History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 101

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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The Wrightsville Star, Glen Rock Item, Delta Herald, Dillsburg Bulletin, Spring Grove Ripplet, Stewartstown News. Dallas- town Advocate, Dillsburg New Era, are enterprising and influential journals whose history will be found in the chapters relat- ing to the boroughs in which they are pub- lished.

The

In June, 1872, M. O. Smith, a na- tive of York, a practical printer and newspaper man, sold the Glen

Herald.

Rock Item, which he had founded two years before, and with P. H. Bittinger, CHAPTER XXXII POLITICAL of Hanover, established the Hanover Her- ald. This soon became an influential journal, in a few years attaining a large Civil List of the Revolution-Representa- circulation. During the early issues of this tives in Congress-State Senators and Representatives-County Officers-Post Offices-Census Reports. paper, Mr. Smith wrote and published weekly articles relating to local history, under the heading "Annals of Hanover." This department of the paper was highly appreciated and he was the means of col- lecting and preserving many facts of history relating to Hanover and vicinity. In 1876. he published a series of articles on the and freemen.

In April, 1682, before William Penn left England, he drew up a frame of government for his province in America. It provided that laws should be made by the governor The latter were to meet in the month of February, 1683, and elect

"Early History of York County." The paper was independent in politics, a seven- seventy-two persons noted for "their wis- column folio in size and printed on a hand dom, virtue and ability," to form the Pro- press. The growth of the business de- vincial Council. One-third of this number manded improved facilities and a power was to go out of office every year, and their printing press, the first used in Hanover. seats were to be filled by vote of the free- men. The first assembly was to be com- thereafter it was to be representative. The freemen were at first to return two hundred members ; as the country increased in popu- lation, the number of assemblymen might be increased to five hundred.

was bought in 1876. The paper was then enlarged to eight columns, or 28x40 inches. posed of all the freemen in the province, but By 1881 the increase in circulation rendered necessary the introduction of steam power. The firm of Smith and Bittinger was dis- solved, April 7, 1885, Mr. Bittinger retiring. In 1894, Mr. Smith started a daily edition of the paper, styled the "Evening Herald." A William Penn reached America in the type-setting machine was bought a year latter part of October. 1682, and called to- later. the Herald being the first paper in gether an assembly of as many freemen as

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

saw fit to appear. This assembly met on or by deputy until independence was the fourth day of December. Freemen at- declared.

tended not only from Pennsylvania but

Besides the members of the legislature as

from the three counties of Delaware then already explained, the frame of government known as the "territories," which had been drawn up in the early part of 1683 provided granted to Penn by the Duke of York, and for the election by the freemen of a double number of sheriffs, justices and coroners. The persons chosen were, in each case, to be presented to the governor and he could grant a commission to the one he preferred. If within three days he took no action, the person first named on the return received the office. The third paragraph of the Charter of Privileges provided in like man- ner for the election of a double number of sheriffs and coroners. The idea of giving a governor a partial check on the election of certain officers, by compelling the elect- ors to choose one or more alternates was undoubtedly borrowed from Holland, where it had been practiced for many years.

which were annexed to Pennsylvania by legislative action. An act of settlement was passed at this meeting, and under this act the freemen were summoned by writs issued by the proprietary to the sheriffs of each of the six counties (three in Pennsyl- vania and three in Delaware), and re- quested to elect twelve persons from each county to form the first provincial council, an assembly to meet at Philadelphia in March, 1683. A new frame of government was prepared by this body and approved by Penn, who was then the governor. It in- corporated the provisions of the act of set- tlement already given, except that each county was allowed but six assemblymen instead of nine. One-third of the council, that is, one member from each county, was to go out of office yearly. Penn appointed William Markham, governor, and the latter . caused legislatures to be elected in Septem- ber, 1695, and again in 1696. The legis- lature enacted a new frame of government which reduced the membership of the coun- cil from three to two for each county, making in all but twelve. The number of assemblymen was likewise reduced from thirty-six to twenty-four. This frame con- tinued to be the constitution of the Province

CIVIL LIST OF THE REVOLUTION.

