USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 6
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The ceremony of the marriage preceded the dinner, which was a
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
substantial backwoods feast of beef, pork, fowls, and sometimes vení- son and bear meat, roasted- and boiled, with plenty of potatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables. During the dinner, the greatest hilarity prevailed, although the table might be a large slab of tim- ber hewed out with a broadaxe, supported by four sticks set in auger holes, and the furniture, some old pewter dishes and plates, the rest, wooden bowls and trenchers ; a few pewter spoons, much battered about the edges, were to be seen at some tables. The rest were made of horns. If knives were scarce, the deficiency was made up by the scalping knives, which were carried in sheaths, sus- pended to the belt of the hunting shirt.
After dinner the dancing commenced, and generally lasted till the next morning. The figures of the dancers were three and four hand- ed reels or square sets and jigs. The commencement was always a square four, which was followed by what was called jigging it off, that is, two of the four would single out for a jig, and were followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were often accompanied with what was called "cutting out," that is, when either of the parties became tired of the dance, on intimation, the place was supplied by some one of the company without any interruption of the dance. In this way a dance was often continued till the musician was heartily tired of his situation. Towards the latter part of the night, if any of the company, through weariness, attempted to conceal themselves for the purpose of sleeping, they were hunted up, paraded on the floor, and the fiddler ordered to play "hang out till to-mor- row morning."
About nine or ten o'clock a deputation of the young ladies stole off the bride and put her to bed. In doing this it frequently happened that they had to ascend a ladder instead of a pair of stairs, leading from the dining and ball-room to the loft, the floor of which was made of clapboards lying loose and without nails. This ascent one might think would put the bride and her attendants to the blush, but as the foot of the ladder was commonly behind the door (which was purposely opened for the occasion), and its rounds at the inner end were well hung with hunting shirts, petticoats, and other arti- cles of clothing, the candles being on the opposite side of the house, the exit of the bride was noticed but by few.
This done, a deputation of young men in like manner stole off the groom, and placed him snugly by the side of his bride. The dance still continues, and if seats happen to be scarce, which was often the case, every young man when not engaged in the dance was obliged to offer his lap as a seat for one of the girls, and the offer was sure to be accepted. In the midst of this hilarity, the bride and groom were not forgotten. Pretty late in the night some one would remind the company that the new couple must stand in need of some refresh- ments. Black Betty, which was the name of the bottle, was called for, and sent up the ladder. But sometimes black Betty did not go alone. I have many times seen as much bread, beef, pork, and cab-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
bage sent along with her, as would afford a good meal for a half dozen hungry men. The young couple were compelled to cat and drink more or less, of whatever was offered them.
In the course of the festivity, if any wanted to help himself to a dram, and the young couple to a toast, he would call out, " Where is black Betty ? I want to kiss her sweet lips." Black Betty was soon handed to him, then holding her up in his right hand, he would say, " Here's health to the groom, not forgetting myself, and here's to the bride, thumping luck and big children." This, so far from being taken amiss, was considered as an expression of a very proper and friendly wish, for big children, especially sons, were of great import- ance ; every big son being considered as a young soldier.
It often happened that some neighbors or relations not being asked to the wedding took offence, and the mode of revenge adopted was that of cutting off the manes, foretops, and tails of the horses of the wedding company.
On returning to the infare, the order of procession and race for black Betty was the same as before. The feasting and dancing often lasted for several days.
SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The school-house was considered as necessary to the prosperity of a settlement as the church, and the requirements of the schoolmaster were, that he could read, write, and cipher as far as the double rule of three. When such a man offered himself, the neighbors would employ him, and immediately set about the erection of a school-house. One would give the ground, some would cut the logs, some would haul them to the appointed place, others would put them up. In the erection of the school-house, a log would be kept out the entire length to answer the purpose of a window. The fireplace was built with logs, with a stone back wall calculated for a back log six feet long. The chimney was built with what was then called " cat and clay chimney." The seats were made of small trees, cut about twelve feet long and split, the flat side dressed smooth with the axe, and legs put in the round side, which stood on an earthen floor. In summer time the dust would be sometimes two inches deep, hence the scholars for amusement would amuse themselves by "kicking up the dust " (which is likely the origin of the expression), to the great an- noyance of the schoolmaster, who would use his cat-o'-nine-tails very freely.
