USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Historical sketches : a collection of papers prepared for the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 18
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The indentured servants were not always mere laborers. The advertised lists included men of almost all trades-mil- lers, butchers, weavers, blacksmiths, brickmakers, carpenters, joiners, hatters, tailors, shoemakers, saddlers, tanners, and even barber surgeons. Governor Thomas, in 1741, reported to the English government that it was from this fact that Pennsylvania was enabled to conduct many species of manu- facture at a cheap rate, and the mother country feared that it would interfere with English trade.
The laws affecting indentured servants differed entirely from the rude slave code. The slave code held the negroes in subjection by dread and terror, but as the redemptioners
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lived in the hope of an early emancipation the laws had no such terrors over them. It required the presence of a Justice of the Peace to assign a redemptioner from one master to another. Every servant who had served his master faithfully for a period of four years should be given at the expiration of the time two full suits of clothes, one of which should be new, and, in addition, a set of the most necessary implements of labor. The courts were frequently required to enforce these claims.
The largest element of white bondage, like negro slavery, came to Pennsylvania from abroad. Emigrant vessels were constantly arriving with bodies of redemptioners. Immigra- tion to Pennsylvania during colonial times was of much larger proportions than that coming to any other colony. Eight vessels filled with immigrants arrived from Ireland in one week, and twenty-five vessels arrived from Germany in three months. Although Pennsylvania was one of the last colonies to be founded, its rapid growth in population was a matter of astonishment. Most of the bound servants from British ports were Irish, although Scotch, Welsh and English were also represented.
Vessels with redemptioners also came from Dublin, Bel- fast and other seaports of Ireland. The vessels from Rotter- dam and other Dutch ports, brought no Hollanders generally, but Germans from the south of Germany. Many of the Phil- adelphia papers contained typical advertisements, for instance, the following: "Just arrived in the ship Sally from Amster- dam, a number of German men, women and children redemp- tioners. Their times will be disposed of on reasonable terms by the Captain on board, lying near Race Street Wharf."
There were several reasons why Germany and Ireland should be the two chief sources from which these servants should be drawn. In Ireland the economic and religious conditions in the eighteenth century were the saddest in all the history of that country.
In Germany, a long series of religious wars had left the population in a distressed condition, and had not kindled in their hearts any love of country.
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The Thirty Years' War had left the common people of Germany in a wretched condition. The smoldering religious hatred of half a century had been kindled into a fiercer flame, and to this day the effects of the war upon Germany are not effaced. Carlyle writes : "The whole land had been tortured, torn to pieces, wreck and brayed as in a mortar." These con- ditions were the cause of a great amount of emigration, but the stream was increased by the policy of our government here to obtain colonists. William Penn was widely known in Holland and Germany. His mother was of Holland-Dutch ancestry, and Penn had visited these countries on missionary tours. A great many of his tracts were printed in the Dutch and German languages and scattered through Holland and Germany.
A knowledge of Penn's colony was soon spread through Germany and produced a great impression. The English government also invited sufferers from the Palatinate to take up lands in America.
In 1738, General Waldo wanted settlers for his grant in Maine, and he visited Germany and spread circulars through the country filled with glowing descriptions of the new country. He appointed an agent named Speyer in the Pala- tinate, who flooded the region with information concerning America. Massachusetts also made attempts to induce Ger- man Protestants to settle in Maine as a means of defense against the Canadians in time of war. A central office was created at Frankfort and the usual system of issuing pamphlets was pursued. John Dick, of Rotterdam, also had an agency to induce settlers to take up lands in Nova Scotia. A jealousy sprang up between Maine and Nova Scotia, and the tide of German immigration was thus diverted south to Pennsylvania.
