Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 72

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 72

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Your most Humb. Servants, JOHN MONTGOMERY. JASPER YEATES. To Robt. Hanna, Esq.

Col. John Montgomery to Judge Yeates.

Carlisle, 3d April, 1777.

Dear Sir: Inclosed you have Sundrie papers from Mr. Davriaux Smith, which informs that the Indians have done Dam- age in this Province, and that an Indian War seems near at Hand. I trimble for the Poor Inhabitants who are almost un. provid'd with arms, and indeed too many of their men is order'd away. I fear Congress will see their Error when too late in ordering Col McCay's Batt'n from Kitaning. I think immediate assistance ought to be sent, and I hope you write to Mr. Wilson to urge it in the warmest manner. Sepose some of the Malitia were

ordered from Virginia, and some from Bedford county and some from Mary- land, to continue there for a few months until Regular troops could be sent up. These are a few crude thoughts, as the Bearer waits. I have the above acct. from Wm. Lockrey, and believe it's too true. Mrs. Montgomery Joyns in compliments to you & Mrs. Yeates.

I am, Dear Sir, Your Very Humble Servant, JOHN MONTGOMERY. Capt. Jasper Yeates, Lancaster.

Col. Joho Montgomery to Judge Yeates

Carlisle, 7 March, 1777.

Dear Sir: Your letter of the 20th Feb., covering the abstracts of the pay Rolls of the Westmoreland Militia is now before me. Col. Procter is at camp. Shall pay him on his return, the others shall send to Mr. Deveraux Smith, with proper re- ceipts, who, I doubt not, will take the trouble of paying the money.

A few weeks ago 4 Indians came oppo- site Kitaning and called for a canno. Andrew McFarline went over, and as soon as he landed the Indians seized him and turned the canno adrift and carried McFarline prisoner, it is thought to Neagra or Detroit. Capt. Morehead is gone with a party to Take care of the Stores at Kitaning it is evident that the Indians meant only to take a prisoner, as there was no soldiers at Kitaning, and only McFarline and a man or two of Mr. Spears.

I am, Dear Sir, Your very humble ser- vant, JOHN MONTGOMERY.

Capt. Jasper Ycates.

EARLY SETTLERS OF THE "UPPER END."

[ The following information came to us when preparing the History of the county, but like much more data was necessarily omitted by the publishers from the work. As a portion of the history of that section we herewith preserve them in Notes and Queries. ]

BUFFINGTON.

Benjamin Buffington, the first of the name who located in Lykens Valley, was an early settler there. He came from Berks county, died in 1814, and was buried in the graveyard at Short Mountain by

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request. His sons were Eli, George, Levi and John. Eli settled near Gratz, where his grandson Jeremiah now re-

sides. He married Elizabeth Kis- singer and their sons were Abra- ham and John E.

The latter b. 1799, d. 1867; m. Susanna Artz, and had sons Elias, Jeremiah and Daniel. The other sons of the elder Benjamin Buffington intermarried into the Hoffman family, lived to be oid men, and had large families Jacob Buffington, sen., b. 1800; d. 1878; was by occupation a mechanic, and one of the most expert hunters in his day. He married Mary Guntryman; and his sons were Isaxc, Jonas, Jacob, Emanuel and Levi Solo- mon Buffington, b. 1819; d. Jan. 1, 1878; was a mechanic and farmer. He was a prominent member of the U. B. church for many years, and took an active part during the War of the Rebellion. Two of his sons were in the Union army. His wife was Mar. garet Matter, and their sons were Moses C., Edward and Uriah.

REIGLE.

