Union County History Annals of the Buffalo Valley by John Blair Lynn Pages 442 thru 486 Contributed for use in USGenWeb by Tony Rebuck 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 submitter PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to state and county table of contents. 1819. DIFFICULTY IN MR. FRIE'S CHURCH - BANK SUSPENSIONS. THIS year is noted in our religious history for Mr. Fries' difficulty in his Mifflinburg congregation. It assumed such proportions that the Synod recommended that he should withdraw from Mifflinburg and take charge of the eight congregations at Middle creek. He came home from Synod, called a meeting of the elders of Penn's, Brush Valley, New Berlin, Dreishach's and Mifflinburg, before whom he invited his accusers to appear. It appears they had circulated a story that, on Easter Sunday, he had conducted himself as if he were intoxicated. The elders pronounced him innocent. Their report is signed, Adam Harper, president; Adam Neidig, secretary; John Brown, Henry Herbst, John Zeigler, John Philip Meyer, Frederick Gutelius, John Ray, Sebastian Whitmer, Elias Youngman, and John Dreisbach, elders. In August, the Northumberland, Union, and Columbia Bank, at Milton, stopped payment. Its notes in circulation were $55,000, and the debts due to the institution amounted to $190,000. Manufactures having broken down in the country, bank notes necessarily flowed in large quantities to Philadelphia and Baltimore for the purchase of goods and the payment of debts. City banks had plenty of their own paper, and, therefore, would not take them; or, if they did, forwarded them forthwith for redemption. The result followed, 1819.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 443 the country banks had to suspend. This was the case with the Reading Bank, Northampton Bank, &c. Among the deaths this year were: Henry Iddings, aged ninety-two, leaving ten children. John Boal, of White Deer; his family were Elizabeth, married to Matthew Laird; Mary, to John Reznor; Sophia, to Samuel Woods; Margaret; Nancy, to J. Foster Wilson, of Hartleton. Domestic. The use of the tomato, as an edible, is noted. Prior to this, the plant was cultivated for ornament. The large stone house in Lewisburg, now occupied by Mark Halfpenny, was built by William Hayes. Governor Simon Snyder. Governor Simon Snyder died at Selinsgrove, November 9, at three, A. M., aged seventy years and four days. His remains rest in the old grave-yard, at Selinsgrove, under a marble slab, without any inscription. His father was a mechanic, who had emigrated from Germany to Lancaster, where the Governor was born. In July, 1784, he removed to Northumberland county, and settled at Selinsgrove, where he opened a store, and became the owner of a mill. He soon became useful as a scrivener, and as a friend of the poor and distressed. He was soon elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he officiated for twelve years. (Justices then presided in the county court.) So universally were his decisions respected, that there never was any appeal from any judgment of his to the court, and but one writ of certiorari was served upon him during that time. His political record is spread forth on the foregoing pages of these Annals. Mention will, therefore, be made here of only a few incidents of his public life. With him originated the arbitration principle, first incorporated, with other wholesome provisions, for the adjustment of controversies brought before justices of the peace, called the hundred-dollar act. After a few years' experience, this salutary principle was ingrafted upon our judiciary system. General Abner Lacock was his coadjutor in these measures. His con- 444 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1819. duct during the war of 1812 was patriotic, and worthy of a Governor of Pennsylvania. His son John, afterwards the Honorable John Snyder, of the thirteenth district, then a boy of nineteen, raised a company, and marched with them as captain to Baltimore. They arrived at Harrisburg before daylight, and were halted before the Governor's door. He arose from his bed, and welcomed them, and with stirring words complimented their bravery. He always said, in speaking of the circumstance, he never before had felt so proud of his son John. During the session of 1813-14, a very large majority of both Houses passed the bill to charter forty banks. The candidate for Governor was at that time nominated by the members of the Legislature. When they came into caucus, it was remarked that the bank bill was then before the Governor, and that it would be prudent to make no nomination till it was seen whether he would sanction it. Within three days, Governor Snyder returned the bill, with his objections, and it did not pass that session. His independence was the theme of universal praise, and he was that year reelected by an immense majority. Having served out the constitutional term, he returned to Selinsgrove, and at the next general election was made State Senator, and served one session. The crowning glory of Governor Snyder's career was his christianity. In religious culture he was a Moravian, and in public station he never forgot his vows or neglected his religious duties. His heart went out at all times in deeds of kindness to the poor and unfortunate. He was long mourned with sincere grief by them, and the few old people still surviving, tell how tenderly it was manifested when he was buried out of their sight. His letters to his children are very affectionate, and full of good advice. I quote from one to his daughter, Amelia, afterwards Mrs. Jenks, dated the 30th of January, 1813: "I hope the practice I recommended, of reading by the boys in the evening, has been adopted, and the reading of a chapter in the New Testament or one of Blair's sermons on a Sunday, when there is no worship in our church. When there is, and the weather is tolerable, I trust you and all the boys attend. Your ensample may influence them. I would advise you to set apart, say two hours each day, for reading, and endeavor to store in your mind all that 1819.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 445 is worth recollecting. Write to me when you have an opportunity, or rather write when anything occurs to your mind worth communicating, and then you will be ready, and not hurried, when an opportunity offers. This is my method, or I never could get through half my business." His parental tenderness and his earnest desire for the conversion of his children is the burden of many of his letters. From one, dated Harrisburg, 19th January, 1813, I make the following extracts: "DEAR CHILD: I have but a few moments time, before the mail starts, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th. I feel much distressed by your relation of John's state of health. I hope that no pains or expense will be spared to restore him. God grant that he may recover, and become sensible of the necessity to alter his mind, and prove thankful and grateful to God for his mercies. His God, from whose hand the thread of his life is suspended, will hear him, if; with a contrite heart he calls for mercy and forgiveness. I write under strong emotions of pain. God have him and you all in His holy keeping, is the prayer of your father, S. S." The Governor's long residence at the seat of government, during which he had not the leisure necessary for managing his extensive estates, and his liberality to his relatives and friends, had greatly embarrassed his affairs. The death of his son Frederick taking place at this time, broke his spirit. The powers of the other world soon claimed him for its silent fellowship. He is now united with the apostles and martyrs, the great and good of all ages, with those he so tenderly loved in life, and more than all, with his Saviour. Governor Snyder's first wife was Elizabeth Michael, of Lancaster, by whom he had two children: Amelia, born 21st June, 1791. She was married March 28, 1820, by Doctor Dewitt to Doctor Phineas Jenks, member of the House from Bucks county, at Harrisburg. Mrs. Elsegood, wife of Reverend J. I. Elsegood, of East New York, is the only daughter of Amelia. The Honorable John Snyder, who married June 11 , 1818, Mary Louisa Kittera, daughter of Honorable John Wilkes Kittera, of Lancaster, Congressman during the administration of General Washington, and until the election of 446 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1819. Thomas Jefferson, in 1801, when he died. John Snyder's children by his first wife are Miss Mary K. Snyder, postmistress at Selinsgrove, Mrs. Vandyke, who now lives in Lewisburg, widow of James C. Vandyke, Esquire, late United States district attorney for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. Among his children by subsequent marriage, is Mrs. G. W. Walls, of Lewisburg. Honorable John Snyder died at Selinsgrove, August 15, 1850. The children by his second marriage were Henry W. Snyder, born 20th July, 1797. He was a paymaster in the late war, and died at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Of his children, are Mrs. Joseph Musser, of Lewisburg, who has a portrait of her grandmother, which is certainly complimentary to the Governor's appreciation of beauty. George A. Snyder, a man of unmistakable genius, was the second son. His artist aspirations were early developed, and he desired his father to send him to Italy; but he insisted upon making a lawyer of him. He never practiced, I believe. Taught school for the most part, and died in Williamsport on the 6th of July, 1865. During the war, being old and feeble, he still insisted upon doing something, and gathered all the newspapers that came in his way, cut out the interesting articles, and pasting them into small scrap-books, sent them to the hospitals to help the sick soldiers while away the tedious hours of sickness. His children are Mrs. Mathias App, now of Michigan; Mrs. Kate Crane; Henry and George S., foundrymen of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Riley, Antes and Jesse D., of the same place. Antes Snyder,* who died at Pottstown in December, 1861, where his widow, Mrs. Mary B., still resides, (1871,) was the child Mrs. Carson wished to kidnap, in order to obtain from the Governor the pardon of Smith. He well remembered how carefully he was guarded in door until after the execution of Smith. Antes was educated at West Point, graduated with high honors, and was soon afterwards sent by the Government to England on business connected with the railway system, then in its infancy here. The Governor said, should Mrs. Carson succeed in the abduction of his child, the law should, nevertheless, have its course. He was spared the trial, but all who knew his stern integrity, felt assured. *Antes Snyder was the engineer who designed and built the large stone bridges over the Schuylkill, at the falls and Peacock's lock, above Reading, and one at Schuylkill Haven, and a number of small ones along the line of the Philadelphia and Heading railroad. 