History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 120

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

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After years of depredation and cruelties, in open vio- lation of the law of nations, and in contempt of solemn treaties, have been borne, without even tolerating the means of self-preservation or the instruments of self- defense-the olive branch has been spurned, and am-

bassadors of peace and friendship repeatedly rejected with scorn.

Can still deeper humiliation be demanded of this country ?

I most cordially unite with you in your supplications to that Power which rules over all, that the measures of the United States may be directed by His wisdom, and that you, my fellow citizens, may be ever under His benevolent protection.

Philadelphia, April 21, 1798. JOHN ADAMS.

Immediately after the Revo- Fourth of July lution, the Fourth of July Celebrations. was celebrated in all the towns and cities of the

United States. At these annual demon- strations the soldiers who fought in the American army during the war, took a prominent part in the ceremonies. The town of York has always been patriotic and never failed during the first half century of our history as a nation, to celebrate with pomp and display the birth of the American republic.

July 4, 1788, the year after the town of York was incorporated into a borough and the first anniversary of the adoption of the national constitution, the ceremonies com- memorating these events were of unusual interest in the borough of York. The military companies of the town and vicinity paraded in uniform and went through the manual of arms in Centre Square in the presence of a large concourse of people. In the evening a notable banquet was held and numerous toasts drunk by patriotic citizens of the town and officers who had served in the Revolution.

It was the custom a century ago to hold the Fourth of July exercises in the groves or woods near the town of York. In 1802, says a local journal: "The Federal Repub- licans dined in town, afterward assembled in Market Square, and walked in procession to Mr. Santo's Green, where they drank a num- ber of patriotic toasts and spent the after- noon cheerfully. In the evening they were joined by Captain Ross's company of in- fantry, who accompanied them to town. The ringing of bells and firing of cannon were as usual resorted to by the citizens to express their pleasure at the recollection of that great event."

One of the most notable celebrations oc- curred in 1819, when the Fourth of July came on Sunday. "The York Phalanx," an excellent military organization, commanded

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by Captain Doudel, met at the Court House, in full uniform, and attended religious ser- vices at the Episcopal Church. Monday was set apart for the demonstrations. The day was ushered in by a discharge of artil- lery from the Public Common, the ringing of bells and the beating of the reveille. At early dawn all the military organizations of the town and vicinity paraded, and after- ward with a large concourse of people, as- sembled at Kraber's Spring, now known as Brockie, home of Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, and later of his son, Chauncey F. Black. There a feast was prepared by the ladies. After the dinner was partaken of, a long array of patriotic toasts were proposed and responded to. Dr. John Fisher was presi- dent of the meeting and Michael W. Ash delivered the oration.

The fiftieth anniversary of American in- dependence was observed with great dem- onstrations in York, July 4, 1826. The demonstrations began by the booming of cannon and the ringing of all the bells in the town. During the forenoon, half a dozen military companies paraded through the town and then went through the manual of arms. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, about fifty soldiers of the Revolution sat in a semi- circle in front of the speaker's stand on the south side of the Court House, which then stood in Centre Square. A similar meet- ing of soldiers had been addressed the year before by Daniel Webster, when he deliv- ered an oration at the laying of the corner stone of the Bunker Hill monument. The celebration at York in 1826 was full of patriotic enthusiasm. Three or four cornet bands played martial music and a choir sang patriotic airs on a platform in front of the Court House and in the presence of an audi- ence that filled Centre Square. Charles A. Barnitz, then the most eloquent member of the York County Bar, delivered an oration which was published in the next issue of the York Recorder.

