was not clearly formulated and advanced until it -was taken up by Benjamin Franklin in 1749, when he distributed gratis a -pamphlet which soon became productive of important results in the -establishment of the future University of Pennsylvania. Prior to that -time most of the schools in the province were conducted either under -strictly private auspices or under the patronage of religious -denominations. - -March 1, 1802, Governor Thomas McKean signed the first law for the -education of the children of the poor gratis, although both the -Constitution of 1776 and that of 1790 provided for the establishment of -“a school or schools in every county.” Owing to the lameness of this -law, it remained a dead statute so far as some of the counties of the -State were concerned. - -The City and County of Philadelphia had been erected into “the first -school district of Pennsylvania” in 1818, and in 1822 the City and -County of Lancaster were erected into “the second school district.” -These, termed the Lancasterian methods, were the beginnings of that -glorious system of free education which has been a blessing to our great -Commonwealth. - -Up to 1830, the great free-school system, as we now have it, was still -in embryo. The people began to awaken; public meetings were held all -over the State, resolutions were adopted, comparisons with other States -were made. The result was that on March 15, 1834, “An Act to Establish a -General System of Education by Common Schools” was passed. Only a single -member of the House and three Senators voted nay. - -Late in 1834 the enemies of free schools attacked the measure all over -the State, and the Senate voted to repeal the act of 1834, but Thaddeus -Stevens saved the measure in the House. By 1848 this school law had -grown much in favor, but it was not until 1874 that the last district in -the State accepted the law. State Superintendent Wickersham then said in -his annual report: “For the first time in our history the door of a -public school house stands open to receive every child of proper age -within the limits of the State.” - -The progress of education after 1850 was very rapid. The crowning acts -to make elementary education universal were the free textbook law of -1893 and the compulsory attendance law of 1895. - - ---------- - - - - - Pennsylvania on Paper Money Basis When - Bills of Credit Are Issued - March 2, 1722–23 - - -The first bills of credit, or paper-money, issued in the English -American colonies were put forth by Massachusetts, in 1690, to pay the -troops who went on an expedition against Quebec, under Sir William -Phipps. - -It was Governor Sir William Keith who first introduced the people of -Pennsylvania to the pleasures and benefits of an irredeemable paper -currency. - -There had been great and long-standing complaint about the deficiency of -a circulating medium, for the use of wampum had ceased, and foreign coin -had never become plenty. The course of exchange ran heavily against the -Province, and those who possessed money made enormous profits by the -purchase and sale of bills. - -The merchants of England did not ship bank-notes or coin to the -Provinces. They paid for the produce which they purchased here with -English goods, and settled the balances by shipments of sugar, rum, -etc., from Barbadoes and other places in the West Indies, and by Negroes -and indentured servants. - -There seems to have been more hard money in Philadelphia than in New -England, for Franklin, a paper-money man, notes in his autobiography how -his fellow-workmen in Boston were surprised when he returned to his -brother’s place in 1724 from Philadelphia. Franklin displayed a handful -of silver, which was a rare sight, for they only had paper-money in -Boston. - -When Franklin first visited Philadelphia, in 1723, he noticed with -surprise the free circulation of metallic money among the people of -Pennsylvania. The whole of his own money then consisted of a Dutch -dollar and a shilling’s worth of coppers. - -But this condition soon changed for James Logan, in writing to the -Proprietaries late in 1724, says, “No gold or silver passes amongst us.” - -The Proprietary demanded sterling money in payment of quit-rents, no -matter what the depreciation of the provincial currency. This was their -right since they had nothing to do either with the emission of the -currency or its depreciation. - -As early as 1729 Logan wrote, “I dare not speak one word against it. The -popular phrenzy will never stop till their credit will be as bad as they -are in New England, where an ounce of silver is worth twenty shillings -of this paper. They already talk of making more, and no man dares appear -to stem the fury of popular rage.” Logan at that early date thought the -king should arrest the delusion by proclamation. - -The peltries, grain, flour, ships, cooper-stuff, and lumber of -Philadelphia were always good for hard money with a good mercantile -system. But the people were not satisfied. - -It is quite likely that wages and small debts were paid almost entirely -in the way of barter instead of money, and this, by the losses it -occasioned produced discontent. The capitalists opposed a change in the -currency, the farmers, laborers, and small trades people favored it. - -In the language of petitions sent to the Assembly at this time, the -friends of paper money contended that they were sensibly “aggrieved in -their estates and dealings, to the great loss and growing ruin of -themselves, and the evident decay of the province in general, for want -of a medium to buy and sell with,” and they therefore prayed a paper -currency. - -The people of Chester County, on the other hand, asked to have the value -of the current money of the Province raised, the exportation of money -prohibited, and produce made a legal tender, so as to obviate the -necessity for paper money. They did not want a regular State issue, but -nevertheless, like men of more modern greenback times, they wanted an -inconvertible paper money, a non-exportable currency, as if that were a -blessing. - -On March 2, 1722–23 an act was passed to issue £15,000. Governor Keith, -in consenting to and promoting this experimental load, had been -encouraged by the popularity of a similar measure matured by Governor -Burnett of New Jersey. - -Pennsylvania was the very last of the middle colonies to embark in the -paper money manufacture; but once embarked, she plunged in rapidly and -deeply. - -This first small loan of £15,000 was to be redeemed within eight years. -In 1723 £30,000 was issued; in 1740 the issue reached a total of -£80,000. - -Benjamin Franklin, who had urged and used his personal influence for -this currency became alarmed and wrote, “I now think there are limits -beyond which the quantity may be hurtful.” He was right. - -In 1755 Pennsylvania had £160,000 currency out; and in 1783 the State’s -irredeemable currency had been increased by various issues until it -reached $4,325,000, a sum simply ruinous to all values. - -The general plan of these loans was good. No bills were loaned but on -good security. The friends of the system were many. - -Paper money was also issued at times by individuals. In May, 1746, -Joseph Gray gave notice that Franklin had printed for him £27,100 in -notes of hand of 2 d., 3 d., and 6 d., “out of sheer necessity for want -of pence for running change. Whoever takes them shall have them -exchanged on demand with the best money I have.” - -In 1749 the scarcity of small change was so great that the inhabitants -petitioned for relief, and a committee of the Assembly was appointed to -bring in a bill for the issue of £20,000, mostly in small bills. - -An association was formed for issuing paper money to relieve the -pressure for change. Eight reputable merchants issued five-pound notes -to the amount of £20,000, payable at nine months with five per cent -interest. It was soon evident that anyone might do the same thing, and -the community be flooded with valueless currency. It was also at the -same time a new way of borrowing capital. A petition signed by two -hundred tradesmen was presented to the Assembly, which forbade it. - -In 1763 the whole paper-money system of the colonies, including that of -Pennsylvania, was outlawed by act of Parliament, when Franklin wrote a -pamphlet, protesting against the act. - -This outlawing of colonial money had much to do with prejudicing the -people of the colonies against the rule of Parliament. - - ---------- - - - - - General Clark Began Draft for Troops in - -Drive Against Detroit, March 3, 1781 - - -The Western frontiers of Pennsylvania were sorely distressed during the -spring and summer of 1781 by the efforts of General George Rogers Clark, -an officer of the Dominion of Virginia, to raise troops for an -expedition in the interest of Virginia against the British post at -Detroit. - -Clark received a commission as brigadier general and was given ample -funds with which to purchase provisions in the country west of the -Allegheny Mountains. Also a small force of 140 Virginia regulars was -placed at his service and he was empowered to equip additional -volunteers in the border counties. - -Agents were sent in advance of General Clark into the country between -the Laurel Hill range and the Ohio River, who began to buy flour and -live cattle. This caused much uneasiness among the Pennsylvania -militiamen stationed in that country, and Colonel Daniel Brodhead made -complaint to the State Government. - -Colonel Brodhead received a letter from General Washington directing him -to give aid to General Clark’s undertaking and to detach from his own -force the field artillery under command of Captain Isaac Craig, and at -least a captain’s command of infantry, to assist the Virginia -expedition. - -General Clark arrived on the Pennsylvania frontier March 3 and -established his headquarters at the house of Colonel William Crawford, -on the Youghiogheny, spending part of his time with Colonel Dorsey -Pentecost on Chartiers Creek. - -It was generally known by this time that all of Virginia county of -Yohogania and much of the counties of Monongahela and Ohio, claimed as -part of Virginia, really belonged to Pennsylvania, but the actual -boundary line had not been surveyed west of the Monongahela River. - -Among the settlers there were many factions, some who would only obey -the laws of Pennsylvania, and who declared that Clark was a Virginia -officer and had no business in Pennsylvania; others adhered to Virginia -authority until the line should be permanently settled. A few took -advantage of the situation and refused to obey either government saying -they did not know which had authority over them, and they had enough to -do to plant and keep their rifles in readiness for the savages. - -Clark intended to raise a force of 2,000 men. When he arrived at Colonel -Crawford’s he learned that the frontiers were being raided by bands of -Shawnee from the Scioto, Delaware from the Muskingum and Wyandot from -the Sandusky. - -An expedition against those tribes would be more popular among the -Western Pennsylvanians than a campaign against distant Detroit, and -Clark very adroitly made an ostensible change in his plans. He gave it -out that he was going against the Ohio savages, for the immediate -benefit of the Westmoreland frontier, but his real design to conquer -Detroit was not altered. - -Colonel Brodhead was not for one moment deceived by General Clark, but -many Pennsylvania officials were. On March 23 Clark wrote to President -Reed, of Pennsylvania, asking his indorsement of the enterprise, for the -effect it might have on the frontiersmen who called themselves -Pennsylvanians. - -Colonel Christopher Hays, the Westmoreland County member of the Supreme -Executive Council, was directed to aid Clark’s expedition, but he was at -heart opposed to it. - -Colonel Hays called a meeting of all the commissioned officers of the -Westmoreland militia to arrange a plan for the frontier defense. The -officers met June 18, at the home of Captain John McClelland, on Big -Sewickley Creek, and, much to the chagrin of Colonel Hays, decided by a -majority vote to give aid to General Clark. It was resolved to furnish -300 men out of the county militia to join Clark’s army and Colonel -Lochry was directed to see that this quota was raised by “volunteer or -draft.” - -This was the initial effort on the Pennsylvania frontier to raise -soldiers by draft and it caused an outcry. - -Such prominent citizens as Colonel Pentecost, John Canon, Gabriel Cox -and Daniel Leet worked zealously to recruit men for General Clark, while -county lieutenant Marshel and his adherents were just as active to -defeat the Virginian project. This rivalry, which grew exceedingly -bitter, was fatal to Clark’s enterprise. - -Few assembled at the general rendezvous, and Clark began to draft men -for his army. This afforded the rougher element among the Virginians an -opportunity to exploit their hatred toward Pennsylvanians. The draft -proceeded amid pillage, cruelty and personal violence. Virginian raiding -parties scoured the country, seizing and beating men, frightening and -abusing women, breaking into houses and barns and causing a general -reign of terror. - -Captain John Hardin was most vigorous in denouncing the Virginia -proceedings and advising against the draft. He owned a grist mill near -Redstone. His eldest son, John, was a lieutenant in the Eighth -Pennsylvania, afterward famous as General John Hardin, of Kentucky. - -At the head of forty horsemen General Clark visited Hardin’s settlement -and announced his purpose of hanging the stubborn old pioneer. Hardin -could not be found, but one of his sons was caught and kept bound for -several days. They broke open the mill, fed the grain to their horses, -occupied his dwelling, killed his sheep and hogs for food and feasted -there several days. - -General Clark declared Hardin’s estate forfeited for treason. The -general threatened to hang those opposed to the draft, but none were -hanged. - -On August 8, Clark began the descent of the Ohio with a force of 400, -but with his spirit broken. The evening of the day he left Colonel -Archibald Lochry arrived with 100 volunteers from Westmoreland County. -These expert riflemen could have been used to advantage by Clark and at -the same time they would have avoided the disaster which befell Lochry -during his effort to join Clark. - -Most of Clark’s force deserted him before he reached Louisville, so that -he could not venture upon his march into the enemy’s country. He soon -returned with small detachments, who dispersed to their homes in -Virginia and Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - William Penn Received Charter for Pennsylvania - -from King, March 4, 1681 - - -Admiral Sir William Penn, renowned in English history by his martial -valor as an officer of the British Navy, left to his son a claim against -the Government for £16,000, consisting to a great extent of money -advanced by him in the sea service and of arrearages in his pay. - -Sir William Penn was in command of an English warship at the age of -twenty-three, when sent to the coast of Ireland to help fight the battle -of Parliament against Charles the First. - -When the war with the Dutch followed—caused by the seizure of New -Netherlands—Admiral Penn commanded the English fleet, under the Duke of -York, in a fierce naval engagement off the east coast of England at -Lowestoft, in June, 1665. Just before this battle the admiral’s son, -William Penn, Jr., was sent to the King with dispatches. - -Admiral Penn died in 1670, worn out at forty-nine, and his son succeeded -to his estates. - -In 1680 William Penn petitioned Charles II to grant him, in lieu of the -sum due to his father’s estate, letter-patent, “for a tract of land in -America, lying north of Maryland, on the east bounded with the Delaware -River, on the west limited as Maryland, and northward to extend as far -as plantable.” - -King Charles II was at once willing to grant the petition of William -Penn because he could thus pay the debt owed Sir William. Some of his -counselors objected, saying, that it would be ridiculous to suppose that -the interests of the British nation were to be promoted by sending a -colony of people that would not fight, that would have nothing to do -with gin and gunpowder in dealing with the Indians. But the young Quaker -stood high in the favor of the Duke of York, and of Charles II, and the -King gladly consented to this easy mode of discharging the obligation. - -The Duke of York desired to retain the three lower counties, or the -present State of Delaware, as an appendage to New York, but his -objections were finally withdrawn, as were those of Lord Baltimore. - -After sundry conferences and discussions concerning the boundary lines -and other matters of minor importance, the committee finally sent in a -favorable recommendation and presented a draft of charter, constituting -William Penn, Esq., absolute Proprietary of a tract of land in America, -therein mentioned, to the King for his approbation; and leaving to him -also the naming of the Province. - -The King affixed his signature on March 4, 1681. The original charter is -in the State Library. It is written on three pieces of strong parchment, -in old English handwriting, with each line underscored with lines of red -ink. The borders are gorgeously decorated with heraldic devices, and the -top of the first page exhibits a finely executed likeness of His -Majesty, in good preservation. - -Penn wished his province to be called New Wales, but the King insisted -on Pennsylvania. Penn next proposed Sylvania, on the ground that the -prefix “Penn” would appear like a vanity on his part, and not as a mark -of respect for his father; but no amendment was accepted. - -The extent of the province was three degrees of latitude by five degrees -of longitude, the eastern boundary being the Delaware River, the -northern boundary “the beginning of the three and fortieth degree of -northern latitude, and on the south a circle drawn at twelve miles -distant from New Castle, northward and westward into the beginning of -the fortieth degree of northern latitude, and then by a straight line -westward to the limits of longitude above mentioned.” The three lower -counties on the Delaware were not included in the charter. - -The charter gave title to more than 45,000 square miles of land, and was -among the largest tracts in America ever granted to a single individual. -This grant gave Penn no coast line for his colony; so, August 2, 1682, -he purchased from the Duke of York the “Three Counties Upon the -Delaware,” which now form the State of Delaware. Although these were -separated from Pennsylvania in 1702, they remained a part of the domain -of the Penn family until the American Revolution. - -Three things moved Penn to plant a colony in the New World; first, he -would get payment for the amount of £16,000 due his father; secondly, he -would find a place for his brethren, the Quakers, or Friends, where they -would not be openly insulted in the streets, or dragged from their -meeting houses to loathsome jails and robbed of the last bed or cow to -pay the fines for not attending the established church; and thirdly, he -would satisfy the desire which the glowing accounts of the brethren in -the present New Jersey had created in him. - -The second of these motives was by far the strongest. Penn himself had -been tried for preaching to “an unlawful, seditious and riotous -assembly.” Penn and his people enjoyed neither religious nor civil -liberty in England. - -The charter to Penn sets forth three objects; a desire on the part of -Penn to enlarge the English empire; to promote trade; and to bring the -savage natives by gentleness and justice to the love of civil society -and the Christian religion. - -Besides the territory granted, the charter gave Penn the power to make -laws, set up courts, to trade, to erect towns, to collect customs -duties; to make war, to sell lands and to impose taxes. - -Copies of all laws were to be sent to England, and if disapproved within -six months they became void. No war was to be made upon any State at -peace with England. Any twenty of the people could request the Bishop of -London to send them a preacher of the Church of England, who was to -reside within the province without being molested. - -Penn offered attractive concessions to the settlers. Land was sold to -them at the rate of $10 for 100 acres and every purchaser of lands -should have a lot in the city, to be laid out along the river. In -clearing the ground care was to be taken “to leave one acre of trees for -every five acres cleared.” This was the beginning of forestry in -America. - -At the time of the charter the present limits of the State were -inhabited by the Indians, with some Swedes and Dutch settled along the -Delaware. - -The first real settlement under the new proprietor was made in 1681, -when Penn sent William Markham, his cousin, to take possession of the -province. The next year Penn himself arrived, bringing in his ship, the -Welcome, a hundred colonists of his own faith, to found Philadelphia, -the city of “Brotherly Love.” - -Penn bought the land from the Indians, making a treaty of peace with -them which remained unbroken for more than fifty years. “We shall never -forget the counsel he gave us,” said an Indian chief at Conestoga in -1721. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Daniel Brodhead Arrives at Fort Pitt - to Fight Indians, March 5, 1779 - - -Colonel Daniel Brodhead was sent to Fort Pitt to relieve General Edward -Hand, and he arrived there March 5, 1779. He was a trained soldier and -knew how to fight Indians. - -General Hand turned over to him seven hundred militiamen. Some of these -were stationed at Fort McIntosh, at what is now Beaver, some at Fort -Henry, now Wheeling, W. Va., a few at Fort Randolph, now Point Pleasant, -details at Fort Hand, near Kiskimimetas, near Apollo, and another guard -at Fort Crawford, now Parnassus. - -Forts Hand and Crawford were intended to protect the northern border of -Westmoreland County from the raids of the Iroquois who lived on the -upper waters of the Allegheny River. - -With the first mild weather of spring the incursions of the savages -began. The Seneca and Munsee descended the Allegheny in canoes and -scattered in little bands throughout the country. They burned cabins, -killed and scalped men, carried off the women and children and household -goods. - -Colonel Brodhead put into operation a system of scouting along the -border from one fort to another. From his regulars at Fort Pitt, he -selected his boldest and most experienced frontiersmen and organized -ranging parties and sent them on extended tours through the forests. To -the command of these important details he selected three of the bravest -woodsmen in the Eighth Pennsylvania, Captain Van Swearingen, Lieutenant -Samuel Brady and Lieutenant John Hardin. It was in this service that -Brady won his fame as an Indian fighter. - -Samuel Brady’s hatred of the savages was personal and he made it his -business to kill them. In this he was justified in the cruel death of -his brother, James, August 8, 1778, which was followed by the -treacherous murder of his father, the celebrated Captain John Brady, -April 11, 1779. - -Samuel Brady received the news of his father’s death about the time he -was chosen by Colonel Brodhead to the command of forest rangers. This -increased his hatred of the red men and moved him to execute vengeance. - -Brady and his scouts were clad entirely in Indian fashion. In the forest -excursions they even painted their bodies and faces and wore feathers in -their hair, in imitation of savage warriors. - -An attack was made on Ligonier settlement in April. On April 26, one -hundred Indians and Tories attacked Fort Hand, in both affairs defenders -were killed and many captured, and other places were attacked and -habitations burned. - -During May, Brodhead kept his scouts out along the upper Allegheny to -give warning of the approach of hostile bands. - -Brodhead learned, about June 1, that a large band of Seneca and Tories, -under Colonel John Butler was preparing to descend the Allegheny, and he -dispatched three scouts, in canoes as far as Venango, the present -Franklin. The scouts were discovered and pursued, and narrowly escaped -capture, but brought the news which confirmed the report received by -Brodhead. - -The savages penetrated into Westmoreland, where they killed and scalped -a solitary soldier, then attacked the little settlement at James Perry’s -Mills, on Big Sewickley Creek, killed a woman and four children, and -carried off two children, many cattle and much plunder. - -Two ranging parties were sent after these marauders. One was marched to -the Sewickley settlement and an attempt was made to follow the trail. -The other band consisted of twenty men under Brady, which ascended the -Allegheny River. - -As Brady’s detail advanced one evening along the beach within the mouth -of the Big Mahoning where it empties into the Allegheny, they found many -Indian canoes drawn up and hidden among the shrubbery. The Indians had -gone into camp in the woods, on a little knoll north of the creek, and -were preparing the evening meal when discovered by Brady. They had -hobbled their horses and turned them out to graze. The stream was very -high and the scouts were compelled to ascend it two miles before they -could wade across. - -After nightfall Brady and his men hid themselves in the tall grass near -the Indian camp. Brady and Chief Nonowland, laying aside their -tomahawks, knives, powder horns and bullet pouches, crept to within a -few yards of the Indian camp to count the savages and ascertain the -position of the captive children. - -One of the Indians suddenly cast off his blanket, arose, stepped forth -to within six feet of where Brady lay, stood there awhile, stretched -himself and then returned to his slumber. - -Brady and Nonowland then prepared for an attack at daybreak. The whole -party of scouts made their way through the grass and weeds to a position -as near the camp as was considered safe, and lay awaiting the dawn. - -As daylight appeared an Indian awoke and aroused the others. They stood -about the fire laughing and chatting when a deadly volley broke forth -from the rifles of the scouts lying in the bushes. The chief and seven -Indian warriors fell dead and the others, almost naked, fled into the -dense forest, two of them severely wounded. Brady’s own rifle brought -down the chief, and with a shout of almost fiendish triumph he sprang -forward and scalped him. - -The traditions of the Brady family say that the chief was none other -than Bald Eagle, who had struck down and scalped Brady’s younger -brother, James, ten months before. Brodhead reported to Washington that -the chief was “a notorious warrior of the Munsee nation.” - -The children captured at Sewickley were recovered unharmed and Brady and -his men returned to Fort Pitt with the stolen horses and plunder, the -blankets, guns, tomahawks and knives of the savages and many scalps. - - ---------- - - - - - Settlers Attack Pack Trains Near Fort - Loudoun, March 6, 1765 - - -The period immediately following Colonel Bouquet’s successful expedition -against the Indians at Muskingum October, 1764, was one of comparative -peace, but this did not long continue. - -A most interesting episode occurred about this time in the Conococheague -Valley, from the North to the South Mountain. The people who had been -driven off had gradually returned and were now determined to make a -better stand against the enemy. They raised a sum of money and recruited -a company of riflemen, of which James Smith was elected captain. They -dressed in Indian fashion and painted their faces red and black like the -Indian warriors. - -Two of the officers had long been in Indian captivity, and they drilled -their men in Indian discipline, and so expert did this company become -that it was recognized by the British Government and Captain Smith -received a commission in the regular service under King George III, and -the following year was with Bouquet’s expedition against Muskingum. - -George Croghan, the deputy agent for Indian affairs, went to Fort Pitt -in February, 1765, and brought about the meeting with Sir William -Johnson, whereby on May 8, 1765, a definite treaty of peace was made -with the Delaware. - -When Croghan set out from Philadelphia for Fort Pitt, March 1, 1765, he -gave a pass for a large number of wagons belonging to Boynton and -Wharton, of Philadelphia, loaded with merchandise, which was intended as -presents for the Indians at Fort Pitt. - -But the people of Cumberland County took the law into their own hands to -prevent warlike stores being supplied to savages recently in arms -against them. These goods were hauled to Henry Collins, at -Conococheague, and there he contracted to pack them on eighty-one -horses, by which they were to be delivered into Fort Pitt. - -This large transaction alarmed the country and William Duffield raised -and armed about fifty of the trained men of that valley and marched to -Fort Loudoun, where Duffield made a request that this consignment of -goods be stored up until further orders, but this was refused, and on -March 6 the pack train proceeded on its journey. - -The same morning a large company started from the house of William -Smith, one of the Justices of Cumberland County. They came up with this -pack train at Sideling Hill, about seventeen miles beyond Fort Loudoun, -when sixty-three of the horse loads were burned or pillaged. - -A sergeant and twelve men of the Highlanders sent from the fort, went -through the neighborhood, saved the balance of the goods, captured -several persons, five rifles and four smooth bore guns. - -The traders, after losing their caravan, went back to the fort and -complained to the commanding officer. It was then that three hundred -riflemen marched to Fort Loudoun and encamped on the hill in sight of -the fort. - -James Smith, a relative of Justice Smith, and the captain who served -with Bouquet, appeared in a few days at the head of a large crowd of his -infuriated neighbors, and declared that they would suffer death to the -last man, rather than let the prisoners be put to jail at Carlisle. - -Two months later another caravan of horses laden with liquors, etc., for -the troops at Fort Pitt, under a pass from the commander there, arrived -at Fort Loudoun, about May 1, and were relieved of their burden in the -fort. The drivers led their horses out to pasture, when about thirty -men, with their faces painted black, rushed upon them, flogged the -drivers, killed five horses and burned all the saddles. In the battle -which ensued one of the attacking party was wounded. - -Again Captain James Smith led his neighbors to the fort. He was -accompanied by three Justices who demanded right to search the goods in -store there, but intended for transportation to Fort Pitt. - -Lieutenant Charles Grant, of the Highlanders, commandant of the fort, -explained that the general had committed the goods to his care, but had -ordered an inventory to be taken before a justice of the peace, but this -inventory could not be taken in the presence of a mob. - -The vigilance men threw off the restraints of decent appearance by -issuing the following: - -“Advertisement. These are to give notice to all our Loyal Volunteers to -those that has not yet inlisted, you are to come to our Town and come to -our Tavern and fill your Belly’s with Liquor and your mouth with -swearing, and you will have your pass, but if not, your Back must be -whipt and mouth gagged. * * * We will have Grant, the officer of -Loudoun, whip’d or hanged. * * * The Governor will pardon our Crimes, -and the Clergy will give-us absolution, and the Country will stand by -us; so we may do what we please. * * * free toleration for drinking, -swearing, sabbath breaking, and any outrage what we have a mind to, to -let those Strangers know their place. * * * We call it Hell’s town, in -Cumberland County, the 25th May, 1765. Peter’s Township.” - -The crowning deed was reserved for May 28. Lieutenant Grant, while -riding about a mile from the fort, was fired upon. His horse started -suddenly at the crack of the rifle and he was thrown off. Captain James -Smith and others seized him, carried him six miles distant and kept him -a prisoner all night in the woods. He was there threatened unless he -agreed to give up all the arms taken from the rioters. - -Governor Penn and General Gage were humiliated by these insults to the -King’s uniform and their inability to punish the offenders, but the more -serious concern was in the obstruction of the communication for traders -with their goods to reach the Illinois country, where the French across -the Mississippi, were ready to obtain an influence by commerce. - -While allegiance of the Indians was thus jeopardized, white men began to -creep over the mountains and encroach upon land not yet sold by the -aborigines. Red Stone settlement was thus made, at the risk of another -war. Gage sent a detachment of Highlanders to this region to compel all -whites west of the Alleghenies to return to their own provinces, but -those who left soon went back again with others. - -On June 4, 1765, Governor Penn declared trade with the Indians open from -June 20 to all inhabitants of the Province who should apply for and -obtain his license. - - ---------- - - - - - Andrew Lycans Killed in Attack by Indians - in Wiconisco Valley, March 7,1756 - - -The Wiconisco or Lykens Valley includes that section of the “Upper End” -of Dauphin County that is watered by the Wiconisco Creek and its -branches, save where local names have been given to certain portions, -such as Williams Valley, etc. - -In 1732 Andrew Lycans settled on the Swartara Creek, where he took up -250 acres of land. In 1740 he removed to the west side of the -Susquehanna, where he settled between Sherman’s Creek and the Juniata, -in then Cumberland County. - -This land had not been included in the last Indian purchase and the -Shawnee Indians, who had a few scattered villages on the Juniata, -complained of the encroachments of these settlers and demanded their -removal. To pacify the Indians the provincial authorities sent, in 1748, -the Sheriff of Lancaster County, with three magistrates, accompanied by -Conrad Weiser, to warn the people to leave at once, but they remained, -determined not to be driven away, at least by threats. - -On May 22, 1750, a number of high dignitaries appointed by the -Lieutenant Governor, held a conference at the house of George Croghan, -in Pennsborough Township, Cumberland County. Subsequently, accompanied -by Deputy Sheriff Andrew Work, of that county, they went to the place -where Andrew Lycans and his neighbors lived, took them all into custody -and burned their cabins. - -Sheriff Work presented his account for the “removal of trespassers at -Juniata,” in which he asked for ten days’ pay for his “attendance on the -Secretary Magistrates of the County of Cumberland, by his Hon’s. the -Governor’s command to remove sundry persons settled to the northward of -the Kickitania Mountains.” This and the expenses of a messenger sent -from Lancaster amounted to three pounds and seven shillings. Then he -asked for “the Under-Sheriff’s attendance in taking down Andrew Lycan to -prison to Lancaster; other expenses on the journey; two pounds ten -shillings.” - -Lycans and his neighbors were subsequently released by order of Governor -Hamilton. Andrew Lycans removed with his family to the east side of the -Susquehanna, beyond the Kittochtinny Mountains, and by permission of the -authorities “settled on a tract of about 200 acres situated on the -northerly side of Whiconesong Creek.” Here he made extensive -improvements. - -Until the spring of 1756 these pioneers were not disturbed, but -following the defeat of General Braddock, everywhere along the frontier -the savages began their work of devastation and death. - -On March 7, 1756, Andrew Lycans and John Rewalt went out early to feed -their cattle, when they were suddenly startled by the report of two -rifles. Neither of them being harmed, they were able to reach the house, -where they prepared themselves for defense in case of an attack. - -The Indians concealed themselves behind a hog-house not far from the -dwelling. John Lycans, a son of Andrew; John Rewalt and Ludwig Shutt, a -neighbor, crept out of the house in an effort to discover the -whereabouts of the savages and get a shot at them, but they were fired -upon by five Indians and each one wounded, Shutt receiving a dangerous -wound in the abdomen. - -At this moment Andrew Lycans discovered one of the Indians named Joshua -James near the hog-house and also two white men running away from their -hiding place. Lycans fired and killed James. - -Lycans and his party in the house believed this a favorable opportunity -for escape and started from the dwelling, but they were observed and -closely pursued by a score of the enemy. - -John Lycans and John Rewalt were too badly wounded to put up much -resistance, but with the aid of a Negro servant they escaped, leaving -Andrew Lycans, Ludwig Shutt and a boy to engage the Indians. - -The savages rushed in upon them, and one Indian in the act of striking -the boy with his tomahawk was shot dead by Shutt, while Lycans killed -another and wounded a third Indian. - -The Indian killed by Shutt was named Bill Davis. Two others recognized -by Lycans were Tom Hickman and Tom Hayes, all of the Delaware tribe, and -well known in that neighborhood. - -This upset in the plan of attack caused the Indians to momentarily cease -their pursuit and Lycans, Shutt and the lad, being exhausted from loss -of blood, sat down on a log to rest themselves, believing they were no -longer in danger. The Indians stood some distance off to keep them in -view, but in spite of this caution, Lycans managed to lead his little -party to a place of safe concealment and later over the mountain into -Hanover Township, where neighbors gave them assistance; but Andrew -Lycans died from his injuries and exposure. - -This pioneer martyr left a wife, one son and five daughters. These -returned to their home soon as the danger was over, and on more than one -subsequent occasion were compelled to flee before the marauding savages. -The one attack in which Andrew Lycans was killed is the only occasion -where a life was lost by the Indian incursions in the Wiconisco Valley. - -John Lycans, son of Andrew, became an officer in the provincial service, -commissioned July 12, 1762. In June, 1764, he was stationed at Manada -Gap. His mother, Jane Lycans, in February, 1765, had a patent issued to -her for the land on which her husband had located. - -The original Lycans cabin stood until about fifty years ago. It was -situated near the present site of Oakdale, a few yards north of the -bridge that crosses the Wiconisco. It was built of hewn logs with -windows about nine inches square, which were also used as port holes. - -Andrew Lycans has given his name to the beautiful valley of the -Wiconisco, owing possibly to his fatal encounter with the Indians, March -7, 1756. - -Ludwig Shutt recovered from his serious wounds and lived until 1790, and -left a large family, some of his descendants being present residents of -Lykens Valley. John Rewalt subsequently removed to another part of the -province as did John Lycans, following his tour of duty as an officer in -the provincial service. - - ---------- - - - - - Frightful Slaughter of Indians at Gnadenhuetten, - March 8, 1782 - - -In the fall of 1781, Pennsylvania frontiersmen decided that their safety -would no longer permit the residence of the Moravian Indians on the -Muskingum, which was about seventy miles from Fort McIntosh, in the -present State of Ohio. Fort McIntosh was on the right bank of the Ohio -River at the mouth of Beaver River, now Beaver, Pennsylvania. - -Colonel David Williamson, one of the battalion commanders of Washington -County, gathered a company of 100 men and on November 5 started for the -Tuscarawa Indians to compel the Moravians either to migrate into the -hostile country or to move in a body to Fort Pitt. They found the -village deserted save by a few Indian men and women. Colonel Williamson -conducted these Indians safely to Fort Pitt. - -A small settlement of Delaware had already been established near Fort -Pitt. After Colonel Daniel Brodhead destroyed Coshocton, in the spring -of 1781, Killbuck, the chief sachem of the Delaware, with his immediate -kindred and the families of Big Cat, Nonowland and other chiefs, who -remained friends to the American cause took possession of a small island -at the mouth of the Allegheny River, opposite Fort Pitt, where they -built bark wigwams, planted corn and vegetables and otherwise supported -themselves by hunting and the sale of furs. This place became known as -Killbuck Island, afterwards Smoky Island. - -Many of this settlement accompanied military scouting parties, and were -of much service in the defense of the Western frontier. Chief Killbuck, -also known as Gelemend, meaning “leader,” became a soldier and officer -in the United States Army. He died in 1811. - -In the spring of 1782, which was unusually early, came the marauding -Indians. The first blow fell February 8, when John Fink was killed near -Buchanan’s Fort, on the upper Monongahela. On Sunday, February 10, a -large body of Indians visited the dwelling of Robert Wallace, on Raccoon -Creek, Beaver County. The head of the family being absent at the time, -the savages killed all his cattle and hogs, plundered the house of its -contents and carried away Mrs. Wallace and her three children. - -About February 15, six Indians captured John Carpenter and two of his -horses on the Dutch Fork, of Buffalo Creek. They crossed the Ohio at -Mingo Bottom and made off toward the Tuscarawa villages. Four of these -Indians were Wyandot. Two spoke Dutch, and told Carpenter they were -Moravians. On the morning of the second day, Carpenter was sent to the -woods to get the horses. Finding them some distance from the camp fire, -he mounted one of the horses and dashed for Fort Pitt, where he told his -story to Colonel Gibson. - -Gibson mustered 160 young men of Washington County, and placed Colonel -Williamson in command of the expedition, which moved immediately. The -Ohio was at flood height and they effected a crossing Monday, March 4, -and hastened along the beaten trail toward Gnadenhuetten on the -Muskingum. As may well be imagined Robert Wallace was an eager volunteer -in this expedition. - -They had not proceeded far until they found the torn corpse of Mrs. -Wallace, impaled on the trunk of a sapling, just off the path. The -mutilated body of her infant lay nearby. The infuriated frontiersmen -remounted their horses, reached the environs of Gnadenhuetten in the -evening of March 6, when their scouts brought back word that the village -was now full of Indians. - -Colonel Williamson divided his force into three parties, sending one -command to strike the river below the town, a second to cross the stream -above and cut off retreat in that direction, the third forming the -center to advance upon the place directly. - -The attack was begun on the morning of March 7, and not a shot was fired -by the center or left. The presence of women and children warned the -frontiersmen that it was not occupied simply by a war party, and Colonel -Williamson quickly learned the Indians were Moravians. No resistance was -made and soon the frontiersmen were conversing with the Indians who -could speak English. In a council the colonel told them they must go to -Fort Pitt, which the Indians appeared willing to do. The Indians sent -messengers down the river to Salem to tell their people to come to -Gnadenhuetten. - -The right wing had a more thrilling experience when they found the -Tuscarawas was in flood and too swift for their horses to swim. A young -man named Sloughter swam across to get a canoe, which proved to be a -maple sugar trough, but he paddled it across the swollen stream. The -others stripped, placed their clothing and rifles in the trough, swam -across, pushing the trough before them. - -Advancing down the western shore, a solitary Indian was shot and wounded -in the arm. This act was witnessed by another Indian named Jacob, who -sought escape in a canoe, but was killed. - -The company advancing upon the Indians working in the corn field, found -them to be Moravians and led them to the village. Soon the Indians from -Salem arrived to the number of 96, all of whom were confined in a log -church, after being disarmed. - -An Indian woman was found to be wearing the dress of Mrs. Wallace. The -garment was identified by the bereaved husband. A search of the cabins -was then made which resulted in finding stolen household effects. - -The volunteers could hardly be restrained longer. Colonel Williamson -consulted with his captains, some of whom favored the execution of the -whole band. But during this council many Indians were brought before it, -one at a time, and examined. Not one acknowledged his own guilt, but -some confessed that others had been on the war path. Some were even then -in their war paint. These revelations produced such an effect upon the -borderers that the Colonel could no longer resist their outcry for -vengeance. He put the question to a vote and only eighteen of the entire -body of volunteers voted for mercy. - -Friday morning, March 8th, the decree of condemnation was executed. The -Indian men were led, two by two, to the cooper shop and there beaten to -death with mallets and hatchets. Two broke away and ran for the river, -but were shot dead. The women were led to another building and slain -like the men. - -Only forty of the volunteers participated in the execution of forty men, -twenty women and thirty-four children. It is probable that even the -frontiersmen who stood aside and looked on did not consider their deed a -crime. - -The volunteers then burned the Indian village at Schoenbrun, and before -they departed from Gnadenhuetten they set fire to every building. Salem -was also destroyed. - -Two weeks later, on Sunday, March 24, some militiamen attacked the -Indians on Killbuck Island. Several Indians were killed. Killbuck and -most of his band escaped in canoes. - -General Irvine returned to Fort Pitt from a visit to Philadelphia and -Carlisle the day after the attack and immediately put a stop to the -raids. - - ---------- - - - - - County of Bedford Formed from a Part of - Cumberland, March 9, 1771 - - -The county of Bedford was erected March 9, 1771, by an act of the -General Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania. - -The entire territory for the new county was cut from Cumberland County. - -The commissioners appointed to “run, mark out, and distinguish the -boundary lines between the said counties of Cumberland and Bedford,” -were Robert McCrea, William Miller, and Robert Moore. - -The boundaries of the new county embraced the entire southwestern -portion of the State, from the Tuscarora Mountains westward to the Ohio -and Virginia line. - -March 21, 1772, at the time Northumberland County was erected, the -limits of Bedford County were more definitely explained. Northumberland -County was given a part of the original territory of Bedford. - -The limits of Bedford were afterward reduced by the erection of -Westmoreland in 1773, Huntingdon in 1787, Somerset in 1795, Cambria in -1804, Blair in 1846, and Fulton in 1850. The territory now wholly or in -part of twenty of the present counties of Pennsylvania was in the -original Bedford County. - -The name was taken from the county town, which was selected when the -county was erected. The town was so called from the fort of that name, -which had been given to it by Governor John Penn, when, by his order the -fort at Raystown was built. This was in honor of one of the dukes of the -house of Bedford, in England, during the latter part of the reign of -King George II. - -The exact date of the building of Fort Bedford is not certain, but there -is no doubt that the place of defense was celebrated during the French -and Indian Wars. It was one of the earliest settlements west of the -Allegheny Mountains. Mr. Jones in his History of the Juniata Valley -claims that the earliest settlement on the Raystown Branch of the -Juniata was made by a man named Ray in 1751, who built three cabins near -where Bedford now stands. He further says: “In 1755 the province agreed -to open a wagon road from Fort Loudon, in Cumberland County, to the -forks of the Youghiogheny River. For this purpose three hundred men were -sent up, but for some cause or other the project was abandoned.” - -This road was completed in 1758, when the allied forces of Virginia, -Maryland, and Pennsylvania marched against Fort Duquesne, under General -John Forbes. - -A fort was built at this same time at Raystown, and called Fort Bedford. - -Mr. Charles N. Hickok, of Bedford, who has written much of the history -of that county, claims that Rae, as he spells the name, defended his -settlement as early as 1751, almost a decade before the soldiers of -Forbes’ exposition arrived there. The settlement was known as “Camp at -Raystown” before General Forbes was encamped there, and his first -official papers were so dated. - -Early in April, 1757, Governor Denny ordered Colonel John Armstrong and -his battalion to encamp at Raystown, “a well chosen situation on this -side of the Allegheny Hills between two Indian roads.” - -In June following Captain Hance Hamilton led a scouting party from the -“Fort at Carlisle to Raystown, but encountered no Indians.” - -On August 16, 1758, Major Joseph Shippen wrote from the camp at -Raystown: “We have a good stockade fort here, with several convenient -and large store houses. Our camps are all secured with good breast works -and a small ditch on the outside, and everything goes well.” - -The “Old Fort House,” which is still standing, was a large and -commodious building for the period in which it was erected. It was used -as the officers’ quarters, and was designated as the “King’s House.” - -Fort Bedford was the center of much activity during the latter part of -the French and Indian and the Pontiac Wars. At times more than a -thousand troops were quartered there. There are accounts of mutiny among -the troops and other exciting incidents. - -In 1763, Fort Bedford was the principal depot for military stores -between Carlisle and Fort Pitt, and in order to further strengthen it, -the small stockades at Juniata Crossing and Stony Creek were abandoned -and the force concentrated at Fort Bedford. - -Indians never made an attack upon the fort, but killed, scalped, or took -prisoner, eighteen persons, in that immediate neighborhood. - -The town of Bedford was laid out by Surveyor-General John Lukens, in -1766. - -Following the Pontiac War Colonel James Smith, and his celebrated band -of “Black Boys,” were conspicuous for several years and kept the Indians -in check and administered a lasting rebuke to the Proprietary Government -when it attempted to furnish food and clothing to the Indians on the -western frontier. - -The history of Fort Bedford was celebrated by the visitations of such -celebrities as Generals Forbes and Washington, Colonels Armstrong, -Bouquet, Burd and others. - -The first white child born at Raystown was William Fraser. - -The county buildings, court house and prison, were arranged for in the -act which erected the county. The first session of court was held April -16, 1771, before “William Proctor, Jr., Robert Cluggage, Robert Hanna, -George Wilson, William Lochrey, and William McConnell, Esquires, -justices of our Lord the King.” William Proctor was the first sheriff, -and Arthur St. Clair was appointed first prothonotary, recorder, and -clerk of the court. - -The first attorney to be sworn was Robert Magraw. - -The names recommended to the Governor for license as tavern-keepers were -Margaret Fraser, Jean Woods, Frederic Naugel, George Funk, John -Campbell, Joseph Irwin, John Miller, and Samuel Paxton. - -Bedford County became an active unit in the State and when the -Revolution broke out she sent her best men into the State Conventions -and during all that long struggle for independence performed her full -duty to Pennsylvania and the colonies. - -Bedford County has had some illustrious sons among whom were Hon. Thomas -Smith, Hon. Jonathan Walker, Hon. Charles Huston, Hon. John Tod, Hon. -Jeremiah S. Black, all members of the Supreme Court, and other high -offices; United States Senator Hon. William Wilkins, and Hon. John S. -Carlisle, who served as United States Senator from West Virginia, and -others - -The medicinal springs at Bedford are widely and justly celebrated, and -the town is one of the most attractive resorts in all this country. - - ---------- - - - - - Organization of Sixty-seven Counties of - Pennsylvania Began with Philadelphia, - March 10, 1682 - - -The three original counties of Pennsylvania were Philadelphia, Chester -and Bucks. Some authorities claim Philadelphia was the original county -and the others formed soon thereafter. These authorities give the date -of the erection of Philadelphia County as March 10, 1682. - -Pennsylvania historians generally agree that the three were originally -erected at the same time by William Penn. Philadelphia extended toward -the northwest, bounded on either side by its neighboring counties, Bucks -and Chester. - -Bucks was called Buckingham in a letter written by William Penn to the -Society of Free Traders in 1683. At that time its northern boundary was -the Kittatinny Mountains, or as far as the land might be purchased from -the Indians—a very indeterminate line. - -Chester County included what is now Delaware County, and all the -territory, except a small portion now in Philadelphia County southwest -of the Schuykill, to the extreme limits of the Province. - -The first county to be formed in addition to the three original counties -was Lancaster, which was taken from the territory of Chester County May -10, 1729. Its boundaries then comprised “all the province lying to the -northward of the Octararo Creek, and westward of a line of marked trees -running from the north branch of the said Octararo Creek northeasterly -to the Schuylkill.” This new county was first reduced in size August 19, -1749, when York County was cut from its territory; and secondly on -January 27, 1750, when the big county of Cumberland was erected from -Lancaster. The limits of Cumberland then included the whole country west -to the boundary of the State, or as far as the preceding Indian -purchase. - -Bucks County was reduced in size when Northampton County was erected -from its territory, March 11, 1752, and on the same day the County of -Berks was erected from Philadelphia, Bucks and Lancaster. Thus the -Province of Pennsylvania continued with the eight counties until March -9, 1771, when Bedford was formed from Cumberland, the first of the many -counties taken from her territory. - -Northumberland County was erected March 21, 1772, from parts of -Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks, Bedford and Northampton. On account of -Indian purchases now reaching to the western boundaries of the State, -the limits of Northumberland reached to the western and northern -boundaries of the State. Her territory was so extensive that she has -been known as “The Mother of Counties,” and all or parts of thirty of -the present counties of Pennsylvania have been taken from the original -territory of “Old Mother Northumberland.” - -February 26, 1773, was erected the County of Westmoreland, whose -territory was taken from Bedford County. It then included the entire -southwestern section of the State. The next county to be erected was -Washington, on March 28, 1781, and its territory was taken from -Westmoreland, as was the County of Fayette, formed September 26, 1783. -Thus, Westmoreland was considerably reduced in size within ten years -from its organization. - -Franklin County was erected September 9, 1784, and its territory taken -from Cumberland. The following day, September 10, 1784, Montgomery -County was formed from a part of Philadelphia County, the last territory -to be taken from the original county. - -March 4, 1785, Dauphin was cut off from Lancaster; September 25, 1786, -Luzerne was erected from Northumberland, and September 20, 1787, -Huntingdon was formed from Bedford. - -Allegheny County was formed from Westmoreland and Washington Counties, -September 24, 1788. Mifflin was formed from Cumberland and -Northumberland Counties September 19, 1789. - -Old Chester County lost part of its territory when Delaware County was -cut from it September 26, 1789. Thus the county which comprised the most -ancient settlements in Pennsylvania was now formed into the new County -of Delaware, and the organization of counties in the southeastern part -of the State completed. - -When the County of Lycoming was cut from Northumberland, April 13, 1795, -it was for years the largest county of the State. Four days later the -County of Somerset was formed from Bedford. Green County was cut from -Washington February 9, 1796, thus completing the formation of counties -in the southwest corner of the State. - -The next county to be formed was that of Wayne, which was set off from -Northampton March 21, 1797, and formed the northeastern corner of the -State. - -Adams was erected from York January 22, 1800, and February 13 following -Center was formed from parts of Northumberland, Lycoming, Mifflin and -Huntingdon, and March 12 eight new counties—Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, -Crawford, Erie, Mercer, Venango and Warren—were formed. Thus, the -remaining corner of the State was organized. The counties were taken -from Lycoming and Allegheny, Westmoreland furnished a part of Armstrong -and Washington yielded up a portion for Beaver, but Allegheny furnished -the largest amount of territory for the new counties. - -Indiana was cut from Westmoreland and Lycoming, March 30, 1803. - -Six new counties were erected on March 26, 1804, when Cambria, -Clearfield, Jefferson, McKean, Potter and Tioga were formed. The latter -four being taken from Lycoming, while Northumberland helped with -Clearfield, but Cambria was cut from parts of Huntingdon, Somerset and -Bedford. Bradford and Susquehanna, were formed February 21, 1810, the -former from Lycoming and Luzerne and the latter from Luzerne alone. - -March 11, 1811, Schuylkill was formed from Berks and Northampton. March -6, 1812, Lehigh was taken from Northampton, and February 16, 1813, -Lebanon was erected from Lancaster and Dauphin. Columbia and Union were -erected March 22, 1813, both being taken from Northumberland. Pike was -cut from Wayne, March 26, 1814, and Perry was taken from Cumberland, -March 22, 1820. - -The State remained thus until Juniata was formed, March 2, 1831, from -Mifflin; Monroe was taken from Northampton and Pike, April 1, 1836; -Clarion was taken from Venango and Armstrong, March 11, 1839, and on -June 21 following Clinton was formed from Lycoming and Center. Wyoming -was erected from Luzerne, April 4, 1842, and Carbon was formed from -Northampton and Monroe, March 13, 1843. April 18 following, Elk was cut -from Jefferson, Clearfield and McKean. - -Blair was formed February 26, 1846 from Huntingdon and Bedford; Sullivan -was taken from Lycoming, March 15, 1847; Forest was formed from -Jefferson and Venango, April 11, 1848; Lawrence from Beaver and Mercer, -March 20, 1849; Fulton was cut from Bedford, April 19, 1850, and little -Montour was taken from Columbia, May 3, of the same year. - -Snyder was formed from Union March 2, 1855, and March 29, 1860, Cameron -was cut from parts of Clinton, Elk, McKean and Potter. - -The last of the sixty-seven counties of Pennsylvania is Lackawanna which -was cut from Luzerne, August 13, 1878. - - ---------- - - - - - Public Education Established by Governor - George Wolf, Who Died March 11, 1840 - - -George Wolf, the seventh Governor of Pennsylvania, was born in Allen -Township, Northampton County, August 12, 1777, and died March 11, 1840. - -He attended a classical school established in the county by a society -formed for the purpose, which was presided over by Robert Andrews, A. -M., a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin. Here he acquired a good -knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages and of the sciences usually -pursued in a liberal education. Leaving school he took charge of his -father’s farm and also acted as principal of the academy in his native -township. Before his majority he acted as clerk to the prothonotary, at -the same time studying law under the direction of John Ross. - -He early espoused the political principles of Thomas Jefferson, and when -the latter became President he appointed Mr. Wolf Postmaster at Easton, -and shortly after Governor Thomas McKean appointed him Clerk of the -Orphans’ Court of Northampton County, which office he held until 1809. - -In 1814 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and in 1824 he was -elected a Representative in Congress, a position he acceptably filled -for three terms. - -In 1829 he was chosen Governor of Pennsylvania over Joseph Ritner. - -Mr. Wolf was not an active aspirant for the office of Governor and -received the nomination without knowing that any considerable strength -in the convention was in his favor. He accepted the nomination, -abandoned his lucrative practice and entered vigorously into the -campaign. - -At this period there began to be a change in the political horizon of -the state. A fearful crusade was made against secret societies, which -were denounced as tending to subvert government. - -Commencing in the New England States, the reported abduction of a -traitor to the Freemasons in Batavia, New York, assisted to spread -rapidly the contagion, and party lines were almost equally drawn in the -State of Pennsylvania. The Federal party lost its identity, and the -Anti-Masons sprang up like mushrooms. Their candidate, Joseph Ritner, -was defeated at the first election by seventeen thousand and at the -second by only three thousand out of a poll of almost two hundred -thousand. - -When Governor Wolf came into office the financial affairs of the -Commonwealth, owing to the extensive scheme of public improvements, then -progressing at a fair rate, were in deplorable condition. There was but -one course to pursue which would maintain the credit of the State and -that was to push the works to rapid completion. This was done and in a -few years he with others had the proud satisfaction of beholding how far -these needed improvements went towards developing the great natural -resources of Pennsylvania. - -But the most substantial and enduring merit of Governor Wolf was evinced -in his advocacy of a system of popular education. - -James Buchanan, in a speech delivered at West Chester previous to the -election of the Governor, had said: “If ever the passion of envy could -be excused a man ambitious of true glory, he might almost be justified -in envying the fame of the favored individual, whoever he may be, whom -Providence intends to make the instrument in establishing Common Schools -throughout the Commonwealth. His task will be arduous. He will have many -difficulties to encounter and many prejudices to overcome; but his fame -will exceed that of the great Clinton, in the same proportion that mind -is superior to matter. Whilst, the one has erected a frail memorial, -which like everything human must decay and perish, the other will raise -a monument which shall flourish in immortal youth, and endure whilst the -human soul shall continue to exist. ‘Ages unborn and nations yet behind’ -shall bless his memory.” - -To Governor George Wolf that honor was accorded. - -The Governor, in his annual message, December, 1831 said in reference to -this subject: “It is cause for no ordinary measure of gratification that -the Legislature, at its last session, considered this subject worthy of -its deliberations, and advancing one step toward the intellectual -regeneration of the State by laying a foundation for raising a fund to -be employed hereafter in the righteous cause of a practical general -education. It is no less gratifying to know that public opinion is -giving strong indications of having undergone a favorable change in -reference to this momentous measure, and by its gradual but powerful -workings is fast dispelling the groveling fallacies, but too long -prevalent, that gold is preferable to knowledge and that dollars and -cents are of a higher estimation than learning. I would suggest for your -consideration the propriety of appointing a commission, to consist of -three or more talented and intelligent individuals, known friends of a -liberal and enlightened system of education, whose duty it should be to -collect all the information and possess themselves of all the facts and -knowledge that can be obtained from any quarter having a bearing upon or -connection with the subject of education, and arrange and embody the -same in a report to the Legislature.” - -In compliance with this wise recommendation, Senator Samuel Breck, of -Philadelphia, was made chairman of the committee, which reported a bill, -embodying what were believed to be the best features of those systems -which had been most successful in other States, and at the session of -1834 it passed both branches of the Legislature with a unanimity rarely -equaled in legislation. The bill was approved by the Governor April 1, -1834. - -Although the school bill was adopted with comparative unanimity, it was -at once attacked by a storm of opposition in certain sections of the -State. The opposition was well crystallized when the Legislature -convened in the fall of 1834. - -Governor Wolf’s message was firm, but the members had been flooded with -petitions for the repeal of the measure. - -On April 11, 1835, Thaddeus Stevens, by a memorable speech and a -remarkable parliamentary effort, swayed the opposition, and by a vote of -55 to 30 successfully defended the schools when threatened with -destruction. - -Thus public education in Pennsylvania was saved; but Governor Wolf, who -had advocated it so strenuously, was defeated for a third term by Joseph -Ritner. - -Retiring from the gubernatorial chair, he was appointed by President -Jackson in 1836, to the office of First Comptroller of the Treasury. -After holding this position for two years he was appointed by President -Van Buren to be Collector of the Port of Philadelphia, which he held -until his death on March 11, 1840. - - ---------- - - - - - Lands Set Apart for Soldiers of Revolution, - March 12, 1783 - - -The soldiers of the Pennsylvania Line who served in the War of the -Revolution were by act of legislation entitled to wild lands of the -State and a large area of the northwestern portion of the State north of -the depreciation lands and west of the Allegheny River was set apart and -surveyed to the officers and soldiers. - -As early as March 7, 1780, while the war for the independence of the -American colonies was still in active progress, and being vigorously -waged by the hostile armies in the field, the General Assembly of -Pennsylvania, by resolution, made a promise of “certain donations and -quantities of land” to the soldiers of the State, known as the -“Pennsylvania Line,” then serving in the Continental Army. - -This resolution provided that these lands should be “surveyed and -divided off” at the end of the war, and allotted to those entitled to -receive them according to their several rank. In order to comply with -the letter and intention of the resolution, an act was passed by the -General Assembly on March 12, 1783, by the provisions of which certain -lands were set apart to be sold for the purpose of redeeming the -certificates of depreciation given to the soldiers of the Pennsylvania -Line. It also provided that a certain tract of country, beginning at the -mouth of Mogulbughtition Creek, now known as Mahoning Creek, in -Armstrong County; then up the Allegheny River to the mouth of Cagnawaga -Creek, in now Warren County; thence due north to the northern boundary -of the State; thence west by the said boundary, to the northwest corner -of the State, thence south, by the western boundary of the State, to the -northwest corner of lands appropriated by the act for discharging the -depreciation certificates; and thence by the same lands east to the -place of beginning, “which said tract of country shall be reserved and -set apart for the only and sole use of fulfilling and carrying into -execution the said resolve.” - -The territory thus set apart comprised parts of the present counties of -Lawrence, Butler, Armstrong, Venango, Forest and Warren, all of the -counties of Mercer and Crawford and that portion of Erie County which -lies south of the triangle. - -This territory was a wild and unbroken wilderness, except at the few -places fortified by the French and later occupied by the English and -Colonists during the Revolution. - -The officers of the First and Second Battalions of the Province of -Pennsylvania in the French and Indian War petitioned for and received -twenty-four thousand acres of land along the West Branch of the -Susquehanna River, and these officers and their families thus became -pioneer settlers in that picturesque valley, and now the veterans of the -Revolution were given homes in the northwestern section of the State and -there planted the settlements which have grown into the most important -industrial centers of the Western Hemisphere. - -The act of March 12, 1783, gave a clear title to the land, for under -Section 6, all rights, titles, or claims to land within the described -bounds, whether obtained from the Indians, the late Proprietaries, or -any other person or persons, were declared to be null and void, thus -reserving the entire tract from sale or settlement until after the -allotments to the soldiers were duly made and their claims fully -satisfied. - -By the following section of the act the officers and enlisted soldiers -were to be allowed two years after the declaration of peace in which to -make their applications, and in event of death occurring before any -veteran made his application, an additional year was allowed his heirs, -executors or administrators to make application. Thereafter the -unlocated tracts were to be disposed of upon such terms as the -Legislature might direct. This period for making applications was many -times extended, so that no veteran was deprived of a fair opportunity to -obtain his tract of the donation land. - -The authorities of Pennsylvania were even more thoughtful of these -Revolutionary veterans, for the General Assembly passed an act which -exempted from taxation during lifetime the land which fell to lot of -each veteran unless the same was transferred or assigned to another -person. - -Then followed the great purchase of October 23, 1784, and then the Act -of March 24, 1785, which directed the manner in which the allowances of -land were to be distributed to the troops, and provided for legal -titles, vesting in them the right of ownership. - -A section of the act described the persons who should be entitled to -land, and Section 5, in order to comply with a previous resolution of -the General Assembly, included the names of Baron Steuben, the German -patriot drill master of the Continental Army, who was to receive a grant -equal to that of a major general of the Pennsylvania Line, and -Lieutenant Colonel Tilghman a grant equal to his rank. - -Complete lists of all soldiers entitled to land were furnished by the -Comptroller General to the Supreme Executive Council, and these -claimants were divided into four classes. - -Upon application of the officers of the Pennsylvania Line, General -William Irvine, the commanding officer at Fort Pitt, was appointed agent -to explore the lands, as he was well acquainted with all the land -appropriated for donation purposes. - -General Irvine entered upon his duties promptly and seemed to have -exercised good judgment. An interesting report of his notes and -observations was transmitted to President John Dickinson of the Supreme -Executive Council in a letter dated at Carlisle, August 17, 1785. The -streams, boundaries and other natural terrain were carefully described, -and the general gave a most comprehensive narrative of his every act -while on this important tour of duty. - -Section 8 provided minute directions for the distribution of the tracts -by lottery. - -The drawing of the lottery commenced October 1, 1786, and was to -continue one year. The committee of the Supreme Executive Council -selected to superintend the drawing consisted of Captain John Boyd, -Jonathan Hoge, Stephen Balliet and William Brown, to which was shortly -added Peter Muhlenberg and Samuel Dean. - -The time of the drawing was subsequently extended until under various -laws the last limit of time was fixed as April 1, 1810, and from that -day the offices were closed against any further applications for -donation lands. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Matthew Smith, Hero of Early Wars, - Born March 13, 1740 - - -Matthew Smith was the eldest son of Robert Smith, and was born March 13, -1740, in Paxtang, then Lancaster County, but since March 4, 1785, a part -of Dauphin County. At the age of fifteen he was a soldier under Colonel -Henry Bouquet, serving in the final campaign of the French and Indian -War. During the interim between that war and the Revolutionary War he -was an active leader among the early settlers in what are now Dauphin, -Cumberland and Northumberland Counties, a leader in the struggles -against the Indians and a respected and brave frontiersman. - -Late in 1763 the Indians, especially the Conestoga, caused much -suffering in the lower Susquehanna region and the territory between -Harris’ Ferry and the Schuylkill. The terrible incursions perpetrated -and the many murders committed by these savages resulted in having the -provincial authorities place these Indians under their care in -Lancaster, Conestoga and Philadelphia. - -This protection so incensed the settlers, who had lost many of their kin -through the perfidy of the so-called friendly Indians, that an appeal -was made to the authorities against this support and protection, but no -attention was given the frontiersmen. - -These settlers continued to suffer until their patience was sorely -tried. They then took matters in their own hands and banded together as -the “Paxtang Boys,” under the leadership of Captains Matthew Smith and -Lazarus Stewart, and they made a clean job of their design. - -The “Paxtang Boys” marched to Lancaster, December 27, 1763, broke into -the workhouse, and before their anger could be suppressed the last of -the so-called “Conestogas” had yielded up his life. After this no other -murder was committed by the Indians among the settlers in this vicinity. - -Captain Matthew Smith, as one of the actual leaders, seems to have borne -the lion’s share of the blame for the act. - -February 13, 1764, a lengthy declaration was prepared for presentation -to the General Assembly, then meeting in Philadelphia, signed by two of -the citizens, Matthew Smith and James Gibson. The petition stated, -however, that they signed it “on behalf of ourselves and by appointment -of a great number of the frontier inhabitants.” This petition was one of -the most important ever presented to a Pennsylvania Legislature and -caused much heated debate. - -A long and exciting siege in the Assembly was enacted by the leaders. On -one side were Benjamin Franklin, Israel Pemberton, the Quaker leader, -and Joseph Galloway, and on the popular side, or that of the people and -the “Paxtang Boys,” were the Rev. John Ewing, the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, -Dr. David James Dove and many others. - -As a stronger act in supporting their position the “Paxtang Boys” -planned a march to Philadelphia and started in a body under Captain -Matthew Smith. Great consternation was witnessed in the capital city. -The militia was called out and all business was suspended. But the -delegation was not warlike and totally unaware of the anxiety felt in -Philadelphia or of the military preparations made to receive them. -Proudly bearing their declaration, approved by fifteen hundred of the -frontier inhabitants, with many letters from prominent personages, they -were met by commissioners sent out by the Governor, to whom they made -known their intentions. Captain Smith presented their declarations to -the Assembly, which was termed in the minutes of that day as “The -declaration of the rioters and the petition of the back inhabitants.” -During the long debate the main body of the party returned home and thus -ended the “Paxtang Boys’ Insurrection.” - -At the very outbreak of the Revolution Captain Smith organized a company -of riflemen, which was assigned to Colonel Thompson’s battalion. After a -tedious march overland from Dauphin County to Boston, the company joined -the Continental Army at that place and on September 5, 1775, his company -was detached to General Arnold’s command for the expedition to Canada. - -He survived the hardships of the march through the Maine woods, the -disastrous assault at Quebec December 31, and the brief confinement as a -prisoner of war which followed, when he joined his regiment together -with the few survivors of his company, but he soon thereafter resigned -his commission on December 5, 1776. Captain Smith’s services were, -however, much appreciated and he was promoted to full rank of major, -September 27, 1777, and assigned to the Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment. - -In the spring of 1778 he was elected by the citizens of the central part -of the Province as a member of the Supreme Executive Council. October -11, 1779, he was elected vice president of the Commonwealth of -Pennsylvania, but resigned shortly after assuming the responsible duties -of his high office. - -When the intelligence of the capture and total destruction of Fort -Freeland, on Warrior Run, in Northumberland County, reached Paxtang, -Matthew Smith marched to Sunbury with a volunteer militia of fifty men -raised by his own efforts and made a hurried march to overtake the -British commander, Captain McDonald, and the retreating British -invaders, including their Indian allies. - -This distinguished statesman-soldier-patriot established himself in a -fine residence, in what is now the Fourth Ward of Milton and became its -most influential and revered citizen. - -The following obituary appeared in Kennedy’s Gazette, published at -Northumberland, under date July 30, 1794: - -“Died, the 22d inst., about sunset at Milton, Colonel Matthew Smith, -aged fifty-four years, being one of the first patriots for liberty; went -to Canada in the year 1775, and suffered extremities. He was once -prothonotary of Northumberland County. Was interred 23d inst., attended -by a large number of his friends and acquaintances, together with a -volunteer company of light infantry from Milton, conducted by Major -Pratt, and commanded by Captain James Boyd, who, marching about six -miles to Warrior Run burying ground and shedding a tear over the old -patriot’s grave, deposited his remains with three well directed volleys -and returned home in good order.” - -Linn’s Annals of Buffalo Valley is authority for the statement that -these soldiers actually carried the body the entire distance of six -miles to the old cemetery, where his bones now repose. The dust of this -patriot, soldier and statesman lies within a few rods of the very fort -he rushed from Paxtang with his brave militiamen to protect. His grave -is unmarked and few have knowledge that he is buried there. - - ---------- - - - - - Fries’ Rebellion or Hot-Water War Arouses - Governor, March 14, 1799 - - -In 1798 the Federal Government enacted a direct tax law, which became -known as the “house tax,” and was unpopular in many parts of the -country, especially in some of the counties of Pennsylvania, and it led -to an insurrection known in history as “Fries’ Rebellion.” - -The story of this insurrection, as told in “Pennsylvania Colonial and -Federal” by Jenkins, is as follows: - -“The troubles between the United States and France at this time assumed -the form of active hostilities, and James McHenry, Secretary of War, -began to organize an army. The President was given authority to borrow -$5,000,000, and $2,000,000 more was to be raised by a new and odious -tax. This tax was direct, and fell upon houses, lands and slaves. - -“For every slave between the ages of twelve and fifty years, fifty cents -was to be required of the owner. For every house valued at from $200 to -$500, twenty cents per $100 was required, while the tax was thirty cents -per 100 on houses valued from $500 to $1000. - -“There were but few slaves in Pennsylvania, and as a result the tax fell -mainly on houses and lands. The value of the houses was determined by -counting the number and measuring the size of the windows. Houses with -but few and small windows were rated lower, and in order to save the tax -the farmers usually had small windows in their houses. Pennsylvania’s -share of the tax was $232,177.72.” - -The assessors and collectors of the tax found very little difficulty and -opposition until the eastern part of the State was reached. It was in -the counties of Bucks, Montgomery and Northampton, almost within sight -of the Federal capital, that the opposition became alarming, arising -from the fact that the German people did not understand the law. Many a -farmer knew nothing of the tax until the assessor came around. The -people remembered the old hearth tax of Germany, and they thought this -tax was a revival of it. - -Women set dogs on the assessors, and poured scalding water on them when -they tried to measure windows. This fact has also given the name “Hot -Water War” to the affair. In a number of townships, associations of the -people were formed in order to prevent the officers from performing -their duty. - -In many places, violence was actually used and the assessors were taken -and imprisoned by armed parties. The insurrection rose to such a height -that it became necessary to compel the execution of the laws, and -warrants were issued against certain persons and served upon them. -Headquarters were appointed for the prisoners at Bethlehem but a number -of persons marched there and demanded the release of the prisoners. The -operations of the mob were so hostile that the marshals could offer no -resistance, so the prisoners were released. - -The leading spirit in the opposition to the Government was John Fries, a -farmer’s son, born in Hatfield Township, Montgomery County, in 1750. He -learned the cooper trade and in 1779 married Mary Brunner, of Whitemarsh -Township. In 1775 Fries removed to Lower Milford Township, Bucks County. -He saw service in the Revolution. He also helped to put down the Whisky -Insurrection in Western Pennsylvania. - -After settling in Bucks County, Fries became a traveling auctioneer and -journeyed from village to village in this employment. He and his dog, -Whiskey, were familiar figures in every country store. He could speak -German fluently and in his rounds had excellent opportunities to -denounce the tax. - -Fries was present at a meeting in February, 1798, at the house of Jacob -Kline, near the point of union of the four counties of Montgomery, -Bucks, Lehigh and Berks. Fries assisted in drawing up a paper in -opposition to the tax, which received fifty-five names. He also pledged -himself to raise 700 men to resist the tax. His expressions against the -law were very violent, and he threatened to shoot one of the assessors, -Mr. Foulke, through the legs if he proceeded to assess the houses. Fries -and his partisans followed and persecuted a number of the assessors, -chasing them from township to township. - -Fries was armed with a large horse pistol, and a man named Kuyder -assisted him in command. Learning that the marshal had taken a number of -prisoners, the rioters determined to rescue them. Fries drew up a paper -at his own house, setting forth their design, and the next morning more -than twenty followers appeared in arms. They then set out for Bethlehem -to release the prisoners. The marshal was intimidated and the imprisoned -rioters were released. - -The Government became greatly alarmed at these proceedings. The -President issued a proclamation commanding rioters to disperse. He also -called upon the Governor and militia of Pennsylvania to assist in -maintaining order. Governor Mifflin issued a proclamation March 14, -1799, and on March 20 the cavalry from Philadelphia, Chester, -Montgomery, Bucks and Lancaster Counties was called out and encamped at -Springhouse, Montgomery County. Here General MacPherson issued a -proclamation to the rioters. Proceeding to Quakertown, the army began to -make arrests and to scour the country in search of rioters. - -After releasing the prisoners at Bethlehem, Fries returned to his old -employment, but was arrested while holding a vendue. At the cry of the -soldiers he leaped to the ground and fled to a swamp. He was arrested -for treason, and with some thirty others taken to Philadelphia for -trial. - -The case of Fries was called up in Federal Court at Philadelphia on -April 30, 1799. His lawyers were Alexander J. Dallas and Messrs. Ewing -and Lewis. Messrs. Rawle and Sitgrave were the counsel for the United -States. The verdict was guilty, but as it appeared after the verdict -that one of the jury, previous to being empaneled, had expressed the -opinion that Fries ought to be hanged, a new trial was granted. The -second trial was called April 29, 1800. At the former trial Fries’ -lawyers argued at great length that the offense was only riot and not -treason. They cited many cases in support of their view. But the Court -relied upon the definition of treason in the Constitution. - -Fries’ counsel then refused to appear further in the case. He was again -declared guilty, the Friday for the hanging was named and the sheriff’s -posse was selected. - -The cause of Fries was espoused by the old Republican Party and by a -number of newspapers throughout the State. The Aurora denounced the -action of the officers and charged that the Army lived in free quarters -on the inhabitants. The Adler, a German paper published in Reading also -condemned the course of the Government and claimed that the troops -imposed upon the people as they marched through the country. Discussion -on the subject became so bitter that it entered into National and State -politics and became an important issue. - -In the meantime National political affairs were so developing that -President Adams was led to pardon Fries. - - ---------- - - - - - Mollie Maguires Murder Wm. H. Littlehales, - March 15, 1869, Which Brings - Detective McParlan to the - Coal Regions - - -The bloody record of the Mollie Maguires during the decade 1865 to 1875 -marks the darkest and most terrible period in the history of the -anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania. - -This was a secret organization, composed of lawless Irishmen, who -resorted to murder in its most cowardly form, to attain their ends and -satisfy their revengeful feelings toward mine owners, superintendents -and bosses, and also justices of the peace and borough officials who had -the integrity to administer justice, and not cringe before these -criminals, when under arrest. - -The members of this organization became unusually active and -bloodthirsty in 1865. On August 25 of that year David Muir, a colliery -superintendent, was cruelly murdered in Foster Township, Schuylkill -County; January 10, 1866, Henry H. Dunne, superintendent of a colliery -and one of the leading citizens of Pottsville, was murdered on the -public road, near his home. - -There were other crimes committed by the members of this organization, -but those which most aroused the indignation of the public were where -prominent men were killed from ambush for no apparent reason than that -they held responsible position in a coal company. - -October 17, 1868, Alexander Rea was murdered near Centralia, Columbia -County, and this crime was the most heinous up to this time. Arrests -were made, and a strong chain of circumstantial evidence made out by the -Commonwealth against them. One of the accomplices even gave out the -facts which caused the apprehension of the others. - -Separate trials were granted by the Columbia County Court, and Thomas -Donahue was tried first. He was defended by Messrs. Ryon, Freeze, -Strouse, Wolverton and Marr. He was acquitted February, 1869. The -others, Pat Hester, Peter McHugh, and Pat Tully, were not then placed on -trial. - -But the next and most important outrage committed by the Mollie Maguires -was the murder of William H. Littlehales, superintendent of the Glen -Carbon Coal Company, in Cass Township, Schuylkill County. - -This crime occurred March 15, 1869, on the main highway leading from his -home to the mines. The act was witnessed by several persons, but the -assassins escaped. - -It was this act which caused Hon. Franklin B. Gowen, President of the -Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company, and the Philadelphia and -Reading Coal and Iron Company to send for Mr. Allan Pinkerton, and -engage his services in dispersing this murderous crew. - -Mr. Pinkerton accepted the employment offered him and assigned to the -principal task a young man named James McParlan, a native of Ireland, -aged twenty-eight years. - -McParlan set out on his mission Monday, October 27, 1873, in the -disguise of a vagabond Irishman seeking employment in the mines, and as -a criminal who was seeking refuge from crimes committed in the vicinity -of Buffalo, N. Y. - -He assumed the name of James McKenna, and as such won his way into the -confidence of the Mollies, joined their organization and became known as -the most desperate Mollie in all the anthracite region. - -Many others were murdered after McParlan arrived in the region. He -prevented murder when it was possible to do so. He warned those who were -to be victims through Mr. Franklin, superintendent of the Philadelphia -and Reading Coal Company, with whom he kept in daily contact by clever -correspondence. - -Up to the hour that James McParlan arrived in Schuylkill County, no -information had been obtained concerning the identity of those who -murdered Littlehales, nor had it been possible to convict a single -Mollie Maguire in any court where they were brought to trial. - -Another crime which McParlan was sent to investigate was the murder of -Morgan Powell, at Summit Hill, Carbon County, which occurred December 2, -1871. These were enough to occupy the time of a man even as clever as -Detective McParlan alias James McKenna. - -During the more than two years that McParlan lived among the Mollies he -did not learn the murderers of Littlehales but succeeded in bringing to -justice many other murderers. - -The arrests quickly followed one another when once begun early in 1876. -The trials began in Mauch Chunk in March. While McParlan did not testify -in the first case he furnished very valuable information, and greatly -assisted the prosecution. - -Then followed the arrest and trial of others in Pottsville, Mauch Chunk -and Bloomsburg with the conviction of many. - -McParlan went upon the stand in the trial of James Carrol, Thomas Duffy, -James Roarty, Hugh McGehan, and James Boyle, for the murder of B. F. -Yost, which occurred at Tamaqua, July 6, 1875. This trial was held at -Pottsville, before a full bench of Hon. C. L. Pershing, D. B. Green and -T. H. Walker. James Kerrigan, a Mollie, was a witness for the -Commonwealth. - -The trial of Thomas Munley in June, 1876, in the same court, for the -murder of Thomas Sanger and William Uren, brought Mr. F. B. Gowen into -the case and the delivery of his wonderful speech, which will ever -remain one of the greatest in the history of the criminal courts of our -State. - -The Mollies were convicted of murder in the first degree and paid the -extreme penalty on the gallows. - -Many other Mollies were hanged, and on May 21, 1877, Governor J. F. -Hartranft issued warrants for the execution of eight of the Mollie -Maguires, which brought to an end the bloody record of this nefarious -organization. - - ---------- - - - - - David Wilmot, Author of Proviso, Died at - Towanda, March 16, 1868 - - -David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, retired from Congress after six years of -service, March 4, 1851, with his name more generally involved in the -political discussion of the country than that of any other of our -statesmen. He was born in Bethany, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, January -20, 1814, and died in Towanda, March 16, 1868. - -After acquiring an academic education wholly by his own efforts he was -admitted to the bar in Wilkes-Barre in 1834. He at once located at -Towanda, the county seat of Bradford, where he commenced his career and -to which place he brought great and lasting honor. - -He took a leading part in the support of Van Buren for the presidency in -1836, and in 1844 he was elected to Congress from the Twelfth District, -then composed of the Counties of Bradford, Susquehanna and Tioga. - -At that time there existed much friction with Mexico over the boundary -line, also ominous signs of a determined effort to extend slavery beyond -its then existing limits, tariff agitation, trouble with Great Britain -in the Oregon region, and other grave questions of national import. - -The admission of Texas as a State, March 1, 1845, which was favored by -Wilmot and his party, was followed by the war with Mexico a year later. - -A bill was introduced August 8, 1846, which authorized the placing of -$2,000,000 at the disposal of President Polk for the purpose of -negotiating peace with Mexico and the crucial hour in our history had -arrived. The prospect of the erection of future slave States out of -Mexican territory aroused the anti-slavery sentiment of the North, and -among the most pronounced of the dozen or more anti-slavery Democrats -was David Wilmot. - -At a conference of anti-slavery Democrats was presented what became -known as the Wilmot proviso, of which the text was a repetition of the -Jefferson proviso to the ordinance of 1787, except that it was framed -for the present situation. The following is the full text: “Provided, -that as an expressed and fundamental condition to the acquisition of any -territory from the Republic of Mexico by the United States, by virtue of -any treaty that may be negotiated between them, and to the use by the -Executive of the moneys herein appropriated, neither slavery nor -involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of such territory, -except for crime whereof the party shall be first duly convicted.” - -When offered by Wilmot the proviso produced the utmost consternation in -the House, as many members had become alarmed at the anti-slavery -sentiment in their districts. The House was in committee of the whole, -and to the surprise of both sides the proviso was adopted by a vote of -83 to 64, the Democrats of the North supporting it with but three -exceptions. - -An effort was made in the Senate to remove the proviso, but the last day -of the session the gavel fell while the proviso was being debated, the -first instance in which a bill was defeated by speaking against time in -the Senate. - -Wilmot was vehemently assailed by most of the leaders of his party, but -the growing anti-slavery sentiment in the North only served to inspire -Wilmot in his great battle, and he developed wonderful power as a public -disputant. - -Wilmot’s contest for re-election in 1848 attracted the attention of the -whole Nation, and his triumph did much to strengthen the anti-slavery -movement throughout the North. - -Opposition to the Wilmot Proviso was finally forced as a cardinal -doctrine of the party. When Wilmot came up for re-election in 1850 he -was nominated at the Democratic primaries, but the newspapers opposed -him and his defeat was regarded as one of the first duties of those who -desired the success of the Democracy against him, and it appeared as if -a Whig was sure to be elected. - -Conservative Democrats suggested that both the Democratic candidates -withdraw and select another upon whom all could unite. Wilmot promptly -agreed on condition that the one nominated would sustain his -anti-slavery faith and be personally acceptable to himself. He was asked -to suggest a man, and he named Galusha A. Grow, then a young member of -the bar in Susquehanna County, who had studied law with him. - -Grow was found by a committee in his mountain retreat and hurried back -to make his battle. He was elected and became the Speaker of Congress in -the trying days of the Civil War. - -The year Wilmot retired from Congress he succeeded Hon. Horace Willston -on the bench of the judicial district then composed of Bradford, -Susquehanna and Sullivan Counties, and ably served in that capacity -until 1857, when he resigned to become a candidate for the governorship -against William F. Packer, by whom he was defeated. After his defeat, -Wilmot, by appointment of Governor Pollock, resumed his place on the -bench and served until 1861. - -When Wilmot cast his lot with the Republican Party he was recognized as -a leader in the first national convention in 1856. He was tendered the -nomination as Vice President on the ticket with Fremont, which was -declined. He was chairman of the Committee on Resolutions and to him -belongs the honor of drafting the first platform of the Republican -Party. - -In the campaign of 1860 Wilmot was a delegate at large and was honored -by being selected as the temporary chairman of that historic body that -nominated Abraham Lincoln. - -Wilmot was a candidate for Senator in 1861, but Simon Cameron held the -balance of power in the contest, and gave the victory to Edgar Cowan. -Later during the same session when Cameron resigned his seat in the -Senate to enter the Cabinet of President Lincoln, as Secretary of War, -Wilmot was chosen to succeed him. - -At the end of his two years’ term the Democrats had carried the -Legislature by one majority and made Charles R. Buckalew, of Columbia -County, the Senator. Soon thereafter he was appointed by President -Lincoln Judge of the Court of Claims, which position he held until death -terminated his remarkable career. - -His vigor was much impaired during the last few years of his life by -steadily failing health, and he was finally able to give but little of -his time to his judicial duties, and March 16, 1868, he quietly passed -away in his home at Towanda. - -In the beautiful suburbs of the town may be seen Riverside Cemetery, and -near the public road stands the simple marble headstone of the grave of -David Wilmot, with his name and date of birth and death on the inner -surface, and on the outer surface, where it can be seen by every -passerby, is inscribed the text of the Wilmot Proviso. - - ---------- - - - - - First Excise Laws of Pennsylvania Enacted - -March 17, 1684 - - -The first excise tax in Pennsylvania was imposed by the Assembly of the -Province March 17, 1684, in an act entitled “Bill for Aid and Assistance -of the Government.” - -This act seems to have been prompted by a record in the minutes of the -Assembly for February 20, 1684: “The Govr. & Provll Councill have -thought fitt. from the Exteriordinary in the Case, to place Patrick -Robinson as administrator to Benj. Acrods Estate, and to have a recourse -to this board from time to time. - -“Wheras, the Verdict of the Coroner’s Jury was, that Benj. Acrod killed -himselfe with drinke, wch might give the Province a pretence to his -Estate therin. The Propor & Govr. Relinquished all his Claime thereunto -in Council, and desired ye Council to take Care that some person be -appoynted to take Care of ye Estate of ye sd Acrod, for ye paymt of his -debts, and the remaineder to be disposed of according to Law, &c.” - -At the session held on March 26 a bill was read that it should be left -to the Governor and Provincial Council to discuss with Indians matters -concerning the use of rum among them. Another bill was read which -prohibited bargains being made “when People are in Drinke.” This bill -was passed. - -The objectionable features of the first excise bill passed by the -Assembly were soon after repealed and not again renewed until the year -1738, when the Provincial Assembly, August 14, heard a bill “sent by the -House of Representatives, entitled an Act for laying an Excise on Wine, -Rum, Brandy and other Spirits.” This bill was passed without amendments -and signed by Lieutenant Governor George Thomas, August 25, 1738. - -This bill proved to be very unpopular, and it remained in force only a -few months. - -In 1744 this subject was again revived when at the session of the -Provincial Council held May 25 Lieutenant Governor Thomas in a message -sent to him by the Assembly was advised among other things that “We are -also of the Opinion that it will be for the Interests of Our -Constituents to make further Provision concerning the Excise Act and we -have a bill before us to this Purpose; and we hope these Bills, and such -others as shall be truly useful to the Province, when offered, will meet -with the Governor’s assent. And we, on our Part, shall then Cheerfully -make Provision for his Support for the Current Year, equal to any -granted for the like Time to either of his immediate Predecessors.” - -This bill proposed an excise tax as a means of providing money without -resorting to a general tax, not only to be used to purchase arms and -ammunition for defense, but as well to answer such demands as might be -made upon the inhabitants of the Province by his Majesty for distressing -the public enemy in America. This bill, like the former ones, was not -long in operation. - -March 31, 1764, a bill was passed by the Assembly and Council and signed -by Lieutenant Governor John Penn, which tended to suppress “Idleness, -Drunkenness, & other Debaucheries, within this Government.” - -The attention of the Assembly was once more called to the excise as a -productive source of revenue on February 24, 1772, when Lieutenant -Governor Richard Penn laid before the Council a bill sent to him by the -Assembly, entitled “An Act for the support of the Government of this -Province making the Excise on Wine, Rum, Brandy, and other spirits more -equal, and preventing Frauds in the Collecting and paying the said -Excise.” - -That a considerable portion of the money expended in the Provincial -Government was raised by excise is evidenced from a report made by -Governor John Penn June 26, 1775, which was an account of the several -amounts of the excise tax collected for the years 1771, 72, 73 and 74, -the total amount of which, after deducting the commissions to the -Treasurer and collectors exceeded £28,000. Together with this report was -another indorsed “State of the Bills of Credit struck on the Excise for -several years, laid before the Governor with the bill for the support of -Government & paymt of public debts.” - -In the Act of 1722 a duty was levied on domestic and foreign spirits. At -first, however, as to home-distilled spirits it was not executed, and, -indeed, hardly any steps were taken for the purpose particularly in the -older counties. But, during the Revolutionary War, the necessities of -the State and a temporary unpopularity of distillation, owing to the -immense amount of grain consumed, when the troops so much needed it as a -food, rendered the collection of duties both necessary and practicable, -and a considerable revenue was thereby obtained. Toward the end of the -war the act was repealed. - -In 1780 Congress resolved that an allowance of an additional sum should -be made to the army, to compensate the troops for the depreciation in -their pay. This was distributed among the several States for discharge. -Pennsylvania made several appropriations for the purpose, but the -revenues so applied turned out to be unproductive. - -The depreciation fund was always favorably regarded, and upon an -application of officers of the Pennsylvania Line, another effort was -made, the revenue arising from the excise remaining uncollected was -appropriated to this fund, and vigorous measures were taken for its -collection. - -Great changes, however, had taken place in the disposition of the people -since the first imposition of these duties. The neighboring States were -free from the burden, and in New Jersey, where a law had been passed for -the purpose, its execution had been entirely prevented by a powerful -combination. The Pennsylvania law, therefore, met with great opposition, -especially west of the Allegheny Mountains and there is no evidence that -the excise was ever paid in that section. - -The excise law of Pennsylvania, after remaining for years a dead letter, -was repealed, and the people were to submit to a similar law passed by -the Congress of the new Federal Government March 3, 1791. This laid an -excise of fourpence per gallon on all distilled spirits. - -The members of Congress from Western Pennsylvania, Smilie, of Fayette, -and Findley, of Westmoreland, stoutly opposed the passage of the law, -and on their return among their constituents loudly and openly -disapproved of it. Albert Gallatin, then residing in Fayette County, -also opposed the law by all constitutional methods. - -The majority of the people in the western counties of the State were of -Scotch-Irish descent. They had heard of the exaction and oppression in -the Old Country under the excise laws—that houses were entered by excise -officers, the most private apartments examined, and confiscation and -imprisonment followed if the smallest quantity of whisky was discovered -not marked with the official brand. They also remembered the effective -resistance to the Stamp Act, that those who forced the repeal of the -odious law were the real factors in bringing about the independence of -America. Holding these opinions, it is not to be wondered at that the -more hot-headed resorted to threats of violence and precipitated the -riotous proceedings known in Pennsylvania history as the Whisky -Insurrection. - - ---------- - - - - - Pittsburgh Built in 1760, Incorporated April - 22, 1794, and Chartered as City - March 18, 1816 - - -On April 17, 1754, Ensign Ward was surprised by the appearance of -Frenchmen, who landed, planted their cannon and summoned the English to -surrender. The French soon demolished an unfinished fort and built in -its place a much larger and better one, calling it Fort Duquesne, in -honor of the Marquis Duquesne, the French Governor of Canada. - -This was the actual beginning of what is now Pittsburgh, but there were -many stirring conflicts for permanent possession of the site at the -“Forks of the Ohio.” - -When General John Forbes invested Fort Duquesne November 25, 1758, he -marched into a place which had been abandoned by the French and instead -of a formidable fortress it was now nothing but a mass of blackened and -smoldering ruins. The enemy, after burning the barracks and storehouses, -had blown up the fortifications. Forbes’ first care was to provide a -better defense and shelter for his troops, and a strong stockade was -built, which he named Pittsburgh, in honor of England’s great Minister -William Pitt. - -A strong fort was subsequently built, which was known as Fort Pitt, and -which continued until after the Revolutionary War to be the western base -of the military department. - -The first town of Pittsburgh was built near Fort Pitt in 1760. In a very -carefully prepared list of the houses and the inhabitants outside of the -fort, headed “a return of the number of houses of the names of the -owners and number of the names of the owners and number of men, women -and children in each house Fort Pitt, April 14, 1761,” the number of -inhabitants is 233, with the addition of ninety-five officers, soldiers -and their families residing in the town, making the whole number 328. -There were 104 houses. The lower town was nearer the fort, the upper on -higher ground, principally along the bank of the Monongahela, extending -as far as the present Market Street. - -This town enjoyed comparative quiet until the Pontiac War, in 1763, when -Fort Pitt was completely surrounded by the savage foe and the garrison -reduced to dire straits until relieved by Colonel Bouquet. - -The second town of Pittsburgh was laid out in 1765, by Colonel John -Campbell, by permission of the commandant of Fort Pitt. It comprised the -ground bounded by present Water Street, Second and Ferry Streets. -Campbell’s plan of lots was subsequently incorporated unaltered in the -survey made by George Woods for the Penns in 1784, and is known as the -“Old Military Plan.” Several of these houses built of hewn logs and -weather-boarded stood until quite recently and the old redoubt of -Colonel Bouquet, built in 1764, north of the present Penn Street, west -of Point, remains the most valued relic of the pre-Revolutionary days in -Western Pennsylvania. - -The little building is of brick, five-sided, with two floors having a -squared oak log with loop holes on each floor. There are two underground -passages, one connecting it with the fort, and the other leading to the -Monongahela River. This building and ground upon which it stands is -owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution of Allegheny County, -who keep it in excellent repair. It was the gift of Mrs. Mary E. -Schenley, April 1, 1894. - -During the Revolution the Assembly confiscated the property of the Penn -family, excepting certain manors and other property which the -Proprietaries held in their private capacities by devise, purchase, or -descent. The Manor of Pittsburgh contained 5766 acres and included the -present city of Pittsburgh and the country eastward of it and south of -the Monongahela; this was surveyed March 27, 1769, and remained as the -property of the Penns. - -In 1784 Tench Francis, of Philadelphia, as agent for the Proprietaries, -laid out this Manor in town and outlots. The surveyor’s work was done by -George Woods, of Bedford. These lots found ready sale and by 1786 there -were 100 houses and 500 population. The fur trade was still the most -important, although the general business was improving. - -The first newspaper published west of the Alleghenies was the Pittsburgh -Gazette, now the Pittsburgh Gazette-Times, established July 29, 1786. -Pittsburgh was incorporated as a borough April 22, 1794. - -Another important event occurred May 19, 1798, when the galley President -Adams was launched at Pittsburgh. She was the first vessel built here -which was competent for a sea voyage, and was constructed by the -Government, in preparation for the threatened war with France. The -Senator Ross was launched the following spring. - -The first glass works were established here in 1797 by James O’Hara and -Isaac Craig. William Eichbaum was brought from near Philadelphia to -superintend this new enterprise, the first real manufacturing venture in -this place. The first paper mill west of the Alleghenies was erected -this same year in Pittsburgh. - -During the three years from 1802 to 1805 four ships, three brigs and -three schooners were built in Pittsburgh. - -The first bank in the western part of the State was a branch of the Bank -of Pennsylvania, which opened for business January 1, 1804, on Second -Street, between Ferry and Chancery Lane. An iron foundry was established -by Joseph McClurg during 1804. - -On March 24, 1811, the New Orleans, the first steamboat ever built or -run on Western waters, was launched at Pittsburgh. This boat started on -its initial trip to the Crescent City, December 24 following. The second -such boat was christened the Comet and launched in Pittsburgh in 1813. A -large number of boats was built in this city, and the trade was immense. - -The first canal boat ever built or run west of the mountains was the -General Abner Lacock. She was owned by Patrick Leonard, of Pittsburgh, -but was built in Apollo. This was a fine packet boat, with berths and -dining service, as well as capacity for carrying freight. - -The first railroad entered Pittsburgh in the fall of 1834, on the -completion of the Philadelphia and Columbia, and the Allegheny portage -railroads. - -Pittsburgh became a city by an Act of Assembly at the sessions of -1815–1816, the date of the change in city government being March 18, -1816. At the first election for municipal officers under the City -Charter, Major Ebenezer Denny was chosen Mayor. - -The first great consolidation was effected March 29, 1872, when the -South side was united with Pittsburgh. This brought into the city the -boroughs of Birmingham, East Birmingham, Ormsby, Allentown, St. Clair, -South Pittsburgh, Monongahela, Mount Washington, Union, West Pittsburgh -and Temperanceville. - -The population of Pittsburgh according to the census of 1920 was -588,343. - - ---------- - - - - - - - -Margaret Junkin Preston, Poetess-Laureate,| Died March 19, 1897 - - -It is a matter of just pride that the most brilliant and beloved poetess -of yesteryear was none other than a Pennsylvania girl, Margaret Junkin -Preston, who through her writings, both in prose and poetry, attained -Nation-wide distinction and won the title “Poetess-Laureate of the -South.” - -Margaret Junkin was born in Milton, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, -May 19, 1820, the eldest child of Rev. George and Julia Rush Miller -Junkin. - -Her parents were of that stalwart, heroic race, the Covenanters of -Scotland. - -Dr. Junkin’s life was devoted to religion and education, and at the time -of his marriage he was the minister of the Presbyterian Church at -Milton. - -When Margaret was ten years old her parents moved to Germantown, where -her father assumed charge of the Manual Labor Academy of Pennsylvania. -After a delightful residence of two years Dr. Junkin was called to the -first presidency of Lafayette College, and the family moved to the -“Forks of the Delaware.” - -It was during the incumbency of Dr. Junkin that the college, which for -two years was conducted on a farm south of the Lehigh, was moved to the -present site, on what has since been known as College Hill Easton, and -Old South College built. President and Mrs. Junkin and their seven -children moved into the original building, where they continued to -reside until March 30, 1841, when the doctor accepted the presidency of -Miami College, Oxford, O. - -It was during her residence at Easton that Margaret and her sister, -Eleanor, became members of the First Presbyterian Church and that her -first productions in verse appeared in the columns of a local newspaper; -they were “Childhood,” “The Forest Grave” and “Where Dwelleth the Scent -of the Rose.” After her removal to Oxford, O., she wrote “Lines Written -on Reading Letters Bringing Sad News From Easton.” - -In 1844 Dr. Junkin returned to Easton to again assume the presidency of -Lafayette College, in which position he capably served until 1848, when -he accepted the presidency of Washington College, now Washington and Lee -University, at Lexington, Va. - -Upon Margaret Junkin’s return to Easton, she wrote “Love’s Tribute to -the Departed,” occasioned by the death of an intimate friend, and “The -Fate of a Raindrop.” These were followed after removing to Lexington, by -“Thoughts Suggested by Powers’ Proserpine,” “The Old Dominion,” “The -Solaced Grief,” “Galileo Before the Inquisition,” and “The Polish Boy.” - -The life of Margaret Junkin at Lexington differed from that which she -experienced as a young girl at Germantown, Easton and Oxford. She had -reached the age of twenty-eight, and the old town in the Shenandoah -Valley, with its educational institutions, social atmosphere and local -culture brought many interesting persons as visitors, not to speak of -the quaint life among the slaves. This all appealed to her. She entered -into the spirit of this environment to the fullest extent. Her lovely -character, unusual attainments, literary and social, were fully -recognized at home and abroad. - -The death, in 1849, of her brother, Joseph, followed by that of her -mother, in 1854, and only a few months later by that of her favorite -sister, Eleanor, brought profound grief to the Junkin household. - -The sister, Eleanor, survived only a year her marriage to Major Thomas -J. Jackson, a graduate of West Point, and then a professor in the -Virginia Military Institute, who later achieved fame in the Civil War -and gained the sobriquet of “Stonewall Jackson,” second only to his -commander-in-chief, Robert E. Lee. After the death of Mrs. Jackson, her -husband continued to be a member of Dr. Junkin’s household for four -years. - -Margaret Junkin married, August 3, 1857, Major T. L. Preston, professor -of Latin in the Virginia Military Institute, a widower with seven -children. To this family she proved to be an affectionate and devoted -mother. - -Two sons were born to Major and Margaret Junkin Preston—George Junkin -Preston, for many years a successful specialist in nervous diseases at -Baltimore, now deceased, and Herbert Preston, now General Solicitor for -the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. - -The war clouds were lowering for a bitter conflict between the North and -South, and the Junkin family became divided. The father, Rev. George -Junkin, a pronounced abolitionist and opposed to secession, resigned the -presidency of Washington College, and, with his widowed daughter -departed for Philadelphia. - -The story told of this trip, which was made overland, is that when the -Mason and Dixon line was reached the team pulling the heavy load of -household effects, and the one attached to the carriage in which the -doctor and his daughter were riding, were halted, the goods unloaded, -the horses, harness, wagon, carriage and themselves all carefully -washed, then again loaded and driven over the boundary line into -Pennsylvania. As the doctor afterwards related, no Southern soil should -be brought into Pennsylvania, he wanted to leave it all where it -belonged. - -His son, William, espoused the Southern cause and became a captain, but -his son, John M., served as a surgeon in the Federal Army. - -Following the close of the Civil War, Mrs. Preston devoted much time to -reviewing books for various publishers, and in compiling and arranging -for publication her own compositions in prose and verse, the latter -resulting in the publication, in 1866, of her “Bechenbrook,” a book of -poems voicing the sorrow and patriotism of the Southern people, and of -“Old Songs and New” in 1870. - -These were followed by “Cartoons,” “Handful of Monographs,” “For Love’s -Sake,” “Colonial Ballads and Sonnets,” “Chimes for Church Children” and -“Aunt Dorothy.” In addition she contributed to Century Magazine in the -early eighties some reminiscences of General Robert E. Lee, and personal -reminiscences of General “Stonewall” Jackson. - -Colonel Preston resigned his professorship in 1882, when he and his -talented wife traveled and visited among their children. The husband -died July 15, 1890, and Mrs. Preston continued to live at Lexington for -two years, but late in December, 1892, she removed to Baltimore and made -her home with her eldest son, Dr. George Junkin Preston. - -Margaret Junkin Preston died March 19, 1897. - -There was much written about this poetess at the time, and possibly the -best known was “An Appreciation of Margaret J. Preston, a Sketch of her -Fifty Years of Literary Life,” by Prof. James A. Harrison, of the -University of Virginia. - -Mrs. Elizabeth Randolph Preston Allan compiled and published a volume -entitled “The Life and Letters of Margaret Junkin Preston,” and an -excellent sketch of her interesting life has also been written by Ethan -Allen Weaver, of Germantown, from which much of this story of the -“Poetess-Laureate of the South” has been taken. - - ---------- - - - - - Military Laws of Province Repealed by - Import Act, March 20, 1780 - - -On March 20, 1780, a law was passed to effect a reorganization of the -whole militia system in Pennsylvania. It provided for the appointment of -a lieutenant for each county, and two sub-lieutenants or more, not -exceeding the number of battalions, which were to be divided into -classes as heretofore. Fines, however for non-attendance on muster days -were fixed for commissioned officers at the price of three days’ labor. - -When called out, the pay of privates was to be equal to one day’s labor. -Persons called out, but neglecting or refusing to go, were liable to pay -in each case the price of a day’s labor during the term of service, -beside a tax of fifteen shillings on the hundred pounds upon their -estates. As a relief to this class, the hiring of substitutes was -allowed. Pensions were promised the wounded in battle, and support to -the families of those militiamen who were killed, at rates to be fixed -by the courts. Considerable opposition was made to this law, from the -fact that by permitting the hiring of substitutes it would relieve the -disaffected and Tories. - -While this bill, undoubtedly, had many defects, it was the first real -effort toward the establishment of a military system in the Commonwealth -upon a practical basis. - -Militia companies were provided in each county, the State being divided -into districts, and all males were required to enroll, who were between -eighteen and fifty-three years of age. - -This act was modified in 1783, when a more specific code of discipline -was adopted. This act remained in force until 1793. - -The militia act of March 20, 1780, was the outgrowth or development of -the militia system of Pennsylvania which may be considered to have begun -in the year 1747. Altho in the charter given to William Penn, the -Governor was given authority to levy, muster and train men, to make war -upon and pursue the enemy, even beyond the limits of the province. - -As early as 1702, Lieutenant Governor Hamilton asked the Assembly to -enact a bill to provide for “what may come against us by land or by -sea.” - -Several years later Lieutenant Governor Evans urged a similar law, but -the idea was unpopular. Several other similar bills were subsequently -defeated, yet the Assembly occasionally appropriated funds for “the -King’s use,” for the purchase of bread, beef, pork, flour, wheat and -“other grain.” Franklin later commented that “other grain” meant black -grains of gunpowder. - -It was through the effort and influence of Franklin, in 1747, that a -volunteer military association was effected, consisting of about 1200 of -the most influential men in the province. This soon grew to 10,000 and -the following year the “Associated Companies,” by which name the -organization became known, had enrolled 12,000 horse, foot and -artillery, each armed and equipped at personal expense, and the officers -chosen from the members. Franklin was one of the original colonels. - -This association rendered conspicuous service in the French and Indian -wars and preserved its organization. Many of the companies volunteered -for service in the Revolution and formed the backbone of the State’s -militia. - -In 1756 there were in Philadelphia three of these companies, with a -total of seventeen officers and 260 private men, one troop of horse with -five officers and forty men and one battery of artillery with three -officers and 150 men. In Bucks County there were nine companies with -thirty-nine officers and 513 men; in Chester County there were several -companies, under command of Captain John Singleton, Samuel West, Robert -Boyd and Jacob Richardson. In York County there were eight companies -with an enrollment of 642 men and in Lancaster County there were nine -companies and 545 men. - -It was not until Braddock’s defeat that the Assembly voted a substantial -sum for the “King’s use,” but made no provision for an organized -military force. November 25, 1755, the Assembly passed “an Act for the -better ordering and regulating such as are willing and desirous to be -united for military purposes within the province.” - -This was the first act of Assembly which in any way provided for the -organized defense of the province, and this was to remain in force only -until October 30, 1756. - -By March 29, 1757, the Quakers had become a minority in the Assembly and -an act was passed which was more satisfactory. It also provided for the -compulsory enrollment of all male persons between the ages of seventeen -and fifty-five years. It also stated the financial responsibility -required of those who would serve as officers. - -One section of this act provided “that all Quakers, Menonists, Moravians -and others conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms, who shall appear -on any alarm with the militia, though without arms, and obey the -commands of the officers in extinguishing fires, suppressing -insurrection of slaves or other evil-minded persons during an attack, in -caring for the wounded, conveying intelligence as expresses or -messengers, carrying refreshments to such as are on duty, and in -conveying to places of safety women and children, aged and infirm, and -wounded persons are free and exempt from penalties of this act.” This -act remained in force until the close of the French and Indian War in -1763. - -There was no special control of military affairs again until June 30, -1775, when the Assembly passed an act for “the defense of their lives, -liberty and property.” - -At this same session there was established a Committee of Safety, of -twenty-five members, which constituted the Board of War, whose powers -enabled them to call into service so many of the associators as they -deemed necessary or the occasion required. - -The Committee of Safety was organized July 3, 1775, with Benjamin -Franklin as president. - -This committee exercised supreme control of the land and naval forces of -the province until October 13, 1777, when its powers were transferred to -the body known as the Council of Safety, this comprising the Supreme -Executive Council and nine others. The Council of Safety was dissolved -December 6, 1777, when the military authority was assumed by the Supreme -Executive Council and the Assembly. - -The aggregate number of men furnished by the Associators during the -Revolution was in excess of 35,000. - -Pennsylvania furnished in all arms of the service, under the various -calls, a total of 120,514 men, which number does not include many bodies -of militia and many men who were under arms for a brief period, a record -of which service was not kept during the early years of the war. - -Laws were passed during the war relating to the military forces, but -these were all repealed by the formal act of March 20, 1780. - - ---------- - - - - - Old Northumberland, Mother of Counties, - -Erected March 21, 1772 - - -The political development of Pennsylvania followed closely in the wake -of its expanding settlements. In 1682 the Counties of Philadelphia, -Bucks and Chester were formed, with limits intended to include not only -the populated area, but territory enough in addition to meet for a -considerable time to come the growing necessities of the rapidly -increasing immigration. - -It was not until 1729, therefore, that the extension of the settlements -and the purchase of new lands from the Indians led to the erection of -Lancaster County. At that time the Susquehanna River marked the western -limit of the land purchased from the Indians in the province. But the -purchase of October 11, 1736, opened a triangular area west of the -river, which was attached to Lancaster until the convenience of the -increasing settlements in this region in 1749 demanded the erection of -York County, and a year later for the erection of Cumberland County. - -The northern extension of these counties was limited by the Indian -boundary line, marked by the Kittatinny Range. - -Again the extension of settlements and the treaty of August 22, 1749, -demanded new county organizations, and in 1752 Berks and Northampton -were formed to include in their jurisdiction the northern portions of -the older counties and the newly acquired territory between the Delaware -and Susquehanna Rivers. Berks embraced the larger area. - -Additional territory west of the Susquehanna was acquired from the -Indians by the treaties of 1754 and 1758, which made the outlying county -of Cumberland too large for the convenience of its inhabitants, and in -1771 Bedford County was erected. - -A similar development was rapidly taking place east of the Susquehanna, -occasioned by the activity about Fort Augusta, at the Forks of the -Susquehanna, and the Pennamite-Yankee War, which was being waged for -possession of the territory in the Wyoming Valley and elsewhere, claimed -by the Susquehanna Company of Connecticut, and the treaty of November 5, -1768, added much new territory. - -By an act passed March 21, 1772, the County of Northumberland was -erected out of parts of the counties of Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks, -Bedford and Northampton. The bounds of the new county stretched to the -New York-Pennsylvania boundary line on the north and to the Allegheny -River on the west, including in its extensive territory the present-day -counties of Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Bradford, -Sullivan, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Union, Lycoming, -Tioga, Potter, Clinton, Cameron, Elk, McKean, Forest, Jefferson, Clarion -and parts of Schuylkill, Center, Mifflin, Juniata, Clearfield, Indiana, -Armstrong, Venango and Warren. - -It is with eminent propriety this tenth county of Pennsylvania has been -frequently styled “Old Mother Northumberland,” and each of her -twenty-nine children refer back to her for their earliest political -history. - -Its greatest proportions were attained in 1785, when, by the Act of -April 9, all that part of the purchase of October 22, 1784, east of the -Conewango Creek and Allegheny River was placed within its limits. The -county thus extended along the northern line of the State as far west as -the Conewango Creek, which crosses the New York-Pennsylvania boundary -line in Warren County, and from the Lehigh River to the Allegheny River, -with a maximum width of nearly two-thirds that of the State. The extent -of this region exceeds that of several States of the Union. - -By the Act of September 24, 1788, Allegheny County was created, -including all the territory in the State north and west of the Ohio and -Allegheny Rivers, and from this territory, by act of March 12, 1800, the -counties of Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, Venango and -Armstrong were erected. Thus it would seem that the first five of these -should be added with the offspring of Old Northumberland, for three -years at least. If this be the case her children would number -thirty-four of the sixty-seven counties of the State. - -The first curtailment of this generous domain resulted from the erection -of Luzerne County, September 25, 1786. West of the Susquehanna the first -county to which Northumberland contributed was Mifflin, erected -September 19, 1789, but the part taken from Northumberland with -additional territory from Northumberland and other counties, was erected -into Center, February 13, 1800. The formation of Lycoming County, April -13, 1795, deprived Northumberland of the large extent of territory it -had acquired under the purchase of 1784, with a considerable part of its -original area. - -Northumberland was thus reduced to the position of an interior county. -With this reduced territory the statesmen of Pennsylvania were not fully -satisfied, and March 22, 1813, the townships of Chillisquaque and Turbot -were detached to form part of the new Columbia County, but this was an -unpopular move and the greater part of these townships were re-annexed -to Northumberland, February 21, 1815. - -On June 16, 1772, the surveyor general was directed to “lay out a town -for the county of Northumberland, to be called by the name of Sunbury, -at the most commodious place between the fort (Augusta) and the mouth of -Shamokin Creek.” - -Until the court house was built the courts were held at Fort Augusta, -the first session being held April 9, 1772. - -The first jail in the county was the dungeon beneath the magazine of -Fort Augusta. This is the only part of the early county buildings now in -existence, and this particular dungeon and the old well which supplied -water for the garrison are now the property of the Commonwealth. - -When the county was erected the Governor appointed William Plunket, -Turbut Francis, Samuel Hunter, James Potter, William Maclay, Caleb -Graydon, Benjamin Allison, Robert Moodie, John Lowdon, Thomas Lemon, -Ellis Hughes and Benjamin Weiser to be justices. William Plunket was the -president of the court and served as such four years. - -William Maclay was the Prothonotary and Register and Recorder, and -served until March 22, 1777; George Nagel, Sheriff of Berks County, -served in a similar capacity in the new county; Edward Burd was the -State’s attorney, and the Coroner was James Parr. The original County -Commissioners were William Gray, Thomas Hewitt and John Weitzel. -Alexander Hunter was Treasurer, and Walter Clark, Jonathan Lodge, Peter -Hosterman, James Harrison, Nicholas Miller, Jacob Heverling and Samuel -Weiser, Assessors; Thomas Lemon, Collector of Excise; Joshua Elder, -James Potter, Jesse Lukens and William Scull were appointed to run the -boundary line; Samuel Hunter was the first member of the Assembly. - - ---------- - - - - - Peter Pence, Indian Fighter, Captured - -March 22, 1780 - - -One of the conspicuous characters along the Susquehanna Valleys during -the period of the Revolutionary War, and afterwards, was a Pennsylvania -Dutchman by the name of Peter Pence. It is generally believed that his -proper name was Bentz, a name which occurs frequently in Lancaster -County, from which place he went to Shamokin. The well-known aptitude of -the Dutchman to incorrectly sound his letters is given as the reason -that his name was pronounced and spelled Pence. - -In accord with the resolution adopted by Congress, June 14, 1775, -directing the formation of six companies of expert riflemen in -Pennsylvania to be employed as light infantry, one of the companies was -recruited in Northumberland County, June 25, 1775, under the command of -Captain John Lowdon. - -Captain Lowdon then resided on a farm called Silver Spring, adjoining -the present town of Mifflinburg, Union County, where he died in -February, 1798, aged sixty-eight years. - -The company formed part of the battalion of riflemen commanded by -Colonel William Thompson, of Carlisle. This company boarded boats on the -Susquehanna River and were conveyed to Harris’ Ferry, then marched -overland to Reading, where they arrived July 13, and received knapsacks, -blankets and other equipment. This battalion was composed of nine -companies, two from Cumberland County, two from Lancaster, and one each -from York and Northumberland, Berks, Bedford and Northampton. - -The battalion arrived at Cambridge August 7, and soon became the -picketguard of the 2000 provincials there. It also became the First -Regiment of the Continental Line, Colonel Thompson being promoted to -brigadier general, March 1, 1776. He was succeeded by Colonel Edward -Hand, of Lancaster, who also became a brigadier, September 17, 1778. - -This battalion participated in the Battle of Trenton, was at the taking -of Burgoyne, was with Sullivan in his expedition against the Six Nation -Indians, was at Stony Point under General Wayne and finally served in -the campaign of South Carolina during the latter days of the war. - -The first record of Peter Pence is as a private soldier in Lowdon’s -company, and the further fact that he served faithfully is sufficient -introduction to the thrilling life he led in the frontiers of -Pennsylvania. - -On March 22, 1780, the Indians made an attack on some settlers in the -vicinity of Fort Wheeler, on the banks of Fishing Creek, about three -miles above the present town of Bloomsburg, Columbia County. The Indians -killed and scalped Cornelius Van Campen and his brother, and a son was -tomahawked, scalped and thrown into the fire. Lieutenant Moses Van -Campen, another son, was taken captive, as was his cousin, a young lad, -and Peter Pence. Soon after this, at another place, the Indians took a -lad named Jonah Rogers and a man named Abram Pike. - -With their captives the Indians made their way over the mountains, into -what is now Bradford County. The savage warriors were ten in number. - -One evening, while the prisoners were being bound for the night, an -Indian accidentally dropped his knife close to Van Campen’s feet, and he -covered the knife unobserved. - -About midnight, when the warriors were all asleep, Van Campen got the -knife and released Peter Pence, who in turn released the others. -Cautiously and quickly the weapons were obtained and a plan of action -determined. The prisoners had been placed in the midst of the warriors. -Van Campen and Pike were to use the tomahawk on one group, while Peter -Pence opened fire on the other with the rifles. - -The work was well done, Van Campen and Pike dispatched four while Pence, -with unerring aim speedily killed his group. A hand to hand fight -between the remaining Indian, John, a Mohawk sachem, and Van Campen, -resulted in the Indian making his escape. - -The liberated captives scalped the Indians, picked up their plunder and -hastily constructed a raft, and, after a series of adventures, reached -Wyoming, April 4, 1780, where Pike and young Rogers left the party. -Peter Pence and the Van Campens reached Fort Jenkins on the morning of -April 6, where they found Colonel John Kelly, with 100 frontiersmen who -had hurried there from the West Branch. The following day Pence and Van -Campen reached Fort Augusta, where they were received in a regular -frontier triumph. - -The next exploit in which we find Pence engaged is in the year 1781, -when one of the most atrocious murders was committed near Selinsgrove. - -Three brothers by the name of Stock were at work in the field when a -party of about thirty Indians appeared. They did not attack the boys, -but passed on to the house, which they entered. On the way they found -another son plowing, whom they killed. Mrs. Stock and a daughter-in-law -were found in the house. The mother defended herself with a canoe pole, -as she retreated toward the field where her husband was working. She was -tomahawked, however, the house plundered and the young woman carried -into the woods nearby and killed and scalped. When Stock returned and -found his wife, son and daughter-in-law inhumanly butchered he gave an -alarm. - -Three experienced Indian fighters, Michael Grove, John Stroh and Peter -Pence went in pursuit of the enemy. They found them encamped on the -North Branch, on the side of a hill covered with fern. Grove crept close -enough to discover that their rifles were stacked around a tree and that -all but three were asleep. - -One of the Indians was narrating in high glee how Mrs. Stock defended -herself with the pole. Grove lay quiet until all the Indians fell -asleep. He then returned to his companions, Stroh and Pence. They -decided to attack, and crept up close to the camp, when they dashed -among the sleeping savages. Grove plied his deadly tomahawk, while Stroh -and Pence seized the rifles and fired among the sleepers. Several -Indians were killed; the others, believing they were attacked by a large -party fled to the woods. - -A captive white boy was liberated and the three brave men brought home a -number of scalps and the best rifles. - -March 10, 1810, the Legislature passed an act granting an annuity to -Peter Pence, in consideration of his services, of $40 per annum. He died -in the Nippenose Valley, in 1812. He left several sons and daughters. -Robert Hamilton, of Pine Creek Township, Clinton County, was the -executor of his estate. He left a will which is recorded in Lycoming -County. - - ---------- - - - - - John Bartram, First Great American Botanist - and Founder of Bartram Gardens, Born - at Darby, March 23, 1699 - - -It is not generally known, at least outside of Pennsylvania, that that -State was the birth place of a man whom the celebrated Linnaeus -pronounced the greatest natural botanist in the world. This man was John -Bartram, a native of Delaware County. - -August 30, 1685 John Bartram bought three hundred acres of land from -Thomas Brassey, which land was situated along Darby Creek, in now -Delaware County. Here John Bartram was born March 23, 1699. - -His early attention was first directed to botanical studies by one of -those accidents which seem to shape the destinies of all great men. - -When a mere lad and helping his father with the work about the farm he -plowed up a daisy. Despite everything the modest little flower kept -intruding itself on his consideration, until after several days he hired -a man to plow while he rode to Philadelphia to procure a treatise on -botany and a Latin grammar. - -Fortunately for himself and the world he inherited a farm from a -bachelor uncle, which gave him the means to marry early, and purchase -the land where he afterwards established the noted “Botanical Gardens.” -His wife was Mary, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Maris; they were -married April 25, 1723. Mrs. Bartram died within a few years, and he -then married Ann Mendenhall, February 11, 1729. - -Bartram bought his piece of ground at Gray’s Ferry in 1728. On this -estate he built with his own hands a stone house, and on one of the -stones in the gable was cut “John * Ann Bartram, 1731.” - -Here he pursued his studious habits, his reputation spreading abroad -until correspondence was solicited by the leading botanists of the Old -World,—Linnaeus, Dr. Fothergill, and others,—while in the colonies, all -scientific men in the same line of study sought his favor, advice and -opinions. Dr. Benjamin Franklin was his earnest friend, and constantly -urged Bartram to authorship. - -His fame had so extended that in 1765 King George III appointed him -botanist to the King. - -He transmitted both his talents and tastes to his son William, and their -joint labors during a period of nearly one hundred years were the most -valuable contributions that this country has made to the science in -whose behalf they were devoted. - -They were pious Quakers, admired and loved by their acquaintances. - -James Logan was probably the first person who directed the mind of John -Bartram seriously to botany as the pursuit of a lifetime. - -Logan was a lover of plants and flowers and enjoyed a wonderful garden -at “Stenton,” and Bartram was a welcome guest. - -Logan, in 1729, sent to England for a copy of “Parkinson’s Herbal,” -saying he wanted to present it to John Bartram, who was a person -worthier of a heavier purse than fortune had yet allowed him, and had “a -genius perfectly well turned for botany.” - -A subscription was started in 1742 to enable Bartram to travel in search -of botanical specimens. It was proposed to raise enough for him to -continue his travels for three years, he being described as a person who -“has had a propensity to Botanicks from his infancy,” and “an accurate -observer, of great industry and temperance, and of unquestionable -veracity.” - -The result of these travels was the publication of two very delightful -books by this earliest of American botanists. - -The specimens he collected were sent to Europe, where they attracted -Kahn and many other naturalists to this country. - -In 1751 he published his work, “Observations on the Inhabitants, -Climate, Soil, Divers Productions, Animals, etc., made in his Travels -from Pennsylvania to Onondaga, Oswego, and the Lake Ontario.” In 1766 -appeared “An Account of East Florida, by William Stork, with a Journal -kept by John Bartram, of Philadelphia, upon a Journey from St. -Augustine, Fla., up the River St. John’s.” - -He also contributed numerous papers to the Philosophical Transactions -from 1740 to 1763. - -He was the first in this country to form a botanical garden. - -On the outside of his house, over the front window of his study, was a -stone with the inscription, carved by his own hand: - - “’Tis God alone, Almighty God, - The Holy One, by me Adored. - John Bartram, 1770;” - -and an inscription over the door of his greenhouse was: - - “Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, - But looks through nature up to Nature’s God.” - -As the British soldiers were approaching Philadelphia from the Battle of -Brandywine, John Bartram greatly feared they would destroy his “beloved -garden,” the work of a lifetime. He became very much excited, and said, -“I want to die!” and expired half an hour later, September 22, 1777. His -remains lie buried in the Friends’ burying ground, Darby. - -His son William went to Florida to study and collect botanical -specimens, returning home in 1771. In 1773, at the instance of the -distinguished Quaker physician, Dr. John Fothergill, of London, William -spent five years in the study of the natural productions of the Southern -States. The results of these investigations were published by Dr. -Fothergill. - -In 1782 he was elected Professor of Botany in the University of -Pennsylvania, but declined the appointment on the score of ill health. - -Besides his discoveries and publications on botany, he prepared the most -complete table of American ornithology prior to Wilson’s great work, and -he was an assistant of the latter in a portion of his work. - -He died suddenly, July 22, 1823, just a moment after he had completed -writing a sketch of a new specimen of a plant. - -This first botanical garden in America is situated in West Philadelphia, -near Fifty-fourth Street and Woodland Avenue. There is a cider mill, and -close by the grave of an old and faithful slave. - -The house is sufficient to attract any visitor, and it was here where -the illustrious visitors from various parts of the world were received -by the Bartrams. - -The city authorities assumed control of this property in 1891. - - ---------- - - - - - Proposal for Second Constitution for Pennsylvania - Adopted March 24, 1789 - - -The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 proving inadequate for the -requirements of a useful and effective Government, its revision was -demanded. On March 24, 1789, the Assembly adopted resolutions -recommending the election of delegates to form a new Constitution. - -The struggle for independence had been fought and won, but with the -triumph of the Revolution even those who had been opposed to the -movement speedily acquiesced, though many years elapsed before all the -bitter memories engendered by the strife could pass away. Time was -healing the wounds of war, and others were growing up who had not -suffered. - -The adoption of the Federal Constitution had rendered the institution of -measures necessary for the election of members of Congress and electors -of President and Vice President of the United States. In order to avail -themselves as fully as possible of the privileges afforded, the -Anti-Federalists were early at work. - -A few of the leading men of this party assembled in convention at -Harrisburg in September, 1788, ostensibly for the purpose of -recommending revision of the new Constitution. Blair McClenachen was -chosen as the chairman of this small assembly, and General John A. -Hanna, secretary. They resolved that it was expedient to recommend an -acquiescence in the Constitution but that a revision of the instrument -was necessary. They debated among other topics, a reform in the ratio of -congressional representation, and a referendum on the term of a Senator. -Several other changes were advocated, but the body contented itself by -nominating a general ticket for Congress. - -The action of this body was immediately denounced and as the nominees -were Anti-Federalists, it was said that power to enforce the new -constitutional system ought not to be granted to its opponents. - -A new convention was to meet at Lancaster, which selected candidates for -Congress and electors for President. The election took place in -November, and in the State six of the nominees on the Federal ticket -were elected and two (David Muhlenberg, of Montgomery, and Daniel -Hiester, of Berks), who, although Federalists, had with two others of -the same politics, been placed as a matter of policy with the opposition -ticket. - -The political condition of Pennsylvania had undergone a great change, -and now the three original counties had multiplied by 1790 to -twenty-one. Immigration was strongly flowing into the State. The -abundance of fertile lands formed an attraction to the immigrant almost -without parallel in the county. - -Then the Constitution of 1776 had been rather hastily prepared amid -great excitement and was adopted with the determined spirit that -characterized all public measures during the Revolutionary period. - -Even though the instrument had become somewhat antiquated, it might have -been improved by regular methods, and the amended Constitution would -have been acceptable to a large number of people, but such action would -not have served the personal ambitions of the leaders. - -The chief objections to the Constitution were the single legislative -body, and a Council of Censors whose functions were of such an unusual -character, the latter body being the real bone of contention. - -When the people had grown discontented with the old Constitution, -believing they had suffered long enough through lack of action and -authority, they were willing to adopt another Constitution containing -the principles of enduring life. - -The same movement that led to the ratification of the Federal -Constitution by Pennsylvania stirred the waters in another direction. If -the Federal Constitution could be ratified by a convention, why could -not a convention be called to make and adopt another Constitution for -Pennsylvania? - -A petition was addressed to the Legislature, which adopted a resolution -March 24, 1789, but the Supreme Executive Council refused to promulgate -this action of the Assembly. - -September 15, 1789, the Assembly adopted another resolution calling for -a convention by a vote of 39 to 17. - -At the election in October delegates were chosen, and on Tuesday, -November 24, 1789, the convention assembled in Philadelphia, but a -quorum not being present, the organization was effected the following -day with sixty-four delegates in attendance. No returns had been -received from the counties of Northumberland and Allegheny, and Mifflin -had sent a double delegation. - -Thomas Mifflin was chosen president; Joseph Redman, secretary; Frederick -Snyder, messenger, and Joseph Fry, doorkeeper. - -On the Republican side, those in favor of a new constitution were James -Wilson, Thomas McKean and Thomas Mifflin, all of Philadelphia; Timothy -Pickering, of Luzerne; Edward Hand, of Lancaster. Among the -Constitutionalists were William Findley, of Westmoreland; John Smilie -and Albert Gallatin, of Fayette; Robert Whitehill and William Irvine, of -Cumberland. - -After a long session the convention adjourned Friday, February 26, 1790, -to meet Monday, August 9. - -The second session of the convention met pursuant to adjournment and got -down to business the third day, and concluded its work by the final -adoption of a new instrument September 2, 1790, the final vote being -sixty-one to one, Mr. George Roberts, of Philadelphia, voting against -its adoption. - -The most radical changes were made in the executive and legislative -branches of government. The Assembly ceased to have the sole right to -make laws, a Senate being created. The Supreme Executive Council was -abolished. A Governor was directed to be elected to whom the -administration of affairs was to be entrusted. - -The former judicial system was continued, excepting that the judges of -the higher courts were to be appointed during good behavior, instead of -seven years. The Bill of Rights re-enacted the old Provincial provision -copied into the first Constitution, respecting freedom of worship and -the rights of conscience. The Council of Censors ceased to have -authority and Pennsylvania conformed in all important matters to the -system upon which the new Federal Government was to be administered. - -The first election held under the Constitution of the Commonwealth, that -of 1790, resulted in the choice of Thomas Mifflin, the president of the -convention, which made, adopted and proclaimed the Constitution, for -Governor. He served three terms. - - ---------- - - - - - David Lewis, Robber and Counterfeiter, - Born March 25, 1790 - - -David Lewis was the most notorious robber and counterfeiter in this -country a little more than a century ago. - -He was born at Carlisle, March 25, 1790, of poor, but respectable -parents, being one of a large family of children. The father died when -David was less than ten years old, and the widow had a hard struggle to -raise her family. Be it said to the credit of David that he remained -with her and assisted in raising the family until he was seventeen years -old. Then he worked at different occupations in and about Bellefonte -until he enlisted in the army. - -During this service he was punished by a sergeant for some offense and -deserted, only to re-enlist a few months later, as a private in Captain -William N. Irvine’s company of light artillery, under an assumed name. - -By this time he had formed vicious habits and he immediately planned to -decamp with his bounty money, but he was discovered as a former -deserter. The War of 1812 was imminent and discipline rigid, so that the -sentence of his court martial was death. Through the efforts of his -distressed mother, his sentence was commuted to imprisonment in a guard -house, secured by ball and chain. - -He served only one week of this sentence, for he then made his escape -and safely reached a cave on the banks of the Conodoguinet Creek, less -than two miles from Carlisle. The very night he arrived in this favorite -haunt Lewis began his long and varied career of robbery and lawlessness. -This cave and another on Little Chickies Creek near Mount Joy, Lancaster -County, were the storehouses for the major portion of the ill-gotten -loot of Lewis and his gang. - -The first victims of Lewis were the country banks, but recently -established and whose bank notes were easy to counterfeit. Lewis was -quick to make the most of this condition. He journeyed to Vermont and -there made enormous quantities of spurious bank bills, purporting to -have been issued from banks in Philadelphia and various Pennsylvania -towns. These were successfully passed in New York. - -Lewis was captured and committed to jail at Troy, from which he soon -escaped, with the assistance of the jailer’s daughter, who fled with him -and became his wife. His devotion to her was so genuine that it is -strange her influence did not prove sufficient for him to have become a -valuable member of society instead of one of the worst criminals on -record. - -Lewis was a man of unusual physical strength, handsome, and possessed a -most pleasing personality. He was conscious of that fact, and made many -friends, not in crime, but those who would aid him in making escape or -give him timely warning. The story is told of Nicholas Howard, a -prominent landlord near Doubling Gap, who would display a flag from a -certain upper window when the coast was clear, and Lewis was thus -advised of the movements of the officers seeking his apprehension. Food -was often carried to him in his hiding place by those who never -suspected they were befriending an outlaw. - -A Mr. Black, of Cumberland, Md., related a personal adventure with Lewis -in the Allegheny Mountains. Black had crossed the mountain on horseback -to Brownsville, where he collected a large sum of money. He rode a -speedy black horse. While in Brownsville he won another horse in a race -and the following day started home, riding the new horse, leading his -own “Blacky.” - -In a lonely ravine a man suddenly appeared and jumped on Blacky’s back -and rode alongside Black and began to barter for the horse. The horse -was not for sale and they rode together until a spring was reached, -where they dismounted and quenched their thirst and ate a bite and drank -some peach brandy. By the time a second spring was reached Black and his -new-found companion were on intimate terms. The stranger asked Black if -he had ever seen Lewis, about whom there was so much fear and -excitement. He replied that he had not. - -“Well, sir,” replied the stranger, jumping to his feet, “here is Lewis—I -am the man.” - -Black further stated that Lewis told him he had seen the race in -Brownsville and knew he had collected much money there, and that he had -preceded him to waylay and rob him, but that Black had treated him like -a gentleman and he would not harm him or take a cent from his pocket. - -At another time when a large searching party in Adams County in pursuit -of Lewis met a well-dressed stranger on horseback, they asked him if he -had “seen or heard anything of Lewis, the robber.” He replied that he -had not and joined in the pursuit. Later he had the audacity to send a -letter stating that they had been riding with Lewis, and he was anxious -to learn if they had thought him an agreeable companion. - -One of the best of his exploits took place in Mifflin County. Having -failed in the execution of some plots to rob several wealthy farmers, -his ready cash uncomfortably low, he set out to replenish his finances. -Coming across a fine, large house that stood back from the highway, he -knocked at the door, which was opened by an elderly woman of respectable -appearance. Lewis, to ascertain where her money was kept, asked her to -change a five dollar note. - -“That I am not able to do,” replied the woman, “for I am unfortunate and -have not a dollar in the house, and what is worse,” she added -despondently, as she caught sight of a man coming through the woods -toward the house, “there comes the constable to take my cow for the last -half-year’s rent. I don’t know what to do without her.” - -“How much do you owe?” inquired Lewis, hurriedly. - -“Twenty dollars, sir,” answered the woman. - -“Have you no one to help you?” inquired Lewis. - -“No one,” she replied. - -“Then I will,” said the robber, as he drew from his pocket the exact -sum. “Pay that fellow his demand and be sure to take his receipt, but -don’t say anything about me.” - -Lewis had just time to make his escape, unobserved, when the constable -arrived and proceeded to drive away the widow’s cow, but she rushed -forward, paid him the money and took his receipt. - -He immediately set out upon his return, but had not proceeded far, when -Lewis bounded into the road and greeted him as follows: - -“How d’ye do, stranger? Got any spare change about you?” - -“No,” answered the frightened constable. - -“Come, shell out, old fellow, or I’ll save you the trouble,” retorted -Lewis, as he presented his pistol. This argument convinced the worthy -official that the stranger meant business and he quickly handed over his -money. - -Lewis got back his twenty dollars and forty dollars in addition. He -often afterward boasted that the loan of that twenty to the widow was -one of the best investments he ever made. - - ---------- - - - - - More Exploits of Lewis, the Robber—Conclusion - -of Yesterday’s Story, March 26 - - -Yesterday’s story was a brief outline of the early life of David Lewis, -the robber and counterfeiter, and in this will be told those events -which followed and ended in his death. - -In 1818, Dr. Peter Shoenberger, owner of the Huntingdon Furnace, in -Huntingdon County, had made extensive shipments of iron to Harper’s -Ferry and prepared to cross the mountains to receive his pay. Lewis and -his band knew of this proposed trip and determined to waylay and rob -him. The sum to be collected amounted to more than $13,000, and the -ironmaster’s credit would be ruined if this sum was not in deposit in -Bellefonte by a certain date. - -While they were scheming to rob Shoenberger news reached them that their -victim was returning home by way of the Cumberland Valley and -Harrisburg. - -When Lewis and his gang arrived at Harrisburg they learned that the -doctor, warned of their designs, had again changed his route, but the -highwaymen knew the country and soon got in advance of their victim. In -the early hours of the morning, a few miles east of Bellefonte, the -doctor was confronted by a large man on horseback, who, with a pistol in -hand, ordered him to “stand and deliver.” - -The doctor was in a dilemma; he faced financial ruin or loss of life. As -he reached for his saddlebag he heard a shout and at the same time saw -the top of a Conestoga wagon reaching the top of the hill. The wagoners -were encouraging their horses as the doctor yelled in desperation, “Men, -I am being robbed. Help! Help!” - -Lewis snapped his pistol, but it failed to discharge. Connelly, a mate -of Lewis, rode up and would have killed the doctor, but for Lewis. A -shot by one of the wagoners struck Connelly in the shoulder, but he and -Lewis escaped in the woods. - -During his operations in New York City Lewis formed a partnership with -other noted crooks. Each one signed an ironclad compact with blood drawn -from the veins of each member as they formed in a circle, while Lewis -held a basin to receive the blood of each, which was used as ink. - -Lewis knew that Mrs. John Jacob Astor was to attend a well-advertised -auction sale, where she made many purchases of rare laces and jewelry, -placing them in a reticule, which she kept on a bench close by her side. -While she was engaged in conversation, Lewis stole the bag and made his -escape. He failed to divide the plunder with the gang, but gave it all -to his wife, barely escaping their wrath. - -Lewis headed for Princeton, where, he said, he found “empty heads and -full purses.” He succeeded in fleecing many of the students of all the -money they had or could obtain. - -His next exploits were in Philadelphia, where he was the leader of a -band which attempted to decoy Stephen Girard out of the city into the -country, to keep him in confinement until forced to purchase his -freedom. They also planned to dig a tunnel from the Dock Street sewer to -Girard’s banking house, where they intended to reach the bank vaults -from below. The dangerous illness of Lewis’ daughter caused a delay in -these plans, his gang drifted apart, and the scheme was abandoned. - -He then drove a team in the United States Army, where he robbed officers -and men. When he received his pay for his services and for his -employer’s teams and wagons, he stole the entire proceeds and left for -Western Pennsylvania, where he was most active and successful in his -nefarious pursuit. - -His wife died about this time and his grief was so genuine that he -almost changed his mode of life, but soon fell in with another gang and -for some time devoted his attention to making and circulating spurious -money. He was caught passing bad money and arrested at Bedford and -sentenced to the penitentiary, from which he was pardoned by Governor -Findlay. - -Lewis and his band robbed a Mr. McClelland, who was riding from -Pittsburgh to Bedford. Lewis saved McClelland’s life when Connelly -insisted on shooting him, saying “Dead men tell no tales.” Lewis was -again caught and confined in the Bedford jail. He not only escaped, but -he set free all the convicts who entered in the plan with him, leaving -behind “an ordinary thief who had robbed a poor widow. Such a thief -should remain in jail and pay the price,” wrote Lewis in his confession. - -Lewis and Connelly made a trip through York and Cumberland Counties -robbing wealthy German farmers. A well-laid plot to rob a wealthy Mr. -Bashore was frustrated through the presence of mind and bravery of his -wife, who blew a horn to alarm the neighborhood, as Lewis confessed, -“displaying as much courage as any man and more resolution than any -woman I had met with.” - -On several occasions he was known to have risked capture, and even his -life, just to spend a few hours with his mother, whom he dearly loved. - -Lewis learned that a wagon load of merchandise belonging to Hamilton and -Page, of Bellefonte, was expected to pass through the Seven Mountains. -He and his gang quickly planned and successfully executed this robbery, -and immediately thereafter made a rich haul from the store of General -James Potter, in Penn’s Valley near the Old Fort. - -Lewis was a shrewd mountaineer and smart as a steel trap, but like all -such criminals of his daring was sure to meet his fate. Even though -frequently arrested and confined in jail, none was strong enough to hold -him. He never served a sentence in a single institution. - -After the robbery of General Potter’s store, Lewis and Connelly started -for Sinnemahoning, meeting at the house of Samuel Smith, where they -participated in shooting at a mark, and mingled in the crowd. Lewis and -Connelly were recognized and their surrender demanded as rewards were -everywhere offered for their arrest. Connelly opened fire, killing one -of the captors. - -Lewis, never having taken life, snapped his pistol in the air, but the -fire was returned in earnest, Lewis being shot in the right arm and -Connelly in the hip. The latter was found hiding in a tree top. Lewis -and Connelly were loaded in canoes and taken down the river to Great -Island, now Lock Haven, where three physicians attended them. Connelly -died that night. Lewis was removed, as soon as his wounds would permit -to Bellefonte jail, where he died a month later, July 13, 1820. - -Thus a sad commentary in the life of Lewis, the Robber, that the only -jail from which he failed to escape was the Bellefonte bastile, and -while there his wounds were of such a nature he could not plan nor did -he desire to escape, but he often told his jailer he could easily get -away any hour he pleased. - - ---------- - - - - - Bethlehem Hospital Base During Revolution, - Moved March 27, 1777 - - -Bethlehem was the seat of a general hospital twice during the Revolution -and during the six years from 1775 to 1781, it was a thoroughfare for -Continental troops. Heavy baggage and munitions of war and General -Washington’s private baggage were stored in the town and guarded by 200 -Continentals under command of Colonel William Polk, of North Carolina, -while many houses were occupied by American troops and British prisoners -of war. The Continental Congress found refuge there when on its flight -from Philadelphia. - -The inhabitants of Bethlehem, therefore, witnessed not only the horrors -and experienced the discomforts of war, but also its “pomp and -circumstance,” for at times there were sojourning among them Generals -Washington, Lafayette, Greene, Knox, Sterling, Schuyler, Gates, -Sullivan, De Kalb, Steuben, Pulaski and Arnold, with members of their -staffs, and General Charles Lee’s division of the army in command of -General Sullivan was encamped opposite the town. - -The population of Bethlehem in those stirring days was about 500 souls, -principally Moravians. The “Church Store,” on Market Street, was well -stocked and spacious; in its cellars were stored supplies for the -hospital and in the dwelling part sick and wounded soldiers found -desirable quarters. - -The dwelling of Thomas Horsfield was nearby. He was a hero of the French -and Indian War, a colonel of the Provincial forces and a magistrate. -Many refugees from Philadelphia and New York were provided a temporary -home by the old veteran. Beyond, to the west, resided William Boehler, -where Captain Thomas Webb, the founder of Methodism in America, and a -British prisoner of war with his family of seven persons, were -comfortably accommodated. - -On what is now Main Street, and north of the “Brethren House,” stood the -“Family House,” for married people, in which were confined more than 200 -British prisoners, whose guard of 100 Continentals were quartered in the -water works building. When they marched for Reading and Lancaster, the -surgeons of the hospital occupied the building. - -Farther up the thoroughfares were the farm buildings and dwelling of -Frederick Boeckel, the farmer general of the Moravian estates, where -Lafayette, after being wounded at Brandywine, was tenderly nursed to -convalescence by Dame Barbara Boeckel and her pretty daughter, Liesel. - -The last house overlooking the Valley of the Monocacy was the Sun Inn, a -hostelry unsurpassed in the Colonies, and surely none other entertained -and sheltered so many of the patriots of the American Revolution. - -The Single Brethren’s House now the middle building of the Moravian -Seminary and College for Women, which has weathered the storms of more -than 175 years, was twice during the Revolution occupied as a general -hospital, the first time from December, 1776, to April, 1777, and for -the last time from September, 1777, to April, 1778. The cornerstone of -this large building was laid April 1, 1748. - -The Americans were defeated at Long Island in August, 1776, when -Washington withdrew his troops to New York City, which a few days later -fell into the hands of the enemy. This loss was quickly followed by that -of Fort Washington and Fort Lee, when Washington crossed the North River -into New Jersey, and continued his retreat to Trenton, in which he was -closely pursued by Cornwallis. It was at this crisis that the general -hospital, in which more than 1,000 sick and wounded were living, was -removed from Morristown to Bethlehem. - -On December 3, 1776, Dr. Cornelius Baldwin rode up to the clergy house -and delivered to Reverend John Ettwein an order from General John -Warren, general hospital surgeon, which stated that General Washington -had ordered the General Hospital to Bethlehem and directed the Moravian -brethren to put their buildings in condition for the reception of the -invalids and he doubted not “but you will act upon this occasion as -becomes men and Christians.” - -Toward evening Drs. William Shippen and John Warren arrived and made -arrangements with Reverend Ettwein for the reception of 250 of the sick. -During the ensuing two days the invalids, in charge of their surgeons, -commenced to arrive. Their suffering from exposure and improper -transportation made them pitiable objects to behold and two died before -they were removed from the wagons. Food was scarce and the Moravians -relieved their distress from their own supplies. Some of the sick were -taken to Easton and Allentown. - -On December 7 two deaths occurred and a site for a cemetery was selected -on the bluff on the west bank of the Monocacy Creek. - -The Moravians constantly attended the sick and Mr. Ettwein visited the -patients daily. In February smallpox was brought to the hospital by some -soldiers, but an epidemic was averted. On March 27, 1777, the hospital -was transferred to Philadelphia. - -During the time the hospital was in Bethlehem more than 100 died, -coffins for whom were made by the Moravian carpenters, who also dug the -graves and served at the burial of the deceased patriots. - -Again when the Continental army failed to defend Philadelphia, the -hospital was removed to Bethlehem. On September 13, 1777, Washington -ordered all military stores of the army, in 700 wagons to Bethlehem. The -Church bells of Philadelphia, with the Liberty Bell, were also -transported to Bethlehem en route to Allentown. Again the Moravians were -directed to prepare their buildings for hospital use and September 20, -the sick and wounded began to arrive, among them Lafayette and Colonel, -later General John Armstrong, of Carlisle. On the twenty-second the -archives and money of Congress, under an escort, arrived. - -On October 7 the wounded from the Battle of Germantown began to arrive -and in a fortnight 450 patients were being treated. A rain lasting six -days set in and the suffering was indescribable. The Moravians furnished -many blankets and much clothing for the destitute soldiers. During -December many sick soldiers were brought to Bethlehem from hospitals in -New Jersey. The loss was enormous due to lack of proper facilities with -which to treat the patients, and the mortality during eight months and -ten days was 120. - -Among the surgeons from Pennsylvania were William Shippen, Jr., John -Morgan, Thomas Bond, Jr., William Smith, Bodo Otto, Aquila Wilmot, James -Houston, S. Halling and Francis Allison, Jr. - -On August 28, 1778, the remaining sixty-five patients were removed to -Lancaster and Yellow Springs, and Bethlehem ceased to be a hospital base -during the war. - - ---------- - - - - - Flight of Tory Leaders from Pittsburgh, - March 28, 1778 - - -General Edward Hand, the commandant at Fort Pitt, had failed in two -expeditions, and the resultant effect was disastrous to the American -cause on the border, especially in the spring of 1778. During the -previous winter the British, under General Howe, had occupied -Philadelphia, the capital of the colonies; the Continental Congress had -been driven to York, and Washington’s Army, reduced to half-naked and -half-starved condition, had suffered in camp at Valley Forge, so there -was not much to win adherents to the cause of liberty among those -otherwise inclined. - -Governor Hamilton, the British commander at Detroit, sent many agents, -red and white, to penetrate the border settlements to organize the -Tories into effective military units. In February and March, 1778, a -daring and shrewd British spy visited Pittsburgh and carried on his -plotting against the colonies almost under the nose of General Hand. -Most of the Tories of this neighborhood were at the house of Alexander -McKee, at what is now called McKees Rocks. Another place of assembly was -at Redstone, where a British flag flew nearly all of that winter. - -Captain Alexander McKee, the Tory leader at Pittsburgh, was an educated -man of wide influence on the frontier. He had been an Indian trader and -for twelve years prior to the Revolution had been the King’s deputy -agent for Indian affairs at Fort Pitt. For a short time he had been one -of the justices of the peace for Westmoreland County, and he was -intimately acquainted with most of the Indian chiefs. In 1764 he -received a grant of 1,400 acres of land from Colonel Henry Bouquet, at -the mouth of Chartier’s Creek, and he divided his time between his house -in Pittsburgh and his farm at McKees Rocks. - -In the spring of 1776, McKee was discovered to be in correspondence with -the British officers in Canada, and he was put on his parole not to give -aid or comfort to the enemies of American liberty, and not to leave the -vicinity of Pittsburgh without the consent of the Revolutionary -Committee. - -In February, 1778, General Hand had reason to suspect that McKee had -resumed his relations and correspondence with the British authorities -and ordered the captain to go to York and report himself to the -Continental Congress. For a time McKee avoided compliance, on plea of -illness, but unable to further delay, he contrived to escape to Detroit -and there openly ally himself with the British cause. - -About a year before this a young trader, Matthew Elliott, who understood -the Shawnee language, had been employed by the Americans to carry -messages from Fort Pitt to the Shawnee and other Indian tribes to the -westward, in the interest of peace. On one of his missions he was -captured by hostile savages and carried to Detroit, where, after a short -imprisonment, he had been released on parole. - -He returned to Pittsburgh via Quebec, New York and Philadelphia, all -then in British possession. He had been impressed by the show of British -power in the East, in contrast to the miserable conditions of the -American forces, especially along the frontier. He became convinced that -the colonists would fail in the Revolution, and on his return to -Pittsburgh got into communication with Captain McKee and others of the -Tory party. - -Elliott was suspected of having poured into McKee’s ears the wild tale -that he was to be waylaid and killed on his journey to York. McKee heard -such a story and believed it, which decided him to escape from Fort Pitt -and go to Detroit. - -The flight of the Tories took place from Alexander McKee’s house during -the night of March 28, 1778. General Hand received a hint of this move -early in the evening and dispatched a squad of soldiers to McKee’s house -Sunday morning to remove McKee to Fort Pitt. The soldiers arrived too -late. The members of the little party who had fled into Indian land in -that rough season were Captain McKee, his cousin, Robert Surphlit; Simon -Girty, Matthew Elliott, a man of the name of Higgins, and two Negro -slaves belonging to McKee. - -Simon Girty was a Pennsylvanian, who had been captured by the Indians -when eleven years old, kept in captivity for three years by the Seneca, -and afterward employed at Fort Pitt as an interpreter and messenger. He -had served the American cause faithfully. He then became the most -notorious renegade and Tory in Pennsylvania. - -The Tories in their flight made their way through the woods to the -Delaware town Coshocton, where they tarried several days endeavoring to -incite the tribe to rise against the colonists. Their efforts were -thwarted by Chief White Eyes, who declared his friendship for the -“buckskins” as he called the Americans, and he proved his sincerity -until his death. - -Chief White Eyes and Captain Pipe, an influential chief, debated in the -Coshocton council on the advocacy of war, White Eyes pleading the cause -of peace. The oratory of White Eyes carried the day and the seven Tories -departed to the Shawnee towns on the Scioto, where they were welcomed. -Many of the Shawnee were already on the warpath, and all were eager to -hear the arguments of their friend McKee. James Girty, a brother of -Simon, was then with the Shawnee tribe, having been sent from Fort Pitt -by General Hand on a futile peace mission. He had been raised among the -Shawnee, was a natural savage and at once joined his brother and the -other Tories. - -When Governor Hamilton heard of the flight of Captain McKee and his -companions from Fort Pitt, he dispatched Edward Hazle to the Scioto to -conduct the renegades safely through the several Indian tribes to -Detroit. Hamilton, as would be expected, received them cordially and -gave them commissions in the British service. For sixteen years McKee, -Elliott and the Girtys were the merciless scourges of the border. They -were the instigators and leaders of many Indian raids, and their -intimate knowledge of the frontier rendered their operations especially -effective. Long after the close of the Revolution they continued their -deadly enmity to the American cause and were largely responsible for the -general Indian war of 1790–94. - -McKee and his associate renegades left behind them at Fort Pitt a band -of Tories who had planned to blow up the fortress and escape in boats at -night. In some way the scheme was frustrated just in time, probably by -the confession of one of the conspirators, and the disaster averted. A -score of the traitors escaped in boats during the night, and fled down -the Ohio River. On the following day they were pursued and overtaken -near the mouth of the Muskingum. Eight of the runaways escaped to the -shore and were lost in the trackless woods; some were killed in the -conflict which then occurred and the others were taken back as prisoners -to Fort Pitt. - -Two were shot, another hanged and two were publicly whipped on the -parade ground of the fort. The punishment of these men was almost the -last act performed by General Hand before he was relieved by General -Lachlan McIntosh, but it put an end to the machinations of the Tories at -Pittsburgh. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Clapham Commissioned to Build - -Fort Augusta, March 29, 1756 - - -From the moment Captain John Smith beheld the waters of the Susquehanna -to the present, it has been the main artery for the development of -Central and Northern Pennsylvania. - -The two great branches of the Susquehanna River join at what is now -Northumberland, but opposite is a plain, where the old Indian town of -Shamokin was located, upon which the present city of Sunbury was laid -out July 4, 1772. - -It was at Shamokin where the Indians established a vice-regal government -and installed the noble Shikellamy, the friend of the English and foe of -intemperance and vice. This was the largest and most important Indian -town south of Tioga Point. It was visited by the Moravian missionaries -and the interpreter, Conrad Weiser, tarried there in 1737 on his way to -a council at Onondaga. He and Shikellamy became intimate friends and -remained so until the latter’s death, December 17, 1748. - -The erection of a fort at Shamokin was repeatedly urged by friendly -Indians, especially Andrew Montour and Monakatuatha or the Delaware Half -King, at a council at Harris’ Ferry, November 1, 1755. This request was -favorably considered by Governor Morris, but refused by the Assembly. - -After Braddock’s defeat, when the French and Indians began to attack the -settlers along the frontier, occurred the terrible massacre at Penn’s -Creek, October 16. Later forty-six terrified settlers fled to Shamokin -for protection, but the attitude of the Indians caused them to leave the -following day, and as they traveled south they were fired upon from -ambush near Mahonoy Creek and four killed. - -The Moravians broke up their mission at Shamokin and soon thereafter the -Indians abandoned the town. - -October 31, 1755, a number of inhabitants gathered at John Harris’ and -signed a petition for a fort at Shamokin as a protection against the -French and Indians. On the same day a like gathering at Conrad Weiser’s -sent a similar petition to the provincial authorities. John Shikellamy, -son of the great vicegerent, went to Philadelphia and personally -solicited the Governor to build a fort, saying “that such Indians as -continue true to you want a place to come to and live in security -against your and their enemies, and to Shamokin, when you erect the -fort, they will come and bring their wives and children. Brethren, -hasten the work; our warriors will assist you in building the fort.” - -At a conference held at Carlisle January 17, 1756, this necessity was -again brought to the notice of the Governor, who replied that he would -build a strong house at Shamokin. - -The fear of delay was because the French had for some time realized the -importance of the strategic situation of Shamokin and if they could gain -a foothold there the places below would be easy prey. - -The Governor was determined that the fort should be built and made his -plans accordingly. He informed the Board of Commissioners April 15, -1756, that he had on March 29 commissioned Lieutenant Colonel William -Clapham to recruit a battalion for the purpose. This was the third -battalion and was known as the Augusta Regiment. Major James Burd was -second in command and Asher Clayton was commissioned adjutant of the -battalion. - -The regiment rendezvoused at Harris’ Ferry, where Governor Morris -attended the recruiting and training in person. On June 12 orders were -received to march. - -A stockade was built at Halifax, where supplies were stored and a -garrison maintained. While at this camp Colonel Clapham had a conference -with the Iroquois chief, Oghagradisha, assuring him they were on their -way to Shamokin. - -Sufficient bateaux were built by July 1, when the regiment marched from -Halifax, and by a tedious march the 400 troops reached Shamokin without -mishap July 6 and immediately began the construction of the fort, which -was built from plans drawn by E. Meyer, engineer of the British -Government. It was called Fort Augusta in honor of the daughter of King -George II. - -Colonel Clapham pushed the work of construction with dispatch and -September 23, wrote to Governor Denny, “The fort is now almost finished, -and a fine one it is.” The construction required less than seven weeks -upon the main works, but much time was employed in better protecting the -fortress and in adding necessary buildings. - -Much difficulty was experienced in obtaining adequate supplies of -provisions and ammunition, as the only means of transportation were pack -horses over a mountainous Indian trail or by bateaux and the latter was -impossible during the severe winters. - -Colonel Clapham was succeeded by Colonel James Burd, who left such a -fascinating journal of his experiences at that frontier fort. - -Expeditions were sent out from the fort to the Great Island, now Lock -Haven; to Chinklacamoose, now Clearfield; to Penn’s Creek, to Wyoming, -and other places. - -The fort faced the main river and was nearly 300 feet square, with -bastions at the four corners. The total length of the fortification was -more than 600 feet. A magazine was later built in the south bastion and -a covered way to the river. This was strongly built with a brick arched -roof and was reached by a narrow stairway descending into it. This is -now the surviving structure of that dark and gloomy period in the -State’s history. It is the property of the Commonwealth and it is well -marked and well kept. - -Fort Augusta was far in advance of any English settlement in the -Province, holding the only passage by water and blocking the pathway -along the river by land, to the settlements below. - -The Assembly wanted to dismantle the fort and save the expense of the -garrison, but no Governor would agree to this plan, as it was an actual -protection for the inhabitants. - -During the Revolution Fort Augusta again became an important place, the -headquarters of the Military Department of the Susquehanna. Colonel -Samuel Hunter, the county lieutenant, mustered and trained troops there -for the Continental Army. It was here where Colonel Thomas Hartley drew -his supplies for his expedition against the Indians in 1778. - -It was at Fort Augusta where the terrified inhabitants found safety in -the “Great Runaway,” following the Indian incursions which culminated in -the Wyoming massacre, July 3, 1778. - -The work of dismantling the fort began about 1780, as the ground then -passed into private hands. Thus this old fort has crumbled into ruins, -its story unsung, its heroes forgotten. - -But for the wisdom of the Indians this fort would not have been built -and the horrors of the French and Indian War would have been carried to -the banks of the Delaware. This fort was where the high tide of the -Revolution was turned backward and the English and their Indian allies -forced to turn their faces again toward Canada. It was the largest and -most important provincial fortification on the frontier of this -continent. - - ---------- - - - - - Swedes Come to the Delaware—Peter Minuit - Steps Ashore, March 30, 1638 - - -Samuel Blummaert, of Holland, who had business interests in Sweden, -directed the attention of the Swedish Chancellor, Axel Oxenstierna, to -the possibilities of the copper trade with the West Indies. At that time -Peter Minuit, who had been Governor of New Netherlands, 1626 to 1632, -and was dissatisfied with his treatment, having been dismissed, offered -his service to Blummaert, knowing that the latter owned lands on the -South River, now the Delaware. - -The great Gustavus died in November, 1632, and upon Oxenstierna devolved -all the burdens of the American scheme. Sweden was poor; the times were -unpropitious; he was forced to wait five years until practical plans -could be matured. Minuit had suggested the founding of a colony upon the -South River to trade with the Indians. A company was formed with the -exclusive right to trade on that river for twenty years and to send -goods to Sweden for a period of ten years free of duty. The ownership of -this company was half Swedish and half Dutch. - -An expedition reached the South River, landing at the mouth of Mispillon -Creek, which they called “Paradise Point.” Passing on upward they cast -anchor at Minquas-kill, where Minuit went ashore March 30, 1638, to -confer with the Indians. He knew well the story of Swanendael and meant -to avoid a recurrence. The chief with whom he talked was Mattahoorn, the -principal sachem of that region and an Indian of worthy character, who -came often into the early history of Pennsylvania before William Penn -arrived. Minuit concluded an agreement, obtaining land on which to build -a house for “a kettle and other articles,” and for ground on which to -plant, he was to give half the tobacco raised upon it. The land was -defined as “within six trees.” - -Minuit had instructions to set up the arms of Sweden and take possession -of the country, avoiding New Netherlands, to do no harm to the Indians, -to name the country New Sweden, to dispose of his cargo and then, -leaving the sloop, return to Sweden. - -Minuit built Fort Christiana, named in honor of the girl queen at -Stockholm, five miles below the Dutch Fort Nassau, and left in it when -he departed twenty-four men. - -Nearly coincident with the arrival of the Swedes at Minquas-kill, came a -new Director-General of the Dutch at Manhattan, in the person of William -Kieft, who sailed into that port, March 18, 1638. He was disturbed over -this Swedish intrusion, and promptly wrote to his company in Holland -and, May 6 addressed a formal letter to Minuit, protesting against his -settlement, declaring that both banks of the river belonged to the -Dutch. - -This claim by the Dutch to the west bank was based on De Vries’ -adventure at Swanendael. Minuit made no reply, he knew that no white man -had more than six years been living on the west side of the river. So he -pushed the work on his fort and built log-houses. Trade with the Indians -was firmly established. A second treaty with the Indians was made, which -purchase included land down the river and bay and northward as far as -the Falls of Trenton. Minuit returned with his two vessels, July, 1638. - -The twenty-four persons now comprising the colony at Christiana were -under command of Mans Kling, with Hendrik Huyghen as commissary. This -company formed the first permanent settlement by white men on the -Delaware Bay, or River, on either side. - -Minuit was lost at sea on his return voyage and New Sweden suffered a -hard stroke of misfortune. He and De Vries were the ablest men ever sent -to the South River. - -The colony was in such distress in 1639 that the people thought -seriously of abandoning the locality and going to Manhattan, but the -following year another vessel arrived from Sweden with supplies. She -sailed into Christiana, April 17, 1640. On board were four mares and two -horses, a number of farming implements, thirty-one barrels of beer, and -colonists, made up to some extent of deserters from the army and people -accused of offenses. This vessel soon returned laden with beaver skins -and other peltry. At this time the Dutch members of the company sold -their interest to the Swedes. - -Peter Hollender, who succeeded Peter Minuit as Governor of the Swedes, -arrived in April, 1640, and continued in authority until February, 1643. - -Another effort to send colonists to New Sweden originated in Utrecht. A -charter granted to Hendrik Hooghkamer and others authorized them to -start a settlement on the west side of South River twenty miles above -Fort Christiana. They were to have what land was needed, provided they -improved it within ten years. They could start manufactories and carry -on trade. They were given religious liberty and were required to support -ministers of the Gospel and schoolmasters. But they were compelled to -submit to the Swedish law and Government and pay a tax of three florins -a year for each family. - -Under this arrangement the ship Fredenburg sailed from Holland, and -arrived at Christiana, November 2, 1640. This ship was armed with -twenty-five cannon and carried fifty Dutch colonists, headed by Jost de -Bogharat. The Fredenburg took back to Sweden 737 beaver skins, 29 bear -skins and some other productions of the New World. - -It was a difficult matter to find colonists. At this time there were -many Finns scattered over Sweden, who lived a somewhat nomadic life. -They roamed about, burned the forests, and shot deer and other game -unlawfully. Severe laws were passed to prevent this wantonness, but the -Finns paid little attention to them, and they refused to return to -Finland. New Sweden seemed to be the solution and the Government of -Sweden ordered the capture of these law-breaking Finns. - -Among those engaged in the pursuit of these Finns was Johan Printz, who -was later Governor of New Sweden. When he caught a Finn, who had cut -down six apple trees in the King’s orchard, he was given his choice -between going to New Sweden or being hanged. - -Two vessels were fitted out for the voyage to the New World; one of them -carried thirty-five colonists, mostly Finns. They set sail in November, -1641, and arrived in New Sweden the following April. Among these -arrivals were Olaf Paullsson, Anders Hansson, Axel Stille, Henrich -Mattson, Olaf Stille, Mans Swensson, and Per Kock, and their names are -still borne by families in Pennsylvania. Tobacco soon became the main -article of commerce sent from New Sweden. - -When the Swedes first arrived with Peter Minuit they built inside the -fort little cottages of round logs, with low doors and no windows except -the loop-holes cut between the logs. The cracks were closed with mud or -clay. The fireplaces were made of stone, and a bake-oven was built -within the house. - -In 1640 lands were bought from the Indians on the west side of the South -River from the Schuylkill as far north as the site of Trenton. - - ---------- - - - - - History of Pennsylvania Railroad Begins - with Organization of Company - March 31, 1847 - - -Prior to 1809, Oliver Evans, of Philadelphia, urged repeatedly in public -addresses the construction of a passenger railroad from Philadelphia to -New York, and in that year attempted to form a company for this purpose. - -In 1829 a railroad, sixteen miles long, from Honesdale to Carbondale, to -carry coal, was completed. - -In 1827 the Mauch Chunk railroad, nine miles long, was built to connect -coal mines with the Lehigh River; the gauge was three feet seven inches, -and wooden rails were faced with iron. - -The Baltimore and Ohio finished, in 1829, the first six miles of track -upon which passengers were carried. - -The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company was incorporated by -special act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, approved April 4, 1833. - -The charter granted to the company, December 5, 1833, authorized it to -construct a railroad from Reading to Philadelphia. At Reading it was -proposed to connect with the Little Schuylkill Navigation and Railroad, -which had been incorporated in 1827, to build a railroad from Tamaqua to -Reading. - -Then followed the development of the rails in this country, and the -first T-rails made in America were rolled at the Montour Mill, in -Danville, Pa., in 1845. This was also an American invention. The first -rails, thirty feet in length, were made at the Cambria Iron Works, at -Johnstown, Pa., in 1856. - -The greatest development of the locomotive was made by the great Baldwin -plant in Philadelphia. - -Among the several great railroad groups of America is that of the -Pennsylvania system, and this corporation enjoys the distinction of -having the greatest number of individual stock holders. - -The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the most important carrier in -Pennsylvania and in the Eastern United States, and one of the greatest -and most extensive railroad systems in the entire world, was brought -into existence by an act of Assembly of Pennsylvania, approved by -Governor Francis R. Shunk, April 13, 1846. Letters patent were issued -February 15, 1847, and the company organized March 20, but the election -of officers was held and the actual beginning of this great corporation -dates from March 31, 1847. - -Under the articles of incorporation this company was authorized to -construct, equip, and operate a line of steam railroad to connect with -the then known Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount Joy and Lancaster Railroad, -and to run to Pittsburgh or to any point in Allegheny County, or to -Erie, in Erie County, as its management might deem expedient. - -This charter was not obtained without opposition, as it was understood -that the operation of this new railroad would draw from the revenues -upon which the State system of public works largely depended for -support. This was undoubtedly true, but the charter was granted and the -work of construction was carried forward with such vigor that in 1850 -portions of the line were completed and ready for operation. - -The Erie Canal, devised by DeWitt Clinton, and constructed by David -Thomas, a Pennsylvanian, had deflected the trade of the Great Lakes and -the West from Philadelphia to New York, and made the latter the leading -city of the nation. It was expected that a railroad over the mountains -would bring this trade back to Philadelphia and restore the supremacy of -that city. - -In order to make sure that no outside influence should get control, the -charter provided that all of the directors “shall be citizens and -residents of this Commonwealth.” This part of the plan failed, but the -leading capitalists of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and elsewhere in the -State, subscribed liberally to the stock of the company and from the -beginning the enterprise was well backed with ample funds and equally -valuable influence. - -Hardly had the original road been opened for traffic before the company -began to extend its lines and enlarge the field of its operations. - -The movement which proved of the greatest benefit to the public, and to -the company itself, was in 1857, when the Legislature passed an act, May -16, directing the line of public works between Philadelphia and -Pittsburgh to be sold, and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company became the -purchaser. - -The purchase price was seven and one-half millions, and ownership was -obtained for the combined State canal and railroad. The State was -relieved of a burdensome property, and at the same time these public -works were placed under the control of a corporation whose methods of -management must result in great benefit to the people of the State. - -Governor James Pollock caused the sale to be made, June 25, and on July -31 following the actual transfer was consummated. - -This transaction fixes the date from which the progressive history of -the Pennsylvania Railroad Company begins. - -The canals on the Susquehanna and its branches above the mouth of the -Juniata, together with the Delaware division, were sold the following -year to the Sunbury and Erie Railroad Company, now a part of the great -Pennsylvania system, and the work of extension did not cease. - -The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in 1861, leased for 999 years the -Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount Joy and Lancaster road and brought it -under the Pennsylvania’s management. - -The work of extension has ever kept pace with the opportunity to develop -this great railroad system until it includes, in whole, or in part, more -than one hundred lesser lines of road, with its main line, branches and -spurs. - -The great terminal station in Philadelphia, recently damaged by fire, -will soon be replaced by one of the finest railroad stations in the -world, even comparable with the great Pennsylvania Station in New York -City. - -The greatest corporation in Pennsylvania is the railroad system which so -gloriously carries the name of the Keystone State into every part of the -Western Hemisphere. - - ---------- - - - - - Great Indian Council Opened at Harris’ Ferry, April 1, 1757 - - -September 10, 1756, Governor Denny ordered a suspension of hostilities -against the Indians on the east side of the Susquehanna. A month later -Major Parsons wrote from Easton that nine Indian men and one Indian -woman with four white prisoners had arrived at Easton. One of the -prisoners was Henry Hess, who had been taken prisoner on New Year’s day -from his father’s plantation in Lower Smithfield, Northampton (now -Monroe) County. These had been sent by Tedyuskung from Wyoming. - -The Governor sent Conrad Weiser to Easton, who met and greeted the -Indians in his behalf. Weiser concluded his mission by inviting -Tedyuskung to meet the Governor in Philadelphia, but he declined and -demanded the Governor convene a council at Easton. - -This attitude incensed the Governor, who refused to humor the Indians, -and said no treaty should be held outside of Philadelphia. The Governor -finally yielded and under escort of a heavy guard proceeded to Easton. -This treaty was formally opened on Monday, November 8, with a great -display of militia and ceremonial pomp. Tedyuskung was again the -principal speaker for the Indians and he assured the Governor that the -Delaware were glad to meet again their old friends, the English. The -council continued nine days, during which Governor Denny appears to have -conducted himself with much tact and good judgment. - -Early in December accounts were received that some of the Indians who -had been at the Easton treaty had, on their way home, murdered certain -white settlers on the frontiers—thus making it appear that Tedyuskung’s -authority over these Indians was very doubtful. - -About the middle of January George Croghan, next to Sir William Johnson -the most prominent figure among British Indian agents, sent Joe Peepy, -son of the deceased Shikellamy, and Lewis Montour, son of the celebrated -Madame Montour, with a message to the Susquehanna Indians, inviting them -to attend a council, or treaty, at Lancaster. Peepy and Montour -delivered the message to the Indians assembled in council at Tioga when -they went to the Ohio to inform the Delaware and Shawnee there of the -proposed Lancaster meeting. - -Upon their return Peepy and Montour reported to Croghan that all the -Susquehanna Indians were disposed for peace except the Munsee, or -Minisink Indians, although the messengers believe that these Indians -would come down to the treaty with King Tedyuskung. - -On February 18, 1757, Zaccheus, a Delaware Indian, formerly of -Gnadenhuetten, arrived at Fort Allen and on the following day seven -Indian women and three children arrived there, all sent from Tioga by -Tedyuskung to announce to Governor Denny that they intended to come in -March to Easton to hold a treaty. - -Early in March Tedyuskung with two of his sons, his half-brothers, -Captain Harris and Sam Evans, squaws and children, in all numbering -about fifty, arrived at Fort Allen. Captain Arndt, commandant of the -fort, advised Major Parsons that these Indians had “built cabins about -sixty perches from the fort, where they live and intend to stay till the -King comes.” - -About the time these Indians had departed from Wyoming for Fort Allen -all the Six Nations, Nanticoke and Delaware, who had accompanied -Tedyuskung there from the Council at Tioga, proceeded down the river to -Fort Augusta at Shamokin. - -Major James Burd, then in command of the garrison, wrote, March 21, -advising Governor Denny that 150 Six Nations had arrived there. “Sent by -Sir William Johnson to oblige the Delawares to lay down the hatchet, and -to be present at the treaty proposed between the Government and the -Delawares.” These Indians did not tarry long at Fort Augusta, for they -arrived at John Harris’ March 29, where they were met by George Croghan, -who reported there were “about 160 of them—men, women and children—part -of eight tribes.” A day later they were joined by some Conestoga -Indians. - -April 1 a formal conference between Croghan and the Indians was begun at -Harris’ Ferry. Thus this much-discussed council was opened at neither -Lancaster, where Croghan had suggested it be held, nor at Easton, where -Tedyuskung said it would be held, but at John Harris’ Ferry, now -Harrisburg. - -Among the white men present were the Reverend John Elder, of the Paxton -Presbyterian Church, known as the “Fighting Parson,” Captain Thomas -McKee, John Harris and Hugh Crawford. Scarouady was the principal -speaker for the Indians. - -On April 6 it was decided to remove the council-fire to Lancaster, and -the next day the entire company marched thither, being met on the -outskirts of Lancaster by a number of the principal inhabitants. - -The conference at Lancaster was delayed by the failure of Governor Denny -to attend. Smallpox had broken out among the Indians, and they were -uneasy. At length the Governor reached Lancaster, attended by members of -the Provincial Council, the Assembly, the Indian Commissioners, Colonel -Stanwix of the “Royal Americans,” and a number of citizens. - -Three days later, May 12, 1757, the conference was formally opened in -the Lancaster Courthouse. “Little Abe” and Thomas King were the chief -speakers for the Indians. The former told of the declaration of the -Delaware at a council where they denied the allegation they were women, -and further said they acknowledged no authority over them among the Six -Nations, but would listen to the Seneca. - -Little Abe then advised that the Seneca be invited to a meeting with the -Delaware and Shawnee at Lancaster or elsewhere. Messengers were -accordingly sent, who were also instructed to see Tedyuskung and inquire -as to the reasons for his absence from the Lancaster conference, which -was that day brought to a close. - -On the 23d all the Indians, in charge of Captain McKee, departed from -Lancaster and arrived at Fort Augusta June 1. They tarried four days, -and on the 5th all, except the Delaware, left the fort “in canoes, with -plenty of flour, rum, etc., sufficient to carry them home.” The Delaware -started a few days later across the country to Bethlehem. - -Edward Shippen, of Lancaster, in a letter to his son-in-law, Major James -Burd, at Fort Augusta, dated May 22, 1757, among other interesting -things wrote: “We have had many meetings of the Indians here, to whom -valuable presents have been given by the Governor and the Quakers; but -as Tedyuskung and the Indians who were expected along with him were not -come, a very handsome part is reserved for them. - -“It appears to me that unless the Militia Act be passed we of this -borough shall in less than a month become the frontiers.” - -On June 16, 1757, Sir William Johnson held a conference with the -Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca, of the Six Nations, and made an earnest and -successful appeal for them to remain loyal to the English. Tedyuskung -was severely censured for his conduct, and Sir William charged the -Seneca to bring him around to a sensible understanding. - - ---------- - - - - - First Mint Established in Philadelphia by Act - -of April 2, 1792 - - -The project of a national mint for the United States was first -introduced by Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, the patriot and financier -of the Revolution. - -As the head of the Finance Department, Mr. Morris was instructed by -Congress to prepare a report on the foreign coins then in circulation in -the United States. On January 15, 1782, he laid before Congress an -exposition of the whole subject, and accompanying this report, was a -plan for American coinage. - -Robert Morris was assisted in his effort to establish a mint by Thomas -Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. - -On April 15, 1790, Congress instructed the Secretary of the Treasury, -Alexander Hamilton, to prepare and report a proper plan for the -establishment of a national mint. This was done at the ensuing session -of Congress. The act was framed and passed finally March 26, 1792, and -received the approval of President George Washington April 2, 1792. - -A lot of ground was purchased on Seventh Street near Arch, and -appropriations were made for erecting the necessary buildings. An old -stillhouse, which stood on the lot, had first to be removed. In an -account book of that time we find an entry on July 31, 1792, of the sale -of some old material from the stillhouse for seven shillings and -sixpence, which Mr. Rittenhouse directed “should be laid out for punch -in laying the foundation stone.” - -David Rittenhouse was the first Director of the Mint, April 14, 1792, -until his health compelled him to resign in June, 1795. - -This building for the United States Mint in Philadelphia was the first -structure erected in America for public use under authority of the -Federal Government. It was a brick building, the cornerstone of which -was laid by David Rittenhouse July 31, 1792. - -In the following October operations were commenced by the coinage of the -silver half dimes. President Washington mentions this first coinage in -his address to Congress, November 6, 1792, as follows: “There has been a -small beginning in the coinage of half dimes, the want of small coins in -circulation calling the first attention to them.” - -The original purchase of metal for coinage was six pounds of old copper -at one shilling and three pence per pound, which was coined and -delivered to the Treasurer in 1793. The first deposit of silver bullion -was made July 18, 1794, by the Bank of Maryland. This consisted of coins -of France amounting to $80,715.73½. The first return of silver coins to -the Treasurer was made on October 15, 1794. The first deposit of gold -bullion was made by Moses Brown, a Boston merchant, on February 12, -1795, and paid for in silver coins. The first gold coins turned into the -Treasury were 744 half eagles, on July 31, 1795. Eagles were first -delivered September 22, when 400 were delivered. - -There were four different currencies or rates, in different parts of the -Union, and a consequent perplexity, until the passage of the law which -regulated the coins of the United States. The present system of coins is -formed upon the principles laid down in the resolution of 1786, by which -Congress determined the denominations should be dollars (the dollar -being the unit), dimes or tenths, cents or hundredths, and mills or -thousandths of a dollar. - -Nothing could be more simple or convenient than this decimal -sub-division. The terms are proper because they express the proportions -which they are intended to designate. The dollar was wisely chosen, as -it corresponded with the Spanish coin, with which the colonists had long -been familiar. - -The mills were imaginary and never coined. The first cents were made of -copper, round and about an inch in diameter and one-sixth of an inch in -thickness. - -It is an interesting fact that silver was first coined in money 869 -years before the Christian era. - -Previous to the coinage of silver dollars at the Philadelphia mint, in -1794, there occurred an amusing incident in Congress, when a member from -the South bitterly opposed the choice of the eagle, on the ground of its -being the “king of birds,” and hence neither proper nor suitable to -represent a nation whose institutions were inimical to monarchial forms -of government. - -Judge Thatcher playfully in reply suggested that perhaps a goose might -suit the gentleman, as it was a rather humble and republican bird, and -would also be serviceable in other respects, as the goslings would -answer to place on the dimes. - -This answer created considerable merriment, and the irate Southerner, -conceiving the humorous rejoinder as an insult, sent a challenge to the -Judge who promptly declined it. The bearer, rather astonished, asked, -“Will you be branded as a coward?” “Certainly, if he pleases,” replied -Thatcher; “I always was one and he knew it, or he would never have -risked a challenge.” - -The affair occasioned much mirth, and, in due time, former existing -cordial relations were restored; the irritable Southerner concluding -there was nothing to gain fighting one who fired nothing but jokes. - -March 2, 1829, provisions were made by Congress, for extending the Mint -establishment, the supply of bullion for coinage having increased beyond -the capacity of the existing accommodations. - -The Mint edifice under this provision was erected at the northwest -corner of Chestnut and Juniper Streets. The corner-stone was laid July -4, 1829, by Samuel Moore, then Director of the Mint. The building was -occupied in 1833. - -This was among the finest of Philadelphia’s classic structures, and it -was admired by every resident and visitor. The building was of marble -and of the Grecian style of architecture, the roof being covered with -copper. Each front on Chestnut Street and Penn Square was ornamented -with a portico of sixty feet, containing six Ionic columns. - -The present structure on Spring Garden Street is huge and an impressive -building, but a disappointment when compared with the beautiful edifice -that it supplanted. It was first occupied October 1, 1901, and was about -three years in building. - -Nearly two-thirds of our coinage comes from the mint at Philadelphia, -which is the largest and most completely equipped mint in the world. The -coins for nearly all the South American countries are also made in this -mint. - -A wonderful collection of coins and medals of all lands can be seen by -the public in this building. - - ---------- - - - - - Act for Purchase of Erie Triangle Passed - -April 3, 1792 - - -For many years after William Penn received the charter for Pennsylvania -he was engaged in controversies over the boundary line of his Province, -and long after his death the several proprietaries were concerned with -the question. It was not until 1774 that the controversy with Maryland -was concluded, and it was after the Revolution that the armed conflict -with Connecticut was finally determined by Congress, and the imminent -conflict with Virginia over the territory west of the Alleghenies was -satisfactorily settled. - -It was not until 1786, after many difficulties between the States of -Pennsylvania and Virginia, that the western boundary of our State was -surveyed by extending the Mason and Dixon line to the end of the five -degrees west from the Delaware River and a meridian drawn from the -western extremity to the northern limit. - -In 1785 commissioners were appointed on the part of Pennsylvania and New -York to ascertain the northern boundary of the former from the Delaware -River westward to the northwest corner. The commissioners were David -Rittenhouse on the part of Pennsylvania, and Samuel Holland on the part -of New York. They proceeded to act in pursuance of that appointment, and -in December, 1786, ascertained and fixed the beginning of the -forty-third degree of north latitude, erected suitable monuments there -and near the Delaware River, but were prevented by inclement weather -from proceeding further in the survey. - -The next year Andrew Ellicott was appointed a commissioner, on the part -of Pennsylvania, and James Clinton and Simeon Dewitt on the part of New -York. In 1787 they completed the running and marking of this northern -boundary 259 miles and 88 perches from its commencement at the Delaware -River, to its termination in Lake Erie, five or six miles east of the -Ohio State line and marked the whole distance throughout by milestones, -each one indicating the distance from the Delaware River. In 1789 an act -of Assembly confirmed the acts of the commissioners. - -The Indians being recognized as owners of the soil, the whole was -purchased from them by different treaties. One at Fort Stanwix -extinguished their title to the lands of Western Pennsylvania and New -York, excepting the Triangle or Presqu’ Isle lands, which were -accidentally left out of Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, -Connecticut and Virginia and were supposed at different times to belong -to each. - -General William Irvine discovered while surveying the Donation Lands -that Pennsylvania had but a few miles of lake coast and not any harbor, -and in consequence of his representations the State of Pennsylvania made -propositions for its purchase from Philips and Gorham, the reputed -owners, in the year 1788. Surveyor General Andrew Ellicott surveyed and -established lines at the request of the Federal Government, but Frederic -Saxton accompanied him on behalf of the owners. - -It was finally determined by comparison with the charters of New York, -Massachusetts and Connecticut just what was the western limit of New -York. This was found to be twenty miles east of Presqu’ Isle. - -On June 6, 1788, the Board of Treasury was induced to make a contract -for the sale of this tract described as bounded “on the east by New -York, on the south by Pennsylvania and on the north and west by Lake -Erie.” - -On September 4 it was resolved by Congress “that the United States do -relinquish and transfer to Pennsylvania all their right, title and claim -to the Government and jurisdiction of the said land forever, and it is -declared and made known that the laws and public acts of Pennsylvania -shall extend over every part of said tract as if the said tract had -originally been within the charter bounds of the State.” - -By an act of October 2, 1788, the sum of £1200 was appropriated to -purchase the Indian title to the tract, in fulfillment of the contract -to sell it to Pennsylvania. - -At the treaty of Fort McIntosh, January 9, 1789, Chief Cornplanter and -other chiefs of the Six Nations signed a deed in consideration of the -sum of £1200, ceding the Presqu’ Isle lands to the United States. It was -then, by a deed dated March 3, 1792, ceded by the United States to -Pennsylvania. This deed is signed by George Washington, President, and -Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State. - -In 1790 Surveyor-General Andrew Ellicott made a survey of the triangle -and found it to contain 202,287 acres. The purchase-money paid to the -United States, at seventy-five cents an acre, was $151,640.25. - -This purchase having been completed before the passage of the act of -April 3, 1792, the lands within it except the reservations were sold -under the provisions of this act. The first settlements in Erie County -were made under the provisions of that law, and many instances of -personal violence occurred between the contending claimants. The -squatters would league together to prevent the legal claimants from -depriving them of their improvements. - -The settlement of the lands northwest of the Allegheny River, and -especially the Presqu’ Isle lands, was never cordially acquiesced in by -the Six Nations, and Cornplanter became very unpopular among his own -people. It was charged upon him that he and Little Billy had received -the purchase price both at Fort McIntosh and Philadelphia. Cornplanter -himself protested to the United States at Buffalo Creek in June, 1794, -against the garrison established by General Anthony Wayne at Presqu’ -Isle, when he went out against the Miami Indians. - - ---------- - - - - - Reading Railroad Incorporated by Act - Passed April 4, 1833 - - -The Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company was incorporated by special -act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, approved April 4, 1833. - -The charter granted to the company, December 5, 1833, authorized it to -construct a railroad from Reading to Philadelphia. At Reading it was -proposed to connect with the Little Schuylkill Navigation and Railroad, -which had been incorporated in 1827, to build a railroad from Tamaqua to -Reading. By a latter statute the company was authorized to extend its -road from Reading to Port Clinton, where connection was made with the -Little Schuylkill and Navigation and Railroad. - -The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad was planned primarily to transport -anthracite from the Schuylkill region to Philadelphia and intermediate -points, especially where a number of blast furnaces were then operating. - -Anthracite was known to exist in the Schuylkill Valley as early as 1800, -since which time the iron industry had become one of much importance, -the first furnace being established on Manatawney Creek, near Pottstown, -in 1716. Wood and charcoal were first used in smelting the ore, but the -increasing scarcity of these fuels led to experiments, which, in 1808, -proved that anthracite could be used advantageously as furnace fuel. - -Anthracite was first transported by the Schuylkill Canal from the -vicinity of Pottsville to Philadelphia, and the furnaces in the -Schuylkill Valley. The growing need for this new fuel in domestic and -furnace use and the limitations of canal transportation led to the era -of railroad construction between the anthracite regions and tidewater -ports. - -On December 5, 1839, the railroad was opened to traffic from Reading to -Philadelphia, and on January 1, 1842, the first locomotive and train -passed over the entire line between Mount Carbon in Schuylkill County, -and Philadelphia. On May 17, 1842, the Richmond Branch, from the Falls -of the Schuylkill to the terminal at Port Richmond, on the Delaware, was -opened, from which time the Reading has been an important railroad. - -In 1853 the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company began the -construction of the Lebanon Valley Railroad, extending from Reading to -Harrisburg. The line was completed in 1858, and merged into the Reading -Railroad. - -May 8, 1871, the parent company bought the Northern Liberties and Penn -Township Railroad, in Philadelphia, control of which had been obtained -in 1857. - -In the period between 1859 and 1870, the Philadelphia and Reading -Railroad Company commenced the systematic extension which has resulted -in the development of the present Reading System. In that period the -company acquired through purchase or lease twenty-six railroads. Between -1870 and 1880, thirteen more were acquired; in the next decade nine were -added; from 1890 to 1900 eight were acquired and since 1900, four more -were added, until, at the present time the Reading Company, with its -affiliated lines operates 1619.15 miles of railroad, exclusive of the -Central Railroad of New Jersey, and 3.63 miles of road leased jointly by -the Reading Company and the Central Railroad of New Jersey. - -Forming quite a contrast with the huge high-speed Pacific type -locomotives used today, are the locomotives used in the early days. At -first these locomotives in appearance were somewhat grotesque. Their -loud puffing was alarming, and the twenty-mile speed was terrifying. - -One of these early engines, the Rocket, has been preserved for posterity -and is on exhibition in the Columbia Avenue Station in Philadelphia. - -The Rocket never ran when it rained. On clear days it was capable of -taking a train at nearly thirty miles per hour. It burned wood as fuel -but later adopted coal. - -The engineer of the Rocket was also the fireman. When his steam was -running low he reached over, grabbed a log from the pile along the -platform, thrust it into the fire box, then again became an engineer. -There was only one lever, and that was the throttle. All the way ahead -there was one speed, same in reverse. There were only four wheels and no -driving rods. There were no brakes on the Rocket. It had a kerosene -bull’s eye and a pop whistle, and at night when it came crashing along -at its twenty-mile clip, its bull’s-eye quivering, its stack emitting -sparks, its whistle popping, it was the marvel of the countryside. - -Of almost equal interest are the stories of the first day coaches and -the Pullman cars. In the early days the coaches were very narrow, built -to meet the conditions of the narrow-gauge tracks, as there was a row of -double seats in one side of the aisle and a row of single seats on the -other. - -There were first and second class coaches, designated by the figure 1 -and 2 on the sides of the car. Those of the first class were upholstered -with black hair cloth, while the second-class had only plain wooden -seats and backs. The windows were small and placed near the roof. - -In the winter the cars were heated with wood stoves. The cars were -lighted with candles. When a change from one line to another was made -each passenger picked out his own baggage and attended to its loading on -the new train. - -At the dining stations the menu consisted of coffee and ham sandwiches -and sometimes beef stew. - -The first sleeping cars were the ordinary day coaches changed by adding -sleeping requirements. They were usually divided into four compartments, -in each of which three bunks were built against one side of the car, -while in a corner of the rear end of the car were provided water, a -towel and a basin. No bedclothes were furnished, and the passengers, -fully dressed, retired upon rough mattresses with their overcoats pulled -over them for covering. - -Continued patronage by the public of the day coaches, parlor, sleeping -and dining cars led, step by step to the facilities for comfortable and -luxurious travel offered today, where there is nothing left to be -desired and modern American railroad comfort is supreme. - - ---------- - - - - - Mary Jemison, White Woman of Genesee, - Captured April 5, 1758 - - -The thrilling narrative of the life of Mary Jemison, who was captured by -the Indians April 5, 1758, when only twelve years old, and who continued -to live among them during her long and eventful life, marrying two -chiefs of renown, continues to this day to be a wondrous story of one of -the most remarkable captivities suffered at the hands of the Indians by -the pioneer settlers of this country. - -Mary Jemison, who came to be known as “The White Woman of the Genesee,” -related her own story of her capture and life among the Indians when -eighty years old. - -She endured hardship and suffering with astonishing fortitude, and -amidst all the surrounding of barbaric life she preserved the -sensibilities of a white woman. The story of the captivity may be -briefly told as follows: Thomas and Jane Erwin Jemison emigrated from -Ireland about the year 1746. Mary, the fourth child, was born on -shipboard during the voyage to America. - -Thomas Jemison removed his family to the then frontier settlements of -Pennsylvania on a tract of excellent land lying on Marsh Creek, in -Franklin Township, Adams County. They removed to another place near the -confluence of Sharps Run and Conewago Creek, a short distance from their -first home. - -A few neighbors had come to live with the Jemison family on account of -the men being with Washington’s army and their fear of the Indians. - -One morning Mary returned from an errand to the mill, and a man took her -horse to his house after a bag of grain. Mary’s father was busy with the -chores, her mother was getting breakfast; the two older brothers were in -the barn, and the little ones with Mary and the neighbor woman and her -three children in the house. - -Breakfast was not yet ready when they were alarmed by the discharge of a -number of guns. On opening the door the man and horse lay dead. The -Indians captured Mr. Jemison, then rushed into the house and made -prisoners of Mrs. Jemison, Robert, Matthew, Betsey and Mary and the -other woman and her three children and then plundered the house. The two -brothers in the barn escaped and afterward went to Virginia. - -In the attacking party were six Indians and four Frenchmen, and after -they took everything they wanted and all the food in the house, they set -out in great haste with their prisoners, keeping them in single file, -using a whip when any one lagged behind. No food or water was given them -all that day, and at night, fatigued and hungry, they were compelled to -lie upon the ground without fire or shelter. In the morning they were -given breakfast from the provisions taken from the Jemison home. - -They were made to march a great distance the second day and at night had -a meal with bread and meat. - -An Indian removed Mary’s shoes and stockings and put a pair of moccasins -on her feet which Mrs. Jemison believed meant they intended to spare her -life and destroy the other captives. An Indian removed the shoes and -stockings from the neighbor boy, and after putting moccasins on him, led -him and Mary off from the others some distance into the woods and there -laid down with them for the night. - -That was the last time Mary ever saw her parents, for during the night, -the Indians murdered in most cruel manner the rest of the captives and -left their bodies in the swamps to be devoured by wild beasts. - -During the next day’s march Mary had to watch them scrape and dry the -scalps of her parents, brothers and sisters and neighbors. Her mother’s -hair being red, she could easily distinguish it from the others, but she -knew them all, and the sight was one which remained with her during all -her life. - -The boy was given to the French and Mary was given to two Shawnee -squaws. They started down the Ohio in canoes, toward their home at -Sciota. Upon arrival at the home of the squaws, Mary was given a suit of -Indian clothing and formally adopted according to Indian custom, -replacing a brother of the squaws, who had been killed in war. She was -given the Indian name Dickewamis, which means pretty girl or good thing. -She was not allowed to speak English, so soon learned the Indian tongue. - -At this time the English had taken Fort Pitt, and as soon as the corn -was harvested the Indians went to the fort to make peace with the -British and Mary was taken along. She went with a light heart, feeling -sure she was to be restored to her brothers. The English asked her many -questions about herself, and this interest so alarmed her Indian sisters -that they hurried her away in their canoe. She learned later that some -white people had come to take her away, but could not find her. - -Her Indian sisters made her marry a Delaware Indian named Sheninjee. -Mary spoke of him as noble, large in stature, elegant in appearance, -generous in conduct, courageous in war, a friend to peace and a great -lover of justice. Truly a fine tribute for an Indian warrior. - -Her first child died soon after birth, but the fourth year she had a son -who she named in memory of her father, Thomas Jemison. - -She had many hardships traveling with her child to the Genesee country, -which was 600 miles through an almost pathless wilderness. - -Her husband died while she was en route to her new home. Several times -efforts were made to restore her to the English, and on one occasion the -chiefs determined she should be given up, but she fought against it -herself and her Indian brother helped her in her effort to remain among -the Indians. - -Several years after the death of her husband she married Hiokatoo, -commonly called Gardow, by whom she had four daughters and two sons. Her -second husband was the most cruel Indian known. - -Mary Jemison continued to live in the German Flats, N. Y., and upon the -death of Hiokatoo became possessed of much valuable land. - -Two great sorrows were experienced when a feud between her sons resulted -in John, a wayward fellow, killing Thomas, who was a great comfort to -his mother and a leader among the Indians, and some years later John -killed his other brother, Jesse. - -This double grief was almost more than the venerable woman could endure -and it was not assuaged when John was murdered in a drunken quarrel with -two Indians. - -She was naturalized April 19, 1817, by which she received a clear title -to her reservation. In 1823 she disposed of the major portion of her -real estate holdings, reserving a tract two miles long and one mile -wide. - -She died September 19, 1833, aged ninety-one years, and was buried with -Christian service in the cemetery of Seneca Mission Church, Buffalo -Creek Reservation. Her body was reinterred on March 7, 1874, in the -Indian Council House Grounds at Letchworth Park, where an elegant bronze -statue marks the grave of Mary Jemison, “The White Woman of the -Genesee.” - - ---------- - - - - - Governor Penn Makes Trip Through State, - Starting April 6, 1788 - - -Following the last great purchase from the Indians at Fort Stanwix, -October 23, 1784, the State enjoyed a steady flow of immigration. There -was an abundance of fertile and cheap lands, a desirable climate and low -taxes. It was possible for a foreigner to buy and hold lands with -relinquishment of their allegiance to the country of their birth. This -right had been granted for three years from 1787, and was continued for -a longer period after 1790. - -About this time John Penn, son of Thomas Penn, and a grandson of William -Penn, and twice governor of the Province, traveled through the State to -look after some of the Proprietary estates, and during his trip from -Philadelphia to Carlisle and return he made some notes that are replete -with interest. - -He set out from Philadelphia on the morning of April 6, 1788, on horse -back. He passed through the Township of Roxborough, and on his way saw -two meeting houses filled with people, another proof that the Friends -were still faithful to their old traditions. - -At a tavern where he alighted he met a hoary-headed guest who invited -him within, calling him the “honorable proprietor.” That night he rested -at Brooke’s tavern and very much admired the sign, which was a striking -likeness of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, painted by George Rutter (Ritter), a -noted sign painter of that period. He then called on Frederick A. -Muhlenberg, Speaker of the last Assembly. - -As Penn drew near Reading he was questioned by a person concerning a -manor of which he was the owner. This was Penn’s Mount, at that time on -the eastern limits of the town. Penn thought Reading was finely -situated. He dined on catfish with Abraham Whitman, the only tavern -keeper who had not voted against the confirmation of the proprietary -estate. He visited a ferry, still belonging to him, and from there went -to a farm “belonging to the proprietors,” which he determined to divide -and sell in smaller parcels. - -Penn paid a visit to Angelica, the beautiful farm belonging to General -Thomas Mifflin, situated a few miles from Reading. A neighbor of General -Mifflin’s, who attracted Penn’s attention, was “one of the marrying -Dunkers, who live in their own houses like other countrymen, but wear -their beards long.” - -Penn tarried here until the 9th, then went to Womelsdorf, passing on the -way one place that was “remarkable for its European appearance.” He then -rode through Lebanon, “a handsome town containing some hundred -inhabitants.” The horses were “baited” at Millerstown. - -About sunset Penn caught his first glimpse of the Susquehanna “flowing -between its wooded and cultivated banks close to the town” of -Harrisburg. - -Penn adds: “Mr. Harris, the owner and founder of the town, informed me -that three years ago there was but one house built and seemed to possess -pride and pleasure in his success. - -“Though the courts are held here generally, Lebanon is infinitely -larger. The situation of this place is one of the finest I ever saw. One -good point of view is the tavern, almost close to the river. It is -called the Compass, and is one of the first public houses in -Pennsylvania. The room I had is twenty-two feet square and high in -proportion.” - -After breakfast on the morning of April 11 Penn and John Harris walked -to the ferry and had a thrilling experience while ferrying across the -river, and on account of the high water and swift current they were -carried far out of their course. - -About two miles west of the river they passed the home of Robert -Whitehill, the Assemblyman, and about 3 o’clock in the afternoon they -reached the town of Carlisle. - -The first buildings seen were three or four separate wings, intended for -magazines originally, but granted by Congress to the trustees of -Dickinson College for twenty years. The Reverend Charles Nisbet, D. D., -was then at the head of the institution. - -In the neighborhood of Carlisle Penn had lands in charge of General John -Armstrong. Colonel Robert Magaw was also his companion during his stay -in Carlisle. - -After remaining in Carlisle until the 13th Penn commenced his return to -Philadelphia by rising early in order “to see a cave near Conedoguinet -Creek,” in which the water petrifies as it drops from the roof. Then he -resumed his route and noted the “Yellow Breeches Creek,” reaching the -Susquehanna, again crossed Harris’ Ferry and then traveled along the -eastern bank of the river to Middletown. He was impressed with the -scenery and made many comments about both banks of the river. He wrote: - -“At Middletown I put up at one More’s, who was a teacher formerly at -Philadelphia of Latin and Greek. He talked very sensibly, chiefly on -subjects which discovered him to be a warm Tory and friend of passive -obedience. Here the Great Swatara joins the Susquehanna, and a very fine -mill is kept at their confluence by Mr. Frey, a Dutchman, to whom I -carried a letter from Mr. D. Clymer.” - -“April 14. Before my departure Mr. Frey showed me his excellent mill and -still more extraordinary millstream, running from one part of the -Swatara for above a mile till it rejoins it at the mouth. It was cut by -himself, with great expense and trouble, and is the only work of the -kind in Pennsylvania. Middletown is in a situation as beautiful as it is -adapted to trade, and already of respectable size.” - -Penn then writes of passing through Elizabethtown, and over Creeks -Conewago and Chickesalunga, and adds: “As you leave Dauphin for -Lancaster County the lands improve.” He was told of a farm “said to be -worth £15 per acre.” - -On his return through Lancaster Penn learned that the country was -friendly to the new Federal Constitution, the argument being “that -matters could not be worse nor taxes higher.” - -“April 15. I rode alone over to Bluerock and spent a great part of the -day in examining the grounds, not returning till dusk. The consequence -of this ride was the resolution I made of keeping or purchasing nearly -200 acres round a spot admirably calculated for a country seat.” - -Penn’s next stop was at the Horse and Groom, next to Nottingham Meeting -House. To this society William Penn had given forty acres as a place of -worship. The titles were in dispute, owing to the boundary lines being -uncertain between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and the grandson, having -his eyes wide open to all possibilities, remarked that he could gain -little information of his “claims to these lands.” - -Continuing his journey Penn reached Wilmington, and after a brief visit -there returned to Philadelphia. - - ---------- - - - - - Edwin Forrest, the Great American Actor, - Founded the Home for Actors, - April 7, 1873 - - -One of the asylums which has attracted more attention than many others -is the Edwin Forrest Home for Retired Actors. - -It was founded under the direction of Edwin Forrest, the famous -tragedian, who by his will, dated April 5, 1866, bequeathed to his -executors, James Oakes of Boston, James Lawson of New York, and David -Dougherty of Philadelphia, all his property, with the exception of -annuities to his sisters and some personal legacies, in trust for an -institution “which they will call the Edwin Forrest Home.” He further -directed that it should be established at his country place called -Spring Brook, below Holmesburg, in the city of Philadelphia, which he -had purchased some years before. - -Mr. Forrest recommended that an application should be made to the -Legislature for a charter to trustees, with authority to conduct the -affairs of the institution in accordance with his plans. - -Application was accordingly made, and on April 7, 1873, James Oakes of -Boston, James Lawson of New York, Daniel Dougherty, John W. Forney, -James H. Castle, John H. Michener, and the mayor of Philadelphia for the -time being, were made a body politic by the name of the Edwin Forrest -Home, with authority to carry out the designs of the donor. - -The estate which Mr. Forrest left was largely in real property, land and -houses, some of it unproductive and waiting for a market, so that there -was no product from it. In addition there was a claim on behalf of his -wife, who had been separated from him for years, which seemed to affect -his property. She had been divorced in the State of New York, where the -judge had allowed her alimony, three thousand dollars per year, and this -claim was thought to be good against Mr. Forrest’s estate during the -entire period of her life. - -This condition embarrassed the executors, but a compromise was arrived -at which released the property, upon payment of a large sum of money, by -which the aggregate fund for the support of the home was considerably -diminished. - -The executors were not able to open the home until 1876, when it -commenced with four inmates, William Lomas, George G. Spear, Mrs. Rhoda -Wood and Mrs. Burroughs. To these old actors and actresses was shortly -added Jacob W. Thoman, who had made his first appearance at the Chestnut -Street Theater, Philadelphia, in 1834. - -The location of the home was far out in the country and the actors who -spent their life in the environment of the stage, would prefer to spend -their declining days near the theatres, so that they could frequently -visit them and renew acquaintances and friendships with old companions -of the mask and wig. - -The mansion was a fine house, and capable of being made comfortable. It -was of old style, three stories high, skirted by broad pillared -porticos, tastefully decorated with growing plants. - -The halls and rooms were hung with portraits and works of arts, and -marble busts of the great characters of earlier days were there in -abundance. Many fine oil portraits of Forrest in different roles were -among the collection of art. Many interesting play-bills of his early -performances, and portraits of most of the actors who had won fame -before the footlights were on the walls. - -The bedrooms were each furnished with high-post bedsteads, and old types -of bureaus and dressers. - -The library was unique and wonderfully furnished, and the eight thousand -volumes embraced the classics, treatises upon art, and interesting -histories of the stage. In niches of the walls were busts of the -nation’s great men. Art masterpieces in oil and marble were to be found -in the old home. - -The farm attached to the fine mansion contains one hundred and eleven -acres. - -Edwin Forrest was born in Philadelphia, March 9, 1806. He died there -December 12, 1872. - -His father was Scotch, his mother of German birth. He exhibited from -early age a taste for the stage, and when eleven years old participated -in theatrical representations as a member of an amateur club, sometimes -performing female roles. - -His first appearance on the regular stage was on November 27, 1820, in -the part of Douglas in Home’s tragedy of that name. - -A protracted professional tour in the west and south ensued, in which he -won considerable reputation. - -His first great success was achieved May 26, 1826, in the Park Theater, -New York, as Othello. This led to a long engagement at the Bowery -Theater, where he enjoyed extraordinary popularity. - -In 1836 he crossed the Atlantic and first appeared as Spartacus in Drury -Lane Theater, London, October 17. He achieved distinguished success, and -acquired the friendship of Macready, Kemble, and others. - -In 1837 he married Catherine Norton Sinclair, daughter of John Sinclair -the singer, and soon afterward returned to the United States, where he -was welcomed by enthusiastic audiences. - -In 1845 Mr. and Mrs. Forrest returned to London. During this visit, -which lasted two years, a rupture occurred in the friendly relations -between Forrest and Macready, and to the zeal with which the friends of -the former espoused his quarrel was due the disgraceful riot in New -York, May 10, 1849, during an engagement of Macready at the Astor Place -Theater. This was accompanied by serious loss of life. - -Soon after Forrest separated from his wife, and between 1853 and 1860 he -retired from professional life, but when he returned to the stage he -filled the role of Hamlet with all his former acceptance. - -Latterly he suffered considerably from illness, and his last engagement -began on February 6, 1871. - -He died of apoplexy, surviving the attack only half an hour. - -He was a man of fine presence, well equipped for his profession, -naturally frank and engaging. - -A large part of his valuable library and Shakespeare collection, which -he had spent many years in gathering, was almost entirely destroyed by -fire in his house in Philadelphia, January 15, 1873. - - ---------- - - - - - Monument Erected to Colonel Kelly, Revolutionary - -War Hero, April 8, 1835 - - -A monument to the memory of Colonel John Kelly was erected with -impressive ceremonies April 8, 1835, in the Presbyterian burial-ground, -in the borough of Lewisburg. A company of cavalry from Northumberland -County, one from Union, and three infantry companies participated. -General Abbott Green was grand marshal, with General Robert H. Hammond, -General Michael Brobst, Colonel Philip Ruhl and Surgeon Major Dr. James -S. Dougal as aids. - -The parade was formed by the adjutant, Colonel Jackson McFadden, with -the citizen militia on the right of line, followed by the veterans of -the Revolutionary War and those of the War of 1812, and hundreds of -citizens. - -The most interesting feature of the large procession was a float which -was drawn by four gray horses, upon which was placed the monument. -Cavalry on either side acted as a guard of honor. In the carriages were -the orator, General James Merrill, the clergy, and relatives of the old -hero in whose honor the celebration was being held. - -Upon its arrival at the ground, after the proper military manoeuver was -performed, the monument was set by the architects, William Hubbard, F. -Stoughton, Samuel Hursh and Charles Penny. The orator had a subject -worthy of his best efforts, for such was Colonel John Kelly. - -Colonel Kelly was born in Lancaster County, February, 1744. Almost -immediately after the purchase from the Indians, November 5, 1768, he -went to Buffalo Valley, in what is now Union County. There he endured -hardships common to all the settlers who pushed out along the frontiers. -He was in the prime of manhood, of a robust constitution, vigorous and -muscular, 6 feet 2 inches in height, and almost insensible to fatigue, -and so accustomed to dangers that bodily fear was foreign to his nature. - -Colonel Kelly served in the Revolutionary War and distinguished himself -in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In the course of one of the -retreats Colonel James Potter sent an order to Major Kelly to have a -certain bridge cut down to prevent the advance of the British, who were -then in sight. Kelly sent for an ax, but represented that the enterprise -would be very hazardous. Still the British advance must be stopped and -the order was not withdrawn. He said he could not order another to do -what some would say he was afraid to do himself—he would cut down the -bridge. - -Before all the logs were cut away he was within range of the British -fire, and many balls struck the logs. The last log fell sooner than he -expected and he fell with it into the swollen stream. The American -soldiers moved off, not believing it possible to assist him to make his -escape. He, however, reached the shore and joined the troops and managed -to capture an armed British scout on the way and took him into camp a -prisoner of war. - -History records the fact that our army was saved by the destruction of -that bridge, but the manner in which it was done or the person who did -it is not mentioned. - -After his discharge Major Kelly returned to his farm and family, and -during the three succeeding years the Indians were troublesome to the -settlers on the West Branch. He became colonel of the regiment, and it -was his duty to guard the valley against the incursions of the savages. - -When the “Big Runaway” occurred following the Wyoming massacre, Colonel -Kelly was among the first to return. For at least two harvests reapers -took their rifles to the field, and some of the company watched while -others wrought. - -Colonel Kelly had the principal command of scouting parties in the -valley, and very often he went in person. Many nights he laid on the -branches of trees without a fire, because it would have indicated his -position to the enemy. He was skilled in Indian mode of warfare and was -a terror to their marauding bands. - -So greatly was he feared by the savages that they determined on his -destruction and, being too cowardly to attack him openly, sought his -life by stealth. One night he apprehended they were near. He rose early -next morning and, looking through the crevices of his log house, he -ascertained that two at least, if not more, were lying with their arms -so as to shoot him when he should open his door. He fixed his own rifle -and took his position so that by a string he could open the door and -watch the Indians. The moment he pulled the door open two balls came -into the house and the Indians rose to advance. He fired and wounded -one, when they both retreated. When safe to do so he followed them by -the blood, but they escaped. - -After the capture and destruction of Fort Freeland, Colonel Kelly with a -company of men went to the scene of the battle and buried the dead. - -For many years Colonel Kelly held the office of Justice of the Peace, -and, in the administration of justice, he exhibited the same anxiety to -do right, which had characterized him in his military service. He would -at any time forego his own fees, and, if the parties were poor, pay the -constable’s costs, to procure a compromise. - -While he was a devout Presbyterian he entertained an intense hatred for -an Indian. When the Presbytery of Northumberland called on Colonel Kelly -for a contribution to be used to evangelize the savages, he refused to -give one cent, but said he would cheerfully subscribe any sum required -to buy ropes to hang them. - -Toward the end of a long and active life, Colonel Kelly became by -disease incapable of much motion; and seldom left his home. He died -February 18, 1832, aged eighty-eight years. He was greatly respected by -his neighbors and friends, and it is little wonder that a monument was -unveiled to his memory three years later. - -The spring of 1856 the monument, together with his remains, were removed -to the new and beautiful cemetery on the western border of the Union -County seat. - -The old colonel was survived by his wife, seven sons and two daughters. -One son, James, was the father of United States Senator James K. Kelly, -of Oregon. - - ---------- - - - - - Captain John Armstrong Murdered in Jack’s - Narrows April 9, 1744 - - -John Armstrong, a trader among the Indians, residing on the Susquehanna -above Peter’s Mountain, on the east bank of the river, and two of his -servants, James Smith and Woodward Arnold, were barbarously murdered -April 9, 1744, by an Indian of the Delaware tribe named Musemeelin in -Jack’s Narrows, now Huntingdon County. - -The murderer was apprehended and delivered up by his own nation and -imprisoned at Lancaster, whence he was removed to Philadelphia lest he -should escape or his trial and execution, if found guilty, produce an -unfavorable impression on the Indians. This was particularly important, -as a large council was about to convene at Lancaster. - -Governor George Thomas directed that the property of Armstrong be -returned to his family. He also invited a deputation of the Delaware -tribe to attend the trial of Musemeelin and to be present at his -execution, if such was to take place. - -Nine of Armstrong’s relatives and neighbors went in search of the -remains of the murdered men and to gather such evidence as they could -about the details of the crime. They signed a deposition before James -Armstrong, one of His Majesty’s justices of the peace for Lancaster -County, dated “Paxtang, 19th day of April, 1744.” - -These deponents testified that when they learned of the murder they met -at the house of Joseph Chambers, in Paxtang, and determined to go to -Shamokin and consult with Shilkellamy, the vicegerent of the Six -Nations, what they should do concerning the affair. - -Shikellamy sent eight Indians to accompany the deponents. The entire -party then went to the house of James Berry, on Mahantango Creek, which -empties into the Susquehanna above the mouth of the Juniata. - -On the way to Berry’s three of the Indians ran away, but on the morning -after their arrival there, the deponents, with the five Indians, set out -in quest of the bodies. - -They proceeded to the last known sleeping place of John Armstrong and -his men, and a short distance from this place James Berry picked up the -shoulder bone of a human being. He showed his find to his companions, -and the action of the Indians at this time proved to the whites that -they knew more about the crime than they had made known. - -The party proceeded along a path three miles, heading to the Juniata -Narrows, to a point where they suspected the crime to have been -committed. Here the white men directed the Indians to go farther down -the creek, but they hung back, and actually followed the white men. Some -eagles or vultures were noticed and then the Indians disappeared. - -At this place a corpse was discovered, which they believed to be that of -James Smith; three shots were heard at a short distance, and the -deponents, believing the Indians had fired them to advise the finding of -another corpse, rushed to the place, but the Indians had run away. A -quarter of a mile farther down the creek the corpse of Woodward Arnold -was found lying on a rock. - -The deponents examined the bodies of Arnold and Smith and found them to -have been most barbarously and inhumanely murdered by being gashed with -deep cuts on their heads with tomahawks, and other parts of their bodies -mutilated. The body of Armstrong was believed to have been eaten by the -savages. - -This deposition was signed by Alexander Armstrong, a brother of John, -the murdered man, who lived at the mouth of Armstrong’s Creek, above the -present town of Halifax, Dauphin County; Thomas McKee; John Foster, who -also lived on the west side of the Susquehanna; William Baskins, James -Berry, who lived on the east side, near the Juniata, and John Watts, -James Armstrong and David Denny. - -The atrocity of this outrage was so revolting that a Provincial Council -was held to take the matter into consideration, and it was finally -resolved that Conrad Weiser should be sent to Shamokin to make demands, -in the name of the Governor, for those concerned in the crime. - -Mr. Weiser arrived at Shamokin, May, 1744, and delivered Governor -Thomas’ message to Allummapees, then the Delaware King, a large number -of that tribe and in the presence of Shikellamy and a small number of -the Six Nations. - -Following the presentation of the affidavit, Allummapees replied, -confessing the guilt of Musemeelin. Shikellamy then arose and entered -into a full account of the unhappy affair. - -He claimed that Musemeelin owed Armstrong some skins, and that Armstrong -seized a horse and rifled gun belonging to the Indian in lieu of the -skins. These were taken by Smith for Armstrong. - -When Musemeelin met Armstrong near the Juniata, he paid all the account -but twenty shillings and demanded his horse. Armstrong refused to give -up the animal, and after a quarrel the Indian went away in great anger. - -Some time later Armstrong and his two servants, on their way to the Ohio -country, passed by the cabin of Musemeelin, and his wife demanded the -horse of Armstrong, but by this time he had sold the beast to James -Berry. - -Upon his return from a hunting trip his wife told Musemeelin of her -demand to Armstrong. This angered the Indian, who determined on revenge. - -Musemeelin engaged two young Indians to go on a hunting trip, but he led -them to the camp of Armstrong and his men. When they arrived at a fire -James Smith was sitting there alone. Musemeelin told Smith he wanted to -speak with him privately, and they went into the woods. Musemeelin soon -came back laughing, as he had killed Smith and shot Arnold, whom he -found coming back to the camp. - -The young Indians were terrified, but too afraid of Musemeelin to leave -him. They soon came across John Armstrong sitting on an old log. -Musemeelin asked: “Where is my horse?” Armstrong replied: “He will come -by and by.” “I want him now,” said Musemeelin. “You shall have him. Come -to the fire and let us smoke and talk together,” said Armstrong. As they -proceeded, Armstrong in the advance, Musemeelin shot him in the back, -then tomahawked him. - -Shikellamy further said that the three Indians buried John Armstrong and -that the others were thrown into the river. - -Jacks Narrows, where this crime was committed, takes it name from -Captain John (Jack) Armstrong, the victim. - -Musemeelin was not convicted of the crime, but returned to his wigwam -and was looked upon by his savage people as a hero. - - ---------- - - - - - Tories of Sinking Valley Take Oath to King - April 10,1778 - - -Among the tragedies during the Revolutionary war, none seem more -melancholy than those connected with efforts of the disaffected to -escape to the enemy. During the winter of 1777–78, British agents were -busy along the western frontier and as far east as Cumberland County, -seeking to corrupt the frontier settlers, insinuating sentiments of -discontent, assuring them that the American cause was sure to fail and -making glittering promises of reward for those who should join the cause -of the King. - -One of the agents visited the valleys of the Allegheny Mountains in what -is now Blair County, but then was a part of Bedford. He was successful -in deluding a considerable band of ignorant frontiersmen by the most -despicable methods. - -This rascal held out to these mountaineers a vision of wholesale plunder -and carnage on the property of their patriot neighbors. His appeals were -made only to the vicious, who were promised if they would organize and -join a force of British and Indians coming down the Allegheny Valley in -the spring they would be permitted to participate in a general onslaught -on the settlements and would receive their share of the pillage and, in -addition to this, they should each receive grants for the lands of the -rebel neighbors to the extent of 300 acres each, wherever they should -select. - -One of the men who entered into this despicable plot afterward confessed -that it was the design to slaughter the peaceable inhabitants without -mercy—men, women and children—and seize their property and lands. - -In the northern part of Blair County is a deep valley called Sinking -Spring Valley. It is still a wild and romantic country, but 150 years -ago was singularly desolate and lonely and seemed a fitting place for -the meeting of such conspirators as had been enlisted in this cruel Tory -plot. - -In Sinking Spring Valley the tory band held its gatherings during -February and March, 1778. Many of the plotters were from the frontier -settlement of Frankstown, near what is now Hollidaysburg. The leader was -John Weston, a bold, lawless man, half farmer, half hunter, half -civilized, who lived with his wife and brother, Richard, in a crude -mountain cabin. - -The British agent, having thoroughly enlisted Weston in the murderous -enterprise, returned up the Allegheny, promising to be at Kittanning -about the middle of April, with 300 Indians and white men, there to meet -his mountain friends and with them swoop down on the other settlements, -and make all of his partisans weary under the burden of their rich -plunder. - -Weston furthered the propaganda and enlisted thirty of his neighbors in -the adventure. Alarming intelligence of the Tory plans leaked out, -reached the larger settlement of Standing Stone, now Huntingdon, where -it was reported that a thousand Indians and Tories were about to fall on -the frontier. - -A stockade had been built at Standing Stone, but its garrison never -consisted of more than a score of green militiamen, and there was a -general flight of the terrified people from the upper valley of the -Juniata toward Carlisle and York. - -The band of plotters was joined, about April 1, by a man named McKee, of -Carlisle. He had been in communication with a British officer, who was -confined in Carlisle, with other prisoners of war. He gave McKee a -letter addressed to all British officers, vouching for the loyalty of -McKee and his associates. This letter was to be used in securing -protection and a welcome for the Sinking Spring Valley Tories when they -should meet with the British and Indians on their flight to the -Allegheny. - -At the appointed time word reached the valley that a large force of -Indians had gathered at Kittanning. The last meeting of the plotters was -held April 10, in the forest, and thirty-one took the oath of allegiance -and pledged themselves to follow Weston. - -On the following morning, at the break of day they began their march -over the mountains. In the afternoon of the second day they had come -within a few miles of their intended destination, when they encountered -a band of about 100 Iroquois Indians. The savages burst suddenly out of -the thicket in full war paint. - -John Weston sprang forward, waving his hand and crying out, “Friends! -Friends!” The Indians were not in the British conspiracy, but were bent -on a plundering raid on their own account and regarded Weston and his -armed companions as a hostile party. - -The Indian chieftain fired at Weston, and the Tory leader fell dead. His -startled and horrified followers halted in dread astonishment. Another -of the savages sprang forward and, before the ignorant borderers could -recover from their surprise, tore the scalp from Weston’s head. - -At this point McKee rushed out, holding aloft in one hand a white -handkerchief and in the other hand the letter from the British officer -at Carlisle, and called out to the Indians: “Brothers! Brothers!” The -savages did not respond. Almost as suddenly as they appeared they -vanished into the undergrowth, leaving the bewildered mountaineers alone -with their dead and scalped leader. Weston was buried where he fell. - -The Tories feared to go forward and even more to return to their homes. -They held a consultation, when some declared their intention to return -to Bedford County, but others feared arrest and determined they would -seek safety elsewhere. - -Hard was the fate of this company. Some of them wandered in the forests -and perished from hunger. Some of them made their way to the southward, -and reached British posts after great suffering. Five of them returned -to their homes in Sinking Spring Valley and were seized by the aroused -frontiersmen and lodged in the log jail at Bedford. - -Richard Weston, brother of the slain leader, was caught near his home by -a party of settlers going to work in the lead mines there, and he was -sent under guard to Carlisle. Weston confessed the whole plot, but -claimed he had been misled by his older brother. He escaped from prison -before his trial, so his taint of treason was hardly to be blamed on his -brother. - -The Supreme Executive Council ordered a special court to try the -prisoners at Bedford. It held two sessions in the fall of 1778 and -spring of 1779, with General John Armstrong, of Carlisle, as president. -The court failed to convict any of the defendants on the charge of high -treason. The leaders were either dead or out of the country, and the few -men brought before the court seemed to be sufficiently punished by their -imprisonment and the contempt of their neighbors. - -Those who fled away were tainted with treason and their estates were -declared forfeited. - - ---------- - - - - - Captain John Brady, Noted Hero, Killed by - Indians April 11, 1779 - - -Captain John Brady was foremost in all the expeditions that went out -from the West Branch of the Susquehanna settlements, and his untimely -death, April 11, 1779, was the worst blow ever inflicted upon the -distressed settlers. - -John Brady, second son of Hugh and Hannah Brady was born in 1733, near -Newark, Delaware. He came with his parents to Pennsylvania, married Mary -Quigley, when he was twenty-two years old, and soon thereafter enlisted -in the French and Indian War. On July 19, 1763, he was commissioned -captain and assigned to the Second Battalion of the Pennsylvania -Regiment, commanded by Governor John Penn and Lieutenant Colonels -Turbutt Francis and Asher Clayton. - -The following year his command was with Colonel Henry Bouquet on his -expedition west of the Ohio, and was actively engaged against the -Indians who made terrible slaughter in Bedford and Cumberland Counties. - -Captain Brady was one of the officers who received land grants from the -Proprietaries, and, in 1768, he removed his family to Standing Stone, -now Huntingdon. The following year he changed his residence to a site -opposite the present town of Lewisburg. He was a land surveyor and his -note books furnish much valuable land data. - -In 1776 Brady removed to Muncy Manor, where he built a semi-fortified -log house, known later as Fort Brady. It was in what is now the borough -of Muncy, and was a private affair but was classed among the provincial -fortifications. - -In December, 1775, when Colonel William Plunket made his famous -expedition to the Wyoming Valley, Captain John Brady was one of his -ablest assistants. When the Twelfth Regiment of the Continental Line was -organized under command of Colonel William Cooke, September 28, 1776, -Captain Brady was one of the original captains. Two of Captain Brady’s -sons married daughters of Colonel Cooke. - -At the Battle of Brandywine the Twelfth was engaged under General John -Sullivan and was cut to pieces in the desperate fighting near the -Birmingham Meeting House. Captain John Brady was among those seriously -wounded, and his son, John, a lad of only fifteen, who had come like -David of old, with supplies for the camp and had remained for the -battle, was also wounded, and only saved from capture by the act of his -colonel in throwing the boy upon a horse when the troops retreated. So -fierce was the fighting that every officer in Captain Brady’s company -was killed or wounded, together with most of his men. - -Captain Brady was given a leave of absence