1819] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 447 that the law would have been honored, even had he been put to so severe a test. Governor Snyder was married the third time to Mary Slough Scott, a widow lady of Harrisburg, 16th October, 1814. She survived him, and died at Harrisburg October 8, 1823. She was a member of the Episcopal church, and was the first person who commenced a Sabbath-school in Selinsgrove. She is spoken of as a brilliant woman in society. I quote from her letter to Amelia, dated Philadelphia, June 11, 1818, anticipating Honorable John Snyder's wedding. The garlands have faded this many a day; their perfume may still linger in some households: "My DEAR AMELIA: At length I have a moment to devote to you, on the morning of the important day which is to connect us with Mary. At nine o'clock this evening Doctor Wilson will tie the knot. Mr. Peacock has stayed for the wedding. The fair brides-maids are Mary Smith, Miss Houston, Hannah L. Orme. The groomsmen, Shunk, T. Conrad, Thomas and John Kittera. All the relatives will be here. The company will consist of about thirty persons. To-morrow, early, we set out, and will rest at Lancaster on Sunday, go to Harrisburg on Monday, and leave that on Thursday or Friday for Selinsgrove. I am very anxious about your father. Henry writes Mr. Peacock that he was unwell after I left him. I hope in God he is now well. Mr. Hemphill gave a dinner for me Tuesday. I had twelve of my particular friends to meet me last evening. I took tea with Mrs. Watson. She sends much love. It is so warm, I am obliged to ride everywhere, and Anthony is very accommodating. I long to get home again, and shall enjoy our old house more than ever, for this place is intolerably hot. Shunk [afterwards Governor Shunk] goes by his father's house, so we shall have no beaux. John Kittera cannot go home with us, but will be up in a few weeks. Mrs. Hall is still here, but goes home with Mrs. Humphrey and her daughter next week. Their new carriage is not yet done, and she is almost homesick. Shunk has just come in, and desires me to tell you he has tried to behave pretty, and is as polite as possible." [End of page 447.] PHILIP MILLER was appointed court crier. He held this office thirty-three years, and was succeeded by Benjamin Shell, in 1853. 16th March, the division line of Mifflin and Union directed by act of Assembly, to be run by a surveyor appointed by the commissioners of each county; otherwise the line run by Peter Hackenberg made the line. - P. L. 1820, page 82. 28th March, James Dale, of Union, Jacob Cryder, of Centre, and John Hanna, of Lycoming, appointed to run the division line between Union and Centre counties. In 1819 or 1820, Doctor Grier says, the Associate Reformed church, of Mifflinburg, was organized of Buffalo Cross-Roads members, a dissatisfaction having arisen on account of giving up Rouse's version, and adopting Watt's version, of the Psalms. James McClellan, Esquire, and Samuel Templeton were of the elders. James McClellan gave up his pew in Buffalo in April, 1820. So it was probably in this year. This church was served by the late Doctors George Junkin and David Kirkpatrick. In October, 1827, on application of Mr. Kirkpatrick and his congregation, they were received into and taken under the care of the Northumberland Presbytery. (This congregation is still served by Doctor Grier, although there is another Presbyterian church organized at Mifflinburg.) Political. At the October election for Governor, General Joseph Hiester received 1,621 votes, and William Findlay, 1,040 in Union county. 1820.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 449 For Congress, Thomas Murray ran against William Cox Ellis. 4,314 tickets had the name of Thomas Murray on; 3,074 had Thomas Murray, junior. Mr. Ellis' vote in the district was 6,526, and he received the certificate, but not considering it fair, Mr. Ellis resigned in June, 1821, and another election was held that fall. At the November election James Monroe carried every State, John Quincy Adams receiving only one electoral vote, (in New Hampshire.) Census 1820. Penn's 2,099 Hartley 1,239 Centre 2,094 New Berlin 515 Beaver 2,036 Union 1,369 Perry 1,330 White Deer 1,677 Washington, 1,427 Lewisburg 579 Mifflinburg 620 Buffalo 2,376 West Buffalo 1,183 Hartleton 75 Total 18,619 Value of leather manufactures, 119,200 linseed oil, $2,790; pottery, $1,050; whisky; corn and rye, used for, 16,000 bushels, value, twenty-five to thirty-one cents per gallon. Twenty-two still-houses. Wheat manufactured into flour, 23,300 bushels. Fourteen mills in operation. For cotton yarn, one hundred and twenty spindles, one carding machine, one spinning machine. "The whole establishment gone to ruin for want of a market. It formerly employed four men and three boys." Notices of Revolutionary Soldiers Residing in the County in 1820. Brown, Jonathan, had served three years as a private in Captain Elijah Humphrey's company, Colonel William Douglas' regiment, and was sixty-two years old. Britton, Joseph, enlisted at John Stetler's tavern, in Limerick township, Montgomery county, in the spring of 1776, in Captain Caleb North's company, of Colonel Anthony Wayne's regiment. Captain Frederick Evans testified in his behalf; that he had lived forty-three years before with David Evans, whose land joined his 450 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1820. father's, in Montgomery county; that he recollected of hearing Britton had enlisted, and about a year afterwards he came back very much emaciated; that forty-four years had elapsed since he had seen Britton, and he was so much altered he had no recollection of his person; but from conversation with him, he had no doubt he was the same Joseph that had enlisted with Captain Caleb North's company, and marched to Ticonderoga. Britton was, in 1820, seventy-one years old, a farmer, and had a wife and two daughters. Billman, Dewalt, aged sixty-seven, enlisted at Reading, in Captain Jacob Bowers' company. Burd, Daniel, seventy-five years old, enlisted at Amboy, Colonel James Treddle's regiment served five years nine months, except three months, when he was at home sick. He was wounded in the left thigh at Battle Hill, with two musket balls. He had two sons and four daughters, youngest named Anne. Bower, George, of White Deer. Pressed in the fall of 1777 as teamster; had charge of an ammunition wagon at Valley Forge. Drafted in June, 1778; arrived on the field of Monmouth as the battle was closing. He received a sword cut on the knee from a British soldier who lay in ambush by the road. Recollected of seeing Lafayette at Monmouth. Campbell, McDonald, served in Captain John Conway's company, Colonel William Wind's New Jersey regiment, thirteen months. Re- enlisted in Colonel John Conway's regiment and served nine months, and then was detailed by General Green as his express rider, and remained such during the war. Was a fifer in Captains Conway's and Furman's companies. He married a widow valentine, Who had two children, Jesse, aged thirteen, Jane, aged ten. His children by her were, Isaac Wilson Campbell, Sally Walls, Almeda, Eleanor, and Elizabeth; latter aged eight months. Carney, Anthony, blacksmith, Hartley, enlisted in Orange county, North Carolina, served three years. He was sixty-seven in 1820, and had no family except his wife, Catherine. Clemmens, Peter, private in Captain Stake's company, Colonel Butler's regiment, and served two years. He left a daughter, Elizabeth. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1820. Campbell, John, (still living in West Buffalo, 1838, and then eighty-three years old,) was drafted into the militia from Derry 1820.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 451 township, Lancaster county, in 1776, served under Captain Robert McKee, arrived at Trenton the day after the capture of the Hessians, and went thence to Morristown. Took oath of allegiance before Jacob Cooke, Esquire, 2d August, 1777. In the latter part of 1777, he was again drafted, and went to Trenton. Saw British horses and wagons brought into camp and sold at auction. His third tour was at the close of the war, in a company commanded by Lieutenant James Laird. They lay at Chestnut Hill awhile. General Potter and Major Stewart had a quarrel there about the treatment of the militia, and were on the point of fighting it out with their swords. Campbell moved to Buffalo Valley in 1777, lived on Captain Gray's farm one year, then moved to another farm of the captain's near James Dale's. He lived there seven years, then moved near Buffalo mountain, then into West Buffalo, where he died. Cook, John, private in Captain Herbert's company, from Womelsdorf, who was taken prisoner at the surrender of Fort Washington, exchanged, and appointed ensign in the twelfth, Colonel Cooke's. He was unmarried and childless in 1820, seventy-eight years old. Coryell, George, was a native of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, was born at Coryell's ferry, on the Delaware river, now Lambertville, on the 28th of April, 1761. He entered the army in Captain Craig's company of dragoons, in 1776, just after the taking of the Hessians, and before the cannonade at Trenton, on the 2d of January, 1777. His company marched up the creek, and was in the battle at Princeton. He was a year with Captain Craig. He was afterwards drafted into a company of dragoons, under Lieutenant Reading, in which he served one year. He was afterwards drafted into the company of Captain Palmer, in which he continued until the fall of 1780. He was only sixteen years of age when he enlisted, and while in Captain Craig's company, he was sent, as an express, to Boston, leaving orders at Danbury and other places on the route. He said there were gray-headed men and minors in Craig's company. At one time General Washington had his headquarters at his father's house, at the ferry, while the army encamped partly in his orchard. The British and Hessians got possession of his father's premises at one time, and cut the bedding, threw the feathers into the street, and burned all the fences on the farm, which lay in common a long time. George Coryell was married, in 1790, to a sister of Richard Van 452 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1820. Buskirk, of Mifflinburg, and moved, in 1793, to the premises of Samuel Maclay, in Buffalo township. He was a carpenter by trade, and built many houses in Buffalo Valley, among others, the old "Black Horse tavern," at Lewisburg; of barns, he built the one on Maclay's place, now owned by Joseph Green. In 1799 he was captain of the Buffalo Valley Republican troop, and always rode on parade days a sorrel horse that had been wounded at St. Clair's defeat. John Webb, a hatter, father of Colonel Webb, who, some years ago, kept hotel in Philadelphia, was first lieutenant of the company. Webb lived in Mifflinburg, and moved to Ohio many years ago. Coryell was adjutant of Colonel George Weirick's regiment, at Marcus Hook, in 1814. He removed to Lycoming county once; then back to Buffalo valley; then to White Deer valley thence to Butler county, near Hamilton, where he died, 1837-38. His wife soon followed him to the grave. He had four sons, Tunison, John, Joseph R., and Abraham, of whom Tunison, the eldest, and Abraham, the youngest, alone survive. There were several daughters, most of whom ended their days in Ohio and Indiana. Tunison resides in Williamsport, and occupies the house in which he was mar- red, in 1815, and where his golden wedding was celebrated. Derr, Christian, West Buffalo, aged, in 1820, seventy-two. Enlisted at Reading, in Captain Nagle's company, Colonel Thompson's regiment, and served one year; re-enlisted in November, 1776, in Captain Moore's company, Colonel Humpton's regiment, and served in the battle of King's Bridge, 11th January, 1777, Brandywine, and Germantown. In the last action he was wounded, had several ribs broken, and was, therefore, discharged. He was a carpenter, and had eleven children. He had three balls in his body, which he carried to his grave. His children were Ellis Derr, Mifflinburg; Samuel, Uniontown; Henry, Schellsburg, Bedford county; Susan, married to Jesse Eghert, afterwards David Kline, of Hartley; Polly, to Jones, of Sugar valley; Elizabeth, to William Kepner, moved to Venango; John, Oley township, Berks; Catherine, to Henry Barrich; Christian, junior, who died in Spring township, Centre county, in 1852. His children live in and about Bellefonte Daniel, Rachel, married to William Young; William, in Benezet; Christian and Solomon, in Bellefonte. Ewig, Christian, aged sixty, enlisted at Sunbury, in Captain Weit- 1820.