USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster County : to which is prefixed a brief sketch of the early history of Pennsylvania > Part 7
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" At Conestogo, June 18, 1711.
PRESENT :- The Hon. Charles Gookin, Esq., Lieut. Governor, and Joseph Growdon, Richard Hill, Griffith Owen, Caleb Pusey, Esq., council.
*Christopher Franciscus was an adventurous Swiss, and one of the first settlers in the county. It is said the current of dar- ing runs in the blood of the Franciscuses. His sons, after him, and his son's sons, and grandson's sons have, since the old man's day, been known as stout men. They made many " a fellow" cry out, in the language of Terence, auribus teneo lu- pum, i. e. I know not which way to turn, as said the wolf when Franciscus hugged him.
Of Daniel Boone, the Kentucky adventurer, it is said, he slew a bear; of Franciscus and his daughter, it is related, they eviscerated a wolf, with a similar weapon, a butcher-knife .- We give the traditional story as we have it from one who as- sures us, it is true. While Francis, one evening in the fall of the year, was reclining on his bed, and the rest of the family having all retired, except a daughter, who was about "laying
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A present of 50 pounds of powder, 1 piece of Stroud- water, 1 piece of Duffils, 100 pounds of shot-being laid upon the floor, the Governor, by Indian Harry, the Interpreter thus spoke :
Governor Penn, upon all occasions, is willing to show how great a regard he bears to you, therefore has sent this small present, a forerunner of a greater one to come next spring, to you, and hath required me to ac- quaint you that he is about to settle some people upon the branches of the Potomack, and doubts not but the same mutual friendship which has all along as brothers passt betwixt the inhabitants of this Government and you, will also continue betwixt you and those he is about to settle; he intends to present five belts of wampum to the Five Nations, and one to you of Conestogo, and requires your friendship to the Palatines, settled near Pequae.
To which they answer :
That they are extremely well pleased with the Go-
her head on the ear," the father heard a noise at the cabin's door, he went and opened it, at that instant a wolf seized him by the breast of his jacket-Franciscus hugged him tightly- called to his daughter to bring the butcher-knife and rip open the beast-she did-and the wolf was butchered.
The place where the wolf was slain, is marked by the head of a fine spring, near Lampeter Square, where Daniel Zimmerman, who bought of Franciscus, erected a substantial sandstone house in 1750. Daniel was the son of Henry Zimmerman, or Carpenter, a Swiss patriot, of whom we shall have occasion to speak hereafter.
Col. Bouquet, a Swiss, in the English service during the French and Indian War, visited Daniel Zimmerman, in 1758, while his detachment of men was quartered at Lancaster.
John Miller, grandfather of Jacob Miller, who communi- cated these facts, raised one Paulus, who was Bouquet's driver -he drove what B. called miin roth wagelii.
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vernor's speech; but as they are at present in war with the Toscororoes and other Indians, they think that place not safe for any christians, and are afraid if any damage should happen to these the blame may be laid upon them, that settlement being situated betwixt them and those at war with them. As to the Palatines, they are, in their opinion, safely seated, but earnestly desire that the death of Le Tore may be now adjusted, for that they shall not think themselves safe till it is."
July 18th, Tuesday about twelve.
The Senoquois and Shawnois met the Governor and Council, Opessah, chief of the Shawnois, by Martin Chartier, interpreter, thus spoke:
Were it posssible for us by presents, or any other way, to atone for the lives of these young men, our young people unadvisedly slew, we would be partly willing to make satisfaction, and such a condescention would for- ever be gratefully remembered and more eagerly engage us, and for the future render us more careful. The uneasiness we had on that account was such that we could not sleep until the last time the Governor and his people were up here, and which time we had some hopes given us of adjusting the matter, since the murderers are all dead, save one, who is gone to Mesassippi.
