The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 27

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 27

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ATHENEUM.

1829.]

in operation on them. The Tionesta creek is also a stream of consequence. It rises south of the Allegheny, in this and M'Kean counties, runs first an easterly and then south westerly course, and unites with the Alleghe- ny 30 miles below Warren. It is the most serpentine stream of any in the county, and less interrupted by rip- ples. It is a remarkably smooth, gentle stream, and navigable for canoes of three tons, for forty miles from its mouth. One double and one single Saw-mill have been lately erected on it. Besides the above, there are several others sufficiently large for hydraulic purposes. Among these are the Kinzua, Stillwater, Tidioute, Cof- fec, and Fairbank creeks, Jackson's, Alkley's, Valen- tine's, Morrison's runs, &c. all of which have mills on them. There are four considerable villages in the coun- ty, viz: Warren, Youngsville, Sugar-grove, and Pine- grove.

WARREN, the county seat, is situated on a level plain of about 300 acres, on the north bank of the Alle- gheny, and west of the Conewango creek, at the junc- tion of those streams. The town is principally built on the river. The bank is about forty feet high, and com- mands a fine view of the river above and below. It is acknowledged on all hands to be one of the most eligible and handsome situations for a town on the river. It was laid out by the authority of the state, and the lots sold by a Commissioner appointed for that purpose. The town plot consists of 500 lots, one-third of an acre each, laid out into blocks of sixteen lots each. The streets run on every side of these blocks and cross at right angles. The principal streets are one hundred feet wide, the others sixty. Near the centre of the plot and at the crossing of two 100 feet streets, four lots of an acre each, are left for the public buildings. This is called the Dia- mond. The only public buildings we can boast of are a brick Court House, and public offices of stone, fire proof. The Court House. is not large, but neat and convenient, substantially built and well finished, with a well toned bell in it, weighing with the yoke 362 lbs .-- We have a Jail also, though it has once or twice been mistaken for a Turkey-pen. Our village contains fifty dwelling-houses, mostly frame, two stories high, finish- ed and painted white, and tenanted. Five stores, (well filled) three taverns, two tanneries, two blacksmith shops, five shoe-makers, one saddler and harness-maker, two chair-makers, and a wheel-wright, one cabinet-ma- ker, two carpenters and joiners, one hatter, one wa- gon-maker, six lawyers, two doctors, one baker, two ma- sons, six free-masons, two saw-mills, and a grist-mill .- 0Wanted a good Clothier, Carding Machine, and Sil- versmith.

Youngsville is situated on each side of the Big Bro- kenstraw creek, three miles from its mouth. It con- tains about twenty dwelling houses, three stores, two taverns, and the necessary mechanics in a country vil- lage, and a commodious Methodist meeting-house .-- Some of the largest and best cultivated farms in the county, lay in the neighborhood of this village.

Sugar-Grove is situated in the township of that name, on the Stillwater creek, one and a half miles south of the New York state line. It contains about sixteen dwelling houses, one store, two taverrs, sundry mechanics, a saw and grist mill. It is pleasantly situated, and surrounded with groves of sugar maple-hence the name.

Pine-Grove is situated on the west bank of the Cone- wango, seven miles above Warren at the head of the ra- pids. It is compactly built, containing fifteen dwelling houses, a store, three taverns, and several mechanics .- Russell's mills are situated at this place, and is one of the best water privileges in the county. The extent of dead water above gives it a decided advantage over most other situations. Three saw-mills and a grist-mill, besides other works, are in operation here, an abundance of water to drive them the most of the year. Three- fourths of a mile below, there is another mill with a gang of saws, and a single saw. Establishments like the a- bove might be erected on each mile between Pine Grove and Warren.

Two more villages have been laid out in the county, viz: Lottsville, on the Little Brokenstraw, in Sugar Grove, and Fayette, on a branch of the Big Broken- straw, in Columbus township, At both of these places there are good water privileges, particularly at the lat- ter, and mills built. It is in the midst of a flourishing settlement, and promises to become a flourishing little village. At each of the above villages there is a post- office, also at Deerfield, Kanzua, Spring-valley & Irvine.