During the Revolution, before the treaty of peace had been signed with England, different persons were chosen in York County, either by popular vote or by ap- pointment, to fill positions of influence and responsibility, in the affairs of the county and the state of Pennsylvania. The suc- ceeding list furnishes a complete roll of such officials, together with others who served under the first state constitution :

The deputies to the Provincial Conven- tion held at Philadelphia, July 15, 1774, till 1701, when Penn, just before his final from York County, were James Smith, departure for England, granted the Charter Thomas Hartley and Joseph Donaldson. of Privileges, which remained in force At a Provincial Convention for the Prov- ince of Pennsylvania, held at Philadelphia, January 23, 1775, and continued by adjourn- ments from day to day to the 28th, James Smith, Thomas Hartley, Joseph Donaldson, George Eichelberger, John Hay, George Irwin and Michael Smyser represented . York County. down to the Revolution. This charter pro- vided for an assembly to be annually elected by the freemen, and to meet on the 14th of October of each year. By another charter a council of state was instituted, and the Governor was given power to fill vacancies, so that the assembly was now the only legislative body whose members were chosen by the votes of the people.

The representatives from York County in the Provincial Conference, held at Car- William Penn died in 1718, leaving his penters' Hall, Philadelphia, June 18, 1775, Province to three English noblemen to be by them held in trust and disposed of for the benefit of his heirs. After nine years of were Colonel James Smith, Colonel Robert McPherson, Colonel Richard McAllister, Colonel David Kennedy, Captain Joseph litigation on the subject of this bequest it Read, Colonel William Rankin, Colonel was decided that the grant was void, and Henry Slagle, James Edgar and John Hay. the government therefore descended to his Colonel Michael Swope was a member of heirs, who administered it either in person the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety,

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from June 30, 1775, to October 19, 1775. 1777, and April II, 1778, both issues of He served also from October 20, 1775, to which had been counterfeited. July 22, 1776, and from July 24, 1776, to convention from

York County were March 13, 1777. James Edgar and James Marshall served from October 17, 1777, to December 4, 1777.

James Smith was appointed one of the Henry Slagle.

judges of the High Court of Appeals, No- vember 20, 1780.

The members of the Board of Property at different times from 1783 to 1786, were Ewing. General James Ewing and Colonel Richard Robert Stevenson, Matthew Dill, John McAllister.

Members of the Council of Censors from York County were Thomas Hartley, Oc- tober 20, 1783, and Richard McAllister, Oc- tober 20, 1783.

Commissioner of Taxes, appointed for York County, was Benjamin Tyson, Oc- tober 20, 1783.

MAJOR JAMES R. REID, son of James Collectors of Excise were William Reid, a native of the north of Ireland, was Rowan, January 1, 1778; Jacob Rothrock, born in Chanceford Township, York November 27, 1778; Thomas Armor, No- County, in 1747. He received a classical vember 22, 1779; Matthew Henderson, No- vember 25, 1780; Jacob Barnitz, May 6, 1785; John Forsyth, November 25, 1785; John McClelland, December 7, 1786; John Forsyth, August 31, 1787.

Auditors of Depreciated Accounts in York County were appointed as follows : Michael Swope, March 3, 1781, and Henry Slagle, March 3, 1781.

The County Lieutenants, to organize the militia of York County, were Richard Mc- Allister, June 14, 1777; William Scott, March 30, 1780.

Sub-Lieutenants were Hance Morrison, March 12, 1777; Robert Stevenson, March 12, 1777; John Hay, March 12, 1777; James McCandless, March 12, 1777; John Carson, March 12, 1777; John Trevis, March 28, 1778; Matthew Dill, May 9, 1779; Henry Slagle, March 30, 1780; William Ross, March 30, 1780; William Alexander, July 17, 1787.

Paymasters of Militia during the Revo- lution were Michael Hahn, who resigned September 14, 1777; Major William Scott, appointed September 16, 1777, and William Alexander, June 26, 1781.

