Notes and Queries
Historical Biographical and Genealogical: Chiefly Relating to Interior Pennsylvania
Edited by William Henry Egle M.D., M.A.
Third Series, Vol. I, Harrisburg The Daily Telegraph Print 1887
Hill Church and Cemtery
About two miles south of Hummelstown is Hill church of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation - perchance the oldest church of that denomination in the county. The original old log church was taken down in 1875, and a stone structure erected. On the front of the new building is a stone with this inscription.
HILL CHURCH of the Ev. Lutheran congregation
Built A.D. 1755 Rebuilt A.D. 1876
Opposite, or rather in front of the church, is the old grave-yard. The graves were covered with mountain pink in bloom when we visited it several summers ago. There were few head-stones to the many graves. We copied the dates of several of the oldest.
Max. Speidel, born 1710; died 1789
Margaretta Speidel, born 1708; died 1781
Peter Books, born May 7, 1780; died April 17 1786
Anna Margarett Books, born July 21, 1727; died May 23 1807.
The Speidels were among the first German settlers in the county.
W. H. E.
Dunkard Meeting House and Cemetery in Derry
About ½ a mile south of Derry station is an old Dunkard meeting house erected nearly half a century ago. What is know in regard to its history? Visiting the graveyard attached to it several years since, we transcribe the records of the following old inhabitants therein buried:
Balsbach, George, d. March 10, 1802 aged 65 years.
Balsbach, Johan, d. March 24 1802
Balsbach, Mary, wf of P., b. Dec. 2, 1742; d. June 19, 1798
Farnsler, David, b. Sept 18 1816; d. Sept. 4 1873
Henry, Abraham, b. April 21, 1767; d. Jan. 11, 1833
Henry, Abraham, B. July 5, 1783; d. Oct. 11, 1864
Henry, Andrew, b. Nov. 15, 1762; d. Jan. 24, 1841
Henry, David, b. March_1794; d. Sept. 1, 1829
Henry, Elizabeth, b. Oct 6 1753; d. Oct. 6, 1830
Henry, Eve, b. Dec. 15, 1773; d. Nov. 8, 1866
Henry, George, b. April 22, 1722; d. Oct. 28, 1782
Henry, John, d. March 28, 1834, aged 44 years.
Henry, Mary, wf. Of Abr., b. July 5, 1786; d. Oct. 11, 1864
Henry, Peter, d. Sept. 14, 1805, aged 33 years.
Henry, Sarah, wf. Of And., b. Sept. 19, 1766; d. Feb. 9, 1832
Henry, Sarah, d. Dec. 24, 1826, aged 28 years.
Henry, Susanna, b. June 10, 1769; d. Dec. 8, 1793
Henry, Wendel, b. Dec. 21, 1753; d. Mar. 22, 1825
Hollinger, Jacob, b. April 9, 1797; d. Jan. 14, 1877
Hollinger, Catharine, wf. Of J., b. June 8, 1793; d. June 1, 1877
Hollingsworth, Elizabeth, wf. Of Levi G., d. May 9, 1855, aged 71 years.
Hollingsworth, Henry, b. Nov. 17, 1817; d. June 26, 1867
Kettering, Adam, b. Sept. 20, 1808; d. Aug. 25, 1868
Kettering, Michael, b. Aug. 4, 1780; d. Aug. 22, 1856
Kettering, Philopena, wf. Of V., b. Jan., 1784; d. July 29, 1837
Kettering, Valentine, b. April 7, 1776; d. Feb. 19, 1836
Krider, David, b. oct. 16, 1803; d. Dec. 14, 1871
Krider, Sarah (henry,) wf. Of D., b. Jan. 24, 1808; d. Nov. 6, 1852
Landis, Barbara, b. Oct. 27, 1773; d. (Illegible)
Landis, Christian, b. Jan. 20, 1766; d. June 29, 1850
Mark, Henry, b. July 16, 1810; d. Nov. 6, 1877
Rigby, Nancy, b. June 5, 1761; d. March 27, 1844
Sahm, Elizabeth, d. Sept. 12, 1797, aged 66 years.