while the army was in winter -quarters at Valley Forge, and during this time was at his home at Fort -Brady. When the Indians became so troublesome between the North and West -Branch Valleys, he removed his family to Sunbury, and September 1, 1778 -returned to the army. He served for a time with Colonel Daniel -Brodhead’s regiment at Fort Pitt. - -James Brady, Captain John’s second son, who was himself a militia -captain, was mortally wounded August 8, 1778, while he was working in -the field near Fort Muncy. Young Brady survived his frightful wound for -five days and died at Sunbury in the arms of his mother, an heroic -pioneer woman. - -Captain John Brady had taken such an active part in the efforts of the -settlers to subdue the Indian atrocities, and his daring and repeated -endeavors had so intensified their hatred, that they determined his -capture above all other efforts. - -April 11, 1779, Captain Brady went up the river some distance to procure -supplies for those in the fort, and he took with him a wagon, team and -guard, and was in charge of the party. They secured the supplies and -were returning in the afternoon, Captain Brady astride a fine mare. -Within a short distance of the fort, where the road forked, he was -riding a little distance in the rear of the team and guard, and engaged -in conversation with Peter Smith, who was walking. He determined that -they would not follow the team, but would take another and shorter road -to the fort. They rode and walked along together until they reached a -small run where the same roads again joined. Brady observed, “This would -be a good place for Indians to secrete themselves.” Smith replied “yes.” -That instant three rifles cracked and Brady fell. - -The mare ran toward Smith, who grabbed her and threw himself upon her -back and in a few moments reached the fort. - -The people in the fort heard the rifle shots and, seeing Smith on the -mare coming at full speed, all rushed out to learn the fate of Captain -Brady. Mrs. Brady led those of the party in reaching Smith’s side. Smith -told them, “Brady is in heaven or hell or on his way to Tioga,” meaning -that he was either killed or taken prisoner. Those in the fort ran to -the spot and soon found the captain lying on the ground, his scalp and -rifle gone; but the Indians had been in too much haste to take his watch -or shot-pouch. - -Samuel, known as “Old Sam,” Brady happened to be at the fort when -Captain John Brady was killed, and it was he who rushed out, followed by -some of the garrison, and bore his brother’s body into the fort. - -Thus perished one of the most skilled and daring Indians fighters, on -whose sterling qualities and sound judgment the pioneers so much -depended. - -His remains are interred in the old graveyard near Halls, where a heavy -granite marker was erected bearing the inscription: - - Captain John Brady - Fell in defense of our forefathers - at Wolf Run, April 11, 1779. - Aged 46 years. - -One hundred years after his death funds for a monument were raised by -public subscription and $1600 secured, and on October 15, 1879, the -shaft was unveiled in Muncy cemetery. The oration was delivered by the -Hon. John Blair Linn, in the presence of an immense concourse made up of -military and patriotic organizations and thousands of citizens, -including several hundred of the Brady family. - - ---------- - - - - - General Abner Lacock, United States Senator - and Distinguished Citizen, Died in - Beaver County, April 12, 1837 - - -In the Biographical Annals of the Civil Government of the United States -published in 1876, appears the following brief notice of a once -prominent citizen of Pennsylvania: - -“Abner Lacock, born in Virginia, in 1770. Without the advantage of much -early education, he raised himself by his talents to eminence as a -legislator, statesman and civilian. He filled various public stations -for a period of nearly forty years; was a Representative in Congress -from Pennsylvania from 1811 to 1813, and United States Senator from 1813 -to 1819. He died in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1837.” - -A search for further information concerning one of whom so little is -known by the public, but who was honored with the highest offices in the -gift of his neighbors and of the whole people of our State, reveals many -interesting details and important events in the life of this man. - -Abner Lacock was popularly known as General Lacock. He was born in Cobs -Run, near Alexandria, Virginia, July 9, 1770. His father was a native of -England, and his mother a native of France. The father emigrated to -Washington County, Pennsylvania, while Abner was quite young, and -settled on a farm. - -In 1796 Abner removed to the town of Beaver, then in Allegheny County, -and was one of the first settlers in that neighborhood. - -His public career commenced almost immediately after his settlement at -Beaver. On September 19, 1796, he was commissioned by Governor Thomas -Mifflin a justice of the peace for Pitt Township, Allegheny County. This -appointment made him the first public official within the present limits -of Beaver County, which was formed out of parts of Allegheny and -Washington Counties, March 12, 1800. - -In his first office Lacock evinced such a natural strength of mind and -sound intelligence that he was elected in 1801, the first Representative -to the State Legislature from Beaver County, which post he filled until -1803, when he was commissioned the first associate judge for the new -county, but he resigned at the end of the year to again enter the -Legislature. The first session of court was held in Abner Lacock’s -house, February 6, 1804. - -After serving four successive terms in the House, in 1808, he was -elected to the Senate, representing Allegheny, Beaver and Butler -Counties in the upper body of the Pennsylvania Legislature with marked -ability. - -The War of 1812 with the agitation which preceded it brought him into -the larger field of national politics. In 1810 he was elected by the -people of his district as the “War Candidate” to Congress, when he -showed such qualities of leadership that in 1813 the Legislature of his -State with great unanimity elected him a Senator of the United States. -He served in the House during the Twelfth Congress and in the Senate in -the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Congresses. - -General Lacock was a warm friend of Madison and Monroe, and a bitter -enemy of Andrew Jackson. In his later years he was an Adams and Henry -Clay Whig. - -On December 18, 1818, a select committee of five members was appointed -in the Senate of the United States, to investigate the conduct of -General Andrew Jackson in connection with the Seminole War. Of this -committee Senator Lacock was chairman, and author of the report made -February 24, 1819, which severely arraigned Jackson with the violation -of the Constitution and International Laws. - -This action of the committee made Jackson and his friends furious, he -threatening members of the committee with personal violence. Lacock was -unafraid and wrote frequently about Jackson’s boasting only in public, -and that he should never avoid him a single inch. - -The clash never came, and they left the capital on the same day, and in -the same public conveyance. - -General Lacock was one of the most active promoters of internal -improvements in the State of Pennsylvania. Soon after his term in the -United States Senate had ceased, he entered heartily into the scheme for -uniting the waters of the Delaware and the Ohio by a State line of -Canals and railroads. On April 11, 1825, he was appointed one of five -commissioners to make a complete survey of the route for the -contemplated improvements. - -On February 25, 1826, the Legislature authorized the commencement of the -work on the canal. General Lacock was chosen to supervise the -construction of the Western division of the canal from Pittsburgh to -Johnstown. - -The first canal boat built or run west of the Allegheny Mountains was -named the “General Abner Lacock.” It was built at Apollo by Philip -Dally. - -Later General Lacock repeatedly served Beaver County in the State -Legislature, and in 1836 was appointed to survey and construct the -Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal, known as the “cross-cut canal,” connecting -the Erie division of the Pennsylvania Canal with the Portsmouth and Ohio -Canal, contracting in its service in that year his last illness. - -Besides those named, General Lacock held, or was offered many other -positions of high public trust, both in this and other states. - -Abner Lacock obtained the title of General in the early part of his -public career while serving as an officer of the Pennsylvania militia. -As early as 1807 he was a brigadier general, commanding a brigade in the -counties of Beaver and Butler. - -General Lacock was the friend and earnest champion of the common school -system, which when first proposed was very unpopular in Pennsylvania. -His library was one of the largest in Western Pennsylvania, and was -partially destroyed by a flood in the Ohio River in 1832. - -General Lacock was of medium height and well proportioned. He was strong -and athletic. He was the father of a large family, but there are no -living male descendants of this distinguished citizen. - -He died at his residence, near Freedom, on Wednesday morning, April 12, -1837, after a long and painful illness. - - ---------- - - - - - Family of Richard Bard Captured by Indians - April 13, 1758 - - -During the French and Indian War of 1755–58, the barrier of the South -Mountain shielded the settlers of York County, from the savage -incursions that desolated the Cumberland Valley and other parts of the -frontier of Pennsylvania. Yet occasionally a party more daring than the -rest would push across the mountain and murder or carry defenseless -families into captivity. - -An affecting instance of this kind was the captivity of Richard Bard, -which is narrated in detail by his son, the late Archibald Bard, of -Franklin County. - -Richard Bard owned and resided near a mill, which was later known as -Marshall’s Mill, on the Carroll tract, in now Adams County. - -On the morning of April 13, 1758, his house was invested by a party of -nineteen Delaware Indians, who were discovered by a little girl named -Hannah McBride. She was at the door and when they approached she -screamed and ran into the house, where were Richard Bard and his wife, a -child six months old, a bound boy, and a relative of the Bards, -Lieutenant Thomas Potter, a brother of General James Potter. - -The Indians rushed into the house, and one of them, with a large cutlass -in his grasp, made a blow at Potter, who wrested it from the savage. Mr. -Bard laid hold of a pistol that hung on the wall and snapped it at the -breast of one of the Indians, but there being tow in the pan it did not -fire, but the Indians ran out of the house. - -The savages were numerous and there was no ammunition in the Bard home, -and fearing a slaughter or being burned alive, those inside surrendered, -as the Indians promised no harm would befall them. The Indians went to a -field and made prisoners of Samuel Hunter, Daniel McManimy, and a lad -named William White, who was coming to the mill. - -Having secured the prisoners the Indians plundered the house and set -fire to the mill. About seventy rods from the house, contrary to their -promises, they put to death Thomas Potter; and having proceeded on the -mountain three or four miles, one of the Indians sunk the spear of his -tomahawk into the breast of the small child, and after repeated blows -scalped it. - -The prisoners were taken over the mountain past McCord’s fort, into the -Path Valley, where they encamped for the night. The second day the -Indians discovered a party of white men in pursuit, on which they -hastened the pace of their prisoners, under threat of being tomahawked. - -When they reached the top of the Tuscarora Mountain, they sat down to -rest, when an Indian, without any previous warning, sunk a tomahawk into -the forehead of Samuel Hunter, who was seated next to Richard Bard, -killed and scalped him. - -Passing over Sideling Hill, and the Allegheny Mountains, by Blair’s Gap, -they encamped beyond Stony Creek. Here Bard’s head had been painted red -on one side only, denoting that a council has been held, and an equal -number were for killing him, and for saving his life, and that his fate -would be determined at the next council. - -While Mr. and Mrs. Bard were engaged together in plucking a turkey, the -former told his wife of his design to escape. Some of the Indians were -asleep, and one was amusing the others by dressing himself in Mrs. -Bard’s gown. Bard was sent to the spring for water and contrived to -escape, while his wife kept the Indians amused with the gown. - -The Indians made an unsuccessful search for Bard, and proceeded to Fort -Duquesne, then twenty miles down the Ohio River to Kuskusky, in what is -now Butler County. - -Here Mrs. Bard and two boys and girls were compelled to run the -gauntlet, and were beaten in an unmerciful manner. It was at this place -that Daniel McManimy was put to death. The Indians formed themselves -into a circle round the prisoner, and beat him with sticks and -tomahawks, then tied him to a post, and after more torturing he was -scalped alive, a gun barrel was heated and passed over his body, and he -was pierced in the body until he was relieved from further torture by -death. - -Mrs. Bard was taken from the other prisoners and led from place to -place, until she was finally adopted into the tribe by two Indian men, -to take the place of a deceased sister. - -She was next taken to the headwaters of the Susquehanna, and during this -journey she suffered much from fatigue and illness. She lay two months -in this doleful situation, with none to comfort or sympathize with her, -a blanket her only covering, and boiled corn her only food. - -She met with a woman who had been in captivity several years and was -married to an Indian. She told Mrs. Bard that soon as she could speak -the Delaware tongue she would be obliged to marry one of the Indians or -be put to death. She then resolved not to learn the language. She was -kept in captivity two years and five months, during which time she was -treated with much kindness by her adopted relations. - -Richard Bard suffered extreme hardships in effecting his escape and -return to his home, traveling over mountains thick with laurel and -briers and covered with snow. His feet were sore, his clothes wet and -frozen and he was often exhausted and ready to lie down and perish for -want of food. His food during a journey of nine days was a few buds and -four snakes, when he reached Fort Littleton, in now Bedford County. - -After this he did but little else than wander from place to place in -quest of information respecting his wife. He made several perilous -journeys to Fort Duquesne, in which he narrowly escaped capture several -times. He at length learned she was at Fort Augusta, at Shamokin, and -redeemed her. - -Before the Bards departed from Shamokin, Richard Bard requested the -Indian, who was the adopted brother of his wife, to visit them at their -home. Accordingly, some time afterwards the Indian paid them a visit, -when the Bards were living about ten miles from Chambersburg. - -The Indian remained there for some time and one day went to McCormack’s -tavern and became intoxicated, when he fell into a brawl with a rough -named Newgen, who stabbed the Indian in the neck. Newgen escaped the -wrath of the settlers by fleeing the neighborhood. The Indian was -attended by a physician and recovered, being nursed back to health by -his adopted sister, Mrs. Richard Bard. - -When he returned to his own people he was put to death on the pretext of -having, as they said, joined the white people. - - ---------- - - - - - Bounties for Scalps of Indians Proclaimed - April 14, 1756 - - -After Braddock’s defeat, the protection of the frontiers of Pennsylvania -being left to the inhabitants themselves, they rapidly formed companies, -designated their own officers and received commissions from Lieutenant -Governor Morris. - -It was thought that the Indians would do no mischief in Pennsylvania -until they could draw all the others out of the province and away from -the Susquehanna. But the Delaware and Shawnee had been ravaging in the -neighborhood of Fort Cumberland on both sides of the Potomac. In the -middle of October, 1755, occurred the terrible massacres of John Penn’s -Creek, at the mouth of Mahanoy Creek, and when the Great and Little -Coves were destroyed. Shortly after occurred the massacres at -Tulpehocken and other places. - -When any Indians of the Delaware or Shawnee Nations were discovered they -were found in their war paint. These were under the command of Chief -Shingass. - -These incursions aroused the Quakers, and November 7, 1775, an address -signed by Anthony Morris and twenty-two other Quakers was presented to -the Assembly, expressing willingness to contribute toward the exigencies -of government. But the Assembly and the Executive still fought over the -tax bill. - -At this juncture Scarouady went to Philadelphia and demanded to know if -the people of Pennsylvania intended to fight, yes or no. The Governor -explained to the chieftain how the Assembly and he could not agree. - -Scarouady, who had suffered defeat with Braddock and remained a firm -friend of the English, with many other Indians went to Shamokin to live, -or at least hunt, during the ensuing season. - -Governor Morris sent Scarouady to the Six Nations to report the conduct -of the Delawares. While he was on this mission the Delaware destroyed -Gnadenhutten, in Northampton County, and the farm houses between that -place and Nazareth were burned January 1, 1756. - -Benjamin Franklin, as Commissioner, then marched with several companies -and built Fort Allen. - -The Delaware, forcing even John Shikellamy to go against the English, -sent representatives to the Six Nations to justify their conduct, but -were condemned and ordered to desist. - -When Lieutenant Governor Morris heard this chastisement given the -Delaware, and seeing that it so far had not deterred the enemy, he -determined to meet barbarity with barbarity, and gave a hatchet to -Scarouady, as a declaration of war against the Delaware, and obtained an -offer in writing from Commissioners Fox, Hamilton, Morgan, Mifflin and -Hughes to pay rewards for Indian prisoners. - -Governor Morris issued a proclamation April 14, 1756, offering such -bounties that he hoped would incite not only the soldiers and more -venturesome of the inhabitants, but which would also alarm those Indians -who still remained friendly to the English. - -The proclamation contains the following provisions: - -“For every male Indian enemy above twelve years old, who shall be taken -prisoner and delivered at any fort, garrisoned by the troops in pay of -this Province, or at any of the county towns to the keepers of the -common jail there, the sum of 150 Spanish dollars or pieces of eight; -for the scalp of every male enemy above the age of twelve years, -produced to evidence of their being killed the sum of 130 pieces of -eight; for every female Indian taken prisoner and brought in as -aforesaid, and for every male Indian prisoner under the age of twelve -years, taken and brought in as aforesaid, 130 pieces of eight; for the -scalp of every Indian woman, produced as evidence of their being killed, -the sum of fifty pieces of eight, and for every English subject that has -been killed and carried from this Province into captivity that shall be -recovered and brought in and delivered at the City of Philadelphia, to -the Governor of this Province, the sum of 130 pieces of eight, but -nothing for their scalps; and that there shall be paid to every officer -or soldier as are or shall be in the pay of the Province who shall -redeem and deliver any English subject carried into captivity as -aforesaid, or shall take, bring in and produce any enemy prisoner, or -scalp as aforesaid, one-half of the said several and respective premiums -and bounties.” - -This proclamation gave great offense to the Assembly, but not to the -population, especially those who lived in the counties distant from -Philadelphia. The times were perilous, and the bounties were absolutely -necessary to secure better protection of the borders. To the credit of -the hardy and brave frontier pioneers of Pennsylvania be it said no -Indian was wantonly killed for the sake of the reward. - -Robert Morris resigned the office of Lieutenant Governor he had held -during these stirring years, and on August 20, 1756, William Denny -arrived from England, and superseded him. Governor Denny was well -educated and held in high favor at Court. His advent here was hailed -with joy by the Assembly, who flattered themselves that with a change of -the executives at this time there would come a change of such measures -as had caused their enmity with his predecessors. Upon his assumption of -the office and making known the Proprietary instructions, to which he -stated he was compelled to adhere, all friendly feeling was at an end, -and there was a renewal of the old discord. - -Before Governor Morris resigned as Lieutenant Governor he had concerted -with Colonel John Armstrong an expedition against the strong Indian town -of Kittanning, on the Allegheny River. - - ---------- - - - - - Theatrical Performances Begun in State - April 15, 1754 - - -The amusements of the young people were for many years of the simplest -and most innocent kind. Riding, swimming and skating afforded pleasant -outdoor sport. - -Yearly Meeting, in 1716, advised Friends against “going to or being in -any way concerned in plays, games, lotteries, music and dancing.” In -1719 advice was given “that such be dealt with as run races, either on -horseback or on foot, laying wagers, or use any gaming or needless and -vain sport and pastimes, for our time passeth swiftly away, and our -pleasure and delight ought to be in the law of the Lord.” - -Various early laws of the Province prohibited stage plays and -amusements, not only bull-baiting, bear-baiting and cock-fighting, but -such as were neither immoral nor cruel, as bowls, billiards and quoits. - -Macauley said of the Puritans that they opposed bear-baiting “not -because it gave pain to the bear, but because it gave pleasure to the -spectators.” - -Quaker legislation as to games was, indeed, scarcely stricter than Henry -VIII’s, but Quakerism discountenanced excitement. - -In 1723 a wandering showman arrived in Philadelphia and set up a stage -just below South Street, where he was outside the jurisdiction of the -City Corporation. At the desire of the Quaker Assemblymen, the Speaker, -Joseph Growdon, on March 30, asked Lieutenant Governor Keith to prohibit -any performance. This he declined to do, but promised that good order -should be kept. - -So the actor issued his playbills and gave what is supposed to have been -the first entertainment in Pennsylvania that might be called theatrical. - -As the man who entertained by his “Comical Humour” in April, 1724, -called himself the audience’s “Old friend Pickle Herring,” he may be -presumed to have been the owner of both shows. In 1724, he introduced -the “Roap-Dancing” as “newly arrived.” The rope-walkers were a lad of -seven years and a woman. There was also a woman who would spin around -rapidly for a quarter of an hour with seven or eight swords pointed at -her eyes, mouth and breast. Governor Keith himself attended one or more -of these performances. - -Small shows now, from time to time, made their appearance. In 1727, “The -Lion, King of Beasts,” was advertised to be exhibited on Water Street. - -The Quakers and rigid Presbyterians, who in the early days frowned down -dancing and other “frivolous amusements,” could not be expected to -countenance the introduction of the drama in Philadelphia. So when -Murray and Kean’s company of Thespians made their appearance in 1749 -they were not permitted to make a long stay, but were ordered off as -soon as the worthy rulers of the city’s morals realized the fact that -their entertainments possessed irresistible attractions. So Murray and -Kean went to New York and for five years the Philadelphians did not see -a play. - -In August, 1749, mention is made of the tragedy of Cato being acted; but -January 8, 1750, attention being called to some persons having lately -taken upon themselves to act plays, and intending “to make a frequent -practice thereof,” the City Council asked the magistrates to suppress -the same. - -In the year 1753 Lewis Hallam’s English company, after traveling a year -in the Southern colonies and performing in various places in Virginia -and Maryland, went to New York, where they opened their theatre in the -month of September. The report of the great success of their talented -actors awakened a desire among the more liberal-minded Philadelphians -that Hallam should visit the Quaker City. - -On April 15, 1754, they gave their first performance in the large brick -warehouse of William Plumstead, situated in King or Water Street, -between Pine and Lombard Streets. This house remained standing until -1849, when it was pulled down. - -The opening piece was the tragedy of “The Fair Penitent,” followed by -the farce “Miss in Her Teens.” - -Mr. Rigby spoke a prologue and Mrs. Hallam an epilogue written for the -occasion, in which, after defending the stage from the accusation of -sinfulness and alluding to the effect produced by the tragedy upon the -audience, she asked: - - “If then the soul in Virtue’s cause we move - Why should the friends of Virtue disapprove?” - -This temporary theatre was neatly fitted up and opened to a full house. -The license was for twenty-four nights but this number was extended to -thirty, and the theatre closed June 24 after having had a brilliant and -profitable season. One of the performances was given for the benefit of -the charity school. - -Hallam’s company came back to Philadelphia in 1759 to occupy a permanent -theatre erected for them in Southwark, at the corner of Cedar (or South) -and Vernon Streets, on Society Hill. - -This theatre was opened June 25, 1759, but either because the house was -too small and not well equipped or because of discouraging opposition -the company only played in it one season. They remained away five years. - -On their return a new house, much larger than the first one, was built -at the corner of South and Apollo Streets. This new theatre was opened -November 12, 1766. - -It was in this theatre and by “The American Company” that the first play -by an American author performed on any regular stage was given April 24, -1767. This was “The Prince of Porthia,” by Thomas Godfrey, Jr., of -Philadelphia. - -The American Company played at this theatre several seasons. The theatre -remained closed from the beginning of the Revolutionary War until it was -opened by the British officers during their occupancy of the city, -1777–78. - -These amateur performers gave regular plays, the proceeds going to -widows and orphan children of the soldiers. The ill-fated Major Andre -and Captain Delancy painted the scenes and other decorations. The -curtain, representing a waterfall scene, the work of young Andre, -remained in use until the theatre was destroyed by fire May 9, 1823. - -After the return of the Continental Congress the Legislature of -Pennsylvania legislated against theatrical performances. No plays were -given until 1789, when a petition signed by 1900 citizens, asking the -repeal of the prohibiting provision relating to theatres, was presented -to the Legislature. The religious community presented a petition signed -by more than 1000 citizens as a remonstrance against the repeal. - -The restrictive portion of the act was repealed and Hallam and Henry -opened the Southwark Theatre January 6, 1790, with “The Rivals” and “The -Critic.” - -The season was unusually brilliant, and the theatre in Philadelphia and -elsewhere throughout Pennsylvania has since been popular. - - ---------- - - - - - Tedyuskung, Indian Chieftain, Burns to - Death in Cabin, April 16, 1763 - - -Tedyuskung was made king of the Delaware nation in the spring of 1756, -and from that date until his untimely death this great Indian chieftain -exerted a most powerful influence throughout the entire Province of -Pennsylvania. - -The name is of Munsee dialect, and signifies “the healer,” or “one who -cures wounds, bruises, etc.” - -He was one of the most famous and crafty of the Delaware chiefs during -the period of discussion of the Indian claims, following the sale of the -lands along the Delaware and Susquehanna to the Proprietors of -Pennsylvania by the Iroquois. - -Tedyuskung was born at the present site of Trenton, N.J., about 1705, -and died April 16, 1763. Nothing is known of his life before the time he -first appears as an historic character, prior to which he was known as -“Honest John.” - -When about fifty years old he was chosen chief of the Delaware on the -Susquehanna, and from that time wielded a potent influence, although he -occupied a peculiar position. - -Sir William Johnson, of New York, was a zealous friend of the Iroquois, -while Conrad Weiser and George Croghan, of Pennsylvania, were strongly -prejudiced against the Delaware and Shawnee. The problem which the -Provincial Government of Pennsylvania had to solve was how to keep peace -with the Iroquois and at the same time prevent the Delaware and the -Shawnee who were then becoming independent of the Iroquois, from going -over to the French. - -The Delaware were conscious they had been unjustly deprived of their -lands by the Pennsylvania authorities, aided by the Iroquois. They had -been driven from the Delaware to the Susquehanna, and many had been -forced even as far west as the Ohio, and now that France and England had -commenced to struggle for the possession of that region the Delaware -felt they were to be again driven from their home. They were revolting -not only against the English, but against their masters, the Iroquois. - -At this critical time, when the border settlements in Western -Pennsylvania were being ravaged by hostile bands of Delaware and -Shawnee, and when the English were making preparations for an expedition -to take Fort Duquesne, Tedyuskung took his stand as a friend of the -English. - -Christian Frederic Post had been sent on a mission to the Ohio Indians, -and Conrad Weiser and others were working to retain the friendship of -these Indians. The many squatters along the Juniata River and the -illegal sale of land at Wyoming made by the Mohawk to the Connecticut -settlers complicated the situation and made the work of these emissaries -much more difficult and trying. Then the Indians who had been in -conference at Albany in 1754, found when they returned home that lands -had been sold to the Proprietors which they did not comprehend. - -Washington suffered defeat at Fort Necessity and this was followed by -the terrible Braddock disaster; which with the evil effects of the rum -traffic among the Indians and the almost total neglect by the Province -of Pennsylvania had almost entirely alienated them from the English -cause. - -Then began the several attempts to win them back, but the passage of the -Scalp Act and the declaration of war against the Delaware caused this -tribe to rise in rebellion against the Province and also against their -hated title of “women,” given them by the Iroquois. - -Such was the situation when the great council was called at Easton, -July, 1756, at which Tedyuskung appeared as the champion of the -Delaware. Governor Morris opened the council with a speech, in which he -warmly welcomed the chief. Tedyuskung replied: “The Delaware are no -longer the slaves of the Six Nations. I, Tedyuskung, have been appointed -King over the Five United Nations. What I do here will be approved by -all. This is a good day. I wish the same good that possessed the good -old man, William Penn, who was a friend of the Indian, may inspire the -people of the Province at this time.” - -The first session was followed by a grand feast and reception, during -which King Tedyuskung and Chief Newcastle were sent to give the “big -peace halloo” to the Indians and invite them to a larger conference, -which was held at a later time. - -Tedyuskung left Easton, but loitered about Fort Allen, where he became -drunk and disorderly, and so incensed Lieutenant Miller that the whole -outcome of the peace conference was, for a time, endangered. - -During this drunken spree Tedyuskung was blamed for having dealings with -the French, but no evidence was produced to prove the charges; yet -Governor Morris dispatched Chief Newcastle to Sir William Johnson to -learn if the Iroquois had deputized Tedyuskung to act for them. This -they denied. - -Then followed endless discussions in Provincial Council. Governor Morris -had been succeeded by Governor Denny, who went to the council at Easton, -July, 1757, under a heavy guard. Tedyuskung, in his opening speech, -said: “I am sorry for what our people have done. I have gone among our -people pleading for peace. If it cost me my life I would do it.” - -Tedyuskung demanded a clerk at this Easton Council on threat of leaving, -and he was assigned such official. While Tedyuskung was drunk each -night, he appeared at council each morning with a clear head and was the -equal of any in debate. - -This second Easton council determined upon a general peace and -Tedyuskung promised to see that their white prisoners were all returned. -He then went to Fort Allen, where he and his warriors had a drunken -frolic. Conrad Weiser says of him at this time: “Though he is a drunkard -and a very irregular man, yet he is a man that can think well, and I -believe him to be sincere in what he said.” - -A fourth council was held at Easton in October, 1758, when Post had -returned from his Western mission. Land disputes again became a -principal topic, and Tedyuskung was discredited by the Iroquois, who -attempted to destroy his influence with the Provincial Government. They -even left the council when he spoke, but the old King won out and the -council finally ended in a treaty of peace. - -In 1762 the Governor offered Tedyuskung £400 as a present if he would -withdraw his charges of fraud in the “Walking Purchase,” and he accepted -the bribe. - -After all the dealing with the Governors and councils of Pennsylvania, -and his personal controversies with the enemy tribes, this last of the -chiefs of the eastern Delaware traveled from Philadelphia to his home at -Wyoming, and on the night of April 16, 1763, his house was set on fire -while he lay on his couch in a drunken debauch and he was burned to -death in the flames. The perpetrators of this crime were either Seneca -or Mohawk. - -He was the most virile chief of the Delaware nation during the years of -their subjugation to the Iroquois. His efforts for peace did much to win -the Ohio region from the French. - -A monument to Tedyuskung has been erected in Fairmount Park, -Philadelphia. - - ---------- - - - - - Lottery for Union Canal for $400,000 Authorized - by Legislature, April 17, 1795 - - -By the act of April 17, 1795, the president and managers of the -Schuykill and Susquehanna Navigation, and the president and managers of -the Delaware and Schuykill Canal Navigation, were authorized to raise by -means of a lottery, a sum of $400,000 for the purpose of completing the -works cited in their acts of incorporation, under a prohibition that -neither of them should form the same into capital stock, upon which to -declare a dividend of profits. - -An Act Passed March 4, 1807, authorized the said companies to raise -their respective sums separately, subject to the prohibition as to -dividends. - -The two companies were consolidated by act of April 2, 1811 into a -corporation known as the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania. The new -company was authorized to raise money by loan to complete the canal and -to use the proceeds of the lotteries already authorized, and by the -twenty-eighth section of the act authority was given to raise the -residue of the original sum equal to $340,000 by a lottery. - -By the act of March 29, 1819 the proceeds of the above lottery were -pledged as a fund for the payment of an annual interest of 6 per cent -upon the stock of the company. - -By these and subsequent acts it appears that the lottery grants were -given in the first instance, to the two companies, and afterwards -continued to the Union Canal Company to aid and encourage the -construction and completion of a canal and lock navigation uniting the -waters of the Susquehanna and Schuylkill. - -In consequence of these lottery grants, individuals were induced to -invest their funds in the furtherance of the work, and loans to the -amount of $830,400 were made upon the credit of the capital stock and -the profits of the lotteries. - -The Union Canal Company entered into contracts for the conduct of these -lotteries, the last one, October 6, 1824, for five years, which expired -December 31, 1829. - -There was much sentiment against these lotteries and as there were laws -in force for suppressing and preventing lotteries, there was objection -made when the extension of this lottery was brought to the General -Assembly. The Committee on Ways and Means, February 9, 1828, reported -that it was inexpedient to resume the lottery grants to the Union Canal -Company at this time and further resolved, “that the committee be -instructed to bring in a bill to regulate lottery brokers, and to -restrain the sale of lottery tickets within this Commonwealth.” - -For more than half a century after the founding of the Province, -Pennsylvania was dominated by the Quakers, who were constantly opposed -to all games of chance. At the very first meeting of the Assembly, at -Chester, in 1682, an act was passed against cards, dice, lotteries, etc. -This and similar acts were annulled by the English Government. - -Although lotteries were not legally prohibited only one lottery appears -to have been drawn during the next several decades. In 1720 a Mr. Reed -by means of a lottery of 350 tickets, which were sold for twenty -shillings each, disposed of a new brick house and several lots in -Philadelphia. - -In 1730 lotteries were prohibited under a penalty of £100, half of which -was to go to the Governor, and half to the party bringing suit. - -It seems probable that the Provincial Assembly authorized lotteries by -special legislation for at least two lotteries had the official sanction -of the Philadelphia Council; one in 1747, for the fortification of the -City, the other a year later for street paving. From this time until the -passage of the anti-lottery act of 1762, lotteries increased in number. - -During this period lotteries were drawn for the college, academy and -charitable school of Philadelphia, to complete the Episcopal Church, -etc. - -The act of 1762 proved to be effective in limiting the number and -purposes for which lotteries might be established. Between 1762 and -1796, there were only twenty-three lotteries in Pennsylvania. Of these -six were private, eight were for public use and nine for the erection of -church buildings, in which twenty-one churches were concerned. - -With the establishment of the Federal Government the financial condition -of the country rapidly improved. With the gradual growth of population, -and rapid development of business, came increased demands for new -churches, schools, public buildings and improved transportation. To meet -these public needs the regular revenue was insufficient and to avoid an -abnormal increase in taxation, petitions were presented to the -Legislature for the privilege of establishing public or semi-public -lotteries. - -The Legislature rejected all requests for lotteries, except when some -important purpose was to be served. Only one lottery was authorized in -1790, for the erection of a Jewish synagogue; none then until 1795, when -one was granted the Aaronsburg Town Lottery, in now Center County, and -the other was to aid in opening the canal navigation between the -Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers. - -From 1796 to 1808 inclusive seventy-eight different lotteries were -authorized. - -The lottery of 1782 for the improvement of roads west of Philadelphia -was managed as a state lottery. Others were county, city, borough and -township schemes. Some were for erection of bridges, ferries and even -improving creeks. One was for a garden and public bath in Philadelphia, -one for the pay of soldiers in the French and Indian War; hospitals were -also included, as were schools. - -Many churches were built by means of lotteries and the newspapers of -that period carried many advertisements, both from those authorized by -the Pennsylvania Legislature and those of other States. It is estimated -that at least fifty lotteries chartered by other States had agencies in -Pennsylvania. - -From 1747 to 1883 there were 176 separate lotteries. One single lottery, -Union Canal lottery, awarded in prizes more than $33,000,000 between -1811 and December 31, 1833. - -The State became flooded with local and foreign lottery tickets, and -many memorials were presented to the Legislature against all form of -lotteries, but they continued to thrive until December 31, 1833, when -they were abolished by law, Pennsylvania taking the lead of all States -in banishing lotteries. - -Governor George Wolf said in a message to the General Assembly: “A more -pernicious, ruinous and demoralizing evil can scarcely be imagined.” - - ---------- - - - - - First Northern Camp in Civil War - Established April 18, 1861 - - -On April 18, 1861, Camp Curtin was regularly and formally established in -the northwestern suburbs of Harrisburg. It was the first regular camp -formed north of the Susquehanna in the loyal States, and before the end -of the month twenty-five regiments were sent to the front from the -counties of Pennsylvania. - -The willing and prompt response to the call of President Lincoln and the -appeal of Governor Curtin created immediately the necessity for a great -rendezvous for the State’s troops. Harrisburg was the logical place for -such a camp, for it had the advantage of being the seat of government -and railroad lines extending in all directions. - -The troops began to pour into Harrisburg so suddenly that temporary -shelter was erected on all public grounds, within three days after the -President’s call for volunteers. - -Governor Curtin acted promptly in procuring accommodations for the -troops, and on April 18 requested Captain E. C. Williams to take charge -of the grounds controlled by the Dauphin County Agricultural Society, -near the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company on the east and -less than a quarter of a mile from the Susquehanna on the west. - -It was the original intention to call this rendezvous “Camp Union,” but -Captain E. C. Williams, Captain J. P. Knipe and others very -appropriately changed the name in honor of the patriotic and beloved -Governor of Pennsylvania. - -When the war broke out in all its suddenness, and Washington was cut off -from the loyal States of the North by the riotous proceedings at -Baltimore, there was an utter lack of military organization in -Pennsylvania. The military system of the State had decayed and aside -from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, there were very few military companies -in the State fully armed and equipped. Of these only a few contained the -minimum number of thirty-two men. But, as the appeal for men was -disseminated through the towns and villages of the interior counties, -the officers of such military companies as did exist very promptly -rallied their men and tendered their services to the Governor. - -Ringgold Light Artillery, Captain McKnight, of Reading; the Logan -Guards, Captain Selheimer, of Lewistown; the Washington Artillery, -Captain Wren, and the National Light Infantry, Captain McDonald, both of -Pottsville, and the Allen Rifles, Captain Yeager, of Allentown, were the -first to offer their services in an armed and disciplined condition for -immediate action. When the Ringgold Light Artillery, numbering one -hundred and two men, reached Harrisburg and word was sent to the -Secretary of War of the presence of so strong a company at the State -Capital, he at once telegraphed for its immediate presence in -Washington, but for prudence the order was suppressed. - -On the morning of the 18th, the day Camp Curtin was established, a -detachment of Company H, Fourth United States Artillery, numbering -fifty, arrived from the West, in command of Lieutenant Pemberton. - -The five volunteer companies, first to report at Camp Curtin, were -promptly mustered into the United States service by Captain, afterwards -Colonel Seneca G. Simmons, of the Seventh United States Infantry, and -the regulars, mentioned above, and these volunteers departed on the same -train for Fort McHenry, to assist in the defense of Washington. - -The volunteers marched through Baltimore, then filled with Southern -sympathizers, ready and eager to obstruct their passage through the -city. On leaving the cars at Bolton station to march to the Camden -station, a battalion was formed. As the march began the Baltimore police -appeared in large force, headed by Marshall Kane, followed by a mob, who -at once attacked the volunteers and were countenanced by the police sent -to give safe conduct through the city. The troops were ordered to -maintain their discipline. - -When in the center of the city, the regulars under Lieutenant Pemberton -marched off toward Fort McHenry leaving the volunteers to pursue their -march to Camden station. This seemed to be a signal to the mob, and at -once the air was filled with flying missiles, while every species of -oath and imprecation were flung at the volunteers as they marched -forward. Not a man made a reply, but steadily, sternly, and undauntedly -the five companies of Pennsylvanians moved over the cobble-stoned -streets of the city. At every step the mob increased, but with -unblanched faces and martial step the brave men never for one moment -wavered, marching like veterans as the mob gave way before and around -them as they forced their passage to the depot. - -The mob believed that a portion of the Logan Guards carried loaded guns, -because their half-cocked pieces displayed percussion caps, but in -reality there was not a load of powder and ball in the entire five -companies. Nevertheless, the feint of displaying the caps, which was -done partly as a jest on leaving the cars at Bolton Station, saved the -men from the bloody attack which was hurled the next day at the force of -Massachusetts troops passing through the city. As it was, when the -troops were boarding the cars at Camden station, the infuriated rabble -who had dogged their steps, hurled bricks, stones, clubs and mud into -their disorganized ranks, without, fortunately, injuring a single -volunteer. - -Attempts were made to throw the cars from the track, to detach the -locomotive, and even to break the driving mechanism of the engine, all -of which failed, and the train pulled out of the station amid the -demoniac yells of the disappointed ruffians whose thirst for blood was -now aroused to a savage fury. - -The solicitude of Governor Curtin for the safe transportation of these -troops through Baltimore was intense. He remained at the telegraph -office in Harrisburg receiving dispatches which depicted the stirring -scenes in the streets of Baltimore. When it was finally announced that -the trains had passed out of reach of their assailants with the men -safely aboard, he emphatically declared that not another Pennsylvania -soldier should march through Baltimore unarmed, but fully prepared to -defend himself. - -At 7 o’clock in the evening of the eighteenth, the five Pennsylvania -companies reached Washington, the first troops which arrived from any -State to defend the National Capital. On July 22 Congress adopted a -resolution commending these Pennsylvania volunteers for the gallantry -displayed in passing through the Baltimore mob and reaching Washington -so promptly. It is of interest to note that our own Pennsylvanian, -Galusha A. Grow, was then Speaker of the House of Representatives and -signed this resolution. - - ---------- - - - - - Training of Troops Began at Camp Curtin, - April 19, 1861 - - -When the First Defenders departed from Camp Curtin and were the first -troops which arrived at Washington from any State to defend the National -Capital, the real activities of this famous training camp began. - -Beginning on the morning of April 19 every inbound train brought troops -to Harrisburg, and soon Camp Curtin was a hive of activity. - -Eli Seifer, Secretary of the Commonwealth, assumed the discharge of -certain military functions, such as replying to telegraphic offer of -troops, etc., but beginning April 19, Captain G. A. C. Seiler, the -commandant, assumed the responsibilities, and displayed great energy. -His administration was characterized by earnestness and activity, until -by exposure and over-work, he contracted a disease from which he died. -He was succeeded July 31 by Colonel John H. Taggart, of Philadelphia. - -Colonel Taggart was the editor of the Sunday Times, in Philadelphia, and -when the news of hostilities reached there, he raised a company of -volunteers called “The Wayne Guards” and marched them from Philadelphia -to Harrisburg. They arrived at Camp Curtin June 7. - -Governor Curtin was not over sanguine that the war was likely to be -concluded at the first contest so when the responses to the first call -for volunteers brought enough to make twenty-five regiments instead of -only the eight asked for, the Governor did not disband them, but -directed that they preserve their organizations, and immediately applied -to the Legislature for authority to form a corps of thirteen regiments -of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery, to be organized and -equipped by the State, to be subject to the call of the National -Government if needed, and at all times to be in readiness for immediate -service. - -On May 15, the Legislature passed an act authorizing the organization of -the “Reserve Volunteer Corps of the Commonwealth,” and Governor Curtin -issued his call for men to compose the corps, and apportioned the number -that would be received from each county, in order that each section of -the State and every class of its people should be duly represented in -it. - -Four camps of instruction were established; one at Easton, under command -of Colonel William B. Mann, of Philadelphia; one at West Chester, under -Captain Henry M. McIntire, of West Chester; one at Pittsburgh, under -Colonel John W. McLean; and one at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, under -Colonel G. A. C. Seiler, of Harrisburg. - -George A. McCall, a graduate of the West Point Military Academy, of the -class of 1822, a distinguished soldier in the war with Mexico, was -appointed a Major General to command the corps. General McCall -immediately organized his staff by appointing Henry J. Biddle, Assistant -Adjutant General, and Henry Sheets and Eldrige McConkey, Aids-de-Camp. -Subsequently, Professor Henry Coppee was attached to the staff as -Inspector General. - -On June 22 two of the regiments were ordered to Cumberland, Md., and -soon afterward rendered excellent service at New Creek and Piedmont, in -West Virginia until ordered to the lower Potomac regions. - -On July 22, the day after the disaster at Bull Run, a requisition was -made on the State for its Reserve Corps, and as quickly as the means of -transportation could be provided, eleven thousand of these troops, fully -armed and equipped, were sent to the defenses of Washington, and a few -days later the regiments were mustered into the United States service -for three years, or during the war. - -This was the beginning of the Pennsylvania Reserves, an organization, -which, during the later years of the war, won fame on many battlefields, -and many of whose members sleep beneath the sod in Southern States. -Their skill was everywhere recognized, and no others were more renowned -for bravery. - -Reverend A. S. Williams who gave the historical address on the occasion -of the dedication of the statue to Governor Curtin on the site of Camp -Curtin, among other interesting facts said: “When General McDowell’s -soldiers were defeated at Bull’s Run, the trained Pennsylvania Reserve -Regiment from Camp Curtin, steadied the Government at Washington. When -General Lee attempted to invade the North in 1862, Governor Curtin -called for fifty thousand volunteers, and a strong reserve was -maintained at Camp Curtin ready to march at a moment’s notice. - -“During the early months of the war, on one occasion trucks were pushed -on the tracks of the railroad to the east of the Camp and a Brigade of -Soldiers stepped on them and was carried by way of Huntingdon over the -Broad Top Railroad to Hopewell; from here they marched through Bedford -to Cumberland, Md. For two months these soldiers protected this -community from the harrassing enemy. - -“In June 1863 when the people of the State became apprehensive lest -Harrisburg and Philadelphia fall into the hands of General Lee, again -the troops from Camp Curtin met the enemy but a few miles from -Harrisburg along the Carlisle Pike.” - -Camp Curtin was available and often used as an Army hospital. - -Among the commanders at Camp Curtin besides those above mentioned were -Colonel Thomas Welsh, of Lancaster; Colonel Charles J. Biddle, of -Philadelphia; and Colonel James A. Beaver, afterwards General and later -Governor of Pennsylvania. - -Governor Curtin, after all, was the leading spirit in this greatest of -Army Camps and it is appropriate that the words on a bronze tablet on -his statue should read: “His administration of the Gubernatorial office -during the dark days of the Republic made an imperishable name for his -family, and added historic grandeur to the annals of the Commonwealth.” - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Brodhead Destroyed Indian Town - of Coshocton, April 20, 1781 - - -Colonel Daniel Brodhead, the commandant at Fort Pitt, had not been able -to execute his design to lead a force against the Wyandot and Shawnee -Indian towns in Ohio. He had expected to obtain the help of the Delaware -warriors at Coshocton for this expedition, but in the spring of 1781, a -change in the situation impelled him to strike at the Delaware. - -Until December, 1780, the Delaware took no part, as a nation, in the -warfare against the frontiers of Pennsylvania, and the alliance with the -United States, made by their three principal chiefs in the autumn of -1778, was outwardly observed for more than two years. The death of their -noted chief, White Eyes, which occurred from an attack of smallpox, at -Pittsburgh, November, 1778, was followed by the election of Killbuck, or -Gelelemand, the celebrated sachem, who proved himself to be an -unswerving friend of the Americans. Chief Killbuck found himself the -leader of the minority of his nation, but his influence was sufficient -to delay the union of the Delaware with the other hostile Indian -nations. - -The Americans gave no presents to the Indians and had little else of -value to offer them, while the British, especially those at the Detroit -post, gave them not only alluring promises but showered many valuable -presents upon them. It was then only a matter of time until the Shawnee, -Seneca, Miami, Wyandot and other Indians hostile to the Americans could -persuade the Delaware to join with them in war against the Colonists. -Captain Pipe was the principal Delaware chief who had long led the war -party and finally controlled their determination to take up the hatchet. - -In February, 1781, a council was held at Coshocton, at which Killbuck -was not present, being then on an important mission to Fort Pitt, and -the Delaware yielded to the pressure and voted to join in warfare -against the borders of Pennsylvania and Virginia. - -Killbuck was afraid to return to Coshocton, as he learned of threats -against his life, so he made his home with the Moravians and their -converted Indians at Salem, on the western branch of the Tuscarawas -River, fourteen miles below New Philadelphia. Here he professed -Christianity and was baptized and received the Christian name William -Henry, in honor of a distinguished citizen of Lancaster, Pa. He was -afterward commissioned by the United States Congress and was proud to -call himself “Colonel Henry.” When he removed his family to Salem he -took also with him the family of White Eyes and other Delaware Indians, -including the aged warriors Big Cat and Nonowland. - -Killbuck wrote a long letter to Colonel Brodhead informing him of the -hostile action of the council at Coshocton. The missionary, the Reverend -John Heckewelder, who penned this letter, also sent another by the same -messenger, John Montour, in which he suggested an expedition against -Coshocton. - -Colonel Brodhead at once determined to attack the place and punish the -Delaware for their perfidy. The Pennsylvania Government gave him much -assistance and a supply of provisions, but his force of regular troops -at Fort Pitt had been reduced, from various causes, to about 200 men. He -made a call for assistance to the officers of the border counties, but -no troops were furnished by them. Colonel David Shepherd, county -lieutenant of Ohio County, Virginia (now Green County, Pa.) however, -sent him a body of excellent volunteers consisting of 134 Virginia -militiamen, arranged in four companies, under Captains John Ogle, -Benjamin Royce, Jacob Leffler and William Crawford. These men were hardy -young farmers from the settlements in Washington County; most of them -rode their own horses, and cheerfully responded to Colonel Shepherd’s -call. - -These troops rendezvoused at Fort Henry, the stockade at Wheeling, where -Colonel Brodhead and his command joined them. On Tuesday, April 19, the -little army of 300 was ferried over the Ohio River and marched over the -Indian trail for Muskingum River. John Montour, Nonowland and Delaware -braves joined the Americans to fight their own treacherous tribesmen. - -The purpose was to march rapidly and take the village of Coshocton by -surprise; yet it required ten days to reach that place on account of -severe weather and unusually heavy rains. A short pause was made at -Salem, where Colonel Brodhead held a conference with the Reverend John -Heckewelder. - -He learned there were no Christian Indians at Coshocton. The Moravians -were to prepare corn and cattle for the soldiers against the return -march. The missionary then hastened back to Gnadenhuetten and Salem to -carry the news that the Americans were in the country and Killbuck and -his warriors again donned the war paint to join the Continentals against -other savages. - -Although it required ten days to reach the Muskingum, the Delaware were -taken by surprise. They had no expectation that the Americans would act -so promptly and, on account of stormy weather, they were careless and -kept out no scouts. Then some of the principal chiefs were at Detroit, -in attendance at a big council with De Peyster, the British governor. - -On Friday morning, April 20, during a heavy downpour, the advance guard -came upon three Indians in the woods, not more than a mile distant from -Coshocton. One of the savages was captured, but the two others escaped -to the town and gave the alarm. The captured Indian said there were not -many warriors at home, that a band of forty had just returned from a -border raid, with scalps and prisoners, but had crossed to the farther -side of the river, a few miles above the town, to enjoy a drunken revel. - -Brodhead hurried forward and dashed into the Indian capital, finding but -fifteen warriors there, who made a brave resistance, but every one was -either killed by rifle ball or tomahawked by an American soldier. The -mounted men were first in the town and they would not accept surrender -or suffer the wounded to linger long in agony. No harm was done to any -of the old men, women or children, of whom more than a score were -captured. These were removed and every building in Coshocton set on -fire. A great quantity of peltry and other stores was taken and forty -head of cattle furnished good food for the hungry soldiers. - -As a result of the Coshocton campaign the hostile Delaware migrated to -the headwaters of the Sandusky and other places farther westward, while -the adherents of Chief Killbuck and those friendly to the Americans -moved to Pittsburgh and erected their rude wigwams on Smoky Island, -sometimes called Killbuck Island, at the northern side of the junction -of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. - - ---------- - - - - - Cornerstones Laid for Germantown - Academy, April 21, 1760 - - -By the year 1760, the French and Indian War had narrowed its area and -was confined chiefly to Canada. This was then a period of development in -and about Philadelphia. - -The Germantown Academy was organized January 1, 1760, and four -cornerstones were laid with appropriate ceremonies, April 21, 1760. - -This ancient and honorable institution was originated in a meeting held -December 6, 1759, at the house of Daniel Mackinet, when it was resolved -to start a subscription for erecting a large and commodious building -near the center of the town for the use of an English and High Dutch -School, with suitable dwelling houses for the teachers. Christopher -Meng, Christopher Sower, Baltus Reser, Daniel Machinet, John Jones, and -Charles Bensell were appointed to solicit and receive subscriptions. - -At the organization meeting held by the contributors, January 1, 1760, -Richard Johnson was appointed treasurer, and Christopher Sower, Thomas -Rosse, John Jones, Daniel Mackinet, Jacob Rizer, John Bowman, Thomas -Livezey, David Dreshler, George Absentz, Joseph Galloway, Charles -Bensell, Jacob Naglee and Benjamin Engle were chosen trustees. - -The trustees purchased a lot from George Bringhurst in Bensell’s Lane, -subsequently called Schoolhouse Lane. The institution was named -Germantown Union High School House. - -It was also decided that the school should be free to persons of all -religious denominations. - -The buildings were completed by the following year, when the school was -opened in September. - -The schoolhouse was eighty feet long and forty feet wide, two stories -high, and six schoolrooms, and wings supplying two dwelling houses for -the use of the masters. - -The Academy is a long-fronted building of rough gray stone topped by a -quaint little belfry tower, and with small stone houses on either side, -which balance the pleasing effect. There is a worn stone sill, which -doubtless is the same upon which Washington stepped when he visited the -institution. - -Hilarius Becker made his appearance as the German teacher, with seventy -pupils, and David James Dove as the English teacher, with sixty-one -pupils and Thomas Pratt was the English usher. - -Although the mass of people used the German language, these numbers show -that those of the English-speaking tongue were rapidly creeping on them. - -David James Dove was one of the most famous characters in old -Philadelphia. He had formerly taught grammar sixteen years at -Chichester, England. He was an excellent master and his scholars made -surprising progress. He was the first English teacher in Franklin’s -Academy, and then conducted a school of his own in Vidells Alley before -he became the first English teacher in the new academy at Germantown. - -He became rather overbearing and also divided too much of his time with -private scholars, and in 1763 the trustees tried to remove him, but he -refused to be removed, even though Pelatiah Webster had already been -appointed as his successor. Dove held possession of the schoolhouse and -declared he would not retire. Finally Joseph Galloway and Thomas Wharton -were charged with the duty of dealing with Dove. - -Of course, Dove made way after a time for his successor, but for many -years he continued to teach a private school in Germantown. - -Dove’s method of reclaiming truants was to send a committee of five or -six boys in search of them with a lighted lantern and a bell and in an -odd equipage in broad daylight. The bell was always tinkling as they -went about the town, and soon they would bring the culprits back filled -with shame. - -The progress of the academy was most satisfactory, for in 1764 Greek, -Latin and the higher mathematics were taught. In the early seventies -additional ground in the rear of the lot was obtained. - -The rudiments of good manners were taught along with those of learning, -but it was expressly enjoined that youths of Quaker parentage should not -be required to take off their hats in saluting the teachers. - -In March, 1761, a lottery scheme was put forth to raise £1125 for the -use of this school. Another lottery the same year was for the Germantown -Public School. The academy lottery consisted of 6667 tickets at $3 to -raise $3000. - -As the Revolution approached, and, at last, swept over them, the school -experienced troubled times; it was difficult even to get a quorum of the -trustees. - -In July, 1777, a new teacher was appointed because Thomas Dungan, the -master of the English school, had joined the American army. - -After the Battle of Germantown the academy was used by the British as a -hospital. Some twenty feet to the east of the back part of the grounds -six British soldiers, who died of their wounds, were buried in what was -Dreshler’s lot. - -After the war the revival was slow. In 1784 a charter was obtained -incorporating it as the “Public School at Germantown,” which was amended -in 1786. The school was poor, the State could not furnish much -assistance and contributions were solicited. These and the increase in -the enrollment kept the Academy forging ahead. In 1808 another lottery -was held which yielded about $500, but John Bowman, the treasurer, -refused to receive the money. - -In the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 the Legislature of Pennsylvania and -the Congress of the United States made proposals for an occupation. It -was given to Congress, on the rather easy terms of the restoration of -“104 panes of glass, two window shutters, two door linings, three door -locks, the steps front and back both of new wood, the hearths to be laid -with new bricks, sundry patchings and white washing for which repairs -and no others, the sum of $60 will be allowed out of the rent, which is -to be $300 for one session.” - -In the yellow fever of 1798 the use of the lower floor and cellar was -granted to the Banks of North America and Pennsylvania, they agreeing as -compensation to paint the building and to renew its roof. - -The centennial anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone was -celebrated with great enthusiasm April 21, 1860, by ringing the bell, -parade, 100 guns, and in the evening an address by John S. Littell and -an oration by Sidney George Foster. - -These are only incidents in the career of more than 160 years, and the -Academy has long been one of the most celebrated in the country. - - ---------- - - - - - Eccentric John Mason’s Leaning Tower on - Blue Hill Destroyed April 22, 1864 - - -Travelers up and down both branches of the Susquehanna River years ago -will well remember the leaning tower high up on Blue Hill, opposite -Northumberland. This peculiar building hung over a precipice and viewed -from the river level, looked as if a breath of air would topple it to -the rocks below. It was built by John Mason, who owned a farm of ninety -acres of land on the hill, and who, from his eccentricities, came to be -known as the “Hermit of Blue Hill.” - -The tower, which was built as an observatory, was about sixteen by -eighteen feet, two stories in height and of octagonal shape. It leaned -at an angle of about twenty-two degrees and for safety was clamped to -the rock upon which it was built with strong iron rods. The roof was -flat, and there was a railing around it for protection of those who had -courage to go upon it and look down the frightful precipice. - -The view from the roof of “John Mason’s Leaning Tower,” as it was -called, was one of superlative grandeur. Both the North and West -Branches of the Susquehanna, as well as the main stream below their -confluence, the majestic hills and pretty towns of Northumberland and -Sunbury could all be taken in one panoramic view. Blue Hill at this -point is 301 feet in height, as determined by the engineers who laid out -the railroad in after years. - -The leaning tower was built very near the spot one now sees, in seeking -the profile of old “Shikellamy,” which would be located about where the -top of the forehead would be seen. The tower was almost destroyed by -visitors who cut their initials upon everything of wood, until it was -entirely covered by these characters. - -John Mason built this odd-looking house in 1839. William Henry did the -carpenter work. It stood there until the spring of 1864—a period of -twenty-five years—when, on a Sunday afternoon, April 22, it was -destroyed by a party of railroad men in a spirit of deviltry. They -loosened its moorings and the curious tower rolled down the rocky -precipice with a tremendous crash and landed on a raft of logs passing -down stream. - -Its destruction removed one of the oddest, as well as one of the most -conspicuous, landmarks along the Susquehanna River. - -There are several stories related of John Mason’s eccentricities and the -motives which induced him to erect this leaning tower. - -About the time the vandals destroyed the tower a most interesting novel -was written entitled “Eros and Antiros,” which story was woven about -this scene and its unusual builder. In fact, John Mason was the hero of -the story. The author, being a personal acquaintance, may have written -from a knowledge of the facts. - -In the story John Mason had been disappointed in a love affair and -sought this manner to remove himself from the busier world and to live -and die in seclusion. - -Another version of the eccentric John Mason’s leaning tower is that it -was his eyrie, where he gathered together a rare collection of queer old -English books—they sold at 75 cents the bushel-basketful at his sale—and -here he slung his hammock and here he read his books. - -That story says John Mason’s father was a Quaker, living in -Philadelphia, an old acquaintance of James Jenkins, Jr., at Turtle -Creek, opposite the town of Northumberland, at the base of Blue Hill, -who said to him one day, speaking of his son John, that he was a -restless fellow and wanted to go to sea, and that it would be the death -of his mother. “Can’t thee take him out with thee?” Jenkins replied that -it was a wild place and not likely to suit the taste of one who wanted -to go sea-faring. - -But John Mason did go up into the wilderness, engaged in the mercantile -business for a time at Northumberland, then moved his stock of -merchandise to the western side of the river and opened a store at -Turtle Creek. - -John Mason never recognized or became intimate with women. One evening -at the Jenkins home, Mason came in as was his custom from the store, -about 9 o’clock, and seated himself by the ample fireplace to read a -book. There was a number of young people in the room, who were playing -pawns and forfeits. One pretty girl was condemned in a whisper, to kiss -John Mason. He was apparently paying no attention to the others, but, as -she slyly approached within reaching distance, he raised the tongs -between them, saying, “Not one step nearer.” - -Jenkins and he went alternately to Philadelphia to buy goods. Mason -always walked there and back. He lived to an extreme age and was buried -on his hill-top. - -So much for that story. It is generally accepted that John Mason was of -English origin, born in Philadelphia, December 7, 1768, and died on the -farm of Colonel Meens above the present city of Williamsport, April 25, -1849. - -During his life at the Blue Hill home, it is told of him that he was a -sterling athlete, and could skate to Harrisburg in half a day; that he -often walked to Williamsport, always carrying an old umbrella. His -eccentricities were much talked about in his day. - -During the winter following his death his remains were removed by -friends, on a sled and carried to the scene of his hermit life, and -buried under the wide spreading branches of a chestnut tree a few yards -in the rear of his leaning tower. A neat marble tombstone, properly -inscribed, was erected to mark the place of his burial. - -This grave has long since been so trampled upon by curious visitors, -that it was entirely obliterated many years ago. Relic hunters so -defaced the stone that it was removed to a neighboring farm house for -preservation. This is all that remains by which to remember John Mason, -“The Hermit of Blue Hill,” the builder of the “Leaning Tower.” - - ---------- - - - - - James Buchanan, Pennsylvania’s Only President, - Born April 23, 1791 - - -James Buchanan, Pennsylvania’s only President of the United States, was -born in a little settlement which bore the odd name of Stony Batter, -near Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pa., April 23, 1791. - -Among the Scotch-Irish, whose enterprise brought them to America, was -James Buchanan, a native of Donegal, Ireland. He settled in Franklin -County in 1783, where he set up a store, married Elizabeth Speer, -daughter of a farmer of Adams County, a woman of remarkable native -intellect, and distinguished for her good sense and rare literary taste. - -Many a man has owed his success to his mother. James Buchanan said: “My -mother was a remarkable woman. The daughter of a country farmer, engaged -in household employment from early life until after my father’s death, -she yet found time to read much and to reflect on it. What she read once -she remembered forever. For her sons she was a delightful and -instructive companion. I attribute any distinction which I may have -gained to the blessing which God conferred upon me in granting me such a -mother.” - -After he was grown a man, James might often be found sitting in the -kitchen to talk with his mother while she worked. - -In 1798 James Buchanan, the elder, removed to Mercersburg, where his son -received his academical education and made such progress that his -parents determined to give him the benefit of a collegiate course. - -He entered Dickinson College at Carlisle at the age of fourteen. Here he -found that many of the students did very much as they pleased. “To be a -sober, industrious, plodding youth,” said Buchanan afterwards, “was to -incur the ridicule of the mass of students.” He imitated the majority -and soon learned that he was not longer desired as a student. Knowing -his father would not help him out of his plight, he turned to the pastor -of his church, and by his aid James received another chance and made -good use of it. He graduated in June, 1809. - -In December, following, he commenced to study law with James Hopkins, of -Lancaster. He applied himself, “determined” said he, “that if severe -application would make me a good lawyer, I should not fail. I studied -law and nothing but law.” He was admitted to practice November 17, 1812, -and at once took the first rank in his profession. So successful was he, -that when but forty years old he had acquired means that enabled him to -retire from the profession. - -When the British burned the Capitol at Washington and threatened -Baltimore, James Buchanan displayed his patriotism by enlisting as a -private in the company commanded by Captain Henry Shipman, which marched -from Lancaster to the defense of Baltimore and with which he served -until honorably discharged. - -In October, 1814, he was selected a representative in the Legislature, -and re-elected. His intention, however, was to return to the practice of -law and stay out of political office. A sad event changed the current of -Buchanan’s life. - -A young woman, to whom Buchanan was engaged in early manhood, a daughter -of the wealthiest family in the county, wrote him a letter of dismissal -under the spell of jealousy which had been aroused by gossips. Pride on -both sides kept the two apart until their separation was made -irrevocable by her sudden death. In grief and horror, the young lover -wrote to the father of the dead girl, begging the privilege of looking -upon her remains and of following them to the grave. But the letter was -returned to him unopened. - -Four and forty years passed, and Buchanan went to his grave without ever -having taken any other woman to his heart. - -To help him forget his grief, Buchanan accepted the nomination for -Congress. He did not expect to win but did, and his career thenceforward -became political. He served five terms and at the end of his service the -Democrats of Pennsylvania brought forward his name for the vice -presidency. Then President Jackson appointed him Minister to Russia. In -this position he concluded the first commercial treaty between the -United States and Russia, securing to our seamen important privileges in -the Baltic and Black Seas. - -In 1833, on his return to the United States, he was elected United -States Senator, taking his seat December 15, 1834. - -President Van Buren offered Buchanan the place of Attorney General, but -it was declined. When Polk became President, the post of Secretary of -State was offered and accepted. The most pressing question Buchanan had -before him was the northern boundary of the Oregon Territory. Buchanan -closed this transaction with Great Britain in 1846, and completed our -boundary line to the Pacific. - -At the close of Polk’s Administration, Buchanan retired to private life -at his country home, called Wheatland, just outside of Lancaster. A -niece and nephew were taken into his home and raised as his own -children. - -When Pierce became President, on March 4, 1853, Buchanan was sent as -United States Minister to England. On his return from this mission he -was nominated and elected to the presidency, and inaugurated March 4, -1857. - -Buchanan clung to the idea that freedom rather than slavery was to blame -for all the trouble. He believed that since this Government had -permitted slavery when the Union was formed, the Nation had no right to -interfere with it in States already in the Union. - -When South Carolina seceded he was within ten weeks of the end of his -term, with a hostile Congress in front of him and behind him a country -as resolute as himself. - -Buchanan lived quietly at Wheatland and saw the Rebellion begin and -triumphantly end. - -Whatever the writers of history may say concerning the wisdom of -Buchanan’s political ideas, no one can deny the honesty of his -character. No President could have been more careful to set a good -example to others. He considered that his time belonged to the Nation. -When presented with gifts of any value, he at once returned them to the -sender. - -In his travels he paid his own fare, and never used a pass even when out -of office. “When I cannot afford to pay my way,” he declared, “I will -stay at home.” - -His niece, Harriet Lane, while “Mistress of the White House,” took a -trip to West Point on a Government vessel which had been named after -her. Her uncle wrote to her that national vessels should not be employed -on pleasure excursions, and that he would put a stop to the practice. - -James Buchanan died at Wheatland, June 1, 1868. - - ---------- - - - - - News of Revolution Reached Philadelphia by - Messenger, April 24, 1775 - - -At 5 o’clock in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 24, 1775, an express -rider came galloping into Philadelphia from Trenton, with the greatest -possible haste, excitement in his looks and on his lips. The rider -hurried up to the City Tavern, where the people crowded in eagerness to -learn of his mission. Members of the Committee of Correspondence were in -the crowd and to these the rider delivered his dispatch. It was a brief -and hurried message, but it had come a long route and it was big with -the fate of a nation. - -It was a dispatch from Watertown, dated April 19, announcing that -General Gage’s men had marched out of Boston the night before, crossed -to Cambridge, fired on and killed the militia at Lexington, destroyed a -store at Concord, were now on the retreat and hotly pursued. Many were -killed on both sides and the country was rising. - -The message had come by way of Worchester, where it was vised by the -town clerk. It then went to Brookline, Thursday, 20th, and was forwarded -at 4 o’clock in the afternoon from Norwich; at 7 that evening it was -expressed from New London. - -The committee at Lynn received, copied and started the rider with it at -1 o’clock Friday morning. It came to Saybrook before sun-up. At -breakfast time another messenger took it up to Killingworth. At 8 -o’clock it was at East Guilford; at 10 in Guilford, and at noon in -Brandford. It was sent from New Haven with further details on Saturday, -and dispatched from the New York committee rooms 4 o’clock Sunday -afternoon. It reached New Brunswick at 2 o’clock Monday morning, -Princeton at 6 o’clock in the evening and Trenton at 9 o’clock Tuesday -morning. It was indorsed: “Rec’d the above p. express and forwarded the -same to the Committee of Philadelphia.” - -Thus was the news of the actual opening battle of the Revolution carried -by express riders from Watertown to Philadelphia, which had been -selected as the seat of Government for the Thirteen Colonies. - -Two days later another express came into Philadelphia bringing fuller -particulars of “the Battle of Lexington,” as that memorable fight has -since been called. - -The news of Lexington arrived too late in the day to spread at once over -the city. But next morning every man, woman and child knew it, and, -borne by intense patriotic feeling the people assembled in public -meeting, as if by common consent at the State House. - -There were 8000 persons present, and all seemed to be actuated with but -a single purpose. The Committee of Correspondence took charge of the -meeting and its authority was recognized and accepted. - -Only one resolution was proposed and adopted, to “associate together, to -defend with arms their property, liberty and lives against all attempts -to deprive them of it,” and then, with impatience and eagerness, to -action. The time for words was passed. The time for organization, -arming, drilling and marching had come. - -The enrollment began at this meeting. The committee besought all who had -arms to let them know, so that they might be purchased and secured. The -associates availed themselves of their existing organization to turn -themselves forthwith into military companies. - -It was agreed that two troops of light horse, two companies of riflemen -and two companies of artillery, with brass and iron field pieces, should -be formed immediately. - -Drilling was started at once, and the progress was so marked that the -companies were ready to parade by May 10, when they turned out to -receive Continental Congress, and also to honor John Hancock. - -The foot company and riflemen turned out to meet the Southern delegates -to Congress at Gray’s Ferry. The officers of all the companies mounted, -went out to meet the Eastern delegates and Hancock. - -The associators’ organization was officered as follows: First Battalion, -John Dickinson, colonel; John Chevalier, lieutenant colonel; Jacob -Morgan and William Coates, majors. Second Battalion, Daniel Roderdeau, -colonel; Joseph Reed, lieutenant colonel; John Cox and John Bayard, -majors. Third Battalion, John Cadwallader, colonel; John Nixon, -lieutenant colonel; Thomas Mifflin and Samuel Merideth, majors. - -Peter Markoe was captain of the light horse, Joseph Cowperthwait of the -Quaker Blues, James Biddle, Benjamin Loxley, Thomas Proctor and Joseph -Moulder, were officers of the artillery, and Richard Peters, Tench -Francis, William Bradford and Lambert Cadwallader were in command of the -Greens. John Shee, John Wilcocks, Thomas Willing, Francis Gurney and -others were of the staff. - -The battalions, mustering 1500 men, all uniformed and equipped, and 500 -artillerymen and troops of horse, gave a drill early in June in the -presence of the “honorable members of the Continental Congress and -several thousand spectators.” - -The troops were reviewed by General Washington on June 20 and next day -he set out for Boston escorted across New Jersey by the cavalry troop. - -On June 23, the associators listened to an eloquent sermon by the -Reverend Dr. William Smith. - -They petitioned the Assembly, setting forth a full and detailed account -of their organization into companies, etc., and asked that they be put -into service at once. Neither the Governor nor the Council had the power -or funds to comply, and even the Congress had no direct authority as yet -to raise an army. - -Franklin had returned from England May 5, and the next morning he was -elected to Congress. But his work on the Committee of Safety is really -the history of the defense of Philadelphia during the first year of the -war. - -It was late in June before the Committee of Safety was given power to -employ the associators, and the city and counties were called upon to -provide arms and equipment, the House agreeing to pay for the service of -the troops. - -A committee was named whose duty it was to call troops into the service -as necessity demanded and to provide for the defense of this Province -against insurrections and invasion. - -The Committee of Safety met July 3. Franklin was unanimously chosen -president, and William Govett, clerk. It proceeded to business with -energy and dispatch. - - ---------- - - - - - Frame of Government Written by William - Penn, April 25, 1682 - - -Penn’s remarkable frame of Government, dated April 25, 1682, was so far -in advance of the age that, as Bancroft says, “its essential principles -remain to this day without change.” Another competent critic has said -that in it was “the germ if not the development of every valuable -improvement in Government or legislation which has been introduced into -the political systems of more modern epochs.” - -The government was to consist of the Governor, a Provincial Council, and -a General Assembly. These bodies, which were to make laws, create -courts, choose officers and transact public affairs, were to be elected -by the freemen by ballot. By freemen, were meant not only handholders, -but “every inhabitant, artificer, or other resident that pays scot or -lot to the Government.” Penn believed that “any government is free to -the people under it, whatever be the frame, where the laws rule and the -people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny, -oligarchy or confusion.” - -The “Frame of Government” and the “Laws Agreed Upon in England” were the -final products of all Penn’s best thinking and conferences, and were -brought with him to the Colony. Though changed in form many times, they -shaped all future Constitutions of Pennsylvania, of other States and -even the Federal Union. - -This frame was published by Penn, together with certain laws agreed on -between himself and the purchasers under him, entitled “The Frame of the -Government of the Province of Pennsylvania, in America; together with -certain laws, agreed upon in England by the Governor and divers of the -Free Men of the aforesaid Province. To be further Explained and -Confirmed there, by the First Provincial Council and General Assembly -that shall be held, if they seem meet.” - -James Claypoole called it in one of his letters, “the fundamentals for -government.” In effect it was the first Constitution of Pennsylvania. It -was the work of William Penn and reflects precisely some of the -brightest and some of the much less bright traits of his genius and -character. - -The “preface” or preamble to this Constitution is curious, for it is -written as if Penn felt that the eyes of the court were upon him. The -first two paragraphs form a simple excursus upon the doctrine of the law -and the transgressor as expounded in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans: -“For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under the -sin,” etc. From this Penn derives “the divine right of government,” the -object of government being two-fold, to terrify evildoers and to cherish -those who do well “which gives government a life beyond corruption (i. -e., divine right), and makes it as durable in the world as good men -should be.” Hence Penn thought that government seemed like a part of -religion itself, a thing sacred in its institution and end. - -“They weakly err,” continues Penn, “that think there is no other use of -government than correction; which is the coarsest part of it. * * * Men -side with their passions against their reason, and their sinister -interests have so strong a bias upon their minds that they lean to them -against the good of the things they know.” - -The form, he concludes, does not matter much after all, “Any government -is free to the people under it (whatever be the frame) where the laws -rule and the people are a party to these laws.” Good men are to be -preferred even above good laws. The frame of laws now published, Penn -adds, “has been carefully contrived to secure the people from abuse of -power.” - -In the Constitution which follows the preamble, Penn begins by -confirming to the freemen of the province all the liberties, franchises -and properties secured to them by the patent of King Charles II. - -After stating how the government was to be organized, he directed that -the council of seventy-two members, was to be elected at once, one-third -of the members to go out, and their successors elected each year, and -after the first seven years those going out each year shall not be -returned within a year. Two-thirds of the members constituted a quorum -on all important matters, but twenty-four would suffice on minor -questions. - -The Governor was to preside and to have three votes. All bills should be -prepared and proposed by the Council for presentation to the General -Assembly, which body, on the ninth day should pass or defeat such -measures as presented. - -To be sure the Provincial Council also was an elective body, but the -difference was in the fact that it was meant to consist of the -Governor’s friends; it was an aristocratic body, and therefore not -entirely representative. - -Aside from this fatal defect there is much to praise in Penn’s -Constitution and something to wonder at, as being so far in advance of -his age. - -Besides carefully defining and limiting the executive functions of the -Governor and Council a wholesome and liberal provision was made for -education, public schools, inventions and useful scientific discoveries. - -The Constitution could not be altered without the consent of the -Governor and six-sevenths of the Council and the General Assembly, which -rule, if enforced, would have perpetuated any Constitution, however bad. - -On May 15, 1682, Penn’s code of laws, passed in England, to be altered -or amended in Pennsylvania, was promulgated. It consisted of forty -statutes, the first of which declared the character or Constitution, -which has just been analyzed to be “fundamental in the Government -itself.” - -Regulations as to taxes, trials, prisons and marriage were clearly set -forth in the code. It was also arranged that every child of twelve -should be taught some useful trade. Members of the Council and General -Assembly, as well as Judges, were to be professing Christians. Every one -was to be allowed to worship God according to the dictates of his own -conscience and this not as a mere matter of toleration, but because it -was an inherent right. - -The penalty of death was to be inflicted sparingly; some 200 offenses -which were named as capital by English law were to be punished in a -lighter manner. - -During Penn’s absence there was clashing, dissension and tumult. If he -could have kept his hand in person on the Government for a generation -there would have been a wonderful difference in the results attained. - - ---------- - - - - - Indians Captured James McKnight, Assemblyman, - April 26, 1779 - - -In the spring of 1779 conditions along the frontier became more serious -than in any time past. The Indians were more active and destroyed -growing crops and burned the homes and outbuildings of the settlers, -whom they murdered or took away in captivity. - -The condition was so alarming it was reported to the Supreme Executive -Council. One such letter, dated “Fort Augusta 27th April, 1779” written -by Colonel Samuel Hunter, was in part: “I am really sorry to inform you -of our present Disturbances; not a day, but there is some of the Enemy -makes their appearances on our Frontiers. On Sunday last, there was a -party of Savages attact’d the inhabitants that lived near Fort Jenkins, -and had taken two or three familys prisoners, but the Garrison being -appris’d of it, about thirty men turned out of the Fort and Rescued the -Prisoners; the Indians collecting Themselves in a body drove our men -under Cover of the Fort, with the loss of three men kill’d & four Badly -Wounded; they burned several houses near the Fort, kill’d cattle, & -drove off a number of Horses. - -“Yesterday there was another party of Indians, about thirty or forty, -kill’d and took seven of our militia, that was stationed at a little -Fort near Muncy Hill, call’d Fort Freeland; there was two or three of -the inhabitants taken prisoners; among the latter is James McKnight, -Esqr., one of our Assemblymen; the same day a party of thirteen of the -inhabitants that went to hunt their Horses, about four or five miles -from Fort Muncy was fired upon by a large party of Indians, and all -taken or kill’d except one man. Captain Walker, of the Continental -Troops, who commands at that post turned out with thirty-four men to the -place he heard the firing, and found four men kill’d and scalped and -supposes they Captured ye Remaind’r. - -“This is the way our Frontiers is harrassed by a cruel Savage Enemy, so -that they cannot get any Spring crops in to induce them to stay in the -County. I am afraid in a very short time we shall have no inhabitants -above this place unless when General Hand arrives here he may order some -of the Troops at Wyoming down on our Frontiers, all Col. Hartley’s -Regiment, our two month’s men, and what militia we can turn out, is very -inadequate to guard our Country. - -“I am certain everything is doing for our relief but afraid it will be -too late for this County, as its impossible to prevail on the -inhabitants to make a stand, upon account of their Women and Childer. - -“Our case is Really deplorable and alarming, and our County on ye Eve of -breaking up, as I am informed at the time I am writing this by two or -three expresses that there is nothing to be seen but Desolation, fire & -smoke, as the inhabitants is collected at particular places, the Enemy -burns all their Houses that they have evacuated.” The bearer of this -important letter was James Hepburn. - -It is a matter of interest that the James McKnight captured at Fort -Freeland had secured 300 acres of land, April 3, 1769, in what is now -Union County, where he brought his family. In 1774 they purchased three -tracts of land “contiguous to and bounded on each other,” on Limestone -Run, in Turbut Township, Northumberland County. - -In 1776 William McKnight was chosen a member of the Committee of Safety, -and was a most zealous and active patriot. - -Both he and his wife perished at the hands of the Indians, when they -attempted to make a trip from Fort Freeland, where they had sought -refuge from the savages. Their only son, James, carried their bodies -from Fort Freeland to the graveyard now known as Chillisquaque, and -there buried them himself. - -James McKnight had three sisters. He married Elizabeth Gillen, and was -regarded as a man of great courage and rectitude. In 1778 he was elected -to the General Assembly, but did not long survive to enjoy the honor. - -The McKnight family had frequent and terrible experiences with the -Indians. In the autumn of 1778 Mrs. James McKnight and Mrs. Margaret -Wilson Durham, each with an infant in her arms, started on horseback -from Fort Freeland to go to Northumberland. Near the mouth of Warrior -Run, about two miles from the fort, they were fired upon by a band of -Indians, lying in ambush. Mrs. Durham’s child was killed in her arms, -and she fell from her horse. An Indian rushed out of the bushes, scalped -her and fled. - -Alexander Guffy and two companions named Peter and Ellis Williams rushed -to the scene of the shooting and when they approached Mrs. Durham, whom -they supposed dead, they were greatly surprised to see her rise up and -piteously call for water. With the loss of her scalp she presented a -horrible appearance. Guffy ran to the river and brought water in his -hat. They then bound up her head, as best they could, and placed her in -a canoe and hastily paddled down stream fifteen miles to Sunbury, where -Colonel William Plunket, also a distinguished physician, dressed her -wounded head, and she recovered. She died in 1829, aged seventy-four -years. - -Mrs. McKnight escaped unhurt from the surprise attack. The shots -frightened the horse she was riding, it turned and ran back to the fort. -Mrs. McKnight came near losing her child, when the horse wheeled and the -child fell from her arms, but she caught it by the foot and held to it -until the fort was reached. - -Two sons of Mrs. McKnight, who were accompanying the party on foot, -attempted to escape by hiding under the bank of the river, but were -taken by the Indians. - -James Durham, husband of Margaret, was taken at the same time. The three -prisoners survived their captivity in Canada, and returned to their -homes at the close of the Revolution in 1783. - -On the eventful day that the little stockade was next attacked, April -26, 1779, Hon. James McKnight, was captured by the Indians. - -William McKnight and his wife and James and his wife are interred in the -old Chillisquaque burying ground. - - ---------- - - - - - Steam Boat Susquehanna, in Effort to - Navigate River, Starts Fatal Trip, - April 27, 1826 - - -Even before the advent of canals or railroads the enterprising merchants -of Baltimore sensed the importance of facilitating the commerce along -the great Susquehanna River. - -They believed it would materially enhance their volume of business, -especially in lumber, iron, grain, and whiskey, if the river would be -freed of such obstructions as impeded or hindered navigation. - -Large sums of money were expended in removing rocky channels in the -river below Columbia, so as to admit the passage of arks and rafts down -stream, on their way to tide water. A canal had been constructed from -Port Deposit, northward, in order that the returning craft might avoid -the shoals and dangerous reefs along the first ten miles above tide -water. - -Yet in spite of all these improvements no satisfactory way had been -found which would return to the producers of the Susquehanna Valley such -articles of commerce and merchandise as they would naturally require in -return for the raw products of the forest, field and mine. - -The authorities of Pennsylvania were also awake to the situation, as -were the citizens. Several attempts had been made to have complete -surveys of the river and estimates of the cost of the work required to -make the great river navigable. - -To Baltimore, more than to Pennsylvania, belongs the credit of an actual -attempt to establish steamboat navigation. - -In 1825 a small steamboat, named the Susquehanna, was built in Baltimore -and, when launched, was towed up to Port Deposit. - -The Harrisburg Chronicle said: - -“The Susquehanna was expected at Columbia on Sunday night, Tuesday’s -reports were, that she had not got to Columbia. Eye-witnesses to her -progress put the matter to rest on Wednesday; they had seen her a short -distance above the head of the Maryland Canal, with a posse of men -tugging at the ropes, and when they had tugged nine miles gave up the -job. So ended all the romance about the Susquehanna. She drew too much -water (22 inches) for the purpose and started at the wrong point. -Watermen say that the crookedness of the channel, with the rapidity of -the current, makes it utterly impossible for a steamboat to ascend the -falls between the head of the canal and Columbia.” - -The Chronicle article says further: “We have a report that Mr. -Winchester, of Baltimore, has contracted for the building of a steamboat -at York Haven. We also learn that the York Company are making great -progress with the sheet-iron steamboat, and that she will be launched -about the 4th of July.” - -This sheetiron boat was called the Codorus, and early in April of the -next year ascended the river as far as Binghamton, after which she -returned to York Haven. Her captain, a Mr. Elger, reported that -navigation of the Susquehanna by steam was impracticable. - -Either the original Susquehanna renamed or another steamboat built by -the Baltimore promoters, and named Susquehanna and Baltimore was put on -the river and operation above Conewago Falls by Captain Cornwell, an -experienced river pilot. - -She was accompanied on her trial trip on this portion of the river by a -board of Commissioners of the State of Maryland, Messrs. Patterson, -Ellicott and Morris, three distinguished citizens of Baltimore. Capt. -Cornwell had already in March made several successful trips as far up as -Northumberland and Danville on the North Branch and to Milton on the -West Branch, returning to York Haven without accident. - -April 17, 1826, the boat started from York Haven, having in tow a large -keel boat capable of carrying a thousand bushels of wheat, and proceeded -on her fatal trip, arriving at the Nescopeck Falls at 4 o’clock on May -3. At these falls there was an outer and an artificial inner channel of -shallow water for the accommodation of rafts and arks. Capt. Cornwell -decided after consulting with other river men on board, to try first the -main, or deep water channel, and the captain argued that if the boat -would not stem it, that he could then drop back and try the other one. -The boat made a halt in a small eddy below the falls on the east side of -the river and some of the passengers went ashore; this was the case with -the Maryland Commissioners. - -The boat was directed into the main channel, and had proceeded perhaps -two-thirds of the distance through the falls, when she ceased to make -further progress, the engine was stopped and she was permitted to drift -back to the foot of the rapid, where she struck upon a wall dividing the -artificial from the main channel, and at that instant one of her boilers -exploded. - -The scene was as awful as the imagination can picture. Two of the -passengers on board, named John Turk and Heber Whitmarsh, raftmen from -Chenango, N.Y., were instantly killed; William Camp, a merchant from -Owego, was fatally scalded by escaping steam. Dave Rose, of Chenango, N. -Y., was fatally injured. Quincy Maynard, the engineer, as stated in the -account published in the Danville Watchman, one week after the -occurrence, was not expected to recover. Christian Brobst, of Catawissa -and Jeremiah Miller, of Juniata, were seriously injured. Messrs. -Woodside, Colt and Underwood, of Danville, were more or less injured, as -were Messrs. Barton, Hurley, Foster and Colonel Paxton, of Catawissa, -and Benjamin Edwards, of Braintrim, Luzerne County. - -It was said by somebody on board that at the time of the explosion, a -passenger was holding down the lever of the safety valve, but why this -should be done after the boat had ceased her efforts to pull through is -difficult to conjecture. Thus ended the second attempt to navigate the -Susquehanna by steam power. - - ---------- - - - - - Shawnee Indians Murder Conestoga Tribesmen - April 28, 1728 - - -Two Shawnee Indians cruelly murdered a man and a woman of the Conestoga -tribe, April 28, 1728. John Wright, of Hempfield, wrote from Lancaster, -May 2, advising James Logan of this murder, and that the Conestoga have -demanded of the Shawnee the surrender of the murderers. He further wrote -that some Shawnee had brought the Shawnee murderers as far as Peter -Chartier’s house, but there the party engaged in a drinking bout and -through the connivance of Chartier the two murderers escaped. - -Chartier was an Indian trader among the Shawnee and was himself a -half-blood Shawnee. He had traded for a time on the Pequea Creek and at -Paxtang. Later he settled at the Shawnee town on the west side of the -Susquehanna, at the mouth of the Yellow Breeches Creek, the present site -of New Cumberland. He later removed on the Conemaugh, then to the -Allegheny, about 1734. - -The action upon the part of Chartier incensed the Conestoga so much that -they threatened to wipe out the whole section of the Shawnee. - -John Wright further states in his letter, “Yesterday there came -seventeen or eighteen of the young men, commanded by Tilehausey, all -Conestoga Indians, painted for war, all armed. We inquired which way -they were going. They would not tell us, but said they or some of them -were going to war, and that there were some Canoy to go along with them. -But we hearing the above report, are apt to think that they are going -against the Shawnee.” - -Almost contemporary with this murder, the whites along the Schuylkill -had their safety threatened from another quarter. Kakowwatchy, head of -the Shawnee at Pechoquealon, claimed to have heard that the Flatheads, -or Catawba from Carolina, had entered Pennsylvania to strike the Indians -along the Susquehanna. He sent eleven warriors to ascertain the truth of -this incursion of the Southern Indians, and as they approached the -neighborhood of the Durham Iron Works, at Manatawny, their provisions -failing, forced the inhabitants to give them victuals and drink. - -The people did not know these Indians and believing the chief of the -band to be a Spanish Indian, caused great alarm. - -Families left their plantations, and the women and children were in -great danger from exposure, as the weather was cold. About twenty white -men took arms, approached the band, and soon a battle was in progress. -The whites said that the Indians refused a parley and fired first, -wounding several of the inhabitants. The red men made off into the woods -and were not seen again. Their leader was wounded, but escaped. - -The identity of this band was not known until ten days later, May 20, -when the Lieutenant Governor Patrick Gordon was waited upon by John -Smith and Nicholas Schonhoven, two Indian traders from Pechoquealon, who -delivered to him a verbal message from Kakowwatchy, which was an -explanation of the unfortunate affair, and for which the chief sent his -regrets, and asked the Governor for a return of the gun which the -wounded leader had lost. - -The Lieutenant Governor, accompanied by many other citizens of -Philadelphia went to the troubled district, and personally pleaded with -those who had fled from their plantations to return. So excited were the -whites that they seemed ready to kill any red man or woman. - -On May 20, an Indian man, two women and two girls, appeared at John -Roberts, at Cucussea, then in Chester County. Their neighbors fearing -danger, rallied to their defense, and shot the man and one of the women, -beat out the brains of the other woman, and wounded the girls. Their -excuse was that the Indian had put an arrow into his bow. - -The Provincial authorities were fearful that revenge upon the people -might be attempted, so the two neighbors who committed the atrocity were -arrested and sent to Chester for trial, and notice of the affair was -sent to Sassoonan, Opekasset, and Manawhyhickon, with a request that -they bring their people to a treaty, arranged to be held at Conestoga -with Chief Civility and the Indians there. - -The Pennsylvania Government did not leave all to diplomacy. John -Pawling, Marcus Hulings and Mordecai Lincoln (a relative of President -Abraham Lincoln) were commissioned to gather the inhabitants and to put -them in a posture to defend themselves. - -Having forwarded to Kakowwatchy the watchcoats, belts and tomahawks -dropped by the eleven warriors, and having sent a present, together with -a request that he warn his Indians to be more cautious in the future, -Governor Gordon expressed a wish to see Kakowwatchy at Durham, then went -to Conestoga, and met Civility, Tawenne and other Conestoga, some -Delaware and three Shawnee chiefs. - -Gordon began by reminding the Indians of the links in the chain of -friendship and that neither the Indians nor Christians would believe ill -reports of each other without investigation of the facts. The Governor -then made them presents of watchcoats, duffels, blankets, shirts, -gunpowder, lead, flints and knives. - -The Governor then told them of the recent murders, and of the intention -to punish those who killed the Indians, if found guilty. The chiefs, in -turn, declared that they had no cause of complaint. - -Sassoonan, or Allummapees, the head of the Delaware, and his nephew, -Opekasset, and some other chiefs, including the great Shikellamy, -vicegerent of the Six Nations, met with Governor Gordon at Molatton, and -from there went to Philadelphia, where a great council was held June 4, -1728, which was concluded most satisfactorily for all concerned. - - ---------- - - - - - Christian Post, Moravian Missionary and - Messenger, Died April 29, 1785 - - -Christian Frederic Post, who has been denominated “the great Moravian -peace-maker,” was a simple uneducated missionary of the Moravian Church. -He was born in Polish Prussia, in 1710, and at an early age came under -the influence of the Moravians. He emigrated to this country as a member -of the “Sea Congregation,” which arrived on the Catherine, at New -London, Conn., May 30, 1742. Post, with the other members, joined the -congregation at Bethlehem, Pa., three weeks later. - -From that time until his death, at Germantown, April 29, 1785, he -performed many hazardous missions for his church and the Provincial -Government of Pennsylvania, and many times was in imminent peril. The -first several years of his residence in Pennsylvania he was employed as -a Moravian missionary, but afterwards was almost constantly performing -important services for the Province in its Indian dealings. - -Some of the journals of Post, which appear in the Archives of -Pennsylvania, and have been republished elsewhere, are valuable for the -intimate history of the peoples and the country through which he -traveled. One of the editors who republished his journals, wrote as -follows concerning the missionary and mediator: “Antiquarians and -historians have alike admired the sublime courage of the man and the -heroic patriotism which made him capable of advancing into the heart of -a hostile territory, into the very hands of a cruel and treacherous foe. -But aside from Post’s supreme religious faith, he had a shrewd knowledge -of Indian customs, and knew that in the character of an ambassador -requested by the Western tribes his mission would be a source of -protection. Therefore, even under the very walls of Fort Dusquesne, he -trusted not in vain to Indian good faith.” - -When Conrad Weiser visited Shikellamy at Shamokin, May, 1743, he wrote: -“As I saw their old men seated on rude benches and on the ground -listening with decorous gravity and rapt attention to Post, I fancied I -saw before me a congregation of primitive Christians.” - -In 1743 Post was married to a converted Indian woman, and endeared -himself to all the Indians. But all was not smooth, for the Brethren -were persecuted and humbled before their converts. Post, who had been on -a journey to the Iroquois country, in March, 1745, was arrested at -Canajoharie and sent to New York, where he was imprisoned for weeks, on -a trumped-up charge of abetting Indian raids. He was released April 10. - -In 1758 it became a matter of importance with Governor Denny and Sir -William Johnson, that a treaty of peace be secured with the Western -Indians. Post was selected to convey to them the white belt of peace and -reconciliation. Tedyuskung, the Delaware king, protested against his -going, declaring he would never return alive, but the bold and confident -Christian said it was a mission of peace, that God would protect him, -and that he must go. - -On July 15, 1758, Post departed from Philadelphia with five Indian -guides. He carried with him copies of the treaties made with Tedyuskung, -belts of wampum and messages from the Governor. He made his trip by way -of Bethlehem, Shamokin, Great Island, Chinclamoose, etc. - -It was a perilous journey. Twice he got lost in the woods, and one of -his guides strayed away and could not be found. Without food and -drenched with rain, night after night he slept on the cold, wet ground. -He was frequently very near the French. Finally he arrived at King -Beaver’s, who ruled over the Delaware in the West. These Indians -remembered him when he preached the gospel at Wyoming, and were glad to -see him. They gave him a public dinner, to which they invited the -surrounding tribes. - -The French sent spies to watch him and to induce him to go to Fort -Duquesne. Post refused to be trapped, but instead succeeded in making -arrangements for kindling a great council-fire at Easton in October -following. - -Post now set out on his return and had not proceeded far when he heard -the thunder of nineteen cannon discharged at the fort. Under the very -mouths of these guns he had, singly and alone, with the full knowledge -of the French, laid a plan which rent asunder the alliance between them -and their Indian allies. - -Post succeeded in his mission, and the French at the fort, finding -themselves abandoned by their allies, fired it and fled, as the invalid -general, John Forbes, and his army made their appearance. - -Frank Cowan, poet of Southwestern Pennsylvania, tells the story in one -of his songs, of which the following is a verse: - - “The Head of Iron from his couch, - Gave courage and command, - Which Washington, Bouquet and Grant - Repeated to the band; - Till Hark! the Highlanders began - With their chieftain’s word to swell, - ‘Tonight, I shall sup and drain my cup - In Fort Du Quense—or Hell!’ - But the Man of Prayer, and not of boast, - Had spoken first, in Frederic Post.” - -Again, in 1761, he proceeded to the Muskingum and built the first white -man’s house within the present State of Ohio. He had made previous trips -into this country, and always succeeded in persuading the Shawnee and -Delaware to “bury the hatchet” and desert the French. He did this with a -heavy reward upon his scalp, and while his every footstep was surrounded -with danger. - -In 1762 the Reverend John G. B. Heckewelder, the Moravian missionary and -writer, especially among the Delaware, was an assistant to Post. - -Toward the close of his eventful life Post retired from the Moravian -sect and entered the Protestant Episcopal Church. He died at Germantown -on April 29, 1785, and on May 1 his remains were interred in the “Lower -graveyard of that place, the Reverend William White, then rector of -Christ Church,” conducting the funeral service. - - ---------- - - - - - Veterans of French and Indian Wars - Organize April 30, 1765 - - -As early as 1764 officers of the First and Second Battalions of -Pennsylvania who had served under Colonel Henry Bouquet during the -French and Indian War tarried at Bedford on their way home and formed an -association. The purpose of this organization was that they be awarded -the land to which they were entitled for service rendered. - -This association held another and more important meeting at Carlisle, -April 30, 1765, when they elected officers and renewed their application -to the proprietaries and asked for 24,000 acres of land along the West -Branch of the Susquehanna. - -In this formal application they stated their object was “to embody -themselves on some good land at some distance from the inhabited part of -the Province, where by their industry they might procure a comfortable -subsistance for themselves and by their arms, union and increase become -a powerful barrier to the Province.” - -These officers knew that the Proprietaries had not that much land to -award them and that they had not yet purchased the West Branch lands -from the Indians, but at this meeting they adopted a strong resolution -calling upon them to make such a purchase. - -Following the French and Indian War the lawless white men had been -encroaching upon Indian lands, provoked hostilities and murdered many -innocent Indians. The situation became so acute that General Gage -offered troops to assist Governor Penn in removing and punishing these -intruders. - -Governor Penn appealed to the Assembly for help. In the discussion of -this important matter it was learned from George Croghan, Sir William -Johnson and others that the Indians designed a northern confederacy, and -were determined to avenge this intrusion and the murder of the Conestoga -Indians at Lancaster. - -The Assembly agreed to pass a boundary bill. They also sent a message to -the Indians promising to punish those responsible for the Conestoga -massacre, and urged a conference at which a boundary line could be -established. They also appropriated £3000 as a present to appease the -Indians. - -During the following spring several conferences were held, the largest -being at Fort Pitt, where many chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations -were present; in all 1103 men, women and children. The explanations were -satisfactory and the presents and cash joyously received. - -But it is quite probable that another savage war was averted by the -intervention of Sir William Johnson, who, at this critical period, -suggested a great council be held at Fort Stanwix, where this vital -question could be definitely decided. This council was held in October, -1768, with Governor Penn present in person, as well as the principal -chiefs of the tribes which had grievances to air. - -The council, in the treaty of November 5, 1768, settled the boundary -dispute and the Indians sold to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania most -of the central and western end of the State, excepting a small strip -along Lake Erie. The consideration was $10,000. - -Now that the Proprietaries had purchased the land desired by the -association, on February 3, 1769, it was ordered by the Board of -Property “that Colonel Francis and the officers of the First and Second -Battalions of the Pennsylvania Regiment be allowed to take up 24,000 -acres, to be divided among them in district surveys on the waters of the -West Branch of the Susquehanna, to be seated with a family for each 300 -acres, within two years from the time of the survey, paying £5 per -hundred and one penny sterling per acre.” - -Near the close of February many of the officers met at Fort Augusta and -agreed to take the land proposed by the Proprietaries, and that one of -the tracts should be surveyed on the West Branch, adjoining Andrew -Montour’s place at Chillisquaque Creek, and one in Buffalo Valley. It -was also agreed that Captains Plunket, Brady, Piper and Lieutenant Askey -should accompany William Scull to the eastern side of the river as they -made the surveys. - -These surveys were promptly made and another meeting was held at Fort -Augusta, when it was determined that the third tract of 8000 acres -should be surveyed on Bald Eagle Creek. Captains Hunter, Brady and Piper -were appointed to accompany Charles Lukens as he made the survey. - -May 16, 1769, the officers met at Harris Ferry, where Messrs. Maclay, -Scull and Lukens laid before them the drafts of their respective -surveys. They agreed that Colonel Turbutt Francis should receive his -share, 2075 acres, surveyed to him in one tract. Accordingly he selected -land upon which the town of Milton is now the center. - -Lots were then drawn by the other officers for the choice of lands. -Captain William Hendricks, Captain William Plunket, Captain John Brady, -Captain John Kern, Lieutenant Dr. Thomas Wiggins, Captain Conrad Bucher, -Captain William Irvine and Lieutenants Askey, Stewart and McAllister -took land in Buffalo Valley. - -Ensign A. Stein, Lieutenant Daniel Hunsicker, Captain William Piper, -Lieutenant James Hayes, Captain Samuel Hunter, Captain Nicholas -Hausegger took lands above Chillisquaque Creek. Major John Philip de -Haas was the principal officer to be awarded land on the Bald Eagle, and -near him were Lieutenant James Hays and Thomas Wiggans, Ensign William -McMeen, Lieutenant Hunsicker, Captain Timothy Green, Captain John Brady, -Captain James Irvine and Captain William Plunket. - -Colonel Francis acquired by purchase land from Chillisquaque Creek to -and including the present town of Northumberland, and then owned a -continuous strip from the North Branch to a point near Watsontown, a -distance of eighteen miles along the West Branch. This made him one of -the most extensive land owners of that time. - -By these awards the West Branch Valley was permanently settled by these -distinguished officers or their kin, and many of the families resident -there today are descendants of these sturdy patriots. - - ---------- - - - - - British Foragers Massacre Americans at - Crooked Billet, May 1, 1778 - - -With the exception of occasional depredations committed by the British -foraging parties during the winter of 1777–78, all was quiet on the -Delaware. The vigilance of Generals James Potter and John Lacey greatly -restrained these forays. In the meantime General Washington, with the -aid of Baron von Steuben and other foreign officers in the Continental -army, transformed the band of American patriots into a well-disciplined, -well-drilled and confident army. - -General Wayne’s command was encamped during the whole winter and spring -at Mount Joy, in Montgomery County, and materially assisted in securing -supplies of provisions for the army at Valley Forge. - -When Washington withdrew from Whitemarsh, he was anxious that the upper -part of the Delaware-Schuylkill peninsula should be well guarded. A -thousand Pennsylvania militia were placed under command of General John -Lacey, January 9, 1778. Lacey established his headquarters at the -Crooked Billet Tavern, Bucks County, now called Hatboro, about -twenty-five miles north of Philadelphia. - -The country nearer Philadelphia, where the British were encamped, was -thus open to the Queen’s Rangers and James’ and Hovenden’s Loyalists, -who foraged and ravaged as they pleased. There was intense hatred -between these Tories and the Continentals. - -The British continually employed troops to forage and plunder, and while -Lacey was himself in Bucks County, he could do nothing to save it from -their ravages. But his energy and enterprise, even with his small -forces, enabled him to reduce the supplies of Philadelphia so materially -that the attempt was made to destroy his command, and an expedition was -sent against him. - -The party was under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, -comprising light infantry, cavalry and Simcoe’s Rangers, and started on -May 1, 1778. Simcoe was to get in Lacey’s rear and a party was to be -placed in ambush, while the mounted infantry and cavalry advanced along -the road. - -Lacey’s officers and patrols were negligent, and his force was -completely surprised and surrounded on all sides. They retreated -fighting, but without their baggage, and finally got away with a loss of -twenty-six killed, eight or ten wounded, and fifty-eight missing. - -The British, as at Paoli, bayoneted many of the American troops after -they were so seriously wounded they could be of no further effect -against them; others of the wounded were thrown in among some buckwheat -straw, which was then set on fire, and they were roasted to death. The -bodies of many of the killed among the Americans were then thrown into -the burning straw. The famous scoundrels who committed these atrocities -were the Tory soldiers of Simcoe’s Rangers. The British loss was -nominal. - -Among the American slain in this massacre was Captain John Downey, who -had been a schoolmaster in Philadelphia and a gallant volunteer at -Trenton and Princeton. He had surveyed the Delaware River for the -Committee of Safety, and was acting as commissary to General Lacey’s -brigade. He was bayoneted and mutilated while lying wounded and a -prisoner at the Crooked Billet. - -A monument was erected in December, 1861, to the victims of Lacey’s -command in this fight, on the battlefield at Hatboro. The surprise was a -legitimate act of war, but the massacre after surrender was a barbarous -atrocity. - -The Supreme Executive Council of the State, and the Assembly in session -at Lancaster, and the Continental Congress at York had been principally -engaged in legislating for the interests of the army, preparing for the -ensuing campaign. The Assembly passed the “act for the attainder of -divers traitors,” among whom were specially mentioned Joseph Galloway, -Andrew Allen, Reverend Jacob Duche, John Biddle, John Allen, William -Allen, James Rankin, of York County, Gilbert Hicks, of Bucks County, -Samuel Shoemaker, late of Penn’s Council, John Potts, Nathaniel Vernon, -ex-Sheriff of Chester County, Christian Fouts, formerly -lieutenant-colonel in Lancaster militia, Reynold Keen and John Biddle, -latter two of Berks County. Reverend Duche had made the prayer at the -opening of the first Continental Congress and since had been chaplain to -Congress, but had prayed for the King. - -Joseph Galloway’s estate was worth in excess of £40,000 sterling, and -his handsome home on the southeast corner of Sixth and High Streets in -Philadelphia, was appropriated by the State of Pennsylvania as a -residence for the President of the Supreme Executive Council, who was -the chief executive officer of the State. This house was afterwards sold -to Robert Morris. - -Through the influence and negotiations of Benjamin Franklin Silas Deane -and Arthur Lee, Commissioners sent to Paris by Congress, France had now -openly espoused the American cause. The joyful news reached Congress -sitting at York, May 2, 1778. - -On May 7, Lord Howe was superseded by Sir Henry Clinton. Previous to the -British commander’s departure, a magnificent fete called the -“Mischianza,” was held May 18 in his honor. - -On the following day, Lafayette with 2500 men and eight cannon crossed -the Schuylkill to Barren Hill. Howe, with 5700 under Clinton and -Knyphausen, supported by Grant in his rear, with 5,300 troops, marched -to overwhelm this important post of the American army. Lafayette escaped -by Matson’s Ford. Four days later, May 24, Howe embarked for England. - -The same day a council of war was held under Sir Henry Clinton, and it -was resolved to evacuate the city, which event occurred on June 19. This -movement had been delayed owing to the arrival on June 6, of three -British Commissioners to negotiate peace and a reconciliation. It was -too late. - -Among other intrigues, it is stated, the Commissioners secretly offered -to General Joseph Reed, then delegate to Congress, and afterwards -President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, £10,000 -sterling, with the best office in the Colonies to promote their plans. -General Reed promptly replied: “I am not worth purchasing, but such as I -am, the King of Great Britain is not rich enough to do it.” - -Upon occupation of Philadelphia, General Benedict Arnold was ordered by -General Washington to take command of the city, and “prevent the -disorders which were expected upon the evacuation of the place and -return of the Whigs after being so long kept out of their property.” - - ---------- - - - - - General Edward Hand Relieved of Command - Following Squaw Campaign - May 2, 1778 - - -For some time General Washington had believed that the permanent safety -of the western section of Pennsylvania could only be secured by carrying -on a successful war, in an aggressive manner, against the enemy in their -own country. That determination was strengthened by the Commissioners of -Congress, who met in Pittsburgh late in 1777, and learned first handed -of the barbarous warfare carried on against the western frontier by the -British under Henry Hamilton, then Governor of Detroit, with the -assistance of their Indian allies. - -During October and November, 1777, while General Edward Hand, then -commandant at Fort Pitt, was trying to recruit his army for the invasion -of the Indian country, many raids were made in Westmoreland County. -Eleven men were killed and scalped near Palmer’s Fort, in Ligonier -Valley, and a few days later four children were killed within sight of -the fort. Three men were killed and a woman captured within a few miles -of Ligonier. A band of Indians, led by a Canadian, made a fierce attack -on Fort Wallace, near Blairsville, but the Canadian was killed and the -savages repulsed. These maurauders were pursued by a party of rangers -led by Captain James Smith and overtaken near Kittanning, where five -redskins were killed and scalped. The snows of winter prevented other -ravages. - -During the Christmas holidays General Hand learned that the British had -built a magazine where Cleveland now stands and had stored arms, -ammunition, clothing and provisions in it for the use of the Indians in -the spring. He immediately planned an expedition for the destruction of -the magazine. His call for troops required each man to be mounted and -provided with food for a short campaign. He promised to provide the arms -and ammunition. - -The general proposed, as a special inducement to enlist, that all -plunder would be sold and the cash proceeds divided among the force. -February 15, about 500 horsemen were at Pittsburgh ready for the -adventure, and this considerable force caused General Hand to be -sanguine for its success. - -The expedition followed the old Indian trail which descended the Ohio -River to the Beaver and then ascended that stream and the Mahoning -toward the Cuyahoga. The snow on the ground was soon melted by heavy -rains and the marching was made difficult. - -By the time the Mahoning was reached that stream was almost impassable, -even some of the level lands were covered with water for wide stretches. -The horsemen grumbled and Hand too was so discouraged that he was about -to give up the expedition and return, when the foot-prints of some -Indians were discovered on the high ground. - -The tracks led to a small village, where a sudden attack was made, but -the place contained only one old man, some squaws and children. The -warriors were away on a hunt. The startled savages scattered and all -escaped except the old man and one woman, who were shot and a woman -taken prisoner. - -This affair took place about where Edenburg is, in Lawrence County. The -Indian told her captors that ten Wolf, or Munsee, Indians were making -salt ten miles farther up the Mahoning. Hand dispatched a detachment -after these savages and he went into camp under uncomfortable -conditions. - -The reported Munsee proved to be four squaws and a boy. The soldiers -killed three of the squaws and the boy, the other squaw was taken -prisoner. One of the soldiers was wounded here and another drowned -during the march. - -The weather conditions made further campaigns impossible and General -Hand led his dispirited and hungry men back to Fort Pitt. The trophies -were two Indian women. His formidable force had slain one old man, four -women and a boy. On his arrival at Fort Pitt his work was generally -derided by the frontiersmen and his expedition was dubbed the Squaw -Campaign. - -This finished General Hand as an Indian fighter. He asked General -Washington to relieve him and May 2, 1778, Congress voted his recall and -commissioned General Lachlan McIntosh to succeed him. - -General Edward Hand won distinction in other directions. He was born at -Elzduffs, Kings County, Ireland, December 31, 1744. - -In 1767 he was appointed by George III surgeon of the 18th Royal Irish -Regiment of foot, and sailed with the regiment from Cork on May 20 of -the same year, arriving in Philadelphia July 11. - -He served with this regiment at Fort Pitt and returning to Philadelphia -in 1774, resigned his commission, receiving a regular discharge from the -British service. In the same year he went to Lancaster and began the -practice of his profession. - -He joined the First Battalion of Pennsylvania Riflemen as -lieutenant-colonel at the outbreak of the Revolution and served in the -siege of Boston. He was promoted to colonel in 1776, and led his -regiment in the Battle of Long Island, and also at Trenton. In April, -1777, he was appointed brigadier-general; and in this capacity served in -command of the Western Department until relieved May 2, 1778; in October -following he succeeded General Stark in command at Albany. - -In the successful expedition against the Six Nations Indians in 1779, -led by General John Sullivan, General Hand was an active participant. - -Near the close of 1780, General Hand succeeded General Scammel as -adjutant-general. He was an intimate friend of General Washington and -had his full confidence during the entire struggle of the colonies. He -was one of the original members of the Order of the Cincinnati. - -In 1785 General Hand was elected to the Assembly; then he was a member -of Congress and assisted in the formation of the Constitution of -Pennsylvania in 1789, when the second Constitution of the State was -written, and adopted the following year. - -General Hand died at Rockford, Lancaster County, September 3, 1802. - - ---------- - - - - - Evangelist Whitefield Bought Site for Negro - School at Nazareth May 3, 1740 - - -The Reverend George Whitefield was an exceeding earnest worker for the -good of souls. He came to America and spent much of his time in Georgia, -where he preached effectively and established an orphan house and school -near Savannah, laying the first brick himself for the building, March -25, 1740. He named it “Bethesda”—a house of mercy. It afterward became -eminently useful. - -Whitefield undertook to found a school for Negroes in Pennsylvania, and -with it a settlement for persons converted in England by his preaching -and subjected to annoyance on that account. - -An agreement for a site was made with William Allen, May 3, 1740, when -5000 acres of land were purchased, situated at the Forks of the -Delaware, the consideration being £2200. The title was made to -Whitefield and then assigned to his friend William Seward, who was a man -of considerable wealth, as security for Seward’s advancing the purchase -money. - -Two days afterward Whitefield preached in the morning at the German -settlement on the Skippack Creek to about 5000 persons, and in the -evening, after riding twelve miles to Henry Antes’, he preached to about -3000. The Moravian Boehler followed with an address in German. - -During this same day Whitefield offered to hire as builders the -Moravians who had arrived from Savannah on the sloop with him. - -Whitefield and the Moravians then visited the ground, when the latter, -by the cast of the lot, according to their custom, felt directed to -engage in the enterprise. - -Seward, several days after the purchase of the site was made, sailed -from Philadelphia for England, partly to convert some securities into -cash and also to solicit further contributions. He was accidentally hit -on the head while at Caerleon, Wales, from the effect of which blow he -died a few days later, October 22, 1740. - -The Moravians arrived in that part of Northampton County, which is now -within the limits of Upper and Lower Nazareth and Bethlehem Townships, -and there commenced to erect a large stone house which Whitefield -proposed to use as the school for Negroes. This tract its proprietor -named Nazareth. - -Here the Moravians worked for the remainder of the year and by their -efforts had built two houses. But at this time there arose a dispute -between Whitefield and those employed on the buildings. It is believed -Whitefield disapproved of Boehler’s doctrinal opinions and, unable in an -argument conducted in Latin to convince him, discharged the workmen. - -The Moravians were allowed to stay on the property for some time by -Allen’s agent, but the whole project failed, largely through Seward’s -death. Whitefield again secured the title and cheerfully assigned it to -the Moravians. - -The Moravian workmen were compelled to seek a new home. This they found -when their Bishop, David Nitcshmann, secured a tract of 5000 acres at -the confluence of the Monocacy Creek and the Delaware River, on which, -in March, 1741, they began to build Bethlehem. This eventually became -the principal settlement of the Moravians in the province. - -George Whitefield was born in Gloucester, England, December 16, 1714, -and entered Oxford in 1732. He was a religious enthusiast in very early -life, fasting twice a week for thirty-six hours and while an -undergraduate became a member of the “Holy Club,” in which the -denomination of Methodists took its rise. - -Whitefield became intimately associated in religious matters with John -and Charles Wesley. He was made deacon by the Bishop of Gloucester on -Sunday, June 20, 1736, two weeks before his graduation, and attracted -attention even by his first sermon; he drew such crowds in London and -Bristol that people hung upon the rails of the organ loft and climbed in -the windows. - -The Wesleys accompanied Oglethorpe to Georgia in 1736 and the following -year John Wesley invited Whitefield to join him in his work in America. -He came in May, 1738, and after laboring for months as a missionary in -the colony of Georgia he returned to England and was ordained priest at -Oxford, Sunday, January 14, 1739. On his way a second time to Georgia he -first visited Pennsylvania. - -Whitefield and his friend, William Seward, arrived in Philadelphia in -the evening of Friday, November 2, 1739, on horseback from Lewes, where -they had disembarked. - -He read prayers and assisted at Christ Church in the services of the -following Sunday, and preached there in the afternoon and every day for -the rest of the week with increasing congregations. He dined at Thomas -Penn’s, and was visited by the ministers of the Presbyterian and Baptist -Churches and by many Quakers. He preached twice to more than three -thousand persons. - -He made a trip to New York, and on his return preached from the yard of -the Reverend William Tennent’s church on the Neshaminy to about three -thousand, and from the porch window of the Presbyterian Church at -Abington, and again several times at Christ Church. - -When Whitefield was to preach his farewell sermon in the afternoon of -November 28, the church not being large enough for those expected he -adjourned to the fields, and preached to 10,000. Twenty gentlemen on -horseback accompanied him out of town. At Chester he spoke from a -balcony to 5000, of whom one-fifth had come from Philadelphia. - -He was energetically philanthropic. His main purpose in going back to -Georgia was to carry on his work among the poor orphans. - -On Boston Common he preached to 20,000 at one time, and was distinctly -heard. - -Although he was active in the establishment of the Methodist -denomination, he disagreed with Wesley on points of doctrine, and was -finally an evangelist without the discipline of any denomination. - -Whitefield crossed the ocean many times, and made tours from Georgia to -New Hampshire. In September, 1769, he started on his seventh tour there, -and the day before his death he preached two hours at Exeter, N. H., and -the same evening preached in the open air at Newburyport, Mass. He died -of asthma the next day, September 30, 1770, and was buried under the -pulpit of the Federal Street Church in that town. - - ---------- - - - - - Trial of Five Mollie Maguires for Murder - of B. F. Yost Begun at Pottsville - May 4, 1876 - - -On May 4, 1876, James Carroll, Thomas Duffy, James Roarty, Hugh McGehan, -and James Boyle, were placed on trial in Schuylkill County Court at -Pottsville, for the murder of Benjamin F. Yost, of Tamaqua. - -The details of this revolting crime and the apprehension of the Mollie -Maguires are of interest as they reveal the terrible horrors experienced -in the anthracite coal fields during the reign of this lawless -organization. - -James McParlan, the Pinkerton detective, who joined the Mollies under -the alias of James McKenna, and successfully brought their leaders to -the gallows, was working on the Gomer James murder outrage, when he -learned that the next victim was to be an excellent and competent -policeman of Tamaqua, of the name of Benjamin F. Yost. - -McParlan had been unable to learn sufficient of their designs to get a -warning to Yost, as he had so frequently done in other cases. - -Yost had experienced considerable trouble with the Mollies, especially -as he had several times arrested James Kerrigan, their local leader, for -drunkenness. Barney McCarron, the other member of the Tamaqua police -force, had also come in for his share of their ill-will, but, from his -German parentage, Yost was the more intensely hated. Yost had been -threatened several times but was a fearless man, a veteran of the Civil -War, where he displayed conspicuous valor on many battlefields, and a -policeman who served his community with fidelity. - -About midnight of July 5, 1875, the two policemen in passing Carroll’s -saloon, noted that the place was still open, went inside and saw -Kerrigan and another man drinking. - -The policemen proceeded with their duties, and extinguished the street -lamps on their route. They arrived at Yost’s residence about two o’clock -and partook of a lunch, preparatory to finishing up the night’s work. - -The two officers parted at Yost’s front gate, and Mrs. Yost, looking out -of her bedroom window, saw her husband place a small ladder against a -lamp post a short distance from their home, and step upon the rungs, but -he never reached the light. - -The woman saw two flashes from a pistol; heard the two loud reports and -saw her husband fall from the ladder. She ran down the stairs and into -the street, and met the wounded man, staggering and weak with loss of -blood, clinging to the fence, looking toward his once happy home. - -Yost lived long enough to say that his murderers were two Irishmen who -had been in Carroll’s saloon that evening. He exonerated Kerrigan of the -crime, saying one was larger and the other smaller than he. He did not -see Kerrigan. - -Yost died at nine o’clock that morning; he was then thirty-three years -of age. - -McParlan was soon on the trail of the Mollies who committed this cruel -murder, and Captain Linden, another Pinkerton operative, was also active -on the case. - -McParlan was at this time under suspicion by the Mollies of being a -detective and his work was the most dangerous any man was ever called -upon to perform, but he was a hero. - -He now affected the role of a drunken man and while sleeping off his -debauch listened to a conversation which gave him a clue; he then fell -in with Carroll, engaged his wife in conversation and soon learned much -of importance. - -The next day he learned the names of two of the men who had killed Yost, -Hugh McGehan and James Boyle, both of Summit Hill. - -The following day he went to Coaldale and visited James Roarty, head of -the Mollie branch there, ostensibly to see another person. Here they had -a drinking bout, and Roarty told too much, and he was Mollie number -three. - -Two days later McParlan was back in Tamaqua and lounging about Carroll’s -saloon where he got more information from Roarty and Carroll. He then -learned that Thomas Duffy was an actor in the crime. - -Sunday, July 26, McParlan and Carroll spent some time together, when the -latter related the conversation he had had with some detectives (which -McParlan had sent there), and boasted about loaning his pistol to the -man who did the job. This made Carroll number four. - -Soon afterwards Duffy bragged to McParlan of the part he had taken and -the fifth Mollie was trapped. - -All that was then needed was to gather his evidence so that it could be -used against these criminals, and for this purpose Captain Linden was -most valuable. - -Kerrigan took McParlan to the scene of the murder and enacted the crime -for his friend’s benefit, and soon after this incident the detective -learned that McGehan fired the two shots which killed Yost. - -This is the same James Kerrigan who turned State’s evidence in the great -trial of Mollies at Mauch Chunk, January 18, 1876, which resulted in the -conviction of Kerrigan, Michael J. Doyle, and Edward Kelly for the -murder of John P. Jones. Kerrigan’s evidence was the most stunning blow -the Mollies had thus far received, but they knew not the heavier blows -which were to fall on their villainous heads. - -The great trial of Thomas Munley and Charles McAllister for the murder -of Thomas Sanger and William Uren, which was held at Pottsville, June, -1876, brought the great Franklin B. Gowen into the case, and the -testimony of McParlan, the Pinkerton detective. Conviction followed. - -Then May 4, when the five Mollies were placed on trial at Pottsville for -the murder of Yost. Judges C. L. Pershing, D. B. Green and T. H. Walker -presided. - -A juror was taken sick and died, and the second trial was begun July 6, -each of the Mollies was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and -each was hanged in the Pottsville jail yard, the warrants being signed -by Governor Hartranft, May 21, 1877, the executions being held June 21, -the day eight Mollies expiated their crimes. - - ---------- - - - - - French and Indian Wars—Lieutenant - Governor Thomas Resigned - May 5, 1747 - - -Coincident with the announcement in the Assembly of the death of John -Penn, one of the Proprietors, was the resignation of Lieutenant Governor -Sir George Thomas, May 5, 1747, on account of ill-health. - -On the departure of Governor Thomas, the executive functions again -devolved on the Provincial Council, of which Anthony Palmer was -president; he served until the arrival of James Hamilton, son of Andrew -Hamilton, former Speaker of the Assembly, as Lieutenant Governor, -November 23, 1749. - -The harvests of the years 1750 to 1752 were so abundant that an extract -of the time is interesting: “The years 1751 and 1752 have been so -fruitful in wheat and other grain that men in wanton carelessness sought -to waste the supply: for the precious wheat which might have supported -many poor, they used to fatten hogs, which afterward they consumed in -their sumptuousness. Besides, distilleries were erected everywhere, and -thus this great blessing was turned into strong drink, which gave rise -to much disorder. - -These years of plenty were followed by three years of scarcity, -1753–1755, and on the heels of it came the terrible Indian hostilities. - -The progress of the white population toward the West alarmed and -irritated the Indians. The new settlers did not suffer the delays of the -land office, nor did they pay for their lands, but in search for richer -soils sought homes in regions where the Indian title had not been -extinguished. Some of these settlements were commenced prior to 1740, -and rapidly increased, despite the complaints of the Indians, the laws -of the Province or the several proclamations of the Governor. - -An alarming crisis was now at hand. The French in the neighborhood of -the Great Lakes were sedulously applying themselves to seduce the -Indians from their allegiance to the English. The Shawnee had already -joined the French cause; the Delaware only waited for an opportunity to -avenge their wrongs; and of the Six Nations, the Onondaga, Cayuga and -Seneca were wavering and listening to overtures from the agents of both -the English and French. - -To keep the Indians in favor of the province required much cunning -diplomacy and many expensive presents. In the midst of this alarming -condition the old flame of civil dissension burst out with increased -fury. The presents so frequently procured for the Indians, the erection -of a chain of forts along the frontier and the maintenance of a military -force drew too heavily upon the provincial purse, which never was -burdened with any great surplus. - -The Assembly urged that the Proprietary estates be taxed, as well as -those of humble individuals. The Proprietaries, as would be expected, -refused to be taxed and pleaded prerogative, charter and law; the -Assembly in turn pleaded equity, common danger, common benefit and at -common expense. - -The Proprietaries offered bounties in lands not yet acquired from the -Indians by treaty or purchase, and in addition proposed the issuing of -more paper money. The Assembly was not satisfied; they wanted something -more tangible. They passed laws laying taxes and granting supplies, but -the Proprietaries opposed the conditions. They were willing to aid the -Assembly in taxing the people, but not the Proprietaries. Here were sown -the germs of the Revolution, though not fully matured until twenty years -later. - -During those frivolous disputes in the Assembly the frontiers were left -fully exposed. The pacific principles, too, of the Quakers, Dunkards, -Mennonites and Schwenckfelders came in to complicate the strife, but as -the danger increased they prudently kept aloof from public office, -leaving the management of the war to sects less scrupulous. The pulpit -and the press were deeply involved, and the inhabitants divided into -opposing factions upon this question. - -The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was scarcely regarded more seriously than -a truce by the French in America. In their eagerness to extend their -territories and connect their northern possessions with Louisiana, they -projected a line of forts and military posts from one to the other along -the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. They explored and occupied the land -upon the latter stream, buried in many places leaden plates, by which -they claimed possession of those lands. - -The French established themselves at Presqu’ Isle and extended -themselves southward; they erected a fort at Au Boeuf and another at the -mouth of French Creek, which they called Fort Machault. - -Virginia was much interested in this foothold gained by the French along -the Ohio, for they claimed the territory of Pennsylvania west of the -Allegheny Mountains as part of their dominion. - -The English Government having learned that the French claimed right to -the Ohio River country by virtue of the discovery of La Salle, made -sixty years previous, remonstrated with the Court of Versailles, but -without avail, and resolved to oppose force with force. - -The first move made by the English was to present a solid front by -combining the efforts of all the colonies. To this end a conference was -called at Albany in July, 1754, to which the Six Nations were invited. -Governor Hamilton could not attend this conference, and John Penn and -Richard Peters, of the Council, and Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, -of the Assembly, were commissioned to represent the Province of -Pennsylvania. They carried with them £500 as the provincial present to -the Indians. - -The results of this confederated council were not satisfactory, but the -Pennsylvania Commissioners obtained a great part of the land in the -province, to which the Indian title was not extinct, comprising the -lands lying southwest of a line beginning one mile above the mouth of -Penns Creek, in what is now Snyder County, and running northwest by west -“to the western boundary of the State.” - -The Shawnee, Delaware and Munsee Indians, on the Susquehanna, Juniata, -Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, thus found their lands “sold from under their -feet,” which the Six Nations had guaranteed to them on their removal -from the Eastern waters. This proved of great dissatisfaction to these -Indians and had not a little part in causing their alienation from the -English interest. - - ---------- - - - - - Work Begun on Building Braddock Road - -Over Alleghenies May 6, 1755 - - -Preparatory to the ill-fated expedition of General Braddock, which -precipitated the forays of the French and Indians upon the unprotected -frontiers of Pennsylvania, was the letter to Governor Morris, of -Pennsylvania, asking to have a road cut so that there might be -communication between Philadelphia and the Three Forks of the -Youghiogheny, both for the security of retreat and to facilitate the -transport of provisions. These English officers were unacquainted with -American geography, and at best the maps used by them were by no means -accurate. - -Governor Morris in response advised Sir John St. Clair, deputy -quartermaster general, that there was a very good wagon road from -Philadelphia to the mouth of the Conococheague, but only a horse path -through the mountains by which the Indian traders carried their goods, -and that there would be great difficulty in making a wagon road that -way. He also gently intimated that the distance was much greater than -the English officers realized. - -Governor Morris, with the sanction of the Assembly, sent George Croghan, -John Armstrong, James Burd, William Buchanan and Adam Hoopes as -commissioners to explore the country west of the “Great Virginia Road,” -as the road through the Cumberland Valley was called, and to survey and -lay out such roads as were most direct and commodious. No better men -could have been chosen. They were acquainted with the country, and -Armstrong was the best surveyor on the frontier. - -These commissioners projected a road from McDowell’s Mill, in present -Franklin County, to within eighteen miles of the Three Forks, where they -found too many French and Indians scouting and hunting to venture -farther. The length of projected road so far as it was surveyed was -sixty-nine miles. - -The commissioners could not effect a meeting with Sir John until April -16. When they showed him the drafts he raved like a wild man, and the -commissioners, believing they had done their part well, were abashed by -their unusual reception. - -Sir John told them it was too late to build this road now, and instead -of marching to the Ohio they would march into Cumberland County. Not a -soldier should handle an ax, but by fire and sword General Braddock -would compel the inhabitants to build it. He would kill all the cattle -and drive away the horses, burn the houses, and if the French defeated -the army by the delays of the Province, he would, with his sword drawn, -pass through it and treat the inhabitants as a parcel of traitors to his -master. He even avowed his purpose to “shake Mr. Penn’s Proprietaryship” -by representing Pennsylvania as a disaffected province. - -Braddock was constantly complaining of the failure of Pennsylvania and -Virginia. He spoke slightingly of the provincial contingent and scoffed -at danger from the Indians. “These savages,” he said to Franklin, “may -indeed be a formidable enemy to raw American militia, but upon the -King’s regular and disciplined troops, sir, it is impossible they should -make an impression.” - -Governor Morris early in May sent Secretary Peters to expedite the work -of the road-makers by his presence. Neither General Braddock nor Sir -John had any distinct idea of the obstacles to road-building over the -Pennsylvania mountains or of the difficulties which confronted Governor -Morris in a work of such magnitude, who lacked both money and men for -the undertaking. - -This road, which afterward received the name of Braddock’s Road, passed -beyond McDowell’s Mill, around Parnell’s and Jordan’s Knobs into Path -Valley, into Cowan’s Gap, past Burnt Cabins and Sugar Cabins to Sideling -Hill. From the latter point the road extended to the crossing of the -Juniata, thence to Raystown (now Bedford), and it then went over the -Alleghenies to the Great Crossing, three miles from Turkey’s Foot. - -The entire expense of making the road was to be paid by the Province. -Advertisements were broadcasted in Cumberland, York and Lancaster -Counties for laborers. James Wright and John Smith contracted to supply -the workmen with provisions. - -Ground was broken May 6, 1755, when only ten men reported for work under -command of James Burd. By the 15th there were seventy men at work and by -the end of the month 120. - -Mr. Burd was in sole charge of the work at the outset, the other -commissioners being too busy—Croghan with the Indian contingent ordered -by Braddock, Armstrong with complications growing out of the purchase of -1754 and Buchanan and Hoopes with their private affairs. - -The road was built thirty feet wide for about ten miles, when it was -determined to make it twenty feet, and parts requiring digging or -quarrying only ten feet. - -Twenty days were required to make the road from Anthony Thompson’s to -Sideling Hill, a distance of nineteen miles. William Smith was -commissioned to assist Mr. Burd and reported May 28. - -Much of the money required for the work was supplied by Joseph Armstrong -and Samuel Smith, members of the Assembly from Cumberland County, from -their private purse, for the Legislature held its pursestrings with a -tight grip. The workmen at times suffered for the want of bread and -liquor. - -By June 16, Mr. Burd wrote from “Alloqueepy’s Town,” thirty-four and a -half miles from Thompson’s, that he expected to finish the work there -the next day, and join the advance division, under Smith, at Raystown. - -The Indians menaced the work at this time and Braddock, who at first -refused aid, sent 100 men, under Captain Hogg, as a guard. The soldiers -came none too soon. - -As Braddock penetrated the Alleghenies, Indian ravages began in his -rear. True to their character, the savages spared neither sex nor age. -The soldiers deserted and the workmen were unprotected and in constant -danger. - -By July 5 the road was completed to the eastern base of the Alleghenies. - -On the day that Braddock’s body was buried at Great Meadows, John -Armstrong wrote to him from Carlisle to say that the new road would soon -be completed. It was too late. Braddock had no further need for a road, -except a spot for a burial place in that great highway over which he had -marched to defeat with so much military pomp. - - ---------- - - - - - George Croghan, King of Traders, Sent on - -Mission to Logstown May 7, 1751 - - -George Croghan and Andrew Montour were sent, May 7, 1751, to Logstown to -carry a Provincial present to the Indians. While there the wily Irishman -met Joncaire, the French Indian agent, but succeeded in outwitting him -in diplomacy; and the chiefs ordered the French from their lands and -reasserted their friendship for the English. At this time the Indians -requested Croghan to ask Governor Hamilton to build a strong house on -the Ohio River for the protection of their wives and children in event -they should be obliged to engage in war. - -George Croghan, next to Sir William Johnson, was the most prominent -figure among British-Indian agents during the period of the later French -wars and the conspiracy of Pontiac, from 1746 until the Revolutionary -War, when he unfortunately cast his lot with the British. - -He was born in Ireland and educated at Dublin, and emigrated to America -in 1741. He settled in Pennsylvania near John Harris’ Ferry, now -Harrisburg. He became an Indian trader in 1744, and was made a Councilor -of the Six Nations at Onondaga in 1746. - -Croghan first appears in the official correspondence of Pennsylvania as -writing to Secretary Richard Peters, May 26, 1747, that he had just -returned from the woods, bringing a letter, a French scalp, and some -wampum, for the Governor from a party of the Six Nations Indians having -their dwelling on the borders of Lake Erie, who had formerly been in the -French interest; and who now, thanks to Croghan’s diplomacy, had -declared against the French. - -Croghan went to Logstown in April, 1748, with a message and present from -Pennsylvania Council to the Ohio Indians. Conrad Weiser carried a larger -present to these same Indians, and on his trip lodged in Croghan’s -storehouse in Logstown. - -In 1750, Croghan accompanied Secretary Peters and other officials on a -trip among the settlers in Path, Tuscarora, Juniata and Aughwick Valleys -warning them off, burning their cabins and confining some of the -intruders in prison. - -At the great Shawnee Council at Logstown, he, Andrew Montour and -Christopher Gist were present and Croghan boldly announced to the -Indians that the French had offered a large sum of money to any one who -would bring them the bodies or scalps of Croghan or Montour. So the -mission to Logstown, May 7, 1751, when the French-Indian Agent was -present, was a most unusual moment to the intrepid Croghan, and his -almost equally celebrated companion, Andrew Montour. - -Croghan succeeded in making a treaty between the Indians and Virginia -Commissioners. He was again at Logstown, May 7, 1753, in company with -William Trent, Robert Callender and other traders, when a messenger -arrived with the news that the French were on Lake Erie in large force, -with brass cannon, on their way to the Ohio. Croghan held a conference -with Scarouady, the Half King, on May 12; and then attended an important -council between Pennsylvania Commissioners and chiefs of the Six -Nations, Shawnee, Delaware, Wyandot and Twightwee at Carlisle in -October, 1753. About this time he was compelled, by impending bankruptcy -and fear of being imprisoned for debt, to remove to the Indian country, -and he built a house at Aughwick Old Town, near the Juniata. - -Croghan accompanied George Washington and his little army on the march -from Fort Necessity to Redstone. When he returned to Aughwick he kept -Governor Morris informed of the movements of the French and their Indian -allies. - -Croghan attended the important Indian conferences at Easton, Harris’ -Ferry, Lancaster, Onondaga, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other places, -and always faithfully represented the English cause. He and Weiser were -the most active agents at Easton, June, 1762, when King Tedyuskung -retracted his charges of fraud and forgery in land transactions made -against the Proprietaries by him at Easton six years before. - -He was commissioned captain and served with Braddock, when he commanded -a company of Indians. He resigned his commission in spring of 1756 and -joined his fortunes with those of Sir William Johnson in the Mohawk -Valley. He was appointed a deputy in the Indian service, with the rank -of colonel. - -December 1, 1763, he sailed for England to confer with the ministry -about some boundary lines, but he was shipwrecked off the coast of -France and did not reach his destination until February, 1764. - -Croghan made an affidavit while in London which relates much of his -early movements. He also presented to the Lords of Trade an interesting -Memorial on Indian Affairs in America. - -He returned to Pennsylvania in October, 1764, and was induced to -continue as Deputy Indian Agent in the Western Department. - -Croghan was sent by General Gage to Illinois for the purpose of making -peace with the Indians. He embarked from Fort Pitt, May 15, 1765, and -experienced a hazardous trip during which his party was attacked by -hostile Indians. He being severely wounded and taken prisoner, was -carried to what is now Lafayette, Indiana, where he was recognized by -some chiefs with whom he had previous dealings, and in spite of the fact -that the French demanded his execution, Croghan was liberated, July 18. -He set off that day for the Illinois country. On the way he met Pontiac -and other chiefs, and effected the treaty he had been sent to make. - -Colonel Croghan kept journals of all his trips and these are both -interesting and valuable. They reveal many exciting adventures and some -very harrowing experiences. - -Croghan mortgaged his Otsego tract of land to William Franklin, son of -Benjamin, and lost it under foreclosure in 1773. This became the home of -James Fennimore Cooper, now Cooperstown, N. Y. - -In the controversy between Pennsylvania and Virginia for the territory -which lies west of the Laurel Hills, Croghan was a partisan of Virginia, -and one of those who stirred up the most trouble. - -At the beginning of the Revolution Colonel Croghan embarked in the -patriot cause, being elected chairman of the Committee of Safety of -Augusta County, May 16, 1775. He later became an object of suspicion. - -June 15, 1778, he was declared by Pennsylvania a public enemy, and his -office of Indian Agent was conferred upon Colonel George Morgan. He -continued, however, to reside in Pennsylvania, and died at Passyunk, in -the summer of 1782. His will is dated June 12, 1782. - -Colonel Croghan married a Mohawk Indian, and their daughter, Catherine, -became the third wife of Joseph Brant, the celebrated Mohawk chieftain -of the Revolutionary period. - - ---------- - - - - - Pennsylvania Navy Meets British in Action, - May 8, 1776 - - -The Committee of Safety, which organized July 3, 1775, early in the -following year, had a survey made of the Delaware River, with a view to -its more extensive fortification. Leave was obtained from New Jersey to -construct works on that side of the river; a permanent fort was -determined upon at Billingsport; the fort at Fort Island was hurried to -completion; it was decided to fortify Liberty Island, and additions were -made to the chevaux-de-frise. To the naval flotilla were added the -floating battery Arnold, the ship-of-war Montgomery, the fireship Aetna -and some guardboats for Philadelphia harbor. This naval force soon had a -chance to show its mettle. - -On May 6 news came to Philadelphia by express from Fort Penn that two -warships, a schooner and three tenders were coming up the river. The -Committee of Safety ordered the gunboat flotilla and the Montgomery and -Aetna, under command of Commodore Andrew Caldwell and Captain James -Reed, to attack the enemy. His vessels were the Roebuck, forty-eight -guns, under command of Captain Hammond, and the sloop-of-war Liverpool, -twenty-eight guns, under command of Captain Bellew, and their tenders. - -Captain Proctor, in command of the fort at Fort Island, volunteered for -the fight with 100 of his men and served on board the Hornet. The -Montgomery, the Continental ship Reprisal, under command of Captain -Wickes, and the battery Arnold, under Captain Samuel Davidson, remained -near the chevaux-de-frise, in a line with the forts. The other boats -went down the river to the mouth of Christiana Creek, coming up with the -enemy on the afternoon of May 8. - -Fire was immediately opened on both sides and was maintained with much -spirit until dark. The Roebuck ran ashore and careened; the Liverpool -came to anchor to protect her and the provincial boats withdrew to -obtain more ammunition. - -During this engagement, the Continental schooner Wasp, with Captain -Alexander, which had been previously chased into Wilmington, came out -and captured an English brig belonging to the squadron. The fireship was -not brought into use, and before morning the Roebuck was again afloat. - -The attack was renewed at 5 o’clock in the morning when the British -ships retired, being closely pursued as far as New Castle by the -Philadelphia navy. - -The officers of the flotilla complained grievously of the supplies -furnished them by the Committee of Safety as being defective in quality -and deficient in quantity; the powder was so bad that the men had to cut -up their clothes and equipments to make the cartridges serviceable. -There were also other defects, so that the officers threw the whole -blame of their failure to destroy or capture the enemy vessels upon the -committee. The Assembly investigated, however, and exonerated the -committee. - -The American loss was one killed and two wounded. The British lost one -killed and five wounded. So it was quite probable this engagement was -fought at long range. Members of the Provincial Navy, however, brought -up some splinters from the enemy’s ships to exhibit at the Coffee House -as trophies of the fight. The Roebuck and the Liverpool returned to -their stations at Cape May, depending upon New Jersey, instead of -Pennsylvania, for poultry and fresh provisions. - -This engagement served a valuable purpose. Congress and the Provincial -Assembly were certainly admonished to increase their navies. The -Committee of Safety added to the galleys and other vessels, sloops, -schooners, guard boats and also firerafts. This added force was composed -of 743 men. Samuel Davidson was appointed to succeed Commodore Caldwell, -as commander of the flotilla, soon after the fight, but on account of -much opposition from other officers, never took up the command. - -The Committee of Safety organized a system of privateers and letters of -marque at this time, with the sanction of Congress. They created a Court -of Admiralty, of which George Ross, of Lancaster, was judge; Matthew -Clarkson, marshal, and Andrew Robinson, register. - -Before July there had also been commissioned the brigs Hancock and -Congress, and the sloop Chance, under Captains Wingate Newman, John -Kaye, and James Robertson. As early as May the Congress and Chance had -taken three valuable ships from Jamaica bound for London, with large -cargoes of rum, sugar and molasses, 22,420 “pieces of eight,” 187 ounces -of plate and a fine turtle, intended as a present to Lord North. The -President of the Continental Congress received and enjoyed this turtle. - -It is also of interest to our Province to note that the activities of -the young navy resulted in other important prizes. The privateer -Congress captured the schooner Thistle; the privateer Franklin, of -Philadelphia, took a British storeship with seventy-five tons of -gunpowder and 1000 stands of arms; the ship Lexington, under Captain -John Barry, of Philadelphia, captured the Edward; the Wasp took the -schooner Betsy. In the meantime the British Roebuck and Liverpool, with -their tenders, made many captures of vessels about the Delaware Capes, -chasing others ashore. But the record of the young American Navy was -glorious and certainly a fine beginning for the brilliant successes -which were to follow. - -Thus we find that the Committee of Safety constructed the Pennsylvania -State Navy three months before Congress proposed a Continental navy. - -By August, 1776, the fleet numbered twenty-seven vessels, with Captain -Thomas Reed as commodore, the first officer of that title in America. -Another distinguished officer was Nicholas Biddle. - -Three months after the State Navy was begun the Continental Congress -took action for the construction of a Continental navy, which was also -fitted out in Philadelphia. When the Congress of the United States -established the Navy Department in 1798, the first navy yard was located -in Philadelphia, where ship building had been an established enterprise -since 1683. The city is today famous for the quality and quantity of -ships built for this and other nations of the world. - - ---------- - - - - - Bishop John Heyl Vincent, Founder of - Chautauqua, Died May 9, 1920 - - -General Grant once introduced Bishop J. H. Vincent to President Lincoln -and said: “Dr. Vincent was my pastor at Galena (Illinois), and I do not -think I missed one of his sermons while I lived there.” - -This same Bishop Vincent, of good old Pennsylvania stock and many years -a resident of Pennsylvania, was the founder of the Chautauqua Assembly, -next only to the public-school system in bringing to the masses of the -people some share of their inheritance in the world’s great creations in -art and literature. This is the work of a man—a great teacher and -educator and university preacher—who did not himself have a college -education. - -In 1772 the Vincent family, consisting of John Vincent and wife, their -sons, Cornelius and Peter; their sons-in-law, Timothy Williams and -Samuel Gould, removed from Essex County, N. J., and settled in -Northumberland County, Pa., near the present town of Milton. - -When the Indians became hostile during the Revolutionary War the early -settlers along the West branch of the Susquehanna erected stockade forts -at central points, into which the women and children of the neighborhood -were gathered for protection at the approach of danger. In one of these -forts, known as Fort Freeland, situated on Warrior Run, were gathered -the Vincents, the Himrods, the Miles, the McKnights, the Boyds, the -Kings, the Littles and others. - -June 21, 1779, a party of Indians approached stealthily and fired upon -six men hoeing corn in a field near the fort. They killed Isaac Vincent -and James Miles and took Michael Freeland and Benjamin Vincent -prisoners. - -July 28, 1779, 200 British under Captain John McDonald and 300 Seneca -Indians, under Chief Hiokatoo attacked the fort and compelled it to -capitulate, the conditions of surrender being that all the men over -seventeen should become prisoners of war, and the women and children and -the aged should be set at liberty. Under this capitulation, Cornelius -Vincent and his sons, Daniel and Bethuel, with their neighbors, were -marched across the country to the Lakes, then to Quebec, where they -remained prisoners till the close of the war. - -The aged John Vincent and wife, with the wife and younger children of -Cornelius, wended their way back on foot to New Jersey and were -scattered among their friends until the return of the captives. - -Soon after their return from captivity Cornelius Vincent and his wife -and their sons, Daniel and Bethuel, returned to the West Branch Valley -and resumed the settlement they had been obliged to abandon. Daniel -built and owned a large mill on Warrior Run. Bethuel built a large hotel -in Milton, and became its most prominent citizen. Bethuel Vincent was -postmaster at Milton, June 29, 1803 to February 22, 1822, and again July -13, 1822 to June 23, 1829. - -Cornelius Vincent died in Milton, July 16, 1812. Daniel Vincent died -near his mills, January 26, 1826, and Bethuel died at his home in -Milton, April 30, 1837. - -Bethuel Vincent, born June 3, 1762, married Martha Himrod, January 1, -1788. They were the parents of nine children, of whom John Himrod, born -April 20, 1798, was the youngest of the four sons. - -John Himrod married Mary Raser, a native of Philadelphia, who died at -Chillisquaque, Pa., February 16, 1852. They were old-fashioned -Methodists, and parents of Bishop Vincent. - -During a short residence in Tuscaloosa, Ala., John Heyl Vincent, the -subject of this sketch, was born February 23, 1832. The parents soon -moved back to their Pennsylvania home, where John H. attended the -schools at Milton and Lewisburg. He began to preach at eighteen years -and studied for awhile at Wesleyan Institute, Newark, N. J. - -Reverend John Heyl Vincent joined the New Jersey Conference in 1853. Was -ordained deacon, 1855; elder, in 1857. Transferred to Rock River, Ill. -Conference, he became pastor at Galena in 1857, and General U. S. Grant -was one of his parishioners. He then preached elsewhere and in Chicago. - -A trip to the old world in 1862, contributed an important part to his -intellectual training. He visited Egypt, Palestine, Greece, Italy and -other countries. - -In 1866 he was elected general agent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday -School Union and in 1868, corresponding secretary of the Sunday School -Union and Tract Society, with residence in New York City. A complete -series of his books forms an encyclopedia of modern Sunday School -literature. - -This work culminated in 1874, in the Chautauqua Sunday School Assembly, -from which he founded, in 1878, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific -Circle and was its Chancellor until his death. - -He was made resident bishop at Zurich, Switzerland, 1900, and placed in -charge of European work of the Methodist Church. - -Bishop Vincent became preacher to Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Wellesley and -other universities and colleges, and was the recipient of many honorary -degrees. - -In speaking of his great work at Chautauqua he remarked: “I do not -expect to make a second Harvard and Yale out of Chautauqua, but I do -want to give the people of this generation such a taste of what it is to -be intelligent that they will see to it that their children have the -best education the country can give.” - -Bishop Vincent died in Chicago, May 9, 1920, aged 88 years. - -Bishop Vincent’s son, Hon. George Edgar Vincent, a distinguished -educator and powerful orator, is president of the Rockefeller -Foundation. - -Pennsylvania may well be proud to claim the ancestors of Bishop Vincent, -the founder of Chautauqua, as their own. - - ---------- - - - - - Long Standing Boundary Line Dispute Between - Maryland and Pennsylvania Proprietaries - Signed May 10, 1732 - - -In the boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland Lord Baltimore -had observations taken of the latitude of New Castle, Delaware, which -showed that town to be 39° 39′ 30″, which would place the end of the -fortieth degree many miles to the north, and its beginning far beyond -the reach of the radius of twelve miles as called for by Lord Chief -Justice North, of England. - -A degree of latitude is a band about sixty-nine and a half miles wide, -extending around the earth parallel to the equator. - -Lord North, William Penn, Lord Baltimore, and others, in the absence of -better knowledge, simply assumed that the degrees on the maps were all -too far south, which was only a guess, but in fact they were nearly -correct. - -Penn obtained his charter and sent William Markham, his cousin and -deputy, to the Delaware to take an observation of the latitude, and he -was to meet Lord Baltimore, or his agents, and settle the boundaries. - -This meeting was held in Upland, now Chester, in latter part of the year -1681. The observation was taken, and it became manifest that an absurd -mistake in latitude was revealed, and that the fortieth degree, the -southern boundary of Pennsylvania was twelve miles farther to the North. -Lord Baltimore already knew that the end of the fortieth degree was many -miles north of its position on Captain John Smith’s map, and he renewed -his old claim that his province of Maryland extended to the fortieth -degree complete. Thus began the controversy which lasted twenty years. - -This claim carried the northern boundary of Maryland far into Penn’s -province, just north of Philadelphia, and if successfully defended would -have cut from the southern part of our State all the territory south of -a line running through Philadelphia, Dowingtown, just south of -Lancaster, and north of York, Bedford, Somerset, Connellsville, -Brownsville, and the village of West Finley in Washington County. - -But Penn had a strong case to defend his territorial limits, his charter -expressly defined the southern limit of Pennsylvania, as on the -beginning of the fortieth degree, which would make its southern limit -reach nearly to the City of Washington, and would have cut off from Lord -Baltimore’s province much more territory than he was trying to cut from -Penn’s. Penn also possessed the later grant from the Crown, and in such -a dispute, where the limits overlapped, it would be taken to have -annulled the older. - -Penn was willing to yield his stronger position and compromise, all he -demanded was that the line be placed where it was supposed to be when -his charter was granted. The mistake in latitude made Penn’s boundary on -the Delaware ridiculous, for the circle of twelve miles from New Castle -could not possibly touch the beginning of the fortieth degree, which was -forty miles to the south of it. - -It would have been unfortunate to obstruct the settlement of this -country by putting claims in which both seemed to be justified, but Penn -did even more than expected. He offered to purchase from Baltimore -sufficient land to give Pennsylvania a harbor at the head of the -Chesapeake. At another personal interview with Baltimore at West River -he suggested a compromise even more favorable to Maryland, by suggesting -that additional territory should be given Baltimore to make up the loss -of the increased length of a degree, which was recently ascertained to -be 69½ instead of 60 miles. This would have placed the northern line of -Maryland about seven miles north of the head of the Chesapeake. - -Lord Baltimore refused all compromises offered by William Penn. He -fancied he could obtain great acquisitions of territory, and was -determined his province should consist of the present Maryland, Delaware -and the southern strip of Pennsylvania above described. - -The controversy was thrown in the privy council. The case was argued for -two years, the council finally deciding that Baltimore’s charter did not -give him a title to Delaware, because at the time of granting the -charter that region had been in possession of the Dutch, and they -ordered Baltimore and Penn to divide Delaware equally between them by a -north and south line, midway between the Chesapeake and the Delaware. -The decision of the council was confined to the controversy between -Delaware and Maryland, and nothing was said about the disputed boundary -of the 40° between Maryland and Pennsylvania and it remained unsettled. - -This condition proved a great hardship, the inhabitants on the border, -uncertain of their position, refused to pay taxes to either government, -and the sheriffs of adjoining counties carried on a warfare of petty -annoyance. This gave the rougher and lawless men an excuse for fighting. -One of the most notable of these was Thomas Cresap. He caused so much -trouble in the southern counties that when he was arrested and carried -to Philadelphia, which he called a pretty Maryland town, his exploits -were known as the Cresap War. - -William Penn died July 30, 1718, leaving the question as unsettled as it -was in 1682. Charles Calvert, the fifth Lord Baltimore, was now the -proprietor of Maryland, and the first of the family to show much -cleverness. - -He went to Penn’s widow and admitted he had no just claim to the title -of Delaware, and suggested that no more land should be granted near -either of the disputed borders by either government for eighteen months, -within which time they could settle all difficulties. This agreement was -signed in February, 1723, and long after the eighteen months had passed -into history, the agreement was faithfully observed by Hannah Penn, and -after her death by her children. Baltimore also observed it. - -William Penn’s widow died in 1726, and her young sons did not -immediately mark the boundary, and Baltimore now assumed the role of an -injured person, and in 1731 petitioned the Crown to compel the -Proprietors of Pennsylvania to join with him in settling the boundaries. -He applied to John and Thomas Penn to meet with him and sign an -agreement of settlement, which they agreed to do, and they also accepted -the terms proposed in it by Baltimore and the articles were signed May -10, 1732. - -The southern boundary of Pennsylvania was fixed about seven miles north -of the head of Chesapeake, and the same as William Penn had offered -Baltimore in their interview at West River. By this agreement Lord -Baltimore received more than had ever belonged to him. - -A map was prepared, and attached to the agreement, on which the -boundaries were plainly marked. This map was prepared by Baltimore, and -the Penns accepted it as correct. - - ---------- - - - - - Captain Stephen Chambers Fatally Wounded - in Duel with Dr. Rieger May 11, 1789 - - -In May, 1789, there was a brilliant banquet given at the public house of -Colonel Mathias Slough, on the southeast corner of Penn Square and South -Queen Street, Lancaster. This social function was attended by a large -number of officers and soldiers who had fought in the Revolutionary War, -among whom were Captain Stephen Chambers and Surgeon Jacob Rieger. - -Captain Chambers was neatly dressed in his military uniform, and in -personal appearance was one of the finest-looking officers of that -period. Dr. Rieger was quite the opposite, rather diminutive in stature, -unshaven and otherwise very untidy. - -During the progress of the banquet Captain Chambers made some -disparaging remark about Dr. Rieger, which the latter overheard and -deemed insulting. The result was a challenge to a duel, which was as -promptly accepted. - -The parties immediately named their seconds, who fixed the following -Monday evening, May 11, as the time. The parties met according to -arrangement on the outskirts of Lancaster, and after the necessary -details were concluded the antagonists faced each other, and at the -command of fire neither shot took effect. The seconds, at this point, -made an earnest effort to reconcile the principals, Captain Chambers and -his seconds being in a mood to offer such terms as they believed to be -proper and satisfactory, but Dr. Rieger would not consent to any terms -of reconciliation. - -They took their places and on the command of fire Captain Chambers -snapped his pistol without discharging, but Dr. Rieger sent a ball -crashing through both legs of Captain Chambers. His wounds bled freely, -and for two days it was thought they were not dangerous; mortification, -however, set in and he died in great agony on Saturday morning -following, May 16. - -Thus perished one of the noblest patriots and most brilliant legal minds -of the bar, an event which agitated the public mind for years afterward -as an unwarranted and cold-blooded murder. - -Judge John Joseph Henry married Chambers’ sister, Jane, and was the -attorney for his executors. - -Captain Chambers was a native of Ireland, being born there in 1750. He -came to Pennsylvania prior to the Revolution, and settled at Lancaster. -He studied law and as soon as he was admitted to practice in 1773, he -removed to Sunbury, where he became the first resident attorney of -Northumberland County. Fithian, in his journal under date July 20, 1775, -met him at Sunbury, “a lawyer, serious, civil and social.” - -At the outset of the Revolution he entered the service. He was appointed -first lieutenant of the Twelfth Regiment of the Continental Line, -October 16, 1776, and promoted to captain in 1777. - -He was chosen to the General Assembly from Northumberland County, -October 2, 1778, and while in attendance thereon was admitted to the -Philadelphia bar, March 6, 1779. In 1779 he was a member of the -Republican Society of Philadelphia, whose object was the revision of the -Constitution of 1776. - -In the fall of 1780 he returned to his former home in Lancaster and soon -attained a large and lucrative practice, owned several farms and also -became interested in the iron business. He represented Lancaster County -in the Council of Censors, 1783 and 1784. He also was one of the -original members of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati. - -He was a delegate to the convention November 29, 1787, which ratified, -on the part of Pennsylvania, the Federal Constitution. In the debate he -took a most aggressive part, frequently becoming very personal in his -attack upon members of the opposite side, especially toward William -Findlay. Captain Chambers voted with his comrades in arms, and on the -side of the adoption of the Federal Constitution. - -It is a matter of interest that Captain Chambers was among the -distinguished patriots who were in the house of James Wilson, in -Philadelphia, when the mob made a disgraceful attack against it, October -4, 1779. Captain Chambers appeared with James Wilson, and others, before -Supreme Executive Council, October 19, 1779, and was bound over to -appear at the next term of court, in the sum of £5000. George Clymer and -Samuel Caldwell becoming his sureties in the sum of £2,500 each. - -The evening of the day of the riot at “Fort Wilson,” Captain Chambers -attended the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York -Masons and was installed Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 22, which was -constituted at Northumberland the following month. - -At the constitution of Lodge No. 22, about the middle of November, 1779, -Chambers became its first Worshipful Master, and the warrant for that -body was produced and presented by him at “his own proper cost and -charges.” - -In July, 1785, he became the warrant Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 43, -at Lancaster, and both of these ancient lodges are still at labor, the -former, Lodge No. 22, now at Sunbury. - -Dr. Joseph Rieger was the surgeon of the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment, -commanded by Colonel Samuel Hiles. He was commissioned March 22, 1776. -He was a highly respected physician of Lancaster. He died there in 1795. - - ---------- - - - - - War of 1812 Began in Pennsylvania with - Message of Governor Snyder - May 12, 1812 - - -The inhabitants of the infant Nation believed that Great Britain had -wantonly trampled on their rights, and on May 12, 1812, Governor Simon -Snyder expressed the feelings of the people in his call for -Pennsylvania’s quota of 14,000 militia, when he stated that for thirty -years we had lived at peace with all the nations of the earth, while the -storm of war had been desolating many countries of the civilized world, -and that all means which wisdom and patience could devise had been in -vain resorted to in the hope of preserving peace. - -“The cup of patience, of humiliation and long suffering,” declared the -Governor, “had been filled to overflowing; and the indignant arm of an -injured people must be raised to dash it to the earth and grasp the -avenging sword. If ever a nation had justifiable cause for war, that -nation is the United States. If ever a people had motives to fight, we -are that people. It would give the Governor inexpressible satisfaction -if Pennsylvania would volunteer her quota.” - -Such was the enthusiasm of the hour that in response to the Governor’s -call three times as many troops tendered their services as were -required. The disappointment of some was so great that money was freely -offered to secure a place among those accepted by the authorities. - -General William Reed, the Adjutant General of the State, speedily -organized this force, which was formed into two divisions, four brigades -and twenty-two regiments. The first, or Philadelphia division, was -commanded by Major General Isaac Morrell and the second, from Pittsburgh -and vicinity, by Major General Adamson Tannehill. - -The differences which had so long existed between the United States and -Great Britain finally resulted in war, which was declared by Congress -June 18, 1812. Every Representative, but two from Pennsylvania and both -the Senators, voted in favor of a declaration and the people at home -proved in demonstrative terms that they approved their vote. - -In July a general alarm prevailed in Erie and vicinity, in consequence -of the appearance of a British-Indian force on the opposite side of the -lake. - -On July 15 the sixteenth division of Pennsylvania militia was organized -under General Kelso. Four thousand men called for by the President -rendezvoused at Meadville and Pittsburgh looking to a movement on -Canada. - -Soon the 2000 men at Meadville were ordered to Western New York, where -they participated in the battles along the Canadian border. After the -unsuccessful efforts of General Dearborn and Wilkinson, the rank of -major general was conferred upon Jacob Brown, of Bucks County, and he -was given the command of the Northern Department. - -General Brown at Ogdensburg, October 4, 1812, defeated the British, and -won a signal victory, May 29, when he took Sackett’s Harbor, which he -retained until the close of the war. General Brown also won a brilliant -victory at Fort Erie, which is on the Canadian shore, opposite Buffalo, -N. Y., on July 3, 1814. - -Winfield Scott, later the successful commander in the war with Mexico, -was an officer under General Brown. He won the brilliant and important -engagement at Chippewa, under directions of General Brown. Captain -Thomas Biddle, of Philadelphia, commanded one of the three batteries of -artillery engaged. - -General Brown then won the severe battle of Lundy’s Lane, July 25, in -which 2600 Americans defeated 7000 British, and captured one of their -batteries. In this engagement General Brown was twice wounded, Major -Daniel McFarland was killed, Captain Biddle and Colonel Hugh Brady, of -Northumberland County, afterward a distinguished general of the United -States Army, were severely wounded. - -General Brown defended Fort Erie against two attacks and at the close of -the campaign was honored by the State of New York with a gift of gold -and a decorated sword, “in testimony of the high sense they entertained -of his valor and skill in defeating the British forces, superior in -number.” Congress gave him the thanks of the Nation and a gold medal, -and he was made Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United States. -He died February 24, 1828, from the effects of wounds received at -Lundy’s Lane. - -Other Pennsylvanians who were heroes in this war included General Thomas -Bodley and Colonel William Carroll, a native of Pittsburgh, who -afterward served as Governor of Tennessee from 1821 to 1827, and again -from 1830 to 1835. - -The defense of Philadelphia was chiefly maintained by volunteers from -Pennsylvania. One camp was established at Shell Pot, north of -Wilmington, where the “Philadelphia Blues” under Captain Lewis Rush -formed a part of the command. He was promoted and Lieutenant Henry Myers -succeeded him as captain of the Blues, or “Bucktails,” as they were more -generally called. - -In the summer of 1814, Governor Snyder ordered out troops to serve for -the defense of Delaware and the Elk River. A camp was established near -Wilmington, called Camp Dupont, and was under the command of General -Thomas Cadwalader, of Philadelphia. The infantry regiment was commanded -by Colonel Clement C. Biddle, and a battalion of artillery was there -under command of Colonel Prevost. Another camp was formed near Marcus -Hook, called Camp Gaines. General Snyder commanded this brigade. In this -camp were Colonel William Duane and others. The First or old “City -Troop,” commanded then by Captain Charles Ross, was in Camp Gaines. - -Another camp of 5000 troops was established at York under Major General -Nathaniel Watson. When General Ross attempted the capture of Baltimore -these Pennsylvanians marched there and aided in repelling the enemy. - -An important event of this war was the blockade of the Delaware River in -March, 1813, by the British fleet under Commodore Sir John P. Beresford. - -The closing scenes of the war were enacted in the regions north and -south of Pennsylvania, and the State was not seriously threatened with -invasion. - -On August 24, 1814, Washington fell into the enemy’s hands, the city -pillaged and the Capitol burned. - -Just as Robert Morris was the financier of the Revolution, so Stephen -Girard also of Philadelphia, was the financier of the War of 1812. The -Government needed $5,000,000 and offered high interest, but only -$200,000 was subscribed, when Girard stepped into the scene and -subscribed the balance. He staked his whole fortune in his trust of his -adopted country, which none other would do, and saved the Nation from a -humiliating defeat. He also took Treasury bills at their face value, and -his example shamed other creditors, who then accepted the money of the -Government. - - ---------- - - - - - Lieutenant Colonel Antes, Soldier and Frontiersman, - Died May 13, 1820 - - -Lieutenant Colonel John Henry Antes died at his stockaded home, long -known as Antes’ Fort, May 13, 1820, aged eighty-three years. - -This pioneer statesman and soldier was an early settler on the frontier -of Pennsylvania, a member of a distinguished family in the Province, an -officer of the Revolution, Sheriff of Northumberland County during the -stirring days of the Wyoming controversy, and an ardent patriot whose -influence, both in civic and military affairs, was most potent a century -and a quarter since. - -The ancestral home of Colonel Antes was in the beautiful and fertile -valley, called Falkner’s Swamp, in what is now Montgomery County, about -six miles from Pottstown. - -Philip Frederick Antes, grandfather of Lieutenant Colonel John Henry -Antes, of the noble family of Von Blume, of Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, -owing to religious persecutions, came from Friensheim, Germany, sometime -between 1716 and 1723, and settled for a short time in Germantown. - -On February 29, 1722–23, he bought 154 acres in the Van Bebber tract in -what has since been called Falkner’s Swamp. This was a tract of 500 -acres in the original patent made by William Penn, October 25, 1701, to -the Frankford Land Company, and comprised 22,337 acres of the most -fertile land in the State. - -On December 16, 1708, the tract was sold by the agent, Daniel Falkner, -to John Henry Sprogel for £500, current money of Pennsylvania and was -paid for in “Silver Coyne.” This was known as the German tract and also -by other names. - -In 1726 Henry Antes, the only son, married Christina, the daughter of -William Dewees, who built the second paper mill in America, in 1710, in -that part of Germantown known as Crefeld, near the line of the present -Montgomery County. A flour mill was added to the Crefeld paper mill and -here Henry Antes worked for three years. This was the birthplace of -three of their children, Frederick, William and Elizabeth. Henry Antes -served for more than ten years as one of the Justices of the Province. - -September 2, 1735, Henry Antes purchased more than 200 acres about two -miles away, just across the line from the German tract, in what is now -Frederick Township, Montgomery County, and built a grist mill and a -stone mansion, in which the rest of his distinguished family was born, -and which was destined to become one of the valued historic buildings of -the State. - -It was in this home that Lieutenant Colonel John Henry Antes was born, -October 5, 1736. Here Reverend George Whitefield, the great evangelist, -preached from the porch, April 23, 1740, to a multitude estimated at -3000 persons. - -In 1745 Pious Henry Antes gave up his home to the needs of the Moravian -Society, and his house became the school for boys. He and his wife -removed to Bethlehem. Henry Antes’ home thus became the first boarding -school for boys in America. - -It was in this mansion, then owned by Colonel Frederic Antes, that -General Washington made his headquarters, September 18 to 24, 1777, -during his stay at Camp Pottsgrove, the most westerly point ever reached -by the Continental Army. - -When still quite a young man John Henry Antes, being of a romantic -disposition, went to the Susquehanna region, being induced to do so by -Conrad Weiser, who was a great friend of the family, and who had made -frequent trips to the West Branch in the interest of the Provincial -Government. He settled on a farm situated on Shamokin Creek, near the -present Sunbury, and soon became one of the prominent men of that -region. - -On July 29, 1775, he was appointed a Justice of Quarter Sessions. On -January 24, 1776, he was commissioned a captain in the Second Battalion, -under Colonel James Potter, and on March 13, following was assigned to -the command of Colonel William Plunket, when he made his expedition -against the Connecticut settlers; then Captain Antes was assigned to the -Second Battalion of Associators. - -On May 21, 1777, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Fourth -Battalion, of Northumberland County Militia, and in this service -endeared himself to the frontier inhabitants by his active work in -protecting the settlements from the frequent incursions of the Indians. - -He established his headquarters in the Nippenose Valley. Here he built -the stockade, called Antes’ Fort, which was the most exposed place on -the frontier. This stockade and the cabin home of Colonel Antes were -destroyed by the Tories and Indians at the time of the “Great Runaway,” -July, 1778. - -Towards the close of the Revolution, Colonel Antes was elected Sheriff -of Northumberland County, October 18, 1782, and re-elected. At this time -his jurisdiction extended over what is now thirty counties of -Pennsylvania. - -At the close of his political and military career, he removed from his -farm to a tract of land on Nippenose Creek, which he had purchased -September 29, 1773. This site was near the mouth of that creek opposite -the mouth of Pine Creek, near the present Jersey Shore, and here he -built a mill, known as Antes’ Fort. His log mansion built at the same -time, 1785, which he stockaded, and which was later occupied by his son, -Henry, until 1830, is still in use. The grist mill, now in operation, is -the fourth one erected on the original site. - -A gap in the mountains, a small town, and other places have taken their -name from this sturdy pioneer. - -The Antes Burying Ground is not far distant from the home and mill site, -and in it is the grave of Colonel John Henry Antes. - -The numerous descendants of Colonel Antes meet in annual reunion and -recount his many exploits and services so unselfishly rendered in time -of need. - - ---------- - - - - - Provincial Council Hears of Border Trouble - May 14, 1734 - - -Thomas and John Penn, the Proprietaries, arrived in the Province, the -former in 1732, and his elder brother, John, two years later. They were -cordially and affectionately received by the colonists as the sons of -the most illustrious founder. - -John Penn remained only one year, as he hurried back to England to -oppose the pretensions of Lord Baltimore, but Thomas Penn remained for -some years in the Province, spending his time generally after the manner -of an English country gentleman. He was cold and distant in his -intercourse with society and consequently unpopular. He returned to -England in 1741. - -In the year 1733 the Provincial Government for the first time became -apprehensive of the designs of the French in the Western country, where -they began to establish trading posts along the headwaters of the -Allegheny and Ohio Rivers and claimed all the land on those waters by -virtue of some treaty of which the Provincial Government was not -apprised. - -With a view to frustrate their designs, which obviously tended to -alienate the Indians from the English, James Logan proposed that a -treaty should be made with the Shawnee and other tribes, and that they -should be invited to remove nearer the English settlements. In accord -with this suggestion, a treaty was held with the Six Nations at -Philadelphia, when the savages confirmed the fears of the English by -advising them of the French designs, and they promised perpetual -friendship with the English. - -Then trouble began on the Maryland border. At a meeting of Council held -in Philadelphia May 14, 1734, Thomas Penn informed the board of some -very unneighborly proceedings of the Province of Maryland in not only -harassing some of the inhabitants of this Province who lived along the -border, but that they extended their claims much farther than they had -ever before pretended they had a right. They went so far as to carry off -several persons, whom they imprisoned, among them being John Hendricks -and Joshua Minshall, who lived on the Susquehanna in what is now York -County. At the time of this report they were still confined in prison at -Annapolis. - -Penn advised Council he had engaged Andrew Hamilton, Esq., to appear for -them when they should be brought to trial at the ensuing Provincial -Court of Maryland. Penn said this action of the Marylanders made -settlements along the border insecure and he proposed that the Council -decide on measures for maintaining the peace between his Majesty’s -subjects in both Provinces. - -Mr. Hamilton, accompanied by Mr. Georges, private secretary to Governor -Thomas Penn, went to Annapolis on their mission. They were also acting -in capacity of commissioners for the Proprietaries, with the approval of -the Assembly, to execute articles of agreement, and to run, mark and lay -out the lines, limits and boundaries between the two Provinces. They did -not meet with much success, in consequence of which, the Governor, under -date of August 19, 1734, wrote to the Justices of the Counties of -Chester, Lancaster on the Susquehanna, and New Castle, Kent and Sussex -on the Delaware as follows: - -“You are not, I believe, insensible how much the whole country has been -disappointed in the just hopes which had been entertained of seeing a -final period put to those long pending disputes between this Government -and that of Maryland, touching their respective boundaries, by the -execution of the solemn agreement concluded between the Proprietaries of -each. It is, however, no small satisfaction to me that I can now -acquaint you that this agreement, with the proceedings of the -commissioners thereon, having been laid before his Majesty’s attorney -and solicitor general, we have had the pleasure of lately receiving the -opinion, that the agreement still remains valid and binding, on both -Proprietaries, although their commissioners, by reason of difference in -sentiments, have not carried into execution. - -“Now, as the northern bounds, formerly set by Lord Baltimore to himself, -differ not much from those lately agreed upon, I know not how we can -judge better or with more certainty of any bounds by which we limit our -present jurisdiction than near the place where it is known they will -fall when the lines shall be actually run. - -“In the meantime, that a stop may be put to any further insults on the -people of this Government, and encroachments on lands within the bounds -of the same, I am again to renew to you those pressing instances I have -repeatedly made, that agreeable to the duty of your stations, you exert -your utmost endeavors for preserving peace throughout your county, and -protecting all the inhabitants in the just and right possessions, in -legal and necessary defense of which every person ought to be encouraged -to appear with boldness, and to be assured of receiving all the -countenance that lawful authority can give. - -“And as the late disturbances have been in a great measure owing to the -unjust attempts of those who, pretending right to, or claiming disputed -lands, under that pretense, have come many miles into this Province, and -with force possessed themselves of lands for which they can have no -lawful grant from any other persons but our Honorable Proprietaries -only, and have likewise committed very great violences upon sundry of -our inhabitants, you are to give strict orders for apprehending and -securing all such who have been principals or accessories therein, as -well as those who hereafter shall presume to offer an injury to the -persons or professions of his Majesty’s peaceable subjects or encroach -on any lands within the known and reputed limits of your county, that -they may be brought to condign punishment. - -“But as in the year 1724, it was agreed ‘that for avoiding all manner of -contention or difference between the inhabitants of the two Provinces, -no person or persons should be disturbed or molested in their -possessions they then held on either side,’ you are desired still to -have a particular regard to those entitled to the benefit of that -agreement, while they behave themselves peaceably.” - -The letters then gave implicit instructions to the sheriffs, directing -them to frequently visit the borders, particularly where the -disturbances happened, and give all assistance possible to the injured -and apprehend those who caused the trouble and seize and secure them. - -It was particularly fortunate that the Indians continued to live -amicably with the settlers at this period. - - ---------- - - - - - Dr. Nicholas More, First Chief Justice, - Impeached May 15, 1685 - - -William Penn appointed his cousin, Captain William Markham, Deputy -Governor, and he arrived in the Province in October, 1681. He then -appointed commissioners to lay out the proposed great city, who came -over toward the end of that year. The commissioners, as originally -appointed were William Crispin, Nathaniel Allen and John Bezar. - -These commissioners sailed in the ship John and Sarah, taking the -southern passage and stopping at Barbadoes, where Crispin died. Crispin -was head of the commission, a man of mature years and Penn’s own -kinsman, like Markham. - -It appears by a letter from Penn to Markham, dated London, October 18, -1681, that Penn intended Crispin to hold high office in the new -province. He says: - -“I have sent my cosen, William Crispen, to be thy assistant, as my -commission will appear. His Skill, experience, Industry and Integrity -are well known to me, and particularly in Court keeping &c., so yt is my -will and pleasure that he be as Chief Justice to keep ye Seal, ye Courts -and Sessions, & he shall be accountable to me for it.” - -The honor, therefore, of discharging the highest judicial office in -Pennsylvania is to be attributed to the man appointed by the proprietary -in pursuance of the act of 1684—that man was Dr. Nicholas More. - -It is difficult to understand the abilities and character of More. He -was educated in medicine, but drifted away, in his mature years, from -the practice of his profession, and in 1681 became the president of the -Society of Free Traders, and a large purchaser of land in the new -Province of Pennsylvania. - -Nicholas More arrived in the province with Penn in 1682, and though not -a member of the Society of Friends, he so far won their confidence that -he was returned a member of the first Assembly at Chester, and probably -was the speaker of that body. He continued a member for three years, and -in 1684 was again elected its speaker. - -In August, 1684, he was commissioned Chief Justice by the Proprietary -and at once entered upon the discharge of the functions of that high -office. - -In spite of the estimable qualities which entitled him to these honors, -his character was stained with faults, and his haughty demeanor, harsh -and ungoverned temper, incensed those with whom he was brought in -contact. - -In 1683 a Council and Assembly attempted to function with less members -than required by the Frame of Government. More reminded them they had -broken the Charter and their acts would amount to nothing. He further -said: “Hundreds in England will curse you * * * and their children after -them, and you may be impeached for treason for what you do.” - -He denounced them when they passed laws which he opposed, and used -language which was not in common usage among the pious Quakers. - -These practices and his overbearing and haughty spirit made More many -enemies in all classes. It is therefore with but little surprise that -the Assembly formally impeached him early in his judicial career. - -On the morning of May 15, 1685, a member of the House presented a formal -complaint. More, who was sitting as a delegate, was ordered to withdraw. -The articles of accusation were read and approved, and a committee named -to conduct the impeachment. But the Council received the accusers with -grave civility and gave the Judge until 7 o’clock the following morning -to answer the charges. - -More was not inclined to gracefully submit himself to the judgment of -the Council and bitterly accused Abraham Mann as “a person of a -seditious spirit.” He did not appear before Council and also refused to -attend when warned by a committee. - -The Assembly prudently resolved to collect the testimony necessary to -make good their charges. They required the records of the Provincial -Court, which were in possession of Patrick Robinson, clerk of the Court, -who happened to be present in the House. He was little in sympathy with -the impeachment and refused to produce the desired records. He even -alleged that the records were “written in Latin where one word stood for -a sentence and in unintelligible characters which no person could read -but himself; no, not an angel from Heaven.” - -The clerk held firm and then withdrew from the House. A warrant was -issued by the Speaker and he was placed in the custody of the sheriff. - -More all this time, secretly supported by the Governor and his friends -in the Council, took no notice of the proceedings against him. He told -John Briggs, a member of the House, “Either I myself or some of you will -be hanged and I advise you to enter your protest against it.” - -On the morning of May 18 the Assembly met after a long conference with -the Council. They once more endeavored to extort the records from -Robinson, who was brought into the House in the custody of the Sheriff, -but in vain. Robinson threw himself on the floor and refused to arise or -answer any questions put to him. The House, therefore, hastened to make -an end of the business. They expelled More, resolved to ask that -Robinson should be removed from office, hastily gathered together their -evidence, and presented themselves before the Council. - -More again absented himself, but the evidence against him was -sufficiently serious. He was proved to have acted in a summary and -unlawful way in summoning juries; to have perverted the sense of the -testimony; to have unduly harassed a jury into finding an unjust -verdict, etc., and finally of having used “several contemptuous and -derogatory expressions ... of the Provincial Council and of the present -state of Government by calling the members thereof fooles and -loggerheads,” and by saying “it was well if all the laws had dropt and -that it never would be good times as long as ye Quakers had ye -administration.” - -The speaker requested that both More and Robinson be dismissed from -office, and the Assembly withdrew. - -The Governor and Council were puzzled how to act. Robinson was retained -until he became so insolent that he was dismissed. But More had incurred -the displeasure of public opinion, yet they could not proceed against -him. The further prosecution of his case was postponed month by month by -trivial excuses, till more important matters took its place in the -public mind. - -It is reasonable to conclude that Judge More must have been possessed of -some sterling qualities and considerable natural parts to warrant Penn -in his appointment. His dismissal from office ended his career as a -public man. - -Dr. More was the founder of the Manor of Moreland. He died after a -languishing illness in 1689. - - ---------- - - - - - Massacre at French Jacob Groshong’s in - Union County, May 16, 1780 - - -In the spring of 1780 occurred an Indian massacre at what was then known -as French Jacob’s Mill. The site of this fatal attack is on a farm long -in the possession of the Wohlheiter family, situated about one-half a -mile southeast of the Forest House, at the end of Brush Valley Narrows, -in what is now Union County. - -Here in 1776 Jacob Groshong, or French Jacob, as he was called by his -neighbors, built a log mill, which was patronized by the settlers for -many miles around. - -On May 16, 1780, a patrol of Continental soldiers on duty as a garrison -at the mill, was attacked by a party of Indians, and four of the -defenders were killed and several wounded. Those killed were John -Foster, James Chambers, George Etzweiler and Samuel McLaughlin. - -The soldiers were outside the mill at the time of the attack washing -themselves. They had just returned from patroling that neighborhood and -were confident the immediate country was free of redskins. - -Christian Shively heard the firing as he was threshing grain in a field. -He immediately concealed his wife and two small children near the creek, -then rolled some logs into the stream and tied them into a raft, put his -wife and children on, and floated down stream to safety. Henry Pontius, -a neighbor, also heard the shots, secured his gun, hurriedly mounted a -horse and made a circuit through the woods, and came to the mill just in -time to see the Indians fleeing with their plunder. - -An appeal for assistance was sent to the seat of Government, and the -following day messengers set off for Philadelphia. A detail started for -New Berlin, bearing the bodies of the murdered soldiers, but when John -Clark’s farm was reached the party was divided. Those carrying the -bodies of John Foster and James Chambers were compelled to make burial -in the Lewis graveyard, as the weather was too excessively hot. The -other party, bearing the body of George Etzweiler, buried it on the farm -of John Brook, where his grave was suitably marked. The body of Samuel -McLaughlin was carried to New Berlin and buried in the Dry Run Cemetery. - -Colonel Matthew Smith sent a letter to General Joseph Reed, president of -the State, dated Northumberland, May 18, 1780, in which he complained -bitterly of the defenseless frontiers, and begged for immediate -assistance. He said: - -“Sir, unless some support can be instantly afforded, the State must -shortly count one county less than formerly—which God forbid. I refer -you, Dear Sir, to the bearer, General Potter, for further information, -as he waits on horseback, whilst I write this imperfect, distressed -account. Provisions none; cash none, nor can it be had in this place. -General Potter’s account from this place to the Honorable Assembly, -which I doubt not you will see, will fully satisfy you of the state of -this place.” - -This mill, where the Indian fight occurred, was a favorite place for -visitors as long as it stood. - -Some time between 1776 and 1779 Jacob Groshong built a little log mill -on a site long afterward known as Solomon Heberling’s. He thought he had -a clear title to the location, but he was defeated in a law suit for -possession. - -Groshong later moved up into the Nittany Mountain, in now Center County, -and then went West. His name, or rather his nickname, is still preserved -in connection with a rather large spring a little above the tavern, on -the Bush Valley road. He is the hero of many of the wild tales of Indian -troubles in that part of the valley. - -On July 14, following this attack at French Jacob’s, the Indians -attacked the family of Allens living at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, now -Lewisburg. The woman succeeded in making her escape across the creek, -but the husband and three children were killed. - -The same day Baltzer Klinesmith was killed and his two daughters, -Elizabeth and Catherine, were carried off. This was in the vicinity of -the present Dreisbach Church, Union County. - -The Indians and their prisoners arrived at a spring north of New Berlin, -where they left the girls in charge of an old Indian and went down Dry -Valley. It soon began to rain and the Indian made the girls gather brush -to cover a bag of flour they had stolen. He laid down under a tree with -his tomahawk under his head. The girls, passing with brush, gradually -worked it from under him as he slept. Elizabeth secured it and motioned -to her sister to run. She then sank it into the old Indian’s head and -made her escape. - -The Indians returned about this time and pursued the girls, reaching -them when they neared the house. A rifle ball passed through Catherine’s -shoulder, which maimed her for life, but the girls succeeded in reaching -their home and the men, already alarmed and prepared, gave chase to the -savages. - -Two days after these attacks Colonel John Kelly enrolled a company of -Northumberland County militia, with James Thompson as captain; Joseph -Poak, lieutenant, and Alexander Ewing, ensign. - - ---------- - - - - - Indian War Known as Pontiac Conspiracy - Opened May 17, 1763 - - -General John Forbes and his invincible army invested the ruins of Fort -Duquesne, November 24, 1758. There was no attempt made to restore the -old fortification, but about one year later work was begun on a new -fort, under the personal direction of General John Stanwix, who -succeeded General Forbes, which has since been known as Fort Pitt. - -It was built near the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela unite -their waters, but a little farther inland than the site of Fort -Duquesne. The exact date of its completion is not known, but on March -21, 1760, Major General Stanwix, having finished his work, set out on -his return journey to Philadelphia. - -The effect of this stronghold was soon apparent in the return of about -4000 settlers to their lands on the frontiers of Pennsylvania, Maryland -and Virginia, from which they had been driven by their savage enemies, -and the brisk trade which at once began to be carried on with the now, -to all appearance, friendly Indians. However, this security was not of -long duration. The definite treaty of peace between England, Spain and -France was signed February 10, 1763, but before that time, Pontiac, the -great chief of the Ottawas, was planning his conspiracy, which carried -death and desolation throughout the frontier. - -The French had always tried to ingratiate themselves with the Indians. -When their warriors came to the French forts they were hospitably -welcomed and liberally supplied with guns, ammunition and clothing. The -English, on the contrary, either gave reluctantly or did not give at -all. - -In a spirit of revenge and hatred a powerful confederacy was formed -which included all the Western tribes, under the command of Pontiac, -alike renowned for his warlike spirit, his wisdom and his bravery, and -whose name was a terror to the entire region of the lakes. The blow was -to be struck the middle of May, 1763. The tribes were to rise -simultaneously and attack the English garrisons. Thus a sudden attack -was made May 17, on all Western posts. - -Detroit was saved after a long and close siege. Forts Pitt and Niagara -narrowly escaped, while Le Boeuff, Venango, Presque Isle, Miami, St. -Joseph, Ouachtown, Sandusky, and Michillimackimac all fell into the -hands of the savages. Their garrisons were either butchered on the spot, -or carried off to be tortured for the amusement of their cruel captors. - -The Indians swept over the surrounding country, carrying death and -destruction wherever they went. Hundreds of traders were slaughtered -without mercy, while their wives and children, if not murdered, were -carried off captives. The property destroyed or stolen amounted, it is -said, to five hundred thousand pounds. - -Attacks were made at Forts Bedford and Ligonier, but without success. -Fort Ligonier was under siege for two months. The preservation of this -post was of the utmost importance, and Lieutenant Blaine, by his courage -and good conduct, managed to hold out until August 2, 1763, when Colonel -Henry Bouquet arrived with his little army to relieve him. - -In the meantime, every preparation was made at Fort Pitt for an attack. -The garrison at that post numbered 330, commanded by Captain Simeon -Ecuyer, a brave Swiss. The fortifications were repaired, barracks were -made shot-proof and a rude fire-engine was constructed to extinguish any -flames kindled by the fire arrows of the Indians. All the houses and -cabins outside the walls were leveled to the ground. The fort was -crowded with the families of the settlers. - -Several weeks elapsed before there was any determined attack from the -enemy. Only July 26 some chiefs asked for a parley with Captain Ecuyer, -which was granted. They demanded that he and all in the fort should -leave it immediately or it and they would all be destroyed. - -On the night succeeding this parley the Indians approached in great -numbers, crawling under the banks of the two rivers, in which they were -completely sheltered from the fire of the fort. On the one side the -entire bank was lined with the burrows, from which they shot volleys of -bullets, arrows and fire-arrows into the fort. The yelling was terrific, -and the women and children in the crowded barracks clung to each other -in abject terror. This attack lasted for five days. On August 1, the -Indians heard the rumor that Colonel Bouquet was approaching with a -large force of troops, which caused them to give up the attack and move -off, thus relieving the garrison. - -When the news of this sudden Indian uprising reached General Amherst he -ordered Colonel Bouquet to march with a detachment of 500 men to the -relief of the besieged forts. This force was composed of regulars and -six companies of Provincial Rangers. - -Bouquet established his rendezvous in Carlisle, where he arrived the -latter part of June, 1763. Here he found every building, every house, -every barn, every hovel crowded with terrified refugees. He wrote to -General Amherst, July 13, as follows: - -“The list of people known to be killed increases every day. The -desolation of so many families, reduced to the last extremity of want -and misery; the despair of those who have lost their parents, relations -and friends, with the cries of distracted women and children who fill -the streets, form a scene painful to humanity and impossible to -describe.” - -Strange as it may seem, the Province of Pennsylvania would do nothing to -aid the troops who gathered for its defense. Colonel Bouquet, in another -letter to General Amherst, said: “I hope we shall be able to save that -infatuated people from destruction, notwithstanding all their endeavors -to defeat your vigorous measures.” - -While Bouquet, harassed and exasperated, labored on at his difficult -task, the terror of the frontier people increased, until at last, -finding they could hope for but little aid from the Government, they -bestirred themselves with admirable spirit in their own defense. They -raised small bodies of riflemen, who scoured the woods in front of the -settlements, and succeeded in driving the enemy back. In many instances -the men dressed themselves in Indian fashion, painted their faces red -and black, and adopted the savage mode of warfare. - -Forts Pitt, Niagara and Detroit were saved. Colonel Bouquet relieved -Fort Pitt; Niagara was not attacked, and Detroit, after a long siege by -Pontiac in person, was relieved by Colonel Bradstreet in 1764. - -The Indians were speedily subdued, but Pontiac remained hostile until -his death in 1769. - - ---------- - - - - - Meschianza, Stupendous Entertainment for - Sir Wm. Howe, May 18, 1778 - - -The British spent the winter of 1777–78 in Philadelphia, and while the -Americans were suffering at Valley Forge, Sir William Howe’s army -enjoyed one long round of pleasure in the capital city. The officers -entertained themselves with fetes, dances and theatre parties, and they -played cricket and had cock-fights. As Franklin said: “Howe did not take -Philadelphia—Philadelphia took Howe.” - -Howe was criticized at home, where he was regarded as indolent in -command and he resigned. Sir Henry Clinton superseded him. - -On May 18, 1778, before Howe’s departure, a fete at the home of Thomas -Wharton, at Walnut Grove, was arranged for him by Major John Andre, a -talented man, attractive to the ladies, who was later hanged as a spy. -It was called the Meschianza, and comprised a regatta, tournament, feast -and ball. It was a splendid folly in itself, and is notorious in -American history. - -After all, the performance must have been crude and some of the features -of it in bad taste and incongruous. The elements of the medley would not -mix. Major Andre says the cost of the entertainment was defrayed by -twenty-two officers of Howe’s staff. - -The Meschianza began with a regatta, which was in fact a military -procession along the waterfront; boats, barges and galleys, filled with -guests and officers, including Lord Howe, General Howe, Sir Henry -Clinton, Lord Rawdon and General Knyphausen, moving in three divisions -down the river, the surrounding vessels decked with flags and the -wharves teaming with spectators. - -As the company disembarked at the Wharton mansion they marched through -files of grenadiers and light horse. On the lawn the bands in massed -formation played favorite airs. Triumphal arches were erected on the -lawn near the mansion, under which the ladies were received as at a -royal court. - -Here were seated seven of the principal belles dressed in Turkish habits -and wearing in their turbans the favors with which they meant to reward -the several knights who were to contend in their honor. At a blast of -the trumpets, a band of knights, dressed in ancient habits and mounted -on gray horses, with rich trappings, dashed into the court. Each knight -was accompanied by an esquire on foot. There were heralds and others, -all in robes of ceremony. - -Lord Cathcart, superbly mounted, appeared as the chief of the White -Knights. His lady was Miss Auchmuty. Then came Captain Cathcart, the -first knight, in honor of Miss N. White; Lieutenant Bygrove and Miss -Jane Craig; Captain Andre and Miss Peggy Chew; Captain Horneck and Miss -Nancy Redman; Captain Matthews and Miss Wilhelmina Bond, Lieutenant -Sloper and Miss Mary Shippen. - -A herald then proclaimed a challenge for “The Knights of the Blended -Rose,” which was accepted by “The Knights of the Burning Mountain,” led -by Captain Watson, of the Black Knights, whose particular lady was Miss -Rebecca Franks. These knights and their ladies were Lieutenant Underwood -and Miss Sarah Shippen, Lieutenant Winyard and Miss Peggy Shippen, -Lieutenant Delaval and Miss Becky Bond, Monsier Montluissant and Miss -Rebecca Redman, Lieutenant Hobart and Miss Sophia Chew and Major -Tarleton and Miss Wilhelmina Smith. - -These ladies wore costumes uniformly similar to that adopted by their -knights. The ladies of the Blended Rose each wore white silk, pink sash -and spangled shoes and stockings. The ladies of the Burning Mountain -wore white silk gowns trimmed with black and white sashes edged with -black. - -The Black Knights threw down the gauntlet to the White Knights. It was -picked up. Then the knights fixed their lances and shields and, -galloping at full speed, encountered several times. The third such -charge was ended by the firing of pistols, then the sword of combat, and -at last the two chiefs engaged in single combat, till the marshal, Major -Gwynne, rushed between them and declared that the fair damsels of the -Blended Rose and the Burning Mountain were satisfied with the feats of -valor of their respective knights, and favors were then distributed, and -the knights rode off the field. - -They then reappeared riding through the triumphal arch and presented -themselves to Lord Howe, which was followed by a grand procession. The -entertainment then continued in the mansion, which had been transformed -for the occasion into an Egyptian palace. The ballroom contained -eighty-five large mirrors, and was lighted with thirty-four branches of -wax-lights. - -The four drawing rooms where the refreshments were served were decorated -and lighted in the same style and taste as the ballroom. - -The ball by the knights and their ladies, and the dancing continued -until 10 o’clock when the windows were thrown open and a magnificent -bouquet of rockets began the fireworks. - -This part of the elaborate entertainment was designed by Captain -Montressor, the chief engineer, and consisted of twenty different -exhibitions, displayed under his direction and to the delight and -satisfaction of all present. The conclusion was the illumination of the -triumphal arch, with a display of all the trophies. - -At midnight supper was announced, and large folding-doors, suddenly -thrown open, disclosed a magnificent salon 210 feet by 40. Here again -many mirrors, artificial flowers and clusters of lights were made to -produce a wonderful effect. Covers were laid for 430 guests. - -Toward the end of the supper the herald of the Blended Rose attended, -entered the saloon and proclaimed the King’s health, the Queen, royal -family, army, navy, their commanders, the knights and their ladies and -the ladies in general, each of these toasts being accompanied by a -flourish of music. Dancing was then continued until 4 o’clock. - -While this revelry was at its height the sound of cannon was heard in -the North. The English officers explained to their frightened partners -in the dance that it was part of the ceremony. But it was not. Captain -McLane, a dashing officer, hearing of the Meschianza, at the head of 100 -infantry and Clow’s dragoons, reached the line of redoubts between the -Delaware and Schuylkill, painted everything within reach with tar and, -at a given signal, set it on fire. The sudden blaze took the British by -surprise, the long roll was beaten, every cannon in the redoubts was -fired. The British cavalry dashed out into the night, but the daring -Americans were nowhere to be found. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Pluck Parades His Celebrated - “Bloody Eighty-Fourth” Regiment, - -May 19, 1825 - - -An amusing sensation started in 1824 continued to attract attention in -Philadelphia during the following year. - -There had been more or less laxity in the various militia organizations -in the election of their officers and this was much more evident in -Philadelphia than elsewhere in the State. - -John Pluck, an ignorant hostler, was elected colonel of the -Eighty-fourth Regiment as a joke and to ridicule the militia system, -which at that moment was very unpopular with the members. - -This election had been resisted by many who were disinclined to treat so -serious a matter jocularly, and the board of officers set aside the -election as illegal, and ordered a new election. - -At the next election John Pluck received 447 votes; Benjamin Harter, 64; -and John Ferdey, commonly called “Whistling Johnny,” 15. - -The successful candidate treated the matter seriously and issued an -order for a parade of the First Battalion on May 1, on Callowhill -Street, the right resting on Sixth Street; and the Second Battalion was -ordered to parade at the same place on May 19. - -The order further directed that Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Norbury was to -command the training of the First Battalion. The colonel himself was to -take charge of the Second Battalion. - -The papers of that day do not notice the parade of the First Battalion, -which was scheduled for May 1, but they have much to say about the big -parade of May 19. - -It seems that by this time most of the militiamen in the regiment fully -sensed the ridiculous position they were in with such an ignorant -commander, and on the occasion of this much heralded parade the members -appeared in fantastic costumes. - -Many of the militiamen were armed with ponderous imitations of weapons, -and a large number of the populace turned out in the parade, dressed in -every imaginable sort of costume, such as would even cause a ripple of -laughter at Hallowe’en; these were armed with brooms, rakes, hoes and -every conception of weapon. - -Philadelphia had never before witnessed such a “military” parade, and -was quite unaccustomed to such a display, and this regimental review of -“horribles” attracted much attention. - -Colonel Pluck was mounted on a fine steed, and Adjutant Roberts, also -well mounted, were the moving spirits of the parade and did not seem to -fully realize the burlesque features of it. - -The regiment marched out to Bush Hill, followed by thousands of people -on foot and hundreds on horseback. - -The press was either silent or expressed dissatisfaction. It could not -have done otherwise. - -A few days following the parade Colonel Pluck issued new orders. He -said: “Well, I am an honest man, anyhow. And I ain’t afraid to fight, -and that’s more than most of them can say.” - -The United States Gazette said, “Pluck is the head groom at the corner -of Third and Callowhill Streets. Some months ago he was chosen -commander-in-chief of the ‘bloody Eighty-fourth;’ but the powers that be -refused to commission him. * * * The Militia system is a farce. -Demagogues have been using commissions in the militia as stepping-stones -to offices of profit and honor. A cure must be found for the evil, which -is to make fun of it.” - -The “Pluck Parade” rendered one other good service to Philadelphia. When -the regiment paraded to Bush Hill and wound up the day in disorderly -frivolities, the grand jury in June declared Bush Hill a public -nuisance. This was a large open field on the north side of Callowhill -Street, between Schuylkill Fourth and Schuylkill Fifth. - -The presentment of the grand jury states that men and women resorted -there on various days, as well as on the Sabbath, “drinking, tippling, -cursing, swearing, etc.” The grand jury further said that it had -“particular reference to the days on which regiments and battalions of -militia parade, when numerous booths, tents, and gaming tables are there -erected.” - -It would be supposed that such a fantastic exhibition, directed against -the militia system, would soon cause a change in the existing law, but -it did no such thing. - -The act of Assembly of April 2, 1822, had reorganized the militia of -Pennsylvania, and divided the State into sixteen military divisions. - -But the act did not work to the advantage of the militia system. It -developed a lot of merely dress parade organizations, which were usually -equipped with costly and gaudy uniforms, while discipline and military -regulations became at once of secondary importance. - -From 1808 to 1844, the laws were principally for designating independent -companies with high-sounding names. Such militiamen were exempted from -drilling with regular militia, and occasionally the Legislature made -appropriations to certain favored companies. - -The music on days of general muster was not only made a special feature -of the occasion but its cost was borne by the State. - -So it is little wonder that the “Bloody Eighty-fourth,” elected “Colonel -Pluck,” or that the populace and papers of that day demanded a change in -the militia system of the State. - - ---------- - - - - - Lafayette Executes Skillful Retreat at Matson’s - Ford, May 20, 1778 - - -As an appropriate closing to the round of dissipation in which the -British Army had indulged during its occupation of Philadelphia, the -officers gave a magnificent entertainment, called the Meschianza, in -honor of Sir William Howe, as commander-in-chief of the British Army in -America. This stupendous folly was given May 18, 1778, at the Wharton -mansion. - -Shortly after the close of the entertainment, on the following day, the -British commander was informed that General Lafayette with 2400 men and -five cannon had crossed the Schuylkill and was then at Barren Hill, -about eleven miles from Philadelphia. - -In the hope of capturing this force, and thus signalizing his retirement -from the command by a brilliant stroke, General Howe, on the night of -the 19th, sent General Grant, with Sir William Erskine and General Grey, -at the head of 5300 chosen men, to gain the rear of Lafayette’s position -by a circuitous route. General Howe, accompanied by Sir Henry Clinton, -General Knyphausen and Admiral Howe, set out with 5700 troops on the -following morning, May 20, expecting to intercept the American Army in -retreat at Chestnut Hill. - -Lafayette’s position was skillfully chosen. His troops were encamped on -a commanding eminence west of the Wissahickon, flanked by the Schuylkill -and rocky precipices on the right and by woods and several strong stone -houses on the left. His cannon were in front. A few hundred yards in -advance of his left wing, on the Ridge road, were Captain Allen McLane’s -company of about fifty Indians and a company of Morgan’s Riflemen, under -Captain Parr. Videttes and pickets were stationed on the roads leading -to Philadelphia and those toward Whitemarsh he had ordered to be watched -by 600 Pennsylvania militia. - -The British plan of surprise was well conceived. Grant, with the -grenadiers and light infantry, undertook to get in Lafayette’s rear by -the Whitemarsh road. Grey, with the Hessians, was to cross the river and -post his men at the fords in order to prevent the Americans from making -their escape. - -Early in the morning of the 20th, while Lafayette was conversing with a -girl who was preparing to go into Philadelphia for intelligence under -the pretense of visiting her relations, news came that a body of cavalry -had been seen at Whitemarsh, dressed in red. As Lafayette was expecting -a detachment of dragoons to join him in that direction, he at first -supposed they were his own men and felt no concern. - -Lafayette, however, sent out an officer to reconnoiter, who soon -returned with the report that a column of the enemy was in full march -along the road from Whitemarsh to Swede’s Ford, a little more than a -mile from his encampment, and that the front of the column had actually -gained the road which led from Barren Hill to Valley Forge. - -This was Grant’s division and as another was approaching on the -Philadelphia road, the situation of Lafayette’s force was alarming and -critical, being nearly surrounded by the enemy. - -No time was to be lost. In a few minutes retreat would have been cut off -and the army would have fallen an easy prey to the British. Lafayette -immediately sent forward small bodies of troops with the view of -deceiving Grant into the belief that they were the heads of a large -attacking force. - -This ruse succeeded. Grant halted and prepared for action to prevent his -line from being attacked on its flank, and during the interval thus -gained Lafayette and General Poor, with the main body, conducted a -skillful retreat over the country between the Ridge road and the -Schuylkill, which he crossed at Matson’s Ford. - -Grey, with his intercepting force, had cut off the direct retreat to -Valley Forge, but had failed to cover Matson’s Ford. The detachments -which Lafayette had thrown forward as a “blind” retreated in good order, -and when the two columns of the British Army united near Barren Hill -Church, General Howe discovered that his intended prize had outwitted -and escaped him. - -While the artillery was crossing the river, there was a skirmish at -Matson’s Ford, in which nine Americans were killed or captured and two -British troopers killed and several wounded. - -Lafayette drew up his force in strong position on the west bank of the -river, and, having planted his cannon, awaited the enemy’s approach. But -the British generals made no further movement in that direction, and the -army was forced to return to Philadelphia, after a long and fatiguing -march, without having accomplished anything. Seldom has a military -maneuvre been executed with more success. - -Howe and the British officers were intensely mortified at this failure. -So sure were they of success that it is said that before the troops left -for Barren Hill the General invited some ladies to sup with Lafayette -upon his return, while his brother, the admiral, prepared a frigate to -send the distinguished prisoner immediately to England. - -Fortune had favored the British in so far that Lafayette would not have -been surprised, but for the negligence of the Pennsylvania militia, who -in disobedience of orders, had removed from their station at Whitemarsh -without the General’s knowledge. - -An amusing adventure occurred during the retreat. A body of British -light horse came suddenly upon the Indians, who were posted in a wood at -a considerable distance from the main army. The Indians fired their -muskets and set up a hideous yell, according to their custom in battle. -Both parties ran off, equally frightened at the unexpected and terrific -appearance of their antagonists. - - ---------- - - - - - Stephen Girard, Resident of Philadelphia by - Accident, Born May 21, 1750 - - -Stephen Girard was born near Bordeaux, France, May 21, 1750, the son of -a sea captain. At the age of eight a little playmate threw an oyster -shell into the open fire, it cracked, a piece struck Stephen and put out -his right eye. The other boys of the neighborhood made fun of the -one-eyed lad, which, with the sternness of his parents soured Stephen’s -disposition, and he became sullen and gloomy. - -His mother died, and Stephen could no longer bear to live at home. -Although but fourteen he sailed as cabin boy on the ship Pelerin for St. -Domingo, and then for nine years sailed between Bordeaux and the French -West Indies, during which time he studied navigation, until October 4, -1773, a license was issued “to Stephen Girard, of Bordeaux, full -authority to act as captain, master and patron of a merchant vessel.” - -His attention now turned to commercial affairs in connection with the -pursuit of the sea. His journal contains records of invoices and sales -of goods suited to a West Indian market. These goods, amounting in value -to $3000 Federal money, were disposed of in St. Domingo, February, 1774. - -From the West Indies he sailed to New York, arrived there July, 1774. -Here his business tact and shrewdness in trade attracted the notice of -Thomas Randall, a prosperous merchant, and for more than two years -Girard traded with New York, New Orleans and Port au Prince, on his own -account and jointly with Mr. Randall. - -One night in May, 1776, Stephen Girard’s vessel was overtaken by a storm -and the ship was driven before the gale, until Captain Girard could hear -the waves upon the shore. He cast anchor and waited for the morning. -When daylight dawned the fog was too heavy for him to locate his -position. - -Girard fired a cannon as a signal of distress, which was soon answered -by the approach of a pilot. “Where are we?” asked Captain Girard. “You -are in Delaware Bay,” answered the pilot. “I wish to go to New York,” -said Girard. “It can’t be done,” was the reply, “the British ships are -swarming outside. You escaped them because of the fog but as soon as it -disappears they will see and capture you. You must sail up to -Philadelphia.” - -Captain Stephen Girard saw that the advice was good, went to -Philadelphia, sold his vessel and cargo, and made the city his home. - -He set up a small store on Water Street, a short distance from the spot -where he afterward located. He had no friends, and could speak English -but poorly, but his business ability was so pronounced that he succeeded -from the very beginning. - -In July, 1777, he married Mary Lumm, of Philadelphia, the daughter of a -shipbuilder, but the union was unhappy. Mr. Girard applied for a -divorce, but his wife died of insanity in a hospital. - -The approach of the British troops to Philadelphia drove Mr. Girard to -Mount Holly, N. J., where he enjoyed a profitable trade with the -American sailors, until the evacuation of Philadelphia, when he returned -and for a few years was associated in business with his brother, John. -This connection was dissolved in 1780, by which time Stephen had gained -a fortune of $30,000. - -During the next ten years he acquired a number of vessels, and had -secured the lease on a range of stores at a time when rents were low, -which he underlet at a large profit. He began to build a splendid fleet -of ships, and soon every ocean saw Girard’s vessels. - -Once when the United States was again troubled by the British, a ship -owned by Girard, carrying a rich cargo from the East, almost in sight of -Delaware Bay, was captured. Girard drove a bargain with the British -captain and bought back his vessel for $180,000. Then he brought her to -Philadelphia and sold the cargo for $500,000. It was difficult to beat -Stephen Girard. - -He was very frugal in private life, but generous in public affairs. -During the yellow fever epidemic in 1793, Girard personally devoted -several hours each day serving in the hospital. Of all his benefactions -for the poor of his adopted country, this was really his noblest work. - -His mercantile business had grown so profitable and his fortune had -increased so rapidly that in June, 1812, he determined to devote his -attention to banking. To this end he purchased the bank-house of the -Bank of the United States and opened “The Bank of Stephen Girard,” with -a capital of $1,200,000, which was increased afterward to $4,000,000. - -Just as Robert Morris was the financier of the Revolution, so Stephen -Girard was the financier of the War of 1812. In 1814 it looked as though -the American cause must fail for lack of funds, and the heads of the -national Government were in despair. A loan was offered in the money -market, but so low was the credit of the Nation that only $200,000 was -subscribed. Thereupon Stephen Girard took the whole issue of bonds, -amounting to $5,000,000, and saved us from defeat and a disgraceful -peace with England. - -Girard contributed liberally to public improvements, and adorned -Philadelphia with many handsome buildings. - -At the age of eighty Girard was the richest man in America. The same -year he was knocked down by a carriage and badly injured. “Go on, -doctor, I am an old sailor; I can bear a great deal,” he said to his -physician. He lived two years afterward. - -When he died, December 26, 1831, his estate was valued at $9,000,000. -Besides large bequests to public institutions, he gave $500,000 to -improve the water front of Philadelphia. He gave $2,000,000 and a plot -of ground for the erection and support of a college for orphans, which -was opened January 1, 1848. - -At his death he was buried in the vault of the Holy Trinity Roman -Catholic Church, but on the completion of Girard College his remains -were reinterred in a sarcophagus beneath the statue of the donor in the -vestibule of the main building of the college. - -Girard College is the most richly endowed educational institution in the -world, and its founder was one of the most remarkable men who ever -lived, and his accidental residence in Philadelphia was one of the most -fortunate incidents in the history of Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Philadelphia Paid Homage to Lady - Washington, May 22, 1789 - - -The completion of the Federal Constitution and its adoption by ten of -the United States was celebrated on July 4, 1788, by a great procession -in the City of Philadelphia. And it was truly a great affair, far -surpassing in extent and magnificence anything of the kind the young -Nation had yet known. - -Immediately after the close of the constitutional convention which this -pageant celebrated, General Washington, who had presided over the -convention as its president, left Philadelphia for his home at Mount -Vernon, again hoping that he might enjoy the freedom of life on his -extensive lands on the banks of the Potomac. But this could not be so in -his case. - -The first election for President of the United States was held January -7, 1789, and the country called Washington to be its first President -under the Constitution which he had helped to formulate. President-elect -Washington set out from Mount Vernon for New York, where Congress was in -session, in April, after having been officially notified of his -election. - -His many friends in Philadelphia were reluctant to see him go to New -York, but made elaborate preparations for his reception in Philadelphia -when he should pass through that city on the way to assume the high -office. He was met by the Hon. Thomas Mifflin, president of the State; -distinguished officers, the First City Troop of Horse and citizens. The -imposing parade passed through arches formed of laurel, and along -streets crowded with people and buildings decorated with flags. A -banquet was spread, toasts were drunk and addresses delivered by the -high officials of the State. - -The next day President Washington set out for Trenton in his carriage. - -Less than a month later Mrs. Washington, or Lady Washington, as many -persisted in calling her, followed the general to New York and like her -distinguished husband, she was delightfully entertained by her many -friends and admirers in Philadelphia. - -On Friday, May 22, the two troops of Light Horse, commanded by Captain -Miles and Bingham, accompanied by General Mifflin, president of the -State; Richard Peters, Speaker of the Assembly, and many ladies and -gentlemen prominent in Philadelphia and the State, went to a point near -Darby to meet her. Mrs. Robert Morris with a company of ladies in -carriages joined the escort there. - -When Mrs. Washington arrived all went to Grays Ferry where a fine -collation was served at Gray’s Garden. In the party besides the -president of the State and Speaker of the Assembly, were Temple -Franklin, Benjamin Crew, Jr., Robert Morris, Jr., William Morris, -Richard Bache, John Ross, Robert Hare, George Harrison, Samuel Meredith, -also the gentlemen troopers, a large number of Continental officers, -citizens and about twenty ladies. - -There is a record of this luncheon and bill of expenses which reveal -that the company consumed ten bottles of Madeira wine, one bottle of -champagne, two bottles of claret, forty-five bowls of punch, ten bottles -of American porter, one bottle of ale, and two bottles of cider. - -The honored visitor was then escorted by the troopers to the residence -of Robert Morris, on High Street, amid the ringing of bells, the -discharge of salvos of artillery, and the shouts of great crowds of -people. - -Mrs. Washington remained in Philadelphia over the week-end. There were -entertainments given in her honor during these two days. - -On Monday she was similarly complimented upon her departure for New -York, and accompanied by Mrs. Robert Morris, she was escorted upon her -way for a considerable distance. - -In New York, on May 29, at the opening levee, Mrs. Morris occupied the -first place on the right of the hostess. This position of honor was -accorded her whenever she was present at a similar function, either in -New York or Philadelphia. - -The glad news was soon received in Philadelphia that the capital was to -be removed from New York to the city which had been the capital of the -thirteen colonies during the Revolution and where the Constitution of -the United States was born. - -President and Mrs. Washington soon became comfortably settled in the -fine home of Robert Morris, the same house which Sir William Howe -occupied while the British were in possession of Philadelphia and -General Washington was suffering with the Colonial troops at Valley -Forge. The Morris house was built of brick, three stories high. The -stable could accommodate twelve horses. This property was purchased by -Mr. Morris in August, 1785, and at once he rebuilt the house, which had -been destroyed by fire in 1780. Mr. and Mrs. Morris moved into the house -which had been confiscated from Joseph Galloway during the Revolution. -It adjoined the other residence. - -The President and Mrs. Washington reached Philadelphia November 27, -1790. At the first levee given Mr. and Mrs. Morris were, as usual, -honored guests. - -The home of the Washingtons became noted for its generous hospitality. -The younger people of the President’s household, as well as their -elders, were fond of going to the theatre. - -The family of the President and his wife included Miss Custis, a -granddaughter of Mrs. Washington, aged about sixteen, and George -Washington Custis, her brother, about eighteen years old. - -Their dinners were elegant and in good taste. President Washington had a -stud of twelve or fourteen horses and occasionally rode out to take the -air with six horses to the coach, and always two footmen behind his -carriage. - -When the news reached Philadelphia that Washington had died, bells were -muffled for three days, a funeral procession was held and Major General -Henry Lee delivered an oration. - -With Washington gone, the removal of the capital to the new Federal City -did not bring such a wrench to the people of Philadelphia, who dearly -loved the great and good man and his estimable wife. - - ---------- - - - - - Moravian Mission at Wyalusing Established - May 23, 1763 - - -During the month of May, 1760, Christian Frederic Post, the renowned -Moravian, on his way with a message from James Hamilton, Lieutenant -Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, to the Great Indian Council at -Onondaga, the seat of government of the Six Nations, stopped overnight -at Wyalusing in now Bradford County. At the request of Papunhank, the -chief of the Munsee, and the other Indians, he preached a sermon. Among -those in the crowd on that occasion were Job Chilloway, the friendly -Delaware Indian interpreter, and Tom Curtis, another Indian of much -consequence. - -Papunhank was losing his influence among his people on account of his -own dissolute life, and a movement was started to bring in white -teachers. In their councils, however, they were divided in opinion, one -party favoring the Quakers and the other the Moravians, and so equal was -the strength of the two parties that neither was willing to yield to the -other. Their differences were compromised by agreeing to accept the -first teacher who came. - -John Woolman, the prominent Quaker evangelist, having made the -acquaintance of some of the Wyalusing Indians at Philadelphia, probably -of Papunhank himself, after much deliberation, set out in company with -Benjamin Parvin, to visit the town, in May, 1763, purposing, if he -should be well received, to remain with them and teach them the gospel. - -In the meantime, news of the awakened interest in religion at Wyalusing -reached the ears of Reverend David Zeisberger, the celebrated Moravian -apostle to the Indians, and he left Bethlehem May 18, 1763, meeting -Woolman on the mountain below Wilkes-Barre, where they dined together. -Zeisberger proceeded on his way and reached Wyalusing on May 23, two -days before Woolman arrived there. - -When Zeisberger had arrived a short distance above the Lackawanna, he -was met by Job Chilloway who informed him of the conclusion of the -council at Onondaga, and accompanied him to Papunhank’s town. Here -Zeisberger was received as the divinely sent messenger, and though -wearied by his long journey, at once set about preaching the gospel to -his waiting and anxious hearers. - -Woolman, on his arrival two days later, was received kindly, but was -informed that, according to the decisions of their council, Zeisberger -must be regarded as their accepted teacher. After remaining five days to -assist in inaugurating the good work, he departed, with many prayers for -the abundant success of the mission. The opportune arrival of Zeisberger -was the occasion of founding one of the most important and successful -missions ever established among the North American Indians. - -Zeisberger was appointed resident missionary at Wyalusing soon as it was -learned that he had been so well received. He prosecuted his labors -there and at Tawandaemenk, a village at the mouth of Towanda Creek, with -great success. - -Scarcely had a month elapsed from the time Zeisberger’s first visit to -Wyalusing, before the Pontiac War broke out, and the messengers of that -celebrated chieftain were sent to every village on the Susquehanna, to -urge the Indians to again take up the hatchet which they had so recently -buried. These emissaries arrived at Wyalusing and Zeisberger was soon -commanded to leave the town. All was now excitement and commotion. The -intrepid missionary was compelled to suspend the work so auspiciously -begun, but not before he had baptised Papunhank, who received the name -of John, and another Indian who was called Peter. - -The Moravian Christian Indians, for their greater security during the -Pontiac War, in which they refused to take any part, were removed first -to a settlement near Bethlehem, and then to Province Island, in the -Delaware River, a little below Philadelphia, where they were sheltered -in Government barracks. Thither Papunhank and twenty of his followers -hastened. Here they lived for seventeen months, and at the first dawn of -peace, emerged from their prison-like home and again sought homes in the -forest. Papunhank invited the whole company to settle in his town on the -Susquehanna. They accepted and marched to that place, led by their -beloved teachers, Reverend Zeisberger and Reverend John Jacob Schmick. - -This company, consisting of eighty adults and ninety children, set out -from Bethlehem and after a tedious march of thirty-six days, arrived at -Wyalusing May 9, 1765. They immediately set about building their town, -and during the season thirty bark-covered huts, four log cabins, a -mission house and church were erected. - -The town was built on the east side of the river, about two miles south -of the present borough of Wyalusing, and near the Sugar Run Station on -the P. and N. Y. Railroad. The church was built of logs and had a belfry -in which hung a bell. The town was surrounded by a post and rail fence. -The streets were regularly cleaned by the Indian women. Adjoining the -town were 250 acres of plantations. They also maintained sugar camps on -Sugar Run. - -The mission in 1766 received the name of Friedenshutten, meaning “Huts -of Peace.” A schoolhouse was built next to the church, where adults and -children were taught to read in both Delaware and German. Traders were -not allowed to bring spirituous liquors into the town. - -In 1767 the mission entertained Tuscarora and Nanticoke Indians on their -migration northward. - -Another mission was started at Sheshequanink, the present Ulster, soon -after the close of the Pontiac War, but did not prosper as much as the -older one. At the treaty of Fort Stanwix, November 5, 1768, the Six -Nations sold this land away from the Delaware, and the Moravians were -unable to induce Governor Penn to give them the land. - -In September, 1766, Zeisberger left Friedenhutten, and went to the -Delaware Indians on the Ohio River, where he established a mission. He -soon induced the Indians at Wyalusing to follow him, and on June 11, -1772, the Indians at Wyalusing assembled in the church for the last time -and then they marched in two companies for the Big Beaver, in now -Lawrence County. They were led by the Reverend John Ettwein on this -journey. - - ---------- - - - - - Peaceful Family of Chief Logan Slain by - Whites, May 24, 1774 - - -In the spring of the year 1774, at a time when the Indians seemed to be -quiet and tranquil, a party of Virginians attacked the Mingo settlement, -on the Ohio River, and slaughtered the entire population, even the women -with their children in their arms, and members of the great Chief -Logan’s family were among the slain. - -This tragic event occurred on May 24, 1774, and according to the common -belief at the time was perpetrated by Captain Michael Cresap, and a -party who deliberately set out to kill every Indian they met, without -regard to age or sex. - -The first person to state that Logan’s family was murdered by Cresap was -no other than Thomas Jefferson, in his “Notes in Virginia.” - -The main authority for the vindication of Michael Cresap’s memory, is -the extremely rare little volume, Jacob’s “Life of Cresap,” published in -1826. Jacob sets up an alibi for Cresap, but the present writer accepts -the popular story that the wanton murder was perpetrated under the -direction of Cresap. - -Tahgahjute was the second son of Shikellamy, the great vicegerent of the -Six Nations. He was born at Shamokin, about 1725, and was given his -Christian name Logan in honor of James Logan, Secretary of the Province, -who was a devoted friend of the great Shikellamy. - -But little is known of the early life of Logan, but he worked his way -West by degrees. He was for a time on the Juniata, where several places -still bear his name, but his final home was near the mouth of the Yellow -Creek, thirty miles above Wheeling. - -Reverend John Heckewelder, the noted Moravian missionary among the -Indians, while passing down the Ohio, in April, 1773, stopped at Logan’s -settlement and in his interesting journal notes that “I received every -civility I could expect from such of the family as were at home.” - -Cresap was on the Ohio, below Wheeling, engaged in making a settlement. -Some pioneers resolved to attack an Indian town near the mouth of the -Sciota, and solicited Cresap to command the expedition. They attacked -two canoes filled with Indians, chased them fifteen miles down the -river, where a skirmish ensued, and the Indians who were not killed were -taken. On the return of this party they planned an expedition against -the settlement of Logan. - -Cresap and his party proceeded to a point near the settlement and -encamped on the bank, when some Indians passed them peaceably and -encamped at the mouth of Grave Creek, a little below. Cresap attacked -and killed the party. One of Cresap’s men fell in this action. Among the -slain of the Indians were some of Logan’s family. Smith, one of the -murderers, boasted of this fact in the presence of Logan’s friends. - -This party then proceeded to Baker’s Bottom, opposite the mouth of -Yellow Creek, when Greathouse, a spy, crossed over and approached the -Indian camp as a friend and counted them. He reported their number too -large to attack and was then warned by an Indian woman to leave, as the -Indians had learned of Cresap’s murder of their relatives at Grave Creek -and were angry and that they were drinking. - -He returned to Baker’s, collected a large enough force, all got drunk, -and then in that condition they fell upon and massacred the whole Indian -camp except a girl, whom they kept as a prisoner. Among the slain was -the woman who had warned him of his danger. A sister of Logan was -inhumanly and indecently butchered in this attack. - -This commenced the war, of which Logan’s war club was the chief factor. -The first family murdered by him was the warning of what might be -expected. Logan left a note in the house of the murdered family, and, -true to his threat, great numbers of innocent men, women and children -fell victims to the tomahawk and scalping knife until the decisive -battle at Point Pleasant October 10, 1774. - -When Lord Dunmore finally conquered the Indians and the treaty was held, -Cornstalk was the principal speaker. He laid much stress for the cause -of the war on the murder of Logan’s family. Logan disdained to meet with -the white men in council and sat sullenly in his cabin while the treaty -was in progress. Dunmore sent Captain (afterward Major General) John -Gibson to invite him to the council. General Gibson later became one of -the Associate Judges of Allegheny County. - -The old Mingo chief took Gibson into the woods and, sitting down upon a -mossy root, told him the story of the wrongs done to him and, as Gibson -related, shedding many bitter tears. He refused to go to the council, -but, unwilling to disturb the deliberations by seeming opposition, he -sent a speech by the hand of Gibson to Governor Dunmore, which has been -preserved and greatly admired for its pathetic eloquence. The speech was -as follows: - -“I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan’s cabin -hungry, and he gave him not meat; if ever he came cold and naked, and he -clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, -Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my -love for the white, that my countrymen pointed as they passed and said, -‘Logan is the friend of the white man.’ I had ever thought to have lived -with you, but for the injuries of one man, Colonel Cresap, the last -spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of -Logan, not even sparing my women and children. There runs not a drop of -my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for -revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many; I have fully glutted my -vengeance. For my country, I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not -harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He -will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for -Logan? Not one.” - -Lossing, in his “Field-Book of the Revolution,” says: “Logan, whose -majestic person and mental accomplishments were the theme of favorable -remark, became a victim of intemperance. Earlier than the time when -Dunmore called him to council, he was addicted to the habit. The last -three years of his life were very melancholy. Notwithstanding the -miseries he had suffered at the hands of the white men, his benevolences -made him the prisoner’s friend, until intemperance blunted his -sensibilities, and in 1780 we find him among the marauders at Ruddell’s -Station.” - -The manner of his death is differently related. The patient researches -of Mr. Mayer lead the writer to adopt his as the correct one, as it was -from the lips of an aged Mohawk whom he saw at Caghnawaga, twelve miles -from Montreal, in the summer of 1848. His mother was a Shawnee woman, -and when he was a boy he often saw Logan. Mayer says: - -“In a drunken frenzy near Detroit, in 1780, Logan struck his wife to the -ground. Believing her dead, he fled to the wilderness. Between Detroit -and Sandusky, he was overtaken by a troop of Indian men, women and -children. Not yet sober, he imagined that the penalty of his crime was -about to be inflicted by a relative. Being well armed, he declared that -the whole party should be destroyed. In defense, his nephew, Todkahdohs, -killed him on the spot, by a shot from his gun. His wife recovered from -his blow.” Chief Logan died November 28, 1780. - - ---------- - - - - - Hamilton Pleads with Governor of Maryland - for Release of Pennsylvanians, - May 25, 1734 - - -Thomas Penn informed the Council, May 14, 1734, that the business then -to be considered by them related to some very unneighborly proceedings -in the province of Maryland, in not only harassing some of the -inhabitants of this province who live on the border, but likewise -extending their claims much farther than has heretofore been pretended -to be Maryland, and carrying off several persons and imprisoning them. - -Governor Penn then advised the Council that Marylanders had entered the -settlements of John Hendricks and Joshua Minshall, on the Susquehanna, -in what is now York County, and carried them off to Annapolis and -confined them in jail. - -The Governor arranged with Andrew Hamilton, Esq., to appear for the -prisoners. He was accompanied by John Georges, his secretary. - -They made their visit and on their return made a full report to Governor -Penn. - -Hamilton related that they were denied an interview with the prisoners, -but this was allowed them the following day, when the prisoners gave an -account of their arrest. They did not know what charges were lodged -against them. - -The lawyer then appealed to Governor Ogle who advised them that the -charges against the prisoners were serious. Hamilton suggested that even -if this be true the men were taken into custody by Maryland officials on -Pennsylvania soil, and should be punished in that province. - -Governor Ogle then ennumerated the many abuses the inhabitants of -Maryland had suffered from those of Pennsylvania. This interview ended -by appointment for a meeting before council on the following morning. At -this meeting, which was pretty much bluff and bluster, but little was -accomplished. - -It was, however, agreed that each party should reduce their claims to -writing and then present them to the King for settlement. - -Hamilton prepared his instrument and ably defended the part of -Pennsylvania, and recited the agreements of 1724 and 1732, which were -intended to quiet all disputes on the border, until actual surveys -should be concluded. - -He stated that notwithstanding these agreements, “two of his Majesty’s -subjects, John Hendricks and Joshua Minshall, inhabitants of Lancaster -County, settled upon lands legally surveyed and patented to them under -the proprietors of Pennsylvania, on the west side of the river -Susquehanna, had been taken from their homes, which were at least eight -miles to the northward of Philadelphia, and about twenty-three miles to -the northward of the line agreed upon by the aforesaid articles to be -the northern bounds of Maryland, which line runs near the mouth of -Octoraroe Creek, to the northward of which Maryland has never exercised -any jurisdiction, except over thirteen families, that is known to -Pennsylvania, till within two or three years, about the time when an -absolute boundary was agreed upon by the proprietors, though -Pennsylvania has maintained its government as far southward as the mouth -of the said creek for above these thirty years.” - -The jail was too filthy to hold further conversation with the four -Pennsylvanians and permission was obtained for the sheriff to take them -to his home, where the interview was had. - -They insisted they had never done or said anything against Lord -Baltimore, and that if such was charged against them Thomas Cresap is -the only man wicked enough to bring such false charges. - -Hamilton could not get his clients into court as they were under -prosecution in Provincial Court, and Governor Ogle would not interfere. - -Several interviews were held with the Governor, even in his own home, -but at each the executive insisted on reviewing a long list of -transgressions along the border and would not agree to anything Hamilton -had to propose. - -On May 25 the most important session was had and Governor Ogle refused -even to concur in the proposal made by Hamilton that they agree upon -bounds which should be judged reasonable, upon which lands no persons -should plant new settlements under severe penalties. - -Hamilton and Georges then said, in their report, that they saw from the -first that the Governor was resolved to avoid doing anything that might -prevent further differences upon the boundaries. The Governor finally -ceased to further discuss the question. - -When the four prisoners were tried in Provincial Court they were denied -their liberty, lest it should be understood as giving up his Lordship’s -right to the lands in question. - -Hamilton then drew up a memorial, citing the unreasonable proceedings of -Maryland and the absolute necessity Pennsylvania would be under for its -own protection. It was a strong argument, but of no avail. They returned -to Philadelphia in disgust. - -The border troubles grew in intensity and especially when Cresap and his -followers were the most active. - -Hendricks and Minshall were released at the end of their sentence and -many of the stirring scenes along the border occurred in the vicinity of -their settlements and with them as provincial actors in the drama. - -The arrest of Cresap put a stop to the local warfare but the survey of -the Mason and Dixon Line fixed for all time the actual boundary between -the States. - - ---------- - - - - - General Sullivan Arrives at Easton to Subdue - Six Nations, May 26, 1779 - - -In the summer of 1778 Colonel Thomas Hartley made a successful -expedition against the Six Nations Indians, marching from Fort Muncy, in -present Lycoming County, to Tioga, covering 300 miles in two weeks. His -army destroyed every Indian town, defeated the Indians in each encounter -and brought off much food and Indian goods. - -The settlers, who had taken flight, now ventured back and harvested -their crops, but by spring the Indians had become bolder and more -treacherous than ever before. The attention of Congress was drawn to -this distress along the frontier and General Washington was directed to -relieve the situation. - -The Commander-in-chief selected Major General John Sullivan, and in -April, 1779, directed him to prepare for an expedition into the heart of -the Six Nations’ country. General Washington made no mistake in the -selection of General Sullivan. He proved equal to the stupendous -undertaking. - -General Sullivan immediately began his preparations, but the real start -of this expedition may properly be considered as of May 26, 1779, when -he arrived at Easton with his command. General Washington gave him his -directions in a long and interesting letter of instructions. He told him -that the expedition he was to command against the hostile tribes of the -Six Nations was to discourage predatory marauds on our frontier -settlements and to retaliate for the horrible massacres at Wyoming and -Cherry Valley, and, “if opportunity favored, for the capture of Niagara -and an invasion into Canada.” - -But Washington advised him that “the immediate objects are the total -destruction and devastation of their settlements and the capture of as -many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. So soon as your -preparations are in sufficient forwardness you will assemble your main -body at Wyoming and proceed thence to Tioga, taking from that place the -most direct and practicable route into the heart of the Indian -settlements.” - -General Sullivan established a rendezvous at Easton, May 26, 1779, and -then marched to Wyoming, where he experienced a long and tedious wait, -caused by the failure of both Continental and State authorities to -properly clothe and provision the army, and the further embarrassment -that promised re-enforcements were not furnished. - -In spite of these discouragements, General Sullivan determined to march, -and July 31, 1779, at 1 o’clock in the afternoon, the army left Wyoming -on its march up the Susquehanna, accompanied by 120 boats. - -The army was composed of the following: General Edward Hand’s brigade, -which consisted of the light corps, made up of the German Regiment and -that commanded by Colonel Adam Hubley and the Independent regiments of -Colonels Shott and Spalding; and General Maxwell’s brigade, consisting -of four regiments under Colonels Dayton, Shreeve, Ogden, and Spencer; -and General Poor’s brigade, with four regiments under Colonels Cilley, -Reed, Scammel and Courland. The second line, or reserves were the -commands of Colonels Livingston, Dubois, Gainsworth and Olden. Colonel -Thomas Proctor’s artillery was also a most important part of this army. - -The several encampments were made at Lackawanna, then at Quiltimunk, -Tunkhannock, Vanderlip’s farm, and Wyalusing, which was reached August -6, when a heavy rain kept the army in camp two days. - -On Sunday, August 8, the army reached Standing Stone, a place which -derives its name from a large stone standing erect in the river. It is -twenty feet in height, fourteen feet wide and three feet in thickness. - -The army was forced to go into camp at Standing Stone on account of the -indisposition of General Sullivan and inability to bring up the boats. - -Their next encampment was at Sheshecununk, and on the following day, -August 11, had extreme difficulty fording the river before reaching -Tioga Flats, where Queen Esther’s Town stood, until destroyed by Colonel -Hartley the previous year. - -Indians were discovered at Chemung, twelve miles distant, and an -expedition was set in motion to destroy their village. The main army -marched through the night and arrived at daylight, but the Indians, -aware of the advancing army, had evacuated the village, but made a -determined stand at Newtown. - -General Sullivan pushed on with great vigor and formed a junction with -General Clinton’s army August 19. On August 29, 1500 Indians, under Joe -Brant and Captain John MacDonald, and the British and Tories, under -Colonel John Butler and the two Johnstons, attacked the Americans near -the scene of the Newtown battle. - -The enemy was well entrenched, thinking to destroy our army at a narrow -defile in front of their breastworks. This situation was discovered by -Captain Parr when Colonel Proctor opened a cannon fire on the enemy, who -retreated to a much stronger position, but too closely pursued by Poor’s -troops. - -The Americans charged up the hill with bayonets and poured deadly fire -into their ranks, driving them from the field. Nine Indians were killed -and left on the ground to be scalped by the troops. - -Every Indian village was burned and the savages were made to understand -that the Americans were their masters. - -The return march was made to Wyoming, where the army arrived October 8. -A great feast on venison and wild turkey was had in honor of their -effective service. - -The army reached Easton October 15, and Congress set apart October 26, -as a day for a general thanksgiving. - -General Sullivan had shattered his constitution by years of constant -exposure in the field and suffered much from an accident received in -this campaign, and he was given a leave “as long as he shall judge it -expedient for the recovery of his health.” He was thanked by Congress -for his services. During the whole campaign his conduct was -distinguished by courage, energy and skill. - -General Sullivan could not recover his full vigor and resigned from the -army at the close of 1779, but was convalescing when elected to -Congress. He went to that body with much reluctance, but his services -there were as conspicuous and patriotic as they had been on many a -bloody battlefield. He died January 23, 1795. - - ---------- - - - - - Patriotic Women Feed Soldiers at Cooper - Shop and Union Saloons, - May 27, 1861 - - -During the Civil War Philadelphia lay in the channel of the great stream -of volunteers from New England, New York, New Jersey and part of -Pennsylvania, that commenced flowing early in May, 1861. Working in -grand harmony the national and more extended organizations for the -relief of the soldiers, were houses of refreshment and temporary -hospital accommodations furnished by the citizens of Philadelphia. - -The soldiers crossing New Jersey, and the Delaware River at Camden, were -landed at the foot of Washington Avenue, where, weary and hungry, they -often sought in vain for sufficient refreshments in the bakeries and -groceries in the neighborhood before entering the cars for Washington or -other points of rendezvous. - -One morning the wife of a mechanic living near, commiserating the -situation of some soldiers who had just arrived, went out with her -coffee-pot and a cup, and distributed its contents among them. That -generous hint was the germ of a wonderful system of relief for the -passing soldiers, which was immediately developed in this patriotic and -historic city. - -Soon other benevolent women, living in the vicinity of the landing-place -of the volunteers, imitated their patriotic sister, and a few of them -formed themselves into a committee for the regular distribution of -coffee on the arrival of soldiers. Soon the men in the neighborhood -interested themselves in procuring other supplies. - -The women who formed this original committee were Mrs. William M. -Cooper, Mrs. Grace Nickles, Mrs. Sarah Ewing, Mrs. Elizabeth Vansdale, -Mrs. Catherine Vansdale, Mrs. Jane Coward, Mrs. Susan Turner, Mrs. Sarah -Mellen, Mrs. Catherine Alexander, Mrs. Mary Plant, and Mrs. Captain -Watson. - -For a few days the refreshments were dispensed under the shade of trees -in front of the cooper shop owned by William M. Cooper and Henry W. -Pearce, on Otsego Street near Washington Avenue. Then this shop was -generously offered for the purpose by the proprietors, and immediately -it was equipped with tables and such kitchen arrangements as were -necessary to prepare such foods as was supplied by the voluntary -contributions raised among the citizens of Philadelphia. The young -women, wives and daughters of those resident in the neighborhood waited -upon the soldiers. - -The first body of troops fed at the saloon was the Eighth New York -Regiment, called the German Rifles, under Colonel Blenker. There were -780 men who partook of a coffee breakfast there on the morning of May -27, 1861. - -The cooper shop was not spacious enough to accommodate the daily -increasing number of soldiers, and another place of refreshment was -opened on the corner of Washington Avenue and Swanson Street, in a -building formerly used as a boathouse and rigger’s loft. Two Volunteer -Refreshment Saloon Committees were formed and known respectively as the -“Cooper Shop” and the “Union.” - -Both were in effective working order on May 27. The following were the -principal officers of the two associations, respectively: The Cooper -Shop: President, William M. Cooper; vice president, C. V. Fort; -treasurer, Adam M. Simpson; secretaries, William M. Maull and E. S. -Hall. The Union: Chairman, Arad Barrows; secretary, J. B. Wade; -treasurer, B. S. Brown; steward, J. T. Williams. - -These two organizations worked in harmony and generous rivalry all -through the period of the war and rendered wonderful service. Both -saloons were enlarged as necessity required and both had temporary -hospitals attached to them. These were used for such soldiers who were -sick or wounded and who were unable to leave Philadelphia and who -required rest or nursing and medical attendance to restore them to -health and duty. - -Cooper Hospital was under the charge of Dr. Andrew Nebinger, assisted by -his brother, Dr. George Nebinger, and Miss Anna M. Ross. After the death -of Miss Ross, Mrs. Abigail Horner became the lady principal of the -“Cooper Shop Hospital.” - -Dr. Eliab Ward had charge of the “Union Hospital.” He gave his services -throughout the war free of charge. Nearly 11,000 sick and wounded -soldiers were nursed and received medical attention at this hospital, -and nearly twice that number had their wounds dressed, and more than -40,000 had a night’s lodging. - -An accurate record was kept of all the operations of the “Union Saloon,” -which show that 800,000 soldiers were received and 1,025,000 meals were -furnished, and the total amount of money expended being $98,204.34, and -for materials used there was expended $30,000, a grand total of -$128,204.34, all of which was received by voluntary contributions. - -The women who devoted themselves to the service of preparing the meals -and waiting upon this vast host deserve the choicest blessings of their -country. - -At all hours of the day and night these self-sacrificing heroines, when -a little signal gun employed for the purpose announced the approach of a -train bearing soldiers, would repair to their saloons and cheerfully -dispense their generous bounties. - -The little cannon used as a signal had a notable history. It was part of -the ordnance in the army of General Taylor on the Rio Grande in 1846, -where it was captured, only to be recaptured by a United States cruiser. - -The last regiment of soldiers fed in either of these saloons was the -104th Pennsylvania, Colonel Kephart, numbering 748 men, on August 28, -1865. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel William Clapham and Family Murdered - by Indians, May 28, 1763 - - -Colonel William Clapham was an English officer who rendered conspicuous -service on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and who, like many others, paid -the price with his scalp in the uneven warfare waged by the Indians and -their French allies. - -William Clapham was born in England July 5, 1722, and after graduating -from college, entered the army as an ensign. He was sent to America -during the French and Indian War. He subsequently resigned his -commission and took up his residence in Philadelphia, where he was -living at the time of Braddock’s defeat. - -This disaster to the English arms caused Captain Clapham to again offer -his services, this time to the Province of Pennsylvania. He was -commissioned a captain and sent by Governor Morris into Bucks County to -recruit troops and to muster into the Provincial service the company -recruited by Captain Insley, who were ordered to join the regular troops -then posted at Reading and Easton. - -While Captain Clapham was on this tour of duty he journeyed to Fort -Allen to make a visit with some friends. The Assembly at this moment was -pressing Colonel Benjamin Franklin to return to his seat in that body. -The three forts being completed, and the inhabitants willing to remain -on their plantations with soldiers in these garrisons, Colonel Franklin -placed Captain Clapham in full command and departed. - -This was only a temporary command, but Governor Morris, March 29, 1756, -commissioned him lieutenant-colonel, and assigned him to the Third -Battalion. He also ordered the Colonel to assemble his troops as soon as -possible at Hunter’s Mill, preparatory to marching to Shamokin (now -Sunbury), where he was to build a substantial fort. - -Colonel Clapham recruited 400 men for that purpose. He assembled his -force at Fort Hunter, where he began training them. Before they marched -from this encampment Governor Morris paid them an official visit, the -incidents of which are quite entertaining and very interesting. - -Colonel Clapham marched his command to Armstrongs, built Fort Halifax, -stationed a garrison there, and finally proceeded up the river to -Shamokin, where he arrived July 1, and immediately set about building -Fort Augusta. This formidable fortress was finished in October. - -From the very beginning of this frontier service Colonel Clapham -experienced no end of trouble with his officers. He seems to have been -overbearing and a hard taskmaster. He bore many insults, as he termed -them, from the Assembly. These frequent disputes and misunderstandings -with his officers wore out his patience and he resigned in November, -1756, being succeeded by Major James Burd of Lancaster. - -Notwithstanding the confusion and ill-feeling which prevailed among the -officers and men during the building of Fort Augusta, it seems that a -secret directing power had prevented everything from falling into chaos -and much good was accomplished. Had it not been for this unseen power, -the fort would have been captured by the French and Indians and the -whole North and West Branch Valleys would have been overrun and held by -the enemy at this most critical period in the history of the Province. - -He was a most conspicuous figure on the early frontiers. Even Colonel -Clapham’s enemies, or those who thought he was not an acceptable -officer, must have been moved to deep and sincere sympathy when they -learned the sad fate which so soon afterward befell him and his family -on the western frontier of Pennsylvania. - -He did not long remain out of the service when his resignation as -commander of the garrison at Fort Augusta was accepted. In 1763 he was -an active officer in the expedition of Colonel Henry Bouquet on the -western frontier of the Province. - -He was in command of a formidable scouting party when he was murdered on -Sewickley Creek, near where the town of West Newton now stands. - -This tragedy occurred on the afternoon of May 28, 1763, and was -committed by The Wolf, Kektuscung and two other Indians, one of whom was -called Butler. - -Colonel Clapham had taken his family to this frontier, and was very near -his own home when these Indians shot him from ambush, rushed into his -house, killed and scalped his wife and three children and a woman. The -two women were treated with brutal indecency. They left evidences of the -fact that they were paying an old score with Colonel Clapham, and the -scene was horrible to behold. - -At the time of the murder of the Claphams, three men who were working at -some distance from the Clapham house escaped through the woods and -carried the terrible news to the garrison in Fort Pitt. - -Two soldiers, who were in Colonel Clapham’s detail, and stationed at a -sawmill near the fort, were killed and scalped by these same Indians. - -It seems that there were others slain in this massacre for Colonel Burd -entered in his journal, June 5, 1763, that “John Harris gave me an -account of Colonel Clapham and twelve men being killed near Pittsburgh, -and two Royal Americans being killed at the saw mill.” - -Colonel Bouquet in a letter to General Amherst, dated Fort Pitt, May 31, -1763, says: “We have most melancholy reports here * * * the Indians have -broke out in several places, and murdered Colonel Clapham and his -family.” - -Judge Jasper Yeates made a visit to Braddock’s battlefield in August, -1776, and then to the site of Fort Pitt. He remarked about seeing the -grave of Colonel Clapham. - -It is probable that the family became extinct after the Indians -perpetrated their dastardly crime, and the ashes of the famous commander -and builder of Fort Augusta have long since mingled with the soil. - - ---------- - - - - - Free Society of Traders Organized with Aid - of Penn, May 29, 1682 - - -Soon as William Penn received the grant of land in America which is now -Pennsylvania, he immediately issued advertisements in which certain -concessions were offered to settlers. Among those who made application -for large quantities of land were companies organized for colonization -purposes. - -One such company was “The Free Society of Traders,” whose plans Penn -favored and whose constitution and charter he helped to draw. - -The first general court of this society was held in London May 29, 1682, -at which time the “Articles, Settlement and Offices” of the society were -adopted and the actual operations begun. - -The charter to the Pennsylvania Company, the Free Society of Traders, -bears date March 24, 1862. The incorporators named in Penn’s deed to -them were “Nicholas More, of London, medical doctor; James Claypoole, -merchant; Philip Ford (Penn’s unworthy steward); William Sherloe, of -London, merchant; Edward Pierce, of London, leather seller; John Symcock -and Thomas Brassey, of Cheshire, yeoman; Thomas Barker, of London, wine -cooper, and Edward Brookes, of London, grocer.” - -The deed recites Penn’s authority under his patent, mentions the -conveyance to the company of 20,000 acres in Philadelphia, erects this -tract into the manor of Frank, “in free and common Socage, by such -rents, customs and services, as to them and their successors shall seem -meet, so as to be consistent with said tenure.” It allowed them two -justices’ courts a year and other legal privileges. - -In addition to the first 20,000 acres, their appurtenant city lots “was -an entire street, and one side of a street from river to river,” -comprising 100 acres, exclusive of an additional 400 acres owned in the -Liberties. The location of the property was the tract between Spruce and -Pine streets, from the Delaware to the Schuylkill River, 366 feet in -width. Their lands were given the name Society Hill. - -The society was empowered to appoint and remove its officers and -servants, to levy taxes, etc. An important privilege was the authority -given to be represented in the Provincial Council by three -representatives of the society. - -This society was given title to three-fifths of the products of all -mines and minerals found, free privilege to fish in all waters of the -Province, and to establish fairs, markets, etc., and the books of the -society were to be exempted from all inspection. - -May 29, 1682, the general court prepared and published an address, and -mapped out an ambitious program of operations. - -The address, which is ingenuous, points to the fact that while it -proposes to employ the principles of the association in order to conduct -a large business, it is no monopoly, but an absolutely free society in a -free country. “It is,” says the prospectus, “an enduring estate, and a -lasting as well as certain credit; a portion and inheritance that is -clear and growing, free from the mischief of frauds and false -securities, supported by the concurrent strength and care of a great and -prudent body, a kind of perpetual trustees, the friends of the widow and -orphan, for it takes no advantages of minority or simplicity.” - -In the society votes were to be on a basis of amount of stock held, up -to three votes, which was the limit. No one in England was allowed more -than a single vote, and proxies could be voted. The officers were -president, deputy, treasurer, secretary and twelve committeemen. Five, -with president or deputy a quorum. The officers were to live on the -society’s property. - -All the society’s servants were bound to secrecy, and the books were -kept in the society’s house, under three locks, the keys in charge of -the president, treasurer and oldest committeeman, and not to be -entrusted to any persons longer than to transcribe any part in daytime -and in the house, before seven persons appointed by the committee. - -The society was to send 200 servants to Pennsylvania the first year, “to -build two or more general factories in Pennsylvania, one upon Chesapeake -Bay, and the other upon Delaware River, or where else the committee -shall see necessary for the more speedy conveyance of goods in the -country and Maryland, but that the government of the whole be in the -Capital City of Pennsylvania.” - -The society was to aid Indians in building houses, etc., and to hold -Negroes for fourteen years’ service, when they were to go free “on -giving to the society two-thirds of what they can produce on land -allotted to them by the society, with a stock and tools; if they agree -not to this, to be servants till they do.” - -The leading object of the society at the outset seems to have been an -extensive free trade with the Indians, agriculture, establishment of -manufactories, for carrying on the lumber trade and whale fishing. An -agent in London was to sell the goods. - -Nicholas More, president of the society and one of Penn’s Judges, was -the first purchaser of land in the province who had a manor granted to -him. - -The Free Society of Traders obtained land on the river front south of -Dock Creek. The society built a sawmill and a glasshouse, both in the -same year, 1683. They also established a tannery, which was well -supplied with bark and hides. Leather was in general use for articles of -clothing, such as are now made of other goods. Penn himself wore leather -stockings. - -In 1695 the exportation of dressed and undressed deerskins was -prohibited in order to promote their utilization at home. - -But as the people arrived and settled they probably found they could do -better by themselves than in a company and its schemes were not carried -out. So the Free Society of Traders, from which much had been expected -and which actually yielded so little, came to an end March 2, 1723, when -an act of Assembly placed its property into the hands of trustees for -sale to pay its debts. - -The trustees appointed were Charles Reed, Job Goodson, Evan Owen, George -Fitzwater and Joseph Pigeon, merchants of Philadelphia. These soon -disposed of the property. - - ---------- - - - - - Davy, the Lame Indian, Surrenders at Fort - Pitt, May 30, 1783 - - -During the morning of May 30, 1783, an Indian was discovered sitting on -a porch in Pittsburgh, holding in his hand a light pole. - -When a girl of the household responded to his alarm he asked her in -broken English for milk. She told members of the family that the Indian -was a mere skeleton and they appeared on the porch and found him so thin -and emaciated that they could scarcely detect any flesh upon his bones. -One of his limbs had been wounded, and the pole had been used as a sort -of crutch. - -On being questioned, he appeared too weak to give much of an account of -himself, but drank of the milk. Word was immediately sent to General -William Irvine, commandant of the garrison of Fort Pitt, who sent a -guard and had him taken to the fort. - -When questioned, he said that he had been trapping along Beaver River, -and had a difference with a Mingo Indian who shot him in the leg, -because he had said he wished to come to the white people. This story -was not believed, especially by some who thought they recognized him as -an Indian known as Davy. He was told to tell the truth, he would fare -better, and he gave an account of the attack on the Walthour settlement, -April 24, in which the following facts were related: - -Five or six men were working in Christopher Walthour’s field, about -eight miles west of the present Greensburg. Among the workers was a -son-in-law, named Willard, whose daughter, sixteen years old, was -carrying water to the men. - -The workers were surprised by the appearance of a band of Delaware who -captured the girl. The men reached their guns, which were a short -distance away, and made a running fight as they retired toward the fort. -Old man Walthour and Willard were killed, the latter falling not far -from the stockade. An Indian rushed out of the bushes to scalp Willard, -and was just in the act of twisting his fingers in the white man’s long -hair, when a well-directed rifle shot, fired from the fort, struck the -savage in the leg, who gave a horrid yell and made off toward the woods, -leaving his gun beside his victim. - -As soon as a band of frontiersmen could be collected they pursued the -Indians, following their trail as far as the Allegheny River. - -Almost two months after the attack the badly decomposed body of the -Willard girl was found in the woods not far from Negley’s Run. Her head -had been crushed in with a tomahawk and her scalp was gone. - -The lame Indian after relating many horrid details told that he lay -three days without moving from the first place he threw himself in the -bushes fearing pursuit; then he crawled on hands and one foot until he -found the pole in a marsh, which he used to assist him, and in the -meantime lived on berries and roots. He lay all day on a hill -overlooking a garrison of militiamen, thinking of giving himself up, but -as they were not regulars he did not venture. Driven to desperation by -hunger, he decided to make his way to Fort Pitt, and give himself up to -regular soldiers. - -Davy was confined in the guard house in the fort, but the news of his -capture and his identity reached the settlement of Brush Creek and -caused considerable excitement there. - -Kindred and friends of the victims were hot for revenge and the chance -presented itself. Mrs. Mary Willard, the widow of the man Davy killed -and mother of the girl killed and scalped by his companions, accompanied -by a deputation of her neighbors, arrived at Fort Pitt and asked General -Irvine to deliver up the prisoner. - -At first the request was refused, but when the body of the Willard girl -was afterward found, a mass-meeting was held and a committee chosen to -go to Fort Pitt and renew negotiations with General Irvine for the -surrender of Davy. - -After much deliberation, General Irvine yielded to the pleadings of the -committee and surrendered the prisoner. The order of General Irvine to -the frontiersmen was as follows: “You are hereby enjoined and required -to take the Indian delivered into your charge by my order and carry him -safe into the settlement of Brush Creek. You will afterward warn two -justices of the peace and request their attendance at such times as they -shall think proper to appoint, with several other reputable inhabitants. -Until this is done and their advise and direction had in the matter you -are, at your peril, not to hurt him, nor suffer any person to do it. -Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, July 21, 1782. - - “WILLIAM IRVINE.” - -The general also sent a note to Mrs. Willard, in which he urged her to -do nothing rash in retaliating her vengeance on the prisoner, and not to -permit him to be put to death until after “some form of trial.” - -The intention of the frontiersmen was to summon a jury of their -neighbors and try him, at least to comply with the General’s orders. But -the fact he was an Indian would be sufficient evidence to condemn him, -even if the wounded leg was not added evidence. In event of conviction -he was to suffer death in regular Indian fashion, by torture and -burning. - -On arrival at Walthour’s, Davy was confined in a log blockhouse for two -days and three nights, while the neighbors and magistrates could -assemble for the trial and execution. - -While a few were guarding the prisoner, some were in quest of the -neighbors and others collected wood and materials for the burning, which -it was already determined should be at the identical spot where he had -received his wound while in the act of scalping Willard. - -On the night preceding the great day the guard was somewhat careless -and, realizing their prisoner was a bad cripple, they joined rather -enthusiastically in the preparations for the execution. - -On arising in the morning the blockhouse was empty. The guards were -aroused and an investigation revealed the guardhouse door securely -locked. No human being could get through the loopholes. It was found the -only possible way of escape was through the narrow space between the -overjutting roof and the top of the wall, and through this he must have -escaped. - -Bitter was their disappointment, when they learned their prey had -escaped. In every direction eager searching parties ranged the country, -but no trace of the wounded Delaware. The hunt continued for two days, -but Davy had made good his escape and saved himself from the warm -reception which awaited him later in the day. - - ---------- - - - - - Thousands of Lives Lost in Johnstown - Flood, May 31, 1889 - - -When an avalanche of water swept down the Conemaugh Valley destroying -everything in its descent, including the thriving city of Johnstown, -containing thirty thousand souls, many great industrial establishments -were nearly wiped from the earth, many thousands were drowned or burned -to death, and property worth many millions was destroyed. This disaster -was so far beyond all experience that it is difficult for the mind to -grasp it. - -Johnstown was a community of seven or eight towns with a combined -population of quite thirty thousand souls. It is situated in a deep -valley where the Little Conemaugh River and Stony Creek unite to form -the Conemaugh River. - -Early on Friday, May 31, 1889, a freshet in Stony Creek broke away the -boom above the town and swept down the mass of logs against the -inundated houses. - -This was followed in the afternoon by a far worse disaster, when the dam -of the South Fork Lake broke and the mass of water swept down the -valley, carrying everything before it. The logs and wreckage piled -against the bridge, forming a partial dam, that raised the water level -still higher, and in a short time the whole town was submerged. - -Hundreds were drowned in their houses, others were swept along by the -torrent and perished either by water or by fire among the debris. -Nothing in the history of the United States in time of peace ever -approached this appalling catastrophe. - -Conemaugh Lake was a body of water about three and a half miles long, -one and a quarter miles in width, and in some places one hundred feet in -depth. It was located on the mountain some three or four hundred feet -above the level of Johnstown and was, of course, a menace to that city. -It was believed to hold more water than any reservoir in America. This -lake was the property of some wealthy sportsmen of Pittsburgh and -elsewhere, members of the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club. - -Every known precaution had been taken to insure the safety of the -reservoir. An inspection was made monthly by competent engineers, and it -was believed nothing less than some extraordinary freak of nature could -destroy the barrier that held this large body of water in check. These -waters were held in bounds by a dam nearly one thousand feet wide, more -than one hundred feet high and ninety feet in thickness at the base. - -The streams were already unusually swollen, when a heavy downpour of -rain fell steadily for forty-eight hours which increased the volume of -water in all the mountain streams. In fact, the entire State suffered -from floods. The regions along the West Branch of the Susquehanna, the -Lehigh, the Juniata and the Conemaugh Rivers were the principal scenes -of desolation. - -The water in the South Fork Lake rose slowly until it poured over the -top of the big dam, and then some of the old leakages became larger, -then the breast broke, and sixteen million tons of water rushed forth -like a demon. - -John Baker, the Paul Revere of the occasion, rode a race with it for a -while and saved many people, but the death-dealing torrent laden with -trees, houses, wreckage and human beings, defied even steam whistles and -telegraph instruments. - -The water plowed through South Fork, Mineral Point, Franklin, East -Conemaugh, Woodvale, Conemaugh, Johnstown, Kernville, Millville and -Cambria. - -It was late in the afternoon and the night that followed was one of -unutterable agony. Darkness added to the terror of the situation. - -The wreckage could not pass through the big stone bridge. That caused -the water to back up and flood the city, but soon a channel was made -which cut through the heart of Johnstown. This caused the terrible -destruction of life and property that was incurred at Cambria Iron -Works. - -Then came the flames to make the calamity more appalling. Hundreds of -houses had been piled up against the stone bridge, the inmates of but a -few being able to escape; these took fire and many hundreds of souls -perished in them. Men, women and children, held down by timbers, watched -with indescribable agony the flames creep surely toward them, and they -were slowly roasted to death. - -There were many instances of personal heroism and self-sacrifice in -which many persons were saved from drowning or being burned to death. -There were many cases of most remarkable escapes, and not a few -instances of heroic rescue, which a moment later were rendered useless -by another catastrophe in which both hero and victim lost their lives. -Edward C. Will is credited with saving twenty-two lives. - -Governor Beaver issued a proclamation, calling upon the people for their -benefactions. Adjutant General Hastings was promptly on the scene and -personally directed the patrol, composed of the Fourteenth Regiment and -one company of the Fifth Regiment of the National Guard. - -Governor Beaver appointed a Flood Relief Commission to distribute a fund -which had been raised from every section of the State and all over the -country. The fund exceeded $3,000,000. - -The State Board of Health was early on the ground to enforce the -sanitary laws. The debris was removed as promptly as possible, and -healthful conditions were soon restored. - -To pay the State’s expenses, generous men of means advanced the money -till the Legislature would reimburse them. There never was a more -beautiful example of public and private charity in all history. - -The loss of lives was 2,235, or more, and the property loss exceeded -$10,000,000 in value. - -The people of Johnstown, although prostrated by their misfortune, soon -recovered, rebuilt their city and re-established their industrial -plants, making it a more beautiful and more modern place than ever -before. - - ---------- - - - - - General John Bull, Officer of Province and - the Continental Army, Born - June 1, 1731 - - -General John Bull was one of the distinguished patriots of the Province -and State and a veteran of the French and Indian War, a trusted agent of -the Proprietaries to the Indians, an early adherent of the colonists, a -member of the first Constitutional Convention, an officer of troops and -builder of forts, a member of the Board of War and of the General -Assembly, a prominent citizen in every particular, yet one of whose life -little is known. - -John Bull was born in Providence Township, now Montgomery County, June -1, 1731, and spent his early life in that immediate neighborhood. - -His active military life began May 12, 1758, when he was commissioned -captain in the Provincial service, and with his command was on duty at -Fort Allen, now Weissport, Carbon County. - -Later in that year he commanded a company in the expedition led by -General John Forbes, for the reduction of Fort DuQuesne, and during this -tour of duty he rendered most conspicuous service in negotiations with -the Indians. - -This treaty was attended by Governor Bernard of New Jersey, who had come -principally to demand of the Munsee that they keep a treaty promise by -which they were to deliver captives taken from his province. - -The treaty ended at Easton, October 24, when mutual releases were -executed; Pisquitomen and Thomas Hickman, an Ohio Indian, were sent back -to the Ohio to bear assurance of pardon, and invitations to those -western Indians to come to Philadelphia. Captain John Bull and William -Hayes and Isaac Still, the interpreter, and two Indians of the Six -Nations, one of whom was John Shikellamy, accompanied them. The mission -was wholly successful. - -In 1771 Captain Bull owned the Norris plantation and mill, and resided -there on the site of the present Norristown, then called Norriton. - -He was a delegate to the Provincial Conference of January 23, 1775, and -of June 18, 1775. - -On July 8, 1776, the day of the reading of the Declaration of -Independence, an election was held at the State House for members of the -Convention to form a Constitution for the State. Those elected from -Philadelphia County were Frederic Antes, Henry Hill, Robert Loller, -Joseph Blewer, John Bull, Thomas Potts, Edward Bartholomew, and William -Coats. - -Captain Bull was elected a member of the Board of War, March 14, 1777. - -Congress asked in October, 1775, that a battalion from Pennsylvania be -raised to take part in the expedition against Canada. John Bull was -appointed its colonel, but resigned January 20, 1776, owing to a threat -of about half the officers to do so if he continued in command, so John -Philip DeHaas, of Lebanon, was appointed. - -Colonel Bull was one of the commissioners at the Indian Treaty held at -Easton January 30, 1777. - -At the election held February 14, 1777, Colonel Bull was one of four -elected to the Assembly. - -After the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, Colonel Bull was -sent to Mud Island, with workmen and laborers, to repair the banks and -sluices and complete barracks sufficient for the garrison. - -On May 2, 1777, he was appointed colonel of the First State Regiment of -Foot, and on July 16 was commissioned Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania. - -In October of this year his barns, barracks, grain, and hay were burned -by the British, and his wagons, horses, cattle, sheep and Negroes -carried off, although General Howe had given his word to Mrs. Bull that -they would not be disturbed. - -In December, when General James Irvine was captured, General Bull -succeeded to the command of the Second Brigade of Pennsylvania militia, -under General John Armstrong. - -While the British were in possession of Philadelphia a brigade of -Continental troops under Colonel John Bull on the evening of December -24, 1777, made an excursion into Fourth Street in Philadelphia, with two -thousand militia, and three pieces of cannon, and alarmed the city by -firing off the heavy guns, whereby some of the balls fell about old -Christ Church. Colonel Bull then made a good retreat back to his -station, without the loss of a man. - -During 1778 and 1779 he was engaged in erecting defenses for -Philadelphia and in latter year he put down the chevaux de frize in the -Delaware to obstruct the approach of British ships. In 1780 he served as -Commissary of Purchase at Philadelphia, and appears to have been one of -the busiest and most indefatigable of workers. - -In the year 1785 he removed to Northumberland, being attracted there by -the location of the town and the belief that it would become a large -place. - -In 1802 he was a candidate for the Legislature but was defeated by Simon -Snyder, afterwards Governor of the State. In 1805 General Bull was -elected to the General Assembly, but in 1808 he was defeated for -Congress when he ran as the Federalist candidate. - -Mrs. Mary Bull, his wife, died February 23, 1811, aged eighty years. The -Northumberland Argus says, “She was buried in the Quaker graveyard, and -General Bull, though much reduced by sickness and old age, previous to -the grave being closed, addressed the people as follows: 'The Lord gave -and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord; may we -who are soon to follow be as well prepared as she was.'” - -General Bull died August 9, 1824, in the 94th year of his age. - -This distinguished patriot and citizen lies buried beside his wife in -the Riverside Cemetery, Northumberland, where a monument should be -erected in memory of this distinguished, yet eccentric, officer of the -French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. - - ---------- - - - - - Liberty Bell Hung in Old State House on - June 2, 1753 - - -Though not the largest nor yet the oldest, but to all Americans by far -the most celebrated bell is the grand old “Liberty Bell,” whose tones on -July 4, 1776, proclaimed the birthday of our Nation. - -This historic bell was originally cast in London, in 1752, for the State -House in Philadelphia. There it hung in the belfry of Independence Hall -until July 8, 1835, when it cracked while tolling the news of the death -of John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States. - -In the Centennial year, 1876, a new bell, modeled after the original -Liberty Bell, was made by an American bell founder for the tower of the -old State House, or Independence Hall. - -It weighs 13,000 pounds to represent the thirteen original States, and -carries in addition to the decoration of the old Liberty Bell, a border -of stars and the additional inscription: “Glory to God and on earth -peace, good will toward men.” - -The story of the original bell begins in the year 1749, when the tower -was erected on the south side of the main building of the State House. -The superintendents were ordered to proceed as soon as they conveniently -might, and the tower was to contain “the staircase with a suitable place -therein for hanging a bell.” - -A year later the House adopted a resolution directing “that the -superintendents provide a bell of such weight and dimensions as they -shall think suitable.” Isaac Norris, Thomas Leech and Edward Warner -accordingly prepared a letter, which is interesting as it is the -commencement of proceedings which resulted in the casting of what was -afterward known as the “Liberty Bell.” The letter follows: - -“To Robert Charles, of London, Nov. 1, 1751. Respected Friend.—The -Assembly having ordered us (the superintendents of the State House) to -procure a bell from England, to be purchased for their use, we take the -liberty to apply ourselves to thee to get us a good bell of about two -thousand weight, the cost of which we presume may amount to about one -hundred pounds sterling, or perhaps more with the charges, etc. - -“We hope and rely on thy care and assistance in this affair, and that -thou will procure and forward it by the first opportunity, as our -workmen inform us it will be less trouble to hang the bell before their -scaffolds are struck from the building where we intend to place it, -which will not be done until the end of next summer or beginning of the -fall. Let the bell be cast by the best workmen, and examine it carefully -before it is shipped with the following words, well shaped, in long -letters around it, viz.: - -“‘By order of the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania, for the -State House in the city of Philadelphia, 1752.’ - -“and underneath.—'Proclaim Liberty through all the land unto all the -inhabitants thereof.—Levit. xxv. 10.'” - -The bell was brought over in the ship Matilda, Captain Budden, and was -unloaded on the wharf in Philadelphia about the end of August, 1752. - -It was hung in position and when given its trial for sound “it was -cracked by a stroke of the clapper, without any other violence.” -Needless to state, the superintendents were disappointed and they -determined to ship the bell back to England to be recast. But Captain -Budden had already too heavy a cargo to carry the bell. - -In this emergency two Philadelphians, Pass and Stow, undertook to recast -it, using the material in the original bell. The mold was opened March -10, 1753. The work had been well done, even the letters being better -than those on the first bell. - -Pass and Stow first cast several small bells to test the quality of the -material, and its sound, and found that there was too much copper in the -mixture. It was their third mixture which was finally used. - -A newspaper of June 7, 1753, carried this notice: “Last week was raised -and fixed in the State House steeple the new great bell cast here by -Pass and Stow, weighing 2080 pounds with this motto: ‘Proclaim Liberty -to all the land and all the inhabitants thereof.’.” It was tested June 2 -and proved satisfactory. - -On July 8, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read in the State -House yard. At the same time the King’s Arms were taken from the court -room and publicly burned, while merry chimes from the church steeples -and peals from the State House bell “proclaimed liberty throughout the -land.” - -This was an event which made the inscription on the bell prophetic. John -Adams, in writing to Samuel Chase on July 9, said, “The bells rang all -day and almost all night.” - -The British success on the Brandywine caused great consternation in -Philadelphia. On September 15, 1777, the Supreme Executive Council -ordered “the bells of Christ Church and St. Peter’s as well as the State -House to be taken down and removed to a place of safety.” The church -bells were sunk in the river or carried away, but the Liberty Bell, with -ten others, was loaded on wagons and hauled via Bethlehem to Allentown. -In Bethlehem the wagon bearing the State House bell broke down, and it -had to be reloaded and, when Allentown was reached, the bell was hidden -under the floor of Zion Reformed Church. - -After the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British Army these bells -were brought back, and the State House bell was placed in its old -position in the latter part of 1778. - -The “Liberty Bell” became a venerated object, and it was tacitly -determined that it should only be rung on special occasions of -rejoicing, or to commemorate some event of public importance. It was -tolled in 1828 upon the news of the emancipation of the Catholics by act -of the British Parliament. It celebrated the centennial anniversary of -the birthday of Washington, February 22, 1832. - -But an end was put to its usefulness for sound early in the morning of -July 8, 1835. The break was at first only about eight inches in length, -but when rung February 22, 1843, it was increased so much that it -henceforth became a silent memento of the historic past. - -The Liberty Bell has made several trips to great national expositions, -notably the World’s Fair at Chicago, and the great San Francisco -exposition, where it always was the most popular historic relic and -viewed by millions of our citizens, but the danger incident to such -exposure caused public disapproval of the bell again leaving the State -House, and it will rest in this historic spot and continue to be the -most popular relic in Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Transit of Venus Observed in Yard of - State House June 3, 1769 - - -The year 1769 was memorable in the annals of astronomy, owing to the -transit of Venus over the sun’s disc, which occurred June 3. Astronomers -throughout the entire world were anxious to make an observation of this -celestial phenomenon, which would not occur again until 1874. - -The great interest centered in this observation arose from the fact that -by means of it the distance between the heavenly bodies could be more -accurately calculated. It was the belief that the transits of Venus -afforded the best method of measuring the distance of the sun from the -earth. - -This was a period of intense interest, and many expeditions were fitted -out to observe the transit at different places in both the northern and -southern hemispheres. - -Mason and Dixon, the English astronomers, who gained undying fame as the -surveyors of the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland, -started on a ship of war for their station on the southern hemisphere, -but they were attacked by a French frigate and were compelled to return -to port after a severe battle. Other expeditions became celebrated -through the adventures to which they gave rise. - -The transit of 1769 was visible in the Atlantic States and observations -upon it were made under the auspices of the American Philosophical -Society at Philadelphia. The most celebrated of all these observers was -David Rittenhouse. - -Benjamin Franklin had organized the society and in 1769 became the -society’s first president. He was annually elected to that position for -twenty-two years, being succeeded in 1791 by another Pennsylvanian, -David Rittenhouse. - -In 1768 the American Philosophical Society petitioned the Assembly of -Pennsylvania for assistance to observe the transit of Venus, and the -proposition was treated with liberality. - -One hundred pounds was granted to enable the society to procure a -reflecting telescope of two and a half or three feet focus and a -micrometer of Dolland’s make, which had to be procured from England. -They were purchased there by Dr. Franklin. - -The society erected a wooden building as an observatory in the State -House yard. This was of circular shape, and about twenty feet high, -twelve to fifteen feet square and placed about sixty feet south of the -State House. - -On the morning of June 3 the sky was cloudless. The transit was observed -from this building in the State House yard by Dr. John Ewing, Joseph -Shippen, Dr. Hugh Williamson, Thomas Prior, Charles Thomson and James -Pearson. - -While they were thus engaged, David Rittenhouse, Dr. William Smith, John -Sellers and John Lukens noticed the phenomena at Norriton, the home of -the celebrated astronomer. Owen Biddle made an observation at Henlopen -lighthouse. - -Rittenhouse was already a member of the American Philosophical Society -and made his observations for that society. He used a telescope and -other instruments made by his own hands. - -When he observed the contact, and the planet had fairly entered the -sun’s disk, his emotions so overpowered him that he sank fainting to the -ground, unable to bear the intense feelings of delight which attended -the consummation of the long hoped for event. Rising from his -exhaustion, he proceeded to measure the distance between the centers of -the two bodies at stated intervals during the transit. - -The observations of Rittenhouse were received with interest by -scientific men everywhere. Subsequently they were found to be nearly -accurate and his computations placed him among the greatest of -astronomers. The royal astronomer of England bore testimony to their -value and another high authority said: - -“The first approximately accurate results in the measurements of the -spheres were given to the world, not by schooled and salaried -astronomers who watched from the magnificent royal observatories of -Europe, but by unpaid amateurs and devotees to science in the youthful -province of Pennsylvania.” - -On November 9 of the same year David Rittenhouse made an observation of -the transit of Mercury, which was the fourth ever witnessed. About this -time he also determined the difference of the meridians of Norriton and -Philadelphia. - -David Rittenhouse was without doubt the first inventor of a practical -planetarium, erroneously called the “orrery,” an instrument so -constructed as to exhibit the movements of the planets around the sun. -In theory the idea was not new. Such an instrument had been made for the -Earl of Orrery in 1715, but this was a mere toy and gave the movements -of only two heavenly bodies. - -Rittenhouse determined that he would make an elaborate instrument, based -on scientific principles and on the astronomical calculations which he -had prepared. After three years of labor, in 1779, the “Rittenhouse -orrery” was completed. - -This orrery was purchased by Princeton University for £300. The trustees -of the College of Philadelphia were offended, but Rittenhouse -immediately set to work and constructed a duplicate, which was purchased -for the college by the proceeds of a series of lectures on astronomy by -Dr. William Smith, provost of the college. - -The second orrery was much larger than the original, but was constructed -on the same model. This was sold for £400. - -David Rittenhouse was elected one of the secretaries of the American -Philosophical Society in 1771. He delivered a most elaborate address -before the society February 23, 1775, entitled “An Oration on -Astronomy.” This address was inscribed and dedicated to the delegates -assembled in the Continental Congress. In 1790 he became one of its vice -presidents. - -On the death of Dr. Franklin he succeeded to the office of president, -January, 1791, which office he held until his death, when he was -succeeded by Thomas Jefferson. - - ---------- - - - - - Indians Succeed in Destroying Presqu' Isle, - June 4, 1763 - - -In 1763 Pontiac’s grand scheme of destroying all the English forts was -completed, and it was determined the attack should be made -simultaneously on June 4. Henry L. Harvey, in the Erie Observer, gives -the following account of the attack on Fort Presqu' Isle. - -“The troops had retired to their quarters to procure their morning -repast; some had already finished, and were sauntering about the -fortress or the shores of the lake. All were joyous, in holiday attire -and dreaming of nought but the pleasures of the occasion. A knocking was -heard at the gate, and three Indians were announced, in hunting garb, -desiring an interview with the commander. Their tale was soon told; they -said they belonged to a hunting party which had started to Niagara with -a lot of furs; that their canoes were bad, and they would prefer -disposing of them here, if they could do so to advantage, and return -rather than go farther; that their party was encamped by a small stream -west of the fort, about a mile, where they had landed the previous -night, and where they wished the commander to go and examine their -peltries, as it was difficult to bring them as they wished to embark -from where they were if they did not trade. - -“The commander, accompanied by a clerk, left the fort with the Indians, -charging his lieutenant that none should leave the fort, and none but -its inmates be admitted until his return. Well would it probably have -been had this order been obeyed. After the lapse of sufficient time for -the captain to have visited the encampment of the Indians and return, a -party of the latter—variously estimated, but probably about one hundred -and fifty—advanced toward the fort, bearing upon their backs what -appeared to be large packs of furs, which they informed the lieutenant -the captain had purchased and ordered deposited in the fort. - -“The stratagem succeeded, and when the party were all within the fort, -the work of an instant threw off the packs and the short cloaks which -covered their weapons—the whole being fastened by one loop and button at -the neck. Resistance at this time was useless or ineffectual, and the -work of death was as rapid as savage strength and weapons could make it. -The shortened rifles, which had been sawed off for the purpose of -concealing them under their cloaks and in the packs of furs, were once -discharged, and of what remained the tomahawk and knife were made to do -the execution. - -“The history of savage war presents not a scene of more heartless or -blood-thirsty vengeance than was exhibited on this occasion, and few its -equal in horror. The few who were taken prisoners in the fort were -doomed to the various tortures devised by savage ingenuity, until, save -two individuals, all who awoke to celebrate that day at the fort had -passed away to the eternal world. - -“Of these two, one was a soldier who had gone into the woods near the -fort, and on his return, observing a body of Indians dragging away some -prisoners, he escaped and immediately proceeded to Niagara. The other -was a female who had taken shelter in a small building below the hill, -near the mouth of the creek. Here she remained undiscovered until near -night of the fatal day, when she was drawn forth, but her life, for some -reason, was spared, and she was made prisoner, and ultimately ransomed -and restored to civilized life. She was subsequently married and settled -in Canada. From her statement, and the information she obtained during -her captivity, corroborated by other sources, this account of the -massacre is gathered. - -“Others have varied it so far as relates to the result, particularly -Thatcher, who, in his Life of Pontiac, says: ‘The officer who commanded -at Presqu’ Isle defended himself two days during which time the savages -are said to have fired his blockhouse about fifty times, but the -soldiers extinguished the flames as often. It was then undermined, and a -train laid for an explosion, when a capitulation was proposed and agreed -upon, under which a part of the garrison was carried captive to the -Northwest. The officer was afterward given up at Detroit.' He does not, -however, give any authority for his statements, while most writers -concur that all were destroyed. - -“The number who escaped from Le Boeuf is variously estimated from three -to seven. Their escape was effected through a secret or underground -passage, having its outlet in the direction of the swamp adjoining Le -Boeuf Lake. Tradition, however, says that of these only one survived to -reach a civilized settlement.” - -So adroitly was the whole campaign managed that nine of the garrisons -received no notice of the design in time to guard against it, and fell -an easy conquest to the assailants. - -Niagara, Pittsburgh, Ligonier and Bedford were strongly invested, but -withstood the attacks until relief arrived from the Eastern settlements. -The scattered settlers in their vicinity were generally murdered or -forced to flee to the fort. Depredations were committed as far east as -Carlisle and Reading, and the whole country was alarmed. - -Colonel Bradstreet and Colonel Bouquet attacked the savages everywhere. -General Gage directed the movements against the Indians. Bradstreet -failed to comprehend the Indian character, but Bouquet conquered the -savages everywhere on his route, and so completely defeated them that he -was able to dictate terms of peace, and received a large number of -persons who had been carried into captivity from Pennsylvania and -Virginia. He was hailed as a deliverer by the people and received the -thanks of the Governments of Pennsylvania and Virginia. - - ---------- - - - - - James Pollock Nominated by Know Nothing - Party, June 5, 1854 - - -Governor William Bigler’s administration was universally acceptable to -his party, and even his most earnest political opponents found little -ground for criticism, but when he came up for re-election two entirely -new and unexpected factors confronted him and doomed him to defeat on -issues which had no relation to the administration of State affairs. -First of these was the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and second, -the advent of the secret American, or Know Nothing Party. - -The American, or Know Nothing, organization that became such an -important political power in 1854, was the culmination of various -spasmodic native American organizations beginning in New York, as early -as 1835, and extending to Philadelphia and Boston. The original Native -American organization of New York was directed wholly against foreigners -who held positions on the police force and in other city departments. It -came into its greatest power in 1844, when it controlled the entire city -government. - -The Native Americans carried the fall elections in Philadelphia, in -1844, with material aid from the Whigs, and remained an important -element in both City and State politics in Pennsylvania for a number of -years. - -The name Know Nothing was applied to this organization because the -members were ordered to reply to any question in regard to the party or -its purposes, “I don’t know.” In the same way “Sam” was nicknamed for -that party. This was applied frequently to persons suspected of being -members of which it was said they had “seen Sam.” - -Chief Justice Black said of the Know Nothings: “They’re like the bee, -biggest when it’s born; it will perish as quickly as it rose to power.” -Truly a prophecy. - -In 1854 the Whig candidate for the office of Mayor, Robert T. Conrad, -was supported by the Know Nothings and defeated Richard Vaux by more -than 8000 votes. After this the Know Nothing Party declined in strength, -and finally what was left of it and the remnant of the Whig organization -were absorbed in the Republican Party. After 1856 the Know Nothing party -practically disappeared as a general political factor. - -The Whigs and Democrats held their regular State conventions early in -the year of 1854. Governor Bigler was renominated by the Democrats, and -James Pollock was nominated by the Whigs. - -Pollock indicated Andrew G. Curtin as the man to take charge of his -campaign, and Curtin was made chairman of the Whig State Committee. He -entered upon his new duties with the ardor that was always manifested in -his public efforts, and everything seemed to be going along smoothly, -until he learned that there was a secret organization in the State that -embraced a clear majority of the Whig voters and not a few of the -Democratic voters. - -There were three men of low cunning who had managed to obtain possession -of the machinery of the Know Nothing organization and they availed -themselves of the peculiar facilities offered by a secret organization -to assume autocratic authority. - -These three leaders sought out Curtin, and, proving to him that they had -it in their power to compute the returns of the Know Nothing lodges and -declare for or against any candidate for office, declared their purpose -to defeat the Whig candidate for Governor if their wishes were not -acceded to. Each of the three men required of Curtin a pledge that three -of the most lucrative offices in the gift of the Governor, the -inspectorships of Philadelphia, should be given them. - -They did not conceal the fact that it made no difference how the Know -Nothing lodges voted, they would declare the nomination in favor of or -against Pollock, depending upon Curtin’s agreement to their proposition. -Curtin deliberated long and had several conferences before he finally -acceded to their demands to the extent that he would recommend the -appointments they demanded, but that he would not give an unqualified -pledge as to the action of the Governor, and that Pollock was to have no -knowledge nor was he to be advised of it during the contest. - -The entire program was then arranged that the State Council on June 5 -should announce as the nominees of the Know Nothing Party James Pollock, -Whig, for Governor; Henry S. Mott, Democrat, for Canal Commissioner, and -Thomas Bair, Know Nothing Party, for Supreme Judge. - -Neither Pollock nor Mott were members of the Know Nothing Party, and -both were placed in nomination without their personal knowledge of being -candidates of that organization. - -Pollock was elected by 37,007 over Bigler; Mott was elected over Darsie -by 190,743; and Jeremiah S. Black was elected by 45,535 over Bair, Know -Nothing, and Smyser, Whig. - -As soon as the election was over and Mott realized that he had been -given this large majority by the Know Nothing vote, he openly denounced -the organization as deliberately guilty of a fraud in making him its -candidate, and from that day was the most vindictive opponent of Know -Nothingism the State could furnish. - -The alleged nomination of Pollock and Mott by the Know Nothing -organization was a deliberate fraud upon the Know Nothing people, as was -evidenced by the fact that their names were submitted to the various -lodges by the State Council as candidates and as members of the order, -when, in fact, neither of them was a member, but it mattered little -whether the lodges voted for or against Pollock and Mott, there was no -power to revise the returns, and they were accepted as candidates -without a question and their election assured. - -Few knew of the Know Nothing organization. Even Curtin had no conception -of its strength and never dreamed of the political revolution that it -was about to work out. - -The three Know Nothing traders decided that they would accept the -position of flour inspector, leather inspector and bark inspector. -Curtin literally fulfilled his pledge, stating to the Governor all that -had transpired and left the Governor to solve the problem. - -The Governor was first determined to appoint none of them, but -reconsidered and gave one of them a minor inspectorship of the city. The -disappointed Know Nothing leaders had to accept defeat as they had no -other way of visiting vengeance upon any one, and their party went to -pieces within a year. - - ---------- - - - - - John Penn Found First Wife Dying After - Second Marriage, June 6, 1766 - - -A sad incident in the life of John Penn has been told in the story of -Tulliallan.[2] While Richard and Thomas Penn, sons of the founder, were -selecting plate they intended to present to the English battleship -Admiral Penn, John, the seventeen-year-old son of Richard, accompanied -them to the establishment of James Cox, the silversmith. - -Footnote 2: - - The first of a delightful collection of folk lore and legends - collected and published as “Allegheny Episodes,” by Colonel Henry W. - Shoemaker, 1922. - -During this errand John Penn met for the first time Marie Cox, the -silversmith’s only daughter, and they fell desperately in love with each -other. Many visits were made to the fine Quaker home of James Cox, which -annoyed the elder Penn, and remonstrate as he did it proved of no avail. -A trip to Gretna Green was made, and John Penn, aged nineteen, and Marie -Cox, aged seventeen, were duly made husband and wife. - -When Richard Penn, the father, and his brother Thomas were apprised by -young John of what he had done, he was locked in his room, and after -dark he was taken to the waterfront and placed aboard a ship sailing for -the coast of France. He was carried to Paris, and there carefully -watched, but supplied with all the money he required. - -Temporarily John Penn forgot about his wife, Marie, as he plunged into -the gayeties of the French capital. The pace was rapid and he soon -became seriously ill, but he grew better and was taken to Geneva to -convalesce. There he was followed by agents of his creditors, who -threatened him with imprisonment for debt. John wrote his father in -London, who turned a deaf ear to the prodigal; not so Uncle Thomas. - -Thomas Penn wrote to his nephew that he would save him from a debtor’s -cell provided he would divorce his wife and go to Pennsylvania for an -indefinite period. John was in an attitude to promise anything, and soon -his bills were settled. While awaiting his ship to take him to -Philadelphia, the young man went to London for a day to say good-by to -his relations. - -The ship was delayed several days by a severe storm and as John was -strolling up the streets in Cheapside, to his surprise he met his bride, -the deserted Marie Cox Penn. He was much in love with her and she was -ready to forgive. They spent the balance of that day together and during -dinner in a restaurant it was arranged that Marie should follow her -husband to America; meanwhile he would provide a home for her under an -assumed name, until he became of age, when he would defy his family to -again tear them apart. - -John Penn arrived in Philadelphia in November, 1752. He evinced but -little interest in provincial affairs, except to make a trip into the -interior. He was accompanied by a bodyguard, among whom was Peter Allen. -Penn took a fancy to the sturdy frontiersman, “a poor relation” of Chief -Justice William Allen. - -Allen had built a stone house twelve miles west of Harris’ Ferry, which -he called “Tulliallan.” This was the outpost of civilization. John Penn -selected this place for his bride, and as Peter Allen had three young -daughters, Penn soon arranged that Marie should be their teacher. - -John Penn dispatched his valet to London to escort Marie to America. She -arrived and her husband took her to Peter Allen’s, where she became a -great favorite and found the new life agreeable. She assumed the name -Maria Warren. That was in 1754. - -All went well until the Penns in London learned that Marie Cox Penn had -gone to America, and they traced her to “Tulliallan.” - -Maria Warren mysteriously disappeared. At the same time went two -friendly Indians from that neighborhood. - -Early the following summer, John Penn set out for Peter Allen’s, and -when he arrived he learned that his wife was gone a fortnight, they knew -not how or where. - -Accompanied by servants and settlers, Penn hunted the mountains, far and -wide, and inquired of all with whom he came in contact, red or white, -but no trace of his wife could be found. He never gave up the search -until he suffered a nervous collapse, and was sent to his home in -England. - -In 1763, he returned as Lieutenant Governor, and arrived in Philadelphia -October 30. On June 6, 1766, he married Anne, daughter of William Allen, -Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. - -A few years later he took a trip through the interior. He stopped at -Peter Allen’s and there learned that the Indians had carried his beloved -Marie a captive to Canada. It was not long after returning that he again -started on another expedition up the Susquehanna River. - -A stop was made at Fisher’s Stone House, at what is now known as -Fisher’s Ferry, below Sunbury. He was given a noisy welcome and he -enjoyed these plain frontier people. While seated by the fireplace he -heard coughing in an inner room, and inquired of Peter Fisher who it was -who was ill. - -“It’s an English woman, your Honor,” replied Fisher. “Tell me about -her,” said the Governor. Then Fisher related the strange story, telling -Penn that it is said he once loved this woman, that she was kidnapped -and carried to Canada, that the Indians were paid for keeping her, that -she made her escape and walked all the way back, but became ill and -could not reach Peter Allen’s, and was now on her deathbed. - -Penn insisted on seeing her, and he went into the room. There lay his -wife. They were soon in fond embrace and others left them alone in the -room. Ten minutes later Penn ran to the door and called, “Come quick, I -fear she is going.” The household assembled but in a few minutes Marie -Cox Penn was dead. It is said she lies buried there on a hill which -overlooks the Susquehanna. - -John Penn returned to Philadelphia and took no more trips through the -interior of Pennsylvania. He died childless, February 9, 1795. His wife, -nee Allen, survived him until 1813. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel William Clapham Began Erection - of Fort Halifax, June 7, 1756 - - -Early in the year of 1756 Governor Morris commissioned Lieutenant -Colonel William Clapham to recruit the “Augusta Regiment” and build Fort -Augusta, at Shamokin, now Sunbury. Clapham rendezvoused his troops at -Hunter’s Mills, also known as Fort Hunter and then started his march up -the river toward Shamokin. - -The first camp was established at Armstrong’s, where on June 7 the -commander wrote to Governor Morris saying this was the “most convenient -place on the river between Harris’ and Shamokin for a magazine on -account of its good natural situation above the Juniata Falls, the vast -plenty of pine timber at hand, its nearness to Shamokin and a saw within -a quarter of a mile.” - -The saw was at Armstrong’s place, at the mouth of Armstrong’s Creek. The -soldiers cut and squared two hundred logs, each thirty feet in length, -and erected the fortification. - -During the progress of this work an important Indian conference between -Colonel Clapham and the Iroquois was held. The speaker for the Indians -was Oghaghradisha, the noted chieftain of that nation. At this -conference, held June 10, 1756, the Indians agreed to the building of a -fort at Shamokin, but also wanted another fort built three days’ journey -in a canoe farther up the North Branch in their branch, called -Adjouquay, the mouth of present Lackawanna Creek. The Indians agreed to -help build this fort. - -Colonel Clapham wrote to Governor Morris from the “Camp at Armstrong’s” -on June 20, 1756: - -“The progress already made in this fort renders it impracticable for me -to comply with the commissioner’s desire to contract it, at which I am -more surprised, as I expected every day orders to enlarge it, it being -as yet, in my opinion, too small. I shall leave an officer and thirty -men, with orders to finish it, when I march from hence, which will be -with all possible expedition after the arrival of the blankets, the rum -and the money for the payment of the battoe-men, for want of which I am -obliged to detain them here in idleness, not thinking it prudent to -trust them on another trip for fear of their desertion, which may -totally impede the service. I could wish the commissioners would invent -some expedient to pay these men without money, or at least without the -danger of trusting me with their money, the charge of which I am not -ambitious of, or the much envied honor and trouble of expending it. This -far is certain, that without such expedient or money we cannot stir. - -“I have pursuant to your Honor’s command sent down two Indian Sachems, -properly escorted and committed particularly in the care of Mr. Shippen -(Edward, of Lancaster), and hope their coming will fully answer the ends -proposed by your Honor and your Council. I have found Captain McKee -extremely useful, and have sent him also at the Sachem’s particular -request. - -“The carpenters are still employed in building Battoes and carriages for -the canoes, and everybody seems disposed cheerfully to contribute their -services toward the public good; if there ever was any prospect or -assurance of being paid for it. - -“I assure myself, your Honor, will omit no opportunity of extricating me -from embarrassments arising from the want of money, both for the -Battoe-men and the soldiers; twenty-six of whom being Dutch (German) are -now in confinement for mutiny on that very account. I am with all -respect your Honor’s obedient servant. - - ”WILLIAM CLAPHAM. - -“P. S.—The Fort at this place is without a name till your Honor is -pleased to confer one.” - -On the 25th of the month the Governor wrote from Philadelphia to Colonel -Clapham. “The Fort at Armstrong’s I would have it called Fort Halifax.” -This was in honor of the Earl of Halifax. - -The exact location of this fort is discernible today, if one will drive -along the concrete highway above the present borough of Halifax and turn -off toward the river, after crossing the bridge which spans Armstrong’s -Run. The covered bridge, near the mouth of the creek is the site of the -old Armstrong sawmill to which Colonel Clapham referred. A short -distance below are the remains of the foundation of the Armstrong home -which was built prior to 1755, and a few hundreds yards below will be -seen a small rise in the ground which is also marked with a small square -monument. It was on this slight eminence that Fort Halifax was built. - -Colonel Clapham, July 1, thanked the Governor for £100, which he -distributed to the bateau men, but complained that the sum sent was -insufficient. He commented upon the difficulties of conducting so -“amphibious” an expedition. - -When Colonel Clapham departed from Fort Halifax he left a detail of -thirty men, under command of Captain Nathaniel Miles, to whom he gave -most explicit instructions, even down to the detail of mounting guard -and where the sentries should be stationed about the post, and in event -of a surprise attack, just how each one should demean himself. - -During the long period in which the provincial soldiers were building -the most important Fort Augusta at Shamokin, there was much activity at -Fort Halifax. - -Ammunition, clothing, food and supplies were all stored there and -carried farther up stream in bateaux when conditions permitted such -transportation. The garrison usually consisted of thirty to fifty -soldiers, under command of a captain. Escorts were furnished from this -post in either direction as the urgency of the mission required. - -Colonel Clapham was convinced that the garrison at Fort Halifax should -never be less than 100 men, so that proper communication between the -inhabitants and Fort Augusta could be maintained. - -There are no positive records of an attack upon Fort Halifax. U. J. -Jones, in his “Story of Simon Girty, the Outlaw,” writes of an Indian -attack, led by this notorious Tory, which was successfully repulsed, -with heavy loss among the besiegers. However, this is more a story of -fiction than history. - -In July, 1757, after the completion of Fort Augusta, a petition was -presented to the Governor, praying the removal of the garrison from Fort -Halifax to Hunter’s, the defense of the former being considered of -little importance to the inhabitants south of the mountains. This -removal was soon thereafter effected, and Fort Halifax passed into -history. - - ---------- - - - - - Earliest Court Removed from Upland to - Kingsesse June 8, 1680 - - -At a court held at Upland, now Chester, “on ye 2d Tuesday, being ye 8th -day of ye month of June in ye 32 yeare of his Majesty’s Raigne Anno Dom. -1680,” with Otto Ernest Cock, Israel Helm, Henry Jones and Laurens Cock, -as justices, there was a busy session and much business of importance -transacted. - -James Sandelands sued Hanna Salter for the account due him of two -hundred and seven gilders, and the Court ordered judgment to be entered -with costs, with stay of execution until the defendant could get in her -wheat. - -Gunla Andries brought suit against Jonas Nielsen for unlawful possession -of some land at Kingsesse. “The debates of both parties being heard, & -ye Pattent & former orders of Court examined: The Court Doe confirme the -former orders of this Court in that Case made and doe order the Sheriffe -to Put the Plt. in Possession of ye Land according to Pattent & ye sd -former orders of this Court.” - -The Court granted William Clark liberty to take up two hundred acres in -Nieshambenies Creek; Peter Cock, Neeles Jonassen, Thomas Fairman, and -Henry Jacobs, were granted each a like amount of land. - -Moens Staecket, who had been in trouble, was bound over so that in -future he would behave himself. - -The Court took into consideration the raising of their own salaries, -when they ordered each person should “pay yearly one Scipple of wheat or -5 gilders.” According to a former order, they also decreed that those in -arrears should be brought before Justice Otto Ernest at Tinicum Island, -and those who failed to report there should “be fetched by ye Constable -by way of restraynt.” - -Richard Noble, the surveyor for Upland County, made a return of surveys -having been made for Andrew Boen, William Clayton, Christian Claess, -Andrew Homman, William Woodmancy, Peter Nealson and William Orian. Which -surveys were approved by the Court and returned to the office in New -York, for confirmation by the Governor. - -Then came the most important event of the day’s business. It seems that -there was complaint about the location of Upland, as it was “att ye -Lower End of ye County. The Court therefore for ye most ease of ye -people have thought fitt for ye future to sit & meet att ye Town of -Kingsesse in ye Schuylkills.” - -The site of Kingsesse was probably in the immediate vicinity of the -Swedish mill erected by Governor Printz, near the Blue Bell tavern on -the Darby road. - -Then followed the last action brought before the Court at Upland, it was -the case of Gunla Andries and her husband, in a land dispute with the -heirs of Peter Andries and Jonas Neelson. - -The Court then moved to Kingsesse and its next session was held October -13. The same justices with the addition of George Browne, who qualified -at the opening of the court. - -Slander suits were the order of the day. That between Claes Cram and -Hans Peters is interesting. Cram claimed Peters called him a thief, and -two witnesses swore that they heard Peters say that Cram had stolen -aboard a ship and in the same manner stole all his riches. The verdict -was that since the defendant was not able to prove “what he hath said or -any part thereof the Court ordered that ye defendant openly shall -declare himself a liar and that he shall further declare ye plaintiff to -be an honest man and pay twenty gilders to ye plaintiff for his loss of -time, together with the cost of ye suite.” - -Hans Jurian declared that Moens Staecket, during September, assaulted -and beat him at his own door, followed him into his house, calling him a -rogue and a dog and a thousand more names, and moreover threatened to -kill Jurian whenever he met him. - -One witness swore that he saw the defendant all bloody and he told him -Jurian did it, that Staecket later appeared “on horseback and called for -his sword, his gun, powder and shot and then rode before Hans Jurian’s -door and, calling him, saying you dog, you rogue, come out, I will shoot -you a bullet through your head.” - -The Court bound both over to keep the peace for one year and six weeks, -under penalty of £40 of lawful money of England, to be paid by him that -shall first break ye peace. Staecket was also fined 200 gilders; the -costs of the case were divided between the litigants. - -Later in the same day the same Staecket was defendant in another action -brought by the presiding justice, Otto Ernest Cock, complaining that -Staecket maliciously defamed and slandered him by calling him a hog -thief. The defendant protested that he never knew, heard or saw the -plaintiff steal a hog, and that he to his knowledge never said any such -thing but that he hath said it, as the witness doth affirm, that it must -have been, when he was in his drink, and he humbly desired forgiveness, -since he finds himself in a great fault. Staecket was ordered to openly -declare that Justice Cock was not a hog thief, and he was fined 1000 -gilders. - -There were eleven cases tried this day, one, at least, before a jury. -Nine petitions were disposed of and the Court issued a written direction -for the overseers of the highways. Certainly a busy day in court. - -The Court adjourned until second Tuesday of ye month of March next -ensuing. - - ---------- - - - - - Last Purchase from Indians Caused by - Boundary Dispute, June 9, 1769 - - -One important feature of the last treaty made with the Indians at Fort -Stanwix, October, 1784, was the settlement of the difficulties which had -existed for sixteen years among the white settlers over the disputed -boundary line embraced by Tiadaghton. - -It was contended by some that Lycoming Creek was this line, and by -others that it was Pine Creek. The territory between these streams is -that which lies between the present City of Williamsport and Jersey -Shore, and includes nearly half of the present Lycoming County and all -of Tioga. - -Previous to the purchase of November 5, 1768, this part of the West -Branch Valley was occupied by tribes of Shawnee and Munsee, and the way -for its settlement by whites was not opened until the “New Purchase” was -made at Fort Stanwix. - -On June 9, 1769, a serious difference arose between the Provincial -Government and the settlers whether the stream called Tiadaghton, -mentioned in the treaty was Lycoming or Pine Creek when translated into -English. This question remained in dispute until the last treaty, -October, 1784. - -This early settlement is made clear by the reference to Smith’s Laws, -where is the following: - -“There existed a great number of locations on the 3d of April, 1769, for -the choicest lands on the West Branch of Susquehanna, between the mouths -of Lycoming and Pine Creeks; but the Proprietaries from extreme caution, -the result of that experience which had also produced the very penal -laws of 1768 and 1769, and the proclamation already stated, had -prohibited any surveys being made beyond the Lycoming. In the meantime, -in violation of all laws, a set of hardy adventurers had from time to -time seated themselves on this doubtful territory. They made -improvements, and formed a very considerable population. - -“It is true, so far as regarded the rights to real property, they were -not under the protection of the laws of the country, and were we to -adopt the visionary theories of some philosophers, who have drawn their -arguments from a supposed state of nature, we might be led to believe -that the state of these people would have been a state of continual -warfare; and that in contests for property the weakest must give way to -the strongest. - -“To prevent the consequences, real or supposed, of this state of things, -they formed a mutual compact among themselves. They annually elected a -tribunal, in rotation, of three of their settlers, whom they called -_fair-play men_, who were to decide all controversies, and settle -disputed boundaries. From their decision there was no appeal. There -could be no resistance. The decree was enforced by the whole body, who -started up in mass, at the mandate of the court, and execution and -eviction were as sudden and irresistible as the judgment. Every new -comer was obliged to apply to this powerful tribunal, and upon his -solemn engagement to submit in all respects to the law of the land he -was permitted to take possession of some vacant spot. Their decrees -were, however, just; and when their settlements were recognized by law, -and fair play had ceased, their decisions were received in evidence, and -confirmed by judgment of courts.” - -In those early days, as later, the white man was pushing the Indian -back, in spite of the proclamation of Governor Penn, which warned all -persons not to settle on lands not purchased of the Indians and -unsurveyed, and advised those that had settled to make haste and leave. -But they did not vacate, and in the enforcement of their “fair-play” -code, it became necessary to adopt rigid measures. Any person resisting -the decrees was placed in a canoe, rowed to the mouth of Lycoming Creek, -and there sent adrift. Subsequently a law was passed, allowing the -settlers from Lycoming and Pine Creeks a preemption right to not over -three hundred acres of land each, upon satisfactory proof being -presented that they were actual settlers previous to 1780. - -For seven years after the purchase of 1768, the pioneers swung the axe, -felled the giant trees, builded their cabins, and tilled their fields -unmolested; but just when they began to enjoy the comforts of their -cabin homes, and reap the rewards of their industry, the cry of the -Revolution was heard, and the hardy backwoodsmen trained to the -vicissitudes of war during the frontier campaigns of 1755 to 1763, with -true patriotism, seized their rifles and went forth to battle for -liberty, leaving their families scantily provided for and exposed to the -raids of the Indians. - -All along the West Branch, wherever there was a white settlement, -stockade forts were built, garrisoned by settlers or Provincial troops. - -At the treaty of October 23, 1784, the Pennsylvania Commissioners were -specially instructed to inquire of the Indians which stream was really -Tiadaghton, and, also the Indian name of Burnetts’ Hills, left blank in -deed of 1768. The Indians informed them Tiadaghton was what the whites -call Pine Creek, being the largest stream flowing into the Otzinachson, -or West Branch. They did not know the name of the hills. The authorities -apprehended difficulty in settling disputes among the actual settlers. - -The Commissioners at this treaty secured title from the Indians for the -residue of the lands within the limits of Pennsylvania. This purchase -was confirmed by the Wyandotte and Delaware nations at Fort McIntosh, -January 21, 1785. - -Thus in a period of 102 years was the whole right of the Indians to the -soil of Pennsylvania extinguished. - -The land office was opened for the new purchase in 1785 and settlers -rapidly flocked to the West Branch Valley. - - ---------- - - - - - Massacre at Lycoming Creek, Present - Williamsport, June 10, 1778 - - -As early as 1773 settlers had made improvements at the mouth of Lycoming -Creek, where the city of Williamsport now stands. For the next three or -four years there was no protection for settlers between there and Antes -Fort, about thirteen miles west. - -Some brave spirits, among whom were William King, Robert Covenhoven, and -James Armstrong, built a stockade inclosure at the mouth of the -Lycoming. This was located near what is now Fourth and Cemetery Streets, -Williamsport. - -The rumors of a descent by the Tories and Indians on the North Branch -had reached the settlement at Northumberland, where William King, wife -and two daughters lived. They thought the new stockade on the Lycoming -would be safe and a hurried trip was made up the West Branch. - -The driver of the team remarked, as they approached Loyalsock Creek: -“Here is the last stream we will cross before reaching the fort, and we -will stop for water.” The horses had no sooner halted than rifles -cracked and the utmost confusion at once ensued. - -A description of the terrible massacre that followed is given in a long -letter by Colonel Hosterman to Colonel Winter from Fort Muncy, under -date June 10, 1778. - -Colonel Hosterman began his letter with the statement that nothing -material had happened since he was stationed at Fort Muncy until that -day. He was in command of a party, consisting of Captain Reynolds and -thirteen men which set out for Antes Fort, carrying a supply of -ammunition for the garrisons stationed there and at the Big Island. - -The same day, remarks the Colonel, Peter Smith and his wife and six -children; William King’s wife and two daughters, Ruth and Sarah; Michael -Smith, Michael Campbell and David Chambers, the latter a member of -Captain Reynolds’ company, and two men named Snodgrass and Hammond, a -total of six men, two women and eight children, were going in wagons to -Lycoming. When they arrived at Loyalsock Creek, John Harris (son of -Samuel Harris) met them and told them that he had heard firing up the -creek and advised that they return to Fort Muncy, that to advance -farther was dangerous. - -Peter Smith said that firing would not stop him. Harris proceeded to -Fort Muncy, and the other party continued up the river. Soon as Harris -reached the fort and told his story, a detail of fifteen soldiers -started from the fort in the direction of where the firing had been -heard. - -When Smith and his party arrived within a half mile of Lycoming Creek, -the Indians, lying in ambush, fired upon them, and at the first fire -Snodgrass fell dead with a bullet through his forehead. The Indians gave -a halloo and rushed toward the wagon. The men hurried toward trees and -with these as a shelter returned the fire. A small lad and a girl -escaped into the woods. - -The Indians closed in on the party in an endeavor to surround them. This -movement was discovered by the men, who fled as rapidly as possible, -leaving only Campbell, who was fighting at too close quarters to join -his companions in their flight. He was killed and scalped on the spot. - -Before the men were out of sight of the wagon they saw the Indians -attacking the women and children with their tomahawks. Chambers stated -that he believed there were about twenty Indians in the party. - -This bloody affair occurred just before sundown. The lad who escaped -pushed on to the stockade on Lycoming Creek and informed the men there -what had happened. They started immediately, but mistaking the -intelligence the boy gave, hastened to the river to the place where they -lived, thinking it was the canoe that was attacked instead of a wagon. - -In the meantime Captain William Hepburn, with the detail which started -from Fort Muncy, arrived at the scene of the massacre, and found the -bodies of Snodgrass and Campbell. It was too dark to pursue the savages, -but they pressed on toward Lycoming and met the party going out from -there. They waited until the next day. - -On the morning of June 11 they returned to the scene and found the -bodies of Peter Smith’s wife shot through, stabbed, scalped and a knife -by her side. - -A little girl and a boy were killed and scalped. Snodgrass was found -shot through the head and scalped, and a knife left sticking in his -body. The rifles had been taken by the Indians, but nothing of value was -removed from the wagon. - -The lad who made his escape insisted that Mrs. King must be somewhere in -the thicket, as he heard her scream and say she would not go along with -the Indians when they were dragging her away. They made another search -and found her near the stream where she had dragged herself and rested -with her hand under her bleeding head. She had been tomahawked and -scalped, but not dead. She was sitting up and greeted her husband when -he approached her, but she expired almost instantly. She did not live -long enough to speak of the affair. - -William King was the picture of despair. He soon returned to -Northumberland, and later moved up to Vincents Island. Many years later -he learned that his daughter was still alive, and he started on foot -with knapsack on his back, accompanied by an old Indian, for Niagara. He -soon found Sarah, but had to travel far and suffered severe hardships -before he succeeded in finding Ruth. - -They reached their home on the island at Milton. They afterward lived at -Jaysburg, the present Williamsport. Descendants of the sturdy people are -now residents of that city. - -Among those taken captive were Peter Wyckoff and son, Cornelius; Thomas -Covenhoven and a Negro. The latter was burned in the presence of the -other prisoners. Peter Wyckoff was fifty-four years old, and lived with -the Indians two years before he and his son were given their freedom. - -This affair occurred in the present city of Williamsport, where West -Fourth Street crosses the stream which flows down Cemetery Street. There -is a boulder erected near the spot which bears a bronze tablet telling -of the event. - -At the time this was a natural thicket of wild plum trees, which yielded -fruit of remarkable size and flavor for nearly a century after the -massacre. The road leading to this spot was the old Indian trail and -formed a safe place for the concealment of lurking savages. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel William Crawford Captured by - Indians June 11, 1782 - - -During the spring of 1782 the Indians, who had removed the seat of their -depredations and war to the western frontiers of Pennsylvania, and -Eastern Ohio, assembled in large numbers at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, which -they used as place of general rendezvous and from which they went out to -the places they decided in council should be attacked and destroyed. - -The principal places to which they made incursions were along the Ohio -River, especially in Western Pennsylvania. So serious was the situation -along the frontier, and so bold had the savages become that Congress -directed a regiment of volunteers to be raised to subdue them. - -General Washington commissioned Colonel William Crawford, of -Westmoreland County, Pa., to command the regiment and David Williamson, -Lieutenant Colonel. These men were seasoned soldiers and unusually well -qualified to lead troops against the Indians. - -In May, 1782, the command marched from Fort Pitt, well armed and -provided with sufficient quantity of provisions. The command consisted -of 462 officers and men. Each volunteer furnished his own horse, gun and -a month’s provision. They were to be exempt from two tours of military -duty, and in the event they captured any Indian towns, such plunder as -fell into their hands should be returned to its former owner, if he -could identify and prove his property, and all horses lost during the -expedition by unavoidable accident were to be replaced by horses taken -from the Indians. - -After a fatiguing march of eleven days through the wilderness the -command reached the site of Sandusky, but the inhabitants had moved -eighteen miles farther down the stream. The officers decided there were -no Indian towns nearer than forty miles, and while refreshing their -horses the scouts advanced to search for Indian settlements. They had -not gone far when the savages were discovered in great numbers and -advancing toward them. - -Colonel Crawford and his brave band advanced to meet the attack June 11, -1782, and when they had reached a point only a short distance from the -town they were met by a white man bearing a flag of truce from the -Indians, who proposed to Colonel Crawford that if he would surrender -himself and his men to the Indians, who were of overwhelming force, -their lives would be spared, but if they persisted further in their -expedition and attacked the town they should all be massacred to the -last man. - -Crawford, while listening to the proposition, thought he recognized the -bearer of it as one whose features were those of a former schoolmate and -companion, one he knew by the name of Simon Girty, and with whom he had -only recently served in the same regiment in the Continental Army. - -Crawford sternly inquired of the traitor if his name was not Simon -Girty. Answered in the affirmative, the colonel informed him that he -despised the offer he had made; that he would not surrender his army -unless he was compelled to do so by a superior force. - -Girty returned and Colonel Crawford immediately commenced an engagement -which lasted till darkness, without advantage to either side, when -firing ceased. The troops encamped in the woods a half mile from the -town. After refreshments they slept on their arms, so that they should -not be caught unprepared in a surprise attack. - -The sentinels reported during the night that they were surrounded by -Indians upon every side, except a narrow space between them and the -town. The officers consulted upon the best way of escape, for they -realized to fight was useless and to surrender meant death. - -Colonel Crawford proposed to retreat through the ranks of the enemy in -an opposite direction from the town. Lieutenant Colonel Williamson -thought the better plan would be to march directly through the town, -where there appeared to be no Indians. It was no time for debate. - -Colonel Crawford with sixty followers retreated on the route he had -proposed by attempting to rush the enemy, but every man was killed or -captured, the colonel and his surgeon, Dr. Knight, being among the -prisoners. Lieutenant Colonel Williamson, with the remainder of the -command and the wounded of the day’s battle, set out the same moment -Colonel Crawford did, went through the town without losing a man, and by -the aid of experienced guides arrived at their homes in safety. - -The next day the Indians paraded their prisoners and disposed of all of -them among the different tribes except Colonel Crawford and Surgeon -Knight, who were reserved for a more cruel fate. - -At the Indian council they were brought forward and seated in the center -of the circle. The chiefs questioned Crawford on subjects relative to -war. They inquired who conducted the operations of the American Army on -the Ohio and Susquehanna Rivers the previous year; also who had led that -army against them with so much skill and such uniform success. - -Crawford very honestly and without suspecting any harm from his reply -promptly stated that he was the man. Upon learning this, Chief Pipe, who -had lost a son in battle where Colonel Crawford commanded, left his -station in the council ring, stepped up to Crawford, blackened his face -and at the same time told him he should be burned the next day. - - ---------- - - - - - Death of Colonel Crawford and Escape of - Dr. Knight June 12, 1782 - - -The terrible disaster which occurred to the Pennsylvania militiamen -under command of Colonel William Crawford, June 10, 1782, was one of the -most unfortunate which is recorded in annals of border warfare. - -The Indians under Captain Pipe and Chief Wyngenim, Delaware chieftains, -and that white savage Simon Girty, the renegade, had surrounded the -militiamen and captured or killed the entire command, except a small -detachment under Lieutenant Colonel David Williamson, which made a -miraculous escape through the Indian town during the progress of the -battle. - -The following day Colonel Crawford, his son, Captain John Crawford; -son-in-law, Major Harrison; nephews, Major Rose and William Crawford, -Dr. Knight and many other militiamen, who had been recruited in -Westmoreland County, were being marched to the Indian towns, where they -were tortured according to Indian savagery. - -Dr. Knight was informed he would be sent to the Shawnee town, but he and -the Colonel were to march to the place where the former was to be -executed. During the march they saw five of their comrades in custody of -the Indians. They were all required to sit down, when a number of squaws -and boys tomahawked the five prisoners. An elderly soldier among the -five, named John McKinley, from the Thirteenth Virginia, was killed, his -head cut off and kicked about upon the ground. The scalps of the other -four were slapped into the faces of Colonel Crawford and Surgeon Knight. - -At this point Simon Girty came upon the scene in company with several -Indians on horseback. Colonel Crawford engaged him in conversation and -made every possible offer for relief from his perilous situation, -offering Girty any price to deliver him from the savages and their -torments. Girty heard his prayers with indifference. - -Colonel Crawford was led to a post to which he was fastened. A pile of -wood lay a few feet distant. The colonel was stripped naked and ordered -to sit down on the fire which had been kindled, when the Indians began -to beat him with sticks and their fists. They then bound the Colonel’s -hands behind his back and fastened the rope with which he was tied to -this ligature. - -Girty stood and composedly looked on the preparations that were to be -the death of one of his former playmates; a hero by whose side he had -fought. Crawford again pleaded with Girty to save him, but he refused to -procure him a moment’s respite or afford him the most trifling -assistance. Crawford retorted that he would take it all patiently. - -The rope was now pulled over the cross arm on the post so that the -Colonel’s arms were extended above his head, with his feet just standing -upon the ground. The wood was placed in a circle around him at a -distance of a few feet, in order that his misery might be protracted and -the fire then applied to the wood at several places in the circle. - -As the flames rose and the scorching heat became unbearable he again -prayed to Girty in all the anguish of his torment to rescue him from the -fire, or shoot him dead. Girty, with a demoniac smile, calmly replied -that he had no pity for his sufferings. Squaws took broad boards, heaped -with burning embers and threw them on him, so that he had nothing but -coals of fire to walk upon. - -Dr. Knight who witnessed all of this horrible execution, related that -Colonel Crawford at this stage of his sufferings, prayed to the Almighty -to have mercy on his soul. He bore his torments with the most manly -fortitude. He suffered these extremities of pain nearly two hours, when, -exhausted, he fell over. They then scalped him and repeatedly slapped -the bleeding scalp in the doctor’s face, remarking, “That was your great -captain.” An old squaw laid a pile of coals upon his back and head where -his scalp had been removed, the Colonel raised himself upon his feet and -began to walk around the post, but he soon expired. His body was -entirely consumed. - -Colonel Crawford was about fifty years old, was a patriot and hero. He -had been an intimate of General Washington and shared to an unusual -degree the confidence of that great man and soldier. - -Soon as brave Colonel Crawford had expired Girty went to Dr. Knight and -bade him prepare for death. He told him he was to be burned in the -Shawnee town. He was led away during that night. - -The Indian who had Dr. Knight in custody rode on horseback and drove his -captive before him. During the march the doctor pleaded ignorance of the -fate which was to befall him and assumed a cheerful countenance and -asked him if it was true they were to live together as brothers in one -house. This pleased the Indian, who replied yes. They traveled about -twenty-five miles that day. - -At daybreak, June 12, the Indian untied Knight and began to make a fire. -Knight took the heaviest dogwood stick he could find and in an unguarded -moment struck the Indian a terrible blow on the head, which so stunned -him that he fell forward into the fire. Knight seized his gun, blanket, -powder horn, bullet bag and made off through the woods. He had a -fatiguing tramp, many days without food or shelter. He reached the Ohio -River, five miles below Fort McIntosh, twenty-one days after his escape, -and at 7 o’clock in the morning of July 4, arrived safely at the fort. - -He lived many years afterward and gave a thrilling narrative of the -defeat and cruel death of Colonel Crawford and his own miraculous -escape. - - ---------- - - - - - Conrad Weiser and Family Arrive in - America June 13, 1710 - - -During the early days of the eighteenth century many Germans, or -“Palatines” as they were called, came to America. Many of them settled -near Albany, New York. - -Among these Germans were John Conrad Weiser and his son Conrad, who -arrived in New York June 13, 1710, and settled on Livingston Manor, in -Columbia County, N. Y. Conrad was then a lad of fourteen, being born -November 2, 1696, near Wurtemberg, Germany. - -The company of which the Weisers were members did not prosper in their -new home; many of them starved. So in 1714 the Weisers removed to -Schoharie, in the Mohawk Valley. - -The removal made matters worse. The family had almost nothing to eat. -The friendly Mohawk chief, Quagnant, offered to take Conrad into his -wigwam for the winter, and his father consented. The lad learned the -Mohawk language, but often wished himself back in his own poor home. “I -endured a great deal of cold,” he said, “but by spring my hunger much -surpassed the cold.” Conrad did not then foresee how valuable his -knowledge of Indian language and customs would become. - -Conrad did not long remain at home after his return from the Mohawk -camp, but acted as an interpreter between the Dutch traders and the -Indians. - -The son may have been headstrong and the sire harsh, at any rate the -youth left home and built himself a cabin in the neighborhood, earned a -good income by selling furs, and spent the greater part of the next -fifteen years among the Indians. Evidently, however, he retained a -respect for the teachings of his ancestors, for he says: “I married my -Anna Eve, and was given in marriage by Rev. John L. Haeger, Reformed -clergyman, on 22d of November (1720), in my father’s house at -Schoharie.” Weiser, the elder, was at that time in Europe. - -When Governor Keith, of Pennsylvania, heard of the plight of the Germans -at Schoharie, he invited them to come to his colony, and promised them -good land. John Weiser, a leader of the colony, set out at the head of a -company and cut a road through the woods to the Susquehanna. In rough -boats they floated down stream to the mouth of Swatara Creek, which they -followed up to the beautiful Lebanon Valley, where they settled along -Tulpehocken Creek. - -Conrad Weiser and his young wife followed the elder Weisers, and settled -near Womelsdorf, where he continued to reside until a few years before -his death, when he removed to Reading. - -It is said of Weiser that while on a hunting trip he met the great -Shikellamy, and that the vicegerent was well pleased with him, and -particularly so when he learned that Weiser could speak Mohawk. They -became great friends. - -In 1732 by special request of certain deputies of the Six Nations, -Weiser was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Patrick Gordon, of -Pennsylvania, interpreter for the Iroquois Confederacy. His Indian name -was “Tharachiawakon.” From this time until his death he was identified -with the history of the Province in all its relations with the Indians. -His popularity and influence never waned, for he was honest in all his -dealings. - -In 1734 he was appointed a justice of the peace by the Pennsylvania -Government and in the old French War was commissioned colonel and -appointed to the command of all the forces that were raised west of the -Susquehanna. - -When Shikellamy complained to the Governor of Pennsylvania that the -trade in liquor was causing the ruin of the Delaware and Shawnee, the -Governor asked him to come to Philadelphia to discuss the matter. -Shikellamy took with him Weiser, as interpreter, who he called “an -adopted son of the Mohawk nation.” - -James Logan saw the value an honest man like Weiser could render the -Province, and he was made an agent for Pennsylvania in dealing with the -Six Nations. Weiser thus represented both the Indians and the whites. -The Iroquois declared that “Conrad Weiser is a good, true man, who will -speak our words and not his own.” - -Weiser entered also into the Indian affairs of Virginia and Maryland, -and prevented those colonies from becoming involved in an Indian war. -This was done at a great Indian council at Lancaster, in 1744. - -Weiser was able, through his Indian friends to be kept informed of the -French movements in the Ohio Valley. He early realized the importance of -the English country “at the forks of the Ohio.” He made a journey to the -western tribes and concluded a most important treaty at Logstown in -1748. - -Squatters encroached upon lands in the Juniata Valley, which incensed -the Indians so much that Conrad Weiser was sent to order them off the -Indian lands. He succeeded in moving them off and then burned their -cabins. - -Following Braddock’s defeat, Conrad Weiser led many delegations of -Indians to Philadelphia, and they always were entertained at his home en -route. This hospitality was misunderstood by his neighbors, but his -well-known integrity saved him in the hour of his greatest peril. - -When the Indians committed so many murders in Penns Valley, at Mahanoy -Creek and elsewhere, Weiser warned his neighbors at Tulpehocken, and -when they gathered at his house for defense Weiser was made their -commander. - -An ungrateful Pennsylvania Assembly failed to pay Weiser’s bills, and -for three years his accounts were unsettled. He refused to do further -service until his bills were paid, and as Weiser was in demand his -expense accounts were satisfied. - -At the great Indian treaties at Easton Weiser was a prominent personage, -and the final peace was due principally to his influence. - -Weiser was now past sixty years of age. His work was almost done. While -visiting near Womelsdorf he died July 13, 1760. - -When he died one of his associates remarked: “He has left no one to fill -his place.” An Iroquois orator declared: “We are at a great loss and sit -in darkness.” - -If all white men had been as just and friendly to the Indians as was -this Pennsylvania German, the history of our westward advance might have -been spared some bloody chapters. - -It is said that President Washington, standing at the grave of Weiser, -in 1794, remarked that the services of the latter to the Government had -been of great importance and had been rendered in a difficult period and -posterity would not forget him. - - ---------- - - - - - United States Flag Adopted by Act of - Congress June 14, 1777 - - -On June 14, 1777, Continental Congress resolved “that the flag of the -thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; -that the union be thirteen stars, white, in a blue field, representing a -new constellation.” - -The flag was a modification of the so-called “Great Union Flag,” used -since January 2, 1776, when it was raised in the camp on Prospect Hill. -Before that time different flags had been used under authority of the -several provinces. - -In autumn, 1775, Philadelphia floating batteries used a white flag, tree -in the field, motto “An Appeal to Heaven.” The “Great Union” flag had -the thirteen alternate stripes of red and white, with the union of the -British Union Jack. The Philadelphia Light Horse, which escorted -Washington on his way out of the city on the morning of June 21, 1775, -to his command of the American forces at Cambridge, carried a flag of -alternate stripes. - -The popular idea was a flag of thirteen stripes, alternate red and -white, emblematic of the thirteen original colonies. The field of blue -with the King’s colors acknowledged fealty to the King, but though the -Americans were in arms against the mother country, they still hoped that -the English Parliament would repeal the obnoxious laws and restore to -the colonists those English rights that were theirs by inheritance and -by royal colonial charters. - -Up to January 1, 1776, the Americans had no red, white and blue flag. -This popular design of a flag was called “Washington’s Grand Union” -flag, and it was first unfurled by Washington over the camps at -Cambridge, Mass., January 2, 1776, when it was saluted with thirteen -guns and thirteen cheers. - -When the committee appointed by Congress to prepare a design for a new -flag, consisting of General George Washington, Robert Morris and Colonel -George Ross, called upon Mrs. Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross, at her home, 239 -Arch street, Philadelphia, there was not much change in the popular -ensign, only the displacement of the British union by thirteen white -stars. - -As the act of Congress did not specify the number of points of the stars -or their arrangement, Mrs. Ross suggested that a star of five points -would be more distinct, pleasing and appropriate than the six-pointed -star which the committee had designed. Folding a piece of paper, she -cut, with a single clip of her scissors, a five-pointed star, and, -placing it on a blue field, delighted the committee with her taste, -ingenuity and judgment. The committee decided the thirteen stars should -be arranged in a circle, typifying eternity. - -Betsy Ross had been making colonial flags for the army and navy, and was -skilled in needlework. The committee was well pleased with the flag -which she made, and authorized her, in the name of Congress, to make -United States flags. She continued in that occupation for many years. - -The first display of the “Stars and Stripes” as the flag soon became -known, was August 3, 1777, over Fort Stanwix, now Rome, N. Y. - -The first time the American flag was baptized in blood was at the Battle -of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, which was only eight days after it -was officially adopted by Congress, September 3, 1777. - -The first appearance on a foreign stronghold was at Nassau, Bahama -Islands, January 22, 1778, when the Americans captured Fort Nassau from -the British. - -On April 24, 1778, John Paul Jones achieved the honor of being the first -officer of the American navy to compel a British man-of-war to strike -her colors to the new flag. - -John Singleton Copley, the American-born artist, in London, claimed to -be the first to display the Stars and Stripes in Great Britain. On the -day when George III acknowledged the independence of the United States, -December 5, 1782, he painted the flag of the United States in the -background of a portrait which he was painting in his London studio. - -January 13, 1794, the flag was changed by act of Congress owing to the -new States of Vermont and Kentucky being admitted to the Union. The flag -now had two stars and two stripes added to it. The act went into effect -May 1, 1795. This was the “Star Spangled Banner,” and under this flag -our country fought and won three wars to maintain her existence; the -so-called naval war with France, in 1798; that with the Barbary States -in 1801–05, and that with England in 1812–15. - -On April 4, 1818, Congress by act, decreed a return to the original -thirteen stripes, and a star for every State in the Union to be added to -the flag on July 4, following a State’s admission to the Union. This is -the present law. - -The arrangement of the stars on the flag is regulated by law and -executive order. An executive order, issued October 26, 1912, provided -for forty-eight stars to be arranged in six horizontal rows of eight -stars each. - -Starting in the upper left hand corner and reading each row from left to -right gives the stars of each State’s ratification of the Constitution -and admission to the Union, as follows: - -First row—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, -Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina. - -Second row—New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode -Island, Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee. - -Third row—Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, -Maine, Missouri. - -Fourth row—Arkansas, Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin, -California, Minnesota. - -Fifth row—Oregon, Kansas, West Virginia, Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, -North Dakota, South Dakota. - -Sixth row—Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Oklahoma, New -Mexico and Arizona. - -Today the flags float over nearly every school house in the land. The -custom of having a flag displayed on all public buildings in the United -States was inaugurated by President Benjamin Harrison. - -June 14 is now generally observed as Flag Day wherever floats the Stars -and Stripes. - - ---------- - - - - - French Plant Leaden Plates to Prove - Possession on June 15, 1749 - - -The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which was concluded October 1, 1748, -secured peace between Great Britain and France, and should have put an -end to all hostile encounters between their representatives on the -American continent. - -This treaty was supposed to have settled all difficulties between the -two courts, but the French were determined to occupy the whole territory -drained by the Mississippi, which they claimed by priority of discovery -by La Salle. The British complained to the French Government about -encroachments being made by the French upon English soil in America. - -The French deemed it necessary, in order to establish legal claim to the -country which they believed to be theirs, to take formal possession of -it. Accordingly, the Marquis de la Galissoniere, who was at that time -Governor General of Canada, dispatched Captain Bienville de Celeron with -a party of two hundred and fifteen French and fifty-five Indians to -publicly proclaim possession and bury at prominent points plates of -lead, bearing inscriptions declaring occupation in the name of the -French King. - -Celeron started on June 15, 1749, following the southern shore of Lakes -Ontario and Erie, until he reached a point opposite Lake Chautauqua, -when the boats were drawn up and carried over the dividing ridge, a -distance of ten miles. They followed down the lake and the Conewago -Creek, where they arrived at what is now Warren, near the confluence of -the creek with the Allegheny River. Here the first plate was buried. - -These plates were eleven inches long, seven and a half wide, and -one-eighth of an inch thick. The inscription was in French, and in the -following terms, as fairly translated into English: - -“In the year, 1749, of the reign of Louis XIV, King of France, We -Celeron, commander of a detachment sent by Monsieur the Marquis de la -Galissoniere, Governor General of New France, to re-establish -tranquillity in some Indian villages of these cantons, have buried this -plate of lead at the confluence of the Ohio with the Chautauqua this -29th day of July, near the River Ohio, otherwise Belle Riviere, as a -monument of the renewal of the possession we have taken of the said -River Ohio, and of all those which empty into it, and of all the lands -on both sides as far as the sources of the said river, as enjoyed or -ought to have been enjoyed by the King of France preceding, and as they -have there maintained themselves by arms and by treaties, especially -those of Ryswick, Utrecht and Aix-la-Chapelle.” - -The burying of this plate was attended with much form and ceremony. All -the men were drawn up in battle array, when the commander, Celeron, -proclaimed in a loud voice, “Vive le Roi!” and declared that possession -of the country was now taken in the name of the King. A plate on which -was inscribed the arms of France was affixed to the nearest tree. - -The same formality was observed in planting each of the other plates, -the second at the rock known as “Indian God,” on which are ancient -inscriptions, a few miles below the present Franklin; a third, at the -mouth of the Wheeling Creek; a fourth at the mouth of the Muskingum; the -fifth and sixth, at the mouths of the Great Kanawha and the Great Miami. - -At the last point, the party burned their canoes, and obtained ponies -for the return trip to the portage, when they returned to Fort -Frontenac, arriving on November 6. - -The Indians through whose territory this expedition passed viewed this -planting with great suspicion. By some means they got possession of one -of the plates, generally supposed to have been planted at the very -commencement of their journey near the mouth of the Chautauqua Creek. An -account of this stolen plate, taken from the original manuscript journal -of Celeron and the diary of Father Bonnecamps in Paris secured by Mr. O. -H. Marshall, is interesting: - -“The first of the leaden plates was brought to the attention of the -public by Governor George Clinton to the Lords of Trade in London dated -New York, December 19, 1750, in which he states that he would send to -their Lordships in two or three weeks a plate of lead full of writing, -which some of the upper nations of Indians stole from Jean Coeur, the -French interpreter at Niagara, on his way to the Ohio River, which -river, and all the lands thereabouts, the French claim, as will appear -by said writing. He further states that the lead plates gave the Indians -so much uneasiness that they immediately dispatched some of the Cayuga -chiefs to him with it, saying that their only reliance was on him, and -earnestly begged he would communicate the contents to them, which he had -done, much to their satisfaction and the interests of the English. The -Governor concludes by saying that ‘the contents of the plate may be of -great importance in clearing up the encroachment which the French have -made on the British Empire in America.’ The plate was delivered to -Colonel, afterwards Sir William Johnson, on December 4, 1750, at his -residence on the Mohawk, by a Cayuga sachem who accompanied it by the -following speech: - -“‘Brother Corlear and War-ragh-i-ya-ghey: I am sent here by the Five -Nations with a piece of writing which the Seneca, our brethren, got by -some artifice from Jean Coeur, earnestly beseeching you will let us know -what it means and as we put all confidence in you, we hope you will -explain it ingeniously to us.’ - -“Colonel Johnson replied to the sachem and through him to the Five -Nations, returning a belt of wampum, and explaining the inscription on -the plate. He told them that, ‘it was a matter of the greatest -consequence, involving the possession of their lands and hunting grounds -and that Jean Coeur and the French ought immediately to be expelled from -the Ohio and Niagara.’ In reply, the sachem said that ‘he heard with -great attention and surprise the substance of the devilish writing he -had brought, and that Colonel Johnson’s remarks were fully approved.’ He -promised that belts from each of the Five Nations should be sent from -the Seneca’s castle to the Indians at the Ohio, to warn and strengthen -them against the French encroachments in that direction.” - -On January 29, 1751, Governor Clinton sent a copy of this inscription to -Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania. - -The French followed up this formal act of possession by laying out a -line of military posts, on substantially the same line as that pursued -by the Celeron expedition, but instead of crossing over to Lake -Chautauqua, they kept on down to Presqu’ Isle, now Erie, where there was -a good harbor, with a fort established, and then up to Le Boeuf, now -Waterford, where another post was placed; thence down the Venango River, -now called French Creek, to its mouth at Franklin, establishing Fort -Venango there; thence by the Allegheny to Pittsburgh, where Fort -Duquesne was seated, and so on down the Ohio. - - ---------- - - - - - Penns Secure First Manor West of Susquehanna - June 16, 1722 - - -Governor Sir William Keith’s visit to the Indians at Conestoga in June, -1721, produced a strong impression upon the minds of the aborigines whom -he met. The chiefs of the Six Nations who had been present at this -conference, told of its success to their people. - -The Conestoga and other tribes of Indians along the Susquehanna River -seemed to look upon Lieutenant-Governor Keith with almost the same favor -and regard which they entertained for William Penn. - -Keith determined to secure a right and title to the lands in -Pennsylvania upon which Maryland settlers had encroached. He laid his -plan for this purpose before he went to attend the conference at Albany, -N. Y. where he was to meet Cayuga chiefs, who had offered some objection -to the conclusion of the conference he had held with the Indians at -Conestoga in 1721. - -The trouble along the border line between Maryland and Pennsylvania had -begun in Chester County, soon after the earliest settlements. The -boundary continued to be a bone of contention until a temporary line was -run in 1739, and even this did not fully settle the difficulty, for -there was dispute until Mason and Dixon’s line was run 1767–8. - -Governor Keith had frequent controversies with Governor Ogle, of -Maryland, concerning encroachments in the southern part of Lancaster -County. - -The Marylanders were attempting to make settlements west of the -Susquehanna, in the present York County. - -Governor Keith conceived the idea of obtaining permission of the Indians -along the Susquehanna to lay off a large manor, as the proprietor’s -one-tenth, and he proceeded to Conestoga, early in June, 1722, for this -purpose. - -Here he called together the Conestoga, Shawnee, who lived farther up the -river, and the Ganawese, afterwards known as the Canoy, who lived at the -present site of Columbia. - -Keith had authority from the heirs of William Penn to lay off a manor -west of the river for the benefit of Springett Penn, the favorite -grandson of the founder of Pennsylvania and son of Richard Penn. - -This conference was first assembled June 15. Here Governor Keith, with -persuasive eloquence, commended the Indians for their virtues, praised -them for what they had already done for William Penn and his heirs, and -obtained their consent to cross the river and make a survey of 70,000 -acres. - -Governor Keith spoke at great length and earnestness. He began by -saying: - -“Friends and Brothers: You say you love me because I come from your -father, William Penn. 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 show it to his family and his children that are -grown to be men in England, and will soon come over to represent him -here.” - -He then referred to the previous treaty where they showed him the -parchment received from William Penn, and he then told the Indians of -the encroachments of the Marylanders. - -Keith then said he came to consult with them how they could prevent such -settlements and suggested the plan to take up a large tract of land on -the other side of the Susquehanna River for Springett Penn. - -He told the Indians that Penn’s grandson was now a man as tall as he; -that the land should be marked with Springett’s name upon the trees, so -that the Marylanders would then keep off and it would also warn every -other person from settling near enough to the Indians to disturb them. -He added that the grandson bore the same kind of a heart as his -grandfather did, and he would be glad to give the Indians part of the -land for their use and convenience. With these and similar phrases Keith -won his point. - -At a council held June 16, 1722, with Governor Keith, Colonel John -French, Francis Worley, Esq., the chief of several tribes, and Smith and -Le Tort, as interpreters, present, the Indians made reply through Chief -Tawena, and agreed to give up the land, but suggested that the Governor -take up the matter further with the Cayuga when he attended a treaty at -Albany. - -The Indians requested that the surveyor begin his work immediately and -not wait until the Governor was absent at Albany. - -The warrant was made out, and the surveyors, John French, Francis Worley -and James Mitchell made a report of their survey, June 21. - -This tract contained 75,500 acres and began opposite the mouth of -Conestoga Creek, at Lockport Run and ran south by west ten miles, thence -northwest twelve miles to a point north of the present city of York. -Thence northeast eight miles to the Susquehanna River again, and from -thence along the river to the place of beginning. - -The exact positions and boundary lines of the original Springettsbury -Manor were never thoroughly understood, and there resulted much -controversy about the survey. - -The warrant and survey were not returned into the land office, but the -entire transaction appeared to have been done under the private seal of -Governor Keith, and no actual purchase was ever made from the Indians, -June 15 or 16. - -The origin of the Penn Manors began with the charter to William Penn, -which contained several powers to erect manors. - -On July 11, 1681, Penn agreed with the purchasers in England, who were -interested in his grant on certain conditions and concessions. The ninth -of these was, that “in every one hundred thousand acres, the Governor -and Proprietary, by lot, reserveth ten to himself which shall lie but in -one place.” The name of “Manor” was given to these portions of reserved -land in its genuine legal sense. - -There were eighty-two Proprietary manors set apart, fourteen in -Northumberland, twelve in Northampton, nine in Chester, seven each in -Philadelphia, Bucks, Lancaster, and Bedford, six in Westmoreland, four -in Cumberland, and three each in York and Berks Counties. Three of the -manors were not located. - -The largest in territory was Springettsbury, with Manor of Maske, in -York (now Adams) County, next in size with 43,500 acres. Fagg Manor in -Chester County, contained 39,250 acres. The smallest was Lake -Paupunauming Manor, in Northampton County, which contained only 215 -acres. - -When the Revolution changed the form of government for Pennsylvania all -the confiscations by which lesser men were punished are cast into the -shade by the great Divesting Act. The Proprietary family were deprived -of their lordship of the soil of Pennsylvania, their unlocated and -unappropriated lands and the quit rents which had been reserved outside -of their manors. This was the destruction of the greatest private estate -in the world, but it was necessary. - -There were saved to the Penns all manors which had been surveyed for -them prior to July 4, 1776. - - ---------- - - - - - British and Tory Refugees Evacuate - Philadelphia June 17, 1778 - - -Sir William Howe had found the occupation of Philadelphia a barren -conquest, and the evacuation of the city was felt by General Washington -to be so certain only a question of time that as early as March, 1778, -he began to collect wagons and organize teams for the transportation -service of his army, when it should be required to march after the -enemy. - -Howe’s proper point for operations was New York, and Washington felt -sure he would return thither. Instead of that, however, Howe yielded to -the complaints at his supineness in England and, being desirous to -return home, resigned. - -Sir Henry Clinton, successor to General Howe, arrived in Philadelphia -May 8, and took formal command of the British Army May 11. Before Howe’s -departure a fete was arranged May 18 in his honor called the Meschianza, -and it comprised a regatta, tournament, feast and ball. - -Lord Howe embarked for England May 24, and the same day Clinton held a -council of war. They were fearful that the French fleet would cut off -their communication with England, also the knowledge that the American -capital was not of much importance to them after all, the fact that -Congress had fled on wheels, and that Pennsylvania had remained loyal, -they resolved to evacuate Philadelphia. - -Not the least fear was for Washington’s army, now thoroughly drilled by -Baron Steuben, a Prussian officer, who had come to Valley Forge in -February. This army now became a source of real danger to the British. - -But the movement of the British troops was delayed, as on June 6 three -commissioners to effect peace, the Earl of Carlisle, William Eden and -George Johnston, arrived in Philadelphia. They were willing to gratify -every wish that America had expressed. But it was too late. Franklin and -his associates had secured an alliance with France and the American -Congress refused to entertain such propositions. - -It is said that Joseph Reed, one of Pennsylvania’s delegates in -Congress, was offered £10,000 and the best office in the colonies if he -would promote the plans for peace; but he promptly replied: “I am not -worth purchasing; but such as I am, the King of Great Britain is not -rich enough to do it.” - -Clinton’s army, accompanied by Tory refugees, evacuated Philadelphia -June 17, crossed the Delaware at Camden and Gloucester in great haste, -while the fleet floated slowly down the bay. - -Washington learned of the retreat of the enemy and moved his army out of -Valley Forge, followed Clinton, and on Sunday, June 28, fought the -Battle of Monmouth, which resulted in the precipitate flight of Clinton, -with the wreck of his army, to New York. About 800 of Clinton’s men -deserted, of whom seventy came to Philadelphia in one day. - -An incident occurred following the Battle of Monmouth which exerted a -greater effect upon the American Army than many a skirmish between -brigades, for it ended the unfortunate “Conway’s Cabal.” Certain remarks -upon General Conway’s behavior at the Battle of Germantown brought a -challenge from General Conway to General Cadwallader, who of all the -American high officers remained the most loyal friend, supporter and -admirer of General Washington. - -A duel was fought, in which Conway was severely wounded, and, believing -himself to be dying, repented and expressed to General Washington his -grief, adding, “My career will soon be over, therefore justice and truth -prompt me to declare my last sentiments—May you long enjoy the love, -veneration and esteem of these States whose liberties you have asserted -by your virtues.” - -Upon the re-occupation of Philadelphia by the Continental Army, Major -General Benedict Arnold was ordered by General Washington to take -command of the city and “prevent the disorders which were expected upon -the evacuation of the place and the return of the Whigs, after being so -long kept out of their property.” - -Arnold occupied, during part of his stay, a handsome country estate, -which is now in Fairmount Park, lived most extravagantly and married -Margaret, popularly known as “Peggy” Shippen, daughter of one of -Governor Penn’s councillors, afterward Chief Justice of the State. - -On June 25 the Supreme Executive Council took into consideration the -case of John Gilfray, boatswain of the ship Montgomery, found guilty of -deserting to the enemy and under sentence of death. It being the first -conviction of an offense of this kind in the State fleet, he was -pardoned, and Commodore Hazelwood was authorized to offer full pardon to -all deserters who returned before September 1. - -Beginning of this month, however, Lieutenant Lyon, of the “Dickinson,” -and Lieutenant Ford, of the “Effingham,” who deserted during the attack -upon Fort Mifflin, were executed on board of one of the guard boats on -the Delaware. Lieutenant Wilson, of the Rangers, and John Lawrence, one -of the gunners of the fleet, who deserted at the same time and were -under sentence of death, were reprieved. - -Active measures were taken for the speedy trial of all persons accused -of high treason, and the conviction of quite a number excited an intense -sensation and much alarm among the Tories and Quakers. Several were -executed, notwithstanding every exertion to save them. The Whigs had -suffered too severely at the hands of the disaffected, and some victims -were necessary to mollify the animosities. - -Congress closed its business at York and went back to Philadelphia, June -25, and the State government left Lancaster the following day and again -resumed their duties at Philadelphia. - -President Wharton died suddenly at Lancaster, May 23, and George Bryan -was made President of the Supreme Executive Council. - -The Whigs now began to punish the Tories. The Assembly passed an “act -for the attainder of divers traitors,” among whom were Joseph Galloway, -Reverend Jacob Duché and the Allens. The Quakers and the German sects -were special objects of suspicion, because they thought it wrong to take -up arms. - - ---------- - - - - - Provincial Conference Meets at Carpenters’ - Hall June 18, 1776 - - -In April, 1776, the Assembly renewed its instructions to the -Pennsylvania delegates in Congress not to give their consent to a -separation or a change of the Proprietary Government. But Congress, May -15, recommended State governments in the colonies, and declared that all -authority under the Crown should be totally suppressed. - -On June 8, the day after Richard Henry Lee, in Congress, had proposed -the independence of the colonies, the Pennsylvania Assembly gave -instructions which neither advised nor forbade a declaration of -independence, but left the question to the “ability, prudence and -integrity” of the delegates. This doubtful action proved the end of the -Proprietary Assembly. Only once did it again have a quorum of its -members. - -Instead of allowing the State Government, as suggested by Congress, to -be formed by members of the Assembly sworn to support the King, the -people of Pennsylvania took the matter in their own hands and issued a -call for a provincial convention for that purpose. - -This was the death blow to Proprietary authority. A public meeting held -in Philadelphia sent a protest against the Assembly of the Province -undertaking to frame a new government, as it derived its power from a -royal charter, and did not truly represent the people. The meeting -called for a convention. Opposed to this was a remonstrance against -amending the constitution except by the authority provided in the -charter itself. - -The Declaration of Independence had given the old State Government a -mortal blow, and it soon expired without a sigh—thus ending forever the -Proprietary and royal authority in Pennsylvania. - -In the meantime, the Committee of Correspondence for Philadelphia issued -a circular to all the county committees for a conference in that city on -Tuesday, June 18. - -On the day appointed there was a meeting of the deputies at Carpenters’ -Hall, which organized by electing Colonel Thomas McKean, president; -Colonel Joseph Hart, of Bucks County, vice president, and Jonathan B. -Smith and Samuel C. Morris, both of Philadelphia, secretaries. - -The conference was composed of twenty-five delegates from the city of -Philadelphia; eleven from the county of Philadelphia; five from Bucks; -thirteen from Chester; nine from Lancaster; ten from Berks; five from -Northampton; nine from York; ten from Cumberland; three from Bedford; -five from Northumberland, and two from Westmoreland; a total of 107 of -the most representative and patriotic citizens to be found in the -Province. - -The conference at once unanimously resolved: “That the present -government of this Province is not competent to the exigencies of our -affairs, and - -“That it is necessary that a Provincial Convention be called by this -Conference for the purpose of forming a new government in the Province -on the authority of the people only.” - -Preparations were taken immediately to secure a proper representation in -the convention. The qualifications of an elector were defined. Every -voter was obliged to take an oath of renunciation of the authority of -George the Third, and one of allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania, -and a religious test as prescribed for the members of the convention. - -The following declaration was signed by all the deputies on June 24, and -presented to Congress: - -“We, the deputies of the people of Pennsylvania, assembled in full -Provincial Conference, for forming a plan for executing the resolve of -Congress of the 15th day of May last, for suppressing all authority in -this Province derived from the Crown of Great Britain, and for -establishing a Government upon the authority of the people only, now in -this public manner, in behalf of ourselves, and with the approbation, -consent and authority of our constituents, unanimously declare our -willingness to concur in a vote of the Congress, declaring the United -Colonies free and independent States: - -“Provided, The forming the government and the regulation of internal -police of this Colony be always reserved to the people of the said -Colony; and we further call upon the nations of Europe, and appeal to -the Great Arbiter and Governor of the empires of the world, to witness -for us, that this declaration did not originate in ambition or in an -impatience of lawful authority, but that we were driven to it in -obedience to the first principle of nature by the oppressions and -cruelties of the aforesaid King and Parliament of Great Britain, as the -only possible measure that was left us to preserve and establish our -liberties, and to transmit them inviolate to posterity.” - -The Conference prepared an address to the Associators of Pennsylvania, -which was adopted unanimously. This address issued particular -instructions to associators to exercise great care in the election of -delegates, charging them to select only the best men and to eschew all -such as were in the proprietary interest. - -It is obvious that the adoption of the Declaration of Independence was -assumed as a fixed fact, for they expressed much greater anxiety in -regard to the complexion of the Constitutional Convention of -Pennsylvania, which was to meet in Philadelphia July 15. - -After the adjournment of the Conference, on June 25, a dinner was given -to the members at the Indian Queen Tavern, on Fourth Street. The toasts -were drunk to “The Congress,” “The Free and Independent States of -America,” “Washington,” “The Army and Navy,” “A Wise and Patriotic -Convention to Pennsylvania on the 15th of July,” “Lasting dependence to -the enemies of independence,” etc. - -Pennsylvania was truly on the brink of a crisis, and Congress was face -to face with the question of independence and the expediency of an -immediate declaration of it and the instant severing of all ties binding -the united colonies to the mother country. - - ---------- - - - - - Massacre at Indian Town of Standing Stone - on June 19, 1777 - - -As an Indian post of ancient date, few are better known than Standing -Stone, the present site of the beautiful borough of Huntingdon, on the -Juniata. It was here where two of the great Indian paths crossed, one -leading on to Kittanning and the west, the other to Bedford and the -Potomac. The earliest maps of which we have any record indicate that an -important Indian village was situated at this point. - -Standing Stone was known to the Indians by the name of Achsinnink, -meaning original stone. The word alludes to a large rock, standing -separate and where there is no other rock. - -Conrad Weiser has left us the oldest record of Standing Stone, August -18, 1748, then seemingly already a well-known name of the place. - -John Harris, in 1753, wrote of Standing Stone as “about fourteen feet -high and six inches square.” It stood on the right bank of Stone Creek, -near its mouth, and in such a position as to enable persons to see it at -considerable distance, either up or down the river. - -The Reverend Philip Fithian, in 1755, says it was “a tall stone column -or pillar nearly square and seven feet above the ground.” - -There have been conflicting opinions whether any of this original -Standing Stone still exists or not, some holding to the belief that it -was used not only as a finger board at the crossing of the great Indian -paths, but also contained the official record of the tribe. - -There is no doubt that the stone was carved with names and Indian -characters, which depicted important epochs in the tribe’s history, its -wars, mighty deeds, its prowess in battle, and, perhaps, its skill in -the chase. It also is quite possible that the stone was a sacred tablet -to the memory of one or more noble chiefs who fell in battle. The stone -contained many hieroglyphics and each may have told a story in the -Indian language. - -This stone was once the cause of a war, when the Tuscarora tribe, living -about thirty or forty miles below on the river, declared war on the -tribe at Standing Stone for some real or fancied insult, and for this -purpose sent them repeated messages which the Standing Stone Indians -failed to heed. The Tuscarora awaited a time when their enemy warriors -were on a hunt, when they fell on the village with a great force, -driving away those who were at home, and carried the stone away. Upon -the return of the hunters the entire war force was immediately sent -after their enemy, who were soon overtaken, when a bloody conflict -ensued, and the stone was recaptured and carried back in triumph. - -It seems to be an undisputed fact that the original stone was removed by -the Indians and carried away by them about 1755, at the time the Indians -in that valley joined the French. - -A few white settlers seated themselves at Standing Stone in 1762 and -began the erection of a stockade fort, but in the following spring were -forced to abandon it, as well as their houses and other improvements, -and fly to Carlisle for protection from the Indians. - -Standing Stone was laid out as a town in 1767 by the Reverend William -Smith, D. D., the proprietor at that time and for many years afterward -provost of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Smith called the town -Huntingdon, in honor of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, in England, a -lady of remarkable liberality and piety, who, at the solicitation of Dr. -Smith, had made a handsome donation to the funds of the University. - -The old name Standing Stone, however, clung to the place for many years. -Nearly all the traders and military officers of the eighteenth century -used the old name, and it is marked Standing Stone on the Lewis Evans -map of 1755 and 1770; it is “Standing Stone, Huntingdon,” on the Powell -map of 1776. - -On the second stone erected at this place were found the names of John -and Charles Lukens, Thomas Smith and a number of others, with dates -varying from 1768 to 1770, cut or chiseled in the stone. This stone -seems to have been erected by one or other of the men whose names it -bore, on the same spot where the original stone stood. This stone was -subsequently removed to a spot near the present court house in -Huntingdon and forms the most valuable and interesting historic relic in -the Juniata county seat. - -The only massacre to take place at Standing Stone occurred June 19, -1777, at what was known as Big Spring, several miles west of the fort. -The Indians had infested the plantations and the inhabitants fled to the -fort. Felix Donnelly and his son, Francis, and Bartholomew Maguire and -his daughter, residing near the mouth of Shaver’s Creek, placed their -effects upon horses and, with a cow, started for the fort. - -Jane Maguire was driving the cow ahead of the party, the Donnellys and -Maguire bringing up the rear on the horses. When nearly opposite the Big -Spring, an Indian fired from ambuscade and killed young Donnelly. His -father, who was close to him, caught him as he was falling from his -horse. Maguire rode to his side and the two men held the dead body of -Francis upon the horse. - -The Indians rushed from their hiding place with terrific yells, and -fired a volley at the party, one bullet struck Felix Donnelly, and -another grazed Maguire’s ear. Donnelly fell to the ground as did the -body of his dead son. The Indians rushed forward, scalped Francis and -followed Jane, who succeeded in escaping, but not until she lost her -dress when an Indian attempted to make her captive. - -Some men on the opposite bank of the stream, hearing the Indian yells -and shooting, rushed to the scene. The Indians, not knowing their -strength, disappeared in the woods. Maguire and his daughter reached the -fort and alarmed the garrison, which started in hot pursuit of the -savages but did not overtake them. The dead body of Francis Donnelly was -buried in a vacant spot which now is a garden in the heart of the -borough of Huntingdon. - -Among those who figured in the thrilling drama about Standing Stone were -the Bradys, who later moved to the West Branch of the Susquehanna; -Colonel Fee, who gained renown in Captain Blair’s expedition against the -Tories, and the Cryder family, consisting of father, mother and seven -sons, every one a hero. - -At the organization of the new county in 1787, it took the name of -Huntingdon, and Standing Stone became even more only a historic memory. - - ---------- - - - - - Moravians Dedicate First Church West of - Alleghenies June 20, 1771 - - -The first church building dedicated to the worship of God west of the -Allegheny Mountains was the chapel built by Reverend David Zeisberger, -at Friedenstadt, on the Big Beaver, in now Beaver County, Pennsylvania. - -In 1743 Zeisberger was at Shamokin laboring as a Moravian missionary -among the Indians, with the approbation and support of the great -Shikellamy. This mission was broken up in 1756, and for several years -Zeisberger assisted in ministering to the Christian Indians, for whom -the Provincial Government had provided a refuge in the barracks at -Philadelphia. - -Peace having been concluded at the end of the Pontiac War, Zeisberger -led the remnant of these Indians to Wyalusing, on the North Branch of -the Susquehanna River, in Bradford County. Here Zeisberger established -the mission of Friedenschuetten, “tents of peace.” This mission -prospered greatly, and much good was done among the Indians. - -In October, 1767, he traversed the solitude of the forest and reached -the Munsee Indians, who were then living in what is now Forest County. -This pious missionary remained with these savages but seven days. They -were good listeners to his sermons, but every day he was in danger of -being murdered. Of these Indians he wrote: - -“I have never found such heathenism in any other part of the Indian -country. Here Satan has a stronghold. Here he sits upon his throne. Here -he is worshipped by true savages, and carries on his work in the hearts -of the children of darkness.” - -He returned to Friedenschuetten and labored there until the Six Nations -sold the land in that part of the State, November 5, 1768. - -The Six Nations had by this treaty sold the land from “under the feet” -of the Wyalusing converts and the Reverend Zeisberger was compelled to -take measures for the removal of these Christian Indians, with their -horses and cattle, to some other field. - -This company penetrated through the wilderness to the Allegheny River, -and established a church at a Delaware town of three villages called -Goschgoschunk, near the mouth of Tionesta Creek in which is now Venango -County. Here they built a log chapel, planted corn and commenced the -work of evangelization. - -They were soon rewarded by gaining a number of converts, among whom was -the blind old chief Allemewi, who was baptized with the name of Solomon. - -As usual, however, their success excited opposition and their lives were -threatened by the hostile Indians, who called the converts “Sunday -Indians” or “Swannocks,” a name of great opprobrium. - -Wangomen, an Indian prophet, declared that he had a vision in which he -was shown by the Great Spirit that the white man had displeased him by -coming among the Indians; and the old squaws went about complaining that -since their arrival the corn was devoured by worms, that the game was -leaving the country, and that neither chestnuts nor bilberries ripened -any more. - -Some said, “The white men ought to be killed,” and, others agreeing, -said, “Yes, and all the baptized Indians with them and their bodies -thrown into the river.” - -The name of the town, Goschgoschunk, meant “the place of the hogs,” and -the missionaries believed it was well named. - -In 1769 they removed their converts to Lawunakhanna, on the opposite -side of the river about three miles above Goschgoschunk. A strange thing -occurred here in the friendly attitude of their old enemy, Wangomen. He -carried news of their success to Kuskuskee, a celebrated Delaware town -on the Beaver, in the present Lawrence County. From this place Chief -Pakanke sent Glikhickan, a celebrated Delaware warrior and orator, to -refute the teachings of the missionaries. - -Glikhickan listened to the preaching of Zeisberger, and received private -instructions in the Gospel, and was completely won by them. - -On his return to Kuskuskee Glikhickan made a favorable report to -Pakanke, who invited the missionaries and their converts to remove to -Beaver, where a tract of land was promised them for their exclusive use. - -Zeisberger asked and received the consent of the Mission Board at -Bethlehem to accept the invitation, and he promptly prepared to remove -thither. - -April 17, 1770, the congregation at Lawunakhanna, set out in sixteen -canoes, passed down the river to Fort Pitt, and on to the mouth of the -Big Beaver, where they arrived in the forenoon of April 23 and paddled -up the stream to the falls. At this point a portage was necessary and it -took four days to carry their baggage and canoes around the rapids. Here -they were met by Glikhickan and others with horses, who assisted them in -this labor. - -Five days later Zeisberger tarried at New Kuskuskee to visit with -Pakanke, who received him with a genuine welcome. - -The site of their new encampment was reached May 7. Corn was planted, a -large hut for meetings of the congregation and smaller ones of bark for -dwellings were put up and all were happy in their new home. This town -was called Friedenstadt, or “town of peace.” - -Glikhickan became a devoted friend of the Christians, and when he -removed to Friedenstadt old Pakanke attacked him publicly. Colonel -George Croghan used his influence to appease Pakanke and secure a fair -hearing for the missionaries, and the labors of the brethren began to -bear fruit. - -On June 12 the wife of the blind chief Solomon was baptized. Six months -later Glikhickan and Genaskund were baptized. Glikhickan took the name -of Isaac and became an assistant in the work of the Gospel. - -On July 14 Zeisberger was adopted into the Munsee tribe and Pakanke was -present at the ceremony. - -July 23, Zeisberger laid out a new and larger town on the west side of -the Beaver, near the present Moravia. This was a more permanent -settlement. The houses were built of logs, with stone foundations and -chimneys and the church was much larger. Here, too, they built a -blacksmith shop and stockades. - -Other missionaries came from Bethlehem. On the one hand, they enjoyed -success in their work, and, on the other, they were subjected to much -disagreeable treatment by those still unfavorable to them, their lives -being more than once seriously imperiled by visits of hostile and -drunken savages. But they continued their labors undaunted by trials and -persecutions. - -May 27, 1771, the foundation stone of the chapel was laid, and June 20 -the house was dedicated with great rejoicings. In all probability this -was the first church building dedicated to the worship of God west of -the Allegheny Mountains. - - ---------- - - - - - Revolutionary Forces Threaten Executive - Council June 21, 1783 - - -A change in the British Ministry had encouraged Dr. Benjamin Franklin to -renew his efforts for a peaceful adjustment, and after working with the -utmost industry and skill throughout the summer and most of the autumn -of 1782, he had the satisfaction of seeing his labors crowned with -success. - -A preliminary treaty of peace between the Colonies and Great Britain was -signed at Paris, November 30, 1782, but the news did not reach this -country until March 12, 1783, when the packet George Washington, Captain -Joshua Barney, arrived at Philadelphia with the joyful intelligence that -a treaty had been concluded, acknowledging the independence of the -United States. This was the initial step necessary in the negotiations -for peace between all belligerents. - -On March 23 the French cutter Triumph arrived at Philadelphia from -Cadiz, bringing the news that a preliminary treaty of peace had been -signed January 20, 1783. - -M. de Luzerne, the French Minister, at once issued an official -notification of the fact, directing French cruisers to cease -hostilities. Intelligence of the state of affairs was also communicated -to Sir Guy Carleton, who had succeeded Sir Henry Clinton as the British -commander-in-chief at New York. - -On April 11, the British officers received official notice from home -that peace had been concluded, and the same day Congress issued a -proclamation enjoining a cessation of hostilities. - -On April 16 the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania made public -announcement of the happy event at the Court House, where the official -document was read by the Sheriff in the presence of an immense concourse -of people. The State flag was hoisted as usual on such occasions, at -Market Street wharf; church bells were rung amid general demonstrations -of joy at the termination of the war. In the evening Charles Wilson -Peale exhibited the patriotic transparencies which had done good service -on previous occasions, and one week later Thomas Paine published the -last number of the Crisis, in which he declared that “the times that -tried men’s souls were over.” - -The definite treaty of peace was signed at Versailles, September 3, -1783, in which the United States was formally acknowledged to be -sovereign, free and independent. - -One of the first measures made necessary by the cessation of the war was -the exchange of prisoners. The soldiers of Burgoyne’s army were -principally at Lancaster, and they were put in motion before the -proclamation, and arrived in Philadelphia on their way to New York a day -or two previous to the official announcement. The obstructions that had -been placed in the Delaware River were removed and commerce resumed. - -In June, 1783, a number of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers of -the Pennsylvania Line wearied, and exasperated by the delay in the -settlement of their claims, resolved to demand a redress of their -grievances and a prompt settlement of their accounts. - -A body of them accordingly marched from Lancaster toward the city of -Philadelphia, and although the Supreme Executive Council and Congress -were informed of their coming, no measures were taken to check the -advance of the malcontents. - -A committee of Congress requested the Executive Council to call out the -militia in order to prevent the progress of the rioters, but the State -authorities took no action, in the belief apparently that the troops -could be conciliated. - -Orders were issued from the War Office that the soldiers be received -into the barracks and supplied with rations. On reaching the city they -marched to those quarters in good order and without creating any -disturbance. - -Congress and the Executive Council both held their sessions in the State -House at this time. - -On Saturday, June 21, Congress not being in session, having adjourned -from Friday until Monday, about thirty of the soldiers marched from the -barracks to the State House, where the Executive Council was in regular -meeting. - -They sent to that body a memorial in writing stating that as their -general officers had left them, they should have authority to appoint -commissioned officers to command them and redress their grievances. With -this demand went a threatening message that in case they refused, the -soldiers would be let in upon the Council, who must then abide by the -consequences. Only twenty minutes were given for the deliberation, but -so insolent were the terms that the Council at once unanimously rejected -the proposition. - -This action created a widespread alarm. Other bodies of soldiers joined -the mutineers, who now numbered 300. The president of Congress assembled -that body in special session and demanded that the militia of the State -should be immediately called forth in sufficient force to reduce the -soldiers to obedience, disarm them and put them in the power of -Congress. Prior to the assembling of Congress at Carpenters’ Hall the -soldiers were at their barracks and all was quiet. - -A session of the Supreme Executive Council was held the following day, -Sunday, at the house of President Dickinson. That body did not agree on -the extreme measures of Congress. The result was that the latter, -dissatisfied with the indisposition of the Council, adjourned to meet at -Princeton, N. J. This action of Congress was neither necessary nor -prudent. It was prompted by pride and a disposition to construe an -undesigned affront into the wanton insult, or it was in consequence of -fear that was unjustifiable by the succession of events. - -The promoters of this meeting escaped, but several of the ringleaders -were arrested and court-martialed. Two of the sergeants of the Third -Pennsylvania were sentenced to be shot, while several others were to -receive corporal punishment, but all were subsequently pardoned by -Congress. - -Congress remained during the summer at Princeton. The Assembly of -Pennsylvania, the Council, and prominent citizens of the State invited -it to return to Philadelphia, and although Congress seemed pleased and -satisfied at the measures taken, yet they were ashamed to go back to a -city they had deserted so precipitately and carelessly, and they -adjourned at Princeton to meet at Annapolis, Md. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Turbutt Francis Marches Provincial - Troops to Wyoming June 22, 1769 - - -The Connecticut people had gained complete possession of the Wyoming -Valley at the conclusion of the so-called first Pennanite-Yankee War, in -1769. - -These Yankees entered with enthusiasm upon their agricultural pursuit, -while their surveyors were employed in running out the five townships -which had been allotted to the actual settlers by the Connecticut -authorities. But no one supposed that peace and security were finally -yielded them by their alert and powerful Pennsylvania opponents. - -Captain Amos Ogden with the civil magistrate, Sheriff John Jennings, of -Northampton County, of which county the Wyoming Valley was then a part, -appeared at the head of an armed party in the plains May 20. They found -the Yankees too strongly entrenched and returned to Easton. - -Sheriff Jennings informed Governor John Penn that the intruders mustered -three hundred able bodied men, and it was not in his power to collect -sufficient force in Northampton County to dislodge them. - -At the same time that the Governor sent Sheriff Jennings to Wyoming, he -sent instructions to Colonel Turbutt Francis, who was then commandant of -the garrison at Fort Augusta, to extend such aid as was necessary to -secure the Proprietary settlements at Wyoming, and to hold his troops in -readiness for any emergency or call that he might make for them. - -The records of Fort Augusta, or those published in the Archives do not -give much detailed information of the instructions which Colonel Francis -received, but in a long report of the committee of the Susquehanna -Company, written from Windham, Connecticut, and signed by four members, -is this paragraph: - -“June 22nd, 1769, Colonel Francis, with sixty armed men in a hostile -manner demanded a surrender of our houses and possessions. He embodied -his forces within thirty or forty rods of their dwellings, threatened to -fire their houses and kill our people, unless they surrendered and -quitted their possessions, which they refused to do, and after many -terrible threatenings by him, he withdrew. Our people went on peaceably -with their business.” - -Miner, in his History of Wyoming, says of this event: “Col. Turbutt -Francis, commanding a fine company from the city, in full military -array, with colors streaming, and martial music, descended into the -plain, and sat down before Fort Durkee about the 20th of June; but -finding the Yankees too strongly fortified, returned to await -reinforcements below the mountains.” - -On June 15 Major Durkee, and others of the New England adherents went to -Easton to attend the Northampton County Court, but the case against the -Yankees was continued to the September term, and the defendants returned -with Major Durkee to Wyoming. - -It was during Major Durkee’s absence that the exciting events took -place. - -Colonel Francis was a native of Philadelphia and a distinguished officer -of the French and Indian War, since which service he had spent the -greater part of his life in and about Fort Augusta. He was in command of -the garrison at that fortress when Governor Penn sent him to Wyoming, -and his troops were in the provincial service. - -A Yankee report of this event says: “The 22d of June our spies gave -fresh information, that the mob was on their way, and they judged their -number consisted of between 60 and 70, and in the evening they came and -strung along the opposite side of the River for more than a mile, -judging by their whooping, yelling and hideous noise and firing of guns. - -“The 23d, in the morning, one Captain Ogden, with two more, came to know -if our committee could be spoke with by Colonel Francis, which was -consented to. About 8 in the morning the Colonel came, seemingly in an -angry frame by his looks and behavior. He told us he had orders from the -Governor of Pennsylvania to remove us off (which he in a short time -contradicted), and demanded entrance into our town, which was refused; -and continued he—'You have lost your case at Easton, and I have 300 men -here with me, and 100 more coming, and my men are so unruly and -ungoverned that it is hardly in my power to keep them from you; and they -will kill your cattle and horses, and destroy your corn, and block up -the way so as to cut you off from all communication for provisions, and -your Government will not own you.' - -“We told him that we had a good right to the land by Charter from the -Crown, and Deed from the Indians, and that we could not, consistent with -the votes of the Susquehanna Company, give it up, and should not. He -then made proposals of agreement that we should possess the land on the -East Branch, except that what Ogden and some others of them improved, -and they enjoy the West Branch, till decided by law; and he would give -us an hour to consider, and give him an answer. We sent him word that we -would not comply with his terms, for it was not in our power. - -“Finally he concluded to move off with his mob to Shamokin (which is -about 60 miles) and wait there about ten days for the committee to send -our proposals, which, if he liked, it was well; if not, he could come -again. And further, he desired our men might be kept in the Fort till -his men should be gone, lest they should hurt us. Towards night they -moved off, seemingly well pleased with their _Conquest_. As near as we -could learn their number did not exceed 50 men, and a considerable part -of them in our favor.” - -Colonel Francis was called to Philadelphia in July and gave a full -verbal report of his expedition to the Governor and Council. - -In September thirteen of the Connecticut settlers in three canoes loaded -with flour were halted at Fort Augusta. They were on their way up the -river with the cargo which they had purchased at Harris’ Ferry for the -Wyoming settlement. - -The Yankees were detained by armed troops for three hours, but their -cargoes were confiscated, even in spite of the fact they agreed to pay -for the food. - -Thus the trouble between the Connecticut and Pennsylvania claimants -continued for many years. - - ---------- - - - - - Pennsylvanian Makes First Report in Congress - for Railway to Pacific - June 23, 1848 - - -James Pollock had exhibited unusual personal and political strength in -carrying at three consecutive elections his Democratic congressional -district. He was first chosen to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death -of Congressman General Henry Frick, then again in 1844 and 1846 he won -his re-election. He was one of the younger members, but during his -nearly six sessions of service he exhibited not only great efficiency, -but he was in advance of most of his older associates in heartily -sustaining all progressive movements. - -Pollock was one of the few members of Congress who took kindly to -Professor S. B. Morse, when he went to Washington and was shunned by -nearly every Government official as a crank or lunatic because he -proposed to utilize the lightning for the transmission of messages. - -Pollock also was one of the earliest public men to accept Benton’s idea -of the great destiny of the West after the extension of our territory to -the Pacific by Mexican annexation. He served on the Committees of -Claims, Territories, and in the Thirtieth Congress he was on the -important Committee of Ways and Means. - -On June 23, 1848, Pollock offered a resolution for the appointment of a -special committee to inquire into the necessity and practicability of -constructing a railroad to the Pacific Coast. As chairman of that -committee he made a report to the House in favor of the construction of -such a road which was the first favorable official act on the subject on -the part of the Congress of the United States. - -The report discussed the question in its international and domestic -aspects, its feasibility and probable results. The opening paragraph is -in these words: - -“The proposition at first view is a startling one. The magnitude of the -work itself, and the still greater and more magnificent results promised -by its accomplishment—that of revolutionizing morally and commercially, -if not politically, a greater part of the habitable globe, and making -the vast commerce of the world tributary to us—almost overwhelm the -mind. But your committee, on examination, finds it a subject as simple -as it is vast and magnificent, and sees no insurmountable difficulties -in the way of its successful accomplishment.” - -A bill accompanied the report, and was referred to the Committee of the -Whole, but no further action was taken on it at that time, and Pollock -soon after left Congress. In the fall of 1848, however, he delivered a -lecture on the Pacific Railroad, by invitation to a crowded house at -Lewisburg, Union County, closing with the following remark: - -“At the risk of being insane, I will venture the prediction, that in -less than twenty-five years from this evening a railroad will be -completed and in operation between New York and San Francisco, Calif.; -that a line of steamships will be established between San Francisco, -Japan and China; and there are now in my audience, ladies who will, -before the expiration of the period named, drink tea brought from China -and Japan by this route, to their own doors.” - -That prophetic announcement was received by the audience with a smile of -good-natured incredulity, but some of those very ladies, during the year -1869, were able to sip their favorite beverage in exact accordance with -the terms of the speaker’s prediction. On May 10, 1869, the last rail -was laid, the last spike driven, and the great Pacific Railway, so long -in embryo, became an accomplished fact. - -Pollock gave special interest during his Congressional service to the -annexation of Texas, the Mexican War, the acquisition of California, the -repeal of the Tariff Act of 1842, and the “Wilmot Proviso,” in its -application to the newly acquired territories of the United States. In -all the discussions on those exciting topics he was the leading factor. -His speeches and votes demonstrated the consistency of his views, and -the breadth and soundness of his understanding. - -In 1850 he became President-Judge of the eighth judicial district, then -composed of the counties of Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Sullivan -and Lycoming. - -In 1854 he was nominated and elected by a large majority Governor of -Pennsylvania. - -It was during his administration, May 16, 1857, that the main line of -the public works of the State was directed to be sold. On July 25 -following Governor Pollock caused the same to be done, and on July 31 -the whole line of the public works between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh -was transferred to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at the price of -$7,500,000. - -In the summer of 1857 a serious financial revulsion occurred, resulting -in the suspension of specie payments by the banks of Pennsylvania and -other States of the Union, followed by the failure of many -long-established commercial houses, leading to the destruction of -confidence and to the general depression of trade, and threatening to -affect disastrously the credit of the Commonwealth and the great -industrial interests of the people. - -In order to release the banks from the penalties incurred by a -suspension of specie payments, Governor Pollock convened the Legislature -in “extraordinary session” October 6. - -On October 13 an act was passed “providing for the resumption of specie -payments by the banks and for the relief of debtors,” to go into -immediate effect. The law had the desired result, the different branches -of industry revived and the community saved from bankruptcy and ruin. He -declined a renomination for a second term. - -While serving in Congress, Pollock became intimately acquainted with -Abraham Lincoln, who was then also a member, and they boarded at the -same house. - -This friendship was renewed after Lincoln became President, when he -called Pollock to Washington to consult with him upon the grave -questions confronting the country and to consult with him regarding -certain men he was considering for his Cabinet. In 1861 President -Lincoln appointed his Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, and it was -through his efforts, while so serving, that the motto, “In God We -Trust,” was placed upon our coins. - -Governor Pollock died at Lock Haven April 19, 1890, and his body was -interred in the cemetery at Milton. - - ---------- - - - - - John Binns, English Politician and Editor, - Died June 24, 1860 - - -Editor John Binns died in Philadelphia June 24, 1860, at the advanced -age of eighty-eight years, each one of which was one of prominence, -either in England or America. - -In 1854 he wrote the “Recollections of the Life of John Binns; -Twenty-nine Years in Europe and Fifty-three in the United States.” In -the introduction he says: - -“Soon after my arrival in the United States, which was on the first day -of September, 1801, I was urged by the late Dr. Joseph Priestley, his -son Joseph, and Thomas Cooper, Esq., to write my life. They were among -my earliest American acquaintances, and continued my zealous and -faithful friends to their death. Some few American gentlemen who have -subsequently, in Philadelphia, read the account of my arrest and -examination before the Privy Council in London, and my trials for -sedition and high treason in 1797 and 1798, have also urged me to -publish my Recollections. Let these facts be received as an apology for -this publication.” - -John Binns was born in Dublin, Ireland, son of John and Mary Pemberton -Binns. His father’s family were Moravians; his mother’s Episcopalians. -His father was drowned at sea when John was two years old. He left a -comfortable estate, and John and his brother and sister received a -liberal education. His mother married again when John was yet in school. - -When fourteen years old John Binns was apprenticed to a soap boiler, but -on the death of his grandfather he purchased his apprentice fee and took -a deep interest in politics. He left Dublin April, 1794, and went to -London. Then his troubles began. - -John Binns was first arrested March 11, 1796, at Birmingham, and -confined in the dungeon, but his trial was postponed until August. In -the interim he returned to Dublin, but returned for his trial, when he -was acquitted. - -He was soon again arrested together with two celebrated politicians at -Margate and imprisoned at London. He was discharged and again rearrested -on a charge of high treason, then sent to the Tower of London, from -which he was removed to Maidstone Jail. He was again tried and -acquitted, following a serious riot in court, May 24, 1798. He was next -arrested and imprisoned in Gloucester, where he was frequently visited -by many persons of distinction. - -During this imprisonment Binns determined he would go to the United -States as soon as liberated. July 1, 1801, he embarked for Baltimore, -arriving there September 1 after a stormy and perilous voyage. - -Upon his arrival he loaded his goods on three wagons and set out on foot -for Northumberland, Pa., where he purposed to reside. At Harrisburg he -hired a boat to take his goods and himself as a passenger up the river -to Northumberland. - -Binns was given a hearty welcome by Dr. Priestley and Judge Cooper, and -soon became a most prominent resident. He was invited to deliver the -oration on July 4, 1802, and his effort stamped him as a most learned -and eloquent speaker. - -Binns established the Republican Argus at Northumberland, and his -success exceeded his fondest expectations. It soon became one of the -prominent papers of the State. He was a bold and determined man and -wielded a severe pen. - -December 14, 1805, Binns fought a duel with Samuel Stewart, of -Williamsport, a member of the Legislature. - -In January, 1807, friends in Philadelphia urged him to remove to that -city and establish a Democratic newspaper. He sounded members of the -Quid Party and found them willing to support Snyder, but they would not -do so under the leadership of William Duane, editor of the Aurora. - -Binns removed to Philadelphia and established the Democratic Press, -March 27, 1807. This was the first paper which used the word -“Democratic” in its title. - -May 15 Binns delivered the “Long Talk” before the Tammany Society, which -caused him in September to be dismissed from the society. Then the fight -between the Aurora and Democratic Press opened in all its fury, and the -battle for the leadership between Duane and Dr. Leib on one side and -John Binns on the other was commenced. - -Binns came out against Dr. Leib for Assembly and Duane for the Senate. -The former was elected, but Duane was badly beaten. This was the -Aurora’s first defeat and it groaned aloud. - -Binns was powerful in the election of Snyder in 1808. He had brought -back the Constitutional Republicans into the fold and was able to -control the party against both Duane and Leib. - -Dr. Leib was elected to the United States Senate early in 1809, but -Governor Snyder’s course was by no means pleasing to Duane. The Press -defended him, while the Aurora criticized everything he did. The Aurora -threatened to impeach the Governor, and Binns called the Aurora and its -supporters “The Philadelphia Junto.” - -Binns and his party favored war with England, and here again he came -into opposition with “Leib, Duane & Co.,” as the Press called them. - -Duane and Leib lost all control of the Legislature. In 1811 the -Federalists were successful, and Snyder was overwhelmingly re-elected. -The Aurora published nothing about the impending war, the Press -supported every movement which forwarded its progress, and this was the -popular side. Governor Snyder appointed his friend Binns as -aide-de-camp, and he was active throughout the war. - -Leib was appointed Postmaster at Philadelphia in February, 1814, but -Binns succeeded in having Postmaster General Granger removed, and his -successor immediately removed Leib, who then disappeared from the -political field. - -Duane soon followed Leib into political obscurity and Binns was in the -zenith of his power. Had Binns not quarreled with Findlay soon as his -election he would have held his power for many more years. It was -particularly unfortunate that he opposed the election of Andrew Jackson -in 1824 and afterward. - -He was appointed an alderman by Governor Hiester in 1822, a position he -held for many years. - -The Democratic Press was issued for the last time on November 14, 1829, -it having been absorbed by the Philadelphia Inquirer. - -In 1840 Binns published “A Digest of the Laws and Judicial Decisions of -Pennsylvania Touching of Authority of Justices of the Peace,” which was -revised and republished under the title “Magistrate’s Manual,” a book -popularly known as “Binns’ Justice.” - -Binns held a number of positions of honor and trust, among which was -directorship of the Pennsylvania Bank. - - ---------- - - - - - First Deed for Chester County Conveyed to - William Penn, June 25, 1683 - - -The territory now included in Chester County was honorably purchased of -the Indians by William Penn and conveyed in several distinct deeds. The -first, bearing date June 25, 1683, and signed by an Indian called -Wingebone, conveys to William Penn all his lands on the west side of the -Schuylkill, beginning at the first falls and extending along and back -from that river, in the language of the instrument, “so far as my right -goeth.” - -By another deed of July 14, 1683, two chiefs granted to the Proprietary -the land lying between the Chester and Schuylkill Rivers. From -Kekelappan and Machaloa, the Conestoga chiefs, he purchased half the -land between the Susquehanna and the Delaware in September, and from -Malchaloa all the lands from the Delaware to Chesapeake Bay up to the -falls of the Susquehanna in October. - -These were all the land transactions Penn had with the Indians in 1683 -of which the conveyances have been recorded. - -By a deed of July 30, 1684, Shakhoppoh, Secane and Malibor conveyed the -land between the Chester and Pennypack Creeks. Another conveyance was -made on October 2, 1685, for the greater portion of the lands -constituting the present county of Chester. This last instrument is a -quaint piece of conveyancing and shows the value attached by the natives -to their lands. - -“This indenture witnesseth that we, Packenah, Jackham, Sikals, -Portquesott, Jervis, Essepenaick, Felkstrug, Porvey, Indian kings, -sachemmakers, right owners of all lands from Quing Quingus, called Duck -cr., unto Upland, called Chester cr., all along said west side of -Delaware River, and so between the said creeks backwards as far as man -can ride in two days with a horse, for in consideration of these -following goods to us in hand paid, and secured to be paid by William -Penn, Proprietary of Pennsylvania and the territories thereof, viz.; 20 -guns, 20 fathoms match coat, 20 fathoms stroud water, 20 blankets, 20 -kettles, 20 pounds of powder, 100 bars of lead, 40 tomahawks, 100 -knives, 40 pairs of stockings, 1 barrel of beer, 20 pounds of red lead, -100 fathoms of wampum, 30 glass bottles, 30 pewter spoons, 100 awl -blades, 300 tobacco pipes, 100 hands tobacco, 20 tobacco tongs, 20 -steels, 300 flints, 30 pair of scissors, 30 combs, 60 looking glasses, -200 needles, 1 skipple of salt, 30 pounds of sugar, 5 gallons of -molasses, 20 tobacco boxes, 100 jews harps, 20 hoes, 30 gimlets, 30 -wooden screw boxes, 103 strings of beads—do hereby acknowledge, &c., &c. -Given under our hands and seals, at New Castle, 2d of the 8th month, -1685.” - -The Quing Quingus Creek referred to Duck Creek, in present Delaware -County, or to Appoquinimink Creek, which runs some distance north of -Duck Creek. - -In June, 1692, Kings Tamment, Tangorus, Swampes and Hickoqueon gave a -confirmatory deed of their former conveyances of land lying between -Neshaminey and Poquessing Creeks, “upon the Delaware, and extending -backwards to the utmost bounds of the Province.” Taminy, his brother, -and his three sons executed a second deed in confirmation of his former -ones, July 5, 1697, for lands between Neshaminy and Pennypack, extending -backward from the Delaware “so far as a horse can travel in two summer -days.” - -In this last deed the grantors are described as: “Taminy, sachem, and -Weheelam, my brother, and Weheequeckhon (alias Andrew), who is to be -king after my death; Yaqueekhon (alias Nicholas), and Quenameckquid -(alias Charles), my sons.” Weheequekhon was none other than the -celebrated Sassoonan, or Allummapees, head chief of the Delaware from -1715 to 1747. - -The title of the particular Indian chiefs to the lands claimed by them -was not always very clear, but it was the policy of the Proprietary -Government to quiet all claims which might be made by purchasing them. -Accordingly, purchases were made from time to time of claims made by -chiefs which they alleged had not been extinguished by purchase. - -The Indians, after the sale of their lands, continued to occupy them -until needed by the settlers, and gradually abandoned them as the whites -advanced and took possession. - -They were an amiable race, and when they left the burial places of their -fathers, in search of new homes, it was without a stain on their honor. -Considerable numbers, however, remained in Chester County, inhabiting -the woods and unoccupied places, until the breaking out of the French -and Indian War in 1755; about which time they generally removed beyond -the limits of the county and took up their abode in the valley of -Wyoming, at the Forks of the Susquehanna, and at Wyalusing in the North -Branch of the Susquehanna. - -At the making of the treaty of St. Mary’s, in 1720, there were present -some chiefs of the Nanticoke, one of whom had withstood the storms of -ninety winters, who told the commissioners that he and his people had -once roamed through their own domains along the Brandywine. - -At the close of the Revolutionary War, the number of Indians resident in -the county was reduced to four who dwelt in wigwams in Marlborough -Township. After the death of three of them, the remaining one known as -Indian Hannah, took up her abode in a wigwam near the Brandywine, or as -she considered it, her own lands. During the summer she traveled through -different parts of the county, selling willow baskets of her own -production and visiting those who would receive her kindly. - -As she grew old she quitted her wigwam and dwelt in friendly families. -Though a long time domesticated with the whites, she retained her Indian -character to the last. She had a proud haughty spirit, hated the blacks -and did not even deign to associate with the lower order of the whites. - -Without a companion of her race—without kindred—she felt her situation -desolate, and often spoke of the wrongs and misfortunes of her people. -She died in the year 1803, at the age of nearly one hundred years—the -last of the Lenni Lenape resident in Chester County. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Timothy Pickering Abducted by - Yankees at Wyoming June 26, 1787 - - -The County of Luzerne was erected from parts of Northumberland County by -act of September 26, 1786. - -The act of December 27, 1786, provided, “That Timothy Pickering, Zebulon -Butler and John Franklin notify the electors that an election would be -holden to choose a Counsellor, member of the Assembly, Sheriff, Coroner, -and Commissioners on the first day of February.” - -Colonel Pickering was one of the eminent men in the Union. He had the -confidence of Washington and Congress, having executed with fidelity the -office of Quartermaster General of the Continental Army. A native of -Massachusetts, after the peace he settled in Philadelphia, becoming a -citizen of Pennsylvania. He was selected, in addition to his great -abilities and weight of character, for the reason that he was a New -England man, to organize the new county and introduce the laws of the -State among the Wyoming people. - -Colonel Zebulon Butler was a hero of the French and Indian War, a -colonel in the Revolution and an honored and respected citizen among the -Connecticut people in the Wyoming Valley. He was now old and desired -peace. - -Colonel John Franklin, except in education and polish, was in no respect -the inferior of Pickering. It was a wise stroke of policy to endeavor to -conciliate the great Yankee leader by naming him as one of the deputies. - -When Colonel Pickering arrived at Wyoming, January, 1787, he assured the -Connecticut settlers that he had strong reasons to believe the -Legislature would pass a law to quiet them in their possessions. Major -John Jenkins, a leader of the Yankees, replied they had too often -experienced the bad faith of Pennsylvania. Colonel Franklin at that -moment was consulting with the Susquehanna Company on means of defeating -the pacific measures of Pennsylvania. - -Colonel Pickering was soon brought into collision with Franklin and -Jenkins and their followers. Franklin became so aggressive in opposing -the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania that Chief Justice McKean ordered his -arrest by four resolute men. A scuffle ensued, in which Colonel -Pickering interfered and advised them to place Colonel Franklin on a -horse, with his legs tied together, and in this condition he was carried -to Philadelphia. This act, of course, exposed Colonel Pickering to the -vengeful resentment of Franklin’s adherents. - -Colonel Pickering had taken up his abode in the Wyoming Valley, near -Wilkes-Barre, to show the confidence he had that quiet would soon be -restored. On June 26, 1788, at the dead of night, a party of armed men, -with their faces blackened, broke into his bedroom, where he and his -wife were asleep. His arms were secured with cords, and he was led off -up the Susquehanna River. - -Immediately on the abduction of Colonel Pickering being known, vigorous -measures were adopted for his rescue. Four companies of militia were -ordered out, and a thorough search for him was pursued. - -It was evident from many circumstances that their object was merely to -make reprisals for Colonel Franklin’s imprisonment and to endeavor to -procure his release. No attempt was made upon Colonel Pickering’s life; -even certain instances of respect were shown for his person and rank in -society. - -The party crossed Lackawannock Creek and camped in the wild glens. The -Colonel endured much suffering, incident to a march through a wilderness -and on account of heavy rains. - -The fifth day of his captivity Colonel Pickering discovered that two of -his captors were Gideon and Joseph Dudley, near neighbors of his; also -two Earle brothers, two more by the name of Kilborn, and one Cady, all -neighbors. - -The next day they formed an iron band, with a chain attached to it, -round the Colonel’s ankle and fastened the chain to a tree. They told -him their “great men” said that is the way Colonel Franklin is held in -Philadelphia. At night the chain was fastened to one of the party, so -the Colonel could not escape without awakening him. - -Colonel Pickering had no thought of escape, for he expected them to -weary of their enterprise, as well as to come to an understanding of the -seriousness of their crime. He also realized they could easily capture -him at any time they determined. - -During breakfast one of the party, who had gone for provisions, returned -in great haste and told his comrades that their militia had met in -battle and Captain William Ross had been seriously wounded. This battle -occurred near Black Walnut Bottom, about sixteen miles above -Tunkhannock. - -The next day they crossed the river and went to the home of the Kilborn -boys, where they kept Colonel Pickering overnight. Then they pushed back -into the woods about four miles from the river. Here the party wearied -of their enterprise and began to make overtures to the Colonel, -suggesting they would liberate him if he would intercede with the -Supreme Executive Council for the discharge of Colonel Franklin. The -Colonel would make no promises, which enraged them, and once he feared -they might tomahawk him. - -Colonel Pickering agreed to endeavor to obtain their pardon, if they -would name their “great men,” who had deceived them in planning his -abduction. This they would not do. - -After an imprisonment of nineteen days, during ten of which he had worn -the chain, and sleeping night after night in the woods, with stones for -pillows, living on scanty rations of salt pork, venison, corn bread and -wintergreen tea, and without change of clothing, the Colonel was -released on his own terms—which were merely that he would write a -petition for them to the Executive Council, take it in person to -Wilkes-Barre, and send it to Philadelphia. - -In 1787 Colonel Pickering represented Luzerne County in the Pennsylvania -convention to ratify the Federal constitution, but did not sign the -ratification. At that period he was prothonotary, for that county, and -was subsequently a member of the convention called to revise the -Constitution of 1776. - -President Washington appointed him Postmaster General November 7, 1791, -which he held until January 2, 1795, when on the resignation of General -Knox he was appointed Secretary of War. December 10, 1795, Washington -made him Secretary of State, which position he held until May 12, 1800. - -He was poor on leaving office, and, building a log house for his family -upon some wild land that he owned in Pennsylvania, he commenced clearing -it for cultivation, until discovered by some friends who enabled him to -return to Salem, Mass., in 1801. He became Judge in 1802, and United -States Senator from 1803 to 1811, when he was made a member of the -Council. During the War of 1812 he was a member of Board of War, and -then served as a member of Congress from 1815 to 1817. He died at Salem, -Mass., January 29, 1829. - - ---------- - - - - - Ewell’s Force of Rebels Made Raid on - Carlisle June 27, 1863 - - -General A. G. Jenkins, of the Southern Confederacy, with nearly 1000 -cavalry, entered Chambersburg June 16, 1863. On June 23 his advance -force re-entered the town when the Union troops fell back. On June 27 -this advance force moved eastward toward Carlisle. - -General Knipe, commanding the Union troops, abandoned Carlisle on the -approach of the enemy, considering it a folly to offer resistance to so -formidable an invader. Accordingly, the rebels were met by Colonel W. M. -Penrose and Robert Allison, assistant burgess, and informed that the -town was without troops and that no resistance would be made. The -cavalrymen entered the town from the west about 10 o’clock Saturday -morning, June 27, and rode their horses at a walk, but with their -carbines in position to be used at a moment’s warning. - -This force consisted of nearly 500 mounted cavalry. They passed down -Main Street to the junction of the Trindle Spring and Dillsburg roads, -where some of them proceeded to the garrison and the rest rode back and -halted in the public square. The hotels were soon filled with officers -and the streets with soldiers. - -General Jenkins made a requisition on the borough authorities for 1500 -rations, to be furnished in one hour and to be deposited in the market -house. The demand was complied with, but not within the specified time. -Soon as the troops were refreshed and their horses fed and watered the -troopers remounted and rode through the streets of the town, visiting -the garrison and other places of interest. - -At 2 o’clock in the afternoon General Ewell’s corps marched into -Carlisle, Early’s division having crossed the mountains via Fayetteville -to York. The soldiers moved along shouting and laughing. The Confederate -army was at this time in high spirits. The bands played “Dixie” as they -swung through the town to the garrison. The condition of the troops was -pitiable. The men were miserably clad, many without shoes or hats, many -really ragged and dirty. - -A brigade encamped upon the grounds of Dickinson College, and others at -the United States garrison; guards were immediately posted and strict -orders issued that no violence or outrage would be permitted. Most of -the troops behaved like gentlemen, and so well did they obey their -commander that but little trace of occupation by a hostile force was -visible after their departure. - -General Ewell and his staff, numbering thirty officers, established -headquarters at the barracks. The General then dispatched one of his -aides to town, with an extravagant demand on the authorities of the -borough for supplies. The general wanted 1500 barrels of flour, large -supplies of medicines and several cases of amputating instruments. -Especially urgent was his demand for a large quantity of quinine and -chloroform. The authorities could not have complied with the demand, -because the articles were not to be had in Carlisle. - -Strict orders were issued against the selling of intoxicating drinks to -soldiers and the pillaging of private property by them. - -All communication with the outside world was cut off Sunday. Services -were conducted in the churches as usual and the army chaplains of the -rebel regiments encamped on the campus and at the garrison conducted -services for their troops. All conversations with Southern officers and -soldiers led the people to believe that their movement was directed -toward Harrisburg and Philadelphia. - -On Monday, however, the railroad bridge was destroyed. A sigh of relief -was had toward evening when rumors spread that the troops had orders to -leave. - -Early Tuesday morning, June 30, the trains of Rode’s division began to -move, then brigade after brigade passed until the main army had -disappeared by 9 o’clock, leaving less than 200 cavalrymen on provost -duty in the town. These left toward evening. - -Rebel pickets thronged the turnpike and the Trindle Spring road, some -being very near Carlisle. Two o’clock in the afternoon about 400 -cavalrymen under Colonel Cochran, entered the town from the Dillsburg -road, and were soon dashing wildly through the streets, shouting, -screaming and acting like madmen. During the night the entire -Confederate force left Carlisle and the town was clear of rebels. - -At sunrise on Wednesday Captain Boyd’s efficient command of Union troops -entered Carlisle, and after a hearty meal he started in pursuit of the -departing enemy. During all of this day regiment after regiment arrived -and took position along the streets and in the public square. A battery -of artillery arrived toward evening. - -After 6 o’clock General Smith arrived, bringing three regiments of -infantry and about one hundred cavalry. The General posted his artillery -for action. This had hardly been done, when, at 7 o’clock, a body of -rebel cavalry under command of General Fitzhugh Lee, made its appearance -at the junction of the Trindle Spring and Dillsburg roads. These troops -at first were supposed to be a portion of our own forces. Their boldness -was well calculated to produce such an impression. - -The call to arms brought the infantry into position. Members of the -local militia companies, commanded by Captains Low, Kuhn, Black and -Smiley, each on his own account, hurried to the eastern section of the -town and, selecting secure positions, opened a very effective fire on -the invading cavalry, which compelled them to fall back. - -Soon the shelling of the town commenced, which was kept up nearly an -hour. This was followed by raking Main Street with grape and canister -until nearly dark, when a rebel officer came in with a flag of truce to -General Smith’s headquarters, demanding an unconditional surrender of -the town. General Smith refused and the officer, bearing the flag of -truce, returned to his command. - -Then began a second shelling of the town, more terrific than the first. -To add to the general consternation the rebels applied the torch; the -gas works, barracks, dwellings, stores, etc., were fired. Again an -officer interviewed General Smith and again he refused to surrender. - -A third bombardment commenced, which, however, did not last long. By 3 -o’clock Thursday morning the rebel command left by way of Boiling Spring -road, thence across South Mountain for Gettysburg, to join General -Robert E. Lee’s forces in the great battle which had opened there the -previous day. - -During the bombardment of Carlisle not one citizen was killed, neither -was a Union soldier, but fifteen of the latter were wounded. - - ---------- - - - - - British Flag Captured by Pennsylvanians in - Battle of Monmouth June 28, 1778 - - -Just before dawn June 18, 1778, the British began their evacuation of -Philadelphia. They crossed the Delaware, and that evening encamped -around Haddonfield, N. J. - -The news of this evacuation reached Washington, at Valley Forge, before -morning. He immediately sent General Maxwell, with his brigade, to -co-operate with the New Jersey militia, under General Dickinson, in -retarding the march of the British. - -They were 17,000 strong, marching in two divisions, one under Cornwallis -and the other led by Knyphausen. - -General Arnold, whose wounds kept him from the field, entered -Philadelphia with a detachment before the rear guard of the British had -left it. The remainder of the army, under the immediate command of -Washington, crossed the Delaware above Trenton and pursued. - -General Clinton had intended to march to New Brunswick and embark his -army for New York, but, finding Washington’s army in his path, he turned -toward Monmouth Court House. Washington followed him in a parallel line, -prepared to strike him whenever an opportunity should offer. But Clinton -wished to avoid a battle, for he was encumbered with baggage, wagons and -a host of camp followers, which made his line twelve miles in length. He -encamped in Freehold on the night of June 27, and there Washington -resolved to strike him if he should move the next morning. - -General Lee was in command of the advanced corps. Washington ordered him -to form a plan of attack, but he failed to do so, or to forward any -orders to Generals Wayne, Lafayette or Maxwell, who called upon him. - -On the morning of June 28, a hot Sabbath, Washington was told Clinton -was about to move, and he ordered Lee to fall upon the British rear, but -he was so tardy that the enemy had ample time to prepare for battle. -When Lee did move he had no plan for battle, and his orders so perplexed -his generals that they requested Washington to appear on the field with -the main army immediately. - -Wayne attacked with vigor, with a sure prospect of victory, Lee ordered -him only to make a feint. Clinton, at that moment changed front, and -sent a large force against Wayne; Lafayette sensed the situation and -asked Lee for permission to gain the rear of the British. At first he -refused, then ordered him to attack Clinton’s left. At the same time he -weakened Wayne’s detachment by taking three regiments from it to support -the right. While Wayne was in a desperate struggle Lee’s courage -weakened and he withdrew, saying that the temerity of Wayne had brought -against him the whole flower of the British army. - -Washington was pressing forward to the support of Lee, when he learned -that his division was in full retreat. Washington, angered at the -actions of Lee, ordered Wayne with three Pennsylvania regiments and two -others from Virginia and Maryland to stop the British pursuit. - -The British, about 7000 strong, attempted to turn the American left -flank, but were repulsed and disappointed. A severe battle ensued, in -which the Americans did great execution. For a while the result seemed -doubtful, when General Wayne came up with his troops and gave victory to -the Americans. - -Colonel Henry Monckton tried to drive Wayne from his position, leading -his troops in a bayonet charge. So terrible was Wayne’s storm of bullets -that almost every British officer was slain, Colonel Monckton being -among the killed. - -The battle ended at twilight, when both armies rested on their weapons, -prepared for another conflict at dawn. But Clinton withdrew his army so -silently, that he was far away when the American sentinels discovered -his flight in the morning. Washington did not pursue. - -The British lost 1000 by desertion while crossing New Jersey, and they -left 245 on the field. The Americans lost 228 killed, wounded and -missing. - -It was during part of this action that Molly McKolly, wife of an -artilleryman in Proctor’s regiment, carried water for the thirsty -soldiers, and when her husband was wounded, an officer ordered the piece -to be withdrawn. - -Molly dropped her pitcher, seized the rammer and, displaying great -courage and presence of mind, kept the gun in action. She performed the -duty with a skill and daring that attracted the attention of all who saw -her. On the following morning, covered with dirt and blood, General -Greene presented her to Washington, who, admiring her bravery, conferred -upon her the commission of sergeant. - -She was called Captain Molly, and became a heroine, always afterward -known as “Molly Pitcher.” A monument on the battlefield at Monmouth -attests to her act, and her grave in the Carlisle, Pa., cemetery is -marked by a stone and cannon. - -John Blair Linn, in his Annals of Buffalo Valley, says that the flag of -the Royal Grenadiers and the sword of Colonel Monckton were captured on -the field of Monmouth by Captain William Wilson, of Northumberland -County. - -The flag is five feet four inches by four feet eight, lemon color -ground, heavy corded silk; the device at upper right corner is twenty -inches square, British Union, consisting of the cross of St. George and -St. Andrew’s Cross. The field of the device is blue, the central stripes -red, the marginal ones white. - -When Monckton waved his sword and ordered his grenadiers to charge and -Wayne met them with a deadly fire, the colors were in advance, to the -right, with the colonel, and they went down with him. Captain Wilson and -his company, who were on the right of the First Pennsylvania, made a -rush for the colors and the body of the brave colonel. - -Captain Wilson gave Monckton’s sword to General Wayne, who presented it -to General Lafayette, who took it with him to Europe. When he returned -to the United States in 1824, he brought the sword with him, intending -to restore it in person to Captain Wilson. - -Captain Wilson having died in 1813, General Lafayette handed the sword -to Colonel Samuel Hunter, who turned it over to Judge A. S. Wilson, a -son of Captain William Wilson. - -The flag has frequently been brought into requisition in patriotic -demonstrations in subsequent years. It is still in the possession of -descendants of Captain Wilson, now residents of Bellefonte. - - ---------- - - - - - Duke of York Receives New Patent for His - Grant, June 29, 1674 - - -The English claimed the right to the country upon the South, or Delaware -River, because of the fact that John Cabot sailed up and down the -Atlantic coast. - -Captain Thomas Young and his nephew, Robert Evelin, under a commission -from King Charles “to go forth and discover lands in America,” arrived -in the South River July 24, 1634. They remained at the mouth of the -Schuylkill five days, and made two attempts to pass beyond the falls -near Trenton. They built a fort at a place called Eriwoneck, probably -the site of Philadelphia. - -In 1635 the governor of Virginia sent fifteen armed men, under command -of Captain George Holmes, to the South River, and they took possession -of Fort Nassau and the contiguous country. The Dutch governor of New -Netherland promptly sent a force which recaptured the fort and made -prisoners of Holmes and his invaders. - -In 1641 New Haven merchants and planters sent George Lamberton and -Nathaniel Turner to make land purchases on the South River. They bought -from the Indians and built a block house, to which place about sixty -persons from Connecticut settled. The venture proved profitable, and -soon other colonists arrived, and many houses were built near the mouth -of the Schuylkill. - -The Swedes and Dutch both protested and in May, 1642, two sloops arrived -from Manhattan with instructions to expel the English quietly, if -possible, but by force, if necessary. The Dutch were compelled to use -force, sent the English prisoners to Manhattan and burned their -improvements. - -Charles II having been restored to the throne of Great Britain, he -granted to his brother, James, Duke of York, later King of England, the -lands lying between the Connecticut and Delaware Rivers. The duke fitted -out an expedition, sailed to the mouth of the Hudson, and demanded the -surrender, which was made August 27, 1664. - -This expedition then proceeded to the Delaware and November 3 forced the -surrender of that colony. Colonel Robert Carr was appointed Deputy -Governor. - -This conquest caused a war between Great Britain and Holland, which -ended in favor of the former. The City of New Amsterdam became City of -New York; Fort Orange became Albany; the South River became Delaware -River, and New Amstel became New Castle. - -Colonel Richard Nicholls governed the territory with justice and good -sense until August, 1668, when he was succeeded by Colonel Francis -Lovelace. - -The first rebellion in the country was stirred up about this time, 1669, -when Konigsmark, known as the “Long Finn,” with another Finn, named -Henry Coleman, who understood the Indian language, went about preaching -sedition and creating disturbances among settlers and Indians. - -Madame Papegoja, daughter of former Governor Printz, and Carolus Lock, -the Swedish preacher, were said to have been adherents. Konigsmark was -finally captured, put in irons, publicly whipped, branded with the -letter “R” (for Rebellion), and sold into slavery in Barbados. - -George Fox, the founder of the sect of Quakers, arrived from England and -rode through New Jersey, crossed the Delaware where is now Burlington by -swimming his horse. He then rode thirty miles that day and slept on some -straw in the house of a Swede. This was in 1672, and the coming of this -visitor had great significance for the future of Pennsylvania. - -The Maryland Government sent a surveyor in April, 1672, to survey lands -in the Delaware Colony for Lord Baltimore. In a few months a more -warlike demonstration was made, when a detail of thirty, commanded by -one Jones, rode into the Horekill and “bound the magistrates and -inhabitants, despitefully treated them, rifled and plundered them of -their goods,” and when it was demanded “by what authority were these -proceedings,” it was answered with a “cock’t pistol to the breast of the -impudent questioner.” Jones seized all the Indian goods and skins, drove -a spike into the touch-hole of the great gun, and seized all the small -arms and mill stones. - -War again broke out between Great Britain and Holland in March, 1672, -and had its consequent effect on the affairs along the Delaware. - -In August Governor Lovelace declared that the war included those in -America. The blow fell suddenly at New York, and Lovelace was taken -while on a visit in Connecticut. - -A Dutch fleet appeared before New York, July 30, 1673, of such superior -strength that effective resistance was impossible. The fort capitulated -and New York again became a Dutch city. - -The Delaware colony made no resistance; the English were too few in -numbers, the Dutch too willing, and the Swedes too indifferent. Peter -Alricks again became the commander of the Delaware River. - -The renewed Dutch Government lasted only a year, when, by the treaty of -Westminster, February 19, 1674, New Netherland was finally ceded to -Great Britain. - -On June 29, 1674, King Charles gave a new grant to the Duke of York, who -appointed Major Edmund Andros governor. - -Andros set up a court at Upland in which were settled the controversies -of the settlers. He reinstated in office those who had been magistrates -at the time of the Dutch conquest, Peter Alricks excepted. - -The administration of Andros continued quite seven years, during which -the only courts in what is now Pennsylvania were held at Upland. Nearly -always the justices were Swedes. - -The settlers above Christina Creek formed what later became the -Pennsylvania Community. The settlers above the creek attended court at -Upland, those below obtained justice at New Castle. This marked division -was made November 12, 1678, and from that date the designation “county” -became commonly employed. - -Swedes’ Mill on Cobb’s Creek set up by Printz, in 1643, continued in -use, but another was now built below New Castle. Others were built -afterward. - -At this time there were no roads, simply paths for man or horse, and -cartways where merchandise was to be transported. Such were indicated by -blazed trees. November, 1678, the court ordered “that every person -should within the space of two months, as far as his land reaches, make -good and passable ways from neighbor to neighbor, with bridges where -needed, to the end that neighbors on occasion may come together.” - -The time now approached when the lands along the shores of the Delaware -became a place of refuge for all the sect of Quakers, and March 4, 1681, -William Penn received a patent for the lands in America, to which the -King gave the name Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Provincial Government and Indians Open - Conference June 30, 1742 - - -In September, 1737, occurred the so-called “Walking Purchase,” by which -there passed from the lands of the Delaware Indians into those of the -Proprietaries, the upper portion of Bucks County, a large slice of -Carbon County, and one-fourth each of Monroe and Pike counties, an area -of 1200 square miles. The “walk” upon which the purchase was made was a -deception and as a consequence caused trouble for the Proprietaries for -many years. - -The lands at the “Forks” of the Delaware were still in the occupancy of -the Delaware in 1741, although the Six Nations had ordered the Delaware -to remove to the Susquehanna. - -In October, 1741, a Cayuga deputation returned to their county from -Philadelphia bearing with them to the “Long House” of the Six Nations a -message from the Lieutenant Governor urging the Six Nations “to come -down and force the Delaware to quit the 'Forks’.” - -In response to this appeal 230 Indians from the Six Nations, including -the principal chiefs and sachems, arrived at Philadelphia June 30, 1742, -and found awaiting them a number of Pennsylvania Indians, including -Shikellamy, the vicegerent of the Six Nations; Allummapees, King of the -Delaware, also from Shamokin, and a large delegation from the Forks of -the Susquehanna, representing the different clans. All the tribes of the -Six Nations were represented except the Mohawk. - -In a message to the Provincial Assembly, Governor Thomas stated the -coming of the Six Nations at this time “was not necessary for the -present peace of the province, but for the province’s future security, -likewise, in case of a rupture with the French, who will leave no -methods unessayed to corrupt the Six Nations’ fidelity and to persuade -them to turn their arms against us.” At this time declaration of war -between England and France was daily expected. - -The conference between the Governor and the Council on the one side and -the Six Nations on the other lasted until July 12, during which time -eight sessions were held. The Council opened in the house of James -Logan, then met at “the Great Meeting House,” where the last meeting was -held in the presence of “a great number of the inhabitants of -Philadelphia.” Conrad Weiser was present as interpreter for the -Government and the Six Nations and Cornelius Spring and Nicholas Scull -appeared for the Delaware. - -In opening the conference the Governor referred to the fact that the Six -Nations, at the time they had released their claim to all the lands on -both sides of the Susquehanna as far north as the Kittatinny Mountains, -had declined to take their pay for the lands on the west side of the -river, preferring to receive the same at some future time. He then -announced that the goods to be given in payment for those lands were -ready for delivery to the Indians. - -In reply to the Governor, Canassatego, chief of the Onondaga and -principal speaker of the Indians at the conference, said, among other -things: “The Six Nations have obligated themselves to sell none of the -land that falls within the province of Pennsylvania to any but our -Brother Onas, and that to sell lands to any other is an high breach of -the league of friendship.” - -The Governor replied that they were correct in their position. - -On the seventh day the Governor referred to the trouble with the “Forks” -Indians, to which Canassatego replied that the deputies would take the -matter into consideration and give an answer in a few days. Three days -later Canassatego arose and said: - -“The other day you informed us of the misbehavior of our Cousins the -Delawares, with respect to their continuing to claim and refusing to -remove from some land on the Delaware notwithstanding their ancestors -had sold it by deed upwards of fifty years ago, and notwithstanding they -themselves had about five years ago ratified that deed and given a fresh -one. We have concluded to remove them and oblige them to go over the -river Delaware and to quit all claim to any lands on this side for the -future, since they have received pay for them and it has gone through -their guts long ago.” - -Then turning toward the Delaware and holding a belt of wampum in his -hand, Canassatego continued: “Cousins—Let this belt of wampum serve to -chastise you. You ought to be taken by the hair of the head and shaked -severely till you recover your senses and become sober. You don’t know -what ground you stand on, nor what you are doing. Our Brother Onas’ case -is very just and plain * * * on the other hand your cause is bad. - -“But how came you to take upon you to sell land at all? We conquered -you! We made women of you! You know you are women and can no more sell -land than women. Nor is it fit you should have the power of selling -lands, since you would abuse it.” The old chief concluded his cutting -arraignment as follows: - -“We don’t give you the liberty to think about it. You are women. Take -the advice of a wise man and remove immediately. We therefore assign you -two places to go—either to Wyoming or Shamokin. You may go to either of -these places and then we shall have you more under our eye and shall see -how you behave. Don’t deliberate, but remove away and take this belt of -wampum.” - -The old chief handed them the wampum and told the Delaware that, as -there was other business to transact, they should depart from the -council. There was no diplomatic mincing of words in the speech of the -Onondaga chief. He spoke with the air of one having authority. This -speech scattered seed which in time caused more bloodshed in peaceful -Pennsylvania than the “Walking Purchase” ever did. - -In 1815, John Watson, of Bucks County, wrote of this speech: “When this -terrible sentence was ended, it is said that the unfeeling political -philosopher (Canassatego) walked forward, and, taking strong hold of the -long hair of King Nutimus, of the Delaware, led him to the door and -forcibly sent him out of the room, and stood there while all the -trembling inferiors followed him. He then walked back to his place like -another Cato, and calmly proceeded to another subject as if nothing had -happened. The poor fellows (Nutimus and his company), in great and -silent grief, went directly home, collected their families and goods, -and, burning their cabins to signify they were never to return, marched -reluctantly to their new homes.” - -Leaving their wigwams on the banks of their favorite Delaware, the once -powerful Lenni Lenape commenced their march westward. A portion went to -Shamokin, a few settled on the Juniata, near Lewistown, but the greater -part of them, under their chief Tadame, went to Wyoming. - - ---------- - - - - - Decisive Battle of Gettysburg Opened - Wednesday, July 1, 1863 - - -The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, 1863, marked the high tide of -the Civil War. Here General Robert E. Lee hoped to win a victory which -would compel the withdrawal of Union troops from other parts of the -country, secure recognition of the Confederacy by foreign Governments, -carry panic into the North and furnish supplies for his hungry troops. - -Fresh from his brilliant victory at Chancellorsville, he moved north -until his van was within sight of Harrisburg, and there, learning that -General George G. Meade was in close pursuit, Lee turned his army to -meet him, and Gettysburg became the scene of the decisive battle. - -The battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest of the Civil War and the most -terrible battle in the world’s history previous to the World’s War, and -probably greater than any single action in that gigantic conflict. - -The Union losses in the three days’ battle were 23,000, and the -Confederate losses were probably as high in killed, wounded, captured -and missing, as 29,000. - -At Gettysburg was concentrated Lee’s magnificent and confident army of -Confederate troops, which had invaded Pennsylvania through the -Cumberland Valley, and was then on its way to Philadelphia, and then to -Baltimore and Washington. The advance of Ewell’s corps marched as far as -Wrightsville, seventy-five miles from Philadelphia, or only four days’ -march and had watered their horses in the Susquehanna River. There the -mile-long Columbia-Wrightsville bridge was burned to prevent the rebels -from crossing the river. - -The concentration of his forces at Gettysburg was forced upon General -Lee by the rapid movement of General Hooker with the Federal army, who -hurried northward, as soon as Washington was uncovered, to intercept the -invading host, and so to loosen the grip it had upon the fair valleys, -rich with ripe grain and teeming with money, horses, cattle, clothing, -shoes and provisions. Curiously, the Southern army came into Gettysburg -from the North and the Northern army came in from the South. - -Lee’s army was in fine condition and Hooker’s was recently reorganized -into a great machine. The two armies were well matched. Each had -approximately 80,000 men, including 10,000 cavalry to each; the Union -had 327 pieces of artillery, and the Southern army only forty less -pieces. The main difference was in commanders, for the Federal army had -at Gettysburg, a new and untried commander, General Meade, who only -three days before the battle had superseded General Hooker, and had with -him two new corps commanders, Sykes and Newton, while the Confederate -army under Lee had their able and accomplished Longstreet as well as the -competent A. P. Hill and renowned Ewell in command of their three corps. - -Excluding the ground of the great cavalry fight between Gregg and Stuart -on the afternoon of July 3, on the Rommel farm three miles east of -Gettysburg, where for hours these skillful generals fought for -possession of the field in the immediate rear of the Union army, the -area of the battlefield was about twenty square miles. - -Lee’s intention had been to have Stuart’s cavalry strike the Union army -from the rear the same moment Pickett was carrying the line in the -front. The first skirmish in the great battle occurred June 27, when -part of Early’s command, on their way to the Susquehanna, drove the -Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment out of the borough. - -On June 30, Buford’s cavalrymen, reconnoitering out on the Cashtown -road, one of the seven prominent roads which converge at Gettysburg, ran -into some of Pettigrew’s infantry and in the evening of that day, -Colonel Gamble stationed his pickets along Marsh Creek. - -Early in the following morning, July 1, Pettigrew’s Division advanced -toward the town, and at Willoughby Run, with his whole brigade -dismounted, Gamble held back the Confederates for two hours. Buford had -advised General John F. Reynolds of this expected encounter; he placed -the first division of his First Army Corps upon the road, and he then -hurried forward the few miles to meet General Buford. - -The two rode out the Cashtown Pike, where a conference was held at 9 -o’clock. Reynolds then hurried back to his advancing troops to spur them -forward and as he was leading the foremost regiment into the woods he -was struck in the head and instantly killed. So passed away the greatest -soldier in the Army of the Potomac. - -An hour later Archer’s Brigade was captured by the Federals near -Willoughby Run. Then followed two hours’ lull, during which the -Confederates were preparing their lines to sweep the Union troops off -Seminary Ridge. General Doubleday skillfully met this attack by throwing -his two Pennsylvania brigades (of the Third Division, First Corps) into -the front line, Biddle’s on the north of the woods and Stone’s on the -south, both in open ground; the Second Division to the woods on the road -toward Carlisle. - -For three hours these fresh troops received the assaults of the enemy -ten times their number, and when night came it was learned that -Doubleday’s Corps had been reduced from 9403 officers and men to 2400, -the 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers out of 380 men and seventeen officers -brought back eighty men and only one officer not wounded. The 121st, -142d, 143d, 149th and 151st Pennsylvania all lost quite as heavily. - -While the First Corps was thus engaged, General Howard with the Eleventh -Corps came down the Emmetsburg road onto the field. Three divisions were -started for Oak Hill, that they might hold it against Ewell’s Corps, -coming back from near Harrisburg. Unfortunately the enemy had already -seized the hill and Howard was forced into the open, but his two -divisions were skillfully placed, and for two hours he sustained an -unequal and hopeless fight, being forced back to Cemetery Hill, just as -Doubleday had been, and at about the same time. - -Among the incidents of the first day’s fight was the appearance on the -field of John Burns, citizen, who came out from town dressed in a -swallow tail coat with brass buttons on it, wearing a tall hat and his -pockets full of powder and balls and a musket which he had used in the -Mexican War. He approached the firing line, where Major Thomas -Chamberlin, of the 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers was standing, and -begged to be allowed to fight with that regiment. While discussing the -matter, he was advised to go into the woods and fight from behind a -tree, which the old man did, receiving three wounds, for which -Pennsylvania has erected to his memory a handsome statue, located on the -ground where the 150th fought. - -One civilian killed was Jennie Wade, eighteen years old, who was struck -by a stray shot as she was baking bread in her home. - - ---------- - - - - - Sickles’ Corps Holds Confederates Off Both - Round Tops at Gettysburg July 2, 1863 - - -During the night of July 1 the two army commanders hurried up their -troops to Gettysburg, but it was on the night of July 2 before the last -of Sedgwick’s Sixth Corps and the last of Longstreet’s First Corps came -into position. Meantime, at Hanover Junction, twelve miles east of -Gettysburg, Kilpatrick was fighting Stuart, and, having whipped him and -forced the enemy cavalry around to the left and rear of the Confederate -Army, he took his position on the west of the Emmetsburg road, a mile -and a half from Peach Orchard, on the left flank of the Union Army. - -On July 2 General Daniel E. Sickles, with his Third Corps, came up. He -was assigned to a position on the “left of Hancock,” and occupied the -Emmetsburg road as far as the Peach Orchard, throwing his left toward -Round Top. He was hardly in position before Longstreet enveloped the -Union line, where, for five hours, from 3 until 8 o’clock, the battle -raged furiously, the scene changing from the Peach Orchard to the -Wheatfield and from there to the valley between Round Top and back again -to the Devil’s Den and again back to the Wheatfield. - -The interposition of Sickles’ corps between the Confederate Army and -Round Top was what Longstreet least desired, for he intended to make a -vigorous attack upon that strategic position, but the Union forces -obtained the eminence just as the enemy was ascending the western slope. - -In the desperate struggle for Little Round Top four Union generals were -killed. On the Wheatfield two colonels were killed, and near the Peach -Orchard General Sickles lost his leg. - -In the second day’s fight Hood was wounded, but, minus a leg and an arm, -he commanded the Western Confederate Army and fought Sherman near -Atlanta. - -The Confederate forces had pushed the Federal line back half a mile, but -had failed to seize either Big or Little Round Top, and each side had -suffered frightfully in killed and wounded. - -When Longstreet opened his battle behind Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill -it was expected that Ewell would attack the Union lines in front. He did -not hear Longstreet’s guns and failed to attack until 7 o’clock in the -evening, when, supported by numerous guns in a hot artillery fire, the -Louisiana Tigers and North Carolina brigade of Early’s division stormed -East Cemetery Hill, carrying everything before them, even to clubbing -Wiedrich’s artillerymen in their hastily thrown up intrenchments. But -Carroll’s brigade of infantrymen was back of the guns across the -Baltimore pike, and this brigade Hancock personally led against the foe, -with the result that the Union guns and positions were saved and the -Louisiana Tigers as an organization went out of existence. - -Ewell, failing to win East Cemetery Hill, at 7 o’clock pushed Johnson’s -troops against the enemy on the east side of Culp’s Hill, and, after an -hour’s fighting, gained a lodgment in part of the works of the Twelfth -Corps, which had been vacated by troops called to aid in defending the -line on the extreme left against the attack of Longstreet. - -Johnson’s troops pushed their advance by 9 o’clock as far as the -Baltimore road; but on account of darkness and fearful of being led into -a trap, did not go farther. In this contest the Confederates secured -Spangler’s Spring, but all through the long night boys of both sides -filled their canteens at the gurgling fountain. - -At daybreak on the morning of July 3 General Slocum, of the Twelfth -Corps, made a successful attempt to drive the Confederates from the -Union breastworks they had gained the previous night, and for six hours -the woods howled with shot and shell, as this was one of the most -desperate battles. Slowly, but surely, foot by foot, the Union troops -advanced until the breastworks were wrested from the enemy, who was -forced back across Rock Creek. This ended the Battle of Gettysburg, so -far as Ewell’s and Slocum’s corps of the two sides were considered. - -From 10 until 1 there was an ominous silence over the whole field in -both armies. Then came the shot and shell from 150 Confederate guns -posted along Seminary Ridge, directed upon the center of the Union line, -and immediately 150 guns on the Union side responded, and for nearly two -hours the earth trembled. - -General Hunt ordered the Federal pieces to cease firing to cool off, -while he replaced disabled guns with fresh ones and replenished his -supply of ammunition for the assault which was sure to come. - -Lee thought the Union guns were silenced from exhaustion and promptly -gave orders for 15,000 of Longstreet’s and A. P. Hill’s choicest troops -to force the Federal line. Pickett was in front with his 5500 men, and -bravely they marched on and on when the charge commenced. From there it -was a rush, until on and beyond the stone wall, at the Angle, both sides -mingled in wildest disorder, shooting and clubbing each other in a -hand-to-hand struggle that seemed to have no end. One by one the -Confederates threw down their arms and sought retreat. - -Of Pickett’s 5500 men, 224 had been killed, 1140 wounded and 1499 -surrendered. Out of fifteen Confederate flags, twelve were left with the -Federals, only three with the few brave troops making their way back to -the Southland. - -On this third day of the battle General Hancock was carried off the -field badly wounded. - -While Pickett was making his charge, Stuart, with the Rebel cavalry, -endeavored to break the Union line in the center of the rear, but there -he met General David McMurtrie Gregg, of Berks county, in command of the -Union cavalry, and was defeated in the most important cavalry battle of -the war. - -All night long after the battle, Lee pushed his trains to the river -through Fairfield Gap, and on July 4 he commenced to move his army; by -the 14th he had carried it safely across the Potomac into Virginia. - -Gettysburg was a drawn battle, yet, strange to state, was the decisive -battle of the war and was treated by both sides and by the world as a -great Union victory. The Gettysburg campaign was the last of several -incursions upon Northern soil. Lee was afterward on the defensive. - -While all the Northern states contributed their courage and manhood, -Gettysburg, in its location, its leadership, and its incidents, was -essentially a Pennsylvania battle. - - ---------- - - - - - British and Indians Massacre Hundreds - at Wyoming July 3, 1778 - - -The year 1778 brought great distress and fear to the frontier generally, -but particularly to Wyoming. The defeat and surrender of Burgoyne, at -Saratoga, in October, 1777, had left the British without sufficient -available force in America to carry on a regular campaign for this year, -and as the war was to be continued, the only resource left to the -British commanders was to employ the Indians and Tories almost -exclusively in carrying on a war of desolation on the frontier. - -Late in June Colonel John Butler, with his own Tory rangers, a -detachment of Sir John Johnson’s Royal Greens, and a large body of -Indians, chiefly Seneca, descended the Susquehanna. This force numbered -about 400 British and Tories, and 700 Indians. - -At Fort Jenkins, the uppermost in the valley, were gathered the families -of John Jenkins, Hardings, Gardners and others. This fort capitulated -July 2, to a force under Captain Caldwell. Four defenders were killed -and three taken prisoners. - -Wintermoot’s Fort was one mile below Fort Jenkins, with a view, as -afterward appeared, to aiding the Tories. Soon as the enemy appeared -Wintermoot’s Fort at once threw open its gates, and here the British and -Tories assembled. - -There were several stockades at Wyoming, but no other means of defense -than small arms. No one of the forts was able to hold out an hour -against such a force as the enemy mustered. Some of the old men formed -themselves into companies to garrison these forts and yield such -protection as they could. - -Colonel Zebulon Butler happened to be home from the Continental Army, -and assumed command of the settlers. History does not record an instance -of more courage displayed or more gallant devotion. There was no -alternative but to fight and conquer, or die, for to retreat with their -families was impossible. - -On July 3 they marched out to meet the enemy. Colonel Butler commanded -the right wing, aided by Major Garrett. Colonel Dennison commanded the -left, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel George Dorrance. The field of fight -was a plain only partly cleared. Opposed to Colonel Zebulon Butler, of -Wyoming, was Colonel John Butler, with his Tory rangers, in their green -uniforms. - -It was between 4 and 5 o’clock when the engagement began, but the enemy -outnumbered the defenders nearly three to one, and they were soon able -to outflank them, especially on the left, where was a swamp exactly -suited for savage warfare. - -The Wyoming men fell rapidly, and it became impossible to maintain the -position. Colonel Dennison gave an order to fall back, so as to present -a better front to the enemy, but the command was mistaken as a signal -for retreat. - -The fiendish enemy sprang forward, raised horrid yells, rushed in with -tomahawk and spear, and slaughtered the Americans. - -There are related many instances of personal and heroic bravery on part -of both officers and men. They deserved a better fate, but the battle -was lost. - -Then followed the most dreadful massacre in the annals of -Pennsylvania—the most heart-rending tortures. The brave soldiers were -slaughtered without mercy, principally in the flight, and after -surrendering themselves prisoners of war. - -Prisoners taken under solemn promise of quarter were gathered together, -and placed in circles. Sixteen men were arranged around one large stone, -since known as the bloody rock. Surrounded by a body of powerful -Indians, Queen Esther Montour, a fury in the form of a woman, assumed -the office of executioner, and with the death maul or tomahawk, she -passed round the circle and dashed out the brains of each prisoner. - -Three strong men named Hammond, Lebbens and Joseph Elliott escaped by a -desperate effort. In another similar ring nine persons were slain in the -same manner. Many were shot swimming the river and hunted out and killed -in their hiding places. Only sixty of those who went into the battle -survived. The forts were filled with widows and orphans. It is said that -150 widows and six orphans were the result of the battle.[3] - -Footnote 3: - - It is believed that the Indians secured 227 scalps in this battle. The - poet, Campbell, has told this dread tale in his “Gertrude of Wyoming.” - -About two-thirds of those who went out fell. Naked, panting and bloody, -a few who had escaped, rushed into Wilkes-Barre Fort where they told the -dreadful news that all was lost. Mr. Hollenback, who swam the river amid -the shots of the enemy, was the first to spread the appalling news. They -fled to the mountains and down the river. Their sufferings were -terrible, and they were almost famished for want of bread. In one party -of nearly a hundred there was but a single man. - -In Forty Fort they heard the firing distinctly, and their spirits were -high, until they learned the dreadful news. The first fugitives reached -the fort in the evening, and then a few others arrived during the night. -Colonel Dennison also came in, and rallied the little band for defense. -He succeeded the next day in entering into a capitulation for the -settlement with Colonel John Butler, by which doubtless many lives were -saved. - -The enemy marched in, six abreast, the British and Tories at the -northern gate, the Indians at the southern. On paper the terms of -capitulation were fair, but the Indians immediately began to rob and -burn, plunder and destroy. Even when appealed to, Tory Butler did not -put a stop to it. But the Indians did not take life within the fort, -only confined themselves to wanton plunder and insult. - -When night fell the blaze of twenty dwellings lighted up the valley. In -almost every house and field the murderous work was performed. - -When the moon rose, the terrified survivors of the massacre fled to the -Poconos and beyond to Stroudsburg. In the morasses of the dreadful -wilderness many women and children perished, these places are still -called “Shades of Death.” - -In a few days Colonel Butler led the chief part of his army away, but -the Indians continued in the valley burning and plundering, until nearly -every building was consumed and it was clearly shown that the articles -of capitulation afforded no security. - -Soon after the battle Captain Spalding, with a company from Stroudsburg, -took possession of the desolate valley, and rebuilt the fort at -Wilkes-Barre. Colonel Thomas Hartley marched from Fort Muncy, on the -West Branch, along the Sheshequin trail up into what is now Bradford -County, and burned the Indian villages at Wyalusing, Sheshequin and -Tioga, and cut off a part of the enemy who were taking a boat-load of -plunder from Wyoming. - - ---------- - - - - - Declaration of Independence Adopted - by Congress July 4, 1776 - - -Continental Congress was confronted with a serious situation when it -convened in the early winter of 1775. - -John Dickinson, of Pennsylvania, continued to be one of the most -important members. He was placed on the committee to correspond with -foreign Powers and was intrusted with the framing of the Articles of -Confederation. - -The majority of Congress were now determined to destroy the authority of -the British King, and, although Dickinson held the Pennsylvania -delegation, with the exception of Benjamin Franklin, to his own views, -the progress of events changed the public sentiment in the province. -Many were to be found who, while they regretted the cruel necessity, -were now ready to give up the name Englishmen. The Assembly sensed this -growing feeling and at length released the delegates from former -instruction and left the matter to their own judgment. - -A committee with John Dickinson, the author of the Farmer’s Letters, at -its head, reported: - -“The happiness of these Colonies has during the whole course of this -fatal controversy been our first wish; their reconciliation with Great -Britain our next. Ardently have we prayed for the accomplishment of -both. But if we must renounce the one or the other we humbly trust in -the mercies of the Supreme Governor of the universe that we shall not -stand condemned before His throne if our choice is determined by the -overruling law of self-preservation which His divine wisdom has thought -proper to implant in the hearts of His creatures.” - -Congress now resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the -question of independence. Many of the illustrious members of Congress -advocated it with great warmth, principally John Adams, of -Massachusetts; R. R. Livingstone, of New York, and Edward Rutledge, of -South Carolina, while James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, joined with John -Dickinson in opposing it. - -Wilson avowed, that notwithstanding the recall of the instructions -against independence by the Assembly, his own sentiments remained the -same. Dickinson declared that America could be wisely governed by the -King and Parliament, not as independent, but as subject States. He -believed the restraining power of the King and Parliament was -indispensable to protect the Colonies from disunion and civil war. The -debate was adjourned until July 1, and when Congress again took up the -question James Wilson had turned for independence. - -Adams led the debate in favor, and Dickinson on the side opposing it. -The time had not come for independence; he feared disunion among the -Colonies. He pointed out that foreign aid would not be obtained without -success in battle. He believed the Colonies ought at least have agreed -upon the terms of their own confederation, as had been begun, and it -would have been well to have fixed the bounds of each colony. -Dickinson’s argument was sound and proved he had a correct grasp on -public affairs, for even after the long war for independence the -Colonies were divided. - -Pennsylvania had been maintaining a border war with Virginia for the -possession of the lands west of the Allegheny Mountains, and another and -more serious war with Connecticut because of the conflicting or -misunderstood boundaries. - -New York had a similar dispute with Connecticut and New Hampshire, the -latter contesting the region which has since become the State of -Vermont. Further trouble was also to be expected as population pushed -toward the West, the older colonies claiming under their original -charters as far as the Pacific Ocean. - -In committee, when Richard Henry Lee’s resolution declaring independence -was up for vote, Dickinson, Morris, Willing and Humphreys voted against -it, making a majority of the delegation from Pennsylvania, but every -other colony, excepting Delaware, voted in favor of the resolution. -Franklin, Wilson and Morton voted in favor of independence. - -As far-seeing a man as John Dickinson was, he could not fully comprehend -the idea of a separate existence of the Colonies from the mother -country, and yet no purer patriot breathed the air of freedom. A zealous -advocate of liberty, it was his words that startled the Colonies and -struck the keynote which aroused the energies of the provincialists and -made them contend for independence. Notwithstanding his -overcautiousness, the declaration having been determined on, Dickinson -entered heartily into its support and took an active part in all the -affairs transpiring in the Colonies—even wielding his sword in the -cause. - -On July 2, 1776, the resolution being reported by the Committee of the -Whole, came before the House. Dickinson and Morris made no further -opposition, but by absenting themselves allowed the Keystone State, -which Pennsylvania’s population and geographical position made her, to -be put into the national arch then being erected. - -John Morton is credited with casting the decisive vote. He felt the -great responsibility and with it odium which he incurred in the locality -which he lived. His health broke and he died the following year. From -his deathbed he sent this protest to the friends who had turned from -him: “Tell them they will live to see the hour when they shall -acknowledge my signing of the Declaration of Independence to have been -the most glorious service that I ever rendered my country.” - -Pending the consideration of this important question of independence, a -committee, consisting of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin -Franklin, Roger Sherman and R. R. Livingstone, was appointed to prepare -a Declaration of Independence. Jefferson and Adams were named a -subcommittee, and the original draft of this eloquent manifesto was made -by Jefferson. It was adopted by the committee without amendment and -reported to Congress on June 28. - -On July 4, having received some alterations, it was sanctioned by the -vote of every Colony. Of the Pennsylvania delegation, Dickinson and -Morris were absent when the vote was taken; Franklin, Wilson and Morton -voted for, and Willing and Humphreys voted against it. - - ---------- - - - - - Massacre at Wyoming Followed by “The - Great Runaway” on July 5, 1778 - - -The great massacre at Wyoming occurred on July 3, 1778, and as the news -passed down the North Branch of the Susquehanna and spread over the -hills and valleys leading to the West Branch Valley it caused a general -stampede, a wild, precipitate flight of the settlers from the upper -region which has ever since been known as the “Great Runaway.” - -The history of Pennsylvania has failed to record any flight of its -inhabitants, either in numbers or the harrowing details of its movement, -comparable with this catastrophe. - -Within two days following the massacre the news had penetrated the -entire North Branch Valley and had reached as far up the West Branch -Valley as Fort Antes, now Jersey Shore. - -On July 9 Colonel Samuel Hunter, the county lieutenant and commandant of -the garrison at Fort Augusta (Sunbury), wrote to the Governor: - -“Nothing but a firm reliance upon Divine Providence and the virtue of -our neighbors induces the few to stand that remain; and if they are not -speedily re-enforced they must give way; but will have this consolation, -that they have stood in defense of their liberty and country as long as -they could. In justice to this county (Northumberland) I must bear -testimony that the States never applied to it for men in vain. - -“I am sure the State must know that we have reduced ourselves to our -present feeble condition by our readiness to turn out upon all occasions -when called for in defense of the common cause. Should we now fall for -want of assistance, let the neighboring counties reconcile themselves, -if they can, the breach of brotherly love, charity and every other -virtue which adorns and advances the human species above the brute -creation. I will not attempt to point out the particular cruelties or -barbarities that have been practiced on our unhappy inhabitants, but -assure you that for the number history affords no instance of more -heathenish cruelty or savage barbarity than has been exhibited in this -county.” - -Colonel Matthew Smith wrote from Paxtang July 12 that he “had just -arrived at Harris’ Ferry and beheld the greatest scenes of distress I -ever saw. It was crowded with people who had come down the river, -leaving everything.” - -If the distress was the worst this old patriot ever beheld, it was truly -a sad scene, for Colonel Smith had suffered in both the French and -Indian and Revolutionary Wars. He was in command of a company in the -Arnold expedition to Quebec, when the troops for long months experienced -nothing but suffering and distress. - -On the same day Peter DeHaven wrote from Hummelstown: “This day there -were twenty or thirty passed through this town from Buffalo Valley -(Union County) and Sunbury, and the people inform me that there are 200 -wagons on the road coming down.” - -Another letter, written by William Maclay, later the first United States -Senator from Pennsylvania, dated Paxtang, July 12: “I left Sunbury and -almost my whole property on Wednesday last. I will not trouble you with -a recital of the inconveniences I suffered while I brought my family by -water to this place. I never in my life saw such scenes of distress. The -river and roads leading down it were covered with men, women and -children flying for their lives. In short, Northumberland County is -broken up. - -“Colonel Hunter only remained, using his utmost endeavors to rally the -inhabitants to make a stand. I left him with a few—I cannot speak -confidently as to numbers—but he had not 100 men on whom he could -depend. Mrs. Hunter came down with me. As he is now disencumbered of his -family, I am convinced he will do everything that can be expected from a -brave and determined man. Something in the way of charity ought to be -done for the miserable objects that crowd the banks of this river, -especially those who fled from Wyoming. You know I did not use to love -them, but I now sincerely pity their distress.” - -Colonel Hunter the same day sent a most pathetic appeal to the president -of the Supreme Executive Council, dated Fort Augusta, July 12: - -“The calamities so long dreaded and of which you have been more than -once informed must fall upon this country, if not assisted by -Continental troops or the militia of the neighboring counties. At this -date the towns of Sunbury and Northumberland are the frontiers where a -few virtuous inhabitants and fugitives seem determined to stand, though -doubtful whether tomorrow’s sun shall rise on them free men, captives or -in eternity.” - -Robert Covenhoven wrote: “I took my own family safely to Sunbury, and -came back in a keel-boat to secure my furniture. Just as I rounded a -point above Derrstown (now Lewisburg) I met the whole convoy from all -the forts above. Such a sight I never saw in all my life. Boats, canoes, -hogtroughs, rafts, hastily made of dry sticks, every sort of floating -article had been put in requisition, and was crowded with women, -children and plunder. There were several hundred people in all. - -“Whenever an obstruction occurred at any shoal or ripple, the women -would leap out into the water and put their shoulders to the boat or -raft, and launch it again into deep water. The men of the settlement -came down in single file, on each side of the river to guard the women -and children. The whole convoy arrived safely at Sunbury, leaving the -entire range of farms along the West Branch to the ravages of the -Indians.” - -Several persons are known to have been killed by the Indians during the -“Great Runaway,” but it remains a most remarkable fact that almost the -entire population moved from the settlements and for several days were -in the open along the river and yet but few were killed. - -In answer to the appeal from Colonel Hunter and those who really knew -the situation, Colonel Daniel Brodhead with his Eighth Regiment, then on -a march to Fort Pitt, was suddenly ordered to the West Branch. He -arrived at Fort Muncy, July 24. - -Colonel Thomas Hartley, with a small regiment, was ordered to the -Susquehanna and arrived at Fort Augusta August 1, and marched to the -relief of Colonel Brodhead at Fort Muncy, reaching there a week later. - -Colonel Hartley was the master of the situation and using the good -advice of General Potter, Colonel John Kelly, Colonel Samuel Hunter and -others, who knew how to fight Indians, led a successful expedition -against them, which allowed the more venturesome of the settlers to -return to their fields and reap their harvests. - - ---------- - - - - - John Conrad Beissel, Founder of Ephrata - Society, Died There July 6, 1768 - - -The founder of the German religious society of Seventh Day Baptists at -Ephrata was Reverend John Conrad Beissel, who died there July 6, 1768. - -Beissel was born in Eberbach, Germany, in 1690, learned the trade of a -baker, and came to America in 1720. He embraced the religious views of -Alexander Mock, lived as a recluse for several years and at different -points, and finally located on the banks of the Cocalico Creek in -Lancaster County, February 4, 1732. Here he continued to live as a -hermit and advocated the doctrine of celibacy and the seventh day of the -week as the proper day of rest and religious worship. - -He was well versed in New Testament theology; possessed a commanding -appearance, a fluent talker, and in most respects was well calculated to -gather around him a large class of both sexes. - -He was soon joined in his new home by Martin Brener, Samuel Eckerline, -and another whose religious name was “Brother Jethro.” These were soon -followed by Anna and Maria Eicher, from the Conestoga Church, two of -Beissel’s former converts, who could not endure the pangs of separation -from their spiritual teacher. - -This nucleus of a church was joined in 1733 by Israel and Gabriel -Eckerline, and in the following year by a large number from Oley and -Coventry, in Chester County, as well as a large congregation of Germans -who came from Schoharie County, N. Y., and placed themselves under the -spiritual guidance of Beissel. Soon the congregation at Falkner Swamp -joined them and Beissel had suddenly become the teacher of a large -settlement named Lager, meaning an encampment, but the name of which was -subsequently changed to Ephrata, by which the place is still known. - -Peter Miller came to America in 1730, and soon became pastor of a small -Reformed congregation at Tulpehocken. He was a classical scholar and a -good theologian, and after an interview with Beissel, he became one of -his apostles, casting his lot with the Brotherhood of Ephrata. - -Within five years the people of this religious community had accumulated -a large area of landed property which was held as common stock. - -Soon after the founding of this society the monastic system was -inaugurated, and Beissel invested with the title of father, and assumed -the name of “Friedsam,” to which was added the suffix “Gottrecht,” -together meaning _Peaceable_, _God-right_. - -The first building erected under the monastic system, in 1735, was on -“Mount Zion,” and named Kedar. It contained one principal room for -religious worship, love-feasts, and the ceremony of feet-washing. -Besides this there were other rooms, very small, for the use of the -brethren and sisters, those of the latter being in the upper story. -Another building larger in dimensions, and called “Zion,” was built on -the same hill in 1738. These, as well as several buildings of a later -erection, were covered with shingles on the roof and outside walls, and -remain thus covered to the present time. - -In the year 1740 there were in the Ephrata cloisters thirty-six single -brethren and thirty-five sisters; and at one time in later years, when -the society was at the height of its prosperity, the whole congregation, -including those living outside the principal buildings, but in the -immediate neighborhood, numbered about three hundred. - -The buildings in this cloister afforded but rude and poor accommodations -to the inmates. With ceilings barely seven feet in height, passages so -narrow that two persons could not pass each other in them, with very low -and narrow doors, swinging on wooden hinges and fastened by wooden -latches, with cells hardly large enough to hold a cot, and each having -only the light and ventilation afforded by a single window, eighteen by -twenty-four inches in size, and containing only the most indispensable -articles of furniture, and that of the rudest description, these houses -were certainly anything else than abodes of luxury for those who -inhabited them. - -It is stated that the brethren slept on wooden benches, with wooden -blocks for pillows. Probably the dormitories of the sisters were a -little better furnished in that particular. - -In each cell was an hour-glass, and the walls were covered with German -text passages of scripture, and verses of original poetry by Beissel. - -These people wore a cowl and gown of white—linen in summer, woolen in -winter. The cowl of the sisters differed but little from that of the -brethren. The difference between monk and nun could scarcely be -discovered at a little distance. Both sexes went barefooted, except in -extreme weather. They lived on food of the plainest kind, consisting -almost entirely of bread, vegetables, and mush. No animal food was on -their tables, and even butter, cheese, and milk were discountenanced. - -All their vessels for communion and ordinary drinking purposes, also -their trays, plates and other articles for table service, and even their -candle-sticks, were of wood, and manufactured by the brethren. - -In the beginning of Ephrata the plow was drawn by the brethren, ranged -in a long line on each side of a rope, and even the sisters often -assisted in this labor. But in a short time oxen and horses were -procured to perform this work. - -A paper mill was built and paper manufactured for use on their own -printing presses, which had been introduced as early as 1742, the first -book being printed for Israel Eckerline in 1744. Many very fine -publications came from these presses. - -A saw mill, a flour mill, a fulling mill, and a mill for making oil from -flaxseed were put in operation. All these served the outside community -and the workmen were renowned for scrupulous honesty. - -Singing schools were begun in 1742 and a Sabbath school was started as -early as 1740. This was the first Sabbath School in America. The -building for the latter was used in the fall of 1777 as a hospital for -the wounded from the Battle of Brandywine. - -After more than forty years of spiritual leadership Beissel died in -1768, and Peter Miller succeeded him, but the society steadily declined, -until the year 1875, when disputes divided them into two factions, and -consequently into legal entanglements and the effect of the community as -a religious enterprise became inconsequential. - - ---------- - - - - - Riots in Philadelphia Brought to an - End on July 7, 1844 - - -Between the years 1843 and 1844 a spirit of turbulence, riot and -disorder seemed prevalent throughout the United States. Philadelphia -felt the influence, which first manifested itself in 1834. - -On August 12, 1834, a riot took place which was much more serious than -any occurrence of that character previously known. A meeting house, near -the Wharton Market, was torn down and many colored people assaulted and -badly beaten and their houses ransacked. - -In October following occurred the Robb’s Row riot, in the Moyamensing -district. A row of houses on Christian Street, west of Ninth, was burned -by the mob and many persons injured. This disturbance was created by -heated political antagonism, and was fought between rival partisans. - -Another riot in which the blacks suffered, and many of their houses -burned, occurred in July, 1835. - -On May 17, 1838, occurred the Pennsylvania Hall riot, during which a -large and elegant building dedicated three days before, to the purpose -of public discussion by the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of -Slavery, was broken into, set on fire and totally destroyed. - -The Kensington railroad riots took place in 1840, and were a -manifestation of opposition to an attempt by the Philadelphia and -Trenton Railroad Company to lay their tracks on Front Street, in the -business and builtup section of the city. In this disturbance the rails -were torn up, houses burned and many persons injured. - -Another riot in which Negroes were the victims, took place on August 1, -1842, during which Smith’s Beneficial Hall was destroyed by fire. This -building was erected by Stephen Smith, a prominent colored man, to be -used for the meetings of the literary and beneficial societies of -colored people. - -The Negro riots ceased at midnight, but on the next day the Irish -laborers in the coal yards on the Schuylkill got mixed up with a band of -colored laborers and the ensuing riot required militia to quell it. - -Then came the weavers’ riots in Kensington, early in 1843. This was in -consequence of disputes in regard to wages. - -But the most terrible riots known in the history of Philadelphia took -place in 1844, and resulted from political and sectarian prejudices -which were aroused into activity by the formation of the Native American -Party. - -The movement for the organization of this party took place early in -1844. On May 6 a meeting was called, which was intended to be held on an -open lot at the southeast corner of Second and Master Streets. Before -the proceedings were concluded some difficulty arose between the persons -holding the meeting and outsiders, who had gathered on the edge of the -crowd, and assumed a rather menacing attitude. - -Soon there was an attack made upon those in meeting and with such force -that the participants were dispersed. They soon rallied their numbers -and proceeded to a market house nearby, on Washington Street above -Master. The meeting was reorganized, but the disturbances were as -promptly renewed, and at this time firearms were brought into play by -the assailants. - -This unfortunate affair took place in a locality where the majority of -the inhabitants were of the Roman Catholic faith, and although there was -nothing to show that the latter were combined for purposes of breaking -up the meeting, the feelings of the persons assailed led them to a -bitter extremity. They soon obtained firearms and an attack was made on -the buildings in the neighborhood. Seven persons were killed. The Native -Americans being victors set fire to the houses attacked. - -Other outrages were perpetrated and other buildings burned, including a -female seminary under charge of the sisters of a religious order. - -Troops were called out and quelled the rioting. - -The Native Americans celebrated July 4 with a large and showy procession -and ended the day’s program of festivities with a grand display of -fireworks. All dispersed in good order. - -On the evening of July 6 persons were discovered carrying muskets into -the church of St. Philip de Neri, on Queen Street. Crowds soon -assembled, but a Sheriff’s posse promptly appeared upon the scene. - -An unfortunate arrest of a member of the posse, who was kept under -military guard in the church through the night, caused a mob on the -morning of July 7 to assemble determined to release the prisoner. A -cannon loaded with slugs was fired against the rear of the church. Then -it was brought to the front, but further trouble was prevented by the -citizens and the prisoner was released. - -Those in the church marched out and were chased and dispersed. The city -was thoroughly excited with these proceedings and the people gathered in -great crowds, many intent on destroying the church. - -A committee, many of whom were Native Americans, organized to protect -the church property and it seemed as if the trouble was at an end. But -at this moment the military marched upon the scene, followed by a crowd -of Sunday idlers. The soldiers attempted to clear the streets with fixed -bayonets, when some one hurled a brick, striking a soldier. The captain -gave orders to fire, and two volleys were sent into the crowd of men, -women and children. Several were killed and many wounded. - -The crowd now procured artillery and small arms and the most sanguinary -street battle ensued, which continued through the night of the 7th and -the morning of July 8. Two soldiers were killed and many wounded. Seven -citizens were killed and several wounded. - -The militia were withdrawn, the trouble subsided, and the most serious -riot in the history of Philadelphia brought to an end. - - ---------- - - - - - Widow Smith’s Mill Destroyed by Indians - on July 8, 1779 - - -During the year 1774 Catherine Smith, widow of Peter Smith, commenced -building a large grist mill near the mouth of White Deer Creek, in the -present Union County, which she completed the following year. - -When Peter Smith died in the fall of 1773, he left his widow and ten -children with no estate to support his family, except a location for -three hundred acres of land, including the mouth of White Deer Creek, -whereon was an excellent mill seat. His widow was of the type who did -not sit idly by and let her neighbors help support her family, but -realizing that a grist and saw mill were both much wanted in that new -country at that time, and being urged to erect these mills, she set -about the task. - -The widow Smith was able to borrow some money and by June, 1775, she had -both mills in operation. They served the inhabitants in the White Deer -Valley and for many miles on the east side of the West Branch of the -Susquehanna. - -During the summer of 1776, there was an urgent demand for rifles for the -Continental Army and for the use of the old men and boys who remained at -home to protect the women and children from the sudden attacks of the -Indians, while they were doing the work about the farm and the fireside. -So Catherine Smith installed a boring mill, and the records show that a -great number of gun barrels were bored in this mill. She also added a -hemp mill. - -Her eldest son went to the army and this made her work the heavier, as -he was her best help. He was killed in the service. - -The Indians became active following the great Wyoming massacre, July 3, -1778, and after Colonel Thomas Hartley had chastised them during his -successful expedition in the late autumn of 1778, they again became -bolder when the soldiers were withdrawn and the year 1779 was one of the -most terrible along the frontier of the Susquehanna Valleys. - -Nearly all the inhabitants had left during the “Great Runaway,” in July, -1778, and only the most venturesome had returned. The militia were -recruited locally and were under the command of Colonel John Kelly. - -In May a band of nearly a score of Indians killed John Sample and wife -in White Deer. Christian Van Gundy and Henry Vandyke with four others -learned of the murder and went to the scene to bring away any who -survived the massacre. Six more men were to follow the next day. - -When Van Gundy arrived at Sample’s he had slabs put up against the door -and water carried up in the loft. After dark an Indian approached the -house, barking like a dog, and rubbing against the door, but no -attention was paid to him. The party inside lay down and slept until -three o’clock, when Van Gundy got up to light a fire. The Indians -surrounded the house, and mounting a log on their shoulders, tried to -beat in the door. Those inside fired, wounding two, whom the Indians -carried off, but not before they set fire to the house. - -Van Gundy mounted the roof, and knocked off enough boards to reach the -fire, which he extinguished. An Indian shot him in the leg and one of -the others was shot in the face. - -At daybreak they voted whether to remain and fight or attempt escape. - -Two voted to stay, four to go. On opening the door they discovered the -Indian chief lying dead in front of it. Van Grundy secured his rifle and -Vandyke his powder horn. - -The Indians came from ambush and the men separated. Van Grundy, with his -two guns, took into a ravine, and tried to get the others to follow him. -They refused. The Indians killed the old people, who were scalped. - -Colonel Kelly pursued these Indians and came upon five of them sitting -on a log. He placed his men and at a signal four of the Indians were -killed at one volley, the fifth escaped. - -The Widow Smith’s mills were now the frontier and the only place of -refuge, except a small stockade, named Fort Meninger, which was built -about eighty rods from the river, on the north bank of White Deer Creek, -covering Widow Smith’s mills. The fort was situated west of the mills -forming an apex of an irregular triangle of which the mills formed one -base, and a small stone house, the home of Widow Smith, the other. This -stone house, with a modern addition, is still standing. - -The fort and mills were abandoned at the time of the Great Runaway, -July, 1778, and the fort and mills were burned by the Indians, July 8, -1779. One man was killed in the attack. - -Widow Smith returned to the ruins in 1783, and was urged to rebuild the -grist and saw mills, which she accomplished with much difficulty. -Ejectments were brought against her by Messrs. Claypoole and Morris, and -she did not have the means to support actions at law and lost her -improvements. - -She petitioned the Legislature, which, of course, could grant no relief -under the circumstances and her petition was dismissed. The facts set -forth in her petition were certified to by William Blythe, Charles -Gillespie, Colonel John Kelly, General James Potter and many prominent -citizens of Northumberland County. - -She is said to have walked to Philadelphia and back thirteen times in -this business.