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1811. HISTORY OF
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PENN 1881
UNIVERSITY
OF PITTSBURGH
OF ! PITT
E
1787
LIBRARY
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from University of Pittsburgh Library System
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofschuylk00newy
HISTORY OF
SCHUYLKILL
COUNTY, PA.
WITH
Al Hustrations and
iographical
hetches
OF
SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN and PIONEERS.
NEW YORK: W. W. MUNSELL & CO., 36 VESEY STREET. 1881.
PRESS OF GEORGE MACNAMARA, 36 VESEY STREET, N. Y.
-
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
OUTLINE HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
The Discovery of the Delaware-Pennsyl- vania Granted to and Organized by Wil- liam Penn .
9-11
CHAPTER II.
German Immigration -The Administra- tions of William Penn and Sir William Keith 11, 12
CHAPTER III.
The Question of Taxing the Proprietary Es- tates-Wars with the French and Indians 13-15
CHAPTER IV.
" Mason and Dixon's Line "-Causes of the Revolution-Patriotic Action of Pennsyl- vania
15, 16
CHAPTER V.
Revolution in the Provincial Government -Pennsylvania a State-Battles of 1776 and 1777-Indian Warfare ...
17, 18
CHAPTER VI.
Later Events of the Revolution-War with the Western Indians - Constitutional
Changes. 19, 20
CHAPTER VII.
The Pennamite War-Whiskey Insurrection -" Mollie Maguire " Outrages-The Riots of 1877 20-22
CHAPTER VIII.
Harrisburg made the Capital-The War of 1812-Internal Improvements-Schools ... 22-24
CHAPTER IX.
Patriotic Action in the Mexican and Civil Wars-Governors of Pennsylvania ....... 24,25
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
Ancient Inhabitants-Berks County. .. 27,28
CHAPTER II.
First Settlement and Pioneer Life in Schuylkill County ... 28-31
CHAPTER III.
Topography of Schuylkill County. 32-34 and 8th Cavalry) 135-138
CHAPTER IV.
Geology of Schuylkill County ... 34-41 CHAPTER V.
Development of the Coal Production and Trade in Schuylkill County. 41-72
CHAPTER VI.
Land Titles in Schuylkill County-The First Settlers and their Achievements .... CHAPTER VII.
Organization and Growth of Schuylkill County-Officers and Representatives .... CHAPTER VIII.
Public Buildings-Removal of the Seat of Justice-The County Law Library .... ...
PAGE
CHAPTER IX.
Waterways of the County-Lumbering and Rafting - Schuylkill Navigation - The Union Canal. 79-81
CHAPTER X.
Early Wagon Roads-Construction of the Center Turnpike-Stage Lines .. 82,83
CHAPTER XI.
The Railroad System of Schuylkill County 83-93
CHAPTER XII.
Education in Schuylkill County-The Fight for Free Schools-Orwigsburg Academy CHAPTER XIII.
93-95
215, 216
Frackville Borough.
373,374
Frailey Township.
216-219
Gilberton Borough.
374-376
cieties-The- Miners' Hospital ...... 95-97
CHAPTER XIV.
Lahor Troubles-The Crimes and Suppres-
sion of the Mollie Maguires. 97-106
CHAPTER XV.
The Militia of Schuylkill County - Par-
ticipation in the Mexican War ... 106-108
CHAPTER XVI.
Mount Carbon Borough
250,251
New Castle Township. 242-244
16]
New Ringgold Borough
200
North Manheim Township. 244-246
North Union Township. 261
Norwegian Township 261-263
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Regiment of Schuylkill County Men-
The Forty-Eighth Pennsylvania Volun-
teers 118-127
CHAPTER XIX.
Records and Rolls of the Fiftieth and Fifty-
Second Regiments ... 128-13I
CHAPTER XX.
The Fifty-Third, Fifty-Fifth and Fifty-
Reilly Township 342-344
Rush Township 344-347
Ryan Township. 348
Schuylkill and Walker Townships 348, 349
Schuylkill Haven Borough 251,256
Shenandoah Borough ... 3:7-384, 388-390
Sonth Manheim Township. 349, 350
St. Clair Borongh 207-213
Tamaqua Borough. 327,341
Tremont Township
351,352
Tremont Borough 352-354
Union Township. 354-356
Upper Mahantongo Township 356,357
CHAPTER XXIV.
