USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial records of Pennsylvania, Vol. XV > Part 22
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
The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt:
In favor of Captain John Craig, for three hundred pounds, as a reward for apprehending and securing John Franklin, under orders from Council.
In favor of the Honorable Francis Hopkinson, Esquire, for one hundred and forty-eight pounds eight shillings, ballance due upon his account for his salary as Judge of the Court of Admiralty and in the Admiralty Sessions, agreeably to resolution of Assembly dated the thirteenth of March, 1782, and for his services as one of the Judges of the High Court of Errors and Appeals
In favor of Colonel Robert Elder, of Lancaster county, for four pounds nineteen shillings and four pence, ballance due upon his account for militia services in the year 1777, 1778, and 1779, as Colonel of the fourth battalion of Lancaster county militia, accord- ing to the Comptroller General's report.
The fine imposed upon Jonathan Guy, upon being convicted of an assault and battery in the county of Bucks, was remitted.
t
d
C
t
I
291
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, October 8th, 1787, Monday.
PRESENT : His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
The Honorable CHARLES BIDDLE, Esquire, Vice President.
Samuel Dean, John Baird,
William Brown,
Nathan Dennisen, and Esquires.
David Redick,
Jonathan Hoge,
Council taking into consideration the intelligence received from the county of Luzerne since the capture of John Franklin, the principal of the banditti lately assembled at Tioga, and the public safety at this time requiring that the said John Franklin should be closely confined ; therefore,
Resolved, That the Sheriff of the city and county of Philadel- phia be directed to confine the said John Franklin, in one of the upper rooms of the jail, in irons, to suffer no person or persons whatsoever to speak to him without leave from Council, or one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, and to debar him the use of pen, ink, and paper.
The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt :
In favor of the Honorable William Augustus Atlee, Esquire, for one hundred and fifty pounds, in full for one quarter's salary as one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, ending the twenty-fifth of September, 1787, according to the Comptroller General's report.
In favor of the Honoroble Jonathan Hoge, Esquire, for thirty- four pounds sixteen shillings, in full for his attendance in Council from the first of September until the ninth of October, 1787, in- clusively, and his mileage.
In favor of the Honorable John Baird, Esquire, for twenty-nine pounds five shillings, in full for his attendance in Council from the thirty-first of August untill the 8th of October, 1787, inclusively, and his mileage.
On consideration,
Resolved, That Mr. Redick, member of this Board, be requested to go immediately to New York to communicate to his Excellency the Governor of that State some important intelligence, this day received, respecting the late riots in the county of Luzerne, and to request that he will afford this State the aid that he will perceive to be necessary for securing sundry persons now in the State of New York, together with their papers, in order to compleat the evi- dence against the conspirators, so that they may be brought to condign punishment, and their schemes of mischief defeated.
-
292
MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, October 9th, 1787. PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President. The Honorable CHARLES BIDDLE, Esquire, Vice President.
Jonathan Hoge, John Baird, and r William Brown, John Smilie, Esquires.
Nathan Dennisen,
On motion,
Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be presented to the Honorable Charles Biddle, Esquire, our late worthy Vice Presi- dent, for the integrity, diligence and ability with which he has dis- charged the duties of that important office.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Hon- orable William Brown, for thirty-one pounds six, in full for his attendance in Council until this day, and his mileage.
Whereas, The peace and good order of government are interrupted by dangerous tumults and riots in county of Luzerne, for the suppression of which the immediate aid of the militia is neces- sary ;
Resolved, That the Lieutenant of the county of Berks be di- rected immediately to draw forth a detachment of seventy privates, properly officered and equipped, from the militia of the said county, agrecably. to the additional supplement of the act of Assembly entitled An Act for the regulation of the militia of this Com- monwealth.
The Council met.
1
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, October 10th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Samuel Dean, John Smilie, and
John Baird, Nathan Dennisen, Esquires.
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of Henry McCormick for thirty pounds, for his services in furnishing Coun- cil with information respecting the late disturbances in the county Luzerne, transmitting several letters and papers, &ca.
On consideration,
Resolved, That Colonel Dennisen be requested to go imme- diately into his county of Luzerne, in order to inform himself
293
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
minutely, and to furnish exact information to Council of the state of affairs there ; and that, if he shall judge it proper, he proceed as far as Tioga himself, or send thither some other suitable person, to view the situation of the mal contents there, and obtain what knowledge he can of their designs, numbers, force and probable means of support, if they mean to establish themselves within the boundaries of this State : of all which he is to make report as soon as possible to the Council.
