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. III > Part 18
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Benjamin, junior, succeeded to the estate of Cliveden. Born in Philadelphia September 30, 1758, he studied law and per- fected his studies in London at the Middle Temple. He prac- tised only a few years. He married a wealthy lady, Catharine Banning, in 1788. He entertained La Fayette in 1825 with great splendor; the occasion was commemorated by a large painting now in the possession of the family. He died at Cliveden April 30, 1844, aged eighty-six. Two of his sons, Benjamin Chew, Jr., and Samuel Chew, took up the hereditary practice of the law, and occupied prominent positions. The property is still in the hands of their descendants.
Jared Ingersoll, p. 322 .- Afterward in Chestnut street, oppo- site the State House.
Joseph Moylan (p. 322) should be Jasper Moylan.
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P. S. Duponceau, p. 322 .- Afterward N. E. corner of Chest- nut and Sixth streets. His house was a large one, and stood back from the street. It was torn down to give place to the large structure formerly known as "Hart's Buildings."
Edward Tilghman, p. 322 .- Afterward Chestnut and Carpen- ter's court.
P. 322. The dress of Judges McKean, Bryan, Atlee, and Rush in 1785 consisted of scarlet robes, and they sat with their hats on while administering justice.
In the Minutes of Council, p. 323 .- (See Col. Recs., vol. i.) It is manifest, etc. p. 324 .- (See Col. Recs., vol. ii., p. 259; " Records of Com. Council," Ibid., pp. 249, 251, 252.)
THE MILITARY.
The Association Regiments, p. 326 .- Early in January, 1748, the Associators met and elected as officers of the companies-
Captains.
Lieutenants.
Ensigns.
Charles Willing,
Atwood Shute,
James Claypoole.
Thomas Bond,
Richard Farmer,
Plunkett Fleeson.
John Inglis,
Lynford Lardner,
T. Lawrence, Jr.
James Polegreen,
William Bradford,
William Bingham.
Peacock Bigger,
Joseph Redman,
Thomas Bourne,
Robert Owen,
Joseph Wood. Peter Etter. Abraham Mason.
William Cuzzins,
George Spafford,
Septimus Robinson,
William Clemm,
William Rush.
James Coultas,
George Gray, Jr.,
Abraham Jones.
John Ross,
Richard Swan,
Philip Benezet.
Richard Nixon,
Richard Renshaw,
Francis Garrigues.
They then marched to the State House, where the president and Council were in session. The officers elected as colonel Abraham Taylor, as lieutenant-colonel Thomas Lawrence, and as major Samuel McCall. The companies averaged one hundred men. The companies of the county chose-
Captains.
John Hughes,
Samuel Shaw,
Henry Pawling,
Thomas York,
Jacob Hall,
Edward Jones,
Abraham Dehaven,
Christopher Robbins, John Hall,
Lieutenants. Matthias Holstein, Isaac Ashton,
Robert Dunn, Jacob Leech, Joseph Levis, Griffith Griffiths, William Coats, Roger North, Peter Knight, Joshua Thomas,
Ensigns. Frederick Holstein. John Roberts. Hugh Hamilton. John Barge. William Finney.
James Richey.
John Pauling. Benjamin Davis. Philip Wynkoop.
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The Military.
Edward Jones was colonel, Thomas York lieutenant-colonel, and Samuel Shaw major of this regiment.
By April nearly one thousand Associators were enrolled and under arms. They immediately proceeded to construct batteries -the first at the wharf of Anthony Attwood, under Society Hill, between Pine and Cedar streets. The breastwork was about eight feet thick, made of timber and plank, with earth rammed in, constructed for thirteen guns. It was built by the carpenters furnishing their part of the work gratuitously, and was finished in two days. The largest battery, "The Association," was con- structed below Swedes' Church, upon the site lately occupied by the Navy Yard, and presented a pentagonal front to the river, with embrasures for twenty-seven cannon.
The cannon were diligently hunted up from various sources. A number were gathered from the wharves, where they had been lying; some were purchased in Boston; others were borrowed from Clinton, governor of New York, through the intervention of Franklin and others; some were imported from England ; and fourteen were received from the Proprietaries. From these sources the armament on Association Battery was increased to fifty cannon, eighteen-, twenty-four-, and thirty-two-pounders ; one of the latter was presented by the Schuylkill Fishing Com- pany. The brave defenders mounted guard every night, suffer- ing no vessels to pass between dark and daylight. A company of artillery to work the guns was formed under an old priva- teersman, Captain John Sibbald, and a guard placed over the powder-house. But all of the preparations were for naught. Though French and Spanish cruisers captured vessels at the mouth of the river, none of them ascended to test the bravery of the battery-men.