Shenk, Samuel, b. Feb. 11, 1817; d. Jan. 14, 1878
Yontz, Henry, b. April 28, 1824; d. Feb. 22, 1878
Indian Family Record
Captain Harris
Capt. Harris, of Pocopoco, a "Delaware of the Lowlands," migrated from the Raritan New Jersey, the neighborhood where his ancestors, the Lenape, had been seated from time immemorial, in the company with others of the Turtle tribe, to the Province of Pennsylvania about the year 1725. Finding no white men at the Forks of the Delaware, they gypsied unmolested along the Leheitan, Monocasy, Catasauqua and the Hockendaqua all south, and along the Aquanshicola and Pocopoco north of the Blue mountains. On crossing this barrier they reached the land of their kinsmen the Wolf Delawares or Monseys. They built their wigwams along the Pocopoco, and there Capt. Harris, becoming aged and infirm in after years was as is often the case with old Indians, "left to starve to death," He was twice married. Of his children we have the following:
1. Teedyuscung, b. about 1705; of whom presently.
2. Tom
3. Weshichagechene or Nicodemus
4. Sam Evans
5. Capt. John of Narareth
1. Teedyuscung, b. about 1705; was king of the Delawares, and an Indian of great prominence in Pennsylvania provincial history; was burned to death in his cabin on the nineteenth of cornplanting month, Tauwinipen (April) 1763. Was called Honest John. When he was converted to the Moravian faith and baptized by them he was named "Gideon." His wife's English name was Elizabeth, daughter of Erdmuth, and was baptized by Rev. martin Mack. Their children were:
1. Tachgokanhelle, b. 1728; baptized at Gnadenhutten by Bishop Cammerhoff, December 14, 1750; and named "Amos;" married Pingtis, a Jersey Delaware, sister of Agnes Post, and at her baptism by Bishop Cammerhoff in 1750, named "Justina."
2. Kesmitas.
3. John Jacob
3. Weshichagechene, or Nicodemus, alias Joe Evans; a prominent Indian character in our Provincial history; his children, all baptized at Gnadenhutten were:
1. Zacharias
2. Christian
3. Nathan
4. Thomas Gashatis
5. Dorothea
4. Sam Evans, son of Captain Harris, of Pocopoco, had among other children:
1. Aktees or Theodora, b. 1742; d. January 17, 1761 at Bethlehem
2. Joe Evans
3. Sam Evans, jr.
5. Captain John of Nazareth, was expelled from his corn lands and peach orchards by the whites in 1742. Of his children we have the name of
1. Capt. Harris, jr., alias Peter, bap. January 21, 1750
We have complied the foregoing from notes in our possession, and to those interested in the subject of Pennsylvania Indian history, we would suggest they forward us such additions and corrections as they may have knowledge of. We are desirous of preparing a sketch of that great Indian warrior and orator, Teedyuscung, and any other information to the foregoing, may throw a different light upon the matter under consideration. Especially are we anxious to preserve the Indian names of the Moravian converts, descendants of old Captain Harris, of Pocopoco.
W.H.E.
Olden Times in Harrisburg
Luxuries
Oyster and Eating Houses, fifty years ago, were but few, and not much patronized. Oysters however, were brought from Baltimore during the winter months in the large Conestoga wagons, and sold on the streets at fifty cents per bushel, and as people had to open them at their homes, few were purchased by private families.
