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 24

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 24

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the committee to prepare a draught of in- structions on the situation of public affairs to their Representatives, and request them to appoint a proper number of persons to attend a Congress of deputies from the sev- eral colonies, under the ninth resolve of the conference, viz: That there is an absolute necessity, that a Congress of deputies from the several colonies be immediately assembled to consult together, and form a general plan of conduct to be observed by all the colonies, for the purpose of procuring relief for our grievances, preventing future dissensions, firmly establishing our rights and restoring harmony between Great Britain and her colo- nies on a constitutional foundation. They also agreed that if redress was not granted they would make the sacrifice of a suspen- sion of commerce, and join with the other colonies "in such an association of non-im- portation and non-exportation to Great Bri- tain as shall be agreed upon at the Con- gress."*

A General Congress had been proposed by the "Sons of Liberty" of New York, -a title suggested by the famous speech of Barre. This was in the month of May, 1774, and upon the receipt of their letter, a meeting was called in Philadelphia, at which it was read, as well as the letters from Boston. The two measures for discussion were, that of New York for a Congress, and that from Boston for an immediate cessation of trade. That for a Congress was received with applause. John Penn, the proprietary Governor, was re- quested to call together the legislature. This was of course refused. A committee of cor- respondence, after the manner of Boston, was proposed, to be named for the several coun- ties in the province, and a committee was appointed for intercolonial correspondence. By July, 1774, all the delegates were chosen, and Massachusetts appointed the time and place, which were fixed, the 1st of Septem- ber, at Philadelphia. The Congress met in Philadelphia on the 5th of September, 1774. The members assembled at Smith's tavern and chose Carpenter's Hall as the place for their deliberations. There were there, George Washington, Patrick Henry, John and Samuel Adams, Jay and Rutledge, and others, men of wisdom and eloquence. Though Congress showed a desire for a con- ciliation and a desire to subvert the colonial system, they approved the opposition of Massachusetts to the Act of Parliament, and declared if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, all Amer- ica ought to support them in their opposition.

*Mumbert, 204.

*Mumbert, 209.

117

THE REVOLUTION.

A declaration of rights was agreed upon, they threatened to stop imports and exports with Great Britain, discontinued the slave trade, prepared a petition to the King, and an address to the British people. This rec- ognition of the people as a source of author- ity was a new principle in politics. The Congress adjourned to meet in Philadelphia on the 10th of May following .*

Agreeable to notice given to the free- holders and inhabitants of York County, entitled to vote for members of Assembly, a respectable number of them met at the court house, in York, December 16, 1774. James Dickson, Philip Rothrock, John Hay, Mich- ael Hahn and Richard Bott were appointed judges of the election. Whereupon the elec- tors proceeded to vote by ballot, and the fol- lowing persons were duly chosen as a com- mittee for the county: Henry Slegle, Joseph Donaldson, George Eichelberger, George Irwin, John Hay, Archibald McLean, David Grier, David Kennedy, Thomas Fisher, John Kean, John Houston, George Kuntz, Simon Coppenheffer, Joseph Jefferies, Robert McCorley, Michael Hahn, Baltzer Spengler, Daniel Messerly, Nicholas Bittinger, Michael Davis, Jacob Dahtel, Frederick Fischel, James Dickson, William McClellan, of Cum- berland Township, William Cathcart, Pat- rick Scott, Michael Dautel, Michael Bard, Casper Reinecker, Henry Liebhard, John Maxwell, George Oge, John O. Blenes, Will- iam Dill, Henry Banta, Sr., William Kil- mary, William Chesne, Francis Holton, Peter Reel and Andrew Finley, and ten of whom with their President or Vice-President(if their attendance can be had) to do business, except in such cases in which other regularities may be made.

" This committee is chosen in such a man- ner, that there is at least one of that body in each township of the county, so that the in- habitants of the several districts will have the earliest intelligence of any material trans- actions, or may be assembled upon impor- tant business on the shortest notice." On the day following the election, the committee met at the same place, when they elected James Smith, President; Thomas Hartley, Vice-President; John Hay, Treasurer, and George Lewis Lefler, Clerk of the Committee. They formed rules to direct them in the course of their proceedings,entered into meas- ures for the raising of a fund to defray the expense of communicating intelligence, and gave instructions for the forwarding the sub- scriptions for the poor in Boston. They then adjourned to Thursday, the 29th day of

December, instant. of the court house. York. "GEORGE LEWIS LEFLER,

" Clerk of Committee."

