USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 39
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 39
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
trass maker, 2 threshing machine manufactories, 3 board yards, 3 livery stables, 2 book binderies, 2 spinning wheel manufactories, 1 brush maker, 2 pump makers, 5 gardeners, 1 milk dairy, 1 stocking weaver, 2 segar makers, 9 mantua makers, 6 milliners, 1 bird stuffing establishment, 5 music teachers, 4 justices of the peace, 12 male school teachers, 5 female school teachers. A large market house, and as good a market, for all the luxuries of life, as can be found in any inland town of the same size in Pennsylvania. The mem- bers of the Bar are numerous, 15 in number, and of the highest standing in the profession, as also the professors of Medical science. The Gospel Ministers are zealous in the cause of their Divine Master ; they are "in season and out of season," daily ministering in the good work.
There are numerous societies for the promotion of moral and religious instruction, composed of both females and males. There are temperance societies, and two Divisions of the "Order of the Sons of Temperance" here, laboring to restore the unfortunate to the paths of rectitude, sobriety and usefulness. Mechanics of every description, almost, are to be found here, all busily engaged in their different avo- cations.
There is about a half mile from town, a military depot for recruits of the U. States, constantly preparing for the service, by learning the art of war. A detachment of ar- tillery are stationed there just now."
The town is handsomely situated : the streets are rectan- gular, and are all sixty feet wide-except HIGH & HANOVER, which are in breadth eighty feet. High and Hanover streets intersect in the centre of the Borough. Four streets run parallel with High street ; Louther and North street, on the North ; Pomfret and South street, on the South. Four streets run parallel with Hanover street ; Bedford and East street, on the East ; Pitt and West street, on the West.
In 1760, the commissioners of Cumberland county returned to the Assembly, sixty-four lots, in Carlisle, as belonging to the Proprietaries, and one hundred and sixteen as held by the inhabitants.
The town and adjacent country are healthy and well wa- tered. Le Tort's spring runs along the eastern side of the town. It has its source two miles south of it, and empties into the Conodogwinet, about three miles northeast of the
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
borough. Trces have been planted within the last six or eight years, which add much to the beauty of the place. Through High street runs the Cumberland Valley railroad.
The Public Buildings .- The court house, now building, (Messrs. Bryant and Wilt, of Harrisburg, builders,) diagon- ally in the rear from the site of the former, in the west angle of the public square, is, as I have been informed, seventy feet front, ninety deep, with a colonnade in front, surrounded by a cupola, in which, a clock made by Mr. Erb, is to be put up. The building, when finished, will cost $45,000.
The former court house-a brick building-was situated on the southwest of the centre square, and had been erected about the year 1766. At a later period, the building that contained the county offices, was erected. The cupola which surmounts the court house, and contained the clock, was ad- ded in 1809. The court house, the building occupied by the county offices, and the town hall, in 1812, contiguous to the court house, were destroyed by fire on the night between the 23rd and 24th of March, 1845.
The first courts held in Carlisle, were held, according to a letter of John O'Neal, May 27, 1753, " in a temporary log building, on the northeast corner of centre square."
At present the courts are held in the EDUCATION HALL, on lot No. 99; and the public offices are kept in Beetem's Row, north of the Main street, and on the west end of the public square.
Judging from one of the " prints" of the place, much dis- satisfaction is manifested from some quarter, as to the court house, now building. Dissatisfaction, perhaps better found- ed, was also manifested when the former court house was about being built-Proof:
" Pursuant to leave for that purpose, Mr. Allen presented to the chair a bill for purchasing a lot, and erecting a court house thereon, which being read the first time, was ordered to be laid on the table-Feb. 9, 1762.
" Sundry inhabitants of Cumberland county presented a petition, setting forth that the Trustees appointed to erect a court house and jail, have not fully answered the end of their appointment, praying for the removal of those trustees, and the appointment of others"-March 16, 1762. Votes Ass V. p. 193 & 209.
