USA > Pennsylvania > York County > The Beginnings of the German Element in York County, Pennsylvania > Part 15
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Sometimes this second class is followed by a third class, the capitalist. This man of enterprise buys out some of the substantial properties of the second class. Industrial enterprises are begun on a larger scale. Villages are laid out and soon grow into towns. Large edifices arise; higher education begins; the finer arts of civilization are practiced; and above all manufacturing industries begin, factories loom into view, and the community has brought forth a city. This class marks the transition to the final stage of the American frontier.
Now the York County Germans before the middle of the century belong almost exclusively to the second class of the farmer stage. The third class did not make its ap- pearance among them until somewhat later. And the first class mentioned above never did have a place in the
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Their Place in General American History.
German belt of York County. The typical pioneer farmer with his superficial methods of cultivation was well repre- sented, as we have seen, among the earliest inhabitants of the southeastern part of the county. But the German set- tlers on the limestone belt belonged entirely to the second class. They came intending that their settlements should be permanent and they proceeded accordingly in their methods of clearing and improving.3 And it is a remark- able fact that these early settlers usually continued to oc- cupy their original possessions until their death. They added to their belongings but in very few cases did they migrate from their settlements. The good soil had at- tracted them to these valleys and their own skillful meth- ods of cultivation kept them there. As their growing families demanded more lands they spread out and occu- pied more and more of the Cambrian belt but usually re- mained in the same general neighborhood.
Despite the difficulties that confronted them in their new homes these German farmers in the first half of the eight- eenth century flourished rapidly. Many of them when they died were possessed of property whose value is a
3 These intensive methods were the result of inheritance and of experi- ence and hence it was a rare thing to find a German exhibiting the characteristics of the earliest class of pioneer farmers. Where the Ger- mans have gradually occupied large farming areas they have done so not by migration but by expansion. An appreciative description of the char- acteristics of the German farmer in colonial Pennsylvania is that from the pen of their contemporary, Dr. Rush, in his " Account," Schmauk edition, pp. 54-73.
The preference of the German farmer for forest land, his intensive methods of culture, and the consequences of this combination in the sub- sequent prosperity of the German farmer in the northwest, are described by Emil Rothe in his article on "Die Entwicklung des Deutschtums im Nord- westen," in Jahrgang II, 2. Heft (April 1870), p. 55 et passim, of "Der Deutsche Pioneer."
I3
194
German Element in York County, Pa.
splendid monument of their industry and economy.4 In their position as a flourishing farming community they were not without significance not only for the early history of Pennsylvania but even for the general course of Ameri- can history. It has been asserted that these " farms of the
4 This rapid prosperity of the original settlers is abundantly proved by a study of their wills and by the inventories of their property at their death. Thus the inventory of Christian Croll (completed on August 22, 1758) indicates a remarkable growth to wealth during the 25 years of his settlement in York County. Among his possessions are the following:
" Houses and Lots in Yorktown
2 Houses and lots in High Street £490
House and lot at the North and Water Street £50
One do at the east end of Race Street
£45
One do adjoining Jos Adlums House £80
Improvement bought of Geo Albright £380
Improvement bought of Jacob Hoague £120
Patent Lands on west side Conewago £140
Part of the improvement in partnership with Mr. Stevenson. £70 "
The list of " chattels" covers 19 pages. Of these there are articles to the value of £ 351 10 s. & p. in "the Shop," and others to the value of £ 4 I s. 6 p. in "the Bar." The "book debts " cover 9 pages and amount to about £ 750. Two pages of these are called "debts due for smith work." The inventory indicates that the total of his possessions at his death amounted to £ 3,476 8 s. 9 p.
But Christian Croll had become a blacksmith in York and his extra- ordinary prosperity may have been due partly to that fact. More typical perhaps is the inventory of Jacob Welshover (1758) and for that reason this inventory is reproduced in full in Appendix C.
The inventory of the property of John Jacob Kuntz (September 17, 1754) estimates his plantation alone at £ 320. The inventory of Fred- erick Lether (made July 8, 1746, that is, before York County was estab- lished) estimates his "Blandation or Improvement" at £ 150 and his total possessions at £ 232 6 s. 6 p. For Micheal Spengler whose inventory was made on March 20, 1748, the "Big Plantation " is placed at £ 350 and his "Chattels " at £ 292. The inventory of Balser Shamberger (made April 28, 1751) estimates his "improvement and winter grain " at £ 200. John Kuhns (inventory dated May 26, 1753) had personal estate alone valued at £ 371 5s. 8 p. These inventories are thoroughly typical and indicate a remarkable degree of early prosperity on the part of these first settlers.
