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Adam Frelsen
一
ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF
GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHY
OF THE
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
WITH A COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY
A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation
ILLUSTRATED
"By universal consent biography is the most fascinating form of literature, its charm growing out of the fact that it is the story of life. The books that have ushered in new epochs for society have generally been biographies." -REV. NEWELL DWIGHT HILLIS.
VOLUME I.
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY NEW YORK CHICAGO
1904
PREFACE.
In the preparation of the following pages of the Encyclopedia of Genealogy and Biography of the State of Pennsylvania with a Com- pendium of History from its earliest settlements to the present, a new and novel combination of historical materials has been effected. the purpose of which will be apparent on even a hasty perusal of the con- tents. The authors recognize the existence of many standard treatises on the political, social and material unfolding and development of this great commonwealth, and every school boy is more or less familiar with the deeds of the great men and the onward sweep of events which ma- terialized in the great state of Pennsylvania. But the Pennsylvania of to-day holds a yet more important place in the history of the nation than at any time in the past, is now, as a score of years ago. the "keystone" in politics, as also in the great industrial and manufacturing forces which dominate the trade of the world, and, furthermore, in social and intellectual progress and attainment.
The Greater Pennsylvania is, therefore, of To-day, not of Yester- day. Its potentiality exists not alone in its material resources, its extent of domain, its latent agricultural, mineral and commercial wealth, but in its Citizens-the men who dig and delve and sow and reap, who toil in the hives of industry and manufacture, who hold the marts of trade. who teach and minister unto others, and those who carry out the public will and as chosen servants guide the craft of state.
The true perspective and symmetry of history will. in the opinion of the authors, be best secured. not only by a concise recital of the facts
1782379
iv
PREFACE.
concerning the glorious past of Pennsylvania. last more so by a biographical record of the men of the present time whose careers have made them conspicuous among their fellows, whose deeds and lives have lifted them to the high plane of success, and who stand as representa- tives of the present day greatness of the State of Pennsylvania. If. as Carlyle says, "history is the essence of innumerable biographies." the true position of Pennsylvania among her sister states cannot be better portrayed than by the narrative of the personal careers of her repre- tentative sers whose names will be found on the following pages.
It is with the foregoing facts as a theme that the general plan and scope of this history has been evolved. In the compilation of the state history the recognized authorities have been freely consulted and public and private archives have been laid under contribution. Notwithstand- ing the mass of details Tardening the main course of events, the editors have exercised a most judicious care in the selection of facts and in preserving a proper historical balance, with the result that a concise. straightforward, vet comprehensive and authentic record of Pennsyl- vania's history from the time of its first settlements to the present has leen set before the reader, with pregnant and succinct chapters on the present status of social, political, industrial and other phases of life.
In the biographical portion of the volumes, which serves as the complement and a most important adjunct to the state history. it has been the constant aim of the authors to discriminate carefully in regard to the selection of subjects in order that a truly representative and diver- sified personal history might be given of the men who have been the most prominent factors in the public, social and industrial development of their respective sections of the commonwealth. Great pains have been taken to secure accuracy, and nothing has been left andone that might adel to the completeness and value of these volumes.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Earliest Explorations and Settlements-Pennsylvania the Colony, CHAPTER II.
From the Beginning of the French and English Wars to the Revo- lution, 51
CHAPTER III.
Troubles with Connecticut, 74
CHAPTER IV.
The Period of the Revolution. 79
CHAPTER V.
Pennsylvania as One of the United States, 1787-1812,
123
CHAPTER VI.
1.41
War of 1812-1815, CHAPTER VII.
The Commonwealth from 1815-1860, 147
CHAPTER VIII.
Pennsylvania During the War of 1861-1865. CHAPTER IN. 169
Pennsylvania from the Civil War to the Present Time. 185
CHAPTER N.
Agriculture, Commerce, and Manufactures, 209
CHAPTER X1.
Education, Literature, and Art, 229
CHAPTER XII.
Medicine, Law, and Theology, 275
CHAPTER XIII.
Social Conditions,
311
INDEX.
Abel, John
Ashmead, Henry G. 918
Bailey. James M.
376
Baldwin, William A 570
Barchfeld, Andrew J 451
Biddle, George W
893
Bigelow, Thomas S.
379
Black, John W.
754
Bleakley. James 347
Bowman, Benjamin 578
Brackenridge, Henry M
371
Brennen, William J.
392
Broomall, John M
737
Broomall, William B 746
Brown, William M 652
Bullitt, John C .. 366
Bunting, David S
488
Burchfield, A. P.
