USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County : to which is prefixed a brief sketch of the early history of Pennsylvania > Part 14
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*His. N. Y. 39, Holmes, An. I. 501.
+Hallische Nachrichten, 973-98I
¿Diese Teutche Colonie solte Theer brennen und Hanf banen, fuer Erstattung ihrer Fracht von Holland bis England, und von da bis nach Neuyork .- H. M. Muehlenberg, Hal. Nach. p. 974.
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not to do"-laid up no stores from which they could supply the wants of their white brethren-depending entirely upon Nature's store-house ; believing that their hands were not made to labor with, but to have rule over the birds of the air, the fishes of the stream, and the game in Nature's park.
In Schoharie, having permission from the Indians, this colony commenced, under discouraging circumstances, improving lands and building houses. They labored for ten years, when they were dispersed; and in 1723, a portion of them, surrounded by difficulties in travelling, rising of three hundred miles, seated themselves, some eighty or ninety miles from Philadelphia, at Swatara and Tulpehocken .* Among this number were the Weisers,t whose descendants are numerous and respectable; these are the Muhlenbergs and others.
*Hallische Nachrichten.
+Conrad Weiser, who remained in New York, when his father came here in 1723, arrived at Tulpehocken in 1729. In a subsequent page the reader will find a notice of C. W.
£
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CHAPTER V.
Donegal township organized-First settlers-Harris's attempt to settle at Conoy-Settles at Paxton-Settlement commenced by Barber, Wright and Blunston-Settlements back from the river-Reamstown settlement -Welsh settlement-Weber s Thal settled-Settlement at Saeue Schwamm, or New Holland-Germans misrepresented-Committee appointed to inquire into the facts ; makes report-Thomas Wright killed by the Indians-Inhabitants of the upper part of Chester county alarmed-Governor Gordon goes to Conestoga and holds a treaty with the Indians-Returns to Philadelphia-Note ; Iron Works.
As the population of the county increased, it was found necessary to organize new townships. Donegal was organized in the year 1722, and David Jones appointed constable. The first settlers of Donegal were principally Irish emigrants; they were the Semples, Pattersons, Mitchells, Hendrickses, Speers, Galbraiths, Andersons, Scotts, Lowreys, Pedans, Porters, Sterrits, Kerrs, Works, Litles, Whitehills, Campbells, and others. James Mitchell and James Hendricks, were justices of the peace. Many of the lineal descendants, of the first settlers, are still the owners of their ancestor's first possessions.
John Harris, a native of Yorkshire, who commenced, afterwards, a settlement at Paxton, first made an attempt to settle near the mouth of Conoy creek, not far from the present site of Bainbridge. Harris did not think this a propitious spot; for, it appears, this place was fre- quented by more northern Indians, on their southern excursions, which excited considerable alarm .* Go- vernor Spottswood, of Virginia, in a letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania, says: "A number of Penn-
*Col. Rec. III. 58-90.
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sylvania Indians, while on their return from the south, when they had committed several robberies and out- rages, stopped at Conoytown, May 20, 1719, and while there, the Indians sent for John Cartledge, Esq .- On his arrival, they sat down before him in a grand council of war, produced fifteen prisoners, bade him discourse with two of them that spoke English. Cartledge found they were natives of Virginia; he interceded for their lives and liberties; but the Indians turned a deaf ear to his entreaties, and gave him to understand, that they intended to continue in their dire perpetrations of out- rages upon the Virginians, declaring, they had made a clear path to pass and repass, to and from the southward, having removed all obstacles out of the way, and that they expected to have free recourse for their people amongst the English plantations, whilst they were making- war."* The apprehension of insecurity may have influenced Harris to abandon this place, and locate at Paxton.
John Harris, the first white settler at Paxton, the present site of Harrisburg, "experienced much difficulty at his first settlement, as his supplies had to be trans- ported on horses, a great distance. He was an extensive Indian trader; and he was also the first person who introduced the plough on the Susquehanna, within the present limits of Dauphin county.
His son John, the founder of Harrisburg, is said to have been born at the present site of Harrisburg or im- mediately below it, in 1726 ; and he is also said to have been the first white child born in Pennsylvania, west of the Conewago Hills. He died in 1791, aged 65; years."
1 :
* Col. Rec. III. 79.
