The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania], Part 1

Author: Rupp, Israel Daniel, 1803-1878. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1846
Publisher: Lancaster city, Pa., G. Hills
Number of Pages: 614


USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


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 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61



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-


THE


HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY


OF


DAUPHIN, CUMBERLAND, FRANKLIN, BEDFORD, ADAMS, AND PERRY COUNTIES :


CONTAINING A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRST SETTLERS, KOTICES OF THE LEADING EVENTS, INCIDENTS AND INTERESTING FACTS, BOTH GENERAL AND LOCAL, IN THE HISTORY OF THESE COUNTIES, GENERAL & STATISTICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL BO- ROUONS, TOWNS, VILLAGES, &C.,


WITH AN


APPENDIX:


EMBELLISHED WITH SEVERAL ENGRAVINGS.


COMPILED FROM NUMEROUS AUTHENTIC SOURCES


1


BY I. DANIEL RUPP, .Author of He Pasu Ekklesia, &c., &c., &c. Librar Grecs.


City of


- n.


GILBERT HILLS, PROPRIETOR & PUBLISHER,


Lancaster rity, Pa.


1846


FIET A18749


Entered according to an act of Congress, in the year 1816, BY GILBERT HILLS, PROPRIETOR, LANCASTER,


In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.


... 11/23-840000 .. . .


2/3


1


PREFACE.


-


In this compilation, it has been my object to present, by way of introduction, a brief sketch of the earliest settlements made within the counties, of which a history and topography are attempted ; a detailed account is given of the adventures, sufferings and trials of pioneer settlers. I have studiously avoided giving place to any thing of a speculative character. Any remarks of my own, were made on a careful examination of such evidence as will stand scrutiny. The plan, I pur- sued, is that of making authentic documents speak for them- selves, from which the reader may draw his own deductions. In several instances, I have introduced well grounded tradi- tion ; and, as far as practicable, when exhibiting the suffer- ings of the first settlers, letters and narratives, written chen they suffered, are given, expressing, it is believed, in their own words, with all the freshness of novelty, their trials and difficulties, much better than I could have done.


The reader will readily perceive, that I have made no at- tempt, in this compilation, at what has the semblance of or- iginality-embellishments of style. This is not said to di- vert the critic in pointing out what is faulty .- Any defect, or inaccuracy, noticed by the reader, and pointed out, in a proper spirit, will be considered a favor.


That this compilation is defective, none can be more con- scious of, than I am. But none need look for a perfect his- tory of the kind, till a greater accumulation of historical facts, for this purpose, is extant. Whether I have, as the result of my researches, contributed any the least towards such a collection, is left to the decision of others. I strove to do so -This is all I could do.


vi


PREFACE.


To my personal friends, who have been pleased to promise contributions, and have redeemed their promises, I am under obligations. I am in a special manner indebted to the Hon- orable Jesse Miller, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and to his clerks, for facilities afforded me while examining the Archives of the State.


Lancaster, Pa. 1846.


COMPILER.


ERRATA.


For the errors noted in the following list, and for others, he may not have detected, the Compiler assigns, that circum- stances prevented him from revising the compilation in its progress through the press, and correct the proof sheet, as an apology.


D la means line from above ; Ib line from below ; l line; r read.


