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M. L
1
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Gc 974.8 M21p 1135817
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01144 8864
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/pioneeroutlinehi00mckn 0
A PIONEER OUTLINE HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
WILLIAM JAMES MCKNIGHT
1780 1850
A
PIONEER OUTLINE HISTORY -
northwestern Pennsylvania OF
EMBRACING
THE COUNTIES OF TIOGA, POTTER, MCKEAN, WARREN, CRAWFORD, VENANGO, FOREST, CLARION, ELK, JEFFERSON, CAMERON, BUTLER, LAWRENCE, AND MERCER
ALSO
A PIONEER SKETCH OF THE CITIES OF ALLEGHENY, BEAVER, DU BOIS, AND TOWANDA
ftly First Recollections of Brookville, Pennsylvania, 1840:1843, when my feet mere bare and my cheeks were brown
BY W. J. McKNIGHT, M.D. BROOKVILLE, PA ..
AUTHOR OF "MY FIRST RECOLLECTIONS OF BROOKVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA. " "RECOLLECTIONS OF RIDGWAY, PENNSYLVANIA," ALSO OF THE "PIONEER HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA''
Philadelphia PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 1905
F5
COPYRIGHT, 1905 BY W. J. McKNIGHT, M.D.
1135817
THESE PAGES ARE
AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED TO MRS. MARY (McKNIGHT) TEMPLETON
Née THOMPSON
Mac Manus- $15.00
PREFACE
To write a pioneer history years and years after all the fathers and mothers have gone to that " country from whose bourn no traveller returns" is a task to appall the most courageous. To say it mildly, it is a task requiring a vast amount of labor and research, untiring perseverance, great patience, and discrimination. In undertaking this task I realized its magnitude, and all through the work I have determined that, if labor, patience, and perse- verance would overcome error and false traditions and establish the truth, the object of this book would be fully attained. This book is not written for gain, nor to laud or puff either the dead or the living. It is designed to be a plain, truthful narrative of pioneer men and events in the northwest.
I have compiled, wherever I could, from the writings of others. This book it is hoped will enable you to
"Lift the twilight curtains of the past And, turning from familiar sight and sound, Sadly and full of reverence, cast A glance upon tradition's shadowy ground."
To accomplish this I have taken no account of travel, time, or expense, expecting all that to be a financial loss, but only working and desiring to make a true, reliable history.
I am indebted to the following historical works,-viz., " Jefferson County Atlas," " Jefferson County History," Day's " Historical Recollections," Egle's " History of Pennsylvania," McKnight's pioneer history, and histories of Butler, Crawford, Clarion, Cameron, Elk, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Mckean. Venango, Tioga, Potter, and Warren.
I am also indebted to J. Sutton Wall for map tracings, and to the State Report of Public Instruction of 1877.
5
PREFACE
A few errors in the " Pioneer History of Jefferson County" have since been discovered, and are corrected in this work.
In every instance, as far as possible, credit has been given to the writing's of those who have preceded me. But, dear reader,
"Whoever thinks a faultless work to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be. In every work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend, And if the means be just, the conduct true, Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due."
BROOKVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, 1905.
