diff options
Diffstat (limited to '43259-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 43259-0.txt | 3235 |
1 files changed, 3235 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/43259-0.txt b/43259-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..03d969d --- /dev/null +++ b/43259-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3235 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43259 *** + +[Illustration: Crest] + +[Illustration: PITTSBURGH IN 1817 + +From a sketch made by Mrs. E. C. Gibson, wife of James Gibson of +the Philadelphia bar, while on their wedding tour.] + + +PITTSBURGH IN 1816 + + +COMPILED BY THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH ON THE ONE +HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRANTING OF THE CITY CHARTER + +[Illustration: 181] + +PITTSBURGH +CARNEGIE LIBRARY +1916 + + + + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been +corrected without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies +in the text have been retained as printed. Words printed +in italics are noted with underscores: _italics_. + + + + +Preface + + +This little book will interest the Pittsburgher of 1916 chiefly +because the parts and pieces of which it is made were written by men +who were living here or who passed this way in 1816. + +The three newspapers of the day--the Gazette, the Mercury, and the +Commonwealth--have furnished, though somewhat sparingly, the items of +local news. They have also furnished advertisements--these in greater +abundance and variety. + +The men who were the tourists of the day in America, traveling by +stage, wagon, boat, or on horseback, often made Pittsburgh a stopping +place in their journey. Many of them wrote books, in which may be +found two or three pages, or a chapter, on the city as it appeared at +that time. It is from these books that the section "Impressions of +early travelers" has been gathered. The date given with these extracts +is the date of publication, but the period referred to in every case +is between 1815 and 1817. + +In addition to these gleanings from contemporaries, a number of +paragraphs from various histories of the city have been included. + +The sketches that have thus been bought together do not form a +systematic or well proportioned description of the city; yet they may +help, through their vivid pictures and first-hand impressions, to give +some idea of life in Pittsburgh a century ago. + + + + +Table of Contents + + + Page + +THE NEW CITY 7 + +IMPRESSIONS OF EARLY TRAVELERS 13 + +UNITED STATES CENSUS 20 + +BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIES 21 + +TRAVELING EASTWARD 26 + +TAVERNS 30 + +STEAMBOATS AND RIVER TRAFFIC 31 + +FERRIES AND BRIDGES 40 + +THE NEWSPAPERS 42 + +CHURCHES 44 + +SCHOOLS 48 + +LIBRARIES 50 + +THE NEW BOOKS OF 1816 51 + +THE THEATRE 52 + +THE MORALS EFFICIENCY SOCIETY OF 1816 55 + +FOURTH OF JULY, 1816 55 + +POLICE 55 + +EAGLE FIRE COMPANY 56 + +WATER-SUPPLY 56 + +BANKS 57 + +POST-OFFICE 59 + +THE SUBURBS 60 + +COURTS 61 + +COUNTY ELECTIONS 61 + +THE STATE LEGISLATURE 62 + +SLAVERY 63 + +ADVERTISEMENTS FROM THE NEWSPAPERS OF 1816 64 + +1816 75 + + + + +The New City + + + A MEETING + OF THE + DEMOCRATICK REPUBLICANS + OF THE + CITY OF PITTSBURGH, + +will be held at the house of Captain Jacob Carmack, (sign of the +_Turk's Head_, Wood-street,) this _evening_ (Tuesday June 25,) at 7 +o'clock for the purpose of forming a _ticket_ for the select and +common Councils of the City of Pittsburgh. + + _Commonwealth, June 25, 1816._ + + +City Election + +A number of respectable citizens, desirous of preserving that harmony +which has for several years past, so happily prevailed in the borough +councils, and which is so essential to the prosperity of our infant +city, have formed the following Ticket. They recommend it to the cool, +dispassionate considerations of their fellow citizens; and they +flatter themselves, that it will, on the day of the election, meet +with a firm and honorable support. It is formed, as tickets of the +kind ought to be, without respect to party. There can exist no +possible ground for the absurdity, that party feuds and animosity +should be called up on occasions like the present. Every consideration +of public interest, and of the peace and good order of the city, +forbids it.--Our city is as yet in its infancy.--Its government is to +be organized, its ordinances framed, its police established, and its +general policy devised. + +In accomplishing these important objects, great prudence, +deliberation, forbearance, and the _undivided support of all classes +of the citizens_, are essentially necessary. Hence arises the +necessity of checking, in the bud, any and every attempt, coming from +whatever quarter it may, which would have a tendency to sow disunion +and distrust among the people. Actuated by these reasons, the +following ticket is recommended to the free and independent voters. +Their aid and co-operation is solicited in checking the evils which +may arise out of party feuds. The gentlemen composing the ticket here +recommended, have been chosen with due regard to their local +situations; they are respectable in private life; they are well +qualified for discharging the duties which will devolve upon them as +members of the councils, and are all deeply interested in the growth, +prosperity, and good order of the infant city. + + SELECT COUNCIL + + John Wrenshall, + Benj. Bakewell, + James Ross, + Thomas Cromwell, + John Hannen, + E. Pentland, + Dr. Geo. Stevenson, + George Shiras, + Robert Patterson. + + COMMON COUNCIL + + James Lea, + Walter Forward, + John Lyttle, + Alex: Johnston, jr., + Geo. Miltenberger, + James Irwin, + Richard Bowen, + Mark Stackhouse, + John W. Johnston, + Paul Anderson, + John P. Skelton, + George Boggs, + James R. Butler, + John Caldwell, + George Evans. + + _Mercury, June 29, 1816._ + +"Voters supported or opposed a candidate entirely according to their +personal preferences. There were few newspapers and no political +oratory to sway public sentiment. The United States was then passing +through the 'era of good feeling,' which was renowned mainly for the +absence of all political asperities. Had any question arisen which was +fraught with political significance to the voters of this section the +expression in and around Pittsburg would undoubtedly have been +Democratic or in opposition to the Federalist doctrine. It took +Pittsburg people a long time to forget that the excise tax, which +brought about the Whiskey Insurrection, was a Federalist measure. The +first question which arose to divide the people in bitter dispute came +with the election of Andrew Jackson to the presidency in 1828." +_Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +City Election + +The first Election under the Act Incorporating the City of Pittsburgh, +was held on Tuesday last, when the following gentlemen were elected: + + SELECT COUNCIL + + James Ross, + Dr. Geo. Stevenson, + William Hays, + John Roseburgh, + Samuel Douglas, + James Irwin, + Mark Stackhouse, + William Leckey, + Richard Geary. + + COMMON COUNCIL + + William Wilkins, + James R. Butler, + John P. Shelton, + A. Johnston, Jr., + James S. Stevenson, + James Brown, (B.) + Paul Anderson, + John W. Johnston, + George Evans, + John Caldwell, + Richard Robinson, + Thomas M'Kee, + Daniel Hunter, + John Carson, + John W. Trembly. + + _Commonwealth, July 9, 1816._ + + +The New Mayor + + Ebenezer Denny, esq. has been elected mayor of the city of + Pittsburgh, _Ohio_.--This gentleman we believe is from + Massachusetts and is highly respected for his integrity and + patriotism. _Boston Yankee._ + +We congratulate the editor of the Yankee upon the knowledge of men and +places, exhibited in the foregoing article. It has been a custom at +the Eastward to censure and burlesque the people of Western +Pennsylvania on account of their ignorance. Let the editor of the +Yankee now blush at his own. Could it be believed that any man of +common geographical knowledge--or who could have referred to Dr. Morse +for information, (for on this subject _even Dr. Morse_ is correct) +would have located Pittsburgh--a city containing ten thousand +inhabitants--possessing a manufacturing capital of many +millions--having three banking institutions, and a commerce extending +to every part of the union--a place which has long been considered the +emporium of the West, and which makes a more conspicuous figure in +books of travels than even the Town of Notions itself;--could it, we +ask, be believed, that such a place should be so little known or +thought of in the town of Boston, as to be located in the state of +Ohio? Mayor Denny possesses all the virtues that are attributed to him +by the Yankee, and many more, that render him an ornament to the +station to which he has been elected;--but he does not boast an +ancestry in the land of _steady habits_, the seat of _Hartford +Convention politics_. He is a native of Carlisle, in this state. +_Commonwealth, Aug. 6, 1816._ + + +From the Ordinances of 1816 + + +Traffic Rules + +"From and after the publication of this ordinance, all and every +driver or drivers of all coaches, chariots, caravans, waggons, +phaetons, chaises, chairs, solos, sleighs, carts, drays, and other +carriages of burthen and pleasure, driving and passing in and through +the streets, lanes and alleys of the City of Pittsburgh, where there +is room sufficient for two to pass, shall keep on that side of street, +lane or alley, on his or their right hand respectively, in the passing +direction." + +"No person whatsoever shall sit or stand in or upon any such carriage +or on any horse or beast harnessed thereto, in order to drive the +same, unless he shall have strong lines or reins fastened to the +bridles of his beasts, and held in his hands, sufficient to guide them +in the manner aforesaid, and restrain them from running, galloping, or +going at immoderate rates through the said streets, lanes or alleys; +and ... no person whatsoever, driving any such carriage or riding upon +any horse, mare or gelding, in or through the said city, shall permit +or suffer the beast or beasts he shall so drive or ride, to go in a +gallop or other immoderate gait, so as to endanger persons standing or +walking in the streets, lanes or alleys thereof; and ... all porters +... having the care of any such carriages ... who shall not hold the +reins in their hands ... shall walk by the head of the shaft or wheel +horse, holding or within reach of the bridle or halter of said horse." + + +Shade Trees + +"It shall be lawful to plant on the bank of the Monongahela river, +ornamental shade trees, provided the same do not incommode the +passage; that they be set on the side of the street next to the water, +and so as not to stop or obstruct the passage of water along the +gutters; and so that the roots will not injure or raise the +pavement:--when any of these injurious effects are produced, such +trees then become a nusance, and the street commissioners shall +forthwith remove the same." + + +Fire Protection + +"A premium of ten dollars, to be paid on a warrant to be drawn by the +Mayor on the city treasurer, shall be given to the fire company whose +engine shall be first on the ground in fair operation, and in good +order, in cases of fire; and the Mayor shall have power to determine +all questions as to this premium." + + +New Streets + +An ordinance respecting sundry new streets in the eastern addition to +Pittsburgh. + +"That Third-street extending from Grant-street to Try-street, and +Fourth, extended in a direct line from Grant-street to Try-street; and +Diamond-street extending from Ross-street to the lane leading +eastwardly from the end of Fourth-street, and Ross-street extended +from Third-street to Diamond-street, and Try-street extended from +Third-street to the lane leading eastwardly from the end of +Fourth-street, be and they are hereby accepted and declared to be +public streets and highways of the city ... and all those streets +shall be kept, repaired and maintained for public use, at public +expense forever hereafter." + + +For the Public Good + +"If the chimney of any person or persons within the ... city shall +take fire and blaze out at the top, the same not having been swept +within the space of one calendar month, next before the time of taking +such fire, every such person or persons, shall forfeit and pay the sum +of three dollars." + +"No stove pipe within the ... city shall project through the front +door, front windows, front wall, or past the front corners of any +house, shop or building, over or out upon any street, square or alley, +or public ground of the ... city; and if any stove pipe shall so +project as aforesaid, the same is hereby declared to be a public +nusance, and as such shall be removed, and a fine of five dollars also +imposed on the person or persons who shall so offend." + +"If any person or persons, shall wilfully suffer his, her or their +horse or horses, mare, gelding, mule, ox, hog or hogs, to run at large +in the ... city, he, she or they so offending, shall for each offence, +on conviction thereof, forfeit and pay for each of the said animals so +running at large, the sum of one dollar." + +"If any person or persons shall, within the said city, beat a drum, or +without lawful authority, ring any public bell, after sunset, or at +any time except in lawful defence of person or property, discharge any +gun or fire arms, or play at or throw any metal or stone bullet, or +make a bon-fire, or raise or create any false alarm of fire, he, she, +or they so offending, shall for every such offence, on conviction +thereof, forfeit and pay the sum of four dollars." + +"City appropriation for filling up a part of the pond on Sixth street, +between Cherry alley and Grant street--thirty dollars." _Commonwealth, +Nov. 19, 1816._ + + + + +Impressions of Early Travelers + + +"_Fort du Quesne_, built by the French, formerly stood here; its site +has almost disappeared in the Ohio. The remains of Fort Pitt (from +whence the town has its name) are very faint; we can yet perceive part +of the ditch, its salient angles and bastions, &c., but several +houses, stores, and a brewhouse, are built on the ground." _Palmer's +Journal of travels in the United States and Canada, 1817._ + + +"Although Pittsburg, a few years since, was surrounded by Indians, it +is now a curiosity to see any there; a few traders sometimes come down +the Alleghany, with seneca oil, &c." _Palmer's Journal of travels in +the United States, 1818._ + + +"_Pittsburgh_ was hidden from our view, until we descended through the +hills within half a mile of the _Allegany river_. Dark dense smoke was +rising from many parts, and a hovering cloud of this vapour, obscuring +the prospect, rendered it singularly gloomy. Indeed, it reminded me of +the smoking logs of a new field." _Thomas's Travels through the +western country in 1816._ + + +"A mixture of all nations, though principally Americans; there are +Irish, Scotch, English, French, Dutch, Swiss, etc.... The character of +the people is that of enterprising and persevering industry; every man +to his business is the prevailing maxim, there is therefore little +time devoted to amusements or to the cultivation of refined social +pleasures. Strangers are not much pleased with the place in point of +hospitality merely, but those who have business to transact, will meet +with as many facilities as elsewhere. They are of all denominations of +the Christian religion; many of them attentive on the duties of their +worship, and but few addicted to gross vices and dissipation. Luxury, +pomp and parade are scarcely seen; there are perhaps, not more than +one or two carriages in the place. There is a public academy, but not +in a flourishing state, where the Latin and Greek classics are taught. +There are besides, a number of English schools where children are +taught to read, write, arithmetic, grammar, etc. There is a seminary +for young ladies, which is said to be well conducted. The amusements +of these industrious people are not numerous, a few balls during the +winter season; there is also a small theatre where a company from the +eastern cities sometimes performs. A society has been formed for the +purpose of natural improvement in the different departments of natural +history, and is flourishing; it has attached to it a circulating +library, a cabinet of curiosities and chemical laboratory." _Cramer's +Navigator, 1817._ + + +"The first buildings of Pittsburg were of logs, some of which were +unhewn; then came rude stone structures made from material quarried +nearby, and these in turn were followed by brick buildings, for with +an abundance of clay and fuel, it was an easy matter to burn brick. In +none of them was there any attempt at architectural beauty. Most of +them consisted of four square walls, with small windows and doors, +thus displaying every evidence of economy. The interior finish of the +early houses displayed more taste and beauty than the exterior, for it +was easier to carve and fashion in wood than in stone.... Nevertheless +there was a beauty in the simplicity of the walls that gradually +developed a style which in modern days is called Colonial +architecture, and which even yet predominates in Pittsburg." +_Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +"In 1815 the buildings of a public character were 'a handsome octagon +Episcopal church, a handsome and spacious Presbyterian church, also a +Covenanters, German Lutheran and Roman Catholic church, and an +Academy, all of brick;' a court house, jail, three incorporated banks, +a dramatic theatre, a Masonic hall, three market houses, one in the +Diamond and two in Second street. Both the court house and market +house in the public square, called the Diamond, were built of brick, +and some of the mercantile and financial buildings were of a +substantial character." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._ + + +"When this city and vicinity was surveyed by the author of this +treatise, in October, 1815, there were in Pittsburg 960 dwelling +houses, and in the suburbs, villages, and immediate outskirts, about +300 more, making in all 1260, and including inhabitants, workmen in +the manufactories, and labourers, upwards of 12,000 inhabitants." +_Darby's Emigrant's guide, 1818._ + + +"Grant's-hill, an abrupt eminence which projects into the rear of the +city, affords one of the most delightful prospects with which I am +acquainted; presenting a singular combination of the bustle of the +town, with the solitude and sweetness of the country. How many hours +have I spent here, in the enjoyment of those exquisite sensations +which are awakened by pleasing associations and picturesque scenes! +The city lay beneath me, enveloped in smoke--the clang of hammers +resounded from its numerous manufactories--the rattling of carriages +and the hum of men were heard from its streets--churches, courts, +hotels, and markets, and all the 'pomp and circumstance' of busy life, +were presented in one panoramic view. Behind me were all the silent +soft attractions of rural sweetness--the ground rising gradually for a +considerable distance, and exhibiting country seats, surrounded with +cultivated fields, gardens, and orchards." _Hall's Letters from the +West, 1828._ + + +"Pittsburg is a considerable town, generally built of brick.... The +site is romantic and delightful. It is well known as a manufacturing +place, and once almost supplied the lower country with a variety of +the most necessary and important manufactures. But the wealth, +business, and glory of this place are fast passing away, transferred +to Cincinnati, to Louisville, and other places on the Ohio. Various +causes have concurred to this result; but especially the +multiplication of steam-boats, and the consequent facility of +communication with the Atlantic ports by the Mississippi. There is +little prospect of the reverse of this order of things. The national +road, terminating at Wheeling, contributes to this decay of +Pittsburg." _Flint's Recollections of the last ten years, 1826._ + + +"It is laid out in strait streets, forty and fifty feet wide, having +foot-walks on each side. Watch-boxes are placed at convenient +distances, and the police of the city (except in lighting) is well +regulated. From the number of manufactures, and the inhabitants +burning coal, the buildings have not that clean appearance so +conspicuous in most American towns. The houses are frame and brick, in +the principal street three story high. + +"Outside of the town, some log houses yet remain. The number of +inhabitants in 1810, was 4768; they are supposed to be now near 8000. +The manufactures, carried on in the neighbourhood, out of the borough, +employ many hundred people. The inhabitants, are Americans, Irish, and +English. The Americans are most of them of German and Irish descent. +The public buildings are a jail, fort Fayette barracks, a court house, +market house, bank, and several churches." _Palmer's Journal of +travels in the United States, 1818._ + + +"The adjoining hills contain inexhaustible quarries of sand rock, +suitable for grindstones; and several establishments, for the +manufacture of these useful articles, are extensively conducted. As no +marble is brought hither, except from the neighbourhood of +_Philadelphia_, those quarries also supply the citizens with +gravestones. Near _Breakneck_, I noted that _mica_ was contained in +the sand rock and this singular addition is also found here, in all +the strata of that stone which I have seen." _Thomas's Travels through +the western country in 1816._ + + +"_6 mo. 14._--Having been detained, day after day longer than we +expected, this morning about sunrise, we left Pittsburgh with all the +joy of a bird which escapes from its cage. + + 'From the tumult, and smoke of the city set free,' + +we were ferried over the Monongahela, with elated spirits; and I +repeated that line in Montgomery, with an emphasis, which it never +before seemed to require." _Thomas's Travels through the western +country in 1816._ + + +"There are a considerable number of free negroes in the city. Whilst +here, we saw a funeral attended by these people; sixty or seventy +couple, two and two in the manner of the Philadelphians." _Palmer's +Journal of travels in the United States, 1818._ + + +"The inhabitants of Pittsburg are fond of music; in our evening walks, +we were sure to hear performers on the violin, clarionet, flute, and +occasionally the piano-forte. Concerts are not unusual. The houses of +the principal streets have benches in front, on which the family and +neighbours sit and enjoy the placidity of their summer evenings." +_Palmer's Journal of travels in the United States and Canada, 1817._ + + +"If the inhabitants of Pittsburgh are determined to call that place +after some English town, I should propose that, instead of the +'American Birmingham,' it be denominated, with relation of the +humidity of its climate, 'the American Manchester;' for I remained at +this place several days, during which time the rain never ceased. The +smoke is also extreme, giving to the town and its inhabitants a very +sombre aspect; but an English medical gentleman who has resided here +some years, informs me that there is not a more healthy place in the +United States." _Fearon's Sketches of America, 1818._ + + +"The streets of Pittsburgh are lighted, and consequently the useful +order of watchmen is established. My ears, however, have not become +reconciled to their music. It is true, I have been more conversant in +forests than in cities, and may not comprehend the advantages of these +deep-mouthed tones; but breaking the slumbers of the invalid, and +giving timely notice to the thief, form two items of much weight in my +view as a set off against them. + +Pittsburgh is laid out to front both rivers; but as these do not +approach at right angles, the streets intersect each other obliquely. + +It is not a well built city. The south-west part is the most compact, +but many years must elapse before it will resemble Philadelphia. +Wooden buildings, interspersed with those of brick, mar the beauty of +its best streets; and as few of these are paved, mud, in showery +weather, becomes abundant. A short period, however, will probably +terminate this inconvenience." _Thomas's Travels through the western +country in 1816._ + + +"In October, 1816, a resolution was passed permitting a Mr. Gray to +exhibit a panoramic view of the naval engagement on Lake Champlain and +the battle of Plattsburg without a license or other tax, owing to 'the +patriotic nature and worthy object of the exhibit.' In November, 1816, +a committee was appointed to inquire whether it was expedient for the +city to possess for public purposes more ground than it then did, and +whether it would be expedient at that time to purchase ground upon +which to erect buildings. In December a resolution introduced by Mr. +Wilkins provided for the appointment of a special committee to make a +detailed report upon the condition of the manufactures of Pittsburg, +which resolution was adopted; whereupon the following committee was +appointed: Benjamin Bakewell, Aquila M. Bolton and James Arthurs.... +The city councils at this time also sent agents to Harrisburg and +Washington to labor specially in the interests of public roads in the +Western country. In 1816 Northern Liberties was laid out by George A. +Bayard and James Adams." _Wilson's History of Pittsburg._ + + +"The price of property has increased in the most surprising manner +within the last ten years; it is now at least ten times as high as it +was at that period. There are but few sales of lots in fee simple, the +custom is to let on perpetual lease; the price in Market and Wood +streets, varies from ten to twenty dollars per foot, and in the other +streets from four to eight, and in particular situations still higher. +The rents are equally high. In Market, Wood and Water streets, the +principal places of business, it is difficult to procure a common room +in an upper story, under one hundred dollars per annum; the rent of +stores, vary from three to five hundred dollars; there is one +warehouse which rents for twelve hundred; the rent of tavern stands, +is from five to twelve hundred dollars. The rent of dwelling houses +varies much, according to the locality and kind of the tenement; a +genteel private family can scarcely obtain a good dwelling under three +or four hundred dollars." _Cramer's Navigator, 1817._ + + +"Provisions of all kinds bring a high price in this city though the +_market_ is fluctuating. Hay, at present is twenty dollars a ton, and +oats one dollar per bushel. Butter varies from twenty-five to +seventy-five cents per pound. The farmers of this neighbourhood, +however, produce neither cheese or pork, that merits a notice. The +former of these articles is chiefly obtained from the state of Ohio, +and bacon, procured from Kentucky, is now retailed at sixteen or +seventeen cents per pound. + +Before the late war, this market was distinguished for its cheapness; +but with an influx of strangers, induced by the movements of that +period, '_war prices_' commenced; and though peace has returned--and +though many of those new comers have sought their former places of +residence,--the encouragements held out to the farmer, suffers no +diminution. Indeed, there are great inducements for the _industrious_ +to migrate hither. Though the soil is uneven, it is far from being +sterile; and exclusive of salubrity of situation, and of durable +timber for fences, the coal mines, which pervade almost every hill, +constitute treasures of great value. + +Farms round this city, at the distance of two or three miles have been +lately sold from fifty to one hundred dollars an acre, according to +situation." _Thomas's Travels through the western country in 1816._ + + +"We remark much difference between the manners of the inhabitants of +this country and those of Cayuga. In that place, profane language is +rarely heard from any person, who pretends to decency, except in a +paroxysm of vexation. Here it is an every day amusement. Crossing the +Monongahela, in the ferry-boat, with an intelligent gentleman of +polished manners, I was shocked and surprised to hear almost every +sentence from his lips interlarded with an oath or an imprecation; yet +he was in gay good humour, and, I believe, unconscious of this breach +of decorum. + +It would be unjust not to express my belief, that honourable +exceptions to these censures are numerous; but impiety certainly +constitutes a strong characteristic of no inconsiderable part of this +people.... + +I have remarked with regret the impiety of some of these citizens; but +we think, that generally, they are entitled to much praise for +obliging and courteous behaviour. Civility to strangers, in a high +degree, even pervades their factories; and in all those which I have +visited, the mean practice of permitting children to ask the +spectators for money, appears to be unknown." _Thomas's Travels +through the western country in 1816._ + + +"Except the gratifying reflection arising from the review of so much +plastic industry, Pittsburg is by no means a pleasant city to a +stranger. The constant volumes of smoke preserve the atmosphere in a +continued cloud of coal dust. In October, 1815, by a reduced +calculation, at least 2000 bushels of that fuel was consumed daily, on +a space of about two and a quarter square miles. To this is added a +scene of activity, that reminds the spectator that he is within a +commercial port, though 300 miles from the sea. + +Several good inns, and many good taverns, are scattered over the city; +but often, from the influx of strangers, ready accommodation is found +difficult to procure. Provisions of every kind abound; two markets are +held weekly." _Darby's Emigrant's guide, 1818._ + + +"The published accounts of this city are so exaggerated and out of all +reason, that strangers are usually disappointed on visiting it. This, +however, was not my case. I have been in some measure tutored in +American gasconade. When I am told that at a particular hotel there is +_handsome_ accommodation, I expect that they are one remove from very +bad; if '_elegant_ entertainment,' I anticipate tolerable; if a person +is 'a _clever_ man,' that he is not absolutely a fool; and if a +manufactory is the '_first in the world_,' I expect, and have +generally found, about six men and three boys employed." _Fearon's +Sketches of America, 1818._ + + +"As every blessing has its attendant evil, the stone coal is +productive of considerable inconvenience from the smoke which +overhangs the town, and descends in fine dust which blackens every +object; even snow can scarcely be called white in Pittsburgh. The +persons and dress of the inhabitants, in the interior of the houses as +well as the exterior, experience its effect. The tall steeple of the +court house, was once painted white, but alas! how changed. Yet all +this might be prevented by some additional expense on the construction +of the chimnies. In the English manufacturing towns, a fine is imposed +upon those who