USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > Waynesboro > Waynesboro : the history of a settlement in the county formerly called Cumberland, but later Franklin, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in its beginnings, to its centennial period, and to the close of the present century > Part 6
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America a haven.
To analyze and to tell particularly in the case of each of these people, what was the strongest force which im- pelled them to emigration, is impossible. But whether religious persecution, tyranny of home government, pov- erty or sickness was the cause, it is certain that all eyes turned toward the new world of America as a haven of rest.
Anglican idea of liberty.
The movement to the New World was a general move- ment, and partook almost of the nature of a revolution. That there was underlying it some principle and some great idea, cannot be doubted. and the careful student of all the facts must come to the conclusion that that idea was the great Anglican idea of liberty.
It has been too much the practice to look only at the superficial cause of this great movement, and to leave 1111- sought the prime cause underlying.
Lieber.
This Anglican idea of civil liberty has been defined to be "a guaranteed protection against interference with the interests and rights held dear and important by large classes of civilized men, together with an effective share in the making and administration of the laws which secure
73
EARLY SETTLERS.
that protection." This was the underlying principle of the American Revolution, as well as the motive power which impelled the immigration which made the American Revolution a possibility.
The scope of this narrative will not admit of entering into the further detail of the history of the people which settled America. But it remains to speak of the particular relation of the two peoples who settled the Cumberland Valley, and to inquire into the different character of their advancement there.
This was due, first, to the peculiar character and methods of the Proprietary government of Pennsylvania, and second, to the temperament, language and personal peculiarities of the two peoples.
The Scotch-Irish, who, as is well understood, were the people from the North of Ireland, were natural soldiers, but they were inferior husbandmen. They spoke the English language, having that advantage, at least, over their neighbors, in their education. They were apt letter writers, and, as a consequence, were in frequent corre- spondence with the officers of government, and early be- came office-holders and agents of the government.
The Germans were not natural soldiers. They were tillers of the soil ; adepts at all trades that catered to the wants of man, or utilized the products of the soil. They were men of culture, too, but they spoke and understood a different language from that of the new government. They were without experience in clerical and govern- mental business, and, as has been indicated, were unskilled in fighting, and many of them were adherents to non-re- sistant principles. This was the situation.
But, in the nature of things, these two peoples, tenants in common of the territory, surrounded by like dangers, and each day bound more closely by the bonds of common interest, and, later, by the stronger bonds of esteem and respect which, as time went on, resulted in frequent inter-
CHAPTER HI.
The peoples of the Cumberland Valley.
Characteristics of the Scotch-Trish.
Characteristics of the Germans.
Amalgamated Scotch-Irish and German stock.
74
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER III.
marriage, could not fail to become united in all that goes to make up a homogeneous society. So it was; and to- day there is no stock of citizenship. within or without any State of the Union, that is sturdier and more reliable, with more notable representatives in State and Nation, than the amalgamated Scotch-Irish and German stock of the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, and. as has been be- fore stated, in no section of the Cumberland Valley has there been a more equal amalgamation of the two races than in the southeastern part of the present Franklin county, Waynesboro and vicinage.
Unjust criticismn.
It cannot be too much regretted that there are those who don the garb of the historian and, unworthily pro- mulgating their own superficial thought, as historical fact, unjustly and severely criticise these good people. There are historical truths lying under the shadows of error. born of superficial examination, which, when the search- light of exhaustive, unbiased investigation is turned upon them, stand forth in their strength to challenge error and, in some instances it may be, to wholly change the precon- ceived order of things. The more closely the student of local history applies his thought to this subject, the more deeply impressed must he become.
CHAPTER IV.
THE PLANTING OF THE TOWN.
WAYNESBORO AS A SETTLEMENT, VILLAGE AND INCORPORATED BOROUGH.
HE bravery, indomitable perseverance and self-sacri- ficing spirit of the pioneers of civilization, who planted the first settlements and towns in the re- mote parts of Pennsylvania in the heart of the cherished domain of a savage people, where danger and death lurked, not only in mountain and forest, but stalked in the open valley at noon-day, are themes which always chal- lenge the particular notice of a grateful posterity, and de- mand some passing attention at the hands of the his- torian.