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" An incident in the life of John Harris, the elder, has excited considerable interest, and been the subject of much inquiry. On one occasion, a band of Indians, who had been down the river, or, as is said, to the east, on a trading excursion, came to his house-some, or most of them, were intoxicated-they asked for lum, meaning West India rum, as the modern whiskey was not then, manufactured in Pennsylvania. Seeing they were. already intoxicated, he feared mischief, if he gave them more, and he refused. They became enraged, and seized and tied him to the Mulberry tree to burn him .- Whilst they were proceeding to execute their purpose, he was released, after a struggle, by other Indians of the neighborhood, who generally came across the river .- How the alarm was given to them, whether by firing a gun or otherwise, or by whom, is not certainly known .-. In remembrance of this event, he afterwards directed that on his death he should be buried under the Mul- berry tree, which had been the scene of this adventure. Part of the trunk of this tree, is still standing. It is ten feet high, up to the lowest limbs, and the stump is eleven feet six inches in circumference."
John Harris, died about 1748-probably in December,* and was buried where he had directed-under the shade of his own memorable tree-and there his remains still repose, with those of some of his children. The title to the grave yard, to the extent of fifteen feet square, is secured by conveyance from the commissioners who laid out the town. In the words of Parson Elder, who knew John Harris, well, " He was, as honest a man, as ever broke bread."
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A settlement was commenced in 1726, on the Susque- hanna, south of the Chiques Hill, by Robert Barber,
*EsQ. GEO. W. HARRIS' letter, dated August 10, 1843 ..
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John Wright and Samuel Blunston, Quakers. The first mentioned took up and purchased one thousand acres, bounded by the Chiques Hill on the north, and extending down the Susquehanna to the present site of Columbia .. Having his warrant, Mr. Barber returned to Chester, and in 1727, in company with John Wright and Samuel Blunston, and families, came and settled on the land he had purchased. Samuel Blunston took five hundred acres, adjoining the Chiques Hill, and built a house where Mr. S. B. Heise now resides. He died without issue, and his estate descending to collateral heirs, is now held by the Misses Bethel.
John Wright, (who had come from Lancashire, Eng- land, to Chester county, on the Delaware river, in 1714,) took two hundred and fifty acres of the land lying south, and immediately below Blunston's, and built where the Messrs. Wrights now reside. Two large Walnut trees, of the English species, planted by him more than one hundred years ago, continue to designate the place of his first improvement. His descendants continue to reside in Columbia, and hold part of the first purchase.
These three gentlemen were active and enterprising and useful citizens. Their names are intimately asso- ciated with all the earlier transactions of Lancaster county, as will appear from the sequel of our History.
"When they first settled here, and for some time, says William Wright, grandson of John Wright, in a letter* to George Ford, Esq., they had to depend on the Darby Mills for flour, which they carried on pack-horses through the woods along an Indian path to the Susque - hanna. The Indians, who were very good neighbors, and the only ones they had, often supplied them with.
*Dated Columbia, 2 mo. 25, 1842.
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game; in return, they looked for nothing but bread and milk, of which they were very fond. When their supply of flour run low, they had to hide their bread. The Indians had no idea of any thing being withheld; whilst either party had it, all should partake." The descendants of these pioneers still reside in the county. . This settlement soon attracted the attention of others .- Repugnant as they are in feelings, the Irish and Germans soon afterwards established themselves as neighbors, living on terms of intimacy for a while. In newly settled countries all is sociability, and perfect friendship prevails. Former distinct nationalities are not cherished; yet never forgotten. German and Irish are opposites.
The land back from the river was settled principally by Germans: Forrys, Stricklers, Garbers, and others .- Their first purchase was, it is said, from an old woman named Mary Ditcher,* who used to go through the country making what was called improvements-a few sticks piled together, a fire kindled, and a pot hung over it, constituted a first right. Those who could pay for the land had first choice, but these improvements were generally bought for a trifle by those able to pay for the lands.
This old Mary Ditcher seems to have been rather a singular personage. She is described as wandering through the woods, leading an old horse, her only property, with her knitting in her hand, and clad in a garment chiefly of sheep-skin.
Hempfield township was so called from the great quan- tity of hemp raised there. Manor, from lands reserved by the proprietors. The settlers adjoining Barber's and Wright's, were Irish families, named Patton, who gave name to the hill and the current below, called Patton's
*Haz. Reg. IX. 113.
