USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 20
USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of Lancaster and York Counties > Part 20
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When excitements run high, arising from prejudice, the innocent themselves feel as though it were a duty they owe their fellow men, to avoid every appearance that might engender unfounded suspicions. This the Mennonites of Lancaster county did on more than one occasion. "In 1741, a second attempt was made. to prejudice the Assembly against the Germans, but in the message of the Assembly to Governor Thomas, the House expressed their views as follows: Who they are that look with jealous eyes at the Germans, the Go- vernor has not been pleased to inform us, nor do we know. Nothing of the kind can be justly attributed to us, or any preceding Assembly, to our knowledge .- The Legislature of this province has generally, on appli- cation made to them, admitted the Germans to partake of the privileges enjoyed by the King's natural subjects; and as we look upon them to be a laborious, industrious people, we shall cheerfully perform what can be expected from us for their benefit, and for those who may here- after arrive."
To allay unfounded prejudices, the Mennonites gave a decided proof thereof in 1742, in convoking a church council, consisting of elders, preachers and the bishop, and meeting at the house of Martin Meylin, in Lam- peter township.
Martin Meylin, grandfather of Martin Meylin, Jacob Meylin, John Meylin, and Abraham Meylin, all at present residing in West Lampeter township, built what
1740
1823
Sinclairŕ Tith.
Built by Martin and An Meylin, 1740.
u-
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was then called a palace, of sandstone. It was, in 1742, one of the most stately mansions in the country ; and as the Mennonites were a plain people, and Martin Meylin, an active member, the house was not only considered too palace-like, but the appearance of it might, as they rea- soned, strengthen their enemies in prejudicing the gov- ernment against them-they had been virtually charged with disloyalty-" determined not to obey the lawful authority of government-that they were disposed to organize a government of their own."
The bishop, Hans Tschantz, with his elders and assistance, having repaired to the humble log cottage hard by the "stately mansion," and organized the meeting, himself presiding over the deliberations of the assembled. Martin was first questioned, upon conscience, to openly declare what his intentions were in erecting so large, so gorgeous a dwelling-reminding him of the rumor some twelve or thirteen years ago; and lately, of the prejudices excited against the Germans. He stated, he consulted only his comfort, and that he had no sinister views. Next he was reminded that, in their view, the house was rather too showy for a Mennonite. The question was, whether he deserved severe censure, if not suspension from church privileges, for this over- sight. After some concessions, and mutual forbearance, by the parties, it was resolved that Martin be kindly reprimanded ; to which he submitted-thus the matter ended, and all parted as brethren.
The Germans were at one time viewed in " double vision;" both as objects of suspicion, and subjects of easy imposition. Even at this day, many of us scarcely understand the "spicy and sweet words" " of the dear people"-" the bone and sinew of the country," &c. uttered by politicians in their scrambles for seats of
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honor, and the fat things of office. The " scenes gone over," and now playing, remind us of the recorded past.
Scrambling for office among the English and Irish in this county is nothing new ; as early as 1732 there was a violent contest between Galbraith and Wright. In 1743 the Irish strove for "ascendancy at the polls." An election was held this year to supply the vacancy occa- sioned by the death of Thomas Linsey. The Irish com- pelled the sheriff to receive such tickets as they approved, and make a return accordingly. The following resolu- tion was passed in Assembly : Resolved, That the sheriff having assumed upon himself the power of being sole judge at the late election, exclusive of the inspectors chosen by the framers of said county of Lancaster, is illegal, unwarrantable and an infringement of the the liberties of the people of the province; that it gave just cause for discontent to the inhabitants of said county ; that if any disturbances followed thereupon, it is justly imputed to his own misconduct. Resolved further, That the sheriff of Lancaster county be admonished by the speaker. The sheriff attended, and being admonished, promised he would take care and keep the law in future. He also altered the return, as Samuel Blunston was entitled to take his seat .*
The Germans began, about this time,t to look to their rights as well as their interests; they had determined upon maintaining these with firmness. Disturbances be- tween the Irish and Germans, were common. The pro- proprietors, to prevent these, "on the organization of York and Cumberland, gave orders to their agents to sell
*Votes of Assembly.
+Gordon's Pa. p. 241, 242.