"The jail is a stone building, standing upon the northwest
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
corner of High and Bedford sts. It was erected in 1754, and enlarged in 1790. The citizens of Cumberland county peti- tioned the Assembly in 1755 for aid to complete the prison, but their application seems to have received no further notice from the honorable member than an order ' to lie on the ta- ble." In 1754, stocks and a pillory were also erected on the square, and remained until that inhuman method of pun- ishment was abolished. Some of our old citizens yet remem- ber having seen the ears of ' cropped' culprits nailed to the pillory." -- CHARTER, &C. OF CARLISLE.
The Market House is located east of the Court House, was built in 1837; and is the third building of the kind which has been erected in the borough. It is on that part of the square, of which Mr. O'Neal, in 1753, says, " a lime kiln stands on the centre square, near what is called the Deep Quarry, from which is obtained good building stone."
School Buildings : one of these, a large brick building, on Church alley, was formerly the house of worship of the Methodist Episcopal Congregation, who conveyed it to the " Society of Equal Rights," and by the society it was sold to the School Directors.
It accommodates on the lower floor three Schools. The upper is appropriated to exhibitions, lectures, and other pub- lic meetings. At present (1845) occupied occasionally to hold courts in.
The other building is in Liberty alley, and was formerly used as a college. It was purchased five or six years ago, by the School Directors, and accommodates four schools.
The Common School system is in full operation in Car- lisle. The whole number of schools is fifteen, in which are taught 520 male and 440 female scholars, at an annual ex- pense of $3,020,76, raised by district tax, and, $804.00, State appropriation, making the whole cost of instruction $3.374,75; of fuel $259.00, employing 4 male and 11 fe- inale teachers. The male teachers receive an average salary of $25,87 per month, and the females $18.12. The schools are open eleven months. They constitute a progressive series, in which "the branches are taught from the alphabet to the higher studies of an English education."
The Carlisle Female Seminary, under the superintendance of Misses Phoebe and Charlotte Paine, in which the higher branches are taught, is deservedly popular.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Dickinson College & Institute .- The original charter of the institution was granted by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, in 1783. By that instrument it was determined-"that in memory of the great and important services rendered to his country, by his Excellency, John Dickinson, Esquire, Presi- dent of the Supreme Executive Council, and in commemor- tion of his very liberal donation to the institution, the said college, shall be forever hereafter called and known by the name of Dickinson College."
The Faculty was first organized in 1784, by the election of the Rev. Charles Nisbet, D. D., of Montrose, Scotland, as President, and the appointment of Mr. James Ross, as Professor of Languages; to whom were added in the fol- lowing year, the Rev. Robert Davidson, D. D., as Professor of Belles Lettres, and Mr. Robert Johnston, Instructor in Mathematics. The college, under the administration of Dr. Nisbet, flourished, as much perhaps, as the times would allow.
In 1798, the spot now occupied by the college buildings, between High and Louther street and west of West street, was selected, and the first edifice erected and ready for use in 1802. The edifice was destroyed by fire in 1804, but the trustees proceeded to erect another, which was completed in September, 1805, and is now known as the west college .-- Before the completion of this building, the college sustain- ed a heavy loss in the death of Dr. Nisbet, which occurred on the 14th of February, 1804. The office of President was exercised pro tempore by Dr. Davidson, until, in 1809, the Rev. Jeremiah Atwater, D. D., was elected to fill the vacancy. The institution was prosperous under his direc- tion, and the class of 1812 was the largest that had gradu- ated for twenty years. In 1815, President Atwater resign- ed, and the following year the operations of the college were suspended, and were not renewed till 1S21. In that year, the Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., was called to preside over the institution, and during the first part of his administration there was a considerable influx of students ; but previously to his resignation, which took place May 1, 1824, the col- lege began to decline, and continued to languish, except for brief intervals, while under the presidency of Drs. Neill, and Howe, until 1832, when the trustees determined that the operations of the institution should cease.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
In 1833, the control and direction of the college was transferred to the Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New Jersey Annual Conferences of the Methdist Episcopal Church, by the resignation, from time to time, of some of the trustees, and by the election of others, named by the said conferences, in their stead, until finally a complete change was effected in the management of the institution. By this change the col- lege took a fresh start, and the organization of the faculty was commenced by the election of the Rev. John P. Dur- bin as President, and the establishment of a Law Depart- ment, under the charge of the Hon. John Reed. About the same time, a Grammar school was opened, under the direc- tion of Mr. Alexander F. Dobb. On the 10th of May, 1834. Merritt Caldwell, A. M., was chosen Professor of the Exact Sciences, and Robert Emory, A. M., Professor of An- cient Languages.
