USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 78
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 78
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"Several trees, before I arrived at the Susquehanna ferry, had been girlled, as it is termed, that is, ent all around thro' the bark, so as to
James Stephenson, tavern. Poter Soliuger [ Zollinger].
Jacob Solinger [Zollinger], tavern. Jacob Seltzer.
James Sawyers. Joseph Smith, roppersmith.
Robert Stephenson, blacksmith. John Shield. Conrad Sheep [ Shoop ?]
Jonathan Titsworth. Charles Troy, barber. David Scarlet. George Sashhaugh. George Switzer.
W'm. Roane, prisoner [at Arm- strong's].
George Shriter. George Hess. Fredk Keart. Henry Rodroff Rothind].
..
i
*
-
299
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
prevent their continuing alive. This operation in a country so abound- Ing in timber, saves the too great trouble of entting down every tree whose leaves might obstruct the men's operation upon the corn.
"April 14. Before my departure Mr. Frev showed zur his excellent mill and still morr extinonlinary gull-stream, running from one part of the Swatara for above a mile till it reining it at the month. It was cut by himself, with great expense and trouble, and is the only work of the kind in Pennsylvania. Middletown is in a situation as beautiful as it is adapted to trade, and already of a respectable size. I left it threatened by rain, which came on rather violently soon after, and the rom's proved the wurst of the whole journey, till that time. I passed thed' Elizabeth- town, eight miles off, and over the creeks for small rivers of Yourwago and Chickesafunga. As you leave Dauphin for Lancaster County, the lands improve, and at n plare half-way from Middletown, where I stopped for my horses, and to avoid the rain. it was said to be worth £15 per acre. There are some handsome farm-houses nearer Lancaster. The town itself has a far superior appearance to any I had passed thro'. The streets are regular, and the sides pre paved with brick, like Pbila- delphia, or else stone; and separated by posts from the street."
The question of fixing, permanently, the seat of the Federal government, began to occupy public atten- tion shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war; and was strongly agitated in the Congress of 1789, then in session at New York. The question was first submitted to the House of Representatives of that body in the shape of the following resolution, which, with the subsequent information, the author gleans from the Pennsylvania Packet, published at Philadel- phia, in the year above stated :
---
" Resolved, That a permanent seat for the government of the United States ought to be fixed as near the centre of wealth, population and extent of territory as shall be consistent with the convenience of the Atlantic navigation, having also a due regard to the circumstances of the western country." Adopted.
Mr. Goodbne observed that the members from the Eastern and North- ern States had contemplated the subject of a permanent seat of the Fed- eral Government with deliberation. They had turned their eyes to dif- ferent parts of the country, sud bad at last, after a mutual and full consultation, come to an agreement that the banks of the Susquehanna was as far south and as near the centre of the population and extent of territory as was consistent with other circumstances important to the country. They felt disposed to be governed by principles of accommo- dation, and were of opinion that the banks of the Susquehanna ought to be chosen for the permanent residence of Congress. He concluded hy readiog n resolution to this effect.
Jfr. Hartley supported the resolution, aod pointed ont Wright's Ferry as an eligible place.
Mr. Lee moved to amend, by fixing the seat of government oo the Potomac instead of the Susquehanna. Not agreed to,-yeas 20, Days 31.
Mr. Madison proposed to amend, by leaving it discretional to be either on the Potomac or the Susquehanna. Not agreed to,-year 20, bays 31.
Oo a subsequent day the House of Representatives, io committee of the whole, proceeded to consider the resolution of Mr. Goodhue, which read ae follows :
" Resolved, In the opinion of this committee, that the permanent seit of government of the United States ongbt to he at some convenient place on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, in the State of Penn- sylvania, etc."
Mr. Hiester moved to insert after the words "Susquehanna River" the words " between Harrisburg and Muldletoun, inclusive."
A lengthy and spirited debate occurred, participated in by nearly all the principal members of the House, those from the Northern and Eastern States generally favoring the ameodment, and thise from the South opposing it. The amendment was Anally lost.
