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. IX > Part 31
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Whereas the real and personal property of the late Stephen Girard, Esq. having been bequeathed to the City of Philadelphia in trust, for certain uses, the prin- cipal of which is for the purpose of educating and sup- porting "White Male Orphan Children:" And whereas the city (after erecting a college) has authority only to use the income of said estate; which income may in a great measure be destroyed, by omitting the prudent precaution of insurance :- Therefore in order to pre- serve the same from unnecessary risk, and to carry in- to effect the views of the liberal testator-Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils of the city of Phila- delphia, that the Mayor be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to have all said estate insured, that may in any way be liable to loss or damage by fire or other casu- alty. And that in the performance of said duty he be requested to distribute the insurance among the several offices of the city, &c.
The SELECT COUNCIL did not form a quorum.
HARMONY SOCIETY AT ECONOMY.
EcoNoMY .- We have not heretofore, (says the Pitts- burgh, Gazette, referred to the schism which exists in this society, still entertaining the hope that some ar- rangement, satisfactory to all parties, might be made. From the following advertisement it may be inferred that the prospect of a satisfactory adjustment of difficul- ties is by no means encouraging.
TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.
The undersigned, Members of the Harmony Socie- ty, at Economy, in the county of Beaver, Pennsylvania, deem it their duty thus publicly to make known that all the authority or power which has heretofore been given, granted to, or exercised by GEORGE RAPP, or by his adopted son, FREDERICK RAPP, has ceased and determined, and has been revoked; and that their, or either of their aets, under such authority, in all trans- actions entered into by said George or Frederick Rapp, are without the knowledge, assent, or agreement of the undersigned, whose interests, as members of the Socie- ty, are equally involved, and as much entitled to protec- tion as those of any other portion of the community.
All other Banks,and Corporations, and Individuals, who
have heretofore transacted business with the said George and Frederick Rapp, as the agents, or on behalf of the society, will take notice that all such connection between the undersigned and said George and Frederick Rapp, has ceased, and the funds of the society can no longer_ be resorted to for the satisfaction of debts which may have been, or shall be thus contracted by said Rapps.
February 1, 1832. William Schmid, Israel Bentel,
Christiana Konig, Ilenricka Zundel,
Adam Schule,
Fredericka Aigner,
John Geo. Wagner,
Agatho Wolfer,
Matthew Klein,
Katharina Schmidt,
Anthony Knapper,
Katharina Staiger,
Jacob Wagner,
Katharina Zundel,
Michael Forstner,
Sirena Leucht,
Christian Schmid,
Jacob Durr,
Salome Authrieth, Sara Forstner, Elizabeth Frank,
Penotus Zundell,
August Schmid,
Tryphemae Vogt,
George Reiff,
Margaret Schmidt,
John Trompeter,
Jacob Zundel,
Christopher Hohr, August Schmid, Reimond Gann, Jacob Welhaf,
George Adam Jung, Jacob Klingenstein,
John Bauer,
Elizabeth Stahl,
Jacob Krail,
Frederick Fischer,
John Luz,
Conrad Bockle,
Elizabeth Zanger,
Henry Zeltmann,
Elizabeth Fauth,
George Forstner,
Katharina Gerhard,
Jacob Stroheker,
Jacobina Fauth,
Jacob Konig,
Juliana Martin, Christiana Schmid,
Andrew Widmayer,
Jacob Vaihinger,
Reinhald Frank,
Margaret Fritscher,
Barbara Fauth,
Juliana Zeigler,
Jacob Stabl, David Konig, George Boger,
Julia Zeigler, Judith Palmbach,
Samuel Schreiber,
Nahum Staiger,
George Heinle,
Lora Wolfer,
George Vogt,
Maria Wolfer,
Jacob Kurx,
Katharina Bockle,
Christoph Martin,
Adam Keller, George Adam Fischer,
Christian Martin, George Schaal,
Jacob Schafer,
Conrad Knodel,
IIenry Gayer,
Christian Antrieth,
Matthew Schule,
Angelie Knapper,
Mathilda Widomeyer,
Caroline Weinburg,
Ultic Weinburg,
William Weinberg,
Joseph Weinburg, Elizabeth Iais,
Louisa Lais,
Jacobina Lais,
George Fischer,
Katharine Fischer,
Matthew Fischer,
Hosea Fischer, Melchoir Fischer,
Barbara Martin,
Margaret Barbara Martin,
Wilhelmine Schmidt,
Michael Baumann,
Louise Bockle, Jacob Bockle,
Jeremias Bentel, Christina Fauth, Christiana Fauth, Johanna Fischer, Christian Fischer,
Henry Fischer, Phoben Fischer,
IIenry Laubscher, Adam Marguardt, Tobias Schmid,
Christoph Killinger, Jacob Streit,
Jolın Ilurz,
Arnold Bentel,
David Wagner,
Lewis Epple, George Fischer,
Carl Hopfinger, Martin Erb, Michael Fegert,
George Weissert, Yost Gerhard, Andrew Fauth,
Frederika Kant
Margaret Zundel, Fredericka Fruh, Maria Schmidt, Magdalena Schmidt,
Magdalena Vogt,
Frederika Schmidt, Mariah Fruh, Wilhelmina Bendel,
Christiana Schnaufer,
Debora Laupple, Theela Weissert,
Leade Schule,
Christiana Gerhardt, Barbara Laubscher,
Jacob Deim,
110
BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.
