Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 65

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 65

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Historical and Genealogical.

lawyers, and preachers, but real genuine men of mark who left their impress for good, on the history of our town and county, and whose virtues and merits should not go unrecorded.

Among these noted and honored men, was JOHN DOWNEY, and it is of him and of his services to the community in which he lived almost a hundred years ago, that I propose to interest you in my brief address. He was born at Germantown, Penna., in 1765, and was the son of John and Sarah Downey. Among the slain near the Crooked Billet, on the first of May, 1778, during the most trying hours of the Revolutionary war was Capt. John Downey. The Pennsylvania Packet, then published at Lancaster, dur- ing the occupancy of Philadelphia by the British troops, in a letter from Plum- stead, Bucks county, under date of May 4th of that year says:

"On Friday, the first instant, fell the gallant Captain John Downey, late schoolmaster in Philadelphia, whose worth entitles him to a place in the annals of America. He took an active and early part in our struggle for liberty. He went as a volunteer to Jersey last winter was a year where he behaved gallantly in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He being chosen captain of a company of Philadelphia militia, served his tour of duty, two months, last sum- mer, at Billingsport, when on account of his superior knowledge of mathematics, the Executive Council employed him to make a military survey of the river Delaware which he performed with great exactness. Since which time he has performed many very important services to his country, a love to which prompted him to attempt anything which prom.sed its welfare. He lately acted as an assis- tant commissary, and in this capacity was with our brave militia when attacked last Friday. From his known readiness to fight and bleed for his country, it is more than probable when the attack be- gan he made the attempt to join his countrymen, when he was shot through the shoulder, and thus he lay in his blood until the encmy returned, when they dis- patched him in a cruel manner, for his body was found with one of his hands almost cut off, his head slashed in several

places, his skull cut through, his brains- coming out at his nose, and scattered all around. He was an enlightened patriot, an affectionate friend, a gallant soldier, a fond husband and an intelligent parent. He had no inheritence to leave, as his little property was left in Philadelphia, but he has left a sorrowful widow, and. five helpless children, in very indigent. circumstances. They are worthy the charitable."

The massacre at the Crooked Billet was one of the most inhuman transac- tions of the war for independence. Of the five helpless children left by Capt. Downey, was our John, then in his thir- teenth year. Through the aid of a fond and devoted mother, and the friendship of the survivors of that bloody conflict, the son received an excellent classical education in the old Academy at Ger- mantown, and a few years later, opened a Latin and Grammar school at Harrisburg. His entire energies at the time being de- voted to education, he became one of the most successful teachers in the early history of the town. At this period, in a letter to Governor Thomas Mifflin who. had then entered upon his third term as Chief Executive of the State, and the limit, under the Constitution of 1790, John Downey proposed a "Plan of Edu- cation" remarkably foreshadowing the present school system, and which has placed him in the front rank of early American educators. This letter shows that he had a plan insight into the wants of the community long before they be- came evident to those in authority. But to the letter: {Dr. Egle here read ex- tracts from the following letter, which we present in full in this connection. ]

"HARRISBURG, 24th Feb., 1797. "HONORABLE SIR:

"As a private member of the same community, over whose concerns you have been so long called to preside, I take the liberty of communicating to you my opinion respecting, what I take to be, some of its dearest interests. I do so with the more freedom, presuming upon the liberality of your private character, and the sincerity of your public declara- tions. I feel myself more peculiarly called upon to do so at this time, as the

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last period of your administration ap- proaches-your successor in office is un- known and we can neither appreciate his prieate or his public character.

"The subject to which I would particu- larly call your attention is the privation of mind in the mass of the community; a sub . ject which involves in it a variety of most important discussion. being pregnant with almost every evil from whence we have reason to dread alarm. From this source, finesse, hypocrisy, and property already begin to over-balance the talents and virtues, and society here is again threatened with the return of superstition and tyranny, from whose baneful influ- ence, so long and so severely felt by the human race, we thought we had got free. "This pestiferous malady I would trace to a radical defect in our constitution, with whose vital essence an universal system of education ought to have been interwoven, as the heart from whose pe- rennial spring a pure and salubrious stream could alone diffuse immortal energy to the whole system.