195
Their Place in General American History.
Germans became the wheat granary of the world."" From this point of view their significnce might be traced in a great many directions. Suffice it to say here that not until we have formed a correct estimate of the service of the American farmer to the American nation will we be able to determine with precision the place of the early York County Germans in general American history. As a part of that great body of prosperous farmers who have always constituted the very bone and sinew of our national exist- ence, the York County Germans of the first half of the eighteenth century have more than ordinary significance for the national history of their times.
And finally, the Germans of York County before the middle of the eighteenth century occupy a distinct place in general American history because they fulfilled a special mission in the general movement of Germans in this coun- try. That the great body of Germans in the United States has at all periods of our history had a decided cultural in- fluence upon American institutions is now freely recog- nized on all sides.6 The relation of the early German set- tlements of York County to the other German settlements of that time has already been set forth in detail.7 Their significance lies in the fact that they occupied advance ground. They had moved out on the frontier farther
5 By Professor Turner as quoted in Faust, I: 138 and II: 36.
6 For a general evaluation of the German element in this country see Faust, "The German Element in the United States," Vol. II; Rudolf Cronau, "Drei Jahrhunderte Deutschen Lebens in Amerika "; and Bosse,
" Das Deutsche Element in den Vereinigten Staaten." 7 Supra, Chapter VI.
The position of the Pennsylvania Germans in general among the other nationalities in colonial Pennsylvania, and the circumstances that led to the prominent part of the Germans in the Revolution from England, are suggested in Pfister, " Die Amerikanische Revolution 1775-1783," PP. 51-97 and 128-170.
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German Element in York County, Pa.
than any other of the numerous German settlements in Pennsylvania. This was both a result and a cause of cer- tain distinguishing elements of character which they mani- fested in their lives and conduct. These Germans made a new frontier but the frontier made them over into a new nationality. The peculiarity of their position coupled with their previous experience and their special characteristics gave them freer rein for self-government than any other German community had and it made them more susceptible to the reflex influence of the New World. Separated from the great body of their countrymen in America and free from all ties that might bind them to the Fatherland, they soon began the process of Americanization. The uncon- scious charm of the locality quickly made its impress upon their plastic German souls. The length, the breadth, the giant height and the rich depth of the new continent left an indelible stamp upon their characters and quietly trans- formed them into a new people. From the soil of their new homes and from the incidents and circumstances of their new life arose the inexorable forces that compelled them to stand forth a new type of world's citizen. The period which we have studied marks little more than the beginning of this important process of transformation. But already at the time of the Revolution the process is fairly complete. At the report of the first shot at Lexing- ton they showed themselves the best Americans of us all and when General Washington in camp at Valley Forge felt that he was in the enemy's country the center of the German belt in York County was the home of the national capital. The first two decades of York County Germans constituted one of the first chapters in the Americanization of the great and influential German element in this country.
Appendir A.
LETTER OF SAMUEL BLUNSTON TO THE PROPRIETORS, APRIL 9, 1735.
May it please the proprietors:
By John Hendricks I received a letter which informs me of his complaint of the unfair & dishonest usage he has met with from John Wright & me in relation to the land opposite to us. As I well know we are clear of any such charge I shal according to your desire give a full relation to the whole affair & coppys of letters sufficient I hope to satisfy you that no imputation of unfair practice can justly be charged on either of us.
In the later part of the year 1726 John Hendricks being over the river Turkey Hunting with some of his relations through a stupid carelessness or fatal mistake shot a young man his first cousen & killed him. This accident & some ill management of his affairs put him upon selling the place where he lived & to gain a new settlement in the spring of the year 1727 he applyed to J: Logan for leave to settle over the river oposite to us teling him the In- dians were desirous he & his brother James should settle there. J : Logan haveing heard the Marylanders designed to survey that land upon this application of John & also of one Jos: Chaphem wrote me the following letter: Friend Saml Blunston: I am informed that some persons from Maryland have proposed to survey & take up that tract of land where the Shawanna Indians were lately settled on the west side of Sasquehannah opposite to Hempfield to pre- vent which & for their own accomodation John Hendricks & Hen- drick Hendricks sons of Jacobus Hendricks are desirious to seat themselves there as also Joseph Chapham would willingly make some settlement. Therefore if thou please to run lines about the
197
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German Element in York County, Pa.
