USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster's golden century, 1821-1921; a chronicle of men and women who planned and toiled to build a city strong and beautiful > Part 2
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" The industries of the town are (1789)-14 hatters, 36 shoemakers, 4 tanners, 17 saddlers, 25 tailors, 22 butchers, 25 weavers, 25 blacksmiths, 12 public bakers, 30 carpenters, II coopers, 6 dyers, 7 gunsmiths, 5 ropemakers, 5 tinners, 2 brass founders, 3 skindressers, I brushmaker, 7 turners, 7 nailors, 5 silversmiths, 3 potters, 3 cop- persmiths, 3 breweries, 3 brickyards, 3 printing presses, and 40 houses of public entertainment within the borough."
The close of the Revolution marked the be-
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THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
ginning of numerous institutions of higher learn- ing. In this movement Lancaster shared in the founding of Franklin College. Twelve men of national prominence took the initiative in found- ing a College in Lancaster because of the central and healthy situation of the place, the character of its inhabitants, the convenience with which students of every description might be accommo- dated with board and lodging and the probability that the necessary buildings might be secured at a moderate expense.
From the profound respect for the character of His Excellency the President of the State, the institution was called Franklin College. The petition was signed by Thomas Mckean, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1799 and governor of the state from 1799 to 1808; by Peter Muhlenberg, the soldier preacher of the Revolu- tion, a major general in the American Army and later a noted United States Senator; by Benjamin Rush, one of the most eminent men of the Revolu- tion and of the generation following, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a surgeon in the American Army, a writer and philanthropist of wide renown; and by other men of equal dis- tinction. That the petitioners were justified in their statement that they had prospects of obtain- ing funds to carry out their designs is seen in the first subscription list of Franklin College which is headed by his Excellency Benjamin Franklin,
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Esq. with a subscription of 200 pounds, followed by the names of Robert Morris, Peter Muhlenberg and others. The Legislature of Pennsylvania granted a charter to Franklin College on the 10th of March, 1787.
Among the first trustees of Franklin College, four, Rush, McKean, Clymer and Morris had been signers of the Declaration of Independence, a number of them, Muhlenberg, Mifflin, Daniel and Joseph Hiester, Chambers, Farmer, Craw- ford, had been officers in the Revolutionary War. Mifflin, McKean and Joseph Hiester became gov- ernors of Pennsylvania. Several of the trustees became senators of the United States. A number were prominent citizens of Lancaster, Casper Schaffner, Jasper Yeates and others.
Almost all the members of the Board of Trus- tees of Franklin College were present at the first meeting, a long line of carriages bringing many of them over 66 miles of road from Philadelphia. Benjamin Franklin then 81 years of age left his activities as a member of the Constitutional Con- vention meeting in Philadelphia, to be present at the dedication of the college to be named in his honor. The first faculty of Franklin College was composed of men concerning whom Benjamin Rush said that a cluster of more learned or better qualified masters had not met in any university.
In the spring of 1791 George Washington then President of the new union of the United States left his home in Philadelphia to make a tour
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THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
through all the Southern states. On his return he stopped at Lancaster. His visit fell on the fifteenth anniversary of American Independence, so, on July 4, 1791, he joined with our city fathers in the celebration of that important event. Al- though much feted and elaborately entertained by public demonstrations, Washington found time in the afternoon to visit his old friends, General and Mrs. Hand, at their home " Rockford."
On the 14th of December, 1799 when George Washington died, there was a solemn procession through the streets of Lancaster as soon as the news arrived here. While the entire nation was mourning the loss of Washington, the State of Pennsylvania was called upon to lament the death of its first governor, Thomas Mifflin. This splendid ex-governor and Quaker General of the Revolutionary Army died in Lancaster, while serving as a member of the Legislature, this city being then the capital of the state. Mifflin was buried on the 22d of January, 1800, just out- side the west wall of Trinity Church, beneath the humble tablet placed there, at a later date, to transmit his memory and mark his resting place.
