USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Waynesboro > Waynesboro : the history of a settlement in the county formerly called Cumberland, but later Franklin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in its beginnings, to its centennial period, and to the close of the present century > Part 1
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIB. A
ASTOR, LENOX A D TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
HISTORY OF WAYNESBORO.
OuntyMasme
Est quoddam prodire tenus, si non datur ultra .- Borace
WAYNESBORO
The History of a Settlement in the County for- merly called Cumberland but later Franklin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in its be- ginnings; through its growth into a Village and Borough, to its Centennial Period and to the Close of the Present Century : Including a Rela- tion of Pertinent Topics of General State and County History.
By BENJAMIN MATTHIAS NEAD
Published under the Auspices of the Waynesboro Centennial Association.
HARRISBURG, PA. . HARRISBURG PUBLISHING COMPANY MCM
THEM WORK FIBILIBRARY 251253 STR LEN -X AND IN EN FII'DAT ONS. R 1902 L
Copyright, 1900,
By BENJAMIN M. NEAD.
FOREWORD.
HE following pages are the outgrowth of a com- FOREWORD. mendable purpose on the part of the Association of gentlemen who arranged for and so successfully carried out the centennial celebration of Waynesboro in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, the one hundredth anniversary of the actual laying out of the town. It was thought to thus preserve in permanent form a record of the proceedings on the centennial occasion, and, also, to include such items of interest from an historical point of view, relating to the early settlement of that section of the country and of the town, which might be gathered by a reasonable amount of diligence and presented with some regard to method.
The plan adopted is somewhat of a departure from the usual methods. It has not included, as will be readily seen, the presentation of biographical sketches of individ- uals, or genealogical records of families, but has aimed to embrace within its scope simply the plain narrative of events, or in other words, "the essence of innumerable biographies," with only such actual mention of individuals and families as proved to be pertinent in a general way.
He who received the invitation of the Association to do this work, here desires to make certain acknowledg- ments: to manifest his appreciation of the lionor con- ferred, by the Association's appointment to this work, upon him, who, while not a native of Waynesboro, was born within six miles of the town; to return thanks to every member of the Association for their untiring efforts to furnish him with information and material for the work, and, through the Association, to all who have as-
CI
WAYNESBORO.
FOREWORD.
sisted them, or him, in any regard, and to express the hope that what is herein presented, being but the harvest of a desultory planting, under difficulties, in hitherto unbroken soil, may, at least, be sufficiently fruitful of interest to encourage others to more widely cultivate the field in the future.
Benjamin Matthias Read.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
July, the Fourth, 1900.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
HE THAT WILL HAVE A CAKE OUT OF THE WHEAT MUST NEEDS TARRY THE GRINDING.
How Truth Comes to us. Importance of Local History. Re- ligious Persecution a Factor. A Home for Hunted Sects. What Penn Found. Unneighborly Conduct. The problem of Settlement. A Fruitful Harvest .. II-19
CHAPTER I. LAND TITLES.
ORIGIN AND NATURE OF PENNSYLVANIA TENURES.
The "New Albion Claim." Penn Proprietary Grants and Titles. Indian Purchases. Conflict of Titles. Boundary Disputes. In- dividual Grants, . 21-48
CHAPTER II. COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES.
ORGANIZATION, DIVISION AND SUBDIVISION.
The Three Original Counties. The Division of Chester Coun- ty. Formation of Cumberland and Franklin Counties. State of Public Feeling. Original Townships. Formation of Wash- ington Township, 49-66
CHAPTER III. EARLY SETTLERS.
NATIONALITY AND CHARACTERISTICS. IMPELLING CAUSES OF SETTLEMENT.
First Taxables. Early Rates and Levies. An Irrepressible Conflict. Anglican Idea of Liberty. Characteristics of the Scotch-Irish. Characteristics of the Germans. An Amalga- mated Stock, . 67-74
.
4
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IV.
THE PLANTING OF THE TOWN.
WAYNESBORO AS A SETTLEMENT, VILLAGE AND INCORPORATED BOROUGII.
