Historical register : notes and queries historical and genealogical, chiefly relating to interior Pennsylvania

Front matter

THE UNIVERSITY V OF ILLINOIS

LIBRARY

Purchased from .Mr. H. A. Rattermarm' of Cinodnj34td ft

Part I

Mr. President and Gentlemen: I have here some old papers which have accidentally fallen into my possession, and which our worthy President and Librarian have induced me to lay before you this evening. They are “old papers,” doubtless, but I do not believe that the veriest tyro in historical research would place them in the category of rare documents bearing that impress of antiquity which invokes reverence. They have no intrinsic value, no import of subject matter grave enough to arrest the attention of the average reader; they are not specimens of the chirography either of dead patriots or living heroes, and it is a woful commentary upon the foresight and prudence of the State of Pennsylvania that these papers in their isolated, meagre condition should be worthy of even a passing consideration at the hands of the gleaner in the fields of her history. They are simply specimens ot that fiotsam and jetsam which the waves of Time occasionally wash up and expose to sight upon the shores of the Present, from that vast whirlpool of Chaos to which the carelessness of the earlier, and the downright vandalism of the later guardians of our State records have consigned them. Had our Commonwealth’s archives been properly preserved at the right time, such papers as these would now be utterly worthless; but as it is, from the meagre tale they and kindred waifs may tell, must be woven the woof of much of Pennsylvania’s early history.

If I shall succeed in interesting you in the story in part, which these papers will suggest to a careful examiner, and thereby quicken your appreciation of the importance of a more assiduous collation and preservation of records of like character, and impart in never so slight a degree to the general public a knowledge of the present value of such documents, something will have been accomplished for the good of history, more probably than this feeble effort deserves. I call attention first to these two papers :

A List of Members and Officers of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with their places of Residence in Harrisburg, for the Session of 1813-14.

PHILADELPHIA CITY.

William J, Duane, Robert Harris’s, Front street; Thomas Sergeant, George Ziegler’s, Second street; John Connelly, Robert Harris’s, Front street; J acob Mitchell, Frederick Hyneman’s. Market street; Joseph M’Coy, John Wright’s, vvalnut street. ~

PH1LADE1.PHIA COUNTY.

John Holmes, Frederick Hyneman’s, Market street; Joseph Starne, Frederick Hyiieman’s, Market street; John Carter, Frederics Hyneman’s, Market street; Joel B Sutherland, John Wright’s, Walnut street; Isaac Heston, John Shoch’s Front street; Charles Souder, Frederick Hyneman’s, Market street.

BUCKS.

Samuel Smith, John Shoch’s, Front street; William H. Rowland, Mrs. M’Creight’s, Market street; Michael Fackenthall, John Shoch’s Front street; Joseph Clunn, John Shoch’s, Front street.

CHESTER.

John Harris, John Shoch’s, Front street; John Read, John Shoch’s, Front street; James Brooke, Nicholas Schwoyer’s, Walnut strret; James Hindman, John Shocb’s, Front street, Edward Darlington, John fc>hoch’s,Front street.

LANCASTER.

Emanuel Reigart, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street; Joel Dightner, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street; Jacob Grosh, Andrew Berry hill’s, Second street; John Graff, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street; Henry Hambright, John Norton’s, Second street; Robert Maxwell, Andrew Berryhili’s, Second street.

YORK.

James S. Mitchell, Phillip Youse’s, Second street; Archibald S. Jordan, Frederick Beis-

Historical and Genealogical.

S sel’s. Second street; Jacob Heckert, Philip Youse’s, Second street; George Frysinger, Nicholas Schwoyer’s, Walnut street.

CUMBERLAND.

John Maclay, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street; Moses Watson, Geoi’ge Zeigler’s, Second street; George Metzger, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street;

BERKS AND SCHUYLKILL.

Jacob Krebs, Jacob Steinman’s, Market street; Conrad t'eger, John Feger s. Market street; George Marx, Peter Marx’s, Market street; John Addams, Frederick Hyneman’s, Market street; Jonathan Hudson, Frederick Hyneman’s, Market street.

NORTHAMPTON, LEHIGH AND WAYNE.

