USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 24
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
iv. Barbara.
v. Peter.
II. SIMON SNYDER, of Harrisburg, d. in
1794. leaving a wife and children: i. Simon.
ii. Margaret, m. Frederick Rupley.
iii. Catharine, m. Jacob Youse.
iv. Mary, m. George Eicholtz.
vl Rosanna.
vi. Susan. III. LEONARD SNYDER, of Upper Pax- tang, d. March 1800, leaving children:
i. Leonard.
ii. Nicholas.
iii. Catharine.
iv. Jacob.
v. Stophel. vi. Samuel. -
IV. MARCUS SNYDER, of Middletown,
d. 1808, leaving a wife and children: i. Catharine, m. John Stauffer.
ii. Polly, ni. Nicholas Schuler.
iii. Sarah.
iv. Peter.
v. John.
vi. Peggy. vii. Lydia.
STEEL.
I. THOMAS STEEL, son of David Steel,
172
Historical and Genealogical.
of Hanover, d. March, 1746-7, leaving a wife Agnes, and child :
i. David.
II. WILLIAM STEEL, of Paxtang, son of David Steel. d. August, 1769, leaving children :
i. John; m. Margaret McClure, and had William. ii. Samuel.
iii. Agnes; m. John Boggs, and had William.
iv. Elizabeth; m. Thomas MeNutt, and had William.
v. Thomas.
vi. David; m. Katharine
vii. Mary. viii. Jean. ix. William.
STERRETT.
I. SAMUEL STERRETT, of Hanover, d. February, 1776, leaving a wife Margaret, and children:
i. John.
ii. William.
iii. Alexander. iv. - m. Moses Shaw, and had Sarah.
v. Benjamin. vi. Samuel. vii. Elizabeth. viii. - m. William Hall.
II. ROBERT STERRETT, of Paxtang, d in March, 1777, leaving a wife Mary, and children:
i. William. ii. James.
iii. David; formerly of Hanover, in 1790, resided in Newton township, Cum- berland county, Penn'a; his wife was Rachel [Innis. ] iv. Agnes, m. Hannah.
v. Mary m. Bowman, and had Mary. vi. Robert.
STRAIN .
I. JOHN STRAIN, of Hanover, died in 1752, leaving, among other children:
i. Robert, d. Oct. 1753, unm. ii. David.
iii. William.
iv. Gilbert.
v. Mary, m. - Thompson.
vi. John.
II. JOHN STRAIN, of Hanover, d. about 1762, leaving children :
i. Robert, m. Elizabeth -
ii. Sarah. iii. Mary.
III. THOMAS STRAIN, of Hanover, d. March, 1780, leaving a wife Hannah and children :
i. -- , m. James Milliken, and had Margaret.
ii. Saralı, m. - Edwards. iii. - , m. William Thompson. iv. John. v. Thomas.
IV. DAVID STRAIN, of Hanover, d. September. 1783, leaving a wife Eliza- beth and ehildren :
i. John. ii. -- , m. James McCreight. iii. Alexander. iv. William. v. -- , m. John Wilson.
TAYLOR.
I. ROBERT TAYLOR, of "Pine Ford," Derry township, d. prior to 1761, for at that period his widow Mary was the wife of Charles McCormick; and had children: i. Henry; m. Rhoda - ; in 1794, re- sided in Armagh township, Mifflin co. Pa. ii. William.
iii. Catharine, m. John Sterling.
iv. Robert. v. Matthew.
vi. Jean. vii. John.
viii. Elizabeth. iv. Ann.
II. DAVID TAYLOR, d. prior to 1773, leaving a wife Agnes, and children:
i. John, m. Mary -; in 1795 resided in Middle Paxtang township.
ii. Mary.
iii. Esther.
iv. Agnes. v. Jean.
III. SAMUEL TAYLOR and wife Sarah, in 1785 resided "on Powles' creek," Up- per Paxtang township.
173
Historical and Genealogical.
NOTES AND QUERIES
Relating to the History of Dauphin County.
XLIII.
PRICES SIXTY YEARS AGO-From the day book of Rober Sloan, father of our esteemed citizen, Alexander Sloan, we learn the prices at which certain articles were sold sixty odd years ago:
Dec. 29, 1819, butter 12} cents per pound.
March 6, 1821, flour per barrel, $3.
April 3, 1821, flour per barrel, $2.75.
April 1822, cherry boards $11 per thou- sand.
