GENERAL HISTORY - 125
Logan, West Chester ; Russell Vibber; Eber Worthington; Henry Myers. Fifer, Jacob Burkess. Drummer, George Davis (colored).
Privates.
Bailey, Hiram, Westtown.
Brinton, Joseph H.
Brinton, Ethan, Birmingham.
Brinton, William, Birmingham.
Brinton, James.
Brinton, John, West Chester.
Brinton, Thomas H.
Brinton, Joseph.
Black, Robert, West Chester.
Cox, William.
Darlington, Amos, Goshen.
Dailey, William.
DeWolf, Thomas.
Ehrenzeller, Jacob.
Evenson, Eli.
Frederick, William.
Gamble, Robert.
Greer, James, Goshen.
Gardiner, Archibald, East Caln.
Hall, Lewis, East Bradford.
Iddings, Joseph.
Keehmle, Jacob.
Lindsay, John, West Chester.
Marshall, Stephen, West Chester.
Matlack, Jonathan, Goshen.
Matlack, Nathan, West Chester.
Morrow, Hiram.
Myers, Henry.
Nelson, Joseph.
Nichols, Isaac.
Pierce, Myers.
Parry, Caleb.
Pearson, Harper, West Chester.
Pearson, George, East Caln.
Rice, Thomas, East Whiteland.
Sweeney, Thomas, West Chester.
Shields, William, Westtown. Townsend,
Wm., East Bradford.
Townsend, Granville S.
Taylor, Vernon.
Yearsley, Nathan, Thornbury.
Evans, Thomas B., West Chester, appointed surgeon's mate.
" CAMP MARCUS HOOK, Nov. 29, 1814.
"I do hereby certify, upon honor, that the above is a just and true muster-roll of Capt. Taylor's company.
"TITUS TAYLOR,
" Captain.
"Louis BACHE,
" Colonel Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Light Infantry."
Isaac Darlington, William Darlington, and John Duer, all of West Chester, voted with this company.
ROLL OF CAPT. JOHN G. WERSLER'S COMPANY.
Muster-roll of Capt. Wersler's company, in the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Light Infantry, in the service of the State of Pennsylvania for three months from the 27th day of August last, attached to the First Brigade, Second Division, Pennsylvania militia, at Camp Marcus Hook, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Samuel Smith:
Nov. 29, 1814.
Captain, John G. Wersler ;* Lieutenant, James Watson; Sergeants, Richard Kelley,* John Griffith,* Robert McWilliams,* William Kelley ;* Corporal, Henry Laur (or Lower);' Fifer, George Dunlap ;* Drummer, Samuel Williams.*
Privates.
Bispham, Benjamin.*
Peck, Charles.*
Ford, Caleb.*
Fritz, Christian.*
McCoy, Dennis.*
Burns, Eleazer.*
Griffith, Elijah.*
Richardson, Ezekiel. *
Pearce, Edward K.
King, George.*
Reese, John.*
Rinker, Jacob.*
Watson, Joseph.*
Vanleer, Isaac.*
Rickman, John.*
Ryder, John.*
Kelley, James.
Heck, Jacob.*
Whisler, John.*
Watson, John.*
Ivester, Jesse.
Hipple, John.*
McGraw, Lewis,*
Williams, Martin.*
Davis, Nicholas S.*
Clarkson, Samuel.*
Bane, Samuel.*
Smiley, Stephen.
Hall, Jarvis.
Caldwell, Thomas.
Richardson, William.
Bowen, William.
Stout, Charles.*
Parker, Henry.*
Potter, Joseph.*
Quarll, John.
Davis, Jonathan.
McMinn, Alben.*
Dhile, Joseph.
Watson, Elijah.
Brewer, John.
Markley, Nathaniel.
Rowland, John.
ROLL OF CAPT. JACOB CAMPBELL'S COMPANY, DRAFTED
MILITIA.
Pay-roll for the Third Company, Sixty-fifth Regiment, commanded by Capt. Jacob Campbell :
Sergeants, John Buzzard,* Samuel Davis, Shannon Davis,* John Staler,* John Hager;* Corporals, Jacob Kurtz,* James Williams,* Jacob Hawk, John Christopher.*
Privates
Weaver, Christian.*
Shriver, John.*
Griffeth, John.*
Young, John.*
Miller, John.*
Vanderslice, Edward R.
Adams, Davis.*
Ewing, John.*
Turner, Samuel.*
Himes, Charles.
Morgan, Lewis.
O'Neill, Francis.*
Wertz, John. *
Hampton, David.*
Hartman, Peter.*
McCowan, Samuel.
King, George.*
Davis, John (Glandy).*
McEntire, Daniel.
Philips, Abraham.*
Hampton, Thomas.*
Hardy, John.
Kelly, John.*
Knowles, Samuel.
Jones, Isaiah (or Josiah).*
Clair, John.*
Hamner, Adam.*
Golder, John.*
Sowersworth, Isaac.*
Jones, John.
Wiles, John.*
Neily, John.*
Williams, Charles.
Williams, Daniel.*
Hawk, Benjamin.
Keiter, George.*
Parker, Ralph.*
James, Matthias.*
Youngblood, John.*
Isaac, Anderson.
Hawk, John.
Fox, Joseph.*
Baits, Jonathan.
Rossiter, Thomas.
Buckwalter, Jacob.*
Pennypacker, Samuel.
Smith, John E.*
Huston, James.*
McCarraher, Alexander.*
Grub, Emanuel.*
Davis, John.*
Stall, Daniel.*
Courtney, James.
Steward, William.*
Bankus, Adam.*
Reynolds, Henry.
Crosier, Morris.*
Heck, Peter.*
Shingle, Jacob.*
Price (or Rice), George.*
Rembey, Jacob.*
Remley, Henry.
March, Jesse.*
Rembey, Valentine.
Harvey, Job.*
Lupold, Joseph.*
Lawre, Joseph.*
Murphey, Edward.
Grub, John.*
Hoffacker, Philip.*
Clemmons, Joseph.*
Remby, Christian.*
Thomas, David.
Jones, John.
Murry, Daniel.*
Price, Patrick.
Carr, William.
Salyards, Armstrong.*
Walter, James.
Goodin, William.
Chaffin, Philip.*
Oliver, John.*
Hemiger, Joseph.*
Jenkins, Enoch.*
Evans, Daniel.
Akins, James.*
Clair, Philip.*
Jaquett, Nathaniel.*
Davis, Isaac M.
Huzzard, Anthony.
Snyder, George.
Walker, George.*
Samuel Anderson, lieutenant, Amor Davis, Daniel Hardy, John Tucker, and Capt. Campbell voted with the company.
ROLL OF CAPT. BENJAMIN WETHERBY'S COMPANY.
A pay-roll for the non-commissioned officers and privates Fourth Company of drafted militia, commanded by Capt. Wetherby, Sixty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania militia, who entered into the service of the United States on the 20th day of September, A.D. 1814, now encamped at Marcus Hook :
Sergeants, James McGuigan,* John Taylor,* George Peters, Thomas Ash, Patrick McGuigan ;* Corporals, Samuel Roberts,* Barney McGuigan,* Benjamin Yarnall.
Privates.
Bittle, Samuel.*
Rauzel, William.*
Steel, Robert *
Rattew, Eli *
Cornog, David.*
Brown, Thomas.*
Mitchell, James.*
Valentine, Robert.*
Hodge, James.*
Davis, William.*
Graff, William.*
Hine, George.
126 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Huff, James.*
Russell, George.
Smith, Peter.*
Griffith, Jehu.
Close, or Chase, Frederick.
Burit, or Burnet, John.
Henthorn, or Hanthorn, John.
Barlow, Curtis.
Murphy, Joseph.
Gorby, John.
Wright, Cornelius.
Young, Jacob.
Bail, or Beale, Aaron.
Ottenhamer, or Odenheimer, William.
Dick, Valentine.
Burns, Giliad.
Weare, William
Jay, David.
McLaughlin, William, Sr.
Price, John R.
Smedly, Abel.
Stewart, Jacob.*
Daugherty, Archibald.
Travis, John S.*
Varley, John.*
Smith, William.
Warnick, Richard.
Marshall, Thomas.
Rizer, hereb.
Wheeling, John.
Smith, Aaron.
McCrackin, William.
Mase, or Mace, William.
Taylor, James.
Davis, John.
Bernard, Levan
Hoops, John.
Turner, William.
Black, Andrew.
Fields, Felix.
Kelly, John.
Weare, James.
Collins, Henry.
Burnet, Samuel.
Russel, Samuel.
Esworthy, Joseph.
Green, Jesse.
Smith, Charles.
Hopkins, Matthew.
McCoy, James.
Mercer, Thomas.
Weare, James, Jr.
Griffith, Joseph.
Allison, Benjamin.
Parks, Alexander.
Bean, Henry.
Tompkins, Isaac.
Weaver, Baldwin.
McKinster, or McKinstry, Jesse.
Clayton, Richard.
Jones, Thomas.
Hampton, Woodward.
Lawrence, Aaron.
Sill, Anthony N.
Marrow, Nicholas.
Dutton, Jeremiah.
Hunter, Andrew.
Likens, Daniel.
Smith, John.
Miles, Reuben.
McBride, George.
McGlaughlin, William.
Hook, John.
Stime, Frederick.
Torton, David.
Gibason, or Gibson, Jonathan.
Torbert, Alexander.
Craig, John H.
King, John.
Harper, Peter.
Barlow, John.
Scott, Joel.
Baker, Richard.
Jester, Vincent.
Baker, Nehemiah.
Green, Abel.
McGarraty, Charles.
Bromell, Daniel.
Harbinson, or Harbison, Francis.
Alcot, John.
Pyle, John.
Hannum, John S.
"CAMP SNYDER, Oct. 17, 1812.
"We certify, on honor, that this muster-roll exhibits a true state of the Fourth Company of drafted militia, from the Forty-fourth and One Hundredth Regiments of the Pennsylvania militia, attached to the Sixty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania militia, now in the service of the United States, and the remarks set opposite the names of the men are accurate and just.
"BENJAMIN WETHERBY,
" Captain."
Samuel Priest, John G. Bull, John Griffith, and Valentine Hoskins also voted with this company.
ROLL OF CAPT. JAMES LACKEY'S COMPANY.
Oct. 5, 1814.
Pay-roll for the Fifth Company, Sixty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania militia, under the command of Capt. James Lackey :
Privates.
Taylor, Reuben.
White, William.
Robeson, Edward W.
Roberts, George.
Bowers, William.
Dempsey, William.
Goodwin, Jacob.
Lawrence, Joseph H.
Pennell, Samuel.
Degraut, James.
Wells, George.
Patterson, John.
McKinzy, Kenith.
Channel, Powell.
Pierce, Timothy.
Smith, John.
Griffith, Charles.
Hodge, William.
Hersh, George.
Burk, John.
Hunter, Joseph.
Thompson, Benjamin.
Jackson, Hezekiah.
Clare, Benjamin.
McCray, William.
Wilson, Lawrence.
Griffith, Evan.
Peck, Abram.
Salyards, Edward.
Walker, John.
Gilmore, John.
Garman, Henry
Lawrence, Richard.
Kelly, Thomas.
Forwood, Jacob.
Bucknell, William.
Bryan, Martin.
Hoskins, William.
Love, Hugh.
Chaffin, Thomas.
Conway, Joseph.
Williamson, David.
Nickles, John.
Hunter Thompson.
Trimble, Thomas.
Sharp, William.
Sinquet, Samuel.
Sinquet, Daniel.
Cummins, James.
Young, Peter.
Howell, Jacob.
Farrow, John.
Carter, Aaron.
McDonald, John.
Griffith, Samuel.
Murry, Jeremiah.
Waldravin, Levi.
Gallino, John.
Sharpless, Jesse.
Morgan, Davis.
Rimes, Francis.
Sill, Oswald.
Rider, David.
Funterwise, John.
Bane, John.
Egee, David.
Hutcheson, Thomas.
Eaches, Isaac.
Youm, William.
Pearson, Henry.
Heck, John.
Frame, John.
Peterson, Peter.
Shimer, Bartholomew.
Rogers, Joseph.
Lewellyn, Thomas.
Sullivan, Samuel.
Cross, John.
Davis, George L.
Haycock, John.
Archer, John.
Farrow, Joseph.
Stanley, Jacob.
Torton, Benjamin.
Everson, Thomas.
Cochran, Thomas.
Epright, Samuel.
Crozier, Jonathan.
Carr, Henry.
Thompson, William.
Brothers, James.
Potter, Atlee.
Sill, William.
White, Isaac.
Cozens, Samuel.
Scott, Mathew.
Kitts, John.
Davis, Emmor.
McKeown, Thomas.
Martin, William.
Rowland, Charles.
Essex, Jacob.
Farrow, George.
King, John.
Hannums, George.
Wizer, John.
Day, James.
Work, Benjamin.
Waidner, Lazarus.
May, Edward.
Some of the above appear in the list of voters in Capt. Harris' company, hereafter given, and are not so designated here.
Through the kindness of Mr. Samuel Moses, of Phoenixville, father of our late county treasurer, we have been furnished with the muster-roll of Capt. George Hartman's company, it being the Second Company, Sixty-fifth Regiment of drafted militia, at Marcus Hook and other places, commanded by Lieut.-Col. John Pearson, which we substitute for the roll given in the " Archives."
This company was recruited in August and September, 1814, at Kimberton and Chester Springs, this county, to serve a period of six months, if not sooner discharged. The major part o te command marched from Kimberton on September 22d, and, being recruited to the required number, an election was previously held, when the folowing-named commissioned officers were elected, and the necessary non-commissioned ones were appointed. We give the muster-roll entire, as follows :
THE MUSTER-ROLL.
Capt. George Hartman, Jr.,* E. Pikeland; 1st Lieut. Jacob Moyer,• E. Pikeland; 2d Lieut. John Emery,* W. Pikeland; 3d Lieut. John Deery, W. Vincent; Ensign Julius Anderson,* W. Pikelind; 1st
GENERAL HISTORY - 127
Sergt. Peter Rentgen,* E. Pikeland; 2d Sergt. Thomas Harris,* W. Pikeland; 3d Sergt. Sampson Davis, W. Vincent; 4th Sergt. Thomas Neel;-' 5th Sergt. John Miller,* E. Vincent; 1st Corp. James Huston; 2d Corp. John nipple, W. Vincent; 3d Corp. Lewis Omer,* W. Pike-land ; 4th Corp. Jacob Roads.*
Privates.
H. Baughdekirk, E. Pikeland.
George Bignal.
John Bush.*
Philip Belts.*
William Beaver.
John Beekley,* E. Nantmeal.
Daniel Glower,* E. Coventry.
Geo. C. Campbell,* E. Pikeland.
William Custer, E. Vincent.
John Creps,* W. Vincent.
Thomas Creps.*
Henry Christman.*
Jacob Davidheiser.*
Michael Deemer,* E. Vincent.
George Decry,* W. Vincent.
Frederick Deeds.*
John Defrain.*
Owen Evans.
George Essick,* E. Vincent.
William Emery, E. Pikeland.
Samuel Everhart.
C. Fitzsimmons,* E. Nantmeal.
Ebenezer Griffith,* W. Vincent.
David Gun,* N. Coventry.
Samuel Griffith.*
John Gregory.
William Guest,* E. Nantmeal.
Thomas Howell.*
Jacob Heck.*
George Hoffman,* E. Pikeland. †
Peter Hipple, E. Vincent.
Caspar Hipple,* E. Vincent.
Jacob Hammer,* E. Vincent.
Jacob Helbert.*
Samuel Hersh,* E. Pikeland.
John Harple,* W. Vincent.
George Hippie.*
Henry Hippie,* E. Vincent.
Henry Houck, E. Nantmeal.‡
James Himes,* W. Vincent.
Peter hey.*
Israel Kepler.
George Keeley,* E. Vincent.
Nicholas Keiser,* E. Coventry.
Henry Kiter.*
Thomas Leighton, E. Nantmeal.
Jacob Lineingar.*
Jacob Lear,* E. Coventry.
Daniel Link.*
William Lacey.
Samuel Leighton,*, E. Nantmeal
Samuel Lloyd, E. Nantmeal.
Samuel Liggett.*
John Moses,* W. Pikeland.
Nicholas March,* W. Pikeland.
George Miller,* W. Pikeland.
Henry Moses,* W. Pikeland.
Samuel Martin.*
John Meeser,* E. Pikeland.
Isaac Miller,* W. Vincent.
David Monrow
S Jacob Mock,* W. Vincent.
Henry March.*
James Matson.*
Ezekiel Powell,* W. Pikeland.
George Prizer,* E. Vincent.
Lewis Roberts,* W. Pikeland.
Jacob Root.*
Joseph Root.*
Benjamin Roberts.*
David Root.
William Roads,* W. Pikeland.
Henry Smith (1),* W. Pikeland.
Henry Smith (2),* W. Pikeland.
Samuel Strough,* E. Pikeland.
Peter Snyder (1),* W. Pikeland.
Peter Snyder (2),* E. Pikeland.
John Scott.
Val. Sheeleigh,* E. Pikeland.
Thomas Snyder,* E. Pikeland.
Henry Snyder, E. Pikeland.
Abram. Slichter,* E. Vincent.
Frederick Sheeder, * W. Vincent
William Starrett.*
Jacob Stauffer,* W. Vincent.
George Snyder,* E. Nantmeal.
Caleb Townsend.*
Jesse Thomas.*
Henry Turner.*
Gabriel Watson.*
John Wynn.*
Jonathan Wynn.*
William Williams.
John Walter.*
Leonard Walter,* E. Pikeland.
David Walkinghood.*
Jesse Watkin, W. Vincent.
Samuel Widener.
John Wiant, * E. Vincent.
Peter Yeager,* E. Vincent.
Although the time of service had for its limit six months, we find the company was mustered out at Philadelphia on Dec. 19,1814, thus making the term three months, though a few have a shorter time opposite their names, among which are four deserters,—only four, however.
On the back of the roll we find the following note inscribed:
" David Kimsey was a substitute for Dr. Davis. Davis Thomas was only out about two weeks, and the above-named Davis served the remainder of the time. Dr. Davis received the pay from Major Bull, and also a certificate of discharge, which he has sent to the pension-office, with his declaration for 160 acres in the regular service. Dr. Davis was a surgeon's mate in the 16th Regiment W. S. Infantry, commanded by Col. Cromwell Pierce."
† Died Jan. 19, 1845.
