History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 115

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

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" And in the sense of the same, friends orders yt Philip Roman Be spoken too to know whether he have dealt orderly wth his two sons concerning the same Arts ; And that his two sons be spoke to to come to je next monthly meeting;

" frienda orders John Kingsman And William Hughes to speak to Philip Roman & his two sones to Appare at ye next monthly mecting."

10, 9, 1695 .- " Philip Roman and his Brother Robert Roman frienda children was apoak to about those Arta and Sciences abovesaid they scemed to disowne wt is Mentioned except Astroligy; much waa said unto them But it was not Received :- at Last they proposed to the meeting if they thought well of it to Confer wth Nicolus Newlin and Jacob Chandler and if they could convince them yt it was Evill they would Leave it. This meeting receives their offer and concludes that Nicolus Newlin and Jacob Chandler Confer with them betwixt this and next Monthly Meeting and Make report thereof."

11, 13, 1695 .- " Nicolus Newlin and Jacob Chandler reports to this meeting yt that they have Confered with Phillip Roman Jr. and Rob- ert Roman according to their proposall. Many Arguments on both sides at Length Phillip concluded with us yt he did not know that he should use ye art of Astroligy Againe for he had Denied severell yt came to him to be resolved of their Question already-Robert prom- ised the same but with this reserve unless it was to Doe some great good by it from weh beliefe of some great good may be Done by it wee could not remove bim."

1, 9, 1695-6 .- William Hughes (Hewes) and Jacob Chandler are ordered to confer with them again "to en- deavour in the wisdom of god to bring them to a sense of their condition and to give forth a paper to condemn their practys therein." Philip Roman, Sr., presented an acknowl- edgment, condemning his sons' behavior and his own for taking their parts at first.

3, 11, 1696 .- Philip Roman, Jr., made an acknowledg- ment, but Robert was disowned.

The subject of these dark practices was also brought before the Chester Quarterly Meeting, which body appears to have taken a rather rational view of the subject for the times. The following is an extract from the preamble of a long testimony published by that meeting early in the year 1696:

" Whereas the meeting being acquainted, that some persons under the profession of truth, and belonging to this meeting, who professing the art of Astrology, have undertaken thereby to answer questions, and give Astrological Judgments concerning persons and things, teoding to the dishonor of GOD, and the reproach of Truth and the great hurt of themselves and those who come to inquire of them ; and Whereas, it is also reported that some professing truth among us

seems too much inclined to use and practice Rabdomancy, or consult- ing with a staff, and auch like things, all which have brought a weighty exercise and concern upon this meeting, as well because of the reproach, that is already brought upon the truth hereby, as also to prevent, as much as in us lies, its being further reproached by any among us that may attempt to follow the like practices for time to come, &c."

But this business did not end with the meeting. An offense so serious as the practice of "Geomaucy" could not escape the vigilance of the grand jury, particularly as the foreman lived in the same neighborhood with the par- ties. In bringing the matter to the notice of the court, they say :

"We the grand Inquest by the King's authority, presents Robert Roman of Chichester for practicing Geomancy according to hidden, and divining by a stick. WALTER MARTEN,

" Foreman."

With the view of effectually eradicating the evil, it be- came necessary to destroy the implements of mischief by another presentment, which is thus recorded :

"We the Grand Inquest by the Kings authority presents the fol- lowing books : Hidons Temple of Wisdom, which teaches Geomancy, and Scots discovery of Witchcraft, and Corneliaa Agrippas teach Necromancy. WALTER MARTIN, Foreman."

Upon which " the Court orders as many of said Books as can be found be brought to the next court."

The following minute records the closing scene of this ludicrous judicial procedure :

" Robert Roman was called to answer the presentment of the Grand Jury the last Court; he appeared and submitted himself to the Bench. The order of the Court is that he shall pay five pounds for a fine and all charges, and never practice the arts, but behave himself well for the future, and he promised to do so, whereupon he is discharged for this time."