The principal luxuries used in the summer months were home-made beer and cakes, and mead and cakes, which were kept for sale at many places. The most fashionable and frequently resorted place for mead and cakes was at Mrs. Mary Shaffner's on the corner of Mulberry street and River alley, who had quite a reputation for making the finest cakes and mead in the town. Mead was made from honey and was of a light color. Mrs. Shaffner kept her cakes in one of those high cases of walnut drawers with brass handles. As little ice was put up, beer and mead were kept cool in pails of cold pump water. Mrs. S. died thirty years ago, leaving three daughters and one son. The latter, John Shaffner, learned combmaking in Lancaster, and by his industry and frugality was prosperous in his business. He went to Philadelphia, and engaged in the wholesale notion and comb business with Charles Ziegler of Reading, where they accumulated wealth after some years of successful business, and where Mr. Shaffner died.
Markets and Marketing
The first market houses were small, and have had three additions added to them to suit the growth of the place. The Scotch-Irish who were the first settlers in Dauphin and Cumberland counties, were good farmers, but would not bring their produce to market and do not at this day. They brought their well-made and well-worked butter to families who engaged it, or sold it to the neighboring stores. No such butter is brought to market at this time. Scotch-Irish have always brought their produce to market. Vegetables were indifferent, as no new varieties were introduced. All berries were wild and natural - as were also the grapes, no improved or fine native grapes being discovered. Apples were good, and some very fine, the principal varieties of which were Rambos, Vandeveers, Pennocks, Hoops, or Blackjacks, &c.
The vegetables were greatly improved by the advent of several families from New Jersey, namely the Van Horns, Seevers, Tate and Brown, who brought seeds and peach trees with them. These made a great change in vegetables and fruits. The first professional gardner in town was James Woodman, an Englishman with French politeness and appearance. His first garden was on South Second street opposite Vine street, owned by the late Robert Harris; his next garden was on the corner of Front and Pine streets, now occupied by Henry M'Cormick and others. He carried his nice vegetables and berries around on a wheel barrow. Mr. Woodman was much respected and was patronized by the best citizens.
The First Milk Wagons
Milk was furnished by families who kept cows from the first settlement of the borough, until about 1837 or '38. Mr. Philip Wolfersberger a prominent and highly esteemed storekeeper, and who owned Bellevue farm, conceived the idea of a dairy and supplied the citizens daily with milk from wagons, which proved a success, when others engaged in it. Among them was the late Gen'l. John Forster, who started an extensive dairy on his land on what is now Ridge avenue near the old reservoir. The late Doctor Luther Reily also had one of his back farm, conducted by the late Philip Stimmel, who was quite popular, and always a good joker.
The First Philadelphia Fish And Vegetables
The first fish and early vegetable were brought to Harrisburg by Curry Taylor, a much respected colored man, who originally came from Columbia. Curry was a fine baker of bread and cakes, and a good cook. He procured a four-wheeled car and brought the first black sea bass and halibut with early vegetables on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, locating himself at the lower end of the lower market house, and soon got many purchasers for his articles. This was in May, 1839. Note. - Shad fish and oysters were brought in wagons from York, the then terminus of the railroad previous; but not the fish Curry Taylor introduced.
Prices of Marketing
Previous to the introduction of railroads and the innumerable watering places and hotels along the railroads, Harrisburg had a stationary population, which was only increased when the Legislature was in session. What was then required from consumption by the citizens became a cheap article. The choicest cuts of meat sold at 6 ¼ and 8 cents per pound, and people thought butter was at an extravagant price during the winter when three tips or 18 ¾ cents were demanded. During the spring and summer eight and ten cents were the usual price, and at the close of market hours 6 ¼ cents was the price, eggs selling at the same. Potatoes and apples sold at 25 cts., per bushel, which were considered full prices.
Vehicles Used
Elliptic steel springs
Were unknown, and all conveyances for pleasure, and stage coaches, were hung on leather braces.
Leather brace
Bent wood {_____________} Bent wood
Perch
Two wheeled heavy gigs were used exclusively for two persons, an barouches for three or four. Horseback riding by men and women was much in vogue, even for long journeys. Livery stables only kept two horse carriages, gigs and saddle horses.
A.B.
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