In old times, they had a custom which is now, we believe, entirely laid aside. About a week before Christmas the larger scholars would meet in the night to bar out the master. On his arrival at the school-room he would endeavor to force his way in, but finding his efforts unavailing, he would enter into an agreement to give them holiday between Christmas and New Year's, give a gallon of whiskey, and lots of ginger-cakes on Christmas day, and play corner ball with the scholars on that occasion.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
A brief history of the Provincial Conference-The Constitution of 1776; the Council of Censors ; the Convention of 1789; the Constitution of 1790; the action of the Legislature of 1825; with regard to a convention, and the vote of the people ; the Convention of 1837 ; the Constitution of 1838, and the full proceedings of the Supreme Executive, from 1781 to 1791, which relates to Washington County.
SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
BEFORE proceeding with the acts of this body, as connected with Washington County, it is necessary to give a history of its rise and origin, as interwoven with the Constitution of 1776.
A provincial conference of committees of the several counties of Pennsylvania convened at Carpenter's Hall, in Philadelphia, on 25th of June, 1776, in consequence of a circular letter from the committee of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, inclosing the resolution of the Continental Congress of the 15th of May, 1776. Returns of delegates were laid before this provincial conference from the city of Philadelphia, and the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, Berks, Northampton, York, Cumberland, Bed- ford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland (these ten counties then composing the province). Thomas Mckean was chosen President, Joseph Hart, Vice-President, and Jonathan B. Smith and Samuel C. Morris, Secretaries.
The President directed the reading of the resolution of the 15th of May, 1776, passed by the Continental Congress, which was in these words :-
Whereas, his Britannic majesty, in conjunction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britan, has, by a late act of Parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of his crown ; and whereas no answer whatever to the humble petitions of the colonies for the redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great Britain has been or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies; and whereas it appears absolutely irreconcilable to reason and good conscience for the people of these colonies now to take the oaths and other matters necessary for the support of any government under the crown of Great Britain, and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority, under the said crown, shall be totally suppressed,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
and all the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the preservation of interval peace, virtue and good order, as well as for the defence of their lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies; therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the respective assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government suffi- cient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion of the representa- tives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular and America in general.
The Conference adopted the resolution, and resolved to adopt a new government in the province of Pennsylvania, on the authority of the people only.
The Convention appointed Monday the 8th day of July, 1776, for electing members in the different counties to said Convention, and fixed Monday the 15th of July, 1776, for the assembling of the dele- gates.
On the 15th of July, 1776, delegates from the city of Philadel- phia and the ten counties of the State as above specified, met in Philadelphia, and organized by electing Dr. Benjamin Franklin, President; Col. George Ross, Vice-President ; John Morris, Secre- tary. The Convention terminated their session on the 28th of Sep- tember, 1776, and adopted a constitution, containing a declaration of rights and the frame of government. The commonwealth was to be governed by an Assembly of the representatives of the freemen of the State, a President and Council. In the House of Representa- tives the supreme legislative power was vested, but in the President and Council the supreme executive power was vested, under the title of SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
The first Constitution of Pennsylvania, adopted July 15, 1776, provided that this council should consist of twelve persons, chosen from the counties then in existence, but provided that in case of the formation of new counties, such county or counties shall elect a councillor. The Council was required to meet annually at the same time and place with the General Assembly.
The duties of the President and Executive Council (five of whom constituted a quorum) were to appoint all officers, civil and mili- tary, except such as were chosen by the people or the General Assembly, and to fill vacancies, grant pardons, remit fines, grant reprieves, see that the laws were faithfully executed, &c. &c. &c. Two justices of the peace for each district were elected for seven years.
