USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania in the olden time; being a collection of the memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania, Vol. I > Part 10
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The laws of this countrey, are the same with those in England; our constitution being on the same foot; many disputes and differences are determined and composed by arbitration ; and all causes are decided with great care and expedition, being concluded at furthest at the second court, unless they happen to be very nice and difficult cases. Under forty shil- lings any one justice of the peace has power to try the cause. Thieves, of all sorts, are obliged to restore four-fold after they have been whipt and imprisoned according to the nature of their crime; and if they be not of ability to restore four-fold, they must be in servitude till it is satis- fied. They have curious wharfs, as also large and fine timber yards both at Philadelphia and New-castle, especially at the metropolis, before Robert Turner's great and famous house, where are built ships of con- siderable burthen ; they cart their goods from that wharf into the city of Philadelphia, under an arch, over which part of the street is built, which is called Chestnut-streett wharf, besides other wharfs, as High-street
* Thirty miles from Smyrna.
+ As the town house was not built till 1707-9, it must prove either that the book was published later than 1698, or else that the mention of the town-house was inserted at a later Edition.
# Chestnut street arch is a mistake, -he meant Mulberry street, where Turner's house is still standing.
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wharf, Mulberry-street wharf, and Vine-street wharf, and all those are common wharfs ; and likewise there are very pleasant stairs, as Trus and Carpenter-stairs, besides several others. There are above thirty carts belonging to that city, four or five horses to each. There is like- wise a very convenient wharf called Carpenter's wharf, which hath a fine necessary crain belonging to it, with suitable granaries, and store- houses. And there are other wharfs which front the city all along the river, as also a curious and commodious dock with a drawbridge to it, for the convenient reception of vessels. In this famous city of Philadel- phia there are several rope-makers, who have large and curious rope- walks especially one Joseph Wilcox ;* also three or four spacious malt-houses, as many large. brew-houses, and many handsome bake- houses for publick use.
In the said city are several good schools of learning for youth, in order to the attainment of arts and sciences ; as also reading, writing, &c. Here is to be had, on any day in the week, tarts, pies, cakes, &c. We have also several cooks-shops, both roasting and boyling, as in the city of London ; happy blessings, for which we owe the highest gratitude to our plentiful Provider, the great Creator of heaven and earth. The water-mills are made by one Peter Deal, a famous and ingenious work- man, especially for inventing such like machines.
All sorts of very good paper are made in the German-town; as also very fine German linen, such as no person of quality need be ashamed to wear; and, in several places, they make very good druggets, crapes, camblets, and serges, besides other woolen cloathes, the manufacture of all which daily improves ; and in most parts of the countrey there are many curious and spacious buildings, which several of the gentry have erected for their country houses.
The Christian children born here are generally well favoured, and beautiful to behold ; I never knew any with the least blemish.
There are very fine and delightful gardens and orchards in most parts of this countrey ; but Edward Shippey (who lives near the capital city) has an orchard and gardens adjoyning to his great house that equalizes any I have ever seen, having a very famous and pleasant summer-house erected in the middle of his garden, abounding with tulips, pinks, carna- tions, roses, (of several sorts) lilies, not to mention those that grow wild in the fields.
Reader, what I have here written, is not a fiction, flam, whim, or any sinister design, either to impose upon the ignorant, or credulous, or to curry favour with the rich and mighty ; but in mere pity and pure com- passion to the numbers of poor labouring men, women and children in England, that are wandering up and down looking for employment, who need not here lie idle a moment, much less vagabond or drone it about. Here are no beggars to be seen, nor indeed have any here the least temptation to take up that scandalous lazy life. Jealousie among men is here very rare, nor are old maids to be met with ; for all commonly marry before they are twenty years of age.
The way of worship the Swedes use in this countrey, is the Lutheran; he English have four sorts of religious meetings here ; the Church of
« He was Mayor in 1706.
