USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Middletown > The chronicles of Middletown : containing a compilation of facts, biographical sketches, reminiscences, anecdotes, &c., connected with the history of one of the oldest towns in Pennsylvania > Part 10
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"The death of your father, at a ripe age, was to be expected in the order of nature, and scarcely to be regretted on his own account, as, at eighty-six, life is scarcely desirable. It is always a shock to lose those whom we love, and I therefore offer you my condolence on the occasion. I had learned early to esteem your father and his estimable lady, from my own parents ; and their uniform kindness to me when I passed my winters at Harrisburg many years ago, increased my attachment and respect for them; and I have thought it would be agreeable to you to know that among all who know your father-and there are many here among our elder respectable citizens-there has been a general ex- pression of kindness and respect, in which I entirely and sincerely participate."
The other was written by Jacob B. Weidman, Esq., of Lebanon, to Jacob Haldeman, of Harrisburg, who, in transmitting the letter of the former gentleman to one of the family of the deceased, says: "Agreeing fully with Mr. Weidman in all he has said in regard to your father, I take the liberty of sending his letter to you." The letter thus referred to states :
"Since the date of your last letter, an old, mutual and highly esteemed friend, George Fisher, has gone to his fathers; and has terminated a long and very useful life. It is true that he grew to be a very old man, and was by the present generation nearly forgotten, if he was ever known to them. But time was when he enjoyed a reputation at the bar, in then Western Pennsylvania, second to no man for legal attainments.
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
When he, Thomas Duncan, David Watts, Charles Hall, Charles Huston, Steel, Dunlop and others were the pride of the State and the lions of the profession. I remember the day when Fisher and Hall were the selected specimens of manly perfection and comeliness. Both were highly polished gentlemen of the old school, and the powerful and elo- quent men of the bar. Fisher was a soldier, too, in the 'Western Ex- pedition,' as well as the lawyer who girded on his armor, and labored -bravely and arduously labored-to establish the principles of the new form of Government upon the newly laid foundations declared in the Constitutions of the United States, and of the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, then recently formed. He, whilst the frontiersman was felling the trees of the forest, and turning the haunts of wild beasts and merci- less savages into smiling fields and homes for civilized men, with his brother lawyers was engaged in cementing the foundations of this Re- publican Temple. And yet those "Old Fogies" are forgotten! This should not be-every man of them is entitled to a monument in com- memoration of his talents, integrity of purpose, moral worth and un- doubted patriotism."
XXI.
In 1779 the town is noticed in the Colonial records as being a supply depot for the army during the Revolution.
In 1789 the question of fixing permanently the seat of the Federal Government was strongly agitated in Congress then in session in New York. In the House of Representatives Mr. Goodhue offered the fol- lowing resolution :
"Resolved-In the opinion of this committee, that the permanent seat of Government of the United States ought to be at some convenient place on the east bank of the Susquehanna river, in the State of Penn- sylvania, &c."
Mr. Heister moved to insert after the words "Susquehanna river" the words "Between Harrisburg and Middletown inclusive."
A lengthy and spirited debate followed, participated in by nearly all the principal members of the House; those from the Northern and Eastern States generally favoring the amendment, and those from the South opposing it. The amendment was finally lost.
Several other amendments were proposed and lost and the original resolution was carried.
The resolution went to the Senate, which body struck out all relating to the Susquehanna, and inserted a clause fixing the permanent seat of Government at Germantown, Pa.
The House at first agreed to the clause, but refused to concur with some subsequent action of the Senate thereon and pending further con- sideration of the subject, Congress adjourned sine die for that year.
In 1790 the question was again brought up before Congress, and created intense excitement throughout the country. The Northern and
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
Eastern members were opposed to the seat of government being located south of the Susquehanna while the Southern and Western members were opposed to its being either north or east of that river.
The sectional feeling became so strong that the safety of the Union was endangered, and Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton and other pa- triots sought to effect a compromise, but were unsuccessful.
At last, through the instrumentality of Mr. Jefferson, the votes of one or two Northern members were changed and a bill passed fixing the site on the banks of the Potomac, at such place as should be selected by commissioners under the direction of the President.
