USA > Delaware > Narratives of early Pennsylvania, West New Jersey and Delaware, 1630-1707 > Part 21
USA > New Jersey > Narratives of early Pennsylvania, West New Jersey and Delaware, 1630-1707 > Part 21
USA > Pennsylvania > Narratives of early Pennsylvania, West New Jersey and Delaware, 1630-1707 > Part 21
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' John Day (d. 1696), carpenter, from the parish of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, London, his brick house with adjoining orchard being on Front, between Sassafras (now Race) and Mulberry (now Arch) streets.
' Francis Daniel Pastorius.
" The "Crefelders," from Crefeld, Germany, near the Dutch border. See post, p. 393, note 3.
. "Our first [Quaker] Meeting-house in the sd City," writes Pastorius, who came in 1683, "was nothing else than a Lodge or Cottage, nailed together of Pine- boards, Imported from New-York, and sold a hundred foot at 10. Shill. And never the less the Lord appeared most powerfully in that Tabernacle of Shittim wood." Learned, Pastorius, pp. 212-213.
" The Friends' Meeting House in the Centre Square of the city, midway be- tween the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, where the City Hall now stands, was built of brick, in 1685-1686, and was used for a time for the more important First-day (Sunday) morning and business meetings of the society. The location being in the midst of the forest some little distance without the town, and its two or three streets along the Delaware, the meeting was not well attended; the Friends preferred to wait for the afternoon meeting at the Bank Meeting House, near at hand, within the town proper; consequently, in a few years the Centre Square meeting was abandoned.
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foot long, and about forty foot broad) and hope to have it soon up, many hearts and hands at Work that will do it. A large Meeting House,1 50 foot long, and 38 foot broad, also going up, on the front of the River, for an evening Meeting, the work going on apace. Many Towns People setling their liberty Lands. I hope the Society will rub off the Reproaches some have cast upon them. We now begin to gather in some thing of our many great Debts.
I do understand Three Companies for Whale Catching are designed to fish in the River's Mouth, this season, and find through the great Plenty of fish they may begin early. A Fish- erman this Year found the way to catch Whiteins in this River, and it's expected many sorts of fish more than hath been yet caught may be taken by the skilful. Fish are in such plenty that many sorts on tryal, have been taken with Nets in the Winter time: The Sweeds laughing at the English for going to try, have since tried themselves. The River so big, and full of several sorts of brave fish, that it is believed, except frozen over, we may catch any time in the Winter. It's a great pity, but two or three experienced Fishermen were here to Ply this River to salt and serve fresh to the Town. A good way to Pickle Sturgion is wanting; such abundance in the River, even before the Town: many are Catcht, Boyld and Eaten. Last Winter great plenty of Dear brought in by the Indians and English from the Country. We are generally very Well and Healthy here, but abundance Dead in Maryland this Summer.
The manufacture of Linnen by the Germans goes on finely, and they make fine Linnen: Samuel Carpenter having been lately there, declares they had gathered one Crop of Flax, and had sowed for the Second and saw it come up well: And they say, might have had forewarder and better, had they had old seed, and not stay'd so long for the Growth of new seed to sow again. And I may believe it, for large hath my experience
1 The Bank Meeting House of the Friends, built in 1685-1686 for the after- noon meetings, was at the north end of the town on the west side of Front Street, then the principal thoroughfare, just above Mulberry (now Arch) Street. This structure was replaced, evidently in 1703, Isaac Norris writing in that year that there was "a new house built in the place where the old bank meeting House Stood."
' In Germantown.
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been this Years, though in a small peece of Ground, to the ad- miration of many.
I thought fit to signify this much, knowing thou wouldst be glad to hear of thy People and Provinces welfare; the Lord preserve us all, and make way for thy return, which is much desired, not only by our Friends but all sorts. I am, etc., thy truly Loving Friend,
ROBERT TURNER.1
Of Further Improvements for Trade and Commerce.
These things that we have in prospect for Staples of Trade, are Wine, Linnen, Hemp, Potashes and Whale Oyle; to say nothing of our Provisions for the Islands, our Saw Mills, Stur- geon, some Tobacco, and our Furs and Skins, which of them- selves are not contemptible; I might add Iron (perhaps Copper too), for there is much Mine; and it will be granted us that we want no Wood, although I must confess I cannot tell how to help preferring a domestick or self subsistance to a life of much profit, by the extream Toy of forraign Traffick.