‡ Died April 14, 1848.
At the time of the marching of this company to Marcus Hook, its commander, Capt. Hartman, was only twenty years of age. He was recognized as being highly proficient in the tactics 'of that period, and as a drill-master and disciplinarian had no equal in Chester County. While at Marcus Hook this company was admitted to be the best equipped, drilled, and officered of any there, and on all occasions in which military pomp and display were desired Capt. Hartman's company was always selected to the post of honor. During many years prior to the captain's death, he labored diligently and effectually in procuring pensions for the widows and children of his deceased comrades, and in many other respects he was repeatedly referred to in matters relating to his old command and its three months' service on the Delaware.
The following are also in the list of voters in this company, Oct. 11, 1814:
Edward Wells.
David Williams.
John Shearrer.
Casper Snider.
Mordecai Davis.
Nathaniel Brook, major.
Jacob Keiter.
George Bankus, carter.
ROLL OF CAPT. BEERBOWER'S COMPANY.
At Camp Marcus Hook, Oct. 11, 1814:
Capt. John Beerbower.
Lieut. Peter Smith.
Voters.
Mordecai Thomas.
James Everhart.
Samuel Miller, stonemason.
Daniel Young.
Jacob Root.
Jacob Miller.
John Possy.
Adam Poly.
John Saylor.
Isaac Zeaber.
Samuel Lynch.
John McKerscher.
Conrad Baker.
James Angrehen.
Samuel Walker.
John Walker.
John Shofner.
Matthew Dunbar.
Jacob Kulp.
John Shingle.
Jacob Smith.
Alexander Clemmens.
Samuel Miller, wheelwright.
Jesse Himes.
Henry Shut.
Abraham Miller.
Henry Stophelbine.
Jacob Donahower.
Henry Longaker.
David Royer.
Philip Miller.
Thomas Scott.
Michael Muse.
Abel Williams.
Martin Shealer.
Jesse Boyer.
Jacob Defrain.
Peter King.
Peter Defrain.
James Lundy.
Abija Rossiter.
Joseph Evans.
Jacob Hooven.
Nathan Brook.
John White.
Malen Rossiter.
Jacob Stoneback.
Jacob King.
Miles Baity.
George Loid.
Michael King.
ROLL OF CAPT. JOHN HARRIS' COMPANY,
in the Sixty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania militia, at Marcus Hoolc, Oct. 11, 1814:
Capt. John Harris, judge of election.
David Rees, lieutenant, inspector.
Voters.
Anthony Huszard.
William Schofield.
Jonathan Crozier.
William Faux.
Joseph Rodgers.
John Funterwise.
Jacob Essick.
Edward Robeson.
Alexander Torbet.
Lazerus Weidner.
Samuel Sinket.
Oswald Sill.
George Roberts.
William Hodge.
Thomson Lunsford.
Benjamin Work.
John Heck.
Isaac Tomkins.
George Hersh.
William Hoskins.
128 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
William Demsey.
Abram Peck.
Bartholomew Shimer.
John L. Davis.
John Patterson.
Thomas Trimble.
Charles Roland.
Atlee Potter.
John Nicholas.
James Brothers.
William Martin.
Aaron Carter.
Martin Bryant.
Edward Salyard.
Marshal Hampton.
John Thomas.
Francis Himes.
Evan Griffith.
Kenneth McKenzie.
John Harris, Jr.
David Rees.
Peter Young, Jr.
ROLL OF CAPT. CHRISTOPHER WIGTON'S COMPANY.
CAMP DUPONT, Nov. 13, 1814.
A true list of Capt. C. Wigton's company, of the Eighteenth Section of Riflemen, commanded by Col. Thomas Humphrey. At Camp Snyder, Oct. 11, 1814, on Bush Hill, near Philadelphia:
Sergeants, David Trueman,* William Clingan, Thomas Hollis,* David Stott; Corporals, John Piersol,* John Rankin,* Ezekiel Mann,* Joshua Humphrey ;* Bugler, Robert Hope.
Privates.
Wilson, John.
Parke, William.*
Davis, Thomas.
Fleming, Joseph.
Haslet, James.
Cochran, Robert.*
Mann, Samuel.*
Grier, John E.*
Witherow, William
Welch, William.*
Mann, Eli.*
Whitelock, James.*
Wallace, Arthur.*
Cunningham, Robert.
Stott, Jesse.*
Cochran, David.*
Harry, Benajah.
Hope, Heslip.
Parke, David.
Moore, David.*
Wilson, Boyd.*
Cowan, Jacob.*
Davis, Nathaniel.*
McGinnis, William.*
McKim, David.
Jones, Richard.*
Bryan, John.*
Smith, Joseph.*
Glasgow, Samuel.*
Eifort, Charles.
Parke, John.*
Richmond, Joseph.*
Scott, Thomas.*
Hoover, John.*
Date, George.*
Hanley, James.*
Gibson, Samuel C.
McWilliams, Robert.
Little, Patrick.*
Lesly, John.*
Way, Jacob.*
Hayburn, William.
Thompson, Jacob.*
Gibson, Andrew.*
Moore, Eli.*
Fleming, John S.
Ogelsby, Jonah.
Hugh Daniel, lieutenant, Joseph M. Hollis, and George W. Baldwin also voted with the above company.
ROLL OF CAPT. ROBERT WILSON'S COMPANY.
Pay-roll of a company of militia, commanded by Capt. Robert Wilson, of the Fifth Battalion, First Brigade, performing a tour of duty under the command of Maj. McFarland, who rendezvoused at York, under general order of the Governor, dated 26th August, 1814. Commencement of service, Sept. 8, 1814. At Camp Springfield, near Baltimore, Oct. 11, 1814:
Captain, Robert Wilson ;* Lieutenant, David Williamson; Ensign, Joseph Miller, or Millard; Sergeants, Jesse Lockhart, James Simpson, George Entrekin, James Moore; Corporals, John Ogelsby (Sadsbury), John Baum, Andrew Redheifer, John Carr, or Kerr.
Privates.
Allen, Isaac.*
Allison, William:*
Allison, Thomas.*
Atchless, Charles.
Batter, John.*
Beagle, Henry.*
Balentine, Hamilton.
Bellows, or Bellis, Thomas.
Benner, David.
Bathurst, John.
Bellows, or Bellis, Hiram.
Brown, Benjamin.
Bumbaugh, James.
Buller, Cyrus.
Carson, William.*
Criley, Daniel.*
Clevenstine, Henry.*
Coffrode, Jacob.*
Christy, Samuel.*
Cogle, Arnold.*
Criley, Peter.
Colwell, Andrew.
Darling, Samuel (or Darland).*
Donelson, Griffith.
Essick, Bolser. *
Fleck, Samuel.*
Graham, James,
Guy, John.*
Guy, George.*
Griffith, Amos.*
Grubb, Abram.
Gribben, James..
Griffey, David.
Haase, Daniel.*
Hendrickson, Jacob.*
Harley, Benjamin.
Irwin, Jonathan.*
Irvin, John (or Erwin).
Johnson, Barnard.
Keeley, Matthias.*
Krider, Daniel.
Lockhart, William.*
Lewis, James.*
Lamey, Edward.
McDermont, Peter:*
McKinley, Samuel.*
McKinley, Thomas:*
McGinn, Peter.
Miller, Joseph.*
Mowry, Joseph (or Maurer).*
Milligan, James:*
Miller, John.*
Miller, William.
Miller, Daniel.
Milligan, John.
Maneley, Hugh.
Owen, Morris.*
Packingham, Samuel.*
Philips, Josiah.*
Pierce, Richard, Willistown.
Parker, William.
Powell, Daniel.
Riely, William.
Reid, Joseph.*
Richards, Samuel.*
Sims, Joseph.*
Stepleton, Samuel.*
Stanford, James B.*
Smith, Henry.*
Sims, William.
Sherer, William.
Snyder, John.
Talbot, Caleb.
Uble, Frederick.
Widener, Jacob.*
Waddle, Henry.*
Wilson, William.*
Williams, William.*
White, John.*
Worts, Peter.
Weber, or Weber, John.
Widner, Peter.
Whitaker, Peter.
"I certify the foregoing to be a correct roll of my company.
"ROBERT WILSON,
" Captain
"Test : "WILLIAM MCFARLAND,
" Major."
ROLL OF CAPT. WILLIAM STUART'S COMPANY.
Pay-roll of the First Company of light infantry, commanded by William Stuart, of the Fifth Battalion, First Brigade, performing a tour of duty under the command of Col. , who rendezv at York, under the general order of the Governor, dated August, 1814. At Camp Springfield, near Baltimore, Oct. 11,
Captain, William Stuart;* First Lieutenant, James W. P Second Lieutenant, John D. Perry ;* Ensign, Israel Bailey ; Serg John Rodgers,* Jacob G. Morton, James Morton,* David Powe:
Privates.
Stone, William.*
Powell, John G.*
Powell, Abel.*.
Powell, Aaron.
Murphy, John.*
Reed, William.*
Bradley, Richard.*
Thomas, Charles M.*
McKee; William.*
Windle, Moses.*
Sweeney, James.
Hamil, John C.*
Dunn, James.*
Strand, Peter.*
Cooper, David.
Rolinson, Thomas.
Scantlin, James.
Watters, Joseph.
Chalfant, William.*
Benner, Jacob H.*
Melaney, William.*
Harlan, Lewis.*
Tinney, Neal.*
Miller, Samuel.*
Powell, John.*
Davis, George:*
Brackenridge, Samuel.
" I certify the foregoing to be a correct roll of my company.
" WILLIAM STUART,
" Captain.
" Test : " W. FORSTER,
" Brigadier-General."
ROLL OF CAPT. WILLIAM STEELE'S COMPANY.
Muster-roll of Capt. William Steele's company, in the Fifth Battalion, First Brigade, Pennsylvania militia, commanded by Maj. William McFarland, at York, Sept. 5, 1814. In service from Sept. 5, 1814, to March 5, 1815, from Chester County. At Camp Springfield, near Baltimore, Oct. 11, 1814:
Captain, William Steele, New London ; Lieutenant, David Wiley, Londongrove; Ensign, Samuel Lefever, Oxford; Sergeants, Robert
GENERAL HISTORY - 129
Rambo, London Britain; Robert Gibson, New London; Jesse Jones; John Maxwell, Oxford ; Corporals, John R. Gibson, Isaac Russell ; John Ford, London Britain ; Samuel Patterson.
Privates.
Armstrong, John, W. Fallowfield.
Bear, Henry, Fallowfield.
Boyd, James, Sadsbury.
Brown, John, Londonderry.
Brown, Joseph.
Bunting, James, Oxford.
Brukalwice, Abraham, E. Nottingham.
Carswell, James, Londonderry.
Chamberlain, Obed, Sadsbury.
Cloud, George.
Cloud, Jacob.
Cochran, John, E. Fallowfield.
Cooper, John, Upper Oxford.
Correy, William K., New London.
Cummins, Jesse, E. Nottingham.
Curtz, Jacob, W. Caln.
Dance, Isaac.
Darling, John, Sadsbury.
Davis, John.
Dean, Matthias.
Drenning, John.
Dugan, Philip.
Dunlap, Enoch.
Fitzgerald, John, E. Nottingham.
Flemming, William, Oxford.
Gibson, John R., Oxford.
Gibson, William, Londonderry.
Gilmore, John.
Harris, Reuben.
Henderson, Archibald.
Hinton, Moses, Sadsbury.
Hollis, George.
Hollowell, John.
Irwin, Alexander, Lower Oxford.
Irwin, Benjamin, Fallowfield.
Irwin, William, Lower Oxford.
Kennedy, John.
Lawrence, Henry, West Caln.
Leming, Thomas, New London.
Lewis, Absolom, West Caln.
Lewis, Collin, New London.
Lowry, James.
Mack, Joseph.
Money, Charles.
Mullin, Charles.
Murdock, John, W. Fallowfield.
McClellan, John, Sadsbury.
McCracken, James, E. Nottingham.
McGinnis, Joseph, Sadsbury.
Nolen, Robert, Londonderry.
Porter, John.
Powel, Thomas, Londonderry.
Quigly, Thomas, Sadsbury.
Russell, James, West Caln.
Sentman, Lawrence, New London.
Shute, James.
Simcox, William, Sadsbury.
Smith, Joseph, Upper Oxford.
Smith, William, West Caln.
Sorence, John.
Stewart, James B.
Stinson, William, London Brit'n.
Stone, Garret, Oxford.
McWilliams, James.
Wilson, Robert, E. Nottingham.
Wood, William, W. Fallowfield.
Wright, William, E. Nottingham.
ROLL OF CAPT. JOHN HOLMES' COMPANY.
Pay-roll of a company of volunteers commanded by Capt. John Holmes, of the - regiment, performing a tour of duty under the command of Col. - , who rendezvoused at York, under the general order of the Governor, dated Aug. 26, 1814. At Camp "Hospital Woods," in Baltimore County, Oct. 11, 1814 :
Captain, John Holmes;* First Lieutenant, John Downing;'' Second Lieutenant, .James Andrews;`' Ensign., James Wilson; Sergeants, Arthur Andrews, Jr.,* Joseph Ramsey,* John Robb,* Robert Mashbank ;* Corporals, James Ross,* William Robeson,* Francis Wallace,* Robert Simpson:*
Private
Andrews, James.*
Ankrim, Archibald.*
Alison, Oliver.*
Alexander, Thomas.*
Boon, John.
Brogan, Benjamin.*
Best, John.*
Cooper, John.*
Carlisle, John.*
Crosby, Nathaniel.*
Corry, John.*
Davis, James.*
Fox, William.*
Ford, Charles.
Laughlen, John.
Lemmon, William.
McNeal, Williams
McGee, Patrick.*
McLeny, William.
Murdaugh, Robert.*
Nilson, John.*
Pinkerton, Joseph.
- 17 -
Pinnkerton, Williams
Robison, John.*
Riece, Jacob.*
Ross, Isaac.*
Rogers, William.*
Robison, Robert.*
Smith, Stewart.*
Slack, John.*
Turner, Joseph.*
Muse, Thomas.*
Farren, James.*
Steel, Samuel.
Quigg, James M.*
Lemmon, Hector.*
Abbitt, Dennis.*
Poisel, Henry.*
Chinece (or Chiney), John.*
Phillips, John.*
Ross, William:*
Guy, Samuel.*
Moore, John.*
Dickey, Joseph.
Cowen, David.*
Ewing, Alexander.
Lefeber, Samuel.*
Wilson, William.*
Fleshhalher, Martain.*
Watt, David.*
Byers, Henry.*
Simpson, William.*
David, William:*
Russell, John.*
Worthington, John.
Slegar, Nicholas.
Temanis, George.*
Rogers, Ebenezer.*
Caruth, Henry.*
In Capt. Daniel D. B. Keim's company volunteer militia, First RegMartain. * Camp Dupont, voters : Samuel Shaffer, Thomas Baird.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Isaac D. Barnard was captain in Fourteenth Regiment United States Infantry, and promoted to major. David Williams was a private in his company. Andrew Armstrong and Christopher Shaner were in Col. Conrad Krickbaum's regiment. John Purel, Thomas Maitland, William Wilson, and James W. Brown were in Capt. Neely's company. John Hamilton was in the " 'William Totten, under Capt. Farragut, on " Saratoga," United States sloop-of-war. Enoch Jenkins, regiment unknown. James Parke, brigade-major. John Leslie, of Col. Humphrey's First Regiment of riflemen. In Capt. John Hall's company, from Delaware County, Sixty-fifth Regiment, Col. John L. Pearson commanding, First Brigade of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Smith, encamped at Marcus nook, were several from Chester County, among whom were Joseph Dunwoody, George Brannan., Amos Griffith, and Samuel Lindsey.
March 16, 1816, I. Wynkoop, regimental paymaster, advertises that he " will attend at the house of Joshua Evans' Paoli Tavern, on Thursday, the 4th day of April next, for the purpose of paying Capt. Wersler's company for their tour of duty in the fall of 1814, and attached to the 'Second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Light Infantry."
March 18, 1816, John G. Bull, paymaster of the Sixty-fifth Pennsylvania militia, advertises that he has
" Appointed Friday the 22d inst. to meet Capt Morgan's company, at Emmor Eachu's tavern, in Springfield township, Delaware county ; Capt. Hall's company on Saturday the 23d, at the same place; Capt. Lackey's company on Monday the 25th, at the " Seven Stars," in Aston, in said county ; Capt. Campbell's company on Tuesday the 26th at the "Paoli," in Tredyffrin township, Chester County; Capt. Weatherby's company on Wednesday the 27th, at the same place; Capt. Hartman's company on Friday the 29th, at Lawrence Hippie's tavern in Vincent township, Chester County.
"The men in Capts. Hall's and Lackey's companies who reside in Chester County will meet me at either of the above places that is most convenient; and those of Capt. Weatherby's company who are within the bounds of the late 100th regiment will meet me at the `Seven Stars,' on the days appointed as above. The time of meeting at all the above places will be at 9 o'clock A.M. The captain of each company is particularly requested to attend to the payment of the respective companies."
July 21, 1868. The county treasurer has received the following list of persons who served in the war of 1812 who are entitled to pensions. They will be paid upon application at the treasurer's office, in the court-house, in this borough:
Jno. Burk, Susan H. Burton, Abraham Bailey, Susanna Chalfant, Mary Carney, William: Cummins, Peter Crilley, Isaac Dance, Helen A. Dunwoody, Catharine Essick, Catharine Entriken, Joseph Evans, Samuel Epright, Margaret Ford, Ann Funderwhite, Alex. Clay Fendall, Albina Frame, George Farro, Evan Griffith, Magdaline Grubb, Elizabeth Huzzert, Margaret Hale, John Hoopes, Mary Harrison, Ann Hansel], Elias Jenkins, Sarah Jackson, Elizabeth King, Sarah Lindsey, Rosanna Lewis, Henry Lin-.
130 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
senbighler, Winly Miller, Charles Mullen, Davis Morgan, Margaret Ormer, Hannah Peters, Jacob Rhoades, Jacob Root, Barbara Reppert, Benjamin Reinerd, Elizabeth Snyder, Anthony N. Sill, Jacob SteWard, Mary Smith, Elizabeth Yerkes, William Wilson, Jacob Wensel, Samuel Widener, William Walker.
LAFAYETTE'S VISIT TO CHESTER COUNTY.