435
Burleigh, Clarence
359
Butz, Michael 1004
Carpenter, James McF 541
Carr, William W. 832
Cassatt, Alexander J 711
Clarke, Daniel C. 645
Clay, Mrs. Rachel A 816
Cooper, C. J. 1036
Cornell, Nelson P. 913
Hinkson, Henry M
Hodgson, William Il 729
Hoffecker, Reuben F. 965
Holland. James W.
713
Houston, Henry H. 972
Howard. William N
427
Hunter, William
430
Hunter, William L
5,34
Irwin. James H. 503
Irwin, James K. 500
James, Henry F
657
Jenkins, Robert
716
Eyerman, John 850
Field, Benjamin R .. 844
Filer, Enoch 383
Fitzpatrick, Thomas J. 461
Foerster, Adolph M 448
Foose. Lemuel O 1030
Fox, Edward J 1008
Galbreath, James M .
390
Gardiner, Francis G. 419
Garretson, James E. 680
Gould, George M 700
Graham, John H. 636
Green, Jesse C. 948
Green, Traill 863
Guffey, James McC. 996
Gunnison, Frank
619
llardenbergh, Edmund B 472
Harris, Frank G. 40I
Hart, Charles H. 880
Hart, George S. 420
Hartman, Joseph 525
Hawley, Joseph W. 907
Hays, Mrs. Thomas
580
Hays, Thomas 580
Hazeltine, A. J. 454
Heller, William J 885
Hemphill, James 341
Hetzel, George C. 510
Cottingham, William W 955
Crozer, Samuel A
777
Crozer. The Family 769
DaCosta, John C. 608
Daub, John 384
Danb, Mrs. John 384
Davenport, S. A. 636
Deemer, Elias 628
Dick, Wallace P 969
Douglass, Elisha P 396
Downing, Jerome F
545
Jenkins, Thomas M
732
062
vin
INDEX.
Jenkinson, William
Pearson, Alfred 1. 648
Johnson, William S
700
Perkey. Allen P' 5.31
Jones. Joseph L. . 183
Jordan, John W .
Phillips, John 381
King. Byron W 513
Potter, William
714
Kr. mr. W 1
518
Kimkel, Charles
520
Raney, Leander 362
Rawle, William B. 834
Lan lực, John S . 505
Lantus, Withami HI
574
Reeder. Frank
1041
Lawrence, Andrew J
107
Roach, John B.
350
Leach, Joich (
017
Imks. With V
.142
Roberts, Ellwood 945
Rockwell, Franklin 11 .. 501
Rose, W Horace 517
Rott. Louis 6.10
Marc Veagh, Wayt 751
Scaife, Charles C .. 764
Seufe, William R. 767
Seip. Theodore 1019
Sharpless, Isaac 817
March, Abraham II
837
Martin, Jonathan W
030
Matsin Myron
620
Stafford. C. E
6132
WeCarrell, Simnel J Ml
40.4
Starr, George W
600
McConhs. Lovi G 878
Stearns, Laten L
475
Me(Tire. Joseph 59.1
Steel, John I 782
M -Clure, Sm de]
50.1
Stevenson. Wilham 589
Meta Rough, Andrew WI
342
Stewart, William 660
Stone, William 1 840
Witch L. Forster W
593
Montgomery, Thomas L.
10.17
Moore, John W.
Taylor, Bayard 702
Taylor, Wilham G 491
Thomson, Wimmer W' 89.1
Tomlinson, AArthur HI 800
Torrance, Francis J 822
Trunk y. John 602
90.4
Ortt. Rowley K
. 48.1
Walker. James B
Pier. Walter S
178
Wayne. Anthony 1001
Peter Ble X
561
Wayne, William 1000
letter, Care- 11
1062
Maches, Charles II
Mage. Christopher (x ).1
Magill, Ilward 11 810
Maher. John | . (Xx)
Mansfield. Ira F. . .165
Shortlidge, Joseph 900
Smith, William W. 653
Stoney, Robert J 560
Swain, Joseph 827
Minh renner, Charles 10
Mirdoch. Ve .1028
Merry, J Wordman. . . 523
Vi-lnt. I hn WI
115
4-25
Tully. David
L'Irich, Wilham B 479
Philips, George M 970
Pitcairn, Robert 373
Kirkpatrick. Wilhan S
Read, Thomas 758
Robb, Thomas 631
812
Patterson, Wallran 856
INDEX. ix
West, The Family 664
Wilson, James C. 675
Weston, Henry G.
993
Wolfe, Wesley 5.37
Wetherill, Richard
70.4
Wood, James W. 981
Wetmore, Lansing D.
