History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 20

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 20

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" After the town had been thus laid out, if any one wished for a lot therein, he applied at the proper office, or in the words of his certificate he "entered his name for a lot in the town of York, in the county of Lancas- ter, No." &c.

"The first application or entry of names for lots in Yorktown was in November, 1741. In that month 23 lots were taken up, and no more were taken up until the 10th and 11th of March, 1746, when 44 lots were dis- posed of. In 1748, and the two years follow- ing, many applications were made, for York had then become a county town. The names of the persons who first applied for, and took up lots in York, (Nov. 1741,) are as follows, viz .: John Bishop, No. 57; Jacob Welsch, No. 58; Baltzer Spengler, No. 70; Michael Swoope, No. 75; Christopher Croll, No. 85; Michael Laub, No. 86; George Swoope, No. 87, 104, 124, & 140; Zachariah Shugart No. 92; Nich- olas Stuke, No. 101; Arnold Stuke, No. 102; Samuel Hoake, No. 105; Hermanus Bott, No.

*Gibson, J., 7 Sergeant and Rawle, 188. +Woodward J., 8 Wright, 501.

¿All the titles of lands in the horough of York are derived from the Penns. The quit rents were reserved and paid. The agency for the Penns was inthe hands of Hon. John Cadwala- der of Philadelphia, and the local agent here was Hon. Charles A. Barnitz, and afterward David G. Barnitz, Esq. The last pur- cbase of lands within the hounds of the Manor of Springets- bury, was made by Daniel Keller of Windsor Township in 1858, the title to the piece of land before that being only one of occu- pancy hy his father. This occupancy, however, inured to all of his heirs as tenants in common.

SPRINGETSBURY MANOR.

106; George Hoake, No. 107 and 117; Jacob Crebill, No. 108; Matthias Onvensant, No. 118; Martin Eichelberger, No. 120; Andrew Coaler, No. 121, Henry Hendricks, No. 122; and Joseph Hinsman, No. 123.

"The manner of proceeding to obtain a lot was thus : The person wishing for one, ap- plied for and requested the proprietors, to permit him to " take up a lot." They then received a certificate of having made such application ; the lot was then surveyed for him.

"The paper given to the applicant certify- ing that he had entered his name, and men- tioning the conditions, was then usually called " a ticket, " or else the particular ap- plicant was named, as "George Swoope's ticket." These tickets were transferable ; the owner of them might sell them, assign them, or do what he pleased with them. The possession of a ticket was by no means the same as owning a lot. It only gave a right to build, to obtain a patent, for the lots were granted upon particular conditions, strenuously enforced,

"One of the usual conditions was this, viz. : "that the applicant build upon the lot, at his own proper cost, one substantial dwel- ling house, of the dimensions of sixteen feet square at least, with a good chimney of brick or stone, to be laid in or built with lime and sand, within the space of one year from the time of his entry for the same." A continual rent was to be paid to the pro- prietors, Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, for every lot taken up. This was a "yearly rent of seven shillings, sterling money of Great Britain, or the value thereof in coin current according as the exchange should be between the province and the city of London. " Beside this, the lot was held "in free and common socage, by fealty only in lieu of all other services. "

"When the applicant had built, or in some cases had begun to build, he received, if he so wished, a patent. But this patent most explicitly stated the conditions ; and if these conditions were not fulfilled, he was de- prived of his lot, and it was granted to some one else. "

The first lot taken up in Yorktown was that on which the tavern stands, now owned by John Hartman, and occupied by Daniel Eichelberger.

Then the adjoining lot toward the conrt house, was taken up.

The next lots were that on which Nes' Brewery stands, in North George Street, and another east of it, the latter of which is still vacant.

Then a lot nearly opposite the German Reformed Church, and the two lots adjoining it on the west.

Then were chosen at about the same time, the lot on which Isaac Baumgardner's dwel- ling house stands ; that occupied by the house of John Lay, on the corner of Main and Water Streets ; that occupied by the house of Doll, gunsmith ; those by Judge Barnitz, Charles Hayes' store, the New York Bank, William Sayres, and the house on the southwest cornerof Main and Beaver Streets, belonging to the estate of David Cassat, Esq., deceased.