Andrew Reigle resided on and owned the farm near the end of Short Mountain, afterwards owned by his son Jacob He was a soldier of the Revolution. He married in 1770 Catharine Hoffman. Their oldest son John Reigle was a jus tice of the peace many years and followed farming. He married Susan Sheetz, and of their children Simon resided at Harrisburg, and Obed J. in Wil- liamstown. Daniel, son of An.

drew Reigle, married Catharine Harman. Their son Daniel was a county commissioner in 1852 serving three years. Jacob, son of Andrew, married Nancy Hartman. Andrew, junior, was a farmer, and served in the war of 1812-14 He married a Miss Stine. Elizabeth Reigle, a daughter of Andrew, senior, married Daniel Sheesly, and they were the grand- parents of Sheriff Sheesly of this city. (See Notes and Queries No. lxxix. )

FRECK.

Mathias Freck was a native of Baden, Germany, from whence he emigrated in 1815. In 1821 he married Eliza Penrose, daughter of Col. Joseph Penrose of the

Revolutionary army, and the year after settled in Lykens Valley, locating first at Gratztown. Of their children Joseph M. Freck was a large coal operator, and resides at Pottsville, this State. Roland Freck was recently postmaster at Millers. burg. John L. and Newton C. Freck are heavily engaged in the lumber busi- ness at Millersburg.

HOFFMAN.

John B. Hoffman b. in 1792; d. 1875. He was a blacksmith by occupation; had been a military captain and promoted to a lieutenant colonelcy, and served in the war of 1812-14. He was a prominent member of the German Reformed church, holding the offices of deacon, elder and trustee. Politically he was a staunch Democrat. Col. Hoffman married Mar- garet Bowman, and his sons were George, Jolin, Christian, Josiah, James and Peter A.

BRETZ

Benjamin Bretz was born in Lykens Valley in 1796 and died in 1878. He was probably a grandson of Ludwig Breiz, who was one of the first settlers in that region, a soldier of the Revolution, and wounded at the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Benjamin carried on farming ; filled the office of supervisor several terms and was prominently identified with the military. He was a member of the Ger- man Reformed church and much hon- ored and respected. He married Marga- ret Paul, and they had sons, John and Anthony.

RUNK.

Philip Runk, was born in Lykens Val- ley, September 16th, 1805; and died in January, 1873. His father came to the Valley after the Revolution, and was one of the first settlers in Jefferson township. The son was a farmer, served in the mil- itary in early life, and a prominent mem- ber of the U. B. church. He married Elizabeth Smith, and their sons were Jacob, Michael and Adam. Jacob was at one time a presiding elder in the U. B. church.

COOPER

Adam Cooper came to Lykens Valley

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during the Revolutionary war, and was a private in Capt. Martin Weaver's company of Upper Paxtang, which marched to the relief of the settlers on the West Branch in the spring of 1781. He was a farmer and a great deer hunter. He married a daughter of Ludwig Shott, an early set- tler, and they had a large family. The la'e John Cooper, who represented Dau- phin county in the Legislature in 1850, and who recently deceased, was a son. Connected by marriage to the Cooper family are the descendants of Jacob Schwab, or Swah, as now written. He was a native of Berks county, and died in 1866, at the age of seventy-five years. He married Catharine Metz, and of their children, Eli Swab filled the office of county commissioner two terms.

ETZWEILER.

Daniel Etzweiler, sen., was born April 12, 1800, and died September 15, 1878. He was a farmer, filled the office of su- pervisor two terms, served five years in a volunteer militia company, and was one of the founders of St. James' Lutheran and Reformed church near Carsonville. He was a great hunter, and excelled in deer shooting and the trapping of bear on the mountains. Mr. Etzweiler marricd Christiana Smith, of Northumberland county, and their sons were Jonathan, Daniel, Michael, Elias, Peter, Adam and Henry.

IN ARMSTRONG AND POWELL'S VAL- LEYS. I.

Boarding the 11:25 A. M. train north found us after a short ride at Halifax, where we left the cars for a six miles drive up Armstrong Valley to Jackson- ville. Thence to the hospitable home of a friend, located on the top of the "dividing ridge" overlooking Powell's and Arm- strong Valleys. After an enjoyable din- ner our host drove us to Enterline post office, named for a family which settled there at an early day. Our ob- jective point was the Lutheran and Re- formed church, commonly known as "Bauerman's." The edifice is a one- story frame built some fifty years ago.