The steady stream of immigration led sea captains to abuse their privileges, and for the love of gain inflicted some of the severest cruelties upon the passengers. It was soon found that the business of carrying passengers was more profitable than the freight traffic, and the inmates of the vessels were lodged together like herring. The ships were so crowded
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that many were kept on deck, and as they often sailed south- ward into a hotter climate, thousands became sick and died. It is recorded that in one year alone no less than two thou- sand souls were buried in the seas and at Philadelphia. The most barbarous of these sea captains was John Steadman, who had bought a license from the magistrate of Rotterdam that no captain or merchant could load any passengers so long as he had not two thousand loaded on his vessels. By the terms of this license Steadman enjoyed a monopoly of the traffic for a number of years. The immigrants suffered untold hard- ships, not only on the seas, but the avaricious Steadman in- creased their burdens by heaping upon them many grievances after they landed at our ports. The agreement made in Hol- land was to carry the passengers for seven pistoles and a half. Another class of immigrants, too poor to pay their passage to America, signed a contract with Steadman by which they could be sold into bondage for a term of years to pay their passage. These were the regular redemptioners. When these wanderers reached Philadelphia, they were forced to pay what- ever their cruel masters demanded. Many of them had paid their passage before leaving Rotterdam, but Steadman would not credit it, and a sum of money was again exacted from them on reaching this country. The thousands who died on the way made it all the more profitable for Steadman, for they had been bound together by a contract that the living should pay for the passage of the dead, and often when they had paid their own fare, they were sold for the fare of some friend or foe. The baggage of the redemptioners was all left behind to be brought over on freight vessels; but when their effects reached here, it was found to be a frequent occurrence that their chests and trunks were broken open and nearly all their valuables stolen. This only tended to increase the sufferings of the redemptioners, and rendered thousands penniless.
The greatest influence on the stream of redemptioners was the system of agents, importers and brokers who made their living out of the trade in bound servants. Those agen- cies existed both in Philadelphia and in European cities.
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Other dealers called "Newlanders," or "soul drivers," went to Germany and Ireland and pictured America as a land flowing with milk and honey, thus inducing many to come to America. The redemptioners were sold in Philadelphia, and often were peddled through the surrounding country. In Rotterdam, some of the wealthiest citizens were engaged in this Pennsyl- vania trade, and so lucrative was the trade that all the vessels were engaged in it.
A great jealousy grew up in this trade between Amster- dam and Rotterdam, and runners were engaged to watch the arrival of emigrants, and to try to persuade them to embark in their vessels. The runners obtained a fee for each redemp- tioner they secured. The rivalry became so great that they watched all the routes to the sea coast, and dealers carried on a house-to-house solicitation through Germany. Great evils resulted from this, and many people were over-persuaded to leave their homes.
Rev. Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg, pastor of the Trappe Lutheran Church, wrote that during the autumn of 1749 twenty-five ships brought 7049 redemptioners alive to Phila- delphia, besides several thousand that perished on the way from want of air and nourishment.
The extreme sufferings of the redemptioners led Christo- pher Sauer, the Germantown printer, to address a letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania, March 15, 1755, describing their pitiable condition, as well as the cruelties of Steadman. Sauer felt responsible in a certain degree for the sufferings of the redemptioners, as it was through his influence that many of them came to America. He petitioned the Legislature, and a law was passed for their relief, but it was never executed. Sauer also wrote a letter to the magistrate of Rotterdam, and the monopoly was taken from Steadman. A man named Shoffert, an old sea captain, was appointed overseer of the ves- sels that came with passengers, but he was bribed to conceal the fact that sometimes the immigrants had scarcely twelve inches space between them, and often no bread and water. After his death our Assembly elected a Mr. Trotter overseer,
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but he also allowed every vessel to slip through without en- forcing the law. The people of Philadelphia and Germantown then drew up a petition asking the Assembly to appoint Thomas Lay overseer. He was an English merchant living in Philadelphia, and everybody had confidence in him that he would accept no bribes. The petitions of the people were all in vain, and the redemptioners obtained no relief until 1764, when the German Society, of Philadelphia, was organized to establish means of relief for them.
Some of the oldest inhabitants of Montgomery and Bucks counties say that they have recollections of redemptioners who had been sold in their midst and afterwards became honorable citizens. 'Jacob Price, an extensive farmer, living near Indian creek, Montgomery county, bought a very large, stalwart man, named John Kroner, at four years' service for $80. He was a good, faithful man, and when free, married a very respectable girl in that neighborhood. He afterwards settled in Ohio, where he bought a farm and became independent. Andre Young, from Amsterdam, Holland, was bought by Christian Landis, of Grater's Ford. Young's mother was a widow, and he was a street boy. He would not submit to any restraint from his mother, and he ran off without her consent when only sixteen years old. He had to serve six years in payment of his passage to this country. He married a very respectable woman and reared a fine family. One of his sons is yet living within five miles of Harleysville.
