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 5

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 5

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BREAKWATER.

"The, act making appropriation for the erection of a Breakwater ncar the mouth of the Delaware bay, re-

SKETCH OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

[JANUARY

ceived your prompt attention : and its execution, under your supervision, was confided to the secretary of the navy. Immediate measures were taken to advance the work. C. C. Biddle, of Philadelphia, was appointed the agent for the disbursement of the money, and in- structions were given for his guidance and direction .- He has executed a bond with sufficient sureties, for the faithful performance of his duties, in the penalty required of navy agents; and will receive the compensation al- lowed by law to them. His accounts will be transmit- ted to, and settled quarterly by, the Fourth Auditor of the Treasury. The fund and expenditures under it will be kept separate and distinct from all others.

On the 9th of June, Com. Rogers, Gen. Bernard, and William Strickland, Esq. were appointed commission- ers to select a site, and prepare a plan and estimates of the work for the approval of the executive and naval officers placed under their control to make the necessa- ry sounding's and surveys. They have been employed in discharge of the duties assigned to them, and their report is daily expected, and when received will be sub- mitted to you. William Strickland has been appointed the engineer, to superintend the erection of the. work. Advertisements have been issued, and contracts are now under consideration for a part of the materials. These contracts will, in a few days, be executed. Prepara- tions will be made during the winter, and in the course of the Spring and Summer materials will be delivered, and the work progress to the extent of the appropria- tion. An additional appropriation will be required du- ring the ensuing session."

A SKETCH OF CRAWFORD COUNTY, PA.

(Extracted from the Crawford Messenger.)

CRAWFORD COUNTY is situate near the north-west corner of the state-is bounded on the north by Erie-on the east by Warren and Venango-on the south by Mercer and Venango -- and on the west by the state of Ohio. Its lengthli is 463 miles, and its breadth 253-and contains about 670,000 acres of land, and a population of about 15,000. The land generally is of good quality, and but little or no waste land in the county. It is, however, more particularly adapted to the raising of stock than of grain-but has, nevertheless, an ample proportion well suited to the raising of all kinds of grain. It is well watered and timbered, and is peculiarly favourable to health. French creek enters it from Erie county, and meandering. pretty centrally through it, passes out through a small portion of Mercer into Venango county, and empties into the Allegheny river, at the town of Franklin. It is a beautiful stream of water, and navigable for large boats and rafts a consi- derable portion of the year-and affords an abundant supply, at all seasons of the year, for the various water · works established on its banks. It contains many other handsome streams of smaller size, but sufficiently large for mills, &c .- as Cussewogo, the Big and Little Sugar Creek, Oil Creek, Woodcock, Muddy Creek, and Con- neauttee, &c. and many other smaller. streams-and abounds with fine springs. And there are three hand- some lakes in the county-the Conneaut, near to the summit level of the Pennsylvania Canal-the Oil Creek and the Sugar Creek lakes. The Conneaut is a beauti- ful sheet of water, of about four miles by two, and abounds with fine fish-the other two are of smaller size, but are handsome waters.

The market for the surplus products of the county, and for the supply of its necessary merchandize will, when the canal from, Pittsburg to Erie shall be com- pleted, be principally Pittsburg. Indeed this is in a great measure the case at present.

Its manufactures are chiefly those of families for their own consumption and comfort, and are, I presume, at least three-fourths of all the manufactures used in the county.

From the best information at present to be obtained

and which from the source from whence it is derived, there is every reason to believe very nearly correct, there is now in the county about 32 Grist Mills-65 Saw Mills-8 Fulling Mills-2 Paper Mills-2 Oil Mills-5 Carding Machines, and .41 Distilleries-and a few Ash- eries. In February, 1827, through the politeness of the county commissioners and township assessors, at the request of the Internal Improvement Society, here, it was pretty correctly ascertained, that 145,831 lbs. of Sugar, from the sugar maple-177,3,60 lbs. Black Salts and Potash, and 48,754 galls. of Whiskey, were manufac- tured in the county in 1826. And that, at the same period, it contained 51,522 acres of Cleared Land,-12,169 of Meadow-2,970 Horses-18,081 Cattle, and 18,999 Sheep. These articles with the exception of Sugar, Salts, and Whiskey, must have considerably increased since that time; at least ten to twenty per cent.

