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 12
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Deer skins and peltry were very early articles of commerce from Salem-It was made a port of entry in 1682, and much was done in a business way between that place and New York, which, besides the skins, received much of cedar posts and shingles.
The first settlers brought into the country privet and thorn seeds, with which they afterwards made fences.
In 1717, they burned Hagar, a slave to James Sherran, for the murder of her master.
The Court proceedings at Salem present nothing remarkable- offences were generally punished by whipping.
The dates of the earliest settlements of towns and churches about
* Edmundson's Journal speaks of being at this place (Delawaretown) in 1672, and that then the Dutch and Fins were very intemperate.
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Salem has been told in an interesting manner by R. G. Johnson, Esqr., in his little historical account of the first settlement at Salem- therein furnishing an instructive picture of the past, in the days of its olden time, including my own forefathers, the Watsons,-first settlers at Greenwich.
Primitive Commerce .- Isaac Norris, in a letter to William Penn, in 1707, says, the province consumes, annually, of produce and mer chandise of England, 14 to £15,000. sterling. The direct returns were in tobacco, furs and skins. The indirect are in provisions and produce, via West Indies and the southern colonies. In 1706, about 800 hogsheads of tobacco went from Philadelphia, and about 25 to 30 tons of skins and furs.
William Penn himself was concerned in a great many shipments to and from Pennsylvania. For the most part they were intended as measures for best conducting his remittances. The letters be- tween him and James Logan are numerous on this subject. Specie was too scarce to procure it. Penn was at first averse from insu- rance, saying, " I am tender (in conscience) as to insurance. If the vessel arrives I shall consider it an engaging providence." In aiter times, however, he admitted his partners to insure for him. In 1 '~ . James Logan, speaking of their joint losses, says, "thy success at sea is so very discouraging, that I should never be willing to be con- cerned more this way :- and William Trent, who has hitherto been a partner in most of thy losses, almost protests against touching with any vessel again where a proprietary holds a part!"
Samuel Carpenter, in a letter of 1708, to Jonathan Dickinson, thus speaks of their embarrassments of trade, saying, " I am glad thou didst not come this summer, for craft from Martinico and several other privateers have been on our coast, and captured many. Our vessels here have been detained some time in fear of the enemy, and now by this conveyance to Jamaica, they are hurrying off 16 vessels to join convoy at the capes under the York man of war."
It was usual then to have several owners in one vessel and cargo, so as to divide, as much as possible, their risks. I give here a specimen, from a bill of outfits of a Philadelphia vessel in 1708-9, in which were sixteen distinct and separate divisions of eight owner- ships in the " ship Mary Galley,"-her total expenses were £415 and William Poole (the ship carpenter, who dwelt by, and built ships at, Poole's bridge,) held a sixteenth share. I abstract the fol- lowing prices, to wit :- negroes, for day's work in clearing the hold, two shillings and six pence per day,-board of cook and others, per week, 8 shillings,-a barrel of pork, 70 shillings,-staves, 60 shillings per thousand,-wood, at 9 shillings per cord.
Conclusion .- We have seen from the foregoing pages, that the lords of trade had a most busy surveillance of our affairs. Their intimate knowledge of which, and their ample records, if now consulted, might cast much light upon our infant history. This idea should
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be improved by some of our future historians. That board was in stituted, in 1671, on purpose to keep up a keen inspection and jea lous check of all the British colonies. They therefore sustained an active correspondence with the several plantations, and required frequent communications and exposes of the events transpiring there. We know it to have been the fact in our case, that many secret reports, both good and ill, were made to them,-both from the Governors and authorities among us, and also from the disaf- fected, who thus laboured to frustrate the common purposes of the country. Evelyn's Memoirs show, as he was a member of that board of trade, the kind of machinery they employed against us as colonies.
Another fruitful source of facts for our history may be expected to be obtained, some day, of the Penn family at Stoke Pogis ; for I am well assured by an eye witness, that all of the primitive papers are regularly folded, endorsed and labelled, but not now permitted to be used, by the late owner, John Penn, Esqr.,-he alleging that he reserved them for designs of his own.
