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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
The two members appointed to acquaint Alderman Morris that he was elected Mayor, returned and informed the Board they had been at his House, and were told by his daughter that he was gone out of Town.
9 Oct. 1747 .- Charles Stow being call'd in and sworn, said That he had been at the Dwelling House of Alderman Morris and read the notice he was sent with to his wife, and would have delivered it to her, but she refused to receive it and said her husband was from home and she be- lieved he would not return till Saturday night.
The Board then considering that since the Mayor Elect did not appear, to Accept of the sd office and take and subscribe the usual Qualifications within the time limited by Charter: Altho' the proper means had been used to give him Notice of his Election, it was necessary to proceed to a new choice, and thereupon Wm. Attwood was chosen Mayor for the year Ensuing by a Majority of Votes.
26 Nov. 1747 .- The Mayor proposed to the consideration of the Board that since the Inhabitants of the City seem now generally apprehensive that the enemies of our King and Country, encouraged by their know- ledge of our defenceless state have formed a design of attacking us next spring; whether it might not be proper to petition the Honble. Proprieta- ties of this Province to send over a number of Cannon for Erecting a Battery, with such a quantity of Arms and ammunition as to them shall seem meet. And the majority of the Board being of opinion that such a petition is necessary, and that the same ought to be forwarded by the next Ship to London, a Draught thereof was brought in and read at the Board, and being approved of, it was ordered to be ingrossed and signed by the Mayor in order to be transmitted accordingly.
May 23, 1748 .- Ordered that the Recorder be repaid £53 expended in soliciting a Petition to the King for putting the Country in a state of defence.
14 July, 1748 .- It was agreed in lieu of an intended entertainment to Capt. Ballet of the Otter Sloop of War, that they present him a handsome present towards his Sea Stores, say 1 Pipe of Wine, 20 Galls. of Rum and 3 loaves Sugar.
4 Oct. 1748 .- The Mayor, W. Attwood, offered £60 to the Treasury, in lieu of an Entertainment from him,-accepted unanimously.
3 Oct. 1749 .- C. Willing, Mayor, offered £100 in lieu of an Entertain- ment, which was preferred and accepted by the Board.
2 Feb. 1753 .- Tho' Shoemaker, Mayor, presented £75 to the building fund in lieu of giving his Entertainment,-also Alderman Strettle the same.
28 May, 1753 .- Danl. Pettit, (i. e. Pettitoe) public whipper, prays £10 per ann. for his services, which was granted.
23d July, 1753 .- Charles Stow now praying the Board to make him some allowance for Fire Wood and Candles, supplied by him at the Mayor's Court for Two and Twenty years past. The Board agreed to allow him seven shillings and sixpence p. annum for the said fire and Candles and His trouble relating thereunto.
31 Aug't. 1754 .- C. Willing, Mayor. George Lee and Richard Davis petitioning this Board to remit the Fines imposed on them for assaulting
65
Facts and Occurrences of the Primitive Settlement.
the Watch, they not being of ability to pay the same. Order'd that the said Fines be remitted, provided they enter on board His Majesties Sloop of War, now in this Harbour, at the time of her sailing from here.
24 Nov'r. 1755 .- W. Plumstead, Mayor. The Mayor produced the Draught of a Remonstrance proposed to be sent from this Board to the Assembly of this province, on occasion of the Extreme distress brought upon the People by the Inroads of our Indian Enemies, and the Cruel Murders and Devastations committed by them, and Earnestly requesting the Assembly to take some speedy and effectual measures for the Defence of the Inhabitants by raising a sum of money and passing a reasonable Law for well regulating a Militia ..
4 Dec. 1758 .- T. Lawrence, Mayor. It being represented to the Board, that several Persons who have been a considerable time prisoners among the French at Canada, are come to this City in their way to their Several Homes, and being destitute of every thing necessary to support them in their journey,-many of them living at a great distance from home,-it is proposed that this Board should contribute something.
Dec. 1, 1759 .- A Dinner entertainment is ordered for the New Lt. Governor, James Hamilton, Esq. at the Lodge.
Feb. 16, 1762 .- The Board is specially called to consider the bad state of the Streets, and to represent that the surplus money from the rents of the public were inadequate for their repairs, &c. A beam and Scales at a Cost of £22 is bought for the use of the Meal Market.
Oct. 1763 .- Money is ordered for completing the Bridge over the Dock in Front St.
Oct. 31, 1763 .- The board agreed to give an entertainment to the Hon'ble. John Penn, Esq. the newly arrived Governor.