1
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England, who built a very fine church in this city in the year 1695; the Anabaptists ; the Presbyterians; and two sorts of Quakers, (of all the most numerous by much) one party held with George Keith ; but whether both parties will joyn together again in one I cannot tell. He gave strict charge concerning plain language and plain habit, and that they should not be concerned in the compelling part of the worldly go- vernment; that they should set their negroes at liberty after some rea- sonable time of service ; and that they should not take advantage of the Jaw against one another, as to procure them any corporal punishment. These instructions were given forth, in the year 1693, by the meeting held by George Keith, at P. James's house in Philadelphia. He shortly after went to England, where he now,* in this year 1697, keeps a meet- ing, at Turners-hall, London, on Sundays in the afternoon.
What I have delivered concerning this province, is indisputably true ; I was an eye witness to it all, for I went in the first ship that was bound from England for that countrey, since it received the name of Pensilva nia. I saw the first cellar, when it was digging, for the use of our governour William Penn. And now, Reader, I shall take my leave of thee, recommending thee, with mine own self, to the directions of the spirit of God in our conscience.
William Fishbourne's Narrative of Philadelphia Events, to the year 1739.
In the year 1739, William Fishbourne, Esq., a Friend, a native of Philadelphia, and resident of many years, was induced to write a narra- tive of events concerning Philadelphia, and the settlement of the State to that time, in 9 folio pages of cap paper, which I have seen, from which I have made such extracts as I thought pertinent to my main design. [William Fishbourne was Mayor of the city during the years 1719-20 and'2], and was at one time Treasurer of the colony.]
He entitles his MS. "Some few and short hints of the Settlement of the Province of Pennsylvania, to the year 1739."
"These hints (says he) appear not only abrupt but imperfect, for want of proper helps therein, and the matters relating to government, and the settlers, and the settlements, may appear too much intermixed; yet it is hoped that all matters of fact are truly and briefly related. It is to be wished that some person or persons of skill would think it worth their while, care, and pains, from sufficient proofs that may still be procured, to form a just historical account of the low beginning, and great increase of this province ; and above all, (to show) how God, by his divine provi- dence, in and through the whole, has most miraculously preserved and blessed the inhabitants with peace and plenty to this day.
Such a history doubtless would not only be very serviceable, but de- lightful and pleasant to succeeding generations. [So the present tran- scriber also has thought !] Some ancient men of the first settlers, who are
* Now implies that he wrote this in 1697.
VOL. I .- K 7
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now deceased, had this much at heart, and some essays have been inade thereof, [How happy we should be to see them !] And, it is a great pity that such an undertaking should be either delayed or declined. [And yet no professed historian arose till Proud gave us his volumes !* ] The English have a great advantage over the present Indians, who can only communicate by traditional speeches ; whilst we can communicate and recommend any past occurrences to future generations by writing ! [" The preserving art of all arts !"]
William Penn, Esq., a judicious and wise man, religiously inclined, being desirous to retire to some other parts, for the more free liberty and ex- ercise of his religious persuasion, and from some hardships and oppres- sions, which he and others suffered in England ; by some proper mea- sures, he obtained a grant from King Charles II. of the province which he called after his own name Pennsylvania. [i. e. Penn, and Sylvania, meaning a country covered with woods.]
Having divided it into three counties, to wit : Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks, and laid the plan of Philadelphia city, he invited and encouraged those of his persuasion, and others, to accompany and settle the same ; whereupon several readily agreed. He also framed an excellent form of government, and suitable schemes for such an undertaking.
Sometime after, he, with many more, chiefly Quakers, hired ships, and transported themselves and families ; but when they came to the province they found little or no conveniences for their reception, nor much probability of getting sufficient food and other necessaries of life, but a large wilderness for some time without inhabitants,t save a few families of Swedes settled on the Delaware, and the Indians, who very providentially were helpful and not hurtful ; but peaceably permitted the English to settle among them.
