Area History: Chapters 38 - 40: Vol II - Watson's Annals of Philadelphia And Pennsylvania, 1857 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by EVC. USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. ____________________________________________________________ ANNALS of PHILADELPHIA AND PENNSYLVANIA, VOL. II ______________________________________________ Chapter 38. MISCELLANEOUS FACTS "Made of odd ends and patches". The following facts have no proper connexion, and have here been brought together, because they had no proper affinity with any other subjects treated of severally under appropriate heads. They are shreds and patches and odd ends, here wove into a Mosaic pattern -- to wit : MISCELLANEA. 1683, Jan 28 -- The speaker of the assembly ordered, that each member absenting himself without good cause, should pay a fine of 12d. sterling each time. 1685, March 16 -- Nicholas Moore (former speaker) for contempt of the authority of the house, was expelled. 1689, March 13 -- John White, a member in prison in New Castle, was ordered to be set free and to take his seat, but he was again seized by the sheriff, John Claypole, and borne off ! 1695 -- The Judges were allowed 10s. a day for their services. John Claypole alone was declared a man of ill-fame, and the governor was requested to remove him. 1701 -- Juries were to be paid 8d. a day; and witnesses 2s each. Members of assembly in after years received 2s. each. Members of assembly in after years received 4s. 6d. a day. 1702 -- Solomon Cresson, going his round at night, entered a tavern to suppress a riotous assembly, and found there John Evans, Esq., the governor, who fell to beating Cresson. 1704 August 16 -- The violence of the wind and rain prevented the members of assembly, out of town, from attendance. Such members usually brought their dinners with them. 1706 -- The wolves had increased so greatly near to Philadelphia, as to endanger the sheep. 1721 -- Sundry persons in Philadelphia agree to receive, in payment of goods &c., the dollars called Lion dollars at the rate of 5s., the English crown at 7s.6d., the English shilling at 1s.6d., &c., proclamation money. Four brick tenements on the west side of Front street, and with lots extending through to Second street, fronting on which are two tenements, all rent for £70 per annum, and pay £12 ground rent, bounded on the north by Clement Plumstead, who lived at the north-west corner of Union and Front streets. 1722 -- The mineral water in the Great valley, 30 miles from Philadelphia, is discovered this year; and great praise is bestowed on the Bristol spring. A public paper of the merchants at Jamaica, of July 1722, states "that the reputation of a place, (Philadelphia) once famed for the best flour in America, has become so corrupted, that housekeepers are scarcely persuaded to look on Pennsylvania flour". In consequence of this and other representations, an act for better inspection was passed. The names of the grand jurors empanelled, gives one a good idea of the first inhabitants; and their original signatures to recommendations to tavern licenses, might now help many a descendant to a means of knowing the writing of their first progenitors in Philadelphia. These are still on file in the Mayor's court. In 1722 and '23, interest was reduced in Pennsylvania from 8 to 6 per cent. When blackbirds and crows were numerous and destructive, they gave premiums for their heads -- by the act of 1704, they gave 3d. per dozen for blackbirds and 3d. for crows. By an act of 1719, they compelled all paupers in Philadelphia to wear a letter P upon their right shoulder, to prevent them from street begging, &c. The act for establishing a ferry to Daniel Cooper's land was passed in 1717. 1726 -- There are advertised two gray stallions suitable for a coach. 1727 -- Lord De la Warr, after whom Delaware is so named, so spells his name, in signing with the other lords, the declaration of King George's death. A lion, the king of beasts, is exhibited in Water street at 1s. a sight. The king's birth-day was celebrated this year (1727) at the house of Wm. Chanceller, sailmaker, in whose gardens twenty-one pieces of cannon were placed and fired. Some incidental circumstances have shown that he was the friend of Sir Wm. Keith, the governor, and had from him the first grant of keeping gunpowder stored for safety. The first loan office was opened in 1728. 1729 -- J. Kempster and J. Coals were compelled to kneel at the bar of the house of assembly; and to ask pardon for offence. 1730 -- Monday night, one Bradley going home alone, in liquor, fell into a ditch at the upper end of Market street, where he was found dead the next morning, having been drowned in six inches of water. It is worthy of remark, that in this early day so few co-partnerships should occur in business. In a list of 120 chief houses in trade, only two instances occur of signatures by firms. 1730 -- The house of assembly ordered that a flag should be hoisted on proper days upon Society hill -- such as Sundays and holidays &c. -- and that Edward Carter be paid £10 for such hoisting &c. 1736 -- An ox is announced as to be roasted whole, for public entertainment, in the Northern Liberties -- at J. Stennard's. Mr. Derring, dancing-master, advertises for scholars. John Salomen, Latin and French teacher, advertises in Latin for pupils. 1736 -- A servant man going into the river "under Society hill" to wash, slipped beyond his depth and was drowned. At the same place a man, attended by his wife, came to drown himself to get rid of her : but after casting himself in, at which sight she was a calm spectator, some officious persons near there rescued him, and compelled him and his wife to go home together ! 1738 -- Peter Poole, of Manatawna, hearing a noise in the brook near his house, supposed it was a deer in the water, and shooting at it, killed his own mother, Anna S. Poole ! This family probably gave name to Poole's ship-yard and bridge. 1738 -- The mayor acquainted the city council that several of the barbers of the city had applied to him to take proper measures to prevent persons exercising that trade on the first day of the week, called Sunday, and the mayor desired the opinion of the board what measures to adopt -- whereupon the board orders that they be notified to abstain from so working on that day, according to the law of the province before existing, and preventing working on that day. 1739 -- One of the houses at the south-west corner of Front and Walnut streets (held by Edward Bridges as a dry-goods store) is said to be "commonly called the Scales". A storekeeper in Wilmington -- say Joseph Peters -- advertises his list of store goods in the Philadelphia paper. He does this often in several years, even till his death, and then his successor does the same. In 1746, Thomas Kinnett advertises to teach the noble art of defence with the small sword, and also dancing. In consequence of that advertisement, an article soon after appeared, signed Samuel Foulke, in which he says "I was indeed surprised at his audacity and brazen impudence in giving those detestable vices those high encomiums. They may be proved so far from "accomplishments" that they are diabolical. This is a freedom of assault by friend Foulke, not now practised with other men's advertisements ! The other does not appear to have made any defence, although so accomplished to defend himself ! 1748 -- The coin of the day is called pieces-of-eight -- pistoles and cob-dollars. 1749 -- A proclamation of Charles Willing, Esq., the mayor, commands all barbers and peruke-makers from working at their trades on the sabbath-day. This year wood was determined, by an ordinance, that it should measure four feet in length, or be forfeited to the poor, and any person refusing to submit it to measurement, should forfeit 5s. per cord. 1751 -- The pilot boats used to be all docked in a dock where are now Girard's stores, above High street. They were of small dimensions then. I perceive they were pinked stern, but 37 feet keel, and 11 feet beam. 1754 -- By far the greatest collection of books that I have seen advertised by catalogue, even by Franklin and other printers, were published by Tench Francis, Jr., in connexion with his assortment of European and East India goods. There were then no exclusive book-stores. William Taylor, who came from England in 1726 and settled at Darby, was the first man who ever made a pair of smith's bellows in our country. There were great perplexities in our markets at the time of changing the computation of money from pounds, shillings, and pence, to dollars and cents and considerable in keeping accounts &c. It was a long time before people could get out of their old habits. Philadelphia has long enjoyed the reputation of a peculiar cake called the "apee". Thousands who partake of them have no conception of the origin of their name. Ann Page, lately living under another name and business, first made them many years ago, under the common name of