The citizens met at the new meeting-house, p. 326 .- This is a mistake. The "new-meeting-house," at the north-west corner of Third and Arch streets, was not erected till 1750. It was in the "New Building " in Fourth street below Arch, afterward " the Old Academy," where Gilbert Tennent then preached. (See Penna. Archives, vol. xii. p. 440.)
Gideon of Philadelphia, p. 331 .- Jacob Gideon was a tenant of my grandfather in a two-storied house in Arch street above Fourth. He made and sold shoe-blacking, and was more re- markable as a "trumpeter" than for good deeds.
Gen. John Macpherson, p. 331 .- He was afterward naval officer of Philadelphia-a fine-looking man, till in his later years he was afflicted with a huge wen or tumor on his neck, which be- came so large as to require to be supported by a handkerchief or bandage. From its situation it could not be removed without endangering his life ; it ultimately caused his death. He married a daughter of Bishop White.
The City Troop, p. 333 .- This, the oldest military organization
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Annals of Philadelphia.
in the United States, was organized November 17th, 1774. The cavalry attached to the Philadelphia brigade during the Western expedition (" Whiskey War") in 1794 were the First City Troop, Captain John Dunlap, and Captains Abraham Singer's and Mc- Connell's troops, the two latter -being together about one hundred and sixty strong. A list of the officers and men of the City Troop will be found in the by-laws, muster-roll, and papers published by the Troop in 1856, and in the History of the Troop, published in 4to in 1876. They left the city on the 8th of August, and returned on the 28th of December.
Philadelphia Blues .- There is in this city an old book of 1812, in manuscript, containing the "Rules and By-laws of the Philadelphia Blues," Captain Lewis Rush, who resided at that time at No. 125 Race street. The book also contains the signa- tures of the members, with their places of residence. This com- pany was attached to the first battalion of the Fiftieth Regiment, Philadelphia militia. The "Philadelphia Blues" was a company which was in existence before the war of 1812. Lewis Rush, its captain, was made colonel of the first detachment of militia, which in 1813 was quartered at Staunton, Shellpot Hill, and Oak Hill. This detachment marched from the city May 13th, and returned to the city July 27th. During that campaign the company was under the command of Henry Myers, captain ; William Cole, first lieutenant; George Geyer, second lieuten- ant ; Michael Sager, third lieutenant; and John Suter, ensign. In the campaign of 1814 this company did not serve. It prob- ably went out of existence or was united with some other.
Our Military Commanders .- For the first time in over eighty years the militia force of Philadelphia consists of only one bri- gade. Recent orders of the governor have abolished the Second Brigade, and consolidated the regiments belonging to it with the First, so that what is called the First Division is nothing more than one brigade. In 1793 the volunteers of the city and county of Philadelphia were marshalled into one division and two brigades, which were called the "City Brigade" and the " County Brigade." The City Brigade, afterward called the " First Brigade," had between 1793 and 1876 as brigadier-gene- rals-Thomas Proctor, William Macpherson, Francis Gurney, John Shee, John Barker, Michael Bright, Robert Wharton, George Bartram, Thomas Cadwalader, Robert Patterson, An- drew M. Prevost, George Cadwalader, John P. Bankson, Henry Muirheid, and Robert Brinton. The County Brigade in the same period had as generals-Jacob Morgan, Isaac Worrell, Michael Leib, William Duncan, Thomas Snyder, Samuel Castor, John D. Goodwin, Augustus L. Roumfort, William F. Small, John Tyler, Jr., John Bennett, John D. Miles, J. William Hoffman, and Russell Thayer. About 1842 a Third Brigade was formed, and Horatio Hubbell was appointed brigadier-general. He was
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succeeded by John Sidney Jones, William M. Reilly, and De Witt C. Baxter. During the war of the Rebellion the Fourth Brigade was formed, and William B. Thomas was its first and only brigadier-general. The Fifth Brigade, embracing colored troops, was also formed during the war, and Louis Wagner was brigadier-general. There was also a Reserve Brigade, which General Frank E. Patterson commanded, and a Home-Guard Brigade under General Pleasanton. The major-generals com- manding these brigades have been eleven-James Irvine, Walter Stewart, Thomas Proctor, Thomas Mifflin (who was appointed January 1st, 1800, and died twenty days afterward), Thomas Proctor again, John Shee, John Barker, Isaac Worrell, Thomas Cadwalader, Robert Patterson, Charles M. Prevost, and John P. Bankson. The longest term of service was that of General Robert Patterson-from 1828 to 1865, thirty-seven years. The longest term of a brigadier-general was that of George Cadwala- der-from 1842 to 1865, twenty-three years. Major-General Isaac Worrell and Brigadier-Generals Robert Wharton, George Bartram, and Thomas Cadwalader of the City Brigade, and William Duncan and Thomas Snyder of the County Brigade, commanded during the war of 1812.
