USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Warwick's Keystone commonwealth; a review of the history of the great state of Pennsylvania, and a brief record of the growth of its chief city, Philadelphia > Part 7
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The Scotch-Irish were the exponents of Calvinism, and when Charles I. came to the throne of England, he endeavored to compel them to conform to the rites of the Church of England. While he was enforcing this attempt, the native Irish arose and made a determined effort to expel the Scotch-Irish, and in the conflict many thousands were killed. Being between two fires, the native Irish on one side and the persecution of Charles 1. on the other, many Scotch- Irish emigrated to America. Some went to Maryland, some went to Virginia, and, in fact, they were to be found among all the provinces of the new workl. The greater portion of them, however, migrated to Pennsylvania. Some settled on the Lehigh, some went into Bucks and some into Lancaster County, but the greater portion settled in what is now known as the Cumberland Valley.
The Scotch-Irish poured into the province and seized the land without per mission of the proprietor, exercising a sort of squatter sovereignty. They dif- fered from the Quakers in that they were willing to fight for their liberty, and they looked upon them with a sort of contempt, as a non-resisting class of men who would suffer an insult rather than resent it. Having been compelled to defend their possessions in Ireland, they brought with them the same spirit of warfare to the new land. They were a hardy, brave, hot-headed race, easily won by kindness, but ready to resent, even to the death, an affront or insult. They were warm in their friendships, but unforgiving and relentless in their enmities. They were well fitted for the sturdy and perilous life of frontiersmen. They hated the Indians at the start, and did not hesitate to take every advantage of them. Being in constant dread of attacks from the redmen they looked upon them as their natural foes. In his youth, the Scotch-Irishman was trained in the bearing of arms, and he became as expert in the use of the rifle as Daniel Boone
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or Davy Crockett. The Scotch-Irishman was clannish and he enjoyed nothing more than the society of his friends and neighbors. His sports were rude, and consisted of foot-racing, wrestling, shin-kicking and rough and tumble fight- ing. In his contests, however, he used as a weapon his fists and was not given to the sly and cowardly use of the dirk or stiletto. In personal combats one of the favorite amusements was to gouge out the eye of an opponent with the thumb. A wedding was a great event in the settlement, and generally ended in a grand drinking bout, after the groom had been laid at the side of the bride. From the very beginning the Scotch-Irish had been subjected to Indian am- buscades and they were kept constantly on the qui vive, fearing a sudden attack. In the harvest season, when the Indians were on the war-path, scouts guarded the toilers in the fields, whose rifles stacked, were close at hand to be seized at a moment's notice. Their religion was almost as severe as their char- acters. They were devoted followers of Calvin and Knox and nothing suited them better than long sermons, dwelling on the vindictiveness of an unforgiving God. They believed in the doctrine of predestination and that Adam was pre- destined to fall and with him the whole human race and that only those who were elected to salvation by an omnipotent God would be saved. If a man were predestined to destruction, no matter how good his deeds or how correct his life, he was damned for all time. This was the doctrine of election, preached by Jonathan Edwards and which, to use the language of his followers, pre- destined an infant not a span long to the tortures of hell. They argued that God, being omniscient, knew all things from the beginning of time to the end thereof, and whatever He had foreordained was sure to come to pass. It was hard to find, however, in those days, a Scotch-Irishman who did not believe that he was elected to salvation. Severe and bitter as this creed appears, it helped to form the character of some of the ablest men this country had ever produced.
During the Revolution they ardently espoused the American cause and it was their boast that not a Tory could be found among them. In 1794, during Washington's second term of office, the government imposed a revenue tax upon the manufacture of whiskey. The rough, Scotch-Irish backwoodsmen were extensively engaged in the distillation of large quantities of liquor. The distillers, or whiskey producers, refused to pay the tax so imposed and resisted the officers of the government in the matter of its collection. One officer sent to collect the tax was tarred and feathered, while another received a heavy flogging with beech rods. An army of frontiersmen was organized and all men were called on to stand in defense of their rights and to resist what was called the tyranny of the new government. The rebellion continued for three years, when at last Washington decided upon strennous measures, and without further ado sent an army of fifteen thousand men to compel obedience to the law. In face of so large a force, the insurgents laid down their arms. Thus ended the well-known Whiskey Rebellion, of Pennsylvania.