Cornelius Shepherd, the ancestor of Robert A. Shepherd, editor of the Lansdale (Pa.) Republican, came to America as a redemptioner in 1752, accompanied by a brother and two sis- ters. Cornelius and the younger sister were sold to pay for the passage of all. He was sold to a farmer in Plumstead township, Bucks county. He married Phœbe Rice, a Quaker lady, and bought land in Buckingham township, Bucks county.
George Homan, wife and son, were bought by a Mr. Fretz, of Bedminster, Bucks county. Homan was an educated genius, a poet and an ornamental penman. He soon gained many friends, who, after a while, advanced him the money to
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obtain his freedom. He became a teacher and author, and nobly repaid his benefactors. Abraham H. Cassel, the his- torian and antiquarian, of Indian creek, says that he remembers seeing Homan on one occasion, and that he bought a small pamphlet of poems from him.
Philip Hoffecker was a redemptioner. He was sold to a farmer in North Coventry, Chester county, and remained in bondage about five years to pay for his passage. A large · number of his descendants are found to this day in Chester and Montgomery counties, and they are noted for their great strength of character and sterling integrity. The most prom- inent member of this family is R. F. Hoffecker, superintendent of the public schools of this county.
. In Chester county the story is told of one bright-witted redemptioner, an Irishman, who, being the last of the drove, arose very early and sold his master to the landlord, pocketed the money and walked off, remarking as he left that the prisoner was a good fellow, only a little addicted to lying ; sometimes he even had a presumption to try to pass himself off for his master.
The redemption system was demoralizing to Germany and America alike, and the best men in both countries vigor- ously opposed it. After great opposition the stream of re- demptioners into our state ceased early in this century. One of the latest deeds for a redemptioner is now in the possession of Dr. George G. Groff, of Bucknell University. It is dated August 29, 1817.
WOMEN OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN WAR TIME.
By Mrs. Anna M. Holstein.
When the call was made for troops during our great civil war in 1861, and the response rang out, "We are coming, Father Abraham, four hundred thousand strong," it nerved the loyal women of the land to bravely bear the sad parting with their best and dearest, their living treasures, not daring to think of probable suffering and aching hearts for the uncer- tain future. The present must be filled with activity, work, untiring work, though it might not be, as was afterwards learned, of the most judicious kind; still, it was all that was then known as to what was required.
The excitement during the organization and leaving of the Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, was unprecedented in town and country. It was the first that our people knew of actual preparations for war, and naturally stirred the hearts of. thousands as nothing in their lives had ever done before.
As the soldiers went out from among us there came the yearning wish to lessen somewhat the hardships of their lonely camp life, especially when sick in hospital or wounded.
What each family first began to do for their relatives and friends soon became general, and thus, by uniting together, " soldiers' aid societies" were formed. With all faithful wo- men of the land we worked zealously in their behalf; worked because there was an irresistible impulse to do, to act; any- thing but idleness, when our armies were preparing for the combat, and we knew not who should be the first to fall, who be called widow, or who fatherless.
On the nineteenth of April, 1861, a meeting was held in Airy Street Hall, Norristown, Mrs. R. T. Stewart presiding, Mrs. Charles P. Harry, secretary; Mrs. Mary Roberts, Mrs. G. W.
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Rogers and many others present. They " resolved to furnish aid to those who volunteer in service of their country." The same day a meeting was held in the library room of Stewart Fund Hall, Upper Merion, near King of-Prussia. Mrs. Jonathan Roberts, president; Mrs. William H. Holstein, vice president ; Mrs. Sarah H. Tyson, secretary. A large number of earnest women were in attendance. They "resolved that the women of Upper Merion will devote their utmost energies to aid and encourage the brave men who have gone to meet a treacher- ous and rebellious foe; that no new bonnets should be pro- cured or dresses purchased while the war continued, except- ing calico; while the money these articles would cost should be used in our Army Aid Society." "Resolved, That the Union colors, emblematic of our national flag, should be worn by us until peace was re-established." A tiny silk flag was placed upon the left shoulder, or arranged among loops of ribbon in front of hat or bonnet.