[FEBRUARY
Jacob Sander, George Schnaufer, Philippe Bentel,
Engena Bauer, Margaret Trantwein,
Regina Schafer, Salome Erb, William Erb,
Simon Wagner, Christoph Yost, Christoph Lichtenberger, John Schnaufer,
Lewis Erb, Frederik Zeltmann,
Jeremias Stag,
N. BIDDLE, President.
Hon. Lovis M'LANE, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C.
The following is an abstract of an interesting report, recently presented by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Senate, respecting the United States Bank :-
The Secretary of the Treasury, dated January 23d, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, directing him to communicate, if able, a list of the foreign Stock- holders in said Bank-the amount of debts due the Bank and its Branches, from individuals and bodies cor- porate-a list of the Directors of the Bank and its seve- ral Branches-the names of the domestic Stockholders, with the amount held by each, and their places of resi- dence. The Secretary of the Treasury not having in his possession the means of answering these inquiries, addressed a note to the President of the Bank, soliciting the information, which was promptly furnished.
It appears that the amount of stock held by foreign- ers, is 84,055 shares; equal to $8,405,500, without in- cluding the premium. . The heaviest foreign Stock- holders are as follows :- Journal of Com.
Shares.
Baring, Brothers, & Co.
7915
Jobn Marshall,
3878
Charles Dixon, 2500
1829
Sparks, & Co.
1236
Benjamin Heywood,
1784
Jonathin Austin,
1200
Francis C. S. Conway, Marquis of Hertford,
1003
James Drake, Havana,
1000
Abel Smith,
1000
John Martin & Co.
924
Don Jose Zafre,
900
Samuel Sherwood,
875
James Pierson,
864
Cropper, Benson & Co.
815
Robert Philips,
800
Gen. Sir William Keppel,
722
Ann Redfeen,
716 649 637 600
Lord Erie Reery,
593
James H. William, P. & Wm. H. Anderson,
550
Thos. P. Ackland,
540
Thomas Sexton,
538
James Brown Leeds,
537
Edward Ball Hughes,
510
Sir Edward Tucker,
502
J. L. Lane,
500
E. Stoth,
Lt. Gen. Sir Marmaduke W. Peacocke,
500
John Overend,
500
Hudson Gurney, 500
500
Sir Colin and Sir Richard H. Campbell,
371
Rev. Geo. Gordon, D. D. Dean of Lincoln,
311
James Dunlop, 300
There are 30 40 others, besides those we have enu- merated, holding from 300 to 500 shares. The whole number offoreign stockholders is 470.
At the bank, no debts are considered as standing ac- commodations. The offices will be instructed to re- port what portion of their debts are so considered, and the result will, in like manner, be forwarded to you.
The third resolution requires " a list of the directors of the bank, and of the several branches; a statement of the stock held by the citizens of the United States, with the number of shares held by each, and the amount of specie, according to the last return, in the vaults of the bank and its branches, distinguishing the part which
belongs to the bank, the portion belonging to indivi- duals, and to the United States." The statements mark- ed C, D, and E, furnish this information. In regard to the last, the bank has no specie in its possession which does not belong to it.
