orous operations. If in your wisdom, you should deem viz. that currant wine docs not improve by age, is not correct. The impression that this description of wine does not improve beyond the third or fourth year, very generally obtains. Mr. P. cultivates the white currant extensively for wine, and uses no other wine. This species of currant, as mentioned in a former report, is so far preferable. that it ought to be substituted for the red, which is commonly used for making wine in the United States. The Society are duly sensible of Mr. Prince's attention, but candor requires it to be said, that his wine was thought to be slightly acid, and not equal to some specimens exhibited at the meeting of the society in No- April 27. foundation giving way to the great danger vember last. The Chairman, Dr. Mease, called the attention of the society to the delicious vegetable Sea-Kale, and urged the cultivation of it to the practical gardeners present. Although a standing dish, in season, at all tables in England, it is not known as an esculent in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, April 20th 1829. 1770 It has, however, been partially cultivated in Massachu- May 28. are also given in M‘Mahon's Gardener, in the Philadel- That a premium of ten dollars, or a gold medal of that value, be awarded to the person who shall bring to the Philadelphia Market in the year 1831, the greatest July quantity (not less than 12 bunches of one pound each) and best quality of SEA-KALE, properly bleached. The secretary of the Society to be informed when the first parcel is offered for sale. Application for the premium to be made not later than the first Monday in July, 1831. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the first exhibition of horticultural products. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE ON CANAL BILL. To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. GENTLEMEN-The bill, entitled an act relative to the Pennsylvania Canal and Rail Road, has, since it was presented to me, engaged my serious attention and deliberation. The result is that I feel an imperative obligation upon me to return it with objections to the house of representatives, where it originated. 31. Oct. 2. 1771 ANNALS OF PHILADELPHIA. FROM THE RECOVERED MINUTES. The Water street draw-bridge fell in-the and inconvenience of the inhabitants-who presented a petition praying relief. Agreed that the Mayor call a meeting of the magistrates and assessors of the city, to propose laying a tax for erecting a substantial stone bridge across the Dock in Water street. Recorder reported to the Board that the magistrates and assessors had a conference, and the latter refused to lay a tax, unless from an inspection into the state of the funds it should appear they were not sufficient to defray the expense of the bridge. The board "were clearly of opinion, that they were under no obligations to apply the funds of the Corporation to erecting the said bridge. The act of Assembly expressly directing that the Magistrates of the City, should, in conjunction with the Assessors, from time to time lay a tax on the inhabitants for such like public purposes.— That therefore the claim of the said Assessors to inspect the state of our funds was new and without any foundation in right." Agreed to resume the consideration of the subject at a future time;and a committee appointed to have a fence put up to prevent personal danger. The above subject resumed. Agreed to repair, build up, and put in good order the stone walls at the place where the wooden bridge stood. But on taking the question whether a bridge should also be built at the expense of the board, it was decided in the negative. A committee appointed to have the walls erected, and draw on Treasurer for expense of it. Samuel Shoemaker elected Mayor, & James Allen, Joshua Howell, and Fisher, Aldermen. The following Rents were paid for last year: Middle ferry on Schuylkill, £200; old ferry on Delaware at £30; a stand under the Courthouse, £25; blue anchor landing, £30; new ferry, £30; Potter's field, £10; 26 stalls in Jersey Market at 80s. ; 20 at 60s.; 66 at west end of Court-house, 608. An address voted to Gov. Penn, on occasion death of his father, Richard Penn, in which they assure his honor that "they consider it not the least unfortunate circumstance attending that event, that it will deprive us of a Governor, whose strict probity, mild administration, and love of justice, have given him the universal esteem of the people over whom he has presided, and healed those unhappy divisions which have too often disturbed our public councils." This commonwealth may be considered as pledged April 27. of his going to England, in consequence of the to prosecute with energy the scheme of internal improvement. She has commenced with a laudable spirit of enterprise, and a wise conception of her policy and interest; but while she is liberal in appropriating to its execution her resources, she looks to us, her servants, for a judicious and economical application of them. And she is right in thus holding us responsible. Acting upon this recognised right on the one hand, and responsibility on the other, should we not, in authorising loans upon her credit, and for her use, have a watchful