We had some eminent officers of the United States in com- mand at Philadelphia during certain contingencies-among them General Israel Putnam, 1775-76; General Schuyler and the Marquis de la Fayette in the early part of 1777; Benedict Arnold and John Armstrong in 1778. William Macpherson commanded during the Hot-Water War; and in the war with Great Britain, 1813-14, Generals Joseph Bloomfield and Ed- mund P. Gaines were commanders of the military district in which Philadelphia was situated. It will therefore be some- what of a novelty to have but one brigade in Philadelphia, although the city is much larger and has a greater population than when there were five brigades. But there are some changes in the militia laws which should be taken into consideration. Formerly, when every male between the age of eighteen and forty-five years was liable to militia duty, there was a consider- able establishment of regiments with their colonels and other officers, the privates of which turned out once a year and toed the curbstone in order to save their fines. Such a militia system was a farce. In time it was abolished ; and since the establish- ment of the National Guard, which consists entirely of uniformed and disciplined volunteers, there is no reason for continuing bri- gade organizations if there are not enough troops to fill up the ranks. This seems to be the trouble with the military estab- lishment just now. A few years ago we had a very handsome force of volunteer soldiers, but for some reason the military spirit is declining and the companies and regiments are falling off in number. It is rather absurd to witness the parade of
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Annals of Philadelphia.
what is called "a brigade " which turns out no more than a thousand or fifteen hundred men. Yet as meagre a show as this has been made on some recent occasions. As Philadelphia will have but one brigade, it cannot properly have, under such circumstances, a major-general to command that one brigade. There ought to be two or three brigades in a division ; and that is the reason of the rumor which obtained to the effect that the governor intended to consolidate the brigades of. Philadelphia, Chester, and Lancaster counties into one division. The rumor was somewhat premature, but it is probable that it will be carried out by a plan shaped on the model reported.
The resignations of Major-General Brinton, First Division, Major-General Pearson, Sixth Division, and Brigadier-General Loud, Second Brigade, have been accepted by Governor Hart- ranft. General Pearson's and General Brinton's staff officers also resigned at the same time, and their resignations have all been accepted. Colonel Maxwell of the Sixth Regiment has been placed in command of the First Division, and Colonel Guthrie of the Eighteenth Regiment has been assigned to the command of the Sixth Division. The resignations of these general officers were all tendered with a view to the further- ance of the effort to reorganize the National Guard, which will reduce the major-generals to one and the brigadier-generals to five.
P. 333. In the British colonial army for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1757-58, and afterward, according to the Penn- sylvania Archives, the officers of a company were captain, lieu- tenant, and ensign. Bailey's Dictionary, published in 1736, de- fines an " ensign " to be " an officer in a company of foot-soldiers who carries the flag or colors." An ensign, therefore, was not a lieutenant, but in authority he was more like the color-sergeant of modern military establishments.
The forts at Gray's Ferry, on the line of the Schuylkill River, p. 333 .- The militia had nothing to do with building the forts in the neighborhood of Philadelphia during the war of 1812. Those works were built according to the plans and by the au- thority of the Committee of Defence appointed at a meeting of citizens of Philadelphia, held in the State House Yard on the 26th of July, 1814, of which Charles Biddle was chairman. The fortifications were built by citizens of Philadelphia-not as militiamen, but as volunteer workmen. The fortifications were erected by different bodies of men on different days. There was a brilliant parade of the Free Masons. The Irish had their day, the clergy a day, and the colored men a day. Besides the forti- fication at the intersection of the road to Darby and the road from Gray's Ferry, there was one on Fairmount and one on the south side of Chestnut street, very near to the Schuylkill River. For many years after the conclusion of the war the young of both
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The Military.
sexes were in the habit of repairing to this last fortification or Easter Monday and rolling Easter eggs down the slope toward the river. About ten years ago the Historical Society published a volume containing the minutes of the Committee of De- fence. (See p. 491.)