For fifteen or twenty years immediately succeeding the landing of Penn, the Welsh in great numbers poured into the province. The great majority were Quak- ers. They were given a section of land lying west of Philadelphia, consisting of forty thousand acres. For a long while they maintained the use of their own
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tongue, but as the population increased all traces of it disappeared and, unlike their German brethren, they were absorbed in the community. For some dis- tance on the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the names given to the different stations remind us of their early settlements ; such as Merion, Haverford, Tredyf- frin, Berwyn, Radnor, Bryn Mawr, Cynwyd and St. Davids, this last having been named after the patron saint of Wales.
We have briefly sketched the many classes of emigrants that came to. form the settlement of the province: Dutch, Swedes, English, Welsh, Germans, and. Scotch-Irish, and it was out of this melting pot, using the language of Israel Zangwill, that we developed the influence and the greatness of Pennsylvania.
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CHAPTER V.
PENN RETURNS TO THE PROVINCE. THE TOWN STRICKEN WITH YELLOW FEVER. COLONEL ROBERT QUARRY APPOINTED JUDGE OF THE ADMIRALTY. DAVID LLOYD ANTAGONIZED BOTHI PENN AND QUARRY. PENN'S LIFE AT PENNSBURY. PENN SAILS FOR ENGLAND. PENN DENOUNCED FOR HUIS INTIMACY WITH THE COURT. LANDING OF THE DUKE OF MONMOUTH IN ENGLAND. THOMAS LLOYD, PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, GOVERNED THE PROVINCE WITH AN EYE SINGLE TO THE INTEREST OF THE PROPRIETOR. THOMAS LLOYD RESIGNS. JOHN BLACKWELL SUCCEEDS LLOYD. PENN NAMES THOMAS LLOYD DEPUTY GOVER- NOR OF PENNSYLVANIA AND WILLIAM MARKHAM DEPUTY GOVERNOR IN THE TERRITORIES. THE CITY NOTWITHSTANDING POLITICAL CONTENTION MAKES RAPID PROGRESS. VOLUNTEER FIRE SYSTEM, MARKET PLACE THE CENTRE OF THE TOWN.
O N September 13, 1699, Penn left Cowes in the Isle of Wight on the ship "Canterbury." His visit to England had not accomplished much in the way of a final settlement of the controversy between him and Lord Baltimore. On his voyage to America he was accompanied by his wife and his daughter just coming into womanhood, Letitia for "Tishe" as she was affectionately called by her father. Penn's first wife, who had been such a comfort and support to him in all his anxieties and cares, had died in 1604, leaving three children surviving her. His second wife was Hannah Cal- lowhill, the daughter of Thomas Callowhill, a merchant in Bristol. After a long and dreary voyage of three months, the ship at last reached Chester. The pro- prietor was given a hearty welcome and a cannon was discharged in honor of his arrival, which was so badly worked, however, that it tore off the hand of a gunner. Penn, on reaching the city, became the guest of Edward Shippen for upwards of a month, he then removed to the Slate Roof House, which was rented from Samuel Carpenter and which stood on Second street, above Walnut.
The winter was a sad one, for the town in the preceding summer had been visited for the first time by an epidemic called the "Barbadoes Distemper," but which in truth was the Yellow Fever. Two hundred and fifty persons were stricken by this disorder and passed away in a few months. This was a heavy draft upon the still comparatively small community, seven or eight deaths a day being the average of the mortality. Almost every family was visited by the dreadful scourge and medicine in its primitive stage could find no remedy to assuage the pest. Quarantine and sanitary regulations were unknown as prac- ticed today and when applied offered but little resistance to the plague. It was the first visit of those recurring epidemics that were to find their culmination in the dreadful attack of 1793.