In the graveyard we transcribed the fol- lowing as the oldest persons buried therein :

Bowerman, Michael, b. Nov. 27,, 1804; d. March 20, 1865.

Bowerman, Mary, wf. of M., b. Feb. 18, 1804; d. Feb. 29, 1868.

Bowerman, Sarah, wf. of John, b. June 22, 1787; d. Dec. 23, 1862.

Baker, John, b. May 19, 1804; d. April 13, 1876.

Bessler, Abraham, b. June 19, 1793; d. July 8, 1861.

Bessler, Susannah, b. Sept. 10, 1794; d. Mar. 24 1859.

Clark, Elizabeth, wf. of George R , and relict of Michael Faber, b. 1806; d. at Shamokin, June 10, 1872.

Dornsley, Margaret, b. Jan. 18, 1765; d. Dec. 19, 1838.

Enterline, Peter, b. Dec. 11, 1795; d. April 29, 1853.

Enterline. Susannah, wf. of P., b. Jan. 5, 1795; d. Mar. 21, 1868.

Enders, Phillip, b. May 23, 1805; d. Dec. 14, 1859.

Faber, Michael, b. Aug. 8, 1808; d July 7, 1855.

Fawver, M. Magdalena, wf. of John, b. May 6, 1784; d. Jan. 16, 1845.

Hoover, J hn, h. Aug. 7, 1808; d. Dec. 25, 1878.

Hare. Catharine, d. April 13, 1834, aged 19 years.

Hoffman, John B. b, Sept. 17, 1793; d. April 30, 1875.

Hoffman, Barbara, wf. of J., b. May 19, 1795; d. Oct 12, 1861.

Kitzman, Catharine, wf. of John, b. Oct. 9, 1800; d. Aug. 12, 1852.

Lehr, John, d. May 4, 1883; aged 78 years. 20 days.

Lehr, Johanna, wf. of .J., b. Nov. 23, 1807; d. Feb. 16, 1877.

Long, J. Leonard, b. Dec. 13, 1803; d. Dec. 27, 1862.

Lenker, Adam, b. June 8, 1807; d. Feb. 23, 1857.

Lebo, Jonas, b. Dec. 20, 1811; d. Feb. 15, 1852

Paul, John, h. Sept. 7, 1807; d. July 10, 1863.

Paul, Catharine, wf. of J., born July 24, 1811; d. Jan 18, 1873.

Richard, Joseph, b. Feb. 20, 1779 ; d. Jan. 8, 1856.

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Richard. Catharine, wf. of J,, b Feb. 16, 1772; d. May 11, 1854.

Sheets, William, b. May 20, 1805; d. April 19, 1879.

Sheetz. Maria, wf. of George, b. Jan. 30, 1778; d.

Sheesly, Elizabeth, wf. of Michael, b. Jan. 31, 1820; d. April 15, 1862.

Sheesly, John, b. June 16, 1779; d. March 13, 1853.

Sheesly, Sarah, wf. of J , d July 8, 1853, aged 86 years.

Sawyer, Samuel, b. Feb. 8, 1813; d. Oct. 24, 1850.

Sweigard, Elizabeth, wf. of Christian, and daughter of John and Sarah Sheesly, b. Dec. 29, 1808; d. July 31, 1853.

Sweigard, J Ludwig, b. Nov. 19, 1772; d. Aug. 28, 1854.

Sweigard, Regina, wt. of J. L, b. Oct. 15, 1784; d. March 11, 1841.

Sweigard, Peter, b. Jan. 26, 1795; d. Dec. 29, 1855

Sweigard, Eve, wf of P., b. Dec. 22, 1793; d. Nov. 11, 1875.

Schott, Catharine, dau. of Peter and Eliz- abeth and wf. of Jonas Lebo, b. April 16, 1809; d. Dec. 8, 1859.