Several other amendments were proposed and lost, and the original resolution was carried.
In committee of the whole House next day it was resolved that the Secretary of the Treasury be directed to borrow the anoi of one hundred thousatil dollars, to be repaid in twenty years, with hve per cent. inter- est, for the purpose of erecting the necessary buildings on the bank of the Susquehanna.
buildings on the Susquehanna, and thint they be authorized, by and with the advice of the President, to purchase such quantity of lands as may be thought necessary," etc.
Mr. Hartley said the State of Pennsylvania, both by it- convention and Legislature, had made the cession of the jurisdiction by Congress over any district of ten miles square in the State th it might be selected for the sont of government.
The resolution of Mir. Fitzsimmons, after being so amended as tu make the acts of the commissioners subject to the approval or rejection by the President, was adopted, -yeas 28, nays 21
The resolution went to the Senate, which body struck out all relating to the susquehanna, and inserted a chiuse fixing the pertonnent sent of government at Germantown, Pa.
The House at first agreed to the clause, but refused to content with some subsequent action of the Senate thereon, and pending the further consideration of the subject, Congress aljourned sine die for that year.
At the session of 1790 the question was again brought before Congress, and created an intense ex- eitement throughout the country. The Northern and Eastern members were strennous in their efforts to prevent the seat of government being located south of the Su-quehanna River, while, on the other hand, the Southern and Western members were just as active in their labors to prevent it being located on the Susquehanna, or at any point north or cast of that river. The vote on the question was divided equally. Finally this sectional feeling became so strong as to endanger the safety of the Union itself, and Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and other pa- triot- earnestly sought to effect a compromise, but were unsuccessful. At last, by changing the vote- of one or two of the Northern members, brought about through the instrumentality of Mr. Jefferson, a bill, pretty much in the shape of that proposed at the pre- vions session, passed Congress fixing the site of the seat of government on the banks of the Potomac. at sneh place as should be selected by commissioners under the direction of the President.
The act to erect the town of Harrisburg into a bor- ough was passed on the 13th day of April, 1791, and an aet to alter the same without interfering with the boundaries originally laid down was approved Feb. 1, 1808, on the ground "that experience has fully proved that, owing to a difference in the local situa- tion of the places, and various other causes, the act of Assembly for erecting the town of Reading into a borongh, however applicable to the purposes for which it was originally intended by the Legislature, is not well calculated for the good government of the bor- ough of Harrisburg; therefore be it enacted that the said town of Harrisburg shall continue and forever remain a borough, under the name and title of the ' Borough of Harrisburg;' the extent and limits of which shall be the same as in the original law, to wit: Beginning at low water mark on the eastern shore of the Su-quehanna River; thence by the pine- apple-tree north sixty degrees and one quarter ea-t seventy-nine perches to an a-h-tree on the west bank of Paxtang Creek; thence by the several corners thereof three hundred and twenty-three perches to a white hickory on William Maelay's line; thenee by
Mr. Fitzsimmons moved for the "appointment of commissioners to examine and report upon the most eligible situation for the public : the same south sixty-seven and three-quarter degrees
300
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
west two hundred and twelve perches to a marked chestnut-oak on the eastern bank of the Susque- hanna ; thence by the same course to low water mark to the place of beginning."
On the 16th day of May, 1791, the court records contain the following: "The name of the county town is altered to Harrisburg in pursuance to an act of Assembly creating it into a borough under that name, passed 18th of April, 1791." Thu- at last justice was done the founder of the town. To George Hoyer belongs the credit of being the first burges. of the borough of Harrisburg. The minute-, however, of the early borough councils are not to be found, and, save in the files of early new-papers yet pre- served, little is known of the workings of that legis- lative body.