Wallacetown and Waynesboro (The Village), 1797-1818. The Proposed Incorporation of "Waynesburg" (Transition Period). 1818-1831. The Borough of "Waynesboro" (Formative Period), 1831-1870. Looking Cityward (The "Golden Age"). 1870-1900. 75-99
CHAPTER V. LOOKING BACKWARD.
REMINISCENSES AND RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PAST.
A Picture of the Valley. Nicholass's Gap. The First Wallace Settlement. The Old Wallace Homestead. Narrative of "Ye Ancient Inhabitant." A Stroll Through the Old Town. "Peale's Museum." The"Poor House." The Character of the Shops. Military Organizations. Life in the Early Days. Law- less Characters. A Capture. Artificers of the Revolution. A Pleasing Tradition,
. .. 100-118
CHAPTER VI. PHYSICAL BEAUTIES.
MOUNTAIN, FOREST AND STREAM.
The South Mountain. Its Natural Beauties. Its History and Legend. Antietam Creek. Its Associated Memories. Owen Brown and Captain Cook. Waynesboro Caves. 119-133
CHAPTER VII. REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENSHIP.
MEN AND AFFAIRS IN CIVIL LIFE.
Civil Officers. The Professions. Corporate Business Enter- prises. Banks. Civic Societies. Fire Companies. Railroads. 134-155
CHAPTER VIII. IN WAR TIMES-PART I.
WIIEN OUR FOREFATHERS FOUGHT FOR HOME AND COUNTRY.
Indian Outrages and Settlers' Defense. The Revolutionary War. The Uprising against Excise. The War of 1812-14. The Mexican War. Local Relations,. . . 156-185
5
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
IN WAR TIMES-PART II.
WHEN THE UNION WAS PRESERVED: OPENING DAYS. BEFORE AND AFTER ANTIETAM.
The Call to Arms. Excitement in Waynesboro. Volunteering in the Town. Pole Raising and Flag Flying. Prisoners of War. Woman's Aid Society. The Situation on the Border. Gathering News. The Story of Stuart's Raid into Pennsyl- vania, 186-216
CHAPTER X. IN WAR TIMES-PART III.
WHEN THE UNION WAS PRESERVED: PENNSYLVANIAA'S SCOURGING. HER BAPTISM OF FIRE. THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
Lee's Invasion of Pennsylvania. Before and after Gettysburg. The Advance of Early. Lee's Retreat. Military Situation in Waynesboro. McCausland's Raid and the Destruction of Chambersburg. Representatives in the War with Spain. . . . . . . 217-262
CHAPTER XI. EARLY EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS.
CHARACTER AND EXTENT OF OPERATIONS. CONDITIONS, PAST AND PRESENT.
Church Schools. Neighborhood Schools. Private Schools. Common Schools. School-houses. School-teachers. School- Loan. Present School Statistics, . . 263-271
CHAPTER XII.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
HISTORY OF CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
German Baptist, or Dunkard. Presbyterian. Lutheran. Ger- man Reformed. Methodist Episcopal. United Brethren in Christ. Reformed Mennonite. St. Stephen's Episcopal Mis- sion. St. Andrew's Roman Catholic. African Methodist Episcopal. Snow Hill Society. Mormons. . 272-303
6
WAYNESBORO. CHAPTER XIII. NEWSPAPERS.
PURVEYORS OF NEWS FOR HALF A CENTURY AND MORE.
"The Waynesboro Circulator." "The Waynesboro Gazette." The "Village Record." The "Keystone Gazette." The "Blue Ridge Zephyr." The "Centennial Souvenir." The "Waynes- boro Directory, 304-313
CHAPTER XIV. CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL.
THE INCEPTION, PROGRESS AND SUCCESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION.
Association and Officers. Character of the Celebration. Feat- ures of the Several Demonstrations. Arrangement and Routes of the Several Parades. Visitors. Addresses. Official Pro- gram, etc ..
. 314-364
NOTES TO CHAPTERS.
EXPLAINING AND AMPLIFYING SUBJECT MATTER.