Nov. 28, 1763 .- Paid the Expence of the said Entertainment, £203- £50 is ordered to be paid for a lot at the No. East corner of the State house Square on which to erect " a City Hall."
Jan'y 30, 1764 .- It is ordered that Steelyards be not used for weigh- ing in the Markets; To this 5 butchers presented complaints, but the Scales were adhered to.
Dec. 4, 1767 .- It is ordered that a bill of £159 be paid for the ex- pence of an entertainment given to Gener'l Gage, the Comdr. in Chief, on his arrival in the city.
Dec. 22, 1767 .- An answer is sent to the Select men of Boston, who had recommended measures to restrain the consumption of superfluities, &c. The answer says, we desire to diffuse a spirit of industry and fru- gality ; but they decline to take their public measures as not necessary. 66 Stalls in the Market west'd rented for £198, and 26 east at £4 each, and 20 at #3 each.
July 21, 1768 .- £25 is allowed to the late Sheriff as the expence of shipping off four notorious felons.
Nov. 1769 .- A committee is appointed to look into the state of the "New Market on the Hill." [South wark.]
29 June, 1773 .- A Petition was rec'd from Friends earnestly request- ing that the building of more Stalls in High St. might be suspended. The minds of the People being much agitated, it was agreed to.
3 March, 1774 .- The bushel measure of the City, made of Copper, a New standard was ordered of brass.
VOL. I .- I 6*
66
Facts and Occurrences of the Primitive Settlement.
3 April, 1775 .- The Committee to find out a place for a City Hall, reported, and they recommend that the money formerly bestowed by several Mayors for the building an Exchange or other public Edifice, be now used to this object.
Mayors of the City of Philadelphia.
Anthony Morris, October, 1704 .- Griffith Jones, November, 1704 .- Joseph Wilcox, 1705 .- Nathan Stanbury, 1706-7 .- Thomas Masters, 1708-9 .- Richard Hill, 1710 .- William Carter, 1711 .- Samuel Preston, 1712 .- Jonathan Dickinson, 1713 .- George Rock, 1714 .- Richard Hill. 1715-16-17 .- Jonathan Dickinson, 1718 .- William Fishbourne, 1719- 20-21 .- James Logan, 1722 .- Clement Plumstead, 1723 .- Robert Asshe- ton, 1724 .- Isaac Norris, 1725 .- William Hudson, 1726 .- Charles Read, 1727 .- Thomas Lawrence, 1728 .- Thomas Griffiths, 1729-30-31 .- C. Hasell, 1732 .- Thomas Griffiths, 1733-34 .- Thomas Lawrence, 1735 .- William Allen, 1736 .- C. Plumstead, 1737 .- Thomas Griffiths, 1738 .- Anthony Morris, 1739 .- Edward Roberts, 1740 .- S. Hasell, 1741 .- William Till, 1742 .- B. Shoemaker, 1743 .- E. Shippen, 1744 .- J. Hamil- ton, 1745 .- W. Attwood, 1746-47 .- C. Willing, 1748 .- Thomas Law- rence, 1749 .- W. Plumstead, 1750-51 .- Robert Shettle, 1752 .- B. Shoe- maker, 1753 .- C. Willing, 1754 .- W. Plumstead, 1755-56 .- A. Shute, 1757 .- Thomas Lawrence, 1758-59 .- John Stamper, 1760 .- B. Shoe- maker, 1761 .- Henry Harrison, 1762 .- T. Willing, 1763 .- T. Lawrence 1764-65-66 .- Isaac Jones, 1767-68-69 .- S. Shoemaker, 1770 .- J. Gib- son, 1771-72 .- W. Fisher, 1773-74 .- S. Rhoade, 1775.
The above list is ascertained from the minutes of the City Council.
Gabriel Thomas' Account of Philadelphia and the Province to the year 1696.
An historical description of the Province of Pennsylvania; including an account of the City of Philadelphia. Extracted from the history written in the year 1697, and dedicated "to the most noble and excel- lent Governour Friend William Penn," by GABRIEL THOMAS, who came from England in the year 1681, in the ship John and Sarah, of London, commanded by Henry Smith, and resided in Pennsylva- nia about fifteen years. [This work, which belongs to the Library Company of Philadelphia, was printed in London, in the year 1698.]
Pensilvania lies between the latitude of forty and forty-five degrees West Jersey on the east, Virginia on the west, Maryland south, and New York and Canada on the north. In length three hundred, and in breadth one hundred and eighty miles.