Advice to Adventurers how to imploy their Estates, with fair profit.
It is fit now, that I give some Advertisement to Advent- urers, which way they may lay out their Money to best advan- tage, so as it may yield them fair returns, and with content to
1Robert Turner (1635-1700), one of the wealthiest and most prominent mer- chants of the Philadelphia of that day, was a native of Cambridge, England; joined the early Quaker movement in Ireland, suffering in consequence fines and imprisonment; acquired large means as a Dublin linen draper; became one of the New Jersey proprietors by the purchase (1) in 1677, with other Irish Friends, of a share of West New Jersey and, (2) in 1681, along with the Earl of Perth, Penn, Barclay, and others, of the whole of East New Jersey. As a friend of Penn he entered largely into the Pennsylvania enterprise, buying 5000 acres of land in the province and subscribing £500 for stock of the Free Society of Traders. In 1683 with his family and seventeen servants he came over to Pennsylvania in the ship Lyon and established his residence on his Philadelphia lot at the southwest corner of Front and Mulberry (Arch) streets, where in 1684, as he states, he built the first brick house in the city, as well as a wharf, called Mount Wharf, on his lot facing the river, one of the first three wharves of Philadelphia. He served as judge, receiver general, commissioner of property, provincial councillor, and as one of the five commissioners governing the province. In the Keith schism he joined the Keithites.
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all concerned, which is the last part of my present task; and I must needs say so much wanting, that it has perhaps given some occasion to ignorance and prejudice to run without mercy, measure or distinction against America, of which Penn- sylvania to be sure has had its share.
1. It is agreed on all hands, that the Poor are the Hands and Feet of the Rich. It is their labour that Improves Coun- tries; and to encourage them, is to promote the real benefit of the publick. Now as there are abundance of these people in many parts of Europe, extreamly desirous of going to America; so the way of helping them thither, or when there, and the return thereof to the Disbursers, will prove what I say to be true.
2. There are two sorts, such as are able to transport them- selves and Families, but have nothing to begin with there; and those that want so much as to transport themselves and Families thither.
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3. The first of these may be entertained in this manner. Say I have 5000 Acres, I will settle Ten Families upon them, in way of Village, and built each an house, an out house for Cattle, furnish every Family with Stock, as four Cows, two Sows, a couple of Mares, and a yoke of Oxen, with a Town Horse, Bull and Boar; I find them with Tools, and give each their first Ground-seed. They shall continue Seven Year, or more, as we agree, at half encrease, being bound to leave the Houses in repair, and a Garden and Orchard, I paying for the Trees and at least twenty Acres of Land within Fence and im- proved to corn and grass; the charge will come to about sixty pounds English for each Family: At the seven years end, the Improvement will be worth, as things go now, 120 l. besides the value of the encrease of the Stock, which may be neer as much more, allowing for casualties; especially, if the People are honest and careful, or a man be upon the spot himself, or have an Overseer sometimes to inspect them. The charge in the whole is 832 l. And the value of stock and improvements 2400 l. I think I have been modest in my computation. These Farms are afterwarde fit for Leases at full rent, or how else the Owner shall please to dispose of them. Also the People will by this time be skilled in the Country, and well provided to settle themselves with stock upon their own Land.
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4. The other sort of poor people may be very beneficially transported upon these terms: Say I have 5000 Acres I should settle as before, I will give to each Family 100 Acres which in the whole makes 1000; and to each Family thirty pounds English, half in hand, and half there, which in the whole comes to 300 l. After four years are expired, in which time they may be easie, and in a good condition, they shall each of them pay five pounds, and so yearly for ever, as a Fee-farm rent; which in the whole comes to 50 l. a Year. Thus a man that buys 5000 Acres may secure and settle his 4000 by the gift of one, and in a way that hazard and interest allowed for, amounts to at least ten per cent. upon Land security, besides the value it puts upon the rest of the 5000 Acres. I propose that there be at least two working hands besides the wife; whether son or servant; and that they oblige what they carry; and for further security bind themselves as servants for some time, that they will settle the said land accordingly and when they are once seated their improvements are security for the Rent.