The Committee of Correspondence of Philadelphia, on the 22d of December, 1774, addressed a letter to the several counties, transmitting the following resolves: That this committee thinks it absolutely necessary that the committee of the counties of this province, or such deputies as they may ap- point for this purpose, be requested to meet together in Provincial council as soon as convenient. That it be recommended to the county committees to meet in said convention on Monday, the 23d day of January next, in the city of Philadelphia. From a view of the present situation of public affairs, the committee have been induced to propose this convention, that the sense of the province may be obtained, and that the measures to be taken thereupon may be the result of the united wisdom of the colony .; There were chosen as delegates to this convention, from York, James Smith, Thomas Hartley, Jos- eph Donaldson, George Eichelberger, John Hay, George Irwin and Michael Smyser, who attended the convention which continued in session six days.

The Provincial convention of the 22d of January, 1775, resolved, that this convention most heartily approve of the conduct and pro- ceedings of the Continental Congress; that we will faithfully endeavor to carry into execu- tion the measures of the association entered into and recommended by them; that as it was necessary to lay a restraint on importa- tion and supply of articles necessary for sub- sistence, clothing and defense must be pro- vided, it was resolved that no person should use, sell, or kill for market any sheep under four years old, and recommended that woolen manufacturies be set up, especially, coating, flannel, blankets, rags, or coverlids, hosiery and coarse cloths ; that flax and hemp be raised; that salt be made in the manner used in other countries; that saltpetre be made; that gun powder be manufactured as largely as possible; the manufacture of iron into nails and wire; the making of steel; of dif- ferent kinds of paper, and that old linen and rags be preserved for that purpose; that more glass houses be set up; the manufacture of wool combs and cards; of copper into sheets, bottoms and kettles; the erecting of fulling mills, and mills for breaking, swing- ing and softening hemp and flax, and the making of grindstones; that as the brewing of malt liquors would tend to render the con-

*Rupp 603-4.

+Mumbert.

*1775.

118

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

sumption of foreign liquors less necessary, that proper attention be given to the cultiva- tion of barley; that all the inhabitants of this province promise for themselves to use our own manufactures, and those of the other colonies, in preference to all others; that societies be established and premiums be granted in the several counties to persons who may excel in the several branches of manufactory; that any manufacturer or vender of goods shall take advantage of the neces- sities of this country, to sell his merchandise at an unusual or extravagant profit, shall be considered an enemy to his country, and be advertised as such by the committee; the making of tin plates; that printers use the types made by an ingenious artist in German- town in preference to any which may be thereafter imported. That the commitee of correspondence of Philadelphia be a standing committee for the several counties, and to give notice if a Provincial council is rendered necessary .*

At a meeting held at York the 14th of February, 1775, the Committee took into consideration the proceedings of the late Provincial convention.

Resolved unanimously, That we heartily approve of the proceedings of that con- vention. 2. The Committee, apprehend- ing, that from the non-importation agree- ment, and the present state of public affairs, unless great care be taken, there would, in a short time, be a scarcity of gunpowder, which is so necessary to our Indian trade, and the hunters of this province. Therefore

Resolved, That we recommend it to the several members of this Committee, that they in their respective townships, with the assist- ance of the Township Committee men, do discourage the consuming of that article, but for the most useful purposes. 3. It being represented that sundry persons in this county had formed themselves into military associations. and that they would discontinue them, if disagreeable to this Committee; upon consideration of which,

Resolved unanimously, That we would by no means discourage these proceedings ; on the contrary we are of the opinion, that said associations, if conducted with prudence, moderation, and a strict regard to good order, under the direction of a man of probity and and understanding, would tend much to the security of this country against the attempt of our enemies.

Resolved unanimously, That we recom- mend to the inhabitants of this county, a strict adherence to the Association of the

Continental Congress, and the directions of our late Provincial Convention; and that, in case any Township Committee, should meet with obstructions in carrying the same into execution, that we will, and the rest of the county ought to assist them.

