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 98
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M' Dowell then offered to prove that the Record was a true and correct copy of a commission under the great Seal.
Fox objected and the Court sustained the objection, when the Plaintiff suffered a non-suit,-and the Justice saved his fifty dollars, at the hazard of unsettling all the Land titles which may have been acknowledged be- fore him during ten years of supposed official duty, and of going home plain Mr. M'Nair.
In answer to the Query of your correspondent in the Bucks County Intelligencer of the 11th, on the subject of some trees and plants, wishing information whether they are indigenous or cultivated in Bucks county, I would state that the Acer Saccharinum or Sug r Ma- ple, is a tree of native growth in some of the upper Townships of the County, particularly in Tinicum, where it comes to perfection; and considerable quan- tities of sugar are made from it. It is a beautiful shade tree, combining cleanliness with beauty, it is easily cul- tivated from the seeds, or raised from plants, which are at this time fit for taking up. The Polygala Senega or Seneca Snake-root, and the Panax Quinquefolium or Ginseng, are both indigenous, growing in Nockamixon township, on the river hills, near Col. Kitner's tavern, where there are a great variety of flowering and other
plants, which Ihave not observed in this country at any other place. Here the Botanist, accompanied by a Mi- neralogist might spend a few hours of scientific satis- faction to themselves without a. loss to society. As to the Porcelia triloba or Custard apple, I believe it is not a native, nor to my knowledge has it been cultivated in this county; but have heard that in some parts of New Jersey it has. M.
May 13, 1829. Bucks Int.
A Singular Bird .- About three miles up the Codo- rus, there is a bird of the Blackbird species, located, flying from tree to tree clapping his wings and crowing like a cock. His voiee is so exact an imitation of the Bantam, that like that fowl, in its umeclaimed state, it might lead strangers travelling into the wild woods, under the delusive hope of finding a habitation. This bird, we presume, had been caught when young, and had learned to crow when in prison, from which he hass probably, but recently made his escape.
York Penn. Gazette.
The Dwarf Persimmon .- This shrub is a native of the islands of the Susquehanna, and is found in great quan- tities, below Eshleman's sluice in Lancaster county. It grows from two to four feet in height, and when in full bearing, is literally covered with fruit, which in the months of September and October, las a most beautiful appearance. The fruit does not differ from that of the large tree. Poulson.
CHAMBERSBURG, (Penn. ) May 25.
We are happy to learn, from different parts of our county, that the rising crops of fall grain, especially the wheat, look promising.
The Caterpillars, so disgusting in appearance, and so destructive to fruit and other trees last year, have again made their appearance this season, in such numbers in some places, as at this period to wholly deter any exer- tion towards their extirpation. This was to have been expected, and ought to have been attended to whilst their nests were small and easily destroyed.
HARRISBURG, May 23.
Pennsylvania Canal .- The water was let into the canal, about 9 miles above this place, in the beginning of the present week. In passing through the Narrows, at the foot of the Kittatinny mountain, it leaked in every quarter so much that we understand that it will have to be planked, at least one mile, before the canal can be rendered navigable above Middletown. Argus.
Garret D. Wall, John Rutherford and Caleb Newbold, Esquires, have been appointed by the Governor of New Jersey, Commissioners to treat with Pennsylvania, rela- tive to the use of the waters of the Delaware, under the law of last session. David Scott, Nathaniel B. Eldred and Abiah Sharp, are the Commissioners on the part of Pennsylvania.
May 26. At 20 minutes past three o'clock, yester- day afternoon, we received by the Union Line the New York Daily Advertiser of yesterday morning. The Line left New York at 6 o'clock, and as just stated, arrived here at 20 minutes past three-thus performing the trip in the remarkably short period of 9 hours and 20 min- utes. Aurora.
The Judges of the Supreme Court have appointed Thomas Bradford, Jr. Inspector of the Eastern Peni- tentiary, in place af Roberts Vaux, resigned.
General Robert Patterson has been appointed Canal Commissioner in the room of B. W. Richards. Esq. re- signed.
[MAY
STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES BY THE CITY COMMISSIONERS
For Thirteen Years viz. from 1816 to 1828.( Both inclusive ) Compiled from the accounts annually presented to Councils and by their order printed.
Title of accounts, or for what objects.
1816.
1817.
1818.
: 1819.
