USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of Northampton County [Pennsylvania] and the grand valley of the Lehigh, Volume I > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
M. L.
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02231 9328
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofnortham01hell 0
William Penn
History of Northampton County& [PENNSYLVANIA]
and
The Grand Valley of the Lehigh
Under Supervision and Revision of WILLIAM J. HELLER
Assisted by AN ADVISORY BOARD OF EDITORS
VOLUME I
1920 THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEW YORK CHICAGO
BOSTON
82 8178 3
Copyright, 1920 The American Historical Society, Inc.
1373652 FOREWORD
The history of a county presents to a modern historian all the elements of success, of romance, of industrial progress, of an enterprising population. Northampton county has contributed its share to the Nation's resources in the stirring scenes of the last half century, yielding its wealth and manhood to the advance theory of the Democracy of the World at large.
Northampton is a small county less than two hundred years old, a unit in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Its history cannot have the pic- turesqueness, the brilliancy and charm, that lingered about a more early period of antiquity, whose progress is guessed out of legend; none the less it has an interest, a value and an individuality of its own. This individual personality the compiler of this work has sought to place before his readers. In his endeavors he has had the support of an able board of associates, to whom due acknowledgment is made. Special mention is made to Henry F. Marx, librarian of the Easton Free Library, who placed at his disposal all the historical data pertaining to the county housed in the library; the Rev. William N. Schwarze, for his able chapters on the Moravians and their educational institutions; Rev. John E. McCann for his chapter on Catholic Churches in the county ; Mr. Parke H. Davis for the chapter on the Bench and Bar; Mr. Asa K. McIlhaney for his articles on the Scotch-Irish and public education ; and to Rev. John Baer Stoudt for his chapter on the Ger- man Pioneers and several township histories. It is by the aid of these gen- tlemen and the support of the generous public that the publishers are able to produce a history of the county that will be of priceless value to all coming generations.
Northampton county need not be ashamed of comparisons with her sister counties. Her natural wealth and political standing have increased as the years have rolled away ; steadfastly she has maintained the principles initiated by her early settlers, her native citizens having won distinction at home and abroad. Nature has endowed her with a diversity of scenery, with mountains guarding her border lines, and rivers meandering their way seeking their outlet, which presents a picture of the Grand Valley of the Lehigh that is unrivaled on the continent.
In this section of the great Appalachian Valleys has been planted a garden within a garden, whose virginity has been adorned by rural art and modern architecture, thus presenting a picture unsurpassed by loveli- ness, blending harmoniously with the colors of Nature, producing to the eye a painting not made by human hand.
Our task is done, and on laying down our pen we again extend thanks for the liberal co-operation of the citizens of the county, and trust that future generations will appreciate the efforts made to preserve the history of Old Northampton.
THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS
NOTE .- The historical narrative is paged continuously, and closes in Volume II. The Biographical matter follows immediately thereafter, and is paged continuously to itself, extending into Volume III. Historical and Biographical Indexes will be found at close of Volume III.
PAGE
CHAPTER I-THE ABORIGENES-The various Tribes-Their Customs-How affected by the coming of the Whites.
I
CHAPTER II-THE PENNS-William Penn-His Constitution for the new Colony- Penn's sons.
25 41
CHAPTER III-SCOTCH-IRISH SETTLEMENTS-Early Families.
CHAPTER IV-THE INDIAN WALK-Penn's purchase from the Indians.
47
CHAPTER V-THE GERMAN PIONEERS-Various sects-Influence of the Reformed Church-Founding of Franklin College.
51
CHAPTER VI-THE MORAVIANS-The Unitas Fratrum-Coming of Whitefield-Founda- tions of Bethlehem-The Economy-Educational Progress 61
CHAPTER VII-INDIAN MASSACRES-On Mahoning Creek and at Gnadenhutton- Arrival of Colonel Franklin.
77
CHAPTER VIII-ERECTION OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY-First County Buildings-First Commissioners
81
CHAPTER IX-INDIAN TREATIES-The Delaware Embassy-Teedyuscung-Conference at Easton-Peace Treaty between the Indians and Sir William Johnson.
