Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 60

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618

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Jennings left a widow, Eleanor by

{ Henry's History of the Lehigh Valley.

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Historical and Genealogical.

name, and two sons, John and Josiah. In his last will and testament he appointed these two sons and Nicholas Scull, his executors. In addition to 200 acres of land cited above, he was at the time of his death possessed of a :ract of 164 acres. lying contiguous. After the death of his widow in the early spring of 1764 (she was buried by the side of her hus-

band) his executors pursuant to the tenor of his will "advertised the above lands in the public newspapers upwards of three months for public sale," where- upon they and the tenements upon them were openly sold to Jacob Geisinger, of Saucon township, Northampton county, he being the highest bidder. The con- sideration was £1,500, and the deed bears date of 21 June, 1764. Thus the Jen- nings property passed into the hands of the Geisingers, and is held by them to the present day.

Of Solomon Jennings family we know that his son John figures rather promi- nently in Provincial history. In the au tumn of 1756 "he set up for the Sheriff's office," being then, according to William Parsons, of Easton, "a sober, well-be- haved young man, much the fittest of the candidates, having had some experience of the office." But he was defeated. He was elected Sheriff of Northampton, how- ever, in 1762, and again in 1768, approv- ing himself an efficient officer, and a man of good metal, too, which was severely tried in the course of the conflict between the authorities of the Province and the Connecticut ten of the Wyoming Valley. He was well disposed towards the Mora- vians, and did them good service as Sheriff in that critical time of their Indian Mission, which followed the Pontiac war. He was then residing on a farm nearly opposite his father's old place, on the right bank of the Lehigh. Of his subsequent career I have no knowledge. Nor can I adduce aught concerning his younger brother Isaiah. What became of Rachel and Judith Jen- nings ? Henry, in his History of the Le- high Valley, states that Nicholas Scull was a son-in-law of Soloinon Jennings. Which one of the daughters did he marry?

Jacob Geisinger, on taking possession of the Jenning's plantation, occupied the old house, a massive two-story limestone house, 70x30 feet, with heavy gambrel roof surmounted with dormer windows. It was unquestionably the second dwel- ling erected by the "old Walker," and its- Silesian style of architecture would have us conclude it was built after the model of the large Moravian houses at Beth- lehem, probably ahout 1750. This house the writer remembers. Its heavy roofs- and flaring gables embowered in trees on the loveliest flat in the Lehigh Valley- thrown in strong relief against the Moun- tain side, always impressed one with somewhat of wonderment-its huge pro- portions and sombre cast of countenance being so decidedly out of keeping with the smiling landscape that encircled it. In the autumn of 1855, this old square- shouldered pile was demolished and on its site stands the substantial brick resi- dence of Mr. Robert Yost, a son-in-law of Jacob Geisinger, a grandson of old Jacob Geisinger.

Jacob Geisinger (2d) told the writer, that during the War for Independence,. while the Continental Hospital in part oc . cupied the House for Single Men at Bethlehem, invalid soldiers were quar- tered at his grandfather's, and that some of these on dying were buried in the ad . jacent fields; that in 1788 (his father George Geisinger then occupied the premises), the house was one day entered by masked robbers and plundered; and. that about 1841 the graves of Solomon Jennings and his wife sank, in conse- quence of the coffins having decayed and. fallen together. Finally in rehearsing the traditions respecting old Solomon, that had been preserved in the family, he related that he was a man of powerful frame and great muscular strength, being able to carry four three bushel bags of wheat from the threshing floor to the granary on the attic of the house, carry- ing one bag upon each shoulder-one thrown across these in front, and in the like manner behind.

JOHN W. JORDAN.

VOL. 1

No. 7.

NOTES AND QUERIES,

HISTORICAL,

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL,

EDITED BY

WILLIAM H. EGLE, M. D., M. A.

NOTES AND QUERIES HISTORICAL,

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

VOL. I. 1886.

No. 7.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Hitsorical, Biographical and Genealogical.

CXII.

GIVE US CREDIT -Most of our articles are reprinted in a number of our ex- changes, but too frequently without credit to the TELEGRAPH. Treat us fairly, gentlemen of the press.