"From your public addresses I am already informed that this subject has en- gaged your serious attention, nor am I to learn that your power in such cases ex- tends only to recommendation and that this recommendation has hitherto met with very inadequate returns. Yet the importance of the subject loudly calls for repeated and more energetic efforts. The object should not only be presented, but the subject traced with a master hand in a perspicuous and concise system, which may reconcile the present circumstances of our society to the pro. gressive perfectability of mind, which may safely leave the speculative doctrine of religion to the zeal of its numerously varying sectaries, and embrace only those sbjects connected with man's inter . est and happiness as a member of civil society over which alone society has con- trol.

"As a rude outline of such a system:

"Let the mind, as soon as it has gained some knowledge of the rudiments of its native tongue, be entertained with a sim. pie history of such subjects as are daily presented to it through the medium of the senses, and this impressed by such anec- dotes as are calculated to awaken its

attention. From the history of external objects adapted to its infant powers, it may rise to morals, and universal moral. ity may be inculcated by such interesting examples of individual morality as may fix the heart in the interest of humanity and virtue. The privateinterest and use- fulness of the individual may now be attended to by teaching him writing, arithmetic, book-keeping, mensuration, mathematics, and geography; and this course finished , by showing him his im- portance to society, with mental powers duly cultivated under the protection of his inherent and inalienable rights, with the baneful consequences of his derelic- tion of them, and both illustrated by select facts drawn from a general but concise view of history.

"Such a course, it is presumed, may be sufficient to qualify him for the ordinary duties and common occupations of life. But, if the circumstances of any admit of, or their energics require more extensive information, they may pursue it by such means as opportunity or industry may place within their reach.

"To carry such a plan into effect:

"To teach the introductory branches of education as far as reading, writing, arithmetic and book-keeping, two or more schools may be erected in each township, and supported by such an annual tax upon property as may be sufficient as to secure a moderate independence to the teachers. The more advanced paths of science, already noticed, may be taught in one school erected in each township and supported in the same manner with the former. While more liberal science may be cultivated at an academy erected in each county, which a very moderate assessment throughout the county will be sufficient to support. Attendance upon the schools for a sufficient time should be strictly enjoined under an adequate pen- alty.

"Perhaps the public mind is not ripe for the reception of some such plan. It may, however, be forwarded by a variety of preparatory means.

"From the use which may be made of the influence of office, men of liberal and enlarged minds should be songht after and preferred to public employment. These, though best qualified to fill office

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with dignity and intelligence, are not found foremost in the race for public favor; while those who beg recommenda- tion are commonly beneath the office they court, soon forget those who be- friend them and tyrannize with all the insolence of office over those who are placed within the reach of their influence. The former endeavor to deserve office by embracing every opportunity of bettering the condition of those within their reach. The latter struggle to obtain and strain to hold office by keeping under the public mind and thwarting every plan proposed for its improvment.

"It might, also, not be unworthy the attention of the Legislature to raise agri- culture from its present servileły, imita- tive practice by encouraging scientific pursuits. Individuals, equal to the task, should be encouraged in each county by an adequate fund, sufficiently restricted by penalty, to the expressed purpose of ascertaining by experiment the easiest and best means of preparing our land for rotary crops; the succession of crops best adapted to the demand, soil and climate, and to publish annually a fair statement of the appropriations of the fund, with the success of these experiments.

"But a more arduous task remains for the Legislature.

"In this rank age,

Much is the patriot's weeding hand required., The toils of law (which dark insiduous men Have cumbrous added to perplex the truth, And lengthen simple justice into trade). How glorious were the day that saw these brake

And every man within the reach of right."

"This philanthropic wish, it is pre- sumed, may be in a grcat measure accom- płished by simplifying the multifarious and perplexed forms of law procedure, reducing them to one common standard throughout the State, and publishing these under its authority as the unerring rule by which every process shall be con- ducted. This might produce a happy effect upon the public mind by reducing legal business within known boundaries; it will not then elude the grasp of com- mon capacity, but every man may, in a great measure, trar sact his own business, and thereby banish the chicanery, and fraud,and aristocratic pride which has so

long disgraced an otherwise liberal pro- fession.

"Many other topics of reform and im- provement might be added, and each of them supported by such a variety of con- siderations as would carry this greatly beyond the bounds of a letter. But if the subject impresses you with the same idea of its importance, such consideration will be unnecessary. If it does not, it might be presuming too much to think that any- thing which I might offer would change your opinion.

