USA > Pennsylvania > Jefferson County > Jefferson County, Pennsylvania : her pioneers and people, 1800-1915, Volume I > Part 18
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However, as the settlement increased, the sense of loneliness and isolation was dispelled. the asperities of life were softened and its amenities multiplied; social gatherings became more numerous and more enjoyable. The log rollings, harvestings, and husking frolics for the men, and apple-buttermaking and the quilting parties for the women, furnished fre- quent occasions for social intercourse. The early settlers took pleasure and pride in rifle shooting, and as they were accustomed to the use of the gun as a means often of obtaining a subsistence, and relied upon it as a weapon of defense, they exhibited considerable skill.
Foot-racing, wrestling and jumping matches were common. The jumping matches con- sisted of the "single jump," backward jump. high jump, three jumps, and the running hop, step and jump.
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A wedding was the event of most impor- tance in the sparsely settled new country. The young people had every inducement to marry, and generally did so as soon as able to provide for themselves. When a marriage was to be celebrated, all the neighborhood turned out. It was customary to have the ceremony per- formed before dinner, and in order to be on time the groom and his attendants usually started from his father's honse in the morn- ing for that of the bride. All went on horse- back, riding in single file along the narrow trail. Arrived at the cabin of the bride's par- ents, the ceremony would be performed, and after that dinner was served. This would be a substantial backwoods feast, of beef, pork, fowls and bear, or deer meat, with such vege- tables as could be procured. The greatest hilarity prevailed during the meal. After it was over, the dancing began, and was usually kept up till the next morning, though the newly made husband and wife were, as a gen- eral thing, put to bed in the most approved fashion and with considerable formality in the middle of the evening's hilarity. The tall young men, when they went on the floor to dance, had to take their places with care be- tween the logs that supported the loft floor, or they were in danger of bumping their heads. The figures of the dances were three and four- hand reels, or square sets and jigs. The com- mencement was always a square four, which was followed by "jigging it off." or what was sometimes called a "cut-off jig." The "set- tlement" of the young couple was thought to be thoroughly and generally made when the neighbors assembled and raised a cabin for them.
PIONEER EVENING FROLICS
In the pioneer days newspapers were few, dear, printed on coarse paper, and small. Books were scarce, there was only occasional preaching, no public lectures, and but few public meetings excepting the annual Fourth of July celebration, when all the patriots assembled to hear the Declaration of Inde- pendence read. The pioneer and his family had to have fun. The common saying of that day was that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." 'As a rule, outside of the villages, everybody lived in log cabins, and the people were bound together by mutual de- pendence and acts of neighborly kindness. At every cabin the latchstring was always out. The young ladies of the "upper ten" learned music, but it was the humming of to "knit
and spin ;" their piano was a loom, their sun- shade a broom, and their novel a Bible. A young gentleman or lady would' then be as proud of his or her new suit, woven by a sister or mother on her own loom, as proud could be, and these new suits or "best clothes" were always worn to evening frolics. Social parties among the young were called "kissing parties," because in all the plays, either as a penalty or as part of the play, all the girls who joined in the amusement had to be kissed by some of the boys. The girls, of course, objected to the kissing; but then they were gentle, pretty and witty, and the sweetest and best girls the world ever knew. This was true, for I attended these parties and kissed girls myself.
The plays were nearly all musical, and the boys lived and played them in the "pleasures of hope," while usually there sat in the corner of the cabin fireplace a grandad or a grandma smoking a stone or clay pipe, lighted with a live coal from the wood fire, living and smok- ing in the "pleasures of memory."
A popular play was for all the persons to join hands and form a circle, with a dude of that time, in shirt of check and bear-greased hair, in the center. Then they circled round and round the center person, singing :
King William was King James' son, And of that royal race he sprung; He wore a star upon his breast To show that he was royal best. Go choose your east, go choose your west, Go choose the one that you like best;
If he's not here to take your part,
Go choose another with all your heart.
The boy in the center then chose a lady from the circle, and she stepped into the ring with him. Then the circling was resumed, and all sang to the parties inside :
Down on this carpet you must kneel, Just as the grass grows in the field ; Salute your bride with kisses sweet, And then rise up upon your feet.
The play went on in this manner until all the girls present had been kissed. There were no hobgoblin stories then about germs, and no sanitation.
