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 5
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narrow winding stairs; over it, like a huge extinguisher, hung a sound- ing board. A pipe organ was introduced some years afterwards.
There was no provision made for heating, and when sixty years later, stoves were introduced, they were looked upon by the older members as a dangerous innovation. The first stoves were enormous affairs, capable of receiving into their interiors sticks of wood four feet in length.
The membership of "St. Peter's Kirche" (as the stone above the doorway has it), consisted, at this time (1767), of sixty-six old and sixty-three young persons.
In August, 1793, George Frey and Jacob King, acting for the con- gregation, purchased of George Gross and wife, the adjoining lot (No. 134), for £3 and a yearly rent of one grain of wheat. By mistake ( ?) the deed was made to Frey and King individually, but when they died their trustees and executors-John Landis, Charles Fisher, William Crabb and John Cassel for Frey's estate, and Jacob Snyder and Daniel Ehrisman for King's-conveyed it, by a deed bearing date October 7th, 1807, to the trustees of the church, viz: John Metzgar, Philip Ettele, John Blattenberger, Jacob Wolfley, Christian Eshenauer and Mark Snyder.
On March 10th, 1807, application was made by the congregation for a charter of incorporation. The paper was signed by John Blatten- berger, Jr., John Croll, David Ettele, Ludwig , Martin Hemperly, John Heppich, George Lowman, Christian Lorentz, Jonas Metzgar, George Schneegantz, Jacob Snyder, George Shalkey, Nicholas Shuler, George Schuler, John Smuller, Christian Spayd, Ludwig Wolfley, Val- entine Weirick and Matthias Walf. March 18th, the application was. approved by Justices William Tilgman, J. Yates, Thomas Smith and H. H. Breckenridge, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and March 2Ist Governor Thomas McKean authorized Timothy Matlack, master of the rolls, to issue the charter prayed for.
In 1813 the steeple was built. For this purpose twelve hundred and eleven dollars and thirty-five cents were subscribed by one hundred and ninety-three persons, whose names (among which are those of the an- cestors of many citizens of the town), are in the church records.
In 1826 Jane Hannegan sold lot No. 133 to the congregation. So that the old church and cemetery comprise three lots, viz: Nos. 133, 134, 135.
In 1830 the brick floor was replaced by a wooden one; the straight- backed pews gave way to more comfortable ones, a new pulpit was erected which had steps on either side, and a recess beneath where the pastor could retire and prepare himself for his duties, a semi-circular rail enclosing it.
In 1835 the lecture room was built. In 1850 the whole inside wood- work-pews, gallery and all-was removed.
The windows, which were formerly in two tiers, were made into one, and the doorway, facing High street, was converted into a window;
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the pulpit was erected at the west end; a vestibule was made, from which enclosure stairways led to the gallery, and shut off the cold from the auditorium. The parsonage on High street was built in 1855.
This old stone church is now only used occasionally, principally at the funerals of those older members who wish the services held within its walls.
On September 4th, 1867, the church celebrated its centennial anni- versary, at which were present many distinguished clergymen of the Lutheran and other denominations, and persons prominent in the State. On this occasion one hundred grains of wheat, enclosed in a silken bag, were sent to the Hon. Robert T. Fisher, of York, Pa., the oldest of the legal heirs and representatives of George Fisher, who laid out the town, and of whom the church lot was purchased, as full satisfaction of one clause of the original deed, requiring a rental of one grain of wheat to be paid annually.
In 1872, the old building being inconveniently located, and not large enough to accommodate the increasing membership, town lots Nos. 149 and 150 were secured from the Frey estate at a yearly rental of about $16. At a congregational meeting March 7th, 1876, it was resolved to erect a new church edifice, and a building committee consisting of Jos. H. Nisley, William A. Croll, George A. Lauman, R. I. Young and J. E. Carmany was appointed. Plans were adopted June IIth, 1877; the cornerstone was laid September 6th of the same year, and the building completed and dedicated February 2nd, 1878.