The county has not been explored for mineral pro- ductions, but it is well ascertained that it abounds with iron ore; and, no doubt, in process of time, as they are sought after, other valuable productions will be found in it, as is now the case in the adjoining counties of Mercer and Venango.

There are in the county about 28 Churches for divine worship, by the various denominations of Christians, and about 62 Schools.

The several Societies established in the county, for benevolent and other useful purposes, are-a Bible So- ciety-The Sabbath School Union is extended pretty generally through the county-about 63 school's have been organized -- a Colonization Society, auxiliary to the American Colonization Society-an Internal- Im- provement Society-an Agricultural Society, and an Emigration Society.

There are in the county about 30 Stores that pay li- cense; and no doubt there are a sufficient number of Taverns. It also contains about ten small Villages, with Post Office, Stores, &c. in each.

Meadville is the seat of justice, and contains a popula- tion of about 1200. It is situated on the left bank of" French creek, near the northern margin of a rich and handsome valley, through which that stream meanders -is pretty central in the county-about 37 miles from the town of Erie, on lake Erie-24 miles from Franklin, on the Allegheny, and 90 miles north of Pittsburg. The town plot gradually rises from the water to its centre, where is a handsome public square of about five acres .. Immediately fronting the square, on the east, is the Court-house, which, in point of beauty, convenience, and workmanship, is not surpassed by any in the state. The plan was gratuitously furnished by our distinguishi- ed Architect, Mr. Strickland, of Philadelphia. Its walls are of brick and cut stone, and it is adorned by a hand- some cupola. On the rising ground, a short distance east of the Court House, is the Presbyterian Church- a good and convenient building-its walls are of brick .; and it has a handsome spire and well-toned bell. Im- mediately fronting the public square, on the west, and near to the north-west corner, stands the Episcopal Church-a very tasteful, neat, and convenient building, in the Gothic order; and with a handsome tower-and contains a neat-and well-toned organ-its walls are of brick, painted in imitation of free stone. A short dis- tance west of the public square is the Academy-a large handsome and convenient building-its walls of brick- and has a neat cupola, and a bell. Near the northern border of the town, is erected the State Arsenal-a spa- cious, neat, and convenient brick building. And a short distance north of the Arsenal, on a commanding eminence overlooking the town, and the valley general- ly, stands Bently Hall, the edifice of Allegheny College -its walls are of brick and cut stone, and in the Ionic order. It consists of a main building 60 feet front by 44 feet deep; and 3 stories high-and two wings of 30 feet front each, and 2 stories high, with a basement story un- der the whole-and has, also, a handsome.cupola. This building would justly be considered an ornament in any

REMINISCENCES OF PHILADELPHIA.

1829.]

city in the Union. The Methodist Society have pur- chased a handsome lot near the Presbyterian Church, and are preparing materials for the erection thereon of a neat and spacious brick church for their accommoda- tion. And on the north border of the town, our very worthy and enterprising townsman, Col. Magaw, well known as the patentee of Straw Paper, has fitted up a large and convenient frame building for the manufacture of that cheap and valuable article.

I have been thus particular in the description of our public buildings, from a conviction that there is no other town in the state of the population of Meadville, that contains one-half the number of equally handsome public buildings; and, I might perhaps with justice add, there is no town, or city in the state, with the exception of Philadelphia, where the number is exceeded. The dwelling houses are generally frame, painted white; but there are, however, a number of tasteful, neat, and spa- cious brick buildings, which would be ornamental in any of our large cities.

In our Churches we have worship every Sabbath, administered by clergymen highly respectable for their ministerial qualifications, and as members of society. And we have also, nearly every Sabbath, public wor- ship, by respectable clergymen of other denominations.

Our College, from the want of more ample funds, for the endowment of Professorships, is not yet in full operation. The Reverend Timothy Alden, Pre- sident of the College, has a few students, who at- tend him at his residence in town. The College Li- brary is extensive and valuable; but few Colleges in the. Union have libraries of equal value. It contains about eight thousand volumes of well selected books; among which are many rare and valuable works. And, not- withstanding our legislature has been liberal towards this institution, we sincerely hope it will not suffer it to lan- guish for want of further aid-and this I fear must be the case without such aidl-as we at present can see no pos- sible mode of putting it into that extensively useful ope- . ration contemplated in the original design, without the further liberality of the state.