617
Woodbridge, Jonathan E. 722
Wightman, Thomas
1055
Woodruff, Clinton 932
Wiley, John A.
676
Williams, Alfred W
638
Youngman, Robert B. I033
Wilson, Adam
587
Zug. Christopher 363
HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
CHAPTER 1.
EARLIEST EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS.
History records that as early as 1608 or 1609 the eastern parts of what is now Pennsylvania were visited by Hudson on his voyage of dis- covery and exploration to the New World. On the western border the French explorers opened the way to white civilized settlement through their expeditions along the chain of great inland lakes. They may have preceded the other European navigators who visited the Atlantic sea- coast, but, through various causes, their permanent occupancy of the region was considerably delayed. Beginning in 1614 the Dutch made more thorough explorations along the coast, and, as the result of one of their expeditions, Cornelius Jacobse Mey passed in triumph and safety between the Capes of the Delaware, giving to the one the name he himself bore, and which it still retains-that of Cape Mey, or May; and bestowing his Christian name upon the other, calling it Cape Cor- nelius. He had a weakness of bestowing his name wherever he went. New York Bay he christened "Port Mey," and the Delaware he put down on his map as "New Port Mey."
In 1616 Captain Cornelius Hendrickson sailed up the Delaware as far as the mouth of the Schuylkill, which river he discovered. On the
12 COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND GENEALOGY
Ste where now stands the city of Philadelphia, in the locality known as West Philadelphia, the navigator is said to have met three Dutch settlers from the Netherlands who had come here from the vicinity of Many. New York, traveling by way of the Mohawk and Delaware rivers. These are believed to have been the first white visitors to the locality of Philadelphia.
The Dutch West India Company was chartered in 1621. 11 was. the result of the petition of the Puritans ( who eventually colonized New England) for permission to settle in America, coupled with the im- pression that the English were about to found a permanent colony in the territory claimed by the Dutch as a part of their discovered possessions on this side of the Atlantic. This territory extended from the Delaware on the south to the Hudson on the north, and from the Atlantic coast westward almost indefinitely, although the Dutch did not attempt any occupancy of the Netherlands farther west than Schenectady in the colony of New York. In the early part of 1623 Captain Mey ascended the Delaware to a point fifty miles above the bay and built Fort Nassau, near the site of Gloucester, the first European colony on the Delaware. Fort Nassmn has long since disappeared, more's the pity. Mey made it his headquarters, and as he had the happy art of knowing how to culti- vate and retain the friendship of the red man, there were many pleasant and profitable trading scenes enacted before it and within for several scars. "It is better to govern by love and friendship than by force," Mey once wrote to the directors of the West India Company, and that motto seems to have actuated him in all his dealings with the aborigines, who at that time had not become suspicious of the honesty of the white visitors, which afterwards they were led to doubt by sad experience. Had the rule of Mey lasted longer-it ended in 1625, when William Verhulst assumed authority over the region-Fort Nassau might have
13
OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
been the foundation of a city of commanding importance. Mey's suc- cessors were not as sagacious as he. In 1630 an association of patroons, resident in Amsterdam, bought from the Indians an estate on the west bank of the river. Here a colony was planted, but it was only short- lived; the commander of the fort fell into a needless dispute with the Indians over a piece of fin, and the savage anger became so aroused that the entire colony of whites was destroyed.
Thus failed the first attempt of the Dutch to found a permanent colony on the Delaware. The results thus far had been discouraging, and, before they were fully recovered from the effects of the destruction of the settlement at Swaanendael. Peter Minnet, a German of Wesel. sailed under the patronage of Sweden and, in 1638, landed a little company of Swedes and Finlanders near Lewes, on the Delaware. The Swedes built a fort and also a small town. To the fortress and the creek on which it was erected were given the name Christina, in honor of the young Swedish queen who had succeeded her father on the throne. The Swedes adopted a conciliatory policy in their dealings with the Indians, and thus succeeded in securing from them all the lands between Cape Henlopen and the Falls of Trenton. The Dutch protested against this acquisition of territory in what they claimed as part of the Netherlands, but without effect or remedy until 1655. when Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor, compelled the surrender of Fort Christina and Fort Casimir, and put an end to the Swedish power on the Delaware.
The Dutch did not attempt to drive the Swedes from the country. but permitted them to remain: and it was well, for they were indus- trious and thrifty, and did good service in the development of the region. Their principal settlements were at Christina Creek, Upland. the seat of government during their ascendency, and at Philadelphia,
14
COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY .IND GENE. ILOGY
where Pen's colonists found many families of this people when they began to arrive there in 1682. The Dutch established their principal points in the vicinity of Leweston and New Castle (on the Delaware). and were afterward more careful in their treatment of the Indians. They were poor colonizers but excellent traders, and by dispensing gin and firearms to the natives in exchange for fors, they kept peace with them for several years.