5. There is yet another expedient, and that is, give to ten Families 1000 Acres for ever, at a small acknowledgement, and settle them in way of Village, as afore; by their seating thus, the Land taken up is secured from others, because the method of the Country is answered, and the value such a settlement gives to the rest reserved, is not inconsiderable; I mean, the 4000 Acres; especially that which is Contiguous: For their Children when grown up, and Handicrafts will soon covet to fix next them, and such after settlements to begin at an Im- proved Rent in Fee, or for long Leases, or small Acknowledge- ments, and good Improvements, must advance the whole con- siderably. I conceive any of these methods to issue in a sufficient advantage to Adventurers, and they all give good encouragement to feeble and poor Families.
6. That which is most advisable for People, intended thither, to carry with them, is in short all things relating to Apparel, Building, Housholdstuf, Husbandry, Fowling and Fishing. Some Spice, Spirits and double ear, at first were not a miss: But I advise all to proportion their Estates thus; one-third in Money, and two thirds in Goods. Upon pieces of eight, there will be almost a third gotten, for they go at 6 s. and by goods well bought, at least fifty pounds sterl. for every
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hundred pounds; so that a man worth 400 l. here, is worth 600 l. there, without sweating.
Of the Natives.
1. Because many Stories have been prejudicially propa- gated, as if we were upon ill terms with the Natives, and some- times, like Jobs Kindred, all cut off but the Messenger that brought the Tidings; I think it requisite to say thus much, that as there never was any such Messenger, so the dead People were alive, at our last advices; so far are we from ill terms with the Natives, that we have liv'd in great friendship. I have made seven Purchasses, and in Pay and Presents they have received at least twelve hundred pounds of me. Our humanity has obliged them so far, that they generally leave their guns at home, when they come to our settlements; they offer us no affront, not so much as to one of our Dogs; and if any of them break our Laws, they submit to be punisht by them: and to this they have tyed themselves by an obliga- tion under their hands. We leave not the least indignity to them unrebukt, nor wrong unsatisfied. Justice gains and aws them. They have some Great Men amongst them, I mean for Wisdom, Truth and Justice. I refer to my former Account about their Laws Manners and Religious Rites.
Of the Government.
The Government is according to the words of the Grant, as near to the English as conveniently may be: In the whole, we aim at Duty to the King, the Preservation of Right to all, the suppression of Vice, and encouragement of Vertue and Arts; with Liberty to all People to worship Almighty God, according to their Faith and Perswasion.
Of the Seasons of Going, and usual time of Passage. ‘
1. The Ships go hence at all times of the Year, it must be acknowledged, that to go so as to arrive at Spring or Fall, is best. For the Summer may be of the hottest, for fresh Com- mers, and in the Winter, the wind that prevails, is the North West, and that blows off the Coast, so that sometimes it is difficult to enter the Capes.
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2. I propose therefore, that Ships go hence about the mid- dle of the moneths call'd February and August, which allowing two moneths for passage reaches time enough to plant in the Spring such things as are carried hence to plant, and in the Fall to get a small Cottage, and clear some Land against the next Spring. I have made a discovery of about a hundred Miles West, and find those back Lands richer in Soyl, Woods and Fountains, then that by Delaware; especially upon the Sasquehannah River.
3. I must confess I prefer the Fall to come thither, as be- lieving it is more healthy to be followed with Winter then Summer; tho, through the great goodness and mercy of God we have had an extraordinary portion of health, for so new and numerous a Colony, notwithstanding we have not been so regular in time.
4. The Passage is not to be set by any man; for Ships will be quicker and slower, some have been four moneths, and some but one, and as often. Generally between six and nine weeks. One year, of four and twenty Sayl, I think, there was not three above nine, and there was one or two under six weeks in passage.
5. To render it more healthy, it is good to keep as much upon Deck as may be; for the Air helps against the offensive smells of a Crowd, and a close place. Also to scrape often the Cabbins, under the Beds; and either carry store of Rue and Wormwood; and some Rosemary, or often sprinkle Vineger about the Cabbin. Pitch burnt, is not amiss sometimes against faintness and infectious scents. I speak my experience for their benefit and direction that may need it.
And because some has urged my coming back, as an argu- ment against the place, and the probability of its improv- ment; Adding, that I would for that reason never return; I think fit to say, That Next Summer, God willing, I intend to go back, and carry my Family, and the best part of my Per- sonal Estate with me. And this I do, not only of Duty, but Inclination and Choice. God will Bless and Prosper poor America.