Our Academy is well supplied with a competent prin- cipal, and other respectable teachers. The languages, . and the various branches of an English education, in- cluding the higher branches, as the Mathematics, Natu- ral Philosophy, Chemistry, &c. and drawing, are taught in the various apartments of the building. We have also other highly respectable schools, where the various branches of an English education are taught-and our Sabbath Schools; so important in forming the characters of the young, are well attended, and faithfully conduct- ed by the friends of virtue and religion.

"Our Bench and our Bar, for the administration of jus- tice, are highly respectable for their virtues and their talents-And our Medical department is not without its highly respectable and skilful Physicians. And not to overlook our Political department-we have two news- papers printed in the town, one the advocate of Adams and the other of Jackson.

There are about 15 Store's in the town-respectable for amount of their capital and their mode of doing bu- siness; and we have 10 Taverns, among which are some that for good fare, neatness, taste, and good order, may justly vie with the best inns in the Union.

About 17 Mails carried in stages, and 6 on horseback, arrive here and depart weekly; and we have the Phila- delphia newspapers on the fifth day from their date.

The French creek feeder, intended to feed the con- templated canal from Pittsburgh to Erie, commences at Bemus' mills on the east side of French creek, about two miles north of Meadville-passes through it, and to about six miles below it, where it crosses French creek, and falls into the valley of the outlet of Conneaut lake, and pursues that valley to the summit level, near the Conneaut lake. The length of this fecder, which is of the same dimensions of the Pennsylvania canal, is about 22 miles, and lies entirely in this county. The whole of

it has been put under contract, and nearly the one-half is completed, and the remainder to be finished the com- ing season. About $250,000 is presumed to be the cost of it when completed; and upwards of $100,000 has al- ready been expended on it.

I have now given, from such sources of information as may fairly be relied on for their correctness, an impar- tial statement of the various objects embraced in it; and which, I presume, are sufficiently in detail to answer the purposes for which it is intended. But before I close, it may not be'amiss, perhaps, to add a few words for the benefit of persons contemplating a western residence as farmers. The brightening prospects of this section of the state, have much to recommend them to the particu- lar attention of farmers east of the mountains, whose farms are too small to be divided among their children, so as to afford a sufficient quantity to each, for the sup- port of a family by farming.

It possesses all the conveniences and comforts of living that are enjoyed east of the mountains. It is a healthy and pleasant country to live in, and capable of producing in abundance all the productions common to the eastern part of the state; and when the canal from Lake Erie to Philadelphia shall have been com- pleted, they can be placed in the market of that city, at a rate much more profitable to those who produce them than like products east of the mountains can be so placed-and for the plainest of all reasons-that the lands producing them can be procured at one-fifth the expense of lands of equal quality east of the mountains. Very good unimproved lands may be purchased here at two dollars to four dollars per acre-depending in a great measure, at present, on their particular situa- tions -and well improved farms, at from five dollars to eight dollars per acre. This country is peculiarly adapted to raising of stock. The numerous droves of fine horses and cattle taken out of it every season, is the best evidence of its fitness for stock; and there is no mode of farming so easy and profitable as that of raising stock; more particularly in a country like this, where grass is produced so abundantly. This section of the state must, at no distant day, become a great stock coun- try. Emigration to it is rapidly increasing, and no doubt the lands will very soon take a rise, and increase with the progress of the Pennsylvania canal. Those therefore, who are looking to this quarter of the state as their future residence, would do well, perhaps, to provide themselves with farms, whilst they have a choice among the best, and while five farms may be purchased here, for the product of one of equal size and quality east of the mountains generally. And I may with jus- tice add, that the product of the sale of one farm in a number of the counties near to Philadelphia, would pur- chase ten of equal size and quality here. It is confident- ly hoped therefore, that this golden opportunity will not be neglected by those looking to the west for their future residence. M.

Meadville, Dec. 15, 1828.

REMINISCENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. TIK STOCT GENTLEMAN.