Energetic representatives of the Anglo-Saxon race, who, in the earliest days of settlement, penetrated into the heart of Kittochtinny Valley and, step by step, secured and maintained a foothold there, are entitled to the credit of being, in a large sense, the pioneers of American civili- zation. The impress which they left upon the Cumber- land Valley of Pennsylvania is manifest to-day: the story of what they accomplished for the nation at large remains to be written.
The territory stretching from the North to the South Mountains, and lying contiguous to the southern line of the Province, possessing the natural advantages of being well watered and fertile, and withal situated approximate to the settlements in Maryland, attracted thither at a very early. perhaps the earliest, day of valley settlement, a lit- tle coterie of brave and determined men, who came to stay ; at peace, if might be, at war, if necessary, with their
CHAPTER IV. A pleasing theme.
Pioneers of civilization.
1734.
76
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IV. Joseph ('runkleton, Jacob Snively, James Jolinston, James Roddy.
Indian neighbors. It was not long until "Conococheague Settlement," which was the nucleus around which new- comers located their land. became a point of importance as an outpost of the Province, and a settlement of promi- nence in Cumberland (afterwards Franklin) county.
1745 to 1765.
An impetus was thus given to settlement in the Cono- cocheague region in the taking up of numerous tracts of land in the neighborhood. and, particularly during a given period, in the southeastern portion of the county in the section of Antrim township, out of which Washington township was organized.
Inter-communion.
With the assured hope of permanent settlement, here as elsewhere, attention was soon directed to that subject upon which, to a large degree, the success of any settle- ment depends, and which man's interests, as a civilized and gregarious being, in a great degree demand, namely, a means of easier communication with his fellow-men for social intercourse and defense, a method for the inter- change of the products of the soil and, as well. a way for their transportation to an adequate market.
A ket. natural
mar-
1761.
A road demanded.
From its geographical situation, Baltimore Town, par- ticularly in the first days, was looked upon as the natural market or business centre for the territory lying contig- uous to Maryland and between the North and South mountains. At an early period a commercial ambition was awakened among the inhabitants, particularly in the southwestern part of the then county of Cumberland, now known as Peters township in the county of Franklin. An outlet in the shape of a passable road, which might result in an advantage to them in many ways, was demanded.
On to Town.
Baltimore
As the outcome of the action of these people in peti- tioning the court of quarter sessions of Cumberland county-in the jurisdiction where the territory then lay-
77
THE PLANTING OF THE TOWN.
for the appointment of viewers to determine the direction of a public way which, in connection with branch "bridle paths," would furnish them with the means of compara- tively easy egress with their products to the town of Bal- timore, the road from the borders of Peters township, thence by "Conococheague Settlement," now Green- castle, by lands warranted by John Wallace (the elder). now Waynesboro, through "Nicholasses Gap," in the South Mountain, and thence to Baltimore Town, was pro- jected with all the formality which attaches to a like pro- ceeding in the court at the present day.
It was the laying out of this road which, in a large part. gave value to the Wallace lands as a desirable locality for a considerable and permanent settlement, the nucleus of which, the outgrowth of the true pioneer spirit of the elder Wallace, was already there.
In the settlement which had by degrees grown up near the base of the South Mountain, not far from where the Antietam Creek lent fertility to the soil, the elder John Wallace was an important factor, and, as in those days the name of the most prominent land owner of the locality was by common consent attached to the settlement, it is not surprising to find the settlement around the Wallace warranted land bearing the name of "John Wallace's Town" or "Wallacetown" until the close of the Revolu- tionary War, when it was given, in manner as will later appear, the name of "Waynesburg."
For nearly twenty years before the laying out of the road toward Baltimore Town, John Wallace, the elder. held the title as warrantee of the considerable tract of land upon which Waynesboro stands, and other lands ad- jacent ; the particular part upon which the town is now situated being known as "Mount Vernon."