Coming out of the winter, the epidemic again increased in violence, for the summer was an exceedingly hot one, which necessitated the immediate inter- ment of the dead. Funeral corteges passed almost hourly through the city;
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preservatives were unknown and burials were made in many cases the day the patient died. It was the custom in those days for the funerals to be largely attended and this necessarily spread the disease and increased the number of the stricken.
Thomas Story, in his journal in describing this distemper wrote: "Great was the fear that fell upon all flesh * * * * every face gathered paleness and many hearts were humbled and countenances fallen and sunk as such that waited every moment to be summoned to the bar and numbered to the grave."
Shortly before the arrival of Penn in this country, came one Colonel Robert Quarry, who was appointed in London-Judge of the Admiralty, an officer whose duty it was to adjudicate all questions arising as to the collection of Crown revenues. His commission extended over the provinces of New York and Pennsylvania. For some reason or other he seemed to take a special dis- like to Penn and constantly lodged charges of mal-administration against him and the officials of the province. He in every way too, antagonized the Quakers and seemed to delight in keeping up a constant irritation. David Lloyd, also became a thorn in the side of William Penn. He organized a Democratic party and did everything in his power to thwart the measures of Quarry, the Royal Government Official, and to bring him under the contempt of the com- mon people. Penn, with his patient, compromising spirit, endeavored in every possible way to reconcile the existing differences, but without much avail. In 1700, he and his family removed from the city to Pennsbury, to enjoy the rest and the delights of a country life. Although the mansion as we have described it was sumptuously furnished and had appearance and atmosphere of a grand old baronial hall, still it was in truth in a wild 'country, far removed from neigh- bors and those social features that make rural life so pleasurable. Ilis wife and daughter, missing the intercourse and companionship of congenial friends, began to complain of their isolation. The place was difficult of access and it was no light task to travel from the city, a distance of twenty miles, over rough roads to make a short visit, and we have no account of week-end parties being entertained by the ladies.
In a pamphlet published in London in 1703, a description is given of the royal state that surrounded Penn at Pennsbury. "The gate of his house or pal- ace," says the writer, "is always guarded with a Janissary armed with a var- nished club nearly ten feet long, crowned with a large silver head embossed and chased as a hieroglyphic of its Master's pride. There are certain days in the week appointed for audience, and as for the rest you must keep your dis- tance. His corps de garde generally consists of seven or eight of his chief magistrates both ecclesiastical and civil, which always attend him and some- times there are more. When he perambulates the city one bare-headed, with a long white wand over his shoulder in imitation of the Lord Marshal of Eng- land, marches gradually before him and his train, and sometimes proclamation is made to clear the way."
As time ran Penn's wife and daughter grew more dissatisfied and insisted upon sailing for Enrope. This gave the proprietor great worriment of mind for he was in love with his province and he thought to make his country life in time an ideal one but his hopes had vanished and in a fit of anguish he wrote
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to a friend : "I cannot prevail on my wife to stay and still less with "Tishe," I know not what to do." Ilis enemies were working against his interest too in Europe and Lord Baltimore was using his influence in every way to support his claim. There had been an agreement made before Penn came to America be- tween him and Lord Baltimore, providing for a full settlement of their differ- ences, but it was of no enduring value and Baltimore would not live up to his word or to his promises. At last Penn, annoyed by the importunities of his wife and daughter and worried by the condition of his affairs in the old country, made up his mind to sail for England. "I confess," he said, "I cannot think of such a voyage without great reluctancy of mind, having promised myself the quietness of a wilderness. That I might stay so long at least with you as to render everybody entirely easy and safe, for my heart is among you as well as my body, whatever some people may please to think, and no unkindness or dis- appointment shall ( with submission to God's providence ) ever be able to alter my love to the country and resolution to return and settle with my posterity in it. But having reason to believe I can at this time best serve you and myself on that side of the water, neither the rudeness of the season nor the tender cir- cumstances of my family can overrule my intention to undertake it."