"My chief reasons for troubling you are that if the subject strikes you with the same idea of its importance it is likely to produce much more powerful effects when modeled by your ideas and clothed with your language, and to meet with more attention from your character and influence than it would if it appeared in a more questionable shape. To me it appears that you could not close your presidency with more dignity or utility than by turning the attention of the Legislature to this and other branches of reform and improvement during a short session called expressly for the purpose, should its present be too much crowded with other business, for a full discussion of the merits of this. It will doubtless give me pleasure to find that our ideas meet upon the subject. But if they do not, neither do they lessen the respect with which I am your fellow citizen.

JNO. DOWNEY.

"To Hon'ble Thos. Mifflin, Governor of Pennsylvania."

It will be seen, by perusing this re- markable letter carefully, that not only the present school system is gracefully out- lined, but on more than one subject John Downey was in advance of not only the age in which he lived, but, in reality, of the present era. It will also be observed that "Civil Service Reform" is no new thing. Mr. Downey, as may well be supposed, from his enlightened views, be~ came one of the most prominent men in this section, and for almost one third of a century was at the head of the leading enterprises of the day. He became the first cashier of the old Harrisburg bank, and was largely instrumental in securing the erection of the bridge over the Susque- hanna river. He served as a member of

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the Legislature in 1817-18, and filled other positions of trust and honor and profit. Shortly after coming to Harrisburg, in addition to his duties as teacher, he filled the office of town clerk for a long period, and served as a justice of the peace from 1807 until his death. His dockets, in the possession of the speaker, are models in their way. "Squire Downey," as he was more frequently called, wrote a great deal for the newspaper press, and his produc. tions are noted for their elegant diction. His series of papers entitled "Simon the Waggoner." "Simon Slim," and "Simon Easy," although mostly of a political character, sparkle with real, genuine wit, well worthy a permanent setting as a valuable contribution to literature. Mr. Downey died at Harrisburg the 21st of July, 1827, in the 62d year of his age, and the Oracle of Dauphin writes his epitaph in this one sentence : "A useful magistrate and a pious man." Mr. Downey married Alice Ann Beatty, daughter of Captain James Beatty, of Harrisburg. She died in Ashland county, Ohio, May 14, 1841, aged sixty four years. Their daughter, Ellen Downey, married Hon. Daniel Kilgore, of Ohio, and left a large family. Such in brief were the services of a teacher of the "olden time" and for whom you have named this building.

He well deserves this recognition at your hands, and it has afforded me great pleasure to relate to you what I have learned concerning him. In his day and generation he was the wisest, for he saw in the future that great system of a free education which I sincerely trust each scholar who hears me this day will take every advantage of. Mr. Downey ninety years ago believed in compulsory education, Let the pupils of this school now, and in the years to come, prove by their regular attendance that their desire for knowledge is the great incentive that actuates them in the pursuit of the liberal education which the Board of School Control of our city are determined to guarantee them, without regard to dis- tinction of race or color.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

"FREYHEITS FAHNE," was the title of a German newspaper published at Carlisle and edited by H. W. Petersen, a son of

the Rev. Mr. Petersen, Lutheran minis- ter at Harrisburg. Father and son sub- sequently removed to Canada. Is a file of this newspaper in existence ?

DUBLIN GAP SULPHUR SPRING .- When was the name of this long cele. brated resort changed to "Doubling Gap." In the newspapers of ninety years ago it was as we have first written, which orthography should be preserved by all means.

CONTINENTAL CURRENCY .- Many have heard of this term, some have handled the money, but few know the history of it. For the benefit of our readers we give this information. The first issue of bills of credit was made by the Continen- tal Congress under authority of the reso- lution of June 22d, 1775, for $2,000, 000. On the 23d of July Congress ordered the issue of $1,000,000. From time to time new issues were authorized, so that at the beginning of 1780 the enormous sum of $200,000,000 was afloat. The inevitable result was that the Continental money depreciated. In February, 1777, $100 in specie were worth $107 of currency. In February, 1780, $7,500 were necessary to purchase $100 in specie. After that the currency became utterly worthless. Con- gress never formally repudiated it, and never took any measures to redeem it.

BOYD AND WILSON (N & Q. cxvii.) was a well known firm one hundred years ago in the town of Northumberland. Captain John Boyd belonged to the Third Pennsylvania in the army of the Revolu- tion. He was many years a justice of the peace and died at Northumberland Feb- ruary 13, 1832, aged eighty-two years. One of his daughters married Rev. W. R. Smith. D. D., once a noted preacher at Sunbury; another married Hon. Stephen F. Headly, a very able lawyer and ac- complished gentleman, who represented Columbia county in the Senate some forty years ago I believe Both these gentlemen are dead, but have descend- ants. John B. Smith, I think, still lives in Peoria, Illinois. Gen. William Wilson (my wife's grandfather), the other part. ner, was a well known man in his day, and was associate judge of Northumber .

