History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 133

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

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Sir :- With sentiments of the most perfect esteem and attachment, the citizens of the borough of York beg leave to present to you their sincere congratulations on your safe arrival here, after an extensive tour through that country, which owes so much to your hrave and prudent exertions in war, and to your wise and just ad- ministration in peace.

We cordially join in the general satisfaction and joy which all the citizens of America feel in seeing you, and in those universal sentiments of regard for your person and veneration for your character, which dictate the ad- dress that in various expressions have been offered to you. We join in the general satisfaction that every friend to human happiness must feel on finding that the people of the United States do not show a great and convicting proof to all the world that freedom and good government are perfectly compatible. And that a first magistrate, unanimously chosen by the people, may at office possess their utmost veneration and most hearty regard.

We wish you a safe return to the Seat of Govern- ment, and do sincerely unite with the millions in America in praying that the Supreme Governor of the universe may long continue a life which he has so emi- nently distinguished, in preserving and securing the best rights and happiness of the citizens of this greatly favored country.

In response to this eloquent address Washington wrote the following reply :

President's Reply.

Gentlemen :- I receive your congratu- lations with pleasure, and I reply to your flattering and affectionate ex- pressions of esteem with sincere and grateful regard.

The satisfaction which you derive from the congeniality of freedom with good govern- ment, which is clearly evinced in the happiness of our highly favored country, at once rewards the patriotism that achieved her liberty, and gives an assurance of its duration.

That your individual prosperity may long continue among the proofs which attest the national welfare is my earnest wish.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

companied by Colonel Hartley and half a dozen other gentlemen, I set off for Lan- caster. Dined at Wright's Ferry, where I cipal characters of Lancaster and was es- corted to the town by them, arriving about 6 o'clock."

On the following day, July 4, he wit- nessed the celebration of the fifteenth anni- versary of American independence at Lan- caster. He also attended a banquet in the Court House, which stood in Centre Square, and immediately after offering a toast to the Governor of Pennsylvania (Thomas Mifflin, who was present) he left the ban- quet hall.

Washington arrived in Philadelphia, July 6, and, says Dunlap's American Daily Ad- vertiser, "his approach was announced to the citizens by the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells."

On September 30, 1794, during his

His second term as President of the

Last United States, Washington left

Visit. Philadelphia for Carlisle, by way of Harrisburg, where he reviewed the Pennsylvania troops that were on their way to quell the so-called whiskey insurrection in southwestern Pennsylvania, accompanied by Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, and Bartholomew Dandridge, his private secretary. He proceeded as far west as Bedford, where he met General Harry Lee, of Virginia, who was to take charge of the army in crossing the Alle- gheny Mountains to the scene of the dis- turbance. After remaining there three days and aiding in the organization of troops, and hearing that the insurrection had partially subsided, he began his return to Philadelphia. He crossed the mountains to Chambersburg and then proceeded over the last ridge of the Allegheny, lodging for the night of October 25, at a public inn, situ- ated four miles northwest of the site of Get- tysburg. Nothing definite can be now stated of his visit to York on this occasion. A letter which he addressed to Alexander Hamilton, who had left him a few days before, and dated Wright's Ferry, tells all that is known of his return trip after leaving Bedford.

After arriving at Lancaster the President recorded in his diary: "July 3-Received and answered an address from the inhabi- tants of York, and there being no Episcopal minister present in that place, I went to hear morning service performed in the Dutch (German) Reformed Church-which being in that language, not a word of which I understood, I was in no danger of becom- "Thus far I have proceeded without acci- ing a proselyte to its religion by the elo- dent to man, horse or carriage, although the

---- -

COL. THOMAS HARTLEY AND WIFE

THE MORAVIAN PARSONAGE

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THE CITY OF YORK

latter has had wherewith to try its good- ness; especially in ascending the North Mountain from Skinners by a wrong road; that is, by the old road which never was good and is rendered next to impassable by neglect.

signer of the Declaration of Independence ; Major John Clark, William Ross and Ralph Bowie, leading members of the bar ; Colonel John Hay, and many others."