Another popular play was to form a ring. A young lady would step into the circle, and all parties would join hands and sing :
There's a lily in the garden, For you, young man ; There's a lily in the garden, Go pluck it if you can, etc.
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The lady then selected a boy from the circle, who walked into the ring with her. He then kissed her and she went out, when the rest sang :
There he stands, that great big booby, Who he is I do not know; Who will take him for his beauty? Let her answer, yes or no.
This play went on in this way until all the girls had been kissed.
Other favorite plays were :
Oats, peas, beans and barley grows, None so well as the farmer knows How oats, peas, beans and barley grows; Thus the farmer sows his seed, Thus he stands to take his ease;
He stamps his foot and claps his hands, And turns around to view his lands, etc.
Oh, sister Phoebe, how merry were we, That night we sat under the juniper tree, The juniper tree, I, Oh.
Take this hat on your head, keep your head warm, And take a sweet kiss, it will do you no harm, But a great deal of good, I know.
If I had as many lives As Solomon had wives, I'd be as old as Adam; So rise to your feet And kiss the first you meet, Your humble servant, madam.
It's raining, it's hailing, it's cold, stormy weather ; In comes the farmer, drinking of his cider. He's going a-reaping, he wants a binder, I've lost my true love, where shall I find her ?
A live play was called "hurly-burly." Two went round and gave each one, secretly, some- thing to do. One girl was to pull a young man's hair; another to tweak an ear or nose, or trip someone, etc. When all had been told what to do, the master of ceremonies cried out, "Hurly-burly." Everyone sprang up and hastened to do as instructed. This created a mixed scene of a ludicrous character, and was most properly named "hurly-burly."
PIONEER MUSIC SCHOOLS AND SINGING MAS- TERS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY
Oh, tell me the tales I delighted to hear, Long, long ago, long, long ago; Olı, sing me the old songs so full of cheer, Long, long ago, long, long ago.
The first book containing musical characters was issued in 1495. The drum was the first musical instrument.
I. D. Hughes, of Punxsutawney, informis me that the first music book he bought was Wyeth's "Repository of Sacred Music," sec-
ond edition. I have seen this book myself, but a later edition (the fifth), published in 1820. Mr. Hughes says that Joseph Thompson, of Dowlingville, was the pioneer "singing mas- ter" in Jefferson county, and that he sang from Wakefield's "Harp," second edition. He used a tuning fork to sound the pitches, and accompanied his vocal instruction with violin music.
George James was an early "master," and used the same book as Thompson. These two taught in the carly thirties. I. D. Hughes taught in 1840 and used the "Missouri Har- mony." This was a collection of psalm and hymn tunes and anthems, and was published by Morgan & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. The first tune in this old "Harmony," or "buckwheat" notebook, was "Primrose":
Salvation, oh, the joyful sound, 'Tis pleasure to our ears, A sovereign balm for every wound, A cordial for our fears.
On the second page was "Old Hundred," and on the same page "Canaan":
On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, And cast a wishful eye To Canaan's fair and happy land, Where my possessions lie.
The dear old pioneers who used to delight in these sweet melodies have nearly all crossed this Jordan, and are now doubtless singing "Harwell":
Hark! ten thousand harps and voices Sound the note of praise above; Jesus reigns, and heaven rejoices ; Jesus reigns, the God of love.
Rev. George M. Slaysman, of Punxsu- tawney, was the pioncer teacher of round notes-the do re mis-in the county. Judge William P. Jenks was also an early instructor in these notes. The first teacher I went to was Prof. George W. Huey, in 1847. He taught and used the Carmina Sacra, and taught the Italian do re mi.
We talk about progress, rapid transit, and electricity, but modern music teachers have failed to improve on the melody of those old pioneer tunes, "that seemed like echoes from a. heavenly choir; echoes that seemed to have increased power every time the pearly gates opened to admit some sainted father or mother."
God sent these singers upon earth With songs of sadness and of mirth, That they might touch the hearts of men And bring them hack to Heaven again.
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A PIONEER LULLABY FOR THE SUGAR-TROUGII CRADLE
(Dr. Watts's Cradle Hymn)
Hush, my babe, lie still and slumber, Holy angels guard thy bed; Heavenly blessings, without number, Gently falling on thy head.
Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment, House and home thy friends provide, All without thy care or payment, All thy wants are well supplied.