To which the Governor answered: 1
That the laws of England were such that whosoever killed a man must run the same fate; yet considering the previous cicrumstances to that murder, the length of the time since the account, the distance of place where acted from this Government, and before my coming here, and the persons all, save one, who is absconded since, are dead, I am willing to forbear further prosecution on enquiring into it, but withal caution you if any such
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thing hereafter falls out, you may be assured I shall as well know how to do justice, as I have now showed you mercy, for which they return the Governor their hearty thanks, and Opessah assures that if hereafter any such thing should happen, he himself would be executioner, and burn them that should dare do it.
The Senequois acquaint:
That Opessah being thereto solicited by John Hans Steelman, had sent out some of his people, either to bring back or kill Francis De Le Tore and his company. Opessah, he affirms he was entirely innocent, for that John Hans came to his cabin, where he and his young people, who were there going a hunting, were in coun- cil, told him that some of his slaves and dogs (meaning Le Tore and company) were fled, therefore desired him forthwith to send some of his people to bring them back or kill them, and take goods for their trouble, at which motive Opessah being surprised, told him that he ought, by no means, to discourse after that manner before young people who were going to the woods, and might, by accident, meet those people, and therefore ordered him to desist, utterly denying his request.
The Senoquois also acquainted the Governor that Le Tore had taken a boy from them and had sold him at New York, and requested the Governor would enquire after him, that he might hear from him again."
8*
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CHAPTER II.
Ferree family make preparations to emigrate to America-Procure certifi. cates of civil and religious standing-By way of Holland and England come to New York-Acquire the rights of citizenship-Settle in Lan- caster county-Several documents of interest-Tradition of the ancestors of the Ferrees, by Joel Lightner, Esq .- Tuscorora Indians unite with the Five Nations.
ABOUT the year 1709, as stated in a preceding chapter, a large emigration from the Lower Palatinate to the British colonies, took place. Among these were the well known names, besides those mentioned in the last chap- ter, of Weigand, Fisher, Kennan, Volck, Plettel, Gulch, Hubertson, Schaneman, Lefever, Ferree. and others, as they are at present spelled. Some of them located them- selves and became permanent inhabitants of what is now Lancaster county. It is certain that the Ferrees and Le- fevers, who were what was called Walloons, did settle and improved lands, taken up by Martin Kendig,* which was part of ten thousand acres previously pur- chased from the proprietary's commissioners, by him, a member of a Swiss company; and it is both interesting and instructive to see with what carefulness and regard for their own characters, both as citizens and christians for the good opinion of the world, these sterling people
*"At a meeting of the commissioners Sept. 10, 1712 -the late commissioners having granted 10,000 acres of land to the Palatines, by their warrant dated 6th, 8th, 1710, in pursuance thereof there was laid out to Martin Kendig, besides the 2,000 acres already confirmed and paid for, the like quantity of 2,000 acres, towards Susquehanna, of which the General Surveyor has made a return. The said Martin Ken- dig now appearing desirous that the said land may be granted
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conducted their removal from their former, and the set- tlement in their new homes.
There is little similarity between the proceedings of these progenitors of some of our good old fashioned Lancaster county farmers, and those of the flitting popu- lation of the present day. The latter in their inconsid- ered removals only seem desirous of carrying with them as large an amount as possible of this world's wealth, regardless of any other proof of respectability, and trusting to it to make way for them in all the pursuits and relations of life. By way of contrast, and of gain- ing instruction from the actions of our ancestors, we shall present a somewhat detailed account of the re- moval and settlement of a particular family.
Owing to French incursions into the Palatinate and other oppressions of a religious nature, the family of the Ferrees turned to seek a home in the new world, about the beginning of the last century, when thousands came to America. Its members were Daniel Ferree, his widowed mother, (the wife of Daniel Ferree deceased) his wife and their two sons, Andrew and John. The first step as good citizens was to obtain the consent of their country to their departure, as appears by the following original document.
and confirmed to Maria Warenbuer, for whom the same was taken up, or intended, and who is to pay the consideration of it. But upon further consideration of the matter, it is agreed among themselves that the said land shall be confirmed to Daniel Fierre and Isaac Lefevre,t two of the said widow's sons, and the consideration money, viz: £140 at £7 per 100 acres, by agreement having been for some time due, but is now to be paid down in one sum. 'Tis agreed they shall only pay £10 for interest, that is £150 for the whole."
