USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Annals of Luzerne County; a record of interesting events, traditions, and anecdotes > Part 35
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WITCHES.
The Act, entitled " An Act against conjuration, witch- craft, and dealing with evil spirits," passed during the reign of James I., King of England, was held by the authorities of Pennsylvania to be in force, in the province, in 1683. On the 27th of December, in that year, two Swedish women, Margaret Mattson and Yeshro Hen- drickson, accused as witches, were arraigned before Governor William Penn and his council. Several wit- nesses testified respecting the singular conduct of certain geese, hogs, cows, &c .; but there being no positive evi- dence they were bewitched by the defendants, the jury returned the following verdict : " They have the common fame of witches, but not guilty in the manner and form of the indictment." Governor Penn, however, required security for their good behavior for six months. Thus ended the first trial for witchcraft in Pennsylvania.
During the last century, in Northampton and other counties, several persons were arrested, charged with witchcraft, and imprisoned, but none were put to death, as in New England. In Luzerne, the early inhabitants were, perhaps, as free from superstition as any other peo- ple, nevertheless a number of old women had the common fame of being witches.
Mrs. J ... ., at W . bewitched the cattle of -, several of which died, in spite of the efforts of Titus, an old negro witch doctor. For several days, Titus labored, using the ordinary remedy, a gun-barrel filled with a particular kind of liquid. But no effect was produced upon the witch, who continued, contrary to ex-
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512
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
pectation, to exercise all her bodily functions. At length, a fine ox was taken sick, when a new remedy was applied to break the spell. Miller, the sexton of the old church on the Public Square, taking the church key, approached the ox, and putting it in the animal's mouth, turned it about three times, repeating certain spell-breaking words, known only to himself. The power of the witch was destroyed, and the ox recovered.
Mrs. H-, near Tunkhannock, frequently bewitched the hunters' guns; to remedy which a bullet was fired, from a gun not affected by any spell, into the body of a tree. So soon as the bullet became covered by the growth of the wood, the witchi would be seized by severe pain in certain parts of her body, from which she would find no relief until she removed the spell from the gun.
Mrs. - , in the village of P-, bewitched the cows and hogs of Mr. - The cows twisted their tails upon their backs, threw up the earth with their feet, bellowed, and ran their hind-legs up the trunks of trees. The pigs squealed night and day, frothed at the mouth, rolled over, and turned summersets. Mr. - and his wife were in a state of consternation, expecting they them- selves would be seized with similar impulses for ground and lofty tumbling. Fortunately, a celebrated German witch-doctor arrived. Taking a gun-barrel, he filled it with a certain saline fluid, plugged up the muzzle and touch-hole, and placed it in the chimney corner. In a short time the husband of the witch came to the house, saying his wife was taken suddenly ill, and requesting Mrs. - to come and see her; but the request was not complied with, at the instance of the doctor, who repre- sented that the effect of his remedy would be counter- acted, if the desire of the witch were granted. The next day the witch sent again, urging the attendance of Mrs.
513
WITCHES.
-, who again refused to visit her. The husband then placed his wife, the witch, in a wagon and conveyed her to the house of Mr. - , where she confessed she had bewitched his cattle, and implored the doctor to unstop the gun-barrel. This he did, and, as soon as the saline fluid began to flow from the inuzzle, the witch was re- lieved, and the cows and hogs were cured.
We may laugh at the follies of a past age, and congrat- ulate ourselves on the superior intelligence and improved condition of our own; but observation will show us that every age has its absurdities and superstitions. The credulity of the first settlers in regard to witches, is equaled by the weakness of multitudes at this day, who cannot pass a grave-yard by night without trembling for fear they shall see a spook or ghost. They had doctors who professed to break the charm of witchcraft ; and we have mesmeric doctresses, clairvoyants, who tell us they can see through the skin and flesh of the body, and describe the condition of the heart, stomach, liver. and other parts, and can cure the latent disease if any exists. The witches of those days scratched upon the walls; the spirits of the 19th century rap on the tables.