Lancaster was the capital of Pennsylvania from 1799 to 1812 when the state capital was removed to Harrisburg. The State Legislature met in the Court House, which at that time was also known as the State House. The present Court House at the corner of East King and Duke Streets is the third Court House Lancaster has had. Even
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before the first one was built the courts were held at different taverns. The first court house was begun in 1736 and finished in 1739. It was a two-story brick structure and stood in the centre of the square where the Soldier's Monument now stands. The floor was laid with brick. There was a steeple on it and about 1756 a clock was placed in the belfry. This Court House was de-
stroyed by fire in 1784. A new and more impos- ing structure was at once built on the site of the one destroyed. It was in this second Court House that the State Legislature met. The third and present Court House was built in 1852 and com- pleted in 1854.
During the War of 1812 a large number of sol- diers from Lancaster County entered the service. When there was a general apprehension that the British were preparing to invade Maryland and Delaware, a Lancaster County battalion of several companies marched to Elkton, Maryland. Among the troops on that expedition was the Lancaster Phalanx commanded by Captain James Humes. Captain John Hubley also commanded a company from Lancaster. During the British invasion of Maryland and attack on Baltimore, Governor Simon Snyder called out the militia of Lancaster and neighboring counties to the number of 5,000 men. The capture and burning of Washington brought out many volunteers from Lancaster County, but the services of many of the troops were not required for actual fighting.
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THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS
On petition of the citizens, Lancaster after a period of seventy-six years under burgess rule, was incorporated as a city by a charter granted by Act of the State Legislature in 1818. The meeting of the burgesses which for three quarters of a century had been held at the house of one Jacob Frey, forthwith ceased. Fifteen members of Common Council and nine members of Select Council were elected, and John Passmore became the first mayor of the newly incorporated city of Lancaster. The Old had passed away and there was great promise for the New. Such is the story from Brulè to Passmore-a period of exactly two hundred years.
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GENERAL HAND'S HOUSE
233 BRUSHMAKER 235
OLD HOUSES ON MIDDLE STREET
CHAPTER II
THE LANCASTER OF 182I
OR Americans, the noteworthy events of the year 1821 seem to have been the inauguration of President Monroe, and the admission of Missouri to state- hood. The United States had 10,000,000 inhabi- tants, of which more than one-tenth lived in the State of Pennsylvania. The State of Illinois had only 55,000. The list of taxables in Lancaster County was 13,560 whites, and 14 slaves. James Buchanan was our represenative in Congress, Joseph Hiester was Governor of the State, and Samuel Carpenter, Mayor of the City of Lancaster.
The sheriff of course was an important county official in those days. He took the duties of his office very seriously. It is recorded that a certain
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THE LANCASTER OF 182I
John Lechler tried and found guilty of murder was executed by authority of the sheriff on the commons west of the city of Lancaster. The poor fellow was walked on foot in dress parade from the jail to the place of execution escorted by the City Guards, the Lancaster Phalanx, the Lan- caster Greens, and accompanied by the City Band. Two troops of cavalry and the Leacock Phalanx from the county attended on the ground and formed a guard round the gallows before the criminal arrived. It is estimated that at least 15,000 people were present. Truly the sheriff must have been in his glory on that day. Fifteen thousand people ! Lancaster City at the time had but 1600 taxables, and a population of 8,000 souls.
The central feature of Lancaster in 1821 was the Court House in Centre Square. From this Court House there radiated the several streets as one still finds them to-day. At the north- east corner of West King and Prince Streets was the branch Bank of Philadelphia which had been opened in 1803. On East King Street was to be found the Farmers Bank of Lan- caster. This property at the corner of Duke and East King streets had been purchased from Mr. Philip Reigart in 1814. The Demuth Tobacco Store, the oldest of its kind in the United States, had been doing business at 114 East King street since 1770. Just a few doors west of the Farmers Bank, J. F. Heinitsh was advertising
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" Fresh and Genuine Drugs and Medicines, Dye Stuffs." John Frederick Steinman was conduct-' ing the hardware store on West King street, which had been opened as far back as 1744, and which is still in existence. Across the street C. Hager and Co. was advertising " Fresh Fall Goods, Queensware and Groceries." On West King street the Lancaster Journal was printed by John Reynolds. On East King street, the Pennsylvania Gazette was published every Tuesday by Hugh Maxwell. Books and stationery were also for sale at the Gazette office. The Lancaster Intelli- gencer was published weekly on North Queen street by William Dickson. Books, pamphlets and handbills were to be had at the Lancaster Journal office, sign of Franklin's Head, West King street.