I have the honour to be, Very respectfully, yours,
Matthew Fauth, Jacob Maienknecht, Frederick Wolter, Conrad Gann, Jacob Marquardt, T. Hubert Delhas, Christianna Klein, Maria Forstner,
Peter Stag,
Will'am Stag,
Margaret Kraus,
Elizabeth Fruh, Caroline Erb,
Marzellus Heinle,
Jacobina Fauth,
Katharina Kurz,
Elizabeth, Fauth,
Wilhelmina Krauss,
George Ziegler,
Rengina Bentel,
Franz Ziegler,
Margarette Jung, Sara Stahl,
Philippe Laubscher,
Dorothy Klein,
Jacob Laubscher,
Ernestine Bockle,
Katharina Killinger,
Jacobina Klein,
Olena Killinger,
Magdalena Ehman,
Jacob Stahl, 2d,
Gotilieb Bentel,
Maria Forstner, Wilhelmina Fischer, Barbara Killinger, Anna Katharine Fischer,
John Fritscher,
.
Jacob Fritscher,
George Fritscher,
Katharina Laubscher,
Christoph Martin,
Catharina Schmidt,
Gotilieb Bentel, 2d,
Marg't Barbara Martin,
David Lais,
Kredericka Schmid,
Rudolph Wolfer,
Eva Fruh,
Verona Weinberg,
Christian Martin, 2d,
Margaret Martin,
Rudolph Keller,
Barbara Fischer,
Jonathan Wagner,
Jacobina Schmid,
John Rocher,
Wilhelmina Durwachter,
Eva Jung.
Fredericka Schmid,
BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.
January 17, 1832.
Sir: I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 12th instant, enclosing a copy of the resolutions of the Senate of the United States of the 11th instant, and in compliance with it, I now transmit the accom- panying documents.
The first resolution requires "the names and titles of the foreign stockholders in the Bank of the United States, with the amount of stock held by each." The statement marked A, furnishes that information.
The second resolution requires "the amount of debts due from individuals and bodies corporate to the Bank of the United States, distinguishing the amount secured by mortgage from that secured by personal security alone: and what portions of said debts are considered as standing accommodations to the customers the bank and all its branches." The statement marked B, contains this information.
The amount of debs secured by mortgage, in the statement, relates exclusively to the bank. The amount of debts similarly secured at the branches, is not re- ported, unless specially required. In order to comply with the resolutions, instructions have been given to the officers, and when their reports are received, the addi- tional statements will be transmitted to you.
The amount of bills discounted by the
Bánks and its Branches, on personal security is $48,758,570 54
Bills discounted on funded debt, 18,850 00
Katharina Erb,
Christian Martin, 2d,
Henry Knapper, 2d,
Thomas Coterall, et. al. trustees,
Maj. Gen. Macdonald,
Mrs. Condelaria Bell,
John Van Haize,
500
R. & J. T. Barclay,
Leonard Siegler,
9
BANK OF TIIE UNITED STATES-HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
111
Bills on Rank stock,
731,157 53
Prime, Ward & King, N. Y.
Wm. Coleman, Pa.
680
John Gibbs, do.
650
Brown, Brothers & Co.
650
Thomaas C. Vanderhout, S. C.
638
James D. Wolf,
632
Wm. Brown, Pa.
630
Gardner Greene, Boston,
600
Col. Wm. Alston, S. C.
600
Wm. Wightman, do.
600
Isaac Smythe, Md.
581
Coster & Carpenter, N. Y.
531
Thomas P. Cope, Pa.
520
States.
No. of Stockholders.
No. of Shares.
Maine,
14
498
Vermont,
2
27
New Hampshire,
24
511
Massachusetts,
2 Boston,
158 S
Connecticut,
60
1,539
Rhode Island,
36
1,218
S Besides the city,'
69 2
30,881
New Jersey,
75
2,787
Boston,
328,377 58
Pennsylvania,
872
51,028
Providence,
102,627 74
Delaware,
42
1,531
1Iartford,
28,094 00 664,686 64 228,000 00
District of Columbia,
61
2,725
Washington,
54,610 54
Virginia,
268
11,617
197,212 02
North Carolina,
36
2,391
¥ Fayetteville,
Charleston,
Georgia,
42
1,981
Savannah,
Ohio,
14
556
Mobile,
153,671 72
Kentucky,
22
252
New Orleans,
510,346 06
Tennessee,
5
258
Natchez,
57,825 83
Indiana,
2
50
St. Louis,
136,897 51
Illinois,
2
167
Nashville,
167,866 36
Louisiana,
17
119
Louisville,
217,431 25 91,513 28
Dom. Shareholders,
3602
Shares 195,620
Pittsburg,
31,809 84
Foreign Shareholders,
470
84,855
United States,
70,000
In transitu between the different Transfer Offi- cers,
325
Total,
350,000
These, at $100 each, makes the amount of capital, viz: $35,000,000. Present premium per share, $124} to $124}. Some of the largest domestic stockholders are as follows:
Shares ..