cakes. The aged may remember her small frame house in Second street, two doors north of Carter's alley. On her cakes she impressed the letters A.P., the letters of her name, and from this cause, ever since the initials have been disused on them, the cakes have continued to be called "apees". Our Philadelphia butchers are said to cut up and display their beef in a manner superior to the sister cities. At New York, they leave the lean on the chuck, which our butchers leave on the hide; and we cut the plate and the brisket more sightly than they do at New York or Baltimore. In the year 1779, the Spanish ambassador, then living in Chew's large house in South Third street above the Mansion house, gave a grand gala. The gardens there were superbly decorated with variegated lamps, and the edifice itself was like a blaze of light. I saw an ancient deed in the possession of Samuel Richards, which was written on very fine linen cambric, and faced on both sides with paper. It made it firm and to the eye like vellum. The mile-stones from Philadelphia to Trenton were set up by the directors of the Company for the Insurance of houses -- done in 1763, out of the funds raised by their fines. They cost £33. The particulars, as reported by the committee, may be seen at length on page 198 of my MS. Annals in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. I have been well assured that the stones set up along the Gulf road are marked with Penn's arms, having three balls. Some still remain and were seen lately. Along the Chester road, too, were once mile-stones, having some insignia of the queen's arms. The War and Navy office of the United States and general Post Office, when in Philadelphia before 1800, were at the north-east corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets, and the Secretary of State's office was adjoining on Fifth street -- all belonged to Simmons. Great quantities of wood used to be brought to the city on sleds in the winter and often sold very high; sometimes 15 to 16 dollars a cord. Since the practice of laying up wood in yards has prevailed, the winter prices are much moderated. A city directory, and the numbering of all the houses, is a great convenience, which did not exist till about the year 1785. A letter of James Logan, of the year 1718, states that Colonel Spotswood, the Governor of Virginia, had happily discovered passes in the Allegheny mountains by which to conduct military enterprises, &c. TOBACCO CULTIVATED In 1701, the tobacco field is spoken of on the land of John Stacey, by the long bridge over the Cohocksinc creek. In 1719, Jonathan Dickinson, in his letter, speaks of "several around Philadelphia who planted and raised tobacco with success". Much of Penn's rents was paid to J. Logan in tobacco. It was cultivated at an early period on Logan's farm; also at Harriton, where Charles Thomson afterwards lived and died. GRASS AND CLOVER CULTIVATION -- In 1685, William Penn, in his letter to his steward, says "Hay dust (meaning grass seed, I presume) from Long Island, such as I sowed in my court yard, is best for our fields. I will send divers seeds for gardens and fields &c." In another letter he says "I am glad the Indian field bore so well. Lay as much down as you can with hay dust". Professor Kalm, who was here in 1748, says an old Swede, whose father came out with Governor Printz, said his father used to say the grass grew every where two feet high in the woods; but in Kalm's time it was much diminished. He imputes the decrease to the practice of the annual burning of the leaves. From the letters of Jonathan Dickinson it appears he had much desire to import grass seeds; two or three times they arrived injured by the heat of the hold. In 1721, he proposes to hang it over the vessel's quarter, sewed up in tarpaulins; but before the experiment could be made, he announces himself happy to find a very simple means used by another. The seed was sealed in jars and kept air tight. The same Jonathan Dickinson, I found in 1719, speaks of having brought up 500 pounds of red clover seed in Rhode Island, for his cultivation here -- saying the white clover already tinges the roads as a natural production. Kalm afterwards, in 1748, spoke of the white clover as abundant here; and red and white as both abundant about Albany, and some about New York. PLASTER OF PARIS -- When our forefathers began to work this virgin soil, they found it very productive. For the first 60 or 70 years the soil sustained itself against the exhausting manner of husbandry -- producing an average of 25 to 30 or 35 bushels of wheat to the acre, as I have learned. But after the year 1750, and down to the time of the peace, frequently the former good lands could produce but an average crop of six or seven bushels to the acre. At this crisis the public became greatly indebted to the intelligence and public spiritedness of the late venerable Judge Peters. To his perseverance and recommendation we are indebted, in good measure, for the introduction and use of that incalculable renovater of our soil, the gypsum or plaster of Paris. It is now admitted that our farms now produce generally four-fold of what they used to do ! VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS INTRODUCED -- Gardening, as an exclusive branch of business, is quite a modern concern. If any existed before the year 1793, they were without notice or emolument. But since, by introducing many new table luxuries, they have acquired reputation and profit, and this inducement has allured several to the same employment. We shall here notice a few of the more remarkable vegetables introduced among us. As late as my mother's childhood, potatoes were then in much less esteem and use than now. The earliest potatoes, like the originals now discovered from South America, were very small compared with the present improved stock. They were small, bright yellow ones called kidney potatoes; and probably about seventy-five years ago, they then first introduced a larger kind, more like the present in use, which were called in New England, the Bilboa. They were, however, of slow use into families, and the story ran that they were pernicious to health; and a lover of Bilboas was said to die in five years ! In Pennsylvania the same kind of potatoes were called Spanish potatoes. In accordance with those facts, the late Colonel A.J. Morris, when in his ninetieth year, told me that the potatoes used in his early life were very inferior to the present. They were called Spanish potatoes, and were very sharp and pungent in the throat and smell. They sent occasionally a better sort from Liverpool. He said Teach Francis first imported our improved stock, which by frequent cultivation he much improved. In 1748, Professor Kalm speaks of nightshade and privet as growing wild in our fields; of the latter several hedges were made. The squash he deemed an indigenous plant, much used by the Indians before the Europeans came. The Indians, too, had always a kind of cultivated peas. He much expressed his surprise to see our cultivated lands abounding with purslain, a vegetable which required a gardener's care in his country ! He often saw, he said, asparagus growing wild in loose soils on uncultivated sandy hills. The mistletoe (Viscum album) grew upon the sweet gum, the oak, and lime tree, so much so that their whole summits were quite green in winter. I believe none witness these things in our region now. Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress, said he well remembered the circumstance of the first introduction of broom corn into our country. Dr. B. Franklin chanced to see an imported corn whisk in the possession of a lady, and while examining it as a novelty he espied a grain of it still attached to the stalk. This he took and planted, and so we at length have got it in abundance among us. The yellow willow among us was introduced from a similar accident, as told me by T. Matlack, Mrs. D. Logan, and Samuel Coates. All in our state came originally from some wicker-work found sprouting in a basket-state in Dock creek. It was seen by Dr. Franklin, who took it out and gave the cuttings to Charles Norris of that day, who reared them at the grounds now the site of the Bank of the United States, where they grew to great stature. The first weeping willows were introduced into the city by Governor John Penn, for his garden in South Third street, next adjoining to Willing's place. The Seckel pear was cultivated first by Lawrence Seckel, and the original tree stands on the place in the Neck, once his, and afterwards Stephen Girard's (and now the Corporation's) say five miles from Philadelphia, and about one mile above the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It stands on an alluvial soil -- is now half decayed -- the other side sound, and bore well, in 1834. The tree had been upon the place from the time of the father before him. For many years that the fruit had been used by the tenant, its excellence was unknown even to Lawrence