The Constitution also provided that a COUNCIL OF CENSORS should be elected by the people on the second Tuesday of October, 1783, and in every seventh year thereafter, whose duty was to inquire if the Constitution had been preserved inviolate, whether the different branches of government had performed their duties faith-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
fully, and whether the taxes were justly laid, &c. &c., and to call a convention to amend any article of the Constitution which might be defective.
The first Council of Censors met on November the 10th, 1783, when Washington County was represented by James Edgar and John McDowell. After examining the Constitution and its opera- tion, they appointed several committees and adjourned to June 1, 1784, and after hearing the opinions of the members, they passed a resolution by a vote of fourteen to ten, that there was no absolute necessity to call a convention to alter, explain, or amend the Con- stitution, but drafted an address to the people on the necessity of supporting the Constitution by giving it a fair and honest trial, and if at the end of seven years it did not answer the desired purpose, to make the necessary change.
On the 24th of March, 1789, a resolution was adopted by the General Assembly by a vote of forty-one to seventeen, that it was necessary to call a convention to revise, alter, and amend the Con- stitution, and for this purpose the authority was given to the people to elect delegates for that purpose, to meet in Philadelphia on the 24th of November, 1789.
This Convention met at the day appointed, with delegates from the city and county of Philadelphia, and the counties of Bucks, Chester, Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, Northampton, Bed- ford, Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, Franklin, Montgomery, Dauphin, Luzerne, Huntingdon, Delaware, Northumberland, and Alleghany (there being twenty counties in the State). The delegates from WASHINGTON County were Alexander Addison, John Hoge, David Reddick, and James Ross. Thomas Mifflin was elected President. This convention adjourned on the 26th of February, 1790, to assemble on the 9th of August following, after having adopted a constitution, which was ordered to be printed for the consideration of the people of Pennsylvania. The reason given for a change is thus explained by Thomas Mckean. The balance of the one, the few, and the many, is not well poised in the State; the legislature is too powerful for the executive and judicial branches. We have now but one branch ; we must have another branch, a negative in the executive, stability in our laws, and permanency in our magistracy, before we shall be reputable, safe, and happy.
The delegates reassembled at the time and place appointed, and after a careful review and an investigation of the Constitution, adopted the same on September 2, 1790, by a vote of sixty-one to one, and was officially proclaimed as such.
In the Constitution of 1790, the legislative power was vested in the Senate and House of Representatives, and not in the House of Representatives alone, as in the Constitution of 1776.
The supreme executive power was vested in the Governor, while in the Constitution of 1776 it was in the President and Supreme Executive Council.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The Constitution of 1790 going into effect, the Supreme Executive Council was abolished, and on the 22d of April, 1794, an act was passed vesting all the powers of the late Supreme Executive Coun- cil in the Governor, unless otherwise vested by law. On the 28th of March, 1825, an act was passed by the legislature to ascertain the opinion of the people relative to the call of a convention.
On the second Tuesday of October, 1825, the people, by ballot, decided against the proposed convention. On the second of May, 1837, a State Convention assembled at Harrisburg to amend the Constitution. Hon. John Sergeant, of Philadelphia, was chosen President. This Convention continued in session until the July following, when it adjourned and reassembled in October. In the following December the Convention removed to Philadelphia and finally closed their labors on the 22d of February, 1838. The pro- posed amendments to the Constitution were adopted by the people at the annual October election of the same year.
I shall now proceed to give extracts from the proceedings of the Supreme Executive Council, on subjects referring to Washington County.
Philadelphia, Monday, April 2, 1781.
Present : His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq., President, the Vice- President, and members of the Supreme Executive Council.
The Council taking into consideration the act of Assembly passed the 28th inst., entitled " An act for erecting part of the county of Westmore- land into a special county" called by the name of WASHINGTON.