Stephen Girard,
6331
Charles Carroll, of Carrollton,
2683
Robert Ralston, of Philadelphia,
2026
Wm. J. Barksdale, Virginia,
1500
Bernard M. Carter, Pennsylvania,
1417
John Potter, South Carolina,
1400
W'm. G. Bucknor, New York,
1168
Don Francis Layzicr, do.
1150
Peter Harmony, do.
957
Lewis Kershaw & Co. S. C.
942
John G. Coster, New York,
900
Mills Smith, do.
875
Lemuel Taylor, Maryland,
860
Clendening, New York, 850
Don Francis de Lazua, do.
850
B. & J. Bohlen, Pa.
839
Daniel C. Verplank, New York,
805
Stephen Bulkley, S. C.
800
P. Brown, N. C.
787
Wm. Patterson, Md.
730
Robert Gilmore, do.
703
Mrs. Ann Donnell, do.
700
683
Domestic bills of exchange,
16,691,129 34
Mortgages,
205,396 69
Total,
$66,405,103 87
Due from State Banks,
3,944,847 74
The domestic stockholders, of the Bank are as we count them, 3602 in number, residing in the following States. The number of shares held in each State, is given in the second column.
Paul Beck, Jr. do.
513
Mrs. Mary Ann Gilmore, S. C.
510
Robert F. Stockton, N. J.
500 500
The amount of specic on hand at the Bank of the United States, and its several Branches, on the 1st of Jan. 1832, was as follows :- Bank United States,
$2,811,640 83
Office Portland,
70,452 22
" Portsmouth,
50,011 78
Maryland,
¿ Baltimore,
505 S
34,237
Baltimore,
¥ Richmond, Norfolk,
112,159 38 18,943 75 271,468 80 376,642 24
S. Carolina, ¿ Charleston,
554 S
4.0,242
Arkansas,
1
42
Lexington,
Cincinnati,
111,028 17
Buffalo,
105,232 46
Utica,
67,750 66
Burlington,
72,422 48
Agency Cincinnati,
Agency Chillicothe,
Total, $7,038,823 12
From the MS. documents in possession of the HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
A Proclamation concerning the Caves of Philadelphia, By WVm. Penn, Proprietory and Governor, &c. WILLIAM PENN, PROPRIETOR AND GOVERNOR,
Whereas I did at first in regard of the infancy of things and especially out of tenderness to the poorer sort per- mit divers caves to be made in the Bank of Philadelphia fronting Delaware river for a present accommodation, and perceiving that they are commonly disposed of from one to another, as a kind of property, and taking farther notice of the great detriment that is like to insue to the street by the continuation of them as well as the disor- ders that their great secresy hath given occasion to loose people to commit in them, I do hereby desire and strict- ly order and warn all the inhabitants of the said caves to depart the same within two months after the publication hereof, and require my trusty and loving friends and commissioners. William Markham, Thomas Ellis and John Goodson, or any two of them to see that the same be accordingly effected. And that no damage may re-
1832.]
S Besides Boston
53 ?
11,175
New York, 2 City,
373 5
S Besides Baltimore, 119 2
66 New York,
( Besides Charleston, 176 2
Wm. Alkin, Charleston,
112
MISCELLANEOUS.
[FEBRUARY
dound to the public, by my former indulgence, the said commissioners are hereby ordered to cause a survey to be taken of the state of the said caves, that such who have lived in them may be obliged to secure the Bank and state from any damage that may happen from them. It being but a reasonable thing that those who have had the benefit thereof should indemnify the public, of which all persons concerned are to take notice and yield their due obedience as they will answer the contrary at their peril.
Given at Worminghurst Place, in Old England, the 24th of the 11th month, 1686.
John Key being the first born in Philadelphia, peti- tions the Board that according to the proprietary's pro- mise it is said he may have a lot in the city and 500 acres of land granted him being now of age. A warrant from the proprietary's dated 26th, 3d month, 1683 appears for a lott to his father, which they say was laid out in Mulberry street. Ordered therefore that a warrant be issued for re-surveying these lots, but nothing appear- ing for the further aforesaid pretended promise of land 'tis referred to the Proprietary.
8th month, 22d, 1705.
From the Minute Book of the Commissioners of Pro- perty. page 284.