"The building of Yorktown proceeded but slowly ; for though many took up lots, yet few were enabled fully to comply with the conditions ; the consequence was, the lots were forfeited, and thereby honest industry discouraged. And indeed the fear of not being able to accomplish, in so short a period, what they wished to commence, deterred many from beginning what might end in folly. It should be remembered that at that time the conveniences for house-building were few. It appears from a statement made by George Stevenson on the 10th of April. 1851, that at that time there were fifty lots built on, agreeably to the tickets. Three of these lots were then occupied by churches, viz .: two by the German Lutheran and one by the German Reformed. Hence there could not have been at that time more than forty-seven dwelling houses in the town of York, and many of them must have been truly miserable.

"At about this period York must have been a most desert place, very unlike what she now is in the "splendor of her domes," and the "richness of her profusion." In an old record it is alleged as a heavy offence against George Hoak, that "within the very limits of York, he had cut down the proprietaries' timber in large quantities for burning brick and lime." In a letter written in 1750, it is said that "sundry persons have cut off the wood of the town land to burn brick, and are now burning brick on lots not granted, to the damage of the inhabitants, who ought to have the wood for firing, and of the pur- chasers of the ungranted lots, which are spoiled by clay holes." In the first settle- ment of York many inconveniences and diffi- culties arose from persons taking possession of lots without having, in the first place. secured a legal title. Some erected small houses on different lots "without license or entry ;" but for this they were reported to the Governor and were obliged to leave their tabernacles. Of this many instances are

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

found recorded in old papers. Thus Jacob Billmayer built on lot No. 55, Jacob Falkler on lot No. 60, and Avit Shall on lot No. 74, "without the proprietaries' license." Each of them was obliged to deliver up possession; and this they did on the 10th of April, 1751, "to Nicholas Scull, Esq., agent for the hon- orable proprietaries."

"The early settling of Yorktown was one continual scene of disturbance and conten- tion ; there were warring rights and clasb- ing interests. It often happened that differ- ent men wanted the same lot, and when the lot was granted to one, the others were watchful to bring about a forfeiture. The loss of lots by not fulfilling conditions was for a long time a serious evil, concerning which clamors were loud.

"We will here insert a letter dated at Lan- -

caster, the 24th of April, 1750, and addressed by Thomas Cookson, 'to Geo. Stevenson, Esq., at York.'

" Sir :- Christian Oyster in his life time entered for a lot in York, No. 82. The time for building expired, but no new entry was made till lately, as I understood, with you. The widow is since married, and her husband has put up logs for a house on the lot. He told me that he applied to you, and ac- quaiuted you with his intentions of building, and that you had promised him that no advantage should be taken of the forfeiture of the lot, and that he might proceed to build, and that since, through neglect, you have suffered another person to enter that lot, who insists on a right to it, notwithstand- iog the building erected on it. I find that taking advantage of the forfeiture of lots is a great spur to the people's building. But where there is an intent and preparation for building. I would not be too strict in insisting on the forfeiture, as the sole intent is to have the town improved ; and if the first tak- ers up of lots will build and settle, their priority of application should be favored. A few examples will be necessary to be made; and they should be made of such persons as take up lots for sale with- out improvement. There are some others here about their forfeited lots. But I am well satisfied that you do everything that is reasonable and equi- table to the people, and for the advancement of the proprietor's interest. Our court being so near, I could not spare time to come to York. Please let me know in what forwardness my home is.

I am your most humble servt., THOS. COOKSON.

"Lancaster, April 24, 1750."

George Stevenson wrote to Richard Peters, York, 26th of October, 1754. In answer to en- quiries about Yorktown, and the lands adjac. ent:

The tract of land whereon the town stands con- tains 437} acres, or 412 acres and allowance. On the 1st of October, 1749, the town consisted of sixty-three dwelling houses of wood, all built on High Street and Water Street (except two), about ten of which were not finished, and also a Lutheran and a Calvinist Church .*

All houses had Dutch stoves, but one room in town had a fireplace. All the lot holders were Ger-

mans. There were 210 dwellings, three of brick and two of stone, thirty not yet finished. The Streets were High Street, Duke Street, Water Street, Prince Street, Queen Street.

