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 41

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. IX > Part 41

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Yours, VINDICATOR.

Printed by WM. F. GEDDES, No. 9, Library st. Phila.

...

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. 10. PHILADELPHIA, MARCH 10, 1832, NO. 219.

From the Columbia Spy,

We are indebted for the information contained below to a highly respectable lady of the Society of Friends, whose opportunities for gathering facts rela- tive to the carly history of the place, have been nume- rous.

COLUMBIA-EARLY HISTORY OF, &c.

About the year 1726 or 7, Robert Barber of Chester, came to the eastern banks of the Susquehanna and took up 1000 acres of land, bounded on the north-west by the Chicques hills, and to the south-west by what was after- wards called Patton's hill. About 500 acres of this land is embraced in what is now Columbia. At that time, the noble river, pursuing its undisturbed course in solitude, or ruffled only by the light canoe of the Indian-the shore covered with lofty trees-must have presented a grand and imposing sight. The land was purchased of Jeremiah Langhorne, the agent of the proprictors.

After the purchase, Mr. Barber returned to Chester, and in 1728, he, with Samuel Blunston and John Wright, together with their families, lelt their homes in that place, and came to settle on the land which had been taken up the year before. These persons were members of the Society of Friends. This journey was thought a very great undertaking; the country was uninhabited except by the Indians, who had their ca- bins in many places.

Samuel Blunston, was the most wealthy of the three; he took 500 acres of the land next to the upper hills, and built where S. B. Heise now lives. The old house was pulled down some years since, to make room for the building which is now standing; the brick part of the building was afterwards built by him. His wife was a widow of the name of Baton; her first husband kept a ferry over the Schuylkill. S. Blunston had no children; his estate went to two nieces, and is now held by the Bithels, their descendants.

John Wright took 250 acres of the land, and built his house where E. Wright and sisters now live; the house has been much repaired and altered, but a part of it remains as originally constructed. IIc came from Manchester in England, among the carly settlers of the province-was a preacher of the Society of Friends, and for many years judge of the court. His speech to the grand jury may he scen in Proud's History of Penn- sylvania: he kept a store in Chester. IIe had two sons and three daughters. John, the eklest, kept the ferry on the west side of the Susquehanna, and built the ferry- house there. Susanna, the eldest of the daughters, did not leave England till some time after her father. She was a person of great note in this place; her education was superior to most of her day: she was consulted in all difficult matters-did all the writings necessary in the place-was charitable to the poor, and gave medi- cine gratis to all the neighborhood. Samuel Blunston left all his estate to her during her life,and at his death she and all the family removed to his house. She lived to a great age; and died as she had lived, in the principles of

Friends. Patience, another daughter of John Wright, Was married to Richard Lowden-the present John L. Wright is their descendant by his mother. Elizabeth, daughter of John Wright, married Samuel Taylor, who was the owner of a large tract of land near where Strasburg now stands; he sold his property there, and once owned what is now called Wrightsville. The Wrights in this place at the present time are the de- scendants of James Wright, youngest son of John.

Robert Barber kept the 250 acres next the lower hills; he came from Yorkshire in England. He had followed the sea for some years, and had heen a prisoner in France. Ile married Hannah Tidmarsh, in Chester or Philadel- phia; she also came from England. Her father came to America sometime before the rest of the family, and was accidentally shot by an Indian before her arrival. R. Barber settled farther from the river than the others. He built the brick house now occupied by J. Hinkle. Ile was sheriff of the county, and in consequence of the intention to make this place the seat of justice, a prison was built near his house. It was a strong looking log building, and was pulled down not many years since. In this prison, James, afterwards Lord Althamn, was confined, having run away from his master .. R. Barber

* Ile came to this country in 1728, when quite young, and served his time as James! Annesley, with a farmer, on the Lancaster road. From some cause he runaway from lus master: he was caught and confined in the pri- son in this place. He was considered a great singer, and the neighbours frequently visited the prison-house, for the purpose of listening to him. The events of his life, furnished the ground work for Roderick Random, and the popular novel of Florence M'Cartey. The facts concerning this singular case are taken from the evi- dence given on the trial, and may be depended on as authentic.