The natives of this countrey are supposed, by most people, to have been of the ten scattered tribes, for they resemble the Jews in the make of their persons, and tincture of their complexions; they observe new moons, they offer their first fruits to a Maneto, or supposed Deity, whereof they have two, one, as they fansie above (good;) another below (bad ; ) and
67
Facts and Occurrences of the Primitive Settlement
have a kind of feast of tabernacles, laying their altars upon twelve s ones, observe a sort of mourning twelve months, customs of women, and many other rites.
They are very charitable to one another, the lame and the blind living as well as the best ; they are also very kind and obliging to the Christians.
The next that came there were the Dutch, (who called the countrey New Neitherland) between fifty and sixty years ago, and were the first planters in those parts ; but they made little improvement, till near the time of the wars between England and them, about thirty or forty years ago
Soon after them came the Sweeds and Fins, who applyed themselves to husbandry, and were the first Christian people that made any considerable improvement there.
There were some disputes between these two nations some years : the Dutch looking upon the Sweeds as intruders* upon their purchase and possession. These disputes were terminated in the surrender made by John Rizeing, the Sweeds Governour, to Peter Stuyvesant, Governour for the Dutch, in 1655. In the Holland war about the year 1665, Sir Robert Carr took the countrey from the Dutch for the English, and left his cousin, Captain Carr, governour of that place; but in a short time after, the Dutch retook the countrey from the English, and kept it in their pos- session till the peace was concluded between the English and them, when the Dutch surrendered that countrey with East and West Jersey and New York, to the English again. But it remained with very little improve. ment till the year 1681, in which William Penn, Esquire, had the coun- trey given him by king Charles the second, (in lieu of money that was due to his father, Sir William Penn) and from him bore the name of Pensilvania.
Since that time, the industrious inhabitants have built a noble and beautiful city, and called it Philadelphia, or Brotherly-love (for so much the Greek word Philadelphia imports,) which contains a number of houses all inhabited; and most of them stately, and of brick, generally three stories high, after the mode in London, and as many several families in each. There are very many lanes and alleys, as first, Huttons-lane Morris-lane, Jones's-lane, wherein, are very good buildings; Shorters- alley, Yowers-lane, Wallers-alley, Turners-lane, Sikes-alley, and Flow- ers alley. All these alleys and lanes extend from the Front-street to the Second-street. There is another alley in the Second-street, called Car- ters-alley. There are also, besides these alleys and lanes, several fine squares and courts within this magnificent city; as for the particular names of the several streets contained therein, the principal are as fol- lows, viz .: Walnut-street, Vine-street, Mulberry-street, Chestnut-street, Sassafras-street, taking their names from the abundance of those trees that formerly grew there; High-street, Broad-street, Delaware-street, Front- street, with several of less note, too tedious to insert here.
It hath in it three fairs every year, and two markets every week. They kill above twenty fat bullocks every week, in the hottest time in Summer, besides many sheep, calves, and hogs.
This city is situated between Schoolkill-river and the great river Dela- ware, which derives its name from Captain Delaware, who came there
* Thus showing the Swedes were not thus early regarded as the primitive settlers.
68
Facts and Occurrences of the Primitive Settlement.
pretty early · ships of two or three hundred tuns may come up to this city, by either of these two rivers. Moreover, in this province are four great market-towns, viz. Chester, the German-town, New-castle, and Lewis-town, which are mightily enlarged in this latter improvement. Between these towns, the water-men constantly ply their wherries ; like- wise all those towns have fairs kept in them ; besides there are several countrey villages, viz. Dublin, Harford, Merioneth, and Radnor in Cum- bry ; all of which towns, villages and rivers took their names from the several countries from whence the present inhabitants came.
The corn-harvest is ended before the middle of July,* and most years they have commonly between twenty and thirty bushels of wheat for every one they sow. Their ground is harrowed with wooden tyned harrows, twice over in a place is sufficient; twice mending of their plow-irons in a year's time will serve. Their horses commonly go with- out being shod; two men may clear between twenty and thirty acres of land in one year, fit for the plough, in which oxen are chiefly used, though horses are not wanting, and of them good and well shaped. Of such land, in a convenient place, the purchase will cost between ten and fifteen pounds for a hundred acres. Here is much meadow ground. Poor people, both men and women, will get near three times more wages for their labour in this countrey, than they can earn either in England or Wales.