In 1793 an epidemic prevailed at Harrisburg, which being supposed to be caused by a mill dam belonging to two men named Landis, it was determined at a meeting of the citizens, January 16th, 1795, to remove the cause; and two thousand six hundred pounds were ordered to be assessed on the property of the citizens; said sum to be offered to the Landises for their mill and appurtenances, and if refused the dam was to be prostrated by force.
In the list of about three hundred and fifty citizens, I find George Fisher assessed £40, by far the largest amount set against any name (ex- cept Joshua Elder's) the others not averaging over £5 each. I merely mention this fact to show that Mr. Fisher-the founder of Portsmouth -was at that time a heavy property holder in Harrisburg.
(Extracts from the Oracle of Dauphin, a newspaper published be- tween the years 1792 and 1832. The advertisements, &c., unless other- wise specified, being by inhabitants of Middletown :)
April 4, 1798 .- John Wier, of Harrisburg, advertises that he has moved his store next door, but one, to George Fisher, Esq., opposite the lower market house.
May 30 .- A meeting of the inhabitants of Middletown (Dauphin county ) and its vicinity was held on the 19th inst., and three persons appointed to prepare an address to the President of the United States, which was signed by 147 respectable citizens. The following is a copy of the address :
"To the President of the United States:
"The address of the inhabitants of Middletown and vicinity in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania :
"SIR: At a period so interesting as the present, when the political situation of the United States is become so precarious with respect to the belligerent powers, and especially the French Republic-at a time when a haughty nation, evidently aspiring to a dominion of the uni- verse and the subjugating of all nations, and repeatedly committing the most aggravated and unprovoked depredations on our commerce-re- fusing to attend to the just remonstrances of our government, treating with the most pointed neglect and contempt its representatives, who are furnished with the most ample powers and instructions for adjusting and terminating all our differences amicably, and with unparalleled effrontry declaring to the world that we are a divided people, dissatis-
89
1
CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
fied with our government, and under the arbitrary influence of a foreign nation. At such a time it becomes a duty incumbent on every true and unprejudiced American to come forward and by an open and candid avowal of his sentiments, endeavor to rescue his country from the odium attempted to be cast upon it by such calumnious aspersions.
"We, therefore, the subscribers, impressed with a proper regard for the welfare and happiness of our country, do beg you, sir, to accept this public testimony of our entire approbation of the measures adopted by the executive, and that relying with the fullest confidence on your wisdom, integrity, and patriotic exertions, in concert with other branches of the Legislature, we shall deem it our indispensable duty to be ready on all occasions with cheerfulness to contribute as much as within our power lies, to the support of government and the vindication and maintenance of our national honor and independence. With these sentiments, sir, we offer our sincere and unfeigned wishes for your personal happiness and prosperity, and that your services in a political capacity may ever meet the deserved approbation of your country."
June 6 .- Answer of the President of the United States to the address from Middletown :
"To the inhabitants of Middletown and vicinity, in the county of Dau- phin and State of Pennsylvania:
"GENTLEMEN : This concise but comprehensive address contains every assurance which the government can desire, from the best citi- zens at a critical moment. To me it is particularly obliging, and de- serves my thanks. To the public it must be satisfactory and will receive its applause. JOHN ADAMS.
"Philadelphia, May 30th, 1798."
May 19 .- Thomas Minshall offers eight dollars reward for a run- away apprentice.
June 6 .- Nathan Skeer informs the public that he has opened a ferry two miles above Middletown on the Susquehanna.
August 14 .- George Fisher, of Harrisburg, requests those who have borrowed muskets, bayonets and cartouch-boxes from him, to return them.
December 19 .- Died-Colonel Robert McKee, at his residence near Middletown.
January 28, 1799 .- George Toot notifies John Hull, waggoner, to come and get his horse and pay charges or he will be sold.
January 14 .- Henry Shepler, of Harrisburg, informs the public that his stage, via Middletown, to Lancaster, will run but once a week in- stead of twice, during February and March.
February 25 .- At an election held in Hummelstown by the Second regiment of Dauphin county, Major George Toot, of Middletown, was elected lieutenant colonel.
March 27 .- Frederick Rodfong & Co. give notice of a dissolution of partnership.
April 8 .- Cornelius Cox, assessor, gives notice that he will be at the
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
house of William Crabb, on the 26th, to hear appeals from property valuation.
October 25 .- The property of Jonathan McClure advertised to be sold November 15th at the public house of John McCommon (by Henry Orth, sheriff).