Besides these might be added the fact, that in our own archives at Harrisburg are some records and MS. volumes, which might further reward the diligence of a competent explorer. Such are the early minutes of the council, minutes of the first Assemblies, &c which might further amuse and edify. It is believed that many early papers and records of the city, perhaps as far down as to the Revolution, are irretrievably gone. J. P. Norris, Esqr., and others, informed me they were in the possession of Judge Shippen and were put in his garret. After his death, Mrs. L., his daughter (now in New York) regarding them as mere lumber, allowed then, to be burnt .*
Besides the foregoing depots, where facts may one day be dis- closed, it is desirable that common readers who wish to cherish ar inquiring mind respecting the rise and progress of their country. should be apprised of the titles of numerous ancient publications in our City Library, and the Library of the American Philosophical Society, which, if consulted, might considerably enlarge their knowledge of our country. To many readers who never thought much on the subjects the very titles would awaken some concern to look into them. From many I select the following
Catalogue of Ancient Publications, illustrative of our Early History, in the Philadelphia Library, to wit :
Plain Truth; or, Considerations on the present state of Philadelphia. 1747. 8vo.
* Dunlap's Memoir says, Joseph Shippen, the Secretary, only gave up his books, and withheld the documents of his office .- The city Minutes given in this work were found in Edward Burd's garret.
VOL. I .- M 8*
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An answer thereto,-is called, Necessary Truth ; or, Seasonable Con siderations for the Inhabitants of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, 1748. Svo
Clear and Certain Truths relating to the present crisis, as well the truly pious Christian as others. By a simple tradesman. Germantown, printed by C. Sower, 1747.
A short Apology for Plain Truth, in a letter from a third tradesman in Philadelphia to his friend in the country. 1748.
Proposals for Trade and Commerce in New Jersey, 1717. 4to. No. 465.
Strictures on the Philadelphia Meschianza; or, Triumph upon leaving America unconquered. Philadelphia, 1780. 12mo.
A letter from Sir William Keith, Governor, to James Logan. Phila- delphia, 1725. 12mo.
A serious Address to such of the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania as con- nived at the massacre of the Indians at Lancaster. Philadelphia, 1764.
An Answer to an invidious pamphlet entitled, "A Brief State of the Province of Pennsylvania," wherein the conduct of the Assemblies is considered. London, 1755. 8vo.
A true and impartial state of the Province of Pennsylvania, being a full answer to the pamphlets, entitled, "A Brief State of the Province of Pennsylvania," and "A Brief View of the conduct of Pennsylvania." Philadelphia, 1759.
Charles Reed's letter to John Ladd, Esqr., concerning the massacre of the Indians in Lancaster. Philadelphia, 1764. Svo.
A state of the case of Rebecca Richardson, respecting a house and lot an Philadelphia. No. 1572. 8vo.
Plantagenet's New Albion, in the Loganian Library, is a rare work, and contains the earliest facts concerning New Jersey and Pennsylvania. London, 1648.
The Plain Dealer ; or, Remarks on Quaker politics. Philadelphia, 1764.
An address to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, in answer to Plain Dealer.
An Inquiry into the nature and necessity of a paper currency. 1729. Remedies proposed for restoring the sunk credit of Pennsylvania. 1721.
Smith and Gibbon's Remonstrance, showing the distress of the frontier inhabitants. Philadelphia, 1764.
Beatty's Journal of a two months' tour with a view of promoting reli- gion among the frontier inhabitants of Pennsylvania. London, 1768. 8vo.
An Account of the first settlement of Virginia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, by the English. London, 1735. 4to.
A Council held at Philadelphia, August, 1744, with the Delawares.
The History of the Buccaniers of America. Dublin, 1741. 5th Edition.
An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsyl- vania from its origin. London, 1759. 8vo.
The British Empire in America, and state of the Colonies from 1710 to 1741. London, 1741. 8vo.
Nova Sucice seu Pennsylvania in America, descriptio Stockholmiæ, 1702. 4to. (in the Swedish language.)
Histoire der Buccaniers of Vry-buyters van America, met figuuren T' Amsterdam, 1700. 4to.
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Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the Pro- vince of Pennsylvania, from October 4th, 1682, to September 26th, 1776. 18 vols. folio.
A two years' Journal in New York and part of its territories in Amer- ica. London, 1701. 12mo.
Douglass' Summary, historical and political, of the first planting, pro- gressive improvements of the British settlement in North America. Boston, 1749, and London, 1760.
Johnson's General History of the Pirates, from their rise and settle- ment in Providence to the present time, by Charles Johnson. 4th Edit. London, 1726.