We have thus, as briefly and accurately as possible, given a description of Warren county, it is more minute than we intended when we commenced. We intend, as soon as the necessary information can be collected, to give a history of the county from its first settlement. In doing this, the land titles, the management of the IIol- land land company and their agents, will form au im- portant item. "We only add, in conclusion, that there are great inducements for good farmers to come and set- tle here. The lumber business engages the attention of too many of our citizens, so that farming is neglect- ed-provisions are consequently high, and command cash. Large quantities are annually brought from the neighboring counties and Pittsburgh. Thirty thousand pounds of pork have been brought to Warren this win- ter, from Ohio and New-York, for the supply of the in- habitants and raftsmen, and as much more will probably be wanted.

Seventy thousand acres of as good upland as there is in the county, lying from four to eight miles from War- ren, can be bought in quantities to suit purchasers, at one dollar and a half per acre, and a perfectly secure ti- tle had. Warren Gaz.

ATHENAEUM.

At an annual meeting of the stockholders of the A- thenæum of Philadelphia, held at the rooms on Monday the 2d of February, 1829,

NICHOLAS BIDDLE, Esq. was appointed Chairman, and JAMES DUNDAS, Secretary.

Samuel Norris, Esq. on behalf of the Directors, sub- mitted their annual Report to the stockholders, which was read, adopted, and ordered to be published.

The Treasurer's statement of the funds of the institu- tion, and the stock account were read and ordered to be laid on the table for the inspection of the stockhold- ers.

The meeting then proceeded to the election of Direc- tors for the ensuing year.

The tellers reported that the following named gentle- men were duly elected :-

Roberts Vaux, Thomas I. Wharton, George Vaux, William Smith, Jacob Gratz, William Lehman, Quintin Campbell, John Vaughan, Clement C. Biddle, Peter S. Duponceau, Edward Ingersoll, John M. Scott, James S. Smith, Samuel Norris, George W. Smith.

N. BIDDLE, Chairman.

JAMES DUNDAS, Secretary. .

Fourteenth Annual Report .- The Directors of the A- thenæuin in obedience to the requisitions of the charter submit to the stockholders a view of the finances of the institution for the past year.

From the Treasurer's accounts herewith submitted, it appears, that he has received the sum of three thou- sand and one dollars and forty-one cents, viz:

Subscriptions from 6 new stockholders at

$25 each, $150 00

Annual payments from 362 stockholders, 1544 00

Nine original subscribers at 5 dollars, 45 00

Ninety-four subscribers,

638 00

Eleven transfers at 50-100

5 50

Interest on stock,

561 76

Cash refunded,

57 15

Total receipts, $3,001 41

And that the expenses for the last year amount to twenty three hundred & fifteen dollars and one cent, viz :

BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA.

[FEBRUARY

For Books, foreign and domestic Journals

and Binding,

$333 57

Capital Stock,

$2,500,000 00

Newspapers,

283 88

Notes in circulation,

1,052,426 39 14,419 00

Postage,

104 60

Unclaimed Dividends,

Rent,

484 72

Due to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

299,299 93

Wood and coal,

78 25

Due to Banks in Philadelphia,

22,023 18 610,121 49 200,000 00

Salary of Librarian,

600 00

Committee of do. for collections,

119 12

Discounts received,

15,336 78

Carpenter's work, lamp and stove,

36 93

Profit and Loss,

141,894 18

Individual Depositors,

1,085,629 66

Total expenses, $2,315 01

Leaving a surplus of six hundred and eighty-six dol- lars and forty cents, in which are included one hundred and fifty dollars, the amount received for six shares of stock sold, and belonging to the stock fund.

It will also appear that the loan to the general fund has been diminished last year three hundred and twenty-six dollars, thirty-three cents, and that the stock fund in the same time has increased four hundred and eighty-two dollars and fifteen cents.

The amount invested on the 26th Jan.

1828, was

$8,413 30

And on the 24th Jan. 1829, 8,995 45

There have been placed on the shelves of the library in the same time, about 200 volumes of the current lit- erature of the day; and the number of strangers who have been introduced to the rooms exceeds one thou- sand.

From the preceding view the Directors have reason to congratulate the stockholders upon the increase of the funds of the institution; and they cherish a hope that efforts will not be wanting to add to the means, which shall enable those who may hereafter be intrust- ed with the conduct of its affairs, to erect when it shall be found necessary, a suitable building for the accom- modation of the Athenaum.

SAMUEL NORRIS, 2 ROBERTS VAUX,

Committee.

BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA.

At the annual meeting of the Stockholders of the Bank of Pennsylvania, convened agreeably to public no- tice, on the 2d day of February, 1829,

ROBERT RALSTON, Esq. was appointed Chairman, & CHARLES H. BAKER, Secretary.