What is inhabited of this countrey is divided into six counties, though there is not the twentieth part of it yet peopled by the Christians : it hath in it several navigable rivers for shipping to come in, besides the capital Delaware; there are also several other small rivers, the names of them are, Hoorkill-river, alias Lewis-river, which runs up to Lewis-town, the chiefest in Sussex county; Cedar-river, Muskmellon-river, all taking their names from the great plenty of these things growing thereabouts ; Mother-kill alias Dover-river, St. Jones's alias Cranbrook-river, where one John Curtice lives, who hath three hundred head of neat beasts, be- sides great numbers of hogs, horses, and sheep; Great Duck-river, Little Duck-river, Blackbird-river, these also took there original names from the great number of those fowls which are found there in vast quantities ; Apequinemy-river, where their goods come to be carted over to Maryland; St. George's river, Christeen river, Brandy-wine- river, Upland alias Chester-river, which runs by Chester-town, being the shire or county-town, Schoolkill-river, Frankford-river, near which, Arthur Cook hath a most stately brick-house; and Nishamany-river, where judge Growden hath a very noble and fine house, very pleasantly situ- ated, and likewise a famous orchard adjoyning to it, wherein are contained above a thousand apple trees of various sorts ; likewise there is the famous Derby-river, which comes down from the Cumbry by Derby- town, wherein are several fulling-mills, corn-mills, &c.
There is curious building-stone and paving-stone ; also tile-stone, with which latter, governour Penn covered his great and stately pile, which he called Pennsbury-house; there is likewise iron-stone or oar, (lately found) which far exceeds that in England, being richer and less drossy ; some preparations have been made to carry on an iron-work : there is
* Meaning in old style.
69
Facts and Occurrences of the Primitive Settlement.
also very good lime-stone in great plenty, and cheap, of great use in buildings, and also in manuring land, (if there were occasion) but nature has made that of itself sufficiently fruitful ; besides here are load-stones, ising-glass, and (that wonder of stones) the Salamander-stone found near Brandy-wine-river, having cotton in veins within it, which will not con- sume in the fire, though held there a long time .*
As to minerals or metals, there is very good copper, far exceeding ours in England, being much finer, and of a more glorious colour.
Not two miles from the metropolis, are also purging mineral-waters, į that pass both by siege and urine, all out as good as Epsom : and I have reason to believe, there are good coals also, for I observed the runs of water have the same colour as that which proceeds from the coal-mines in Wales.
There are an infinite number of sea and land fowl of most sorts, and there are prodigious quantities of shell and other fish. There are also several sorts of wild beasts of great profit and good food ; I have bought of the Indians a whole buck, (both skin and carcase) for two gills of gunpowder. All which, as well beasts, fowl and fish, are free and com- mon to any person who can shoot or take them, without any lett, hinderance or opposition whatsoever.
There are also several sorts of wild fruits, as excellent grapes, which. upon frequent experience, have produced choice wine, being daily culti- vated by skilful vinerons ; they will, in a short space of time, have good liquor of their own, and some to supply their neighbours, to their great advantage ; as these wines are more pure, so much more wholesome ; the brewing trade of sophisticating and adulterating of wines, as in Eng- land, Holland (especially) and in some other places, not being known there yet, nor in all probability will it in many years, through a natural probity so fixed and implanted in the inhabitants, and (I hope) like to continue. Wallnuts, chesnuts, filberts, hickery-nuts, hurtleberries, mul- berries, rasberries, strawberries, cramberries, plumbs and many other wild fruits, in great plenty, which are common and free for any to gather.
The common planting fruit trees, are apples, of which much excellent cyder is made, and sold commonly for between ten and fifteen shillings per barrel. Pears, peaches, &c. of which they distil a liquor much like the taste of rumm, or brandy, which they yearly make in great quanti- ties : there are quinces, cherries, gooseberries, currants, squashes, pump- kins, water-mellons, musk-mellons, and other fruits in great numbers. There are also many curious and excellent physical wild herbs, roots, and drugs, of great virtue, which makes the Indians, by a right application of them, as able doctors and surgeons as any in Europe.
The names of the counties are as followeth : Philadelphia, Bucks. Chester, New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex.
And now for their lots and lands in city and countrey, since they were first laid out, which was within the compass of about twelve years : that which might have been bought for fifteen or eighteen shillings, is now sold for fourscore pounds in ready silver ; and some other lots, that might have been then purchased for three pounds, within the space of two years. were sold for a hundred pounds a piece, and likewise some
* The Asbestos.
+ Springs-mineral.
70
Facts and Occurrences of the Primitive Settlement.
land that lies near the city, that sixteen years ago might have been pui. chased for six or eight pounds the hundred acres, cannot now be bought under one hundred and fifty, or two hundred pounds.