care, that we do not exceed the amount which, calculating from the largest expenditure of former years, will be amply sufficient to meet the demand of the present, and by that means avoid the payment of unnecessary interest upon an unnecessarily large principal. The last season was particularly favourable for constructing public works, and the sum required did not far exceed two millions, it is therefore not probable, that a sum much exceeding the loan of last year will be necessary the present season, for all the purposes of spirited and vig 1. Oct. Sundry fines collected from persons indicted andconvicted of a riot and breaking divers public lamps, amounting to £105-agreed to "be generously given to the wardens, to be laid out for the use of the said city in lighting the public lamps, and supporting the nightly watch." John Gibson, elected Mayor. Address and entertainment voted to the new Governor, Richard Penn. 1772 "The Commissioners for clearing the river April 3. Delaware and removing obstructions to its navigation," apply for a sum of money to assist in June 22. carrying it on--£300 voted for the purpose. Oct. 6. 1773 Jan'y 26. £500 voted towards opening, clearing, and making "the new Road lately laid out and ordered to be opened by the Governor and Council, leading from the middle ferry on Schuylkill to the town of Strasburg, in Lancaster county, provided £1000 be voted by the Assembly. Jan'y 29. May 1. June 14. The Recorder and other gentlemen of the Law, (members of the board,) desired to consider the propriety of making some ordinance to prevent the practice of buying and selling provisions, coming to the market, before the times of holding the said markets, whereby the price of provisions brought to market have been much increased. "The new market at the south end of the city having not been regularly under the care of the Clerk of the market-it is now ordered, that for the future, the said Clerk take the proper care of that market, and receive the rents of the stalls. J. Gibson, re-elected Mayor. A Committee of Assembly confer with the June 24. The new Market agreed to be built in A number of stalls to be also added to the A remonstrance presented by some of the in- On the 1st question, Whether this Board is satisfied of their right to build the said Market in the middle of the street called High street, leaving a proper space on each side for the passage of carriages? carried in the affirmative. On the 2d question whether the building the additional market resolved on at last meeting be immediately carried into execution-decided in affirmative. The Mayor laid before the board an appliscation in writing from some of the Inhabitants of the city residing or owning houses in Market street requesting the board would decline the immediate carrying into execution their resolution to erect market stalls in said street between 3d and 4th streets and that they would consent to the entering an amicable suit at law to try the right of this corporation to erect 271 those stalls. The Board decided in the negative. It being represented that the stones and lime prepared for building the addition to the market in High street have been violently taken and carried away from the ground where they were deposited and the lime house pulled down and destroyed. The Board taking the same into consideration-and the question being put whether this Board shall proceed to bring such actions to recover damages for the injury they have sustained, as the Law members of this Board shall think necessary and proper. Carried unanimously in the affirmative. And these Law members to be a committee to draw orders to defray the expenses of carrying on the suits. The Board then took into consideration the propriety of proceeding in the work after the the suits shall be brought-and the question being put whether the committee shall be directed to desist for the present from prosecuting the work until this Board shall give further directions therein. Carried by a majority in the affirmative. The Board having at their last meeting directed the committee for erecting the market to desist from prosecuting the work till they should receive the further directions of the Board: But many of the members having at that time expressed their desire that a meeting of the Corporation might soon be called to determine finally concerning that measure. It was therefore now proposed that as the last resolution was only temporary and the work. men were not ordered to be discharged, the Board should now give their final directions there-upon. On resuming the consideration of that matter and the question being put whether the Committee shall be directed to proceed in their work. Carried by a great majority in the affirmative. It being represented that the Meal Market is become an offensive place, and that it is chiefly made use of by the Hucksters of Meal, and not by the Country people, for whose use it was originally intended--an alteration was proposed and adopted, viz: to carry up piers in a line with the other piers of the market, to support the roof, and to take down the standing walls so as to control the market and leave more space for the passage of carriages on the north, south, and west--and that being so lessened it might still be kept