Indians Tribes. Boundary Commissioners. Memorials to As- sembly, Letters, Petitioners. First Settlers and Taxables. Wal- lace Family. Title Papers. Charter. Borough, School and Church Statistics. Muster Rolls. War Notes. Newspaper Comments, etc .. . 365-408
ILLUSTRATIONS.
NEGATIVES AND REPRODUCTIONS BY JULIUS F. SACIISE.
General Anthony Wayne, . Frontispiece
PAGE
I. Original County Seals and State Ensign, 20
2. Boundary Monument (Arms of Penn), 38
3. Boundary Monument (Arms of Baltimore). 39
4. Section of Official Survey, Mason and Dixon Line- (From reproduction of Original, possession of Penn'a. Hist. Soc.), 42
5. Map of "Lost County"- (From record in Land Office of Penn'a.),. 44
6. Autograph, John Wallace I- (From document, possession of Mrs. T. S. Cunningham, Waynesboro), 45
7. Connected Draft of Wallace Lands-
(From original surveys in Land Office).
47
8. Great Seal, Province of Penn'a., 48
9. Facsimile of Franklin County Petition with Signers- (From original, possession of Author), 54, 55
IO. Atttograph. Col. James Chambers-
(From original document, possession of Author). 62
II. Autographs. Capt. Benj. Chambers and Lieut. Edw. Craw- ford-
(From original document, possession of Author), 63
12. Facsimile of Letter of General Washington- (From original, possession of Author), 6.4
13. State Coat of Arms, Pennsylvania (Official), . 66
14. Original Town Plot of Waynesboro (Waynesburg)- (From drawing of original by H. W. Stone, Harrisburg, 79
15. Proprietor's Deed for Town Lot- (From original, possession of Mrs. T. S. Cunningham). 81
16. Birds-eye view of Waynesboro, 1897, (Plate), 97
17. The Old Wallace Homestead- (From Water-Color, possession of Mrs. T. S. Cunning- ham), 10.4
18. Jailor's Receipt for Nugent- (From original, possession of Author). 115
19. "A Man of Iron" -- (From outline drawing, possession of J. F. Sachse), 116
20. Denning Monument, 117
21. In a Mountain Glen (Royal Arch Cascades, Mount Alto). 121
22. Captain John E. Cook- (From drawing, possession of J. F. Sachse), . 124
23. Old Bridge over Antietam near Waynesboro (Plate). 129
8
WAYNESBORO.
24. Town Buildings, Firemen Hall, Town Hall ( Plate), .... 153
25. "At Peace" and "On the War Path"- (From outline drawings, possession J. F. Sachse), . . . 157, 161 26. The Site of Guitner's School House ( Plate) .. 163
27. Flag of First Penn'a. Regiment, Continental Line (Colored Plate)-
(From original in State Flag Room),. *168
28. Receipt for advertising military orders-Uprising against Excise-
(From original, possession of Author), 176
29. Autograph, Wm. McClelland, Brigade Inspector, 1812-
(From original document. possession of Author ). 179
30. Autograph, Capt. Samuel Dunn, 1812- (From original document, possession of Author), 18I
31. Autograph, Brig. Gen. Peter B. Porter, 1812-14- (From original document, possession of Author) 184
32. "An old Defender,". 185
33. Portrait, Capt. John E. Walker, 1 89
34. Autograph, Capt. Wm. J. Palmer, 194
35. Portrait, William B. Wilson, 198
36. Sending News from the Border-
(From Brady war photograph. by L. C. Handy, Wash- ington, D. C.) .. 199
37. Portrait, Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart- (From Brady photograph, by L. C. Handy ). 200
38. The Boys in Charge of the Wagons- (From Brady photograph, by L. C. Handy). 206
39. Portrait, Brig. Gen. Wade Hampton- (From Brady photograph, by L. C. Handy). 209
40. Map of Stuart's Raid through Pennsylvania- (From the original in War Department, Washington, D. C.). 21I
41. "E Pluribus Unum.' 216
42. Portrait, Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, 221
43. Lient. Gen. Richard S. Ewell-
(From Brady photograph, by L. C. Handy ), 223 44. Where the First Union Soidier Fell in Pennsylvania ( Plate), 225 45. Facsimile of a Confederate Pass- (From original, possession of Author). 228
46. Ready For the Torch- (From Brady photograph, by L. C. Handy). 229
47. Portrait, Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early- (From Brady photograph, by L. C. Handy) 230
48. Portrait. Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch- (From Collection of J. F. Sachse). 233
49. A War Time Poster-
(From collection of J. F. Sachse ) .. 235 50. Plan of "Forts Washington" and "Henry Clay" opposite Harrisburg, Pa .-
(From draft of original in War Department, possession of Dauphin County Hist. Society). ** 236
9
ILLUSTRATIONS.