Page 43, 16 lb, read $200 or $300; p 45, 11 lb, for fanielien, read familien (p. 45 and 46, a number of ortho- graphical errors) p 43, 3 1b, for often r after ; p 48, 15 lb, for not also, r unless ; p 48, 5 lb, for Schotter's, r Schlatter's; p 48, 1 b, for Gergans, r Germans; p 49, 1 la, strike out Reformirten after Schlatter ; p49, 3 1b, r East Pennsboro; p 50, 2 la, for Tustus, read Justus ; p 50, 6 1b, for Schniedt, r Schmiedt ; p 51, 14 lb, for occasion, r occasioned ; p 51, 5 lb, for disserting plan, r dissenting place ; 55, 10 la, strike out were, before granted ; 69, 8 la, for Floster, r Ffoster ; (similar errors in several pages) 77, 9 1b, for Bigboor, r Big cove ; 79,2 la, for effect, r effects ; 80, 9 la, for Anchmudy, r Auchmudy ; 8 6 1b, should read, I do not like their com- pany ; 83, 11 la, for writing, r waiting ; 87, 4 la, for nature, r nation ; 87, 8 lb, for any, r my ; 89, 4 la, insert an after from ; 94, 7 la, for buried, r burned ; 100, 14 la, for Eoldd- ward, r Old Edward ; 108, 11 1b, for deprivations, r depre- dations ; 104, 4 la, for Peter's, r Potter's ; 109, for raised in Bradford, r resided in Bedford ; on p 114, erase three lines at the bottom ; 116, 3 la, for Fronkstown, r Franks- town ; 116, 4 lb, for eft, r left ; 117, 26 lb, read fearful of being burnt, asked &c., not being &c., 119, 18 la, for Zachen, r Sachen ; 129, 25 la, for McCommon, r McCamman; 136, 4 lb, for shot two Indians, read shot by two Indians ; 136, 1 la, for what, r which ; 143, 9 1b, for Geo. r Gov. 147, 15 la, for Donnellon, r Donnellan ; 155, 7 lb, for Woodrock, r Woodcock; 157, 11 lb, for constitute, r constitutes ; 157, 2 1b, for agrressor, r aggressors ; 162, 2 la, for separated, r exasperated ; 163, 17 la, for greatly, r guilty ; 169, 13 lb, for pourpting, r purporting ; 172, 15 la, for spiritual, r spirited ; 190, 13 1b, for acquaint, r acquit ; 199, 1 la, for


viii


ERRATA.


· keys, r kegs ; 201, 2 la, for Buch, r Bucks ; 204, 20 1b, for Rinagel, r Binagel ; 208, 2 lb, for Mayhantayo, r Mahan- tango ; 213, 12 la, for husband, r husbandman ; 213, 11 lb, for operatives, r operations ; 218, 10 la, for 4,285, read 1,525; 248, 1 lb, for in, r into ; 264, 19 la, for their, r three; 278, for Michael Ausbach, r Ansbach; 281, for George Huyer, r Hoyer ; 282, opposite the name of Jacob Bucher, for £1, 104, r 1 shilling 10} ; 284, 61b, between the words vestry and contracted, r by their building com- mittee Jacob Bucher, John Kelker and John Zinn ; 289, 20 la, after the name Adam Boyd, insert Jacob Bucher ; 293, 11 la, for Stern, r Stem ; 294, 17 la, read, 1844, instead of 1846; 295, read Rauch, instead of Gauch ; 297, the Luth. Sab. School has 475 vols. instead of 225; 395, 3 lb, read compliment, instead of complement ; 391, 24 la, read is, not are ; 385, 13 lb, Potter, not Porter ; 414, 15 la, surmount- ed, not surmounts ; 431, 19 la, Croghad's, read Croghan's ; 341, 7 1b, contracted, read continued ; 439, 11 la, read Lou- ther : 440, 25 lb, for not, read none ; 440, 2 1b, Mary, read Martha ; 444, 23 1b, Cedar Hill, read Spring ; 446, 2 la, Fracht, read Tracht ; 447, 15 lb, years, read years ago ; 456, 21 lb, Anticturn, read Antietum ; 458, 21 la, when, read where : 467, 21 la, Conrad Mercer, read Colonel Mer- cer : 468, 27 Ib, Fishbite, read Tishbite ; 448, 7 lb, west read east : 471, 19 la, Diaguothian, read Diagnothian ; 480, 14 lb, doing, read daring ; 495,7 1b, Great George, read gorge : 496, 3 Jb, Jacob Riegler, read Ziegler ; 499, 26 ]b. Long Resch read Reach ; 499, 11 Ja, sutters, read suttleis : 499. 16 la, Loyel Harmer, read Loyal Hanna ;- similar er- rors in the sequel-505, 24 lb, Vicrey, read Vicroy ; 509. 6 1b, Sirco, read Lirio : 509, 4 lb, Satifolia, read Latifolia : 510, 1 lb. Encrim, read Encrini ; 510, 20 lb, Stoneycas ?. read Stonecast ; 513, 24 lb, Dauphin, read Dublin : 482. 13 lb, Schnechery, read Schneeberg : 459, 7 lb, Barru, read Barre : 493, Broad Tay township, read Broad Top ; 519, 1744, read 1749: 539, 6 lb, Torney's, read Farney's ; 553. 18 lb. bearing. read becoming ; 653, 4 lb, ore, read are : 561, 5 la, Lammer, read Tammer.