Some sixty years later, as we find at Goshen Monthly Meeting (12, 17, 1759), that Uwchlan Preparative Meet- ing brought a complaint against Robert Jones (who be- longed to Pikeland meeting) for joining others "in forcing a poor woman from her habitation (under a pretence of her bewitching a certain child), whereby she has suffered damage." To the credit of the meeting be it said, however, it sided with the woman by condemning her oppressors. and (3, 7, 1760) the first-named meeting disowned Robert Jones. Perhaps this has some connection with the follow- ing circumstance :

More than one hundred years ago there lived in a log cabin on the barrens, a few miles from where West Chester now stands, an inoffensive old woman, named Molly Otley, who was superstitiously characterized as a witch. A daughter of Joshua Ashbridge, who had become demented, acted strangely, uttering at the same time unintelligible sounds, which were construed into " molotly, molotly." This was conclusive evidence that she was bewitched, and by Moll Otley. So one Seventh-day the populace assembled for her trial,-not a judicial one, but à la Judge Lynch,- and it is said the whole country-side were there, " gentle, simple, learned, and ignorant," all carried away by the then popular belief in witchcraft. James Gibbons* (then living on what has since been known as the " Westtown School

* From whose grandson, Gibbons Parry, of Florida, Ohio, we have this recital. In Joseph Townsend's early history of West Chester he mentions Mary Otley as being noted for enchantment.

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Farm") was deputed to bring the old woman. During his absence some were to draw her image on a board, and fire at it with pieces of silver (for lead would not hurt a witch) ; wherever the image was hit there the witch would be wounded. Mr. Gibbons was charged to notice if she manifested any pain or uncasiness by the way. After riding some distance she complained and said she would rather walk, and did so the rest of the way. Arriving at the door of the house (over which a horse shoe had been nailed, the floor newly scrubbed, and salt sprinkled on the threshold), Molly turned around to clean her shoes, when the cry went forth, "She's a witch, and can't pass over the salt until she performs some conjuration." They then took her to the mill, put her in one scale and a Bible in the other, for it was held that a Holy Bible would always out- weigh a witch. She remarked, " Children, I'll outweigh that book," and she did. She was next examined by a jury of matrons to see if her body bore any marks from the silver pieces fired at her image; but none were found. The next ordeal proposed was to throw her into the mill-dam, believing that if she was a witch she would swim out quickly ; otherwise, sink. Mr. Gibbons and others pre- vailed with the crowd to desist from this undertaking. But the final act in this farce, which had already well-nigh proved a tragedy, was yet to come. In accordance with a current superstition (that if the bewitched could draw blood on the witch above the breath,-i.e., above the nostrils,-and the witch would pray for the recovery of the " possessed," they would recover), she was carried to Ash- bridge's, into the presence of the child, in whose hand the father put a penknife ; but Molly said, " Joshua, I will not let thy crazy child cut me; take it and cut me thyself." But as the blood must be drawn by the bewitched, and none other, Molly was held while the child scratched her face with her finger-nails until it bled profusely. Then she was compelled to pray, which she did in these words : " O my God ! have mercy on this child, and restore her to health !" "No ! not thy God, for he is the devil, but to my God and the child's God." Finally satisfied, they re- leased her; she departed, and the crowd dispersed, no doubt confident in the belief that they had to do with as veritable a witch as that of Endor, whom the Bible says Saul consulted.

A curious and superstitious custom formerly prevailed in the matter of exorcising rats. It was believed that if the person troubled by these pests would serve a notice upon them (perhaps after a certain form) and command them to depart, defining their course and where they were to go, they would leave the premises. A relic of this old notion was recently found in an ancient dwelling of Chester County among other antiquated papers. It read as follows :

" Rats, I command you forthwith to depart my houses, barns and premises & Go to Richard Joneses a Course Lycing Between west and southwest where you will be accommodated well & not Return to this premises on pain of Death & this shall be your sufficient pass " GIDEON WILLIAMSON.

" Aprill 2ª 1805."

CHESTER COUNTY MILITARY FIFTY YEARS AGO.

The Republican Artillerists was organized about the year 1816, composed of gentlemen of leading families from

different parts of Chester County. For several years during the early part of the organization Dr. William Darlington was the commander. In 1825, Thomas Evans, M.D., was captain, and so continued until his death, in October, 1828.

The company met in West Chester, generally on 4th of July and Washington's birthday, for parade; they were armed with long swords, and had a six-pounder brass piece, " Diana," which produced loud reports during the drinking of their toasts after dinner, Dr. Darlington and Major Barnard occupying opposite ends of the table. It was through the exertions, prompted by patriotism, of the mem- bers of this company, in 1817, that the bones of the Amer- ican soldiers who were massacred in cold blood on the night of Sept. 20, 1777, were collected and deposited in one grave, and a respectable monument, inclosed by a stone wall, erected.