I shall conclude with this further Notice, that to the end such as are willing to embrace any of the foregoing proposi- tions for the Improvement of Adventurers Estates, may not
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be discouraged, from an inability to find such Land-Lords, Tennants, Masters and Servants, if they intimate their desires to my friend and Agent Philip Ford, living in Bow-Lane in London, they may in all probability be well accommodated; few of any quality or capacity, designed to the Province, that do not inform him of their inclinations and condition.
Now for you that think of going thither, I have this to say, by way of caution; if an hair of our heads falls not to the ground, without the providence of God, Remember, your Removal is of greater moment. Wherefore have a due rever- ence and regard to his good Providence, as becomes a People that profess a belief in Providence. Go clear in yourselves, and of all others. Be moderate in Expectation, count on Labour before a Crop, and Cost before Gain, for such persons will best endure difficulties, if they come, and bear the Success, as well as find the Comfort that usually follow such considerate undertakings.
Worminghurst Place, 12th - of the 10th Month 85.
WILLIAM PENN.
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LETTER OF DOCTOR NICHOLAS MORE, I686
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INTRODUCTION
OF the collection of seven letters from Pennsylvania put forth by Penn in the pamphlet here reproduced, the initial one by Dr. Nicholas More, which appears in full, occupying nearly one-half of the space, is of most interest and deservedly gives title to the piece. The other letters, however, although simply in the form of abstracts, contain items of value and-barring that of the Pennsbury gardener-are by men of like prom- inence in the governmental affairs of the province; but notice of them is reserved for the notes. Attention now is devoted to the writer of the most important letter alone.
Dr. More was a personage. He was not only the first speaker of the provincial assembly, held at Chester in Decem- ber, 1682, but he has even the greater distinction of being the first (1684-1685) of the long and illustrous line of chief jus- tices of Pennsylvania. In 1686 he was appointed by Penn one of the five commissioners to govern the province. He was, moreover, a great landowner, having in his tenure the manor of Moreland, a tract of 10,000 acres of land in Philadelphia County, adjacent to the Bucks County line. This territory, which now covers the greater part of Moreland Township, Montgomery County, was granted to him as a barony, entitling him to hold a court baron and a court leet and to take view of frankpledge. These feudal privileges, however, he never exer- cised. Adjoining his manor on the south was his country- seat "Green Spring," located about thirteen miles northeast of the Philadelphia of that day and about a half mile west of the present Somerton. It was here on September 13, 1686, that he wrote his letter and it was here that he obtained the agricultural results he describes.
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Concerning Dr. More's parentage and other details of his early life nothing is really known, although the evidence seems to point to origin from an armigerous family. Born about 1638, probably in London, he became a physician of that city, living there until his removal to Pennsylvania. In 1670 he was a resident of the parish of St. Gregory's, London, his marriage occurring that year, in the church of St. Dunstans- in-the-East. His bride, a girl of sixteen, only one half his years, was Mary Hedge, of St. Catherine Coleman, daughter | of Samuel Hedge, merchant.
His brother-in-law, Samuel Hedge, had preceded him to America in 1675, as a settler with John Fenwick at Salem in West New Jersey, becoming the husband of the latter's daugh- ter Ann. Doubtless thus early through this relative Dr. More would become familiar with the possibilities of the region of the Delaware and would thus be all the more disposed six years later to take up with Penn's project. At all events, before October, 1681, Dr. More had acquired the title to the 10,000 acres of land, which later was located as his manor of Moreland, and early in 1682 he had subscribed £ 300 to the stock of the Free Society of Traders. Of this company he was made the first president at a salary of £ 150 per annum.
In September, 1682, with his family and fifty servants of the Society, he sailed from London in the ship Geoffrey or Jeffries, and after a quick passage of nearly a month, reached Pennsylvania about the time of William Penn's arrival. He made his first location on the Society lot in Front Street, Philadelphia, but by the early part of 1684 had given up his office as president, and soon settled upon his plantation of "Green Spring."