INDEX.


Armstrong John killed A.


50


sufferers 146


Arnold Woodward killed


59 Cample Joseph killed


Armstrong John Col. his let-


Conestogo Indians killed


163


ters, 02, 116, 126, 133, 135, 131, 344, 393, 421


Carlisle, Stump rescued at


17%


His expedition to Kittaning,


115


Early incidents at


3-5,412


Archer Elizabeth killed


122


Cunningham's deposition


219


Aquanuschioni, or Six Nations


456


Conjuror at Harris'


25)


456 Churches at Harrisburg


277


519


Catholic church


535


Bloomfield


552


B


Burns Patrick abducted


67


Coxtown


Burd James, his letter


82 Cumberland county


216


Bell James, his encounter


103 Conodogwinet


Blair James and John killed


114 Cedar Spring


571


Boyd William killed


101 Cave, near Carlisle


374


Barnet John killed


101


Centreville


Bigham Fort destroyed


109


Churchtown


432


Boyd Mrs. sons and daughters ab- ducted


115


Chartier Peter


435


Mrs. Bogg's made prisoner


113- Craighead's communication


Berrihill Andrew killed


125 129


Conococheague creek


435


Burd's letter to Gov. Morris


393


Chambersburg


461


Barton Thomas Rev. his letters


133, 257


Beaty Mr. murdered


131


Concord


Busse Christian his letter


132


Bouquet Henry Col. his letter


145, 151


Brown, a teacher and scholars killed 149 Bow run 220


D


Beaver creek


220


Bucher C. J. Revd.


233


Denny William killed


104


Bridge a: Harrisburg


269


Dickey Elizabeth abducted


131


Brainerd Rev. at Chambers'


Doctor John, an Indian. murdered


15-


Brushy Rockville


Dauphin county, 201; first township in, 203 ; names of early settlers 201 ;


Berrysburg


333


Big Čove, first settlers in removed


erected, 209; geological features, 209; census of, in 1:40 2215


Derry township organized


203


Bedford


Duncan's Island 333


Diekinson College 410


Dickey's rua


Boundary lime, &c


537


Baird's abduction


543


Evans John abducted 67


Elder John Rev. his lettera 95, 194, 302


Enslow Andrew killed


Exhumation of remains of, &c 15J


Last Berlin 531


Chambers Benjamin his letters


90,349 98


Culbertson Alexander killed


101


Chambers William killed


101


Finlay John killed 124


Culbertson John killed


122


Fincher killed 111


Craig John killed 125


Fishing creek 212


Cisnev and others abducted


129


Fisher George Capi. 273


5:25


Cashtown


53%


Braddock's letter to Gov. Morris Bridge Port


391 493 495


Bedford Springs


Benderaville


50% 536 536


Bonnaghiown


E.


Cetholics in 1757 C.


49


Croghan George his letter


71


Coxe's widow two sons abducted


F.


French Mr. & Mrs. killed


312


his reply 10 Gov. Morris


32:


Carson John his letter


331


Armstrong's creek 219


Clark's creek


350 Conewago creek


221


Amberson's run Antietum creek Adamz county Abbottstown


Clapham's instructions fromn Gov. ernor Morris 313


49-


Centre Square


433


44


Blair William killed


Cove run


Crunkleton


Conewago creek


Devoy Henry abducted 67


200, 331 30%


PAGE Christ Church of Phila relieved PAGE


X


INDEX.


Forts and block houses erected east of the Susquehanna river


299


Jameson's letters


315


Fort Hunter


301 331


Juniala, first white settlers on removed 350


Fairview


433


Frogtown


444


K.


Franklin county


449 King Jacob killed 79


Falling Spring


456, 461


Kerr William and Robert killed 101


Funk-town


482


Kelly John killed 104


Fannetsburg


481


Kerrel Hugh killed


122


Fairview


513


Kirkpatrick killed


129


Fort Littleton


513


Kingston


Fairfield


536


L.


G.


