USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. II > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
Cousin James Fleming and family passed through this town on their way to settle in your parts. There are but two left of the name on Brandywine, and but one in this vicinity. The Whitehills are also wearing out, as well as the Harris' and MacClays. The property is chiefly all out of their names,
Your uncle James is living with the Cranes .. There is a great resort of quality visiting the- old mansion every now and then. No doubt .. it will take all he can make to support high life below stairs as well as up stairs, for it is said he is aspiring to steer the ship of State- when the prisoner of the old Jersey's time- expires. If he misses that figure there will be little douht about taking the land back- again and making another sale, if the coun- sellor continues adequate to the task. But: the memhers from the southwest, as well as- many other gentlemen, told me he was nearly become a disqualified skeleton, hardly able to give advice, far less to
the plead at the bar, living life- ot an old dry bachelor, without any company except the housekeeper, and his immeuse riches. The neighhors told me there was a. vendue, but when they went to pay they were directed to give the money to Eleanor, intimating that the movahle property was- all hers. and in all other settlements it is said the original papers were canceled and .. obligations taken in their own names, so that collusion appears in every transaction. It is said John suffered much in his last days, being tossed about among strangers, until. they seen he was past all redemption, before- they took him in to breathe out his life,. everything being put in the lawyer's hands, for his handless son who is yet in the West, and it is said they will pay nothing for his father what he got on trust, nor for any trouble people had with him in his dis- tresses.
Your uncle James is renewing his youth: like the eagle's since he began to feed among the young cranes, and helps to farm the land,_ and nearly adored by the old long-necked. gentry, no doubt in expectation of making another will like your aunt Nelly's. I can -- not help mentioning one of his anecdotes at old Rupp's, west of Gorgas' on IIendricks' land, being an European German preacher,. making long prayers and lengthy graces- every day the whole year round, which the- recruiting bachelor got tired of, and watch -- ing his opportunity, one day said: "Still- Donner Schlag Dhe Teufel Todt-eat boys, .. eat-the damnation of the wicked will be great enough without making it greater with long prayers;" after which no more praying: was heard in the house until after harvest.
I was often in the house mentioned in your- aunt Nelly's will, for your aunt Betsy. It is: next the corner on the N. W. side of the
204
Historical and Genealogical.
street, above the stone bridge over the gully and last on the bank, which no doubt was all a gullery indeed, which never can be found out, Mac Jimsey dying soon after, and other witnesses of her competency or knowledge of the recorded testament may never be known to any but those who are most benefited, and her father's will had no witnesses at all and can never be known whether they were real testaments or not, so that von had better keep as good friendship as possible with your unele Robert, the junior, and call to see him before his emaciated limbs moulder in the dust. There may be a peradventure of get- ting what was left to your father's family, if he does not leave you any more, but my re- lations has all gone down to the grave with all their hands full of lies. They always said they would leave remuneration for the losses during my minority.
The old widow of my youngest uncle, Joseph Fleming, died last fall, but the as- semblymen from that quarter alleged that she Yankee priest that married the daughter of her brother, James Inghes, had secured all to himself. Ilis father was the only afli- ‹lavit man that swore my uncle made a will in the beginning of the American revolution and left all to his sister. I expect to go down this summer and see how such illegal pro- vedure goes on, and if a man can swear away my lawful rights to his sister who will give them back to his daughter it must be unjust, for my uncle always told me he would leave all to his brothers' and sisters' children, and consin John Fleming, of this neighborhood, deft his property as the law directs.
I was at Mr. Neely's last fall. I never seen any of my Sister Margaret's children, but the eldest son who died young. Till then there are six living, three boys and three girls.
The members from Huntingdon told me that Sister Jane was very well and the old priest still able to execute his office. Two -or three of her sons are married and praetis- ing physicians. Col. Dale told me Sister Ann was his neighbour and one of his rela- tions married to her eldest daughter.
Mr. Kelly told me he was at your house a few days after my brother's death and that your sisters were much like the Whitehill girls when they were young. You have not said a word about your sister Mary's family or whether any of the rest are married. Mr. Given, of Carlisle, always enquires for you. Showed him you letter of January
last, which I did not see myself before the middle of last month.