51. Portrait. Brig. Gen. W. F. Smith- (From Collection of J. F. Sachse), 237
52. Portrait. Brig. Gen. Jos. F. Knipe- (From photograph, by LaRue Lemer, Harrisburg), .... 245
53. Ruins of Chambersburg- (From photograph taken at the time, possession of J. F. Sachse, 251
54. Portrait, Brig. Gen. John McCausland- (From photograph, by L. C. Handy), 253
55. Portrait, Maj. Harry W. Gilmore- (From photograph, by L. C. Handy) 257
56. Medal of Honor. 262
57. Waynesboro School Homes (Plate). 265
58. "Fostering the Young," 27I
59. Waynesboro Churches (Plate I.), 28I
60. Waynesboro Churches ( Plate II.), 291
61. Home of Seventh Day Baptists-Snow Hill (Plate). 297
62. Portrait, Sidney Rigdon- (From an old print), 300
63. "The New Jerusalem" in Franklin County, Pa. (Plate), .. 301
64. Facsimile "Conocoleague Herald" Heading- (From original, possession Hon. W. C. Kreps, Green- castle, Pa.),. 303
65. Facsimile of Waynesboro Newspaper Headings-
(From originals, possession of I. E. Yost, W. J. C. Jacobs and N. B. Martin), 309
66. "Fond Recollections," 313
67. Triumphal Arch, Center Square,
68. Head of Odd Fellows Parade, 317
324
69. Soldiers' Monument, 327
70. Head of Civic Parade. 342
71. Centennial Music Hall, 35I
72. Portrait, Abram Staley,. 354
73. Waynesboro Centennial Association (Group). 359
74. Official Program (Reproduction of original). 361-364
INTRODUCTION.
HE THAT WILL HAVE A CAKE OUT OF THE WHEAT MUST NEEDS TARRY THE GRINDING.
HATSOEVER matters concerning the past. are put down in writing and dignified with the 'name of History must have the truth as their sure foundation. The truth of the past is rarely tangible in its entirety. It comes to us "as gold is washed down from the mountains of the West, in minute but precious particles, and intermixed with infinite alloy, the debris of centuries ;" but the return is rich to the diligent seeker, who avoiding the "fool's gold" of romance. de- votes himself faithfully to the pursuit of the pure nuggets of fact, and having found them, constructs for them, to the best of his ability. a philosophical setting, properly presenting causes and effects.
The work of the annalist, useful as it is in the preserva tion and chronological arrangement of facts, and so com- mon as to be almost universal, in the printed records, particularly relating to the past of Pennsylvania, is not, it is true, in the strictest sense, history, but it is a very important basis of History, and it is much to be regretted, that, whilst there have been many faithful and unselfish workers along this line of research in Pennsylvania, and as a consequence much of value preserved, the careless- ness or crime of the early custodians of Pennsylvania's important public documents and records, meaning her MS archives, has rendered it possible for so much to be scattered abroad, emasculated or wholly destroyed.
Biography, also, has a most important relation to liis- tory ; Carlyle says, "History is the essence of innumerable biographies." Pennsylvania has been fortunate again to
INTRODUCTION.
The quist in which truth comes.
The relation of the Annalist to Ilistory.
The relation of Biography to His- tory.
12
WAYNESBORO.
INTRODUCTION.
Proud, Rupp, Day, Gordon, Egle.
Importance of work not appre- ciated.