Arthur Annesley (Lord Altham) married Mary Shef- field, natural daughter of the Earl of Buckingham. By her, in the year 1715, he had a son, James, the subject of this memoir. In the next year the parents had some differences, which terminated in a separation. The fa- ther contrary to the wish of the mother, took exclusive possession of his son James, and manifested much fond- ness for him, until the year 1722, when he formed some intimacy with Miss Gregory, and about the same time his wife died. Miss G. expecting now to become his wife, exerted herself greatly to alienate his affections from his son, by insinuating that he was not his proper child. She succeeded to get him placed from home, at a school in Dublin. In November, 1727, Lord Altham died; and his brother Richard, wishing to possess the estate and title, took measures to get rid of his nephew, James, by having him enticed on board an American vessel, which sailed from Dublin in April, 1728. Hc was landed at Philadelphia, then in his thirteenth year, and sold as a redemptioner! and actually served out 12 years in rough labour, until a sceming accident, in the year 1740, brought him to such acquaintance, as led, in the next year to his return home. The case was this: Two Irishmen, John and William Broders, travel- ling the Lancaster road, in the year 1740, stopt at the house noar the 40 mile stone, where James was in ser- vice with an old German, These countrymen ontering

* She defended the cause of the Indians who were murdered by the Paxton Boys, and wrote in answer to an Episcopalian clergyman of Lancaster, who took the opposite side.

VOL. IX.

146

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF COLUMBIA.

[MARCH

had several children; the eldest son,.John, was killed by the Indians, near where Pittsburg now stands; he had gone thither to trade in fur, or what was then called trapping. Ilis other sons settled on the land, but it is now owned by the Stricklers, except about 60 aeres, which was the share of the second son Robert. He married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Taylor, and had ten children; but at this time they are all gone except one son and two daughters; the daughters live on the place, in the house which their father built 67 years ago. The old house was a few steps below the present mansion. In these days pine boards were little used; the joists, window and door frames were of oak. What little pine there is in the building, was got out of logs picked up in the river, and sawed at a mill of Nathaniel Barber's, on what was called Barber's run, the same stream which Strickler's large mill is on. Samuel Bar- ber, another brother, had a fulling-mill on this stream.

The land back from the river was mostly settled by the Germans-the Forrey's, Strickler's, Shirk's Gar- ber's, &c. Their first purchases were from an old woman of the name of Mary Ditcher, who used to go through the country making what was then called improvements. These improvements consisted in piling a few sticks to- gether, setting them on fire, and hanging a pot over; this was considered a first right; if they could then pay for the land they had the privilege of keeping it. This Mary Ditcher appears to have been a singular person. She used to wander through the woods in a sheep-skin dress, leading an old horse, her only property, with her knitting in her hand. The township in which Colum- bia is situated, was called Hempfield, from the great quantities of hemp which were raised in it. Manor township, below this, was so called from the circum- stance that the land in it was reserved for the proprie- tor.

Some Irish families, of the name of Patton, settled on lands adjoining the lower part of Columbia. They gave the name to the hill, and to the current below the mouth of the run, which is well known by the name of Pat- ton's current. Tradition says, that there was a great slaughter of the Indians at that place in the early set- tlement of the country, by a party of whites, led on by a person of the name of Bell. Our informant remembers seeing many places there, said to be the graves of the Indians who were killed in the battle; it was believ- ed that a piece of cannon lay sunk in the current. To their last days, the Indians in this vicinity had a great dread of the name of Bell.

Below this, the settlers were principally Germans- the Stehman's, Kauffman's, Rupley's, Herr's, &c. were among the first. The township above, called Donegal, was settled by the Irish-the Anderson's, Cook's,

into conversation, perceived they were severally from Dumaine, in the county of Wexford, and that James Annesley was the son of Arthur. The two Broders volun- teered to go back to Ireland, and to testify to the dis- covery they had made, and actually kept their word at the trial which afterwards occurred. James subsequent- ly stated his case to Robert Ellis, Esq. of Philadelphia, who, compassionating his case, procured a passage for him to Admiral Vernon, then in the West Indies, by whom he was afterwards landed in England. Bu shortly after his arrival at London, James unfortunately killed a man, for which he had to stand a trial; and then Lord Altham, the unnatural uncle, exerted him- self to have him convicted, but he was nevertbeless ac- quitted as innocent. An action was brought against the uncle, and went to trial in November, 1743, and the verdict was given in favor of James, our redemptioner .. The uncle appealed to the House of Lords; and while the case was pending James died, leaving the uncle in quiet possesion of his ill-gotton estate, showing, how- ever, while he lived, which was not long, the spectacle a finished villian, even in an Irish nobleman.