The one which I wore continuously throughout the war is still preserved among war relics in our home. As far as I know among those with whom I was most intimately associ- ated the members of Upper Merion Army Aid continued true to their pledge. A large sum of money was contributed by those present at this meeting, but the amount is not stated in my notes. The next day, the afternoon of the twentieth of April, 1861, Mrs. Jonathan Roberts and Mrs. Isaac W. Hol- stein collected in Upper Merion township five hundred and thirty-five dollars for hospital service.
During the entire war this township sent regular supplies . of hospital clothing and other needful articles, with food and delicacies for sick and wounded soldiers.
All kinds of sewing that could be utilized in hospitals, the preparation of bandages, lint, etc., was done by the ladies in the old school house. Beside the hospital garments, of · which quantities were always on hand, they made and quilted a number of comforts. When the weather became cold these meetings were held at the homes of the members, where they remained for tea. Of this number were Mrs. H. M. Lutz, Mrs.
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Jonathan Roberts, Mrs. Samuel Tyson, Mrs. Wm. B. Roberts, Mrs. Wm. Carver, Mrs. Wm. H. Holstein, Mrs. Isaac W. Holstein, and perhaps others whose names may have been unintentionally omitted from meagre notes of that time.
In Norristown, Mrs. Dr. Louis W. Read and Mrs. H. C. Hill were mainly instrumental in raising funds for the pur- chase of flags, which were presented to the Fourth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers before leaving Harrisburg. Norriton town- ship united with Norristown Army Aid, and usually sent their supplies through this channel occasionally to Philadelphia. Mrs. Theodore W. Bean and Mrs. Edwin Conrad were the principal collectors in this district.
The Norristown Army Aid was organized May 27, 1861. The first president, Mrs. Jesse Bean; Secretary, Mrs. Charles P. Harry; Mrs. A. R. Cox, Mrs. Daniel Brower, Mrs. Harvey Shaw, Mrs. Lloyd Jones, and many others were active in this patriotic work.
Gwynedd Ladies' Aid commenced work August 21, 1862. Anna M. Jenkins, president; Sallie M. Meredith, secretary. Their contributions in money amounted to two hundred and seventy dollars. Valuable articles for hospital use, clothing and delicacies were constantly sent to different points until the war ended.
Plymouth Army Aid was active in preparing and for- warding supplies to hospitals and Sanitary Commission. Mrs. Martha Maulsby Corson, president; Miss Mitchell and Miss Davis, secretaries; Mrs. Emily Corson, Miss Sallie Styer, Miss Mary L. Streeper, with many whose names were not sent me, were earnest workers for sick and wounded.
Conshohocken Army Aid was organized November 12, 1861, at the residence of Mrs. Benjamin Harry, in the borough of Conshohocken, "for the purpose of forming a committee to work for the aid and comfort of our volunteers now engaged in the noble and glorious cause of protecting our country's freedom." Mrs. Benjamin Harry was elected directress of this committee, Mrs. Walter Cresson, treasurer; Mrs. Alan Wood, Jr., secretary; Mrs. Edwin Jefferis and Mrs. D. L. Wood, 28
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purchasing committee; Mrs. Samuel Pugh and Mrs. L. A. Lukens, committee to cut out garments. Mrs. William Davis, Mrs. Dr. J. K. Reid, Miss Mary Fulton and Mrs. Benjamin Harry were the committee to receive and collect contribu- tions.
The organization was to be known as the "Conshohocken Ladies' Aid Committee"; the admission fee one dollar ; weekly dues, five cents. Dr. Boardman's Church, in Philadelphia, was made a place of deposit for hospital stores. From there boxes and barrels were forwarded to field and other hospitals wherever the need was greatest. Conshohocken contributed largely to this point of supply; also, to the Cooper Shop Re- freshment Saloon and hospitals in and around Philadelphia.
Bridgeport Army Aid did good service in making hospi- tal clothing and sending to the front quantities of food and delicacies for sick and wounded soldiers. Mrs. Benjamin B. Hughes, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Dr. Geo. W. Holstein, Mrs. Wm. Keiger, Mrs. G. W. Keiger, Mrs. Shainline, Mrs. Susan Rambo, Mrs. Emily Rambo, with many more were active in the good work.