The following letter is dated at York, the 8th of June, 1764, and is addressed by George Stevenson to William Peters, Secretary of the land office.

"Yesterday at 6 o'clock P. M., Mr. Hemel and myself met the two Doudels together, with sundry other inhabitants of the place, to try to settle the difference between them about the lots lately granted to Michael, on west side of Codorus Creek, and south side of High Street continued. After many things said on both sides, Michael pro- posed to bind himself by any reasonable instrument of writing, not to build a tan-yard on the said lots for the space of five years next to come; which I thought was reasonable. But nothing would satisfy Jacob but the lots, and he offered to give Michael the two opposite lots on the other side of High Street, and to plough them and fence them (for Michael has ploughed and fenced his). This offer gave great offence to all the company, 'what,' said they, 'is nobody to have a lot but the two Doudels?' For my own part, I do acknowledge they are industrious men, and deserve a lot as well as their neighbors, but at the same time there are other people who have paid dear for lots here, and have improved them well, and deserve lots as well as they. Sundry persons are building on the pro- prietors' lots on the east side of the creek, saying they deserve and want lots as well as the Doudels. I think an immediate stop ought to be put to this, otherwise it will be productive of great trouble to you. I make free to write this account of these things to put you upon your guard, and beg leave to advise you uot to grant any other lots until I see you, which will be in about two weeks. In the meantime, I shall lay out the Parson's lot for his pasture, and shall bring down an exact draught of it and of all the low bottom lands. Pray let me hear from you about these people that will build, and have built. Fas aus nefat, I am, &c."

Samuel Johnston wrote to William Peters, York Town, January 12, 1765, that James Smith had purchased from the people settled thereon, and applied for warrants for lands within seven miles of York. One tract from Garret Hummell, in Manchester Township. One place belonged to Michael Ramble and a third to one Lichteberger. The letter was written to prevent injury to the proprietary. People were pressing to know the price of lots or half lots, let out at twenty shillings yearly. They would all be taken up on the Main Street in a short time.

William Matthews wrote to William Peters, York Town, April 15, 1765, that he had made drafts on the west side of the Codorus, and as Samuel Johnston was not at home he had got Dr. Jameson to go with him aud fix the place for the cross streets. And as Newberry Street would suit very well to build upon, he had laid the lots adjoining it the other way, and left a twenty-foot alley at the end of them, which happens just in the swamp. "I have laid the ground Michael Doudel holds out into half lots, as well as all the rest on High Street except Jacob Doudel's two lots. It did

*VII Archives, 2d S.

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

not suit to go so nigh Botts' land in that angle, on High Street, as what thee mentioned iu thy instructions, unless there could be some land got of Bott in exchange." That people desirous of knowing the terms " should likewise be glad to know how many lots old Seagler, the brickmaker, has entered for or got the grant of, and the numbers, as he is digging and improving several. If he is suf- fered to go on he will ruin them for anyone else taking them, and then leave them, as he and some other brickmakers have done, one whole square on the creek. If the brick- maker was allowed but two instead of four, it would more likely secure the quit rent."

Mr. Secretary Peters wrote to Mr. Johnston of York, June 1, 1765, that the Governor and the agents insist upon twenty shillings quit rent for each inner half lot of thirty-two and a half feet front, on the West side of Cod- orus, and to reserve a whole sixty- five foot lot at each corner of a street for the proprietor. Lots must be taken before the first of July.

Daniel Dingle applied for the two half lots, No, 328, joining Jacob Doudel'e two patented lots on Codorus, but as Jacob and Daniel Doudel had applied for a lot or two there, their resolution required whether they will take any more there at twenty shillings per half lot.

Samuel Johnston wrote to William Peters, York, June 8, 1765, that Daniel Doudel thought the terms too high, and would not take up the lots, and Dingle could have them.

There was a project on foot to alter the present road from about Newberry Street to Carlisle and toward Lewis Ferry, to pass through Wright's land, which would be a great hurt to the town, and the proprietary interest. There should be an application to the court to prevent it.

June 6, 1765, petition by inhabitants of Yorktown, from the court house upward, for a road to cross the Codorus, at the north end of George Street, thence to run until it intersects a road which leads from York to John Garretsons, at Big Conewago Creek.