While the war for independence was still in progress,
CHAPTER IN.
Viewers: John Allison, Joseph Bradner, Wm. Holliday, James Jack. John McClellan. Jr., Henry Pawlin.
Land values en- hanced.
Wallacetown.
1749 to 1751.
The title of John Wallace, the elder.
78
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IV.
July 1, 1777. lle dies testate.
Note 18. Robert and George Wallace, their title.
Jan. 9, 1779. Feb. 26, 1783.
and John Wallace, the younger, was out fighting the bat- tles of his country under the direct command of "Mad Anthony" Wayne, John Wallace, the elder, died, having first made his last will and testament, in which he devised to his son, Robert Wallace, the particular tract of land with which this narrative hath chiefly to do. Robert, how- ever, kept title to the property only for a brief time, and then conveyed it to George Wallace, who kept title to it until shortly after the return of John Wallace, the younger, when he conveyed it to John, who proceeded to take steps to develop his future plan for laying out a town.
Dec. 29. 1797. March 6, 1798. April 4. 1798.
It is a fact that these conveyances from John Wallace. the elder, were all made simply upon the warrantee title, no patent as yet having been taken out from the Com- monwealth for the land. And it is also a fact that John Wallace, the younger, proceeded to lay out his town plot without a patentee's title for the same. The proposals were drawn up and formally signed nearly three months. and entered of public record nearly two months before the patent was issued.
Note 19. Proposals.
1
The proposals were specific in terms. The part of the proprietor's land laid out was described as being "along the country road leading from Greencastle to Baltimore threw John Wallace's town called Waynesburg." The price of the lots was fixed at "five pounds specie per lot on the main street, and six pounds five shillings specie per lot on the crossroads."
As a ground rent. "one dollar of the United States, or the value thereof in specie, per lot yearly and every year forever" was reserved. "payable to the said John Wallace. his heirs and assigns forever for the said lots." This ground rent was not to begin to accrue until the proprie- tor had secured from the Commonwealth a patentee's title for the land, and bound himself in the sum of one
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WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER 1V.
thousand pounds specie to each lot purchaser to faithfully comply with all the covenants of his grant.
Note 20
As appears from the draft which accompanied the pro- prietor's proposals, ninety lots were placed upon the market.
The first deed. Dec. 25, 1797.
The first deed from John Wallace entered of record for any of these lots was to Henry Smith. shoemaker. It gave him title to two little lots on the south side of Main street, the one a front lot, designated in the draft as num- ber forty-nine (drawn out first to the number twenty- nine). The other was a back lot adjoining number forty- nine, the two containing half an acre and five perches. The price paid for the two was ten pounds specie.
Jan. 16, 1798.
Rupp.
Michael Corkery (or Coskery), merchant, is the next grantee of record. He was a man of no mean importance, and was the most considerable purchaser of lots. His deed passed him title to ten lots, namely, numbers one. eight, thirty-seven, thirty-eight, fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty- seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine and sixty. These lots were among the choice lots of the town, and the best authori- ties seem to fix upon lot number one, owned by Corkery. on the southeast corner of the square, as the site of the first house built in the town.
1799.
With the next year followed a continued line of con- veyances, passing title from John Wallace to sundry lot holders, until the record was completed in legal form for a large number of lots in the original plot.
1797 to 1811.
During the next decade and nearly a half, the infant town of Waynesburg grew apace. The name originally given it by its patriotic proprietor in honor of his old com- mander was jealously maintained by him, although an- other Waynesburg (now Bloody Run, or Everett), just across the line in Bedford county, persistently contested the honor with its neighbor to the eastward.
( hoger-twee, prisled by Joke Gover .]