Spayd, John, s. of Sabastian and Chris- tina, b. April 9, 1803; d. March 18, 1868.

Spayd, Elizabeth, wf. of J., b. April 13, 1803; d. July 15, 1885.

Weeker, Jacob, b. Aug. 12, 1797; d. Dec. 19, 1865.

Welker, Elizabeth, wife of J., b. May 24, 1798; d. July 4, 1879.

Wilson, William, d. March 14, 1843, aged 81 years.

Wells, Hannah, wf. of Samuel, b. March 10, 1786; d. March 30, 1855.

PRESBYTERY OF CARLISLE. BY REV. WM. A. WEST.

[The concluding paragraph of the preceding chapter of the history of which the following is a part contained a refer- ence to the membership of the Presby- tery of Carlisle. The narrative con. tinues:]

We may be permitted here to introduce the brief pen pictures of some of them so graphically and gracefully drawn by Dr. Conway P. Wing in a historical address delivered ten years ago .*

"In the earlier portion of the period might still be seen the learned and witty Dr. Nisbet, whose premature death was so severe a blow to the institution over which he presided, Dickinson College; and his no less distinguished colleague, Dr. Davidson, whose smoothly flow- ing soul turned not only the Psalms but even the roughest geo- graphical names into verse, whose in- genious inventions extended to compli- cated astronomical instruments as well as to children's playthings, whose advocacy of his country's rights and civil order more than once exposed him to popular violence, and whose gentle catholic spirit so calmed the elements of strife that the two congregations of Carlisle, long bit- terly hostile, became harmoniously united under him. The institution over which these two men presided was for many years the rival of Nassau Hall in the honorable work of supplying the Church and the State with her most distinguished men, and afterwards under the presidency of Drs. Atwater (1809-15), Mason (1821- 4), Neill and Howe went through a varied experience of success and decline, until in 1832 its activity under Presbyterian in- fluence was suspended. Some of the fathers of the former period still remained for a while to take part in the new era of progress. But gradually, in slow succes. sion, cime forward a new but equally eminent race of ministers. In Path Valley was David Denny, who, however, in 1800 was transferred to Falling Spring (Chambersburg), where hecontinued for thirty-eight years, manly, conservative, but candid and sincere, always at the post of duty, and beloved to the last by his grateful people. Instead of Dr. M'Knight came in 1792 William Paxton at Lower Marsh Creek, humble, simple hearted as a child, but profound in intellect. sound in doctrine, affectionate to friends and for half a century an al- most idolized pastor. The place of Dr. Cooper at Middle Spring was vacated in 1797, but was well filled from 1803 to 1850 by Dr. John Moody, whose long life of Christian consistency and instructive and logical expositions of truth gave him a most desirable reputation. The congre- gation at Big Spring, after being served for a while by Mr. Samuel Wilson (1786

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-99), was more permanently supplied by Dr. Joshua Williams, who, after preaching four years at Paxton and Derry, took up his residence among them for nearly thirty years, metaphysical, valiant for what he deemed to be truth and or- der, communicative, apt as a theological teacher, persuasive asa preacher, and in- structive everywhere. Then there was his opponent in theology, Dr. George Duffield, who in 1815 succeeded Dr. Davidson in Car'isle for seventeen years, equally metaphysical and doughty for his views of truth and order, somewhat fond of mysteries and hard Scriptural ques- tions, but a loving pastor, a powerful searcher of the conscience and asserter of divine authority, a fearless disciplinarian and reformer, and singularly successful in forming the character of his people. Intimate with him, though very unlike in natural temperament, was Dr. William R. DeWitt, who for forty seven years ministered to his only pastoral charge at Harrisburg, gentle in manner, mellifluent in style, magnificent in his representa- tions of the Mediatorial kingdom, and cautious even to timidity when in the least uncertain of his ground, but rich in conversational humor and tenderly pa- thetic in his public appeals. A little out- side of our present bounds, but so mingled with our Presbyterial associations and counsels as to be most naturally one of us, was Dr. Robert Cathcart, for forty years never (but once) absent from the meetings of his Presbytery, for forty . four year (1793-1835) the pastor of York and Hopewell, and for thirty a commissioner to the General Assembly, of which he was clerk for nearly twenty, never losing a Sabbath for want of health, thoroughly orthodox, unchangeable in his opinions, skilled in ecclesiastical law, the determined foe of all wrong and disorder, and in lively sympathy with everything which makes man better and happier. Dr. King still remained at Mercersburg, though in extreme age hut 'with natural force unahated,' until 1811, but was suc- ceeded the next year by Dr. David El- liott, for seventeen years pastor there, then at Washington, Pa, and finally a professor in Allegheny Theological Semi- nary, learned, genial, courteous and he - loved throughout the whole denomina-