1820.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
New Paving and old
43,536 83 26,397 82 24,475 41 13,972 66
8,631 71
5,609 41 13,533 50 14,339 59 12,401 18 |17,641 28
Unpaved Streets
3,532 93
2,814 92
4,285 05
3,047 87
5,153 28
2,778 36
1,975 12
2,131 26
2,057 99
1,743 83
7,975 48
8,188 25 | 8,920 15
Cleansing City -
23,153 99 21,202 60
6,666 57
6,352 0.6
6,434 62
4,440 87
2,658 70
2,667 89
2,510 96
2,509 61 14,128 13 18,014 44 19,158 35
Docks, Sewers and Culverts
506 53 |12,738 96
5,483 06
1,600 86
5,135 42 14,927 17
4,356 86
6,835 63
2,642 23 13,853 08
7,377 02 28,567 46 | 3,345 57
Lighting and Watching
39,365 26 26,082 10 38,704 45 22,155 58 43,712 27 35,434 51 32,860 94 38,413 42
41,330 98 42,460 28 38,662 48
Pumps and wells
3,929 95
3,662 37
3,718 65
4,651 40
3,400 55
3,035 00
2,175 80
2,428 48
2,639 32
2,635 26
2,951 52
3,063 02
3,324 74
Regulating ascents
1,029 44
510 23
575 78
1,019 59
577 80
495 50
711 84
795 33
882 00
829 35
1,052 25
1,205 97
1,418 19
Expenses of Offices .
213 73
187 90
142 06
487 76
635 88
495 86
728 61
674' 09
871 93
638 31
917 32
674 21
696 62
Menial services in Markets
257 29
271 06
303 87
389 25
· 405 00
356 00
353 50
442 50
552 00
546 50
544 50
544 75
547 00
Incidental expenses of Councils
104 63
98 59
116 53
64 55
52 00
109 25
94 62
75 46
15 14
66 26
19 50
54 60
80 33
Repairing over water pipes
510 49
354 30
629 24
447 98
755 04
4,103 93
5,651 99
9,810 38
7,245 67
5,560 48 12,808 73 13,716 04 10,123 80
City property -
2,474 46
6,607 53
3,799 33
3,568 43
2,275 65
2,572 14
2,306 00
3,511 69
3,455 14
5,048 52 23,399 62
8,230 84 15,663 85
Purchase of paving stone -
3,997 00
4,000 00
3,330 75
1,492 45
1,996 87
1,975 22
3,146 51
1,890 37
2,559 30
2,500 00
7 85
49 20
Repairing foot ways -
683 66
27 42
273 40
278 01.
41 35
51 75
28 30
64 30
16 01
30 15
77 03
165 44
69 30
Expenses authorised by Councils,
8,769 23
8,295 77
4,063 49
11,508 00
8,573 79
5,517 01
7,037 71
7,445 68
22,795 12 11,650 02
4,876 60
131 74
Water works -
119063.68
149585.58 115746.36
Fire Companies
1,981 02
2,000 00
2,000 00
Tax funds
7,446 87
80 74
64 99
186 03
88 64
230 75
New markets
11,470 52 10,294 47
1,294 98
150 64
Public burying-ground 1
610 24
275 00
1
SALARIES
Chief Justice, $2,666 66 per annum, and $4 daily whilst|Speaker of each house 1 dollar additional.
Of the principal public officers of the State and City.
in Circuit. Prothonotaries, Registers of Wills, Recorders of Deeds, $4,000| Associate Judge, Supreme Court, 2000 per annum, and $4 are paid by fees; when they exceed $1500 per annum, fifty 1,600 daily, whilst in Circuit. per cent. of the overplus is deducted for the State.
Secretary of Commonwealth,
Deputy Secretary,
1,200 Judge of the District Court, (Philadelphia,) $2,000 Mayor, $2,000 and some fees, 2,000
His deputies,
Assistant Judges, Do.
In Oyer and Terminer, $4 for each indictment prosecuted, State Treasurer,
- 2,000 City Treasurer,
$2,000
$3 if not prosecuted.
[Auditor General,
1,400 City Commissioners, (each)
1,000
In Quarter Sesion $3 if prosecuted, $1 50 if not. But Surveyor General,
1,400 City Clerk, .
when the receipts of fees exceeds $1000 in one year, the sur- Secretary of the Land Office, 1,400
County Commissioners, $3 per day.
plus goes to the state. Members of Legislature, $3 per day, and 15 cents mileage.
Auditor, $2 per day.
CITY COMMISSIONERS EXPENSES.
352
Attorney General,
fees and 300 President Judge Common Pleas, ( Do. )
Recorder, $600 from the city, $900 from the State and 400 some fees.
Salaries -
19,425 00 15,337 50
15,456 97
7,937 78 10,958 56
12,226 91
Chesnut street wharf
-
.
Governor,
.
1,000
32,302 -77 57,021 86 71,862 03
34,304 35 38,475 82
THE
REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.
DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE.
EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.
VOL. III .- NO. 23. PHILADELPHIA, JUNE 6, 1829. NO. 75.
EPISCOPAL CHURCHI. Continued from page 340, vol. 3d.
[From the Episcopal Magazine.]
Some Particulars relating to the Commencement and Pro- gress of the Episcopal Church in the State of Pennsyl- vania.
1742. After the death of the Rev. Mr. Cummings, who had served as rector for the space of sixteen years with great approbation, the church was supplied for a short time by the clergymen who were officiating in the neighboring towns. Among others the name of the Rev. Æneas Ross is mentioned, whose service gave great satisfaction to the congregation. In this year the following address was prepared and sent to the Bishop of London.
The humble address of the Church wardens and vestry of Christ Church, in Philadelphia. May it please your lordship,
Immediately after the death of the Rev. Mr. Cum- mings, our late worthy pastor, an address, dated the 23d of April, 1741, was drawn up and sent to your lord- ship from the then vestry of this church, humbly re- questing your lordship to licence and send over a min- ister to us worthy of your lordship's esteem and fatherly advice; to which address we have not hitherto been so happy as to receive any answer from your lordship.
The Rev. missionaries of this province diligently of- ficiated by turns in our church until the arrival of the Rev. Mr. Æneas Ross, who has since by his prudent and indefatigable pains, constantly supplied this eure to the great satisfaction of the congregation, whereby he has so justly merited a general esteem, that we the church wardens & vestry, moved by our own inelinations as well as the frequent importunities of the parishioners, do unanimously request your lordship's licence and ap- probation of him for this church, if before this comes to hand your lordship has not appointed another.
We are not insensible of the uneasiness and concern some different representations from this congregation many have given your lordship; notwithstanding which we hope the present vestry, and members of this church in general will always think it their indispensable duty zealously to pursue such measures, as may be most like- ly to promote true piety and virtue, secure the peace of this church, and establish unanimity amongst us; supported by a strict observance of the wholesome rules and canons of the church of England as by law es- tablished: always bearing a due regard to the rights and jurisdiction of your lordship, our lawful diocesan, in which high and dignified station may your lordship long continue, is the ardent prayer of,
May it please your lordship, Your lordship's most Dutiful sons and servants.
red to; and that it was his intention to leave London in May, in the expectation of reaching New York in July. This letter was answered by the vestry, approving Mr. Jenney's intention; and a resolution passed that the an- swer should be sent to New York to await his arrival.
As might have been expected, this measure was very near producing serious divisions in the congregation. The Rev. Mr Ross had been for a considerable time of- ficiating with unusual success, and the Rev. Mr. Jenney but little known to the people; a remonstrance was drawn up, urging upon the vestry not to take any step which might encourage Mr. Jenney in his intention of coming to Philadelphia; and particularly not to send their letter to meet him in New York. This paper was signed by 44 persons, members of the congregation. The vestry, however, conceiving themselves bound to con- firm the appointment of the Bishop of London, made at their request; and the application in behalf of Mr. Ross having been made under this special provision, sent the letter, inviting Mr. Jenney to the church.
On Mr. Jenney's arrival in New York, which was not until October, he wrote the following letter to the ves- try, accompanying one from the Bishop in London.
New York, October 12, 1742.
Gentlemen,
Having arrived yesterday, I received your kind let- ter of the 8th of July, signifying your ready compliance with my Lord of London's licence to me to be minister of your congregation, and professing your hope that by our joint endeavours in the discharge of our respective duties and obligations to each other, we may by the blessing of God, live together in that peaceable harmony which becomes true members of the church of England. I thank you heartily for the first, and make no doubt of the other, since I am fully resolved by the grace of God, if we come together, to do my part towards it, and make no question of the congregation doing theirs.
But whereas, I am credibly informed that there are divisions amongst you, and that some oppose my settle- ment there, and considering that I am easy in my parish of Hemstead, and am indulged by my superiors the lib- erty of choosing in which place to settle; I must beg the favour to be informed how that affair stands, and withal whether I may depend upon being initiated in the same rights and privileges which the late Rev. Mr. Cummings enjoyed, without which I cannot think of removing from Hemstead.
I send inclosed my Lord of London's letter. Your most humble servant, ROBERT JENNEY.
The following is the Bishop's letter, inclosed: Whitehall, March 29, 1742.