The George Inn, (or Tayern, ) kept by one Michael Dennison, an Englishman, at the south-west corner of Arch and Second streets, was, at the time, the great rendezvous, for the arrival and departure of the New York and Baltimore mails. The sign was but a rough painting of St. George, on horseback, trampling over, and spearing the Dragon down and through the throat. As an inn, it was considered the most stylish, and the best kept house, and more resorted to by sojourners, (especially Englishmen) and travelling gentlemen, than any other in the city; for as yet the splendid hotel had not been dreamed of, and probably nothing could give a better idea of the astonishing increase of our beloved city in wealth and population, than the consideration, that this limited building, as it now stands at the corner, without yard or back buildings, should be the centre-

12-

MANUAL LABOUR WITH STUDY.

[JANUARY

point for genteel strangers, foreign and domestic: and as well known through the Continent to the travelling public of the time, as Ballston, at the present day- Broadway -- Head's, Mansion House -- Renshaw's -- Saints' Rest-or Barnum's in Baltimore. The range of stables, westward to the alley, and the middle of the street, was usually a busy scene of hubbub, in washing "chairs," currying horses, clatter of hoofs on the peb- bled pavement-the interminable sound of the pump handle, and shoutings from busy hostlers thereabout. - Groups of Gentlemen, (the most conspicuous among whom would be the Landlord,) were frequently to be seen, viewing the points of horses ridden up and down for their inspection, by a" well known Horse Fancier from the Emerald Isle, also named Michael, and belong- ing at the time to Dennison's establishment. He was remarkable for his suavity and good humour in his vo- cation, and for an additional display of his white squirrel shaped teeth, while calling the attention of gentlemen, to something remarkable about his "fine: Hoss." The Porch of the Inn, being elevated a few steps above the pavement, on the shady side of the way, was generally filled with well-dressed gentlemen, lounging in tooth- piek attitude, and staring at people passing by. Where do you dine? At the George-was frequently to he heard as question and answer.

But the most remarkable character to be seen about the Inn was Michael Dennison himself, usually called fat Dennison, the largest, and most probably the heaviest man.ever seen here, weighing as they said, some four to five hundred pounds, and at the same "activeas a cat." His large rotundity in front, monstrous round fat jowl, and ruddy full moon English face, was the stare of all who saw him, also his active movements while giving his di- rections to his subordinates about the premises. Ile was highly respected by every one as "mine Host." When sitting, his knees were just visible to himself, but at no other time.

An odd quarrel, or rather bandying of words, be- tween him and a slender countryman, seated on the top of a wagon load of straw, near the Inn door, is distinctly remembered, as cansing great merriment among the lounging people and bystanders. During the dispute about the straw, Dennison compared him to Pharaoh's "Ear, blasted by the east wind," and thin as his own straw. "Jonathan" retorted with coolness and severity, and among other things compared him to an elephant without his trunk. Being botli out of the reach of each other, the countryman, (being obliged, occasionally, to push up his hat, which, being too large for his head, would settle down over his eye-brows,) at last moved leisurely off, cracking his whip by the way, and sending back his Parthian replies, until out of hearing, each one producing shouts of laughter, joined in, sometimes, by the opponent himself.

Dennison afterwards sold out, he having realized, (they said) £5000 after paying all his debts. The cir- cumstance of his being about to sail to England in the 'Pigou,' and of his drawing this money in guineas, out of "The Bank," caused mueh 'conversation, and the follow- ing verses in Oswald's paper:

LINES ON MICHAEL DENNISON.

His bulk increased by ale and venison, Alas! we soon must lose good Dennison. City of Penn! his loss deplore,

Altho' with pain his bulk you bore!

Michael farewell! Heaven speed thy course, Saint George take with thee and thy horse; But to our hapless City kind, The watchful Dragon leave behind.

Michael! your wealth and full spread frame, Shall publish Pennsylvania's fame, Soon as the planks beneath you crack, The market shall be hung with black.

Michael! her stores might sure content ye, In Britain, none boast greater plenty,

The Bank shall with the market join, To weep at once-thee, and thy coin; Thy guineas ranged in many a pile, Shall swell the pride of Britain's Isle; Whilst England's Bank shall smiling greet, The wealth that came from Chestnut street.

His astonishing bulk, and the limited ships cabins of the time, which bore no comparison with the roomy elegance of the present day, was the cause of some rough jokes on the subject. Rumour with her hundred tongues, said, that he arrived safe in the Thames, and moreover, that in his native city of Carlisle, while sitting with his family, at the dinner table, he was seized by an apo- plexy, and immediately expired. (So 'twas said.)

