USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 76
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 76
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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Harris, Jhº.
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Patimore, Jn'
For Shelly Place.
Pooremin, Malachi.s
MeCam, Henry
Shirtz. ChrisD
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Juhustun, Richard
Jolinstou, Alexandr.
2001
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Rauiker, Geo .. 200
Knop. Jno 13
Roop, Jacob 100
Roop, Jarah, & Smith.
Hincik, Jh" 142
Rutherford. Jun
Richey. Davil 299
Heel. Anthony ...
Kerr, Jarob.
Rhue, Cornelius
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shearer, Saml
Loydon, Jn"
Laughhn, Henry
strickler. Jacob.
Stoner. Heniy
Steel, Juy
100 Shanklin, Geo. ...
swan. Christian ...
144
Lime, Michael.
skear, Albright
180
Sweitzer, Frederick
Miller, Jno.
Kelsu, William.
Dazon, Ludwig.
Shearer, Joo.
Cochran, Andrew.
Leek, Conrad.
Whitehill, Ju ?.
Berryhill, And".
l'itners, Heury.
Jnº Derhy sehr.
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Long, Paul.
Elder, Robert.
Porter, Jn".
St. phan, Arals & Zacheus. &: phan, Hugh 150
Smith, Jacob. 150
S.der. Jacob.
shaver, Michael 100
Mathows, Jos
Meder, Jus .. 100
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stewart, Elijah
Smith. Wilhanı. 160
Gruss, Michael.
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Shaw, David.
Felty, M.ch.el.
Gilchrist, Matthew.
Camble, Archibald.
Kens, Robert.
Martin, Sam1.
Page, Jno.
Cochran, Jn".
Winogle, Fredrick.
Burleigh, Francis.
Clark, Robert
Little, Jacob.
Morrow, William.
Ryir, Thon.s.
Thompson. Samt
M.Guire, Hichard.
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Tinner, Christ,
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291
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
Huffman, Dan1. Gross, Chrisn.
Consort, Jnº.
MeKnight, Jn1º. Harris, Jno, Junt. Richtnan, Robert.
As previously stated, the first division of Paxtang was when Hanover township was erected ; then, in 1791, when the borough of Harrisburg was incorpor-
ated; followed by Swatara in 1799; and Susquehanna in 1815, leaving only that portion of the township now known as Lower Paxtang, although never erected as such. To distinguish it from the northern portion of the eonnty, which was set off as Upper Paxtang in 1767, it was thus termed by general usage merely.
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
CHAPTER I.
The Proprietary Grants-Manor of Paxtang-The Ferry Grant-Tlie Harris Mansion-Proposals to lay out a Town-Conveyances to the Public by John Harris-Early Reminiscences of the Town-Louis- burgh-" Pumpkin Flood"-Taxables for 1787.
OF Harris' Ferry. the site of the flourishing and prosperous city of Harrisburg, and of the individual who gave it name, we have alluded in the general history of the county.
On the 17th of December, 1733, the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania granted to John Harris, by patent, three hundred acres and allowance of land, extending from what is now Herr Street, formerly the upper boundary of the old borough of Harrisburg, down the river to a black-oak somewhere near the termination of Walnut Street with Front Street, and thence back by a line continuous with Mulberry and Tenth Street east of the canal to the rear line, now the line of six- teenth. On the same day, Dec. 19, 1733, a patent was granted to Joseph Turner for five hundred acres and allowance, adjoining the above and extending down the river from the aforesaid black-oak to what is now the division line between the lands of the late John Mahan and Mr -. Hanna, deceased, extending back from the river, and embracing the James Harri- tract. now the property of A. B. Hamilton. This was taken up by John Harris in the name of Joseph Turner, no doubt, to comply with certain usages of the land- office, for on the next day ( December 18th) Joseph Turner conveyed to Edward Shippen, who on the next day ( December 19th) conveyed to John Harris.