Daniel W. Dingman, John Beajamim’s, Market street; Henry Winter, John Benjamin’s, Market street; John Hays, Frederick Beissel’s, Second street; Philip seller, John Benjamin’s, Market street; Abraham Rinker, Frederick Beissel’s, second street.

NORTHUMBERLAND, UNION AND COLUMBIA.

Samuel Bond,Mrs. M’Cieight’s, Market street; Leonard Rupert, Nicholas Schwoyer’s, Walnut street; Tnomas Murray, Mrs. M’Creight’s, Market street; George Kremer, Nicholas Schwoyer’s, W alnut street.

WASHINGTON.

Josnua Dickerson, Thomas M’Call, James Stevenson and Janies Kerr, at Nicholas Schwoyer’s, Walnut street.

ARMSTROSG, INDIANA AND JEFFERSON.

James M'Comb, John Benjamin’s Market street.

WESTMORELAND.

George Plumer, Henry Allshouse, and Peter Wallace, Melchior Rahm’s, Second street.

FAYETTE.

Henry Heaton, Nicholas Schwoyer’s, Walnut street; John Shreve, Melchior Rabm’s, Second street; John St. Clair, George Ziegler’s, Second street.

BEDFORD.

Joseph S. Morrison and Jacob Hart, Philip Y ouse’s. Second street.

FRANKLIN.

Robert Smith, William Findlay’s, Front stceet; David Maclay, John Shoch’s, Front street; Jacob Dechert, George Ziegler’s, Second street.

MONTGOMERY.

Jesse Bean, Benjamin Reiff, Philip Reed, and William Powell, Nicholas Schwoyer’s, Walnut street.

DAUPHIN AND LEBANON.

Amos Ellmaker, George Ziegler’s, Second street; Peter Shindel, Nicholas Schwoyer’s, David Ferguson, Philip Youse’s,Second street.

LUZERNE AND SUSQUEHANNA.

Jabez Hyde and Joseph Pruner, George Ziegler’s, Second street.

HUNTINGDON.

R. James Law and John Crum, Mrs. M’- Creight’s, Market street.

BEAVER. >

John Lawrence, Melchior Rahm’s, Second street.

ALLEGHENY AND BUTLER.

John Potts, William Courtney, William Marks and Samuel Scott, John Shoch’s, Front street.

MIFFLIN.

Jonathan Kothroek, Melcbior Rahm’s, Second street; James Milliken, Mrs. M’Creight’s, Marbet street.

DELAWARE.

William Cheyney and John Thomson, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street.

SOMERSET AND CAMBRIA.

James Mitchell, George Ziegler’s, Second street; Daniel Stoy, John Benjamin’s, Market street.

LYCOMING, BRADFORD, TIOGA AND POTTER.

Henry Welles, Mrs. M’Creight’s, Market street; John Forster, Andrew Berry hill’s. Market street.

GRaENE.

William T. Hays, Nicholas Schowoyer’s, Walnut street.

ADAMS.

William Miller and James Robinette, Andrew Berryhill’s, Market street.

CENTRE, CLEARFIELD AND M’KEAN.

Michael Bollinger,Frederick Beissel’s,Second street.

CRAWFORD, ERIE AND WARREN.

James Weston and James Burchfield, Melchior Rahm’s, Second street.

MERCER AND VENANGO

Samuel Hays and Jacoo Herrington, Melchior Rahm’s. Second street.

George Heckert,clerk, Philip Youse’s,Second street.

Samuel D. Franks, ass’t clerk, J. Downey’s* Second street.

J. Benjamin, sergeant-at-arms, corner Market and Third street.

James Taylor, door-keeper, G. Ziegler’s,Market square.

Historical and Genealogical.

James Peacock, printer ot the English Journal, Mrs. Scott’s; office Market street.

J. Sehnee, printer of the German Journal, Lebanon, Lebanon county.

Jacob Elder, printer of the bills. Chestnut street.

List of the Members and Officers of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for the Session 1813-14, with their places of Besidenee in the Borough of Harrisburg.

L Composed of the city and county of PHILADELPHIA.

Charles Biddle, Mr. Kean’s, Market street; Joseph Worrell, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street; Jacob Shearer, Mr. Hyneman’s, Market street; J ohn Barclay, Mr. Berryhill’s, Second steet.