Col. Pluck, p. 333 .- Colonel John Pluck was prominent in the affairs of our local militia from about 1828 to 1830-31. He was hostler in a market-tavern in the Northern Liberties, and was elected colonel of the Eighty-fourth Regiment of Penn- sylvania militia in order to bring discredit upon the militia sys- tem. Members of his regiment paraded in fantastical dress, and the organization was known as the " Bloody Eighty-fourth."
The Grays .- The Artillery Corps of Washington Grays, organ- ized in 1823, first attracted attention in the La Fayette reception in 1824. The appearance of the corps was particularly noticed by La Fayette; and in honor of that compliment the Grays appear in the background of the portrait of La Fayette painted for the city of Philadelphia. The Washington Grays' monument at Broad street and Girard avenue was erected April 19th, 1872.
The Philadelphia Grays were organized about the year 1828- 29. The first commander was Captain John Miles. They visited New York on the 4th of July, 1828. Afterward George Cadwalader was the commander, and the company then became one of the first in standing among the military. At one time it was organized as flying artillery, and there were frequent exercises of the men with the guns on the hill back of Harding's tavern, near Fairmount, on the Schuylkill. On the breaking out of the war in 1861, the company volunteered "for the first call of troops," and after its return the corps was disbanded. Our townsman, the Hon. John K. Findlay, who commanded the Lan- caster Fencibles, became captain of the Grays after Cadwalader. Several of the original members are still living. Lieutenant Hastings was the first officer under Cadwalader, and he fre- quently had the company on parade. It always made a fine ap- pearance. James Hanna, the lawyer-on Walnut street at that time-was a lieutenant ; also Mr. Budd, a Third street broker.
For some years the Washington Grays and the Philadelphia Grays had their armories in the Union Building, at the north- east corner of Eighth and Chestnut streets-one company being located in the part of the building fronting on Chestnut street, and the other company in the northern part. Their uniforms were very much alike, and they frequently paraded together.
Soldiers in the Mexican War .- There are no means of ascer- taining how many soldiers Philadelphia furnished for the Mex- ican War. The First and Second Pennsylvania regiments were partly made up of Philadelphia soldiers. The companies that went from Philadelphia were those of Captains. Binder, Bennett, Hill. Morehead, Scott, Small, and Naylor-probably six hundred men 15 *
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Annals of Philadelphia.
The "Scott Legion " is composed of the survivors of those who served in the war.
French Spoliation Claims .- During the difficulties between Great Britain and France, before the commencement of the present century, American commerce suffered from both bellig- erents, particularly by the Berlin and Milan decrees, etc. Dur- ing that time many American vessels were detained and their cargoes confiscated by France. Claims were made against the French government for remuneration by American merchants, and the United States prepared for war with France and took retaliatory measures. Something like a peace was patched up in 1800. In 1803, Jefferson bought Louisiana from France for fifteen million dollars, of which four million dollars were as- sumed to be paid by the United States government to citizens who had suffered by French spoliations. That was the last of it, so far as practical results are concerned. The claims for spo- liation were estimated at four million dollars, and the United States government undertook to pay them, releasing France from responsibility. This act of justice has never been per- formed. Bills for the spoliation claims have frequently been before Congress, with favorable reports, and have been passed in one chamber and defeated in the other. On one occasion a bill for the settlement of the claims was passed by both Houses, and vetoed by the President. The United States government has never paid them, and this swindle is to be added to the rank dishonesty of the repudiation of the Continental money, and the latest disgrace of falsifying the public money and decree- ing that ninety cents' worth of silver shall pass for one hun- dred cents' worth.
The original challenge, p. 334 .- This is now in possession of the Historical Society. The Boston News-letter, published at Boston Oct. 24, 1715, says: "Our governor had a letter from the bishop of London to suspend Mr. Phillips; which is done; and on Sunday last all our parishioners met at the church as formerly, and Mr. Talbot preached forenoon and afternoon to them." Talbot was the travelling companion of George Keith, the celebrated Quaker and afterward Churchman.
The Pennsylvania Gazette of February 10, 1730, says : "Two young Hibernian gentlemen met on Society Hill and fought a gallant duel before a number of spectators-not very usual on such occasions." .... "As they were parted without much difficulty, and neither of them received much hurt, it is gene- rally looked upon to be only a piece of theatrical representa- tion."
This low sandy beach (p. 336) is now built upon by city stores and wharves. Long within my father's recollection and time did it remain a convenient place for washing and swimming horses, and for shallops loaded with hay, the carts backing in tc
-
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The Blue Anchor.
where the vessels lay at a distance from the street. These stores have since been sold by the city.