"UNCLAIMED MONEY."-In the issue of the TELEGRAPH of July 15th, is the notice of a book entitled "Unclaimed Money, "by J. B. Martindale, of Chicago. It is stated that the author was lately editor of the American Law Magazine. We have had within the past twelve or fifteen years, while in the pursuit of our genealogical researches, so many applications, either personally or by letter, that we have come to regard these publications of "Unclaimed Money" as the greatest frauds upon a credulous public. Thousands of dollars have been spent by persons in the hope of obtain- ing the fortune in store for them. Within the period spoken of, we have it on the authority of the ablest genealogists in England, not one dollar of these lists of "Unclaimed Money" has ever been re ceived-while the sums actually given by those who are certain they are "next of kin" have made rich their attorneys and other agents who have wasted the filched fees in a pleasure trip to Europe. If this Mr. Martindale was the former editor of the American Law Magazine he certainly knows that he is countenancing and per- petuating a fraud, misleading and mis- guiding thousands of people, who in the

expectation of proving themselves "next of kin" will give their last cent, so that the coveted "unclaimed" estate may come to them. We warn our readers against any attempt to swindle them. Hold on to what you have got-there is no estate of fabulous wealth awaiting you-and all such representations are false and fraudulent.

THE FATHER OF THADDEUS STEVENS. -Were it not for the fact that a false- hood oft repeated and uncontraidated. eventually becomes quoted as an historic fact, we would willingly pass by a state - ment going the rounds of the newspaper press, relating to the father of the great "commoner." The New York Tribune is credited with this remarkable data:

"The father of Thaddeus Stevens was a soldier in the Mexican War, where he came under the notice of General Win- field Scott. He was made a ser- geant and detailed for duty about the General's headquarters. General Scott had a high regard for him, and when he was killed in battle, wrote a letter to Mrs. Stevens, speaking in tender terms for an old soldier and of the affec- tion that he felt for the sergeant. As Thaddeus grew up, his mother often mentioned this letter to him, but it was not until after he left home that she dis- covered it among his father's relics and sent it to him by the hand of the relative who told me this incident. When he re- ceived it he was affected to tears, the only time his relative had ever seen him weep."

Of just such stuff are most of the so- called historical references by our

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modern newspaper correspondens.t

merest twaddle ; It is the

but the life of an earnest antiquary is too short to correct every such perversion of

history. But to the case in point. Thaddeus Stevens was born in 1792, his father about the year 1760, so that at the time of the war with Mexico, say 1847, he would have been at least 87 years of age - a pretty old sergeant. The facts are, that Mr. Stevens was left an orphan at an early age, long prior to the war with England, 1812-14. How such statements can find place in reliable newspapers, we are at a loss to imagine, unless in the rage for sensation, assertions are taken for facts, by thoughtless or ignorant-of- history editors, who appear to fill the chairs of the leading newspapers of our great cities.

A. WASHINGTON PENNY .- The so called Washington cent ( N. & Q. cxi.) of 1791 has a bust of Washington facing to the left, in Continental uniform, with the legend, "Washington, President, 1791." On the edge, "United States of Ameri -. ca." Reverse, American eagle, with ex- panded wings, having on the breast a heart-shaped shield with six parallel stripes, a laurel branch in the right talon, arrows in the left, scroll from the beak, with the motto "Unum e pluribus." Above the eagle, "one cent." Another Washington cent for the same year has the bust and inscription on that side, but without date; on the other side the eagle has a shield like those of modern fashion, seven stripes, a semi-circle of clou is over the figure extending from wing to wing, with eight stars-four on each side of the head. The eagle holds an olive branch

instead of laurel. Inscription : "One cent. 1791." A third piece has the legend the same as above, with date 1791 beneath the bust; on the other side an eagle with extended wings, three stars on each side of the head, and the word "cent" above "United States of Ameri- ca" on the edge. Two pieces with bust as above, with the inscription and date on that side, bear the date 1792. The eagle has fifteen stars around the head. Another piece bearng date the same year gives the head looking to the right, and the hair dressed in the Roman style.

"DOUGHFACES."-H. J. asks, "why were certain politicians called 'dough- faces' before the War of the Rebellion ? I think the term was applied as a sneer by the abolitionists to the other party. I suppose that the meaning was that the 'doughfaces' would not vote the same way as the abolitionists did. I have heard ot men with noses of wax who might be lead by others, and I have even heard o! men of putty and of straw. But a 'doughface' would seem to have been a term invented by a baker, or a term which came out of the kitchen." [Strange as it may appear, this term, which the Abolitionists used very effect- ively, was invented by the champion of slaveholders, John Randolph, of Roan- oke, as early as 1820, and was applied to the allies of the South among the Northern Democrats. Randolph was willing to avail himself of the treason; but he . despised the traitors. Speaking of them, he said: ""I knew that thesc men would give way. They were scared at their own 'dough-faces.' Yes, they were scared at their own dough- faces. We had them; and, if we had wanted more, we could have had them." Twenty years afterward the New York Tribune almost re-cchocd this sentiment: "The truth is, that while the Southerners need and are willing to pay for the ser- vices of the dough faces, they dislike their persons and despise their discourse." During the same campaign the word "dough face" was applied in the South to those men of their own section who were not willing to aver their strong de- votion to slavery. Thus said a writer of the time: "There are Southern as well as Northern dough faces. Men looking to the spoils care not for principles, whether they are of the North or of the South."]