The President offering to advance what specie may be necessary in part of his expence for this service, it was agreed to, and he was accordingly furnished twelve dollars to Colonel Dennison.
Colonel Dennisen's instructions are as follows, vizt :
In Council, October 10th, 1787.
Instructions to the Honorable Nathan Dennisen, Esquire.
On consideration of the letter communicated by you, which you received from sundry of the persons principally concerned in the late riot in the county of Luzerne, upon the apprehending of John Franklin, representing that the same was committed in the heat of passion, occasioned by the supposition that he was carried off illegally, without the authority of any regular writ or warrant; and that being now better informed, they were sorry for their misconduct in that affair, and determined to submit quietly to the operation of the laws, hoping this their offence might be passed over :- The Council, ever desirous to promote and establish peace and good order in that county, and giving credit to the aforesaid declaration of the offenders, do hereby authorize you to assure them that if they hereafter behave orderly, as good citizens of the State of Pennsylvania, no prosecution shall be commenced against them on account of their said irregular and criminal conduct, but you are at the same time to acquaint them that the Government, having already taken every measure for securing to the settlers the future quiet possession of their lands, are now determined to carry into execution the laws of the State, to the full extent of its boundaries, and purpose to send immediately into that county a force sufficient to support the public officers in the discharge of their respective functions against all opposers, who, if they persist in their evil practices, are to expect no further favor.
B. FRANKLIN, President.
1
294
MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, October 11th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Henry Hill,
John Baird, and
Samuel Dean, John Smilie, Esquires.
The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt :
In favor of James Muir, for twenty-one pounds fourteen shillings and three fardings, in full for his accounts for stationary furnished for the use of Council, and for folding and stitching public ac- counts, according to the Comptroller General's report
In favor of John Nicholson, Esquire, for fifty pounds, being one quarter's salary due to his Clerk on the 6th instant, according to the Comptroller General's report.
John Allen, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated a Justice of the Peace and of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the county of Fayette, upon a return made according to law, for the district of Franklin township.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, October 12th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Samuel Dean, John Baird, and
Henry Hill, John Smilie, Esquires.
Peter Muhlenberg,
Returns of the general elections for the counties of Berks and Montgomery, were received and read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, vizt :
James Read, Esquire, Councellor for the county of Berks; and Jacob Bawer and Henry Vanderslice, Sheriffs, and Peter Feather, the younger, and Henry Brown, Coroners, for the said county.
Francis Swain and Christian Dull, Esquires, Sheriffs, and Samuel Hines and Henry Scheetz, Coroners, for the said county Montgomery.
Jacob Bawer, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated Sheriff, and Peter Feather, (the younger,) Coroner of the county of Berks.
Nicholas Lutz, Esquire, and Henry Spohn, gentlemen of Berks county, were offered and accepted as sureties for Jacob Bswer.
295
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Francis Swain, Esquire, was appointed' and commissionated Sheriff, and Samuel Hines, Coroner, of the county of Montgomery. John Richards and William Moore Smith, Esquires, were offered and accepted as securities of Francis Swain, Esquire.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, October 13th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN. FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
1
John Smilie, Peter Muhlenberg,
John Baird, Samuel Dean, and Esquires.
Henry Hill, David Redick,
James Read, Esquire, took his seat at this Board, agreeably to a 1
return of the general election for the county of Berks, (read yes- terday,) made agreeably to law, having previously taken the neces- sary oaths of qualification.
Jacob Shallus, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated a Notary and Tabellion Public in and for this Commonwealth, agree- ably to the prayer of his petition.
A letter of instructions was written to Valentine Eckhart, Esquire, Lieutenant of the county of Berks, inclosing a copy of the order of this Board dated the ninth instant, for calling into service a de- tachment of seventy privates, properly officered and equipped, from the militia of the said county, and also an order in his favor upon the Treasurer, for one hundred and fifty pounds, to enable him to equipp the said company, and procure for them the necessary sub- sistence on their march to and while at Fort Allen, the place of rendezvous, the said Mr. Eckhart to be accountable.