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current. It has been said there was once a great slaughter of the Indians at that place, by a party of cruel men, headed by a person named Bell. In the neighborhood were many places said to be graves of the Indians, and it was believed that a piece of cannon lay sunk in the current. Below this, the settlers were Germans: Stinemans, Kauffmans, Herrs, Rupleys .- The township (where Wright first settled) above, was called Donegal by the Irish settlers, Andersons, Cooks, Tates, Kays.
In the north-eastern part of the county, a settlement: was commenced about the year 1723 or 4, by. Everhard Ream, whose descendants still reside in the village called after the first settler and proprietor. This place, like many others, was occupied solely by the Indians, at the time Mr. Ream located here. He ventured with his wagon and horse into the woods, where he unloaded his "fix- tures and furniture," under a large oak tree that spread its extended boughs over him and his small family till he had put up a rude hut of logs, which he built upon what is now Lesher's farm. His nearest mill was on the Brandywine, and his nearest neighbors, the Mülbachers, then living on Mill creek. After clearing a small spot, he procured a warrant and located about four hundred acres; afterwards, in 1725, received a patent for the same.
Some of his first or early neighbors, who had been attracted by the improved spot and fine water, were Bucher, Huber, Walter, Keller, Schwarzwalder, Leader, Schneider, Killion, Dock, Forney, Rupp, Balmer, May, Mayer, Hahn, Resler, Beyer, Leet, Schlott, Graf, Wolf, Feierstein, Weidman, and others.
At the very infancy of the Pennsylvania colony, a number of Welsh, of sterling worth and excellent charac-
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ter, arrived in the province in 1682. "They had early purchased of the proprietary, in England, forty thousand acres of land, and settled west of the Schuylkill. In a few years their number was so much augmented, that they had settled, before 1692, six townships in the lower counties.
The Welsh custom, and that of the Swiss and Pala- tines, in settling new countries, were similar in many respects. At first they would send persons across the Atlantic, to take up land for them, and made some preparations for the reception of their families. Among the Welsh, who acted as pioneer, was the well known Rowland Ellis, who sent over Thomas Owen and family to make a settlement, and as soon as Owen had made some improvements, in which he spent a few years, Ellis, and one hundred other Welsh passengers, arrived in 1686. .
In 1698, other Welsh families arrived; among whom were William Jones, Thomas Evans, Robert Evans, Owen Evans, Cadwallader Evans, Hugh Griffith, Edward Foulke, John Humphrey, Robert Jones, and others, who purchased ten thousand acres of land of Robert Turner, in Guinedd township, Chester county.
Another settlement was commenced, about the year 1722 or 3, by the Welsh, extending up as far as to the present site of Churchtown. Among the principal settlers were Torbet, Douglas, E. Davis, A. Billing, Z. Davis, Spenger, Henderson, Evans, Ford, Lardner, Morgan, Robinet, Edwards, Jenkins.
While the Welsh were making improvements, a few miles south of Allegany ;* a region on the Tulpehocken,
*The country along Alleghany creek, a small stream which enters Tulpehocken, is still known by that name.
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some Swiss and Germans settled in Weber Thal, south of Conestoga creek, so called from the Webers, or Weavers, who took up between two and three thousand acres of land, in 1723 or 4. George Weber and Hans Guth, brothers-in-law, Jacob Weber and Henry Weber, all Swiss, were the first settlers contiguous to the Welsh. Guth located north-east from the Webers .- The plain, or thal, was timberless when the first settlers commenced. Guth or Good settled in Brecknock town- ship, where a numerous connexion of them reside.
The Webers and Guths had, previous to taking up land here, lived some twelve or fifteen years near Lancaster. They were a young family, seeking a place of permanent abode, where they have since become both wealthy and numerous .* George, the oldest of the three brothers, had three sons and two daughters: Hans, Henry, Samuel, Maria and Magdalena. The present generation of Weavers still possess the lands of their ancestors. Some of them have moved to the "Far West," others to Canada. The Webers were soon
*The following, which we copied at the house of Samuel Weaver, in 1842, may give the reader some idea of the numerical strength of the family. Christian Weaver's father was a native of Switzerland.
Christian Weaver was born in Earl township, Lancaster county, Pa. Dec. 25, 1731-married Sept. 30, 1749, to Miss Magdalen Ruth-lived 55 years in a state of matrimony, and 16 years as a widower. He was a member of the Mennonite church. Died of a lingering disease, Feb. 13, 1820, aged 88 years, 1 month, 1 week and 2 days. Had eight sons and five daughters. Of the seven sons and five daughters were born, before C. W's. death, and living at the time, 99 grand- children, 88 grand children's children, and 55 great grand chilhren's children. His lineal descendants were 309. Henry Martin preached his funeral discourse. Text, John, 14, 12, 13.