YORK OR WRIGHT'S FERRY FOR THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Revolution and also served in the Pennsyl- vania Assembly in the Supreme Executive Council, was an earnest supporter of a plan to select York as the place for the national capital. In the fall of 1788, he addressed a letter to James Smith, signer of the Decla- ration of Independence, asking the latter to prepare a paper showing the advantages of York and vicinity. He further said that the town of York would be placed in nomina- tion as an eligible site, after the inaugura- tion of President Washington in April, 1789. Previously to this delegates from the thirteen original states composed the membership of Continental Congress which met as one body. Under the Constitution, the legislative authority of the country was vested in two bodies, the Senate and the House of Representatives. William Maclay and Robert Morris were the first United States Senators from Pennsylvania. In answer to Maclay's letter, a meeting of the citizens of York was held, with James Smith as president. The letter was read and the meeting unanimously resolved that it was pleasing to know that York may be selected for the federal seat, and that "all due dili- gence will be used to attain it." A com- mittee of fourteen was appointed to obtain the information requested in the letter of Senator Maclay and was composed of James Smith, Colonel Michael Smyser, Captain Michael Hahn, George Hoke, General Henry Miller, Michael Bard, William Mathews, Captain Rudolph Spangler, John Forsythe, Captain Philip Albright, Captain John Hay, Ephraim Shorb, John Stewart and James Campbell. The committee the next day selected .William Mathews, Jesse Kersey, John Forsythe and Conrad Laub to make a survey and draught of ten miles square, taking the Court House as a centre. John Hay, Michael Hahn and James Camp- bell were appointed a sub-committee to gather statistics within the survey of ten miles square. This committee reported on November 21, that within the borough of York incorporated the year before, there were twelve public buildings, including schools and churches, 412 private or dwel- ling houses, 2,884 inhabitants, 46 trades, 476 tradesmen, 23 stores, 18 taverns, 15 board- ing houses. They also reported that there were within the district proposed for the site

In 1787, immediately after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States, the town of York was considered as an ap- propriate place for the permanent seat of government. William Maclay, who had held positions of prominence during the of the Federal City, 13 merchant mills, 10

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saw mills, 2 oil mills, 2 fulling mills, I plat- ing forge and 4 hemp mills. The commit- tee gave the distance of York from the large towns and the important ferries over the Susquehanna and Potomac Rivers, in order to show the geographical importance Pennsylvania of York. They gave the prices of cereals, and other food products and referred to the fertile and productive condition of the land surrounding York.

Discussion in

The selection of a permanent site for the seat of government brought forth an animated dis-

Congress. cussion in both branches of Congress during its first ses- sion which convened in New York in 1789. Some of the Senators and Members of the House of Representatives wanted the na- tional capital built on the banks of the Sus- quehanna at Wright's Ferry, others upon the Delaware and still others on the Po- tomac. During this discussion, which lasted for a long time, Wright's Ferry, York, Harrisburg and Peach Bottom were mentioned. Some wished a centre of terri- tory, others a centre of population, and others again a centre of wealth. Senator Maclay argued in favor of Wright's Ferry as the most eligible site ; and Robert Morris favored Germantown. It is possible that the difference of opinion of these two sena- tors lost the capital of the United States to Pennsylvania. The Susquehanna measure passed the house and was agreed to in the Senate, but Germantown was afterwards substituted in the Senate through the efforts of Robert Morris. It was subsequently agreed to in the House, but, at the instance of James Madison, an amendment was made providing for the operation of the laws of Pennsylvania in the district until supplied or altered by Congress. This amendment rendered necessary the return of the bill to the Senate, where a majority appeared against Germantown, and on the 28th of September, the question still being open, the bill was postponed. It was in vain that Senator Maclay raised his prophetic voice that if the Susquehanna was yielded, the seat of government would be fixed on the Potomac. His prophecy was verified. At the next session of Congress, while the funding bill was under debate, Alexander Hamilton, then secretary of the Treasury in Washington's cabinet, secured its pas-

sage by yielding the capital to the southern states, and the permanent seat of govern- ment was fixed in the District of Columbia. The discussion of the fund- How ing bill according to Thomas Jefferson produced the most Lost. bitter' and angry contest known in Congress during the first thirty years of its history. The selection of a site for the national govern- ment became involved in this discussion. and its interests were combined with the funding bill. This was the main reason why the banks of the Susquehanna were not selected as the permanent seat of govern- ment. Colonel Thomas Hartley, a dis- tinguished lawyer and soldier, then repre- sented York County in Congress. He was one of the most prominent speakers on this subject, and, with great force and elo- quence, advocated Wright's Ferry as the site best adapted for the seat of government. In one of his speeches on this subject, he said :