2. CHESTER AND DELAWARE.

JohnGemmil, Mr. Ziegler’s, Market street; John Newbold, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street.

3. BUCKS.

William Erwin, Mr. Berryhill’s, Second street.

4. LANCASTER.

Nathaniel Watson, Mr. Ziegler’s, Market square; William Hamilton, Mr. Buehler’s, Market square.

5. BERKS AND SCBUYLKILL.

Peter Frailey and Charles Shoemaker, Mr.

Steinman’s, Market street.

6. DAUPHIN AND LEBANON.

Melchior Rahm, Second street.

7. MONTGOMERY.

Samuel Gross, Mr. Benjamin’s, Market street.

8. NORTHAMPTON, WAYNE AND LEHIGH.

Henry Jarre tt, Mr. Beissel’s, Second street; James Ralston, Mrs. Scott’s, Second street.

9. NORTHUMBERLAND AND LUZERNE. James Laird, Mr. Laird’s, Second street; William Ross, Mr. Ziegler’s, Market square,

10. CENTRE, LYCOMING, &C.

Thomas Burnside, Mr. Berryhiil’s, Second street.

11. YORK AND ADAMS.

John Stroman, Mr. Beissel’s, Second street; James M’Sherry, Mr. Berry hill’s. Second street.

12. MIFFLIN AND HUNTINGDON. William Beale, Mr. Ziegler’s Market square.

14. CUMBERLAND.

Isaiah Graham, Mr. Ziegler’s, Market square.

14. BEDFORD, SOMERSET, &C.

John Tod, Mr. Youse’s, Market square.

15. FRANKLIN.

James Poe, Mr. Rahm’s, Second street.

16. WESTMORELAND, &C.

James Brady, Mr. Youse’s, Market square.

17. FAYETTE

P. C. Lane, speaker, Mr. Downey’s, Second street.

18. WASHINGTON AND GREENE.

Abel M’Failand and Isaac Weaver, Mrs. Schwoyer’s, Walnut street.

19. ALLEGHENY, BEAVER AND BUTLER.

Thomas Baird and Walter Lowrie, Mrs. Shoch’s, Front street.

20. ERIE, CRAWFORD, &C.

J oseph Shannon, Mr. Rahm’s, Second street.

Joseph A. M’Jimsey, clerk. Market street.

George Harrison, assistant clerk, Mr. Zeig. ler’s. Market square.

William Wilson, sergeant-at-arms, Mr. Benjamin’s. Market street.

Henry Garloch, door-keeper. Dewberry alley.

Christian Glelm, printer ofthe Journal in the English language. Walnut street.

John Ritter & Co., printer of the Journal in the German language, at Reading.

William Gilmor, printer of the bills. Walnut street.

There is nothing significant in their general appearance, certainly. Upon a casual examination you would say that the “waste paper fiends” who infest the Capitol Hill during present sessions of the Legislature, could doubtless make daily deposits in their capacious budgets of scores of documents just like them, gathered from the debris of Senate and House floors. But mark if you please the date their captions bear.

The paper on which they are printed is immaculate and the typography clear and legible, although it is now nearly seventy years since these broadsides dropped from the presses of James Peacock and Christian Gleim, printers at Harrisburg, and were laid damp upon the tables of Senate and House at the second meeting of the Legislature, ‘ held at the present State Capital, in a building which stood upon the site of this Court House where we meet this evening.

Historical and Genealogical.

With what a familiar sound will the names upon these papers fall upon the ears of aged citizens of Harrisburg, and how their eyes will brighten at the suddenly n;- curring thoughts of boyhood which the mention of these old landmarks will cause. They are the names of men who were then well known and honored throughout the Commonwealth, and of localities in the town prominent then, and around which pleasant memories still cling. These relics of the long ago may be looked upon as interesting by those of us who are young, but they are more than interesting, they are preckms to the aged.

It is not within the scope of an article of so local a character as this must necessarily be, to attempt any biographical sketch of the Senators and members whose names appear in these lists, entertaining as in some respects it might prove. We trust, however, that your patience will brook a brief mention of a few characters in whom we are locally interested, together with some description of the old inns and taverns mentioned in these papers by the names of their landlords, which the kindness of Dr. Egle in furnishing data has enabled the writer to give.