Histories of the 93d and 96th Regiments .... 138-144
CHAPTER XXV.
Records of the 99th, 104th, 107th, 108th, 116th, 117th and 127th Regiments .... 144-146
CHAPTER XXVI.
History of the 129th Regiment-The 137th
and 15Ist Regiments ... 146-149
CHAPTER XXVII.
Later Regiments-16th and 17th Cavalry-
173d, 184th, 194th, 210th and 214th Infantry 149-151 CHAPTER XXVIII.
Schuylkill Men in other than Schuylkill Regiments-Casualties among the same 152-155
TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH HISTORIES.
PAGE
Ashland Borough 181-189
Auburn Borough 350,35]
Barry Township. 156-158
Blythe Township.
158-160
Branch Township.
162-164
Butler Township
177-180
Cass Township
194-197
Cressona Borongh
246-250
East Brunswick Township.
198,199
East Norwegian Township
201
East Union Township.
Eldred Township.
214,215
Foster Township.
Girardville Borough 190-193
Hegins Township. 219-221
Hubley Township.
221,222
Klein Township.
222-224
Mahanoy Township.
225-228
Mahanoy City Borough
229-241
Middleport Borough.
160,161
Minersville Borough.
165-176
Origin and Early Incidents of the Civil War -Patriotic Spirit in Schuylkill County ... 108-112 CHAPTER XVII.
Companies from Schuylkill County that saw comparatively little service ... 112-117
Orwigsburg Borough 364-366
Palo Alto Borough ... 201,202
Pine Grove Township 313-315
Pine Grove Borough
315-323
Port Carbon Borough
202-207
Port Clinton Borough 366,367
Porter Township. 324-326
Pottsville Borough 263-312
Rahn Township. 326,327
Sixth Regiments. 131-132
CHAPTER XXI.
The Sixtieth and Sixty-Fifth Regiments- Third and Fifth Cavalry. 132-134
CHAPTER XXII.
Representatives from Schuylkill in the
67th, 70th, 75th and 76th Regiments. .... . . 134, 135 CHAPTER XXIII.
The 81st Regiment-The 80th and 89th (7th
Washington Township. 357,358
Wayne Township 358, 361
West Brunswick Township. 361-364
West Mahanoy Township 367-372
West Penn Township. 384-387
Yorkville Borough 313
VILLAGES.
Barnesville
344
Big Mine Run 179
Branch Dale .. 342
Brandonville 213
Coal Dale.
326
Delano. 345
72,73
74-76
76-79
New Philadelphia Borough
213,214
Medical, Religious and Agricultural So-
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
DeTurkville ..
357
Grant, William
383
Foster, Solomon, Pottsville .
306a
Donaldson.
218
Green, D. B ..
301
Garner, Joseph W., Ashland ..
184
Drehersville
199 Griffiths, Ryce J. 230 Green, D. B., Pottsville .. 301
Elwood
274 Griscom, Samuel E.
295 Griscom, Samuel E.,
295
Forestville
197
Haeseler, C. H
299
Haeseler, C. H., Pottsville 299
Fountain Springs
179 Haywood. B
308
Haywood, Benjamin. "
308
Friedensburg
359
Heilner, B.
337
Heilner, Benjamin, Tamaqua 337
Hughes, F. W., Pottsville.
31I 175
Gordon ..
177 Hughes, F. W
311
Kendrick, William, Shamokin
389
Heekseherville
197 Jones, William F
229
Kopitzsch, C. F., Fottsville.
309
199 Kear, Frank G ..
175
Kline, Jacob, Pottsville
300
Heginsville
220 Kendrick, William
389
Kline, Mrs. Jacob "
300
Helfenstein
214 Kitzmiller, John.
322
Lawrence, Jacob S., Minersville.
174
Hometown
344 Kline, Jacob.
300
Losch, Samuel A., Schuylkill Haven.
Honey Brook.
221
Kline, Mrs. Jacob
300
309 MaeMillan, Ida V., 213c
Kepnersville
386 Lawrence, Jacob S.
174
MeKibbin, D. J., Ashland.
189
Klingerstown
259
Meck, Charles A., Schuylkill Haven 260
Leibysville.
386 Major, George.
230
Merkel, M., Minersville. 176
Lewistown.