As to the quality of the soil, it was in- ferior to none in the world, and though that was saying a good deal, it was not more than he believed a fact. In short, from all the information he had acquired, and that was not inconsiderable, he ventured to pro- nounce, that in point of soil, water and the advantages of nature, there was no part of the country superior. And if honorable gentlemen were disposed to pay much at- tention to a dish of fish, he could assure them that their table might be furnished with fine and good from the waters of the Susquehanna; perhaps not in such variety as in New York, but the deficiency was well made up in the abundance which liberal na- ture presented them of her various pro- ducts. It was in the neighborhood of two large and populous towns, York and Lan- caster, the latter being the largest inland town in America. Added to all these ad- vantages, it possessed that of centrality, per- haps, in a superior degree to any which could be proposed.

Richard Bland Lee, of Virginia, asked Colonel Hartley: What was the distance of Wright's Ferry from York, and whether that town, as it had once accommodated Congress, could do it again? If a per- manent seat is established why not go to it immediately? And why shall we go and fix

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

upon the banks of a rapid river, when we quantity of land as may be thought neces- can have a more healthful situation? Was the Codorus Creek, which runs through York into the Susquehanna, navigable, or could it be made so?

Colonel Hartley answered that York was ten miles from the Ferry, that it contained about five hundred houses, besides a num- ber of large and ornamental public build- ings ; that there was no doubt, that if Con- gress deemed it expedient to remove im- mediately there, the members could be con- veniently accommodated, but as the gentle- men appeared to be inclined to fix the per- manent residence on the banks of the Sus- quehanna, he was very well satisfied it should be there.

This discussion was continued by Madi- son, of Virginia; Clymer and Hiester, of Pennsylvania, and others. On the next day, the House of Representatives agreed to the following resolution reported by a committee of the whole, Resolved-That the permanent seat of the government of the United States ought to be at some con- venient place on the east bank of the river Susquehanna, in the State of Pennsylvania; and that until the necessary buildings be erected for the purpose, the seat of govern- ment ought to continue at the city of New York.

Michael Stone, of Maryland, then moved that the words "east bank"

Bank.

East or be stricken out, and the word West "banks" inserted, which, if adopted, gave the commissioners power to select either the east or west banks of the Susquehanna. This passed the House by a vote of 26 to 25. Another amendment was suggested that the words "or Maryland" should be inserted after the word "Pennsylvania," in the resolution. This resolution passed in the negative by a vote of 25 to 26. The House then adopted the following resolution, by a vote of 28 to 21 :

sary, and erect thereon, within four years, suitable buildings for the accommodation of the Congress, and of the other officers of the United States; that the Secretary of the Treasury, together with the commissioners so to be appointed, be authorized to borrow a sum, not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, to be repaid within twenty years with interest, not exceeding the rate of five per cent per annum, out of the duties on im- port and tonnage, to be applied to the pur- chase of land, and the erection of buildings, aforesaid; and that a bill ought to pass, in the present session in conformity with the foregoing resolution."

The discussion on this subject continued for a long time, and as has been stated, was not decided until the next session of Con- gress, when Philadelphia was chosen to be the capital of the United States for a period of ten years, from 1790 to 1800. Both houses of Congress finally decided the permanent seat of government should be on the banks of the Potomac.

It is interesting to relate that in 1791, President Washington made a tour of the southern states, and upon his return to Philadelphia spent three days at George- town, now in the District of Columbia. He states in his diary that before leaving Georgetown, he selected a site for the Ex- ecutive Mansion and the National Capitol. After having completed this duty, he re- turned to Philadelphia, passing through Frederick, York and Lancaster.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

LEWIS MILLER, best known as a local artist, was born in York, December 3, 1795. He was the son of John Ludwig and Cath- ine (Rothenberger) Miller. His father was born in 1747 at Nuremberg, and his mother at Heidelberg. His parents came to Amer- ica in 1771, and settled in Philadelphia. They had ten children of whom Lewis was the youngest. After residing in the eastern part of the state for several years, they re- moved to the vicinity of York where John Ludwig Miller became a successful teacher. Later he moved to York and for several years was a teacher in the parochial school

"Resolved-That the President of the United States be authorized to appoint three commissioners, to examine and report to him the most eligible situation on the banks of the Susquehanna, in the State of Pennsylvania, for the permanent seat of the government of the United States; that the in connection with Christ Lutheran church. said commissioners be authorized under the It was here Lewis Miller obtained his edu- direction of the President, to purchase such cation under the instruction of his father.