John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg, died July 29, 1791, and is buried in the graveyard of Paxtang Church. He was sixty-five years of age,
On the 4th of February, 1792, the following pream- ble and resolution " was made and seconded by Mr. Potts and Mr. Hanna" in the General Assembly, looking towards the incorporation of a company for the establishing a manufactory in Harrisburg. More properly it was for affording facilities therefor by the construction of a canal from Hunter's Falls. The bed of this canal was to be Paxtang Creek. The resolution passed, a bill was matured and presented, but the fear of impeding the navigation of the Sus- quehanna by a shot-wing dam, which was deemed necessary by the projectors of this scheme, occa- sioned its defeat. This plan was, nevertheless, con- sidered for a long time a feasible one. Harrisburg was undoubtedly then, as it is now, a desirable point for the establishment of manufactories, and had any one of the numerous plans for supplying water-power to the town been carried out, there can be no doubt that it would have added greatly to its wealth and prosperity :
" As the attention of the Citizens of the United States are now very properly engaged in promoting many useful improvements for incrensing the wealth and happiness of the peuple of euch particular state; and the recent report of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United states and others who have lately published their Sentiments on the subject have clearly demonstrated the great advantages which must result from es- tablisbing Manufactories in this Country : to engross the time of this House with Arguments in their favour, would be entirely superfluous. It is only necessary to angzest some of the many concurring circun- stances which point out the Borrough of Harrisburg, as a very eligible place for that purpose, not only, as being on the waters of an extensive inland navigation, where the raw materials for different karle of Mand- facturtes may be obtained with great case and plenty, and the reduced price of provisions, occasioned by the distance from foreign navigation, will always contribute to au equal reduction in the price of labor; but also, the great ease with which the waters of Susquehanna may be brought out of that River at or rear Hunter's falls, along Paxtug Creek. for the Accommodation of the Borough, and to provide a suthi- cient force in aid of manual Labour, in every branch of Mannftetory which will admit of machinery assistance, in the most extensive manner.
" Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to enquire into the pro- priety, to bring in a Bill to be pa-sedl into a Law, to antho;ize the Gov. ernor to incorporate a Company for establishing a manufictory in the Borough of Harrisburg, and for opening a Canal between the River susquehanna, at or uear Hunter's falls, and Paxtaug Creek : and for '
extending the said Manufactory, to Liuen, Cotton, and such other branches, as they may hereafter find useful and advantageous."
In 1791, when the town was incorporated, the names had grown to two hundred and twenty, and the words " Ferry" and " Lonisburgh" disappear from the record.
In 1792 we have the first borough assessment (taken in 1791) ;
RETURN FOR THE BOROUGH OF HARRISBURG, 1791.
Awl, Jacob.
Gurt, Frederick.
Allen, Jacob. Graydon, William ..
Allen, George. Graybill, Peter .-
Abbott, Jonathan.
Graydon, Alexander.
Andersou, James.
Godfrey & Kelso.
Bombaugh, Conrad.
Glass, William.
Benoett. Thomas. Hanna, John André.
Beatty, James. Hoover, Josepb.
Brunner, Henry.
Hill. Samuel.
Barr, Alexander.
Hocker, Adam.
Brooks, John.
Hocker, Suffell.
Barr, Robin.
Hocker, John.
Berryhill, Samuel.
Hogg, John. Hufford, Abraham.
Burk, Elward.
Boyd, Jobn.
Hitley, John.
P
Buckley, Jeremiah.
Hartz, George.
Beader, Henry.
Hartman, George.
Brunson, Widow.
Hortz, Jacob.
Bantou, Mausfield.
Hollingsworth, Levi.
Bucher, Jacob.
Hume, Johu.
Berry bill, Alexander.
Horter, Valentine.
Boyd, Adamı, Esq.
Hoyer. George.
Brook -, James.
Hise, Johu. Hess, George.
Cluney, James.
Courade, Henry.
Heuning, Jacob.
Vasselbury, Paul.
Harris, Robert.
Cummings, Alexander.
Harris, David.
Cramer, Johu.
Hutmau, Matthias.
Chauibers, Juho.
Henry. John Joseph.
Crawford, Jolin.
Horning, Stepben.
Irwin, Robert.
Ingra'n, William.
Knatcher, Barbary.
Clark, Dennis.
Knatcher, Michael.