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joined by the Martins, Schneders, Millers, Zimmermans, Ruths, and many others, principally Mennonites.
During the year 1727, rising of one thousand Pala- tines arrived in Pennsylvania; among these were the Dieffenderfers, Ekmans, Meyers, Bowmans, Eberlees, Zugs, Shultzes, Funks, Frans, and others, whose descendants constitute a portion of the inhabitants of Lancaster county .* . Two brothers, Alexander and John Dieffenderfer, sailed from Rotterdam,t arrived at Phila- delphia in the month of September ; Alexander settled in Oley, now Berks county, and John at Saeue Schwamm, now New Holland, in the woods. His grand-son, David, son of Michael Dieffenderfer, now in his ninety- second year,¿ informed us that his grand-father's house-
*They were of those who first subscribed a "writing, de- claring their allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and fidelity to the proprietary of the province." The paper was drawn up in these words: "We, subscribers, natives and late inhabitants of the Palatinate upon the Rhine, and places adja- cent, having transported ourselves and families into this province of Pennsylvania, a colony subject to the Crown of Great Britain, in hopes and expectation of finding a retreat. and peaceable settlement therein, do solemnly promise and engage, that we will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his present MAJESTY, KING GEORGE THE SECOND, and his suc- cessors, Kings of Great Britain, and will be faithful to the Proprietor of this province; and that we will demean our- selves peaceably to all his said majesty's subjects, and strictly observe and conform to the laws of England and of this province, to the utmost of our power and best of our under- standing."
+They sailed in the Ship William and Sarah, William Hill, master. There were ninety Palatine families, making in all about 400 persons, in this ship .- Col. Rec. III. 390.
ĮSee a brief sketch of his public life, at the close of this chapter.
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hold goods were brought from Philadelphia, by one Martin, and unloaded under an Oak tree. In the course of a few days after their arrival, a hut or cabin was erected by the aid of the neighbors, who were kind; and the goods snugly housed, and the family comfortably situated. Michael, David's father, was then a child.
The neighbors were attentive in relieving their wants, and supplying them with necessaries. Mr. Bear bestowed them a cow; Mr. Martin and Hans Graaf, some flour and meat. Shortly afterwards, other German families settled here; among these were Ranck, Bachert, Beck, Mayer, Brimmer, Koch, Hinkel, Schneider, Seger, Stehly, Brubacher, Meixel, Diller, and others.
The caprice of Keith, induced him to receive the application of the Swiss, and Germans, with perfect indifference. They applied as early as 1721; but the consideration of their petition was procrastinated, days, months and years, till 1724, and then only was leave granted to bring in a bill to naturalize them, on the hu- miliating condition, provided each Swiss or German should individually obtain from a justice of the peace, a certificate of the value of his property, and the nature of his religious faith-not enough yet-a representation is made (1727) to Governor Gordon Keith's successor; "that a large number of Germans, peculiar in their dress, religion, and notions of political Governments, had settled on Pequea, and were deter- mined not to obey the lawful authority of Government; that they had resolved to speak their own language, (a grave charge indeed !) and to acknowledge no sovereign, but the Great Creator of the Universe."
There was, perhaps, never a people who feel less disposed to disobey the lawful authority of Government than the Mennonites, against whom these charges were
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made. In justice to them, we shall digress from our narrative, and introduce their own sentiments on this subject: "We dedicate ourselves to the security of good Government, and the preservation of human life. As Christ commanded Peter to pay tribute to Cesar, so we shall always pay our taxes. We are subject to high authority, as Paul advises, for those in authority bear not the sword in vain to execute wrath, but 'to exercise mercy. We hope and pray, that we may not offend .- May God govern the hearts of our rulers, that they do those good things which will add to their own, and our happiness."
It is also well known, that it was owing to their con- scientious scruples to take up arms against the mother country, to whom they had vowed loyalty, that they were the last to resist a high authority; but no sooner had the American Independence been acknowledged- lawful authority established-than they obeyed the rulers of their country. They have never, as a class, or as individuals, so far as we know, been disloyal, trouble- some, or expensive to Government. They pay their taxes regularly ; support the poor of their faith, at their own expense: You look in vain in the poor-house for any of their brethren or sisters.