349 May, Alexander
230
Nutting, J. L., Pine Grove.
319 298
Llewellyn.
163 MeCarthy, Patrick
230
Palmer, Robert M., Pottsville.
Loeust Dale
178 MeKibbin, D. J
Parry, Edwin O.,
307
Lorberry Junetion ..
352 Meck, Charles A
260
Pershing, Cyrus L.,
301
MeKeansburg
199 Merkel, M
176
Piper, O. P., Schuylkill Haven.
Mahanoy Plane.
374 Nutting, J. L.
319
Potts, George H., N. Y. City
Maizeville.
375 Palmer, Robert M
298
Reilly, B., Philadelphia.
311a
Mantzville
386 Parry, Edwin O.
307 Ryon, J. W., Pottsville.
297
Mifflin.
314 Pershing, C. L
30]
Schlicher, Edwin, Tamaqua
337
Mt. Laffee.
243 Piper, O. P ..
258
Seltzer, Conrad, Pottsville ..
312
New Castle
243 Potts, George H
305
Severn, E. L., Mahanoy City
232
Newkirk
349 Quinn, John T.
229
Shannon, Benjamin F., Schuylkill Haven 257
New Town
343 Reilly, B.
3lla
Shepp, Daniel, Tamaqua. 339
North Penn
386 Richardson, William F.
232
Sigfried, J. K., Pottsville.
304
Patterson
348
Ryon. J. W .
297
Titman. Charles E., Shenandoah 2130
Pitman
215 Schlicher, Edwin
337
Titman, Lizzie F. 213d
Quakake Junetion.
345 Seltzer, Conrad.
312 Torbert, A. Carrie, Torbert
213d
Reevesdale
349 Shannon, B. F.
257
Torbert, Hester, 213€
Ringtown
355 Shannon, Samuel H.
257
Torbert. James,
213b
Rock
357 Shepp, Daniel.
339 Torbert, James F.,
213c
St. Nicholas.
225 Shoener, John A
932 Torbert, Margaret A., '
213b
Silver Brook.
Short, William.
233 Torbert, Mary C.,
213e
Summit
300 Sigfried, J. K.
304
Torbert, Sallie R.,
213€
223 Spayd, Benjamin
298
Torbert, Susie L.,
213d
Stauffer, H. H ..
230
Torbert, William Stephen, Torbert. 2130
213a
156 Torbert Family.
213a Torbert, Victoria H., 213d
213 Ulmer, Jacob.
309a
Ulmer, Jacob, Pottsville 309a
301 Walker, Thomas H., Pottsville.
301
348 Weber, Augustns
242
Weber, John.
230
Weiss, G. W., Schuylkill Haven.
260
Weber, William Y.
232
Weissinger, L. W., Sporting Hill.
310a
Weiss, G. W
260
Weldy, H. A., Tamaqua. 336
312
Weldy, H. A
336 Wetherill, J. M., 30
230 Wiggan, George, Tamaqua. 340
312
Wiggan, Mrs. George, Tamaqua. 341
Wetherill, J. M.
307 340
Wrenn, George H., Mahanoy City 189
Wrenn, Thomas, Pottsville .. 309a
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Bast, Mrs. Gideon, Schuylkill Haven, Res ..... 258a Buck, Peter E., Ashland, Res., Store & Ware- house 188
Coal Chart. 40a
Colliery, Big Mine Run, Butler. 179
Colliery, William Penn, West Mahanoy. 369
Diamond Drill Company, Pottsville, Works ... 273
Fenstermacher. John, Ringtown Hotel. 180 Garner, Joseph W., Ashland, Iron Works. 184
Grant Iron Works, Mahanoy City, Works. 233
Geological Chart. 38
Map, Schuylkill county.
Donaldson, William, Tamaqua.
338
Blass, Louis, Girardville
232
Metz, C., Mahanoy City, Hotel .. 180 Safe Deposit Bank, Pottsville. Building. 275
Seltzer, William and Conrad, Pottsville, Res., Hotel 312
Thompson, L. C., Pottsville, Store. 273
Filbert, Peter.
323 Campbell, John, Rush Township. 347
Foster, Solomon.
306a
Donaldson, William, Pottsville ... 303
Fridiriei, Alfred.