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no lands in York and Lancaster counties to the Irish; and also to make advantageous overtures to the Irish settlers on Paxton and Swatara, and Donegal townships, to induce them to remove to Cumberland county, which offer being liberal, was accepted by many."*
While warm feelings were engendered among the Germans and Irish against each other, the savage Indian was, in a distant part of the county, imbruing his hands in the blood of the whites. Murhancellin, an Indian chief, of the Delaware tribe, murdered John Armstrong and his two servants on Juniata. He was soon appre- hended by Captain Jack's party, conveyed to Lancaster jail, where after several months, imprisonment he was removed to Philadelphia jail, "lest he should escape, or his trial and execution should produce an unfavorable impression on his countrymen about to assemble, for a conference with the whites, at Lancaster." The gov- ernor also required that the property of the deceased Should be returned to his family; and he invited a dep- utation to attend the trial of the Indian, and his execu- tion, should he be found guilty.t
The proposed conference, held in Lancaster 1745, was attended by Gov. Thomas himself, in person, and by agents from Virginia . and Maryland, and from the Iroquois tribes. This treaty or conference was con- ducted with much parade and formality, after the Indian manner. "All matters of dispute between the parties were satisfactorily settled. The Indians engaged to prevent the French, and the Indians in their alliance, from marching through their country, to attack the
*The Works, Moores, Galbraiths, Bells, Whitehills, Silvers, Semples, Sterrits, Woods, early settlers in the east end of Cumberland county, were from Donegal township.
¿Gordon's Pa. 246, 247.
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English settlements; and that they would give the earliest information they received of the enemy's designs ; and, in consideration of four hundred pounds, they recognized the title of the king to the colony of Virginia, as it was then, or should be, afterwards bounded. The favor of the Indians was not obtained gratuitously. Pennsylvania presented them with three hundred pounds currency ; Maryland one hundred pounds ; and Virginia two hundred pounds, with the addition of a promise to recommend the Six Nations to the consideration of his majesty.
But this conference did not remove causes of future disquiet. These lay in the encroachments of the settlers, and in the conduct of the traders ; who, in defiance of the law, carried spirituous liquors to the Indian wigwams; and, taking advantage of the inordinate passion of the savage for this poison, cheated them of their skins, and their wampum, and debauched their wives. "Is it not to be wondered at then, said Governor Thomas, if when the Indians recover from their drunken-fit, they should take severe revenge. Or would it have been a matter of surprise, had they charged on whites, in the aggregate, the vices of individuals, and sought vengeance on the natives whose citizens daily assumed their soil, and destroyed the best of their people."
The Indians about the town of Lancaster were also committing depredations in a small way; some of them found their cabins wanted roofs, and to secure the shingles, they barked John Musser's Walnut trees, which stood in town, to cover their cabins with. Musser made complaint to the Governor, touching the barking of his trees, demanding six pounds damage ; the Assem- bly gave him three pounds .*
* Votes of Assembly, 1744.
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The year 1745, is remarkable in the history of the Lutheran church, in the city of Lancaster, on account of a great ferment excited among the Lutherans. The Rev. Neyberg, pastor of the Lutheran church, united a portion of his congregation with the Moravians; this caused an excitement among the Lutherans; they in- formed the Governor they were compelled to hear a doc- trine which they did not approve, or they must resign their church. The Governor kindly informed them that he could not interfere, that the law protected all alike, and their rights were thus secure, and it was to the law they should look for protection .* In 1746, after Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, had visited the congrega- tion to reconcile the parties, Neyberg withdrew, and had a Moravian church built. In 1748, Rev. Handschuh, took charge of the Lutheran congregation.t
#Haz. Reg.
+Nachricht der Ev. Gem. in America, 67.
NOTES .- LINDLEY MURRAY, the English Grammarian, was born in 1745, near Swatara, Lancaster county. He died in England, 1826.
October 1741, by the special order and direction of the pro- prietaries, Thomas Cookson, Deputy Surveyor of Lancaster county, laid out the town of York.
John Eby's mill, Elias Myer's mill, and George Eby's mill- all erected before 1739. The winter of 1740, dreadfully severe -the snow in general more than three feet deep-the back inhabitants suffered much from want of bread-many of the families of the new settlers had little else to subsist upon but the carcases of deer they found dead or dying in the swamps or run about their houses. The Indians found a great scarcity of deer and turkeys.