[4] - -Footnote 4: - - The distance she traveled was no less than 160 miles each way. - -How long the litigation continued is not a matter of record, but in -1801, Seth Iredell took possession of the premises as tenant of -Claypoole & Morris. - -She died there and is buried in the old settlers’ graveyard. Her bones -were disturbed when a barn was erected many years later, being -identified by a venerable neighbor, by her peculiar protruding teeth. - -A few years after this incident a man came to the place, having traveled -from Ohio to see the old mill site. He said he was a son of Catherine -Smith, and that if justice had been done her, they would still own the -place. - -A part of the foundation of the second mill, built by Widow Smith, -serves the same purpose in a fine modern mill of today. - -When soldiers were sent into that vicinity they used the Widow Smith’s -stone house. General James Potter, under date of September 18, 1780, -says: “I marched the remainder, consisting of 170 men up the West Branch -to Fort Swartz. I then went to Colonel Kelly, who lay at the mouth of -White Deer Creek, with eighty men.” This was the Widow Smith’s Mill. - - ---------- - - - - - General Braddock Defeated by French - and Indians July 9, 1755 - - -General Edward Braddock arrived in March, 1755, at Alexandria, Virginia, -and at the head of two Irish regiments, under Colonels Dunbar and -Halket, marched to Fredericksburg, Maryland. - -This distinguished officer was sent to command an expedition against the -French at Fort Duquesne. He commenced his march from Wills Creek, now -called Cumberland, Md., June 10, 1755, with 2000 men, regulars and -provincials. - -Braddock was haughty and egotistical and entertained no doubt of his -success. He advised the Governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland and -Virginia, that soon as he captured Fort Duquesne he would leave there -the guns, ammunition and stores he captured in it, but if the enemy -first destroyed the fort, he would build another. - -By forced marches he reached Little Meadows June 18, when 1200 men were -chosen to continue the expedition, the balance remained in camp under -command of Colonel Dunbar. A halt of two days was made twenty-five miles -from their objective, to await reports of the Indian scouts. That was -fatal. - -On the morning of July 9 the little army forded the Monongahela River -and advanced in solid platoons along the southern shore of that stream. -Colonel Washington saw the perilous arrangement of the troops after the -fashion of European tactics, and he ventured to advise Braddock to -disperse his men in open order and employ the Indian mode of fighting in -the forests. - -The haughty General angrily replied: “What! a provincial colonel teach a -British General how to fight!” - -The army moved forward, recrossing the river. Meantime the French -commander Contrecœur had decided to withdraw, but Captain Beaujeu gained -his permission to resist Braddock’s passage at the second ford. -Beaujeu’s command was reinforced by several hundred savages. - -When Captain Beaujeu came in sight of the English they had already -crossed the river, and had advanced so that both flanks would be exposed -about two hundred yards to an enemy occupying the deep ravines, thick -with tangled forest growth and vines. - -Braddock marched directly into the worst ambuscade known in American -history. Into these ravines the Indians glided while their white -comrades blocked the English path in front and the head of the marching -column went down under a storm of lead. Shaken for a moment, the -vanguard moved against the concentric ring and, after another terrible -discharge, returned the fire with such deadly effect that every enemy in -sight was swept before it. Beaujeu and dozens of others fell victims. - -The Indians turned to flee, but rallied by other French officers, they -returned to cover and under their unerring fire the English advance -broke and retreated. Mixing with the rear in the narrow path, both -became mingled in a mob which Braddock could not restore to order. -Huddled in a twelve-foot roadway, shut in by a forest alive with yells -and filled with invisible fire, they lost all sense or perception, and -twice shot down bodies of their own men who had gained slight vantage -points, mistaking their smoke for that of the enemy. Fifty Virginians -were thus slain at one blow. - -The regulars refused to charge, though Braddock, with four horses -successively shot from under him, and other officers strove to hearten -them to invade the woods. The Provincials fought Indian fashion from -behind trees and fallen logs, but Braddock with furious threats and -blows drove them back again into the ranks, where they fell in scores. -Washington and Halket both pleaded to have them allowed to leave the -ranks and fight the Indians in their own way, but Braddock still -refused. - -At this point the supply of ammunition failed; the baggage train was -attacked; all Braddock’s aides excepting Washington were shot down; -three-fourths of the officers and three-fifths of the entire army were -killed or wounded, and only then would the ill-judging but heroic -Braddock give the signal for retreat. Shortly afterward Braddock -received a ball through his lungs, and not one English soldier remained -to carry him off the field. He was picked up by one English and two -American officers and carried to a spot across the river a half mile -distant. - -The dying commander tried to rally his troops, by establishing a camp to -care for the wounded. Here he waited for Washington to return from -Dunbar’s camp, where he had been sent by Braddock. The French and -Indians did not follow Braddock across the river, yet the hundred or -more English soldiers he had induced to halt there, stole away and fled. - -On the 10th the officers who remained with General Braddock marched with -him until 10 o’clock at night, when they halted and met the convoy sent -by Dunbar. Braddock never ceased to give calm, skillful and humane -orders. He reached Dunbar’s camp on the 11th, where the news of his rout -had already reached the soldiers under Dunbar, and they were fleeing in -wild panic. - -Braddock by this time realized that any further attempt to pursue the -expedition was futile, and he must have known his wounds were fatal, for -he ordered the stores destroyed lest they fall into the enemy’s hands, -saving only sufficient for a flying march. He then proceeded with the -remnant of his army toward Great Meadows, where he died and was buried -in the center of the road. The entire army marched over the spot in -order that the remains of the unfortunate general might not be -desecrated by the savages. In 1802, his body was reinterred at the foot -of a large white oak tree. - -After the retreat of Braddock’s army, the savages, unwilling to follow -the French in pursuit, fell upon the field and preyed on the rich -plunder which lay before them. Three years later (1758) by direction of -General Forbes, the remains of many of the slain in Braddock’s army were -gathered up and buried. - -Of 1460 men in the battle, 456 were killed and 421 wounded; 63 of the 89 -commissioned officers, and every field officer, were killed or wounded. -The enemy’s casualties were only about sixty. - -The entire borders were left defenseless and this defeat was not only a -fatal termination of a campaign which had been expected would inflict a -decisive blow upon the French and their Indian allies, but it gave the -signal to the disaffected Indians to make the frontiers of the Province -the scene of a predatory warfare in which every section was severely -scourged. - - ---------- - - - - - “Sawdust War” in Williamsport Lumber - Regions Began July 10, 1872 - - -In the decade from 1870 to 1880, Williamsport was the largest lumbering -center in the United States. Everywhere Williamsport was known as “The -Lumber City.” - -It was customary to send gangs into the woods in winter to cut down the -trees, saw them into logs and pile them on the banks of small streams -and afterward, when the water was at flood height in the spring, to roll -them into the streams whence they floated down the river to -Williamsport, where they were caught in the big boom and rafted to the -various mills to be sawed and manufactured into lumber. - -After the men were through their work in the woods it was customary to -bring them to Williamsport and place them in the mills to help saw up -the logs. As the season was short and it was important to clean up the -work of sawing before the next winter, the mills operated twelve hours a -day. - -The “sawdust war,” as it was called, was a strike on the part of the -workmen in the mills for a ten-hour day instead of twelve. There was no -question of wages involved, and the principal advocates for the change -were men who were not employed in the lumber industry, but were simply -labor agitators. - -The move for the ten-hour day began in June, 1872, and was characterized -by frequent public meetings at which the speakers urged the men to go on -strike. This finally culminated in a large number of men walking out, -July 1, 1872, and adopting as their slogan, “ten-hour day or no -sawdust.” - -The strike reached to Lock Haven, where the men followed the lead of -their Williamsport fellow-workmen. - -Many of the mills were compelled to shut down on account of a depleted -force until July 10, when an attempt was made to start up the mills, but -without success. This precipitated the “Sawdust War.” - -Parades and marches were held every day, the strikers going to the -several mills and endeavoring to induce the workers still on the job to -quit. Meetings were held every night. Thomas H. Greevy, by reason of -being secretary of the local union and secretary of the State Labor -Organization, was a prominent figure and always addressed these -meetings. - -After the strike had been in progress for a few weeks some of the men -were induced to go back to work, but others, who were not willing to -return, interfered, when a number of breaches of the peace took place. - -The marches to the mills finally resulted in assaults being made upon -the loyal workmen, and several attacks were made on mill owners on the -streets of the city. These assaults finally became so frequent and so -serious that Mayor S. W. Starkweather and Samuel Van Buskirk, sheriff of -the county, called upon Governor John W. Geary for militia to be sent to -Williamsport. - -This request was complied with, and on July 22 troops were ordered to -the city. They arrived the next day, July 23, and consisted of the -following units: City Grays, Harrisburg, Captain Thomas Maloney; City -Zouaves, Harrisburg, Captain Robert V. Vaughn; Middletown Zouaves, -Middletown, Captain James Stanley; Washington Zouaves, Lebanon, Captain -B. Y. Hean; Coleman Guards, Lebanon, Captain J. P. S. Gobin; City Grays, -Williamsport, Captain A. H. Stead; Taylor Guards, Williamsport, Captain -John H. White. - -Williamsport was placed under martial law. On the same day, July 23, -Thomas H. Greevy, James M. Birmingham, A. J. Whitten, Thomas F. Blake, -Henry Crook and Alem Tate were arrested on charge of inciting to riot -and at a hearing on July 25, before the City Recorder, were held in -$10,000 bail for their appearance at the September term of court. Bail -was promptly furnished, but an hour later Greevy was rearrested and -$15,000 additional bail demanded. As other charges were pending, the men -were taken to jail to await trial. On July 27 motion was made for a writ -of habeas corpus and reduction of the amount of bail, which, on July 29, -was refused by the court. - -Subsequent arrests were made on the same charge and all held for the -next term of court, but those above mentioned were the principals. On -July 31 all defendants were released on bail. - -On July 25 the troops on duty in the city went into camp at Herdic Park -under command of Brigadier General Jesse Merrill, of Lock Haven. On July -27 the troops were reinforced by the Packer Guards, Sunbury; Sanderson -Guards, Mill Hall; Langlon Fencibles, Shamokin. On July 30 five -companies on duty were relieved and sent home. The others were relieved -a few days later. - -At the September term of court for Lycoming County, on September 7, all -the twenty-nine defendants were brought to trial before Judge James -Gamble. James M. Birmingham, Thomas H. Greevy, A. J. Whitten, Thomas H. -Blake, Patrick Conlin, Jacob Wolf, Timothy Shannon, Jr., Henry Crook, -Patrick Dugan, Louis Plant, Michael Eustice, John Benway, William Iam, -Daniel McMullen, David Deauchamp, Thomas Hackett, Joseph Ludget, James -Spulong, James Sladen, John Bezel and Joseph Shear were found guilty and -sentenced to jail for periods of thirty, sixty and ninety days, pay a -fine of one dollar and the costs of prosecution, except James M. -Birmingham, A. J. Whitten, Thomas H. Greevy and Thomas F. Blake, who, -because they were outsiders and in no way connected with the lumber -industry, were sentenced to one year in the penitentiary and costs of -the prosecution. - -They were sentenced on September 14; and on September 16 Peter Herdic -who was then one of the leading and most influential men in the State, -went to Harrisburg and induced Governor Geary to pardon them all. - -The parties soon after left Williamsport, and except for two of them, -all other records are lost. James M. Birmingham became a prominent -citizen of Kansas City, Mo., as did his son. Thomas H. Greevy removed to -Altoona, and became a prominent citizen of the State. - -Greevy was engaged in journalism and edited the Labor Reform Journal of -Williamsport. He also held important offices in the local and State -organizations. - -The first labor convention in Pennsylvania was held at Danville, in -1871, and Greevy was elected secretary, a position he held at the time -of the Sawdust War. John Siney, of Schuylkill County, was State -president. - -After taking up his residence in Altoona, Mr. Greevy studied law, was -admitted to the bar and since has become one of the leading attorneys of -the State. He is a prominent adviser of the Democratic State Committee, -and was a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. In every walk of life he is -one of the leading citizens of the country. - - ---------- - - - - - Moravians Visit Indian Town of Great - Island, July 11, 1748 - - -Great Island, situated on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, a -short distance east of Lock Haven and opposite the mouth of Bald Eagle -Creek, was a favorite camping place and council grounds for the Indians. -An Indian village was situated on this island, which is frequently -mentioned in the early records of the Province. - -In the year 1745 David Brainerd, a missionary stationed at Shamokin, -tells in his journal of a journey which he took up the West Branch. In -this he speaks of extending his journey to Great Island and of the -sufferings he endured. - -In the summer of 1748 David Zeisberger and John Martin Mack made a -missionary trip up the West Branch for the purpose of visiting the -Indians, who were undergoing terrible hardships as a result of a famine. -On July 11, 1748, two days after their start from Shamokin, we find the -following entry in Mack’s journal: - -“July 11. Toward evening reached Great Island and found Indians at home -residing on this side of the island. They asked us whence we came and -whether we had ought to sell. When told that we were not traders, but -had only come to visit them, it was incomprehensible to them. But a few -old squaws were living on the island; the men had been driven away by -famine. We consequently remained on this side of the island and asked an -Indian whether we could lodge in his hut. He took us in cordially and -spread a bear skin for us to sleep on, but he had nothing for us to eat. -Ascertained that he was a Five Nation Indian and his wife a Shawnese. -Whereupon Brother Zeisberger conversed with him. His father, who is -upward of seventy years, was dying of smallpox and was a most pitiful -object. His care and that of the Indians here enlisted our sympathies -and silent prayers. - -“In the evening we were visited by a number of Indians—Shawnese and -Cayugas. Here dwell in three houses Shawnese, Maquas and Delaware; among -the latter an Indian from Albany, who spoke Low Dutch. In all three -houses were cases of smallpox. In one hut hung a kettle in which grass -was being stewed, which they ate with avidity. - -“July 12. Brother Zeisberger learned from our host that many Indians -passed and repassed his hut. Today he brought out some dried venison and -gave us some, and we in turn gave his child some of our bread, for which -they were very thankful. - -“In the afternoon told our host we desired to visit the island to see -the Indians there, and he, unasked, went with us, and led us to all the -huts. - -“We found some clever people here who had just returned from the woods -and who shared with us grapes, green and hard, which they ate with -avidity. We prayed silently to the Lord to have mercy on this people. - -“Returned to our lodgings, and our host again asked us why we had come -so far and had we not come in search of land? He said there was fine -land in the neighborhood. We explained that was not our object. - -“July 13. We found an opportunity to speak to our host of the Saviour. -He had heard somewhat of God, and said he believed what we had told him -was good and true. He then gave us some dried venison and we in turn -some needles and thread to his wife. - -“Set out on our return down the Susquehanna. At night camped on a large -flat by a creek, ate some mouldy bread, the last of our stock and built -four fires to keep off the vermin.” - -In the year 1758 Christian Frederic Post, another Moravian missionary, -was sent by the Government of Pennsylvania to the Delaware, Shawnee and -Mingo Indians settled on the Ohio. In his journal under the date of July -29 we find the following entry: - -“29th. We crossed the Susquehanna over the Big Island. My companions -were now very fearful and this night went a great way out of the road, -to sleep without fire, but could not sleep on account of the mosquitoes -and vermin.” - -On his return from his mission under the date of September 18, he -records: - -“Came to the Big Island, where having nothing to live on, we were -obliged to stay and hunt. - -“19th. We met twenty warriors, who were returning from the habitations -with five prisoners and one scalp; six of them were Delaware and the -rest Mingo. We sat down all in one ring together. I informed them where -I had been and what was done; they asked me to go back a little and so I -did, and slept all night with them. I informed them of the particulars -of the peace proposed; they said if they had known so much before they -would not have gone to war. They killed two deer and gave us one.” - -Post’s mission had been undertaken with the object of making peace with -the Indians, for, following Braddock’s disastrous campaign against Fort -Duquesne, the Indians had attacked the settlements, and the entire West -Branch Valley as far down as Sunbury was in complete control of the -French and their Indian allies. - -In 1755 Andrew Montour, who had been employed on various occasions as -interpreter for the province, and who at this time was captain of a -company of Indians in the English service, following an attack upon -settlers on Penn’s Creek, in which a number of the settlers were killed, -was summoned to the Great Island by the friendly Delaware living there. -Here he was informed that the French had made overtures to the Indians -to go on the war path against the English settlers in Pennsylvania. - -In November these Indians also sent word that two messengers had come -from Ohio to Great Island; and seeing an Englishman who happened to be -there at the time, said “Kill him.” “No,” said the Indians of the Great -Island, “we will not kill him nor suffer him to be killed. We have lived -in peace many years with the English; if you are so bloodthirsty go -somewhere else for blood. We will have no blood spilt here.” - -At this period as well as at the time of Post’s mission, three years -later, Great Island was being visited by both French and English in -their desires to secure the Indians as their allies. It was at this -period also that the Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania issued a -proclamation which encouraged the whites to scalp the Indians by the -offer of a bounty for every Indian scalp brought in. - - ---------- - - - - - Riots in Philadelphia Caused by Boy - Assaulting Master, July 12, 1835 - - -Feelings of animosity against people of color had been manifested in -Philadelphia for several years, and were again brought forth -conspicuously through a most unfortunate circumstance July 12, 1835. - -Robert E. Stewart, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia, who had been -United States Consul to Trinidad, resided on the east side of Sixth -Street, between Prune and Walnut. - -He had in his service an African boy, called Juan, who was a native of -the Eboe nation, the representatives of which bore the character of -being vindictive, revengeful and easily moved to anger. Juan had been -brought to the United States from the West Indies by Mr. Stewart. - -For some reason not known Juan determined to take the life of his -master. The attack was made upon Mr. Stewart while he was sleeping in -the afternoon in his chamber. The butt end of a hatchet was used in a -shocking manner upon his head. He was frightfully mutilated and injured, -and it was supposed that he could never recover. He died several years -afterward. - -The brutal attack upon Stewart was made July 12. A statement of the -circumstances in the newspapers of the next day created intense -excitement, and soon as the story was read crowds began to assemble, and -by evening a large crowd had gathered in the neighborhood of Sixth and -Locust Streets. - -By this time the city authorities had learned something from the events -of former years, when the racial hatred had caused many fatal clashes, -and a large body of watchmen and police were dispatched to that section -of the city. - -Crowds began to join those already in that neighborhood, and they were -made up of men and half-grown boys, usually in an angry mood. The -citizens soon dispersed about the neighborhood, talking together, in -small groups. - -The presence of the police rendered any outburst impossible so they -carried their destructive propensities into an adjoining district, and -there commenced an attack upon houses occupied by colored people in -Small Street between Sixth and Seventh. The inmates were beaten and put -to flight, and their furniture destroyed. - -From that place their ravages were resumed upon the colored residents in -Seventh and Shippen Streets. Thence the destruction was transferred to -“Red Row”—a block of eight houses on Eighth Street below Shippen. - -The mob here made a discrimination. All the young colored men who could -be found were brutally assaulted, because the colored youth were -generally saucy and impudent, but the old men and women of color were -not molested or in any manner injured. - -During the proceedings “Red Row” was set on fire and all the houses -destroyed. The mob had now become so infuriated that they were -unrestrained even by the presence of police, and from the burning homes -in “Red Row” they proceeded to Christian and Ninth Streets, where -several brick and frame houses occupied by colored people were attacked. - -Several of those houses were defended by the owners, and others who had -sought refuge in them. Several shots were fired from behind doors and -windows, and two persons in the mob were wounded. By the time the houses -were finally entered the residents had escaped. - -The houses in flames in “Red Row” had brought the firemen to the scene, -but when they set up their apparatus, they were opposed by the mob. The -hose was cut and no water could be brought into play. The firemen, -however, fought their way and succeeded in saving from total destruction -all the houses, except the one in which the fire was started. The mob -became even more determined and attacked houses which had been passed by -at the beginning of the attack. - -By these occurrences the colored people in the lower part of the city -were frightened to a degree of terror which had not affected them in -previous years. - -On the day after this riot hundreds of families moved out of the -neighborhood, or, locking up their houses, sought refuge where they -could find it. Numbers of men, women and children bivouacked in the -woods and fields, and not a few fugitives were given shelter in barns -and outbuildings. - -On Tuesday evening, July 14, crowds again began to assemble in the -vicinity of Sixth and South Streets, on the rumor that a house on St. -Mary Street was garrisoned by armed Negroes. - -The mob proceeded to this house and upon their arrival found that the -statement was true. Fifty or sixty colored men were in the building, -armed with knives, razors, bludgeons and pistols, besides a great stock -of bricks and paving stones, which were stored on the third floor, where -they could be hurled with effect upon an attacking party. These men were -desperate and were rendered savage by the occurrences of the two -previous days. - -The city police force was promptly upon the scene and prepared to -prevent the assault intended to be made by the whites upon the house. -The police, at the same time, had the difficult task of getting the -colored men away from the building in safety. This they were able to do. - -With this attack frustrated, the trouble was finally quieted and there -were no further racial disturbances. - - ---------- - - - - - Hannastown, Seat of Justice for Westmoreland - County, Burned by Indians - July 13, 1782 - - -The county of Westmoreland was established by the Provincial Assembly, -February 26, 1773, and the courts directed to be held at Hannastown. -This was the first place west of the Allegheny Mountains where justice -was dispensed according to the legal forms by the white man. - -Hannastown contained about thirty habitations and a few crude cabins. -Most of the former were two stories high and built of hewn logs. There -was also a wooden court house, a jail and a stockade, both built of -logs. - -Robert Hanna, the first presiding Judge, was a member of the family from -whom the town derived its name. Arthur St. Clair, afterward the -distinguished general in the Continental Army, was the first -prothonotary and clerk of the courts. - -On the morning of July 13, 1782, a party of townsfolk went to O'Connor’s -fields, about a mile north of the village, to cut wheat. The reapers had -completed one field when one of their number reported that he had seen a -number of Indians approaching. Every one rushed for town, each intent -upon his own safety, each seeking his own wife and children, to hurry -them into the stockade. - -After a period of frightful suspense, it was agreed that some one should -reconnoiter and relieve the balance from uncertainty. David Shaw, James -Brison and two other young men, armed with rifles, started on foot -through the highlands between the fort and Crabtree Creek, pursuing a -direct course toward O'Conner’s fields. - -An officer who had been on duty in the town pursued a more circuitous -route on horseback, and no sooner arrived at the fields than he beheld -the whole force of the savages there assembled. He turned his horse to -escape, but was followed. He met the four others who were on foot and -warned them to fly for their lives. - -The four young men were hotly pursued by the Indians, who did not fire -upon them, for they expected to take the inhabitants by a surprise -attack. Shaw rushed into the town to learn if his kindred had gone into -the fort. As he reached his father’s threshold he saw all within -desolate and, as he turned, discovered the savages rushing toward him -with their brandished tomahawks, and yelling the fearful warwhoop. He -counted upon making one give the death halloo, and raising his rifle, -the bullet sped true, for the savage at whom he aimed bounded in the air -and fell dead. Shaw then darted for the fort, which he reached in -safety. - -The Indians were exasperated when they found the village deserted, -pillaged the houses and then set them on fire. - -An Indian who had donned a military coat of one of the inhabitants and -paraded himself in the open was shot down. Except this one and the -Indian killed by Shaw, it is not believed any others were killed. - -Only fourteen or fifteen rifles were in the fort, and but few of the men -of military experience, as a company had been recruited there but a -short time before and marched away with Lochry’s ill-fated campaign, -leaving not more than a score of men in the village. A maiden, Janet -Shaw, and a child were killed in the fort. - -Soon after the Indians had set fire to the buildings of the village some -of them were observed to break away from the main body and go towards -Miller’s Station. - -Unfortunately there had been a wedding at that place the day before and -many guests were still at the scene of the festivities. Among them was -John Brownlee, known along the frontier for his courage in scouting -against the savage marauder. The bridal party was in the midst of their -happy games, when, like a lightning flash, came the dreaded warwhoop. - -Those in the cabins and the men in the fields made their escape. In the -house, where all was merriment, the scene was instantly changed by the -cries of women and children mingled with the yell of the savage. Few -escaped. - -Among those who got away are two incidents of intense interest. A man -was carrying his child and assisting his aged mother in the flight, the -savages were gaining on them, the son and father put down and abandoned -the child, the better to assist his mother. The next morning the father -returned to his cabin and found his little innocent curled up in his -bed, sound asleep, the only human thing left amidst the desolation. - -The other incident occurred when a powerful young man grasped a child, -who stood near him and made his escape, reaching a rye field and taking -advantage of some large bushes, he mounted a fence and leaped far into -the tall rye, where he lay down with the child. He heard the quick tread -of the savages as they rushed by and their slower steps as they -returned, voicing their disappointment. - -The wedding party were made prisoners, including the bride and groom, -and several of the Miller family. - -When the Indians were all assembled and the prisoners secured, the -latter were loaded with plunder and the march commenced. They had -proceeded less than a mile when one of the Indians recognized Brownlee -and communicated it to the others. As he stooped to readjust the child -on his back, who he carried in addition to the luggage they had put on -him, an Indian buried a tomahawk in his head. When he fell the child was -killed by the same Indian. - -One woman screamed at the sight of this butchery and the same tomahawk -ended her agony. These bodies were found next day and decently buried. - -At nightfall thirty men assembled and determined to give succor to those -in the fort. They armed themselves and hastened with great caution, -knowing that if the Indians intended to attack the fort at dawn that -they had retired to the low land at Crabtree Creek. - -Fifty rifles were too few to attack 300 Indians and sixty white savages, -so they put in action strategy which won. They mounted all the horses -they had and trotted back and forth across a bridge of plank, near the -stockade, two drums and a fife completed the deception that -re-enforcements were arriving in great numbers. The ruse had the desired -effect. The cowardly Indians, fearing the retribution they deserved, -stealthily fled during the night. - -The prisoners were surrendered by the Indians to the British and taken -to Canada. After the peace eighty-three prisoners who survived were -freed and returned to their homes. - - ---------- - - - - - George Ross, Lawyer, Iron Manufacturer, - Soldier, Statesman, Patriot, Signer of - Declaration of Independence, - Died July 14, 1779 - - -The Philadelphia Packet, July 15, 1779, contained this item: - -“Yesterday died at his seat near this city, the Honorable George Ross, -Judge of Admiralty of this State.” He was interred in the churchyard of -Christ’s Church, Philadelphia, the day following his death. The Supreme -Executive Council attended the obsequies in a body. - -George Ross, the son of Reverend George Ross, minister of the -Established Church, and Catherine Van Gezel Ross, was born in New -Castle, Lower Counties, May 10, 1730. He was of excellent Scotch stock, -his family traced their descent from the Earls of Ross. - -George received an excellent education, with special instruction in the -classics; studied law in Philadelphia, with his half brother, John, and -was admitted to the bar at Lancaster in 1750. He rose rapidly in his -profession, and was interested in the manufacture of iron, which he -continued to the time of his death. - -Soon after settling at Lancaster, in 1751, he married Miss Anne Lawlor. - -He was made prosecutor for the Crown and took a deep interest in the -welfare of the growing town of Lancaster, which was soon recognized by -his neighbors and he was elected to the Assembly of Pennsylvania in -1768. From this time on his short life of forty-nine years was crowded -with civic and patriotic duties; while the State and Federal Governments -honored him with many positions of trust. - -He immediately became a leader in the Assembly where he was a most -pronounced Whig. By successive elections he was continued in that body -until 1774, when he was a member of the Provincial Conference and then a -member of the first Continental Congress. - -George Ross was one of a committee to whom was referred the patriotic -communication of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, recommending a -Congress of the colonies for the purpose of resisting British arbitrary -enactments, and in Congress he consistently furthered those measures -which finally led to American Independence. - -In 1775, Governor John Penn having written a message disapproving any -protective measures on the part of the colonies, Mr. Ross drew up a -strong and convincing reply. - -He was a true friend of the Indians, and served as one of the -Commissioners to Fort Pitt in 1776. - -Mr. Ross was made a member of the Committee of Safety for Pennsylvania; -vice president of the Constitutional Convention of 1776; colonel of the -First Battalion of Associators for Lancaster County; and as a fitting -climax, he signed the Declaration of Independence. - -During his service as a member of the Continental Congress he was named -on the committee with General George Washington and Robert Morris to -prepare a design for a new flag. It was through his suggestion that the -committee called on his niece, Betsy Ross, and with her help the -beautiful flag of the United States was designed and adopted. - -Ill health forced Colonel Ross to resign from Congress and on leaving -office the citizens of Lancaster voted him a piece of silver to cost -£150, which he declined to receive. - -After varied and valuable labors in the service of the colonies and of -Pennsylvania he was appointed a judge of the Court of Admiralty, as a -minute of the Supreme Executive Council for March 1, 1779, records the -following: - -“Resolved, That the Honorable George Ross, Esquire, be commissioned -Judge of the Admiralty of this State, under the Act of Assembly; that -this Board highly approve the firmness and ability he has hitherto shown -in the discharge of his said office.” - -During his incumbency, which lasted but a brief period, he was regarded -as learned and prompt, a happy combination. - -Judge Ross probably knew the standing of every merchant in Philadelphia. - -His house in Lancaster stood on the site of the present Court House, and -his country home was a farm in what was then a suburb of Lancaster, now -a part of the city, called in his honor, Rossmere. - -He was interested in several iron furnaces, the most important of which -was the Mary Ann furnace of York County. This was the first blast -furnace west of the Susquehanna. His partners were George Stephenson, -one of the first lawyers in York County, and William Thompson, the -latter’s brother-in-law, later distinguished as a general in the -Revolution. George Ross also owned Spring Forge III, also in York -County, and he was a partner with George Taylor, of Easton, another -signer of the Declaration of Independence, in a furnace in New Jersey -called Bloomsbury Forge. - -His half brother John Ross, was also much interested in the iron -business, and seems to have been a rather picturesque character. He was -an officer of the King, and Graydon says of him: “Mr. John Ross, who -loved ease and Madeira much better than liberty and strife, declared for -neutrality, saying, that let who would be king, he well knew that he -would be a subject.” - -His health seems to have been poor for some time before his death as a -letter from Edward Burd to Jasper Yeates, July 16, 1779, says: - -“Poor Mr. Ross is gone at last. I was one of his Carriers. He said he -was going to a cooler climate, and behaved in the same cheerful way at -his exit as he did all thro the different trying scenes of life.” - -He was a Churchman by inheritance, and was vestryman and warden of St. -James’ Church, Lancaster, contributing liberally to its varied -interests. Genial, kind and considerate, his sense of humor evidently -lightened the cares of his strenuous life. - -A memorial pillar was erected in 1897, on the site of his house in -Lancaster. - - ---------- - - - - - Provincial Convention Ends Proprietary - Government July 15, 1776 - - -During the debate in the Continental Congress upon the Declaration of -Independence, the old Provincial Government of Pennsylvania received -such a mortal blow, that it soon expired without a sigh, ending forever -the proprietary and royal authority in Pennsylvania. - -In the meantime the Committee of Correspondence for Philadelphia issued -a circular to all the county committees calling for a conference in that -city on June 18, 1776. This conference unanimously resolved “that the -present Government of this Province is not competent to the exigencies -of our affairs, and that it is necessary that a Provincial Convention be -called by this Conference for the express purpose of forming a new -Government in this Province on the authority of the people only.” - -The delegates to this convention to frame a constitution for the -proposed new Government consisted of the representative men of the -Province. It is only natural that in time of excitement the men chosen -for such important duty should be those most active in the military -organizations, or local committeemen, men whose ability, patriotism and -personal popularity was unquestioned. It was to be expected that the old -statesmen would be crowded out unless they were leaders in the -revolutionary movement. - -As such they met in Philadelphia, July 15, each taking without hesitancy -the prescribed test oath and then organized by the selection of Benjamin -Franklin, president; George Ross, of Lancaster, vice president, and John -Morris and Jacob Garrigues, secretaries. - -On July 18, Owen Biddle, Colonel John Bull, the Reverend William -Vanhorn, John Jacobs, Colonel George Ross, Colonel James Smith, Jonathan -Hoge, Colonel Jacob Morgan, Colonel Jacob Stroud, Colonel Thomas Smith -and Robert Martin were appointed members of a committee to “make an -essay for a declaration of rights for this State.” - -On July 24 the same persons were directed to draw up an essay for a -frame or system of Government, and John Lesher was appointed in place of -Colonel Morgan, who was absent with leave. - -The same day the convention established a Council of Safety to exercise -authority of the Government until the new Constitution went into effect. -At the head of the Council was Thomas Wharton, Jr. - -During the convention the delegates not only discussed and perfected the -measures for the adoption of a Constitution, but assumed the supreme -authority of the State, and legislated upon matters foreign to the -object for which it was convened. Not only did it form the Council of -Safety, but it approved of the Declaration of Independence, recently -adopted by the Continental Congress, and also it appointed justices of -the peace, who were required, before assuming their functions, to each -take an oath of renunciation from the authority of King George III, and -one of allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania. - -July 25, Colonel Timothy Matlack, James Cannon, Colonel James Potter, -David Rittenhouse, Robert Whitehall and Colonel Bertram Galbraith were -added to the Committee on the Frame of Government. - -The convention completed its labors on September 28, by adopting the -first State Constitution, which went into immediate effect, without a -vote of the people. - -The Constitution as finally adopted vested all legislative power in the -General Assembly of the Representatives of the freemen to be composed -for three years of six persons annually chosen from the City of -Philadelphia and six from each county of the State including -Philadelphia, outside the city, afterwards the representation to be -apportioned every seven years to the number of taxable inhabitants. - -Laws, except in sudden necessity, were not to be passed until the next -session after proposal. The executive power was vested in a Supreme -Executive Council of twelve elected members, one from the City of -Philadelphia, and one from each of the counties, including Philadelphia, -so chosen that one-third would retire each year and no member, after -serving three years, should be eligible within four years. - -A president and vice president were to be annually chosen from this -body, by the joint ballot of the Councillors and Assemblymen. New -counties were each to have a councillor. The president and the Council, -five of whom constituted a quorum, were to appoint all Judges, the -Attorney General, etc. - -The right to vote was given to all freemen over twenty-one years of age -who had resided within the State a year before the election and paid -taxes, but the sons, twenty-one years old, of Freeholders were not -required to pay taxes. The freemen and their sons should be trained and -armed for defense of the State under regulations and with exceptions -according to law, but with the right to choose their own colonels and -officers under that rank. - -A debtor, except for fraud, should not be kept in prison, after giving -up his real and personal estate for the benefit of his creditors. A -foreigner having taken the oath of allegiance could purchase and -transfer real estate and after a year’s residence have all the rights of -a natural-born subject, but be ineligible as a member of Assembly until -after two years’ residence. - -A Council of Censors of two members chosen from each city and county -every seven years beginning with 1783 should inquire into the violation -of the Constitution and whether the legislative and executive branches -of the Government had exercised greater powers than they were entitled -to, and could impeach or, by a two-thirds vote of those elected, call a -convention to amend the Constitution. - -Articles to be amended were to be published six months before election, -in order that the people might have opportunity of instructing their -delegates concerning them. - - ---------- - - - - - Gibson’s Lambs Start on Expedition for - Powder, July 16, 1776 - - -Powder has always been an essential product in every epoch of the -stirring history of our country. The situation was always serious, but -on the western side of the Allegheny Mountains there were many times -when the settlers were in desperate situation on account of little or no -powder. - -In times of peace the powder used in these western counties was -purchased with furs, and every farmer had a quantity in his home for -both hunting and defense, but when the Revolution broke out the demand -was greater than the supply, and the Indian hostilities stopped the fur -trade. - -Companies of rangers were organized and a patrol maintained along the -Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, so that the Indian marauders could be -detected and pursued. The work of the frontiersmen was of no use without -gunpowder, and in their desperation these hardy pioneers planned an -exploit to New Orleans, where they could purchase a quantity from the -Spanish Government. - -The band of volunteers was under the leadership of Captain George Gibson -and Lieutenant William Linn. The former, the son of a Lancaster tavern -keeper, was a trapper and had gone to Pittsburgh with his brother John, -where they engaged in the fur trade. In his youth he had made several -voyages at sea and nearly all his life had traveled through the Indian -country. William Linn was from Maryland, a farmer and skilled hunter. He -had fought under Braddock and had been used as a scout along the -Monongahela River. - -Captain Gibson selected fifteen of the hardiest and bravest of his -command. These came to be known as Gibson’s Lambs, on account of their -fearlessness. Flatboats were built in Pittsburgh and the expedition -started from that place Tuesday, July 16, 1776. A trip down the Ohio was -extremely dangerous, as all along the river and especially the lower -part, the Indians kept a constant watch. - -The “Lambs” left behind them every evidence that they were soldiers. -They retained rifles, tomahawks and knives, but were clad in coarse -clothes resembling boatmen or traders. So clever was their disguise that -even when in Pittsburgh their errand remained a secret. The impression -was that they were venturing on a trading trip. The expedition -successfully passed the British posts at Natchez and reached New Orleans -in safety after five weeks on the water. - -Louisiana was then a Spanish province, under the governorship of Don -Luis de Ungaza, to whom Captain Gibson bore letters of commendation and -credit, as well as to Oliver Pollock and other American merchants, then -resident in New Orleans. Pollock was a wealthy Philadelphian and -exercised great influence with the Spanish authorities. He assisted in -negotiating for the powder. Spain was at peace with Great Britain, but -willing to give secret aid to the Americans. - -The British agents in New Orleans soon learned of the arrival of the -Gibson party and, sensing their mission, made complaint to the Spanish -authorities that rebels against the British Government were in the city. - -Captain Gibson was arrested and lodged in a Spanish prison, where he was -treated with the greatest consideration. While he was confined, Oliver -Pollock obtained the powder and secreted it in his warehouse. The -purchase amounted to 12,000 pounds and cost $1800. - -The powder was divided into two portions. Three thousand pounds of it -was packed in boxes, falsely marked as merchandise of various kinds, and -quietly conveyed to a sailing vessel bound for Philadelphia by way of -the gulf and ocean. - -There was a coincidence in the fact that on the very night the ship -sailed Captain Gibson “escaped” from prison, got on board the vessel and -accompanied the precious powder to its destination. - -The balance of the powder was turned over to Lieutenant Linn, as this -was to be used on the Western frontier. This was in half casks, each -containing about sixty pounds. These were smuggled during the night to -the barges which were tied up in a secluded place above the city. - -Lieutenant Linn hired a score of extra boatmen, mostly Americans, and on -September 22, 1776, the little flotilla made a fine getaway without -discovery and began its long journey up the Mississippi. The work was -hard and the trip took seven months. - -At the falls of the Ohio it was necessary to unload the cargoes and -carry the heavy casks to the head of the rapids, when the barges were -dragged over the shallow stream and reladen. Several times the -expedition was forced to tie up by ice and many hardships were -experienced before the return of the spring weather. - -May 2, 1777, the expedition reached the little settlement of Wheeling, -where Fort Henry had been erected. There Lieutenant Linn turned over his -precious cargo to David Shepherd, county lieutenant of the newly erected -Ohio County, Virginia. - -Linn’s responsibility ended at Wheeling. County Lieutenant Shepherd sent -the powder to Fort Pitt, under heavy guard, where it was turned over to -Colonel William Crawford and safely stored in the brick magazine of the -fort. The safe arrival of this powder was the cause of great rejoicing -and nothing was too good for Lieutenant Linn and the fearless “Lambs.” - -Virginia paid for the powder, but it was turned over for “the use of the -continent.” Portions were distributed to the frontier rangers and to the -two regiments then being mustered in Southern Pennsylvania for -continental service. It was from this powder that Colonel George Rogers -Clark drew his supply, in the spring of 1778, for his famous and -successful expedition to the Illinois country. - -George Gibson was promoted to rank of lieutenant colonel in the Virginia -service and Lieutenant Linn was made a captain and placed in command of -the “Lambs.” To each of these officers the Virginia Legislature made a -grant of money in addition to their regular pay. - -Both these brave men performed other acts of heroism during the -Revolution and both were killed by the Indians. Linn made a settlement -ten miles from Louisville. While riding alone, March 5, 1781, on his way -to attend court, he was surprised by a small party of Indians in the -forest. Next morning his mutilated body was found, with his horse -standing guard over it. Colonel Gibson was mortally wounded at St. -Clair’s defeat in Northwestern Ohio, November 4, 1791. - - ---------- - - - - - Virginia Sends Captain John Neville to Command - Fort Pitt, July 17, 1775 - - -By the original charter of Virginia the northern boundary of that colony -was supposed to be at the end of the fortieth degree, which was as far -north as Philadelphia. This charter was dissolved in 1624, and instead -of narrowing the limits of Virginia it apparently increased them. - -Virginia became a royal province without any definite boundaries, and -she considered herself as a keeper or trustee for the King of England of -all contiguous territory not lawfully granted to another colony. - -The Maryland grant to Lord Baltimore was taken out of the domain of -Virginia, and she acquiesced in it. But west of Maryland she insisted -that her ownership extended for an indefinite distance northward and -westward, and she had made it good by occupation as far north as -Pittsburgh. - -This was certainly a broad claim of title, and the only remnant of it -now is that curious narrow strip of land, called the Pan-Handle, which -extends northward between Pennsylvania and Ohio for some distance above -the fortieth degree. - -The Indian trade at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela had -always been an object of Virginia’s desire. In 1752 Virginia determined -to erect a fort there, and Pennsylvania was willing because the fort -would stop the advance of the French, their common enemy, but she -reminded Virginia that the land belonged to the Penns. - -The French, in 1754, had seated themselves at Logstown, and the Governor -of Virginia began to construct a fort on the site of Pittsburgh, but the -French surprised the little garrison, captured the works, finished it, -and named it Fort Duquesne. - -The French held the fort until English forces, under General John -Forbes, invested it November 25, 1758. It was abandoned in 1771. - -Some time prior to 1756 Virginia erected the District of West Augusta, -covering the territory of Pennsylvania west of the Laurel Hills and -south of the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers, and in that year divided it into -three counties, viz: Monongalia, Yohogania and Ohio. - -Pennsylvania also erected upon this disputed territory Bedford County, -in 1771, and Westmoreland County, in 1773 Penn’s Manor of Pittsburgh, -too, was surveyed for the proprietaries early in 1769, and in the -beginning of 1771 magistrates were appointed by Pennsylvania and for -some time discharged the duties of their offices without having their -authority questioned. - -The new Governor of Virginia was John, Earl of Dunmore, or Lord Dunmore, -of whom Bancroft says: “No royal governor ever showed more rapacity in -the use of royal power.” He at once determined on seizing control of the -“Forks of the Ohio,” for Virginia and for himself. He appointed Dr. John -Connolly, a man of much energy and talent, but without principle, to be -“captain commandant of Pittsburgh and its dependencies.” - -Connolly arrived in Pittsburgh late in December, 1773, and early in -January, 1774, took possession of the dismantled fort, which he renamed, -calling it “Fort Dunmore,” required and commanded the people to assemble -themselves there as a militia. - -He mustered the militia under Virginia law, intimidated the Pennsylvania -magistrates, marched some of them off to prison and established the -authority of Virginia throughout all the region between the Monongahela -and the Ohio. - -While a large part of the inhabitants of that region were Virginians by -birth and predilection, there were some fearless and loyal Pennsylvania -adherents who did all in their power to resist Connolly’s high-handed -proceedings. - -One of these, Arthur St. Clair (afterward General St. Clair), then -prothonotary of the new county of Westmoreland, issued a warrant against -Connolly and had him committed to jail at Hannastown, from which he was -soon released on giving bail for court appearance there. - -Connolly returned to Virginia, was sworn in as a Justice of the Peace -for Augusta County, and when court met at Hannastown, he appeared with -his militia, armed and with colors flying, and refused to admit the -Pennsylvania magistrates. He arrested three of the magistrates and sent -them to Staunton, where they were confined in jail. - -Subsequently, Simon Girty led a mob to Hannastown, stormed the jail and -released such prisoners as were Virginia partisans. - -The Tory conduct of Connolly at Pittsburgh became so bold and obnoxious -that in June, 1775, he was seized by twenty men, under orders of Captain -St. Clair, and carried to Ligonier, with the intention of delivering him -to the Continental Government at Philadelphia. He was released, however, -and fled from Pittsburgh by night and made his way to Portsmouth, -Virginia, where he joined Lord Dunmore on a man-of-war, taking refuge in -Canada. - -Virginia had revolted from Dunmore’s tyranny at home, but showed no -disposition to repudiate his aggressions in Pennsylvania nor the -machinations of Connolly. - -The boundary dispute was maintained, although, in view of the troubles -with the mother country fast approaching, the Virginia and Pennsylvania -delegates in Congress, including such men as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick -Henry and Benjamin Franklin, had united in a circular urging the people -in the disturbed region to mutual forbearance. - -This action of Congress and the constant fear of an Indian uprising -persuaded the Virginia Provincial Convention, in session at -Williamsburg, July 17, 1775, to pass a resolution which sent Captain -John Neville with one hundred men from the Shenandoah Valley to take -possession of Fort Pitt. - -The following year the Virginia counties in the disputed territory were -organized with their loyal and administrative machinery, but the rancor -of the contest had, however, somewhat diminished and there were no such -acts of violence committed as during the regime of Connolly and his -master. - -Captain John Neville continued to command until the Continental Congress -determined to take Fort Pitt under its care and provide a garrison at -the continental expense. The offer was accepted by Virginia and General -Washington selected Brigadier General Edward Hand to relieve Captain -Neville of his command. - - ---------- - - - - - Susquehanna Company Organized in - Connecticut, July 18, 1753 - - -Early charters granted to Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia and the -Carolinas made the Pacific Ocean the nominal western boundary of those -colonies. Prior occupancy by the Dutch and the settlement of the -boundaries had created an exception in favor of New York and New Jersey, -but all the country west of the Delaware River within the same parallel -of latitude with Connecticut was still claimed by that colony as part of -her domain. - -The southern boundary was to be a straight line beginning at the mouth -of Narragansett Bay. The line extended west would have entered -Pennsylvania near Stroudsburg and crossed the North Branch of the -Susquehanna at Bloomsburg, the West Branch at Milton, and passing -through Clearfield and Newcastle would cut the State nearly through the -middle. Penn’s charter fixed the northern boundary of his province at -the forty-second degree of latitude. A large strip of territory was thus -granted to both Connecticut and Pennsylvania. - -On July 18, 1753, about 250 men, mostly from Connecticut, met at -Windham, that State, and organized “The Susquehanna Company.” Then, with -the consent of the Connecticut Assembly, application was made to the -Crown for leave to plant a new colony west of the Delaware. It was -granted, and the company sent agents to the Indian treaty at Albany, -June, 1754, who succeeded in obtaining from representatives of the Six -Nations the cession of a tract of land on the northern branch of the -Susquehanna River, where eleven years before King Tedyuskung and his -tribe had built the town of Wyoming. - -The Proprietaries of Pennsylvania protested against this purchase, and -claimed that this land was within the limits of their charter. They also -claimed that the purchase had not been made in open council, but had -been effected after making the Indians drunk. - -As this council at Albany had been called to form a union of the -Colonies with the Six Nations as their allies against the French, the -purchase was not then seriously opposed. Besides, Pennsylvania bought a -large tract of land from the Six Nations at the same treaty, and in a -way not satisfactory to the Indians. - -The French and Indian War prevented any attempt at settlement of the -Wyoming Valley until 1762, when about 200 colonists and their families -entered the valley and commenced building and planting near the site of -the present Wilkes-Barre. Before winter set in, extensive fields of -wheat had been sown upon lands covered with forest trees in August. But -owing to the scantiness of provisions, the settlers returned to -Connecticut for the winter. - -About the same time another Connecticut association, called the -“Delaware Company,” had begun a settlement on the Delaware River. -Proclamations were issued and writs of ejectment were placed in the -hands of the Sheriff of Northampton County. - -Early in the month of May, 1763, the settlers returned, accompanied by -many others. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of Northampton County, to -which the Wyoming Valley then belonged, settlements were made at -Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Plymouth and Hanover. - -Several hundred acres were improved with corn and other grain, and a -large quantity of hay cut and gathered, and everything was moving -forward in a prosperous and happy manner when, without the least -warning, on October 15, the settlers were attacked while dispersed and -engaged in their work, and about twenty of them slain. - -Men, women and children fled to the mountains, from which they saw their -homes plundered and burned and their cattle taken away. They abandoned -their settlement and made their way back to Connecticut or to Orange -County, New York. This is known in the history of Pennsylvania as the -first massacre of Wyoming. It was the work of the Delaware Indians, led -by Captain Bull, son of King Tedyuskung. - -Some believe the Iroquois convinced the Delaware that the white settlers -had murdered Tedyuskung and that this massacre was committed in -retribution. - -For six years after this assault no settlement was attempted. The -Indians, anticipating revenge for the massacre, left the valley. - -Meanwhile the Penn family made every effort to prove that the title -given to the Susquehanna Company was not complete and that their charter -was valid. Finally some chiefs, assisted by Sir William Johnson, openly -disclaimed the sale to the Susquehanna Company. Then the Six Nations -assembled in council at Fort Stanwix and on November 5, 1768, gave a -deed of the disputed lands to the Penns. - -Meanwhile Pennsylvanians took possession of the Wyoming Valley and built -a fortified trading house there. They laid out two manors, one on each -side of the river, and extending over the farms abandoned by the New -Englanders. - -In February, 1769, the Susquehanna Company sent forty men into the -valley, to be followed shortly by 200 more. They were given land and 200 -pounds Connecticut currency to provide themselves with farming tools and -weapons, on condition that they would stay in the valley and defend it -against Pennsylvania. They built a blockhouse called, from their -numbers, Forty Fort. Their leader was Colonel Zebulon Butler, a hero of -the French and Indian War, a brave partisan commander. - -A civil war prevailed for some years known as the “Pennamite and Yankee -War.” Forts were constructed and many sieges and skirmishes followed. -Both parties led men to prison, drove women and children away and -committed other outrages. - -The Connecticut men were generally successful in this strife. They -organized a separate State, but could not maintain it. So in 1774 they -attached themselves to Connecticut, as the town of Westmoreland, in the -County of Litchfield. - -During the Revolution there was a lull in the strife in Wyoming. -However, as soon as the war ended the old feud broke out in all its -former fury. - -Pennsylvania having, in 1779, succeeded the heirs of William Penn, now -appealed to Congress to settle the dispute. A commission met at Trenton -in 1782 and, after five weeks of deliberation, decided that Connecticut -had no right to the land, and that the jurisdiction of the same belonged -to Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Tom Quick, the Indian Killer and Picturesque - Character, Born July 19, 1734 - - -Early in the year 1733 a Hollander, named Thomas Quick, came to the -colony of New York, a few months later located on the Delaware River, on -what afterward became known as Upper Smithfield, near where Milford, -Pike County, now stands. He appears to have been the pioneer settler on -the Pennsylvania side; here he cleared lands, erected a log cabin and -barns, and raised wheat and maize. A son was born July 19, 1734, named -Thomas, and he was familiarly known in after years as Tom Quick, the -Indian killer. - -He was the pet of the household, and even the Indians who roamed over -that region frequently visited Quick’s place and much admired the fine -looking, stout lad, and often made him presents of plumes, feathers, -skins and other articles. - -Tom grew up among these Indians, learned their language, and was taught -by them how to hunt wild animals, and fish after the manner of the -Indians. He grew fond of the Indian life, and became such an expert -hunter, trapper and fisherman, that his father could never induce him to -follow any other occupation. He even refused to attend school with his -sisters, and in fact became almost an Indian by nature. - -In the meantime Thomas Quick, Sr., had become the prosperous owner of a -grist and saw mill on a small stream entering the Delaware near Milford, -called the Vandemark. But Tom, Jr., never became an employe, but did -learn much of the beautiful Minisink Valley, with its high cliffs on the -Pennsylvania side and receding hills on the New Jersey side, as it -extends from Port Jervis to the Delaware Water Gap. The romantic water -falls and rocky glens were his hunting and fishing grounds. This -knowledge afterward served his purpose in waylaying and murdering -Indians. - -The Delaware Indians viewed with alarm the steady encroachments of the -whites, and many had already taken up arms against the English. The -Quick family, however, had always lived on friendly terms with them, but -the Indians were not unmindful of the fact that this sturdy Hollander -had been the very first to push that far into their favorite hunting -grounds. - -The prospect of plundering an opulent man like Quick overcame any -feelings of gratitude that might linger in the savage breast. - -When the French and Indian War commenced, the Quicks were uneasy and -their alarm increased as the Indians grew less sociable, and finally -withdrew altogether from the Delaware River. - -Quiet reigned until the Quicks became careless and one day the father -crossed the river to grind grist, accompanied by Tom and his -brother-in-law, all unarmed. As they rounded a point near the river they -were fired upon from ambush, and the old man fell mortally wounded. - -The young men endeavored to carry him across the frozen river but as -they stepped on the ice they were fired on and Tom was hit in the foot. -They soon got out of danger, but not before they saw the savages take -Tom Quick’s scalp. - -Young Tom was frantic with rage and grief, and that moment swore that he -would never make peace with the Indians as long as one remained upon the -banks of the river. - -From this time forth the demon of unrelenting savage hatred entered -Tom’s heart and he became more like the savages he pursued than like a -civilized man. He never entered the army but took Indians at all times, -whether in peace or war, and without regard to age or sex. - -He seems to have operated about the close of the Indian War, at a time -when they began to again visit their former haunts, supposing they would -be well received. - -Among the Indians who returned was a drunken vagabond named Muskwink, -one who had assisted in murdering Tom’s father. - -Tom met Muskwink at Decker’s Tavern, on the Neversink, where he had -become very bold and abusive, claiming Tom’s acquaintance and desiring -him to drink with him. Tom refused and cursed him, which caused a heated -exchange of words, during which Muskwink boasted of the part he played -in the murder of Tom Quick, Sr. He bragged that he scalped him with his -own hands, and at the same time mimicked the grimaces of the dying man, -to corroborate his assertion, exhibited the sleeve buttons worn by his -victim at the time. - -Tom seized a musket, which was hanging in the bar room, and ordered -Muskwink to leave the place. He arose slowly and departed, pursued by -Tom until they had gone about a mile, when Tom overtook the savage and -shot him dead. Tom returned to the tavern, gave up the musket, drank a -glass of rum, and left the neighborhood. - -His next exploit was when he espied an Indian family in a canoe near -Butler’s Rift. Tom concealed himself in the tall grass and as the canoe -glided nearer he recognized the Indian as one who had committed many -outrages on the frontier. - -Only a few words were exchanged when Quick shot the man and tomahawked -the woman and three children. He sank the bodies and destroyed the -canoe, and did not tell of this crime for years, when he was asked why -he killed the children. He replied, “Nits make lice.” - -There are many stories told of Tom Quick, which have been preserved by -tradition and which are firmly believed by descendants of the older -families of Pike County. - -One story is told in which several Indians caught him splitting rails -and told him to go along with them. Tom asked them to assist him split -open the last log and as they put their fingers in the crack to help -pull it apart Tom knocked out the wedge and caught them all. He then -killed each one at his leisure. - -He went on a hunting trip with an Indian and they killed seven deer. He -took the meat but gave the Indian the skins. He threw them across his -shoulder, Tom fell behind and shot the Indian and took the skins as well -as the meat, saying he had shot a buck with seven skins. - -He was hunting with another Indian and pushed him off of the high rocks. - -Tradition says that on his death bed he claimed to have killed -ninety-nine Indians, and that he begged them to bring an old Indian, who -lived near, in order that he might bring his record to an even hundred. - -In his old age he was regarded as a hero by the pioneer hunters and -trappers. He died at James Rosencrantz’s in 1795, and was buried on his -farm. - -The time has long since passed when such a revengeful murderer can be -exalted to the rank of a hero, yet Tom Quick, the Indian slayer, -weather-beaten, and with wornout accoutrements and costume in keeping, -presented a picturesque and Rip Van Winkle-like appearance that would -have formed no bad subject for an artist’s pencil. - - ---------- - - - - - William Maclay, First United States Senator, - Born in Chester, July 20, 1737 - - -William Maclay, son of Charles and Eleanor Query Maclay, was born July -20, 1737, in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pa. He attended the -classical school of the Reverend John Blair, in Chester County. He -studied law and was admitted to practice at the York County bar in 1760. -During the French and Indian War he served as a lieutenant in Colonel -Hugh Mercer’s battalion, and distinguished himself during General Forbes -expedition in 1758. In 1763 he participated at the Battle of Bushy Run, -and during the subsequent progress of Colonel Bouquet’s campaign was -stationed in command of a company at one of the stockades on the route -of the expedition. - -On account of this service he never practiced his profession. Much of -his time was taken up in surveying lands allotted to officers, but at a -later period Governor John Penn was instrumental in having him admitted -to the Cumberland County bar, and for a short time he acted as -Prothonotary. - -At the close of the French and Indian War he visited England and had an -interview with Thomas Penn, one of the Proprietaries, relative to -surveys in parts of the Province, and on his return became an assistant -of Surveyor General Lukens on the frontier. - -In April, 1769, he married Mary McClure Harris, daughter of John Harris, -the founder of Harrisburg. - -On the organization of Northumberland County March 21, 1772, he was -appointed Prothonotary and Clerk of the Courts. - -In July, 1772, he laid out the town of Sunbury and erected for himself a -fine stone house, which, with modern improvements, is still standing.[5] - -Footnote 5: - - For many years the residence of Hon. Simon P. Wolverton, and now that - of his widow. - -At the outset of the Revolution, although an officer of the Proprietary -Government, William Maclay took a prominent and active part in favor of -independence, not only assisting in equipping and forwarding troops to -the Continental Army, but marched with the associators which -participated in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. He held the -position of assistant commissary of purchases. - -During the “Great Runaway,” following the Wyoming massacre, July 3, -1778, William Maclay fled with his family from Sunbury to Harris’ Ferry, -and in a letter to the president of the Executive Council he gave a very -graphic picture of the distress. Again after the attack and destruction -of Fort Freeland by the British, Tories and Indians, July 28, 1779, -Maclay again wrote to the seat of government in which he described the -forlorn situation of the frontiers. In a later letter he deplored the -removal of soldiers from the West Branch Valley, where the Indians had -committed such terrible depredations. - -In 1781 he was elected to the Assembly, and from that time forward he -filled the various offices of member of the Supreme Executive Council, -Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, deputy surveyor, etc. After the -Revolution he made a visit to England in the interest of the Penn -family. - -In January, 1789, he was elected to the United States Senate, taking his -seat there as the first Senator from Pennsylvania. He drew the short -term, and his position terminated March 3, 1791, his colleague, Robert -Morris, securing the long term. - -Maclay’s election to this body raised him upon a higher plane of -political activity, but contact with the Federal chiefs of the young -Republic only strengthened his political convictions, which, formed by -long intercourse with the people of Central Pennsylvania, were intensely -democratic. - -Maclay differed with the opinions of President Washington; he did not -approve of the state and ceremony attendant upon the intercourse of the -President with Congress, he flatly objected to the presence of the -President in the Senate while business was being transacted, and in that -chamber boldly spoke against his policy in the immediate presence of -President Washington. - -Maclay was the original promoter and later the actual founder of the -Democratic Party. Long before Thomas Jefferson’s return from Europe, -William Maclay assumed an independent position, and in his short career -of only two years in the Senate propounded ideas and gathered about him -elements to form the opposition which developed with the meeting of -Congress at Philadelphia, October 24, 1791, in a division of the people -into two great parties, the Federalists and Democrats, when, for the -first time, appeared an open and organized opposition to the -Administration. - -The funding of the public debt and chartering the United States Bank -were opposed by Maclay, even at a sacrifice of personal popularity, for -he was succeeded in the Senate by James Ross, a pronounced Federalist. - -While in the Senate Maclay preserved notes of his discussions, both in -open and executive sessions, with observations upon the social customs -of the statesmen of the Republic, which have since been published. - -On his retirement from the Senate William Maclay resided on his farm -adjoining Harrisburg, where he erected a fine stone mansion, afterward, -for many years, occupied by the Harrisburg Academy. - -In 1795 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of -Representatives and was again elected in 1803. He was a presidential -candidate in 1796, and from 1801 to 1803 was one of the Associate Judges -of Dauphin County. - -William Maclay’s brother, Samuel, was almost as distinguished a citizen -as his older brother. He, too, was a soldier in the Continental Army, a -surveyor and statesman. He served as Associate Judge, was in the Fourth -Congress, State Senate and Speaker of that body, and December 14, 1802, -he was elected to the United States Senate. William and Samuel Maclay -are the only brothers to sit in that body. - -William Maclay was the father of nine children. He died at his home at -Harrisburg April 16, 1804, and was interred in the old Paxton -Presbyterian Church graveyard at Paxtang. An elegant stone marks the -final resting place of this distinguished Pennsylvanian. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel James Cameron, First Pennsylvania - Officer Killed in Civil War July 21, 1861 - - -It may not be generally known that the first officer of his rank to be -killed in the Civil War was none other than Colonel James Cameron, who -commanded the Seventy-ninth New York Highlanders, yet was a native of -Lancaster County, Pa., a resident of this State, and a brother of the -distinguished General Simon Cameron. - -The Cameron family in America is of fighting stock, descendants of the -Camerons of Scotland, who shared their fortunes with the disastrous -Charles Edward, whose star of hope went down on the bloody field of -Culloden. Donald Cameron, their great-grandfather, was a participant in -that memorable battle, and having escaped the carnage made his way to -America, arriving here about 1746. He afterward fought under the gallant -Wolfe upon the heights of Abraham at Quebec. - -On his mother’s side, Colonel James Cameron was descended from Conrad -Pfoutz, one of those sturdy German Protestants, whose faith no terrors -could conquer. An exile from his native land for conscience sake, he -sought the western wilds, and was for a time the companion of that -famous Indian fighter, Captain Samuel Brady, the history of whose life -is more captivating than romance. - -James Cameron was born at Maytown, Lancaster County, March 1, 1801, and -spent his boyhood there. He was apprenticed to his older brother, Simon, -in the printing trade, and as early as 1827 he became associated with -John Brandon in the publication of the “Lycoming Gazette,” at -Williamsport, but only for a short time, as the business was not -successful, and in December of that year the paper was sold to William -F. Packer, who later became Governor of Pennsylvania. - -James Cameron returned to Lancaster County and in 1829 obtained control -of “The Political Sentinel,” which he published for a few years only. In -1839 he was appointed superintendent of motive power on the Columbia -Railroad, succeeding Andrew Mehaffy. In 1843 he was appointed Deputy -Attorney General of the Mayor’s Court, at Lancaster, succeeding S. Humes -Porter. - -Thus we find he worked his way through various steps from an orphan in -poverty to a position of distinction in business and society. - -When the Northern Central Railroad was constructed he held an official -position under the management with headquarters at Sunbury. It was about -this time that he purchased a magnificent farm along the beautiful -Susquehanna River, just below the borough of Milton. - -James Cameron was also stung with the political bee which seemed to hunt -Cameron victims for many years in Pennsylvania. In 1856 he sought a seat -in Congress, but was defeated for the Democratic nomination. - -When the Civil War broke out he was called to the command of the -Seventy-ninth New York Regiment of Volunteers, known as the -“Highlanders,” and he marched at the head of his command on the -ever-memorable advance on Bull Run. - -He repeatedly rallied his men, who seemed paralyzed at the reverse, and -none of his men felt this more than the brave colonel. He dropped his -sword from his hand as he stared at the retreating mass of troops. Some -of his command were still firing, when one of his lieutenants rushed -forward to receive orders about the wounded soldiers. The colonel turned -suddenly towards him, when at that instant a minnie bullet pierced his -heart and he fell without uttering a word. - -After the death of Colonel Cameron the rout became complete and the army -fell back in great confusion on Washington. - -Colonel Cameron’s body with hundreds of others, was left on the field -and afterwards buried in a trench. Through the efforts of his brother, -General Simon Cameron, then Secretary of War in President Lincoln’s -Cabinet, his grave was located and his body identified by the peculiar -buckskin shirt he wore, and was removed from the place of its rude -burial. The remains were taken to Lewisburg and reinterred with the -military honors due such a hero. Colonel Cameron left a wife, but no -issue. - -Colonel Cameron was the first soldier from Northumberland County to lose -his life in the war. He was the first officer of his rank in the Union -Army and the first officer from Pennsylvania to fall in battle in the -Civil War. - -The Northumberland County Soldiers’ Monument Memorial Association was -organized May 25, 1872, and incorporated August 5, following. - -On July 4, 1872, a site at the eastern end of Market square in Sunbury, -was marked out by Judge Alexander Jordan and General Simon Cameron, and -from that time plans were perfected for the erection of a memorial which -should do justice to the boys from “Old Mother Northumberland” who had -made the supreme sacrifice in that greatest of all civil wars in the -world’s history. - -The cornerstone was laid May 30, 1874, with a great Masonic ceremony. -Robert L. Muench, of Harrisburg, district deputy grand master, acting -for the grand master, was in charge of the exercises, assisted by Maclay -C. Gearhart, Henry Y. Fryling, James M. McDevitt, Jacob R. Cressinger -and William Hoover, the elective officers of Lodge No. 22, Free and -Accepted Masons, of Sunbury. - -There were many distinguished members of the order in attendance, -hundreds of veterans of the Civil War, including a large delegation of -the Seventy-ninth New York Cameronian Volunteers and thousands of -citizens from Sunbury and the nearby towns. - -The monument itself is an imposing shaft, resting upon a pedestal -elevated upon a mound. At the outer edge are mounted four cannon used in -the Civil War. - -This shaft is surmounted by a lifesize statue in granite, of the gallant -Colonel Cameron. It represents him clad in his military uniform and -standing “at ease.” A tablet in one of the panels bears this -inscription: - -“James Cameron, of Northumberland County, Colonel of the Seventy-ninth -New York Cameronian Volunteers. Fell at the head of his regiment at the -Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, aged sixty-one years. - - ---------- - - - - - Battle of Minisink Fought Opposite - Lackawaxen July 22, 1779 - - -On July 22, 1779, near what is now the little town of Lackawaxen, Pike -County, Pa., was fought one of the fiercest Indian battles on record. -This massacre actually took place in the State of New York at Minisink, -where the town of Port Jervis, Orange County, now is. Only the Delaware -River separated the battleground from Pike County, in this State. - -The Shawnee at Minisink are said to have built a town on the east side -of the Delaware, three miles south of the mouth of Flat Brook, which was -called Pechoquealin. They also had a town on the Pennsylvania side of -the river which had the same name, and probably stood near the site of -the present town of Shawnee, at the mouth of Shawnee Run, in what is now -Lower Smithfield Township, Monroe County. - -Secretary James Logan stated in a letter to Governor Clark, of New York, -dated August 4, 1737, that when the Shawnee came from the South in 1692 -one party of them “was placed at Pechoquealin, near Durham, to take care -of the iron mines.” Their village was probably on the high ground back -of the lower end of Rieglesville, and near the furnace, where traces of -an Indian town still are to be seen. - -The territory known as the Minisinks was often the scene of strife with -the red men, and almost every dell, in what is now Pike County, Pa., and -Orange County, N. Y., has its local tradition. - -Count Pulaski and his legion of cavalry were stationed at Minisink, -during part of the winter of 1778–79. In February he was ordered to -South Carolina to join the army under Lincoln. The settlement was thus -left wholly unprotected, which being perceived by Joseph Brant, the -accomplished Indian warrior, he resolved to make a descent upon it. - -Early in July, Joseph Brant, the daring and treacherous Mohawk chief, -left the Susquehanna with some 400 warriors. The settlers had received -timely warning and threw out scouts to watch the approach of the -invaders. - -On the night of July 19 the Indians, with Tories disguised as savages, -stole upon the little town of Minisink, where Port Jervis now stands, -and before the people were aroused from their slumbers several dwellings -were set on fire. Without means of defense, the inhabitants sought -safety in flight to the mountains. Their small stockade fort, a mill and -twelve houses and barns were burned, several persons killed, some taken -prisoners, cattle driven away and the booty carried to Grassy Brook, -where Brant had left the main body of his warriors. - -While these events were being enacted a call for volunteers was -responded to and 150 men met the following morning, determined to pursue -the savages. - -Colonel Tusten, who knew the craftiness of Brant, opposed pursuit, but -was overruled. Major Meeker, mounting his horse, shouted, “Let the brave -men follow me; the cowards may stay behind.” The line of march was -formed, and they traveled seventeen miles, then encamped for the night. - -The march was resumed the morning of July 22, and at Half-Way Brook came -upon the Indian encampment of the previous night. The number of -smoldering fires indicated a large savage force, and the two colonels, -with the more prudent, advocated a return rather than further pursuit. -The majority determined to pursue. - -A scouting party was sent forward, but was discovered and the captain -slain. The volunteers pressed onward, and at 9 o’clock the enemy could -be seen marching in the direction of the fording place. Brant had -already deposited a large part of his plunder in Pike County. The -commander of the volunteers determined to intercept them at the ford, -but Brant had been watching the movements of his pursuers and, -comprehending their designs, he wheeled his column and by a strategic -movement brought his whole force in the rear of the Americans. Here he -formed an ambuscade and deliberately selected his battleground. - -The volunteers were surprised and disappointed at not finding the enemy -where they expected him to be, and were marching back when they -discovered some of the Indians. One of them, mounted on a horse stolen -at Minisink, was shot. This was a signal for action, and the firing soon -became general. It was a long and bloody conflict. - -The Indians greatly outnumbered the whites, and as the ammunition of the -latter was limited, they were careful not to fire at random, but to make -every shot count. The fight began at 11 o’clock and at twilight was yet -undecided. The ammunition of the militia was expended and the enemy -attacked and broke through their line. - -The survivors attempted to retreat. Behind a ledge of rocks, Doctor -Tusten was dressing the wounds of seventeen who were injured. The -Indians fell upon them furiously, and all, including the doctor, were -slain. - -Some attempted escape by swimming the river; the Indians killed many, -but a few reached the wilds of Pike County. A few more escaped under the -cover of darkness. Of the whole number that went forth, only thirty -returned to relate the dreadful scenes of that day. - -This massacre of the wounded is one of the darkest stains upon the -memory of Brant, whose honor and humanity were often more conspicuous -than that of his Tory allies. - -He made a weak defense of his conduct by asserting he had offered good -treatment if they would surrender and that his humane proposition was -answered by a bullet from an American musket, which pierced his belt. - -In the year 1822, the bones of friend and foe were picked up, put in -boxes, taken to Goshen, in Orange County, and given a decent burial, and -a beautiful monument marks the spot where the mortal remains of the -heroes lay who fought what is known as the battle of Minisink. - - ---------- - - - - - General Howe Sails From New York to - Capture Philadelphia, July 23, 1777 - - -General Howe, commander of the British forces in America, sailed with -his army from New York, July 23, 1777, to make a mighty effort to end -the Revolution by capturing Philadelphia, the seat of government of the -Continental Congress. His intentions were to approach the city by the -Delaware. - -Soon as this became known every effort was made for the defense of the -river. Howe experienced much difficulty, therefore, in navigating his -immense naval armament and meeting these obstructions in the Delaware -Bay, he decided to make his approach by way of the Chesapeake, where he -anchored at the head of the bay, in Elk River, August 25. - -Howe disembarked with 18,000 troops, well equipped, except for horses. -The movement was delayed by heavy rains, but when they reached Elkton -the Philadelphia Light Horse, under Colonel Patterson retired, but -annoyed the enemy by skirmishing. - -On September 3, the militia and light horse with 720 Continentals, under -General Maxwell, kept up an attack which checked somewhat the progress -towards Philadelphia of two divisions of British, under Cornwallis and -Knyphausen. - -Washington marched his army through Philadelphia to encourage the -partisans of independence and overawe the disaffected, and took up a -position between Chester and Wilmington. - -On hearing of the actual invasion of Pennsylvania the Supreme Executive -Council issued a proclamation entreating all persons to march instantly -to the assistance of General Washington, to enable him to demolish the -only British army that remained formidable in America or in the world. - -Those addressed were asked to consider the wanton ravages, the rapes, -the butcheries perpetrated in New Jersey, and on the frontier of New -York, and the prospect of Americans being “like the wretched inhabitants -of India, stripped of their freedom, robbed of their property, degraded -beneath brutes, and left to starve amid plenty at the will of their -lordly masters.” - -Washington had moved from White Clay Creek, leaving only the riflemen in -camp, and with the main body of his army retired behind the Red Clay -Creek, occupying with his right wing the town of Newport, upon the great -road to Philadelphia; his left was at Hockhesson. - -When Howe brought the army to attack the right flank on September 9, the -Americans had slipped away and crossed the Brandywine at Chadd’s Ford in -Chester County, where they awaited the enemy. General Sullivan commanded -the right, General Armstrong the left. The riflemen of Maxwell scoured -the right bank of the Brandywine, in order to harass and retard the -enemy. Stephen’s and Lord Sterling’s divisions were under General -Sullivan. - -The British reached Kennett Square September 10. The next morning half -the British army, led by Howe and Cornwallis, moved up the valley road -to cross at the forks of the creek. At 10 o’clock Knyphausen began a -cannonade at Chadd’s Ford. - -Sullivan crossed the creek above, while Washington with Greene’s -division was to attack Knyphausen, but Sullivan was too late and had not -made the crossing when the attack began, for Cornwallis had made the -crossing as intended and came down upon the Americans. Sterling and -Stephen faced his attack southwest of the Birmingham meeting house. -Sullivan should have taken his division to their right, and when he -started to change his position, he was put to flight and lost his -artillery. - -The story of the Battle of the Brandywine will not be repeated, except -to state that after a terrible day’s battle the Americans retreated at -nightfall, having lost 1000 killed and wounded, Lafayette among the -latter. Howe’s army did not pursue in the darkness, and Washington -reached Chester. Thence it went to Germantown and collected provisions -and ammunition. Battalions of militia joined the main body at the Falls -of the Schuylkill and at Darby. - -The public money of Pennsylvania was sent to Easton, the Liberty Bell -and church bells at Philadelphia were sent to Bethlehem and Allentown, -the Market Street bridge was removed and the boats at the ferries of the -Schuylkill brought to the city side. - -Washington advanced to the Lancaster road, and Howe and Cornwallis left -the vicinity of Chester and marched toward the road through what is now -West Chester and by Goshen Meeting, and the Sign of the Boot Inn, which -General Howe occupied and made his headquarters. - -The two armies on September 16, were drawn in battle array near the -White Horse Inn on the Lancaster Road, where a fight occurred between -Count Donop and his Hessians and “Mad Anthony” Wayne without much -result. A violent and incessant rain storm prevented any general action. - -During this storm the American army suffered a heavy loss in ammunition, -which got wet; so it turned aside until a new supply could be obtained. -The enemy moved toward Philadelphia. - -The day after the battle of Brandywine, toward evening, the British -dispatched a detachment of light troops to Wilmington. There they took -prisoner the Governor of the State of Delaware, and seized a -considerable quantity of coined money, as well as other property, both -public and private, and some papers of importance. - -General Mifflin was too ill to take command of the defense of -Philadelphia, and all was confusion, when at 1 o’clock in the morning of -September 19, the alarm was given that the British had crossed the -Schuylkill. - -Lord Cornwallis entered Philadelphia September 26, at the head of -British and Hessian grenadiers. The rest of the army remained in camp at -Germantown. - - ---------- - - - - - Captain John Smith Sails From Jamestown, - July 24, 1608, to Explore Chesapeake - Bay - - -Two Indian messengers hurried to the Susquehannock Indian town situated -on the banks of the Susquehanna River, in what is now Lancaster County, -in midsummer, 1608, and brought the tidings that there were strangers -arrived in the great bay who wished to see them. The Susquehanna -Indians, or Susquehannocks, as they are usually called, went to meet -these white men, whom they believed to be gods worthy of worship. - -The strangers were thirteen in number, and under the leadership of -Captain John Smith, who had effected a settlement at Jamestown, Va., the -preceding year. They had sailed away from Jamestown, July 24, on a -voyage of discovery in an open boat of less than three tons burden. - -The party had a tedious voyage. The vessel entered Chesapeake Bay, and -the party spent seven weeks exploring its shores, returning to Jamestown -September 7. - -It was after Smith reached the head of the bay, on the Tockwogh -(Sassafras) River, that he first met Indians. Here he found “many -hatchets, knives and peeces of yron and brasse, which they reported to -have from the Sasquesahanockes, a mighty people, and mortal enemies with -the Massawomeckes.” - -Smith approached these Indians warily, for he had already heard of them -as a ferocious tribe. Smith “prevailed with the Interpreter to take with -him another interpreter, to perswade the Sasquesahoncks to come to visit -us, for their language are different.” - -Smith made a visit to the tribe on the east side of the Chesapeake the -following morning, and they received him in friendship. - -He navigated his boats as far up the Susquehanna as was possible on -account of the rocks, and there awaited the return of the two Indian -messengers. In four days they arrived, and with them came the Indians. -Captain Smith’s own story says: - -“Sixty Susquehannocks came to us, with skins, bows, arrowes, targets, -beeds, swords & tobacco pipes for presents. Such great and well -proportioned men are seldom seen, for they seemed like giants to the -English, yea, and to the neighbors, yet seemed of an honest and simple -disposition. They were with much adoe restrained from adoring us as -gods. - -“These are the strangest people of all these countries, both in language -and attire; for their language may well become their proportions; -sounding from them as a voyce in the vault. Their attire is the skinnes -of bears, and wolves, some have cossacks made of beares heads and -skinnes, that a man’s head goes through the skinnes neck, and the eares -of the beare fastened to his shoulders, the nose and teeth hanging down -his breast, another beares face split behind him, and at the end of the -nose hung a paw, the half sleeves coming to the elbowes were the necks -of the beares, and the arms through the mouth with the pawes hanging at -their noses. One had the head of a wolfe hanging in a chain for a -jewell, his tobacco-pipe three-quarters of a yard long, prettily carved -with a bird, a deare, or some such devise at the great end, sufficient -to beat out ones braines; with bowes, arrowes, and clubs, sutable to -their greatness. Five of their chiefe warriors came aboord us and -crossed the bay in the barge. The picture of the greatest of them is -signified in the mappe. - -“The calf of whose leg was three quarters of a yard about, and all the -rest of his limbs so answerable to that proportion that he seemed the -goodliest man we ever beheld. His hayre, the one side was long, the -other shore close with a ridge over his crowne like a cocks combe. His -arrowes were five quarters long, headed with the splinters of a white -christall-like stone, in form of a heart, an inch broad, an inch and a -halfe or more long. These he wore in a woolves skinne at his backe for -his quiver, his bow in the one hand and his clubbe in the other, as is -described. - -“They can make neere 600 able and mighty men, and are pallisadoed in -their townes to defend them from the Massawomekes, their mortal enemies -* * * They are seated (on the Susquehanna River) 2 daies higher than was -passage for the discoverer’s barge.” - -Smith further describes the Susquehannocks, and very much exaggerates -their strength of numbers and other qualifications, but there can be no -doubt that the great adventurer was thoroughly impressed with this -powerful tribe. This was the first contact of white men with the native -people of Pennsylvania. Smith almost reached Pennsylvania on this -voyage. - -His map of Virginia made in 1612 also shows a number of Indian villages -in the interior of Pennsylvania. Besides the town of Sasquesahanough, he -locates on the east bank of the Susquehanna, near its head, Tesinigh, -and about midway between these two, Quadroque, which is also on the east -bank. Near the heads of two tributaries of the same river he locates -Attaock, and some distance north, Utchowig. Mr. A. L. Guss places -Attaock as on the Juniata; Quadroque at or near the forks of the North -and West Branches; Tesinigh on the North Branch, towards Wyoming; and -Utchowig, Mr. Guss suggests might have been a town of the Erie, or Cat -Nation. - -During another voyage in December, 1607, Captain Smith was taken -prisoner by the Indians, but afterwards released on promise to furnish a -ransom of two great guns and a grindstone. Tradition says that he was -saved from death during this captivity by Pocahontas. - -Smith made maps of his exploration and, in 1614, explored the New -England coast and made a map of that shore from the Penobscot to Cape -Cod. - -Captain Smith served as president of the colony of Jamestown, but he was -too strict a disciplinarian. When his successor was elected, September -29, 1609, Smith sailed for England and never returned to Jamestown. - -He had achieved much for Virginia, he was a good example of Elizabethian -versatility, “bookman, penman, swordsman, diplomat, sailor, courtier, -orator, explorer.” His works have been published. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Thompson’s Battalion of Riflemen - Among First to Reach Boston, - July 25, 1775 - - -Colonel Thompson’s Battalion of Riflemen, so styled in General -Washington’s general orders, was one of the Pennsylvania regiments in -the Revolutionary War of which every citizen has pardonable right to be -proud. - -This command was enlisted in the latter part of June, and in the -beginning of July, 1775, in pursuance of a resolution of Congress, dated -June 14, for raising six companies of expert riflemen in Pennsylvania, -two in Maryland, and two in Virginia, which, as soon as completed, were -to join the army near Boston. - -By a resolution adopted June 22, the “Colony of Pennsylvania” was -directed to raise two more companies, which with the six, were to be -formed into a battalion, and be commanded by such officers as the -Assembly or Convention should recommend. - -This resolution having been communicated to the Assembly of -Pennsylvania, it resolved, June 24, “that the members of Congress -deputed by this Assembly be a committee to consider of, and recommend -proper officers of the said battalion.” - -This committee performed the duty thus delegated them and William -Thompson, of Carlisle, was commissioned colonel; Edward Hand, of -Lancaster, lieutenant colonel; Robert Magaw, of Carlisle, major; and -William Magaw, Carlisle, surgeon. - -Each company in this battalion consisted of one captain, three -lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and -sixty-eight privates. - -On July 11 Congress was informed that two companies had been raised in -Lancaster instead of one, and it resolved that both companies be taken -into the Continental service. The battalion, therefore, consisted of -nine companies, enlisted as follows: - -James Chambers and William Hendricks in Cumberland County; Michael -Doudel in York County; James Ross and Matthew Smith in Lancaster County; -John Lowden in Northumberland County; Robert Cluggage in Bedford County; -George Nagel in Berks County; and Abraham Miller in Northampton County. - -The pay of the officers and privates was as follows: Captain, twenty -dollars per month; a lieutenant, thirteen and one-third dollars; -sergeant, eight; corporal, seven and one-third; drummer, the same; -privates, six and two-thirds, and to find their own arms and clothes. - -The patriotism of Pennsylvania was still further evinced in the haste -with which these companies of Colonel Thompson’s battalion were filled -to overflowing and the promptitude with which they took up their march. - -Eight of the companies arrived at Boston by July 25, which may properly -be the date the activities of these riflemen actually began. - -A large number of gentlemen went along as independent volunteers. Their -names were not entered on the rolls, and they claimed the privilege of -paying their own expenses and returning at their pleasure. Among them -were Edward Burd, afterwards prothonotary of the Supreme Court, Jesse -Lukens and Matthew Duncan. - -The command got into action almost upon its arrival at Cambridge. - -The Military Journal of the Revolution described this battalion as -“remarkably stout and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in -height. They are dressed in white frocks or rifle shirts and round hats. -These men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim; striking a mark -with great certainty at 200 yards distance. At a review, a company of -them, while on a quick advance, fired their balls into objects of seven -inches diameter, at a distance of 250 yards. They are now stationed in -our lines, and their shot have frequently proved fatal to British -officers and soldiers who expose themselves to view, even at more than -double the distance of common musket shot.” - -The battalion became the Second regiment (after January 1, 1776, the -First regiment) of the army of the United Colonies. - -This regiment formed the picket guard of the 2,000 provincials, who, on -the evening of August 26, took possession of and threw up intrenchments -on Ploughed Hill, and on the following morning met with its first loss, -Private William Simpson, of Paxtang, a member of Captain Matthew Smith’s -company, who was wounded in the leg in front of Boston. A cannon ball -shattered his leg, which was amputated but the lad died three days -later. - -The first soldier to make the supreme sacrifice was a brother of -Lieutenant, afterward General Michael Simpson, and of John Simpson, for -years recorder of Northumberland County. - -On September 5 the companies of Captain Matthew Smith and Captain -William Hendricks were ordered to join the expedition against Quebec, -commanded by General Benedict Arnold. - -An interesting account of the hardships and sufferings of these two -companies was written by Judge John Joseph Henry, of Lancaster, a -private in Smith’s company. At the attack on Quebec, December 31, -Captain Hendricks was killed, and those who did not fall were taken -prisoners, and held until paroled August 7, 1776. - -The balance of Colonel Thompson’s command earned the public thanks of -General Washington for services rendered at Lechmere’s Point, November -9, 1775. In this action the men waded through the tide up to their -armpits and drove the British from their cover and into their boats. -Colonel Thompson lost only one killed and three wounded. British loss -was seventeen killed and one wounded. - -January 1, 1776, the new army organization was commenced and this -battalion became the First Regiment of the Continental Army. Colonel -Thompson was promoted to brigadier general, March 1, 1776, and Edward -Hand became colonel. He was later promoted to brigadier. The First -Pennsylvania participated with General Sullivan in New York and Long -Island. - -Washington wrote to Congress, on April 22, 1776: - -“The time for which the riflemen enlisted will expire on the 1st of July -next, and as the loss of such a valuable and brave body of men will be -of great injury to the service, I would submit it to the consideration -of Congress whether it would not be best to adopt some method to induce -them to continue. They are, indeed, a very useful corps; but I need not -mention this, as their importance is already well known to the -Congress.” - -On July 1 the battalion entered upon another term of service. - - ---------- - - - - - Indians Massacre Inhabitants in the Conococheague - Valley on July 26, 1756 - - -July 26 is a date which recalls to the minds of many inhabitants of the -present Franklin County two atrocities committed by Indians, either of -which is horrible in its every detail. - -On July 26, 1756, the Indians killed Joseph Martin, and took captive two -brothers, named John and James McCullough, all residents of the -Conococheague settlement. This was followed, August 27, with a great -slaughter, wherein the Indians killed thirty-nine persons, near the -mouth of the Conococheague Creek. - -Early in November following, the Indians discovered some soldiers of the -garrison at Fort McDowell, a few miles distant, ambushed them and killed -and scalped Privates James McDonald, William McDonald, Bartholemew -McCafferty, and Anthony McQuoid; and carried off Captain James Corken -and Private William Cornwall. The following inhabitants were killed: -John Culbertson, Samuel Perry, Hugh Kerrel, John Woods and his -mother-in-law, and Elizabeth Archer; and carried off four children -belonging to John Archer; and two lads named Samuel Neily and James -McQuoid. - -To return to the first atrocity. James McCullough had but a few years -before removed from Delaware to what is now Montgomery Township, -Franklin County, where he immediately began to clear the land and till -the soil. - -The McCullough family had been temporarily living in a cabin three miles -distant from their home, and the parents and their daughter, Mary, went -home to pull flax. A neighbor, John Allen, who had business at Fort -Loudon accompanied them, and promised to come that way in the evening -and go along back to the cabin. - -Allen had proceeded about two miles when he learned that the Indians had -that morning killed a man, a short distance from the McCullough home. -Allen failed to keep his promise and returned by a circuitous route. - -When he reached the McCulloughs he told the lads to hide, that Indians -were near at hand, and added, at the same time, that he supposed they -had killed their parents. - -John McCullough was eight years old and James but five. They alarmed -their neighbors, but all hurried to make preparations to go to the fort, -a mile distant. None would volunteer to warn Mr. and Mrs. McCullough of -their danger, so the lads determined to do it themselves. They left -their little sister, Elizabeth, aged two years sleeping in bed. - -The brave lads reached a point where they could see their house and -began to halloo. They were happy to reach their parents in safety. When -about sixty yards from the house, five Indians and one Frenchman came -rushing out of the thicket and took the lads captive. The Indians missed -capturing the parents by the mere accident that the father had heard the -lads and left his work to meet them and thus the Indians missed him, and -failed to notice the mother and daughter in a field at work. - -The lads were taken to the forks of the Ohio, whence James, the younger, -was carried into Canada and all trace of him lost. John remained with -the Indians for nine years, when he and hundreds of other captives were -released. They eventually were able to find their way back to their -homes in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. - -John lived in the community from which he had been taken for nearly -sixty years and left a written record of what he suffered during this -long captivity. - -The other Indian massacres, which inhabitants of the Conococheague -Valley will ever relate, began with the appearance of savages on Sunday, -July 22, 1764, when several were discovered near Fort Loudon. - -On Wednesday Susan King Cunningham left her home and started through the -woods to call on a neighbor. As she did not return when expected a -search was made, and soon her body was found lying near her home. The -fiends had not been content to murder and scalp this good woman, but had -performed a Caesarian operation and had placed her child on the ground -beside her. - -The next day, July 26, occurred the murder of Enoch Brown, schoolmaster, -and ten of his pupils. A tragedy unique in the long story of Indian -atrocities. - -This terrible massacre occurred about three miles north of Greencastle, -Franklin County. Brown and each of the ten small children were killed -and scalped, and a lad, Archibald McCullough, was scalped and left for -dead among the other victims, but he recovered and lived for many years. - -With few exceptions the scholars were much averse to going to school -that morning. And the account afterward given by McCullough is that two -of the scholars informed Mr. Brown that on their way to school they had -seen Indians. The master paid no attention to what had been told him, -and ordered them to their books. - -Soon after school had opened three Indians rushed up to the door. The -schoolmaster, seeing them, prayed the Indians only to take his life and -spare the children, but they refused. The Indians stood at the door, -whilst the third entered the school room, and with a piece of wood in -the shape of a maul, killed the master and the scholars, after which all -of them were scalped. - -Young McCollough, left for dead, dragged himself to a spring a short -distance from the school house where he slaked his burning thirst and -washed his wound. - -This Archie was a cousin of John and James McCullough, taken by the -Indians in that same place exactly eight years before. John was at that -time a captive and living with the Indians. In his interesting narrative -he says that he knew the three Indians who murdered Brown and the -children, and that he was present when they returned to their chief. - -They were young Indians, not over twenty years of age. Old Night Walker, -the chief, called them cowards for having so many children’s scalps. - -Thus it is a singular coincidence that these two crimes should be -committed on July 26, that McCulloughs should figure in them both, and -that the only accurate details of each massacre are given by the only -two survivors, John and Archie McCullough, yet they occurred eight years -apart. - - ---------- - - - - - Ruffians Mob Pastor and Cause Organization - of First Moravian Church July 27, 1742 - - -An affair occurred in Philadelphia July 27, 1742, which, disgraceful as -were the proceedings, was the means of establishing a separate Moravian -Church in that city. - -Count Nicholas Ludwig Zinzindorf arrived in Philadelphia, December 10, -1741. He came with the hope of uniting all Protestant Christians into a -confederacy or league. - -Almost immediately upon his arrival Henry Antes, a pious wheel-wright -and farmer in Falkner’s Swamp, now Frederick Township, Montgomery -County, invited Zinzindorf to attend a synod or conference at -Germantown, which had for its object a movement similar to that of the -distinguished visitor. - -Zinzindorf accepted the invitation and attended the Synod, January 12, -1742. Indeed he went there before that date, and preached in the German -Reformed Church, January 1, his first sermon in America. He got -acquainted with the people and earnestly began his great work. - -This Synod was the first of seven. It was held in the house of Theobold -Endt, a Germantown clockmaker. Zinzindorf was made moderator. - -The delegates of the different sects met and discussed the best way of -bringing about a more perfect union of all Protestant denominations. -There were a number of Moravians present, but not as delegates, for no -settled congregation of that sect as yet existed. - -No definite results were reached though Zinzindorf’s ideas impressed the -assemblies. - -During the earlier months of 1742 Zinzindorf preached at Oley, Falkner’s -Swamp, Germantown, and other places, and gathered the nuclei of -subsequent Moravian congregations. - -A house was rented in Germantown for Count Zinzindorf and his -assistants, which was opened as a school May 4, of that year. The -Countess Benigna assisted as a teacher, as did also Anna Nitschmann, who -subsequently became the second wife of Zinzindorf. The school opened -with twenty-five girls as pupils. - -In Philadelphia Zinzindorf began ministrations in a barn on Arch Street -below Fifth, then fitted up with seats and used in partnership by the -German Reformed and the Lutherans. - -His Lutheran tendencies and training fitted him to take charge of a -Lutheran Church, and May 30, 1742, this congregation called him to take -its charge. Indeed, it is said that he claimed to be inspector-general -of the Lutherans, and had for some months supplied a Lutheran Church in -Germantown. - -Zinzindorf accepted the call of the Philadelphia Lutherans, but wishing -to do a certain amount of missionary work elsewhere, associated John -Christopher Pyrlaeus, a Saxony Presbyter, with him as assistant, and -left matters much in his charge. - -Reverend Henry Jacobson, in his “History of the Moravian Church in -Philadelphia,” proceeds to tell what the consequence was. - -Pyrlaeus, though evidently a hard worker, gave offense to a strong -faction, and on July 27, 1742, while in the pulpit and officiating, a -gang of his opponents dragged him down from his place, trampled upon -him, and roughly handled him, as they ejected him from the building. - -The only accounts left do not enable us to identify the cowardly -assailants, except that there seems to have been serious trouble between -the growing Moravian faction and the conservative Lutheran element. - -The affair was the prime cause of the establishment of a separate -Moravian Church as soon as Count Zinzindorf returned from his preaching -tour. Without this event to crystallize the tendencies of things, -separation might have been long delayed. - -Another view of this movement is that Zinzindorf built the church for -the Lutheran congregation over which he claimed authority, upon his -first arrival in the country, but that the arrival of Henry Melchior -Muhlenberg, with direct authority from the University at Halle, in the -latter part of 1742, changed the tactics of Zinzindorf, and so he made -arrangements to transfer the church to the Moravians. - -The congregation organized by Zinzindorf consisted of thirty-four -persons. They took up a lot on the east side of Bread Street and south -of Sassafras (now Race) Street, which on August 20, 1742, was -transferred by William Allen and wife to Samuel Powell, Joseph Powell, -Edward Evans, William Rice, John Okley, and Owen Rice, for another lot -on Sassafras Street. - -The parties named were not all Moravians, but the deed was made to them -in trust for “a certain congregation of Christian people, as well German -as English, residing in the City of Philadelphia, belonging to the -church of the Evangelical Brethren, who have caused to be erected -thereon a new building for and to their use and service as a church and -school house to S. Lewis Zinzindorf, David Nitschmann, Joseph -Spangenberg, Henry Antes, John Bloomfield, and Charles Brockden.” - -Additional real estate was acquired and the church building was -commenced immediately. The corner stone was laid September 10, 1742, by -Count Zinzindorf, and the work proceeded so rapidly that it was -dedicated by him on November 25, following. - -This building was set back from Sassafras Street thirty-five feet. It -had a front of forty-five feet on Bread Street, afterward called -Moravian Alley. - -The edifice was two stories high, the first story being used as the -church proper. This room was twenty feet in height from the floor, -wainscoted about five feet, and whitewashed above to the ceiling. The -roof was of the hip-roof design. There were large windows in each side. -The congregation used this church for more than fifty years without a -stove in winter. - -The first Moravian congregation in Philadelphia contained those who had -left the Lutherans when the Pyrlaeus affair occurred, and a number of -Moravians who had been awhile at Nazareth and Bethlehem. - -On the evening of his departure from America Count Zinzindorf organized -these members into the First Moravian Church. - - ---------- - - - - - British and Seneca Indian Allies Destroy - Fort Freeland, July 28, 1779 - - -Many Pennsylvanians may not know that a definite, well-planned battle of -the Revolution was fought far up in old Northumberland County. This is a -fact and until now this battle has only been known of as an ordinary -Indian incursion. Such was not the case. - -True there were Indians in the battle of Fort Freeland, July 28, 1779, -and they were the ferocious Seneca, 300 of them under the command of -Hiokatoo, the most bloodthirsty and cruel Indian of whom we have any -direct evidence. - -After Colonel Thomas Hartley led his successful expedition against the -Indians in 1778, the savages did not long remain subdued, but the year -following again became so vicious that the settlers, who had returned -after the Great Runaway, lived in such constant fear of attack that -General Washington ordered General John Sullivan to rendezvous his -troops at Wyoming and wipe out every Indian town from that point to -Elmira in New York State. - -The troops were supplied with rations and stores from Fort Augusta. This -fort was defended by a line of forts, or blockhouses extending in an -almost straight line from Fort Jenkins near Berwick, on the North -Branch, to Fort Wheeler, at Fishing Creek, to Fort Bostley, at -Washingtonville, to Fort Montgomery, to Fort Freeland, two miles above -McEwensville, to Fort Muncy, where the line of defense touched the West -Branch. - -No sooner had General Sullivan started his march from Easton toward -Wyoming than the Indians learned of his plans and put into operation a -series of movements which were intended to defeat the design of the -Continental troops. - -Captain John MacDonald, of the British Army, a Tory of New York State, -was in command of a large detachment of British who had employed 300 -Seneca Indians as allies. They made a forced march from the vicinity of -Wyalusing, and arrived near Fort Muncy on the morning of July 28, 1779, -and immediately started down, over what is now the Susquehanna Trail, -toward Fort Augusta. The Continental troops had unfortunately been -withdrawn from Fort Muncy. - -Less than six miles march brought the British and their Indian allies in -contact with the garrison at Fort Freeland, where, in addition to the -troops, all the inhabitants of the valley below Muncy Hill and as far -south as Chillisquaque Creek, had fled for protection. - -When the battle for possession of the fort began, the firing could be -heard at Fort Boone, about four miles south, a mile above the present -site of Milton. Captain Hawkins Boone, cousin of Daniel Boone, and -himself one of the bravest soldiers in the Continental army, with a -detail, consisting of thirty-two as brave men as ever fired a gun, -rushed to the relief of the unfortunate defenders of Fort Freeland. - -But in a few terrible hours the most advanced haven of refuge for the -frontier settlers in the West Branch Valley was a mass of ruins; its -defenders either victims of the tomahawk or prisoners of war; and the -women and children objects of charity. - -The defenders of Fort Freeland did their utmost in this trying hour. -Their resistance was so stubborn that the articles of capitulation were -not accepted until the third proposal, and not then until all their -ammunition was expended. The women even melted the pewter into bullets, -while the men fired them at the besiegers. No further relief was -believed possible. - -After Captain MacDonald had sent the third demand for surrender, the -defenders, under a flag of truce, agreed with the victors upon the terms -which were as follows: - -“Articles of Capitulation Entd into Between Captain John McDonald on his -Majesties part & John Little on that of the Continental Congress. - -“Article 1st. The Men in Garrison to March out & Ground their Arms in -the Green, in Front of the Fort which is to be taken in possession of -Immediately by his Majesty’s Troops. Agreed to. - -“2ndly. All Men Bearing Arms are to Surrender themselves Prisoners of -War & to be Sent to Niagara. Agd. to. - -“3d. The Women and Children not to be Stript of their Clothing nor -Molested by the Indians and to be at Liberty to move down the Country -where they please. Agd. to. - - John Mac Donald - Capt. of Rangers. - John Little.” - -As soon as the fort capitulated, the Indians took possession of it, and -their squaws became mischievous and destructive. Having completed the -pillage of the fort, both Indians and British gathered together all the -provisions they could find and proceeded to the creek, where they made -preparations for a feast, but did not long enjoy it. - -Captain Boone’s party soon arrived on opposite bank of creek, within -less than one hundred yards of the feast. Not knowing the fort had been -surrendered, they fired upon the British and Indians. We are advised -thirty fell dead at the first volley. It was but a brief triumph, -however, for the others rallied and surrounded the handful of -Continentals, killing thirteen men, among the slain being Captain Boone -himself. - -When this party found itself caught in an ambuscade, word was quickly -passed for each man to save himself, thus enabling a few to escape. - -Every male in the fort had been taken prisoner and started toward -Niagara where the few who survived the hardship of the forced march and -the privations of the long imprisonment, remained until after the close -of the war, when they rejoined the surviving members of their families. - -In and about Fort Freeland, as a result of the attack 108 settlers were -killed or led away as prisoners of war, not by Indians, but by the -organized militia of Great Britain. - -Fifty-two women and children, and four old men, were permitted to depart -for Fort Augusta. Among the latter was John Vincent, who was permitted -to care for his crippled wife. But Bethuel, Cornelius and Daniel Vincent -were taken prisoners. Among others taken to Canada, who also lived to -return to their families, were Captain John Little, James Daugherty, -Moses Kirk, James Durham, Samuel Gould and two of the Freelands. - -The enemy ravaged the country in the vicinity of the fort and burned and -destroyed everything they could find. They advanced as far as Milton, -where they burned Marcus Huling’s blacksmith shop, mill and dwelling -house. The country presented a scene of desolation, and it remained in -this condition for several years, the settlers being afraid to return. - -This heavy toll of human life, to which should also be added the killed -and wounded among the British and their Indian allies, numbering -possibly as many more, marks a definite battle of the Revolution; with -the magazines and stores at Fort Augusta and the cutting off of the rear -of General Sullivan’s army, as the object of the attack. - - ---------- - - - - - First Newspaper West of the Allegheny - Mountains, the Gazette, of Pittsburgh, - Established July 29, 1786 - - -The first newspaper published west of the Allegheny Mountains was the -Pittsburgh Gazette which made its initial bow to the public, July 29, -1786, and today, one hundred and thirty-eight years later, it is the -largest paper published in the world’s greatest industrial district. - -When the United States were yet very young, in fact, before the Federal -Constitution was even proposed, before Washington was elected president, -when the small cluster of log huts, protected by a stockade called Fort -Pitt, was all that constituted Pittsburgh, is the time this old -newspaper began its long and honorable career. - -Early in the year 1786, John Scull and Joseph Hall rode into that -western frontier post on the backs of heavy pack horses, over a long and -rough trail, all the way from Philadelphia. They brought with them a -small printing press, some type and a small supply of paper. - -The pioneer printers established a printing office in a log cabin, along -the bank of the Monongahela River, at the end of Chancery Lane. This -primitive office soon attracted the attention of the more progressive -citizens, among whom was Hugh H. Brackenridge, a lawyer, and an -acknowledged leader of the Federal party in that section of -Pennsylvania. Through his earnest solicitation and promise of patronage, -Scull and Hall determined to establish a weekly newspaper. Brackenridge -had agreed to edit the publication; and the first issue of the -Pittsburgh Gazette appeared July 29. - -The original subscription price was seventeen shillings and six pence -per year. Advertising was paid for at the rate of four shillings a -square. In lieu of cash, the publishers made known the fact that they -would accept furs and skins and various kinds of country produce. - -There was no postoffice in Pittsburgh at this time, nor for twenty years -after the Gazette was established. The paper found its way east by means -of the weekly mail service between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. When -Pittsburgh was considered a place of sufficient importance to have a -postoffice, John Scull, one of the publishers of the Gazette, was -appointed Postmaster. - -It is rather fortunate that the duties of the government position were -not too exacting, for Postmaster Scull was the practical printer and -performed the principal part of the actual publication. He even acted as -carrier and tramped about town each week with the paper. - -The story is told of Scull that when the pack trains from Philadelphia -failed to arrive on time, or no white paper came when expected, that he -used his close friendship for the commandant at Fort Pitt to his -advantage by borrowing sufficient quantity of cartridge paper on which -to print that week’s issue of the Gazette. - -On November 10, 1786, the Gazette, in three lines announced the death of -Joseph Hall, aged 22 years. Hall’s interest was acquired by John Boyd, -but Scull as before, continued to be the real spirit behind the -enterprise. - -In June, 1789, a paper mill was built on Redstone Creek, in what is now -Fayette County, by Jackson and Sharpless. This mill supplied the Gazette -with cheaper paper, which enabled the owners to increase its size and -reduce the subscription price to $2 a year. - -Lawyer Brackenridge, in 1799, left the Federal party and threw all his -influence with the Antifederalists, but Scull refused to go along with -his editor, and Morgan Neville became the editorial writer. - -Brackenridge and some of his adherents set up an opposition paper called -the “Tree of Life.” Soon both papers were busy with libel suits, -assaults and challenges to fight duels. - -When the conflict of 1812 was precipitated the Gazette, like the other -Federal organs, was adverse to war and urged a pacific settlement of -difficulties with England. But when the war broke the Gazette supported -the Federal Government with all its power. Its extra editions, -containing the news brought in two days from Washington, were then -looked upon as “prodigious feats of journalism.” - -After full thirty years as the guiding spirit of the Gazette, August 1, -1816, John Scull transferred his interest in the paper to his son, John -I. Scull. The editor, Morgan Neville, also became a partner. - -Even with two other papers in Pittsburgh, the “Commonwealth” and the -“Mercury,” the Gazette retained its leadership and now appeared -semi-weekly. - -In March, 1820, Eichbaum and Johnson purchased the Gazette and changed -its name to “The Gazette and Manufacturer and Mercantile Advertiser.” -Two years later David M. MacLean purchased the property and -re-established the original title. In September, 1829, Neville B. Craig, -became the owner and four years later the Gazette appeared as a daily. -It strongly supported the Anti-Masonic party. In September, 1856, -Russell Errett, and D. L. Eaton became joint owners of the Gazette and -under their editorial management the paper made unusual progress. - -Errett was one of the organizers of the Republican party and the Gazette -became one of the first organs of that party in the country. - -There were several other changes in ownership until June 1, 1900, when -the late United States Senator George T. Oliver purchased the plant. May -1, 1906, the Pittsburgh Times was absorbed and the title changed to The -Pittsburgh Gazette-Times. - -On February 7, 1915, the Gazette-Times moved into the eight-story -publication building on Gazette Square, where the paper is now -published. - -Since December 4, 1917, George S. Oliver has served as president and -Charles W. Danziger, secretary and managing editor. - -Even as Pittsburgh has grown from a village of log houses when the -Gazette was established there, to one of the world’s most important -cities, so the Gazette has evolved into one of the greatest newspapers -published in America. - - ---------- - - - - - Chambersburg Sacked and Burned by McCausland’s - Rebel Force July 30, 1864 - - -Three times during the Civil War the rebel horde rode into Pennsylvania, -but two occasions stand out as conspicuous. First when Lee, with nearly -90,000 troops, in personal command, marched to his Waterloo at -Gettysburg, the other was when three thousand Confederates were sent by -General Early into Pennsylvania to burn Chambersburg in retaliation for -General Hunter’s disgraceful and disastrous raid into Virginia. - -General Darius N. Couch was in command of the Union forces at -Chambersburg. Although a department he had but one hundred and fourteen -men under his command and they were scattered over the country as -scouts. - -The startling news came to General Couch’s headquarters on the evening -of July 29, 1864, that a Confederate force had entered Mercersburg and -was marching toward Chambersburg. This was untimely news for less than -twenty-four hours earlier a sufficient number of troops had passed -through Chambersburg on their way to join General Hunter, to have -repelled this rebel invasion. - -The rebels reached the outskirts of Chambersburg before daylight, and -employed their time in planting two batteries in commanding positions, -and getting up the whole column, fully three thousand strong. - -At 6 o’clock Saturday morning they opened with their batteries and fired -six shots into the town. Immediately thereafter their skirmishers -entered by almost every street and alley, and finding the way clear, -their cavalry, to the number of 831, came in under the immediate command -of General McCausland. General Bradley Johnson and the notorious Major -Harry Gilmore were also with him. - -McCausland and Gilmore demanded of the citizens, who were on the street, -that they collect some of the prominent inhabitants with a view of -entering into negotiations; the court house bell was rung, but only a -few responded. To the few citizens who did come together, Captain -Fitzhugh, of McCausland’s staff, produced and read a written order, -signed by General Jubal Early, directing the command to proceed to -Chambersburg, to demand a tribute of $100,000 in gold or $500,000 in -greenbacks, and on failure to secure the sum, to proceed to burn the -town in retaliation of the burning of six or eight houses specified as -having been burned in certain counties in Virginia, by General Hunter. -He was promptly answered that Chambersburg could not and would not pay -the ransom. - -Infuriated at the determination of the people to do nothing, Major -Gilmore rode up to a group of citizens, consisting of Thomas B. Kennedy, -William McLellan, J. McDowell Sharpe, Dr. J. C. Richards, William H. -McDowell, W. S. Everett, Edward G. Etter and M. A. Faltz, and ordered -them under arrest. He said that they would be held for the payment of -the money, and if not paid he would take them to Richmond as hostages -and also burn every house in the town. - -While the officer was endeavoring to force them into an effort to raise -the money, his men commenced the work of firing, and they were liberated -when it was found that intimidation would effect nothing. - -The main part of the town was enveloped in flames in ten minutes. No -time was given to remove women or children, the aged and infirm, or -sick, or even the dead. They divided into squads, beat down the doors, -smashed furniture, rifled drawers, appropriated money, jewelry, watches -and valuables, then threw kerosene upon the combustible articles and -plied the match. They invariably demanded ransom, before burning, but -even when it was paid the property was burned. The people escaped with -only the clothes on their backs, and some even then with difficulty. - -The work of demolition continued two hours, more than half the town on -fire at once. Three million dollars worth of property was destroyed, -three thousand rendered homeless and many penniless, and not one of the -innocent victims had violated any accepted rule of civilized warfare. - -There were many incidents of the burning but only a few can be related. -The house of James Watson, an old and feeble man past eighty, was -entered, and because his wife remonstrated, they fired the room, hurled -her into it and locked the door on the outside. Her daughters rescued -her by bursting in the door before her clothing took fire. The widow of -a Union soldier, pleading on her knees, was robbed of her last ten -dollars and her little home fired. An aged invalid, unable to be out of -his bed, pleaded to be spared a horrible death in the flames, but they -laughed at him as they fired his home. Father McCullom, the Catholic -priest, was robbed of his watch. - -Colonel Stumbaugh was arrested near his home early in the morning, and -with a pistol presented to his head ordered to procure some whiskey. He -refused, for he had none, and was released. But afterwards was -rearrested by another squad, the officer of which referred to him by -name, when he was insulted in every possible way. He informed the -officer that he had been in the service, and that if General Battles was -present, they would not dare to insult him. When asked why, he answered: -“I captured him at Shiloh, and treated him like a soldier.” A rebel -major present, who had been under Battles, upon inquiry, was satisfied -that Colonel Stumbaugh’s statement was correct, ordered his release and -withdrew the entire rebel force from that part of Second Street, and no -buildings were burned. - -Soon after the work of destruction had commenced, a squad was detailed -to burn “Norland,” the beautiful residence of Colonel Alexander K. -McClure afterwards for many years the editor of the Philadelphia -“Times.” “Norland” was a mile from the center of the town, and no other -building was fired within a half mile of it, although fifty houses -intervened. They would not allow Mrs. McClure or any servant to save -anything belonging to the Colonel. - -Several of the rebel thieves perpetrated their last pillage. Major -Bowen, of the 8th Virginia Cavalry, got too far ahead of the firing in -his greed for plunder and he was captured by several citizens and, -slightly wounded, he took refuge in a burning cellar, where the intense -heat blistered him. He begged to be spared, but he burned to death. -Another demon, caught in an atrocious act of vandalism, was shot dead. A -Captain Cochran, quartermaster of 11th Virginia Cavalry, was caught by -Thomas H. Doyle, of Loudon, and at the point of his pistol was given -just fifteen minutes to live. Cochran begged piteously for his life, but -Doyle, on the very second, shot the thief dead, and found on his person -$815 in greenbacks, all stolen from citizens, and $1750 of rebel -currency. - -Scores of McCausland’s command were killed on the retreat by General -Averill’s forces. Many of them were intoxicated and so demoralized by -their plunder they became an easy prey to the Federal troops who passed -through Chambersburg in pursuit of the barbarians. - - ---------- - - - - - Carlisle Indian School Established by - Congress, July 31, 1882 - - -The first non-reservation school established by the Government was at -Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was only recently discontinued. - -This school had its inception in the untiring efforts of General R. H. -Pratt, U. S. A., when a lieutenant in charge of Indian prisoners of war -at old Fort San Marco, St. Augustine, Florida, from May 11, 1875, to -April 14, 1878. - -When the release of these prisoners was ordered twenty-two of the young -men were led to ask for further education, agreeing to remain in the -east three years longer if they could attend school. These were sent to -Hampton, Virginia, and several other places where they could attend a -government school. - -On September 6, 1879, an order was issued transferring the Carlisle -Barracks, Pennsylvania, comprising 27 acres, from the War Department to -the Department of the Interior for Indian school purposes, pending -action by Congress on a bill to establish such an institution. This bill -became a law July 31, 1882. - -Lieutenant Pratt was, on September 6, 1879, ordered to report to the -Secretary of the Interior, and by him was directed to proceed to -Carlisle and there establish an Indian school. He was ordered to then -proceed to Dakota and Indian territory for the purpose of obtaining -pupils for the new school. So successful was the young officer that by -the end of October, he had gathered together one hundred and thirty-six -Indians from the Rosebud, Pine Ridge, and other agencies, and with -eleven of the former Florida prisoners, then at school at Hampton, the -new institution was opened at Carlisle Barracks, November 1, 1879, with -an enrollment of one hundred and fifty-seven original Americans. - -The school steadily progressed until more than a thousand pupils were -enrolled and during its existence nearly every tribe in the United -States had representatives on its rolls and at one period one hundred -Alaskan Indians were in attendance. - -The aim of the school was to teach English and give a primary education; -and a knowledge of some common and practical industry, and means of -self-support among civilized people. - -To this end regular shops and farms were provided, the principal -mechanical arts and farming were taught the boys, and the girls, -cooking, sewing, laundry and housework. The instruction was made -interesting so that the young Indians would not desire to return to -reservation life, but would prefer to make for themselves a place among -the people of the East. - -During the summer vacation months, the young Indians would be placed in -the homes of prosperous citizens, where they could do certain work and -at the same time learn by direct example and association the ways of -higher civilization. This was known as the “outing system,” and was a -distinct feature not only of the Carlisle school, but of the Indian -school service generally. - -The literary curriculum of Carlisle stopped at that point where the -student might enter the higher grades of the public schools. The pupil -was left to his own resources for any further development of his -intellectual faculties. - -Many of the graduates of the Carlisle school are today filling -responsible positions in the business world, and especially in the -Indian service, in which they are employed as teachers, clerks and all -the way to laborers. - -Many of the Indians are musical and the school band was one of the -features. The late Joel B. Ettinger, of Seattle, Wash., but formerly of -Chester, Pa., where he conducted the famous old Sixth Regiment Band, -organized the first band from among the various tribes represented in -the school and soon developed a band which won the acclaim of the people -wherever it played. Dennison and James Wheelock, Oneida Indians, became -great leaders and succeeded Ettinger as instructors. The former was a -successful composer of band music. - -The Carlisle school produced the first paper printed by Indian boys. The -printery was early established and became a potent factor in the -industrial development of the students. The Indian Helper, a small -leaflet, was first produced, and afterwards a larger magazine, The Red -Man, was published, these being merged into Red Man and Helper, and -creditably reflected the life and policies of the school. - -Many prominent writers and educators frequently contributed to this -magazine, thus helping the deserving wards of our government to make -their effort a representative publication. Among those who sent valuable -contributions to this paper was Reverend George P. Donehoo, then -secretary of the Pennsylvania State Historical Society, late State -Librarian, and one of the most eminent authorities on Indian history in -the United States. The doctor is the proud possessor of a complete file -of this valuable and interesting publication, which has become a very -rare possession. - -The physical training, both indoors and out, was a most important part -of the life of the school. Indians take naturally to many of our popular -sports, and many athletes of national and even international reputation -have been developed at the school. Most conspicuous of these is Jim -Thorpe, the world’s champion all-around athlete, winner of the -pentathlon event in the Olympic games; Chief Charles A. Bender, the -celebrated pitcher, a close second to Thorpe, while mention may also be -made of Hudson, the Pierce brothers, Johnson, Metoxen and many others -who have excelled above the average. - -General Pratt remained in charge of the school from its organization -until his retirement from the superintendency, June 30, 1904, when he -was succeeded by Major (then Captain) William A. Mercer, U. S. A. - - ---------- - - - - - French and Indians Attack and Burn Fort - Granville, August 1,1756 - - -Fort Granville was about one mile west of the present town of Lewistown, -immediately on the north bank of the Juniata River and westward of the -mouth of the Kishcoquillas Creek about one mile. There was a spring in -the enclosure of the fort which was destroyed when the canal was dug at -that place. No other evidences of this fort are seen today. - -This was one of a chain of forts erected on the west side of the -Susquehanna. Fort Shirley, at Aughwick, was fifteen miles southwest, and -Fort Patterson, at Mexico, was fifteen miles northeast. - -The site commanded a narrow pass where the Juniata falls through the -mountains; where a few men could hold it against a stronger enemy, as -the rocks were high on each bank and extended six miles, so that the -enemy could be easily detected advancing from either direction. - -When the stockade was completed it was garrisoned by a company of -enlisted men, under regularly commissioned officers. George Croghan, the -Indian trader, was directed to build the fort as is shown by a letter -written by Captain Elisha Salter, dated Carlisle, April 4, 1756. - -The attack was made upon Fort Granville during the harvest of 1756. The -garrison at that time was commanded by Lieutenant Edward Armstrong, -brother of General John Armstrong, who destroyed Kittanning. The Indians -had been lurking about the stockade some time and knowing that the -garrison was not strong, sixty of them appeared before the fort, July -22, and challenged the garrison to fight, which was declined by the -commander on account of the weakness of his force. The Indians fired at -one of the soldiers who was outside the stockade, but he succeeded in -getting safely inside. - -The Indians divided their force into smaller parties, one attacked the -Baskins plantation, near the Juniata, where they murdered Baskins, -burned his house, and carried off his wife and children; another party -made Hugh Cornell and his family prisoners. - -On the morning of July 30, Captain Edward Ward marched from Fort -Granville, with a detachment destined for Tuscarora Valley, where they -were needed to protect the settlers while harvesting their grain. The -few remaining in defense of the post were commanded by Lieutenant -Armstrong. - -Soon after the departure of Captain Ward’s detail, the fort was suddenly -surrounded by a hostile force of fifty French and a hundred Indians, who -immediately began a fierce attack, which they continued in their -skulking Indian manner through the afternoon and night, but without -inflicting much damage. About midnight the enemy got below the bank of -the river, and by a deep ravine reached to within twelve or fifteen -yards of the fort, and from that secure position were able to set fire -to the logs of the fort, burning out a large hole, through which the -Indians fired on the defenders as they fought the flames. Lieutenant -Armstrong and one private soldier were killed and three wounded. - -The French commander ordered a suspension of hostilities, and demanded -the surrender of the fort and garrison, promising to spare their lives -if the demands was accepted. Upon promise of quarter, a man named John -Turner, previously a resident of Buffalo Valley, opened the gates and -the besiegers at once entered and took possession. There was no -commissioned officer to assume command and Turner acted on his own -initiative, as was afterwards explained by a prisoner who survived. - -The French and Indians captured twenty-two men, three women and a number -of children. The fort was then burned by Chief Jacobs, on the order of -the French officer in command. The prisoners were lined up and driven by -the Indians, each soldier carrying a heavy portion of the plunder -secured in the fort, and in the several raids made on the settlers’ -homes. - -The march to Kittanning was most terrible, the prisoners were horribly -whipped and punished when fatigue caused any to lag behind. When the -party arrived at Kittanning, all the prisoners were cruelly treated, and -Turner, the man who opened the gates of the fort to the savages, -suffered the torture of being burned to death at the stake. He endured -the most horrible torment for more than three hours, during which time -red hot gun barrels were forced through parts of his body, his scalp was -torn from his head and burning splinters of pine were stuck in his flesh -until at last an Indian boy, who was held up for the purpose, sunk a -tomahawk into his brain and released him from his misery. - -General Armstrong in a letter sent to Governor Morris, dated at -Carlisle, August 20, 1756, said: “Captains Armstrong and Ward, whom I -ordered on the march to Fort Shirley to examine everything at Fort -Granville and send me a list of what remained among the ruins, assure me -that they found some parts of eight of the enemy burnt in two different -places, and part of their shirts through which there were bullet holes. -To secrete these from the prisoners was doubtless the reason why the -French officer marched our people some distance from the fort before he -gave orders to burn the barracks, &c. - -“Walker says that some of the Germans flagged very much on the second -day, and that the lieutenant (Armstrong) behaved with the greatest -bravery to the last, despising all the terrors and threats of the enemy -whereby they often urged him to surrender. Though he had been near two -days without water, but little ammunition, the fort on fire, and the -enemy situated within twelve or fourteen yards of the fort under the -natural bank, he was as far from yielding as when first attacked. - -“A Frenchman, in our service, fearful of being burned up, asked leave of -the lieutenant to treat with his countrymen in the French language. The -Lieutenant answered, 'The first word of French you speak in this -engagement, I'll blow your brains out,' telling his men to hold out -bravely, for the flame was falling and would soon have it extinguished, -but he soon after received the fatal ball.” - -The destruction of Fort Granville spread terror among the settlers west -of the Susquehanna and they abandoned their settlements and fled in -great haste to Fort Augusta and Carlisle. This attack on Fort Granville -resulted in the successful expedition of Col. John Armstrong against the -Indians at Kittanning, where the English not only gained a signal -victory, but the savages were taught a lesson which they ever -remembered. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Lochry Musters Westmoreland - County Troops August 2, 1781 - - -In 1781, General George Rogers Clark, of Virginia, raised an expedition, -ostensibly to destroy the Indian towns of the Shawnee, Delaware, and -Wyandot, which were situated on the Scioto, Muskingum and Sandusky -Rivers, in what is now the State of Ohio, but his real and earnest -purpose was the reduction of the British post at Detroit, and the -winning by conquest of another empire for the Dominion of Virginia. - -At this time Virginia claimed ownership to that part of Pennsylvania, -which laid west of the Laurel Hill range including what is now Fayette, -Westmoreland, Green, Washington, Allegheny and part of Beaver Counties. -In spite of the fact that the boundary line had been settled in 1779, -many of the inhabitants and officials still acknowledged allegiance to -the Old Dominion. - -A force of volunteers to the number of one hundred was raised in -Westmoreland County and placed under the command of that intrepid -soldier, Colonel Archibald Lochry. - -Colonel Lochry’s command was composed of a company raised and commanded -by Captain Thomas Stokely, another under Captain Samuel Shannon; a small -company of riflemen under Captain Robert Orr, was raised in Hannastown, -now Greensburg; and Captain William Campbell commanded a squad of -horsemen. - -The men recruited for this service remained on their settlements until -harvest was finished in July, and on August 1, rendezvoused at -Carnaghan’s blockhouse, eleven miles northwest of Hannastown. Here they -mustered August 2, and on the following day Colonel Lochry began his -march to join General Clark at Wheeling. - -The determined little band crossed the Youghiogheny at the site of West -Newton, then crossed the Monongahela at Devore’s Ferry, where -Monongahela City now stands; went overland by the settlements on the -headwaters of Chartiers and Raccoon Creeks, and reached Fort Henry in -the evening of Wednesday, August 8. - -Here was a disappointment. General Clark had left by boats early that -morning, and he left a message that he would wait for Colonel Lochry at -the mouth of Little Kanawha. But no boats were provided for Lochry’s -command, and he waited at Wheeling four days, while seven boats were -being built, but these four days were fatal. - -On August 13, Colonel Lochry embarked in the seven boats, the horses -following along the shores of the river. At this time the Ohio was the -dividing line between the white man’s country and that of the Indians. -The boats kept near the southern shore and all encampments were made on -the left bank. Although Colonel Lochry did not know it, his men and -their movements were watched by Indian spies who followed them through -the forests and thickets on the opposite shore of the Ohio. - -Colonel Lochry met seventeen men at Fishing Creek, who had deserted from -Clark, who were making their way back to Fort Pitt. These he forced to -join his party. At the Three Islands, Lochry found Major Charles -Crascraft and six men who had been left by Clark in charge of a large -house boat, intended for Lochry’s horses, which were put aboard, and -this enabled the force to move with increased speed. - -On the following day, August 16, Colonel Lochry sent Captain Shannon and -seven men in a small boat to endeavor to overtake Clark and beg him to -leave some provisions for his command. Lochry’s flour was about -exhausted, and food could only be secured by sending out hunters, whose -excursions delayed progress. On August 17, the two men sent out for food -failed to return, and were never heard from again. - -Three days later two of Captain Shannon’s men, half starved, were picked -up from the southern shore. They told the story of the first disaster to -Lochry’s command. This little detail had landed on the Kentucky shore to -prepare a meal and the two survivors, with a sergeant, had gone off to -hunt. When they had gone a half mile into the woods, they heard the -firing of guns in the direction of their camp. Fearing Indians had -attacked the rest of Captain Shannon’s little party, these three were -afraid to return to investigate and started to join Lochry. In -scrambling through the thick underbrush the sergeant’s knife fell from -its sheath, and, sticking point upward, the sergeant trod upon it, the -blade passing through his foot, and the young man died in great agony in -a few hours. - -The expedition suffered not only the death of Captain Shannon and his -men but the Indians captured the letter from Colonel Lochry to General -Clark, revealing the distressed condition of his men, through which -information their doom was sealed. - -Lochry now realized that his movement down the stream was being watched -by the savages from both shores, and for two days and nights no landing -or halt was made. The little flotilla glided swiftly down the stream, -until necessity compelled landing, to graze the horses and seek meat for -the men. - -The boats approached the mouth of a small creek, in the forenoon of -August 24. This creek has since been called Lochry’s Run. A buffalo was -drinking at the river’s edge and a soldier brought it down, when Colonel -Lochry ordered a landing, for here was meat and fine grass for the -horses. - -No sooner had a landing been made than a hundred rifles cracked from the -wooded bank, many white men were killed and many wounded. - -The men made for the boats and shoved off for the opposite shore. -Painted savages then appeared, shrieking and firing, and a fleet of -canoes filled with other savages shot out from the Kentucky shore, -completely cutting off the escape of Lochry’s men. The volunteers -returned the fire for a few moments, but were entrapped, and Colonel -Lochry offered to surrender. The fight ceased, the boats poled back to -shore and the force again landed. - -The Westmorelanders found themselves the prisoners of Joseph Brant, the -most famous Mohawk Chief, who commanded a large force of Iroquois, -Shawnee and Wyandot. George Girty, brother of the notorious Simon, also -commanded an Indian force. The Shawnee could not be controlled and -killed the prisoners they claimed as their share. While Colonel Lochry -was sitting on a log a Shawnee warrior slipped up behind him and sank a -tomahawk into his skull, tearing off his scalp before life was extinct. -It was with great difficulty Brant was able to prevent the massacre of -the men assigned to the Mohawk and Wyandot. - -In this massacre forty Westmoreland volunteers were slain, and -sixty-four taken captives. Among those who escaped death were Captains -Stokely and Orr, the latter being severely wounded. The dead were left -unburied and the prisoners hurried away to Detroit, where most of them -were turned over to the British, and afterward transferred to Montreal. -Only nineteen of the men ever returned to Westmoreland County. - - ---------- - - - - - Civil Government in Pennsylvania Established - at Meeting of Council - August 3, 1681 - - -When William Penn was granted the charter for Pennsylvania, he and his -heirs were constituted the true and absolute Proprietary of the country. -Penn was empowered to establish laws, appoint officers, and to do other -acts and things necessary to govern the country, including the right to -erect manors. - -The first act of William Penn was to write a letter to the inhabitants -of Pennsylvania, dated April 8, 1681. Two days later he appointed his -cousin Captain William Markham deputy governor and commander-in-chief of -the province, whom he clothed with full powers to put the machinery of -the new government into motion. - -At what time Captain Markham sailed for America is not known, but we -find him in New York, with the King’s letter in June, which, with his -commission, he laid before the council and commander in the absence of -Governor Andros. - -On June 21, the authorities at New York addressed a letter to the -justice and other magistrates on the Delaware notifying them of the -change of government. - -Markham departed from New York a few days later and repaired to -Pennsylvania to enter upon his duties, bearing with him Penn’s letter to -the inhabitants, which assured them that they should be governed by laws -of their own making, and would receive the most ample protection to -person and property. - -Markham was authorized to call a council of nine, which met and -organized August 3, from which time we may date the establishment of a -civil government in Pennsylvania. - -There was very little interference in the established order of things, -and the people found a mild ruler in the deputy governor. - -The seat of government was fixed at Upland, the present Chester. The old -court closed its session September 13, and the new court opened the next -day. - -Among the business transacted at the opening of the new court was the -appointment of William Biles and Robert Lucas, who lived at the falls, -justices of the peace. Pounds, shillings, and pence were declared to be -the currency of the country. But it was difficult to get rid of the -guilders after they had been so long in circulation. - -Markham was instructed by William Penn to select a site, and build for -him a dwelling, and he chose the spot whereon Pennsbury house was -erected, in Falls Township, Bucks County. - -On September 30, William Penn appointed William Crispin, John Bezar, and -Christopher Allen, commissioners, to go to Pennsylvania with power to -purchase land of the Indians and to select site for, and lay out a great -city. About this same time he appointed James Harrison his “lawful -agent,” to sell for him any parcel of land in Pennsylvania of not less -than 250 acres. - -Silas Crispen was appointed surveyor-general, and sailed with this -commission but, dying on the voyage, Captain Thomas Holme was appointed -in his place and commissioned April 18, 1682. - -Among the earliest acts of Markham and the commissioners was the -selection of a site for a great city, which resulted in the founding of -Philadelphia. Soundings along the west side of the Delaware River were -made to ascertain “where most ships may best ride of deepest draft of -water.” - -The growth of the new “city” was remarkable from its very inception. -Within a few months Philadelphia contained eighty houses, and more than -300 farms were laid out and partly cleared. - -In the summer of 1684 the city contained 357 houses, many of them large -and well-built, with cellars. A year later the number of houses had -increased to 600. There were nearly 3000 souls in the city at this time. - -William Penn sailed for Pennsylvania in the ship Welcome, of 300 tons -burden, Captain Robert Greenway, September 1, 1682, accompanied by 100 -emigrants, mostly Friends. - -He first landed at New Castle October 27, and then at Upland on the -29th. On November 9, Penn visited Philadelphia. - -Penn was very favorably impressed with virgin Pennsylvania. Pastorius -writes that Penn found the air so perfumed that it seemed to him like an -orchard in full bloom; that the trees and shrubs were everywhere covered -with leaves, and filled with birds, which, by their beautiful colors and -delightful notes proclaimed the praise of their Creator. - -Penn’s policy from the beginning of his province was to extinguish the -Indian title to his grant of Pennsylvania by purchase. This he did in -fact, and the several treaty purchases made by him were executed fairly -and honorably. - -At the first provincial assembly held at Philadelphia, in March, 1683, a -number of acts were passed necessary to put Penn’s government in -operation. The country was divided into three counties, Philadelphia, -Chester, and Bucks, and their boundaries fixed. A house of correction -was ordered for each county, 24 x 16 feet, in size. - -The poor, who received relief from the county, with their families, were -obliged to wear the letter P made of red or blue cloth, with the first -letter of the name of the place they inhabited, in a conspicuous place -upon the shoulder of the right sleeve. - -The county court was authorized to fix a price on linen and woolen -cloth, justices were to regulate wages of servants and women; a meal of -victuals was fixed at seven pence half-penny, and beer at a penny a -quart. - -The products of the farms were to be received in payment of debts. Each -settler of three years was to sow a bushel of barley, and persons were -to be punished who put water in rum. - -The civil government as established August 3, 1681, was soon -functioning. - - ---------- - - - - - Saturday Evening Post Launched from - Gazette, August 4, 1821 - - -In his excellent and interesting “A Man from Maine,” Edward W. Bok -devotes a chapter to the story of the purchase and development of The -Saturday Evening Post by Cyrus H. K. Curtis. This chapter is styled “The -Story of the 'Singed Cat.'” - -Mr. Curtis was born in Portland, Maine, June 18, 1850. He went to -Philadelphia in 1876, and seven years later started The Ladies’ Home -Journal. - -Mr. Curtis first developed the Ladies Home Journal and then turned his -energy and wonderful organization to a magazine for men. - -Somehow he fixed his mind upon The Saturday Evening Post as the medium -through which he was to realize his pet dream. Mr. Bok is authority for -the statement that Mr. Curtis himself does not remember how he came to -fix up this old paper, but says that the publication had always -attracted him as he met it each week in his exchanges as a legacy left -to Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin, who, in 1728, founded the paper -under the title of The Pennsylvania Gazette. - -Franklin edited and published this paper for a number of years, and then -sold it to his grandson. Meanwhile six other papers of all sorts had -been born in Philadelphia, all having as part of their title the word -Gazette. So in 1821, to avoid a constant confusion of names, the name -was changed to The Saturday Evening Post, August 4, 1821. - -The spirit of enterprise of that early day must have been put into the -venture, for in 1839, it had a circulation of thirty-five thousand -copies, the largest circulation of that day of any weekly in the United -States. The most famous statesmen and writers of the time were among its -contributors, and it ranked as the most important publication of the -time. - -The Saturday Evening Post, like other old newspapers, frequently passed -into various ownerships, nearly all of whom were Philadelphians, but a -resident of Brooklyn, N. Y., owned it for a time, although the place of -publication remained at Philadelphia, and finally it passed into the -possession of Albert Smyth, of Philadelphia, whose publication it was -when Mr. Curtis went to Philadelphia in 1876, to begin the career which -has made him the most successful and most beloved of all publishers in -all the world. - -During the time that Philadelphia was in possession of the British, -under Lord Howe, the publication was suspended, but after the last -British “Tommy” marched away, the paper was revived and from that time -to this day it has never missed an issue. With this record of over a -century Mr. Smyth was justly proud and its ownership was a matter of -pride, as well as the distinguished record of long service. He was fond -of its history and tradition, and as he and Mr. Curtis were friends, it -is not improbable that the latter’s interest in this old paper was -fostered during these chats, and he began a little search on his own -account for the intimate history of the paper, and before long, Mr. -Curtis knew quite as much about it as did its proud owner. - -Yet the paper was losing out, the circulation was steadily and surely -diminishing, no one seemed to care. The editorship was entrusted to a -reporter of the Philadelphia Times, who devoted his odd moments upon The -Saturday Evening Post, at the elegant salary of ten dollars a week, and -the articles published were just what a ten dollar editor would be -expected to use. - -A man with the vision and patriotism of Mr. Curtis could not help -feeling regret that a paper with such traditions was allowed to run -down, and he began to bargain with Mr. Smyth. - -True it was only a name, but it had a long history and valuable -heritage. Best of all, Benjamin Franklin had founded it, and that was an -asset upon which Mr. Curtis could build. - -Mr. Smyth went to Chicago, where he was interested in a gas project, and -left The Saturday Evening Post in charge of a friend named Brady, but in -1897 Smyth died, leaving a sister as his only heir. She could not or -would not finance the publication, and Brady turned to Mr. Curtis for -the money to get out that week’s issue. - -To Brady’s surprise Mr. Curtis told him that the name of the paper was -not protected with a copyright, and that if the sister did not put up -the money and an issue was missed anyone could take up the name. - -Brady’s lawyer confirmed the statement. Mr. Curtis said he would not do -anything like that, but told Brady he had nothing to sell. “However, -I'll give you one thousand dollars for the paper, type and all.” - -Mr. Curtis became the owner of the paper, and sent a young man in his -establishment with a wagon to the printing office to bring away the -battered type, and as soon as it arrived, that week’s issue was printed, -so as to save the right to the title by continuous publication. - -At this time the subscription list was about two thousand and soon as -Mr. Curtis improved the paper these few subscribers cancelled their -subscriptions, when it was learned that the new owner had in fact -purchased only the title and name of Benjamin Franklin. - -The outlook for the future for this new venture was so gloomy that men -in his employ called it “the singed cat.” - -Mr. Curtis selected George Horace Lorimer, of Boston, as the editor and -he got behind him, even in the face of the most discouraging criticism, -but neither Mr. Curtis nor Mr. Lorimer ever for a single moment doubted -that the project would make good. A half million dollars were spent upon -advertising the periodical, and at one time the loss totalled nearly a -million dollars, but during all this period there was being developed -just the kind of a paper that Mr. Curtis wanted The Saturday Evening -Post to be. - -Then the circulation grew and when it reached five hundred thousand -copies the advertisers began to use its pages, and Mr. Curtis had now -put into the paper a million and a quarter dollars. Then the paper -appeared with a “circulation of one million copies” printed on the -cover, and the fight was won. - -The circulation is now in excess of two million, and is, without a -doubt, the greatest publication in the history of journalism. - -The Curtis Publishing Company publish The Ladies Home Journal, The -Saturday Evening Post, The Country Gentleman, The Public Ledger and The -Evening Public Ledger and the output of this plant is six hundred and -fifty thousand complete magazines, each working day, and all this in -addition to seventy-three million newspapers each year. - -More than one hundred railroad cars each month are required to circulate -the magazines, as the Ladies Home Journal goes to one out of every ten -women in the United States and The Saturday Evening Post goes into more -than one out of every ten homes in this country. Such is the story of -not only Pennsylvania’s oldest and best magazine, but the largest and -most successful in the world. - - ---------- - - - - - Patrick Gordon, Administrator of Penn’s - Will, Died August 5, 1736 - - -William Penn was financially involved when stricken and during the six -years he suffered until relieved by death, July 30, 1718, did not place -his affairs in more favorable condition. - -The Province of Pennsylvania was encumbered by Proprietary’s mortgage -given in 1708, and by his contract with the Crown for the sale of the -government. His will, which was drawn in 1712, was in contemplation of -this contract. - -To his only surviving son, William, by his first marriage, he bequeathed -all his estates in England and Ireland, which, producing fifteen hundred -pounds sterling per annum, were estimated of greater value than his -American possessions. - -By his first wife, Gulielma Maria Springett, he had issue of three sons, -William, Springett and William, and four daughters, Gulielma, Margaret, -Gulielma and Letitia. From his American possession he made provision for -the payment of his debts, and for his widow, Hannah Callowhill and four -sons, John, Thomas, Richard and Dennis. To his wife, Hannah, whom he -made the sole executrix of his estate, he gave for the equal benefit of -herself and her children, all his personal estate in Pennsylvania and -elsewhere, after paying all debts, and allotting ten thousand acres of -land in the Province to his daughter Letitia, by his first marriage, and -each of the three children of his son William, and to convey the -remainder at the discretion of his widow, to her children, subject to an -annuity to herself of £300 sterling per annum. - -Doubts having arisen as to the force of the provisions of this will, it -was finally determined to institute a suit in chancery for its -determination. Before a decision was reached in March, 1720, William -Penn, Jr., died, and while it was still pending, his son, Springett, -died. - -During the more than nine years of litigation, Hannah Penn, as executrix -of the will, assumed the Proprietary power, issued instructions to her -Lieutenant-Governor, heard complaints and settled differences with the -skill and assurance of a veteran diplomat. In 1727 a decision was -reached that, upon the death of William Penn, Jr., and his son -Springett, the proprietary rights in Pennsylvania descended to the three -surviving sons, John, Thomas and Richard, issue by the second marriage. - -The Province now entered upon a period of great prosperity. The almost -unbounded confidence of the Province in Governor Keith enabled him, in -1720, to establish two measures hitherto repugnant to the Assembly, and -equity court, dependent on the Governor’s will, of which he was -chancellor, and a militia organized by like authority. - -The great influx of foreigners alarmed the Assembly, who feared their -settlement on the frontier. Attempts to naturalize them were treated -with coldness. Even the Governor, whose industry and utility were -proverbial, could not remove the jealousy. - -Many Palatines, long resident in the Province, applied for -naturalization in 1721, but not until 1724 was leave granted to bring in -a bill, and then conditioned upon the proviso that they should -individually obtain from the justice of the peace a certificate of the -value of their property, and nature of their religious faith. A bill to -that effect reached the Governor the following year, but he returned it -on the ground that in a country where English liberty and law prevailed, -a scrutiny into the private conversation and faith of the citizens, and -particularly into their estates, was unjust and dangerous in precedent. -The House yielded, but it was not for some time that the privilege of -subjects were granted to the Palatines. - -Following the death of Springett Penn and Mrs. Hannah Penn, the Assembly -conceived that the authority of Governor Patrick Gordon was determined, -and accordingly refused to act upon a message which he had sent them, -and adjourned themselves to the last day of their term. - -A new commission, signed by John, Thomas and Richard Penn, in whom the -government was now vested, was received by Governor Gordon in October. -When the King gave his approbation to this new commission he reserved as -the right of the Crown, the government of the Lower Counties on the -Delaware. - -Patrick Gordon who served as Deputy Governor from July 26, 1726, to his -death had been a soldier in the regular army, serving from his youth to -near the close of Queen Anne’s reign, with a high reputation. He was -appointed successor of Governor Keith by the family, and formally -proposed to the Crown by Springett Penn, their heir-at-law. - -He arrived in the Province with his family in the summer of 1726, and -met the Assembly during the first week of August. In his first address -he alluded to the fact of his having been a soldier, that he -consequently knew nothing of the crooked ways of professed politicians -and must rely upon a blunt, straightforward course in his communications -with them in his administration of the government. His whole public -career seems to have been characterized by this same frankness and -integrity. - -Governor Gordon took prompt measures to apprehend and punish worthless -drunken Indians who committed outrages. He concluded several very -important treaties with the Six Nations, and attended these in person. -He published “Two Indians Treaties at Conestogoe,” in 1728. - -Governor Gordon died August 5, 1736. His administration was in all -respects a happy one. The unanimity of the Assembly, the Council and the -Governor, gave an uninterrupted course to the prosperity of the -Province. The wisdom which guided her counsels was strongly portrayed in -her internal peace, increased population, improved morals and thriving -commerce. The death of Governor Gordon was equally lamented by the -Proprietaries and the people. - -Upon the death of Governor Gordon, the administration of the government -again devolved on the Council, of which James Logan was president. He so -governed until August, 1738, when Sir George Thomas, a wealthy planter, -of the island of Antigua, was appointed by the Proprietaries. Governor -Thomas immediately devoted his energies toward the settlement of the -boundary dispute, by which it was mutually agreed, that matters should -rest along the border, until final settlement of the boundary lines. - -The famous “Indian Walk” was performed by Edward Marshall, and others on -September 19, 1737. This walk, according to Charles Thomson, was the -cause of jealousies and heart burnings among the Indians, which -eventually broke out in loud complaints of injustice and atrocious acts -of savage vengeance. The very first murder committed by them after this -deception was on the very land from which they believed themselves -cheated. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Bouquet Defeats Indians by Stratagem - at Bushy Run, August 6, 1763 - - -In 1763 the savages, angered by the losses of the French and by finding -the English settlers pressing upon them, organized what has been called -a conspiracy under Pontiac. It nearly succeeded and many English forts -were captured. - -In Pennsylvania there were many murders and burnings all around Forts -Pitt, Le Boeuf, Presque Isle and Ligonier; many were killed at Bedford -and Carlisle, and even Fort Augusta, on the Susquehanna at Sunbury, was -seriously threatened. - -Colonel Henry Bouquet, an energetic and capable officer, took a -battalion of the Royal American Regiment and two companies of -Highlanders and English and started from Philadelphia for Fort Pitt. - -Upon his arrival he found Carlisle crowded with fugitives, and learned -that Presque Isle, Le Boeuf and Venango, now English forts, had fallen. -Homes were burning all through the neighboring valleys. - -With five hundred men Bouquet pushed over the mountain to Bedford and -Fort Ligonier, which he relieved from a siege just in time. At Bedford -thirty hunters with rifles joined him. He heard from Fort Pitt that the -commander and nine others had been wounded. - -Bouquet resolved to leave behind the oxen and wagons, which formed the -most cumbersome part of the convoy. Thus relieved, the army resumed its -march August 4, taking with them 350 pack horses and a few cattle, and -at nightfall encamped at no great distance from Ligonier. - -Within less than a day’s march lay the dangerous defiles of Turtle -Creek. Fearing that the enemy would lay in ambuscade at this place, -Bouquet determined to march on the following day as far as a small -stream called Bushy Run, to rest there until night and then, by a forced -march, to cross Turtle Creek under cover of the darkness. - -On the morning of August 5, the tents were struck at an early hour, and -the troops began their march through a rough country, everywhere covered -with a tall, dense forest. - -By noon they had advanced to within less than a mile of Bushy Run. -Suddenly the report of rifles from the front sent a thrill along the -ranks. The firing became terrific, while the shouts and whoops showed -that the advance guard was hotly engaged. The two foremost companies -were sent to support it, but far from abating, the fire grew so furious -that it revealed the presence of an enemy at once numerous and resolute. - -The convoy was halted, the troops formed into line, and a general charge -ordered. Bearing down through the forest with fixed bayonets, they drove -the yelping savages before them, and swept the ground clear. - -At this very moment of success, a fresh burst of whoops and firing was -heard from either flank, while noise from the rear showed that the -convoy was attacked. The column fell back for its support, drove off the -assailants, and formed in a circle around the terrified horses. No man -lost his composure, but each displayed implicit confidence in their -commander. - -Now ensued a combat most discouraging. Again and again, now one side and -now on the other, a crowd of Indians rushed up, pouring in a heavy fire, -in their effort to break into the circle. A well directed volley met -them, followed by a charge of the bayonet. The Indians fled behind -trees, few of them were hurt, while the English suffered severely. - -Thus the fight went on without intermission for seven hours, until -approaching night, when the Indian fire slackened, and the exhausted -soldiers found time to rest. - -It was impossible to change their ground in the enemy’s presence, and -the troops were obliged to encamp where the combat had taken place, -though not a drop of water was to be found there. - -Bouquet, doubtful of surviving the battle of the morrow, wrote to Sir -Jeffrey Amherst, in a few, clear, concise words, an account of the day’s -events. - -The condition of the troops was deplorable. About sixty soldiers, -besides several officers, had been killed or disabled. A space in the -center of the camp was prepared for the care of the wounded, and -surrounded by a wall built of bags of flour. Here they lay upon the -ground, enduring agonies of thirst, as well as of pain. - -The situation of those who hitherto escaped was not an enviable one. In -event of defeat, a fate inexpressibly horrible waited them, while even -victory did not assure their safety, since so many wounded comrades made -it difficult to transport them. On the other side the enemy were -exulting in the fullest confidence of success. - -With the earliest dawn of day there broke out a general burst of those -horrid yells which form the prelude of an Indian battle. Instantly from -every side the fire poured in with deadly aim. - -At each furious rush the savages were repulsed. The English, maddened -more by the torments of thirst than the fire of the enemy, fought -furiously. But the enemy saw their distress and pressed them closer and -more desperately. - -The center of the camp was all confusion. The horses broke away a dozen -at a time and stampeded through the wounded troops. At ten o’clock the -circle was yet unbroken, but there had been many killed. If the day was -to be saved, the effort must be made at once and Bouquet was equal to -the emergency. - -In the midst of the confusion he conceived a masterly stratagem. Could -the Indians be brought together in a body and made to stand their -ground, there could be little doubt of the result. Bouquet instructed -the men who were in the most exposed place to give way. The Indians -mistook this movement for a retreat. Confident that their victory was -sure, they leaped up on all sides and rushed headlong towards the spot. - -Here they found themselves between two deadly fires and with the reserve -troops blocking their retreat they were utterly routed. The Highlanders, -with yells as wild as their own, fell on them with bayonet. The shock -was irresistible and they fled before the charging ranks, not a living -Indian remained near the spot. Among the dead were found several -prominent chiefs. - -The battle of Bushy Run was the best contested battle ever fought -between white men and Indians. It was the most serious defeat ever -inflicted upon the savages down to that time. - -With the loss of eight officers and 115 men, Bouquet reached Fort Pitt -August 10. It was a joyous moment both to the troops and the garrison, -which had been surrounded and hotly pressed by the Indians since July -28. - -The next year Bouquet led an expedition beyond the Ohio, but the Indians -sued for peace and he compelled them to bring all their captives to Fort -Pitt, where their friends could identify them. - - ---------- - - - - - Indian Council Between Governor Denny - and Tedyuskung Ended at Easton - August 7, 1757 - - -The fact that the great Delaware King Tedyuskung was not present at the -important council at Lancaster in April, 1757, caused much more concern -in the Provincial Government than is usually the case when one person of -importance fails to attend. The Delaware Indians were still chafing -under the rebuke they received at the hands of Canassetoga, the great -Onondaga Chief Sachem, and the Six Nations, who ordered them from the -lands at the Forks of the Delaware River to the Wyoming and Shamokin -Valleys. - -Soon as the Lancaster council was concluded, messengers were dispatched -to Tedyuskung and to the Seneca and Shawnee, inviting them to hold a -treaty with the English. - -On June 16, Sir Wm. Johnson held a general conference with the Onondaga, -Cayuga and Seneca, of the Six Nations, at his estate “Fort Johnson,” in -which he strongly urged these tribes to come to the support of the -English in their warfare against the French. He severely censured -Tedyuskung and the Seneca for their conduct. - -The Indian messengers, Nathanial and Zacharias, failed to find -Tedyuskung at Wyoming, and journeyed to the Seneca villages in New York -where they found the King and delivered the Governor’s message. -Tedyuskung and the messengers immediately set out for Pennsylvania, and -on their way met Joe Peepy, Shikellamy’s son, and Tapescawen, the two -messengers sent out by the Lancaster Council in quest of Tedyuskung. -Nathanial and Zacharias hastened on to advise the Governor that -Tedyuskung and his followers would set out from Tioga for Easton the -middle of June. - -Tedyuskung and his retinue arrived at Fort Allen July 3, 200 strong and -waited there for the arrival of 100 Seneca. On July 8, 155 men, women -and children followed Tedyuskung out of Fort Allen toward Easton, and a -few days later 117 Seneca and other Six Nations’ Indians arrived at -Easton, via Wyoming; among the Seneca delegation were old King Nutimus -and “French Margaret.” - -Governor Denny, accompanied by members of the Council, Board of Indian -Commissioners and a large number of citizens, including many Quakers, -arrived at Easton, July 20, and the next day the conference with the -Indians was formally begun. Colonel Conrad Weiser and Colonel George -Croghan were in attendance as interpreters and agents; there were more -than 300 Indians representing ten nations, and Tedyuskung claimed -authority over them all. - -Tedyuskung demanded a clerk and refused to participate until furnished -one, when a long debate ensued, but the old king won his point and chose -Charles Thomson. Thomson exercised great influence over Tedyuskung and -was his counsel as well as clerk. - -The conference proceeded in peace. Tedyuskung declared it was time to -declare mutual friendship and gave the Governor a belt of wampum. The -Governor rejoiced in this expression of alliance and gave the Delaware a -fine belt of wampum. This was a large belt with the figures of three men -worked in the wampum, representing King George, taking hold of the King -of the Five Nations with one hand, and Tedyuskung with the other, and -marked “G. R., 5 N and D. K.,” for King George, Five Nations and -Delaware King. - -On Saturday, August 6, Paxinosa, with Abraham, the Mohegan Chief, -arrived at Easton, with about sixty of their people. The Governor -personally welcomed the newcomers to the council. - -The most important matter broached by Tedyuskung touched on the future -home of the Delaware. He then asked that persons be sent to instruct -them to build permanent houses of a better class, and that other persons -be sent “to instruct us in Christian religion, and instruct our children -in reading and writing.” - -Tedyuskung then expressed a desire that the Governor would send people -to Wyoming during the coming fall or nearly next Spring, that a little -fort might be built. The Indians would then move down from Tioga, about -the beginning of May. - -The conference came to an end on Sunday, August 7. The Governor and his -attendants left for Bethlehem, enroute to Philadelphia. The following -day many Indians were escorted by Conrad Weiser and a detachment of -Provincials under Captain Jacob Arndt, towards Bethlehem. - -The “Memorials of the Moravian Church” says, “Some of these unwelcome -visitors halted for a few days and some proceeded as far as Fort Allen -and then returned, undecided as to where to go and what to do. During -the month full 200 were counted—men, women and children—among them -lawless crowds who annoyed the Brethren by depredations, molested the -Indians at Manakasy, and wrangled with each other over their cup at “The -Crown.” - -Tedyuskung, Abraham and Paxinosa set out from Fort Allen for Tioga, -August 17, the former with a new saddle and bridle, and a supply of -snuff, gingerbread, soap and other luxuries—in addition to the gifts he -had received at the treaty. - -When near Tunkhannock, this company was met by three Indian messengers, -with a Peace Belt and four-fold string of wampum, for Tedyuskung from -the two principal chiefs in the Ohio region. The King gave the Peace -Belt he had received at Easton into the hands of one of his sons and -messengers, directing them to carry it with a message which he dictated -to the Ohio chiefs. Then he left his companions and started back to -Bethlehem, where he arrived August 25. Five days later he arrived in -Philadelphia and delivered the message from the Ohio Indians to the -Governor and Council. - -Tedyuskung urged the prompt assistance of the government in helping them -locate at Wyoming, and a week later the Governor and Council decided to -send proper persons to build a fort and houses for the Delaware. After -much discussion it was decided to send John Hughes, one of the Indian -Commissioners, Edward Shippen, prothonotary of the Lancaster County -courts, and James Galbraith, also of Lancaster, and a prominent citizen -to undertake the journey to Wyoming. On October 5, 1757, they set out -and satisfactorily fulfilled the mission on which they were sent. - - ---------- - - - - - Indians Surprise Reapers and Mortally - Wound James Brady August 8, 1778 - - -During the first several years of the Revolution no section of -Pennsylvania suffered more from the incursions of the hostile Indians -than along both branches of the Susquehanna River, where nearly every -man capable of bearing arms responded to the call and left his home and -fireside in the care of aged men or young men of his family. - -The Indians had taken a heavy toll along the West Branch, so small -numbers of local militia and a few provincials garrisoned the several -stockades erected as places of refuge for the inhabitants, when the -Indians were reported by the scouts to be approaching. - -August 8, 1778, a party of Indians fell upon a number of reapers and -cruelly murdered young James Brady. The circumstances of the tragic -affair, and the prominence of the victim and his illustrious family make -the story one of value. - -Colonel Thomas Hartley had been sent by General Washington to guard the -West Branch Valley, and after arriving at Fort Augusta with his command, -it was determined he should proceed to Muncy, erect a stockade, and from -that place distribute his soldiers to points where they were most -needed. - -On the fatal day a corporal and three militiamen were ordered to go to -Loyalsock and protect fourteen reapers and cradlers who were assisting -Peter Smith, the unfortunate man who lost his wife and four children in -the massacre, at what is now Williamsport, June 10. Smith’s farm was on -Bull Run, nearly three miles east of Williamsport, and on the north side -of the river. - -It was the custom in those days of unusual peril, when no commissioned -officer was present, for the company to select a leader, who was called -“Captain,” and to obey him accordingly. Young James Brady, on account of -his shrewdness, dash and well known bravery, was selected to take -command of the party. - -“Captain” Brady stationed a few sentinels and the rest proceeded to the -work at hand on Friday, August 7. At sundown four of the party left and -returned to Fort Muncy. The balance of the detail commenced work early -the next day; the morning was foggy. - -Not an hour had passed before the workers were surprised by the stealthy -approach of a large band of Indians, who were able to draw near under -the cover of the fog before being discovered. - -The sentinels discharged their rifles at the savages and ran towards the -reapers. A panic ensued and they all fled with the exception of young -Brady, who ran for his rifle, closely pursued by three Indians. When -almost within reach of his gun, an Indian shot at Brady, who was -probably saved by his timely fall over a sheaf of wheat. When he grasped -for his rifle he was shot in the arm, but succeeded in killing the -Indian who fired at him. - -Brady grabbed a second rifle and as quickly dispatched another Indian, -but the savages now closed in on him, and he fought bravely until a -warrior struck him with his tomahawk and another pierced him with a -spear, which felled him to the ground. Brady had no sooner fallen than -his scalp was torn from his head, and a young Indian was called upon to -strike him with his tomahawk. The Indians then fled in great haste. - -Brady recovered consciousness, and succeeded by walking and creeping, in -reaching the cabin of an old man, named Jerome Vanness, near the bank of -the river, who had been employed to cook for Brady and his companions -while on this tour of duty. - -Vanness heard the firing and had concealed himself, but on seeing Brady -approach, rushed to his assistance. Brady urged the aged man to fly for -his own safety, but he refused to leave his “captain,” and dressed his -terrible wounds as best he could. - -Brady requested to be assisted down to the river, where he drank much -water, and lay until Vanness went back for his gun. - -When the terrified reapers and militiamen reached Fort Muncy, Captain -Andrew Walker hurried a detail to Smith’s farm. On approaching the spot -where the gallant Brady lay weltering in his blood, he heard the relief -party, and supposing them to be Indians, immediately jumped to his feet, -cocked his rifle, and prepared to defend himself. - -When Brady found the party to be friends, he requested to be taken to -his mother, who was visiting among relatives at Sunbury. - -He was tenderly cared for, placed in a canoe, and taken rapidly down the -river. During the trip of nearly thirty miles he became delirious. - -When the party arrived at Sunbury, although it was nearly midnight, his -mother met the canoe at the landing and assisted to convey her wounded -son to the house. - -Brady presented a frightful appearance and the grief of his mother was -pitiable. He lived five days, dying in the arms of his devoted mother, -August 13, 1778. - -On the day of his death his reason returned and he related with much -detail the bloody scene through which he had passed. - -Some writers have stated that Chief Bald Eagle scalped him, and that his -brother, Captain Samuel Brady, afterwards avenged his death by shooting -Bald Eagle through the heart. - -The unfortunate young hero was buried near Fort Augusta. He was mourned -by all who knew him. - -James Brady was the second son of Captain John and Mary Brady, and a -younger brother of Captain Samuel Brady, the famous scout and Indian -killer. He was born in 1758, while his parents lived at Shippensburg, -Cumberland County, and was in his twenty-first year at the time of his -tragic death. - -Many anecdotes of the Brady family have been handed down, and one -relating to James is interesting. The men of that time wore their hair -long, plaited and cued behind the head. James had a remarkably fine head -of fiery red hair. A neighbor remarked that she feared the Indians would -get this red scalp. James replied: “If they do, it will make them a -bright light of a dark night.” In less than a week the noble youth fell -beneath the cruel tomahawk and the savages had his red scalp. - -His father, Captain John Brady, was murdered near Muncy by the Indians, -April 11, 1779, while home on a leave of absence from the Continental -Army. - - ---------- - - - - - General John Bull, Distinguished Officer of - Revolutionary War, Died August 9, 1824 - - -Among the early patriots of the Revolution was Colonel John Bull, and he -was quite as much a distinguished citizen and statesman. John Bull was -born in 1730, in Providence Township, now Montgomery County. He was -appointed captain in the Provincial service, May 12, 1758, and the -following month was in command of the garrison at Fort Allen. - -In October the same year he accompanied General John Forbes’ expedition -for the reduction of Fort Duquesne, and rendered important service in -the negotiations with the Indians. The instructions to Captain Bull were -dated Easton, October 21, 1758, and are most specific. He and William -Hayes had volunteered to carry important messages to the Indians on the -Ohio. - -Pesquetomen and Thomas Hickman, two Delaware Indians from the Ohio, -accompanied the provincial messengers, who set out in October, going by -way of Reading and Fort Henry to Fort Augusta, where they were equipped -and supplied with such articles as they needed. They carried belts of -wampum and even the outlines of the speeches they were to make to the -western Indians when in council. This mission was performed to the -entire satisfaction of the Provincial Government and John Bull became at -once a trusted official on important occasions. - -In 1771 Captain Bull owned the Norris plantation and mill, and was -residing there at the opening of the Revolution. This is on the present -site of Norristown. He was a delegate to the Provincial Conferences of -January 23, 1775, and of June 18, 1775, and a member of the Provincial -Convention of July 15, 1776. - -The First Pennsylvania Battalion was raised in pursuance of a resolution -of Congress, October 12, 1775. The field officers were elected by -Congress, November 25, and John Bull was commissioned a colonel. - -On January 20, 1776, the Colonel resigned in a communication to Congress -setting forth that he was ill-treated by many of the officers and that -nearly one-half of them threatened to resign if he continued in command. -He also stated that this circumstance would not alter his conduct or -abate his zeal, and whenever called upon again to serve his country, he -would, with the greatest pleasure, obey the summons. Colonel Bull was -succeeded by Colonel John Philip DeHaas, of Lebanon, who was -commissioned two days later. - -Colonel Bull served as one of the Commissioners at the important Indian -treaty held at Easton, January 30, 1777; in February he was in command -of the works at Billingsport. - -The Supreme Executive Council created the Board of War, March 13, 1777, -and named Colonel John Bull as one of the original members. They -organized the following day. - -On May 2, he was commissioned colonel of the State Regiment of Foot, -which was organized with the residue of the battalions of Colonels -Samuel Miles and Samuel J. Atlee, as a nucleus. June 2 this regiment was -stationed at Fort Mercer, under command of Colonel Bull, its strength -being four hundred and sixty-three. - -As Colonel Bull was not an officer of either battalion, the other -officers claimed his appointment ruined their rank, and as the regiment -was put in the Continental service, June 10, 1777, the Supreme Executive -Council appointed Colonel Bull adjutant general of the militia of -Pennsylvania, and appointed Walter Stewart to the command of the -regiment, which participated at Brandywine and Germantown. - -He was also colonel of the Sixth Battalion of Associators, of -Philadelphia, during 1777. During October of this year, Colonel Bull’s -barns, barracks, grain and hay were burned by the British, and his -wagons, horses, sheep and Negroes carried off, although General Howe had -given his word to Mrs. Bull that they would not be disturbed. - -In December, Brigadier General James Irvine was wounded and captured in -the attempted surprise by the British at Whitemarsh, and Colonel Bull -succeeded to the command of the Second Brigade Pennsylvania Militia, -under command of General John Armstrong. - -During Christmas week, 1777, the British crossed the Delaware and made a -raid into New Jersey, another detachment at the same time crossed at -Gray’s Ferry and took the road to Chester and Darby, with three hundred -wagons. Howe and Erskine were with them; they made a demonstration -towards Chester. Several pickets and detachments skirmished on their -front and flank, under Captain Potterfield. - -Colonel John Bull, with his brigade marched to force the foragers to -retire by demonstrating against the enemy’s lines. His forces were -distributed on the Frankford, Germantown and Ridge Roads, and caused the -enemy to sound a general alarm. Bull planted his cannon, on Christmas -Day, and fired several shots at the heart of the city, then withdrew to -Frankford. - -Marshall says: “Col. Bull, on the twenty-fifth instant, made an -excursion into Fourth Street, Philadelphia, with two thousand militia, -and alarmed the city by firing some pieces of cannon into the air, -whereby some of the ball fell about Christ Church. He then made a good -retreat back to his station, without the loss of a man.” The enemy, -however, made no more raids. - -In 1778 and 1779 he was engaged in erecting the defenses for -Philadelphia; in 1779 he put down the chevaux de frize in the Delaware, -and in 1780 he was Commissary of Purchases at Philadelphia, and appears -to have been one of the busiest and most indefatigable of workers. - -After the Revolution General Bull located at Northumberland, this was -about 1785. In 1802 he was a candidate for the Legislature, but was -defeated by Simon Snyder; in 1803, 1804 and 1805 he was elected to the -Legislature, and three years later was defeated for Congress on the -Federalist ticket. - -General Bull died August 9, 1824, at the extreme age of ninety-four -years. His wife, Mary Phillips Bull, died February 23, 1811, aged eighty -years. The Northumberland Argus says “she was buried in the Quaker -graveyard and General Bull, though much reduced by sickness and old age, -previous to the grave being closed addressed the people as follows: - -“'The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the -Lord; may we who are soon to follow be as well prepared as she was.'” - -Truly a soldier to the very end of his eventful life. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Bouquet Relieved Garrison at Fort - Pitt August 10, 1763 - - -Colonel Henry Bouquet established his rendezvous in Carlisle during the -latter part of June, 1763, where he had assembled five hundred troops, -selected from his British forces and several companies of Provincial -Rangers. He was preparing to rush to the succor of Fort Pitt and other -places which were being attacked by Indians under the inspiring -leadership of Pontiac, the great chief of the Ottawa, who had formed a -confederation of the Indians against the English. - -Everywhere along the frontier of Pennsylvania was desolation, the -settlers had fled in terror and the interior settlements were crowded -with refugees. Especially is this true of Carlisle, where the brave -Swiss, Colonel Bouquet, was receiving first hand intelligence of the -sufferings and devastation caused by the savages. - -On July 3, 1763, a courier from Fort Bedford rode into Carlisle, and as -he stopped to water his horse, he was surrounded by an anxious crowd, to -whom he told a sad tale of woe, and as he hurriedly mounted his horse to -ride to Colonel Bouquet’s tent, he shouted, “The Indians will soon be -here.” - -Terror and excitement spread everywhere, messengers were dispatched in -every direction to give the alarm, and the reports, harrowing as they -had been, were confirmed by the fugitives who were met on every road and -by-path hurrying to Carlisle for refuge. - -A party armed themselves and went out to warn the living and bury the -dead. They found death and destruction everywhere, and sickened with -horror at seeing groups of hogs tearing and devouring the bodies of the -dead. - -After a delay of eighteen days, Bouquet secured enough wagons, horses -and oxen, and began his perilous march towards Fort Pitt. His force was -much smaller than General Braddock’s and he had to encounter a foe much -more formidable. But Bouquet, the man of iron will and iron hand, had -served seven years in American forests and, unlike the unfortunate -Braddock, understood his work. - -On July 25 Bouquet reached Fort Bedford, where he was fortunate in -securing thirty backwoodsmen to accompany him. This little army toiled -through the blazing heat of July over the Allegheny Mountains, and -reached Fort Ligonier August 2. - -The Indians who had besieged that fort for two months disappeared at the -approach of the troops. Here Bouquet left his oxen and wagons and -resumed his march two days later. At noon on the 5th he encountered the -enemy at Bushy Run. A terrible battle raged for two days when the -Indians were put to rout. The loss of the British was one hundred and -fifteen men and eight officers. The little army was then twenty-five -miles distant from Fort Pitt, which place was reached August 10. - -The enemy had abandoned the siege on this fort and marched their forces -to unite with those engaged in combat with Colonel Bouquet at Bushy Run, -so when they were compelled to retreat after that battle, they had not -sufficient time, or lacked the courage to attack Fort Pitt with Colonel -Bouquet in hot pursuit. - -It was at this time that Colonel Bouquet built the little redoubt which -is at the present all that remains of Fort Pitt, in fact is the only -existing monument of British occupancy in the vicinity of Pittsburgh. - -The Indians abandoned all their former settlements, and retreated to the -Muskingum; here they formed new settlements, and in the spring of 1764 -again began to ravage the frontier. To put an end to these depredations, -General Gage planned a campaign into the western wilderness from two -points. General Bradstreet was ordered to advance by way of the lakes, -and Colonel Bouquet was to go forward from Fort Pitt. - -After the usual delays and disappointments in securing troops from -Pennsylvania and Virginia to aid in this expedition Colonel Bouquet -again arrived at Fort Pitt, September 17, where he was detained until -October 3. He led his troops from Fort Pitt following the north bank of -the Ohio until he reached the Beaver, where he turned towards central -Ohio. - -Bouquet refused to listen to either threats or promises from the -Indians, and declined to treat with them at all until they should -deliver up their prisoners. Although not a single blow was struck the -Indians were vanquished. - -Bouquet continued his march down the valley of the Muskingum until he -reached a spot where some broad meadows offered a suitable place for -encampment. Here he received a deputation of principal chiefs, listened -to their offers of peace, and demanded the delivery of all the -prisoners. Soon band after band of captives arrived, until more than -three hundred were brought into the encampment. - -The scenes which followed the restoration of these prisoners to their -families and friends beggar all description; wives recovering their -husbands, husbands their wives, parents regaining children whom they -could scarcely recognize, brothers and sisters meeting after long -separation and sometimes hardly able to converse in the same language. - -The story is told of a woman whose daughter had been carried off nine -years before. The mother recognized her child among the prisoners, but -the girl, who had almost forgotten her mother tongue, showed no sign of -recognition. The mother complained to Colonel Bouquet that the daughter -she had so often sung to sleep on her knee had forgotten her. “Sing the -song to her that you used to sing when she was a child,” said Colonel -Bouquet. She did so, and with a passionate flood of tears the long lost -daughter flung herself into her mother’s arms. - -Everything being settled the army broke camp November 18, and arrived -again at Fort Pitt on the 28th. - -Early in January Colonel Bouquet returned to Philadelphia, receiving -wherever he went every possible mark of gratitude and esteem from the -people. The Assembly of Pennsylvania and the House of Burgesses of -Virginia each unanimously voted him addresses of thanks, and on the -arrival in England of the first account of this expedition the King -promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General, to command the Southern -District of North America. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Brodhead Wins Thanks of Congress - for Raid Started August 11, 1779 - - -Raids on the Pennsylvania and Virginia frontier in 1778 were made by the -Indians of the Ohio country; those of 1779 by the Seneca and Munsee of -the North, from the upper tributaries of the Susquehanna and Allegheny -Rivers. - -The Seneca tribe of Western New York was the largest of the Six Nations, -and its warriors second only to the Mohawk in courage and military -prowess. Under Cornplanter, Guyasuta and other war captains they -distressed a wide extent of territory in New York and Pennsylvania and -decorated their huts with the scalps of hundreds of white persons. - -Early in the summer of 1779, Washington directed that General John -Sullivan lead a large force against the Iroquois country from the east, -and in July Colonel Brodhead received permission to undertake a movement -of cooperation up the Allegheny Valley. - -The expedition consisting of 615 men under Colonel Brodhead left -Pittsburgh August 11, 1779. Small garrisons were left to guard Forts -Pitt, McIntosh, Crawford and Armstrong. A small band of Delaware -accompanied the expedition, and acted as scouting parties under Captain -Samuel Brady and Lieutenant Hardin. - -The provisions were conveyed up the river by boats as far as the mouth -of the Big Mahoning, where the supplies were taken from the boats, -loaded on the horses, and the expedition proceeded under the most -unfavorable conditions. The expedition here left the river and followed -an Indian trail almost due north, through what is now Clarion county. - -A few miles below Brokenstraw Creek occurred a fight with savages, near -where Thompson is now situated. Lieutenant Hardin was leading the -advance, with fifteen white scouts and eight Delaware, when they -discovered more than thirty Seneca warriors coming down the river in -seven canoes, under the famous Chief Guyasuta. Each party discovered the -other at about the same time. The Seneca paddled for shore, threw off -their shirts and prepared for battle, little aware of the number of -their opponents. - -Both sides took to trees and rocks and began a sharp fusillade, until a -few minutes another party of scouts appeared, took the Seneca on the -flank and poured a hot fire upon them. At the sound of this firing -Colonel Brodhead formed his column so as to protect his pack train and -then hurried forward with reinforcements. He arrived just in time to -witness the retreat of the Seneca, who now realized the strength of the -white force. Five Indians were killed and several wounded. Eight guns -and seven canoes containing their blankets, shirts and provisions were -prizes. Only three of Brodhead’s men were slightly wounded. - -The army went into camp near the scene of the conflict and on the -following morning moved to Brokenstraw Creek. Here Colonel Brodhead -decided to leave his stores and baggage and march light to Conewago. A -rude breastwork was constructed of fallen trees and bundles of faggots, -on a high bluff which commanded an extensive view up and down the river. -This post was garrisoned by an officer and forty men, while the -expedition pushed on for Conewago. Upon arrival the Colonel was -disappointed to find the Iroquois town deserted and their huts falling -into decay. - -After a hard march of twenty miles the army came again within sight of -the Allegheny River, and from a hilltop they discovered a number of -Indian villages, surrounded by great fields of splendid corn and patches -of beans, squashes and melons. This Iroquois settlement extended for -eight miles along the fertile bottom land of the Allegheny River, where -the great Cornplanter reservation was afterwards established. - -The Indian spies had discovered the approach of the American forces, and -the warriors had fled so hastily with their women and children that they -left behind many deer skins and other articles of value. - -The Iroquois had long before this learned to build substantial log -houses, even squaring the timbers as was the custom of the white pioneer -settlers. In this village there were about 130 houses, some of them -large enough to accommodate three or four families. - -Colonel Brodhead sent a report to General Washington, saying: “The -troops remained on the ground three whole days, destroying the towns and -corn fields. I never saw finer corn, although it was planted much -thicker than is common with our farmers. The quantity of corn and -vegetables destroyed at the several towns, from the best accounts I can -collect from the officers employed to destroy it, must certainly exceed -500 acres, which is the lowest estimate and the plunder taken is -estimated at $3,000. From the great quantity of corn in the ground and -the number of new houses built and building, it appears that the whole -Seneca and Muncy nations intended to collect in this settlement.” - -On the return march the supplies were picked up at Buckaloons and the -troops marched across country to French Creek. At Oil Creek the soldiers -rubbed themselves freely with oil which they found floating on the -water, and received great relief from their rheumatic pains and -stiffness. For many years this petroleum was called Seneca oil, and was -supposed to be valuable only for its medicinal qualities. - -The army soon reached French Creek, at the mouth of the Conneaut Creek, -where the Munsee town of Maghingue-chahocking was found to be deserted. -It consisted of 35 large huts, which were burned. The Munsee formed a -branch of the Wolf clan of the Delaware, and they enjoyed an unenviable -reputation as thieves, murderers and general desperadoes. - -The army descended French Creek almost to its mouth and thence returned -to Fort Pitt by what is known as the Venango path almost due north and -south through the heart of Butler County. - -The expedition arrived at Fort Pitt on September 14 without the loss of -a man or a horse. Brodhead wrote: “I have a happy presage that the -counties of Westmoreland, Bedford and Northumberland, if not the whole -western frontier, will experience the good effect of it. Too much praise -cannot be given to both officers and soldiers of every corps during the -whole expedition. Their perseverance and zeal can scarcely be equaled in -history.” - -The thanks of Congress were voted to Colonel Brodhead, and in a general -order, issued October 18, General Washington said: “The activity, -perseverance, and firmness of all the officers and men of every -description in this expedition, do them great honor, and their services -entitle them to the thanks and to this testimonial of the General’s -acknowledgement.” - - ---------- - - - - - Era of Indian Traders to Death of Allummapees, - August 12, 1731 - - -At what date and by whom the North and West Branch Valleys of the -Susquehanna and the Juniata Valley were first traversed, and the -Alleghenies first crossed by Europeans in a journey to the Ohio, is -unrecorded, and must forever remain unknown. - -The first white men who ventured into the unexplored forests among these -mountains were not given to keeping journals of their travels for future -historians. No one seems to have thought of immortalizing himself by -bequeathing to us a good description giving minute details of the -country and its tribes. - -At first the natives brought their peltry hundreds of miles to the -Delaware River; but, in course of time, these skins and furs became so -valuable in Europe that many of the worst class of men were stimulated -to penetrate the depths of the forest in order to hasten and monopolize -the trade. In this way the entire Juniata and West Branch regions were -traversed many years before there was a settlement established in those -fertile valleys. - -From the days of William Penn’s advent up to 1722 the Indian expenses to -the Province were inconsiderable, being limited by law to £50 per annum. -In that year the Assembly paid Governor Keith’s expenses for a trip to -Albany, where an important council with the Six Nations was held, but in -1727 they refused to pay more than half the amount of an account of -Conrad Weiser, who was sent on a similar mission. In 1728, under an -alarm, they agreed to pay without limitation the expenses of an Indian -conference. After this they sometimes paid half, and sometimes all. - -The appetite for presents which the Indians acquired was not easily -appeased. Constant disturbances, frequently caused by rum, called for -expensive treaties, and the donations allured the Indians and made them -more insolent and exacting. The expenses soon rose above £8,000, and the -question whether these treaties were more for the benefit of the -Proprietaries in buying lands than for the safety of the inhabitants -gave rise to heated controversy. The result was that Indian affairs -began to take a wider and more public range, and the records of those -days begin to throw more light upon the uninhabited interior of the -Province. - -As early as 1722 we read that “William Wilkins was 150 miles up the -Sasquehannah trading for his master.” His master was John Cartlidge, an -Indian trader living at Conestoga, and 150 miles farther up the -Susquehanna was a venturesome trip at that date. There are also records -of several Frenchmen engaged in the trade living among the Indians east -of the mountains, extending their travels up the Susquehanna and its -branches. - -A great council was held in Philadelphia, July 3, 1727, with the chiefs -of the Six Nations, but most of those in attendance were Cayuga, -Conestoga and Ganawese. Madame Montour, the celebrated interpreter, was -present at this conference and exerted her great influence toward an -amicable treaty. - -In an address made by one of the chiefs to the Governor, he said: “They -desire that there may be no settlements made up the Sasquhannah higher -than Pextan (Harrisburg), and that none of the settlers thereabouts be -suffered to sell or keep any rum there, for that being the road by which -their people go out to war, they are apprehensive of mischief if they -meet with liquor in these parts. They desire also, for the same reasons, -that none of the traders be allowed to carry any rum to the remoter -parts where James Le Tort trades,—that is, Allegany on the branch of -Ohio. And this they desire may be taken notice of, as the mind of the -chiefs of all the Five Nations, for it is all those nations that now -speak by them to all our people.” - -The following day the Governor made this reply: “We have not hitherto -allowed any settlements to be made above Pextan, but, as the young -people grow up, they will spread, of course, yet it will not be very -speedily. The Governor, however, will give orders to them all to be -civil to those of the Five Nations as they pass that way, though it -would be better if they would pass the Susquehannah above the mountains. -And the sale of rum shall be prohibited both there and at Alegany; but -the woods are so thick and dark we cannot see what is done in them. The -Indians may stave any rum they find in the Woods, but, as has been said, -they must not drink or carry any away.” - -The interesting fact ascertained from these two addresses is that James -Le Tort, who had settled near Carlisle, as early as 1720, and was a well -known trader, had already passed over the Allegheny Mountains and -established his trading post on the Ohio River. As he was also known to -have lived and traded as early as 1701 on the island at the Forks of the -Susquehanna, long known as Packer’s Island, between Sunbury and -Northumberland, it may be fairly inferred that Le Tort found his way to -the West through the West Branch Valley and thence by the Indian path -leading from Great Island through what is now Clearfield and Kittaning -to the west. - -This is interesting also because it was at this time that the Shawnee -began to pass over the mountains, followed by some Delaware, especially -those of Conestoga descent, and began to settle on the Ohio. The Shawnee -had established a large village at the mouth of Chillisquaque Creek, -where it empties into the West Branch, a mile below Lewisburg on the -east side of the stream. - -The second inference is that at the date of the above conference there -were white people already seated on the Juniata and Susquehanna, farther -west than Paxtang, or there were already such decided symptoms of danger -in that direction that the Iroquois deputies considered it necessary to -forbid that anyone should presume to settle beyond the Kittatinny -Mountains. A violation of this precautionary restriction led to a series -of complaints about intruders into these valleys for the next thirty -years. - -During the first quarter of the eighteenth century the history of Indian -affairs on the Susquehanna and Juniata, and especially the West Branch -of the former river, is nearly all connected closely with the Iroquois -agency on the northern border of the Province. - -The principal representatives of this great Nation were Allummapees, -also called Sassoonan, the great Delaware King, and Shikellamy, the -great Oneida vicegerent. - -Allummapees resided at Paxtang, as early as 1709. He removed from -Paxtang to Shamokin about 1718, and there resided among the Munsee, the -most belligerent of the Lenape clans. He ruled as king from 1718 till -his death. He was a good-hearted chieftain, true to the English and an -advocate of peace. When he died he was supposed to be one hundred years -of age. His death occurred August 12, 1731, when in a state of helpless -intoxication he was stabbed to the heart by his nephew, Shockatawlin, of -whom Allummapees was jealous. - - ---------- - - - - - Indians Massacre Major John Lee and - Family, August 13, 1782 - - -On the evening of August 13, 1782, John Lee and his family with one or -two neighbors were seated at the supper table in their comfortable log -home in what is now Winfield, Union County. Without a moment’s warning a -band of Indians, supposed to be sixty or seventy in number, rushed in on -them, and killed Lee and his family. The events of this crime rank among -the most cruel and revolting of those along the frontier. - -A young woman, named Katy Stoner, hurried upstairs and concealed herself -behind the chimney, where she remained undiscovered and escaped. She -related the details of this horrible tragedy. - -Lee was tomahawked and scalped, and an old man named John Walker shared -the same fate. Mrs. Claudius Boatman and daughter, who were guests of -the Lees, were killed and scalped; Mrs. Lee, with her small child, and a -larger boy, named Thomas, were led away captives. - -The savages fled from the scene along the Great Path, leading up that -side of the West Branch Valley, over the White Deer Mountains, and then -crossed to the eastern side of the river below Muncy. - -One of Lee’s sons, Robert, happened to be absent and thus escaped the -fate of his parents. He was returning, however, and came in sight of the -house just as the Indians were leaving it, but they did not observe him. -He fled to Northumberland and gave the alarm. - -A party of about twenty volunteers was organized by Colonel Samuel -Hunter, at Fort Augusta, and hastened in pursuit. On arriving at Lee’s -house they beheld some of the victims yet alive and writhing in agony. -Lee was not dead, and Mrs. Boatman’s daughter also survived. Litters -were hastily constructed, and they were carried to Fort Augusta. Lee -expired in great agony soon after arrival at the fort. Miss Boatman was -nursed back to health and lived many years afterwards. - -Colonel Hunter and his party, without delaying to bury the dead, pushed -on after the savages as rapidly as possible with a view of overtaking -them, and releasing the captives. They came in sight of them above -Lycoming Creek. - -In crossing White Deer Mountains Mrs. Lee was accidentally bitten on her -ankle by a rattlesnake, and her leg became so swollen and pained her so -severely, that she traveled with great difficulty. The Indians, finding -themselves pursued, urged her along as fast as possible, but she -weakened rapidly. When near the mouth of Pine Creek, about four miles -below the present Jersey Shore, Mrs. Lee’s strength failed her and she -seated herself on the ground. - -The whites were rapidly approaching and the Indians were afraid she -would fall into their hands. A warrior stealthily slipped up behind her, -placed the muzzle of his rifle close to her head and fired. The entire -upper portion of her head was blown off. One of the Indians then -snatched up her young child and holding it by the feet, dashed it -against a tree. - -The Indians then fled with renewed speed, crossing the river at Smith’s -fording, at Level Corner, and hurried up through Nippenose Valley. - -When Colonel Hunter and his men came up to where Mrs. Lee was murdered -her body was yet warm. The sight was horrible. The child was but little -injured, but was found moaning piteously. - -The pursuit was now so hot that near Antes’ Gap, the Indians separated, -and ran up both sides of the mountains. Colonel Hunter concluded that -further pursuit was imprudent, and the chase was abandoned. - -The detail returned, buried the body of Mrs. Lee, and brought back the -child. At Lee’s house they halted and buried the dead there. - -Young Thomas Lee who was taken prisoner, was not recovered for many -years afterwards. The son, Robert, made arrangements with the Indians to -bring his brother to Tioga Point, where he was delivered to his friends. -Such was the love of Indian life, however, that he was so reluctant to -return, they were obliged to bind him and place him in a canoe. When -near Wilkes Barre they untied him, but as soon as the canoe touched -shore he darted off like a deer. It was several hours before he was -retaken. On arriving at Northumberland he evinced all the sullenness of -a captive. Indian boys and girls, near his own age were made to play -about him for days before he showed any disposition to join with them. -At last he began to inquire the names of things, and by degrees he -became civilized, obtained a good education, and lived a useful life. - -Thomas lived on the home farm for many years, as is proved by a deed -which he and his wife, Eliza, executed April 1, 1797, to William Beard -and Sarah, his wife. Robert Lee and his descendants lived on part of the -property as late as the beginning of the 19th century. - -The massacre at Lee’s home resulted in the death of seven persons, and -only four of the six taken captive were returned to their kin. The -others were two sisters and a brother, liberated in 1785. - -Since the beginning of spring in the year 1782, there had been sixty-two -inhabitants butchered by the Indians. - -Judge John Joseph Henry, in a letter to Secretary of War, says that when -his father was returning home from Congress, then sitting in New York -(1784–85), he found Rebecca Lee on the road desolate and moneyless. He -took her to his own home in Lancaster, and, a few months later, restored -her to their brother, Robert, at Northumberland. The sister was -recovered at Albany a year later, and Thomas was turned over to his -brother in 1788. - -Lee was the assessor in the township in which he lived. The Indians -hated him because they believed he had cheated them in a trade and they -sought an opportunity for revenge. - -Lee was a prominent citizen, a major in the Northumberland militia, -February 7, 1776, and December 26, following, when a company volunteered -for the main army, Lee was chosen captain. The company was attached to -Colonel James Potter’s Second Battalion and saw much active service. - -Claudius Boatman was a Frenchman and after the massacre of his wife, he -took the remainder of his family, in 1786, and settled far up Pine -Creek. He had several daughters, one of whom married John English. -Claudius died in 1802, and was buried in the village of Waterville. - - ---------- - - - - - Mollie Maguires Commit Murders on - Bloody Saturday, August 14, 1875 - - -Such a great number of outrages were committed in the anthracite coal -regions by the Mollie Maguires on August 14, 1875, that the day came to -be known as “Bloody Saturday.” - -Early in the month symptoms of smouldering disorder began to increase in -severity and numbers. The situation became so alarming that -Superintendent Franklin, of the Philadelphia and Reading Company -arranged to hold a meeting with the two great Pinkerton detectives, -James McParlan and Captain Linden, who had been working for some time -among the members of this outrageous organization of criminals. - -This meeting was held at Glen Onoko, in the environs of Mauch Chunk. -Here the three men cleverly managed to get together, and in the quiet -shadows of the great hills, in that Switzerland of America, they fully -discussed the situation and the work being performed. - -It so happened that while they were returning from this meeting -McParlan, otherwise James McKenna, as he was known to the Mollies, -encountered some of the ringleaders of that organization: Alexander -Campbell, Hugh McGehan, and others, all under suspicion for murder. - -McParlan found himself in the position where it was necessary to -accompany the Mollies to their homes, but he never was in their company -very many minutes before he learned much of value to his chief, Allan -Pinkerton. Captain Linden remained in Mauch Chunk, and Superintendent -Franklin returned to Philadelphia. - -B. F. Yost, a policeman of Tamaqua, had been cruelly murdered, July 6, -and word had reached the detective that John P. Jones, of near Lansford, -Carbon County, was marked as the next victim of the Mollies. He was -murdered by James Kerrigan, Mike Doyle and Edward Kelly, September 3, -following. - -The Mollies sat together in the smoking car bound for the Summit. -McParlan was under suspicion by the Mollies, and Linden had slipped into -the car unobserved, ready at any moment to take the part of his brother -detective, should he find himself in trouble. Nothing occurred to -require his services and Captain Linden feigned to sleep the time away, -until the drunken crowd left the car. Linden continued his journey to -Tamaqua, and there awaited McParlan’s arrival. - -Reaching Summit, Campbell pressed the detective to remain all night at -his house, and he thought it best not to refuse and did so. - -Campbell believed McParlan or McKenna as he knew him, had been in Mauch -Chunk that day to obtain a new stock of counterfeit money, which he was -supposed to be passing. McKenna had exchanged some money for crisp -bills, but they were genuine. Campbell arranged with the detective for a -supply of the “spurious” bills, to be delivered in the near future. - -This tended to restore Campbell’s confidence in McKenna, and they were -soon discussing Mollie topics with their former freedom of speech. -Campbell was a candidate for the office of body master and McKenna was -strongly for his election. - -Campbell then told him the plans for killing Jones, and after McKenna -sang “Widow Machree” for Mrs. Campbell, he retired to his apartment. - -Then came the Bloody Saturday events, which proved a horrible experience -for the people of Mahanoy Valley. The crimes for that day were two -dastardly assassinations and one case of manslaughter, besides several -cases of lesser crimes. - -The most heinous crime was the murder of Thomas Gwyther, Justice of the -Peace, of Girardville. He was an inoffensive man, of mild disposition -and a reputable, public spirited citizen. - -The miners of the Mahanoy Valley had this day received the first pay of -any consequence since the long strike began and the result was that -Girardville, in the evening, was crowded with drunken men. - -Gangs of ruffians flourished revolvers, looking for some one to shoot. A -fight ensued and an arrest resulted. Application was made of Squire -Gwyther for a warrant and as he was in the act of preparing it a man -stepped up to him and shot him dead. The assassin fled and escaped. - -At Shenandoah, Gomer James, a young Welsh miner, who had defended his -friend, Tom Jones, when assaulted by Mollies, August 11, 1873, and had -since been marked by them, was killed at a picnic in Hecksher’s Grove, -while he was inside a bar, waiting upon his patrons. The assassin -escaped in the darkness. - -Many disturbances occurred in Mahanoy City, and an innocent citizen lost -his life, when a disturbance arose between William M. Thomas and James -Dugan. Both drew revolvers and fired at each other. Thomas was shot in -the face, but Christian Zimmerman, who was standing across the street, -waiting for his wife to complete her shopping, received a bullet through -his lungs and died the following afternoon. Thomas was arrested for -assault on Dugan, but no one was arrested for killing Zimmerman. Another -man was shot through the leg during this wild duel, and a rioter was -stabbed during the excitement. - -McKenna hurried to Mahanoy City where he found the country in a blaze of -excitement, and as the people believed him the worst Mollie Maguire in -the regions, he remained but a short time, when he took a train for -Shenandoah. He was in Shenandoah four hours when he learned who had -fired the shot which killed Gomer James, and Tom Hurley became a refugee -from justice. - -The result of this unexpected success, was that all the Mollies in -Shenandoah engaged in grand bacchanal, and to get rid of them McKenna -left the place and went to Girardville. Here Jack Kehoe, one of the -notorious Mollie leaders told him in a moment of confidence, that the -murder of Squire Gwyther was the result of a drunken spree, and that -Thomas Love, he was glad to say, had made his escape. - -This was truly Bloody Saturday, but by no means was it the end of the -reign of the Mollie Maguires in the coal regions of Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Yankees Drive Pennamites from Wyoming - Valley in Battle Which Began - August 15, 1771 - - -Following the first massacre at Wyoming, October 15, 1763, it was more -than five years before the first forty settlers arrived from Connecticut -to reclaim their improvements. On their arrival they found Amos Ogden -and a few other persons in possession of the lands, occupying them by -authority of the Proprietary Government of Pennsylvania. - -Now commenced a bitter civil war, which lasted with alternate success of -the different parties for upwards of six years. The settlements of both -parties were alternately broken up—the men led off to prison, the women -and children driven away, and other outrages committed. Blood was often -shed in this strange and civil strife. - -Ogden and his little band were defeated, April 29, 1770, and the Yankees -became the masters of the situation. - -The Proprietaries of Pennsylvania raised a force in September, 1770, -under Captain Ogden, to recover Wyoming. Governor Penn issued a -proclamation, June 28, 1770, directing all intruders to depart from -Wyoming. - -Ogden planned a surprise attack and marching by way of Fort Allen, -traveled the Warrior’s Path, then but little used. The stratagem -succeeded, for the Yankees watched for them only along the regular path. -Ogden again proved his shrewdness by outwitting the Yankees, and -defeated them, capturing Major John Durkee, and others. - -Ogden also captured Fort Durkee through a deception, and marched his -prisoners off to Easton, where they were confined in jail. Major John -Durkee, Major Simeon Draper and Captain Zebulon Butler, were put in -irons and sent to Philadelphia. - -Fort Durkee remained in possession of the Pennamites until December 18, -1770, when Captain Lazerus Stewart, and the “Paxtang Boys” surprised the -garrison, and captured the fort. - -The Pennsylvania authorities determined on the arrest of Captain -Stewart, and a warrant was placed in the hands of Captain Ogden. He -called upon Sheriff Peter Kechlin, of Northampton County, and a posse -reached Wyoming, January 18, 1771. Stewart refused to submit to arrest -and in the short fight, Nathan Ogden, brother of the Captain, was killed -and three others wounded. - -During the night Captain Stewart and forty of his men stole out of the -fort and fled to the woods; the twelve remaining surrendered themselves -to the sheriff. The death of his brother caused Captain Amos Ogden much -distress. The coroner’s inquest found that Nathan Ogden had been -horridly and wilfully murdered by Lazerus Stewart. - -Fort Durkee was garrisoned by thirty Pennamites, when the sheriff, -Captain Ogden, Justice Charles Stewart, with their associates, January -23, set out for Easton. Five of the ten prisoners taken at the capture -of the fort were sent to Philadelphia and committed to jail, where Major -Durkee and Captain Butler were still languishing. Those who escaped with -Captain Lazerus Stewart scattered and returned to their homes. Thus was -consummated the fifth expulsion of the Yankees from Wyoming. - -The Pennamites in the two forts at Wilkes-Barre were reinforced by other -Pennsylvanians and Captain Amos Ogden and Charles Stewart, Esq. Fort -Wyoming was enlarged and strengthened and all the Pennamite settlers -dwelt therein. Fort Durkee was abandoned and dismantled. - -During the next four months peace reigned supreme, and the Proprietaries -had much land surveyed in the Manors of Stoke and Sunbury, and laid out -to various persons, under warrants of the Provincial Land Office. - -In the mid-summer seventy men of Connecticut, formerly owners of land at -Wyoming, were enlisted under Captain Zebulon Butler to go forward to the -much-coveted valley. While preparations were going on in Connecticut for -the Wyoming expedition Lazerus Stewart was gathering together a few of -the “Paxtang Boys,” who hastened to join Captain Butler on the march to -Wyoming. - -Colonel Asher Clayton was the chief man among the Pennamites, who now -seemed secure and thrifty. On July 6, news reached him that armed forces -of Yankees were approaching, and scouts brought him intelligence that -the Yankees were determined to secure possession of this country. -Clayton went forward and met Butler, but they could not come to terms, -and Clayton returned to the fort. Captain Butler and his men invested -the block house at Mill Creek and awaited developments. - -Captain Amos Ogden again arrived at Wyoming and almost as soon as the -Yankees. He found the situation so serious that he determined to be his -own messenger to Philadelphia, where he arrived July 16, in three days’ -travel. He appeared before Provincial Council and related the story. -They agreed to raise 100 men and immediately set about to recruit them, -but met with unexpected difficulty. - -Captain Butler did not wait for these reinforcements to reach the -Pennamites, but, Sunday, July 21, believed the time had come for the -offensive. That night he silently marched them to the vicinity of Fort -Wyoming, where, before daylight he had entrenched. By Monday these -intrenchments were occupied by Yankees and the battle for Fort Wyoming -was begun. Other redoubts were erected by which all communication with -the outside was cut off from Fort Wyoming, but the Pennamites possessed -means of defense so long as their provisions and ammunition would hold -out. - -Reinforcements under Captains John Dick and Joseph Morris left their -rendezvous in the Blue Mountains, Sunday, July 28, and arrived before -daybreak on the 30th. Within 200 yards of the block house they were -attacked by the Yankees and lost two loads of flour and nine men. The -Yankees continued a constant fire, day and night, until August 10, the -defenders returning the fire. - -Efforts to send volunteers to the relief of the Pennamites were -unavailing, until Ogden, Van Campen and others, who had extensive land -claims there, induced 62 men to march under command of Dr. Andrew Leslie -from Reemeys, they arrived August 15, at “Ten-Mile Run,” where they -bivouacked, after sending a messenger to the inmates of the fort. - -But before the arrival of this detail and the supplies which they -brought, the garrison was nearly starved and on the 15th Colonel Clayton -sent out a flag of truce, and after several consultations accepted the -best terms he could obtain. By the Articles of Capitulation 23 men were -to march out armed, the remainder unarmed, and all to return to their -homes unmolested; men who had families could remain two weeks to collect -their effects; and the sick and wounded could be cared for until able to -leave. The Indian messenger from the relief party arrived just as the -fort was surrendered. - -Thus Wyoming was again in the possession of the settlers of the -Susquehanna Company and Captain Zebulon Butler the hero of the hour. - - ---------- - - - - - Great Land Purchase Made at Indian Council - in Philadelphia, August 16, 1749 - - -Early in April, 1749, the Six Nations held a Grand Council at Onondaga -Castle, when it was decided to send deputies from each of the nations to -Philadelphia, to shake hands with Governor James Hamilton, who had -assumed the office in the previous November; to answer a proposal for -peace with the Catawba, which had been made by the former Governor of -Pennsylvania, and to consider other matters. It was agreed that all the -deputies should meet together at Wyoming, and proceed thence in a body -to Philadelphia. - -About the middle of May the four deputies of the Seneca accompanied by -other members of their nation, arrived at Wyoming, where they waited a -month for the arrival of the deputies of the other nations, who, -however, failed to appear. The Seneca thereupon continued their journey -via the North Branch to Shamokin, then the main river, and arrived at -Philadelphia, June 26, accompanied by some Tutelo, Nanticoke and Conoy. -These Indians were received by the Governor and Council on July 1, when -Ogashtash, the Seneca speaker, stated that the Grand Council at Onondaga -had heard that the white people had begun to settle on the Indians’ side -of the Blue Mountains, in the present Juniata Valley. - -Ogashtash further said that during their stay at Wyoming they had heard -things which made them believe this was true. They wanted to know if -this was done wickedly by bad people or if the new Governor had brought -some instructions from the King, or Proprietaries, which the Grand -Council did not yet know, but would cause much hurt. - -Governor Hamilton informed the Seneca that the settling of the white -squatters along the Juniata was contrary to the terms of the treaties -made by the Government with the Indians, and that a proclamation would -be issued commanding all the white people who had settled north of the -Blue Mountains to remove by November 1, 1749. - -Presents to the value of £100 were distributed on July 4 to the Indians, -and a day or two later Conrad Weiser conducted them out of the city and -journeyed with them as far as his house in Heidelberg Township. Here the -Indians concluded to remain for a few days to visit with their old -friend and brother, and without invitation they camped out near his -house and made themselves very much at home. The Tutelo injured and -destroyed a large amount of Weiser’s movable property and damaged his -plantation generally. Weiser tried in vain to influence them to proceed -on their journey. Finally, after an unpleasant experience of a week or -ten days with these unruly visitors, Weiser induced the Seneca to take -their departure, and they forced the Tutelo to go along. - -The Tutelo were from villages on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. -Zeisberger speaks of this tribe as a “degenerate remnant of thieves and -drunkards”; he says that their village near Shamokin was “the only town -on the continent inhabited by Tutelos.” - -These Indians loafed and loitered along the way to the Susquehanna, -taking along anything which struck their fancy, and when that stream was -reached they paddled their canoes up the river, stopped awhile at -Shamokin, then at Nescopeck, then at Wyoming, where they arrived August -1. - -Two days after these Indians arrived at Wyoming, a large fleet of canoes -came unexpectedly down the North Branch bearing the belated deputies of -the Onondaga, Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga and Tuscarora nations together with -many other representatives—chiefs, warriors, squaws and children of -these several nations, and many Indians of other tribes. - -This large company remained at Wyoming for a day, and then proceeded -down the river, accompanied by the Seneca deputies, and their party, who -had just returned from Philadelphia, also by Chief Paxinosa and a large -number of his Shawnee from their new home in what is now Plymouth, -Luzerne County, and by a number of Delaware, Nanticoke and Mohican from -the different villages along their route. At Nescopeck they were joined -by King Nutimus and a number of his people, and then, without further -delay, they floated down the river to Shamokin. - -Arriving at this old Indian town at the Forks of the Susquehanna, now -Sunbury, a messenger was sent in haste over the mountains to Conrad -Weiser to announce the coming of the deputies. Soon as Weiser received -this intelligence he dispatched an express to Governor Hamilton, who -immediately directed the messenger to hurry back to Weiser, who was -instructed by the Governor and Council “to try all ways to divert the -Indians from coming to Philadelphia.” This the good old interpreter -tried to do, but his efforts were resented by the Indians with so much -spirit that he was obliged “to turn his protestations into invitations -and make the best of circumstances.” - -When this small army of deputies reached Tulpehocken, Conrad Weiser -joined them and was the leader of the party from there to Philadelphia, -where they arrived August 14, and according to the official records they -numbered 280 in all. Governor Hamilton paid a ceremonious visit to the -Indians, and appointed August 16 as the date for the conference with -them. - -Several days time of this conference was consumed in discussing the -matters which had brought the Indians to Philadelphia. As a result of -the conference the Proprietaries obtained for £500 a deed dated August -22, 1749, for a strip of land northwest and contiguous to the Blue -Mountains, and extending from the Susquehanna to the Delaware River, the -northwest boundary of this strip being a straight line running in a -northeasterly direction from the north side of the mouth of the -“Cantagny or Maghonoy Creek,” and now known as Mahanoy Creek, a mile -below the present city of Sunbury, “to the north side of the south of -the creek called Lechawachsein,” now Lackawaxon, which flows into the -Delaware near the northern limit of Pike County; the southern boundary -was the mountain range, beginning near Dauphin and running in a -northeasterly direction until it falls into the Delaware River at the -present Delaware Water Gap. - -This new purchase included all or parts of the present counties of -Dauphin, Northumberland, Lebanon, Schuylkill, Columbia, Carbon, Luzerne, -Monroe, Pike and Wayne. - - ---------- - - - - - Robert Fulton, Native of Lancaster County, - Operates First Steamboat, August 17, 1807. - - -Robert Fulton demonstrated the first successful commercial steam vessel -August 17, 1807, when he opened the throttle and the Clermont slowly, -but surely, moved against the swift current of the Hudson River. - -Robert Fulton was born on a farm in Little Britain Township, Lancaster -County, in 1765. His father was a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, and -emigrated to Lancaster County in 1735, where he soon became one of the -foremost citizens, but did not make a success of farming. A year after -Robert’s birth he mortgaged the farm and moved to Lancaster, where he -died in 1768. - -Mrs. Fulton was left with three daughters and two sons, and but little -money and less time to spare to help meet the mortgage. She managed well -with her family but the farm was lost. - -The boyhood of Robert was filled with a desire to express his feelings -through the dual medium of painting and mechanics. He seemed to love -both with equal ardor. - -His first great thrill came through the acquisition of some discarded -paints and brushes brought to school one day by a companion. Fulton -accomplished great things with them, and quite forgot he was in school -to study. - -When Robert was thirteen, the citizens of Lancaster wished to light up -the town on the evening of July 4. It was in the midst of the Revolution -and candles were as scarce as money. The demonstration was given up -until Robert thought out a plan for skyrockets and the lad made possible -the celebration. - -In Lancaster lived a clever man named William Henry, who had made some -experiments with a steamboat. Robert often visited the Henry home, and -there saw some pictures painted by Benjamin West, a former Chester -County boy, who had gained great fame as an artist. Here was a man who -appealed to young Fulton. - -Robert placed a paddle wheel on his rowboat after the Henry plan, but -propelled it by hand. It is quite possible that he dreamed of the -greater speed if steam power could be applied. - -When Robert was seventeen his mother apprenticed him to a Philadelphia -silversmith. This was a mistake. He showed his character by quitting and -establishing himself as a miniature painter—work that he loved. His -plain studio was at the corner of Second and Walnut Streets. Here he -supported himself for four years. He sketched and painted portraits and -landscapes, and made drawings of machinery. So well did he work that at -twenty-one he returned to Lancaster with enough money to buy a small -farm for his mother. - -Following the advice of some friends in 1786, he went to England, where -he devoted several years to his profession, under the tuition of -Benjamin West, who received him into his own home. Here he became -acquainted with the Duke of Bridgewater, the founder of the great canal -system of Great Britain, who induced Fulton to abandon art, and take up -the study of mechanical science. - -Fulton soon invented a double-inclined plane for raising or lowering -boats from one level to another. In 1794 he devised a mill for sawing -marble. In 1796 he evolved the idea of cast iron aqueducts, and a -structure of this kind was built over the River Dee. He designed several -bridges; he invented machinery for spinning flax; another for making -ropes; one for digging ditches, and a dispatch boat. - -In 1796 he published a “Treatise on the Improvement of Canal -Navigation,” copies of which were sent to President Washington, and -other public officials, accompanied by letters telling of the advantages -to be derived by canal navigation in America. - -From 1797 to 1804 he resided in Paris with Joel Barlow, the American -representative at the French court. During this period Fulton invented a -submarine or plunging boat, called a “torpedo” designed to be used in -naval warfare. Bonaparte appointed a commission to examine it. Fulton -could easily descend to any depth, or rise to the surface. On one -occasion he remained below the surface for four hours. - -The French Government declined to patronize the project, and Fulton -accepted the invitation from the English ministry, but would not agree -to sell them a secret which the United States might need. - -In 1806, after an absence of nineteen years, Fulton returned to the -United States, and devoted his thought to the perfection of a steamboat, -a project which he had in his mind for many years. - -When in France Fulton met Robert R. Livingston, a rich man from New -York, who was much interested in steamboats. Livingston had already -built one, which proved a failure. The two men now joined forces. This -made a fine association for Fulton’s knowledge of machinery was far -greater than Livingston’s, but the latter had the wealth and influence -which could bring an invention to the public. - -Livingston obtained the sole right for them to navigate the waters of -New York State for twenty years, if they could produce a steam vessel -capable of a speed of four miles an hour against the current of the -Hudson River. - -Fulton finished his first steamboat in the Spring of 1807. He called it -the Clermont, which was the name of Livingston’s estate near Albany. The -first trip from New York to Albany was made on Monday, August 17, 1807—a -day that will never be forgotten. - -Crowds assembled at the wharf to see the Clermont start. Few believed it -would move; most called it “Fulton’s Folly.” The trip was even more -successful than Fulton had anticipated; it excited great admiration, and -steamboats were rapidly multiplied on American waters. The Clermont made -regular trips between New York and Albany, at the rate of five miles per -hour, but this speed was soon increased by improvements in the -machinery. - -The success of the Clermont caused Fulton to construct other and larger -boats and ferry boats. He also built the world’s first steam propelled -warship, in the War of 1812. - -In 1806 he married Harriet, daughter of Walter Livingston, by whom he -had four children. He possessed great personal dignity and agreeable -manners, and many noble qualities of heart. - -In the midst of his triumph and in the height of his prosperity he died. - -During the winter of 1814–15 he was building a floating steam battery -and visited the works at Paulus Hook, now Jersey City. He stood three -hours in the cold, and then tramped through pools of water. He became -ill from this exposure, but again visited the construction, and died -February 24, 1815. The New York Legislature wore mourning six weeks. His -funeral was the largest ever held in New York City up to that time. The -body of this distinguished Pennsylvanian rests in Trinity churchyard on -Broadway, at the head of Wall Street. - - ---------- - - - - - Anti-Masonic Outbreak in Pennsylvania - First Felt at New Berlin, - August 18, 1829 - - -From 1826 to 1838 may be termed the Anti-Masonic period, for during -those eventful years bigotry ran wild, while superstition and -fanaticism, like the demons of old, took possession of the many. They -were the halcyon days for broken-down politicians to ride into power and -place. - -Seizing the opportunity, these demagogues originated a political party, -whose platform denounced all secret societies, particularly the -Freemasons, as destructive of every principle of religion, justice and -good government. - -During the years 1823 to 1826 there resided in Western