Seckel himself, and at last he knew it by the chance of eating several of them at the time of their maturity. After that, he brought them to the city, and gave them out to a few of his friends. He told the father of C.J. Wistar, (my informant) when he gave him some of the pears, that he knew not how the tree came there. It might be a question, whether it might not have been a Dutch or Swedish plantation of early days. [* Since said to have been planted there by Col. Jacob Weiss, of Weissport, Pa.] The manner of Mr. Ranstead, the upholsterer from Wales, introducing as a flower, the plant since known in abundance as the Ranstead weed, I have told elsewhere; also, in like manner, that of the day-waker, and the daisy, once deemed flowers, and now multiplied so as to be regarded as annoying weeds. CITY CHARTER -- 1684, the 26th of 5th mo., Thomas Lloyd, Thomas Holmes, and William Haignes were appointed to draw up a charter for Philadelphia to be made a borough, consisting of a mayor and six aldermen, and to call to their assistance any of the council. The charter as a city was obtained in 1691. For I find by an act of council, of 3d of 6th mo., 1691, that Humphrey Murray is recognized "as present Mayor of the city of Philadelphia." It appears, however, that in later periods the city was generally spoken of as obtaining its first charter as a city, under date of the 25th of October 1701, that being the time of Penn's second arrival, when he granted "the charter of the city of Philadelphia." The Northern Liberties' part was incorporated in 1803, and the Southwark district in 1794. Several attempts, after the Revolution, were made to procure an act of incorporation for the city before it was obtained. It was much opposed by some. Fourteen hundred citizens, in September 1789, signed and presented a memorial against it. The subject was again revived in 1786, but no act was passed until the month of March 1789. The whole objections contained in the memorial may be read in Hazard's "Pennsylvania Register", vol. ii., p.327. They complain that if the act contemplated should pass, they should be "subjected to an aristocratic police" -- "that many eastern well regulated towns prosper well without incorporation" -- "on the contrary, English example affords instructive facts of the mischievous effects of incorporating" -- "They object to the large powers of oyer and terminer"-- "They deem the incorporation unnecessary because the legislature, in which several gentlemen of the city are a part, will always be possessed of sufficient information respecting the provisions necessary to be made for the convenience and order of the city" &c. PORT ENTRIES -- INWARD AND OUTWARD -- In the earliest newspapers, the entrance and clearance of vessels are as regularly printed for New York and Amboy, as they are at Philadelphia. Down to about the year 1730, they are about two or three a week inward, and two or three outward -- but from and after the year 1736, they are increased to about twelve each way, in a week -- being certainly a quick increase. FUNERAL POMP RESTRAINED -- In 1727, Robert Ashton, Esq., recorder and prothonotary, died aged fifty-eight and was buried in pomp by torch-lights at night, in Christ church ground -- in the aisle of the church. About that time, funeral cards of invitation were sent out among fashionable people, as has been lately revived. They were printed in London, having deep mourning borders, and funeral devices. Such a one is preserved in Peale's Museum, filled up in Maryland, in 1723. This ceremony was of rare occurrence. We have some intimation of the "pomp and circumstance" of an old-fashioned funeral in the death of Aquila Rose, at Philadelphia in 1723. He was young -- a printer -- poet -- and clerk of the assembly, and was honoured more for his merit than his wealth. His eulogium, in elegiac verse, was done by S. Keimer, "city printer" and quondam friend of Franklin -- to wit : "His corpse attended was by Friends so soon, From seven at morn, till one o'clock at noon. By master-printers carried toward his grave, Our city printer such an honour gave. A worthy merchant did the widow lead, And they both mounted on a stately steed, Next preachers, common council, aldermen, A judge and sheriff graced the solemn train, Nor fail'd our treasurer in respect to come, Nor stayed the keeper of the rolls at home. With merchants, shopkeepers, the young and old, A numerous throng, not very easy told. And what still adds a lustre to it, Some rode well mounted, others walk'd a-foot." Thus "died and was buried" in distant olden time -- "A lovely poet, whose sweet fragrant name, Will last till circling years shall cease to move." It is not a little curious, that the original printed paper from which the above is taken is still in existence, embellished with the usual symbols of death -- the head, bones, hour-glass, &c. In 1765, it was resolved by the best families in New York, Boston, and some attempts were made at Philadelphia, to diminish the expenses of funerals -- and at Philadelphia, on the occasion of the death of Alderman W. Plumstead, it is said, "he was buried at St. Peter's church, in the plainest manner according to the new mode -- having no pall over his coffin, nor any of his relatives (by his request) appearing in mourning". B. Price, Esq., also, according to his will, was buried in an oak coffin, and iron handles. THE BLOODY ELECTION -- Was an incident of the year 1742, and of frequent mention in the early annals as an affair of much scandal. Secretary Peters, in his letter to proprietaries, thus describes it, saying -- Young Joseph Turner gathered the sailors, to the number of forty to fifty persons with clubs, at an open lot over against Christ church. Thence they made an assault at the court-house on some of the electors there. Thence went to Chestnut street, and by a back-way [for open ground seemed common then !] to the Indian King inn in High street, where being refused any drink by Peter and Jonathan Robeson, they went back enraged to the election grounds. There they fell heavily with their clubs upon the Germans and others -- beating off the former, as many as 500. The fight became "shocking to the sight" -- "a truly mad scene and uproar" -- but the sailors were made to retreat. There was a great trial for the stairs by which the voters ascended and descended, then occupied, for several years, by Isaac Norris and his party.** The ship-carpenters clubbed together to make it their own, which they accomplished. As it produced much public feeling, it became quickly a matter of court cognizance, and even the Assembly itself, anticipating the courts, made it a matter of debate and business for three weeks, passing at length a bill for a riot act, &c. [** Norris' election was always supported by the Germans.] INSURANCE -- In 1721, John Copson, the printer of the Mercury Gazette, opens "an insurance office at his office, where he will provide competent underwriters to assure any sum applied for". This was the first attempt at insurance in Philadelphia. In the former times, all insurances for sea risks, &c., were effected in London. In 1752, was founded the Philadelphia contributionship for insuring of houses from loss by fire. It was incorporated in 1768, as a mutual assurance, and was much promoted by Dr. Franklin. In March 1823, the capital amounted to $228,850. The number of policies out were 2273, and the sum insured, $3,620,450. What is curious respecting this ancient institution is that they never had but one lawsuit, and that they gained ! Another curious fact respecting this association is, that at an early period they insured a house which was soon after burnt, and this single loss much distressed the concerned to make it good. The annual election for directors being near at hand at an upper room in the old court-house, no one attended but Hugh Roberts, who having waited until the time of choosing had nearly expired, he alone proceeded to elect twelve directors and a treasurer, all of whom he notified in due form ! But for that circumstance, this institution, now so distinguished and beneficial, would have expired ! ABORIGINAL TREES -- For want of a better term, I have chosen so to name such primitive trees of the forest race as still remain among us, from days cotemporary with the foundation of the city. Those now standing on the northern extremity nearest the city are nigh the first gate on the Germantown turnpike -- on Wager's field or lot. There are two of them there of sweet gum, about 20 feet apart, and having a circumference of about 14 feet. Between those trees there was once deposited in the ground a quantity of stolen treasure -- afterwards confessed and recovered. On the western side of the city was a large forest elm, at the north-west corner of Race and Schuylkill Seventh streets, nearly 'vis-a-vis' to the Friends walled-ground. An old man near there told me it looked equally as large as now, nearly fifty years ago. It was cut down in 1839. The next