The persons to take subscriptions for the continental loan, appointed by the Assem- bly, December 16, 1777, from York County, were William Scott, Robert Stevenson, David Kennedy, James Dill, William Ross,

Commissioners to seize the personal effects of tories, appointed October 21, 1777, for York County, were William White, James Naylor, William Chesney,

The commissioners to collect clothing in the county of York were, November 8, 1777, Joseph Donaldson, George Erwin, Thomas Stockton, Frederick Gelwix, Thomas Weems, John Nesbit, Henry Cotton, Jacob Staley and Robert Smith.

education in the school of Dr. Allison, near Philadelphia. When the French and Indian war broke out, he entered the military ser- vice, and was with Forbes' expedition against Fort Duquesne, as an ensign. At the outset of the Revolutionary struggle, he became an active partisan, was commis- sioned, January 6, 1776, first lieutenant of Captain Thomas Church's company. Colo- nel Anthony Wayne's Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, promoted captain November 3, 1776; promoted major of Hazen's ("Con- gress' Own") regiment, September 1, 1777. He was one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati. On the 13th of November, 1787, the assembly of Pennsyl- vania elected him a member of the Conti- mental Congress. He took his seat on the 19th of December following, serving until the expiration of that body under the Fed- eral Constitution. Major Reid died at Car- lisle on the 4th of April, 1790. By his will probated April 30 of that year, he left a large estate to his wife Frances, brothers John, Thomas, Samuel, William and Benja- min, and to his sisters, Mrs. Stephens and Mrs. McKarson. To his nephew, James Stephens, he left one thousand acres of land in Kentucky : to William Irvine, son of Gen- eral William Irvine, the land in Virginia

Michael Hahn, of York, was one of the commissioners of exchange appointed April 5, 1779, to facilitate the calling in the circu- lation of continental money issued May 20, assigned by General Henry Lee; to Callen-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

dar Duncan, son of Thomas Duncan, the executive of the state was called the gov- land granted by the State of Pennsylvania. ernor and was chosen for a term of three To Thomas Shippen, son of Dr. William years by a popular vote throughout the Shippen, he bequeathed his "eagle, in hopes commonwealth. General Thomas Mifflin was the first governor, and was twice re- elected, serving in all nine years. that the Society of Cincinnati will admit as a member a man who abroad has done so much to honor his country." His library went to Thomas Duncan. Although Major Reid wrote his name with a middle letter "R," this was assumed by him to be dis- tinguished from other James Reeds, Reads, and Rieds, of whom there were a large num- ber. His mother, however, was a Ramsey. He left no children.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.

The first convention to frame a constitu- tion for the state of Pennsylvania met at Philadelphia in 1776. At an election in York County that year, the following per- sons were chosen delegates to this conven- appointed by the governor. tion: John Hay, James Edgar, William Rankin, Henry Schlegel, James Smith, Robert McPherson and Joseph Donaldson. This convention was in session from July 15

In 1838, the third constitution of Pennsyl- vania was framed by a convention of dele- gates from all of the counties. The dele- gates chosen for York County were John R. Donnell and Samuel C. Bonham. Under this constitution, the term of the governor was three years. The county officials, ex- cepting coroners, county commissioners and directors of the poor, were appointed by the governor. A revision of this constitu- tion, which went into effect in 1851, made the office of county judge elective. Robert J. Fisher was the first judge elected in York County. All of the previous judges were

The present constitution of Pennsylvania was framed by a convention which met in Philadelphia in 1873. The delegates to this Thomas E. Cochran and John Gibson, both to September 27. The constitution, when of whom were then prominent members of the York County Bar. Jeremiah S. Black, The executive power of then residing in York, was a delegate-at- large to this convention. Under this con- stitution, the term of the governor was ex- tended to four years, the salary increased to $10,000 a year, and the governor is not per-

framed, provided for a general assembly to meet annually. the government was vested in a Supreme Executive Council, composed of from eight to ten members. The presiding officer was known as the President of the State. This body assembled regularly until the consti- mitted to succeed himself. tution of 1790 was framed. The members James Ross, born in Peach from York County were James Edgar, No- Prominent Bottom Township, 1762, vember 14, 1777; James Thompson, Febru- ary 13, 1779; James Ewing, October 26, United States Senate from 1781; Richard McAllister, October 26, Pennsylvania; John Rowan, born in Hope- 1784; Andrew Billmeyer, January 19, 1787, and Samuel Edie, October 25, 1787. Officials. served eight years in the well, served six years in the United States Senate from the state of Kentucky; Mat- thew Stanley Quay, born at Dillsburg, served as state treasurer for a term of three years and United States Senator from Pennsylvania for a period of fifteen years : convention, the following were chosen: Jeremiah S. Black was chief justice of Pennsylvania, attorney general and later secretary of state in the cabinet of President Buchanan; Jacob S. Haldeman, of Fairview Township, was minister to Norway and Sweden from 1860 to 1864, under Lincoln's