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When he had grown to manhood, he hanna and purchased land, later known as learned the carpenter's trade and followed the Maish Mill property in the present area that occupation for a period of forty years. of Windsor Township, six miles southeast of York. Meantime, he became a skilled designer and executed some wood carvings which dis- played ability as an artisan. In 1840, in company with Dr. Alexander Small and others, he went to Europe, first visiting the noted places in England. After leaving his companions, he travelled alone through Bel- gium, Holland and up the Rhine through Germany, to Austria, Hungary and Poland. A part of this trip was made on foot over historic ground on which his ancestors had lived for centuries.

He returned home in 1841 and took up his residence on the east side of South Duke Street, between Market and King, and here he died, September 15, 1882, at the age of 87 years. He never married. During his early boyhood while a student at the pa- rochial school, Lewis Miller displayed abil- ity as an artist and from 1812 almost to the time of his death, he portrayed in water color the interesting scenes and incidents which he had witnessed in his native town, and on his travels through this country and Europe. Four of these books each contain nearly two hundred manuscript pages which through the courtesy of Philip A. Small, have been placed in the Historical Society of York County. These drawings and paintings of parades, celebrations, in- teresting episodes and portraits of more than two hundred of the early citizens of York, are the most remarkable productions of their kind in America. The penmanship in the books is neatly executed and his record of events has helped to preserve many facts of local history which otherwise would have been lost to oblivion.

Among the men of prominence to leave their impress upon the early history of York County was Lorentz Schmahl who was born at Essenheim June 10, 1708. In 1728, according to a church record in his native town, Lorentz Schmahl was married to Eva Uber. On June 3, 1743, with his wife and five children he left his native country and sailed down the Rhine and on September 2 of the same year, after landing at Philadel- phia, took the oath of allegiance to King George II.

His grandfather, Lorentz Schmahl, who was born in 1614, according to a church record, resided in Essenheim in 1646 and died there in 1698, at the age of 84, leaving a wife Elizabeth and six children. Lorentz Schmahl, his eldest son and the father of Lorentz Schmahl the ancestor of the family in this country, was baptized in 1662, and was married to Anna Maria Bar- bara Kramer. According to the official re- cords, he followed the occupation of a coun- cilman in his native town and died Novem- ber 9, 1733 leaving a wife and eleven chil- dren.

Lorentz Schmahl, one of these sons, who settled in Windsor Township in 1743, fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer and died there in 1749, the year that York County was formed out of Lancaster. He was sur- vived by his wife and seven children.

Killian Schmahl, who later spelled his name Small, became the heir at law to his father's plantation at the time of the latter's death in 1749. For several years he fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer and soon after selling his plantation in Windsor Township, in 1761, purchased from Jacob Reiff, lot No. 42, on the south side of East Market Street, a short distance east of the present Court House. Here he resided the remainder of his life. Being a man of at- tainments, industry and business rectitude, he accumulated a large amount of property, among his possessions being a farm, upon which the eastern part of York has since been built. He was interested in farming throughout his whole life and also became a skilled carpenter, erecting many buildings for his friends and neighbors before 1800.

When the Revolution opened he es- poused the cause of the colonists, and was a soldier in the Third Company, Third Bat- talion York County Militia, organized in 1775. In 1777-78 a part of this battalion under Colonel David Jameson, the first phy- sician of York, with Philip Albright as lieu- tenant colonel, was present at the battles of Germantown and White Marsh. After the war Killian Small became one of the most prominent citizens of York, where he died

Following the tide of immigration, Lo- rentz Schmahl moved west of the Susque- in 1815 and was buried in the German Re-

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

formed churchyard on West Market Street. English and American Blister steel, iron Early in life he married Eva Welshhance, hoops and nail rods. The bar iron which who with seven children survived him.