A sea voyage, from the old world to the new or from the new world to the old, in those days was no easy undertaking, it was fraught with great danger because of its length and the character and capacity of the vessel. One was almost certain in the period required to make the voayge, to meet several se- vere storms. To be three months upon the ocean, most of the time/tossed about in a cockle-shell meeting tempest after tempest, was anything but agreeable to a man not accustomed to a scafaring life, but fortunately in this instance the ship which carried Penn and his family, the "American," made the voyage in the surprisingly short time of four weeks. The Pilgrimis were four months on the ocean before they reached Plymouth; the ship that brought Pastorius across the water met adverse head winds and was frequently driven out of its course, encountered storm after storm and waves mountain high constantly swept its deck, while a terrific gale snapped the foremast. The passengers, about eighty in number, were sick every minute of the time and it did look as if the vessel were doomed to destruction, but at last it safely rode into port after a voyage of ten long weeks. Lafayette on his first voyage to this country was eight weeks on the sea.
Shortly after the arrival of Penn in England, Charles HT. died and the crown passed to his brother, the Duke of York, who ascended the throne as James 11. Charles had secretly espoused the Roman Catholic creed, but James openly confessed the faith, and his conduct greatly offended the vast majority of the English people, and, after a reign of two years, he was compelled to abandon the throne and hasten to France to place himself under the protection of his royal cousin, Louis XIV. During this religious controversy between the King and his subjects, Penn kept up his intimacy with the Court, and had frequent interviews with the King. In fact, his conduct was so severely criti- cized that he was charged with being a Jesuit in disguise, with having been bred at St. Omers, a Catholic college, with having been given a dispensation by Rome to marry, and with having performed Mass at Whitehall, St. James and other
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places. His denials were most positive and emphatic, but they did not set at rest the public mind, and Penn was looked upon by many people as a courtier and at heart a supporter of the Papacy. There was, perhaps, in that agitated condition of the public mind a reason for this suspicion, for he was on most in- timate terms with the Court and could secure at all times the car and attention of the King. Ile could often obtain an audience with his royal master while even more important and distinguished citizens had to cool their heels in the antechamber, impatiently waiting to be admitted to the presence of His Majesty.
At this time the unexpected landing of the Duke of Monmouth, the natural son of Charles 11., in an attempt to seize the throne, threw England into a tem- porary convulsion, but William of Orange, who had married the daughter of James II., compelled James to abdicate and to relinquish all claim to the throne and the crown. It might be supposed that l'enn, the Quaker, would have had as much influence at the Court under a Protestant as under a Roman Catholic king, but such was not the case. He was looked upon as an intimate friend and supporter of James IL., and in order to answer this charge he deemed it ad- visable to state that he loved his country and the Protestant religion above his life and had never acted against either, that King James had always been his friend and his father's friend and that in gratitude he himself was the King's forever. This reply, both tolerant and courageous, ought to have settled the question and allayed suspicion, but a letter from James to Penn about this time was discovered by the government and the worthy Quaker while waiting in Whitehall was arrested and at once brought before the Privy Council. The de- throned king, in the letter had asked for his assistance, and when Penn was in- terrogated as to why this assistance was requested, he answered that he did not know but supposed that King James would have been glad to have had his aid in the matter of restitution, but that he could not help his monarch to re- cover the throne because of his loyalty to the Protestant religion. Then, with a spirit born of courage, a reflex of his true character, he added that he had loved King James in his prosperity and did not find it in his heart to hate him in his adversity, that he loved him for many favors conferred upon him, but that he could not join with him in what concerned the state of the kingdom. After a close and rigid examination, Pen was discharged, there having been found nothing in his answer nor his explanation that would warrant his com- mitment. Although he was personally relieved from custody, he was held under bond.
During all this time, Penn kept an eye constantly upon his province and hoped that the time was close at hand when he would be able to return to it. "There is nothing my soul craves more for in this world, next to my dear fam- ily's life," she wrote, "than that I may see poor Pennsylvania again." The colony was rapidly advancing and increasing in population, but the conduct of Penn while in England, apparently coquetting with the deposed Stuarts, gave great offence to many of the colonists and in a great measure injured his popu- larity and weakened his influence.