To add food to keep alive jealousies, and excite mis- givings against the Germans, "it was reported that some thousands were expected to arrive in the ensuing season of 1727." It is true that three hundred and forty-eight Palatine families, making in all twelve hundred and forty persons, did arrive .* They came not as disloyalists, but
*The number of German emigrants, during 1728, was less than the preceding year, only 152 families, consisting of 390 persons arrived at Philadelphia; during 1729 it was still less ; only 243 Palatine passengers arrived. Strange, that this num-
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were encouraged to come to Pennsylvania to settle and improve the country, upon the invitation of the proprie- tary. Their industry and utility had before that period been proverbial.
This information, and the report of expected arrivals, were laid before the Assembly, whereupon William Webb, Samuel Hollingsworth, and John Carter, were appointed a committee to inquire into the facts, and make report to the next House. These gentlemen investigated the grave charges, and in 1728, made a report favorable to the Germans and Swiss, who had been invited by the original proprietary, William; "that they had honestly paid for their lands, and were a quiet and industrious people, honestly discharging their civil and religious duties. But that some had made a settlement on lands without any right, and refused to yield obedience to the Government; that those persons had entered this colony from that of New York," says the report, &c .-- These some, were but few who had settled "upon Tul- pahaca creek," about the year 1722, or 23. These, "from New York," had settled on the Tulpehocken lands, by Governor Keith's permission. They were thirty-three families in 1723 with other natives of Germany, who were by the bounty and goodness of Queen Anne induced to transport themselves and
ber should alarm the Government so much as to pass an act laying a duty of forty shillings, per head, on aliens, i. e. Ger- mans, Swiss, Dutch and French !!! The influx of paupers- not Germans-which was so great during 1729, should have excited more alarm, than the few aliens.
During the year 1729, there were of English and Welsh pas- sengers and servants, 267, Scotch servants, 43, Irish passengers and servants, 1155, Palatine (alien, or 40 shilling head) passen- gers, 243; by the way of New Castle, chiefly passengers and servants from Ireland, 4500 .- Hugh. His. Acct. 163.
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families to the colony of New York, in 1710, or 1711, where they settled. But their families increasing, and being in that Government confined to the scanty allow- ance of ten acres of land to each family, whereupon they could not well subsist, being informed of the kind recep- tion which the Germans usually met within the province of Pennsylvania, and hoping they might, with what substance they had, acquire larger settlements in the province of Pennsylvania, did leave their settlements in New York, and came with their families; applied to the Governor, who granted them permission to settle."
The names of many of these are still preserved recorded, viz: Johannes Yans, Peter Ritt, Conrad Schitz, Paltus Unsf, Toritine Serbo, Josap Sab, Jorge Ritt, Godfreyt Filler, Johannes Claes Shaver, Io. Hameler Ritt, Antonis Shart, Johan Peter Pacht, Jocham Michael Cricht, Sabastian Pisas, Andrew Falborn .*
As the settlements were now becoming numerous, and settlers located in various parts, they came frequently and more closely in contact with the Indians ; and in despite of the efforts of the Government to prevent bloodshed, owing to some violence on the part of both whites and natives, a person named Thomas Wright was killed by some Indians at Snaketown, forty miles above Conestoga. John Wright addressed a letter, carried by Jonas Deven- port, to Secretary Logan, at Philadelphia, which was laid before the council, Sept. 27, 1727. The account in the letter stated, that on the 11th of September, several Indians, together with one John Burt, an Indian trader, and Thomas Wright, were drinking near the house of Burt, who was singing and dancing with the Indians, and the said Wright; Burt bade Wright to knock down the Indian, whereupon Wright laid hold of the Indian,
*Col. Rec. III. 341.
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but did not beat him, that afterwards Burt struck the Indian several blows with the fist, that the said Wright and Burt afterwards returned, into the house where the Indians followed them and broke open the door, that while Wright was endeavoring to pacify, them, Burt called out for his gun, and continued to provoke them more and more; that hereupon said Wright fled to the hen- house to hide himself, whither the Indians pursued him, and next morning he was found dead. The inquisition on the body set forth, that the said Wright came to his death by several blows on his head, neck and temples, which the jurors said, they believe, were done by the In- dians. This quarrel arose from too free use of rum, sold by Burt, the Indian trader .*
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