Mr. Hollenback's proposal for supplying the said company with rations, at the rate of ten pence per ration, to consist of one pound of bread, one pound of beef or three-quarters of a pound of pork, one gill of rum or whiskey, per day ; and one quart of salt, and two quarts of vinegar to every hundred rations ; and eight pounds of soap and three pounds of candles to every seven hundred ra- tions, was read and agreed to.
.
296
MINUTES OF THE
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, October 15th, 1787. PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Ilenry Hill, Peter Muhlenberg,)
Samuel Dean,
John Baird,
Robert Traill,
John Smilie, and
Esquires.
David Redick, James Read,
Returns of the general elections in the counties of Dauphine, Lancaster, and Bucks, were read, by which it appears that the fol- lowing gentlemen were duly elected : Councillor, Christopher Kucher; Anthony Kelker and Samuel Graham, Sheriffs; and Mi- chael Kapp and James Long, Coroners, for the county of Dau- phine,
For the county of Lancaster : Councillor-George Ross, Esquire; Sheriffs-John Miller and Isaac Keagy; Coroners-John Offner and Peter Scheffner.
For the county of Bucks : Sheriffs-William Roberts and Wil- Jiam Chapmans ; Coroners-Isaac Vanhorne and Joseph Hart.
On consideration,
Ordered, That the following gentlemen be appointed and com- missionated Sheriffs and Coroners for their respective counties, as follows, vizt :
Anthony Kelker Sheriff, and Michael Kapp Coroner, for the county of Dauphine ; John Miller Sheriff, and John Offner Coro- ner, for the county of Lancaster; and William Roberts Sheriff, and Isaac Vanhorne Coroner, for the county of Bucks.
The return of the general election in the county of Chester, was received and read; and thereupon, Ezekiel Leonard was appointed Sheriff, and John Underwood Coroner, of the county aforesaid.
Emor Jeffries and Joel Bailey, were offered and excepted as se- curities for the Sheriff.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, October 16th, 1787. PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
John Smilie,
Robert Trail,
John Baird, Henry Hill,
Samuel Dean, James Read, and Esquires.
Peter Muhlenberg, David Redick,
George Ross, Esquire, took his seat at this Board, agreeably to a return of the general election for the county of Lancaster, (read
i
a
297
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
yesterday,) made agreeably to law, having previously taken the necessary oaths of qualification.
Returns of the general elections in the counties of York and Northampton, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, vizt ;
For the county of York : Counciller-Samuel Edie; Sheriffs- John Edie and William M'Clellan ; Coroners-Andrew Johnston and John Morris.
For the county of Northampton : Sheriffs-George Groff and Jo- nas Hartzelle ; Coroners-George Schryver and Abraham Ringer.
George Groff, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated She- riff, and George Schryver Coroner, of the county of Northampton ; and John Edie, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated Sheriff, and Andrew Johnston Coroner, of the county of York.
The following gentlemen were offered and accepted as securities for the Sheriff's of the counties of Dauphine, Lancaster, Bucks, Northampton, and York, vizt :
Christopher Uhler and Daniel Bradley, Esquires, for Anthony Kelker, Sheriff of Dauphine county.
Adam Reichart and Adam Weaver, Esquires, for John Miller, Sheriff of Lancaster county.
Gerardus Wynkoop and Joseph Jenks, for William Roberts, Sheriff of the county of Bucks.
Peter Kohler and Jacob Newhart, for George Groff, Sheriff of the county of Northampton.
Samuel Edie and David McConaughey, Esquires, for John Edie, Sheriff of the county of York.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, 17th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Henry Hill,
James Read,
Samuel Dean,
Robert Trail,
Peter Muhlenberg, John Baird,
George Ross, and
Esquires.
John Smilie,
David Redick,
An order was drawn upon the Treasurer in favor of the Honor- able Charles Biddle, Esquire, for eighty-five pounds, being due to him for two months' salary as late Vice President, ending the tenth instant, and for cash paid for expences of an express sent to North- ampton county.
·
298
MINUTES OF THE 5978
Upon the petition of the Reverend Doctor Charles Nesbitt,
Ordered, That the State Treasurer be directed to draw an order upon the County Treasurer of the county of Cumberland, for the sum of one hundred and four pounds, in favor of the said Charles Nesbitt, being one half year's interest due upon the certificates in the hands of the State, belonging to the Trustees of Dickinson College, anything contained in the order of this Board of July sixteenth last to the contrary notwithstanding.
