Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 81

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 81

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).

574

Historical and Genealogical.

Gap in the Blue Mountains, two and a half miles west of the Delaware Water Gap, perpetuates the name of Tatemy.

It may also be stated that immediately after the interment the missionary, J. J. Schmick, at her urgent request, baptized a Delaware woman, as she was lying un- der a tree near the Crow Inn in the last stage of consumption. She received the name of Johanna. The following day she died, and on the 13th was buried. An Indian boy, who had also died, was buried by the savages with heathen rites, in a corner of the consecrated ground.

J. W. J.

REMINISCENCES OF AMOS KAPP.

Our venerable friend, Amos Kapp, Esq , of Northumberland, has been inter- viewed by the newspaper reporter, and the Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin of the 7th gives the following among others of Mr. Kapp's reminiscences, coloquially :

On asking him if he was a native of Harrisburg he promptly replied:

"Yes, I'm a Harrisburger by birth. I was born in that place on the 27th of Au- gust, 1809, and I'm just rounding off my 78th year. My father and mother lived in a building that adjoined the Bolton House site, in the corner of Market square."

"Did you remain there long ?"

"Until I was nearly grown up."

"You became an employe of Calder & Wilson, the famous stage coach firm, did you not ?"

"I did. At an early age I was sent to Philadelphia to serve as their agent. We had our office in the Red Lion Hotel, No. 200 Market street, above Sixth. It was kept by Mrs. Yerkes."

"That is a good while ago?"

"Yes, nearly sixty years. I was there during the great cholera scourge, and re- member secing two men fall down and die in the market house!"

"Those were exciting times ?"

"Very indeed. I soon after left and went to my home at Harrisburg."

"Your father still lived at the old place ?"

"He did. He inherited it from his father. My grandfather's name was Michael. He purchased the property from Harris. My father's name was

Michael also. Sister Catharine and my- self were the only children. She was the- eldest and died about three years ago. 'Aunt Kitty,' as she was called, was the same age of General Cameron, having been born in 1799."

"Did you ever belong to a military company ?"

"When quite a young man I was a member of the Dauphin county cavalry. The company was commanded by Cap- tain McAllister. General Cameron was a member of the company also."

"Have you any relics of the company ?" "I have the old bridle, saddle, holsters and pistols. And what is more interest- ing still, I have the old sword. Very few can show older military equipments !"

Mr. Kapp said that Calder and Wilson sent him to Northumberland January 1, 1833, to serve as their stage agent at that place. He came and opened an office as ¡ er orders.

"How long did you serve in that ca- pacity ?"

"Two years. I then purchased six« teen horses and two coaches from my em- ployers and started business for myself.""

"How far did you run your coaches?"

"My section of the stage line was from Liverpool to Milton. Above Milton the line was continued by Samuel Lloyd, up the river to Muncy, Williamsport and other points."

"Did you run your part of the line long ?"

"Until the canal was built and packet boats were introduced. That was about 1836. I was then interested in the boats until the railroad came. We ran the boats in the summer and our coaches in the winter time."

"You became interested in the rail- road ?"

"Yes; I was connected with the North- ern Central. Iowned 500 shares of stock at one time and was a member of the board of directors for several years."

"Did you run any other stage line than the one up the river ?"

"Yes; I had a line from here to Dan- ville and above, and also ran coaches to Pottsville."

"In the busiest stage coaching days you must have had many horses ?"

"At one time I had over one hundred

575

Historical and Genealogical.

head and about twenty drivers. A few of my old drivers are living here yet."

"How many coaches ?"

"About ten.'

"What kind were they ?"

''They were the famous Troy and Con- cord coaches. And in later years a very good coach was huilt at Harrisburg."

"Were coaches expensive ?"

"They cost $500 cach. And the item for repairs was considerable, too."

