USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of the state of Pennsylvania with a compendium of history. A record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume I > Part 6
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The next few years following the principal events referred to, wit- nessed a marvelous growth in population in the province, and in that time the outposts of civilized settlement were extended almost into its remotest corners. From the eastward the settlers were largely from this province and the lower counties; on the south they came from Mary- land and Virginia, while from the north and northeast they came from New York and New England. The so-called Connecticut colony was the occasion of considerable disturbance in Pennsylvania history about this time, and resulted in what was known as the "Pennamite and Yankee war."
It must be assumed that the contention of the Connecticut was based on the honest belief that the lands they occupied and acquired from the Indians were a part of Connecticut territory, but at the same time they must have known that the lands were held and claimed under
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the king's grant to William Penn. And they must have known. also. that in order to reach those lands they must cross the territory of the province of New York. Conflicting charter rights were causes of fre- quent controversy between the provinces, and had their origin in the want of geographical knowledge of the American continent on the part of the British government. Charters. were granted by the king on the mere abstract understanding that America began on the Atlantic coast and extended thence west indefinitely, terminating on the Pacific coast. The charter of Connecticut, like that of Massachusetts, mentioned as its western boundary the Pacific ocean.
When these controversies arose. they were usually settled by the provinces themselves, but it was not until after the Revolution that the states began looking carefully after their boundary lines. At an earlier period, however, Connecticut had a boundary dispute with Massachu- setts, and also with New York. It appeared unreasonable to her pro- prietors that the territory could be so limited. while that of neighboring provinces was so great, and some of her inhabitants sought to extend the Connecticut possessions by crossing over New York territory and taking up lands in Pennsylvania. They did this with knowledge of Penn's charter, but the proprietary of this province was not consulted in the proceedings. Their only justification lay in the fact that the Con- nectient charter antedated that of Pennsylvania. The south boundary of Connecticut, under the charter, began at the month of Narragansett bay and extended thence in a straight line west to the Pacific ocean. The north boundary fixed in Penn's charter of Pennsylvania was the forty- second degree of latitude. The former, extended west. would have entered Pennsylvania near Stroudsburg and crossed the Susquehanna at Bloomsburg.
As early as 1753. an association of New Englanders (chiefly from
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Connecticut ) called the Susquehanna Company. was formed for the purpose of planting a colony in Pennsylvania territory, then claimed as a part of Connecticut. In 1754 the company purchased from the Six Nations all the lands on the Susquehanna north of the Blue mountains, a region known as the Wyoming valley, now one of the most delightful and historic localities of this state. Naturally, the proprietors of l'enn- sylvania exclaimed against this unwarranted purchase of their lands. and the methods adopted to secure them, but the protest was not vigor- ously urged. from the fact that the conference at Albany, where the purchase was made, had been called to effect a union of the colonies against the French, and the Pennsylvania delegates were unwilling to introduce proprietary grievances as a subject of discussion on that oc- casion.
During the latter part of the French and English war, a colony of Connecticut settlers planted themselves in the Wyoming valley, cleared some of the land and sowed it with wheat. In the winter they returned to the cast, but came again in increased numbers in the spring of 1763. The Northampton county officials protested against the intrusion, but without effect, and settlements were founded at Wilkes-Barre Kingston. Plymouth, and Hanover. However, in October following the Indians fell upon the settlements and killed about twenty of their inhabitants. Of those who escaped many returned to Connectient and a few found refuge in New York.
In 1768 the proprietors of Pennsylvania purchased from the Six Nations at a treaty held at Fort Stanwix, a large tract of land. incluid- ing the Wyoming valley and the territory recently hekel by the Susque- hanna Company. They then laid out two manors, one on each side of the river. and otherwise strengthened their right to possession. In the early part of 1,69 the Yankees, forty in number. returned to claim
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their lands. They settled at Kingston, and built "Forty Fort" (so named in allusion to their own number) as a measure of protection. In Octo- ber following they were arrested as trespassers by the sheriff of North- ampton county, and were placed in the jail at Easton. This precipitated a war between the claimants under Connecticut and those who were sent to occupy the land under Pennsylvania titles. Forts and blockhouses were built, personal encounters were frequent, and loud "wars of words" were of almost daily occurrence. The Connecticut settlers had organ- ized a civil government of their own, made laws, and chosen judges and other officers. It is said that they ultimately intended to form an inde- pendent colony, but finding themselves unable to cope with the superior force of Pennsylvania in 1774, they attached their territory to Litchfield county in Connecticut as the town of Westmoreland.