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 453 zel's company, Colonel Miles' regiment, in April, 1776, served one year, nine months, then re-enlisted at Sunbury, in Captain James Wilson's First Pennsylvania, Colonel James Chambers, in which he served until the close of the war. A wheelwright by trade. Kerstetter, George, blacksmith, Washington township, aged sixty- four. Served four years in Captain Burkhart's company, Colonel Hunsecker's regiment. Children: Jacob and Dorothy. Wife's name was Elizabeth. Linn, John, aged sixty-five, enlisted in the winter of 1778, at Lancaster, in third troop, Captain Erasmus Gill, fourth regiment Penn- sylvania cavalry, Colonel Stephen Moylan. Discharged in October, 1783. Had five children; Robert Bruce, born May 21, 1806 Altha, January 15, 1808; James Smith, October 20, 1811; Eliza, June 4, 1814; Mary Jane, November 23, 1816. Weaver by trade. Lennox, George, private, Captain Bankson's company, Colonel Stewart's regiment. Reger, Elias, enlisted in May, 2775, Captain George Nagle's company, Colonel Thompson, first rifle regiment. In the siege of Boston. Discharged at Long Island, in June, 1776. Cooper by trade. Seventy-seven years old. Rorabaugh, Philip, Buffalo township, served three months in Penn- sylvania line, Captain Slaymaker's company, Colonel Bull's regiment, while the army lay at Valley Forge. Served also in the campaign of 1794, known as the whisky insurrection, and three months in Captain John Bergstresser's company, at Marcus Hook, in 1814. This hero of three wars died February 3, 1837, aged eighty-six, and is buried in Lewisburg German grave-yard. Swesey, Daniel, died in White Deer, 31st January, 1836, leaving a widow, Mary. Strickland, Timothy, carpenter, Lewisburg, enlisted in 1776, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, Captain Bacon's company, Colonel Porter's regiment, and served therein one year. Re-enlisted in September, 1777, in Captain Mill's company, New York State line, and was honorably discharged after three years' service. Aged in May, 1824, seventy-three, but very much crippled. He had four sons, (Samuel was a soldier of 1814.) His grandchildren reside still in Lewisburg; Cyrus, a grandson, in Bellefonte. Smith, Adam, was a teamster during the Revolution. He settled 454 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1820. upon the place now owned by Jacob Kunkle, above Henry Mertz's. He died there and was buried at the Dreisbach grave-yard. His sons were: Adam, George, Michael, and John, and a daughter, married to Michael Maize, another to Steffy Touchman. Adam, junior, moved to Beaver township, Snyder county. His descendants are about Beaver town yet. George died in Union county, John at Beaver town, and Michael in Union county, in 1841. He had a blacksmith shop above Henry Mertz's, and that is the point so often spoken of in old road views. Michael's children were Michael, who moved to Michigan; Daniel, who moved to Ohio; Benjamin, to Illinois; David, now, 1869, living near the old place. His daughters married, one to Jonas Nyhart, one to John Wolfe, one to David Oldt, near New Berlin. Michael had three wives: first was a Bower, of Dry valley second, Susanna Bartges, of Mifflinburg; third, Sophia Bickle, whose father, Henry Bickle, was killed by the Indians. Michael had also a son Jonathan, father of A. W. Smith, Esquire, late jury commissioner, who died in Hartley township, in 1870. Yiesely, Michael, aged sixty-seven, enlisted in August, 1776, in Captain B. Weiser's company, in Colonel Haussegger's regiment. Served during the war, and was discharged in 1783. He had a wife and five children, Henry, Catherine, George, Elizabeth, and Maria. Deaths. June 17, Paschal Lewis, aged sixty. His family: Elizabeth, widow, who died August 26, 1828, aged seventy-one. Margaret, married to Thomas Clingan; Mary, married to Samuel Wright, (she is still living in Stephenson county, Illinois;) Sarah, married to James Merrill, Esquire; Elizabeth L., wife of Robert Candor, Esquire; Amelia B married to Samuel Heise, of Columbia. [End of page 454.] 1821. GOVERNOR HEISTER'S APPOINTMENTS - GENERAL ITEMS. APPOINTMENTS - Secretary of the Commonwealth. Andrew Gregg. Auditor General, James Duncan, of Carlisle. Samuel Cochran, Chester county, Surveyor General. (He held office nine years, under Governor Snyder.) James Brady, of Westmoreland, Secretary of the Land Office. Prices current at Philadelphia, in April wheat, seventy cents, rye thirty-seven, corn thirty-two, butter ten cents per pound, bacon seven per pound, whiskey twenty cents per gallon. In July wheat advanced to eighty cents; in October to ninety, and in November to $1 50. The other grains proportionably. February 19, "a comet made its appearance in the western horizon. It was seen last evening between seven and eight o'clock, considerably elevated, and could be found by drawing a line due north from the planet Saturn. It was but a few degrees from it." On June 8th the locusts made their appearance in great numbers in Buffalo Valley. The Union county Democratic nominations were Ner Middleswarth and James Dale, for Assembly; commissioner, Joseph Fuehrer auditor, John Maclay; all opposed to Hiester. The Federal party had really gone under, and politics was now confined to factions in the Democratic ranks. Binns and Buchanan appear among the Hiester men, who are called bank men, and aristocrats, and "Feds." The Findlay papers style themselves indifferently Democrats, Democratic-Republicans, and Republicans. 456 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1822. In Union county, Thomas Murray, (Findlay,) for Congress, had ten hundred and forty-five; William Cox Ellis, opposition, eight hundred and thirty-six; and Murray was elected in the district by a small majority. The fall election resulted in the choice of a legislature in opposition to Governor Hiester, which elected William Findlay United States Senator. Deaths. Among deaths this year were, June 27, Captain William F. Buyers. former editor of the Times, Sunbury, aged forty; and December 7, John Baker, of Buffalo, aged sixty-five. 1822. CERTAIN LAWS - NEWSPAPERS NOTICED - DEATH OF WILLIAM CLINGAN, ESQUIRE, HONORABLE ANDREW ALBRIGHT, AND HENRY PONTIUS. THE act of February 18, Pamphlet Laws, 29, required all the original lists of assessments for land situate in Union county, to be transmitted to the commissioners of Union county, and were made evidence in suits. March 21 , Lewisburg incorporated as a borough. - (Pamphlet Laws, 68.) The election place was fixed at Randall Wilcox's, who kept the Black Horse, and John Neshit and Alexander Graham were appointed to superintend the first election. March 25, Northumberland and Union placed in the ninth senatorial district, and entitled to two members. April 2, Union, Northumberland, Columbia, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Bradford,. Lycoming, Tioga, Potter, and McKean placed in one congressional district, and entitled to three members, and on 1822.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 457 the same day the borough of Lewisburg was erected into a separate election district. In January, the prices current in Philadelphia for wheat was $1.12; rye, 6o cents; corn, 62; oats, 30. In April wheat rose to $1.2o, and in May it stood at $1.48. Nathaniel Henrie bought out the New Berlin Gazette, of Frederick Wise, and started the Union Times. May 31, Simon Cameron became the junior editor of the Intelligencer at Harrisburg. Hugh Maxwell was editing the opposition paper at Lancaster. In December, a special election, occasioned by the death of Andrew Albright, resulted in the election of Lewis Dewart, Federal, as he was called, over Ner Middleswarth and E. G. Bradford, Democrats, to the State Senate. The vote was light, and stood in the district: Dewart, 1192; Middleswarth, 1059; Bradford, 606. Marriages. At Selinsgrove, March 28, George A. Snyder, Esquire, to Miss Ann Ellen, daughter of the late Stephen Dancan. June 11, at Lewisburg, by John Nesbit, Esquire, Lewis Moore to Dorothy Smith. Deaths. January 23, Catherine, widow of Elias Youngman. She was born in 1745, and was a daughter of George Nagel, sheriff of Berks county in 1772. May 24, William Clingan, Esquire, of White Deer, aged sixty-six. He left a widow, Jane. Children: Margaret, wife of Thomas Scott; Ann, wife of Joseph Lawson; Thomas; Elizabeth. married to Thomas Barber; George, and Flavel. His wife was a daughter of Reverend John Roan. They were married June 11, 1778, and resided on a farm, which is now within the borough of Mount Joy, Lancaster county, until their removal to Buffalo Valley, in 1800. William Clingan, member of (Congress from Chester county, during the Revolution, was his uncle. August 9, Mary, wife of Peter Himmelreich, and daughter of Captain Peter Withington, deceased. Born July 18, 1765. Buried in the Dreisbach church-yard. Tuesday, November 26, Honorable Andrew Albright died at Sun- 458 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1882. bury, after an illness of three months, in his fifty-third year. He was born at Litiz, February 28, 1770. His father's name was Andrew; his mother, Elizabeth Orth, of Lebanon. His first wife was a daughter of Melchoir Rahm, a very prominent man in Dauphin county. Mr. Albright came to Lewisburg in 1798 and opened a tavern where Halfpenny's factory now stands, where he resided until he was elected sheriff, when he removed to Sunbury. He was member of Assembly in 1808. His wife died March 9, 1810, and he subsequently married the mother of Mrs. John G. Youngman, of Sunbury. He was appointed associate judge in 1813, in place of General Wilson, deceased, and had just been elected to the State Senate when he died. He was noted for his integrity, and was very popular throughout our Valley. He owned Colonel Slifer's upper farm on Buffalo creek when he died. He left no children, but brothers, Henry, Jacob, Godfrey, and a sister, Susanna, married to Philip Backman. An obituary in the Sunbury Enquirer of that date concludes: "Society has been deprived of a valuable member, and a wife of an amiable husband." In private life he sustained the character of an honest man and christian, and was universally beloved. He has held various public and responsible offices, with honor to himself and advantage to his fellow-citizens." December 13, Henry Pontius. He was born on the 25th of February, 1744, came into the Valley as a pioneer at the close of the French war, and permanently in 1770. He was a son of John, and his brothers were Andrew, Peter, Nicholas, John, junior, George, and Frederick. Henry Pontius left a large family: Andrew, born June 17, 1770; Frederick, June, 1772; Henry, December 22, 1773; Nicholas, 19th April, 1775; Catherine, (King,) 19th May, 1777; John, October 8, 1778; George, 13th December, 1780; Peter, 20th March, 1783; Christena, 12th June, 1785; Barbara, June 13, 1787; Philip, August 15, 1789. The latter died upon the old place on Cedar run, a mile east of Mifflinburg, in 1872. He was a fine old gentleman, and his excellent memory preserved many incidents related in these Annals. His remains now moulder with their ancestral dust, in the old burying-ground upon the place. [End of page 458.] 1823. GENERAL ITEMS - ELECTION RETURNS - CHRISTIAN CHAPEL AT LEWISBURG - KELLY TOWNSHIP MARKET quotations in Philadelphia: Wheat, $1 35; rye 75 cents; butter, 18 cents; whisky, 28 cents. David Ramsay carried on a fulling and carding-mill in White Deer; Daniel Moyer at Weiser's old mill in East Buffalo. Thomas R. Lewis kept hotel at the sign of "The Lewisburg Stage," on Market, above A. Graham's store. 