LANG SYNE.

EXTRACTS

From a Reporton the subject of connecting Manual Labour with study-presented to the Trustees of the Philadel- phia Manual Labour Academy, at a meeting held Dec. 11th, 1828.

A GENERAL VIEW OF THE SYSTEM WHICH CONNECTS MANUAL LABOUR WITH STUDY.

This system, when adopted as a mode of literary dis- cipline, is not to be considered a mere theory, recom- mending to studious youth a suitable attention to bodily exercise. For that has been usually done, however small its practical effect. Nor does it contemplate a systematic pursuit of all, or of any of the manual arts. It is not intended to form complete farmers or mecha- nics, although this result may incidentally occur, and may in some cases be considered a desirable object .-- But the great end proposed, is to cultivate the mind, to develope its faculties in the best manner and at the same time to preserve such a vigor of constitution as to ena- ble the student to serve by his attainments, the most ef- fective practical purposes. Bodily labour is incorpora- ted with study systematically, because without system nothing valuable is effected. Without it, labour is sel- dom performed, and when performed is seldom placed to any good account. The radical principle embraced in the system is, that the recreation of the student shall be fixed and regular, certain portions of time daily being set apart for that purpose; and that it shall be of such a description as to afford him some profit and a degree of permanent pleasure. The system with these essen- tial features, admits a variety of modifications. The manual employment may be exclusively, either agricul- tural, horticultural or mechanical, or it may embrace each of them in part or the whole together. That which has been pursued at the Theological Seminary of Maryville, Tennessee, and that of the Oneida Academy in the state of New York is confined chiefly to the cul- tivation of the soil. The plans of recreation formed by societies of students at Middlebury and at Andover are mechanical. The exercises however at these places are not incorporated with the institutions, but were in- troduced by private and voluntary associations for the sake of promoting health.

The Fellenburg school may be considered a complete system, combining with study all the useful arts and forming an encyclopedia for the education of youth .- The object of this education was different from that which this country requires. It was intended generally to fit youth for the common occupations of life, the arts they pursue being a principal attainment, and without aiming at a liberal education.

No CHANGE IS CONTEMPLATED IN THE ORDINARY COURSE OF STUDY.

"In this respect the Manual Labour School does not differ from other classical schools. With them it may receive all the improvements, which the experience of the world and modern ingenuity are capable of recom- mending, but its objeet is not to change or modify any part of the usual literary course. It commences where

MANUAL LABOUR WITH STUDY.

1829.]

an English education leaves off, because previous to this period the connection of labour with study, as far as re- quisite, can generally be managed by parents at home.

The extent to which instruction may be carried, will depend on the endowments of the Institution, and the number of instructors employed. It will naturally em- brace the studies of the three years- usually spent in preparing for the Freshman class in college. Or it may, as grammar schools often do, furnish instruction for the two succeeding years, and fit young men for the junior class. If this could be done, it might be a convenient arrangement for students, in those years when they are not yet prepared to avail themselves of the peculiar be- nefits afforded in a college, and when they are usually instructed by young, inexperienced men. Here they might enjoy perhaps better instruction at a much cheap- er rate.

While on this topic, permit me to offer a suggestion with regard to the organization of the higher semina- ries. Might they not be rendered more useful, if they admitted none below the junior class, in age and attain- ments? A few eminent instructors would then be suffi- cient and government would be comparatively simple and easy, for the society would be composed of men and not boys. On the other hand the familiar and parental method of treatment of which grammar schools are sus- ceptible, seems to me vastly better suited to form the moral habits and discipline the youthful mind. The si- tuation of a boy in a college, as it usually is, I consider one of the most dangerous situations in which he can be placed. He has the opportunity of learning vice and infidelity in an awfully ripe state, and is out of the reach of any immediate and direct moral influence. These evils would be greatly diminished by a system of manual labour, which it is hoped will soon be adopted in every college and every professional school. But it must be- gin in the more elementary schools, otherwise it cannot be easily introduced as a general thing, into those of a higher grade. It should be incorporated with the early habits of the student and should be continued long enough to render it easy and pleasant."

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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 5

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