as a meal market for the use of the Country people. It was proposed that the public scales for weighing of Hay, which the Board formerly resolved on, be now immediately provided; and a Committee appointed to determine upon the proper plan, and to have one erected at the slip on Vine street, and another at the Blue Anchor. It being complained of as very inconvenient in the market place, that horses should be suffered to stand in the carts which bring provisions, during the time these provisions are selling--the Clerk of the market is to prevent a continuance of the practice. Agreed to erect a number of additional stalls in the new market near South street, so as to fill up the vacancy between those already built, leaving out Lombard street, together with such a proper space of ground on each side that street, as the committee shall think convenient; and also so many single stalls to the southward and northward of those now stand 1773. ing, as shall make in the whole number now The Board being met agreeable to the reJune 29. quest of a number of the inhabitants of this city, of the Society of the people called Quakers; an address was read and presented to the Board earnestly requesting they would for the present suspend the carrying into execution their resolution of building an additional number of stalls to the market in High street, representing that the minds of the people were much agitated and that such a suspension would be the means of restoring peace to the City. After many debates and a full discussion of the subject it was agreed by a majority to suspend the work, and to bring actions for the trespasses already committed--also resolved to desist from building the stalls in the new warket andthat the meal market remain as it is. EARLY HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA. William Penn absolute proprietary of the Province and rail road purposes, between the 1st day of April, 1828, and the 1st day of April 1829; also how much has been drawn within the present month, and what the probable demand will be within the next month, I have the honor to transmit herewith a statement which exhibits the amount paid for canal and rail road purposes, between the 1st of April 1828, and the 1st of April 1829; as also the amount paid for said purposes during the present month. As it regards the "probable demand within the next month," I have to state to your honourable body, that I have no means whereby to form an estimate save that of comparison with the disbursements of the corresponding month of the last year, which will be found by the statement here with transmitted, to be $201,784 13. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, A. MAHON, Treas. Board Canal Commissioners. A STATEMENT exhibiting the amount of payments made by the Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commissioners for Canal and Rail Road purposes per month, between the 1st April 1828, and 1st April 1829, as also the aggregate amount of payments made within the present month. 1828--April, May, $70,105 82 201,784 13 June, 235,362 28 July, 250,838 01 August, 211,867 64 September, 270,721 67 October, 209,466 52 November, 229,872 11 December, 363,175 67 1829-January 340,085 40 342,166 57 CHRIST CHURCH COMMUNION PLATE. Christ Church, in this city, furnishes many interesting associations to the mind of the Antiquarian. The original building was a small one, standing in about the centre of the present scite-one story high; and it was left standing, while the present church was erected over it. The bell of the first church was hung near it, in the The present chime of bells was purcrotch of a tree. chased in England, at a cost of £900, and were brought out by Captain Budden, of the good ship Matilda, and no freight charged. As often as he arrived from subsequent voyages, the bells rang a merry peal of gratitude for the favor. The whole weight of the bells is about 8000lb, that of the tenor bell 1800lb. One of the first ring William Penn Absolute Proprietary of the Province of Pennsilvania and Counties Annexed to his Trusty and Beloved Friends the Provincial Council for ye Province of Pennsilvania &c. Greeting Since ye Providence of God hath disappointed my reall Intentions and Earnest inclinations of Coming to you for some Time Longer and to the End ye Inhabitants thereof may be assured I have and seek no other Interest than what is agreable to theirs, I have thought fitt to appoynt you my Deputy and Lieftenant in Government and do accordingly hereby Constitute you my Deputy to act and doe in all things in my name and Stead, according to ye Power and Limitations of former Commissions. Iers was killed, from unskilful management of the rope. Doe also Impower you to Elect ye President from time to time as you se, Cause so as he and you exactly answer ye Charter and Laws of ye Country Requiring all persons Concerned to give you ye Respect due to your high station which Commission shall Continue so long as I shall see Convenient Given at London this 25th of ye 7th month 1689.