Tate's, Kays's, &c. Anderson's ferry, is well known where Marietta now stands.

Sixty years ago, where the gravel appears in low wa- ter, opposite the Miss Barber's, there was an island with large trees. Large buttonwood and other trees grew at the water's edge; many of them were torn away by the ice. The largest trees have been seen to go down with the weight and force of the ice, seemingly as easy as a child would have broken a twig. The lower falls, as they were called, was a great place for hunting wild fowls-geese and ducks were in abundance, and some- times swans. The first shad caught here with a seine was somewhere between 1760 and 65, at the east end of the river, just below the old ferry course. At the lower falls a sturgeon was once caught in a fish basket.

The ferry across the Susquehanna at this place, ap- pears to have been early set up. At first it was neces- sarily very imperfect. Two large canoes lashed toge- ther were used to take over a wagon, which first had to be unloaded. In 1750, it rented for £100 per an- num, with the ground allotted to it. The ferry course was a little below the bridge; there was a tolerable road from the old ferry-house to the landing-above that it was wild and unfrequented-the "point rock" first, and then the well known " Chicques rock" rising in solitary grandeur. There was scarcely a foot path between the rock and the river, and a hunter or fisher might be seen climbing his way along the side of the hill. Strangers used to visit this rock as a great natural curiosity, but they generally went over the hill as the path at the shore was nearly impassable. Pine and spruce bushes grew in the crevices of the rock and on the hill. It was a great place for fox hunting.

The old ferry-house now occupied by Peter Epley, in Locust street, was built in the early settlement of the place; the large room at the upper end was built long after the other part of the house, by J. Lowden, who kept the ferry for many years. There was a stone kitchen at the lower end, which was pulled away a few years ago, to make room for the brick buildings now there. The barn was across the road, where Halde- man's store is. It was burnt by lightning the last day of 8th month, 1769 or 70.

Sixty years ago the idea of a bridge across the Sus- quehanna, was laughed at.

The main road up the river went by the door of the Miss Barber's, over the breast of the dam, and into what is now called Second street, continuing over the Chicques hills.

Where the row of lionses now stands on Water street, below the turnpike, was what was called the bank, where the young people used to congregate for play. On it was a thicket of bushes, wild plum and mulber- ry trees, grape vines, strawberries and wild flowers. The school house was where E. Wright and sisters now live. In those, days there was no regular school. Strangers were employed without any recommendation, and retained or not, according to their behaviour.

The main road to Lancaster was to the south of where the turnpike now is. The first-mile stone was about 40 yards north of Friends's meeting-house. The mark was 76 miles to Philadelphia; 10 to Lancaster. Up the Shawnee run, as far back as Wm. Todd's tan-yard, was a thicket of trees, wild fruit and flowers. The well known ground-hog spring, coming out of the bank at the south side of the run, was a heautiful shady and se- questered spot, where the children used to have their little parties. It took its name from its being said that the whole in the bank was made by a ground-hog.

The stone house now occupied by John L. Wright, was built sometime between 1740 and 50; also, the little stone mill on Shawnee run. They were built by James Wright, father of the present Jamcs and Wm. Wright. There was flour make at this mill for the use of Braddock's army: it was packed in small casks made for the purpose, and carried on pack-horses. It was taken to what wasthen called Raystown. There

147

EARLY SETTLEMENT OF COLUMBIA, &c.