best part of that tract taking in about 1000 or 1500 As or more for William Penn grandson to the late proprietor who devised 10,000 acres of land in this province to his grandson by will. And return the draught thereof to me, I shall satisfie thee for thy trouble therein. And if the sd Brothers & Jos Chapham can obtain the consent of the Shawannah the chief of those Indians we should be willing they should make settlements on those parts of the tract as may be convenient for themselves & at the same time the least in- jurious to the remainder of it & be pleased to inform me what thou does herein who am with respect thy loving friend J Logan Philadelphia May 10, 1727.
This is the letter & the only letter or pretense on which J Hen- dricks founds his claim & by this you will see the land was not apparently laid out for him, & by this both he and his brother James (who is there called Hendrick) & Jos Chapham were but to settle on part of it the least Injurious &c But the letter speaks for itself & I proceed. In the month of July following pursuant to sd order I went over & marked four corners including the greatest part of the tract after surveyed & no more was done at that time the weeds being so high we could not chain it nor carry an instrument to any purpose.
About this time or a little before the afsd Henry Hendricks & one Thomas Linvil went & settled at Codorus a Creek about 12 miles west of sd River which settlements disturbing the Indians they threatened to burn their houses and obliged Em to quit their settlements & return back to this side. The Indians opposing the peoples settling hindered John Hendricks from removing thither that year as he had intended for as some of the chief of the Indians told me John had no liberty from them as he had falsely reported to J: Logan Now as all the 3 persons before mentioned were to have but part of that tract & Jos Chapham wholy declined settling there & went to Carolina John Wright & I thought we might without any injustice ask leave to secure a part of it for ourselves, some further attempts being made to settle it. Accordingly when John Wright went to town the August following & spoke to J:
199
Letter of Samuel Blunston to Proprietors.
Logan in behalf of himself upon which & some other affairs J L wrote the following part of a letter:
Phila 10 August 1727
My frd S. B: J Wright spent the last evening with me & informs me that the people having got a notion that those Indians of the 5 nations who were here lately had assigned all their claim to the lands about Sasquehannah were now crowding upon those lands beyond the River in order to settle them though this part of the Indians is surely a mistake. As he desires a part of that 1000 acres formerly mentioned to be secured for one of his boys. I am very willing he should be favoured in any thing that is practicable of that kind, and that the land should be kept for him from all others, if it may be done & in order to it would have him take some proper methods to secure it. But people must be no means be allowed to take up lands & make settlements on that further side, otherwise then as it may answer some other necessary end. Nor would we by any means have the Indians to quit their settlements there or abandon those parts of Sasquehannah. I mean princi- pally the other side of it.
In the fall of the year the Marylanders continuing their in- croachments Jno Wright & I in a letter joyntly to J Logan gave him an account thereof & made request that we might have some- thing from them to show a right to part of the afsd land (which then all lay vacant) that we might be the better able to prevent others who had designs to come there. John Hendricks also being with him about that time to make a second request for leave to go to that tract J Logan thereupon wrote to us joyntly a letter upon the subject of the Maryland incroachments, & upon the pres- ent affair, the part thereto relating as follows:
Phila 30/8/1727/ Jno Wright & Sam'l Blunston: Loving frds: In answer to yours of the 28th instant I must observe &c here he gives a pretty large account of a former agreement between the two provinces about the boundaries & then says . . . I wish we could fal on any possible measures to prevent their settlements, if you can
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German Element in York County, Pa.
think of any it would be very acceptible, if at the desire of the Commisioners which you may take as expressed in this letter you would be pleased to put Em in practice. I prompted John Hen- dricks to write of his affair to you though I can say nothing further than what I told himself viz: that since he has not yet settled which I thought he had done long since, & the Indians insist on our former agreement not to suffer any such, it woud be extremely Irregular in us at this time to agree to it. As to the land opposite agt you I believe we shal all be very willing that you should take any measures to secure it without giving offence to the natives we can make no grant at present but any thing else in our power we should readily consent to.