Maj .- Gen. George Cadwalader died Feb. 3d, 1879, aged 72 years. His brother, Judge John Cadwalader, died Jan. 26. When eigh- teen he joined the First City Troop; in 1832 was captain of the Philadelphia Grays; in 1842 brigadier-general of the First Brig- ade; served as such in the Mexican War, and was made major- general for his services. He served bravely through the rebellion.
THE BLUE ANCHOR.
As early as the year 1691, p. 336 .- See Hazard's Colonial Records, vol. ii. p. 9, seq., for the following :
" 18th of 10br., 1700. Griffith Jones, and Henry Elfreth, mean purchaser under him, complain that part of a Bank Lot in the ffront street before the Blue Anchor, granted by the Pro- prietors Commrs. by patent to the sd Griffith Jones, and by him sold to John Townsend, who sold it to the said Elfreth, was by public order of Govr. Lloyd, attended by the Justices, taken for the use of the public, the said Elfreth's building hindered and stop't to their great damage, by the ground-rents not being paid to Griffith Jones, and by Henry Elfreth's being molested, and thereupon his materials for building in a great measure lost."
" Henry fflower and other evidences appeared and certified that the justices stopt Elfreth's building about the year 1691, and would not suffer him to proceed therein." (P. 9.)
" 19th of 10br., 1700. The business of Henry Elfreth and Griffith Jones, being adjourned yesterday to this morning, was again brought on." . . " Ordered, that David Lloyd, in whose hands several papers relating to that affair are said to be lodged, should be called, and accordingly he came and produced a peti- tion signed by several Housekeepers and Inhabitants requesting that there being the greatest conveniency of a landing-place and harbor at that place of the bank where the Blue Anchor stood, it should be ordered by the Govr. and Council, who have the power thereof, to be laid out for a Public landing-place and harbor, that being the inducing reason at first to settle the town where it now is.' "There was also produced an order of Council held at Philadelphia, ye 4th of 6th mo., 1691, in the rough draught, that there should the place be reserved for a landing-place," etc.
" Resolved, That there shall be measures taken by next Coun- cil day, that the Town of Philadelphia shall make satisfaction to the said Elfreth for the losses he has sustained." (P. 10.)
"15th 12mo., 1700. The business about the free landing- place at the Blue Anchor, debated before this board on the 19th day of the 10th mo. last, was again considered.
" Ordered, that it be still recommended to the persons to whom it was before recommended, further to continue their care and
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Annals of Philadelphia.
consult some of the most considerable inhabitants in Town, who may chiefly have the benefit, and see what can be done therein." (P. 12.)
" 15th 12mo., 1700. The business about the free landing-place (at the Blue Anchor) moved to this Board on the 15th of last month, was this day again moved, and inquired how far those persons to whose care it was committed, had proceeded and what they had effected therein; who answered, That upon Trial made with several inhabitants, they found no inclination towards com- pliance with what was proposed, where upon it was ordered, that about a score of the most considerable inhabitants in the lower ends of the front and second street, should be summoned to meet the Gov" at 4 in the afternoon. Ordered that the secretary should send a summons." (P. 14.)
" Post meridiem quodem die. Pursuant to the summons or- dered in the morning, seventeen of the inhabitants appeared, and the subject matter was proposed and fully discoursed of, but they showed no inclination to comply with what the Gov' thought might reasonably be expected of them, and they were thereupon dismissed." (P. 14.)
"19th 3d mo., 1701. Application being again made to this Board in behalf of H. Elfreth to have that affair of the public Landing-place concluded, on which Samuel Carpenter proposing to lay down £100 to satisfy Griffith Jones for his ground rent, and the said Elfreth for his damages, on condition that the town will give him the public wharf at the end of Walnut street in Exchange." "Recommended to the further consideration of the Council at the next setting." (P. 19.)
" 20th 7th mo., 1701. Assembly ask of Gov" that Public Landing-places at the Blue Anchor and Penny Pothouse be con- firmed to be free to Inhabitants of this town, no infringing any man's property." (P. 39.)
"29th 7th mo., 1701. Gov" replies, 'I am willing to grant the ends of the streets where and when improved-and the other according to your request.'" (P. 42.)
"24th Oct., 1701. The case of Henry Elfreth is referred to the Council of the Govt, and they to recommend it to the Town that some care may be taken therein." (P. 54.)
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