The requisite funds having been obtained, the grounds improved, the buildings repaired, and an important alteration affected in the charter, the operations of the college com- menced again by the inductions into office, on the 10th of September, 1834, of the President and two professors elect, and by the admission of twenty students, there being at the same time about seventy pupils in the grammar school. On the 18th of July, 1837, the faculty was enlarged, by the addition of the Rev. John McClintock, A. M., as Professor of Mathematics, and William H. Allen, A. M., as Professor of Natural Science. Since this period, several changes have occured in the board of instruction .- Professor Emory having resigned, Professor McClintock assumed his duties, and in July, 1840, Colonel Thomas E. Sudler, A. M., was called to fill the chair of Mathematics, vacated by Professor Mc- Clintock.
Mr. Dobb was succeeded in the charge of the grammar school by the Rev. Stephen A. Rossel, A. M., who occupied the station several years, assisted by John L. Carey, A. M., Rev. John F. Hey, and the Rev. James Bunting. After the resignation of these gentlemen, the Rev. Levi Scott, A. M. was chosen Principal, and the Rev. Thomas Bowman, A. M. assistant, under whose efficient management the school still continues. Dickinson College, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church, and under the direction of its able faculty, has hitherto been prosperous, and bids fair to
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
realize the hopes of its early founders. A new and commo- dious edifice has been erected for the accommodation of the faculty and students, and a suitable building for the use of the grammar school, called Dickinson Institute. A large ad- dition has been made to the libraries, to the chemical and philosophical apparatus, and to the mineralogical cabinet. The number of students has gradually increased, and at this time there in the college proper 107, in the grammar school 40. Total 147. The Board of Instruction is as follows :
Rev. Robert Emory, A. M., President, and Professor of Moral Philosophy.
Merrit Caldwell, A. M., Professor of Metaphysics and Political Economy.
William H. Allen, A. M., Professor of Chemistry and Na- tural Philosophy.
Rev. John McClintock, A. M., Professor of Languages.
Thomas E. Sudler, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Civil Engineering.
Hon. John Reed, LL. D., Professor of Law.
Spencer F. Baird, A. M., Professor of Natural History and Curator of the Museum.
Rev. George R. Crooks, A. M., Principal of the Grammar School.
John K. Stayman, A. M., Assistant.
Edward L. Walker, Professor of Music.
The course of study is liberal and thorough; perhaps equal to any other in this country.
Terms of admission to the Collegiate Department.
Candidates for admission to the Freshman Class, must be well acquainted with Arithmetic; Geography, Outlines of Ancient and Modern History ; the English, Latin and Greek Grammars ; Cæsar's Commentaries; Virgil's ÆEneid ; Cice- ro's Select Orations ; Roman Antiquities and Mythology ; Jacob's Greek Reader, and the Historical Books of the New Testament.
Candidates for any other class will be examined on the studies previously pursued by such class.
Candidates for a partial course will be examined only as to their qualifications to pursue such a course.
It is particularly recommended, however, that all, whose circumstances will justify it, should prosecute the full course
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
of study, being that which long experience has proved to be best suited to accomplish the great end of education-the developing and disciplining of the mind.
The character of a student's preparation for admission will materially affect the whole of his subsequent course, as many of the elementary studies cannot receive that attention in college, which their prime importance demands. It is ear- nestly desired, therefore, that candidates will adhere rigidly to the course of preparatory studies here prescribed, and that they will rather endeavor to perfect themselves in these, thau anticipate studies which can be pursued to much greater ad- vantage in college. It is, in general, poor economy, to at- tempt to prepare for admission into one of the higher classes; as it is reasonable to suppose that, with the facilities afforded at college, students will be advanced there, more rapidly and thoroughly, than they could be by teachers less favorably situated. The Grammar School of the institution presents peculiar advantages to those who wish to be thoroughly pre- pared for admission.