85
CHAPTER X-EARLY ROADS-Ferries-Bridges-First Stage Lines-Lehigh River Navi- gation-The Delaware Canal-First Steamboats-Railroads-Trolley Lines. 103 CHAPTER XI-THE PENNAMITE WAR-The Susquehanna and Delaware Companies- Proclamation against intruders-Scenes of strife. 113
CHAPTER XII-THE INDIAN MASSACRE OF 1763-Accounts of various murders. 121
CHAPTER XIII-BATTLE AND MASSACRE OF WYOMING-Attacks by Indians and British -Flight of the survivors. 127
CHAPTER XIV-THE REVOLUTION ARY PERIOD-Early military companies-Their leaders -Gen. Sullivan's expedition-Attacks by Indians-Early gunmakers. 131
CHAPTER XV-FRIES' REBELLION-Resistance to law-Militia called out-Trial of Fries -Pardon of the culprits.
143 CHAPTER XVI-OPENING OF NINETEENTH CENTURY-War of 1812-Northampton County volunteers-An era of speculation-Introduction of Anthracite Coal- Coal floated to market-Silk manufacture-Forecasters of the Civil War.
149
CHAPTER XVII-THE CIVIL WAR-Northampton County's troops-Their Military service
161
CHAPTER XVIII-MILITARY ROLLS.
177
CHAPTER XIX-THE LAST HALF CENTURY-Advance in educational facilities-North- ampton in Spanish-American and World Wars.
235
CHAPTER XX-POLITICAL-The Whig and Frce Soil Parties-Democratic predominance -Notable elections. 241
CHAPTER XXI-BENCH AND BAR-Provincial Courts-First State Constitution-Notable Lawyers and Jurists. 247
CHAPTER XXII-THE MEDICAL PROFESSION-Early practitioners. 259 CHAPTER XXIII-POETS OF THE FORKS OF THE DELAWARE-Somc famous names 265
CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER XXIV-IRON AND KINDRED INDUSTRIES-Early iron working-Hematite ore- Iron works at Glendon and South Easton-First Foundry and Machine Shop- The Thomas Iron Works-Works at Hellertown and elsewhere-The Bessemer process-The Bethlehem Steel Company.
269 279
CHAPTER XXV-THE SLATE INDUSTRY-Various important companies.
CHAPTER XXVI-THE CEMENT INDUSTRY-The Portland process-Various manufac- turing companies
283 CHAPTER XXVII-THE PRESS -- Early newspapers-The first German and first English newspapers-A notable array of Journalists.
289
CHAPTER XXVIII-THE SILK INDUSTRY-Various manufactories.
301
CHAPTER XXIX-DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES-Discovery of Zinc-Cotton manufacture- Iron and Brass-Boat building-Furniture-Boots and Shoes-Flag manufacture -Nearly every line of manufactures represented.
305
CHAPTER XXX-FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS-Early Banks-Later Banks-Building and Loan Associations-Clearing House.
317
CHAPTER XXXI-PUBLIC EDUCATION-The Moravian schools-Early schoolhouses and schoolmasters-George Wolf, Father of the State Public School System-Able Superintendents
325
CHAPTER XXXII-HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING-Wolf Academy-Nazareth Hall-Moravian Seminary and College for Women-Moravian College and Theo- logical Seminary-Easton Union Academy-Lafayette College-Lehigh University CHAPTER XXXIII-THE CATHOLIC CHURCH-Catholic pioneers-First church and first priests-Notable names-St. Joseph's Church-St. Anthony's-St. Michael's- Other churches.
337
CHAPTER XXXIV-CITY OF EASTON-Pioneer settlers-Incorporation of Borough- Incidents of early days-Advance during the present decade-Easton Library- Historical and Genealogical Society-Hospital and Home for Friendless Chil- dren-Board of Trade-Insurance Company-Water Company-Early officials- Military organizations-Early churches-Various denominations and sects- Advantages of Easton.
395
CHAPTER XXXV-BETHLEHEM-The Pennsylvania home of the Moravians-Notable Names-First Sea Congregation-The American Moravian Church-First build- ings-Borough incorporation-Educational institutions-Fountain Hill-The era of Electricity-Theological Seminary-The Churches-Civil institutions.