Coulter, Andrew,
King, Charlotte.
Darstay, Michael.
Kleckner, Frederick.
Dennich, Peter.
Kilbrith, John. Keyger, Widow.
Downey, Charles.
Dralley, John.
Kapp, Michel. Kapp, Martain.
Dixon, Richard.
Keen. John, Esq.
Dunham, James.
Kunkel, Christian.
Elliot, James.
Krause, Andrew and John.
Ebright, Philip.
Kissinger, Conrad.
Earn-, Jacob.
Lewis, Eli.
Euright, Jacob.
Lineboch, George.
Ebbert, John.
Lawyer, Adamı.
Elder, John.
Lineboch, John.
Elder, Joshna.
Luther, John.
Fridley, George.
Lever, George.
Fridley, Barnet.
Lever, Nicholas.
File, John.
Mocarty, Benjamin.
Folizon, David.
Murray, Patrick.
Ford, Heury.
Miller, John.
Finkaner, Michael.
Martin, Peter.
Fulton, Heury.
Murplay, Barney.
Forrest, Andrew.
Folsons, William.
Morrow, Thomas.
Fenton, Benjamin.
MeNammara, James.
fisher, George.
Mathias, Robert.
Gillum, Juhu.
Movers, John.
Martin, John.
Montgomery, Joseph, Esq-
Grimes, Samuel. filmor, Mores. Gruger, Martin.
Miller, Charles.
Crabb, William.
Conner, David.
Clark, Widow.
Dentzel, John, Esq.
Meats, William.
Firestone, George.
Morse, Moses.
301
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
MIsh, Jacob. Michel, James. M.Chesney, John. McClenning, James. Morrow, William. McKinley, George. Mackey, James. Norton, John. Newman, Andrew. Nigle, Jacob.
Swan, Widow. Smith, James.
Snyder, Adam.
Siboth, Toldfas.
Saylor, Henry.
Spangler, Andrew.
Steen, Robert. Sces, Sattel. Sees, Balsor.
Stayley, Jacub.
Plymire, John.
Smith, Caspar.
Pool, John, Sen.
Smith, Pulley . Snyder, John.
Pancake, Felty. Porter, Alexander. Pleger, Frederick. Peter, Michael.
Tritt, Joseph. Tressiurider, Conrad.
Unger, Peter.
Weatherholt, George.
Winger, Val utine.
Welshans, J .. cob.
Wickersham, Hauna.
Weere, Sammel.
Ronije, John. Robeson, John. Raum, Andrew.
Walburn, Peter. Wall, John.
Weatherup, loho.
Reel, Anthony. Reddig, George.
Waggoner, Sebastoo.
Wilson, Williani.
Wilson, Hugh.
Walter, Peter. Welshoover, Jacob.
Youse, Frederick.
Sower, Casper. Scarlet, David.
Youse, George.
Stoner, Michael. Shields, John. Sawyery, James.
Zollinger, Jacob. Zion, Juhu.
Inmates.
Jacob Youse.
Jacol Keller.
Jacob Cockrao.
William Frazer.
David Allen.
Adam Breadon.
James Keyl. .
John Irwin.
John McCleurey.
Enuch Reanick.
David Fleming.
Thomas Elder.
Samuel Laird.
Peter Lontz.
Hugh Cather wood.
William Martin.
In the general history reference is made to the par- ticipation of the county in the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794. Harrisburg at this time was an important point. From the Oracle of Dauphin we learn that on Friday, the 19th of September. three companies of horse, containing in all one hundred and thirty, ar- " To His Ercellencu, George Washington, President of the United States of America : rived from Philadelphia. the whole under the com- mand of Capt. John Dunlap. The company of light . dragoons, commanded by Capt. John Irwin, of Har- risburg, the corps of light infantry, commanded by Capt. George Fisher, with the most distinguished offi- cers of the county, were paraded. all in complete uni- form, in order to receive them. After the usual cere- monies, the dragoons dismounted to refresh then- selves, and on Monday morning they proceeded to ' crush the spirit of disaffection wherever it has appeared, and that our Carlisle.