Resolved unanimously, That the Town- ship Committeemen in this county ought, as soon as possible, to collect the flour and grain subscribed for the poor of Boston, and convert same into cash; and that they imme- diately lay such cash and all other moneys sub- cribed into the hands of Messrs. John Don- aldson and George Irwin, who with the direc- tion of any ten of the Committee are to remit the same in Bills of Exchange to the Committee of Boston, for the poor of that place.

Resolved unanimously, That in case the committee of correspondence of this Province appointed at the last convention shall think proper, or if a majority of the county Committee shall consider it expedient that another Provincial convention shall be held, we do appoint James Ewing, Michael Swope, James Smith, Thomas Hartley, and Henry Slegle, Esqrs., and George Irwin, George Eichelberger, David Kennedy and John Houston, or any five or more of them, as the deputies of this county to attend such committee, and to agree to such matters and things as may be deemed necessary for the safety and welfare of this province, or the common cause of American liberty.

Extracts from the proceedings of the said Committee.

GEORGE LEWIS LEFLER, Clerk of Committee .* The following is the letter to the Boston Committee:

YORKTOWN, April 13, 1775. Honored Friends and Countrymen:

Sorry are we to hear that the hand of oppression still bears hard on your city, and that the distresses of your poor are not yet alleviated. If your misfor- tunes and sufferings could be divided, the inhabit- ants of this county would cheerfully bear a part. This, it seems, cannot be done; your destined town must stand the shock alone. We want words to express the high sense we have for your conduct and virtue; few men in the world would have op- posed despotism and stood the torrent of ministerial vengeance with so much steadiness, intrepedity and resolution, as the inhabitants of your town and country have done. You have true notions of liberty. You have purchased it. You ought to enjoy it. The noble stand made by the Massa- chusetts Bay, if faithfully adhered to, has laid the foundation of establishing American liberty on the most firm basis. The other colonies will be equal gainers by a favorable terminatiou of the conquest, and will not desert you in the time of danger; they will doubtless grant you the most effectual assist- ance.

This county, upon the earliest intelligence of

* Mumbert.

* Rupp, 604-6.

119

THE REVOLUTION.

your distress, forwarded subscriptions for the port of Boston. Grain was generally subscribed; we expected to have sent it last fall, but could not col- lect it in any seaport before the winter season came on, so that the shipping of it was postponed till spring, Upon the meeting of the committee of this county in February last, shortly after the receipt of the King's speech to the Parliament, it was thought it would not be safe to send grain. The committee. therefore, determined to convert the grain into cash, and remit the sum in specie or bills of ex- change to you. Your poor have suffered much by this resolution, as the price of wheat is greatly fallen. The subscriptions of but a part of the county are yet come in. We send you the sum of 246 pounds, 8 shillings and 10 pence, to be remitted to you by hills of exchange, or specie, hy Messrs. Jonathan B. Smith, and John Mitchell, merchants of Philadelphia, which, be pleased to distribute among our poor and unhappy countrymen in your town, or in its neighborhood in such manner as you shall think proper. As there are a few disaffected people in this province, we must trouble you to publish the receipt of the donations, as is mentioned in the enclosed paper.

Your friends here are numerous, and most heartily interest themselves in your favor. As soon as the rest of the subscriptions in the county are paid, we shall cheerfully remit the same to you.

We wish you a speedy relief from all your suf- ferings. and are, gentlemen, with the greatest re- spect, your real friends, and most obedient humble servants;

JAMES SMITH, President Committee.

George Eichelberger, Michael Daudle, David Grier, Michael Irwin, James Donaldson, Michael Smyser, Balzer Spangler, John Hay, Committee of Correspondence of York County .*

The committee of Boston received the sum of £246. 6s., 10d, valued at the rate of Penn- sylvania money, being donations from a part of the county of York, in the Province of Pennsylvania, to the poor of Boston, and its neighborhood ; subscribed as follows :

Yorktown.

£124 10s 9d

Heidelberg Township.

36 17 5

Germany Township. Manheim ;

By the hands of Adam Eichelberger 5 15 6

By the hands of Michael Karl. .... 5 9 9

By the hands of David Newman ..