In 1824 the Congress of the United States voted unanimously a resolution requesting President Monroe to invite Lafayette to visit the United States. He accepted the invitation, and, with his son, George Washington Lafayette, and his secretary, M. La Vasseur, took passage on a packet-ship from Havre for New York, where he landed Aug. 15; 1824. He was received everywhere with the utmost demonstration of popular enthusiasm, and his progress through the country resembled a continuous triumphal procession. He visited in succession each of the twenty-four States of which the Union was then composed, and all the principal cities.
The news of the illustrious general's arrival at New York did not reach West Chester until the 17th,—there being no railroad or telegraph in those days,—but immediately a meeting was called at the court-house. Meanwhile the Washington Guards, Capt. Lauer, and the Wayne Guards, Capt. Fleming, acclaimed the joyful news by firing a feu-dejoie, and by hearty cheers. Of the assemblage at the court-house, Col. Joseph McClellan, who had served as a captain in the Continental army under Lafayette, was made chairman, and Gen. Isaac D. Barnard secretary. Judge Darlington delivered a brief address, in which he reflected the feelings of all present in indulging the hope that the general would desire to revisit the ground where he first " fleshed his maiden sword," and offered the following resolution :
"WHEREAS, It is believed that the illustrious guest of our country, Major-General the Marquis de la Fayette, will be inclined to revisit the scenes of his early gallantry, and, amongst other places, the ground on which the battle of Brandywine was fought, in this county, where he received a wound in the cause of our liberty and independence, therefore,
" Resolved, That a meeting of the citizens of Chester County be held at the court-house, in the borough of West Chester, on Saturday, the 28th of August, at eleven o'clock. A.M., to make arrangements for a suitable reception of that venerable patriot and friend of freedom, if he shall be induced to visit our county, and to adopt such other measures evincive of our gratitude for his distinguished services as the interesting occasion demands."
Another "Lafayette meeting" was held at the same place on the 28th of August, 1824, of which Hon. Isaac Darlington was chairman, and John W. Cuningham, Esq., secretary. The following, among other resolutions, were unanimously adopted :
"Resolved, That Col. Joseph McClellan, Col. Jacob Humphrey, Col. Isaac Wayne, Dr. Jacob Ehrenzeller, Col. Cromwell Pearce, Gen. Isaac D. Barnard, Gen. John W. Cuningham, Dr. William Darlington, Gen. Joshua Evans, and Abram Baily, Esq., be a committee, on behalf of this meeting, to wait upon Gen. La Fayette immediately on his arrival in Philadelphia, respectfully to make known to him our feelings and sentiments, and to invite him, in the name of the citizens of Chester County, to honor them With a visit to the ground where, by the side of Washington and of Wayne, and his gallant compatriots-in-arms, he distinguished himself as a champion in the cause of liberty, and by the effusion of his blood in their defense forever endeared himself to the American people.
"Resolved, That if, as it is sincerely hoped, Gen. La Fayette shall be induced to revisit the scenes of his youthful gallantry, on the banks of the Brandywine, where a free, prosperous, happy, and grateful people are enjoying the fruits of Revolutionary virtue and bravery, the aforesaid committee be requested, in concert With the civil authorities of the county, to make the necessary arrangements for the appropriate reception and entertainment of our distinguished guest; and also that the military officers and uniformed corps of the district be requested to parade on the occasion, and pay the honors due to the venerable soldier of the Revolution."
It having been ascertained that Gen. Lafayette, with his son, George Washington Lafayette, and other companions, would visit the battle-ground on the Brandywine on Tuesday, the 26th of July, 1825, and proceed thence to West Chester, arrangements were made by the committee of Chester County for their proper reception and entertainment.
Early in the morning the general was waited upon at Messrs. Duponts', with whom he had lodged, by John W. Cuningham, Esq., one of the committee of arrangements, attended by Samson Babb and William Williamson, two of the marshals of the day, by whom he was conducted to Chads' Ford. The general was accompanied by his son, M. La Vasseur, his secretary, M. Baudouis, a distinguished lawyer from Paris, the Messrs. Dupont, Messrs. Louis McLane, and N. G. Williamson, committee from Wilmington, and Messrs. Joseph S. Lewis, 'Tilghman, and Biddle, committee of Councils from Philadelphia. They reached Chads' Ford about ten o'clock A.M., where the veteran was received by the committees of Chester and Delaware Counties, headed by their respective chairmen, Col. Joseph McClellan and Capt. William Anderson. At this place, also, Maj.-Gen. Isaac D. Barnard and his aides, Col. Lieper and Daniel Buck-waiter, Esq., attended by Brig.-Gens. Evans and Stanley and their aides, in full uniform, also the Chester County troop of cavalry, commanded by Lieut. Jones, and the Delaware County troop of cavalry, commanded by Capt. Vanleer, the whole under the command of Maj. Wilson, were in waiting to escort the general over the battle-ground. Jesse Sharp, Esq., chief marshal, with his aides, Thomas H. B. Jacobs and Jesse Conard, Esq., and assistant marshals, Samson Babb, William Williamson, Joshua Hunt., Thomas H. Brinton, Joshua McMinn, Isaac Trimble, David Potts, Jr., Richard Walker, Jonathan Jones, Joseph P. McClellan, also attended to regulate the movements of the great concourse of citizens, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot, who had gathered at this point; eager to see and welcome the nation's guest.
The general received the greetings of the people, and viewed the interesting heights around Chads' Ford, and the field where the armies encamped the night before the battle, and pointed out the positions of Gens. Wayne and Maxwell's brigades. He inquired if any one could point out where the bridge of rails was across the Brandywine, but no one was able to give the information. He then resumed his seat in his barouche, with his companion-in-arms, Col. McClellan, by his side, and the procession, which had been formed, advanced toward Painter's Cross-roads. About a mile from the ford the general stopped and alighted from his carriage to see Gideon Gilpin, a very aged man, confined to bed, at whose house he had made his headquarters before the battle. The sick man was gratified at the sight
GENERAL HISTORY - 131
of the veteran, who pressed his hand cordially and wished him every blessing. The procession then proceeded by way of Painter's Cross-roads to Dilworthtown, where another large concourse of people had gathered. After a brief halt it turned to the left and proceeded to the main battle-ground. When they came in sight of the Birmingham meeting-house, Lafayette arose in his carriage and addressed himself in French to his son and companions, spoke animatedly for some time, pointing out to them the different positions of the armies. All the surroundings were familiar to him. He pointed out the spot, in a field of Jacob Bennett, a short distance east and south of where the road from the meetinghouse comes in at right angles with the east-and-west road, as the place where he was wounded. He then proceeded to the meeting-house, where another concourse had assembled to greet him. After viewing the grounds here he alighted, with his companions and friends, at the mansion of Samuel Jones, a short distance north of the meetinghouse, to which he had been previously invited, and partook of refreshments provided for the occasion. A large collection of balls and other relics of the memorable conflict, which had been found at different periods on the battleground, were exhibited and excited much interest.
After a brief rest the trumpet sounded to horse, and the procession moved on to Strode's mill, over the ground on which Howe and Cornwallis advanced to the battle, and thence by the right to Darlington's woods (now Smedley Darlington's), near the western line of the borough. Here the volunteers of the Third Division were drawn up, agreeably to the orders of Maj.-Gen. Barnard, to receive the general and escort him into the town. These consisted of the First Regiment of Chester County Volunteers, commanded by Col. Darlington,—to whom were attached Capt. Fleming's company of Wayne Guards, Capt. Wiley 's company of Franklin Guards, and Maj. Elton's corps of riflemen,—the Chester County Union Volunteer Battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Col. McDowell, and the Jackson Volunteer Battalion, commanded by Maj. Morton,—to which Capt. Stewart's independent company of volunteers was attached, —the whole together comprising seventeen companies of volunteers, including the two troops of cavalry. On the approach of Lafayette, a salute of thirteen guns was fired by the Republican Artillerists of Chester County, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Evans, and the troops then wheeled into column, the First Regiment preceding the immediate escort of the general, and the battalions of McDowell and Morton taking post in the rear. Thus arranged, the whole proceeded into the borough, under the command of Maj.-Gen. Barnard, by the way of the present Rosedale Avenue to High Street, at the State Normal School, and thence up High Street. The cavalcade of citizens in the rear were conducted by Chief Marshal Jesse Sharp and his aides and assistants, whose names have already been given.
The crowd which had gathered here was immense. It is estimated that there was not less than ten thousand persons present, and the welcome accorded to the general was most cordial, hearty, and sincere The procession passed up High Street to Market, down Market to Walnut, up Walnut to Gay, up Gay to High, down High to Market, up Market to Church, up Church to Gay, down Gay to High, and out High to a field of Jesse Matlack, on the hill east of the Friends' meeting-house. Here the troops were reviewed by Gen. Lafayette, on foot, who expressed his great satisfaction at their appearance and soldier-like behavior. He then passed in his barouche in front of several hundred mounted citizens, formed in the same field under the direction of the chief marshal, and was then conducted by the committee to the residence of Ziba Pyle, Esq., the chief burgess. The troops were wheeled into column and returned to the town, and gave the marching salute as they passed the general at his quarters, and were then dismissed.
After a brief repose, the general and his companions were conducted to the grand jury room in the court-house, which had been tastefully decorated by the ladies for the occasion, and where an excellent dinner had been provided by Mr. Eber Worthington, then proprietor of the Turk's .Head Hotel. The entertainment was attended by the committees of arrangement and a limited number of invited guests ; including the general and his friends, in all about forty persons.
When the company had assembled at the table, his old comrade in the field of Revolutionary toil and danger, the venerable Col. Joseph McClellan, rose, and, on behalf of the committee of reception, addressed the gallant chieftain as follows :
"General,—It is our happiness to be appointed by our fellow-citizens to greet you upon your visit to the scenes of your youthful gallantry on the banks of the Brandywine, and to hid you a sincere and cordial weleome to the bosom of our county. Language, indeed, can but feebly portray the joyous and grateful emotions with which we behold amongst us, after a lapse of eight and forty years, the illustrious friend of human rights, Who relinquished the endearments of his domestic circle in a distant land to aid the fathers of our country in their struggle for independence, and who, on this ground, sealed with his blood his devotion to the cause of American liberty. In you sir, we recognize, with the profoundest respect and veneration, the early, disinterested, and steadfast champion of our WASHINGTON, our WAYNE, and their gallant compatriots-in-arms,—the youthful volunteer, who shared the toils of our fathers to secure the blessings of republican freedom to our land, and who, by the favor of heaven, has been preserved to witness the happiness and receive the benedictions of their grateful offspring.
"We exult in the contemplation of a character Whose pure, intrepid, and uniform devotion to the rights of man has been equally conspicuous in the battle-fields of the western, and in the councils, the courts, and the dungeons of the eastern, hemisphere.
"We rejoice that a signal opportunity has been afforded to our countrymen to repel the slander of despots and their hirelings that republics are ungrateful, and although the plain and unpretending citizens of this ancient county of Chester do not presume to vie with their brothers of our opulent towns and cities in the splendor of your reception, let me flatter ourselves that you will receive, with your wonted kindness, the spontaneous and unaffected homage of a happy community, who welcome you with eyes beaming with reverence and delight, and hearts filled with the purest sentiments of gratitude and affection."
To this address Gen. Lafayette made the following reply :
"While I have, with unbounded gratitude, enjoyed the fondly antieipated happiness to meet in this town the citizens of the county of Chester, and the additional pleasure to be here most kindly welcomed, in the name of the people, by an old companion-in-arms, I have also to acknowledge the affectionate greetings that have this day hailed your brother-soldier on the grounds of one of our most important battles.
" Although, owing to some accidental occurrences, victory was not that day on our side, the manner in which it was disputed by our pa-
132 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
triotic troops did, no doubt, contribute to inspire several of the British leaders with a spirit of caution more than once beneficial to us. The thought of its having been my first action under the American standard and our great and good commander-in-chief, in company with your gallant Chester Countyman, my friend, Gen. Wayne, and my other comrades, the honor to have mingled my blood with that of many other American soldiers on the heights of the Brandywine, had been to me a source of pride and delight near half a century before, and it has lately been an occasion of the most honorable, kind, and gratifying remembrance, as it is now an object of your friendly congratulations.
" Happy I am, also, in your testimonies of affection and esteem for my conduct in the vicissitudes of my life on both hemispheres, and I beg you, my dear sir, and you, gentlemen of the committee, to accept in your oWn name, and in behalf of the people of Chester County, my affectionate and respectful acknowledgment."
When the dinner was concluded the following toasts and sentiments were drank, accompanied by the music of the excellent band belonging to Capt. Joseph Pearce's company of junior artillerists :
REGULAR TOASTS.
1. "Our Country :" Blest with the oldest legitimate government now in existence.
Music : Hail Columbia.
2. " The President of the United States." President's March,
3. "The Governor of Pennsylvania." Governor's March.
4. "The Memory of the Father of his Country." Roslin Castle.
5. "The Heroes and Statesmen of the Revolution." Washington's March.
6. "The late Presidents of the United States: Enjoying in their dignified retirement the benedictions of a free and grateful people. What a lesson to the occupants and supporters of thrones !" In the Downhill of Life.
7. " The Nation's Guest : While our country reveres and lauds her WASHINGTON, and our eounty justly boasts of her WAYNE, the votaries of rational liberty in both hemispheres claim an interest in LAFAYETTE." [Cheers.] Marseilles Hymm.
When this toast was drank the general arose, and, after thanking the committee for the honor done him, proposed the following, which was cordially greeted by the company :
By Gen. Lafayette.—" The County of Chester, and the memory of her gallant citizen, Gen. Wayne: May the blood spilled by thousands, with equal merit in the cause of independence and freedom, be to the ensuing generations an eternal pledge of unalloyed republicanism, federal union, public prosperity, and domestic happiness."
Stony Point.
8. "The 11th of September, 1777: A day consecrated to liberty by the blood of her votaries on the banks of the Brandywine; though the sacrifice was great, the reward was rich indeed."
Auld Lang Syne.
9. "The Amiable Family of La Grange : Who possess the only prior claims we can ever recognize to the person of our illustrious friend and benefactor."
Life let vs Cherish.
10. " The Army and Navy of the United States: The shield and buckler of the nation, wielded only in defense of its just rights." Yankee Doodle.
11. "Bolivar : Great is the character which he has to sustain, for he has nobly acquired that of the ' Washington of the South.'" Hail to the Chief!
12. " Greece : May her sons be animated with the spirit of their ancestors until she is restored to her ancient liberty and grandeur." Cavia.
13. " The American Fair : Whose virtues adorn the republic, and whose smiles reward its benefactors."
Green Grow the Rushes 0 !
VOLUNTEER TOASTS.
By the Hon. Isaac Wayne.—" The people of the United States : May they ever feel grateful for that protecting hand which has safely conducted to each of the twenty-four States of their Union the gallant defender, the early and steady benefactor of their country, the nation's guest, the good, the amiable and intelligent LAFAYETTE."
By Capt. William Anderson.—" The genuine Republican, Gen. Lafayette: Who has in all and the most trying situations adhered to and promoted the cause of liberty."
By Gen. John W. Cuningham.—" The Memory of Washington : -In the cabinet and in the field we ne'er shall look upon his like again."
By Ziba Pyle, Esq. (chief burgess of West Chester).—" General Lafayette : His visits to Chester County, in 1777 and 1825, will be held in grateful remembrance by its citizens."
By Brig.-Gen. Joshua Evans.—" Our honored Guest : In his youth he shed his blood on the banks of the Brandywine in defense of American Liberty, and in his old age he will be borne on the grateful bosom of the Brandywine to the embraces of his family."
By Dr. William Darlington.—" The fields of the Brandywine: Irrigated, on the Cadmean system of agriculture, with the blood of Revolutionary patriots, the teeming crop must ever be Independent freemen."
By the Hon. Lewis McLane, of Delaware.—" The battle-ground we have viewed to-day : Whether the theatre of victory or defeat, let the effects be tested by the free industry and happy population which now crowd its surface."
By Abraham Baily, Esq.—" The Memory of Maj.-Gen. Anthony Wayne: His distinguished services as a soldier and statesman eminently entitle him to the grateful remembrance of his countrymen."
By the Committee of Reception.—" Our brethren, the City Councils of Philadelphia: To whose gentlemanly kindness and attention we are greatly indebted on this happy occasion."
By Joseph S. Lewis, Esq., of the City Councils.—" The cordial affection existing between Philadelphia and her sister counties: May it always continue and constantly increase."
After the eighth regular toast, given above, was drank, the following song was volunteered and sung by Dr. William Darlington :
LAFAYETTE AT BRANDYWINE.
Tune, Auld Lang Syme.
Should days of trial be forgot,
Although those days have fled ?
Can we neglect the sacred spot
Where patriot heroes bled ?
CHORUS.—Ah, no ! those days of auld lang sync
We never can forget,
When with our sires to Brandywine
Came gallant Lafayette.
By BrandyWine's enchanting stream
Our swains in peace abode—
Until the tyrant's minion came
To stain its banks with blood.
CHO.—And oh! those days, etc.
To meet the foemen on the plain
Each patriot onward press'd,
And there, with Washington and Wayne,
Appeared our honor'd guest.
CHO.—Those anxious days, etc.
And there he bore him in the van,
Where Washington still led;
And to sustain the rights of man
The youthful warrior bled.
CHO.-Those fearful days, etc.
Then long as our romantic stream
Shall roll its silver wave,
Its vales shall echo with the name
Of Lafayette, the brave.
CHO.—For, ah ! those days of auld lang sync
We never can forget,
When with our sires to Brandywine
Came gallant Lafayette.
GENERAL HISTORY - 133
At the conclusion of the toasts a number of citizens were introduced to the general in the court-room, and then repaired again to the residence of Ziba Pyle, Esq., on Gay Street, where he spent the night. During the evening he was visited by a large number of persons of both sexes, who were kindly received by him. Among others to whom he gave an affectionate welcome was a daughter of Associate Judge John Davis, a veteran under his command at Yorktown, Va., who was introduced by Col. Isaac Wayne.
As he was under engagement to breakfast the next morning at Maj. John Filson's, at Humphreyville, on the Strasburg road, he retired at an early hour, and in the morning, accompanied by Col. Joseph. McClellan, Col. Jacob Humphrey, Col. Cromwell Pearce, and Gen. Isaac D. Barnard, and a number of citizens, he set out for that place. Col. Humphrey rode in the carriage with him. About half-past nine o'clock they reached Maj. Filson's, where a great number of persons had assembled, and where they were also met, according to previous arrangements, by a committee from Lancaster. The spacious room in which the breakfast was served was beautifully decorated with wreaths and festoons of evergreens, bespangled with flowers. From the centre of an arch, directly over the general's place at the table, and partially enveloped in the evergreen, a small golden eagle was suspended. The neat and delicate taste displayed in the decorations drew forth high commendations from those present. At the table Lafayette was seated between Col. McClellan and Col. Humphrey, two of his old companions-in-arms.