No one will be admitted to the Freshman Class, until he has completed his fourteenth year, nor to a higher class with- out a corresponding increase of age. And it is very desira- ble that the candidates should be still older, that they thus may be fitted, hy greater maturity of mind and stability of character, better to appreciate the studies of their course, and to exercise that self-control, which is necessary for every college student.
All candidates for admission must produce testimonials of good moral character ; and if from another college, a certifi- cate of honorable dismission. They may present themselves for examination, at any time; but it is particularly desired, that they do so either at the commencement of a session, or during the week after Christmas.
ANNUAL EXPENSES .- College Fees-The College bills are to be paid to the Treasurer in advance, per session : and are as follows, viz: Tuition fee, first session, $20,00; second session, $13,00. Room rent, 1st ses. $3,00; 2d, ses. $2,00. Warming and use of recitation rooms, 1st ses. $2,00; 2nd · ses. $1,00. Printing, 1st ses. 75 cts .; 2d ses. 25 cts. To- tal amount, first session, $27,75 ; second session, $16,25.
Libraries .- The College Library contains about 3,800 vols. The Belles-Lettres 4,500 vols. The Union Philoso-
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNY.
phical 3,700 vols. Total, 12,000 vols. All of these are accessible to every student.
Religious Instruction. Prayers, with reading of the Scrip- tures, are attended in the chapel, on the morning and even- ing of every day, except Saturday and Sunday, when the evening service is omitted. The students are also required to attend public worship twice on the Sabbath-in the morn- ing, at such church, always, as their parents or guardians may designate in writing.
Terms and Vacations .- The collegiate year is divided in- to two sessions.
The first, beginning on the 15th of September, and end- ing on the Friday before the first of April; the second, be- ginning at the termination of the first, and ending at Com- mencement, on the second Tuesday in July. The only regu- lar vacation, then, is the interval from Commencement till the 15th of September; to which may be added, at the dis- cretion of the Faculty, a few days recess at Christmas, and at the end of the first session.
The government of the institution is strictly parental. It is designed to secure attention to study, and correctness of deportment, not so much by the enforcement of rigid enact- ments, as by cultivating in the student, a taste for intellec- tual pursuits, and virtuous habits. But while youthful in- discretion will be treated with lenity, it is resolved that in- curable indolence, bad morals, and pecuniary extravagance, shall not be suffered to remain to exert their corrupting in- fluence within the walls.
A faithful record is kept of the standing of each student, and a report of it is sent monthly to his parent or guardian.
For the benefit of indigent students, it has been provided, that in cases where the Faculty are satisfied that a student of approved character is unable to pay his tuition money, the Treasurer may take his note or bond for it, which shall not bear interest until two years after his leaving College, and shall never be put in suit."
Presbyterian Churches .- Upwards of a century ago, the Presbyterians built a log church on the Conodogwinet creek, at a place now called the " Meeting-house Springs." The first pastor was the Rev. Samuel Thompson. No vestige of this building now remains. In the burying ground are to be seen several grave-stones emblazoned with coats of arms.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Shortly after Carlisle was laid out, a Presbyterian congrega- tion was organized in it. A church was built,* and George Duffield, D. D., ordained pastor in 1761. About 1760, a license was obtained from Governor Hamilton, authorizing the congregation to raise by lottery " a small sum of money to enable them to build a decent house for the worship of God," and in 1766, the minister and others petitioned the Assembly for the passage of an act to compel the " managers to settle," and the "adventurers to pay ;" the settlement of the lottery having been for a "considerable time deferred" by reason of the " confusions occasioned by the Indian wars." The act prayed for was passed.
A short time afterwards, the congregation in the country, then under the care of the Rev. Mr. Steele, constructed a two story house of worship in town; and some time before the Revolution erected the present First Presbyterian church, on the northwest corner of the centre square. The two church parties differed somewhat in doctrinal views, and were called the "Old Lights" and "New Lights." Mr. Duffield's con- gation erected a gallery in Mr. Steele's church, and the two parties worshipped separately. After the removal of Mr. Duffield to Philadelphia, and the death of Mr. Steele, the two congregations united, and called, in 1785, the Reverend Robert Davidson.
By act of Assembly of 1786, the congregation thus united was incorporated.