PARTY NAMES.

[We give the following for what it is worth. Several of the names given were sectional nicknames not generally applied, and therefore not strictly party names. There is one party that was and is of con- siderable account which Is omitted alto. gether-namely, the Anti Federalist, after. ward the Republican and then the Demo. cratic party. This party, about 1838 and afterward, was called by the Whigs "the

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Historical and Genealogical.

Locofoco party." In Pennsylvania there were beside, just after the Revolution, Constitutionalists and Anti-Constitution - alists, and at a later period a third party, nicknamed "Tertium Quids, " or "Quids." There were also in this State for many years the Old School and the New School Democrats, who were hitterly opposed to each other There was no general political party in t is country before the Revolu- tion. During the Revolution there were Whigs and Tories We never heard of a Nova Scotia Cowboys party in American politics. "Cowboys" during the Revolu - tion were marauders who hung upon the skirts of the Continental and British armies, and robbed the unprotected people without reference to their political opin- ions. The term is now used for the same class of individuals in the Far West. ]

"1773, Nova Scotia Cowboys; 1789, Federalists and Black Cockades; 1808, Anti Jeffersonians, Improvement Men, Federalists; 1811, British Bank Men; 1812, Peace and Submission party; 1813, Blue Lights; 1814, Hartford Convention- ists; 1816, Washington Society Men; 1818, No Party Men; 1820, Federal Republi- cans; 1825, National Republicans; 1828, Anti-Masons; 1834, Anti Masonic Whigs; 1836, Conservatives; 1837, Independent Democratic Whigs; 1840, Log Cabin, Hard Cider Whigs; 1843, Native Ameri- can Whigs; 1844, Coon Party; 1845, Whig party; 1846, Mexican War party; 1847, Anti War party; 1848, Rough and Ready party; 1852, Fuss and Feathers party ; 1853, American party ; 1854, Amer- ican Black Republican party ; 1855, Know Nothing party; 1856, National People's party; 1858, Anti-Lecompton People's party; 1868, National Union Republican party; since 1878, the Prohibition and La- bor and Greenback parties."

THE ABORIGINES.

[From the "Historical Column" of the Record of the Times, Wilkes-Barre, we extract the following concerning the Nanticoke Indians referred to in John W. Jordan's interesting article in Notes and Queries (No. cix). The study of the Indian history of Pennsylvania is an interesting one-and although the day is late, we know more of that history than

our early writers who only mystified and confused their readers. ]

Pennsylvania people who have been in Wicomico county, Md., may not all be aware that the town of Nanticoke there and the thriving Luzerne county borough of the same name, hoth derive their name from a tribe of Indians. who lived first in Maryland and afterwards in Pennsylva- nia. They occupied the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, but became involved in difficulties with the white settlers so that their presence became undesirable There was also some trouble existing between the Governors of Maryland and Virginia and the Six Nations, and in order to set- tle the disputes a council was held at Lancaster, Pa., in June, 1744, attended by the representatives of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and the Six Nations, and by Ullanquam, chief of the Nanti- cokes. The latter were a feeble folk of less than a hundred souls, and they were disposed of by being located at the lower end of Wyoming Valley, near what is now called Nanticoke, in 1748.

Seven years later, 1755, they moved up the river to what Chapman calls Chemunk (prohahly Chemung), and to Chenenk, (prohchly Chenango). The same year, says Plumb, the Nanticokes having estab. lished themselves, as they thought, per- manently at Chenenk, and being unwill . ing that the bones of their fathers and brethren should remain in Maryland and be exposed to the operations of English agriculture and other disturbance, sent a deputation from their tribe who removed them from the place of their deposit, and carried them to Chenenk where they re- interred them with all the rites and cere . monies of savage sepulture. Afterwards we hear of them only once, as meeting with the other tribes in a grand council of all the Indian tribes, in Easton in 1758, by their deputies.

RECORDS OF BINDNAGLE CHURCH.