Resolved, That Thomas Scott, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be the Prothonotary of the said county of Washington.
Resolved, That James Marshal, Esq., be appointed and commissioned to be Lieutenant of the county of Washington, and that John Cannon and David Lite (Leet) be appointed and commissioned to be the sub-Lieuten- ants of the said county.
Philadelphia, April 4, 1781 ..
Present : His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq., President, and Executive Council.
James Marshal, Esq., appointed by the Honorable House of Assembly to be Register for the Probate of Wills and granting letters of administra- tion, and Recorder of Deeds for the county of Washington, and by this Board to be Lieutenant of the said county, attended in council and took the several oaths necessary to qualify him for the said offices respectively.
Philadelphia, April 20, 1781.
Present : His Excellency Joseph Reed, Esq., President, and Executive Council.
Ordered, That Colonel James Marshal, Lieutenant of the county of Wash- ington, be authorized and directed to call out forty men of the militia of that county, or if the militia shall not be organized sufficient for that pur- pose, to raise the said number of men for the purpose of escorting and guarding the commissioners appointed to run the line between this State and Virginia, during the time they shall be on that service, and that he be
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
authorized to call on the commanding officer at Fort Pitt for ammunition for that purpose.
Col. Daniel Broadhead was commandant at Fort Pitt.
Philadelphia, August 23, 1781.
Present : His Excellency the President and Executive Council.
Returns of Justices for the following townships in the county of Wash- ington were received and read, by which it appears that the following gen- tlemen were elected :-
Peters township. John Douglass and Robert Thompson.
Nottingham township. Benjamin Parkinson and Joseph Parkinson.
Strabane township. (In which is the place called Catfish Camp, ordered by law to be the seat of justice). Daniel Leet, Henry Taylor, John White, Nicholas Little, Alexander Eddy, and David Clark.
Amwell township. Abner Howell and John Craig.
Donegal township. Samuel Mason and Samuel Williamson.
Hopewell township. William Scott and John Marshall.
Fallowfield township. John Parker, John Hall, east end, and John Ste- venson and Patrick McCullough, west end of said township.
Smith's township. Samuel Johnston and James Edgar.
Cecil township. Matthew McConnell and John Reed.
On consideration,
Resolved, That Henry Taylor, William Scott, John Craig, John White, Daniel Leet, John Marshall, John Douglass, Benjamin Parkinson, John Reed, Abner Howell, Matthew McConnell, Samuel Johnston, and Samuel Mason, be appointed and commissioned justices of the peace, of the court of Common Pleas, and of the Orphans' Court of the county of Washing- ton, and that a general commission be issued accordingly.
Philadelphia, October 11, 1781.
Present : The Honorable the Vice-President and Executive Council.
The Council took into consideration a resolve of Congress of the 24th of September last, appointing Brigadier-General William Irvine to the com- mand of Fort Pitt, and thereupon
Ordered, That agreeably to the said recommendation, the Lieutenant of the county of Washington be ordered to call forth, agreeably to law, upon his requisition, such militia as may be necessary for that post and the pro- tection of the county.
Philadelphia, Nov. 19, 1781.
Present : His Excellency the President, the Vice-President, and Execu- tive Council.
Dorsey Pentecost, councillor elect for the county of Washington, attend- ed in council and took the oath of allegiance and oath of office required by the Constitution, and thereupon took his seat at the Board as a member thereof.
Philadelphia, Nov. 21, 1781.
Present : His Excellency the President, Vice-President, and Executive Council.
A return of an election said to have been held at the house of Ezekiel Roe, in Bethlehem township in Washington County, for electing justices of the peace for said township, was presented and read, and on inquiry, it appeared that the said election was not appointed by a justice of the peace for the said county, where a "vacancy had happened," the case provided for by law, but in consequence of a neglect to choose according to the di- rections of the law, wherefore the said election isvoid.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The Council therefore proceeded to the choice of a justice of the peace for the said township of Bethlehem, agreeably to the directions of the act of Assembly, entitled "A further supplement to an act entitled, 'an act di- recting the mode and time of electing justices of the peace for the city of Philadelphia, and the several counties in this commonwealth, and for other purposes herein mentioned,' " and appointed. Thomas Crooks, Esq.