How much better thou'rt attended Than the Son of God could be, When from heaven He descended And became a child like thee.
Soft and easy is thy cradle, Coarse and hard thy Savior lay, When His birthplace was a stable, And his softest bed was hay.
Blessed babe! what glorious features, Spotless, fair, divinely bright ! Must He dwell with brutal creatures? How could angels bear the sight?
Was there nothing but a manger Wicked sinners could afford
To receive the heavenly stranger ? Did they thus affront the Lord?
Soft, my child, I did not chide thee, Though my song may sound too hard : 'Tis thy mother sits beside thee, And her arms shall be thy guard.
Yet. to read the shameful story. How the Jews abused their King; How they served the Lord of Glory, Makes me angry while I sing.
A SONG THAT WAS SUNG IN EVERY FAMILY
Old Grimes is dead, that good old man, We ne'er shall see him more ; He used to wear a long black coat All buttoned down before.
His heart was open as the day, Ilis feelings all were true; Ilis hair was some inclined to gray, He wore it in a queue.
Whene'er he heard the voice of pain His breast with pity burned :
The large round head upon his cane From ivory was turned.
Kind words he ever had for all; He knew no base design: Ilis eyes were dark and rather small, His nose was aquiline.
Hle lived in peace with all mankind, In friendship he was true:
His coat had pocket-holes behind. His pantaloons were blue.
Unharmed, the sin which earth pollutes He passed securely o'er, And never wore a pair of boots For thirty years or more.
But good Old Grimes is now at rest, Nor fears misfortune's frown; He wore a double-breasted vest, The stripes ran up and down.
He modest merit sought to find, And pay it its desert : He had no malice in his mind, No ruffles on his shirt.
His neighbors he did not abuse, Was sociable and gay; He wore large buckles on his shoes, And changed them every day.
His knowledge hid from public gaze He did not bring to view, Nor make a noise town-meeting days, As many people do.
His worldly goods he never threw In trust to fortune's chances. But lived (as all his brothers do) In easy circumstances.
Thus undisturbed by anxious cares His peaceful moments ran ; And everybody said he was A fine old gentleman. -Albert G. Greene.
LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN IN PIONEER TIMES
In pioneer days men and women were slaves or free, white free people and colored free people, and to be legally married they had to be free, viz .: Up to and later than 1834. Pennsylvania was under the common law system of England. Under this law the wife had no legal separate existence. The husband had the right to whip her, and only in the event of her committing crimes had she a separate existence from her husband. But if the crime was committed in her husband's presence, she was then presumed not guilty. Her condition was legally little, if any, better than that of a slave.
Under the common law, husband and wife were considered as one person, and on this principle all their civil duties and relations rested. The wife could not sue in her own name, but only through her husband. If she suffered wrong in her person or property. she could, with her husband's aid and assistance. prosecute, but the husband had to be the plain- tiff. For crimes without any presumed coercion of her husband, the wife could be prosecuted and punished, and for these mis- demeanors the punishments were severe.
The wife could make no contract with her
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husband. The husband and she could make a contract through the agency of trustees for the wife, the wife, though, being still under the protection of her husband. All contracts made between husband and wife before mar- riage were void after the ceremony. The hus-
was so liable, except for "superfluities and extravagances."
If the wife died before the husband and left no children, the husband and his heirs inherited her estate. But if there were chil- dren, the husband remained in possession of
Diperson Coming to
This is At leasting that on the Itistothe Day. May 1831 appeared begone come the subscriin one of the counties of the peace in and for the looming agonia Gerai banner den larguet Issus both. of void county, Não cosas legally Formid in chammiage cach of them. being of fix are an aceland from entre to be free
Syrien under my hand initial in. Michelt Way of Key Difor
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Caroline Thiele On Where Leagally Doing in marnas, a each of them being of full-age And declaire Them action
Given under boy band and Lead the leg ain queur finit above conter
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES ("Free" signifies free to be married )
band could in no wise convey lands or realty to his wife, only and except through a trustee. A husband at death could bequeath real estate to his wife. Marriage gave the husband all right and title to his wife's property, whether real or personal, but he then became liable for all debts and contracts, even those that were made before marriage, and after marriage he
her land during the lifetime of the wife, and at his death the land went to the wife's heirs.