Our fathers believed in signs, tokens, warnings, and presentiments. What of that ? There are men among us-business-men, known as men of sound judgment- who will not pay out money on Monday morning until they have received some. For, say they, "As goes Monday, so goes all the week." There are those who will not finish a dwelling-house, but will leave some trifling thing undone, from a belief that death would be the im- mediate consequence of an entire completion. The falling or cracking of a looking-glass without any perceptible cause, and the running of a beet or cabbage-plant to
33
514
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
seed, are viewed by thousands as tokens of death in the family.
Let us confess, then, that the divination and hexing of by-gone times, are no worse than the superstitious notions of the present age.
POLITICS.
In the formation of the Federal Constitution and Union there were two parties, composed of men who had stood shoulder to shoulder through the battles of the Revolu- tion. The good of the country and the preservation of liberty were objects dear to both, but they entertained different views as to the best means they should employ. ยท The one advocated a strong national government, and were called Federalists; the other, anxious to preserve, as much as possible, the sovereignty of the states, were called Republicans. In the language of the great Jeffer- son, they were all Republicans and all Federalists, there being no difference as to the real character of the govern- ment.
During the presidency of the immortal Washington, his signal services and vast personal influence restrained the formation of parties with strong well-marked lines. But during the administration of John Adams, after the pass- age of the Alien and Sedition Law, on the 14th of July, 1798, a distinct and permanent division took place among the masses of the people, extending to the log-cabins of the frontiers. This law provided, "That if any person shall write, print, utter, or publish, or shall cause or pro- cure to be written, printed, uttered, or published, or shall knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing, uttering, or publishing, any false, scandalous, and mali- cious writing, or writings, against the government of the United States, or either House of the Congress of the United
515
POLITICS.
States, or the President of the United States, with intent to defame the said government, or either House of the said Congress, or the said President, or to bring them or either of them into contempt or disrepute, or to excite against them, or either or any of them, the hatred of the good people of the United States, or to stir up sedition within the United States, or to excite any unlawful com- binations therein for opposing or resisting any law of the United States, or any act of the President of the United States, done in pursuance of such law, or of the powers in him vested by the Constitution of the United States, or to resist, oppose, or defeat any such law or act, or to aid, encourage, or abet any hostile designs of any foreign nation against the United States, their people or govern- ment, then such person, being thereof convicted before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $2000, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years."
It will be observed that this act does not declare that if any citizen shall do thus and so, but "if any person," which evidently embraces all classes, both natives and aliens. Prior to the enactment of this law, a number of Englishmen had come to the United States, and, during their stay, had denounced, slandered, and ridiculed the government. They had printed and circulated libellous, seditious, and insurrectionary matter. The independence of the colonies had not only wrested the brightest jewel from the British Crown, but had cut off thousands of Englishmen from desirable offices and vast possessions in America. These disappointed individuals would gladly have seen the overthrow of republicanism here, followed by confusion and anarchy, and perhaps the re-establish- ment of the authority of the mother country. A great number of Americans sympathized with France, then
516
. ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
convulsed by a terrible revolution, and were dissatisfied with the course pursued by their own government towards that country. This law, then, was designed against the infamous purposes of these aliens, and of all citizens who sympathized with them. The Federalists, generally, sustained the law, but the Republicans opposed it, alleg- ing its provisions were too general, embracing citizens as well as foreigners. On this question hinged the election of 1800, when Mr. Jefferson was chosen President, who was in favor of repeal.
The great majority of the people of Luzerne were Federalists, but when it was ascertained that Mr. Jeffer- son was elected, the Republicans, comparatively few in number, determined to celebrate the victory. An ox was roasted in the public square, and, being placed upon a carpenter's work-bench, was borne on the shoulders of men through the streets of Wilkesbarre. As the proces- sion moved along, men with knives cut off slices of the roast, and distributed them among the faithful. The beef was cooked rare, and, says an eye-witness, " You could see the blood running out of the corners of their mouths." There was also a four-horse wagon, in which was placed a liberty-pole, with the stars and stripes, supported by an old soldier, Mr. Brown, of Pittston, ninety years of age, and a number of girls, dressed in white, representing the several states of the Union. In front of the wagon marched a farmer, with a bag suspended from his shoul- ders, from which he sowed the streets of the town with wheat. Such a triumphant political display was never before witnessed in our county, and perhaps not since excelled, except by the great Whig processions of 1840.