Want of proper conveniences and necessaries, at first view, must of course strike a great damp upon them who had known and left good habitations, &c. (for most of those, who had first come over, were not people of low circumstances, but substantial livers); notwithstanding which, being animated with their first good design and intention of pro moting religion, far beyond any worldly gain or profit, they unanimously fell to an honest industry to provide for themselves the best they could, (which ought never to be forgot !) and they made caves in the bank of the Delaware, where the city is now laid out, and cut down timber, to make huts and conveniences to live in ; depending on providence for other nccessaries, which for some time proved hard to get, (the western divi-
* I have had in my possession a MS. history of Pennsylvania, never published, by Samuel Smith, (the author of New Jersey History to 1721) which bears many marks of having been seen and used by R. Proud. The first volume has long been lost. It would seem, from a remark in Gough's History of the Quakers, that he must have had it, or at least seen it. What I have had relates not to civil history, but to Friends.
t In 1667, William Edmundson, a public Friend, travelling southward from New York, says he travelled all day with a Fin from the Falls of Delaware, (southward) without seeing a soul ; and from Middletown Point coming to Delaware river, although with an Indian, they could not find the way all day, and were obliged to go back, so as to find the Raritan river at any point, and thence to follow its margin until they could find a small landing " from New York," and thence to follow a small path to Delaware Falls, and by this means, only, they found their way. He says, " We saw no tame animals in all the way."
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sion of New Jersey near them being then but thin settled) however, some of the neighbouring colonies hearing of a people come to settle, came with such necessaries as they could spare, which was very scanty for the num- ber of persons, which wanted them, and they took money for them; for they were not empty handed.
These hardships and difficulties continued several years ; and having spent their money and other necessaries they brought with them, it seemed hard for some to bear; and they would often condole with one another, saying, they believed it would not do to stay, and they must seek some other place! But as they continued their industry, in a few years (having several artificers and tradesmen among them, which was their riches in fact!) they had got some few tolerable good houses in the city, and lands cleared for plantations, whereon they sowed and planted provisions, which was more plentiful every year, notwithstanding people continued coming in to settle ; for the land being good and fer- tile, produced plentifully of excellent wheat and almost all other sorts of grain, with roots and fruits, and they got a stock of cattle, horses, sheep, and hogs; and in less than ten years [still a good long while to wait, to persons accustomed to comfortable livings] the country produce became considerably more than the inhabitants wanted for their own consumption, although they were very much increased in numbers ; [Little could they in their actual need foresee the wonderful present im- provements on the same soil !] so that they began to manufacture their wheat by bolting (having some few water-mills to grind the corn) which made excellent flour of several degrees. The first they sold for exporta- tion ; the other sorts made good bread and biscuit, and the bran made hearty food for working creatures.
By this time a report had reached the West Indies that a number of people had settled a new country which produced great plenty of provi- sions, on which they sent several vessels to trade with them, [It has not been heretofore understood that the West Indies began the commerce; yet in this way came the Norrises, Dickinsons, and other families from the West Indies, to settle in Philadelphia to pursue commerce,] and they brought quantities of coined silver and gold, besides the produce of those islands, to purchase provisions. By this means cash was plenty, for the number of people, and the inhabitants were enabled to build [thereby] vessels and to trade to sea.
Thus providence caused the country to increase in wealth, peace and plenty from year to year; so that the first 40 years it was the admira- tion of al. people, who saw or heard of its flourishing condition, in lands, improvements in building houses and shipping, manufactures of many kinds, increase in plenty, commerce and trade, the great number of in habitants, the soil producing plentifully with their industry. [What a time to make fortunes, when lands and lots were cheap, and money abounded ! and therefore we have seen all the original industrious and frugal inhabitants become in fact the nobility of the country. If they then admired to see their progress so sudden and so great; we also have had a time, even now, of admiring at our eclipsing of late years all that they thus did !]