Although a man apparently of good abilities he was a non- Quaker, out of sympathy with members of that sect, who then made up the majority of the governing class. After the early part of 1685 he suffered from ill health. He was, besides, a
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INTRODUCTION
man of a somewhat haughty and arbitrary temper. Those handicaps, for a time at least, made his tenure of office very uncomfortable. In 1685 he fell so much under the displeasure of the assembly that the latter body presented articles of im- peachment against him to the council, charging him with "assuming to himselfe an unlimited and unlawful Power." Towards the close of his life he became financially embarrassed and at his death in 1687 his estate was disposed of by the sheriff.
An original copy of the pamphlet, which was printed in London, in 1687, as a quarto of nine pages, is in the John Carter Brown Library at Providence. A reprint, appearing in the Pennsylvania Magazine, IV. 445-453 (1880), is the basis of that which follows.
A. C. M.
note how he is so 1 astoraded by crop :
yields. the tobo must
have been a real contrast with anch prod. from other cooks , tubo. never had a chance
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LETTER OF DOCTOR NICHOLAS MORE, I686
A Letter from Doctor More with Passages out of Several Letters from Persons of Good Credit, Relating to the State and Im- provement of the Province of Pennsilvania. Published to prevent false Reports. Printed in the year 1687.
The Preface.
Divers false Reports going about Town and Country, to the Injury of the Province of Pennsilvania, I was prevailed with by some concerned in that Province, and others that desire the truth of things, to Publish such of the last Letters as made mention of the State of the Country; to serve for answer to the Idle and Unjust Stories that the Malice of some invent, and the Credulity of others prepare them to receive against it; which is all the part I take in this present Publica- tion.
WILLIAM PENN.
A Letter from Dr. More.
Honored Governour.
I have seen a Letter from your hand, directed to me, among many in this Province, which came by Captain Richard Di- mond:" It was in all respect welcome to me, and more particu- larly, for that you make mention of your coming to us again, with your Family; a thing so much desired by all in these parts, and more particularly by my self. But I fear that Madam Penn should give too much credit to the evil Reports that I do understand are given out by many Enemies to this new Colony, as if we were ready to Famish, and that the Land
" Captain Richard Diamond, or Dymond, of the parish of Bermondsey, Surrey, England, master of the ship Amity, of London, voyaging to Pennsylvania in 1682, 1685, and 1686, arrived in Pennsylvania 5 mo. 15th of the latter year,
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is so barren, the Climet so hot, that English Grain, Roots and Herbs do not come to Maturity; and what grows, to be little worth. How untrue all these things are you well know; but we that have seen our handy Work, accompanied with God's blessing upon it, since your departure from us, are able to say something more to encourage you to return to us again. You know, that when you went for England, there was an indif- ferent plenty of most things, and that many hundred Families were clearing of Land to Sow and Plant, as I was also doing; since that, our Lands have been grateful to us, and have be- gun to reward our Labours by abounding Crops of Corn this Year. But to give you to understand the full of our Condi- tion, with respect to Provision in this Province; we had last Fall, and the Winter, abundance of good fresh Pork in our Market at two Pence half-penny per pound, of this Country Money, which is an English two Pence; Beef at the same rate; the like is this Year; and Butter for six Pence per Pound; Wheat for four Shillings per Bushel; Rye three Shill- ings; and now all this Summer Wheat is at three Shillings, and three Shillings 6 Pence; Rye at eight Groats, and half a Crown; Indian-Corn seven Groats, and two Shillings this Country Money still; so that there is now some Corn Trans- ported from this River. Doctor Butler has bought two hun- dred Bushels of Wheat at three Shillings six Pence, to Trans- port, and several others, so that some Thousands of Bushels are Transported this Season, and when this Crop that now is gathered is Threshed, it is supposed that it will be abundantly cheaper than now it is, for there has been abundance of Corn this Year in every Plantation.
The last year I did plant about twelve Acres of Indian Corn, and when it came off the Ground, I did only cause the Ground to be Harrowed, and upon that I did sow both Wheat and Rye, at which many Laughed, saying, That I could not expect any Corn from what I had sowed, the Land wanting more Labour; yet I had this Year as good Wheat and Rye upon it, as was to be found in any other place, and that very bright Corn. I have had a good Crop of Barley and Oats and whereas my People did not use my Barley well, so that much was shed upon the Ground, I caused it immediately to be Plowed in, and is now growing, keeping a good Colour, and I am in hope
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