North of now Herr Street was the manor of Pax- tang. It was one of the Proprietary reservations of land, and one of the smallest manors in the Prov- ince, but its soit was unequaled. It is described as bounded on the northwest corner by land of John Harris, the elder : that in 1792 was at a beech-tree, on the top of the bank of the En-quehanna River, near where the present Front and Herr Streets inter- sect. It included about twelve hundred acres ; the river line six hundred eighty-nine perches and three
hundred yards, being over two miles. The land is thus described in a survey made by Isaac Taylor, June 4. 1733, " for Thomas Penn. E-quire;" "Com- mencing at a water-beech ; thence east-northeast two hundred and fifty-two perches to Paxtang Creek ; thence north one hundred and twenty perches; thence north by east two hundred and eighty perches to a black-oak; thence northwest one hundred perches ; thence west by north three hundred and eighty perches to a black-oak on the bank of the Susquehanna River ; thence down said river six hundred and eighty perches."
Taylor notes that when he passed the Harris line (east of the canal), west of Paxtang Creek was all vacant land on the remaining side, of the manor. These bounds would seem to include from the river to the present " Miller's school-house." on the high ridge above the hospital, the grounds of which are within the survey. Its north line was the south one of the "John Reel farm." This comprises some of the nist fertile land of the river valley. The Penns, however, were too poor to preserve it intact, and began to sell portions of it about the time of Braddock's defeat. disposing of the last of it about ten years before the Revolutionary war. In conveying this land we find no mention of quit-rent, the instrument being for the fee; an important distinction between this and the manors of Conestoga, Springett, Maske, and Lowther.
Taylor's survey was sent to the land-office at Phila- delphia, and very carefully critici-ed there, being deemed of such importance as to induce Thomas Penn to visit Harri-' Ferry in 1736. While here he obtained personal knowledge of its value. We hear of it next in an application of James Galbraith, of Lancaster County, for two hundred acres, including a piece of this manor. The warrant was granted Jan. 9. 1749. When the survey was returned the follow- ing was indorsed upon it -- Mr. Scull being surveyor- general :
" MR. SCULL, -One James Mitchelirre improved this landt before the prop'r, Thomas Penn, come into the country, by express permission of Mr. Logan, and a part of his improvement was run into the manor of Paxtang, but with no intent to deprive hun of a grant of land on the
-
292
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
common terms, &e., &c., whenever a patent is applied for ; the purchase money is to be at £15.10 per 100, and I'd quit rent per acre, eut. award frum Ist March, 1732.
" R. PETERS."
This shows that the next tract above Harris, on the Susquehanna, was "improved" before 1732. The family of Mitcheltree had land in what is now So-que- hanna township. Galbraith's tract proved to contain two hundred and forty-five acres with allowance, and was that part of the manor east of " Paxting Creek," "the south line commencing just south of Dead Horse Brook; thence northeast one hundred perches to lands of James Alcorn ; thence north and west by sundry corners to lands of Thomas Arm- strong ; thence west and northwest one hundred and fifty-eight perches along land- of Arthur Forster ; thence west one hundred perches to the creek ; thence down Paxting Creek two hundred and sixty-six perehes." The date of the survey Sept. 5, 1750, The part owned by Galbraith within the manor was found by subsequent survey to be one hundred and twenty- five acres.
The next survey was that of Bertram Galbraith, May 12, 1759, when " Mister Penn's eleven hundred and forty acres without allowance" is thus described. It excludes James Galbraith's one hundred and twenty-five acres: Commeneing on the north line of "John Harris' land, at a birch-tree on the bank of the Susquehanna ;" thence north sixty-five east two hundred and fifty-two perche- to Paxtang Creek at an "elm ;" thence north and north by east two hundred and twenty perehes; ninety-four perches northwest ; thence north eighty west three hundred and thirty- eight perches to a Spanish-oak on the bank of the Susquehanna; "thence down said river six hundred and eighty-nine perehes," making the western front nine perches in excess of the survey of 1733. The adjoining lands are James Alcorn, northeast of Harris; James Galbraith, Archibald Forster, James Potts, Widow (Thomas) Armstrong; on the river, James Chambers.
dred acres of the south part of this manor. His will is dated Dec. 24, 1760, and devises to his two sons, Thomas and Michael, three hundred and eighty -- ix acres, share and share alike. In 1775. Adam Eckart, who at one time was owner of a large body of land in and about Harrisburg, purchased two hundred and two aeres of the Sinip-ons, and subsequently nearly all of that land.