There was another from the inhabitants of the lower part of Yorktown, near the bridge, and another from the inhabitants of West Manchester Township for a road to be laid out to the north part of Manchester and New- berry Townships, to cross the Codorus oppo- site Water Street, and that they had raised a subscription for building a bridge and main- taining it seven years. The last two peti- tions were presented in order to prevent the first from taking effect, as the inhabitants in the lower part of the town have at present the first offer of everything coming to market.

Mr. Johnston himself desired a lot on the north side of the main street, on the rise of the hill.

The Governor's orders to Mr. Johnston, of York, on the 9th of September, 1765, were to give notice to brickmakers to desist till application and its reasonableness were con- sidered ; to prevent any waste being com- mitted in the timber on any of the proprie- tor's land near York.

At the time of the execution of the warrant of survey of Springetsbury Manor, namely, from the 12th to the 13th of June, 1768, there was another survey of "the tract of land sit- uated on both sides of the Codorus Creek, whereon the town of York stands," returned into the land office. The survey was made by John Lukens, and it was found to contain " the quantity of 421 acres and thirty-seven perches, with allowance of six per cent for roads and highways, 446} acres, neat meas- ure."

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

THE removal of the Indians to the western portion of the state, particularly of the Delawares and Shawanese, and the hostile attitude of these savages towards the English, through an alliance with the French, assumed a terrible shape when war began for the posses- sion of the Ohio Valley. The French claimed the right of possession to that territory by virtue of the discoveries of La Salle, extending to the Allegheny mountains, and of Marquette ard Joliet on the Mississippi, with the trib- utary claims. The British claimed by virtue of their purchases from the Indians and through traditionary Indian conquests. * The encroachments of the French upon the prov- ince, and the building of forts by them within the same, occasioned alarm which had already roused the neighboring colonies to take active measures to displace them. Not- withstanding the call of the British govern- ment, and of the proprietaries, and appeals from the adjoining colonies for means and men for the defence of Pennsylvania, the General Assembly failed to make the necessary preparations. On the one side it was con- tended that it was the fault of the Assembly, which was composed almost exclusively of Quakers, who ostensibly opposed all assistance and all measures looking to supplies for the purposes of war. Indeed, it was asserted by them that they could live amicably with the

* Irving's Life of Washington, Vol. I, Page 44.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Indians, through the policy of the founder of the commonwealth, and apparently they failed of any apprehension of danger, not- withstanding the threatening aspect of the French invasions and the Indian outrages. On the other hand, it was asserted that the object of the Quakers was to maintain their power, and that it was their jealousy of the proprietaries, and of the proprietaries' gov- ernment and its military dependents, that prompted their refusal. The Assembly con- tended that measures of defense were impeded by the proprietaries themselves, who in concert with the board of trade sought con- trol of the revenues of the province, and the regulation of the paper currency. The Assembly were firm in their position. So bitter was the controversy, that it was said they "would rather the French would conquer than they would give up their privileges to the proprietaries."* They made money redeemable by the excise tax in a limited number of years, but these supplies, under the terms, the Governor refused to accept. Benjamin Franklin, as agent for the province in London, presented on the 20th of August, 1757, "Heads of Complaint," among which was the following: "That the proprietaries have enjoined their deputy by instructions to refuse his assent to any law for raising money by a tax, though ever so necessary for the defense of the country, unless the greatest part of their estate is exempted from such tax. This to the Assembly and people of Pennsylvania appears both unjust and cruel." To this the answer was given: "The proprietaries conceive that the last paragraph of the complaint is extremely injurious to them, and very un- just, as it insinuates that they would not contribute their proportion to the defense of the province. It is true they did instruct their Lieutenant-Governor not to assent to any law by which their quit rents should be taxed. This they did because they thought it not proper to submit the taxing their chief rents due to them, as Lords of the fee, to the representatives of their tenants. But that there might not be the least shadow of pre- tense for accusing them of cruelty and in- justice, they ordered five thousand pounds to be paid for the public service out of the arrears of that very fund .; "It was also said at the time, that the Quakers had influenced the Germans to take part with them in sup- port of the independence of the Assembly, by causing them to believe that it was to their interest to do so, if they wished to preserve their farms; that the intent was to enslave