Gentlemen,
I have waited a good while in hopes of hearing that the differences among yourselves about a new minister were adjusted, and that you had duanimously agreed in recommending some worthy person to be licenced by me, or in directing me to send such an one from hence. It could not be supposed that I should send any person who had no other concern in the Plantations, under an uncertainty whether he would be received or not; but as the bearer, Mr. Jenney is, and has long been a mis- sionary from the society here to a cure in the province
The foregoing address was forwarded to England in the month of May; and in July following a letter was received by the vestry from the Rev. Robert Jenney, then in London, but who was well known in this coun- try having officiated as a missionary in the state of New. York. From this letter it appears that Mr. Jenney, at the recommendation of some of the friends of this church in England, had received a licence to officiate according to the application of the vestry before refer- | of New York, and is a person whom I believe to be ex- VOL. III. 45
854
EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN PENNSYLVANIA.
[JUNE
ceedingly well qualified in all respects to succeed your late worthy minister, Mr. Cummings, I was willing upon his return from hence to his cure in New York, to grant him a provisional licence to your church on supposition that he would be received there in such a manner as might encourage him to quit his present mission, and to remove to Philadelphia.
I have nothing in view but the peace and welfare of your church, and earnestly recommending to you all, to pursue the same good end, I pray for the divine bles- sing upon you and your proceedings, and remain Your assured friend,
EDM. LONDON.
To the gentlemen of the vestry of Philadelphia.
Upon the receipt of these letters, the vestry, it is presumed with the concurrence of the congregation, as we hear no more of any opposition, wrote to Mr.Jen- ney, inviting him to come on, and assured him that he should enjoy the same privileges and advantages as had been allowed to the late Rector, and at the same time requesting him to accept and approve of the Rev. Mr. Ross to be his assistant in the church.
We cannot read the foregoing papers, and recur to the circumstances under which they were written, with- out admiring on the one hand, the prudent and pious care manifested by the Bishop of London over this dis- tant congregation, and on the other the dignified course pursued by the vestry, and their uniform submission and respect to that authority under which they were placed. The relation in which a Bishop stands to the individual churches under his care is one of the most solemn and interesting which can well be conceived .- If he be a conscientious man, and under the influence of that high responsibility imposed upon him by his conse- cration vows, we may suppose his whole heart engaged in the promotion of the great ends of his office-his whole time devoted to' serious reflection upon the best interests of the flock committed to his care; and all his opinions are entitled to the greatest respect. It augurs well when such authority is regarded with veneration- when the opinion and advice of the Bishop is consider- ed parmount to individual predilections, and the people under rule are seen on all occasions looking up to their spiritual shepherd, inquiring the way at- his hand .- This we are inclined to believe is a greater security for that order which constitutes the perfection of our ec- clesiastical institutions, than respect for an individual, however exalted, or well deserved; it is a religious prin- ciple operating under all circumstances to the promotion of the same end, while the other will always be found wavering under peculiar embarrassments, and prefer- ring private prejudices to the public good. In this point of view the course adopted by the vestry in re- lation to this as well as other circumstances involving the superintendance of the Bishop of London, presents an example worthy the imitation of all vestrys; and affords a striking evidence of the superiority of our church discipline, when it is exercised with picty and judgment, and submitted to as becometh christians.
In November of this year, Dr. Jenney came on to Philadelphia, accepted the rectorship of the church, and presented his licence from the Bisliop of London, in the following form:
EDMUND, by divine permission, Bishop of London, to our beloved in Christ, Robert Jenney, Dr. of Laws, Clerk. Greeting.
We do hereby give and grant to you, in whose fidel- ity, morals, learning, sound doctrine, and diligence we do fully confide, our licence and authority to continue only during our pleasure, to perform the ministerial of- fice in Christ church in Philadelphia, in the colony of Pennsylvania, in reading the Common Prayer, and per- forming other ecclesiastical duties belonging to the said office, according to the form prescribed by the Book of Common Prayer, made and published by an- thority of parliament, and the canons and constitutions
in that behalf lawfully established and promulged, and not otherwise or in any other manner, (you having first before us subscribed the articles, and taken the oaths which in this case are required to be subscribed and taken.)
In witness whereof we have caused our Episcopal scal to be hereto affixed, dated at Whitehall, the 31st day of March, in the year of our Lord 1742, and in the nineteenth year of our translation.
EDMUND (L. S. ) LONDON.
The vestry at this same meeting proceeded formally to accept and admit the Rev. Dr. Jenney as their rec- tor, and at their request the Rev. Mr. Ross was approv- ed as his assistant.
The following particulars relating to the Rev. Dr. Jenney, though not immediately connected with his re- lation to Christ church will not fail to be interesting:
Ile came to this country as a missionary, in the em- ploy of the society for propagating the Gospel in for- eign parts, in the year 1722, and was first settled at Rye, in the county of Westchester, in the state of New- York. When he first took charge of this congregation, it consisted of about 300 persons, but was considerably . enlarged in the few years that he remained. In 1725 the society removed him to Hemstead, Long Island, to succeed the Rev. Mr. Thomas, who died the year be- fore; here he remained until his settlement in Philadel- phia, in 1742, having laboured for the society twenty years, according to their own testimony, a faithful min- ister of Jesus Christ.