do not consume their smoke. Incalculable would be the +advantage to this place, could such a regulation be adopted." +_Cramer's Navigator, 1817._ + + +"Upon the whole, I consider Pittsburgh, in every point of view, to be +a very important town; and have no doubt, although its prosperity is +now at a stand, and property if not declining, is not increasing in +value, that it will _gradually advance_; and that the time must come +when it will be an extensive and very populous city. The present +population is 10,000, made up from all nations, and, of course, not +free from the vices of each: this indeed is but too apparent upon a +very short residence." _Fearon's Sketches of America, 1818._ + + + + +United States Census + + + 1810 1820 + + United States 7,239,903 9,637,999 + Pennsylvania 810,091 1,049,449 + Allegheny county 25,317 34,921 + Pittsburgh 4,768 7,248 + + + + +Business and Industries + + +"In 1813 there were five glass factories, three foundries, a new edge +tool factory, Cowan's New Rolling Mill, a new lock factory built by +Patterson, two steam engine and boiler works, one steel factory and a +goodly number of small concerns manufacturing various articles. In +1817 the city councils appointed a committee to collect and publish a +list of all the large factories in the city. This was done perhaps to +let the world know of the industry and thrift of Pittsburg, and is +valuable because it is an official list and is to be relied upon. It +must also be remembered that these figures represented the industries +of Pittsburg when barely emerging from the panic of 1815-17, a +financial depression that has scarcely been equalled in Western +Pennsylvania in all its history." _Boucher's Century and a half of +Pittsburg._ + + +"There are many good stores in Pittsburg, and a great trade is carried +on with Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, +Kentucky, &c.; exclusive of the carrying trade, and the number of +boats that are always proceeding down the Ohio, with vast quantities +of foreign merchandize, destined to Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, +Indiana, &c. The inhabitants send up the Alleghany, Monongahela, and +their forks, whisky, cyder, bacon, apples, iron, and castings, glass +and foreign merchandize; in return they receive many thousand bushels +of salt from Onondago, and immense rafts from Alleghany and French +creeks. The quantity of rafts imported into Pittsburg annually, is +computed at 4,000,000 feet; average nine dollars per 1000 feet." +_Palmer's Journal of travels in the United States and Canada, 1817._ + + +"The state of trade is at present dull; but that there is a great deal +of business done must be evident from the quantity of 'dry goods' and +'grocery stores,' many of the proprietors of which have stocks as +heavy as the majority of London retail dealers. They are literally +stuffed with goods of English manufacture, consisting of articles of +the most varied kind, from a man's coat or lady's gown, down to a whip +or an oyster knife." _Fearon's Sketches of America, 1818._ + +"It is difficult to form a judgment whether there is an opening in any +of the present established businesses. One fact strongly in favour of +the stability of this town is, _that there has not been a bankruptcy +in it for three years!!!_ a singular contrast this with New York, in +which the last published list of insolvents contained upwards of 400 +names." _Fearon's Sketches of America, 1818._ + + +"The principal manufacturing establishments are, a steam grist-mill, +steam engine factory, slitting-mill, to which is attached a nail +factory, the first of the kind in America; a cannon foundery, air +furnace, cotton and woollen factories, two potteries, three breweries, +&c.--There are four printing-offices, and two bookstores. A complete +description of this interesting town would fill a volume." _Brown's +Western gazetteer, 1817._ + + +"Two cotton factories, one woollen factory, one paper mill, two saw +mills, and one flour mill, are all moved by steam, in this city and in +its suburbs across the Monongahela. Four glass factories, two for +flint, and two for green, are very extensive; and the productions of +the former for elegance of workmanship, are scarcely surpassed by +European manufacture. It is sent in many directions from this place; +one of the proprietors assured us that Philadelphia receives a part, +but the great outlet is down the Ohio." _Thomas's Travels through the +western country in 1816._ + + +"Some of the ... manufactories may be denominated first-rate. This +remark applies particularly to the nail, steam-engine (high pressure) +and glass establishments. I was astonished to witness such perfection +on this side of the Atlantic, and especially in that part of America +which a New Yorker supposes to be at the farther end of the world. + +At Messrs. Page and Bakewell's glass warehouse I saw chandeliers and +numerous articles in cut glass of a very splendid description; among +the latter was a pair of decanters, cut from a London pattern, the +price of which will be eight guineas. It is well to bear in mind that +the demand for these articles of elegant luxury lies in _the Western +States!_ the inhabitants of Eastern America being still importers from +the 'Old Country.'" _Fearon's Sketches of America, 1818._ + + +"The glass establishment of Bakewell, Page & Bakewell was founded in +1808 and the building erected in 1811, on Water Street, above Grant, +and, from the start, was devoted exclusively to the manufacture of +white or flint glass. So excellent was the article produced that the +manufacturers attained a fame, not only in all parts of the United +States, but in Mexico and in many parts of Europe. No finer product +could be found anywhere. If a stranger of prominence visited +Pittsburgh he was taken with certainty to Bakewell's glasshouse." +_Wilson's History of Pittsburg._ + + +"Perhaps of all the wonders of Pittsburg, the greatest is the glass +factories. About twenty years have elapsed since the first glass-house +was erected in that town, and at this moment every kind of glass, from +a porter bottle or window pane, to the most elegant cut crystal glass, +are now manufactured. There are four large glass-houses, in which are +now manufactured, at least, to the amount of 200,000 dollars +annually." _Darby's Emigrant's guide, 1818._ + + +"Walter Forward, the great lawyer of Pittsburg in his day, had +addressed a large audience in the court house on December 28, 1816. In +speaking of the rapidly growing iron business of Pittsburg, he said, +that the iron interests were then consuming about 1800 tons of pig +iron; that the business employed about 150 hands, and the product was +valued at $250,000. Of wrought iron there was annually worked up about +2000 tons, the products from which were, according to the best +estimates, worth about $1,300,000." _Boucher's Century and a half of +Pittsburg._ + + +"The first furnace or foundry in the town which had a permanent +existence was established in 1803 by Joseph McClurg. This was the +celebrated Fort Pitt foundry.... Here were cast cannon that boomed +over Lake Erie in the war of 1812 and thundered before Mexico in 1847. +A large part of Commodore Perry's equipment came from here." _Magazine +of western history, 1885._ + + +"The first rolling mill of Pittsburg was built by a Scotch-Irishman in +1811 and 1812. It was called the Pittsburg Rolling Mill.... This +extensive mill stood on the corner of Penn street and Cecil alley, and +is referred to by early writers as the Stackpole and Whiting mill. +They were two Boston iron workers named respectively William Stackpole +and Ruggles Whiting. They introduced nail cutting machines which both +cut and headed the nails. They operated the mill during the hard times +which followed the War of 1812, and strange to say, failed financially +in 1819, when business of all kinds had somewhat revived." _Boucher's +Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +"The slitting and rolling mill, together with the nail factory of +_Stackpole & Whiting_, is moved by a steam engine of seventy-horse +power. These we visited with much satisfaction. On entering the +south-west door, the eye catches the majestic swing of the beam; and +at the same instant, nine nailing-machines, all in rapid motion, burst +on the view. Bewildered by the varying velocity of so many new +objects, we stand astonished at this sublime effort of human +ingenuity." _Thomas's Travels through the western country in 1816._ + + +"At the close of the first quarter of the nineteenth century Pittsburg +had surpassed all other parts of the West in the production of nails. +A patent nail machine had been introduced extensively, and it had +revolutionized the manufacture. Some of the factories were built in +connection with the rolling mills." _Boucher's Century and a half of +Pittsburg._ + + +"The first rope-walk erected west of the Allegheny Mountains, was +established in Pittsburgh in 1794, and was located on the ground now +occupied by the Monongahela House. The business was carried on by Col. +John Irwin and wife.... + +Immediately following the death of Col. Irwin, Mrs. Irwin gave her son +an interest in the business; and it was carried on under the name and +style of Mary and John Irwin. + +In the year 1795 the works were removed to the square bounded by +Liberty, Third, and Fourth Streets and Redoubt Alley. In view of the +increasing demand for their products, and confined limits of this +locality, the walk was removed in 1812 to the bank of the Allegheny +River between Marbury Street and the point, where the entire rigging +for Perry's fleet was manufactured.... + +Mrs. Irwin, on account of her age, and loss of health, resolved to +quit business, in view of which she disposed of her interest to her +son, who, in accordance with his preconceived notions on the subject, +commenced the erection, in Allegheny, in 1813, of one of the most +extensive works in the West, on the ten-acre out-lot bounded by the +West Commons, Water Lane (now Western Avenue), out-lots Nos. 275, 29, +and 30. It was known and designated as out-lot No. 276 in the 'Reserve +Tract opposite Pittsburg.' Mr. Irwin successfully carried on the +business until Jan. 1, 1835, when he associated with him his son +Henry, under the name of John Irwin & Son." _Parke's Recollections of +seventy years._ + + +"Mr. Charles Rosenbaum has established a shop for making Piano Fortes, +which are of superior quality. They are equal in elegance of +workmanship, and in tone, to any imported. We are happy to hear that +his success meets his most flattering expectation." _Cramer's +Almanack, 1816._ + + +"Knitting needle making has been commenced by Messrs. Frethy and +Pratt. In New-York pin making is going on lively. It is hoped our +females will be well supplied with these articles especially with the +first." _Cramer's Navigator, 1817._ + + +"Trunks are made smartly by J. M. Sloan, who wants for this purpose +deer skins with the hair on. + +Stocking weaving, for want of encouragement, perhaps goes on but +slowly. We see no reason why a stocking cannot be wove as cheap and as +good here as in any other part of the world. + +Brush-making. Mr. Blair conducts this business to great advantage and +manufactures vast quantities of brushes. Much more could be done were +the farmers more careful of their hogs' bristles." _Cramer's +Navigator, 1817._ + + + + +Traveling Eastward + + +QUICK TRANSPORTATION. + +"In the course of the present week, waggons have arrived at +Pittsburgh, in _thirteen days from Philadelphia_, with loads of 3500 +lbs. and upwards." _Mercury, May 11, 1816._ + + +"Two good safe and easy Stages Will leave Pittsburgh for Philadelphia +on the 27th or 28th inst. and will offer a pleasant conveyance for +four persons on very accommodating terms. Apply at the Branch Bank on +Second street or at the office of the Pittsburgh Gazette." _Gazette, +1816._ + + +"Near Philadelphia, the single team of eight or nine horses is seen; +in the lower parts of Maryland and Virginia, the light three-horse +team is common; while in this country, the heavy Lancaster waggon, +drawn by five or six horses, which vie in stature with the elephant, +is continually before us. The extreme slowness of these overland +sloops, often attracted our notice." _Thomas's Travels through the +western country in 1816._ + + +"Before the time of railroads between the east and west of the +Allegheny mountains, the freight business to the Monongahela was +carried on by means of the Conestoga road wagons drawn by six horses. +By this way the freight to Pittsburgh was carried exclusively, but +after the completion of the Pennsylvania canal, transportation was +divided between the canal-boat and the wagon. As early as 1817 12,000 +wagons, in twelve months, passed over the Allegheny mountains from +Philadelphia and Baltimore, each with from four to six horses, +carrying from thirty-five to forty hundred weight. The cost was about +$7 per 100 weight, in some cases $10. To transport one ton of freight +between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, therefore, would cost about $140, +and in so doing two weeks, at least, of time would be consumed." _Van +Voorhis's Old and new Monongahela._ + + +"The standard wagon for heavy work was the 'Conestoga.' The bed was +low in the center and high at each end. The lower part of the bed was +painted blue. Above this was a red part about a foot wide which could +be taken off when necessary, and these with the white canvas covering, +made the patriotic tri-color of the American flag, though this was +probably unintentional. Bells were often used in all seasons of the +year though not strings of bells such as were afterwards used in +sleighing. The wagoner's bells were fastened to an iron bow above the +hames on the horses and were pear shaped and very sweet toned. Perhaps +they relieved the monotony of the long journey over the lonely pike." +_Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +"With the Conestoga wagons originated our modern 'stogie' cigars which +have become so common in Pittsburg and which have been in recent +years, sent from Pittsburg to every section of the Union. They were +made in that day of pure home grown tobacco and being used very +largely at first by the Conestoga wagoners, took the name 'stogies' +which clings to them yet." _Boucher's Century and a half of +Pittsburg._ + + +"There was almost a continuous stream of four or six horse wagons +laden with merchandise, going west and returning with the product of +the Ohio Valley to supply the eastern cities. These wagons journeyed +mostly between Pittsburg and Philadelphia and Baltimore. The wagoners +generally stopped at a wayside inn which was less expensive than at +the inns in the villages. Wagoners cared little for style but demanded +an abundance while the stage-coach passengers demanded both. The +wagoner invariably slept on a bunk which he carried with him and which +he laid on the floor of the big bar-room and office of the country +hotel. Stage drivers and their passengers stopped at the best hotels +and paid higher prices. For the purpose of feeding his horses in the +public square, the wagoner carried a long trough which at night he +fastened with special irons to the tongue of the wagon.... An old +gentleman told the writer that he had once seen 52 wagons in an +unbroken line going towards Pittsburg on this pike. They were +Conestoga wagons with great bowed beds covered with canvas, and none +of them were drawn by less than four, while many of them had six +horses. The old fashioned public square which kept them over night +must have been a good sized one. The public squares on this turnpike +were usually from three to four hundred feet long and from two to +three hundred feet wide. Some of the older villages had two squares +separated a short distance from each other, but this was generally +brought about by a rivalry among two factions when the town was first +laid out." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +"When a village was laid out along the pike there was usually a public +square in its center, and at least two corners of this public square +were set apart for taverns. This square generally called a diamond, +was not intended as a place of ornament as it usually is now, but was +for special purposes. There the wagons laden with freight stood over +night, and as a general rule in all kinds of weather, the horses were +blanketed, fed and bedded in the public square. Upon these wagons were +transported nearly all the goods between Philadelphia and Pittsburg." +_Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +"An account has been furnished us by Mr. Alexander Thompson, who +resides on the Turnpike road four miles and a half from Pittsburgh, +from which it appears, that from the 1st of January, 1815 to the 31st +of December 1815, inclusive, 5,800 road waggons, laden with +merchandize &c. passed his farm for Pittsburgh. The greater part of +these waggons returned loaded with cordage, salt petre, &c. to the +east of the mountains. + +The waggons with iron from the Juniata and other iron works, are not +included in the above." _Gazette, Jan. 27, 1816._ + + +"Recurring to my old plan of estimation, I passed on my road from +Chambersburgh to Pittsburgh, being 153 miles, one hundred and three +stage-waggons, drawn by four and six horses, proceeding from +Philadelphia and Baltimore to Pittsburgh,--seventy-nine from +Pittsburgh to Baltimore and Philadelphia,--sixty-three waggons, with +families, from the several places following:--twenty from +Massachusetts,--ten from the district of Maine,--fourteen from +Jersey,--thirteen from Connecticut,--two from Maryland,--one from +Pennsylvania,--one from England,--one from Holland,--and one from +Ireland; about two hundred persons on horseback,--twenty on foot,--one +beggar, one family, with their waggon, returning from Cincinnati, +entirely disappointed--a circumstance which, though rare, is by no +means, as some might suppose, miraculous." _Fearon's Sketches of +America, 1818._ + + +"Pittsburg is a cheap market for horses ... travellers from the east, +often quit their horses here, and take the river for New Orleans, &c.; +and on the contrary, those from the west proceed eastward from this +place, in stages. Thus, there are constantly a number of useful +hackneys on sale. The mode of selling is by auction. The auctioneer +rides the animal through the streets, proclaiming with a loud voice, +the biddings that are made as he passes along, and when they reach the +desired point, or when nobody bids more, he closes the bargain. + +A complete equipment is, in the first place, a pacing horse, a blanket +under the saddle, another upon it, and a pair of saddle-bags, with +great-coat and umbrella strapped behind. + +Women of advanced age, often take long journeys in this manner, +without inconvenience. Yesterday I heard a lady mentioned familiarly +(with no mark of admiration) who is coming from Tennessee, twelve +hundred miles, to Pittsburg with an infant; preferring horseback to +boating up the river." _Birkbeck's Notes on a journey in America, +1818._ + + +"The _horses_, in this place, are a much larger breed than those +commonly raised in New-York; and as the utmost regularity in feeding +and currying prevails, their appearance is well calculated to excite +the admiration of strangers, from the eastward." _Thomas's Travels +through the western country in 1816._ + + +"A common mode of selling horses is for the owner to gallop through +the street, announcing the amount of his last bidding. I have +witnessed several crying out, 'twenty-five _dallars_,' 'twenty-five +_dallars_,' twenty-five _dallars_;' and after half an hour's exercise, +they have been transferred, saddle, bridle, and all, to a new bidder, +for twenty-five _dallars_, fifty _sants_." _Fearon's Sketches of +America, 1818._ + + + + +Taverns + + +"A requisite of the old-fashioned wagon or stage town hotel or of the +wayside inn was a large room used as an office and bar-room and as a +sleeping place for the wagoners. In it was a large open fireplace +which was abundantly supplied with wood in the early days, and later +with coal. Around this, when the horses were cared for and the +evening's diversion was over, the wagoners spread their bunks in a +sort of semi-circle with their feet to the fire, for they were said to +be much subjected to rheumatism, and this position was taken as a +preventative.... Wagoners drove in all kinds of weather and the +descent of a mountain or large hill was often attended with great +danger, especially when it was covered with ice. The day's journey of +a regular wagoner when heavily laden, was rather less than over 20 +miles, and 100 miles in a week was a fair average.... The average load +hauled was about 6,000 pounds for a six horse team. Sometimes four +tons were put on, and even five tons which the wagoner boastfully +called 'a hundred hundred,' were hauled, but these were rare +exceptions." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + + + +Steamboats and River Traffic + + +"Many travellers and emigrants to this region, view the first samples +of the mode of travelling in the western world, on the Allegany at +Oleanne point, or the Monongahela at Brownsville. These are but the +retail specimens. At Pittsburg, where these rivers unite, you have the +thing in gross, and by wholesale. The first thing that strikes a +stranger from the Atlantic, arrived at the boat-landing, is the +singular, whimsical, and amusing spectacle, of the varieties of +water-craft, of all shapes and structures. There is the stately barge, +of the size of a large Atlantic schooner, with its raised and +outlandish looking deck.... Next there is the keel-boat, of a long, +slender, and elegant form, and generally carrying from fifteen to +thirty tons.... Next in order are the Kentucky flats, or in the +vernacular phrase, 'broad-horns,' a species of ark, very nearly +resembling a New England pig-stye. They are fifteen feet wide, and +from forty to one hundred feet in length, and carry from twenty to +seventy tons. Some of them, that are called family-boats, and used by +families in descending the river, are very large and roomy, and have +comfortable and separate apartments, fitted up with chairs, beds, +tables and stoves. It is no uncommon spectacle to see a large family, +old and young, servants, cattle, hogs, horses, sheep, fowls, and +animals of all kinds, bringing to recollection the cargo of the +ancient ark, all embarked, and floating down on the same bottom. Then +there are what the people call 'covered sleds,' or ferry-flats, and +Allegany-skiffs, carrying from eight to twelve tons. In another place +are pirogues of from two to four tons burthen, hollowed sometimes from +one prodigious tree, or from the trunks of two trees united, and a +plank rim fitted to the upper part. There are common skiffs, and other +small craft, named, from the manner of making them, 'dug-outs,' and +canoes hollowed from smaller trees.... You can scarcely imagine an +abstract form in which a boat can be built, that in some part of the +Ohio or Mississippi you will not see, actually in motion.... + +This variety of boats, so singular in form, and most of them +apparently so frail, is destined in many instances to voyages of from +twelve hundred to three thousand miles." _Flint's Recollections of the +last ten years, 1826._ + + +"I reached Olean, on the source of the Alleghany River, early in 1818, +while the snow was yet upon the ground, and had to wait several weeks +for the opening of that stream. I was surprised to see the crowd of +persons, from various quarters, who had pressed to this point, waiting +for the opening of the navigation. + +It was a period of general migration from the East to the West. +Commerce had been checked for several years by the war with Great +Britain. Agriculture had been hindered by the raising of armies, and a +harassing warfare both on the sea-board and the frontiers; and +manufactures had been stimulated to an unnatural growth, only to be +crushed by the peace. Speculation had also been rife in some places, +and hurried many gentlemen of property into ruin. Banks exploded, and +paper money flooded the country. + +The fiscal crisis was indeed very striking. The very elements seemed +leagued against the interests of agriculture in the Atlantic States, +where a series of early and late frosts, in 1816 and 1817, had created +quite a panic, which helped to settle the West. + +I mingled in this crowd, and, while listening to the anticipations +indulged in, it seemed to me that the war had not, in reality, been +fought for 'free trade and sailors' rights' where it commenced, but to +gain a knowledge of the world beyond the Alleghanies. + +Many came with their household stuff, which was to be embarked in arks +and flat boats. The children of Israel could scarcely have presented a +more motley array of men and women, with their 'kneading troughs' on +their backs, and their 'little ones,' than were there assembled, on +their way to the new land of promise. + +To judge by the tone of general conversation, they meant, in their +generation, to plough the Mississippi Valley from its head to its +foot. There was not an idea short of it. What a world of golden dreams +was there! + +I took passage on the first ark that attempted the descent for the +season. This ark was built of stout planks, with the lower seams +caulked, forming a perfectly flat basis on the water. It was about +thirty feet wide and sixty long, with gunwales of some eighteen +inches. Upon this was raised a structure of posts and boards about +eight feet high, divided into rooms for cooking and sleeping, leaving +a few feet space in front and rear, to row and steer. The whole was +covered by a flat roof, which formed a promenade, and near the front +part of this deck were two long 'sweeps,' a species of gigantic oars, +which were occasionally resorted to in order to keep the unwieldy +vessel from running against islands or dangerous shores. + +We went on swimmingly, passing through the Seneca reservation, where +the picturesque costume of the Indians seen on shore served to give +additional interest to scenes of the deepest and wildest character. +Every night we tied our ark to a tree, and built a fire on shore. +Sometimes we narrowly escaped going over falls, and once encountered a +world of labor and trouble by getting into a wrong channel. I made +myself as useful and agreeable as possible to all. I had learned to +row a skiff with dexterity during my residence on Lake Dunmore, and +turned this art to account by taking the ladies ashore, as we floated +on with our ark, and picked up specimens while they culled shrubs and +flowers. In this way, and by lending a ready hand at the 'sweeps' and +at the oars whenever there was a pinch, I made myself agreeable. The +worst thing we encountered was rain, against which our rude carpentry +was but a poor defence. We landed at everything like a town, and +bought milk, and eggs, and butter. Sometimes the Seneca Indians were +passed, coming up stream in their immensely long pine canoes. There +was perpetual novelty and freshness in this mode of wayfaring. The +scenery was most enchanting. The river ran high, with a strong spring +current, and the hills frequently rose in most picturesque cliffs. + +1818. I do not recollect the time consumed in this descent. We had +gone about three hundred miles, when we reached Pittsburgh. It was the +28th of March when we landed at this place, which I remember because +it was my birthday. And I here bid adieu to the kind and excellent +proprietor of the ark, L. Pettiborne, Esq., who refused to receive any +compensation for my passage, saying, prettily, that he did not know +how they could have got along without me. + +I stopped at one of the best hotels, kept by a Mrs. McCullough, and, +after visiting the manufactories and coal mines, hired a horse, and +went up the Monongahela Valley, to explore its geology as high as +Williamsport. The rich coal and iron beds of this part of the country +interested me greatly; I was impressed with their extent, and value, +and the importance which they must eventually give to Pittsburgh. +After returning from this trip, I completed my visits to the various +work-shops and foundries, and to the large glass-works of Bakewell and +of O'Hara. + +I was now at the head of the Ohio River, which is formed by the +junction of the Alleghany and Monongahela. My next step was to descend +this stream; and, while in search of an ark on the borders of the +Monongahela, I fell in with a Mr. Brigham, a worthy person from +Massachusetts, who had sallied out with the same view. We took passage +together on one of these floating houses, with the arrangements of +which I had now become familiar. I was charmed with the Ohio; with its +scenery, which was every moment shifting to the eye; and with the +incidents of such a novel voyage." _Schoolcraft's Thirty years with +the Indian tribes._ + + +"I have seen a pleasant anecdote of one of these (vessels, recorded in +the Picture of Cincinnati, published at Cincinnati,) she had entered a +port in the Mediterranean, and when the captain presented his papers, +the examining officer read in his clearance, Pittsburg, state of +Pennsylvania, 'Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,' said he, 'there is no such +port; your papers must be forged; here is some deception or piracy; we +shall detain your papers and ship till we see farther into this.' The +American captain tried for some time, in vain, to convince him; till +by the aid of the American consul and a map, he reluctantly admitted +the possibility of there being such a place, from which a ship could +be navigated, although two thousand miles from the ocean." _Palmer's +Journal of travels in the United States, 1818._ + + +"A company, stiled the 'Ohio steam boat company,' has lately been +formed, who intend building steam boats to run between this place and +the Falls of Ohio. The dimensions of the boats will be 100 feet keel +and 20 feet beam. They contemplate having two running this fall or +winter, 1815-6.... + +This line of Steam Boats, though not attached to those belonging to +the Mississippi Steam Boat Company, will form a chain of conveyance +from New Orleans to this place, which must result very much to the +advantage and prosperity of Pittsburgh and intermediate towns." +_Cramer's almanack, 1816._ + + +"Steam-boat, ark, Kentucky, barge, and keel-boat building, is carried +on to a considerable extent. Sea vessels have been built here, but the +navigation is too far from the sea, and attended with too much hazard +for it to answer. The following vessels, besides steam-boats, have +been built at Pittsburg and on its rivers: _ships_, Pittsburg, +Louisiana, General Butler, and Western Trader; _brigs_, Dean, Black +Walnut, Monongahela Farmer, and Ann Jean; _schooners_, Amity, +Alleghany, and Conquest, (_navigator_)." _Palmer's Journal of travels +in the United States and Canada, 1817._ + + +"The _steam-boat navigation_, we are assured, is a losing concern. The +newspapers have