them and force their young men to be soldiers and make them work upon the fortifications and suffer as they did in Germany. That at one time nearly 1,800 Germans voted in Philadelphia, which threw the balance on the side of the Quakers, though their oppo- nents voted 500 more than ever lost an election before; and that the French based their hopes on the Germans, who thought a large farm the greatest benefit in life. Soon after the defeat at Great Meadows and the capit- ulation of Fort Necessity, July 3, 1754, a petition from 1,000 families in the back part of the colony, praying that they might be furnished with arms and ammunition, was rejected, although it was reported that the French were within 225 miles of Phila- delphia with 6,000 men and a great body of Indians. Some Germans, of whom many were Mennonites, had the same principles as the Quakers, holding it unlawful to take an oath or to take arms .* We do not know how far this conduct of the Friends and Germans affected the people of York County, where were settled so many of the latter. It appears, however, by the subse- quent events of the war, that they were active in raising men and means for the defense of the province, led by citizens of the then already important town of York. Notwith- standing the peaceable and friendly policy of William Penn, there were things beyond his control and that of his successors. The

abuses committed in the Indian trade, the unjust dispossession of them of their lands, as well as the instigations of the French, to- gether with other instances of wrongs, caused the alienation of the Delawares and Shaw- anese, whom we will find foremost in the fierce and bloody attacks upon our frontiers. The Iroquois, as early as 1744, had warned the government of Pennsylvania that these tribes would join the enemy. To this it may be said, in fact, that it appears the Six Nations drove them to desperation. The Delawares had to redeem their character as men. In 1754, millions of acres, includ- ing the hunting grounds of the Delawares and other tribes, were sold without consulting them. f

Gen. Braddock arrived in this country in February, 1755, and immediately demanded supplies from the Pennsylvania Assembly to dislodge the French from their fortifica- tions in this province. In order to accom- plish this purpose, it was necessary to open roads from the inhabited parts of it westward

*II Archives, 258.

+VILI Col. Rec, 278-280.

* Briel account of the state of the Province from a gentle- man in Pennsylvania to a Friend in London, 1755.

+ Day's Annals. Proud.

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towards the Ohio, not only for the march of troops, but to facilitate the supply of provis- ions. Two regiments were sent to America, and two were to be raised in the colonies, of regulars, and inducements were tendered vol- unteers. At this time the province contained 300, 000 inhabitants and enough provisions to supply an army of 100,000. It was bur- dened with no taxes, not only out of debt, but had a revenue of £7,000 a year, and £15,000 in bank .* The expense of the mil- itary roads was to be paid by the Assembly. Among the officers who accompanied Gen. Braddock was James Ewing, then a citizen or York County. On the 26th of April, 1755, Benjamin Franklin, under the authority of Gen. Braddock, issued an advertisement for the hire of wagons and horses for the service of his Majesty's forces, with notice that he would atttend for that purpose, among other places, at York, from Thursday morning till Friday evening, stating the terms. Frank- lin also issued an address, in which among other things, he said, that at the camp at Frederick, the General and officers were ex- tremely exasperated on account of their not being supplied with horses and carriages, ex- pected from this province, through dissen- sions between the Governor and Assembly, and it was proposed to send an armed force immediately into Lancaster, York, and Cum- berland Counties, to seize as many of the best carriages and horses as should be want- ed, and compel as many persons into the service as would be necessary to drive and take care of them. He then refers to a com- plaint among the people of the back counties, of the want of a sufficient currency, and says that the hire of the wagons and horses would amount to upwards of £30,000, which would be paid in silver and gold of the King's money. He proposed that one fur- nish the wagon, another one or two horses, and another a driver. This wise scheme met with success, and the expedition of Gen. Braddock began under favorable auspices.t The same counties were also called upon for laborers, who were employed in the construc- tion of a military road at the wages of half a crown a day and victuals. ¿ In a letter from Gen. Braddock, June 3, 1755, he says: "I sent a man into the counties of York, Lan- caster and Cumberland to purchase up 1,200 barrels of flour," which was obtained. There was delay in delivering flour, and in not clearing proper roads, and the wagons and horses to attend Gen. Braddock over the

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 20

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104