The most pretentious building in the community was probably the four-story stone house com- monly called. The Lancaster Cotton Factory, seventy by forty feet on the Conestoga Creek one mile from the centre of the city. George Hoff advertised himself as clock and watch maker on East King street while his wife sold an assortment of leghorn and straw bonnets for ladies in the same store. Hats and shoes could be bought on West King street next door to the Sign of the Lamb. On the northeast corner of Centre Square next door to the Post Office, John Getz the Cop- persmith, Sheet Iron and Tin Plate Worker, sold stills, copper and brass kettles. A Starch Factory had been started by John W. Field just arrived
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THE LANCASTER OF 1821
from England. This factory was opened in the house next to that formerly occupied by Dr. Daly. John Riddle had a barber and hairdressing es- tablishment next door but one west of Mr. Slay- maker's Inn on East King street. Hoffnagle and Hubley commission merchants were to be found on North Queen street near the Court House. John Moderwel, coach and harness maker, was located at King and Lime streets. At the south- east corner of Centre Square, Ober and Kline were selling fresh juniper berries and dyestuffs. John Doersh, bookbinder and paperhanger, was located on South Queen street directly opposite Robert Wilson's Tavern.
George Bomberger's store was to be found on East King street three doors below the sign of the Ship, nearly opposite the house of Dr. Abraham Carpenter. Mr.
McMillan on North Queen street near the Court House was handling spectacles and whips. Augustus J. Kuhn informed the citizens of Lan- caster that he had just procured machinery for preparing seltzer and soda waters. The principal improvement " consists in extracting the atmos- pheric air from the water, rendering it more salubrious and pleasant." Soda with syrup, 614 cents, soda plain 3 cents.
Another ambitious business man informed the inhabitants of Lancaster that he has just returned from Philadelphia with the latest fashions, and that he could make a suit of clothes in five hours, if required. One of the stores advertised superior
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quills and neat small pewter inkstands. Thus it is seen that there were a goodly number of stores in Lancaster in 1821.
A number of private schools were in existence in Lancaster during this period. Many of them were of a rather primitive nature. A self- appointed teacher would advertise for example that " he proposed to teach the young ladies and gentlemen of the community the polite art of writing." Another offered to teach the art of pen- manship in verse, and English Grammar to be imparted in verse. John Webb opened his school April 3rd on South Queen street, and offered to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, bookkeeping, geography. Terms of tuition per quarter were two and three dollars. Edward Clarke, long a teacher in Philadelphia, opened a school in September on North Prince street. Mr. Williams had a Penmanship and Drawing Academy on North Queen street. A Mr. and Mrs. Quinan opened an English and French school. A special school for young ladies was conducted by Sarah Armstrong on Queen street, second square north of the Court House. The Thomas school for young children was to be found " half a square east of Metzgar's Tavern." A circulating library was conducted by Miss Jordan in the house formerly occupied by Mr. Joseph Smith coachmaker, East King street. The library fee was three dollars a year. Franklin College seems at this period to have been in a more
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THE LANCASTER OF 1821
or less moribund condition. Within a few years however the Lancaster County Academy was founded which once more gave Lancaster a classi- cal school. A lot of ground was procured at the northeast corner of Orange and Lime streets on which the Academy Building was erected. The Lancaster County Academy was later merged in Franklin College.
In speaking of the early schools of Lancaster of course mention must be made of the Moravian Schools of Lititz, of the Seventh Day Advent Schools of Ephrata, of the Episcopal Church School at Caernarvon, of the Presbyterian Classi- cal Schools in Salisbury, Donegal and Drumore, and of the parochial schools of other denomin- ations. A public school on what was known as the Lancastrian plan was opened in the city of Lancaster in 1823. It was considered an institu- tion of high repute in its day. General Lafayette visited it when he was lionized in Lancaster in 1825. The building is still used to-day for School Administrative purposes. It stands at the corner of West Chestnut and Prince streets.