tion. Instead of Craighead, Dr. Herron was for ten years (1800-10) the minister at Rocky Spring, when he removed to the First church of Pittsburg. In the con. gregations of Upper Maish Creek (Gettyshurg) and Great Conewago, David M'Conoughy was installed in 1800, to re . main there thirty two years, when he was transferred to become the President of Washington College. We find also at Welsh Run and Greencastle Mr. Robert Kennedy, who became the pastor there in 1803 and remained in that charge for thirty-six years, a fine scholar, especially in the ancient languages, eccentric in manner, but full of humor, lucid and methodical in matter, and fearless in the avowal of his opinions, and with no graces of oratory sometimes most effec- tive in his power over his hearers. We obscive also Mr Henry R. Wilson, a pro- fessor and pastor of several churches, but principally for fifteen years at Shippens- burg (1823 38), and we should judge him to have been remarkably steady of purpose, energetic in execution, awaken- ingasa preacher, and abundant in labors." To this list we would add the name of another of about like age with them- Dr. M'Ginley, who for fifty years served the churches of Path Valley. In the gen- tleness of his spirit, the character of his sermons, and the manner of their de. livery, he is said to have borne a very marked resemblance to Dr Archibald Alexander.

Most of the time covered by this period, the growth of the Church was gradual, but it was healthy and permanent At first, almost the entire field was occupied hy her alone. There was nothing from without to interfere with her work or re- tard her progress. But gradually a change took place. The descendants of the first Scotch Irish settlers hegan to. move westward and southward. A new population was coming in to occupy their places and take up the still vacant land. Many of these were Germans. The policy adopted by our Church generally, toward these people, was shortsighted and injurious. It was wrong, alike in refer- ence to themselves and the newcomers. There was not extended to them the cor- dial welcome to their midst and to their church se: vices that should have been.

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The old antipathy was there; and the erroneous idea was too prevalent that nobody but a Scotchman or an Irishman or a cross between them could make a good Presbyterian. It took years of in- termarrying among the children of thesc different people, and years of business and quasi social intercourse to correct this idea. In the meantime many a Presby- terian church sinned away its day of grace. As in country places, particularly, the Scotch Irish population decreased, the German increased, and the people once neglected hecame able to take care of themselves, and there sprang up here and there Lutheran and German Re- formed churches. These at first were mainly in the country, and the ser- vices were conducted almost exclusively in the German language. But gradually the English language was introduced; and now in our midst it is difficult to fin 1 a church that uses the German language (at least exclusively ).

Then came in also the Methodist Church with all the zeal and earnestness of youth. Her ministers went everywhere, preach- ing in school houses, holding campmeet- ings, visiting the people in their homes and in every way endeavoring to reach and influence them. They did not hesi- tate, where the opportunity afforded or could in any way be secured, to make inroads upon Presbyterian flocks and Presbyterian families. Indeed they gloried in this. They thought they were thereby doing God service. For, in the estimation of the average man who itin- erated the country with horse and saddle- bags, there was scarcely a possibility of salvation for a Presbyterian. Of course they were not loved by those on whom they sought to make inroads, and they and their taachings and their ways were handled without gloves. There were wars in those days.