Chis Indenture
Made who imunity Seventh day of fine - In the year of our Lord one thousand resen hundred and ninety Light Between John Wallace, of I'whenglomtownship, in the county of Franklin and state of Pennsylvania. of the One Part, and Blue xifligh punt of the same place .
of the Other Part. Whereas the card John Mallaco hath laid out a Town called 'ayresborg, in the township, county and state oforesand, To a certain tract or piece of land called Mount Vernon, containing one hundred and ninety une acres and one hundred and forty-one perches ony allerart of Wartoper cent for roads, &c. which the commonwealth of Pennsylvania by potent bearing date at Philadelphie the fourth day of Aprillast past, granted and confirmed unto the sand John Wallace, is hold to himself, has heirs and afungos for ever, as so and by aard patent enrolled in the Rolls Office for the state of Pennsylvania to Patent book Ne 33. page 562, may mare fully and of large op. pear. Rom this Indenture withelBeth that the card John altace far and in consideration of the dawn of the brand an for thethings Profil money of Pennsylvania, to him the sand John Wallace well and windy in hand paid by the sand Veter Reflight - -- the
receipt whereof w hereby acknowledged, Dath granted. bargained and cold and by these presents Doth grant, bargain and sell unto the card - all that certain Loter Piece of Ground, distinguished and known in the general plan of said town, which Blir Hefligh ...
plan is recorded at Chambersburg, in the office for recording of deeds for and in the county of Franklin aforesaut, in book D, page 265, So. 72. actuate on the East side of Groft street, bounded and described as follows is wit Beginning at a post at the link line on the South lade of in the street a Corner of both toute there along in brow that south thaty vias Dequees Mest five peines to da 10 7! Thenay along not the same South to fly font Degusta Gast fronty branches to a brochure feet Alley hence along the same with thesty via Deque fast five pouches to sont stret and along with the same Mouth fifty four Agree Me tothe place of Bioquemin.
- - square porches; Tohave and to bolo all and singular the sold Rititogether willid and one of the improvements and appartenances whatever therounds belonging or inany wise appertaining, unts the sand Site. Hefligh - - has heses and afsigns for good . Subject to the yearly Grownderent of one Spawned milled dollar, to be paid to the can't John Il'attice, or to his hears. afsigns of resefors, yearly and every year on or before the firstday of May in every year for ever: And the sand John Wallace, for himself and his herro, executors, administratore and every of them, and against all and every other person or persons lawfully claiming the some, shall and will warrans and for ever defend by these prevents In Hetsoft whereof the said John Wallace hath hereunto det his hand and scal, the day and year firas above written.
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PERSONALLY appeared before we the fubleriber one of the Judicew&c for and in faid county, John Wallace and acknowledged the above Todenture to be his AR and Deed and defined that the fame might be recorded at fuch I. W 14158 whereol, I have berewolo fet my band and feal, the day and year bril above written
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PROPRIETOR'S DEED FOR TOWN LOT.
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82
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IV.
Death of John Wallace, Jr., May. IS11.
After a full quarter century of active work in the pro- mulgation of his plan of town settlement, and with the plan well under way, the proprietor. John Wallace, at an apparently unexpected time, now died. The land of which the proprietor died seized consisted of about eighty-three acres outlying and one lot in the town as laid out adjoining Hans Gordon.
His heirs.
John Wallace left to survive him neither wife nor chil- dren. His heirs were his brother, George Wallace, and six children of his sister Rebecca, who had been twice mar- ried. first to John Irvin, and second to John Hogg. These children were John Irvin, Rachel Hogg, who married Jo- siah Sterritt : Nancy Hogg. John Hogg. Sarah Hogg and William Hogg. the two last mentioned being minors at the time of the death of John Wallace.
Value of his es- tate.
The land left by the proprietor was valued as follows: The outlying tract at three thousand eight hundred and five dollars and forty-three cents, and the lot in town. bounded in front (on the south), by Main street, west by lot of Hans Gordon, east by Michael Miller, and on the north by an alley, at two hundred and five dollars and forty-one cents.
March 12, 1517. Note 21.
Under partition proceedings, the land of John Wallace was disposed of for the benefit of the heirs above men- tioned. George Wallace taking part of the land at the ap- praisement, which was made by some of the best residents of the locality.
Thus passed away the founder, but not before his little town had already begun to aspire to the future dignity of a borough.