nearest forest trees are three ancient gums on the north side of Vine street, fronting the Bush-hill mansion. In the south-western section, the nearest remaining trees are a few (five) well-grown oak trees, standing in a lot at Lombard street near Schuylkill Tenth street. At the south-end, there is on Swanson street, by the water side, a great buttonwood or waterbeech, the remains of several once there, seen and noticed by Kalm in 1748. The above trees compose all which remain so near the city; these alone have escaped the British desolations, the axe of their owners, and time. We cannot think of them without remembering the expressive and beautiful musings of Cowper on his "Yardley Oak" : "Survivor sole of all that once lived here ! A shatter'd veteran -- couldst thou speak And tell who lived when thou wast young, By thee I might correct the clock of history -- Recover facts -- mistated things set right; But since no spirit dwells in thee to speak, I will perform myself, in my own ear, Such matters as I may." Other cities, as we, have their consecrated trees. On Boston common there is an elm, called the Great tree, which girths 21 feet. At Hanford they have their celebrated "Charter oak," it girths 33 feet. At New York they venerate a group of large buttonwood trees on the ground of the Columbia College. At Providence, Rhode Island, they have their "Great Elm tree" which they publicly and solemnly consecrated "to liberty" as early as the year 1768, and at Boston, too, they had their "Liberty tree" even earlier. STRANGE TRANSMISSION OF SOUND -- In 1707, the guns fired upon Hill's vessel from the little fort at New Castle, were distinctly heard by Hill's anxious wife at Philadelphia. -- Vide Proud. On the 10th of July 1745, "a great number of guns were heard by many people in and about town, which seemed to be at a great distance, and the next day we found by express, they were as far off as New York, at which place were great firings and rejoicings for the capture of Cape Breton !" It is probable no weight of artillery could now be heard from city to city ! Old persons have told me that before the city was paved, and when fewer carriages were employed, they found it much easier than now to hear distant sounds. Seventy-odd years ago, Cooper, on the Jersey side, had a black fellow named Mingo, who possessed a fine, clear voice, and could be distinctly heard singing in the field towards the evening -- even the words of the chorus in some cases, could be understood by those living near the water side in the city. Colonel Thomas Forrest was one who assured me of this. The aged Colonel A.J. Morris told me of his hearing Whitfied's clear voice at Gloucester point, when he was preaching on Society hill. Captain Coates tells me that just before the revolution, when his father dwelt at the corner of Cable lane and Vine street, they could there hear the voice of his workmen at his brick-kiln at the corner of Fourth and Green streets, cry out, "Phebe, get the dinner ready !" This may seem strange in the present thick population; but I must also add that there are spots in Germantown, where, on occasions of overcast and calm mornings, persons can plainly hear the rattle of carts in Philadelphia, six miles off ! The guns that were fired at the battle of Brandywine were distinctly heard by persons in Philadelphia, although they were only nine and ten pounders. And the bombardment of Fort Mifflin was heard daily at Germantown. When the Augusta blew up there, Mr. Bradford told me he distinctly heard the report not far from Lancaster, and following up the line of the river, another told me they heard it near Pottsgrove. Another heard it at the forks of little Egg harbor. In Italy sound is transmitted to great distances, "because of the purity of the atmosphere". NAMES OF STREETS CHANGED -- In the olden time they were remarkably disposed to give popular names to streets and places, to the exclusion of their legal and recorded names. I remember very well, that when a boy, about the year 1800, we first saw index boards on the walls to show the streets. The names of some of the streets were so new to us, that we really thought for a long while, that they were absolutely new names. Those which have undergone changes have been as follows, to wit : BREAD STREET -- has been called familiarly Moravian alley, because that church had its front formerly on that street. NOBLE STREET -- was commonly called Bloody lane, because a murder had been committed there. GARDEN ALLEY -- changed to Coombes' alley, because he was a tenant on the Front street corner. CEDAR STREET -- is changed to South street, because it was the southern limit of the city. It was often called Southermost street. SASSAFRAS STREET -- has been called Race street, because it was the road to the races once out there. It was also called Longhurst street, in the earliest deeds. MULBERRY STREET -- always called Arch street, because of an arch or bridge across that street at Front street. It was also called Holmes' street in the earliest deed. HIGH STREET -- originally called so, because of its having been the highest elevation from the river of all the other streets -- changed to Market street by the popular voice, because of the markets in it. KING STREET -- changed to Water street, because of its nearness to the river. BRANCH STREET -- changed to Sourcrout alley, and so universally once called, because the first cutter of cabbage, who made it a business to go abroad with his machine to cut for families, lived almost alone in that street. JONES' ALLEY -- changed to Pewter-platter alley, because of such a sign (a real pewter dish of large size) once hung at the corner of Front street. DUKE STREET -- changed to Artillery lane, because of the British cannon having been placed there. PRIME STREET -- was called Love lane, because of a long row of lewd houses there. CALLOWHILL STREET -- In 1690, was called "New street" probably because it was the first opened in the Northern Liberties. BREWER'S ALLEY -- because of Geddes' brewery there, now called Wood street. VINE STREET -- was at an early period called Valley street, because of its vale there between two hills, above and below it. CHESTNUT STREET -- was first called Wynn street, after Thomas Wynn. WALNUT STREET -- was Pool street, as leading to Dock creek water. NORRIS' ALLEY -- was called Hutton's lane or alley. GRAY'S ALLEY -- was called Morris' alley. Gabriel Thomas, in his account of the city as early as 1698, speaks of several other street names not now known, to wit : "Shorter's alley -- Yower's lane -- Waller's alley -- Sikes' alley -- Flower's alley -- Turner's lane -- all of which extended only from Front to Second street. They probably then bore the names of the chief inhabitant dwelling at or near them. The streets of larger size, he says, took the names from the abundance of such trees formerly in growth there. William Penn, in his letter in 1683, says "the names of these streets are mostly taken from the things that spontaneously grow in the country, as Vine street, Mulberry street, &c." but in enumerating them, he names some not known to us, to wit : Cranberry street, Hickory street, Oak street, Beech street, Ash street, and Poplar street. PUBLIC SPECTACLES -- In September 1758, a great fire-works was exhibited at Philadelphia on the Delaware river, in honour of the reduction of Cape Breton by General Amherst. It represented a citadel in the centre, and on each flank a tower. On shore were other works to represent the French. Then a great exhibition of fire ensued, and the sounds of cannonade &c. The citadel approached to storm the works on shore -- they sprung a mine and surrendered. Then succeeded rejoicings by a swarm of rockets from the towers &c. This was certainly a very grand display for so small a community, as Philadelphia then was, to effect. The truth was, the enterprise of Cape Breton was deemed an American affair of great merit -- a thing in which the northern and middle colonies gave themselves great credit. About sixty-five years ago, many hundred persons went out to the Schuylkill to see a man cross that river in a boat carried in his pocket ! He went over safe, near High street. B. Chew, Esq., saw it, and told me of it, and my father saw the same at Amboy. It was made of leather -- was like parchment -- was about five feet long -- was upheld by air-vessels, which were inflated, and seemed to occupy the usual place of gunwales. For want of a patent office, the art is probably lost. The fact gives a hint for light portable boats for arctic explorers, and suggests a means of making more buoyant vessels on canals. The increase of public exhibitions is greater every year. We have not long since had the greatest and finest managerie of wild beasts ever before seen here, being equal to twenty animals in one collection, and containing lions, tigers, elephants, camels, &c. In 1824, we had even a mummy brought among us, from ancient Thebes, and soon after came two Roman