GEORGE SMALL, one of his sons, born at York April 28, 1767, was a man of marked intelligence and exercised a strong influ- ence in the early mercantile interests of the borough of York. He obtained his edu- cation in the parochial school connected with the German Reformed Church, and be- came one of the leading citizens of his na- tive town. He was a successful carpenter and also followed the occupation of a cabi- net maker. Prospering in all his efforts about 1800, he established a lumber yard on North George Street, and began to build bridges and houses under the name of George Small and Company. In 1805 he erected the first county almshouse and soon afterward put up other large buildings in York and vicinity. being one of the pi- oneers in the erection of the large Sweitzer barns in the fertile valley between Wrights- ville and Hanover. George Small made the plans and superintended the erection of Christ Lutheran Church in 1813, displaying ability as an architect in the construction of the steeple. A few years later he erected the Globe Inn at the corner of West Mar- ket Street and Centre Square.

George Small married Anna Maria Ur- sula, daughter of Colonel Philip Albright and his wife Anna Maria Ursula Duenckel. She was adaughter of John Daniel Duenckel and Anna Maria von Hermsdorf Duenckel, a woman of many accomplishments, who exercised a strong influence in the society of York during its early history. George Small purchased from John Schall for the sum of 109 pounds a lot and residence on the west side of North George Street, north of Clark Alley, where he resided for a pe- riod of fifteen years. Here his three sons Philip, Samuel, Alexander and his daugh- ter Cassandra, who married Charles A. Morris, were born. In 1809 he purchased the northeast corner of East Market Street and Centre Square from Andrew Billmeyer for the sum of 1,300 pounds. He resided on the northeast angle of the square and opened a general store in another building at the corner. Meantime George Small continued his lumber business until 1815.

In 1816 he advertised that among other articles he sold "bar iron, Crowley steel,

was obtained at Curtin's Forge, Centre County, needs no recommendation."

In 1817 George Small associated with him in the mercantile business his son-in- law, Charles A. Morris, under the firm name of Small & Morris and notified the public through the York Gazette that they sold iron mongery, cutlery, plated and tinned soldery, brass and japanned ware, grain and grass scythes, and many other articles.

In 1820 the firm of Small & Morris was dissolved by mutual consent, and Charles A. Morris embarked in the drug business, first on the west side of South George Street near the Square, and later founded the Morris drug store, third door east of Centre Square on Market Street. In 1820 the firm of George Small & Son was formed, Philip A. Small, the eldest son, be- ing a partner. They continued the general mercantile business and made a specialty of hardware. In 1823 Samuel Small became associated in the business under the firm name of George Small & Sons. In 1833, George Small retired from the mercantile business and the firm of P. A. & S. Small was formed.

During his whole business career, George Small was interested in the growth and improvement of the town of York, and ad- vocated every plan to develop internal im- provement in the borough and the entire county. He was one of the incorporators of the York and Maryland Line Turnpike Company in 1809. He was also an incor- porator and director of the York Haven & Harrisburg Bridge Turnpike Company and the York & Gettysburg Turnpike Company. In 1816, he was the chief promoter in or- ganizing the York Water Company, of which he was director the remainder of his life. When a plan was set on foot to build a canal from York to the Susquehanna River in 1824, he became an active sup- porter in the enterprise and was one of the leaders in its construction. This was known as the Codorus navigation and was used for the transportation of lumber, goods and merchandise until the railroad was built to York in 1838. In 1829 he was chief bur- gess of York.

During his whole career he was inter- ested in agriculture and owned several

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farms in York County. He experimented with the growing of grapes, the making of wine and the breeding of imported live stock. In 1828 George Small purchased from his son-in-law, Charles A. Morris, a farm in Spring Garden Township, adjoining the property of his brother, Jacob Small, The biography of Dr. Alexander Small, and in 1831 erected a flouring mill which his third son, will be found in the Medical was operated by George Small & Sons, and chapter in this volume. later by P. A. & S. Small. This was the beginning of a large milling industry which the firm has conducted for three-fourths of a century. They also began to purchase a large quantity of the wheat and other cer- eals raised in York County. The product of the mills was shipped by way of Bal- timore and York to England.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 120

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