W. J. MCKNIGHT.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY-TIMES, PRIVILEGES, SOCIAL HABITS OF THE PIONEERS, CHRISTIANITY PAGE OF THOSE DAYS, ETC. I7
CHAPTER II
OUR ABORIGINES-THE IROQUOIS, OR SIX NATIONS-INDIAN TOWNS, VILLAGES, GRAVEYARDS, CUSTOMS, DRESS, HUTS, MEDICINES, DOCTORS, BARK-PEELERS, BURIALS, ETC. 22
CHAPTER III
CORNPLANTER-OUR CHIEF -- CHIEF OF THE SENECAS, ONE OF THE SIX NATIONS- BRIEF HISTORY-SOME SPEECHES-LIFE AND DEATH 48
CHAPTER IV
THE PURCHASE OF 1784 AT FORT STANWIX (NOW ROME), NEW YORK 55
CHAPTER V
TITLES AND SURVEYS-PIONEER SURVEYS AND SURVEYORS-DISTRICT LINES-LAWS. REFERENCES, AND REPORTS-STREAMS AND HIGHWAYS-DONATION LANDS . ...... 76
CHAPTER VI
PIONEER ANIMALS-BEAVERS, BUFFALOES, ELKS, PANTHERS, WOLVES, WILD-CATS, BEARS, AND OTHER ANIMALS-HABITS, ETC .- PENS AND TRAPS-BIRDS-WILD BEES 107
CHAPTER VII
BILL LONG, THE " KING HUNTER"-THE HUNTER OF HUNTERS IN THIS WILDERNESS -- SOME OF THE ADVENTURES AND LIFE OF " BILL LONG" FROM HIS CHILDHOOD UNTIL HE WAS SEVENTY YEARS OLD 156
CHAPTER VIII
THE OLD STATE ROAD -- EARLY ROADS AND TRAILS-WHY THE STATE ROAD WAS MADE-THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE ROAD-LAWS, ETC., TOUCHING THE SUBJECT-THE SURVEY-THE ROAD COMPLETED-THE ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE WHICH SANCTIONED THE BUILDING OF THE ROAD 18
7
CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX
PAGE
PROVISION FOR OPENING A ROAD-REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO THE GOVERNOR -- STREAMS, ETC. 19.4
CHAPTER X
PIONEER SETTLEMENT OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA-PIONEER PENNSYLVANIA INDIAN TRADERS-THE PIONEER ROAD BY WAY OF THE SOUTH BRANCH OF THE POTO- MAC AND THE VALLEY OF THE KISKIMINITAS-THE PIONEER ROAD FROM EAST TO WEST, FROM RAYSTOWN (NOW BEDFORD) TO FORT DUQUESNE (NOW PITTS- BURG), A MILITARY NECESSITY-GENERAL JOHN FORBES OPENS IT IN THE SUM- MER AND FALL OF 1758-COLONEL GEORGE WASHINGTON OPPOSED TO THE NEW ROAD AND IN FAVOR OF THE POTOMAC ROAD-DEATH OF GENERAL JOHN FORBES -PIONEER MAIL .- COACHES, MAIL-ROUTES, AND POST-OFFICES 199
CHAPTER XI
SUSQUEHANNA AND WATERFORD TURNPIKE-THE OLD TOLL-GATES ALONG THE ROUTE-A FULL HISTORY OF THE OLD TURNPIKE 211
CHAPTER XII
PIONEER AGRICULTURE-HOW THE FARMERS IN THE OLDEN TIME HAD TO MAKE SHIFT-THE PIONEER HOMES-PIONEER FOOD-PIONEER EVENING FROLICS- TREES, SNAKES, AND REPTILES-SOLDIERS OF 1812-PIONEER LEGAL RELATIONS OF MAN AND WIFE-EARLY AND PIONEER MUSIC-THE FIRST SCREW FACTORY -POPULATION OF THE STATE AND OF THE UNITED STATES 217
CHAPTER XIII
PIONEER MISSIONARY WORK, PIONEER CHURCHES, ORGANIZATION, ETC .- REV. JOHN JAMIESON AND OTHERS-SYNODS AND PREACHERS 256
CHAPTER XIV
PIONEER CIRCUIT COURTS-PIONEER CIRCUIT JUDGES-PRESIDENT AND ASSOCIATES-
PIONEER BAR AND EARLY LAWYERS ...
284
CHAPTER XV
THE PIONEER DOCTOR IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA-BROOKVILLE'S PIONEER RESURRECTION ; OR, WHO SKINNED THE NIGGER ?- THE TRUE STORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE STATE ANATOMICAL LAW 288
CHAPTER XVI
WHITE SLAVERY-ORIGIN-NATURE IN ROME, GREECE, AND EUROPE-AFRICAN SLAVERY IN PENNSYLVANIA-GEORGE BRYAN-PIONEER COLORED SETTLER IN JEFFERSON COUNTY-CENSUS, ETC .- DAYS OF BONDAGE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND THE NORTHWEST . .. . .................................................. . 310
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVII .
PAGE
PIONEER MONEY 342
CHAPTER XVIII
" SCOTCH-IRISH"-ORIGIN OF THE TERM UNDER JAMES I .- LORDS AND LAIRDS- EARLY SETTLERS IN PENNSYLVANIA 346
CHAPTER XIX
THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM-ITS INCEPTION-INTRODUCTION INTO AMERICA- STATE EFFORT-HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN THE STATE-PROGRESS OF EDUCA- TION, ETC. 349
CHAPTER XX
STATISTICS OF 1840 36
CHAPTER XXI
MY FIRST RECOLLECTIONS OF BROOKVILLE 376
CHAPTER XXII
PIONEER PREACHERS AND CHURCHES IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 421
CHAPTER XXIII
ODD FELLOWSHIP IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 434
CHAPTER XXIV
PIONEER NEWSPAPERS IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 438
CHAPTER XXV
BUTLER COUNTY-COUNTY ERECTED-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-PIONEER ROADS. SETTLERS, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, COURTS, OFFICERS, TOWNS, AND BOROUGHS- INDIAN TRAILS-TOWNSHIPS-MARKETING-MAILS 444
CHAPTER XXVI
CRAWFORD COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-TRAILS- ROADS-SETTLERS -LAKES -THE MEADS-TURNPIKE-HOLLAND COMPANY - CHURCHES-CANALS-BOATING-ANIMALS-OIL-ELKS-PIGEONS-SALT WELL- WEEKLY MAIL-MURDER-LAWYERS-VILLAGES-SOLDIERS OF 1812-BOROUGHS- STAGE ROUTE
456
9
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXVII
PAGE
CLARION COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-ROADS- COURTS-TURNPIKES-EDUCATION-CHURCHES-SETTLERS-PIONEER CONDITIONS -JUDGE CLOVER-TRAILS-CAPTAIN SAM BRADY-LUMBERING-FURNACES-RIVER -- STOREKEEPER 474
CHAPTER XXVIII
CAMERON COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-COURTS- OFFICERS-TRAILS AND ROADS-SETTLERS-TRANSPORTATION-WHISKEY-ANI- MALS-JOHN BROOKS-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-NEWSPAPERS-THE CLAFFLIN GIRLS-DESPERADOES-STORES-TOWNSHIPS-INDIAN ATROCITIES 486
CHAPTER XXIX
ELK COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-PIONEER ROADS, SETTLERS, COURTS, OFFICERS, LAWYERS, CHURCHES, AND SCHOOLS-JUDGE GILLIS -REV. JONATHAN NICHOLS-MILLS-TANNERY-BOATS AND RAFTING-ANIMALS AND HUNTERS-STAGING-PIONEER COAL MINING .494
CHAPTER XXX
FOREST COUNTY (OLD)-FORMATION OF COUNTY-COUNTY SEAT-PIONEERS-PIO- NEER ROADS AND PATHS-PIONEER ELECTIONS, MAILS, AND OFFICES-BOAT- BUILDING 518
CHAPTER XXXI
JEFFERSON COUNTY-FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION-PIONEER SETTLERS-TREES- JOSEPH BARNETT-INDIAN NAMES OF STREAMS-WAGONS-ROADS-STORES- MURDERS-COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL-PHYSICIANS-MILITIA-BRIDGES-ASSESS- MENT AND SETTLERS-OLD FOLKS' PICNIC 531
CHAPTER XXXII
LAWRENCE COUNTY-WHEN ERECTED-COUNTY SEAT LOCATED -- PIONEER COURT, SET- TLER, OFFICERS, MAILS, ROADS, SCHOOLS, BOROUGHS, CHURCHES, AND PREACHER -REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER SETTLERS 558
CHAPTER XXXIII
MCKEAN COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-OFFICERS- ROADS-PIONEER SETTLERS-INDIAN NAMES OF STREAMS-HUNTERS-SLAVES- HARDSHIPS-LANDS, ETC. 569
CHAPTER XXXIV
MERCER COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-SETTLERS -COURTS-OFFICERS-MAILS-COUNTY ROADS-DOCTORS-INDUSTRIES-SCHOOLS