Le Roy Anne Mary abducted


80


Germans, brief sketch of 37


Layson John killed


104


German settlers in Cumberland 49


Leonard Long, his son killed


130


Galbreath James his letters 89, 123, 124


Gibson widow killed


113


Lutheran church at Harrisburg


286


Granville Fort attacked & destroyed


114


Gibson William killed


129


Letort creek


373


Graydon alludes to sickness at Har- risburg in 1792-'4


215


Licking creek


476


aliudes to western insurrection Governor Morris at Harris's


275


Loudon


512


Galbreath William his letters


262


Latimore creek


525


Littlestown


536


German Reformed church at Harris- burg


292


Liverpool, Landisburg & Loysville


551


Gern.an Lutheran church 201


303


Greer sburg or Dauphin


332


Morris' remarks on Braddock's defeat


100


McCoy Daniel killed


101


MeCarty John killed


104


H.


Jeorge abducted


67


Martin James killed


109


73 M'culloughi James abducted


113


¿ . Hance his letters


105, 115


86 Martin John killed


199


Hoops Adam his letters


93, 94, 115


Honday James killed


129


Miller Alexander killed


129


Henderson Allen killed


199


Mitchel Joseph and William killed


129


Harper Janet allucted


206


Mitchel Margaret her letter 129


130


Harrisburg, at present


265


M'eracken John killed


130


Halifax


305


Mauerer George killed


131


Hi!, Isiand


330 Mackey James murdered


219


Humnelstown


330 Mahantongo creck


220


331 Montgomery Revd.


251


Hoge's riu


430 Mount Airy Waterworks


269


Hognestown


535 Methodist church at Harrisburg


307


Hunterstown


536 McAllister'stown


326


536 Middletown


332


Millersburg Manor on conedogninette


353, 356


30 Means' run


373


37 Mountain creek


429


162 Middlesex


430


231 Milltown


444


273 Marsh run


456


Insurrection western


Indian wigwams in Cumberland co.


Imnagrants influx into North valley Intruders upon Indian lands removed 379 lckesburg


Marion


492


551 Martinsburg


511


4


PAGI


PAGI


Jones Jacob and Henry killed


104


Franklin


I.


Immigration westward Indial.'s friendship


374


"- Irish, or Scotch Irish


Indians killed at Conestoga ice Howul


467


352 Mercersburg


46€


35℃ Mayer Lewis, D. D.


219


Hampton


Heid ersberg


481


526


his letters, S1, 86, 88, 250, , :53, 254, 257


M'cafferty and A. McQuoid killed


122


int tarwemer. extract from


Mckinley William killed


125


129 M'cammon Jane abducted


129


Ilanover township erected


Harris settled at Peixtan


223


Manson William and son killed


109, 148


etween French & Eng.


M


Magenty Alexander abducted 67 -


Graiztown


333


Landis's mill


237


Linglestown


331


Lisburn


432


456


258 Licking creek


Galbreath Bartram, his letter


Mitchelltrec Mrs. killed


Miller Robert his daughter killed MeDonald James and William; B.


131


331 Manady creek


Iluana Mareus


373 Monacatoothın died at Harris'


51 Mechanicsburg


432


Jacobs Captain 352


INDEX. xi


M'connell's town Mummasburg McSherrystown Millerstown Milford


PAGE


PAGE


512 Rankin And. B. Esq. his letter 150


536 Rocktown 331


537 Roxberry


430


553 Roxbury


483


553 Rainsburg


513


N.


S.


Neulaender


42 Sauers Christopher his letter 42


Nicholson Owen abducted


67


Smith James killed 59


Nicholass Edwards killed


100


Smith James abducted 75


Newspapers published at harrisburg 276, at carlisle, at Shippensburg, at chambersburg, and Newville


428


Scott Franeis killed 104


Newburgh


428 .Shippen E. his letters, 74, 106, 171, 316, 426


New cumberland


435


Settlers fled in Dauphin co.


125, 120-


New Oxford


535


Springson killed


129


New Port


553


Steenson Robert killed


129


New Buffalo


"


Stanwix colonel his lettere 133


New Germantown


554


Stimble Isaac killed 152


155


O.


Stump killed ten Indians,


173, 178, 179


Oneidon Dennison killed


129


Shawana Ben's letter


177


Oak Dale


333


Seneca George's son shot


192


Orrstown


483


Susquehanna river


218


Opposum creek


525


Stoney creek


219


Spring and Swatara creeks


220


P.


State house 268


Pennsylvania, whence the name 25 Snyderstown and Silvers' spring 333,373


Penn's policy towards the Indians 29 Shippensburg


Petition from cumberland co.