The inns of old England have had a place in her literature from the days of Chaucer down. They have been imbued with a character as distinct as their nomenclature is unique. They have been made the scene of many a pleasing romance, many a heartrending tragedy, and many a tale of grim hobgoblin and phantom strange. It may not, therefore, be difficult to account for the tendency of Americans, and especially of we Pennsylvanian’s, to invest our early inns and taverns with a garb of romance. It is a legitimate inheritance. But if you be too democratic to subscribe to this theory, we may adopt another and less fanciful reason for the interest that is generally manifested in the history of these old landmarks. The taverns of the towns and the inns of the roadsides were the social, military and business centres of the community, as well as the news depots, and as a consequence were the scenes of many an interesting event, the record of which, perhaps, is preserved only in the history of the inn or tavern where it transpired.

Harrisburg has had her full quota of these old temples of accommodation for man and beast, and at no period was the business more prosperous than in that to which we have reverted to-night. The Legislature then, as now, was an important factor in its success, and as a matter of course the establishments patronized by the members were the more important. It is the present purpose to describe these only

”The King of Prussia.” — The Inn most popular with the law-makers at this date seems to have been “The King of Prussia,” Nicholas Schwoyer, landlord. This inn was locacated near the Northwest corner of Second and Walnut streets, on Second. It was a large two storied log and weather boarded house, painted yellow. Its substantial stone stables stood beside it; facing on Second street and running nearly to Locust. A cobble stone pavement secured passers by a solid footing from the inn door to the corner of Locust. Various persons figured as its landlords. Schwoyer above mentioned, Melchior Rahm and David Doebler among them. The King of Prussia is said to have been famous for its gaiety. Shows and dances were common occurrences, and if we may believe tradition the study of science was prosecuted in one of its upper rooms, if not to the wholesale instruction, at least to the delight of a number of young gentlemen who frequently met together there and administered to each other that delightful anaesthetic nitrous oxide or some kindred vapor, for the extraction — not

Historical and Genealogical.

of teeth, but of amusement at each other’s expense. The site of the King of Prussia is now occupied by the Heisley. Buehler, Fleming and Lamberton properties and the building of the Young Men’s Christian Association. At this inn Mr. Schwoyer accommodated fifteen of our members

The ** Sheaf of This tavern

was kept by John Schoch in the double brick house on Front street, next to the north corner of Front and Market. The corner house was prominently occupied as a tavern before the next house was built, Mr. Schoch being its last proprietor. “The Sheaf of Wheat” or the “Golden Sheaf, ” as it was sometimes called, accommodated thirteen members and two Senators, and is said to have always been quite a popular resort for the law-makers. Isaac Wills, of Cumberland county, brother of Alexander Wills, was a hoarder at this house at the time he was murdered in the store of his brother, on the upper corner of Front street and Blackberry alley.

In personal appearance “Mine Host” Schoch is represented as being tall and corpulent. He was a shoemaker by trade, one of the leading men of the town, and much esteemed.

The ''Cross Keys.'*' — Eight members, five Senators, the Assistant Clerk of the Senate and Doorkeeper of the House, stopped with Colonel George Zeigler at the sign of the “Cross Keys. ” This was a three story brick building, with gable fronting the street, still standing at the Northeast corner of Market square and Blackberry alley (No. 15). It was built for a tavern and place of public amusement. It contained a large room on the second fioor which was used for dancing and theatrical purposes. This tavern was abandoned at a comparatively early day. Mr. Ziegler quit the business of tavern keeping and opened what in time proved to be the principal liquor store in the town. He is described as a tall, slender man, with a decided German face, Quaker like style of dress and sombre appearance. He lived much- respected through life and died at a good old age.

"The Sign of Dr. Franklin.” — Senator Melchior Rahm combined the business of law-making with that of tavern keeping. He was the representative in the Senate for the Dauphin and Lebanon district, and at the same time entertained at his house, on the S. E. corner of Second and Walnut, eleven members of the House, and our fellow Senator. Mr. Rahm also kept tavern at other localities at different times, and it might as well here be mentioned that scarcely any of these bonifaces moved in fixed orbits. One year we find them at one stand and the next at another, and so it was a matter of no little difficulty to fix them all definitely for any one year.