announced the hopes of our western citizens, and the +editors now appear to be careful to conceal their disappointments. Two +large vessels of this description are lying near the _Point_, which +have not justified public expectations. Captain FRENCH, of +_Brownsville_, (fifty miles by water up the Monongahela and +thirty-five by land) has built two vessels of this kind, which it is +said have succeeded best." _Thomas's Travels through the western +country in 1816._ + + +"The best mode perhaps in descending the Ohio, in time of low water, +is in keel boats.... Merchants are beginning to prefer this method for +safety and expedition; and instead of purchasing boats and taking +charge of them themselves, they get their goods freighted down from +Pittsburgh in keel boats by the persons who make them, and who make it +their business to be prepared, with good boats and experienced hands +for such engagements." _Cramer's Navigator, 1817._ + + +"The manners of the boatmen are as strange as their language. Their +peculiar way of life has given origin not only to an appropriate +dialect, but to new modes of enjoyment, riot, and fighting. Almost +every boat, while it lies in the harbour has one or more fiddles +scraping continually aboard, to which you often see the boatmen +dancing. There is no wonder that the way of life which the boatmen +lead, in turn extremely indolent, and extremely laborious; for days +together requiring little or no effort, and attended with no danger, +and then on a sudden, laborious and hazardous, beyond Atlantic +navigation; generally plentiful as it respects food, and always so as +it regards whiskey, should always have seductions that prove +irresistible to the young people that live near the banks of the +river.... And yet with all these seductions for the eye and the +imagination, no life is so slavish, none so precarious and dangerous. +In no employment do the hands so wear out. After the lapse of so very +short a period since these waters have been navigated in this way, at +every bend, and every high point of the river, you are almost sure to +see, as you stop for a moment, indications of the 'narrow house;' the +rude monument, the coarse memorial, carved on an adjoining tree by a +brother boatman, which marks that an exhausted boatman there yielded +his breath, and was buried." _Flint's Recollections of the last ten +years, 1826._ + + +"Three steamers were built at Pittsburgh in 1816, the 'Franklin,' one +hundred and twenty-five tons, by Messrs. Shiras and Cromwell; the +'Oliver Evans,' seventy-five tons, by George Evans; and the 'Harriet,' +forty tons, by a Mr. Armstrong of Williamsport, Pennsylvania.... Up to +1816 grave doubts existed as to the practicability of navigating the +Ohio by steamboats. A gentleman who in that year, with others, long +watched the futile efforts of a stern wheeler to ascend the Horsetail +ripple, five miles below Pittsburgh, afterwards wrote that the +unanimous conclusion of the company was that 'such a contrivance might +do for the Mississippi ... but that we of Ohio must wait for some more +happy century of invention.'" _Magazine of western history, 1885._ + + +THE STEAMBOAT FRANKLIN + +"The elegant steam-boat Franklin, was launched from the shipyard at +the Point, in this city, on Wednesday last." _Mercury, April 20, +1816._ + + +"The Steam Boat Franklin, burden 140 tons, was launched from the Point +Ship Yard, on Wednesday morning last. The Franklin is owned by a +company of gentlemen in this city, and is intended as a regular trader +between here and New Orleans. The engine for this boat is constructed +on Bolton and Watt's plan, improved by Mr. Arthurs of this place." +_Gazette, April 20, 1816._ + + + Maysville, Dec. 24, 1816. + +"The undersigned passengers in the Steam Boat Franklin, from +Pittsburgh, feel it a just tribute due to the proprietors and captain, +to express publicly their approbation of the very handsome manner in +which they have been entertained. Her accommodations, speed and +safety, as well as the polite attention of Captain Cromwell, are such +as will always insure a decided preference. + + Chas. Savage, _Massachusetts_. + J. P. Cambridge, M.D., _Philadelphia_. + Tho. Sloo, _Cincinnati_. + John Trimble, _Kentucky_. + Geo. P. Turrence, _Cincinnati_. + Robert J. Baron, _London_. + W. R. Ord, _London_. + Louis Caenon, _France_. + J. W. Simonton, _Philadelphia_. + Daniel Lewis, _New York_. + +The beautiful Steam Boat above named passed by this place on Tuesday +last." _Commonwealth, Jan. 6, 1817._ + + +INTERESTING TO THE WESTERN PUBLIC + +"On the 30th December, the steamboat Oliver Evans, departed from this +city for New-Orleans, laden with about forty tons freight and forty +passengers, and drew but thirty inches water, which is without doubt +less than ever known.... Her length is one hundred and twenty feet and +beam fourteen feet nine inches. She ascended the Allegheny when it was +high and rapid, at the rate of five miles per hour, and passed over +the ripple at Wainright's island, at such a rate as to cause people on +the shore to walk, briskly, to keep pace with her, and there remains +no doubt but that she is much the fastest vessel ever exhibited here." +_Mercury, Jan. 4, 1817._ + + +THE STEAMBOAT HARRIET + +"We had, on Tuesday last, the pleasure of a sail in the new steam boat +Harriett of _Pittsburgh_, owned by Mr. Joshua Armitage. She is +designed as a regular trader between this place and New-Orleans. She +is supposed to carry forty to sixty tons. Her engine and machinery +were built by Mr. J. Arthurs. They are simple in their construction, +and proved very complete in their operation. She ascended the +Allegheny, which was high and rapid, at about the rate of three miles +an hour; and ascended the rapid ripple at Wainright's island, with +perfect ease.--We feel happy in being able to announce this effort of +individual enterprize. It is the harbinger of the general introduction +of steam boat navigation on the western waters--and the day is not far +distant when _individuals_ as well as _companies_ will embark in such +useful improvements." _Mercury, Dec. 14, 1816._ + + +THE STEAMBOAT DISPATCH + + Stubenville, May 31, 1816. + +"The steam boat Dispatch, Capt. Bruce, arrived at this place on +Tuesday evening last about 6 o'clock, from Cincinnati, and departed +next morning for Pittsburgh.--This is the same boat that the Kentucky +papers made so much noise about as having been stopped and ordered +off from New-Orleans without a cargo, by the agents of Fulton and +Livingston. The Dispatch is a remarkable sailor, having beat the Aetna +seven days in the run from Natchez to the Falls. She made her passage +in 24 days, while the Aetna was 31 days.--The Dispatch has 24 +passengers on board from Cincinnati, and has been 10 days on her +passage from Cincinnati to Stubenville. Capt. Bruce reports that in +his passage from Natchez to the Falls he counted over 2000 boats +floating down the river, and this in the day time only; others might +have passed him in the night which he did not observe." _Mercury, May +11, 1816._ + + +THE STEAMBOAT VESUVIUS + +"We are sorry to state that the beautiful Steam Boat Vesuvius, +launched about two years ago at this place, has been burned to the +water's edge, at New-Orleans. The Vesuvius was freighted with a +valuable cargo of dry goods and other commodities. The fire broke +out about 12 o'clock the night previous to her intended departure. +As she lay in the middle of the stream, no assistance could be +afforded her, and all the property on board fell a prey to the +flames." _Commonwealth, Aug. 6, 1816._ + + +THE TRANS-ATLANTIC STEAMER + +"We are on the eve of one of the greatest experiments, which has been +undertaken during the present age. A Steam boat is about to brave the +Atlantic, and cross from N.Y. to Russia. The consequences of this +enterprize who will predict? It may open a new era in the art of +navigation. It may dispense with the lagging and variable agency of +winds and waves. It may bring the two worlds nearer together--it may +shorten the passage from 25 to 15 days. A first experiment is +everything, who does not wish it success?" _Gazette, Aug. 23, 1816._ + +"We have heard it doubted (says the Virginia Patriot) whether the +steam-boat soon to leave New York for Russia, will have sails; or +those who go in it will venture to trust themselves to the efficacy of +steam alone. If without sails (though Columbus deserves more credit,) +those who first cross the Atlantic in a steam-boat will be entitled to +a great portion of applause. In a few years we expect such trips will +be common.... + + Bold was the man, the first who dared to brave, + In fragile bark, the wild, perfidious wave: + +and bold will they be who first make a passage to Europe in a steam +boat. Jason crept along by the shore: Not so these adventurers: they +will have + + No port to cheer them on the restless wave." + + _Gazette, Sept. 3, 1816._ + + + + +Ferries and Bridges + + +"Between 1764 and 1819 the only means of crossing these streams, at +Pittsburg, was by way of ferries. The first of these, it is believed, +was operated from the foot of Ferry street, Pittsburg to the opposite +shore, and this was the origin of the name 'Ferry street'.... Early in +the nineteenth century a ferry was established from the mouth of +Liberty street, called 'Jones Ferry.' Foot passengers desiring to +cross the river employed skiffs, while stock was taken over on +flat-boats. Such boats were pushed by means of poles, at low stages of +water, and by oars in high water periods." _Boucher's Century and a +half of Pittsburg._ + + +"The Subscriber respectfully informs his friends and the public in +general, that he intends opening a new Ferry on the Monongahela River, +where he now lives, a few steps East of the mouth of Wood-street, +which will co-operate with Mr. Beltzhoover's new house on the opposite +side of the river, kept by Mr. Robert Wilson. He has been careful to +provide himself with good new crafts, and also good trusty ferrymen. +He expects to be able to give general satisfaction to those who may +please to favor him with their custom. As he is determined there shall +be no detention at the ferry, those wishing to cross the river on the +evening before the Market-day can be accommodated with storage for +their marketing free of charge. He intends keeping a supply of the +best Liquors. He flatters himself that his strict attention to +business will insure him a sufficient supply of the public patronage. + + WM. RALSTON, + + Pittsburgh, March 20. + +N.B. Those wishing to take their Ferrage by the year, can have an +opportunity of engaging with him at any time. + + W. R." + + _Commonwealth, March 20, 1816._ + + +STEAM BOAT FERRY + +"A meeting will be held at E. Carr's Tavern, in Water Street, on +Wednesday evening, 3d April, at 7 o'clock, on organizing a Company to +establish a Steam Ferry,--Those persons interested in preserving the +present advantages of the western section of the City from being +wrested out of their hands, by the injudicious site chosen by the +Legislature for the Monongahela Bridge, are particularly requested to +attend." _Gazette, March 30, 1816._ + + +"The first steps taken towards the erection of bridges at Pittsburgh +were as early as 1810. A charter was granted by the Legislature on the +20th of March of that year for two bridges, one over the Monongahela +and the other over the Allegheny; but circumstances interfered to +prevent their erection for several years. The bridge charter was +allowed to lapse, but a new one was granted by the Legislature +February 17, 1816, which was signed by the governor May 31, 1816. A +company organized under this charter July 8, 1816. The bridges were +constructed and opened to the public for traffic, the Monongahela in +1818 and the Allegheny in 1820." _Warner's History of Allegheny +county._ + + +At an election held on the 10th instant for officers for the +Monongahela Bridge Company, the following persons were unanimously +elected: + + _President_--Wm. Wilkins. + + _Managers._ + + James Ross, Oliver Ormsby, David Pride, Christian Latshaw, George + Anshutz, Thomas Baird, Wm. M'Candless, Philip Gilland, James S. + Stevenson, Benj. Page, Jacob Beltzhoover, Fred'k Wendt. + + _Treasurer_--John Thaw + _Clerk_--John Thaw + + _Commonwealth, June 25, 1816._ + + + + +The Newspapers + + +THE PITTSBURGH GAZETTE + +Printed by John Scull, corner of Market and Front Streets. The Gazette +was published every Saturday morning at three dollars per annum. Later +in the year the Gazette was published on Tuesdays and Fridays. + + +"On the 1st of August, 1816, John Scull, the veteran editor, +relinquished the publication of the Pittsburg Gazette. He was +succeeded by Morgan Neville in the editorship of that journal, and his +son, John I. Scull, became associated with Mr. Neville." _Wilson's +History of Pittsburg._ + + +"'The Pittsburgh Gazette' under the original proprietor, Mr. John +Scull, was the first establishment of the kind, west of the mountains. +On its first appearance, it was viewed as a meteor of the moment, +whose existence would terminate with the second or third number; and +the idea of deriving a subsistence from its publication, was classed +among the chimeras of a too sanguine temper. Our country was then a +'howling wilderness,' and the Ohio, whose fair bosom is now covered +with the 'white sails of commerce,' was then disturbed only by the +yell of the savage, who lay ambushed on its bank, or glided over its +surface, in his solitary canoe. But these obstacles, though +disheartening, were not sufficient to destroy the enterprize of the +Editor. He had turned his back on civilization and comforts of his +native place; he had deliberately subjected himself to the +inconveniences of emigration, and his was not the ardour to be damped +at the outset.... He became a citizen of Pittsburgh, when it was +little more than an Indian village; his interests grew with its +growth; he saw it rise into a manufacturing town; he has heard it +emphatically called the 'Birmingham of America;' and finally, he has +the triumphant satisfaction, of beholding in his own days, the village +of the desert, changed into the city of the west. He has succeeded +even beyond his expectations; he has run his moderate, unostentatious +course. The patronage he has received, was sufficient for his desires; +his editorial life here ends; with feelings acutely sensible of the +favors he has received, he now relinquishes to his son and successor +the 'Pittsburgh Gazette,' unstained by corruption, and free from +venality, but ever firm, he trusts, in supporting our palladium, the +freedom of the Press." _Gazette, Aug. 9, 1816._ + + +THE COMMONWEALTH + +Printed every Tuesday morning by C. Colerick for S. Douglas & Co. in +Diamond Alley, between Market and Wood Streets. + + +THE PITTSBURGH MERCURY + +"'The Pittsburgh Mercury,' is published every Saturday, at the new +brick building, in Liberty-street, at the head of Wood-street, +opposite the Octagon Church; where the subscribers, advertising +customers, and other friends of the establishment, are respectfully +invited to call." _Mercury, Oct. 19, 1816._ + + +"The kind of news material found in the columns of papers of those +days is entirely different from the style of material found today. +Local news is rarely ever given in the papers of an early day. As a +rule the subscriber read but one paper and local news could be handed +around by gossip from one neighbor to another, and what the subscriber +demanded in his paper was foreign news that he could gain in no other +way. The founding of new enterprises, marriages, or deaths of +prominent citizens, etc. found no place in the pioneer newspaper. +European news necessarily nearly two months old, long articles on the +management of public affairs, controversies carried on from week to +week between rival exponents on different theories, essays on morality +and amateur poetry, fill up the columns of nearly all the early +newspapers of Western Pennsylvania.... Their value to those who would +learn of early local history is found chiefly in the advertisements +and from these ... one may gather some important information +concerning Pittsburg's early days." _Boucher's Century and a half of +Pittsburg._ + + + + +Churches + + +First Presbyterian Church + +"In [1785] a bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly, at +Philadelphia, to incorporate a 'Presbyterian Congregation in +Pittsburgh, at this time under the care of the Rev. Samuel Barr,' +which, after much delay, was finally passed on the twenty-ninth of +September, 1787. The Penns gave the site for this church.... + +In the Spring of 1811 Reverend Francis Herron became the pastor of +the First Church, which the year before had had a membership of +sixty-five. Dr. Herron's salary was six hundred dollars per annum. For +thirty-nine years he labored ceaselessly and wisely for the church and +congregation. In 1817 the church was enlarged, and the membership +steadily increased." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._ + + +Second Presbyterian Church + +"The Second Presbyterian Church was organized ... in 1804, by those +members of the First Church to whom the methods used, regarding the +services in the First Church, were unsatisfactory. The next year Dr. +Nathaniel Snowden took charge of the congregation which worshiped ... +in the Court House and other places, public and private. Dr. John +Boggs came, but remained only a short time. He was replaced by the +Rev. Mr. Hunt, in 1809. The first edifice, on Diamond alley, near +Smithfield street, was built in 1814." _Killikelly's History of +Pittsburgh._ + + +East Liberty Presbyterian Church + +"Mr. Jacob Negley, whose wife had been a Miss Winebiddle, and +consequently, inherited much real estate, controlled practically what +is now known as East Liberty Valley, in the early days, called +Negleystown. He was largely instrumental ... in erecting a small frame +school building at what subsequently became the corner of Penn and +South Highland avenues. This was for the accommodation of the children +of the district, as well as his own. It was ... a long distance to the +then established churches, and Mr. Negley very often, for the benefit +of the neighborhood, invited some minister passing through, or one +from one of the other churches, to preach in his own house and later +in the school house. In 1819 the little school house was torn down to +make way for a church building." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._ + + +Reformed Presbyterian Church + +"The First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, long afterwards +known as the 'Oak Alley Church,' was organized in 1799. Rev. John +Black, an Irishman of considerable intellectual force, who had been +graduated from the University of Glasgow, was its first pastor.... He +included, in his ministry, all societies of the same persuasion in +Western Pennsylvania. He preached here until his death on October 25, +1849." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +Roman Catholic Church + +"The number of Catholics prior to 1800, in what is now Allegheny +county, must have been very small. They were visited occasionally by +missionaries traveling westward.... [These] priests, ministering to a +few scattered families, celebrating Mass in private houses, fill up +the long interval between the chapel of the 'Assumption of the Blessed +Virgin of the Beautiful River' in Fort Duquesne, and 'Old St. +Patrick's Church,' which was begun in 1808. + +Rev. Wm. F. X. O'Brien, the first pastor, was ordained in Baltimore, +1808, and came to Pittsburg in November of the same year, and at once +devoted himself to the erection of ... 'Old St. Patrick's.' It stood +at the corner of Liberty and Washington streets, at the head of +Eleventh street, in front of the new Union Station.... The structure +was of brick, plain in design and modest in size, about fifty feet in +length and thirty in width. Rt. Rev. Michael Egan dedicated the Church +in August 1811, and the dedication was the occasion of the first visit +of a Bishop to this part of the State." _St. Paul's Cathedral record._ + + +Protestant Episcopal Church + +"The building of the first Trinity Church was begun about the time it +was organized and chartered, 1805. It occupied a triangular lot at the +corner of Sixth, Wood and Liberty streets. It was built in an oval +form that it might more nearly conform to the shape of the three +cornered lot and for this reason was generally known as the 'round +church.' Rev. Taylor in his latter years became known as 'Father' +Taylor. He remained with the church as its rector until 1817, when he +resigned." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +First German United Evangelical Protestant Church + +"When John Penn, jr., and John Penn presented land to the Presbyterian +and Episcopal churches of Pittsburgh they, at the same time, deeded +the same amount to the already organized German Evangelical +congregation; the land given to them was bounded by Smithfield street, +Sixth avenue, Miltenberger and Strawberry alleys. No church was built +on this grant, however, until some time between 1791-94, and it was of +logs. This was ... replaced in 1833 by a large brick building, which +had the distinction of a cupola, in which the first church bell in +Pittsburgh was hung." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._ + + +Methodist Episcopal Church + +"In June, 1810, a lot was purchased for the first [Methodist] church +built in the city. It was situated on Front street, now First street, +nearly opposite ... the present Monongahela House. The erection of a +church was commenced at once, for on August 26th of that year Bishop +Asbury preached on the foundation of it. His journal says: 'Preached +on the foundation of the new chapel to about five hundred souls. I +spoke again at 5 o'clock to about twice as many. The society here is +lively and increasing in numbers.' The building was a plain brick +structure, 30 × 40 feet. We do not know certainly when it was +completed, but probably in the autumn of 1810. + +In this church the society continued to worship in peace and +prosperity for eight years. But near the close of this period it had +become too small, and a new and larger one became a necessity. +Consequently, in May, 1817, three lots were purchased on the corner of +Smithfield and Seventh streets, and the erection of a larger church +commenced. It was completed the following year." _Warner's History of +Allegheny county._ + + +Baptist Church + +"The first church of this denomination in Pittsburg was organized in +April, 1812, when the city had about five thousand people. It was an +independent organization and included about six families with perhaps +not more than twelve people in all who had come from New England. The +chief organizer and pastor was Rev. Edward Jones, also from New +England. The society was too poor then to build a church, but +worshiped in private houses and in rented halls." _Boucher's Century +and a half of Pittsburg._ + + + + +Schools + + +"Robert Steele, who afterward became a Presbyterian preacher, opened a +school in Pittsburg in January, 1803, at his house on Second +street.... His rates were four dollars per quarter. In 1803, a teacher +named Carr opened a school for both boys and girls. The next year he +advertised that his school was moved to larger quarters over Dubac's +store, where he probably taught till 1808, when he opened a boarding +school for boys. In 1818 he removed his school to Third street where +Mrs. Carr 'instructed young ladies in a separate room in the usual +branches, and in all kinds of needle work.' William Jones began a +school in 1804, and charged but two dollars per quarter for tuition. +In February, 1808, Samuel Kingston opened a school in a stone house on +Second street.... A teacher named Graham opened a school on Second +street, using the room formerly occupied by Mr. Kingston, in which he +proposed to give his pupils an English and classical education on +moderate terms. The advertisement stated that Mrs. Graham would at the +same time open a school for 'young ladies' in an adjoining room, and +that she would instruct them in all branches of an English education +and in needle work. In 1811 Thomas Hunt opened a school 'for the +instruction of females exclusively.' The hours he advertised were from +8 to 12 a.m., and from 2 to 5 p.m.... In the same year this +advertisement appears: 'Messrs. Chute and Noyes' evening school +commences the first of October next. They also propose on Sabbath +morning, the 22 instant, to open a Sunday morning school to commence +at the hour of eight a.m., and continue until ten. They propose to +divide the males and females into separate departments. The design of +the school is to instruct those who wish to attend, the Catechism and +hear them read the Holy Scriptures. No pecuniary compensation is +desired, a consciousness of doing good will be an ample reward.' In +1812 John Brevost opened a French school, and with his wife and +daughter opened a boarding school in connection with it in 1814. Their +terms were, 'for reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, +history and geography, with the use of maps, globes, etc., $8.00 +quarterly. Playing on the piano, $10.00 quarterly; vocal music, $5.00 +quarterly. Drawing and painting of flowers, $6.00 quarterly. French +language, $5.00 quarterly. Boarding $37.00, payable in advance. +Dancing, books, materials, drawing, sewing, bed and bedding to be paid +for separately or furnished by parents.' Mrs. Gazzam had opened a +seminary for young ladies by this time, and advertised its removal to +Fifth street. Her pupils were instructed in the elementary studies of +an English education, and in needle work at four dollars per quarter. +She taught them to cut, make and repair their clothes. The pupils were +permitted to visit their homes once each week, but no young men were +allowed to visit them unless attended by a servant. She boarded them +for $125 per year. The two sisters, Miss Anna and Arabella Watts, +instructed young ladies solely in needle work. In almost all schools +needle work was a requisite part of the education of young women. In +fact it was considered the all important part of a woman's training +and not infrequently other branches were taught if required, or if +thought necessary." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +CITY ACADEMY + +"The subscriber, respectfully informs his fellow citizens, and others, +that he has happily secured the co-operation of Mr. Edward +Jones--hopes their most sanguine expectations, relative to his +seminary, will be fully justified. + +All the most important branches of education, taught as in the best +academies, on either side the Atlantick.--Mathematics in general, as +in the city of _Edinburgh_.--During four years, the subscriber taught +the only Mathematical school in the capital of New-Hampshire. + +A class of young gentlemen will shortly commence the study of +Navigation, Gunnery, Bookkeeping, Geography and English grammar. +George Forrester." _Mercury, May 18, 1816._ + + +THE LANCASTER SCHOOL. + +"Will continue at the room where it is now kept in Market street. In +addition to the common branches of reading, orthography, etc., the +teacher gives lessons in English grammar, geography and Book-keeping. +Penmanship is taught on a most approved system at all hours. + +To those who are acquainted with this mode of instructing children, +its superior excellence need not be pointed out, and such as have +never seen a school on this plan in actual operation, and are not +intimately conversant with its theory, are invited (if they have the +curiosity) to visit the institution in Market street; where, although +the number of pupils is small, yet the school will afford a sufficient +illustration of the Lancaster system to convince the most incredulous +that 500 or even 1000 pupils by the aid of this wonderful invention, +may be taught with prodigious facility by a single teacher." +_Commonwealth, April 3, 1816._ + + +UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH + +"The first charter to an institution of learning west of the mountains +granted by the legislature of Pennsylvania, February 28, 1787, created +the Pittsburg Academy. The school was in existence earlier than +this.... + +The principals of the academy from the very beginning were men of high +attainments, some of them attaining great distinction. George Welch, +the first principal, took office April 13, 1789. Rev. Robert Steele, +pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. John Taylor, Mr. Hopkins +and James Mountain successively were at the head of the academy. From +1807 to 1810, Rev. Robert Patterson, of excellent fame, successfully +carried on the work. He was succeeded in the latter year by Rev. +Joseph Stockton, author of the 'Western Calculator' and 'Western +Spelling Book,' who continued in office until the re-incorporation of +the academy as the Western University of Pennsylvania, in 1819." +_Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + + + +Libraries + + +"It was not ... until the fall of 1813, that the question of a +community Library took definite shape, when in response to the efforts +'of many leading and progressive citizens,' there was organized 'The +Pittsburgh Library Company.' On the evening of November 27, 1813, +about 40 representative people assembled in the spacious 'bar room' of +the 'Green Tree Inn,' at the northwest corner of Fifth and Wood +streets, where the First National Bank now stands, and took the +initiative in the formation of Pittsburgh's first real public +library.... Its first president was the Rev. Francis Herron, for 40 +years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The secretary was +Aquila M. Bolton, 'land broker and conveyancer.' The treasurer was +Col. John Spear.... Quite a sum of money was subscribed by citizens +generally for the purchase of books, while many valuable volumes were +either contributed or loaned by members. Messrs. Baldwin, O'Hara, +Wilkins and Forward being especially mentioned for their generosity in +this connection. The first head-quarters of the library were in rooms +'on Second street, opposite Squire Robert Graham's office,' who at +that time dispensed even handed justice at the northeast corner of +Market and Second streets. Here the library remained until the county +commissioners set aside a commodious room in the Court House for its +use." _A. L. Hardy, in Gazette-Times, 1913._ + + +"The triennial meeting of the shareholders [of the Pittsburgh Library +Company] was convened at their new library room, in Second street, +opposite Squire Graham's office, at six o'clock, Monday evening, +December thirtieth, 1816. The following gentlemen were then elected by +ballot to serve as a Board of Directors for the ensuing three years, +viz: George Poe, president; Aquila M. Bolton, secretary; Lewis +Bollman, treasurer; James Lea, Benjamin Bakewell, Robert Patterson, +Walter Forward, Alexander Johnson, jr., William Eichbaum, jr., +Benjamin Page, Alexander McClurg, J. P. Skelton, Ephraim Pentland, +Charles Avery, J. R. Lambdin, directors." _Killikelly's History of +Pittsburgh._ + + +"It has been published, that the Library of this city contains two +thousand volumes. Through the politeness of J. Armstrong, the +librarian, I gained admittance, and having examined the catalogue, am +enabled to state that the whole collection is only about five hundred +volumes. The books, however, are well chosen, and of the best +editions. How the error originated is of no consequence except to him +who made it." _Thomas's Travels through the western country in 1816._ + + + + +The New Books of 1816 + + + Austen. Emma. + Byron. Childe Harold (Canto III). + The dream. + Hebrew melodies. + Parisina. + Prisoner of Chillon. + Siege of Corinth. + Coleridge. Christabel. + Crabbe. Dictionary of English synonymes. + D'Israeli. Character of James I. + Goethe. Italianische reise. + Hunt. A story of Rimini. + Moore. Elegy on Sheridan. + Irish melodies. + Peacock. Headlong Hall. + Scott. Antiquary. + Black dwarf. + Guy Mannering. + Lord of the Isles. + Old Mortality. + Shelley. Alastor. + Southey. Carmen triumphale. + Wordsworth. Poems. + White doe of Rylstone. + + + + +The Theatre + + +"There were in 1808 two dramatic societies in Pittsburg that were +important enough to receive notice in the newspapers. The one was +composed of law students and young lawyers and the other was composed +of mechanics. The object of these societies was to study the poets and +dramatic literature and to give public performances in the court +house. William Wilkins ... was a member and took a leading part in +the entertainments given by these societies. There was no way for +theatrical companies from the East to reach Pittsburg prior to 1817, +save by the state road, which was scarcely passable for a train of +pack horses, yet they came even as early as 1808 and performed in +a small room, which was secured for them when the court room was +occupied. In 1812 a third dramatic society called the Thespian Society +was organized among the young men and young women of Pittsburg. + +The society numbered among its members the brightest and best bred +young people of the city, most of whom took part in each performance. +They were given in a room on Wood street, in a building known as +Masonic Hall." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._ + + +"The Theatre of this City has been now opened nearly a fortnight, and +the managers although they have used every exertion to please, in the +selection of their pieces, have not been enabled to pay the contingent +expenses of the House. This is a severe satire on the taste of the +place. + +Tomorrow [Wednesday] evening we understand that the 'Stranger' is to +be produced--we hope under auspices more favorable to the managers +than heretofore. The part of the Stranger is to be performed by a +Young Gentleman of the City, who has never before graced the +Boards.--If report speaks correctly of his talents, he bids fair to +excel any person who has yet appeared upon the stage on this side the +Mountains. It is hoped that this novelty, together with the correct +and manly acting of Mr. Savage, a stranger here, and the chastened +elegance which Mrs. Savage is said to exhibit, will attract to the +Theatre, for this one evening at least, the friends to this rational +amusement." _Commonwealth, Nov. 12, 1816._ + + +On Friday evening, June 7, will be presented, Shakespear's celebrated +comedy, in 3 acts called + + Catharine & Petruchio + after which, a much admired comic opera called + The Highland Reel. + For particulars, see bills. + +And, that every person should have the opportunity of seeing the most +splendid spectacle ever exhibited in Pittsburgh, on Saturday evening, +June 8, will be presented, the grand romantic drama, called + + Timour the Tartar; + or, the + Princess of Mingrelia. + +Which will positively be the last time, of its being performed, as the +scenery will be appropriated to other purposes. + +With other Entertainments. + + For particulars, see box bills. + + +"A few days after the performance of Hamlet, Mr. Entwistle, the +manager, had for his benefit, that irresistibly amusing burlesque, +'Hamlet Travestie.' His line of acting is a broad-farce caricature of +that of Liston. He personated the modern Danish prince. The audience +were solemn, serious, and dull. The affecting entrance of the deranged +Ophelia, who, instead of rosemary, rue, &c. had an ample supply of +turnips and carrots, did not move a muscle of their _intelligent +faces_--the ladies, indeed, excepted, who evinced by the frequent use +of their pocket handkerchiefs, that their sympathies were engaged on +the side of the love-sick maiden. Some who had seen the original +Hamlet for the first time a few evenings before, gave vent to their +criticisms when the curtain fell. They thought Mr. Entwistle did not +look sufficiently grave; and that, as it was his benefit, he acted +very dishonourably in shaving (cheating) them out of two acts; for +that they guessed when Mr. Hutton played _that'ere_ king's mad son, he +gave them five acts for their _dallar_. Mr. ---- assured me that on +the following morning, a respectable lawyer of Pittsburgh met him, and +said, 'I was at the play last night, Sir, and do not think that Mr. +Entwistle acted Hamlet quite so well as Mr. Hutton.'" _Fearon's +Sketches of America, 1818._ + + +_Thespian Society_ + +The Public are respectfully informed that on this evening, Jan. 14th, +will be presented the much admired Drama, called + + the + Man of Fortitude. + +The proceeds to be appropriated to the benefit of the Sunday Male +Charitable School. + +Recitation, Alonzo the brave or the fair Imogen. + +Song, I have loved thee, dearly loved thee.--Mrs. Menier. + +----, America, Commerce and Freedom. + + _After which the much admired Farce, called_, + The Review, + _Or, the_ + Wag of Windsor. + +Doors to be opened at half past 5 o'clock, and the curtain to rise at +half past six. Box, one dollar; Pit, _Fifty cents_. + + +"A citizen of Pittsburgh, and a lover of the useful and rational +amusement of the Theatre, begs leave to observe to his fellow +citizens, that on Monday evening next Mr. Alexander will stand forward +for public recompense, for his exertions in his profession.... It must +be readily acknowledged that no young gentleman of more transcendent +talent ever graced the dramatic floor of Pittsburgh; it is, therefore, +but just that he who has so often made _us_ smile, should from _us_ +receive a something to make _him_ smile in turn." _Commonwealth, Nov. +4, 1815._ + + +"The Theatre in this city is now opened by the Thespian Society, for +the double purpose of gratifying the public taste by a moral and +rational amusement and adding to the funds of the Male Charitable +Sunday School. The _Man of Fortitude_ and the Farce of the _Review_ +have been selected for representation this evening. Since society has +been released from the chains of superstition, the propriety of +Theatrick amusements has not been doubted by any man of liberal +feelings and enlightened understanding.... The stage conveys a moral +in colours more vivid than the awful and elevated station of the +preacher permits him to use--it is his coadjutor in good, and goes +with him hand in hand exposing vice to ridicule and honouring virtue." +_Gazette, Jan. 14, 1817._ + + + + +The Morals Efficiency Society of 1816 + + +"The Moral Society of Pittsburgh announce to the public their +formation. The object of their association is the suppression of vice +and immorality, as far as their influence shall extend, and they shall +be authorized by the laws of the commonwealth, and the ordinances of +this city.... + +We hereby give this public information of our intention to aid the +civil officers in the execution of the laws of this commonwealth, and +the ordinances of the city, against all vice and crime cognizable by +said laws and ordinances. Such as profane swearing, gambling, horse +racing, irregular tippling houses and drunkenness, profanation of the +Lord's day by unnecessary work of any kind, such as driving of +waggons, carts, carriages of pleasure and amusement, or other +conveyances not included under the exception of the laws of the +commonwealth in case of necessity and mercy." _Commonwealth, Nov. 26, +1816._ + + + + +Fourth of July, 1816 + + +"A numerous and respectable concourse of citizens met at Hog Island, +nearly opposite the village of Middletown, on the Ohio river, to +celebrate the birth day of American independence. Colonel James +Martin, was nominated president, and Captain Robert Vance, +vice-president.--The utmost harmony and unanimity prevailed; and it +was a pleasing sight to see citizens of opposite political sentiments, +bury their former animosity, and with great cordiality join in +celebrating the American anniversary. After performing the manual +exercise, the company partook of an elegant dinner, prepared for the +occasion, and the cloth being removed ... patriotic toasts were drank +with great hilarity, accompanied by the discharge of musketry, and +appropriate music.... + +The citizens retired at a late hour in the utmost harmony." _Mercury, +July 20, 1816._ + + + + +Police + + +"When the borough was incorporated into a city [March 1816], the act +incorporating it authorized the authorities to establish a police +force, but there was none established for some years afterwards. The +act limited the city taxation to five mills on a dollar, and the +corporation could scarcely have paid a police force, even if one had +been required. The city authorities did, however, pass an ordinance on +August 24, 1816, establishing a night watchman, but soon found they +had no money with which to pay him. They accordingly repealed the +ordinance and for some years the city slept in darkness without the +benefit of police protection." _Boucher's Century and a half of +Pittsburg._ + + + + +Eagle Fire Company + + +"In 1811 the second epoch in the company's history may be said to have +started, the younger element having gradually crept in and assumed +control of affairs, and the older men had to some extent lost interest +and perhaps gained rheumatism in the fire service. The company was now +re-organized on a more active and vigorous basis. The first engineer +to take charge under the new regime was William Eichbaum, who +continued to act in that capacity until 1832, when he was elected +First Chief Engineer of the Fire Department on its organization.... + +In the company organization the most important duty devolved upon the +Bucket Committee. Every citizen was required to keep two or three +heavy leather buckets with his name painted on them, and in case of +fire these were all brought on the ground. Two lines of men and women +were formed to the water supply, to pass the full buckets to and the +empty ones from the engine.... When the fire was extinguished all the +buckets were left on the ground till next day. Then, as many of the +inscriptions were obliterated, there was some stealing of buckets and +consequent fights. Certain folks ... picked out the best buckets, just +as in modern times some people get the best hats, or umbrellas, at the +conclusion of a party. The Bucket Committee, to put a stop to this, +decided to deliver all buckets to their respective owners." _Dawson's +Our firemen._ + + + + +Water-Supply + + +"The water supply was gained, up to 1802, from wells and springs which +flowed from out the hillsides, these being sufficient for a small +town. An ordinance passed August 9, of that year, called for the +making of four wells, not less than forty-seven feet in depth. Three +of these were to be located on Market street, and were to be walled +with stone.... Wells, with the springs at Grant's Hill, furnished the +supply of water for public use until 1826." _Boucher's Century and a +half of Pittsburg._ + + + + +Banks + + +"As early as the year 1815, there were only three banks in Pittsburgh; +viz., the Bank of Pennsylvania, located on the north side of Second +Avenue, between Chancery Lane and Ferry Street; Bank of Pittsburg, +south-west corner of Market and Third Streets; Farmers and Mechanics' +Bank, north side of Third, between Wood and Market Streets,--the +aggregate capital amounting to less than two million dollars, which +was considered abundantly adequate to the business of that period." +_Parke's Recollections of seventy years._ + + +The Bank of Pittsburgh is situated on the s.w. corner of Market and +Third streets. + + President, + + William Wilkins, + + Directors, + + George Anchutz, Jun. + Nicholas Cunningham + William Hays + James Morrison + Craig Ritchie (Cannonsbr'g) + James Brown (baker) + Thos. Cromwell + John Darragh + Wm. McCandless + John M. Snowden + George Allison + T. P. Skelton + + Cashier + + Alexander Johnston, Jun. + +Open daily from 9 o'clock a.m. till 3 p.m., except Sunday, Fourth of +July, Christmas and Fast days. Discount day, Wednesday. Capital +$600,000. Shares $50 each. Dividends, first Mondays in May and +November. _Pittsburgh directory, 1815._ + + +The Office of Discount and Deposit of the Bank of Pennsylvania is +situated on the north side of Second between Market and Ferry streets. + + President, + + James O'Hara. + + Directors, + + Joseph Barker + Anthony Beelen + Thomas Baird + Ebenezer Denny + Boyle Irwin + George Wallace + David Evans + + _Pittsburgh directory, 1815._ + + +THE FARMERS' AND MECHANICS' BANK OF PITTSBURGH. + + Cashier + George Poe, Jun. + +Open daily from 9 o'clock a.m. till 3 p.m., except Sunday, Fourth of +July, Christmas and Fast days. Discount day, Thursday. + +Is situated on the north side of Third, between Market and Wood +streets. + + President, + + John Scull + + Directors, + + William Eichbaum, Jun. + John Ligget + William Leckey + Jacob Negley + + _Pittsburgh directory, 1815._ + + + + +Post-Office + +POST-OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT. + + + Arrival and Departure + of the + MAILS, + At the Post-Office--Pittsburgh + +The Eastern Mail arrives on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, +and closes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at 8 o'clock A.M. + + +The Western Mail arrives on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and +closes on Sunday at sunset, and Wednesday and Friday at 1 o'clock P.M. + +The Beaver Mail arrives on Monday evening, and closes the same day at +sun-set. + +The Erie Mail arrives on Monday evening and closes the same day at +sun-set. + +The Steubenville Mail arrives on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and +closes same days at sun-set. + +The Huntingdon Mail, via Ebensburgh and Indiana, arrives on Tuesday, +and closes same day at half past twelve P.M.... + +As there are several places of the same name in the United States, it +is necessary that the directions should be particular, the states +should be distinguished, and, where it might otherwise be doubtful, +the counties.... + +Those who send letters may either pay the postage in advance, or leave +it to be paid by their correspondents. + + +RATES OF POSTAGE + +For Single Letters + + Cents + + For any distance not exceeding 40 miles 12 + Over 40 and not exceeding 90 do 15 + Over 90 and not exceeding 150 do 18-3/4 + Over 150 and not exceeding 300 do 25-1/2 + Over 500 37-1/2 + + _Pittsburgh directory, 1815._ + + + + +The Suburbs + + +"_Birmingham_ is a small village across the Monongahela, about one +mile south of Pittsburgh. It has works for green glass, furnaces for +casting hollow ware, &c. from pigs, and a saw mill, which is moved by +a steam engine. The coal for all these, is used fresh from the mine, +without mixture, coaking or desulphuration. + +Many of the balls for Perry's fleet, were cast in this foundery. But +instead of forming such ministers of havoc, the metal is now moulded +for softer hands, and _flat_ or _smoothing_ irons are produced in +abundance. These are ground on a stone which revolves by a band from +the steam engine." _Thomas's Travels through the western country in +1816._ + + +"At a respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Birmingham and its +vicinity, convened at the school-house, on Friday evening the 28th of +March, 1816, in order to take into consideration the expediency of +erecting a Market-House, in said town; Nathaniel Bedford, was called +to the Chair, and George Patterson, appointed secretary. + +The chairman having stated the object of the meeting, the following +resolutions were proposed and unanimously adopted, viz.