14th March, first election held under the borough charter of Lewisburg: John Nesbit, burgess; James Geddes, Alexander Graham, George Knox, Henry Beck, and William Hayes, council. 3d May, meeting of the stockholders of the Lewisburg bridge; George Kreiner elected president, and the first dividend of $1 50 per share of $50 was declared. 15th May, the Lewistown convention held; Dan Caldwell and John Stees delegates from Union; Andrew Gregg nominated for Governor. 9th August, a Republican meeting held at New Berlin; Frederick Evans, president; Andrew McClenachan and George A. Snyder, secretaries; in favor of J. A. Shulze for Governor. October 4, Simon Snyder, junior, and James Dale, candidates on the Shulze ticket for Assembly; William Hayes and Francis A. Boyer on the Gregg ticket; Uriah Silsby for commissioner on the Shulze ticket, against John Rank. October 5, Andrew Reedy, in pursuance of a banter from Major John C. Coverly, attended at his house and counted down $1,000, which he offered to bet on Shulze's election, and could get no takers. 460 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1823. ELECTION RETURNS - October, 1823. GOVERNOR. ASSEMBLY. COMM'RS. Gregg | Shulze | | Boyer DISTRICTS | | | Hayes | | | | Dale | | | | | Snyder | | | | | | Rank | | | | | | | Silsby Centre 106 l06 112 111 98 94 108 100 Weirick's, 26 74 29 30 72 70 26 74 Chapman, 61 73 70 71 62 62 43 69 Perry 29 94 30 23 97 95 27 97 Beaver 102 183 98 98 186 185 97 188 Washington 82 79 100 83 73 65 84 76 Penn's 132 183 135 145 175 165 134 179 Lewisburg 51 62 51 64 59 52 37 76 Hartley 90 153 88 96 152 149 89 148 White Deer 77 210 66 83 223 211 41 250 East Buffalo 62 209 60 71 209 102 55 215 West Buffalo 144 164 141 45 168 151 136 171 Union, 141 181 137 139 178 171 126 178 1103 1765 1117 1058 1752 1572 1003 1821 November 15, the stockholders in the German school-house in Lewisburg met, and elected Henry Hursh, Charles Beyers, and John Martin, trustees, and decided by vote that the trustees should select the school-master, instead of the stockholders. This school-house was situated on the lot now occupied by the Lutheran parsonage, and was erected before 1812, and kept in repair by subscription. 14th September, Sabbath, the Christian chapel in Lewisburg was opened for worship. Reverend James Kay delivered a sermon on the occasion. It will be gratifying to the friends of religious liberty and free inquiry to learn that this church has been built upon the most liberal principles, and is intended to accommodate all those who acknowledge the divine mission of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Miltonian. Elijah Bacon commenced a series of meetings in 1822, which resulted in the formation of this congregation. There were to be no pews in the church, but Elder Badger, who succeeded him before the church was completed, had them put in. George Richmond became the preacher in 1825. Bacon's points were mainly against the discipline of the orthodox, and the church was open to all persons for free discussion of religious tenets. 1823.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 461 The Times of Saturday, November 1, says: "On Friday morning last, as Mr. Jacob Yutten, son-in-law of Mr. Royer, of East Buffalo township, in this county, was engaged, with several others, in tearing down a log house, to move it a short distance, he fell, and, distressing to relate, hit his head again a joist, and mangled it in such a manner that he expired immediately after." Friday, December 4, the first snow of the season fell. Kelly Township first called Pike. At December sessions, 1823, Adam Wilt, Christian Miller, and George Aurand reported a new township, to be erected from White Deer, and called Pike. This report was set aside, at the instance of Dan Caldwell, so Flavel Clingan informed me, and new viewers appointed, of whom Frederick Evans was one, who finally reported a township, to be called Kelly, after Colonel Kelly. Marriages. 18th March, John P. Gutelius, of Mifflinburg, to Miss Maria Aurand, of Lebanon. 10th April, Conrad Grove, merchant, of New Berlin, to Miss Mary Gingerich, of Juniata county. 31st July, by Reverend Samuel Gutelius, Michael Hoffman to Lydia Wagner, both of White Deer. September 25, by Reverend John Thomas, Jacob Wagoner to Rachel, daughter of Thomas McGuire, of White Deer. [End of page 461.] 1824. KELLY TOWNSHIP ERECTED - STATE ROAD FROM BELLEFONTE TO THE MOUTH OF WHITE DEER CREEK - POLITICAL - THE CLOWN AND ROPE DANCER AT NEW BERLIN - SNYDER'S HEIRS V. SIMON SNYDER - SHOW OF WAX FIGURES - TRIAL OF SAMUEL JOHNSTON. FREDERICK EVANS to George Kremer, at Washington, D. C. - "3d January. Duncan's wife, of Penn's valley, died lately, and Thomas R. Lewis died about the same time. Sick since November 8. Solomon Betz and Wormly's trial came on last court. Verdict for Wormly, $195. Betz cut scollops until he had the judges and jurors angry. [This is an allusion to the celebrated trial between Betz and Wormly, about a piece of stove- pipe, that lasted many years, and broke up Wormly.] 8th February. Yesterday I was over at court, and find we shall send delegates to Harrisburg, with instructions to vote for General Jackson. If we cannot succeed, then to use a sound discretion. My opinion would be, to say. if we cannot get Jackson nominated, our delegates should withdraw. [He, with others, was getting the grist ready for the county convention.] But I do not believe such a motion would carry, if made. I spoke with Middleswarth. He says he is for Jackson, but will support the congressional caucus man. I think if a caucus cannot be prevented, the friends of Jackson should attend, but not pledge themselves to a foul nomination. I saw Dan Caldwell. He says McClenachan is opposed to Jackson, and one Reed, and they are all the opponents he has in the township, [White Deer.] if Caldwell tells the truth." Kelly township was erected during this year. After careful search, I 1824.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 463 could not find the record. The first constable, however, was Albright Bower, who attended at May sessions, 1825. On the 29th of March, an act was passed to lay out the State road from Bellefonte, by way of Sugar valley, to the river, at the mouth of White Deer creek. Political. September 17, the Democratic-Republican convention met at New Berlin, John Snyder, president; William Linn, secretary. Kremer, Montgomery, and McKean nominated for Congress; Aaron Chamberlin and F. P. Deering for Assembly. 5th October, Independent-Republican meeting, Joseph Musser, chairman; Mathew Brewer, secretary. Peter Hackenburg and James McClellan nominated for Assembly; George Weirick for commissioner. At the conferee meeting, on the 21St of September, McKean, Kremer, and Espy Van Home were nominated. In November, Union county gave seven hundred majority for Andrew Jackson, twenty-six votes for Crawford, two for Clay. Social. The following are the names of a dancing party at Mrs. Grossman's tavern, in New Berlin, on the evening of February 12: John Lashells, Esquire, and wife, James Merrill, Robert Forster, John Mumma, Nathanial Henrie, Henry M. W. Kirke, Elias P. Youngman, Robert P. Maclay, Conrad Grove, John Maize, George Shock. John Seebold, John Lotz, James F. Linn, Mrs. Henrie, Elizabeth Jones, Sarah Messimer, Catherine Jones, Mrs. Grove, Elizabeth Brooke, Margaret Kessler, Mary L. Duncan, Sarah Weikert, Margaret C. Lashells. Eleanor C. Lashells. Elizabeth S. Stillwell, Elizabeth Winters, Sarah A. Ingram. John Mumma and James F. Linn were managers. It was a Buffalo Valley custom, on wedding occasions, to welcome the bride with a party composed of elderly folks. Here is a list, Wednesday night, October 20: Colonel John Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly Doctor Robert Vanvalzah, Elizabeth Vanvalzah, William Poak, Esquire, and wife, James Dale, Esquire, Mrs. Eliza Dale, 404 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1824. Colonel Aaron Chamberlin and wife, Andrew McBeth and wife, John Campbell, Maria Campbell, Thomas Sawyer, Elizabeth Sawyer, William Linn and wife, Charles Maclay, Elizabeth Vanvalzah. The next evening, October 21st, at the same place, the festivities were taken up by the young people, of whom were: William Kelly, Andrew Kelly, Joseph Kelly, Robert P. Maclay, Samuel Gamble, James Mathers, F. F. Linn, James Sawyer, Joseph Candor, John Young, John Vanvalzah, Robert Forster, John Chamberlin, Mrs. S. Kelly, Miss Sarah Dorrough, Sarah McClellan, Margaret and Catherine McClellan, Sarah Forster, Hetty Forster, Catherine Hood, Mary Hood, Frances Chamberlin, Elizabeth Vanvalzah, Margaret Vanvalzah, Harriet Candor, Matilda Sawyer, Eleanor Young, Jane Davidson. A Rope Dancer at New Berlin. This summer a rope-dancer and his clown visited New Berlin, and put up at Seebold's, where he proposed to display his agility for the amusement of the people and the replenishment of his pockets. Before he mounted the slack rope, however, he must needs make an equestrian display, in order to attract the attention of the public. He applied to me for my horse, but I decline giving it. Nat Henrie, a waggish printer, happened to be present, volunteered to lend him his, a handsome, young gray mare. The offer was accepted, and Nat went away to bridle her. He soon came hack to my office, and notified me that there would be some fun presently. He said he had put on the mare a broken bit, which he had mended with twine. He said the mare was as wild as the devil, and if the clown attempts to hold her in with that bridle, there will he a ride worth seeing. Nat then walked over to Seebold's, and engaged the clown in conversation, while the showman, dressed in red jacket, white pants, white kid boots, and with his hair put up like a lady's, with side combs and in puffs, mounted and set out. When Nat judged that the showman had made sufficient headway, he let loose his hold of the clown's stirrup. The clown followed his master at a full gallop, with a whoop and halloo; the mare quickened her speed at the sound. The showman drew bridle with all his strength, the bit gave way, the rider fell on his back, with his heels in the air, and then, rolling off, alighted on hands and knees upon the ground. 1824.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 465 Nat ran to his stable, whither the affrighted mare had fled, put on another bridle, and, returning, condoled with the showman on his misfortune, and offered him the chance of another ride. This he declined. The show was not good that night, on account of the want of agility of the rope-dancer." 