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land county when he died in 1813. In the fall of 1787 the adoption of the Con- stitution of the United States met with considerable opposition in Northumber- land county; the old officers of the Revo- lution rallied to its support, and General William Wilson and his partner, John Boyd, became delegates from Northum- berland county to the State Convention of Pennsylvania, which met on the 12th of December, 1787, and ratified the Con . stitution of the United States for our State. J. B L.

IN EARLY TIMES.

"'Petition of the Inhabitants of Paxton," in 1745.

[To the rcsearches of Samuel Evans are we indebted for the following, which is a valuable contribution to our Local History. At some other time, we pro- pose giving some account of the majority of the signers. The road referred to especially was probably that which com- menced at now Paxtang street, from Race street to Paxtang creek, and con- tinued on the low ground through High- spire -- the run there being then known as Renick's run-to the Swatara. Most of this road was absorbed by the original incorporators of the Harrisburg and Mid- dletown turnpike. The "back road" is yet in existence. The paper is in the hand writing of Robert Baker, the first signer.]

The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Paxton to the Honourable Court of Quar. ter Sessions, Sitting in Lanchester ye first tuesday in feb'y in the Year of our Lord own thousand seven hundred & fourtey five:

WHEREAS, We understand that there is aplication made to your Worships for a Road from John Harrises from the pine fourd upon Swatara to Coume Down on the River Side within the Bottoms which we Luck upon to be an unsuportable Burden that we are unable to Bair, for maney Reasons; first, because of the maney Grate Swamps & mudey Runs that is to be Bridged; secondly, when they are Bridged there is no Expec- tation of them standing one Season, by Reason of the floods; thirdly, because the most of the Way is so soft that a

Leetil time Wagons would Cutt it so that we never will be able to make it good nor mintain it, & besides all this, sum years ago John Harris sued for & obtained a Road from his house to the pine ford; & notwithstanding of all our Labour & pains in Cutting & Bridging of the s'd Road, we acknowledge that it is not Good, nor scarce passable by the Direct Survey; Whereas a small vareyation might have mist those plases that is not passable. We are Bold to assert that not six Rod might a mist sum of them. We beg Lave of Your Worships to hear us patientley to Represent our Case fairely as it is; & first, we have briefley shewn sum of the Evils that will attend that Road on

the River

side within the Bottom; and secondly, that the Road already surveyed & Cutt from John Harrises to the pine fourd is not Good; & now we wou'd humbly shew whie this Latter Road is not Good & scarcely can be made Good; & first, because there was contending parties a bout the farries, to Witt : John Harris & Thomas Renicks; & the s'd Harris haveing obtained an order of court for this Back Road & all the men that was appointed for they Lay- ing out of it was strangers to these Woods .. owne; & he being Renickses . special frind & near kinsman, the worst way he piloted them the Less it answred Harrises intent & the more Renixes; and besides all this the verey same day that this Back Road was Laid out the Sherieph held a vandew of Peter Allon's Goods & there was few or none of the near neigh- bours at home to show them a Better way which we presume sum of your pettisnors can do, and notwithstanding of all the objections that may be made, that we did not varey a small matter when we Cutt the Road in answer to that; so we would had we not been Devided, theye that was for Renickes was punctul for the sur- vey, sum threatening to stop it if we Left the survey & others affraid if they Left the survey they wo'd have to coume & Cutt it again; Therefore your petitisinors Humbley Begs that there may be a final stop put to the River side Road, & we acknowledge that it is the Glorey of a Countrey to have Good Roads; & we promis to be as assistive as possa- ble we can, & Dos purpose a Better Way

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& as near as aney yett purpos'd, & we can shew your Worships a Reason for it, the Distance between Susquehana & Swatara is but a Littel way, & the Wat- ters 'or Runs falling both wais we can find Champion Drye ground between the two, not that we are own .. Road by another, but that, that will be for a publick good.