Thomas Lloyd, President of the Council, was a man of great ability and exercised his authority with an eye single to the interests of the province. Ile was born in Wales, was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, and the colony was
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fortunate in having so able a man to help in its development. Ilis administra- tion, notwithstanding his ability, was a stormy one, and he longed for the arrival of Penn, but at last, being discouraged and dissatisfied with the course of events, he resigned his position and the government was given into the hands of a deputy named John Blackwell. Of John Blackwell, Penn wrote to the five commissioners, "For your case I have appointed one that is not a Friend, but a brave, sober, wise man. He married old General Lambert's daughter, was Treasurer to the Commonwealth army in England, Scotland and Ireland. * + Let him see what he can do awhile. I have ordered him to con- fer in private with you and square himself by your advice. If he do not please you he shall be set aside." At the time of his appointment, Blackwell was a resident of New England. He was not a Quaker, but by profession a soldier and proud of the title which his military career had conferred upon him. He was an obstinate, arbitrary fellow and did not seek to acquire popularity by wise and conservative action that would have so aided him in advancing the interests of the province. Ile arrived in Philadelphia, in December, 1688. Ile made a failure of his administration from the start, and after considerable strife and contention with both citizens and officials, begged to be relieved of his post. In writing to Penn, he said among other things, "The climate is over- hot for my constitution and age and the hosts of mosquitoes are worse than of armed men. I hope by the first travelling season you will come and dismiss me." Ilis wish was not gratified at once, but after a year's delay he was re- reved of his position and Thomas Lloyd was once more elected President of the Council. He had bitterly fought Blackwell during his administration, and took great pains in pointing out his shortcomings. About this time party spirit was beginning to develop in the province.
In 1602, Penn made Thomas Lloyd Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania, and William Markham Deputy Governor in the Territories, that is the three coun- ties of Delaware. These frequent changes in the government worked to the detriment of the province. In a year's time the system of government had been altered six times.
The City of Philadelphia, notwithstanding the contention in the matter of political administration, was spreading out in every direction.' To the south were the villages of Wicaco, Passyunk and Moyamensing, while to the north the District of Northern Liberties, and the Townships of Dublin, Oxford, Byberry, Moreland and Frankford were developing rapidly. The Friends still had a commanding influence, and were building substantial meeting houses and exer- cising a great influence for good on the morals of the community. They took special care in the matter of the instruction of the young, and tanght them not only the rudiments of education, but the immorality of laying wagers and of betting on horse races. Flirtations and attendance upon young ladies, without honorable intentions, were discouraged. It was urged that the marriage cere- mony should be simple and without ostentation. They also strongly opposed the use of ardent drink and began a propaganda against the institution of slavery.
In 1695, the Church of England purchased land for the erection of a suit-
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able temple of worship, which eventually resulted in the erection of Christ Church.
The growth of the city necessitated the introduction of a method for the extinguishment of fires. Already there had been several conflagrations, and a volunteer fire department was organized. Many of the houses were frame and these wooden structures were increasing in numbers. In 1697, each house- holder, under a penalty of a fine, was to keep a "swab" at least twelve or four- teen feet long, as also two leathern buckets to be ready at hand in case of fire. The swabs were made of material that would hold great quantities of water, and after they were soaked they were placed upon the roofs and cornices that were already burning, and upon the roofs and cornices that were in danger of igni- tion. It was a very primitive method as compared with present fire systems, but it seems to have been pretty effective, and indeed often prevented the spread of what otherwise would have been very dangerous fires. At the cry of "Fire" the inhabitants in the immediate neighborhood of the conflagration threw their buckets out of the windows to the pavement below, to be used by citizens who volunteered their services. The buckets avere usually made of leather and marked with the name of the owner. The people formed themselves into lines or chains, passing buckets from the pump to the building that was in flames, while another line returned the empty buckets. Frequently large hooks were used, with a rope attached to them, to tear down buildings in the line of the fire which were in danger of being burned.
Wood instead of coal was, of course, used for the purposes of cooking and heating. In consequence, large accumulations of soot gathered in the' ilue and in a high wind this would take fire and blaze out of the top of the chimney. In fact, most of the fires were caused in this way and this gave a vocation to a class of men and boys who were designated as chimney sweeps.
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