It is on high ground at the southwest corner of Union and Spring streets; is of the Gothic style of architecture, and contains an auditor- ium, a chapel, or Sunday school room-with an annex, separated by a glass partition from the infant room-and a large and convenient library room. The pews are of chestnut, ash and poplar, fair-wood finish and arranged in a semi-circular form. The floor has a gradual slope from the vestibule to the front. The altar, railing and platform are of the same material and finish as the pews. The pulpit, constructed of ash and white walnut, is a beautiful piece of work. Three chandeliers, of the "Corona" pattern, swing from the ceiling. The handsome windows lighting the building are all of stained glass; three beautiful memorial ones, size twelve feet by twenty, are in the auditorium; the one on the east, facing the pulpit, is "In memory of John Croll by his daughters;" the south window is "In memory of Margaretta Cameron, wife of Simon Cameron;" the north window is "In memory of Sophia Young, by her son, James Young." The entire cost of the structure was $19,000. The architect was L. B. Valk, of New York; the builders, Christian Fisher and William Ruhl.
The pastors of the church have been : 1767-73, Rev. Theophilus Enge- land ; 1773-88, Rev. T. F. Illing ; 1788-93, Rev. J. Kurtz; 1793-95, Rev. P. Pentz; 1795-1803, Rev. H. Miller ; 1803-12, Rev. T. F. Sheaff ; 1812- 15, Rev. George Lochman, D. D .; 1815, Rev. A. H. Lochman, D. D .; 1830-34, Rev. J. Van Hoff; 1834-37, Rev. P. Saline; 1837-44, Rev.
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S. D. Finckle; 1844-47, Rev. J. Voghbaugh ; 1847-48, Rev. L. Gerhart ; 1848-53, Rev. W. M. Baum, D. D .; 1853-56, Rev. Benjamin Saddler ; 1856-65, Rev. C. J. Ehrehart ; 1865-72, Rev. Peter Ruby ; 1873-83, Rev. John W. Finkbiner ; 1884-1890, Rev. H. C. Holloway ; 1890-1904, Rev. F. W. Staley; 1905, Rev. S. T. Nicholas, the present pastor.
Early in the century this congregation seems to have awakened to the necessity of imparting religious instruction to the young, for a Sunday school was commenced in 1819. It was probably a crude affair, pos- sessing little of the system and order which characterize such institu- tions to-day ; the children were taught to read the Bible in English and German, and to sing in concert.
The first superintendent and teacher was Mr. Snell (or Snath). He was succeeded, in 1823, by John Croll. During the latter's incumbency, the lecture room was built, and the school removed thither; it was also organized as a Union Sunday school. In 1861 the building was enlarged to accommodate the increasing number of scholars. Mr. Croll was con- tinuously in office until his death, October 12th, 1873. His successor, George A. Lauman, assumed the position in January, 1874. Died in August, 1888. Samuel Kiefer, assistant superintendent, took charge of the school until January Ist, 1889, when Isaac O. Nissley, the present incumbent was elected.
On the afternoon of the day the new church was dedicated (February 2nd, 1879), the Sunday school marched in procession from the old lec- ture room to their new quarters.
XI.
Port Royal, although in another township (Londonderry), and on the north side of the Swatara river, is connected with Portsmouth by two bridges, and is as much an integral part of Middletown as West Philadelphia is of Philadelphia, or Allegheny City of Pittsburg. The following I have transcribed from the original deed :
THOMAS PENN AND JOHN PENN, ESQUIRES, true and absolute Pro- prietors & Governors in chief of the Province of Pennsylvania & Coun- ties of Newcastle, Kent & Sussex on Delaware. To all unto whom these presents shall come Greeting.