On Tuesday following, the 23d, some eighty regular troops, recruited in Massachusetts, commanded by Capt. Lyman, passed through Harrisburg to join Gen. Wayne's army in the Ohio country.
On Thursday, the 25th, a battalion of New Jersey volunteer dragoons, under the command of Gen. Richard Howell, Governor of that State, reached Harrisburg. They were well equipped and com- pletely mounted. "It raining very rapidly on their the following reply :
arrival," says the Ordele, "the citizens of the town, with their usual degree of affection to the sons of liberty and patriotism, voluntarily opened their doors for their reception." The next morning they crossed the Susquehanna, on their way to Carlisle, after ex- pressing their satisfaction in the following manner :
"The commander of the Jersey militia detachment feels himself bound to acknowledge the politeness of the citizens of Harrisburg to his company, and requests that their grantude and his own, joined with the highest respect, inny be signified in a proper thanner.
" RICHARD HOWELL, " Commandant Jersey detachment ...
" HARRISBURG, Sept. 25, 1791."
Alexander Graydon, in his " Memoirs," then a resi- dent of Harrisburg, and an officer of the county, gives the following mention of occurrences at this time :
" The Western Expedition, as it was called, gave me an opportunity of seeing a number of my old friends from Philadelphia ; an lit afforded also a momentary triumph to the poor handful of Harrisburg Federal- ists, who were stated by their opponents to amount to only five.
" A French flug which had been flying at the court-house, then build- ing, had been the cause of sonte squabbiling in the newspaper ; and this Rag was peremptorily ordered to be takeu down by the troops from the city. Had I been diagnosed for revenge, I might upon this occasion have been fully gratified, as I was repeatedly asked who had caused it to be put up, and impliedly censured for giving evasive answers to the questions, which, from their manner, evinced a disposition to treat the authors of it much more roughly than would have been agreeable to me. "Conspicuous among the crowd that rolled on to the pastward was Governor Mifflin. On the day of his arrival he convened the people at the Diarket-house and gave them an animated harangne, in which there was nothing exceptionaldle save a monstrous suggesti mn that the British had stirred up the discontents to the westward and been the cause of the į reseut opposition to the government."
On Friday, October 3d, the President of the United States, Gen. George Washington, arrived at Harris- burg. Apprised of his arrival, all the troops then in the town, on their way westward, marched some dis- tance to meet him and escort him to his quarters in the borough. The joy of the citizens was unbounded, and the burgesses presented the following address :
"SIR,-We, the Burgesses and citizens of Harrisburg, while we rejoice in the opportunity of presenting our respects to a character so justly revered and dear to Americans, cannot but lament that we should our it to an interruptiun of the peace and prosperity of our country. those constant objects of our public care. We trust, however, that the just indignation which fires the breasts of all virtuous citizens at the unprovoked outrages committed by these lawless mien, who are in op- position to one of the mildest and most egnal of government of which the condition of oran is susceptible, will excite such exertions as to political horizon will shine brighter than ever ou a dispersion of the clouds which now menace and obscure it
"Though our sphere of action is too limited to produce any important effects, yet we beg leave to assure your Excellency that, so far as it ex- tenis, our best endeavors shall not be wanting to support the happy constitution and wise administration of our government.
" signed, in behalf of the borough,
" CONRAD BOMBAUCH, "ALEX. BERRYHILL, " Burgesses."
" HARRISHURG, Oct. 3, 1754.
The President, through Gen. Hamilton, returned
Potts, Stacy.
Patterson, Gilbreth.
Potts, William. Pool, John, Jr.
Peel, John. Rimuth, Philip. Rees, David F.