The President submitted to the meeting the state- ments required by the 14th article of the 7th section of the charter, which, being read by the chairman, the fol- lowing statement of the present situation of the bank was ordered to be published.

State of the Bank of Pennsylvania, Monday morning, February 2, 1829.

DR.

Bills discounted, - $2,649,885 68

5 per cent. stock of the commonwealth of

Pennsylvania, 1,759,546 97

Special loan to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 646 04

Loan to Union Canal Company, 50,000 00

Do. to Schuylkill Navigation do. 40,000 00

Do. to Delaware and Chesapeake do. 10,000 00

Turnpike and Conestogo Navigation Com- pany stock, 8,557 50

Real estate,

292,398 13

Expenses,

5,823 37

Due by the banks in Philadelphia,

175,386 91

Due by sundry other banks,

154,814 72

Drafts on treasurer Board of Canal Com- missioners,

37,000 00

Notes of sundry banks,

398,367 04

Specie,

358,724 25

Total, $5,941,150 61 The following resolution, proposed by Alexander Elinslie, Esq. seconded by George W. Morgan, Esq. was unanimously adopted,

"Whereas, the statements presented to this meeting, by the President and Directors of the Bank of Pennsyl- vania, exhibit the situation of the Bank to be highly prosperous, and evince that its affairs have been judi- ciously conducted-therefore,

"Resolved, by the Stockholders of the Bank of Pennsylvania, that the thanks of this meeting be presen ted to the President and Directors of the Bank of Penn- sylvania, for their judicious management of its concerns, together with an assurance of the undiminished confi- dence of this meeting in the fidelity of the Board, and of the Officers of the Institution." Signed,

ROBERT RALSTON, Chairman. CHARLES H. BAKER, Secretary ..

INDIGENT WIDOWS' AND SINGLE WOMEN'S SOCIETY.

At the annual meeting of the Indigent Widows' and Single Women's Society, held at the session room of the First Presbyterian church, on Thursday, the 8th of January, 1829, the following Report was read :-

The recurrence of the anniversary of the "Indigent Widows' and Single Women's Society," makes it the duty of the Managers to acquaint its friends and patrons with the condition and prospects of the institution with which they are connected, and the transactions of the past year.

The statement they have to offer will of necessity be very brief-there can be little variety in the general operations of such a society from year to year. Were they indeed permitted to enter into detail, and record the history of those whom the painful vicissitudes of life have compelled, at its close, to seek the shelter which has been benevolently provided for them, there would be much to awaken a melancholy interest, and much to gratify the feelings of those who have been instrumen- tal in alleviating some of the heaviest afflictions huma- nity can be called to sustain. But sorrow is of a sacred character, and it is the duty as far as possible to prevent such an aggravation of suffering as might be occasioned by any unnecessary disclosure.

It is hoped the long tried usefulness of the institu- tion, has secured to it many friends; it will therefore only be requisite to recall it to the remembrance of its benefactors, by whom it has been so long and liberally supported; and as the establishment is open to public inspection, and the visits of all earnestly solicited, it is believed the general appearance of the Asylum, the neatness, good order, and comfort which prevail within its walls, will obtain the approbation of benevolent vi- siters, and excite their kind interest in the helpless class of sufferers to whose wants this society is intended to minister.

At the commencement of the past year, in conse- quence of the numerous and interesting applications made for admission into the asylum, the managers were induced to increase the number of its inmates. During the greater part of the year, forty seven beneficiaries have been supported in the institution. ' But where the pressure of age, infirmity and disease are united, any

Total, $5,941,150 61 | home that may be offered can be but temporary: this

CR.

Incidental expenses, stationary, &c.

114 04

Oil and candles,

159 90

Do. sundry other Banks,

Contingent Fund,

INDIGENT WIDOWS' &c. SOCIETY.

1829.]

has been painfully experienced at the asylum, in the re- cent death of six of this aged family, in rapid succes- sion. The loss of so many of the friends with wl:om they have been intimately associated, appears to have induced a solemnity of feeling among those who re- main; and as one and another have been taken from their number, they have generally received it as an ad- monition addressed to them as individuals-"be ye also ready." To supply the unusual number of vacancies which have occurred, there have been several admis- sions, making the present number of inmates forty four.

It is the desire of the managers to continue to receive' into the family those applicants whose necessities claim their immediate attention, otherwise it would be the dic- tate of prudence not to add to their numbers while the means of support appear to be precarious.