In the fall of the year 1824, Governor Shulze visited Philadelphia, and was met at Chester by the Republican Artillerists mounted, and escorted to West Chester. The Governor, instead of being entertained at the "Turk's Head," kept by Eber Worthington, a member of the com- pany and a stanch Democrat, was taken to the "Cross Keys," the proprietor of which, Davis Beaumont, belonged to the Federal party. This gave offense to the members of the company generally, one of whom expressed himself openly in strong language, declaring that he would never again meet the company, and he kept his word.

Governor Shulze was a large and fine-looking German, unused to show and parade, and being doubtless anxious to return to his quiet home, lie left by private conveyance the next morning. In June, 1827, the National Light In- fantry, of Philadelphia, came to West Chester, and en- camped in a grove at " The Travelers' Rest," kept by Imla J. Bennett, and remained one week. On the 4th of July they paraded with the Artillerists.

In 1829 the Artillerists were disbanded, and in a short time thereafter was reorganized, a different style of uniform adopted, and armed with flint-lock muskets. Few of the old members, however, joined the new organization. The officers were Dr. Wilmer Worthington, captain ; Joseph Hemphill, first lieutenant; J. Lacey Darlington, second lieu- tenant. This organization existed about three years.

The " Wayne Guards," commanded by Captain Henry Fleming, the members residing in or near West Chester, included farmers, mechanics, lawyers, etc. The late Judge Haines, then a young man, Jesse Conard, and Daniel Buck- walter, Esqs., were members. Capt. Fleming, who had served in the war of 1812, displayed all the requirements of a finished soldier and gentleman, a strict disciplinarian, and one well posted in military tactics as practiced at that time. An old colored man, called Tom Bugg, said to have been a body-servant to Gen. Wayne, used to afford much amusement for the boys by marching in the rear of the company clad in flashy uniform, and carrying a long sword, with which he sometimes charged on the youngsters, causing them to scatter in every direction. After the resignation of Capt. Fleming, Daniel Buckwalter, Esq., was elected captain. This company was disbanded in 1826.

A small company, called " Junior Artillerists," from the northern part of the county, commanded by Joseph Pearce,

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WEST POINT GRADUATES .- PUBLIC-HOUSES.

a resident of West Chester, paraded in the borough several times between the years 1823 and 1826; they were armed with muskets, and had a small brass field-piece, " Minerva."

A rifle company called " Harmony Rangers" was organ- ized in 1826, in the neighborhood of Dilworthtown, eom- manded by William Shields. This organization continued three or four years.

In different parts of the county military companies ex- isted ; "Honeybrook Infantry," " Brandywine Light In- fantry," "Washington Guards," "Union Feneibles," " Chester County Blues," commanded by Capt. John Sha- fer, and " Union Troop," of Chester and Delaware Counties, were among the number.

The largest number of military that ever visited West Chester at one time was at the reception of Lafayette, July 26, 1825. Not only all the military of Chester County, but a large number from the adjoining counties, turned out.

In 1830 the " National Blues" were organized, and elected the following officers : Captain, William Apple ; First Lieutenant, Peter Osborne; Second Lieutenant, David B. Reed; First Sergeant, Angus MeKay ; Second Sergeant, Edward Maginnis; Third Sergeant, John MeGinley. Capt. Apple was an able officer and an efficient teacher, and his company made rapid progress in the manual of infantry tacties, and it had the reputation of being the best-drilled company in Chester County. In its ranks were to be found some of the best material of West Chester and vieinity, ineluding farmers, mechanics, merchants, physicians, and lawyers.

The late Dr. Jacob Ehrenzeller manifested much interest in the welfare of this company, and it gave him mueh pleasure to have the company halt in front of his residence and listen to his kind words of encouragement. Few men possessed a more ardent patriotism than Dr. Ehrenzeller, and during the latter part of his life he delighted to talk of the Revolution and those who condueted that struggle to its glorious termination, and expressed strong feelings of condemnation towards those of our countrymen who had opposed our fathers in their efforts for independence. The doetor died of apoplexy, July 18, 1838, in the eighty-first year of his age, and was buried with military honors in Grove burying-ground, in West Whiteland.