-Ibid. PENNSYLVANIA CANAL. We called the other day on a gentleman who has the communion plate in charge for safe keeping, and never having seen a description of it, or of its inscriptions published, we copied the latter. It consists of three silver plates, with the following inscription: "The Gift of Colln. Rhart Quarry, to Christ Church in Philadelphia, this 29th 8 br. 1712;" a Goblet the Gift of Queen Anne: "Annæ Anglicanæ apud Philadelphiam, A. D. 1708," two tankards with same inscription; a goblet surrounded The following communication was received from the on the outside with figures of the Apostles,neatly engra Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commissioners. Treasury Office of Pennsylvania, 21, 1829. To the Honourable the Senate of Pennsylvania. GENTLEMEN-In obedience to the direction of the resolution of the senate, passed this day, requiring the Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commissioners to inform the senate of the amount of money paid for canal ved another ancient goblet, with a veryantique look, "thǝ Gift of Margaret Tresse Spinstor, to Christ Church in Philadelphia." and an elegant urn of large size, with the following marks: "Mrs. Sarah Redman, to Christ Church Communion Table, 1825." The whole is in excellent preservation, and is kept very clean and neat; we trust it may reach posterity through several coming centuries-its value will increase in proportion to its antiquity.-Saturday Evening Bulletin. THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. III.-NO. 18. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. HISTORY OF BYBERRY. Extracted from "Sketches," by Isaac Comly, in the memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. vol. 2, p. 164. 1827. Byberry Township lies in the north-east end of the county of Philadelphia, distant from the city between thirteen and sixteen miles. It is bounded by the Manor of Mooreland, and the Townships of Lower Dublin, Bensalem, and Southampton. Its length is about five miles, its breadth variable, at most about three miles. It contains five thousand nine hundred and sixty-six acres, one hundred and forty-six dwelling-houses, and in 1820, eight hundred and sixty-eight inhabitants: In the census of 1810, the number of inhabitants was stated to be seven hundred and sixty-seven, of whom three hundred and sixty were males, three hundred and seventy-four females, and thirty-three blacks. NO. 70. In a rock on Aaron Walton's land is a representation of the print of a man's foot. This and a similar appearance in a rock near the mouth of Poquesink, have long been considered as natural curiosities. It is observable that the water-courses in Byberry are much inclined to the western side of the vallies that the grounds on this side are most prominent and generally found to contain the best stone for building. It is rare to find a good quarry on the eastern side of the vallies, or in any of the level lands. The timber most natural to the soil, is-hickory, black, white, red, and Spanish oak; poplar, chestnut, maple, sassafras, beech, dog-wood, red cedar, gum, persimmon, wild cherry, and in one place, pine. There are three grist-mills in the township, two sawmills, several retail stores, and shops for mechanics of We are told that the family of the Waltons, who different kinds; but no factory, nor tavern. The inhab were among the first settlers, gave it the name of By-itants generally are farmers, and a majority are members berry, in reference to a place of that name where they dwelt in England. or professors with the Society of Friends. There are a few Episcopalians, Baptists, and Presbyterians, and some that make little profession with any religious denomination. The Friends' meeting house is near the centre of the township. The face of the country possesses an agreeable distribution of inequalities, and there are some fine rising grounds, particularly in the upper section of the Township. Edge hill crosses the northern corner, near Byberry was settled early after the arrival of William to which is the source of Poquesink creek: this stream Penn, in 1682. When the white people first came here, forms the line between the counties of Philadelphia and we are informed they found but few large trees standBucks, and empties into the Delaware half a mile be-ing, though plenty of saplings and underbrush; and in low White sheet bay. Poquesink and its western branches, water most of the farms in Byberry. The geological features of the township are not striking. Dr. Troost in his survey observes, "we are still here in the gneiss formation containing a subsoil of blue loam. The amphibolic rocks project above the ground to the west of Smithfield, and going more north we meet in the northern part of Byberry Township near the commencement of the Poquesink creek, the mica slate." The soil for cultivation is a sandy loam from six to eight inches deep, lying on a stiff loamy subsoil, of from four to six feet deep. In the neighbourhood of Townsend's mill, where the Poquesink winds between two stony ridges, there is the singular appearance of two natural abutments of rock opposite each other, as if Nature had intended to lend her aid in the construction of a bridge over the stream. Whether these rocks, so similar in all respects, and the apparent broken ends so nearly corresponding with each other, have ever been one solid body, and separated by some convulsion of nature, or the effect been gradually produced by the constant attrition of the