4th December, the first snow of the winter fell. 24th and 25th December, show of wax figures at Christopher Seebold's, in New Berlin: Macbeth Consulting the Witch; General Butler and the Indian; Two Chinese Dwarfs; An American Dwarf; Harriet Newell presenting Tracts to Heathen Children; Seven Boys Chiming Bells; hand organ. Admittance, twelve and a half cents. If a man had a lion or leopard, a porcupine or the skin of a huge snake, he wandered about the country, collecting the odd change of idlers, children, and curiosity hunters. These were usually exhibited in a stable or out-house. Theaters and rope dancing in the ball-rooms of the tavern, rooms communicating with folding-doors, of which the hotels of the olden times were never without. There was exhibited a cat's skin, which excited considerable attention, and was, indeed, a great curiosity. The skin was white, except a black spot in the middle of the back, resembling the bust of a man in profile. So perfect was the resemblance, that it required close examination to satisfy the beholder that the picture was not a work of art. The owner, on one occasion, refused three thousand dollars for it. I cannot tell what has become of it, but believe the owner took it to Europe, and disposed of it. This fact should induce us to be less skeptical as to some of the stories of the ancient historians about the lusus naturae, which so often alarmed the superstitious Greeks and Romans. The outline of the head was as perfect and complete in all its parts as if it had come from the hands of the most skillful pro- file cutter. - G. A. S. John Snyder's Heirs vs. Simon Snyder. This hardly-contested ease deserves especial mention from the great interest it excited in the minds of our people at that time. It was originally brought at Sunbury, and the claim was for ninety- three acres of land on the Isle of Que. George A. Snyder's narrative of it is as follows 466 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1824. John Snyder, brother of my father, purchased the property of Peter Weiser, in 1785. John died from a fall from his horse, and his widow removed to Lancaster, with her children. She afterwards married Jacob Kendig, who lived a mile from Selinsgrove, up the road to Sunbury. Simon Snyder, John Miller, and Martin Kendig were appointed administrators of John Snyder. The estate was incumbered largely, and an order of sale was obtained. The property was offered for sale at Selinsgrove, and adjourned, for want of bidders, to Sunbury, and, on the 12th of November, 1790, was struck off to Anthony Selin, who married my father's sister. My father advised Selin not to buy, thinking he would have trouble in paying for it. Just as it was about being struck down, Jacob Kendig put in a bid, for what reason he never explained, but as he and the whole party were somewhat fuddled, he probably bid to vex Selin. The purchaser, after some swearing at Kendig, treated all hands, and they got into the ferry scow with unsteady steps and heated brains. On the water Selin took occasion to call Kendig a damned rascal, and then to lick him for not acknowledging the truth of the charge. Selin entered into possession, and commenced farming the land. He was then in partnership with my father in a mill, erected on a tract of forty-two acres, part of the tract originally owned by John Snyder, and which they had purchased of John, in 1787. Selin died in 1792, leaving two children, Anthony and Agnes. The latter married James K. Davis, about the year 1808. My father was nominated for Governor, and, among other slanderous reports started against him, was one that he had been in league with Selin, and cheated his brother's orphan children out of the land. Daniel Smith, a lawyer and active politician, is supposed to have been the originator of the story. At all events, he was active in spreading it, and persuaded the guardians of John Snyder's children to bring an ejectment for the land. The plaintiff on the trial, before Judge Chapman, claimed on three grounds: 1. That the orphans' court proceedings were irregular. 2. That Selin's violent conduct at the sale prevented others from bidding. 3. That Simon Snyder was in partnership with Selin in the purchase, had come into possession after Selin's death, and had spoken of the property as his own. The first ground, being 1824.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 467 matter of record, was decided by the court to he insufficent. The second and third grounds, if proved to the satisfaction of the jury, were sufficent to justify a verdict for the plaintiff. The jury, however, without much hesitation, gave a verdict for the defendant. The judgment was reversed on some exceptions to the admission of testimony being such as lawyers are wont to make in order to have the chance of another trial. Soon after the decision, Anthony Snyder (John's son) removed to the Genessee country, (New York.) He became a pettifogger, and met with great success in his vocation. Union county was erected in 1813, and the cause removed thither. Anthony Snyder and Daniel Rhoads came to Pennsylvania, as the representatives of the plaintiffs, to attend to the trial. There being much delay in coming to trial, on account of the difficulty of collecting the witnesses, who were numerous and much scattered, and on account of the indolence and dilatory temper of Judge Chapman, Anthony and Daniel traversed the county, visiting the taverns and all kinds of gatherings, and holding forth in piteous style on the subject of the frauds, whereby the defendant had cheated his orphan nephews and neices out of their inheritance. A general prejudice was thus excited, and an impartial trial became impossible. Had the judge been a man of courage and firmness, in whose legal qualifications the bar and the public had confidence, he might have secured a righteous verdict. But the clamor terrified him. He continued the cause from term to term, and from year to year, on almost any pretext; his fears and indolence making him unwilling to face the long and wearisome case. The second trial came off, I think, in 1816. The judge saw clearly where justice was, but, weak and timid, he shuffled in his decisions and in his charge, and there was a verdict for the plaintiffs. The partnership they endeavored to prove by general repute. Their only witnesses were illiterate, and sometimes dishonest, laborers, who had, more than twenty years before, worked for Selin and my father; while Kremer, Evans, Simon Snyder, junior, well acquainted with the parties, testified to the real extent of the partnership. The amount of perjury on the plaintiffs side was surprisingly great. The main witness to the allegation that Selin's threats had frightened off bidders was a man named Bower, from Dauphin county, who 468 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1824. swore that but for Selin's threats he would have given £400 or £500 more. The defendant proved that Bower said on his way home that the land went too high, and no sane man would give so much for it. The oldest land-holders of the vicinity, Boyd, DeGruchy, Leisenring, Taggert, Dentler, and others, unanimously testified the land sold above its value, it being island land. The defendant's counsel, apprehending the result from the violence of the prejudice, presented numerous points, and upon a writ of error, the judgment was reversed. Soon after this my father died, and Anthony Selin, the younger, and James K. Davis, were substituted as defendants. An attempt was made to put the costs, thus far accrued, upon Simon Snyder's estate; but the court decided that Selin's heirs had all the time been the real defendants, and that Simon Snyder had only been nominally defendant. The cause was tried again in 1823; Lashells and Hepburn for plaintiffs; Bellas and Greenough for defendants. The clamors of the plaintiffs and the weakness of the judge made it more than ever a hopeless task for the defendants. A verdict was again had against them, followed by a reversal by the Supreme Court. Another verdict must have been, under our judicial system, final, provided it should be for the plaintiffs, and this was almost certain to be the case. The defendants resolved to refer the case to arbitrators. I was pro- thonotary, and, on account of my consanguinity to defendants, liable to be objected to. Mr. Maclay, the register, acted in my place. He was an upright man, and performed his duty faithfully. The number of referees was five. Joseph Rathfon was the only one that was not objected to of the five nominated by each party. Mr. Maclay made then a list of twenty names, and each party struck eight names. The board thus formed, Dan Caldwell, Michael Rathfon, Valentine Haas, John Reifsnyder, and Joseph Spotts, gave an award for the defendants. Plaintiffs then resolved to appeal, and Doctor Atlee, of Philadelphia, came with Mr. Lashells, the leading counsel on his side, to enter the appeal. I was desired to take the necessary affidavit and bond, and lay them aside for the present, until the costs, which were necessary to be paid, should be forwarded, and then I was to file the affidavit and enter the appeal. The taxation of costs was difficult and tedious. Many of the subpoenas had been lost, and as no account had been kept of time, the defendants had to make 1824.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 469 their bill very low to avoid exceptions. The amount, however, after all allowances, was upwards of $1,500. The twenty days elapsed, and no costs were paid; the defendants demanded judgment, which I entered with good-will. So ended the Isle of Que case. The reason why the costs were not forthcoming, we learned afterwards. When Doctor Atlee got back to Philadelphia, he took counsel of David Paul Brown, his attorney, who advised him not to pay over the costs, as the mere taking of the affidavit and bond for future costs constituted an appeal - that I would be liable to the defendants for costs. When Mr. Lashells wrote to inquire why the costs were not forthcoming, and was informed of Mr. Brown's advice, he refused to be a party to any such unfair dealing, and added that he felt sure the court would not allow an appeal to be entered; that it was ungenerous to throw Mr. Snyder into the costs for an act of kindness to Doctor Atlee, to save him a journey from Philadelphia, by taking the affidavit and bond while he was at New Berlin. The plaintiffs then brought a suit in the United States court, at Philadelphia, for that part which lay west of Penn's creek, and on which Selinsgrove was built. The first attempts to bring on the suit to trial failed, for the absence of witnesses, who were too old and infirm to go so far. A rule to take depositions was then entered. Here David Paul once more proved their evil genius. The rule of court required the depositions to be forwarded under the seal of the justice or commissioner, to the clerk of the court, to be by him opened. The justice did his part correctly, but the bearer, who was a friend of the plaintiffs, handed them first to Mr. Brown, who ignorantly, or regardless of the rule, broke them open and perused them. He then took them to the clerk, but the latter refused either to receive or file them. A few days afterward the case was called up, the depositions were rejected by the court, and the plaintiffs suffered a non-suit. December 25, Samuel Johnston, aged twelve, tried for setting fire to his uncle Jacob Johnston's barn, in West Buffalo. He was convicted, but obtaining a new trial, was acquitted at May sessions, 1825. Mumma, district attorney, and C. A. Bradford for Commonwealth; Horning, Van Home, Packer, and W. Cox Ellis for defendant. 470 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1824. Deaths. April 9, William Wilson, of Kelly township, aged eighty-two. He came into the Valley in 1772, and his eldest daughter, Martha, was born in 1774. His children were: Thomas, born August 18, 1776, died May 23, 1831; James, born August 3,1778, died December 26, 1831; Mary, born April 14, 1783, married William Hayes, died December 10, 2827; William, junior, many years a merchant at Lewisburg, born August 10, 1787, died June 12, 1783; Samuel, died January i6, 1843; Effie, married to William Murray, died January 23, 1853; Eliza, who married Peter Nevius, alone survives. David Soult, born March i8, 1752, enlisted in Northampton county, in Captain Marien Lamar's company, and served in Canada in 1776, and afterwards enlisted in the second Pennsylvania. His captain, who was major of the second, was killed at Paoli. Soult was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and at the storming of the block- house. He left five children: John, Jacob, Philip, George, and Michael. October 4, at New Berlin, Adam Specht, shoe-maker; enlisted as a private, (in Colonel Nicholas Haussegger's German regiment,) at Shafferstown, May, 1776; discharged at Northumberland by Lieutenant Colonel Lewis Wiltner, in 1779. Marriages. 