Tradition speaks of a great flood in the spring of 1740- January 6th and 7th 1741, the coldest days for many years. William Smith's mill on Beaver creek had been erected prior
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to 1741. In 1741 Mr John Ross, keeper of the ferry at Blue Rock, on the Susquehanna, prayed the court for a road from his ferry to the town of Lancaster.
The neighborhood of Reinholdsville was settled between the years of 1735-40 by Germans, by Hans Beelman, Hans Zim- merman, Peter Shoemaker, large landholders, and others.
Rapho township .- May 1741, the inhabitants of the north east part of Donegal township, petitioned for the erection of a new township to be called Rapho.
In 1742, a party of Indians, twenty-one Onondagoes, and seven Oneidas, on their way to Virginia, in an excursion against the Tallapoosas there, left their canoes at Harris's landing-came to Lancaster county, procured a pass from a magistrate-travelled peaceably through the province, obtain- ing supplies of provisions from the inhabitants. They were directed to obtain a renewal of their pass from the authorities of Virginia, after they should cross the Potomac; but this they found impossible, being unable to make themselves under- stood-were foiled in the object of their excursion .- GORDON.
In 1745, the Catholics procured a lot, in the city of Lancas- ter, from Hamilton's estate, on which a few years afterwards, a small log church was erected, in 1760 this was burnt down .- In 1762, the present Catholic church was founded.
May 1, 1742, Lancaster was incorporated as a borough by George Thomas, by charter.
A German Reformed congregation was organized, near Adamstown, called "Modecrick Church," in 1743.
October 3, 1744, the Episcopalians held a meeting at Lan- caster, for the organization of a parish-St. James' church .- The Rev. Richard Locke, an itinerant missionary, was the first officiating minister. Measures were taken, April 15, 1745, for the erection of a small stone church, which however was not completed till 1753.
In 1754, the Moravians held a provincial council in Lan- caster, In 1746, they built a church and school house-the former stood on the site of the present church. Their first pastor at Lancaster was Rev. L. T. Neyberg.
September 22, 1746, Rev. Michael Schlatter, V. D. M. of St. Gall, Switzerland, in company with Rev. Weiss, of Philadel-
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phia, visited Rev. John B. Rieger, V. D. M. Pastor Loci, Lancaster.
Members of Assembly from Lancaster county, for 1738, were James Hamilton, John Wright, Andrew Galbraith, Samuel Smith ; in 1739, John Wright, Thomas Ewing, Thomas Lind- ley, Thomas Edwards; in 1740, Anthony Shaw, and the same as before, except Thomas Edwards; in 1741 and 1742, Samuel Blunston, and the same as before, except Thomas Edwards.
CHAPTER IV.
York county organized-Election frauds-Sabbath school commenced at Ephrata-David Ramsay born ; Memoir of-Bart township organized- House of Employment provided-General Miller-General Clark- Abundant crops-Distilleries erected-Partial famine-Indian alarms, and horrid atrocities-French neutrals imported-Their condition unen- viable-An Act to disperse them-Cooper, Webb and Le Fevre ap- pointed to execute the several provisions of the Act-Another act passed relative to the French neutrals-Notes of variety.
As the settlements extended westward of the Susque- hanna, and the population augmented, the difficulty, as is the case in newly settled countries, increased among the orderly portion to secure themselves against thefts and abuses, frequently committed amongst them by idle and dissolute persons, who resorted to the remote parts of the province, and by reason of the great distance from the court or the prison, frequently found means of escape. These facts were urged by the inhabitants west of the Susquehanna, as with one voice, for consideration, upon the Legislature. The Governor with the Assem- bly, on the 19th of August, 1749, made a division of Lancaster county, and the part west of the Susquehanna was called York.
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The same year York was separated from Lancaster, "James Webb complained to the General Assembly of the undue election and return of a member from Lan- caster county, and praying redress. It was given in evi- dence before the Assembly, that the election had been conducted in a violent and unbecoming manner; that votes had been received by persons unauthorized to re- ceive the same, and particularly two by Christian Herr, one of the inspectors; that many persons voted as often as four, five, six, and even ten times; that one of the candidates, who was elected, encouraged them, and although there had not been one thousand persons upon the ground, yet two thousand three hundred votes had been received.