'The western members, as well as travelers, told me of sister Mary's family. There were many gentlemen and ladies called to see the superb buildings at the seat of Government. The lobbies and galleries were hardly ever empty. Mr. Findlay left his seat at the Federal city to pay us a visit before we broke up. Some faulted him for neglecting the affairs of the empire, alleging he was in- triguing again for hononrs and emoluments. Our State has become proverbial for detrac- tion and abuse of candidates. The Demo- cratie presses say so much about the imbe- cility of our present Chief Magistrate and the degradation of Pennsylvania by his elec- tion, that nearly all the Hiesterites were left at home last fall and a great majority of Findlayites sent down and up from all quar- ters to see the cis-Atlantick Pharaoh, who were so confounded at the awe of his coun- tenance and gigantick appearance that no one ventured to sling a stone at him, and little Jemmy Duncan walked through their fiery ordeal as clear of being singed as Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego.
I have read many epitaphs or monumental inscriptions in the encyclopædea as well as on the tombstones, but none pleases me bet- ter than the Whitehill's at Silvers Spring grave-yard :
In memory of Alexander MacBeth, son of Andrew & Ann MacBeth, born the 8th of April, 1768, died the 16th of September, 1819.
Cousin Sarah Crane is keeping school in Carlisle. One of her daughters lost her life by a corselet at John Randolph's wedding last winter.
The people in this State are growing very wicked. The 7th, 8th and 9th verses of the 5th chapter of Jeremiah, the last verse of the 13th, and all the rest of the Bible is nothing to the documents I heard read along with petitions for divorces during the ses- sion.
Since I wrote the other sheet, cousin Mary Blair died, and, what was more astonishing, not being able to find the dates among my books, I went over to Sister Margaret's last weck, or rather the latter end of the week be- fore, to copy them out of your grandfather's Bible, and Mrs. Neely began crying and asked me if Mrs. Blair was living yet. I told her she was when I left Carlisle, but when I returned I found by the newspapers
205
Historical and Genealogical.
that she died while my sister was enquiring for her. She still kept crying all the time I was there and told me I must quit laugh- ing and prepare for death, and Mr. Neely scolded me again about laughing and talking about the girls, and about Goudy that married Mary Elliot, sending letters to Ireland for his brothers to come over and make a fortune among the country born. The declaimers against theaters, dancing schools and other diversions has got their mouth stopped a little while last winter by a great fire that consumed the orphans' asylum in Philadelphia. They said it was a signal instance of the Divine displeasure when the Governor of Virginia and so many ladies and gentlemen perished in the flames of the playhouse in Richmond, but when so many poor, innocent children suffered they say they could not go in a better time.
Old Harkness and a great many old revo- lutionists died lately. There are none but John Adams and Thomas Jefferson living that signed the declaration of independence. I attended at the review last week. The great warrior Col. R. M. Crane rode a great red horse at the head of the regiment. I would have showed him your letter if you had not made that little observation on the other page. I wish you would take more paper and write everything that you want to know about the estate in a very complaisant style, that I may show him and James both, for I want an errand to go in the house in spite of their noses, for all they would not invite me to call and you never give me an account about my brother's appointments or competitions at the elections. I heard he was in the Legislature as well as on the bench, but never could learn how long on the latter or how often in the former, or what branch he was a member of, or any certainty whether he was a public servant at all but once in the news something about treating with the Indians at Greenville.
There was a great many couples joined together in the vicinity of Newville last winter as well as about Carlisle. Thomas Duncan's youngest son John is married to the daughter of William Sterret and Catha- rine MacDonald, the old Scotch highland piper's granddaughter.
Andrew Macbeth was born the 8th of January, 1733.
Ann Macbeth was born the 14th of Janu- ary, 1733.
John Macbeth was born the 14th of Oc- tober, 1763.
Mary Macbeth was born the 17th of Oe- tober, 1765.
Alexander Macbeth was born the 8th of April, 1768.
Jane Macbeth was born the 4th of May, 1770.
Margaret Macbeth was horn the 15th of August, 1773.
John Macbeth died the 30th of May, 1785. This is all I could find recorded in yons grandfather's Bible. I hunted for records among Mr. Steel's papers and Mr. Davidsou's papers, but found nothing but births, bap- tisms or deaths. but old yellow wig's little grandson keeps regular entries of everything, even the very cock fights.
NOTES AND QUERIES.
Historical, Biographical and Genalogical.
CCI.
HARRISON, THE REGICIDE. - We are some- what astonished at the statement made by the Philadelphia Times of July Ist, that the progenitor of the Harrisons of Virginia was Major (not Major General) Thomas Harrison of Cromwell's army who signed the death- warrant of Charles I, of England, and who, after the Restoration, was the first one of the regicides who were beheaded. By reference to our brief record of the "Harri- sons of Virginia, " published in last number of Notes and Queries, it will be seen that the first Harrison who came to America was here before the birth of "Major" Thomas Harri- son. Apart from this fact, this Harrison was in nowise connected with the Virginia Harrisons, was a Puritan of "the baser sort," while the ancestors of the next President of the United States were members of the Established Church- were royalists. We are not mistaken in this. What the object of the Times writer is we know not, but are of opinion that his historical blunders should be corrected.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO PENNSYLVANIA BIOGRAPHY.