In early times, candidates for office presented them- selves for the suffrages of the people, without the form of a regular nomination by a delegate convention. After.
517
POLITICS.
wards candidates were selected by a meeting held during court, and composed of all persons who chose to assemble. When the candidates were thus selected, it was customary for the grand jury to recommend them to the people for their suffrages. In 1798, Luzerne was united with Berks in one congressional district, and a meeting was held in the latter county to select a candidate for Congress. Federalists and Republicans, or, as they were then called, Federal Republicans and Democratic Republicans, assem- bled together. The vote was taken, and the Democrats declared that Joseph Heister had a majority, while the Federalists insisted that Daniel Clymer had the most votes. At the August term of court, the grand jury unanimously recommended Mr. Clymer, and ordered the ticket to be printed in the English and German news- papers. But notwithstanding the advantage of Mr. Cly- mer in securing a recommendation by the grand jury, Berks county being largely Democratic, Mr. Heister was elected. The vote stood in Luzerne-Clymer, 695; Heis- ter, 105.
During this canvass, Nathan Palmer, Esq., who had located at Wilkesbarre as an attorney-at-law, published several articles through the " Wilkesbarre Gazette," the only newspaper in the county, and open to both parties, in which he declared that Heister had a majority of the votes in the meeting held in Berks county. He attacked the Alien and Sedition law, and called on the Republicans to vote for Heister; proclaimed himself a Democratic Republican, and said, "Our government is called a Re- publican Government, and in this case the friends of that government are very properly called republicans, and Republican and Democrat I conceive to be synonymous terms."
At the August Term of 1799, a meeting was held in
518
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
the court-house, at Wilkesbarre, for the purpose of " fix- ing on a candidate to be held up at the next general election for the office of governor." The meeting was attended by " the associate judges of the court, the grand jury, the traverse jury, and citizens from all parts of the county." What is surprising, there was no collision of
parties. At the next meeting, however, in September, 1800, held at the court-house, for selecting candidates for the Senate and Assembly, the Federal Republicans, having a majority, secured the organization by the election of Lawrence Myers, Esq., to the chair. Thereupon, Benja- min Carpenter, Esq., proclaimed that the Democratic Republicans would withdraw to the house of N. Hurlbut, where a meeting was organized by the election of Mat- thias Hollenback, Esq., chairman. The Federal Repub- licans nominated General Lord Butler for the Senate, and John Franklin for Assembly. The Democratic Repub- licans nominated James Harris, of Centre county, for the Senate, and John Jenkins, of Luzerne, for the Assembly. At the election ensuing, the vote of Luzerne stood, for Butler, 590, Harris, 329 ; for Franklin, 563, Jenkins, 365.
In 1804, both parties held conventions at the house of James Scovel, in Exeter, and each convention was com- posed of delegates, elected in the several townships by their respective friends. These, as far as we can ascer- tain, were the first delegate conventions held in Luzerne to nominate candidates for office.
The " Federalist" newspaper had been established by Asher Miner, Esq., at Wilkesbarre, in 1801. In 1810, Samuel Maffet, Esq., started the " Susquehanna Demo- crat," in the same town, and each party now having its own organ, the contest for power and office began in good earnest. The opposing parties, under various names,
519
POLITICS.
have continued the struggle down to the present time. Federalists, Republicans, Democrats, Whigs, Anti-Masons, and Native Americans have all, in their turn, been vic- torious, and saved the country from ruin. As long as this is the happy result of political strife, we have nothing to fear.
All parties endorse the declaration " that all men are created equal," that our Constitution shall be preserved inviolate, and that the laws shall be upheld and faithfully executed. The revolution of events creates great differ- ences of opinion as to the best means for securing the prosperity and happiness of the country, though the un- prejudiced spectator, witnessing the fiery zeal of parties, is sometimes constrained to exclaim,
" "Tis strange such difference there should be Twixt tweedledum and tweedledee."