With respect to the funds of the Society, the Mana- gers have as usual, at the close of the year, encounter- ed some degree of peeuniary embarrassment, but they trust discouragements of this nature may prove saluta- ry, by keeping in remembrance their entire depend- ence on that gracious Being who has styled himself the God of the widow, by whose benign providence this asylum has been provided, and by whom it has been and will be sustained, whether it may be his will to appro- priate to its inmates their bread from day to day, or whether it may please him to cause their cup of bless- ing to overflow.

During the year, the society has been benevolently and liberally remembered in the will of the late Mr. John Grandom. A munificent bequest of 5000 dollars has been made by that gentleman, and the managers de- sire to record, with gratitude, this distinguished instance of his bounty, which will ever place him among the most eminent benefactors of the institution. They would at the same time express their obligations to his executors for the promptness with which the payment was made, with kind attention to the interests of the society. Nor would they omit to render their unfeign- ed acknowledgements for several liberal donations, and for a legacy of 400 dollars from Miss Martha Powell, paid over to the Treasurer during the year. But altho' these repeated benefactions afford gratifying evidence that the society is still held in remembrance and estima- tion, the managers are called upon to lament the de- crease in the annual subscriptions. This has been so great from time to time since the establishment of the institution, that the income arising from the little fund- ed property in possession will not make up the defici- ency thus occasioned; and unless new subscriptions can be obtained, or donations are received, the resources of the society will be totally inadequate to meet the ex. penses of the ensuing year. For several years consid- erable assistance was rendered by donations of vegeta- bles, provisions, materials for clothing, &c. it is to be regretted that such valuable contributions have greatly declined, as the expenses of the establishment have pro- portionably increased in consequence of these supplies being withdrawn. The managers trust that this state- ment of the funds of the society will excite public atten- tion and that they will not be obliged, through want of means, to reject an applicant worthy of suceur. It would be a painful task to refuse assistance to an aged appli- cant bereft of every earthly blessing, who having through multiplied sorrow arrived at the usual limit of human existence, is asking a temporary shelter from the storm, before she is called to be seen no more. There is an eloquence in the supplication of a being so deso- late, to which no heart will be found insensible. It is the appeal of one that is ready to perish. It would be in vain to estimate the extent of the calamity :- Hle only who has wounded can heal.

But though human sympathy may not supply a rem- edy in such affliction, it is permitted at least to offer some alleviation: and the managers confidently hope that the public liberality will enable them in every in- i stanec, as it has hitherto done, to extend relief to any

who may apply to them, under such painful circum- stances of aggravated suffering: and that the wants of such as are already inmates of the institution, will be a- bundantly supplied by the charity of those who have benevolently provided them with the comforts of home, and thus taught them where to look for continued sym- pathy and assistance.

Indigent Widows' and Single Women's Society in account with the Treasurer.

1828 DR.

To Cash paid Purchasing Committee and ex-

pended by them in support of the family $2250 00

Paid for repairs and painting the Asylum, - 67 75

Paid for printing Reports, - 12 00

Paid Messrs. Hale & Davidson, for 5 per cent. City Stoek, 5512 00

To Counterfeit notes, 8 00

$7849 75

Balance remaining in treasury, 17 45

Total,

- $7867 20

1828 CR.

By balance of account from 1827, 8 62

By cash received in annual subscriptions, 655 00

By admissions and life subscriptions, 240 00

By donations, 178 83

By board of persons in the Asylum,

213 50

By amount of sales in do.

62 00

By net amount of work, 82 51

By fines from Managers, 15 00

By dividends on stocks, 417 57

By proceeds of Mr. Maelzell's Exhibition, 124 15

By legacy from Mr. John Grandom, - 4875 00

By balance of Mr. Cheever's bequest, 237 50

By net proceeds of Martha Powell's bequest, 390 00

By balance of account with Mr. Jobn Wilmer, 120 39

By ground rent on Mr. Crea's lot,

12 50

By cash from charity box, 34 63

By cash drawn from Saving Fund to meet de- mands drawn on Treasury. 200 00

Total,

- $7867 20

POTTSVILLE. Improvements and Prospects.

Twenty houses are building here, and in the Spring a number more are to be erected. Yet the demand is unabated.

In 1824, the site which is now so well covered, boast- ed but five houses. The rapid growth of the place is but the commencement of a permanent augmentation, while it evinces the power of individual enterprise and unwearied industry. It is embosomed by mountains, from which its wealth is drawn. How, or by whom, the coal and other minerals were first discovered, we have yet to learn-for like the early settlers, we too, have to delve for information. One thing is certain; we have here an inexhaustible source of wealth. Though much has been done in the coal trade, it is as nothing, when we consider the natural resources, the facilities of transportation, and the continual and increasing demand for the staple of the county.