Sir William Keith's (Governor of Pennsylvania) History of the British plantations in America, with a Chronological account of the most remarkable things which happened to the first adventurers. Part I. con- taining the history of Virginia, &c. London, 1738. 8vo.
The Library of the American Philosophical Society, at Phila- delphia, contains the following books, to wit :
Several books, by various writers, respecting the massacre of Indians at Lancaster. 1763.
MS .- Narrative, by John Watson, of the Indian Walk, being a pur- chase of land made of the Indians in Pennsylvania. 1756. Very interesting.
MSS .- Copies of Records concerning the early settlements on the Delaware river .- 1st. English Records from 1614 to 1682 .- 2d. Dutch Records, from 1630 to 1656,-extracted from the archives of the State of Pennsylvania, by Redmond Conyngham, Esqr.
MS. copies of Swedish Records, concerning the colony of New Swe- den, (now Pennsylvania and Delaware,) obtained from the archives of the Swedish government at Stockholm, by Jonathan Russell, Esqr. (Swedish and French.)
MS .- The original cash book of William Penn, containing the entries of his expenses from 1699 to 1703,-kept by James Logan.
MS .- The original rough Minutes of the Executive Council of Penn- sylvania, from 1700 to 1716 .- from the papers of James Logan.
Extracts from the original Minutes of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, from 1748 to 1758,-extracted by Thomas Sargent, Esqr. Secretary of State.
A brief History of the charitable scheme for instructing poor Germans in Pennsylvania, printed by B. Franklin, 1755.
Several pamphlets of 1764, of Philadelphia, of controversy-for and against the Quakers, whose ascendency in the Assembly was disliked by some.
The conduct of the Paxton men impartially represented. 1764.
Besides the foregoing, there are several works, giving historical and descriptive accounts of America, or of particular provinces, from their settlement .- Several written by Europeans in the 17th and 18th centuries.
in the Cambridge Library, Massachusetts, there is a German pamphlet, 12mo. of 44 pages, printed at Memmingen, by Andrew Seyler, 1792
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the title of which is "A Geographical, Statistical description of the Province of Pennsylvania, by Fr. Daniel Pastorius, in an extract, (" Im Auszug") with notes." It contains several facts from 1683 to 1699, with an account of the Indians, &c., that would much illustrate our early history. Pastorius was a sensible man. and a scholar, who lived during the above time in Germantown, as chief magistrate there.
The New York Historical Society has reprinted some of Holme's " New Swedeland," from the Stockholm edition.
Graydon's Memoirs of a life of 60 years in Pennsylvania,-Ed. 1811. -is a book to be particularly recommended to the perusal of Philadel- phians. It contains much of the local and domestic history of the town at and after the period of the Revolution, and affords a pleasing proof of good humour and good feelings of an aged gentleman, in the review of the incidents of his early life. The present generation know scarcely any thing of the past transactions which his book presents with the charm of good reading.
The adventures of the Sieur Castleman, published in London, gives a description of his visit to Philadelphia, and some amusing occurrences there in 1707,-he speaks of his acquaintance with a dancing master, then at Philadelphia. The work is very scarce, and has been published in English, French, and Italian.
Extracts from the Minutes of Council.
These Minutes of Council I examined and made extracts from, down to the year 1760; I found that they do not furnish much of interest in my way of inquiry, as will be now seen. They were mostly upon Indian Affairs, as will be found under that head. had freely declared, that they were not such in general as would justify the expense of printing, since ordered by the Legislature. They expected much from them, just because no one had suffi ciently examined their contents, as I had.
Governor Denny, in 1757, when speaking of these Minutes of Council, now so open to all, said :- " They contained important state affairs, many of which require the greatest secrecy, and cannot therefore be opened to the perusal of any but such as are concerned in the administration of public affairs."
It was begun first at Philadelphia on the 10th of Ist mo., 1682-3. Present, Wm. Penn, Proprietary and Governor, Capt. Wm. Markham and 15 others, viz :- Christopher Taylor, Thomas Holmes, Lasse Cock, Wm. Hug, John Moll, Ralph Whithers, John Simcoe, Edward Cantwell, Wm. Clayton, Wm. Biles, James Harrison, Wm. Clarke, Francis Whitehill, John Richardson, John Killiard.
The six sheriffs being called in, it was represented, that they could not assemble the whole number of deputies from the people, according to charter, but that the voice of the people for 12 delegates was enough being 72. Agreed to.
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12 of 6 mo., 1682 .- Nich. Moore, President of the Society of Free Traders, was summoned for disrespectable words, uttered concerning the former council. He made apology.