Young people seem to have had plenty of amusement in Lancaster in 1821. There were al- ways the simple games that our forefathers knew, corner ball, rail pitching, sledge tossing and quoits. Then there were the singing schools dur- ing winter. For those who were more frivolously inclined there were the balls and the cotillion parties, Then there was the Annual Festival of
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Harvest Home " where the sons and daughters of freedom and those who are friendly to innocent pleasure and festive gaity are invited. The tavern-keepers," so reads the notice, " have pro- vided themselves with everything that can ren- der the hilarity of the day agreeable." Or there was what was known as the Yearly Market, when long rooms were cleared for the lightsome dance, and a goodly assortment of gingerbread, raisins, figs and pickled oysters were served to festive guests. Or one could attend the Lancaster Theatre on Orange street. One of the plays given in the Lancaster Theatre was called " Point of Honor " or a "School for Soldiers." In the third act there was a military procession prepara- tory to the execution of a deserter. After the three acts of this melodrama, there was a musical farce in two acts called "Lock and Key " with songs and duets. Two songs that were sung were entitled " When Freedom on the foaming main," and " When left to themselves, girls are mischiev- ous elves." The doors opened at 6.30 and the curtain rose at 7.00.
Or if the devotee of pleasure in the second and third decade of the nineteenth century in Lancaster wanted to see something even more exciting he could go to the Lancaster Museum, and see the " Wonders of Nature and Art." This institution was brilliantly illuminated on Tues- day and Friday nights, the nights of illumination. There for twelve cents and a half, he could see
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THE LANCASTER OF 1821
shells from the West Indies, and a number col- lected by the Proprietor John Landis ' on his late visit to the sea-shore.' Aquatic and other birds, fish 'well worth the attention of the curious ', insects some of which were singularly interesting, a large elk, a wild cat, an African ape and a bear added to the value of the museum. There were also a number of wax figures depicting Biblical scenes. The fatal duel between Decatur and Barron was staged in wax, the group representing the parties immediately after they had fired, Decatur mortally wounded in the arms of his friend Col. Bainbridge, and Barron danger- ously wounded in the arms of Captain Elliott. In place of "movies " they had a magic lantern show, advertised as a " Phantasmagoria." Opposite the Lancaster Museum was Allen's Lottery and Exchange Office. Here tickets could be bought and shares in a variety of numbers of the Grand State Lottery. On Washington's Birthday the lottery distributed the sum of $250,000, including a first prize of $100,000.
The means of transportation was by stage coach. A line connected Chambersburg, Carlisle, Harrisburg, Lancaster and Philadelphia. The stage left Red Lion Market House, Philadelphia at half past six in the morning for Lancaster, and another left Mr. Cooper's sign of the Red Lion for Philadelphia every morning at half past six. Three times a week the stage left Mr. Cooper's for Harrisburg and the following days left Mr.
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Schock's Harrisburg for Lancaster at seven in the morning. The fare from Philadelphia to Lancaster was three dollars and from Lancaster to Harrisburg was two dollars.
The winter of 1821 was considered a hard winter. One citizen writes " That the times are hard, the taxes heavy, money scarce and that the improvement of the city ought not to stand still are truths which we admit." The Lancaster Benevolent Society in acknowledging a rather modest contribution in November, 1821 says "At a time like the present when we are surrounded with so much sickness and distress, and such re- peated applications are made to charitable citizens, the society felt a delicacy in obtruding themselves upon the notice of the public, and they almost be- gan to despair of being able to provide any flannel or wood for the approaching winter."
The accounts of the Treasurer of the City of Lancaster, George Weizel show that from Janu- ary, 1821 to January, 1822 he received a total of $3,600.92 of which sum, $12 was received for licenses granted for exhibiting strange animals, $II8 for butchers on account of shamble rent, $6.08 from clerk of market, for butter under- weight seized and sold. The expenditures con- sisted of pay for night watchmen, rattles for use of night watchmen, lamp-posts, wicks, torch yarn, fuel for watch boxes, paving gutters and foot- walks, painting and lettering index boards.
What was known as the American System of
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THE LANCASTER OF 1821
Henry Clay was making itself felt all over the nation just one hundred years ago. It was a demand for home manufacture. That demand was echoed in Lancaster in the following state- ment found in one of the Lancaster newspapers of that period : " We continue to purchase manu- factures from Europe because we think we can buy them cheaper than make them. This policy cannot last. The period is rapidly hastening when we will be obliged to abridge our wants or supply them from our own resources. We will have to work our own iron mines, grow and manufacture our own wool and flax and by these means create employment for our citizens and a home market for our agricultural products." This demand for home manufactured products made itself strongly felt in Lancaster at an early date.