All the soldiers who left this vicinity for the war took the cars in Bridgeport at the crossing of DeKalb street and the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.
The hospital stores collected in Bridgeport and vicinity were all packed in Charles E. Holstein's drug store by Mr. William Keiger. Of the large number which passed through our hands in field hospitals all came safely and in good con- dition.
In Pottstown, Mrs. J. Dutton Steele, Mrs. Neide, with numerous others, were active workers in this very valuable Aid Society. Miss Sophia Richards (now Mrs. Lancaster, of Philadelphia) was their secretary. Many of their excellent boxes of supplies came to me in different hospitals for distri- bution.
In May, 1861, General Scott directed a certain number of regiments to be supplied with havelocks. The order was re- ceived in Norristown May 17th. I happened to be there at
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the time, and that no delay might occur, purchased the material for the Upper Merion Army Aid, and then went directly home, sending word in every direction among friends and neighbors that their help was required. Fifty-three per- sons assembled at our house at an hour's notice, worked all the afternoon and remained to tea. Mrs. Ellen Rutter, of Swedeland, brought her sewing machine and used it steadily. At that date very few were in use. They were not found in every home as at present. Two hundred and eighty caps were finished by the party of ladies and marked with durable ink, with name and number of regiment. But they proved to be a useless article. The soldiers complained that they heated the head and made them a plain target for the enemy's bullets.
There were many women not connected with army aid societies who gave valuable, material aid to the cause. Mrs. Elfreth, of Norristown, was of this number.
Mrs. Susan Whitall, of Whitemarsh, then resided in Phil- adelphia. She was greatly interested in hospitals in and around this city, and, in 1863, spent one month among the hospitals about Falmouth, Virginia. I have no report from army aid societies in Lower Merion, or of work accomplished in that district, but know there were as earnest workers there as in other localities.
In 1863, a flag twenty-five feet in length was purchased by citizens of Montgomery county, principally by residents of Norristown, Bridgeport and Upper Merion, for the battle-field of Gettysburg, as an evidence of our sympathy and esteem for the brave soldiers who, upon this noted field, "fought and won this great battle for our liberties."
The suggestion that a flag should be procured for this purpose came from citizens of the county who were occupied in the general hospital, Gettysburg, waiting upon the wounded. Mrs. Charles P. Harry and Mrs. Isaac W. Holstein were the committee to whose care it was entrusted to convey it to the general hospital, Gettysburg. Upon its arrival the flag was carried through all the streets of the hospital that the wounded
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men might have the pleasure of seeing it. Everywhere it was greeted with cheers. It was then taken to Round Top. All who could leave the hospital, officers, ladies and soldiers, joined the procession. A large concourse of persons gathered upon Round Top, manifesting by their presence the pleasure they felt in the event. Appropriate and eloquent addresses were delivered by Hon. David Wills, of Gettysburg; J. F. Sey- mour, of New York; and Surgeon H. C. May, of the 145th New York State Volunteers. The flagstaff was cut, prepared and erected by soldiers from Camp Letterman, general hospital. The flag floated over Round Top, and could be seen a great distance. It remained from the time of its erection until the storms of winter endangered its preservation, when it was taken down and cared for by Hon. David Wills, in whose keeping it remained until deposited in the flag room at the state capitol, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
It soon became evident that the rebellion could not be subdued in three months, and that all the preparations re- quired during the first outbreak must be continued. In every part of the country women engaged with. eagerness in the preparation of collecting and forwarding of hospital supplies. Flannel underclothing seemed to be the first thought of all. This was furnished without stint. Scraping lint gave employ- ment alike to old and young, even little children doing their share. Old linen that had been carefully hoarded among treasures too sacred to be used, was now brought to light and freely offered for our wounded soldiers. Old muslin was col- lected; bandages of all widths were made and rolled, ready for use; bed quilts, comforts, pads in endless variety, arm slings, arm rests, slippers, pillows, in which no little ingenuity was shown as to the material which filled them; sheets, pillow cases, dressing gowns, towels, handkerchiefs, scrap books, comfort bags, etc., etc .; dried, canned and preserved fruits, jellies, pickles, syrups, home-made wines, bread, biscuits, etc. There seemed no limit to the stores of nice things forwarded to the hospitals. The very best of everything that could be made was sent from the homes of the land.
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