After breakfast three barouches, each with four horses attached, which had been sent from Lancaster for his reception, were drawn up. Gen. Lafayette, accompanied by Gen. George B. Porter, chairman of the Lancaster committee, ascended the first, and the others were occupied by his son, secretary, and the other members of the Lancaster committee. They proceeded by way of the Strasburg road to Lancaster, and the Chester County committee returned to their homes. From his entrance into Chester County to his departure therefrom his reception and progress were one continued scene of welcome, triumph, and joy.
Gen. Lafayette proceeded from Lancaster to Baltimore, and thence to Washington, where he was the guest of President John Quincy Adams. He visited the then ex-Presidents, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, the latter accompanied by President Adams, at their respective residences in Virginia, and on the 7th of September, 1825, sailed for his home in a new frigate, named, in compliment to him, the " Brandywine." The scenes at his departure, as given in Niles' Weekly Register, were of a most interesting character.
In December, 1824, while he was in this country, Congress voted him a grant of $200,000 and a township of land, " in consideration of his important services and expenditures during the American Revolution." His large hereditary fortune had been mostly lost by confiscation during what is known as the " Reign of Terror" in France.
Somebody having presented the city of Philadelphia with a grape-shot represented to be the identical one that wounded the Marquis de Lafayette at the battle of Brandywine, our friend, Chalkley Harvey, thus writes to the Ledger that there must be some mistake, and we rather guess friend Harvey is correct:
" CHADS' FORD, July 12, 1876. "MR. EDITOR,—Without at all courting controversy, I would ask for a word in reply to J. P. Campbell's statement in to-day's Ledger, of the grape-shot he presented in your city as being the identical one' which wounded the Marquis de Lafayette at the battle of Brandywine, and which was stopped by a stone wall,' etc.* Now, whilst it seems a pity to do aught to spoil the history as given of this one-and-a-half-inch iron ball, such as our fields were strewn with for many years following said battle, I cannot allow it to pass Without assuring you that, unless Gen. Lafayette was himself greatly mistaken (and the presumption is he was not), there was not then, nor has there been up to this day, a stone wall of any description within several hundred yards of where this occurred; and I make this assertion from having, when in my eleventh year, seen this noble hero stand in the Messrs. Duponts' open carriage and point out the ground upon which his wound was received.
"I, with three young companions, was sitting on a fence beneath a tree at the roadside, and so close to him that we could hear every word uttered. And I might further add that within the past twenty years Edmund Lafayette, in company with Capt. (afterwards Commodore) F. Dupont, spent a day with me in viewing these fields, once the scene of bloody strife. And it may be presumed we talked of all we knew relative to what occurred on that memorable day ; and if he knew anything of this ball, or of his illustrious grandsire having visited Isabella McCloskey for the purpose of seeing it, he omitted to tell what would have been to us a matter of much interest. Now, whilst I do not doubt that the owner of this grape-shot has been led to greatly prize it through the story connected therewith, yet I do greatly doubt its being the identical ball which wounded the Marquis de Lafayette.
" C. HARVEY."
CHESTER COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COUNTY.
The war between the United States and Mexico began in May, 1846, and the first battle which was fought between the two armies of the sister republics was on the 8th of May, at Palo Alto, on the east side of the Rio Grande River. Soon after the declaration of war by the American Congress, Pennsylvania was called upon for her quota of troops, and while from this county no company or organization of soldiers went, there was quite a number of men who enlisted in regiments of the State recruited and organized in other parts of its borders. Of those who went forth to battle for the conceived national honor may be mentioned the following, in addition to many others whose names are inaccessible : Levi P. Knerr, who served as a lieutenant throughout that war, and wrote home to his borough paper a number of letters describing battles and marches, which were published in the Phoenixville Pioneer, then edited by Bayard Taylor, the future renowned traveler and poet. William S. Mendendall, born at Chads' Ford,
* The following is the Ledger article referred to : " Mr. Joseph P. Campbell, an aged citizen of Florence, New Jersey, recently brought to Philadelphia the identical grape-shot with which Marquis de Lafayette was wounded at the battle of Brandywine. It has been in his possession over half a century, and was given to him by his aunt, Isabella McCloskey, who picked it up after it had struck the marquis and been stopped by a wall. The heroine was on that day carrying ammunition in her apron, and when the gallant Frenchman was wounded she tore off her underclothing to stanch the blood and bind up the wound. On the visit of the marquis to this country, several years later, he sought her out. The ball is a cast-iron globe, about one and a quarter inches in diameter, and has been religiously preserved."
134 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Delaware Co., Pa., but who in 1846 was living in West Chester, learning the printing business in the office of the American Republican, fired with patriotic ardor, volunteered (at sixteen years of age), in December. He joined and was appointed a corporal in Capt. J. C. Biddle's company, in Philadelphia, which was ordered to rendezvous at Brazos Santiago in February, 1847 ; it was then assigned to the First Regiment United States Voltiguers, under command of Col. F. P. Andrews, with Lieut.-Col. Joseph E. Johnston and Majs. Talbott and Caldwell, all of the United States army ; he participated, with his regiment, in the siege of Vera Cruz, under Gen. Scott, and with Gen. Cadwalader in the battles of Cerro Gordo, Jalapa, Perote, and Puebla, and in assisting to keep open communication between Vera Cruz and Puebla, afterwards in the valley of the City of Mexico ; at the battle of Contreras, Aug. 20, 1847, at Buena Vista, Churubusco, and Molino del Rey, September 11th, and at Casa del Mata, where he was wounded in the right foot ; on the 13th of September, at the fierce storming of Chapultepec, the key to the gates of Mexico, he was again slightly wounded in the head, and was with the final assault upon the last defenses of the city, and the triumphal entrance into the Mexican capital ; he remained with the army of occupation until after the conclusion of peace, July 4, 1848 ; his regiment left Mexico in October, and was disbanded at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, November, 1848 ; after an honorable discharge, and with the commendation of his officers for faithful services, he returned to West Chester, being then about eighteen years old ; in the late Rebellion (1861-65) Capt. Mendenhall recruited and commanded Company D of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry. Thomas King and Johu Yocum, of what organization it is unknown. Lieut. Columbus Penn Evans, Eleventh Regiment United States Infantry, brevetted captain, and presented with a sword by the Legislature of State of Delaware for his gallant and meritorious services in several battles. Irvin Parke, in Capt. Samuel Hymns' company, Sixth Louisiana Regiment, commanded by Col. Payton. Robert Taylor, of West Chester.
THE FAMINE OF '47.
During the winter of 1846-47 the distress in Ireland, caused by the complete failure of the potato crop of the previous year, had awakened the sympathies of the people of Chester County. The war with Mexico was in progress, but the excitement attending it did not check the public interest in the sad reports of famine, fever, and death that came continually from Ireland. On Feb. 5, 1847, a public meeting was held in the court-house at West Chester, and a committee was appointed to issue an address and solicit subscriptions from the people of the county. This committee consisted of the following gentlemen, many of them prominent citizens :
Townsend Haines, David Townsend, Nimrod Strickland, Wilmer Worthington, Thomas S. Bell, Rev. J. B. Clemson, John Crowell, James Powell; William Ingram, Joseph J. Lewis, John Hickman, William Darlington, M.D., William Everhart, Robert Irwin, John Rutter, and J. B. Wood. Of the whole number four only now survive, - Hon. Joseph J. Lewis, Rev. J. B. Clemson, Dr. J. B. Wood, and John Rutter, Esq.
This committee, besides issuing an earnest address setting forth many details of the suffering of the Irish people, op, pointed sub-committees for all the townships of the county, upon whom was placed the duty of making a prompt and thorough canvass for subscriptions. The list of names contained many that would be recognized as among the leading men of that time, but it is too long for insertion here. The results of their efforts were soon made evident : on March 9th the Village Record published a list of amounts actually paid into the fund. West Chester headed the list with $534.92 ; New London gave $231.25 ; Coatesville, $212 ; Sadsbury, $193.45 ; East Vincent, $152.50 ; Warwick, $166.69 ; and the total reported was over $310.0. The total subscribed in West Chester was $800. The following week the New Garden committee reported that their collections were $300, with which they had bought from the millers of their own township 50 barrels of flour, which had been sent to Allen Cuthbert, Esq., Lombard Street Wharf, Philadelphia, for immediate shipment to Ireland.
Mr. (later Judge) Haines and his committee invested the funds collected in provisions, which were shipped to Cork, Ireland, by the barque " Alice Carlton." They embraced 600 barrels of corn meal, 25 barrels of wheat-flour, 15 of rye-flour, 6 of pork, 2 of beef, and 28 bushels of peas. There was no charge for freight. In the mean time the committee announced that further exertions would be made and more supplies forwarded.
The bounty arrived at Cork most opportunely, as appears in a letter written by Mr. C. G. Gibbons, of Ballenspittle House, Kinsale, Ireland, to William Everhart, Esq., West Chester, dated April 14th, which was in part as follows :
". .. I now write merely to acknowledge the arrival, and in a few hasty words to convey mine, my uncle, James B. Gibbons', J. R. Barry's, and our whole local community's, deep and heartfelt gratitude to the noble-minded citizens of Chester County for your munificent present to our poor people in this their time of need and suffering. Never did a gift come more opportunely ;' our own funds are all but spent, and our government had ordered all relief-works to be suspended. In a few days more our district would have been subjected to the horrors that are noW, and have been for months, sweeping away thousands upon thousands of the Irish population. . . ."
Mr. Gibbons, the writer, was the nephew of one of the gentlemen who had been most kind to Mr. Everhart after his escape from the shipwreck of the " Albion" on the coast near Kinsale in 1822 ; and in the volume of " Miscellanies," published in recent years by the latter's son, Hon. James B. Everhart, there is the following allusion to a visit made by him to this part of Ireland after the famine :
"Not far from the town of Kinsale are the mansions of J. Redmond Barry and J. B. Gibbons, Esq., whose houses look on the sea. They were most hospitable, and declared that during the. famine the Chester County donation of meal was the best which came to Ireland, and that it saved a thousand lives.' The destitution had been frightful,—there was neither food nor money,—the people were terror-stricken, and these provisions arrived at the very crisis of the calamity. For this timely succor the Irish of Ballenspittle will ever gratefully remember the county of Chester."
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
Being upon the border of the dissentient States, Chester County awaited with especial interest the mutterings of the
GENERAL HISTORY - 135
angry South over the election of President Lincoln in 1860, and its subsequent secession acts of 1860-61, forbearing
" Until a fierce, sudden flash across the rugged blackness broke,
And with a voice that shook the land the guns of Sumter spoke."
As the news of the battle and capture of the fort by the rebels was flashed along the wires, excitement unparalleled in the history of the county pervaded every township, borough, village, hamlet, and fireside. Party .distinctions were forgotten, and a united people thought only of the public peril and of means to defend the government. In Chester County the feeling was intense, and all were animated with a common purpose to maintain the Union at all hazards. The heroic, self-sacrificing men who from this county, through four years of privation, peril and war, dedicated their lives to the preservation of the national integrity, wrought also for its progress in the direction of its founders, intent towards the realization of true permanence, prosperity, and peace, as a priceless legacy, painfully and perilously secured for each citizen. The grand and noble history of this county in the memorable conflict of 1861-65 has an imperishable record, perpetuating the deeds of valor that attended its citizen-soldiery through the fire of many battles unto brilliant victories and the final triumph of liberty, union, and peace.
SECOND REGIMENT.
The Second Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment of three months' service was formed from companies hastily recruited, in obedience to the call for volunteers, from the counties of Franklin, Perry, Adams, Lancaster, Chester, Centre, Dauphin, and York. April 21, 1861, the regiment was organized at Harrisburg, with James Givin (captain of Company G, of West Chester) as major. The same day it left for Washington. It was ordered to York, Pa., and there remained until June 1, when it moved to Chambersburg. Here it was assigned to the Second Brigade of Second Division, and on the 16th went to Funkstown, Md., crossed the Potomac July 2d, with Gen. Patterson's army, and advanced to Martinsburg, thence to Bunker Hill. July 26th it was mustered out.
The first organized body of men from the borough of Phoenixville to enter the United States service in the rebellion was the Phoenixville Brass Band, which was mustered with the Second Regiment at York, May 24, 1861, and mustered out with the regiment on the following 26th of July.
Roster of the Band.--John G. Moses, leader; David C. Broomall, H. F. Caswell, Jacob Hawk, James P. Holt, William Lobb, Henry Lukemire, John C. Matson, Hiram Nyce, J. Elwood Quay, John Richards, John Sollinger, Wilmer W. Thomson, J. Englebert Vanderslice, It. B. Williamson, Joseph P. Holt.
NINTH REGIMENT.
The Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment Volunteer Infantry (three months' service) was formed from companies raised in the counties of Chester, Armstrong, Cumberland, Lehigh, Northampton, Schuylkill, and Delaware. It was organized April 22, 1861, at Camp Curtin, and Thomas S. Bell, of 'West Chester, was appointed adjutant. It went to West Chester May 4th, and encamped at Camp Wayne; in June it joined Gen. Patterson's army, being attached to the Fourth Brigade of First Division, and serving mostly between Martinsburg and Winchester, Va. It was mustered out July 24th. Companies A, E, and F were recruited at West Chester.
THIRTIETH REGIMENT.
The Thirtieth Regiment (three years' service), being the First Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, was organized at Camp Wayne, near West Chester, June 9, 1861. Capt. Henry M. McIntire, of West Chester, who led the Brandywine Guards, was the first to occupy the camp, and was assigned to its temporary command. On the formal organization he was made lieutenant-colonel. Lieut. Charles B. Lamborn, of Company A, Chester County, was appointed adjutant, and Lieut. Joseph R. T. Coates, of Company C, quartermaster. July 4th, Governor Curtin reviewed the First and Seventh Regiments in West Chester, in the presence of an immense concourse of people, the citizens entertaining the troops at Everhart's Grove. The day after the disastrous battle of Bull Run, July 21st, the regiment was ordered to Maryland, and in the spring of 1862 joined McDowell's corps of the Potomac army. June 18th the division to which it was assigned marched to Gaines' Farm, and on the 19th moved with the brigade to Beaver Dam Creek, near Mechanicsville, on the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac, where it was assigned to the army corps commanded by Gen. Fitz-John Porter. On the 26th it participated in heavy fighting, as in the battle the day following, and on the 30th in that of Charles City Cross-roads. Its officers and men distinguished themselves for their gallant conduct. It was most honorably engaged in the battle at South Mountain, Sept. 14th, and in the battle of Fredericksburg moved in steady, unwavering line across an open plain, under a heavy, enfilading artillery fire, charging the enemy with resistless energy, crossing the railroads and ditches, and driving him two hundred yards beyond his intrenchments ; but, after having opened up the way to victory, retired for want of supports to hold the positions taken. At Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, in the charge which was made by the First Brigade, this regiment occupied the centre, and in this brilliant movement, by a sudden change of direction, the enemy was struck on the flank and driven in great confusion.
It made a glorious record at the battle of Spottsylvania, May 8, 1864. It was mustered out June 13th following. The whole number mustered into the regiment was 1084. Of these, 139 were killed or died in the field, 233 were wounded, 258 were discharged for disability contracted in the service, and 148 re-enlisted as veterans. It was comet manded by Col. R. Biddle Roberts, of Pittsburgh, until the latter part of October, 1862, and after that by Col. William Cooper Talley, of Delaware County.
This regiment was composed of two companies (A and G) from Chester County, one (C) from Chester and Delaware, two from Lancaster, two from Cumberland, one each from Adams and Delaware, and one from York and Lancaster.
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
The companies composing the Thirty-third Regiment (Fourth Reserve) were recruited one from each of the
136 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
counties of Chester, Monroe, Montgomery, Lycoming, and Susquehanna, and the remaining five from the city and county of Philadelphia. Its colonel was Robert G. March. This regiment participated in the fighting on the Peninsula, under McClellan, from June 20, 1862, and particularly distinguished itself at Charles City Cross-roads, on June 30th. It was gallantly engaged in the second Bull Run fight, and at South Mountain. In the battle of Fredericksburg it held the right of the second line, where its lieutenant-colonel (Woolworth) was wounded. It afterwards served in the Shenandoah Valley, Kanawha Valley, and Western Virginia, under General Crook in the last two, where it encountered terrible hardships, privations, and severe fighting. It was mustered out June 17, 1864, at Philadelphia.
FORTY-SECOND (BUCKTAIL) REGIMENT.
After the fall of Fort Sumter, Thomas L. Kane, brother of Dr. Kane, the famous Arctic explorer, and himself schooled by extensive travel in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains, applied to Governor Curtin for permission to raise a company of mounted riflemen from among the hardy yeomanry of the counties of Forest, McKean, and Elk, popularly known as the " wild-cat district." Authority was immediately given, as requested, and in less than a week the men began to assemble at the points of rendezvous. April 17, 1861, it was decided to change the organization from cavalry to infantry. The men, for the most part lumbermen, came clad in their red-flannel shirts, bearing their trusty rifles, and wearing each in his hat a bucktail. No one was accepted who did not prove himself a skilled marksman. Before the regiment received orders to march it was found that only a limited number could be accepted, .and many of the companies, eager for the field, went in the first organizations that offered. The others formed the nucleus around which were gathered companies soon after recruited, out of which arose this regiment, composed of a company from each of the counties of Elk, McKean, Clearfield, Chester, Carbon, Warren, Cameron, and Perry, and two from Tioga. Colonel Kane, elected its commander, resigned his commission the following day in favor of the lieutenant-colonel, Charles J. Biddle, of Philadelphia, an old officer of experience in Mexico. It started into service with a variety of praenomens : the Forty-second of the line, the Thirteenth Reserve, the Rifle, the First Rifle, the Kane Rifle, and the Bucktail. The latter was the popular name, known and read of all, and was the name it bore in the army. June 21st it was ordered to the front, and at New Creek, Dranesville, Cross Keys, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross-roads, in the campaign under General Pope, Antietam, Fredericksburg, in the Wilderness, and at Gettysburg, this regiment won laurels for its gallant services. At this last battle its colonel, Charles F. Taylor, of Chester County, brother of the renowned traveler, Bayard Taylor, was killed while driving back the rebels.
MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE A. MCCALL.
The organization of the thirteen Pennsylvania Reserve regiments was due to a distinguished citizen of Chester County, George A. McCall. Immediately after the passage of the act creating the Reserve Corps, Governor Curtin invited him to accept the position of major-general provided for in the law. He accepted, and was confirmed a major-general of Pennsylvania troops by the Senate on May 16, 1861, and on the same day entered upon his duties as commander of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. Its history and his in the field of battle in defense of the Union form part of the brightest of our country's military annals. General McCall was born in Philadelphia, March 16, 1802, and graduated at West Point Military Academy, 1822. In 1831 he was appointed assistant adjutant-general on the staff of Maj.-Gen. Gaines, then commanding the Western Department of the United States. In 1836 he was promoted to a captaincy in the Fourth United States Infantry. He served with his regiment in the war against the Florida Indians, and was recommended by Gen. Worth for the brevet of major, " for gallant conduct in the battle of Pelalicaha." In the Mexican war Capt. McCall participated in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and received the brevets of major and lieutenant-colonel, " for gallant and distinguished services" in these battles. The citizens of Philadelphia also acknowledged his conduct by presenting to him an elegantly-mounted sword. At the close of the war Lieut.-Col. McCall resigned his commission as staff assistant adjutant-general and crossed the Atlantic to spend a year in Europe, in hope of regaining his health, which had been seriously impaired during the campaign in Mexico. While in England, and also on the Continent, he obtained permission from the authorities to visit the military schools, fortifications, camps, barracks, and hospitals, and thus' in his tour acquired much useful knowledge, which subsequently he put into practice. On his return he took command of the Third Regiment United States Infantry, stationed at Santa Fe. He prepared, by order of the War Department, a historical sketch of the newly-acquired territory, which was published by order of Congress. In 1850 he was appointed inspector-general of the United States army, with the rank of colonel of cavalry. Having made inspections of the troops and military posts in New Mexico, California, and Oregon, Col. McCall found his health again failing, and therefore, in April, 1853, resigned his commission and retired from the service. After leaving the army he devoted much of his time to scientific pursuits, and made numerous valuable contributions to natural history. In 1855 he removed from his residence in Philadelphia to a farm in Chester County, where, in retirement, enjoying the society of his family and friends, he remained until the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Immediately thereafter, in April, 1861, Governor Curtin summoned Col. McCall to Harrisburg, to advise with him on the military organization of Pennsylvania. While at the capital he was unanimously elected colonel of the Tenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. Having declined the position, he was, on May 15th, appointed by the Governor major-general of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. Without delay he entered upon the work of organizing fifteen regiments of troops, in the manner provided by law, and Elbridge McConkey, of West Chester, who had just graduated from Harvard University, was appointed one of his aides-de-camp.
GENERAL HISTORY - 137
COL. CHARLES FREDERICK TAYLOR,
colonel of the Bucktail Regiment (Forty-second), was born in West Chester, Feb. 6, 1840. He spent the early part of his life on his father's farm, near Kennet Square, and was a pupil in the village school. He made rapid progress in the study of the classics and the French language, and in his sixteenth year entered the university at Ann Arbor, -Mich. In the following year he accompanied his brother, the renowned Bayard, and his two sisters, on a tour through Europe. The party sailed from New York in July, 1856, landed in England, and after visiting places of note on the island, the tourists crossed over to the Continent and traveled through France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. The younger brother, with his sisters, then settled at Lausanne, whilst Bayard Taylor made his celebrated journey to Sweden and Lapland. In the spring of 1857, Charles Frederick Taylor left Lausanne with his sisters, and proceeded to Gotha, for the purpose of studying the German language, and in June of the same year returned to America. In addition to having acquired the ability to speak the French and German languages with unusual facility, he experienced great improvement in his health, which up to that time had been feeble. In the fall he returned to Ann Arbor to resume his studies, with the noble ambition of becoming a thorough scholar. Private reasons, however, induced him in the following summer to return to Kennet Square, to assume the management of his father's farm. He entered with great energy and enthusiasm upon his new occupation, adopting new and improved agricultural processes with prospect of speedy success. But when the President's call for troops, immediately after - the attack on Fort Sumter, roused the nation, our young hero dropped all his plans, summoned the young men of the neighborhood together at Kennet Square, drew up a volunteer pledge, and placed his name at the head of the list. In three days a sufficient number had enrolled their names to form a company, which unanimously chose young Taylor as their captain. Without waiting to correspond with the State authorities to ask acceptance for his company, Capt. Taylor took the men to Harrisburg, and had them incorporated into the Bucktail Regiment. From that time forth his history was that of his regiment. He was captured at Harrisonburg whilst generously attempting to carry from the field his superior officer ; he was paroled in August, and returned to the command at Sharpsburg. After the battle of Antietam, Capt. Taylor was promoted to the colonelcy of the Bucktail Regiment, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Col. McNeil. Col. Taylor was the youngest man holding a colonel's commission in the Army of the Potomac, and Gen. Meade, a man from whom only the highest merit elicited praise, pronounced him one of the most promising young officers in the service. The conspicuous gallantry of the young colonel attracted the fire of the enemy, and he fell mortally wounded, whilst leading his regiment in the desperate charge made by the First Brigade, July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg. He was in the advance of his column, waving his sword, and calling out to them, " Come on, boys ! we'll take them all prisoners;" but scarcely had the words escaped his lips when he fell, shot through the heart by a
- 18 -
rebel sharpshooter. The remains of Col. Taylor were carried to his father's house, and were interred in Longwood Cemetery. A beautiful monument, subscribed for principally by the surviving officers and men of his regiment, was erected over his grave. At this writing his venerable father, former high sheriff of Chester County, and his aged mother both live in Kennet Square.
FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT.
At Camp Curtin, Sept. 14, 1861, this regiment was organized with William H. Irwin, of Mifflin County, colonel. Companies A and G were recruited in Centre County, B and F in Chester, C and D in Hundingdon, E, H, and K in Mifflin, and I in Juniata. On the 22d it moved to Washington, where it was assigned to Hancock's brigade of Smith's division. It participated in the hard-fought battles of Williamsburg,—where, on the field, its colonel received the thanks of Gens. Hancock and McClellan for the magnificent conduct of his regiment, the latter saying, " No men could have done better,"—Chancellorsville, Rappahannock Station, Spottsylvania Court-house, and Winchester. Besides, it was engaged with honor in many skirmishes, marches, etc., and was mustered out at Washington, D. C., July 15, 1865. For a sketch of Col. Geo. F. Smith, who for a time commanded a company in this regiment, see biographical department.
FIFTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
The first colonel of this regiment was John R. Brooke, of Pottstown, through whose exertions mainly it was organized. Company A was recruited in Chester County, B in Chester and Montgomery, and the others in various parts of the State. It took a prominent part in the engagement at Fair Oaks, fought from the Chickahominy to the James River, participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, served. in the Wilderness campaign, and after a brilliant record from its organization in the fall of 1861, it was mustered out June 30, 1865, having veteranized and done valiant service.
SEVENTY-FIRST REGIMENT.
This regiment, originally known as the California Regiment, was organized by Col. E. D. Baker, United States senator, who commanded it until he was killed at Ball's Bluff, Va., Oct. 21, 1861. It was honorably engaged in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and in the Peninsula and Mine Run campaigns. Parts of Companies H and K were recruited in Chester County.
EIGHTIETH REGIMENT (SEVENTH CAVALRY).
This regiment, in which Chester County officers and men also figure, was raised in the fall of 1861, served in Tennessee, was under Gen. Buell, then under Gen. Rosecrans, and participated in the battles of Stone River, Shelbyville, Selma, and Columbus. Its service was in the Southwest, where it won distinction.
NINETY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Near the close of July, 1861, Henry It. Guss, a citizen of West Chester, who had commanded a company in the Ninth Regiment of the three months' service, received authority from the Secretary of War to recruit a regiment
138 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
for three years. Enrolling was immediately commenced, and in two months' time its ranks were full. Companies D, (.3-, and I were principally from Delaware County, and the remaining seven from Chester. The companies rendezvoused at Camp Wayne, near the borough of West Chester, where its organization was effected. Clothing, arms, and equipments were furnished from the arsenal in Philadelphia, and the drill and discipline of the command was commenced. An excellent band, consisting of twenty-two members, was attached to it. The citizens of Chester County contributed freely of whatever could add to the health and comfort of the men. On the 12th of November, Governor Curtin, accompanied by his staff, visited the camp, and presented the State colors, in presence of a great concourse of people, delivering an eloquent address, which was responded to by Adjt. H. W. Carruthers in behalf of the regiment: On November 15th final marching orders came, and early on the morning of the 16th the regiment marched out of Camp Wayne, and passed through the principal streets of West Chester to the depot of the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad. Passing along the route, the citizens and friends of the regiment thronged the sidewalks, crowding the way, eager to jress through to give a last embracebrigadier-general and dear ones. From the windows waved the bands and banners of many fair ones, who scattered bouquets and flowers as they bade their adieus and God-speed. The scene was imposing and impressive as the march continued. On Church Street a halt was made hepartake of a lunch of coffee and sandwiches, provided by the citizens. All along the route to the depot the sway of greeting hands, waving of handkerchiefs, and the murmur of thousands of voices, mingled in last partings, found at length its culmination, breaking forth in hearty cheers for the " Boys in Blue" as the train took its departure at 11.20 A.M. Many of its men had served in the three months' campaign, and some had had the drill and experience and discipline as members of militia or military companies previous to the war. The larger number, however, were wthout former military training, young men of the best families of Chester County; who enlisted from a sense of duty to their government in its impending danger,—earnest, conscientious young men of most excellent character and promise, the sons of most worthy citizens. This favorite regiment of Chester County made a most gallant. and honorable record, one ever to be remembered as glorious and bright in its patriotic annals. It reached Washington City, and proceeded to Fortress Monroe, going into camp near the ruins of the village of Hampton. Soon after it went to Port Royal, S. C., later to Warsaw Sound, Ga., and Florida. It participated in the South Carolina campaign, and under Gen. Gilhnore was engaged in the assault to capture Fort Wagner. It again served in Florida, g..arrisoning the fort at Fernandina and the works at Fort Clinch. On April 23, 1864, it was ordered to Fortress Monroe to reinforce the Army of the James under Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, in whose expedition and advance upon Richmond it was engaged, and participated in severe fighting before Petersburg. It particularly distinguished itself in the assault on the rebel Fort Gilmore, where Col. Penny-packer led his brigade orthe right of the assaulting column.
It accompanied the expeditions of Gen. Butler and Com. Porter against Fort Fisher, N. C. It subsequently accompanied Gen. Terry's expedition against this fort, and was engaged in its capture, which was effected after the most desperate fighting in the annals of this war. Hand-to-hand fighting of the most fearful character there took place, and for seven long hours the two armies fought inside the fort, and not until ten o'clock at night were the rebels finally subdued and forced to surrender. The regiment here lost four killed and thirty-seven wounded, among the latter Col. Galusha Pennypacker, commanding Second Brigade. It was at the capture of Wilmington, N. C., on Feb. 22, 1865, and remained in North Carolina until August 26th, when it was mustered out at Weldon. Isaiah Price, who recruited Company C of this regiment, of which he was subsequently major, published in 1875 a very elaborate and complete history of this regiment in an elegant volume of over six hundred pages, in which is eloquently detailed its origin, marches, fighting, full history of the officers, and much other data of great value to the historical and military annals of this county.
PERSONNEL OF THE FIELD- AND STAFF-OFFICERS.
HENRY RUHL Guss, colonel of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania handsteers, brevet brigaditit-general and brevet major-general, United States volunteers, was born July 28, 1825, at Chester Springs, Chester County. His father, Samuel Guss, also a native of this county, was of German descent, born July 4, 1796. In 1836 he removed to West Chester, where lie remained until his death, May 11, 1859. He became a large property-holder, and added much to the improvement of that part of the town known as South Walnut Street, and was well known throughout the county, and held in high esteem. Henry R. Guss received his education at the neighboring day schools, and at Joshua Hoopes' academy, in West Chester, and it embraced all the branches of a liberal English education. Upon the organization of that well-known and favorite volunteer company, the National Guards, of Wrest Chester, in 1846, he was one of its first members On •Sept. 11, 1854, he was commissioned by Governor William Bigler as first lieutenant of the company, and on June 6, 1859, he became icharactering officer, receiving his commission from Governor William F. Packer. He continued in command of thigallanty until the Rebellion occured, and with it he then entered the three months' service. The organization was weWashingtonned, and was one of the best military companies in the State. Every member of the company who was physically able entered the army at the outbreak of the late Rebellion, and all who remained in service during the three years' term became officGilmoreApril 21, 1861, six days after the President's call for troops, Col. Guss left Wearrisoningor Harrisburg, with over three hundred as effective men as could be raised in Chester County. Three companies were formed of their number, and assigned to the Ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, being designated as A, E, and F, of the first of which he was captain. The commissioned and non-commissioned officers of these three companies were mainly selected from the National Guards. He was offered a position as colonel of another regiment,
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but declined acceptance, desiring to remain with the men he had brought into the service. On July 25, 1861, he received his commission as colonel, with authority from the Secretary of War to raise a regiment for the three years' service in the (then) Seventh Congressional District, composed of Chester and Delaware, which he did, viz., the glorious Ninety-seventh. It is sufficient testimony to the courage and ability of Col. Guss to know that he was selected by Gen. Gillmore to lead the " forlorn hope" in the final assault on Forts 'Wagner and Gregg, on the morning of Sept. 7, 1863, the storming-party to consist of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers and the Third New Hampshire, both of his brigade. lie was highly complimented by Gens. Gillmore and Terry for his promptness and gallantry in leading his command to the attack, the evacuation not being discovered until his forces reached the parapet of the works. On June 2, 1864, Col. Guss tendered his resignation to the commanding general, on account of the manifest injustice exhibited towards him by a commanding officer, and received notice of its acceptance on the 23d. It would not be proper to give in detail an account of the want of fairness with which this faithful and efficient officer was persistently treated during most of the period subsequent to his resuming command of the brigade at Drury's Bluff, May 14th. It culminated in his being relieved of his command on the march to Cold Harbor, June 4th, under circumstances indicating the determination arrived at to fill his place with a personal favorite, his junior in rank and inferior in qualification, under whose command. Col. Guss was ordered to resume the command of his regiment. Conscious of the undeserved humiliation intended, self-respect demanded that he adopt the only course left him consistent with his untarnished honor. Before parting with their beloved colonel and brigade commander, the officers of his regiment united in a testimonial, expressive of their regard and sincere regret, yet recognizing the necessity of the course determined upon as the only one possible under the circumstances.
GALUSHA PENNYPACKER, colonel of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, brigadier-general and brevet major-general, United States volunteers, colonel Sixteenth Infantry, United States army, and brevet brigadier-general and brevet major-general, United States army, was born June 1, 1842, in Chester County, at the historic locality of Valley Forge, in a house occupied by Gen. Washington during a portion of the time his troops were encamped in that vicinity. Joseph J. Pennypacker, the father of Galusha, served as volunteer aide-de-camp upon the staff of Maj.-Gen. Worth during the Mexican war, after which he became a resident of California. The mother of Col. Pennypacker was Tamson Workizer, a lady of wealth and many accomplishments, the only daughter of John and Sarah A. Workizer, of Valley Forge. She died when her son and only child, Galusha, was three years old. The latter's boyhood was passed on a farm near Phoenixville, Pa., under the care of his paternal grandmother, Elizabeth F. Pennypacker, whose faithful training and guardianship contributed largely to qualify him for the eminent service he has rendered his country. He received a liberal academical education in Chester County, and entered the office of the Chester Comity Times, at West Chester, to learn the printing business, with a view towards an editorial career. His youthful tastes and natural bent being towards a military life, he had, while a printer-boy, joined the volunteer military company of National Guards, at West Chester, commanded by Capt. H. R. Guss, which was one of the first to respond to the call of the President for troops. The drill and discipline of this company, through the efforts of its commander, had reached a point of excellence second to none in the State. Pennypacker, therefore, soon became thoroughly proficient in the various movements, evolutions, and discipline requisite to the perfection of soldierly training. When the news of the firing upon Fort Sumter reached West Chester, that locality shared in the general uprising of a loyal people in defense of nationality. Young Pennypacker, then in his nineteenth year, and about to commence the study of the law, was one of the number who marched with Capt. Henry B. Guss' company to Harrisburg, having previously been appointed a sergeant in the National Guards. Upon the organization of the Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers at Harrisburg, Sergt. Pennypacker was appointed quartermaster-sergeant of the same, declining the first lieutenantcy of Company A on account of his youth, which position his company had elected him to fill, and was regimental quartermaster during most of the three months' service. He brought to the discharge of his position such admirable administrative ability and attention as elicited approbation from the entire command. As has been before narrated in this chapter, on the organization of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers he became captain of Company A, and his after brilliant career is known to the world. Gen. Pennypacker immortalized himself at the capture of Fort Fisher, N. C., Jan. 15, 1865, in which terrific battle he added new laurels to. those he had received and won in many previous hard-fought engagements. He commanded the Second Brigade of First Division, and was severely (supposed mortally) wounded while leading his brigade over the parapet, with the colors of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers in his hands. When brought off on a stretcher he refused to leave until he had seen Gen. Terry, who went to see him. Pennypacker then pointed to the foremost flag on the traverses, and wished Gen. Terry to " take notice that that was the flag of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania." At the close of the war, Nov. 10, 1865, when able to travel, he came to 'West Chester, and received the grandest welcome given by the Chester County people to any man since the visit of Lafayette in 1825. Gen. Pennypacker was the first officer in the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers to be mustered into the service of the United States, and the last of the original officers of the regiment to leave the service, having been continuously in the army a few days over five years. During that time he was wounded seven times in eight months, and within one year received five promotions. He was the youngest general officer who served in the army during the Rebellion, having been confirmed a brigadier and brevet major-general at the age of twenty-two. His scars, wounds, and sufferings (continued to this day) are a part of that sacred price of the cost of American freedom and of the perpetuity of our Union,
140 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
and the name of Galusha Pennypacker will remain inseparable from the history of our land, engraven as it is in the hearts of all who treasure the deeds of her heroes.