November 9 .- George Fisher cautions the public not to purchase the above property as it belongs to him, and McClure's lease will expire in the ensuing April.
In the edition of December 23rd is this anecdote: "Two or three of the inhabitants of this town (Middletown) were spending the evening at a neighbor's house, the man of the house was reading in your paper an account of the Norwegian who died in the one hundred and sixtieth year of his age; a person sitting present, who lived some thirty or forty miles distant (who was noted for shooting on the wing) said he knew a man in his neighborhood who was one hundred and twenty years of age, and his grandmother was yet alive. One of the company observed that she must be the widow of Methuselah." The same pa- per announces the death of General Washington on the 14th inst. [News traveled fast in those days.]
January 6, 1800 .- Prices current [the only one given in the county].
Middletown, Jan. 4th, 1800.
Wheat,
$1 43 per bushel 66 66
Rye,
Corn,
50
66
66
Plaster of Paris,
I 33
66
66
Salt,
5 33
66 barrel
Shad,
to 10 00
66
66
Whiskey,
47
66 gallon
Bacon,
9
66
66 pound
Bar Iron,
100 00
ton
January 9th, 1800, the citizens of Middletown and surrounding country testified their sorrow at the death of General Washington by meeting at the house of George Fisher, Esq., and moving therefrom in the following order to the meeting house :
Trumpeter. Cavalry on foot, swords drawn. Infantry, arms reversed, by platoons inverted. Rifle company, arms reversed. Militia officers in uniform. Music. Standard.
Surgeons. Clergy. Pallbearers. Young ladies in white. Ancient citizens first. Citizens in general by two. Boys in pairs.
91
CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
Having arrived at meetinghouse, the troops formed lines right and left, when the clergy, pallbearers and citizens entered, followed by the troops, while the Dead March from Saul was performed by the organist.
The exercises were opened by a short prayer, and singing part of the 90th Psalm. Rev. Mr. Snowden and Rev. Mr. Moeller then delivered impressive and well adapted addresses.
December 21, 1799 .- Daniel Sweigart (Harrisburg) notified his cred- itors to meet him January 3rd, 1800.
January 1, 1800 .- Crabb & Minshall gave notice of dissolution of partnership. Thomas Minshall will carry on the business. (Copper- smith.)
February 28 .- Prices current :
Middletown, Feb. 28th, 1800.
Wheat,
$I 50 per bushel
Rye,
67
Corn,
50
66
66
Plaster of Paris,
I 33
Salt, .
I 67
66
66
Whiskey,
47
60 gallon
Bacon,
9
66 pound
Bar Iron,
106 67
ton
WAGES.
In connection with this "Market report" it may not be amiss to give. a short account of the wages paid in those halcyon days.
In 1793 the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Canal Company advertised for workmen, offering $5 a month for the winter months and $6 for summer, with board and lodging. The next year there was a debate in the House of Representatives, which brought out the fact that soldiers got but $3 a month. A Vermont member, discussing the proposal to raise it to $4, said that in his State men were hired for £18 a year, or $4 a month with board and clothing. Mr. Wadsworth, of Pennsylvania, said: "In the State north of Pennsylvania, the wages of the common laborer are not, upon the whole, superior to those of the common sol- dier." In 1797 a Rhode Island farmer hired a good farm hand at $3 and $5 a month was paid to those who got employment for the eight busy months of the farmer's year.
A strong boy could be had at that time, in Connecticut, at $1 a month through those months, and he earned it by working from daylight until eight or nine o'clock at night. He could buy a coarse cotton shirt with the earnings of three such months. Women picked the wool off the bushes and briers where the sheep had left it, and spun and knit it into mittens to earn $I a year by this toilsome business. They hired out as help for 25 cents a month, and their board.
By a day's hard work at the spinning wheel a woman and girl to- gether would earn twelve cents. Matthew Carey, in his letter on the
66
Oats,
33
92
CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
Charities of Philadelphia (1829) gives a painful picture of the working classes at the time. Every avenue of employment was choked with applicants. Men left the cities to find work on the canals at from sixty to seventy-five cents a day, and to encounter the malaria, which laid them low in numbers. The highest wages paid to women was 25 cents a day; and even women who made clothes for the arsenal were paid by the government at no higher rates. When the ladies of the city begged for an improvement of this rate, the Secretary hesitated, lest it should disarrange the relations of capital and labor throughout the country.