431
CHAPTER XXXVI-TOWNSHIPS-Lower Saucon-Upper Mount Bethel-Allen- Bethlehem-Williams-Forks-Plainfield-Moore-Lehigh-Lower Mount Bethel -Upper and Lower Nazareth-Hanover-Bushkill-East Allen-Palmer-Wash- ington-Wilson
463
CHAPTER XXXVII-BOROUGHS-South Easton-Bath-Freemansburg-Nazareth- Chapman-Glendon-Hellertown-Bangor-Portland-Pen Argyl-West Easton- Tatamy-Wind Gap-Stockertown-Northampton-Northampton Heights-North Catasauqua-Roseto-Walnutport 507
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CHAPTER I
THE ABORIGINES
The origin of the North American Indian is one of the mysteries of his- tory ; many have tried to solve it, but it is still an enigma. They were here to welcome Columbus, the explorer of the Mississippi river, the Cavalier and Puritan settlers of Virginia and New England.
In the period under review, the area now comprised in the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York was occupied by Indian tribes known collectively as Algonquins, and embraced in two nations, or rather groups of nations, called by Europeans the Iroquois and the Delawares, the former having received their names from the French, and the latter from the English. The language of both these peoples was the Algonquin, but materially different dialects.
Among themselves, in the Indian language, the Delawares were known as the Lenni Lenape, or simply the Lenape, which signifies the "original or true people," while the Iroquois were called the Mengwe or Mingoes, this last being a corruption originating among the more ignorant white men, and from them adopted by the Delawares, who applied it as a name of reproach or contempt to their Mengwe neighbors, between whom and themselves very little friendly feeling existed. The country of the Mengwe extended from the shores of Lake Erie to those of Champlain and the Hudson, and from the headwaters of the Allegheny, Susquehanna and Delaware rivers north- ward to Lake Ontario, and even across the St. Lawrence, thus really embracing nearly all of the State of New York and a portion of Canada. This they figuratively styled their long "Council House," within which, the place of kindling the grand council fire, was the Onondaga Valley, where delegates from all the tribes met in solemn deliberation. They ex- isted as a confederation of tribes, and were usually known in English annals as the Five Nations. This alliance was composed of the Mohawks, Sene- cas, Cayugas, Onondagas and Oneidas. They were later joined by the Tuscaroras from the Carolinas, who had been driven north by white men. This made the federation the Six Nations.
The Mohawks occupied the country nearest the Hudson river, and were considered as holding the post of honor -- the guarding of the eastern entrance of the "I.ong House." The highest chief of the tribe was also always the leading war chief of the Confederacy. They held the first rank among the tribes, although the Senecas were the most numerous and were possessed of the highest degree of warlike spirit and military energy. They defended the western portal of the "Long House," while the Cayugas were guardians over the southern, that is, the frontier of the Delaware and Susquehanna valleys. The Onondaga nation held the office of chief sachem of the league ; the Oneidas held forth along the northern front. They became very power- ful, and reduced several rival nations, among them the Lenape, to a state of semi-vassalage.
NORTH .- 1-1.
2
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
The domain of the Delawares extended along the seashore from the Chesapeake to the country border, Long Island Sound to the eastward of New Amsterdam. Back from the coast it reached beyond the valley of the Susquehanna, and on the north it joined the jealously guarded hunting grounds of their supercilious neighbors, the hated "Murgoes." The three most notable sub-divisions of the Delawares were the tribes of the Turtle, or Unamies; the Turkeys, or Wunalachtikos; and the Wolf, or Minsi. The Unamies and Wunalachtikos branches of the Delaware nation, comprising the tribes of Assunpinks, Mators, Chickequaus, Shackmaxons, Tuteloes, Nanticokes, and others of lesser note, inhabited the lower country towards the coast, while the inore warlike tribes of the Wolf watched their dangerous northern neighbors. Their lands extended from the Iroquois frontier south to Mackahneck, and they lighted their council fire in the Minisinks near what is now Port Jervis. Their principal villages were along the valleys of the Aquanshicole and the Analomuk (Broadhead creek), and the Upper Dela- ware all above the Blue Mountains. There were no Indian habitations in the section known as the Forks of the Delaware, that is, the area between the two rivers and the Blue Mountains prior to 1700; it was a common hunt- ing ground accessible to all. When the white man reached the Forks, the first Indians he discovered were from the Jerseys, and who had emigrated from the southern half of New Jersey to the only nearest land on which they had rights-the Forks. The Shawnees had a few towns along the Dela- ware, but not any within the Forks. These towns were placed so as to protect something of value to the Six Nations, who granted the privilege to the Shawnees to settle in the country of the Delaware when they were expelled from their homes in what is now the southern part of the Middle West. One was at Durham, Bucks county, to look after the jasper mines and other interests in Rattlesnake Hill; one on the Flats, at the north end of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, to guard the marble deposits in the nearby hills. Their principal town was on Shawnee Island, about four miles above the Delaware Water Gap; this town was in plain view of the copper mine. There were some others of lesser importance; one of these was on Coplay creek, in White Hall township, now Lehigh county. When disaffection arose among the Indians, the Shawnees betook themselves to the lands of the Alleghenies, leaving the Delawares sole possessors of the Forks country, where they lived in harmony with the first white settlers until the year 1742, when they were so ignominiously banished from their homes by the Six Nations at the instigation of the proprietors, the avaricious sons of Willliam Penn.