Ordered, That he be commissioned accordingly. IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, Nov. 24, 1781.
A free conference being had, it appeared to be the sentiments of the Council and of the Committee, that an additional company is necessary for the defence of Washington County, and to complete the four companies now established, and that it might be proper to make application to Con -. gress for such assistance from the United States as would render an incur- sion into the Indian country prudent and practicable.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, Nov. 30, 1781.
A petition from 'Thomas Bay, of Washington County, praying to be re- imbursed for sundry expenses he has been at in raising twelve volunteers in the spring of the year 1780 for the defence of the said county was read, and thereupon
Resolved, That the said petition be presented to the General Assembly.
A return of the general election of the county of Washington was read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, viz : Councillor, Dorsey Pentecost; Representatives, James Edgar and John Cannon ; Sheriff's, Van Swearingen and Andrew Swearingen; Coroners, William McFarlane and William McComb ; Commissioners, George Vallan- dingham, Thomas Crooks, and John McDowell.
On consideration,
Resolved, That Van Swearingen be appointed sheriff of the county of Washington, and that William McFarlane be appointed coroner of the said county, and that they be commissioned accordingly.
Van Swearingen, Esq., sheriff elect for the county of Washington, now offers Andrew Swearingen and Richard Yeates as sureties for the faithful performance of the duties of his office of sheriff, according to law, and the same are approved.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, Dec. 6, 1781.
Resolved, That William Scott of Cross Creek, and Andrew Heath be appointed agents of forfeited estates in the county of Washington.
IN COUNCIL.
Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1781.
. Ordered, That Col. Lewis Farmer be directed to purchase the following articles of clothing for the company of rangers to be raised in Washington County .* Fifty coats, fifty waistcoats, fifty pair of overalls, fifty hats, one hundred shirts, one hundred pairs of shoes, and fifty blankets.
The Hon. Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board a state of the accounts of James Marshal, Esq., Lieutenant of the county of Washing- ton, agreeably to the 19th section of the militia law of this State, and the same being considered,
Resolved, That the said accounts be transmitted to the Auditors of the public accounts.
Philadelphia, Dec. 1, 1781.
A letter from John Conner, Esq., of the 10th iust., inclosing his com- mission of sub-Lieutenant of the county of Washington, and praying this Board to accept his resignation thereof, was read, and on consideration, Resolved, That the same be accepted.
.See December 27, 1781.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
On consideration, Philadelphia, Dec. 19, 1781.
Ordered, That Captain Joseph Stiles, commissary of military stores, be directed to deliver to the Hon. Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., five hundred weight of gunpowder, one thousand weight of lead, and one thousand flints, to be forwarded to Col. James Marshal, Lieutenant of the county of Washing- ton, for the defence of the frontiers of the said county.
Philadelphia, Dec. 20, 1781.
An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honorable John Piper, Esq., for the sum of three pounds specie and the sum of nineteen pounds specie, being money advanced by him for the carriage of Captain Boyd's Company of Rangers in Bedford County, and for the carriage of pow- der and lead for the counties of WASHINGTON, Westmoreland, and Bedford.
The Honorable Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., presented to the Board his ac- count for 31 days' attendance in Council from the 19th of November to the 20th of December inst., at 25 shillings per day £38.15
Mileage. 350 miles coming from Washington County at 1 shilling per mile 17.10
Balance specie £56.05
And therefore an order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of the Honor- able Dorsey Pentecost, Esq., for the sum of fifty-six pounds, five shillings specie, amount of the said account.
Philadelphia, Dec. 24, 1781.
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