Major General Anthony Wayne,

General who had spent nearly three

"I rode yesterday afternoon through the Wayne. months in York during the Revo- lution, in 1781, stopped in town rain from York to this place, and got caught twice in the height of the rain. I was de- for a day in 1796. General Wayne was a

layed by that means and hung on the rocks native of Pennsylvania, and one of the in the middle of the Susquehanna. I do not ablest soldiers of the Revolution. Several intend to go further than Lancaster to-day. But on Tuesday, if no accident happens, I expect to be landed in the City of Philadel- phia." companies of York County soldiers served under him at the battles of Brandywine, Paoli and Germantown. His arrival at York in 1796 aroused the patriotic spirit of A funeral procession in memory of the death of George Washington took place in York a few days after he died at Mt. Ver- the people. He had recently won a great victory over the Indians in Ohio. The Pennsylvania Herald, published at York, in non, December 14, 1799. The death of this . its issue of February 3. 1796, contains the illustrious soldier and statesman caused pro- following article : found sorrow throughout the entire coun- 'On Monday evening, last, General Wayne arrived in this place on his way from the westward to Philadelphia. Soon after his arrival he was waited on by the members of the Corporation, and other respectable inhabitants of the borough, and at their re- quest consented to stay and spend the next day with them. A public dinner was pro- vided at Colonel Steel's Tavern, and many federal and patriotic toasts were given on this occasion.' try. The patriotic fervor inspired by the success of the War for Independence at this time prevailed to a remarkable degree in York County. There were then living in the town and county a large number of officers and men who had fought gallantly in many battles under the command of the departed hero. Following the example car- ried out in New York, Philadelphia and other cities in the Union, our forefathers honored their deceased Chief Magistrate by On Thursday, May 29, 1800, the a solemn parade through the streets of John borough of York was honored by York. The marshals who headed this pro- Adams. a visit from John Adams, who was then serving the last year of his term as President of the United States. He was on his way from Philadelphia to Wash- ington, where the Executive Mansion had just been finished, ready for the occupancy of the President. John Adams had been inaugurated as the Chief Executive of the nation at Philadelphia, March 4, 1797, and during his administration the capital was removed from Philadelphia to Washington. An interesting coincidence is the fact that President Washington passed through York in 1791, immediately after deciding the sites for the White House and the public buildings in the District of Columbia, and his successor, John Adams, passed through York on his first trip to the new Federal City to take up his residence in the White House at Washington. Congress held its cession were General Henry Miller, Charles Hartley, son of Colonel Hartley, Rev. Jacob Goering, of Christ Lutheran Church; Rev. Daniel Wagner, of Zion Reformed Church ; Rev. Robert Cathcart, of the Presbyterian Church, and Colonel Thomas Campbell. Following these was a casket carried by eight pallbearers, Frederick Laumaster, Christopher Stoehr. Lewis Shive, Peter Shetter, Jacob Craumer, Joseph Craft, Michael Edward, and Conrad Welshans. Next came a company of "mourners" in line and following these a band with horns and stringed instruments, drums and fifes. The musicians were John Barnitz, George Barnitz, Stephen Horn, Jacob Doll, Daniel Lauman. Charles Barnitz, John Brenise, George Hay, Charles Fisher, John Morris, John Fisher. In the long procession of citizens who followed were James Smith, first session in Philadelphia, March 4. 1790,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

and its last session in Philadelphia ad- came here as a delegate to Continental Con- journed May 14, 1800. Fifteen days later President Adams arrived in York.

The York Recorder for June 4, 1800, con- tains the following in reference to this visit :

"Thursday last the President of the United States, attended by his secretary, Mr. Shaw, arrived here on his way to the Federal City. He was met on his approach by the cavalry commanded by Lieutenant John Fisher, and Captain Philip Gossler's Light Infantry, and escorted to town, where he was received by the inhabitants, with ringing of bells, and other demonstrations of respect.

"'Sir :- The corporation and inhabitants of the Bor- ongh of York, beg leave to express the pleasure they feel upon the arrival of the Chief Magistrate of the Union. Your presence strongly renews in our grateful remembrances your many faithful, and important public services; and while we are gratified with beholding you amongst us, permit us to express our grateful feelings, by a justly appreciating sense, of those virtnes, that patriotism and integrity, which has rendered you a most distinguished blessing, and benefactor to your country. As your public life has been so successfully devoted to the service of the American people, it is our fondest hope that Heaven may continue to add still more to the happiness and prosperity of the Republic, which you have been so greatly instrumental in creating.

"' Accept our warmest wishes for your personal wel- fare and safe return.

"'JOHN EDIE, Chief Burgess.'