urns, repositories for the ashes of the dead for two thousand five hundred years and more. Why do people visit such, but for their interest in relics, as a means to connect the imagination and the heart. Their heart feels the question rising like this, viz.: "Statue of flesh, come, prithee tell us, Since in the world of spirits thou hast slumber'd, What hast thou seen -- what strange adventures number'd !" We have also a growing practice among us, of adventurers coming from Europe -- as players, singers, dancers, lecturers, and "catafeltoes wondering for their bread !" LEATHER APRON CLUB -- This was Franklin's club, which took the name of the Junta. In 1728, J. Logan speaks of these as being the tools of Sir William Keith's "baseness and falsehood" saying, "they are to send thee a petition, calling themselves the Leathern Apron Men, and they solicit favourable sentiments towards their master, Sir William Keith, who has raised deep contentions here" -- for when he was elected into the assembly, after being no longer governor, he was escorted into town by eighty men on horseback, and guns were fired in triumph &c. Perhaps Keith's use of the club, and Franklin's influence there, although then but young and only a resident of the city four or five years, may present some clue to Sir William's strange seduction of Franklin to follow him in his fortunes to England, where Sir William joined "the ghosts of departed governors" as hangers on. NORTH-WEST PASSAGE -- In 1753, the citizens of Philadelphia, especially the merchants, employed Captain Swaine, in the schooner Argo, to seek a north-west passage. At his return he got credit for his exertions, although as unsuccessful as Captain Parry's late royal enterprise. In May 1754, he again makes another unsuccessful voyage. The particulars of both voyages may be read on page 381 of my MS. Annals in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, too long for insertion here; his report was, that the winter had not been so severe there for twenty-four years before. The Argo got through the ice into the mouth of Hudson strait as far as the island Resolution, on the 26th of June; but was forced out again by ice, to sea. She cruised off with some Hudson bay ships -- twenty days trying to get in again -- but could not. She ran down the ice from 63º to 57º. Then went over to the Labrador coast, and discovered it plainly from 56º to 65º. Finally returned home all well, &c. MAGISTRATES -- Until the year 1759, it had been an occasional practice for justices of the peace to hear and decide causes at public inns. As it had a demoralizing effect in bringing so many people to drinking-places, the governor in this year publicly forbids its longer continuance. Even courts themselves, before they had a court-house, had been held there, for I see by James Logan's MS., that in the year 1702, the court at Philadelphia sat in Hall's public house. It had been a general and frequent remark made to me by the aged, that magistrates were, in olden times, a much more dignified and honoured class of persons than now. They were also chosen as men of the first fortune, influence, and wisdom; so that wherever they went they carried reverence, and were effectively "a terror to evil-doers". Their occasional voice, heard in the street, could instantly repress "wrong and outrage" among men, or frolic and mischief among boys. They were at the same time effective "peacemakers" for as they never served from motives of personal gain, their fortunes being above it, they generally strove to return the parties under some mutual agreement. I can still see some of those dignitaries in my mind's eye as they remained even in my early days -- a person bearing a port of authority, cocked hat, powdered hair, and a gold-headed cane, ruffles over the hand, and bowed to with reverence by all who passed them, as "His honour, the Squire". THE DUTCH RIOT -- about the year 1782-3, a riot was formed by numerous Dutch women, headed by Mammy Swivel, an old woman of prodigious size. It excited great interest and commotion in the northern end of the city at the time, and led to several law-suits. The case was this : -- The square from Callowhill to Brewer's alley, and from Third to Fourth street, then lay in a field of grain, into which some hogs made their entry and depredations. The owner, for his revenge shot three of the animals. Upon this occurrence, the German women in the neighbourhood "called to arms". They soon gathered in strength, and fell upon the owner and beat him so severely, he had to be taken to the inn then at the north-east corner of Brewer's alley and Fourth street, where he lay some time. In the mean time, the women, to the number of several hundreds, fell to work and tore up all his post and rail fences, making thereof a great pile, casting thereon the dead hogs, and making of the whole a grand conflagration, in the presence of great crowds of spectators -- none of whom attempted to arrest their progress. It was a high exertion of female power and revenge, and long "Mammy Swivel" bore the reputation of the heroine. RIOTS -- There is entirely a new era in our country in this matter of riots, beginning in 1834, and continuing still. It is a new spirit, waked up by the example of foreigners. They have already been so frequent, that one can scarcely preserve their remembrance. I try now to retrace them -- August, 1836, to wit : The great election riots in New York city of 1836. Then the mob concerning the Abolitionists, and the destruction of the meeting house, &c. The burning of the nunnery, at Charleston, near Boston. At Philadelphia, the election of 1836, in the Northern Liberties, by an attack on the whigs -- afterwards, at another election, killed one man -- afterwards, burned Robb's house and kept the firemen off. Next a riot because of the blacks in Moyamensing -- houses and furniture destroyed. Riot at Hamburgh, for wages along the canal, 1835. At Natchez -- the case of the man who was tried for ill-treating his wife, and acquitted, and thence taken from the court, tarred and whipped, and driven away. The case of the two blacks at Alabama condemned for killing children, to be hung, but the people took them from the court and burned them ! The case at Vicksburgh, in July 1835, of hanging five gamblers. The case at Livingston in Mississippi, of self-constituted committees hanging white men and negroes, for an alleged conspiracy. The border war of Ohio and Michigan -- people contending without law, for soil ! The case of the people in Charleston, South Carolina, seizing the mail and destroying all the papers of the Abolitionists. A mob case in Philadelphia in July 1835 upon the negroes, because of the assault of an insane negro upon Mr. Stewart. Some houses pulled down. August 8, 1835 -- The mob in Baltimore rise upon Glen and Johnson's houses, and kill eight persons because of their connexion with a broken bank. In the same month, occurred a beginning demonstration of riot at Washington city, for the purpose of putting down the abolition emissaries. A mob at Hartford, Connecticut, pulled down the meeting house of the blacks. At New Hampshire (Canaan) the mob of 300 men took off the school house of the blacks with many oxen, and placed it out of the town. At peaceful Burlington, New Jersey, they attacked a black man's house, and one white man got shot. At Pittsburg, the mob drove off the nunnery -- at same place they tried to destroy a black barber's house. At Chestertown, Maryland, there was a gathering of the people against the black emissaries, of several days. In Virginia, they whipped and abused an innocent man as "an abolitionist". From the frequency of such violence, it has obtained the name of "Lynch law !" WISTAR PARTIES -- These evening parties for which Philadelphia society is remarkable, were begun by Doctor Caspar Wistar, in 1799, by his call of all the members of the Philosophical Society to his house, once a week during the winter. They were then continued by the members successively in turn, at their several houses ever since. In 1835, when Job R. Tyson, Esq., became the owner and resident of Doctor Wistar's former house at the south-west corner of Fourth and Prune streets, they were again begun in that house and have been continued in Mr. Tyson's turn, as often as it occurs, to the present time. None but members of the Philosophical Society can be members, and they only can be such, who can come in by a unanimous vote. A limited number of guests can be invited -- an indulgence more than once extended to the writer. Other societies, however, also exist, bearing the name of Wistar parties, organized by sundry social circles in imitation of the former; and they not being enrolled philosophers, aim more to gratify the sense of good cheer and hilarity, than to discuss philosophy and intellectual abstractions. All these parties comprise only the male sex. Why don't the ladies take umbrage at the exclusion, and have their blue-stocking parties too? Going to churches -- People of the present day, who find churches every where so near their residences have no conception of the long walks over unpaved footways which church-going families were accustomed to take in my early days. The writer can remember numerous families from about the Swedes' church and far down in Southwark; and also from Kensington and the intermediate space, walking every Sabbath in family trains of well dressed persons of both sexes, young and old -- going as far as Christ church and the Presbyterian and Baptist meetings near it. Several of these were such as had their horse and vehicle, and yet they never thought of using them for such a purpose. It would have been regarded as an effeminacy or affectation. Washington's house in Philadelphia, having been taken down, is now built upon by three brick houses of four stories -- the same now owned by Nathaniel Burt, and numbered, 192, 192 1/2, and 194, in High street near Sixth street. The pictures of the King and Queen of France -- In March 1784, these large and elegantly framed pictures arrived at Philadelphia in the ship Queen of France, being presents from the king. They were set up in the large committee-room of the senate, at the south-east corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets -- thence went to Washington city, and were burned, I believe, by the British under General Ross. The portrait of the king was much like Governeur Morris, who was a very fine-looking man. "A pond of good water, in the driest season" is a place advertised for sale in 1784, with the land appurtenant of an entire square from Schuylkill Seventh to Eighth street, and from Walnut to Locust street. No such pond is now known. An execution, in July, 1784, of John Martin and John Downey occurred for a street robbery. What a difference from the present moderate inflictions on street depredators ! The Earl of Albion, in 1784, sends his agent to lay claim to forty leagues square of New Jersey beginning at Cape May and extending to all of Long Island -- saying, it was so patented to the Earl of Albion, the second governor of New Jersey, who was killed by the Indians and that ever since the patent had been overlooked, and therefore his agent, Mr. Varlo, now forewarns all people to avoid purchases, unless under the title of the family. An eminent Philadelphia Quaker, who had been some time in Ireland, in June 1784 passed through most of the streets of Londonderry habited in sackcloth, and repeatedly called on the inhabitants to repent and turn to God. He seemed a remarkably intelligent person, and declared he came from America on purpose to admonish the people of Ireland, and especially those of Londonderry. The Philadelphia, in September 1784, is announced as published, "displaying some first rate modern characters of both sexes in a friendly and satirical manner". Such a book, if now seen, might furnish something for family gossip and scandal. Balloons -- The public Journals, about this time, are full of notices and excitement about the display of balloons -- one of them when up took fire, and dropped its furnace, or stove, near the new play-house in South street. The first Directory, in 1784, gave 3570 names of housekeepers -- Desilver's, in 1831, gave 26,400 names. The Pictures for the Annals -- I have been asked the question -- how and where I became possessed of the pictures which illustrate the Annals -- and it here occurs to me to answer the question, by stating the facts in the case, as being in itself something out of the usual track. One day, when riding for recreation and observation about the hills of the Wissahiccon, I chanced to come across a Mr. W.L. Britton, carrying his port folio. In entering into conversation with him, and asking him if he was not abroad in search of the picturesque, I was indulged to see some of his sketches. He was invited to my house, and from making his call from time to time and showing me the productions of his pencil, I was very naturally led to invite him, in time, to make sundry sketches for myself. All this was at the time without any design on my part for their publication. They were intended for my own cabinet; but as these in time multiplied, and as I eventually thought of such a work as the Annals, other pictures became necessary. In the end, he was instrumental in making the most which I needed. Thus out of a seemingly accidental acquaintance, I found a ready facility of representing picturially such subjects as, but for his assistance, I might have never attempted. He loved the occupation as an amateur, and I needed them as a lover of the olden time and as an annalist; thus we worked into each other's hands and the public now has the benefit. Many other equally fortuitous facilities have occurred to me, in collecting facts for this work, and would be deemed curious facts, if told. Chapter 39. RELICS & REMEMBRANCERS "These we preserve with pious care." It may be deemed worthy of the subject, to give a special notice of those relics of the olden time, which have come to our knowledge, to wit : Dr. Benjamin Rush had a study-chair presented to him in 1811 made out of the Treaty tree. His letter of thanks for it, as a present from Mrs. Pritchett, I have seen. David Lewis, Esq., presented me with a piece of the mahogany beam of Columbus' house, in which he once dwelt in St. Domingo -- of course of the first house constructed by a European in America. I have used parts of it in several snuff boxes of relic wood An elbow-chair has been made of the elm tree wood, which grew in the State-house yard. It was made in 1824, on the occasion of cutting down those once beautiful trees there, and was presented, by Adam Ramage, to the "Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture". Some of the timber of the Alliance frigate has been preserved by me, as a relic of the first navy of the United States. Some of the hair of General Washington, in my possession, is highly and justly prized. "Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And dying mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it as a rich legacy." A writing-table of William Penn, of curious construction, of mahogany, is now in possession of J.R. Smith, Esq., of Philadelphia. Its general appearance is like a common breakfast table. By lifting up the lid, a regular writing-desk is exposed with drawers and casements, and by the use of elevators, two lids are thrown up, which furnish great convenience for placing books and papers thereon for copying from, or for writing upon. It was the gift to him from John Barron, Esq., once a venerable gentleman, who possessed large claims to lands about Philadelphia, from his progenitors. The girder in the office of the Union canal, in Carpenter's court, is a part of the mainmast of the Constellation frigate, and has several marks of the shot it received. I own a China plate, given to me by James C. Smith, Esq., which is the last of a whole set, which was the first China that ever came direct from China. It came by Captain Green, who sailed from New York in 1784, and returned in May, 1785. A piece of silver coin, marked the year of 733, of the weight of ninety cents, was ploughed up by Mr. John Shallcross, at seven miles from the city, near the York road. A copy of its impression is preserved on page 64 of my MS. Annals, in the Historical Society. The arm-chair of Dr. Benjamin Franklin is in possession of Reuben Haines, Esq., in Germantown. It is of mahogany, and the one which the doctor used as his common sitting chair. An oaken chair of Count Zinzendorf is in possession of C.J. Wistar, Esq., in Germantown. Autograph letters of William Penn, of the year 1677, are in possession of Henry Pemberton, of the Philadelphia bank, being a small folio book of letters from Penn to his religious friends in Holland. Among the letters is a postscript, subscribed by the initials of the celebrated George Fox. A fragment of George Fox's pen, annexed to R. Barclay's, is also with Reuben Haines, Esq. A pewter cistern and ewer, for washing and shaving, once the property of the Penn family, is now in the possession of Thomas J. Wharton, Esq. They contain the initials of William Penn, and the family arms. It would seem as if they had been the property of Admiral Penn, from the motto being different from that of the founder -- it reading "Dum Clavium Tenens". This, by-the-by, is as appropriate to William Penn as the governor of a colony, as to the Admiral as the governor (or steersman) of a ship. The tea plate of William Penn I have seen at the widow Smith's farm, near Burlington, which had descended to her husband from James Logan. The teapot was small -- not to contain more than one pint -- was very heavy -- in fine preservation -- bore the ciphers W. P. -- and had a stand to set under it, in which to insert a flame heater to keep it hot or to make it boil. Penn's bookcase, formerly in possession of Nathaniel Coleman of Burlington -- formed of English oak, veneered all over with mahogany, is now in the