22d July, Nathan Jordan, merchant, to Miss Hannah Smith, both of White Deer. 24th August, by Reverend Heim, Conrad Pontius, of Ohio, to Miss Mary Seebold, of New Berlin. 26th, by Reverend Thomas Hood, Captain James Magee to Miss Elizabeth Strayhorn, of West Buffalo. 14th October. William Linn, of Kelly, to Miss Jane Morrow, of Franklin county. 14th October by Reverend Jacob W. Smith, Martin Dreisbach, junior, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Solomon Kleckner. 31st October, by Reverend Martin Dreisbach, Isaac Peters to Miss Susan Miller, of New Berlin. December 16, William C. Stedman to Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Wilson. [End of page 470.] 1825 GEORGE KREMER'S ARTICLE IN THE "COLUMBIAN OBSERVER," AND HENRY CLAY'S CARD - RECEPTION OF MR. KREMER AT LEWISBURG - WEATHER RECORD - PECULIARITIES OF THE BAR - THE SHOWMAN AT NEW BERLIN - WITCHCRAFT FARCE IN BEAVER TOWNSHIP. [From the Columbian Observer.] WASHINGTON, January 25, 1825. DEAR SIR: I take up my pen to inform you of one of the most disgraceful transactions that ever covered with infamy the Republican ranks. Would you believe that men professing Democracy could be found base enough to lay the axe at the very root of the tree of Liberty? Yet, strange as it is, it is not less true. To give you a full history of the transaction would far exceed the limits of a letter. I shall, therefore, at once proceed to give you a brief account of such a bargain as can only be equalled by the famous Burr Conspiracy of 1801. For some time past, the friends of Clay have hinted that they, like the Swiss, would fight for those who would pay best. Overtures were said to have been made by the friends of Adams to the friends of Clay, offering him the appointment of Secretary of State for his aid to elect Adams. And the friends of Clay gave this information to the friends of Jackson, and hinted that if the friends of Jackson would offer the same price, they would close with them. But none of the friends of Jackson would descend to such mean barter and sale. It was not believed by any of the friends of Jackson that this contract would be ratified by the members from the States who had voted for Mr. Clay. I was of opinion, when I first heard of this transaction, that men, professing any honorable principles, could not, nor would not, be 472 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. transferred like the planter does his negroes, or the farmer his team and horses. No alarm was excited - we believed the Republic was safe. The nation, having delivered Jackson into the hands of Congress, backed by a large majority of their votes, there was on my mind no doubt that Congress would respond to the will of the nation, by electing the individual they had declared to be their choice. Contrary to this expectation, it is now ascertained to a certainty that Henry Clay has transferred his interest to John Quincy Adams. As a consideration for this abandonment of duty to his constituents, it is said and believed, should this unholy coalition prevail, Clay is to be appointed Secretary of State. I have no fears on my mind - I am clearly of opinion we shall defeat every combination. The force of public opinion must prevail, or there is an end of liberty. [From the National Intelligencer.] A CARD. - I have seen, without any other emotion than that of ineffable contempt, the abuse which has been poured upon me by a scurrilous paper, issued in this city, and by other kindred prints and persons, in regard to the presidential election. The editor of one of those prints, ushered forth in Philadelphia, called the Columbian Observer, for which I do not subscribe, and which I have not ordered, has had the impudence to transmit to me his vile paper of the 28th instant. In that number is inserted a letter, purporting to have been written from this city, on the 25th instant, by a member of the House of Representatives, belonging to the Pennsylvania delegation. I believe it to be a forgery; but, if it be genuine, I pronounce the member, whoever he may be, a base and infamous calumniator, A DASTARD, and A LIAR, and if he dare unveil himself and avow his name, I will hold him RESPONSIBLE, as I here admit myself to be, to all THE LAWS which govern and regulate the conduct of MEN OF HONOR. H. CLAY. 31st January, 1825. ANOTHER CARD. - George Kremer, of the House of Representatives, tenders his respects to the Honorable "H. Clay," and informs him that, by reference to the editor of the Columbian Observer, he may ascertain the name of the writer of a letter of the 25th ultimo, which it seems has afforded so much concern to "H. Clay." In the meantime, George Kremer holds himself responsible to prove, to the 1825.] ANNALS' OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 473 satisfaction of unprejudiced minds, enough to satisfy them of the accuracy of the statements which are contained in that letter, to the extent that they concern the course and conduct of "H. Clay." Being a representative of the people, he will not fear to "cry aloud and spare not," when their rights and privileges are at stake. On the return of Mr. Kremer, the citizens of Lewisburg assembled at the house of Thomas R. Lewis. Alexander Graham was chosen chairman, and John Sargeant, secretary. The object of the meeting being stated from the chair, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. viz: Resolved, That James Geddes, Doctor Thomas Vanvalzah, Daniel C. Ambler, Jacob Bogar, and Doctor William Joyce, be a committee of arrangement to carry the object of the meeting into effect, and that they draft an address to the Honorable George Kremer, inviting him to a public dinner, at the house of T. R. Lewis, on Saturday, the 26th instant. Resolved, That a general invitation be given to the friends of the Honorable George Kremer. Committee's Invitation. DEAR SIR: We, the undersigned, appointed a committee of arrangement, present our compliments to you, and respectfully request the honor of your company, at the house of Thomas R. Lewis, on Saturday, the 26th instant, to partake of a public dinner, with your fellow- citizens of the borough of Lewisburg and its vicinity, to be given as a manifestation of their respect and gratitude for your firm, dignified, and patriotic conduct, as a member of the House of Representatives of the United States; but more especially for your unremitted and vigorous efforts to stem the torrent of corruption, which threatened to inundate the national Legislature. With sentiments of esteem, we remain yours, dear sir, very respectfully, WILLIAM JOYCE, JAMES GEDDES, T. VANVALZAH, D. C. AMBLER, JACOB BOGAR. The Honorable GEORGE KREMER. 474 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. To which Mr. Kremer returned the following answer: LEWISBURG, March 23, 1825. GENTLEMEN: Your friendly invitation to me, to partake of a public dinner at the house of T. R. Lewis, on the 26th instant, has just been received. This new testimonial of regard and kindness towards me is a sure pledge that the representative who discharges his duty with good faith, will always be supported and sustained by a virtuous and patriotic people. I need not say to you, that however averse I should feel on ordinary occasions, on the present I shall waive all objections, and do myself the pleasure to dine with my fellow- citizens. Accept the assurance of my sincere respect and regard. GEORGE KREMER. Messrs. JAMES GEDDES, Doctor THOMAS VANVALZAH, D. C. AMBLER, Doctor WILLIAM JOYCE, JACOB BOGAR. On Saturday, the 26th, pursuant to previous arrangement, the long room of Mr. Lewis was crowded to overflowing. Colonel James Dale was called to the chair, and John Sargent appointed Secretary. The company sat down to a splendid entertainment provided for the occasion. After the cloth was removed, the following toasts were drunk with much hilarity and good glee. * * * * 9. Honorable George Kremer, our worthy guest, the intrepid and watchful guardian of the people's rights - When corruption reared its hydra head, he "cried aloud, and spared not." [Here Mr. Kremer rose, and delivered a short and very appropriate address.] Volunteers. By Jonathan Smith: The intrepid Kremer - Like David of old, he slew the modern Goliah, the giant of intrigue, made of Clay, daubed with corruption. William Kelly: The apostate BRECK - a member of Congress, belonging to the Pennsylvania delegation; he was surely a bastard, not a legitimate son of Pennsylvania. John Sargent: Our worthy fellow-citizen and guest, George 1825.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 475 Kremer - His patriotism and manly firmness, in exposing the corrupt intrigues of a political gambler, claim our best plaudits and gratitude. Henry Beck: Greece - The ancient seat of the muses, of science and philosophy; she was great; she will be great again. Alexander Morton: The government of the Union, like a pure stream, may it have no foul Clay to pollute it. John Machemer: The hero of New Orleans - the firm patriot and statesman; the second savior of his country; the protector of beauty and booty; if he is one of the "MILITARY CHIEFTANS," may the genius of liberty send us a great many of them. Doctor Samuel Strohecker: The press - the grand engine of liberty and civilization destined to illuminate, emancipate, and exalt the world. John Musser: The editors of the National Intelligencer, who declined publishing the patriotic letter of Mr. Kremer, addressed to his constituents - Fit tools, indeed, to execute the purposes of the Holy Alliance. Daniel Beyers: May Pennsylvania and our sister States be forever blessed with such bright members as our worthy fellow-citizen, George Kremer, who will unshield all intrigues, without respect to persons, and that, too, at the risk of his popularity. Alexander Graham: The people of Pennsylvania, and our worthy countryman, George Kremer, Esquire. John Reber: The press - On its freedom depends the happiness, liberty, and independence of the world. Jacob Reedy: General Jackson - As a soldier, statesman, and patriot, unequaled; may he be our next President. John Hummel: The Government of the United States has been seized by a Quincy, produced by the putrid exhalations of a tobacco pipe, made of Clay, drenched in corruption - It will prove fatal in less than four years. George Schnabel: Our next Governor - A man of stern integrity and undeviating republican principles. Andrew Reedy: Thank Providence the freemen of the United States made choice of a hero and statesman, in preference to a political gambler. John Brown: The corruptionists in Congress - may they meet 476 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. with the same fate hereafter, as did Henry Clay in his late attempt to disgrace the Pennsylvania farmer. Clement Beckwith: Henry Clay and John Q. Adams - From every consideration, there is nothing good they have said or can do; may they sink in their corruption, and the friends of freedom stand up in their SHOES. Thomas R. Lewis: Henry Clay, who smuggled J. Q. Adams into the presidential chair, as the serpent did original sin into Paradise - May the flaming sword of the people thrust them both out in the year 1829. Jacob Musser: Adam, the first man, was made of clay - Adams was made President by Clay and corruption. George Kremer was the nephew of Governor Snyder, and came to reside with him when a mere lad. He was very ill formed, but not the least ashamed of his ugliness, and rather inclined to feel proud of his distinction in this respect. He grew up to be stout, and soon became able to fight his own battles, in an age and a district where broils were of daily occurrence. This region, then called by the general name of Shamokin, was in those days the frontier, and looked upon by the dwellers on the sea-board, as we look upon Iowa and Kansas at the present time. It served as a place of refuge for all runaway and desperate characters from the south eastern counties. The sheriff and constable seldom ventured into the wilds on this side of the river, which acquired the significant title of Rascal's creek. George was remarkable for shrewdness, no less than for courage and bodily strength, and he became, in a short time, a person of great influence among the hardy inhabitants of the new country. In addition to his other good qualities, he was strictly honest, and his word was his bond. Whatever he did, he did it with all his might. With such qualifications and endowments, it is no matter of wonder that he became a leading man so soon as he embarked in politics. After serving several terms as a member of our State Legislature, he was elected to Congress, and here acquired the distinction which he enjoyed. In 1825, it having been ascertained that neither of the candidates for the Presidency had received the constitutional majority of votes, the matter was referred to Congress. Mr. Adams, General Jackson, 1825.