1832.]

were a few shall buildings scattered through the neigh- borhood, built mostly by persons who had served a time with the first settlers, as a compensation to them for paying their passage over to this country, they being themselves unable to pay. Many of them had come from Germany. One of the first of this kind of buildings now stands in the upper end of the town, and is occu- pied by Peter Mays. Adjoining this building, at the end towards the river, stood the first place for public worship in the town. It was a small squared log build- ing; the logs are now in an out-building of Wm. Wright. Robert Barber, now in his 82d year, remem- bers attending meeting there. Catharine Peyton and Mary Pearly, public Friends from Ireland, held meet- ings there; they travelled the country on horseback. Before this building was erected, the meetings were held in private houses. At length, on account of the discipline not being properly attended to, it was altoge- ther put down by the monthly meeting of Sadsbury. Some years since, however, they requested and obtain- ed permission to hold meetings here again; they then built the present brick meeting house.

There used to be a small shop on the corner were Dr. Houston's house now stands; and on the opposite north corner there was a house, sometimes occupied by a tenant or tradesman.

There were cherry-trees on each side of the lane from S. B. Heise's to below E. Wright and sisters, and down to the ferry-house. Cherries were very scarce in the neighborhood,and being in a great variety here, the peo- ple came from all quarters for them. As they were ripe about harvest, when all were busy, first-day was fixed upon to come for them. It got the name of cherry fair-hucksters came from Lancaster with their baskets, and hundreds of people were collected at the old ferry- house, the only public house then in town. These fairs were continued many years-until their impropriety be- came so glaring that they were abolished.

About half a mile from Columbia, on the road leading to the Chicques, among thie hills, was the place called Smoke-town. Many now living may remember it. A little stream wound along amongst the hills; three or four little cabins were built near together, and a few spots of level ground were sometimes cultivated by the inhabitants. It was the rendezvous for strolling beggars and such kind of people: many a midnight brawl has been witnessed here. All vestiges of this settlement are now gone, and the land belongs to the Hogendoblers.

In olden times, the place being more thinly settled than it is now, the people seemed more affectionate to each other. When a death occurred in the neighbor- hood, it cast a gloom over all the inhabitants, even if it was from among the lowest class, and some of every family attended the funeral. The neighbors for many miles round were known to each other; if a stranger was seen in the place, great curiosity arose to know who he was and from whence he came. The first proprietors being all related or connected with each other, the greatest harmony and friendship existed between them. In those days tea was looked upon as too effeminate for men. There were no stores nearer than Lancaster, and luxuries which all partake of now, were little known then. There was great difficulty in getting shoes, es- pecially for children.

The defeat of Braddock's army, in 1755, produced great excitement here. All the females and children of the place, to the number of about 30, went to Philadel- phia and spent the winter. They occupied the house on Chesnut street, which stood on a part of the ground where the Arcade now is. The men who remained, fortified the store-house of J. L. Wright.

In the year 1757 or 8, there was no physician in the place, and there being a number of children who had never had the small pox, Dr. Moore of Philadelphia, a friend of Susannah Wright, was engaged to come and inoculate them. One or two of the children, on whom

the inoculation did not take, died. It was the opinion then, that it would not do to inoculate the second time, as there would be danger of taking the small pox the natural way, and thus the person would have a double portion.

The massacre of the Indians by the Paxton Boys, in 1764, we pass over at this time. In a future number we may endeavour to give a correct statement of the affair. It caused great sensation among the inhabitants of this place.

When the revolutionary war broke out there was a great excitement in all ranks of society; the peaceable and quiet state of the place seemed entirely changed- all was military. There were meetings in every cor- ner, preparing for war-some exercising with old brooms or sticks, there being few arms amongst them.

Columbia, at the present time, contains about 2100 inhabitants, including upwards of 400 of coloured popu- lation. The borough was incorporated in 1814. The boundaries of the borough embrace a tract nearly a mile square. The public buildings are-

Town Ifall, built in the year 1828-of brick, two stories high, in which is a town clock.

Market-house, in the rear of Town Hall.

Friends' Meeting-house.

Roman Catholic Chapel.

Presbyterian Church.

Methodist Episcopal Church.

German Church.

Besides the above there are two houses for public worship for the coloured people.

The institutions of a public character are-

Post Office.

Bank, with a capital of $395,000.

Library.

Beneficial Association.

6 Day Schools, of various grades.

2 Fire Companies.

2 Volunteer Companies.

I Weekly Newspaper.