Adams' To which the President returned Reply. an answer as follows :

"' Fellow Citizens :- I received with much satisfaction, this friendly address. In revisiting the great counties of Lancaster and York, after an interval of three and twenty years, I have not only received great pleasure from the civilities of the people, which have deserved my grateful acknowledgments, but a much higher delight from the various evidences of their happiness and prosperity. The multiplication of in- habitants, the increase of buildings for utility, com- merce, and ornament, and the extensive improvements of the soil have everywhere given to the appearances around us, a polish in some measure, resembling those countries where art, skill and industry have been ex- hausted, in giving the highest finishings and the cultiva- tion of the lands for many hundred years.

"'In return for your kind wishes, I pray for the con- firmation and extension to you and your prosperity of every blessing you enjoy.

"'JOHN ADAMS.'"

Shortly afterwards he proceeded on his journey, escorted by the same military corps which met him on his arrival.

to his former appearance in York.

gress when that body removed from Phila- delphia to York during the latter part of September, 1777. While in Congress at York, he served as President of the Board of War. Soon after his retirement from Congress in March, 1778, he was sent as a special envoy to the Court of France in order to assist Benjamin Franklin to secure the support of the French Government in our War for Independence.

On Saturday morning, February

Andrew 14, 1819, General Andrew Jack-

Jackson. son, then the head of the Ameri- can army, left Washington for "Next morning the officers of the bor- Baltimore. He arrived in Baltimore in the ough, accompanied by a number of citizens, evening of the same day and remained in waited upon his Excellency and presented the following address : that city over night. Early the following · morning, he and his party left for York, traveling in a carriage and in an open barouche.

Upon their arrival at the Pennsylvania line, they found considerable amount of snow on the ground and when they reached the public inn of Cornelius Garrettson, four- teen miles south of York, they stopped for dinner and sent their carriages back to Bal- timore.

Cornelius Garrettson was employed by General Jackson to convey the party in a large sleigh to York. The sleigh, which was drawn by four horses, broke down three miles on this side of the Garrettsoll tavern. It became necessary then to get two large sleds from farmers and in this way the great soldier and his companions arrived at York on the evening of February 14.

Jackson had won undying fame as a sol- dier in the war against the Seminole In- dians in Florida and Georgie, and in the great victory he had gained over the British army during the war of 1812 in New Or- leans. At the time he arirved in York, he was the idol of the nation, honored every- where for his military achievements and recognized as the greatest soldier of his day in America.

The local incidents relating to the visit of Andrew Jackson to York are given in the following story from the York Gazette of February 18, 1819:

"Major General Jackson, and his suite ar-

In his response President Adams referred rived at this place on Sunday evening last, He February 14. on his way to West Point in

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THE CITY OF YORK

New York. The General was in as much Small, Barnitz, Freysinger and Stuck, and haste as if he had been pursuing Seminole a vast multitude of people from the town Indians. He arrived here at 7 o'clock at and county, The tour of Lafayette through night and pursued his journey the same all the twenty-four states then in the Union night as far as Lancaster. His suite was had caused a wave of patriotism to pass over the entire land such as had never before been known, and the enterprising editor of the York Gazette, in the issue of February 8, 1825, says : composed of Colonel Butler, Dr. Bronaugh, Captain Young, Captain Huston, Captain Gall, General Owens, General Bryan, Colo- nel Pervaul, and Colonel Mason. The Gen- eral and his suite alighted at the house of "The people of York County poured forth overflowing hearts of gratitude and wel- come to him whose name is a passport to the heart of every American." Robert Hamersly, and as soon as it was known that he was in town, a large con- course of citizens assembled to have a look at the 'Hero of New Orleans.' The Gen- eral is a man of remarkably plain and easy manners, and those who went to see him were much pleased with the frank and open way in which they were received by him."

The hotel kept by Robert Hamersly in 1819 stood on South George Street, adjoin- ing the site of the Colonial. It was at this hostelry that Andrew Jackson remained for one hour in York, and was greeted by his friends and admirers. Before leaving for Lancaster the General had difficulty with Cornelius Garrettson, who had brought the party to York. Owing to the accidents Garrettson demanded a payment of $50.00. Upon hearing this the General lost his tem- per and in a very impetuous way refused to pay the amount. He finally offered $30.00, which was accepted by Mr. Garrettson just as the party left on their eastern trip. Dur- ing the campaign of 1828, when Jackson was a candidate for President of the United States, his difficulty with Cornelius Garrett- son was frequently commented upon by the local and state newspapers.