Considerable numbers of shipping came yearly, besides vessels built not only for the inhabitants, but many others in remote parts, who readily
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disposed of their cargas and procured their full loading of the produce of this province, which was transported to the English plantations, and other foreign nations, by which means, all useful necessaries they had occasion for, were imported amongst them ; and in every sense, the country still increasing more in settlements and improvements ; many thousands of foreigners and others came hither and settled, whereby the produce of almost all kinds was much more increased, as well as com- merce and trade both at home and abroad ; and much good harmony continued amongst the inhabitants considering what a large number of mixed people were got together.
And it must be noted, that for many years, there subsisted a good concord and benevolent disposition amongst the people of all denomina- tions, each delighting to be reciprocally helpful and kind in acts of friendship for one another, and (as it is said) there was no difference in forms of worship; for the Quakers, having built a large Meeting house about the centre of the city, [meaning, I presume, the corner of Second and High streets, and not the real centre Meeting house on Broad and High streets,] all came there, until a mischievous man who had im- bibed vile notions of sacred things, and had more learning than sincerity, and wanting to form a particular sect of his own, [meaning George Keith's schism,] so divided the people, that they separated into different Societies; but at length he confounded himself and many of his ad. herents.
The proprietor's first and principal care was to promote peace with all; and accordingly he established a friendly correspondence, by way of treaty with the Indians, at least twice a year. [This is worth noticing,] and strictly enjoined the inhabitants and surveyors, not to settle any land to which the Indians had a claim, until he had first, at his own cost, satisfied and paid them for the same. [This peace lasted 80 years!] Which discreet method so effectually engaged their friendship, that they entirely loved him and his people,-when at the same time, several of the neighbouring colonies were at war and in great distress by the Indians.
The proprietor, being called home to meet some grievous complaints and false insinuations, did not return till the year 1700, when he came with his family, to the great joy of the inhabitants in general, with inten- tions (as it was hoped) to settle therein ; and often expressed his great pleasure of once more coming again, and seeing the flourishing and happy state of the province, where he greatly desired to continue. But his stay was short, for his enemies at home were still unwearied against him, and he embarked himself and family on board a mean ship in the winter season, and arrived safe in England, where he still retained his interest at court.
These complaints and troubles, not only proving very fatiguing but expensive, gave him such uneasiness, that in the reign of queen Anne he proposed to sell his right of Pennsylvania to the crown, on terms securing the people's rights. Yet, some would insinuate he had not regarded the people therein, which would be doing that worthy man's memory and integrity great injustice !
As the chief part of the inhabitants were Quakers, they, with others were and are concerned in acts of government; but as the province in- creased and prospered in every respect, many of other persuasions
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came and settled here with worldly views; who have formerly attempted to wrest the civil power out of the Quakers' hands, as it is very probable they may, and will again. As they politically begin to think and observe. the country in its increased wealth and commerce cannot be safe under the conduct of men, who from their principles [of religion] would con- tinue it in a defenceless state and leave it an easy prey to any enemy Thus not regarding [the fact of] the peaceable introduction and con- tinuing from the first settlement, both in time of peace and war."
Astrological Signs of Philadelphia at its Birth .- When Astro- 'ogical science was much countenanced, Jacob Taylor, a good mathematician, who from keeping a small school near Abington, came to be the Surveyor General of the province, calculated the aspect of the planets when the city of Philadelphia was founded, and expressed the result in the following lines-written in the year 1723, to wit :
" Full forty years have now their changes made, Since the foundation of this town was laid ;- When Jove and Saturn were in Leo join'd, They saw the survey of the place designed : Swift were these planets, and the world will own
Swift was the progress of the rising town.
The Lion is an active regal sign; And Sol beheld the two superiors join. A city built with such propitious rays Will stand to see old walls and happy days. But kingdoms, cities, men in every state Are subject to vicissitudes of fate. An envious cloud may shade the smiling morn Though fates ordain the beaming Sun's return !"
FRAGMENTS OF OUR PRIMITIVE HISTORY.
" Colligite fragmenta, ut non quid pereat!" Scraps of ancient lore, he culls from ev'ry store.