The company retained its organization until 1836, when an attempt was made to divide the company, which caused its dissolution. Subsequently, and prior to the Rebellion, several other military companies were formed and flourished in different parts of the county,-one of them commanded successively by the late Robert Irwin and Henry S. Evans, -- but space will not permit us to speak of them.

WEST POINT GRADUATES.

The following is a list of graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point from the counties of Chester and Delaware since the establishment of the Academy :

Francis Lee, Chester, Delaware Co, Pa., admitted Sept. 2, 1818; second lieutenant, Seventh Infantry, July 1, 1822.

Andrew Kinnard, Cochranville Post-office, Chester Co., Pa., ad- mitted June 24, 1819; hrevet second lieutenant, First Artillery, July 1, 1823.

Thomas H. Pearce, East Whiteland, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1822; hrevet second lientenant, First Infantry, July 1, 1826. William 11. Priec, Chester, Delaware Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1830; brevet second lientenant, First Infantry, July 1, 1834.

Israel Vogdes, Paoli, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1833; second lieutenant, First Artillery, July 1, 1837.

Samuel B. Hayman, Paoli, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1838; brevet second Jientenant, First Infantry, July 1, 1842.

Jolin G. Parke. Coatesville, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1845; brevet second lieutenant, Topographical Engineers, July 1, 1849.

Angustus H. Plummer, Doe Run, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1849; brevet second lieutenant, Sixth Infantry, July 1, 1853.

William H. Bell, West Chester, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1853; brovet second lieutenant, Third Infantry, July 1, 1858.

David P. Heap, Chester, Delaware Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1860 ; first lientenant, Corps of Engineers, June 13, 1864.

Thomas J. March, Lawrenceville, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1864; second lieutenant, Seventh Cavalry, June 15, 1868.

Emerson Griffith, Pughtown, Chester Co., Pa., admitted July 1, 1868; second lieutenant, Thirteenth Infantry, June 14, 1872.

William Herbert Baldwin, son of John R. Baldwin, West Bradford township, appointed candidate U.S.A., Ang. 7, 1873, by Secretary of War upon recommendation of Hon. W. Townsend ; admitted U.S.A. Sept. 1, 1873; graduated from West Point June 14, 1877; appointed additional second lieutenant, Fifth U. S. Cavalry, June 14, 1877 ; pre- moted second lieutenant, Seventh U. S. Cavalry, Sept. 30, 1877 ; par- tieipated in campaign against hostile Cheyenne Indians in October and November, 1878; present at surrender of hostile Cheyennes in Nebraska, Oct. 23, 1878 ; appointed regimental quartermaster Seventh U. S. Cavalry en April 9, 1880.

A son of Dr. A. K. Gaston is in the class for this year (1881).

PUBLIC-HOUSES.

The earliest notice we have of the licensing of public- houses was in 1671, when the settlements on the Delaware were under the government of the Duke of York, prior to Penn's purchase. In that year an order was made by the Governor and Council that no persons were to be permitted to distill liquor without license, and that the victualers and tapsters should be aseertained, and three only to be allowed in New Castle, and " some few up the river." In 1675 there was an entire prohibition of the sale "of strong drinke or liquors to the Indians by retayle, or a less quan- tity than two gallons att a tyme, under the penalty of five pounds ;" and a prohibition against distilling grain by any of the inhabitants under a like penalty.

From the establishment of the government under Penn to about the close of the last century licenses to keep publie- houses were granted by the Governor upon the recommen- dation of the courts, since then they have been granted directly by the courts. The licensing by the Governor was a matter of form, as the applications were made to the courts, and those recommended were always licensed as a matter of course. The contest for license was then, as since, before the courts.

The number of public-houses was much greater in early days in proportion to the population than at present. Strong liquors were in universal use, and as there was but comparatively little traveling, the inns were chiefly sup- ported by the community around them. Drinking was not only indulged in freely at the publie-houses, but the bottle was handed around at vendues and funerals among all elasses of the population. At funerals the custom was to earry around eakes and liquor, of which all, young and old, generally partook. Sometimes some thirsty soul would take his position where he would be served among the first,

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

and then would be found on the outskirts, where those serving were about concluding their round. New England and Jamaica rum early found their way into the settle- ments, and were favorite beverages, and when the orchards came into bearing, cider was added as a common drink. At the taverns, it was not usual to set the bottle before the guest and allow him to help himself as at present, but small glasses called "jiggers" were filled by the landlord, and if the guest desired more he paid for a second drink.