16 of 1 mo., 1683 .- A bill proposed for building a House of Correc. tion in each county, 24 feet by 10 feet.
23 of 1 mo., 1683 .- Ordered that the Seal of Philadelphia be the Anchor.
It was voted that the Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, and Constables be appointed during the life of the Governor.
11 of 3 mo., 1683 .- The Assembly and Council meet together in the meeting house for a special occasion and for more room.
24 of 6 mo., 1683 .- Trial of the case of Chs. Pickering coining base money-Robert Felton made it.
Luke Watson is named as member of Assembly from his farm at Prince Hook in Sussex. He was one of the General Council in 1684, had 500 acres-gave some offence.
The speaker and the whole house, often go to the Governor and Coun- cil to hear the laws confirmed.
17 of 11 mo., 1683 .- A Law proposed for two sorts of Cloaths only for winter and summer wear.
12 of 4 mo., 1684 .- Evidence of the abusive epithets of Col. Talbott on the border lines, and driving off land holders, saying
" Off you brazen nosed dog-or I'll ride you down," &c.
15 of 3 mo., 1685 .- Thomas Lloyd, President. Three pages of charges were made against Judge N. Moore, for high crimes and misde- meanours. It was on this occasion that Patrick Robinson declared of the Instrument, that the Assembly in so doing had made the impeachment at hab nab, for which they also desire satisfaction. The Council resolved that they could not act until he was first convicted in Court. He after- wards made his submission, and continued an agreed time of about three months.
1 of 12 mo., 1685-6 .- The Petition of Chs. Pickering was read about his land in Chester being surveyed. [This marks him who counterfeited.]
12 of 3 mo., 1686 .- The Petition of the Frenchmen sent over by Bal- lasses was offered, saying that his agents did not perform their promises. [This accounts, perhaps, for some French names among us now.]
18 of 3 mo., 1686 .- A Petition for Highways was read, and the Coun- cil agreed to appoint a committee to inspect all the business of roads, and to order them to be laid out in the most proper and convenient places.
5 of 5 mo., 1686 .- Joshua Carpenter is licensed for 3 mos. to keep an ordinary in his brother Saml. Carpenter's house on the wharfe [above Walnut street.]
24 of 6 mo., 1686 .- Jno. White informs this board that the Marylanders have lately reinforced their fort at Christiana, and that they would not suffer him to cut his hay, but presenting their guns at him, said they would cast his hay when made into the River! Also, that Maj. English, a few days past, came into New Castle Co. with 40 armed men on horses, and leaving the Co. at John Darby's, the Major and a Captain came to New Castle, and there told John White, that as to the case of his hay, he might peaceably cut it, if he would only say to them " Thou drunker
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Doggred Inglish let me cut hay !" The Council advise John White to use no violence, but to hope for a speedy settlement from the King.
1 of 8 mo., 1686 .- Upon the complaint of the Judges of the Court (Provincial) of great abuse offered to them on the bench by their clerk, Patrick Robinson, he was ordered to be dismissed.
19 of 9 mo., 1686 .- The Council taking into consideration the un evenness of the road from Philadelphia to the Falls of Delaware, agreed that a Committee and the Surveyors of the County meet, and lay out a more commodious road from the broad street in Philadelphia to the falls aforesaid.
12 of 3 mo., 1687 .- Luke Watson, a member of Assembly in 1688, was admitted a member of Council, he having vindicated his former offence.
2 of 2 mo., 1688 .- It is ordered that the Indians be encouraged in the destroying of Wolves by an extra provision.
Matters of disagreement and unsettled accounts between individuals are often considered and adjudged by Council.
All the foregoing extracted in the year 1835, from the first volume in the office of the Secretary of State, it being a folio of medium sized paper, of 209 pages.
Besides the foregoing, there were a regular succession of folio volumes, of much larger size, continued regularly to the War of Independence, 1775, in 20 volumes. After which other volumes follow of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania.
In 1701 Whitpain's great front room was used for the General Assem- bly-then tenanted by Joseph Shippen.
The Sachems of the Susquehanna Shawana Indians visit the Proprietary Penn in 1701, to take leave.
11 of 5 mo., 1704 .- Gov. Evans and Council. Ordered that all per- sons who serve till releasement in the Prison shall be exempted from watch and ward.
Numerous roads leading to Philadelphia are petitioned for about years 1700 to 4.