63, 120


Plan of defence


79


Shepperdstown, Shiremanstown 433


Penn's creek, petition from


79


Potter John his letters


91


St. Thomas 483


513


Peace John killed


104


Perry Samuel killed


122


Pendergrass' daughter killed


129


Terrance Adam, his declaration


Tull and family killed 152


Peshtank or Paxton twp. organized


203


Theol. Sem. of Ger. Reformed church 467


Powel's creek


219


Paxton creek


219


U.


-


Pumpkinflood


231


Union Bethel 297


Presbyterian church at harrisburg at carlisle


420


Portsmouth


328


W.


Path Valley first settlers removed


382


Wright Thomas killed 59


Weiser Conrad at Shamokin 61


Packhorses


376


Papertown


429


Wilson Alrs. killed 113


Woods John and wife killed 122


William Walker killed 128


129


Watson James killed


130


Williams Isaac his wife killed


131


Q.


Quarrels between Irish and German Quincy


4.92


Wallace Joseph his letter


273


R.


Redemption servants 46


48 Wisconisco 333


Whites intrude upon Indian lands 367


Robinson James killed


104


Worleystown 421


43-


Robinson nugh abducted


110


Waynesboro, Woodberry


492, 513


Reed Adam his letters 124, 127


Waynesburg, Werefordsburg 512


Rush Robert killed


130 Warm Springs


541


Sporting hill, Snow hill 444,492


Paynter Jacob killed


·101


Shellsburg, Stonerstown


T.


Patterson's letter to John Penn to Shawana Ben


177


Trindle Spring 430


Publie improvements in D. 00


221


Unior. W. M. church, at Harrisburg 23€


258


Upton church, and Upper Strasburg 484 -


Peter Richard his report on removing intruders from Indian lande


379


his letters, $3, 81, 85, 87, 249, 255, 300, 319 Whitehill Robert $38


Pennsylvania college


532


Petersburg


531


Perry county


515


Petersburg


553


Woodcock valley, persons killed Wisconiseo creek


156


55


219


Western insurrection Washington at Harrisburg, 273, at Carlisle, 418; at Bedford.


Reformed German number of


Reynolds John killed


101


Ramsey Betty and son killed


110


Wormleysburg, Whitehill


77


Shingas, notice of


Sheridan and his family killed


100


Smith Adain his letter


421


Stoughstown, Springfield, Smoketown 4.29


176


Wiley John, and Wilson's son killed


xij


Y


Yellow run Young James his letters Yellow Breeches creek -


INDEX.


PAGE


York Sulphur Springs


PAGE


534


220


321, 394, 461


373


Zinachson, or Shamokin


2.


INTRODUCTION.


CHAPTER I.


Pennsylvania named in honor of Sir William Penn-William Penn receives a charter from King Charles II .- Boundary of the Province -Penn's policy towards the aborigines-Similar policy had been pursued, in some measure, by others-Markham, in obedience to Penn's instructions, purchases lands from the Indians-Repeated purchases made-Deeds to John Penn, Thomas Penn and Richard Penn-Deeds of 1749 and 1754-William Penn's stay in, and depar- ture from, the Province-His return to the Province : return to Eng- land : his death-Influx of immigrants-Settlements extend west- ward-Swiss settlement-Huguenots settlement-Scotch, Irish, and Irish settlements in Lancaster county, &c .- Settlements extend up along the Susquehanna river-Settlements commenced on the west side of the Susquehanna, in York county-Settlements west of the Susquehanna in North, or Kittochtinny Valley-Earliest settlements first among the Indians-Indians' friendship towards the first settlers.


If it were in accordance with the general design of this compilation, much might be said of the spirit of the age in which the founder of the Province of Pennsylvania lived. The main object in view, is to notice some of the leading incidents, events, and historical facts, in connection with the present state or condition of several counties of Pennsylvania.


Pennsylvania, or the Province of Pennsylvania, was named by King Charles II., in honor of the son of Giles Penn, Sir William Penn, an Admiral of the English Navy, who com- inanded the British fleet in Oliver Cromwell's time; and in - the beginning of the reign of Charles II.


In a letter to Robert Turner, William Penn says, that the King would have it called " by the name of Pensilvania," in honor of his ( William Penn's) father. The following is a copy of the letter :


" To Robert Turner,


5th of Ist Mo. 168J.


DEAR FRIEND,


My true love in the Lord salutes thee, and dear friends that love the


3


-


26 -


INTRODUCTION.