Effect of reli gious persecu- tion in the XVI and XVII Cen- turies.
a degree, in that she has not been lacking in painstaking and conscientious biographers and genealogical writers whose works are a thesaurus for the historical investi- gator, albeit the reprehensible condition of the provincial and early State records, above referred to, has seriously handicapped the labors of their authors and compilers.
The work of the annalist, the biographer and the genealogist is naturally circumscribed in its scope and precludes any extended consideration of underlying prin- ciples or comprehensive view of causes and effects. The people of Pennsylvania owe a debt of gratitude to such earnest and indefatigable laborers in the general field of Pennsylvania History, as have already contributed to the literature of the country the results of their work, and to the many county annalists and chroniclers of local events who have saved and recovered much from the insatiate maw of Time. It is true, however, that the generations of Pennsylvania's people, even unto the present have not fully awakened to a proper appreciation of the essential part which Pennsylvania has taken in the formation and perpetuation of the Union; to an understanding of the influences which she has exerted as one of the most potent factors in the civilization of the American Continent, or to the importance of the study, from a philosophical standpoint of the causes which have brought about this grand result.
In a work as purely local as this which now engages attention, the story of Pennsylvania's birth, and her rapid elevation to a central, a commanding position, the "key- stone" in the arch of States of the Union, may be men- tioned, but cannot be told.
The closing years of the XVI and the opening years of the XVII centuries were a period of unrest in the Old World. The spirit of the great Reformation was quick- ened anew in every locality. Freedom of conscience and liberty of thought were the watchwords of awakened
13
INTRODUCTION.
humanity. The doctrine of the Divine right of Kings was INTRODUCTION. struggling for its very existence, and on every hand the unhallowed trammelings of religious persecution and in- tolerance were felt. Failure to submit absolutely to the arbitrary dicta of tyranny meant ostracism and exile. Cruel necessity compelled the exchange of comfortable and happy homes for the secret places in almost inacces- sible mountain fastnesses and closely hidden sanctuaries in the valleys. Men of conscience, men of principle, were casting about wildly for some safe harbor, as they at- tempted to breast the waves of the great sea of events which were tossed mountain high in their agitation. Who can paint the picture of these two centuries of unrest in the Old World? Who fittingly portray the mighty power of the religious intolerance and persecution, which were well-nigh universal ?
In this crisis the New World became the hope of thou- sands, and no section gave promise of a more generous welcome than the "peaceful province" of Penn. Here shone the great light which pointed the way to a safe harbor for the souls buffeted by the waves of persecution. Here was the refuge for all who desired "to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences" and to live at peace with their fellow men. Here was the sanc- tuary for the affrighted beings who had been hunted like wild beasts by a savage soldiery under the orders of still more savage representatives of authority; and here the home for the victims of countless persecutions, indescrib- able in cruelty, perpetrated in the quiet valleys as well as in the crowded cities across the sea, where intolerance held undisputed sway. Here also, a field of holy labor presented itself to scores and hundreds of godly men and women, who came, not because driven by persecution. but being imbued with the true missionary spirit and in- spired with that love of their fellow men, which was born of the Christ.
The New World a Sanctuary.
14
WAYNESBORO.
INTRODUCTION.
Pennsylvania the home of hunted sects.
The gates of Pennsylvania stood awide in welcome. Within the liberty enwidened borders of this delightful land swept by the waters of the Delaware and Susque- hanna came to abide, not one people alone, not a single sect, but the sturdy representatives of many people and of many sects. To this conglomerate mass of humanity, which subsequently grew into the homogeneous people of Pennsylvania, white-cliffed Albion contributed, besides adherents of Huss and followers of Fox, who combined in their character independence of action and respect for constituted authority, also conforming English whose re- ligious formalism did not prevent them from being adepts at trade. The shores of the Baltic, the banks of the Rhine, the mountains of Switzerland, the land of the dykes and the windmills and the vineclad hills of sunny France, each sent their full complement of sober, thrifty and unflinchingly God-serving and God-fearing men ; ex- ponents of the faith of Luther and Calvin and Zwingli and Wesley; disciples of Menno Symon and Schwenkfeld and Spener, and "faithfully protestant, but pitifully op- pressed" Huguenots : all peace seeking people and lovers of the arts of peace. Last, but not least conspicuous, from the hills of Scotland and Erin's Green Isle, came the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians and Covenanters and their kindred : born soldiers and in all things men of iron-clad principle.