So long as the people are honest and intelligent, we have nothing to fear from the machinations of designing and corrupt demagogues. The ballot-box is the potent instrument which will secure liberty and prosperity for us and our posterity. Party leaders often lay deep plans and put forth great exertions to effect their ends, but they are not unfrequently surprised at the decision of the people.
To readers who have a taste for political statistics, the following statement of votes cast in Luzerne for President and Governor, together with the names of Congressmen, Senators, and Assemblymen, will not be uninteresting. The first election for President of the United States was lield in January, 1789. The Electors for Pennsylvania were James Wilson, Samuel Potts, Edward Hand, John Arndt, David Grier, Lawrence Reeve, George Gibson. John Wood, Collinson Reed, Alexander Graydon. A
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520
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
new general government was about to be organized ; the people generally did not understand the plan of its opera- tion ; there were no printed tickets; the names of the electors were known to but few, and there was no excite- ment reaching the body of the people. The consequence was, the electors received only 36 votes in Luzerne county. General Washington was the unanimous choice of the nation.
1792, George Washington, re-
1828, J. Q. Adams, 1435
elected without oppo-
sition. The votes in Luzerne were
308
407
W. H. Harrison, 1415
1800. John Adams, 572
T. Jefferson, and others, 364
1844, James K. Polk, 4031
Thomas Jefferson, 8
1848, Lewis Cass,
3991
1808, George Clinton,
456
Z. Taylor, 3516
James Madison, 407
1852, Franklin Pierce, 5340
1812, De Witt Clinton, 1242
Winfield Scott, 3339
James Madison, 714
J. P. Hale, 79
1816. James Monroe,
373
1856, James Buchanan, 6783
Rufus King,
313
J. C. Fremont, 5155
1820, James Monroe,
377
M. Filmore, 563
J. Q. Adams, 12
1860, A. Lincoln, 7300
1824, Andrew Jackson,
631
J. C. Breckenridge, 6803
W. H. Crawford,
125
S. A. Douglas, 37
1824, J. Q. Adams,
31
J. Bell, 139
Henry Clay,
18
1864, A. Lincoln, Home. Army.
6646 999
1828, Andrew Jackson,
1645
G. B. MeClellan, 9541 504
FOR GOVERNOR.
Thomas Mifflin was the first gov- ernor under the Constitution of
1790. and held the office 9 years. 1799, James Ross, votes 916
Thomas Mckean, 259
1802, James Ross, 680
Thomas MeKean, 278
1805, Thomas Mckean, 670
1805, Simon Snyder, 413
1808, James Ross, 1239
Simon Snyder, 772
1811, Simon Snyder, 1040
William Tilghman, 718
1814, Simon Snyder, 699
Isaac Wayne, 676
1817, William Findley, 985
Henry Clay, 1325
1836, Martin Van Buren, 2088
1796, John Adams,
.6 T. Jefferson, and others, 8
1840, Martin Van Buren, 4119
W. H. Harrison, 2776
1804, C. C. Pinckney, 276
Henry Clay, 2777
1832, Andrew Jackson, 1745
521
POLITICS.
1817, Joseph Heister,
832
1844, Francis R. Shunk, 3649
1820, William Findley,
1124
Joseph Markle,
2561
Joseph Heister,
1065
1847, Francis R. Shunk, 3296
1823, Andrew Gregg,
1291 James Irvin,
2048
J. A. Shultz,
1280
1848, M. Longstreth, 3785
1826, J. A. Shultz,
1185
William F. Johnson,
2967
1829, George Wolfe,
1994
1851, William Bigler, 4909
" Joseph Ritner,
124 William F. Johnson,
3471
1832, George Wolfe,
2064
1854, James Pollock,
4884
" Joseph Ritner,
1586
66 William Bigler,
4368
1835, H. A. Muhlenberg,
1886
1857, William F. Packer,
5268
66
Joseph Ritner,
1488
David Wilmot,
3536
George Wolfe,
618
1860, A. G. Curtin,
6662
1838, David R. Porter,
3132
- Foster,
6916
Joseph Ritner, 2592
1863, A. G. Curtin, 7022
1841, David R. Porter,
3426
G. W. Woodward,
9808
.. John Banks,
2194
Prior to 1816, Luzerne, connected with Berks, Bucks, Northampton, Northumberland, and other counties, was represented in Congress by Messrs. Heister, Sitgreaves, Pugh, Conrad, and others, none of whom resided in Lu- zerne. But, in that year, David Scott, Esq., of Wilkes- barre, was elected to Congress. He, however, being appointed president judge soon after, resigned, and the vacancy was filled by the election of John Murray, Esq., of Northumberland county.