The next above Simpson was Thomas Forster, " Es- quire," who held four hundred acres. North of him was Thomas MeKee, who held " about four hundred acres." The transactions in this land took place after the survey of 1759.
Street to south side of Reily. It was known for many years as Pottstown, " Hard Scrabble," and other fancy names-now that row of buildings on the west side of Front Street which so much disfigures the locality of that fine thoroughfare.
The adjoining owners on the survey of 1759 appear in the boundaries of this portion of the manor, with the additional name- of " Reverand John Hersha, Thomas and William Gaullaugher," whose lands were along Paxtang.
1789, Capt. John Hamilton purchased all of the Galbraith tract within the manor, -one hundred and twenty-five aeres,-together with one hundred and fifty-five acres of the manor running out to the river. About the same time other parties made purchases, the whole amounting to nearly eight hundred acres : so that it had all passed out of the ownership of Penn before Harrisburg was five years old.
The next considerable transaction was in 1810. when Abraham Huy (corrupted into Huey, always, however, written by its owner Huy) conveyed one hundred and fifty aeres to Christian Kunkel. This was sold by George Kunkel and David Hummiel to Luther Reily, John Whitehill, and Adam Henry Orth. Then a number of owners of parts of the manor began to appear, and as we write more than five hun- dred persons own parts of " Mister Penn's manor of Paxtang."
The conveyance of any part of this land to "the low-water mark of the Susquehanna" is without right. Penn claimed only to the bank of the Susquehanna. The low-water mark bound of modern deeds is an as- sertion of a right which did not originally pertain to the land within this manor.
The land in the lower portion of the city, including the First and Second Wards, and portions of the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Wards, were of different surveys and not in John Harris' warrants.
In 1760, Thomas Simpson was owner of four hun- dred feet below the spot where now repose his re-
John Harris' first habitation was on the lower bank of the river, about one hundred and fifty or two hun- mains. The foundation walls of this house have been seen by some of our oldest citizens. A well, dug by Mr. Harris, still exists about one hundred. feet east of his grave. It was covered over about thirty years ago, but its site i- easily distinguished by a small cir- cular mound of earth. In connection with his man- sion-house he erected a large range of sheds, which were sometimes literally filled with skins and furs, obtained by him in traffic with the Indians, or stored there by Indian trader-, who brought them from the western country. These skins were carried, at an early day, on pack-horses to Philadelphia for sale. A representation of this log hon-e. the original of which is in possession of Gen. Simon Cameron, is herewith given.
In 1786, Adam Eckart, joiner, and Catharine his wife, conveyed to Jo-Imta Cooper, tanner, and they to Abraham IIny, six lots of ground comprising the The second John Harris inherited that portion of his father's estate upon which the borough of Harris- town of " New Philadelphia." This town-plot was three acres ; a narrow strip along the river from Herr . burg was subsequently laid out. For three-fourths of
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293
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
a century the site was known as Harris' Ferry. The ferry right was not granted until the year 1753, as by the following copy of the original document :
"Thomas Penu and Richard Penn. Esqrs., true and absolute proprie- taries und Governors-in-chief of the Province of Pennsylvania aod counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware. To all unto whom these presents shall come, greeting : WHEREAs, It hath been rep- resented to us that the frequent passing and repassing of people over our river Susquehanna hath made it necessary that ferries should be erected and established at proper places for the ready carrying over our said river all travelers and other persons whose business and affairs may call them into these parts of our sand province. And it being made known to us that the plantation and tract of land belonging to John Harris, of the county of Lancaster, yeoman, lying on the east side of the said river Susquehanna, in the township of Paxtang and county aforesaid, by means of the convenient situation thereof, is a proper place for erecting and keeping a ferry for that part of our said prov-
and cattle, all such reasonable toll-fres or reward as bath heretofore been accustomed, or shall be hereafter settled for the a uno ms, our heirs and successors, and our Lieutenant-Governor, attendant-, and servants only excepted), to have and hold the said ferry privileges and profits hereby grunted unto the maid John Harris, his exeentous, administrator. atul assigns, from the last day of March next unto the full end and term of seven years from thence next ensuring, and fully to be complete and ended, vielding and paying for the same yearly unto ns, our heirs and succe-sors, at the town of Lancaster, in the said county, at or upon the Ist das of March, in every vrar during the said term, ten English silver shillings, or the value thereof in con current, according as the exchange shail then be between our said province and the city of London, to such per- sun or persons as shall from time to time be appointed to receive the same. Provided always, and these presents are npon this condition and linuta- tion, that the -aid John Harris, his executors, administrators, or assigns. sball from time to tune, and at all times hereafter, during the said term, continue to keep, or canse to be kept, a boat or boats, scow or scows, ID good sufficient repair, with good and sufficient persvos or hands to give
HARRIS'S LOG HOUSE, 1520.