water, we must leave others to conjecture. some places, particularly in Mooreland, the ground was covered with coarse grass that grew as high as a man's head. Indian darts made of flint, have often been found, and sometimes stone axes and other curious implements of Indian manufacture. A tradition says, that the first persons who settled here were Giles Knight and Josiah Ellis. By the ancient records of the meeting and other documents, it appears, the following named persons settled in and near Byberry, in 1683-84, and 85: Giles Knight, John Hart, John Carver, Nathaniel Walton, Walter Forrest, Daniel Walton, William Walton, William Hibbs, Henry English, John Gilbert, Thomas Knight, William Nichols, William Rush, Samuel Ellis, Thomas Walton; Richard Collett, and Joseph English. Nearly all of them members of the Society of Friends. In the 5th mo. 1683, at a Quarterly Meeting of Friends in Philadelphia, "it was then and there agreed and concluded, that there be established a first day meeting of Friends at Tookany and Poetquesink, and that these two make one monthly meeting, men and women, for the ordering of the affairs of the church." The monthly meeting was accordingly held first at Oxford, then at John Hart's house, and so alternately. About three quarters of a mile further down the creek In temporal concerns, the first settlers had much dif near the road to Dunk's ferry, a point six or eight ficulty to encounter, particularly in regard to a supply perches in breadth appears to have once projected of provisions. The Indians near them treated them with from the western bank, twelve or fifteen perches into kindness; they occasionally furnished such eatables as the valley. It is supposed that the Poquesink formerly they could spare, and instructed the new comers to passed round it; but that the current striking directly raise, corn, beans, and pumpkins. Giles Knight and against its base, the forcible attacks of large freshets at Josiah Ellis, once went five miles to procure beans of length undermined the hill, and a passage from the the Indians, and obtained half a bushel. Bread and creek was opened through it. This aperture is three or meat were very scarce. Some horses, cows, sheep, and four perches in width, and the point of the hill near hogs had been brought into the province, but the settwenty feet in height, and of the dimensions of half antlers were not generally able to obtain a sufficient stock acre, detached from the adjacent promontory, is left standing in the valley alone. VOL. III. 35 for several years. When they travelled, they had to go on foot; and as to meat, very little could be had, ex cept a precarious supply of venison or bear meat, which | is stated to have been "one of the first children born of with wild pigeons, fish), and beans, pumpkins or boiled English parents in Pennsylvania." Her birth is dated corn, were thought good enough for a feast. The first 28 of 8 mo. 1682, which is four days after Penn's landwheat sowed in these parts, was brought from near Old ing at Chester. In a printed memorial concerning her, Chester by two men on their shoulders-each carried it is said, "she was born in or near Philadelphia." about half a bushel. It is said one of these persons was The children of the first settlers were generally on the John Carver: his wife, child, and a small boy were left stage of active life by the year 1720. They had been at home, upon what he thought a sufficient supply of educated in habits of industry and rigid economy. But provision for their support till his return; but some un- many of them had very little school learning, and some foreseen hindrances kept him longer on the journey than of them did not even know how to read, or write their was expected, and unfortunately the only cow they had, own names. They were however possessed of health, and upon whose milk they had made much calculation strength, activity and vigor, and delighted in the exerfor sustenance, got into the swamp and died. The poor cises of chopping, grubbing, fencing, and farming— woman by this accident was reduced to great difficulty, shooting wild turkies, and hunting bears and raccoons. and concluded she must apply to some Indians not far The land was productive, and large crops of wheat distant, for assistance; she accordingly took the children, were raised. It was gathered with sickles, and commonand went to their settlement. The Indians treated her ly put up in stalks till threshed. Barns were not then with much kindness, furnished her and the children projected upon the commodious scale of modern with victuals, and taking off the little boy's trowsers, times. Such as they had were of simple construction they filled them with corn for her to carry home for their two log pens of about eight or ten feet high, with a further supply. threshing floor between them and thatched roof over the The dwelling houses first erected were small, rough, whole. Wagons for hauling were difficult to obtain.