George Denison and John Murray were elected in 1818 ; at which time the Congressional district was composed of the counties of Luzerne, Columbia, Northumberland, Union, Bradford, Susquehanna, Lycoming, Tioga, and Potter. They were elected without opposition, Mr. Mur- ray receiving 7423 votes, and Mr. Denison 7299. Again in 1820, Messrs. Murray and Denison were elected. From 1822 to 1832, this district was represented by Cox Ellis George Kreamer Samuel Mckean. Philander Stephens, Lewis Dewart, and Alem Marr. In 1832, Luzerne and Columbia formed one Congressional district, and 'Andrew Beaumont was elected by 88 majority over Dr. Thomas W. Miner.
522
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
1834, Andrew Beaumont was again elected.
1836, David Petrikin, of Columbia county.
1838, 1840, Benjamin A. Bidlack. 1842, 66
1844, Owen D. Leib, of Columbia county.
1846, Chester Butler.
1848,
1850, Henry M. Fuller, with Wyoming, Columbia, and Montour.
1852, Hendrick B. Wright.
1854, Henry M. Fuller.
1856, John G. Montgomery, of Montour county. Mr.
Montgomery died before the expiration of his term.
1857, Paul Leidy, of Montour.
1858, George W. Scranton.
1860, G. W. Scranton (died).
1861, H. B. Wright, June, special election.
1862, Chas. Denison, Luzerne and Susquehanna counties. 1864, Charles Denison.
MEMBERS FROM WESTMORELAND TO CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.
April, 1774, Zebulon Butler, Timothy Smith.
Sept., 1774, Christopher Avery, John Jenkins.
April, 1775, Captain Z. Butler, Joseph Sluman. Sept., 1775, Captain Z. Butler, Major Ezekiel Pierce. May, 1776, John Jenkins, Solomon Strong. Oct., 1776, Colonel Z. Butler, Colonel Nathan Denison. May, 1777, John Jenkins, Isaac Tripp. May, 1778, Nathan Denison, Anderson Dana.
Oct., 1778, Colonel N. Denison, Lieutenant Asahel Buck. May, 1779, Colonel N. Denison, Deacon John Hurlbut. May, 1780, John Hurlbut, Jonathan Fitch.
Oct., 1780, Nathan Denison, John Hurlbut.
523
POLITICS.
May, 1781, John Hurlbut, Jonathan Fitch.
Oct., 1781, Obadiah Gore, Captain John Franklin.
May, 1782, Obadiah Gore, Jonathan Fitch. Oct., 1782, Obadiah Gore, Jonathan Fitch.
MEMBERS FROM LUZERNE COUNTY TO PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY.
COUNCIL.
1787, 1788, 1789, to 9th October, Nathan Denison. 30th October, 1789, to 20th December, 1790, Lord Butler.
On the 20th December, 1790, the Council closed its session, sine die, and the state was organized under the Constitution of 1790, and a Senate took the place of a Council.
SENATE.
1790, William Montgomery, with Northumberland and Huntington.
1792, William Hepburn.
1794, George Wilson, with Northumberland, Mifflin, and Lycoming.
1796, Samuel Dale, with Northumberland, Mifflin, and Lycoming.
1798, Samuel McClay.
1800, James Harris.
1801, Jonas Hartzell, with Northampton and Wayne.