Mr. Kapp has lived an eventful life, and it is always a pleasure to meet him and listen to his reminiscences of the olden times, particularly when the stage coach rattled over the highways, and the ap- proach to a town was heralded by the blowing of a horn. Those were halcyon days. He is remarkable in another re· spect, and that is in the number of Gov- ernors of Pennsylvania that he has seen inducted into office.

"How many governors have you seen inaugurated ?"

"Seventeen!" he promptly replied.

I remember seeing Snyder retire from office in 1817. I was then about eight years old. Findlay, who succeeded him, lived on Front street, Harrisburg, be- tween Market and Walnut."

"Where did the first inaugurations take place ?"

"Findlay and Hiester were inaugurated in the old court house, which stood where the present one now stands."

"You knew more than half of these Governors personally ?"

"I knew them all quite well, from Wolf to Beaver."

"Do you know any other person in the State who has witnessed that many in- augurations ?"

"I do not. There are many older men, but they did not take the same interest in these affairs of State and make it a point to attend them."

"Your opportunities were always good to be present?"

"That is true. Being a native of the state capital, and so situated on the line of travel, and having the facilities, was a great advantage to me. Had it not been for this, and my inclination to he present on such occasions, perhaps, I could not say that I have seen seventeen governors in - ducted into office."

OLD-TIME ROAD PETITIONS.

[We conclude our series of old-time road petitions, valuable alike to the local historian and to the genealogist. If we could reproduce from the originals the very excellent autographs, the apprecia- tion would be the greater. ]

The Court of Quarter Sessions held at Lancaster on the first Tuesday of Au- gust, 1751:

The humble Petition of the subscribers, Inhabitants of Hanover township, sheweth:

That y'r Petitioners living at a distance from Market are ohlidged to keep Wag- gons to carry on our Business, & have now a tollerable Road to Philadelphia. But our Business frequently calling us to travel thro' Paxton to Susquehannah Riser we find ourselves hamper'd & at a great loss for a Road there. We, there - fore, humbly request that we may be granted an Order of Court to lay out & open a. Road from Sam'l Robison's to John Harris's Ferry, which we hope will be a damage to none, and will be a con- siderable Benefit to y'r Petitioners.

William Erwin, John Cuningham,

James Finey, Adam Reed,

Thomas Robinson, Jon. Young,

Samuell Barnett, John Forester,

Robt. Kirk wood, John Crawford,

John Merten, Petter Stewart,

Alexander Merten, John Stewart,

Alexander Meklhe-James Reed, ney, Benjamin Clark,

Philip Robison, Abraham Williams,

Tho. Robison, John McCluer,

James Stuart, Thos McCluer,

Rich'd Sankey, William McCluer,

Lazarus Stewart, Samuell Robinson.

On the foregoing is this endorsement:

"Aug't, 1751, Pet'n for Road. Sam'l Simpson, John Young, Adam Reed, Wm. Irwyn, Jno. Montgomery, Jno. Johnston, or any four of them to Lay out Road to Paxtang Meeting House."

[This "Pet'n ag't the Road from Swa- tara to Chesney's Ferry" of "Nov'r, 1754," is marked "Rejected." Chesney's Ferry was subsequently Chambers' Ferry, now below Steelton. ]

576

Historical and Genealogical.

The humble petition of the Inhabitance of Paxton to the honerable Court of Quarter Sessions in Lancaster the first of November, 1753.

Your Humble Petitioners Sheweth:

That there is no need for a Road from the Provincial Road to begin at Swatara Creek, for it and the Provincial Road is within Call, the one to the other for about five miles of the road to Chessney's Ferry, and therefore we conceive that it is not necessary and Asures Your Wor- ships that it is to the Great Dammage of some and an Intolerable burthen to all; and therefor wou'd humbly beg that Your Worships May Retract the Orders, and your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, Shall ever pray.

We do show that the men that was ap pointed for the Laying out of the Road was not caled, and that they did it pri- vetly to all as fare as they could.