Thus this embryo warfare up in the now peaceful valley of the Susquehanna was waged with considerable energy on both sides until the greater struggle for American independence temporarily put an end to the contest. The Yankees had proved their quality in holding their lands against greater odds, and when the storm of the Revolution was about to break, they held a public meeting and declared "that we will unanimously join our brethren of America in the common cause of de- fending our liberty." Two companies of good fighting men were raised in Wyoming valley and joined the continental army as part of the Con- necticut line.
.At the close of the war the trouble was renewed with increased vigor on both sides, and the feud became more bitter and widespread through the greater number of persons involved in it. However, the contestants no longer had a proprietary government with which to deal. Pennsylvania had become a state, one of the states of the federal union. and although involved in a serious struggle herself, lawlessness could
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not be tolerated within her borders The federal government was ap- pealed to, and Congress referred the matter to a commission appointed for that purpose. It met at Trenton in 1782 and after a delay of five weeks decided against the claims of Connecticut and the settlers under that jurisdiction.
The change in jurisdiction was satisfactory to the settlers, but when the Pennsylvania authorities attempted to evict them and enforce preemption rights another outbreak followed of a character so serious that the militia was ordered out to suppress it. However, in 1799. after almost forty years of disturbance, strife and disorder. the matter was amicably adjusted. The Connecticut claimants were quieted in their possession on the payment of a small price per acre for their lands. or in case they were compelled to yield possession other lands of equal value were given them in exchange.
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CHAPTER IV.
THE PERIOD OF THE REVOLUTION.
The policy and practice of taking the American colonies by the mother country really began almost as far back as the time of the over- throw of the Dutch power, for it seems to have been the crown's de- termination to make the colonies self-supporting without any burden whatever upon the home government. The burden of debt upon Great Britain was, of course. very heavy, but it had been chiefly created by wars in which she had engaged on her own side of the Atlantic. The portion, however, incurred by wars on this side she proposed should be paid by the colonies alone, notwithstanding the vast increase in her domain as their result. But the time at length arrived when tame sub- mission to the measures proposed could no longer be endured. The colonies themselves were heavily burdened with the expenses of the French wars, yet almost before the smoke of battle had cleared away the ministry began devising means to tax them without the bare formal- ity of asking their consent.
In 1764 a proposition was submitted in the Commons for raising & revenue in the colonies by the sale of stamps and a bill to that effect was passed in March, 1765. It was bitterly denounced in the colonies, especially in Philadelphia. New York and Boston, and the Sons of Liberty were organized to oppose it. So great was the popular indig- nation that parliament finally repealed the act. but in its stead were enacted other oppressive laws, one of which required the colonies to pay for the support of the British soldiery in New York City, and
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when the province of New York refused to comply with the provisions of the act, parliament in retaliation annulled its legislative powers.
Dr. Franklin was in England when the famous "Stamp Act" was under consideration, and labored with all his might and influence, but in vain, to prevent its passage. After the bill became a law Franklin said. "England was provoked by American claims of independence and all parties joined in resolving by this act to settle that point"; but it may be remarked here, casually perhaps, that inasmuch as the colonies were not a party to the resolution they did not feel bound by its pro- visions, hence the revolutionary spirit so early and so unmistakably manifested in opposition to the enforced doctrine of "taxation without representation."