The chief cause of the overthrow of the Dutch power in America was English rivalry. On March 12. 1664. Charles Il of England granted by letters patent to his brother James, Duke of York, all the country from the river St. Croix to the Kennebec in Maine, together with all the territory from the west bank of Connecticut river to the east side of Delaware Bay. The duke sent an English squadron to secure the gift. and on the 8th of September following Governor Stuyvesant capitulated, being constrained to that course by the Dutch colonists, who preferred peace with the same privileges accorded the English rather than a prolonged and perhaps fruitless contest. The conquered people however, did not withdraw from the region, but remained and continued to trade guns and gin to the natives, and thus supplied them with doubly destructive weapons.
Upon the accession of the English, Colonel Nicolls was appointed to proceed to the colonies on the Delaware "to take special care for the good government of said place " etc. New Amstel was now called New Castle, and deputies were selected to care for the welfare of such colonists as needed assistance. Nicolls governed for nearly three years "with justice and good sense." He was succeeded in May, 1667. by Colonel Francis Lovelace, who required, by proclamation, that all patents granted by the Dutch for lands on the Delaware should be renewed, and that all persons holding without patents should take out
15
OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
GOV. PETER STUYVESANT.
16
COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY . IND GENEALOGY
titles under English authority. He also imposed many hardships upon the colonists, particularly those who held under Dutch titles, and some of his actions did not receive the sanction of his sovereign. In 1673 the Dutch sent out a strong squadron and recaptured New Amsterdam (New York ) and its principal dependencies, but in 1674 the English again became its masters and secured to the Duke of York the splendid gift of ten years before. In 1674 (June 29) a new charter was issued to the Duke of York, and his title to the territory previously granted was confirmed. In this year Sir Edmund Andros was appointed gov- ernor of the duke's proprietaries, and Captain Edmund Cantwell and William Tomm were authorized to take possession of the forts and stores at New Castle, and to adopt measures for the maintenance of peace and good order in the possessions on the Delaware.
On June 24. 1664. the Duke of York granted the province of New Jersey to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. The latter of these grantees died in 1679. and. upon the sale of his interests and estate, William Penn became one of the new proprietors. Through personal investigations he became well acquainted with the quality and character of the lands bordering on the Atlantic scacoast and in the vicinity of the greater rivers. He also knew something of the temper and char- acter of the American Indians, and he saw that, if fairly approached and honorably treated, they could be easily controlled. While thus interested in lands in the colony of New Jersey, Penn is said by his- torians to have conceived the idea of founding a colony, as principal city, and of maintaining a proprietary government under his personal ownership and supervision.
This event took place almost two and one-quarter centuries ago, and when Penn then came into possession of a vast tract of country, amounting almost to a principality, he at once proceeded with practical
17
OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
common sense and sound judgment to carry out his plans. The com- monwealth of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia were among the more important of his achievements. The proprietor himself lived to witness the founding of the city and the planting of numerous smaller settlements in various portions of his domain. but he did not live to see the consummation of all in the establishment of a great com- monwealth, the state of Pennsylvania, the Keystone State of the Union. This was the work of a later generation of factors, composed largely of native Americans, yet the descendants of Dutch and Swede and English and Quaker and Irish ancestors. The united efforts of these descendants in all generations of the past since the planting of the first colony on the banks of the Delaware have made Pennsylvania what it is to-day.
WILLIAM PENN.
COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND GENEALOGY
PENNSYLVANIA THE COLONY.
"And because I have been somewhat exercised, at times, about the nature and end of government, it is reasonable to expect, that I should endeavor to establish a just and righteous one, that others may take example by it ;- truly this my heart desires. *
* I do, there- fore, desire the Lord's wisdom to guide me, and those that may be concerned with me, that we do the thing that is truly wise and just."
.
These words were spoken by William Penn in declaring his par- poses in founding a colony in America under his own proprietorship. Yet Penn's motive in doing all that he did was threefold: First, he would receive payment in lands for an indebtedness of £16,000 due his father, Admiral Sir William Penn, of the' English navy, for money advanced by him in the sea service and for arrearages of pay. His second purpose, and. to himself a more important one, was the estab- lishment of a home and colony for his brethren of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, as they have been more frequently designated. Penn himself was of this sect, a leader among his people, and a man free from ostentation or avarice. His third purpose and ambition was to possess a considerable tract of land in America. He already knew something of the character of the territory through the representations of persons with whom he had associated in the West Jersey proprietary. and the possession of a considerable tract of land in his own free right would enable him to carry out his chief purpose, and also would satisfy the debt due him from the crown on account of his father's services.