Now the true reason why this fruitful countrey and flourishing city advance so considerably in the purchase of lands is their great and ex- tended traffique and commerce, both by sea and land, viz. to New-York, New-England, Virginia, Mary-land, Carolina, Jamaica, Barbadoes, Nevis, Monserat, Antego, St. Christophers, Barmudoes, New-foundland, Ma- deras, Saltetudeous, and Old England ; besides several other places. Their merchandize chiefly consists in horses, pipe-staves, pork and beef, salted and barrelled up, bread and flour, all sorts of grain, peas, beans, skins, furs, tobacco, and pot-ashes, wax, &c. which are bartered for rumm, sugar, molasses, silver, negroes, salt, wine, linen, houshold- goods, &c.
Great encouragements are given to tradesmen and others. I shall in- stan :- a few-carpenters, both house and ship, brick-layers, and masons will get between five and six shillings per day constantly. As to journey- men shooe-makers, they have two shilling per pair both for men and women's shooes : and journeymen taylors have twelve shillings per week and their diet. And weavers, have ten or twelve pence the yard for weaving : wool-combers, have for combing twelve pence per pound. Potters have sixteen pence for an earthen pot which may be bought in England for four pence. Tanners, may buy their green hides for three half pence per pound, and sell their leather for twelve pence per pound. And curriers have three shillings and four pence per hide for dressing, they buy their oyl at twenty pence per gallon. Brick-makers have twenty shillings per thousand for their bricks at the kiln. Felt-makers will have for their hats seven shillings a piece, such as may be bought in England for two shillings a piece ; yet they buy their wool commonly for twelve or fifteen pence per pound. And as to the glaziers they will have five pence a quarry for their glass. The butchers, for killing a beast, have five shilling and their diet; and they may buy a good fat large cow for three pounds, or thereabouts. The brewers sell such beer as is equal in strength to that in London, half ale and half stout, for fifteen shillings per barrel; and their beer hath a better name, that is, is in more esteem than English beer in Barbadoes, and is sold for a higher price there. And for silver-smiths, they have between half a crown and three shillings an ounce for working their silver, and for gold equiva- lent. Plasterers have commonly eighteen pence per yard for plastering. Last-makers have sixteen shillings per dozen for their lasts. And heel- makers have two shillings a dozen for their heels. Wheel and mill- wrights, joyners, braziers, pewterers, dyers, fullers, comb-makers, wyer- drawers, cage-makers, card-makers, painters, cutlers, rope-makers, car- vers, block-makers, turners, coopers, bakers, button-makers, hair and wood sieve-makers, boddice-makers, black-smiths, gun-smiths, lock- smiths, nailers, file-cutters, skinners, furriers, glovers, patten-makers, watch-makers, clock-makers, sadlers, collar-makers, barbers, printers, book-binders and all other trades-men, their gains and wages are about the same proportion as the fore-mentioned trades.
Of lawyers and physicians I shall say nothing, because this countrey is very peaceable and healthy ; labouring-men have commonly here, be
71
Facts and Occurrences of the Primitive Settlement.
tween fourteen and fifteen pounds a year, and their meat, drink, wash- ing and lodging ; and by the day their wages is generally between eigh- teen pence and half a crown, and diet also; but in harvest they have usually between three and four shillings each day, and diet. . The maid servants' wages are commonly betwixt six and ten pounds per annum, with very good accommodation.
Corn and flesh, and what else serves man for drink, food and rayment, Is much cheaper here than in England, or elsewhere ; but the chief rea- son why wages of servants of all sorts is much higher here than there, arises from the great fertility and produce of the place; besides, if these large stipends were refused them, they would quickly set up for them- selves, for they can have provision very cheap, and land for a very small matter. They have constantly good price for their corn, by reason of the great and quick vent into Barbadoes and other islands; through which means silver is become more plentiful here than in England, considering the number of people. They pay no tithes and their taxes are incon- siderable ; the place is free for all persuasions, in a sober and civil way ; for the Church of England and the Quakers bear equal share in the government. They live friendly and well together; there is no perse- cution for religion, nor ever like to be. I shall add another reason why women's wages are so exorbitant ; they are not yet very numerous, which makes them stand upon high terms for their several services ; moreover, they are usually married before they are twenty years of age, and, when once in that noose, are for the most part a little uneasie, and make their husbands so too, till they procure them a maid servant to bear the bur- den of the work, as also in some measure to wait on them too.
The city of Brotherly-love far exceeds her namesake of Lydia,* and will, in all probability, make a fine figure in the world, and be a most celebrated emporeum. Here is lately built a noble town-house or guild- hall,f also a handsome market-house and a convenient prison.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.