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXXV
PAGE
POTTER COUNTY-ERECTION-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-COURTS AND OFFICERS-
SETTLERS-ROADS-HARDSHIPS-ANIMALS AND HUNTERS-ALLEGHENY RIVER, ETC. 592
CHAPTER XXXVI
TIOGA COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-SETTLERS- ROADS - COURTS - REDEMPTIONERS - CHURCHES - SCHOOLS - STREAMS - IN- DIAN TRAILS-HUNTERS-INDIAN CAPTIVES-ANIMALS, HABITS, CUSTOMS, ETC .. . 607
CHAPTER XXXVII
VENANGO COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT-TRAILS, PATHS, ROADS, AND TURNPIKES-SETTLERS-STORES-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES -CANALS-STEAMBOATS-MAILS-MERCHANTS-RAILROADS-SENECA OIL-WAR
. . OF 1812 621
CHAPTER XXXVIII
WARREN COUNTY-FORMATION OF COUNTY-SETTLERS-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT- COURTS-PATHS AND ROADS-RIVER TRAVEL-LUMBERING-INDIANS-SLAVERY- CORNPLANTER RESERVATION-CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-STAGE TRAVEL, ETC .. .... 637
CHAPTER XXXIX
ALLEGHENY CITY-BEAVER CITY-DU BOIS CITY-TOWANDA CITY 659
APPENDIX
SOME LOCAL HISTORY-A LINCOLN STORY-THE MEMORABLE CAMPAIGN OF 1864- THE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE-EARLY POSTAL ROUTES AND RIDES-PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM OF RAILROADS-PIONEER RAILROADS IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA -ALLEGHENY RAILROADS-BUFFALO, ROCHESTER AND PITTSBURG RAILROAD-THE ABDUCTION OF WILLIAM MORGAN-ARREST AND TRIAL OF JAMES L. GILLIS, AND WHAT BECAME OF MORGAN, ETC. 669
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
WILLIAM JAMES McKNIGHT Frontispiece
NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA IN 1780 18
CAPTAIN GEORGE SMOKE AND JOHN SMOKE (SENECA INDIANS) 26
INDIANS MOVING 28
INDIAN STOCKADE (BARK HOUSES)
43
GY-ANT-WA-KA (THE CORNPLANTER)
49
BEAVER 108
BUFFALO (AMERICAN BISON )
III
ELK
II4
GRAY OR TIMBER WOLF OF PENNSYLVANIA
118
PENNSYLVANIA BEAR
I2I
DEER AND FAWN IN MAHONING CREEK
126
PORCUPINE
129
WILD-CAT
I3I
RIVER OTTER
132
RED FOX
I33
OPOSSUM (COLORED PLATE)
134
SQUIRREL
I35
RAVEN
I37
BALD EAGLE
138
WILD TURKEY
139
BLUE-JAY (COLORED PLATE)
140
CROW
143
WOODPECKER
1.44
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK
146
AMERICAN GOSHAWK
147
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
148
WILD PIGEON 149
GROUSE OR PHEASANT 149
BELTED KINGFISHER
150
HUMMING BIRDS 150
STRAW BEE-SCAP 151
157
BILL LONG, KING HUNTER
LONG FIRES AT A PANTHER
160
I3
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
COMMON BROWN BEAR
BEAR AND CUBS
FEMALE PANTHER
174 175
DRIVING LOGS
192
CONESTOGA WAGON
195
EARLY BARN
212
PORT BARNETT
214
1824-50
215
CLEARING LAND
219
LARGE SPINNING-WHEEL
222
FLAX-BRAKE
223
SPINNING-WHEEL, REEL, AND BED-WARMER
224
OX-YOKE AND TIN LANTERN
225 234
COPPERHEAD
235
RATTLESNAKE PETE CATCHING RATTLERS
237
DR. FERD. HOFFMAN, OF BROOKVILLE 238
PETER GRUBER TAKING POISON FROM A RATTLER
240
BLACKSNAKE
24I
PIONEER CABIN
251
JAMES MCCURDY
253
CABIN BARN
255
BRANDING SLAVES
313
CHARLES BROWN SHACKLED IN BROOKVILLE JAIL, 1834