JOHN WAINWRIGHT, colonel of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was the son of Samuel F. Wainwright, a native of Rahway, N. J., but at the time of the birth of his son, July 13, 1839, a resident of Syracuse, N. Y. His mother's maiden name was Maria Humphrey. He was educated in the public schools of New York City, and in 1853 he removed with his parents to Delaware, where he learned coach and ornamental painting. At the breaking out of 'the Rebellion he was engaged at his occupation at West Chester. He enlisted April 18, 1861, as a private in Company G, Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the three months' service, and served with Gen. Patterson's command in Maryland, principally in the Shenandoah Valley, Martinsburg, Charlestown, Harper's Ferry, and vicinity. On September 23d he joined Company F, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was appointed first sergeant, and rose to be colonel of the regiment, of which he was in command when mustered out at Weldon, N. C., Aug. 28, 1865. He was wounded at James' Island, S. C., June 9, 1862, and while leading the regiment in the final assault and capture of Fort Fisher, N. C., Jan. 15, 1865, received a slight wound in the right shoulder from a spent grapeshot. He is now residing in Wilmington, Del., engaged in the mercantile business.
AUGUSTUS P. DUER, lieutenant-colonel of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, is the son of the late distinguished lawyer, John Duer, Esq., of the Chester County bar, to which he was admitted. about 1804. Col. Duer is a lineal descendant of Lord Stirling, of Revolutionary fame. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point July 1, 1837, being then nineteen years and three months old. Among his classmates there were the noted Union Gens. Rodman, Tower, Lyon, Wright, Brannan, John F. Reynolds, Hamilton, Sulley, Buell, and Brookes. He remained at the academy four years, receiving a thorough military training, although he resigned without graduating. He was subsequently engaged in business as a civil engineer, being first employed in building a railroad to open up the coal deposits on Broad Mountain, the road running from the Susquehanna River up Clark's. Creek to the mountain, afterwards in locating and building the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad, and still later was engaged upon the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, in Missouri. On Oct. 7, 1861, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and held this position, with credit to himself and the service, until the impaired condition of his health compelled him to resign, in March, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. In 1865 he became engaged in mining operations in Colorado, where he remained some years, and then returned to his home at Atglen, where he continues to reside.
GEORGE W. HAWKINS, lieutenant-colonel of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was born in Chester, Delaware Co., Nov. 18, 1817. April 25, 1861, he enrolled his name in the Washington Grays, of Philadelphia, which became Company A in the Seventeenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, three months' service. He recruited Company I in the Ninety-seventh, of which he was captain. At Wier Bottom Church, Aug. 25, 1864, he commanded a detachment of the regiment, and was ordered to advance and re-establish the line at a point where the enemy had succeeded in breaking it. This he did with a promptness and success that received the commendation of those who witnessed the movement. Through all these engagements he was carried in safety, until the day of the expiration of the term of his service, and upon which he was to have been mustered out. On that morning at Darbytown, Va., he led the regiment in action, and fell, severely wounded in the leg. After being removed from the field, amputation was performed in the field-hospital, but he died soon after the operation, on the morning of the 28th. He was immediately buried near the battle-field, but subsequently the body was disinterred, embalmed, and sent to his family. Upon receiving information of his death, Governor Curtin immediately issued a commission as lieutenant-colonel, and forwarded it to his family, in recognition of the gallant services which had cost his life.
WILLIAM HENRY MARTIN, lieutenant-colonel of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was born in Alleghany City, Pa., April 25, 1841, and was the son of William Martin, a native of Western Pennsylvania, who died in Philadelphia, Dec. 31, 1879, in the eightieth year of his age. His mother, Catharine Amanda Pierce, died at Parkesburg, Chester Co., July 12, 1857, leaving a family of six children. The family had removed to Chester County when William was about two years old, and continued to reside in the western section of it, and in adjacent portions of Lancaster County, until the Rebellion occurred. Three brothers enlisted, William entering the three months' service as a private in Company A, Ninth, Pennsylvania Volunteers. His two brothers served in Company I, Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Reserves, and were captured at the battle of the 'Wilderness. The eldest, Gamier P. Martin, died of starvation in the horrid prison-pen at Andersonville, Ga., and George, the youngest, was paroled about the same time, and reached home a mere skeleton,-the shadow of a man. William H. enlisted as a private in Company A, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was successively promoted until June 1, 1865, when he was made lieutenant-colonel, but not mustered. Since the war he has resided in Raleigh, N. C., where, on Nov. 16, 1865, he was married to Miss Mattie Louisa Kirham.
ISAIAH PRICE, major of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and brevet colonel United States volunteers, was born May 20, 1822, in East Bradford township, Chester County. His school education was received at the neighborhood schools,-Mr. Bolmar's academy and Friends' Select School, at West Chester,-and at an academy in Byberry, Pa., under the care of John G. Lewis. He graduated in 1854 at the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery, and entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1846 he married Lydia, daughter of Jacob Heald, of Hockessin, Del., and settled in West Chester. lie served with rare gallantry, was wounded in action at Green Plains, Bermuda Hundred, Va., May 20, 1864, and was mustered out at the expiration of his three years' term. He was a splendid
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soldier, as is attested by the following language of Gen. Pennypacker : " There never was, or could be, an officer more willing and anxious to hold himself up to the strict, stern, and varied requirements of his official duty than is Maj. Price."
HENRY W. CARRUTHERS, first lieutenant and adjutant of Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant-general, First Brigade, Second Division, Tenth Corps, captain Company C, Ninety-seventh Regiment, was born in Lawrenceville, Ill., Nov. 5, 1835. His father, George W. Carruthers, was a promising young lawyer of that place, who died while Henry was a child. His mother, Jemima P. Carruthers, then returned to Pennsylvania, her native State. At the age of fourteen years her son Henry was put apprentice to his uncle, Hon. Henry S. Evans, editor of the Village Record, West Chester, Pa., to learn the printing business, where he remained until he attained his twenty-first year, becoming an excellent printer and an efficient assistant in conducting the business of the office. At the end of his apprenticeship he entered upon the study of law with Joseph Hemphill, Esq., in West Chester was admitted to the bar of the courts of Chester and Delaware Counties in February, 1858, and practiced the law until the spring of 1861, when, the Rebellion having culminated in the attack upon Fort Sumter, he joined the ardent and patriotic young men of West Chester in raising troops to support the government. He had previously become a citizen-soldier as a member of the National Guards, and was now commissioned first lieutenant in the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and mustered into the United States service Sept. 11, 1861, having before served as a private in the. Ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers (three months' service). He was made adjutant of the regiment. In the action at Deep Bottom and Malvern Hill, Aug. 14 and 15, 1864, and on the 16th, at Strawberry Plains, Va., he was engaged with his regiment. In the latter fight he was mortally wounded by a minie-ball passing through the lumbar vertebra, severing the spinal cord. He was borne off the field by his comrades, and was sent to the Chesapeake Hospital, at Fortress Monroe. He died Aug. 22, 1864, in the twenty-ninth year of his age. The Chester County Bar, at a meeting on Aug. 25, 1864, adopted resolutions lamenting his death, and expressive of his great ability and brave loyalty, and added that he was the fifth martyr from its bar, and that it would fondly associate his name with the honored names of Bell, Roberts, McIntire, and Nields, who had before given their lives to their country on the battle-field.
DR. JOHN ROSPELL EVERHART, surgeon of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and brevet lieutenant-colonel, United States volunteers, comes of Revolutionary stock, both of his grandfathers having been soldiers in Washington's army. He was born in West Chester in 1828, received his early education at the old academy, and graduated at Princeton College, N. J., in 1850. He then entered upon the study of medicine, and three years later received a physician's diploma from the University of Pennsylvania. He soon afterwards went to Paris, in order to further prosecute his studies in medicine and surgery under the most eminent professors of that city, and, returning home, he acquired an active practice. Appointed surgeon of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, during his three and a half years' service he earned the approbation of both officers and men through his diligence, skill, and courage in attending the wounded on the field and the sick in the hospitals, especially during the prevalence of yellow fever among the troops at Hilton Head, S. C., in 1862, where, owing to his care and skill in treatment and prompt and efficient sanitary regulations, the disease was quickly subdued within the limits of his command. At that post he was appointed a member of the board of medical examiners for the Department of the South by Maj.-Gen. Hunter. He continued upon duty after the expiration of his three years' term, until the close of active operations north of the James River, and was then mustered out of service at Chapin's Farm, Va., having. served three years and three months. During the summer of 1872 he visited Europe, in company with Maj.-Gen. Galusha Pennypacker, and together they traveled extensively through Great Britain and upon the Continent.
REV. WILLIAM M. WHITEHEAD, M.D., chaplain of the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, was born Dec. 12, 1823, in Philadelphia. At the age of sixteen he experienced strong religious convictions, and was baptized at Kaighn's Point. He was educated at Madison University, N. Y., and his ordination to the work of the ministry took place in the Calvary Church in 1850. The Beulah Church, Chester County, was the scene of his earliest ministerial labors. In 1852 he assumed the charge of the Frankford Church, where he labored seven years with great acceptance. In 1858 he removed to Great Valley, Chester County. This pastorate he resigned after four years to accept the chaplaincy of the Ninety-seventh Regiment, in November, 1861. He continued with the regiment during most of the year 1862, but, his health becoming impaired, he resigned, and was honorably discharged Aug. 20, 1862. In April, 1863, he settled in McKeesport, Alleghany Co., Pa., and in 1866 he accepted the call of the New Britain Church, in the eastern section of the State. A growing family and an inadequate salary prompted him to pursue a course of medical studies preparatory to practice in the healing art. He entered in 1871 upon his joint duties as pastor and physician in Woodbury, N. J. He had at intervals suffered from a return of chronic diarrhoea, contracted in the service. This now increasing, he was prostrated on a bed of pain ; after lingering many months he died Jan. 30, 1873, and was buried at Great Valley church.
ELEVENTH CAVALRY.
The Eleventh Cavalry, originally known as " Harlan's Light Cavalry," was raised as an independent regiment in August and September, 1861, by Col. Joshua Harlan, of Philadelphia, under special authority from the Secretary of War, under which companies were raised in different States, Co. A being from Iowa, portions of E and F from New York, a part of I from New Jersey, M from Ohio, and the remainder from Pennsylvania. Co. B was from Chester. County. This regiment served with distinction in the Army of the James, was engaged in many expeditions, and fought in numerous severe battles and engagements.
142 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
Of the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (nine months' service), Companies A, C, E, F, G, I, and K were recruited in Chester County, and the three remaining companies in Delaware County. They rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, but before an organization could be effected they were ordered to Washington, and proceeded thither Aug. 12, 1862, under command of the senior captain, Joseph W. Hawley. Upon their arrival they went into camp near Fort Albany, and on the 17th the regimental organization was effected. This regiment, though but a brief period in service, made an honorable history, and was nobly engaged in two great battles,—Antietam, in September, 1862, and Chancellorsville, in April and May following. At the former it lost fifty in killed and wounded, and of the latter was Col. Hawley, its commander. It was mustered out May 17, 1863, at Harrisburg.
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
The One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania Drafted Militia (nine months' service), was composed of eight companies from Chester County and two from Montgomery. The camp of rendezvous was in West Philadelphia, where the companies assembled in November, 1862, and a regimental organization was effected. On December 1st the regiment broke camp and moved, via Washington, to Fortress Monroe, and thence to Suffolk, Va., where it was made a part of the brigade commanded by Col. Alfred Gibbs. After a month's incessant drill, the regiment was transferred to the brigade of Gen. F. B. Spinola, and moved with other troops, during the closing days of the year, to Newbern, N. C., and went into winter quarters. Spinola's brigade here became the First of the Fifth Division, Gen. Henry Prince, Eighteenth Corps, Gen. Foster. In March, 1863, when the enemy were threatening Newborn, N. C., this regiment threw up a strong line of earthworks on the south side of the river Trent, and joined in. repelling the attack, which was sluggishly made, on the town. It also made several expeditions in search of Col. Woodford's guerrillas, but never succeeded in inducing them to risk a fight. After retiring from Newbern, the enemy proceeded to Washington, on the Tar River, and laid siege to the town. The defense was conducted by Gen. Foster in person, the little garrison consisting of about two thousand men. From Newbern to Washington direct was about thirty miles, but by water one hundred and twenty. Prince's division at once moved by water to the relief of Foster. Eight miles below the town, Prince found his way impeded by obstructions in the river, here a mile wide, and by heavy guns in earthworks on either side. A year before, when Burnside made his descent upon the coast, the enemy had driven three lines of piles across the stream, and erected heavy bomb-proofs to command the passage. When the `Union forces got possession, they contented themselves with opening a narrow way through the piles, and left the bomb-proofs unharmed. When the enemy came again, he had but to occupy them. An attempt was made by the gunboats to reduce these defenses, but, failing in this, the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Regiment was Put upon a transport in tow of the gunboat "Whitehead," and with other troops moved up to pass the obstructions, but before reaching them it was signaled to retire. Prince subsequently abandoned further attempts at relief and returned to Newborn. A force under Gen. Spinola, of which the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth formed a part, which moved overland with the same object, was alike unsuccessful, meeting the enemy in force at Blount's Creek. The rebels, finding all attempts to reduce the place fruitless, and seeing a heavy force under Foster, who had escaped from the besieged town, gathering for a descent upon their rear, raised the siege. Spinola's brigade was then ordered to Washington, and a part of the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth, under Lieut.-Col. Hooton, was posted at Fort Hill, and the other, under Maj. Smith, at an earthwork at Rodman's Point, Col. Dyer having been appointed to a temporary command at Little Washington, under Gen. Prince. The regiment remained in this position for two months, and, this being a malarious district, it lost many men by sickness, among them Lieuts. Evan Shuler and John E. Miller. Near the close of June the regiment was ordered north, and upon its arrival. at Fortress Monroe was designated to join in the force then organizing for a movement up the Peninsula. This order, however, was countermanded, and it was sent to the upper Potomac, to aid in intercepting the retreat of the rebel army from Pennsylvania. Upon its arrival at Harper's Ferry it was stationed on Maryland Heights, whence, after some delay and the final escape of Lee, it proceeded to Frederick, Md. It subsequently marched to Sandy Hook, where it was attached to Col. Wells' brigade of the Eighth Corps. With it the regiment assisted in laying a pontoon-bridge over the Potomac to the . town of Harper's Ferry, and, crossing, had a sharp skirmish with the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, which was driven and the town occupied. Its term of service had now expired, and, returning to Philadelphia, it was, August, 1863, mustered out. Col. Samuel A. Dyer, of Delaware County, was its commander.
MILITIA ORGANIZATIONS OF 1862.
The rebel army had no sooner achieved its triumph in the second battle of Bull Run than it hastened northward and commenced crossing the Potomac. The southern border of Pennsylvania lay in close proximity, all unprotected, and by its rich harvests invited invasion. The Reserve Corps, which was originally organized for the State defense, had been called away to the succor of the pressed army of McClellan upon the Peninsula, and was now upon the weary march, with ranks sadly thinned in the hard-fought battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Crossroads, and the second Bull Run, to again meet the foe, but powerless to avert the threatened danger. Therefore, on the 4th of' September, Governor Curtin issued a proclamation calling on the people to arm and prepare for defense. He recommended the immediate formation of companies and regiments throughout the commonwealth, and, for the purpose of drill and instruction, that after three P.M. of each day all business houses be closed. On the 10th, the danger having become imminent., the enemy being already in Maryland, he issued a general order calling on all able-
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bodied men to enroll immediately for the defense of the State, and to hold themselves in readiness to march upon an hour's notice to select officers, to provide themselves with such arms as could be obtained, with sixty rounds of' ammunition to the man, tendering arms to such as had none, and promising that they should be held for service for such time only as the pressing exigency for State defense should continue. On the following day, acting under authority of the President of the United States, the Governor called for fifty thousand men, directing them to report by telegraph for orders to move, and adding that further calls would be made as the exigencies should require. The people everywhere flew to arms, and moved promptly to the State capital. One regiment and eight companies were sent forward during the night of the 12th, and others followed as fast as they could be organized. On the 14th the head of the Army of the Potomac met the enemy at South Mountain, and hurled him back through its passes, and on the evening of the 16th and day of the 17th a fierce battle was fought at Antietam. In the mean time the militia had rapidly concentrated at Hagerstown and Chambersburg, and Gen. John F. Reynolds, who was at the time commanding a corps in the Army of the Potomac, had assumed command. Fifteen thousand men were pushed forward to Hagerstown and Boonsboro', and a portion of them stood in line of battle in close proximity to the field, in readiness to advance, while the terrible fighting was in progress. Ten thousand more were posted in the vicinity of Greencastle and Chambersburg, and the Twenty-fifth Regiment was sent to guard the Dupont powder-mills, where the national armies were principally supplied. But the enemy was defeated at Antietam, and retreated in confusion across the Potomac. The emergency having passed, the militia regiments were ordered to return to Harrisburg, and, in accordance with the conditions on which they had been called into service, they were, on the 24th, mustered out and disbanded. The organizations of 1862 of Pennsylvania militia were not mustered in, but those of the year 1863 were.
EMERGENCY TROOPS AND MILITIA OF 1863.
The triumph of the rebel army at Fredericksburg, in December, 1862, and the still more signal success on the field of Chancellorsville, in the beginning of May, 1863, emboldened the rebel leaders to again plan the invasion of the North. The purpose, though obscurely hinted at in rebel organs, was veiled in secrecy. When that army, flushed with two victories and recruited to giant proportions, withdrew from the Union front on the Rappahannock and began to move into the Shenandoah Valley, much solicitude was felt to learn its destination, and serious apprehensions were entertained for the safety of the border States. Accordingly, as a precautionary measure, and that the North might be prepared for the worst, two new military departments were established, that of the -Monongahela, embracing that portion of Pennsylvania west of Johnstown and the Laurel Hill range, and portions of West Virginia and Ohio, with headquarters at Pittsburgh and that of the Susquehanna, comprising the remaining portion of Pennsylvania, with headquarters at Harrisburg. The officers in command issued orders calling on the people of the State to volunteer, and to aid in this work. Governor Curtin issued his proclamation of June 12th, inviting the attention of the people to the orders of these two department offices, saying that information had been obtained that a large rebel force had been prepared to make a raid into the State. It becoming daily more evident that the enemy intended to cross the Potomac in force, on the 15th the President called for one hundred thousand men to serve for a period of six months, unless sooner discharged, from the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia, fifty thousand being from the former. This call was heralded by a proclamation from Governor Curtin, calling upon all men capable of bearing arms to enroll themselves in military organizations, and to encourage others to give aid and assistance to the efforts put forth for the protection of the State and country. Troops poured in rapidly to Harrisburg, called out only while this emergency lasted, and were mustered into the United States service either for six months or " for the emergency." The rebels invaded the State, and occupied Chambersburg and many other points in its line of operations. On June 28th the rebel leader, Lee, had discovered that the Army of the Potomac was on his flank, and couriers were sent out in all directions to summon in his scattered forces to the point towards which his main body was tending, the town 'of Gettysburg. During the 1st, 2d, and 3d days of July the great decisive battle of the war was fought on the field about that now historic town. The militia and " emergency" men were, however, held after this for some time, and were employed on various duties, such as gathering in the wounded and stragglers from armies, in collecting the debris of the field, sending away the wounded as fast as their condition would permit, and some were stationed in the mining districts and in Philadelphia, where collisions and disorders prevailed. The bloodless campaigns of the militia may be a subject for playful satire, but in the strong arms and sturdy hearts of the yeomanry- of the land, who spring to arms at the moment of danger, and when that danger has past cheerfully lay them down again, rests a sure guarantee for the peace and security of the country.