Henry Ffoster, John Montgomery,

Thos. Sturgeon,

John Shields,

Benja'n Whitley,

David Shields,

Joseph Kelso, Hendrey Sbarp,

Samuel Parker, Thos. Dougan,

Rob't Montgomery,

Pat'k Montgomery, James Lusk,

Peter Corbay,

James Williamson,

John Harris,

John Karr,

William Harris,

Joseph Davis,

James McCrea, William Sharp,

William Bell,

Andrew Cochran,

William Callhoon, Andrew Calwell,

John Smith, George Clarke,

Robert Right, William Barnett,

John Rooss, John Barnett,

Josias White,

John Willson, Jun,

James Welsh, John Willson, Sen'r,

Hugh McKillip, Wm. Willson,

Andrew Hannah,

Hendrey McKiney,

James Collier,

Wm. Kirkpatrick,

John Cavett,

Edward Sharp,

Timothy Shaw,

William Sharp,

Thomas McArthur, James Cahoon. Thomas Woods,

[The following is thus endorsed : "Nov'r Sess'ns, 1754. Pet. of Sundry Inhabit'ns of Derry, Paxtang & Hano- ver, for a Road. Order iss'd - Robert Alli- son, Thomas Logan, Martin Brandt, Robert Murdock, Moses Willson, James Galbreath, or any four of them, to view and lay out s'd Road, &c ]

To the Worshipfull, The Justiss of Lan- caster County, to sit the November Term, 1754:

The Petition of Sundry of the Inbabitants of the Townships ot Derry, Paxtown and Hanover Humbly Sheweth:

That your Worships were pleased to Order a Road to be Lay'd and Cleared trom Robert Allison's mill, on Conne- wago Creek to Samuel Scott's, on Chickes Creek, Your Petitioners are Therefore of opinion if we Had A Road Lay'd out from John Harrises at Swatarow Creek to. s'd Road it would be no small advantage to Us in order to Transport our Goods to market and go to our Courts at Lancas- ter, as well as serve the Publick. Your Petitioners, therefore, Humbly intreats- Your Worships wou'd please to grant and order of Court to Lay out, s'd Road from John Harrises, at Swatarow, to the Road. Lay'd out from Robt Allison's to Samuel Scott's, and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will pray.

John Roan, Joseph Willson.

David Shields,

John Carson,

Arthur Chambers, Samuel Hunter,

Robert Chambers, James Armstrong,

Henry McClure,

Robert Smith,

John Black burn, James Aken, William Willson,

Jonas Larue,

Jas. Galbreath,

Joseph Sherar,

William Galbreath,

William Hanna, Thomas Rutherford,. .

Robt. Wallace,

Hugh Wil son,

James Walker,

.John J. Fforster,

Richard McClure,

Alex'r McClure,

John Means,

Wm. Kirkpatrick,

James Finney,

Andrew Johnston,

Thomas Sharp, David Walker,

Joseph Heslet,

Charles McClure,

John Shields, Hendrew Mehany,

Oliver Wiley, George Harris,

James Polk,

John Gray,

John Wilson,

Thomas Mayd, Thomas Dugan, John Ionson,

John Harris,

Moses Dicky,

William Chambers:

Andrew Hanny,

Thomas Simpson, Samuel Simpson, Hendry McElroy, John Hutchison, John Woods, Andrew Woods,

Jas. Armstrong,

Thomas King,

Jas Willson,

577

Historical and Genealogical.

NOTES AND QUERIES. Historical, Biographical and Genealogical. CXLII.

NEW COUNTY HISTORIES IN PREPARA- TION .- D. Mason & Co , of Syracuse, N. Y., have in course of publication separate histories of Warren, Clearfield, Clarion and Jefferson counties. Messrs. Warner, Beers & Co., of Chicago, histories of Franklin, Montour and Columbia, Bucks and Beaver counties.