April 1822, pine boards $6 per thousand. From the same book we learn that a cherry coffin and case cost, $10; while a mahogany coffin and case, cost $30; this was owing to the high price of mahogany boards which were brought from Phila- delphia on wagons.
OLD PAXTANG CHURCH .- A few days since, learning that repairs of this last re- maining land-mark of the Seotch-Irish settlement were contemplated, we paid a visit to the old church. We clambered up into the loft, and examined the rafters and collar beams which werejust as sound as the day they were placed there. The timbers were of oak, and originally an arehed ceiling was contemplated. This was never done; and when the little win- dow back of the pulpit and the north door were elosed up, perchance seventy or eighty years ago, the ceiling was made square, supported by cross timbers held to the rafters by iron rods. The shingles on the south side of the roof are much decayed, while those on the opposite side are in good condition. It has been decided to put on a slate roof with the eaves projecting beyond the walls, so as to protect that old and sub- stantial masonry. Beside the roof, it is proposed to "under pin" certain portions of the wall, so that a firmer foundation may be made. Our old ancestors never dug deep, hence most of the early stone structures were built without the firm foundations of the present day.
W. H. E.
OUR ABORIGINES.
A correspondent asks us the question whether the Leni Lenapes and the Dela - wares were the same tribe of Indians. In reply we can briefly state that the proper name of the Delawares is Leni Lenape, signifying "original people who are the same that they were in the beginning," that is, unchanged and unmixed. The name Delawares was applied to them by the whites. The Indians thought at first it was applied to them in derision; but when told that it was the name of a great white chief Lord De La War, they felt complimented. The Leni Lenapes were, according to their tradition, one of the two great Indian nations which inhabited this continent-the other nation being the Mengwes. The samc authority asserts that the Leni Lenapes were In- dians of the Far West. Gradually mov- ing eastward they met the Mengwes; and east of them were the Alligwes, from whence the name Allegheny is derived. The Lenapes seeking to reach the East obtained permission from the Alligwes to pass through their country. This emi- gration was partially performed, when becoming alarmed at the great numbers that were coming over, the Alligwes in- terrupted the march, and slew many of the Lenapes. Those of the latter who re- mained joined with the Mengwes and ex- pelled the Alligwes. The Mengwes and the Lenapes then divided the land -- the former settling by the great lakes, and the latter at the South.
After a time,
the hunters of the Lenapes crossed the Allegheny mountains. They reached the Susque- hanna, the Delaware and the Hudson rivers, and the sea coast; and upon their reports the tribe determined to emigrate to the East. The Lenapes were divided into three great tribes-the Unanimis, or the Turtle; the Unalachtgo, or the Tur- key; and Minsi, or the Wolf. The first two inhabited the coast from the Hudson to the Potomae, and the Minsi dwelt in the interior, and had their council seat on the Delaware. They were subsequently divided into many tribes, most of whom being distinguished by their location, Susquehannas, Nanticokes, Shawanese, &c. After many years of amity, there was a great war between the Mengwes
174
Historical and Genealogical.
and Lenapes, and the latter were generally sucessful, until at length the former organized a confedera- tion ealled the Five Nations, namely the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, to which was subsequently added the Tusearoras. The general name applied to the Six Nations was the Iroquois. The latter were fierce, warlike and ag- gressive-so much so that they either con- quered or disarmed the Leni Lenapes-or, as in the case of the Susquehannas, anni hilated the tribes altogether. Much of our early Indian history is befogging, and at best very unsatisfactory. As to the Delawares, the Iroquois compelled them to remove from their original settlements about the Delaware in 1744, and they gradually moved westward. A consider- able number went to Ohio, where they settled in what is now called Delaware eounty. They next crossed the Missis- sippi and settled in Kansas, where their number in 1869 was only one thousand - and five. . In 1870 they were removed to the Indian Territorial reservation, and have lost their identity by being ineorpo- rated with the Cherokees.
REV. JOHN ROAN'S CONGREGATION.
Derry, Paxtang and Mount Joy, 1745- 1775.
II.
William Hays(sheriff's son, ) 1763-1769.
David Hunter, M., 1760-1773.
Samuel Jordant, D.
David Johnstont, D., 1745-1772.
John Johnston, Sen., P., 1745-1772.
Oliver Jones, P., 1750-1.
John Johnston, Jun .. P., 1750-1.
Wm. Johnston, P., 1772. John Johnston, (Taylor.)
James Johnston, P., 1764-1772.