From the concessions or promises in these letters mentioned rose our expectations that in a proper time we might be able to make some of that land our own upon the credit hereof with much care & pains prevented it from being settled by others which we till this time have done.
In the year 1728 the Indians grew more cool as they perceived if they hindered our people the Marylanders would have it. John Hendricks without any further licence removed over and took his choice of the whole tract settling where he now lives Now though by the first letter of J L it plainly appears that (1) the whole tract was never intended to be the sole property of J Hendricks. So it also appears by that & the other letters already quoted which will also be corroborated by what follows that the tract though ordered to be surveyed for the use of W. Penn was not strictly so intended, that survey then made & his name used as most proper to secure it from the Marylanders they not being then willing to have any sur- vey made to private persons lest others might claim the like power.
In the year 1729 the Marylanders made a fresh attempt upon us & that produced the following paragraph in a letter from J Logan to me bearing date the 29th of Novemb 1729 where he thus con- cludes: " I am told just now here that they are surveying all the Land over Sasquehannah from Maryland and sel it again to our people. Pray discourage it to the utmost & do thou also survey to perplex Em. And in another letter dated the 4th of December
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Letter of Samuel Blunston to Proprietors.
following are these words: I wish thou would exert thyself & make surveys in any name whatsoever &c From all which the intention of these surveys I think plainly appear; according to the fore- going orders & some others I wrote him a letter dated the 30th of November Afsd which among other things contains what fol- lows: I have laid out the Land for the Donegal Congregation ac- cording to thy order & I think to the satisfaction of all parties & have given them a draught thereof. I have also this week per- fected a Survey of that piece of Land over the River on which J. Hendricks is settled of which I shall return thee a draught by the first opportunity. The whole contains about 1200 Acres, Six Hundred whereof regularly divided being the uper side & best part of the tract and on which J. Hendricks has settled we have left to him But he is so far from being satisfied with it that Except he could have it so as to spoil the whole tract he will I suppose apply for a Maryland right for redress. All the land about Parnels is surveyed & settled by Marylanders & many people out of this prov- ince are for removing over the river so that I doubt not but another year will settle most of the habitable land for they flock over daily in search. The remainder of that by Hendricks would have been settled before now had they not been prevented. John Wright & I desiring it may be kept vacant at present that when opportunity presents we may obtain grants for it. ...
About the year 1731 the before mentioned James Hendricks went & settled on the back part of the tract on which John lived It always being understood to be their equal right & early in the Spring 1732 John & James and their father Jacobus went down together on that side with their Guns intending to shoot some turkeys at the place where John had before shot his cousin, and in the way the old man's Gun went of by accident & killed James Dead on the Spot his Death occasioned his widdow to leave the place which she after sold to Joshua Minshal who now lives on it. Nothing more was done till after the first of you arrived when J Hendricks Jos Minshal John Wright & myself altogether applied to the Honourable Pro- prietary for the Grants for our several parts of the sd tracts as itt had been last surveyed and divided & John Hendricks then made no
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German Element in York County, Pa.
demand or claim to any more then his share with Jos Minshal in the six hundred acres. How the other wild notion since got into his head I know not.
Thus having traced it down from the first beginning to this present it is time so conclude. And I hope enough is said to con- vince you that we never had any the least intention to act an unjust part therein towards J Hendricks or any other person. And as you desired an account from me I hope you will be so kind as to let me know your sentiments of our Behavior therein. And if any Scruple yet remains with you that the licence or grant which I rec'd is on a bad foundation I am ready to resign it. Though the pains I have taken to secure it & my endeavours to prevent the mis- chiefs which have hapened on that side has been to me a source of continued care and trouble. I do not mention this to make merit of any thing I have done nor do I expect or desire any reward but what proceeds from a consciousness of having done my duty. The land I am ready at all times to pay for if it be thought I am honestly in possession of it, otherway I made no claim.
For the rest of the letter I need only say I have not heard of the taxgathers being up. If they come with an evil intent I shall us my endeavours to circumvent Em.
As to the Behavior of John Wrights Sons or any other persons on this side towards Hendricks he is so far from having any Ground for complaint that they and many others have long borne & yet do bear his intolerable abuses & insults purely upon your account which else would never be suffered.