In 1825, Lafayette, who was Lafayette. making a tour of this country as the "Guest of the Nation," arrived in York from Baltimore, January 29. He proceeded to Harrisburg, accompanied by Dr. Adam King, who the next year was elected to Congress from York County; Colonel M. H. Spangler, who so gallantly commanded the York Volunteers at the bat- tle of North Point in 1814, and Jacob Spangler, then surveyor general of Pennsyl- vania. They returned to York on Wednes- day, February 2, and upon their arrival at the turnpike gate at 4 P. M. were met by a battalion of volunteers composed of Captain Nes' artillery, Captain Smith's rifle com- pany, four other companies under Captains

General Lafayette entered York in a ba- rouche drawn by four gray horses, and as the procession passed through the principal streets, all the bells of the town were ringing and all the sidewalks, windows, doors and porticos were filled with people, shouting their "Welcome, thrice welcome, Lafay- ette."

General Lafayette, on this visit, was ac- companied by his son, George Washington Lafayette, who was born during the Revo- lution, when his father commanded a divi- sion of soldiers under Washington. His - private secretary, Levasseur, who afterward wrote two volumes on Lafayette's visit to America, was with him at York. After the procession through the streets of the town, the distinguished party, drove to the Globe Inn, situated at the southwest corner of Centre Square and West Market Street. During the evening the town was brilliantly illuminated.

In February, 1778, while Congress was in session here, Lafayette had spent nearly three weeks in York. At the reception given in his honor at the Globe Inn, a num- ber of soldiers who had fought under him paid their respects to the distinguished guest. He greeted them with great cordial- ity. Later in the evening he held another reception in a large room, when several hun- dred ladies and gentlemen shook hands with him. Many of these persons wore a small silk badge, containing in its centre a steel portrait of Lafayette engraved by William Wagner, of York. One of these souvenirs was worn by Miss Catharine Barnitz, a young woman who afterward became the wife of Henry Welsh. In 1905, this badge was presented by her grand-daughter, Catharine B. Welsh, to the Historical So- ciety of York County.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

About 9 o'clock in the evening, Banquet in His one hundred gentlemen, citizens of York and invited guests, par- Honor. took of a banquet in the dining room of the Globe Inn. It was an interesting event to all who were present and many of the incidents which took place on this occasion were often repeated by the Lafayette talked freely to many people, grooms. speaking often of the grandeur of the American Republic, which he had helped to found during the Revolution. He spoke English with difficulty, having never thor- oughly acquired the ability to converse fluently in our language. Among the many toasts offered at this banquet were the fol- lowing :

To which he responded: "The town of York, the seat of our American Union in our most gloomy time. May her citizens enjoy a proportionate share of American prosperity.'

The dining room was beautifully deco- rated with evergreen and flags. Twelve elegant chairs, six of which had been owned by Colonel David Grier, and the other six by Colonel Thomas Hartley at their homes in York, were arranged on both sides of the table at which Lafayette sat. These chairs were afterward purchased and owned by Grier Hersh, of York, a lineal descendant of Colonel David Grier, of the Revolution.

The visit of Lafayette has always been recorded as one of the most interesting events in the history of York. On the day after the reception and the banquet, this great Frenchman reviewed the military companies, then organized in York and vicinity, and together with his son and pri- vate secretary was driven in a barouche to Baltimore.

Funeral Procession.

An impressive funeral cere- mony through the streets took place in York. June 26. 1834, in honor of Lafayette, shortly after his death in France. This occurred about ten years after Lafayette had visited York, when he made a tour of the United

County Academy, delivered the eulogy on the life and character of Lafayette. The clergy and physicians of the town, on foot, headed the procession, and were followed by a band of music playing a solemn dirge. Next came the hearse drawn by four black horses with their grooms wearing white sashes. The hearse was followed by a grey

participants, even by the last survivor. horse, elegantly caparisoned and led by two Surviving soldiers of the Revolu- tion and the volunteers who had taken part in the battle of North Point, near Baltimore, came next. Following these in order were, the field and staff officers of the Fifth Divi- sion York County Militia ; the borough and county officials : members of the bar, state legislature, and York Navigation Company, fire companies, professors and students of "Lafayette: We love him as a man, hail him as a deliverer, revere him as a champion of freedom and welcome him as a guest." the Reformed Theological Seminary, stu- dents and teachers of the York County Academy, and the borough schools. All persons in the procession were requested to wear crape on the left arm, and for thirty days after the funeral. This was an im- posing ceremony and one of the most sol- emn occasions in the history of York.