In 1833, a portion of the congregation, by reason of a doctrinal dispute, organized another congregation, and wor- shipped in the County-hall till 1834, when they built the Second Presbyterian church, on the corner of South Hano- ver and Pomfret streets. The new congregation was incor- porated in the latter year.
St. John's Church .- The church edifice is situated on the northeast corner of the public square. Its corner stone was laid in 1825.
*Extract of a letter from John Armstrong to Richard Peters, Carlisle, 30 June, 1757.
To-morrow we begin to haul stones for the building of a meeting house on the north side of the square ; there was no other convenient place. I have avoided the place you once pitched for a church. The stones are raised out of Colonel Stanwix's entrenchment, we will want help in this political as well as religious work.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Robert Callender, George Croghan, Thomas Smallman & Thomas Butler, presented to the Assembly, in 1765, a peti- tion in behalf of the " members of the church of England in Cumberland county," representing that they had "in part erected a church in Carlisle, wherein to worship Almighty God; but from the smallness of their number, and distressed state of the country consequent upon the Indian wars," they were unable to finish it, and praying the house to consider their condition and grant them such relief as they in their wisdom should deem meet. The same year an act was passed authorizing them to raise a sufficient sum for the desired pur- pose by lottery; but whether they availed themselves of it, does not appear. The church then erected stood until the present one was built near the same spot.
An itinerant missionary for the counties of York and Cum- berland, was maintained by the "Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts," for several years after these counties were founded. This office, as late as 1766, was held by the Rev. William Thomson, son of the first Presby- terian pastor at the " Meeting-house Springs."
German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran Churches. -The German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran congre- gations, were organized about 1765; the latter under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Butler. They worshipped on alternate sabbaths in the same church,-which stood on the present German Reformed burying ground,-until 1807, when each congregation erected a house of worship for its own use. The Lutherans built theirs on the corner of Lou- ther and Bedford streets. It is their present place of wor- ship. Their church was incorporated in 1811.
The German Reformed church was located on the lot now occupied by the Preparatory school building of Dickinson College. Having sold it, they built, in 1827, a church at the corner of High and Pitt streets, which they afterwards sold to the Methodist Episcopal congregation, and in 1835 erected the one which they now occupy in Louther street. They were incorporated in 1811.
Methodist Episcopal Church .-- Soon after the Revolution, the Methodist ministers commenced their labors in Carlisle, worshipping first in the market-place, then in the court house, and subsequently in a small building in Pomfret street, in which last place they formed a class of about 12 members,
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
in 1792 or 1793. Their number increased, and in a few years afterward they built a small stone house in Pitt street, in which they worshipped a short time, and then erected a brick edifice in Church alley. Having sold this in 1835, they purchased from the German Reformed congregation the stone church on the corner of Pitt and High streets, which they have much improved and beautified. In this they now wor- ship. The congregation was incorporated in 1838.
Roman Catholic Church .- This edifice is built in the fig- ure of a cross. Its location is on Pomfret street. It was erected in 1807, and enlarged in 1823. The lot upon which it stands was at an early day owned by the Jesuits of Conc- wago, who had upon it a small log church, in which the Roman Catholic congregation worshipped until the present one was built.
Associate Presbyterian Church .- The Associate Presby- terian congregation of Carlisle was organized in 1798. The lot on West street, upon which the church is built, was con- veyed, in consideration of £6, by the Messrs. Penns, in 1796, to Wm. Blair, Wm. Moore, John Smith, and John McCoy, trustees of the Associate Presbyterian congregation, adher- ing to the subordination of the Associate Presbytery of Penn- sylvania, of which the Rev. John Marshall & James Clark- son were then members. The building was put up in 1802, and the Rev. Francis Pringle, their first pastor, called the same year.
African Churches .- These are situated, two in Locust alley, and the third in Pomfret street.
United States Barracks .- The barracks are located about one-half mile from the town, but within the borough limits. They were built in 1777. The workmen employed were Hessians captured at Trenton. The barracks will garrison 2000 men. A school of cavalry practice has recently been established at them, by the Government, and the buildings handsomely fitted up under the direction of Capt. E. V. Sum- ner, commanding the post.
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