CARLISLE IN 1806. - Thomas Ashe, Esq., an English traveler in America, published an account of his visit in 1808. His allusion to Carlisle is very funny. "Harrisburg. a handsome Dutch town, stands on the east bank of this river [the Susquehanna. ] I did not stop, however, but pursued my course to Carlisle, which has a college, and the reputation of a place of learning. This may be so, but I have the misfortune to dispute it; for though indeed I saw an old brick build- ing called the University, in which the scholars had not left a whole pane of glass, I did not meet a man of decent literature in the town. I found a few who had learning enough to be pedantic and impudent in the society of the vulgar, but none who had arrived at that degree of science which could delight and instruct the intelligent." Now, this man proba- bly remained in Carlisle over night-and yet he presumed to give an opinion of the people he knew nothing of.

"JOHN HARRISES AT SWATAROW " --- It will have been noticed in the road peti- tion of 1754, that we have the signature of two John Harrises, and it may be con sidered they were one and the same per- son. John Harris, of Swatara, and John Harris, of Harris' Ferry, were different persons altogether. We are inclined to the belief they were cousins, at least they were related. It is more than probable that the former was the John Harris who was such a prominent personage in the Revolutionary history of Cumberland county, and who laid out the town of Mifflin on the Juniata.

HARRISBURG IN 1820. - From an "Emi-

grant's Directory," published in London in 1820, we have this account of the Capital City of Pennsylvania: "Harris . burgh, the chief town of Dauphin coun- ty, and the seat of government for the State of Pennsylvania, is situated on the northeast bank of the Susquehanna river, ninety-seven miles from Philadelphia, on the road leading to Carlisle and Pittss burgh. It is handsomely laid out on the elegant plan of Philadelphia, having four streets running parallel with the river, named Front, Second and so on; and these are crossed by others at right angles, called Mulberry, Chestnut, Market, Wal- nut, Locust and Pine. The houses are mostly of brick, have a good appearance, and the town is rapidly increasing since it became the seat of Government. There is a handsome court house, a German church, a stone jail, and the public edi- fices for the accommodation of the State Legislature will be the most elegant structures in Pennsylvania. Harris burg was first planned in the year 1785, and has been progressively improving ever since. From its com. manding and central situation, it will, in all probability, become one of the largest inland towns in the United States. Town lots sell for more than 2,000 dol- lars; and land in the neighborhood from eighty to 100 dollars per acre.

"THE HISTORICAL JOURNAL" is the title of "a monthly magazine for pre- serving fragments of Local History in North western Pennsylvania," which our friend, John F. Meginness, Esq., of the Bulletin and Gazette, Williamsport, pro- poses to issue, commencing in May next. Ever since the publication of his "Oizi. nachson," Mr. Meginness has been con- sidered the authority on the history of the West Branch, and in the thirty years which have intervened since the publica . tions of that volume, he has gathered a large amount of valuable historical ma - terial, which can only be preserved in periodical form. We are glad to learn that this design is to be put into execu- tion. As the "Historical Journal" will make a yearly volume of nearly 400 pages, and the subscription price is fixed at two dollars per annum, the citizens of Northwestern Pennsylvania ought not to

578

Historical and Genealogical.

allow the enterprise to die from want of support. With the Editor it is simply a "labor of love," and all who can should secure a copy of so valuable a publication as this will prove to be. To the lovers of history and biography in every portion of our State, the proposed magazine com - mends itself. Every such effort demands success.

SIMON GIRTY.

Some Facts Relating to the White Rene- gade.

[The following notes concerning the infamous Simon Girty we find floating through the newspapers. We have no knowledge as to the author. ]

With the rapid flight of time the aged people of the present day, who are the only remaining links of connection be- tween the early frontiersmen and the present generation, are passing away, and with them many an interesting inci- dent of those perilous days when every man carried his life in his hand is lost beyond recovery. It is the duty, there- fore, of those who know any unrecorded events in the history of the western por- tion of the country to preserve them in some permanent form. Hence this ar- ticle.