John Johnston (David's son), 1769- 1773.
Alex. Johnston, P,, 1770-1772. Francis Johnston, P., 1750-1. Patrick Kelly, (had son James, ) 1745- 1771}, George Kelly, (his widow to 1773,) 1758-1769+.
William Kirkpatrick, P., +1745-1764. Margaret Kirkpatrick, P., 1772. Jolın Kirkpatrick, P., 1773.
John Kerr, P., 1750-1.
James Kerr, "to help Derry," 1745.
Robert Kerr.
Patrick Kelly, jun., 1769-1771.
Thomas King, P., 1750-1758.
Alex. Leekey, +D. Thomas Logan, D., 1745-1772.
John Logan. D., 1758 1774. James Lisk [Lusk], P., 1750-1773.
Nathl Litle#, M.
John Lowry.
Franeis Loek.
John Lee, M., 1760-1763. John Lamb, P., 1758-1769. Samuel Leney, P., 1758.
William Muirhead, P., 1766-1774.
John Moor, P., 1758.
Thomas MeCraeken, M., 1745-1763;
"removed spring of '63." David McCord, +D., 1745-1762.
William McCord, +D.
John MeCord.
Neal McAllister, sen., +D.
Neal McAllister, D., 1753-1761.
John McAllister, D., 1745-1764.
David MeClenaghan, +D.
William MeClenaghan, +P., 1767-1774. James McClenaghan, 1758-1773.
Jonn MeCosh, +D.
John MeCraeken, M., 1745-1770.
John MeCaver, +D.
James MeCaver, +D.
John MeConaghy, *M.
James MeChesney, #M. Richard McClure, P., 1745-1774.
Alex. McClure, P., 1745-1773.
William MeClure, P., 1771-1774.
Jonathan McClure, P., 1772-1774. Samuel McCorkle.
Alex. MeCorkle, P., 1750-1.
Archibald MeCaver.
Hugh MeCormiek, P., 1750-1.
Dennis McCormick.
Daniel McCumb, P., 1772.
Robert McConnell, P., 1769-1774.
James MeCall. . Duncan McDugald, 1760-1763.
John McFarlen, *M. William McFarlen, "to help Derry," 1745.
George McGeehan, "to help Derry," 1745.
John Mckinsey. Francis McKnaught, P., 1750-1772. William McKnight, P., 1750-1772. James McKnight, P., 1750-1.
-
175
Historical and Genealogical.
Timothy Mcknight. * P., 1745-1765. Mary Ann Mcknight, 1754-1756. Alex. McKennet. James McManus, (son of Thomas. ) P., 1763-1773.
Thomas McMullan, P., 1750-17.73. Agnes McMallan, P.
John McClurc (Thos. Bayley's cousin) 1761.
George McMullan, P., 1772.
John McDonnald, M, 1767-1773.
John McClurc, "to help Derry," 1761.
Robt. McClery, +D.
James McAdow, +D.
Alcx. M'Kay [McKee], 1769 1774.
James Martin, *M. James McMullan, P., 1772.
John Martin, P., 1750-1. Henry McElroy, P., 1750-1. Martha McElroy, P., 1764.
James Miller, + D.
John Miller, P., 1750 1.
William Millar, M.
David Millar. Alex. Maybane, + D. John Maybane, Sen., * 1745-1771. John Mavbane, Jun., 1753 1774.
James Murray, + P., 1758.
Samuel Murray, "to help Derry, " 1745. Alex. Murray, [morrow] P., 1758- 1763.
John Montgomery, Sen., P., 1750-1766. John Montgomery, Jun., (John's son) P., 1750 1773.
John Montgomery, (lame.)
Robert Montgomery, Jr., P., 1772.
Robert Montgomery, (School master) P., 1773. James Montgomery, + D.
The Rev. Joseph Montgomery, P., 1772.
James Mays, * M. David Mitchel, * M.
Thomas Morrison.
William Morrow, [Murray. ]
Widow Morrow, [Murray.] 1750-1.
Martha Montgomery.
Robert Montgomery, Sen., (not the mason) P., 1767-1774.
George Murray, P., "to help Derry," 1760-1766.
David Montgomery, P., 1769-1774. John Mays, M., 1768-1773. Wmn. Montgomery, P., 1772. John Noble.
Mr. and Mrs. Namelass, [ Wanlass. ]
Robert Neilson, M.
Joseph Neilson, ¿ M.
James Neilson, 5 M., 1760.