387
Garner, Joseph W. 185 Filbert, Peter, Pine Grove ...
323
Weissinger, L. W .; Sporting Hill, Res. .310a
BIOGRAPHIES.
Allison, Robert. 213 306
Audenried, Lewis
Audenried, William 305a
Bannan, Benjamin 293
Bartholomew, Lin 96
Bast, Gideon. 258
Beach, W. T
174 302
Wythe, George W 230
PORTRAITS.
Brumm. Charles N
Allison, Robert, Port Carbon .. 213
Audenried, Lewis, Philadelphia 306
Audenried, William, 305a
Bannan, Benjamin, Pottsville .. 293
321 Bartholomew, Lin
296
Conrad, H. W.
321
Bast, Gideon, Schuylkill Haven.
258
Conrad, Victor L.
321 Beach, W. T., Minersville. 174
303 Bechtel, O. P., Pottsville 301
Dieffenderfer, R. E. 302
Eichman, John
Brown, D. P., Lost Creek.
213b 371 173
Eneke, William.
230 Brumm, Charles N., Minersville.
Fermier, H.
232 Buek, Peter E., Ashland.
188
Torbert, W. L., Torbert, Res. and Grounds 213e, f, g Trontman, H., Ashland, Hotel. 180
Watson, M. C., Shenandoah, Store. 390
Donaldson, William, Tamaqna. 338
309a
Watson, M. C. 390
Bechtel, O. P.
Boyer, Emanuel.
Brown, D. P
371 173 189
Buek, Peter E.
Campbell, John
317 230
Comrey, Andrew
Conrad, F. W ..
368
Valley View
220)
Weissinger, L. W
310
Werner, J. F., Pottsville.
Wenrich, Frank.
Werner, J. Frank
Wiggan, George ..
Wiggan, Mrs. George.
341 310
Williams, John H.
232
Torbert, Hon. William L.,
Tamanend.
344
Steach, George N
Taylorsville
Torbert
Tower City.
326 Walker, Thomas H.
230 Watson, M. C., Shenandoah. 390
Tuscarora
Wadesville.
William Penn
PAGE
PAGE
Gearytown
327 Hein, Jonas 229
Gilberton
375
Hoppes, Solomon S.
932
Kear, Frank G., Minersville.
259 MacMillan, M. M., Ann Arbor, Mich. 213℮
Jalapa ...
274 Kopitzsch, Charles F
356 Loseh, S. A
Heela ..
314 Griseom, Samuel. 294 Griseom, Samuel, Philadelphia 294
Fishback
Donaldson, William, Pottsville.
Blatehford, Mary J., Torbert.
Williams, John H., Pottsville . 310
Summit Station.
Swatara.
343
189
258
305
Wren, Thomas
INTRODUCTION.
In preparing the following work for publication infor- mation has been sought from every available source, and it is believed that many of the facts recorded have been preserved from oblivion by being thus rescued from the failing memories of those who will soon pass away.
It is hardly possible that in a work like this no errors will be found; but it is confidently hoped that if inaccur- acies are discovered the great difficulty of preventing their occurrence will be considered, and that they will be regarded in a charitable rather than a censorious spirit.
The publishers desire to acknowledge the kindness and courtesy with which their efforts to obtain the facts recorded here have been almost uniformly met. To the press, and especially to the editors of the Miners' Jour- nal, of Pottsville, and the Shenandoah Herald, for free access to the files of their journals; to Colonel Hyde, the gentlemanly librarian of the Pottsville Athenaeum, for the privileges of the library; to county and borough officers, for assistance in examining their records; to the pastors of nearly all the churches in the county, for assistance in preparing the religious history; and to secretaries of numerous societies and lodges, for data furnished, their grateful acknowledgements are due.
4-30-45 Gen. Peresse
The following books have been freely consulted: Sherman Day's and Dr. Egle's histories of Pennsylvania,
Pennsylvania Archives, Rupp's history of Schuylkill county, Dewees's and Martin's histories of the Mollie Maguires, the history of the Pennsylvania volunteers, prepared under the authority of the State by Samuel P. Bates, LL. D .; and the Memorial of the Patriotism of Schuylkill County, by the late Francis B. Wallace, from which last the lists of the soldiers of the Union from Schuylkill county were taken.