William Penn, founder of the colony and proprietor of the Province of Pennsylvania, was born in London, October 14. 1644. While a student at Oxford he became impressed with the teachings of the Quaker doctrine. He studied law at Lincoln's Inn, but on reach-
-
19
OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
ing his majority he was called to Ireland to the care of an estate of his father's. That he was not now fully converted to Quaker teachings is evidenced in his career as a soklier, for he won fame at the siege of Carrickfergus, and afterward caused himself to be painted in military costume. He soon afterward became a convert to the Society of Friends, and at once took a prominent part in the councils of that sect. Some of the more arbitrary teachings, however, he did not fully accept : he was in a measure "conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms." yet. in framing a form of government for his people in the Province of Pennsylvania, he made provision for the common defense against its enemies, both by sea and land. At a Friends' meeting in Cork. in 1667, Penn was arrested and imprisoned. but upon being released through the influence of the Earl of Orrery, he began to preach and to teach. His pen, too, was vigorous in the new cause, and for his work "The Sandy Foundation Shaken," he was incarcerated in the Tower : but while in prison he wrote the celebrated "No Cross, No Crown." Through the influence of his father he was liberated from the Tower. but in 1670 he was sent to Newgate prison for preaching in the street. On trial, he pleaded in his own defense and with such logic that he was acquitted, but the jurors were fined for disregarding the instructions of the judge, who urged a conviction.
In 1672 Penn married Gulielma Maria Springett, who bore him seven children. His second wife was Hannah Callowhill. In 1674 he wrote "England's Present Interest Considered," which has been de- scribed as "an able defense of freedom of conscience and the rights of Englishmen." In 1676 he first became interested in lands in America. when he was part proprietor of a considerable tract in the province of New Jersey. The next year, with Barclay and others, he carried the teachings of the Friends into Holland and Germany. In 1680 he peti-
20
COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND GENEALOGY
tioned Charles H1 of England, and in 1681 the charter was granted. Soon after this. Penn published and distributed "A Brief Account of the Province of Pennsylvania." in which settlement was invited and the conditions of purchase were made known.
Pen's narrative undoubtedly was the first history of Pennsyl- vania ever written. Later efforts in the same direction have been more elaborate, but it is doubtful if any of them have been more accurate. On October 27. 1682, Penn arrived in the Delaware river. remained about two years in the province, and returned to England in 1684. Through his intercession, in 1686. more than twelve hundred Quakers were released from imprisonment, and in 1687 his influence secured the passage of the "Toleration Act." In 1688 he was tried on a charge of treason, but was acquitted. In 1699 he made a second visit to his possessions in America, and sailed again for England in 1701. In 1708, on account of financial reverses and the profligacy of a number of his family, he was reduced to straitened circumstances, and was imprisoned for debt : but he was soon released through the intervention of friends. He died of paralysis, July 30. 1718.
Such. in brief, are some of the principal events of the life of him to whom we have to accord the honor of founding Pennsylvania. He Luilded well, better than he knew, and those who succeeded him in the proprietary were worthy men, although their part in the government of the colony was less conspicuous than that of the founder himself. Pennsylvania. the colony, was in the hands of the proprietary for nearly one hundred years, and during that long period the sure founda- tions of its subsequent government were laid, so that, when it became necessary to lay aside the former political character and adopt a consti- tution, the transition occasioned little disturbance to the inhabitants and equally little embarrassment to established institutions. The events
21
OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
of this period of our history, although they covered nearly a century, may be briefly narrated.
As has been stated. Admiral Sir William Penn was an officer in the British navy, and as such he was at the time of his death the creditor of his government to the extent of £16,000. This claim, which in- cluded both arrearages of salary and advances made. descended as a legacy to William Penn, the Friend, the founder of our commonwealth. He proposed, in lieu of cash payment, to accept at the hands of his sovereign a grant and charter for a considerable tract of land in America, that he, like the Duke of York, and others in favor with the king, might set up a proprietary government, to be administered according to his own ideas and desires, and subject only to the sanction of the crown. His purpose in this step is declared in a preceding paragraph, and the underlying motive that prompted his action was a desire to relieve his own religious associates from the oppressions which then burdened them in Europe on account of the relations of church and state and the grow- ing desire for greater freedom in the exercise of religious rights and liberties.
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