The fine imposed upon Jacob Erb, of Moore township, North- ampton county by the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of the aforesaid county, upon conviction of keeping a tip- ling house, was remitted, on condition of his paying his licence fees and excise now due.
The return of the general election held in the county of Bedford, - was received and read, by which it appears that the following gen- tlemen were duly elected :
Councillor-George Woods.
Sheriff's-Arthur McGaughey, and John Cessna,
Coroners -- Anthony Nawgel, and Cornelius McAuley.
Arthur McGaughey, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated Sheriff, and Anthony Nawgle, Coroner of the county of Bedford.
Samuel Davison, and George Woods, Esquires, were offered and accepted as sureties for Mr. McGaughey.
The report of Robert Levers, Peter Hachlein, and Lewis Stacker, appointed to hear the evidence touching a disputed election of Jus- tices of the Peace for Bethlehem township, in the county of North- ampton, was read and considered, and there appearing sufficient reason to set aside the said election, the same was accordingly set aside and made void.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, October 18th, 1787. PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Samuel Dean, James Read,
Henry Hill,
George Ross,
Peter Muhlenberg,
Robert Trail, and &Esquires.
John Baird,
John Smilie,
David Redick,
The following orders were drawn upon the Treasurer, vizt: In favor of the Honorable Peter Muhlenberg, Esquire, for thirty- three pounds fifteen shillings. And in favor of the Honorable Samuel Dean, Esquire, for fifteen pounds fifteen shillings, in full
299
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
for their attendance in Council until this day, inclusively, and the mileage of the latter.
In favor of Edmund Physick, Esquire, for five pounds, in full of his account for sundry services done for the late Province as keeper of the great seal of Pennsylvania, according to the Comptroller General's report.
Mr. Ross and Mr. Traill were appointed a committee to exam- ine the accounts of Mr. William Turnbull, as Commissioner for purchasing supplies of clothing, &ca., for the late Pennsylvania line, together with the Comptroller General's report thereon, and to report to Council.
The petition of David Jones, praying some further allowance for depreciation upon his pay as a Chaplain in the late army of the United States, than is reported by the Comptroller General to be due to him, was read and referred to the Attorney General for his opinion and report.
Council Chamber.
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, October 19th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Henry Hill, John Baird,
Samuel Dean,
Robert Traill,
Peter Muhlenberg,
David Redick, and
1 Esquires.
George Ross,
James Read,
John Smilie,
-
-
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, October 20th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Samuel Dean, John Baird,
Henry Hill, Robert Traill,
1
Peter Muhlenberg, David Redick, and SEsquires.
George Ross, James Read,
John Smilie,
The petition of Bridget Edgeworth, praying Council to direct the Attorney General to suspend a prosecution commenced against her for larceny, on condition of her leaving the State, was read,
300
MINUTES OF THE
and an order was taken that the aforesaid prosecution be stayed, provided the petitioner will leave the State forthwith, not to return.
On motion,
Ordered, That the Sheriff of the city and county of Philadel- phia be directed to furnish John Franken, a prisoner in his cus- tody, with one mattrass and three blankets at the expence of the State.
A return of the General election in the county of Cumberland, was received and read, by which it appears that the following gen- tlemen were duly elected, vizt :
Councellor-Frederick Watt, Esquire.
Sheriffs-Charles Leiper, and James Wallace.
Coroners-John Walker, and William Wallace.
Charles Leiper, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated Sheriff, and John Walker, Coroner, of the county of Cumberland. Messrs. Robert Miller, and Joseph Thornburgh, of Carlisle, were offered and accepted as securities for the Sheriff.
A letter from the Honorable the Delegates from this State to Congress, of the eighteenth instant, informing Council of the ap- prehending of Hamilton, and inclosing the requisitions of Congress for supplies for the current year, was received and read.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Monday, October 22nd, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Samuel Dean, David Redick, r
Henry Hill, John Smilie,
Peter Muhlenberg, George Ross, and >Esquires.
John Baird, James Read,
Robert Traill,
Return of the general election of the counties of Luzerne and Huntington, were received and read, by which it appeared that the following gentlemen were duly elected, vizt :
For the county of Huntington :
Councellor-John Cannon.