.All debts due to the wife became after mar- riage the property of the husband, who be- came invested with power to sue on bond, note, or any other obligation, to his own and exclusive use. The powers of discharge and assignment and change of securities were, of
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course, involved in the leading principle. If the husband died before the recovery of the money, or any change in the securities, the wife became entitled to these debts, etc., in her own right. All personal property of the wife, such as money, goods, movables and stocks, became absolutely the property of the husband upon marriage, and at his death went to his heirs.
Property could be settled on the wife by deed of marriage settlement. Property could be settled on the wife after marriage by the husband, provided he was solvent at the time and the transfer not made with a view to de-
fraud. The wife could not sell her land, but any real estate settled upon her through a trustee she could bequeath.
The husband and wife could not be witness against each other in civil or criminal cases where the testimony could in the least favor or criminate either. One exception only ex- isted to this rule, and that was that "the per- sonal safety of the life of the wife gave her permission to testify for her protection." For further information, see my "Recollections." In 1800 women could not vote in any State in the Union.
CHAPTER VI
PIONEER ROADS AND BRIDGES-TURNPIKES-STAGES
EARLY COURT RECORDS RELATING TO ROADS AND BRIDGES-ACTS OF ASSEMBLY RELATING TO ROADS, ETC .- SUSQUEHANNA AND WATERFORD TURNPIKE -OLEAN ROAD - OTHER ROADS - TOLL- GATES-STAGES, ETC.
EARLY COURT RECORDS RELATING TO ROADS AND BRIDGES
September Sessions, 1808
The pioneer road was the Indiana and Port Barnett, for the erection of which the petition of a number of citizens of Jefferson county and parts adjacent was presented to the Indiana county court and read, praying for the view of a road from Brady's mill, on Little Mahoning creek, to Sandy Lick creek, in Jef- ferson county, where the State road crosses the same. Whereupon the court did appoint Samuel Lucas, John Jones. Moses Knapp, Samuel Scott (of Jefferson county), John Park and Jolin Wier (of Indiana county). to view and make report to next court. Report filed.
There is no report of the viewers on record. nor is the report in the file with the old papers. This road was probably built in 1810.
September Sessions, 1800
The petition of a number of the inhabitants of Jefferson county was presented to court and read, praying for a view of a road from a bridge at the end of Adam Vasbinder's lane to Samuel Scott's mills, on Sandy Lick creek. Whereupon the court did appoint William
Vasbinder, Moses Knapp, Ludwig Long, Sam- uel Scott, Adam Vasbinder and John Taylor to view and make report to next court. Order issued. Distance, two and one-half miles and fifty-three perches.
March Sessions, ISII
The petition of the inhabitants of Jefferson county was presented to court and read, set- ting forth that they labored under great in- conveniences from the want of a public road from the settlement in Jefferson county to the settlement in Mahoning township, Indiana county, to begin near Moses Knapp's mill, mouth of the North Fork, on the State road. to Big Mahoning creek, near John Bell's. Whereupon the court did appoint John Tay- lor, John Bell. Thomas Lucas, Moses Knapp. Jolin Matson and John Jones to view and- make report to next court. Order issued. Dis- tance, fifteen miles and ninety-five perches ; twenty feet wide.
1820
The petition of a number of the inhabitants of the county of Indiana and county district of Jefferson was presented to court and read, setting forth that they labor under great in- convenience from want of a public road from
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Punxsutawney, to intersect the road leading from Brady's mills to the mouth of Ander- son's creek, at or near Lucas's camp. Where- upon the court appointed John W. Jenks, Zephaniah Weakland, John Bell, Esq., Sam- uel Bell, Esq., Peter Dilts and Moses Craw- ford to view the ground over which the pro- posed road is petitioned for and to make re- turn next sessions. Approved April 12, 1820. Distance; seven and one-half miles and thirty- four perches.
The petition of the inhabitants of Perry township, in Jefferson county, and also of Mahoning township, in Indiana county, was presented to court and read, setting forth that they labor under great inconvenience from a want of a public road from the four-mile tree, upon a road leading from John Bell's, Esq .. in Jefferson county, to David Lawson's, in Armstrong county, from thence to intersect the road leading from Jacob Knave's to James Ewing's mill, at or near the north end of the farm of Joshua Lewis. Whereupon the court appointed James Ewing, William Dilts, James McComb, William Davis, Samuel Bell, Esq., and David Cochran to view the ground over which said road is contemplated to be made and make report to next court. Distance, seven and one-half miles and twenty-six perches, twenty-five feet wide. Approved March 29, 1820.