There was another way in which patriotism manifested itself a hundred years ago. That was by the public demonstrations of the military companies. Throughout the city and the county there were to be found many military organiza- tions, frequent parades, and annual election of captain and lieutenants. There was the Leacock Phalanx, the City Guards, the Lancaster Greens, the volunteers and enrolled militia composing the First Brigade of the Fourth Division of Penn- sylvania, the Strasburg Independent Blues, the Lancaster County Light Dragoons, the Volunteer Troop of Cavalry formed in the bounds of the
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35th Regiment, and the Union Troop. These state and local military companies were neces- sary. For in January, 1820 the whole United States Army consisted of only 8,184 men.
The Fourth of July celebrations were the oc- casion for wonderful demonstrations and en- thusiastic banquets in those days. In George Washington's Diary there is an interesting ac- count of a 4th of July which he spent in Lan- caster 130 years ago. He arrived here from York at 6 o'clock on the evening of July 3rd escorted from Wright's Ferry by General Hand and many of the principal characters of Lancaster. It was a rare honor for Lancaster to entertain His Ex- cellency, The President of the United States on the Anniversary of American Independence. Washington wrote in his diary: "At Lancaster : July 4, 1791. This being the Anniversary of American Independence and being kindly re- quested to do it, I agreed to halt here this day and partake of the entertainment which was pre- paring for the celebration of it. In the forenoon I walked about the town. At half past 2 o'clock I received and answered an address from the Cor- poration and the Compliments of the Clergy of different denominations-dined between 3 and 4 o'clock-drank tea with Mrs. Hand." According to Claypoole's Daily Advertiser "At three o'clock President Washington and a very large number of citizens, sat down to an elegant entertainment, provided for the occasion, in the court-house."
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THE LANCASTER OF 1821
The following are a few records of Independence Day celebrations one hundred years ago. The " Paradise Hornet"-strange to find a hornet in Paradise-records that the " Union Troop of Cavalry commanded by Captain J. Moore met at the house of Mr. Isaac Smoker on the turnpike for the purpose of celebrating the birthday of American Independence where they partook of an elegant repast. After the cloth was removed toasts accompanied by cheers and plaudits of the company were drank, when the members of the company returned to their respective homes in perfect harmony."
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The toasts drank on the Fourth of July of each year were generally considered as indication of popular feeling on political subjects. One of the cleverest toasts ran something like this : " The army which never pulled a trigger or pushed a bayonet against the rights of man-the Army of the United States." Another to the Fair Sex ran : " Let them give us their affections, and we will protect them with our arms." Among the toasts given at the Fourth of July banquet of the Lan- caster County Light Dragoons commanded by Captain Diller was one to the Legislature of Pennsylvania which was worded thus: "While taking care of themselves may they not forget to take care of volunteers and militia. Lexing- ton and New Orleans have proved their worth." Two other toasts ran as follows: "Lancaster County, The Garden of America, May her agri-
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culturalists reap the benefit of their labors." " Kosciusko of Poland, De La Fayette of France and Washington of America, a trio of freemen engaged in the cause of American Independence."
Fourth of July was really the great day of the year. When the clock struck seven a merry peal from the Cotton Factory bell proclaimed the breakfast hour. In a little time, discharge of cannon and volleys of musketry followed. Then came martial music and the parades. At one o'clock dinner with copious libations.
These dinners were usually held at some of the numerous taverns which had helped to give Lan- caster a far spread fame for hospitality. There was the Indian Queen, the Black Horse, the Sign of the Fox Chase, Cross Keys, Rising Sun, Sign of the Lamb, Sign of the Wagon, The Swan, the Leopard, the Grape, Sign of the Anchor. Lan- caster had many famous hostelries in the olden days. The landlords and innkeepers were often men of prominence and intelligence. During the Revolution the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania and the Committee of Correspond- ence and Observation met at " The Grape Inn." Tradition also says that Washington was a guest at the " Grape" when in Lancaster. Buchanan always made it his headquarters. The " Cross Keys " was the resort of the Quakers. Lafayette stopped at the " State Arms" of which Henry Slaymaker was proprietor.
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