About the same time. Franklin in a letter to Charles Thomson said: "The sun of liberty is set ; you must light up the candles of in- dustry and economy," by which assertion the great economist gave to Philadelphia an intimation that their opposition to the odious acts of parliament must be shown in the practice of domestic frugality and as far as possible in refusing the use of any other than domestic manu- factures. The letter undoubtedly was written after the repeal of the stamp act ( March 18, 1766), and after the passage of the "declaratory act." which affirmed the parliamentary right "to bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever." But even this measure did not have the effect to carry dismay and a spirit of quiet submission into the hearts of the Americans: they had for years battled against adversity as well as armed foes, and the attempted enforcement of unjust and arbitrary laws of taxation, while annoying, was not difficult to overcome.
When the news of the stamp act reached America. the authorities of the several colonies were naturally drawn closer together, feeling their need of united and harmonions action. It was then that John
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Dickinson, of Philadelphia, prepared what afterward was known as the first "American Bill of Rights." In the city and throughout the popu- lous parts of Pennsylvania the Sons of Liberty exerted their influence in opposition to the provisions of the stamp act. The same means were adopted in the other provinces, and by them all people were urged to unite in opposing the burdens put upon them by the mother country. When the act was finally repealed Franklin was instrumental in ac- complishing that result. but he cautioned the people in the colonies "not to be too demonstrative, lest England take offense."
The repeal of the stamp act was welcomed by the colonies, especi- ally in Boston, New York and Philadelphia; but England was not in- clined to let her American dependencies escape without taxation. In 1767 another bill imposed a duty on wine, tea. oil, glass, lead, paper and jainters' colors imported into the colonies, which so aroused indignation that organizations were formed to oppose the measure. In Philadelphia non-importation agreements were accepted by the merchants, and pro- tests were sent to the king and to parliament. At the same time, John Dickinson stirred the people, and especially the farmers, with the "sin- ple and irresistible logic" of his "Letters of a Pennsylvania Farmer." These were circulated throughout the colonies, from New Hampshire to Georgia, and had much to do with arousing a sentiment of opposi- tion to the duties. . At a public meeting in Boston such prominent charac- ters in revolutionary history as Hancock, Adams, Warren and others were appointed a committee to do honor to Dickinson, and salute "the Farmer as the friend of Americans and the common benefactor of mankind."
In consequence of the opposition to the "duties act" commercial in- terests in London suffered serious losses, and to relieve them, rather than the colonies, in 1770 the tax was abated on all commodities except tea, which was taxed at three pence per pound. The modified bill found
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little favor in the colonies, and the famous "Boston Tea Party" So offended the British government that the harbor of that city was closed. In Pennsylvania the tea-laden ships did not get into the harbor, having been met at Gloucester Point by a committee from a mass meeting of eight thousand indignant citizens, who warned them not to come nearer the city. The captain investigated, and prudently decided not to enter the harbor and attempt to land his cargo.
When the British ministry, excited by the action of the Boston Tea Party, retaliated upon the New Englanders by closing the ports of Bos- ton, the action aroused general indignation, and was the occasion of public meetings, resulting in the assembling of the first "Continental Congress." The Virginia assembly passed a resolution setting apart the day on which the Boston Port Bill was to go into effect as a day of "fasting, humiliation and prayer." Virginia, too, had been deprived of her liberties, and, like Massachusetts, had been made to feel the oppressor's rod; therefore, she fully sympathized with the distressed Yankees, "and was ripe for united effort to regain what she had lost."
New York felt the heavy hand in a different way. Her legis- lative powers were annulled, but the representatives gave little heed to the royal injunction, and that notwithstanding the fact that New York was a royal province, its governor being the mere creature of the king. while the councillors were the obedient followers of the executive. On the other hand. Pennsylvania was a proprietary government, with charter privileges more liberal than almost any other province, and was there-
fore ( subject to the caprices of her executive and assembly) compara- tively exempt from the ills of government that bore so heavily elsewhere. As a result, when the first steps were taken to resist the mother country. a conservative sentiment was manifested by a strong element of her people; but it was a modified and much tempered form of the influential
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ultra-conservative element that dominated the policy and the government of Pennsylvania from the founding of the colony to the time when the majority in the assembly was reduced to minority at the suggestion of the proprietary.