— log buildings, and generally situated convenient to a Sleds were first used to gather the grain from the fields, spring of water. Giles Knight dwelt about six weeks by and when it was ready for the market, it was carried to the side of an old log, near the banks of Poquesink. The Pennepac mills on horses. A tongue cart was after Indians then instructed him in the erection of a wig-wards brought into use, and was considered a great conwam, in which he resided till he raised a small log venience and improvement among the utensils of a house, about half a mile south-east of the present meet- farm. Harness for ploughing, hauling, &c. was geneing house. William Nichols was so poor, that in 1684 rally of home manufacture. Collars were made of straw, the meeting at Poetquesink "allowed him four shillings or the tops of calamus ingeniously plaited, and traces per week, on account of his "being in penury." were tow or hemp ropes made sufficiently strong. Great hardships were endured by the first settlers for several years; but they were industrious and economical, and kind and obliging one to another. Their situation gradually improved, and brighter prospects were continually opening. Harmony prevailed among them, and religious unity was maintained in general, till 1691, when the disturbances raised by George Keith reached them. The controversy was carried on so sharply amongst the members of the meeting of Poetquesink, that a division took place. John Hart, Nathaniel Walton, and divers others in the southern part of the neighbourhood, adopted the Keithian profession and creed, and kept possession of the meeting. John Carver, Giles Knight, Daniel Walton, Henry English, and some others, whose residence was near the centre of Byberry, withdrew from the Keithians, and held their meetings at Henry English's house, which stood in Walmsley old orchard, near half a mile south-east of the present meeting house. The timber by this time was grown to a good size, straight and handsome. We are told that Job Walton split 3600 rails in one week, the logs being cut off for him, and the wood of the best kind for working easy. With such expedition and plenty of timber, the ground that was cleared might soon be sufficiently fenced. It nevertheless was customary to ditch and plant privet hedges for enclosures. These hedges were probably introduced early on account of the scarcity of rail timEer. When well grown they made a good barrier against the encroachments of horses, cattle, hogs, and wild beasts. They made a pleasing appearance to the eye when in blossom, and the berries served through the dreary part of the winter for sustenance to multitudes of wild pigeons. These hedges nearly all died a few years before the revolution. Old people used to tell us that the winters formerly were more remarkable for cold weather, and that there was more snow than of latter time. In the hard winter The meeting of the Keithians soon vanished. Some of 1740, the snow covered the fences; and the crust on of them turned Episcopalians, and are said to have been the top of it was so firm that it would bear sleds and concerned in founding All Saints church in Lower Dub- horses, so that people could travel in any direction, lin. Others attached themselves to a Keithian meeting without reference to roads. We are told also of a very in Southampton. Most of these afterwards turned Bap-moderate winter, the ground being so little frozen that tists. John Hart was one of them. they could plough all winter with the exception of two or three days. The extraordinary wet harvest in 1719 was long remembered. A small quantity of wheat was secured before the rains commenced-much of it was in shock, and was so damaged by the grain growing, that the shocks were all green with it. Even the heads of the standing wheat grew in like manner. Giles Knight, the patriarch of the Knight family in this neighborhood, was from Gloucestershire, and came with his wife Mary and son Joseph, in company with William Penn, in 1682. On the passage, Mary was extremely sick, so that her survival to the end of the voyage was very doubtful. On their arrival up the Delaware, she was carried ashore in a blanket and laid on the bank: she then observed that she had been fully Joseph Knight was two years old when his parents, persuaded in her mind she should not die till she saw Giles and Mary Knight, brought him to this country. America; but now she had landed here, she could not He married in 1717 and settled in Jersey, but returntell how it would go with her. She recovered, and af-ed to Byberry in 1729. He had two children, Giles and terwards had twelve children. Giles was one of the heads of Byberry meeting. He died in 1726, in his seventyfourth year, and Mary in 1732, in her seventy-seventh year. John Carver, from Hertfordshire, malster, and Mary his wife, came over with William Penn, in 1682. Their daughter Mary, who married Isaac Knight, of Abington, It is said the Friends had a meeting house near John Hart's; but of this the records give no account. Mary. He and his wife Abigail were remarkable for their economical habits. We have frequently heard of a coat the old man wore, which had been so abundantly darned that it was difficult to ascertain its original texture. We have heard of the pound of candles purchased by the old woman for her winter's stock, and having one thrown into the bargain by a generous neighbor, the overplus candle was used all winter, and the pound complete was sold in the spring. Abigail, in the summer time, made cheese for sale, Joseph took them |