. 1704 .- The London members of the Society of Free Traders complain that their books, papers, &c., are broken up here, and praying relief against their agents here, and the recovery of the right knowledge of their interests.
4 July, 1718 .- A road ordered to be laid out from Philadelphia to Wissahickon Mills, by 5 com'rs, among whom was Andrew Robeson.
May 2, 1729 .- Lancaster Co. is erected, and in next year the Town also.
Jany. 1730-1 .- The inhabitants there declare they have no proper road to Philadelphia, but are compelled to go round about through Chester.
Feb., 1729-30 .- Lancaster town pitched upon and money lent (£300) to build a Court House and Prison on or near a small run of water be- tween the Plantations of Roody Mire, Michl. Shank, and Jacob Imble- at about 10 miles from Susquehanna.
All the forgoing are embraced in eight books of demi MSS., (A. to H ) and come down to the year 1734. I examined and extracted
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m.em pretty fully. After this the books begin and continue of larger size in a medium paper, and furnish but little in my way.
In the Land Office is a book called the "Proprietary Papers," which professes to be made as an index to the papers remaining in " the Proprietary's Box in the Surveyor General's Office." Many of them are curious, I should presume, by their titles. They relate to "Swedes' Lands in Northern Liberties," to drafts of land in Moyamensing, Weccacoe, &c., and sundry miscellaneous kinds. Some are facts concerning "the Proprietary's Pasture," between Vine Street and Pegg's Run.
Extracts from Minutes of the Assembly and from contempo- raneous occurrences, viz :
January 28, 1683 .- Thomas Winn, Speaker of the General Assembly, ordered that the Members who absented themselves from the deliberations of the House, without good cause, shall pay a fine of twelve pence ster- ling for every such offence.
March 16, 1685 .- Patrick Robinson, Clerk of the Provincial Courts was required by the Assembly to appear before them with the Recorder of the Court, but refusing compliance he was taken into custody by order of the House for refusal to obey the commands of the House, and voted incapable of exercising the duties of any public office thereafter.
Nicholas Moore, for contempt of the authority of the House was ex- pelled.
1689, March 13 .- John White informed the Governor that he was unable to attend to his duty as a Member of Assembly, being in prison at New Castle. The fact being made known to the Assembly, they com- manded the Sheriff to place John White at freedom. John White took his seat in the House on the 17th; but on that night John Claypoole, Sheriff, broke open the door of the chamber when John White was pre- paring to go to bed, and carried him off to confinement.
1694, March 23 .- David Jamison informed the House of Assembly that the Five Nations of Indians had been corrupted by the French, and had withdrawn their friendship for Pennsylvania.
1694 .- The Speaker informed the House of Assembly that the King's Attorney, in London, expected to receive from them the sum of twenty guineas for reading the several laws transmitted to the King and Council in London.
1695, July 9 .- The House of Assembly met at Sarah Whitpain's room, and each member agreed to pay their proportion, and charge it to the re- spective county.
[NOTE .- When the Members of the General Assembly first met in the city of Philadelphia, they hired a room and paid the expense. The country members took lodgings out of the city, and walked in to attend the meeting, frequently bringing their dinners with them.]
July 10. - Judges allowed ten shillings a day for their services.
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July 25 .- John Claypoole presented to the Governor by the House of Assembly, as a man of Ill Fame ; and that he be removed from office.
1698, March 13 .- William Morton sent a message to the House of Assembly, that he was a Scotchman, and he was apprehensive if he came to Philadelphia to take his seat as a Member, they would not receive him, and therefore he thought it prudent to remain at home.
1701 .- In this year complaint was made to the Governor and House of Assembly, by the freemen of Philadelphia, stating that the Proprietary had encroached upon their rights-that he had rented part of the land which was intended to be a common for ever; and requesting that the landing places at the Blue Anchor and the Penny Pot-house should be made free for the use of any man without hindrance. The answer of the Proprietary was that he had made a re-aplotment of the city, with which the first purchasers had complied, and consequently had not infringed upon their rights.
1701 .- Jurors entitled to receive eight pence a day ; witnesses two shillings each.
Philadelphia incorporated this year, by request of the inhabitants, into a city.
1704 .- Arrangements made for the erection of a Court House and Prison in the city of Philadelphia.
August 16 .- The country members lodging out of the city were unable from the violence of the wind and rain, to attend their duties in the House of Assembly.
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