In Pennsylvania there was no lack either of loyalty or patriotism at this time. In the great city of Philadelphia there lived the strongest minds and characters the country could then boast. and naturally the people of other colonies turned in that direction for suggestion. advice and guidance during the years immediately preceding the Revolution and during the struggle for independence which followed. Next to Virginia, and equal to Massachusetts, in population, it was important that Pennsylvania answer promptly and unreservedly the appeals which came from the principal city of New England, "that, if the other colonies would unite with them to stop all importation from Great Britain and the West Indies until that act should be repealed. it would prove the salvation of North America and her liberties: but should they continue their exports and imports, there was reason to fear that fraud. power. and the most odious oppression wonkl prevail over justice. right. social happiness, and freedom."
Out of this appeal grew the suggestion for the first provincial congress, and Philadelphia was chosen as the place of meeting. The situation was both interesting and serious. In May, 1774. Paul Revere visited Philadelphia to discuss a plan of action. and was received by Joseph Reed. Thomas Mifflin and Charles Thomson. The next day a public meeting was held, and addresses were made by Reed. Mifflin, Thomson and Dickinson. Dr. William Smith, provost of Philadelphia College, prepared a letter to be taken by Revere to Boston. and accom- panying it were resolutions defending the right of the colonies "to give and grant their own money through their own assemblies :" denouncing
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the Boston Port Bill, and expressing sympathy with distressed Massa- chusetts, and recommending a colonial congress.
In the meantime the Sons of Liberty and their co-workers in Philadelphia were not idle. Early in June the "committee of cor- respondence" sent a circular to citizens in all the counties of the province in order "to take the sentiments of the inhabitants," and to in- vite the attendance of delegates from each at a meeting to be held at the state house in Philadelphia. In pursuance of the suggestions, meetings were held in every part of the province, especially in the middle and western counties, where the Scotch-Irish were most active. Deputies were chosen from every district to attend a general meeting in Phila- delphia on July 15. The meeting was held on the day appointed, and was the first assemblage of its kind in Pennsylvania. Every county was represented. and reports indicate entire unanimity in the proceedings and resolutions adopted.
The convention acknowledged allegiance to his Britannic majesty George the Third; viewed the unhappy differences between Great Britain and the colonies with deep distress and anxiety ; expressed a desire for a restoration of harmony with the mother country; declared that the colonists were entitled to the same rights and liberties as subjects born in England are entitled to within that reahn; denied with emphasis the right of parliament to bind the colonies "in all cases whatsoever." the attempt to do which was the "source of these unhappy differences;" declared the act of parliament in closing the port of Boston to be un- constitutional, oppressive and dangerous; declared the bill for altering the administration of criminal justice in Massachusetts to be oppressive. dangerous and unconstitutional, as well as the bill for changing the con- stitution of that province; declared the necessity for a congress of deputies from the several colonies to consult upon and form a plan of
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conduct to be observed by all of them, "for the purpose of procuring relief for our grievances, preventing future dissensions, firmly estab- lishing our rights, and restoring harmony between Great Britain and her colonies on a constitutional foundation;" acknowledged that a suspen- sion of commerce with Great Britain would distress multitudes of in- habitants, and expressed the hope that the remonstrance of the people might not longer be treated with contempt. and desired that the pro- prosed congress should first adopt a pacific mode of stating grievances, and make a "firm and decent claim of redress;" promised to join with the other colonies in such an association of non-importation from and non-exportation to Great Britain, as should be agreed on at the con- gress; declared for an obedience to the requirements of the congress; and declared themselves in favor of instructions to the representatives to soon meet in assembly, and request them to appoint a number of persons to attend a congress of deputies from the several colonies.