318
GOVERNOR JOSEPH RITNER
353
GOVERNOR GEORGE WOLF
355 356 357
HON. THADDEUS STEVENS
PIONEER SAW-MILL
372 376 381
BENNETT'S STAGE AND MORROW'S TEAM
MY MOTHER
384
BROOKVILLE KITCHEN, 1840
390
RAFTING ON NORTH FORK
397
WESTERN ENTRANCE TO BROOKVILLE, 1840
418
JOHN JAMIESON YPSILANTI THOMPSON
439
BUTLER, 1843
444 464
PIONEER FARM
466
MEADVILLE, 1843
CLARION, 1843 477
HON. PETER CLOVER 479
TURNING A BOAT 484
PAGE 163 164
MALE PANTHER
BANDED RATTLESNAKE
PIONEER SCHOOL-HOUSE
PIONEER COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL, 1831
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
PIONEER COURT-HOUSE, 1845
499
TAKING OUT A TIMBER STICK 504
NELSON GARDNER (A MIGHTY HUNTER) AND WIFE MARY
505
SKIDDING LOGS 508
BANKING LOGS
5II
JOSEPH SMITH HYDE
516
CYRUS BLOOD
521
COURT-HOUSE
523
JOHN CONRAD
525
RAFTING TIMBER, CLARION RIVER
527
BUILDING BOAT ON CLARION RIVER
529
ROBERT HAMILTON
546
PIONEER ACADEMY
550
OLD FOLKS' PICNIC
555
LAWRENCE COUNTY COURT-HOUSE, 1852
563
PAUL DARLING
575
MERCER, 1843
583
POTTER COUNTY PIONEER COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL
597
EDWIN HASKELL
603
MAHLON J. COLCORD
604
HEAD-WATERS OF ALLEGHENY RIVER 605
JOHN DU BOIS
608
RAFTING TO PITTSBURG ON THE ALLEGHENY RIVER
628
OLD WARREN
643
PIONEER COURT-HOUSE
652
WARREN PIONEER JUDGES
655
METHODIST CHURCH, 1835
657
ALEXANDER JOHNSTON CASSATT
661
BEAVER IN 1843
665
TONAWANDA IN 1843 667
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS PATTON 690
PIONEER RAILROAD TRAIN IN THE UNITED STATES 693
ARTHUR G. YATES 713
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
LIST OF MAPS
PAGE
VARIOUS PURCHASES FROM THE INDIANS
59
NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA (PURCHASE OF 1784) 67
DONATION LANDS IN PENNSYLVANIA (COLORED PLATE)
8.1 BUTLER COUNTY
445
CRAWFORD COUNTY
457
ERIE COUNTY
471
CLARION COUNTY
475
ELK COUNTY
495
FOREST COUNTY
519
JEFFERSON COUNTY
533
BROOKVILLE, IN JEFFERSON COUNTY
542
LAWRENCE COUNTY
559
MCKEAN COUNTY
57 [
MERCER COUNTY
58 1
POTTER COUNTY
593
TIOGA COUNTY 611
VENANGO COUNTY 623
WARREN COUNTY
639
A PIONEER OUTLINE HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY-TIMES, PRIVILEGES, SOCIAL HABITS OF THE PIONEERS, CHRIS- TIANITY OF THOSE DAYS, ETC.
" The deeds of our fathers in times that are gone, Their virtues, their prowess, the toils they endured."
AT this time all the pioneers have passed away, and the facts here given are collected from records and recollections. Every true citizen now and in the future of the northwest must ever possess a feeling of deep veneration for the brave men and courageous women who penetrated this wilderness and inaugurated civilization where savages and wild beasts reigned supreme. These heroic men and women migrated to this forest and endured all the hardships incidental to that day and life, and through these labors and tribu- lations they have transmitted to us all the comforts and conveniences of a high civilization. The graves have closed over all these pioneer men and women, and I have been deprived of the great assistance they could have been to me in writing this history.