The second constitution of Pennsylvania was framed by a convention which met in Philadelphia in 1790. At the election for delegates to represent York County in this Colonel Henry Miller, Colonel Henry Schlegel, William Read, Benjamin Tyson, Benjamin Pedan and Colonel Matthew Dill. Under this constitution, the legislature was composed of two bodies, a Senate and a House of Representatives. Under the administration; Thomas E. Cochran, of previous constitution, the executive officer York, was auditor general of Pennsylvania of the state was called the president, and from 1860 to 1863; Chauncey F. Black, of was elected by the legislative assembly. Under the constitution of 1790, the chief York, served as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 1882 to 1886.

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REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

The office of Representative in Congress was created by the constitution of the United States, which was adopted Septem- ber 17, 1787, and ratified by the convention of Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787. The term of office was then made two years, and has not since been changed. The number of representatives is apportioned among the states according to population. York

County, before Adams was erected from it, was a separate Congressional district, later York and Lancaster; next York, Cumber- land and Perry; then York, Cumberland and Adams. At present York and Adams form one district. The following persons have represented the district of which York formed a part :

Thomas Hartley, John Stewart, James Kelly, William Crawford, Hugh Glas- gow, Jacob Spangler, Jacob Hostetter, York County; James Buchanan, Lan- caster; James S. Mitchell, Adam King, Charles A. Barnitz, Henry Logan, Dr. James Gerry, Dr. Henry Nes, William H. Kurtz, all of York County; Lem- uel Todd, Carlisle; Dr. John A. Ahl, Carlisle ; Benjamin F. Junkin, Perry County; Adam J. Glossbrenner, York; Richard J. Haldeman, Cumberland County ; John A. Magee, Perry County; Levi Maish, York; Frank A. Beltzhoover, Car- lisle ; William A. Duncan, Gettysburg: Dr. John Swope, Gettysburg; George J. Ben- ner, Gettysburg; James A. Stahle, Edward D. Ziegler, Robert J. Lewis, Daniel F. La- fean, York.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

The following are biographical sketches of members of Congress who have resided in York County, beginning with the year 1789 and ending with 1907.

chapter on the Bar. His success in the practice of his profession won him great prestige as a lawyer and in 1789, when the United States Supreme Court was organ- ized in the city of New York he was the first Pennsylvania lawyer admitted to prac- tice before this court, the highest tribunal of the nation.

Possessing special capabilities for the position of a legislator, he was chosen a member of the provincial convention of deputies held at Philadelphia, in 1774, and in January, 1775, he represented York County in the provincial convention held in the same city. In 1778, while still an officer in the army, Hartley was elected a member of the State Legislature. In 1779 he re- signed his military commission at the sug- gestion of his political friends, in order that he might take an active part in the public affairs of the state of Pennsylvania. In 1783 he was elected a member of the Coun- cil of Censors for Pennsylvania, and in 1787. was a member of the state convention which approved the adoption of the constitution of the United States, prepared by the national convention that year. In this convention Colonel Hartley's legal ability marked him as one of its leaders. Being an ardent Fed- eralist and a staunch supporter of General Washington both as a soldier and a states- man, Colonel Hartley became the first rep- resentative from York County 'in Con- gress under the newly adopted constitution of the United States. Owing to his ability as a legislator and a statesman, Hartley served in the national House of Representa- tives six terms, in all nearly twelve years. He died at York in 1800 while still a mem- ber of that body. During his career in Congress he made the first public speech in America on the tariff question. Being a man of varied attainments and forceful in public speech he took part in the discussion of inost of the public questions of the day. While a member of Congress his home in Philadelphia was a centre of interest and attraction. His wife, Catherine, the daugh- ter of Bernard Holtzinger, of York, pre- sided over his household with grace and dig- nity. They entertained many noted per- sons at their home in Philadelphia and on several occasions President Washington was the guest of honor at a social dinner'