(+Isaac Lefevre was her son-in law.)
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Demnach Maria, Daniel Fuehre's Wittib, mit ihrem sohn Daniel Fuehre, dessen Eheweib und noch andern sechs ledigen Kindern, ihrer hoffenden Besserung, Gele- genheit und Wohlfahrts willen, von Steinweiler aus der ober Schultheiserey Bittigheim, des Churpfaeltzischen oberamts Germersheim, auf die insul Pennsylvanien per Holland und Engelland sich zubegeben und allda zu wohnen vorhaben, und dahero um ein beglaubtiges Certifikat, dasz sie mit vorwissen von dem ort Stein- weiler geschieden und sich gewaehrter ihrer wohnungs- zeit vertraeglich und ohne klag verhalten, auch niemand mit schulden verwandt, desgleichen keiner leibeigen- schaft zugethan, gebuehrend angesucht: als hat man denselben ihr suchen and bitten willfahren, anbey unver- halten wollen, dasz obgedachte leute ganz offenbar von hier wegziehen, waehrender zeit als ihr vater, die wittib und kinder in mehrgedachten Steinweiler gewohnt, sich fromm und ehrbarlich verhalten, dasz man sie gern laen- ger all hier und der orten gesehen haette. So sind sie auch der leibeigenschaft nicht unterworfen, massen die ober schultheiserey Bittigheim, worin Steinweiler gelegen freyzuegig; auch haben sie ihrem gebuehrenden abzug oder nachsteur fuer gnaedigste herrschaft hinterlassen : von schulden, damit sie andern verwandt seyn sollen, hat man nichts vernommen, als schultheis Hr. Fischer in Steinweiler, welcher expresse deswegen gehoert worden, zeugniss alles dessen giebt. Dessen in urkund habe ich dieses in abwesenheit Churpfaelzischen regierungs rath, oberamtmann und gemeinschaft Gudenberg, Fauthe zu Altenstatt und ober schultheis allhier Herr von Cun aus- gefertiget und den aus dieser nothdurft behaendiget .- Siegel Bittigheim den 10ten Martii, 1708.
[Siegel.] J. P. DIETRICH, Greffier.
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TRANSLATION .- Whereas Maria, Daniel Fuehre's (Fe- ries') widow, and her son Daniel Ferie with his wife and other six single children, in view of improving their condition and in furtherance of their prosperity, purpose to emigrate from Steinweiler in the mayoralty of Bittig- heim, High Bailiwick Germersheim, via Holland and England, to the island of Pennsylvania, to reside there, they have requested an accredited certificate that they left the town of Steinweiler with the knowledge of the proper authorities, and have deported themselves peacea- bly and without cause for censure, and are indebted to no one, and not subject to vassalage, being duly solicited, it has been thought proper to grant their petition, declaring that the above named persons are not moving away clandestinely-that during the time their father, the widow and children resided in this place they behaved themselves piously and honestly-that it would have been highly gratifying to us to see them remain among us-that they are not subject to bodily bondage, the mayoralty not being subject to vassalage-they have also paid for their permission to emigrate; Mr. Fischer, the mayor of Steinweiler being expressly interrogated, it has been ascertained that they are not liable for any debts. In witness whereof, I have, in the absence of the counsellor of the Palatinate, &c., signed these presents, gave the same to the persons who intended to emigrate. Dated Bittigheim, March 10th, 1708.
[L. S.] J. P. DIETRICH, Court Clerk.