As to Cressops Complaint agt the Magistrates the Charge is too General to receive any other answer than that I know nothing of it. I am with great regard your assured ffrd SA BLUNSTON
Apr. 9th in the evening 1735
The Messenger staid a little longer than expected which gave me time to finish this.
Appendix JB
NAMES OF THOSE WHO SIGNED THE LETTER OF THE GERMANS TO THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND, AUGUST II, 1736 (CALVERT PAPERS, No. 717).
These names are all included in the list of those for whose arrest a warrant was issued on October 21, 1736, "for contriving signing and publishing a seditious paper and writing against his Lordship and this government." The names are here given as copied by the clerk in Mary- land and that accounts for the peculiar spelling.
Jacob Grable
Gorrick Cobell
Jacob Seglaer
Kelyon Smith
Conrade Lowe
Nicholas Peery
Christian Lowe
Micheal Tanner
Jacob Seglaer, jr.
Micheal Wallack
Michael Aringall
Micheal Evat
Philip Seglaer
Micheal Miller
Dennis Myer
Jasper Carvel
Hans Stanner
George Swope
Tobias Spright
George Philier
Tobias Hendricks
Nicholas Butchier
Leonard Immel
Andrew Phlaviere
Balchar Sangar
Henry Stantz
Methusalem Griffith
Henry Lephart
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German Element in York County, Pa.
Peter Gardiner
Michael Raisher
Jacob Lonus
Tobias Fray
Nicholas Conn
Martin Fray
Bartholemew Shambarrier
Henry Smith
Henry Young
Jacob Welchhutter
Caspar Varglass
Henry Henricks
Bryonex Tander
Charles Jones
Christian Crowle
Adam Byer
Conrade Stricklaer
Godfrey Fray
Henry Bowen
Nicholas Hatchley
Francis Worley, jr.
Micheal Waltz
Martin Sluys
Martin Wyngall
Jacob Hoopinder
Eurick Myer
TWENTY DOLLARS.
Wruted by HALL and 88 L 18.R.S. 1778.
Appendix C
INVENTORY OF THE ESTATE OF JACOB WELSHOVER.
Jacob Welshover's will was made on November 15, 1757, and witnessed by Heinrich Schmidt and Heinrich Libhart. It was probated on June 29, 1758. The ap- praisement was made on August 24, 1758, by Heinrich Schmidt and another German. The inventory totals £495 18 s. op. The items are as follows :
7 Cows
£ -s-p
the other young horn Cattle
17- 0-0
5 sheep I-10-0
2 Wagon horses 20- 0-0
I Meare 6-0-0
thre Hogs 0-15-0
IO Hives of Bees 3-10-0
I high Wagon 13-0-0
6 ould wagon wheals 5-0-0
2 Blows I-10-0
I Iron Harrow 1- 5-0
5 braks 0-10-0 4 collers Iron trasis brich bands bridle 4-10-0 Doung plows forks Shoffels pitch forks 0-17-0 the wind mill & Sives Riddels 1-10-0
the thrash mill 0-18-0
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12-0-0
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German Element in York County, Pa.
the cottin box 0-14-0
2 large Roaps and a blow line 0-4-0
Wheat and Rey of 16 Acre of ground 16-0-0 2 acre of Hemp in the field 3-10-0 the Still & the Iron & worm blongin to it 18- 0-0
9 Tobs in the Still house I-12-0
a box where the keep the Chopt Rey in 0-5-0
washing Tobs & other tobs & rails & Halbushel
I-0-0
Clean Hemp 6-0-0
Earthen pots dishes & plats
0- 6-0
the hogsheds & other casks in the Seller
3-10-0
Rey Liquer four Barrels . 9-10-0
Talow about 15 pound . 0- 6-0
butter Cands or boxis & pokeds 0- 5-0
meal and wedges from broad ax I-10-0 Draw Knife Oagers Chisels I- 5-0
0- 9-0 four plains and 2 Saws
2 Cross Cut Saw & the Brand mark I-10-0
the wagon or hand screw
1-15-0
2 old bells & a pair of Stilliels
0- 9-0
2 Hatchets I-2-0
Brass Cettels & other Brass 5-0-0
2 Tables & 4 Chairs I-10-0
1 0-0 the Iron of an ould Chist a Cobbert & Doadrough . Dresser in the kitchen I-10-0
2-10-0 a Cloathbed
A Clock 4-0-0
A water Cand & baskeds
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