3Irs. Scott's — Mrs. Scott kept a popular private boarding house on Second Street, below Chestnut. Seven members of the House, three Senators and James Peacock, the printer of the House English Journal, resided with her. Mrs. Scott subsequently married Gov Snyder.

The "Union Hotel.” — This tavern with the patriotic name was situated on the S. E. corner of Market square and Blackberry alley, and was kept at this date by John Buffington, Geo. Nagle, Wells Coverly and others. It was one of the best hotels in the borough, and was patronized by the better classes of the community. President Van Buren stopped at this tavern during his visit here. General Z. Taylor, when a candidate for the Presidency, received the citizens of Harrisburg in its parlors. Governors Johnson and Pollock both boarded at the “Union” during their official terms. It was the stopping place of

Historical and Genealogical.

five members and four Senators of the Legislature of 1813-14

The Union was also a popular place of resort for the star actors of the day, in regard to whose comminglings with the community curious stories are told

The 'Harrisburg /rm. ” — This was one, and perhaps the most important of the four taverns which stood at the corner of Third and Market streets. It was situated on the Southwest corner of the intersection, upon the site now occupied by the Lochiel. There was nothing striking in its appearance, being a plain brick house, three stories in height. To the rear of it, on the corner of Third street and Blackberry alley, the site of the present Mayor’s office stood a frame building an adjunct of the tavern, adjoining which on the alley were the stables The intervening space between the alley and Third street which was not occupied by the hotel proper, was a yard which for many years served as the place of exhibition for numerous menageries, circus performances and like entertainments. Theatrical performances also frequently took place inside the tavern building. It was in this houi-e that Joseph Jefferson, the elder, died. The old building was removed in 1835 by Matthew Wilson, formerly of Franklin county, and the present Lochiel Hotel erected, of which Mr. Wilson took charge sometime in 1836. Various landlords of the old Harrisburg Inn are mentioned: Frederick Hyneman, Michael Krehl, John M. Eberman, Peter Wenrich, sr., Thomas Wallace, Conrad Knepley. In our list of members seven Representatives and one Senator are ticketed to Fred. Hyneman at the Harrisburg Inn.

The" Washington House ''-By far the most pretentious hotel in Harrisburg at the period ofwhichweare speaking was the Washington House. Attractive in appearance, and centrally located, it generally commanded a large business. It was a double three storied brick house, fronting on Second street. For its sign it had a creditably executed painting of General Washington in citizens dress, holding a roll of paper in his right hand. Its frame built and white washed stables were on Market street on the ground at present now occupied by the Dauphin Deposit Bank. The Jones House now graces the site of the old Washington. Among the subsequent landlords of the Washington were Philip Youse, Nicholas Schwoyer, Mr. Hensey, John Smull, William E. Camp, Mr. Joslin, E. P. Hughes, Major Sanders and his son William T. Sanders. Five Representatives, two Senators and the Clerk of the House were the guests of Mr. Philip Youse during the winter of 1813-14.

Mrs. W CreigMs. — Mrs. M’Creight kept a private boarding house on Market street and was favored with the patronage of seven members.

The ‘ 'Shvp' ’ -Five Representatives, one Senator and the Sergeant at -Arms of the Senate found a stopping place at the “sign of the ship,” over which Major John Benjamin, an old time military character, pre. sided in the capacity of landlord. This tavern was situated on the Northwest corner of Third and Market streets, on the site now occupied by the Telegraph building owned by the Bergner heirs.

The house was of logs, weatherboarded and painted white. Under the proprietorship of Major James Emerson, who, also, at one time kept this hotel, it was quite a military center, all the brigade elections being held there.

The ‘ ‘ Golden Lamb. ” — Was situated on the Southwest corner of Second and Locust streets, and was owned by George Boyer, sr., and kept at the time we write of by Frederick Beissel and accommodated four Representatives and two Senators. It was

Historical and Genealogical.

a large log and weatlierboarded house, with a brick stable adjoining it on Locust street. It was another *popular place of resort for the showmen of the day, especially of circus performers, and, as a matter of course, was then the center of attraction for the boys of town.