Remer, Adam
302
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
" To the Burgesses and other citizens of Harrisburg :
" GENTIFMEN,-In declaring to yon the genuine satisfaction I derive from your very cordial support. I will not mingle any expression of the painful seneations which I experience from the occasion which has drawn me luther. You will be at no les to do justice to my feelings. But relying on that kindness of Providence towards our country which every adverse appearance hitherto has served to manifest, and counting upon the tried good sense and patriotism of the great body of our fellow. citizens, I do not hesitate to indulge with you the expectation of such an issue is will sonve to confirm the bles-ings we enjoy under a consti- tution that well deserves the confidence and support of virtuous and enlightened men. To class the inhabitants of Harrisburg among this number is only to bevar testimony to the zealous and efficient exertions which they liave monde towards the detence of the laws.
" GEORGE WASHINGTON."
Among the soldiers who accompanied the troops to the westward was Maj. William Gould, of the New Jersey infantry. He kept a journal of the expedi- tion, from which we quote what is of especial local value. It contains several important items of infor- mation .- the abounding of the Susquehanna with rock-fish, salmon, shad, and fowl,-that previous to the founding of the town in 1785 there were quite a number of houses and people bere, and the existence of a public ferry distinct from either the lower or upper ferries, taking in the island in the transit :
" Thursday, October 2d .- Marched to Hummelstown, a handsome vil- lage with kind inhabitants : we were invited into their houses, and had good entertainment in taverns, sixteen miles
" Friday, October 3d .- Marched one mile to a river called Sweet Arry ; crossed on boats and marched to Harrisburg, and encamped on the banks of the Susquebauna River, a beautiful stream, abounding with tock-fish, salmon, and other small fish and fowl in abundance, also shad of the best kind in the season. The founder of this town, named Harris, buried in a stockade fort by reason that the Indians prevented burying in the graveyard. Twenty-five years ago there were but three or fmr houses, and now it contains more than three loindred, beautifully situated on the banks of the river, some elegant houses, good market and tull stores, a county town in Dauphin County.
" At 3 o'clock PM. paraded and marched to town, from where we en- camped; saluted the President of the United States who passed by, after which returned to camp. Col. Forman, Maj. Kipp, and mis self accepted an invitation from the President to take a glass of wine with hin, after which dined very agreeably, and returned to camp : the inhabitants re- ceived us with every mark of friendship; the artillery discharged fif- teen guns at his entrance into town. Nine miles.
" Saturday, Oct. 4. 1794 .- Marched to the Susquehanna ferry at reveille in the morning with the First Battalion ; crossed in boats to an island in the river, and from the ure in other boats to the other side. suffered much with cold in crossing, it being a very cold morning. The Presi -. dent, Geu. Washington, forded the river in a coach, drove it himself, etc."
CHAPTER III.
Sickness at Harrisburg-Landis' Mill-Damn the Source of Trouble --- Meeting of the Citizens-Efforts to Purchase-Removal of the Nul- sance-Mill-Datu Taxes.
fugitives from the seat of it, though in health, were regarded with a jealous eye. Some of the people of Harrisburg were for following the example of their neighbors, though a malady not less fatal than that in Philadelphia was raging among themselves. But the difference was that one was called a plague. the other but a simple fever. It is somewhat remarkable that if the yellow fever is of foreign origin, as insisted upon by many, that a disease of a similar type should make its appearance at the same time on the banks of the Susquehanna at the distance of an hundred miles. Shall we say that the state of the atmosphere which generated the one was favorable to the diffu- sion of the other? This, I believe, is the doctrine of : those who contend that the yellow fever is of exotic growth, and always imparted when it appears among us. I would venture, however, no opinion on the subject. With respect to the mortality produced by the two diseases, that at Harrisburg was, I believe, in proportion to the population of the place as great as that at Philadelphia. I cannot take upon me minutely to describe the symptoms of the Harrisburg disease, nor were they the same in all that were sick, but a general one was an offertion of the stomach, or nausea with violent reachings, and a yellowness of the skin. Some were ill a week, some longer, some died in two or three days from the time of their being seized, and others who were walking about with symp- toms only of the agne suddenly took ill and expired. The black vomit, which has sometimes been supposed peculiar to the yellow fever, appeared in some cases. I was attacked with a quartan ague about the middle of September, but had none of the grievous symptoms of the malignant fever which prevailed.
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