In addition to the coal business, as shown by the late report of the Navigation company, we have reason to calculate largely on the transportation of other articles. Pottsville is the agricultural depot for a large and fer- tile section. A great part, and indeed, we may say the whole of this sort of business, is now in the hands of the merchants of this place, while Reading, an old and wealthy town, remains, with its capital dormant. Me- chanies have more work than they can do, and every man | is full of business .- Miner's Journal.

ARDENT SPIRITS.

[FEBRUARY

PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATORS.

It appears that the members of the legislature of Penn- sylvania belong to the following occupations :- There are in senate, 19 farmers, 2 doctors, 6 lawyers, I prin- ter, 1 inkeeper, 2 storekeepers, 1 iron master, 1 car- penter. Total 33. And in the house of representatives, 42 farmers, 8 merchants, 13 lawyers, 1 weaver, 2 hatters, 2 coopers, 2 blacksiniths, 1 wheelwright, 4 surveyors, 2, printers, 6 tanners, 3 inkeepers, 2 carpenters, 1 tai- Jor, 1 painter, 1 druggist, 1 millwright, 1 potter, 8 doc- tors, 2 manufacturers, 1 grocer, 1 private gentleman, 1 bricklayer. Total 100 .- H. Chron.

ARDENT SPIRITS.

During the last year a person was employed and paid by the Temperance Society of this city, to collect infor- mation respecting the number and character of the houses, in the City and Districts, in which ardent spirits are sold by retail. He was directed to ascertain the size of the house, the number of travellers-horses and wag- ons-which each could accommodate; as well as the description of customers who frequented those houses. In the prosecution of this business, the agent was en- gaged upwards of three months-and was considered by the Society to have faithfully attended to the busi- ness-and which, judging from his returns, would ap- pear to have been the case; for he has given the name and residence of each occupant-the size of the front of each house-the number of travellers, &c. each can accommodate, as well as some other particulars .- Whether he has succeeded in obtaining every house of this description, or not, much curious and useful infor- mation on this subject, is the result of the investigation -and to preserve what facts have been collected, and to place them in a form calculated for future use, we have undertaken the task of arranging the following tables from the documents, politely placed in our hands by the President of the Society.

Independently of the express object which gave rise to the investigation, the statistical facts respecting the capacity of the City and Districts to accommodate tra- vellers, are, at least, novel and curious-if not useful.

TABLE, No. I.

A General View of the number in each portion of the City and Districts.

Eastern Boundary-

Upper Delaware ..

.40

Lower Do.

.45

High street.

.21

Chesnut 69

Walnut. 26

Dock.

.45

Pine ..

New Market.

.52

332

Western Boundary.

North Mulberry.

.35

South

do.

North.

.39

Middle. 42

South. 12

Locust

.32

Cedar.

211

Total.

.543

From Eighth to Broad, and from South

below Shippen ..

Southwark, from South strreet to the

Navy Yard, and from Delaware to Eighth street. 286

Kensington.

Incorporated District of N. Liberties.

33.

do.

3d do.

4th do.

5th do.

4.2

6tlı do.

7th do.

188

1,239

TABLE, No. II.

This Table exhibits the number of houses and their re- spective fronts, where ardent spirits are retailed, in the City and Districts.

Size of Fronts. Feet.

City.

N. L.

Penn.

Kens.

South- wark.

Total.

132

105

249

168

103

202

154

100

uncertain!

543

188

115

307

1239

3 1 2 NN/A/CO

1 1

115

Penn Township.

1st Ward

The object of this part of the inquiry, was to prove from the size of the houses, that the accommodation of travellers was not the chief business of their occupants; and for this purpose, as a general rule, perhaps it is a pretty correct criterion-but not an infallible one-as " we notice several instances, in which a house with mo- derate front, is enabled, by its great depth, to accom- modate many persons ;- as, for instance, one of 20 feet front, has accommodations for 140 travellers; another, of the same front, for 75 travellers. Of the above 1239 houses, 498 are 15 feet and under, in front; and, (includ- ing these, ) 1054 are 20 feet and under. Leaving only 185, of more than 20 feet in front.

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The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 27

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870 Publication date: 1828 Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ; Number of Pages: 440

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440