In 1780 railroads were unknown. To-day there are in the United States one hundred and seventy thousand miles of railroad. Over these roads there were carried, in 1897, five hundred million people and six hundred million tons of freight. Employed upon them are one million men, thirty thousand loco- motives, twenty-one thousand passenger cars, seven thousand baggage cars, and one million freight cars. The total capital invested is eight billion dollars. The disbursements for labor and repairs are yearly six hundred and fifty million dollars. And now, in 1905, as a Pennsylvanian, I am proud to say our own Pennsylvania road is the greatest, the best, and most perfect in management and construction of any road in the world. We have smoking- cars, with bath-room, barber-shop, writing-desks, and library ; we have dining- cars in which are served refreshments that a Delmonico cannot surpass ; we have parlor cars with bay-windows and luxurious furniture; and we have cars with beds for sleeping soft as the " eider down."
2
17
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
In the year 1780 men were imprisoned for debt and kept in prison until the last farthing was paid. The jails of that day were but little better than dungeons. There was no woman's Christian temperance union, no woman's relief corps, no society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or children.
In 1780 domestic comforts were few. No stove had been invented. Large, deep fireplaces, with cranes, andirons, and bake-ovens, were the only
R.TRUMA
Northwestern Pennsylvania in 1780
" A savage place-as lonely and enchanted As e'er beneath a waning moon was haunted."
modes of heating and cooking. Friction-matches were unknown. If the fire of the house went out, you had to rekindle with a flint or borrow of your neighbor. I have borrowed fire. House furniture was then meagre and rough. There were no window-blinds or carpets. Rich people whitewashed their ceilings and rooms, and covered their parlor-floors with white sand. Hence the old couplet :
"' Oh, dear mother, my toes are sore A dancing over your sanded floor.'"
18
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Pine-knots, tallow-dipped candles burned in iron or brass candlesticks, and whale oil burned in iron lamps were the means for light in stores, dwell- ings, etc. Food was scarce, coarse, and of the most common kind, with no canned goods or evaporated fruits. In addition to cooking in the open fire- place, women had to spin, knit, dye, and weave all domestic cloths, there being no mills run by machinery to make woollen or cotton goods. Mrs. Winslow's soothing syrup and baby-carriages were unknown. The bride of 1790 took her wedding-trip on foot or on horseback behind the bridegroom on a " pillion."
Men wore no beards, whiskers, or moustaches, their faces being as clean shaven and as smooth as a girl's. A beard was looked upon as an abomina- tion, and fitted only for Hessians, heathen, or Turks. In 1780 not a single cigar had ever been smoked in the United States. I wish I could say that of to-day. There were no aniline dyes, no electric lights, no anæsthetics and painless surgery, no gun-cotton, no nitroglycerine, no dynamite, giant powder, audiphones, pneumatic tubes, or type-writers, no cotton-gin, no planting-machine, no mower or reaper, no hay-rake, no hay-fork, no corn- sheller, no rotary printing-press, no sewing-machine, no knitting-machine, no envelopes for letters, no india-rubber goods, coats, shoes, or cloaks, no grain-elevator except man, no artificial ice, no steel pens, no telegraph or telephone, no street-cars, no steam-mills, no daguerreotypes or photographs, no steam-ploughs, no steam-thresher (only the old hand-flail), no wind-mill, and no millionaire in the whole country. General Washington was the richest man, and he was only worth eight hundred thousand dollars.
Previous to 1800, or the settlement of Northwestern Pennsylvania, there were about nine inventions in the world,-to wit, the screw, lever, wheel, windlass, compass, gunpowder, movable type, microscopes, and telescopes. About everything else has been invented since. To-day France averages about nine thousand and the United States twelve thousand a year.
In 1800 the United States contained a population of 5,305,925.
In 1800 Philadelphia and New York were but overgrown villages, and Chicago was unknown. Books were few and costly, ignorance the rule, and authors famed the world over now were then unborn ; now we spend annually one hundred and forty million dollars for schools. Then there was no tele- graph, telephone, or submarine cable'; now the earth is girdled with telegraph wires, and we can speak face to face through the telephone a thousand miles apart, and millions of messages are sent every year under the waters of the globe. To-day in the United States an average of one to twelve telegraphic messages are sent every minute, day and night, the year through.
In 1800 emigrants to America came in sailing-vessels. Each emigrant had to provide his own food, as the vessel supplied only air and water. The trip required a period of from thirty days to three months. Now this trip can be made by the use of Jefferson County coal in less than six days. Now
19
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
ocean travel is a delight. Then canals for the passage of great ships and transatlantic steamers were unknown.