John Wrighfs. — John Wright kept a private house of entertainment on Walnut street next to the present Franklin House. He had boarding with him four Representatives. Mr. Wright was a schoolmaster, and for many years postmaster of Harrisburg. The postofflce was kept at his house on Walnut street from 1813 to 1832.

The ''Red {or Golden) Lion.''" — This tavern stood on the S. E. corner of Third and Market streets, where the Mechanics’ bank now is. It was a two storied log building, rough cast, and was well patronized by country people. Its proprietor in 1813 was Jacob Steinman, and one Representative and two Senators made it their abiding place during the session.

Robert Harris\ — Two members also boarded with Robert Harris, son of John Harris, the founder, in the old stone mansion on the river bank. Robert Harris was a member of Congress from this district from 1823 to 1837.

John Norton's. — The two storied weatherboarded house on the west side of Market square, now occupied by William Calder, Esq., as a stage office, was in 1813 John Norton’s tavern.

Mr. Norton was a carpenter by trade, and was once so unfortunate as to have his leg broken by the falling upon it of a boat which he was repairing upon the river bank. An accident such as this which would occur unheeded to-day, was the cause of no little excitement to the people of the town then. Mr. Norton was taken home in a cart, in which proceeding the populance evinced considerable interest. Mr. Norton’s boarders in 1813 numbered among them one Senator.

The ^‘Golden Eagle." — Kept by George Buehler, stood on the Northeast corner of Market square and Second street, now Bolton’s. One Senator boarded here.

At John Downey’s on Second street another member of the same body, and the Assistant Clerk of the House were found. Mr. Kean, on Market street and Mr. Laird on Second steeet, in the capacity of private boarding house keepers, accommodated two more Senators, while the Hon. Wm. Findlay, the then State Treasurer, played the host at his residence on Front streel, for one .member of the House, his friend and relative, Hon. Robert Smith, of Franklin county, a legislator and prominent man.

Besides the taverns above mentioned, which comprise all the stopping places of members at this period, there were many other inns and taverns in the town, of which much of interest could be told. We have space only for a notice of the names of several of them. On Second street could be found: “The Buck Inn,” “Lindermuth’s Tavern,” “Sampson and the Lion,” “The Sign of the Mermaid, ” “The Green Tree,” “The Fountain Inn,” “The Poplar Tavern,” “The Golden Swan,” “The Pennsylvania Inn” and “The Seven Stars.” On the N E. corner of Third and Market, “The Golden Cross Keys.” On Front street, “The Blue Ball,” “The White Swan,” “Weitzel’s Hotel.” “The Rising Sun.” On Market street, “The Green Bay Tavern.” On Third street, “The Globe Inn” and “The Eagle Inn” On the old Harris Ferry road (Paxtang street), “The Ship, ’’subsequently the “General Jackson,” “The Spread Eagle” and “The Black Horse Inn.”

Historical and Genealogical.

Templeton. — Agnes Templeton, widow of Robert Templeton, of Derry, died at an advanced age in February, 1790, leaving children as follows :

i. Robert, and had William and Robert.

ii. Jane, m. ^ Henry.

iii. Mary, m. M’Alley.

iv. John.

V. Ruth, m. Johnston and had Ag-

nes.

vi. , m. Stewait, and had

Agnes and Mary.

vii. Sarah, m. Clark.

viii. Barbara, m. M’Cormick.

ix. Susanna, m. Hawthorn.

X. Hannah, m. — — Sinclair.

Can any one inform us as to the Chris tian name of No. vi and also the full names of those intermarried. w. h e.

Wallace — Clyde. — We have been inlormed, that our surmisings as to the maiden name ot the wife of Robert Wallace (n. q., xlii), were not correct, that her name was Mary Clyde. She was a descendant, if not a daughter, of Michael and Bridget Clyde, ot Scotch ancestry, who came from the north of Ireland and settled in the “Irish Settlement,” Northampton county, Penna., prior to 1750. There was a strong intimacy existing between the “Settlement” on the Delaware and the Scotch-Irish of this section, and hence this information may probably be correct. w. H. E.