possession of the Philadelphia Library. Its base is formed of a chest of drawers, and a desk for writing; and above are arrangements for accounts and papers, shut in by panelled doors, having in each a looking-glass. At that desk, I should suppose, he wrote many of those papers and publications since known to the public. It came to Coleman from the Pennsbury mansion. A sketch of it is drawn on page 105 of my M.S. Annals, in the Historical Society, and the original feet of it are in my possession. Penn's silver seal, ciphered W. P. is now in the possession of R.L. Pitman, cashier of the Northern Liberty bank -- he procured it of the above named Penn's clock was not long since in the hands of Martin Sommers, near Frankford, who got it from Mr. Peter Harewaggen, an aged person who lived near Pennsbury. The clock was formed of an oaken case, curiously wrought and inlaid with bone. There is another clock of Penn's said to be such, now in the Warder family of Philadelphia. A silver cup of Benjamin Lay, the hermit, is now in possession of Roberts Vaux, Esq. Penn's chair, which came from Pennsbury, is now in the Pennsylvania Hospital -- a present from Mrs. Crozier, through the hands of Mr. Drinker. Another similar chair is in my possession -- "a present from Deborah Logan" -- is so inscribed on its brass plate, with the addition of these appropriate words, to wit : "Fruitful of recollections -- sit and muse !" Mrs. Frazier, at Chester, has the chair in which Penn sat at opening the first assembly at that place. Relics of the Treaty tree are numerous. I have myself presented several snuff-boxes formed severally of a plurality of kinds of relic wood, including the Treaty tree, Columbus' house, the Blue Anchor tavern &c. There is, in my house, a lady's work-stand of the Treaty tree, ornamented with the walnut tree of the Hall of Independence, and with some of the mahogany beam of Columbus' house, &c. Joseph P. Norris, Esq., has William Penn's silver snuff-box. It is inscribed with the names of successive owners, from Governor Thomas Lloyd, downwards. He has also a watch seal of quartz crystal, set in gold, a present from an Indian king to Isaac Norris, at the treaty of 1710. There are in my house sixteen pictures hanging up in frames of relic wood, preserved as remembrances, to wit : A list of my framed Relic pictures (16 in number) July 1839. 1. Columbus' landing -- of mahogany of his house, corners of pine, of Blue Anchor house. 2. Penn's landing at Philadelphia -- of pine of Blue Anchor, with corners of Holly, at Chester landing. 3. Declaration of Independence -- of pine of Table of Independence, with corners of a walnut tree, once before the Hall. 4. The Hall of Independence -- of pine of Table of Independence, corners of a walnut tree once before the Hall. 5. Letitia House -- of oak of that house, corners of a cherry tree of Pennsbury, glass of Letitia house. 6. Old Court house -- of oak of its girder. 7. Treaty tree -- of elm, the ends of mulberry of Harris, at Harrisburg, corners of oak of Letitia house. 8. Washington's House -- of yellow pine, of his door, and corners of mahogany of his levee door. 9. Slate Roof house -- of the oak of Letitia house, the corners of cherry, from Pennsbury, glass of Letitia house. 10. The Drawbridge and Dock creek -- of pine of Blue Anchor inn, corners of oak of bridge on Chestnut street. 11. The Alliance Frigate -- of oak of the Alliance, with corners of Cook's ship Endeavour, round the World. 12. The House of Sven Sener -- of the buttonwood there, corners of Treaty tree. 13. The Landing of Penn at Chester -- of the holly tree there, corners of cherry wood of Pennsbury, and from George Fox's oak, at Flushing. 14. The Dutch city of New York -- from the pear tree of Stuyvesant, corners of Fox's oak. 15. Benezet's house and bridge -- of the oak of the bridge, corners of Fox's oak, and corner pieces of Dr. Rush's cedar. 16. The Indians at Harrisburg -- of the mulberry tree at John Harris', and corners of Treaty tree. All of the above are veneers upon frames, so as to show fronts of the relic wood names. Besides those before mentioned as is in various hands, there are attached to the pages of my MS. Annals, in the Philadelphia Library, and in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, at the pages severally annexed, the following articles, to wit : In my Manuscript Annals in the Philadelphia Library. Page 165 --- The celebrated Mary Dyer's gown specimen. do --- Penn's bed-quilt -- a fragment. do --- Silks -- made in Pennsylvania by Susan Wright and Catharine Haines. 166 --- Dress silks at the Meschianza. 170 --- Silk specimen of 1740, of Dr. Redman's ancestor. do --- Red garden satin, from the Bishop of Worcester, 1720. do --- Black silk velvet of Dr. Franklin's coat. 190 --- Six gown patterns of former years, of my family. 198 --- Original petition, showing all the signatures of primitive settlers of Chester, in 1704. 199 --- Likeness of Penn --- best done by Bevan. 206 --- Likeness of James Pemberton, and costume of Friends. 215 --- Paper money of 1789 -- of the Light house, and of the Walnut street prison of 1775. -- Specimens. 218 --- Profile of a city belle of high head-dress, in 1776. do --- Specimen of silk and silver dress of a lady. 230 --- A sketch of Friends' meeting at Centre square. 231 --- Pictures of ladies' bonnets and dresses in olden time. 233 to 239, contain pictures of sundry public houses -- such as Court house; London Coffee house; Jones' row; Grindstone alley; Slate house; Duché's house; S. Mickle's house; Loxley's house; Benezet's house; Governor Palmer's house; Swedes' church; Shippen's house; Washington's house; Office of secretary of foreign affairs; Friends' almshouse; Wigglesworth's house; Scene at drawbridge, at city commons; Letitia court; Perspective at Philadelphia; Penn's treaty; the Treaty tree; a female figure drawn in colours by Major André; a pictorial invitation card of General Howe to the Meschianza; R. Morris' great house. Generally rough sketches, made before it was determined to make accurate drawings. 240 --- The first almanac of Philadelphia, (a sheet) 1687. 246 --- An engraved picture of six public buildings. 247 to 252 are specimens of old colonial paper. 264 --- First ground plot plans of the city in 1793-4, by Davis. 273 --- Ancient caricature and poetry "to wash the blackamoor white". Some city gentlemen are drawn. 277 --- Portraits of Bishop Allen and Benjamin Lay. 278 --- The Association battery. 279 --- Dock creek and Drawbridge scene. 280 --- Pegg's run, and scenery in skating there.* * The picture, as a skating scene, is more to the ideas in my mind than the one given in this work. There were difficulties in forming the picture of "things before" which the present artist could not overcome. 282 --- Letitia house in the court. do --- Cherry garden house. 283 --- An ancient house at the north-west corner of Front and Race streets. do --- The place called Barbadoes lot, where the Baptists and Presbyterians first held worship, corner of Chestnut and Second streets. 284 --- The portrait of an oddity, known universally by the name of "M.O. Mike, H.A. Hanse, Michael Weaders" and called also, "I see thee first" with some remarks on his character. In my Manuscript Annals, in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, are the following, to wit : PAGE 272 --- A specimen sheet of modern bank notes. 276 --- Specimens of colonial and continental money. 277 --- A sheet almanac of Philadelphia, 1687. do --- Specimen of the writing of Count Zinzendorf 1734. 278 --- Slips of ancient silk dresses. 279 --- An original drawing, by Kosciusko, of Miss Pollock. 296 --- Picture and description of Fitch's steamboat. 296 --- Gray's ferry bridge, and General Washington's passage there. do --- Cape Henlopen Light house, and description. 342 --- A slip of silk, home-made, which gained the premium in 1770, and was made into a wedding dress for Mrs. C. Roberts, in 1774 347 --- A picture of the New market, in Southwark, as drawn in 1787. 350 --- A caricature print of the revolution; of "Liberty triumphant, or the downfall of oppression". 358 --- Likenesses of James Pemberton and Nicholas Walm, in the costume of ancient Friends. 360 --- Association battery, and windmill near. 361 --- Governor Palmer's house at Treaty tree. do --- The place of the Barbadoes lot where the Baptist and Presbyterians first worshipped. 362 --- The Swedes' church. do --- The Slate Roof house of William Penn. 383 --- Shippen's great house. 364 --- Alms house of Friends. 365 --- Old London Coffee house. do --- Old Court house, built in 1797. 366 --- Fairmount and Schuylkill in 1789. do --- Bush hill in 1788. 367 --- Slate house, residence of William Penn. 370 --- The same, in continuation. 371 --- Holme's ground plot of Philadelphia 1682, with explanatory remarks. 374 --- A map of Pennsylvania in 1787, curious for preserving Indian names of places, and of former frontier forts. 376 --- George Heap's map of 1765, of the environs of Philadelphia, curious as showing primitive owners and localities. 