COLONEL THOMAS HARTLEY, of York, who was a representative in the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Congresses, was born at Reading, in 1748. He obtained a liberal education and early in life moved to York, where he read law with Samuel Johnson, a relative of his mother, and was admitted to the bar at York in 1769. Colonel Hartley's career as a soldier will be found on page 212 in this volume and his career as a lawyer will be found in the given by Colonel and Mrs. Hartley. In

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his diary, President Washington, on two the following toast: "May York or Lan- occasions, entered complimentary reference caster be the permanent residence of Con- to the intellectual accomplishments and gress."

queenly manner of Mrs. Hartley. When Philadelphia upon his return from a tour of the southern states, in 1791, he dined at the Hartley mansion, at York, in company with other invited guests.

As a member of the House of Repre- Washington passed through York toward sentatives, as well as a soldier and a lawyer, Colonel Hartley's career was crowned with success. He was well informed on all public questions, an able debater and was influenced by a spirit of lofty patriotism. In several of his speeches he referred to the magnificent future of the American republic and was ever ready and willing to support any measures which would aid in building up and make permanent the federation of states.

When the discussion came up in Con- gress for a permanent location for the national capital, Colonel Hartley made an eloquent speech favoring the west bank of the Susquehanna at the site of Wrightsville as an appropriate place for the seat of gov- ernment. A careful perusal of the Journals of Congress will show that the location of the capital at this place would probably have been accomplished had it not been for the influence of Alexander Hamilton, who secured northern votes for the removal of the capital to the banks of the Potomac, in consideration of southern votes for the as- sumption by the national government of the debts incurred by the states in the prosecu- tion of the Revolutionary War.

During his first two terms, Colonel Hart- ley was congressman at large and was elected by a popular vote to represent the state of Pennsylvania. He was also four times chosen to represent a district now composed of York and Adams counties. Before his departure to become a member of the first Congress, in 1789, Colonel Hart- ley was waited upon by the teachers and students of the York County Academy, of He preferred to spend the remainder of his which he was one of the founders. He life at his home, devoting his attention to delivered an eloquent response in reply to an address from the principal of the acad- emy in behalf of the students and the citi- zens of the town. When he started for New York, which was then the capital of the United States, he was accompanied to the Susquehanna River by a delegation of prominent citizens. At this place a num- ber of persons from Lancaster met him. A

banquet was given in his honor at a public inn now standing at the foot of Hellam Street, in the borough of Wrightsville. Among the many toasts offered at this ban- quet was one in honor of President Wash- ington ; another "The houses of York and Lancaster, and may they be ever united." Before the close of the banquet, Colonel Hartley arose from his chair and offered

Some years before his death he erected a mansion on the south side of West Market Street, which stood on the site fronting Trinity Reformed Church. This building was constructed of the best quality of bricks. The hallways and the interior carvings were executed by the skillful hand of an artisan. This house was the finest specimen of architecture of its day in York. During his last term in Congress, Colonel Hartley suffered from an incurable disease. Although in feeble health, he was a regular attendant at the sessions of this Congress. In the fall of 1800, he published in the col- umns of the York Recorder, an address to the people of the district, declining re- nomination to Congress. He returned thanks for the confidence reposed in him by sending him six times as a representative in the highest legislative body in the land.

his profession and to his duties as major general in the state militia service. He died December 21, 1800. His remains were buried in the yard surrounding St. John's Episcopal Church, on North Beaver Street, York. A marble headstone marks the spot. In 1896, the Yorktown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed a beautiful tablet on the interior walls of this church in memory of the hon- ored soldier and statesman. This tablet was dedicated September 7, 1896, with im- posing ceremonies, in the presence of Dr. Charles H. Hall, a great-grandson of the deceased. Colonel Hartley had served as a vestryman and represented this congrega- tion in the first general convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America.

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He was a man of medium stature, fine per- tervals that he was elected to office. He sonal appearance and affable manners. He was an associate judge and was elected to was universally popular with the masses of represent the York district in the Eleventh the people, as well as the representative Congress, in 1808, as a Jefferson Democrat. men of the nation, with whom he associated He was re-elected to the Twelfth Congress for a period of twenty years. He was kind to represent the York district and to the toward the poor, generous to a fault and possessed a voice of such attractive elo- quence that he interested every person who knew him.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 101

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372