To return to the Oracle, the edition of February 24th, 1800, con- tains a transcript of General Washington's will; the value of the scheduled property was $530,000.
March 31 .- Wm. Crubb is married to Miss Kendrick, of Lancaster. April 7 .- Robert Candor's property (near Middletown), 130 acres, for sale.
June 20 .- Wm. Crabb, "Surveyor of the Revenue," gives notice of his appointment, and notifies citizens to make returns of their dwelling houses, lands, slaves, &c.
August II .- Sale of George Cross property in Middletown, adjoining the property of Ludwick Wolfley and John Snyder, deceased. To take place at the public house of John McCammon on August 23rd.
September 17 .- Sale of Thomas Moore, deceased, property in Mid- dletown, adjoining properties of Charles McMurtrie, James Russel and George McCormick to take place October 8th.
October 20 .- Middletown's vote for sheriff 313; for member of Congress, 206.
April 6, 1801 .- George Fisher advertised a three-story brick dwelling house for sale, next door to Captain Lee's tavern.
June 6 .- Lieutenant Wm. Carson, U. S. Reg. Inf., advertises a de- serter from the redezvous in Middletown.
September 2 .- Barbara Knatcher's new stage line between Harris- burg and Lancaster. Leave Harrisburg, Mondays and Fridays at 5 o'clock. Breakfast at Mr. Crabb's, in Middletown; arrive at Lancas- ter in the evening. Returning, leave Lancaster Tuesdays and Satur- days at 5 a. m .; dine at Mr. Crabb's, Middletown; arrive same even- ing at' Harrisburg. Through fare $2. 14 pounds baggage allowed. (150 pounds baggage at passenger rates.) Baggage at the owner's risk.
September 8 .- Robert and John Spear will sell October 24th, 213 acres of land, farm buildings, &c., four miles from Middletown, adjoin- ing land of Colonel Robert McGee, deceased, James Scott, now James Templeton, &c.
November 2, 1801 .- Henry Shepler (Old Stage Line), advertises stages to start three times a week. Fare to and from Lancaster, $1.00.
December 25 .- Stephen Hays, Thomas Smith, James Russel and George McCormick, heirs and administrators of Henry Moore, de- ceased, offer the following properties in Middletown for sale:
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
One two-story log house, now occupied as a tavern by John Benner.
One two-story log house, adjoining, occupied by Charles Brandon, Esq.
One two-story log house, adjoining, occupied by George McCormick.
One lot of five acres adjoining George McCormick.
One lot of four acres on main cross street.
One lot of eight lots on main cross street and Water street.
Sale at 10 a. m., January 15th, 1802.
XXII.
HARBORTON.
"The subscriber having laid out a new town at the confluence of the Swatara with the Susquehanna, in the county of Dauphin, proposes to dispose of the lots at sixty dollars each, when deeds in fee simple are delivered for them. As the object of the proprietor is to promote im- mediate improvement, and not present emolument, and as many of the lots will now sell for from one hundred to three hundred dollars, and none of less value than forty dollars, the preference will be determined by drawing the several numbers from a wheel.
"The navigation of the Susquehanna thus far down is perfectly safe ; but from this to Columbia (a distance of twenty-one miles) it is ob- structed by the Swatara and Conewago falls, and many other rapids, so as to render it precarious and hazardous, and sometimes impractic- able.
"The well known harbor formed by the mouth of the Swatara is not only the most capacious, but the only safe one on the river, and produce to more than a million dollars value annually floats down the Susque- hanna ; a great proportion of which, it is presumed, will be transported from here to the Philadelphia market, on the turnpike road now making, and nearly completed to Lancaster (a distance of twenty-four miles) and by the contemplated canal from the Susquehanna to the Schuylkill, which will enter the harbor through this town. The extensive command of water here for the turning of mill-machinery and other water works, and its vicinity to the great iron works, owned by Messrs. Coleman and Grubb, added to the facility with which an abundant supply of Susque- hanna and Juniata coal may be had; when all combined, will fully jus- tify the assertion that no town on the Susquehanna offers more advan- tages, and none more certain prospects of gain, to the enterprising mer- chant and mechanic than this.
"The site is an inclined plain, gradually rising from the margin of a bank, from ten to fifteen feet above low water, to a summit of fifty feet, commanding many beautiful prospects, as well land as water, and is as healthy as any on the river.