SCHLOSSER, GEORGE ERNST.
George Ernst Schlosser, was born 27 Octo- ber, 1714, at St. Arnual, Nassau-Saarbruck, where his father was the resident Lutheran Minister. His parents were Rev. George and
200
Historical and Genealogical.
Sophia Johanetta Margaretta (m. n. Ell- werth) Schlosser. When six months old his parents removed to Strassburg, where one day his sister (a mere child) who had the care of him, let him fall from a bridge into the Rhine. Some women who were washing a short distance below resened him and restored him to his parents. Sub- sequently his parents resided at Diettingen, in the neighborhood of Durlach, where his father died in March of 1746.
In his youth Schlosser was employed by merchants in Pforzheim, Stuttgard, Ess- ling and Rothenberg, in Upper Austria. At the latter place he was falsely accused of blasphemy, and sent a challenge to his acenser, who declined to fight, and acknowl- edged his innocence in writing. We next find him with his parents, and a year later in busi- ness on his own account. Mr. Schlo ser was married for the first time 24th March, 1738, to Fredericka M. Rudhardt, youngest dangh- ter of the Bailiff and Councellor of the Prince of Baden-Durlach. This marriage proved an unfortunate one, and in 1748 he obtained a divorce. Of the five children born to them, three died in early youth, and two aceompa- mied their father to Pennsylvania in 1751. They were:
Christina; b. 20 February, 1744; m. - Christ. Ernst; b. 9 December, 1745; resided at York, Pa.
In 1748 Mr. Schlosser became connected with the Moravians at Herrnhaag, but did not unite with them until his arrival in America, embarking on their colony vessel, the Irene, at Rotterdam for New York. From the latter city he proceeded to Bethle- hem, and early in 1752 removed to Philadel- phia, where he became a successful mer- chant.
During the exciting period preceeding, as well as throughout the war for Independenee, he took an active part on the side of the colonists. He was a deputy to the Provin- cial Convention of 15 July, 1774, and to that of 23 January, 1775; member of the Pro- vincial Conference, which met at Carpenter's Hall, 18 JJune, 1775; and of the Convention of 15 July, 1776. Ile was a member of the Committee of observation for the city of Philadelphia, 16 Angust, 1775, and while in the performance of his duties as a committee- man became involved in a legal dispute with Isaac Hunt, the father of the celebrated Leigh Hunt. Hunt drew on himself the
indignation of the citizens of Philadelphia, was mobbed and imprisoned, but subsequently made his escape and fled from the city.
During the occupation of Philadelphia by the British army under Howe, he repaired to Lancaster, where he remained until the evacnation of the city, when he returned to his family at Bustleton. In August of 1777, he was recommended to Congress by the Supreme Executive Council for eommis- sary, as "being worthy of trust and very competent for that business." At the solici- tation of the Council, in June of 1778, he advanced €2,000 "when the finances of the State were very low and the necessities of the army were great," which was subsequently refunded to him. In December, he was appointed to prevent forestalling in the city markets, and in June of 1781, super- intendent for the sale of city lots. He also held many positions of trust in the Moravian church on Race street, and in February of 1786, was elected a manager of the Ilouse of Employment.
During the yellow fever epidemic of 1793, Stephen Girard was assisted at Bush Hill Hospital by Mr. Schlosser and Peter Helm, (both members of the Moravian church), who volunteered their services.
George Schlosser was married in 1754 to Anne Mary Peter, [d. 25 Ang. 1801], and by her had issue, to wit:
Mary Magdalen, b. 14 March, 1755; m. 9 Jany, 1772, Jacob Frank. Anna Maria, b. 16 July, 1756; m. 24 Aug. 1780, Adam Esler. Rosina Maria, b. 17 Dec. 1757. Christina Sybilla, b. 27 July, 1759, [d. single.
Jacob Henry, b. 22 May, 1761. John George, b. 1 Jany. 1763; d. young. Theodora Elizabeth, b. 6 June, 1765.
Johanna Fredericka, b. 23 April, 1767; m. 11 June, 1793, Samuel Sam, printer, Chestnut Hill, Phila.
Jacobina Charlotta, b. 30 May, 1769; m. James Yard.
John George, b. 22 Feby, 1773.