New York one -William Morgan, a native of Virginia, by trade a stone mason. - -It has been represented that he was a veteran of the War of 1812, but he -earned his title of Captain as the owner of a fishing smack, with -piratical tendencies, which plied along the gulf coast. - -In 1825 “Captain” Morgan was residing in Batavia, N. Y., where a poor -printer, named Wilbur, concocted with Morgan to publish a book -containing the revelations of Freemasonry, which was in fact the copy of -a volume formerly published in England in 1750, under the title “Jachin -and Boaz.” - -As would be expected, the announcement of the publication of the book in -question wrought up members of the Masonic fraternity to fever heat. -Efforts to suppress the work were freely discussed, and some even -proposed doing so by force if it could not be done otherwise. - -The respectable part of the fraternity, supposing that no book of that -kind would really be published, and, like a nine days’ wonder, if it -was, would soon vanish and wholly disappear, took little or no interest -in the matter. While they were folding their arms, an inconsiderate -scheme was developed by individuals for suppressing by force the -contemplated work. - -But at this time Morgan was arrested for debt, September 12, 1826, and -placed in a carriage and driven to Rochester. That was the last ever -seen of him. - -Morgan’s sudden disappearance caused great excitement, and gossips gave -out the statement that Freemasons had conveyed him to Fort Niagara, -while others claimed they had drowned him in Lake Ontario. - -Public meetings were held and finally a reprobate named Edward Giddings -spread the sensational story that Freemasons had abducted and foully put -Morgan to death. - -At this time the body of a man was washed ashore on Lake Ontario, and a -week after interment the body was exhumed and a second inquest -determined that “William Morgan had come to his death by drowning.” The -corpse did not, in any particular, resemble Morgan, but the crowd -determined that “it was a good enough Morgan until after election.” This -body was identified as that of Timothy Monroe, who had drowned September -26. The remains were buried by his widow. - -This should have ended the Morgan excitement but it did no such thing. -“A lie well stuck to is more convincing than the truth.” So a most -infamous deception was practiced upon the people. - -Prosecutions were instituted against those who were supposed to have -anything to do with the abduction of Morgan. Many trials resulted, but -no murder was ever established. - -What had become of Morgan? Was he drowned or murdered? - -As early as September 26, 1826, the “Intelligencer,” of Harrisburg, as -well as other newspapers, cautioned the Masonic fraternity against “a -man calling himself Captain Morgan, as he is a swindler and a dangerous -man.” - -It has been authentically settled that after the night of the so-called -abduction, being threatened with numerous suits for debt and other -misdemeanors, Morgan left the country of his own free will, going -directly to Australia, the passage money being furnished him. Arriving -in that far distant clime, he established a newspaper, but died ten -years later. A son, who accompanied him, continued the business, and was -living just prior to our Civil War. - -The Freemasons of New York State, as a body and individually, disclaimed -all knowledge of any abduction of “Captain” Morgan. - -By 1828 the Anti-Masonic movement had gained such impetus in New York -that a candidate for governor was placed on their ticket. Anti-Masonic -tickets were named in Massachusetts, Vermont and Ohio. - -In 1829 the storm broke out in Pennsylvania, and was first felt in the -little town of New Berlin, Union County, where Lafayette Lodge No. 194 -was holding a public procession August 18. The speakers for the occasion -were Hon. Jesse Merrill, General Henry Frick, Henry C. Eyer, Reverend -Just Henry Fries, Reverend John Kessler and Reverend Henry Piggott. -Henry W. and George A. Snyder, distinguished sons of former Governor -Simon Snyder, were officers of the lodge and had arranged the program. - -The meeting was broken up by the hostile action of a mob. It was these -same people who sent Ner Middlesworth, that great exponent of -Anti-Masonry to the General Assembly; it was also in New Berlin where -the first Anti-Masonic newspapers were established. - -Joseph Ritner was placed in nomination for the office of Governor by the -Anti-Masonic convention, which met in Harrisburg in 1829, and he -received 51,000 votes, only 30,000 less than his successful opponent, -George Wolf. - -A national convention was held in Baltimore September, 1831, which -placed a complete ticket in the field. In 1832 the Anti-Masons of -Pennsylvania again placed Joseph Ritner in nomination, but he was again -defeated by Governor Wolf, but two years later the Anti-Masons gained -control of the Legislature, and under the capable leadership of Thaddeus -Stevens, made political history in the Keystone State. - -In the election of October, 1835, Joseph Ritner was elected, and with -both branches of the General Assembly, the Anti-Masons were determined -to carry out their various unlawful measures with a high hand. - -The Stevens Legislative investigation held December, 1835, proved to be -a fiasco, as the inquisition failed to disclose a single unlawful act -upon the part of any member of the order of Freemasons or Odd Fellows. - -By 1838 the clouds of ignorant oppression had cleared away, and the -people, who cared to do so, could unite with either secret organization -without fear of social ostracism or political suicide. - - ---------- - - - - - York County and Its Part in the Revolution, - Erected August 19, 1749 - - -York County, erected August 19, 1749, from part of Lancaster County, -played a conspicuous part and contributed its full share of troops -during the period of the early troubles of our Republic. Indeed York -County seems to have been in the struggle from the earliest moment to -the end of the conflict and in addition furnished men who assumed a -leading role in that stirring drama. - -Colonel Thomas Hartley, himself one of the greatest patriots of the -Revolutionary times, in a letter to President Reed, of the Supreme -Executive Council of Pennsylvania, says: - -“They knew they had been as patriotic as any, that the York district had -armed the first in Pennsylvania, and had furnished more men in it than -any other district on the continent of the same number of inhabitants.” - -As early as December, 1774, James Smith, who was a Provincial statesman -and sensed the impending struggle with the Mother Country, employed -himself in raising and drilling a volunteer company, of which he was -elected captain. This is said to be the very first body of volunteer -soldiers organized in Pennsylvania, with a view to oppose the armies of -Great Britain. The officers were James Smith, captain; Thomas Hartley, -first lieutenant; David Grier, second lieutenant, and Henry Miller, -ensign. Each of these officers, thus early attached to the cause of -liberty, became distinguished in the subsequent history of the country. - -A company of riflemen was recruited in York County under the Resolution -of Congress, June 14, 1775, which was attached to Thompson’s Riflemen, -the first command to receive commissions after General Washington. This -company reached Cambridge, Mass., July 25, 1775, and was the first -company to arrive there from any point south of Long Island or west of -the Hudson River. It got into action July 29, before all the regiment -had arrived. - -Another rifle company was recruited in York County for fifteen months’ -service, which marched from York early in May, 1776, and at Philadelphia -became a part of Colonel Samuel Miles’ rifle regiment. In July five -battalions of militia marched from York County to New Jersey. Of these -five battalions two were formed and attached to the Flying Corps; -Colonel Michael Swope commanded the first battalion, and Colonel Richard -McAllister the second. Colonel Swope’s battalion suffered severe losses -in battles of Long Island and Fort Washington. One company in this -battalion lost all but eighteen men at Long Island. Colonel Swope and -fourteen of his officers were taken prisoners when Fort Washington fell -into the hands of the enemy November 16, 1776. Ensign Jacob Barnitz, of -York, was wounded in this battle and lay fifteen months in prison. - -Toward the close of 1777, events occurred which brought York into -prominence and made it for a time the capital of the now independent -States of America. The Continental Congress sat there for nine months, -and at a time when its proceedings were of the greatest importance. - -The disastrous Battle of Brandywine, fought September 11, 1777, decided -the fate of Philadelphia. On the approach of the British towards the -Schuylkill, Congress adjourned to meet in Lancaster on September 27, and -on the same day adjourned to York. The Susquehanna was regarded as a -safe barrier between them and the enemy, and they began their sessions -there September 30, where they continued until the British evacuated -Philadelphia. The Congress left York June 27, 1778. - -October 17, 1777, Congress passed a Resolve, to procure a printing press -so that the intelligence which Congress would receive from time to time -could be given to the public. The press of Hall and Sellers, of -Philadelphia, was set up in York, and even Continental money printed -there. This was the first printing press erected in Pennsylvania west of -the Susquehanna. - -On November 15, Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation; on -November 27, a new Board of War was organized. On December 1, Baron -Steuben landed at Portsmouth, N. H., and started for York, where he -arrived February 5, 1778, and remained two weeks. He was received by -Congress with every mark of distinction, and was appointed Inspector -General of the Army. - -The treaty with France was ratified by Congress May 4, 1778, which was -the occasion for a general celebration. - -General Gates resided in York during part of the time Congress met there -and when Lafayette called upon him, he was surrounded by friends, seated -about the table and it was at this dinner the conspiracy was revealed to -supplant Washington and make Gates the Commander in Chief of the Army. -It was in York that General Gates and Colonel Wilkinson planned to fight -a duel to settle their differences, but before the meeting, their -troubles were adjusted. - -General Wayne arrived in York February 27, 1781, on his way to assume -command of part of the Pennsylvania Line which was to reinforce General -Greene, then in the south. On May 20, Wayne’s corps, smaller in number -than he anticipated, and by no means well equipped, but reduced to -discipline and harmony, marched southward from York. - -On April 17, 1777, Congress changed the name of the “Committee of Secret -Correspondence,” to “Committee of Foreign Affairs,” and appointed Thomas -Paine, secretary of the committee. His “American Crisis,” Number V., -addressed to General Sir William Howe, commenced in the house of Hon. -William Henry of Lancaster, was finished and printed at York. - -Major John André, afterwards executed as a spy, was in York for a short -time after he was taken prisoner at St. John’s, September, 1775, and was -from there transferred to Carlisle. - -General Washington visited York in 1791, when he journeyed from Mount -Vernon to Philadelphia. He arrived in York from Hanover at 2 o’clock in -the afternoon of Saturday, July 2, 1791, and took lodging at the tavern -of Baltzer Spangler. He was met with the Independent Light Infantry, -commanded by Captain George Hay, which fired a salute of fifteen rounds. -He had dinner with Colonel Thomas Hartley, and walked through the -principal streets, and drank tea with his distinguished host. - -At night there were illuminations and every other demonstration of joy. -The next morning his excellency was waited upon by the Chief Burgess and -principal inhabitants, and was given an address, to which the President -replied. General Washington attended divine service and then proceeded -on his journey, being accompanied as far as Wright’s Ferry by a number -of the principal inhabitants, among the latter being his close friend -Colonel Thomas Hartley. - - ---------- - - - - - Greatest Victory Over Indians Gained by - General Wayne at Fallen Timbers, - August 20, 1794 - - -After the close of the Revolution the country west of the Ohio was still -occupied with Indian tribes ever ready to bring devastation, -destruction, and desolation to the homes of the border settlers, and -ever incited and aided by the British, who held a number of posts along -the lakes. The Indians had determined the Ohio River should be the -permanent boundary between them and the United States. - -President Washington sent Generals Josiah Harmar and Arthur St. Clair in -succession to command troops selected to overawe them, and each in turn -experienced bitter defeat by the savages. Washington then sent for -General Anthony Wayne and in April, 1782, placed him in command of the -Army of the United States. - -Wayne understood his mission. He organized his “Legion” in Pittsburgh, -June, 1792, consisting of only 2,631 troops recruited from Pennsylvania, -Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey. Pennsylvania furnished all but 232 of -the command. - -Wayne inaugurated strict discipline. Two soldiers were shot down for -sleeping on their posts. Whiskey was forbidden in the camp and -drunkenness severely punished. He insisted upon cleanliness and -regularity of diet. He taught the use of the bayonet and the sword. He -dined with his officers, and carefully planned every detail of his -expedition with their full knowledge. - -Wayne had Chief Cornplanter, ninety Choctaw and twenty-five Chicasaw -Indians with him, whom he used to sow dissension among the hostile -Indians. - -The war lasted more than two years during which time there were periods -of four and five months that he was without communication with the seat -of government. The Government viewed this Indian war with alarm, and not -without cause, as two previous defeats made the outcome doubtful. - -While the hostile Indians were perfecting their combinations the -Government sent commissioners to Fort Erie to sue for peace. The result -was that the Indians gained the time they needed, then refused to treat -at all, and the burden fell upon Wayne to see that the commissioners -reached their homes with their scalps on their heads, for which they -formally gave him thanks. - -On October 13 he had marched to a point on the Miami River, eighty miles -north of Cincinnati, where he found a camp which he fortified and called -Greenville and remained there through the winter. From this camp he sent -out scouts and spies to secure intelligence and scalps. He also sent a -force to the field where St. Clair had been defeated to bury the bones -of the dead and erect a stockade called Fort Recovery. - -In May a lieutenant with a convoy gallantly charged and repulsed an -assault. About seventeen hundred of the enemy made a desperate attempt -June 13, to capture an escort under the walls of Fort Recovery and to -carry the Fort by storm, keeping up a heavy fire and making repeated -efforts for two days, but were finally repulsed. Twenty-one soldiers -were killed and twenty-nine wounded. - -A few days later, after receiving reinforcements of mounted men from -Kentucky, General Wayne marched seventy miles in the heart of the Indian -country, built Fort Defiance, and then within sight of a British fort on -the Miami River made his preparations for the battle which was -inevitable. - -He had marched nearly four hundred miles through the country of an -enemy, both watchful and vindictive; had cut a road through the woods -the entire way, upon a route longer, more remote and more surrounded -with dangers than that of Braddock; had overcome almost insuperable -difficulties in securing supplies; had built three forts, and now had -reached a position where the issue must be decided by arms. - -On the morning of August 20, 1794, the army advanced five miles, with -the Miami on the right, a brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, a -light brigade in their rear, and a selected battalion of horsemen in the -lead. They came to a place where a tornado had swept through the forest, -and thrown down the trees, since called Fallen Timbers, and where the -twisted trunks and uprooted trees lay in such profusion as to impede the -movements of the cavalry. - -Here the Indians, two thousand in number, encouraged by the proximity of -the British fort, determined to make a stand. Hidden in the woods and -the high grass, they opened fire upon the mounted men in front and -succeeded in driving them back to the main army. The enemy were formed -in three lines in supporting distance of each other, extending two miles -at right angles to the river and were protected and covered by the -woods. - -Wayne formed his force in two lines. He saw the enemy was strong in -numbers and intended to turn his flank, and met this situation by -ordering up the rear line to support the first, by sending a force by a -circuitous route to turn the right of the enemy; by sending another -force at the same time along the river to turn their left, and by a -direct charge in the front to drive the Indians from their covert with -the bayonet. - -The Indians could not stand this attack, broke in confusion, and were -driven two miles in the course of an hour through the woods with great -loss. Their dead bodies and the British muskets lay scattered in all -directions. All of the village, corn fields and houses, including that -of Alexander McKee, the British Indian agent, within a scope of one -hundred miles were burned and destroyed. - -American annals disclose no such other victory over the savage tribes. -It secured for civilization the territory between the Ohio and -Mississippi Rivers. It made possible the development of such states as -Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. - -When the news reached London, the British Government, recognizing that -the cause of the Indians was hopeless, ordered the evacuation of the -posts at Detroit, Oswego and Niagara. - -Two weeks later General Wayne was crushed to earth by a falling tree, so -much bruised as to cause great pain and hemorrhages, and only the -fortunate location of a stump, on which the tree finally rested, saved -his life. - -After the treaty of cession and peace had been executed, and after an -absence in the wilderness for three years, he returned home in 1795, -everywhere hailed with loud acclaim as the hero of the time and received -in Philadelphia by the City Troop and with salvos from cannon, ringing -of bells and fireworks. - -His last battle had been fought. His work was done. “Both body and mind -were fatigued by the contest,” were his pathetic words. Soon afterwards -the President sent him as a commissioner to Detroit and on his return he -died at Presque Isle, now Erie, December 15, 1796. - - ---------- - - - - - Chief Tedyuskung Annoys Moravian Brethren; - Arrives at Bethlehem - August 21, 1756 - - -Tedyuskung, the great king of the Delaware tribe and one of the most -powerful of the Indian sachems in Pennsylvania, much enjoyed the -prominence he gained by frequent councils and conferences with the -Governor and other Provincial dignitaries, even at the expense of -causing a great jealousy among Indian chiefs of other nations. He was a -skilled diplomat, a good speaker and a friend of the English, yet he was -rather crafty in his dealings with both the whites and his own race, and -was given over to excessive intemperance. - -At the conclusion of the great treaty held at Easton, July 24–31, 1756, -the Governor and others in authority doubted the sincerity of -Tedyuskung, but he satisfied them on that score, and during August -remained almost constantly in or about Fort Allen on a drunken debauch. -Finally on August 21, he removed with his retinue to Bethlehem, where -his wife, Elizabeth, and her three young children determined to remain, -while the King went on an expedition to the Minisinks to put a stop to -some Indian depredations. - -Tedyuskung went from there to Wyoming and sent word to Major Parsons, at -Easton, that he wanted his wife and children sent to him. Major Parsons -went immediately to Bethlehem and made known the King’s desire to his -wife, but she decided to remain where she was. This then was the cause -of frequent visits to Bethlehem, where Tedyuskung much annoyed the -Moravian Brethren, who were not in position to control his actions when -he was their unwelcome visitor. - -July, 1757, he was for some time in and about Fort Allen and then in -attendance at the second great conference at Easton, during which time -his wife and children were with him. Two days after this conference -closed Tedyuskung, his family and others went to Bethlehem. Reichel, in -his “Memorials of the Moravian Church,” says: - -“Some of these unwelcome visitors halted for a few days, and some -proceeded as far as Fort Allen and then returned, undecided as to where -to go and what to do. During the month full 200 were counted—men, women -and children—among them lawless crowds who annoyed the Brethren by -depredations, molested the Indians at the Manakasy, and wrangled with -each other over their cups at ‘The Crown’.” - -Tedyuskung tarried in Bethlehem several days when he set out on a -mission to Tioga, but on the way he was met by messengers from the Ohio -Indians, who bore such glad tidings that the King determined he should -go to Philadelphia and appraise the Governor and Council of the good -news. - -At Bethlehem Tedyuskung spent a few days with his wife and family, -meantime holding a conference with Bishop Spangenberg, Reverend Mack and -other Moravian Brethren—Augustus, the christianized Delaware chief -serving as interpreter. Tedyuskung inquired of the Moravians why the -converted Indians could not move to Wyoming. Bishop Spangenberg told him -they would require a town of their own, where a school and church could -be built. The king said these should be built there. - -He then surprised the Brethren by telling them that reports had been -circulated among the Indians that the Moravians had decapitated the -Indians among them, placed their heads in bags and sent them to -Philadelphia. These charges had so exasperated the Indians that they -conspired to attack the Brethren’s settlements and cut off the -inhabitants without regard to age or sex. He and Paxinoso had on one -occasion persuaded 200 warriors, who had banded together for this -purpose, to desist from their design. - -After his interview with the Governor and Council in Philadelphia, -Tedyuskung returned to Bethlehem, where he remained with his wife and -children until October 7 when he again went to Philadelphia. - -During all her sojourn in Bethlehem the King’s wife was maintained by -the Moravian Brethren at the expense of the Province. Tedyuskung was -back in Bethlehem in about ten days and remained until the 27th, when -they set out for Wyoming, where the Commissioners were daily expected to -build a fort and some houses for the Delaware. - -Having previously signified to the Moravian Brethren at Bethlehem his -desire to spend the winter at Bethlehem, permission for him and his -family to do so was reluctantly granted. Thereupon, upon his return from -New Jersey, a lodge was built for him near “The Crown” inn. There he -held court and gave audience to the wild embassies that would come from -the Indian country. - -In addition to Tedyuskung and his family nearly one hundred Indians -spent the winter of 1757–58 in the neighborhood of “The Crown.” Reichel -says: “Government was imposing an additional burden upon the Brethren -when it committed this lawless crowd to their keeping * * * We are at a -loss how to act. Furthermore, we are told that some of our neighbors are -growing uneasy at our receiving such murdering Indians, as they style -them. I fear we shall be obliged to set watches to keep such of them off -as are disposed to quarrel with, or may attempt to hurt any of them.” - -Tedyuskung attended a long conference in Philadelphia in the early part -of 1758, and made trips to and from Bethlehem for this purpose. - -He was back in Bethlehem in April, and on the 17th sent a number of the -Delaware, who had wintered in the Moravian town, to Fort Allen, there to -join Captain Jacob Arndt’s soldiers in ranging the frontiers. He also -sent his sons, Captains John Jacob and Amos and three other Delaware -over the Allegheny to the Indians towns of the Delaware and Shawnee. - -Tedyuskung remained in Bethlehem, and Justice Horsfield wrote on April -18: “I never before was so much convinced of Tedyuskung’s zeal for the -English cause.” Five days later, however, a soldier came to Bethlehem -from Fort Allen with a letter from Captain Arndt in which he stated that -he was having trouble with the Indians sent to the fort by -Tedyuskung—the messengers, who were still there, as well as those who -were to range being continually drunk, having brought with them some -casks of rum from Easton. - -Tedyuskung made another trip to Philadelphia in May to urge the Governor -to again send the Commissioners to finish the fort and the houses. He -returned to Bethlehem about May 8. - -Reichel says: “When the swelling of the maple buds and the whitening of -the shad-bush on the river’s bank betokened the advent of Spring, there -were busy preparations going on in Tedyuskung’s company over the matter -of their long-expected removal to the Indian Eldorado on the flats of -the Winding River. It was the 16th of cornplanting month (May), the -month called Tauwinipen, when the Delaware King, his Queen, his -counsellors and his warriors led by the Commissioners, took up the line -of march for Fort Allen, beyond there to strike the Indian trail that -led over the mountains to Wyoming Valley—and on the going out of these -spirits ‘The Crown’ was swept and garnished and Ephriam Colver, the -publican, had rest.” - - ---------- - - - - - Gilbert Family in Indian Captivity Twenty-nine - Months Released August 22,1782 - - -Benjamin Gilbert and family, living on Mahoning Creek, about five miles -from Fort Allen, now Weissport, Carbon County, were carried into a -bitterly painful captivity by a party of Indians, who took them to -Canada, and there separated them. At the time of this occurrence, April -25, 1780, the event caused intense excitement throughout the State, and -from an interesting narrative published shortly after their release from -captivity, August 22, 1782, the following facts are ascertained. - -Benjamin Gilbert was a Quaker from Byberry, near Philadelphia, and in -1775 removed with his family to a farm on Mahoning Creek, near Fort -Allen. They lived comfortably in a good log dwelling house, with barn -and saw and grist mill. For five years all was peace and industry. - -On the eventful day, about sunrise they were surprised by a party of -Indians who took the following prisoners: Benjamin Gilbert, aged 69; -Elizabeth, his wife, 55 years; sons, Joseph, aged 41; Jesse, 19; Abner, -14; and daughters, Rebecca, 16; and Elizabeth, 12; and Sarah, wife of -Jesse; Thomas Peart, son of Benjamin Gilbert’s wife; Benjamin Gilbert, a -nephew of the elder Gilbert; Andrew Harrigar, a German servant and -Abigail Dodson, a neighbor’s daughter, the whole number taken being -twelve. The Indians then proceeded about half a mile to Benjamin Peart’s -and there captured himself and his wife and their nine months’ old -child. - -The last look the poor captives had of their once comfortable homes was -to view the buildings in flames as they were led over Summer Hill, on -their way over Mauch Chunk and Broad Mountains into the Nescopeck Path, -and then across Quakake Creek to Mahanoy Mountain, where they passed the -first night, fastened between notched saplings, with straps around their -necks and fastened to a tree. - -Their march was resumed soon after dawn and day after day they tramped -over the wild and rugged region between the Lehigh and the Chemunk -branch of the Susquehanna. Often ready to faint by the way, the cruel -threat of instant death urged them again to march. The old man, Benjamin -Gilbert, had begun to fail, and was already painted black, the fatal -omen among the Indians; but when they were to kill him, the pitiful -pleadings of his wife saved him. Subsequently in Canada, Gilbert told -the chief he could say what none of the other Indians could, “that he -had brought in the oldest man and the youngest child.” - -On the fifty-fourth day of their captivity, the Gilbert family had to -experience the fearful ordeal of running the gauntlet. - -“The prisoners,” says the narrative, “were released from the heavy loads -they had heretofore been compelled to carry, and were it not for the -treatment they expected on approaching the Indian towns, and the -hardship of separation, their situation would have been tolerable; but -the horror of their minds, arising from the dreadful yells of the -Indians as they approached the hamlets, is easier conceived than -described—for they were no strangers to the customary cruelty exercised -upon the captives on entering their towns. The Indians, men, women and -children, collect together, bringing clubs and stones in order to beat -them, which they usually do with great severity. The blows must be borne -without complaint. The prisoners are beaten until the Indians weary with -the cruel sport. - -“Two of the women who were on horseback were much bruised by falling -from their horses, which were frightened by the Indians. Elizabeth, the -mother, took shelter by the side of a warrior, who sent her away, she -then received several violent blows, so that she was almost disabled. -The blood trickled from their heads in a stream. Their hair being -cropped close and the clothes they had on in rags, made their situation -truly piteous. Whilst the Indians were inflicting this revenge upon the -captives, the chief came and put a stop to any further cruelty.” - -Soon after this torture, a severer trial awaited them, when they were -separated. Some were given over to other Indians to be adopted, others -were hired out as servants, and the remainder were sent down the lake to -Montreal. Among the latter was old Benjamin Gilbert, by this time broken -in body and mind, and he there succumbed. His remains were interred near -old Fort Coeur du Lac, below Ogdensburg. - -Some of the family met with kind treatment from the hands of British -officers, who were interested in their story, and exerted themselves to -release them from captivity. Sarah Gilbert, wife of Jesse, became a -mother, and Elizabeth Gilbert was allowed to give her daughter every -necessary attendance. One day while Elizabeth was ironing for the family -of Adam Scott, a little girl told her some one wanted to see her and -upon entering another room, she found six of her own children. A -messenger was sent to inform Jesse and his wife, so that Joseph Gilbert, -Benjamin Peart and Elizabeth, his wife, and their young child, and Abner -and Elizabeth Gilbert the younger, were with their mother on this -occasion. - -Elizabeth Gilbert, the younger, only twelve years of age, had been -adopted by an Indian family, but was permitted to live with a white -family named Secord, by whom she was treated with endearing attention. - -A year later Mr. Secord took Betsy on a trip to Niagara, and there she -saw six of her relatives, most of whom had been released and were -preparing to leave for Montreal, perhaps never again to see the others. -The sight of their beloved little sister roused every energy to effect -her release, which desire was generously seconded by John Secord and the -Tory leader, Colonel John Butler, who, soon after her visit to Niagara -sent for the Indian who claimed Elizabeth as his child and made -overtures for her ransom. At first he declared that he “would not sell -his own flesh and blood,” but, attacked through his interest, or in -other words, his necessities, the negotiation succeeded and her youngest -child was among the treasures first restored to the mother at Montreal. - -Eventually they were all released and collected at Montreal and on -August 22, 1782, they took leave of their friends there and returned to -Byberry, after a captivity of two years and five months. - -The premises where stood the dwelling and improvements of the Gilbert -family were on the north side of Mahoning Creek, on an elevated bank -about forty perches from the main road leading from Lehighton and -Weissport to Tamaqua, and about four miles from the former. Benjamin -Peart lived about a mile farther up the creek, and about a quarter of a -mile from it on the south side. - - ---------- - - - - - Alexander Wilson, the Great American - Ornithologist, Died at Philadelphia, - August 23, 1813 - - -Alexander Wilson, the great American ornithologist, was born in Paisley, -Scotland, July 6, 1766, and died in Philadelphia, August 23, 1813. He -was the son of a distiller, but at the age of thirteen was apprenticed -to a weaver, and after seven years abandoned the loom and adopted the -life of a peddler. - -Three years were thus spent and in 1789, having prepared a volume of -poems for publication, he offered his muslins and solicited -subscriptions for this work. It was published in 1790, but had little -success; and he again returned to the loom. - -In 1792 he published “Watty and Meg,” which having appeared anonymously, -was ascribed to Robert Burns though the style is very different. It is -said to have had a sale of 100,000 copies in a few weeks. He wrote a -severe satire upon a person in Paisley and was thrown into prison, and -was afterwards compelled to burn the libel with his own hand at Paisley -Cross. Upon his release, he resolved to emigrate, and arrived at New -Castle, Delaware, July 14, 1794, with only a few borrowed shillings, -without an acquaintance, and with no decided purpose. - -After working at various trades, sometimes as a copperplate printer -under Alexander Lawson, in which he showed both ambition and talent, he -went through New Jersey as a peddler and during this journey seems to -have first paid minute attention to the habits and appearance of birds. - -He afterward taught school at various places in New Jersey and -Pennsylvania, finally settling in 1802 at Kingsessing on the Schuylkill. - -One of the schools he taught was situated on the Darby Road, a short -distance west of the intersection with Gray’s Ferry Road. His home was -near the celebrated botanical garden of William Bartram, and he became -acquainted with the famous naturalist, who, by his own love of birds, -deeply interested young Wilson in that branch of nature. It was at this -time that Alexander Wilson resolved to form a collection of all the -birds of America. - -His first excursion, October, 1804, was to Niagara Falls. He walked from -Philadelphia through the unopened wilderness of western New York, and -wrote a metrical description of his journey in the “Port Folio” under -the title of “The Foresters, a Poem.” - -Elsewhere Wilson wrote: - - “Sweet flows the Schuylkill’s winding tide, - By Bartram’s green emblossomed bowers, - Where nature sports in all her pride, - Of choicest plants and fruits and flowers.” - -Wilson learned drawing, coloring, and etching from Alexander Lawson, the -celebrated engraver, whose tastes and instructions stimulated his own -talents. - -He persuaded Bradford, a Philadelphia publisher, who had employed him in -1806, in editing the American edition of Rees’s Cyclopedia, to furnish -funds for an American ornithology on an adequate scale. The first volume -of this work appeared in September, 1808, but it was too expensive to be -very successful. The seventh volume appeared in 1813. - -The interval had been passed in exploring different parts of the country -for the purpose of extending his observations, collecting specimens and -watching the habits of birds in their native haunts. - -In January, 1810, the second volume appeared, but before the next was -prepared Wilson sailed down the Ohio River in a small boat as far as -Louisville, he set out on horseback from Nashville for New Orleans in -May, 1811, and arrived June 6. Sailing from there he arrived back in -Philadelphia in August, and began the third volume. - -In September, 1812, he started on another tour of the eastern States. He -completed the publication of seven volumes. - -In 1813 the literary materials for the eighth volume of the -“Ornithology” were ready, but its progress was greatly retarded for want -of proper assistants to color the plates. Wilson was therefore obliged -to undertake the whole of this department himself in addition to his -other duties. He employed himself so unceasingly in the preparation of -his work that he impaired his already weakened condition and hastened -death. It is said that in his eagerness to obtain a rare bird, he swam -across a river and caught cold from which he never recovered. - -All the plates for the remainder of his work having been completed under -Wilson’s own eye the letter press work on the ninth volume was supplied -by his friend, George Ord, his companion in several of his expeditions, -who also wrote a memoir of Wilson to accompany the last volume, and -edited the eighth. Four supplementary volumes were afterwards added by -Charles Lincoln Bonaparte. - -An edition of Alexander Wilson’s poems was published at Paisley in 1816, -and another at Belfast in 1857. A statue of him was erected at Paisley -in October, 1874. - -Wilson was followed by another Pennsylvanian, John James Audubon, who -lived for many years on the Perkiomen near its mouth. He published an -immense work upon the “Birds of America,” which brought him lasting -fame. Thus the two greatest ornithologists of America are claimed as -residents of our state. - -In the quiet retreat of the churchyard of the old Swedes Church, or -“Gloria Dei,” at Weccacoe, where he delighted to worship, repose the -remains of Alexander Wilson. The distinguished ornithologist requested -to be laid to rest there, as it was “a silent, shady place where the -birds would be apt to come and sing over his grave.” - - ---------- - - - - - Governor Snyder Calls on Pennsylvania - When British Burn National Capitol - August 24, 1814 - - -During the summer of 1813 the shores of the Chesapeake and its tributary -rivers were made a general scene of ruin and distress. The British -forces assumed the character of the incendiary in retaliation for the -burning of the town of York, in Upper Canada, which had been taken by -the American army under General Dearborn in April of that year. The -burning of York was accidental, but its destruction served as a pretext -for the general pillage and conflagration which followed the marching of -the British army. - -The enemy took possession of Washington August 24, 1814, and the -commanders of the invading force, General Ross and Admiral Blackburn, -proceeded in person to direct and superintend the business of burning -the Capitol and city. - -On August 26, Governor Simon Snyder issued a strong appeal for a call to -arms: “The landing upon our shores, by the enemy, of hordes of -marauders, for the purpose avowedly to create by plunder, burning and -general devastation, all possible individual and public distress, gives -scope for action to the militia of Pennsylvania by repelling that foe, -and with just indignation seek to avenge the unprovoked wrongs heaped on -our unoffending country. - -“The militia generally within the counties of Dauphin, Lebannon, Berks, -Schuylkill, York, Adams and Lancaster, and that part of Chester County -which constitutes the Second Brigade of the Third Division, and those -corps particularly, who, when danger first threatened, patriotically -tendered their services in the field, are earnestly invited to rise (as -on many occasions Pennsylvania has heretofore done) superior to local -feeling and evasives that might possibly be drawn from an imperfect -military system, and to repair with that alacrity which duty commands, -and it is fondly hoped inclination will prompt, to the several places of -brigade or regimental rendezvous that shall respectively be designated -by the proper officer, and thence to march to the place of general -rendezvous. - -“Pennsylvanians, whose hearts must be gladdened at the recital of the -deeds of heroism achieved by their fellow citizens, soldiers now in arms -on the Lake frontier, and within the enemy’s country, now the occasion -has occurred, will with order seek and punish that same implacable foe, -now marauding on the Atlantic shore of two of our sister States.” - -Camps were established at Marcus Hook, on the Delaware, and at York. At -the latter place 5,000 men were soon under the command of Major General -Nathaniel Watson, and Brigadier Generals John Forster and John Adams. - -When General Ross attempted the capture of Baltimore, these Pennsylvania -militia marched thither and had the high honor to aid in repelling the -enemy. In the same year other of the State’s military forces rendered -excellent services at Chippewa and Bridgewater, and thereby won the -gratitude of the people of the entire country. - -During the entire war the soil of Pennsylvania had never been trodden by -a hostile foot, yet it had at one time a greater number of militia and -volunteers in the service of the United States than were at any time in -the field from any other state in the Union, and as she furnished more -men, so did she furnish more money to carry on the war. - -The treaty of Ghent was concluded December 24, 1814, but the closing -acts in the tragedy of the war were the battle of New Orleans, January -8, 1815, and the gallant capture of the British warships “Cyane” and -“Levant,” by Captain Charles Stewart’s grand old frigate, -“Constitution,” February 20, 1815. - -On February 17, 1815, the treaty of peace between the United States and -Great Britain was ratified by the Senate. - -Pennsylvania’s finances were in such sound condition that only one small -temporary loan was required to pay all expenditures incurred during the -war. Business did not suffer, yet during the war period a cloud was -gathering which soon was to have a serious effect on the financial -situation in the State. The United States Bank, after twenty years of -honorable and useful life, came to an end in 1811, and at a time when -its services were needed by the government and the people. - -The State banks were envious of the power of the larger institution, and -in the failure to renew its charter their officers saw the opportunity -to advance their personal ends. - -The Legislature chartered State banks over the Governor’s veto, and -again the State was flooded with paper money, as it had been during the -Revolution, but the terrible consequences of that deluge had long since -been forgotten. The excess of issue and lack of faith in them was soon -reflected by rising prices. The banks had little or no specie for -redeeming their notes. Soon many banks were without funds, hence were -compelled to close their doors, and both the promoters and their victims -were led into financial ruin. - -Governor Snyder’s great friend, Editor John Binns, had the courage to -maintain that, although individuals were thus made bankrupt, the State -was benefited by the results of the banking acts, for, says he: “The -titles to lands became more clear, settled and certain; strangers were -induced to purchase and come to Pennsylvania and settle.” Quite a costly -way to clear titles. - -The downfall of the banking system was followed by general depression, -and many men and business institutions were forced into involuntary -bankruptcy. This was an unfortunate period in Pennsylvania history, and -was not a condition single to this State alone. - -Normal conditions were eventually restored and then followed an era of -progress which was not marred for many years. - -Throughout all this trying period Governor Snyder exhibited many -splendid traits of character, and met every emergency with determined -courage. He was not always able to control the Legislature, and his -conduct in trying to stay the deluge of paper money was one of the most -noteworthy of his three successful administrations. - - ---------- - - - - - British Destroy Moravian Indian Town on - Order of De Peyster, August 25,1781 - - -Colonel Daniel Brodhead had been sent with his Eighth Pennsylvania -Regiment to the Western frontier, and as most of the soldiers in this -renowned command had been recruited in that part of the State this -assignment was gladly received. The men could do double duty by serving -their country and at the same time assist in protecting their own homes. - -But all did not go well for Brodhead. He was a great soldier and knew -how to fight Indians, but was remiss in other matters and soon got into -trouble with the Supreme Executive Council, on account of becoming -involved in quarrels with officers and civilians. - -Congress selected Brigadier General William Irvine, of Carlisle, to -succeed Colonel Brodhead in the command of the Western Department, -September 24, 1781, and he repaired to that post of duty. - -Colonel J. W. de Peyster, the British commandant at Detroit, who -believed the presence of the Moravian missionaries along the Tuscarawas -River had seriously interfered with prosecution of the war, ordered -their removal to the Sandusky Valley, where they were planted amid the -villages of the hostile Wyandot and Shawnee. - -On August 25, 1781, he sent Captain Matthew Elliott, the Tory officer, -with a small party of Tories and French-Canadians, and 250 savages, -including Wyandot under Dunquat, Delaware under Captain Pipe, and a few -Shawnee to carry his order into effect. Elliott performed his errand -with unnecessary brutality. - -The missionaries and their converts claimed a strict neutrality, but did -not observe it. Bishop Zeisberger and Reverend Heckewelder were secretly -the friends of the Americans and conducted a regular clandestine -correspondence with the officers at Fort Pitt, giving valuable -information of the movements of the British and hostile savages. This -was suspected by Colonel de Peyster and he ordered the Moravians to move -nearer Detroit. The hostile Indians threatened the converts with -destruction because they would not join in the war, while many borderers -believed these Indians did occasionally participate in raids upon the -settlements. The settlers did not take much stock in the Christianity of -the Moravian Indians. - -To save the Moravians from dangers on both sides, Colonel Brodhead -advised them to take up their residence near Fort Pitt, but they refused -to heed his warning. These converts remained between the two fires, but -Zeisberger and Heckewelder were blind to their imminent peril. - -The Moravian Indians numbered about one hundred families in their three -villages of Schoenbrun, Gnadenhuetten, and Salem. Their homes were log -cabins, with vegetable gardens and cultivated fields, and fine herds of -cattle, hogs and many horses. - -Elliott seized and confined the missionaries and their families and -gathered them and all the converted Indians at Gnadenhuetten. They were -marched from there September 11, leaving behind their great stock of -corn and many effects. The sad procession descended the Tuscarawas to -its junction with the Walhonding and passed up the latter stream to its -source, thence over the dividing ridge to the Sandusky. - -By the time the Moravians had reached the Sandusky they had been robbed -of their best blankets and cooking vessels and their food was about -exhausted. On the east side of the stream, about two miles above the -site of Upper Sandusky, they settled down in poverty and privation, -built rude shelters of logs and bark and spent the winter in great -distress. - -In March the missionaries were again taken to Detroit and closely -examined by de Peyster, and nothing detrimental could be proved against -them, yet de Peyster would not allow them to return to the Sandusky, and -they made a new settlement on the Huron River. - -During the forcible removal of the Moravians seven Wyandot warriors left -the party and went on a raid across the Ohio River. Among the seven were -three sons of Dunquat, the half-king; the eldest son, Scotosh, was the -leader of the party. They visited the farm of Philip Jackson, on -Harman’s Creek, and captured Jackson, who was a carpenter about 60 years -of age. This capture was witnessed by Jackson’s son, who ran nine miles -to Fort Cherry, on Little Raccoon Creek, and gave the alarm, but a heavy -rain that night prevented immediate pursuit. - -Bright and early next morning seventeen stout young men, all mounted, -gathered at Jackson’s farm, and John Jack, a professional scout, -declared he knew where the Indians had hidden their canoes. But only six -would follow him, John Cherry, Andrew Poe, Adam Poe, William Castleman, -William Rankin and James Whitacre, and they started on a gallop for the -mouth of Tomlinson’s Run. Jack’s surmise was a shrewd one, based on a -thorough knowledge of the Ohio River and the habits of the Indians. - -After dismounting the borderers descended cautiously, and at the mouth -of the run were five Indians, with their prisoner, ready to shove off. -John Cherry fired and killed an Indian and was himself killed by the -return fire. Four of the five Indians were killed, and Philip Jackson -rescued unharmed, and Scotosh escaped up the river with a wound in his -arm. - -Andrew Poe in a hand to hand scuffle with two sons of the half-king, -succeeded in killing one of them, who had first wounded him. The other -Indian escaped and was in the act of firing at Poe when he was shot and -killed. Andrew Poe fell into the stream and was mistaken for an Indian -and shot in the shoulder by mistake. - -The triumphant return of the party to Fort Cherry was saddened by the -death of John Cherry, a great and popular leader. Scotosh was the only -Indian who escaped, and he made his way back to the Upper Sandusky, with -a sad message for his father and the tribe. - - ---------- - - - - - Volunteers Fight Two Battles in Hills Along - West Branch August 26, 1763 - - -For boldness of attempt and depth of design the Pontiac War was perhaps -unsurpassed in the annals of border warfare. - -Soon as the English had been able to push past the French line of forts, -which reached from Presqu’ Isle to the Monongahela, and had gained such -a strong foothold in Canada, the Indians planned to destroy them at one -stroke. - -The renowned chiefs, Kiyasuta, of the Seneca, and Pontiac, of the -Ottawa, conceived the gigantic plan of uniting all the northwestern -tribes in a simultaneous attack upon the whole frontier. Utter -extermination was their object. - -The forts were to be taken by stratagem by separate parties, all on the -same day. The border settlements were to be attacked during harvest and -men, women, children, crops, cattle and cabins, were to be destroyed. - -The English traders among the Indians were the first victims; out of a -total of 120, only a few escaped. The frontier settlements among or near -the mountains were overrun with scalping parties, marking their pathway -with blood and fire. - -The forts in Pennsylvania at Presqu’ Isle, Le Boeuf and Venango were -taken with great slaughter. Those at Fort Pitt, Bedford and Ligonier -were preserved with great difficulty. Carlisle and Fort Augusta were -threatened. - -General Amherst promptly dispatched Colonel Henry Bouquet to the relief -of Fort Pitt, and he defeated the Indians and saved the garrison. - -It was during this distressing period that the Indians planned to attack -the interior settlements of Pennsylvania as far as Tulpehocken, and -their great object was the capture of Fort Augusta, which had been built -at the suggestion of the Indians themselves. - -Alarming intelligence was everywhere received of the contemplated -attacks; friendly Indians gave timely warning of each approaching -danger. Especially was the situation critical in the vicinity of Paxtang -where the treachery of the so-called friendly Indians was several times -discovered. - -Preparations were carefully made and the utmost vigilance exercised and -every available resistance planned by the sturdy frontiersmen. The -garrison at Fort Augusta was reinforced by additional troops recruited -in the countries nearer the seat of government. - -With reports constantly reaching Carlisle and other places that the -Indians would attack Fort Augusta in great numbers, and believing that -the Moravian Indian converts were treacherously giving information to -the enemy, it was determined to check them. - -Colonel John Armstrong, with about three hundred volunteers from -Cumberland and Bedford Counties marched from Carlisle on an expedition -to destroy the Indian town at Great Island, now Lock Haven, -Pennsylvania. - -When Armstrong’s party arrived at Great Island the Indians had already -deserted their village a few days previous. But on his march he fell -upon another village near the Big Island, now Jersey Shore. So sudden -was his advance that the Indians were scarcely able to escape; they left -the food hot upon their bark tables, which was prepared for dinner. The -army destroyed Great Island village and a large quantity of grain and -provisions. - -A part of this little army was returning down the West Branch, Friday, -August 26, when they encountered the enemy at Muncy Creek hill, present -Lycoming County, and, in a hot skirmish which ensued, four of the -volunteers were killed and four wounded. There were quite as many -casualties among the savages, but they were able to bear away their dead -and wounded. - -Captains William Patterson, Sharp, Bedford, Laughlin and Crawford with -seventy-six of their commands, arrived at Fort Augusta, Saturday, August -27, 1763. Other stragglers reached the fort during that and the -following day. - -These soldiers reported details of the sanguinary battle and confirmed -the fears of the inhabitants about the treachery of the Moravian -Indians. They reported that after the battle a party of Indians -returning to Great Island from a mission to Bethlehem, were attacked by -them on a hill north of the present borough of Northumberland, in which -action the troops believed they had killed all of the Indian party of -twelve. - -There can be no doubt that these two attacks were made for there are -several references to them from different sources, also J. F. Meginness -in his “Otzinachson,” says: - -“It is to be regretted that so little was left on record concerning the -operations of this great expedition. It was the largest that had invaded -the West Branch Valley up to that time, but instead of wiping out the -savages and rendering them powerless, it only tended to still further -enrage and cause them to commit greater deeds of blood as was proved by -subsequent events.” - -The first great massacre at Wyoming soon followed. A party of Six -Nations stealthily murdered Tedyuskung, the Delaware King, by burning -him to death in his cabin during a drunken bout. They convinced the -Delaware that the crime was perpetrated by whites, who October 15, 1763, -suddenly turned on the settlers while at work in the fields, brutally -murdered ten of them, and left their scalped bodies in the fields, while -they burned their homes, destroyed their crops and drove away the -cattle. None escaped but those who fled in time to reach the mountains. -This massacre was led by Captain Bull, a son of Tedyuskung. - -Only the brilliant success of Colonel Henry Bouquet at Bushy Run checked -the Indians, and with this repulse they became disheartened and soon -after sued for peace. - - ---------- - - - - - Europeans Explore Waters of Pennsylvania, - Delaware Bay So Named - August 27, 1610 - - -Quite different from all other colonies was Pennsylvania in the fact -that many settlements were made within its borders and many races -contributed to her people. - -In 1608, the famous Captain John Smith, of Virginia, sailed up the -Chesapeake Bay to its head, where he was stopped by the rocks. - -At this same time the Dutch of Holland, during a lull in their war with -Spain, were sending maritime expeditions over the world. They sent Henry -Hudson to America. He sailed up the coast, on August 28, 1609, in his -ship the “Half Moon,” entered the bay now called Delaware Bay, and cast -anchor. Hudson was an Englishman, but in the service now of the Dutch. - -The republic of the Netherlands, after a struggle never surpassed for -heroism and constancy, had won a truce with King Philip of Spain, and -the Dutch merchants had sent the English captain out upon the old quest, -a short route to China. - -Hudson’s appearance in Delaware Bay was before his discovery of the -Hudson River, and, therefore, New Netherlands had its origin on the -Delaware, called by the Dutch the Zuyd Revier, or South River. - -Hudson navigated his little ship into the bay with great caution. He -spent the day in making soundings, and learned that “he who would -thoroughly discover this great bay must have a small pinnace to send -before him, that must draw but four or five feet to sound before him.” - -Hudson then sailed up the New Jersey coast, on the third day of -September, anchored his ship within Sandy Hook, and the 12th he entered -New York Bay through the Narrows, and discovered the great river that -since has borne his name. - -So far as the history of Pennsylvania is concerned there is much import -in the exploration of Hudson in Delaware Bay. He made known to his -employers, the Dutch East India Company, and to the seafaring nations of -western Europe, the existence of this wide bay, into which, as he -perceived, a great river must discharge. His discovery laid the ground -for the claim by the Dutch to the country on the Delaware. Exploration -followed, then trade, then occupancy, then a new State, in which the -present Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York were united -under one government, called New Netherlands. - -On August 27, 1610, Captain Samuel Argall, from Jamestown, Va., sailed -into the Delaware Bay, and, remaining a few hours, gave it the name of -Delaware, in honor of Lord Delaware, then Governor of Virginia. Thus we -notice that neither Captain John Smith nor Henry Hudson entered -Pennsylvania, they approached the very doorway, but did not come inside. - -The first actual visit of a white man seems to have been six years -later, when Etienne Brulé, a Frenchman, and a follower of Champlain, the -first Governor of New France, came into Pennsylvania via the headwaters -of the Susquehanna River and explored its entire length. - -Hudson’s report of a land rich in furs attracted the attention of the -Dutch, and before 1614, five vessels came to Manhattan on the North -River. One of them, the “Fortune,” commanded by Captain Cornelius -Jacobson Mey, sailed in the Zuyd River, and he named the cape at the -east entrance of the bay Cape Mey, and the cape on the west Cape -Cornelius. - -One of these vessels, the “Tiger,” was burned and her captain, Adrian -Block, built a yacht forty-four and a half feet long, eleven and a half -feet wide, of sixteen tons burden, to take her place. This boat, the -“Onrust,” was the first built within the limits of the United States, -and she was destined to fame. Cornelius Hendrickson brought the “Onrust” -to the Delaware in 1616, and made the first exploration of the Delaware -River, and discovered the mouth of the Schuylkill and first saw the site -of Philadelphia. Here he ransomed from the Indians a Dutchman named -Kleynties and two companions, who had come down from the North River by -land, and who may have been the first Europeans in Pennsylvania. - -On June 3, 1621, the Dutch West India Company was formed. The charter by -the Dutch Government gave it the exclusive right to trade on the coast -of America between Newfoundland and the Straits of Magellan. This -company, by virtue of its charter, took possession of the country, and -dispatched the ship “New Netherland,” with a number of people, under -command of Captain Mey, to the Delaware, where, on the eastern bank, -fifteen leagues from its mouth, Captain Mey erected Fort Nassau. - -The site of this fort was about five miles above Wilmington, and here -four married couples and eight seamen lived. This was, probably, the -first settlement on the Delaware River. Fort Nassau was a log structure, -capable of defense against bows and arrows, sufficient for a depot of -furs, but badly situated to command the commerce of the river. It stood -for nearly thirty years, until 1651, and in that time was the center on -this continent of Dutch authority and trade. It was to this fort that -the Indians of Pennsylvania brought their peltries to exchange for -articles that served their use or pleased their fancy, or for rum that -made them drunk. - -Another settlement was made farther north, on the same side of the -river, which consisted of three or four families. - -The administration of the affairs of New Netherlands was confided by the -Dutch West Indian Company to Peter Minuit, who arrived at Manhattan, May -4, 1626. He came from Wesel, and was commissioned as director-general. -It was he who soon after his arrival “purchased the island of Manhattan -from the Indians for sixty guilders, or the sum of twenty-five dollars -in real money.” - -In spite of the fact that the Dutch West Indian Company in 1629 granted -special privileges to all persons who should plant any colony in New -Netherland, up until 1631 no white man had made a settlement on the west -bank of the Delaware. - -On December 30, 1630, David Pieterzoon De Vries, with thirty-two people -and a large stock of cattle, sailed from the Texel, in the ship -“Walrus,” and arrived at the southern cape, Cornelius, now Henlopen, and -made a settlement near the present town of Lewes, and called it -Swanendael, or the Valley of the Swans. De Vries is the finest figure -among the early pioneer history of the settlement of this part of our -country. He was intelligent, energetic and humane. - - ---------- - - - - - World Struggle for Oil Began at Titusville, - August 28, 1859 - - -The gigantic struggle for oil began in Titusville, Pennsylvania, August -28, 1859, when Colonel Edwin L. Drake struck oil in the world’s first -well. - -This small hole drilled through the rock so peacefully opened the way to -wealth hitherto unknown. It yielded about forty barrels per day, but the -precious fuel was now produced in commercial quantities. It opened also -the most important natural production of Pennsylvania, after iron and -coal. - -This first well was in Cherry Tree Township, on the Watson Flats, on the -bank of Oil Creek, about two miles below the thrifty borough of -Titusville. - -Venango County seems to have been the native home for petroleum for -although it has been found in large quantities in neighboring counties, -it was first gathered there and its presence was known from the advent -of man in that vast region. - -The Indians gathered oil from a stream called Oil Creek, in this -vicinity, which they used for medicinal purposes. It became well known -all over the country as “Seneca Oil,” “British Oil” and other names. It -was collected by digging out the place where it oozed out of the ground, -and when oil and water had accumulated, blankets were thrown in, taking -up the oil, when it was wrung out, and the process repeated. - -A century since the product of Oil Creek Valley amounted to a dozen -barrels a year. The first shipment in bulk was made by a man named Cary, -who filled two five-gallon kegs and lashed them on either side of the -horse he rode to the market at Pittsburgh. This supply stocked the -market. - -By the year 1865 Venango County shipped 13,000 barrels per day about the -only oil produced in this country. - -Petroleum was desired as an illuminator, but the small quantity -obtainable made it too expensive. - -According to the production records more than one billion barrels of oil -were produced in 1923 for a world’s record in oil production—and yet the -supply is far short of the world demand. - -Fish oil is the earliest known illuminant and lubricant. “Coal oil,” -however, still used erroneously as the name for kerosene, was discovered -less than eighty years ago by Dr. Abraham Gesner, who, in 1846, obtained -oil from coal. That was enough to ruin the fish oil industry, and soon -more than fifty coal oil works were put in operation, distilling oil -from bituminous, or soft coal. - -A man named Kier, at Tarentum, Pennsylvania, in 1847, bored for salt -water and pumped up oil. He put it in barrels and sold it. A professor -at Dartmouth College, using some of the oil, told George H. Bissell that -in his opinion it could be used for illuminating purposes. Bissell -investigated these claims and organized the Petroleum Oil Company—which -was the first of its kind in the United States, and sent a quantity to -Benjamin Silliman, Professor of Chemistry in Yale College, who reported -that nearly the whole of the raw product could be treated so as to be -used for illuminating and other purposes without any waste. - -In December, 1857, Colonel Edwin L. Drake, one of the stockholders of -this company, rode into Titusville on a mail coach from Erie. He carried -with him $1,000 with which to begin boring for oil. He started -immediately to his work, but met with many discouragements. - -Well drillers were unknown and well drilling machinery almost unheard of -in 1858. He built his “pump house” and derrick, and with the assistance -of “Uncle Billy” Smith, began drilling. - -The beginning was made in quicksand and clay, and as soon as the hole -was made it filled up with water and caved in. Drake then hit upon the -scheme of driving an iron pipe through to bedrock, and its success made -the use of this method the standard practice of today in the oil fields -everywhere. - -After rock was reached they bored but three feet per day, but by -Saturday, August 27, 1859, the well had reached the depth of sixty-nine -feet and the drill was working in coarse sand. Smith and his sons, who -were helping him, had finished for the week. As they were quitting the -drill dropped six inches, apparently into a crevice, as was common in -salt wells. No attention was paid to this circumstance, the tools were -drawn out and all hands adjourned to Titusville. - -Sunday morning Uncle Billy strolled out to the drill, and to his -astonishment found the well filled within a few feet of the surface with -a dark fluid. It was oil. The news soon spread to the village, and when -Colonel-Drake appeared he found Uncle Billy guarding three barrels of -petroleum. The pumping apparatus was adjusted, and by noon the well was -producing at the rate of twenty barrels per day. The problem of the ages -had been solved. The world’s first oil well was in production. - -Then began what has been called the “oil fever.” People from all parts -of the country flocked to western Pennsylvania. Oil companies were -everywhere organized, whose stock was sold on the market. Land which for -generations had been regarded as almost barren sold for fabulous prices. - -“Coal Oil Johnnie,” an ignorant young man whose paternal acres had long -brought only poverty and were now found to be located with wealth, -appeared in Philadelphia, scattering ten dollar bills in all directions, -and buying teams of horses on one day, only to give them to his coachman -on the next. He built an opera house in Cincinnati and ended his career -as its doorkeeper. - -In 1860, near Rouseville, the oil flowed out of a well without the use -of a pump, and other flowing wells in adjacent localities were soon -found. - -Oil was first transported in wagons and boats. The railroads were laid -out to Oil City in 1865. In 1864 Samuel Van Syckel had constructed a -pipe line four miles in length, and the result was a change in the -entire method of transportation. A refinery was built at Corry in 1862. - -The Pennsylvania grade of crude oil is the best lubricant that man has -ever found. And since refineries can add nothing to an oil that was not -present in its crude state, Pennsylvania grade of crude oil is still -supreme. - -In recent years the Standard Oil Company has controlled to a great -extent the oil production of the country. - -The largest individual fortune the world has ever seen is the outcome of -the development of the business of securing and distributing coal oil. - - ---------- - - - - - Joseph Galloway, Loyalist Politician, and - Member Continental Congress, - Died August 29, 1803 - - -Joseph Galloway, the Loyalist Politician, was born in the town of West -River, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in the year 1731. His -great-grandfather, Richard Galloway, of London, England, acquired -considerable land in Lord Baltimore’s province in 1662, thus indicating -that he was a man of good fortune and respectability. - -Peter Galloway, father of Joseph, removed with his family in 1740 to -Kent, not far from Philadelphia, where he died while Joseph was yet a -mere boy. Being possessed of large landed property Joseph chose the -study of law, and was admitted to the bar and allowed to practice before -the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania as early as 1749. In the meantime he -had obtained a good social standing, and as early as 1748 had been made -a member of the Schuylkill Fishing Company, a club composed of the most -prominent and aristocratic men of Philadelphia. - -Mr. Galloway still further enhanced his prospects by his marriage in -1753 with Grace Growden, daughter of Lawrence Growden, an influential -character and a former Speaker of the Assembly. The Growdens were the -owners of the famous iron works at Durham, Pennsylvania, and possessed -large means. - -Mr. Galloway rapidly acquired a large practice and became one of the -eminent lawyers in the province. He and John Dickinson succeeded Andrew -Hamilton in the leadership of the Philadelphia bar prior to the -Revolution. - -Galloway became a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1756, and his -legal talents proved of especial service in that body. In recognition of -his unusual attainments as a lawyer and public man, Mr. Galloway was -given the degree LL.D., by Princeton College in 1769. - -Mr. Galloway several times served as an Indian Commissioner and attended -important conferences at Easton and on missions to the Indian country. - -He became an opponent of the Proprietaries and fought a successful -battle with the Governor over the question of preserving to the Assembly -the disposal of the money and forbidding the Governor to assist in its -expenditure. - -When the effort was made to abolish the Proprietorship and make -Pennsylvania a royal province, the Assembly passed resolutions -rehearsing the tyranny of the Proprietary and a bitter factional -struggle ensued among the people. In October, 1764, the Assembly passed -the resolution for a change of government by a vote of 27 to 3. Rather -than sign the document Isaac Norris resigned as speaker. - -In the final debate, Joseph Galloway and John Dickinson made the leading -speeches for and against, respectively. Galloway favored the abolition -of the Proprietary government, while Dickinson believed its continuance -would better serve the province. Benjamin Franklin and Galloway were so -closely associated that their leadership was hard to beat. - -Galloway was at the head of the committee which considered and reported -upon the grievances of the Province in the “Paxtang Riot” affair -following the murder of the Conestoga Indians, December, 1763. - -The conduct of Galloway during the excitement attending the passage of -the Stamp Act was conspicuously loyal. He feared the tyranny of mob rule -more than the tyranny of Parliament. - -Mr. Galloway gave expression to his views in an article signed -“Americanus,” printed in the Pennsylvania Journal, in which he warned -his countrymen of the evils to which their seditious conduct would lead. -This article aroused great indignation against him. He was called a Tory -and went by the name of “Americanus” for some time. - -Mr. Galloway had an extreme aversion to the Presbyterians. He associated -them with rioters, and in their support of the “Paxtang Boys” he was -convinced they were dangerous characters. - -Although he had taken a rather unpopular stand in the Stamp Act -controversy, he was returned to the Assembly in 1766, and elected its -Speaker. - -Mr. Galloway approved the proposal for a Continental Congress and was -one of the eight Pennsylvanians who composed the First Continental -Congress. Although Dickinson was the leader, Galloway played a -conspicuous but not very honorable part. According to Bancroft, he -“acted as a volunteer spy for the British Government.” - -It is a fact that he was a conservative in his views, and that his line -of argument in his first debates tended towards political independence. -He proposed a plan of colonial government, which was rejected. This plan -contemplated a government with a president-general appointed by the -king, and a Grand Council, chosen every three years by the colonial -assemblies, who were to be authorized to act jointly with Parliament in -the regulation of affairs of the colonies. - -The following year Galloway was permitted to resign and thus be relieved -from serving on account of the radical acts against England. He -abandoned the Whigs soon as the question of independence had begun to be -agitated, and thence forward he was regarded as a zealous Tory. - -When the Howes issued their proclamation in 1776, granting amnesty to -such Americans as would forsake the Revolutionary cause, Galloway’s -courage failed him and he accepted the offer. - - “Galloway has fled and joined the venal Howe; - To prove his baseness, see him cringe and bow, - A traitor to his country and its laws, - A friend to tyrants and their cursed cause,” etc. - -Galloway accompanied Howe’s expedition against Philadelphia. When the -British assumed control he was appointed Superintendent of the Police of -the City and Suburbs, of the Port and of the Prohibited Articles. Thus -he was for about five months the head of the civil government. - -He raised and disciplined troops; and gathered a company of Bucks County -refugees, and with these two bodies he carried on military enterprises -against Americans. - -The Pennsylvania Assembly, March 6, 1778, passed an “act for the -attainder of divers traitors,” among whom was Joseph Galloway. His -estate was confiscated, and according to his testimony before -Parliament, was worth at least £40,000 sterling. His house was -appropriated by the State of Pennsylvania as a residence for the -President of the Supreme Executive Council, but was afterwards sold to -Robert Morris. - -Forbidden the privilege of returning to Pennsylvania, Mr. Galloway -devoted his leisure time to religious studies. He died at Watford, -Herts, England, August 29, 1803. - - ---------- - - - - - Etymology of Pennsylvania Counties Erected - Since Penn Set Sail August 30, 1682 - - -William Penn sailed from England in the ship “Welcome,” August 30, 1682. - -Upon his arrival the organization of his province was pushed with -dispatch, and today that vast territory is divided into sixty-seven -counties, each one of which possesses history worth the telling. - -The genealogy of the counties of Pennsylvania is both interesting and -historical, and presents some valuable data. The three original counties -were Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks, so named by William Penn in the -latter part of the year 1682. - -It is a singular coincidence that Philadelphia County should be -surrounded with counties somewhat similar to those which surround London -in England; Buckingham, or Bucks, Chester and Lancashire. - -The name Philadelphia means “brotherly love,” the other three were given -their names in honor of their English importance. In fact all the -counties formed and named prior to the Revolution were named identically -and relatively after the counties in England in this chronological order -in the Province—Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Lancaster, York, -Cumberland, Berks, Northampton, Bedford, Northumberland and -Westmoreland. - -Following the independence of the colonies only three of the counties of -Pennsylvania were afterwards given names of English Counties. They were -Huntingdon, Somerset and Cambria. - -In an interesting paper prepared by the late Dr. Hugh Hamilton, of -Harrisburg and read before the Federation of Historical Societies of -Pennsylvania, of which he was then president, the sixty-seven counties -were grouped etymologically as follows: - -“Sentimental—Philadelphia, Columbia, Lebanon and Union. - -“Familiar—Bedford, Berks, Bucks, Cambria, Chester, Cumberland, -Huntingdon, Lancaster, Northampton, Northumberland, Somerset, York and -Westmoreland. - -“Gratitude—Armstrong, Bradford, Butler, Clinton, Crawford, Dauphin, -Luzerne, Mercer, Mifflin, Montgomery, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Lawrence, -Montour, Perry, Pike, Sullivan, Warren, Washington and Wayne. - -“Political—Adams, Blair, Cameron, Franklin, Jefferson, McKean, Monroe -and Snyder. - -“Aboriginal—Allegheny, Delaware, Erie, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, -Lehigh, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango and Wyoming. - -“Topographical—Center and Clarion. - -“Faunal—Beaver, Carbon, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Schuylkill.” - -It would seem as if Schuylkill should be placed with the aboriginal -group and a new one placed in the list called possibly natural -characteristics, when Carbon, Clearfield and Forest would be placed and -taken from the faunal group. However, the grouping is of much interest -and value. - -Many of these counties were formed and received their names at times of -some event in history or when a distinguished person seemed entitled to -be thus honored. - -Washington County was named in honor of the commander-in-chief of the -Continental Army in 1781, before he was even thought of as the first -president of the United States. And it is an interesting fact that -Washington County was the first one erected after the Declaration of -Independence. Thus Washington became first in Pennsylvania, as well as -in war, peace and the hearts of his countrymen. And it is equally -interesting that the very next county to be formed in the patriotic -State of Pennsylvania should be named after General La Fayette, who -rendered such conspicuous service to the colonies and was so close to -Washington during the trying days of the great war for liberty. Fayette -was organized September 26, 1783. - -Then the statesmen paid a great tribute to Franklin, who was the great -American patriot and statesman. Armstrong was named in honor of Colonel -John Armstrong of Carlisle, who led the successful expedition against -the Indian town at Kittanning and who afterwards became a general and -rendered distinguished service in the Revolution. - -The counties of Butler, Crawford, Mifflin, Pike, Potter and Wayne were -named in honor of distinguished Pennsylvania officers of the Revolution; -while Greene and Mercer were names suggested by General Washington, both -as a tribute to distinguished generals of the Revolution, who were much -in Pennsylvania; Sullivan and Perry were named for generals whose great -triumphs were enacted here, and Warren County was named in honor of the -general who made the supreme sacrifice at Bunker Hill. - -Bradford County was originally Ontario in the bill creating it, but the -name was changed in honor of former Attorney General William Bradford, -of Pennsylvania. Lawrence was so named in honor of the flagship of -Commodore Oliver H. Perry; Fulton in honor of Lancaster County’s native -son, Robert Fulton, who first successfully ran a steamboat. Clinton was -intended to be called Eagle County, but the name was changed to Clinton. -Montour was so named in honor of Madame Montour and her two -distinguished sons, Henry and Andrew, Indians who were ever loyal to the -Provincial Government of Pennsylvania. - -Dauphin and Luzerne were so named in thankfulness to France, the former -in honor of the eldest son of Louis XVI, and the latter in tribute to -the Minister of France then in the United States. - -It is rather to be regretted that more of our counties, cities, boroughs -and villages do not still retain their original aboriginal names such as -have been retained in Allegheny, Delaware, Erie, Indiana, Juniata, -Lackawanna, Lehigh, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga, Venango, Wyoming and -Schuylkill Counties. - - ---------- - - - - - Penn Obtains Deed to Province, Then - Obtains Lower Counties - August 31, 1682 - - -Two motives operated in the early colonization of the American -Continent; one was the desire of amassing sudden wealth without working -for it; this tempted the adventurous to seek gold here, to trade -valueless trinkets to the Indians for valuable furs and skins; the other -was the desire to escape unjust restrictions of government and the hated -ban of society against the worship of God according to the dictates of -one’s own conscience, which incited devotees of Christianity to forego -the comforts of home in the midst of civilization, and to make for -themselves a habitation on the shores of the new world. - -William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, had felt the heavy hand of -persecution for religious opinion’s sake. As a gentleman commoner at -Oxford, he had been fined and finally expelled for nonconformity to the -established church; at home he was whipped and turned out of doors by -his father; he was sent to prison by the Mayor of Cork, where for seven -months he languished in the Tower of London, and, finally, to complete -his disgrace, he was cast into Newgate with common felons. - -Upon the accession of James II to the throne of England, more than -fourteen hundred persons of Quaker faith were immured in prisons for a -conscientious adherence to their religious convictions. To escape this -persecution Penn and his followers were moved to emigrate to the New -World, as they called it. - -In 1680 Penn made application to Charles II for a grant of land in -America. He based his claim upon moneys due to his father because of -losses in the public service, where he was a distinguished officer of -the British navy. - -The Duke of York gave his consent and the king issued a patent to -William Penn, March 4, 1681. - -Penn was not prepared to visit his new province during the first year, -but he dispatched three shiploads of settlers, and with them sent his -cousin, Captain William Markham, to take formal possession of the -country and act as deputy governor. - -Markham arrived at New York, June 21, 1681, and exhibited his -commission, bearing date April 10, 1681. He also presented the king’s -charter and proclamation. - -Armed with these credentials Markham proceeded to the Delaware, where he -was kindly received. He met Lord Baltimore, who happened to be in the -province, and the Maryland proprietor discovered by observation that -Upland was at least twelve miles south of the fortieth degree of -latitude, and believed his province, therefore, extended to the -Schuylkill. - -This claim by Baltimore induced Penn to obtain additional grants, as -without them he feared the loss of his whole peninsula. - -Markham was accompanied to Pennsylvania by four commissioners appointed -by Penn, who, in conjunction with the Governor, had two chief duties -assigned them; the first was to meet and preserve friendly relations -with the Indians, and acquire lands by actual purchase, and the second -was to select the site of a great city and to make the necessary -surveys. - -In the beginning of the year following, Penn published his frame of -government, and certain laws, agreed on in England by himself and the -purchasers under him, entitled: “The frame of the government of the -Province of Pennsylvania, in America; together with certain laws, agreed -upon in England by the Governor and Divers of the Free-Men of the -aforesaid Province. To be further Explained and Confirmed there, by the -first Provincial Council and General Assembly that shall be held, if -they see meet.” - -Lest any trouble might arise in the future from claims founded on the -grant of land in America to the Duke of York, of “Long Island and -adjacent territories occupied by the Dutch,” the prudent forethought of -William Penn prompted him to obtain a deed from the Duke, which he -succeeded in doing August 31, 1682. - -The deed included the land in Pennsylvania, substantially in the terms -cited in the original Royal Charter. - -But Penn, even with the new deed, was not quite satisfied. He was cut -off from the ocean by the uncertain navigation of some narrow stream. -He, therefore, obtained an additional deed from the Duke of York which -was for the grant of New Castle and district twelve miles in radius -around it, and also a further grant from the Duke of a tract extending -to Cape Henlopen, embracing the two counties of Kent and Sussex. - -This new grant to Penn was thereafter termed “the territories,” or “the -three lower counties,” and for many years remained a part of -Pennsylvania, until finally separated, since which time it has formed -the State of Delaware. - -William Penn was now satisfied with the limits of his province and drew -up such a description of the country from his limited knowledge as he -was able to give. - -This description was published in an attractive booklet, together with -the Royal Charter and proclamation; terms of settlement, and other -matters pertaining thereto, and broadcast throughout the Kingdom. He -took particular pains to have these books fall into the hands of -Friends. - -The terms of sale of lands were forty shillings for one hundred acres -and one shilling per acre annual rental. - -The question had been raised regarding the annual rental, but the terms -of the grant by the Royal Charter to Penn were made absolute on the -“payment therefore to us, our heirs and successors, two beaver skins, to -be delivered at our castle on Windsor, on the first day of January in -every year, and the contingent payment of one-fifth part of all gold and -silver which, from time to time, happened to be found, clear of all -charges.” William Penn, therefore, held his title only by the payments -of quit-rents. He could in consequence give a valid title only by -exacting the quit-rents. - -These deeds for the “lower counties” were duly recorded in New York, -and, by proclamation of the commander there, November 21, 1682, to the -magistrates on the west side of the Delaware, the rights of Penn under -them were publicly recognized and allegiance was cheerfully transferred -to Penn’s new government. - -Penn then completed his arrangements for his voyage to his Province, -where he arrived October, 1682. - - ---------- - - - - - Dr. John Cochran, Native of Pennsylvania, - Director-General Hospitals, Born - September 1, 1730 - - -A century and a half has almost elapsed since the American Revolution, -and in the interim much has been written and published concerning it. -But comparatively little has ever been accessible to the public -concerning the medical department of the army of patriots. - -To Pennsylvanians particularly this feature of the war should prove of -interest, for the only Directors General of Military Hospitals were none -other than Dr. William Shippen and Dr. John Cochran, both of -Pennsylvania. - -In the year 1570 John Cochran, of kin to the Earl of Dundonald, -emigrated from Paisley in Scotland, to the North of Ireland. James, his -descendant in the sixth generation, crossed the sea to America, and in -the early part of the eighteenth century settled in Pennsylvania. His -third son, born at Sadsbury, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1730, was Doctor -John Cochran, of the Revolution, who was educated for a surgeon by Dr. -Robert Thompson of Lancaster. - -Having qualified as a physician at the time of the outbreak of the -French and Indian War, he entered the English service as surgeon’s mate, -and remained on active duty until the close of hostilities. In the -campaigns of this war he acquired the medical proficiency and surgical -expertness for which he was afterward celebrated. - -On December 4, 1760, he married Gertrude Schuyler, only sister of -General Philip Schuyler, of New York. - -Dr. Cochran afterward removed to Brunswick, N. J., where he practiced -his profession, until the British burned his house in the early part of -the Revolutionary War. - -At the close of 1776 he volunteered his services in the Continental army -and General Washington, remembering his experience and usefulness in the -French war, was prompt in recommending his name to the Continental -Congress. - -Dr. Cochran and Dr. William Shippen had prepared a report on hospitals -upon plans modeled after those of the British army, and submitted their -efforts to Congress, after they were approved by General Washington. On -April 7, 1777, Congress adopted this report, which remained in effect -until remodeled by Congress, September 30, 1780. - -On April 11, 1777, in pursuance of General Washington’s recommendation, -Doctor John Cochran received the appointment of Chief Physician and -Surgeon-General of the Army. - -After nearly four years of exacting service in this position, he was, on -January 17, 1781, on the resignation of Dr. William Shippen, promoted to -be Director of the Military Hospitals of the United States, in which -capacity he continued until the end of the war. - -Fortunately a letter book kept by Doctor Cochran has been preserved. The -entries, memorandums and letters partake of the authority of an official -record. They also disclose the many distressing difficulties of the -situation. - -The Medical Department, as re-arranged October 6, 1780, consisted of a -Director, stationed at general headquarters, a Chief Physician and -Surgeon, stationed with the army, three chief physicians and surgeons of -the hospitals stationed variously at the principal hospitals, and other -assistants, mates, orderlies, matrons and nurses, as occasion required. - -When Doctor Cochran was promoted to be Director, Dr. James Craik was -given the place of Chief Physician and Surgeon of the Army, and Dr. -William Burnet was made first of the three chief physicians, with Dr. -Malichi Treat and Dr. Charles McKnight as the other two chiefs. Dr. -Thomas Bond was made purveyor and Dr. Andrew Cragie, the apothecary. - -Some estimate may be had of Doctor Cochran’s real worth, when it is -known that Dr. Craik was the life-long friend and personal physician of -General Washington, yet was his subordinate. - -Previous to this time there had been several very important hospitals in -Pennsylvania, the base hospital twice being at Bethlehem; first on -December 3, 1776, until March 27, 1777, when the hospital was removed to -Philadelphia; then after the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, -Bethlehem again became the base hospital. The wounded from the battle of -Germantown were also treated there. On August 28, 1778, the remaining -patients were removed to Lancaster and Yellow Springs. Other hospitals -in Pennsylvania were at Ephrata, Lititz and Reading. - -The position of Director was always most exacting; not only were his -duties the alleviation of the suffering, in the rigors of a Valley -Forge, or stimulating its convalescence in the camp at Norristown, but -often the finances were expended and the medical stores entirely -exhausted. At no time did the army abound in medical stores. - -At times hundreds were sick and lame when there were no supplies to -relieve them, Untended wounds or languishing disease filled hospitals -destitute of medicines. Scarcely was convalescence a boon, when lack of -subsistence faced the soldier in the hospital and often compelled him to -beg in the streets for the very necessaries of life. - -In this appalling crisis Doctor Cochran seemed to be the right man in -the right place. He remained almost constantly in the field and -purchased supplies as they moved from place to place, and made such -strong and insistent appeals to Congress that some better support was -given him, but not before his staff had been reduced to eight hospital -physicians out of the fifteen established by Congress, and only five of -these on actual duty. - -Early in 1782 a quantity of medicine was received from France and it -arrived none too soon. - -But the lack of medicine was not the only hardship of those in the -Medical Department. A letter from Dr. Cochran to Abram Clark, President -of Congress, dated February 28, 1781, says: “I hope some pay is ordered -to be advanced to the officers of the department, without which it -cannot much longer exist. Many of us have not received a shilling in -near two years, nor can we procure public clothing.” - -Many hospital physicians resigned owing to their inability to subsist -themselves longer. When Congress at length issued warrants they were as -worthless as the credit of Congress, and they afforded no relief. - -Dr. Cochran was of stately presence and most genial. He won his high -place by real merit and experience. - -He pawned his personal credit for the cause; the last sheets from his -bed were used on the wounded. He quieted dissensions in the department, -composed the difficulties of individuals, presented petitions for his -subordinate officers, and performed routine work which should have been -done by others. All this various labor was performed with cheerfulness -in adversity, and courage amid danger. - -He was on terms of intimacy with Washington, Lafayette, Wayne, Paul -Jones and many more. Washington presented him with his camp furniture, -Lafayette gave him his watch, Wayne gave him his sword, the silver hilt -of which was melted into goblets. - -Dr. Cochran was a charter member of the Society of the Cincinnati. He -died at his country-seat at Palatine, Montgomery County, N. Y., April 6, -1807. His widow survived him until March, 1813. - - ---------- - - - - - Constitution of 1790, the First for the State, - Adopted September 2, 1790 - - -The convention to frame a Constitution for the government of -Pennsylvania as a State completed its labors September 2, 1790. - -On that day the members signed the instrument, after which they went in -procession from the State House to the court-house, where the new -Constitution was proclaimed. - -Provision had been made for the continuance in office, until the new -government went into operation, of the Supreme Executive Council and -other State officers, but not of the Legislature, and the latter body -believing its authority had ceased, did not proceed to the transaction -of business on the following day. - -At the election held in October, Thomas Mifflin, of Philadelphia, who -had been president of the Supreme Executive Council since November 5, -1788, was elected governor over General Arthur St. Clair. - -The new Legislature met in the State House December 7, and on December -21 the change of government was formally effected. - -A procession was formed at the chamber of the Supreme Executive Council, -which moved to the old court-house at Second and Market Streets, where -the old government yielded up its powers, and the new government was -proclaimed. Governor Mifflin was inaugurated “with much ceremony.” - -On January 1, 1791, the City Councils, Mayor, Recorder and a great -number of citizens waited on Governor Mifflin and tendered him their -congratulations. - -The first constitutional convention, whose most conspicuous members were -Benjamin Franklin, David Rittenhouse, George Ross and James Smith, met -at Philadelphia July 15, 1776, each one taking, without hesitancy, the -prescribed test oath, and organized by the selection of Benjamin -Franklin, president. - -The labors of this convention were completed September 28, when the -Constitution was adopted, and went into immediate effect without a vote -of the people. - -This Constitution vested executive authority in a Council of Safety, -presided over by Thomas Wharton, Jr., composed of twelve members, one -from Philadelphia and one from each of the counties. The legislative -power was vested in a General Assembly of one house elected annually, -and consisting of six members from Philadelphia and six from each -county. The supreme executive power was vested in a President, chosen -annually by the Assembly and Council. - -A Council of Censors, consisting of two persons from Philadelphia and -two from each county, was to be elected in 1783, and in each seventh -year thereafter, whose duty was to supervise the Constitution and the -branches of government, with a power to impeach. - -The Constitution of 1776 also provided that, “all useful learning shall -be duly encouraged and promoted in one or more universities.” This was -the first time in America that higher education was made a part of the -fundamental law. - -Following the successful termination of the Revolution the Pennsylvania -Constitution of 1776 proved inadequate for the requirements of a useful -and effective State Government, and its revision was demanded. - -On March 24, 1789, the Assembly adopted resolutions recommending the -election of delegates to form a new Constitution. The Supreme Executive -Council refused to promulgate this action of the Assembly, but -acquiesced in September. An election was held in October, when delegates -were chosen. - -The convention met November 24, 1789, and in it were the first talents -that Pennsylvania could boast. Thomas McKean, Thomas Mifflin, Albert -Gallatin, William Findlay, James Wilson, William Lewis, James Ross, -Alexander Addison, Edward Hand, Samuel Sitgreaves, Joseph Hiester and -Thomas Pickering were among the members. Thomas Mifflin was elected -President. - -After a long session the members adjourned in the ensuing year to meet -again, when the subject of the Constitution was again taken up and -concluded, and the new instrument adopted September 2, 1790. - -The most radical changes were made in the executive and legislative -branches of government. - -The Supreme Executive Council was abolished, and a single executive -called a governor was created. The Assembly ceased to have the sole -right to make laws, as the legislative body was divided into two -branches, a Senate and a House. - -The former judicial system was continued, excepting that a Supreme Court -was provided, the judges of which were to be appointed during good -behavior, instead of for seven years. - -The Bill of Rights re-enacted the old Provincial provision copied into -the first Constitution, respecting freedom of worship, rights of -conscience, and exemptions from compulsory contributions for the support -of any ministry. The recognition of God, and of a future state of -rewards and punishments, was still demanded of all holding office, but a -belief in the divine inspiration of the Old and New Testaments was not -included. - -The Council of Censors ceased to have authority, and the veto power was -given to the Governor. - -This body, with Frederick A. Muhlenberg as president, had met but once, -in 1783. It then got itself into such a snarl with the Assembly that it -became very unpopular. - -Pennsylvania conformed in all important matters to the system upon which -the New Federal Government was to be administered. - -General Mifflin continued to discharge the duties of the chief executive -with great ability, and was re-elected twice, serving in all three -terms, the limit allowed by the Constitution. - -Governor Mifflin was elected to the Legislature at the end of his -service as Governor, and died at Lancaster, January 21, 1800, while -serving in that body. - - ---------- - - - - - General Edward Hand, Distinguished - Officer of Revolution, Died - September 3, 1802 - - -General Edward Hand, M.D., a native of Clyduff, Kings County, Province -of Leinster, Ireland, born December 31, 1744, became a resident of -Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and one of the first distinguished officers of -the Revolution. He died at his fine farm “Rockford,” near Lancaster, -September 3, 1802. - -In 1767 he was appointed by King George III surgeon of the Eighteenth -Royal Irish Regiment of Foot, and sailed with the regiment from Cork, -May 20 of the same year, arriving at Philadelphia July 11. - -Dr. Hand was appointed ensign in the same regiment in 1772, and -accompanied the command to Fort Pitt, returning to Philadelphia in 1774, -when he resigned his commission and was regularly discharged from the -service. - -In the same year he went to Lancaster, with recommendations, in order to -practice his profession in that place. - -The following year he married Catherine, daughter of Captain John Ewing -and Sarah Yeates, a sister of Hon. Jasper Yeates. - -At the beginning of the American Revolution Dr. Hand gave his allegiance -to the colonies, and was commissioned, June 25, 1775, lieutenant-colonel -in Colonel William Thompson’s Battalion of Riflemen. - -This battalion consisted of nine companies of troops enlisted in the -counties of Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Northumberland, Bedford, Berks -and Northampton. After January 1, 1776, it became known as the First -Regiment of the Army of the United Colonies. - -Lieutenant-Colonel Hand accompanied Colonel Thompson and the battalion -to Boston, where they arrived August 17, 1775. He was on Prospect Hill, -August 20, when the battalion distinguished itself, and participated in -the siege of Boston during the following autumn and winter. - -The officers and men of the battalion were publicly thanked by General -Washington in general orders the day following the skirmish at -Lechmere’s Point, November 9, when each man demeaned himself with -unusual skill and daring. The British had landed under cover of a fire -from their batteries on Bunker, Breed’s and Copp’s Hills, as well as -from a frigate which lay three hundred yards off the point, which at -high tide was an island. The regiment marched instantly, and, though the -day was stormy, regarded not the tide, nor waited for boats, but took to -the water, although up to their armpits, for a quarter of a mile and, -notwithstanding the regulars’ fire, reached the island and drove the -enemy from behind their cover into their boats. - -March 7, 1776, Hand was appointed colonel of the regiment he had -commanded since February 2, and, with his command, left Cambridge March -15 to join General John Sullivan in New York. - -During May and June this regiment was on Long Island. It picketed the -shores until August. - -Colonel Hand took part, with his regiment, in the battle of Long Island, -and assisted to successfully protect the retreat of the American army. -This was a skillful maneuver which effected the retreat of twelve -thousand men, within sight of a strong enemy, possessed of a mighty -fleet, without any loss of troops and saving all the baggage. - -Colonel Hand took part in the battles of White Plains, Trenton and -Princeton. At the last of these conflicts, says General Wilkinson, “at -the time General Mercer engaged the 17th Regiment, Colonel Hand -endeavored, by a rapid movement, to turn the enemy’s left flank, and had -nearly succeeded when they fled in disorder ... the riflemen were -therefore the first in the pursuit, and in fact took the greatest part -of the prisoners; they were accompanied by General Washington in person -with a squad of the Philadelphia Troop.” - -Colonel Hand continued in command of his regiment until April 1, 1777, -when he was promoted to be brigadier-general, and was soon thereafter -sent to Fort Pitt in command of the western frontiers of Pennsylvania. - -A new fort was erected in Westmoreland County, named Fort Hand. - -General Hand did not meet with the expected success in fighting Indians -and asked to be relieved of his command, which Congress, May 2, 1778, -resolved to do. But before leaving Fort Pitt, General Hand conducted a -successful treaty with the Indians June 17, 1778. - -In October following he succeeded General Stark in command at Albany, -and the next spring General Hand was ordered to take part in General -Sullivan’s campaign against the Six Nations. Although the youngest of -the generals engaged, Hand held the most important position after that -of General Sullivan. His experience in fighting Indians gained on the -western frontier was of great value in the expedition. - -General Hand afterward joined General Washington and encamped at -Morristown, N. J., during the winter. - -On the formation of the light infantry corps of the army, August, 1780, -General Hand was given command of one of the two brigades. - -He was a member of the tribunal that tried and convicted Major André. - -General Hand was appointed Adjutant-General of the Army of the United -States January 8, 1781. He was present at the siege of Yorktown and -returned with the troops to Philadelphia. - -September 30, 1783, he was commissioned Major-General of the -Pennsylvania Line. - -Upon the close of the war he resumed his practice of medicine at -Lancaster. - -He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1784 and 1785, and a -member of the General Assembly 1785, and an Elector for the first -election of a President and Vice President of the United States in 1789. - -General Hand helped frame the Constitution of Pennsylvania of 1790, and -held other positions of honor and trust. - -He was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati, and served -as President in 1799. He was the lover of fine horses and was himself an -excellent horseman. - -As a citizen he was highly esteemed, and as a physician greatly sought -after and much beloved. He was a great Pennsylvanian. - - ---------- - - - - - First Permanent Settlement and Earliest - Church, Dedicated September 4, 1646 - - -The first European settlement in what is now Pennsylvania was made on -Tinicum Island, now Essington, not far distant from the mouth of Darby -Creek on the Delaware River. The beautiful buildings of the Corinthian -Yacht Club are now located on this historic spot. - -A monument was unveiled June 14, 1923, to mark the place where the first -permanent settlement in what is now Pennsylvania was made. This shaft -was erected by the Swedish Colonial Society and was unveiled by Miss -Nancy J. Paxson, tenth in descent from one of the original founders of -the colony. - -Here it was that Colonel John Printz, a Swedish military officer of -note, who had recently been knighted by the Swedish Government for the -conspicuous role he enacted in the Thirty Years’ War, accompanied by a -few adventurers of the same nationality, located in 1643, erected a fort -of green logs and named the settlement he founded New Gottenberg. The -fort was mounted with four cannon. Provisions were made for the planting -of corn and tobacco. - -A short time thereafter Printz built a pretentious mansion on Tinicum -Island, “very splendid,” with an orchard and pleasure house, and it bore -the name of Printz Hof or Printz Hall. This mansion house was two -stories high and built of hewn logs, while two or more fireplaces and -ovens were made of bricks imported from Sweden for that purpose. There -were even glass windows. The utensils were of copper and tin. Their -light was candle. Printz Hall also contained a fine library and every -convenience known at that period. This great house stood 160 years, when -it was accidentally destroyed by fire. - -Printz planted orchards, cleared fields and firmly established himself -on the place he determined should be the seat of government for the -Swedish colony on the South River, as the Delaware was then known. - -Printz sent Maus Kling, the engineer for the colony, to make a -settlement on the Schuylkill. Log houses were built there, and Kling -built on the east bank of the Schuylkill, near its mouth, probably on -what was afterward called Providence Island, a small fort which was -called New Korsholm. - -These operations of Kling, the plantation and the fort, form the first -authenticated occupancy by Europeans of the site of the City of -Philadelphia. - -On April 17, 1640, the Swedish ship Kalmer Nyckel sailed into the -Christiana Creek. Among the immigrants was the Reverend Reorus -Torkillus, a clergyman of the Swedish Lutheran Church, who thus became -the first minister of the gospel on the Delaware River. Soon after this -preacher’s arrival in the colony a meeting house was built, in which the -services of the Lutheran Church were conducted. - -Governor Printz built a church on Tinicum Island, which had a bell and -belfry. It was succeeded by a more imposing and commodious edifice in -1646, built of logs, with a roof of clapboards and an altar with a -silver cloth. This church was dedicated by the Reverend John Campanius -on September 4, 1646. - -Printz reported to his home Government he had the church finished and -dedicated, “adorning and decorating it according to our Swedish fashion, -so far as our limited means and resources would allow.” - -There was a graveyard located adjacent to the church, in which was -interred the corpse of Andrew Hanson’s daughter Catherine, who was -buried October 28, 1646. This was the first burial of any European in -Pennsylvania, certainly the first in any regularly established cemetery. - -The marriage of Governor Printz’s daughter, Armegot, to Johan Papegoja, -the commandant at Fort Christina, was solemnized in this old church at -Tinicum, in 1644, and it is believed to have been the first instance in -which a matrimonial ceremony was performed between Europeans within the -limits of the present State of Pennsylvania. - -The Old Swedes’ Church called the worshippers together with the sound of -the first “church-going bell” on the American Continent. But in May, -1673, Armegot Papegoja was in such dire distress for funds that she sold -the bell to the congregation of the adherents of the Augsburg -Confession, at Laus Deo. - -The worshippers believed this bell should be nowhere but in their own -Swedes’ Church and they determined to repurchase it, when the members of -the congregation gave their labor for two years at harvest time as the -consideration. The bell was brought back to Tinicum, but the facts -relating to its subsequent history are lacking.[6] - -Footnote 6: - - Colonel Henry D. Paxon says this original bell was recast, with some - additional metal, and now hangs in “Gloria Dei,” Old Swedes’ Church, - Philadelphia. - -It is quite probable that this Old Swedes’ Church remained the active -center for worship long after the Swedes were swept from power on the -Delaware. - -Peter Stuyvesant, at the head of a large fleet and formidable -expedition, September, 1654, captured Fort Cassimer, or Trinity, as the -Swedes called it, then after a siege of fourteen days compelled the -surrender of Fort Christina, which was defended by Governor Johan -Claesson Rysingh. - -In the articles of capitulation, which were formally drawn up and signed -September 25 by the two commanders on the “parade ground” outside the -fort, it was agreed that the Swedish soldiers were to march out with the -honors of war. - -The “guns, ammunition, implements, victuals and other effects belonging -to the Crown of Sweden and to the South Company,” in the fort or its -vicinity, were to remain their property. The Swedish settlers might stay -or go, as they chose, and for a year and six weeks, if they stayed, need -not take the Dutch oath of allegiance. Swedes who remained should enjoy -the Lutheran faith, the “liberty of the Augsburg Confession,” and have a -minister to instruct them. - -When the English came to the South River in the fall of 1664, the Swedes -at Tinicum still were worshiping in their Lutheran Church. - -After the departure of Governor Rysingh, in 1653, there was only one -minister among the Swedes on the river, the man who was variously called -Laers, Laurentius Carolus, Lock, Lokenius, etc., was a poor fellow whose -missteps and mischances, moral lapses and legal misdemeanors are -repeatedly mentioned in the scanty chronicles of the time. He preached -in the Swedes’ Church at Tinicum and at Crane Hook, between Christina -and New Castle, where a log church was built about 1667. Lock died in -1688. - -When Governor Andros visited the Delaware, in 1675, the New Castle Court -decreed, when designating places of meeting for worship, “that the -church at Tinicum Island do serve for Upland and parts adjacent.” - -Great Tinicum Island stands with Jamestown and Plymouth as one of the -birthplaces of America. - -Lewis, in the history of Chester County, says that the Swedes came from -New Castle and places along the Delaware, both above and below, to -worship in that building. - -About this time the settlement at Upland, now Chester, began to thrive, -and it was not long before it became a more important place than -Tinicum. - - ---------- - - - - - First Continental Congress Meets in - Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia, - September 5, 1774 - - -The Assembly of Pennsylvania promptly responded to the “Instructions” of -the great meeting of the Provincial deputies held in the State House -July 15, 1774, and appointed Joseph Galloway, speaker, Samuel Rhoads, -Thomas Mifflin, John Morton, Charles Humphreys, George Ross, Edward -Biddle, and, subsequently, John Dickinson as delegates to the Congress -to be held in Philadelphia in September. - -This body assembled September 5 in Carpenters’ Hall and chose Peyton -Randolph, of Virginia, president, and Charles Thomson, of Pennsylvania, -secretary, of what proved to be the first Continental Congress. - -The Declaration of Rights was agreed upon. This claimed, first, as -natural rights, the enjoyment of life, liberty and fortune; secondly, -they claimed, as British subjects, to be bound by no law to which they -had not consented by their chosen representatives. They denied to -Parliament all power of taxation and vested the right of legislation in -their own Assemblies. - -The common law of England they declared to be their birthright, -including the rights of trial by jury of the vicinage, of public -meetings and petition. They protested against the maintenance in the -Colonies of standing armies without their full consent, and against all -legislation by councils depending on the Crown. - -Having thus proclaimed their rights, they calmly enumerated the various -acts which had been passed in derogation of them. There were eleven in -number, passed in as many years—the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Tea -Act, those which provided for the quartering of troops, for the -supersedure of the New York Legislature, for the trial in Great Britain -of offenses committed in America, for the regulation of the government -of Massachusetts, for the closing of the port of Boston, and the last -straw, known as the Quebec bill. - -On October 18, articles of confederation were adopted, the signing of -which, two days afterward, should be regarded as the commencement of the -American Union, based upon freedom and equality. - -On October 26, an address to the people of Great Britain was adopted, -also a memorial to the inhabitants of British America, and a loyal -address to His Majesty. The Congress then adjourned to meet in -Philadelphia on the 10th of May following. - -Dickinson was a powerful member of this first Congress, his master hand -being first employed in the “Address to the inhabitants of Quebec,” -forwarded under date of October 26. This address set forth the reasons -why the people of that province should join with those of the Colonies -in their political interests. - -Over the Pennsylvania delegation Galloway, with his wealth, education -and political prestige, and with some claim on their gratitude as their -advocate against the Proprietaries, was both presiding officer and -presiding genius. His influence was clearly seen in the selection of -delegates, for both Dickinson and Wilson were omitted in the original -list. The failure to name Mr. Dickinson was a grave error, but was -corrected when Mayor Rhoads could not serve. - -As Congress assembled Galloway did the honors, but his conduct soon -revealed him acting as a volunteer spy for the British Government, and -he did everything in his power to exert a control over the first -Congress. - -He even went so far as to hold secret meetings with the Governor of New -Jersey and the Lieutenant Governor of New York, when he proposed in -Congress a government for America to consist of a President General -appointed by the King, and holding office during his pleasure, and a -Grand Council chosen once in three years by the assemblies of the -various colonies, the members thereof to be apportioned according to -population. - -His celebrated scheme was not popular, but in presenting it to Congress, -said: “I am as much a friend to liberty as exists, and no man shall go -further in point of fortune or in point of blood than the man who now -addresses you.” - -The plan was favored by New York and South Carolina and on final vote -was rejected by the close vote of six colonies against five. “With this -defeat,” says Bancroft, “Galloway lost his mischievous importance.” - -At the October election Galloway was re-elected to the Assembly, but the -many changes in the membership foretold the decided advancement of the -Whigs. Edward Biddle was elected Speaker. Galloway did not attend until -after the report of the preceding Congress had been made. - -The Assembly of Pennsylvania, which met on December 8, 1774, was the -first Provincial Legislature to which report of the congressional -proceedings was made. The Assembly unanimously approved them December -15, and recommended them to the inviolable observance of the people. -This body then appointed Messrs. Biddle, Dickinson, Mifflin, Galloway, -Humphreys, Morton and Ross as delegates to the new Congress. Mr. Samuel -Rhoads, who was then the Mayor of Philadelphia, was too occupied with -those duties and was omitted from this delegation. - -Upon the return of Benjamin Franklin from London, he was immediately -added to the congressional delegation, together with Messrs. James -Wilson and Thomas Willing. Mr. Galloway, who had repeatedly requested to -be excused from serving, was permitted to withdraw. Galloway had become -too much alarmed at the length to which the opposition to the mother -country was carried. - -Hitherto Governor John Penn had looked upon the proceedings of the -Assembly without attempting to direct or control them. He was supposed -to favor the efforts made in support of American principles; but now a -semblance of regard to the instructions of the Crown induced him to -remonstrate in mild terms against the continental system of petition and -remonstrance. - -In England the proceedings of the Americans were viewed with great -indignation by the King and his ministry, and the petition of Congress, -although declared by the Secretary of State, after a day’s perusal, “to -be decent and proper and received graciously by His Majesty, did not -receive much favor at the hands of the ministry, which resolved to -compel the obedience of the Americans.” - -The remonstrances of three millions of people were therefore treated, -perhaps believed, as the clamors of an unruly multitude. - -Both houses of Parliament joined in an address to the King, declaring -“that they find a rebellion actually exists in the Province of -Massachusetts.” That was followed by an act for restraining the trade -and commerce of the New England Provinces and prohibiting them from -carrying on the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland, which was -subsequently extended to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, -South Carolina and the Lower Counties on the Delaware. - -Conciliatory measures were introduced in Parliament, which provided a -relief from tax or duties for those colonies which would yield strict -obedience to the laws of the mother country. This proposition was -opposed as an admission of the correctness of the American views. Upon -Pennsylvania’s reply to the resolutions of Parliament much depended, and -the Assembly acted promptly and with unanimity. - -By reason of Edward Biddle’s illness, John Morton was elected Speaker, -March 15, 1775. - - ---------- - - - - - Fort Montgomery Withstands Attack of - British and Indians, September 6, 1780 - - -In the early days of the Revolution the settlers on the frontiers -suffered much at the hands of the Indians, and this was particularly -true in the region of the Susquehanna valleys. A chain of forts or -blockhouses was established from Fort Jenkins on the North Branch of the -Susquehanna, about midway between the present towns of Berwick and -Bloomsburg, to Fort Reid, in the present borough of Lock Haven. - -Each of these forts was garrisoned by troops from large Fort Augusta at -the forks of the Susquehanna, and each in its turn was attacked by -Indians or by British and Indians, during the period of the Revolution, -and all but one or two of them were destroyed. - -The most important attack on any of the above forts occurred July 28, -1779, when the British under Captain John MacDonald and Seneca Indians, -under Chief Hiakatoo, defeated the garrison at Fort Freeland, took all -the men and boys prisoners and destroyed the fort. This story is told on -July 28. - -In 1769, William Patterson patented 700 acres of land in what is now -Lewis Township, Northumberland County, which he named Paradise. Two -years later he sold his Paradise farm to John Montgomery, of Paxtang, -and removed to White Deer Creek, to reside with his daughter, Mrs. -Hunter. John Montgomery established his family at Paradise, and his -descendants still reside in that beautiful valley. - -At the time of the battle at Fort Freeland, John Montgomery heard the -firing, mounted two of his young sons on horses and sent them to the top -of a hill to learn the cause of the shooting. They soon discovered the -fort on fire and a fight raging in the timber below them. They hurriedly -returned and reported what they had seen, when their father loaded his -family in a wagon, with what provisions and clothing they could carry, -and rapidly drove across the country to the cabin of Philip Davis, on -Chillisquaque Creek, near the present village of Pottsgrove. Davis -gathered up his family and together they hurriedly journeyed to Fort -Augusta, then down the river to Paxtang, where they remained until after -the war was closed. - -The precaution of Montgomery was intuitive, for the victorious British -and Indians soon reached Paradise and burned his home and buildings. - -With Fort Freeland destroyed and Montgomery’s home in ruins, it was -necessary that one of these places be immediately rebuilt and fortified. - -A detachment of the German Regiment, then in that vicinity, was sent to -Paradise under command of Captain John Rice, and in the winter of -1779–80 they built a stockade around a fine spring of water, which forms -the headwaters of Muddy Run. This was built permanently out of limestone -found in that locality and today is in an excellent state of -preservation and used by the tenant of the farm. - -After completing this real fort they ably defended it, as an attack took -place there early in September, 1780, which is told in a letter written -by Colonel Samuel Hunter, county lieutenant, dated Fort Augusta, -September 21, 1780, as follows: - -“We were alarmed by a large party of the enemy making their appearance -in our county on the 6th inst. They came first to a small fort that -Colonel Weltner’s troops had erected on the headwaters of the -Chillisquaque, calling it Fort Rice, about thirteen miles from Sunbury. -(Three errors: Headwaters of Muddy Run; should be Fort Montgomery, the -owner and original builder, and not Fort Rice, just because such a -soldier was in charge of the detail, and the distance is seventeen miles -from Sunbury, or about four from Milton). - -“When the German Regiment marched off the enemy attacked the fort about -sundown, and fired very smartly. The garrison returned the fire with -spirit, which made them withdraw a little off, and in the night they -began to set fire to a number of houses and stacks of grain which they -consumed. - -“In the meantime our militia had collected to the number of one hundred -men under command of Colonel John Kelly, who marched to the relief of -the garrison, and arrived there next day. The people of the garrison -acquainted Colonel Kelly that there must be two hundred and fifty or -three Hundred of the Enimy, which he did not think prudent to engage -without being Reinforced. The confusion this put the inhabitants in, it -was not easy to collect a party equal to fight the savages. - -“I immediately sent off an express to Col. Purdy on Juniata whom I heard -was marching to the Frontiers of Cumberland County with the militia, he -came as quick as possible to our assistance with one Hundred and ten of -the militia and about Eighty Volunteers, which was no small -Reinforcement to us. - -“Genl. Potter just coming home from camp at this critical time came up -to Sunbury and took command of the party that went in Quest of the -Enimy. But previous to his marching, discharged the Volunteers as he -concluded by the information he had received from spyes we had out that -the enemy did not exceed one Hundred and fifty and that they had -withdrawn from the inhabitants to some Remote place. - -“General Potter, However, marched on to Muncy Hills, but was a little -baffled by the information to their route and did not come on their -track till the 13th and followed on about 50 miles up Fishing Creek, the -road the enemy took, but finding they had got too far ahead returned -here the 17th inst. The enemy got but one scalp and one prisoner. -(Colonel Hunter did not know of the Sugar Loaf Massacre when he wrote.) - -“We all concluded the enimy had got off, but on the 18th there was a -small party made their appearance on the West Branch about fourteen -miles above this place, they killed one man and wounded another, and -killed their horses they had in the plow, which plainly shows they have -scattered into small parties to Harass the inhabitants, which I am -afraid will prevent the people from getting crops put in the ground this -fall. - -“When the German Regiment marched off from here I gave orders for the -Frontier’s Companys to embody and keep one-fourth of the men Constantly -Reconnoitering. - -“After garrisoning Fort Jenkins, Fort Rice and Fort Swartz with twenty -men in each of them, this was the only method I could think of -encouraging the people as we were left to our own exertions. Only about -thirty of Capt. McCoy’s company of Volunteers from Cumberland County, -until the 10 inst., that two companies of militia came here from the -same county in the whole about eighty men. - -“When I received the intelligence of a large party of savages and tories -coming against Fort Rice, I gave orders to evacuate Fort Jenkins as I -did not look upon it to be tenable, which is since burned by the Enimy, -and would have shared the same had the men staid there on act. of the -Buildings, that were adjoining it, etc.” - -John Montgomery and his family returned after peace was declared. -Finding the buildings of his farm destroyed and a good, strong stone -house supplying its place, he at once occupied the fort, which, with -additions, made him a comfortable home for years. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Hartley Leads Expedition Against - Six Nation Indians—Born - September 7, 1746 - - -Colonel Thomas Hartley, who was one of the most prominent Pennsylvanians -during the period of the Revolution, was born in Colebrookdale Township, -Berks County, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1746. - -He was the son of George Hartley, a well-to-do farmer, who was able to -give his son a good classical education at Reading. At the age of -eighteen he began to read law in the office of Samuel Johnson, at York, -a prominent lawyer and relative of his mother. He was admitted to -practice in the courts of York County July 25, 1769, and in the courts -of Philadelphia a month later. He rose rapidly in his profession, and -was enjoying a lucrative practice when the War for Independence opened. - -He served on the Committee of Observation for York County in 1774–75; he -represented York County as a deputy in the Provincial Conference held at -Philadelphia July 15, 1774, and in the Provincial Convention, January -23, 1775. - -In December, 1774, he was chosen first lieutenant of Captain James -Smith’s company of Associators and a year later lieutenant colonel of -the First Battalion of York County. He was elected by Committee of -Safety January 10, 1776, to be lieutenant colonel of the Sixth -Battalion, commanded by Colonel William Irvine, of Carlisle, and served -with distinction in the Canadian campaign. - -In December, 1776, Congress authorized General Washington to raise -sixteen battalions of infantry additional to those in service, and the -command of one of these was given to Colonel Hartley. - -In the campaign for the defense of Philadelphia Hartley’s regiment bore -a conspicuous part. At the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown it was -attached to the First Philadelphia Brigade, of General Wayne’s division, -Colonel Hartley commanding the brigade, and was also at Paoli. - -To repel the inroads of the Tories and Indians from New York and for the -protection of the frontiers following the “Great Runaway,” Colonel -Hartley and his regiment, July 14, 1778, were ordered to Sunbury. The -order continues: - -“A detachment of Colonel Hartley’s Regiment to march from New Jersey to -Easton, there to join Colonel Kowatz, who has under his command a small -number of horse. The remainder of Colonel Hartley’s Reg’t, now in -Philad’a, to march immediately to Sunbury and join the Two Companies -lately raised at Wioming. Col. Brodhead’s Regiment, now on their march -to Pittsburgh, to be ordered to the Standing Stone. But it is necessary -to add to these Continental troops a considerable body of Militia. -Council have therefore determined to order to Sunbury three hundred -Militia from the County of Northumberland, four hundred from the County -of Lancaster & one hundred and fifty from the County of Berks.” - -The troops at Standing Stone and Easton were also to be re-enforced by -militia. - -This arrangement for the frontier defense was intended to rendezvous at -Sunbury 1050 troops, as follows: Part of Hartley’s Regiment at -Philadelphia, 100; two companies recruited at Wyoming, 100; militia from -Lancaster County, 400; from Berks, 150, and Northumberland, 300. - -On July 16 the Board of War advised Council that they learned by letters -that General McIntosh, who was at Carlisle, hearing of the Indian -incursions, ordered Colonel Brodhead, then on his way to Fort Pitt, to -hurry his Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment to the Susquehanna, “to stop the -progress of the enemy & encourage the militia to stand in their own -defence.” - -Then General J. P. DeHaas, who was stationed at Lebanon, sent an express -to Colonel Samuel Hunter, at Fort Augusta, to learn the exact situation, -when he offered his services to the Board of War. - -Colonel Brodhead and the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment arrived at Fort -Augusta and soon as the colonel learned he could not be of assistance -there, he took up his march and arrived at Fort Muncy July 23, and -immediately sent out scouting parties in every direction. - -When Colonel Hartley and 300 of his command arrived at Fort Augusta, -General John P. DeHaas was already there and had assumed command. - -General James Potter wrote from Fort Augusta August 1, 1778: “I came -here last week to station the militia. I found General DeHaas here, who -said he commanded all the troops. The next day Colonel Hartley came and -showed me his orders to command the troops, and politely requested me to -take the command, which I declined, as I never was very fond of command, -and this is a disagreeable one.” - -Colonel Hartley wrote to Council from Fort Augusta August 1, advising -the conditions when he arrived, and that General DeHaas, who was in -command, had given the command to him. Hartley gave a very correct -statement of the distressed situation following the great Wyoming -Massacre of July 3. - -Soon as Colonel Hartley arrived at Fort Muncy, Colonel Brodhead led his -troops off toward Fort Pitt, via Carlisle, and Colonel Hartley settled -down to the difficult task of handling the unfortunate conditions on -that harassed frontier. - -Colonel Hartley’s men built Fort Muncy. It was about a half a mile above -the present Hall’s Station, on the Philadelphia and Reading Railway, in -Lycoming County, a few hundred yards directly in front of the famous -Hall’s Stone House, built in 1769. It was intended to be the most -important stronghold, next to Fort Augusta, on the West Branch of the -Susquehanna. - -Colonel Hartley immediately planned an expedition against the Indians, -as he believed the way to successfully combat the savage foe was to -carry the war into his own country. - -He marched from Fort Muncy, September 18, with two hundred troops and -twelve days’ rations. In his report to Congress, the Colonel says: “In -our route we met with great rains and prodigious swamps, mountains, -defiles and rocks which impeded our march, we had to open and clear the -way as we passed. - -“We waded or swam the River Lycoming upward of twenty times. In lonely -woods and groves we found where the Indians had dressed and dried scalps -of the frontier victims. On the morning of the 26th, the advance party -met nineteen Indians in a skirmish. An important Indian chief was killed -and scalped.” They burnt Tioga, Queen Esther’s Town and other -settlements. - -Colonel Hartley performed the marvelous feat of marching his small army -300 miles and fighting several severe battles with Indians and Tories in -two weeks; bringing in fifty head of cattle, twenty-eight canoes and -much plunder and above all else rendered such signal service to the -frontiers that the settlers could return to their habitations and -harvest their crops in safety. - -Both the Provincial Council and the Continental Congress, Nov. 14, 1778, -adopted resolutions of commendation to Colonel Hartley for the success -of his expedition. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel John Armstrong Destroyed Indian - Town of Kittanning September 8, 1756 - - -Before Governor Robert Morris was superseded by William Denny he -concerted with Colonel John Armstrong an expedition against the Indian -town of Kittanning, on the Allegheny, the stronghold of Captains Jacobs -and Shingas, the most active Indian chiefs, and from which place they -distributed their war parties along the frontier. - -When Governor Denny assumed the office of Governor his predecessor -communicated to him his plans for this expedition, which were favorably -received by the Governor and his Council. - -The details of this enterprise had been perfected in great secrecy. It -is quite likely that Colonel Armstrong was selected for this purpose, -not only on account of his well-known military prowess, but for the -further fact that his beloved brother, Lieutenant Edward Armstrong, had -been killed in the attack and destruction of Fort Granville, and for the -many other depredations which the Indians had committed in the Juniata -Valley. - -Colonel Armstrong collected his forces at Fort Shirley, at Aughwick, now -Huntingdon County, consisting of 300 troops, divided into seven -companies. Among the captains were James Hamilton, Hugh Mercer, Edward -Nord and James Potter, all afterward distinguished officers of the -Revolution and leading citizens of the State. - -On September 2, 1756, he came up with the advanced party at “Beaver -Dams,” a few miles south of Frankstown, on the north branch of the -Juniata. Here the little army struck the celebrated Kittanning path, -well trodden by Indians in their travels to the westward. - -On the 7th, the evening, within six miles of Kittanning, the scouts -discovered a fire in the road, and four Indians about it, but these -could not be attacked, as one or more might escape and alarm the town. -Lieutenant Hogg and twelve men were left to watch them, with orders to -fall upon them at daybreak. The main body then made a circuit and -proceeded to the village. - -Guided by the whooping of the Indians at a dance, the army approached -the place by the river, about 100 perches below the town. They arrived -at 3 o’clock on the morning of the 8th near a cornfield in which some of -the enemy were lodged, sleeping in the open on account of the excessive -heat of the weather. - -As soon as the dawn of the new day made the town visible the troops -attacked it through the cornfield, killing several of the enemy. The men -were wearied by a forced march of thirty miles and had been aroused from -sound sleep to make the attack, but they fought with great eagerness. - -When the firing began Captain Jacobs immediately sounded the war whoop, -and with a number of Indians, as the English prisoners afterward told -Colonel Armstrong, cried: “The white men are at last come, we will soon -have scalps enough,” but at the same time ordered their squaws and -children to flee to the woods. - -Captain Jacobs defended his house bravely and through loopholes in the -logs a deadly fire was poured into the provincial troops. - -The Indians refused quarter, saying they were men and would not be -prisoners. At this point Colonel Armstrong turned his attention to the -houses from which the Indians were making such a stand. He received a -bad wound in his shoulder, but continued to direct the attack. He found -the houses must be destroyed, and ordered the contiguous buildings set -on fire, which was performed by his officers and soldiers with much -dispatch. - -The Indians fired at every moving object and as their aim was deadly -many soldiers were killed or wounded. - -Soon as the buildings were set on fire the Indians were given another -opportunity to surrender themselves prisoners, but again they refused. -One Indian declared he did not care for death; he could kill four or -five more before he died, and some began to sing as the flames burned -near them. The few who burst from the burning buildings and ran for the -river were shot down by the soldiers. - -Captain Jacobs was shot as he attempted to get out of an upper window. -Armstrong’s soldiers identified the powder horn and pouch he wore as one -he had lately received from a French officer in exchange for Lieutenant -Edward Armstrong’s boots, which he carried from Fort Granville, where -the lieutenant was killed. - -The soldiers got the scalp of the great Indian chief, as they also did -of his squaw and a young Indian, called the “King’s Son.” - -Before this time Captain Hugh Mercer had been severely wounded in the -arm and was carried to the top of the hill above the town, where a -number of the wounded men gathered. These soon discovered from their -elevated position that Indians were passing the river and taking to the -hills, they thought with the intention of surrounding and cutting off -the troops from any possible retreat. Colonel Armstrong would not -believe this their design, but sent men in every direction to keep him -posted upon the enemy’s movements. The Indians in their hasty retreat -left behind a number of English scalps and not a few white prisoners. - -Instead of cutting down the cornfield, the colonel immediately assembled -the wounded and loaded them upon the few Indian horses which they had -collected. - -The return march was slow and tedious, made so by the many wounded and -the constant watch necessary to prevent a surprise attack from ambush. -Captain Mercer was carried by some of his men over a different road and -Colonel Armstrong was alarmed for his safety. - -Colonel Armstrong in his report of the action at Kittanning said he -could not estimate the loss of the enemy, as many were burned in the -buildings, but he could account for thirty or forty killed. They brought -back a dozen scalps and eleven English prisoners. - -The loss sustained by the provincial forces was seventeen killed, -thirteen wounded and nineteen missing. All the wounded recovered and all -but two of the missing reached their homes. - -In speaking of the horrible Indian massacres which followed Braddock’s -defeat, Drake in his Indian history, says: - -“Shingas and Captain Jacobs were supposed to have been the principal -instigators of them, and a reward of $700 was offered for their heads.“ - -King Shingas was the greatest Delaware warrior at that time. Heckwelder, -who knew him personally, says: - -“Were his war exploits all on record they would form an interesting -document, though a shocking one.” - -King Shingas happened to be at Fort Duquesne when Colonel Armstrong -destroyed Kittanning. - -The Corporation of Philadelphia, on the occasion of Colonel Armstrong’s -victory, addressed a complimentary letter to him, January 5 following, -thanking him and his officers for their gallant conduct and presented -him with a piece of plate. - -Many descendants of the gallant Colonel Armstrong are living today and -well may they be proud of such a distinguished ancestor. - - ---------- - - - - - Franklin County Erected from Part - of Cumberland County - September 9, 1784 - - -On January 27, 1759, Lancaster County was divided by act of Assembly, -and the southern division thereof erected into a new county, to which -the name of “Cumberland” was given, with the town of Carlisle as the -seat of justice. - -For a quarter of a century the county of Cumberland thus constituted, -remained intact, when the wants of the southwestern part, known as the -Conocheague settlement, led them to petition the General Assembly of -1784 that their territory might be set apart as a new county, with -concomitant privileges setting forth in glowing terms the hardships they -were compelled to endure traveling the long distance from their homes to -the seat of justice at Carlisle, etc. - -The General Assembly complied therewith and September 9, 1784, erected -the new county to be named “Franklin,” in honor of the great -Pennsylvanian, Benjamin Franklin. - -By 1790 some doubts arose as to the correct boundary, and March 29, in -that year, a re-adjustment of the lines was made by running a new line -so as to leave the entire tract of land owned by Edward Shippen, of -Lancaster, and upon which Shippensburg now stands, in Cumberland County. - -On March 29, 1798, a portion of the then county of Bedford, known as the -“Little Cove” was detached from that county and annexed to Franklin, and -the county thus erected is the Franklin County of today. - -By the terms of the act establishing the county of Franklin, James -Maxwell, James McCalmont, Josiah Crawford, David Stoner, and John -Johnson were appointed trustees on behalf of the county, and were -directed to procure two lots of ground in the town of Chambersburg or -Chamberstown, for seats of a court house and of a county gaol. - -The original court house was a brick building of two stories, surmounted -by a tall conical cupola and a spire. In the belfry was suspended a bell -of Spanish make, which had rendered service in an old convent. - -The first court in Franklin County was held September 15, 1784. As the -court house was not yet completed this first session was convened in the -stone house on the corner of the “square,” which was built by John Jack -in 1770. This historic building stood until July 30, 1864, when the -rebel horde burned the town during the Civil War. - -The first court was held before Judges Humphrey Fullerton Thomas -Johnston and James Findley. Edward Crawford, Jr., was prothonotary. -Jeremiah Talbot was commissioned sheriff October 20, 1784. - -The following named persons sat as the first grand jury: James Poe, -Henry Pawling, William Allison, William McDowell, Robert Wilkins, John -McConnell, John McCarny, John Ray, John Jack, Jr., John Dickson, D. -McClintock, Joseph Chambers, and Joseph Long. - -As late as 1748 there were many Indians within the present limits of -Franklin County. The first settlers of Franklin County were -Scotch-Irish, many of whose descendants yet remain, but the larger -proportion migrated west or south, giving way before the German element -coming from the eastern counties of the state. - -It is believed that Joseph and Benjamin Chambers located at the Falling -Spring earlier than 1730. They had previously built at Fort Hunter, -above Harrisburg, on the Susquehanna, but an accidental fire consumed -their mill on the Fishing Creek, and they wandered westward, finally -located at Falling Spring, where they erected a log house, and -eventually a saw and grist mill. - -Benjamin Chambers maintained a friendly intercourse with the Indians in -his vicinity. They became attached to him; with them he traded, and had -so much of their confidence and respect that they did not injure him or -offer to molest him. - -After Braddock’s defeat July, 1755, the Western Indians became so -troublesome, and made so many incursions east of the mountains, that -Colonel Chambers, for the security of his family and his neighbors, -erected a large stone dwelling house, where Chambersburg now is. This -house was surrounded by water from Falling Spring, and, to prevent the -Indians from setting it on fire, the roof was made of lead. The -dwelling, buildings and mill were surrounded with a stockade. - -This fort was provided with a blunderbluss and swivel, and the garrison -had an ample supply of smaller firearms. The Indians seldom assaulted -this fort and none of its defenders was killed or carried off. - -Benjamin Chambers reported the terrible massacre at Great Cove, Sunday -morning, November 2, 1755. He wrote: “If you intend to go to the -assistance of your neighbors, you need wait no longer for the certainty -of the news. The Great Cove is destroyed.” - -The Great Cove was burned by the Indians and fifty-seven persons out of -ninety-three settlers were killed or taken captive. - -A record of the persons killed or taken captive by the Indians during -this period until the close of the Revolution reveals a long list of -savage cruelty. - -In the war of 1812–14, Franklin County played an important part. Eight -companies were mustered in the county; Chambersburg furnished four, -Greencastle, Mercersburg, Waynesboro and Path Valley, each one. - -During the Civil War Franklin County suffered as did no other border -county of Pennsylvania. - -First came the great Confederate raid in October, 1862, led by Generals -J. E. B. Stuart and Wade Hampton; then during General Lee’s invasion, -June, 1863; and finally General McCausland’s invasion when the town of -Chambersburg was sacked and burned July 30, 1864. The scenes presented -on the latter terrible occasion beggar description. - -Wilson College is situated in Chambersburg, and Mercersburg Academy is -in the borough of Mercersburg, which was also the home of Marshall -College, now a part of Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster. The -Soldiers’ Orphans’ Industrial School of the state is located at -Scotland, and the Pennsylvania State Sanitarium for Tuberculosis, No. 1, -is beautifully located at Mont Alto. - -Green Castle and Waynesboro are the other towns of importance in old -Franklin County. James Buchanan, President of the United States, and -William Findlay, Governor of Pennsylvania, were both born in -Mercersburg. - - ---------- - - - - - Commodore Perry Defeats British Squadron - on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813 - - -Foreign nations, who still smiled incredulously at the pretensions of -the United States in carrying on an ocean warfare with the proud -“Mistress of the Seas,” as England was everywhere acknowledged to be, -were not prepared to receive, in addition to the splendid victory of the -United States frigate Constitution over the Guerriere, fresh and -decisive proof of the naval supremacy of the youthful Republic, in the -magnificent triumph achieved by Commodore Oliver H. Perry on the waters -of Lake Erie September 10, 1813. - -It was here for the first time in the history of the Western World the -flag of a British squadron was struck, humiliatingly, to the Americans. -Great Britain had already been signally defeated in single naval combats -during the War of 1812; she was now beaten in squadron; every one of her -ships striking their colors to the Stars and Stripes. - -The unexpected and disgraceful surrender of the Northern Army under -General Hull to the British rendered a superior force on Lake Erie -necessary for the defense of the American territory bordering on the -lake, as well as for offensive operations in Canada. - -Under those circumstances, Oliver H. Perry, a brave and capable young -officer, was designated to the command on Lake Erie. But at this time -the United States possessed no naval force on the lake; the only vessels -belonging to the Government had been captured at Detroit. - -Commodore Perry was directed to locate at Presque Isle, where a -peninsula extended a considerable distance into the lake, encircling -a harbor, on the borders of which was the port of Erie. He was to -build ships, and the only materials at hand were the vast -forests—shipbuilders, sailors, naval stores, guns and ammunition -were all transported overland by wagons over 400 miles of bad roads -from Albany, Buffalo and Philadelphia via Pittsburgh. - -In spite of those embarrassments, by August 1, 1813, Perry had provided -a flotilla, consisting of the ships Lawrence and Niagara, of twenty guns -each, and seven smaller vessels, to wit: One of four guns, one of three, -two of two and three of one. - -The enemy appeared off the harbor while this navy was being built, but -the shallowness of the water prevented their approach where the -construction work could be destroyed. - -After Perry succeeded in getting his navy into the deep waters of the -lake, he proceeded to Put-in Bay, near where the British fleet lay under -the guns of the fort. Here he watched the movements of the enemy and -awaited a chance to offer battle. - -On the morning of September 10, 1813, the enemy was discovered bearing -down upon the American force, which immediately prepared to meet them. -Perry had nine vessels with fifty-three guns and two swivels. The -British fleet consisted of six vessels, carrying sixty-three guns, four -howitzers and two swivels. - -Perry advised his officers he proposed to bring the enemy to close -quarters. As soon, therefore, as the approach of the enemy warranted the -display of the signal, every vessel was under sail beating out against -the wind with the boats ahead towing the others. - -Perry endeavored to beat to the windward of the islands, which -interposed between them and the two approaching squadrons, hoping thus -to be able to bear down upon the enemy with the wind, but that proved to -be too light and baffling, and so much time was lost by tacking that -Perry suddenly changed his plans and ordered his ships to run to the -leeward of the islands, when his sailing master replied: “Then we’ll -have to engage the enemy from the leeward.” “I don’t care,” replied -Perry; “to windward or leeward, they will fight today.” - -Perry formed his line of battle and the two squadrons slowly approached -each other. Realizing they would be in battle by the noon hour, grog and -bread were served in advance, and in a moment every man was at quarters. -Perry made a round of the deck, from gun to gun, carefully examining -each and exchanging cheering words with the men. - -At fifteen minutes after 11 a bugle was sounded on board the enemy’s -flagship, the Detroit. Loud cheers burst from all their crews, and a -tremendous fire opened upon the Lawrence from the British long guns, -which on account of the range of the guns on the Lawrence the fire could -not be returned for nearly forty minutes. - -The Lawrence kept her course in gallant and determined style, but was -badly cut up by the big guns of the Detroit. The enemy’s fire was -clearly directed toward the Lawrence. She was hit in every direction and -narrowly escaped several explosions. - -Perry realized the seriousness of his situation and made full sail, -directing the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with -the enemy. The terrible fire, however, to which he was exposed soon cut -away every brace and bowline of the Lawrence, and the boat became -unmanageable. The other vessels could not close up, and in this -disastrous situation the Lawrence continued to sustain the main force of -the enemy’s fire. - -Throughout the ordeal order prevailed. There was no sign of fear, and as -rapidly as the men at the guns were wounded they were quietly carried -below, and others bravely stepped to their places. The dead remained -where they fell until after the action. - -At this juncture the enemy believed the battle won. The Lawrence was -reduced to a mere wreck; her deck was streaming with blood and covered -with mangled limbs and bodies of the slain; nearly the whole crew were -either killed or wounded; her guns, too, were dismounted, Commodore -Perry and his officers working the very last one capable of firing a -shot. - -At 2 o’clock Captain Elliott was enabled to bring the Niagara into -closer action; and Commodore Perry, finding he could get no further use -from the Lawrence, suddenly shifted his flag to the Niagara and boarded -her, leaving the gallant Lieutenant Yarnell in command of the Lawrence. - -The transfer of Perry was made in the face of a terrible fire from the -enemy ships, with the commodore standing erect in the small boat and -directing his oarsmen. - -The entire squadron was soon in action and Perry alongside the British -Commodore Barclay, in the Lady Prevost. Approaching within half pistol -shot, Perry’s fire was so deadly that the enemy’s men were compelled to -run below. - -The Caledonia opened a destructive fire upon the British, and she was -closely followed by the other American vessels, and the enemy was soon -enclosed between the Niagara and the American fleet, and in that -position the British ships suffered a terrible fire on both quarters. - -Thus, after a contest of three hours, a naval victory was achieved by -the Americans, in which every vessel of the enemy fleet was captured. If -anything could enhance its brilliancy it was the modest and laconic -manner in which it was announced by the gallant victor—“We have met the -enemy and they are ours!” - - ---------- - - - - - Lord Cornwallis Defeats American Forces - on the Brandywine, September 11, 1777 - - -The objective of the British forces, early in the Revolution, was to -occupy Philadelphia, which was then the largest city in the revolting -provinces. It was the seat of the Continental Congress, and the center -of the colonies. Although commanding easy access to the sea, it was -capable of being readily protected from the approach of a hostile fleet, -and it lay in the heart of an open, extended country, rich, populous and -so far but little disturbed by war. - -Philadelphia was, in a sense, regarded as the capital of the new-born -Nation, and the moral influence resulting from its occupation by -Congress was great, so that it was deemed an important point would be -gained by its conquest. There was much criticism hurled at an army which -could not penetrate to the headquarters of the infant Nation. - -Sir William Howe directed the campaign of 1777, and disposed the troops -under his command to that purpose. The British fleet under Lord Howe, -bearing a land force of 18,000, left New York in July, 1777, with the -intention of approaching Philadelphia by way of the Delaware River. - -When about to enter it, however, the British commander was informed that -the Americans had placed obstructions in the channel, and he, therefore, -proceeded to the Chesapeake, and on August 25, landed his forces at -Turkey Point. - -When the departure of the British fleet from New York was made known to -General Washington, he was uncertain as to its objects, but directed the -concentration of his army in Bucks County, so as to meet the enemy -should he attempt to approach Philadelphia. - -Washington soon learned that the fleet was off the Capes of the -Chesapeake, and turned his attention in that direction. The very day the -British landed the Americans marched to Wilmington with a force of about -eleven thousand men. - -Washington made immediate preparations to oppose the enemy. A severe -though brief encounter occurred September 3 at Iron Hill, Delaware. - -On the 8th the American Army took its position behind the Red Clay -Creek, where a battle was anticipated. Washington saw that the object -was to turn his right, cross the Brandywine, and cut off his -communication with Philadelphia. - -After reconnoitering the enemy, Washington withdrew to Chadd’s Ford, on -the Brandywine, where he arrived on the 9th of September, and entrenched -himself. - -Maxwell’s Light Infantry occupied the advance posts, and during the -night of the 10th threw up defenses on the west side at the approaches -to the ford. Here Washington determined to take his stand. - -On the evening of the 9th the British Army entered Chester County in two -divisions, one of which, under General Knyphausen, encamped at New -Garden and Kennet Square, and the other, under Lord Cornwallis, a short -distance below Hockesson Meeting House. - -Early on the morning of the 10th they united at Kennet Square, whence in -the evening the forces under Knyphausen advanced toward Welsh’s Tavern, -later known as the Anvil, and those under Cornwallis remained encamped -on the hills north and west of Kennet Square. - -Early on the morning of the 11th the army divided into two columns—one -division, under Knyphausen, marched to Chadd’s Ford, by the Philadelphia -road; the other, under Cornwallis and accompanied by Sir William Howe, -took a circuitous route and crossed the west branch of the Brandywine at -Trimble’s Ford, and approached the Birmingham Meeting House. The object -of these movements was to hem in the Americans between the two British -forces and thus make them easy prey. - -Both British columns had moved early and through a dense fog which did -not lift until a later hour. The column under Knyphausen skirmished with -the advance parties of the American Army sent forward to harass their -march. - -Maxwell’s corps, which occupied the hills west of the Brandywine, was -driven across the stream after a severe engagement, and joined the main -body of the American Army, which was already ranged in battle order, -awaiting the attack of the enemy. - -Several detachments of the Continental troops subsequently recrossed the -creek and assailed the British, who were busy throwing up intrenchments -and planting batteries. A footing having thus been gained on the western -bank, General Maxwell returned in force, and a hot conflict ensued, the -Americans driving the enemy from the ground. - -The spirit of this action soon drew upon them overwhelming numbers, and -the Americans were again repulsed. - -Lord Cornwallis, with a larger division, under cover of the hills and -forests and aided by the fog, proceeded in a circuitous route a -considerable distance unobserved, and reached the hills south of -Trimble’s Ford about the time Knyphausen moved from his position east of -Kennet Square. - -General John Sullivan, who commanded the right wing of the American -Army, had received instructions to guard the fords as far up the stream -as Buffingtons. - -About 9 o’clock intelligence was brought that the British left wing was -about crossing the Brandywine above its forks. Colonel Bland sent word -to General Washington that a large force of the enemy was seen advancing -up the road toward Trimble’s Ford. - -That was confirmed by a note from Colonel Ross, who was in their rear, -and who advised their strength was 5000. Those reports were in -contradiction to one that Squire Thomas Cheney gave when he rode up to -General Sullivan and advised him that the main body of the British had -crossed the Brandywine and was already near at hand, approaching from -the north. - -The squire was not believed, and demanded to be led to General -Washington, who doubted his information, but was at length convinced of -its truth and immediately disposed of his troops to meet the emergency. - -General Sullivan attacked the Hessians, who were the advance guard, who -returned the fire, and soon the action became general. The artillery of -both sides opened with terrible effect, and while the Americans held -their position, the carnage was great. - -The right wing of the American army under General Debarre gave way -first, and the left under General Sullivan, soon followed. The latter -tried to rally his troops, but fled over the fields toward the main army -at Chadd’s Ford. - -Sterling’s division in the center remained firm. General Sullivan -attached himself to this division, and with Lafayette he engaged -personally in the hottest of the battle. Cornwallis used his artillery -with telling effect. Two of Sullivan’s aides were killed and Lafayette -fell with a wounded leg. The troops fled into the woods, but were again -rallied and after a sharp conflict again retreated. - -When Washington learned of the approach of the British, he pushed -forward with Green’s division of Pennsylvanians and Virginians to the -support of Sullivan, leaving Wayne at Chadd’s Ford to oppose Knyphausen. -Green, by a skillful movement, opened his ranks and received the fleeing -troops and closed them again. - -Wayne was on the alert, and the moment Knyphausen moved forward he -opened a heavy artillery fire upon him. Soon as he learned of Sullivan’s -defeat he retreated. - -The approach of night ended the bloody conflict, but not soon enough to -prevent the American army from a defeat which was most distressing to -the American cause at this critical period. - - ---------- - - - - - Mob Storms Mifflin County Courthouse - September 12, 1791 - - -September, 1791, an incident occurred during a term of court in Mifflin -County, which has since been known as the Lewistown Riot. - -The cause of the disturbance centered in the act of Samuel Bryson, then -a resident of what is now the borough of Mifflintown, who for several -years had served as county lieutenant, and while acting in that capacity -refused to commission two colonels who had been elected by their -regiments, which so incensed the members and their friends that when Mr. -Bryson subsequently received the appointment of Associate Justice they -were indignant and determined he should not act in that capacity. - -On Monday, September 12, 1791, the Hon. William Brown, Samuel Bryson and -James Armstrong, Esqs., met in the forenoon in order to open the Court -and proceed to business, but Thomas Beale, Esq., one of the Associate -Judges, not having arrived, the others did not attempt to convene the -Court until he appeared, which was 3 o’clock, when he was requested to -proceed with them to the court house. Mr. Beale declined to go, but the -others went into the court room, where the commissions of the Judges -were read, the Court duly opened, the officers sworn in, and Court -adjourned until 10 o’clock next morning. - -The following morning, John Clarke, Deputy State’s Attorney, received -the intelligence that a large body of men was assembled below the Long -Narrows, at David Jordan’s tavern, on the Juniata River shore. - -They were armed with guns, swords and pistols, with an avowed intention -to proceed to Lewistown and seize Judge Bryson on the bench and drag him -from his seat, and march him off before them, and otherwise ill-treat -him. - -That information was immediately communicated to the Judges, who, acting -upon the suggestion of Mr. Clarke, named Samuel Edminston, Esq., the -Prothonotary; Judge Thomas Beale, Mr. Stewart, William Bell, Esq., and -the Sheriff of Mifflin County, a committee to proceed to the place where -the mob had assembled and meet with the rioters. - -The Sheriff was commanded to inquire of them their object and intention, -and if hostile, to order them to disperse and tell them the Court was -alarmed at their proceedings. - -Two hours after this the Court opened. A fife was heard playing, some -guns were discharged and almost immediately the mob appeared, marching -toward the court house. Three men on horseback were leading the column. -The gentlemen who had been sent to counsel with them were being marched -under a guard in the rear. When the column reached Lewistown all the -committee were permitted to go at large except George Wilson, the -Sheriff, who was held by an armed guard of four men. - -The Court ordered Mr. Clarke to go and meet the rioters and remonstrate -against their proceedings and warn them of their danger, which order was -obeyed, but his endeavors were in vain. - -The mob cried out, “March on! March on! Draw your sword on him! Ride -over him!” - -Mr. Clarke grabbed the reins of the leader’s horse, who refused to be -held, and threatened to proceed to the bench and drag Judge Bryson off, -take him down the Narrows to his own farm and there compel him to sign a -written paper that he would never again sit there as a Judge. - -This leader was a brother of Sheriff George Wilson. The mob cried out, -“March on!” He drew his sword and ordered Clarke to let go the reins. -The crowd pressed on him and one of them, a nephew of Judge Beale, -pressed a pistol to his breast, when Clarke let go of the horse, and the -mob reached the stairs on the outside of the court house. Clarke rushed -ahead, and as he mounted the stairs he was met by Judge Armstrong, who -said: “Since nothing else will do, let us defend the stairs.” - -At that point several of the attorneys and citizens, who had been in the -court, reached the stairs, where they were met by the rioters, now ably -led by William Wilson, Colonel Walker and Colonel Holt. They cried: - -“March on, damn you; proceed and take him!” - -Judge Armstrong replied, “You damned rascals, come on! We will defend -the Court ourselves, and before you shall take Judge Bryson you shall -kill me and many others, which seems to be your intention, and which you -may do.” - -At this moment Colonel Holt seized Judge Armstrong by the arm with the -intention of dragging him down the stairs, but he freed himself. Holt’s -brother rushed to him with a sword and urged him to run it through the -Judge. The other leaders drew swords and pistols. - -Clarke suggested that they name three of their most respectable persons -to meet with him to settle the dispute. Wilson, the leader, agreed to -that, but it was with difficulty he was able to get the mob to move from -the court house. - -Mr. Hamilton went with Mr. Clarke to Alexander’s tavern, and soon after -their arrival Messrs. Wilson, Walker and Sterritt, of the rioters, came -in. Sterritt acted as their chief counselor. - -Proposals were made that they should return home, offer no insult to -Judge Bryson or the Court and send to the Governor a decent petition, -stating their grievances, so that they might be laid before the -Legislature, and that in the meantime Judge Bryson should sit on the -bench of the court. - -They seemed to be agreed, when mutual honor was pledged, but Sterritt -stated that too great a delay was evident, that injuries had been -received which required immediate redress and even objected to the power -of the Governor as to the points proposed. - -At that juncture Colonel Holt and young Beale rushed in, the latter -heavily armed, and insisted on Wilson joining them, which broke up the -conference. Clarke followed them to the field where the mob was -assembled. Clarke asked Wilson: - -“Your object is that Judge Bryson leave the bench and not sit on it this -Court?” - -He and Walker replied, “Yes.” - -“Will you promise to disperse and go home and offer him no insult?” - -They replied, “Yes.” - -Their mutual honor was pledged for the performance of the agreement. - -Mr. Hamilton then entered the Court, told Judge Bryson the agreement, -when he left his seat and retired. - -Hardly had Messrs. Hamilton and Clarke reached the court house when the -mob again appeared in martial attitude at the foot of the stairs. Clarke -reminded Wilson of his broken pledge; he acknowledged it, but said the -mob would not have it that way. Clarke told him Judge Bryson had left -the bench and departed. - -The next day Colonel McFarland, of the local militia, marched his -command to the court house. - -The Court adjourned until 2 o’clock, and at that hour directed the -Sheriff to invite Judge Bryson to march in and sit with them. - -The Sheriff returned and advised them Judge Beale would not walk in or -sit with Bryson. The Sheriff and Judge Bryson got into an argument, when -the Sheriff struck and kicked the Judge. - -Judge Armstrong seized the Sheriff, and took his rod from him, the -Sheriff was brought before the Court, when he was committed to jail. - -That night the mob again assembled with the object of rescuing the -Sheriff, but before a sufficient number could be raised the Sheriff -apologized to the Court and was released on his own recognizance. - -The mob to the number of 300 assembled at the Narrows the following day, -but when they learned the Sheriff was no longer in jail and had been -forgiven by the Court they dispersed and went to their homes. The Court -then adjourned. - - ---------- - - - - - Inhuman Murder of Lieutenant Thomas Boyd - by Tory Butler, September 13, 1779 - - -During the expedition of Major General John Sullivan against the Six -Nations, in August and September, 1779, there occurred one of the most -horrible Indian massacres recorded in the frontier history of -Pennsylvania. - -On September 12, Lieutenant Thomas Boyd, of the Rifle Corps, a resident -of Northumberland and older brother of the illustrious Captain John Boyd -and brother of Lieutenant William Boyd, who lost his life in the Battle -of Brandywine, was sent with about twenty-four soldiers to reconnoiter -the town of Genesee. They were guided by a friendly Oneida Indian named -Hanjost, a chief of that tribe. - -This number was too few if a battle was intended and too many for a -secretive expedition. When the party reached Little Castle, on September -13, they surprised, killed and scalped two Indians. - -They mistook this place for Genesee, and Lieutenant Boyd intended to -await there for the advance of the main army, and sent four men to -report his intentions. This party was fired on, a corporal was killed -and the others fled until the main army was reached. - -Boyd dispatched two more men to learn what had detained the army, when -they discovered the dead corporal and at the same time the presence of -Indians. They informed Lieutenant Boyd, who immediately assembled his -party and gave chase, following the British and Tories to within less -than three miles from the main army. - -There they encountered a body of four or five hundred which lay in -ambush, probably awaiting to surprise the main army, who immediately -surrounded Boyd’s small party. Their defense against overwhelming odds -was not less gallant than it was hopeless. - -In their extremity they posted themselves in a small grove, with a -considerable open space around it, and there they continued to fight. -Some of the enemy were so near that the powder from their muskets burned -the clothing and persons of the Americans, who fought bravely until the -overwhelming superiority of the enemy obliged them to attempt a retreat, -which they did, covering their movement with a deadly fire. - -This small army of British and Indians was under the command of Colonel -John Butler and the notorious Indian chieftain, Joseph Brant. - -The Indians killed and in a most inhuman manner tomahawked and scalped -six of Boyd’s soldiers, whose bodies were found the next day. - -Nine of Boyd’s party escaped and reported the battle as soon as they had -reached the main army. - -As Lieutenant Boyd, the Indian guide, Chief Hanjost, Timothy Murphy and -six others had not arrived safe in camp, there was much anxiety for -their safety. - -Timothy Murphy was from Northumberland, a personal friend of the Boyd -brothers and one of the most famous marksmen in the service. It was his -unerring aim which killed General Frazer, the British commander at the -second battle of Stillwater, October 7, 1777. - -Colonel Adam Hubley, in the journal which he kept during the Sullivan -expedition, writes of him: - -“This Murphy is a noted marksman and a great soldier, he having killed -and scalped that morning in the Town they were at an Indian, which makes -the three & thirtieth man of the Enemy he has killed (as is well known -to his officers) in this War.” - -It is also interesting to note that Murphy made his escape and was the -one to report that Lieutenant Boyd and Chief Hanjost were taken -prisoners, and he told in detail of the brave resistance they made. - -The army made a quick march with the hope of releasing Lieutenant Boyd, -but on arriving at Genesee Castle, or “Little Beard’s Town,” the capital -settlement of the Seneca country, Colonel Hubley writes: - -“At this place we found the body of the brave but unfortunate Lieutenant -Boyd and one Rifleman massacred in the most cruel and barbarous manner -that the human mind can possibly conceive. The savages having put them -to the most excruciating torments possible by first plucking their nails -from hands and feet, then spearing, cutting and whipping them and -mangling their bodys, then cutting off the flesh from their shoulders, -tomahawking & severing their heads from their bodys and leaving them a -prey to their dogs. - -“This evening the remains of Lieutenant Boyd and the Rifleman were -interred with military honors. Mr. Boyd’s former good character as a -brave soldier and an honest man, and his behaviour in the skirmish of -yesterday (several of the Indians being found dead & some seen carried -off) must indear him to all friends of mankind. May his fate await those -who have been the cause of his. O! Britain—Behold—and blush!” - -Miner in his “History of Wyoming” says their tongues were pulled out and -flaming pine knots thrust into their flesh and that they were slowly -burned to death in addition to the tortures mentioned by Colonel Hubley. - -Miner says that Lieutenant Boyd was taken before Colonel Butler, the -detestable Tory, who examined him, while Boyd was held by two savages, -with a third standing at his back, with a tomahawk raised. - -Butler demanded: “How many men has Sullivan?” - -Boyd replied: “I cannot tell you, sir.” - -Butler then asked: “How is the army divided and disposed?” - -Boyd replied: “I cannot give you any information, sir.” - -Butler then taunted him: “Boyd, life is sweet, you had better answer -me.” - -The brave lieutenant replied: “Duty forbids, and I would not if life -depended on the word—but Colonel Butler, I know the issue, my doom is -fixed.” - -That a prisoner should be taken before Colonel John Butler for -examination is quite probable. - -Sergeant Michael Parker was the rifleman who was murdered with -Lieutenant Boyd. - -The remains of Lieutenant Boyd and Sergeant Parker were found on the -outskirts of the town and were interred with the honors of war. In -August, 1842, the remains of these two soldiers were exhumed and removed -to Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, N. Y., where they were re-interred. - -The unfortunate Lieutenant Boyd had shared all the hardships of the -ill-fated expedition to Quebec under General Arnold, and had experienced -many campaigns prior to the one in which he made the supreme sacrifice. - - ---------- - - - - - Major Grant Meets Defeat at Fort - Duquesne, September 14, 1758 - - -The destruction of the Indian town at Kittanning September 8, 1755, was -a severe blow to the Indians. The English had never before that time -assailed them in their own towns, and they were led to believe they -would not venture to approach them. While they desired to retaliate the -blow, they feared another such attack upon their home, when they were -absent on war parties. Such of them as had belonged to Kittanning and -made their escape, refused to settle again east of Fort Duquesne. - -Nothing was done to annoy the French or check the Indians, until a -change occurred in the English Ministry, and the master mind of William -Pitt assumed the control of the mother country. He seemed to fully -realize the situation of the English subjects in the colonies and -immediately determined to send troops in sufficient strength to maintain -her power. - -Pennsylvania, as usual, led the way and equipped 2700 men. The other -colonies contributed large quotas. - -Three expeditions were determined upon, and the most active measures -taken to bring them to the field. The one in which Pennsylvanians are -more properly interested was known as the Western expedition. It was -placed under the command of Major General John Forbes, an officer of -great skill, energy and resolution. His army consisted of nearly 9000 -men, embracing British regulars and provincials from Pennsylvania, and -the Lower Counties, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. - -The troops from the other Governments rendezvoused at Winchester, while -the Pennsylvanians, under Colonel Henry Bouquet, assembled at Raystown, -now Bedford. - -General Forbes, with his regulars, marched from Philadelphia to effect a -junction with the provincials at Raystown, but the serious illness of -the general compelled him to stop at Carlisle, where he remained until -the middle of September, when he reached Bedford and the provincial -troops under Colonel George Washington. - -At the suggestion of Colonel Bouquet and the Pennsylvania officers, a -new road was cut direct from Raystown to Loyalhanna, a distance of -forty-five miles, where Colonel Bouquet erected Fort Ligonier. - -Before the arrival of General Forbes at Loyalhanna, Colonel Bouquet had -dispatched Major William Grant, of the Highland Regiment, with -thirty-seven officers and 800 troops, to reconnoitre the fort and -adjacent country. His instructions were to approach not too near the -fort, and in no event to take the risk of an attack. - -Grant camped the first day on the banks of the Nine Mile Run, ten miles -west of the camp on the Loyalhanna. The second day he proceeded farther, -and on the third reached to within about twelve miles of Fort Duquesne. - -Although the French and Indians were constantly watching the movements -of the army, yet Grant succeeded in coming within sight of the fort, -after marching fifty miles without being discovered. - -The detachment halted here until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when the -troops quietly marched to about two miles from the fort, where they left -their baggage under charge of Captain Bullitt, two subalterns and fifty -men. It was already dark, and later in the night Major Grant appeared -with his troops at the brow of the fatal hill, which still bears his -name, between the two rivers, about a quarter of a mile from the fort. - -From the apparent stillness of the enemy’s camp and not having met with -either French or Indians on the march, Major Grant supposed that the -forces in the fort must be comparatively small, and at once determined -to make an attack. - -Two officers and fifty men were dispatched to approach the fort and fall -upon the French and Indians that might be lying out, if not in too great -number. They saw none, nor were they challenged by the sentinels, and as -they returned they set fire to a large store house, but the fire was -discovered and extinguished. - -At break of day, Major Lewis was sent with 200 men, principally American -regulars and Virginia volunteers, to take post about half a mile back, -and lie in ambush in the road on which they had left their baggage, -under the pretension of fears that the enemy would make a bold attempt -to capture it. - -But Major Grant, who was jealous of Major Lewis, wished to have the -glory of capturing the enemy who had so signally repulsed General -Braddock with his army. - -Four hundred men were posted along the hill facing the fort, to cover -the retreat of Captain McDonald’s company, who marched with drums -beating toward the enemy, in order to draw a party out of the fort, as -Major Grant believed there were not more than 200 men, including -Indians, in the fortress. - -The garrison was aroused from its slumber by the music of the invaders, -and French and Indians sallied out in great numbers to the attack. Their -whole force was divided into three divisions. The first two were sent -directly under cover of the banks of the river to surround the main body -under Major Grant. The remaining division was delayed while the others -maneuvred, and then displayed themselves before the fort, as if -exhibiting their whole strength. - -The attack then commenced, and Captain McDonald was immediately obliged -to fall back upon the main body and was a moment later killed. - -Major Grant received and returned a most destructive fire. At this -moment he suddenly found himself flanked on all sides by the detachments -from the banks of the river. The struggle became desperate. - -The provincials put up a good defense while concealing themselves behind -trees, but the Highlanders who stood exposed to the enemy’s fire without -cover, fell in great numbers, and at last gave way and fled. Soon the -provincials, having lost all their support, and being overpowered by -numbers, were compelled to follow. - -Major Grant retreated to the baggage where Captain Bullitt was posted, -where he again endeavored to rally his flying soldiers. His earnest -appeals for support were unavailing, as the French and Indians were too -close at their heels. - -As soon as the enemy came up Captain Bullitt attacked them with great -fury for awhile, but not being supported, and most of his men having -been killed, he was obliged to give way. - -The resistance shown by Captain Bullitt’s detail afforded many of the -retreating and a few of the wounded to escape. Major Grant and Captain -Bullitt were the last to leave the field, but when they separated Major -Grant was taken prisoner. - -In this conflict, which took place September 14, 1758, 270 men were -killed, forty-two wounded and several taken prisoners. - -“It was,” says Colonel Washington, in a letter to the Governor of -Virginia, “a very ill-concerted, or a very ill-executed plan, perhaps -both; but it seems to be generally acknowledged that Major Grant -exceeded his orders and that no disposition was made for engaging.” - - ---------- - - - - - Madame Montour Resents Murder of Her - Brother, September 15, 1711 - - -In the provincial history of Pennsylvania the name of the Montours -stands out among the many Indians of note, and the intimate story of -this large family presents many interesting and contradictory -characteristics. - -The first one of this family, which has given us its name for a county, -town, river, creek and mountain range, was the celebrated Madame -Montour. - -There has always been a question of doubt as to her birth. She claimed -to be a half-breed French-Indian, her father being a Governor of Canada. -Whether this is true or not, about 1665 a French nobleman named Montour -settled in Canada, where by an Indian woman, probably a Huron, he became -the father of a son and two daughters. This son of Montour grew up among -those Indians, who were at that time in alliance with the French. - -In 1685, while in the French service, he was wounded in a fight with two -Mohawk warriors on Lake Champlain. Subsequently he deserted the French -cause and again lived among the Indians. In 1709 he was killed while -inducing twelve of the Western tribes to support the English. - -One of his sisters became a noted interpreter and friend of the English, -and was known as Madame Montour; the other sister married a Miami Indian -and her history is lost. - -Madame Montour was born previous to the year 1684. When about ten years -old she was captured by some Iroquois warriors and adopted, probably by -the Seneca tribe, for at maturity she married a Seneca named Roland -Montour, by whom she had five children: Andrew, Henry, Robert, Lewis and -Margaret. - -After the death of Roland, Madame Montour married the noted Oneida -chief, Carondowanen, or “Big Tree,” who later took the name Robert -Hunter in honor of the royal governor of the province of New York. - -About 1729 Robert Hunter was killed in battle with the Catawba, against -whom he was waging war. - -Madame Montour first appeared as an official interpreter at the -conference at Albany, September 15, 1711. At this conference the wanton -murder of her brother, Andrew, by Vaudreuil, was bitterly resented by -Madame Montour, and she employed her great influence with telling effect -against the French, who tried to induce her to remove to Canada, but she -remained loyal to the English and was put in a position of great power -with lucrative return. - -Madame Montour was the interpreter in Philadelphia in 1727 at a -conference between Deputy Governor Patrick Gordon and the Provincial -Council on the one hand and the Six Nations, Conestoga, Ganawese and -Susquehanna Indians on the other. - -It is claimed that Madame Montour was a lady in manner and education, -was very attractive in mind and body, and that she was entertained by -ladies of the best society on her trips to Philadelphia; but as her -sister married an Indian and she was twice wedded to an Indian warrior, -it is probable her education and refinement were not so marked as is -claimed. - -Nevertheless, from the testimony of those who saw and knew her, but -contrary to the statement of Lord Cornbury, who knew her brother, it -seems almost certain that she was a French-Canadian without any -admixture of Indian blood, and that for some unaccountable reason she -preferred the life and dress of her adopted people. - -Madame Montour was always uniformly friendly toward the proprietary -Government, and such was the loyalty of her family that at least two of -her sons, Henry and Andrew, received large grants of “donation land” -from the Government. That of Henry lay upon the Chillisquaque Creek, in -Northumberland County, and that of Andrew, on the Loyalsock, where -Montoursville, in Lycoming County, is now situated. - -Madame Montour resided at the village of Ostonwackin[7] in 1734. This -was some times known as Frenchtown. When Conrad Weiser visited there in -1737, on his way to Onondaga, he wrote of Madame Montour, as “a French -woman by birth, of a good family, but now in mode of life a complete -Indian.” - -Footnote 7: - - Village at mouth of Loyalsock Creek, present site of Montoursville, - Lycoming County, Pa. - -When she attended the great treaty at Lancaster in 1744 she was -accompanied by two of her daughters, and at that time related to Witham -Marshe the story of her life. He represented her as genteel and of -polite address and as having been attractive in her prime. - -When Count Zinzendorf, the Moravian missionary, visited Shamokin (now -Sunbury) in 1742, he was welcomed by Madame Montour and her son Andrew. -She had moved to that place from Ostonwackin. - -Upon learning that the Count came to preach the gospel, the truths of -which she had almost forgotten, she burst into tears. It was learned -that she believed that Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, was situated -in France, and that it was the English who crucified him—a silly -perversion of the truth that originated with French religious teachers. - -It is thought she died at the home of her son, Andrew, in 1752. - -Of the children of Madame Montour, Andrew became the most prominent and -indeed he was one of the strong men during a long period of stirring -times in the province. His Indian name was Sattelihu, he was a son by -her first husband. - -Andrew became an interpreter at an early age and served the Proprietary -Government faithfully and well; he also was loved by his Indian -brethren, for he zealously guarded their interests. - -In 1745 he accompanied Conrad Weiser and Shikellamy, the vicegerent of -the Six Nations on the Susquehanna, on a mission to Onondaga, the -Federal capital of the confederation. - -He was sent on important missions to Maryland and other places and in -1753 the French authorities set a price of $500 on his head. In 1755 he -was living ten miles northwest from Carlisle, on land which had been -granted to him for his services. - -During the French and Indian War he was captain of a company of Indians -in the English service, and later rose to the rank of major. - -In 1762 he was King’s interpreter to the United Nations, and he served -as interpreter for the Delaware Indians at Fort Augusta, at the time -Conrad Weiser held a conference for the purpose of bringing about peace -between the Southern Confederation and the Six Nations. - -October 29, 1768, the Proprietary Government surveyed and granted to -Andrew Montour 880 acres of land at the mouth of the Loyalsock, where -the borough of Montoursville now is. With this and other grants he was -considered a man of great wealth. - - ---------- - - - - - Matthew Carey, Editor and Influential - Writer of Philadelphia, Died There - September 16, 1839 - - -Matthew Carey came to Philadelphia in November 1784, and spent the -remainder of his eventful life there, dying September 16, 1839. He was -born in Dublin, Ireland, January 28, 1760, where he spent his early -life. - -He learned the business of printer and bookseller, and at the age of -seventeen he wrote and published a pamphlet on duelling. This was soon -followed by an address to Roman Catholics in Ireland on their oppression -by the penal code. This was so seditious and inflammatory that he was -compelled to fly to Paris, but returned in the course of a year, and was -soon after prosecuted for printing a libel. - -In 1783, he edited the Freeman’s Journal and established the Volunteer’s -Journal. - -In 1784, he printed a libel on the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and was -imprisoned during the session of Parliament. He escaped on board a ship -in woman’s dress, and arrived in Philadelphia, November 15, 1784. - -General Lafayette, then on a visit to the United States, heard his -story, and not only procured influence for him, but advanced $400 to -Carey, who immediately started the Pennsylvania Herald, the first number -of which publication appeared January 25, 1785. - -The young printer, publisher, and editor attracted immediate attention -and patronage by giving the best reports of the Assembly yet published. -The Herald was in fact the first newspaper in America which gave full -and accurate reports of legislative proceedings. - -Matthew Carey was most aggressive with his pen, and burning with hate to -England, he at once became one of the most notable of the foreign-born -editors in America. - -But the spirited temper of the enterprising young Irishman aroused -collisions, one of which with Colonel Oswald, had serious result. -Eleazer Oswald had been a colonel in the Continental army during the -war, in which he appears to have served with credit; he was a kinsman of -Elizabeth Holt, wife of John Holt, and aided her in conducting the -Journal after the death of her husband, in 1785 and 1786. They sold the -Journal in 1787 to Thomas Greenleaf. - -Oswald had an “unpleasantness” with Francis Child, of the New York -Advertiser, and then succeeded in getting himself into a political -dispute with Matthew Carey. - -This latter quarrel terminated in a duel, in which Carey was shot above -the knee, a wound that confined him to the house for nearly sixteen -months. - -During the interval, Carey seems to have been able to continue his -editorial labors, and, in 1786, with several partners, he started the -Columbian Magazine, but withdrew from this enterprise the following -December, and founded the American Museum, a monthly eclectic magazine, -which he edited with marked ability for six years. - -After abandoning the Museum Carey entered into business as a bookseller -and publisher, and among other works issued a quarto edition of the -Bible, called the standing edition—as it was kept in type. - -He took an active part in charitable enterprises, and every fortnight -dispensed food and other necessaries of life to hundreds of poor widows. -He was particularly active in works of benevolence during the prevalence -of yellow fever in Philadelphia in 1793, and wrote and published a -history of that epidemic. - -In 1793 Carey founded the Hibernian Society and undertook with Hugh -Gaine a system of annual book fairs, resembling the present trade sales. - -He was an associate of Bishop William White and others in the formation -of the first American Sunday School Society. - -While the War of 1812–14 was kindling he wrote much on political -subjects, and in 1814 the Olive Branch appeared, in which he attempted -to harmonize the contending parties in the United States. It passed -through ten editions. - -In 1818 he published “Vindicia Hibernicæ,” which was a refutation of -charges made against the Catholics of Ireland of butchering Protestants -in the insurrection of 1640. - -In 1820 he published “The New Olive Branch,” which was in favor of -protection to American industry; and two years later his “Essays on -Political Economy,” were also published in favor of protection. These -publications were widely circulated. - -In 1830, under the title of “Miscellaneous Essays,” Carey republished -selections from his writings. There are fifty-eight papers, essays, and -longer compositions, and two hundred pieces collected under the heading -of “Light Reading.” - -Carey also advocated the system of internal improvements which led to -the construction of the great canal system in Pennsylvania. - -He was active in promoting education, and in forming associations for -the relief of those unable to help themselves. - -As Matthew Carey advanced in years, he acquired a fair amount of wealth, -and in consequence of ease and comfortable environment, he became a -prolific writer, but always on subjects which were solid. He gave no -time to the elegancies of literature or fiction. - -In this field of literature he was succeeded by his son Henry Charles -Carey, who became well known for his robust works on political economy. - -In 1833–34 Matthew Carey contributed his autobiography to the New -England Magazine. - -He acquired an enviable social position as well as one of wealth. He -died much lamented at his home in Philadelphia, September 16, 1839. - - ---------- - - - - - First Constitution of United States Adopted - in Philadelphia September 17, 1787 - - -The Constitution of the United States, as is well known, was framed -during the summer of 1787, by a convention of Delegates from twelve -States. The convention sat in the old State House at Philadelphia, and -after a stormy session of four months ended its labors on September 17, -1787. - -In the preliminary movement to form a nation, only five of the thirteen -colonies were represented. Delegates from New York, New Jersey, -Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia, met at Annapolis, Md., September -11, 1786, and after much discussion and consideration, they recommended -that a convention be called to meet in Philadelphia on the second Monday -of May, 1787. - -When that day arrived the only delegates to appear at the State House -were those of Pennsylvania and Virginia. At the end of two weeks no -others had arrived except those from Delaware and New Jersey. This fact -indicates how little they appreciated the importance of the event. - -Finally, twelve States were represented; the largest delegation was from -Pennsylvania, and consisted of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert -Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson -and Gouverneur Morris. General George Washington was elected president, -and William Jackson, secretary. The convention sat with closed doors. - -Former Governor Pennypacker, in his excellent “Pennsylvania—The -Keystone,” says “Washington presided and the aged Franklin participated, -but the most learned lawyer among them was James Wilson, and, perhaps, -more than any other member, he affected the results reached.” - -On the afternoon of the day that the convention finished its labors, the -Constitution was duly signed by thirty-nine of the members. Some -resolutions and a letter from Washington were ordered to be sent to -Congress and to be by it transmitted to the States. - -The Constitution was adopted September 17, 1787, and by this action of -the convention a new Nation was born in Philadelphia. - -While these things were taking place in a lower room of the State House, -the Legislature of Pennsylvania was in session in a room above, and the -Constitution was read to it on the morning of September 18. - -Copies were then given to the press, and the next day the people of -Philadelphia were reading the new plan in the “Packet,” the “Journal” -and the “Gazetteer.” For a few days nothing but praise was heard, but -before a week was gone, it was attacked. - -The principal supporters of the plan of the Federal Convention were -former officers of the Revolution, many of whom had served throughout -the entire struggle for independence, while not one prominent soldier of -that war was included among the twenty-three Anti-Federalists who -consistently voted against ratification. - -All was not satisfactory, and there was much trouble about the adoption -of the Constitution, which did not go into effect until ratified by nine -States. - -Patrick Henry, of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, -opposed it violently. It also had many opponents in Pennsylvania. -Particularly was this true among the partisans of the State Government. - -A draft of the instrument was reported to the Assembly, when a motion -was made to authorize the calling of a State convention to deliberate -upon its adoption. - -This body met November 21, and was organized by the choice of Frederick -A. Muhlenberg as president, and James Campbell, as secretary. On -December 12, following, the final adoption of the draft of the -Constitution was carried by a vote of 46 to 23 against it. - -The following day the members of the convention and of the Supreme -Executive Council, with officers of the State and the City of -Philadelphia and others, went in procession from the State House to the -old court house, where the ratification of the instrument was solemnly -proclaimed. Twelve cannon were fired and the bells were rung. - -The convention returned to the State House, where two copies of the -ratification of the Constitution were signed. According to Hamilton, a -motion was made that all members should sign it as an acquiescence to -the principle that the majority should govern, which was strenuously -objected to by the opponents of this instrument. - -Delaware ratified the Constitution December 7, 1787, making Pennsylvania -the second State to ratify. That is the reason that today in all -national processions these States are given the lead. - -State after State approved the Constitution, and in several of them -processions had taken place to celebrate, but in Pennsylvania there had -been no celebration of this kind; but it was decided, however, that as -soon as the ninth State acceded to it, measures should be taken for -public rejoicing. - -Following Delaware and Pennsylvania came New Jersey, which adopted the -Constitution December 18; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January -9; Massachusetts, February 6; Maryland, April 28; South Carolina, May -23. - -On June 21, when New Hampshire, the ninth State, ratified it, it was -determined by the citizens of Philadelphia to celebrate the formation of -the new Union on the evening of the Fourth of July. By that time -Virginia had also ratified the Constitution by vote of June 26. - -This pageant was as imposing as it was possible for the authorities and -the people of Pennsylvania in their enthusiasm to make it, and not only -in the metropolis but in every town in the State was the occasion one of -patriotism and splendor. - -New York ratified the Constitution July 26, 1788; North Carolina, -November 21, 1789, and the last one of the thirteen original States to -ratify was Rhode Island, which did not accomplish it until May 29, 1790. - -The adoption of the Constitution rendered the institution of measures -necessary for the election of members of Congress and electors of -President and Vice President of the United States. - -The Anti-Federalists immediately got busy and endeavored to effect a -plan to revise the new Constitution, but were defeated in their -purposes. The actions of this body in Pennsylvania in their convention -in Harrisburg, September, 1788, were denounced by the people. - -A new convention was called to meet in Lancaster, which selected -candidates for Congress and electors for President. - -The election of members of Congress took place in November, and in the -State six of the nominees of the Federal ticket were elected, and two, -David Muhlenberg, of Montgomery, and Daniel Hiester, of Berks, who, -although Federalists, had, with two others of the same politics, been -placed as a matter of policy with the opposition ticket. - -The centennial of the adoption of the Federal Constitution was fittingly -celebrated in Philadelphia. - -On September 15, 1887, there was a large civic and industrial -procession, a military display on the 16th, and fine Memorial Day -ceremonies in Independence Square on the 17th. - -The occasion was celebrated with great credit to Philadelphia, -Pennsylvania and the Nation, as it illustrated the dignity and grandeur -of the Republic. - - ---------- - - - - - Labor Riots Follow Civil War; Jay Cooke - Company Failed September 18, 1873 - - -Following the suggestion of Governor John White Geary, the Legislature -on June 2, 1871, adopted a resolution to submit the question of calling -a convention to amend the Constitution to a vote of the people. The -delegates were elected October, 1872, and assembled in the Capitol -November 12, 1872. - -Hon. William M. Meredith was elected president and served until his -death, August 17, 1873, when Hon. John H. Walker, of Erie County, was -chosen to fill the vacancy. The convention adjourned November 27 to meet -in Philadelphia on January 7, 1873. - -A new Constitution was drafted and adopted, after which it was submitted -to the people on December 16, 1873, and approved by a vote of 263,560 to -109,198. - -This new Constitution contained several important changes: An increase -in the number of Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly; -biennial sessions of the Legislature; the election by the people of -sundry officers heretofore appointed; minority representation; -modification of the pardoning power; the term of the Governor made for -four years, and not eligible to the office for the succeeding term; the -office of Lieutenant-Governor created; changes in tenure and mode of -electing Judges of the courts. The new Constitution became effective -January 1, 1874. - -The good times which followed the Civil War were in a few years followed -by a financial depression that extended over the whole country and -reduced innumerable financial establishments to ruin. - -These financial troubles began in Philadelphia with the failure of the -banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., September 18, 1873. Mr. Cooke’s bank -had given such help to the United States Government during the period of -the war that he was frequently called the “Financier of the Rebellion.” - -When this banking institution collapsed there followed a run on other -banks, the effects of which soon spread throughout the United States. - -The excellent “Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal,” by Howard M. Jenkins, -says: “The condition of the times was rendered more deplorable by a -series of labor difficulties, extending from 1874–1877. In 1874, there -was a conflict in Westmoreland County between Italian and resident -miners, in which four of the Italians were killed. The same year there -was a railroad strike at Susquehanna on the New York and Erie Railroad. -A number of trains were seized by the mob, and order was not restored -until after the Governor had sent the State militia into that region. In -January, 1875, the miners of the Lehigh and Schuylkill regions began a -strike, which lasted six months. There was but little violence; yet the -Governor found it necessary to order the militia to the scene of the -disturbance.” - -In 1877, the spirit of lawlessness increased, culminating in a series of -destructive riots in different parts of the State. The cause of all this -trouble was the railroad strike, which began on July 16, and soon became -general throughout the United States. - -In the beginning of July, a circular was issued from the offices of the -Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, announcing a reduction of 10 per cent from -the wages which the men were then receiving. A new schedule of wages was -announced, to take effect on July 16. At all points along the railroad, -there were demonstrations against this reduction. A strike was ordered, -and before midnight of the 16th the immense property of the Baltimore -and Ohio was in the hands of the rioters. - -On July 19 the employes of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh -inaugurated a strike, and stopped the passage of all freight trains east -and west. By the evening of the 20th, a large number of freight trains -were tied up in the city. The striking workmen resisted all efforts of -the railroad officials to remove these trains, and threatened acts of -violence. At this time Governor John F. Hartranft was on a trip across -the continent, but upon the call of the Sheriff the Adjutant General -ordered the Sixteenth Division of the National Guard to assist in -restoring order. - -Adjutant General James W. Latta arrived at Pittsburgh on July 21, to -take personal charge of all the troops ordered out. The First Division -of the National Guard was also called into service, and on the forenoon -of the 21st, the troops took position upon the hill overlooking the -tracks at Twenty-eighth Street. - -At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the troops from Philadelphia arrived, and -they at once proceeded to open the road. As they approached -Twenty-eighth Street, the crowds pressed in upon them and stones were -thrown by the mob. - -There was considerable firing on both sides, and in the melee twenty -soldiers were wounded. In the evening the soldiers withdrew to the -roundhouse and adjacent buildings. At midnight the rioters determined to -drive them out by burning the freight cars in the vicinity. The result -was a great conflagration, in which vast quantities of freight were -consumed and all the rolling stock and buildings of the Pennsylvania -Railroad at Pittsburgh were destroyed. - -Hastening from his trip, Governor Hartranft reached Pittsburgh on July -24. After a consultation with the leading citizens he went to -Philadelphia to confer with Generals Hancock and Schofield, of the -United States Army. - -Arrangements were made to forward a detachment of the regular army to -Pittsburgh, there to join the State troops which the Governor collected -on the way. - -A large force was soon gathered at the scene of the disturbance, and, -with Governor Hartranft in personal command, order was restored in a few -days and railroad communications were opened with all parts of the -country. In the meantime there were serious riots in other parts of the -State. - -The lawless spirit in Philadelphia and Harrisburg was quelled by the -prompt action of the officials, but in Reading the work of destruction -was almost equal to that in Pittsburgh. The railroad bridge over the -Schuylkill was burned, and the mob virtually controlled the city. - -As the authorities of Berks County were unable to suppress the riot, -General Reeder was sent there with a division of the National Guard. On -the evening of July 23 there was a severe street fight between the mob -and the soldiers, in which some of the latter were wounded, while eleven -of the crowd were killed. The next day a detachment of the United States -troops arrived and the railroad was opened to traffic. - -The contagion of lawlessness affected the miners of Luzerne County, and -on July 25 they began a general strike. All railroad traffic was -suspended in that region, and at Scranton the rioters attempted to drive -the workmen from the shops. The Sheriff with a number of aides dispersed -the crowd, but he was seriously wounded and three of the mob were -killed. - -As the conditions became more threatening, it was necessary to forward a -division of the National Guard to the coal regions. Early in August all -disorder was suppressed, and in a few weeks all the railroads in the -State were running on schedule time. - - ---------- - - - - - Indians Defrauded by Deceptive Walking - Land Measure, September 19, 1737 - - -From the time of William Penn’s arrival, in 1682, while he was a lowly -Christian himself, he had followers who did not have the same fear of -God in their hearts, and who did not hesitate to excite the cupidity of -the unsophisticated children of the forest, and by any and all means -take advantage of them. - -William Penn formed many treaties with the Indians and concluded many -purchases, no one of which was well and accurately defined as to its -actual boundary. - -Penn and his agents were ignorant of the topography of the wilderness in -the interior of “Penn’s Woods,” and in their earlier purchases had been -in the habit of defining the boundaries of land by well-known streams or -highlands, or well-known natural objects. - -They often indicated their extension into the unknown region by such -vague terms as: “To run two days’ journey with a horse up into the -country as the river doth go,” or “Northeasterly back into the woods to -make up two full days’ journey,” or “far as a man can go in two days -from said station,” etc. - -The first purchase of land from the Indians above the Neshaminy, in -Bucks County, made by William Markham, the agent of William Penn, was in -1682. This purchase was to be bounded by the River Delaware on the -northeast, and the Neshaminy on the northwest, and was to extend as far -back as a man could walk in three days. - -It is stated that Penn and the Indians began to walk out this land, -commencing at the mouth of the Neshaminy, and walking up the Delaware; -in one day and a half they got to a spruce tree, near Baker’s Creek, -when Penn concluded this would be as much land as he would want at -present. A line was drawn and marked from the spruce tree to the -Neshaminy. - -This was the only boundary which was ever settled by Penn in person, and -Penn wrote of this trip, saying that they frequently halted to converse, -smoke and eat. - -Lines measured in that manner would often have extended far beyond the -expectations of the contracting parties, so more definite terms were -soon employed to define limits of land grants. But about 1718 the -settlers, maintaining the authority of the original lines, pushed their -improvements beyond the designated lines, much to the dissatisfaction of -the Indians. - -That act nearly precipitated war, had not wiser counsels prevailed, but -encroachments continued until a general meeting of the Iroquois was held -and their chiefs determined to put an end to the bickerings, and sent -their chief sachems to Philadelphia. There they renewed old treaties, by -the signatures of twenty-three of their chiefs, and deed to Penn’s heirs -“all the said river Susquehanna, with lands lying on both sides thereof, -to extend eastward as far as the heads of the branch or springs which -run into the said Susquehanna, and all lands lying on the west side of -the said river, northward, up the same to the hills or mountains.” - -That did not even stop the unscrupulous land seeker and much additional -land was taken from the natives, which in consequence provoked trouble. - -After the death of William Penn a copy of one of those walk-deeds was -found by Thomas and John Penn, who, at a council in 1733, fifty years -after it had been executed, presented it to the Indians and received -from them an acknowledgment of its validity, and under that an -arrangement was made for a walk of one day and a half to settle the -boundaries. - -The Penns, although strict Quakers, did not shrink from using means -about the honesty of which there could be some question, and they -advertised far and wide for the fastest walkers, offering five hundred -acres of land and five pounds in money to the man who would walk the -greatest distance in the allotted time. - -Every facility was furnished them, a direct line was run, underbrush was -cleared away, refreshments were placed at convenient distances, all -arranged so that there might be little or no delay. Indeed, the -preparations for a modern marathon race could hardly be more carefully -made. - -The persons selected by the Governor were Edward Marshall, James Yeates -and Solomon Jennings. One of the Indians was called Combush, another -Neepaheilomon, also known as Joe Tuneam, and his brother-in-law, Tom. - -The time appointed for the walk was the morning of September 19, 1737, -when the days and nights were equal. The walk was to commence at a -chestnut tree just above the present site of Wrightstown Meeting House, -under the supervision of Timothy Smith, sheriff of Bucks County, and -Benjamin Eastburn, surveyor general. - -Marshall was a noted hunter, chain carrier, etc.; Yeates was a tall, -slim fellow, very agile and fleet of foot; Jennings was remarkable for -his strength, but was of very stout build. - -A great crowd of spectators gathered at the starting point. The walkers -were accompanied by a number of persons who carried refreshments and -otherwise encouraged the walkers to greater efforts. - -They walked moderately at first, but soon quickened their pace, so that -the Indians frequently called to them to walk and not to run. Those -remonstrances produced no effect, and most of the Indians left them in -anger, saying they were being cheated. A number of persons had collected -about twenty miles from the starting point to see them pass. - -First came Yeates, stepping as lightly as a feather. After him, but yet -out of sight came Jennings, with a strong steady step, then far behind -him came Marshall, apparently careless, swinging a hatchet and eating a -biscuit. Bets ran in favor of Yeates. - -In two and a half hours they arrived at Red Hill, in Bedminister, but -the pace by this time was too hot for Jennings and two of the Indians -and they gave up the contest. The other Indian, Combush, continued with -Marshall and Yeates, and when they arrived at the fork of the road, near -what is now Bethlehem, Combush laid down to rest a moment, but on -attempting to rise was unable to proceed farther. - -Marshall and Yeates continued alone and by sunset arrived on the north -of Blue Mountain. At sunrise the next morning they started again, but -when crossing a stream at the foot of the mountain near Lehigh Water -Gap, Yeates became faint and fell. Marshall turned back and supported -him until some of the attendants came up, and then continued to walk on -by himself. At noon, the hour when the walk was to terminate, he had -reached a spur on the Second or Broad Mountain, estimated to be -eighty-six miles from the starting point. - -Having thus reached the fartherest possible point to the northwestward, -a line was drawn from the end of the “walk” to the Delaware River. - -Not being described in the deed of purchase, the agent of the -Proprietaries, instead of running by the nearest course to the river, -ran northeastward across the country about sixty-six miles, so as to -strike the Delaware near the mouth of the Lackawaxen, thus extending far -up the river, taking in all the Minisink territory, and many thousand -acres more than they should have included had the line been run by the -direct course to the Delaware. - -This walk gained for the Penn’s territory which now constitutes the -northern part of Bucks, virtually the whole of Northampton and a portion -of Pike, Carbon and Monroe counties. - - ---------- - - - - - British Surprise and Slaughter Americans - at Paoli, September 20, 1777 - - -Following the defeat of the Continental Army at Brandywine, a detachment -of the British Army under Major General Grant marched to Concord Meeting -House, where it was joined by Lord Cornwallis and moved to near Chester. - -The Americans retreated toward Chester. On the arrival of Washington, -about midnight, he sent an account of the disaster to Congress. The next -day the army marched by way of Darby to Philadelphia. The main body was -encamped near Germantown for two or three days to rest. - -Washington deemed it so important to save Philadelphia from falling into -the hands of the enemy that he resolved to risk another engagement. - -On September 15 he crossed the Schuykill and marched up the Lancaster -road, with the intention of meeting the enemy. The British commander -learned of Washington’s plan to attack him, and disposed his troops to -meet the attack. - -On the morning of the 16th Washington received information that the -enemy was approaching by way of the Goshen Meeting House, and was -already in that vicinity. The two armies prepared for action. Washington -dispatched an advance guard to keep the enemy in check until his army -was properly arrayed. - -General Anthony Wayne in command of the advance, was to open the battle. -Skirmishing began, but suddenly a rain storm of great violence stopped -its progress. A hurried consultation was had as to whether the British -should be fought on ground so soft there was danger of losing the -artillery in case of defeat. - -Washington gave the order to reform east of the White Horse and north of -the Lancaster road. - -The Americans discovered their ammunition was damaged by the rain and -continued to Warwick Furnace. The storm continued for some time. - -On the evening of the 18th, Cornwallis advanced to the Lancaster road, -and the following day the entire army joined at the White Horse, and -moved down the Lancaster and Swedes’ Ford road, where they encamped near -the present village of Howellville. - -On the 17th General Wayne’s division was sent to French Creek to annoy -the enemy and endeavor to cut off the baggage train, and by this means -arrest his march toward the Schuylkill until the Americans could cross -the river higher up and pass down on the east side and intercept the -passage of the river by the British. - -General Wayne proceeded to the duty assigned him, and on the eighteenth -encamped in the rear of the enemy, securely concealed from the knowledge -of General Howe. Wayne’s home being in the neighborhood, he was -acquainted with the locality. - -On the nineteenth General Wayne watched the enemy with a view of -attacking him should he move. On the twentieth, he believed the British -Commander intended to take up the march, and it was his intention to -advance upon the enemy’s rear and attack while in the operation of -moving. - -General Wayne had carefully guarded himself against surprise, planted -pickets and sentinels, and threw forward patrols upon the roads leading -to the enemy’s camp. - -During the night a neighbor visited his quarters and advised him that -the British intended to attack him during the night. Wayne took -additional precautions, and awaited General Smallwood’s arrival with -re-enforcements to enable him to take the offensive. - -Although the British commander did not know where the forces of General -Wayne lay, there were Tories residing in the neighborhood who did, and -by these he was advised of the precise locality and of the nature of the -approaches to it. - -Howe sent General Grey to surprise and cut him off, and moved Colonel -Musgrave with the Fortieth and Fifty-fifth Regiments up the Lancaster -road, near to the Paoli Tavern, to intercept any attempt to retreat over -that route. The watchword of the Americans for that night, through some -treachery was communicated to the enemy. - -General Grey, guided by his Tory aides, marched up the Swedes’ Ford -road, and massed his troops as near Wayne’s camp as possible. General -Grey cautiously moved through the woods up the ravine, and near the -present Malvern station of the Pennsylvania Railroad. - -General Wayne received intelligence of the enemy’s advances, immediately -ordered the troops under arms, many were awakened by the cry, “Up, men, -the British are on you!” - -The night was dark, and the surrounding woodland made it uncertain as to -the point of attack. General Wayne ascertained, however, that the enemy -was advancing upon his right, where the artillery was placed, and -ordered Colonel Humpton to wheel the division by sub-platoon to the -right, and march off by the left, and thus gain the road leading to the -summit of the hill. - -The artillery moved off, but owing to a misapprehension the troops -failed to move, although in a position to do so. In addition to this -blunder, part of the force took the wrong road, which brought the men -within the light of their fires, and thus gave the enemy an advantage -which should have been avoided. - -General Wayne took the light infantry and First regiment and formed them -on the right, to receive the enemy and cover the retreat of the -artillery. - -General Grey had gained Wayne’s left about 1 o’clock in the morning. The -troops under Wayne met the enemy with spirit, gave them several -well-directed fires, which did considerable execution. They were, -however, soon compelled to give way before superior numbers. - -General Wayne with the Fourth regiment received the shock of the enemy’s -charge, and covered the retreat of the rest of his line. He rallied such -of Colonel Humpton’s troops as had taken the proper course in their -retreat, where they were again formed to renew the conflict. - -Both parties, however drew off without further contest, and General -Wayne retreated to the White Horse, carrying with him his artillery and -ammunition. - -The British attack was made by twice the number of the troops commanded -by Wayne. The enemy advanced with only bayonets and light horseman’s -swords in a most ferocious and merciless spirit. General Grey ordered -his men to remove the flints from their guns, that not a single shot -should be fired. - -The British dashed into the woods, guided by the straggling fire of the -picket, and rushed into the camp yelling. - -The Americans were completely surprised, some with arms, others without, -running in all directions in the greatest confusion. - -The light infantry bayoneted every man they met. The camp was soon in -flames, and this with the cries of the wounded formed a scene terrible -to behold. - -In the slaughter even the sick and wounded were not spared. This conduct -of the British commander has stigmatized it as “British barbarity” and -has given to the action the title of the Paoli Massacre. - -The loss of the Americans was about 150 killed and wounded. The British -reported their loss as eight killed, but this is probably an inaccurate -record. - -The next morning the people in the neighborhood visited the scene and -decently buried fifty-three mangled dead whose bodies were found upon -the field. - - ---------- - - - - - Unholy Alliance with Delaware Indians - Concluded at Fort Pitt, - September 21, 1778 - - -When General Lachlan McIntosh was sent to relieve General Edward Hand at -Fort Pitt it was expected that the frontiers would be made safe, as -General Washington ordered the Eighth Pennsylvania and the Thirteenth -Virginia detached from Valley Forge and marched to the Western post. - -The plan of General McIntosh was to attack Detroit, which involved a -march of 300 miles through a wilderness inhabited by savages, most of -whom were hostile to the American cause. This army must be carried far -from its base of supplies, and Fort Pitt was never strong. This was a -stupendous enterprise. - -The Delaware tribe, who had removed from the central part of -Pennsylvania, were now living on the Tuscarawas and the Muskingum, and -were the only Indians who had maintained neutrality between the -Colonists and the British. - -White Eyes, the head sachem and the greatest chieftain ever produced by -this remarkable Indian nation, was devoted to the American cause. He -revealed a spirit of intelligent sympathy with the struggle for liberty -and even hoped that a Delaware Indian State might form a fourteenth star -in the American Union. - -Preparations were made for a formal treaty of alliance, and June, 1778, -Congress ordered it to be held at Fort Pitt July 23 following, and -requested Virginia to name two Commissioners and Pennsylvania one. - -On account of the Continental troops being too far distant the treaty -was postponed until September. - -Colonel Brodhead and the Eighth Pennsylvania, which had been recruited -in Western Pennsylvania, reached Fort Pitt September 10, 1778. Already -the Delaware Indians were encamped near the shore of the river a short -distance above the fort. Two days later the conference began. - -This was probably the most remarkable treaty ever made in the interest -of the United States. - -By this treaty, the United States entered into an offensive and -defensive alliance with a tribe of savage Indians, recognizing them as -an independent nation, guaranteeing its integrity and territory. Each -party bound itself to assist the other against enemies. - -The treaty even contained a provision for the admission of an Indian -State into the American Union. The Commissioners certainly knew this was -impossible, yet they deliberately provided for it in solemn treaty, -taking care, however, to subject the scheme to the approval of Congress. - -In present day parlance it was a “gold brick,” the white men handed to -their red brethren. - -On the other hand, it was a most courageous act upon the part of the -Delaware tribe to form this alliance with the Americans, as all the -other Indian tribes of the West were in league with the British, and had -for months been trying to persuade the Delaware to join them. - -In that alliance White Eyes exposed his people to absolute destruction -by the British and their red allies. He fully realized his danger, yet -he had the courage to do what he believed to be the right thing, and he -fell a martyr to his convictions. - -The Shawnee were invited into the alliance, but made no response. At the -treaty the Delaware deputies were White Eyes, the chief sachem; -Killbuck, a famous medicine man and war chief, and Pipe, the chief -warrior of the Wolf clan. All were attired in holiday regalia, paint, -feathers and beads. - -On the part of the Americans were General McIntosh and his colonels and -staff officers. The interpreter was Job Chilloway, the noted Delaware -Indian, who resided on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and who was -ever the true friend of the whites. Soldiers patrolled the parade ground -or stood about watching the unusual scene. - -General Andrew Lewis, one of the Virginia Commissioners, opened the -conference on Saturday morning by presenting a belt of white wampum, and -praising the Delaware tribesmen because they alone remained faithful to -their treaties. He then presented a broad belt which had the wampum so -arranged that it depicted a red man and a white man connected by a black -line, denoting a road or path. He then proposed a formal alliance, -giving a third belt, showing a white man and an Indian clasping hands. - -General Lewis stated the intention of sending an army against Detroit -and asked permission of the Delaware Indians for passage through their -country. - -Chief White Eyes gave thanks for the offer of friendship and alliance. -He told them it was to form such an alliance that he and his comrades -had come to the council. He promised a prompt consultation and an answer -in the afternoon. He was the only Indian who spoke at the conference. - -The arrival of another delegation of Indians consumed much time. The new -arrivals were led by Wingenund, the Delaware wise man, and Nimwha, chief -of the small band of the Shawnee, who lived with the Delaware at -Coshocton. - -The conference was resumed in the morning, when White Eyes announced the -readiness of the Indians to accept the alliance. The Commissioners -announced they would submit copy of the treaty in writing. - -White Eyes then said: “Brothers, we are become one people. The enemy -Indians, as soon as they hear it, will strike us. We desire that our -brethren would build some place for our old men, women and children to -remain in safety whilst our warriors go with you.” - -On Monday the articles of confederation between a civilized and a savage -nation were interpreted and explained to the Indians. On Wednesday White -Eyes accepted the treaty on behalf of the Delaware and the Shawnee. - -On the following day the articles of confederation were signed in -triplicate, one copy for Congress, one for the Delaware, and one for -General McIntosh. There were six articles: - -First, all offenses were to be mutually forgiven; second, a perpetual -peace was pledged; third, the Delaware assented to passages through -their country for American Army and agreed to sell corn, meat and horses -to the army and to furnish guides, while the Americans agreed to erect a -garrison, within the Delaware country, a fort for the protection of the -old men, women and children; fourth, related to punishment for offenses -only by trial by judges of both parties, etc.; fifth, the United States -pledged the establishment of a fair trade under the control of an honest -agent. - -The sixth article was the most remarkable of all. It guaranteed the -integrity of the Delaware territory so long as the nation should keep -peace with the United States, promised the Delaware nation should have a -representative in Congress, etc. All these articles were contingent upon -the proviso that “it meets with the approval of Congress.” - -On the succeeding day, September 21, presents were given to the Delaware -on behalf of Congress and the Indians then departed for Coshocton, to -make preparations for joining the expedition against Detroit. - -Chief White Eyes was treacherously killed; the soldiers spent the winter -in the wilderness, where many hardships were endured, and the expedition -proved a failure. - - ---------- - - - - - Franklin Attends Conference of Indians in - Carlisle, September 22, 1753 - - -During the summer of 1753 the Six Nations, Shawnee, Delaware and -Twightwee held a great treaty in Virginia, where they were called by -Governor Dinwiddie, but who much offended them by his failure to attend -the conference in person. - -On their return the Indians sent word to Governor James Hamilton, at -Philadelphia, that they desired to negotiate a new treaty at Carlisle. -The Governor learned that Dinwiddie had not met them in Virginia and he -thought Carlisle too far distant to travel on such a mission, so Isaac -Norris, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Richard Peters, the -secretary, and Dr. Benjamin Franklin were commissioned September 22, -1753, to meet and treat with the Indians. - -Those who today wander through the streets of historic old Carlisle -cannot realize that Franklin and his companions found little more than a -frontier fort. John O'Neal, in a letter to Governor Hamilton, dated May -27, 1753, says there were only five houses in the town and but twelve -men in the garrison. - -Fort Lowther, on High street, near the Public Square, was a harbor of -refuge for pioneer families so frequently exposed to Indian attack. -Court was held in a log building on the northeast corner of Center -Square. - -Franklin never forgot his experience at Carlisle and referred to it -frequently. His visit to help make a new treaty with the Ohio Indians -was a mission of much importance. Through daring wiles of the French, -England’s position in the New World was being imperiled more and more. - -What attitude the Indians would take in a contest between English and -French was of vital importance, not only to the King, but more -especially to Pennsylvania settlers, who well knew the terror of Indian -massacres and wars. - -The Indians attending the Carlisle pow-wow wanted fire water as soon as -the commissioners arrived, but Franklin and the other members were -shrewd enough to promise rum only when the conference had been -completed. - -Scarouady, an Oneida chief, sometimes called Half King, who was a person -of great weight in their councils, went into caucus with the -commissioners before formal sessions began. - -He regretfully advised that deliberations could not proceed until belts, -strings and goods sent by the Pennsylvania Assembly as condolences -arrived “to cover the graves of braves killed by the French and their -Indians, and were spread out on the ground” before the assembled red -men. - -The commissioners wanted to begin work at once and offered to furnish a -list and inventory of the delayed presents. It was then agreed to confer -with the chiefs of the “Shawnee and Delaware on the state of affairs in -Ohio,” pending arrival of the condolences. - -Conrad Weiser and Andrew Montour acted as interpreters between the -commissioners and Indians, while several magistrates and freeholders -attended the conference, which was formally opened on the morning of -October 1, after the gifts costing £800, which had arrived that morning, -had been laid out on the ground. - -During the three days following, when Indians and commissioners were not -passing presents to one another, speeches were delivered according to -the customary procedure of such gatherings. - -At the closing of the first day, as is briefly mentioned in the report, -“the goods allotted for each nation as a present of condolence were -taken away by each.” - -The forms of the condolences depended entirely on Indian custom and were -settled in conference with Scarouady and Cayanguileguoa, a sensible -Indian of the Mohawk Nation, and accordingly the proper belts and -strings were made ready. - -But the commissioners had been compelled to await until the condolences -had arrived before they were able to assuage the Indian grief. - -After the Oneida chieftain had offered the suggestion, “We dig a grave -for your warriors killed in your country and we bury their bones, -decently wrapping them in these blankets, and with these presents we -cover their graves,” the Indians aired their complaints and -protestations of loyalty to the English. - -In return for all the delicate niceties of Indian procedure, which the -wise Franklin had been careful to observe the red men covered graves of -the English with a beaver skin blanket and offered as occasion required -a string or two of wampum, belts and bundles of skins. - -A shell, painted green on the concave side, with a string of wampum -attached, was given the commissioners as evidence that the assembled -Indians had but a single heart and that “green and good and sound.” - -The calumet, a pipe decorated with fine feathers, was offered in proof -that the Indians cherished no resentment against the English because of -French inroads. - -They made Andrew Montour a counselor for the Six Nations, presented him -with a belt in token of their confidence and gave notice in a speech -that a horn had been set upon his head as evidence of Indian respect for -one of their number who served the English. - -Franklin thus speaks of this treaty in his autobiography: “Being -commissioned, we went to Carlisle and met the Indians accordingly. As -these people are extremely apt to get drunk, and when so are very -quarrelsome and disorderly, we strictly forbade the selling of any -liquor to them; and when they complained of this restriction, we told -them, if they would continue sober during the treaty, we would give them -plenty of rum when the business was over. They promised this, and they -kept their promise, because they could get no rum, and the treaty was -conducted very orderly and concluded to mutual satisfaction. They then -claimed and received the rum; this was in the afternoon. - -“They were near one hundred men, women and children, some were lodged in -temporary cabins, built in the form of a square, just without the town. -In the evening, hearing a great noise among them, the commissioners -walked out to see what was the matter. - -“We found they had made a great bonfire in the middle of the square; -they were all drunk, men and women quarreling and fighting. Their -dark-colored bodies, seen only by the gloomy light of the bonfire, -running after and beating one another with firebrands, accompanied by -their horrid yellings, formed a scene the most resembling our ideas of -an inferno that could be well imagined. - -“There was no appeasing the tumult, and we retired to our lodgings. At -midnight a number of them came thundering at our door, demanding more -rum, of which we took no notice. The next day, sensible they had -misbehaved themselves in giving us that disturbance, they sent three of -their old counselors to make their apology.” - -He concludes: “That if it be the design of Providence to extirpate these -savages in order to make room for the cultivators of the earth, it seems -not impossible that rum may be the appointed means. It has already -annihilated all the tribes who formerly inhabited the seacoast.” - - ---------- - - - - - Boundary Dispute with Virginia Ended - When Assembly Ratified Agreement, - September 23, 1780 - - -Besides the Connecticut claims, which took in almost the entire half of -the Province of Pennsylvania, Virginia laid claim to a large portion of -the western part. The origin of this claim dates very far back in the -history of the country. - -The charter of 1607 granted to the London Company all the territory in -America lying between the 34th and 38th degrees of north latitude. - -In 1609 the charter was amended and enlarged, so that it comprised a -region stretching two hundred miles north and the same distance south of -Point Comfort, and extending “up into the land throughout, from sea to -sea, west and northwest.” - -In 1623 the London Company was dissolved, and their territory, except -where grants had been made to private individuals, reverted to the -Crown. - -The Virginians never fully accepted this decision. Penn’s grant was -respected; but any other territory within the limits of their charter -they continued to claim, notwithstanding the action of the King’s Bench. - -To explore and occupy his vast domain was one of the most fascinating -objects of the early Virginians. - -It was to vindicate their claim to the region about the forks of the -Ohio that the youthful Major George Washington was sent to the French -posts in 1753. - -The authorities of Pennsylvania, however, now began to contend that the -claims of Virginia overlapped the charter granted to William Penn, and -some correspondence took place between Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, -and Governor Hamilton, of Pennsylvania, in the years 1752 and 1753. - -Early in 1753 the Virginians undertook to secure possession of the -country about the Forks of the Ohio against the common enemy, the -French, by building a fort, where Pittsburgh now stands. The French, -under Contrecœur descended the Allegheny, drove the Virginians away, and -themselves built a stronghold at the same place, which they called Fort -Duquesne. - -This disputed territory remained in the hands of the French until -General Forbes invested Fort Duquesne, November 24, 1758. The fort was -rebuilt and named Fort Pitt. - -No revival of the dispute took place until January, 1774, when one Dr. -John Conolly, a native of Lancaster, and one whom Bancroft describes as -“a physician, land-jobber and subservient political intriguer,” appeared -with authority from Lord Dunmore, the governor of Virginia, and took -possession of Fort Pitt, and renamed it Fort Dunmore. - -Conolly issued a call to the public to assemble as a militia, and for -this conduct he was apprehended by Arthur (afterwards General) St. -Clair, a magistrate of Westmoreland County, and thrown into jail at -Hannastown. - -He was released on bail and returned to Virginia. Here he was appointed -a justice of Augusta County, which the Virginians contended embraced the -territory in debate, and shortly returned to Pittsburgh with a strong -force. - -He captured the court at Hannastown, and at Pittsburgh, April 9, 1774, -he arrested Justices Mackey, Smith, and McFarlane, and sent them -prisoners to Staunton, Virginia. - -Conolly’s high-handed proceedings called for action by Governor John -Penn, who wrote to Governor Dunmore, complaining of Conolly’s actions, -and describing the boundaries of Pennsylvania. - -Governor Penn gave a careful delineation of the several surveys and -closed his letter by suggesting a temporary line of jurisdiction until -the affair could be settled by King George III in Council. - -Lord Dunmore replied March 3, 1774, in which he contravened the opinions -of Governor Penn and refused to comply with his suggestions. He -furthermore resented the arrest of Conolly and demanded the dismissal of -St. Clair. - -Governor Penn replied, March 31, when he recapitulated the history of -the claim, and declined to dismiss St. Clair from his office. - -On May 7, James Tilghman and Andrew Allen were appointed commissioners -on the part of Pennsylvania to settle the question in dispute. They -reached Williamsburg, the capital of Virginia, May 19. - -Governor Dunmore demanded their proposition in writing, and they gave it -to him on the 23rd. - -The substance of the paper was that the Mason and Dixon’s line should be -continued to the end of the five degrees from the Delaware River, and -from the end of that line a line should be run corresponding in -direction to the courses of the Delaware, and drawn at every point at -the distance of five degrees of longitude from that river. This -proposition would have the western boundary of Pennsylvania of the same -form as the eastern. - -Lord Dunmore replied that he did not believe the Crown intended such an -irregular western boundary. He then proceeded to explain the boundary as -he understood it. - -It is a fact worthy of remark that Governor Penn’s proposition gave to -Virginia nearly all that she claimed, while Dunmore’s gave to -Pennsylvania far more than she demanded; the boundary lines as he -defined them being almost identical with those at present established. - -No agreement was reached and Lord Dunmore refused to relinquish his -authority over Fort Pitt. - -Meanwhile Conolly’s conduct was outrageous. He not only oppressed the -people, but stirred up a war with the Indians, who committed great -barbarities. - -Governor Penn could not save the situation, nor could the law furnish -any protection. - -The war with the mother country developed and Dunmore and Conolly took -sides against the colonists. - -On the night of June 7, 1775, Dunmore was compelled to seek safety on -board the “Fowney,” an English man-of-war, at York, Va., and Conolly -soon joined Dunmore in his place of refuge. - -In December, 1776, the legislature of Virginia proposed a line of -demarcation, which was slightly different from those already suggested, -but Pennsylvania could not accept it. - -In the meantime matters remained in a chaotic condition, especially as -to Westmoreland inhabitants. But the time came when it was necessary to -do something. - -Finally George Bryan, John Ewing, and David Rittenhouse, on the part of -Pennsylvania, and Dr. James Madison and Robert Andrews, on the part of -Virginia, met as commissioners at Baltimore, August 31, 1779, and after -thorough consideration of the subject agreed as follows: - -“To extend Mason and Dixon’s line due west five degrees of longitude, to -be computed from the river Delaware, for the southern boundary of -Pennsylvania, and that a meridian, drawn from the western extremity -thereof to the northern limit of said state, be the western boundary of -said state forever.” - -This agreement was ratified and confirmed by the legislature of -Virginia, June 23, 1780, and by that of Pennsylvania, September 23, -1780. - -In 1782 commissioners appointed by the two states ran the lines, but -these were only temporary. In 1783, David Rittenhouse, John Lukens, John -Ewing, and Captain Hutchins, on the part of Pennsylvania, and Dr. James -Madison, Andrew Ellicott, Robert Andrews, and T. Page, on the part of -Virginia, again ran the lines, and set up stone pillars at regular -intervals. - -This work was accomplished in 1784, and ended further dispute in the -matter. - - ---------- - - - - - Two Brothers of Doan Family of Outlaw - Sons Hanged September 24, 1788 - - -During the Revolutionary War a number of young men either to escape from -serving in army or paying fines, or for the reason that they may have -sympathized with the element which opposed the independence of the young -colonies, and did not choose to enlist openly with the enemy, found a -more profitable employment in secret acts of treachery and piracy among -their neighbors. - -For that service they were amply compensated by the British, especially -during their occupancy of Philadelphia and New York City. - -There were not a few such outlaws, and they did not reside in any one -quarter of the State, but the most notorious of them all were several -brothers by the name of Doan. - -The Doans lived in Plumstead Township, near Doylestown, Bucks County. -The father, Israel Doan, was a worthy man, but his six sons as they grew -to manhood abandoned all the noble principles of the religious sect with -which they had been reared, and retaining only so much of the outward -forms as suited their nefarious schemes, they became a gang of most -desperate outlaws. - -The sons were professedly Tories and pursued for a time a very -profitable trade in stealing the horses and cattle of their Whig -neighbors, and disposing of them to the British Army, then in -Philadelphia. - -The brothers lived in the highways and hedges and waged a predatory and -retaliatory war upon their persecutors. They were men of fine figures -and addresses, elegant horsemen, great runners and excellent at -stratagems and escapes. - -The Doans were distinguished from their youth for great muscular -activity. They could run and jump beyond all competitors, and it is said -one of them could jump over a Conestoga wagon. - -They delighted to injure public property, but did no injury to the weak, -the poor, or the peaceful. - -One of the brothers, Joseph, was a school teacher in Plumstead Township. -Two of the brothers had joined the British in Philadelphia, and through -them the stolen horses were disposed of and the proceeds shared. - -The Doans at school were often displaying their pockets full of guineas, -which at first were believed to be counterfeit; but subsequent events -proved their genuineness, and disclosed the source from which they had -procured so considerable an amount of gold. - -Suspicion had long fastened upon the family; they were closely watched -and eventually, about the year 1782, the stealing of a horse belonging -to John Shaw, of Plumstead, was positively traced to them. This brought -upon Mr. Shaw and a few others, who were active in their detection, the -combined malignity of the whole banditti and it was not long before they -obtained their revenge. - -The Doans added to their band another villain of kindred spirit by the -name of Robert Steele. Under the leadership of Moses Doan and Joseph, -the schoolmaster, the seven outlaws fell upon Mr. Shaw in the dead of -the night, in his own house, bruised and lacerated him most cruelly, and -decamped with all his horses and everything of value they could take -from the house. - -A son of Mr. Shaw was dispatched to the nearest neighbors for assistance -and to raise the hue and cry after the robbers. But these neighbors -being Mennonites, conscientiously opposed to bearing arms and having -besides an instinctive dread of personal danger, declined interfering in -the matter. Such was the timidity and cautiousness manifested in those -times between the nearest neighbors, when of different religions and -political sentiments. - -Young Shaw, however, soon raised a number of the inhabitants, part of -whom responded to his father’s call for assistance, and part of whom -armed themselves and went in pursuit of the robbers. - -When the Doans finished with Mr. Shaw, they proceeded to the house of -Joseph Grier, and robbed him, and then went to a tavern kept by Colonel -Robert Robinson, a very corpulent man, whom they dragged out of bed, -bound him in a most excruciating position, and placed him naked in the -midst of them; then they whipped him until their ferocity was satisfied. - -They robbed and abused several other persons the same night, and then -fled into Montgomery County. Here they were overtaken, somewhere on -Skippack, and so hotly pursued that they were glad to abandon the five -horses on which they rode, and seek safer refuge in the thicket. Joseph -was shot through the cheeks, and captured when he fell from his horse. -The others escaped. - -The prisoner was confined in jail at Newtown, then the county town of -Bucks, but while awaiting trial effected his escape. He fled into New -Jersey, where he taught school, under an assumed name, for nearly a -year. - -The Federal Government offered a reward of $800 for him or his brothers, -dead or alive. While Joseph was in a saloon one evening a man was heard -to say that he would shoot any one of the Doans on sight for the sake of -the reward. Joseph took the hint and made his way into Canada. - -Moses, the captain of the gang, with two of his brothers, had taken -refuge in a cabin occupied by a drunken man, near the mouth of Tohickon -Creek. Mr. Shaw learned of the place of their concealment, rallied a -party with Colonel Hart as leader, and surrounded them. - -Instead of shooting them down at once, Colonel Hart opened the door, and -cried out, “Ah! You’re here, are you?” - -The Doans seized their guns and shot down Mr. Kennedy, one of the party. -Two of the outlaws crawled through a window unseen, and escaped in the -woods. Moses, the most respectable of all the brothers, surrendered. -Immediately after he gave himself up he was shot down by one of the -attacking party. It was discovered that the man who killed Moses was a -former member of his outlaw band and killed him to close his mouth -forever. - -Two others of the Doan brothers, Abraham and Levi, were later captured -in Chester County, and afterward hanged on September 24, 1788, in -Philadelphia. Their bodies were taken back to Plumstead Township for -burial. - -Their valor and generosity made them respected above ordinary robbers, -and many temperate people in the county expressed or felt great -commiseration for them. - -The Doans made a desperate fight to obtain pardons and their case caused -intense excitement throughout the entire State, but they paid the price -their lawlessness deserved. - -Many years after the Shaw robbery, young Shaw became a magistrate in -Doylestown. One day Joseph Doan, the robber and schoolmaster, now a -refugee from prison, entered his office. The Squire gave him a cool -reception but inquired of his errand. - -The old scoundrel had returned from Canada to bring suit against a -Quaker for a small legacy of $40. He had the impudence to require Squire -Shaw’s services, although he had robbed and nearly killed his father. -Squire Shaw performed his professional duties, but treated his unwelcome -client with cool disdain and hatred. - - ---------- - - - - - Dutch Gain Control of the Delaware River - September 25, 1655 - - -After the arrival of John Claudius Rysingh, as the successor of John -Printz, Governor of New Sweden, May 20, 1654, he became a very -aggressive officer. He began his administration by capturing the Dutch -Fort Casimer, thus destroying the authority of the Dutch on the Delaware -River. - -On June 17, he held a great convocation of Indians at Printz Hall, on -Tinicum Island, now Essington, on the Delaware River near Chester, at -which a new treaty was successfully consummated. - -The triumph of Rysingh was regarded as a reconquest of usurped territory -and no other means to reclaim it by the Dutch were apprehended. That was -a fatal delusion, for at the close of 1654, while estimates were being -made in Sweden for the support of their colony during the ensuing year, -on a peace basis, an armament was being fitted out in Holland not only -sufficient “to replace matters on the Delaware in their former -position,” but “to drive out the Swedes from every side of the river.” - -In the spring of 1655 five armed vessels, well equipped and with 600 -men, were forwarded by Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor at -Manhattan. This expedition was commanded by Stuyvesant in person and -arrived in Delaware Bay Monday afternoon, September 5, 1655. - -By Friday the fleet reached Fort Casimer, now in control of the Swedes, -and renamed Fort Trinity. The garrison was in command of Sven Schute, -while Governor Rysingh, in person, had charge of Christina, in what is -now Wilmington, Del. - -To prevent a communication of the two forts Stuyvesant had landed fifty -men. The demand made by the Dutch was a “direct restitution of their own -property,” to which Commander Schute, after having had an interview with -Stuyvesant, reluctantly yielded on the following day upon very favorable -terms of capitulation. - -The nine guns of the fort were to be reserved for the Swedish “crown” -and removed when convenient. The Swedes were to march out, twelve fully -equipped, the rest with their side-arms. Stuyvesant proclaimed that -Swedes who would take the oath of allegiance to him might remain -unmolested, and twenty did so. - -The surrender of Schute was unknown to Governor Rysingh, and his -position was virtually untenable. He had placed some of his best men in -the captured fort, and an additional party, sent the very day of the -surrender. He prepared for resistance, collected all the people for the -defense of Fort Christina, and strengthened the ramparts. - -On September 12, the Dutch appeared on the opposite side of Christina -Creek, and the siege began, which was continued uninterruptedly for -fourteen days. - -On the 16th, Stuyvesant sent a letter “claiming the whole river.” -Rysingh replied asserting the rights of the Swedes on the Delaware and -protesting against the Dutch invasion. Stuyvesant renewed his demand, -and Rysingh next urged that the boundaries between the Swedish and Dutch -colonies be settled by the Governments at home, or by commissioners to -be agreed upon. - -Only delay resulted. Stuyvesant was cocksure of his ability to capture -the fort, and was satisfied to wait. It would have been folly in -Rysingh, with his thirty men to have begun to fight. During the long -siege no one was killed or wounded. September 25, Rysingh surrendered. A -formal capitulation was drawn up and signed by the two commanders on the -parade-ground outside the fort. - -The soldiers were to march out with the honors of war. The guns and -everything to remain the property of the Swedes. The Swedish settlers -might stay or go, as they chose, and for a year and six weeks, if they -stayed, need not take the Dutch oath of allegiance. - -Swedes who remained should enjoy the Lutheran faith, and have a minister -to instruct them. Rysingh and the commissary, Elswick, were to be taken -to Manhattan, and thence provided with passage to Europe. Thus ended the -short but exciting career of Governor Rysingh, and with him fell the -whole Swedish Colony. - -Soon thereafter, Rysingh with other Swedish officials, proceeded to -Manhattan. Rysingh, Lindstrom, the engineer; Elswick, the commissary, -and the two clergymen, Hjort and Nertunius, sailed on a Dutch merchant -vessel early in November, and were landed in Plymouth, England, where a -report of the Dutch conquest was made to Lyderberg, the Swedish -Ambassador to England. - -Had not internal troubles arisen in Sweden at this time, their claim -might have been pressed with effect, but in 1664 the whole of New -Netherlands was seized by the English, and both Sweden and Holland had -lost their colonies. Neither was likely to obtain much satisfaction from -the other, and the controversy faded away. - -Many improvements had been made by the Swedes, from Henlopen to the -Falls of Alumingh. They laid the foundation of Upland, the present -Chester; Korsholm Fort was built at Passyunk; Manayunk Fort was placed -at the mouth of the Schuylkill; they marked the sites of Nya Wasa and -Gripsholm, somewhere near the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill, -Straus Mijk, Nieu Causeland, the present New Castle; and forts were -erected at Kingsessing, Wicacoa, Finland and other places. - -The Swedes lived at peace with the Indians. The Government of the Dutch -was established by the appointment of John Paul Jacquet as vice director -and commander-in-chief, and Andreas Hudde as secretary and surveyor, -keeper of the keys of the fort, etc. - -The overthrow of the Swedish authority on the Delaware was complete and -final, and for a period of nine years the white settlements on the -river, on both sides, remained wholly under control of the Dutch. The -Swedes lived together, mostly north of Christina, and the Dutch gathered -about Fort Casimer, where a little hamlet sprang up, which became known -as New Amstel, the New Castle of the English and of the present. - -The authority centered at New Amstel. Christina was eclipsed, and -Tinicum ceased to have importance except as the residence of Madam -Popegoja and the location of a church. The log forts at both places -rotted down and were not rebuilt. - -In April, 1657, Jacob Alricks assumed the governorship of the colony for -the Dutch, when Hudde was appointed to command at Fort Christina, the -name of which was changed to Altona. - -Stuyvesant again visited the Delaware in May, 1658. At Tinicum he -conferred with Sheriff Van Dyck, Magistrate Olaf Stille, Mathys Hansson, -Peter Rambo and Peter Cock. These and Sven Schute and others took the -oath of allegiance to the Dutch authority and were granted a number of -requests. - -In July, 1658, William Beekman was appointed by Stuyvesant to represent -the Dutch West India Company on the Delaware. - -But Pennsylvania was soon to be wrested from the Dutch and England -gained possession October 1, 1664. - - ---------- - - - - - British Under General Howe Invest City of - Philadelphia, September 26, 1777 - - -After the defeat of the American Army in the battle of Brandywine, -September 11, 1777, the British did not pursue Washington’s Army, which -marched to Chester and then to Germantown. Here provisions and -ammunition, both much needed, were obtained. - -The British advanced toward Philadelphia, which was unprepared to make -an adequate defense, and General Mifflin, who was to take command, was -too ill to do so. - -When the news reached the city, early on the morning of September 19, -that the British had crossed the Schuylkill, all was in confusion. - -Congress and the Supreme Executive Council of the State, which had -remained in Philadelphia during the exciting events transpiring before -the city, now adjourned to meet elsewhere, the former, on the 18th, to -meet in Lancaster. After a flight to Bethlehem and then via Reading it -reached Lancaster, where it convened on the 27th, but three days later -removed to York, which became the capital of the United States. - -The State Government remained until the 24th, when it also went to -Lancaster, the archives, etc., having previously been removed to Easton. -The first meeting of Wharton and his councilors was held in Lancaster -September 29. - -On the 19th Washington passed the Schuylkill at Parkers Ford, leaving -Wayne with 2000 men on the west side to fall upon any detachment of the -enemy or destroy his baggage. That night occurred the Paoli massacre. - -The British crossed the Schuylkill at Fatland Ford on the 22d. General -Howe established headquarters at Norristown on the 23d and 24th. - -Washington had marched his army in the direction of Reading. On the 25th -the British began an encampment at Germantown, Howe making Stenton his -headquarters. - -Lord Cornwallis entered Philadelphia on September 26 at the head of a -detachment of British and Hessian grenadiers. - -An American flotilla held the channel of the Delaware River below the -city, but the British immediately constructed batteries which repulsed -an attack the following day. - -The main army of the enemy remained in camp at Germantown. Thus the -richest and most populous capital of the whole confederation fell into -the enemy’s hands, after a sanguinary battle, and a series of maneuvers -no less masterly than painful to the two armies. - -Washington, descending along the left bank of the Schuylkill, approached -to within sixteen miles of Germantown, where he encamped at Skippack -Creek. - -General Howe, having occupied Philadelphia, at once took measures to -secure the unobstructed passage of his fleet up the Delaware. Colonel -Sterling was sent with a detachment to attack the American fort at -Billingsport, on the Jersey side of the Delaware River, as its capture -would place it in their power to make a passage through the obstructions -in the channel and enable their vessels to approach within striking -distance of Fort Mifflin. - -Colonel Sterling’s attack was successful October 2, as no resistance was -offered by the small garrison under Colonel Bradford. They had taken off -all the ammunition and some of the cannon, spiking those that remained -and burned the barracks. - -While this action was in progress, General Washington regarded it as a -favorable opportunity for making an attack on the British force encamped -at Germantown, and with between eight and nine thousand Continentals, -besides some militia marched toward that place on the night of October -3. - -When Washington gave the order to retire the Americans executed their -retreat in good order, followed by the British for about nine miles. - -The American Army gathered at the back of Perkiomen Creek with a post -formed on the hillside of the road near White Marsh Church, and -Washington at Pennypacker’s mill. - -The Congress expressed its approbation, both of the plan of enterprise -and the courage with which it was executed, for which votes of thanks -were given to General Washington and the army. - -On October 13 the Assembly at Lancaster established a Council of Safety -consisting of the members of the Supreme Executive Council and John -Bayard, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, Jonathan B. Smith, David -Rittenhouse, Joseph Gardner, Robert Whitehill, Christopher Marshall, -James Smith, of York; Jacob Arndt, Curtis Grubb, James Cannon and -William Henry with power to punish even capitally in a summary manner, -and to take at their appraisement any necessaries for the army. - -A rule also was made against profiteers, and any person who should buy -up more bar-iron, leather, salt, wheat, cattle or other merchandise, or -victuals, than proper for his own need and supply should be punished -severely. - -During the British occupation there were as many as 20,000 troops in and -about Philadelphia. General Howe lived for a time in Stenton, the home -built by James Logan, and later in the Samuel Morris house; he also -lived for a time in the Perot mansion, which in 1793, was the residence -of General Washington, while President of the United States. During the -time he stayed in Philadelphia he seized and kept for his own use Mary -Pemberton’s coach and horses, with which he rode about town. - -General Knyphausen lived in General Cadwallader’s mansion, on Second -Street; Lord Cornwallis dwelt in David Lewis’ house, Second, above -Spruce Street; Major André dwelt in Benjamin Franklin’s mansion. Other -officers occupied fine residences and it was a season of much social -gayety. - -On October 19 the main body of the British Army left Germantown and -encamped behind the line of redoubts in the Northern Liberties. - -Philadelphia was now walled in from river to river by lines of British -troops, but yet the British men-of-war commanded by General Howe’s -brother, Lord Howe, could not freely pass the obstructions in the -Delaware River. - -The artillery were quartered in Chestnut Street, between Third and Sixth -Streets, the State House yard being used as a park. The Forty-second -Highlanders occupied Chestnut Street below Third, and the Fifteenth -Regiment was quartered in Market Street, in and about Fifth Street. - -Later in October General Washington sent General McDougall to attack -1500 British at Gray’s Ferry. Generals Sullivan and Greene were to make -a feint along the Germantown road. Greene got as far as Three Mile Run, -where he united with Sullivan and waited for the signal that McDougall -had begun the attack. The enemy had called in his troops at Gray’s Ferry -and the Americans were obliged to return. - -The English forced the evacuation of Fort Mifflin, November 15, and Fort -Mercer was abandoned the 20th, but, in spite of this handicap, the -American fleet successfully passed Philadelphia and took refuge above -Bristol. - - ---------- - - - - - British Open Hostilities in Long Siege on - Fort Mifflin, September 27, 1777 - - -The British Army was in possession of Philadelphia, but the -communication was not open with their fleet, and General Washington in -evacuating the city had placed a garrison in Fort Mifflin, not as strong -as the importance and exigencies of the place required, but such as the -situation of his army could afford. - -Fort Mifflin was nothing more than a wooden fort with an inclosure of -palisades. It was situated on Mud Island, on the Pennsylvania side of -the Delaware River. The small Pennsylvania fleet was in command of -Commodore John Hazlewood. - -The British were not unacquainted with the miserable situation of the -fort and knew its weaknesses and the best means to reduce it. - -On September 27 the enemy on Providence Island opened two mortars and -three heavy guns against the southeast blockhouse. That left these -batteries unsupported, which gave an opportunity for Colonel Smith to -order a sally above and below. - -Two parties supported by the galleys under Commodore Hazlewood landed on -the beach of Providence Island and stormed the battery, which was -defended by two officers and sixty British, who surrendered themselves. -They were carried into the fort before the enemy’s guards could attack -the Americans, but not before the guns were spiked. - -From October 10 to the 21st a severe fire was kept up; the two west -blockhouses were ruined and the north one blown up by the fall of -several shells. - -The enemy, seeing the breaches made to the palisades, hoped to gain -possession of the fort, and as it was very important for their remaining -in Philadelphia that the communication be open, they determined a -general storm on Mud Island October 22. - -Previous to it, in the evening of the 21st, the Hessian brigade crossed -at Cooper’s Ferry to storm Fort Mercer, on the Jersey shore about 1500 -yards northeast of Fort Mifflin and up the river. The attack was so rash -that even success could not justify its temerity. - -Before the storm of the fort was attempted Colonel Donop sent a flag to -Colonel Christopher Green, who commanded the fort, threatening to put -the garrison to the sword if he did not surrender it immediately. -Colonel Green answered with disdain, saying he would defend it till the -last drop of his blood. About an hour before night the attack was begun -on the north and south side. - -Both the British attacks were expected. The artillery and musketry of -the fort and the heavy guns of the galleys poured grapeshot and cannon -balls upon them and made great slaughter. They advanced as far as the -abattis, and being repulsed with great loss, they left their commanding -officer dying and retreated with hurry and confusion. They rallied in -the woods, and leaving their wounded and dead, about 300, in the hands -of the victors, retired to Philadelphia the same night. - -Colonel Green and the officers who had displayed so much courage in -repulsing the enemy, treated the wounded with much humanity. Colonel -Donop was attended with the greatest care, but he died a few days after -the action, and was buried with the honors of war. - -The morning after the attack on Fort Mercer it became Fort Mifflin’s -turn. On the 22d, about 9 o’clock, the ships Eagle, Somerset, Isis, -Augusta, Pearl, Liverpool and several frigates, with a galley, came up -to the chevaux de frise, 500 yards from the fort. At the same time the -land batteries, the fort batteries and the American galleys and the -British squadron engaged. - -The firing continued until noon with relentless fury; the fort -frequently fired red-hot balls, one of which struck the Augusta, a -sixty-four-gun ship, she took fire, and in a moment was ablaze, and soon -after blew up with a thundering noise, before the enemy could take out -all their hands. - -A moment after, the Merlin, a twenty-two-gun frigate, ran ashore below -the Augusta, and as she could not be removed before the explosion, took -fire and also blew up. - -The other ships, frightened by the fate of these two, retired below Hog -Island; and the land batteries, which had hoisted the bloody flag, to -warn the garrison that they were not to expect any quarter, continued -their fighting until evening. - -The weakened garrison had been re-inforced by Pennsylvania and Virginia -troops, but Colonel Smith found the garrison in great danger from -fatigue and salt provisions, the water they had to wade through, the -cold nights and constant firing by the enemy turned many men to the -hospital. - -The enemy suffered also from the inclemency of the weather, and the -overflowing of the island. The water was two feet deep in their fort. - -The British, believing they must evacuate Philadelphia or take the fort, -made new batteries, and on November 8 kept up an incessant fire. - -All the palisades were broken down and the block houses ruined. The -ditch filled up with mud. Captain Treat and his lieutenant were killed. -Colonel Smith was wounded and the garrison nearly exhausted. - -Major Thayer with some New England troops relieved the garrison. Major -Fleury would not be relieved and remained with the garrison. - -On November 15 the enemy made a furious attack by the river and land and -floating batteries on the fort. - -The ships came as near the fort as possible in the main channel, and the -Vigilant, carrying 24-pounders, came up under the protection of the land -batteries, behind Hog Island, and anchored forty yards from the angle of -the battery. - -Fort Mifflin had been so much exposed on that side that on it did not -remain a single gun. Major Thayer ordered the 32-pounder to be carried -there. Before the Vigilant began to fire that single gun put fourteen -shots in her board. But as soon as she was at anchor and began to play -all resistance became impossible. - -In three or four broadsides not only the parapet and the carriages but -even the irons of the guns themselves were broken, and in half an hour -not a gun in the fort was able to fire. - -Another sloop of war joined the Vigilant and played against the fort all -the afternoon. - -The garrison was buried in ruins, unable to retreat during the day and -unwilling to do it as long as they could expect re-enforcements, had not -any expectation but to sell their lives dearly as they could. - -It was impossible to defend the fort with so small a force, and Major -Thayer called for re-enforcements from Fort Mercer or he must evacuate -the fort. At that moment Major Fleury and Major Talbot were wounded and -another officer of artillery killed. - -At 10 o’clock at night, as no re-enforcements had arrived from New -Jersey, it was impossible to defend the fort any longer. - -Major Thayer evacuated the fort with a degree of firmness equal to the -bravery of his defense. He set fire to the remains, and with less than -200 men, having carried off all the wounded, he arrived at Fort Mercer -about 1 o’clock in the morning, being the last man to march out of the -fort. - -The British took possession of Fort Mifflin half an hour after the -Americans left it. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel William Plunket Defeats Yankees - in Pennamite War, September 28, 1775 - - -There had been four years of tranquil enjoyment among the Yankee -settlers at Wyoming following the conclusion, in 1771, of the first -Pennamite War. The Proprietaries had been defeated and driven out, and -for four years they made no attempt to retake their property. - -With the defeat of Dick and Ogden, August, 1771, the Penns were actually -driven out of Wyoming and the Yankee settlers poured into the valley in -such numbers that it was considered advisable to erect five new -townships, each five miles square, along the West Branch of the -Susquehanna River, on the lands of the Susquehanna Company. - -Accordingly, in 1771 the township of Charlestown was erected at the -mouth of Muncy Creek, now Lycoming County; the township of Judea was -erected above the mouth of Limestone Run, which is in the center of the -present borough of Milton. - -In May, 1773, the township of Westminster was erected above the mouth of -Buffalo Creek, in what is now Union County. - -It was intended that another township, to be called New Simsburg, should -be erected on the south side of the West Branch, opposite the mouth of -Pine Creek. This survey was never made, but the site selected was -opposite the present borough of Jersey Shore, and included the beautiful -island at that place. - -The fifth town, called Salem, was erected on the North Branch, May, -1773, below the mouth of Shickshinny Creek. - -Northumberland County was erected March 21, 1772, and its territory, -which embraced 462 square miles, included the entire Wyoming Valley, -which was placed in the seventh and last township, called Wyoming. - -During that summer a number of settlers arrived in Turbot Township from -the State of New Jersey, among whom were John, Cornelius and Peter -Vincent and their families. John and Peter were brothers and Cornelius -was the son of John. They settled on a plantation one mile below the -mouth of Warrior Run, which is two miles north of the present borough of -Milton. - -John immediately became the leader of this pioneer settlement and -dominant factor and partisan of the Connecticut interest. In May, 1775, -the Governor of Connecticut appointed him a justice of the peace for -Litchfield County. Accompanied by his son and several others, he went to -Wyoming in August and requested a number of people to go to the West -Branch and make settlements. - -Major William Judd, Joseph Sluman, Esq., and about eighty others arrived -at Vincent’s September 23, and two days later Judd and Sluman wrote a -jointly signed letter to Judge William Plunket, in which they -acknowledged they had come with a view of settling, and stated that as -this might be a “matter of much conversation among the inhabitants, we -are willing to acquaint you with the principles on which we are come. In -the first place, we intend no hostilities; we will not disturb, molest -or endeavor to dispossess any person of his property, or in any ways -abuse his person by threats or any action that shall tend thereto. And, -as we are commissioners of the peace from the Colony of Connecticut, we -mean to be governed by the laws of that colony, and shall not refuse the -exercise of the law to those of the inhabitants that are now dwellers -here on their request, as the Colony of Connecticut extended last May -their jurisdiction over the land. Finally, as we are determined to -govern ourselves as above mentioned, we expect that those who think the -title of this land is not in this colony will give us no uneasiness or -disturbance in our proposed settlement.” - -If Major Judd and his party really supposed that their movements would -meet with no opposition, they were egregiously mistaken. It is also -quite evident they prepared for defense. - -According to the deposition of Peter Smith, one detachment was on guard -at a schoolhouse at Freeland’s Mills, three miles above the mouth of -Warrior Run, and another at John Vincent’s house. - -The report reached the county seat at Sunbury that the settlers had -brought along entrenching tools, also swivels to be used in the -entrenchments. - -A petition was immediately prepared and sent to Governor John Penn, as -the Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, which was signed -by William Cooke, Sheriff; James Murray, Coroner; William Plunket, -President Judge; Samuel Hunter, County Lieutenant and Justice; Benjamin -Alison, Robert Moodie, Michael Troy, Ellis Hughes and William Maclay, -Associate Justices. - -The petitioners set forth that their utmost efforts had failed to halt -the “ambitious designs and enterprises of the intruders from the Colony -of Connecticut. That they had been re-enforced with fresh numbers: -Officers, civil and military. Swarms of emissaries are seducing the -ignorant, frightening the timorous, and denouncing the utmost vengeance -against any who may be hardy enough to oppose them—In fine, to such a -situation we are already reduced as to be under the hard necessity of -keeping constant guards, not only to prevent the destruction of our -jail, but for the security of our houses and persons, all of which are -violently threatened.” - -Without waiting for action on the above petition the militia of -Northumberland County was called out, and September 25 a company of -fifty men left Fort Augusta to join companies from other points, to -demand the reason for “this intrusion and hostile appearance.” - -On September 28 the Yankees at their encampment at John Vincent’s were -attacked by the Provincial forces under Colonel Plunket. Just how much -resistance was offered is not a matter of record, but that there was a -battle fought is evidenced by the fact that one Yankee was killed and -eight wounded. - -Plunket’s militiamen collected all the movable property, which was then -and there divided among the victors. The torch was applied and all the -buildings burned. They then marched the men, as prisoners, to Sunbury, -where they were confined in jail. The women and children had been sent -back to their friends and relatives at Wyoming. - -At the hearing of the prisoners, Major Judd and Joseph Sluman, the -leaders, were sent to Philadelphia, where they were confined in gaol, -until December 20, when they were released by resolution of Congress. -Three others were detained ten days in the gaol at Sunbury, and the -remainder were dismissed. - -This action of the county authorities and militia was approved by the -Provincial Assembly in a resolution which was passed October 27, 1775: - -“Resolved, That the inhabitants of the County of Northumberland, settled -under the jurisdiction of this Province, were justifiable and did their -duty in repelling the said intruders and preventing the further -extension of the settlements.” - -No doubt this expedition resulted in breaking up the Connecticut -settlements on the West Branch, and the Pennsylvania claimants remained -undisturbed in full possession of the territory. - - ---------- - - - - - Captain John Smith Who First Meets Native - Pennsylvanians Sailed for England, - September 29, 1609 - - -There seems to be no doubt but that the first European to meet the -Indians who resided in what is now Pennsylvania was Captain John Smith. - -This adventurer explored the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in 1608, -and made a map of his observations, which with the one he made at a -later date, of his explorations along the New England coast, were for -many years recognized as the authority for this hemisphere. - -The Dutch who first came to these shores formed an acquaintance with the -Indians in 1615, and the Swedes first met them in 1638. - -It seems, therefore, that a story about this intrepid navigator, -statesman, soldier, and writer is timely. - -Captain John Smith, founder of the Virginia Colony, was an English -soldier, a native of Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, where he was born -January, 1579; he died in London, June 21, 1631. - -From early youth he was a soldier, enlisting in 1596, in the French Army -to fight against Spain, but after the peace of 1598, he transferred his -services to the insurgents in the Netherlands, and there remained until -about 1600. - -Returning home he almost immediately started on a career of marvelous -adventure. - -He sailed from France to Italy, where he was thrown overboard because it -was learned he was a Protestant, but he was rescued by a pirate and -landed on Italian soil. - -He traveled through Italy and Dalmatia to Styria and fought with the -Austrian Army against the Turks, distinguished himself in Hungary and -Transylvania, for which service he was ennobled and pensioned. - -Taken prisoner by the Turks, Smith was sent a slave to Constantinople, -where he won the affections of his young mistress. He was sent by her to -her brother in the Crimea, with a letter avowing her attachment. The -indignant Turk cruelly maltreated Smith, when the latter one day slew -his taskmaster, put on the Ottoman’s clothes, mounted a horse and -escaped to a Russian port. - -On his return to England, in 1605, Bartholomew Gosnold persuaded Smith -to engage in founding a colony in Virginia, and at the age of -twenty-seven years, already greatly renowned, he sailed from Blackwell -for America, December 16, 1606, with Captain C. Newport, who commanded -three vessels that bore one hundred and five emigrants. - -Smith was accompanied by men of property, and the voyage being by the -southern route was long and tedious. They landed, May 13, 1607, about -fifty miles from the mouth of the river they called the James, where -they built Jamestown, and chose that for the seat of the new empire. - -Captain Smith, with Newport and twenty men, explored the James River as -far as the falls, the site of Richmond, and made the acquaintance of -Powhatan, emperor of thirty Indian tribes. - -On the voyage to Virginia, Smith had become boastful and arrogant, -causing him to be much disliked by Wingfield, of the London Company. - -On his return from the first exploration trip Smith found Wingfield had -set himself up as president, and that he was under arrest, but was -acquitted at the trial and took his seat in the council, when that body -demanded that the president should pay Smith £200 for false -imprisonment. - -All of Wingfield’s property was seized to pay it, when Smith generously -placed it in the public store for the use of the colony. - -Sickness prostrated the colony before the close of the summer. - -Smith was soon made the leader of the colony, and brought order out of -chaos, made the Indians bring in stores of corn, and had the colony well -supplied with food for the ensuing winter. - -After erecting fortifications Smith began a series of excursions into -the surrounding region. He proved an excellent leader and became in fact -the principal head of the colony. - -He went up the Chickahominy in an open boat. Leaving the craft, he with -two others and two Indian guides penetrated the forest, when Smith was -seized by savages under Opechancanough, King of Pumunky, an elder -brother of Powhatan, and conducted to the presence of the emperor. - -At a great council presided over by Powhatan, Smith was doomed to die. -Matoa, or Pocahontas, a daughter of Powhatan, begged her father to spare -the prisoner’s life, but in vain. - -Smith’s head was laid upon two stones, and two warriors had raised heavy -clubs to crush it, when Pocahontas sprang from her father’s side, -clasped Smith’s head with her arms, and laid her own on his. - -The emperor yielded, and Smith was released and returned to Jamestown, -where only forty persons were left, the little church burned to the -ground, and the inhabitants on the point of abandoning the settlement. - -On September 10, 1608, Smith was elected president of the colony; and, -upon assuming this office, he enforced discipline, strove to convert -their unthrifty methods, had them rebuild the church, strengthen the -defenses, and make provision for agriculture and fishery. - -Smith made two voyages, covering hundreds of miles, about the coast of -the Chesapeake and its tributaries. - -When his successor was elected Smith refused to surrender the government -and served until September 29, 1609, when he sailed for England, and -never again returned to Jamestown. - -This was unfortunate for the colony, as his better leadership was -necessary at that time to save it from frequent and serious disturbance. - -In 1614 he made a voyage of exploration to New England and prepared a -map of the coast from the Penobscot to Cape Cod. - -When Captain Smith sailed his barge up the Chesapeake, entered the -Susquehanna River and pushed as far up that stream as was possible, he -made the first exploration of that great river from its mouth for -several miles, and if he did not actually enter Pennsylvania, he was -very close and certainly did meet some of the Susquehanna Indians, who -resided in what is now called Lancaster County. - - ---------- - - - - - Washington Started March Through Pennsylvania - During Whisky Rebellion, - September 30, 1794 - - -Virginia claims George Washington as her native son, but most of the -deeds which made Washington famous and the greater part of both his -military and official life were passed in this State. - -While Philadelphia and the counties of the East have stories, legends -and traditions innumerable of the great Father of His Country, while -Western Pennsylvania was the scene of his early military training, -Central Pennsylvania, and the Cumberland Valley especially, have also -their Washington traditions. - -A Lancaster County almanac, published in the latter part of 1778, is -credited by many with first having called Washington “Father of His -Country,” while Lebanon, Hummelstown, Harrisburg, New Cumberland, -Carlisle, Shippensburg, Chambersburg and many other valley towns and -places have Washington traditions as part of their historic past, -because of Washington’s trip to Bedford during the “Whisky Insurrection” -of 1794. - -A force of 12,900 men was to be raised against the rebellion, and -Carlisle was the rendezvous for the Pennsylvania contingent of 5200. -Cumberland County furnished 363 men, including officers. These, with -similar quotas from York, Lancaster and Franklin Counties, were under -command of Brigadier General James Chambers, of Franklin County. - -The President set out from his home on Market Street, Philadelphia, -September 30, 1794, accompanied by Secretary Hamilton, his own private -secretary and a colored servant. - -Accounts of the trip say that Washington was much interested in the -canals and locks between Myerstown and Lebanon; that he lodged at -Lebanon for the night, breakfasted at Hummelstown, the next morning and -reached Harrisburg in time for dinner October 3. - -Washington’s diary mentions the First Regiment of New Jersey, about 560 -strong, which he found drawn up to receive him. - -He spent the rest of that day in Harrisburg, received an address -delivered to him by the burgesses[8] in behalf of the citizens, and -departed the morning of October 4 for Carlisle, fording the Susquehanna -in his carriage, which he drove himself. - -Footnote 8: - - Conrad Bombaugh and Alexander Berryhill. - -Washington’s diary says: “On the Cumberland side I found a detachment of -the Philadelphia Light Horse, ready to receive and escort me to -Carlisle, seventeen miles distant, where I arrived about 11 o’clock.” - -The President remained seven days in Carlisle, the guest of Colonel -Ephraim Blaine. With him, according to one account, were “the members of -his Cabinet and Governor Mifflin, many Senators and Representatives from -Pennsylvania, and those, together with the New Jersey troops, formed a -brilliant and numerous assemblage.” - -The day after his arrival General Washington attended public worship. -Before his departure a number of the principal inhabitants presented him -with an address. - -Sunday morning, October 12, Washington set out from Carlisle on the -Walnut Bottom road. Near what is now Jacksonville stood the residence of -Colonel Arthur Buchanan, relative of the later President James Buchanan, -a large land owner and proprietor of Pine Grove furnace. - -Verification of Washington having accepted Buchanan’s hospitality, for a -short time at least, is said to have been founded on the story of -“Polly” Buchanan, a daughter of the host. She died in Shippensburg in -1884 at the age of 104. - -As Washington and his party came down Shippensburg’s one long street the -citizens were at their doors. One account says: - -“He was treated with great courtesy and respect by a majority of those -who came to see him. Yet there were those who sympathized with the -insurgents and did not join in the general rejoicing. This class, in -order to manifest their disapproval of the employment of the military -force for suppression of the rebellion, collected secretively a few -nights after the visit of Washington and erected a liberty pole on the -corner upon which the council house now stands. This was the cause of -much ill feeling and many a black eye and bloody nose. The pole was cut -down at night.” - -After dining at Shippensburg the party set out for Chambersburg, -entering that town by the Harper’s Ferry road the same evening. Many of -the citizens paid their respects to him and the night was spent at -Colonel William Morrow’s stone tavern. - -At daylight on Monday morning, October 13, Washington left Chambersburg. -The people were at their doors and the President acknowledged their -salutations as he rode through the streets on horseback, followed by his -black servant carrying a large portmanteau. - -After ten miles’ travel they reached Greencastle. While Washington was -breakfasting at Robert McCullough’s tavern, Tom McCullough, the -landlord’s ten-year-old son, who later represented the district in -Congress and became the first president of the Cumberland Valley -Railroad, was discovered under the table. Washington intervened as the -tavern keeper was about to send his son from the room for punishment, -and patted the young fellow on the head. - -Leaving Greencastle, General Washington and his party went on to -Bedford, from which place the return journey was started on October 21. - -The journey of thirty-seven miles to Burnt Cabins is said to have been -the longest of the entire trip. Leaving there the morning of October 22, -Washington crossed Tuscarora Mountain, passing through Fannetsburg, -where earlier a liberty pole had been erected. - -The feeling of opposition had largely passed away by the time Washington -reached the town. After a hearty welcome, he proceeded to Strasburg and -then through Pleasant Hill. - -On the west side of Herron’s Branch Washington and his party halted at a -tavern called the Black Horse. Here Washington inquired if dinner could -be served the retinue. “We have nothing but an old-fashioned potpie -ready, to which you are welcome,” replied the maid. The great general -partook and thus rescued one more hostelry from oblivion. - -Four miles farther he reached Shippensburg again, coming back into the -town he had left ten days before. - -After spending the night at Captain William Ripley’s Black Horse tavern -in Shippensburg, where much entertainment was provided, the President -set out early the next morning and by evening had reached New -Cumberland, then called Simpson’s Ferry, in honor of Gen. Michael -Simpson, who as a boy of fifteen had marched with Colonel Bouquet’s -forces. - -Washington spent the night of October 23 with his friend, General -Simpson, and the next day journeyed to York. The next afternoon, it is -said, he rode through the rain from York to Wright’s Ferry, now -Columbia, where he remained over night. - -On Sunday, October 26, he proceeded to Lancaster, and on Tuesday October -28, it was noted in Philadelphia that the “President of the United -States with his suite arrived in Philadelphia from Bedford and resumed -his duties at the seat of government.” - -Commenting on his trip, Washington wrote to Alexander Hamilton from -Wright’s Ferry on Sunday, October 26: - -“Thus far I have proceeded without accident to man, horse or carriage, -although the latter has had wherewith to try its goodness, especially in -ascending the North Mountain from Skinners by a wrong road, that is, by -the old road, which never was good, and is rendered next to impassable -by neglect.” - - ---------- - - - - - Sailors Cause of Bloody Election in - Philadelphia October 1, 1742 - - -One of the early Mayors of Philadelphia was the distinguished Quaker, -Isaac Norris, who had been a member of the Provincial Assembly and the -President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He had also served as a -member of the Governor’s Council for more than thirty years, and was -named by William Penn in his will as one of the trustees of the -Province. He died June 4, 1735, and was succeeded by his son of the same -name, known in the history of Pennsylvania as “The Speaker.” - -Isaac Norris, “The Speaker,” married one of the daughters of James -Logan, and soon retired from commercial life. He was a member of the -Assembly for thirty years and for the latter half of that time its -Speaker. - -Notwithstanding his connection with Logan, and the further fact that he -was a grandson of Hon. Thomas Lloyd, one of the Commissioners of the -Province from December, 1686, to December, 1688, and Deputy Governor -from March, 1691, to April 26, 1693, he was a leader of the strict -Friends in the Assembly who differed in politics from Logan, “who -represented the Proprietary, or Governor’s party,” on all questions -relating to the Province. - -So persistently did Speaker Norris oppose the Proprietaries in the -various disputes between the Governor and the Quakers, or “Norris -Party,” that there resulted such bitter contests for office as would be -fashionable in modern times. - -The re-election of Norris to the Assembly in 1741 could not be -prevented, and the Quakers gained much ground with Norris in that body, -and with his brother-in-law, Griffiths, and uncle, Preston, who were -aldermen of the city of Philadelphia. - -The corporation was too important a political factor to submit to his -influence and the Proprietary Party succeeded in electing four new -aldermen and five new members of the City Council who would further the -Governor’s plans, but it was no easy matter to defeat Norris at a -popular election. - -In 1742 a most important session of the Assembly had been held, the -Speaker was the head of every committee, and he worked indefatigably in -superintending the completion of portions of the State House and in -purchasing a site and devising plans for a public pest house or -municipal hospital, and in these activities gave some reason to believe -he could be defeated. The wealthy Recorder of the City, William Allen, -contended for his seat in the Assembly. - -Then ensued what is since known as “The Bloody Election,” but Norris -proved himself an astute politician and won the support of the German -settlers, who constituted a large part of the electorate. - -The Germans had invariably voted with the Quakers, and it was charged -that the “Norris party” would take possession of the polls, crowd out -their opponents, and thus elect their candidate with the aid of -unnaturalized voters. - -The Governor’s friends cried “fraud” but they were not in possession of -any evidence of it. - -On October 1, 1742, the day of the “Bloody Election,” a party of -sailors, coopers, and others, strong enough in numbers to make havoc in -the little city, marched uptown from the wharves, armed with clubs, and, -when they arrived at the Court House, a fight took place in which -several were wounded, and the disciples of peace and order were driven -from the historic building. - -The affair made a great stir, and is well perpetuated in the caricatures -made at the time which were drawn with the intention to traduce and -stigmatize the political leaders in those days. - -In the appendix to the “Votes of the Assembly” is published the -interesting testimony relating to this “Bloody Election.” - -The witnesses were “examined in a solemn manner,” and it appeared that -some fifty to seventy sailors, armed with clubs, made their appearance -at the Court House, at Second and High Streets, in support of the -Proprietary Party. - -William Till, Mayor of the city, was called upon to interfere against -the sailors, but he declined to do so, saying, as was testified: “They -had as much right at the election as the Dutchmen.” - -It appears by the statement of the time, that a wagonload of hop-poles, -easy to cut into clubs, made its appearance at a point so convenient -that the other party availed itself of the boon. - -Among the witnesses, Robert Hopkins testified that, “when the sailors -were moving off, and came by William Allen one among them being a squat -full-faced, pock-fretten man, with a light wig and red breeches, as he -supposes, said, 'Let’s give Mr. Allen a whorrah! And said Allen reply’d: -'Ye villians begone: I'll have nothing to do with you'.” - -After this we are not surprised at that staunch Friend, Israel -Pemberton, the last witness examined, being able to testify that upward -of fifty sailors were arrested and secured in prison, “and then,” he -goes on to say, “the Freeholders proceeded to the choice of the -Representatives to serve in the Assembly, and the other officers, which -was carried on very peaceably the remainder of the day.” - -A petition was read in the Provincial Council, November 5, 1742, which -was addressed to Lieutenant Governor George Thomas, and among other -statements the petitioners stated that the rioters attacked the -constables and broke their staves and beat them up and grievously -wounded divers citizens, among whom was one of the Aldermen. - -They claimed many were knocked down with stones without regard to age or -station. Sure enough a bloody election; especially must it have seemed -so to the staid Quakers of the City of Brotherly Love. - -In September, 1759, Speaker Isaac Norris resolved to relinquish his -public duties and declined a re-election which was sure to be in his -favor. He made his announcement in the House, and among other things -said: - -“You were pleased to make choice of me to succeed my father in the -Assembly at the election of the year, 1735. I never sought emolument for -myself or family, and I remained at disadvantage to my private interest -only to oppose the measures of unreasonable men. No man shall ever stamp -his foot on my grave and say, Curse him! or Here lies he who so basely -betrayed the liberties of his country.” - -A true patriot in motive surely. - -He was succeeded as speaker by Benjamin Franklin. - - ---------- - - - - - Massacre in Vicinity of Patterson’s - Fort, October 2, 1755 - - -On October 2, 1755, the savages suddenly appeared in Tuscarora Valley, -in the vicinity of Patterson’s Fort, on the north side of the Mahantango -Creek, in Snyder County, and killed and captured forty persons. - -This fort was situated immediately beyond the dividing line of Juniata -and Snyder Counties, and in the vicinity of Pomfret Castle, which seems -to be often mistaken for Fort Patterson. - -There were two Fort Pattersons and two Captain Pattersons, which has -also caused much confusion. The two captains were father and son, and -their places near each other, and both stockaded, although Captain -William Patterson’s fort was not built until 1763. - -Benjamin Franklin gave the following directions to George Croghan in a -letter dated December 17, 1755: “You are desired to proceed to -Cumberland County and fix on proper places for erecting three stockades; -namely, one back of Patterson’s—each of them fifty feet square, with a -blockhouse on two of the corners and a barracks within, capable of -lodging fifty men.” - -The one “back of Patterson’s” was to be on the Mahantango Creek, where -Richfield, Snyder County, now is situated, and was to be built by -Colonel James Burd and Captain James Patterson. - -Captain James Patterson commanded a company of rangers in Braddock’s -campaign, under Colonel James Burd, and assisted in cutting the way -through the forests. - -In the year 1751 James Patterson, with five or six other settlers, -settled in the Juniata Valley at the present town of Mexico. - -Patterson cleared his land, engaged in farming and erected a large and -strong log house, which afterward became known as Fort Patterson. It -became the haven of refuge and defense for the settlers in the attack -made upon them by the Indians. - -Patterson was a man of daring and considered by the Indians to be a -crack marksman. Whenever Indians appeared at his plantation he delighted -to shoot at a mark, when his unerring aim impressed his visitors that he -would be a dangerous foe. - -His son, William, was called to Fort Augusta for the purpose of getting -instructions to settle difficulties on the path through the valley. -While on this mission he fell in with some Indians at Middle Creek, one -of whom was killed and scalped and the rest put to flight. - -One of Captain Patterson’s men was wounded. He advised the commander of -Fort Augusta that the woods were full of Indians; that they found many -houses burned, some still burning, and that he feared all the grain -would be destroyed by the savages, who are known to be Delaware. - -Fort Patterson was attacked at this time and one Hugh Mitcheltree -carried off. - -October 5, 1755, the savages made an incursion near Fort Patterson. -Jennie McClain, a young girl, mounted a horse and hurriedly fled toward -the fort, when, but a short distance from it, an Indian shot the horse -through the body, when Jennie fell off the horse and was captured. The -Indians surrounded the fort, but the Pattersons defended it so bravely -that the savages were driven off. - -In the summer of 1756 Captain Patterson marched to Shamokin (now -Sunbury) with Colonel Clapham’s “Augusta Regiment” and assisted in -building and defending that fort. - -In 1757 Captain Patterson was detailed and placed in command of Fort -Hunter, above Harrisburg, and at this post he was constantly occupied in -sending out ranging parties, and had charge of the bateau men who -transported provisions from Harris’ Ferry to Fort Augusta. - -In July, 1758, Captain Patterson left Fort Augusta on the march to -Raystown (Fort Bedford), where he joined in the Forbes expedition -against Fort Duquesne. After the Indians were finally subdued Captain -Patterson returned to his plantation and followed farming. - -When the Indians again became violent in Pontiac’s War in 1763, Captain -Patterson and his son, William, then a lieutenant, were again on guard. - -Captain James Patterson died at his fort and is buried near it. - -William, son of Captain James, was born in Donegal Township, Lancaster -County, in 1737, and went with his father to the Juniata in 1751. Like -his brave father, William was a keen marksman and a most daring and -valuable aid to his father. He was with his father’s company, which was -part of Braddock’s army. Later he was an ensign at Fort Augusta. - -For many months he and his father, with details of privates, ranged the -mountains and streams in search of Indians. - -William Patterson not only displayed great capacity as a partisan -soldier, but was equally conspicuous in civil life. He marched in -advance of General Forbes’ army to Fort Duquesne in 1758. He also served -under Colonel Burd in conveying livestock and subsistence from Fort -Cumberland to Fort Burd and Fort Pitt in 1759. - -After his return from the army Captain Patterson seems to have devoted -his time to land surveying. His fine presence and dashing character won -the admiration and esteem of the pioneer settlers, especially of the -young men, who followed the chase and provided game for the large and -growing settlements in Tuscarora Valley and around Patterson’s Fort. - -Following the Pontiac War, as late as 1767, when fort after fort were -destroyed and the feeble garrison put to the hatchet, Captain William -Patterson called his young hunters and defied the Indians. - -Pontiac had boasted that no wooden fort or stockade could escape -destruction if he desired to destroy them. - -When they could induce the garrison by cunning and lying to surrender, -they would load a wagon with straw and hay and set it on fire and back -it against the timbers and let the demon fire to do the work. - -Although Patterson’s Fort was surrounded by savages repeatedly, they -were driven away and kept at a safe distance by the expert riflemen -under the command of Captain Patterson. - -William Patterson, in 1768, arrested and safely lodged in the jail at -Carlisle Frederick Stump and his accomplice John Ironcutter for -committing an unprovoked massacre, the victims being Indians. This -action required the greatest heroism. - -The Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania at that period was so -highly pleased with the prompt action of Captain Patterson that he gave -him a commission as Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Cumberland -County. He also was appointed a Commissioner to lay out Northumberland -County in March, 1772. - -Captain William Patterson is described in the Shippen papers as “a -gentleman of limited education, a very good soldier and does his duty -well.” He is often mentioned in Colonel Burd’s journal. - -A fine bronze tablet mounted on a large boulder recently has been -unveiled at the site of Fort Patterson, which will mark for this and -future generations the spot made famous by the progenitors of this great -Patterson family in Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Washington Joins Troops in Whisky - Insurrection October 3, 1794 - - -The year 1794 is distinguished in American history by a remarkable -revolt among a portion of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, known as the -Whisky Insurrection. - -In 1791 Congress enacted a law laying excise duties upon spirits -distilled within the United States. This tax excited general opposition, -but nowhere else was such violence exhibited in resisting the execution -of the law as in the western counties of Pennsylvania, where the crops -of grain were so over-abundant that, in the absence of adequate market -for its sale, an immense quantity of the cereals was distilled into -whisky, the far-famed “Monongahela,” called from the name of the -principal river in that region. - -The inhabitants insisted that an article, produced almost exclusively by -an isolated people as their sole and necessary support, ought not to be -taxed for the support of the Federal Government, and to this opinion -they adhered with a tenacity worthy of a better cause. - -Public meetings were held in all the chief towns, at which the action of -Congress was loudly denounced as oppression to be battled against to the -very last extremity; declaring, too, that any person who had accepted or -might accept an office under the Government in order to carry the law -into effect should be regarded as an enemy of his country, to be treated -with contempt and officially and personally shunned. - -The Federal Government was scoffed at, its coercive authority ridiculed, -and with the motto, “Liberty and No Excise!” the ball of the rebellion -rolled on. - -One day preceding the assembling of an important meeting of malcontents -in Pittsburgh, the tax collector for the counties of Allegheny and -Washington made his appearance. Aware of his business, a party of men, -armed and disguised, waylaid him at a place on Pigeon Creek, in -Washington County, seized, tarred and feathered him, cut off his hair -and deprived him of his horse, obliging him to decamp on foot in that -painful condition. - -In attempting to serve legal processes upon the perpetrators of this -outrage, the marshal’s deputy was also seized, whipped, tarred and -feathered; and, after having his money taken from him, he was -blindfolded and led into the depths of the forest, where he was tied to -a sapling and left to his fate. He was fortunately discovered and -rescued by friends. - -Another man was similarly handled who remarked that they could not -reasonably expect protection from a Government whose laws they so -strenuously opposed. Two witnesses of this assault were seized by an -armed banditti and carried off so they could not give testimony against -the perpetrators of the assault. - -President Washington feared such open defiance of the laws, and issued a -proclamation condemning the lawless acts and warned all to return at -once to their allegiance. Bills of indictment were found against the -leaders of some of the outrages, and, at the same time, process was also -issued against a great number of noncomplying distillers. - -The proclamation and warning did not produce the desired effect. -Washington then ordered the seizure of the spirits distilled in the -counties opposing the law. - -Contractors for the army were forbidden to purchase spirits on which -duties had not been paid. The distillers were caught between two -millstones. They feared the wrath of the infuriated populace if they -paid the excise tax or lost their best customers. - -The factionists were encouraged by the leniency of the Executive. By -violent threats they kept the marshal from serving precepts, committed -numerous outrages upon the friends of the Government and perfected their -organization into military bands, to resist any force that might be sent -to subject them to the laws. They styled their acts, “mending the -still.” - -It is not to be doubted that this inflamed state of the public mind was -greatly aggravated by the ambitious designs and intemperate speeches of -a few leading men. Conspicuous among the malcontents were David -Bradford, Colonel John Marshall, Robert Smiley, Hugh Brackenridge, -William Findley and Albert Gallatin. The first named was the chief -agitator. - -Hostilities broke out early in 1794, when those who paid the excise tax -were punished as well as those who attempted to collect the tax. Even -the Government officials were attacked by armed men. - -General John Neville, inspector for the county, was compelled to defend -his home by force of arms, and Major Abraham Kirkpatrick, with a detail -of eleven soldiers, was compelled to surrender to a mob, under the -leadership of a desperado named John Holcroft. - -After brisk fighting continued for nearly an hour, the insurgents set -fire to eight buildings, which finally compelled brave Kirkpatrick to -yield. - -David Bradford assembled meetings to ascertain their secret enemies as -well as to learn their own strength. Mail was searched and the -Government stores attacked. There was even a plan developed which had -the capture of Fort Pitt and the United States Arsenal at Pittsburgh as -its objectives. - -The greatest popular demonstration was at Parkinson’s Ferry, where -16,000 men were pledged to follow the leadership of Bradford. - -President Washington called a cabinet meeting and had General Thomas -Mifflin, Governor of Pennsylvania, in attendance. Commissioners were -sent to apprise the insurgents of their grave danger. - -A proclamation was broadcast August 7, which warned of the impending -war, if all did not quietly return to their home by September 1. - -The same day of the proclamation a requisition was made on the Governor -of New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania for their several -quotas of militia. - -During the recruiting of this force Judge Jasper Yeates, James Ross and -William Bradford were sent as commissioners to the western counties to -extinguish the insurrection. - -David Bradford laughed at the proclamations of the President and -Governors of New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania for the -Committee of Safety was held at Parkinson’s Ferry and appointed -commissioners to wait upon his Excellency and assure him that submission -and order could be restored without the aid of military force. - -In the meantime, the troops responded to the call, and, in response to a -second proclamation of President Washington, they rendezvoued at -Bedford, Pa., and Cumberland, Md. The command of the entire army was -given to General Henry Lee, of Virginia. Governor Mifflin took command -of the Pennsylvania troops in person. - -The President departed for the front in a drenching rain. He arrived at -Harrisburg Friday, October 3. The same day a meeting of the Committee of -Safety was held at Parkinson’s Ferry and appointed commissioners to wait -upon his Excellency and assure him that submission and order could be -restored without the aid of military force. - -The insurgents by this time had come to their senses, and intimidated by -the greatness of the force, fled in every direction. Those arrested were -pardoned. Bradford escaped to Spanish territory. The Whisky Insurrection -came to an end. As Washington said, “the contest decided that a small -portion of the United States could not dictate to the whole Union.” - - ---------- - - - - - Americans Defeated in Battle of Germantown, - October 4, 1777 - - -The Battle of Germantown was one of the most spirited actions of the -Revolution. It was a contest for the possession of a widely extended and -strongly posted line, between the two armies, and at a time when the -British had but a week earlier invested Philadelphia, driving the -Continental Congress to Lancaster. - -Howe’s army had crossed the Schuylkill, and was encamped near -Germantown. - -Washington was at Pennypacker’s Mill, between the Perkiomen and the -Skippack Creeks, thirty miles from the city, where he awaited -re-enforcements from the Northern Department. His army, which was mainly -composed of Continental troops from Pennsylvania, Maryland and New -Jersey, had suffered severe punishment at Brandywine and Paoli. It was -poorly equipped and poorly fed. - -Washington learned, through two intercepted letters, that General Howe -had detached a part of his force to reduce Billingsport and the forts on -the Delaware. - -He believed that a favorable opportunity was offered to make an attack -upon the troops which were encamped at Germantown, and fixed the attack -for the morning of October 4, 1777. - -General Howe’s army was encamped upon the general line of School and -Church lanes. - -On the 2d General Washington advanced his army to Worcester Township. -The British did not expect an attack as General Howe fully understood -the drubbing the Americans had recently received, but he did not know -the fighting temper of the Colonists. - -Washington was well informed of the enemy’s position and prepared his -order of battle with great care. The divisions of Sullivan and Wayne, -flanked by Conway’s Brigade, were to enter the town by way of Chestnut -Hill. - -General Armstrong, with the Pennsylvania Militia, was to go down -Manatawny road and get in the enemy’s left and rear. The divisions of -Greene and Stephen, flanked by McDougall’s Brigade, were to enter by a -circuitous route at the Market House, and attack the right wing, and the -militia of Maryland and New Jersey, under Generals Smallwood and Forman, -were to march by the Old York road and fall upon the rear of their -right. Lord Stirling, and Nash’s and Maxwell’s brigades were to form the -reserve. - -General McDougall was to attack the right wing of the enemy in front and -rear; General Conway to attack the enemy’s left flank, and General -Armstrong to attack their left wing in flank and rear. - -Each column was to move into position, two miles from the enemy’s -pickets by 2 o’clock, then halt until 4, and advance and attack the -pickets precisely at 5 o’clock, “with charge bayonets and without -firing, and the column to move to the attack as soon as possible.” - -On the evening of October 3 the army left its encampment on Metuchen -Hills. It was a hard march through the darkness, over rough roads and in -a dense fog. - -When the action opened the Americans soon gained much ground and General -Howe, who had hurried to the front, met his troop retreating. He quickly -galloped back to camp and prepared for the attack. Sullivan and Wayne -pressed forward, and Washington followed with the reserve. - -While the advance was in progress, General Greene had made the circuit -of the Limekiln road, and engaged the enemy’s right. The incompetent -General Stephens became entangled with Wayne’s troops, which confusion -ended the efforts of General Sullivan’s columns upon the east side of -the town. - -General Greene continued to advance, maintaining a line of battle as -long as practicable. McDougall was marching over ground so nearly -impassable that he was quite out of the action and failed to assist -Greene, leaving his flank exposed. - -The morning was well advanced when the two wings of the army had -approached the central objective point, the Market House. But the lines -were broken and disordered, by the innumerable obstacles and by the -impenetrable fog, that the British had opportunity to reform their own -shattered line. Howe sent strong forces to oppose each attack. - -When Sullivan’s division had pushed forward nearly to School Lane, while -Greene was entering the town on the east, these generals found -themselves unsupported by other troops, their cartridges expended, the -force of the enemy on the right collecting to oppose them, and seeing -many of the American troops flying in retreat, they retired with all -possible haste. - -When General Grey came from his camp at School Lane and advanced to the -attack, the few Americans there could not resist him, and were soon -repulsed. Grey advanced across lots and pushed on toward the Chew house. - -General Agnew, following in the rear of Grey, ascended the hill and -received a sudden volley from a party of citizens who were concealed -behind the Mennonite meeting house and he fell mortally wounded. - -Wayne’s division on the east of the town had already withdrawn when -General Grant moved up his Forty-ninth British regiment. - -General Washington, who had remained at the head of the hill above -Chew’s house, saw the failure of his well-laid plans, and issued orders -for the retreat. - -The American army had gone forward to gain full possession of the -enemy’s camp, which was on fire in many places. Dead and wounded were -strewn about everywhere. The troops were in much disorder. Those in -front had been driven back by the enemy and fell upon those in the rear, -which increased the confusion and rendered it impossible to again form -and oppose an advancing foe. - -A general retreat was inevitably necessary to save the American army -from a general rout. - -Lord Cornwallis, who was in Philadelphia, learned of the attack and put -in motion two battalions of British and one Hessian grenadiers, with a -squadron of dragoons, to Howe’s support. - -They arrived at Germantown just as the Americans were being forced from -the village. Cornwallis joined with General Grey, and, placing himself -in command, took up pursuit. - -General Greene effected the withdrawal of his forces with considerable -difficulty and no slight loss, as Colonel Matthew’s gallant regiment, or -what remained of it, fell into the enemy’s hands, its heroic commander -and many of his officers being severely wounded by the enemy’s bayonets. - -General Greene also had much trouble in saving his cannon, when Count -Pulaski’s cavalry being hard-driven by the pursuing British, rode into -and scattered Greene’s division. - -For two hours and forty minutes the battle waged at the very doors of -the inhabitants of Germantown, in their gardens, orchards and fields. - -The entire loss sustained by two armies was never accurately determined. - -The British did not gain much satisfaction in their victory for they -soon abandoned their well-earned fields, and moved within the -entrenchments directly north of Philadelphia. - - ---------- - - - - - Riotous Mob Attacks “Fort Wilson” in - Philadelphia, October 5, 1779 - - -In the year 1779 the lives of Mr. James Wilson, the signer of the -Declaration of Independence, and one of the foremost practitioners of -that day, and many of his friends, were put in extreme hazard by a band -of frenzied partisans, under the pretext of his holding sentiments -inimical to popular institutions. - -At that time party spirit in Pennsylvania had taken definite shape, and -the politicians were divided into Constitutionalists and Republicans. -The former rallied around the Constitution of 1776, recently formed, -which was reprobated by the Republicans, who believed it tended toward -rash, precipitate and oppressive proceedings. - -The term Republicans was embraced, as recognizing the principles of the -Revolution. - -Mr. Wilson was among the leading men of the Republican Party who had -agreed that they would not accept of any office or appointment under the -Constitution, which, in that case, they would be bound by oath, to -support. - -This circumstance offended and inflamed the Constitutional Party, and as -Mr. Wilson had become counsel for the defense of some suspected -traitors, and had succeeded in winning their acquittal, it angered the -militiamen of Philadelphia and led to a most serious outrage. - -The consequences of a rapidly depreciating currency were distressing to -many who were incapable of tracing them to their causes. For example, -every tradesman who had engaged in a piece of work felt, when paid for -it, that he did not receive, except in name, the amount he had -contracted to receive. - -Artful and designing incendiaries persuaded many of the sufferers that -the evil was owing to the merchants, who monopolized the goods, and to -certain lawyers who rescued the tories from punishment, by pleading for -them in Court. - -Mr. Wilson had become particularly obnoxious. He was in fact a most -decided friend of the popular government. He was a native of Scotland, -and a Presbyterian, which should certainly stamp him as a friend of -those opposed to the British authority. - -The affair of “Fort Wilson,” as his house was thereafter known, flowed -from this mistaken opinion, of which those who concocted the disgraceful -transaction took advantage for party purposes. - -September 13, 1779, a committee appointed at a town meeting, regulated -the prices of rum, salt, sugar, coffee, flour, etc., a measure which was -strongly opposed by the importers. - -Robert Morris, Blair McClenochan and John Willcocks and a number of -stanch Whigs had a quantity of these articles in their stores which they -refused to dispose of at the regulated prices. - -About the last of the month, a great number of the lower class collected -and marched through the streets, threatening to break open the stores, -distribute the goods and punish those who refused to open their -warehouses. - -On the morning of October 4, placards were posted menacing Robert -Morris, Blair McClenochan and many other merchants. - -Mr. Wilson was proscribed by the mob for having exercised his -professional duty as a lawyer, and the punishment decreed for his crime -was banishment to the enemy, yet in New York. But this was not the real -cause which produced so lamentable an instance of popular delusion. That -was to be found in the superior talents and respectability of the -Republican Party. - -The gentlemen threatened determined to defend themselves, and with a -great number of their friends, to the amount of thirty or forty, took -post at the southwest corner of Walnut and Third streets, in a house -belonging to and occupied by James Wilson. It was a large old-fashioned -brick building, with extensive gardens. - -In the house were James Wilson, Robert Morris, Edward Burd, George -Clymer, John T. Mifflin, Allen McLane, Sharp Delaney, George Campbell, -Paul Beck, Thomas Lawrence, Andrew Robinson, John Potts, Samuel C. -Morris, Captain Robert Campbell, General Thomas Mifflin, General Nichols -and General Thompson. They were provided with arms but their supply of -ammunition was very limited. - -While the mob was marching down town, General Nichols and Daniel Clymer -proceeded hastily to the arsenal at Carpenters’ Hall and filled their -pockets with cartridges, this constituting their entire supply. - -In the meantime the mob and militia assembled on the commons, while a -meeting of the principal citizens took place at the coffee house. A -deputation was sent to prevail on them to disperse, but without effect. - -The First Troop of City Cavalry being apprised of what was going forward -and anxious for the safety of their fellow citizens, quickly assembled -at their stables, a fixed place of rendezvous. - -For a time a deceitful calm prevailed; at the hour of noon the members -of the troop retired to their respective homes for dinner, and the -rebels seized the opportunity to march into the city. - -The armed men in the mob amounted to 200, and were commanded by Captain -Mills, a North Carolinian; one Falkner, a shipjoiner; Pickering, a -tailor, and John Bonham. They marched to the home of Mr. Wilson, with -drums beating, and two pieces of cannon. They immediately commenced -firing on the house, which was warmly returned by the garrison. - -Finding they could make no impression, the mob procured crowbars, -sledges and bars, and with them proceeded to force the door. At the -critical moment when the door yielded to their efforts, the First City -Troop appeared and saved the lives of those in the house. - -Many of the mob were arrested and committed to prison, and as the -troopers used the sword very freely, many were severely wounded. One man -and one boy were killed in the streets. In “Fort Wilson,” Captain -Campbell was killed, and General Mifflin and Mr. Samuel C. Morris were -wounded. - -The Troop patrolled the streets the greater part of the night. The -citizens turned out in great numbers and formed a volunteer guard at the -powder magazine and the arsenal. - -It was some days before order was restored and the First Troop, on -account of the active part they had taken in the affair, found it -necessary to keep together in small groups, and be on the alert to -support each other. - -The gentlemen who had comprised the garrison were advised to leave the -city where their lives were endangered. - -General Mifflin, and about thirty others, accordingly met at Mr. Gray’s -home about five miles below Gray’s Ferry, where a council was called, -and it was resolved to return to town without any appearance of -intimidation. - -But it was deemed expedient that Mr. Wilson should absent himself for a -time. The others continued to walk as usual in public and attended the -funeral of the unfortunate Captain Campbell. For some time each of them, -however, was in danger of his life from the sympathizers with the killed -and wounded assailants. - -Thus ended the disgraceful affair known as the “Mob of 1779” and the -“Attack on Fort Wilson.” - -Had it not been for the spirited conduct of the First Troop, the lives -of many valuable citizens, and genuine Whigs, would have been -sacrificed, and an indelible disgrace entailed upon the City of -Philadelphia. - - ---------- - - - - - First German Immigrants Settle Germantown - October 6, 1683 - - -The Germans have played a most important part in the history of -Pennsylvania, much more conspicuous than has been accorded them. They -are the progressive farmers, and leaders in politics, literature and -science. - -The first great teacher was Pastorius; the first paper mill was -established in 1690, on a branch of Wissahickon Creek, by William -Rittinghuysen; the Bible was first printed in German, by Christopher -Saur, thirty-nine years before it appeared in English; the same -enterprising Germans, in 1735, established the first type foundry in -America in Germantown and so on, but it is of the establishment of -German Town or Germantown which this story is to relate. - -The first German emigration was from Crefeld, a city of the lower Rhine. -William Penn conveyed 5000 acres in Pennsylvania to each of three -merchants of that city, March 10, 1682, one of whom, Jacob Telner, had -made a trip to America in 1678–81. - -Francis Daniel Pastorius first heard of the Pennsylvania plan in 1682, -and became a purchaser of land while in London between the 8th of May -and 6th of June, 1683. - -Eight original purchasers, November 12, 1686, formed themselves into a -company which was called the Frankford Company. Up to June 8, 1683, -these persons had purchased 15,000 acres, and they mostly lived in -Frankfort, but Pastorius was the only one of the original company who -ever came to Pennsylvania. - -Thirteen families, comprising thirty-three persons, set out for London, -from which city, after many delays, they embarked, July 24, 1683, aboard -the Concord. - -Of the original purchasers three were Mennonites, and many of the -remainder of the party belonged to that sect, so it must be stated that -this emigration was also the beginning of that great church in America. - -The pioneers had a pleasant voyage and reached Philadelphia October 6. -On the 10th of the same month a warrant was issued to Pastorius for 6000 -acres “on behalf of the German and Dutch purchasers.” On the 24th, -Thomas Fairman measured off fourteen divisions of land, and the next -day, meeting together in the cave of Pastorius they drew lots for choice -of location. - -Under a warrant, 5350 acres were laid out, May 2, 1684, for Pastorius, -as trustee for them and future purchasers; in addition 200 acres were -laid out for Pastorius in his own right, and 150 acres to Jurian -Hartsfelder, a stray Dutchman, who had been a deputy sheriff under -Andros in 1676 and who now cast in his lot with the settlers at -Germantown. - -Immediately after the division in the cave of Pastorius they began to -dig cellars and build the huts in which, not without much hardship, they -spent the following winter. Thus commenced the settlement of Germantown. - -Other emigrants began to appear in the little town, and soon we catch a -glimpse of the home life of the early dwellers of Germantown. - -Pastorius had no glass, so he made windows of oiled paper. - -Bom wrote to Rotterdam October 12, 1684: “I have here a shop of many -kinds of goods and edibles. Sometimes I ride out with merchandise, and -sometimes, bring something back, mostly from Indians, and deal with them -in many things. I have no regular servants except one Negro, whom I -bought. I have no rent or tax or excise to pay. I have a cow which gives -plenty of milk, a horse to ride around, my pigs increase rapidly, so -that in the summer I had seventeen when at first I had only two. I have -many chickens and geese, and a garden, and shall next year have an -orchard if I remain well, so that my wife and I are in good spirits.” - -Bom died before 1689, and his daughter, Agnes, married Anthony Morris, -the ancestor of the distinguished family of that name. - -The first person to die in the new settlement was Jan Seimens. The first -time that fire caused a loss in the village was in 1686. A small church -was built that year. It is strange but true, that this was a Quaker -meeting house, and also that before 1692 all the original thirteen, -except Jan Lensen, had in one way or another been associated with the -Quakers. - -An event of importance was the arrival of William Rittinghuysen, a -Mennonite minister, who with his two sons, Gerhard and Claus, and a -daughter, came from Holland. In 1690 he built the first paper mill in -America on a branch of the Wissahickon Creek. - -On April 18, 1688, Gerhard Hendricks, Dirck Opden Graeff, Francis Daniel -Pastorius and Abraham Opden Graeff sent to the Friends’ Meeting the -first public protest ever made on this continent against the holding of -slaves. There was then started something which became the greatest -question of all time in America. - -On January 14, 1690, 2950 acres, north of Germantown, were divided into -three districts, called Krishelm, Sommerhausen and Crefeld. - -The village had now become populous enough to warrant a separate -existence, and on May 31, 1691, a charter of incorporation was issued to -Francis Daniel Pastorius, bailiff, and four burgesses and six -committeemen, with power to hold a court and a market, to admit -citizens, to impose fines, and to make ordinances. - -It was ordered that “on the 19th of one month in each year the people -shall be called together and the laws and ordinances read aloud to -them.” - -The seal was devised by Pastorius and he honored the weavers by -selecting a clover, on one of the leaves being a vine, on another a -stalk of flax, and on the third a weaver’s spool. - -The corporation continued until January 11, 1707. Newcomers were -required to pay £1 for the right of citizenship. - -On June 28, 1701, a tax was laid for the building of a prison, erection -of a market, and other objects for the public good. The prison preceded -the school house, but the interval was not long. - -December 30, following, “it was found good to start a school here in -Germantown.” Pastorius was the first pedagogue. - -As early as January 25, 1694, stocks were erected for the punishment of -evildoers. - -February 10, 1702, three square perches of land were given to the -Mennonites for a church, which edifice was built 1708. - -Little did the industrious German of that day think, as he tilled the -soil, or worked at his trade, that in after years the countrymen of Penn -would be fighting the Quakers and others in that very town, that the -streets of Germantown would be reddened by English blood, as it was on -that eventful day, October 4, 1777. - -The government of Germantown lasted fifteen years. Today this old town -is one of the most delightful sections of the old city of Philadelphia. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Richard McAllister, Soldier, Statesman - and Citizen of York County, - Died October 7, 1795 - - -Colonel Richard McAllister, a hero of the Revolution, died at his home -in Hanover, York County, October 7, 1795. - -During that great struggle for the independence of the colonies York -County gave many of her loyal sons, and none rendered more signal -service or has been held in fonder patriotic reverence than Colonel -McAllister. - -He was the son of Archibald McAllister, who came to this country from -Scotland in 1732. Richard was born in Scotland in 1724. - -About 1745 Richard moved from Cumberland County to the present site of -Hanover, where he purchased a large tract of land, and made a -settlement. - -On February 23, 1748, he married Mary Dill, daughter of Colonel Matthew -Dill, who commanded a regiment in the French and Indian War, and whose -son, Matthew, founded Dillsburg. - -In 1750 Richard McAllister was a candidate for sheriff of York County -against Colonel Hance Hamilton, who resided near the present site of -Gettysburg. The result of the vote was so close that the election was -contested and the Provincial Assembly decided in favor of Hamilton. - -In 1763 Richard McAllister founded the town of Hanover and soon became -one of the leading citizens of York County. - -At the outbreak of the Revolution he was elected a member of the -Committee of Safety for York County, and in June of the same year, 1775, -he served as a delegate in the Provincial Conference, which met in -Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia. He again served as a member of the same -body in January, 1776. - -When the Fourth Battalion of York County militia was organized, 1775, -Richard McAllister was commissioned colonel. And during the fall of the -same year, he was made colonel of a battalion of Minute Men, formed out -of the militia of York County. - -In July, 1776, when Congress called for ten thousand troops, Colonel -McAllister marched his battalion through Lancaster and Philadelphia to -Perth Amboy, N. J. - -General Hugh Mercer organized the Flying Camp, and selected Colonel -McAllister to command the Second Pennsylvania Regiment. - -This command was soon engaged in and about New York City and Staten -Island. A short time later Colonel McAllister led the regiment in the -defense of Fort Washington, where a large number of them were taken -prisoners, among them being two of his captains. - -In the campaign of 1776 Colonel McAllister was present with his -regiment, under General James Ewing, when Washington captured the -Hessians in Trenton on Christmas night. - -After the expiration of his term of service in the Flying Camp, in 1777, -Colonel McAllister returned to his home at Hanover, and in March of this -year he was elected by the General Assembly, county lieutenant. - -In the discharge of this commission he recruited six different -battalions of militia in York County, which then included the present -Adams County. - -He drilled and disciplined the troops and made them ready for the -service in the field when they were required to defend the State against -the invasion of the British foe. - -On August 28, 1777, Colonel McAllister wrote to President Wharton that -there were dissensions among the Associators in the German townships -near Hanover. Two hundred freemen had assembled at one place for the -purpose of opposing the draft of the militia for service in the field. - -He continued by saying that he had lived in peace among these people for -twenty years or more, and knew well their customs and habits, but it was -very difficult to induce them to take up arms against the country to -which they had sworn allegiance. - -He said that notwithstanding the difficulties he had encountered in the -prosecution of his duties as lieutenant of York County, he had marched -five companies to the front fully armed and equipped, and would soon -have three more ready to take up the march for the main army. - -Nearly every man recruited was a substitute, which had obtained by -Colonel McAllister. - -During the years 1783 to 1786, Colonel McAllister was a member of the -Supreme Executive Council, and also served as a member of the Council of -Censors. In the latter position he was engaged in the disposition of the -confiscated estates of Pennsylvania Tories. - -Like such a great number of the soldiers of the Revolution, Colonel -McAllister also took a deep interest in legal affairs. He served as a -justice of the peace, and then as justice of the court of common pleas -in March, 1771. - -He was a member of the First Constitutional Convention, in 1776, and on -February 17, 1784, he became the presiding justice of the York County -Courts. - -When General Washington passed through Hanover, June 30, 1791, on his -way to Philadelphia, he spent several hours the guest of Colonel -McAllister. - -He died at his home in Hanover, October 7, 1795. - -His remains were first buried in the graveyard belonging to Emanuel’s -Reformed Church of Hanover, of which he was a member and one of the -leading supporters. - -About 1870 the remains of this distinguished patriot were removed to -Mount Olivet Cemetery, in the suburbs of Hanover, where they now repose. - -On every succeeding Memorial Day commemoration services are held at the -tomb of this hero and patriot, by the veterans of the Grand Army of the -Republic and allied organizations. - -Colonel McAllister had eleven children. His eldest son, Abdiel, -commanded a company in Arnold’s expedition to Quebec; another son, -Archibald, commanded a company in the battles of Germantown and -Monmouth. - -A younger son, Matthew, became first United States district attorney of -Georgia, judge of the Superior Court of that State, and was Mayor of -Savannah during War of 1812. - -A son of Matthew, named Julian McAllister, commanded a regiment in the -Union Army during the Civil War. - - ---------- - - - - - King Tedyuskung Questioned at Great - Indian Conference in Easton, - October 8, 1758 - - -Governor Denny informed the Assembly September 12, 1758, that a general -meeting of Indians has been agreed upon, to take place in Easton. - -Tedyuskung and some of his retinue arrived early in Easton, and started -on a debauch while awaiting the important event. Whereupon Reverend -Richard Peters, the Provincial secretary, was requested to go to Easton -immediately to keep the Indians in order. - -This conference was opened Sunday, October 8, 1758, with 500 Indians in -attendance. Governor Denny, members of Council and the Assembly, -Commissioners for Indian Affairs in New Jersey, Conrad Weiser, George -Croghan and a large number of Quakers from Philadelphia made up the -attendance of the whites. - -Governor Bernard, of New Jersey, joined the conference when it had been -in session three days, and promptly demanded that the Munsee deliver up -captives taken from that Province. - -All the tribes of the Six Nations took part in the treaty; but the -Mohawk had only one deputy, Nikes Carigiatatie, in attendance, and the -Cayuga were represented by a single chief, Kandt, alias “Last Night.” - -Unlike the several previous conferences, Tedyuskung was not the -principal speaker at this treaty, but that proud position was assumed by -Takeghsatu, a Seneca. He early addressed the Governor and others in -these words: - -“Brethren—I now speak at the request of Tedyuskung and our cousins the -Delawares, living at Wyoming and on the waters of the River Susquehanna. -We now remove the hatchet out of your heads that was struck into them by -our cousins, the Delawares. It was a French hatchet that they -unfortunately made use of, by the instigation of the French. We take it -out of your heads and bury it under the ground, where it shall always -rest and never be taken up again. Our cousins, the Delawares, have -assured us they will never think of war against their brethren, the -English, any more, but will employ their thoughts about peace and -cultivating friendship with them, and never suffer enmity against them -to enter their minds again.” - -Two days later, Nikes, the Mohawk, stood up and, addressing himself to -Governors Denny and Bernard, said: - -“We thought proper to meet you here to have some discourse about our -nephew, Tedyuskung. You all know that he gives out that he is a great -man and chief of ten nations. This is his constant discourse. Now I, on -behalf of the Mohawks, say that we do not know he is such a great man, -if he is such a great man, we desire to know who made him so. Perhaps -you have; and if this be the case, tell us so. It may be the French have -made him so. We want to inquire and know whence the greatness arose.” - -Takeghsatu, on behalf of the Seneca, said his nation “say the same as -Nikes has done.” - -Then Assarandongnas spoke on behalf of the Onondaga and said: “I am here -to represent the Onondagas, and I say for them that I never heard before -now that Tedyuskung was such a great man, and much less can I tell who -made him so. No such thing was ever said in our town as that Tedyuskung -was such a great man.” - -Then followed, in the same strain, Thomas King, chief of Oneida, in -behalf of the Oneida, Cayuga, Tuscarora, Nanticoke, Conoy and Tutelo. - -Under this concerted attack upon his kingly pretensions Tedyuskung sat -like a stoic and never said a word in reply; but Governor Denny arose -and denied that he had made Tedyuskung “a great man,” but said in -explanation that he had represented the Delaware at appointed places and -had acted for the other Six Nations only as a messenger, who were his -uncles and superiors. The Governor of New Jersey indorsed Governor -Denny’s speech. - -Five days after this discussion Tedyuskung arose in the public -conference and addressing himself to the deputies of the Six Nations, -said: - -“Uncles, you may remember that you have placed us at Wyoming and -Shamokin—places where Indians have lived before. Now I hear that you -have since sold that land to our brethren, the English. Let the matter -now be cleared up in the presence of our brethren the English. I sit -here as a bird on a bough. I look about and do not know where to go. Let -me, therefore, come down upon the ground and make that my own by a good -deed, and I shall have a home forever. For if you, my uncles, or I, die, -our brethren, the English, will say they have bought it from you, and so -wrong my posterity out of it.” - -Thomas King, speaking for the Six Nations the following day, addressed -himself to the Delaware in these words: - -“By this belt Tedyuskung desired us to make you, the Delawares, the -owners of the lands at Wyoming, Shamokin and other places on the -Susquehanna River. In answer to which, we, who are present, say that we -have no power to convey lands to any one; but we will take your request -to the Great Council fire for their sentiments, as we never sell or -convey lands before it is agreed upon in the Great Council of the Six -Nations. In the meantime, you may make use of those lands in conjunction -with our people.” - -Later in the open conference Thomas King presented Tedyuskung with a -string of wampum and said: “This serves to put Tedyuskung in mind of his -promises to return prisoners. You ought to have performed it before. It -is a shame for one who calls himself a great man to tell lies.” - -Last Night and Nikes, in behalf of the Six Nations, promised to satisfy -the English as to the return of captives, adding: “If any of them are -gone down our throats, we will heave them up again.” - -Then Takeghsatu told Tedyuskung, the Six Nations having promised to -return all captives, the Delaware and Munsee must do likewise. - -Thus King Tedyuskung was humiliated in the conference, but never to the -point where he ceased to be a most potent factor on the frontiers of -Pennsylvania, and in the eyes of the English he was the king he -professed himself to be. - -One of the most important matters disposed of at this treaty related to -the lands purchased by the Pennsylvania Proprietaries at Albany, July 6, -1754. - -During the progress of this conference one of the Seneca chiefs in -attendance died. He was interred with public ceremony; all the Indians -and many of the inhabitants attended the obsequies. - -On October 26, the business of the treaty having been finished after -eighteen days of speech-making, “some wine and punch were ordered, and -the conferences were concluded, with great joy and mutual satisfaction.” - -The Indians were supplied with hats, caps, knives, jewsharps, powder, -lead paints and walking-sticks (the term by which the Indians referred -to rum). In addition, Tedyuskung and other chiefs each received a -military hat trimmed with gold lace, a regimental coat and a ruffled -shirt. - - ---------- - - - - - Governor William Denny Removed and - Superseded by James Hamilton, Native - of Pennsylvania, October 9, 1759 - - -Following the destruction of the Indian town at Kittanning, September 8, -1756, by Lieutenant Colonel John Armstrong, and the Indian incursions -which reached to every section of the frontier, a chain of forts was -built the following year which extended from the Delaware River to the -Maryland line. These were garrisoned by troops in the pay of the -Province. - -This defense was made possible only when the Assembly finally awakened -to the serious danger and distress, concerted to pass a bill for raising -by tax £100,000, with the exemption of the proprietary estates. They -also sent Dr. Benjamin Franklin, as provincial agent, to London, to lay -their grievance before the King. - -Despite the wartime attitude of England, nothing was done to annoy the -French or to check the depredations of the savages, until Dr. Franklin’s -presence in London, and the fortunate change in the ministry, which -brought the master mind of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, to assume -control of the government. - -Pitt was endowed with a high order of intellect, eloquent, profound and -patriotic. He seemed to possess in an eminent degree the full confidence -of the nation and the command of its resources. - -Franklin’s exertions resulted in gaining the influence of Pitt’s -comprehensive mind, and soon his attention was directed to America, when -the affairs in the colonies assumed an entirely different aspect. - -Pitt’s plans of operation were grand, his policy bold, liberal and -enlightened, all of which seemed greatly to animate the colonists and -inspire them with new hopes. - -The colonists resolved to make every effort and sacrifice which the -occasion might require. A circular from Pitt assured the Colonial -governments that he was determined to repair past losses, and would -immediately send to America a force sufficiently large to accomplish the -purpose. He called upon the different Governments to raise as many men -as possible, promising to send over all the necessary munitions of war, -and pledging himself to pay liberally all soldiers who enlisted. - -Pennsylvania equipped two thousand seven hundred men, while the -neighboring provinces contributed large quotas. Three expeditions were -determined upon, and most active measures taken to bring them to the -field of action. - -General James Abercrombie was appointed commander-in-chief and General -Jeffrey Amherst second in command, aided by Brigadier Generals Wolfe and -Forbes. - -The French were vigorously attacked on the northern frontiers of New -York. General Forbes was charged with an expedition against Fort -Duquesne, to be aided by the provincial troops of Pennsylvania and -Virginia, under Colonel Henry Bouquet and Colonel George Washington. -These troops rendezvoused at Raystown, now Bedford. - -General Forbes, with regulars, marched from Philadelphia to effect a -junction with the force at Raystown, but in consequence of severe -indisposition he did not get farther than Carlisle, when he was -compelled to stop. He marched to Bedford about the middle of September -(1758), where he met the provincial troops under Washington. - -The march and investment of Fort Duquesne are told in another story and -the details will not be repeated here, except to state that Washington -strongly urged that General Forbes should use the road cut by General -Braddock three years earlier, as it was the most favorable route. But -the Pennsylvanians were bent upon the policy of securing a new road -exclusively through their province, and they succeeded. - -Many weeks were consumed in cutting this road; but at length the army, -consisting of 7859 men, penetrated the thick forest, and on reaching the -Ohio River found Fort Duquesne abandoned by the French after they had -blown up a large magazine and burned the buildings. - -The French had retreated down the river, relinquishing forever their -dominion in Pennsylvania. The fort was rebuilt, and received the -immortal name of Pitt. - -The posts on French Creek still remained in French possession, but it -was deemed unnecessary to proceed against them, as the character of the -war in the north left very little doubt that the contest would soon -cease by complete overthrow of the French. - -In 1759 Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Niagara and Quebec yielded to British -arms and on September 8, 1760, Montreal, Detroit and all of Canada were -surrendered by the French. The treaty of Fontainbleau, in November, -1762, put an end to the war. - -But in our own province, our troubles were not as easily solved as were -England’s under the great Sir William Pitt. A second great Indian -conference was convened at Easton in October, 1758. - -Tedyuskung, the great Delaware King, at this treaty received one of -those insulting taunts from the Six Nations by which they, too often, -exhibited their national superiority; taunts, however, that were deeply -revenged upon the whites in after years, when the Delaware had thrown -off the galling yoke. - -Tedyuskung again supported his station with dignity and firmness, and -refused to succumb and the different Indian tribes at length became -reconciled to each other. - -October 9, 1759, Governor William Denny was superseded by James -Hamilton. Governor Denny was removed by the Proprietary on account of -having yielded to the demands of the Assembly in giving his approval to -their money bill. - -Governor Hamilton, son of Andrew Hamilton, was the first native of -Pennsylvania to serve as Lieutenant Governor. At the death of his -father, in 1741, he was left in possession of a handsome fortune, and in -the appointment of Prothonotary, then the most lucrative office in the -province. - -He was first appointed Lieutenant Governor in 1748, serving until -October, 1754, then again called to this executive position, which he -filled until 1763. He held several other offices of distinction in the -province, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the people, but his -loyal feelings to the Crown caused him to be unfriendly to the -Revolution. - -The continued victories of the English put new inspiration into the -people, who now returned in great number to the plantations from which -they had been driven by the French and their Indian allies. - - ---------- - - - - - First of Three Confederate Raids into - Pennsylvania Began October 10, 1862 - - -The part of our great Commonwealth which lies between the South and Blue -Mountains, in the fertile and beautiful Cumberland Valley, since March -11, 1809, known as Franklin County, was from the very earliest recorded -history of Pennsylvania the scene of many stirring events. - -Being on the southern border of the State, it shared in the land and -animated border fight between the proprietary Governments of Maryland -and Pennsylvania. - -It was in a valley loved as the home of the Indians and on the great -pathway through the Tuscarora Mountains and was the scene of many -terrible Indian incursions both before and after the French and Indian -War. - -As the County of Franklin was not erected at the time of the -Revolutionary War its activities were not written into the martial story -of Pennsylvania as a division of the great State. - -In the War of 1812 the county played an active role and sent to the -front eight companies organized within its limits. - -But it is of a latter period that this county suffered at the hands of -an invading host and on three occasions had its homes raided, stores -plundered and part of Chambersburg, the county seat, destroyed by -firebrand. - -The Civil War was hardly begun when it became potent to every one that -the Cumberland Valley would be the objective of any Confederate raid -into Pennsylvania. - -Easy of access from the Potomac and with the fertile fields as fresh -foraging grounds for guerilla cavalry, the people realized that they -were uncomfortably situated. This fear was well grounded from the fact -that our southern border was virtually unprotected. - -The first Confederate raid into Pennsylvania was planned and -successfully executed October 10, 1862, by Generals J. E. B. Stuart and -Wade Hampton with about two thousand troops. - -This force crossed the Potomac River and by hurried marches pushed into -Pennsylvania, reaching Chambersburg on the evening of that day. With the -fall of night came a drizzling rain, in the midst of which the sound of -fife and drum was heard, heralding the approach of a squad of officers -and men under a flag of truce, who rode to the public square and there -demanded the surrender of the town in the name of the Confederate States -of America. - -There was no military authority in the town to treat with the invaders, -so the civil authorities, represented by the Chief Burgess, formally -delivered up the town into their custody, and in a few moments the -streets of the borough were filled with gray-uniformed soldiers, the -tramp of horses, the rattling of sabers and spurs, and the dull thud of -axes busied in demolishing store doors and in felling telegraph poles, -which made sad music for the frightened inhabitants. - -Chambersburg could hardly have been in worse condition for a raid. No -soldiers were stationed there, and an enormous quantity of military -stores was within its confines. - -During the night the business houses were ransacked and the office and -shops of the Cumberland Valley Railroad and the office of the Western -Union Telegraph Company demolished. - -The next morning their attention was turned to the attack on the -military stores in the large brick warehouse of Messrs. Wunderlich & -Nead, in the northern section of the town. These stores consisted of -ammunition, shells, signal rockets and small arms, which only a short -time previous had been captured from General Longstreet, and sufficient -new equipment added for two full companies of cavalry, then being -mustered in Franklin County. - -Soon as every article of value to an army had been removed, the torch -was applied to the building, and when the flames reached the powder an -explosion took place which completed the entire destruction of the -property. The rebels then beat a hasty retreat toward the Southland, -leaving the inhabitants of Chambersburg in a terrified condition. - -The following summer found the star of secession at its greatest height. -Lee’s army was never in better spirits and every soldier looked with -covetous eyes on the rich fields of Pennsylvania. - -Lee succumbed to the temptation, and in the face of his better judgment, -planned his northern campaign, and by a military movement, seldom -equaled, marched his entire army across the border line of Pennsylvania, -only to meet his Waterloo at Gettysburg. The approach of this great -invading horde caused a mighty panic which shook with fear the very -capital city of the old Keystone State, and every town and hamlet felt -the alarm. - -The fight at Winchester on June 13, 1863, forced the retreat of General -Milroy, who stood alone as a barrier to Lee’s advance. On the following -day General Couch removed his headquarters from Chambersburg to -Carlisle. - -About 9 o’clock on the morning of the 15th the advance of Milroy’s -retreating wagon train dashed into Chambersburg, closely pursued by the -rebels. - -At the same moment General Jenkins with 1800 mounted rebel infantry rode -into Greencastle. After a reconnoissance the town was occupied by the -rebel horde and divested of everything movable, contraband and -otherwise. - -The rebels then pushed on toward Chambersburg, where they reached the -outskirts about 11 o’clock that night. - -Again the streets of Chambersburg resounded with the clatter of cavalry, -and a second time the town fell their easy prey. - -This visit continued three days during which time everything of value, -especially horses, were taken without pretense of compensation. - -General Jenkins on the 18th fell back to Greencastle, and then proceeded -to Mercersburg, whence a detachment crossed Cove Mountain to -McConnellsburg and down the valley. The main part of the invading force -remained in the vicinity of Greencastle and Waynesboro, where plundering -parties scoured that entire section. - -The third terrible visitation of the Confederates in Chambersburg was -the deliberate sacking and burning of the town by Generals McCausland -and Johnson, on July 30, 1864. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Matthew Smith, War Veteran, - Elected Vice President October - 11, 1779 - - -On October 11, 1779, Vice President George Bryan resigned his office, -whereupon Colonel Matthew Smith, a veteran officer of the French and -Indian War, and one who commanded a company in Arnold’s expedition to -Quebec, then a citizen of Milton, Northumberland County, was chosen to -fill the vacancy, which he, too, resigned on the 29th of the month. -William Moore was elected to the position, November 12. - -On November 27, the Assembly after careful consideration, adopted a -resolution annulling the Royal Charter, and granting the Penns, as a -compensation for the rights of which they were deprived, £300,000. - -They retained their manors, however, and were still the largest landed -proprietors in Pennsylvania. They subsequently received from the British -Government an annuity of £4000 for their losses by the Revolution. - -The act for the gradual abolition of slavery in Pennsylvania was passed -March 1, 1780. It provided for the registration of every Negro or -mulatto slave, or servant for life, before November 1, following, and -also provided, “No man or woman of any nation or color, except the -Negroes or mulattoes who shall be registered as aforesaid, shall at any -time hereafter be deemed, adjudged, or holden within the territory of -this Commonwealth, as slaves or servants for life, but as free men and -free women.” - -During the year 1780, every effort was made to keep the State up to par -by passing several measures which brought but temporary relief. - -An agent was sent to France and Holland to borrow £200,000, with the -faith and honor of the State pledged for its repayment, but the mission -was unfruitful. - -The army was without clothing and short of provisions. Subscriptions -were solicited by the ladies to relieve this distress. The “Bank of -Pennsylvania” was established and still the Continental money continued -to sink in value. - -Virginia was induced to accede to Pennsylvania’s proposition to appoint -commissioners to adjust the boundary. Pennsylvania appointed George -Bryan, the Rev. Dr. John Ewing and David Rittenhouse; Virginia sent -James Madison, afterward President of the United States, and Robert -Andrews. - -These commissioners met August 31, 1779, and agreed that Mason and -Dixon’s line should be extended due west five degrees of longitude from -the Delaware River for the southern boundary of Pennsylvania, and that a -meridian line drawn from the western extremity thereof to the northern -limit of the State should be the western boundary. - -The Assembly of Pennsylvania ratified this on November 19, but Virginia -proceeded to Fort Burd and occupied it. In March, 1780, the Assembly -resolved to eject intruders under claims from other States, and -authorized Council to raise troops for internal defense of the frontier; -but Virginia afterward ratified the agreement and the southern line was -run in 1784 and the western afterward. - -Toward the close of September, 1780, the Supreme Executive Council -received the startling intelligence of the treason of General Benedict -Arnold, who had been in command of the American post at West Point. -Among the people the news of the infamy of this officer excited the -greatest indignation. - -In Philadelphia a parade was held, three days after the arrival of the -news, to give expression to the popular feeling. - -During this demonstration an effigy of Arnold was carried through the -streets and finally hung upon a gallows. The Council at once confiscated -Arnold’s estate, and his wife was ordered deported from the State within -fourteen days. - -The arrest, trial and execution of Major André, and the escape of -Arnold, his reward and price of dishonor, the sufferings and disgrace of -his unfortunate wife Peggy are not within the scope of these stories. - -If the proceedings against Tories in Pennsylvania had been fierce -previous to this time, the feeling aroused by the defection of Arnold -produced the bitterest animosity and hatred against all who were not in -full sympathy with the American Colonies. - -Many arrests were made, a number were tried and condemned, and one, a -Quaker, of Chester County, executed for high treason. The property of -prominent Tories was forfeited and sold, and, in fact, the most -energetic measures taken to crush out whatever might be inimical to the -cause of independence. - -The situation among the soldiers from Pennsylvania in the Continental -Army at this period was deplorable. About December 1, the division of -General Wayne went into winter quarters in the environs of Norristown. -The soldiers were wearied out with privations, and indignant at their -officers, whom they accused of not properly representing their situation -to Congress. - -On New Year’s Day, 1781, there broke out such a mutiny in the -Pennsylvania Line that it required the best efforts of Congress, the -Government of Pennsylvania, and the officers of the army to subdue. - -The Pennsylvania Line comprised 2500, one-third to two-thirds of the -army, the soldiers from the other colonies having, in the main, gone -home. Their terms of service had long since expired. They had not been -paid for a year, and they were almost without clothes. - -Then under the leadership of a brave sergeant, named William Bowser, -they arose in arms and proceeded to settle matters for themselves. Two -emissaries from General Clinton seeking to corrupt them they handed over -to Washington to be hanged. - -The terms of service of 1250 men had expired. They were discharged and -the matter of indebtedness to them was arranged. The most of them -re-enlisted. - -However unjustifiable the conduct of the Pennsylvania Line was and -should be deemed in the first instance, it must be acknowledged that -they conducted themselves in the business, culpable as it was, with -unexpected order and regularity. - -Their refusing to accept the large offer made by the enemy, in -delivering up the spies, and in refusing the hundred guineas they had so -justly merited, exhibits an instance of true patriotism not to be found -among mercenary troops who bear arms for pay and subsistence only, -uninspired by their country’s rights, or the justice of the cause which -they have engaged to support. - - ---------- - - - - - Attempted Slaughter of Indians at Wichetunk, - Monroe County, October 12, 1763 - - -The expedition of Colonel Henry Bouquet, during the Pontiac Conspiracy, -to Fort Pitt, in a great measure served to check the depredations of the -Indians for a short time and the frontiers of Pennsylvania were quiet, -and under the protection and assistance of 700 Provincial recruits the -settlers gathered their harvests. - -Had the Provincial Assembly acted promptly in the matter an effective -defense could have been provided. The Government was deaf to all -entreaties, and General Jeffreys Amherst, commander of the British -forces in America, did not hesitate to vent his feelings in emphatic -expression: - -“The conduct of the Pennsylvania Assembly is altogether so infatuated -and stupidly obstinate that I want words to express my indignation -thereat. They tamely look on while their brethren are butchered by the -savages.” - -The Assembly finally authorized the raising of 800 troops and voted -£24,000 to keep that force until December 1, but declared it was both -unjust and impracticable for the province to defend a frontier of nearly -300 miles, which covered a greater extent than that of New Jersey and -Maryland, without assistance from other provinces. - -In September and October outrages were committed as far east as the -neighborhoods of Reading and Bethlehem, and it was believed that not -only Fort Pitt but even Fort Augusta was destined for attack. - -The road to Fort Pitt was interrupted. A supply of provisions, under a -convoy of sixty men, was forwarded from Fort Bedford to Fort Pitt, but -on gaining the foot of the Allegheny Mountains was compelled to return. -The officers learned that the passages were occupied by the savages. - -Some fragments of the Delaware and Six Nations remained at their -settlements in the interior, refusing to join their brethren in arms, -professing affection for the Colonists and avowing a determination to -continue neutral. But the neutrality of a part, at least, of these -Indians was very doubtful. - -The situation of the frontiers became truly deplorable, and the Quakers, -who were in control, suffered the censure of the people. Captain Lazerus -Stewart, of Paxtang, expressed the views of those on the frontiers, when -he said: “The Quakers are more solicitous for the welfare of the -blood-thirsty Indians than for the lives of the frontiersmen.” - -Colonel John Armstrong led 300 men of Cumberland County to Great Island, -on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, the present site of the borough -of Lock Haven, where certain of the marauders had their headquarters. On -their arrival they found the place evacuated, horses, cattle and other -spoils gathered in their forays being left behind. - -With the main body of his men, Armstrong proceeded to another Indian -village near Jersey Shore, where he found the late occupants had left in -haste while eating a meal. So the expedition resulted in destroying -their houses and corn fields. - -Major Asher Clayton led a party from Harris’ Ferry to remove the -Connecticut settlers from Wyoming and destroy their provisions, which -were likely to be seized by the red men. When the party arrived at -Wyoming, it found that the savages had been there before them and had -burned the town and killed more than twenty persons in horrible torture. - -A number of those Indians who had been converted by the Moravian -missionaries around Bethlehem were murdered, as they were found asleep -in a barn, by a party of Rangers, and the surprise and slaughter in turn -of the latter increased the suspicion of the frontiersmen, who were -neither Moravians nor Quakers, against the entire body of Christian red -men, who professed a desire to live at peace and friendship with the -English. - -The Provincial Commissioners, indeed, reported their belief that those -at Nain and Wichetunk (in what is now Polk Township, Monroe County) were -secretly supplied by the Moravian brethren with arms and ammunition, -which, in free intercourse with the hostile savages, were traded off to -the latter. - -About October 12 a number of armed men marched toward Wichetunk, but, -waiting to surprise it by night, were frustrated by a violent storm just -before nightfall, which wet their powder. - -The missionary, the Rev. Bernard Adam Grube, then led the Indians to -Nazareth, but the Governor suggested that to watch their behavior it -would be better to disarm them and bring them to the interior parts of -the province. The Assembly, actuated more by a desire to save them, -agreed to the proposal. - -Governor John Penn received the refugees from Nain and Wichetunk, but -their arrival in the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia excited the -lower classes nearly to a riot, and the soldiers refused to allow them -any part of the barracks as a sheltering place, so that different -arrangements were necessary. - -For five hours these Indians were in great peril, but escorted by -Quakers, they were finally taken to Province Island. - -The conduct of the Assembly, in which there were twenty-one Quakers, -failed to satisfy not only the royal and proprietary officers but also -the Presbyterians, who were ready to take up arms, and particularly the -Scotch-Irish on the frontier, who saw large sums of money lavished in -the presents to Indians, while they themselves lay destitute from the -ravages of an Indian war. - -As every now and then some of their kinsmen or neighbors fell by the -tomahawk, they became exasperated, coupling their vengeance against the -guilty savages with jealousy of the Assembly’s partiality, and also -suspicion against those Indians who were treated as friends. - -A cry like the Covenanters came from their descendants in Pennsylvania; -loud exhortations were heard on the frontier to carry out against the -heathen red men the decrees of heaven against the Canaanites. - - ---------- - - - - - Molly Pitcher, Heroine of the Battle of Monmouth, - Born October 13, 1754 - - -There have been many stories of “Molly Pitcher,” and they have not -always agreed even on the main facts. But on the occasion of the -ceremonies incident to unveiling the cannon erected over her grave in -the “Old Graveyard,” in Carlisle, by the Patriotic Orders Sons of -America, on June 28, 1905, an excellent short biography of the “Heroine -of the Battle of Monmouth” was prepared by John B. Landis, Esq., from -which the following story is taken. - -The heroine’s name was not “Pitcher,” but Ludwig, and at the time she -earned her well-known sobriquet she was the wife of an artilleryman. Her -father, John George Ludwig, came to this country from the Palatinate, -and settled near Trenton, in Mercer County, New Jersey, where he engaged -in the occupation of dairyman. It was here his daughter Mary was born, -on October 13, 1754, and here among the surroundings of her father’s -home were spent the youthful days of the future “Molly Pitcher.” - -The wife of Dr. William Irvine, of Carlisle, afterward General William -Irvine, and one of the greatest patriots of the Revolution, was visiting -friends in Trenton when she saw the youthful Mary Ludwig, and, being -pleased with her and in need of a domestic, took the young girl with her -on returning to Carlisle. - -Mary had hardly become accustomed to her surroundings in the fine home -of Dr. and Mrs. Irvine until she met John Casper Hays, a barber, whose -shop was near the Irvine residence. Their courtship was of short -duration, for a marriage was solemnized on July 24, 1769. - -A few years of quiet wedded life, disturbed only by the warlike -preparations centered about the patriotic town of Carlisle, and John -Casper Hays became a soldier. He enlisted December 1, 1775, in Colonel -Thomas Proctor’s First Pennsylvania Artillery, in which he served as a -gunner. His term of enlistment expired December, 1776, but he -re-enlisted January, 1777, in the Seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, of the -Continental Line, in the company commanded by Captain John Alexander, of -Carlisle. - -Dr. Irvine also was one of the first patriots to respond to the cause of -the colonists, and January 9, 1776, was commissioned Colonel of the -Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment. He became Brigadier General May 2, 1779. -Previous to that time, however, on June 6, 1776, he was captured at -Three Rivers, and remained a prisoner on parole until his exchange, -April 21, 1778, when he assumed command of the Seventh Pennsylvania -Regiment, in which John Casper Hays was a private soldier. - -After young Hays left Carlisle with his regiment, his wife remained -employed at Colonel Irvine’s. Some time thereafter her parents, who -still resided in New Jersey, sent a message with courier for her to -visit them, and the same horseman carried a letter from her husband, -begging her to go, as he might then get an opportunity to see her, as -his regiment was then nearby. With Mrs. Irvine’s consent Mary set out on -her long journey, traveling on horseback. At the time Molly Hays was a -young woman of twenty-five years. - -To prevent the movement of the British on New York, General Washington -marched his troops again into New Jersey, and the Battle of Monmouth was -fought June 28, 1778. - -The battle continued from 11 o’clock in the morning until dark, and the -day was one of the hottest of the year. Fifty soldiers are said to have -died of thirst, and the tongues of many said to have been so greatly -swollen as to protrude from the mouth. - -While the battle was in progress Molly carried water for the thirsting -soldiers from a neighboring spring, which is still pointed out on the -historic battlefield. Back and forth she went under shelter or under -fire, supplying the much-needed water. Possibly, as is stated by some, -it was carried in the cannoneer’s bucket. In whatever way it was carried -the sight of Molly with her “pitcher” was a welcome sight to the weary -and thirsty Continentals. - -Molly’s husband, having served a year in Proctor’s Artillery, and though -now an infantryman, had been detailed as a gunner in a battery that was -engaged. Doubtless Molly was never out of sight of that battery. As she -approached with water she saw a soldier lying at the gun, whom she -thought to be her husband, and hurrying on she found her husband -wounded, but the dead man was one of his comrades. Her husband -recovered, but lived only a few years after the close of the war. - -It is stated that the cannon was ordered to the rear and would have been -taken off the field had not Molly bravely sprung to her husband’s place, -and so kept the gun in action. - -For her wonderful patriotism and self-sacrificing devotion to the -soldiers she was dubbed “Sergeant” and by some called “Major Molly.” - - “Moll Pitcher she stood by her gun, - And rammed the charges home, sir. - And thus on Monmouth’s bloody field - A sergeant did become, sir.” - -How long Molly stood by her gun, through the smoke and din of battle, on -that hot and terrible day, is not a matter of record, but the water she -carried to those soldiers and the service she rendered with the battery -has been testified to by many whom she helped. - -Molly was no imaginary heroine, but a real buxom lass, a strong, sturdy, -courageous woman. Her name belongs on the roll of the world’s heroines, -and some years ago the State of New Jersey honored “Molly Pitcher” by -commemorating her heroic act on one of the five tablets surrounding the -base of the beautiful monument erected at Freehold on the historic -field. - -Some years after the death of her first husband, Sergeant John Casper -Hays, she married George McKolly, another soldier and a comrade of Hays, -and she then became known as Molly McKolly. This name was also written -“McAuley,” and “McCauley” while on her tombstone it was inscribed -“McCauly.” - -At the entrance to the grounds where until recently was the Carlisle -Indian School, formerly for many years United States barracks, still -stands the old stone guard house, which was built by the Hessian -prisoners taken at the Battle of Trenton, and which escaped the fire -when the barracks were burned by the Confederates in 1863. - -At that post Molly lived for many years after the Revolutionary War, -cooking and washing for the soldiers. Subsequently she kept a small -store in the town proper, but the latter years of her life were lived in -a stone house, where she died on Sunday, January 22, 1832. She attended -the Lutheran Church and was respected by her neighbors. - -On July 4, 1876, a marble headstone was unveiled over her grave, which -had been erected by Peter Spohr, who knew her well and was present at -her funeral. On this occasion an eloquent and interesting address was -delivered by Captain Joseph G. Vale, a veteran officer of the Civil War. - - ---------- - - - - - William Penn, Born October 14, 1644—His - Youth and Early Struggles for Religious - Belief - - -William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania and one of the most distinguished -members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, a preacher and writer, -was born in London, October 14, 1644. - -His father was Admiral Sir William Penn, of the English Royal Navy, and -his mother was Margaret Jasper, a remarkable Dutch lady, of Rotterdam. - -While the Admiral was off on the seas, his wife and little son resided -on one of his estates at Wanstead in Essex. - -William Penn went to school at Chigwell, near by, where he was -apparently under influences largely Puritan. At the age of eleven strong -religious conviction came suddenly upon him. - -His boyhood days were lived during the Protectorate. The Admiral, after -receiving honors and riches from Cromwell, had so timed his change of -loyalty as to gather in a good share of the rewards distributed at the -time of the Restoration. - -He was in a condition to send his son to the most aristocratic of Oxford -Colleges, and at the age of fifteen, William Penn became a “Gentleman -Commoner of Christ Church.” - -Through the preaching of Thomas Loe he became a convert to the doctrine -of the Quakers. The results were not exactly Quakerly, however, for in -company with a friend, he forcibly tore from the backs of fellow -students the “popish rags,” as surplices were called by the zealous -Puritans of the day. - -For this he left college, whether by the action of the authorities or -not does not clearly appear. - -He went to his home and announced himself a Quaker. His father intended -him for a high career in the state, and no news could have been more -unwelcome than this. His father turned him out of the house. The mother -reconciled them, and the youth was sent to France, with a hope that gay -society in Paris might redeem him from his almost morbid soberness. - -Penn entered partially into the circle of fashion; thence he went to -Naumur, the Protestant college, where he laid the foundation of that -extensive knowledge of patristic literature so much in evidence in his -future writings; thence to Italy, where he received a letter from his -father calling him home. - -On his return, in 1664, in compliance with the wishes of his father, he -became a student of law. - -The great fire in London, in 1665, drove him from the city and deepened -his serious convictions. - -He was sent by his father to manage his large Irish estates. He joined -the expedition to put down an insurrection in Carrickfergus, and -procured for himself a suit of armor, in which he seems to have been -painted. His martial ardor was of short duration. - -Thomas Loe again crossed his path in Cork and Penn became a Quaker never -more to falter. He was soon imprisoned with his fellows, and this was -the beginning of many and severe confinements which lasted at intervals -through his life. - -His father again drove him from his house. In time they were reconciled -and the Admiral on his deathbed endorsed the course of his son. - -Penn began immediately to preach and to enter into the theological -controversy of his time. He was soon arrested and confined in the Tower -nine months, during which he wrote his principal work, entitled “No -Cross, No Crown.” - -Penn was again arrested for preaching in the streets of London, and at -his trial the jury declared him not guilty, but the court determined to -convict him, ordered the jury to bring in a verdict of guilty. They -refused and were fined and sent to Newgate Prison. - -On his release from prison Penn made a trip to Holland and Germany, -preaching the gospel. - -He took advantage of a little surcease from jails to marry, in his 28th -year, Gulielma Maria Springett, daughter of Sir William Springett, a -woman of great beauty and sweetness. - -A declaration of indulgence for dissenters issued by Charles II, in -1672, now made his life easier, and with an ample estate, he settled at -Rickmansworth, in Hertfordshire. He was active for a few years in -preaching and wrote much. - -In 1675 his thoughts were first seriously turned to America. Lord -Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, who had received from the Duke of York -the promise of New Jersey, sold the western half to two Quakers, John -Fenwick and Edward Byllinge. - -The new purchasers had some difficulty between themselves in the -settlement of their respective claims and asked William Penn to -arbitrate the matter. Penn decided in favor of Byllinge, who soon -afterwards became embarrassed and transferred to Penn and two others his -interest for the benefit of his creditors. - -West New Jersey was opened for sale and the persecuted Quakers found -there a haven of rest. - -Penn wrote to Richard Hartshorne, a settler whom he appointed his agent, -“We lay a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty as men -and Christians, that they may not be brought in bondage but by their own -consent; for we put the power in the people.” - -The colony prospered greatly under the management of Penn and his -friends. - -In company with George Fox, Robert Barclay and others, in 1677, Penn -paid a religious visit to Holland and Germany. Here he made a convert of -the Princess Elizabeth Palatine, granddaughter of James I, a woman of -great intelligence, learning and spirituality, who became a devoted -adherent and correspondent. - -More important, historically, however, he began that acquaintance with -the Rhine Valley which resulted in a great emigration of its inhabitants -to his future province of Pennsylvania, in the following century. - -His journal of this trip is among his printed works. - -When he returned he found persecution breaking out anew, many of his -friends in jail and their estates confiscated. - -Penn published a plea for liberty, even for Papists—a sentiment which, -in that day, required no small courage—and gave rise to a report, from -which he afterward suffered greatly, that he was a Jesuit in disguise. - -He enjoyed great favor at court, and his influence was exerted for the -aid of his suffering brethren, and his advocacy of his favorite doctrine -of universal toleration. - -The rest of William Penn’s life belongs largely to the history of -Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - First Massacre in Wyoming Launched During - Pontiac’s War by Captain Bull, - October 15, 1763 - - -The conspiracy fomented by Pontiac, the Ottawa chieftain, was unmasked -at Detroit on May 6, 1763, and then began the war which continued until -late in the summer of 1764. - -Fort Sandusky was captured by the Indians May 16, 1763; Fort Ouatanon -(now Lafayette, Ind.), May 31; Fort Presqu’ Isle (now Erie County, Pa.), -June 17; Fort Le Boeuf (in Erie County), June 18; Fort Venango (in -Venango County, Pa.), June 18 and the military posts at Carlisle and -Bedford, Pa., on the same day. - -On June 22 a large body of Indians surrounded Fort Pitt and opened fire -on all sides, but were easily repulsed. The Seneca were the only Indians -of the Six Nations in alliance with Pontiac. - -The report which reached Philadelphia the second week in July, 1763, -revealed a most alarming situation on the frontier. - -Through the efforts of the Reverend John Elder the able-bodied men of -the Paxtang region in Lancaster County were soon organized into a -mounted military battalion of several companies, under the name of the -“Paxtang Rangers” or “Paxtang Boys,” with Elder as colonel in command. - -“Swift on foot, excellent horsemen, good shots, skillful in pursuit or -escape, dexterous as scouts and expert in maneuvering,” the “Paxtang -Boys” became the terror of the Indians. And yet, during the summer and -early autumn of that year numerous depredations and murders were -committed by Indians in the counties of Lancaster and Northampton. - -On Sunday, August 7, Captain Andrew Montour arrived at Fort Augusta from -up the West Branch and informed Colonel James Burd that Forts Pitt and -Ligonier had been captured by the Indians. Later this news was learned -to be false, but the loss of Presqu’ Isle, Le Boeuf and Venango was a -fact. - -Colonel John Elder wrote Governor Hamilton, requesting that his command -be allowed “to destroy the immense quantity of corn left by the New -England men at Wyoming which, if not consumed, will be a considerable -magazine to the enemy and enable them with more ease to distress the -inhabitants, etc.” The Governor in his reply stated that he had no -objection to their scouting as far as Wyoming. - -On October 13 Major Asher Clayton, with a force of eighty soldiers from -Lancaster County, arrived at Fort Augusta, en route to Wyoming. There he -was joined by Lieutenant Samuel Hunter and twenty-four men of the -garrison, and the combined force departed Saturday the 15th for Wyoming. - -Two companies of the Reverend Elder’s command set out from Fort Hunter -on the 11th destined for the same place, and “to intercept the murdering -party on their return to Northampton.” - -This “murdering party” referred to by Colonel Elder was a band of -hostile Delaware led by Tedyuskung’s son, Captain Bull, and concerning -whose depredations Governor Hamilton sent a message to the Provincial -Assembly on October 15, in these words: - -“Within a few days past I have received well-attested accounts of many -barbarous and shocking murders and other depredations having been -committed by Indians on inhabitants of Northampton County, in -consequence whereof great numbers of those who escaped the rage of the -enemy have already deserted, and are daily deserting their habitations; -so that, unless some effectual aid can be speedily granted them, to -induce them to stand their ground, it is difficult to say where these -desertions will stop, or to how small a distance from the capital our -frontier may be reduced.” - -Captain Bull, who headed this war party of Western Delaware in these -incursions, had spent ten years among these Indians west of the Ohio -River. He was thoroughly familiar with their sentiments toward the -English. - -The first intimation of the presence of hostile Indians was on October -8, 1763, when before daybreak, Captain Bull attacked the house of John -Stenton, on the road from Bethlehem to Fort Allen, where Captain -Wetherhold and a squad of soldiers were lodging for the night. -Wetherhold and several others of the whites were wounded and three were -killed. - -A day or two later Yost’s mill, about eleven miles from Bethlehem, was -destroyed, and the people there cut off. Altogether twenty-three persons -were killed and many wounded, and these depredations committed within a -few miles of Captain Bull’s ancestral home. - -On Saturday, October 15, the self-same day that Major Clayton’s -expedition set out from Fort Augusta for Wyoming, the settlers of Mill -Creek, in Wyoming Valley, were busily engaged in their various -occupations at different places unaware of danger and unprepared for -disaster. - -Captain Bull and his warriors to the number of 135 swooped down on the -settlers and death, desperation and destruction quickly followed. -Eighteen or more were killed, including many persons of importance. The -scene was terrible. - -The settlers who heard the gun shots and war whoops of the Indians fled -in great haste to the mountains. At night time the torch was applied and -soon the homes of the settlers were masses of ruins. - -The settlers who escaped death tramped back to Connecticut, and Wyoming -was, in very truth, deserted and forsaken. - -Major Clayton arrived soon after this massacre, but did not remain, and -returned to Fort Augusta. An extract from a letter written by a soldier -says: - -“Our party under Major Asher Clayton is returned from Wyoming, where we -met with no Indians, but found the New Englanders who had been killed -and scalped a day or two before we got there. We buried the dead—nine -men and a woman—who had been most cruelly butchered. - -“The woman was roasted, and had two hinges in her hands—supposed to be -put in red hot—and several of the men had awls thrust in their eyes, and -spears, arrows, pitchforks, etc., sticking in their bodies. - -“They (Clayton’s troops) burnt what houses the Indians had left, and -destroyed a quantity of Indian corn. The enemy’s tracks were up the -river toward Wyalusing.” - -Many writers have expressed different opinions about this massacre. Some -thought it to have been done by the Delaware who believed the -Connecticut settlers killed their king Tedyuskung; some believe it to -have been done by Six Nations, who thought the whites had assassinated -the Delaware king; but others believe there is not sufficient ground for -supposing it to have been done by friends of Tedyuskung, even though the -hostile party was led by his son, Captain Bull. - -Whoever was to blame, or whoever committed the bloodthirsty deed, -matters not, but the fact remains that the Delaware Indians were -treacherous and none of them more so than King Tedyuskung and his sons, -especially Captain Bull, the perpetrator of this horrible massacre. - - ---------- - - - - - First Terrible Massacre of Settlers at Penn’s - Creek, October 16, 1755 - - -The year 1755 was anything but one of promise for the English colonies -in America. The French were aggressively pushing their domain from -Canada southward toward the Mississippi Valley, and what was more -alarming to the English was the effort of the French to gain a foothold -in the region of the Allegheny Mountains, in what is now Western -Pennsylvania. - -Three great rivers virtually determined the strategic situation of the -territory involved between these two great nations. The Hudson River -Valley was held by the English, the Susquehanna River Valley by the Six -Nations of the great Indian Confederation and the Allegheny River Valley -by French, along the banks of which a chain of French forts had been -erected. Fort Duquesne, at the forks of the Ohio and Monongahela Rivers, -where Pittsburgh now stands, was the principal defense of that valley. - -In the spring of 1755 the expedition was fitted out which made the -ill-fated march against Fort Duquesne and resulted in the defeat of -General Edward Braddock, July 9. - -This defeat was a terrible disaster and left the frontiers of -Pennsylvania threatened with ruin by victorious French and their savage -allies, who pressed through the passes of the Blue Mountains on the -heels of the fleeing British regulars. - -The main body of the French encamped on the Susquehanna River near where -the borough of Liverpool now stands, thirty miles above Harris’ Ferry, -where they extended themselves on both sides of the main river. - -Braddock’s defeat was not only a fatal termination of a campaign which -had been expected would inflict a decisive blow upon the French, but it -gave the signal to the disaffected Indians to make the frontiers of the -province the scene of predatory warfare in which many sections of the -Susquehanna Valley were severely scourged. - -The Provincial Government did not act with the energy and promptness -which the emergency demanded. No means were adopted for the protection -of frontier settlements and the entire wilderness from the Juniata River -to Shamokin, now Sunbury, was filled with parties of hostile Indians, -murdering, scalping and burning. Every post brought to the Provincial -Council at Philadelphia heart-rending appeals for help. - -The Assembly and the Governor were deadlocked, no money bills could be -passed. Troops of frontiersmen rode through the city threateningly -brandishing their weapons. A party of Germans laid the corpses of the -countrymen, scalped within sixty-five miles of the capital, at the door -of the State House. The Quaker peace policy was denounced in unmeasured -terms from the backwoods pulpits. - -The Indians had driven off the Moravian missions at Shamokin and burned -their own town at that important place. - -Two of Colonel Weiser’s sons, Frederick and Peter, had been at Shamokin -several days previously, then stopped at the house of George Gabriel, at -the mouth of Penn’s Creek about the head of the Isle of Que, near the -present town of Selinsgrove. While there a messenger arrived from Logan, -one of Shikellamy’s sons and Lapacpicton, a friendly Delaware, who -brought the alarming news that a large body of French and Indians was -approaching by way of the West Branch. - -The Provincial Government had been warned that a band of Indians had -left the West on an expedition to the forks of the Susquehanna, but paid -no heed until too late. - -These Indians crossed the Allegheny Mountains, through the headwaters of -the Otzinachson, now called West Branch, near Clearfield, thence through -the “Great Plains,” now known as Penn’s Valley, Center County, through -the gaps of Penn’s Creek, in Paddy Mountains, where they struck the -white settlements along the creek, commencing at the present town of New -Berlin and down the stream for about a mile in what is now Snyder -County. - -October 16, 1755, occurred the terrible massacre at Penn’s Creek, when -fifteen persons were cruelly murdered and their bodies terribly mangled -and ten others were carried away as Indian prisoners. - -Of the twenty-five victims, one man, who was wounded, was able to reach -Gabriel’s with the news of the massacre. - -When the party went out to bury the dead they found thirteen bodies of -men and elderly women, and one child, two weeks old. - -The house of Jacob Le Roy, where the massacre was ended, was burned and -his body lying just by it. He lay on his back, barbarously burnt and two -tomahawks sticking in his forehead. - -The conditions in the immediate neighborhood of Penn’s Creek beggared -description. Conrad Weiser wrote to Governor Morris, upon the arrival of -his sons, advising of the massacre, and gave him the news of the -intended invasion. But John Harris rushed to the rescue of those in -distress, and, with a company of forty-six men from Paxtang, arrived at -the mouth of Penn’s Creek. He found the dead had been buried, and -proceeded to Shamokin to learn the attitude of the Indians there. - -In the Pennsylvania archives is to be found the examination of Barbara -Leininger and Mary Le Roy, taken after their return from captivity. They -testified that the others carried away captives at Penn’s Creek were -Jacob Le Roy, Rachel Leininger, brother and sister of the testators; -Marian Wheeler; Hannah, wife of Jacob Breylinger and two of their -children, one of whom died of starvation, while they were being held at -Kittanning; Peter Lick and two sons, John and William. - -They named the principal Indians and gave a detailed narrative of their -journey and captivity. - -They were carried to Kittanning, where they were held prisoners until -Colonel John Armstrong destroyed the town, September 8, 1756, when the -Indians who had these prisoners in charge made their escape. - -They were carried to Fort Duquesne and were then led twenty-five miles -lower down the river to the mouth of Big Beaver Creek. In the spring of -1757 they were taken to Kuskusky, twenty-five miles up Big Beaver Creek, -where they remained until the Indians learned that the English were -marching against Fort Duquesne, when the Indians evacuated Kuskusky and -hurried their prisoners on a forced march to the Muskingum, in the -present State of Ohio. - -March 16, 1759, the testators made their escape and were able to reach -Fort Pitt fifteen days later. They reached their relatives subsequently, -and were in Philadelphia, May 6, 1759, when they gave their testimony. - -Ann M. LeRoy was residing in Lancaster in 1764, when she again made an -affidavit in regards to the details of her capture and the visits of the -supposed friendly Conestoga Indians at Kittanning. - -A beautiful boulder with bronze tablet was unveiled at the site of this -massacre, October, 1915. This can be seen above the bridge over Penn’s -Creek, on the Susquehanna Trail, leading from Selinsgrove to Sunbury. It -marks the scene of one of the most horrible of the Indian massacres in -Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Railroad from Williamsport to Lake Erie - Completed October 17, 1864 - - -During the administration of Governor James Pollock the Main Line of -public works had been sold by virtue of the act of Assembly of May 16, -1857. Governor Pollock had very strongly urged the sale of the public -works, as they had become a running sore of corruption, including -political debauchery and the systematic plunder of the treasury. - -On June 25 following the Governor closed the transaction by which the -Pennsylvania Railroad Company, July 31, assumed ownership of the whole -line of public works between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the -consideration being $7,500,000. - -Following that sale measures were taken for the disposal of the -remainder of the public improvement. They had failed to be a source of -revenue to the State, and the application of the proceeds to the payment -of the debt of the Commonwealth soon led to the removal of taxation by -the State. - -With the disposal of the Main Line of public works, there were left not -a few local canals, such as the North Branch, West Branch and others, to -be managed by the Board of Canal Commissioners. This was a sore point, -and there was a very general desire that these should also be disposed -of and the State entirely divested of its interests in transportation -lines. - -The Sunbury and Erie Railroad Company was chartered April 3, 1837. The -road was opened between Williamsport and Milton, December 18, 1854, and -between Milton and Northumberland, September 24, 1855. - -The railroad bridges over the North Branch at Northumberland were -completed for traffic January 7, 1856, which opened the road from -Williamsport to Sunbury. From this time it became a long struggle to -complete the line from Williamsport to Erie, which was to be the western -terminus. - -Borough councils and prominent citizens subscribed for stock, and -various attempts were made to construct the road, but each new -organization only repeated the story of failure. - -A number of very able and experienced railway men and the directors -conceived the idea of virtually borrowing the credit of the State, -without imposing any liability upon the Commonwealth, to aid in the -construction of this road. - -Their proposition was that the various canals remaining in the ownership -of the State should be sold to the Sunbury and Erie Railway Company for -$3,000,000, giving the railway company the right to sell or mortgage the -several canals as might be deemed best, the proceeds to be applied to -the construction of the Erie line, and the State to accept a mortgage -upon the line for the $3,000,000 to be paid for the canals. It was -believed this would provide sufficient funds to complete the line, and -when this was accomplished the mortgage held by the State would be -abundant security against loss to the Commonwealth. - -A bill to enable this sale of the canals was read in place in both House -and Senate and an earnest battle ensued as the members of the canal -board were not willing to be shorn of their immense powers, which would -result if the State sold the canals. - -The Republicans in the House supported the bill; the personnel of the -canal board was entirely Democratic. No community in the State would -benefit more by the completion of the link from Williamsport to Erie -than would Philadelphia, and the great interests of that city soon -brought a solid support in both House and Senate in favor of the bill. - -Many Democrats whose districts were traversed by the proposed road also -fell into line, so that in spite of desperate opposition, the bill -finally passed the House by a decided majority, and gained the narrow -margin of one vote in the Senate. - -Governor William F. Packer was a resident of Williamsport, and, of -course, was intensely interested in the measure. - -The bill reached the Governor only three days before final adjournment, -and when he examined it, the Governor discovered a vital error in -phraseology which had been overlooked, but which would result in serious -embarrassment in executing its provisions. He could not return it with -his objections, as it could not be passed over the veto; there was not -time for the passage of a new bill, and the bill could be amended in the -hands of the Governor only by the adoption of a joint resolution -instructing such change. - -A joint resolution was required to lay over a day under the rules and it -required two-thirds vote to suspend the rule, while the delay of a day -would be fatal. - -The matter was submitted to Speaker Longnecker, who presided with -ability and dignity over the body, and he informed those who were -conferring with him that a joint resolution could not be read and -finally passed on the same day. - -Among the prominent Democratic members was George Nelson Smith, of -Cambria County, a thorough parliamentarian and one of the most popular -members of the House. - -It was suggested to the Speaker that he call Smith to the chair. The -Speaker consented, Smith took the gavel and the resolution to amend the -bill was changed from the usual form of a joint resolution by saying, -“Resolved, If the Senate concurs, etc.,” giving the appearance of a -House resolution requiring simply the concurrence of the Senate. - -As soon as it was read the point was raised that it was a joint -resolution and must lie over for a day, but Smith faced the emergency -with magnificent boldness, deciding that it was not a joint resolution -and directing the final vote to be called. - -It was evident that a majority of the House meant to save the bill; -tactics for delay would be defeated by previous question and by the -aggressive action of Acting Speaker Smith the House was suddenly brought -to a call of the yeas and nays and the bill was saved. The Senate had -ample time for concurrence and it was given. - -Even after giving the Sunbury and Erie Railway Company the benefit of -the loan of $3,000,000 the work was pushed forward under many -embarrassments. It was on the verge of collapse in the general -prostrations of 1860, but the Legislature came to its relief by an -extension of credit. - -The Civil War came with its quickening of business and large increase of -circulating medium, and the great enterprise of building a railroad -through an almost continued wilderness from Williamsport to Lake Erie, a -distance of nearly 250 miles, was completed October 17, 1864, and the -State gained not only by the sale of its canals and the abolishment of -the Canal Board, but the $3,000,000 was abundantly secured to it. - -The new railroad brought multiplied wealth to the State and the people -that could never have been realized excepting by the construction of a -great railway through the boundless riches of that great region. - -The name Sunbury and Erie was changed to the Philadelphia and Erie -Railroad Company by Act of Assembly March 7, 1861. - -On January 1, 1862, it was leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company -for 999 years. - - ---------- - - - - - None Escaped in Massacre at Mahanoy - Creek, October 18, 1755 - - -Following the defeat of General Edward Braddock, July 9, 1755, the -savages roamed at will through the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania. -They now realized the English were no longer invincible and became -bolder and more terrible in their predatory warfare. - -The first outbreak was at Penn’s Creek, in the present Snyder County, -where on October 16, they swooped down upon the industrious German -settlers of that neighborhood and cruelly massacred fifteen and carried -away ten others into captivity. - -The news of the massacre struck terror in the hearts of the settlers and -all, excepting a very few, fled down the river to the older settlements. - -Only two days after the Penn’s Creek massacre another occurred only a -short distance to the eastward, at the mouth of Mahanoy Creek, about -five miles south of the present city of Sunbury. - -On this eventful day, October 18, 1755, twenty-five of the inhabitants -were killed or carried away into captivity, often worse than death. -Every building of the little settlement was burned, and all the -improvements destroyed. - -The difference in the two massacres lies in the fact that one escaped -from the murderous savages at Penn’s Creek, who was able to make his way -to George Gabriel’s at the mouth of the creek, where he told the awful -story in detail. It also happened that two sons of Conrad Weiser were -there at the time, and they hastened to their home in Berks County. - -Soon the old provincial interpreter had messengers on the way to inform -Governor Morris of the massacre and the threatened invasion of the Forks -of the Susquehanna by the French and their Indian allies, who were -approaching in great force. - -Immediately the news of the massacre at Penn’s Creek reached Harris’ -Ferry, and without waiting for advice from the provincial authorities, -John Harris, with forty-six inhabitants of the neighborhood, hastened to -the scene of the disaster, where they found and buried a number of the -mangled bodies of the victims. From this place they proceeded to -Shamokin to see the Indians and prevail upon them, if possible, to -remain neutral. - -Their reception at the Indian village was civil but not cordial, and -they remained there only till the next morning. - -During the night they heard the Indians talking about the English in -unfavorable terms, and soon after they sang a war song and four Indians -went away in the darkness in two canoes. They were well armed. One canoe -went down stream, the other across the river. - -In the morning they made a few presents to the Indians. Before their -departure they were privately warned by Andrew Montour not to take a -certain road on the western side of the river, but to continue down the -eastern side. - -They, however, disregarded his warning, either relying on the good faith -of the Indians, or suspecting that Montour intended to lead them into an -ambuscade, and they crossed the river and started to march along the -flats on the western shore. - -Hardly had they got started on their march until they were fired upon by -some Indians who lay in ambush, and four were killed, four drowned and -the rest put to flight. - -John Harris, under date of “Paxtang, ye 28th October, 1755,” wrote to -the Governor an account of the foregoing expedition, and how near they -all came to suffer through Indian treachery. Among other things, he -said: - -“This is to acquaint you, that on the 24th of October, I arrived at -Shamokin, in order to protect our frontiers up that way till they might -make their escape from their cruel enemies, and learn the best -intelligence I could. - -“The Indians on the West Branch certainly killed our inhabitants on -Penn’s Creek, and there are a hatchet and two English scalps sent them -up to North Branch, to desire them to strike with them if they are men.” - -He then described the situation and warned the Governor that the Indians -entertained serious designs upon the settlers in and about the Forks of -the Susquehanna. He then wrote: - -“Montour knew many days ago of the enemy being on their march against us -before he informed, for which I said as much to him as I thought -prudent, considering the place I was in. - -“On the 25th inst., on my return with about forty men, we were attacked -by about twenty or thirty Indians, received their fire, and about -fifteen of our men and myself took to the trees, attacked the villains, -killed four of them on the spot and lost but three more, retreating -about half a mile through the woods, and crossing the Susquehanna, one -of whom was shot off a horse riding behind myself, through the river. My -horse was wounded, and falling into the river, I was obliged to quit him -and swim part of the way. - -“Four or five of our men were drowned crossing the river. I hope our -journey, though with fatigue and loss of our substance and some of our -lives, will be of service to our country by discovering our enemy, who -will be our ruin, if not timely prevented. - -“I just now received information that there was a French officer, -supposed captain, with a party of Shawnee, Delaware, etc., within six -miles of Shamokin, ten days ago, and no doubt intends to take possession -of it which will be a dreadful consequence to us, if suffered.” - -Harris then told of his knowledge of the Indians who had made the attack -on Penn’s Creek; of an intended attack on Shamokin and other places. He -concluded his long and informative letter: “I expect Montour and -Monacatootha down here this week, with the determination of their -Shamokin council. The inhabitants are abandoning their plantations and -we are in a dreadful situation.” - -The postscript to his interesting letter was as follows: “The night -ensuing our attack the Indians burned all George Gabriel’s houses; -danced around them.” - -The person who was shot off the horse, while riding behind John Harris -in crossing the river, was a physician of Paxtang, who had accompanied -the party in his professional capacity. - -On the following day John Harris wrote a letter to Edward Shippen, at -Lancaster, in which he expressed fear that the Indians would attack them -any day. He wrote: “I have this day cut loopholes in my house, and am -determined to hold out to the last extremity, if I can get some men to -stand by me. But few can be had at present, as every one is in fear of -his own family being cut off every hour.” - -Harris advised the immediate building of a fort at the Forks of the -Susquehanna. The situation in the Province even as close to Philadelphia -as Harrisburg was truly desperate. - - ---------- - - - - - General Edward Hand Starts on Expedition - from Fort Pitt to Wheeling, October - 19,1777 - - -During the winter of 1776 and the following spring the agents of Great -Britain had been very active in organizing Indian uprisings along the -frontiers as a part of the general campaign for the subjugation of the -rebellious colonists. - -Continental Congress decided to take charge of the defense of the -colonists, especially those in the western part of the State, where the -Indians had been more active and where the settlers had been afforded -less protection from the State and Colonial governments. - -The first move by Congress was a decision to take Fort Pitt under its -care and provide an adequate garrison at the Continental expense. The -offer was accepted by Virginia, which colony then claimed the western -part of Pennsylvania as its territory, and Captain John Neville was -directed to transfer the fort to the United States officer appointed to -its command. - -General Washington selected Brigadier General Edward Hand, of Lancaster, -for this important service. The brave and efficient work of this -distinguished officer led the commander-in-chief to believe that he -would be an able defender of the border, but fighting British and -Hessians along the seaboard and Indians in the woods are two quite -different propositions, as General Hand soon discovered. - -General Hand was no stranger at Fort Pitt, but during his former service -there he had no experience in fighting Indians. - -He was a native of Ireland and educated to be a physician. At the age of -twenty-three years he was commissioned as assistant surgeon in the -Eighteenth Regiment of Foot, known as the Royal Irish, and in the spring -of 1767 he accompanied the command to America. - -He was stationed for a time in the Illinois country and afterward at -Fort Pitt. In 1774 he resigned his commission and took up the practice -of medicine in Lancaster, Pa. - -Soon after the news of Lexington and Concord he interested himself in -raising troops for the cause of the colonists and was commissioned -lieutenant-colonel of Thompson’s celebrated regiment of Pennsylvania -riflemen, afterward the First Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line. - -In March, 1776, Hand succeeded as colonel and under his command the -regiment did gallant work in the battles of Long Island, Trenton and -Princeton. - -On April 1, 1777, Hand was rewarded for his really exceptional services -by promotion to the rank of brigadier general and soon thereafter -General Washington further evinced his appreciation and confidence by -assigning General Hand, then only thirty-three years old, to the defense -of the western frontier. - -General Hand arrived at Fort Pitt Sunday, June 1, 1777, and took over -the property from Captain Neville. He led no forces across the -mountains, being accompanied by only a few officers. - -The garrison consisted of but two companies of the Thirteenth Virginia, -recruited in and about Pittsburgh, and they were shy of discipline. The -larger part of these soldiers had been with Washington in New Jersey. - -General Hand, in the East, had engaged in warfare where it was never -difficult to locate the enemy, in large bodies, ready to stand up and -fight. In that warfare the colonists did most of the dodging and were -the hardest to find. - -On the frontier the conditions were reversed, the enemy could not be -found yet was ever present. The savages, in small bands, entered the -settlements and struck quick but terrible blows, then fled by night into -the dense forests. - -The only evidence of the presence of these savages were the dead bodies -of the victims and ashes of their former cabins, but they left no trail -that a white man could discover. The problem was perplexing to General -Hand. - -Many murders had been committed before General Hand’s arrival, but they -became more numerous. - -The British commandant, Colonel Henry Hamilton, at Detroit, began about -June 1 to equip and send out war parties to attack the settlements of -Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania, which parties consisted mostly of -Indians of the Wyandotte and Miami tribes of Northern Ohio and Shawnee -of Southern Ohio and a few British officers. - -At the same time parties of Seneca invaded the Pennsylvania settlements -from Western New York. - -Beside the bodies of many victims of the raids were found copies of the -proclamation by Hamilton, offering protection and reward to all settlers -who would make their way to any of the British posts and join the cause -of the King. - -General Hand soon determined that the one way to fight Indians was to -invade their own country and destroy their towns and provisions. The -Ohio tribes had permanent villages and grew great crops of corn, beans -and pumpkins, which they stored in earth silos. If the Indians lost -their crops they would be driven to hunt in the winter and could have no -time for the warpath. - -General Hand decided to descend the Ohio with a large force of -militiamen to the mouth of the Big Kanawha and to march thence overland -against the Shawnee towns. - -Hand appealed to all the militia commanders of Westmoreland and Bedford -Counties in Pennsylvania, and of all the frontier counties of Virginia, -to muster men for the expedition. - -He also appealed to the governments of both States and they directed -their officers to respond to the calls. The project was even indorsed by -Congress; yet in spite of all these efforts the expedition was a -failure. - -General Hand expected 500 men from the two Pennsylvania counties and -1500 men from Virginia. His expectations were unreasonable in that he -did not take into consideration the drained and distressed condition of -the border. Already the hardiest and most useful men had gone to fight -the British. Most of those who remained on the plantations believed they -were needed at home to protect their families from the raids of the -savages. - -No men responded from Bedford County and only 100 from Westmoreland, -under command of Colonel Lochry, reached Fort Pitt. - -On October 19, 1777, General Hand left Fort Pitt and went down the river -to Wheeling, where he expected to meet the recruits from Virginia. After -a week of waiting only a few poorly equipped squads reported to him. -Hand gave up in disgust and returned to Fort Pitt. - -The following spring he requested to be recalled from the frontier -service, and General Washington called him to his army May 26, 1778. - - ---------- - - - - - Great Meeting in the Interest of Inland - Waterways Held at Harrisburg, - October 20, 1789 - - -During the latter part of the year 1789, the President and members of -the Supreme Executive Council appointed a commission to view the -Delaware, Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers, in pursuance of an act of -Assembly passed September 28, 1789, with the object of ascertaining data -whether or not these waters could be rendered navigable. - -This commission, composed of Timothy Matlack, Reading Howell, William -Dean, John Adlum and Benjamin Rittenhouse, attended to the important -duty assigned them and in their report strongly recommended that a -commission of experienced surveyors be named for “the purpose of -ascertaining the most convenient and practicable place for connecting -the waters of the three rivers, with those of the Allegheny, Lake -Ontario and Lake Erie. And in cases where portage by land will be -necessary, to examine the face of the country and report the most -suitable places for landings and roads.” - -A great meeting was held at Paxtang, October 20, 1789, which was -attended by citizens of eight counties, when an organization was -affected with James Ewing, of York County, as chairman. Committees were -named for each county to solicit subscriptions for the furtherance of -these surveys, and a commission was appointed, consisting of Frederic -Antes, of Northumberland County; John Brattan, of Huntingdon; Andrew -Galbraith, of Cumberland, and Sebastian Graff and John Haldeman, of -Lancaster, to superintend the work of removing obstructions in the -Susquehanna and Juniata rivers. - -A resolution was adopted which authorized the appointment of three -surveyors, to begin at the mouth of the Juniata and proceed up the -Susquehanna to Sunbury, thence up the West Branch to Sinnemahoning -Creek, thence to Canoe Place, or such place “as will connect most easily -with any practicable branch of the Allegheny, the Consua, Toby’s Creek, -or any other which may discharge itself into the Allegheny nearest to -the mouth of French Creek, and thence examine French Creek up to Le -Boeuf and the portage to Presqu’ Isle.” - -Timothy Matlack, John Adlum, Samuel Maclay, Reading Howell, Frederick -Antes, and William Dean were appointed April 6, and commissioned and -qualified April 9, 1790. - -The three first mentioned set out on the work along the Susquehanna and -the others took up the work on the lower Susquehanna and Schuylkill. - -Samuel Maclay kept an interesting journal of the experiences of the -commission, from which the following is taken. - -Messrs. Matlack and Adlum set out from Philadelphia May 6, and met -Maclay at Lebanon. They remained there nearly a week, and began their -work when they set out from the Swatara, having taken James McLaughlin, -Edward Sweeney, and Matthew Gray into the pay of the State. - -The party reached Herold’s, below Selinsgrove, by May 17, then proceeded -to Northumberland. Here Maclay went to visit his family at now -Lewisburg. John Adlum visited with his friend Colonel Frederic Antes, -and Timothy Matlack was the guest of Colonel William Wilson, of -Northumberland. - -The party was organized during this stay at Northumberland and proceeded -up the West Branch to the mouth of the Loyalsock. They next encamped on -the Great Island, then reached the Sinnemahoning, where they built -several canoes. - -The actual survey began at Canoe Place, where Adlum ran a line to the -Allegheny. He writes in his journal of catching beaver, and of the large -numbers of “wolves which frequently crossed their track, in a very -indifferent manner.” - -June 14, they surveyed the West Branch of the Sinnemahoning as far as -Boyd’s quarry, the following day reached Bennett’s. - -On July 2, the party reached the Ohio River, and went down it, being -guided by an Indian, named Doctor Thomas. - -When the western boundary of the State was reached, Conne Shangom, the -chief, had gone to Venango, but another chief, Captain John, made the -commissioners a speech of welcome. At this place they came across a -Dutchman, who had been taken prisoner by the Indians in the last war, -but who chose to continue to live with them. - -On July 7, the commissioners had an interesting interview with the -celebrated Indian Chieftain, Cornplanter, at Jenoshawdego. - -Maclay records that the Indians were very jealous of them until they -were made to fully understand their mission. Cornplanter then welcomed -them with a speech. Maclay says, “we were addressed by an orator, on -behalf of the women.” This speech of Cornplanter’s was responded to by -Colonel Matlack. - -The Commissioners then went to Cornplanter’s town and “had the honor of -his company for supper.” - -July 14, they struck the old French road to Erie. Maclay records that -“the cart ruts are quite plain yet.” He further records, “Lake Erie is a -fresh water sea. You can see the horizon and water meet.” - -The party was here caught in a terrible storm and thoroughly drenched. - -The party pushed down the Allegheny a distance of eighty miles, and -Sunday morning, July 18, they met Mr. Adlum and his party. Adlum -finished a survey the next day, and the entire party was again united at -Buckaloon, or Brokenstraw, about five miles from the present town of -Warren. - -On the 20th the party arrived at Fort Franklin, where the commanding -officer, Lieutenant Jeffries, was very polite to them. - -Two days later Maclay records, “we paired off and discharged an old -Indian chief and a white savage.” The commissioners left Fort Franklin -this day, and reached David Meads, at present Meadville. They then went -to Le Boeuf, and from there back to Fort Franklin, where they arrived -August 1. - -Maclay writes about using some oil, collected from a small oil spring -along French Creek, on his lame back. The effect was beneficial. - -The survey of the Allegheny River began at this point, and they also -explored the tributary streams all the way down that river to the -Conemaugh, then to Frankstown, on the Juniata River, where they arrived -September 8. - -The commissioners proceeded down the Juniata to the Susquehanna. Samuel -Maclay notes that he arrived at his home Friday, September 17, and found -his family all well and at dinner. - -The report was made as three different surveys, and the cost £561, 27s. - - ---------- - - - - - Bicentennial Opened in Chester and Philadelphia, - October 21, 1882 - - -At the close of Governor John F. Hartranft’s second term the Republicans -nominated General Henry Martyn Hoyt, of Wilkes-Barre, while the -Democrats had as their standard-bearer Honorable Andrew H. Dill, of -Lewisburg. - -The campaign was conducted along the line of national issues, the -leading discussion being the resumption of specie payments. This became -the keynote of the campaign and Hoyt was elected by a large majority. - -An interesting historical event occurred before the end of Hartranft’s -administration, on December 19, 1878, when Bayard Taylor died in the -city of Berlin, Germany, while serving at his post as Minister to -Germany. He was a native of Chester County and through his literary -works had done much to increase the fame of Pennsylvania. - -After Governor Hartranft retired from the office of Governor he removed -to Philadelphia, where he served as Postmaster of the city, and -afterward as Collector of the Port. - -His love for the National Guard continued and he was the commanding -general from 1879 until his death on October 17, 1889. His memory as a -soldier is perpetuated by an equestrian statue on the plaza of the -Capitol at Harrisburg and by a beautiful monument in the cemetery at -Norristown. - -Governor Hoyt was inaugurated on January 21, 1879, being the first such -ceremony held under the provisions of the new Constitution of 1874, and -on January 7, following, the Legislature met in biennial session for the -first time, as provided in the new Constitution. - -On May 16, 1881, the Legislature adopted a joint resolution, which had -for its purpose the reinterment of William Penn in the City of -Philadelphia. - -George L. Harrison, Esq., of Philadelphia, at his own expense, carried -the Governor’s request to the legal representatives of William Penn, and -trustees of Jordan’s Meeting House, England, but after some deliberation -they refused to grant the request. - -Had this been granted the body of the founder and former Proprietor of -Pennsylvania would have been resting in Pennsylvania soil at the time -the bicentennial of Penn’s arrival in the Province was observed with -fitting ceremonies in October, 1882. - -This great celebration was held in Chester and Philadelphia, beginning -with appropriate religious services on Sunday, October 21. “Landing Day” -was observed at Chester on Monday, the following day was known as -“Landing Day” in Philadelphia, when the “Welcome” arrived at the foot of -Dock Street, where the landing scenes of the previous day were again -re-enacted, with Quakers, Swedes and Indians in the large cast. - -The parade up Dock Street passed a stand, where Governor Hoyt, Alexander -P. Colesberry, president Bi-Centennial Association Committee, and other -members of the committee and distinguished guests reviewed the pageant. -Here the character of William Penn made a speech, to which Tamanend, -sachem of the Delaware Nation, made reply. - -The great celebration ended on Friday with a grand military parade under -command of General John F. Hartranft. This was a fitting and impressive -observance in which the 200 years of history were recalled in tableaux, -story, music, pageantry and parade. - -The Republican Party received its first setback in a State campaign in -1882, when Robert E. Pattison, of Philadelphia, defeated General James -A. Beaver, of Bellefonte, in a spirited contest. - -The campaign disclosed the fact that there were too many members of the -Republican Party dissatisfied with the conditions in their organization. -The disaffected united in an independent movement and nominated John -Stewart, of Chambersburg, afterward a Justice of the Supreme Court, as -their candidate for Governor. - -The Greenback-Labor Party also placed a candidate in the field in the -person of Thomas A. Armstrong. The Prohibition candidate was Alfred C. -Petit. Mr. Pattison easily overcame the normal Republican majority on -account of the divided vote and was elected by more than 40,000 -plurality. - -Governor Pattison was inaugurated January 16, 1883, at the age of -thirty-two years. He was of the opinion that the State should be -redistricted in congressional, senatorial and representative districts, -as required by the Constitution, and when the Legislature adjourned -without passing the necessary legislation, the Governor issued a -proclamation on the day fixed for final adjournment, June 6, 1883, and -called an extra session to convene the following day. - -The Legislature continued in session until December 6, and reapportioned -the State into judicial districts, but the efforts in behalf of new -districts for Congress and the Legislature proved unavailing. - -The act creating the annual observance of Arbor Day was enacted on March -17, 1885, and Governor Pattison appointed April 16 of that year as the -first Arbor Day in Pennsylvania, a custom which has been followed to the -present time. - -In 1886 four candidates were placed in the field for the office of -Governor. The Republicans again nominated General James A. Beaver and -the Democrats named Chauncey F. Black, of York. The Prohibitionists -selected Charles S. Wolf, of Lewisburg, and the Greenback Party named -Robert J. Houston. - -The Republicans presented a solid front this time and easily elected -General Beaver, who was inaugurated January 18, 1887. - -In the first session of the General Assembly the State was divided into -twenty-eight congressional districts and 204 legislative districts. - -An amendment to the Constitution, proposing to “prohibit the -manufacture, sale or keeping for sale of any intoxicating liquor to be -used as a beverage” was defeated by the vote of the people almost two to -one. This amendment was strongly urged by Governor Beaver. - -An important movement was put into action by the Governor, himself a -gallant veteran of the Civil War, when by the act of the Legislature -memorial tablets were erected on the battlefield of Gettysburg. These -tablets were dedicated on Pennsylvania Day, September 11–12, 1889. - -An interesting historical event was the centennial anniversary of the -adoption of the Federal Constitution, which was observed in Philadelphia -September 15, 16 and 17, 1887. The Constitutional Centennial Commission -arranged a civic and industrial procession, military parade and memorial -ceremonies in a manner reflecting great honor and credit to all -concerned. - - ---------- - - - - - Daniel Boone, Pioneer Kentucky Frontiersman, - Born in Berks County October - 22, 1733 - - -One of the earliest of American romances is written about the character -and thrilling experiences of Daniel Boone, who forsook the quiet and -uneventful life of a Quaker, turned his back on the civilization of his -native State, deserted his farm in North Carolina and went in search of -adventure in the wilderness of Kentucky. - -George Boone, III, sailed from England with his wife and three of their -nine children, August 17, 1717, and landed in Philadelphia, October 10. -This family resided for a short time at Abington, then for two years at -North Wales. They belonged to the sect of Quakers and were members of -the Gwynedd Meeting. - -George Boone, next settled at Oley, then in Philadelphia County, but -later, a part of Exeter Township, Berks County; named Exeter when Berks -County was erected in honor of the Boone home in England. Here George -Boone built a log house, in 1720, situated seven miles east of Reading. -It is still standing, and is one of the priceless relics of old Berks -County. - -The third son of George and Mary Maugridge Boone was Squire Boone, the -father of Daniel Boone, who was born on another farm in the same -neighborhood, on October 22, 1733. - -Daniel left Berks County with his parents for North Carolina in 1750, at -the age of seventeen years. They seated themselves in Yadkin River -Valley, and young Boone soon became the most expert woodsman and hunter -in that section of the State. In 1755 Daniel married Rebecca Bryan, the -prettiest girl in the neighborhood, and they were happy in their new log -house. - -The settlers became too numerous and soon the hunting was more difficult -and longer trips necessary. Daniel grew restless, and about that time he -was attracted by the tales of John Finley, an experienced Indian trader -and adventurer, about the country beyond the mountains, known as -Kentucky. - -Boone then gathered together five companions and set out on a hunting -and exploration trip. After a long, weary march they reached the heights -overlooking the plains of Central Kentucky, and observed the huge herds -of buffalo and deer, and felt amply rewarded for the hardships endured -in getting there. - -They erected a cabin and passed a happy and busy summer hunting and -exploring. A few days before Christmas the camp was broken up through -the capture of Boone and a companion while out hunting. They were -suddenly surprised by fifteen Indians and taken prisoners. - -Boone and his companion made their captors believe they were happy in -their experience and promptly accepted the Indian manner of doing -things. - -In the middle of the night Boone awakened his companion, grabbed their -rifles and escaped. - -When they arrived at their cabin it was deserted. The two men realized -they were the only white men west of the mountains, but they remained -and resumed their hunting. - -Some days later Squire Boone, a brother of Daniel, and a friend, arrived -at Daniel’s camp. The neighbor who accompanied Squire soon grew homesick -and returned to North Carolina. Boone’s other companion was killed by -the Indians, and only the brothers were left alone in that wilderness of -Kentucky. - -They hunted all winter, and in the spring Squire tramped back home for a -supply of powder leaving Daniel alone. Three months later Squire -returned with powder, lead, horses and the happy tidings that all was -well at home. - -The following spring Daniel and his brother made a trip home. A year -later he sold his farm and planned to make his home in Kentucky. Several -neighbors decided to join him, and soon five families, forty in all, -with cattle and household goods, were tramping toward the western -country. - -Suddenly the men driving the cattle were fired at from ambush and six of -them killed, one of whom was Daniel Boone’s eldest son. This so saddened -the emigrants that Daniel Boone led them back to the Clinch River, where -they remained until 1774. - -Dunmore, the Royal Governor of Virginia, employed Boone to rescue a -party of surveyors, and he made a round trip of 800 miles, to the Falls -of the Ohio and back to Virginia in sixty-two days, bringing the men -back without a mishap. - -On April 1, 1775, he began the erection of his famous fort on the -Kentucky River. It was finished in June and named Boonesborough. - -Boone then returned home, gathered up his family and took them to the -new home he had prepared. Here they were happy until the Indians began -to make trouble. - -The day before Christmas one of his men was killed and another wounded. -The following June, Boone’s young daughter and two girls foolishly -crossed the river in a boat and were carried away by the Indians. - -Boone and eight companions started in pursuit, and forty miles distant -came upon them at dinner. The Indians were taken by surprise and fled -without their rifles, two being killed on the jump. The girls were -rescued unharmed. - -During the winter of 1778 Boone was captured at a salt springs, with -about thirty of his men. The Indians led them toward Canada, reaching -Detroit in March. - -The English bought the prisoners, offering a large sum for Boone, but -the Indians refused it, saying they liked him and wanted to make him one -of their tribe. Boone returned with them, always conducting himself in a -cheerful manner. He was adopted in the tribe as a son of Chief -Blackfish. - -One evening he learned the Indians planned an attack on Boonesborough. -He hid food in his shirt and at daybreak started on a hunting trip. -Covering his trail, he set out for home, walking day and night, eating -few meals during the 160 miles through the woods. - -When he arrived he found his wife, believing him dead, had returned to -her father’s home. He assembled his sixty men and prepared for the -attack of 400 Indians. - -The attack was made, British and Canadians being among the savages under -Chief Blackfish. A parley of two days was agreed to, but Boone used the -time to better protect the fort. - -After a fierce fight lasting nine days the Indians gave up and started -home, leaving behind thirty-seven dead and many wounded. Boone lost two -men and had four wounded. - -In 1780 Squire Boone was killed and Daniel had a narrow escape from -capture. - -In 1782 Boone was commissioned a lieutenant colonel. One of his sons was -killed and the other wounded. - -Kentucky was admitted as a State February 4, 1791. Boone’s restless -spirit then moved him westward and in 1795 he settled in Missouri. He -died September 26, 1820, and his body was buried beside his wife, who -had died seven years before. - -In 1845 Boone’s remains were re-interred near Frankfort, Ky. - - ---------- - - - - - General Sir Guy Carleton Puts End to - Indian War October 23, 1782 - - -After the murder of Colonel William Crawford, which occurred June, 1782, -about five miles west of Upper Sandusky, the Scots and other -frontiersmen were saddened but far from being discouraged. - -The fugitives of the ill-fated expedition to the Sandusky had hardly -returned to their homes along the western frontier of Pennsylvania when -they began preparations for another expedition. - -The borderers possessed a fierce determination to crush out the “red -vipers” and one more trip into the Indian country soon as harvest was -gathered was but an incident in their exciting life. - -General William Irvine, the commandant at Fort Pitt, was urged to -command, and principal men of that vicinity agreed to furnish the -provisions, not only for the volunteers but for the regular troops. - -The General determined to lead the expedition if he should be satisfied -with its size and equipment. Men who were too aged for service agreed to -furnish the horses and provisions. - -It was intended to start early in August, but the summer had been so dry -that the mills could not grind until the water was sufficient, so a -postponement was announced until September 20. - -General Irvine kept the State Government advised of the preparations on -the frontier and at the same time intimated that State and Congress -would materially assist in the enterprise. - -After a conference between members of Congress and the Supreme Executive -Council a recommendation was made, September 1, 1782, to General -Washington that the General Government should aid in this campaign -against the savages. It was an opportune moment as operations in the -East were quiet and peace was soon expected with Great Britain. - -General Washington agreed that three expeditions should penetrate the -Indian country, each to be composed of regulars, militia and volunteers, -and Congress voted to bear the expenses of the regular troops. - -Brigadier General Irvine was to command in person the expedition which -would move from Fort Pitt against the Wyandot and Delaware on the -Sandusky River; Major General James Potter, of Northumberland County, -was to advance from Sunbury into the Seneca land, in the Genesee Valley -of New York State, and a third expedition was to be sent by the State of -New York against the Eastern Iroquois in the vicinity of Oswego. - -Two companies of militia, one from York and the other from Cumberland -County, were sent to Westmoreland to guard its settlements while its own -men were absent in the Indian country. - -Detachments of Colonel Moses Hazen’s “Canadian Regiment” stationed at -Lancaster and Carlisle were ordered to march to Fort Pitt and there join -General Irvine, who had at that post two companies of the Eighth -Pennsylvania regiment, commanded by Captains Samuel Brady and John -Clark. - -General Lincoln, Secretary of War, proposed that General Irvine’s force -should aggregate 1200 men and set October 8 as the date to begin the -campaign, and assured General Irvine that the additional troops would be -there by that time. - -While preparations were being made the Indians struck a blow against the -border. Early in September, Captain Andrew Bradt and forty Canadian -Rangers and 238 Indians, Wyandot, Delaware and Shawnee, set out from -Upper Sandusky to attack Wheeling. - -Fort Henry, at that place, was defended by twenty-seven men, only -eighteen of whom were fit for duty. One swivel gun, which had been -discarded by the French and thrown into the river when Fort Duquesne was -evacuated in 1758, had been recovered by the pioneers and again set up. - -All the inhabitants of that neighborhood flocked to the stockade on the -news of the approach of the enemy. Colonel Ebenezer Zane was in command -of the garrison. - -Captain Bradt’s force crossed the Ohio and paraded in front of Fort -Henry in the evening of Wednesday, September 11. The captain displayed -the British flag and demanded a surrender, which was promptly rejected, -and soon firing was opened on the fort from long range. - -At midnight the savages attempted to carry the fort by storm, but were -repulsed. The French swivel gun proved to be more than a relic and -rendered a good account of itself, and especially as the Indians were -much afraid of any sort of cannon. - -Two more attempts to gain by storm were made before daybreak, and both -proved futile. The enemy, however, kept up a steady fire during the day. -Captain Bradt sent a Negro to the fort with a second demand for -surrender, and during Thursday night a fourth desperate attempt to take -the fort by storm was made. - -Again the brave riflemen repulsed the savage horde and broke their -spirit, and they retired and recrossed the Ohio. Only one defender was -wounded in the foot. - -After the failure to invest Wheeling, seventy of the Indians who cut -loose from the main force and went for scalps and plunder, attacked the -blockhouse of Abraham Rice, on Buffalo Creek, within the present Donegal -Township, Washington County. - -Six men in that blockhouse successfully defended it from 2 o’clock in -the afternoon of September 13 until 2 o’clock the following morning. -They killed four Indians and lost one of their own number, George -Felebaum, who was shot in the brain while looking through a loophole. - -The savages killed many cattle and burned the barn. On their return -toward the Ohio they met and killed two settlers who were going to the -relief of Rice’s blockhouse. This was the last invasion of Western -Pennsylvania by a large body of Indians. - -While General Irvine was impatient that Hazen’s regulars did not arrive, -on October 23, he received word from Philadelphia that the Indian war -was at an end and that his expedition was countermanded. - -To the credit of General Sir Guy Carleton is due the cessation of the -Indian depredations. Soon after his appointment he was shocked by the -cruel burning of Colonel William Crawford and other American prisoners, -and he immediately put an end to the six years of terrible savage -butchery. - -General Washington learned of General Carleton’s action September 23, -when he directed the authorities in Philadelphia to stop General Potter -at Sunbury from marching to Fort Pitt. - -On September 27 General Lincoln ordered Generals Hazen and Irvine to -call off the expedition. The former immediately returned with his -command to Lancaster. The letter to General Irvine was not promptly -delivered and Captain Samuel Brady found the bearer at a wayside inn, -and he hurried the intelligence to General Irvine too late. - -But in the autumn of 1782, the sorely harried frontiersmen were -encouraged to believe their distresses were at an end, and with much joy -they were able to participate in the first general Thanksgiving Day -celebrated in the United States on the last Thursday of November. - - ---------- - - - - - Susquehanna River First Explored by - Etienne Brulé in October, 1615 - - -Two great waters south of Pennsylvania admit ships from Europe, and by -them white men came. Their first approach was up the Chesapeake. - -Captain John Smith sailed from the colony of Jamestown, Va., July 24, -1608, on an exploring expedition, and his little craft, bearing thirteen -souls, was propelled with sail and oar. Even with such a vessel he -experienced some danger and suffered privations, before he pushed as far -up the “northwest branch” as he could. This, of course, was the -Susquehanna River. - -Captain Smith first saw the Susquehanna Indians, and he is the one -explorer who has given us a fine account of the country he visited and -the people he met. - -Twelve months after Captain Smith’s visit to the head of the Chesapeake, -Henry Hudson, in the “Half Moon,” sailed along the Atlantic Coast and -discovered the existence of the Delaware Bay, on August 28, 1609. - -But neither Captain John Smith nor Henry Hudson entered Pennsylvania. -They approached or reached the open doorway, but it is not certain -either came inside. The first actual visit of a white man was not made -until six years after Hudson’s call at the Capes. - -The first exploration of the Susquehanna River for its entire length was -made in the fall, winter and spring of 1615–16 by Etienne (Stephen) -Brulé, a Frenchman in the employ of Samuel Champlain, the first Governor -of New France. He entered Pennsylvania via the North Branch the latter -part of October, 1615. - -A narrative of Brulé's explorations is given by John G. Shea and is to -the effect that Brulé crossed from Lake Ontario to the headwaters of the -Susquehanna, descended the North Branch, and furnished the Jesuit -Fathers with the earliest information we have of the aborigines of that -section. - -The glowing description which Brulé gave of these Neuters led Father de -la Roche Daillon to visit them. Brulé must have been among these Indians -as early as 1610, and perhaps earlier. He was one of the first Europeans -ever to visit the Huron country and acquire a knowledge of their -language. - -Brulé was a dauntless woodsman, interpreter and guide and seems to have -possessed the requisite quantity of genuine bravado to have done the -things with which he is credited. - -September 8, 1615, when Champlain was preparing to join the Huron in -their expedition against their ancient enemies, the Iroquois, Brulé set -out with a party of twelve Huron from Upper Canada for the town of -Carantouan on the Susquehanna, to obtain their co-operation against the -common enemy. The Indians formed part of the confederacy known later as -the Andastes. - -Brulé, with his little band of Huron, crossed from Lake Ontario to the -Susquehanna, defeated on the way a war-party of Iroquois and entered -Carantouan in triumph. - -This was that tribe’s principal town and was palisaded. From this town -they could send out 800 warriors, which would indicate a total -population of 4000 souls. Brulé obtained here a force of 500 Carantouan, -and they set out to join Champlain and the Huron; but as they proceeded -slowly, they reached the Iroquoian town only to find that Champlain had -attacked it with his force, had failed, had himself been wounded, and -had returned to Canada. - -Brulé and his allies returned to Carantouan, and here Brulé remained the -rest of the autumn and winter, “for lack of company and escort home.” - -While thus waiting Brulé explored the country and visited tribes -adjacent to that region. He explored along the river “that debouches in -the direction of Florida,” and left the neighborhood of Oneida, N. Y., -in the fall of 1615, and descended the Susquehanna River to at least the -present Pennsylvania-Maryland boundary. This is evidenced by the fact -that in the report of his journey he refers to meeting with tribes who -complained of the harshness of the Dutch. - -Certainly these early settlers had not gone far from the mouth of the -great rivers at this early date, even to explore the country. He -reported many warlike nations carrying on wars against each other; the -climate as very temperate, and great numbers of animals and an abundance -of small game. - -He continued his course “along the river as far as the sea, and to -islands and lands near them, which are inhabited by various tribes and -large numbers of savages, who are well disposed and love the French -above all nations. But those who know the Dutch complain severely of -them, since they treat them roughly.” - -When he attempted to rejoin his countrymen, his party was attacked and -scattered by the Iroquois and Brulé, losing his way, entered an Iroquois -village. He tried to convince them that he was not of the same nation of -whites who had just been attacking them, but the savages fell upon him, -tore out his nails and beard and began to burn him in different parts of -the body. - -He was far from being an exemplary character, but wore an Agnus Dei, and -when the Indians went to tear this from his neck he threatened them with -the vengeance of heaven. Just then a terrible thunderstorm came up, his -tormentors fled in all directions and the chief of the tribe released -Brulé. - -After this he spent some time with them. They escorted him on a four -days’ journey to visit the Huron tribe on Lake Huron. - -He found Champlain in 1618, and made his report to him. It was -apparently on this return trip that he passed through the territory of -the Neuters, as it would be his safest course. - -It may be well to record here the ultimate fate of this intrepid -adventurer. In 1623 he was in Quebec, where he was sent to meet and -bring down the Huron coming to trade. He returned with them, leading a -very dissolute life among the Indians. - -Sagard, in his “History of Canada,” says when Kirk took Quebec Brulé -deserted the French and went over to the English. He was sent up to the -Huron, in 1629, in the interest of the English, notwithstanding the -bitter reproaches of his old commander, Champlain. Sagard further states -that the traitorous conduct of Brulé provoked the Huron, who put him to -death and devoured him. - -The Jesuits do not mention this fate, but intimate that he met his death -at the town of Toanchain, about one mile from Thunder Bay. - -Such was the fate of the man who was the first to cross from Lake -Ontario to the Susquehanna and pass from the villages of the Iroquois -through neutral country to the shores of Lake Huron. Certainly he was -the first European to discover the picturesque beauty of the great -Susquehanna River. - - ---------- - - - - - John Harris, Who Laid Out Harrisburg, - Had Narrow Escape, October 25, 1755 - - -John Harris, Sr., built his log house on the bank of the Susquehanna -River where the City of Harrisburg now stands in the year of 1705. This -building was subsequently stockaded and became known as Fort Harris. - -Harris was especially an Indian trader, but engaged largely in -agriculture. It is said of him that he was the first person to use a -plow on the Susquehanna, and moreover, that “he was as honest a man as -ever broke bread.” - -The elder Harris was born in the County of Yorkshire, England, of Welsh -parents, in the year 1673, and was brought up in the trade of his -father, that of a brewer. He was of middle age when he emigrated to -America and located in Philadelphia, where he became a contractor for -cleaning and grading the streets of the city. He married Esther Say, an -English lady, who possessed a remarkable personality and was noted for -her extraordinary energy and learning. - -In January, 1705, John Harris was given a license to “seat himself on -the Susquehanna, and to erect such buildings as are necessary for his -trade, and to enclose and improve such quantities of land as he shall -think fit.” - -He tarried at Conewago awhile, but soon learned of the beauty and -superior advantages of Paxtang, and that the best fording-place on the -Susquehanna was near there, so he removed and, immediately upon his -arrival, commenced the erection of a home and storehouse, which were -subsequently to figure so conspicuously in the pioneer history of the -young Province. - -In connection with his farming he established a ferry which became known -throughout the entire Eastern section of the United States. - -Miss Wharton, in her delightful story, “In Old Pennsylvania Towns,” -refers to the elder Harris as follows: - -“John Harris is said to have lived on fairly good terms with the -surrounding Indians, but one thrilling experience of his is among the -cherished traditions of Harrisburg. - -“It seems that a band of roving Indians from the Carolinas halted at his -trading post to exchange their goods probably for rum, of which the -savages already had too much. They became riotous in their drunken -revelry and, demanding more rum, were refused by Mr. Harris, who began -to fear harm from his visitors. - -“Not to be denied they again demanded ‘Lum’ and, seizing him, they took -him to a mulberry tree near by and bound him to it, intending to burn -him after they had helped themselves to his stores. - -“Before the savages were able to carry out their evil designs, some -friendly Indians arrived on the scene, having been warned of the danger -of his master by Hercules, a faithful colored servant of Mr. Harris. It -is said that these friendly Indians had come to the rescue of Mr. Harris -in consequence of some act of kindness which they had received from him. - -“The grave of Mr. Harris may be seen in the river bank opposite the -Cameron house and is now inclosed by a railing. He is buried under the -mulberry tree to which he had once been bound, and at his feet rest the -remains of the faithful Hercules, who had saved his master’s life. - -“There are men living in Harrisburg who remember the stump of the -historic mulberry tree which residents of Harrisburg preserved for years -by applying cement and plaster and later a shoot from the original tree -flourished and bore fruit to which children strolling along the river -bank would stop and help themselves.” - -He died in 1748, and was succeeded by his son, who was born in the -original Harris home, or Fort Harris, in 1727. - -He was the first white child born in Pennsylvania west of the Conewago -hills. He was carried to Philadelphia by his mother for the purpose of -being baptized, and according to the parish register of Christ Church, -in Philadelphia, this event was duly solemnized September 22, 1728, his -age at that time being eleven months. - -When only a young man, John Harris, Jr., was occasionally employed by -the Province of Pennsylvania to transact important business with the -Indians at critical periods. - -His house was frequently visited by the aborigines, and several very -important conferences were held there between the several tribes of -Indians on the Susquehanna, Ohio, etc., and the Provincial Government of -Pennsylvania. - -Under the will of his father he became possessed of 700 acres of land, -on a part of which he later laid out the city of Harrisburg. - -John Harris, Jr., was an energetic and an extensive farmer and an Indian -trader, who enjoyed the confidence of the Indians to an unusual degree. -His ferry became the most prominent place along the frontier. - -Prior to 1754, he had been sent on an Indian mission to Ohio, and at the -same time to notice the practical route from his ferry to Logstown. He -performed his errand satisfactorily. - -Having accepted an Indian agency he was faithful to his charge, both to -the Indians and the Provincial Government. The latter was kept -constantly advised of happenings among the frontier settlements, for at -this time many of the Ohio Indians had already taken up the hatchet -against the English. - -He frequently visited the Indians at Shamokin (now Sunbury), and when -the French and Indians had committed atrocious murders upon the frontier -inhabitants he, aided by others, rushed to their rescue and often buried -the bodies of the slain. - -These missions were frequently carried out under great hardship and -danger. The most serious experience in the life of John Harris occurred -October 25, 1755, when the party he was leading from Shamokin was -attacked near Mahanoy Creek by Indians lying in ambush and four of his -party were killed and four drowned. The person riding on the same horse -with Harris was shot and killed, and a moment later the horse was killed -and Harris compelled to flee for safety by swimming the river. - -John Harris was a sincere patriot. When the independence of the colonies -was being agitated he thought it premature, fearing that the colonies -were unequal to the task of combating with Great Britain, but when -independence was declared, he advanced £3000 to carry on the contest. - -He was a man of keen foresight. He understood the natural advantages of -Harris’ Ferry, and twenty years before he laid out the town, he observed -that it would be a place of business and the seat of the government of -Pennsylvania. - -When he laid out Harrisburg in 1785, he conveyed, with other property, -four acres on Capitol Hill, east of the present State buildings, for -public use. - -After a life of usefulness, he closed his eventful career, July 29, -1791, and his remains rest in the old Paxton Presbyterian Church -graveyard alongside of the illustrious fellow-patriot, William Maclay, -whose daughter was his loving and devoted wife. - - ---------- - - - - - Fail to End Warfare Through Treaty at - Albany, October 26, 1745 - - -During the minority of Richard and Thomas Penn the Proprietary Land -Office had been closed from 1718 to 1732, and many immigrants seated -themselves without title on such vacant lands as suited their -convenience. - -The number of such immigrants entitled them to great consideration. -Their rights accruing by priority of settlement were recognized by the -public and passed, together with their improvements, through many hands, -in confidence that they would receive proprietary sanction. - -Much agitation was produced when the Provincial proclamation required -all who had not obtained and paid for warrants to pay to the Receiver -General, within four months, the sums due for their lands, under penalty -of ejectment. As a consequence many and great difficulties arose. The -Assembly sought to compromise the matter by postponement of payment of -the purchase money for several years. - -Great Britain and Spain declared war October 23, 1739, and the old -troubles between the Governor and Assembly again appeared to disturb the -peace of the Government. The Assembly refused to support England with -money or troops and Governor Thomas was compelled to raise -Pennsylvania’s quota of 400 men by his own exertion. This he -accomplished in three months, but many of his recruits were -bond-servants willing to exchange their service and freedom dues for -nominal liberty and soldier’s pay. - -In March, 1744, hostilities were openly declared between Great Britain -and France. The peaceful era in the Province was now at an end, and the -dark cloud of the cruel savage warfare began to gather on the western -frontier. - -The lands acquired by the infamous “Indian Walk,” and those of the -Shawnee, which were purchased without their consent, were now to be paid -for by the blood of the settlers. - -The Delaware Indians refused to leave the forks of the Delaware, even -though the “walk” had determined these lands belonged to the -Proprietary. The Six Nations were called upon to order off the Delaware, -which they did in an overbearing manner. The Delaware retired to Wyoming -Valley and the forks of the Susquehanna, at Shamokin, with this -additional wrong done them rankling in their breasts. - -Franklin published his “Plain Truth” in an endeavor to conciliate the -Assembly and the Governor and awaken them both to the importance of -military preparations. Franklin was appointed a Colonel, but declined. -He preferred to wield the pen, with which he could be of far greater -influence to the province. James Logan justified defensive war and -assisted with his means. - -Defenses were erected below the City of Philadelphia from funds raised -for the purpose by means of a public lottery, in which many Quakers -sowed a seed, trusting it would bring forth an hundredfold. - -These military preparations were necessary for two purposes: to -intimidate a foreign enemy and to curb the hostile disposition of the -Indians. - -The alienation of the Indians was greatly to be dreaded, and Governor -Thomas called Conrad Weiser, the provincial interpreter, to the service -and dispatched him on a mission to Shikellamy the great vicegerent at -Shamokin (now Sunbury), to renew the assurances of friendship and to -propose his mediation between the Indians and the Government of -Virginia, occasioned by an unpleasant encounter between some Onondaga -and Oneida with the English while on an expedition against the -Tallapoosa, resident of that colony. - -Weiser was happily successful and a treaty was held the ensuing summer. -The Indians refrained from hostility in the meantime. - -The treaty was convened at Lancaster, June 22, 1744, and ended July 4 -following. It was attended by Governor Thomas in person, and by -commissioners of Maryland and Virginia. - -All matters of dispute were satisfactorily settled, and the Iroquois -engaged to prevent the French and their Indian allies from marching -through their country to attack the English settlements. - -This conference did not, however, remove causes for future disquiet, -occasioned by the encroachments of the settlers and the unfair conduct -of the Indian traders. - -The Shawnee, on the Ohio, allied to the French interest, now assumed a -hostile attitude. A great convention was held at Albany, October 26, -1745, to which commissioners from New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut -and Pennsylvania were sent. - -The Six Nations were urged to take up the hatchet against the French and -become parties in the war, but the Indians showed no disposition to -enter the contest, and the result of the conference was far from being -satisfactory. - -In May, 1746, Governor Thomas was directed by the Crown to raise forces -for a conquest of Canada. After much delay, the Assembly voted £5000, -and Governor Thomas raised four companies of over one hundred men each, -commanded by Captain William Trent, John Shannon, Samuel Perry and John -Deimer, who marched at once to Albany. - -The attempt on Canada was postponed, but the troops were retained nearly -eighteen months along the Hudson to intimidate the Indians. - -John Penn died, and at a meeting of the Assembly held May 5, 1747, -Governor Thomas communicated the news of his death, and at the same -time, on account of his own ill-health, he resigned his office. - -On the departure of Governor Thomas, the executive administration -devolved upon the Council, of which Anthony Palmer was president, until -the arrival of James Hamilton, son of Andrew Hamilton, former Speaker of -the Assembly, as Lieutenant Governor, November 23, 1749. - -The crops were abundant in 1751 and 1752, but these years of plenty were -followed by a season of want, covering the years 1753–1755, and on the -heels of it came Indian hostilities. - -The progress of the white population toward the west irritated the -Indians. Especially was this true of the Scotch-Irish, who seated -themselves on the west of the Susquehanna, on the Juniata, and in the -Great and Little Coves formed by the Kittatinny and the Tuscarora hills, -and at the Big and Little Connolloways. - -The French applied themselves to seduce the Indians from their -allegiance to the English. The Shawnee had already joined them, the -Delaware awaited an opportunity to avenge their wrongs, and of the Six -Nations, the Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca were wavering. - -To keep the Indians in favor of the Province required much cunning -diplomacy and expensive presents. A chain of forts and the maintenance -of a military force, drew heavily on the Provincial purse, and it is but -little wonder that the Assembly and the Proprietaries early divided on -questions involving taxes and expenditures. The French and Indian War -soon broke in all its fierceness. - - ---------- - - - - - William Wilson Sent on Important Mission - to Ohio Indians After Fort Pitt Treaty, - October 27, 1775 - - -Early in the Revolution the Continental Congress opened negotiations for -peace with the Indians. The frontier was divided into three Indian -departments, of which the middle department included the tribes west of -Pennsylvania and Virginia. - -Congress named a committee, consisting of Benjamin Franklin and James -Wilson, of Pennsylvania, and Patrick Henry, of Virginia, to hold a -treaty with the Indians at Fort Pitt. - -This treaty was assembled October 27, 1775, with the Seneca, Delaware, -Shawnee and Wyandot tribes, represented by their leading chiefs. -Guyasuta, the principal Seneca, also represented the Iroquois, and he -presumed to speak also for the Western tribes, which so aroused the ire -of White Eyes, the Delaware orator, that his tribe declared their -absolute independence. - -The council was neither harmonious nor entirely successful, and the -English soon bribed the Indians to take up the hatchet against the -Colonists. This they were easily able to accomplish, as they made -tempting offers and made a greater display of military prowess. - -During the treaty at Fort Pitt the commission selected John Gibson as -Indian agent for the Ohio tribes, but he was soon succeeded by Richard -Butler. - -Early in 1776 Congress assumed direct control of the Indian agencies and -placed George Morgan in charge of the most important post at Fort Pitt. - -Morgan was a man of education, high family connections and considerable -wealth. His home was in Princeton, N. J., but he owned a mercantile -establishment in Philadelphia, and as agent of his own trading house he -had traveled extensively in the Indian country, from the Allegheny to -Illinois. - -He arrived at Pittsburgh May 1, 1776, and immediately opened -negotiations for a better treaty with the Indians. He sent agents with -pacific messages among the tribes, employing in this service William -Wilson, Peter Long, Simon Girty and Joseph Nicholson. - -The mission upon which he sent Wilson was the most important. He was an -Indian trader and acquainted with the tribes between the Ohio River and -Detroit. It was his duty to invite the Delaware, Shawnee and Wyandot -chiefs to a council at Fort Pitt. - -Early in June he departed, accompanied by Nicholson. They traveled on -horseback to the Delaware towns on the Muskingum River. There the chiefs -accepted his invitation. He then journeyed to the seats of the Shawnee -on the Scioto, where he found many of the warriors to be in a very -doubtful humor. - -The chief sachem, Hardman, and the brave war chief, Cornstalk, were -inclined to peace, but advised that they had received an invitation to -take part in a great council with the British Governor at Detroit, and -must go there first. - -While Wilson was yet at the Shawnee towns, Morgan himself arrived there, -and endeavored to arrange a definite date for the treaty. - -Before Morgan departed for Fort Pitt, he handed to Wilson a large peace -belt of wampum and a written message to deliver to the Wyandot chief. -When Wilson and Nicholson departed, they were accompanied by Cornstalk, -but they advanced only as far as Pluggystown, on the Upper Scioto. This -place was inhabited by renegade Indians. - -The chief, Pluggy, was a Mohawk, and his followers, called Mingo, were -horse thieves and murderers. Pluggy’s warriors formed a plot to seize -Wilson and Nicholson and carry them to the British fort at Detroit, -where a handsome reward would be theirs. - -This plan was revealed to Cornstalk, who advised the white men to flee -to the Delaware town of Coshocton. They were barely able to escape by -night and arriving at Coshocton, they placed themselves under the -protection of old King Newcomer. - -That venerable sachem, believing it would not now be safe for Wilson to -proceed to Sandusky, lest the Mingo should waylay the trail, sent -Killbuck, a noted Delaware war captain, to bear the American message to -the Wyandot chiefs. Killbuck returned eleven days later with the message -the Wyandots wished to see Wilson in person as an evidence of his good -intentions, but that they could not give a definite answer until they -had consulted their great council beyond the lake. The seat of the -nation was in Canada, near Detroit. - -Wilson determined to go to Sandusky, and the Delaware Council appointed -White Eyes and two young warriors to accompany him. Nicholson had been -sent back to Fort Pitt with a message to Morgan. Wilson was joined later -by John Montour, a grandson of the famous Madam Montour, and he served -Wilson faithfully. - -Before reaching Sandusky Wilson learned that the Wyandot chief had gone -to the Detroit Council, and he therefore made up his mind to venture -into the immediate neighborhood of the British post, so that he might -deliver his message to the Wyandot chief. - -It was the decision of a brave and bold man. He was received with -apparent friendliness by a majority of the chiefs and on September 2 he -addressed them in council, presenting his peace belt and message from -Morgan. He invited them to attend the council at Fort Pitt twenty-five -days from that time. - -The next morning the Wyandot betrayed Wilson’s presence to the British -commander, Colonel Henry Hamilton. They returned the belt to Wilson and -advised him to explain his errand to the British official. - -Wilson, White Eyes and John Montour were compelled to go with the -Wyandots to the great Council House in Detroit. Wilson frankly announced -his purpose to the Lieutenant Governor, again presented the peace belt -and the written message to the Wyandot chief and handed the articles to -Colonel Hamilton. - -The British commander addressed the Indians, saying those who bore this -message were enemies to his King, and before he would take any of them -by the hand he would suffer his right hand to be cut off. - -Hamilton thereupon tore up the speech, cut the belt in pieces and -scattered the fragments about the Council House. He then spoke to the -Wyandot Indians in French, which Wilson did not understand. Hamilton -abused Montour for aiding the colonists and denounced White Eyes, whom -he ordered to leave Detroit in twenty-four hours if he valued his life. - -Hamilton, notwithstanding his anger, respected Wilson’s character as an -ambassador and gave him safe conduct through the Indian country. The -trader returned to Fort Pitt much discouraged by the outlook and -reported to Morgan that the Wyandot would go on the warpath. The Mingo -were already in the British service. - -In spite of Hamilton’s opposition, Indians of four tribes attended the -council with the “rebels” at Fort Pitt, in the latter part of October. -The Delaware sent their ruling chiefs; the Wyandot sent Half King; the -Shawnee, the great Cornstalk, and the distant Ottawa sent one sachem. -Costly presents were given them by the commissioners, and effusive peace -speeches were made by the savages, but only the Delaware were sincere. - - ---------- - - - - - James Logan, Penn’s Secretary and Trusted - Friend and Agent, Born October - 28, 1674 - - -The lives of men like James Logan ennoble the pages of history and make -its study an elevating pursuit and a reinforcement to the resources of -public morality. This man was worthy the compliment which the great -vicegerent Shikellamy paid him, when he named his son in his honor; he -was worthy to have been the trusted friend of William Penn, and to have -had Benjamin Franklin for his printer. - -The world has not produced many men, who, after forty years spent in the -whirl and muddy currents of active business and intense political -strife, can, with clean hands and unsullied reputation, calmly step -aside out of the turmoil and retire to the company of his books, to -endow a library and make a translation of Cicero’s “De Senectute,” -printing it, as the writer himself pleasantly says, “in a large and fair -character so that old men may not be vexed by the defective eyesight in -reading what was so appropriate to their years.” - -James Logan was born in Lurgan, Ireland, October 28, 1674. His father, -Patrick Logan, grandson of Sir Robert Logan of Restairig, Scotland, -sprang from that stock of proud Scottish lairds, distinguished for long -pedigrees and barren acres, whose children have lent their genius to the -service of the world. - -James Logan was a lad of precocious mind—at sixteen he knew Latin, Greek -and Hebrew, and made rapid progress in mathematics. He afterwards -mastered French, Italian and Spanish, and probably Dutch and German. He -became familiar with several Indian dialects. - -He went into trade as a linen-draper’s apprentice in Dublin, then in the -Bristol trade for himself. - -At Bristol, in 1698, he met William Penn, and became his private -secretary and devoted follower ever after. - -In the year 1699, he sailed with William Penn on his second visit to his -province in America. In mid-ocean another ship came into sight, and as -England and France were at war, all feared that the strange vessel might -be an enemy. The crew prepared for action. Penn and his friends, who did -not believe in warfare, went below. Only one of Penn’s party remained on -deck to help defend the ship, James Logan. - -Soon Logan went below to tell Penn that the strange vessel was English, -when Penn reproved him for undertaking to engage in fighting, as he was -a Quaker. The young man replied with spirit: “Why did thee not order me -to come down? Thee was willing enough that I should stay and help to -fight, when thee thought there was danger!” - -Penn expected to stay in Pennsylvania the rest of his life, but on his -visit he was able to spend less than two years here. But during his -stay, Logan had become not only a helper but also an intimate friend. - -Penn trusted his secretary to the utmost, and when he sailed away, left -all his affairs in Pennsylvania under Logan’s direction. “I have left -thee in an uncommon trust,” wrote Penn, “with a singular dependence on -thy justice and care.” - -There was no mistake in trusting James Logan. He kept Penn informed of -everything, and scrupulously attended to all Penn’s business affairs. - -William Penn never came back to see his province again. During the last -six years of his life his mind failed, so that his wife, Hannah, carried -on all business for him. Had it not been for James Logan, poverty would -often have oppressed the great founder and his family. - -From the moment of Penn’s departure, in 1701, to Logan’s death, 1751, he -was always the power behind the proprietary throne, wielding what was -sometimes almost absolute authority with singular propriety and -judgment. - -He was secretary of the province, commissioner of property, and of -Indian affairs, member and president of Council, acting Governor, and -chief justice. - -After more than twenty-five years of residence in Philadelphia, Logan -decided to build a country home for himself. He erected a fine mansion, -which he called Stenton, near the Old York Road. Here he lived for -nearly a quarter century more. - -His thigh was broken in a fall, and he was compelled to live retired, -but his love of books was so constant and sincere that the pursuit of -literature became his passion. - -But even in seclusion he never neglected his public duties for his -private tastes. Many important affairs of state were transacted at -Stenton, which was nearly always surrounded by deputations of Indians, -who camped about the house to seek advice and favors from their honored -friend “hid in the bushes.” As many as a hundred Iroquois once stayed at -Stenton for three days as Logan’s guests. - -Thomas Godfrey’s improvements in the quadrant were made at Stenton under -Logan’s eye, and Franklin and he worked together with a thorough -appreciation of each other’s good qualities. - -The British determined to burn Stenton, when they captured Philadelphia, -but the cleverness of an old Negro woman servant saved the historic -mansion. Lord Howe afterwards made Stenton his headquarters. - -Now the famous house, quite two hundred years old, is owned by the -Philadelphia Society of Colonial Dames, and is kept in good condition -and open for visitors. It stands near the station at Wayne Junction. - -Logan was an unsuccessful suitor for the hand of Ann, daughter of Edward -Shippen, who married Thomas Story. His wife was Sarah Read, daughter of -a wealthy merchant of Philadelphia, to whom he was wedded eight years -after his ill-success with Miss Shippen. - -His children were not literary in their tastes and it was on this -account that he left his library to Philadelphia, endowing it for its -perpetual maintenance, with the Springettsbury Manor property which he -had received from Penn’s estate. - -Logan was a fine type, dignified yet courteous, and his conversation was -quiet and reserved. - -Gordon says, “Never was power and trust more safely bestowed for the -donor. The secretary faithfully devoted his time and his thoughts to -promote the interests of his master, and bore with firmness, if not with -cheerfulness, the odium which his unlimited devotion drew upon himself.” - -He died at Stenton, October 31, 1751. - - ---------- - - - - - Penn Lands at Upland and Changes Name to - Chester, October 29, 1682 - - -After William Penn issued his frame of government for his new Province -of Pennsylvania and had sent a description of his property throughout -England, especially among the Friends, offering easy terms of sale, -there were many persons from London, Liverpool and Bristol who embarked -in this enterprise and the association called “The Free Traders’ Society -of Pennsylvania” purchased large tracts of land. - -Penn then obtained a deed for the three lower counties (now the State of -Delaware), which was duly recorded in New York November 21, 1682. - -Having completed all arrangements for his voyage to America, Penn wrote -an affectionate letter to his wife and children and another “to all -faithful friends in England.” Accompanied by about 100 passengers, -mostly Friends from Sussex, he embarked in August on the ship Welcome, a -vessel of about 300 tons burden. - -After a voyage of two months they sighted the American coast about Egg -Harbor, in New Jersey, on October 24, 1682, and reached New Castle, -Del., on the 27th. - -On the following morning Penn produced his deeds from the Duke of York -and received possession by the solemn “delivery of turf, and twig, and -water, and soil of the River Delaware.” - -His arrival off the coast and passage up the river was a continuous -demonstration of great joy by all classes—English, Dutch, Swedes, and -especially by his devoted followers. - -The day following his landing Penn summoned the inhabitants to the -court-house at New Castle, where, says Clarkson, “he made a speech to -the old magistrates, in which he explained to them the design of his -coming, the nature and end of government and of that more particularly -which he came to establish.” - -At this time he took formal possession of the country and renewed the -commissions of the magistrates. - -Penn then proceeded to Upland, where he arrived October 29, 1682. This -was a memorable event, says Clarkson, and to be distinguished by some -marked circumstances. Penn determined, therefore, to change the name of -the place, and turning toward his friend Pearson, one of his own -society, who had accompanied him on the ship Welcome, he said: - -“Providence has brought us here safe. Thou hast been the companion of my -perils. What wilt thou that I shall call this place?” - -Pearson said, “Chester,” in remembrance of the place from which he came. -William Penn replied, that it should be called Chester, and that when he -divided the land into counties, one of them should be called by the same -name. - -From Chester Penn proceeded, with some of his friends, in an open barge, -in the earliest days of November, to a place about four miles above the -mouth of the Schuylkill, called Coaquannock, “where there was a high -bold shore, covered with lofty pines.” - -Here the infant city of Philadelphia had been established, and Penn’s -approach was hailed with joy by the whole population. - -Immediately after his arrival in the “City of Brotherly Love,” Penn -dispatched two persons to Lord Baltimore to ask of his health, offer -kind neighborhood and agree upon a time of meeting. Penn then went to -New York to pay his respects to the Duke, returning to Philadelphia -before the close of November. - -It was about this time that the “Great Treaty” took place at -Shackamaxon. Tradition has persisted that a great treaty took place here -under an elm tree, with William Penn, Deputy Governor Markham and -others, and the representatives of the several Indian tribes of that and -other localities. - -Even if tradition errs in the details of this treaty, it is a fact that -the Indians themselves alluded to “the treaty of amity and peace held -with the great and good Onas” on all public occasions. - -Onas was the Indian name for the Governor of Pennsylvania, and it is -supposed that the “great and good Onas” referred particularly to William -Penn himself. - -It is also true that for a period of forty or fifty years the treaty -Penn made with the Indians was not broken, and the land of Penn was -preserved during all the time from the suffering of the scalping-knife, -the tomahawk or the torch. - -William Penn convened a General Assembly at Chester, December 4, 1682, -of which Nicholas More, president of the Society of Free Traders, was -chosen speaker. - -During a session of four days this Assembly enacted three laws: (1) An -act for the union of the Province and Territories; (2) An act of -Naturalization; and (3) The great law, or code of laws, consisting of -sixty-nine sections, and embracing most of the laws agreed upon in -England and several others afterward suggested. - -Penn, by appointment, met Lord Baltimore at West River December 19, -where he was received with great ceremony, but their interview led to no -solution of the vexatious question of boundary. The discussion lasted -two days, but the weather became severely cold, precluding the -possibility of taking observations or making the necessary surveys, so -it was agreed to adjourn further consideration of the subject until -spring. - -The two Governors were taking measure of each other and gaining all -possible knowledge of each other’s rights and claims preparatory to the -struggle for the possession of this disputed fortieth degree of -latitude, which case was destined to come before the home Government and -give Penn a great deal of trouble. - -Early in 1683 Penn divided the province and territories each into three -counties—those of the former were called Bucks, Philadelphia and -Chester; those of the latter were New Castle, Kent and Sussex. - -Sheriffs and other officers were appointed for the several counties, -writs for the election of members of Council and Assembly were issued -conformable with the Constitution, and on January 10, 1683, Penn met the -Council in Philadelphia and the Assembly two days later. - -The Provincial Council was composed of eighteen members, three from each -county, the Assembly fifty-four with nine from each county, making in -all seventy-two. Thus was the Government of the province inaugurated, -out of which has grown the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. - -Penn concluded two important treaties with the Indians during June and -July, 1683. He also visited the interior of his province, going as far -west as the Susquehanna River. - -The proprietary set sail for England June 12, 1684. - -Penn wrote a farewell letter to his province when on board the vessel, -which was couched in the most endearing terms. - -After his departure the province and territories were divided into -twenty-two townships. There were then 7000 inhabitants, of whom 2500 -resided in Philadelphia, which already comprised 300 houses. - - ---------- - - - - - Frightened Settlers Build and Defend Fort - Swatara October 30, 1755 - - -The stockades and small forts built along the frontiers during the -intense excitement which followed Braddock’s defeat in July, 1755, have -always been of great interest to local historians and the many citizens -who reside in the vicinity of these provincial defenses. - -One such place, to which not a little interesting history is attached, -was built about twelve miles east of Manada Gap, near the passage -through the Blue Mountains, by which the Swatara Creek wends its way to -the fertile acres below, and a few miles farther empties into the -Susquehanna. - -In the immediate vicinity of Swatara Gap was located Fort Swatara or -Smith’s Fort, as it was sometimes called. An unfortunate fact was that -this fort was sometimes erroneously called Fort Henry or Busse’s Fort, -and many incidents in and about this place are confused. - -After the disastrous beginning of the French and Indian War the Indians -swept through the frontiers of Pennsylvania and committed terrible -massacres. - -The news of the Penn’s Creek massacre soon reached the settlements on -Swatara Creek and the farmers gathered together, October 30, armed with -guns, swords, axes, pitchforks, whatever they happened to possess, until -some 200 rendezvoused at Benjamin Spickers, near Stoucksburg, about six -miles above Womelsdorf. - -The Rev. Mr. Kurtz[9] of the Lutheran faith, delivered an exhortation -and offered prayer, after which Conrad Weiser divided the people into -companies of thirty each. - -Footnote 9: - - Reverend John Nicholas Kurtz, first Lutheran Minister in Pennsylvania. - -They marched toward the Susquehanna, having first sent a company of -fifty men “to Tolkeo in order to possess themselves of the Capes or -Narrows of the Swahatawro, where we expected the enemy would come -through,” wrote Colonel Conrad Weiser, to Governor Robert Hunter Morris. - -The forces were augmented on the way, and by the time they arrived at -Squire Adam Read’s plantation on Swatara Creek, they received the -intelligence of the surprise and slaughter of members of Captain John -Harris’ party at the mouth of the Mahanoy Creek. - -This news dampened the ardor of the volunteers and they soon concluded -they could be of more effective service guarding their own firesides and -they hurried back. The news that 500 Indians had already made their way -through Tolkeo Gap and had killed a number of people did not contribute -to their joy on the long march home. - -Colonel Weiser sensed the situation and fully understood he could not -count much upon this group, so he advised them to make a breastwork of -trees at Swatara Gap, promising to procure for them a quantity of bread -and ammunition. They got as far as the top of the mountain; fired their -guns to alarm the neighborhood, and then hurried back. - -Soon came the news of the murder of Henry Hartman, just over the -mountain. When Mr. Parsons and a party went to bury the body, they -learned that two others had been recently killed and scalped, and some -had been captured. The roads were filled with persons fleeing from their -homes and confusion reigned. - -It was clearly apparent that Swatara Gap must be occupied by troops and -Colonel Weiser ordered Captain Christian Busse with his company of fifty -men to “proceed to Tolihaio Gap, and there erect a stoccado fort of the -form and dimensions given you, and to take posts there and range the -woods from the fort westward towards the Swatara and eastward towards a -stoccado to be built by Cap. Morgan, about half way between the said -fort and Fort Lebanon.” - -Governor Morris writing to Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia, February 1, -1756, advised him that he had arranged to build a chain of forts, about -ten or twelve miles apart, between the Delaware and Susquehanna. The -best is “built at an important Pass through ye Kittahteny Hills, on our -Northern Frontier and I have called it Fort Henry.” This is an error, as -he should have written Fort Swatara. - -This might be proved by a letter Colonel Conrad Weiser wrote to Governor -Morris, July 11, 1756, giving the assignment of his troops. He stated -that the men under Captain Smith are all placed in and about Swatara Gap -and the Manada Fort; Captain Busse’s men were at Fort Henry and Captain -Morgan’s at Fort Northkill and Fort Lebanon. This definitely proves that -Fort Swatara and Fort Henry were not one and the same place. - -The first and most important of the commanders of Fort Swatara was -Captain Frederick Smith, whose company was recruited in Chester County. -Captain Smith was ordered, January 26, to proceed as soon as possible to -Swatara and in some convenient place there to erect a fort. - -Captain Adam Read and Captain Hendrick, who had been ranging the -mountains, were ordered to dismiss their men and turn over their arms -and supplies to Captain Smith, all of which was done. - -Further mention of the actual building of Fort Swatara is missing, as is -the case of Manada Fort, but it is very probable that the stockade -erected by the settlers was occupied by the provincial troops. This was -not a very formidable fortification, and was afterward referred to in a -letter to Colonel Washington as “only a block house.” It may therefore -be presumed, at this late day, that it consisted of a single building, -surrounded by a stockade. - -The many murders committed by the savages and their stealthy approach, -made it necessary to distribute the soldiers among the various -farmhouses, especially during the harvest season. - -The distribution of these men was usually made under the direction of -Colonel Weiser, at consultations with the several commanders at Fort -Henry. - -This detail was not always satisfactory to the settlers, as may well be -imagined. Each wanted troops to be on guard and there were never -sufficient to supply the demand, but Captain Smith, at first negligent -in this particular, was afterward complimented by both Colonel Weiser -and Governor Morris for the faithful performance of his duty in the face -of many hardships. - -At the treaty held in Easton, in 1757, Conrad Weiser once more acted as -agent for the Proprietaries, and interpreter. He arranged for a guard of -110 men, who were to come from sundry forts, one of which was Fort -Swatara. - -On February 5, 1758, Adjutant Kern reported Lieutenant Allen and -thirty-three men at Fort Swatara, and “its distance to Fort Hunter, on -the Susquehanna, as twenty-four miles.” - -There are frequent references to be found in the Pennsylvania Archives -of Paymaster Young’s visits to Fort Swatara. - -Colonel James Burd’s tour of inspection in early spring of 1758 included -Fort Swatara, where he remained two days longer than desired on account -of incessant rains. He reviewed the garrison Tuesday morning, February -21. He did not seem very much pleased with conditions about the fort and -gave orders intended to correct weaknesses. He ordered a cask of powder, -100 pounds of lead and blankets for the garrison. - -After this tour of inspection there does not seem to be much more -recorded of the transaction of Fort Swatara. - - ---------- - - - - - Indian Ravages at McDowell’s Mill, Franklin - County, October 31, 1755 - - -A place of much consequence in provincial Pennsylvania and frequently -referred to by public officers and agents was McDowell’s Mill. This was -located midway between the Reverend John Steel’s Fort and Fort Loudoun, -east of Kittatinny Mountains on the east bank of the Conococheague -Creek, in the western part of the present Franklin County. - -This defense was built in the year 1756 and was a log structure, -rectangular in shape and provided with loop-holes. It stood until the -year 1840. There is at present a stone house erected on or near the site -of this old fort. - -This place was a private establishment, and the earliest public notice -of it is in a letter written by Major General Edward Braddock to -Governor Morris, dated June 18, 1755, signifying his approbation of the -deposits being made at McDowell’s Mill instead of at Shippensburg. - -Governor Morris wrote to General Braddock July 3, 1755, saying that he -had sent certain enumerated articles to Shippensburg, where “they will -remain until I go up into the country, which will be on Tuesday next, -and then I shall form the magazine at or near McDowell’s Mill and put -some stoccados around it to protect the magazine and the people that -will have the care of it; for without something of this kind, as we have -no militia and the Assembly will maintain no men, four or five Indians -may destroy the magazine whenever they please, as the inhabitants of -that part of the Province are very much scattered. - -“I send you a plan of the fort or stoccado, which I shall make by -setting logs of about ten feet long in the ground, so as to inclose the -storehouses. I think to place two swivel guns in two of the opposite -bastions, which will be sufficient to guard it against any attack of -small arms.” - -On October 31 began incursions which lasted for several days. Adam Hoops -wrote to Governor Morris, dated Conococheague, November 3, 1755: - -“I am sorry I have to trouble you with this Melancholy and disagreeable -news, for on Saturday I recd. an Express from Peters Township that the -Inhabitants of the great Cove were all murdered or taken Captive and -their houses and barns all in Flames. Some few fled, upon notice brought -them by a certain Patrick Burns, a Captive, that made his Escape that -very Morning before this sad tragedy was done. - -“Upon this information, John Potter, Esq., and Self, sent Expresses -through our Neighborhood, which induced many of them to Meet with us at -John McDowell’s Mill, where I with many others had the unhappy prospect -to see the Smoke of two houses that was set on Fire by the Indians, viz, -Matthew Patton’s and Mesheck James’s, where their cattle was shot down, -the horses standing bleeding with Indian Arrows in them, but the Indians -fled. - -“The Rev. Mr. Steel, John Potter, Esq., and Several others with us, to -the Number of about an hundred, went in Quest of the Indians, with all -the Expedition Imaginable, but to no Success; these Indians have -likewise taken two Women Captives, belonging to said Township. I very -much fear the Path Valley has undergone the same Fate. - -“We, to be sure, are in as bad Circumstances as ever any poor Christions -were in, For the Cries of the Widowers, Widows, fatherless and -Motherless Children, with many others for their Relations, are enough to -Pierce the hardest of hearts; Likewise it’s a very sorrowful spectacle -to see those that Escaped with their lives with not a Mouthful to Eat, -or Bed to lie on, or Clothes to Cover their Nakedness, or keep them -warm, but all they had consumed into Ashes. - -“These deplorable Circumstances cries aloud for your Honours most Wise -Consideration, that you would take Cognizance of and Grant what shall -seem most meet, for it is really very Shocking, it must be, for the -Husband to see the wife of his Bosom, her head cut off, and the -Children’s blood drank like Water by these Bloody and Cruel Savages as -We are informed has been the fate of many.” - -November 6, Hoops again wrote to Governor Morris, inclosing -qualifications for two officers, and said: - -“Hans Hamilton is now at McDowell’s Mill with upwards of 200 men and -about 200 from this county, in all about 400 men.” - -So it may be safely presumed as a fact that Governor Morris finally -determined to establish his magazine at McDowell’s Mills and that these -soldiers stockaded the buildings according to the plans of Governor -Morris. - -On Wednesday, February 11, 1756, “two lads were taken or killed at the -Widow Cox’s, just under Parnell’s Knob, and a lad who went from -McDowell’s Mills to see what fire it was never returned, the horse -coming back with reins over his neck; they burnt the House and shot down -the Cattle.” - -Under date of March 25, 1756, Governor Morris sent the following to the -Reverend John Steele: “With these Instructions you will receive a -Commission appointing you a Captain of a Company in the pay of the -Province, which is to be made up by Draughts of thirteen men out of Each -of the Companys composed by James Burd, Hans Hamilton, James Patterson -and Hugh Mercer, Esq., * * * also a Commission appointing James -Hollowday your Lieutenant * * * When you have formed your Company you -are to take post at McDowell’s Mills, upon the road to Ohio, which you -are to make your Head Quarters, and to detach patroling partys from time -to time to scour the woods. * * * You are to apply to Mr. Adam Hoops, -for the Provincial allowance of Provisions for the men under your -Command.” - -Governor Morris sent instructions to Elisha Salter, Commissary General -of Musters, to proceed to McDowell’s Mill and muster the company under -Captain John Steel, and direct him to take post at McDowell’s Mill. - -Robert Callender wrote to Governor Denny from Carlisle, dated November -4, 1756: “This day I received advice from Fort McDowell that on Monday -or Tuesday last, one Samuel Perry and his two sons went from the Fort to -their plantation, and not returning at the time they proposed, the -commanding Officer sent there a corporal and fourteen men to know the -cause of their stay, who not finding them at the plantation, they -marched back toward the Fort, and on their return found the said Perry -killed and scalped and covered over with leaves; immediately after a -party of Indians, in number about thirty, appeared and attacked the -soldiers, who returned the fire, and fought for sometime until four of -our people fell, the rest of them made off—six of them got into the -Fort, but what became of the rest is not yet known; there are two -families cut off, but cannot tell the number of people. It is likewise -reported that the enemy in their retreat burnt a quantity of grain and -sundry horses in the Cove.” - -The activities of Fort McDowell ceased during December, 1756, when -Colonel John Armstrong removed the stores to Fort Loudoun, and increased -the capacity and strength of that place. Further references to -McDowell’s Mill are of no consequence, it being afterwards used by -rangers who were scouting along that frontier. - - ---------- - - - - - Turmoil in Lower Counties; Penn Sails for - England, November 1, 1701 - - -The Constitution, which had been under consideration for eighteen -months, was finally adopted October 28, 1701, and William Penn, pressed -by many claims for his presence in England, set sail November 1 and -arrived there about the middle of January. - -He had hardly landed before King William died, January 18, and Princess -Anne of Denmark succeeded him. Penn was in great favor with her. - -The new Constitution which Penn personally assisted in giving his -Province was as comprehensive on the subject of civil and religious -liberty as the former ones. - -There was established a Council of State, composed of ten members, -chiefly Quakers and his intimate friends, of whom four made a quorum who -were empowered “to consult and assist with the best of their advice the -Proprietary himself or his deputies in all public affairs and matters -relating to the government.” - -Andrew Hamilton, a native of Scotland, one of the Proprietaries of New -Jersey, and formerly Governor of East and West Jersey, was appointed -Deputy Governor, and James Logan Provincial Secretary and Clerk of the -Council. - -Governor Hamilton’s administration was very brief, for he died while on -a visit to Amboy, April 20, 1703. The government then devolved upon the -Council, of which Edward Shippen was president. - -Almost the entire attention of the Government was directed to the -consummation of a union between the Province and Territories. - -The Territories, or Lower Counties, persisted in the absolute refusal to -join with the Province in legislation until 1703, when it was finally -determined and settled between them that they should compose different -and distinct assemblies, entirely independent of each other, pursuant to -the liberty allowed by the clause in the charter for that purpose. - -The proprietary selected Mr. John Evans as the successor to Governor -Hamilton. He arrived in the province in February, 1704, and soon -increased the number of the council and called to that board, with -others, William Penn the younger, who had accompanied him to the -province. Pursuant to the instruction of the proprietary, he earnestly -applied himself to re-unite the province and Territories; and his lack -of success in this measure produced an unfavorable disposition toward -the province, which embittered his whole Administration. - -Governor Evans was but twenty-six years old when appointed, and he was -zealous and active in the proprietary’s interest; he was deficient in -neither wit nor talents, but lacked experience, prudence and tact, and -was offensive to the Quakers. He showed a partiality toward the lower -counties, which produced unpleasant effects in the province. - -England was at war with France and Spain, and Evans was ordered by the -Queen to raise an armed force in Pennsylvania, but his efforts proved -unsuccessful. He incurred even greater unpopularity among the Quakers -and became odious to the people of Philadelphia. - -He offended the merchants of Philadelphia, when he authorized the -erection of a fort near New Castle, where it could be of little use to -the province, and inward bound ships, not owned by residents, were -obliged to deliver their half-pound of powder for each ton measurement. -The provincialists remonstrated against this abuse in vain. - -At length Richard Hill, William Fishbourne and Samuel Preston, three -spirited Quakers, resolved to remove the nuisance by a method different -from any that had yet been attempted. - -Hill and his companions, on board the Philadelphia, a vessel belonging -to the former, dropped down the river and anchored above the fort. Two -of them went ashore and informed French, the commander, that their -vessel was regularly cleared, demanding to pass without interruption. -This demand was refused, when Hill, who had been bred at sea, stood at -the helm and passed the fort with no other injury than a shot through -the mainsail. French pursued in an armed boat and was taken aboard, -while his boat, cut from the vessel, fell astern, and he was led a -prisoner to the cabin. - -Governor Evans was apprized of the matter and followed the Philadelphia -by land to New Castle and, after she had passed the fort, pursued her in -a smaller but faster boat to Salem, where he boarded her in great anger, -and behaved with considerable intemperance. - -Lord Cornbury, Governor of New Jersey, who was also Vice Admiral of the -Delaware, happened to be at Salem, and the prisoners were taken before -him. He gave them and Governor Evans, as well, a severe reprimand, and -when all promised to behave in the future they were dismissed and -Governor Evans was jeered. - -Following this spirited action, the fort no longer impeded the -navigation of the Delaware. - -Governor Evans made an extended trip among the Indians, which began June -27, 1707. He was accompanied by several friends and servants. The -Conestoga and other Indians had advised him that the Nanticoke of -Maryland designed war against the Five Nations. Governor Evans visited -in turn: Pequehan, on the Pequea; Dekonoagah, on the Susquehanna, about -nine miles distant from Pequehan; Conestogoe and Peixtang. - -At the latter place he seized one Nicole, a French Indian trader, -against whom heavy complaints had been made. His capture was attended -with difficulties, but he was finally secured and mounted upon a horse -with his legs tied together, beneath the horse’s belly. - -The articles of remonstrance, subsequently addressed to the Proprietary -by the Assembly, make it appear that the Governor’s conduct on this -occasion and among the Indians was not free from censure, it being -described as “abominable, and unwarrantable.” - -To add to Governor Evans’ other troubles he had a very unhappy -misunderstanding with his secretary, James Logan, which, with the -antagonism of the Assembly, almost paralyzed legislative action, and led -to a most lamentable exhibition of ill-temper on the part of the -Governor. - -Remonstrances were sent to William Penn, which tended to produce the -very steps which the Assembly desired to guard against, of provoking the -Governor to relinquish a troublesome and ungrateful Province to the -Crown of England, which had long wished to possess it. - -Governor Evans was removed early in the year 1709 and Captain Charles -Gookin appointed as his successor. Gookin was an officer in Earle’s -Royal Regiment, quite advanced in years, and in the language of Penn “a -man of pure morals, mild temper and moderate disposition.” - - ---------- - - - - - Indians Captured Frances Slocum, the “Lost - Sister of Wyoming,” November 2, 1778 - - -Among the many dramatic incidents in the history of the Wyoming Valley -few, if any, are more thrilling or unusual than the carrying away into -captivity of little Frances Slocum. - -Jonathan Slocum, a Quaker, settled at Wyoming in 1762 and, with others -who survived the awful Indian massacre of October 15, 1763, left the -valley. - -In the autumn of 1777 he brought his wife, six sons and three daughters -from Rhode Island and again made his home at Wyoming. - -On Monday, November 2, 1778, Jonathan Slocum and his sons, William and -Benjamin, were at work completing their corn harvest. At the Slocum home -were the other members of the family, together with Mrs. Nathan Kingsley -and her two sons. About noonday the Kingsley lads were sharpening a -knife on a grindstone in the front yard. Suddenly the crack of a rifle -was heard, and Mrs. Slocum hastened to the front door, when she was -horrified to see the lifeless body of the elder Kingsley boy lying on -the ground. The Indian who killed him was preparing to scalp his victim -with the very knife the boys were sharpening. - -The terrified mother snatched her infant from the cradle, called to the -others to run for their lives, and fled out of the rear door to a log -fence beyond which lay a swamp, and there hid herself and her baby. - -Meanwhile the younger Kingsley boy and Frances Slocum, then -five-and-a-half years old, hid themselves under a staircase; Judith -Slocum, with her three-year-old brother Isaac, fled toward the swamp, -while little Mary Slocum, less than ten years old, started on a run in -the direction of Fort Wyoming, carrying in her arms her baby brother, -aged one-and-a-half years. Ebenezer Slocum, then thirteen years old, was -a cripple and unable to get away with the others. - -While the Slocums were fleeing from their home the Indian in their -door-yard was joined by two others, who made their way into the house -and quickly ransacked it. Frances Slocum and young Kingsley were -discovered in their hiding place, and dragged forth, while Ebenezer -Slocum was seized in another part of the house. - -Mrs. Slocum, leaving her baby behind, rushed into the presence of the -Indians and implored the savages to release the children. She pointed to -the crippled feet of Ebenezer and exclaimed: “The child is lame; he can -do thee no good.” - -The Indian who had him in his grasp released him to his mother. She -pleaded piteously for her daughter, but in vain. - -The chief Indian of the three threw Frances athwart his shoulder, one of -the other Indians did likewise with young Kingsley, while the third one -of the party shouldered the big bundle of plunder which had been taken -from the house. They then dashed into the woods, and that was the last -Mrs. Slocum ever saw of her daughter, Frances. - -Years later it was learned from Frances Slocum herself that she and -young Kingsley were carried to a cave where they stayed all night. Early -the following morning they set out and traveled for many days. When they -arrived at the village to which the Indians belonged, young Kingsley was -taken away and Frances never learned what became of him. - -The chief took Frances to an aged couple of the Delaware nation, who -adopted her. She was given the name of Weletawash, which was the name of -their youngest child, whom they had lately buried. - -They were living in Ontario when the Revolution ended. They then moved -to Kekionga, the present site of the city of Fort Wayne, Ind. - -Frances states she was there long after she was full grown, and that she -could relate incidents of Harmar’s defeat, October, 1790. In 1790 -Frances married a Delaware brave named “Little Turtle.” - -During four years of war in what is Ohio and Indiana, Frances and her -husband and her foster-parents were almost constantly on the move. Her -foster-father could speak English and so could Frances, until he died, -when she lost her mother-tongue. In 1794, “Little Turtle” left her and -went west. - -Sometime in 1795 while on the move with her foster-parents, Frances -discovered an Indian lying in the path suffering from wounds received in -battle with the whites. She dressed his wounds and nursed him back to -health. He supplied them with game. - -When about to leave he was promised the adopted daughter in marriage and -Frances became the wife of Shepoconah, a chief of the Miami tribe. Soon -thereafter her foster-parents died and Frances and her husband removed -to Fort Wayne. - -In 1801 they, with their two sons and a daughter, removed to the Osage -Village, on the Mississineva River, about one mile from its confluence -with the Wabash. Here Shepoconah was made war chief, and Frances was -admitted into the Miami tribe and given the name Maconaquah, signifying -“A Young Bear.” Shepoconah died in 1832. - -After the capture of Frances her father was killed, but many efforts -were made to obtain clues as to the whereabouts of Frances. After peace -was declared her brothers made a journey to Fort Niagara, where they -offered a reward of 100 guineas for the recovery of their sister. These -brothers never gave up the search. They visited many Indian villages and -traveled thousands of miles, even enlisting the Government and large -parties of Indians in their search. They attended every gathering of -Indians where white children captives were to be given up. They believed -she still lived, and until 1797 every possible search was made, but the -Slocums could get no trace of their captive sister during the life of -their mother. - -In January, 1835, Colonel George W. Ewing, an Indian trader, was -quartered in the home of Maconaquah and she related the story of her -life to him. The next day he marveled at its mystery and wrote a -narrative of this woman, and addressed it to the postmaster at -Lancaster, Pa. No one was interested. Two years later John W. Forney -became the publisher of the Intelligencer and ran across this letter and -published it, July, 1837. - -Immediately it was read by those who knew the story of the “Lost Sister -of Wyoming.” Correspondence was started, and Joseph Slocum and two -nephews traveled to the home of Maconaquah, where she was positively -identified and acknowledged him as her brother, but expressed no -inclination to leave her wigwam to partake of the comforts of his -comfortable mansion in Wilkes-Barre. - -She said in reply to their pleadings: “No, I cannot. I have always lived -with the Indians: they have always used me very kindly; I am used to -them. The Great Spirit has always allowed me to live with them, and I -wish to live and die with them.” - -She had indeed become an Indian even in looks. She thought, felt and -reasoned like an Indian. - -The Slocums had this comfort, their “Lost Sister of Wyoming” was not -degraded in her habits or character; her Anglo-Saxon blood had not been -tainted by savage touch, but bore itself gloriously amid long series of -trials through which it had passed. - -Correspondence was kept up between the relatives until the death of -Frances, which occurred March 9, 1847. - - ---------- - - - - - George Major, Chief Burgess of Mahanoy - City, Murdered by Mollie Maguires, - November 3, 1874 - - -George Major, the popular chief burgess of Mahanoy City, died Tuesday, -November 3, 1874, from the effects of pistol shot wounds received the -Saturday previous, the assassins being members of the notorious Mollie -Maguires. - -A great strike was in progress in the anthracite coal regions of -Pennsylvania, and during such periods of intense excitement the Mollies -were as active as a community of hornets whose nest some schoolboys had -invaded with paddles. - -George Major had long since gained the enmity of this nefarious -organization, and was a doomed man. - -James McParlan, a young Irishman from Chicago, was the Pinkerton -detective who lived among the Mollies, became one of them, and who -successfully rid the State of the whole organization. - -On the day of this murder James McKenna (as McParlan was known to the -Mollies), was in Shenandoah, but soon received intelligence of the -affair. He was an officer of the Mollie organization and, in his -official capacity, was detailed with Charles Hayes to go to the scene of -the shooting and gather such particulars as it was possible to obtain. - -This information, of course, was for the use of the Mollies in event any -of their members should be arrested for the crime, that an alibi could -be prepared for them. - -McKenna and Hayes arrived on the scene early Monday morning, while the -victim was yet alive, but not expected to survive that day. - -McKenna appeared particularly sad and dejected, declaring to his fellow -Mollies that his income from his (supposed) crooked peculations had run -several months behind, so that he had no funds to expend in too many -treats. This was an excuse to provide him with a safe cover from which -to carry on his observations, and he at once commenced hunting up the -facts connected with the shooting of Burgess Major. - -Major had been shot through the left breast, two inches above the heart. -This fact was learned by McKenna as soon as he arrived at Clark’s house, -the rendezvous of the Mollies. - -The proprietor, Clark, was not a member of the order, but his two sons -were Mollies. He was alone when McKenna arrived, and soon started to -talk about the shooting. - -After the usual greetings, McKenna asked Clark if he knew who fired the -shot. - -“That I can’t, for the life of me, tell! There’s two stories about it. -One of them puts it on Dan Dougherty, but I believe him just as innocent -as the babe unborn—and the other charges it on Major’s own brother, -William, hitting him be mischance, when firing after the Hibernian -company’s boys—for ye must know that the whole trouble came about -through a quarrel between the Hibernian an' the Citizen Fire Companies. -One is wholly made up of our countrymen, an' the other of -Modocs—English, German, Welsh an' what not! I suppose ye know that? - -“Yes! But who started the row?” queried McKenna. - -Clark replied that he was sure it was not Dougherty. He told McKenna of -the fire which had called out the companies, and the fact that many -firemen were drunk. That on the way home some firemen got to fighting, -when Chief Burgess George Major came out of his house, flourished his -revolver, and during the confusion shot a dog that was barking nearby. -This led to more shooting, when someone in the crowd took off the Chief -Burgess, and his brother shot Dougherty in the neck. - -McKenna then met Clark’s brother, who was a Mollie, and they went to -Dougherty’s home, and soon gained permission to see the wounded man. - -Dougherty was almost delirious, and barely recognized his friends. He -was terribly wounded, the surgeons even thinking it unsafe to probe for -the bullet. - -McKenna and Clark then went to McCann’s and soon gained the landlady’s -confidence and she invited them upstairs, where McCann was found in bed, -also wounded. He claimed Major had fired three shots at him. - -Here the scheme was hatched to swear out a warrant for the Chief Burgess -before he should die, charging him with an assault with a deadly weapon. -That, they contended, would place McCann on the witness-stand and -prevent him from being brought to the bar as a defendant. Others present -desired McCann to make his escape. - -The Chief Burgess succumbed to his wounds Tuesday, November 3, and -received burial, with suitable honors, the ensuing day. - -McKenna returned to Shenandoah and reported to the Mollies the issue of -his trip. He had previously sent to Mr. Allan Pinkerton daily bulletins -of his inquiries and their results. - -Dougherty recovered, had his trial, early in May, and was acquitted. - -McKenna was not ready to call his work at an end. Sufficient evidence -had not yet been obtained to bring the band of criminals to justice. - -But it was only a few months later when the murderers of Alexander Rae, -Gomer James, William and Jesse Major, F. W. S. Langdon, Morgan Powell, -Thomas Sanger, William Uren, and others were brought to trial and such -evidence obtained that the usual Mollie alibi was broken down and those -guilty were made to suffer the penalty which they deserved. - - ---------- - - - - - Captain John Hambright Leads Expedition - from Fort Augusta Against Great - Island, November 4, 1756 - - -Fort Augusta was built and garrisoned during the summer and fall of 1756 -under the direction of Colonel William Clapham and 400 Provincial -soldiers recruited for that purpose. This formidable fortress was -situated at Shamokin, at the Forks of the Susquehanna, in what is now -the city of Sunbury. - -The soldiers had barely landed at Shamokin until reports were brought -there that the French were coming in great force to besiege the fort. - -The Indians, hostile to the English, committed such depredations that -Colonel Clapham sent out expeditions against the Indian towns on the -Juniata, at Chincklamoose (now Clearfield); at Great Island (now Lock -Haven), and up both branches of the Susquehanna River. - -During October, 1756, intelligence was received that Indian families, -resident at the Great Island, were making many incursions against the -settlements. Several of them had visited Shamokin in August, when they -killed a bullock guard at the spring. And as they had formerly lived at -Shamokin, they were capable of very great mischief. - -Colonel Clapham directed Captain John Hambright, of Lancaster, to lead a -company of picked men and destroy the village. - -The instructions for this perilous expedition are peculiar and of -unusual interest to the present day residents along the West Branch of -the Susquehanna as far up as Lock Haven and, because they reveal the -dangers such enterprises always encountered, they are given in full: - -“Sir: - -“You are to march with a Party of 2 Serjts., 2 Corporals and 38 Private -men, under your Command to attack, burn and destroy an Indian Town or -Towns, with their Inhabitants, on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, to -which Monsieur Montour will conduct you, whose advice you are directed -to pursue in every Case. - -“You are to attack the Town agreeable to the Plan and Disposition -herewith given you, observing to Intermix the men with Bayonets equally -among the three Partys in the attack, and if any Indians are found there -you are to kill, Scalp, and captivate as many as you can, and if no -Indians are there you are to endeavor to act in such manner, and with -such Caution, as to prevent the Discovery of your having been there by -any Party, which may arrive Shortly after you, for which Reason you are -strictly forbid to burn, take away, Destroy or Meddle with anything -found at such Places, and immediately dispatch Monsieur Montour, with -one or two more to me with Intelligence. - -“When ye come near the Place of action you are to detach Monsieur -Montour, with as many men as he shall Judge necessary to reconnoiter the -Parts, and to wait in concealment in the mean Time with your whole Party -till his Return, then to form your measures accordingly. - -After having burnt and destroyed the Town, you are in your Retreat to -post an officer and twelve men in Ambush, close to the Road side, at the -most convenient Place for such Purpose which may offer, at about Twelve -miles Distance from the Place of action, who are to surprise and cut off -any Party who may attempt to pursue, or may happen to be engaged in -Hunting thereabouts, and at the same Time secure the Retreat of your -main Body. - -“'Tis very probable, that on these Moon Light Nights, you will find them -engag’d in Dancing, in which case embrace that opportunity, by all -means, of attacking them, which you are not to attempt at a greater -distance than 20 to 25 yards, and be particularly careful to prevent the -Escape of the Women and Children, whose lives Humanity will direct you -to preserve as much as possible. - -“If it does not happen that you find them Dancing, the attack is to be -made in the morning, just at a season when you have Light enough to -Execute it, in which attempt your party are to march to the several -houses, and bursting open the Doors, to rush in at once. Let the Signal -for the general attack be the Discharge of one Firelock, in the Centre -Division. - -“If there are no Indians at the Several Towns, you are in such case to -proceed with the utmost Caution and Vigilance to the Road which leads to -Fort Duquesne, there to lye in Ambush and to intercept any Party or -partys of the Enemy on the march to or from the English Settlements, and -there to remain with the Design till the want of Provisions obliges you -to return. - -“I wish you all imaginable Success, of which the Opinion I have of your -self, the Officers and Party under your Command, leave me no Room to -doubt, - - & am, Sir, - “Your Humble Servant, - “William Clapham. - -“P. S.