The following document appears to have been a let- ter of introduction in favor of the "Free Society of Traders," from William Penn to the Indians, under the Title of the "Emperor of Canada." On page 396 of vol. 1. of this work, will be found a letter to the same per- sonage, from N. More, thepresident of that Society, dated two days earlier than the present letter, and which is probably the one alluded to in the preceding paper.
TO THE EMPEROR OF CANADA.
The Great God that made thee, and me and all the world incline our hearts to love, peace and justice that we may live friendly together as becomes the workmanship of the great God. The King of England who is a great prince hath for divers reasons granted to me a large country in America which however I am willing to in- joy upon friendly terms with thee. And this I will say that the people who comes, with me are a just, plain, and honest people, that neither make war upon others, nor fear war from others because they will be just. I have set up a Society of Traders in my province to traffick with thee and thy people for your Commodities that you may be furnished with that which is good at reasonable rates: And that Society hath ordered their President to treat with thee about a future Trade, and have joined with me to send this messenger to thee with certain presents from us, to testify our willingness to have a fair correspondence with thee: And what this Agent shall do in our names we will agree unto. I hope thou will kindly receive him and comply with his de- es on our behalf both with respect to Land and ade. The Great God be with thee. Amen.
WM. PENN.
HILIP THEODORE LEHMAN, Secretary.
lon, the 2Ist day of the Fourth month, called June, 1682. S
The foregoing is a copy of an original document re- maining in the Land Office of Pennsylvania at Harris- burg. S. WORKMAN.
REPORT ON IRON.
The Speaker laid before the Senate a letter from the President of the Board of Canal Commissioners, viz:
Hon. WILLIAM HAWKINS,
Speaker of the Senate.
SIR-In the reply to the resolution of the Senate of the 31st January last, requiring the canal commission- ers to furnish to the Senate a statement of the quantity of iron contracted for by them for rail-road purposes, the price per ton agreed to be paid, of whom and when 'purchased, and whether of American or foreign manu- facture, the canal commissioners have the honor to
REPORT:
That they invited proposals by public advertisement, for furnishing iron for 323 miles of single track of the Columbia and Philadelphia rail-road: the proposals to be received at Downingtown, on the 11th of May last. A few persons only offered to furnish iron, and their of- fers were predicated upon importing the iron from Eng- land. Not one proposal was received to furnish the iron of American manufacture.
Three hundred and twenty tons of flat bars, for laying 10 miles upon the Eastern division, sill plan, have been contracted for with Haven and Smith, shipping mer- chants, of Philadelphia. The whole of this iron has been contracted for in England, at £6 17 6, per ton. The contract was entered into on the 18th day of July last, stipulating that the contractors are to make purchases in England on the most favorable terms for the com- monwealth, and to be paid the amount of costand charges, with two and a half per cent commission, upon the iron be- ing landed on the Wharf at Philadelphia; of this parcel 178 tons, 3cwt. 1qr. 21lbs was delivered before the closing of the Delaware, this quantity is settled for and cost $8729 79 or at the rate per ton of $48,94}. It is understood that this is lower by some dollars per ton than the cost of any rail road iron heretofore imported. It has been ascertained that the balance ef this contract is now in vessels at the capes and upon the clearing out of the ice will be landed at Philadelphia.
A contract was also made on the 18th of July, 1831, with A. and G. Ralston, Shipping Merchants of Phila- delphia, for 1335 tons of iron edge rails, tobe used on ten miles of the Eastern division, and on thirteen miles of the Western division-also, for 432 tons of castings for pedestals or chairs and the requisite quantity of pins and wedges to be used in laying down the single track- way of the above 23 miles under the stone block and edge rail plan. The contract stipulates that the Con- tractors are to make the necessary purchases in Eng- land on the most favourable terms for the Common- - wealth, have the iron manufactured and shipped, with the least possible delay, and that they are to be paid upon its being landed in Philadelphia, the amount of the costs and charges, together with two and half per cent. commission. One of the partners is now in England,. attending to the manufacture and shipping of this iron, advices from whom have lately been received, stating that a contract has been entered into in England, for furnishing the iron edge rails, at £6 17 6 per ton, from which it will be perceived, that the whole of the railing has been contracted for at the same price. A part of the edge rails has been shipped and would have been land- ed, had not the river Delaware closed at an earlier period than usual. The exact cost per ton of the edge rails cannot be ascertained at the present time. The price can however vary but little from that of the flat bars and the variation if any, it is presumed will only be caused by a difference in the price of freight.
By order of the Board of Canal Commissioners,
JAMES CLARKE, President.