WHEREAS in pursuance of a warrant dated the third day of Septem- ber, 1772, there was surveyed unto William Breden a certain Tract of Land called Port Royal Situate adjoining Swatara Creek & the River Susquehanna in Derry Township Lancaster County BEGINNING at a post at the side of Swatara Creek af'd thence by John Moyer's Land South seventy-seven Degrees East, one hundred & twelve perches to a marked Hickory thence by Daniel Clendenend's Land South forty-nine Degrees West One hundred & twenty perches to a Red Rock at low Water Mark at the side of said River & Creek along the several courses thereof two hundred and forty-two perches & an half to the place of Beginning Con-
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taining eighty-seven acres & a half & allowance Now at the Instance and Request of the said William Breden that we would be pleased to grant him a Confirmation of the same. KNOW YE, that, in considera- tion of the Sum of fourteen Pounds fourteen Shillings lawful money of Pennsylvania to our use, paid by the said William Breden (the Receipt whereof we hereby acknowledge, and thereof do acquit and forever dis- charge the said William Breden his Heirs and Assigns, by these Pres- ents) and of the yearly quit rent hereinafter mentioned and reserved, we HAVE given, granted, released and confirmed, and by these presents, for us, our Heirs and successors, Do give, grant release and confirm, unto the said William Breden, his Heirs and Assigns, the said Eighty- seven acres & an half of Land, as the same are now set forth, bounded and limited as aforesaid : With all Mines, Minerals, Quarries, Meadows, Marshes, Savannahs, Swamps, Cripples, Woods, Underwoods, Timber and Trees; Ways, Waters, Water Courses, Liberties, Profits, Commodi- ties, Advantages, Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever there- unto belonging, or in any wise appertaining and lying within the Bounds and Limits aforesaid (Three full and clear fifth Parts of all Royal mines, free from all Deductions and Reprisals for digging and refining the same; and also one-fifth Part of the Ore of all other Mines, delivered at the Pit's Mouth only excepted, and hereby reserved) and also free leave. Right and Liberty, to and for said William Breden, his Heirs and Assigns, to hawk, hunt, fish and fowl, in and upon the hereby granted Land and Premises, or upon any part thereof : TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract of Land and Premises hereby granted (except as before ex- cepted) with their Appurtances unto the said William Breden his Heirs and Assigns. To the only Use and Behoof of the said William Breden his Heirs and Assigns forever TO BE HOLDEN of us our Heirs and Suc- cessors, Proprietaries of Pennsylvania, as of our Manor of Conestgoe, in the County of Lancaster aforesaid in free and common Socage by Fealty only, in lieu of all other Services, YIELDING and PAYING there- fore unto us, our Heirs and Successors, at the town of Lancaster, in the said County, at or upon the first day of March in every year, from the first day of March next, One half penny Sterling for every acre of the same, or value thereof in Coin Current, according as the Exchange shall then be between our said Province and the City of LONDON, to such per- son or persons as shall, from time to time, be appointed to receive the same. AND, in case of non-payment thereof, within ninety days next after the same shall become due that then it shall and may be lawful for us, our Heirs and Successors, our and their Receiver or Receivers, into and upon the hereby granted land and premises to re-enter, and the same to hold and possess, until the said quit-rent and all the Arrears thereof, together with the Charges accruing by means of such Non- payment and Re-entry, be fully paid and discharged. WITNESS John Penn Esq ; Governor of the said Province, who, as well in his own Right, as by virtue of certain Powers, and Authorities to him for this purpose, inter alia, granted by the said Thomas Penn, hath hereunto set his hand,
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and caused the Great Seal of the said Province to be hereunto affixed, at Philadelphia, this the twenty-ninth Day of January, in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, and the 14th Year of the reign of King George the third, over Great Britain &c.
JOHN PENN
Recorded in the Rolls Office of and for the Province of Pennsylvania in Pat't Book A. A. Vol. 14, pa:118.
Witness my Hand & Seal of Office the 31st, January 1774. WILL PARR, Record'r.
On the Ioth of May, 1774, Breden sold his land to Henry Weaver, "miller," of Carnarvon township, Lancaster county, Elijah Wickersham, merchant, and Joseph Leacock, of Philadelphia, as tenants in common. They laid out a town, naming it Port Royal, into four hundred and six- teen lots. On June 15th, 1774, Leacock sold his interest to Weaver and Wickersham, and upon the same day Weaver and Wickersham made an equitable division of the lots between them. Each took alternate lots : Weaver got two hundred and eleven lots, and Wickersham two hundred and five, with a large lot on Salmon street. Weaver took the even num- bered lots and Wickersham the odd numbers.
December 17th, 1774, Elijah Wickersham sold to Samuel Pleasants all the annuities and rents of seven shillings for each lot of 205 lots. After Wickersham's death his executors sold to Charles Hurst, Charles Hurst sold to Susanna Radney; Susanna Radney sold to Doctor Wil- liam Hurst, and he, on June 15th, 1809, sold to George Fisher for $900. After George Fisher's death, these lots came into possession of Hon. Robert J. Fisher, of York, Pa., who conveyed them to various parties, at different times, disposing of the last but a few months ago.
The other half of these lots (those belonging to Weaver), were sold separately by Martha T. Lorraine, of Clearfield county. She was one of the heirs of Lydia Lorraine, who purchased 200 lots from Elizabeth S. Swift, October 5, 1855, for $250. How Elizabeth Swift became pos- sessed of them, the records of Dauphin county do not show.