These the elements which, crystallizing here, made it possible for the "Holy Experiment" of William Penn in his government to become fruitful beyond the wildest dream of his ambition.
For nearly three-quarters of a century after the found- ing of the Home for Hunted Sects, under the government of Penn, the actual occupation of the land was confined chiefly to the territory lying toward the south and be- tween the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers ; the rich and
15
INTRODUCTION.
fertile territory stretching away to the westward of the INTRODUCTION. Susquehanna, remaining undisturbed by the encroach- ments of the white man. Even at the time of William Penn's arrival it was terra incognita, and in undisputed possession of the red man. It was in turn the resting place of wandering tribes from the Southland bound upon visits, hostile or friendly, as the case might be, to their Northern brethren ; the place of rendezvous for represen- tative warriors of many tribes, summoned to council of peace or war; the home and protected hunting grounds of bands of friendly red men, who leaving the Sun Land of the South joined their fortunes with the Confederacy of the North. Afterwards it became the coveted prize of intruders from near Potomack and the jealously guarded reservation of the Quaker government at Philadelphia, and, lastly, the staunchly settled and fearlessly protected frontier and outpost of the advanced civilized settlement of the New World ; the gateway to the unbroken wilder- ness of the West, through which the dusky inhabitants of the region at last departed, before the superior strength of the children of Education as "the Star of Empire westward took its course."
No section of country was more familiar to the Indian, none better loved, and none, when the red hand of mur- derous warfare beckoned, more relentlessly ravished. Dear to him were its mountains and "barrens," alive with game, and dear its creeks and streamlets with their abundance of fish, and bitter indeed, and murderously revengeful, the feelings of the lawless tribes toward the paleface whose legal acquisition of the soil, as civilization advanced, was in the eyes of the supplanted ones an tin- pardonable wrong.
The rights of the Indian in this section were recognized by the first Proprietor of Pennsylvania, and respected by him and by those who came after him, and in no other part of the province was the humane and upright policy
Situation of the lands "West of Susquehanna," when Penn's gov- ernment was founded.
A home dear to the red man.
The rights of the Indians ro- spected.
16
WAYNESBORO.
INTRODUCTION.
of William Penn, with respect to the natives, as "original proprietors of the soil." better exemplified and with greater determination carried out.
The Susquehanna river a factor.
The great inland river. the Susquehanna, was. so to speak, the highway of communication between the native tribes that dwelt upon its shores, and to the north and westward, and their brethren to the east and south. In the light of its history it seems almost by Divine purpose that this broad and smiling river was not navigable but for a short distance from its mouth. In those early days. when mariners tried "to reach the East by sailing west." and had wonderful adventures and made strange dis- coveries in the bays and inlets along the eastern coast of the new Continent, the waters of the Susquehanna, bright, attractive and inviting as they were, could never welcome the "venturesome keels" of the "first dis- coverers." No Spanish. Dutch or English skipper ever dropped a lead into the bosom of its inland waters, or gazed enrapt upon the beauties of its upper shores. Its lands, except so far as they were an unknown part of earlier kingly grants, of indefinite extent, had no part in the controversies concerning title by discovery.
A speculative proposition.
History has to do with nothing except the proven truth, and must be, therefore, a stranger to propositions purely speculative : yet the curiously inclined might find both pastime and profit in considering from a speculative standpoint what different order of things there might have been if the Susquehanna river, at the date of its discovery, had been navigable from its mouth to its source, or chiefly so.
The reservation policy.
As long as in the natural order of things was possible. the reservation rights of the Indians to the lands west of the Susquehanna were protected and preserved by the government of Pennsylvania. The policy was, indeed. upheld for a much longer period than was consonant with the best interests of the Proprietaries, and it is now diffi-
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