"Tickets may be had of the subscriber, and other places, where plans of the town may be seen. GEORGE FISHER.
"Feb. 16th, 1809."
94
CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
Previous to this time, as far back as 1755, all the territory lying near the mouth of the Swatara was known as Middletown. From the head of the river to this point navigation was comparatively safe, but in con- sequence of the numerous and dangerous falls, it was supposed the Susquehanna could not be safely descended below the Swatara. This being the southern limit of navigation, all the marketable produce of the Susquehanna and its tributaries was brought here for sale, and dis- tributed, and a brisk trade sprang up, which extended not only to the surrounding country, but even to Maryland and Virginia. Those who have read the preceding papers will remember that, as early as 1690, William Penn alludes to the traffic then carried on by the Indians of the interior with the Atlantic coast, via the Swatara and Tulpehocken. With the advent of the whites this trade increased until in 1760 it ex- ceeded that of any other point on the river.
For a long period it was the great lumber mart of the Susquehanna. Every spring and fall the mouth of the Swatara was crowded with rafts and arks, loaded with boards, shingles, grain, whiskey, plaster, and other marketable products of the up river country; and not only was the mouth filled, but the shores of the river some distance below, and for two miles above the "point" were lined with every kind of river craft.
During the rafting season all was bustle and activity, and the hand- ling, counting and measuring of the lumber, grain, etc., gave employ- ment to large numbers of men, some of whom came from great dis- tances to work, returning to their homes when the busy season was over. The spring and fall freshets were harvest times for the mer- chants and tavernkeepers. Laborers were in demand, and received good wages; and most of them were liberal patrons of the stores and inns. The "Yankees," as all the up-river men were styled, were gener- ally a boisterous class; and, when released from the restraint of their homes, usually took a spree, spending their hard earnings freely; but, before returning to their families, laid in a supply of necessaries for home consumption, sufficient to last until they could take another trip.
A row of store houses lined the road facing the Swatara (some of which have been altered into dwelling houses, and are still standing, but so changed in appearance as not to be recognized) and these were frequently filled, from floor to roof, with grain, whiskey, &c. These articles, with lumber of all kinds, were transported from this point in every direction, teams coming from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
After the war, trade again revived, and flourished extensively until 1796, after which it gradually declined. Until then, the mouth of the Swatara was considered the termination of navigation of the Susque- hanna and its tributary streams. Below this it was believed to be im- practicable on account of the numerous and dangerous falls and cata- racts impeding its bed. In 1796 an enterprising German miller named Kreider, from the neighborhood of Huntingdon, appeared in the Swa- tara with the first ark ever built in those waters, fully freighted with
95
CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
flour, with which he safely descended to Baltimore. His success becom- ing known throughout the interior, many arks were constructed, and the next year numbers of them, fully freighted arrived at tide-water. «
Thomas Burbridge, a merchant of Wyoming, in the following year (1797) freighted and ran, in one season, ninety-one arks loaded with coal, a few of which failed to reach their destination for want of skill- ful pilots.
Much of the trade with this place was carried on in keel-boats (or Durham boats, as they were sometimes called, after their first projec- tor) and they were the only ones that ascended as well as descended the river.
The Susquehanna is almost a mile wide, has a very rocky bed, and in low or moderate stages of the water is very shallow. Consequently a boat drawing one or two feet of water would soon strike upon the rocks and be wrecked unless kept in the channel. This channel is a peculiar one shifting from side to side of the river, with a swifter current run- ning through it, and even when the river is low, has usually about five feet depth of water in it.
These boats were fifty or sixty feet in length, and required a crew of eight expert polemen and a steersman to each boat. To force them up against the swift current, about ten miles a day, the boatmen, generally four on each side, used setting poles about twelve feet long. Standing near the bow of the boat, they thrust the larger end against the bed of the river at an inclination, and placing the upper end against their shoulders, pushed the boat forward by walking from the bow to the stern, making her move just her own length. The impetus kept the boat from falling back until having drawn their poles up, they walked forward again to the bow, and repeated the operation and so on to the end of the day.
Considerable trading was done by these boats during their trips. Their approach to the villages along their route was signalled by the blowing of a horn, and those who were desirous of making purchases, or of disposing of any surplus products were offered an opportunity.
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