3 16 3

Manchester Township from the following:

By the hands of Michael Smyser .. . 6 12 1

By the hands of Simon Cappennoffer 2 17 6

By the hands of Jacob Hark. 6 18 6

Shrewsbury Township. 10 0

Fawn Codorus.

6 0

2 16 6

Dover Township, 62} bushels of wheat, and { bushel of rye ; Manchester Town- ship, 39} bushels of wheat ; Paradise Township, 20 bushels of wheat ; Codo- rus Township, 5 bushels of wheat, and + bushel of rye ; York Township, 4 bushels of wheat, part of which grain was made into flour and sold here.t. . . £16 13s 3d

Total. £246 8s 10d The Pennsylvania Assembly, which met on

the 8th of December, 1874, was the first Pro- vincial Legislature to which report of the congressional proceedings were made, and the Assembly unanimously approved them, and delegates were appointed to the next Con- gress * which was to meet on the 10th of May, 1775. In the meantime, events were hasten- ing on with startling rapidity toward open war. The attempt of Gen. Gage to de- stroy the public stores at Concord, roused the people to resistance, and after a battle the British troops were compelled to retreat, and "Lexington and Concord" were names borne throughout the land to arouse patriots and be forever watchwords of liberty. The troops were driven into Boston, and by the next day the Americans had that city in a state of siege. To this camp rushed the men of Massa- chusetts, and as the news spread over the country, volunteers flocked to this great open- ing scene of the war of independence, and from our own town of York went a band, whose march and career form one of the brightest incidents of American history.

To the Pennsylvania Assembly on the 2d of May, 1775, John Penn, the Governor, sent a message, accompanying a resolution of the House of Commons, proposing a plan of rec- onciliation to this effect, that an exemption from any duty, tax or assessment, present or future, except such duties as may be expe- dient for the regulation of commerce, shall be the immediate consequences of proposals on the part of any of the colony Legislatures, ac- cepted by his Majesty, and the two Houses of Parliament, to make provision according to their respective circumstances, for contribut- ing their proportion to the common defense, and the support of the Civil Government of each colony.t

This was the first assembly on the conti- nent, to which this resolution was comuni - cated. The assembly replied, that " if no other objections to the plan proposed occurred to us, we should esteem it a dishonorable de- sertion of sister colonies, connected by an union on just motives and mutual faith, and conducted by general councils, for a single colony to adopt a measure so extensive in con- sequence, without the advice and consent of those colonies engaged with us, by solemn ties in the same common cause. For we wish your Honor to be assured that we can form no prospect, appearing reasonable to us, of any lasting advantages for Pennsylvania, however agreeable they may be at the beginning, but what must arise from a communication of right and property with the other colonies,

* Rupp, 599.

+Ibid.

*Egle's History of Pennsylvania.

+X Con. Rec., 252.

Dover Township

16 2 0

120

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

and that if such a prospect should be open to us, we have too sincere an affection for our brethren, and too strict a regard for the in- violable performance of our engagements, to receive any pleasure from benefits equally due to them, yet confined to ourselves, and which, by generously rejecting them at pres- ent, may at length be secured to all."

These noble words of union were three days after followed by the election of the noble champion of our rights in England, Benjamin Franklin, just returned from her inhospitable shores, unanimously a deputy to the coming Congress.

Events, civil and military, are here closely blended, and the hearts of the people and their representatives were cheered by tidings of the capture of Ticonderoga with its valu- able cannon and stores, on the 10th of May, 1775, by Ethan Allen, and his undisciplined volunteers "in the name of the Great Jeho- vah and the Continental Congress."

Whatever discussions there may have been as to separation, or reconciliation with the King, as war was actually existing, the Con- gress which met on the 10th of May, 1775, took measures for organizing and paying a Continental Army. George Washington was made Commander-in-Chief on the 15th of June, 1775. On the 17th of June, 1775, oc- curred the famous battle of Bunker Hill.

PROCEEDINGS TO FORM AN INDEPENDENT GOVERN- MENT.