To the descendants of the early German families there is no spot in our section of country around which cluster more hallowed and interesting associations than Bindnagle's Lutheran and Reformed

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Historical and Genealogical.

church. After a ride of about three miles from Palmyra, Lebanon county, Pa., on the linc of the Philadelphia and Reading railroad, over a pleasant Way across the "gravel hills" north ward, we approach the above church on the banks of the Big Swatara below .he mouth of the Quitopahilla creek. The country round about was first settled by the aris- tocratic "blue stockings," who worshiped at Derry and Hanover churches. Thc tract upon which Bindnagle church stands was patented October 26, 1753, in a lot of one hundred and fifty acres. The following paper is of interest:

John Pinogle surveyed by Wm. Gal- braith 12th October, 1753. Beg'g at -; thence by the church land N. 52º E. 34 D. to a dogwood; by I'd of Jas. Ewing N. 80° E 61 p to a ---; by Con'd Vis- hong S. 38º E 24 p. to - -- S. 470 E. 90 p. to a post; S. 100 E 24 p. - S. W. 26 p ; thence by Anthony Hemperly S. 82º W 36 p. to -; N. 67º W. 20 p. to a Spautz; & N. 430 W. 11 p. to a chestnut oak by Albright Siegely N. 80° W. 210 p. to a -- on the bank of Swatara crcek up the same N. 43º E. 56 p. N. 57º E 72 p. to a chestnut by the church land S. 600 E. 14 p. to the beginning.

I do certify the above to be a true copy as transcribed from the field book of Wm. Galbraith of John Pinogle's survey now in Londonderry township, Dauphin county, Pa.

BERTRAM GALBRAITH. Atlı August 1802.

The ground for a church and burial place and school house was deeded by "Hans Bindnagle," January 16, 1753, to George Berger, Michael Bolz, Willhelm Strober and Christopher Buesz, for a Lutheran congregation, on the banks of the Swatara creek, in Derry township, in Lancaster county, Province of Pennsylvania. The first church was built about this time, and was constructed of logs, which stood to the northeast of the present structure. This was built in 1803, and is a two-story brick building, with entrances upon the north (which leads to the grave yard), east (which is the entrance from the public road), and the south (which leads from the garden or school teachers' garden patch). The present edifice retains its original interior

appearance, with its old style pulpit, some eight or ten feet above the floor, and shaped like a "saur kraut" stand, with the back of it, about twelve feet square, against the wall. As an orna. ment, carved from wood, above the pul- pit, is an oval-shaped sounding board, and underneath this a painting of the Saviour ; while on either side of the pulpit, on this carved ornamentation are the paintings of The pews -. arc divided into four sections, with very straight backs and high; one aisle iuns from the south to the north door, and the pews to the left as you enter the south door face from right to left. In the va- cant space in front of the pulpit and in center of the sections of pews above mentioned, is the altar, box shaped. sur . rounded by a railing. The pews to the right of the aisle are in two sections. A gallery surrounds on three sides. There is a steeple on the church, from which a fine toned bell echoes its silver strains up and down the Swatara and across the hills and valleys, until its sounds are caught up by its offspring, Shell's church to the north, Palmyra church to the south; and its sister denomination "Old Derry," snuffs from the breezes that summons, although its parishioners

the north- are no morc. On

cast is Sherk's U. B. meeting house, now the oldest in this section of the State of that denomination who statedly meet and worship in their progressive manner to bring the erring to Christ; yet they send back to old Bindnagle not the sweet music of the old bell but their praises and hosannas.

Last year the church was, through the Early family, who were among the early worshipers there, rescued from the posses. sion of the bats and wasps, who renovated it by placing a new slate roof on it, re. pairing the brick and wood work and re- painting the interior. This seemed to give a new impetus to the staid old par- ishioners, and now they not only have a church building handsome in appearance, but one which will stand until Dauphin celebrates its second cen- tennial. Much praise is due William Early and Daniel Seacrist ( whose mother. was an Early), and also D. S. Early, o Harrisburg, (whose father, grandfather

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and great grandfather lie buried in the old graveyard) for substantial aid in this undertaking. On entering the east door we are confronted with a large limestone weighing nearly a ton, from the native hills thereabouts, upon which is cut "D. S Early, 1885."

The minister's gown used in former times is on exhibition in the church, while the Communion set is a very an- cient one. The collection hags are still preserved. These were made of some black material fastened to a pole about 10 feet long, and at the end of the pole to which the bag was attached is also to be found the bell which was rung when the member was sleeping, or neglected to drop his contribution. We are not now able to give the names of the preachers who administered statedly to these peo- ple, but hope so to do some time in the future.

In 1787 the following subscribed them- selves with the amounts opposite their names to the schoolmaster (no doubt preacher)to bettering Bindnagle's church: A list of persons for the schoolmaster, who promise to give something towards bettering the Bindnagle's church:

£ s. d.

John Early 0 7

Andrew Keifer 0 6

Michael Zimmerman. 0 5 0 John Zimmerman.