John Patton, "to help Derry, " 1745.
David Pinkertont, D.
James Parkł, D.
James Pollock, 1750-1.
John Peden, ' to help Derry," 1745.
Thomas Robinson, 1773.
David Ray, [Wray] 1750-1773.
David Robinsont, D.
Andrew Robinson, 1745-1773.
Andrew Robinson, (Taylor. )
Richard Robinsont, D.
Robert Robinsont, [bro. of Andrew Robinson) D., 1763-1774.
THE FAMILY OF JOHN HARRIS.
III.
MARY HARRIS, the daughter of the second John Harris, and his wife Eliza beth McClurc, was born April 13, 1750, at Harris' Ferry; d. April 20, 1809, at Harrisburg, and is buried in Paxtang church graveyard. She married April 16. 1769, WILLIAM MACLAY. He was the son of Charles Maclay and Eleanor Query and was born July 20, 1737, in New Garden township, Chester county, Penn'a. In 1742 his parents removed to Hopewell township, Lancaster county, now Lurgan township, Franklin county, where he grew up to man's estate. He was at Rev. John Blair's classical school in Chester county, when the French and Indian war broke out, and desiring to enter the Provincial service, Mr. Blair recommended him as "a ju. dicious young man and a scholar." He was appointed an ensign in the Pennsyl- vania battalion, subsequently promoted to lieutenant, and served under Forbes and Bouquet. He afterwards studied law and was admitted to the York county Bar, April 28, 1760. He was appointed one of the deputy surveyors of the Pro- vince, and until the Revolution was busily engaged as the assistant of Sur- veyor General Lukens, on the frontiers. By direction of the Proprietaries he laid out the town of Sunbury, where he crccted a stone house and resided until the close of the war. During that strug gle he marched with the Northumberland
176
Historical and Genealogical.
county associators, participating in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He was afterwards appointed assistant com- missary of purchases. In 1781 he was clected to the Assembly, and filled many offices in the county and
State, while in 1789 was chosen to the United States Senate, taking his seat there as the first Senator from Pennsyl- vania. A diary of the proceedings of these two years was kept by Mr. Maclay, the original of which is in the possession of his grandson William Maclay Lyon. Upon leaving the Senate, he took up his permanent residence at Harrisburg, where he built the stone house yet standing at the corner of Front and South streets. HIe represented the county of Dauphin in the Pennsylvania House of Representa- tives in 1795 and 1803, and was a Presi- dential elector in 1796, and from 1801 to 1803 one of the associate judges of the county. He died at Harrisburg on the 15th of April 1804. In old Paxtang church yard is a flat marble stone with this inscription :
Sacred to the memory of WILLIAM MACLAY, ESQ. late of Harrisburgh, cho departed this life April 16, 1804 Aged 68 years.
In the death of this valuable member of | Society his Country has lost an enlight- ened | citizen and his family their only support. | He held some of the most honour- able offices in Pennsylvania and the United Sta es | and discharged their du- ties with firmness | and integrity. | To an enlarged and superior mind he added | the strictest morality and served his God by improving himself in virtue and knowl- edge. | Ile has now gone to receive a giori- ous reward | for a life spent in honour and unsullied by crime. | His afflicted wife and children raise this stone \ over his grave and have no consolation but | in the remembrance of his virtues. |
O'er thy lov'd tomb shall angels bend, And true affection tribute pay To mourn the Father, Husband, Friend, Untimely torn by Death away. Tho' power and honour could not save Thy mortal part from Death's abode, Th' ethereal spirit bursts the grave And seek's the bosom of its God.
"Words of truth for once told on a tombstone," said . William Darby, the geographer, who knew Mr. Maclay well. For further notes concerning him see "History of Dauphin County." The children of Mary (M'Clure) Harris and William Maclay were. (surname Maclay) : i. John Harris, b. Feb. 5, 1770; d. s. p. ii. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 16, 1772; April 19, 1794. In Paxtang Church burial ground is a large marble slab with this inscription :
Saered to The Memory of ELIZA MACLAY. A lingering distemper born with resignation put a period to her life on the 19th of April 1794 in the 23d year of her age. The duties annexed to her station were discharged without a blot. Her weeping Parents have placed over her this stone The Monument Of her Virtues and of their Affection. iii. Eleanor; b. January 17, 1774; m. William Wallace.
iv. Mary; b. March 19, 1776; m Samuel Awl. v. Esther; b. Sept. 19, 1778; m. Dr. Henry Hall. ri. Sarah; b. January 5, 1781; m. John Irwin. vii. Jean; b. March 19, 1783; m. John Lyon. viii. William; b. 1784; d. 1785.
ix. William; b. May 5, 1787; d. Mon- day, March 22, 1813, at Harrisburg, unm.