Of those who have aided in the preparation of the work, or furnished valuable information, it is a pleasure to the publishers to naine the following, besides the authors of sections of the work who are named in con- nection with their contributions : The intelligent octo- genarians, Abraham Pott, who came here at the age of ten, and Jeremiah Reed, who was born here; Judge David B. Green, Judge E. O. Parry, F. A. Mortimer, O. J. Airgood, clerk of the courts, J. B. Kaercher, C. D. Arters, D. E. Miller, Christopher Little, John P. Ber- tram, William L. Whitney, John A. M. Passmore, George R. Kaercher, Jesse Hawley, Rev. Drs. Bellville and George W. Smiley, Revs. G. A. Hinterleitner, Edward J. Koons, J. B. Stein and B. F. Patterson, J. Wallace McCool, Charles Tanner, W. B. Staller, Jacob S. Long- acre, H. H. Brownmiller, F. G. Faust, H. S. Strong, A. L. Boughner, W. H. Zeller, John Anthony, Edward T. Filbert, Rev. E. S. Henry, John Jacob Schnoke, J. O. Roads and Richard Harington.
9
COUNTY
NORTH UNION Erreted 1867, from Union Zion S Grove P.O.
COUNTY
NORTHUMBERLAND
Rough & Ready P.O.
Klingerstown P.O.
O UPPER MAHANTONGO
Erected 1811,from Berks Co.
ELDRED Erected 1819. from Upper Mahantonyo
CREEK
GIRARD MI SE
FRO.
MAHANOY
Mahanor
SHEHANDDAH
MAHANOY Frected 1849,from Rush Nicholas P.O.
- SilverBrook. KLEIN Erected 1872, from Rush
Delano P.o.
Sacramento P.O
Weishample P.O.
MAHANOY CITY
HEGINS Erector 1853from Lower MahantongooFountain
Erected 1855,from fuss. Butter & Barry Hughes P.O.
GlenCarbon PogickschervilleP.O.
NEW CASTLE
Norwegian
TamanendP.O. RUSH Ereried 1811, from Northampton Co
Barnesville(P.O.
TowerCity Pn. PORTER JoliettPOJFRAELET Erected 18417,from
Porter
Branchdale P.O
Orwin P.O. Erected 1840.from Lower suluantonyo
VIVE Berkes to
Erected 1811, fivm
Brected 6.91847
POTTS ONO.PORT CARBON
NEW OPO.
MIDDLE PORT
P.O.
MOUNT CARBON
NorthPenn P.O.
NORTH MANHEIM
ReynoldsP.O.
Erected 1845,from Manheim
DeTurksville P.O.
FriedensburgP.o.
CRES
MifflinP.O.
PINE
SONA
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN P.O.
OP.O.
Erected 1811, from Northampton Co.
NEW
RINGOLD BORO.
LaHnmoville P.O.
· EAST
West PennP.O.
Pinedale P.o.
SummitPO:
Erected 1845,from Manheim
OP.O.
Erected 1834 7 from Brunswick
B
LEHIGH
.
R
K
S
T
A
PORT CLINTON
INCORP'D
Butler ...
South Manheim ..
NAME.
1857
1857
West Mahanoy.
Mahanoy ...
1876
Auburn ..
1872
Cressona ..
1872
Frackville
1831
Gilberton ..
1864
Blythe. ..
Mahanoy. ... East Brunswick.
1863
1877
1867
1813
1828
1832
1850
1852
1854
1850
1840
1866
Tremont ..
1833
1866
Norwegian .
1866
Scale, 1350 rods to an inch.
OF
OUTLINE MAPU
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Girardville . Mioersville .. Mount Carbon. Middleport .... Mahanoy City ... New Ringold ... New Philadelphia Orwigsburg ... Pottsville. . Pine Grove .. Port Clinton. Port Carbon .. Palo Alto ... St. Clair .. Schuylkill Haven · Shenandoah .. Tamaqua .. Tremont . Yorkville.
1859
Blythe . . Brunswick. Norwegian
WAYNE Erected 18?), from Manheim &PineGrove
BURG
Erected 1811, from Berks Co.
GROVE
WASHINGTON Erected 1856,from 'Wayne & Pine Grove
RorkPO
BRUNSWICK Erected 1834,from Brunswich
SOUTH MANHEIM
Drehersville P.O.