In the early frontier history of Penn- sylvania and Virginia, few characters stand out more prominently against so dark a background as Simon Girty, "the renegade," and his brothers. The Girtys were of Irish descent, their father having emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania about 1740, where he became a licensed Indian trader. Every authority says that the father was a man of bad eharacter and dissolute habits. "The old man was beastly intemperate. A jug of whisky was the extent of his ambition. ‘Grog was his song, and grog would he have.' His sottishness turned his wife's affec- tion." In some drunken revel the old man was murdered, and the widow im- mediately married, about 1754-and with her husband removed to the extreme frontier.

Simon Girty. senior, had four sons- Thomas, Simon, George and James. These were all taken prisoners by the In . dians, and, with the exception of Thomas, who subsequently escaped, they were all adopted into different Indian tribes.

Thomas, who had been captured at Fort Granville, was rescned by Colonel Aim. strong in 1756, when he took Kittanning. -Pa. Archives, ii, 775. He returned to civilized life and died, it is supposed, in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1820. He was one of Brady's spies in the Ins dian wars after the Revolution.

George was adopted by the Delawares, and grew up with them a thorough sav- age. He remained with them until his death, which is said to have occurred, while drunk, on the Miami of the Lakes about 1813. He fought with the Indians at the battle of Point Pleasant. James was adopted by the Shawanese and, like George, became entirely identified with them-proficient in all their bloodthirsty customs, sparing neither age nor sex in his warfare upon the white settlements, and delighting in torturing and practising new methods of cruelty upon the unfor- tunate white captives who fell into his hands.

Simon was adopted by the Senecas, but did not remain long with them, return- ing with his mother to the settlements. He figures more prominently in pioneer history than either of his brothers. He was one of the two scouts whom Lord Durmore sent to notify General Lewis of the proposed junction of the two armies at the Shawanese towns. And as George was with the Delawares at that time, it is believed that Simon conveyed through him to the Indians the strength and posi. tion of the army under Lewis, and so in- duccd them to begin that eventful battle which resulted in the defeat of the Indians at Point Pleasant in 1774. It is said that he was intimate with and frequently en- joyed the hospitality of Colonel Craw- ford, who was so fiendishly tortured in 1782.

Simon's subsequent history is so deeply enstrouded in the blood of his countrymen, that the only bright spot in his history, the only fact which indicates that one touch of human sympathy still remained in his heart-his treatment of Simon Kenton-is scarcely remembered.

When the war of the Revolution began Simon made an effort to secure a commis- sion in the American army, but, failing in this, he, in company with Elliott and McKee and a dozen kindred spirits, left

579

Historical and Genealogical.

Pittsburg and joined the Indians. Tra- dition gives him the reputation of great courage and cruelty. All that is cer- tainly known of him represents him as unsually vindictive against the Americans, and his conduct at the death of Colonel . Crawford, who had so often befriended him, displayed the grossest inhumanities, although Mc- Cutcheon, in the American Pioneer, thinks otherwise. It is said, however, that there were times when he manifested a tenderness of feeling and a compas- sionateness which it is difficult to recon- cile with his usually barbarous habits. Albach says he was scrupulously honest in the payment of his debts, on one oc- casion selling his horse to fulfill a "prom. ise to pay," and that it was when under the influence of liquor that his heart knew no such emotion as mercy. For many years the manner and the place of the death of Simon Girty was unknown. Albach states that it was said he was cut to pieces by Johnson's mounted men at the battle of the Thames. This proves not to be correct.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Historical, Biographical and Genealogical.

CXLIII.

BLUNSTON LICENSES .- Samuel Evans, Esq., has forwarded us a valuable article relating to those early documents, which will appear in due time.

DR. ROBERT HARRIS OF THE REVO- LUTION .- While attending the funeral of a relative at the Great Valley Presby - terian church, in Tredyfferin township, Chester county, I observed a small neat headstone on the right hand side, close to the avenue leading from the entrance of the yard, with the following inscription:

"Doct. Robert Harris, | of Paxtang, | who departed this life | March 4, 1785, aged 29."