Military Spirit in 1821.— An editorial in the Intelligencer of May 18, 1821, in alluding to a recent review of the military of the borough, under Col Joel Bailey, which consisted of “tour companies of militia and two of volunteers,” says : “In Carlisle,

we are told, are seven volunteer companies, and in the neighborhood of a little town in Cumberland county, called Mechanicsburg, are six companies of this description.”

The Military "Spirit in 1786.— We present herewith the petition of sundry inhabitants of Louisburgh (Harrisburg) in 1786, one year after its founding, requesting permission “to raise a troop of lighthorse” in part of the County of Dauphin. As the document was originally written on a whole sheet of paper, and one- half has been torn off, we are of the opinion that other names than those here appended were affixed thereto. The company was formally organized under the command of Captain Archibald M’Alister, and was in existence at least ten years.

To his Excellency, Benjamin Franklin, Esq., President, and the Supreme Executive Council of the Gommonweelth of Pennsylvania:

The Remonstrance and Petition of a number of Inhabitants of Louisburgh and its vicinity in the County of Dauphin: Bespectfully Showeth —

That your Petitioners, together with divers others, have for sometime past been equiping themselves, and are now in cornpleat uniform to join a troop of light horse or Dragoons, provided they can obtain the approbation of your Honourable Council. They take leave to represent that the Idea of raising a troop was first suggested by themselves in the County Town, at which time they had no expectations that the people in the most remote end of the County would think of joining them; this, however, proved to be the case, and has unhappily created gieat dissentions amongst

them, so much so that a large

number have declined the troop, and are firmly resolved not to muster under the Officers who ware appointed by fraud and chicane. The intention of your petitioners at first was to form a Company in and

Historical and Genealogical.

about the County Town, and to have their meeting there, but the nomination of men to the command who live at a great distance and who are unfriendly to the rising greatness of the place, has entirely frustrated our wishes, and creates the necessity of an application to your honors for liberty to raise another troop. Your Petitioners humbly apprehend that nothing gives greater security to a Republic than a well-trained Militia, and that with proper encouragement from government the militia of Pennsylvania, from the military spirit that now prevails, will in a short time be equal to any Troops in the world.

Your Petitioners, therefore, pray that Council will grant them license to embody themselves into a Troop, and Commission those they shall hereafter return for their Officers; and they, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

Archibald M’Alister, William Spiegle,

Thomas Forster,

Robert Harris,

. John Tits worth, jun., John Gilchrist,

John A. Hanna,

William M’Coskry,

John M’Clelland, Malcolm Boyce,

James Stevenson, Robert M’Clure.

LEGISLATORS IS THE LONG AGO.

Where They Boarded and What They Did.

Read before the Dauphin County Historical Society.

RY BENJAMIN M. NEAD.

Part II

We have not been quite so fortunate in our rambles among the ruins of these, our ancient inns, as our friend Mark Twain was when he visited the Coliseum at Rome, or we might now place before you for examination the “bill of fare“ with which some of the above named “first Class’^ taverns served their guests. If, however, we cannot thus determine definitely what our law- makers ate, we can, at least, tell you what they drank, and how much it and their boarding cost. We here present you the board bill for the session of an aristocratic Senator, lodging at the fashionable house of Philip Youse. I submit that the bill is thoroughly legislative from beginning to end. Even the feelings of the landlord in getting his pay as evidenced in the curl of satisfaction that he imparts to his signature, are also thoroughly natural. However, legislators then were not quite so erratic as they are nowadays. They were so foolishly honest, as to prefer a cold lunch, brought from home at the beginning of the week and eaten periodically on the Court House steps, to cheating a landlord out of a warm dinner :

Mr. (A Senator), To P. Youse, Dr.

December 1, To Hording and Lodging

Till 29tb March, 1813, 17 weeks, $60 00 December 23th, To his Bill lor Sundry

Drinks to this day,

00 60

23, to Paid for letters.

00 siyi

January 4th, To 1 a^art Sider,

00 123^

8, To yi Gill Gin,

17, To 1 Glass Beer,

00 08

20, To 1 quart do.,

00 123^

February 6, To Paid Mai oner’s Girl

for

washing,

00 60

6, To 1 quart Beer,

00 \2)4

17, To 1 Pint Best wine,

00 75

23, To J^Pint Brandy,

00 25

To this account Brought over from