Lord's precious truth in those parts. Thine I have, and for my business here, know that after many waitings, watchings, solicitings and disputes in council, this day my country was confirmed to me under the great seal of England, with large powers and privileges, by the name'of Penn- silvania, a name the king would give it in honor of my father. I chose Neto Wales, being as this, a pretty hilly country, but Penn being Welsh for a head, as Penmanmove in Wales, and Penrith in Cumberland, and Penn in Buckinghamshire, the highest land in England, called this Penn- silvania, which is the high or head woodlands ; for I proposed when the Secretary-a Welshman-refused to have it called New Wales, Sylvu- wia, and they added Penn to it ; and though I much opposed it, and went to the king to have it struck out and altered, he said 'twas past, and would take it upon him ; nor could twenty guineas move the under secretarys to vary the name, for I feared least it should be lookt on as a vanity in me, and not as a respect in the king, as it truly was to my father, whom he often mentions with praise. Thou mayst communicate my graunt to friends, and expect shortly my proposals : 'tis a clear and just thing, and my God that has given it me through many difficultys will, I believe, bless and make it the seed of a nation. I shall have a tender care to the government, that it will be well laid at first : no more now, but dear love in truth.


Thy true friend,


W. PENN.


Sir William Penn, the Admiral, for services rendered, and in consideration of sundry debts, due him from the crown, had a promise made him, from King Charles Il., of a large tract of land in America; but he died before he obtained it.


William Penn, son of Sir William, while at Oxford, pursuing his studies, hearing the distinguished Thomas Loe, a Quaker, preach, imbibed religious sentiments of the Friends; and seemed, for some time to care little about the promised grant which the King had made his father; he, therefore, did not urgently press his claims upon the crown; till at last finding that those, whose sentiments he had imbibed, and whose cause, in common with the cause of all the oppressed, he espoused, were harassed every where in England by spiritual courts, resolved to put himself at the head of as many as would go with him, and remove to this country; of which he had ob- tained a grant from Charles II.


There were several acts passed about the middle of the seventeenth century that were oppressive to non-conformists. The Oxford act of 1655 banished non-conforming ministers five miles from any corporate town sending members to Parlament, and prohibited them from keeping or teaching schools. The Test act of the same year was still more se- vere. The dreadful consequences of this intolerant spirit was. that not less than from six to eight thousand died in prison in the reign of Charles II. It is said that Mr. Jeremiah White had carefully collected


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INTRODUCTION.


a list of those who had suffered between Charles IL and the revo- lution, which amounted to sixty thousand-De Laune's Plea, &c.


The Province, or the lower part of it, had been called " New Netherlands," and was begun to be planted by some Dutchmen and others. It is called Pennsylvania in the orig- inal Patent, bearing date March 4th, 1681. It contained all that tract of land in America, with all the Islands belonging to it, from the beginning of the 40th to the 43d degree of north latitude, whose eastern bounds, from twelve miles above New Castle, otherwise Delaware town, run all along upon the side of the Delaware river-these bounds and extent were set down in the original grant ; but Mr. Penn having after- wards obtained part of Nova Belgia from the Duke of York, it was added to the country given in the first grant, so that it extends now to the 38th degree and 55 minutes north lati- tude."*


Soon after Penn had obtained a charter, he made sales to adventurers, called first settlers, who embarked the same year, and arrived in America, at Upland, now Chester, December 11, 1681. Penn, with many of his oppressed friends, sailed next year, landed at New Castle, October 27, 1682.


Penn, who was wholly devoted to the best interests of his colony, did all that lay in his power to secure the continued friendship of the aborigines, or Indians, to whom, of right, belonged the soil-" the woods and the streams"-though, according to the custom of conquest, and in conformity to the practices of the whites of Europe, a contrary principle had generally, if not universally obtained; and, in conformity to that principle, and by virtue of his charter, Penn might le- gally have claimed an indisputable, or an undoubted right to the soil granted him by Charles II .; but he " was influenced by a purer morality, and sounder policy, than that prevailing principle which actuated the more sordid. His religious prin- ciples did not permit him to wrest the soil of Pennsylvania by force from the people to whom God and nature gave it, nor to establish his title in blood; but under the shade of the lofty trees of the forest, his right was fixed by treaties with the natives, and sanctified, as it were, by smoking from the calu- met of peace."t




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