A Philadelphia genealogist, in tracing some early Pennsylvania fami- lies contributes an interesting bit of history. The Murrays, of Swatara, were of Scotch descent, and appear first in 1732. They were Presbyter- ians, and active in the Revolutionary War, but Robert, a grandson of the emigrant, after going to North Carolina about 1750, came back, set- tled in New York, prospered as a merchant, became a Quaker, and, pur- chasing the tract of land known as "Murray Hill," gave his name to the fashionable centre on Fifth Avenue. It was his son, Lindley Murray, the Quaker, who wrote the grammar, prepared the spelling book, and compiled the "English Reader."
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XII.
The experience gained by the men of Middletown during their long conflict on the frontier, was of value to them. Scarce ten years had elapsed, before the approaching throes of that travail of liberty which brought forth the Republic, began to be felt.
The population of Middletown and the surrounding country had not forgotten that their fathers fled from oppression. Their exodus was too recent, and some of those who had first sought an asylum here, were still living to tell their story, and rekindle and keep alive that love of freedom for which they had endured so much. Thus they were the first to pro- test against the machinations and encroachments of the British govern- ment.
On the Ioth of June, 1774-two years before the Declaration of Inde- pendence in Philadelphia, at a meeting in Middletown, of which Col. James Burd was chairman, the following resolutions were passed :
"I. That the acts of the Parliament of Great Britain in divesting us of the right to give and grant our money, and assuming such power to themselves, are unconstitutional, unjust and oppressive.
"2. That it is an indispensable duty we owe to ourselves and posterity to oppose with decency and firmness every measure tending to deprive us of our just rights and privileges.
"3. That a closer union of the Colonies, and their faithful adhering to such measures as a general Congress shall judge proper, are the most likely means to procure redress of American grievances, and settle the rights of the Colonies on a permanent basis.
'4. That we will sincerely and heartily agree to, and abide by, the measures which shall be adopted by the members of the general Con- gress of the Colonies.
"5. That a committee be appointed to confer with similar committees, relative to the present exigency of affairs."
At the first meeting of the general committee of Lancaster county, December, 1774, which was composed of committees from all the town- ships, James Burd, Joseph Shearer and John Backenstoe represented Paxton township.
The Middletown resolutions were presented by Elijah Wickersham.
The influence of Philadelphia in the Revolutionary period over the rest of the State, has been greatly overrated. There was a knot of patriots there, but they were surrounded by a population which if not actively, was at least passively hostile to the patriot cause; in fact the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester, were hot beds of those who were not in sympathy with the party who favored absolute inde- pendence of the mother country. It was the intelligent people in the great border counties of Lancaster, Cumberland, &c., that took the ini- tiative and inspired and sustained the able leaders in that city in the course which they pursued. In 1774 the population of the Province was 300,000 of which 120,000 was in Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks coun-
The Presbyterian Church.
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ties. The same year the excise tax of Lancaster county was twice as much as Bucks, and considerably more than Chester. Cumberland county, with but 20,000 population, pledged herself to put 3,000 men in the service, and borrowing £27,000, did so. Lancaster, Cumberland and York, before the Revolution ended, had sent to the field nearly twice as many men as the three original counties of Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks.
In view of these facts, it is fair to assume that the population, wealth and sentiment of the then new counties were the backbone of independ- ence. The representation in the Provincial Assembly was most unequal ; the three original counties had six members each-the eight outer coun- ties had two members each. Thus three counties of the eleven into which the Province was divided, controlled its legislation. No wonder the exasperated Presbyterians and Lutherans complained of Quaker in- fluence. It made them only the more ready to fight, so that this wrong with others, might be redressed.
It may be well to remember that Middletown was at this time the cen- tre of business and population in this section of Lancaster county (Har- risburg had no existence until ten years later), and that most of the com- panies formed in the border counties, were either mustered here, or camped here, before their march eastward.
Within two days after the news of the battle of Lexington reached here, the Paxton men were organized for resistance.
In June, 1775, Congress authorized the raising of eight companies of riflemen in Pennsylvania. Each company was to consist of one captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer, a trumpeter and sixty-eight privates. Their pay was as follows: Captain, $20; lieutenant, $13}; sergeant, $8; corporal, $72; private, $6 2-3 per month. They were to find their own arms and clothes.
Each enlisted man subscribed to the following: "I have this day vol- untarily enlisted myself as a soldier in the American Continental Army for one year, unless sooner discharged; and do bind myself to conform in all instances to such rules and regulations as are, or shall be estab- lished for the government of said army."