ince; and the said John Harris haviog requested our liceose for erect- ing and maintaining a ferry over the saul river at the place aforesaid, and that we would be pleased to grant hun the same for a certain term of years thereis expressed. Now Know YE, that in consideration of the charge and expertise that must arise on providing of necessary flats and boats, and constant attendance requisite thereunto, we have given, granted, and confirmed, aod hy these presents, for us and our heirs, do give, grant, and confirm unto the slid John Harris, his executors, ad- ministratore, and assigns, the sole privilege of keeping and occupying the said ferry over the said river at the place afore-aid. where a ferry has always been kept for the carrying over of all persons, wagons, carts, horses, and cattle traveling or passing that way. hereby strictly forbidding and prohibiting all other persons, on either sale of the river, from carrying over the same, within the distance of one mile aod a unarter above and below the ferry hereby settled and established, for hire, pay, or rewari, in any flat, bout, or canve, any persons or travelers, wagons, carts, horses, or cattle as af resiid. And we do further give and grant unto the sud John Harris, his executors, administrators, ind assigns, during the term of this grant, to take and receive frot all per- sous passing over the sand river. for themselves, wagons, carts, horses,
attendance for the transporting, ferrving, or carrying over of all pas- sengers, wagons, carts, horses, and cattle aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning hereof, otherwise this present grant, and every other matter and thing contained therein, shall cease, determine, and be void to all intents and purposes whatsoever.
Witness James Hamilton, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor of the said province, who by virtue of certain powers and authorities to him for this purpose inter clic granted by the said proprietaries, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the great seal of the said province to te here- unto affixed at Philadelphia, this fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-three, the twenty-sixth year of the reign of King George ye second over Great Britain &c., and ve thirty-fifth year of ye sd. Proprietaries cuvernment.
"JAMES HAMILTON. [1. 9.]"
In 1766, Jolin Harris erected the large stone house on Front Street below Mulberry. Three years were consumed in its construction, and, as may be -up- posed, it was a remarkable house at that time. The
294
HIST ____ OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
following representation is as it appeared in 1850. The building remained in the possession of one or another of the Harris family until about 1838, when it was purchased by Col. Thomas Elder, and at his death by the Rev. Beverly R. Waugh, in 1855, for the use of the Pennsylvania Female College, of which he was principal. The executors of Rev. Waugh's estate sold it to Gen. Simon Cameron, who remodeled it in many particulars, although the building pre- sents almost the same appearance it did originally.
In the General IIistory many facts have been given relating to occurrences during ,the French and In- dian and the Revolutionary wars which form a portion
The same year John Harris made the following proposals to the General Assembly, which was quite opportune, for the question of the formation of a new county from the upper part of Lancaster County was' agitating that body, and these proposals no doubt tended greatly to influence the Assembly in selecting Harris' Ferry as the seat of justice :
" PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 1784.