For a number of years Mr. Schlosser re- sided on Second near Vine streets. Apart from his business activity and enterprise he was benevolent and philanthropic, and in mercantile cireles was held in high repute. He died 25 February, 1802, and was buried in the Moravian cemetery, eorner Front and Vine streets. (removed in 1887).
JOHN W. JORDAN.
207
Historical and Genealogical.
BOYD OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
I. JOHN BOYD, b. about 1719 in the north ·of Ireland, of Scotch parentage; m. in 1749 Sarah DeVane, a Huguenot, b. 1724; d. Nov. 10, 1813. From the journals of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania for June 15, 1781, we have the following :
"A petition of Sarah Boyd of the town of Northumberland, in the county of North- umberland, widow, was read, representing that at an early period of life, she had the misfortune of being deprived of her husband, and was left to struggle with many ditti- culties to support herself and three sons, her only children. That at the commencement of the present war, all of her said sons, took an early and decided part in the grand con- test, and she cheerfully consented to their serving their distressed country. That her youngest son, William, a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Regiment fell in the Battle of Brandywine. That her son Thomas after having shared in all the dangers and fatigues of the Canadian expedition fell a sacrifice to Indian barbarity, in the expedi- tion commanded by Sullivan, and that her remaining son now commands a company ap- pointed for the defence of the frontiers of this State, and praying that she many be allowed the depreciation of the pay of her deceased sons, the same having been trans- ferred to her by her surviving son."
On the 20th of the same month we have this:
"That having considered the singular case . of Sarah Boyd, as represented in her peti- tion of the 15th inst., they would most ear- nestly recommend it to the House to make her a grant of a sum of money in lieu and satisfaction of the depreciation which would have descended to the widow and children of her deceased sons, if any there had been.
"Page 696, An act to settle and adjust the accounts of the troops of this State in the service of the United States, and for other purposes therein mentioned was brought in engrossed and compared at the table.
"Resolved, That it be enacted into a law and signed by the Speaker."
In the Northumberland Gazette of Novem- ber 10, 1803, the following obituary appears :
"Died on Saturday evening last at the ad- vanced age of 79 years, Mrs. Sarah Boyd. She has long resided in this county, during which time her character has been well
known to be that of a sincere Christian, and a particular friend to all those who stood in need of her assistance. No woman, perhaps, has ever died in this country whose loss has been more sincerely regretted than that of Mrs. Boyd. On Sunday afternoon her re inains were conducted to the place of inter- ment, attended by her relatives and other friends. "
The children of John and Sarah DeVane Boyd were as follows, all born in Chester county, Penn'a:
2. i. John; b. Feb. 22, 1750; m. Rebecea Bull.
ii. Thomas; b. 1752; d. Sept. 13, 1779; entered the service at the commencement of the Revolution; was commissioned first lieu- tenant First Regiment Penn'a Line, Jannary 14, 1778; was detailed with other riflemen to the Fourth Penn'a under Col. William Butler, on the Sullivan expedition in 1779, taken prisoner and barbarously tortured by the Six Nations Indians at Little Beard's Town on the Genesee, who were then banded- with the Tories under Col. John Butler, his son Walter and the Indian Brant. He was unmarried.
iii. William, b. 1755: d. Sept. 11, 1777; was commissioned ensign, 12th Regt., Penna. Line, October 16, 1776; promoted second lientenant, and killed at the battle of Ger- mantown. He was numarried.
II. JOHN BOYD (John), b. Feb. 22, 1750, in Chester, county, Pa., d. Feb. 13, 1831, in Northumberland, Pa. Of his early occu- pation and education we have little
knowledge. When the
war for Inde pendence came he entered into the service, and was commissioned second lieu- tenant in the 12th regiment of the Peunsyl- vania Line, Col. William Cooke, October 16, 1776. He was promoted first lieutenant and transferred to the Third Peunsylvania regiment as captain lieutenant. Under the re-arrangement of Jaunary 1, 1781, he was retired the service, but afterwards appointed captain of a company of rangers on the fron- tiers, and was an excellent partisan officer. According to Charies Biddle, as stated in his "Autobiography," "during the war he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Indians. Having killed a number of them before he was taken they were deter- mined to burn him. For this purpose he was stripped naked and tied to a stake, and expected every moment to suffer
208
Historical and Genealogical.