COLORED TROOPS.
The colored men of Chester County did their proportional part in enlisting in the United States service and nobly fighting to suppress the great Rebellion. There were no separate colored companies or organizations as such formed in the county, but individually hundreds of this race—whose enslavement was the cause of secession and the war—were recruited from this county in defense of the nation, endangered by the slave-holders' oligarchy. Pennsylvania raised no colored soldiery in its military organizations, hence the colored men who enlisted went into the United States colored regiments and rendezvoused at Camp Penn, at Chelton Hills, a few miles north of Philadelphia. Here, from August, 1863, to September, 1864, were organized the following United States colored regiments : Third, Sixth, Eighth, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth, Thirty-second, Forty-first, Forty-third, Forty-fifth, and One-Hundred and Twenty-seventh, the latter from men enlisted and drafted in the State of Pennsylvania to serve
144 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
one, two, and three years. The recruits for the Twentyfourth, Twenty-fifth, Thirty-second, Forty-first, Forty-third, and Forty-fifth were almost exclusively from Pennsylvania, and those in the remaining regiments were partly from this and partly from tither States. It is impossible to get from the rolls the names of the colored men who went from Chester County to battle valiantly for their country, many of whom went in regiments of other States but investigation shows that this race did its proportion in enlisting and fighting, and should accordingly have the proper credit for its patriotism and loyalty to the old flag of our fathers.
For the names of the officers and men from Chester County who served in the late Rebellion, see Appendix.
PROPRIETARY INTERESTS AND LAND TITLES.
INDIAN PURCHASES.
IT has been stated that the Swedes purchased from the Indians the western shore of the Delaware up to the neighborhood of Trenton, but this was afterwards denied by the natives, and there was also some uncertainty as to whether those who presumed to sell were the rightful owners. It was the policy of Penn to satisfy the natives for any real or imaginary claim to the land, and soon after his arrival we find him taking deeds from those who pretended to own the land in Chester County. The bounds of the purchases were rather indefinite, and frequently overlapped each other.
The first deed from the Indians for lands in this county is from an Indian king or chief called Wingebone, and conveys all his lands, on the west side of Schuylkill, from the first falls upwards and westward, an undefined distance, or, as it is expressed in the deed, " as far as my right goeth." The form is as follows :
" I, WINGEBONE, this 25th day of ye 4th month called June, in ye year, according to ye English aecount, 1683, for me, my heirs and assigns, doe freely grant and dispose of all my lands lying on ye west side of ye Skolkill river, beginning from ye first Falls of ye same, all along upon ye said river, and backwards of ye same, as far as my right goeth, to Wm. Penn, Proprietor and Governor of Pennsylvania, &c.,., his heirs and assignes, forever, for ye consideration of so much Wampum, and other things, as he shall please to give unto me, hereby for me, my heirs and assignes, renouncing all claims and demands, of anything in or for ye future. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year above written.
WINGEBONE."
Signed, sealed, and delivered in ye presence of
JOSEPH CURTEIS,
TAMANEN,
MACHEMEN,
WHEHELAN,
METCHPOKAN,
KUPAUQUE.
The next conveyance is from two Indian chiefs, for the lands lying between the Schuylkill River and Chester Creek, and is in the following form :
"We, SECANE & ICQUOQUEHAN, Indian Shackamakers, and right owners of ye Lands Lying between Manaiunk ale. Schulkill and Macopanackhan, als. Chester River, doe this 14th day of ye flit month, in ye year, according to English account, 1683, hereby graunt and sell all our Right & title in ye sd Lands Lying between ye sd Rivers, beginning on ye West side of Manaiunk, called Consohockan, & from thence by a Westerly Line to ye sd River Macopanackhan, unto William Penn Proprietr & Governr of ye Province of Pennsylvania, &c., his heirs and assignee forever, for and in consideration of 150 fathom of Wampum, 14 Blankets, 68 yds. Duffills, 28 yds. stroud waters, 15 guns, 3 great kettles, 15 small kettles, 16 pr. stockins, 7 pr. shoes, 6 capps, 12 gimblets, 6 drawing knives, 15 pr. sissors, 15 combes, 5 papers needles, 10 tobacco boxes, 15 tobacco tongs, 32 pounds powder, 3 papers beads, 2 papers red lead, 15 coats, 15 shorts, 15 axes, 15 knives, 30 barrs of lead, 18 glasses, 15 hoes, unto us in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hereby renouncing all claims and demands for ye future, from us our heirs or assignee, in, or to ye premises. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, ye day and Year first above written.
"SECANE.
" ICQUOQUEHAN."
Sealed and delivered in presence of
PISERICKEM,
PETER RAMBO,
SWAN SWANSON,
PHILIP TH. LEHNMANN,
JOS. CURTEIS,
CATEMUS, an Indian King.
A deed from Kekelappan reads thus :
"I, KEKELAPPAN, of Opasiskunk, for me, my heirs and.assigns, do hereby give and grant unto William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of ye Province of Pennsylvania, his heirs and assigns, that half of all my lands, betwixt Susquahanna and Delaware, which lyeth on ye Susquahanna side; and do hereby further promise, to sell unto him at ye next Spring, at my return from hunting, ye other half of my land, at as reasonable rates as other Indians have been used to sell in this river. In witness whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand and seal, at Philadelphia, ye 10th 7 ber, 1683.
" KEKELAPPAN."
Witnesses present.
LASSE COCK,
ESSEPENAICK E,
PHILIP TH. LEHNMANN.
The following deed was made July 30, 1685, and embraces a considerable quantity of land in Chester County :
" We, Shakkoppoh, Secane, Malibor, Tangoras, Indian Sakemakers, and right owners of ye lands lying between Macopanackan als. Upland, now called Chester river or creek, and the river or creek of Pemapecka, now called Dublin Creek, beginning at the bill called Conshohockin, on the river Manaiunck or Skoolkill, from thence extends in a parallel line to the said Macopanackan, als. Chester Creek, by a south-westerly course and from the said Conshohocken hill, to ye aforesaid Pemapecka, als. Dublin creek, by ye said parallel line northeasterly, and so up along the said Pemapecka creek, so far as the creek extends, and so from thence north-westerly, back into ye woods, to make up two full daies journey, as far as a man can go in two daies, from the said station of ye said parallel line at Pemapecka; also beginning at the said parallel at Mecopanackan ale. Chester creek, and so
PROPRIETARY INTERESTS AND LAND TITLES - 145.
from thence up the said creek as far as it extends; and from thence north-westerly back into the woods, to make up two full dayes journey, as far as a man can go in two dayes, from the said station of the said parallel line, at ye said Macoponackan, als. Chester creek, for and in consideration of 200 ffathoms of Wampum, 30 ffathoms of duffells, 30 guns, 60 fathom of stroud waters, 30 kitties, 30 shirts, 20 gimblets, 12 pair of shoes, 30 pairs of stockins, 30 pairs of sizors, 30 combes, 30 axes, 30 knives, 31 tobacco tongs, 30 barrs of lead, 30 pounds of powder, 30 auls, 30 glasses, 30 tobacco boxes, 3 papers of beads, 44 pounds Of red lead, 30 pair of hawkes bells, 6 drawing knives, 6 cap's, 12 howes, to us in hand, well and truly paid, by William Penn, Proprietary and Governour of ye Province of Pennsylvania, and Territories thereunto belonging, the receipt whereof we hereby acknowledge, do, by these presents, grant, bargain, and sell, unto the said William Penn, his heires and assignes forever, all and every the aforesaid tract of land, lying between the said rivers or creeks, of Pemapecka and Macopanackan, and from thence two days journey, backwards into ye woods as aforesaid, together with all right, title, and interest, that we or any others whatsoever, shall or may claim in the same.; hereby for Us, our heirs and successors, and all other Indians whatsoever, renouncing and disclaiming forever, any pretence, claim, or demand whatsoever, in or unto the premises, hereby sold to said William Penn, his heirs and assignes as aforesaid. In witness whereof, we, the said Indian Sakemakers, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this thirtyeth day of ye fflfth month, called July, and in the year, according. to ye English account, one thousand six hundred eighty and fflve.
“SHAKAHOPPOH,
" SECANE,
“MALIBOR,
" TANGORAS."
Great men of the Indians present :
TARECKHOCCA,
TENoUGHANT,
NESSAKANT,
KACOCAHAHOUS,
NAHATTAS,
TONTAMEN,
TEPASK ENINN.
Some four years thereafter " arrangements were made for ascertaining the western boundary of this strangely described tract." A letter from Thomas Holme, addressed " To my very loving friends, Shakhoppoh, Secanning, Malibore, Tangoras, Indian kings, and to Maskecasho, Wawarim, Tenaugham, Terrecka, Nessouhaikin, Indian shamakers, and the rest concerned," informs them that he has appointed Benjamin Chambers, of Philadelphia, " to mark out a westerly line from Philadelphia to Susquehannah, that the said line may be prepared and made ready for going the said two days' journey backwards hereafter," and desiring and requiring them, and all other Indians that had formerly been concerned in the said tracts of land, not to presume to offer any interruption or hindrance in marking the line, but rather to render assistance, if there should be occasion for it.
In pursuance of this appointment, the line was run from the Schuylkill to the Susquehanna. As near as we are able to trace its course, it entered the present limits of Chester County a little south of the Westtown school ; crossed the Wilmington road near where. John Noble now resides, about one mile south of West Chester, and the east branch of Brandywine north of Jefferis' Ford ; passed a short distance south of Marshallton, and of the Chester County Almshouse ; crossed the west branch of Brandywine and Buck Run near Laurel Iron-Works, and Buck Run again about Newlin's mill crossed the Limestone road (then an Indian path) about where James Reid now resides, in Highland. township ; crossed Glen Run a short distance south of Penningtonville, and the Octorara Creek south of Nobleville ; thus passing in its course through the present townships of Thornbury, Westtown, West Goshen, East Bradford, West Bradford, Newlin, East Fallowfield, Highland, West Fallowfield, and- Sadsbury. At that time the whole country through which it passed in this county had few inhabitants except the Indians.
At a meeting of the Provincial Council, held on the 22d day of September, 1685, information was received from Capt. Lasso Cock that the Indians were willing to dispose of their lands between Upland and Appoquinamy. The following is the notice of it on the minutes of the Council.:
" Information being given to ye Council, by Capt. Cock, of ye Indians' willingness to sell all their right and claim to the land between Upland and Appoquinamy, as far backward as they have any claim thereunto, and that they proposed a meeting at Widow Scalcop's on ye 29th inst., in order to treat about ye same; the Council thought fit to order Capt. Thomas Holmes, John Symcock, and ye Secretary, or any two of them, to be at ye place aforesaid, with full power to treat, and compleat ye purchase with them, and to call to their assistance what members of ye Council can conveniently be there." .
The result was the following deed, made Oct. 2, 1685 :
" This Indenture Witnesseth, that we, Lare Packenah, Tareekham, Sickais, Pettquessit, Terois, Essepenaick, Petkhoy; Kekelappan, Feomus, Mackaloha, Melleonga, Wissa-Powey, Indian Kings, Sachemakers, right owners of all the lands from Quing Quingus, called Duck creek, unto-Upland, called Chester creek, all along by the west side of Delaware river and so between the said creeks backwards, as far as a man can ride in two days with a horse, for and in consideration; of these following goods, to us in band paid and secured to be paid, by : William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania and Territories thereof, viz : Twenty gunns, twenty fathom match-coat, twenty fathom stroudwaters, twenty blankets, twenty kettles, twenty pounds powder, one hundred barrs lead, forty tomahawks, one hundred knives, fourty pare stockings, one barrel of beer, tWenty pounds red lead, one hundred fathom wamphum, thirty glass bottles, thirty pewter spoons, one hundred awl blades, three hundred tobacco pipes; one hundred hands of tobacco, twenty tobacco tongs, twenty steeles, three hundred flints, thirty pare sissors, thirty combs, sixty looking-glasses, two hundred needles, one skiple salt, thirty pounds shuger, five gallons mollassis, twenty tobacco boxes, one hundred Juise-harps, twenty hows, thirty guimlets, thirty wooden screw borers, and one hundred strings beads; We hereby acknowledge in behalf of ourselves, as only right owners of the aforesaid tract of land, to bargain and sell, and by these presents, doe fully, clearly and absolutely, bargain and sell unto the said William Penn, his heirs and assigns, for ever, the aforesaid tract of land, with all the wood; rivers, creeks, and appurtenances, unto the same belonging, to be held, used, possessed and enjoyed, by the said William Penn, his heirs, and assigns forever, without any molestation or hindrance from, or by us, or any of us, and from or by any other Indians whatsoever, that shall or may claime any right, title or interest, in or unto the said tract of land, or any part thereof. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, and seals, at New Castle, the 2d day of the eighth month, 1685.
"Signed, sealed and delivered unto. Capt. Thos. Holme, Surveyor General of ye Province of Pennsylvania, to and for ye use of William Penn, Esq., Proprietary and Governor of ye aforesaid Province, and Territories thereunto belonging."
In 1706 a purchase was made of lands on the Brandywine. The following, memorandum of it is taken from the minutes of the commissioners of property :
"Be it remembered that on the: tenth day of September, 1706, all the Commissioners present, at the repeated complaints of the inhabitants on Brandywine, whose lands had never been purchased of the Indians, the Commissioners agreed with Sheehonickan, the Chief of the Indians there, to buy off their claims for one hundred pounds of Pennsylvania. money."
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146 - HISTORY OP CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Those who can trace the titles of their farms back to these representatives of the red men may feel reasonably secure in the enjoyment of their possessions.
On the 17th of September, 1718, a deed of release was made by sundry Delaware Indian chiefs, viz., Sassoonah, Meetashechay, Ghettypeneeman, Pokehais, Ayamackan, Opekasset, and Pepawmaman, for all the lands situate between the rivers Delaware and Susquehanna, from Duck Creek to the mountains on this side Lechay, with an acknowledgment that they had seen and heard divers deeds of sale read unto them, under the hands and seals of former kings and chiefs of the Delaware Indians, their ancestors and predecessors, who were owners of said lands, by which they had granted the said lands to William Penn, for which they were satisfied and content, which, for a further consideration of goods delivered them, they then confirmed.
Duck Creek, referred to in these deeds, is the southern line of New Castle Co., Del. These several grants extinguished the Indian title to the whole of the lands in Chester County.
The Indian claim to the Brandywine, and one mile wide on each side, was by virtue of an alleged grant from William Penn on the sale of their lands to him. Some interesting papas in relation to this claim will be found under the head of Newlin township.
The signatures, or marks made by the Indians in executing these deeds, are very curious. They are generally rude representations of some object or animal. Those who feel interested in the subject of Indian autographs will find a considerable collection of them in the Pennsylvania " Archives," vol. i. page 100.
On the 26th of May, 1728, the Governor and some members of Council, and others, went to the Indian town of Conestogoe, and there held a conference with the Indians. Among those present were Oholykon, Peyeaskicken, and Wikimikona, chiefs of some of the Delaware Indians on Brandywine. Presents were made, and the " ancient friendship renewed."
Another conference was held at Philadelphia, on the 3d of June, 1728, at which Sassoonan, or Allumwapees, king of the Delawares, and a large number of Indians were present. An address was made by Sassoonan, in which he complained that the Christians had settled on lands which the Indians had never been paid for, and that they occupied his lands, for which he had never received anything. In reply, the deed of release of the 17th of September, 1718, was exhibited, and he and Opekasset, two of those who had executed it, viewed their marks, and acknowledged that it was all true, and that they had been paid for all the lands therein mentioned, but that lands beyond the boundary therein described had been. occupied and not paid for. A question thus arose as to the extent of the grant, the English contending that it reached a greater distance northward than the Indians were willing to concede. The matter was amicably adjusted, and the Governor concluded an address to them as follows:
"We have noW brightened the chain and strengthened our League, and we are as one people. I have commanded all the English, by a printed proclamation published through all the country, to be kind to the Indians, which you shall hear read to you and interpreted.
" What I have further to desire of you is, that you would send some trusty people amongst the neighboring Indians, and if you can, to the Five Nations, to acquaint them with what had passed between us, and give them shoes and stockings (presenting six pair to each), for the use of those who are to travel, that they may the better bear their journey. I shall also give you bread, pipes, and tobacco, lath five gallons of Rum, to comfort and support you in your return home."
DISPOSAL OF LANDS TO SETTLERS.
By virtue of his charter William Penn became the owner of the territory of Pennsylvania, subject to the Indian titles, and excepting that portion previously possessed by the Swedes, Dutch, and English along the Delaware, to which, as before related, the Indian title had been already extinguished.
If the charter, says Sergeant, had contained nothing more on the subject, the grants of land made by William Penn, and by his heirs and successors, must have been, by the English law, to hold of the crown in the same manner he did. The statute Quia Emptores enacted " that it shall be lawful for every freeman to sell at his own pleasure his lands and tenements, or part of them, so that the feoffee shall hold the same of the chief lord of the same fee, by such service and customs as his feoffer held them." The non, obstccnte clause in the charter dispensed with this provision, and allowed the proprietary to alienate to others, who should hold directly of him, and not of the king, who was the chief lord of the fee.