One of the first companies raised in the Colonies was that of Captain Matthew Smith, of Paxton. The first Pennsylvania battalion, of which they formed a part, reached Boston in August, 1775.
"They are," says Thatcher, a writer of that day, alluding to the Pax- ton Boys, "remarkably stout and hardy men, many of them exceeding six feet in height.
"They are dressed in white frocks or rifle shirts and round hats. These men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim, striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred yards distance. At a review a com- pany of them, while on a quick advance, fired their balls into objects of
4
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
seven inches diameter, at the distance of two hundred and fifty yards. They are now stationed in our lines, and their shot have frequently proved fatal to British officers and soldiers who exposed themselves to view, even at more than double the distance of common musket shot."
John Joseph Henry, afterwards President Judge of Lancaster and Dauphin counties (the same who years later drew up George-Everhart -Frey's will), wrote an account of the campaign. He was a private in Captain Smith's company, as were also Emmanuel Bollinger, Valentine Weirick and other Middletown men. They led the advance and were in the attack on Quebec in 1775, were with Wayne in Georgia in 1772-at Savannah-at Charlestown, and started to return home when the last of the Pennsylvania Line embarked for Philadelphia, in July, 1783.
James Burd, of Tinian (now Ulrich's), was colonel of the "Fourth Battalion of Lancaster County Associators" (March 1776). As he had been for many years an officer of high rank in the Provincial service, this part of the newly formed State levies were placed under him, as undoubtedly of more experience than any officer within it. The bat- talion covered territory for eighty miles north and fifty miles east, made up of brave, intelligent and hardy material.
At the muster of the battalion on the 25th of March, the companies were commanded by the following captains: Joseph Shearer, James Cowden, Richard Manning, John Reed, James Murray, Albright Doe- bler, Jacob Fridley. The men were marched to and participated in the campaign "of the Jerseys" during the summer of 1776, as appears from a "return of the troops quartered in and near Philadelphia."
October 14th, 1776, Thomas Wharton, then President of Council, sent express to Colonel Burd, an order to collect his troops and hold "the battalion in perfect readiness to march at the shortest warning."
October 22nd, Colonel Burd transmits the order to Capt. James Mur- ray. He (Colonel Burd) had been mortified and disappointed in an application for promotion, and had become unpopular with the militia of his command. He had influence enough to get his officers together, but very few of the rank and file made their appearance. Owing to this fact no further action was taken until December, when he sent the fol- lowing orders to his captains :
TINIAN, 12 Decr, 1776 8 o'clock, A. M.
Gentlemen-upon my Return home Last Night I found an Express had been at my house with the Orders Transmitted you hear with, by wich you will observe that the whole associators in the Battalion with the Exceptions therein mentioned only are to March-In Consequence where of I hereby Request the whole of the Batt'n to be at Middletown Early on Monday Morning Next Prepaird from thence to March to Phil- adelphia. Agreeable to the Order of Council of Saifty. In the mean- time I am Gentlemen. Your Obedient Humble Ser't.
James Burd, Col. 4th
Battallion of Lr. County.
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CHRONICLES OF MIDDLETOWN.
N. B. I have also Orders to hire or Impress all the Wagons I can meet with thairfore I Request that all the Wagons fitt for Service be in Middletown on Monday Morning Early to goe with the Battalion.
"The season was stormy and inclement," but, without delay, a pas- sionate, tumultuous gathering invaded the town. There were no arms to be had, and without weapons it was reasoned that no effective fight- ing could be done. Under such circumstances a large proportion of the men refused to march.
December 17, 1776, a great meeting was held in Lancaster, to "en- deavor to fall on measures for marching the militia of the town and county to join General Washington."
December 27th, Colonel Burd writes to General Mifflin, that the ren- dezvous was at Middletown. "On December 16th, I intended to march with the battalion, from Monday, the 16th, to Sunday night, the 22nd, instant, and not one man turned out but eighteen, seven of whom were officers, myself included, except a small company of volunteers com- manded by Captain Elder, of 33 men, whom I marched off. I put it to the vote of the eighteen if I should not march with them; it was car- ried against me that I should not." He then says that he was going to Lancaster to see Mifflin; all his officers protested against this step, so that "his influence" might be directed to get the battalion to march.
On the same date he informed William Atlee, Esq., at Lancaster, "you will observe that I have resigned the battalion, and the major did say at Middletown that he would also resign. How that may be I can- not say."
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