The deputies appointed John Dickinson, Dr. William Smith, Joseph Reed, John Kidd. Elisha Price, William Atlee, James Smith. James Wilson, Daniel Brodhead, John Oakley and William Scull a com- mittee to prepare a draft of instructions. Dickinson acted as chairman, and was the author of the instructions, which reaffirmed and elaborated the principles advocated in the resolutions, and expressed the hope that the congress would be guided by prudent and determined action. Dick- inson, Reed and Thomson were appointed to communicate to the neighboring colonies the resolves and instructions adopted by the dep- uties. The committee for the city and county of Philadelphia, or any fifteen of its number, was constituted a committee of correspondence for the general committee of the province.
In response to the instructions, the assembly appointed Josepli Galloway, Daniel Rhoades, Thomas Mifflin and John Dickinson, of
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Philadelphia; John Morton, of Chester: Charles Humphreys, of Hav- erford; George Ross, of Lancaster, and Edward Biddle, of Reading. as delegates to attend the congress of deputies from the several colonies. These men were chosen to represent Pennsylvania in what has ever been known as the "First Continental Congress," whose sessions were held in Carpenter's Hall .* Philadelphia, from September 5 to October 26. 1774. Dickinson was the leading spirit of the congress, and of six papers prepared and taken into consideration, he was the originator of two-the petition to the king, and the address to the people of Canada. Galloway, too, was a conspicuous figure, but not on the popular side. He is charged by Bancroft with having "acted as a vohinteer spy for the British government." After two days of preliminary work. the con- gress was opened with prayer by Rev. Jacob Duché, rector of Christ church, and first chaplain of the second congress. The real work of the congress was then begun, and, having adopted a declaration of rights, it added a petition to the king, and an appeal to the people of Great Britain and Canada.
The proceedings and determination of the congress were not fully sustained in all the colonies. The New York assembly declined to sanction them. and in their stead addressed a remonstrance to parlia- ment. which was treated with disdain. In Pennsylvania the proceedings were unanimously adopted by the assembly, and thus the province
*Carpenters' Hall, in Philadelphia, is still standing, and is one of the most historic buildings in the city. It was erected in 1770 by the Carpenters Company, an organiza- tion whose object was to furnish instruction in architecture and mechanical arts, and assisting the widows and children of poor members. After the first congress it was occupied by various bodies representing the province, until 1777, when the British troops took possession. Later on it served as a temporary custom house, land office. music hall, house of worship. schoolhouse, horse market, and furniture store. The carpenters again took possession in 1857, and have since kept the building open as "a historie relic." It also for a time was occupied by the First and Second National banks. On account of its early historic associations the hall is frequented by many visitors, and by all loyal Philadelphians it is pointed out to strangers with pardonable pride.
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became a member of the association whose purpose was to enforce the provisions of the non-importation agreement, and that also which de- clared against the consumption of British goods. In January, 1775. the second provincial congress was assembled in Philadelphia, and nearly every county was represented. Its chief object was to provide some means for the domestic production of such commodities as had been
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previously imported from England. At the same time there was shown a spirit of conciliation, and a desire to remain at peace with the mother country, if that end could be accomplished without the sacrifice of too much honor, and without the surrender of the great principle for which the colonies were contending. This spirit was suggested in Pennsyl- vania's instructions to the delegates to the second continental congress,
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who were asked to adopt measures looking to the restoration of "union and harmony between Great Britain and the colonies."
The manifestation of this spirit at such a time could not be taken as an evidence of weakness on the part of Pennsylvania. Galloway's influence was not powerful enough to accomplish that end, and, besides, in nearly all the colonies the delegates to the provincial congresses favored a restoration of harmony with the mother country if such an end could be attained without great sacrifice, but not otherwise. Frank- lin, however, strenuously and with all his might, opposed any reconcil- iation whatever. He had recently returned from a ten years' sojourn in England, and was well acquainted with publie sentiment there. and with the stubborn, unyielding spirit which actuated parliament. It was the knowledge of what might be expected at the hands of Great Britain, if the colonies were inclined to yield, that impelled him to ex- claim: "Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will devour you." But Dickinson. equally loyal with Franklin, and perhaps more diplomatic than the latter, favored a second appeal to the king, and drafted the peti- tion : but the stubborn and offended George HI was "determined to listen to nothing from the illegal congress."
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