York was honored by a visit

General from General William Henry

Harrison. Harrison, the "Hero of Tippe- canoe," October 8, 1836. He was then in the zenith of his fame as a mili- tary chieftain and was nominated for Presi- dent in 1836 by the Whig party against Martin Van Buren, the candidate of the Democratic party. In this campaign, Gen- eral Harrison had as his running mate for Vice President, Francis Granger. The Whig ticket was defeated this year, but General Harrison was renominated by his party in 1840 and elected President, being the first candidate of the Whig party chosen to that high office. In this campaign his opponent again was Martin Van Buren, the candidate of the Democratic party for re- election, but was defeated. General Harri- son died one month after his inauguration and was succeeded by John Tyler. The following interesting account of General Harrison's visit to York appeared in the York Republican in its issue of October II, 1836:

" In compliance with the invitation of his

States as a guest of the nation. Jacob Em- friends in this borough, the distinguished mitt was chief marshal of the procession. soldier, General William Henry Harrison, Rev. Stephen Boyer, principal of the York visited York on Saturday last. On the

745

THE CITY OF YORK

morning of that day, he left Lancaster and ered by Rev. J. G. Schmucker, D. D., the arrived about noon at Columbia, where he pastor, Rev. Robert Cathcart, pastor of the was cordially received by the citizens, and Presbyterian Church, and Hon. Charles A. Barnitz, who had just returned from Con- gress. took dinner. In the afternoon, accompanied by the Lancaster committee, and a number of other persons, he crossed the bridge and The remains of President Harrison were conveyed through York to the place of burial at North Bend, Indiana, June 17, 1841, two months after his death. The fol- lowing is a description of the ceremonies which took place when the funeral cortege passed through the town: reached Wrightsville about 2 o'clock P. M. He was then introduced by Colonel George Mayer, chairman of the Lancaster commit- tee, to a number of citizens from York, and was addressed by Hon. Charles A. Barnitz, of York, and tendered a hearty and warm welcome to the territory of York County, "The sacred relics of a great and good man were brought from Washington to Bal- timore on Saturday last, and remained in the latter city until Monday morning, the volunteers supplying a military guard for the body, which was also attended by a guard of honor from the Marine Corps at Washington, commanded by Colonel Hen- derson, who are to accompany it to its final resting place at North Bend. The Balti- more and Susquehanna Railroad Company, with a liberality which does them the high- est credit, tendered to the committee charged by the citizens of Cincinnati with the duty of removing the body to the west, a special train of cars to carry it to Colum- bia, and also invited the military companies of the city to attend it to that point. In- telligence of the intention to bring the re- mains through York having reached here on Sunday last, measures were taken to pay the last sad honors to the memory of the de- ceased president. A committee on the part and the hospitality of its citizens. To this General Harrison responded in an unpre- meditated address, remarkable for its ap- propriate neatness of phraseology, in which he adverted to the refuge afforded by York County to Congress, of which his father had been a member in the darkest period of the Revolution. He was greeted by the enthu- siastic cheers of the large assemblage of 1,000 persons, who had congregated to see and testify their high regard for him. Har- rison was brought to York the same after- noon, in a handsome barouche, and was es- corted by a long line of carriages, gigs and horsemen, among which was a large omni- bus, filled with young mechanics of York, bearing banners with the appropriate motto, ' Harrison and Granger! American me- chanics vote for no man who rides in a British coach.' The procession, whose ap- proach was announced by the firing of a cannon, and hailed by the excellent music of the St. Cecelia Society, was met at the of the volunteers and citizens started early head of town by a number of citizens, who on Monday morning to meet the incoming cheered with good will the arrival of the train from Baltimore and attend it to town. hero and statesman. General Harrison At 10 o'clock the military corps paraded, and the Beneficial Association, fire com- stopped at the Washington House, where he was received by a committee, the chair- panies, literary societies, the clergy, mem- man of which. John Gardner, welcomed him to town, and the President replied in an in- teresting speech. Through the evening the hotel was crowded with citizens who paid their respects to the honored guest. He at- tended public worship at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, and this morning left York early to proceed to Maryland."

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 133

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