Next, as christians, they obtained a certificate of their religious standing from the proper church officers, even to a statement of the time and place of the christian baptism of their young children. No doubt they es- teemed the following, which was thus obtained, as the
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most valuable article among their possession. We present the original and a translation.
Temoignage pour Daniel Firre et su famille.
Nous Pasteur, Anciens et Diacres de l'Eglise Re -- formee, Vallonne de Pelican au bas Palatinat ayants este prie par l'honorable Daniel Firre, sa femme Anne Marie Leininger, et leurs enfants, Andrie et Jean Firre, de leur accordir un temoignage de leur vie et religion, certifions et attestons quils out toutjours fait profession de la pure Religion Reformee, frequente nos saintes assemblees, et participe a la cene du Seigneur avec les autres fideles : Au reste ils se sont toutjours comporte honnestement sans avoir donne aucun scandale qui soit venu en notre connoissance: Estants maintenant sur leur depart, pour ses establir ailleurs, nous les recommendons a laguarde de Dieu et a la bienveillance de tous nos freres en Seign: Xt: En foy de quoy nous avons signe ce present temoignage de nos signes et marques accustumees: fait, a. Pelican en nostre consistoire le 10 de Mais, 1708.
[L. S. MICHAEL. MEESSAKOP,' J. ROMAN, Pasteur et Inspecteur, .. PIERRE SSCHARLET, JAQUE BAILLEAUX, Diacre, JEAN BAPTISTE LA PLACE, Diacre ...
Les enfans sus nome a scavoir, Andrie et Jean Firre out esti Baptistes, le premier dans l'Eglise de Steinviler l'an. 1701, le 28 me de Septembre: son parain estoit Andrie Leininger et sa Mariee Margarithe Leininger, L'autre ce scavoir Jean a este Baptize dans l'Eglise de Rhorbac, l'an. 1703, le S me de fevrier: le parain estoit Abraham Ptillion et Judith Mille tous deux de Steinviler.
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Certificate for Daniel Firre and his family.
TRANSLATION .- We, the Pastor, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Walloon Church of Pelican, in the Lower Palatinate, having been requested by the Hon- orable Daniel Firre, his wife Anne Maria Leininger and their children Andrew and John Firre, to grant them a testimonial of their life and religion, do certify and attest that they have always made profession of the pure Reformed religion, frequented our sacred assemblies, and have partaken of the supper of the Lord with the other members of the faith: in addition to which they have always conducted themselves uprightly without having given any cause for scandal, that has come to our knowledge: being now on their departure to settle elsewhere, we commend them to the protection of God, and to the kindness of all our brethren in the Lord Christ. In witness of which we have signed this present testimonial, with our signatures and usual marks. Done at Pelican in our consistory, the 10th of May, 1708.
MICHAEL MEESSAKOP, J. ROMAN, Pastor and Inspector, PETER SSCHARLET, JAMES BAILLEAUX, Deacon,
JOHN BAPTIST LAPLACE, Deacon. The undernamed children, to wit: Andrew and John Firre were baptized, the first in the church of Stein- weiler in the year 1701, on the 28th of September : his sponsors were Andrew Leininger and his wife Margaret Leininger : the other, to wit: John was baptized in the church of Rhorbac, in the year 1703, on the 8th of February: the sponsors were Abraham Ptillion and Judith Miller, both of Steinweiler.
NOTE .- It was customary among the Reformed to procure a church certificate before leaving their Vaterland.
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Having openly and honestly adjusted their affairs previous to their departure, they bade adieu to their old and endeared home, this family, via Holland and England* made their way to the new world, where they arrived, sometime in 1709, in the city of New York .- Having arrived, and being pleased with the country, their next step was to acquire the rights of citizenship from the proper authority. The following letters patent, under the Privy seal of Queen Anne will show they were successful in their application, and will be read with interest by the descendants of all named in it.