AUBURM
LITTL
RIVER
Y
LIST OF BOROUGHS.
FROM WHAT TOWNSHIP.
WHEN
-
1857
North Manheim ..
Butler. .. Norwegian . North Manheim
ORWIGS
HecklaP.O.
LEBANON CO.
TREMONT P.O.
REILLY
Liewenn BRANCH
TREMONT Erected 18418, from Pine Grove
Erectedl 1851. from |Erected 1838,from Branch & Cuss
YORKVILLE
VILLE/
Hfrom-Norwegian'S
EAST. NORWEGIAN
BLYTHE Erected 1846, from Schuylkill
SCHUYLKILLErected from BerksCoo Tuscarora Po AQUA
TAM
RAHN Coaldale P.O. Erected 1860, from West Penn
PO
CARBON
P.O.
CASS
Erected 1848 from. Branch
Broad MountainP.O.
DonaldsonP.O
MINERS
SwataraP.O
POO
Erected 1848, from
RYAN Erected 1866, from Mahanoy &. Rush
DAUPHIN CO.
Leib P.O.
MAHANOY
ASHLAND
OR.O.
LocustDalePo.
RingtownP.O. UNION Erected 1818, from Columbia &. Luzerne Counties
EAST UNION
CO UNTY
6
Raven Rim P.Op Lost CreekP.00
HUBLEY Erected 1853,from Lower Mahantongos
Barry P.O.o BARRYErected 1821. from. Vorrman &Schuylkill Mabel P.O.
GordonPO;
BUTLER Erected 18418, from Barry
- FRACKVILLE
GILBERTON
Erected
o~ Valley View HeginsVille P.O.
FOSTER
ELMahuntogo Braonch Barry &
ST. OP.O. CLAIRE
NORWEGIAN
O
Norwegian
PHILADELPHIA
PALO ALTO
WALKER Erected 1818from Schuylkill
Ellwood P.O PINE GROVE
WEST PENN
COUNTY
COUNTY-
Pine Grove ..... West Brunswick .. East Norwegian ..
E. Norwegian & Norwegian
New Castle .. Manheim .. Mahanoy.
Schuylkill and West Penn
Brandonville P.O. O Erected 1867, from I'nion Rush &. Mahaney Torbert P.O.
diepler po. Line Moimtain P.O. O.Pitman P.O.
Helfenstein P.O.
COLUMBIA
LUZERNE
By J. S. HAWLEY, Pottsville, Pa.
JyKeansburgP.O.
WEST BRUNSWICK MUYLING
Ashland.
OUTLINE HISTORY
OF
PENNSYLVANIA.
CHAPTER I.
-
THE DISCOVERY OF THE DELAWARE - PENNSYLVANIA GRANTED TO AND ORGANIZED BY WILLIAM PENN.
T HE first discovery of Delaware bay, and the river which forms a portion of the eastern boundary of the State of Pennsylvania ap- pears to have been made by Hendrick Hud- son, an Englishman in the service of the Dutch, in 1609. In August of that year he entered the bay, and after a short cruise in it left and proceeded to the mouth of the Hudson river, which stream he ascend- ed as far as Albany.
It is said that Lord Delaware visited the bay in 1610; hence the name by which it and the river are known. It was called by the Dutch South river, the Hudson being termed by them the North river.
Another Dutch navigator, Captain Mey, visited the bay in 1614; but Captain, or, as he was termed, skipper Cornelius Hendrickson first ascended the river as far as the mouth of the Schuylkill, in 1616.
A short lived settlement was made on the east bank of the Delaware under the auspices of the Dutch West In- dia Company in 1623, under the direction of Captains Mey and Tienpont. Another settlement was made on the bay, farther down, in 1630; but this was soon de- stroyed by the Indians, whose enmity the colonists had indiscreetly incurred.
Maryland was granted to Lord Baltimore in 1632, and the territory on the west side of the Delaware was claimed by him, and the disputes arising out of this claim remained unsettled durir.g many years.