But, happily, those days have passed away-passed away, we trust, forever. Now it can be said: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Such indeed is the prevalent spirit among all evangeli- cal Christians of the present, day. It is well-it is right. For "there is one body and Spirit, even as ye (we) are called in one hope of your (our) calling: one

Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in you (us) all." Let there be still further closing up of the ranks among God's people.

This change I state of affairs interfered with the very rapid growth of the Pres. byterian Church. There were times, how- ever, when its progress was very decided. Thus, for instance, from 1817 to 1820 the Presbytery advanced in membership from 2,143 to 3,000. But the most rapid growth occurred during the last decade. Ministers and Christian people became awakened and aroused in regard to the state of the Church and the great need of a revival of God's work in their hounds. When this was the case, was not a revival al- ready there? This awakened interest led Presbytery to take action at the fall meet- ing, 1828, in which it expressed itself as "deeply affected with the responsibility of its station as guardian of the churches within its bounds;" and then recom- mended the holding in each congregation of protracted services, "for the purposes of preaching, prayer and such other relig- ious services as may comport with the or- der of the Gospel." The depth and earnestness of their feelings on this sub- ject are evinced by their keeping it before them from meeting to meeting as a sub- ject of conference and prayer.

Thus at the April meeting, 1830, this resolution was adopted: "That this Pres- bytery will, during its present sessions, hold a meeting for Christian and minis- terial fellowship, with a view to obtain from each other the benefit of their ex- perience in the work and ways of the Lord; and to inquire especially whether anything can be done by its members in- dividually, or by the Presbytery collec- tively, to promote the work of grace and secure a revival of religion in their churches." And again, at the fall meet- ing, 1831, they speak of the visible and surprising success which has attended associated efforts in the preaching of the Word," and determine "that something shall be attempted by them in this way for the spiritual improvement of the churches under their care." "It is a time," they add, "when the blessed Spirit of God seems to be extensively poured out, and when the Lord is evinc-

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ing his readiness to rain down righteous- ness on those who seek him."

They resolved, "That it be recom. mended to all our churches to observe a concert for prayer for the express purpose of entreating God to revive his work ex- tensively throughout this Presbytery and elsewhere." They then appointed com- mittees of visitation, who should hold protracted services in the several congre - gations; and recommended "that these services, as far as practicable, be held on week days, beginning on Tuesday, so as to allow the brethren generally to be with their respective charges on the Sabbath.'

God was pleased to hear the prayers and bless the labors and grant the desires of his ministers and people by sending seasons of gracious refreshing to nearly all the churches in the Presbytery. The results of the revival of 1831 and 1832 were felt in the churches through long years after. There was a lifting on the part of God's people to a higher plane of spiritual life and Christian activity than had been occupied before; and there were gathered into the Church, at that time, many men and women who have been her most efficient workers since, in every department of Christian activity, and some of whom still remain among us with strength unabated and activity un- relaxed.

In the foregoing we have one of the many instances afforded in her history, furnishing evidence that the Presbyterian Church is the friend and promoter of re- vivals of religion.

*A discourse on the History of Donegal and Carlisle Presbyteries.

TOPICS FOR THE HISTORIANS.

MR. EDITOR -It is exceedingly de- lightful to former residents of Harrisburg now living at a distance to find in the Notes and Queries column of the TELE. GRAPH each Saturday the various histori- cal contributions, reminiscences, etc., and it argues well for the interest which you have produced in these things. There are various topics, however, which I think should be written upon-things that would be new to this generation; and by your permission I will enumerate some of them, with the hope that those who

are best informed will not delay in record - ing, for preservation and future use what- ever may be known at the present day. Many of the topics will awaken memo- ries of "lang syne" in the old borough, and recall persons and things which this faster age has pushed to forgetfulness.

1. Who was "Fitzpatrick ?" the insane genius who wrote acrostics; and in tragic attitudes continually moaned for "Mary, O ! Mary, Ma.a.ry !"

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Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 72

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

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