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 477 Mr. Clay, and Mr. Crawford were the candidates, and as the choice of Congress lay between the two first, there was, of course, considerable intriguing on the part of the two latter and their friends. The friends of Jackson, finding that Mr. Clay and his friends were decidedly hostile to their candidate, and, indeed, made no secret of their aversion to him, resolved, after in vain trying the arts of per- suasion, to resort to intimidation. They caused a letter to be writ- ten and published in the Columbian Observer, of Philadelphia, which stated that a corrupt bargain had been made between Messrs. Adams and Clay, in pursuance of which, the latter was to transfer his vote, and the vote of his friends to Mr. Adams, who was to make him Secretary of State, as his reward. On the day after the appearance of the letter, Mr. Clay, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, moved that a committee be appointed to inquire into the truth of this charge. Mr. Kremer seconded the motion, stating that he was ready with the proofs, and willing to meet the inquiry. The motion was opposed by Mr. McDuffie and some others, friends to Jackson, on the ground that there was not sufficient reason to consume the time of the House in investigating a frivolous newspaper charge - a charge which no one acquainted with the parties concerned would believe. Mr. Clay had even insisted on his right to clear his character from the stain thus publicly attempted to be fixed on it, and Mr. Kremer eagerly seconded him, exulting in the anticipated certain confounding of the Clay and Adams party. Not one, however, of those who had put him upon writing the letter, supported him, or manifested any anxiety for the proposed inquiry. The committee was appointed. On the evening of the same day, Kremer discovered that his friends could furnish him with no evidence to support his charge, and that he must get out of the scrape as well as he could. On the succeeding day, the committee notified him they were ready to proceed. In answer to which, he wrote a long letter to the chairman, declining to appear, alleging that as he had made no formal charges, the committee could have no jurisdiction - that his charge was made for the public, &c. This special pleading was so nearly identified with the argument of Mr. McDuffie on the preceding day, in the motion for inquiry, as to lead some to suspect that he, (Mr. McDuffie,) was its author, but the 478 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. character of Mr. McDuffie forbids us to harbor any such suspicion. It was probably the production of Mr. Ingham, who, as afterwards appeared, was Kremer's chief prompter in this business. It was natural for him to adopt Mr. McDuffie's arguments, being the best and, indeed, only mode of getting clear of the difficulty. One might have supposed that this disgraceful retreat would have convinced the whole public of the falsehood of Kremer's charge, but political faith covers mountains, and the charge was eagerly entertained and reiterated by the partisans of Jackson. Kremer himself, as appears from the testimony of Mr. Crowninshield, doubted, at the last, and had a letter of apology ready for Mr. Clay, which Mr. Ingham found means to suppress. Such was the eagerness with which the Pennsylvanians received the corruption story, and such the cloud of incense with which Kremer was fumigated, that it is no wonder that his brain was affected, and he really believed himself the savior of his country's liberty. His vanity became excessive, and as Cicero of old continually rung the charges in his later orations, on the names of Lentulus and Cataline, so Kremer made corruption, and his famous letter, the eternal burden of his song. Finding that the corruption story was unsparingly used against him by the Jacksonians, notwithstanding the way in which they had backed out of the charge, and that even General Jackson had condescended to lend the authority of his name to this shameless calumny, Mr. Clay took the trouble to collect the letters, certificates, and affidavits of almost every one who could have any knowledge of the matter in agitation, and published them in a pamphlet. These testimonials, coming from upwards of fifty persons of all parties, formed a most triumphant refutation of the corruption story. But it was all in vain for Messrs. Adams and Clay. The popular mind had been roused to phrensy, and was utterly inaccessible to all reason. Jackson was elected, in 1828, by a decided majority, and Kremer, having answered the purpose of his party, was forgotten at once. Too honest to take a part in the intrigues of his fellow-partisans at Washington, he could not make himself of any further use to them, and was pushed aside to make room for those who knew how to make the best use, for selfish purposes, of his services. For some years after he was left out of Congress, he con- 1825.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 479 tinued to make speeches at public meetings, the burden of which was "corruption" and "My letter to the Columbia Observer." His action, in speaking, was vehement and ungraceful, his voice loud, and his accentuation false and ranting, such as school-boys are apt to acquire under the tuition of an injudicious teacher. His honesty and zeal no one doubted; but designing demagogues contrived, by dexterous management, to keep him back, as he was too straightforward for them, and if admitted to their councils, would mar the harmony of their best laid plans by denouncing their selfishness and unfair dealing. There was neither selfishness nor meanness about him, and had he condescended to cringe to the party leaders in 1828-1829, when his name was in the mouth of every one, or had he intimated that his influence might possibly be turned against Jackson, there is no doubt but that he could have obtained highest reward in the form of political preferment. Indeed, it was a matter of wonder and remark, among his unsophisticated constituents, that he remained without office. They little thought that their favorite was altogether thrust aside by the throng of hungry office-hunters, who assailed the President with their importunate cries for the spoils of victory. He was not blind to the intrigues and foul play going on at the seat of Government, for on his way home once, he met an acquaintance whom he mistook for one of his own political caste, and to whom he said: "Adams and Clay were corrupt, but their corruption was child's play to what is going on at Washington now." - G. A. S. Weather Record. The spring was early; peach trees in bloom on the 10th of April; plum trees on the 28th; flowers in the garden on the 16th; rye in head on the 8th of May. July 13, the thermometer stood at ninety-six degrees. Many springs in the Valley gave out, and the pasture burned up. July 16, the crops in Union county were most extraordinary. It was generally acknowledged that the yield was one fourth more upon the same quantity of ground than ever has been raised before. Jonathan Spyker, of Lewisburg, cut twenty-three dozen of wheat off thirty-eight perches. October 4, a comet visible. December 4, the first snow fell. 480 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. Various Items. March 29, a dinner at Jacob Maize's, in Mifflinburg, to Honorable George Kremer. The latter sold out his stock of store goods at Lewisburg to Samuel Roush, Esquire, who removed it to Mifflinburg. William Taggert kept the hotel at the Cross-Roads; Valentine Hahn and Roland Stoughton at Lewisburg; John Hoffman, "The Rising Sun," at New Berlin; and Thomas Crotzer, "The Bull's Head," at Mifflinburg. May 18, George Kremer, James Merrill, and Ner Middleswarth, appointed delegates to the internal improvement convention, at Harrisburg. July 2, John Cummings, junior, took charge of the Union Times, succeeded on the 1st of October by John A. Sterrett, Esquire. The candidates on the Democratic ticket for Assembly were Ner Middleswarth and William Forster, junior. On the Independent ticket, James Madden and J. Reifsnyder. For a convention, 1,715; against, 717. November 1, Camp Calhoun held at McEwensville. The Lewisburg Guards, commanded by Captain Jackson McFaddin, numbering forty-five men, were in camp. David and James Templeton left New Berlin to establish a store at Canonsburg. James to study divinity there. David C. Ambler left Lewisburg. He finally landed in Florida, where he died in 1867 or 1868. November 10, Mr. Stillwell commenced a survey of the turnpike, from Mifflinburg to Bellefonte, at Mifflinburg. James Wilson purchased Captain William Gray's place. In July, James Magee commenced boring for salt in West Buffalo, at the place still known as the salt works. A stock company was formed, Samuel Roush, Esquire, treasurer, and an assessment of one dollar per share of "The Union Salt Works" called in. The operators humbugged the share-holders until their patience was exhausted. In December, according to the Times, "they had reached the depth of one hundred and fifty feet, striking on two veins of salt water of considerable magnitude. Should the anticipations be realized, Union county will, ere long, be able to supply its inhabitants and those of the neighboring counties with the indispensable article of salt." [A barrel of salt conveyed in the night to the well saturated it well enough to raise an assessment from the stockholders assembled the 1825.