378 --- Old stone prison, at the corner of Third and High streets. 379 --- Swedes' house of Sven Sener, and the first Swedes' church of logs, of 1669. 460 --- Triumphal arches for La Fayette, and silk badge, as worn at his visit. Chapter 40. LIST OF UNPUBLISHED PAPERS These comprise such as have been purposely excluded from a publication in my printed Annals. They are, first, remarkable autographs preserved as subjects for inspection by the curious. Secondly, they are papers not expedient to be printed entire, although sufficiently useful to be preserved; and sometimes already occasionally extracted in part, under some of the divisions of the printed Annals. In my Manuscript Annals in the Philadelphia Library, to wit : PAGE 219 --- Joseph Sansom's description of Philadelphia, in 1803, in print. 245 --- A MS. petition and names, praying the king for defence, in 1742. do --- Autograph of Count Zinzendorf, 1742 --- Of his daughter Benigna 1742 -- Of Asheton, clerk of court, 1727 -- Of Joseph Wilcox, Mayor, 1706 -- Of James Logan, secretary, 1702 -- Of William Trent 1706 -- Of William Penn -- Of Hannah Penn 1712 -- Of John Penn in 1825. 253 -- Form of a letter, by which inquiries were usually made of aged persons, having thirty-six queries. do --- Autograph of Mary Smith -- her description, in four pages of MS., of the primitive settlement of Burlington, to which she was an eye-witness. In my Manuscript Annals in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, to wit : PAGE 190 --- Some ancient religious scandal on Friends, by the Keithians. 252 --- Autograph of Robert Fairman, of 1715, descriptive of his estate at the Treaty tree -- Singular writing. 280 --- Penn's letter of 1683, descriptive of Philadelphia then. 284 --- Robert Turner's letter of 1685, to William Penn, descriptive of Philadelphia then. 286 --- Letter of P.S. Duponceau, Esq., descriptive of the office of secretary of foreign affairs. 290 --- Letter of John Penn of Stoke Pogis 1825. 294 --- Autograph of Joseph, once King of Spain, first king ever dwelling among us. 298 --- Autograph of Dr. Fothergill on Philadelphia topics. 300 --- Do. of Rev. George Whitfield 1754 304 --- Do. of Rev. John Wesley 1772. 306 --- Do. of Du Simitiere, the annalist. 310 --- Do. first writ for the first assembly 1682. 312 --- Do. of the Honourable Charles Thomson, being his historical sketch of the leading incidents in the congress of 1774-5. 314 --- Autograph Minute by Patrick Robinson, in a rare kind of writing, of 1693, of the proceeding of the council concerning a trespass on Schuylkill. 316 --- Autograph Minute of council, of 1698, concerning duties and ports of entry. 318 --- Autograph letter of William Penn 1687, respecting his cottage in Philadelphia. 322 --- Correspondence of James Logan, proving him to have been the author of Cicero's Cato &c., a thing imputed to Dr. Franklin. 326 --- Primitive court records concerning Germantown -- an extract. 328 --- Original account of the cost in detail of the materials and workmanship of the first court house, in 1707-8 -- cost £616. 332 --- Autograph letter of Isaac Norris, of 1704. 334 --- Do. and rare old family letter of 1693, by Samuel Flower, showing causes of emigration here to avoid woes -- and signs and wonders in woful {sic} Europe. 340 --- Original roll of female patriots of 1780, of Lower Dublin, with their subscriptions and names to aid the sufferers in the war. 344 --- Autograph of Dr. Franklin in 1784, to C.T., secretary of congress, announcing the peace, and his gratification and advice on the same. 346 --- Autograph of Robert Proud, our historian, concerning his birth, age, and personal history. 352 --- Prosper Martin's description of his rare spring at Pegg's run, and his diagram to show the supposed former passage there of the river Schuylkill. 354 --- Autograph letter of the late Joseph Sansom, Esq. of 1820, giving several facts concerning Philadelphia. 381 --- A letter showing the form of inquiries addressed to the aged, by which the facts in this book were attempted to be elicited. 393 to 430 --- Reminiscences and diaries of events and incidents at Philadelphia, at the time of the war of Independence, and of the acts of the British army there. 431 to 434 --- Revolutionary soldiers -- a tale of truth. 435 to 438 --- Incidents of the war and its calamities to a family -- best known to the author. 447 --- Autograph signatures of the first members of "the Penn Association for commemorating the landing" -- and facts concerning the origin of that society. 461 --- Autograph letter of General La Fayette of 1824 respecting his public visit to Philadelphia, addressed to Joseph Watson, Esq., city mayor. 459 to 474, contains an extended and graphic description of the public visit of La Fayette to Philadelphia, and many facts to be preserved for some future day. 486 --- A printed account of Dr. Franklin's relatives at Nantucket. 490 to 496 --- Printed biographical notices by Samuel Preston, Esq., of several memorable persons of Bucks county in the olden time -- such as John Watson, surveyor, Jacob Taylor, mathematician and astronomer, William Satterthwaite, poet and scholar, James Pellar, a genius, Dr. Thomas Watson, a learned and benevolent man, D. Ingham, Nathan Preston, much concerned in Indian affairs, &c. Many local incidents are described, and the particulars of the "Indian walk" are given. 501 --- A singular nomenclature of rare names of Philadelphia. 507 --- The Pennsylvania Journal of 1758 containing a warning to Friends of 1758, by the Watchman, and Penn's letter of the 27th of 4th mo. 1710 admonitory. do. --- A specimen of Humphrey's "tory" Gazette in Philadelphia 1777. 508 --- Philadelphian demonstrations in 1795 for the Grand canal of New York; being a detail of the facts given by John Thompson, Esq., of his experiment and success in bringing a small schooner from Niagara to Philadelphia. 511 --- A poetic description of the Delaware river and contiguous country. 516 --- Reminiscences by Mrs. H. 536 to 539 -- Some scapiana of facts of our general history. 544 to 575 -- Several MS. letters from Samuel Preston, Esq., generally descriptive of historical events and persons in Bucks county -- say of Thomas Jenks, Thomas Penn, and Lady Jenks of the Indian walk -- of E. Marshall, and his discovery of silver -- of Richard Smith, botanist and traveller among the Indians -- of the noted Indian, Isaac Still and his tribe in Bucks county and of Frederick Post, the interpreter. 576 to 580 -- A detail of facts concerning Godfrey's invention of the quadrant -- in print. Here I would mention, as a closing and general remark, that several communications made to me by aged persons, of all they knew or remembered, have been used by me under various distributions, but the whole together of what they said, which may hereafter interest their immediate friends, may be found in my MS. Annals in the Philadelphia Library -- such are those from J.P. Norris; T. Matlack; John Brown; Sarah Shoemaker; Davenport Merrot; Owen Jones; Isaac Parrish; William West; Samuel Richards; Samuel Coates; Thomas Bradford; A.J. Morris. Those by Lang Syne, pages 520 to 530, and by Samuel Preston, are to be found in my MS. Annals in the Historical Society -- also there, Penn's letters to James Harrison, his agent from 1681 to '87, page 164 to 171; the Loganian MSS. at Stenton, pages 222 to 260; Secretary R. Peters' letters to Penns, page 266 to 269; extracts of the minutes of the Association of 1756 for preserving peace with the Indians, pages 180 to 183. CONCLUSION We come now to our conclusion; not that we have fully said all which could have been written from what we possessed, but that we have given so much as we considered of sufficient importance to interest the mass of readers. What Philadelphia and Pennsylvania may hereafter become, we shall leave to other chroniclers to notice. Some two or three ages hence, when all of us shall have passed away, and when "new men and manners reign" they may have an equal opportunity to display their own times in contrast with the present. To such a work, they will receive readier helps than we possessed. They will find abundance of public journals, but too scandalously minute, wherein daily incidents of every kind are amply disclosed; -- some to our credit, and some sufficiently repulsive to our moral sense. They will have, too, abundance of pictorial representations of dress, fashions, equipages, houses, edifices, public works, public men, and picturesque views of scenes and places -- such as never existed to aid us, in our researches into the past. We advertise the reader, that this work having been written out and concluded in July 1842, as signified at the preface, it is to be considered that all references to any given past time, as "so many years ago", are all to be regarded as referring backward from the year 1842, and not from the date of the imprint, on the present or future title pages. Next : APPENDIX