The proposed in- corporation of Waynesburg. 1×14 to 1-31.
In the light of the flattering promises of future pros- perity for the State of Pennsylvania and its component parts which the opening days of the present century gave. it is not to be wondered at that both rulers and people were seized upon to a remarkable degree by the spirit of
83
THE PLANTING OF THE TOWN.
speculation in the line of internal improvements of every CHAPTER IV. character, particularly such as could be more expeditious- ly exploited by means of corporate franchises granted by the State.
It was this spirit of speculation which, in those earlier days, led the proud Commonwealth of Pennsylvania into tangled paths near to where the shades of dishonor fell. from which she was extricated only by the sterling quali- ties of those who were called to the control of her affairs when the crisis was upon her. The unjust aspersions to which she was then subjected, however, still linger in the memory of some who do not scruple, unfairly though it be, to whisper "repudiation" in connection with her hon- ored name.
By the outbreak of the second war with England, the rapid growth of this spirit received a check; but it was only temporary, and soon after the close of the war, with an activity in this line more marked and feverish than ever, the people became literally engulfed in the sea of speculation. The tide turned towards the State Legisla- ture, which was overwhelmed by demands for corporate charters. Turnpike, bridge, canal and lock navigation companies, and other corporations sprang up in numbers under the fostering care of the State. Thriving towns and villages floated in on the tide, and received corporate charters with borough privileges, and among the number (whether prematurely or not, who can say), the then per- manently established and steadily growing town of Waynesburg.
At this time Franklin county was a separate Senatorial and Representative district, and was represented in the Legislature, in the lower house, by Andrew Robeson and Stephen Wilson: in the Senate by James Poe. In the House of Representatives, Mr. Robeson presented a peti- tion from sundry inhabitants of the town of Waynesburg,
A spirit of speeu- lation.
A temporary check and reac-
tion.
1815 to 1825.
Borough charters.
1818. Waynesburg asks for a charter. First effort, Jan. 26, 1818.
84
WAYNESBORO.
CHAPTER IV.
Journal H. R., 1818-19, page 306.
in the county of Franklin, that said town may be erected into a borough. The petition was read and referred to the members from Franklin county, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Jan. 27, 1818.
The next day, Mr. Robeson, on behalf of himself and colleague, reported a bill, number one hundred and sev- enty-two, entitled "An Act to incorporate the town of Waynesburg, in the county of Franklin."
The bill was this day read the first time, and ordered to lie on the table, where it was not reached before the final adjournment of the then session, which took place the next day.
Second effort.
In the session of the Legislature which followed, the Franklin county district was still represented in the Sen- ate by James Poe, but in the House Andrew Robeson had a new colleague in the person of Ludwick Heck.
Dec. 7, 1818.
Among the early business of this session, on motion of Mr. Robeson and Mr. Heck, it was, "ordered that an item of unfinished business relating to the incorporation of the town of Waynesburg, in the county of Franklin, be re- ferred to the members from said county."
Journal H. R., 1819, page 58.
Dec. 9, 1818.
Two days later, Mr. Robeson reported the result of his own and colleague's labor in a bill, number twelve, en- titled "An Act to incorporate the town of Waynesburg. in the county of Franklin." The bill was read the first time and laid on the table.
Dec. 11
Agreeably to order, the House this day resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. J. Cochran in the chair, for the purpose of considering bill number twelve. and after some time the speaker resumed the chair and the chairman reported the bill without amendment.
Dec. 12.
In due course the House took up the bill on second reading, and the first section was considered and agreed to, when a motion was made by Mr. Bond, and seconded by Mr. Gilmore, to dispense with the further reading of the remaining sections, and that the bill be read by its
85
THE PLANTING OF THE TOWN.
title. Upon this question the yeas and nays were required by Mr. Thackara and Mr. Coxe, both of Philadelphia, and both opposed to the measure, with the result that the yeas were sixty-two and the nays thirty-three, and the bill was thus passed by its title with a majority of nearly two to one.
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