In 1638 a settlement was made on the west bank of the Delaware by a colony of Swedes, under the patron- age of Queen Christina. This colony was under the direction of Peter Minuit, a Hollander, who had been a director in the colony of New Amsterdam. Several Swedish governors followed Minuit in succession; pros perous settlements sprang up along the west bank of the
river, and a thriving trade was carried on by the Swedes. They were watched with jealousy by the Dutch, who set up the claim of jurisdiction by reason of former occupa- tion, and instituted intrigues and plans to dispossess the Swedes. In 1655 a force of seven vessels and six hun- dred men was sent up the Delaware for that purpose. The Swedish government had been kept in ignorance of this expedition, and it was easily successful.
On the restoration of Charles the Second to the throne of Great Britain, he granted the territory now including New York and New Jersey, and afterwards that of Del- aware, to his brother the Duke of York. The latter im- mediately sent a force to take possession of the country thus granted. New Amsterdam and Fort Orange on the Hudson were at once possessed, and rechristened re- spectively New York, in honor of the Duke of York, and Albany. A portion of the force was then dispatched to take possession of the Dutch colonies on the Delaware, which was accomplished almost without resistance. This dispossession of the Dutch by the English led to a war between Great Britain and Holland, at the conclusion of which the title of the former to these territories was ac- knowledged by treaty The Duke of York continued in possession of this region, undisturbed except by the Marylanders, who resorted to occasional. acts of violence in order to assert the claim of Lord Baltimore, until, in 1663, war again broke out betwen Great Britain and Holland, and Dutch privateers visited the coasts and plundered the inhabitants; and during that year a Dutch squadron of vessels arrived and repossessed the domin- ions which had been granted to the Duke of York. These were restored by the treaty of Westminster in 1674, and in the same year, by a new patent, the title of the Duke of York was confirmed. During eight years following these events great changes took place among the propri- etaries of the region, in the course of which William Penn, by reason of being a trustee of one of these pro- prietaries and a purchase of a portion of the territory, became quite familiar with the region, as well as with the plans for its colonization.
William Penn was the son of Sir William Penn, an ad- miral in the royal navy, who at his death left a claim of
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OUTLINE HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
sixteen thousand pounds against the government of Great Britain. Though in early life he was a soldier of some distinction, he afterwards became a Quaker, and was several times imprisoned because of his religious faith. Having become, as before stated, familiar with the re- gion on the Delaware, and with the schemes for its colo- nization, he conceived the plan of founding a colony there on the broad principles of equality which his faith taught. Accordingly, in 1680, he petitioned King Charles the Second for a grant of a tract of land west from the Delaware river and south from Maryland, in liquidation of the claim which he had inherited from his father. Af- ter the discussion and arrangement of the preliminaries the petition was granted, and a charter signed by the king in 1681. Penn at first desired that the province might be called New Wales, and when objections were raised against this he suggested Sylvania. To this the king and his counsellors prefixed Penn, for the double reason that the name would appropriately mean high woodlands, and that it was the name of a distinguished admiral, whose memory the king desired to honor. A royal address was at once issued informing the inhabit- ants that William Penn was the sole proprietor, and that he was invested with all the necessary governmental powers. A proclamation was also issued by William Penn to the people of his province, setting forth the policy which he intended to adopt in the government of the colony. A deputy was sent in the spring of the same year, with instructions to institute measures for the management of affairs and the temporary government of the province. In autumn of the same year he sent com- missioners to make treaties with the Indians, and arrange for future settlement.
South from the province of Pennsylvania, along the Delaware bay, the Duke of York was still the proprietor of the country. Foreseeing the possibility of future an- noyance to the commerce of his province, Penn was de- sirous of acquiring this territory; and accordingly en- tered into negotiations with the Duke of York for it, and in the autumn of 1682 he became the proprietor of the land by deeds, which, however, conveyed no political rights. In the autumn of 1682 Penn visited his province in the new world, took formal possession of the territory along Delaware bay, proceeded up the Delaware and visited the settlements along that river. During this year the celebrated treaty between William Penn and the In- dians was made, it is said by some historians, under a large elm tree at Shakamaxon. By others it is insisted that no evidence exists of any such treaty at that place; but that the accounts of it that have passed into history were drawn largely from the fertile imaginatons of early writers. Whether a treaty was held there or not, it is almost certain that during that year treaties were made between Penn and the Indians, and it is a historical fact that between the Indians and Quakers perfect faith was kept. Voltaire said of the treaty which was said to have been made at Shakamaxon: "It was the only one ever made between savages and Christians that was not ratified by an oath, and the only one that was never broken."
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