The wars between the Delawares and Iroquois were of long standing, and finally they discovered that warfare was depleting their numbers, espe- cially the Iroquois (who, at this period under review, consisted of five nations, later of six nations), joined the federation, and became known among the English as the Six Nations, and by the French as Iroquois. The Delawares called them the Mengwe, and in derision Mingo.
The strength of the Delawares was increased by the addition of the Shawnees, who were forced out of the southern country and were permitted to dwell among the upper nations. The Delawares were always too power-
3
THE ABORIGINES
ful for the Iroquois, so that the latter were at length convinced that if they continued the war, their total extinction would be inevitable. They there- fore sent the following message: "It is not profitable that all the nations should be at war with each other, for this will, at length, be the ruin of the whole Indian race. We have, therefore, considered of a remedy, by which this evil may be prevented. One nation shall be the women. We will place her in the midst, and the other nations who make war shall be the men, and live among the women. No one shall touch or hurt the women, and if any one does it, we will immediately say to him, 'Why do you beat the woman?' Then all the men shall fall upon him who has beaten her. The women shall not go to war, but endeavor to keep peace with all, therefore if the men that surround her beat each other and the war be carried on with violence, the women shall have the right of addressing them, 'Ye men, what are you about, why do you beat each other? We are almost afraid; consider that your wives and children must perish unless ye desist. Do you mean to destroy yourselves from the face of the earth?' Then shall you hear and obey the women."
The Delawares not immediately perceiving the intention of the Iroquois, had submitted to be the women. The Iroquois then appointed a great feast and invited the Delawares to it, at which time, in consequence of the author- ity given them, they made a solemn speech containing three capital points. The first was that they declared the Delaware nation to be the women, in the following words : "We dress you in a woman's long habit, reaching down to your feet, and adorn you with ear-rings," meaning that they should no more take up arms. The second point was thus expressed: "We hang a calabash filled with oil and medicines upon your arm. With the oil you shall cleanse the ears of the other nations that they may attend to good and not to bad words; and with the medicine you shall heal those who are walk- ing in foolish ways, that they may return to their senses and incline their hearts to peace." The third point, by which the Delawares were exhorted to make agriculture their future employment and means of subsistence, was thus worded: "We deliver into your hands a plant of Indian corn and a hoe." Each of these points was confirmed by delivering a belt of wampum, These belts had been carefully laid up, and their meaning frequently repeated. Ever after this singular treaty, the Iroquois called the Delawares their cousins. The three tribes of the Delawares were called comrades; but these titles were only made use of in their council, and when some solemn speech was to be delivered.
The Iroquois, on the contrary, asserted that they conquered the Dela- wares, and that the latter were forced to adopt the defenceless state and appellation of a woman to avoid total ruin. Whether these different accounts. be true or false, certain it is that the Delaware nation were looked upon to preserve peace, and entrusted with the charge of the great belt of peace and chain of friendship, which they must take care to preserve. According to the figurative explanation of the Indians, the middle of the chain of friend- ship was placed upon the shoulders of the Delawares, the rest of the Indian nations holding one end, and the Europeans the other. Such were the con- ditions when the white man first made his appearance at the forks of the Delaware.