ANNE, by the grace of God, of Great Britain and Ire- land, Queen, defender of faith, &c. To whom all these presents may come, know ye that we for good causes and considerations especially moving us hereunto by our special grace, moving us thereunto, do grant for our- selves, our heirs and successors to our beloved Joshua Rocherthal, Sybella Charlotte, his wife, Christian Joshua his son, and Sybella and Susanna his daughters, Law- rence Schwisser, and Ann Catharine his wife, and John
*According to the statements of R. CONYNGHAM, Esq., a man of erudition and well known as one of more than ordinary re- search into Historical facts, Mary, the mother of Daniel Ferree, accompanied by her children, and armed with a spirit of reso- lution superior to her sex, went to London, from thence to Kensington, where William Penn resided, to be near Queen Anne, of whom he was deservedly a favorite. Madame Ferree made her wishes known to him: William Penn sympa- thized with her in her misfortunes and became interested for her and her children, and next day introduced her to Queen Anne.
The Queen was delighted in thus being afforded an opportu- nity to display the natural feelings of her heart. Lodgings were obtained for Madame Ferree in the vicinity until a vessel was ready to sail for New York .- Redmond Conyngham's Address of July 4th, 1842.
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his son, Henry Rennau, and Johanna his wife, and Law- rence and Henry his sons, Susanna Lisboschain, and Mary Johanna Lisboschain; Andrew Volk, and Ann Catharine his wife, and George Heeronimus his son, and Mary Barbara, and Ann Gertrtraude his daughters, Mi- chael Weigand, Ann Catharine his wife, Tobias and George his sons, Ann Mary his daughter, Jacob Weber, and Ann Elisabeth his wife, and Eve Elisabeth, and Eve Mary his daughters, John Jacob Plettel, Ann Elisa- beth his wife, and Margaret, Ann, Sarah and Catharine his daughters, John Fisher, and Mary Barbara his wife, Melchior Gulch, Ann Catharine his wife, Henry his son, and Magdalen his daughter, Isaac Twek, Peter Rose and Joannah his wife, Mary Wemarin, and Catharine We- marin his daughters, Isaac Feber,* Catharine his wife, and Abraham his son, Daniel Firre, Ann Mary his wife and Andrew and John his sons, Hubert Hubert- son, and Jacob his son, and Harman Schuneman; which persons are truly German Lutherans; and who
*Undoubtedly Isaac Le Fevre who had married Catharine, the daughter of Mary Ferree, and who settled within the limits of this county at the time Daniel Ferree did. According to Mr. CONYNGHAM's statement, " Isaac Le Fevre was born in 1669, and in 1686, came to Philadelphia from Esopus. He married Catharine soon after her arrival." He was but a youth when he left his pays natal, Fatherland. Mr. C. in'an eloquent ad- dress on the Early Settlement of the Valley of Pequea, delivered July 4, 1842, speaking of the Ferree family, says : " And now let me turn your attention to a youth of fourteen : his parents had perished in the religious wars which had desolated France -an orphan-friendless-he travelled through Holland-went to London-came to Kensington where he made known his in- tentions to William Penn. Alone ? oh no! he had one com- panion-it was his consolator in Europe-it was his comforter in Pennsylvania-that companion was his Bible. That young lad was Isaac Le Fevre. That Bible is still preserved by the family of Le Fevres as a most precious relic."