When the members of the Society of Friends became sensible of the growing evils from rum-drinking, which they did at an early period, they endeavored to put a stop to it as far as possible, and they were the pioneers of temperance reform in the province and State. From the earliest set- tlement they discouraged the sale of rum to Indians, and the meeting dealt with those who offended.

The following minute of Chester Monthly Meeting, held 12, 22, 1724-5, will show the attitude of Friends on the subject at that time :

" At our Quarterly Meeting it was desired yt friends take care at Burialls not to make great provision as le provide strong Liquers & hand it about but lett Every one take yt is free to take it as they have ocation & not more then will dee them Good."

As early as 1738 the Yearly Meeting adopted this minute :

"It is recommended to such of the members of Monthly Meetings as are magistrates that they use their endeavours to lesson the num- ber of persens recommended to keep publick houses, and that Friends be careful not to sign petitiens to recommend any but such as are proper persens and where there is a real necessity."

In the meeting records we find repeated instances where the early Friends bore testimony against the use of strong drink in families and elsewhere, and parents in particular were cautioned against giving it to their children. Friends for a long time have watched with care over the morals of their society in this regard, and are probably the most tem- perate religious body in the country. Inquiry is regularly made in the Monthly Meetings whether the members use intoxicating drinks themselves or give them to those in their employ.

The early petitions to the court for license usually set out the necessity for the house, its distance from other houses, and the good character of the applicant, very much as at the present day, except that, as a set form was not used for that purpose, they varied much in the manner in which they were framed, and were sometimes curious speci- mens in a literary point of view. The " schoolmaster" does not seem always to have been at home.

While licenses were somewhat freely granted, they were frequently refused, when the necessity for the house was not apparent or the applicant was not deemed a proper per- son. There were two kinds of licenses: one granting the privilege to vend all kinds of liquors, known in common parlance as " full licenses," and the other to sell only " beer and cider." Sometimes the " full license" was refused and the other allowed instead.

A few of these early applications will be referred to in order to show their general character.

Among the earliest licenses granted within the present limits of the county was that of Thomas Moore, as early as 1717, at what is now Downingtown. His petition states that he is living 20 miles back, acar no public-house of en-

tertainment, and he " wishes to sell strong liquor." He was licensed " to keep a common ale house in the house where he lives." In 1720 he petitioned for a renewal of his license " to sell all kinds of liquors," which was granted. In 1719, Joseph Cloud, of Caln, was licensed " to sell all kinds of liquors, and to keep a public Inn in the house where he dwells." The location of this house is not certainly known, but is supposed to have been north of the valley. In 1717, Edward Thomas was licensed to keep a house of entertain- ment, and sell beer and cider, near St. David's church, Rad- nor. He states in his petition as a reason for his applica- tion that he " is obliged to entertain many people that come to worship at the said church." James Thomas, of White- land, received a license in 1721 " for the keeping of a house of entertainment, and for selling of wine, brandy, rum and other strong lyquors." In 1722, John Bentley says in his petition to the court that

"having laken a hense in the township of Birmingham and intend- ing with yeur Honeurs permission to sett up an Ordinary for the vend- ing of beer and syder fur the succeur and support of travailers, bis house being on the great road leading to Nottingham and Maryland, and he beiog likewise very much induced thereunto by severall of the neighbours importuuity."

We probably have in this the original of the modern politician's application for office, " at the solicitation of nu- merous friends." In the same year Edward Kennison was licensed to keep what has now long been known as the " White House," in Whiteland. This was probably the first licensing of that house. William Barnes was licensed in Kennet in 1724, and Griffith Jones in Willistown the same year. In 1725 the license bonds contained this clause, " nor shall make use of molasses in brewing of beer or ale." In 1726, George Aston applies for license in Caln, setting forth that he is " living on the great road leading from Philadelphia to Conestogoe in the township of Calne, is greatly opprest by travellers," and wants to keep a public-house. In 1727, Alexander Eason, of Willistown, says that he " dwelleth by the King's Highway leading from Philadelphia to Con- estogoe, where travellers have frequent occasion for suitable entertainment." In 1727-8, James Pugh was granted license in Uwchlan on the following petition :

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 115

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162