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 481 next day.] One good result, however, was a stream of cold sulphur water, which has refreshed and invigorated thousands of people. "A man by the name of Ephraim Stephens, of White Deer township, was brought to the jail of this county. One report says that he had formed the resolution of killing some part of his family, and then putting an end to his own existence, and that he loaded his gun for the purpose of putting this resolution in execution. Fortunately, one of his sons caught him, and wrested the gun from his hands; but in the struggle, the gun accidently went off, and its contents lodged in the barn, which was filled with grain and hay, and which was totally consumed." - Times. July 22, James Young, of Kelly township, (near Ephraim Stean's,) was found dead, his body in such a state of putrefaction, he was buried where he was found. He had gone to the mountain with some of his neighbors to cut cooper poles, and, complaining of being sick, started home and, no doubt, died from excessive heat. His neighbors searched for him all night and the succeeding day, before finding his body. "The German Reformed and Lutheran church, known as 'Emanuel Church,' at New Berlin, was dedicated on Sunday, July 31, agreeably to the German ritual, in the presence of a vast concourse of people. The Reverend Mr. Hendel, of Berks county, officiated, assisted by Reverend Messrs. Shindel, Smith, and Fries. The concourse of people was numerous, beyond all conception. The building is a handsome piece of architecture. Christopher Seebold, Esquire, was the contractor, and deserves much credit for the superb manner in which this building is finished, particularly the pulpit, which is said to be a correct model of the one in the German Reformed church at Harrisburg, and which has been pronounced to be inferior to none in the State. On the subsequent Sunday, dedicatory services were held in the English language, by Reverend Martin Bruner, of Sunbury, assisted by Reverend Thomas Hood." - Times. Peculiarities of the Bar, from the Manuscript of the late James F. Linn, Esquire. "I do think, and I do say, gentlemen of the jury." - Laskells. "According to the perpendicular line of justice." - Bellas. 482 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. "It is not in the power of mortal man to have a particle of doubt about it." - Greenough. "But this is of no earthly consequence, if the Court please. - S. Hepburn. "Under the statoot of hoo and cry." - Bancraft. "The gentle, humane, and mild spirit which is diffused through the penal code of Pennsylvania." - William Cox Ellis. "Humph! the gentlemen are marvelous witty." - R. C. Grier. "Yes, stop - well, let us see - stop there - come, let us have it down in writing." - Frick. "There is no evidence in the wide world to support it." - Van Horn. "It is no such matter." - Donnel. "I fancy." - Jordan. "Hum! the big man gets up, and the little man gets up, and they try to carry their cause by a kind of mechanical operation." - Marr. "The creditors of the time of this transaction had no existence." - D. D. Ellis. Showman at New Berlin again. The evil star of last year's showman brought him to New Berlin again. The place seemed charged to the full with ill-luck for him. My young friend, B_____, having ascertained that he was to perform in a room on the ground floor of Grier's tavern, went to a window of the room, soon after the performance commenced, and having silently raised the sash about one inch, introduced the nose of a large syringe filled with a most abominable compound of filth. He had not waited long before the performer, standing upon the rope, presented a full front, within point blank distance; then the fragrant liquid was squirted over his magnificent person. Grier, who sat, in the capacity of fiddler, in a line with the discharge, had his hair perfumed by the falling of divers odoriferous drops from the hissing current. Down leaped the rope-dancer, and up leaped Grier; the former ran out to plunge his head and body into a rain-barrel; the latter, foaming with wrath, to wreak his vengeance on the offender, whom, however, he could not find. The showman 1825.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 483 swore he never would set foot in New Berlin again, and he kept his oath. A very remarkable meteor appeared during this summer. I was standing in the prothonotary's office in New Berlin, when I heard, as I imagined, some one fall heavily upon the floor of the room above me. Knowing that the room was unoccupied, I had the curiosity to go and look in, but found no one there. On my return to my house, I mentioned the matter to my wife, who said she had heard a similar sound, and I soon discovered that all my neighbors had been deceived in a similar manner. Those who were in the open air when they heard the sound, said the ground trembled under their feet, and horses were observed to start and crouch as when a bridge cracks under their feet. It appeared afterwards that the explosion had accompanied the appearance of a meteor, and had been heard at Bellefonte and Lewistown, on the Juniata, and at Sunbury and Liverpool, on the Susquehanna. The flight of the fiery ball was distinctly seen by the workmen on the Juniata, and at Liverpool. I was told a fiery body was seen to fall apparently on the north side of Peter's mountain. Temperance associations began to be formed in the Valley in this year. Those connected therewith bound themselves to use no intoxicating liquor, except in such cases as required their use as medicines, and to discontinue the custom of offering strong drink to visitors. The latter practice had been so common that to omit it was considered a breach of politeness. Every one knows with what a whirlwind force public opinion in America, when once excited, bears down everything before it, and here was an illustration of its power. After three or four years, it became rare to offer liquors to visitors, and common to hear a person refuse to drink, on the ground that he was a temperance man. A respectable inn-keeper in Sunbury told me, about three years after this, that the sale of liquor at his bar, to travelers, had been diminished by not less than one half, under the influence of the temperance societies. The first temperance societies allowed the use of wines, on the ground that those who limited themselves to these would not get drunk on so expensive an article. 484 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. Witchcraft Farce. During this year a remarkable farce of witchcraft was played in the family of a man named Kern, in Beaver township. He had a wife and two daughters, and followed the occupation of farming. In his immediate vicinity lived a man named Romig, who, from some unknown cause, became a hypochondriac, and the impression got abroad that he was bewitched. Soon after this the milk in Kern's spring-house became sour, within a few hours after it was placed there. This occurred daily, until the farce was concluded, which was in two or three weeks. The next act played was of a more remarkable character. Kern's tables and kitchen furniture were to be seen flying in all directions, thrown, it was SUPPOSED, by supernatural means. Knives, forks, spoons, ladles, &c., never remained more than five minutes on the dresser, after having been placed there, but were thrown in various directions about the house; and, as the more BELIEVING portion of the neighbors asserted, it was no uncommon thing to see them thrown through the solid wall of the house, without leaving any mark of their passage in the wall A peddler, who stopped for the purpose of trading some of his notions to Kern, asserted that he had not been in the house ten minutes before his hat and dog were thrown through the wall of the kitchen, into the adjoining yard. It is not to be presumed that he was influenced in propagating this story by the hope of assembling a crowd around his wagon. During these transactions, Kern had a numerous crowd daily at his house, and on Sundays there was a gathering at his door, such as the most eloquent divine would have failed to assemble. Of these, the major part came prepared to believe ALL they saw, and ALL they might hear. Of course, there was no lack of TRUE stories. The unbelieving portion of the visitors - a very SMALL number, for men of SENSE generally staid at home - kept their eyes open, and readily discovered that the old woman and the daughters were the witches, and threw the knives, forks, &c. A witch doctor was called, who proceeded, with great solemnity, to expel the evil spirit. Divers magical and mysterious rites were performed, exorcisms were chanted, and texts of Scripture nailed to every door and window in the house. The witches, however, set the doctor at naught, and baffled all his schemes. At length a party of young men, residing in New Berlin, 1825.] ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. 485 resolved to try their skill at taking evil spirits. One of them, having procured a mask, a huge flaxen-wig, a pair of furred gloves, and other necessary apparatus, set out with the rest, in the afternoon, and arrived at Kern's early in the evening. At their request, the witches performed, to their great satisfaction, until a late hour. At length, when all the visitors, except the young witch doctors, had left the house, it was resolved to commence operations. They desired to see how the witches acted above stairs, and were accordingly conducted up the ladder, accompanied by the whole family. In the meantime, one of the party, who had a remarkably hoarse and deep-toned voice, and who was to act the part of the devil, was notified by a preconcerted signal - for he had not entered the house - to prepare for action. He accordingly put on his wig and mask, which he rubbed with phosphorus, and wrapped himself in a buffalo-skin. The party up stairs were well provided with squibs. One of them had a piece of phosphorus, with which he wrote on the wall such words as "devil," "hell," &c., in a number of places. The signal being given, the candle was extinguished, the squibs distributed most copiously, and the horrid words on the wall shone out in liquid fire. The barrels and furniture in the room were trundled about the floor, and an astounding uproar was kept up for some minutes. Presently a terrific roar was heard from below. All parties ran to the stair- door, and saw, at the foot of the ladder, HIS GRIM MAJESTY, in all the terrors of flames, flax, fur, and horns. Satan made an appropriate speech on the occasion, and then retired. His address was followed by a most edifying exhortation, by the wag of the party, on the sin of deceiving, and the danger of another visit from old Nick, if the present practices should be persisted in. The terrified witches made a full confession, and so ended the enchantment. - G. A. Snyder. Marriages. January 18, by Reverend J. W. Smith, Hezekiah Amberg, of New Berlin, to Miss Elizabeth Brooks. February 10, by Reverend T. Hood, David Nesbit to Miss Mary, daughter of Jacob Musser. February 24, by Reverend Patterson, Thomas Candor, of Kelly, to Margaret, daughter of John Montgomery. March 15, James Duncan, of Aaronsburg, to Mrs. Sophia Maxwell, of New Berlin. April 486 ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1825. 7, by Reverend Fries, John Orwig, of Mifflinburg, to Miss Maria Bright. April 28, by Reverend T. Hood, John Linn to Mary F. Chamberlin. May 5, by Reverend Heim, Daniel Ludwig to Miss Sarah Hoffman. May 6, by Reverend John Dreisbach, Robert P. Maclay, of East Buffalo, to Miss Margaret C. Lashells, of New Berlin. May 20, Henry B. Mussena to Miss Elizabeth Winter, of New Berlin. June 5, by Reverend Fries, Mathias Benner to Elizabeth Overmyer, of New Berlin. October 6, by Reverend Fries, Daniel Apple to Miss Susan Orwig, of Mifflinburg. October 9, John Maize to Miss Elizabeth Jones, of Mifflinburg. October 13, Mr. Strawbridge, of Columbia county, to Miss Louisa, daughter of Charles Maus, Esquire. November 2, by Reverend Heim, Jonathan Wetzel to Miss Hettie Hoff, of Union. November 3, by Reverend J. H. Fries, Jacob G. Chestney, of Mifflinburg, to Juliana, daughter of John Cummings, Esquire, of Hartley. November 3, by James McClellan, Esquire, Daniel Mook to Miss Mary Dieffenbach. November 20, David Mauck to Miss Nancy Shriner. December 22, by Reverend Stewart, William Kelly, of Union, to Miss Margaret Allison, of Centre. December 26, John Row to Miss Rachel Kunkle, of Dry Valley. [End of page 486.]