The petition of a number of the inhabitants of Pinecreek township, in Jefferson county. was presented to court and read. setting forth that they labor under great inconveniences · from the want of a public road from the county line of Armstrong county, to which place there is a road leading out near William King's; from thence to the town of Troy. which is about a mile. Whereupon it is con- sidered by the court and ordered that Salmon Fuller. John Welch, John Lucas, James Shields, James Clemons and Peter Bartle do view the ground over which the proposed road is petitioned for and make report to next court. Distance, two hundred and fifty-three perches. Approved December 28, 1820.
The petition of a number of inhabitants of Pinecreek township was presented to court and read, setting forth that they labor under great inconvenience for the want of a road or cartway from the eighty-mile post, near Alexander Power's on the State road, to inter- sect the road leading to Indiana at or near Little Sandy creek, and praying the court to appoint viewers to view and lay out the same. Whereupon the court appointed John Bell. John Matson, Archibald Hadden, John Bartle,
Joseph Mccullough and Robert Anderson to view the ground over which the said road is contemplated to be made and make report to next court. Distance, nine miles and sixty- three perches. December 28, 1820, order of view approved.
The petition of a number of the inhabitants of Perry township, in Jefferson county, was presented to court and read, setting forth that they labor under great inconvenience from the want of a public road from Punxsutawney. to intersect the road leading from Indiana to Barnett's, at or near John Bell's, Esq. Where- upon the court appointed John Bell, Esq., Archibald Hadden, Michael Lantz, Hugh Mc- Kee, Jacob Hoover and William P. Brady to view the ground over which the proposed road is contemplated to be made and make report to next court. Distance, six miles and one hundred and twenty perches. Approved De- cember 28, 1820.
1822
Petition was made for a road to Barclay's inill, conveniently at the northeast corner of Abraham Wilcocks' lots, or near it, to intersect the road from Punxsutawney at Leasure's camp, at or near where said road crosses Canoe creek. Whereupon it is considered and ordered by the court that Moses Crawford. John Park, Robert Hamilton, John Jamison, William Hendricks and James Work do view the ground over which the proposed road is contemplated to be made, and if they or any four of these actual viewers agree that there is occasion for said road, they shall make report to next court.
June 25, 1822. report of viewers approved and ordered to be opened.
No distance is given in the return of view- ers.
The first bridge across Sandy Lick was built at Reynoldsville in 1822.
PRINCIPAL ROADS AND COUNTY BRIDGES 1830 TO 1840
December Sessions, 1830
Petition No. I. Petition of the commis- sioners of Jefferson county for a bridge over Sandy Lick creek, where public highway to Indiana crosses said creek in the township of Pinecreek in said county, etc.
On December 7, 1830, the court appointed Joseph Barnett. William Robinson, David Butler, Samuel Jones, John Christy and Joseph
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Potter to view the same and report according to law.
The contract for this bridge was made August 11, 1829. The commissioners were Thomas McKee and Thomas Lucas; the con- tractors, William Morrison and William Kelso; witnesses to agreement, Andrew Bar- nett and John McGhee; consideration, $320, to be paid as follows: To give them now in hand the subscription of seventy-five dollars, and a draft on the supervisors of Pinecreek township for fifty dollars, and the remainder. one hundred and ninety-five dollars, in county orders when completed.
The bridge was sixteen feet wide, with stone abutments seventy-five feet apart, suf- ficiently strong to support roofing, and to be finished in one hundred and thirteen days.
Petition No. 3. Road from Barclay & Jenks' mill to Brookville.
December 7, 1830. Confirmed September sessions, 1831.
1831
Petition No. 2. Road from Jacob Hoover's mill to intersect the road leading from Bar- clay's mill to the Jefferson road through Gib- son's clearing, and confirmed and ordered to be opened thirty-five feet wide, unless where digging and bridging is necessary. December 13. 1831.
Petition No. 3. Road from Brookville to David Hamilton's on the Indiana county line. February 8, 1831. September 7. 1831, read and confirmed.
Petition No. 4. Road from William Mc- Kee's on the turnpike to James Linn's im- provement on the Olean road. February 8, 1831. Read and confirmed. December 13. 1832, ordered to be opened.
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