IT is intended, within the compass of the present article, to col- lect and arrange several items of a miscellaneous character, illus- trative of our primitive history. The most of them having been de- rived from Mrs. Logan's MS. selections, and now first meeting the public eye, will give them additional attraction.
I take this occasion to acknowledge my obligations to my much valued friend for her generous indulgence, in allowing me freely to extract what I pleased from her valuable and voluminous selections -in five volumes quarto-compiled from numerous files of papers left by the honourable James Logan and by the kindred Norris family. To the future historian of Pennsylvania they will furnish documents of much value ; and a grateful posterity will not fail tc 7*
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commend the kindness of the heart, and the untiring patience of the hand, that has thus usefully laboured for their information and entertainment.
As many of the facts are derived from the frankness and unre- serve of confidential letter correspondence, they will therefore partake of the minds of the writers, and let us into the double reward of learning more intimately the characters of Logan, Norris, Penn, &c. -for, as has been well observed, "there is nothing in general which can give a better opportunity of understanding a man's cha- racter, than those letters he never meant for the public eye."
Salaries to Officers in 1701 .- William Penn, in his letter of 1701, to James Logan, says,-" To Colonel Hamilton, as deputy governor, give him £200 per annum, of your money,-this, till I procure an approbation for him,-afterwards, let it be £300. To John Moore, as the attorney-general, give £30 a year. I hope the Assembly will take these charges off my hands. Use your endeavours. Judge (J.) Guest expects £100 a year ;- I would give him £50. [James Logan was promised £200, but he never took but £100, because of Penn's embarrassments.]
The Value of the Customs .- In William Penn's letter of 1701, he writes, "This year the customs from Pennsylvania, for amount goods, amount to £8000. The year I arrived there, in 1699, it was but £1500-a good encouragement for me and the country. New York has not the half of it. [This is remarkable of a country then so much older !] But oh, that we had a fur trade instead of a tobacco one. Fur is almost any price,-I would say, 16 shillings,-ay, 20 shillings."
Tobacco Cultivation .- Tobacco was much cultivated about Phila- delphia at first, and much of it in the lower counties :- Penn's rents were chiefly paid in it. In 1702, eight vessels were loaded for England with 80 to 90 hogsheads each.
Fairmount .- William Penn, in 1701, in writing to James Logan, shows his fancy for the site of the present water works, and his inten- tion to settle there if he returned, saying, "My eye, though not my heart, is upon Fairmount, unless the unworthiness of some spirits drive me up to Pennsbury or Susquehanna for good and all." Ho had before projected and published a scheme of making another city and settlement on the Susquehanna. One of the Penns after- wards built and occupied a country-seat at Springettsbury, near to Fairmount.
The Faction Against Penn .- These drove their opposition to Penn's interests to extremes. In 1700, Colonel Quarry, judge, and John Moore, advocate, of the admiralty, were the two ring- leaders. "The faction (says James Logan) had long contended to overthrow the settled constitution of the government." At that time, David Lloyd, the attorney-general, (afterwards an opposition leader
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although a Friend) defended the measures of Penn's administra. tion. James Logan remarks on these ungenerous hostilities to their patron, that Governor Penn "was sometimes warm enough to inveigh highly against past proceedings, not sparing several, in ex- press words, that were concerned in them." Penn himself calls them "knavish and foolish enemies." It was a part of their regular business, as mal-contents, to send many idle and pernicious tales to England, and also to the government there.
In 1702, James Logan thus writes of them,-" We are here un- happily exposed to such malicious spies, who, sedulously to serve a dishonest cause, keep themselves constantly on the alert, and in their secret cabals dress up every trivial occurrence into a mon- strous shape of malfaisance ;- the real subject of which is so slight, that the persons concerned scarce ever think of it more, until they hear it roar from some mighty court or committee there," -in England.
In 1704-5, he says, " Some in America, who were lost here in the crowd of their superiors, having got into power there, in feeling their little eminency, think nothing taller than themselves but their trees ! It might amend them to send them back to lose them- selves again in the crowds of more considerable people !" [a cutting satire ! ]
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