From a "memoranda" in the hand- writing of William Maclay, recently furnished us, we have the following, which differs slightly from that given in the foregoing record. The transcript is as in the original:
"William Maclay & Mary his wife were married the 11th April, 1769-Eleventh of April Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred & sixty-nine-in Paxton.
"John Maclay (their eldest) was born the fifth of February Anno Dom. one
177
Historical and Genealogical.
thousand seven hundred & seventy-5th Feb'y 1770-on Juniata.
"Elizabeth Maclay was born the six- teenth of Feb'y Anno Dom. one thou- sand seven hundred & seventy-two-In Paxton. Died 19th April, 1794. Buried in Paxton Grave yard .
"Eleanor Maclay was born the seven- teenth of Jan'y Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred & seventy four-at Fort Augusta:
"Mary Maclay was born the nineteenth of March Anno Dom. onethousand seven hundred & seventy six-In Sunbury.
"Esther Maclay was born the nine teenth of Septem'r Anno Dom. one thou- sand seven hundred & seventy eight-In Paxton.
"Sarah Maclay, born fifth of Jau'y Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred & eighty one - In Sunbury.
"Jane Maclay born the nineteenth of March Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred & eighty three-In Paxtang.
"William Maclay born the fifth of May Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred eighty.seven-In Sunbury.
"As to our Three dear departed Babes, Faith, Hope, and Charity, too, must con- spire to place them in celestial mansious; and their names of course will be found in the Registry of Heaven."
William Maclay's descendants are all in the female line, concerning whom we shall have somewhat to say further on in our record.
ROBERT HARRIS, son of the second John Harris, and his wife Mary Reed, was born Sept. 5, 1768, at Harris' Ferry, He received a good education, and was brought up as a farmer, residing during the early portion of his life in the old log house which stood where the Harris Park school building is erected. He filled various positions of honor, and during the war of 1812-14, served as paymaster of the Penn'a troops. He was elected to Congress two terms, 1823 to 1827. Mr. Harris was one of the most active and energetic men of his day. Pos- sessed of great public spirit, he aided in the establishment of various enterprises, including the bridge over the Susque- hanna, Harrisburg bank, and Harrisburg and Middletown tuinpike. When the Assembly of the State decided to remove
the seat of Government to Harrisburg, he was selected as one of the commissioners for fixing the location of the Capitol buildings before removal. Many of our old citizens remember well the last prom- inent act in his long life, the address of welcome made by him to President Taylor. Mr. Harris died at Harris- burg on the 3d of September. 1851, at al- most the age of eighty-three years. He married in Philadelphia, May 12, 1791, Elizabeth Ewing, daughter of the Rev. John Ewing D. D .. provost of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. She died at Harrisburg on the 27th of April, 1835, in the 63d year of herage. The children of Robert and Elizabeth Ewing Harris, were:
John; b. March 9, 1792; d. June 22, 1846; unmarried.
ii. Hannoh; b. December 21, 1793; d. s. p.
In a subsequent number we shall briefly refer to the remaining children of Robert Harris.
THE ROBBER LEWIS.
An Old Keader of the "Telegraph" Relates an Episode in the Outlaw's Checkered Career.
MCALISTERVILLE, Oct. 25 .- EDITORS OF TELEGRAPH-Gentlemen: My son Stephen has taken your paper for some time past. I aman old man of 81 years, and read it. I like its political sentiments. I find on an inside sheet a sketch of the robbers Lewis and Conley, and I think that there was a third man, but can't name him. This robbery occurred iu the year 1817 or 1818, I am not sure; but they came across a drover returning westward on horseback from the city, for that was the usual way of traveling in those days. This occurred at a place called Sideling Hill. The robbers made him dismount. They led him and his horse from the road into the woods, tied him to a tree, took the saddle bags, and said to him they would go a certain space away and watch him, and if he offered to get away for a certain time they would shoot him, but the drover, whose name I have forgotten did get loose and took another course and got to a house and gave notice, and soon the surrounding country was up in arms. The robbers made for the Juniata river
178
Historical and Genealogical.