0 2 6

John Early, Jr. 0 5 0 Henry Zigler

Joseph Carmany . 0

Christian Bomberger. 0 2 0 Wilhelm Early ...

Adam Deininger

Frederick Bickel.

5 0

Adam Deininger, Jr.

Anthony Hemperly.

John Schnuck, Sr.

Michael Eli

Jacob Kissner

0 2 6

Jacob Veish. 0

10 0

John Sharp

Charles Sprecker. 0

6 John Schnuck, Jr.

Sealed, signed and delived in presence of us

CHRISTIAN FREDERICK WAGMAN, JOHN MARTIN GORN, FREDERICK WILLIAM HAGER.

We translate the following from the

parish record of deaths and burials, to be followed by the baptismal and marriage record: :

ANNA ELIZABETH RAMBERGER, b. May 19, 1714, in Bergwangen; dau. of John Lenhart and Margaret Ziegler. Sponsors at her hap., John Michael Werrer and wife Regina; m., first, January 3, 1736, John George Ziegler and was blessed with two children, one son living; m , secondly, Dec. 3, 1743, John Lenhardt Lang (Long), and God blessed her with eight children, of whom three are living; m., thirdly, in 1759, Christian Ramber. ber, and was blessed with one son, who is living. She d. Sept. 11, 1794, at the age of 80 years, 4 months and 6 days, and leaves 23 grand children and three great grand children.

JOHN WELSH, b. Oct. 2, 1792, son of Christian Welsh; sponsors at bap, John Goutz and wife; d. Oct. 29, 1794, of sum- mer complaint.

ELIZABETH NEW (Nye), b. Aug. 13, 1793; daughter of John Nicholas Nye and wife Eve Catharine; sponsors at bap., John Adam Biel and Mary Elizabeth Fernsler; d. July 14, 1795, of fever.

JOHN FREDERICK BICKEL, h. Oct. 5, 1723, at Wassenhach, Germany; son of George Bickel and wife Ann Mary ; spon sors at hap, John Michael Miller and Mary Margareth Raucher (Rauch); m. first Catharine Dorothea Miller, lived with her 45 years 3 months and had issue seven children. He m., secondly, Nov., 1788, Elizabeth Berger. This matrimony was not blessed with any issue; died Aug 12, 1795, of liver com - plaint.

CATHARINE GRAMER (possibly Kra- mer), h. May 31, 1795, dau. of Adam Gramer and wife Barbara; sponsor at hap., Barbara Bieles; d. aged 4 mo., 18 ds.

JOHANNES OEHRLEY (Early ); b. Jan. 9, 1724, in Jensingen, Kingdom of Wur- temburg, Germany; son of Thomas Oehr- ley and wife Margaretta ; sponsors at tap., Geo. Spitz and Anna Catharine Algayer, confirmed in the Lutheran faith; emi- grated to America, 1750; m. first 1752, Susanna Brumach (possibly Brumbach). She d. 1753, in Reading, Pa. They were blessed with one child, a son. He m. secondly 1755, the widow Regina

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Historical and Genealogical.

Sichler (possibly Zigler), and God blessed them with nine children of whom are living three sons and two daughters. He d. October 21, 1796, at 8 o'clock P. M., of short of breath [asthma] possibly also typhoid fever; he leaves sixteen grand children [of whom the father of D. S Early of this city was one]. Text, Psalm, li:13.

BARBARA HAUK, b. June 26, 1745, in Earl township, Conestoga [Lancaster county ]; dau. of Lenhart Fesler and wife Margaret; baptised and confirmed in Lutheran church; m. February, 1773, Philip Hauk and God blessed her with seven children, of whom five are yet living, four sons and one daughter; d. October 21, 1796, of typhoid fever.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Historical, Biographical and Genealogical.

CXIII.

MIDDLETOWN (N. & Q., cx )-If C. H. H. will look at Rupp's History of Dau- phin, Cumberland and other counties, p. 326, he will find the quotation made by him, and also that the writer was George Fisher, father of John Adams Fisher.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME "UNITED BRETHREN."-The origin of the name of this worthy Christiau denomination is said to date from one of the earliest meetings held by the founder, Rev. Philip William Otterbein, in 1766. During a meeting held at Isaac Long's in Lancaster county, at which he was as- sisted by Rev. Boehm, the latter delivered a remarkably effective sermon. At its conclusion Otterbein arose and embraced him, exclaiming, "We arc Brethren." The first annual conference was held in Otterbein chapel, in the city of Baltimore, in 1789, which was the first church built by the society.

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Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 60

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: s.n. Number of Pages: 618

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618