Among the occupations and establishments in the borough, are the following-

1 Presiding Judge,

4 Justices of the peace,

5 Dry Goods and Grocery Stores,

6 Teachers,

2 Provision Stores,

5 Physicians,

4 Druggists,

1 Confectioner,

2 Tobacconists,

1 Brewery,

2 Jewellers and Watchma- kers,

3 Bakers,

S Butchers,

2 Tinners,

16 Taverns,

7 Boot and Shoe Facto- ries;

4. Carpenters,

3 Hat Factories,

1 Grist-mill,

1 Wagon-maker,

3 Lock-smiths,

1 Coach-maker,

4 Black-smiths,

2 Saddlers,

1 Gun-smith,

1 Marble Manufactory,

3 Painters and Glaziers,

2 Tallow-chandlers,

1 Tannery,

1 Pump-maker,

3 Cabinet-makers,

2 Chair-makers,

1 Mason and Bricklayer,

5 Coopers,

9 Lumber yards,

1 Printer,

5 Coal yards.

Besides, there are 7 or 8 ware-houses on the banks of the river, for the reception of country produce.

Excellent spring water is introduced through all the principal streets, by iron pipes, from a reservoir situated at the head of the town: this reservoir is supplied through pipes from two springs about a mile distant.

Within the borough are mineral springs which pos- sess considerable medicinal propertics.

2 Hardware and Ironmon- geries,

5 Tailors,

2 Curriers,

I Weaver,

2 Plasterers,

148

REPORT ON THE BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.

[MANCE

A daily line of Mail Stages passes through this bo- rough, between Philadelphia and Baltimore; and a daily line of Mail Stages runs between this place and Harris- burg.

The rail-road between Philadelphia and this borough is rapidly progressing to a state of completion, and the canal which is to connect us with the northern and western parts of the state, will soon be in successful operation.

BANK OF THE UNITED STATES.

Report of Committee of Ways and Means, on the Re- newval of the Charter of the U. S. Bank.

VIEWS OF THE MAJORITY.

Mr. M'Duffie, from the committee of Ways and Means, to which the subject had been referred, made the following report:

The Committee of Ways and Means, in obedience to the orders of the House, have had under consideration the memorial of the President, Directors and Company of the Bank of the United States, and also sundry me- morials from other sources, relative to the renewal of the charter of the said Bank, and herewith report a bill for the renewal of the said charter, with certain modifications.

The committee will not now go into the consideration of the constitutional power of Congress to incorporate the Bank of the United States, nor of the expediency of maintaining such an institution, with a view to pre- serve a sound and uniform currency, and to facilitate and equalize the fiscal operations of the Government. For the exposition of their views on these interesting and important questions, and of the great public benc- fits which have resulted from the operations of the bank, in regulating and reducing the rates of the commercial exchanges of the country, they ask leave to refer to the report made by the Committee of Ways and Means, on the 13th day of April, 1830, which they adopt. as a part of this report.

The several memorials, presented by sundry citizens of the United States, praying Congress to grant them and their associates a charter for a new bank, with pri- vileges similar to those now enjoyed by the Bank of the United States, have been duly considered by the com- mittee. They can perceive no adequate motive, how- ever, for creating a new bank, instead of continuing the present; but, on the contrary, very strong objections against adopting such a course. The only inducements which can justify Congress in establishing any hank, are exclusively of a public nature. The interest of the stockholders, though necessarily involved as an inci- dent, is quite a subordinate consideration. The main- tenance of a uniform currency, and the facilities afforded for collecting, transferring, and disbursing the public revenue, are the great and paramount objects to be ac- complished by such an institution, and to sacrifice these to the imaginary claims of persons who may desire to speculate in the stock of a new institution, would be perverting a high public trust to mere individual pur- poses.

With the intimate knowledge of the pecuniary wants and resources of the several portions of the Union, which it must have acquired by the experience of six- teen years, the present institution is doubtless better qualified than any new corporation could be, to fulfil the great public ends of such an establishment. In the un- questionable ability with which its affairs have been administered for the last ten years, and in the fidelity with which it has discharged all its duties to the Go- vernment and to the country, we have an assurance of future usefulness, which the applicants for a new bank certainly could not furnish. On the contrary, some of the new schemes brought forward in the memorials referred to the committee, are so utterly extravagant as o furnish' ust cause of alarm to all reflecting men.

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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. IX, Part 41

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