death, when he
was released by
the interposition of one of the squaws, who had her husband killed in the engage- ment with Boyd. His life was possibly saved in consequence of his being a stout, well made man." During the war he served one ver as collector of the excise for
Northumberland county. After tlie restoration of peace, in partnership with Col. William Wilson, he entered into merchandising at the town of Northumber- land, and in a mill at the month of Chillis- quaque creek. They manufactured large quantities of potash, which they shipped to Philadelphia, where it met with a ready sale; the difficulties of
transportation compelled them to relinquish this enterprisc. Captain Boyd served as a member of the Supreme Exceutive Council of the State from November 22, 1783, to November 23, 1786. On the 2d of October, the latter year,
he was appointed
Assemby one of by the General
the commissioners for superintending the drawing of the Donation Land Lottery. He was a member of the Pennsylvania con- vention to ratify the Federal constitution in 1787 ; a member of the Penm'a House of Rep- resentatives from 1790 to 1792; and a Presidential elector at the second election. He filled the office of a justice of the peace many years. Was one of the original members of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati. Captain Boyd m., May 13. 179t, REBECCA BULL, b. November, 1767, d. ---; daughter of Col. John Bull of the Revolution. They had issue:
i. Sarah-Haines; b. April 9, 1796; d. 1866, at Peoria, Ill .; m. Oct. 10, 1822, Rev. William R. Smith.
ii. Innie-Smith; b. February 8, 1798; d. Nov. 24, 1801.
iii. Mary-Philips; b. Nov. 24, 1799; d. Dec. 7, 1801.
iv. Elizabeth-Rittenhouse; b. Sept. 20, 1801; d. Sept. 26, 1826, at Alton, Ill .; m. Dr. Henry Kent.
v. John-Benjamin; b. Jan. 11, 1804; d. unm. at Northumberland; studied law and admitted to the bar, but never practiced.
vi. William-Thomas; b. Nov. 20, 1805; d. -; m. Grace Slater.
vii. Marie-Josepha; b. Sept. 16, 1808; is residing at Morristown, N. J .; m. Nov. 28, 1832, Samuel Freeman Headley.
NOTES AND QUERIES. Historical, Biographical and Genealogical ..
CCII.
THE KEAGY FAMILY .- Our correspondent at Chambersburg will find in the Lancaster New Era of July 21, an interesting account of the family he makes inquiry of.
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARIES .- Centre county had two jubilations during July. On the 4th centennial exercises were held at Potter's Mills, where quite a number of in- teresting addresses were delivered, that of Hon. John Blair Linn being the more prom- inent. On the 25th the beautiful Penn's Valley town of Millheim celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of its existence, at which there were no less than five thou- sand strangers present. The historical ad- dress by our friend Linn was an able and valuable one, and was enthusiastically re- ceived. We trust the proceedings of these two centennial anniversaries will be put into permanent form.
SAMUEL EVANS, OF COLUMBIA.
[The New Era, of Lancaster, in its issue of July 26th, refers in an interesting edi torial to "Two Men Deserving of Honor," namely, Simon S. Rathvon, the naturalist, and Sammel Evans, the historian, of Lancas- ter county. As the latter is so well known to the readers of Notes and Queries, we give the reference to him, premising them with the statement that both gentlemen will have, as they worthily deserve, a place in the new Cyclopedia of American Biography.
"The first to whom we will refer is Sam- nel Evans, Esq., of Columbia, who is well known to the readers of this journal as a valued occasional contributor. Mr. Evans. is the best anthority on our local history running back to the organization of this. county, or rather to its first settlement. The mass of information about early settlers, the lands they occupied, its subsequent divi- sion and sub-division into smaller estates for their descendants, their genealogy, changed locations, marriage and inter-marriage of children, grandchildren and great grand- children, indicate an amount of as- siduons and laborious research that has impressed ns upon reading his articles as extraordinary. With our knowledge of the
-
209
Historical and Genealogical.
richness and comprehensiveness of his treas- ury of facts in this line, we would suppose, · did we not know better, that he was a gentle- man of wealth and leisure who had devoted all his life and a snug fortune in pursuit of rthis labor of love-for his contributions to the local press and historical periodicals have been given without compensation. Yet all his life he has been a busy man in earning a livelihood, and his historical research has been : simply in the nature of a pleasant recreation. If we had a few more men of his type, we would have a historical society here whose archives would be rich with material for the future local historian, much of which is rapidly being lost in oblivion through the · death of aged cititizens in whose memory alone important data has been retained. As it is, nearly all we know of the early history of Lancaster county has been preserved by the late I. Daniel Rupp and Samnel Evans. When he departs from among us-and may a good Providence long delay that event-he will leave a rich legacy of local early and contemporary reminiscences which the next generation will appreciate as the present . does not."
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.