Your Worships Compliance to our pet . tision will oblige your Humble petti- sioners Ever for to pray :

Robert Baker, Thomas Elder, Thomas Dugal,

John Shields,

Richard McClure,

James Coler,

Oliver Willey, Robert Gray,

Andrew Hanah,

Thomas Smith,

William Sharp, Matthew Shields, James Morgan, John Gray,

James Polk,

Robert Smith,

James Eakcn, Samuel

Timothy Shaw, John Forster, Anthony Sharp, Henry McIlroy, Robert Armstrong, John Porience, Samuel McCorkel, Thomas Forster, Jeremiah Sturgeon, John Lowry,

William Chambers, James L -- ,

John Johnston,

William Chambers,

Thomas Morrison, James Gilchrist, George Alexander.

Jacob S-,

Patrick Montgomery William McMullin, Joseph Scott, Johd Willey, David Shields,

John Barnett,

Michael Graham,

Alexander Culley, William Barnett, John Cavet,

Andrew Colwell,

Samuel Sturgeon,

Alexander Meharg, Alexander Osborn, John Killcreest, Thomas Simpson, James Kern, William Scott,

William S- Thomas Farrell,

Thomas W-

Andrew Foster,

Andrew Scott,

Nehemiah Steen.

RECORDS OF BINDNAGLE CHURCH.

VI. BAPTISMS.

Family of Daniel Mueller.

The children of Daniel and Maria Cath- arine Mueller were :

1. ANNA.CATHARINE, b. Aug. 8, 1781; bap. Aug. 26, 1781; sponsors Emanuel Shuey and Catharine Brunner.

2. MARTIN, b. June 4, 1783; bap. June

7, 1783; sponsors Martin Mueller and Eve-Catharine Ziegler.

Family of John-Adam Weiss.

The child of John Adam and Eve Weiss was : 1. JACOB, b. Dec. 10, 1781; bap. Dec. 30, 1781; sponsors John Nye and wife Mary Ann.

Family of George-Michael Brunner.

The child of George-Michael and Eve- Margaret Brunner was :

1. ANNA CATHARINE, b. Dec. 17,1781; bap. Dec. 30, 1781; sponsors Martin Meyer and Catharine Brunner.

Family of Jacob Reisch.

The child of Jacob and Margaret Reisch was :

1. SIMON, b. Jan. 5, 1881; bap. Feb. 20, 1781; sponsors Valentine and Mary- Agnes Stergert (?).

Family of Jacob Knizel.

The children of Jacob and Elizabeth Knizel were :

1. JOHN JACOB, b. Feb. 12, 1774; bap. Feb. 27, 1774; sponsors Jacob and Ann- Mary Hedderich.

2. CHRISTIAN, b. Nov. 23, 1778; bap. Nov. 29, 1778; sponsors Michael and Anna. Mary Ili (?).

3. JOHN, b. Sept. 13, 1781; bap. Oct. 7, 1881; sponsors Joseph and Eve Car> mony.

Famlly of Michael Meyer.

The children of Michael and Catharine Meyer were :

1. JOHN, b. Jan. 13, 1782; bap. Feb. 17, 1782; sponsors Adam and Eve Weiss.

2. ELIZABETH, b. --; hap. Jan. 27, 27, 1784; sponsors Eberhardt and Eliza- beth Weiss.

Family of John Gerberich.

The children of John and Catharine Gorberich were:

1. EVE CATHARINE, b. Feb. 10, 1782 ; bap. June 7, 1782; sponsors Henry and Eve Catharine Schreiber.

2 HENRY, b. Oct. 22, 1783; bap. Aug. 1, 1784; sponsors Henry and Eve Cath. arine Schreiber.

Family of Jacob Stover.

The children of Jacob and Eve Stover were:

1. JACOB, b. Oct. 26, 1769; bap. Nov. 11, 1769; sponsor Mathias Hess.

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2. ANNA MARY, b. Jude 28, 1771; bap. July 10, 1771; sponsors John Snoke and Anna Mary Weber.

3. ADAM, b. Feb. 23, 1773; bap. June 9, 1773; sponsors Adam Stober and Mary Weber.

4. CHBISTINA, b. Nov. 26, 1774; bap. Dec. 3, 1774; sponsors John and Christina Stober.

5. JOHN, b. Sept. 25, 1776; bap. Oct. 5, 1776; sponsors John and Christina Stober.

6. MARGARET, b. Nov. 2, 1778; bap. Nov. 18, 1778; sponsors George and Mary Gestweid.

7. VALENTINE, b. April 16, 1780; bap. May 4, 1780; sponsors George Adam and wife Enis Stober.

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Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 65

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

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