" Proposals of John Harris for the laying out of a Town on his Land, on the River Susquehaunch.
"That the said John Harris will immediately (if encouraged by Gov- ernmenti lay out a Town of Two hundred lots, on the high grounds above his present dwelling house, the lots of about the Quantity of a Quarter of an acre euch, in such form, with respect to streets, lanes and alleys, as the Commissioners may approve, a large street to be lett for Publick landings along the River side. That the said John Harris agrees that the Hunorable Assembly of this Commonwealth shall appoint Com- missioners to value his said lots, after reserv- ing Twenty Lots for his own use: That the s'd John Harris will convey all the streets, lanes and alleys to the inhabitants of s'd Town, and will convey to proper Commis- bioners a lot for a Court House & Jail, and a square of Four Acres to the State of Pensil- vania, for such purposes as the Government may apply the same : the applyers to have it at their choice to take the lots on a reasonable Gromidrent, or to purchase the fee simple of the same: The Commissioners in both cases to be Judges : That as soon as the s'l Two Hundred lots are built on ur disposed of, should there be a further demand for lots, the s'd John Harris engages, that the Pub- lick shall be accommodated at a reasonable rate. "JOHN HARDIS."
During that month (March, 1784) occurred the great ice-flood, and which entue very near opera- ting seriously as to the distinction which awaited it the following year. This terrible inundation was caused by the ice moving early in the winter, when, by a sudden change of weather, the river tell rapidly, and left the ice in large ma-ses on Cox's and other islands above the present city, and in shoal water. The weather became intensely cold, so cold that the water did not drop off the houses for six weeks. The masses of iee fruze to the bottom of the river. In March the river rose suddenly. At first the ice was immovable, and before it gave way the water reached the height of four feet in the first story of the brick house ocen- pied at present by L. N. Ott. five miles above Harris- burg, and at the stone house (then Foulk's) near Dr. Heck's saw-mill the water was about two feet deep in the parlor. A log mill on the McAllister farm was carried off and landed behind Rockville. Two houses in Coxe-town were taken off. Large quantities of water and ice passed down Paxtang Creek, and im- men-e deposits of ice were made between Harris Ferry snow Paxtang Street) and Pifer's Hill, on the east side of the creek, which (the late Thomas Elder said) laid until the month of May. This flood de- terred John Harris from laying out the town on the low ground, below his stone house.
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HARRIS MANSION, 1:50
of the history of Harrisburg proper, to which our readers are referred. It is not easily surmised how many persons resided at Harris' Ferry, but there can be no doubt that as early as 1755 there was a cluster of houses in the neighborhood, and when the founder, John Harris, Jr., was indneed to lay out a town at Harris' Ferry there was quite a thriving settlement." In the Philadelphia newspapers of 1784, however, we find the following advertisement : .
" HARRISBURG. "A NEW TOWN.
" The subscriber having laid out a Town on the banks of the Susque- hanna, adjoining the Ferry (commonly called farris' Ferry), he now offers for sale or on ground rent, for such term of years as may be agreed upou, a number of LUTS in said town. This -pot of ground seems de- signed by nature for the seat of a town ; its healthy, pleasant, high situ- ation: it's easy communication by water with a great part of the country ; itt lying on the main road through the Continent, and from l'hisolelphia to Fort Pitt, and all the back country, points it out as one of the most con- venient and best spots for a town in the interior parts of the state of Pennsylvania. The town may be accommodated with a very one dock at a small expense, there being a natural canal, defended on both sides by limestone banks at its entrance tato the susquehanna, wher . Iwat- and crafts will lay safe at all times. There being a great deal of hue clay for making bricks and earthen ware, also a great plenty of wood, which will be furnished vo very low ternie encouragement will be given to brick-makers, pottery, and other tradesmen. For terms apply to
" JOHN HARRIS."