4
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
The Lenni Lenape and the nations in league with them resembled each other, both as to their bodily and mental qualifications. The men were mostly slender, middle-sized, handsome and straight; there were not many deformed or crippled among them. The women were short, not so hand- some, and rather clumsier in appearance than the men, caused principally by their dress. Their skin was of a reddish brown, nearly resembling copper, but in different shades-some of a brownish yellow, not much differ- ing from the mulattoes; some lighter brown, hardly to be known from a brown European, except by their hair and eyes; jet black hair, stiff, lank and coarse, almost like horsehair, that grew gray in old age; their eyes were large and black. The men had a fierce but not dreadful countenance; their features regular and not disagreeable, but the cheekbones were rather promi- nent, especially in the women. Both had very white teeth; the men a firm walk, a light step, and could run remarkably swift. Their smell, sight and hearing were very acute, and their memory so strong that they could relate the most trivial .circumstances which had happened in their councils many years previous, and tell the exact time of former events with the greatest precision ; their powers of imagination very lively, which enabled them in a short time to attain to great skill and dexterity in learning. They compre- hended whatever belonged to their manner of living or tended to their sup- posed advantage with the greatest ease; and their continued practice in needful accomplishments, to which they were trained up in infancy, gave them a decided advantage. They had but few objects which required their whole attention, and therefore were less divided. Their history gives many instances of their greatness of mental powers and accuracy of deliberation and judgment, good sense in their intercourse with strangers, and strict conformity to the rules of justice and equity, which proved that they saw things in the proper light. They were far superior to any other uncivilized people on the face of the globe.
In common life and conversation the Indians observed good manners. They usually treated one another and strangers with kindness and civility, without empty compliments; their whole behavior appeared solid and prudent. In matters of consequence they spoke and acted with the most cool and serious deliberation, avoided all appearance of precipitancy, but this was chiefly due to suspicion, and their coolness was merely affected; they were "past-masters in the art of dissembling. They were sociable and friendly, and a mutual intercourse existed between families. Quarrels and offensive behavior were carefully avoided; they never put anyone to blush or reproach, seven a noted murderer. Their common conversation turned upon hunting, fighting and affairs of state. No one interrupted his neighbor in speaking, but listened attentively to news, whether true or false. This was one reason why they were so fond of receiving strangers. Cursing and swearing were unknown to them, their language containing no such expressions.
Difference of rank was not to be found among them: all were equally noble and free; the only difference consisted in wealth, age, dexterity, courage and office. Whoever furnished much wampum for the chiefs was considered as a person of quality and riches. Age was everywhere respected, for, according to their ideas, long life and wisdom were always related; young
5
THE ABORIGINES
Indians endeavored by presents to gain instruction from the aged. A clever hunter, a valiant warrior and an intelligent chief, held high honor, and no Indian, with all his notions of liberty, refused to follow and obey his captain or his chief. Presents were very acceptable to an Indian, but he was not willing to acknowledge himself under any obligation to the donor, and even took it amiss if they were discontinued. Their hospitality was renowned ; it extended even to strangers who would take refuge amongst them; they considered it a sacred duty from which no one was exempted. Whoever refused hospitality to anyone committed a grievous offence, and made him- self detested and abhorred by all, and also liable to revenge from the offended person. In their conduct toward their enemies they were cruel and inexor- able, and when enraged, bent upon nothing but murder and bloodshed. They were, however, remarkable for concealing their passions and waiting for a convenient opportunity of gratifying them. If they could not satisfy their resentment they even called upon their friends and posterity to do it. The longest space of time could not cool their wrath, nor the most distant place of refuge afford security to their enemy.
The Indians in general, but especially the men, loved ease; and even hunting, though their chief employ, was attended to with perseverance but for a few months of the year, the rest being chiefly spent in idleness. The women were more employed, for the whole burden of housekeeping lay upon them, and nothing but hunger and want could rouse the men from their drowsiness and give them activity.
The honor and welfare of the nation were considered by them as a most important concern, for, though they were joined together neither by force nor compact, yet they considered themselves as one nation, of which they had an exalted idea, and professed great attachment to their particular tribe. Independence appeared to them to be the grand prerogative of Indians. Considered either collectively or as individuals, they frankly owned the superiority of the Europeans in several arts, but despised them as submitting to laborious employments; the advantages they themselves possessed in hunting, fishing, and even in their moral conduct, appeared to them superior to any European refinements. This public spirit of the Indians produced the most noble exertions in favor of their own people. They were fearless to danger, suffered any hardship, and met torments and death itself with composure, in the defence of their country. Even in their last moments they possessed the greatest appearance of insensibility in honor of their nation, boasted of their intrepidity, and with savage pride defied the greatest suffering's and tortures which their enemies could inflict upon them.
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