This marks the grave of Robert Harris, Surgeon's mate, 2nd Pennsylvania Conti- nental Line, Nov. 1, 1777, who died at John Phillips' "Blue Ball" Tavern, Tre- dyfierin township, March 4, 1785, from quinsy, while on his way home from

Philadelphia. See "Pennsylvania in the Revolution," vol. 1, p 401.

JOHN B. LINN.

Bellefonte, March 26, 1887.

DEATH OF A WORTHY COLORED WO- MAN .- In a recent Philadelphia newspa- per it is stated that "Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Ball died at her residence, No. 830 Au- burn street, where she resided for the past forty-six years. She was born a slave in Lancaster county, Pa., and was owned by Colonel Jesse Ball, of Virginia, who moved into the State about 1797. She suffered very few of the hardships of slavery, being liberated by her master when quite young. After Mrs. Ball re- moved to this city she took an active part in the Underground Railroad, whence she became widely known throughout the State. She had a record of sixty three slaves whom she personally aided to free- dom, and it was her boast that none were ever taken back whom she aided. She was nearly 80 years old. Gilbert A. Ball, President of the Matthew Stanley Quay club, is her son." I will be grateful to any one who will authenticate this state- ment about Jesse Ball, of Va.

HORACE EDWIN HAYDEN.

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

NEVILLE, BURROUGHS, O'BANNON, CAINE (N. & Q. cxli). - Colonel John Neville appears among the membership of the Virginia branch of the Order of the Cincinnati. The following grants to the name Burroughs are of record in the Vir- ginia Land Registry: Christopher Bur- roughs. Book No. 1, p. 341, 200 acres in Elizabeth City county, May 4, 1636, "Hard Rights," or "Transports," enti- tling the patentee to fifty acres of land each: Christopher Burroughs (the pat- entee), Anne Burroughs (probably his wife), Wm. Burroughs (probably his son) and John Phillips. Christopher Bur. roughs, Book No. 2. p. 347, 150 acres in Lynhaven Parish, Lower Norfolk county, Nov. 7, 1651; Benony Burroughs, No. 6, p. 378, 944 acres in Lynhaven Parish, Lower Norfolk county, October 3, 1661. Application to the clerk of Norfolk coun- ty, Virginia, as to wills of record of the

580

Historical and Genealogical.

names Burroughs might prove to be effec- tive in obtaining desired information.

R A. BROCK.

Richmond, Virginia.

IN THE REVOLUTION.

Two Interesting Letters.

[ The following is from Mr. Peters, merchant in Philadelphia, to a very prominent personage in Bethlehem. It is sufficiently explanatory : ]

Philadelphia, Aug. . 24, 1779.

DEAR SIR : The blind way of trade · puts me at a stand. I cannot purchase any coffee without taking to one bill a tierce Claret & Sour, and at £6 8. per gall. Sugar 1 may purchase at about the limited price, and that is the only article that can be bought. I have been trying day for day, and never could get a grain of coffee so as to sell it at the limited price, these six weeks. It may be bought, but at about 25 s. per lb. Then it is very dangerous to get it out of town, for the least trifle you must produce your bill and swear that you have given no more and made no presents, whether that you intend to make any presents a'ter you have a permit or certificate. Sometime ago I might have sent wagons out of town and never have been stopped, but that time is over. Should you want sugars, I will buy for you, but I think you had better wait 'till this d-d Com- mittee is broke. It cannot last long, for we must all very soon shut up stores and starve.

I am, Dear Sir, Your humble servant, J. PETERS, Jr. To Mr. Francis Oberlin, Merchant at Bethlehem.

[ The letter which follows, from General Washington to the Rev. Mr. Ettwein, af- terwards a bishop in the church, relates to the proposed occupation of the Moravian settlement at Lititz for hospital purposes. Outside of the city of Philadelphia there were no buildings so adapted for hospitals as those found in the Moravian villages, hence they were always in demand. For this and the former unpublished corres- pondence we are indebted to John W.

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.

Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 81

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

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