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being reduced to extreme poverty by the frequent French incursions into the Palatinate in Germany, lately have fled for refuge to this our Kingdom of Great Britain, and further have gone to live in our province of New York, in America, and therefore they shall and will be esteemed as natural born subjects and reputed as such by our heirs and successors of this our Kingdom of Great Britain, and their heirs respectively shall and will be esteemed as such by our heirs and successors, and their heirs shall and will be dealt with, reputed and governed as such, as the rest of our faithful subjects of this our Kingdom of Great Britain, and they shall be so esteemed in every place and jurisdiction under this our crown of Great Britain, and shall be lawfull for them or their heirs respectively in all actions of what kindsover they may be to pursue for and enter complaint in and about the same in whatsoever place or jurisdiction they may be in or under in this our Kingdom of Great Britain, and elsewhere, under our Government to have, exercise, use and enjoy the full privilege of making answer and
The descendants of Isaac Le Fevre are numerous and res- pectable in this county ; and many of them are settled in va- rious parts of Pennsylvania, and other states. Isaac had four sons and two daughters-Abraham, Philip, Daniel, Samuel, Mary and Esther. Philip, the second son, was a gunsmith, settled on a farm now owned by George Meck, and by Henry Le Fever, both lineal descendants. Philip, had four sons and four daughters; Isaac, George, Adam, Jacob, Catharine, Esther, Eve and Elisabeth.
Catharine was born in March, 1734, and was married to Nicholas Meck; both resided for many years in this county .- They spent their last days with their son Jacob Meck, at Har- risburg, where both died at an advanced age. Nicholas Meck died April 16, 1803, aged 71 years, 4 months and 4 days ; Cath- arine Meck died October 2nd, 1804, aged 70 years and 7 months. Philip, their eldest son, aged 87, is yet living.
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defence in all matter or matters whatsoever as any others of these our natural born subjects of Great Britain, and moreover it shall be lawfull for them or their heirs res- pectively to hold lands and the same to convey ; and to hold places of trust anywhere under this our Crown of Great Britain, and the land purchased the same to enjoy and hold and possess to themselves and their heirs, or in any other manner to make clear titles or to alienate the same to any person or persons that they, at their own pleasure, may think proper and the same to be peaceably and honestly enjoyed as well as by any others of our faithful subjects of this our Kingdom of Great Britain, born within the same, and it be lawfull for themselves or their heirs respectively, to hold and enjoy the mannor of lands and hereditaments whereby they may be to them- selves or those whom they may think proper to convey them respectively, or to any person or persons whatso- ever, him or them, the same to enjoy honestly and peaceably, as well as if they were originally born in this our Kingdom of Great Britain, and the same to hold, enjoy and possess from any grievance whatever from any grievance from our heirs or successors or ministry, or any other whatsoever, nevertheless, it is our will that the persons and those to whom respectively, in the first place, and to whom their heirs respectively, relative shall make or cause to be made obeisance to us our heirs or successors and shall contribute and pay as may seem just, them and their heirs respectively, shall pay to our heirs and successors, our custom and subsidy on their mer- chandize as well as merchant strangers ought or should pay, and they or their heirs respectively, shall pay due regard to every ordination act, statute and proclamation of this our Kingdom of Great Britain, and shall be obe- dient as may appear just and formal, and shall render a
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due regard to magistrates and to our ships of war and shall be in subordination to our corporations mercantile of this our Kingdom of Great Britain, by any charters or letters patent of ours, any others of our predecessors heretofore granted, and at any time hereafter, or any person or persons that are or will be master of ship or matters of ships or may follow merchandize, that then this shall be void and of none effect : Provided, never- theless, That we reserve for the time being to ourselves, our heirs and successors, our full power and authority from time to time of revoking and determining, by letters patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, these Letters Dennizens to such person or persons, concerning whom we, our heirs, or our successors, in order, in pri- vate counsel to our heirs or successors will declare as may appear right to us, to our heirs or successors, in making Dennizens to those person or persons as may appear hurtfull or inconvenient to us our heirs or succes- sors, yet giving and granting to persons, and any others, reasonable and sufficient time of selling, alienating, as- signing or disposing of their manors, messuages, lands, so held hereditaments, and their merchandize, respec- tively, and likewise of removing their respective goods and effects of whatsoever kind or qualify they may be before determination of these letters patent as appears. In witness whereof we caused these letters patent to be made and done: witness myself at Westminster, this 21st day of August, 1708 in the seventh year of our reign. Registered under our Private Seal. COCKS.
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