Having secured title to the province, Penn published an account of Pennsylvania for the information of those who might desire to emigrate thither, in which certain conditions are set forth : first, to purchasers ; second, to those taking up land uponi rent ; and, third, as to servants. In
regard to the first, the shares were to be certain as to the
number of acres; each to contain 5000 acres free from any Indian incumbrance. Price £100, and one English shilling quit-rent for 100 acres ; quit-rent not to begin till after 1684. Second, renters to pay one penny per acre, not to exceed 200 acres. Third, the masters to be allowed 50 acres per head, and 50 acres to every servant when his time expired, at a yearly rent of a half-penny sterling per acre.
A large amount of land was soon disposed of, and on the 11th of July, 1681, were signed " certain conditions or concessions agreed upon by William Penn, Proprietary and Governor of the province of Pennsylvania, and those who are the adventurers and purchasers in the same province." These consisted of twenty articles, of which the first ten related more particularly to the survey and settlement of the lands, and as reference will be made to some of them hereafter, we shall give them in full :
"I. That so soon as it pleaseth God, that the above said persons arrive there, a certain quantity of land, or ground plat, shall be laid out for a large town or city, in the most convenient place upon the river for health and navigation; and every purchaser and adventurer shall, by lot, have so much land therein as will answer to the proportion which he bath bought or taken up upon rent: but it is to be noted that the surveyors shall consider what roads or highways will be necessary to the cities, towns or through the lands. Great roads from city to city, not to contain less than forty feet in breadth, shall be first laid out and declared to be for highways, before the dividend of acres be laid out for the purchaser, and the like observation to be had for the streets in the towns and cities, that there may be convenient roads and streets preserved, not to be encroached upon by any planter or builder, that none may build irregularly to the damage of another. In this, custom governs.
PROPRIETARY INTERESTS AND LAND TITLES - 147
"II. That the land in the town be laid out together after the proportion of ten thousand acres of the whole country, that is two hundred acres if the place will bear it; however, that the proportion be by lot, and entire, so as those that desire to be together, especially those that are by the catalogue laid together, may be so laid together both in the town and country.
"III. That when the country lots are laid out, every purchaser, from one thousand to ten thousand acres or more, not to have above one thousand acres together, unless in three years they plant a family upon every thousand acres, but that all such as purchase together, lie together; and if as many as comply with this condition, that the whole be laid out together.
"IV. That where any number of purchasers more or less, whose number of acres amounts to five or ten thousand acres, desire to sit together in a lot or township, they shall have their lot or township cast together, in such places as have convenient harbors or navigable rivers attending it, if such can be found; and in case any one or more purchasers plant not according to agreement in this concession, to the prejudice of others of the same township, upon complaint made thereof to the governor or his deputy, with assistance they may award (if they see cause) that the complaining purchaser may, paying the survey money, and purchase money, and interest thereof, be entitled, enrolled and lawfully invested in the lands so not seated.
"V. That the proportion of lands that shall be laid out in the first great town or city, for every purchaser, shall be after the proportion of ten acres for every five hundred acres purchased, if the place will allow it.
" VI. That notwithstanding there be no mention made in the several deeds made to the purchasers, yet the said William Penn does accord and declare that all rivers, rivulets, woods and underwoods, waters, water-courses, quarries, mines, and minerals (except mines royal), shall be freely and fully enjoyed and wholly by the purchasers, into whose lot they fall.
"VII. That for every fifty acres that shall be alloted to a. servant at the end of his service, his quit-rent shall be two shillings per annum; and the master or owner of the servant; when he shall take up 'the other fifty acres, his quit-rent shall be four shillings by the year, or, if the master of the servant (by reason in the indentures he is so obliged to do) allot out to the servant fifty acres in his own division, the said master shall have, on demand, allotted him from the Governor, the one hundred acres at the chief rent of six shillings per annum.
"VIII. And for the encouragement of such as are ingenious and willing to search out gold and silver mines in this province, it is hereby agreed that they have liberty to bore and dig in any man's property, fully paying the damage done; and in case a discovery should be made, that the discoverer have one-fifth, the owner of the soil (if not the discoverer) a tenth part, the Governor two-fifths, and the rest to the public treasury, saving to the king the share reserved by patent.
" IX. In every hundred thousand acres, the Governor and Proprietary, by lot, reserveth ten to himself, what shall lie but in one place.
"X. That every man shall be bound to plant or man so much of his share of land as shall be set out and surveyed, within three years after it is so set out and surveyed, or else it shall be lawful for new comers to be settled thereupon, paying to them their survey money, and they go up higher for their shares."
The remaining articles relate to trading with the Indians and other matters. These conditions were framed without the benefit of much experience, and a clauset was wisely added allowing additions or corrections to be made, with the consent of the parties subscribing. It is scarcely necessary to say that they were not very closely adhered to. In the same year William Penn sent out commissioners to select a site and lay out a town in accordance with the said concessions, and ordered " that this town shall be laid out for the present purchasers." The commissioners were William. Crispin, William Haige, John Bezer, and Nathaniel Allen ; the first being also appointed surveyor-general, but died before his arrival. Thomas Holme was next appointed surveyor-general, and arrived in the province in June, 1682. He, with the other commissioners, proceeded to lay out land for the great town. William Penn remained in England selling his land, and it was probably about the time Holme sailed for Pennsylvania that he was furnished with a list of those who had become purchasers. These were divided into sections, each section being purchasers of 10,000 acres, from which we may infer an intention to carry out the idea contained in the fourth article of " conditions and concessions." Penn continued to sell land until he sailed for his province, where he arrived in October, 1682. The great town was then divided into two parts, called the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, in each of which the purchasers were to have lots. Those who came over and wished to have their land surveyed to them applied to the proprietary, who granted warrants directed to the surveyor-general, who in turn ordered his deputies to execute them. After the survey patents were granted, in which descriptions of the land were given. Many of the purchasers did not come over, but some of these were represented by their agents or friends, who procured surveys of their land for them.
The first conveyances by the proprietary were by deeds of lease and release executed in England, the release being dated the next day after the lease. The grantees have been termed " first purchasers," and the grants, which had peculiar privileges attached by virtue of the above-mentioned conditions, were afterward denominated "old rights." They amounted altogether to more than 500,000 acres. The original deeds, many of which are still extant, are copperplate prints on parchment.
When, in 1684, Penn was about to sail for England, he appointed Thomas Lloyd, James Claypoole, and Robert Turner commissioners of property, with power to sign patents and grant warrants for lands ; Thomas Holme still being surveyor-general. In 1690 the names of Samuel Carpenter, William Markham, John Goodsonn, and Robert Turner appear as commissioners of property. Among the early surveyors of land in Chester County were Charles Ashcom, Robert Longshore, and David Powell ; the last operated principally among the Welsh, in what was called the Welsh tract. While William Penn remained in England there was considerable trouble in the management of the land-office here, as may be seen by the following extract from an .address to him from the Assembly :
" Nor was the administration of thy Propriety much better managed, because thou put some in that commission with whom the rest would not act, and at last the office of Property and Surveyor general came to be shut up, and thou kept them so whilst thou sold lands to the value of about two thousand pounds sterling, and gave thy warrants in England for surveying the said land; and also got great tracts of land laid out or secured for thyself and relations, besides several valuable parcels which should have been laid out for the purchasers, but were reserved by thy surveyors, whether for thee or themselves we know not. However, thou appropriated those lands to thyself by the name of concealed lands, whereas, in truth, they were concealed from the purchasers who were to have their lands laid out contiguous one to another, and no vacancies left between them, and thou wast to have only thy tenth as it fell, according to the concessions thou made with thy first adventurers, and if thou took it not up so, it was thy own (not their) fault."
Thomas Holme died in 1695, and the next surveyor-general was Edward Penington. William Penn writing from Bristol, 1698, to Samuel Carpenter, says,—
148 - HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
"This comes by a son of Isaac Penington, my clear deceased wife's half-brother, whom I have made Surveyor general; being mathematical more than trading."
Edward, son of Isaac and Mary Penington, was born in 1667, at Amersham, county of Bucks, England, and was married on the 16th of November, 1699, at Burlington, to Sarah, daughter of Samuel Jennings, Governor of the province of New Jersey. He died in Philadelphia, Jan. 10, 1701-2, leaving a son Isaac, some of whose descendants continue to reside in that city.
After William Penn returned to Pennsylvania, toward the close of the year 1699, there appears to have been more activity in the land-office. Previous to this there had not been any reservation in Chester County of land for the proprietary, and he now ordered this regulation to be carried into effect, though not exactly according to the original concessions.
Edward Penington issued several orders for the survey
of land in Chester County, of which the following is a specimen :
{ SEAL.} "By virtue of a Warrant under the hands of Edward Shippen, Griffith Owen, Thomas Story and James Logan, the Proprietary and Governor's Commissioners of Property ye seal of ye Province, to me directed, bearing date ye 17th of 10 Mo. 1701.
"I do hereby authorise thee to survey and lay out unto Thomas Wickersham (for the use of his children) five hundred acres of Land, being what remains untaken up of a thousand acres of Land purchased of the Proprietary by Humphrey Killinbeck, Who made over one moiety of his said purchase to the said Thomas Wickersham, and of the rest, two hundred acres to Humphrey, eldest son of the said Thomas, and one hundred acres apiece to Thomas, John and Anne, the other children of the said Thomas Wickersham : To be laid out for the use of the said children as aforesaid (where it bath not been already surveyed, nor taken up, nor concealed, nor seated by the Indians) according to the method of Townships, and make return thereof into my office, with a protracted figure of the field work, which are by the Proprietary and Governor's order to remain there.
"Given under my hand and seal at Philadelphia the 17th of Xbr 1701.
"EDWARD PENINGTON, Sure. Gen.
"To ISAAC TAYLOR, Deputy Surveyor."
After the death of Edward Penington the commissioners of property resolved " that no such officer should be appointed to succeed him until the pleasure of wthe proprietor be known. That the said office, with all the books, records, warrants, and papers belonging thereto, shall be taken into the commissioners' hands and remain under their care, and that the secretary shall chiefly superintend the same with an able and fit hand well skilled in surveying. That Jacob Taylor, now concerned in a school at Abingdon, be invited to take the management of said office under the secretary. All warrants to be directed to the several surveyors of the respective counties, to be returned into the surveyor's office at Philadelphia. That only copies of the warrants shall be sent into the country, attested by the secretary, and the original remain in the office as before, and be entered on the books, and every original warrant shall express that the original shall remain in the surveyor's office in Philadelphia."—Minutes of the Commissioners of Property, Book C, page 64.
There was no surveyor-general from the 10th of January, 1701, until the beginning of March, 1706-7, when Jacob Taylor was appointed, who continued until Benjamin East-burn was appointed, on the 29th of October, 1733, and the latter continued in office until 1741. William Parsons' commission as surveyor-general bears date Aug. 22, 1741. His successor, Nicholas Scull, was appointed in the beginning of 1748. John Lukens, who succeeded him, was appointed in December, 1761, and continued by reappointment under the commonwealth until his death in 1789. Daniel Brodhead was appointed on the 3d of November, 1789, and continued by reappointments until the 23d of April, 1800. Samuel Cochran was appointed on the 23d of April, 1800, and Andrew Porter on the 4th of April, 1809.
By a commission dated Oct. 28, 1701, William Penn appointed Edward Shippen, Griffith Owen, Thomas Story, and James Logan as commissioners of property, and gave them authority to grant lands for such sums and quit-rents, etc., as to them or any three of them should seem reasonable.
The experiment of establishing a colony did not prove a success in a financial point of view, and William Penn became involved in debt. Previous to his last visit to Pennsylvania he obtained from his lawyer, Philip Ford, of London, a considerable sum of money, and gave the latter, as a matter of form, a deed of sale of the province. This Penn considered, and Ford professed to consider, as a mortgage, but the designing rascal intended to turn it to good account. After his death, in 1702, his widow and son presented their claim, and threatened to take possession of the province if they were not paid the sum of £14,000. After much trouble and litigation their claim was reduced one-half, and, to free himself from the Fords, Penn obtained money from some of his friends, and gave them a mortgage on the province by deeds of lease and release, dated Oct. 6 and 7, 1708. These mortgagees or trustees were Henry Gouldney, Joshua Gee, Silvanus Grove, John Woods, and John Feild, whose names may be noticed in some of the old titles for land. They, with the concurrence of Penn, appointed five commissioners of property, viz. : Edward Shippen, Samuel Carpenter, Richard Hill, Isaac Norris, and James Logan, Nov. 9, 1711. They were empowered to appoint all officers, as surveyors, rangers, and such others who were immediately concerned in the affairs of the proprietary's lands or estate. A letter to them from the trustees, dated Nov. 30, 1711, was brought over by James Logan, whose visit to England was doubtless made with regard to this business. In this they were enjoined to take care to raise money for the payment of the mortgage.
By his will Penn appointed the above commissioners, except Shippen, with the addition of Samuel Preston, as trustees to have the care of his estate in Pennsylvania. These " granted warrants and issued patents, if not as Proprietary officers, yet under ample and existing powers." But the mode was varied. When surveys were made, if a patent was required, they took the first return of survey without requiring it to be entered in the surveyor-general's office, and a formal return transmitted from thence. The patents were in their own names, and recited as well the commission of William Penn as of the mortgagees, Joshua
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Gee and others, of 1711, and thus very many patents exist a trace of which cannot be found in the surveyor-general's office.
James Logan was born in Ireland, came over to this country with Penn in 1699, and in 1701 was appointed secretary of the province, an office which he filled with so much zeal for his master's interest that he became unpopular with many of the inhabitants.
Another of the proprietary officers with whom the settlers were brought in contact was James Steel, who with his family emigrated from Chichester, England, in 1702. He resided in Philadelphia until 1708, when he removed to Kent County and settled on Duck Creek, but returned to Philadelphia in 1714, and was then appointed by the commissioners to have the management of the land-office and collection of quit-rents, etc. In this situation he frequently gave permission to settlers to take up or occupy land, with the understanding that they would become purchasers at a future day.
After Penn's death in 1718, there was some disagreement among his heirs as to the proprietorship of Pennsylvania. This and the other complications mentioned interfered somewhat with the regular granting of warrants and sale of land, as the commissioners were often at a loss to know what to do. Thus James Steel writes to Isaac Taylor :
" PHILADELPHIA, 26th, 7 br. 1719.
"LOVING FRD.-I have thine per Thos. Wooddal who desires the same by word of mouth, as thou hast at his instance requested for him. But the Commiss'rs have now concluded to sign no more Warr'ts for Land, at least without ready money, which I perceive this chap is not furnished with, wherefore his request cannot be complied with till he be better provided; so that I am at a loss what to say to him, since he is seated on the land, more than to order him to get the money without delay. I am with kinde love to thyself, wife, &c., thy real loving ffrd.
" JAME STEEL."
Under date of Oct. 3, 1720, David Lloyd writes to Isaac Taylor :
"Ja. Steel told me yesterday that the Commissioners were at a stand, so that they seem not willing to grant out warrants at present," etc.
On the 12th of second month (April), 1726, James Steel also writes:
"There has not been anything signed by the Comm'rs since my last to thee, they still expecting the desired account of the long talkt of agreem't in the family."
Notwithstanding this, there was plenty of land for sale by those who had purchased large tracts early, and were now prepared to sell by retail, though it is probable they asked a higher price, than the proprietary lands were generally sold for. Many of the immigrants seated themselves on vacant land and proceeded to make improvements, after the manner of modern "squatters," and in the course of a few years would apply for warrants. Where two or more were thus settled near together, there was often contention, and it required firmness and discretion in the surveyor so to execute their warrants that none might interfere with his neighbor's improvements. Some, having made improvements, sold them without applying for warrants, and others; having obtained warrants, neglected to have them executed for several years, and in some instances assigned them to others. Thus the warrants and improvements were alike articles of merchandise, while the title to the land still remained vested in the proprietary. Although, according to the usual custom, patents were obtained by the purchasers of land, yet there were many exceptions, especially in the case of the first purchasers, who paid their money in England ; and as the warrant of survey specified that the land was to be laid out in right of such purchase, there was in reality little need of a better title. Still it was a matter of neglect, rather than otherwise, if patents were not obtained.
After the arrival of Thomas Penn, in 1732, the land-office was reorganized, and the method of granting warrants changed. Benjamin Eastburn was appointed surveyor-general the next year, in the room of Jacob Taylor, who soon after retired to live with his nephew, John Taylor, in Thornbury. From this time until the Revolution warrants were granted by one or more of the proprietaries resident in this country, or, in their absence, by the Governor. Printed forms were used, with blanks to fill with the names of the person applying, situation and amount of land, etc. The following is a specimen, the italics corresponding to the part written in the warrant
"PENNSYLVANIA, SS.
"BY THE PROPRIETARIES.
{SEAL} "Whereas, George Jefferies, of the County of Chester, hath requested that we would grant him to take up two hundred Acres of Land in East Bradford township, adjoining Thomas Price and Richard Woodward, in the County of Chester, for which he agrees to pay to our use the suns of fifteen pounds, ten shillings, current money of this Province, for each hundred acres, and the yearly quit rent of one half penny sterling for every acre thereof. These are, therefore, to authorize and require thee to survey or cause to be surveyed unto the said George Jefferies, at the place aforesaid, according to the method of Townships appointed, the said quantity of two hundred acres, if not already surveyed or appropriated, and make return thereof into the Secretary's office, in order for further confirmation; for which this shall be thy sufficient warrant, which survey, in case the said George Jefferies fulfil the above agreement within six months from the date hereof, shall be valid, otherwise void. Given under my hand and the lesser seal of our Province, at Philadelphia, this tenth day of October, Anno Domino, 1738.
" THOS. PENN.
"To Benjamin Eastburn, Surveyor-General.
" A true copy. To John Taylor, D. Surer.
"Execute this and make a Return thereof into my officc.
" Benj. Eastburn."
The land surveyed in pursuance of the above warrant was on the Brandywine Creek, about a mile and a half below Downington, and a part at least is now in the possession of George Kerr.
On the 27th of November, 1779, was passed an act of Assembly entitled " An Act for vesting the estates of the late ,proprietaries of Pennsylvania in this Commonwealth," by which act the proprietaries received as compensation £130,000 sterling, and were allowed to hold the various tracts of land which had been reserved for their own use by virtue of the original conditions and concessions. A few years after this these proprietaries requested Edmund Physick to make an estimate of the losses which they had or might sustain by the operation of this act. This gentleman had been employed in the receiver-general's office from the beginning of the year 1742 until the' latter end