A Provincial Conference was held at Phila- delphia, which began on the 18th of June, 1776, and continued until the 25th. This is the minute: "This day a number of gen- tlemen met at Carpenter's Hall, being depu- ted by the committees of the several coun- ties to join in, the Provincial Conference, in consequence of a circular letter from the committee of the city and liberties of Phila- delphia, inclosing the resolution of the Con- tinental Congress of the 15th of May last .* 'In Congress, May 15, 1776:

WHEREAS, His Britannic Majesty, in con- junction with the Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Par- liament, excluded the inhabitants of these United Colonies from the protection of His Crown. And whereas, no answer what- ever, to the humble petition of the col- onies for redress of grievances and recon- ciliation with Great Britain, has been, or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the

good people of these colonies, now to take the oaths and affirmations necessary for the support of any government, under the Crown of Great Britain; and it is necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority, un- der the said Crown should be totally sup- pressed, and all the powers of government exerted, under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, virtue and good order, as well as for the defense of their lives, liberties and prop- erties against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their enemies. Therefore, Resolved, That it be recommended to the re- spective assemblies and conventions of the United Colonies, where no government suffi- cient to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such gov- ernment as shall, in the opinion of the repre- sentatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents, in particular, and America in general. By or- der of the Congress.

JOHN HANCOCK, President.'"

The deputies from York County to this Conference were, 'Col. James Smith, Col. Robert McPherson, Col. Richard MeAlister, Col. David Kennedy, Col. William Rankin, Col. Henry Slagel, Mr. James Edgar, Capt. Joseph Read and Mr. John Hay. The Chair- man, Thomas McKean, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and Col. James Smith were made a committee to draft a resolution, declaring the sense of the conference, with respect to an independ- ence of the province from the Crown and Par- liament of Great Britain. The resolution reported by them declared unanimously: "Our willingness to concur in a vote of Con- gress declaring the United Colonies free and independent States; provided the forming of the government and the regulation of the in- ternal police of this colony be always re- served to the people of the said colony." This conference resolved, that it is necessary that a Provincial convention be called for the express purpose of forming a new govern- ment in this province, on the authority of the people only. It was recommended to the convention to choose and appoint delegates, or deputies, to represent this province in the Congress of the United Colonies; and also a Council of Safety, to exercise the whole exec- utive powers of government, so far as relates to the military defense and safety of the prov- ince, to continue six months, unless a govern- ment should be formed within that time. It made provision for raising 4,500 militia in obedience to resolutions of Congress, of the 3d and 4th of June, 1776, for establishing a Fly- ing Camp, to consist of 10,000 men, in the

*Constitutions of Penn., p. 35.

121

THE REVOLUTION.

middle colonies. Messrs. Bayard, Rush and Smith were appointed a committee to draft an address to the associators of the prov- ince on the subject of embodying 4,500 men. This address has been said to be a master- piece of the kind, and as it contains the sen- timents of our own representative, who was one of the committee, it is given in full .*

The address of the deputies of the com- mittees of Pennsylvania, assembled in Pro- vincial Conference, at Philadelphia, June 25th, 1776.

TO THE ASSOCIATORS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

Gentlemen :- The only design of our meeting together was to put an end to our own power in the province, by fixing a plan for calling a convention, to form a government under the authority of the people. But the sudden and unexpected separation of the late assembly has compelled us to undertake the execution of a resolve of Congress, for calling forth 4.500 of the militia of the province, to join the militia of the neighboring colonies, to form a camp for our immediate protection. We presume only to recommend the plan we have formed to you, trusting that, in a case of so much consequence, your love of virtue and zeal for liberty will supply the want of authority delegated to us expressly for that purpose. We need not remind you that you are now furnished with new motives to animate and support your courage. You are not about to con- tend against the power of Great Britian, in order to displace one set of villians to make room for another. Your arms will not be enervated in the day of battle with the reflection, that you are to risk your lives or shed your blood for a British tyrant; or that your posterity will have your work to do over again. You are about to contend for permanent freedom to be supported by a govern- ment which will be derived from yourselves, and which will have for its object, not the emolument of one man or class of men only, but the safety, liberty and happiness of every individual in the community. We call upon you, therefore, by the respect and obedience which are due to the author- ity of the United Colonies, to concur in this impor- tant measure. The present campaign will probably decide the fate of America. It is now in your power to immortalize your names by mingling your achievements with the events of the year 1776, a year which we hope will be famed in the annals of history to the end of time, for establishing upon a lasting foundation the liberties of one-quarter of the globe.

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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 24

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