1742. July-The Rev. Dr. Jenney was now settled in Christ Church as Rector, and was assisted in his du- ties by the Rev. Mr. Ross. In return for the care and attention which the bishop of London had always shown towards this Church, and particularly on this occasion, a respectful letter was sent to him signed by the war- dens, and each member of the vestry. In this commu- nication, they thank the lord bishop for approving and sending Dr. Jenney to the care of this Church, a per- son so exceedingly well qualified for so good a trust; they express their hopes that under his wise conduct and pious labours, that peace and unanimity recommen- ded by his lordship would be continued and promoted, and state that in the short time which Dr. Jenney had been among them, it appeared to be the zealous incli- nation of every member of the congregation, to recom- mend themselves to his lordship's favor by a behaviour becoming true members of a Christian Church.
1743-In this year the Rev. Mr. Ross stated, in a letter to the vestry, the reasons which induced him to wish to withdraw from his present situation, and take charge of Oxford and Whitemarsh churches; where he had be fore officiated: he stated that, upon his arrival from England in 1741, he found this church vacant by the death of the late worthy Rector, the Rev. Mr. Cum- mings, at which time, he was requested, together with some of the other missionaries to officiate in turn, that this arrangement did not continue long: when at the re- quest of the vestry he took the care of the Church al- together upon himself, until the pleasure of the bishop of London should be known: and that he continued un- til the arrival of Dr. Jenney to supply the Church, since which time he acted as his assistant. It does not appear that Mr. Ross was at all dissatisfied with any circumstan- ces which had taken place, either with regard to the congregation or the Rector; but urged the state of his health, which had become impaired, and his desire to promote the prosperity of the before named Churches, as the motives leading him to take the present step. In the conclusion of his letter, he returns his thanks to the vestry, for their regards and civilities from time to time shown him, and assures them that he should not cease to make supplication to Almighty God for their tempo- ral and eternal happiness.
The vestry, on their part, acknowledged the faithful services of the Rev. Mr. Ross; expressed their high sense of his character, as a man and a Christian minister:
1829.]
EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN PENNSYLVANIA.
355
and assured him that they should at all times think themselves under an obligation to render him all the good services in their power. .
1744 .- The Church having been found too small for the accommodation of the congregation, it was some time before they resolved to enlarge it, by the addition of thirty-three feet, to the west end, together with the foundation for a tower and steeple; this work was now reported to be finished.
1749 .- The society for the propagation of the gospel, at the request of Dr. Jenney, this year appropriated the sum of £30 per annum, as a salary for a catechetical lec- turer in Philadelphia; at the same time stating by their secretary, that a proper person should be selected in this country, and sent to England for orders. About the same time a letter was received from Dr. Barckley of New-York, recommending a young gentleman by the name of Sturgeon, as a suitable person for an assistant minister. Mr. Sturgeon had just taken his degrees at the College of New England, and being in town was cal- led in, and requested to read from the pulpit one of archbishop Tillotson's sermons, in order that the vestry might be able to judge of his voice and manner.
It appears they were well satisfied: for having deter- mined to accept the offer of the society, and establish a chatechetical lecturer, it was resolved to send Mr. Stur- gcon to England for orders, and appoint him bothi lectu- rer and assistant minister.
1747 .- Mr. Sturgeon returned from England,and was received by the vestry: he entered immediately upon the duties of his station.
1751 .- Having finished the Church and become sup- plied with an assistant minister, it was determined now to proceed and erect the steeple, with a view to pro- cure a set of bells, as soon as that work should be com- pleted. The work was commenced at this time, and finished in 1753, when the sum of £731 5s. currency was appropriated for a ring of bells.
1753-A letter was received from Dr. Bearcoft, Sec- retary of the Society for propagating the Gospel in for- eign parts, acquainting the Rev. Dr. Jenney, that the Rev. Charles Chambers, had left an hundred pounds sterling, for the purchase of books to be given and dis- posed of as the Society should direct, and that they had accordingly determined that the above amount should be laid out in books for the use of ChristChurch in Philadel- phia, to be under the care of the minister and vestry, of the said church. The number of volumes sent on this occasion, was one hundred and twenty-one folios, nine- teen quartos and two hundred and seven octavos. These books are at this presest time in a good state of preser- vation, but few volumes have, however, been added to the number.
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