In 1800 electricity was in its infancy, and travel was by sail, foot, horse- back, and by coach. Now we have steamers, street-cars, railroads, bicycles, and horseless carriages. Gas was unheard of for stoves, streets, or lights. Pitch-pine, fat, and tallow candles gave the only light then.
In 1800 human slavery was universal, and irreligion was the order of the day. Nine out of every ten workingmen neither possessed nor ever opened a Bible. Hymn-books were unknown, and musical science had no system. Medicine was an illiterate theory, surgery a crude art, and dentistry unknown. No snap shots were thought of. Photography was not heard of. Now this science has revealed " stars invisible" and microscopic life beyond computation.
In 1800 there were but few daily papers in the world, no illustrated ones, no humorous ones, and no correspondents. Modern tunnels were unknown, and there was no steam-heating. Flint and tinder did duty for matches. Plate-glass was a luxury undreamed of. Envelopes had not been invented, and postage-stamps had not been introduced. Vulcanized rubber and celluloid had not begun to appear in a hundred dainty forms. Stationary washtubs, and even washboards, were unknown. Carpets, furniture, and household accessories were expensive. Sewing-machines had not yet supplanted the needle. Aniline colors and coal-tar products were things of the future. Stem- winding watches had not appeared ; there were no cheap watches of any kind. So it was with hundreds of the necessities of our present life.
In the social customs of our day, many minds entertain doubts whether we have made improvements upon those of our ancestors. In those days friends and neighbors could meet together and enjoy themselves, and enter into the spirit of social amusement with a hearty good-will, a geniality of manners, a corresponding depth of soul, both among the old and young, to which modern society is unaccustomed. Our ancestors did not make a special invitation the only pass to their dwellings, and they entertained those who visited them with a hospitality that is not generally practised at the present time. Guests did not assemble then to criticise the decorations, furniture, dress, manners, and surroundings of those by whom they were invited. They were sensible people, with clear heads and warm hearts; they visited each other to promote mutual enjoyment, and believed in genuine earnestness in all things. We may ignore obligations to the pioneer race, and congratulate our- selves that our lot has been cast in a more advanced era of mental and moral culture; we may pride ourselves upon the developments which have been made in science and art; but, while viewing our standard of elevation as immeasurably in advance of that of our forefathers, it would be well to emu- late their great characteristics for hospitality, honor, and integrity.
The type of Christianity of that period will not suffer by comparison with that of the present day. If the people of olden times had less for costly
20
HISTORY OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
apparel and ostentatious display, they had also more for offices of charity and benevolence; if they did not have the splendor and luxuries of wealth, they at least had no infirmaries or paupers, very few lawyers, and but little use for jails. The vain and thoughtless may jeer at their unpretending manners and customs, but in all the elements of true manhood and true womanhood it may be safely averred that they were more than the peers of the generation that now occupy their places. That race has left its impress upon our times,- whatever patriotism the present generation boasts of has descended from them. Rude and illiterate, comparatively, they may have been, but they possessed strong minds in strong bodies, made so by their compulsory self-denials, their privations and toil. It was the mission of many of them to aid and participate in the formation of this great commonwealth, and wisely and well was the mission performed. Had their descendants been more faithful to their noble teachings, harmony would now reign supreme where violence and discord now hold their sway in the land.
The pioneer times are the greenest spot in the memories of those who lived in them; the privations and hardships they then endured are consecrated things in the recollection of the survivors.
Our fathers established the first Christian, non-sectarian government in the world, and declared as the chief corner-stone of that government Christ's teaching, that all men are " born free and equal ;" love your neighbor as your- self. Since this thought has been carried into effect by our non-sectarian government, it has done more to elevate and civilize mankind in the last one hundred years than had ever been accomplished in all time before. Under the humane and inspiring influence of this grand idea put into practice, the wheels of progress, science, religion, and civilization have made gigantic strides, and our nation especially, from ocean to ocean, from arctic ice to tropic sun, is filled with smiling, happy homes, rich fields, blooming gardens, and bright firesides, made such by Christian charity carried into national and State con- stitutional enactment.
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