The House resolved, That the election be confirmed, and the officers be admonished and censured by the speaker: they were severely censured."
Sabbath school instruction, which is so common in the world, was first introduced in this county, at Ephrata .- Ludwick Hacker, whom we mentioned before, was a man devoted to the cause of juvenile instruction. "He came to Ephrata in 1739, and shortly on his arrival, was appointed the teacher of the common school. After being a short time employed in this responsible station, he likewise opened a school in the afternoon of the sab- bath ; aided by some of his brethren, imparted instruc- tion to the poorer class of children, who were kept from regular school by employments in which their necessities obliged them to be engaged during the week, as well as to give religious instruction to those of better circumstances.
It is not exactly known in what year the Sabbath school was commenced. " It appears from the records of the minutes of the society, that materials for a Sabbath school room were furnished in the year 1749. This
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school flourished many years, and was attended with some remarkable consequences. · It produced an anxious inquiry among the juvenile class, who attended the school, which increased and grew into what is now termed a revival of religion. The scholars of the Sab- bath school met together every day before and after common school hours, to pray and exhort one another, under the superintendance of one of the brethren."
The year 1749, is remarkable in the annals of Lan- caster county, for the birth of David Ramsay, the great American Historian. He was born in Drumore town- ship, the 2d of April, 1749. He was the youngest son of James Ramsay,* a respectable farmer, who had emi- grated from Ireland at an early age, and by the cultiva- tion of his farm, with his own hands, provided the means of subsistence and education for a numerous family .- He was a man of intelligence and piety, and early sowed seeds of knowledge and religion in the minds of his children. He lived to reap the fruits of his labors, and to see his offspring grow up around him, ornaments of society, and props to him in the evening of his eventful life.
David Ramsay was educated at Princeton college, and took the degree of bachelor of arts at the age of 16 .- After devoting some time to the general cultivation of his mind, he began the study of physic, at Philadelphia, and attended the lectures at the college of Pennsylvania. He commenced the active duties of his profession in Maryland, where he continued one year, and then went to Charleston, South Carolina, with a letter of very high recommendation from Dr. Rush. He soon acquired
*David's mother was a Miss Montgomery. Many of his relatives still reside in this county; among whom are the Pattersons, Clendenins, and others, of Little Britain.
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celebrity in his profession ; but his diversified talents and active mind soon took a wider range. From the com- mencement of the revolution, he was an ardent patriot, and exerted all his powers to promote the independence of his country. From the declaration of independence to the termination of the war, he was a member of the privy council, and with two others of that body was among the citizens of Charleston who, in 1780, were banished by the British to St. Augustine. On an exchange of prisoners, after an absence of eleven months, he was sent back to the United States. In 1782 he was elected a member to Congress; in 1755, Mr. Hancock being unable to attend, Dr. Ramsay was elected president pro tempore, and for one year discharged the duties of that station with ability, industry, and impartiality. In 1786 he returned to Charleston, and resumed the duties of his profession, and his historical labors, in which he continued to be occupied during the remainder of life. " The predominant trait in the character of Ramsay," says his biographer, " was philanthrophy." The experi- ence of his philanthropy and beneficence in early life in the attentions received from him at Charleston, and in letters of introduction, which he spontaneously offered, to the highly respectable family of Barnwell and to others in Beaufort, and in a very obliging historical correspon- dence of later years, has left an indelible impression on the mind of the present writer, who must be indulged in the concurrent testimony. He was also a man of exem- plary piety. He was a member of the independent or Congregational church in Charleston, and adorned his christian profession. The last scene of his life furnished bright evidence of his faith and piety, of his love and charity, and of his immortal hope, " through the blood of the Redeemer."