Sheriffs-Benjamin Elliott, and John Patton.
Coroners-Samuel Thompson, and Alexander Ramsey. For the county of Luzerne :
Sheriffs-Lord Butler, and Mason Fitz Alden.
Coroners-Nathan Cary, and Abel Yarrington.
Benjamin Elliott was appointed Sheriff of the county of Hunt- ington, and Samuel Thompson, Coroner of the said county.
8
301
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Michael Cryder and John Cannon, Esquires, were offered and accepted as sureties for Mr. Elliott.
The Comptroller General reported a plan of eleven city lotts sit- uate on the south side of Market or High street, and on the west side of Tenth street from Delaware.
Ordered, That the lots aforesaid be offered for public sale on Wednesday, the seventh day of November next.
A letter was written to the Honorable the Delegates of this State, in answer to the letter received yesterday.
· On motion,
Resolved, That Council will to-morrow proceed to the election of a Secretary of this Board in the room of General Armstrong, re- signed.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Tuesday, October 23rd, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
Henry Hill,
Robert Traill,
Samuel Dean,
George Ross,
I
Peter Muhlenberg,
John Smilie, and SEsquires.
John Baird,
James Read,
David Redick,
The return of the general election of the county of Franklin, was received and read, by which it appears that the following gen- tlemen were duly elected, vizt :
Councillor-Abraham Smith.
Sheriffs-John Johnston, and John Martin.
Coroners-Conrad Snider, and Patrick Campbell.
John Johnston, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated She- riff, and Conrad Snider, Coroner of the said county.
James Johnston, John Boggs, and Thomas Campbell, Esquires, were offered and accepted as securities for Mr. Johnston, the Sheriff.
On consideration,
Resolved, That the Comptroller General be directed to comply with the requisition of Mr. John Moylan, relating to cloathing · the troops on the Ohio, and that he enable Mr. Moylan to procure the cloathing on the best terms possible.
Agreeably to the minute of yesterday, Council proceeded to the election of Secretary of this Board, in the room of General Arm- strong, and the ballots being taken, it appeared that Charles Bid- dle, Esquire, was duly elected.
302
MINUTES OF THE
A certificate from Edward Burd, Esquire, Prothonotary of the Supreme Court, that Samuel Miles, Esquire, hath entered sufficient security to prosecute with'effect, an appeal from the settlement of his accounts, (as late Colonel of a Rifle Battalion,) by the Comp- troller General, was read and the said appeal allowed.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Wednesday, October 24th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
John Baird,
John Smilie,
David Redick,
James Read,
Robert Traill,
Peter Muhlenberg, Esquires.
George Ross,
Upon the petition of Joseph Jones, and a recommendation of the Magistrates and others, in his favor,
Ordered, That the punishment at hard labour, for the term of six months, to which he was sentenced by the Court of Quarter Sessions for the county of Montgomery, be remitted.
Abraham Smith, Esquire, took his seat at this Board, agreeably to the return of the General Election for the county of Franklin, having previously taken the necessary oaths.
The account of William Turnbull, Esquire, being read,.
Ordered, That it be referred to the Comptroller General, for his report thereon.
William Mitchell, Esquire, elected a Representative in the Gene- ral Assembly, for the county of York, attended and requested leave to resign his commissions as a Justice of the Peace and Common Pleas, for said county, previous to his taking his seat ; whereupon,
Resolved, That the said resignation be accepted.
William Perry, Esquire, was appointed and commissionated Sheriff, and John Gibson, Coroner of the county of Westmoreland, upon a return made to Council, of the General election in that county.
303
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The Council met.
PHILADELPHIA, Thursday, October 25th, 1787.
PRESENT :
His Excellency, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Esquire, President.
John Baird,
James Read,
David Redick,
Peter Muhlenberg,
Robert Traill,
Abraham Smith,
Esqr's.
George Ross,
Samuel Dean,
John Smilie,
A return of the General Election in the county of Fayette, was received and read, and Joseph Terrance, thereupon, appointed She- riff, and Henry Beeson, Coroner of the said county.
Samuel Edie, Esquire, took his seat at this Board, as Councillor for the county of York, upon a return made of the General Elec- tion, for the county aforesaid, agreeably to law, having previously taken the necessary oaths of qualification.
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.