HAZARD'S REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.
DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE.
EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.
VOL: IX .- NO. 8. PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 25, 1832. NO. 217.
FIRST SETTLEMENT OF COLUMBIA.
From MSS. documents in possession of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
A brief statement of facts relating to the first settlement of COLUMBIA, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, by ARTHUR B. BRADFORD, who says in his letter accom- panying the communication, that "the facts were gathered chiefly from a manuscript journal, belong- ing to the great grand-daughter of Robert Barber, the first settler."
Recollections of the First Settlement of Columbia, Lan- caster County, Pa.
About the year 1726-7, Robert Barber of Chester, came to this place, and took up (as it was then called) 1000 acres of land on the river Susquehanna, (pur- chased I think from Jeremiah Langhorne, the agent of the proprietor, ) bounded north by Chiques hill, S. E. by what was afterwards called Patton's hill. The jour- ney from Chester in those days was thought a very great undertaking, the country being uninhabited by any except Indians, whose wigwams were scattered promiscuously. In the following year, (1728, ) three farmers actuated by a laudable spirit of adventure, came from Chester to make their homes in the wilderness. Samuel Blunston, the richest of the three, purchased 500 acres of the land taken up by R. Barber, next the North Hill: he built on the rising ground occupied at present by Samuel Heise. The house was torn down a few years since, to make room for the building which now stands on the spot. John Wright, took the middle part (about 200 aeres;) he built where Misses E. and A. Wright now reside, (2d st. opposite the Catholic cha- pel.) The house has been much altered and repaired, but the greater part of it is still the same he built. Hle came from Manchester, England, among the early set- tlers in 1714; was a preacher in the Friends' Society, and was judge of the county court for many years. Ro- bert Barber retained the remaining 300 acres next the lower hill-he came from Yorkshire, England-he fol- lowed the sea for many years, and had been a prisoner in France. Ile built the brick house now occupied by John Hinkle-he was sheriff of the county, and it was intended the scat of justice should have been here, in consequence of which he built a prison near his house -a strong log building, which was pulled down not many years since. James, afterwards Sir James Annes- ley, was once confined there, having run away from his master, (his story is well known.) R. Barber had a son bearing his own name, who built a house which has > shad caught with a seinc, was between 1760 and 65, on
gone. There were no pine boards for architecture as at the present day; and the joists, window and door frames were made of oak; what little pine was in it, was obtained from logs found in the river, and sawed at a mill on Strickler's Run, owned by Nathaniel Barber. There was also a fulling-mill on the same stream owned by S. Barber. The land back from the river was settled prin- cipally by Germans; Forry's, Strickler's, Sherriek's Gu- ber's,&c. Their first purchase was from an old woman na- med Mary Dilcher, who used to go through the country making what was then called improvements-a few sticks piled together, a fire kindled, and a pot hung over it,con- stituted a first right. Those who could pay for the land had first choice, but these improvements were general- ly bought for a trifle by those able to pay for the lands. This old Mary Ditcher seems to have been rather a sin- gular personage. She is described as wandering through the woods, leading an old horse, her only property, with her knitting in her hand, and clad in a garment chicfly of sheepskin. This was called Hempfield township, from the great quantity of hemp raised there. The township below was called Manor, from lands reserved by the proprietors, and called in imitation of the English custom, the Proprietor's Manor. The settlers adjoining were Irish families named Patton, who gave name to the hill and the current below, called Patton's current. It has been said there was once a great slaughter of the Indians at that place, by a party of cruel men headed by a person named Bill. In the neighbourhood, were many places said to be the graves of the Indians, and it was believed that a piece of cannon lay sunk in the eurrent. Below this the settlers were Germans-Stine- man's, Kauffman's, Hare's, Kupley's, &c. The town- ship above was called Donegal by the Irish settlers, Anderson's, Cook's, Tate's, Hays's. Anderson's ferry, where Marietta now stands, is well known. Many changes have taken place since the first selling of the lands. Where Robert Barber first built, there was an island opposite the land, with large trees growing on it, but since torn away by the ice. The winters being very severe the ice was very thick, and in the general breaking up those trees were gradually torn up, and carried off. At such times the water rose to a great height above where the row of storehouses now stands. The old Indians said, they remembered the river rising to the second bank with a break of ice; and Mr. Barber has ploughed up muscle sbells, at that distance from the river. Near the point of Turkey hill, were what was called the shad rocks! where shad were caught with dip nets, every one paying a set price for a dip. The first
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