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295
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
In 1785 the new county of Dauphin was formed. In fulfillment of his proposition to the General As- sembly the following conveyance from John Harris to the commissioners was drawn up by William Maclay, his son-in-law. This conveyance, of the date of the 6th of July, 1785, recites :
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. " By virtue of which said several grants, devices, and couvey- ances the title to the land on which the town of Harrisburg. in the county of Dauphin, is situated is legally vested in the sand John Harris, his heirs, and nssigns; And yherens in and by a certain bon Ior obliga- tion duly executed by the said John Harris to the State of Pennsylvania for the sum of five thousand pounds lawful monies of the same State bearing date the 4th day of March, in the year of our Lord one thou- sind seven hundred and eighty-five, conditioned for the faithful per- forinance of all and singular the agreements, promises, engagements. articles, matters, and things which he had therein und rtaken to do and perform, among other things did covenant to, and with Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Cowden, and William Brown, as follows: Whereas the Representatives of the freemen of the said Com- monwealth in General Assembly met, in and by a certain bill before them now depending, have resolved to erect part of the county of Lau- caster into a separate county to be known and called by the name of the county of Dauphin, and that the seat of Justice in the said county of Dauphin shall be fixed at or near the place of the said John Harris' residence, and that Joshna Elder, Jacob AwI, Andrew,Stewart, Willi ui Brown, and James Cowden, or any three of them shall be commissioner's for certain purposes, in the sail bill mentioned ; And Whereas the said Jubn Harris in order to promote the good intentions of the said General Assembly in fixing the seat of Justice at the said place, to enable the said commissioners to regulate the laying ont a county town there to public advantage, and to promote the more spee ly settlement thereof by a liberal encouragement to imitchasers bath prennsed, covenanted, and agreed to, and with the said commissioners, that as soon as the said bill shall be passed into a law he, the said John Harri-, will without delay lay ont two hundred lots containing about one-quarter acre each on the high grounds near his present dwelling-house on the bank of the river Susquehanna as a site for the said county town, and that with the same Iets shall be laid out such streets, Iques, and alleys as the said commissioners or a majority of them shall direct, which streets shall be confirmed for public use forever; and that he will also lay out a large street along the river for public landing places ; And Whereas the sail John Harris in consideration of the premises and other goud causes hath also promised, covenanted, and agreed to and with the said intended commissioners that in case the said bill shall be passed into a law he will upon request convey to the suid commissioners, or any three of them and their heirs a good and sufficient lot of ground for erecting a Court-House and gaol thereon in trust for the use of the inhabitants of the said conuty of Dauphin." [Here follows a quotation from the act erecting the new county.] " Now this indenture witnes-eth that in consideration of the premiises and for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings lawful money of Pennsylvania to thent the said John Harris and Mary his wife in hund paid by the said Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart. James Cowden, and William Brown at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt of which sum of five slullings they the said Johu Harris and Mary his wife. do hereby acknowledge, and thereof, and every thereof do acquit re- Trase the said Jacob Aul, Joshua Elder. Andrew Stewart, James Cow- deu, and William Brown their and each of their Leir-, exeentora, admin- istrators, and assigns, and every of them have granted, bargained, sold, released, enfeoffed, and confirmed, and by these presents do grant, bar- gain, sell, allen, release, enfeof, and confirm nnto the said Jacob Awl, Joshna Elder, Audrew Stewart, James Cowden, and William Brown, their heirs and assigns, all the streets, lanes, alley-, or Inghways as laid out by the commissioners of, in, and for the town of Himtisbury afore said. in the county of Dauphin, the butta, boundaries, courses, distances, length, and breadth thereof are as follows." "Front, Pastanp. S word, Market, Third. Pine, Locust, Walnut, Chestnut, and Mulberry street., River, Raspberry, Barbara, Cranberry. strawberry. Blackberry, anl Cherry Alleys ara here described } " And in consideration of the further sum of five -hillings lawful money aforesaid to them the said John Harris and Mary his wife in hand well and truly paid by the saul Jacob Aw t, Andrew Stewart, Joshna Elder, James Cowden, and William Brown. the receipt thereof is bereby acknowledges and thereof and every part thereof the said Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew stewart, Jamies Cuw- den, and William Brown, their and each of their heils are fully ac-
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