and, hastening their steps, got to Lewis- town between sundown and dark. When near Lewistown they left the road and walked at the edge of the river. It was nearly dark but they were seen, and in a couple of hours or later after word came to Lewistown of the robbery (at this time Juniata was Mifliin county not yet divided, ) Samuel Edm ston, who was the sheriff and a brave and fearless man, gathered a posse of twenty five or thirty men. A hotel about one and a half
or two miles below
town It was kept, by a man named Bumbaugh. was supposed these men were the robbers, and that they would want supper and perhaps lodging. Sheriff Ed- miston became captain, and every man had to obey, which they did very will- ingly. They went so near and halted, and one man was directed to go in care- lessly and call for a drink, and if possi- ble, without creating suspicion, should learn if the strangers were there. He came out and reported to the sheriff. They had got their suppers and gone to bed. Edmiston signalled for all to close in, surround the house and let no man pass. The sheriff chose some half a dozen brave men and slipped up stairs and found the robbers all sleeping. When Lewis awakened he immediately reached for a weapon, but Edmiston, wide-awake, grasped him by the throat and compelled him to submit. They were taken to Lewistown jail. Lewis said it would not hold him long. The sheriff handcuffed him, yet slyly he slipped the cuffs and loosed the others, broke jail and escapcd. A reward was offered. The robbers got away out to Clearfield county, and in a clearing one day were shooting at a mark. The people everywhere were on the look - out for them, and suspecting it was them, armed themselves and came upon them, but the robbers resolved to fight, which they did till one of them was badly wounded. They then surrendered and were disarmed and imprisoned in another county, and I then lost all knowledge of them after that. His name was David Lewis. H. T. M'ALISTER.
NOTES AND QUERIES. Relating to the History of Dauphin County
XLIV.
COMB FACTORY (N. & Q. xlii. )-In 1821 a Mr. Voorhees had a comb factory at the corner of River alley and Chestnut street. At this time John Snaffner and W. W. Boyer were apprentices to the business The former, with the Cunning. hams, subsequently got charge of the factory and continued the business for a number of years as stated. B.
INSCRIPTIONS IN PAXTANG CHURCH GRAVEYARD -We have carefully revised and completed our transcript of tombstone inscriptions in the burial ground of old Paxtang church. Some of thesc have become illegible since we made our record in 1878, showing how necessary it is to preserve them in the form we propose. Those of Derry have been much sought for. We expect to do the same for old Hanover. W. H. E.
JOHN STEWART (N. & Q. xxvi. )-The John Stewart mentioned in this receipt owned a farm about two miles west of Mt. Joy in Lancaster county, along the Harrisburg turnpike. About the time this receipt was given, Charles Rowan and Stewart Rowan bought a large por- tion of the original tract of 300 acres. Stewart Rowan married a daughter of John and Ann Stewart, or of Ann and John Allison, her second husband. I am convinced that the John Stewart of 1755 was in some way related to the Rowans. Charles Rowan moved toCarlisle with the Wilkins family about 1762 and I am sat. fied they were also connected with the Rowans. Stewart Rowan moved to Paxtang before the Revolution. I would like to have some information concerning him. S. E.
THE TOMATO-Its first use as a vegeta ble in Harrisburg .- This vegetable which has become almost indispensible to the American table, is a native of South America, and thus named by the Portu-
179
Historical and Genealogical.
guese - the English calling it "Love Ap ple," and as such it was known to our old citizens up to forty years ago, being cultivated in gardens as an ornament. It was not then the fine, large inviting vegetable which we have at present. The first grown in Harrisburg was in the garden of William Maclay on Front and South streets. The late Mrs. George W. Harris who was raised in the family of Mr. Maclay, her grand-father, stated that when she was a little girl she did not dare to touch a tomato stock, as they were considered poisonous; and Mr. Harris himself stated to the writer that he never knew them to be eaten until after Col. John Roberts returned from York in 1812. The Colonel fre- quently remarked that when he was at York with the Pennsylvania troops he dined at one of the best taverns in that town. It was in September of the year noted, and there saw stewed tomatoes on the table. Relishing a good dinner, he tried the new dish and found them excel- lent. After dinner he inquired of the landlord where he procured them and the mode of their preparation. He in- formed him that the seed was secured from a West India Island negro woman. Hunting the latter up, he purchased some seed and was instructed how to prepare the tomatoes. The next year the seed was planted, and the Colonel had the satisfaction of eating the first tomatoes raised in Harrisburg or its vicinity.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.