1803, Thomas Mewhorter.
1805, William Lattimore.
1807, Matthias Gress.
1808, Nathan Palmer, with Northumberland.
1810, James Laird.
1812, William Ross.
1814, Thomas Murray, Jr., with Northumberland, Union, Columbia, and Susquehanna.
524
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
1816, Charles Frazer.
1818, Simon Snyder.
1820, Redmond Conyngham.
1824, Robert Moore, with Columbia.
1828, and 1830, Jacob Drumheller.
1832, Uzal Hopkins.
1836, Ebenezer Kingsbury, Jr., with Monroe, Wayne, and Pike.
1839, S. F. Headley.
1841, Luther Kidder.
1844, William S. Ross, with Columbia.
1847, Valentine Best.
1850, Charles R. Buckalew, with Columbia and Montour.
1853, Charles R. Buckalew.
1856, George P. Steele.
1859, Winthrop W. Ketcham, Luzerne (alone).
1862, J. B. Stark.
1865, L. D. Shoemaker.
HOUSE -THE YEAR OF ELECTION GIVEN.
1787, John Paul Schott.
1788, 1789, and 1790, Obadiah Gore.
1791, and 1792, Simon Spalding.
1793, Ebenezer Bowman.
1794, Benjamin Carpenter.
1795, and 1796, John Franklin.
1797, and 1798, Rosewell Welles.
1799, and 1800, John Franklin.
1801, John Franklin and Lord Butler.
1802, John Franklin and Rosewell Welles.
1803, John Franklin and John Jenkins. 1804, Rosewell Welles, Jonas Ingham.
1805, Rosewell Welles, Nathan Beach.
1806, Rosewell Welles, Moses Coolbaugh.
1807, Charles Miner, Nathan Beach.
1808, Charles Miner, Benjamin Dorrance.
525
POLITICS.
1809, and 1810, Benjamin Dorrance and Thos. Graham.
1811, Thomas Graham, Jonathan Stevens.
1812, Benjamin Dorrance, Charles Miner.
1813, Jabez Hyde, Jr., and Joseph Pruner, with Susque- hanna.
1814, Benjamin Dorrance, Putnam Catlin.
1815, Redmond Conyngham, George Denison.
1816, George Denison, Jonah Brewster.
1817, and 1818, Jonah Brewster, James Reeder.
1819, Jonah Brewster, Benjamin Dorrance.
1820, Benjamin Dorrance, Cornelius Cortright.
1821, Andrew Beaumont, Cornelius Cortright.
1822, Jabez Hyde, Jr., Andrew Beaumont, Jacob Drum- heller, Jr.
1823, Jabez Hyde, Jr., Jacob Drumheller, Jr., and Cor- nelius Cortright.
1824, Philander Stevens, G. M. Hollenback, Jacob Drum- heller, Jr.
1825, Philander Stevens, G. M. Hollenback, Samuel Thomas.
1826, Philander Stevens, Samuel Thomas, Garrick Mal- lery.
1827, Garrick Mallery, George Denison, Almon H. Read.
1828, Garrick Mallery, George Denison, Isaac Post.
1829, Garrick Mallery, George Denison.
1830, George Denison, Benjamin Dorrance.
1831, Albert G. Brodhead, Nicholas Overfield.
1832, A. G. Brodhead, Chester Butler.
1833, A. G. Brodhead, Ziba Bennett.
1834, Ziba Bennett, B. A. Bidlack.
1835, B. A. Bidlack, James Nesbitt, Jr.
1836, and 1837, Henry Stark, William C. Reynolds.
1838, John Sturdevant, Chester Butler.
1839, Chester Butler, Joseph Griffin.
526
ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.
1840, and 1841, Andrew Cortright, Hendrick B. Wright.
1842, Hendrick B. Wright and Moses Overfield.
1843, William Merrifield, Chester Butler.
1844, and 1845, William Merrifield, James S. Campbell. 1846, Nathan Jackson, George Fenstermacher.
1847, Samuel Benedict, James W. Goff.
1848, Henry M. Fuller, Thomas Gillispie.
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