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He was assassinated in the street, a few paces from his own dwelling, in the open day, by a maniac, who shot him with a pistol loaded with three balls. One of his wounds proved mortal the second day. " Death had for him no terrors." The publications of Dr. Ramsay, which have met with a very favorable reception in Europe as well as in America, are, " The History of the Revolution, in S. Car. pub. 1784-His. Am. Rev. pub. 1790-Life of Washington, 1801-The History of S. Car .- being the extension of an interesting work, pub- lished in 1795, entitled " A Sketch of the Soil, Climate, Weather, Diseases, of S. C .- Memoirs of the Life of Martha Laurens Ramsay, 1810. Among his manu- scripts were, " A History of the U. S. from the first set- tlement to English Colonies," and a series of historical volumes to be entitled "Universal History Americanised, or, An Historical View of the World, from the earliest records to the nineteenth century, with a particular reference to the state of society, literature, religion, and form of government in the U. S. of America." This Universal History, has been published in 12 volumes, Phila. 1818 .*
The citizens of Sadsbury having petitioned for a divi- sion of the township, the court, at the November Session of 1743, appointed Calvin Cooper, George Leonard, sen. James Wilson, Samuel Ramsay, Robert Wilson and James Miller, to divide the same-"they met the 20th of March, and considered the most proper place. The line is to begin in a road called Aaron Musgrove's road, near the coppermines, at Strasburg township line, where it divides from Sadsbury, and down the several courses thereof to the east side of said road to a new road branching therefrom, leading to John Taylor's mill,
*Thatchers Med. Dict. Vol. I. Art. Ramsay.
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commonly known by the name of Buckley's mill, on the east side of said road, the several courses thereof, to a road branching therefrom commonly known by the name of Rustan's road, and on the east side thereof, by the line that divides Colerain and Sadsbury ; all which we allow and conclude to be the division. The eastern part thereof retaining the name Sadsbury, and the western part, to be called Bart."
The condition of many of the inhabitants of the county was, in 1750 and 1751, such as to induce the people of the county to call meetings to devise measures to obviate the sufferings of the destitute. "In pursuance of a resolution passed at a large and respectable meeting of the freemen of Lancaster county, in the town of Lancaster, it was stated that a number. of the settlers had severely suffered, both from the hardships of a new settlement and the hostilities of the Indians-and
NOTE .- Gen. H. Miller was born near Lancaster city Feb. 13, 1741. Took a distinguished part in the Revolution. He was in all the important engagements on Long Island, York Island, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Head of Elk, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth; at this latter place two horses were successively shot under him.
In a letter of General Washington's to Congress, dated "Trenton Falls, Dec. 12, 1776," it is said, " Captain Miller, of Colonel Hand's regiment, also informs me, that a body of the enemy were marching to Burlington, yesterday morning .- He had been sent over with a strong scouting party, and at day break fell in with their advanced guards, consisting of about four hundred Hessian troops, who fired upon him before they were discovered, but without any loss, and obliged him to retreat with his party, and to take the boat."
He was a member of the Legislature-Quarter master in the Whiskey Expedition-Brigadier General of the Militia of the United States, during the late war, at Baltimore. He held other civil offices-died at Carlisle, April5, 1824.
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therefore resolved, That a house of employment be pro- vided for the industrious, in indigent circumstances .- The building was accordingly erected by the benovo- lent spirit which disposed all sects and all countries to contribute their aid for so excellent a purpose.
A farm was procured, and farming implements pro- vided; also manufacturing articles for the encouragement of honest but indigent industry. Lancaster became soon remarkable for the excellence of its stockings, made in that establishment."
The year 1752 is remarkable in the annals of Lan- caster county for the abundance of all cereal products, especially wheat. Since the settling of the county, the crops had not yielded so bountifully as they did in 1751 and 1752. The mercies, received at the hands of a munificent Giver, were not duly appreciated, and thank- fully enjoyed. They induced to lead men into excess. --- Many in their levity and wantoness, destroyed this rich store of provision, fattened their hogs on wheat, "which they consumed upon their lusts." Others in various parts of the county, erected distilleries, and thus consumed the wheat, by converting it into a poison, and thereby brought a great evil upon community .*
*Dic jahre 1751 und 1752, sind so fruchtbar an Weitzen und andern Fruechten gewesen, dasz die Menschen in ihrer Leicht- sinnigkeit aus Muthwillen haben gesucht, diesen Vorrath zu verschwenden: dann sie haben mit dem edlen Weitzen, von welchem viele Arme haetten leben koennen, die Schweine gemaestet, welche sie hernach in ihrer Wohllust verzehret haben. Daneben hat man allenthalben Brenn-Kessel ange- schaft, und aus diesem Segen starke Getraenke gebrannt, welches grosse Unordnung hat verursachet .- Chron. Ephrat. 190.
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