—You will not omit to post the Sergeant with a party on the other -side of the River during the attack, according to Direction, in order to -prevent the Enemy from escaping that way and to reserve always one half -of your Fire. - -“Given at Fort Augusta, Nov. 4th, 1756.” - -A close examination of the route of march reveals to those at all -familiar with the topography of that part of the State that the -expedition crossed the river at Fort Augusta and marched through the -ravine to the lower side of Blue Hill, into what is now known as -Granger’s Hollow, and continued up the country on the west side of the -river, passing through what is now Winfield, Lewisburg, West Milton, New -Columbia and White Deer, where they evidently marched over the present -Loganton road, following alongside White Deer Creek and then into the -Nippenose Valley; thence over the hills and down again into McElhattan -Gap, emerging at the river near Great Island. - -This is the most direct route, and, as the Indians were good civil -engineers and usually found the easy grades for their beaten trails, -there is little doubt but that Captain Hambright and his sturdy band of -chosen men surely experienced a hard, rough march, even for that early -period. - -He surely carried out his instructions, but what actually happened on -this march is unknown, as no records of his report are to be found among -the papers of that period. This is a matter of sincere regret, for the -expedition was one of great importance. - -It is believed from notes made on a time-stained paper now in the State -Library that the first village visited was situated a few miles above -the mouth of Pine Creek, opposite what is now the village of Pine, -Clinton County. The paper bears the following indorsement: “4th Nov., -1756. Route of Capt. Hambright’s Secret Expedition, Inclos’d in Col. W. -Clapham’s Ler of” (This sentence was unfinished). - -Antiquarians inform us that many years ago great quantities of Indian -relics were found at this site. It is only a short distance east of -Great Island, and nearly the exact distance from Fort Augusta, by -following the river, that is noted in Colonel Clapham’s letter. - - ---------- - - - - - Disputed Boundary Lines Settled at Fort - Stanwix November 5, 1768 - - -Notwithstanding the surrender to the Six Nations by the Proprietaries of -Pennsylvania, in September, 1758, of “all the territory lying to the -northward and westward of the Allegheny Mountains,” the white settlers -continued to encroach on the hunting grounds of the Indians. - -At the great treaty held at Albany, the Proprietaries purchased and -received a deed dated July 6, 1754, for the land of the Province above -Penn’s Creek, in what is now Snyder County. - -The Indians afterward asserted they were defrauded in this sale; that -the territory included lands they did not purpose selling and there was -much dissatisfaction. - -To settle their trouble a compromise was made at the Easton treaty, -October, 1758, by the terms of which the Proprietaries authorized -Richard Peters and Conrad Weiser to release and reconvey to the Six -Nations all the territory lying northward and westward of the Allegheny -Mountains which had been conveyed to the Proprietaries by the deed of -July 6, 1754, “provided the Six Nations fully stipulate and settle the -exact and certain bounds of the residue of the said lands included in -the before-mentioned purchase.” - -Following the successful termination of the Pontiac Conspiracy in 1764, -the whites were less fearful of the Indians and settled in the Indian -country with much more confidence. The Indians were quick to grasp the -situation and made vigorous complaint to the Governor and all the other -provincial authorities. - -Proclamations were issued against the settlers without effect, and -finally, February 3, 1768, the Pennsylvania Assembly passed an act on -the subject. It was enacted that if any persons, already settled or -afterward moved on unpurchased lands, neglected or refused to remove -from the same within thirty days after they were required to do so by -the Governor after notice prohibiting occupancy as aforesaid, being -legally convicted, were to be punished with death without the benefit of -clergy. - -Three weeks after the enactment of the foregoing law Governor Penn -issued a proclamation to every person to remove themselves and their -families off and from the said lands on or before the first day of May -next ensuing. - -But proclamations, edicts and acts seemed to be of no avail, and the -disputes between the whites and Indians became most acute. At length, in -the summer of 1768, Sir William Johnson, the great English agent and -true friend of the Six Nations Indians, determined to hold a great -council with the Indians “not only for the purpose of renewing the -ancient covenant chain between the English and the Indians, but to -establish a scientific frontier.” - -In preparation for this great council twenty large bateaux, laden with -presents best suited to propitiate the Indians, had been conveyed to -Fort Stanwix, now Rome, N. Y. Sir William Johnson ordered sixty barrels -of rice and seventy barrels of provisions. When the council opened 3200 -Indians were present, “each of whom,” wrote Sir William, “consumes daily -more than two ordinary men amongst us, and would be extremely -dissatisfied if stinted when convened for business.” - -The Indians invited to the council began to assemble at Fort Stanwix -early in October, 1768, and by the middle of the month the various -officials expected to be present were on the ground. From Pennsylvania -came Governor John Penn, the Reverend Richard Peters, Benjamin Franklin -and James Tilghman. - -Governor Penn remained only for the preliminary negotiations, as -important business of the Province compelled his early presence in -Philadelphia. - -Messrs Peters and Tilghman represented Pennsylvania as Commissioners. -Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia and New York were also represented by -high officials. - -Eight tribes of Indians, including the Delaware, the Shawnee and all the -tribes of the Six Nations, were present in larger numbers, while many -other tribes were represented by small delegations. - -The Seneca went to this great conference armed as if going on the -warpath. There were also present a large number of private citizens -either through curiosity or by reason of some personal interest in the -proceedings. - -The records of this great council would indicate that Sir William -Johnson and the Commissioners dined together. They formally drank -various toasts, as was usual in those times. Frequently these toasts -were drunk to the King’s health, and on one or two occasions the -language used gave offense to certain of the King’s officers at the -table. Once a minister proposed a toast “not to the King of England, but -to the King that hears our prayers.” The trouble with the mother country -was even then brewing. - -Sir William opened the council by telling the Indians that “the King was -resolved to terminate the grievances from which they suffered for want -of a boundary, and that the King had ordered presents proportionate to -the nature and extent of the interests involved.” The Indians retired -and for several days were in private council. - -The new boundary had been practically agreed upon at a treaty held in -1765, its course being diagonally through Pennsylvania from a point one -mile above the mouth of John Penn’s Creek, Snyder County, to a point -then called Oswegy, now Oswego, N. Y. Beyond that point, the direction -in which the line should be run seems to have occasioned the greatest -discussion. - -The question was finally and satisfactorily settled, and a deed was made -and signed November 5, 1768, by a representative from each tribe of the -Six Nations, fixing and describing the boundary-line and granting the -land east of it to the King of England. The actual sum paid for this -vast territory was about $50,600. - -From a point on the Allegheny River several miles above Pittsburgh, this -historic line of property ran in a northeasterly direction to the head -of Towanda Creek, proceeding down the stream to the Susquehanna; thence -it went northward along the river to Tioga Point, eastward to Owego, and -crossed the country to the Delaware, reaching it at a point a few miles -below Hancock. From here it went up the Delaware to what is now Deposit, -Broome County, N. Y. Thence the line went directly across the hills to -the Unadilla, and up that stream “to the west branch, to the head -thereof.” - -The “Fort Stanwix Treaty Lines” through Pennsylvania included all or -part of the present counties of Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, -Luzerne, Bradford, Sullivan, Wyoming, Montour, Northumberland, Lycoming, -Union, Clinton, Center, Clearfield, Cambria, Indiana, Armstrong, -Allegheny, Westmoreland, Somerset, Fayette, Green, Washington and -Beaver. - -It was also at this treaty that the Proprietaries were actively -concerned in the purchase of the Wyoming lands then claimed by the State -of Connecticut. In this object the Pennsylvanians were successful. - - ---------- - - - - - First Siege of Yellow Fever Checked in - Philadelphia November 6, 1793 - - -Philadelphia was visited twice by the dreaded pestilence of yellow -fever, first in the year 1793 and again in 1798. The general -consternation which incited many to flee from the destroyer “produced -scenes of distress and misery,” wrote Matthew Carey, “of which parallels -are rarely met with, and which nothing could palliate but the -extraordinary public panic and the great law of self-preservation. Men -of affluent fortunes, who gave daily employment and sustenance to -hundreds, were abandoned to the care of a Negro after their wives, -children, friends, clerks and servants had fled away and left them to -their fate. - -“In some cases, at the commencement of the disorder, no money could -procure proper attendance. With the poor the case was, as might be -expected, infinitely worse than the rich, and many of these perished -without a human being to hand them a drink of water, to administer -medicine or to perform any charitable office for them. Various instances -occurred of dead bodies being found lying in the streets, of persons who -had no house or habitation and could procure no shelter.” - -The cessation of business, in consequence of the plague, threw hundreds -of poor people out of employment. Want and famine made their appearance. -While the fatal atmosphere of contagion overspread the devoted city the -most frightful exaggerations of the real condition of things were spread -throughout the country, the consequence of which very soon became -serious. - -In nearly all the cities and towns, near and far, with a few humane -exceptions, all intercourse with Philadelphia was prohibited. This added -to the general distress. - -The deadly disease swept away whole families. Eleven persons died in one -house within a day. - -Philadelphia with 50,000 population in 1792 was then not only the -largest and busiest city of the Nation but its seat of government. The -Congress moved from the city to Germantown; President George Washington -and the members of his Cabinet and their families departed the city, and -every person who could afford it followed their example. - -One out of every five who remained in Philadelphia died. Churches and -schools, as well as the stores and mills closed their doors. Half the -houses stood empty. Those who ventured to walk abroad held over their -nostrils handkerchiefs soaked in vinegar and avoided shaking hands with -any one. - -Grass grew high in the main streets. Carts passed the main thoroughfares -to carry the bodies of those who had perished. The drivers called out at -intervals, “Bring out your dead!” - -The disease itself was horrible and filthy. The sick were gathered into -hospitals, but these, unlike the great hospitals of today, added to -their misery. They were mere barns where patients lay crowded together, -without proper care. Nurses could not be obtained even at high wages, -for to nurse the victims of yellow fever meant almost certain death. - -Mayor Mathew Clarkson asked for volunteers to form a Committee of Safety -which should do whatever seemed possible for the health of the city. -Only twelve men in that greatest of American cities answered the call, -so serious was the situation. - -One of these volunteers was none other than the greatest man of his day, -Captain Stephen Girard. Only two of these twelve volunteered to serve at -the hospital, and these heroes were Stephen Girard and Peter Helm. Both -possessed great wealth and might have fled the city to live in safety -and comfort far from the scene of this horrible pestilence, but they -nobly chose to help their fellow men and risk their own lives. - -Of these two men Girard took the post of greatest danger, the interior -of the hospital. There for two months he spent a large part of each day, -nursing his patients. No money could pay for such services and Girard -would have accepted no return. Moreover, he went with his own carriage -to the houses where the sick lay, entered them, and drove with them to -the hospital. - -At last the benevolence of the inhabitants elsewhere came to their -relief, and contributions in money and provisions were poured out with a -liberal hand, which relieved the physical distress. But it took the -return of cold weather to check the fever and on November 6 the citizens -who had fled at the beginning of the plague began to return, and from -that day conditions rapidly improved. - -In the plague of 1793 the mortality was 3293, as reported by the -“Minutes of the Committee.” - -In this scourge there were on Market Street and north thereof 1178 -houses shut up and 1066 open, and 1152 deaths. Of the white inhabitants -4627 fled, 7332 remained in the city, and of the colored inhabitants 64 -fled out of the city and 474 remained. - -South of Market Street 1009 houses were closed and 969 remained open and -occupied, 1068 died, 4289 fled and 6133 remained, and 174 Negroes fled -and 833 remained to face the plague. - -In the Northern Liberties 302 houses were closed and 822 remained -occupied; 546 died, 1751 fled and 4943 remained; 28 Negroes ran away and -205 remained. - -In the district of Southwark 239 houses were empty and 742 occupied; 527 -died, 1239 whites fled and 4521 remained, and 24 Negroes fled and 234 -remained. - -Thus in the city 2728 houses were closed on account of the occupants -fleeing the city or dying and 3599 remained occupied. More than 12,000 -inhabitants fled the city, while 25,000 remained and came into close -contact with the fever victims. - -The figures given here were taken during the month of November, when the -cooler weather was beginning to check the ravages of the plague. -According to the statisticians of that day, the average of those who -fell victims to the fever amounted to more than six and one-third -persons to the house. - -Among those attacked were Governor Thomas Mifflin and Alexander -Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury in President Washington’s Cabinet. - -Both recovered and on November 14 the Governor issued a proclamation -stating the pestilence had ceased and fixing a day of thanksgiving, -fasting and prayer. The disease was considered to be conquered about -November 6, and from that time confidence returned. - -When the city was again desolated by yellow fever in 1798 the deaths -reached an enormous rate and much greater than in 1793. - -In the month of August, 1798, the deaths in Philadelphia were 621 and in -August, 1793, 264; in twelve days in September, 1798, 720 died, and -during the same days in 1793 there were 290 deaths reported. From August -8 to October 3, 1798, there were 2778 deaths, and in this same period in -1793 there were 1847 deaths, so it is safe to predict that about twice -as many deaths occurred in the second plague as in the first. - - ---------- - - - - - Philadelphia Merchants Rebel Against - Stamp Act in Great Meeting, - November 7, 1765 - - -The relations between the colonies and the mother country at end of the -French and Indian War would doubtless have continued friendly had the -latter not seen fit to pursue a new policy toward the former with -respect to revenue and taxation. The colonies, until then, had been -permitted to tax themselves. - -The first act of the British Parliament aiming at the drawing of a -revenue from the colonies was passed September 29, 1764. This act -imposed a duty on “clayed sugar, indigo, coffee, etc., being a produce -of a colony not under the dominion of his Majesty.” - -In the colonies it was contended that “taxation and representation were -inseparable, and that they could not be safe if their property might be -taken from them without their consent.” - -This claim of right of taxation on the one side and the denial of it on -the other was the very pivot on which the Revolution turned. - -England maintained her position in this matter, and in 1765 the famous -Stamp Act passed both Houses of Parliament. This ordained that -instruments of writing, such as deeds, bonds, notes, etc., among the -colonies should be null and void unless executed on stamped paper, for -which duty should be paid to the Crown. - -The efforts of the American colonists to stay the mad career of the -English Ministry proved unavailing. Dr. Benjamin Franklin, then in -London as the agent of the Province of Pennsylvania, labored earnestly -to avert a measure which his sagacity and extensive acquaintance with -the American people taught him was pregnant with danger to the British -Empire; but he did not entertain the thought that it would be forcibly -resisted. - -The opposition to the Stamp Act was so decided and universal that Lord -Grenville, to conciliate the Americans, asked their agents to suggest -the person to have the sale of the stamps in their respective colonies. -Franklin named his friend John Hughes, who in the Assembly had been -voting with the opponents of the Proprietaries. - -Franklin’s enemies tried to make much capital out of this participation -in the introduction of the stamps, while Hughes and Galloway tried to -lay the blame for the popular outburst upon the Proprietary Party in -both contrivance and connivance. - -Massachusetts Assembly suggested that the various Houses of -Representatives or Burgesses in America send committees to a meeting in -New York City on the first Tuesday of October, 1765, to consider a -united representation to the King and Parliament. - -The Assembly of Pennsylvania decided unanimously that it ought to -remonstrate against the Stamp Act, and appointed as its committee -Speaker Fox and Messrs. John Dickinson, George Bryan and John Morton. -Nine resolutions on the subject of the “unconstitutional impositions” -were adopted unanimously. - -Mr. Hughes feared being mobbed during the joy of celebration incident to -the change of ministry in England. He sat at his home, armed, watching -for an attack on his house, but at midnight those whom he feared -dispersed, after burning a “stamp man” in effigy. - -Hughes wrote to Governor John Penn and to Mr. Dickinson, the master of -the ship which brought the stamps, that he had received no commission to -take charge of them. The ship then lay at New Castle, afraid to proceed -farther, but on October 5 she sailed up the river to Philadelphia, -escorted by a man-of-war. - -All the vessels in the harbor put their flags at half-mast, the bells of -the State House and Christ Church were muffled and tolled until evening, -and two Negroes with drums summoned the people to a meeting at the State -House. This sent Robert Morris, Charles Thomson, and others to Hughes, -who was very ill at his home, asking him to resign, or at least to -promise not to execute his office. - -The crowd, Hughes said, was stirred up by the son of Franklin’s great -enemy, Chief Justice Allen. - -On the following Monday, Hughes gave assurance that neither he nor his -deputies would act until King George’s pleasure be known, or the law be -put into execution in other colonies, or the Governor commanded him. - -Hughes wrote to the Commissioners of the Stamp Office that he would -perform his duties if his hands were sufficiently strengthened, but in -due time he resigned. - -On November 7, 1765, the merchants of Philadelphia assembled at the -Court House, where they adopted nonimportation resolutions which were -embodied in an agreement soon signed by almost everybody who could be -described as a merchant or trader, setting forth that the difficulties -they labored under were owing to the restrictions, prohibitions and -ill-advised resolutions in recent acts of Parliament. - -These measures had limited the exportation of some of the produce, -increased the expense of many imported articles and cut off the means of -supplying themselves with sufficient specie even to pay the duties -imposed. - -The Province was heavily in debt to Great Britain for importations, and -the Stamp Act would tend to prevent remittances, and so it was hoped the -people of the Province would be frugal in the consumption of all -manufactures except those of America or of Ireland, coming directly -thence, and that the merchants and manufacturers of Great Britain would -find it to their interest to befriend them. - -The subscribers agreed and pledged their honor to direct all goods -ordered from Great Britain not to be shipped and to cancel all former -orders until the Stamp Act be repealed. The ships already cleared for -Great Britain owned by the merchants were allowed to bring back the -usual bulky articles but no dry goods, except dye stuffs, and utensils -necessary for carrying on the manufactures, and to sell no articles sent -on commission after January 1, 1766. - -The committee which circulated this agreement for signatures, and was -appointed to see to its being carried out, was composed of Thomas -Willing, Samuel Mifflin, Thomas Montgomery, Samuel Howell, Samuel -Wharton, John Rhea, William Fisher, Joshua Fisher, Peter Chevalier, -Benjamin Fuller and Abel Jones. - -In February Franklin was examined before the House of Commons, when he -told them there was not enough gold and silver in the colonies to pay -the stamp duty for one year. He gave it as his opinion that the people -of America would never submit to paying the stamp duty unless compelled -by force. - -Parliament had only the alternative to compel submission or to repeal -the act. It was repealed March 18, 1766, but accompanying it was the one -known as the Declaratory Act, more hostile to the American rights than -any of its predecessors. This act affirmed “that Parliament have, and of -right ought to have power to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever.” - -The news of the repeal reached America in May and caused unbounded -demonstrations of joy. Though the Quakers generally would not have -violently resisted the execution of the law, they shared with others the -joy produced by the tidings of the repeal. - - ---------- - - - - - Expeditions Against Indians—Franklin Sails - for England, November 8, 1764 - - -Soon after John Penn assumed the office of Lieutenant Governor, -November, 1763, he convened the Assembly and presented General Gage’s -request for 1000 men, to be used in the proposed Indian campaign, which -was granted, together with a vote of credit for the additional force -necessary “to frustrate the further wicked designs of those lawless -rioters.” This had reference to the “Paxtang Boys” and their bold attack -upon the Conestoga Indians, December 14, 1763. - -Sir William Johnson, of New York, who had charge of Indian affairs for -the Royal Government, having learned of both the above massacre and -those in the Nain and Wichetunk settlements, a short time previous, and -being possessed of the actual facts, was particularly anxious to -acquaint the Six Nations with the details, and thus remove any bad -impressions as to the faith of Pennsylvania in dealing with friendly -Indians. It was most vital that there should be no alienation of the Six -Nations from the English interest. - -The affair of the Paxtang Boys was happily settled without any unfair or -unwise hardships and the attention of the authorities again turned to -bigger problems and those more difficult of solution. - -Early in 1764 extensive measures were resolved upon for the reduction of -the Indians. General Gage determined to attack them on two sides, and to -force them from the frontiers by carrying the war into the heart of -their own country. One corps was sent under command of Colonel -Bradstreet to act against the Wyandot, Ottawa, Chippewa and other -nations living upon or near the lakes. Another, under command of Colonel -Henry Bouquet, was sent to attack the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo, Mohican -and other nations between the Ohio River and the lakes. - -The two commands were to act in concert. Colonel Bradstreet was directed -to proceed to Detroit, Michilimackinack and other places, and on his -return to encamp and remain at Sandusky, and prevent the Western Indians -from rendering aid to those on the Ohio, while Colonel Bouquet was to -attack the latter in the midst of their settlements. - -Part of the Forty-second and Sixtieth Regiments were assigned to Colonel -Bouquet, to be joined with 200 friendly Indians, and provincial troops -from Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Indians never came and Virginia -could not spare any men, but Pennsylvania furnished the one thousand -men, which was its quota. The Provincial Assembly also voted 50,000 -pounds to maintain it. - -This force was reduced by the desertion of 200 before leaving Carlisle, -and of others at Fort Bedford. Those remaining, with a very few -regulars, and less than 200 Virginians, made up the army of Colonel -Bouquet, which advanced from Fort Pitt in October, 1764, and marched -ninety-six miles to Muskingum, mostly through a wilderness which the -savages had deemed their sure defense. - -This expedition appearing in such force in the heart of the enemy’s -country overawed the Indians, who sued for peace. The Delaware, Shawnee -and Seneca agreed to cease hostilities. Many white people held as -prisoners were liberated. - -So thoroughly is Pennsylvania entitled to the credit of this successful -expedition, which not only restored so many of her men, women and -children to their families, but it had the chief part in securing peace -to the adjoining colonies. - -The Legislatures of Maryland and Virginia did not contribute a penny to -the expense, but left Colonel Bouquet personally liable for the pay of -the volunteers from those provinces. The Pennsylvania Assembly in due -time came to his relief, and also paid for this. - -By the agreement of 1760 the Assembly was allowed to tax the -Proprietaries’ lands upon certain conditions. The Assembly tried to have -the language of the bill changed so that the Proprietaries’ land would -not be taxed “only as high as the worst lands owned by the settlers” was -taxed, but no such change was allowed. - -Indeed, harmony was scarcely to be expected between one of the -Proprietary family, as Governor on the one side, and the Assembly on the -other. - -The Assembly was compelled to yield to the necessities of the province, -but the conduct of Governor John Penn so incensed the Assembly, that it -was determined by a large majority to petition the King to purchase the -jurisdiction of the province from the Proprietaries, and vest the -Government directly in the Crown. - -Joseph Galloway sponsored the resolutions which resulted in the petition -being signed by three thousand five hundred persons and addressed to -King George III. - -There was much opposition from leading men in the province against -throwing off the proprietary dominion, and these were not alone of the -Quaker belief. - -Isaac Norris, the venerable Speaker; John Dickinson, afterwards -distinguished in the Revolution; the Reverend Gilbert Tennant, and the -Reverend Francis Allison, representing the Presbyterian interest, with -William Allen, Chief Justice, and afterward father-in-law of Governor -John Penn, were strong leaders in opposition to the measure. - -The Quakers, on the other hand, supported it, and were sustained by -several successive Assemblies. The argument which lined up the -Presbyterians with those who opposed the change in Government was the -important question of defending the province, and particularly their -brethren on the frontiers. It mattered comparatively little whether the -Proprietaries or the richer inhabitants paid for this protection. - -They also feared that under the Crown the Church of England might become -the Established Church. The majority, which wished to divest the -Founder’s descendants of their authority, were the strict followers of -the Founder’s religion. - -Dickinson was re-elected to the Assembly, as was Norris, even though he -did not desire to return to that body. Galloway and Franklin were -defeated, the latter by twenty-five majority out of 4000 votes. Only two -of the ten members from Philadelphia were in favor of the change of -Government. - -Norris was again elected Speaker, but dissensions arose which caused him -to resign the speakership, when Joseph Fox was elected to succeed him. -He appointed Dr. Franklin as an additional provincial agent in London, -and directed him to go with all dispatch, and urge the adoption of the -measure before the British Ministry. - -Franklin sailed for England on November 8, 1764, being escorted by 300 -admirers, to Chester, where he embarked. - -He took with him a copy of the resolution which the Assembly, upon -hearing of the proposal in England of a stamp act or some other means of -revenue had passed, acknowledged it a duty to grant aid to the Crown, -according to ability, whenever required in the usual constitutional -manner. - -Franklin found, on his arrival at London, that he had to contend with a -power far stronger and more obstinate than the Proprietaries themselves, -even with the very power whose protection he had come to seek. - - ---------- - - - - - Governor Simon Snyder, Prey of Kidnappers, - Died November 9, 1819 - - -Simon Snyder, three times Governor of Pennsylvania, was born in -Lancaster County, November 5, 1749, and died in his beautiful stone -mansion in Selinsgrove November 9, 1819. - -Snyder had been defeated in the gubernatorial contest of 1805, but his -election was not long delayed. - -Alderman John Binns, editor of the Democratic Press, then the most -powerful political leader in the State, was Snyder’s closest friend and -adviser and soon influenced such a current of popular sentiment toward -his friend’s candidacy that William J. Duane and Dr. Michael Leib were -compelled to support Snyder even though they realized Binns would be -more potent in guiding his Administration. - -Snyder carried every county except six and defeated James Ross by 28,400 -votes. - -No sooner had the election occurred than the Governor was importuned to -appoint Dr. Lieb to the office of Secretary of the Commonwealth, but the -astute Executive named N. B. Boileau, of Montgomery County, to that -important place. - -Governor Snyder was re-elected in 1811 and again in 1814, being the last -Governor of Pennsylvania to serve three terms. - -There were many thrilling events during the nine years of his -Administration, the most important of which was the War of 1812–14. - -The Chief Executive of no State in the Union performed his part more -patriotically or with a firmer determination than did Governor Snyder. - -A month before the formal declaration of our second war with England he -had issued an order drafting 14,000 men as the quota of Pennsylvania for -the general defense. His several addresses to the Legislature were of -the most patriotic fervor and he deserved the hearty support which was -generously given him. - -During the trying period of the war, Governor Snyder exhibited many -splendid traits of character, and met every emergency with determined -courage and the consciousness of having performed his full duty. - -Pennsylvania has been remarkably free from crimes against officials -holding high office, and yet the nearest attempt was a plot to kidnap -Governor Snyder. - -Early in the year of 1816 Richard Smith, as principal in the first -degree, and Ann Carson, in the second degree, were tried in Philadelphia -before the Hon. Jacob Rush and his associates for the murder of John -Carson, her husband. The trial resulted in the conviction of Smith and -the acquittal of Ann Carson. - -Richard Smith was a lieutenant in the Twenty-third Infantry Regiment U. -S. A. He was of Irish descent, a nephew of Daniel Clark, of New Orleans, -and heir to his estate, worth in excess of $1,000,000. - -Ann Carson was the most captivating beauty of the underworld and the -most notorious character in the State, according to the newspapers of a -century ago. She married a Scotchman, Captain John Carson, a dissipated -ex-captain of the United States Navy, who was nearly twice her age. - -Several years after this marriage Captain Carson sailed for China, in -command of the ship Ganges, and nothing more was heard of him for four -or five years, and his wife believed he had perished at sea. - -During his absence Ann Carson became infatuated with the dashing young -Lieutenant Smith, who occupied an apartment in her home. - -In the fall of 1815 Captain Carson appeared at the home and his -estranged wife had no welcome for him. - -For the following several months the trio lived a life of continual -strife. One evening in January, 1816, the two men met in the parlor of -the Carson home on Second and Dock Streets, when Smith shot and killed -Carson. - -The murderer was taken before Alderman Binns, who committed him to -prison on a charge of murder. As already stated, Smith was convicted and -Mrs. Carson acquitted. - -Mrs. Carson immediately planned to save Smith from the scaffold. She was -able to command the services of the most desperate criminals. - -Both Smith and Mrs. Carson knew that the Alderman and editor had great -influence with Governor Snyder, and their first effort was to bring -pressure upon him to obtain a pardon for the condemned man. - -Binns refused to interfere, and in addition published a caustic warning -against any attempt to stay the course of justice. Never had there been -so much feeling manifested in the desire to obtain a pardon for murder -as on this occasion. - -Ann Carson conceived the scheme to kidnap Binns and hold him as a -hostage for Smith. This plan failed. Then the desperate criminals -endeavored to coerce Binns into their measures by planning to kidnap his -son, who had been christened Snyder, after the then Governor. The boy -was not quite six years old, but daily went to his school. - -This plot was communicated to Binns and the child was kept in his home, -and that plot also failed. - -Then the notorious and desperate Ann Carson determined to kidnap the -Governor himself, and keep him in custody, under a threat of being put -to death, if he did not grant a pardon for Smith. - -The very night this scheme was determined on, it was, through a -lay-cousin of Lieutenant Smith’s, communicated to John Binns, who -immediately dispatched the details of the plot to the Governor, who was -then at his home in Selinsgrove. - -Ann Carson, accompanied by two ruffians named “Lige” Brown and Henry -Way, set out from Philadelphia on horseback to Selinsgrove. At -Lancaster, Way robbed a drover, but was badly beaten over the head and -easily captured. The others, however, made their escape and proceeded on -their nefarious errand. - -Governor Snyder hastened to Harrisburg, where he swore out a warrant -against the woman, and she was apprehended and held in $5000 bail, which -was furnished by her friends. She returned to Philadelphia. - -Way escaped from jail after nearly killing his jailer and was never -captured. Lieutenant Smith was executed. - -Mrs. Carson’s subsequent career was merely a succession of crimes, in -which she affected the disguise of a demure Quakeress. It was in this -disguise she was detected passing a counterfeit note on the Girard Bank. -She was sentenced to seven years in the Walnut Street prison. - -A writer says she was appointed matron in the women’s ward, where her -cruel treatment drove the female convicts to revolt and that Mrs. Carson -was killed during one of these uprisings. - -John Binns in his “Recollections” says that while in prison she was a -kind and most attentive nurse. - -The latter is true. Ann Carson died in prison April 27, 1824, of typhus -fever, which she contracted while nursing other victims of the plague. - - ---------- - - - - - John Dickinson Writes First “Farmer” - Letter, November 10, 1767 - - -In 1767 a bill was passed by Parliament which affirmed its right “to -bind the Colonies in all cases whatsoever” and levied duties on tea, -paper, glass and painters’ colors imported into the Colonies from Great -Britain, payable in America. This act, with several others, rekindled -the opposition of the Colonies. Again associations were formed to -prevent the importation of British goods and meetings called to resolve, -petition and remonstrate. - -The first of the “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the -Inhabitants of the British Colonies,” appeared November 10, 1767, the -authorship of which gave John Dickinson, of Philadelphia, so much of his -celebrity. - -They were published in every colony, also in London, and afterwards -translated into French in Paris. - -Dr. Benjamin Franklin, who had formerly been an enemy of Dickinson wrote -the preface to the London edition; while the people of Boston, assembled -in a town meeting, voted Dickinson their thanks. - -Letter No. 1 began: “My Dear Countrymen: I am a farmer, settled, after a -variety of fortunes, near the banks of the Delaware, in the Province of -Pennsylvania. I received a liberal education, and have been engaged in -busy scenes of life; but am now convinced that a man may be as happy -without bustle as with it. - -“My farm is small; my servants few and good; I have a little money at -interest; I wish for no more; my employment in my own affairs is easy; -and with a contented, grateful mind, undisturbed by worldly hopes or -fears, relating to myself, I am completing the number of days allotted -to me by Divine goodness.” - -Every man ought to espouse the sacred cause of liberty to the extent of -his powers and “The Farmer” offered some thoughts on late transactions, -praying that his lines might be read with the same zeal for the -happiness of British America with which they had been written. - -He had observed that little notice had been taken of the Act of -Parliament for suspending the legislation of New York. This was -punishment for noncompliance by the Assembly of that Province with a -former act requiring certain provisions to be made for the troops. To -compel the colonies to furnish certain articles for the troops was, he -proceeded to show, taxation in another form and New York was being -punished for resisting such taxation. - -In Letter No. 2, the “Farmer” took up the Act imposing duties on paper, -glass, etc., which he deemed a most dangerous innovation upon the old -practice of imposing duties merely for the regulation of trade. - -Parliament had a right to regulate the trade of the colonies; but here -it was vowing the design of raising revenues from America; a right, -which, America felt, was inherent in her own representatives. This -taxation was attempted by the device of levying duties on certain -articles imported to the colonies. The effect of this was clearly -pointed out. - -Great Britain had prohibited certain manufactures in the colonies, and -had prohibited the purchase of such manufactured goods except from the -mother country. - -“If you once admit that Great Britain may lay duties upon her -exportations to us, for the purpose of levying money on us only,” he -wrote, “she will then have nothing to do but to lay those duties on the -articles, which she prohibits us to manufacture—and the tragedy of -American liberty is finished.” - -In Letter No. 3 the “Farmer” explained there were other modes of -resistance to oppression than any breach of peace and deprecated, as -Dickinson did ever afterward, any attempt to make the colonies -independent. - -“If once we are separated from our mother country,” he said, “what new -form of government shall we adopt, or where shall we find another -Britain to supply our loss? Torn from the body to which we are united by -religion, liberty, laws, affections, relation, language and commerce, we -must bleed at every vein.” - -In the subsequent letters, the dangers to American liberty were -expiated, objections answered and the people urged to make a stand for -themselves and their posterity peaceably, prudently, firmly, jointly. -“You are assigned by Divine Providence, in the appointed orders of -things the protectors of unborn ages, whose fate depends upon your -virtue,” he said. “Whether they shall arise the generous and -indisputable heirs of the noblest patrimonies or the dastardly and -hereditary drudges of imperious taskmasters, you must determine.” - -The effect of the Farmer’s letters was tremendous. About this time a -letter to Governor Penn arrived from the Earl of Hillsborough, dated -April 21, 1768, informing him that King George III considered the -circular letter from the Massachusetts Legislature, calling upon the -other colonies to send commissioners to New York City to consider a -united representation to the King and Parliament to be of a most -dangerous and factious tendency, and that Governor Penn should exert his -influence to prevail upon the Assembly of Pennsylvania to take no notice -of it, and to prorogue or dissolve that body. - -The Assembly, September 16, resolved that the Governor had no authority -to prorogue or dissolve and that it was the undoubted right of the -Assembly to correspond with any of the American colonies to obtain by -decent petitions to the King and Parliament redress of any grievances. - -Four days later the Assembly addressed a petition to the King, the -following day one to the House of Lords and another to the House of -Commons. Each of these paraphrased in softer language and adapted to -Pennsylvania the latter from Massachusetts. - -The petition to the King referred to the settlement of the province when -it was only a wilderness with a view of enjoying that liberty, civil and -religious, of which the petitioners’ ancestors were in a great measure -deprived in their native land, and also to extend the British empire, -increase its commerce and promote its wealth and power. - -With inexpressible labor, toil and expense, and without assistance from -the mother country, that wilderness had been peopled, planted and -improved. - -It was conceived that by no act had the people surrendered up or -forfeited their rights and liberties as natural-born subjects of the -British Government; but those rights had been brought over and were -vested by inheritance. - -The duties and taxes for the sole purpose of raising revenue imposed by -parliament upon the Americans, they not being represented in that body, -and being taxable only by themselves or their representatives, were -destructive of those rights and without precedent until the passage of -the Stamp Act. - -Whenever the King had had occasion for aid to defend and secure the -colonies, requisitions had been made upon the Pennsylvania Assemblies, -who with cheerfulness granted them, and “often so liberally as to exceed -the abilities and circumstances of the people.” - -It was essential to the liberties of Englishmen that no laws be made -which would take away their property without their consent, and even if -this taxation had been constitutional the present law was injurious to -the mother country as well as America. And lastly, the revenue was to be -applied in such colonies as it should be thought proper. Thus -Pennsylvania would pay, without their consent, taxes which might be -applied to the use of other colonies. - - ---------- - - - - - In Anticipation of War with France General - Washington Arrives in Philadelphia, - November 11, 1798 - - -On November 11, 1798, General George Washington, who was then -lieutenant-general of the army, arrived in Philadelphia to assume charge -of matters in relation to the threatened war with France, and was -received by the troops of horse and a large number of uniformed -companies of foot. - -On the 24th President John Adams, who had left the city on account of -the recurrence of the yellow fever, returned, and was received with -salutes from the sloop-of-war “Delaware,” Captain Stephen Decatur, and -Captain Matthew Hale’s Ninth Company of Philadelphia Artillery, which -was stationed near Center Square. - -The presence of John Jay, of New York, in England to make a treaty with -Great Britain aroused the French to a sense of the importance of -observing its own treaty stipulations with the United States, which had -been utterly disregarded since the war with England began. Jay’s treaty -with England, November 19, 1794, caused such a division of the Americans -that they were all either Frenchmen or Englishmen in their politics. - -Genet, the French minister, received the most flattering attention from -the day he arrived until he was recalled. When Adet, his successor, -ordered all Frenchmen in America to wear the tri-colored French cockade, -everybody in Philadelphia wore it. - -On January 4, 1795, a new decree was issued, giving full force and -effect to those clauses of the treaty of commerce, signed in 1778, with -the United States. - -When the news of the failure of the Americans to elect Thomas Jefferson -President reached France, the Directory issued a decree, March 2, 1797, -purporting to define the authority granted to French cruisers by a -former decree. It was intended to annihilate American commerce in -European waters. - -The treaty with America was modified as to make American vessels liable -to capture for any cause recognized as lawful ground of capture by Jay’s -treaty. - -They also decreed that any Americans found serving on board hostile -owned vessels should be treated as pirates; in other words, American -seamen, impressed by the British, were made liable to be hanged by the -French. - -On January 18, 1798, a sweeping decree against American commerce was -promulgated by the French Directory. - -In consequence of this insolent attitude of the French Directory and the -continued seizures of American vessels by French cruisers, the -popularity of France had declined, and it soon became evident that the -country was slowly but surely drifting into war. - -On March 5, 1798, President Adams informed Congress of the failure of -the mission of the American Envoys, and accompanying this information -was a message from the French Directory to the Council of Five Hundred -urging the passage of further objectionable laws against American -commerce. - -A few days later Congress was informed that the representatives of -Prince Talleyrand, one of the French ministers, had demanded a bribe of -£50,000 for the members of the Directory and a loan to the Republic, in -consideration of the adoption of a satisfactory treaty. - -Great excitement was caused by the publication of these facts. In every -section of the country was re-echoed the vigorous language of Charles -Pinckney: “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.” - -Governor Mifflin and his associates in the State Government openly -sympathized with France, and in the Pennsylvania Senate the feeling in -favor of France was still very strong. On March 20 that body adopted -resolutions declaring that the representatives of Pennsylvania bear -their public testimony against war in any shape or with any nation -unless the territories of the United States shall be invaded, but more -especially against the people with whom our hearts and hands have been -lately united in friendship. - -In the House, however, the resolutions were received and laid upon the -table, but never taken up for consideration. - -The councils of Philadelphia passed resolutions in favor of sustaining -friendly relations with France, but strongly endorsed the Federal -administration in its conduct of the matter. A great meeting of the -merchants and traders of Philadelphia was held, April 11, when an -address to the President was adopted, which expressed regret at the -failure of the negotiations with France, and their determination to -support the Government. - -Popular indignation at the conduct of France was rapidly intensifying, -and the publication of a new patriotic song, “Hail Columbia,” greatly -stimulated the agitation. - -At the request of Gilbert Fox, a young actor, Joseph Hopkinson, of -Philadelphia, then twenty-eight years of age, wrote “Hail Columbia” to -accompany the air of “The President’s March,” which had become very -popular in Philadelphia. - -This new song was first sung by Fox at his benefit in the theater, April -25, 1798, and excited the wildest applause. The words were caught up and -repeated throughout the country. - -Among other demonstrations in support of the Government was a meeting of -youths between eighteen and twenty-three years of age, April 28, at -James Cameron’s tavern. - -Resolutions were passed approving the action of the Federal Government, -and a committee was appointed to prepare an address to the President. On -May 7, more than twelve hundred of them each wearing a black cockade -marched in procession to the home of President Adams. - -On the following night parties of men wearing the French cockades -appeared on the streets and made some disorder, in consequence of which -the Citizens’ Volunteers were placed on guard at the mint and arsenal, -and troops of cavalry paraded the streets at night. - -The newspapers contributed not a little to the excitation of feeling. -Editor William Cobbett was particularly violent and Benjamin Franklin -Bache, in the Aurora, was almost as vehement. - -The citizen military organizations were most active and during the -summer months assembled frequently and performed various evolutions. - -Early in June, Governor Mifflin addressed a circular letter to militia -officers, requesting their co-operation in preparation of measures for -defense. - -The necessity for Lieutenant-General Washington and his army soon -passed. The trouble with France was brought to a satisfactory result -through diplomatic channels and President Adams issued a proclamation -calling for a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer, on April -25, 1799, over the happy event. - - ---------- - - - - - First Jury Drawn in Early Courts of - Province on November 12, 1678 - - -The early judicial history of Pennsylvania presents striking features of -interest to two classes in the community—the professional lawyer and the -student of history. - -To the former it must be a matter of curiosity and interest to study the -first rude means devised to administer justice between man and man—to -discern among the transactions of those early times the rise and -development of institutions and practices. - -But to the student of history the subject affords a different kind of -interest. He finds gratification in the manner, customs and modes of -thought once prevalent in these early courts. - -In them he finds traces of the past life of the Nation, learns of the -matters which then interested the people, the nature of their -industries, the extent of their commerce, the character of their -education, the attention paid to their morals, and even the depth of -their religious convictions. - -The early courts of what is now Pennsylvania had their origin in 1673, -under the government of James, Duke of York. - -After the Swedish settlements on the Delaware were conquered by the -Dutch, the Swedes were directed to concentrate in villages, but they -never did so. Among the places named for this purpose was Upland, now -Chester. - -The Swedish magistrates were permitted to remain in office—a -conciliatory policy which was imitated by the English when they came -into possession of Pennsylvania. - -The Dutch divided the western shore of the Delaware into three counties -or judicial districts, the most northern of which was called Ophlandt, -its capital being Upland. This division was recognized and continued by -the English. - -In 1676, under Governor Andross, the Magistrates of Upland were Peter -Cock (Cox), Peter Rambo, Israel Helm, Lace Andries, Oele Swen, and Otto -Ernest Cock, all Swedes. - -At the court at Upland, November 13, 1677, Captain Hans Jargin was -ordered “to fit up the House of Defense for the use of the court at its -next sitting.” The court previously had been holding its sessions at the -house of Neeles Laersen, who kept a tavern, a troublesome fellow, whose -daughter seems to have taken after her father, both having appeared -several times in court. - -On November 12, 1678, complaint was made against Laersen for building a -fence which stopped the usual path of travel over the meadow. The Court -ordered him to remove the obstruction. - -At the same session of court the case of William Orian vs. John D'haes -was called. It was an action on a book account for the sum of 167 -guilders, and the first jury known to have been called in Pennsylvania -was impaneled. - -The names of these original jurymen were Hans Moens, Dunk Williams, -Xtopper Barnes, Edmund Draufton, Peter Jockum, Isaac Sanoy, Jan -Hendricks, Jonas Kien, Moens Cock, John Browne, Jan Boelson and Henry -Hastings. - -The verdict was for the plaintiff for the full amount of his claim which -had been disputed. - -These early county courts were vested with criminal jurisdiction in all -save cases of heinous or enormous crimes. Treason, murder and -manslaughter were outside their cognizance. Trials for larceny, -swearing, laboring on the first day of the week, assault and battery, -shooting or maiming the prosecutor’s hogs, unduly encouraging -drunkenness, selling rum to the Indians and offenses against the public -morality and decency constituted the great bulk of the criminal -business. - -“Lying in conversation” was fined half a crown, “drinking healths which -may provoke people to unnecessary and excessive drinking” was fined five -shillings, while the sale of beer made of molasses at more than a penny -a quart was visited with a like penalty of five shillings for every -quart sold. - -No person could “Smoak tobacco in the streets of Philadelphia or New -Castle, by day or by night,” on penalty of a fine of twelve pence, to be -applied to the purchase of leather buckets and other instruments against -fire. - -Any person “convicted at playing of cards, dice, lotteries or such-like -enticing, vain and evil sports and games” was to pay five shillings or -to be imprisoned five days at hard labor, while those who introduced or -frequented “such rude and riotous sports and practices as prizes, stage -plays, masques, revels, bull baitings, cock fightings and the like” were -either to forfeit twenty shillings or to be imprisoned at hard labor for -ten days. - -Smoking tobacco in the courtroom was an heinous offense. Luke Watson, -himself a Justice, twice offended the Court on the same day in this -manner and was fined the first time fifty pounds of tobacco, the second -100 pounds. In 1687 William Bradford was fined for swearing in the -presence of the Justices, and Thomas Hasellum was fined for singing and -making a noise. - -Thomas Jones, who was wanted in court as a witness, was a hardened -character and refused to appear. When two constables brought him into -court he cursed at a horrible rate. - -The records state “said Jones being brought into court, the Court told -him of his misdemeanor, and told him he should suffer for it; he told -the Court he questioned their power, so the Court ordered the Sheriff -and constable to secure him and they carried and dragged him to ye Smith -Shop, where they put irons upon him, but he quickly got the Irons off -and Escaped, he having before wounded several persons’ legs with his -spurs that strived with him, and when they was goeing to put him in the -Stocks, before that they put him in Irons, he kicked the Sheriff on the -mouth and was very unruly and abusive, and soon got out of the Stocks.” - -An excellent law in the early days of the Province provided “that -whereas there was a necessity for the sake of commerce in this infancy -of things, that the growth and produce of this Province should pass in -lieu of money, that, therefore, all merchantable wheat, rye, Indian -corn, barley, oats, pork, beef and tobacco should pass current at the -market price.” - -Of this provision the people availed themselves largely. They frequently -gave bonds to each other acknowledging their debts in kinds. Judgments -were accordingly sometimes entered “for 172 pounds of pork and two -bushels of wheat, being the balance of an account brought into court,” -or for “32 shillings for a gun, and 150 pounds of pork for a shirt,” -while, perhaps, the climax is reached in an entry of judgment for “One -thousand of six-penny nails, and three bottles of rum.” - -The early Provincial Courts were unusual peace makers and made peculiar -awards. - -In Chester County, in 1687, in an action of an assault and battery by -Samuel Baker against Samuel Rowland was this award: “Samuel Rowland -shall pay the lawful charges of this court, and give the said Samuel -Baker a Hatt, and so Discharge each other of all manner of Differences -from the Beginning of the World to this Present day.” - -The sentences imposed were not unusually severe. The whipping post, the -pillory and the imposition of fines were usually resorted to as -punishments in preference to long terms of imprisonment. The services of -the culprit were more desirable than to keep him within a prison’s -walls. - - ---------- - - - - - Council of Censors First Met Under Constitution - of 1776, November 13, 1783 - - -The Constitution of 1776, as would be expected, was hastily prepared. -Great excitement prevailed everywhere throughout the Province and the -document was adopted with the same determined spirit which characterized -all public movements during that thrilling period of our history. - -Nothing less than the impending war for liberty could justify the -methods that were employed to change the frame of government under which -the people had lived for nearly a century. - -The most effective improvement in this instrument could have been made -by amendment in the regular manner, but this method would not have -served to satisfy the determined purposes of the leaders of that day. - -The chief objections to the Constitution were the existence of a single -legislative body, and a council of censors consisting of two men from -each city and county in the State to hold office for seven years. - -The function of the censors were of a most extraordinary character. The -members were to meet annually, and inquire whether the Constitution had -been kept inviolate; whether the legislative and executive branches had -carefully functioned; whether taxes had been justly levied and -collected, etc. A majority vote of their number was sufficient to -determine every action, excepting the calling of a convention to revise -the Constitution, which alone required the consent of two-thirds of the -council. - -It is believed that George Bryan and James Cannon were the authors of -this unusual provision. Both were ardent patriots. - -The Constitution fairly reflected the political opinions of those -opposed to the English Parliament. - -The office of Governor was swept away, and the Constitution of 1776 -provided that the Supreme Executive Council should choose one of its -number President, whose duties were those of the Chief Executive. - -Every effort to secure a revision of the Constitution proved unavailing -and public opinion waited impatiently for the first seven years to pass, -in the hopes that a revision would then be possible. If the enemies of -the Constitution were numerous and bitter, it had also many enthusiastic -supporters. - -The Council of Censors assembled, as the Constitution required, on -November 13, 1783, and continuing in session nearly a year, adjourned -finally September 25, 1784. Frederick A. Muhlenberg was elected -President. - -Various amendments were discussed and strong difference of opinion -manifested, but in the address of the freemen of the Commonwealth of -Pennsylvania, at the close of their labors, they recommended a -continuance of the frame of government. - -They say, “if with heart and hand united, we will all combine to support -the Constitution, and apply its injunction to the best use of society, -we shall find it a source of the richest blessings. We would earnestly -recommend this to you. Give it a fair and honest trial; and if after -all, at the end of another seven years, it shall be found necessary or -proper to introduce any changes, they may then be brought in, and -established upon a full conviction of their usefulness, with harmony and -good temper, without noise, tumult, or violence.” - -A majority of the members favored amending the Constitution, so that the -Legislature should consist of a house of representatives of 100 members -and a legislative council of twenty-nine members; that the executive -power be vested in a Governor with a veto power; that the Judges should -be appointed by the Governor to serve during good behavior, with fixed -salaries and that the Council of Censors should be abolished. - -Twelve Councilors favored and nine opposed these amendments, a -two-thirds vote could not be had. The majority issued an appeal, as did -the minority. Then followed a pamphlet war on the action of the -convention, lasting all summer. It was not, however, especially bitter. - -On resuming its sessions the Council then assumed its rights under the -Constitution, but could arrive at no definite conclusion, and finally -resolved “that there does not appear to this Council an absolute -necessity to call a convention to alter or explain or amend the -Constitution.” This report was adopted by a vote of 14 to 8, a marked -change in the opinion of some of the censors since their previous -action. - -This change was occasioned by the people. A petition signed by 18,000 -persons had been sent to the Council of Censors, opposing all changes in -the Constitution. Then, too, George Bryan had been elected from -Philadelphia to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of a -Conservative. Bryan was a radical of the radicals, and his election was -sensed as an indication of the drift of public sentiment. - -President Muhlenberg admitted early in the summer that the Conservatives -were beaten, and attributed it to the “blind passion and mad party -spirit of the common crowd.” General Joseph Reed thought their chief -mistake was in presenting too many amendments. Bryan was severely -attacked, and was characterized as the censor general of Pennsylvania. - -In justification of their cause the censors simply issued an address to -the people and then adjourned. They admitted that there were defects in -the Constitution, but they could not agree on the changes. Even this -address lacked unanimity, for twelve voted for it and nine opposed it. -Thus the Constitution, which had been assailed so long, weathered the -first storm and still remained unchanged. - -The discontent with the Constitution did not die with the inaction of -the censors. The old confederation was now expiring and the chaos was -becoming darker than ever. Finally when all authority was gone, and the -people had suffered enough for the lack of it, they were willing to -adopt another constitution containing the principles of enduring life. - -The movement that led to the ratification of the Federal Constitution by -Pennsylvania gave the proponents of a new constitution the suggestion -that a convention should be called to adopt another constitution for -Pennsylvania. - -The necessary steps were then taken, and the Legislature, acting upon -petitions addressed to it, after many heated debates, reported the -resolutions from the Committee of the Whole with favorable -recommendations. - -By this time it was clearly evident the majority of the people desired -this in preference to a new Constitution made by the Council of Censors. - -Furthermore, the Bill of Rights recognized the people as possessed of -all the necessary powers in the premises. The report recommended a plan -for the election of members to the proposed convention, and method of -procedure. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 39 to 17. - -The learned members of the Council of Censors did not agree; indeed, -there was a strong and general feeling, especially among the most -influential and intelligent, that the Constitution of 1776 was -inadequate, and was still more so since the close of the war, when the -situation was entirely changed. On November 24, 1789, the convention met -to revise the Constitution. - - ---------- - - - - - Indian Outrages in Berks County Began - November 14, 1755 - - -The first violent outbreak by the Indians in Berks County, after the -defeat of General Braddock in July, 1775, occurred in the vicinity of -Deitrick Six’s plantation, near what is now the village of Millersburg, -in Bethel Township. This tragedy occurred November 14, 1755. - -Conrad Weiser, who resided in what is now Womeldsdorf, frequently -accompanied bands of friendly Indians on important missions to -Philadelphia, but after many cruel murders had been committed upon the -settlers, the inhabitants turned against Weiser, believing him to be -protecting Indians who did not deserve it. - -The redskins all looked alike to the sturdy settlers, who so frequently -lost their own lives, or those of their dear ones, or suffered the -destruction of their homes and barns at the hands of these treacherous -savages. - -There is no doubt of the loyalty of Colonel Weiser and his brave sons, -who were ever on the alert to help others in distress or travel to the -seat of government and plead the cause of the less fortunate. - -Upon his return home from a trip to Philadelphia, while the trusted -Chief Scarouady and his friendly Delaware Indians were still under the -shelter of Weiser’s roof, his two sons, Philip and Frederic, just home -from a scouting expedition, related the story of the terrible massacre, -which they had received from the lips of those who felt the cruel blow, -but escaped death at the hands of the Indians. - -The story they related to their father was immediately sent by him to -Governor Morris. The facts are of interest. - -Six of the settlers were on the road going to Deitrick Six’s plantation -when a party of Indians fired upon them. The frightened white men -hurried toward a watchhouse, a half mile distant, but were ambushed -before reaching their haven of refuge and three of the party were killed -and scalped. A man named Ury shot an Indian through the heart and his -body was dragged off by the savages, but it was found by the whites the -next day, when a dead Indian lost his scalp. - -After this attack the Indians divided themselves in two parties. The one -prowling around the watchhouse overtook some settlers fleeing toward -that place, when they killed three of them, making six of the -inhabitants killed by the Indians within an hour’s time. - -On the following night the Indians crept up in the darkness to the home -of Thomas Bower, on Swatara Creek, pushed their guns through a window -and killed a cobbler, who was at work repairing a shoe. They also set -fire to Bower’s house before being driven away. - -The Bower family sought refuge through the night in the home of Daniel -Snyder, a neighbor, and returning to their home in the morning, they saw -four skulking Indians running away, who had with them the scalps just -taken from the heads of three children, two being yet alive. They also -ran across the body of a woman who had just been killed, with a -two-weeks old baby under her body, but unhurt. - -Colonel Weiser dispatched a second letter the same day to Governor -Morris in which he wrote: - -“That night after my arrival from Philadelphia, Emanuel Carpenter and -Simon Adam Kuhn, Esqr’s., came to my House and lodged with me. They -acquainted me that a meeting was appointed of the people of Tulpenhacon -and Heidelberg and adjacent places in Tulpenhacon Township at Benjamin -Spicker’s early next morning. I made all the haste with the Indians I -could, and gave them a letter to Thos. McKee, to furnish them with -necessaries for their journey. Scarouady had no creature to ride on. I -gave him one. - -“Before I could get done with the Indians 3 or 4 Men came from Benja. -Spickers to warn the Indians not to go that way, for the People were so -enraged against all the Indians & would kill them without distinction. I -went with them; so did the Gentlemen before named. - -“When we came near Benjamin Spickers I saw about 400 or 500 men, and -there was loud noise, I rode before, and in riding along the road and -armed men on both Sides of the Road I heard some say, why must we be -killed by the Indians and we not kill them? Why are our Hands so tied? - -“I got the Indians to the House with much adoe, where I treated them -with a small Dram, and so parted in Love and Friendship. Capt’n -Diefenbach undertook to conduct them, with five other men, to the -Susquehanna. After this a sort of a counsel of war was held by the -officers present, the before named and other Freeholders. - -“It was agreed that 150 men should be raised immediately to serve as out -scouts, and as Guards at Certain Places under the Kittitany Hills for 40 -days. That those so raised to have 2 Shillings a Day & 2 Pounds of -Bread, 2 Pounds of Beaff and a Jill of Rum, and Powder and lead. Arms -they must find themselves. - -“This Scheme was signed by a good many Freeholders and read to the -People. They cried out that so much for an Indian Scalp would they have, -be they Friends or Enemies, from the Governor. I told them I had no such -Power from the Governor nor Assembly. They began, some to Curse the -Governor; some the Assembly; called me a Traitor of the Country who held -with the Indians, and must have known this murder beforehand. I sat in -the House by a Lowe window, some of my friends came to pull me away from -it, telling me some of the people threatened to shoot me. - -“I offered to go out to the People and either Pasefy them or make the -King’s Proclamation: But those in the House with me would not let me go -out. The cry was, The Land was betrayed and sold. The Common People from -Lancaster (now Lebanon County) were the worst. The Wages they said was a -Trifle and some Body pocketed the Rest, and they would resent it. Some -Body had put it in their Head that I had it in my power to give them as -much as I pleased. I was in Danger of being Shot to Death. - -“In the mean Time a great smoke arose under Tulpenhacon Mountain, with -the news following that the Indians had committed a murder on Mill Creek -(a false alarm) and set fire to a Barn, most of the People Ran, and -those that had Horses Rode off without any Order or Regulation. I then -took my Horse and went Home, where I intend to stay and defend my own -House as long as I can. The People of Tulpenhacon all fled; till about 6 -or 7 miles from me some few remains. Another such attack will lay all -the Country waste on the West side of Schuylkill.” - -There is undoubted sarcasm in Colonel Weiser’s account of how the people -fled upon the first faint rumor of an Indian attack, after they had made -mob threats against him, yet the gravity of the situation cannot be -questioned. - -The principal inhabitants sent a petition to the Governor, November 24, -in which they recited their distress and accurately stated the lack of -order and discipline among the people. They believed a reward should be -offered for Indian scalps. - - ---------- - - - - - Indian Shoots at Major Washington While - on Important Mission November - 15, 1753 - - -George Washington had several very narrow escapes from tragic death a -long time before he led the Continental Army through the eight years of -the Revolution, and on one occasion was actually shot at by a -treacherous Indian guide. - -Late in the year of 1753 Governor Dinwiddie dispatched Major Washington -on an important mission to the Ohio River, in Pennsylvania, where he was -to convene the Indian chiefs at Logstown, learn from them the designs -and strength of the French; then proceed to the principal French post, -present his credentials and in the name of his Britannic Majesty demand -the object of their invasion. - -He departed from Williamsburg, the seat of Government of Virginia, on -October 31, 1753. The route he was to pursue was about 560 miles in -great part over high and rugged mountains, and more than half of the way -through the heart of the wilderness, where no traces of civilization as -yet appeared. - -He arrived at Wills Creek, November 15, when John Davidson, an Indian -interpreter, and Jacob Vanbraam, a Dutchman, but acquainted with the -French language, were employed to accompany him. He was also fortunate -in securing the services of Christopher Gist, a surveyor and guide, who -was always his companion on this mission. - -At length they arrived at the forks of the Ohio, where Pittsburgh now -stands. Washington was impressed with the advantages it afforded as a -military post. - -They hastened to Logstown, twenty miles below the forks, where -Washington held conferences with Shingas, Lawmolach and Monakatuatha, -the Half-King. The latter had been sent by several tribes to the -headquarters of French, and he related to Washington the substance of -the speech he made on that mission. - -Washington made a speech to the chiefs, and gave them a belt of wampum. -The Indians consulted and made a friendly reply and promised an escort -as soon as their young warriors would return from hunting, but -Washington could not wait and on November 30, his party set out, -accompanied by four Indians only, Half-King being of the number. - -The post of the French Commandant was 120 miles distant and they arrived -there December 11. - -M. de St. Pierre, the commandant, promised immediate attention to the -letter from Governor Dinwiddie and provided for the comfort of Major -Washington and his party. During the two days the French officers were -framing an answer, Washington examined the fort, and made accurate -description of its form and size. - -Washington and Gist clad themselves in Indian dress and set out on foot, -leaving the weak and miserable horses to transport the baggage as best -they could. - -The next day an adventure occurred which is well narrated by Mr. Gist in -his diary: - -“We rose early in the morning, and set out about two o clock, and got to -the Murdering Town on the southeast fork of Beaver Creek. Here we met -with an Indian, whom I thought I had seen at Joncaire’s, at Venango, -when on our journey up to the French fort. - -“This fellow called me by an Indian name, and pretended to be glad to -see me. He asked us several questions, as, how we came to travel on -foot, when we left Venango, where we parted with our horses, and when -they would be there. Major Washington insisted on traveling by the -nearest way to the Forks of the Allegheny. We asked the Indian if he -could go with us and show us the nearest way. The Indian seemed very -glad, and ready to go with us; upon which we set out, and the Indian -took the Major’s pack. - -“We traveled very brisk for eight or ten miles, when the Major’s feet -grew very sore. The Major desired to encamp; upon which the Indian asked -to carry his gun, but he refused. Then the Indian grew churlish, and -pressed us to keep on, telling us there were Ottawa Indians in those -woods, and they would scalp us if we lay out; but go to his cabin and we -should be safe. - -“I thought very ill of the fellow, but did not care to let the Major -know I mistrusted him. But he soon mistrusted him as much as I did. The -Indian said he could hear a gun from his cabin and steered up more -northwardly. We grew uneasy and then he said two whoops might be heard -from his cabin. We went two miles farther. Then the Major said he would -stay at the next water. - -“We desired the Indian to stop at the next water, but before we came to -water, we came to a clear meadow. It was very light and snow was on the -ground. - -“The Indian made a stop and turned about. The Major saw him point his -gun towards us and he fired. Said the Major, ‘Are you shot?’ ‘No,’ said -I; upon which the Indian ran forward to a big standing light oak and -began loading his gun, but we were soon with him. I would have killed -him, but the Major would not suffer me. We let him charge his gun. We -found he put in a ball; then we took care of him. Either the Major or I -always stood by the guns. We made him make a fire for us by a little -run, as if we intended to sleep there.” - -The Indian was sent ahead to his cabin and Washington and Gist traveled -all night, reaching Piny Creek in the morning. - -Whether it was the intention of the Indian to kill either of them can -only be conjectured. The circumstances were extremely suspicious. Major -Washington hints at this incident in his journal. - -The next night, at dusk, the travelers came to the Allegheny River, a -little above Shannopino, where they expected to cross over on the ice. -In that they were disappointed, the river being frozen only a few yards -on each side, and a great body of broken ice driving rapidly down the -current. - -There was no way of getting over the river but on a raft, which they set -about to build with the aid of but one poor hatchet. They worked hard -all day and finished the raft just after sundown. They launched their -raft, got aboard and pushed off. But before they got to midstream they -got caught in an ice jam. Washington set his pole in an effort to stop -the raft, but the current threw the raft against his pole with much -violence and he was hurled out into ten feet of water. He fortunately -saved himself by grabbing hold of a raft log, and was assisted aboard by -his companions, but in spite of all their efforts they could not get the -raft to either shore, but were obliged to land on a small island and -encamp for the night. - -Mr. Gist’s hands and feet were frozen and their sufferings through the -night were extreme. The ice had formed during the night of sufficient -thickness to bear their weight, and they crossed over without accident, -and the same day traveled about ten miles, reaching a trading post -established by John Frazier, at Turtle Creek, near the spot where -eighteen months afterward was fought the memorable battle of the -Monongahela. - -Anxious to hasten back and report to Governor Dinwiddie the result of -his mission, Major Washington and Mr. Gist recrossed the Allegheny -Mountains to Gist’s house on Wills Creek and thence Washington proceeded -with dispatch to Williamsburg, where he arrived on January 16, 1754, -having been absent eleven weeks. - - ---------- - - - - - John Binns, English Political Prisoner, - American Politician and Editor, Died - November 16, 1860 - - -John Binns was one of the most influential citizens of the State during -the quarter century of which the War of 1812 might be considered the -central period. He was a politician, but more than all else an editor, -who was a fearless and trenchant writer. - -Binns had experienced a stormy life in England before he came to -America. He was born December 22, 1772, in the city of Dublin, Ireland, -and received a fair education at an English school. - -April, 1794, he went to London and soon became a member of the London -Corresponding Society, an event which gave much color to his future -life. This society was the leading opposition to the Crown and many of -its members were arrested and tried for high treason. Binns was an -officer and most active member, and was soon in trouble, being arrested, -March 11, 1796, while making an address in Birmingham, and imprisoned in -“The Dungeon,” charged with “delivering seditious and inflammatory -lectures.” - -Binns was mixed up in the movement of the United Irishmen to have France -make an invasion of Ireland. He was arrested four times for the same -offense, and was sentenced to Clerkwell Prison. Soon as he was -liberated, he was again arrested for high treason, and sent to the Tower -of London, where he was confined under a strict watch. - -After a number of trials he was freed, only to be again arrested, and -confined in Gloucester prison, where he was ill-treated. On his -liberation he embarked, July 1, 1801, for the United States and landed -in Baltimore September 1. - -Upon his arrival at Baltimore, he hired three wagons, loaded them with -his personal effects, and set out, on foot to accompany them to -Northumberland, where he proposed to reside. At Harrisburg he hired a -boat, and helped push it up the Susquehanna. At Northumberland he joined -Dr. Joseph Priestley and Judge Thomas Cooper, two former Englishmen, who -had sought refuge there. - -Dr. Priestley lived an ideal life of peace and usefulness in -Northumberland, but Dr. Cooper, the most learned man of his time, a -Judge, president of two different colleges, and renowned chemist, was so -violent in his politics that he was imprisoned for a libel on President -John Adams. - -On July 4, 1802, John Binns delivered an oration, which was printed in -the Northumberland Gazette, the only paper published beyond Harrisburg, -in the State, at that time. The many criticisms of this oration led to a -lengthy newspaper controversy, and finally resulted in John Binns -establishing at Northumberland the Republican Argus, which soon became -one of the best and most widely known papers in Pennsylvania. - -John Binns, from that date and for many years thereafter, became a -dominant factor in politics. About this time he fought a duel, near -Milton, with a man from Williamsport, named Samuel Stewart, which was -one of the last duels fought on Pennsylvania soil. - -In January, 1807, he was urged by the influential Democrats to remove -from Northumberland to Philadelphia and to establish a newspaper there. -The Aurora had lost its punch; William J. Duane was losing his grip as a -leader, and Binns’ power and influence were in the ascendent. - -Binns yielded to these solicitations and the first number of the -Democratic Press appeared in Philadelphia March 27, 1807. He was advised -against using the world “Democratic” in his paper’s title, and later -took much satisfaction in having started the first paper anywhere -published under the name. He claimed the title of his paper led to the -change of the party name to “Democratic.” - -Binns was an ardent friend and admirer of Simon Snyder, then Speaker of -the House of Representatives. Governor McKean defeated Snyder, “the -Pennsylvania Dutchman,” but the latter was again returned to the House -and elected Speaker. - -Snyder was again nominated in 1808. During this campaign Binns wrote a -series of letters, over the signature of “One of the People,” addressed -to Governor McKean, which were published in all the Democratic -newspapers of the State, and also in pamphlets. - -Binns had no sooner arrived in Philadelphia than he had a clash with Dr. -Michael Leib, who had been the autocratic political leader, but for some -years with lessening power. - -The Democratic Press openly opposed Dr. Leib’s candidacy for re-election -to the General Assembly, claiming the doctor was the cause of the -dissensions among the Republican Party. Leib was elected, but by a much -reduced majority than the other Republican candidate received, and Duane -was defeated for the Senate. The Aurora groaned aloud at this “first -Federal triumph” since Jefferson’s election. - -From its first issue Binn’s paper was highly successful. It soon was -published daily. Its circulation increased rapidly and in the same -proportion the Aurora began to lose subscribers. - -The power of Binns was increased in the election of Simon Snyder as -Governor in 1808. Duane and Leib were, at heart, opposed to Snyder, but -could not stem the tide and supported him. - -Dr. Leib was elected to the United States Senate in 1809, but Duane was -not pleased with Governor Snyder. The Press defended him. The Aurora -criticized his conduct and was soon in opposition in all that he did. By -August the Aurora threatened the Governor with impeachment, and in -October announced he should never again be Governor. - -Binns called the Aurora and its supporters “The Philadelphia Junto,” and -they soon joined with the Federalists. Binns already was in favor of a -war with England, and he was active in pledging support to the -Administration. - -In 1811, Governor Snyder was overwhelmingly re-elected, and by 1812 -Binns was even stronger as a leader, possibly increased by his war -enthusiasm. The Democratic Press published strong articles on the war, -while the Aurora was silent. - -In fall of 1813 the Democrats were successful, but in 1814, though -Snyder was elected for a third term by 20,000 votes over Wayne, and the -State Legislature was strongly Democratic, yet the Federalists were -largely successful in Philadelphia. - -Leib was appointed postmaster at Philadelphia in February, 1814, but the -opposition was too strong and he was removed, and passed off the -political stage. Duane, who was supreme for a time, antagonized large -numbers of his party, and finally yielded to Binns, who completely took -from him his power. - -Binns was an aid on the staff of Governor Snyder, with rank of -Lieutenant Colonel and was actively engaged during the War of 1812–14. - -Governor Snyder always remained a close and intimate friend of Binns, -and while he was in office, Binns exercised great power, but only -maintained his sway a few years after Snyder’s last term. - -Binns bitterly opposed Jackson for President. He issued the famous -coffin handbills in 1828, and excited thereby such opposition that his -house was mobbed, Binns escaping by the roof. - -He was appointed an alderman by Governor Hiester in 1822, and in 1829 -the publication of the Democratic Press ceased. - -John Binns died November 16, 1860. - - ---------- - - - - - Administration of Sir William Keith as - Deputy-Governor. He Died - November 17, 1749 - - -During the administration of Sir William Keith, Deputy-Governor of the -Province, July, 1718, to July, 1726, a difficulty arose between the -Southern Indians upon the Shenandoah, and those resident upon the -Susquehanna in the Province of Pennsylvania, respecting the limits of -their hunting grounds. Hostilities between them seemed imminent. It was -necessary to settle these difficulties amicably or the peace of the -Province was seriously threatened. - -To avert this, says Proud, Governor Keith paid a visit to the Governor -of Virginia, with whom he framed a convention, confining the Indians on -the North and South of the Potomac to their respective side of that -river. A conference was held with the Pennsylvania Indians and the Five -Nations, at Conestoga, July 6, 1721, when this convention was fully -ratified. - -Governor Keith made this visit in state. He was attended by seventy -horsemen, many of them were armed. He was welcomed upon his return at -the upper ferry on the Schuylkill, by Mayor William Fishbourne and the -Aldermen of Philadelphia, accompanied by two hundred of the most -respectable citizens, who conducted him through the streets after the -manner of a hero returned from a conquest. - -Trouble over the boundary arose when the Governor of Maryland proposed -making a survey on the Susquehanna, within the limits of the present -York County. - -Governor Keith resolved to resist this attempt by force, and ordered out -a militia company from New Castle. The Provincial Council discouraged -this show of violence. - -The Indians became alarmed at the encroachments of the Marylanders and -conveyed to Governor Keith a large tract of land, that he might have a -better title to resist them. This land was given for the use of -Springett Penn, the grandson of William Penn, and was afterwards known -by the name of Springettsbury Manor. - -The fears of the Province were soon after awakened by a quarrel between -two brothers named Cartlidge and an Indian near Conestoga, in which the -Indian was killed, with many evidences of cruelty. The known principles -of revenge professed by the Indians gave reason to apprehend severe -retaliation. Policy and justice required a rigid inquiry and punishment -of the murderers. - -Governor Keith took prompt measures for their apprehension and the -Assembly ordered a coroner’s inquest, though the body had been buried -two months, and the arrest of the Cartlidge brothers. - -Messengers were dispatched to the Five Nations to deprecate hostilities, -and, to prevent further irregularities, the prohibition of sale of -spirituous liquors to the Indians was re-enacted, with additional -penalties. - -The Indians invited Governor Keith and the governors of Virginia, New -York, and the New England colonies, to meet with them in council at -Albany, where with great magnanimity, the Indians pardoned the offense -of the Cartlidges, and requested they might be discharged without -further punishment. The address of the Indian sachem is worth repeating: - -“The great King of the Five Nations is sorry for the death of the Indian -that was killed, for he was of his own flesh and blood; he believes the -Governor is also sorry; but, now that it is done, there is no help for -it, and he desires that Cartlidge may not be put to death, nor that he -should be spared for a time and afterwards executed; one life is enough -to be lost; there should not two die. The King’s heart is good to the -Governor, and all the English.” - -Governor Keith was attended on this journey to Albany by Messrs. Hill, -Norris, and Hamilton, of his Council. - -A considerable part of the emigration to the colonies was composed of -servants, who were of two classes. The first and the larger part, were -poor and oppressed in the land of their nativity, sometimes the victims -of political changes or religious intolerance, who submitted to -temporary servitude, as a price of freedom, plenty and peace. The -second, vagrants and felons, the dregs of the British populace, who were -cast by the mother country upon her colonies, with the most selfish -disregard of the feelings she outraged. - -As early as 1682 the Council proposed to prohibit convicts from the -province, but as none had entered and this was only prospective, no law -was enacted. Now the Council did enact such a law, by placing a duty of -five pounds upon every convicted felon brought into the Province, and -the importer was also required to give surety for the good behavior of -the convict for one year. - -In the year 1722 there were commercial embarrassments caused by the -deficiency of the circulating medium. Governor Keith proposed to -overcome this difficulty by the introduction of paper money. The -Assembly moved with caution, for they had full knowledge of the mistakes -of the colonies, and issued only £15,000 on favorable terms to keep up -their credit. This act was passed March 2, 1723. The emission proved of -advantage but was insufficient, so towards the end of the year £30,000 -more were emitted on the same terms. - -Governor Keith, in espousing this popular cause, pleased the Assembly -but incurred the displeasure of the Proprietary party and its leader, -James Logan. Complications arose which eventuated in the triumph of -Logan and the deposition of Keith, who was decidedly the most successful -of the Proprietary Governors. - -Franklin said of Keith, that “he differed from the great body of the -people whom he governed, in religion and manners, yet he acquired their -esteem and confidence. If he sought popularity, he promoted the public -happiness; and his courage in resisting the demands of the family may be -ascribed to a higher motive than private interest. The conduct of the -Assembly toward him was neither honorable nor polite; for his sins -against his principles were virtues to the people, with whom he was -deservedly a favorite; and the House should have given him substantial -marks of their gratitude as would have tempted his successors to walk in -his steps. But fear of further offence to the Proprietary family, the -influence of Logan, and a quarrel between the Governor and Lloyd, turned -their attention from him to his successor.” - -After his removal, Sir William Keith resided in the Province, and was -elected to the Assembly, but he manifested a most unjustifiable and -malicious spirit, and caused dissensions in the administration of his -successor. His power and influence rapidly waned. - -In 1729 he returned to England, where, it is sad to record, he died in -obscurity, in London, November 17, 1749. - -“It may be very little known,” says Watson, “that he who moved with so -much excitement and as our Governor in 1726, should at last fall into -such neglect, as to leave his widow among us unnoticed and almost -forgotten! She lived and died in a small wooden house on Third Street, -between High and Mulberry. There, much pinched for subsistence, she eked -out her existence with an old female, declining all intercourse with -society or with her neighbors. The house itself was burnt in 1786.” - -Lady Ann Keith died July 31, 1740, aged 65 years, and lies entombed at -Christ Church graveyard. - - ---------- - - - - - Governor Joseph Hiester, Distinguished - Revolutionary Officer and Statesman, - Born November 18, 1872 - - -In the early settlement of that part of Pennsylvania which is now -included within the limits of Berks County a large portion of the -population was drawn from those parts of Germany bordering on or near -the River Rhine. - -Among these sturdy emigrants were three brothers, John, Joseph and -Daniel Hiester. - -John, the eldest, emigrated in 1732, and was followed in 1737 by Joseph -and Daniel, who sailed in that year in the ship St. Andrew from -Rotterdam. - -These three brothers were sons of John and Catherine Hiester and their -birthplace was the village of Elcoff in the county of Wittgenstein, in -the province of Westphalia, Prussia. The father, John Hiester, was born -in January, 1708. - -The three brothers first settled in Goshenhoppen, then Philadelphia, now -Montgomery County. Soon after the arrival of Joseph and Daniel, they -purchased of the Proprietary Government a tract of several thousand -acres in Bern Township, now Berks County. - -Here John and Joseph settled, and the Hiester family in America are -their descendants. Here was born a patriot of the Revolution, -distinguished citizen and statesman, who afterwards became a governor of -the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. - -Joseph Hiester, son of John Hiester, was born in Bern Township, November -18, 1752. - -He spent his early days on the farm and in the intervals of the routine -from labor, Joseph received the rudiments of an English and German -education under the supervision of the pastor of Bern Reformed Church. - -In 1771, in his nineteenth year, he married Elizabeth Whitman, daughter -of Adam Whitman, of Reading, to which place he soon removed, and went -into the mercantile business with his father-in-law. - -Joseph Hiester was an ardent Whig in politics and took an aggressive -part in espousing the cause of the Revolution. - -As a representative of that party he was chosen a member of the -Pennsylvania Conference, which met in Philadelphia, June 18, 1776, and -which in reality assumed the government of the Province, called a -convention to frame a new constitution, gave instructions for the -guidance of its representatives in Congress, and authorized the calling -out of troops for the Continental Army. In all these proceedings he was -a warm supporter of the popular cause. - -He was then a captain of militia, and no sooner had the conference -adjourned, than he hastened home and aroused the young men of Reading -and vicinity to the importance of enlisting in the cause of American -independence, at that time but feebly supported. - -Joseph Hiester called together, by beat of drum, his fellow-townsmen, to -take into consideration the alarming state and gloomy prospects of their -country. He explained to them the perilous situation of General -Washington in New Jersey, and urged them to enlist and march to his -support. - -He was heard with attention and respect, and his proposition was kindly -received. He then laid forty dollars on the drum-head and said: “I will -give this sum as a bounty, and the appointment of a sergeant to the -first man who will subscribe to the articles of association to form a -volunteer company to march forthwith and join the Commander-in-Chief; -and I will also pledge myself to furnish the company with blankets and -necessary funds for their equipment, and on the march!” - -This promise he honorably and faithfully fulfilled. - -Matthias Babb stepped forward, signed the article, and took the money -from the drumhead. His example, and the further advancement of smaller -sums of money, induced twenty men that evening to subscribe to the -articles of association. In ten days Captain Joseph Hiester had enrolled -a company of eighty men. - -The company became a part of the Flying Camp, but soon Captain Hiester -was induced to extend his efforts, and a battalion was shortly obtained. -He could have been made their colonel but declined to be even a major, -so attached was he to his original company. - -When his command reached Elizabethtown, N. J., it was learned General -Washington had moved to Long Island. Captain Hiester used his best -endeavor to induce the men to advance, as they had enlisted only for -Pennsylvania service, and following his patriotic lead, they marched to -join Washington. - -The gallant captain little knew the hard fate that was to be his. In the -battle of Long Island he was taken prisoner, with most of his men, and -confined in the notorious prison-ship, Jersey, where they were subjected -to every indignity which refined cruelty could invent. - -After seven months’ imprisonment Captain Hiester was exchanged, and -returned in time to take part in the battle of Germantown, where he -received a wound in the head. - -In the varied fortunes of the patriot army he continued to share until -the close of the war. - -He was appointed by the Supreme Executive Council one of the -commissioners of exchange, April 5, 1779, and on October 21, following, -one of the committee to seize the personal effects of traitors. - -He was chosen to the General Assembly in 1780, and served almost -continuously from that date until 1790. - -He was a delegate to the Pennsylvania convention to ratify the Federal -Constitution in 1787, and in 1789, he was a member of the convention -which framed the State Constitution of 1790. He was chosen a -presidential elector in 1792, and again in 1796. - -He served in the fifth to eighth Congress, and again in the fifteenth -and sixteenth Congresses, and during his last term was elected Governor -of Pennsylvania by the Federalists, defeating Governor William Findlay, -in a campaign which for personal vituperation has never been equalled in -Pennsylvania. - -Governor Hiester’s administration was most successful, but he would not -allow himself to be nominated for a second term. - -Returning to Reading, he retired to private life, and died there June -10, 1832. - - ---------- - - - - - President Lincoln Delivered Address at Dedication - of the National Cemetery at - Gettysburg, November 19, 1863 - - -Abraham Lincoln made many notable speeches, the most prominent of which, -probably, were those delivered in his historic debates with Stephen A. -Douglas, the “Little Giant.” - -On his way from his home in Springfield to Washington for his -inauguration he made a number of speeches, the most notable of which was -delivered in Philadelphia in Independence Hall. But the most famous of -all his addresses as President was delivered November 19, 1863, at the -dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery on the battlefield of -Gettysburg. - -President Lincoln left Washington at noon on Wednesday, November 18, -1863. There were four passenger coaches, in which were seated the -President, members of his Cabinet, several foreign ministers, the -private secretaries of the President, officers of the Army and Navy, a -military detail serving as a guard, and newspaper correspondents. This -special train pulled into the town of Gettysburg about dark of that day. - -Mr. Lincoln passed the evening and night in the home of David Wills, who -was the special representative of Governor Andrew G. Curtin and the most -active agent in the establishment of the Soldiers’ Cemetery. - -Arnold, in his “History of Lincoln and the Overthrow of Slavery,” -asserts that the President while on his way from the White House to the -battlefield was notified that he would be expected to make some remarks, -and that asking for some paper a rough sheet of foolscap was handed to -him. Retiring to a seat by himself, with a pencil be wrote the address. - -Mrs. Andrews in her beautiful story entitled “The Perfect Tribute” says, -“The President appealed to Secretary Seward for the brown paper he had -just removed from a package of books: ‘May I have this to do a little -writing?’ and then with a stump of a pencil labored for hours over his -speech.” - -Contrary to those statements, General James B. Fry, who was present in -the car as one of the escort, says: - -“I have no recollection of seeing him writing or even reading his speech -during the journey; in fact, there was hardly any opportunity for him to -read or write.” - -That opinion is shared by no less an authority than Nicolay, the senior -of the President’s private secretaries, who in an interesting and highly -valuable paper on the Gettysburg address, says: - -“There is neither record, evidence, nor well-founded tradition that Mr. -Lincoln did any writing or made any notes on the journey between -Washington and Gettysburg. The many interruptions incident to the -journey, together with the rocking and jolting of the train, made -writing virtually impossible.” - -Morory in his “History of the United States for Schools,” says: “There -is conclusive evidence that the words of the address were not written -out until after the presidential party had arrived on the ground”; and -in an appendix it is stated: - -“The following account of how the address was written was received -directly from the lips of ex-Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, who was -present on the occasion and knew whereof he affirmed. Governor Curtin -said that after the arrival of the party from Washington, while the -President and his Cabinet, Edward Everett, the orator of the day, -Governor Curtin, and others were sitting in the parlor of the hotel, the -President remarked that he understood that the committee expected him to -say something. He would, therefore, if they would excuse him, retire to -the next room and see if he could write out something.” - -The Hon. Edward McPherson, of Gettysburg, for many years Clerk of the -House of Representatives and father of the present Judge Hon. Donald P. -McPherson, of Adams County, said in 1875, that after Lincoln had retired -to his room on the night of the 18th he sent for his host and “inquired -the order of exercises for the next day and begun to put in writing what -he called some stray thoughts to utter on the morrow.” Mr. Wills always -believed the address was written in his house and said in 1893, as he -had earlier, that the President read “from the same paper on which I had -seen him writing it the night before.” - -Noah Brooks, a newspaper correspondent at Washington during the war, who -was on terms of friendly intimacy, declared that a few days prior to -November 19, 1863, Lincoln told him that Mr. Everett had kindly sent him -a copy of his oration in order that the same ground might not be gone -over by both. The President added, “There is no danger that I shall; my -speech is all blocked out—it is very short.” - -Ward H. Lamon, a personal friend and chief marshal of the ceremonies at -Gettysburg, in his “Recollections of Abraham Lincoln,” states that Mr, -Lincoln read to him, a day or two before the dedication, what he claims -to have been in substance, if not in exact words, what was afterward -printed in his famous Gettysburg speech. - -Senator Simon Cameron, also asserted, in a newspaper interview, that he -had seen a draft of the address in the White House before the President -left Washington. - -Such are the divergent testimonies concerning the preparation of the -Address. Fortunately there exists documentary evidence to substantiate -the statements of Noah Brooks, Ward H. Lamon and Senator Cameron and to -establish conclusively that the address was the outcome of deliberation -and careful thought. - -That is further emphasized in the wording of the formal invitation to -the President, which was written on November 2, and specifically stated -that “it is the desire that you as Chief Executive of the Nation -formally set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few -appropriate remarks.” - -The address has been so long and so generously accepted as the highest -expression of American oratory, that it is difficult to realize that it -ever had less appreciation than now. The testimonies of those who heard -the address delivered differ widely as to the reception given and as to -the impression it made. - -Bates in his “History of the Battle of Gettysburg,” in 1875, says: “Its -delivery was more solemn and impressive than is possible to conceive -from its perusal.” - -Arnold says: “Before the last sentence was completed, a thrill of -feeling like an electric spark pervaded the crowd. As he closed, and the -tears and sobs and cheers which expressed the emotions of the people -subsided, he turned to Everett and, grasping his hand, said, ‘I -congratulate you on your success.’ The orator gratefully replied, 'Ah! -Mr. President, how gladly would I exchange all my hundred pages to have -been the author of your twenty lines’.” Major Nickerson, Robert Miller -and many others commented on a similar vein. - -The reports of the address, published November 20, 1863, in the Public -Ledger, the North American, the Press, and the Bulletin, of -Philadelphia, were furnished by the Associated Press, the text is -identical in each. But many variations of this address are to be found -even today. - -Not until the war itself had ended and the great leader had fallen did -the Nation realize that this speech had given to Gettysburg another -claim to immortality and to American eloquence its highest glory. - - ---------- - - - - - The Seneca Chief Hiokatoo, “Most Cruel - Human Being,” Died November - 20, 1811 - - -The second husband of Mary Jemison, the celebrated Indian captive known -as “The White Woman of the Genesee” was Chief Hiokatoo, who she -describes as the most cruel human being of whom we have any authentic -record. - -When Mary Jemison was an old woman she related the thrilling narrative -of her long life among the Indians. Nothing told by the venerable -captive was more thrilling than the life of Hiokatoo, also known as -Gardow. - -She says: “He was an old man when I first saw him, but he was by no -means enervated. During the nearly fifty years that I lived with him, I -received, according to Indian customs, all the kindness and attention -that was my due as his wife. Although war was his trade from youth till -old age and decrepitude stopped his career, he uniformly treated me with -tenderness, and never offered an insult. - -“I have frequently heard him repeat the history of his life from his -childhood; and when he came to that part which related to his actions, -his bravery and his valor in war; when he spoke of the ambush, the -combat, the spoiling of his enemies and the sacrifice of the victims, -his nerves seemed strung with youthful ardor. The warmth of the able -warrior seemed to animate his frame and to produce the heated gestures -he had practiced in middle age. He was a man of tender feelings to his -friends, ready and willing to assist them in distress. Yet, as a -warrior, his cruelties to his enemies perhaps were unparalleled, and -will not admit of a word of palliation. - -“Hiokatoo was born in one of the tribes of the Six Nations that -inhabited the banks of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, in -Pennsylvania. He belonged to a tribe of the Seneca nation. He was a -cousin to Farmer’s Brother, a chief who has been justly celebrated for -his worth. Their mothers were sisters, and it was through the influence -of Farmer’s Brother that I became the wife of Hiokatoo. - -“In early life Hiokatoo showed signs of thirst for blood by attending -only to the art of war, in the use of the tomahawk and scalping knife -and in practicing cruelties upon everything that chanced to fall into -his hands which was susceptible of pain. In that way he learned to use -his implements of war effectually and at the same time blunted all those -fine feelings and tender sympathies that are naturally excited by seeing -or hearing a fellow being in distress. - -“He could inflict the most excruciating tortures upon his enemies and -prided himself upon his fortitude in having performed the most barbarous -ceremonies and tortures without the least degree of pity or remorse. -Thus qualified, when very young he was initiated into scenes of carnage -by being engaged in the wars that prevailed among the Indian tribes.” - -In 1731 he was appointed a runner and assisted in collecting an army to -go against the Catawba, Cherokee and other Southern Indians. In one -great battle of this war the Northern Indians ambushed their enemies and -in two days massacred 1200 of their Southern enemies. - -During the French and Indian War Hiokatoo was in every battle that was -fought along the Susquehanna and Ohio Rivers. At Braddock’s defeat he -took two white prisoners and burned them alive in a fire of his own -kindling. - -Mary Jemison says he participated in the battle at Fort Freeland, on -Warrior Run, Northumberland County, July 28, 1779. She says: - -“Hiokatoo was in command of the 300 Seneca Indians, and that Captain -John MacDonald commanded more than one hundred British regulars. -Hiokatoo, with the help of a few Indians, tomahawked every wounded -American while earnestly begging with uplifted hands for quarter.” - -In an expedition against Cherry Valley, N. Y., Hiokatoo was second in -command. This force of hundreds of Indians was determined upon the total -destruction of the whites. - -Besides these instances, he was in a number of parties during the -Revolution, where he ever acted a conspicuous part. - -When Tory Colonel John Butler and Chief Joe Brant were making their -terrible incursions against the settlers in lower New York and -Pennsylvania they frequently resided with Chief Hiokatoo and his wife, -Mary Jemison, at their home in the German Flats. - -During General Sullivan’s expedition against the Indians in the summer -of 1779, Hiokatoo was most active in his attempt to frustrate his plans. -During this march Lieutenant Thomas Boyd was captured by the Indians in -ambush. While Chief Little Beard was in command at Boyd’s cruel -execution, Hiokatoo was a close second. - -Hiokatoo was one of the leading actors in the diabolical scene following -the capture of Colonel William Crawford, July, 1782, when he was put to -death after the most inhuman barbarities were inflicted upon him. - -The cruel Indian chief was assisted in these fiendish scenes by Simon -Girty, the white savage renegade and outlaw Tory. Hiokatoo was the -leading chief in the battle which destroyed Colonel Crawford’s command -and personally directed the colonel’s execution. He painted Dr. Knight’s -face black with his own hands and had him conducted to the place where -he was to be executed. Dr. Knight escaped during the night and was able -to reach his home and give the horrid details of Crawford’s execution. - -Chief Hiokatoo served in seventeen campaigns during the period of the -Revolution, until his death, which occurred on November 20, 1811, at the -advanced age of 103 years. - -Hiokatoo was about six feet four inches tall, large boned and rather -inclined to leanness. He was very powerful and active for a man of his -unusual size, and his wife said of him that he never found an Indian who -could keep up with him in a race or throw him wrestling. - -His eye was quick and penetrating and his voice was so harsh and -powerful that amongst the Indians it always commanded attention. His -health was uniformly good, and he was never confined by illness until -attacked with tuberculosis when quite 100 years of age. - -During his married life as the husband of the White Woman of the Genesee -he was the father of four daughters and two sons. The elder of the two -sons, John, killed his half-brother, Thomas, in a family feud which had -existed between them since John was born, although Thomas was a fine -character and John dissolute. - -John a few years later, May, 1812, killed his own brother, Jesse, in a -drunken frenzy, inflicting no less than eighteen wounds with a knife, -each so deep that it would have been fatal. Jesse was twenty-seven years -old and had been more like his mother than the other children. He -shunned the Indian frolics, dressed and acted more like a white man and -was sober and industrious. - -Thus we see the cruelty of old Chief Hiokatoo inherited by his own son -and inflicted upon his own blood in a most fiendish manner. - - ---------- - - - - - Delegates to the Constitutional Convention - Chosen November 21, 1789 - - -On November 5, 1788, General Thomas Mifflin succeeded Dr. Benjamin -Franklin as president of the Supreme Executive Council. Dr. Franklin was -now eighty-two years old and desired to be relieved of so exacting a -responsibility and declined the re-election, which was assured him. At -the same time George Ross, of Lancaster, was elected vice president. - -The first election for electors of President and Vice President of the -United States, under the new Constitution was held January 7, 1789. The -Federal ticket was successful. The ten votes of Pennsylvania were given -to General George Washington as President, and eight votes for John -Adams, and two for John Hancock, for Vice President. - -The National Government, feeble at first, had no buildings and no home. -During seven years of Washington’s term as President the capital was at -Philadelphia. Congress met at Sixth and Chestnut Streets. The Supreme -Court met at Fifth and Chestnut Streets. The President lived on Market -Street below Sixth Street. The Government of the United States has never -paid the rent for these public buildings and in its infancy and -weakness, Pennsylvania gave our National Government a home without -compensation therefor. - -The Constitution of Pennsylvania as adopted in 1776, had long since -proved inadequate for the requirements of a useful and effective -government, and its revision was demanded. The Assembly, March 24, 1789, -adopted resolutions recommending the election of delegates to form a new -Constitution. The Supreme Executive Council refused to promulgate this -action of the Assembly. In September following the Assembly adopted -resolutions for calling a convention. - -At the election in October delegates were chosen and on November 21, -1789, the convention assembled in Philadelphia, and organized with the -election of General Thomas Mifflin, Chief Executive of the State, as -President of the convention. The sessions of the convention were long -and tedious, and an adjournment was had for a time in 1790, but their -labors were concluded, and the new Constitution adopted September 2, -1790. - -The most radical changes were made in the executive and legislative -branches of the Government. The Assembly ceased to have the sole right -to make laws, a Senate being created. The Supreme Executive Council was -abolished. A Governor was directed to be elected, to whom the -administration of affairs was to be intrusted. - -The former judicial system was continued, excepting that the Judges of -the higher courts were to be appointed during good behavior instead of -for seven years. The Bill of Rights re-enacted the old provincial -provision copied into the first Constitution respecting freedom of -worship, rights of conscience and exemptions from compulsory -contribution for the support of any ministry. - -The recognition of God and of a future state of rewards and punishments -was still demanded of all holding office, but a belief in the divine -inspiration of the Old and New Testaments was not included. The Council -of Censors ceased to have authority, and Pennsylvania conformed in all -important matters to the system upon which the new Federal Government -was to be administered. - -The first election held in Pennsylvania under the new Constitution of -the Commonwealth—that of 1790—resulted in the election of General Thomas -Mifflin, then president of the Supreme Executive Council, who had -presided at the forming of the new instrument. Mifflin had little or no -opposition. His election was evident from the start, for there were no -real issues. The result turned chiefly on his better-known personal -qualities. Parties had not yet become crystallized with definite issues. - -General Arthur St. Clair, his opponent, was highly esteemed as a citizen -and brilliant soldier, but the popularity of Mifflin carried him in -triumph, and for three terms he was chosen to the chief magistracy of -Pennsylvania. His success was his own; he builded his own house. - -Governor Mifflin’s chief political adviser was Alexander J. Dallas, who -was appointed to the office of Secretary of the Commonwealth. That was a -wise selection. Dallas was young, but brilliant and deeply interested in -politics. He knew the leading men of the State and maintained a close -relationship with them. - -With the new Constitution functioning, the course of legislation turned -in various channels. The promotion of internal improvements which have -since become so important in Pennsylvania, and other enterprises of a -less public character, soon demanded the attention of the General -Assembly. - -One of the first measures was that urged by the Society for the -Improvement of Roads and Canals, and which contemplated the construction -of highways and artificial waterways at the expense of the State. This -suggestion aroused such a storm of opposition that the Legislature was -compelled to reject the original proposition and to pass bills providing -only partial and doubtful encouragement for their establishment by -private enterprise. - -A long and valuable report was made February 19, 1791, which embodied -the results of examinations made previously. The committee reported that -the Delaware River could be made an important channel for the trade of -New York by the construction of a portage canal of nineteen miles; that -a safe boat and raft navigation might be made to the northern boundary -of the State for £25,000. They gave an estimate of the grain which was -brought down the Susquehanna and the Juniata and they reported on the -probable trade along the Allegheny River and how it could be increased -by canals at certain places. - -They recommended that the Governor should issue a proclamation inviting -proposals for building canals and locks in and near the waters of the -Tulpehocken and Quittapahilla; for a canal from Frankstown to Poplar -Run, and for clearing the Susquehanna from Wright’s Ferry to Havre de -Grace. They also wanted proposals for a turnpike from Philadelphia -through Lancaster to the Susquehanna and for other roads throughout the -State. - -A bill was passed April 6, 1792, and in August Governor Mifflin apprised -the Legislature that he had made contracts for the improvements of -certain streams, but that “several propositions had not yet met with -persons willing to undertake the specified work.” - -During the year 1793 the Bank of Pennsylvania was incorporated by the -Legislature, the opinion being expressed that it would “promote the -regular, permanent and successful operations of the finances of the -State and be productive of great benefit to trade and industry in -general.” - -The State subscribed for one-third of the entire stock and branches were -established at Lancaster, Harrisburg, Reading, Easton and Pittsburgh. -These were discontinued in 1810; in 1843 the State sold its stock, and -with the great financial crisis of 1857 the Bank of Pennsylvania sank in -ruin. - - ---------- - - - - - Joe Disberry, Remarkable Thief, First - Arrested November 22, 1783 - - -About the close of the Revolutionary War a notorious character named -Disberry lived between Selinsgrove and Sunbury. He was possessed of -great physical strength and had few superiors in running, jumping and -skating. But in thieving and lying he was considered a match for the -prince of darkness himself. - -So bold was he that, according to reminiscences preserved by early -settlers, he was known to enter the kitchen of a dwelling when the -family were in bed, start up a fire, cook a meal and eat at his leisure. -If disturbed in this agreeable occupation he relied on his swiftness of -foot to escape. - -At length Joe became so notorious on account of his thieving -propensities that the whole settlement was up in arms against him, and -he was finally arrested November 22, 1783, and imprisoned in the jail at -Sunbury. But as the jail—which was the first one built in Northumberland -County—was not secure he quickly escaped, and Sheriff Antes offered a -reward for his apprehension. - -On another occasion Disberry took refuge on the “Isle of Que” and -concealed himself in a thicket of bushes, where he fancied himself -secure. He might have remained undiscovered and escaped but for his -inordinate love of perpetrating jokes. - -Lying on the watch near the road cut through the thicket Joe heard the -footsteps of a horse and, slyly peeping from his covert, espied the -Sheriff’s wife approaching on horseback. He at once stepped into the -road and, pulling off his hat, made a polite bow, when he suddenly -disappeared in the bushes. The lady hurried to Selinsgrove and gave the -alarm. - -A party headed by George Kremer was immediately formed and went to the -island in pursuit of Joe. Guided by the lady’s instructions, Kremer went -to the spot and soon had the culprit in custody. He was taken back to -jail, tried and sentenced, and his sentence is one of the strangest -found in the annals of criminal history of Pennsylvania. - -In the Quarter Sessions docket of Northumberland County the record shows -that Joe Disberry was arraigned on the charge of felony, tried and found -guilty. The jury was composed as follows: Peter Hosterman, Adam Grove, -George Shaffer, Philip Frick, John Harrison, Michael Grove, William -Clark, Adam Christ, Robert Irwin, Paul Baldy, John Shaffer, Alexander -McGrady. The sentence of the Court, which still stands out boldly on the -record, was as follows: - -“Judgment that the said Joseph Disberry receive thirty-nine lashes -between the hours of 8 and 9 o’clock tomorrow; to stand in the pillory -one hour; to have his ears cut off and nailed to the post; to return the -property stolen or the value thereof; remain in prison three months; pay -a fine of £30 to the honorable the president of this State for the -support of the Government, and stand convicted until fine, fees, etc., -are paid.” - -This remarkable sentence shows the estimate that was put on Joe as a -criminal. The whipping post and pillory stood in the public square in -Sunbury. - -Colonel John Henry Antes was the Sheriff at that time and directed the -whipping, if he did not do it himself. - -There is no record to show who did the ear chopping, but as the surgical -operation fell to the Sheriff also, it is probable that he did it. - -John Buyers was the president of the court at that time, assisted by -associates, and the duty of imposing the sentence fell on him. The Court -met, according to the entry in the docket on the fourth Tuesday of -August, 1784, and as the trial took place at once, the sentence was -carried out on Wednesday. - -Among the jurors were several men who were prominent as Indian fighters -and participants in the war for liberty. - -Peter Hosterman, foreman, was active as a militia officer and had -command of a body of militia to watch and repel savage attacks. - -Adam and Michael Grove were famous as Indian scouts, and the latter only -a short time before he served on this jury, was one of a company that -pursued a party of marauding Indians up the Sinnemahoning. Discovering -their camp they stealthily approached at night, rushed upon them, -surprised them, captured their arms and killed several. The balance -escaped. The Grove brothers then lived in Buffalo Valley, now Union -County. - -This severe sentence, it seems, did not cure Joe Disberry of his -thieving propensities, for the Quarter Sessions docket for August term, -1798 (Northumberland County), shows that he was arraigned and tried on -three indictments for burglarizing the houses of Philip Bower, Peter -Jones and Isaiah Willits, and convicted on each. - -The jurors who found him guilty on each count were John Clark, John -Metzgar, John Friesbach, George Clark, John Armstrong, John Cochran, -Thomas Murray, Christian Gettig, John Dewart, George Bright, Peter -Disher and Hamelius Lomison. - -Judge Jacob Rush was President Judge assisted by Captain William Wilson, -John McPherson, Thomas Strawbridge and Colonel William Cooke as -associates. Robert Irwin was high sheriff of the county. Judge Rush, on -sentencing Disberry, said: - -“That the prisoner, Joseph Disberry, forfeit all and singular his goods -and chattels, lands and tenements, to and for the use of the -Commonwealth, and undergo a servitude of seven years for the burglary -committed in the house of Peter Bower, and be committed to the house of -correction, pay the cost of prosecution, &c.” - -The Court then sentenced him on the two other indictments, seven years -each. Joe, who was listening very attentively remarked rather jocosely: -“Why, Your Honor, three sevens make twenty-one!” - -Judge Rush then continued: “That the defendant be conveyed to the gaol -and penitentiary house of the city of Philadelphia to undergo the -servitude aforesaid for the term of twenty-one years. And that the said -Joe Disberry be kept for the space of two years in solitary cells out of -the term of twenty-one years.” - -This remarkable criminal served his long sentence and returned in 1819 -to his old haunts, about Sunbury and the Selinsgrove, an aged man, but -as merry as a cricket. Being a natural-born thief, he could not resist -the temptation to steal everything upon which he could lay his hands. - -The date of his death is unknown. But the late Dr. Robert Harris Awl, of -Sunbury, said that some time after his return from serving his long -sentence, he went one night to a mill in Union County to steal flour and -falling through a hatchway sustained injuries which resulted in his -death. It is said that when they came to bury him, the owner of the mill -insisted that he should be buried deep. “For,” said he, “if it is not -done he will return and steal mill, dam and all!” - -It is not positively known whence this remarkable man came. Tradition -says that he was a native of Connecticut. In that event he might have -been among the emigrants to Wyoming, but on account of his evil -propensities was banished to Sunbury as a punishment to Dr. Plunket and -his people, for whom the Wyomingites bore no love. Neither is it known -whether he had any family or property. His criminal record, however, -would furnish material enough for a first-class romance. - - ---------- - - - - - Border Invasion by Thomas Cresap Ceased - After His Arrest, November 23, 1736 - - -There was great conflict between the several Lords Baltimore, -Proprietaries of Maryland, and the Penns, Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, -over the boundary of their respective provinces, which lasted from the -time William Penn first received his grant until the Mason and Dixon -boundary line was surveyed in 1763–67. - -Conestoga Township, in what is now Lancaster County, was originally -organized about 1712. Prior to 1719 it was divided into East and West -Conestoga. The western boundaries of the latter were not defined until -1722, when Donegal Township was erected and Chicques Creek was made its -eastern boundary. Pequea Township seems to have been to the northeast of -Conestoga, with not very well defined boundaries, and was probably -erected about the year 1720. - -Lord Baltimore selected a pliant and bold adventurer for his agent in -this disputed territory named Thomas Cresap, aged twenty-six years, a -carpenter by occupation, and in religious faith a Roman Catholic, same -as the Calverts of Maryland. He was to go to Conejohela Valley and -settle, where he built a cabin and established a ferry, on March 16, -1730, near James Patterson’s land. - -In a joint statement made by James Patterson to Justices John Wright and -Samuel Blunston they issued a warrant and wrote to Governor Patrick -Gordon, October 30, 1732, and said: - -“About two years Since, Thomas Cresap, and some other people of Loose -Morals and Turbulent Spirits, Came and disturbed the Indians, our -friends and Allies, who were peaceably Settled on those lands from when -the said Parnel and others had been removed, Burnt their Cabbins, and -destroyed their goods, And with much threatening and Ill-usage, drove -them away, and by pretending to be under the Maryland government, sought -to Evade ours. Thus they proceeded to play booty. Disturbing the Peace -of the Government, Carrying people out of the Province by Violence, -Taking away the guns from our friends, the Indians, Tying and making -them Prisoners without any offence given; and threatening all who should -Oppose them; And by Underhand and Unfair practices, Endeavoring to -Alienate the minds of the Inhabitants of this Province, and Draw them -from Obedience to their party. Their Insolence Increasing, they killed -the horses of Such of our people whose trade with the Indians made it -Necessary to Keep them on that Side of the river, for Carrying their -Goods and Skins; assaulted those who were sent to look after them.” - -Cresap’s house was a convenient refuge for runaway servants and debtors. -Samuel Chance, a runaway debtor of Edward Cartlidge, an Indian trader -who lived in the Manor, took up his abode with Cresap and assisted him -to row his ferryboat. A son of Cartlidge laid a plan to capture Chance -by decoying him to the east side of the river. - -Cresap and Chance got into their boat and rowed over to the Blue Rock, -where they found Edward Beddock, Rice Morgan, and a Negro servant of Mr. -Cartlidge. After being taken into the boat, and rowed out into the -stream a few yards, Beddock and Morgan threw Cresap into the river, and -took Chance to shore with them. Cresap made his escape to an island -nearby, where he remained until after dark, when he was discovered by an -Indian and rescued. - -Cresap made complaint to the Maryland authorities, and a sharp -correspondence between the Governors of the two Provinces resulted. - -In the fall of 1733, Cresap came up to Wright’s Ferry and commenced to -build boats and erect a house. Wright and Blunston had placed a number -of men in the ferryhouse, who sallied forth and took Cresap’s men -prisoners. - -John Emerson, a lawyer, who lived in Lancaster, was appointed ranger and -keeper of the Conestoga Manor. He also owned a ferry at Blue Rock. On -January 29, 1734, accompanied by Knowles Daunt and five others, Emerson -went down to Cresap’s house to arrest him. Cresap shot Daunt in the leg, -from the effects of which he died. They failed to capture Cresap and he -afterward made frequent raids into Kreitz Valley with bands of armed -men. - -In July, 1735, when John Wright was harvesting his grain, Cresap -appeared with twenty men, women and lads, armed with guns, swords, -pistols, blunderbusses and drums beating. - -Wright approached Cresap and demanded the reason of their military -display. Cresap replied that they came to fight the Pennsylvanians, drew -his sword and aimed his pistol at Wright’s breast, who, by his courage, -completely cowed Cresap and captured his wagons. Wright and his men then -made a fort of the ferryhouse on the west side of the river. - -Cresap reported these doings to Governor Ogle, who ordered out the -Maryland militia. Wright learned of this martial movement and engaged -Benjamin Chambers to ascertain their designs. Chambers was suspected as -a spy and arrested, but escaped to Wright’s Ferry and made a full -report. He then went to Donegal and collected a number of Scotch-Irish, -and marched them to Wright’s Ferry, where they repelled two or three -hundred Marylanders, under Colonel Hall. - -Cresap built a fort from which bands of armed men went out to raid -plantations, destroy houses and take the settlers prisoners to Maryland. -Joshua Minshal and John Wright, Jr., were the only two men left in -Kreitz’s Valley. - -Cresap had surveyed forty tracts of land, which were owned by Germans. -This state of affairs became so critical that Provincial Council -concluded to have Cresap arrested for the murder of Knowles Daunt. - -On November 23, 1736, a warrant was placed in the hands of Sheriff -Samuel Smith, who lived at Donegal. He called upon John Kelley, Benjamin -Sterratt, Arthur Buchanan, Samuel Scott, David Priest, John Sterratt, -John Galbraith, James, John and Alexander Mitchell, James Allison and -nineteen others to assist him. - -On the night of November 24, 1736, they surrounded Cresap’s house, in -which he had a number of armed men, who fired upon Sheriff Smith and his -party. Laughlin Malone, of Cresap’s party, was killed, and John Copper, -of the Sheriff’s party, was wounded. - -Finding that Cresap would not surrender, the Sheriff set his house on -fire, when Cresap attempted to escape, but was overpowered and carried -in triumph to Philadelphia and placed in prison. - -Colonel Hall and Captain Higgenbotham came to Cresap’s fort with 300 -men, and at different times marched through the valley in martial array. -In January, 1737, a company attacked these Marylanders in Cresap’s fort, -but were repulsed with the loss of eight men. - -The Governor of Maryland offered £100 reward for the arrest of John -Wright, Samuel Blunston, Sheriff Samuel Smith, John Ross, Michael -Tanner, Joshua Minshal and Charles Jones. The last three persons were -arrested and taken to Annapolis jail. - -The Marylanders were finally driven back to their State, and all efforts -to colonize that part of Pennsylvania with Marylanders was abandoned in -1738, and the Cresap invasions into Pennsylvania ceased. - - ---------- - - - - - Moravians Slaughtered in Indian Village of - Gnadenhutten, November 24, 1755 - - -The first settlement in what is now Carbon County was made by the -Moravian missionaries in the year 1746. - -The converted Mohican Indians having been driven out of Shekomeko, N. -Y., near the border of Connecticut, and from Pochgatgach, in the latter -State, found an asylum for a short time at Friedenshutten, near -Bethlehem. - -The missionaries considered it unwise to maintain a large Indian -congregation so near Bethlehem, and they purchased two hundred acres on -the north side of Mahoning Creek, about a half mile above its junction -with the Lehigh. Here the Indian town of Gnadenhutten became a regular -fixture, and in it each Indian family possessed its own lot of ground. - -The paths to Wyoming and other Indian towns passed through the -settlement. A church stood in the valley, the Indian houses formed a -crescent upon the higher ground, and on the open end stood the home of -the missionary and the burying ground. - -In September, 1749, Baron John de Watteville, a noted bishop of the -Moravian Brethren, went to Gnadenhutten and laid the foundation of a new -church, replacing the one built in 1746, which was too small for the -growing congregation, which then consisted of 500 Indians. - -About this time Reverend David Brainerd and several Indian converts -visited Gnadenhutten. The congregation continued in this pleasing and -regular state until 1754. - -The Delaware and Shawnee on the Susquehanna began to waver in their -allegiance to the English. They were preparing to take up the hatchet on -the side of the French, and it became a matter of concern to them to -withdraw their Indian brethren in the Moravian settlements beyond the -reach of the whites, that the hostile savages might more freely descend -upon the white settlements. - -The Christian Indians for some time resolutely refused to move to -Wyoming or Shamokin. At length, however, a considerable part of them -were seduced by the influence of the Delaware King Tedyuskung to move. - -The Mohicans who remained were joined by other Christian Delaware and -soon the land upon which they lived became so impoverished that the -inhabitants of Gnadenhutten removed to the north side of the Lehigh -River. - -The dwellings were removed and a new chapel built in June, 1754. This -place was called New Gnadenhutten, and stood where the borough of -Weissport now stands. - -In New Gnadenhutten the Mohican lived on one side of the street, the -Delaware on the opposite side. The cultivation was under the direct -charge of the Moravian missionaries. - -The Indians who had gone over to the French interests became incensed -that any of the Moravian converts among their people should choose to -remain at Gnadenhutten, and they determined to cut off the settlement. - -After Braddock’s defeat, July, 1755, the whole frontier was open to the -inroads of the savage foe. Every day disclosed new scenes of barbarity -committed by the Indians. The whole country was in terror; the neighbors -of the brethren in Gnadenhutten forsook their dwellings and fled, but -the brethren covenanted together to remain undaunted in the place they -believed Providence had allotted them. - -In that decision they neglected no caution whatever. But it was not to -be as the Moravians had planned. - -Late in the evening of November 24, 1755, the mission house on the -Mahoning was attacked by the French Indians, the house burned to the -ground and eleven of the inhabitants murdered. - -The attack was made while the family was at supper. The uncommon barking -of the dogs was noticed, upon which Brother Senseman went out to the -back door to ascertain what was the matter. The report of a gun was -heard, when several of the family rushed to the open door, where they -were confronted with the Indians who stood with their firearms pointed -toward the door, who simultaneously fired upon the Moravians. - -Martin Nitschmann was instantly killed, his wife and several others were -wounded, but were able to flee with the rest of the household upstairs -into the garret, where they barricaded the door with bedsteads. Brother -Partsch escaped by jumping out of a rear window. Brother Worbass, who -was ill in bed in an adjoining house, also escaped by a window, although -the savages had placed a guard before his door. - -The savages pursued those who had taken refuge in the garret and finding -the door too strongly secured, they set fire to the house. A lad, named -Sturgis, jumped from the blazing roof and escaped, but not before he was -severely burned by the flames and shot in the face in making his escape. - -Soon as Sturgis was seen to get away, Sister Partsch took courage and -jumped from the burning roof, and escaped unhurt. Brother Fabricius -attempted to flee in the same manner, but was observed by the Indians -and twice wounded and captured. He was immediately tomahawked and -scalped. The rest of the household were all burnt alive. - -Brother Senseman witnessed his wife being consumed by the flames. The -scene was terrible to behold. - -Soon as the house was destroyed the savages set fire to the barns and -stables, by which all the corn, hay and cattle were destroyed. - -The Indians then divided the spoils, soaked some bread in milk, made a -hearty meal, and departed—all this being observed by Sister Partsch -looking on from her hiding place behind a tree upon a hill near the -house. - -This melancholy event proved to be the delivery of the Indian converts -at Gnadenhutten; for upon the first crack of the guns and seeing the -flames, they sensed the cause and would have rushed to the defense of -the Moravians had not a missionary advised them to the contrary. Instead -they all fled to the woods, and in a few minutes, Gnadenhutten was -cleared of everything worth while. - -Reverend David Zeisberger, who had just arrived at Gnadenhutten from -Bethlehem, hastened back to give notice of this terrible event to a body -of English militia which had marched within five miles of the spot, but -they did not venture to pursue the savages in the dark. - -The fugitive congregation arrived safely at Bethlehem. After the French -and Indians had retired, the remains of those killed on the Mahoning -were carefully collected from the ruins and solemnly interred. - -A broad slab of marble placed there in 1788, now marks the grave, which -is situated on the hill a short distance from Lehighton, and a little -north of a small hamlet which occupies the site of the ancient -missionary village. The following is the inscription on the marble: - -“To the memory of Gottleib and Joanna Anders, with their child, -Christiana; Martin and Susanna Nitschmann, Anna Catherine Senseman, John -Gattenmeyer, George Fabricius, clerk; George Schweigert and Martin -Presser, who lived here at Gnadenhutten unto the Lord, and lost their -lives in a surprise from Indian warriors, November the 24th, 1755. - -“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints—Psalms -cxvi, 15.” - - ---------- - - - - - General Forbes Invested Fort Duquesne and - Named It Pittsburgh, November - 25, 1758 - - -After the humiliating defeat of Major Grant, September 14, 1758, when he -disobeyed his orders and attacked the French and Indians at Fort -Duquesne and was himself taken prisoner, the French, exulting over their -unlooked-for victory, believed that a successful attack could now be -made upon the main army of General John Forbes in camp at Loyalhanna. By -this bold stroke, in which they would use their entire force, they -could, in the discomfiture of the English, end all hostilities, as they -had done in the fateful defeat of Braddock. - -General Forbes was wiser than his predecessor, and better appreciated -the talents and experience of Colonel George Washington, and did not -fail to seek his counsel. - -General Forbes had joined Colonel Henry Bouquet at Loyalhanna and -determined to advance upon Fort Duquesne. Washington drew up the plan, -illustrating the proper disposition of the troops in the line of march, -so the English would not again be overwhelmed by a surprise attack. - -At this moment the forces of the French and their Indian allies rushed -through the woods toward Loyalhanna, dragging some light cannon with -them. They reached their objective before the British army had moved. An -attack was made and long sustained, but the English, under General -Forbes, repulsed the French, who returned to Fort Duquesne. - -The battle of Loyalhanna has never been given its proper place in -history for it was a noteworthy affair, important in its consequences. - -The French had beaten Braddock by the aid of their Indian allies, and -they hoped to defeat Forbes in the same way, but Colonel Bouquet had -adopted the provincial practice of fighting Indians, which was the means -of bringing them to a realization of their inability to conquer the -English, and they abandoned hopes of success and quit the French. - -The strength of the French garrison in Fort Duquesne in September, 1758, -was 4000 troops, but by October this number was reduced to less than -2000, including the Indians. On September 22, Christian Frederic Post, -the noted Moravian missionary and friend of the English, who had visited -the garrison, reported its strength as 1400, but added he believed -“there would be full 3000 French and Indians, almost all Canadians, who -would be ready to meet the army under Forbes.” - -The militia of Louisiana and Illinois left the fort early in November -and went home. The Indians of Detroit and the Wabash country would -remain no longer, and, what was even worse, the supplies destined for -Port Duquesne had been destroyed by Bradstreet at Fort Frontenac. Hence -M. de Ligneris, the commandant, was compelled by prospective starvation -to dismiss the greater part of his force, and await the approach of the -English with those that remained. - -The French had always depended on the aid of the Indians to hold this -fort. But it was the custom of the Indians after a battle, whether -successful or not, to go home. - -Colonel James Smith, at that time a prisoner who had been adopted into -one of the tribes, in his very valuable narrative, says that after the -defeat of Major Grant the Indians held a council, in which their -opinions were divided. Some believed General Forbes would now turn back -and go home the way he came, as Dunbar had done after the Braddock -defeat; others supposed he would press forward and make the attack. The -French urged the Indians to remain, but many returned to their squaws, -children and hunting. - -These things were unknown to the English. But when the actual condition -of affairs in Fort Duquesne reached General Forbes, he concluded, late -as it was, to advance. - -On November 13 Colonel John Armstrong with one thousand men was sent -forward to assist Colonel Washington in opening the road, and four days -later General Forbes pressed forward. He met with no opposition, but the -extremely disagreeable weather impeded his progress. The wagons and all -the artillery, except a few light pieces, were left behind. - -The force consisted of 2500 picked men, who marched without shelter or -baggage and burdened only with knapsack and blankets. There were in -addition the pioneers, wagoners and provincials engaged to work on the -roads. Friendly Indians were kept out as scouts, and the greatest -vigilance was exercised to avoid surprise. Washington and Armstrong -opened the way to within a day’s march of the fort. - -On the evening of November 24, the army encamped among the hills of -Turtle Creek. That night they were informed by an Indian scout that he -had discovered a cloud of smoke above the fort and soon after another -scout came with the certain intelligence that the fort was burned and -abandoned by the enemy. A troop of horse was sent forward immediately to -extinguish the fire. At midnight the men on guard heard a dull and heavy -booming over the western woods. - -In the morning the march was resumed, the strong advance guard leading -the column. Forbes came next, carried in his litter, as he was quite -ill. The troops followed in three parallel columns, the Highlanders, -under Montgomery, in the center, the Royal Americans on the right and -the provincials on the left under Colonels Bouquet and Washington. It -was dusk when they emerged upon the open plain and saw Fort Duquesne -before them, with the background of wintry hills beyond the Monongahela -and Allegheny. - -When the fort was invested on November 25 it presented a sorry -appearance. It had consisted of two fortifications, about 200 yards -apart. One, built with immense labor, was small but strong; the other -stood on the bank of the Allegheny, in form of a parallelogram, but -weaker than the other. There were about thirty chimneys standing, the -houses being destroyed by fire. - -The French had also blown up one of the magazines, but in the other was -found sixteen barrels of ammunition, a large quantity of iron, gun -barrels, guns and a cartload of scalping knives. It has never been made -known if they buried their cannon in the river or carried them away in -their hasty retreat. - -A boy twelve years old who had been an Indian prisoner two years escaped -during the retreat and told General Forbes that the French had carried a -large quantity of wood into the fort and that they burned five of the -prisoners they took at Major Grant’s defeat on the parade and delivered -the others to the Indians, who tomahawked the men on the spot. - -There were many dead bodies found within a short distance of the fort, -and many evidences of French inhumanity. - -The Indians remaining about the fort were only too eager to treat with -General Forbes. - -Bancroft says: “Armstrong’s own hand raised the British flag on the -ruined bastions of the fortress. As the banner of England floated over -the waters the place, at the suggestion of Forbes, was with one voice -called Pittsburgh.” - - ---------- - - - - - Captain James Smith, of the “Black Boys,” - Born in Chester County, November - 26, 1737 - - -One of the first captives of the French and Indian War in 1755 was James -Smith, of the Conococheague frontier, in what is now Franklin County. - -He survived a long captivity and afterward wrote a remarkable account of -his experiences which were published in Archibald Loudon’s “Indian -Narratives.” - -He was born in Chester County November 26, 1737, and spent his early -youth in that neighborhood. In 1755 he was living along the frontier in -the vicinity of McDowell’s Mill, in present Franklin County, where he -was employed by his brother William, who was a commissioner to build a -road from the above mill to the Three Forks of the Youghiogheny, over -which it was intended to transport supplies for General Braddock. - -When the builders reached the base of the Alleghenies a storehouse for -supplies was placed in charge of Robert McCoy. The supply of meat was -almost exhausted and McCoy dispatched young Smith to meet the wagons, -bringing a fresh supply, and hurry along the cattle and provisions. - -Before reaching the Juniata Smith met Arnold Vigorus, who advised him -that the wagons were near at hand. Smith then started back with Vigorus, -but when the wagons arrived at McCoy’s the wagoners reported they had -seen nothing of Smith or his companion. - -McCoy sent out a searching party, who soon found the boy’s hat and -Vigorus’s gun, and a short distance away his scalped body. - -James Smith was a captive for five years and experienced a most varied -and severe ordeal. - -He effected his escape and returned to the Conococheague in 1760. As his -family and friends believed him dead, their surprise over his return was -the greater and even his gait and manners of the Indians did not lessen -their joy in his return. - -Smith learned that the sweetheart of his boyhood, believing him long -since dead, had married only three days before his return, when his -thought was to claim her. - -Smith had no sooner returned to his home than he organized a company of -Indian fighters, who wore Indian clothes, and were trained to Indian -methods. This company soon became known as the “Black Boys,” because -they painted their faces in the Indian colors—red and black. Smith was -the captain. - -During the Pontiac War these “Black Boys” were put under regular pay, -and two other Indian captives served as Captain Smith’s lieutenants. -This company rendered effective service in the Cumberland Valley. - -As Smith had served with Colonel John Armstrong and Colonel Henry -Bouquet, he had become familiar with the attitude of the Provincial -authorities in their treatment of the Indians. - -It so happened that one day he overheard an interview in the Great Cove -which revealed the arrogance of the traders and the unfairness of those -at the seat of government. He took matters in his own hands, and -determined food, clothing and other goods should not be sent to the -Western Indians if he could prevent it. - -Captain Smith assembled ten of his command. They painted their faces in -the Indian fashion and waylaid a pack train at Sideling Hill, an episode -in frontier history which has been misunderstood and misrepresented in -history. - -The engagement was brief and decisive. The horses fell one after the -other until the drivers were compelled to surrender. - -The goods were assembled on one side, and the drivers led off some -distance, under guard. The “Black Boys” examined the contents of the -packs, and, as they suspected, found them to consist of blankets, -shirts, vermilion, lead, beads, wampum, tomahawks, scalping-knifes, etc. -The whole lot was burned. - -The English soldiers thought the “Black Boys” were rioters, but the -inhabitants viewed their acts with general satisfaction. - -Lieutenant Grant attempted to effect the arrest of Captain Smith and his -command, but the latter soon raised a force of 300 frontiersmen and -promptly captured two British soldiers of the garrison at Fort Loudoun -for every one of the “Black Boys” they held as prisoners. - -The result of this action was that very few pack trains passed through -that valley carrying goods to the Indians along the Ohio. - -In 1769, when the Indians became troublesome in the vicinity of Fort -Bedford, a new company of “Black Boys” was organized, but members were -arrested and confined in irons, as they were not understood. - -Captain Smith determined to release the men, and by a ruse managed to -apprize the British of his approach and intended attack, which was to -occur at midday. But at dawn his command was under the bank of the -Juniata awaiting word from William Thompson who had entered the fort as -a spy. - -At the given signal the little band rushed the fort and secured the arms -which were stocked in the center of the parade. - -The prisoners were released and the first British fort in America was -then and there captured by what they termed “American rebels.” - -Captain Smith was afterward arrested in Bedford and confined in jail, on -a trumped up charge of murder. - -His “Black Boys” would have rescued him but Smith was conscious of his -innocence and stood trial. In spite of the fact they desired it -otherwise he was acquitted. - -Smith afterwards became a valued officer in the Revolution, attaining -the rank of colonel, and was several terms in the General Assembly and a -most distinguished citizen. - -After the Revolution Colonel Smith removed to Kentucky where he again -earned an enviable reputation as an able member of the Legislature of -that State. - -He died there in 1812. - - ---------- - - - - - Pioneer Postoffice of Pennsylvania Established - in Philadelphia, November - -27, 1700 - - -In July, 1683, a post was established from Philadelphia to Maryland by -William Penn. Henry Waldy, of Tacony, had authority to run the post and -supply the passengers with horses. - -The rates of postage were: Letters from the Falls to Philadelphia, three -pence; to Chester, five pence; to New Castle, seven pence; to Maryland, -nine pence; from Philadelphia to Chester, two pence; to New Castle, four -pence; to Maryland, six pence. It went once a week, notice having been -placed on the meeting-house door and at other public places. -Communication was frequent with Manhattan and New York, the road -starting on the eastern side of the Delaware at about Bordentown, New -Jersey. - -But the pioneer postoffice in the Province of Pennsylvania was -established in Philadelphia under an act of Assembly, November 27, 1700. - -The act by which this postoffice was established recited that “Whereas, -The King and the late Queen Mary, by their royal letters patent under -the great seal of England, bearing date the seventeenth day of February, -which was in the year one thousand and six hundred and ninety-one, did -grant Thomas Neal, Esquire, his executors, administrators and assigns, -full power and authority to erect, settle, establish within the King’s -colonies and plantations in America, one or more office or offices for -receiving and dispatching of letters and packets by post, and to -receive, send and deliver the same, under such rates and sums of money, -as shall be agreeable to the rates established by act of Parliament in -England, or as the planters and others should agree to give on the first -settlement, to have, hold and enjoy the same for a term of twenty-one -years, with and under such powers, limitations and conditions as in and -by the said letters patent may more fully appear. - -“And whereas, The King’s Postmaster General of England, and at the -request, desire and nomination of the said Thomas Neale, hath deputed -Andrew Hamilton, Esquire, for such time and under such conditions as is -his deputation is for that purpose mentioned to govern and manage the -said General Post Office for and throughout all the King’s plantations -and colonies in the mainland or continent of America and the islands -adjacent thereto, and in and by the said deputation may more fully -appear. - -“And whereas, The said Andrew Hamilton hath, by and with the good liking -and approbation of the Post Master General of England made application -to the proprietary and Governor of this Province and Territories and -freemen thereof convened in General Assembly, that they would ascertain -and establish such rates and sums of money upon letters and packets -going by post as may be an effectual encouragement for carrying on and -maintaining a general post, and the proprietary and Governor and Freemen -in General Assembly met, considering that maintaining of mutual and -speedy correspondencies is very beneficial to the King and his subjects, -and a great encouragement to trade, and that the same is best carried on -and managed by public post, as well as for the preventing of -inconveniences which heretofore have happened for want thereof, as for a -certain, safe and speedy dispatch, carrying and recarrying of all -letters and packets of letters by post to and from all parts and places -within the continent of America and several parts of Europe, and that -the well ordering thereof is matter of general concernment and of great -advantage, and being willing to encourage such a public benefit. - -“Section 1. Have therefore enacted and be it enacted, etc. That there be -from henceforth one general letter office erected and established within -the town of Philadelphia, from whence all letters and packets whatsoever -may be with speed and expedition sent into any part of the neighboring -Colonies and plantations on the mainland and continent of America, or -into any other of the King’s kingdoms or dominions, or unto any kingdom -or country beyond the seas; at which said office all returns and answers -may likewise be received, etc.” - -Thus Governor Andrew Hamilton, of New Jersey, first devised the -postoffice scheme for America, for which he obtained a patent, and the -profits accruing. He afterwards sold it to the Crown. - -The Assembly appropriated £20 yearly as a salary to Andrew Hamilton, -“the postmaster of North America under the Crown.” - -Thus was the postal system established, and the postmaster empowered to -deliver mail to every corner of the Western World. - -The first list of letters advertised appeared in the Pennsylvania -Gazette, March 21, 1738. It contained about 150 names of all the letters -collected and uncalled for in the previous six months, mostly for -non-residents. - -In July, 1762, the following advertisement appeared in Bradford’s -Journal: - -“The lad who was lately employed at the Postoffice as penny post having -run away, the gentlemen who expect letters are requested to call for -them until a suitable person can be procured to carry them. William -Dunlap.” - -In November, 1756, the first stage was established between New York and -Philadelphia by John Butler. The Philadelphia terminal was at the sign -of the Death of the Fox in Strawberry Alley. It was to go via Trenton -and Perth Amboy, and to arrive in New York in three days. Butler was -started in business by the old Hunting Club, to which he had been -huntsman and keeper of the kennels. - -In 1765 a line of stage vessels and wagons was established between -Philadelphia and Baltimore, via Christiana and Frenchtown on the Elk -River. These trips were made weekly. - -In 1773, Messrs. C. Bessonett & Co., of Bristol, started a stage coach -line which made the trip to New York in two days and charged $4 fare. - -The old Postoffice was afterwards the Congress Hall Hotel. It was kept -by Robert Patton, postmaster from 1791 to 1814. - -The first postmaster of Philadelphia who received a newspaper notice as -such was Peter Baynton in the Pennsylvania Gazette, of November 27, -1776. - -When the Government was removed from New York to Philadelphia in 1791 -the departments were located in private homes, and the “General -Postoffice was on the east side of Water Street, a few doors below High -Street.” - -An early pioneer mail route through the wilderness, across the State was -over the old State road. It was established in 1805. The mail was -carried on horseback from Bellefonte to Meadville. The first contractor -was James Randolph, of Meadville, the second was Hamilton, of -Bellefonte. - - ---------- - - - - - Conway Cabal Started in Reading by General - Mifflin on November 28, 1777 - - -When the British marched triumphantly into Philadelphia there was gloom -over America such as to make people lose all confidence in General -Washington, the commander-in-chief, and as General Gates had but -recently, on October 19, 1777, achieved such a brilliant victory over -Burgoyne at Saratoga, the one event to bring joy to their hearts, it was -but natural to suggest that Gates was the more competent. Many letters -appeared in the public press favoring a change of commanders and -Pennsylvanians were clamorous for the retaking of Philadelphia. - -General Conway had written, “Heaven has been determined to save—your -country or a weak general and bad counselors would have ruined it.” The -words reached Washington’s ears, and he let Conway know the fact. A -personal interview ensued, but Conway refused to apologize, and he -boastfully told General Mifflin of his interview with the -commander-in-chief. He was commended by Gates, Mifflin and others. - -The Gates faction in Congress procured Conway’s appointment as inspector -general of the Army and made him independent of the chief. - -General Thomas Mifflin at this time was head of the Board of War, but on -November 27 Gates became its president and the following day Mifflin -declared to Gates that Conway’s letter was a “collection of just -sentiments.” This produced what has been known in history as the “Conway -Cabal.” - -The principal events which led up to this cabal transpired in Reading, -which during the British occupation of Philadelphia became a favorite -place of resort for Philadelphians who wished to retire a little from -the stormy political atmosphere of the city. - -More than a score of fugitive families made their homes there, among -them being General Thomas Mifflin, who at that moment was out of command -in the army, complaining, though not ill, considerably restive, and -apparently not in high favor at headquarters. He was resting at his -country estate, “Angelica,” three miles distant from Reading. - -There were other officers of the Continental Army there and many gay -social gatherings were held. - -It was in these dissipations that gossip among the high officers -frequently turned against General Washington, who, according to Mifflin, -would only counsel with General Greene. - -They said Greene was not the wisest, the bravest, nor the most patriotic -of counselors. - -In short, they averred that the campaign in this quarter was stigmatized -as a series of blunders, and those who conducted it were incapable. - -The better fortune of the northern army was ascribed to the superior -talents of its leader; and it began to be whispered that General Gates -was the man who of right should have the station sustained by -Washington. - -A cabal was soon formed, in which Gates, Mifflin and Conway were already -engaged, and in which the congenial spirit of General Charles Lee, on -his exchange as a prisoner of war, immediately took a share. - -The well-known apostrophe of General Conway to America, imparting that -“Heaven had passed a decree in her favor, or her ruin must long before -have ensued from the imbecility of her military counsels,” was at this -time familiar wherever officers congregated. - -On a visit which Conway made to Reading he expressed himself to the -effect that “no man was more a gentleman than General Washington, or -appeared to more advantage at his table, or in the usual intercourse of -life, but as to his talents for the command of an army, they were -miserable, indeed.” - -These and similar expressions repeated frequently could not fail to -create an unfavorable sentiment against the commander-in-chief. - -It is also fortunate that the general population did not yet believe any -of the officers busy in the cabal against Washington to be superior to -Washington. - -Without the knowledge of Washington, the Board of War devised a winter -campaign against Canada, and gave the command to Lafayette. It was a -trick of Gates to detach the marquis from Washington. It failed. - -Lafayette was summoned to York to receive his commission from Congress, -then in session there. That distinguished patriot met Gates, Mifflin and -others at table. The wine flowed freely and toasts abounded. - -At length the marquis, thinking it time to show his colors, said: -“Gentlemen, I perceive one toast has been omitted, which I will now -propose.” They filled their glasses, when he gave praise to “the -commander-in-chief of the American armies.” - -The coldness with which that toast was received confirmed Lafayette’s -worst opinion respecting the men around him, and he was disgusted. - -The conspirators, finding they could not use the marquis, abandoned the -expedition. So, also, was the conspiracy abandoned soon afterward. - -There is no doubt that the duel which subsequently took place between -General Conway and General Cadwalader, though immediately proceeding -from an unfavorable opinion expressed by the latter of the conduct of -the former at the Battle of Germantown, had, perhaps, deeper origin, and -some reference to this intrigue, for the brave and competent -Philadelphian was an ardent champion of General Washington. - -Some of Gates’ New England friends became tired of him. Conway, found -out, was despised, left the army and returned to France. - -So the cabal resulted happily, in a thorough vindication of the wisdom -of Washington, and brought deserved censure on those who had not done -their full duty. - -Bancroft says “that those who had caviled at Washington, being unable to -shake the confidence of the people, wished their words benevolently -interpreted or forgotten, and Gates and Mifflin asked to be excused from -serving on the committee,” meaning the committee which had been -appointed by Congress to consult with Washington upon a complete reform -in his administration of the army. - -Mifflin became a major general in the following February and General -Greene was made quartermaster general a few days later. Mifflin made a -request to join the army in the field, but Congress desired Washington -to make an inquiry into his conduct, which Washington did not do, and -Mifflin then tendered his resignation, which Congress refused to accept, -and, although Mifflin’s health was miserable, he served throughout the -war. - -The internment of the army at Valley Forge called forth remonstrances of -the Continental Congress, the Supreme Executive Council and the Assembly -of Pennsylvania and furnished much of the subject-matter by which -Washington was censured by those who were partisans of other generals -who coveted the high and important office. These discouragements weighed -heavily upon the anxious commander, who had quite enough trouble without -those in authority adding thereto. - -The men in camp erected huts of logs and mud, but blankets and clothing -were scantily provided. Yet amid all this suffering, day after day, -surrounded by the frosts and snows of a severe winter, patriotism was -still warm and hopeful in the hearts of the soldiers. It has often been -recorded that Washington considered his experiences at Valley Forge as -the most trying scenes of his life. - - ---------- - - - - - Federal Party Is Broken Up in Closing Days - -of November, 1823 - - -It was during the administration of Governor John Andrew Shulze, of -Lebanon County, that in 1823, President Monroe made his celebrated -declaration in favor of the cause of liberty in the Western Hemisphere -and the noninterference of European Powers in the political affairs of -this continent. - -The determined stand taken by President Monroe was warmly indorsed by -the people of Pennsylvania, and the Legislature of the State at the -subsequent session adopted resolutions to the effect that it afforded -them “the highest gratification to observe the President of the United -States, expressing the sentiments of millions of freemen, proclaiming to -the world that any attempt on the part of the allied sovereigns of -Europe to extend their political systems to any portion of the continent -of America, or in any other manner to interfere in their internal -concerns, would be considered as dangerous to the peace and safety of -the United States.” - -Governor Shulze, in transmitting the resolutions to the President, -expressed his hearty indorsement of the doctrines therein set forth. - -Soon after the election of Shulze, in the closing days of November, -1823, the old parties were broken up, none after that calling themselves -Federalists. Indeed, the term Federalist became odious; but from the -ashes there sprang a party that became more powerful than any which -before or since has borne sway in this country, the great Democratic -Party. - -Every Federal newspaper in Pennsylvania except three—the United States -Gazette, of Philadelphia; The Village Record, of West Chester, and the -Pittsburgh Gazette—joined in its support. - -In the national election of 1824, parties being in a disorganized state, -there was no choice for President by the people. Crawford, Adams, Clay, -Calhoun and Jackson were supported. John Quincy Adams was elected to the -House of Representatives. But in 1828 Jackson was chosen, receiving a -majority of 50,000 in Pennsylvania. His brilliant victory at New -Orleans, gained with scarcely a casualty on our side, created immense -enthusiasm among the people in his favor. - -In 1824 and 1825 the Nation’s early friend and benefactor, General -Lafayette, revisited the scenes of his former trials and final triumphs. -Governor Shulze had the satisfaction of welcoming the hero to the soil -of Pennsylvania, which he did at Morrisville in a brief but eloquent and -impressive speech. - -This was Lafayette’s second visit to Pennsylvania and was an event which -produced marked and spontaneous enthusiasm among the entire population. -Next to the great Washington he was hailed as the deliverer of this -country, and nowhere was he made more welcome than in Philadelphia, -Harrisburg and other parts of Pennsylvania. - -This was the era when stupendous plans for the internal improvement of -the Commonwealth were adopted and put into execution. The Schuylkill -navigation canal, which had been projected almost thirty years -previously, although not commenced until 1815, was completed in 1825. -The occasion was one of great rejoicing and the success of the -enterprise gave an impetus to other improvements. - -Shortly afterward the Union Canal was also finished, and the great -Pennsylvania Canal was prosecuted with vigor. Governor Schulze hesitated -somewhat at this stupendous plan of internal improvements by the State -and opposed the loan of $1,000,000 authorized by the Legislature. He was -obliged to yield, however, to the popular will, and before the close of -his second term $6,000,000 had been borrowed. - -At the session of the General Assembly in 1826 a Board of Commissioners -for internal improvements was established. The Legislature authorized -the Commissioners to contract for a canal from Middletown extending up -the Susquehanna River as far as the mouth of the Juniata, and from -Pittsburgh to the mouth of the Kiskiminitas, a navigable feeder of a -canal from French Creek to the summit level of Conneaut Lake, and to -survey a canal from there to Erie. These enterprises were started with -the modest appropriation of $300,000, which was to be borrowed. - -The board made two contracts, one for twenty-two and one-half miles -along the Susquehanna and twenty-four miles along the Allegheny. At the -following session the canals authorized were to be extended farther up -the Susquehanna, the Juniata, and up the valley of the Kiskiminetas and -the Conemaugh, another between Bristol and Easton and others of lesser -importance. - -In 1826 Governor Shulze was renominated and received within 1000 of all -the votes cast for Governor. This was the nearest to a unanimous -election ever known in Pennsylvania, and was an evidence of the -confidence the people had in him, his fine character and intelligence. - -Previous to 1827 the only railroads in America were a short wooden -railroad constructed at Leiper’s stone quarry, in Delaware County, Pa., -and a road three miles in length opened at the Quincy granite quarries -in Massachusetts in 1826. - -In May, 1827, a railroad nine miles in length was constructed from Mauch -Chunk to the coal mines. This was, at the time, the longest and most -important railroad in America. - -In 1828 the State determined to engage in railroad building. The canal -extending through the center of the State was to be connected by a -railroad crossing the Allegheny Mountains, and with Philadelphia by a -railroad extending to Columbia. Thus by railroad and canal a system of -highway improved communication would extend from the Delaware to the -Ohio. - -The expenditures were now so rapid and enormous that the State began to -suffer. Governor Shulze convened the Assembly in November, 1828, a month -before retiring from office, and explained the tense situation. Funds -had given out, the work was stopped and something must be done. But as -he was soon to retire, he smoothed over the situation, leaving his -successor to wrestle with the problem. - -On December 15, 1829, George Wolf, of Northampton County, was -inaugurated as Governor of Pennsylvania. He had defeated Joseph Ritner, -who attempted to seek this high office on the rising wave of the -anti-Masonic era, which at this time changed the political horizon of -the State and Nation. - -Governor Wolf stepped into office at the time the financial affairs were -in a deplorable condition. His only remedy was to push the public works -to rapid completion. This was done, and in a few years he, with others, -had the proud satisfaction of beholding how far these needed -improvements went toward developing the natural resources of -Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Major George Washington Meets French - Commander Joncaire at Logstown, - November 30, 1753 - - -The contention between Great Britain and France for the possession of -what is now Western Pennsylvania began about the middle of the -eighteenth century. The Treaty of Aix la Chapelle, signed October 18, -1748, while it nominally closed the war between those two countries, -failed to establish the boundaries between their respective colonies in -America, and this failure, together with the hostile and conflicting -attitude of the colonists in America, was the cause of another long and -bloody war. - -An association was formed in Virginia about 1748, called the Ohio -Company, which was given a royal grant. The object of the company, -according to its charter, was to trade with the Indians, but its actual -purpose was to settle the region about the forks of the Ohio, now -Pittsburgh, with English colonists from Virginia and Maryland. - -All the vast territory from the Mississippi to the Alleghany Mountains, -south of the Great Lakes, had been explored and partly occupied by the -French. They had forts, trading posts and missions at various points and -they made every endeavor to conciliate the Indians. It was apparent they -intended to extend their occupancy to the extreme tributaries of the -Ohio, which they claimed by virtue of prior discovery. - -So it was but natural when the English sought to gain a permanent -occupancy of the Ohio Valley that the French should begin actively to -assert their claims to the same region. - -The Governor-General of Canada, the Marquis de la Galissoniere, sent -Captain Bienville de Celeron in 1749 down the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers -to take possession in the name of the King of France. His command -consisted of two hundred and fifteen French and Canadian soldiers and -fifty-five Indians. The principal officers under him were Captain -Contrecœur, who afterwards built Fort Duquesne, Coulon de Villiers, and -Joncaire-Chabet. - -They planted leaden plates, properly inscribed, at different points, -beginning at the present town of Warren, and then along the Allegheny -River, then along the Ohio, and up the Miami, and they reached Lake -Erie, October 19, 1749. - -The French affairs were actively pushed by Joncaire-Chabet, who occupied -the house at the mouth of French Creek, or Venango, which had been built -by John Frazer, a Pennsylvania trader, whom Celeron drove off when he -found him there. - -Early in January, 1753, a French expedition consisting of 300 men under -command of Monsieur Babier set out from Quebec. Traveling over land and -ice, they reached Fort Niagara in April, then pushed on to the -southeastern shore of Lake Erie, at the mouth of Chautauqua Creek. In -May Monsieur Morin arrived with an additional force of 500 men, and he -assumed command. - -It was intended to build a fort here, but the water was found to be too -shallow and the expedition moved to a place which, from the peculiar -formation of the lake shore, they named Presqu’ Isle, or the Peninsula. -This is now the City of Erie. - -Here the first fort was built and named Fort la Presqu’ Isle. It was -constructed of square logs, was about 120 feet square and fifteen feet -high. It was finished in June, 1753 and garrisoned by about 100 men -under command of Captain Depontency. - -The remainder of the forces cut a road southward about fifteen miles to -Le Boeuf River, or French Creek. Here they built a second fort, which -they called Fort Le Boeuf, similar to the first, but smaller. This is -the site of the present Borough of Waterford, Erie County, Pa. - -In 1752 a treaty had been entered into with the Indians which secured -the right of occupancy, and twelve families, headed by Captain -Christopher Gist, established themselves on the Monongahela, and -subsequently commenced the erection of a fort where the City of -Pittsburgh now stands. - -The activity of the French alarmed these settlers, and soon all their -proceedings were reported to Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia. He -determined to send an official communication to the commander of the -French, who had established his headquarters at Fort Le Boeuf, -protesting against the forcible interference with their chartered -rights, granted by the Crown of Britain, pointing to the late treaties -of peace entered into between the English and French, whereby it was -agreed that each should respect the colonial possessions of the other. - -George Washington, then only twenty-three years old, was selected for -this mission by Governor Dinwiddie. He performed his duty with the -greatest tact and to the satisfaction of his Government. - -With a party of seven besides himself, among whom was Christopher Gist, -he set out November 15, 1753, from Wills Creek, the site of Fort -Cumberland, in Maryland, which was the limit of the road that had been -opened by the Ohio Company. - -The first place of importance was Logstown, where they arrived on -November 30. This important Indian village was on the right bank of the -Ohio River, about fourteen miles below the present Pittsburgh. It was at -Logstown where the Treaty of 1752 was made. Here Washington enlisted the -services of the chief Indians and proceeded on his mission. - -Washington writes in his journal that they set out from Logstown for -Venango about 9 o’clock in the morning, with Tanacharison, the -Half-King, Jeskakake, White Thunder and the Hunter, and arrived at -Venango on December 4. - -Soon as Captain Joncaire had finished his greetings wine was passed and -after much drinking all restraint was banished, which gave license to -their tongues and their true sentiments were revealed. - -The French officers told young Washington that it was their absolute -design to take possession of the Ohio, to which they had undoubted right -from a discovery made by LaSalle sixty years since. They also told him -they had raised an expedition to prevent the English from settling on -the river. - -Joncaire endeavored by every means to win the Half-King from the -English, but the chief remained true to his mission, and accompanied -Washington to Le Boeuf, to which place he was referred, as the -commanding officer of the French had his headquarters there. - -The party arrived at Fort Le Boeuf on December 11. Washington was -received with courtesy by the commandant, Legardeur de Saint-Pierre. - -In regard to the message of Governor Dinwiddie, Saint-Pierre replied -that he would forward it to the Governor-General of Canada, but that in -the meantime, his orders were to hold possession of the country, and -this he would do to the best of his ability. - -With this answer Washington retraced his steps, enduring many hardships -and passing through many perils, until he presented his report to the -Governor at Williamsburg, Va., January 16, 1754. - - ---------- - - - - - William Penn and Family Arrive in Province - on His Second Visit, December 1, 1699 - - -Captain John Blackwell, an officer and one of the heroes under Cromwell, -was commissioned Deputy Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania July -25, 1688, while he was in New England, but did not present himself -before the Council until the following March. He and the Council never -acted in harmony, and nothing of importance was accomplished during his -short and stormy term, which ended the following December. - -Thomas Lloyd again became the Chief Executive. During 1691 the six -Councilors from the Lower Counties, without Lloyd’s knowledge, formed -themselves into a separate Council, appointed Judges for those counties -and made ordinances. - -The President and Council of the Province immediately published a -proclamation declaring all the acts of the six seceding members illegal. -The latter made counter-proposals, but they were rejected. - -Penn tried to restore better understanding between the two sections of -his Province and gave them the choice of three modes of executive -government, viz., by Joint Council, by five Commissioners or by a -Lieutenant Governor. - -The members from Pennsylvania preferred the last, but those of the Lower -Counties declared for the Commissioners, but they could not agree upon -any plan, so the counties of Pennsylvania elected Thomas Lloyd for their -Governor and three lower counties rejected him. - -Penn confirmed the appointment of Lloyd and sent William Markham, who -had joined with the protesting members, as the head of the government in -the Lower Counties. This was done against Penn’s judgment and had the -consequences he predicted. - -These dissensions served to furnish the Crown with a pretext to deprive -Penn of his Province. William and Mary seized this opportunity to punish -him for this attachment to the late King, and they commissioned Benjamin -Fletcher, Governor General of New York, also to be the Governor of -Pennsylvania and the territories. The Council of the Province was -officially advised of his appointment April 19, 1693. - -Governor Fletcher was empowered to summon the General Assembly, require -its members to subscribe to the oaths and tests prescribed by acts of -parliament, and to make laws in conjunction with the Assembly, he having -a vote upon their acts, etc. No mention was made of William Penn, nor of -the Provincial constitution, yet, on the arrival of Colonel Fletcher at -Philadelphia, the Government was surrendered to him without objection, -but most of the Quaker magistrates refused to accept from him the -renewal of their commissions. - -William Penn condemned this ready abandonment of his rights, and -addressed a letter to Colonel Fletcher, warning him of the illegality of -his appointment, which might have restrained the latter from exercising -his authority had it been timely received, as he was attached to Penn by -many personal favors. - -Trouble arose when Fletcher attempted a new form of election contrary to -the laws of the Province, and the rejection of eight of the old laws, -chiefly penal. The Assembly insisted that their rights should first be -redressed. - -Fletcher claimed the right to alter laws without even the assent of -Assembly, and to strengthen his position threatened to annex the -Province to New York. The moderate party, rather than submit to this, -preferred receiving the confirmation of their rights and liberties as a -favor at the hands of the Governor. - -Prior to his departure for New York, in 1694, Fletcher appointed William -Markham, the Proprietary’s cousin, to be Lieutenant Governor. Governor -Fletcher attended the second session of the Assembly and insisted upon -further appropriations for public defense. The Assembly refused to -comply with Fletcher’s demand and was dissolved. - -The Proprietary was not wholly in accord with the resolute refusal of -the Assembly, nor was he unmindful of the effects which such opposition -to the wishes of the Crown might have upon his particular interests. - -William Penn was now no longer under the cloud of suspicion. He had many -friends among the nobles who surrounded the King, and his true character -was at last made known. - -He succeeded in obtaining a hearing before a Privy Council and was -honorably acquitted and restored to his Proprietary rights by a patent -dated August, 1694, in which the disorders in the Province were ascribed -solely to his absence. Shortly before his reinstatement, William Penn’s -wife, Gulielma Maria, died. - -Penn appointed Markham his Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania and -Territories September 24, 1694. The restoration of the former government -was not happy, for Governor Fletcher had made himself unpopular, and it -was not an easy matter for Markham to immediately gain their confidence, -even though he had called the Assembly according to the forms prescribed -by the charter. - -The great bone of contention was the subsidy to be granted to the King. -Finally a joint committee of the two branches of the Legislature was -acceded to, when it was agreed to accept the new Constitution, and a new -subsidy of £300 was granted for the support of the Royal Government and -of the suffering Indians. This was raised by a tax of one penny on the -pound on all assessed property. - -The new Constitution was more democratic. The Council consisted of two -from each county, elected biennially. The Assembly had four members from -each county, elected annually. The latter was given the right to -originate bills, to sit on its adjournments and to be indissoluble -during the term for which it was elected. - -This instrument was never formally sanctioned by the Proprietary and -continued in force only until after his second arrival, when a new and -more lasting one was substituted in its place. Under it the people were -content. - -William Penn, accompanied by his second wife and children, sailed from -England in the ship Canterbury in September, 1699, and on account of -adverse winds had a tedious voyage of more than three months, arriving -in the Delaware, December 1, 1699. Penn was cordially welcomed, it being -generally understood that he intended to spend the remainder of his life -in the Province. - -The Proprietary believed the time was ripe for an entirely new form of -government and labored earnestly to obtain additional legislative -restrictions upon intercourse with the Indians in order to protect them -from the artifices of the whites. Penn conferred frequently with the -several nations of the Province, visiting them familiarly in their -forests, participating in their festivals and entertaining them with -much hospitality and state at his mansion at Pennsbury. - -He formed a new treaty with the tribes located on the Susquehanna and -its tributaries and also with the Five Nations. This treaty was one of -peace. In 1701, William Penn took a second trip into the interior of the -Province. - - ---------- - - - - - Morgan Powell Cruelly Murdered by Mollie - Maguires, December 2, 1871 - - -The bloody record of the Mollie Maguires began about the time the Civil -War was brought to a close and continued until James McParlan, the able -detective in the employ of the Pinkerton agency, ferreted out these -criminals and brought the guilty to trials which resulted in their -execution or long terms of imprisonment. - -The anthracite coal regions were not free of this scourge until 1877. - -The Mollies were unusually active and bloodthirsty in 1865. August 25 of -that year, David Muir, colliery superintendent, was killed in Foster -Township, shot to death on the public highway, in broad daylight, within -two hundred yards of the office in which he was employed. - -January 10, 1866, Henry H. Dunne, of Pottsville, superintendent of a -colliery, was murdered on the turnpike, while riding to his home in his -carriage. - -October 17, 1868, occurred the tragic death of Alexander Rae, near -Centralia, Columbia County. - -The next important outrage of this character was the murder of William -H. Littlehales, superintendent of the Glen Carbon Coal Mining Company, -March 15, 1869. He was killed on the highway in Cass Township, -Schuylkill County, while enroute to his home in Pottsville. - -Then occurred the murders of F. W. S. Langdon, George K. Smith and -Graham Powell, each of whom was a mining official. - -But the crowning act of the Mollie Maguires, up to the time James -McParlan was engaged by Mr. Allen Pinkerton to investigate the workings -of this nefarious organization, and the one reaching the culmination of -many previous and similar events, was the murder of Morgan Powell. - -This event exasperated the good people of the anthracite region to the -pitch where endurance ceases to be a virtue, and where only desperate -methods to put a stop to these crimes can be put in operation. - -This unprovoked murder occurred December 2, 1871. Morgan Powell was -assistant superintendent of the Lehigh and Wilkes Barre Coal and Iron -Company, at Summit Hill, Carbon County. - -The murder was committed about seven o’clock in the evening, on the main -street of the little town, not more than twenty feet from the store of -Henry Williamson, which place Powell had but a few minutes earlier left -to go to the office of Mr. Zehner, the general superintendent of the -company. - -It seems that one of three men, who had been seen by different parties -waiting near the store, approached Mr. Powell from the rear, close -beside a gate leading into the stables, and fired a pistol shot into the -left breast of the victim. The assassin reached over the shoulder of -Powell to accomplish his deadly purpose. - -The bullet passed through Powell’s body, lodged in the back near the -spinal column, producing immediate paralysis of the lower limbs, and -resulting in death two days afterward. - -The wounded man was carried back to the store by some of his friends and -his son, Charles Powell, the latter then but fourteen years of age, and -there remained all night. The next day he was removed to the residence -of Morgan Price, where he died the following day. - -Hardly had the smoke from the murderer’s pistol mingled with the clear -air of that star-lit winter evening, when the assassins were discovered -rapidly making their way from the scene of their savage deed toward the -top of Plant No. 1. - -They were met by the Reverend Allan John Morton and Lewis Richards, who -were hurrying to the spot to learn what had caused the firing. - -Mr. Morton asked, as they halted on the rigging-stand, what was the -trouble, when one of the three strangers answered: “I guess a man has -been shot!” - -Descriptions of the three men were remembered by the Reverend Morgan and -Mr. Richards, and the trio started forward in the direction in which Mr. -Powell had pointed when asked which way the attacking party had gone. - -“I'm shot to death! My lower limbs have no feeling in them!” exclaimed -Mr. Powell, when Williamson first raised his head. - -No one could tell who shot him. The three suspects were strangers. - -Patrick Kildea, who was thought to resemble one of them, was arrested -and tried, but finally acquitted, from lack of evidence to convict. -This, for the time, was the end of the matter. - -When McParlan, disguised as James McKenna, was working on the case of -the murder of B. F. Yost, of Tamaqua, in 1875, he learned first-handed -from John Donahue, alias “Yellow Jack,” that he was the murderer of -Morgan Powell. - -Donahue related the circumstances to his “friend” and named his two -confederates. He bragged of the affair as being a clean job. - -He said the escape was easy, as they did not go ten yards from the spot -where Powell dropped, until the excitement cooled down, when, in the -darkness, they quietly departed from the bushes, and reached their homes -in safety. - -The detective made mental notes of this disclosure, and his report -subsequently transmitted to his superiors was the first light upon this -crime, which had, for four years baffled the best efforts of the -officers of justice. - -The time was not ripe to press Donahue for more details, but as the -detective was supposed to have recently assisted in a murder, Donahue -talked freely with him about others who were soon to be victims of the -Mollies. - -In the fall of 1876, when the arrests of the Mollies were made, John -Donahue, Thomas P. Fisher, Patrick McKenna, Alexander Campbell, Patrick -O'Donnell, and John Malloy were taken in Carbon County, charged with the -murder of Morgan Powell, at Summit Hill, December 2, 1871. - -The defendants were tried at different terms of the Carbon County Court, -at Mauch Chunk. James McParlan, the detective, now in his true -character, frequently appeared as a witness and testified to the -confessions of the Mollies. - -They were found guilty as follows: Donahue of murder in the first -degree, Fisher of murder in the first degree, McKenna of murder in the -first degree, and O'Donnell as an accessory. McKenna served nine years -and O'Donnell five years’ imprisonment. - -Thus was the death of Morgan Powell avenged. - - ---------- - - - - - General Anthony Wayne Defeats Indians; - Congress Ratifies Treaty, December - 3, 1795 - - -Congress ratified the treaty made at Greenville by General Anthony -Wayne, December 3, 1795. This is one of the few such treaties the -provisions of which were respected. - -Anthony Wayne was a member of the convention which met in Philadelphia -and adopted a paper, drawn by John Dickinson, which recommended the -Assembly to appoint delegates to a Congress of the Colonies. He was one -of four members of that committee who became distinguished generals in -the Revolution. His father had been an officer in the French and Indian -War and Anthony studied surveying, but his attention was more centered -on things military. - -At the age of twenty he managed an expedition sent to Nova Scotia in the -interest of Great Britain. On the very day that the battle of Lexington -was fought he was made a member of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety. - -He was made a colonel of one of the first regiments raised by -Pennsylvania and soon was engaged in the perilous Canadian campaign. - -Wayne then was given command of Fort Ticonderoga, which Ethan Allen had -captured “in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental -Congress.” During this tour of duty he was made a brigadier general and -begged General Washington for more active service. - -He was called to general headquarters at Morristown and given command of -eight Pennsylvania regiments. These he taught to fight. - -General Wayne fought bravely at Brandywine, and after Howe captured -Philadelphia Washington posted him to watch the British and annoy them -while the main army was being put in better condition to meet the enemy. - -Through the betrayal of his position by a Tory, Wayne’s command was -surprised at Paoli, when more than sixty of his soldiers were stabbed to -death by the British bayonets. It was due to no fault of General Wayne -and he managed to march away most of his men in good order. - -Two weeks later the Battle of Germantown was fought and Wayne’s troops -had a chance to make a bayonet attack upon the same soldiers who had -rushed into their camp at Paoli. “They took ample vengeance for that -night’s work,” said Wayne. He was delighted to see his Pennsylvanians -beat the British at their own style of fighting. - -Wayne’s troops suffered through the long winter following at Valley -Forge, and none worked harder to relieve their distress than did the -popular general. - -Washington dispatched Wayne on a foraging expedition through New Jersey -for much-needed supplies, and in spite of several skirmishes with -British troops on the same mission Wayne brought back the supplies. - -When Howe evacuated Philadelphia and Washington followed him across New -Jersey, it was Wayne who encouraged Washington to fight the enemy. The -Battle of Monmouth resulted, and it was Wayne’s line which held back the -British until Washington could move up the rest of his army. - -In Washington’s report to Congress about this battle he mentioned only -one general by name, General Anthony Wayne. - -Wayne’s most daring exploit was the capture of Stony Point, on the -Hudson. This was accomplished by 1300 men in a bayonet attack at night. -Wayne was wounded and afterward was spoken of by envious officers as -“Mad Anthony.” - -He performed conspicuous service at Yorktown, and was afterward sent to -Georgia, where he fought Indians as well as British. The State of -Georgia gave Wayne a rice plantation in token of gratitude. - -After Washington resigned the active command of the army, General Josiah -Harmar, one of a family living along the Perkiomen, succeeded him. -Harmar led an expedition against the Miami Indians in the Northwest in -1790, but was defeated. - -General Arthur St. Clair, who had been a major general of the -Pennsylvania Line and President of the Continental Congress, succeeded -Harmar. St. Clair at the time was also Governor of the Northwestern -Territory. He, too, suffered a humiliating defeat in a serious -engagement November 4, 1791, by the Miami, led by their chiefs and aided -by Simon Girty, the notorious Tory and renegade, another Pennsylvanian. - -After his reverse Washington appointed Anthony Wayne a major general and -put him in command of the Army of the United States. The Indians were -aided by the British. - -Within seven years they had killed 1500 people, and their object was to -prevent the settlements beyond the Ohio River. - -General Wayne organized an army of 2631 men at Pittsburgh. A large -proportion of the soldiers were Pennsylvanians. - -The war lasted more than two years. Wayne moved his army down the Ohio, -thence to the site of Cincinnati, to the Miami River, 400 miles into the -wilderness. - -On August 20, 1794, at the Fallen Timbers he encountered a force of 2000 -Indians and won the most important victory ever secured over the Indian -foes. Almost all the dead warriors were found with British arms. - -Wayne laid waste their country and by the middle of September moved up -to the junction of the St. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s Rivers, near the -present City of Fort Wayne, Ind., and built a strong fortification, -which he named Fort Wayne. The little army wintered at Greenville, O. -The barbarians realized their weakness and sued for peace. - -Wayne returned to Philadelphia to report his operations. As he -approached the city the cavalry troops met him as a guard of honor. When -he crossed the ferry over the Schuylkill a salute of fifteen guns was -fired, and the bells of the city pealed their acclaim. The people -crowded the sidewalks to catch a glimpse of the victorious general. -Congress voted him its thanks. - -The following summer 1130 sachems and warriors, representing twelve -tribes or nations, met at Greenville on August 3 and concluded a treaty -the basis of which was that hostilities should permanently cease and all -prisoners be restored. The boundary line between the United States and -the lands of the several tribes was fixed. It made possible the -settlement of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and the West. - -When this treaty was successfully concluded Wayne embarked in a schooner -at Detroit for his home in Chester County. He was taken ill with his old -complaint, the gout, and landed at Presqu’ Isle in great physical -distress. Before an army surgeon could reach him he died in the -Block-House there, December 15, 1796. - -Bury me at the foot of the flagstaff, boys,” he ordered, and his command -was obeyed. Thirteen years later his son, Colonel Isaac Wayne, removed -his remains to Radnor churchyard, in Delaware County, over which the -Pennsylvania State Society of Cincinnati erected an elegant white marble -monument. - - ---------- - - - - - - - -Anti-Masonic Period Terminates in Trouble on December 4, 1838 - - -In the campaign of 1838 Governor Joseph Ritner was renominated by the -Fusionist Whig-Anti-Masonic-Abolitionist Party for the office of -Governor, and David R. Porter, of Huntingdon, was the nominee of the -Democratic organization for the same office. - -The campaign was one of vituperation and personal abuse of the -candidates unparalleled in the history of politics. - -When the news of the election became known it showed that Porter had -been elected by a majority of 5540 votes. - -Immediately thereafter Secretary of the Commonwealth Thomas H. Burrowes, -who was also chairman of the Anti-Masonic State Committee, issued a -circular to the “Friends of Governor Ritner,” calling upon them to -“treat the election held on October 9 as if it had never taken place.” -This circular had the desired effect and the defeated Anti-Masonic and -weak candidates for the Legislature contested the seats of their -successful Democratic competitors on the slightest pretext. - -Thaddeus Stevens said at a public meeting in the Courthouse at -Gettysburg that “the Anti-Masons would organize the House, and if -Governor Porter were declared elected the Legislature would elect Canal -Commissioners for three years and then adjourn before date fixed by the -new Constitution for the inauguration, and that Porter would never be -Governor.” - -As the time approached for the meeting of the Legislature on December 4, -trouble was anticipated and “Committees on Safety” were appointed in -nearly all of the counties, while many persons, especially from the -districts in which contests were expected, flocked to Harrisburg to -witness the result of the struggle. - -It may not be generally known, but there had been a secret meeting -composed of Burrowes, Stevens and Fenn, none of whom was born in -Pennsylvania, at which were suggested some strong revolutionary -measures. - -After the excitement was over the Legislature settled down to business, -and Governor Porter having been inaugurated, it was seriously considered -whether these men should not be tried for treason. - -The House then consisted of 100 members, eight of whom were from -Philadelphia, whose seats were contested, and of the remaining number -forty-eight were Democrats and forty-four anti-Masonic Whigs. The -majority of the Senate belonged to the latter party, and consequently -promptly organized by the election of Charles B. Penrose as Speaker. - -In the House the clerk read the names of the members as given him by the -Secretary of the Commonwealth. - -Upon reading the returns from Philadelphia County it was discovered that -the legal returns had been withheld and fraudulent ones substituted. -This had been anticipated, as the Secretary of the Commonwealth had -determined to seat the minority members, thus compelling the majority to -be contestants and to witness the organization of the House. The -Democrats produced and read the true returns, as duly certified by the -Prothonotary of Philadelphia. This seated both sets of contesting -delegates and caused the wildest excitement. - -At this moment Thaddeus Stevens moved that the House proceed to the -election of the Speaker. The clerk then called the roll of the Whig and -Anti-Masonic members and declared Thomas S. Cunningham, of Beaver -County, elected. He was conducted to the Speaker’s chair and took his -seat. - -The Democrats paid very little attention to the movements of the -opposition and elected William Hopkins, of Washington County, Speaker. -Two members escorted Mr. Hopkins to the platform, where Mr. Cunningham -had already been seated. - -The Pennsylvania House of Representatives thus enjoyed a double-headed -organization. The members of the House of each party were then sworn in -by their respective officers—fifty-two members who had elected Mr. -Cunningham and fifty-six members who elected Mr. Hopkins. - -After some necessary routine the Governor and the Senate were informed -the House was ready to proceed to business; then both bodies adjourned -their respective organizations to meet next day at 10 o’clock. - -The Cunningham party did not wait until its appointed time. In the -afternoon they met again in the hall, and after being called to order by -their Speaker, he called Mr. Spackman, of Philadelphia, to act as -Speaker pro tem. Some Philadelphians who were in the lobby as -spectators, feeling indignant at the proceedings of the Cunningham -party, went up to the platform and carried Spackman off and sat him down -in the aisle. - -This interference from outsiders could not be resented by the rump House -and it immediately adjourned amid great confusion. They afterwards met -in Matthew Wilson’s Hall, until recently known as the Lochiel Hotel. -During these exciting scenes large crowds gathered outside the Capitol -and became boisterous. The aspect of affairs appeared alarming. - -While the foregoing incidents were transpiring in the House, there were -contests for seats in the Senate from several districts. Upon the floor -were members of the House, among them Thaddeus Stevens and Secretary of -the Commonwealth Burrowes, of Lancaster, who had gone there with -minority returns. These two individuals, who controlled the Executive, -were of the opinion that the first returns received were to have -precedence. - -A large crowd in the rear of the Senate Chamber was composed of excited -and enraged citizens, especially toward those who were working to seat -Hanna and Wagner, of Philadelphia, in place of those legally entitled to -the seats. Threats of violence were heard. - -The clerk had opened and read the returns, as far as Philadelphia. When -those were reached, Charles Brown, who had been elected on the majority -return, arose and presented to the Speaker what he said was a copy of -the true return, alleging the other false. The Speaker attempted to stop -him, but the crowd insisted that Brown be heard. Brown was allowed to -proceed, and during his remarks the crowds in the lobby and gallery -shouted, threatening violence to Penrose, Burrowes and Stevens. - -The scene was now one of fearful confusion, disorder and terror, and at -last Speaker Penrose, unable to stem the current any longer, abandoned -his post, and with Stevens and Burrowes escaped through a window in the -rear of the Senate Chamber. The Senate adjourned until next day. - -On the night of the first day of the session a large public meeting was -held in the Courthouse over which General Thomas Craig Miller, of Adams -County, presided. - -The Governor then issued a proclamation which stated that “a lawless, -infuriated, armed mob, from the counties of Philadelphia, Lancaster, -Adams and other places, have assembled at the seat of government with -the avowed object of disturbing, interrupting and overawing the -Legislature of this Commonwealth and of preventing its proper -organization and the peaceful and free discharge of its duties. This mob -had entered the Senate Chamber and threatened the lives of the members -and it still remained in the city in force, etc.” - -The Governor called upon the civil authorities, the military force of -the Commonwealth and the citizens to hold themselves in readiness for -instant duty. - - ---------- - - - - - Troops Called Out in “Buck Shot War” on - December 5, 1838 - - -Amid all the excitement of the first day of the “Buckshot” War, December -4, 1837, at the moment Governor Joseph Ritner had issued his -proclamation calling upon the people to disperse the lawless element and -to add further excitement, the State Arsenal was seized by friends of -the Governor, where large quantities of powder and cartridges were -stored. The proclamation and call for troops and the seizure of the -arsenal filled the city of Harrisburg with intense alarm. - -William Cochran, Sheriff of Dauphin County, issued a proclamation in -which he stated that at no time had there been any riotous proceedings, -nor any disturbances which rendered necessary his interposition as a -civil officer to preserve peace. - -The following day, December 5, the Governor made a requisition on Major -General Robert Patterson, commanding the First Division Pennsylvania -Militia to furnish sufficient of his command to “quell this -insurrection.” - -General Patterson obtained from the Frankford Arsenal a supply of the -regular ammunition for infantry, which was then buckshot. About a -hundred of General Patterson’s command arrived in Harrisburg, on -Saturday night, December 8, and the next afternoon 800 troops arrived. -They were paraded through the streets to the public grounds in front of -the State Arsenal. - -The general and his staff reported to the Governor. The door was locked -and barred, and the general could not gain admittance until the Governor -learned from a second-story window who was seeking an entrance. - -The Governor sent for his Cabinet, and five responded. They asked the -General many questions, among others, if he would obey an order of the -Speaker of the Senate, to which he replied in the negative. He said he -had not come on a political mission, and anyway, would not sustain a -party clearly in the wrong. - -He was asked if he would obey an order from the Speaker of the House. He -replied he would not, for two reasons: They had two Speakers, he did not -know the right one, and he would not obey the regular Speaker anyway, as -he had no right to give him an order. He said he would obey only the -Governor, and then only when the Governor gave him an order he had a -right to give. - -General Patterson refused to help seat either Speaker. He said the House -alone could do that. If ordered to fire, he would refuse to issue the -order. Nor would he permit a single shot to be fired except in -self-defense, if assailed by the rebels, or in the protection of public -property. The conference ended abruptly. - -The Governor had called upon Captain Sumner, then in command of the -Carlisle Barracks, for troops, but he refused to send them to interfere -in political troubles. - -Governor Ritner also wrote to President Van Buren, laying before him a -full account of the affair, requesting the President to take such -measures as would protect the State against violence. The Governor named -several Government officials who were active in the trouble. - -The Governor’s party finding they could not get General Patterson to -install them in power, his troops were ordered home and a requisition -was made upon Major General Alexander, of the Eleventh Division of State -Militia, a citizen of Carlisle, and an ultra-Whig in politics. - -Out of three companies only sixty-seven men responded. The battalion, -under the command of Colonel Willis Foulk, marched from Carlisle to -Harrisburg, December 15, arriving on the following day. - -There never had been occasion for soldiers and now as the Carlisle -troops arrived the disturbance in the Legislature was nearing an end. -The soldiers regarded the trip as a frolic. - -On December 17 Messrs. Butler and Sturdevant, of Luzerne, and Montelius, -of Union County, three legally elected Whig members, abandoned their -Anti-Masonic associates and were sworn in as members of the “Hopkins -House,” which gave it a legal quorum over and above the eight Democrats -from Philadelphia whose rights the “Rump House” disputed. - -Finally on December 27, Mr. Michler, of Northampton County, submitted a -resolution which recognized that the House was now legally organized, -and it was adopted, by the close vote of seventeen yeas to sixteen nays. - -The committee called for in the resolution was named and waited on the -Governor, informing him the Legislature was organized. - -With this reconciliation the returns were opened and read; the amendment -to the Constitution was declared carried and the election of David R. -Porter as Governor of the Commonwealth promulgated. However, the -animosity still existed, and resulted in the appointment by both Houses -of select committees to inquire into the causes of the disturbances and -other matters. - -Mr. Stevens, the ring leader, refused at first to be reconciled, and -absented himself several months from the sessions of the House. It was -not until May 8 that his colleague in the House announced that Mr. -Stevens was now in his seat and ready to take the requisite -qualifications. - -Objection was made, and a resolution offered declaring that Mr. Stevens -had “forfeited that right by act in violation of the laws of the land, -by contempt to the House, and by the virtual resignation of his -character as a representative.” Action was postponed. - -On the following day Mr. Stevens again appeared, and, through his -colleague, demanded that the oath be administered. This was on motion -postponed by a vote of forty-eight to thirty. Two days afterward Mr. -Stevens appeared a third time, but by a vote of fifty-three to -thirty-three the question was postponed, and a committee appointed to -examine whether he had not forfeited his right to a seat as a member. - -On the 20th this committee reported that he was “not entitled” to his -seat. - -The House, however, by declaring his seat vacant, caused an election, -when Mr. Stevens was again returned and appearing, was duly qualified. - -Mr. Penrose, the Speaker of the Senate, issued a manifesto “To the -People of the State,” explaining his participation in the proceedings of -December 4. - -Subsequently a number of pamphlets appeared, chiefly of the facetious -class, which attempted to make a farce of what might have resulted in a -very serious affair. One of these severely criticized Secretary Burrowes -for withholding the correct and legal returns; Speaker Penrose for the -violation of his duty; the six Senators who were denounced as traitors -and the last paragraph was: - -“Finally, if the leaders of the party who claimed to be ‘all the -decency,’ and were the first to cry out mob, had behaved themselves -honorably and honestly there would have been no ‘Buckshot War,’ and -perhaps they would not have so soon been compelled to witness the 'Last -Kick of Anti-Masonry.'” - -The piper was now to pay and it took many years to heal the political -sores. The Anti-Masonic crusade had come to an end, and from that date -Masonry and Odd Fellowship, those “twin sisters of iniquity,” as -Thaddeus Stevens designated them, thrived more than ever. The term -“Buckshot War,” was a thorn in the side of its leaders. - - ---------- - - - - - De Vries Finds Entire Dutch Colony Destroyed, - December 6, 1632 - - -The Dutch were the first Europeans to pursue explorations in the New -World, and as early as 1609, sent Henry Hudson on an expedition to -America, where he arrived at the head of Delaware Bay, August 28 of that -year. Hudson later sailed up the New Jersey Coast and anchored off Sandy -Hook, September 3; nine days later entered New York Bay through the -Narrows, and entered the great river that since has borne his name. - -The Dutch East India Company received glowing reports from its navigator -and immediately set in motion other expeditions to the New Netherlands. - -Before 1614 a fleet of five vessels, under command of Captain Cornelius -Jacobson Mey, arrived in Delaware Bay, and two years later Cornelius -Hendrickson sailed up the Delaware and discovered the mouth of the -Schuylkill, the present site of Philadelphia. - -In 1621 the Dutch West India Company was chartered and in 1623 Captain -Mey built Fort Nassau about five miles above Wilmington, Del., on the -eastern shore. Another settlement of a few families was made farther -north upon the same side of the river, but in 1631 no white man had made -a settlement on the west bank of the Delaware River. - -In that year there came to the southern cape, now Henlopen, a party of -colonists from Holland, under David Pieterson De Vries, of Hoorn, “a -bold and skillful seaman,” and the finest personage in the settlement of -America. - -On December 12, 1630, a ship and a yacht for the Zuydt Revier (South -River) were sent from the Texel “with a number of people and a large -stock of cattle,” the object being, said De Vries, “as well to carry on -a whale fishery in that region, as to plant a colony for the cultivation -of all sorts of grain, for which the country is well adapted, and of -tobacco.” - -These colonists made a settlement near the present town of Lewes and -called it Swanendael, or the Valley of the Swans. They built a -substantial house, surrounded it with palisades, and began their -settlement. A few weeks later the Walrus sailed on its return to Holland -with De Vries aboard, who left the colony in charge of Gilles Hosset, -who had come out as “commissary.” This colony was destined to be the -most unfortunate and of short duration. - -Early in 1632 De Vries agreed with his associates in Holland to go out -to Swanendael himself. He fitted out two vessels, and with them set sail -from the Texel, May 24, 1632, to be in good time at his colony, for the -winter fishery. The whales, he understood, “come in the winter, and -remained until March.” - -As he was leaving Holland the bad news reached him that Swanendael had -been destroyed by the Indians. The expedition proceeded, however, and it -was December 5 when they reached Cape Cornelius and found the melancholy -report only too true. - -On the 6th De Vries went ashore to view the desolate place. He says: - -“I found lying here and there the skulls and bones of our people, and -the heads of the horses and cows which they had brought with them.” - -No Indians were visible, so he went aboard the boat and let the gunner -fire a shot to see if he could find any trace of them. The next day some -Indians appeared. - -In the conferences which followed, De Vries obtained some explanation of -the disaster. It seems to have been the result of a misunderstanding. An -Indian, who was induced to remain on board all night December 8, -rehearsed the story. Commissary Hosset set up a pole, upon which was -fastened a piece of tin bearing the arms of The Netherlands, as an -evidence of its claim and profession. - -An Indian, seeing the glitter of the tin, ignorant of the object of this -exhibition and unconscious of the right of exclusive property, -appropriated to his own use this honored symbol “for the purpose of -making tobacco pipes.” - -The Dutch regarded the offense as an affair of state, not merely a -larceny, and Hosset urged his complaints and demands for redress with so -much vehemence that the perplexed tribe brought him the head of the -offender. This was a punishment which Hosset neither wished nor had -foreseen, and he dreaded its consequences. - -In vain he reprehended the severity of the Indians, and told them had -they brought the delinquent to him, he would have been dismissed with a -reprimand. The love of vengeance, inseparable from the Indian character, -sought a dire gratification; and, though the culprit was executed by his -own tribe, still they beheld its cause in the exaction of the strangers. - -Availing themselves of the season in which many of the Dutch were -engaged in the cultivation of the fields, at a distance from their -house, the Indians entered it, under the amicable pretense of trade, and -murdered the unsuspicious Hosset, also a sentinel who attended him. They -proceeded to the fields, fell upon the laborers and massacred every -individual. - -De Vries did not put the blame on Hosset, but the colony was ruined. -Neither did he chastise the natives nor send out a punitive expedition -against them; more bloodshed would not heal the wounds already made. -With a view to future fishing, he exchanged some goods with the Indians, -and made an engagement of peace. - -On January 1, 1634, he proceeded up the river and on the 6th arrived at -Fort Nassau. It was now deserted, except by Indians. He was suspicious -of these, and traded with extreme caution. He remained in the vicinity -of the fort for four days, ever on the alert. He nearly fell a victim -here to the perfidy of the natives. - -They directed him to haul his yacht into the narrow Timmer-Kill, which -furnished a convenient place for an attack, but he was warned by a -female of the tribe of their design, and told the English crew of a -vessel which had been sent from Virginia to explore the river the -September previous had been murdered. De Vries then hastened to Fort -Nassau, which he found filled with savages. - -On January 10 he drifted his yacht off on the ebbtide, anchored at noon -“on the bar at Jacques Island” and on the 13th rejoined his ship at -Swanendael. - -Jacques Island has been identified as Little Tinicum, opposite the -greater Tinicum which is now part of Delaware County. The kill in which -he lay was therefore Ridley, or perhaps Chester Creek. In either case, -it seems, De Vries was then within the State of Pennsylvania. - -In April De Vries returned to Holland. Thus at the expiration of -twenty-five years from the discovery of the Delaware by Hudson, not a -single European remained upon its shores. - - ---------- - - - - - Fires of Early Days; First Fire Fighting - Company Organized December 7, 1736 - - -The City of Philadelphia had not been laid out one year until it was -visited by a fire, the sufferers being some recently arrived Germans and -for whose relief a subscription was made. - -From this time until 1696 no public precautions seem to have been taken -against fire. In the latter year the Provincial Assembly passed a law -for preventing accidents that might happen by fire in the towns of -Philadelphia and New Castle, by which persons were forbidden to fire -their chimneys to cleanse them, or suffer them to be so foul as to take -fire, under a penalty of forty shillings, and each house owner was -required to provide and keep ready a swab twelve or fourteen feet long, -and a bucket or pail, under a penalty of ten shillings. - -No person should presume to smoke tobacco in the streets, either by day -or night, under a penalty of twelve pence. All such fines were to be -used to buy leather buckets and other instruments or engines against -fires for the public use. - -An act was passed in 1700, applying to Philadelphia, Bristol, -Germantown, Darby and Chester, which provided for two leather buckets, -and forbade more than six pounds of powder to be kept in any house or -shop, unless forty perches distant from any dwelling house, under the -penalty of ten pounds. A year later the magistrates were directed to -procure “six or eight good hooks for tearing down houses on fire.” - -As the city grew, fires became more frequent, through faulty constructed -chimneys and the general use of wood for fuel. Mayor Samuel Preston in -1711 recommended the purchase of buckets, hooks and an engine. In -December, 1718, the City Council purchased of Abraham Bickley a fire -engine he had imported from England for £50. This fire engine was then -in Bethlehem. It was the first fire engine purchased by the city of -Philadelphia. - -The first “great fire” took place between 10 and 11 o’clock on the night -of April 24, 1730. The fire started in a store along the wharf and -burned several stores under one roof, two cooper shops and an immense -quantity of staves on King Street, and two new tenement houses, all -owned by Mr. Fishbourne; a new house of Mr. Plumstead’s; John -Dickinson’s fine new house, and Captain Anthony’s house. Several other -buildings were damaged and much property fell prey to thieves. - -This disastrous fire made the whole population realize that new -fire-fighting apparatus was needed. The City Council at once ordered -three fire engines and 400 leather buckets to be purchased in England -and provided twenty ladders and twenty-five hooks and axes. - -A year elapsed, however, before two of the engines and 250 buckets were -received, and Mayor Hassel directed one to be stationed in the yard of -the Friends’ Meeting House, Second and Market Streets, and the other on -the lot of Francis Jones, corner Second and Walnut Streets. - -The old Bickley engine was stationed in the yard of the Baptist Church, -on Second near Arch Street. As late as 1771 only six fire engines -comprised the entire force of the city. - -A third engine was built in Philadelphia by Anthony Nichols, in 1733, -and other buckets were manufactured there. This is the first fire engine -ever built in Pennsylvania. - -At a fire in January, 1733, this engine threw a stream higher than any -other engine had been able to do, but Nichols was not given another -order because his price was too high, he had “used wood instead of brass -and they feared it would not last long.” - -In December, 1733, there appeared in Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette an -article on fires and their origin, and the mode of putting them out. -Another article suggested that public pumps should be built, and gave a -plan for the organization of a club or society for putting out fires, -after the manner of one in Boston. - -Franklin was the author of both articles, and they caused such interest -that a project of forming such a company was soon undertaken. Thirty -joined the association, and every member was obliged to keep in order -and fit for service a certain number of buckets. They were to meet -monthly and discuss topics which might be useful in their conduct at -fires. - -The advantages of the association were so apparent they became so -numerous as to include quite all the inhabitants who were men of -property. - -Out of this movement started by Benjamin Franklin was organized the -Union Fire Company, December 7, 1736, this being the first fire company -in Philadelphia. Among the early members were Franklin, Isaac Paschal, -Philip Syng, William Rawle and Samuel Powell. - -The second company was the Fellowship Fire Company, organized March 1, -1738; the third the Hand-in-Hand, organized March 1, 1742; the fourth -the Heart-in-Hand, organized February 22, 1743; the fifth the -Friendship, organized July 30, 1747; the sixth the Britannia, organized -in 1750. - -Richard Mason in 1768 manufactured engines which were operated by levers -at the ends instead of the side of the engine. These were successful, -and he continued to produce his engines until 1801. - -Patrick Lyon, about 1794, became the greatest fire-engine builder, when -he invented an engine which would throw more water and with greater -force than the others. He built fire engines as late as 1824. The -“Reliance” and “Old Diligent,” built by him, performed useful service -until the introduction of steam fire engines in 1855. - -The first truly great fire in Philadelphia occurred July 9, 1850, when -367 houses were destroyed on Delaware Avenue, near Vine Street. - -On November 12, 1851, three lives were lost in a fire which destroyed -Bruner’s cotton factory. - -The borough of Somerset was almost totally destroyed in 1833, and again -on May 9, 1872. In the latter conflagration 117 buildings were -destroyed. - -On April 10, 1845, the city of Pittsburgh was visited by its first great -fire, which burned over a space of fifty-six acres of the business and -residential section. - -December 15, 1850, the greater portion of the borough of Carbondale was -wiped out. - -Chambersburg suffered first in Stuart’s rebel raid, October 10, 1862, -and again when General McCausland destroyed the beautiful Franklin -County seat, July 30, 1864. - -Selinsgrove was visited by a terrible fire February 22, 1872, and -another fire almost wiped out the town October 30, 1874. - -Mifflintown suffered by a great fire in 1871, again on August 23, 1873, -and the borough of Milton was almost destroyed May 14, 1880, when 644 -houses and business blocks were burned from noon until 4 o’clock in the -afternoon. - - ---------- - - - - - Washington’s Headquarters in Several Bucks - County Mansions Began December - -8, 1776 - - -During the Revolution General Washington established his headquarters in -no less than three of the old-time dwellings of Bucks County. - -When Washington crossed the Delaware into Bucks County, Pennsylvania, -with the rear guard of his army, Sunday, December 8, 1776, he took up -his quarters in the country house of Mrs. Berkley, while the troops were -stationed opposite the crossing. - -This dwelling was built in 1750, in the village of Morrisville. The -house is still in a fine state of preservation, occupies a commanding -situation, with a farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres belonging to -it, and is within the site once selected by Congress for the capital of -the United States. - -In this house, George Clymer, a signer of the Declaration of -Independence, lived and died. It was then owned by his son, Henry -Clymer, afterwards it became the property of the Waddells. - -Local tradition, seldom at fault in such cases, points this house out as -Washington’s quarters immediately after he crossed the river, and -mementos of the troops have been found in the adjacent fields. - -After Washington had placed his troops in position to guard the fords of -the Delaware and prevent the enemy crossing, the headquarters of the -army, and the quarters of the commander-in-chief’s most trusted -lieutenants, were fixed at farm houses in the same neighborhood in Upper -Wakefield Township, where they were always within easy communication. - -General Washington occupied the dwelling of William Keith, on the road -from Brownsburg to the Eagle Tavern; General Green was at Robert -Merrick’s, a few hundred yards away across the fields and meadows; -General Sullivan was at John Hayhurst’s; and Generals Knox and Hamilton -were at Doctor Chapman’s over Jericho Hill. - -The troops belonging to the headquarters were encamped in sheltered -places along the creeks, and not far removed from the river. - -This position for headquarters was selected on account of its seclusion, -its nearness to the river and because of its proximity to Jericho -Mountain. From the top of this mountain in the winter, signals may be -seen a long distance up and down the river. - -Here, too, Washington was near the fords, at which the enemy would -attempt to cross, if pursuit was intended, and he was also within a half -hour’s ride of Newtown, the depot of supplies. - -The three old mansions in which Washington, Greene and Knox quartered, -are still standing. - -The Keith mansion was a two-story, pointed-stone house, twenty-four by -twenty-eight feet in size, built by William Keith in 1763. - -The pine door, in two folds, set in a solid oaken frame, is garnished -with a wooden lock, fourteen by eighteen inches, the same which locked -out intruders when Washington occupied the house. The interior is -finished in yellow pine. At the time Washington used the dwelling the -yard was inclosed with a stone wall. The property, containing two -hundred and forty acres, and purchased by William Keith, of the London -Company, December 3, 1761, has never been out of the family. - -The Merrick house, a quarter of a mile distant to the east, on the road -from Newtown to Neely’s Mill, is a pointed-stone dwelling, twenty by -twenty feet, and kitchen adjoining. It was bought by Samuel Merrick in -1773, and was for many years owned by Edward, a descendant. - -When General Greene occupied the dwelling, the first floor was divided -into three rooms, and the family lived in the log end on the west. As -the house was not then finished, the General had the walls of the rooms -on the ground floor painted in a tasteful manner, with a picture of the -rising sun over the fireplace. - -At that time Samuel Merrick had a family of half-grown children, who -were deeply impressed with passing events, and many traditions have been -handed down to the present generations. - -General Greene purchased the confidence of Hannah, a young daughter, by -the gift of a small tea canister, which was kept many years in the -family. They told how the Rhode Island blacksmith lived on the fat of -the land while quartered at the house of their ancestor, devouring his -flock of turkeys, and monopolizing the only fresh milk cow, besides -eating her calf. - -At the last supper which General Washington took with General Greene at -the Merrick house, at which the daughter Hannah waited upon the table, -she kept the plate from which the commander-in-chief ate as a memento of -the occasion. - -The Hayhurst house, where Sullivan quartered, was on the adjoining farm -to Keith’s, where this plain member of the Wrightstown meeting lived -with his family of five small children. - -The Chapman mansion, the quarters of General Knox, is on the north side -of the Jericho Mountain, a mile from Brownsburg. It is still in -excellent condition. - -Knox occupied the first floor of the east end, then divided into two -rooms. Alexander Hamilton, then a youthful captain of artillery, lay -sick in the back room. - -A considerable portion of the Continental army found shelter in this -neighborhood immediately preceding the attack on Trenton, Christmas Day, -1776, and Washington had his headquarters at a quiet farm house in the -shadow of Jericho Hill. - -In August, 1777, the Continental Army tarried thirteen days on the -Neshaminy Hills, Bucks County, on the York road from Coryell’s Ferry, -now New Hope, until it received notice of the departure of the British -fleet, which had recently sailed from New York, and which was destined -for the capture of Philadelphia. - -During this time Washington was quartered in the stone house not far -from the north end of the bridge over the Neshaminy, and on the left -side of the York road going south. It was long since known as the -Bothwell home. - -A whipping post was erected on the opposite side of the road. - -While Washington was quartered in this house Lafayette reported to him -for service in the Continental army; and in it was held the first -council of war at which Lafayette had a seat. - -The army marched hence August 22, through Philadelphia, and then engaged -the enemy on the field of Brandywine. - - ---------- - - - - - Railroad Riots in Erie; Bridges Destroyed - December 9, 1853 - - -One of the most interesting and irritating episodes that became -interwoven with the administration of Governor James Pollock was what -was then known as the Erie Riots. - -Pollock was seriously handicapped at the outset of his administration by -the only Know Nothing Legislature in the history of the State. Nothing -constructive came out of this session, but a movement was begun which -led to the sale of the Main Line of the public works. In this the -Governor was a strong advocate, and two years later the Legislature -passed the enabling acts by which the Pennsylvania Railroad Company -became the purchaser. - -The Erie and Northwestern Railroad Company had built a short line to -connect with the New York Central at Buffalo, and with the Lake Shore -Line at Erie, by which a continuous railway line was made to the West. -The several railroads at that time did not have uniform gauge, and the -road west of Erie was of a different gauge than those east of that city, -which was the most important connecting point; and all passengers and -traffic were required to be transferred at Erie. - -The necessities of the growing commerce required that the causes of this -detention in transfer should be removed, both on account of the delay -and the cost of handling of the freight, and the annoyance to the -passengers in changing cars, all of which was because there was a -difference of one or two inches in the gauge of the rails of the two -lines. - -The railroads therefore changed the gauge. This action aroused the -hostility of the people of the city of Erie, whose sympathies the -railway company seemed to have generally alienated and the battle -progressed little by little until the entire community became involved -in one of the most disgraceful local conflicts of the history of -Pennsylvania. - -On December 9, 1853, two railroad bridges and many crossings were -destroyed by a mob of women, and a great parade of the rioters was held -amid the shouts of their sympathizers and jeers of their opponents. - -The people, however, were not all on one side. They were in fact, about -equally divided. - -The contending forces were popularly known as “Rippers” and “Shanghais.” -The former term was applied to those who favored the break of the gauge, -as they repeatedly ripped up the tracks of the road. - -This contest continued for several years and so completely inflamed the -entire community that the prominent citizens became divided on the issue -and ceased all social intercourse. They even carried that feeling so far -that they would not worship at the same church. - -Erie was an important county, and although reliably Whig, all political -ties were disregarded and only those could be elected to the Legislature -who would work for the repeal of the charter of the Erie and -Northwestern Road. - -After a long and bitter conflict the bill transferring the custody of -the road to the State was passed and approved by Governor Pollock. The -charter powers passed to the Commonwealth and the road in consequence -was operated by State authorities. - -The Governor appointed ex-Congressman Joseph Casey as State -superintendent to operate the road. After struggling for a few months in -vain efforts to harmonize the people and to maintain an open line of -communication between the East and West, he resigned in disgust. - -Governor Pollock then appointed General William F. Small, of -Philadelphia, a veteran of the Mexican War and an experienced member of -the State Senate, in the expectation that he would be able to calm down -the belligerents and operate the line. After a few weeks on the job he -resigned. The Governor urged his close friend, Colonel Alexander K. -McClure, of Philadelphia, but formerly of Chambersburg, to assume the -uninviting task. - -Colonel McClure was given full authority to handle the situation as he -thought best. He went to Erie and soon won the confidence of leaders of -both factions, with many of whom he already had personal acquaintance. - -Lined up against the railroad were such men of importance as Judge James -Thompson, afterward Chief Justice of the State; State Senator James -Skinner, Mr. Morrow B. Lowrey, later a member of the State Senate, and a -large number of men prominent in the business circles of the city. - -On the other side were men of like distinction, such as John H. Walker, -former State Senator and president of the last Constitutional -Convention; Senator J. B. Johnson, who was also editor of the -Constitution, one of the leading papers of the city; Milton C. -Courtright, a principal stockholder of the railroad company, and many -others. - -Each faction entertained Colonel McClure. The city was in distress; even -its population had dwindled to about 5000. Business was at a standstill. -The only question discussed in the home, shop, store, church or on the -street was the railroad issue. - -Colonel McClure endeavored to hold conferences with the leaders, but -when one faction was willing to attend the other rebelled and vice -versa. Finally he worked out a plan by which it appeared the road could -be operated without interference. - -Colonel McClure started East on a vacation, but only two days later -received a dispatch stating that rioting had again broken out afresh, -that Senator Johnson’s printing office had been destroyed and the -materials burned in a bonfire on the street. - -McClure returned and immediately got into communication with the -leaders. It was learned that the mob spirit was to blame; the leaders -had endeavored to restrain them, but without avail. - -Colonel McClure determined that no further efforts be made to harmonize -the difficulty but that he would operate the road if it required a -soldier upon every cross-tie to protect the property, whether the -offenders wore trousers or petticoats. - -Two leaders of each faction were invited to the Colonel’s room without -either knowing the others were invited. Judge Thompson arrived on the -hour, and soon ex-Senator Walker entered. Walker and Courtright on the -one side and Thompson and Skinner on the other had had no social, -business or personal intercourse for more than a year. - -With unusual diplomacy Colonel McClure induced these leaders to shake -hands and drink a friendly glass with him. Soon the others arrived and -then before many moments the five were enjoying the genial hospitality -of the colonel and the best supper that Brown’s Hotel could furnish. A -game of cards was enjoyed until the sun appeared in the morning, when -they all shook hands, each repaired to his own home and the Erie riots -became only a bit of the history of Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Count Zinzindorf, Moravian Church - Founder, Arrives December - 10, 1741 - - -Count Zinzindorf arrived in Philadelphia December 10, 1741. He was full -of enthusiasm, eager to preach the gospel to all men. His idea was to -unite all Protestant denominations into a Christian confederacy. - -Nicholas Ludwig, Count von Zinzindorf, was born at Dresden, Germany, May -26, 1700. In August, 1727, on his estate at Herrnhut (“The Lord’s -Keeping”), in Saxony, he organized some three hundred persons, emigrants -from Moravia and Bohemia, into a religious organization known -indiscriminately as “The Church of the Brethren” and “Herrnhutters”—the -forerunner of the United Brethren, or Moravian Church in America. - -In 1733 this society had become a distinct Church and in 1737, -Zinzindorf was consecrated Bishop, and was the “Advocate” of the Church -until his death. - -He came to America to inspect the Moravian establishments in general -here, and especially to acquaint himself with the fruits of the -Brethren’s labors among the Indians. He certainly did not come to this -country with a view of founding Moravian congregations. - -The nobleman’s activity consisted chiefly in preaching in Philadelphia -and the neighborhood, and holding seven synods or free meetings of all -denominations, most of them at Germantown, each lasting two or three -days. These meetings were without practical results, but they surely -served to awaken a greater interest in religious matters. - -December 31, 1741, he appeared for the first time in an American pulpit, -preaching to a large congregation in the German Reformed Church at -Germantown. A few months later the Hon. James Logan wrote to a friend -concerning Zinzindorf as follows: - -“He speaks Latin and French, is aged I suppose between forty and fifty -years, wears his own hair and is in all other respects very plain as -making the propagation of the gospel his whole purpose and business.” - -Zinzindorf’s stay in this country was a period of varied and strenuous -activity. Few men could have accomplished in the same time what he did. - -Dr. Gill, in his “Life of Zinzindorf,” says the Count gave the Indians -among whom he went on his several missionary tours “a practical insight -into the religion he came to teach by simply leading a Christian life -among them; and, when favorable impressions had thus been made and -inquiry was excited, he preached the leading truths of the gospel, -taking care not to put more things into their heads than their hearts -could lay hold of. His mode of approaching them was carefully adapted to -their distinctive peculiarities.” - -Early in the spring of 1741 David Zeisberger and his son David, John -Martin, Mack and some four or five more of the Moravian Brethren, who -had already established several missions in this country, began a new -missionary settlement near the “Forks” of the Delaware, on land derived -from William Allen, Esq., of Philadelphia, and lying at the confluence -of the Lehigh River and Monacasy Creek, in Buck’s (now Northampton) -County. - -On Christmas Eve of the same year this settlement received the name of -“Bethlehem” from Count Zinzindorf, who had arrived there a few days -previously. Ever since then Bethlehem has been the headquarters in this -country of the Moravian Church, now known as the “Church of the United -Brethren in the United States of America.” - -From Bethlehem and other Moravian mission stations the Brethren went out -among the Indians, making converts and establishing new missions. The -Indian wars had hardened the hearts of the New England Puritans against -the aborigines, and it was left to the Moravians to preach a gentler -creed to the Indians. - -In May, 1742, Zinzindorf was called by the Lutherans of Philadelphia to -be their pastor, but he declined, as he intended to journey to the -Indian country. - -Reverend John C. Pyrlaeus, a minister of the Moravian Church, was called -in his stead. There was a strong faction in the Lutheran Church hostile -to the Moravians, and July 9, 1742, Pyrlaeus was forcibly ejected by a -gang of ruffians from the church. Some of the congregation followed him, -and this event led to the erection of the First Moravian Church in -Philadelphia. Zinzindorf paid for its erection out of his own purse. - -August 3, 1742, Count Zinzindorf visited Conrad Weiser at his home, on -Tulpehocken, and there met the chief deputies of the Six Nations and -some other Indians, who had been at the Philadelphia conference, and on -their way home were paying Weiser a visit. Among them were Shikellamy -and Canassatego. - -With those chiefs the Count ratified a covenant of friendship in behalf -of the Brethren, stipulating for permission for the latter to pass to -and from and sojourn within the domains of the Iroquois Confederacy; not -as strangers, but as friends and without suspicion, until such times as -they should have “mutually learned each other’s peculiarities.” - -In reply to the speech made by Zinzindorf, Canassatego said: “Brother, -you have journeyed a long way from beyond the sea in order to preach to -the white people and the Indians. You did not know we were here (at -Tulpehocken). We had no knowledge of your coming. The Great Spirit has -brought us together. Come to our people; you shall be welcome. Take this -fathom of wampum; it is a token that our words are true.” - -This “fathom” was composed of 186 white wampums, and was preserved by -the Brethren for a long time, and was often used in conference with -Indians. - -September 24, 1742, Zinzindorf and Weiser set out on horseback for -Shamokin and Wyoming. They were also accompanied by the Count’s -daughter, Benigna, Anna Nitschmann, two Indians and John Martin Mack. - -The Count kept a journal of his trip which is most interesting. The -little company spent several days the guests of the great vicegerent, -Shikellamy at Shamokin (now Sunbury), and then proceeded along the West -Branch to what is now Montoursville, where they met the celebrated -Madame Montour and her son, Andrew. - -The Count and his companions remained with the Montours for four days, -during which several religious services were held. - -The party left October 9, under the guidance of Andrew Montour, and at -the mouth of Warrior Run they took a southeasterly direction, striking -the North Branch at what is now Bloomsburg, and thence traveled to -Wyoming. - -During his stay at this place they were several times seriously -threatened by Indians, and Weiser finally persuaded the missionaries to -depart, which they did on October 30. Zinzindorf returned to Bethlehem -via Shamokin, arriving there November 8. - -January 20, 1743, Count Zinzindorf set sail from New York for Dover, -England, and never returned to this country. He died at Herrnhut May 9, -1760. He was the author of many sermons, hymns, catechisms and a number -of controversial and devotional works. He published more than 100 works -of prose and verse. - - ---------- - - - - - General Washington Praises Lydia Darrah - to Congress December 11, 1777 - - -When the British army held possession of Philadelphia, September 26, -1777, to June 19, 1778, General Howe’s headquarters were in Second -Street, the fourth door below Spruce, in a house which was before -occupied by General John Cadwallader. Directly opposite resided William -and Lydia Darrah, members of the Society of Friends. - -A superior officer of the British Army, believed to be the adjutant -general, fixed upon one of the chambers in the Darrah home, a back room, -for holding private conferences, and two or more officers, frequently -met there, by candle light, and remained long in consultation. - -On December 2, 1777, the adjutant general told Lydia Darrah that they -would be in the room at seven o’clock that evening; they would remain -late, and that he wished the family to retire early to bed, adding that -when they were going away they would call her to let them out and to -extinguish their candles and fire. - -She accordingly sent all the family to bed, but as the high officer had -been so particular, her womanly curiosity was excited. She removed her -shoes, and walked quietly to the door, when she placed her ear to the -keyhole and listened to the conversation of the officers, which was held -in subdued tones. She overheard the reading of an order which was to -call out all the British troops on the evening of the 4th to attack -General Washington’s army, then encamped at White Marsh. - -On hearing this news she returned in her chamber and lay down. Soon -after the officer knocked at the door, but she rose only at the third -summons, having feigned herself asleep. Her mind was so much agitated -that she could neither eat nor sleep, supposing it to be in her power to -save the lives of thousands of her fellow-countrymen, but not knowing -how she was to convey the information to General Washington, not even -daring to communicate it to her husband. - -The time left, however, was short. She must act promptly. She determined -to make her way quickly as possible to the American outposts. In the -early morning she informed her family that, as she was in need of flour, -she would go to Frankford for some. Her husband insisted that she take -her maid servant with her, but to his surprise she politely refused. - -She got access to General Howe and solicited a pass through the British -line, which was readily granted. Leaving her bag at the mill, she -hastened toward the American lines and encountered on her way an -American lieutenant colonel by the name of Craig, of the Light Horse, -who, with some of his men, was on the lookout for information. - -The officer recognized Mrs. Darrah as an acquaintance, and inquired -where she was going. She answered, in quest of her son, an officer in -the American Army, and prayed that the colonel might alight and walk -with her. He did so, ordering his troops to keep in sight. - -To Colonel Craig she disclosed her secret after having obtained from him -a solemn promise never to betray her individually, as her life might be -at stake with the British. - -The colonel conducted her to a house near at hand, directed something be -given her to eat, and he then hastened with all possible speed to -headquarters, where he immediately acquainted General Washington with -what he had heard. - -Washington put in motion every possible preparation to baffle the -meditated surprise. - -Mrs. Darrah obtained her flour and returned home; sat up alone to watch -the movement of the British troops, heard their footsteps as they -silently marched away; but when they returned a few days after, she did -not dare to ask a question, though solicitous to learn of the event. - -The following evening the adjutant general came to the house and -requested Mrs. Darrah to walk up to his room, as he wished to put some -questions to her. - -She followed him in terror; and when he locked the door and begged her, -with an air of mystery, to be seated, she was sure that she was either -suspected or betrayed. - -He inquired earnestly whether any of her family was up the last night -when he and the other officers met. She assured him that they all -retired at 8 o’clock. He then observed: - -“I know you were asleep, for I knocked at your chamber door three times -before you heard me. I am entirely at a loss to imagine who gave General -Washington information of our intended attack, unless the walls of the -house could speak. When we arrived near White Marsh we found all their -cannon mounted and the troops prepared to receive us, and we have -marched back like a parcel of fools.” - -Among the published correspondence of General Washington is a letter -written by him, addressed Headquarters, Whitemarsh, 10 December, 1777, -which is as follows: - -“Sir—I have the honor to inform you that in the course of last week, -from a variety of intelligence, I had reason to expect that General Howe -was preparing to give us a general action. Accordingly, on Thursday -night he moved from the city with all his force, except a very -inconsiderable part left in his lines and redoubts, and appeared the -next morning on Chestnut Hill, in front of, and about three miles -distant from, our right wing. - -“As soon as our position was discovered, the Pennsylvania militia were -ordered from our right, to skirmish with their light advanced parties; -and I am sorry to mention, that Brigadier General Irvine, who led them -on, had the misfortune to be wounded and to be taken prisoner. Nothing -more occurred on that day. - -“On Friday night the enemy changed their ground, and moved to our left -within a mile of our line, where they remained quiet and advantageously -posted the whole of the next day. - -“On Sunday they inclined still further to our left; and, from every -appearance there was reason to apprehend they were determined on an -action. In this movement their advanced and flanking parties were warmly -attacked by Colonel Morgan and his corps and also by the Maryland -militia under Colonel Gist. Their loss I cannot ascertain; but I am -informed it was considerable. - -“On Monday afternoon they began to move again, and instead of advancing, -filed off from their right; and the first certain account that I could -obtain of their intentions was, that they were in full march toward -Philadelphia. - -“The enemy’s loss, as I have observed, I cannot ascertain. One account -from the city is that 500 wounded had been sent in; another is that -eighty-two wagons had gone in with men in this situation. These, I fear, -are both exaggerated, and not to be depended upon. We lost twenty-seven -men in Morgan’s corps, killed and wounded, besides Major Morris, a brave -and gallant officer, who is among the latter.” - -In a second letter to Congress, dated Headquarters near the Guelph, 11, -December, 1777, General Washington referred to the bravery of a -Pennsylvanian as being the means of saving the army. There is hardly a -doubt but that he had in mind the brave action of Lydia Darrah, one of -the heroines of our country. - - ---------- - - - - - Federal Constitution Adopted by Pennsylvania - December 12, 1787 - - -The establishment of a free nation resulted through the close of the war -of independence, yet it also brought anxious solicitude to every -patriot’s mind, and this state of apprehension increased with each -succeeding year. - -The State debts operated severely on all classes, to meet the payment of -which was impossible. This and kindred troubles, financial and -governmental, impressed the people with the gloomy conviction that the -great work of independence was only half done. It was felt that above -all things a definite and organic form of government—reflecting the will -of the people—should be fixed upon, to give energy to national power and -success to individual and public enterprise. - -So portentous a crisis as this formed another epoch for the display of -the intellectual and political attainments of American statesmen, and -the ordeal was one through which they passed with the highest honor and -with ever-enduring fame at home and abroad. - -A change was now to be wrought. The same hall which had resounded with -words of patriotic defiance that shook the throne of King George III and -proclaimed to an astonished world the Declaration of Independence, that -same hall in which the Congress had continued to sit during the greater -part of that war, the State House in Philadelphia, was soon to witness -the assembling of such a body of men as in point of intellectual talent, -personal integrity and lofty purpose had perhaps never before been -brought together. - -On the proposition of uniting the water of the Ohio and Potomac Rivers -deputies from five States met at Annapolis in September, 1786. Their -powers were too limited, and nothing was accomplished. This meeting was -not, however, without its beneficial effect, for there were assembled -men who deeply felt the depressed and distracted condition of the -country, and put their sentiments into action. - -They drew up a report and an address to all the States strongly -representing the inefficiency of the present Federal Government, and -earnestly urging them to send delegates to meet in Philadelphia in May, -1787. Congress responded to this proceeding in February by adopting -resolutions recommending the proposed measure. - -On the day appointed for the meeting, May 14, 1787, only a small number -of delegates had arrived in Philadelphia. The deliberations did not -commence, therefore, until May 25, when there were present twenty-nine -members representing nine States. Others soon arrived, until there were -fifty-five to respond to their names. Never, perhaps, had any body of -men combined for so great a purpose, to form a constitution which was to -rule a great people for many generations. - -Washington was the outstanding figure, and then the idol of the whole -people. And there was Rufus King, Gerry and Strong, of Massachusetts; -Langdon, of New Hampshire; Ellsworth and Sherman, of Connecticut; -Hamilton, of New York; Livingston and Dickinson, of New Jersey; -Randolph, Wythe and Madison, of Virginia; Martin, of Maryland; Davies, -of North Carolina; Rutledge and Pickens, of South Carolina. - -From our own great Commonwealth were Franklin, one of the profoundest -philosophers in the world, and, though nearly fourscore years of age, -was able to grasp and throw light upon the complex problems relating to -the science of government; Robert Morris, the great financier, of whom -it has been truthfully said, that “Americans owed, and still owe, as -much acknowledgment to the financial operations of Robert Morris, as to -the negotiations of Benjamin Franklin, or even to the arms of George -Washington.” Gouverneur Morris conspicuous for his accomplishments in -learning, his fluent conversation, and sterling abilities in debate; -George Clymer, distinguished among Pennsylvanians as one of the first to -raise a defiant voice against the aribitrary acts of the mother country; -Thomas Mifflin, ardent almost beyond discretion, in zeal for his -country’s rights and liberties; James Wilson, the most distinguished -lawyer in that body, and Jared Ingersoll, another of the great lawyers -of that day. - -When the convention proceeded to organize, Robert Morris nominated -General Washington to preside, and he was unanimously elected. Standing -rules were adopted, one of which was that nothing spoken during the -deliberations be printed or otherwise published or made known in any -manner without special permission. - -The delegates to the convention had been appointed merely with a view to -the revision or improvement of the old Articles of Confederation, which -still held the States together as a Nation. - -Mr. Randolph, of Virginia, in opening the great discussion, laid bare -the defects of the Articles of Confederation, and then submitted a -series of resolutions embodying the substance of a plan of government, -similar to that suggested in letters of Washington, Madison and -Jefferson a few months previous. - -The plan in question proposed the formation of a general government, -constituted as follows: The national legislature to consist of two -branches, the members of the first branch to be elected by the people of -the several States, and the members of the second branch to be elected -by the first branch; a national chief executive to be chosen by the -national legislature; and a national judiciary. Provision also was made -for the admission of new states into the Union. - -Mr. Randolph’s plan had many supporters, but other projects were brought -forward, which occasioned angry debates for some days, and but for the -timely and healing wisdom of Dr. Franklin, the mentor of the -Constitution, might have broken up the body. - -The debate closed September 17, and the result of the convention’s -labors was the formation of a constitution establishing a national -government on the principles that the affairs of the people of the -United States were thenceforth to be administered not by a confederacy -or mere league of friendship between the Sovereign States, but by a -government, distributed into three great departments—legislative, -judicial and executive. - -The final draft of the Constitution was signed by all members present -except Randolph and Mason, of Virginia and Gerry, of Massachusetts. -Washington signed first, and as he stood, pen in hand, said: “Should the -States reject this excellent Constitution, the probability is that an -opportunity will never again be offered to cancel another in peace—the -next will be drawn in blood.” The other members solemnly signed the -historic document. - -The convention, however, was not clothed with legislative power, nor was -the Continental Congress, competent to accept or reject it. It was -referred to the several States to be the law of the Nation when ratified -by nine of the States. - -It was not until the summer of 1788 that ratification of the nine States -was obtained, beginning with Delaware, December 7, 1787, closely -followed by Pennsylvania, five days later, December 12, 1787, some by -large and some by very small majorities. - -In New York the opposition resulted in serious riots. Of the thirteen -original states, Rhode Island was the last to accept the Constitution, -which she did in May, 1790. - - ---------- - - - - - Attempt to Impeach Justices Yeates, Shippen - and Smith Fails, December 13, 1803 - - -Thomas McKean became Governor of Pennsylvania December 17, 1799. - -With the election of McKean there was at once a lively commotion -concerning the disposition of offices, and for the first time in the -history of the State the Governor found himself confronted with this new -and perplexing problem. - -There never had been any radical change in the offices during the long -period of the Provincial Government, while the party of the Revolution, -after the war, with the single exception of Dickinson’s term, had been -in power until this time. But now the political ax was to be swung. -McKean knew how to swing it and the work suited his strong nature. His -course was sharply criticized, and party feeling during his entire -administration was exceedingly warm and bitter. - -The Federalists in the Legislature made an attack upon the Governor for -holding the principles he enunciated, and the address of the Senate was -one of accusation instead of congratulation. - -Governor McKean made a long reply, declaring that the objectionable -expressions were uttered before he assumed office, and that as regards -the removals from office he relied upon his right to make such changes -as he deemed proper, without accountability to any person or party. - -In the address of the Democratic nominee for 1803 is used the following -language: “As Pennsylvania is the keystone of the Democratic arch, every -engine will be used to sever it from its place”—being probably the first -instance in which the comparison of the Commonwealth to the keystone of -an arch was used, and the origin of a figure of speech since very -common. - -During the session of the Legislature, December 13, 1803, a memorial was -presented from Thomas Passmore, of Philadelphia, charging Justices -Jasper Yeates, Edward Shippen and Thomas Smith of the Supreme Court of -Pennsylvania, with oppression and false imprisonment, the complainant -having been committed for contempt of court. - -The matter was considered in General Assembly and the House recommended -that the court be impeached for high misdemeanors. Articles of complaint -were prepared and the impeachment sent to the Senate. It was not until -the subsequent session that proceedings were had when upon the final -vote in the Senate, 13 voted guilty and 11 not guilty. The -constitutional majority of two-thirds not being obtained the accused -were acquitted. - -In this proceeding the chief point in connection was the extent to which -the common law of England was applicable or in force in Pennsylvania; -whether the justices had exceeded their authority in construing its -provisions and harmonizing them with the statutes then in force, and -also with peculiar exigencies of the case out of which the impeachment -had grown. - -As an element of State history the affair of the impeachment of the -justices was of minor importance. In its relation to the jurisprudence -of the Commonwealth, it was a subject of great moment, and was discussed -and commented upon in all the populous States of the country, as the -beginning of a movement to set aside the strict teachings of English -common law and to establish precedents applicable to our own necessities -without especial regard to those which originally had been imported from -the Mother Country. - -The time had come when an independent judicial system in this State was -made necessary, and this was one of the beginnings. - -It can hardly be questioned but that partisan politics played some part -in the impeachment proceedings, as Justices Yeates, Shippen and Smith -belonged to the Federalist Party, and their impeachment would have made -three fine places for their opponents. It was ever thus. - -A movement was started in 1805 by a faction of the Democratic Party for -revision of the Constitution. It grew out of the impeachment -proceedings, and the advocates of the measure proposed to make the -election of Senators annual, to reduce the patronage of the Governor and -to limit the tenure of the judiciary. - -This new party assumed the name of “Constitutionalists,” while those -opposed styled themselves “Friends of the People.” The controversy for -some reason was carried on with much bitterness. - -Governor McKean strongly opposed another constitutional convention, and -in a message expressed his views as follows: - -“The organization of the judicial power of Pennsylvania has been long -and fairly condemned. But there is not a defect suggested from any -quarter which the Legislature is not competent to remedy. The authority -of the Judges may be restricted or enlarged. The law they dispense, -whether statute law or common law, may be annulled or modified. The -delay of justice may be obviated by increasing the number of judges in -proportion to the obvious increase of judicial business or by -instituting local tribunals, where local cases demand a more constant -exercise of jurisdiction.” - -Although the constitutional convention was not held, the proposition -found many supporters in all parties. Under the changed conditions -McKean’s friends knew that Editor Duane’s influence would seek to defeat -his renomination for Governor if possible. The nomination for Governor -was then made by a legislative caucus. - -The legislative nominating caucus at Lancaster dissolved in confusion. -Some were for McKean, while others equally enthusiastic were for Simon -Snyder, the speaker of the House. The “Freeman’s Journal” characterized -Snyder as a “Pennsylvania Dutchman” and intimated that even Duane in the -“Aurora” did not give him a very hearty support. The campaign was -spirited. Numerous societies were formed and addresses in German -broadcast. - -Governor McKean was elected by 5601 majority and once more found himself -supported by those from whom he had broken away only a few years before. -The Constitutionalists soon disappeared from the political stage. - -The re-election of the Governor was not without its losses, however, for -soon afterward he became involved in libel suits with Duane, Dr. Leib -and others, while they in the spirit of retaliation presented the -Governor for impeachment on charges of abuse of the executive power. - -The impeachment proceedings were hardly more than a revival of the old -political troubles in which envy and jealousy played the leading roles. -The committee of the House investigated the charges and reported to the -House, when a vote was taken which resulted in a tie. The division was -strictly on party lines, and the matter was therefore indefinitely -postponed. The Governor’s reputation was in no wise injured in the -unfortunate action. - -The Governor, in a message to the General Assembly, reminded the members -that “libeling had become the crying sin of the Nation and the times.” -He strongly denounced a condition which permitted the prostitution of -the liberty of the press, the overwhelming torrent of political -dissension, the indiscriminate demolition of public characters, and the -barbarous inroads upon the peace and happiness of individuals, etc. - - ---------- - - - - - John Binns and Samuel Stewart Fight Last - Duel in Pennsylvania December - 14, 1805 - - -Dueling was prohibited by an act of Assembly in Pennsylvania March 31, -1806, and it is a fact that the passage of this prohibitory measure was -due wholly, or in a great degree, to a duel which had occurred between -John Binns and Samuel Stewart December 14, 1805. - -The prominence of the antagonists had much to do with the public feeling -which followed this affair. - -Binns was the owner and editor of the Republican Argus, of -Northumberland, the most influential newspaper published at that time in -the State save the Aurora, of Philadelphia, and Binns was the agency -which, a few years later, drove that paper out of publication. - -Samuel Stewart was a resident of Williamsport, where he enjoyed a wide -political influence, which made him the object of attack in the -opposition newspapers. - -John Binns in his autobiography says: “On Saturday, November 2, 1805, -while I was in the public ball alley, in Sunbury, with a yellow pine bat -in my right hand, tossing a ball against a wall, waiting for Major -Charles Maclay to play a game, a very tall, stout stranger came to me -and said: - -“‘My name is Sam Stewart, of Lycoming County; your name, I understand, -is John Binns, and that you are the editor of the Republican Argus.’ I -answered: ‘You have been correctly informed,’ ‘I wish,’ said he, ‘to -know who is the author of the letters published in that paper signed -“One of the People.”' ‘For what purpose?’ said I. ‘Because,’ said he, -‘there are some remarks in one of them which reflect upon my character, -and I must know the author.’ - -“With this demand I declined to reply, but said: ‘If there be anything -in them untrue it shall be corrected.’ Stewart, who was standing at my -right side, instantly threw his left arm across my breast and with it -held both my arms tight above the elbows and at the same time threw his -right arm across the back of my head, violently pushing the end of his -forefinger into the corner of my right eye, evidently with intent to -tear it out of my head. - -“Upon the instant I struck him, with all the strength I could command, -over the shin with the edge of the yellow pine bat, which I fortunately -had in my right hand. This severe blow made Stewart instantly snatch his -finger from my eye, and seizing me around the waist with both arms -lifted me from the ground and endeavored to throw me down. - -“This attack and struggle took place in the ball alley of Henry -Schaffer, into whose hotel I went and wrote a note, which was handed to -Mr. Stewart forthwith by Major Maclay, Sunbury, November 2, 1805. ‘After -threatening me like a bravo, you have attacked me like a ruffian. Some -satisfaction ought to be rendered for such conduct. If you have the -spirit and the courage to meet me as a gentleman, and will appoint time -and place and meet me with pistols, accompanied by a friend, what has -passed shall be overlooked by John Binns.’ - -“To this note Mr. Stewart returned a verbal answer, by Major Maclay, -that he was going to the city, but would be back in two or three weeks, -when he would acquaint Mr. Binns of his arrival and give him time to -send to Buffalo (Union County) for Major Maclay, who, he presumed, would -attend Mr. Binns as his friend on the occasion. - -“On the day of its date I received a note, of which the following is a -copy, from Andrew Kennedy, the printer of the Northumberland Gazette, -who informed me Mr. Stewart was at his house, and requested that any -answer I thought proper to send should be sent there. - -“‘Northumberland, Dec. 13, 1805. - -“‘When I received your challenge I was at that time on my way to the -city, and had it not in my power to meet you, but now I am here, ready -to see you. You will therefore, mention the time and place, and you will -have it in your power to try my spirits that you so much doubted; it -must be immediately; let me hear from you.' - -“To this note I forthwith returned the following answer: - -“‘Yours I have just received. You are aware that my friend Major Maclay -is to attend me; so soon as he arrives, I shall be ready; I shall send -for him immediately, and expect he will lose no time in coming to -Northumberland, in which case I presume every necessary arrangement can -be made between him and your friend this evening and we can meet -tomorrow morning.’ - -“Immediately after writing the above note, I wrapped a pair of pistols -in my great-coat pocket and walked about half a mile to the house of -William Bonham, where I had directed that my horse, and any answer sent -to my note, should be forwarded. While waiting at Bonham’s, Major Maclay -arrived. I made him a statement of all that had passed between Stewart -and myself, put him in full possession of my opinion and wishes, and he -went to Northumberland to settle the time and place. - -“On Maclay’s return, he informed me that the meeting was to be at 7 -o’clock the next morning behind Lawshe’s house, opposite Derrstown, -where we agreed to sleep that night. - -“We were on the ground at 7 o’clock just at the gray of the morning. In -a few minutes, we saw Stewart and Kennedy coming down the lane. After -mutual salutations, Maclay and Kennedy then retired and after some -conversation, stepped eight paces and placed Stewart and myself at the -extreme ends of the line. Maclay then said: ‘Gentlemen, it is agreed -between Kennedy and myself, that if either of the parties shall leave -his ground until the affair is finally settled, such party shall be -regarded as disgraced.’ - -“The seconds then tossed up to determine which of whom should give the -word. Maclay won. The pistols were presented and discharged so -simultaneously that but one report was heard. Neither of the balls took -effect. Maclay then addressed Kennedy and said, ‘You had better consult -your principal, and I will do the same.’ Maclay’s first words to Binns -were, ‘Kennedy is a scoundrel. He is determined, if he can, to have you -shot.’ Binns said, ‘Very well, you know the terms agreed upon and we -will carry them out.’ - -“Mr. Maclay came between the antagonists and said, 'Gentlemen, I think -this business has gone far enough and may be amicably and honorably -adjusted. To effect this I propose that Mr. Stewart shall apologize for -the attack he made upon Mr. Binns, and then Mr. Binns declare that the -publication which gave offense to Mr. Stewart was not made from any wish -to wound the feelings or injuriously affect the character of Mr. -Stewart, but because Mr. Binns believed it to be true and that it was a -matter proper for public publication.’” - -After a pause Mr. Stewart made the required apology and Binns made the -declaration which his friend proposed. - -The matter being thus satisfactorily arranged, the parties shook hands -and at a tavern in the neighborhood they and their friends breakfasted -together. Stewart and Binns continued friends. - -Stewart was elected to the Assembly from Lycoming County by the Federal -Party and every year voted for John Binns, then editor of the Democratic -Press, of Philadelphia, as a director of the Pennsylvania Bank. - - ---------- - - - - - Pennsylvania Troops Mustered for Mexican - War, December 15, 1846 - - -During the second year of Governor Francis R. Shunk’s administration the -war with Mexico was begun. Pennsylvania was authorized to furnish six -regiments of infantry. Two were mustered into the service, the first on -December 15, 1846, at Pittsburgh, under command of Colonel Wynkoop, the -second on January 5, 1847, also at Pittsburgh, under command of Colonel -Roberts, who was succeeded by Colonel Geary. - -The gallant services of the troops on the fields of Mexico at Vera Cruz, -Cerro Gordo, Chepultepec and the City of Mexico, their bravery and -valor, secured the highest commendation of their venerated chieftain. - -During Governor Shunk’s administration the economic condition of the -State was greatly improved. The financial storm was passed and men were -recovering from their reverses. Banks were clamoring for charters, but -the Governor limited the number and refused to sponsor the establishment -of a system of free banking, such as was in operation in several States. - -It was during Governor Shunk’s term that the Legislature enacted the -first law extending to women the rights of property. There also was a -change made in the law relating to the separation of married persons. - -In 1847, Governor Shunk was re-elected for a second term. Early in the -year 1848 he was attacked with a pulmonary trouble which soon assumed a -serious character. Just as the remnants of our brave and heroic troops -were returning from the battlefields of Mexico with their laurels, -Governor Shunk suffered a severe hemorrhage of the lungs, on the morning -of July 9. On that day, feeling that his days were numbered, the -Governor wrote a letter of resignation to the people of Pennsylvania and -a few days later, July 20, 1848, died. His body was laid to rest in the -old Lutheran burying ground at the Trappe. - -Governor Shunk was succeeded by William Freame Johnston, the Speaker of -the Senate, according to the provisions of the Constitution, the vacancy -occurring three months before the general election. The Acting Governor -issued the necessary writs for the election of a Chief Magistrate, which -resulted in the election of Senator Johnston. The new Governor was a -native of Greensburg, Westmoreland County. - -The attention of the Legislature having been called to the neglected and -suffering condition of the insane poor of the State, in 1844, there was -provision made for the establishment of an asylum to be located within -ten miles of the seat of Government. The citizens of Harrisburg, with -the aid of a liberal appropriation by Dauphin County, purchased a farm -adjoining that city, and in 1848, the commissioners appointed by the -State began the construction of the first building erected by the -Commonwealth for the reception and care of the indigent insane. - -The Fugitive Slave Law was passed by Congress during Governor Johnston’s -administration, and the excitement incident to the return of fugitives -under it, soon became a subject of heated discussion. In 1851 a serious -riot occurred at Christiana, Lancaster County, and in other localities -the arrest of fugitive slaves led to bloodshed. - -Under the administration of Governor Johnston, the records of the -Provincial and State Government, which had remained in single manuscript -copy in a very confused condition, were preserved. - -In compliance with the Governor’s recommendation, an act was passed -authorizing the appointment of a suitable agent to select and -superintend their publication. Samuel Hazard, of Philadelphia, was -delegated, and under his supervision twenty-eight volumes of colonial -records and Pennsylvania archives, containing a vast amount of original -papers of incalculable value and interest were published. - -They form almost complete details of the transactions of Government from -1682 to 1790, invaluable in their importance to a full comprehension of -the early history of Pennsylvania. The work has been continued and only -recently the seventh series of the Archives appeared. - -In 1849 considerable excitement existed in Pittsburgh and in the western -part of the State, occasioned by the erection of a bridge over the Ohio -River at Wheeling, W. Va., which obstructed the river to navigation in -time of high water. Appeals for relief were made to the Legislature, and -to Congress, and finally to the Supreme Court of the United States. -Measures, however, were adopted which removed all objections. - -Governor Johnston was renominated for a second term. His Democratic -opponent was William Bigler, of Clearfield. The campaign was unusually -spirited and was carried on vigorously from midsummer until the day of -the election in October. State questions were forgotten, the Fugitive -Slave law and slavery in the Territories now demanded universal -attention. Bigler was elected by a good majority, and was inaugurated -January 20, 1852. - -By a remarkable coincidence his own election as Governor of Pennsylvania -was simultaneous with the election of his elder brother, John, also a -native of Pennsylvania, to the same dignity in the new State of -California. - -Governor Bigler’s Administration is marked with stronger features than -any one of his immediate predecessors. Several very important measures -were adopted by the Legislature, the principle of which were the -establishing of the office of the County Superintendent of Common -Schools and the founding of the Pennsylvania Training School for -Feeble-Minded Children. - -The completion of the Pennsylvania Railroad from Harrisburg to -Pittsburgh in February, 1854, added a powerful impulse to the -development of the resources of the State. - -The County of Philadelphia was merged with the city February 2, 1854, a -measure of great importance, as it enlarged the sphere of municipal -action. - -Governor Bigler urged the payment of the public debt, and used his great -influence in behalf of the public schools with beneficent results. - -In March, 1854, Bigler was unanimously nominated for a second term and -immediately entered upon another hard campaign for re-election. Opposed -to him was James Pollock, of Milton, a man of rare culture and ability. -In the midst of the campaign Governor Bigler was stricken down with -sickness, and he lay ill at his home in Clearfield during most of the -canvass, thus being unable to stir up his followers by his personal -presence and earnestness. Pollock’s campaign was allied with the Native -American or Know-Nothing Party. He also was an active leader in the Free -Soil movement. Bigler had violently opposed the Know-Nothing Party from -its first organization, and his attitude toward the Kansas-Nebraska Bill -cost him many votes. As a result Pollock was elected Governor by a large -majority. - - ---------- - - - - - General U. S. Grant Leaves Philadelphia on - Trip Around World, Arriving There on - Return December 16, 1879 - - -There were several incidents in life of General Ulysses Simpson Grant -which are of especial interest to Pennsylvanians. - -On June 10, 1865, he was tendered a formal reception at the Union League -Club house in Philadelphia, at which he was received with such -enthusiasm, the general was engaged more than three hours in shaking -hands with his visitors. - -When the great fair was held at the Academy of Music, commencing October -23, 1865, to aid the Soldiers and Sailors’ Home, the inauguration -ceremonies were conducted by Lieutenant-General Grant, Major General -Meade, and Admiral Farragut, and an executive committee, including the -most distinguished officers and civilians. - -As these three most distinguished officers appeared together, the entire -audience rose and saluted them with long continued applause. They each -made short addresses. - -August 14, 1866, General Grant accompanied President Johnson and other -distinguished citizens to Philadelphia, where they were received by a -great procession of militia and firemen. - -The burial of General George G. Meade at Laurel Hill, Philadelphia, -November 11, 1872, was the occasion of much mourning. - -General Meade was the one conspicuous Philadelphian who stood out above -all other Pennsylvanians in the Civil War, and in the years after the -Rebellion he was an object of admiration to all the people. His death -was regarded as a genuine public loss, and his funeral was attended with -most impressive ceremonies. - -The procession contained many of the greatest soldiers and civilians in -the country, chiefest among whom was General Grant, President of the -United States. - -On December 18, 1875, President Grant, members of his cabinet and a -large number of senators and representatives in Congress made a trip to -Philadelphia to inspect the Centennial buildings, then nearly completed. -They were entertained at a sumptuous banquet in Horticultural Hall, at -which President Grant delivered the principal address. - -President Grant was the guest of honor at the opening of the great -exhibition, May 10, 1876, when simple but appropriate exercises were -held. Four thousand soldiers escorted the President to the grounds. One -hundred and fifty thousand people acclaimed the President and the -Centennial Exposition. - -On May 15, 1877, ex-President Grant started on his memorable trip around -the world. - -He sailed from the port of Philadelphia in the ship “Indiana.” His -departure attracted much attention, and on the day previous he had held -a public reception in Independence Hall. - -He was accompanied down the Delaware River on the steamboat “Twilight” -by a crowd of distinguished citizens, among whom were General Sherman, -Senator Zachariah Chandler, Senator Simon Cameron, and others prominent -in State and Nation. - -He was accompanied by his wife and one son, and they made a tour of the -whole civilized world, visiting especially the great countries of Europe -and Asia, and receiving, as a soldier and civilian and the first citizen -of the United States, all the honor which rulers and people could -bestow. As the unofficial representative of his country, his bearing was -such as to win universal admiration and respect. - -When he arrived in the Mersey River, England, the ships of all nations -gathered there displayed their flags to greet him. - -In England a grand reception was accorded him in every city he visited. -He was received by Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales in London, and -later visited the Queen in Windsor Castle. - -After visiting the other countries of Europe and being entertained by -all the crowned heads, the United States man-of-war “Vandalia” was -placed at his service and on board her he made a cruise of the -Mediterranean Sea. - -He then visited Bombay and Calcutta in India, Hong Kong, Canton and -Peking in China, and finally Japan. - -On September 20, 1879, he arrived at San Francisco, where a magnificent -demonstration was made in his honor, and during his route East, across -the United States, he was given public receptions and greeted with every -mark of honor wherever he stopped. - -His circuit around the world was accomplished in two years and seven -months, and when he arrived back in Philadelphia, December 16, 1879, on -the Pennsylvania Railroad, a great procession awaited him. All business -was suspended by general consent. - -The decorations along the route of the parade were unprecedented in -number, variety and costliness. - -The procession under the marshalship of Colonel A. Loudon Snowden, took -nearly half the day in passing a given point, and it is supposed that -hardly less than 40,000 men were in line. - -For several days and nights the ex-President and great general had -hardly any time that he could call his own; receptions, entertainments, -banquets, and other methods of welcome and hospitality being kept up in -rapid succession. - -He was placed on the retired list of the army by a special act of -Congress, March, 1884, with the rank and pay of General. - -During the last few months of his life he wrote his “Memoirs,” which was -published soon after his death, which occurred on Mount McGregor, near -Saratoga, N. Y., July 23, 1885. - -His body found its final resting place in a magnificent mausoleum in -Riverside Park, New York City, overlooking the Hudson River. - - ---------- - - - - - Shikellamy, Vicegerent of Six Nations, Died - in Shamokin, December 17, 1748 - - -Shikellamy is the most picturesque and historic Indian character who -ever lived in Pennsylvania. His early life is shrouded in mystery. - -It has been claimed that he was a Susquehannock by birth, but others -claim his father was a Frenchman. John Bartram, who accompanied Conrad -Weiser and Lewis Evans to Onondaga in 1743, wrote of Shikellamy in his -journal: “July 10, 1743—He was of the Six Nations, or rather a Frenchman -born at Montreal, and adopted by the Oneidoes after being taken a -prisoner, but his son told me that he (the son) was of the Cayuga -Nations.” - -Dr. Crantz, in the “History of the Brethren,” 1768, writes of -Shikellamy: - -“When he was spoken to concerning baptism, he said he had been baptized -in infancy. We were informed afterward that he was born of European -parents in French Canada, taken prisoner when a child two years old and -brought up among the Indians. He was so much altered in his way of life -that he was hardly distinguished from other savages.” - -His name, according to Dr. George P. Donehoo, State Librarian and an -eminent authority on the Indians of Pennsylvania, is a much corrupted -form of the Oneida chieftain title, Ongwaternohiat-he, meaning, “It has -caused the sky to be light for us.” The other name, Swataney, is a -corrupt form of Onkhiswathe-tani, “He causes it to be light for us.” - -The official spelling of the name is Skikellamy. - -He was early trained in war, and for his valor was rewarded by adoption -into the Oneida tribe, of which he eventually became the chief, an -exceptional distinction for one not a member of the tribe and possibly -not a full-blooded Indian by birth. It is not probable that he was -appointed vicegerent before 1728. He was not present at the treaty with -the Five Nations in Philadelphia in July of the preceding year, and -James Le Tort does not mention him among the Indians of consequence whom -he met “on the upper parts of the River Susquehanna” in the winter of -1727–28. - -The first conference that he attended in Philadelphia was that of July -4–5, 1728, but it does not appear that he took any part in the -proceedings. He was present on a similar occasion in the following -October, when, after the close of the conference, the Council considered -“what present might be proper to be made to Shikellamy, of the Five -Nations, appointed to reside among the Shawnese, whose services had been -and may yet further be of great advantage to this Government.” - -At the close of a conference several years later, the Governor having -represented that Shikellamy was “a trusty good man and a great lover of -the English,” commissioned him as a bearer of a present to the Six -Nations and a message inviting them to visit Philadelphia. This they -accordingly accepted, arriving August 18, 1732. - -Shikellamy was present on this occasion and he and Conrad Weiser were -employed to transact business between the Indians and the Provincial -Government. He was a great friend of James Logan, and named one of his -sons after this popular provincial officer. - -In August, 1740, he went to Philadelphia to inquire against whom the -British were making preparations for war, rumors of which had reached -the great council at Onondaga. He was also present at the conference in -Philadelphia July, 1742, at the treaty in Lancaster in June and July, -1744, and at Philadelphia conference in the following August. On April, -1748, accompanied by his son and Conrad Weiser, he visited Philadelphia -for the last time, but no business of a public nature was transacted. - -One of the chief facts of his life as vicegerent of the Iroquois -confederation was his great friendliness to the cause of the Moravian -missionaries among the Indians. All the prominent leaders of the -Moravian Church who came to the Susquehanna region, visited him at his -home at Shamokin, and were kindly received. Count Zinzindorf was among -these and none was more favorably impressed with the old Oneida -diplomat. His journal for September 22, 1742, reads: - -“He was truly an excellent and good man, possessed of many noble -qualities of mind, that would do honor to many white men, laying claims -to refinement and intelligence. He was possessed of great dignity, -sobriety and prudence, and was particularly noted for his extreme -kindness to the inhabitants with whom he came in contact.” - -Loskiel, who knew him well, thus speaks of him: “Being the first -magistrate, and head chief of all the Iroquois Indians living on the -banks of the Susquehanna, as far as Onondaga, he thought it incumbent -upon him to be very circumspect in his dealings with the white people. -He assisted the missionaries in building, and defended them against the -insults of the drunken Indians; being himself never addicted to -drinking, because, as he expressed it, he never wished to become a -fool.” - -He had built his house upon pillars, for safety, in which he always shut -himself up when any drunken frolic was going on in the village. - -He had been taken ill on a trip to Philadelphia, but so far recovered -that he had visited Conrad Weiser at Tulpehocken, April, 1748, and -completed the trip to Philadelphia. - -He was again taken ill upon his return to Shamokin, and, in June, -Council was advised he was so ill that he might lose his eyesight, but -he recovered sufficiently to make a trip to Bethlehem early in December. -On his return he became so ill that he only reached his home by the -assistance of Bishop Zeisberger. - -His death occurred December 17, 1748, and was extremely pathetic. His -daughter and the Reverend David Zeisberger were with him during his last -illness and death. - -Bishop Zeisberger and Henry Fry made him a coffin, and the Indians -painted the body in their gayest colors, bedecked it with his choicest -ornaments, and placed with him his weapons, according to Indian custom. -Then after Christian rites conducted by the good Bishop, he was buried -in the Indian burying ground of his people, near the site of old Fort -Augusta, in the present Sunbury. - -Shikellamy left to mourn him three sons and a daughter. Another son, -Unhappy Jake, was killed in the war with the Catawba in 1743. The three -sons who survived were Taghneghdoarus, also known as John Shikellamy, -who succeeded his distinguished father in authority, but never gained -the confidence in which he was held by Indians or whites; Tahgahjute or -Sayughtowa, better known as James Logan, the most celebrated of the -children of Shikellamy, and John Petty. His daughter was the widow of -Cajadies, the “best hunter among all the Indians,” who died in November, -1747. - -After the death of Shikellamy, Shamokin declined as a center of Indian -affairs. His death was the beginning of evil days. His son -Taghneghdoarus was made chief, but was unable to restrain his people. - - ---------- - - - - - Barbara Frietchie, Native of Pennsylvania, - Died December 18, 1862 - - -Where is the person who has not been thrilled with the reading or -recitation of John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem, “Barbara Frietchie?” - -It is even doubtful if the Massachusetts Quaker poet realized how famous -he was going to make the venerable Barbara, and himself, when he penned -his immortal poem. But there are few persons of the present generation -who know anything about the personal side of Barbara Frietchie. - -This patriot was born in Lancaster County, Pa., December 3, 1766, when -George Washington was a young man of thirty-four. She was the third -daughter of John Niclaus Hauer and Catherine Zeiler Hauer, who were both -born in Germany. In 1753 they emigrated to America. - -When Barbara was two years old her parents moved to Frederick, Md., then -a long distance away. The trip was made in old-fashioned ox carts. - -This noted woman was born during patriotic times. The hated Stamp Act -had just been repealed. In fact, Frederick County, in 1765, was the -first to officially protest against it. - -It is said of Barbara that she met many of the patriots of that day, and -when she was twenty-five years old she had the pleasure of conversing -with George Washington. - -This event occurred one afternoon in 1791 at Kimball’s Tavern, now the -City Hall of Frederick. - -A number of ladies were participating in a quilting bee, when a -messenger leaped from his horse in front of the hotel and announced that -President Washington would soon arrive and intended to pass the night at -the tavern. - -This unusual news broke up the party, and the ladies turned in to assist -in preparing for the reception to the great Washington. - -The tavern did not possess a suitable coffee urn, and Barbara Hauer -hurried to her home and returned with her choice Liverpool coffee pot, a -precious heirloom in the family. - -Barbara was the one who was specially assigned to look after the -personal comfort of the President, and her pretty face, pleasant manners -and vivacious spirit greatly pleased the first President of the United -States. - -After supper he gave Barbara a beautiful china bowl, which he was -carrying to Mount Vernon in his traveling bag. Nothing that she -possessed in after life did she prize so highly as this precious gift. - -The beginning of the one romance of her life happened in an unusually -strange manner. When she was fourteen years old, Barbara accompanied her -mother to a quilting party, where all sorts of things and events of that -period were discussed, from parson to pig butchering, petticoats, -pumpkin pies, sickness, deaths and births. One old maiden lady coyly -announced that Mr. and Mrs. Casper Frietchie had that day been presented -with a fine baby boy. None present ventured the prediction that some day -little Barbara would become the bride of this little John Casper -Frietchie, but nevertheless, twenty-six years later, May 6, 1806, that -is just what happened. - -Despite the somewhat unusual difference in their ages, they lived -happily throughout their married life. It is claimed their home was one -of the most popular in Frederick. - -Young Frietchie was the proud proprietor of a prosperous glove factory -and he enjoyed a fair income. - -Besides taking much pride in her housekeeping Barbara Frietchie was a -great reader and kept herself well informed upon subjects of that -period. - -The Frietchies had no children of their own, but adopted Catharine -Stover, a niece of Mrs. Frietchie, who lived with them until she was -married in 1825. - -Mr. Frietchie died after a very short illness in 1849. Mrs. Frietchie -continued to reside in their old home, where she devoted her time to her -flowers, garden and the entertainment of her young relatives. - -At the breaking out of the Civil War, Barbara Frietchie was one of -Abraham Lincoln’s most loyal supporters. - -The story of the flag-waving incident which resulted in Whittier’s poem -is heard in different ways, but it is a fact that the geographical -location of Frederick caused it to figure conspicuously in the movements -of both armies. - -Sentiment was naturally divided, there being a strong feeling both for -and against the Union. It was a trying time, but the real bitterness of -the war came toward the close of the summer of 1862. - -The Confederate forces had crossed the Potomac and entered Maryland on -September 5. The main body encamped at Frederick Junction, three miles -south of Frederick, but a large portion of the army marched through the -city on September 6 and went into camp. - -The next morning (Sunday), while his troops lay resting General -“Stonewall” Jackson took advantage of the opportunity to attend divine -worship. - -Early on the morning of the 10th the army broke camp and moved westward, -going out West Patrick street, passing the home of Barbara Frietchie. It -was at this time the flag incident occurred. - -The venerable patriot hearing the troops were approaching, took her silk -flag from between the leaves of the old family Bible, and stepped out on -her front porch, thinking they were Union soldiers. Immediately an -officer rode up, saying: “Granny, give me your flag.” “You can’t have -it,” she said, and then she noticed the gray uniforms, but she continued -to wave the flag. - -The officer spoke to his men, and they turned facing her. She thought -they intended to fire on her, but, instead, the officer rode off a short -distance to Mill Alley, and returned in a moment with another officer -and some soldiers. - -This officer said to her: “Give me your flag, Granny, and I'll stick it -in my horse’s head.” “No, you can’t have it,” she said. One of the men -then called out, “Shoot her damned head off.” - -The officer turned angrily upon him, saying: “If you harm a hair of her -head, I'll shoot you down like a dog.” Then turning to the trembling old -lady, he said: “Go on, Granny, wave your flag as much as you please.” - -This version of the affair was related by Barbara Frietchie to her niece -who was visiting her, some time after the incident. It is also said that -this account has been certified by Confederate soldiers, who also stated -that the episode was talked about by the troops all through the lines. - -McClellan’s army followed closely and none gave them a more joyous -welcome than dame Barbara, who, with her silk flag in hand, stood at her -front window. She attracted much attention, many soldiers going from the -ranks to speak to her. - -Mrs. Frietchie did not live to see the victorious end of the Civil War. -Shortly after the celebration of her ninety-sixth birthday, on December -3, 1862, she was stricken with pneumonia and died December 18, 1862. Her -body was tenderly carried to the churchyard and placed by the side of -her husband. - -May 30, 1913, the bodies of Barbara and her husband were reinterred in -Mount Olivet Cemetery at Frederick. On September 9, 1914, an artistic -monument in honor of the famous woman was unveiled upon which is a large -tablet bearing the words of Whittier’s poem, “Barbara Frietchie.” - - ---------- - - - - - Thaddeus Stevens Inquiry of Masonry and - Odd Fellowship Began December - 19, 1835 - - -At the gubernatorial election in October, 1835, owing to an unfortunate -defection in the Democratic ranks whereby there were two nominees for -that office, Governor George Wolf and Henry A. Muhlenberg, Joseph Ritner -was elected to the highest office of the State by a minority vote. - -In possession of both the executive and legislative branches of the -State Government, the Anti-Masons were determined to carry out various -measures with a high hand. - -No sooner did the session of the Legislature open in December following -than did Thaddeus Stevens, bring in a bill entitled: “An act to suppress -secret societies, bound together by secret and unlawful oaths,” while -both houses were deluged with petitions “praying God an investigation -into the evils of Freemasonry.” - -On December 15, the oath of office was administered to Governor Ritner, -after which he addressed the members of both House and Senate. In this -inaugural he used the following: - -“The supremacy of the laws, and the equal rights of the people, whether -threatened or assailed by individuals or by secret sworn associations, I -shall, so far as may be compatible with the constitutional powers of the -executive, endeavor to maintain, as well in compliance with the known -will of the people, as from obligations of duty to the Commonwealth. - -“In these endeavors I shall entertain no doubt of zealous cooperation by -the enlightened and patriotic Legislature of the State. The people have -willed the destruction of all secret bodies, and that will cannot be -disregarded.” - -Four days later, December 19, on motion of Mr. Stevens himself, all the -petitions were referred to a committee consisting of “Messrs. Stevens, -Cox, Huston (of Fayette) Spackman and Frew, with power to send for -persons and papers.” - -On the same day this committee organized and prepared a series of eleven -questions which were to be put to each person brought before the -committee. The questions were intended to establish the fact of -membership in Free Masonry or Odd Fellowship and whether or not such -witness could repeat the several oaths of the society to which he -belonged. - -This “Inquisition” held its first meeting December 23, 1835. To this -star chamber they obtained the evidence of a man named Shed, who had -been imported for the purpose from the State of Ohio. He seems to have -resided in several States, and to have arrived at Fort Niagara about the -time of Captain Morgan’s abduction, learned all about it, and was -acquainted with the scoundrel Giddings, who, if his story was true, as -well as Shed’s, ought to have been hanged with him. If not true, they -were perjured villains. But the High Court of Inquisition was not after -martyrs, it was wire-pulling in other directions. - -A large number of prominent Masons, and citizens, were brought before -the committee, among them being ex-Governor Wolf, Francis R. Shunk, -George M. Dallas, Chief Justice Gibson, Josiah Randall, Samuel H. -Perkins, Joseph R. Chandler, and the Reverend William T. Sproul. They -invariably declined being qualified, or answering any questions -propounded by Mr. Stevens, and for their refusal to so testify, several -of the gentlemen were brought to the bar of the House, but nothing more -was done to any of them. - -Mr. Stevens was obliged to depend for witnesses upon seceding Masons, -imported from Massachusetts, New York and Northern Pennsylvania. Their -evidence, however, was only a rehash of Morgan and his successor, -Bernard, in their so-called “Revelations of the Doings of Freemasonry -and Odd Fellowship.” - -Mr. Stevens, unfortunately, could not control his temper, and in the -case of Rev. Mr. Sproul, when that gentleman, in reading his protest, -came to the expression, “Gentlemen, if you are willing to convert -yourselves into a modern Juggernaut, then roll on,” “Stop,” thundered -the chairman of the “inquisition,” white with wrath and further reading -was dispensed with. - -Governor Wolf, in his letter to the committee, wrote: - -“The Constitution is explicit and declaratory of the personal security -of the people, and is the precious repository of the privileges of the -freemen of this Commonwealth which never shall have a wound inflicted -upon its sacred reservations, through any person, without a solemn -asseveration of its principles. - -“What article of the Constitution clothes the House with power to -institute such an investigation? What article of the venerated -instrument forbids the people from associating together in pursuit of -their own happiness? If the association is criminal, or in violation of -any principle of the Constitution or laws, the mode and manner of -suppressing the unlawful combination must be in accordance with the -Constitution and laws. - -“I have yet to learn that an inquisition at whose shrine the rights and -liberties of the citizens are to be invaded, is authorized by the -principles of our institutions; or that any power exists by which a -citizen can be coerced to give testimony before any tribunal, or for any -object other than the investigation of matters at issue, affecting the -rights of persons or of things.” - -An incident occurred about this period which fully exemplified to what -length the enemies of Freemasonry would go. All sorts of crimes or -collusions with crimes were imputed to the craft. Everything that was -vile was blamed upon the fraternity. - -A murder was committed between Middletown and Hummelstown. Female -apparel was found which was recognized as belonging to Sophia Garman, -who was missing from her home. Search was made, and some one discovered -where the earth had been recently disturbed in the center of which was a -branch of a spruce or cedar tree. An investigation resulted in finding -the body of the murdered girl. - -The people who had been reading everything anti-Masonic at once jumped -to the conclusion that this was the work of one who was a Mason. An -individual who was last seen with the unfortunate girl was arrested and -it was broadcasted that he was a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, -Free and Accepted Masons, of Harrisburg. His name was Tom McHenry. - -In the course of events, there not being the least evidence upon which -to convict him, the accused was declared not guilty. - -The outside conclusion then was that the jury must have been composed of -Masons and the result could not be otherwise. - -The fact is that McHenry was not a Mason nor was a single member of the -jury which tried him. - -The Stevens investigation continued for nearly a month and ended in -nothing. - -The men whom the committee tried to impanel would not testify; those who -did were pretended renouncers of Masonry. Concerning the real motive of -Stevens public opinion was divided. - -Stevens would have resorted to strong measures to compel witnesses to -testify if he had not seen that the tide of public opinion was turning -against the inquiry. To preserve appearances a lengthy report was -submitted and adopted. - - ---------- - - - - - Storm Stops French Refugees in Settlement - Work December 20, 1793 - - -Frenchtown, or Asylum, was the name of a settlement founded in -Northumberland County (now Bradford) in 1793, by French refugees as the -residence of the doomed Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. But the -Terrorists prevented her ever seeing America. - -During the French Revolution, when many of the Frenchmen fled from their -homes, not a few sought refuge in San Domingo, and those jumped from the -frying pan into the fire. The Negro slaves soon heard of the success of -the Revolution in France and revolted against their masters. That bloody -conflict was termed the “Horrors of San Domingo.” Many of the French -exiles came to America and took up their residence in Philadelphia, -where they were cordially welcomed. - -So great was the number of refugees it was deemed necessary that some -provision should be made for their settlement as a colony. - -The two most active and influential promoters of the colony scheme were -Viscount Louis Marie de Noailles and the Marquis Antoine Omer Talon. The -former was a distinguished military officer under Rochambeau in the -siege of Yorktown, Va., where he commanded a regiment. He was one of the -Commissioners to arrange the articles of capitulation for the surrender -of Cornwallis. He was a brother-in-law of Lafayette. - -Marquis Talon belonged to one of the most illustrious families of the -French magistracy. He was Advocate General when the Revolution broke -out. In 1790 he was compromised in the flight of the King, Louis XVII, -and was arrested and imprisoned for a time. He fled to Marseilles, where -a wine merchant, Bartholomew Laporte, placed him in a large wine cask -and carried him aboard a vessel sailing for America. - -Laporte sailed with Talon and they became citizens of the United States. -The borough of Laporte takes its name from Judge John Laporte, son of -the early immigrant. - -The refugees organized a company, and M. Charles Felix Beu Boulogne, and -Adam Hoopes were delegated to select a site. They proceeded to -Wilkes-Barre, where they arrived August 27, 1793. Judge Matthais -Hollenback accepted their letter of credit from Robert Morris. - -They examined several localities, and finally selected the Schufeldt -Flats, now called Frenchtown, in the Township of Asylum, nearly opposite -Rummerfield station, in Bradford County. - -About the middle of November, M. de Noailles, who continued to reside in -Philadelphia, visited the place which took the name of Asylum, or -“Azilum,” as the French pronounced it. The plan of settlement was -determined, and the town surveyed into lots. - -The tract consists of 2400 acres and, in addition, the Asylum Company -had secured title to a number of tracts of “wild land,” as it was -termed, in the present Counties of Bradford, Sullivan, Lycoming and -Luzerne, which were sold on liberal terms to actual settlers. The town, -as laid out, contained, besides an open square and fine wide streets, -413 house lots of an acre each. - -M. Boulogne bent every energy to get the houses ready for the colonists -in the early spring, and was favored with mild weather until five days -before Christmas, when the weather became stormy. The work, which was -suspended December 20, was resumed in the spring. The emigrants then -began to arrive. They traveled by land to Catawissa, thence in boats up -the river. - -The houses were built of hewn logs two stories high, roofed with pine -shingles, and all houses had a good cellar. To the native Americans -these houses looked like palaces. - -The house built by M. Talon was the most pretentious, and is said to be -the largest log house ever built in America. It was known as “La Grande -Maison,” or the great house. This house stood until 1846, when it was -torn down. - -M. Talon, who was general manager, planned improvements on a large -scale. He built a horsepower grist mill, several stores, a tavern, for -which a license was granted in August, 1794, to Mr. Lefevre. A small -Catholic chapel was erected, and later a theatre was built. They set up -a bakery and built a brewery. A post was established with Philadelphia. - -Most of the emigrants had been wealthy, and some of them members of the -royal household, entirely ignorant of farming and unused to manual -labor, found great difficulty in adapting themselves to their new -conditions. Yet they endured their privations with great fortitude. - -The continuance of the Asylum settlement was less than ten years, but -the Frenchmen set their Pennsylvania neighbors the example of better -houses and roads, better gardens and orchards and courteous manners. - -Robespierre issued a decree commanding all emigrants to return to France -under penalty of having their estates confiscated. When the strong hand -of Napoleon assumed power, all Frenchmen were invited to return. This -was joyous news at Asylum, and they returned to their beloved France as -soon as they could dispose of their property, until only two remained. - -In 1796 Asylum consisted of about fifty log houses occupied by about -forty families. Among the most noted, besides those already mentioned, -were M. De Blacons, a member of the French Constituent Assembly from -Dauphine; M. Le Montule, a captain of a troop of horse; M. Beaulieu, a -captain of infantry in the French service, who served in the Revolution -in this country under Potosky; Dr. Buzzard a planter from San Domingo, -and M. Dandelot, an officer in the French Infantry. - -But perhaps the best known of all, at least in this country, was M. -Dupretit-Thouars, or as he was generally called by the Americans, the -Admiral. Wrecked while on a voyage in search of La Perouse, he reached -Asylum destitute of everything but an unfaltering courage, a genial -temper and the chivalrous pride of a Frenchman. - -Disdaining to be a pensioner on the bounty of his countrymen he obtained -a grant of four hundred acres in the dense wilderness of what is now -Sullivan County, and went out literally single-handed, having lost an -arm in the French naval service, commenced a clearing, built himself a -house, returning to Asylum once a week for necessary food and change of -apparel. - -He returned to his native country, obtained a position in the navy, -saying he had yet another arm to give to France. He was placed in -command of the ship Le Tonnant and was killed in the battle of the Nile. - -The borough of Dushore, which includes the clearings of this indomitable -Frenchman, was named in honor of him this being nearly the Anglicised -pronunciation of his name. - -During the continuance of the settlement, it was visited by many very -distinguished personages who since obtained a world-wide reputation. - -Louis Philippe, a future King of France, spent several weeks at Asylum -enjoying the hospitality of M. Antoine Talon. In 1795 Talleyrand spent -some time there and Count de la Rochefoucauld de Laincourt was several -days at Asylum while on his journey through the States in 1795–6. -Another notable visitor was Mrs. Blennerhassett the charming woman who -figured in Aaron Burr’s conspiracy. - - ---------- - - - - - General Thomas Mifflin Inaugurated First - Governor of Pennsylvania December - 21, 1790 - - -The inauguration of the first Governor of the Commonwealth of -Pennsylvania took place December 21, 1790, when Hon. Thomas Mifflin was -inducted into office amid all the splendor of that now distant day. - -The transfer of the present State of Pennsylvania from a feudal province -to a sovereign State was effected by the promulgation on September 28, -1776, of the first Constitution. This was so thoroughly revolutionary -that it was never fully approved of by the people of the State. - -The Council of Censors, to which was delegated important duties, met for -its only meeting, November 10, 1783. This body discussed various -amendments and strong differences of opinion were manifested. They sat -eight months and then recommended a continuance of the present form of -government. - -They said: “Give it a fair and honest trial, and if after all, at the -end of another seven years (the time when this Council of Censors would -again meet), it shall be found necessary or proper to cause any changes -they may then be brought in and established upon a full conviction of -their usefulness, with harmony and good temper, without noise, tumult or -violence.” - -Nevertheless the Constitution of 1776 proved inadequate for the -requirements of a useful and an effective government, and its revision -was imperatively demanded. The newspapers, from the close of the -Revolution for a period of six years are filled with elaborate -communications in favor of, and opposed to, any change. The adoption of -the Federal Constitution in 1787, however, and its successful working, -impressed the people that some revisions should be made in the -Constitution of the State. - -The resolutions of the Assembly were adopted by the electorate and the -convention called, and organized with General Thomas Mifflin as -president. After a long session, the new instrument was adopted -September 2, 1790, and then by the people. - -The personnel of the Constitutional Convention of 1790 was one of -unusual ability. Thomas Mifflin, soon to be elected the first Governor -under its provisions; James Wilson and William Lewis, two of the most -noted lawyers of that time; Thomas McKean, the second; Simon Snyder, of -Northumberland County; William Findlay, of Westmoreland County, and -Joseph Heister, of Berks County, each of whom filled in their turn the -gubernatorial office, were members of this body. General William Irvine, -of Carlisle; General John Gibson, of Allegheny County, and Colonel Jacob -Cook, of Lancaster, all of Revolutionary fame, and Robert Whitehill, of -Dauphin County. Charles Smith, author of “Smith’s Laws,” was Simon -Snyder’s colleague from Northumberland County. - -Of the seventy-one persons who composed this illustrious body there was -not one who had not taken a prominent part in public affairs during the -struggle for liberty. It was a body of intellectual men, such as any -Commonwealth could be justly proud. - -At the election in October, 1790, General Thomas Mifflin and General -Arthur St. Clair were the opposing candidates for Governor. The vote in -the State for Mifflin was 27,118, and for St. Clair 2819. Under the -Constitution the General Assembly met on the first Tuesday in December, -when the Senate and House promptly organized and a committee of -conference was appointed by both houses to consider and report a time, -place and manner in which the election of Governor should be published, -notified and proclaimed, and the oath prescribed by the Constitution -administered to the Governor. - -On Friday, December 17, the House of Representatives attended in the -Senate chamber, where Richard Peters, Speaker of the House, was seated -on the right of William Bingham, Speaker of the Senate. The returns of -the election for Governor were opened, when Thomas Mifflin was declared -duly chosen Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. - -On the morning of December 21, 1790, after the members of the Senate and -House had assembled in the Senate chamber, the Speaker of the Senate -informed both houses that according to their order the certificate of -the election of the Governor was recorded in the rolls office of this -Commonwealth, whereupon the committee of both houses of the Legislature, -three representing the Senate and three representing the House of -Representatives, waited upon the Governor-elect and at the hour of 12:30 -introduced Thomas Mifflin into the Senate chamber and he was seated in -front of the Speakers. - -The Chief Justice, the Hon. Thomas McKean, in solemn form administered -to Mr. Mifflin the oath required by the Constitution of the Commonwealth -and also the oath required by the Constitution of the United States, -which said oaths the Governor-elect took, and subscribed in the Senate -chamber, and Speaker and members of the House of Representatives and the -Governor then withdrew from the Senate chamber in order to proceed to -the court house on High Street, agreeably to the following order of -procession: - -Constables with their staffs; sub-sheriffs with their wands; High -Sheriff and Coroner with their wands; Judges of the Supreme Court and -Judge of the High Court of Errors and Appeals; Attorney General and -Prothonotary of the Supreme Court; wardens of the Port of Philadelphia; -Treasurer, Comptroller and Register General; Secretary of the Land -Office; Receiver General and Surveyor General; justices of the peace; -Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas and clerk of the Court of -Quarter Sessions; clerk of the Mayor’s court and the corporation; Mayor, -Recorder and aldermen; Common Council, two and two; Master of the Rolls -and Register of Wills; Register of German Passengers and Collector of -Excise in the City and County of Philadelphia; assistant secretary of -Council, members of Council, two and two; the Governor-elect; -sergeant-at-arms of the Senate; clerk of the Senate; Speaker of the -Senate; members of the Senate, two and two; doorkeeper of the Senate; -sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives; assistant clerk; -clerk; members, two and two; doorkeeper; provost and faculty of the -University, two and two; officers of the militia; citizens. - -Arriving at the court house, the certificate of the election of the -Governor was read by the clerk of the Senate, when the official -proclamation was thrice made by the clerk of the court declaring Thomas -Mifflin Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and -commander-in-chief of the army and navy thereof. This being done, the -procession reformed, returning to the Senate chamber. The Governor then -delivered his inaugural address. - -On the days following various bodies of tradesmen and society -organizations waited upon the Governor and tendered their -congratulations, and upon the first day of January following, City -Councils, with the Mayor and Recorder, waited upon his Excellency and -formally congratulated him on his accession to his high office. - - ---------- - - - - - First Newspaper in Pennsylvania Published - December 22, 1719 - - -The first newspaper published in Pennsylvania was entitled the American -Weekly Mercury, and was established by Andrew Bradford, at Philadelphia, -and sold by John Copsom. The initial number appeared December 22, 1719. - -The Mercury was published weekly, generally on Tuesday, but the day of -publication varied. - -Andrew Bradford died November 23, 1742; and the next number of the -Mercury, dated December 2, appeared in mourning. - -The widow, Cornelia Bradford, took into partnership Isaiah Warner in -March, 1742, and they continued to publish the Mercury until October 18, -1744, when Cornelia Bradford resumed the publication alone, and until -the end of 1746, when it was discontinued. - -The second newspaper established in the Province was the Universal -Instructor in All Arts and Science; and Pennsylvania Gazette, which -continued in publication for many years, becoming the oldest newspaper -in the United States a half century after its establishment. - -This newspaper first appeared December 24, 1728, and was edited by -Samuel Keimer, and printed on a small sheet, pot size folio, 15½ by 12½ -inches. - -Benjamin Franklin soon after he began business formed the design of -publishing a newspaper, but was prevented by the sudden appearance of -this Gazette, and was so greatly disappointed that he used his endeavors -to bring it into contempt. In this he was successful, and Keimer was -soon obliged to relinquish it, for a trifling consideration, and -Franklin purchased the good will and fixtures. - -At this time Franklin was in partnership with Hugh Meredith. The first -part of the title was soon dropped and the paper was called the -Pennsylvania Gazette. It soon gained reputation, and when Franklin -became postmaster the Gazette enjoyed a wide circulation and liberal -advertising patronage. - -The partnership was dissolved in 1732, and Franklin in 1748 took into -partnership David Hall. - -On May 9, 1754, the device of a snake divided into parts, with the -motto—“Join or Die,” appeared in this paper. It accompanied an account -of the French and Indians having killed and scalped many inhabitants -along the frontiers. The account was published with this device, with a -view to rouse the British Colonies and cause them to unite in effectual -measures for their defense and security against common enemy. - -The snake was divided into eight parts to represent first New England; -second, New York; third, New Jersey; fourth, Pennsylvania; fifth, -Maryland; sixth, Virginia; seventh, North Carolina, and eighth, South -Carolina. - -The Gazette put on mourning October 31, 1765, on account of the Stamp -Act, passed by the British Parliament, which was to take effect the next -day. From that time until November 21 following the publication of it -was suspended. - -In the interim, large handbills, as substitutes, were published. When -revived, it was published without an imprint until February 6, 1766, -when it then appeared with the name of David Hall, only, who now became -the proprietor and the printer of it. - -In May, 1766, it was published by Hall and Sellers, who continued it -until 1777; but on the approach of the British Army, the publishers -retired from Philadelphia and the publication was suspended while the -British possessed the city. - -On the evacuation of Philadelphia, the Gazette was again revived, and -published once a week until the death of Sellers in 1804. After this -event, it was printed by William and David Hall, then later by Hall and -Pierre. When the Gazette observed its centennial of publication, a -grandson of David and son of William Hall was the publisher. - -The next newspaper to be established in Pennsylvania was the -Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, which made its initial bow -to the public, Tuesday, December 2, 1742. Its publisher was William -Bradford. - -In 1776, William and Thomas Bradford were the publishers and, like the -Gazette, suspended publication during the British occupancy of -Philadelphia, but it was revived soon afterward. - -A newspaper in the German language was published in Philadelphia as -early as May, 1743, by Joseph Crellius. It was called the “High Dutch -Pennsylvania Journal.” - -In September, 1751, the “Dutch and English Gazette” was published in the -two languages “at the German Printing Office,” in Arch Street, by -Gotthan Armbruster. - -Der Wochentliche Philadelphische Staatsbote was first printed in the -German language in January, 1762, by Henry Miller. This was a successful -newspaper. It continued until 1779. - -Two papers printed in German were published in Germantown, one by -Christopher Sower, in 1739, called the Pennsylvania German Recorder of -Events. This was discontinued in 1744, when Christopher Sower, Jr., -began the publication of the Germantown Zeitung, and continued until the -Revolutionary War. - -The Pennsylvania Chronicle and Universal Advertiser made its appearance -Monday, January 6, 1767. It was published by William Goddard. - -This was the fourth paper in the English language established in -Philadelphia and the first one with four columns to the page, printed in -all the colonies. Joseph Galloway and Thomas Wharton were silent -partners of Goddard. The Chronicle was published until February, 1773, -when it was removed to Baltimore. - -The Pennsylvania Packet, or the General Advertiser, was first published -in November, 1771, by John Dunlap. During the British occupancy Dunlap -continued the publication of the Packet at Lancaster, and in July, 1778, -he published at Philadelphia, and made it a semi-weekly, and then a -tri-weekly. - -In 1783, Dunlap sold his paper to D. C. Claypoole, who had previously -been a partner, and a year later the Packet was published daily. This -then became the first daily newspaper in the United States. - -The Pennsylvania Ledger, or the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New -Jersey Weekly Advertiser, was first published in Philadelphia, January -28, 1775, by James Humphreys, Jr. Humphreys was deemed a Tory and his -paper denounced as being under corrupt influence. Humphreys was obliged -in November, 1776, to discontinue the Ledger, and leave the city. - -He returned when the British occupied Philadelphia and revived the -publication as a semi-weekly. The last number was published May 23, -1778, a month before the British evacuated the city. He was in -possession of advance information, as are some editors of today. - -The Pennsylvania Evening Post by Benjamin Towne, as a tri-weekly, was -first published January 24, 1775, and it was the third newspaper in the -colonies which was published as an evening paper. This paper continued -publication in Philadelphia during the British occupancy. - -Towne was proscribed by a law of Pennsylvania. He did not, however, -leave the State, and continued to publish the Post until 1782, when it -died a natural death. - -Story and Humphrey’s Pennsylvania Mercury and Universal Advertiser first -came before the public in April, 1775. This was the last newspaper to be -established in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolution. The Mercury was -short lived. The printing house, with all its contents, was destroyed by -fire in December, 1775, and in consequence of the event, the paper was -discontinued. - - ---------- - - - - - John F. Watson, Annalist, Historian, Antiquarian - and Collector of Historical Objects, - Died December 23, 1860 - - -John Fanning Watson died December 23, 1860, at the age of eighty-two -years, and left behind him a monument to his mental powers in his -“Annals of Philadelphia.” - -Mr. Watson was a native of Burlington County, N. J., where he was born -June 13, 1779. His parents were of English origin; his grandfather, -Thomas Watson, came to America in 1667, settling at Salem, where William -Watson, father of John F. was born. - -Among his ancestors were some of the earliest settlers of our country. -All were devoted patriots, with the exception of one, a distinguished -Tory, General Edmund Fanning, a graduate of Yale, in 1757, of whom The -Gentleman’s Magazine, for 1818, says, “the world contained no better -man.” - -After completing the usual course of education to qualify himself for -mercantile pursuits, John Fanning Watson entered the counting-house of -James Vanuxem, an eminent merchant of Philadelphia, with whom he -remained but a short time, having offended the French interests of that -firm by becoming a member of the Macpherson Blues, of which body of -volunteer militiamen, he was one of last six surviving members at the -time of his decease. - -He was now nineteen years of age, and a clerkship in the War Department -at Washington was offered him, which he accepted, and held until 1804, -when he engaged himself in business with General James O'Hara, formerly -Quartermaster-General to General Anthony Wayne’s Indian Army, and chief -founder of the City of Pittsburgh. - -During this business connection Watson resided at New Orleans, holding -the responsible position of Commissary of Provisions for the United -States Army at all the posts in Louisiana. - -At this period there was no Protestant worship in that city, and to -remedy this, together with Edward Livingston, he became the prime. mover -in establishing the Protestant Episcopal Church by giving a call to the -Reverend Mr. Chase, since the venerable Bishop of Ohio and Illinois. - -After a residence of two years at New Orleans sudden domestic affliction -caused his return to Philadelphia to the support of his widowed mother, -and to this event the public are profoundly indebted for his invaluable -services as a local historian of the olden time. As such his works will -ever be enduring monuments of his wonderful assiduity and laborious -research. - -Following his return to Philadelphia he made his first essay as a -bookseller and publisher, establishing a business on Chestnut Street. - -Among the various works he published were Dr. Adam Clark’s Commentary on -the Old and New Testament, the Select Reviews of Literature, etc. - -He contributed frequently to the columns of various literary, -scientific, historical, and ecclesiastical serials. - -Besides historical works, he left some unpublished manuscript volumes on -theology, which show great originality of thought and deep research. He -also devoted some pages to the vindication of Cromwell. To his marriage -with a lineal descendant of the Lord Protector may be attributed some of -the interest he evinced on this subject. - -In 1814, Mr. Watson was elected cashier of the Bank of Germantown, which -position he held till 1847, when he was chosen treasurer and secretary -of the Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad Company. - -During his connection with the Bank of Germantown he resided in the -stone bank building of which the celebrated annalist himself says, “The -house in which I now reside was once honoured with the presence of -Generals Washington, Knox and Greene, shortly after the battle of -Germantown. They slept in it one or two nights.” - -In 1859, being at that time eighty years of age, he retired from all -active business. - -In 1820, he began to collect antiquarian material, the first being -history and legends of Germantown, though none of them were printed -until about 1828, when some extracts from his manuscript books were -printed in Hazard’s “Register of Pennsylvania.” - -In 1830 the first edition of the “Annals of Philadelphia,” was issued, -the same “being a Collection of Memoirs, Anecdotes, and Incidents of the -City and its Inhabitants from the days of the Pilgrim Fathers; also -Olden Time Researches and Reminiscences of New York City in 1828.” It -was in one volume of eight hundred pages, and illustrated by -lithographs. - -In 1842 the work was republished in two volumes, revised and enlarged, -and again, in 1856, he made a full and final revision, adding an -appendix to the second volume. The editions subsequent to the first did -not contain the matter relative to New York. - -A noteworthy characteristic of Watson was his reverence for the graves -of great and good men, who had been useful in their generation, as -illustrated in the removal of the remains of Thomas Godfrey, the -inventor of the quadrant, and family from a neglected spot on his old -farm to Laurel Hill, where a suitable monument was erected by -subscription to his memory. - -In 1832, he published “Historic Tales of Olden Time” of New York City, -which was followed the next year by “Historic Tales of Olden Time, -concerning the Early Settlement and Progress of Philadelphia and -Pennsylvania.” - -Then followed other volumes of both New York annals and works other than -history. - -Mr. Watson’s first publisher and most active co-worker was Samuel -Hazard, and to them is due the awakening of that spirit of -antiquarianism and historical research from which sprung the great -Historical Society of Pennsylvania. - -Mr. Watson was an ardent collector of all objects of historic interest, -many of which are now deposited in the Philadelphia Library and with the -Historical Society. - - ---------- - - - - - Colonel Plunket Begins Action in Second - Pennamite War on December 24, 1775 - - -The first armed conflict between the Proprietary Government and the -Connecticut settlers in the Wyoming Valley occurred when the Yankees -came down into the region in 1769 and seated themselves under the -Government of Connecticut. The conflict lasted, with more or less -intensity, until 1771, when the Penns were compelled to surrender and -leave the intruders in questioned possession of that territory. This -series of attacks, assaults and real battles has since been known as the -first Pennamite War. - -For four years the Yankees lived in tranquillity, and were not even -seriously disturbed by the Indians. - -On September 28, 1775, Colonel William Plunket, the Provincial -commandant at Fort Augusta, at the head of a large body of troops, -defeated the Yankees at Squire John Vincent’s in Judea Township on the -West Branch, and marched all the men as prisoners to Sunbury. - -The old colonel was more elated than wisdom seems to have justified. He -became the man of the hour and, supported by a resolution of the -Provincial Assembly, October 27, 1775, which justified the attack on the -Yankees, he set about to muster troops for an expedition against the -Connecticut settlers at Wyoming, in spite of the fact that the weather -was becoming very severe. Snow had fallen early in November. - -The Council of Safety of Connecticut learned of the determination to -send a large armed force against their settlement at Wyoming, and -Governor Trumbull wrote to the President of Congress, November 11, 1775, -complaining of this invasion. - -Congress adopted a resolution requesting both States to prevent -hostilities. But the Assembly did not welcome this interference, -especially as they had received a letter from Colonel Samuel Hunter, -lieutenant for Northumberland County, dated Sunbury, November 20, 1775, -acquainting the House that two of the Magistrates and Sheriff William -Cooke had an interview with Colonel Zebulon Butler and some of the -principal men among the Connecticut settlers at Wyoming. They read the -late Resolves of the Pennsylvania Assembly to them, and inquired whether -they would peaceably submit themselves to the laws of Pennsylvania. They -answered that they despised the laws of that Province and never would -submit unless compelled by force. - -Two days later, November 25, Governor John Penn wrote to Judge Plunket -and his associate Justices as follows: - -“I have just now received a message from the Assembly, founded on a -letter addressed to them from the county of Northumberland, respecting -the Connecticut settlers at Wyoming, requesting me to give orders for a -due execution of the laws of this Province in the counties of -Northumberland and Northampton. In consequence thereof, I do most -cheerfully order you to use your utmost diligence and activity in -putting the laws of this Province in execution throughout the County of -Northumberland; and you may depend on the faith of the House, and my -concurrence with them, that every proper and necessary expense that may -be incurred on the occasion will be defrayed.” - -After the failure of the expedition to Squire Vincent’s the New -Englanders in Wyoming managed, by the aid of spies, and in other ways, -to keep themselves informed as to the movements of the Pennamites. - -There are letters extant which reveal the activities in and about -Sunbury which were written there and sent to Colonel Butler and others -in authority at Wyoming. One such letter advised Colonel Butler that the -Pennamites were surely going to march against Wyoming, and would not be -stopped even by Congress. - -It was the purpose of Colonel Plunket to recruit all the troops which -could be raised along the West Branch settlements at Fort Augusta, and -then form a junction with the troops which were to be raised in -Northampton County, at Fishing Creek, about a mile and a half above the -present borough of Bloomsburg. - -The Connecticut delegates in Congress presented a memorial in that body -on December 18, 1775, in which they complained bitterly of the -threatened invasion, and advised Congress that the troops had begun to -march December 11. This was accompanied by depositions from inhabitants, -tending to strengthen their statements about the number of the invading -forces and their intentions. - -During the continuance of the first Pennamite War from 1769 to 1771, -every expedition against Wyoming was of a civil character. There were no -direct military maneuvers. The Sheriff of Northampton County, of which -county Wyoming was then a part, was the chief officer on duty, merely -supported by the military commanders, with their several companies; the -burnished musket, the glittering bayonet, the four-pounder, the whole -martial array being simply an appurtenant to a peace officer while he -should serve a civil process. - -The same policy was again pursued. Colonel Plunket and his large force -and fine equipment, were the mere accompaniments of the Sheriff, whose -business to Wyoming was to arrest two or three individuals on civil -writs. - -The old colonel had mustered 600 well-armed and well-equipped men and -the march was taken up at Fort Augusta, December 15, 1775. - -In order that the proposed expedition might be considered of a civil -rather than a military character, this small army was denominated the -“_posse comitatus_ of Northumberland.” Moreover it was to be accompanied -on its march by William Scull, the newly elected Sheriff of -Northumberland County, within whose jurisdiction the Wyoming lands lay, -if to be considered a part of the Province of Pennsylvania. - -He was provided with a train of boats, with two small field-pieces, one -of which was mounted on the largest and leading boat, ready for action -on board or to be landed if necessary. There was a second field-piece -mounted on one of the other boats, a large supply of ammunition for -cannon, rifles and muskets, supplies and stores. - -About the time Colonel Plunket began active preparations for his -expedition Benjamin Harvey, Jr., and another Yankee settler and trader -of Wyoming Valley, who were returning from Harris Ferry in bateaux laden -with supplies, and laboriously and slowly pulling their boats up the -Susquehanna toward home, were seized by the Pennsylvanians as they -reached Sunbury, thrown into jail, and their boats and cargoes -confiscated. - -When Plunket was ready to proceed up the river he placed Harvey in the -leading boat, with orders to pilot the flotilla of the expedition to its -destination. - - ---------- - - - - - Pennamites Humiliatingly Defeated by - Yankees, December 25, 1775 - - -On December 20, the very day on which Congress adopted resolutions -calling on Pennsylvania and Connecticut to cease armed conflict during -the period of the Revolution, it was learned by the Yankee scouts that -Colonel William Plunket and the Pennamites had pushed their flotilla up -the North Branch of the Susquehanna River as far as the mouth of -Nescopeck Creek, about nineteen miles below Nanticoke Falls, but that -they were advancing slowly on account of the snow, which was then -falling, and the ice which was gathering on the river. - -Colonel Zebulon Butler quickly mustered his available force, which -numbered about 400 men and boys, on Saturday, December 23, and marched -to the left bank of Harvey’s Creek, where he encamped for the night on a -level stretch of land near the river. - -The vanguard of Colonel Plunket’s expedition arrived at “Harvey’s -Landing” shortly after the Yankees had gone into camp above Harvey’s -Creek. - -Major John Garrett was dispatched under a flag of truce to Colonel -Plunket to ascertain the meaning of his approach with armed militia. The -answer returned to Colonel Butler was that he came peaceably as an -attendant to Sheriff Scull, who was authorized to arrest several persons -at Wyoming for violating the laws of Pennsylvania, and he trusted there -would be no opposition to a measure so reasonable and pacific. Major -Garrett reported to Colonel Butler and advised him of the strength of -the enemy. - -Colonel Butler early Sunday morning (December 24) dispatched Ensign -Mason F. Alden with a detail of eighteen men to remain on guard at -Harvey’s Creek. Captain Lazarus Stewart, with twenty men, was detached -to the east side of the river, above Nanticoke Falls, with orders to lie -in ambush and prevent the landing on that shore of any boat’s crew. - -Colonel Butler, with the remainder of his force, then retired up the -river about a mile to a point of natural defense on the plantation of -Benjamin Harvey, Sr., where a precipitous ledge of rocks extends from -the Shawanese Mountains in a southerly direction almost to the bank of -the river, a distance of nearly half a mile. The Yankees took up their -position in this rocky rampart, and wherever it was defective for their -defense they erected breastworks of logs and stones. - -Later in the morning of Sunday about 11 o’clock, Ensign Alden, being -apprised at the mouth of Harvey’s Creek of the approach of the Plunket -expedition, retired with his men up the river and joined Colonel Butler. - -Deploying his column on the flat just abandoned by the Yankees, Plunket -directed a spirited advance in pursuit of Alden, not doubting but that -the main force of the settlers was near and that the hour of conflict -had arrived. In less than thirty minutes the advancing line was halted -by Colonel Plunket, who exclaimed, “My God! What a breastwork!” - -Scarcely had those words been uttered when there came a discharge of -musketry, crackling from end to end of the long-extended rampart, and -giving no uncertain notice that the unlooked-for barricade was -garrisoned. - -One of Plunket’s men, Hugh McWilliams, was killed and three others -wounded, while the whole body of Pennamites was thrown into great -confusion and without returning the fire of the Yankees immediately -retreated to Harvey’s Creek. - -They then brought two of their boats from Harvey’s Landing past -Nanticoke Falls by land and made preparations to cross the river in -detachments, in order to march by way of the eastern shore against the -village of Wyoming, the objective point of the expedition. - -After nightfall the boats, well filled with soldiers, started across the -river some distance above the falls. In the bow of the first boat sat -Benjamin Harvey, still held a prisoner by the Pennamites, and acting as -pilot under compulsion, while Colonel Plunket himself occupied a place -in the second boat. - -When the boats nearly reached the opposite shore they were, without -warning, fired upon by Captain Lazarus Stewart and his men, who were -concealed in the thick brush on the river’s bank. - -Two or three men in the first boat were wounded, one of whom, Jesse -Lukens, subsequently died. All the occupants of the boat would have been -killed, probably, had not Harvey made his presence known to the Yankees. -The boats were hurriedly backed astern, whereby they safely shot through -the rifles and into the pool at Harvey’s Landing. Thus ended the -occurrences of Sunday. - -Early in the morning of Monday, which was Christmas, the Pennamites were -astir. Colonel Plunket formed his men and marched them into two -divisions toward the breastworks held by the Yankees. While one division -stormed the works, the other ascended the mountain on their left in an -attempt to turn the right flank of Colonel Butler’s defenders. - -The conflict lasted, with frequent cessations, during the greater part -of the day, and on the part of the Yankees three or four men were killed -and three times as many more wounded. Toward the close of the day -Colonel Plunket realized that the position of the Yankees was too strong -to be carried by assault and he ordered a retreat down the west side of -the river. - -In this movement he was closely pursued by Captain Stewart and his party -on the east side of the river, who determined, if possible, to capture -at least one of the boats of the Pennamites. But Harvey, who was still a -prisoner, called to them not to fire. So the expedition was permitted to -float peaceably downstream toward Fort Augusta. - -Colonel Zebulon Butler reported the battle to the Connecticut -authorities under date of December 27, 1775, and stated the losses among -the Plunket forces to have been fifty or sixty dead and wounded and that -two were killed and three wounded of his own party and that one had -since died. - -The Pennamites reported the affair quite differently. William Scull, the -Sheriff; Samuel Harris, Coroner; William Plunket, Samuel Hunter, Michael -Troy and John Weitzel, Justices, wrote to Governor Penn under date -Sunbury, December 30, 1775, in which they related the expedition as one -to serve legal processes. They blamed the Yankees for firing upon the -Sheriff’s posse without warning, and even with firing on the wounded as -they retreated down the river. - -The Governor transmitted this letter to the Provincial Assembly and -asked them to pay the bills. - -Four days after the battle the inhabitants of Westmoreland assembled in -town meeting, elected officers and appointed a committee to repair to -Philadelphia to “lay before the Honorable Continental Congress an -account of the late invasion made by the Tory Party of the Pennsylvania -people.” It was also voted to collect funds for three women whose -husbands were killed in the battle. - -Jesse Lukens, who lost his life in this ill-fated expedition, was a -young man of much promise, the son of John Lukens, who was the Surveyor -General of Pennsylvania from 1769 till his death in 1789. Jesse was born -August 8, 1748, and had only recently arrived at Sunbury on a vacation -and joined the Plunket expedition as a lark. - - ---------- - - - - - Pennsylvania Militia in Battle of Trenton, - December 26, 1776 - - -Early in the Revolution Pennsylvania began to suffer severe losses. Each -of the battalions organized at the request of Congress had been sent -immediately to the front, some to Canada, some to the defense of the -Hudson, and the balance with the main army. - -During the summer of 1776 the necessities of the Continental service -were such that the Council of Safety of Pennsylvania placed the State -battalions under Colonels Samuel Miles, Samuel J. Atlee and Daniel -Brodhead at the disposal of Congress. These were marched to Long Island, -where, with the Continental Regiments of the Pennsylvania Line, viz: -Colonel Shee’s, Magaw’s and Lambert Cadwalader’s, they were engaged in -battle August 27, which resulted in the defeat of the American forces -and the evacuation of Long Island. The Pennsylvanians sustained severe -loss. Lieutenant Colonel Caleb Perry and other officers were killed. -Colonel Miles, Colonel Atlee and Lieutenant Colonel James Piper were -among the many taken prisoners. - -Fort Washington was reduced November 16 and again Pennsylvania lost -heavily and the battalions of Morgan, Cadwalader, Atlee, Swope, Watts -and Montgomery were taken prisoners, and, in addition to those losses, -Howe was menacing Philadelphia. - -Congress made a precipitate adjournment in Philadelphia and removed to -Baltimore. General Washington dispatched Major General Israel Putnam to -Philadelphia to direct the defense of that place. He arrived December -12, and assumed military command of the city. The fort at Billingsport -was of little consequence, and works were commenced at Red Bank, N. J. - -General Howe returned for winter quarters in New York, leaving British -troops at Trenton and Burlington, which threatened Philadelphia from the -east side of the Delaware. The Americans had brigades under Lord -Stirling and Generals Mercer, Stephen and De Fermoy, at the several -ferries from Coryells (New Hope) to Yardleys. General Ewing was farther -south with the Pennsylvania Flying Camp. Philemon Dickinson’s troops -were opposite Bordentown, Cadwalader’s were near Bristol, and Colonel -Nixon’s Third Pennsylvania Battalion was at Dunks Ferry. - -On December 25 Colonel John Cadwalader and Colonel Samuel Miles, who was -then a prisoner of war, were appointed by Pennsylvania to be brigadier -generals. - -General Washington, with his army, was on the west bank of the Delaware, -encamped near Taylorsville, then McConkeys Ferry, eight miles above -Trenton. - -When Washington matured his plans to cross the Delaware River above the -falls at Trenton with his main army, the two smaller divisions, under -Generals Ewing and Cadwalader were ordered to cross at the same time at -points lower down the shore. Cadwalader could not pass through the ice, -but finally got across on the 27th from Bristol and remained on the -Jersey side, the troops from Burlington having retreated. Ewing’s -command crossed on the 28th and 29th and took possession at Bordentown. - -General Washington made the crossing on Christmas night, and the morning -of the 26th took Trenton with more than 900 prisoners: General Rall, who -commanded the Hessians, was mortally wounded in the engagement. - -General Washington thought it best to get back to the Pennsylvania side -and before night had crossed with his forces, prisoners and other -trophies of victory. But in several days he crossed again and joined the -divisions of Cadwalader and Ewing. Mifflin brought to Bordentown 1800 -recruits from Pennsylvania. - -The British were alarmed by the blow at Trenton and broke up their -encampments along the Delaware, and retired to Princeton. Washington -thereupon reoccupied Trenton, where he was speedily joined by -Pennsylvania Militia. - -On January 3, 1777, Washington made an attack on Princeton. This battle -was sharp and decisive. Mercer’s forces were furiously attacked with the -deadly bayonet, and they fled in disorder. The enemy pursued until, on -the brow of a hill, they discovered the American regulars and -Pennsylvania Militia, under Washington, marching to the support of -Mercer, who, in trying to rally his men, had his horse disabled under -him, and was finally knocked down by a clubbed musket and mortally -wounded. - -Washington checked the flight and intercepted the British who were in -pursuit. In this action the Pennsylvania militia bore the brunt of the -attack, and but for the personal leadership of General Washington and -the timely arrival of reinforcements, would have been compelled to yield -the field. - -In this short but sharp battle the British lost in killed, wounded and -prisoners about 430 men. The American loss was about 100, including -Colonels Haslet and James Potter, Major Morris and Captains Shippen, -Fleming and Neal. General Hugh Mercer died nine days after the battle. - -Here General Cadwalader distinguished himself as an able and brave -officer. - -Washington in his report to the president of Congress alluded to General -Cadwalader as “a man of ability, a good disciplinarian and a man of good -principle and of intrepid bravery.” - -Chief Justice John Marshall, who was at that time an officer in the -army, in a letter speaks of General Cadwalader’s “activity, talents and -zeal.” - -General Joseph Reed in a letter to the President of Pennsylvania, dated -Morristown, January 24, 1777, said: “General Cadwalader has conducted -his command with great honor to himself and the province; all the field -officers supported their character; their example was followed by the -inferior officers and men; so they have returned with the thanks of -every general officer of the army.” - -It was also in the Battle of Princeton that the Philadelphia City Troop, -under command of Captain Samuel Morris, and the company of marines under -Captain William Brown, belonging to the Pennsylvania ship Montgomery, -distinguished themselves by their bravery. - -Cornwallis was about to sail for England when the Battle of Trenton took -place, and Howe detained him and rushed him to take command of the -troops at Princeton. When he arrived there Washington and his little -army and prisoners were far on their way in pursuit of two British -regiments. - -On account of the fatigue of his soldiers, Washington gave up this chase -and moved into winter quarters at Morristown, N. J. - -It is said that Frederick the Great of Prussia declared that the -achievements of Washington and his little band of patriots between -December 25, 1776, and January 4, 1777, were the most brilliant of any -recorded in military history. - - ---------- - - - - - Paxtang Boys Wipe Out Conestoga Indians - on December 27, 1763 - - -It was during the Pontiac War that Governor James Hamilton, in reply to -earnest appeals for help and protection, said he could give the -frontiersmen no aid whatever. Neither the Governor nor the Assembly -showed the proper spirit. It was a time when the tomahawk, the scalping -knife and the torch were desolating the frontiers of the Province. - -The Indians set fire to houses, barns, corn, hay, in short, to -everything that was combustible, so that the whole frontier seemed to be -one general blaze. Great numbers of back inhabitants were murdered in -the most shocking manner and their dead bodies inhumanly mangled. - -Paxtang, near what is now Harrisburg, became truly the frontier, for -west of the Susquehanna so great was the terror that scarcely an -inhabitant was left. At this juncture the Reverend John Elder, the -revered pastor of the Paxton Presbyterian Church, at Paxtang, organized -his rangers under authority of the Provincial Government. They were -mostly members of his own and the Hanover congregations. - -These brave men were ever on the alert, watching with eagle eye the -Indian marauders. The Paxtang rangers were truly the terror of the red -men, swift on foot, excellent horsemen, good shots, skillful in pursuit -or in escape, dexterous as scouts, and expert in maneuvering. - -In August, 1763, Colonel John Armstrong, the “hero of Kittanning,” with -200 Paxtang and Hanover rangers and some soldiers from Cumberland -County, marched to the Indian town at Great Island (now Lock Haven). -Several skirmishes were fought, and some killed in the Muncy Hills. -These volunteers returned home enraged at learning that the Conestoga -Indians had sent messengers to inform their friends of the expedition. - -Subsequently, on September 9, 1763, the rangers who were scouting in -Berks County, were apprised by their out-scouts of the approach of -Indians. The savages intended to take the rangers by surprise, and -during a short engagement, it was discovered these Indians were from the -Moravian settlement in Northampton County. The “Paxtang Boys” were -determined to ascertain the treacherous. - -In October occurred the murder of the Stinson family and others; the -Paxtang men solicited their colonel to make an excursion against the -enemy. The first massacre at Wyoming occurred October 15. Two companies -in command of Captain Lazarus Stewart and Captain Asher Clayton were -sent by Colonel Elder to Wyoming. Upon their arrival they learned first -handed of the awful outrages committed by the bloodthirsty savages under -“Captain Bull.” - -Indians had been traced by these scouts to the wigwams at Conestoga, and -some to those of the Moravian Indians at Nain and Wichetunk. The rangers -insisted on captivating the murderers but the merciful colonel dissuaded -them. It was then that Colonel Elder advised Governor Hamilton to remove -the Indians from Conestoga. - -Colonel Timothy Green wrote to the Governor: “We live in daily fear of -our lives. At the Indian town the incarnate devils are secreted, and the -people here demand that those Indians be removed from among us.” - -John Harris wrote: “I hope Your Honor will be pleased to cause these -Indians to be removed to some other place, as I don’t like their -company.” - -Governor Penn replied: “The Indians of Conestoga have been -misrepresented as innocent, helpless and dependent on this Government -for support. The faith of this Government is pledged for their -protection. I cannot remove them without adequate cause.” - -The rangers resolved on taking the law into their own hands. The -destruction of the Conestoga Indians was not then projected. That was -the result. Colonel Elder approved the capture of the most notorious -Indians. - -The “Paxtang Boys” reached the Indian settlement about daybreak, when -the barking of a dog made their approach known. The Indians rushed from -their wigwams, brandishing their tomahawks. This show of resistance was -sufficient excuse for the rangers to make use of their guns. - -In a few minutes every Indian fell before the unerring fire of the brave -frontiersmen. Unfortunately a number of Indians were absent from -Conestoga, prowling about the neighboring settlement. - -Soon as this attack was known some Indians were placed in the Lancaster -workhouse and several, well known to Parson Elder’s scouts, were hurried -to Philadelphia, where they were secreted among the Moravian Indians -protected in that city. - -Governor Penn did not act with dispatch in removing the Indians from -Lancaster, nor did he seem to care for them. - -The “Paxtang Boys” realized their work was only half done. Captain -Stewart proposed they capture the principal Indian outlaw, in the -Lancaster workhouse, and take him to Carlisle jail, where he could be -held for trial. This plan was heartily approved and fifty of the -“Paxtang Boys” proceeded to Lancaster on December 27, broke into the -workhouse, and but for the show of resistance would have effected their -purpose. - -But the rangers were so enraged at the defiance of the Indians that -before they could be repressed the last of the so-called Conestoga -Indians had yielded up his life. In a few minutes the daring rangers -were safe from pursuit. - -The excitement throughout the Province was great. No language could -describe the outcry which arose from the Quakers in Philadelphia, or the -excitement along the frontiers. - -Fears were entertained for the safety of the Moravian Indian converts, -and they were removed to Philadelphia and lodged in the city barracks. - -This open and avowed protection of the Indians exasperated the -frontiersmen, and they started for Philadelphia with the avowed purpose -of killing the Indians and punishing the Quakers. - -The city was greatly alarmed. Military companies were organized. Even -the staid, reverent, peaceful Quakers shouldered guns and drilled. The -wildest rumors were current as to the numbers and anger of the -Scotch-Irish. - -But the “Paxtang Boys” when they learned the effective measures for -protection taken in the city, halted their march at Germantown. A -delegation of leading men composed of Benjamin Franklin, Israel -Pemberton and Joseph Galloway was sent by Governor Penn to meet the -insurgents and hear their grievances. - -The “Paxtang Boys” presented their side, and left a committee consisting -of Captain Matthew Smith, afterward vice president of the State, and -James Gibson, to accompany the Provincial Commissioners to Philadelphia, -where they met the Governor and the Assembly, to whom they presented -their grievances in the form of a declaration. The remaining members of -the party returned to their homes, and the inhabitants of the city to -their peaceful avocations. And thus ended the “Paxtang Boys’ -Insurrection.” - - ---------- - - - - - Benjamin Franklin Presents Treaty Plan to - King of France, December 28, 1776 - - -So soon as the idea of independence had taken the practical shape of a -resolution and declaration adopted by the Continental Congress, the -Americans began to contemplate the necessity of foreign aid, material -and moral. Congress appointed a Secret Committee of Correspondence for -the purpose and sent Silas Deane, of Connecticut, upon a -half-commercial, half-diplomatic mission to France. - -Franklin was at first opposed to seeking foreign alliances. “A virgin -state,” he said, “should preserve the virgin character, and not go about -suitoring for alliance, but wait with decent dignity for the application -of others.” - -But Franklin soon became chief suitor in Europe. - -Later in the autumn of 1776 Dr. Franklin was sent by the Continental -Congress as a diplomatic agent to France. He sailed in the ship -Reprisal. The passage occupied thirty days during which that vessel had -been chased by British cruisers and had taken two British brigantines as -prizes. - -Franklin landed at Nantes, December 7. Europe was not prepared for his -arrival, having had no advance notice of his coming and the event was in -consequence one of great surprise. By this time Franklin’s fame was -world-wide. - -The courts were filled with conjectures, and in England the story was -current that Dr. Franklin was a fugitive for his own personal safety. -Burke said, “I never will believe that he is going to conclude a long -life, which has brightened every hour it has continued, with so foul and -dishonorable a flight.” - -On the Continent it was concluded that he was in Europe on a most -important mission. To the French he spoke frankly, saying that twenty -successful campaigns could not subdue the Americans, that their decision -for independence was irrevocable and that they would be forever -independent states. - -On the morning of December 28, Franklin, with the other -commissioners—Silas Deane, of Connecticut, and Arthur Lee, of -Virginia—waited upon Vergennes, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, -when he presented the plan as suggested by the Continental Congress for -a treaty, by which it was hoped the states might obtain their -independence. - -The Commissioners were instructed to press for an immediate declaration -of the French Government in favor of the Americans. Knowing the desire -of the French to widen the breach and cause a dismemberment of the -British Empire, the Commissioners were to intimate that a reunion of the -Colonies with Great Britain might be the consequence of delay. - -Vergennes spoke of the attachment of the French nation to the American -cause and requested a paper from Dr. Franklin upon the condition of -America and that in the future intercourse with the sage might be in -secret, without the intervention of a third person. Personal friendship -between these two distinguished men became strong and abiding. - -The French Minister told Franklin that as Spain and France were in -perfect accord, he might communicate freely with the Spanish Minister, -the Count de Aranda. - -With him Franklin, Deane and Lee held secret but barren interviews, for -Spain was quite indifferent. Aranda would only promise the freedom of -Spanish ports to American vessels. - -As for France, she was at that time unwilling to incur the risk of war -with Great Britain, but when the defeat and surrender of Burgoyne was -made known at Versailles late in 1777, and assured thereby that the -American Colonies could help themselves, the French Court was ready to -listen to Franklin. To him was chiefly due the successful negotiation of -the treaty of alliance which meant so much to the American cause at that -critical period in the War for Independence. - -The presence of an agent of the British Ministry in Paris, on social -terms with the American Commissioners, hastened the negotiations, and -February, 1778, two treaties were secretly signed at Paris by the -American Commissioners and the Count de Vergennes on the part of France. -One was a commercial agreement, the other an alliance contingent on the -breaking out of hostilities between France and Great Britain. - -It was stipulated in the treaty of alliance that peace should not be -made until the mercantile and political independence of the United -States should be secured. - -Franklin continued to represent the States in France until 1785, when he -returned home. He took an important part in the negotiations for peace. -In 1786 he was elected Governor of Pennsylvania; and, in 1787 he was the -leading member in the convention which framed the National Constitution. - -Dr. Franklin had deserved confidence in his ability and honesty. To -Silas Deane was intrusted the receipt and expenditure of money by the -Commissioners to France. The jealous, querulous Arthur Lee, who was the -third Commissioner, soon made trouble. - -Lee wrote letters to his brother in Congress (Richard Henry Lee), in -which he made many insinuations against both his colleagues. Ralph -Izard, of South Carolina, Commissioner to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who -felt offended because he was not consulted about the treaty with France, -when he also was in Paris, sent home similar letters to those of Lee. - -William Carmichael, of Maryland, a secretary of the Commissioners, who -had returned to Philadelphia, insinuated in Congress that Deane had -appropriated the public money to his own use. Deane was recalled. - -Out of this incident sprang two violent parties. Robert Morris, of -Philadelphia, and other members of Congress, who were commercial -experts, took the side of Deane, and Richard Henry Lee, then chairman of -the Committee on Foreign Affairs, opposed him. - -Deane published in the Philadelphia Gazette an “Address to the People of -the United States,” in which he referred to the brothers Lee with much -severity and claiming for himself the credit of obtaining supplies from -France through Beaumarchais. Thomas Paine replied to Deane, making use -of public documents in his charge. - -The statement called out loud complaints from the French Minister and -Paine’s indiscretion cost him his place as secretary of the Committee on -Foreign Affairs. - -This discussion among diplomatic agents soon led to the recall of all of -them except Franklin, who remained sole Minister at the French Court. - -Franklin testified to Deane’s strict honesty and private worth, but -Arthur Lee had the ear of Congress, and Deane had to suffer. He died in -obscurity and poverty at Deal, England, August 23, 1789. He has since -been vindicated and all unjust suspicions have been removed, thus -confirming the judgment of the wise Franklin. - -From Franklin’s advent in the French Court, December 28, 1776, until he -sailed for his home in Philadelphia, in 1785, he was held in the high -esteem which his talents, experience and personality entitled him. - - ---------- - - - - - Franklin Begins Building Chain of Forts on - December 29, 1755 - - -Governor Robert Hunter Morris summoned the Provincial Assembly for -November 3, 1755, when he laid before them an account of the -depredations committed by the enemy, and demanded money and a militia -law. - -Petitions began to pour in from all parts of the Province; from the -frontier counties praying for arms and munitions; from the middle -counties, deprecating further resistance to the views of the Governor, -and urging, if necessary, a sacrifice of property for the better defense -of their lives. All wished that the religious scruples of the members of -the Assembly might no longer prevent the better defense of the Province. - -By the middle of November, and while the Assembly was receiving these -petitions, the Indians entered the passes of the Blue Mountains and -broke into the Counties of Lancaster, Berks and Northampton, committing -murder, devastation and every other kind of horrid mischief, and yet the -Assembly debated and debated the measures for defense. - -The Governor, wearied with this delay, sent a message requesting the -Assembly to strengthen his hands and afford assistance to the back -inhabitants, but this time they made the excuse that in so doing they -might alienate the affections of the Indians, and to a large degree -refused to grant the means necessary for the protection of the -frontiers. This was truly an unfortunate position. - -But at this time the alarming news of Braddock’s defeat reached the -proprietaries in England, and they came forward with a donation of £5000 -for defense, to be collected from arrears in quit-rents; but they -refused to grant it on any other ground than as a free gift. The -Assembly waived their rights for a time, in consideration of the -distressed state of the Province, and passed a bill to strike £30,000 in -bills of credit, based upon the excise. This bill was approved by -Governor Morris. - -The population of the Province was not yet satisfied with the cold -indifference of the Assembly at such a crisis and throughout all the -counties there were indignant protests. Public meetings were held -throughout Lancaster and the frontier counties, at which it was resolved -that the people should “repair to Philadelphia and compel the provincial -authorities to pass proper laws to defend the country and oppose the -enemy.” - -In addition, the dead bodies of some of the murdered and mangled were -sent to Philadelphia and hauled about the streets with placards -announcing that they were victims of the Quaker policy of nonresistance. - -A large and threatening mob surrounded the House of Assembly, placed the -dead bodies of their neighbors in the doorway and demanded immediate -relief for the people of the frontiers. Such indeed were the desperate -measures resorted to in their effort to obtain better defense. - -One of the results of these demonstrative measures and the protests of -the people was the erection of a chain of forts and block-houses. These -were designed to guard against the Indian incursions and were erected by -the Province, at a cost of £85,000. - -This chain extended from along the Kittatinny Hills, near where -Stroudsburg now stands, southeasterly through the Province, to the -Maryland line. They were constructed at the important passes of the -mountains and at important places, almost equi-distant, so that they -would the better serve as havens of refuge when attacked suddenly. - -These forts were garrisoned by troops in the pay of the Province, twenty -to seventy-five men always under the command of a commissioned officer. -Even the Moravians at Bethlehem cheerfully fortified their town and took -up arms in self-defense. - -Benjamin Franklin and James Hamilton were selected to repair to the -forks of the Delaware and raise troops for the execution of the plan. -They arrived at Easton, December 29, and appointed William Parsons to be -major of the troops to be raised in Northampton County. - -In the meantime Captain Hays, with his company from the Irish -Settlement, in that county, had been ordered to New Gnadenhutten, which -had recently been the scene of an Indian raid, in which they applied the -torch, many being burned to death and others escaped to Bethlehem in -their nightclothes in the cold winter air. - -The troops erected a temporary stockade and a garrison was placed there -to guard the Brethren’s mills, which were filled with grain, and to -protect the few settlers who had the hardihood to return and again -settle there. - -Captain Hay’s detachment was attacked on New Year’s Day, 1756, while -some of the troops were amusing themselves skating on the ice of the -river, near the stockade. They noticed some Indians in the distance and -thinking it an easy matter to capture or kill them the soldiers gave -chase, and rapidly gained on these Indians, who proved to be decoys -skilfully maneuvering to draw the untrained Indian fighters into an -ambuscade. - -After the troops had gone some distance a party of Indians rushed out -behind them, cut off their retreat and, falling upon them with great -fury, as well as with the advantage of surprise and superior numbers, -quickly dispatched them. Some of the soldiers, remaining in the -stockade, filled with terror by the murder of their comrades, deserted, -and the few remaining thinking themselves incapable of defending the -place, withdrew. - -The savages then seized upon such property as they could use and set -fire to the stockade, the Indians’ houses and the Brethren’s mills. -Seven farm houses between Gnadenhutten and Nazareth were burned by those -same Indians, who also murdered such of the people as they discovered. - -This incursion was the inception of Fort Allen. It seems that “it was -the intention to build a fort at New Gnadenhutten, and Colonel Franklin -started to Bethlehem to carry that plan into operation.” But the -situation required him to change his plans and he marched to what is now -Weissport, in Carbon County, and there erected Fort Allen. The site of -this provincial fort is now occupied by Fort Allen Hotel. The old well -is still in existence. - -The Assembly requested Franklin’s appearance and when he responded to -this call he turned his command over to Colonel William Clapham. - -It is interesting to note that the chain of forts began with Fort Dupui, -built on the property of Samuel Dupui, a Huguenot settler, in the -present town of Shawnee, on the Delaware River, five and one-half miles -from the present town of Stroudsburg. Then Fort Hamilton was built on -the present site of Stroudsburg, where Fort Penn was also in the eastern -part of the town. These forts were in the heart of the territory which -the Minsink, or Munsee, Indians occupied. - -Fort Norris came next in the chain and was near Greensweig’s, Monroe -County, and fifteen miles west was Fort Allen, and then Fort Franklin, -in Albany Township, Berks County, and nineteen miles west was Fort -Lebanon, also known as Fort William, about a mile and a half from the -present town of Auburn, a short distance from Port Clinton. The next in -the chain was the small fort at Deitrick Six’s, then Fort Henry; then -Fort Swatara, both described in former stories, and then Fort Hunter, -six miles above Harrisburg, and Fort Halifax, both on the Susquehanna -River. - -Crossing the river was Fort Patterson, in the Tuscarora Valley, opposite -Mexico, Juniata County; Fort Granville, near Lewistown; Fort Shirley, -near Aughwick Creek; Fort Lyttleton, at Sugar Cabins, and Fort McDowell, -in Franklin County, the last of the line in the Province of -Pennsylvania. - - ---------- - - - - - Mason and Dixon Determined Starting Point - for Boundary Survey, December 30, 1763 - - -The dispute over the boundary of the province on the south began with -the acquisition of the charter and continued through the life of William -Penn and his descendants, until almost the end of Proprietary Government -in Pennsylvania. - -Charles Calvert, the fifth Lord Baltimore, drew an agreement, defining -the boundaries between Maryland and Delaware and Maryland and -Pennsylvania. On May 10, 1732, John and Thomas Penn agreed to this and -signed the instrument. John Penn and Lord Baltimore then came to -America, and, Baltimore changed his mind and caused every possible delay -in having a survey made of this disputed line. - -Commissioners had been appointed by both governments and they did -nothing but wrangle for the eighteen months allowed in the agreement, -and Baltimore believed this made it of no effect. - -The Penn family won in court and the conduct of Baltimore was censured. - -Frederick, the sixth Lord Baltimore, declined to be bound by any act of -his predecessors, and again many years were wasted. - -In 1760 a new agreement was made which was practically identical with -the one of 1732. Commissioners on the part of Pennsylvania were the -Governor, James Hamilton, Richard Peters, Reverend Dr. Ewing, William -Allen, William Coleman, Thomas Willing, Benjamin Clew, and Edward -Shippen, Jr., a selection which assured good and faithful performance. - -The first three years were spent by the surveyors employed in marking -the lines of Delaware. The circle around New Castle was drawn by David -Rittenhouse, and added much to his reputation. - -This work proceeded too slowly and on August 4, 1763, Thomas and Richard -Penn, and Frederick, Lord Baltimore, then being together in London, -agreed with Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, two well known English -astronomers, “to mark, run out, settle, fix, and determine all such -parts of the circle, marks, lines, and boundaries, as were mentioned in -the several articles or commissions, and were not yet completed.” - -Mason and Dixon arrived in Philadelphia, November 15, 1763, and -forthwith engaged in work. - -They began their survey by ascertaining the latitude of the southernmost -part of the City of Philadelphia, which they agreed was the north wall -of the house then occupied by Thomas Plumstead and Joseph Huddle, on the -south side of Cedar Street. They determined it was 39° 56' 37.4”. This -was ascertained December 30, 1763, and the actual survey of the boundary -line properly began on this date. - -During January and February, 1764, they measured thirty-one miles -westward of the city to the forks of the Brandywine, where they planted -a quartzose stone, six miles west of the meridian of the court house in -West Chester. - -With this stone as a fixed point they determined the point from which -they should start to run the horizontal line of five degrees longitude -to fix the southern boundary. This was of course the northeast corner of -the State of Maryland. - -From this point they extended the line 230 miles, eighteen chains, and -twenty-one links, or 244 miles, thirty-eight chains, and thirty-six -links, from the Delaware River. This was done during 1766 and 1767. - -The Indians could not understand the object of an exploring expedition -that spent every clear night gazing at the stars through big guns, and -they soon stopped their progress. The Penns used their influence with -the Indians and the work proceeded. - -The western extremity of Maryland was reached and passed, and the -astronomers were encamped on the banks of the Monongahela, when the -Indians again interposed. Their attitude was so threatening that many of -the servants and workmen of the expedition deserted. But the great -delight and satisfaction of running an astronomical line through -primeval forests raised Mason and Dixon above all fears, and they -pressed on to the Warrior Branch of the great Catawba Indian trail. - -This was on the borders of a stream called Dunkard Creek, about the -middle point on the southern boundary line of the present Green County. -Here the Indians took such a menacing stand that Mason and Dixon were -obliged to return, and their Dunkard Creek trail, or Warrior trail, -remained the terminus of their line for many years. - -This Mason and Dixon’s line was a great achievement in that day, and a -new thing in science. These two modest but skillful men had made -themselves immortal. Their line was not marked by river, creek or even -mountain range, it was an imaginary one. At every fifth mile a stone was -set up marked on the northern side with the arms of the Penns and on the -southern side with the arms of Baltimore, each intermediate mile was -marked with stones having P. on the one side and M. on the opposite -side. - -This line, fixed after nearly a hundred years of conflict, is more -unalterable than if nature had originally made it. It became the -boundary line between the great sides of the slavery question, and -divided the armies of the North and South in the great Civil War. - -The interference of the Indians having arrested further work, Messrs. -Mason and Dixon returned to Philadelphia, where they reported to the -commissioner, and on December 26, 1767, received an honorable discharge. - -There were many minor disturbances occasioned by this line, and the -actions of the rough border population were slow to become satisfied. A -surveyor’s transit or astronomy was not enough to determine the limits -of their civil pride. These people had grown accustomed to the temporary -lines which had been run about 1740, which was about one-quarter of a -mile above the true one, and they became as much excited over that -narrow strip as they had been when they hoped to penetrate miles into -Pennsylvania. - -The government of Pennsylvania determined to acquire its rightful -jurisdiction and in 1774, a proclamation was issued, which has generally -been considered the final act in the boundary controversy. - -The residue of the southern boundary, a little less than twenty-two -miles, was run in 1782 by Robert Andrews, Andrew Ellicott, John Ewing, -David Rittenhouse, and John Hutchins, and completed and permanently -marked in 1784. - - ---------- - - - - - First Bank in America Chartered in - Philadelphia, December 31, 1781 - - -Congress again assembled in Philadelphia on July 2, 1778, and on the 9th -the “Articles of Confederation,” engrossed on parchment, were signed by -the delegates of eight States. - -Pennsylvania was one of those states which immediately acceded to the -Confederation. The delegation from this State consisted of Benjamin -Franklin, Robert Morris, Daniel Roderdeau, Jonathan Bayard Smith, James -Smith, of Yorktown; William Clingan and Joseph Reed. - -The “Articles of Confederation” were submitted to the several State -Legislatures. Slowly the States ratified them, some of them pointing out -serious defects, and all taking time to discuss them. The first State to -ratify, in addition to the eight which immediately signed, was North -Carolina, July 21, but Maryland steadily refused until March 1, 1781, -when the League of States was perfected. - -It was soon perceived that under this new Government the Congress had no -power, independent of the several States, to enforce taxation. - -Robert Morris, then Superintendent of Finance (Secretary of the -Treasury), proposed the establishment of a bank in Philadelphia, to -supply the Government with money, with a capital of $400,000. - -The promissory notes of the bank were to be a legal tender of currency, -to be received in payment of all taxes, duties and debts due the United -States. - -But before Congress could act the patriotic citizens of Philadelphia -moved for the establishment of a bank by which means the soldiers in the -Continental Army could be supplied with provisions. - -A plan for this bank was prepared in Philadelphia which set forth the -entire scheme of subscription and operation, down to the minutest -detail, even stating that the factor (cashier) “shall provide his store -with rum, sugar, coffee, salt and other goods at the cheapest price to -those who supply him with provisions, that he may gain a preference of -what comes to market.” The provisions were to be purchased for the army -in the field. - -This plan named the original board of inspectors, Robert Morris, J. M. -Nesbitt, Blair M'Clenachan, Samuel Miles and Cadwallader Morris. The two -directors were John Nixon and George Clymer and the factor was Tench -Francis. - -The subscription list was headed: - -“Whereas, in the present situation of public affairs in the United -States, the greatest and most vigorous exertions are required for the -successful management of the just and necessary war in which they are -engaged with Great Britain; We, the subscribers, deeply impressed with -the sentiments that on such an occasion should govern us, in the -prosecution of a war, in the event of which, our own freedom and that of -our posterity and the freedom and independence of the United States are -all involved, hereby severally pledge our property and credit for the -several sums specified and mentioned after our names, in order to -support the credit of a bank to be established for furnishing a supply -of provisions for the armies of the United States; and we do hereby -severally promise and engage to execute to the directors of the said -bank bonds of the form hereunto annexed. - -“Witness our hands the 17th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1780.” - -There were ninety-two original patriot subscribers, the total pledges of -whom amounted to £300,000 Pennsylvania currency, payable in gold or -silver. - -Robert Morris and Blair McClenachan each subscribed £10,000; Bunner, -Murray & Co., £6000; Tench Francis, £5500; James Wilson, George Clymer, -William Bingham, J. M. Nesbitt & Co., Richard Peters, Samuel Meredith, -James Mease, Thomas Barclay, Samuel Morris, Jr., John Cox, Robert L. -Hooper, Jr., Hugh Shiell, Samuel Eyre, Matthew Irwin, Thomas Irwin, John -Philip De Haas, Philip Moore, John Nixon, Robert Bridges, John Benezet, -Henry Hill, John Morgan, Samuel Mifflin, Thomas Mifflin, Thomas Willing -and Samuel Powell, each subscribed £5000. - -None of the subscribers pledged less than £1000, and it is a question if -ever a more liberal list of patriots could be found anywhere than this -one. - -This bank opened its doors on July 17, 1780, in Front Street, -Philadelphia, two doors above Walnut. - -To show the mode of doing business an old advertisement says: “All -persons who have already lent money are desired to apply for bank notes; -and the directors request the favor of those who may hereafter lodge -their cash in the bank, that they would tie it up in bundles of bills of -one denomination, with labels, and their names indorsed, as the business -will thereby be done with less trouble and much greater dispatch.” - -The bank continued in operation till the establishment of the Bank of -North America, December 31, 1781, and was the first banking institution -in America. - -The plan for the bank for the Government was approved by the Continental -Congress, May 26, 1781, and this financial agent of the Government was -chartered by the Congress December 31, 1781. The capital stock was -divided into shares of $400 each, in money of gold and silver, to be -procured by subscriptions. - -Twelve directors were appointed to manage the affairs of the bank, which -was entitled by the Congress “The President, Directors and Company of -the Bank of North America.” - -Alexander Hamilton, observing the prosperity and usefulness to the -commercial community and the financial operations of the Government of -the Bank of North America, in Philadelphia, and of the Bank of New York, -and the Bank of Massachusetts, which were afterward established, and -which three banks held the entire banking capital of the country before -1791, recommended the establishment of a Government bank in his famous -report on the finances (1790), as Secretary of the Treasury. - -Hamilton’s suggestion was speedily acted upon, and an act for the -purpose was adopted February 8, 1791. - -President Washington asked the written opinion of his Cabinet concerning -its constitutionality. They were equally divided. The President, -believing it legal, signed the bill. - -The bank was named “The United States Bank” and its charter limited to -twenty years. - -This bank was soon established, with a capital of $10,000,000, of which -amount the Government subscribed $2,000,000 in specie and $6,000,000 in -stocks of the United States. - -The measure was very popular. The shares of the bank rose to 25 and 45 -per cent premium, and it paid an average dividend of 8½ per cent on its -capital. The shares were $400 each, same as the Bank of North America. - -The United States Bank was chartered February 25, 1791, and established -at Philadelphia, with branches at different points. Its charter expired -without renewal March 4, 1811. - - - - - INDEX - - A - - Aaronsburg Lottery, 276 - Abduction of Colonel Timothy Pickering, 438 - Abe Little, 236 - Abercrombie, Lieutenant Colonel James W., 307 - Abington, 736 - Abolition Society, 46, 114 - Abraham, 540 - Abraham, Heights of, 498 - Absentz, George, 284 - Academy, 45, 882 - Academy, Germantown, 283 - Academy of Music, 41 - Acrods, Benjamin, 190 - Adams County, 181, 218, 244, 264, 288, 416, 582, 596, 698, 811, 853 - Adams, John, 53, 139, 191, 200, 263, 383, 459, 789, 791, 816 - Adams, General John, 583 - Addison, Alexander, 605 - Address, Lincoln’s Gettysburg, Story, 810 - Adet, 789 - Adjouquay, 394 - Adler (of Reading), The, 191 - Adlum, John, 11, 731, 732 - Agnew, General James, 691 - Agriculture, Department of, 88 - Agrippa, Cornelius, 151 - Alabama, 8 - Advocate, 866 - Albany, 45, 491 - Albany Township, 918 - Albright, General Charles, 49, 109 - Alden, Mason F., 906 - Alexander, Captain Charles, 324, 713 - Alexander, Major General, 854 - Alexander, Mrs. Catherine, 369 - Alexander’s Tavern, - Allan, Mrs. Elizabeth R. P., 204 - Allegheny, 300 - Allegheny County, 64, 87, 131, 147, 156, 180, 181, 200, 208, 216, 223, - 262, 596, 598, 687, 775, 896 - Allegheny Episodes (quoted), 391 - Allegheny River, 11 etc. - Allegheny & Portage Railroad, 201 - Allen, Andrew, 308, 661 - Allen, Anne, 107, 393 - Allen, Christopher, 531 - Allen, John, 510 - Allen, General Ethan, 848 - Allen, Lieutenant, 759 - Allen, Massacre of Family, 344 - Allen, Nathaniel, 340 - Allen, Nicholas, 110 - Allen, Peter, 392 - Allen Rifles, 277 - Allen, Samuel, 150 - Allen, William, 107, 392, 513, 682, 779, 782, 867 - Allentown, 81, 277, 384 - Allentown (Pitts), 201 - Allison, Benjamin, 209, 674 - Allison, Dr. Francis, 224 - Allison, Dr. J., 10 - Allison, James, 827 - Allison, Robert, 441 - Allison, R. W. Francis, 782 - Allison, William, 623 - Allman, J. T., 88 - Allemewi, 424 - Alliance with Indians, Unholy, 654 - Alloqueppy’s Town, 320 - Allummapees, 255, 283, 301, 437, 449 - Almanac, Lancaster County, 678 - Almanac, Poor Richard’s, 45 - Alricks, Jacob, 667 - Alricks, Peter, 447 - Altona, 667 - Altoona, 40 - Alumingh, Falls of, 666 - Amatincka, 71 - Amboy Railroad, 21, - American Company, 271 - American Ethnological Society, 54 - American Magazine, The, 642 - American or Know Nothing Party, 389 - American Philosophical Society, 385 - American Rebels, 831 - Americans, Royal, The, 236 - American Sunday School Society, 642 - American, The, 75 - American Weekly Mercury, 897 - “Americanus,” 594 - Amherst, General Jeffrey, 346, 372, 538, 587, 703, 710 - Ancient Order Hibernians, 47 - Anderson, John, 102 - Anderson, Major, 39 - André, Major John, 91, 138, 271, 347, 348, 607, 669, 709 - Andrew (Indian), 437 - Andrews, Mrs. (quoted), 811 - Andrews, Robert, 662, 708, 921 - Andrews, Robert A., 182 - Andries, Gunla, 396 - Andries, Lace, 792 - Andros, Governor Edmund, 447, 610, 792 - Anders, Christiana, 826 - Anders, Gottleib, 826 - Anders, Joanna, 826 - Angelica, 835 - Angle, The, 455 - Annals of Buffalo Valley, 27, 445 - Annals of Philadelphia, 900 - Annapolis, 337, 364 - Annapolis, Jail, 823 - Anne, Princess, 763 - Anne, Queen, 44, 118 - Antes Burying Ground, 337 - Antes Fort, 335 - Antes Gap, 555 - Antes, Heinrich, 31 - Antes, Henry, 31, 32, 33, 312, 336, 512, 514 - Antes, John, 33 - Antes, Johan Heinrich, 31 - Antes, John Henry, 335, 819 - Antes, Mary Elizabeth, 31, 336 - Antes Mill, 31 - Antes, Philip Frederic, 31, 335, 336, 380, 731, 732 - Antes, William, 336 - Anthony, Captain, 859 - Anthracite Coal, 110, 111, 112 - Antoinette, Marie, 892 - Anti-federalists, 518 - Anti-Masonry, 182, 518, 567, 568, 850, 855, 868 - Anti-Masonic Era, 839; - Story, 850, 855 - Anti-Masonic Convention, 568 - Anti-Masonic Investigation, Story, 889 - Anti-Masonic Party, 518 - Anti-Slavery Society, Female, 7 - Anti-Slavery Society, National, 6, 7 - Anti-Slavery Society, World’s, 7 - Antrim, County of, 23 - Anvil, The, 628 - Apollo, 167, 201, 263 - Appoquincinnik Creek, 437 - Arbor Day, First, 735 - Archer, Elizabeth, 510 - Archer, General Stephen, 452 - Archer, John, 510 - Archives of Pennsylvania, 302, 429, 880 - Ardanda, Count de, 914 - Argall, Captain Samuel, 589 - Argus, Northumberland, 546 - Argus Republican, 876 - Armbruster, Gotthan, 899 - Arms, King’s, 383 - Armstrong, Alexander, 255 - Armstrong Creek, 16 - Armstrong County, 147, 156, 181, 185, 208, 596, 597, 775 - Armstrong, Edward (Lieutenant), 525, 526, 619 - Armstrong, James, 73, 254, 400, 630 - Armstrong, John, General, 27, 67, 69, 178, 259, 268, 319, 381, 504, - 525, 526, 545, 587, 597, 619, 690, 703, 711, 722, 762, 820, 828, - 829, 830, 911 - Armstrong, John (Jack), 254 - Armstrong, Joseph, 320 - Armstrong, Thomas A., 735 - Armstrongs, 370, 393 - Arndt, Captain Jacob, 541, 575 - Arnold, Benedict, General, 3, 89, 90, 91, 188, 222, 309, 418, 461, 635, - 509, 709 - Arnold Expedition to Quebec, 699, 708 - Arnold (quoted), 811 - Arnold (ship), 324 - Arnold, Woodward, 254 - Arsenal, 5 - Articles of Confederation, 5, 45, 570, 872, 873, 921 - Ashburn, Elizabeth, 79 - Ashburn, Zillah, 79 - Ashburn, Joseph, 79 - Ashcom, Charles, 151 - Ashland, 1, 49, 107 - Ashmead, John W., 8 - Askey, Lieutenant, 305, 306 - Assarandongnas, 701 - Astor, Mrs. John Jacob, 220 - Astor Place Theatre, 251 - Astoria, 54 - Asylum, Story of, 892 - *Aetna (ship), 324 - Atlee, Colonel Samuel John, 155, 545, 908 - Attaock, 506 - Auburn, 918 - Auchmuty, Miss, 348 - Audubon, J. J., 581 - Aughwick (Old Town), 322, 525, 619 - Aughwick Creek, 918 - Aughwick Valley, 322 - Augsburg Confession, 609 - Augusta County, 660 - Augusta Fort, see Fort Augusta - Augusta Regiment, 393, 685 - Augustus (Indian), 575 - Augustus (ship), 671 - Aurora, The, 434, 791, 877 - Australian Ballot System, 87 - Austria, 22 - Averills, General William W., 521 - Awl, Dr. R. H., 820 - - B - - Bache, Richard, 357 - Backus, Colonel Electus, 143 - Bailey, Edward, 137 - Baker, John, 378 - Baker, John L., 122 - Baker, Samuel, 794 - Baker’s Bottom, 362 - Baker’s Creek, 649 - Bald Eagle, Chief, 169, 543 - Bald Eagle Creek, 305, 475 - Baldwin, Dr. Cornelius, 223 - Baldwin Locomotive Works, 22 - Baldwin, Matthias, 20, 21, 22 - Baldy, Paul, 819 - Balliet, Stephen, 186 - Baltimore, 277, 298 - Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 232 - Baltimore, Lord, 165, 328, 489 - Baltimore Riot, 277 - Bancroft (quoted), 293, 489, 612, 660, 829, 836 - Bank, First in U. S., 921 - Bank, First at Pittsburgh, 201 - Bank of Germantown, 901 - Bank, Girard, 355, 785 - Bank of Massachusetts, 20 - Bank, National, 20 - Bank of New York, 20 - Bank of North America, 18, 19, 20, 285, 923 - Bank, Pennsylvania, 285, 708, 818 - Bank of United States, 923 - Barbadoes, 340, 447 - Barbier, Monsieur, 840 - Barclay, Commodore, 626 - Barclay, Robert, 717 - Barclay, Thomas, 922 - Bard, Archibald, 264 - Bard, Richard, 264 - Barker, Thomas, 373 - Barlow, Joel, 565 - Barnes, Xtopper, 792 - Barnes, John, 150 - Barney, Capt. Joshua, 426 - Barnitz, Ensign Jacob, 570 - Baron of Finga, 10 - Barren Hill, 308, 352 - Barren Hill Church, 353 - Barry, Commodore John, 325 - Bartholomew, Edward, 380 - Barton, Mr., 299 - Bartram Gardens, 212, 213, 214 - Bartram, Ann, 212 - Bartram, John, 212, 213, 214, 884 - Bartram, Mary, 212 - Bartram, William, 213, 214, 580 - Baskins, William, 255, 525 - Bastile, 99 - Bates, Samuel P. (quoted), 812 - Battalions, First and Second, 185, 304, 311 - Battles, General, 521 - Battle of Antietam, 40 - Battle of Brandywine, 81, 137, 138, 213, 570, 627 - Battle of Bull Run, 40, 280 - Battle of Bushy Run, 100, 496, 537 - Battle of Chattanooga, 89 - Battle of Chickamauga, 89 - Battle of Chippewa, 144 - Battle of Crooked Billet, 10, 307 - Battle of Fallen Timbers, 572, 849 - Battle of Fort Freeland (See Fort Freeland) - Battle of Germantown, 138, 224 - Battle of Gettysburg, Story, 451, 455 - Brittle of Lake Erie, 624 - Battle of Long Island, 311 - Battle, Lundy’s Lane, 144 - Battle, Monongahela, 470 - Battle of Monmouth, 57 - Battle of Princeton, 496 - Battle of Stillwater, 634 - Battle of Stony Point, 138, 210 - Battle of Trenton, 81, 210, 311, 496 - Battle of White Plains, 138 - Bayard, John, 292, 669 - Baynton, Peter, 834 - Beale, Thomas, 630 - Beard, Sarah, 556 - Beard, William, 556 - Bearnell, William, 2 - Beaujeu, Captain Hyacinthe Marie L. de, 470, 471, 472 - Beaulieu, M., 894 - Beaumarchais, Pierre Augustin Caron de, 915 - Beaver, 121, 167, 174 - Beaver County, 122, 147, 156, 175, 181, 208, 262, 597, 775 - Beaver Creek, 174 - Beaver, Governor James A., 280, 379, 735 - Beaver, King, 303 - Beck, Paul, 693 - Becker, Hilarius, 284 - Beddock, Edward, 822 - Bedford, 100, 145; - Story, 177, 304, 537, 689 - Bedford, Captain, 587 - Bedford County, 61, 72, 138, 145, 147, 177, 180, 181, 208, 210, 257, - 259, 266, 416, 420, 508, 551, 587, 596, 606, 731 - Bedford, England, 177 - Bedford, Fort (See Fort Bedford) - Bedford Springs, 179 - Beekman, William, 667 - Beissel, John Conrad, Story, 463 - Bell, Liberty, 504 - Bell, William, 630 - Belle Riviere, 412 - Bells Church, 223, 504 - Bellefonte, 735, 834 - Bellew, Captain, 324 - Belleville, 9 - Bender, Charles A., 523 - Benezet, John, 922 - Beninger, Hiram, 108 - Bensell, Charles, 283 - Bensell, Lane, 284 - Benton, 429 - Benway, John, 474 - Berkeley, Lord, 716 - Berkley, Mrs., 861 - *Beresford, Sir John P., 335 - Berks County, 16, 60, 66, 67, 131, 180, 190, 207, 208, 210, 215, 308, - 416, 419, 508, 582, 596, 606, 616, 617, 645, 648, 726, 736, 797, - 808, 895, 916, 918 - Bern Township, 808 - Bernard, 890 - Bernard, Governor, 380, 700 - Berry, James, 254 - Berwick, 515, 614 - Berzar, John, 531 - Bessonett & Co., C., 834 - Best, Valentine, 118 - Bethany, Pa., 194 - Bethel Township, 797 - Bethlehem (Pa.), 15, 17, 32, 33, 102, 159, 191, 222, 237, 302, 303, - 313, 336, 359, 360, 384, 425, 504, 514, 541, 575, 576, 588, 710, - 917, 918 - “Bethlehem,” 867 - Bethlehem Hospital, Story, 222 - Bethlehem Moravians, 222 - Bethlehem Township, 312 - Bethesda, 312 - Betsy (Ship), 325 - Bevan, Catherine, 30 - Bezac, Edward, 150 - Bezar, John, 340 - Bezel, John, 474 - Bezold, Gottleib, 17 - Bicentennial, William Penn, Story, 733 - Bickley, Abraham, 859 - Biddle, Charles J., General, 280, 452 - Biddle, Clement C., 334 - Biddle, Edward, 611 - Biddle, Henry J., Adjutant General, 280 - Biddle, James, Captain, 292 - Biddle, John, 308 - Biddle, Nicholas, Captain, 326 - Biddle, Owen, 385, 483 - Biddle, Thomas, 334 - Big Beaver, 423, 722 - Big Cat (Indian), 174, 282 - Big Island, 476 - Big Mahoning, 168 - Big Sewickley Creek, 149, 168 - “Big Tree” Indian, 638 - Biles, William, 150, 530 - Bigler, John, Governor, 881 - Bigler, William, Governor, 389, 880 - Billet, Crooked, 10, 307 - Billingsport, 324, 545, 669, 908 - Bills of Credit, 160 - Bingham, William, 896, 922 - Binghamton, 298 - Binns, John, 433, 783, 785, 802, 876 - Binns, Recollections, etc.,(quoted), 433 - Biographical Annals, 262 - Bird, Captain Harry, 141 - Birmingham, 98, 201 - Birmingham, East, 201 - Birmingham, James M., 473 - Birmingham Meeting House, 260, 504, 628 - Bissell, George H., 592 - Black Boys, 178, 829 - Black, Captain David, 442 - Black, Mr., 218 - Black, Chauncey F., 735 - Black, Jeremiah S., 179, 390 - Blackbeard, 152 - Blackburn, Admiral, 582 - Blacky (horse), 218 - Blackfish, Chief, 738 - “Black Horse” Tavern, 680 - Black Lick Creek, 146 - Black Walnut Bottom, 439 - Blackwell, Captain John, 843 - Blacons, M. De, 894 - Blaine, Ephraim, 110, 679 - Blaine, Lieutenant, 346 - Blair County, 177, 181, 257, 596 - Blair, John, 496 - Blair, Thomas, 390 - Blair’s Gap, 265 - Blairsville, 309 - Blake, Thos. F., 473 - Bland, Colonel Theodoric, Jr., 629 - Blenker, Colonel, 369 - Blennerhassett, Mrs. Adeline Agnew, 894 - Bloody Saturday, Story, 557 - Bloomfield, John, 514 - Bloomsburg, 49, 210, 491, 614, 868, 904 - Bloomsbury Forge, 483 - “Blue Bell” Tavern, 396 - Blue Hill, 287, 772 - Blue Mountain, 25, 561, 651, 721 - Blue Rock, 822 - Blues, Philadelphia, 334 - Blues, Quaker, 292 - Blummaert, Samuel, 229 - Blunston, Samuel, 821 - Blythe, William, 26, 469 - Board of War, 570 - Boatman, Claudius, 556 - Boatman, Miss, 555 - Boatman, Mrs. Claudius, 554, 555 - Bobb, Matthias, 809 - Bodley, General Thomas, 334 - Boeckel, Dame Barbara, 222 - Boeckel, Liesel, 222 - Boehler, William, 222, 312 - Boelson, Jan, 792 - Boen, Andrew, 396 - Bogharat, Jost de, 231 - Bok, Edward W., 532 - Boileau, N. B., 784 - Bolilogue, Charles Felix Bea, 892 - Boozar, William, 2 - Bom (quoted), 696 - Bombaugh, Conrad, 679 - Bonaparte, 565 - Bonaparte, Charles Lincoln, 581 - Bond, Becky, 348 - Bond, Dr. Thomas, 602 - Bond, Dr. Thomas, Jr., 224 - Bond, Wilhelmina, 348 - Bonham, John, 694 - Bonham, William, 878 - Bonnecamps, Father, 412 - Boone, Daniel, 515, 736 - Boone, George, 736 - Boone, George III, 736 - Boone, Hawkins, Captain, 515 - Boone, Mary Maugridge, 736 - Boone, Squire, 736 - Boonesborough, 737 - Bordentown, 909 - Border Dispute, Story, 338 - Borrows, Arad, 369 - Boston, 507, 508 - Boston, Siege of, 311 - Bothwell Howe, 863 - Bouquet, Henry, 10, 42, 105, 169, 178, 304, 346, 347, 371, 388, 537, - 547, 587, 588, 636, 680, 704, 710, 781, 782, 827, 830 - Boundary Dispute, 99, 659 - Bounties for Scalps, Story, 267 - Bowen, Major, 521 - Bower, Philip, 820 - Bower, Thomas, 797 - Bowman, John, 284 - Bowrey Theatre, 251 - Bowser, William, 710 - Boyd Family, 326 - Boyd, Captain James, 189 - Boyd, Captain John, 137, 186, 442, 517, 633 - Boyd, Robert, 206 - Boyd, Thomas, 137, 633, 814 - Boyd, William, 137, 633 - Boyle, James, 193, 314 - Boynton & Wharton, 170 - Brackenridge, Hugh Henry, 517, 688 - Braddock, Edward, 60, 73, 77, 134, 148, 149, 172, 260, 267, 319, 370, - 408, 470, 476, 486, 547, 549, 573, 623, 686, 704, 721, 726, 757, - 760, 797, 825, 827, 830, 916 - Braddock Road, Story, 319 - Bradford, Andrew, 115, 130, 897 - Bradford, Cornelia, 897 - Bradford County, 156, 181, 194, 195, 208, 210, 359, 423, 458, 596, 597, - 775, 892, 893 - Bradford, David, 687, 689 - Bradford, Thomas, 899 - Bradford, William, 128, 580, 597, 669, 689, 793, 899 - Bradford, William, (Jr.), 115, 292 - Bradstreet, General John, 347, 388, 548, 781, 828 - Bradt, Captain Andrew, 740 - Brady, 423, 533 - Brady, Fort, See Fort Brady - Brady, Hannah, 259 - Brady, Hugh, 259, 334 - Brady, James, Story, 542 - Brady, Captain John, 11; - Story, 259, 305, 544 - Brady, Mary, 544 - Brady, Samuel, 261, 498 - Brady, Captain Samuel, 168, 543, 544, 549, 740 - Brady Tract, 11 - Brainard, David, 475, 824 - Braintrim, 299 - Brandon, John, 498 - Brandywine, Battle of, 504 - Brandywine Creek, 504 - Brant, Joseph, 323, 501, 529, 633, 814 - Brassey, Thomas, 212, 373 - Brattan, John, 731 - Bread Street, 514 - Breck, Senator Samuel, 184 - Breed’s Hill, 606 - Brethren House, 222 - Brewer, Martin, 463 - Breylinger, Hannah, 722 - Breylinger, Jacob, 722 - Bridges, Robert, 922 - Bridgewater, Battle of, 583 - Bridgewater, Duke of, 565 - Bright, George, 820 - Bringhurst, George, 284 - Bristol, 859, 909 - Brison, John, 479 - Britannia Fire Company, 860 - British Burn National Capitol, Story, 582 - British Squadron, 625 - Brobst, Christian, 299 - Brobst, Michael, 252 - Brockden, Charles, 514 - Brodhead, Daniel, 162, 163, 167, 281, 462, 584, 585, 617, 618, 637, - 654, 908 - Brokenstraw, 550 - Brook, Grassy, 501 - Brook, Half Way, 501 - Brook, John, 343 - Brooks, Edward, 373 - Brooks, Noah, 812 - Brooke’s Tavern, 247 - Brotherhood of Ephrata, 463 - Brotherly Love, City of, 167 - Brother Jethro, 463 - Brown, B. S., 369 - Brown, Enoch, 511 - Brown, General Jacob, 142, 143, 144, 334 - Brown, Lige, 785 - Brown, Moses, 238 - Brown, William, 186, 630, 910 - Browne, George, 397 - Browne, John, 792 - Brownlee, John, 479 - Brownsbury, 861 - “Brown’s Hotel,”, 865 - Brownsville, 143, 218, 328 - Brulé, Etienne, 589, 741 - Bruner’s Cotton Factory, 860 - Brunner, Mary, 190 - Brush Creek, 376 - Brush Valley, 343 - Bryan, George, 136, 662, 708, 779, 794 - Bryan, Rebecca, 736 - Bryson, Samuel, Story, 630 - Buchanan, Arthur, 679 - Buchanan, Polly, 679 - Buchanan, William, 319 - Buchanan, James, 34, 35, 183, 288, 624, 679 - Bucher, Conrad, 306 - Bucher, Jacob, 6 - Buckalew, Charles R., 196 - Buckaloons, 551 - Buckingham, 179 - Bucks County, 33, 57, 60, 84, 107, 142, 179, 180, 190, 191, 207, 307, - 308, 334, 370, 416, 419, 448, 450, 530, 596, 649, 650, 662, 861, 867 - Buckshot War, Story, 853 - Budden, Captain, 383 - Bull, Ole, 94, 95, 96 - Buffalo, 877 - Buffalo Creek, 175, 241 - Buffalo Valley, 9, 11, 305, 461, 526 - Buffalo Valley, Linn (quoted), 189 - Buffington’s, 628 - Building Commissioners, 5 - Bull, Captain (Indian), 492, 718, 911 - Bull, General John, 139, 380, 484, 544 - Bull, Mary Phillips, 546 - Bull, Rebecca, 139 - Bull Run, 280 - Bullet, Captain, 636 - Bulletin, 813 - Bunker Hill, 10, 606 - Bunner, Murray & Co., 922 - Burd, Edward, 209, 228, 483, 508, 693 - Burd, Colonel James, 178, 237, 319, 684, 759 - Burgoyne, General John, 456, 834 - Burlington Meeting, 113 - Burnes, Patrick, 760 - Burnet, Dr. William, 602 - Burnett, Governor of New Jersey, 161 - Burnett’s Hills, 399 - Burning of Chambersburg, Story, 519 - Burns, John, 583 - Burns, Robert, 579 - Burnt Cabins, 320, 680 - Burr, Aaron, 894 - Burroughs, Mrs., 250 - Burrowes, Thomas H., 850, 855 - Bush Hill, 351 - Bushy Run, Battle of, 537, 548 - Butler, 120, 121, 122, 854 - Butler (Indian), 372 - Butler County, 120, 121, 156, 181, 185, 208, 262, 265, 551, 596, 597 - Butler, Colonel John, 456, 833 - Butler, Colonel John (Tory), 71, 138, 168, 367, 456, 579, 633, 814 - Butler, John Richard, 152 - Butler, Lord, 111, 135 - Butler, Richard, General, 3, 43, 146, 750 - Butler, Colonel Zebulon, 438, 456, 492, 903 - Butler’s Rift, 495 - Buyers, Judge John, 819 - Buzzard, Dr., 894 - Byberry, 577 - Bygrove, Lieutenant, 348 - Bylhinge, Edward, 716 - - C - - Cabot, John, 446 - Cadwalader, Colonel Lambert, 292, 908 - Cadwalader, General Thomas, 334 - Cadwallader, General John, 292, 417, 836, 868 - Cady, 439 - Caghuawaga, 363 - Cagnawaga Creek, 185 - Caledonia (ship), 626 - Cajadies, 886 - Caldwell, Captain, 456 - Caldwell, Commodore Andrew, 324 - Caldwell, Samuel, 332 - Callander, Robert, 322, 762 - Calvert, Charles, 330, 821, 919 - Camden & Amboy Railroad, 21 - Cambria, 378 - Cambria County, 177, 181, 596, 725, 775 - Cambria Iron Works, 232, 378 - Cambridge, 409 - Cameron County, 156, 182, 208, 596 - Cameron, Donald, 498 - Cameron House, 745 - Cameron, Colonel James, 498 - Cameron, General Simon, 196, 498, 812, 883 - Cammerhoff, Bishop John Frederick, 15, 16, 17, 63 - Campanius, Rev. John, 123, 609 - Camp Curtin, Story, 276 to 280 - Camp Union, 277 - Camp, William, 299 - Campbell, Alexander, 557, 558, 847 - Campbell, James, 644 - Campbell, John, 179, 200 - Campbell, Michael, 400 - Campbell, Mrs., 558 - Campbell, Captain William, 527 - Campbell (poet) quoted, 457 - Canada, 743 - Canajoharie, 302 - Canal Commissioners, Board of, 723 - Canal, Union, 26 - Canal, Story, 130 - Canassatego, 449, 867 - *Conewago, 744 - Cannon, James, 485, 669, 794 - Canoe Place, 731 - Canon, John, 164 - Canterbury, 845 - *Causeland, Nieu, 667 - Cape Cornelius, 857 - Capes of Chesapeake, 627 - Capitol Hill, 746 - Capitol, State, 3, 5, 6, 86, 89, 94, 135 - Capson, John, 897 - Captain Pipe, 226 - Carantouan, 742 - Carbon County, 47, 48, 65, 181, 193, 380, 448, 557, 564, 577, 597, 651, - 846, 847, 918 - Carbondale, 232 - Carey, 591 - Carey, Henry Charles, 643 - Carey, Matthew, 641; - Story, 775 - Carleton, Sir Guy, 426, 739 - Carigiatatie, Nikes, 700 - Carlisle, 4, 27, 73, 74, 75, 110, 135, 170, 176, 178, 217, 227, 247, - 248, 258, 288, 321, 322, 346, 388, 441, 443, 445, 508, - Carlisle Barracks, 522, 854 - Carlisle, Earl of, 417 - Carlisle Indian School, 110; - Story, 522 - Carlisle Jail, 912 - Carlisle, Hon. John S., 179 - Carlisle Pike, 280 - Carlisle, Raid on, Story, 441 - Carmichael, William, 915 - Carolina, 300 - Carondowanen (Indian), 638 - Carpenter, Emanuel, 798 - Carpenter, Edward, 150 - Carpenter, Samuel, 128, 150, 159 - Carpenters’ Hall, 10, 33, 419, 611, 694 - Carr, Colonel Robert, 446 - Carroll, General Samuel Sprigg, 454 - Carroll, James, 193, 314 - Carroll Tract, 264 - Carroll, Colonel William, 334 - Carson, Ann, 784 - Carson, John, 784 - Carteret, Sir George, 716 - Cartlidge, Edward, 805, 806, 822 - Cartlidge, John, 552, 805, 806 - Casey, Joseph, 864 - Cashtown Pike, 452 - Cass Township, 846 - Cassimer, Fort, 609 - Castle, James H, 249 - Castleman, William, 586 - Cat, Story of Singed, 532 - Catawba, 300 - Catawissa, 299, 893 - Cathcart, Lord, 348 - Catherine (ship), 302 - Cave, 248 - Cavet, James, 101, 149 - Cayuga, 17 - Celeron, Captain Bienville de, 411, 840 - Cemetery Hill, 453 - Centennial, 882 - Center County, 156, 181, 208, 276, 344, 597, 775 - Central Railroad of New Jersey, 243 - Centralia, 192, 846 - Chadd’s Ford, 503, 504, 628 - Chain of Forts, 916 - Chalfant, Thomas, 119 - Chamberlin, Colonel Thomas, 453 - Chambers, Benjamin, 23, 623, 822 - Chambers, David, 400 - Chambers, Fort, 23 - Chambers, James, 343, 508, 688 - Chambers, Jane, 331 - Chambers, Joseph, 254, 623 - Chambers Mill, 16 - Chambers, Captain Stephen, Story, 331 - Chambers, Thomas, 23 - Chambersburg, 51, 519, 678, 680, 706, 707, 735, 860, 864 - Chamberstown, 622 - Champlain, Samuel, 742 - Chance, Samuel, 822 - Chance (ship), 325 - Chancery Lane, 517 - Chandler, Zachariah, 883 - Chandler, Joseph R., 890 - Chapin, General, 153 - Chapman, Dr., 861 - Charles, Edward (Scotland), 498 - Charles II, King, 165, 294, 446 - Charles (Indian), 437 - Charles, Robert, 382 - Charlestown, 673 - Charleston & Hamburg Railroad Company, 22 - Charter, 5, 165, 166, 167 - Chartiers Creek, 147, 163, 225, 528 - Chartier, Peter, 300 - Chase, Samuel, 383 - Chase, Rev. Mr., 901 - Chautauqua Creek, 412, 840 - Chautauqua Lake, 413 - Chautauqua, Story, 326 - Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, 327 - Chautauqua Sunday School Assembly, 327 - Chemung, 367 - Chemung River, 17 - Chemunk, 578 - Cheat River, 100 - Chenango, N. Y., 299 - Cherry, Fort, 586 - Cherry, John, 586 - Cherry Tree Township, 591 - Cherry Valley, 814 - Chesapeake, 505, 588 - Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, 131 - Chester, 61, 75, 158, 275, 328, 396, 486, 503, 504, 610, 754 - Chester County, 8, 10, 60, 70, 84, 127, 131, 137, 151, 152, 161, 179, - 180, 191, 205, 207, 301, 308, 339, 414, 416, 419, 436, 463, 496, - 503, 565, 582, 596, 610, 664, 709, 850 - Chestnut Hill, 690, 870 - Chestnut Ridge, 149 - Chestnut Street Theatre, 250 - Chevalier, John, 292 - Chevalier, Peter, 780 - Chevaux de frise, 324 - Chevey, Squire Thomas, 629 - Chew, Benjamin, 107, 357, 919 - Chew, Benjamin, Jr., 357 - Chew House, 691 - Chew, Peggy, 348 - Chew, Sophia, 348 - Chickahominy, 677 - Chilloway, Job, 359, 655 - Chickies Creek, Little, 217, 821 - Chickesalunga, 249 - Child, Francis, 641 - Chillisquaque Creek, 139, 305, 515, 553, 614 - Chillisquaque Township, 208 - China, 430 - Chincklamoose, 228, 303, 770 - Chippewa, 334, 583 - Chobet, 840 - Christ, Adam, 819 - Christiana, 8, 667 - Christiana Creek, 123, 324, 609 - Christiana, Fort, 123, 609 - Christiana Riots, 880 - Chronicle, The Harrisburg, 4, 298 - Church, Catholic, 86 - Church, Christ, 46, 82 - Church, First Dedication, 419 - Church, First Moravian, Story, 512 - Church, First Permanent Settlement, Story, 608 - Church, Gloria Dei, 610 - Church and King, 99 - Church of the Brethren, 866, 867 - Church, Old Swede, 610 - Church Store, 222 - Cicero, 752 - Cilley, Colonel Joseph, 367 - Cincinnati, 849 - Cincinnati, Order of, 311, 332, 850 - City Cavalry, First Troop, 694 - City Grays, Harrisburg, 473 - City Grays, Williamsport, 473 - City Troop, First, 107, 357, 574 - City Zouaves, Middletown, 473 - Civil Government of Pennsylvania, 530 - Civility, Chief, 301 - Claess, Christian, 396 - Clapham Colonel William, 24, 25, 227, 228, 229, 370, 393, 396, 770, - 819, 918 - Clarion County, 156, 181, 208, 597 - Clark, 769 - Clark, Dr. Adam, 901 - Clark, Daniel, 784 - Clark, General Geo. Rogers, 162, 488, 527, 528, 820 - Clark, Governor (N. Y.), 500 - Clark, John, 141, 343, 630, 740, 820 - Clark, Walter, 209 - Clarkson, Matthew, 325, 776 - Clarkson (quoted), 755 - Clay, Henry, 95 - Claypoole, D. C. 899 - Claypoole, James, 293, 373 - Claypoole & Morris, 469 - Clayton, Major Asher, 228, 259, 560, 711 718, 911 - Clayton, William, 150, 396 - Clearfield, 228, 491, 770 - Clearfield County, 156, 181, 208, 597, 775 - Clerkwell Prison, 802 - Clermont, Fulton’s, 564 - Cleveland, 309 - Clingan, William, 921 - Clinton, 183 - Clinton County, 156, 181, 182, 208, 212, 596 597, 775 - Clinton, DeWitt, 144, 233 - Clinton, Sir Henry, 2, 3, 308 - Clinton, General James, 240, 347, 367, 416 426, 443, 710 - Clinton, Governor George, 412 - Cloister, Ephrata, 464 - Clow’s Dragoons, 349 - Cluggage, Captain Robert, 178, 508 - Clymer, Daniel, 248, 694 - Clymer, George, 332, 643, 861, 872 - Coaldale, 315 - Coal Oil, 591 - Coal Oil Johnnie, 592 - Coates, William, 292 - Coats, William, 380 - Cobbett, William, 791 - Cobb’s Creek, 124, 448 - Cobb’s Run, 261 - Cocalio Creek, 463 - Cochran, Captain, 521 - Cochran, Colonel, 442 - Cochran, Dr. John, 442; - Story, 601, 820 - Cochran, William, 853 - Cock, Lasse, 150 - Cock, Laurens, 396 - Cock, Moens, 792 - Cock, Otto Ernest, 396, 792 - Cock, Peter, 396, 667, 792 - Code of Laws, Penn’s, 295 - Codorus, 298 - Coeur du Lac, Fort, 578 - Coeur, Jean, 412 - Confederation, Articles of, 5, etc. - Coffee House, 325 - Coffin, Lucretia, 6 - Colebrookdale, 616 - Coleman Guards, Lebanon, 473 - Coleman, William, 919 - Colesberry, Alexander P., 734 - College, Dickinson, 4 - Collett, Jeremiah, 150 - Collins, Henry, 170 - Colonial Dames, 753 - Colonial Records, 880 - Colonial Society, Swedish, 608 - Colony of Pennsylvania, 507 - Colt, Mr., 299 - Columbia, 112, 297, 414 - Columbia County, 48, 49, 181, 192, 196, 208, 432, 564, 596, 846 - Columbia Railroad, 499 - Columbian Magazine, The, 642 - Columbus, 26 - Colver, Ephraim, 577 - Combush (Indian), 650 - Company H, 4th U. S. A., 277 - Compass Hotel, 248 - Concord, 290, 695 - Concord Meeting House, 651 - Conejohela Valley, 821 - Conemaugh, 132, 149, 300, 377 - Conemaugh, Lake, 378 - Conemaugh River, 377 - Conestoga, 105, 912 - Conestoga Creek, 463 - Conestoga Lock and Dam, 131 - Conestoga Manor, 822 - Conestoga Murdered by Shawnee, Story, 300 - Conestoga Township, 821 - Conewago Canal, 131, 132, 244 - Conewago Falls, 298 - Conewango Creek, 153, 411 - Confederate Raid, 705 - Conference, Provincial, 419 - Congress (ship), 325 - Congress Hall Hotel, 834 - Congress, Mutiny Against, 426 - Conlin, Patrick, 474 - Connelly, Dr. John, 100, 145, 148, 489, 660 - Connelly, Robber, 220 - Connellsville, 328 - Connecticut Settlers, 93 - Connoquenessing Creek, 121 - Connolloways, Big and Little, 749 - Conococheague, 319, 622 - Conococheague Creek, 510 - Conococheague, Massacre at, Story, 510 - Conococheague Navigation Company, 131, 169 - Conococheague Valley, 510 - Conodoguinet Creek, 217, 248 - Conrad, Mrs. James, 369 - Conrad, Robert T., 389 - Constitution, 5, 214, 603, 643, 794, 816, 895 - Constitution, Federal, 5; - Story, 643 - Constitution (ship), 583, 624 - Constitutional Party, 692 - Constitutionalists, 875 - Contrecoeur, Captain M. de, 126, 470, 660 - Continental Currency, 18 - Conway Cabal, 417; - Story, 834 - Conway, General Thomas, 417, 690 - Cook, Edward, 149 - Cooke, Jay, 646 - Cooke, Colonel Jacob, 896 - Cooke, Jay & Co., 646 - Cooke, Colonel William, 137, 260, 674, 820, 903 - Coolin, Annakey, 151 - Cooper Ferry, 670 - Cooper Hospital, 369 - Cooper, James, 8 - Cooper, J. Fennimore, 323 - Cooper, Mrs., 369 - Cooper Shop Story, 368 - Cooper, Thomas, 433, 803 - Cooper, William M., 369 - Copley, John Singleton, 410 - Copley Medal, 95 - Coppee, Henry, 280 - Copper, John, 823 - Copp’s Hill, 606 - Corbar, Brother, 413 - Corinthian Yacht Club, 608 - Cork, 311 - Corken, James, 510 - Cornaghan’s Blockhouse, 527 - Cornbury, Lord Edward Hyde, 639, 764 - Cornelius, Cape, 589 - Cornell, Hugh, 525 - Cornerstone, 5, 239, 283 - Cornplanter, Chief, 241, 549, 550, 572, 732 - Cornwall, Captain, 298 - Cornwall, William, 510 - Cornstalk, Chief, 362, 750 - Cornwallis, Lord Charles, 223, 443, 504, 628, 651, 669, 691, 692 - Corporation Act., 99 - Corry, 593 - Coryell’s Ferry, 863, 909 - Coshocton, 226, 281; - Story, 656, 750 - Couch, General Darius N., 519, 520, 707 - Council of Censors, 794, 895 - Council of Safety, 903 - Council, Supreme Executive, Threatened, Story, 426 - Counterfeiter, 217 - Counties, Etymology of, 596 - Country Club of Harrisburg, 23 - Country Gentleman, 533 - Courland, Colonel, 367 - Court, Earliest, 396; - Story, 791 - Court of Admiralty, 325 - Courtright, Milton C., 865 - Cove, Great, 267, 623, 749 - Cove, Little, 267, 622, 749 - Cove Mountains, 707 - Covenhoven, Robert, 400, 462 - Covenhoven, Thomas, 402 - Coventry, 463 - Cowan, Edgar, 196 - Cowan, Frank (quoted), 303 - Cowan, J. F., 95 - Cowan’s Gap, 320 - Cowperthwaite, Joseph, 292 - Cox, Assemblyman, 890 - Cox, Gabriel, 164 - Cox, John, 292, 922 - Cox, Widow, 761 - Crabtree Creek, 479 - Craig, Isaac, 200 - Craig, Jane, 348 - Craig, Lieutenant, 869 - Craig, Neville B., 518 - Cragie, Dr. Andrew, 602 - Craik, Dr. James, 602 - Crain, Richard, 136 - Crane, Hook, 610 - Crantz, Dr. (quoted), 884 - Cram, Claes, 397 - Crascraft, Charles, 528 - Crawford County, 156, 181, 185, 208, 596, 597 - Crawford, Edward, Jr., 623 - Crawford, Fort, 549 - Crawford, Hugh, 236 - Crawford, Captain John, 404 - Crawford, Josiah, 622 - Crawford, Captain William, 282, 488, 587 - Crawford, Colonel William, 146, 148, 163; - Story, 402, 739, 814 - Crefeld, 696 - Crellius, Joseph, 899 - Crescent City, 201 - Cresap, Michael, 361 - Cresap, Thomas, 330, 365; - Story, 821 - Cresap War, 330 - Cressinger, Dr. Jacob R., 500 - “Crisis,” Paine’s, 571; - quoted, 426 - Crispin, Silas, 531 - Crispin, William, 334, 531 - Croghan, Catherine, 323 - Croghan, Colonel George, 93, 235, 305, 319, 321, 323, 425, 525 - Cromwell, 843, 901 - Crook, Henry, 473 - Crooked Billet, 10, 307; - Massacre at, Story, 307 - Crown Point, 70 - “Crown,” The, 541, 575, 576 - Cubbertson, William, 154 - Cucussea, 301 - Culbertson, Elizabeth, 10 - Culbertson, John, 510 - Culbertson, Colonel Samuel, 10 - Culloden, 498 - Culp’s Hill, 454 - Cumberland County, 26, 42, 127, 134, 170, 171, 172, 177, 180, 181, 187, - 207, 208, 210, 216, 221, 257, 259, 319, 320, 416, 419, 496, 508, - 544, 587, 596, 606, 615, 622, 678, 684, 698, 711, 731, 911 - Cumberland, Md., 280, 470 - Cumberland Valley, 23 - Cunningham, Susan King, 511 - Cunningham, Thomas S., 851 - Curtin, Governor Andrew G., 389, 810 - Curtis, Cyrus H. K., 532 - Curtis Publishing Company, 533 - Curtis, Tom (Indian), 359 - Custis, George Washington, 358 - Custis, Miss, 358 - Cuyler, Theodore C., 8 - Cyane (ship), 583 - - D - - Daillon, Father de la Roche, 742 - Dallas, Alexander James, 69, 191, 817 - Dallas, George Mifflin, 890 - Dally, Philip, 263 - Dalmatia, 63 - Dandelot, M., 894 - Dangerfield, 8 - Danville, 118, 232 - Danville Intelligencer, The, 118 - Danziger, Charles W., 519 - Darby, 159, 357, 504, 545, 580, 859 - Darby Creek, 608, 611, 779, 848, 859 - Darrah, Lydia, 868 - Darrah, William, 868 - Daughters American Revolution, 200 - Dauphin County, 3, 25, 66, 131, 135, 172, 180, 181, 187, 188, 249, 255, - 277, 498, 564, 582, 596, 597, 853, 896 - Dauphin County Agriculture Society, 277 - Daunt, Knowles, 822 - Daventry, 97 - Davidson, John, 800 - Davidson, Samuel, 61, 324 - Davies, William R., 872 - Davis, Beaver, 619 - Davis, Bill, 173 - Davis, Philip, 614 - Davy the Lame Indian, 375 - Day, Sherman, 93 - Dayton, Colonel Elias, 367 - Dean, Colonel Joseph, 70 - Dean, Samuel, 186 - Dean, William, 731, 732 - Deane, Silas, 308, 913 - Dearborn, General Henry, 334, 582 - Death of the Fox, 833 - Deauchamp, David, 474 - Debarre, General Prudhomme, 629 - Decatur, Captain Stephen, 789 - Declaration of Independence, 5, 46, 81, 458, 483, 871 - Declaration of Rights, 611 - Decker’s Tavern, 494 - De Coudray, 72 - Dee, River, 565 - Deed for Christ Church, 436 - Deed for Province, 598 - De Formoy, General, 909 - DeHaas, General John Philip, 306, 381, 545, 618, 922 - D'haes, John, 792 - DeHaven, Peter, 461 - Deimer, John, 748 - Delaware County, 179, 180, 212, 596, 598, 838, 858 - Dekonoagah, 764 - Delancy, Captain John Peter, 271 - Delaware, 873 - Delaware (ship), 789 - Delaware Company, 492 - Delaware & Schuylkill Canal, 131 - Delaware Water Gap, 494 - Delemater, George W., 86 - Delaval, Lieutenant, 348 - “Democratic,” 803 - Democratic Press, The, 434, 783, 803, 879 - Dennison (Indian), 523 - Dennison, Colonel Nathan, 456 - Densmore, James, 119 - Denny, Ebenezer, 152, 201 - Denny, David, 255 - Denny, Governor William, 178, 303, 619, 700, 703 - De Peyster, Captain Arent Schuyler, 283 - Depontency, Captain, 840 - Deposit, 775 - Derr’s Mills, 11 - Derrstown, 462, 878 - Derry, 149 - Dersham, Frank L., 9 - Der Wochentlicks Phila. Staatsbate, 899 - Desdemona, 76 - Detroit, 140, 388, 704 - Detroit, Fort (see Fort Detroit) - Detroit, Ship, 625 - Devane, Sarah, 137 - Devil’s Den, 453 - Devores Ferry, 528 - DeVries, David Pieterson, 230, 590, 856 - Dewart, John, 820 - Dewees, Christina, 336 - Dewees Mill, 130 - Dewees, William, 31, 130, 336 - Dewitt, Simeon, 240 - Dick, Captain John, 561 - Dickewanis, 245 - Dickinson College, 4, 248, 288, 441 - Dickinson, John, 60, 106, 186, 292, 428, 443, 458, 594, 623, 872, 874 - Dickinson, General Philemon, 70 - Dickinson (ship), 418 - Dickinson’s Farmer’s Letters, Story, 786 - Diefenbach, Captain, 798 - “Diligent, Old,” 860 - Dill, Andrew H., 733 - Dill, Matthew, 698 - Dill, Mary, 698 - Dillsburg, 441, 698 - Dinwiddie, Governor Robert, 67, 125, 657, 758, 799 - Director of Mint, 238 - Disberry, Joe, 818 - Directory, French, 789 - Disher, Peter, 820 - Dixon, Jeremiah, 919 - Doan Outlaws, Story, 662 - Dock Creek, 374 - Dock, Christopher, 159 - Dodd, Dr., 77 - Dodson, Abigail, 577 - Dolland, 385 - Donahue, John, 847 - Donahue, Thomas, 49, 192 - Donation Lands, 184, 185, 186 - Dondel, Captain Michael, 508 - Donegal, 62, 700, 821, 823 - Donehoo, Dr. George P., 523, 884 - Donop, Colonel Carl Emil Kurt von, 504, 671 - Donnelly, Felix, 422 - Donnelly, Francis, 422 - Dorrance, George, 456 - Doty, Senator, 136 - Doubleday, General Charles William, 452 - Doubling Gap, 218 - Dougal, Dr. James S., 252 - Dougherty, Bernard, 61 - Dougherty, Daniel, 769 - Dougherty, David, 249 - Dougherty, James, 516 - Douglass, Stephen A., 810 - Dove, Dr. David James, 188, 284 - Downey, Captain John, 308 - Downingtown, 329 - Doyle, Michael, 47, 557 - Doyle, Thomas H., 521 - Doylestown, 34 - Draft for Troops, 162, 163, 164 - Drafton, Edmund, 792 - Drake (quoted), 621 - Drake, Colonel Edwin L., 591 - Draper, Major Simeon, 559 - Draper, Sir William, 77 - Dreisbach Church, 9, 344, 732 - Dreisbach, Yost, 61 - Dreshler, David, 284 - Drickett, Thomas, 150 - Drury Lane Theatre, 251 - Dry Run Cemetery, 343 - Drystreet, Henry, 150 - Duane, William J., 335, 434, 783, 803, 804, 876 - Dublin Township Meeting, 113 - DuBois, Colonel, 367 - Duche, Rev. Jacob, 308, 418 - Duck Creek, 436 - Dudley, Gideon, 439 - Dudley, Joseph, 439 - Duels—Binns-Stewart, 434, 876; - Cadwallader-Conway, 417; - Chambers-Rieger, 331; - Wilkinson-Gates, 571 - Duffield, Rev. George, 59 - Duffield, William, 170 - Duffy, Thomas, 193, 314 - Dugan, James, 558 - Dugan, Patrick, 474 - Duke of York, 28 - Dunbar Camp, 471 - Dunbar, Colonel Thomas, 133, 470, 471, 828 - Duncan, Matthew, 508 - Dungeon, The, 802 - Dunkard Creek, 920 - Dunkards, 32, 318 - Dunlap, John, 899 - Dunmore, Lord (John Murray), 43, 100, 101, 145, 148, 362, 489, 660, 737 - Dunmore’s War, 101 - Dunne, Henry H., 192, 217, 845 - Dunquat (Indian), 584 - Duponceau, Peter S., 77 - Dupont, Camp, 334 - Dupretit, 894 - Dupui, Samuel, 918 - Duquesne, Marquis, 127, 199 - Durham, 516 - Durham Iron Works, 300 - Durham, James, 297 - Durham, Mrs. Margaret W., 296 - Durkee, Colonel John, 102, 429, 559, 560, 561 - Dushore, 894 - Dutch Control Delaware River, 665 - Dutch East India Company, 589, 856 - Dutch & English Gazette, The, 899 - Dutchess County, N. Y., 6 - Dutch Fork, 175 - Dutchman, The Pennsylvania, 876 - Dutch West India Company, 590, 667, 856 - - E - - Eagle County, 597 - “Eagle” (ship), 671 - Eagle Tavern, 861 - Earl of Dunmore, 100 - Earle Brothers, 439 - Earle’s Royal Regiment, 765 - Early, General Jubal A., 441, 454, 519 - Eastborn, Benjamin, 650 - East Cemetery Hill, 454 - East Conemaugh, 378 - Easton, 70, 71, 103, 153, 182, 202, 223, 233, 235, 240, 273, 279, 322, - 366, 368, 370, 380, 413, 483, 504, 624, 840 - Eaton, D. L., 518 - Eckerline, Gabriel, 463 - Eckerline, Israel, 463 - Eckley, John, 85 - Economy, 122 - Ecuyer, Captain Simeon, 346 - Edenberg, 309 - Edinburgh, 46, 97 - Edminston, Samuel, 630 - Education, 158, 182, 183, 184 - Edward, King, 98 - “Edward” (ship), 325 - Edwards, Benjamin, 299 - Effigy, 91 - “Effingham” (ship), 418 - Egle, Dr. William—quoted, 62 - Egypt, 327 - Eichbaum, William, 200 - Eichbaum & Johnson, 518 - Eicher, Anna, 463 - Eighth New York Regiment, 369 - Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, 140, 168, 462 - Eighteenth Royal Regiment of Foot, 311 - Eighty-fourth “Bloody,” 350 - Elder, Rev. John, 25, 236, 718, 911 - Elder, Joshua, 209 - Election, Bloody, 682 - Electrifying Machines, 97 - Elger, Mr., 298 - Elizabeth, Princess, 717 - Elizabethtown, 249 - Elk County, 156, 181, 182, 208, 597 - Elk River, 503 - Elkton, 503 - Ellicott, Andrew, 240, 298, 921 - Elliott, Andrew, 662 - Elliott, Captain, 43, 152, 584 - Elliott, Joseph, 457 - Elliott, Matthew, 225 - Ellsworth, Oliver, 872 - Elmira, N. Y., 514 - Elswick, 665 - Emancipation, Proclamation, 41 - Emanuel’s Reformed Church, 699 - Emaus, 15 - Emmerson, John, 822 - Emmettsburg, 452 - Endt, Theobold, 512 - England, Philip, 30 - Engle, Benj., 284 - English, John, 556 - Ephrata, 463, 602 - Erie, 154, 233, 240, 333, 413, 592, 624, 840 - Erie, Battle at, 624 - Erie Canal, 36, 233 - Erie County, 126, 152, 156, 181, 185, 208, 223, 596, 598, 718 - Erie, Fort, see Fort Erie - Erie, Lake, 624 - Erie & Northwestern R. R., 863 - Erie Observer—quoted, 387 - Ernst, 94 - Eros and Antiros, 286 - Erskind, Sir William, 352, 545 - Erwin, Arthur, 60 - Essepenaick, 436 - Essington, 608, 665 - Esther’s Town, Queen, 619 - Etter, Edward G., 520 - Ettwein, Rev. John, 223 - Ettinger, Joel B., 523 - Etymology of Counties, 596 - Etzweiler, George, 343 - Eucharist, 33 - Euer, Robert, 150 - Eustice, Michael, 474 - Evans, John, 30, 205, 763 - Evans, Lewis, 422, 884 - Evans, Nathaniel, 150 - Evans, Sam, 236 - Everett, Edward, 811 - Everett, W. S., 520 - Ewell, General Richard C., 441, 454 - Ewing, Alexander, 344 - Ewing, Catherine, 606 - Ewing, Colonel George W., 767 - Ewing, General James, 698 - Ewing, John, 188, 191, 385, 606, 708, 909, 919, 921 - Ewing, Mrs. Sarah, 369 - Eyer, Henry C., 568 - Eyre, Emmanuel, 72 - Eyre, Samuel, 922 - Eyre, T. Lawrence, 137 - Excise Laws, 196, 197, 198 - Exeter, 736 - Expedition, Forbes’, 685 - Expedition, Hambright, 770 - Expedition, Hartley, 616 - Expedition, Sullivan, 366 - - F - - Fabricius, Brother, 825 - Fagg, Manor of, 416 - Fairfield Gap, 455 - Fairman, Thomas, 396, 696 - Fair Play Men, 156 - Falkner, Daniel, 336, 512 - Falkner Swamp, 31, 32, 335, 463 - Fallen Timbers, 572, 849 - Falling Spring, 623 - Falls of Schuylkill, 504 - Falls Township (Bucks Co.), 530 - Falls of Trenton, 230 - Faltz, M. A., 520 - Family House, 222 - Fanning, General Edmund, 900 - Farmer’s Brother, 814 - Farmer’s Letters, 786 - Farquhar, Guy E., 109 - Farragut, Admiral David Glasgow, 882 - Fatland Ford, 668 - Fayette County, 52, 99, 131, 147, 180, 198, 216, 596, 597, 775 - Federal Constitution, 735, 871 - Federal Party, 837 - Felebaum, George, 741 - Felkstrug, 436 - Fellowship Fire Company, 860 - Fenwick, John, 716 - Ferdey, John, 350 - Ferree, John, 60 - Fever, Yellow, 775 - Field Book of Revolution, Lossing’s, 363 - Fifth National Guard, Pennsylvania, 379 - Financier of Rebellion, 646 - Findlay, Governor William, 5, 136, 198, 216, 332, 435, 605, 688, 810, - 895 - Findley, James, 69, 623 - Fink, John, 174 - Finland, 667 - Finley, John, 736 - Finns, 231 - Fire Companies, 45, 858 - Fires, Early, 858 - First Army Corps, 452 - First Defenders, 279 - First Forty Settlers, 102 - First German Reformed Church, 71 - First Newspaper, 897 - First Newspaper West of Allegheny Mountains, 517 - First Regiment of Pennsylvania, 509 - First and Second Battalions, 185 - First State Regiment, 381 - Fishbourne, Benjamin, 3 - Fishbourne, William, 71, 764, 805, 859 - Fisher, John, 150 - Fisher, Joshua, 780 - Fisher, Peter, 393 - Fisher, Thomas P., 847 - Fisher, William, 780 - Fisher’s Ferry, 393 - Fisher’s Stone House, 393 - Fishing Creek, 16, 23, 210, 515, 623, 904 - Fithian, Rev. Philip (quoted), 59, 331, 421 - Fitzhugh, Captain, 520 - Fitzsimmons, Thomas, 72, 643 - Fitzwater, George, 374 - Flag, 409, 483 - Flag Captured at Monmouth, 443 - Flatheads, 300 - Fleming, Captain, 910 - Fletcher, Governor Benjamin, 843 - Fletcher & Gardner, 21 - Fleury, Major Louis de, 672 - Flood, Johnstown, 377 - Flower, Enoch, 150, 158 - Flying Camp, 570, 909 - Folger, Josiah, 44 - Foragers, British, 307 - Forbes, Major General John, 100, 148, 177, 303, 380, 489, 544, 636, - 660, 703, 827 - Forbes Road, 148 - Ford, Lieutenant, 418 - Ford, Philip, 373 - Forest County, 156, 181, 185, 208, 597 - Foresters, The, 580 - Forest House, 343 - Forman, General David, 690 - Forney, John W., 33, 34, 35, 249, 767 - Forrest, Edwin, 249 - Fort, C. V., 369 - Fort Allen, 65, 236, 267, 270, 273, 370, 380, 540, 541, 544, 559, 574, - 576, 577, 719, 918 - Fort Antes, 335, 337, 400, 461 - Fort Armstrong, 395, 549 - Fort Augusta, 11, 24, 25, 27, 57, 58, 65, 67, 102, 103, 104, 110, 207, - 211, 227, 236, 237, 266, 295, 305, 371, 372, 393, 395, 429, 430, - 461, 462, 515, 516, 517, 527, 537, 542, 543, 544, 555, 587, 614, - 618, 675, 685, 686, 711, 718, 719, 720, 770, 903, 904, 907 - Fort Bedford, 177, 346, 388, 537, 547, 587, 711, 782, 831 - Fort Billingsport, 324, 545, 669, 908 - Fort Boone, 515 - Fort Bostley, 515 - Fort Brady, 260 - Fort Buchanan, 175 - Fort Burd, 686, 709 - Fort Busse’s, 65, 757 - Fort Carlisle, 178, 537, 587 - Fort Cassimer, 610, 665, 667 - Fort Chambers, 23 - Fort Cherry, 585, 586 - Fort Christiana, 123, 230, 231, 609, 610, 666 - Fort Coeur du Lac, 578 - Fort Coulon de Villiers, 840 - Fort Crawford, 167, 549 - Fort Cresap, 823 - Fort Cumberland, 267, 686, 841 - Fort Defiance, 572 - Fort Detroit, 347, 388 - Fort Dunmore, 100, 101, 489, 660 - Fort Duquesne, 100, 127, 133, 177, 199, 265, 266, 272, 302, 303, 345, - 380, 413, 470, 476, 489, 621, 635, 685, 704, 721, 722, 771, 827, 840 - Fort Durkee, 102, 103, 104, 559 - Fort Dupui, 918 - Fort Elfborg, 124 - Fort Erie, 144, 145, 334, 413, 572 - Fort Forty, 456, 492 - Fort Franklin, 918 - Fort Freeland, 188, 253, 295, 296, 297, 326, 496, 514, 515, 516, 614, - 674, 814 - Fort Frontenac, 412, 828 - Fort Granville, 525, 619, 620, 918 - Fort Greenville, 572 - Fort Halifax, 25, 228, 371, 393, 394, 395, 918 - Fort Hamilton, 918 - Fort Hand, 167, 168, 607 - Fort Harris, 744, 745 - Fort Henry, 65, 66, 67, 544, 757, 758, 918 - Fort Henry (Wheeling), 167, 282, 488, 528, 740 - Fort Hunter, 23, 25, 64, 65, 74, 371, 393, 623, 685, 759, 918 - Fort Island, 324 - Fort Jenkins, 211, 295, 456, 515, 614, 616 - Fort Johnson, 540 - Fort Kittanning, 145 - Fort Korsholm, 667 - Fort Laurens, 140, 141, 142 - Fort Lebanon, 758, 918 - Fort LeBoeuf, 126, 145, 152, 318, 345, 388, 413, 537, 586, 718, 840 - Fort Lee, 223 - Fort Ligonier, 346, 388, 537, 547, 587, 636 - Fort Littleton, 266, 918 - Fort Loudoun, 100, 169, 170, 171, 177, 510, 511, 760, 762, 831 - Fort McCord, 141, 265 - Fort McDowell, 319, 320, 510, 760, 829, 918 - Fort McHenry, 277, 488 - Fort McIntosh, 140, 141, 142, 156, 167, 174, 241, 400, 406, 549 - Fort McKee, 63 - Fort Machault, 67, 318 - Fort Manada, 758, 759 - Fort Manyunk, 663 - Fort Meninger, 469 - Fort Mercer, 545, 670, 671, 672, 673 - Fort Miami, 345 - Fort Michillimackimac, 345 - Fort Mifflin, 418, 670 - Fort Montgomery, 515, 614 - Fort Moultrie, 39 - Fort Muncy, 260, 296, 366, 400, 401, 458, 462, 463, 515, 542, 543, 618 - Fort Nassau, 123, 230, 446, 590, 858 - Fort Necessity, 133, 272, 322 - Fort New Gottenburg, 124 - Fort Niagara, 147, 345, 347, 388, 516, 840 - Fort Norris, 918 - Fort Northkill, 758 - Fort Onachtown, 345, 718 - Fort Orange, 446 - Fort, Old, 221 - Fort, Palmer’s, 309 - Fort Patterson, 74, 525, 684, 918 - Fort Penn, 324, 918 - Fort Pitt, 43, 62, 64, 100, 127, 140, 141, 142, 145, 147, 148, 149, - 167, 169, 170, 171, 174, 175, 176, 178, 199, 225, 226, 245, 260, - 281, 305, 309, 310, 323, 345, 347, 372, 375, 376, 388, 403, 425, - 462, 482, 488, 489, 490, 517, 518, 528, 537, 539, 547, 549, 551, - 585, 587, 606, 618, 654, 660, 661, 688, 710, 711, 718, 722, 728, - 739, 740, 741, 749, 782 - Fort Pomfret Castle, 684 - Fort Potter, 221 - Fort Presque Isle, 153, 318, 345, 387, 388, 413, 537, 586, 718, 840 - Fort Randolph, 167 - Fort Recovery, 572 - Fort Redstone, Old, 52, 171, 322 - Fort Reid, 614 - Fort Rice, 615, 616 - Fort Raystown, 177 - Fort Sandusky, 345, 718 - Fort San Marco, 522 - *Fort Swartz, 470, 616 - Fort Shirley, 525, 619, 918 - Fort, Six, 65, 918 - Fort Smith, 757 - Fort, Widow Smith’s, 467 - Fort Standing Stone, 422 - Fort Stanwix, 155, 156, 240, 247, 305, 361, 398, 410, 492, 773 - Fort Steel, 760 - Fort St. Joseph, 345 - Fort Sumter, 39 - Fort Swatara, 65, 757, 918 - Fort Ticonderoga, 848 - Fort Trinity, 610, 655 - Fort Venango, 168, 345, 413, 537, 586, 718 - Fort Wallace, 309 - Fort Walthour, 376 - Fort Washington, 223, 570 - Fort Wayne, 850 - Fort Wheeler, 210, 515 - Fort Wheeling, 488 - Fort, Wilkes-Barre, 457 - Fort “Wilson,” 90, 332, 692 - Fort Wintermoot, 456 - Fort Wyoming, 560, 561 - Fortune (ship), 589 - Foster, John, 255, 343, 583 - Foster, Sidney, George, 285 - Foster, Thomas, 24 - Foster Township, 192 - Fothergill, Dr., 212 - Foulk, Colonel Willis, 854 - Foulke, Assessor, 190 - *Fontainbleau, 704 - Fourteenth Regiment National Guard of Pennsylvania, 379 - Fouts, Christian, 308 - Fowney (ship), 661 - Fox, George, 447, 717 - Fox, Gilbert, 790 - Fox, James, 159 - Fox, Speaker, 779 - Frame of Government, 28, 293, 341 - Francis, Hill Tench, 60 - Francis, Tench, 18, 60, 200, 292, 922, 923 - Francis, Turbutt, 60, 102, 103, 209, 305, 306, 428 - Frankford, 21, 546 - Frankford Arsenal, 853 - Frankford Land Company, 336, 695 - Franklin, Benjamin, 44, 54, 56, 57, 58, 61, 65, 97, 98, 116, 117, 134, - 159, 160, 161, 187, 205, 212, 247, 267, 284, 292, 308, 318, 323, - 371, 385, 386, 426, 458, 459, 460, 484, 490, 532, 533, 594, 597, - 604, 612, 622, 643, 657, 658, 670, 684, 703, 747, 749, 752, 774, - 778, 779, 780, 781, 786, 789, 791, 807, 816, 859, 860, 872, 873, - 898, 913, 916, 921 - Franklin, 412 - Franklin County, 10, 180, 264, 288, 319, 510, 596, 597, 622, 678, 705, - 706, 760, 829, 918 - Franklin (ship), 325 - Franklin, Deborah, 44 - Franklin Institute, 21 - Franklin, Colonel John, 438 - Franklin and Marshall College, 624 - Franklin, Superintendent, 193, 557 - Franklin, Temple, 357 - Franklin, William, 323 - Franks, Rebecca, 348 - Frankstown, 257, 619, 818 - Fraser, Margaret, 179 - Fraser, William, 178 - Frazer, General Simon, 634 - Frazer, John, 840 - Frazier, John, 802 - Frederick, 886 - Frederick, Lord Baltimore, 919 - Frederick the Great, 910 - Frederick Township, 31, 512 - Fredericksburg, Md., 470 - Fredericksburg (Pa.), 25 - Fredericksburg, Va., 107 - Fredericktown, Md., 134 - Freedom, 264 - Freeland, Michael, 326, 516 - Freeland Mills, 674 - Freeman’s Journal, 641, 876 - Freemasons, 182, 567 - Free Masonry and Odd Fellowship, 890 - Free Soil Movement, 881 - Free Traders Society, 754 - Fremont, 35 - Frew, 890 - Frey, Mr., 248 - French, 74, 126 - French Creek, 126, 318, 413, 551 - French deserter, 67 - French and Indian War, 316 - French, Colonel John, 415 - Frenchtown, 639, 892 - Freeze (attorney), 192 - Freinsheim Church, 31 - Freisbach, George, 826 - Freisbach, John, 820 - Frick, Henry, 429, 568 - Frick, Philip, 819 - Friedenstadt, 423 - Friedenstal Mill, 33 - Friedenshuetten, 360, 424 - Friendship Fire Company, 860 - Friends’ Meeting House, 859 - Friends, Society of, 341 - Fries, John, 189 - Fries, Just Henry, 568 - Fries Rebellion, 189, 190, 191 - Friedsam, 464 - Frietchie, Barbara, Story, 886 - Fry, Colonel Joshua, 132 - Fry, Henry, 886 - Fry, General James B., 811 - Fry, Joseph, 216 - Fryling, Henry G., 500 - Fugitive Slave Law, 880 - Fuller, Benjamin, 780 - Fullerton, Judge Humphrey, 622 - Fulton County, 177, 181, 596, 597 - Fulton, Robert, 564, 597 - Fulton’s Folly, 566 - Funk, George, 179 - - G - - Gabriel, George, 721, 726 - Gage, General Thomas, 171, 304, 323, 388, 548 - Gahontoto, 17 - Gaine, Hugh, 642 - Gaines, Camp, 334 - Gaines, General Edmund Pendleton, 144 - Gainsworth, Colonel, 367 - Galena, 326, 327 - Galissoniere, Marquis de la, 411, 840 - Gallatin, Albert, 51, 52, 53, 152, 198, 216, 605, 688 - Gallichwio, 15 - Galloway, Joseph, 188, 284, 308, 358, 418, 593, 611, 613, 779, 899, 913 - Galloway, Peter, 593 - Galloway, Richard, 593 - Galbraith, Andrew, 731 - Galbraith, Bertram, 485 - Galbraith, James, 60, 485, 541 - Galbraith, John, 823 - Gamble, Colonel, 452 - Gamble, Judge James, 474 - Gandtscherat, 17 - Ganges (ship), 784 - Gardner, Joseph, 669 - Gardners, 456 - Gardow, 246, 813 - Garman, Sophia, 891 - Garrett, Major John, 456, 905 - Garrett, William, 61 - Garrison Hill, 154 - Garrison, William Lloyd, 6 - Garrigues, Jacob, 484 - Gates, General Horatio, 222, 571, 834 - Gattenmayer, John, 826 - Gawthrop, Judge Robert S., 88 - Gazette, The, 898, 915 - Gazette, Franklin’s, 45, 116 - Gazette and Manufacturer and Mercantile Advertiser, 518 - Gazette, Pennsylvania, 44, 532, 833, 898 - Gazette, The Pittsburgh, 517, 837 - Gazetteer (ship), 644 - Gearhart, Maclay C., 500 - Geary, Governor John W., 473, 474, 646, 879 - Geehr, Balzar, 60 - Gelemend (Killbuck), 174, 281 - Genaskund, 425 - General Advertiser, The, 899 - Genesee, 138, 633 - Genesee Castle, 138, 634 - Geneva, 51 - Genet, Edmond Charles, 779 - Gentleman’s Magazine, The, 900 - George III, King, 32, 45, 99, 170, 177, 212, 228, 311, 485, 606, 871 - Georges Creek, 149 - Georges, Mr. John, 339, 364 - Gerard, Robert, 151 - German Christians, 120 - German Flats, 246, 814 - German Printing Office, 899 - German Reform Church, 512 - German Regiment, 615 - “German Rifles,” 369 - German Town, 695 - Germantown, 6, 31, 32, 112, 113, 114, 128, 129, 130, 152, 159, 203, - 204, 284, 302, 304, 504, 512, 689, 695 - Germantown Academy, 283, 284, 285 - Germantown, Battle of, 689 - Germantown, Settlement of, 695 - Germantown Union High School House, 284 - Gerry, Elbridge, 644, 872 - Gertrude of Wyoming, 457 - Gerwig, Edgar C., 137 - Gesner, Dr. Abraham, 591 - Gettig, Christian, 820 - Gettysburg, 451, 452, 453, 455, 519, 698, 707, 735, 810 - Gettysburg Address, Lincoln, Story, 810 - Gettysburg, Battle of, Story, 451 to 455 - Giant, Little, 810 - Gibbons, John, 150 - Gibbons, William, 136 - Gibson, James, 187, 913 - Gibson, Captain George, 486 - Gibson, General John, 140, 175, 362, 750, 896 - Gibson, John Bannister, 136, 890 - Gibson’s Lambs, 486 - Giddings, Edward, 567, 890 - Gieger, Henry - Gilbert, Benjamin Sr., 577 - Gilbert Family in Captivity, 577 - Gilfray, John, 418 - Gill, Dr. (quoted), 866 - Gill, John D., 86 - Gillen, Elizabeth, 296 - Gilmore, Major Harry, 520 - Ginter, Philip, 111 - Girard Bank, 355, 785 - Girard College, 356 - Girard, Stephen, 220, 335, 354, 776 - Girardville, 49, 558 - Girty, George, 42, 529 - Girty, James, 42, 226 - Girty, Simon, 41, 42, 43, 44, 140, 225, 395, 403, 404, 750, 849, 815 - Girty, Simon Sr., 42 - Girty, Thomas, 42 - Girty’s Gap, 41 - Girty’s Notch, 42 - Girty’s Run, 43 - Gist, Christopher, 99, 322, 799, 841, 870 - Glen Carbon, 48, 192 - Glen Carbon Coal Mining Company, 846 - Glen Onoko, 557 - Glickhickan (Indian), 425 - Glidden, Carlos, 118 - Gloria Dei Church, 581 - Gloucester, 434 - Gloucester, Bishop of, 313 - Gloucester Prison, 802 - Gnadenhuetten, Ohio, 174, 282, 585 - Gnadenhuetten (Pa.), 236, 267, 824 - Gobin, John Peter Shindel, 473 - Goddard, William, 899 - Godey, Louis A., 117 - Godfrey, Thomas, 753, 902 - Godfrey, Thomas Jr., 271 - Gold Medal, Congress, 144 - Good Message, 15 - Goodson, Job, 374 - Gookin, Charles, 765 - Gordon, Governor Patrick, 301, 407, 534, 639 - Gordon (quoted), 754 - Gore, Obadiah, 111 - Goschgoschunk, 424 - Goshen, 502 - Goshen Meeting, 504, 651 - Gosnold, Bartholomew, 676 - Gottenberg, 608 - Gottrecht, 464 - Gould, Samuel, 326, 516 - Govett, William, 292 - Gowen, Franklin B., 48, 108, 192, 316 - Graff, Sebastian, 731 - Graham, William H., 137 - Grand Army Republic, 699 - Granger’s Hollow, 772 - Granger, Postmaster General Gideon, 435 - Grant, General James (British), 308, 352, 651, 691 - Grant, Lieutenant Charles, 171 - Grant, General U. S., 41, 326, 327, 882 - Grant, Major William, 303, 636, 827, 831 - Granville, Fort (see Fort Granville) - Grave Creek, 362 - Gray, George, 72 - Gray, Matthew, 732 - Gray, William, 209 - Graydon, Alexander, 69, 483 - Graydon, Caleb, 209 - Graydon, Mrs., 76 - Graydon, William, 6 - Grays City, 473 - Gray’s Ferry, 291, 357, 545, 670, 694 - Gray’s Ferry Road, 580 - Gray’s Garden, 357 - Great Cove, 830 - Great Crossing, 320 - Greathouse (Indian), 362 - Great Island, 587, 711, 911 - Great Meadows, 132, 472 - Great Meeting House, 449 - Great Path, 555 - Great Plains, 722 - Great Runaway, 228, 337, 460, 468, 496, 514, 618 - Great Swatara, 16, 248 - Great Swatara Gap, 16 - Great Treaty, 755 - Great Virginia Road, 319 - Greece, 327 - Green, General Abbott, 252 - Green, Colonel Christopher, 671 - Green, Judge, 8 - Green, Judge D. B., 107, 193, 316 - Green, Thomas, 7 - Green, Colonel Timothy, 306, 912 - Greenback Party, 735 - Greencastle, 680, 707 - Greene County, 131, 147, 181, 282, 596, 597, 775, 920 - Greene, General Nathaniel, 571, 691, 834, 861 - Greenleaf, Thomas, 641 - Greens, 292 - Greensburg, 88, 100 - Greensweigs, 918 - Greenville, 573 - Greenway, Robert, 531 - *Grenville, Lord George, 778 - Greevy, Thomas H., 473, 474 - Gregg, Andrew, 69 - Gregg, General David McMurtrie, 452 - Grey, General Charles, 352, 652 - Grier, David, 570 - Grier, Joseph, 661 - Grier, Judge Robert Cooper, 38 - Griffiths, Alderman, 682 - Gripsholm, 667 - Griscom, Andrew, 150 - Griscom, Elizabeth, 79 - Groshong, Jacob, 343 - Grove, Adam, 819 - Grove, Micheal, 211, 819 - Grow, Galusha A., 195, 278 - Growden, Grace, 593 - Growden, Joseph, 269 - Growden, Lawrence, 593 - Grubb, Curtis, 669 - Grubb, Captain John, 154 - Grube, Rev. Bernard Adam, 712 - Grumbine, Professor E., 25 - Grundy, Thomas H., 88 - Guelph, 871 - Guerriere, 624 - Guffy, Alexander, 297 - Guinea, 113 - Gurney, Francis, 292 - Gurney’s, Henry, 89 - Guss, A. L. (quoted), 507 - Gustavus, 229 - Guyasuta (Indian), 126, 549, 550, 749 - Gwynedd Meeting, 736 - Gwyther, Squire Thomas, 49, 108, 558 - - H - - Hackett, Thomas, 474 - Haeger, Rev. John L., 407 - Haigue, William, 150 - Hail Columbia, 13, 790 - Haldeman, John, 731 - Haldeman Island, 63 - Hale, Captain Matthew, 789 - “Half Moon” (ship), 588, 742 - Half King, 66 - Halifax, 16, 42, 228 - Halkett, Colonel, 133, 470 - Hall, Carpenters’ (see Carpenters’ Hall) - Hall, Colonel, 823 - Hall, David, 898 - Hall, David Jr., 899 - Hall, E. S., 369 - Hall, Independence (see Independence Hall) - Hall, Joseph, 517 - Hall, Pennsylvania, 7 - Hall, William, 899 - Hall & Pierre, 899 - Hall & Sellers, 570, 898 - Hallam, James, 270 - Hallam, Mrs., 270 - Haller, Mr., 121 - Hailing, Dr. S., 224 - Hall’s Station, 618 - Hall’s Stone House, 618 - Hambright’s, Captain John, Expedition, Story, 770 - Hambus, 74 - Hamilton, Mr., 631 - Hamilton, General Alexander, 861, 862, 872 - Hamilton, Andrew, 594, 749, 832 - Hamilton, Captain Hance, 178, 698, 761 - Hamilton, Colonel Henry, 730, 751 - Hamilton James, 67, 76, 92, 105, 127, 132, 133, 172, 205, 224, 226, - 268, 316, 318, 321, 359, 413, 562, 563, 660, 703, 705, 718, 719, - 749, 763, 806, 911, 912, 917, 919 - Hamilton, John, 89 - Hamilton, Robert, 212 - Hamilton, William, 60, 75 - Hammond, 400, 457 - Hammond, General Robert H., 252 - Hampton, Va., 522 - Hampton Institute, 8 - Hampton, General Wade, 524, 706 - Hancock, 775 - Hancock, John, 77, 291, 816 - Hancock, General Winfield Scott, 453, 648 - Hand, General Edward, 140, 224, 225, 226, 296, 309, 490, 507, 605, 606, - 654, 728 - Hand’s Expedition, General, Story, 728 - Hand-in-Hand, 860 - Hanjost (Indian), 633 - Hanna, General John A., 215 - Hanna, Robert, 100, 148, 178, 477 - Hanna, Senator, 852 - Hannastown, 99, 145, 477, 490, 660 - Hannastown, Burning of, Story, 477 - Hannah (Indian), 437 - Hanover, 492 - Hanover Junction, 453 - Hanover, Township, 23, 173 - Hansen, Andrew, 610 - Hansen, Catherine, 610 - Hansson, Mathys, 667 - Hanway, Castner, 8 - Hardin, Captain John, 164, 168 - Hardin, General John, 164 - Hardin, Lieutenant, 549 - Hardings, 456 - Hardman (Chief), 750 - Hardman, Hannah, 76 - Hare, Robert, 357 - Harman’s Creek, 585 - Harmar, General Josiah, 3, 572, 766, 849 - Harmar’s Defeat, 766 - Harmony, 120, 121, 122 - Harner, Mrs. Abigail, 369 - Harnick, Captain, 348 - Harper’s Ferry, 51, 219, 680 - Harrigar, Andrew, 577 - Harris, Captain (Indian), 236 - Harris, John, 135, 401, 496, 744, 912 - Harris, Mary McClure, 496 - Harris, Robert, 136 - Harris, Samuel, 907 - Harris, Samuel, 401 - Harris’ Ferry, 16, 58, 59, 227, 228, 235, 236, 248, 321, 322, 392, 393, - 430, 461, 711, 726, 744, 905 - Harrisburg, 4, 5, 8, 23, 26, 33, 34, 37, 39, 40, 50, 58, 65, 68, 69, - 70, 110, 132, 135, 136, 215, 236, 248, 276, 277, 279, 288, 298, 321, - 434, 451, 453, 473, 474, 496, 497, 500 - Harrisburg, Academy, 497 - “Harrisburg Chronicle,” 4 - Harrisburg, Portsmouth, Mount Joy and Lancaster Railroad, 233 - Harrisburg & Presque Isle Company, 154 - Harrison, Benjamin, 101 - Harrison, George, 357 - Harrison, George L., 734 - Harrison, James, 150, 209 - Harrison, Professor James A., 204 - Harrison, John, 819 - Harrison, Major, 404 - Hart, Joseph, 60, 419, 664 - Harter, Benjamin, 350 - Hartley, George, 616 - Hartley, Colonel Thomas, 229, 366, 458, 468, 616 - Hartman, Henry, 758 - Hartranft, Governor John F., 48, 193, 316, 647, 733 - Hartsfelder, Jurian, 696 - Hartshorne, Richard, 717 - Harvard, 328 - Harvey, Benjamin, 905 - Harvey, Benjamin Sr., 906 - Harvey, Henry L., 387 - Harvey, Oscar, J. (Authorities consulted) - Harvey’s Creek, 905 - Harvey’s Landing, 905 - Hasellum, Thomas, 793 - Hassel, Mayor, 859 - Hasset, Gilles, 856 - Hastings, Governor Daniel H., 86, 379 - Hastings, Henry, 792 - Hastings, John, 69, 150 - Hatboro, 307 - Hatfield, Township, 190 - Hauer, Barbara, 887 - Hauer, Catherine Z., 887 - Hauer, John Nicholas, 887 - Hausegger, Nicholas, 306 - Havre de Grace, 818 - Hawley, Charles I., 88 - Hay, Captain George, 571 - Hayes, Alfred, 9 - Hayes, James, 306 - Hayes, Thomas, 173 - Hayes, William, 380 - Hayhurst, John, 861 - Hays, Captain, 917 - Hays, Christopher, 149, 163 - Hays, John Casper, 713 - Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania, 902 - Hazard, Samuel, 880 - Hazelhurst, Hon. Isaac, 49 - Hazelwood, Commodore John, 417, 670 - Hazen, Colonel Moses, 740 - Hazle, Edward, 226 - Head, John B., 88 - Head of Iron, 303 - Hean, Captain B. Y., 473 - Heart-in-Hand, 860 - Heaton & Company, 49, 108 - Heaton, Robert, 49, 108 - Heberling, Solomon, 344 - Heckewelder, Rev. John, 282, 304, 361, 584, 621 - Hecksher’s Grove, 558 - Heebner, George, 31 - Heidelberg, 16, 66, 798 - Heidelberg Township, 562 - Himrod, John, 326, 327 - Himrod, Martha, 327 - Helm, Israel, 396, 792 - Hempfield, 300 - Henderson, J. J., 88 - Hendricks, Jan, 792 - Hendricks, John, 337, 364 - Hendricks, Gerhardt, 112, 696 - Hendricks, Captain William, 306, 508, 758 - Hendrickson, Albertus, 150 - Hendrickson, Cornelius, 856 - Hendrickson, Yethro, 150 - Henlopen, 666 - Henlopen Cape, 600 - Henlopen Light House, 385 - Henry, Colonel, 282 - Henry, John Joseph, 331, 509, 556 - Henry, Patrick, 490, 644, 749 - Henry, William, 287, 565, 571 - Henry, William (Indian) 282 - Hepburn, James, 296 - Hepburn, Colonel William, 401 - Hercules, 745 - Herdic Park, 474 - Herdic, Peter, 474 - Herkimer County (New York) Historical Society, 118 - Hermit of Blue Hill, 287 - Herold’s, 732 - Herring, Old Friend Pickle, 269 - Herrnhut, 866 - Herrnhutters, 866 - Herron’s Branch, 680 - Hess, Henry, 235 - Hessians, 70, 110, 504, 505, 629, 668 - Hester, Pat, 49 - Heston, Senator, 136 - Heverling, Jacob, 209 - Hewes, William, 150 - Hewitt, Thomas, 209 - Heyne, John C., 32 - Hibernians, Ancient Order of, 47, 642 - Hickman, Thomas, 173, 380 - Hickok, Charles N., 178 - Hicks, Gilbert, 308 - Hickoqueon, 437 - Hidon, 151 - Hiester, Catherine, 808 - Hiester, Daniel, 136, 215, 645, 808 - Hiester, John, 808 - Hiester, Governor Joseph, 136, 435, 605, 804, 808, 895 - Higgenbotham, Captain, 823 - High Dutch Pennsylvania Journal, 899 - Highlanders, 170, 636 - Higgins (Tory), 225 - Hiles, Colonel Samuel, 332 - Hill, General A. P., 452 - Hill, Henry, 380, 922 - Hill, Commissioner, 806 - Hill, Richard. 764 - Hillegas, Michael, 61 - Hills, Stephen, 5 - Hillsborough, Earl of, 787 - Himrod, John, 326, 327 - Himrod, Martha, 327 - Hiokatoo, 246, 326, 514, 614, 813 - Historic Tales of Olden Times, 902 - History of Battle of Gettysburg (quoted), 812 - History of the Brethren, 884 - History of Lincoln (quoted), 811 - History Moravian Church of Philadelphia, 513 - History of Wyoming (quoted), 634 - Hjort, Reverend, 666 - Hobart, Captain, 348 - Hockesson Meeting House, 503, 628 - Hockley, Thomas, 60 - Hog Island, 672 - Hoge, Jonathan, 186, 484 - Hogg, Lieutenant, 620 - Holcroft, John, 688 - Holland, 856 - Hollenback, Matthais, 457, 893 - Hollander, Peter, 231 - Holler, Ensign, 110 - Hollidaysburg, 257 - Hollowday, James, 761 - Holmes, Thomas, 150, 531 - Holmes, Captain George, 446 - Holmesburg, 249 - Holt, Colonel, 631 - Holt, John, 641 - Holy Club, 313 - Home for Actors, 249 - Homestead, 87 - Homman, Andrew, 396 - Honesdale, 232 - Honest John (Indian), 271 - Hood, General John B., 454 - Hooghkamer Hendrik, 231 - Hooker, General Joseph, 451 - Hoopes, Adam, 319, 760, 892 - Hooper, Robert L., 922 - Hoorn, 856 - Hoover, William, 500 - Hopkins House, 854 - Hopkins, James, 288 - Hopkins, Robert, 683 - Hopkins, William, 851 - Hopkinson, Francis, 13 - Hopkinson, Joseph, 790 - Horekill, 447 - “Hornet” (ship), 324 - Horse Island, 143 - Horse & Groom, 249 - Horse, Philadelphia Light, 503 - Horsfield, Thomas, 222 - Horticulture Hall, 882 - Hospitals, Military, 222, 601 - Hosterman, Colonel, 400, 819 - Hosterman, Peter, 209 - Hot Water War, 189, 190, 191 - House Tax, 189 - Houston, Dr. James, 224 - Houston, Robert J., 735 - Hovenden’s Loyalists, 307 - Howard, 46 - Howard, General, 452 - Howard, Nicholas, 218 - Howe, Admiral Richard, 13, 308, 347, 352, 627 - Howe, Sir William, 72, 107, 347, 352, 358, 381, 416, 503, 533, 545, - 595, 627, 690, 849, 868, 908 - Howell, Mrs., 76 - Howell, Reading, 731 - Howell, Samuel, 780 - Howelville, 652 - Hoyer, George, 136 - Hoyt, Henry Martyn, 733 - Hubbard, William, 252 - Hubley, Colonel Adam, 367, 634 - Hudde, Andreas, 125, 667 - Huddle, Joseph, 920 - Hudson, Henry, 588, 742, 856 - Hudson River, 124, 523 - Huffnagle, Michael, 149 - Hughes, John, 268 - Hughes, Barney, 59, 63 - Hughes, Ellis, 209, 674 - Hughes, F. W., 49, 109 - Hughes, John, 541, 779 - Huguenots, 32 - Hull, General William, 624 - Hulings, Marcus, 301, 516 - Hume, David, 98 - Hummellstown, 461, 891 - Humphreys, 459 - Humphreys, Charles, 611 - Humphreys, James Jr., 899 - Humpton, Colonel, 653 - Hunt, General, 455 - “Hunter” (ship) 841 - Hunter, General David (Civil War), 519 - Hunter, Alexander, 209 - Hunter, Mrs., 462 - Hunter, Robert, 23, 639 - Hunter, Colonel Samuel, 61, 209, 229, 265, 295, 305, 306, 445, 461, - 462, 555, 615, 616, 674, 718, 907 - Hunter, Samuel H., 265 - Hunter’s Mills, 23, 24, 371 - Hunting Club, 834 - Huntingdon, 421, 850 - Huntingdon County, 70, 177, 180, 181, 219, 254, 422, 596, 619 - Huntingdon Furnace, 219 - Hunsicker, Daniel, 306 - Hurley, Mr., 299 - Hurley, Thomas, 559 - Huron, Lake, 743 - Hursh, Samuel, 252 - Huston, 890 - Huston, Hon. Charles, 179 - Huston, Joseph M., 137 - Hutchins, John, 921 - Huyghen, Hendrick, 230 - - I - - Iam, William, 474 - Impeachment:—McKean, 876 - Impeachment:—Dr. Moore, 340 - Impeachment:—Yeates, Shippen, Smith, 874 - Inauguration:—Governor Curtin, 39, 40, 41 - Inauguration:—Governor Mifflin, 895 - Independence Hall, 382, 810, 883 - Indian Council, 235, 236 - Indian Head (Girty’s Notch), 42 - Indian Helper (Publication), 523 - Indian Outrages, Berks County, 797 - Indian Queen Tavern, 421 - Indian Walk, 536, 747 - “Indiana” (ship), 883 - Indiana County, 147, 156, 181, 208, 596, 775 - Ingersoll, Jared, 643, 872 - Ingham, Samuel B., 69 - “In God We Trust,” 433 - Inland Waterways, 731 - In Old Pennsylvania Towns, 744 - Inquirer, Philadelphia, 435 - Inskeep & Bradford, 115 - Insley, Captain, 270 - Institute, Hampton, 8 - Institute, Tuskegee, 8 - Intelligencer, Harrisburg (quoted), 568 - Intelligencer, Lancaster, 767 - Invasion:—Lee’s, 626 - Invasion:—McCausland’s 519, 520, 521 - Ironcutter, John, 27, 28, 686 - Iron Foundry (Pittsburgh), 201 - Iron Hill, 627 - Ironsides, Old, 21, 22 - Irvin, Robert, 819, 820 - Irvine, James, 306 - Irvine, General William, 3, 152, 176, 186, 216, 217, 240, 306, 375, - 376, 545, 584, 617, 713, 739, 740, 741, 870 - Irvine, Mrs. William, 713 - Irwin, Joseph, 179 - Irwin, Matthew, 922 - Irwin, Thomas, 922 - Isaac (Indian), 425 - Isle of Que, 721 - “Isis” (ship), 671 - Italy, 327 - Izard, Ralph, 915 - - J - - Jack, John, 585, 622 - Jack, John, Jr., 623 - Jackham, 436 - Jack’s Narrows, 256 - Jackson, President Andrew, 184, 263, 804 - Jackson, Major, 144 - Jackson, Philip, 585 - Jackson, Thomas J. (Stonewall), 203, 888 - Jackson, William, 643 - Jackson and Sharpless, 518 - Jacob, French, 343 - Jacob (Indian), 176 - Jacobs, Captain (Indian), 526, 619 - Jacobs, Henry, 396 - Jacobs, John, 484 - Jacob’s “Life of Cresap” (quoted), 361 - Jacobson, Rev. Henry (quoted), 513 - Jacques Island, 123, 858 - Jacquet, John Paul, 667 - James I., 717 - James II., 598 - James, Duke of York, 28, 84, 446, 792 - James, Edward, 30 - James, Gomer, 48, 108, 559, 770 - James, Joshua, 173 - James’ Loyalists, 307 - James, Mesheck, 761 - James River, 677 - Jamestown, 505, 677 - Japan, 430 - Jargin, Captain Hans, 792 - Jarvis, 436 - Jay, John, 779 - Jay’s Treaty, 52, 779 - Jefferson County, 87, 156, 181, 208, 596 - Jefferson, Thomas, 53, 182, 194, 237, 361, 386, 460, 490, 789 - Jeffries, Lieutenant, 733 - Jemison, Betsy, 245 - Jemison, Jane Erwin, 244 - Jemison, Jesse, 246 - Jemison, John, 246, 815 - Jemison, Mary, 244, 813 - Jemison, Matthew, 245 - Jemison, Robert, 245 - Jemison, Thomas, 244, 815 - Jemison, Thomas, Jr., 246, 815 - Jenkins “Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal,” 189, 646 - Jenkins, Eleanor, 203 - Jenkins, General Albert G., 707 - Jenkins, James, 287 - Jenkins, Major John, 438, 456 - Jenkins, John M., 203 - Jenkins, Joseph, 203 - Jenkins, Julia Rush Miller, 202 - Jenkins, William, 203 - Jennings, John, Sheriff, 428 - Jennings, Solomon, 650 - Jenoshawdego, 732 - Jericho Hill, 861 - Jersey Shore, 337, 398, 461, 555, 711 - Jeskakake, 126, 841 - Jesuit, 86 - Jockum, Peter, 792 - John, Captain, 732 - John (Indian), 211 - “John” (ship), 340 - John, Earl of Dunmore (see Dunmore) - Johnnie, Coal Oil, 592 - Johnson, President Andrew, 882 - Johnson, General Bradley, 520, 707 - Johnson (Indian), 524 - Johnson, Mr., 25 - Johnson, Francis, 155 - Johnson, J. B., 865 - Johnson, John, 622 - Johnson, Sir John, 456 - Johnson, Richard, 284 - Johnson, General Richard W. (Union officer), 454 - Johnson, Sir William, 63, 170, 235, 303, 321, 492, 773, 781 - Johnstons, The Two, 367 - Johnstown, 232, 377 - Jonassen, Keeles, 396 - Joncaire, 321, 839 - Jones, 447 - Jones (Indian), 26, 792 - Jones, Abel, 780 - Jones, Charles, 823 - Jones, Henry, 396 - Jones, John P., 47, 316, 557 - Jones, John Paul, 410 - Jones, Peter, 820 - Jones, Thomas, 558, 793 - Jones, U. J. (quoted), 177, 395 - Jordan, Hon. Alexander, 499 - Jordan, David, 630 - Jordan’s Knobs, 320 - Jordan’s Meeting House, 734 - “Journal,” 644 - Journal, Colonel James Burd’s, 686 - Juan, Story of, 477 - Judd, Major William, 674 - Judea, 673, 903 - Jumonville, 133 - Juniata County, 73, 74, 181, 208, 596, 598, 918 - Juniata Crossing, 178 - Juniata Falls, 393 - Juniata Narrows, 255 - Juniata River, 63, 73, 74, 75, 619 - Juniata Valley, 73, 74, 75, 619 - Junkin, Eleanor, 202 - Junkin, Rev. George, 202 - Junkin, Margaret, 202 - Junto, Philadelphia, 435, 804 - Jurian, Hans, 397 - Jury, First, Story of, 791 - Justice, Binns’, 435 - - K - - Kachlein, Colonel Andrew, 60 - Kaercher, George, 109 - Kakowwatchy, 300 - Kalb, Baron de, 77 - Kalbfus, Daniel, 49 - Kandt (Indian), 700 - Kane, Marshall, 8, 277 - Kansas, 50 - Kansas Bill, 50 - Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 881 - Katepacomen, 42 - Kaye, John, 325 - Kechlin, Sheriff Peter, 560 - Kedar, 464 - Keen, Reynold, 308 - Kelso, General Thomas, 333 - Kelso’s Ferry, 110 - Kemble, Charles, 251 - Kegs, Battle of, 12, 13, 14 - Kehoe, Jack, 559 - Keith, Governor Sir William, 44, 129, 160, 407, 414, 535, 536, 805, 861 - Keith, Lady Ann, 807 - Keith’s School, 159 - Kekelappan, 436 - Kektuscung (Indian), 372 - Keller, Judge William H., 88 - Kelly, Edward, 47, 557 - Kelly, James, 254 - Kelly, James K., 254 - Kelly, John, 823 - Kelly, Colonel John, 211, 252, 463, 468, 469, 470, 616 - Kennedy, Andrew, 877 - Kennedy, Mr., 664 - Kennedy, Thomas B., 520 - Kennedy’s Gazette, 189 - Kennet Square, 504, 628 - Kensington Railroad Riots, 466 - Kenton, Simon, 43 - Kentucky, 736 - Kephart, Judge John W., 88 - Kergan, Valentine, 5 - Kern, Adjutant, 759 - Kern, John, 306 - Kernville, 378 - Kerrel, Hugh, 510 - Kerrigan, James, 47, 193, 315 - Kessler, Rev. John, 568 - Keystone State, 460 - Kidnap, Plot to, Governor Snyder, 783 - Kieft, William, 124, 230 - Kien, Jonas, 792 - Kier, Mr., 592 - Kikionga, 766 - Kilborn, 439 - Kildea, Patrick, 847 - Killbuck, Chief, 174, 281, 655, 751 - Killbuck Island, 174, 283 - Kilner, James, 30 - Kilpatrick, General Hugh J., 453 - Kimball’s Tavern, 887 - King, Rufus, 872 - King, Ruth, 400 - King, Sarah, 400 - King, Thomas, 701 - King, Thomas (Indian), 236 - King, William, 400 - King’s Son, 620 - Kingsesse, Story, 396, 580, 667 - Kingsley, Mrs. Nathan, 765 - Kingston, 492 - Kinsman, John, 150 - Kirk, General, 743 - Kirk, Moses, 516 - Kirkbride, Joseph, 60 - Kirkpatrick, Abraham, 688 - Kishcoquillas Creek, 525 - Kiskiminitas, 100, 167, 838 - Kittanning, 145, 258, 310, 525, 526, 619, 911 - Kittanning, Hero of, 911 - Kittanning Hills, 917 - Kittanning Path, 619 - Kiyasuta, 586 - Kline, Jacob, 190 - Klinesmith, Baltzer, 344 - Klinesmith, Catherine, 344 - Klinesmith, Elizabeth, 344 - Kling, Maus, 124, 230, 609 - Knight, Dr. John, 404, 815 - Knipe, Captain J. P., 277, 441 - Know Nothing Party, 34, 389, 863 - Knox, General John, 222, 440, 861 - Knyphausen, General, 308, 348, 352, 443, 503, 504, 628 - Kock, Per, 231 - Konigsmark, 447 - Kowatz, 618 - Kreitz Valley, 820 - Kremer, George, 819 - Krishelm, 696 - Kuhn, Captain, 442 - Kuhn, Simon Adam, 798 - Kurtz, Rev. John Nicholas, 757 - Kuskusky, 265, 424, 722 - Kuskuskee, New, 425 - - L - - Labor Reform Journal, 474 - Labor Riots, 646 - Lacey, John, 307 - Lackawanna County, 182, 208, 596, 598, 775 - Lackawanna Creek, 394, 439 - Lackawanna, Navigation, 131, 367 - Lackawaxen, 93, 500, 651 - Lacock, General Abner, 136, 201, 262, 263 - “Ladies’ Home Journal,”, 532 - Laersen, Neeles, 792 - Lafayette College, 202 - Lafayette (Indiana), 323 - Lafayette, Marquis de, 2, 83, 222, 308, 309, 352, 353, 444, 445, 504, - 571, 597, 603, 641, 836, 838, 863 - La Grande Maison, 893 - Laincourt, Count, 894 - Laird, Senator, 136 - Lake Erie, Battle of, 624 - Lake Shore Line, 863 - Lamberton, George, 446 - Lambs, Gibson’s, 486 - Lame Indian, Davy, the, 375 - Lamon, Ward H., 812 - Lancaster, 5, 34, 58, 69, 70, 71, 72, 79, 81, 121, 135, 159, 172, 235, - 237, 254, 282, 288, 289, 322, 325, 331, 332, 394, 418, 427, 482, - 483, 484, 508, 509 - Lancaster County, 8, 23, 25, 34, 51, 60, 62, 67, 131, 134, 159, 172, - 179, 180, 181, 187, 191, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 216, 217, 249, - 252, 254, 308, 311, 320, 332, 339, 416, 419, 463, 482, 498, 505, - 508, 509, 541, 564, 582, 596, 606, 617, 678, 731, 783, 821, 853, - 880, 886, 896, 916 - Lancaster Workhouse, 912 - Land Purchase, Great, 562 - Landing Day, 734 - Landis, John B., 712 - Langdon, F. W. S., 48, 770, 846 - Langdon, John, 872 - Langlon Fencibles, 474 - Lansford, 47, 557 - Lapacpicton, 721 - La Salle, 318, 411, 841 - Last Night (Indian), 700 - Latta, James W., 647 - Laughlin, Captain, 587 - Laurel Hill, 93, 902 - Laurel Hill or Range, 162, 323 - Lavoisier, M., 98 - Lawlor, Anne, 482 - Lawmolach, 800 - “Lawrence” (ship), 625 - Lawrence County, 147, 156, 181, 185, 309, 361, 596, 597 - Lawrence, John, 418 - Lawrence, Thomas, 693 - Lawshe’s Hotel, 878 - Lawson, Alexander, 580 - Lawson, James, 249 - Lawunakhanna, 424, 425 - Leach, Thomas, 382 - Lebanon, 247, 381, 732 - Lebanon County, 25, 66, 131, 181, 564, 582, 596, 837 - Lebanon, Fort (see Fort Lebanon) - Lebanon Valley Railroad, 242 - Lebo, Mr. H., 33, 34, 35 - LeBoeuf (see Fort LeBoeuf) - Lechmere’s Point, 509, 606 - Ledger, Evening Public, 533 - Ledger, Pennsylvania, 899 - Ledger, The Public, 533 - Lee, Arthur, 308, 914 - Lee, Charles, 835 - Lee, Eliza, 556 - Lee, Fitzhugh, 442 - Lee, John, 554 - Lee, Mrs. John, 554, 555, 556 - Lee, Rebecca, 556 - Lee, Richard Henry, 419, 459, 689, 915 - Lee, Robert, 555, 556 - Lee, General Robert E., 203, 222, 280, 624, 707 - Lee, Thomas, 555, 556 - Lee’s Invasion, 40 - Leet, Daniel, 164 - Leffler, Jacob, 282 - Legion, Wayne’s, 572 - Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, 111, 131 - Lehigh County, 181, 190, 596, 598 - Lehigh Water Gap, 651 - Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company, 48, 846 - Lehighton, 579 - Leib, Dr. Michael, 434, 783, 803, 804, 876 - Leib, Duane & Company, 435 - Leininger, Barbara, 722 - Leininger, Rachel, 722 - Leipers Stone Quarry, 838 - Lemon, Thomas, 209 - Leonard, Patrick, 201 - LeRoy, Anna, 723 - LeRoy, Marie, 722 - LeRoy, Jacob, 722 - Lesher, John, 485 - Leslie, Andrew, 561 - Letchworth Park, 246 - Letitia House, 75 - Le Tort, James, 415, 553, 884 - “Levant” (ship), 583 - Level Corner (Pennsylvania), 555 - Lewis, Andrew, 655 - Lewis, David, 217, 222 - Lewis, Ellis, 191, 669 - Lewis, Elijah, 8 - Lewis, Major, 637 - Lewis, Margaret Lynn, 145 - Lewis, Robert, 60 - Lewis Township, 614 - Lewis, William, 895 - Lewisburg, 9, 432, 554, 772 - Lewistown, 277, 525, 630, 918 - Lewistown Riot, 630 - Lexington Battle, 18, 54, 60, 81, 290 - Lexington, Virginia, 203 - Liberator, The, 6 - Liberties, 373 - Liberty Bell, 81, 382, 504 - Liberty Island, 324 - Library, Philadelphia, 45 - Lick, John, 722 - Lick, Peter, 722 - Lick, William, 722 - “Life of Cresap,” Jacob’s, 363 - Life of Zinzindorf, 866 - Ligneris, M. de, 828 - Ligonier, 100, 148, 309, 388, 489 - Ligonier, Fort (see Fort Ligonier) - Ligonier Valley, 148, 309 - Lince, Dennis, 150 - Lincoln, Abraham, 40, 196, 270, 301, 326, 433, 501, 740, 810, 888 - Lincoln, Mordecai, 301 - Lincoln University, 8 - Lincoln’s Address, 810 - Linden, 557 - Linden, R. J., 109, 315 - Lindstorm, 666 - Line, Pennsylvania, 1, 2, 3 - Linn, John Blair, 27, 189, 261, 445 - Linn, William, 486 - Linn, Judge William B., 88 - Linneas, Carlolus, 212 - Lititz, 159, 602 - Littell, John S., 285 - Little Beard, Chief, 814 - Little Beard’s Town, 138, 633 - Little Billy, 241 - Little Britain Township, 564 - Little Castle, 633 - Little Conewaugh River, 377 - Little, John, 515, 516 - Little, Kanawha, 528 - Little Meadows, 470 - Little Raccoon Creek, 585 - Little Schuylkill, Navigation, 232, 242 - Little Tinicum, 858 - Little Turtle (Indian), 766 - Littlehales, William H., 48, 192, 193, 194, 846 - Liverpool, 41, 721 - “Liverpool” (ship), 324, 671 - Livezey, Thomas, 284 - Livingston, Colonel Henry, 367 - Livingston, Edward, 901 - Livingston, Harriet, 566 - Livingston, Philip, 872 - Livingston, Robert R., 459, 566 - Livingston, Walter, 566 - Lloyd, David, 159 - Lloyd, Hugh, 60 - Lloyd, Susan, 71 - Lloyd, Thomas, 59, 71, 85, 128, 682, 843 - Lock, 610 - Lock, Carolus, 447 - Lock Haven, 221, 228, 433, 473, 475, 614, 770, 911 - Lockman, Rev. Dr. A., 4 - Lockport Run, 415 - Lochiel Hotel, 852 - Lockrey, Archibald, 101, 149, 163, 164, 527, 731 - Lochry Expedition, 480 - Lochry’s Run, 529 - Lochrey, William, 178 - Lodge, Grand F. & A. M., 332 - Lodge, Jonathan, 209 - Lodge, No. 22, of Sunbury, 332 - Lodge, Perseverance No. 21, Harrisburg, 891 - Loe, Thomas, 715 - Loeoch’s George, 16 - Logan, Chief, 361, 721 - Logan Guards, 277 - Logan, Hannah, 753 - Logan, James, 57, 75, 77, 160, 161, 213, 300, 338, 361, 408, 449, 500, - 536, 669, 682, 748, 752, 763, 765, 806, 866, 885 - Logan, James (Indian), 886 - Logan, Patrick, 752 - Logan, Sir Robert, 752 - Loganton, 772 - Logstown, 126, 321, 489, 800, 839 - Loller, Robert, 380 - Lomas, William, 250 - Lomison, Hamelius, 820 - London, 45, 677, 829 - London Company, 659 - London Corresponding Society, 802 - London Tower, 434, 598 - “Long Finn,”, 447 - Long House, 448 - Long, Joseph, 623 - Long Narrows, 630 - Long, Peter, 750 - Longnecker, Speaker, 724 - Longstreet, 453, 706 - “Long Talk,”, 434 - Lords of Trade, 323 - Lorimer, George Horace, 533 - Loskiel (quoted), 885 - Lossing (quoted), 363 - Lost Sister of Wyoming, 765 - Lotteries, 274, 285 - Louis XIV., 412 - Louis XVII., 892 - Louisiana, 487 - Lovelace, Francis, 446 - Low, Captain John S., 442 - Lowden, John, 508 - Lowdon, John, 209, 210 - Lower Counties, 92, 843 - Lower Smithfield Township, 235 - Lowescroft, 165 - Lowrey, 70 - Lowrey, Morrow B., 865 - Loyalhanna, 100, 149, 827 - Loyalists, Hovenden’s, 307 - Loyalists, James’, 307 - Loyalist Politician, 593 - Loyalsock Creek, 400 - Loxley, Benjamin, 292 - Lucas, Robert, 530 - Ludget, Joseph, 474 - Ludwig, Mary, 712 - Ludwig, John George, 712 - Lukens, Charles, 305, 422 - Lukens, Jesse, 209, 902, 908 - Lukens, John, 10, 101, 385, 422, 496, 662, 908 - “Lumber City,”, 472 - Lumm, Mary, 355 - Lurgan Township, 10 - Lundy’s Lane, 334 - Luzerne County, 131, 135, 180, 181, 182, 208, 216, 299, 440, 563, 564, - 596, 597, 775, 854, 893 - Luzerne, M. de, 426 - Lycans, Andrew, 172, 173, 174 - Lycans, John, 173, 174 - Lycoming County, 33, 121, 180, 181, 208, 212, 366, 398, 432, 474, 587, - 596, 598, 639, 673, 775, 893 - Lycoming Creek Massacre, Story, 400 - Lycoming Gazette, 498 - Lycoming River, 618 - Lyderberg, Ambassador, 666 - Lykens Valley, 172, 173, 174 - Lynchburg, Virginia, 146 - Lyon, Lieutenant, 418 - Lyon, Patrick, 860 - Lyttleton, Fort, 918 - - M - - MacDonald, Jane, 10 - MacDonald, John, 515, 516, 614 - Macgungie, 33 - Machree, Widow, 558 - Mack, Rev. John Martin, 16, 17, 475, 575, 867 - Mackey, Aeneas, 145, 149 - Mackey, Justice, 660 - Mackinet, Daniel, 283 - Maclay, Major Charles, 877 - Maclay, Samuel, 732 - Maclay, William, 9, 82, 155, 209, 461, 496, 674, 746 - MacLean, David M., 518 - Maconaquah, 767 - Macpherson, General William, 191 - Macpherson Blues, 900 - Macready, William Charles, 251 - Madgeburg, 15 - Madison, James, 263, 662, 708, 872 - Magraw, Colonel Robert, 179, 248, 508, 908 - Magaw, William, 508 - Magazine, “American,” The, 116 - Magazine, “American” (Dr. Smith), 117 - Magazine First, 115, 116, 117 - Magazine, “General,” The, 116 - Magazine, “Godey’s,” The, 117 - Magazine, “Graham’s,”, 117 - Magazine, “Harper’s,”, 117 - Magazine, North American Review, 117 - Magazine, “Peterson’s,”, 117 - Magazine, “Scribner’s,”, 117 - Maghingue-Chahocking (Pennsylvania), 551 - Magistrate’s Manual, 435 - Maguire, Bartholomew, 422 - Maguire, Jane, 422 - Maguires, Mollie, 47, 107, 192, 314, 557, 768, 845 - Mahantango Creek, 16, 684 - Mahoning, 309 - Mahanoy City, 48 - Mahanoy Creek, 16, 23, 73, 185, 227, 267, 408, 746 - Mahanoy Mountains, 16 - Mahanoy Valley, 558 - Maidstone Jail, 434 - Major, George, 48, 768 - Major, Jesse, 770 - Major, William, 769 - *Molatton, 302 - Malchaloa, 436 - Malden, 44 - Malibor, 436 - Malloy, John, 847 - Malone, Laughlin, 823 - Maloney, Thomas, 473 - Malvern Station, 653 - Manada Gap, 173, 757 - Manatawney, 300, 690 - Manatawney Creek, 242 - Manawhyhickon, 301 - Manear, Samuel, 33, 34, 35 - Man from Maine, 532 - Manhattan, 112 - Mann, Abraham, 341 - Mann, William B., 279 - Manor of Pittsburgh, 200, 489 - Manor of Stoke, 102 - Mansions of Bucks County as Headquarters, 861 - Manual Labor Academy, 202 - Marcus Hook, 334, 583 - Margaret, French, 540 - Maris, Mary, 212 - Market House, 690 - Market Street Bridge, 503 - Markham, Governor William, 28, 167, 328, 340, 530, 599, 649, 755, 843 - Marlborough Township, 437 - Markoe, Peter, 292 - Marr (attorney), 192 - Marsh Creek, 244, 452 - Marshall College, 624 - Marshall, Edward, 536, 650 - Marshall, John, 382, 688, 910 - Marshall, O. H. (quoted), 412, 546 - Marshall’s Mill, 264 - Marshe, Witham, 639 - Marshel, County Lieutenant, 164 - Martin, Joseph, 510 - Martin, Luther, 872 - Martin, Robert, 484 - Martin, Walter, 150 - Mary Ann Furnace, 483 - Mary, Queen, 832 - Maryland, 39, 921 - Maske, Manor of, 416 - Mason, Charles, 919 - Mason, Rev. D., 4 - Mason, David, 20, 21 - Mason, John, 2, 3, 286 - Mason, Richard, 860 - Mason’s Leaning Tower, 286 - Mason and Dixon’s Line, 50, 102, 203, 240, 385, 414, 661, 708, 821, 919 - Masonic Ceremonies, 21 - Masonic Inn, 139 - Masonic Song, 139 - Masonry, 889 - Massacre, Allens’, 344 - Massacre, Cherry Valley, 366 - Massacre, Conocheague, 510 - Massacre, Conestoga, 305 - Massacre, Crooked Billet, 307 - Massacre, French Jacob’s, 343 - Massacre, Juanita Valley, 73, 74, 75 - Massacre, Mahanoy Creek, 23, 726 - Massacre, Paoli - Massacre, Patterson’s, Story, 684 - Massacre, Penn’s Creek, 23, 720 - Massacre, Standing Stone, 421 - Massacre, Sugar Loaf, 616 - Massacre, Williamsport, 400 - Massacre, Wyoming, 366, 456, 718 - Master, 106 - Matilde (ship), 383 - Matlack, Timothy, 11, 60, 68, 485, 731 - Matson’s Ford, 309, 352 - Mattahoorn, 230 - Matthews, 348 - Mattson, Henrich, 231 - Mattson, Margaret, 150 - Mattson, Neels, 150 - Mauch Chunk, 47, 111, 232, 557, 839 - Maull, William M., 369 - Maxwell, James, 622 - Maxwell, General William, 367, 443, 503, 628, 690 - Maxwell’s Light Infantry, 628 - Mayer, Mr., 363 - Maynard, Quincy, 299 - McAllister, Abdiel, 699 - McAllister, Archibald, 698, 699 - McAllister, Julian, 700 - McAllister, Charles, 315 - McAllister, Lieutenant, 306, 315 - McAllister, Matthew, 700 - McAllister, Richard, 570, 697 - McAllister’s Gap, 10 - McBride, Hannah, 264 - McCall, George A., 280 - McCalmont, James, 622 - McCann, Landlord, 769 - McCarron, Barney, 314 - McCarty, Henry J., 88 - McCausland, 519, 520, 521, 624, 707 - McClain, Jennie, 685 - McClelland, John, 163, 220 - McClenachen, Blair, 215, 693, 922 - McClintock, D., 623 - McClellan, General George B., 889 - McClure, Alexander K., 521, 864 - McClure, Mrs. A. K., 521 - McConkey, Elridge, 280 - McConkey’s Ferry, 909 - McConnell, John, 623 - McConnellsburg, 707 - McCormack’s Tavern, 266 - McCoy, Captain, 616 - McCoy, Robert, 830 - McCrea, Robert, 177 - McCullom, Father, 521 - McCullough, Archibald, 511 - McCullough, Elizabeth, 510 - McCullough, James, 510 - McCullough, James, Sr., 510 - McCullough, John, 153, 510 - McCullough Massacre, Story, 510 - McCullough, Mary, 510 - McCullough, Robert, 680 - McCullough, Thomas, 680 - McDevitt, James H., 500 - McDonald, Captain, 637 - McDonald, Captain John, 188, 326, 367, 614, 814 - McDonald, Captain E., 277 - McDonald, James, 510 - McDonald, William, 510 - McDougall, General Alexander, 670, 690, 691 - McDowell, John, 761 - McDowell, William, 623 - McDowell, William H., 520 - McDowell’s Mills, 280, 319, 760, 830 - McElhattan, 772 - McEwensville, 515 - McFadden, Jackson, 252 - McFarland, Colonel, 632 - McFarland, Daniel, 319, 830 - McFarlane, Andrew, Story, 145, 146, 147 - McFarlane, James, 145 - McFarlane, Justice, 660 - McFarlane, Margaret, 145 - McGehan, Hugh, 193, 314, 557 - McGinsey, Joseph A., 6 - McGrady, Alexander, 819 - McHenry, James, 189 - McHenry, Thomas, 891 - McHugh, Peter, 49 - McIntire, Henry M., 279 - McIntosh, Fort (see Fort McIntosh) - McIntosh, Colonel Lachlan, 140, 226, 311, 618 - McKean County, 156, 181, 182, 208, 596 - McKean, Samuel, 69 - McKean, General Thomas, 60, 72, 159, 182, 216, 419, 605, 803, 874, 875, - 876, 895, 896 - McKee, 258 - McKee, Alexander, 43, 64, 224, 574 - McKee, James, 64 - McKee, Thomas, 16, 24, 25, 62, 63, 64, 236, 394, 798 - McKee’s Half Falls, 64 - McKee’s Rocks, 64, 224 - McKenna, James, 47, 108, 192, 193, 194, 314, 557, 768, 845 - McKenna, Patrick, 847 - McKinley, John, 405 - McKnight, William, 296 - McKnight, Captain James, 277 - McKnight, James, Capture of, 295 - McKnight, Mrs. James, 296 - McKnight, Dr. Charles, 602 - McLane, Captain Allen, 349, 352, 693 - McLaughlin, James, 732 - McLaughlin, Samuel, 343 - McLean, John W., 279 - McLellan, William, 520 - McManning, Daniel, 265 - McMeen, William, 306 - McMullen, Daniel, 474 - McParlan, James, 47, 108, 109, 192, 193, 194, 314, 557, 768, 845 - McPherson, Hon. Edward, 811 - McPherson, Hon., Donald P., 811 - McPherson, John, 820 - McQuoid, Anthony, 510 - McQuoid, James, 510 - McWilliams, Hugh, 906 - Meads, David, 733 - *Meade, General George Gordon, 451, 882 - Meadville, 119, 333, 733, 834 - Mease, James, 922 - Meens, 287 - Meginness, John F., 588 - Mendenhall, Ann, 212 - Mehaffy, Andrew, 499 - Mellen, Mrs. Sarah, 369 - Memorials of Moravian Church, 541, 575 - Meng, Christopher, 283 - Mennonite, 318 - Mennonite Meeting House, 691 - Mercer County, 156, 181, 185, 208, 596, 597 - Mercer, General Hugh, 70, 496, 607, 619, 909 - Mercer, William A., 524 - Mercersburg, 6, 288, 519, 623, 707 - Mercersburg Academy, 624 - Mercier, Chevalier, 126 - Mercury, 115, 130, 386, 518, 897, 900 - Mercury, Transit of, 386 - Meredith, Hugh, 898 - Meredith, Samuel, 292, 357, 922 - Methodist Episcopal Sunday School Union, 327 - Meredith, William M., 646 - Merlin (ship), 672 - Merricks, Hannah, 862 - Merricks, Robert 861 - Merricks, Samuel, 862 - Merrill, Jesse, 252, 568 - Merritt, Jesse, 474 - Metoxen (Indian), 524 - Metuchen Hills, 690 - Metzger, John, 820 - Mexican War, 879 - Mexico (Pennsylvania), 525, 918 - Mexico, 685 - Mey, Cape, 589 - Mey, Cornelius Jacobson, 589, 856 - Meyer, E., 228 - Miami College, 202 - Michener, John H., 249 - Michler, Representative, 854 - Middleburgh, 27 - Middle Creek, 26 - Middletown, 130, 136, 248, 891 - Middletown Zouaves, 473 - Middlesworth, Honorable Ner, 568 - Mieley, Henry, 26 - Mieley, Martin, 26 - Mieker, 50 - Mifflin County, 180, 181, 208, 216, 218, 596, 597, 630 - Mifflin Fort, Siege of, Story, 670 - Mifflin, Samuel, 780, 922 - Mifflin, General Thomas, 69, 72, 152, 191, 216, 247, 262, 268, 292, - 357, 505, 597, 604, 605, 611, 612, 643, 668, 679, 689, 694, 777, - 816, 817, 834, 836, 872, 895, 909, 922 - Mifflinburg, 210 - Mifflintown, 860 - Miles, Captain, 357 - Miles Family, 154 - Miles, James, 326 - Miles, Nathan, 395 - Miles, Colonel Samuel, 545, 570, 908, 922 - Miles, William, 154 - Milford, 493 - Militia, 45, 59, 204, 237, 508 - Mill Creek, 102, 124, 560, 799 - Mill Hall, 474 - Mill, Henry, 118 - Millard, Thomas, 150 - Miller, Henry, 570, 899 - Miller, Jeremiah, 299 - Miller, John, 179 - Miller, Lieutenant, 273 - Miller, Nicholas, 209 - Miller, Peter, 463, 465 - Miller, Robert, 812 - Miller, Locomotive, The, 22 - Miller, Thomas Craig, 853 - Miller, William, 177 - Millersburg, 797 - Miller’s Station, 480 - Millerstown, 247 - Millersville State Normal, 51 - Millet, Abraham, 508 - Mills, Captain, 694 - Mills, Samuel, 60 - Mills, Stephen, 136 - Millville, 378 - Milroy, 707 - Milton, 116, 188, 189, 202, 298, 306, 326, 327, 402, 433, 491, 499, - 515, 516, 615, 673, 674, 708, 723, 860, 881 - Miner, Charles (quoted), 429, 634 - Mineral Point, 378 - Mingo, Bottom, 175 - Mingo, White, 26 - Minisink, 493, 500 - Minisink, Battle of, 500 - Minquas-kill, 230 - Minshall, Joshua, 338, 364, 823 - Mint, Story, 237 - Minuit, Peter, 123, 590 - Mischianza, 308, 347, 352, 417 - Mispillon, 230 - Missouri Compromise, 389 - Mitchell, Alexander, 823 - Mitchell, James, 415, 823 - Mitchell, John, 823 - Mitcheltree, Hugh, 685 - Mob, 630, 695 - Mock, Alexander, 463 - Moens, Hans, 792 - Mogulbughtition Creek, 185 - Mohawk Valley, 322 - Mollie Maguires, 47, 107, 192, 314, 557, 768, 845 - Monacatootha, 227, 728, 800 - Monckton, Henry, 444 - Monmouth, Battle of, 443, 712 - Monmouth Court House, 443 - Monocacy Creek, 313 - Monongahela, 38, 52, 201, 517 - Monongahela Navigation, 131 - Monongalia County, Va., 163, 489 - Monroe County, 181, 235, 448, 564, 596, 651, 710 - Monroe, President James, 53, 263, 837 - Monroe, Timothy, 568 - Montelius, 854 - Montgomery, 828 - Montgomery (ship), 324, 417, 910 - Montgomery, Colonel John, 908 - Montgomery County, 60, 131, 180, 190, 191, 215, 307, 335, 336, 380, - 596, 603, 645 - Montgomery, Fort (see Fort Montgomery) - Montgomery, John, 614, 615, 616 - Montgomery, Thomas, 780 - Montgomery Township, Franklin County, 510 - Montgomery, William, 60 - Montluissant, Monsieur, 348 - Montour, Andrew, 227, 305, 321, 476, 597, 638, 727, 728, 868 - Montour County, 118, 120, 181, 208, 432, 596, 597, 775 - Montour, Henry, 597 - Montour, John, 282, 638, 751 - Montour, Lewis, 235, 638 - Montour, Madame, 235, 553, 597, 638, 751, 868 - Montour Mills, 232 - Montour, Monsieur, 770 - Montour, Queen Esther, 457 - Montour, Robert, 638 - Montour, Rowland, 638 - Montoursville, 868 - Montreal, 704 - Montule, M. Le, 893 - Moodie, Robert, 209, 674 - Moore, James, 60 - Moore, Jesse, 154 - Moore, Philip, 922 - Moore, Robert, 177 - Moore, Samuel, 239 - Moore, William, 708 - Mooresburg, 118 - Moorehead, Samuel, 146 - Morse, Samuel F. B., 431 - Moravian Seminary and College for Women, 223 - Moravian Mission, Story, 359 - Moravian Synod, 31 - Moravians, 31, 105, 223, 359, 475, 824 - Moravians, Slaughter of, 824 - Moravians Visit Great Island, 475 - More, Doctor Nicholas, 340, 373, 756 - Moreland, 342 - More’s, 248 - Morin, Monsieur, 840 - Morgan, “Captain” William, 557, 850, 890 - Morgan, Commissioner, 268 - Morgan, Colonel Daniel, 352, 485, 870, 908 - Morgan, George, 323 - Morgan, Jacob, 484 - Morgan, Dr. John, 224, 922 - Morgan, Rice, 822 - Morgan’s Riflemen, 352 - Morgan, William, Story, 567 - Morory (quoted), 811 - Morrell, Isaac, 333 - Morris, Agnes, 696 - Morris, Major Anthony, 159, 267, 696, 871, 910 - Morris, Cadwallader, 922 - Morris, Gouveneur, 643 - Morris, John, 484, 561 - Morris, Mr., of Baltimore, 298 - Morris, Robert, 18, 19, 24, 78, 80, 106, 133, 237, 308, 335, 355, 358, - 409, 459, 460, 469, 483, 497, 595, 643, 693, 779, 872, 893, 915, - 921, 922 - Morris, Governor Robert Hunter, 59, 63, 65, 67, 72, 133, 227, 267, 268, - 272, 273, 319, 320, 321, 370, 371, 393, 394, 395, 526, 619, 722, - 726, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 797, 916 - Morris, Captain Samuel, 910, 922 - Morris, Samuel C., 419, 693 - Morris House, 358 - Morristown, New Jersey, 1, 223, 848, 910 - Morrisville, 143, 838, 861 - Morrow, William, 680 - Morton, Rev. Allan John, 846 - Morton, John, 459, 611, 613, 779 - Morton, Robert, 459 - Mosse, Thomas, 150 - Mother of Counties, 180, 500 - Mott, James, 7, 8 - Mott, Henry, S., 390 - Mott, Lucretia, 6, 7, 8 - Moulder, Joseph, 292 - Mount Carbon, 242 - Mount Carmel, 110 - Mount Frederick School, 32, 33 - Mount Joy, 217, 307 - Mount Laffee, 47 - Mount Washington, 201 - Moylan, Stephen, 55 - Mud Island, 381, 670 - Muddy Run, 615 - Muench, Robert L., 500 - Muhlenberg, David, 215, 645 - Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus, 247, 644, 795 - Muhlenberg, Henry Augustus, 889 - Muhlenberg, Henry Melchior, 513 - Muhlenberg, John Peter Gabriel, 186 - Muir, David, 47, 192, 845 - Mulhearn, Edward, 49 - Muncy, 515, 542 - Muncy Creek, 673 - Muncy, Fort, 515 - Muncy Hill, 295, 515, 615, 911 - Muncy, Manor of, 260 - Municipal Council of Philadelphia, 46 - Munley, Thomas, 107, 193, 316 - Murdering Town, 800 - Murphy, Philip, 30 - Murphy, Robert S., 9 - Murphy, Timothy, 634 - Murray, James, 674 - Murray & Kean’s Company, 270 - Murray, Thomas, 820 - Musemelin, 254 - Musgrave, 652 - Muskingum, 42, 169, 304 - Muskwink, 494 - Mutiny in Pennsylvania Line, 1, 709 - Myers, Henry, 334 - Myerstown, 679 - - N - - Nagel, George, 209, 508 - Naglee, Jacob, 284 - Nain, 711, 712, 781 - Nantes, 914 - Nanticoke Falls, 906 - Nanticoke Indians, 17 - Nantucket, 6 - Napoleon, 893 - Nash, 690 - Nathaniel, 540 - National Artillery, 277 - Native American Party, 49, 881 - Native American Riots, 466 - Naugel, Frederic, 179 - Navy, Pennsylvania, 324 - Nazareth, 33, 110, 267, 312, 513 - Nazareth, Lower Township, 312 - Nazareth, Upper Township, 312 - Neal, Captain, 910 - Neal, Thomas, 832 - Nealson, Peter, 396 - Nebinger, Dr. Andrew, 369 - Nebinger, Dr. George, 369 - Needham, 97 - Neely’s Mill, 862 - Neepaheilomon, 650 - Negley’s Run, 375 - Negro School, 312 - Neily, Samuel, 510 - Nertunius, 666 - Nesbitt, J. M., 922 - Nescopeck, 75 - Nescopeck Creek, 905 - Nescopeck Falls, 299 - Nescopeck Path, 577 - Neshaminy, 57, 313, 437, 863 - Neshaminy Lock Navigation, 131 - Neversink, 494 - Neville, General John, 488, 688, 728 - Neville, Morgan, 518 - New Amstel, 446 - New Amsterdam, 446 - New Bergen, 96 - New Berlin, 343, 567, 568, 722 - New Castle, Chief, 273 - New Castle (Delaware), 30, 166, 324, 328, 919 - New Castle (Pennsylvania), 147, 446, 491 - Newcomer, King, 750 - New Cumberland, 300 - New England Magazine, The, 643 - New France, 589 - New Garden, 628 - Newgen, 266 - New Geneva, 52 - New Gnadenhutten, 917 - New Gottenberg, 124, 608 - New Hanover Township, 31 - New Hope, 863, 909 - New Jersey College, 59 - New Korsholm, 124 - Newman, Wingate, 325 - New London, 302 - New Netherlands, 165 - New Norway, 96 - New Olive Branch, The, 642 - New Orleans, 487, 583, 838, 901 - New Orleans, Battle of, 583 - New Orleans (ship), 201 - Newport, C., 676 - Newport, 503 - Newport (Rhode Island), 113 - New Philadelphia, 282 - News of Revolution, 290 - New Sweden, 123 - Newton, 451 - Newtown, 367, 664, 682 - New York, 2, 53, 446, 459, 509, 530, 566, 779, 832, 833, 834, 923 - New York Advertiser, The, 641 - New York Central Railroad, 863 - New York Historical Society, 54 - New Years, 1, 81 - New Wales, 166 - Niagara, 704 - Niagara Falls, 580 - Niagara, Fort (see Fort Niagara) - Niagara (ship), 625 - Nickerson, 812 - Nicholas (Indian), 437 - Nicholas, Catherine, 73 - Nicholas, Edward, 73 - Nicholas, Thomas, 73 - Nicholls, Colonel Richard, 446 - Nichols, Anthony, 859 - Nichols, General, 694 - Nicholson, Adam, 74 - Nicholson, Joseph, 750 - Nickles, Mrs. Grace, 369 - Nicole, 764 - Nicolls, John, 108 - Nielson, Jonas, 396 - Nieu Causeland, 667 - Nikes, 700 - Nile, 894 - Nimwha, 656 - Nine Mile Run, 636 - Nine Partners Boarding School, 6 - Ninth, Pennsylvania, 188 - Nippenose Valley, 33, 337, 772 - Nisbet, Rev. Charles, 248 - Nitschmann, Anna, 513, 868 - Nitschmann, Bishop David, 313, 513 - Nitschmann, Martin, [825] - Nitschmann, Susanna, 826 - Nittany Mountains, 344 - Nixon, Colonel John, 292, 909, 922 - Noailles, Viscount Louis Marie de, 892 - Nonowland, Chief, 169, 174, 282 - Norbury, Joseph, 350 - Nord, Edward, [610] - Norland, 521 - Norris, Isaac, 77, 318, 382, 594, 657, 682, 782, 806 - Norristown, 380, 602 - Norriton, 380, 385 - North American, The, 813 - Northampton County, 11, 61, 67, 102, 103, 131, 141, 180, 181, 182, 190, - 207, 208, 210, 235, 267, 312, 416, 419, 428, 429, 492, 508, 596, - 606, 651, 719, 839, 854, 867, 904, 911, 916 - North Branch of Susquehanna Canal, 132 - Northern Central Railroad, 499 - Northern Governors, 40 - Northern Liberties, 242, 712 - North, Lord Frederick, 328 - Northumberland, 136, 298, 402, 461, 546, 553, 555, 556, 558, 633, 723, - 732, 803, 876, 877, 878, 904 - Northumberland County, 11, 33, 61, 63, 66, 72, 93, 137, 139, 177, 180, - 181, 187, 188, 189, 202, 207, 210, 216, 252, 296, 326, 331, 332, - 334, 337, 344, 416, 420, 432, 438, 445, 469, 496, 499, 500, 508, - 509, 551, 556, 564, 596, 606, 614, 617, 639, 675, 686, 708, 731, - 739, 775, 814, 819, 820, 892, 895, 903, 904, 905 - Northumberland County Soldiers’ Monument Association, 500 - Northumberland Gazette, The, 803, 878 - *Natchez, 487 - Notes on Virginia, Jefferson’s (quoted), 361 - Nutimus, King, 450, 540, 563 - Nya Wasa, 667 - Nyckel, Kalmer, 609 - - O - - Oakdale, 174 - Oakes, James, 249 - Oak Hall, 453 - O'Connor’s Fields, 479 - Octorora Creek, 180 - Octorora Navigation, 132 - Odd Fellowship, 855, 890 - O'Donnell, Patrick, 827 - Ogashtash, 562 - Ogden, Amos, 102, 103, 428, 559, 560, 561, 673 - Ogden, James, 2, 3 - Ogden, Nathan, 103, 560, 673 - Ogdensburg, 334, 578 - Oghagradisha, 228, 394 - Ogle, Governor Samuel, 364, 414 - Ogle, John, 282, 822 - Oglethorpe, James Edward, 313 - O'Hara, General James, 200, 901 - Ohio Company, 99, 841 - Ohio County, Virginia, 163, 282, 489 - Oil City, 593 - Oil Creek, 551, 591 - Oil Creek Valley, 591 - Oil, Story of, 591 - Okley, John, 513 - Old Fort House, 178, 221 - Old Log College, 57 - Old Military Plan, 200 - Old Mother Northumberland, 180, 207 - Old School, Oliver, 115 - Old South Church, 44 - Old York Road, 753 - Olden, Colonel, 367 - Oleona, 96 - Oley, 33, 463, 512 - Oliver, George S., 519 - Olympic Games, 523 - Omit’s Hotel, 35 - Onas, 449 - “One of the People,” 803 - O'Neal, John, 657 - Ongwaternohiat-he, 884 - Onkhiswathe-tani, 884 - Onondaga, 15, 16, 63, 227 - Onondaga Castle, 562 - “Onrust” (ship), 590 - Op-den-Graeffs, 112, 696 - Opden Graeff, Abraham, 696 - Opden Graeff, Dirck, 696 - Opekasset, 301 - Orange County, New York, 492 - Ord, George, 581 - Organization of Counties, 179, 180, 181 - Orian, William, 396, 792 - Orlady, Judge George W., 88 - Ormsby, John, 149, 201 - Orne, Richard, 150 - Ornithologist, American, 579 - Orr, Robert, 527 - Orrery, 385 - Orrery, Earl of, 385 - Ontario County, 597 - Oswald, Eleazer, 641 - Ostenwackin, 639 - Oswegy, 775 - Otsego, 323 - Otto, Bodo, Doctor, 224 - Otzinachson, 399, 722 - “Otzinachson” (quoted), 588 - Owego, 299 - Owen, Evan, 374 - Oxenstierna, Axel, 229 - Oxford, 46, 97, 313 - Oxygen, 97, 98, 99 - - P - - “P,” 531 - Packenah, 436 - Pack Horses, 134 - Pack Trains, 169 - Packer Guards, 474 - Packer, Governor William F., 498, 724 - Packer’s Island, 554 - Packet, 644 - Packet boats, 201 - Paddy Mountain, 722 - Paganini, 94 - Page, T., 662 - Paine, Thomas, 70, 571 - Paisley (Scotland), 579, 601 - Palatines, 406 - Palatinate, 31, 149 - Palestine, 327 - Palmer, Anthony, 316, 749 - Pananke, Chief, 425 - Pan Handle, 489 - Paoli, 307, 607, 651, 668, 690, 848 - Paoli Massacre, Story, 651 - Paoli Tavern, 652 - Papegoja, Johan, 125, 609, 667 - Papegoja, Madame, 447 - Paper Mill, First, 128, 129, 130, 201 - Paper Money, 160 - Papunhank, 359 - Parade, Bloody 84th, 350 - Paradise, 614 - Paradise, Point, 230 - Park Theatre, 251 - Parker, Michael, 635 - Parker’s Ford, 667 - Parkinson’s Ferry, 52, 688 - Parnassus, 167 - Parnell’s Knob, 761 - Parr, James, 209, 352, 367 - Parson, Fighting, 236 - Parsons, John, 150 - Parsons, Major, 575 - Parsons, William, 235, 917 - Partsch, Brother, 825 - Partsch, Sister, 825 - Parvin, Benjamin, 359 - Paschal, Isaac, 860 - Pass & Stow, 383 - Passamaquoddy, 51 - Passmore, Thomas, 874 - Passyunk, 323, 667 - Pastorius, Francis D., 112, 113, 159, 695 - Path Valley, 265, 320, 623, 761 - Patosky, 894 - Patriotic Order Sons of America, 712 - Patterson, Colonel Robert, 503 - Patterson, Fort, 918 - Patterson, James, 684, 761, 821 - Patterson’s Massacre, Story, 684, 918 - Patterson, Mr., 298 - Patterson, Robert, 853 - Patterson, William, 27, 614, 684, 918 - Pattison, Governor Robert E., 735 - Patton, Matthew, 761 - *Pawling, Henry, 623 - Pauling, John, 301 - Paullsson, Olaf, 231 - Paulus Hook, New Jersey, 566 - Paxinoso, 540, 563, 575 - Paxson, Henry D., 610 - Paxson, Miss Nancy, 608 - Paxtang, 300, 461, 498, 553, 554, 560, 587, 594, 614, 718, 726, 764, - 781, 911 - Paxtang Boys, 105, 187, 560, 594, 718, 781, 911 - Paxtang Riot, 594 - Paxton, 299 - Paxton Presbyterian Church, 236, 498, 746, 911 - Paxton, Samuel, 179 - Payne, George F., 137 - Peach Orchard, 453 - Peale, Charles W., 426 - Peale, Franklin, 21 - Pearl (ship), 671 - Pearce, Henry W., 369 - Pearson, 755 - Pearson, James, 385 - Peart, Benjamin, 577 - Peart, Thomas, 577 - Pechoquealon, 300, 501 - Peepy, Joe, 235, 540 - Pemberton, Israel, 187, 913 - Pence, Peter, 209, 210, 211 - Penn Family, 489, 492 - Penn, Fort, 918 - Penn, Gulielma Maria, 844 - Penn, Hannah Callowhill, 330 - Penn, John, 75, 92, 93, 94, 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 145, 171, - 177, 198, 247, 304, 305, 316, 330, 338, 391, 399, 428, 429, 482, - 496, 535, 536, 559, 613, 649, 660, 661, 674, 712, 748, 774, 779, - 781, 787, 903, 912, 913, 919 - Penn, Marie Cox, 392 - Penn, Mrs., 715 - Penn, Mount, 247 - Penn, Richard, 92, 105, 106, 197, 391, 414, 535, 536, 747 - Penn, Springett, 414, 805 - Penn, Thomas, 92, 105, 247, 330, 338, 339, 364, 391, 392, 496, 535, - 536, 649, 747, 919 - Penn, William, 4, 5, 28, 29, 61, 69, 75, 76, 77, 84, 100, 105, 106, - 128, 130, 150, 158, 165, 179, 205, 247, 273, 293, 328, 329, 330, - 336, 340, 341, 372, 373, 374, 414, 415, 416, 436, 448, 489, 492, - 493, 530, 531, 534, 552, 596, 598, 648, 649, 650, 660, 682, 695, - 715, 734, 752, 754, 763, 805, 821, 832, 843, 919 - Penn, Sir William, 165, 391, 715 - Pennamite-Yankee Wars, 103, 207, 428, 492, 673, 903, 905 - Pennsborough Township, 172 - Pennsbury, 530 - Penn’s Creek, 73, 227, 228, 267, 318, 476, 773 - Penn’s Creek Massacre, Story, 720, 757 - Penn’s Valley, 221 - Penn’s Woods, 649 - Pennsylvania Canal, 41 - Pennsylvania Chronicle and Universal Advertiser, 899 - “Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal,” 189, 646 - Pennsylvania Dutchmen, 803, 876 - Pennsylvania Evening Post, 900 - Pennsylvania German Recorder of Events, 899 - Pennsylvania Hall, 7, 466 - Pennsylvania Hall Riot, 466 - Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, The, 899 - Pennsylvania, The Keystone, 643 - Pennsylvania Ledger, The, 899 - Pennsylvania Line, 1, 849 - Pennsylvania Packet, The, 899 - Pennsylvania Population Company, 154 - Pennsylvania Railroad, 37, 38, 48, 232, 618, 723, 863 - Pennsylvania State Works, 36 - Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble Minded, 881 - Pennsylvania University, 45, 54 - Penny, Charles, 252 - Pennypack Creek, 436 - Pennypacker, Samuel W., 137, 643 - Pennypacker’s Mills, 690 - Penobscot, 678 - Penrose, Charles B., 35, 851, 855 - Penrose, W. M., 441 - Pentecost, Dorsey, 163 - Pequea, 764 - Pequea Creek, 300 - Pequea Township, 821 - Pequehan, 764 - “Perfect Tribute” (quoted), 811 - Perkins, Samuel H., 890 - Perkiomen, 849 - Perseverance Lodge No. 21 F. & A. M., 891 - Pershing, Honorable C. L., 193, 316 - Perry, Colonel Caleb, 908 - Perry County, 42, 181, 596, 597 - Perry, Commodore Oliver H., 597, 624 - Perry, Samuel, 510, 748 - Perry’s Mills, James, 168 - Peters, Hans, 397 - Peter’s Mountains, 16, 254 - Peters, Richard, 292, 318, 357, 657, 700, 773, 896, 919, 922 - Peters Township, 171, 760 - Petit, Alfred C., 735 - Petroleum Oil Company, 592 - Pettigrew, General James Johnston, 452 - Petty, John, 886 - Peyster, J. W. de, 584 - Pfoutz, Conrad, 498 - Philadelphia, 1, 2, 3, etc. - Philadelphia City Troop, 910 - Philadelphia County, 8, 31, 33, 60, 84, 131, 159, 179, 191, 207, 216, - 380, 416, 419, 596, 604, 852, 853, 874, 881 - Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, 201 - Philadelphia Junto, 804 - Philadelphia Light Horse, 503, 409, 679 - Philadelphia and Reading Coal Company, 48, 192, 193, 232, 618 - Philadelphia Times, The, 521 - Philippe, Louis, 894 - Phillips, Thomas, 150 - Phillips & Gorham, 241 - Philosophical Society, 45 - Phipps, Sir William, 160 - Pickens, Andrew, 872 - Pickering (a tailor), 694 - Pickering, Timothy, 216, 438, 605 - Pickett’s Charge, 455 - Pieces of Eight, 325 - Pierce Brothers (Indians), 524 - Pierce, Edward, 373 - Pigeon Creek, 687 - Pigeon, Joseph, 374 - Piggott, Rev. Henry, 568 - Pike, Abram, 210 - Pike County, 181, 448, 493, 494, 500, 501, 502, 564, 597, 651, 775 - Piles, Robert, 150 - Pine Creek, 398, 673 - Pine Grove Furnace, 679 - Pinkerton, Allan, 47, 193, 557, 769, 846 - Piny Creek, 801 - Pious Henry Antes, 31, 32, 33 - Pipe, Captain (Indian), 281, 404, 584 - Piper, Colonel James, 305, 306, 908 - Pisquitomen, 380 - Pitcher, Molly, 445 - Pitt, Fort (see Fort Pitt) - Pitt, William, 199, 635, 703 - Pittsburgh, 36, 37, 38, 64, 100, 101, 102, 110, 125, 148, 279, 281, - 322, 333, 375, 378, 487, 489, 490, 517, 518, 519 - Pittsburgh & Connellsville Railroad, 38 - Pittsburgh Gazette, The, 200 - Pittsburgh Gazette-Times, The, 200, 519 - Pittsburgh Manor, 489 - Pittsburgh, South, 201 - Pittsburgh Times, The, 519 - Pittsburgh, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, 38 - Plain Truth, 747 - Plant, Louis, 474 - Plant, Mrs. Mary, 369 - Plates, French Plant Leaden, 411 - Ploughed Hill, 508 - Pluck, Colonel John, 350 - Pluggy, Chief, 750 - Pluggystown, 750 - Plumstead, Mr., 859 - Plumstead, Thomas, 919 - Plumstead Township, 663 - Plumstead, William, 270 - Plunket, Elizabeth, 11 - Plunket, Colonel William, 11, 61, 110, 209, 260, 297, 305, 306, 337, - 673, 821, 903, 905 - Plymouth, 112, 492, 563 - Poak, Joseph, 344 - Pocahontas, 677 - Pocketgach, 824 - Poe, Adam, 586 - Poe, Andrew, 586 - Poe, James, 623 - Poetess-Laureate, 202 - Point Pleasant, 167, 362 - Polk, President James K., 34, 194, 289 - Polk, William, 222 - Pollock, Governor James, 195, 233, 389, 431, 723, 863, 881 - Pollock, Oliver, 487 - Police, Organ of, 45 - Pomfret Castle, 684 - Pomunky, King of, 677 - Pontiac, 25, 42, 100, 105, 323, 345, 360, 586, 773 - Poor, General Enoch, 353, 367 - Poplar Run, 818 - Population of Pittsburgh, 201 - Poquessing Creek, 437 - Port Carbon, 48 - Port Deposit, 297 - Porter, Governor David Rittenhouse, 850, 855 - Porter, General David, 144 - Porter, Thomas, 60 - Porters, James, 76 - Portfolio, The, 115, 580 - Port Jervis, 494 - Portquesott, 436 - Porvey, 436 - “Posse Comitatus,” 904 - Post, Christian Frederic, 272, 302, 476, 827 - Post Master, 45 - Post Office, Pioneer, Story, 832 - Potomac River, 36 - Potts, James, 25 - Potts, John, 308, 693 - Potts, Stacy, 135 - Potts, Thomas, 60, 380 - Potter County, 94, 95, 96, 156, 181, 182, 208, 597 - Potter, General James, 2, 61, 209, 221, 252, 264, 307, 337, 344, 463, - 469, 470, 556, 597, 615, 618, 739, 741, 910 - Potter, John, 760 - Potter, Thomas, 264 - Potterfield, 545 - Pottsgrove (Montgomery County), 336, 614 - Pottstown, 242, 335 - Pottsville, 47, 48, 192, 277 - Powder Exploit, Gibson’s, 486 - Powell, Graham, 48 - Powell, Joseph, 15, 513 - Powell, Levi, 7 - Powell, Morgan, 48, 193, 770, 845 - Powell, Samuel, 513, 860, 922 - Powell’s Creek, 16 - Powell’s Map, 422 - Powhatan, 677 - Pratt, John, 119 - Pratt, Major, 189 - Pratt, R. H., 522 - Pratt, Thomas, 284 - Presbytery, Philadelphia, 57 - Presque Isle, 152, 241, 318, 387, 413 - Presque Isle, Destruction of, Story, 387, 413 - Press, The, 813 - Presser, Martin, 826 - Preston, Alderman, 682 - Preston, George Junkin, 203 - Preston, Herbert, 207 - Preston, Margaret Junkin, 202, 203, 204 - Preston, Samuel, 764, 859 - Prevost, Colonel Charles M., 334 - Prevost, Sir George, 144 - Prevost, Lady, 625 - Price, Morgan, 846 - Priest, David, 823 - Priestley, Dr. Joseph, 97, 98, 99, 433, 803 - Priestley, Joseph, Jr., 433 - Priestley Riots, 98 - Prince of Wales, 117 - Princeton (Town), 1, 2, 428, 909 - Princeton University, 59, 386, 428, 909 - Printing Press, 570 - Printz, Armegot, 123, 609 - Printz Hall, 608, 665 - Printz, Johan, 123, 124, 125, 396, 447, 608, 609, 665 - Printzhof, 124, 608 - Prior, Thomas, 385 - Proctor, Captain (Naval), 324 - Proctor, John, 61, 149, 292 - Proctor, Colonel Thomas, 101, 367, 713 - Proctor, William, Jr., 178 - Prospect Hill, 409, 606 - Protest vs. Slavery, First, 696 - Proud (quoted), 805 - Providence Island, 670 - Proviso, Wilmot, 194, 195, 196 - Public Ledger, The, 813 - Public School at Germantown, 285 - Pulaski, Count Casimir, 222, 501, 692 - Pullman Cars, 243 - Purchase, Land, 398 - Purdy, Colonel, 615 - Put-in-Bay, 625 - Putnam, Major General Israel, 55, 908 - Pyrlaeus, John Christopher, 513, 867 - - Q - - Quadrogue, 506 - Quagnant, Chief, 406 - Quakake Creek, 577 - Quakertown, 191 - Quashy, 113 - Que, Isle of, 819 - Quebec, 139, 188, 461, 509, 704 - Quebec Bill, 612 - Queen Esther, 457 - Queen Esther’s Town, 367, 619 - Queen’s Rangers, 307 - Quenameckquid, 437 - Quick, Tom, 493 - Quid Party, 434 - Quigley, Mary, 259 - Quiltinunk, 367 - Quing Quingos, 436 - Quittapahilla, 130, 818 - - R - - Racoon Creek, 175, 528 - Radner Church, 850 - Rae, Alexander, 770, 846 - Rahn, Mr., 5 - Raid, Brodhead’s, 549 - Railroad, First, 201 - Railroad Riots, 863 - Rainhill, 21 - Rall, General, 909 - Rambo, Gunner, 150 - Rambo, Peter, 667, 792 - Randall, Josiah, 890 - Randolph, James, 834 - Randolph, Peyton, 611, 872 - Rangers, Provincial, 547 - Rankin, James, 308 - Rankin, William, 586 - Ransom’s Creek, 112 - Rapp, Adam, 121 - Rapp, Frederick, 121 - Rapp, George, 120, 121, 122 - Rasmussen, Frederic, 89 - Raven’s Run, 107 - Rawle, Dr. (quoted), 54 - Rawle, William, 191, 860 - *Rawdon, Lord Francis, 348 - Ray, John, 623 - Raystown, 177, 178, 179, 320 - Raystown Branch, 138, 177 - Rea, Alexander, 48, 192 - Read, Adam, 23, 758 - Read, Deborah, 44 - Read, John M., 8 - Read, Sara, 754 - Reading, 130, 277, 602, 616 - Reading Railroad, 242 - Regiment, German, 615 - Recollections, Binns’, 786 - Red Clay Creek, 503 - Red Hill, 650 - Red Man, The, 523 - Red Man and Helper, The, 523 - Redman, Nancy, 348 - Redman, Joseph, 216 - Redman, Rebecca, 348 - Red Row, Riot of, 478 - Red Stone, 171, 224, 322 - Red Stone Creek, 518 - Redstone, Old Fort, 52 - Redstone River, 100 - Reed, 154, 367 - Reed, Charles, 374 - Reed, James, 324 - Reed, General Joseph, 2, 59, 90, 309, 343, 796, 910, 921 - Reed, Thomas, 326 - Reed, William, 333 - Reeder, Andrew H., 648 - Reeder, Howard J., 88 - Reemey’s, 561 - Reeser, Baltus, 283 - Rees’ Cyclopedia, 580 - Rees, Thomas, 153 - Reichel (quoted), 575, 576 - Reickert, Frederick, 121 - Reilly, John W., 23 - Reliance, 860 - Remington & Son, E., 119 - Reprisal (ship), 324 - Republican Argus, The, 434, 803 - Republican Party, 692 - Republican Society, 332 - Reserve Corps, 40, 279 - Revolutionary Forces Threaten Congress, 426 - Rewalt, John, 173 - Reynolds, General John Fulton, 400, 452 - Rhea, John, 780 - Rhoads, Samuel, 611, 612 - Rhode Island, 19, 873 - Rice, Abraham, 740 - Rice Blockhouse, 741 - Rice, Charles E., 88 - Rice, John, 615 - Rice, Owen, 513 - Rice, William, 513 - Richard, Poor, 45 - Richards, J. C., 520 - Richards, Lewis, 846 - Richardson, Jacob, 206 - Richmond Branch, 242 - Richmond, Port, 242 - Ridge Roads, 546 - Ridley Creek, 858 - Riegelsville, 501 - Rigby, Mr., 270 - Ringgold, Artillery, 277 - Riots, 87, 98, 251, 332, 465, 477, 630, 646, 692, 863 - Riots, Erie, 863 - Ripley, William, 144, 680 - Rip Van Winkle, 495 - Rippers, 864 - Ritchie, Robert, 72 - Ritner, Governor Joseph, 568, 839, 850, 853, 889 - Rittenhouse, Benjamin, 731 - Rittenhouse, Claus, 128, 696 - Rittenhouse, David, 72, 101, 238, 240, 385, 485, 604, 662, 669, 708, - 919, 921 - Rittenhouse, Gerhard, 128, 696 - Rittenhouse, William, 128, 129, 130, 695 - Rizer, Jacob, 284 - Roarty, James, 193, 314 - Robber Lewis, 217, 222 - Robb’s Row, Riot of, 465 - Roberts, Colonel, 879 - Roberts, George, 216 - Roberts, John, 301 - Robertson, James, 325 - Robinson, Andrew, 325, 693 - Robinson, Patrick, 85, 196, 341 - Robinson, Robert, 661 - Rochambeau, Count de, 82 - Rock Creek, 454 - Rocket (engine), 243 - Rockford, 311, 606 - Rockville, 23 - Roderdeau, Daniel, 60, 292, 921 - Rodes, General Robert E., 422 - Roebuck (ship), 324 - Rogers, Eleanor, 68 - Rogers, Jonah, 210 - Rogers, Morton, Company, 69 - Roman, Robert, 151 - Rome, New York, 774 - Roosevelt, Theodore, 137 - Rose, Dave, 299 - Rose, Major, 404 - Rosencrantz, James, 495 - Ross, Anna M., 369 - Ross, Catherine Van Gazel, 482 - Ross, Charles, 335 - Ross, Clarissa, 80 - Ross, Colonel, 629 - Ross, Earl of, 482 - Ross, General Robert (British), 582 - Ross, George, 78, 325, 409, 482, 484, 604, 611, 612, 816 - Ross, James, 689, 784 - Ross, John, 79, 357, 481, 482, 823 - Ross, The Senator (ship), 200 - Ross, William, 439 - Rosse, Thomas, 284 - Rossmere, 483 - Rothrock, J. F., 87 - Round Top, 453 - Rouseville, 593 - Rowland, Samuel, 794 - Royal Americans, 372, 828 - Royal Grenadiers, 445 - Royal Society of London, 46, 97 - Royce, Benjamin, 282 - Ruddell’s Station, 363 - Ruffians Mob Pastor, 512 - Ruhl, Philip, 252 - Rummerfield, 893 - Rump House, 854 - Runaway, Great, 253 - Rush, Jacob, 784, 820 - Rush, Lewis, 334 - Russia, 41, 53 - Rutledge, Edward, 459, 872 - Rutter, George, 247 - Ryon, John W., 49, 192 - Rynder, T. P., 86 - Rysingh, Johan Claesson, 610, 665 - - S - - Sacking and Burning Chambersburg, 519 - Sadbury, 601 - Sabbath School, First, 465 - Sacketts Harbor, 143 - Sagard (quoted), 743 - Sailors Cause Riot, 682 - Salem, 175, 282, 585, 673 - Salem (Ohio), 282 - Salter, Captain Elisha, 525, 762 - Salter, Hanna, 396 - “Sam,”, 389 - Sample, John, 468 - Sandelands, James, 396 - Sanderson Guards, 474 - San Domingo, 892, 894 - Sandy Hook, 856 - Sandusky Indians, 43 - Sanford, Laura G., 153 - San Francisco, 384 - Sanger, Thomas, 49, 107, 193, 316, 770 - Sanoy, Isaac, 792 - Sarah (ship), 340 - Sassafras Street, 514 - Sasquesohanough, 506 - Sassoonan, 301, 437 - Sattelihu (Indian), 640 - Saturday, Bloody, 48 - Saturday Evening Post, 117, 532 - Saunders, Richard, 45 - Saur, Christopher, 695 - Savannah, 312 - Saw Dust War, 472 - Saxton, Frederick, 241 - Say, Esther, 744 - Sayughtowa, 886 - Scalps, 267, 272 - Scammel, General Alexander, 311, 367 - Scarouady, 66, 236, 267, 322, 658, 797 - Schaeffer, Nathan C., 137 - Schaeffers, Michael, 16 - Schaffer, Henry, 877 - Schenley, Mrs. Mary E., 200 - *Schneider, Daniel, 66 - Schmidt, Anthony, 18 - Schmick, Rev. John Jacob, 360 - *Schofield, General John McAllister, 648 - Schoenbrun, 176, 585 - Schoharie County, 463 - School, High Dutch, 283 - Schute, 665, 667 - Schuyler, Gertrude, 601 - Schuyler, General Philip, 222, 601 - Schuylkill, 11 - Schuylkill County, 33, 47, 131, 181, 192, 193, 208, 242, 314, 474, 564, - 582, 597, 598, 846 - Schuylkill Ferries, 504 - Schuylkill Fishing Company, 593 - Schuylkill Navigation Company, 130, 131 - Schuylkill & Susquehanna Navigation Company, 131 - Schweigert, 826 - Schwenckfelders, 318 - Scioto, 163 - Scotch Irish, 623 - Scotland (Pa.), 624 - Scotosh, 585 - Scott, Adam, 578 - Scott, Samuel, 823 - Scott, Thomas A., 38 - Scott, General Winfield, 51, 144, 334 - Scranton, 648 - Scull, John, 517, 518 - Scull, John I., 518 - Scull, Map, 63 - Scull, Nicholas, 449 - Scull, William, 209, 305, 905 - Sea Congregation, 302 - Secane, 436 - Second Presbyterian Church, 68 - Secord (quoted), 579 - Sedgwick, General John, 453 - Seiler, Captain G. A. C., 279 - Seimens, Jan, 696 - Selheimer, Captain John B., 277 - Selina, Countess Huntingdon, 422 - Selinsgrove, 783, 860 - Sellers, John, 385 - Seminary Ridge, 452, 454 - Seneca, 42 - Seneca Mission Church, 246 - Seneca Oil, 591 - Senseman, Anna Catherine, 826 - Senseman, Brother, 825 - Separatists, 120 - Sergeant, Jonathan Dickinson, 669 - Sergeant, Thomas, 69 - Settlement, Swede, 608 - Seventh Day Baptists, 463 - Seventh United States Infantry, 277 - Seventy-ninth New York Highlanders, 498 - Seward, William, 312 - Sewickley Creek, 163, 371 - “Shades of Death,” 458 - Shaffer, George, 819 - Shaffer, John, 819 - Shakhappoh, 436 - Shamokin Borough, 110 - Shamokin Indians Creek, 336 - Shamokin (Sunbury), 15, 16, 17, 62, 63, 65, 73, 110, 111, 209, 227, - 235, 236, 254, 255, 266, 302, 303, 361, 371, 393, 423, 429, 449, - 450, 474, 475, 563, 746, 748, 770, 824, 885, 886 - Shamokin Trader, 62 - Shanghai, 864 - Shangom, Conne, 732 - Shannon, John, 748 - Shannon, Captain Samuel, 527 - Shannon, Timothy, 474 - Shannopino, 801 - Sharp, Captain, 587 - Sharp, J. McDowell, 520 - Sharp’s Run, 244 - Shaver’s Creek, 422 - Shaw, David, 479 - Shaw, John, 663 - Shawnee, 42, 918 - Shawnee Murder, Conestoga, 300 - Shear, Joseph, 474 - Shed, 890 - Shea, John G. (quoted), 742 - Shee, John, 292, 908 - Shekoneko, 824 - Shellpot, 334 - Shenandoah, 48 - Shenandoah Herald, 49, 109 - Shenandoah Valley, 490 - Shenandoah (Va.), 805 - Sheninger, 246 - Shepherd, David, 282, 488 - Shepoconah, 767 - Sherloe, William, 373 - Sherman, General William T., 454, 883 - Sherman, Roger, 460, 872 - Sherman’s Creek, 172 - Sheshequanink, 360 - Sheshequin, 458 - Shikellamy, 16, 63, 227, 235, 254, 255, 256, 301, 302, 361, 407, 449, - 540, 554, 640, 721, 748, 752, 867, 868, 884 - Shikellamy, John, 63, 267, 380, 886 - Shikellamy, Logan, Story, 361, 721 - Shiloh, 521 - Shingas, 619, 800 - Shipbuilding at Pittsburgh, 201 - Shipman, Captain Henry, 289 - Shippen, Story, 601 - Shippen, Edward, 24, 63, 75, 89, 159, 237, 394, 541, 622, 763, 754, - 874, 919 - Shippen, Joseph, 178, 385, 910 - Shippen, Mary, 348 - Shippen, Peggy, 89, 90, 91, 348, 418, 709, 754 - Shippen, Sarah, 348 - Shippen, Dr. William, 223, 224 - Shippensburg, 622, 760 - Shirley, Fort, 918 - Shively, Christopher, 343 - Shockalawlin (Indian), 554 - Shoenberger, Dr. Peter, 219 - Shoemaker, Henry W., 26, 391 - Shoemaker, Samuel, 308 - Shoholy, 93 - Sholes, Christopher L., 118, 119, 120 - Shott, Colonel, 367 - Shreeve, Colonel, 367 - Shriver, Lewis, 122 - Shulze, Governor John Andrew, 34, 837 - Shunk, Governor Francis Rawn, 6, 37, 38, 233, 879, 890 - Shutt, Ludwig, 173 - Sickles, General Daniel E., 453 - Sideling Hill, 170, 265, 320, 830 - Sievers, E. R., 49 - Sign of the Boat Inn, 504 - Sikals, 436 - Silliman, Professor Benjamin, 592 - Silver Spring, 210 - Simcoe’s Rangers, 307 - Simes, John, 30 - Simmons, Seneca G., 277 - Simpson, Adam M., 369 - Simpson, John, 509 - Simpson, General Michael, 509, 680 - Simpson, William, 509 - Sinclair, Catherine, 251 - Sinclair, John, 251 - Siney, John, 474 - Single Brethren’s House, 223 - Singleton, Captain John, 205 - Sinking Spring Valley, 257 - Sinneamahoning, 138, 221 - Sitgreave (Attorney), 191 - Sitgreaves, Samuel, 605 - Six, Deitrick, 65, 797, 918 - Skinners, 681 - Skinner, James, 865 - Skippack, 31, 312 - Skippack Creek, 669 - Sladen, James, 474 - Slavery, Negro, 112, 113, 114, 696 - Slifer, Eli, 279 - Slocum, Benjamin, 765 - Slocum, Ebenezer, 766 - Slocum, Frances, 765 - Slocum, General Henry Warner, 454 - Slocum, Jonathan, 765 - Slocum, Joseph, 767 - Slocum, Judith, 766 - Slocum, Mary, 766 - Slocum, William, 765 - Sloper, Lieutenant, 348 - Slough, Mathias, 331 - Sloughter, 175 - Sluman, Joseph, 674 - Small, William F., 864 - Smallpox, 236 - Smallwood, General William, 652, 690 - Smilie, John, 198, 216 - Smiley, Captain, 442 - Smiley, Robert, 688 - Smith, 362 - Smith, Charles, 895 - Smith, Devereux, 145, 149 - Smith, Frederick, 758 - Smith, George K., 48, 846 - Smith, George Nelson, 725 - Smith, James, 101, 169, 178, 309, 484, 604, 617, 828, 921 - Smith, Colonel James (York), 569, 669 - Smith, John, 112, 320 - Smith, Captain John, 227, 328, 505, 588, 676, 741, 829 - Smith, John (Indian), 301 - Smith, Colonel John B., 419 - Smith, Jonathan B., 669, 921 - Smith, Justice, 660 - Smith, Matthew, 187, 508, 708, 913 - Smith, Obadiah, 112 - Smith, Peter, 261, 400, 467, 500, 542 - Smith, Richard, 784 - Smith, Robert, 187 - Smith, Samuel, 221, 320, 823 - Smith, Thomas, 179, 484, 874 - Smith, Timothy, 650 - Smith, “Uncle Billy,” 592 - Smith, Widow, Story of, 467 - Smith, Wilhelmina, 348 - Smith, William, 170, 224, 292, 320, 385, 422, 829 - Smith Mountain, 264 - Smith’s Beneficial Hall Riots, 466 - Smith’s Laws (quoted), 398, 895 - Smith’s Mill Destroyed, 467 - Smoky Island, 174, 283 - Smyth, Albert, 533 - Snodgrass, 400 - Snowden, Colonel A. Loudon, 883 - Snyder County, 26, 73, 75, 181, 208, 318, 596, 684, 722, 726, 773, 774 - Snyder, Daniel, 798 - Snyder, Frederick, 216 - Snyder, George A., 568 - Snyder, Henry W., 568 - Snyder, Governor Simon, 33, 69, 136, 333, 435, 546, 582, 783, 803, 876, - 895 - Snyder, William P., 137 - Society of Free Traders, 179, 372 - Society Hill, 270, 373 - Soldiers Orphan School, Scotland, 624 - Soldiers and Sailors Home, 882 - Solomon (Indian), 424 - Somerset, Pa., 329, 860 - Somerset County, 177, 181, 596, 775 - Somerset, New Jersey, 3 - Somerset (ship), 671 - Sommer, Lausen, 696 - Soule, Samuel W., 118 - Southby, William, 159 - South Carolina, 39, 51 - South Fork, 378 - South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club, 378 - South Fork Lake, 377 - South River, 123 - Southwark Theatre, 270 - Sower, Christopher, 283, 695, 899 - Sower, Christopher, Jr., 899 - Spackman, Mr., 852, 890 - Spalding, Captain, 458 - Spangenberg, Bishop, 32, 514, 575 - Spangler, Baltzer, 571 - Spanglers Spring, 454 - Spaulding, Colonel, 367 - Speaker, The, 682 - Spear, George G., 250 - Speer, Eliza, 288 - Spencer, Colonel, 367 - Spickers, Benjamin, 757, 798 - Spring, Big, 422 - Spring Brook, 249 - Spring, Cornelius, 449 - Spring Forge III, 483 - Springett, Gulielma Maria, 716 - Springett, Sir William, 716 - Springettsbury Manor, 805 - Springhouse, Montgomery County, 191 - Sprogel, John H., 336 - Sproul, Rev. William T., 890 - Spulong, James, 474 - Squaw Campaign, 309 - St. Augustine, Fla., 522 - St. Clair (Pittsburgh), 201 - St. Clair, Arthur, 2, 43, 100, 101, 148, 149, 179, 479, 488, 490, 572, - 604, 817, 849, 896 - St. Clair, Sir John, 134, 319 - St. Clair’s Defeat, 488 - St. James Church, Lancaster, 483 - St. John’s, 571 - St. Joseph’s River, 849 - St. Mary’s, 437 - St. Mary’s River, 849 - St. Petersburg, 53 - St. Peter’s Church, 384 - St. Philip de Neri Church, 467 - St. Pierre, M. de, 800 - St. Pierre, Legardier de, 841 - Staecket, Moens, 396 - Stamp Act, 778, 887, 898 - Standard Oil Co., 593 - Standing Stone, 258, 367, 421, 473, 617 - Stanley, Captain James, 473 - Stanwix, Fort, 773 - Stanwix, John, 236, 245 - Stapleton, Rev. A. A., 9 - Stark, General John, 311, 607 - Starkweather, S. W., 473 - Starr, Moses, 16 - Starratt, John, 823 - Star Spangled Banner, 410 - Stars and Stripes, 624 - State House, 4, 93 - State Library, 165 - State Sanitarium, Mt. Alto, 624 - Staunton, Va., 145, 490, 660 - Stead, Captain A. H., 473 - Steamboat, 297, 564 - Steele, Rev. John, 760 - Steele, Robert, 663 - Stein, Ensign A., 306 - Stenton, 213, 669, 753 - Stenton, John, 719 - Stephen, General, 504, 691, 909 - Stephenson, George, 21, 483 - Sterritt, 631 - Sterling, Lord Thomas, 222, 504, 629, 669, 690, 909 - Stevens, Thaddeus, 159, 569, 850, 855, 889 - Steuben, Baron Frederick William von, 186, 307, 417, 571 - Stewart, Charles, 102, 560, 583 - Stewart, John, 735 - Stewart, Lazarus, 187, 560, 561, 711, 906, 911 - Stewart, Lieutenant, 306 - Stewart, Mr., 630 - Stewart, Robert E., 477 - Stewart, Samuel, 434, 803, 876 - Stewart, Walter, 3, 545 - Still, Isaac, 380 - Stille, Axel, 231 - Stille, Olaf, 231, 667 - Stiver, John, 30 - Stiver, Sarah, 30 - Stock Family Murder, 211 - Stoke, Manor of, 102, 560 - Stokeley, Captain Thomas, 527 - Stone, General Charles Pomeroy, 452 - Stone, Governor William A., 137 - Stoner, David, 622 - Stoner, Kitty, 554 - Stony Batter, 288 - Stony Creek, 178, 377 - Stony Point, 849 - Story & Humphreys Pennsylvania Mercury, 900 - Story of Singed Cat, 532 - Story, Thomas, 754 - Stoucksburg, 757 - Stoughton, F., 252 - Stover, Catherine, 888 - Straus, Wijk, 667 - Strawbridge, Thomas, 820 - Stroh, John, 211 - Strong, Caleb, 872 - Strong, Captain Martin, 154 - Stroud, Jacob, 61, 484 - Stroudsburg, 458, 491, 917, 918 - Strouse (Attorney), 192 - Stuart, General J. E. B., 453, 624, 706, 860 - Stuart’s Raid, 860 - Stumbaugh, Colonel, 521 - Stump, Frederick, 25, 26, 27, 686 - Stump’s Run, 27 - Stumpstown, 25, 26, 27 - Sturdevant, 854 - Stuyvesant, Peter, 125, 665 - Sturgis (lad), 825 - Sugar Cabins, 320 - Sugar Loaf Massacre, 616 - Sugar Run, 360 - Sullivan County, 181, 195, 208, 432, 596, 597, 775, 893 - Sullivan, General John, 260, 311, 366, 504, 514, 629, 690, 861 - Summit Hill, 48, 111, 315, 557, 846 - Sunbury, 65, 209, 286, 331, 332, 393, 461, 496, 499, 553, 563, 615, - 675, 723, 741, 746, 748, 818, 820, 877, 903, 908 - Sunbury & Erie Railroad, 234, 723 - Sunbury, Manor of, 560 - “Sunday Indians,” 424 - Sunday School Union and Tract Society, 327 - Sunday Times, The, 279 - Surphlit, Robert, 225 - Susquehanna Company, 102, 207, 491 - Susquehanna County, 181, 194, 195, 208, 596, 598, 775 - Susquehanna Navigation Company, 274 - Susquehanna River Exploration, 741 - Susquehanna (steamboat), 297 - Susquehanna Trail, 23, 41, 515 - Swamp Creek, 31 - Swampes, 437 - Swanendael, 230, 590, 856 - “Swannocks,” 424 - Swans, Valley of, 590 - Swartz, Fort, 616 - Swataney, 884 - Swatara, 16, 130, 172 - Swatara Creek, 757, 797 - Swatara, Fort, 757, 918 - Swatara Gap, 758 - Swedes Church, Old, 581 - Swedes Ford, 353 - Swedes Mill, 448 - Swedes Road, 652 - Sweeney, Edward, 732 - Swen, Ole, 792 - Swensson, Maus, 231 - Swithes Fording, 555 - Swope, Michael, 570, 908 - Sykes, General, 451 - Sylvania, 166 - Symcock, John, 151, 373 - Syng, Philip, 860 - - T - - Taasquah, 71 - Tacony, 832 - Tadame, 450 - Taggart, Captain John H., 279 - Tahgahjute, 361, 886 - Takeghsatu, 700, 701 - Talbot, Jeremiah, 623 - Talbot, Major, 673 - Talihaio Gap, 65 - Talleyrand, Prince, 790, 894 - Talmadge Family, 154 - Talon, Marquis Antoine Omer, 892 - Tamaqua, 193, 242, 557, 579 - Taminy, 437 - Tammany Society, 434 - Tamment, King, 437 - Tanacharison, 126, 841 - Tangorus, 437 - Tannehill, General Adamson, 323 - Tanner, Michael, 823 - Tapescawen, 540 - Tarentum, 592 - Tariff 1842, 432 - Tarlton, Major Banastre, 348 - Tate, Alem, 473 - Tawandarweuk, 360 - Tawena, 415 - Tawenne, Chief, 301 - Taylor, Bayard, 733 - Taylor, Christopher, 150 - Taylor, George, 61, 484 - Taylor Guards, 473 - Taylorsville, 909 - Tedyuskung, 235, 236, 237, 271, 303, 491, 539, 574, 588, 700, 704, 719, - 720, 824 - Tedyuskung, Eliza, wife of, 575 - Telner, Jacob, 695 - Temperanceville, 201 - Ten-Mile Run, 561 - Tennent, Gilbert, 57, 188 - Tennent, Rev. William, 57, 313, 782 - Tesinigh, 506 - Test Act, 99 - Texel, 590, 856 - Thatcher, Judge, 239 - Thatcher (quoted), 388 - Tharachiawakon, 407 - Thayer, Major, 672 - Theatrical Performances, Story, 269 - Thespians, 270 - Thirteenth Virginia Regiment, 140, 405 - Thirty Years War, 123, 608 - Thistle (ship), 325 - Thoman, Jacob W., 250 - Thomas, David, 233 - Thomas, Governor Sir George, 63, 197, 316, 449, 536, 683, 747 - Thomas, John, 536 - Thomas, Richard, 60 - Thomas, William M., 558 - Thompson (Pa.), 550 - Thompson, Charles, 779 - Thompson, James, 344, 864 - Thompson, John, 73 - Thompson, Dr. Robert, 601 - Thompson, Thomas McKean, 69 - Thompson, General William, 60, 188, 483, 507, 570, 606, 694, 831 - Thompson’s, 320 - Thompson’s Battalion Riflemen, 188, 570 - Thompsontown, 73 - Thomson, Charles, 385, 540 - Thorpe, James, 523 - Thorpe, Samuel C., 95 - Three Counties on Delaware, 166 - Three Islands, 528 - Three Mile Run, 670 - Three Rivers, 713 - Thunder Bay, 744 - Tiadaghton, 398 - Ticonderoga, 703, 848 - Tiger (ship), 589 - Tilehausey, 300 - Tilghman, James, 68, 101, 144, 186, 661, 774 - Till, William, 683 - Times, The Philadelphia, 533 - Tinicum, 124, 608 - Tinicum Island, 608, 665 - Tioga, 458, 619 - Tioga County, 156, 181, 194, 208, 596, 598 - Tioga Flats, 367 - Tioga Point, 227, 556 - Titusville, 591 - Toanchain, 744 - Toby’s Creek, 111 - Tockwogh River, 505 - Tod, Honorable John, 179 - Todd, Mr., 4 - Todkahdohs, 362 - Tohickon, 664 - Tolkeo, 757 - Tomlinson, Isaac, 111 - Tomlinson’s Run, 586 - “Tommy,” British, 533 - Tonnant, La (ship), 894 - Tony, 113 - Tories, 93, 224, 257 - Torkillus, Rev. Reorus, 609 - Torpedo, Fulton’s, 565 - Tour, Grant’s, 882 - Towanah, 71 - Towanda, 49, 194, 360 - Towanda Creek, 360, 775 - Tower, John Mason’s, 287 - Tower of London, 802 - Traders, Era of Indian, 552 - Traders, King of, 321 - Trappe, 880 - Treat, Captain, 672 - Treat, Dr. Malichi, 602 - Treaty, 607 - Treaty of Ghent, 53, 583 - Treaty of Peace, 5 - Treaty of Aix-la-Chappelle, 318, 412, 839 - Treaty of Ryswick, 412 - Treaty of St. Marys, 437 - Treaty of Utrecht, 412 - Treaty of Versailles, 427 - Treasurer, State, 6 - “Tree of Life,”, 518 - Trent, William, 77, 125, 126, 127, 322, 748 - Trenton, 3, 55 - Trenton, Battle of, 908 - Tresse, Thomas, 128 - Trexler, Frank M., 88 - T Rails, 232 - Triangle, Erie, 156, 240 - Trimble, Alexander, 68 - Trimble, James, 68, 69, 70 - Trimble’s Ford, 628 - Trindlespring Road, 441 - Trinity Church, 71 - Trinity College, 182 - Triumph (vessel), 426 - Troop, Philadelphia City, 355, 607 - Troy, Michael, 674, 907 - Trumbull, Governor Jonathan, 103, 903 - Tulliallan, 391, 392 - Tully, Pat, 49 - Tulpehocken, 16, 28, 66, 267, 408, 463, 563, 587, 798, 818, 886 - Tulpehocken Creek, 130 - Tuneam, Joe, 650 - Tuneam, Tom, 650 - Tunkhannock, 367, 439, 542 - Turbutt Township, 208 - Turk, John, 299 - Turtle Creek, 287, 537, 802, 828 - Turkey’s Foot, 320 - Turkey Point, 627 - Turner, John, 526 - Turner, Nathaniel, 446 - Turner, Robert, 85 - Turner, Susan, 369 - Tuscany, Grand Duke of, 915 - Tuscarawas, 140 - Tuskegee Institute, 8 - Tusten, Colonel, 501 - Tutelo, 563 - Twelfth Regiment Continental Line, 260, 332 - Twenty-fifth Emergency Regiment, 452 - Twightwee, 657 - Twilight (ship), 883 - Type Foundry, First, 695 - Typewriter, Story, 118, 119, 120 - - U - - Ulster, 360 - Underwood, 299, 348 - Ungaza, Don Louis de, 487 - Unhappy Jake (Indian), 886 - Union, 201 - Union Canal, 131, 274, 830 - Union County, 9, 11, 181, 208, 210, 252, 296, 343, 344, 432, 461, 467, - 554, 568, 596, 673, 775, 854 - Union County Historical Society, 9 - Union Fire Company, 860 - Union Iron Works, 107 - Union League Club, 882 - Union Saloon, 368 - Uniontown, 38 - Unitarian Church, 99 - United States Gazette (quoted), 351, 837 - United States Bank, 923 - Universal Instructor, etc., 898 - University of Pennsylvania, 45, 99, 422 - Updegraffs, 112 - Upland, 124, 328, 530, 599, 754, 792 - Upland County, 396 - Upper Sandusky, 739 - Upper Wakefield Township, 861 - Uren, William, 49, 107, 193, 316, 770 - Utchowig, 506 - - V - - Vale, Captain Joseph G., 715 - Valley Forge, 224, 307, 353, 836, 848 - Valley of the Swans, 856 - Van Bibber, 336 - Vanbraam, Jacob, 800 - Van Buren, President Martin, 184, 194, 289, 854 - Van Buskirk, Samuel, 473 - Van Campen, Cornelius, 210 - Van Campen, Moses, 210 - Vandemark, 493 - Vanderslips Farm, 367 - Van Dyck, Sheriff, 667 - Vandyke, Henry, 468 - Van Gundy, Christian, 468 - Van Horn, Rev. William, 484 - Vanness, Jerome, 543 - Vansdale, Mrs. Catherine, 369 - Vansdale, Mrs. Elizabeth, 369 - Van Swearingen, Captain, 168 - Van Syckel, Samuel, 593 - Vanuxenn, James, 900 - Varkens Kill, 123 - Vaudreuil, Philippe de Rigaud, 639 - Vaughn, Captain Robert V., 473 - Vaux, Richard, 389 - Venango, 413, 800 - Venango County, 156, 181, 185, 208, 591, 596, 598, 718 - Venus, Transit of, Story, 384 - Vergennes, 914 - Vernon, Nathaniel, 308 - Versailles, 318 - Veterans, F. & I. War Organize, Story, 304 - Victoria, Queen, 883 - Village Record, 837 - Villeminot, Alexandrienne Felice, 95 - Villier, M. de, 133 - Vincent, Benjamin, 326 - Vincent, Bethuel, 327, 516 - Vincent, Cornelius, 326, 516, 674 - Vincent, Daniel, 327, 516 - Vincent, George Edgar, 328 - Vincent, Isaac, 326 - Vincent, John, 326, 516, 674, 903 - Vincent, John Heyl, 326 - Vincent, Peter, 326, 674 - Vincent Island, 402 - Vindicia Hibernicæ, 642 - Virginia, 37, 51 - Virginia Boundary Dispute, 659 - Virginia Military Institute, 203 - Virgorus, Arnold, 830 - Von Blume, 335 - - W - - Wade, J. B., 369 - Wade, Jennie, 453 - Wade, Robert, 150 - Waddells, 861 - Wagenseller, G., 33, 34, 35 - Wagons, 134 - Wagner, 852 - Waldy, Henry, 832 - Wales, Prince of, 883 - Walhalla, 96 - Walhonding River, 585 - Walker (quoted), 526 - Walker, Captain Andrew, 543 - Walker, Captain, 296 - Walker, Colonel, 631 - Walker, John, 554 - Walker, Honorable Jonathan, 179, 646, 865 - Walker, Honorable T. H., 193, 316 - Walking Purchase, 273, 448, 648 - Wallace, Robert, 175 - Wallace, Mrs. Robert, 175 - Walnut Street Prison, 785 - Walrus (ship), 590, 856 - Walthour, Christopher, 375 - Walton, George, 70 - Wangomen, 424 - Warboss, Brother, 825 - Ward, Captain, 526 - Ward, Ensign Edward, 125, 132, 199 - Warley, Francis, 415 - Warren, 840 - Warren County, 156, 181, 185, 208, 596, 597 - Warren, General John, 223, 597 - Warren, Maria, 392 - Warner, Edward, 382 - Warner, Isaiah, 897 - Warner, Manson, 143 - Warrington Academy, 97 - Warrior Branch, 920 - Warrior Run, 188, 296, 327, 868 - Warrior’s Path, 559 - *Wurtemberg, 22 - Warwick, 57, 58 - Warwick Furnace, 651 - Washington Artillery, 277 - Washington County, 131, 147, 174, 175, 180, 181, 262, 282, 329, 596, - 597, 687, 775, 851 - Washington College, 202 - Washington, George, 36, 52, 55, 67, 70, 72, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 90, - 110, 126, 132, 133, 139, 140, 146, 162, 178, 222, 238, 241, 272, - 307, 311, 322, 356, 357, 358, 366, 402, 406, 408, 409, 416, 417, - 418, 426, 440, 443, 444, 445, 470, 471, 483, 497, 503, 504, 507, - 509, 514, 542, 550, 551, 570, 571, 597, 601, 602, 603, 606, 607, - 617, 627, 628, 629, 636, 638, 643, 651, 652, 660, 668, 669, 670, - 678, 687, 690, 691, 698, 699, 704, 710, 729, 731, 739, 741, 759, - 791, 799, 809, 816, 827, 828, 834, 839, 848, 849, 861, 868, 869, - 870, 871, 873, 886, 887, 901, 908, 909, 910 - Washington and Lee University, 202 - Washington Union, 35 - Washingtonville, 515 - Washington Zouaves, 473 - Wasp (ship), 324 - Watson, Captain, 348 - Watson, Mrs. (Captain), 369 - Watson Flats, 591 - Watson, Tames, 520 - Watson, John Fanning, 450, 807, 900 - Watson, Luke, 793 - Watson, General Nathan, 335, 583 - Watson, Thomas, 900 - Watson, William, 900 - Watsontown, 306 - Watchman, The Danville, 299 - Waterford, 126, 413, 840 - Waterville (Pa.), 556 - Watteville, Baron John de, 824 - Watts, John, 255, 908 - “Watty & Meg,” 579 - Waverly, N. Y., 17 - Wayman, Elizabeth, 31 - Wayne, General Anthony, 1, 2, 3, 44, 138, 210, 241, 307, 444, 445, 504, - 571, 572, 597, 603, 617, 629, 652, 653, 668, 690, 709, 848, 901 - Wayne County, 181, 194, 564, 596, 597, 775 - Wayne Guards, 279 - Wayne, Isaac, 450 - Wayne Junction, 754 - Waynesboro, 623, 707 - Weaver, Ethan Allen, 204 - Weaver’s Riots, Kensington, 466 - Webb, William, 79 - Webbe, John, 116 - Webster, Pelatiah, 18, 284 - Weheequeckhon, 437 - Weidrich, 454 - Weiser, Benjamin, 209 - Weiser, Conrad, 65, 66, 67, 155, 172, 227, 235, 255, 272, 273, 302, - 322, 326, 406, 421, 449, 540, 541, 552, 562, 563, 640, 658, 700, - 721, 722, 726, 748, 757, 758, 759, 773, 797, 798, 867, 868, 884, - 885, 886 - Weiser, Samuel, 209 - Weiss, Colonel Jacob, 111 - Weissport, 65, 111, 388, 577, 824, 918 - Weitzel, John, 209, 907 - Welcome (ship), 167, 531, 596 - Weletawash, 766 - Welsh’s Tavern, 628 - Weltner, Colonel, 616 - Wesley, Charles, 313 - Wesley, John, 313 - West, Benjamin, 565 - West, Robert, 206 - West Augusta (Va.), 489 - West Branch Battle, 586 - West Branch Canal, 132 - West Chester, 183, 504, 837, 920 - West Findlay (Pa.), 328 - West, Milton, 772 - Westminster, 673 - Westmoreland County, 61, 72, 87, 93, 100, 101, 131, 145, 146, 147, 163, - 164, 167, 168, 177, 180, 181, 198, 216, 225, 309, 402, 404, 416, - 420, 479, 489, 527, 551, 596, 660, 775, 880, 895 - Westmoreland County (Conn.), 493 - Westmoreland Township (Conn.), 493 - West Newton, 528 - West Pittsburgh, 201 - West Point, 91, 138, 280 - West Point Military Academy, 280 - West River, 328 - Weston, John, 257 - Weston, Richard, 257 - Wetherald, 719 - Wharton, Anne Hollingsworth, 613, 692, 744 - Wharton, Joseph, 71 - Wharton Mansion, 347, 352 - Wharton, Richard, 71 - Wharton, Samuel, 780 - Wharton, Thomas, 71, 284, 347, 699 - Wharton, Governor Thomas, Jr., 71, 485, 604 - Wheatfield, 453 - Wheatland, 289 - Wheelock, James (Indian), 523 - Wheeling, W. Va., 37, 38, 167, 362, 488, 740 - Wheeling Creek, 412 - Whigs, 34, 93 - Whitacre, James, 586 - White, John H., 473 - White, Miss N., 348 - White, Samuel, 5 - White, Bishop William, 265, 304, 642 - White Deer, 772 - White Deer Creek, 467, 503, 614, 772 - White Deer Valley, 468 - White Eyes, 226, 281, 654, 749 - White Horse, 651 - White Horse Inn, 504 - White Marsh, 31, 307, 352, 869 - White Plains, 607 - White Thunder, 841 - White Woman of Genesee, 244, 813 - Whitefield, George, 32, 57, 312, 336 - Whitehill, Robert, 216, 248, 485, 896 - Whiteman, Benjamin, 150 - Whitemarsh, Heber, 299 - Whiteman, Adam, 808 - Whitten, O. J., 473, 474 - Whittier, John Greenleaf, 6, 886 - Whiskey (dog), 190 - Whisky, “Monongahela,” 687 - Whisky Insurrection, 52, 56, 199, 678, 687 - Whistling Johnnie, 350 - Wicacoa, 667 - Wichetunk, 710, 781, 912 - Wickam, J. J., 88 - Wickersham, State Superintendent, 160 - Wickes, Captain, 324 - Wiconisco Valley, 173 - Wiegner, Christopher, 32 - Wiggans, Dr. Thomas, 306 - Wilakinko, 71 - Wilcox, Crandall, 111 - Wilcox, John, 73, 292, 693 - Wilkins, Robert, 623 - Wilkins, Honorable William, 179, 552 - Wilkes Barre, 70, 71, 103, 111, 132, 194, 359, 439, 440, 451, 457, 458, - 491, 492, 556 - Wilkinson, General James, 144, 331, 571, 607 - Wilkinson, Mr., 97 - Will, Edward C., 379 - Wills Creek, 125, 470, 800, 841 - Wills, David, 810 - Willard, 375 - Willard, Edward N., 88 - Willard, Mrs. Mary, 376 - Willets, Frank P., 89 - William, 763 - William and Mary, 843 - Williams, Rev. A. S., 280 - Williams, Dunk, 792 - Williams, Captain E. C., 277 - Williams, Ellis, 297 - Williams, J. T., 369 - Williams, J. Henry, 88 - Williams, Timothy, 326 - Williams Valley, 172 - Williams, Young, 109 - Williamsburg, 126, 661, 799, 802, 842 - Williamson, Colonel David, 174, 402 - Williamson, Henry, 846 - Williamson, Dr. Hugh, 385 - Williamsport, 49, 95, 287, 398, 400, 434, 472, 498, 542, 723, 877 - Willing, Charles, 80 - Willing, Thomas, 80, 106, 292, 459, 613, 780, 919 - Willing & Morris, 80 - Willitts, Deborah, 7 - Willits, Isaiah, 820 - Willoughby Run, 452 - Willston, Honorable Horace, 195 - Wilmington, 503, 627 - Wilmot, Dr. Aquila, 224 - Wilmot, David, 49, 194, 195, 196, 432 - Wilmot Proviso, 432 - Wilson, Alexander, 214, 579 - Wilson, Judge A. S., 445 - Wilson, Clarissa, 80 - Wilson College, 624 - Wilson Fort, Story, 692 - Wilson, George, 146, 149, 178, 631 - Wilson, Honorable James, 60, 90, 216, 459, 605, 749, 872 - Wilson, Lieutenant, 418 - Wilson, Mr., 80 - Wilson, William, 139, 443, 631, 749, 820 - Wilson’s Hall, Matthew, 852 - Winchester, 707 - Winchester, Mr., 298 - Windham, 491 - Winfield, 554, 677, 772 - Wingebone, 436 - Winter, Colonel, 400 - Wintermoot’s Fort, 456 - Winyard, Lieutenant, 348 - Wissahickon, 31 - Witchcraft, Story, 150, 151, 152 - Wohlheiter Family, 343 - Wolf, Charles S., 735 - Wolf, Governor George, 182, 276, 569, 839, 889, 890, 891 - Wolf, Jacob, 474 - Wolf Run, 261 - Wolfe, General James, 149, 704 - Wolverton, Simon Peter, 192, 496 - Womelsdorf, 247, 407, 757 - Wood, Mrs. Rhoda, 250 - Woodmancy, William, 396 - Woods, George, 200 - Woods, Jean, 179 - Woods, John, 510 - Woodside, Mr., 299 - Woodvale, 378 - Woodward, George W., 31 - Woolman, John, 359 - Work, Andrew, 172 - World’s Fair, Chicago, 384 - World’s Tour, Grant, 882 - Wren, Captain, 277 - Wright, James, 320 - Wright, John, 300, 821, 822 - Wright, John, Jr., 823 - Wright’s Ferry, 571, 680, 818, 822 - Wrightstown, 862 - Wrightsville, 135, 451, 650 - Wrightsville Meeting House, 650 - Wunderlich & Nead, 706 - Wyalusing, 359, 423, 458 - Wyalusing Falls, 17 - Wyckoff, Cornelius, 402 - Wyckoff, Peter, 402 - Wyngenim, Chief, 404 - Wynksop, Colonel, 879 - Wyoming, 17, 70, 71, 75, 102, 103, 104, 111, 229, 254, 274, 366, 367, - 368, 430, 438, 450, 456, 460, 462, 468, 491, 492, 493, 496, 507, - 514, 540, 541, 559, 562, 563, 575, 588, 617, 634, 673, 675, 711, - 718, 765, 775, 868, 903, 905, 911 - Wyoming County, 181, 208, 596, 598, 775 - Wyoming Fort, 560 - Wyoming Massacre, 228, 468, 618, 456, 911 - Wythe, George, 872 - - Y - - Yadkin River Valley, 736 - Yaqueekhon, 437 - Yale, 46, 328 - Yankee-Pennamite War Story, 559 - Yardleys, 909 - Yarnell, Lieutenant, 626 - Yattman, John, 150 - Yeager, Captain, 277 - Yeates, Catherine, 606 - Yeates, James, 650 - Yeates, Jasper, 372, 483, 606, 689, 874 - Yeates, Sara, 606 - Yellow Breeches Creek, 248, 300 - Yellow Creek, 361 - Yellow Fever, 355, 775, 789 - “Yellow Jack,” 847 - Yellow Springs, 224, 602 - Yohogania County, Va., 163, 489 - York, 11, 81, 258, 329, 415, 418, 569, 582, 616, 680, 735, 836 - York, Burning of, 582 - York County, 33, 60, 131, 134, 135, 180, 181, 206, 207, 210, 221, 264, - 308, 320, 364, 414, 416, 419, 483, 508, 569, 582, 596, 606, 617, - 678, 697, 698, 699, 731 - York, Duke of, 165, 755 - York Haven, 298 - York Road, Old, 689 - York town, 849 - York, Va., 661 - Yost, B. F., 193, 314, 847 - Yost, Mr., 119 - Yost, Mrs. B. F., 315, 557 - Yost’s Mill, 719 - Youghiogheny River, 43, 148, 319 - Youghiogheny Valley, 38 - Young Bear (Indian), 767 - Young, Commissary James, 25, 759 - Young, Robert K., 137 - - Z - - Zaccheus, 235 - Zacharias, 540 - Zahner, Mr., 846 - Zane, Ebenezer, 740 - Zeisburger, Rev. David, 16, 359, 42, 475, 563, 584, 826, 867, 886 - Ziegler, George, 136 - Zimmerman, Christian, 558 - Zinzindorf, Benigna, 513, 868 - Zinzindorf, Count Nicholas Ludwig, 15, 16, 32, 512, 513, 514, 639, 866, - 888 - Zion, 464 - Zion, Mount, 464 - Zion Reformed Church, 81, 384 - Zuydt River, 123, 589, 856 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - Transcriber’s Note - -Where there are variant spellings, the text has been corrected to match -the preponderant versions, and are noted. Some compound words are found -both with and without hyphens. Where the hyphen occurs on a line break, -the hyphen is removed, or not, in accordance with the most common -version. - -The entry for Oct. 11, regarding the appointment of Matthew Smith to the -Vice Presidency of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council is not -referred to in the Contents. An entry, enclosed in [ ], is added under -his name there. - -The Index entries for ’Nord, Edward’ and ’Nitschmann, Martin’ lacked a -page number. The correct pages (p. 619 and 825, respectively) are added -here, enclosed in [ ]. - -The Index entry for ’Ringgold, Arthur’ most likely should read ’Ringgold -Artillery’. The founder of the unit was Maj. Sanuel Ringgold. There is -no ’Arthur Ringgold’ mentioned in the text. - -On p. 518, the antifederalist newspaper founded by Hugh Henry -Brackenridge in 1799 was actually called the “Tree of Liberty”, not the -“Tree of Life” as it appears here and in the Index. There seems to be -some confusion of “Lawyer Brackenridge” in Pittsburgh, and a later -American painter, Hugh Henry Breckenridge, who worked in Philadelphia -and Massachusetts, and one of whose better known paintings was called -“The Tree of Life”, though the latter is judged to have been created ca. -1929, four years later than the publication date of 1924. - -On p. 918, there is a passage that opens a quotation, (“it was the -intention...) but has no closure. By context, the quotation would end -with that sentence (...carried that plan into operation.”) It is -possible that the opening mark is spurious, since there’s no apparent -source for the passage. - -On occasion, apparent errors appear in quoted text, in which case they -stand uncorrected but are noted. - -Some items in the Index appear out of alphabetic order. These have been -marked with a leading ‘*’, but have not been moved. - -The Index reference to ‘Fontainbleau’ on p. 704 is spelled -‘Fountainbleau', and has been corrected. This places the item in the -wrong place, alphabetically, and so has been marked with ‘*’. - -Those errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s (and there are many) -have been corrected, and are noted below. The references are to the page -and line in the original. - - ix.14 Fr[ei/ie]tchie, Barbara Transposed. - - xii.24 Tulliall[e/a]n Replaced. - - 19.45 belonging to the Britis[t/h] fleet Replaced. - - 24.42 Governor Morris advised Colonel Clap[man/ham] Replaced. - - 45.33 Every interest in London was again[st] him. Added. - - 49.29 Gover[n]or Packer Inserted. - - 63.20 “One Thomas [McGee] _Sic_: McKee - - 66.10 [“]The> first Party Added. - - 80.17 on account of conscientious scruples.[”] Added. - - 80.30 who was a [seafearing] man _sic_: - seafaring? - - 82.8 Count [D/d]e Rochambeau Replaced. - - 82.20 and driven by o[v/x]en Replaced. - - 89.41 which would alone hav[e] established Added. - - 92.1 John Penn, Last Propriet[o/a]ry Governor Replaced. - - 94.27 Ole Bornemann Bull was [born] in Bergen Missing. - - 99.24 a colossal statu[t]e of the man Removed. - - 99.30 Jail at Hannastown Stormed Febru[ru]ary Removed. - - 109.39 murder in the first degree.[’/”] Replaced. - - 121.16 The Government interfer[r]ed with their plans Removed. - - 125.5 through the negotia[it/ti]on of Transposed. - - 126.15 destined to bec[a/o]me Replaced. - - 151.23 Annakey Coolin[g/’]s attestation Replaced. - - 128.29 Robert Turner and Thomas Tre[e/s]se were Replaced. - interested - - 149.20 a Scotch and Calv[a/i]nistic settlement. Replaced. - - 156.4 after the title of 1768 was ex[t]inguished Inserted. - - 194.20 from the Twel[f]th District Inserted. - - 196.14 was chosen to succee[e]d him Removed. - - 199.38 with the ad[d]ition> of ninety-five officers Inserted. - - 201.15 was built in Ap[p]ollo Removed. - - 201.18 and the Alleghen[e]y portage railroads Removed. - - 204.24 published a volum[n/e] Replaced. - - 205.27 and [“]other grain.” Added - (likely). - - 211.17 we find Pence en[e]gaged Removed. - - 227.35 son of the great vice[-]gerent Removed. - - 235.11 The Governor sent Con[ar/ra]d Weiser Transposed. - - 243.18 One of these early engines, the Rocket[t] Removed. - - 259.36 Li[ue/eu]tenant Colonels Transposed. - - 260.38 to subdue the Indian atrocit[i]es Inserted. - - 263.25 he entered heart[i]ly into the scheme Inserted. - - 263.29 for the contemplated i[n/m]provements Replaced. - - 277.3 in procuring accom[m]odations Inserted. - - 282.26 These troops rendez[v]oused at Fort Henry Inserted. - - 288.2 it was entirely obli[b/t]erated many years ago Replaced. - - 291.42 receive [the] Continental Congress _sic_: - missing? - - 295.33 had taken two or three [familys] prisoners _sic_ - - 298.37 built by the Balt[i]more promoters Inserted. - - 301.26 did not leave all to di[s]plomacy Removed. - - 303.21 invited the sur[r]ounding tribes Inserted. - - 307.12 in Mon[t]gomery County Inserted. - - 308.32 the Supreme Ex[e]cutive Council Inserted. - - 309.40 These [maurauders] were pursued _sic_ - - 317.25 much cunning di[s]plomacy Removed. - - 322.46 did not reach his des[t]ination Inserted. - - 325.12 for poultry and fresh p[r]ovisions. Inserted. - - 327.17 Beth[eu/ue]l died at his home Transposed. - - 327.19 Beth[eu/ue]l Vincent, born June 3, 1762 Transposed. - - 330.29 an agreement of s[e]ttlement Inserted. - - 332.28 becoming his sur[i/e]ties Replaced. - - 338.8 oppose the preten[t/s]ions of Lord Baltimore Replaced. - - 347.3 not[h]withstanding all their endeavors Removed. - - 351.14 Dem[o/a]gogues have been using commissions Replaced. - - 358.26 that Washington had died[,] bells were muffled Added. - - 361.5 Zeisberger left Fr[ei/ie]denhutten Transposed. - - 368.24 and temporary hospital accom[m]odations Inserted. - - 368.31 commis[s]erating Removed. - - 390.36 over Bair, Know No[r]thing Removed. - - 412.4 the reign of Loui[x/s] XIV Replaced. - - 414.30 as the propriet[o/a]ry’s one-tenth Replaced. - - 421.40 contained many h[ei/ie]roglyphics Transposed. - - 428.6 dissati[s]fied with the indisposition Inserted. - - 430.29 They were on the[re/ir] way Replaced. - - 431.34 by its ac[c]omplishment Inserted. - - 445.37 possession of de[s]cendants of Captain Wilson Inserted. - - 447.45 Peter Alrick[s] Added. - - 460.5 Not[h]withstandin his overcautiousness Removed. - - 469.34 as tenant of Claypool[e] Added. - - 470.38 Beauje[a]u’s command was reinforced Removed. - - 471.28 A[t] this point the supply Added. - - 501.45 by a stra[get/teg]ic movement Transposed. - - 512.27 dis[tin]guished visitor. Inserted. - - 513.23 and rough[t]ly handled him Removed. - - 513.33 Henry Melch[oi/io]r Muhlenberg Transposed. - - 518.21 Lawyer Br[e/a]ckenridge, in 1799, left Replaced. - - 518.24 Br[e/a]ckenridge and some of his adherents Replaced. - - 518.25 the “Tree of [Life].” _sic_ - Liberty - - 535.10 and allot[t]ing ten thousand acres Inserted. - - 539.35 at the hands of Canass[atego/etoga] Replaced. - - 544.17 the great Oneida vice[-]gerent Removed. - - 544.29 He and William Hayes had volunte[e]red Inserted. - - 548.6 abandoned the s[ei/ie]ge on this fort Transposed. - - 548.31 the valley of the Musking[ha/u]m Replaced. - - 553.17 [Allegany] on the branch of Ohio _sic_ - - 553.26 they would pass the [Susquehannah] _sic_ - - 634.39 some seen carried off[)] Added - (likely). - - 637.9 under the preten[t/s]ion of fears Replaced. - - 643.19 that a convention [h/b]e called Replaced. - - 652.8 the artillery in cas[t/e] of defeat. Replaced. - - 667.8 John Paul Ja[e/c]quet Replaced. - - 669.43 he stayed in Philade[l]phia Inserted. - - 679.15 I arrived about 11 o’clock. o’clock.[”] Added. - - 687.20 any person who had [ac-]accepted or might Removed. - accept - - 697.19 to start a school here in Germantown.[”] Added. - - 720.30 one of promise for the Engli[g/s]h Replaced. - - 731.34 S[abastai/ebastia]n Graff and John Haldeman Replaced. - - 741.36 was propelled with sail and oar[,/.] Replaced. - - 761.6 The Rev. Mr. Stee[e]l Removed. - - 764.8 became odi[o]us to the people of Philadelphia Inserted. - - 770.20 in great force to bes[ei/ie]ge> the fort Transposed. - - 781.22 Early in 1764 e[tx/xt]ensive measures Transposed. - - 783.28 Prey of Kidnap[p]ers Inserted. - - 785.32 on hor[es/se]back Transposed. - - 789.15 a sense of the i[n/m]portance Replaced. - - 790.5 On March 5, 1798[,] President Adams[,] Added/Removed. - informed Congress - - 791.16 circular letter to milit[i]a officers Inserted. - - 793.29 and when they was [goeing] to put him _sic_ - - 796.39 the situation was entirely changed[.] Added. - - 797.5 the vicinity of D[ie/ei]trick Six’s Transposed. - - 802.3 reaching a trading[-/ ]post Replaced. - - 813.22 old age and decrep[t]itude Removed. - - 819.8 Joe heard the foo[t]steps Inserted. - - 842.1 Saint[ /-]Pierre replied Replaced. - - 850.21 [“]Bury me at the foot Added. - - 852.13 and carried Spac[h/k]man off Replaced. - - 864.7 one of the m[a/o]st disgraceful local Replaced. - conflicts - - 878.30 after some conversation[;/,] stepped eight Replaced. - paces - - 888.1 was the prou[n]d proprietor Removed. - - 910.15 General Cadwal[l]ader’s Removed. - - 900.29 His parents were of Engli[g/s]h origin Replaced. - - 902.4 “Annals of Philadelphia[,]” Removed. - - 918.15 that plan into operation.[”] Added. But - see note. - - 935.25 *Fo[u]ntainbleau, 704 Removed. - - 919.38 ascertaining the lat[t]itude Removed. - - 946.70 Muhlenberg, Henry Melch[oi/io]r, 513 Transposed. - - 947.27 Ogleth[ro/or]pe, James Edward, 313 Transposed. - - 951.2 Ringgold, [Arthur Artillery], 277 Replaced. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAILY STORIES OF -PENNSYLVANIA *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. 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