-- + +RESOLVED, That a Market-House be built on the plan exhibited by Mr. +Benjamin Yoe. + +RESOLVED, That the site of the structure be the centre of the square. + +Thus, another thriving and Manufacturing Town, is added to the many +which have been established in the western section of Pennsylvania; +and social order, with its concomitants, the arts and sciences, +illuminate those wild and dreary shades, where lately none but the +prowling wolf, or the restless and cruel savage held their haunts." +_Mercury, April 20, 1816._ + + +"At the beginning of the century the site of Allegheny City was a +wilderness. In 1812 a few settlers had made inroads upon the forest, +and had builded their cabins. Notice is called to the fact in the +minutes of the Presbytery of Erie, in April of that year, in the +following words: 'An indigent and needy neighborhood, situated on the +Allegheny, opposite Pittsburgh, having applied for supplies,' the +matter was laid before the Presbytery. + +Joseph Stockton seems to have been the first stated minister, +preaching a part of his time there until 1819." _Centenary memorial of +Presbyterianism in western Pennsylvania._ + + +"The facility for getting to and from Pittsburg [from Allegheny] was +quite a different matter from what it is to-day. The only highway (if +it may be called such) leading west from Federal Street to the Bottoms +at that early day, was the erratic Bank Lane, which owing to the +natural unevenness of the ground upon which it was located, and total +neglect of the authorities of Ross township to put it in a condition +for travel, ... was for many years only accessible for +foot-passengers." _Parke's Recollections of seventy years._ + + +Lawrenceville was laid out in 1815 by Wm. B. Foster, and had begun +with the building of the United States arsenal. + + + + +Courts + + +"The Supreme Court holds a term in Pittsburgh, on the 1st Monday in +September annually, to continue two weeks if necessary, for the +Western District, composed of the counties of Somerset, Westmoreland, +Fayette, Greene, Washington, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Mercer, +Crawford, Erie, Warren, Venango, Armstrong, Cambria, Indiana and +Jefferson." _Pittsburgh directory, 1815._ + + +"Mr. Lacock submitted an important resolution for instructing the +committee on the Judiciary to enquire into the expediency of dividing +the state of Pennsylvania into _two Judicial Districts_, and +establishing a _district court_ of the U. States at the city of +Pittsburgh, which was agreed to." _Commonwealth, Jan. 6, 1817._ + + + + +County Elections + + +"Henry Baldwin is elected to congress for the district composed of the +counties of Allegheny and Butler, by a majority of about 800 votes. + +John Gilmore, William Woods, Samuel Douglass and Andrew Christy are +elected to the assembly. + +Lazarus Stewart is elected Sheriff of Allegheny county, by a majority +of 181 votes. + +Joseph Davis is elected commissioner by a majority of 249 votes, and +Charles Johnson, Auditor by a majority of 28 votes." _Gazette, Oct. +15, 1816._ + + + + +The State Legislature + + +"The bill for erecting the two Bridges at Pittsburgh has passed both +houses. The sites are fixed at St. Clair-street for the Allegheny and +Smithfield-street for the Monongahela. The state subscribes $40,000 of +stock for each bridge. + +A bill is about being reported for establishing a horse and cattle +market in the vicinity of Pittsburgh. + +The bill for erecting Pittsburgh into a city has passed the senate and +is before the house, where it is expected to pass through without +opposition. + +The bill for erecting a new county out of parts of Allegheny, +Westmoreland, Washington, and Fayette, is reported. This bill will +throw off the greater part of Elizabeth township from Allegheny +county. There have been no remonstrances against it received from this +county; but we understand that some have been received from the other +counties concerned. + +The bill for erecting a Poorhouse for Allegheny county, it is expected +will pass." _Mercury, Feb. 24, 1816._ + + +"We regret to say that neither from our correspondent at Harrisburg +nor from the papers printed there, have we been enabled to procure an +account of the legislative proceedings. We take two papers published +at the seat of government, but from some unaccountable reason they do +not contain the intelligence our readers require. We are reduced to +the necessity of picking up here and there from letters to +editors--from information derived from travellers--or from some other +like inconclusive sources of information, that intelligence with which +Journals published at the seat of government should supply us. They +ought to be the fountains of information to the mass of the community: +Instead of dabbling in politics and abusing or eulogizing party +leaders, they should deal in facts. The National Intelligencer we look +upon as the best model with which we are acquainted of a national +journal." _Commonwealth, Dec. 24, 1816._ + + + + +Slavery + + +"Nearly all of the first residents of Pittsburg and vicinity who were +wealthy enough to afford the luxury were owners of slaves. The +Nevilles, John Gibson, James O'Hara, Alexander Fowler, Adamson +Tannehill, the Kirkpatricks and many others owned them, and several +continued to do so as late as the war of 1812. The old newspapers +contained advertisements for runaway slaves even as late as 1820." +_Wilson's History of Pittsburg._ + + +"The year 1780 is memorable in the annals of Pennsylvania for the +passage of the act for the gradual abolition of slavery in this +State.... It provided for the registration of every negro or mulatto +slave or servant for life, or till the age of thirty-one years, before +the first of November following, and also provided, 'that no man or +woman of any nation or color, except the negroes or mulattoes who +shall be registered as aforesaid, shall at any time hereafter be +deemed, adjudged, or holden within the territory of this Commonwealth, +as slaves or servants for life, but as free men and free women.'" +_Egle's History of Pennsylvania._ + + + + +Advertisements from the Newspapers of 1816 + + +SHOT, POWDER, &c. + +The Subscriber Has Just Received a quantity of first quality + + Patent Shot, No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6. + Good Rifle Gun Powder + By the keg + Country Segars, Scotch and Rappe Snuff + Domestic Cloth, and Cotton Shawls. + -- On Hand -- + +A General assortment of Merchandize, suited to the present and +approaching season. + + -- Also -- + Prime Pickling Vinegar + Very strong and fit for immediate use + +All of which will be sold Wholesale or Retail at the lowest market +prices, for Cash or approved Trade. + + ISAAC HARRIS, + Diamond, Pittsburgh. + +Will be received in Exchange Butter, Beeswax, Deer Skins, Clover and +Flaxseed, Flax and Tow Linen, Bags, Flax, Rags, and country produce +generally. + + +CANDLE MANUFACTORY + +The subscriber, respectfully informs his friends and the public, that +he has erected a dip and candle manufactory in the Diamond, +Pittsburgh; where he will keep constantly on hand and offers, +Wholesale and Retail, dipt and mould candles of the best quality and +on the most reasonable terms. + + THOMAS COLMAN. + +N.B. Economical Lanthern Candles, at 12 cents per bunch. + + +D. & J. CHUTE + +Have on hand, a handsome assortment of Shoes, adapted to the season; a +few pairs Boots, suitable for laborers; also, Currant Wine, by the +barrel or smaller quantity. The above are offered for sale low for +cash or negotiable paper. + +N.B. When servants call for shoes, it is necessary that an order be +sent. + + +PITTSBURGH PIPE MANUFACTORY, + +ROUND HOUSE. + +WILLIAM PRICE + +Informs the merchants of the Western country that they may be supplied +with any quantity of long or short + + Smoking Pipes + +as handsome and good as those imported--and hopes the merchants of +this place will give the preference to the Manufactures of our own +country. + + +OYSTERS + +Gentlemen can be genteely accommodated at the City Hotel, with Oysters. + + EDWARD CARR. + + +STOP THE THIEF! + +Taken from the subscriber on the 19th of November last, a Black Great +Coat, with a large Cape, the Cape buttoned on the collar, on the front +of the Cape is black glass buttons, and on the front and hips of the +coat is cloth buttons, taken by James Dunlap from his boarding house. +This Dunlap is a large man with a red face, and on the fingers of his +right hand two of the knuckles are out of joint. + +Said Dunlap is by occupation a sort of a saddler, but if you wish to +see him you may go to the grog shop or brandy house, for there is his +place of abode in general. Any person that will take up and return +said Dunlap and Coat, shall receive the reward of Five Dollars. + + BENJAMIN CRANDALL. + + +THE BANKS + +WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS, + +Are most respectfully informed, that the Bank Bill Engraving and +Printing Office at Pittsburgh, shall in the future be kept constantly +open in such a style of elegance and punctuality as to merit the honor +of their patronage. + +The Bank Paper manufactured for the office, by Messrs. Drum & Markle +of Greensburgh, is allowed by competent judges to be equal to any in +the United States. + + CHARLES P. HARRISON. + + +PRACTISING BALL. + +Mr. Boudet's first Practising Ball will be on Saturday Evening the +26th instant, at his School Room. + +N.B. No gentlemen can be admitted without being introduced by a lady +with whom Mr. B. is acquainted; nor can any gentleman be permitted to +dance in boots. Admission tickets for gentlemen to be had at any time +of Mr. B. Price One Dollar, pupils half price. + + +GERMAN REDEMPTIONERS. + +Just arrived from Amsterdam, Tradesmen and Farmers, single and +married, who are willing to bind themselves for the payment of their +passage money, amounting to about ninety dollars, for a term of three +years, and their children being upwards of four years old until they +are of age on paying half passage money. The steady habits of these +people and their general character for honesty and industry it is +supposed would render them particularly desirable in a country, where +the procuring of assistance is difficult and uncertain. For further +particulars apply to + + BOSLER & CO. or to + GLAZER & SMITH + of Philadelphia. + + +READER ASK YOURSELF THE + +FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. + +Do I, or do I not, owe the Printer? Shall I pay him his small +pittance?--Shall he stop his business for want of what I honestly owe +him? All just men will answer No! Then gentlemen, if such is your +answer, it certainly is a pleasing one to the Printer, who will, at +all times, be happy to attend the calls of those who have it in their +power to pay our just demand--for without money we must discontinue +our useful business. + + H. D. & Co. + + +BALL + +Mr. Boudet, respectfully informs the Ladies and Gentlemen of +Pittsburgh and its vicinity, that he will give a Ball this evening, +(Friday the 24th inst.) at the court-house, at half past seven +o'clock, and will be conducted as they are in our populous cities +viz--the ladies to be invited, and gentlemen to pay one dollar on +their admission--understood, that such gentlemen as are strangers to +the professor, must come introduced by some person with whom he is +acquainted, without which they cannot be admitted. + +N.B. No gentlemen allowed to dance in boots. Tickets to be had at the +door--price one dollar. + + +CHARLES S. FIMETON + +Carpenter--Late of Chambersburgh, Respectfully informs his friends and +the public in general, that he has commenced the Carpenter Business, +in Front-street, in the same house occupied by William Sands, barber +and hair dresser; where all orders in his line will be thankfully +received and promptly attended to. + + +LITERARY NOTICES. + +John Binns of Philadelphia proposes to publish a splendid edition of +the Declaration of Independence, which shall be in all respects +American: The _paper_, the _types_, the _ink_, the _designs_, the +_engravings_,--the publication throughout shall afford evidence of +what our citizens have done in politics, and can do in art. + + +TO BUILDERS. + +The public are respectfully informed that they can be accommodated +with any quantity of Iron Cannon Borings. In cities where these +Borings can be procured, they are much used as cement for any kind of +mason work, exposed to the weather, or the action of water, such as +chimney tops, parapat or fire walls, piers of bridges, etc. + + M'CLURGS & M'KNIGHT. + + +OYSTERS + +JOHN BYRNE + + At his Umbrella Manufactory, Fourth, Between Market and Ferry + Streets. + +Just received and for sale at his Oyster House, a few Kegs most +excellent Spiced Oysters. + +He continues to make and repair Umbrellas and Parasols in the newest +manner, the smallest favour will be gratefully attended to. + + +GRAND NATIONAL LOTTERY + +SECOND CLASS + +Authorised by Act of Congress, for opening a Canal in the City of +Washington. + +Begins drawing on the 30th September next. + + 35,000 Dollars } + 25,000 Dollars } Highest prizes + 10,000 Dollars } + + Six Dollars the lowest Prize. + + Tickets for Sale + +At the Store of William Hill for cash only, who will receive the +drawings regularly. + + +NOTICE + +My wife Fanny having thought proper to withdraw herself from my +protection, without the least cause given on my part for her doing so, +I am compelled, though very reluctantly, to forbid all persons from +trusting her on my account, as I will pay no debts which she may +contract hereafter. + + J. TIBBETTE. + +N.B. I also inform those who wish to be shaved in Imperial Style, that +I am always to be found at my Shop in Market Street, between Front and +Water Streets. + + +MECHANICS RETREAT, + +At the Green Cottage, facing Mr. Jelly's Factory, Turnpike Road, + + Is Opened, + +Where an assortment of Liquors of the very best quality are kept. +Turtle and other Soups every Wednesday and Sunday.--Share of public +patronage is solicited. + + +WANTED + +At the United States' Arsenal, now erecting near Pittsburgh. + + Forty good Stone Masons, and Twenty Labourers, + +to whom constant employment and good wages will be given for one or +two seasons. + + +Apply to the subscriber on the ground. + + CHRISTOPHER ARMSTRONG. + + +WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TIN MANUFACTURY. + +THOMAS W. EAGLES, + +Wood street, between Water and Front Sts., + +Has just imported an elegant assortment of the best English planished +Tin Ware, + + consisting of + + Dish covers in setts, + Tea pots, + Coffee Biggons, + Hash dishes of all sizes, &c. &c. &c. + Sheet Brass, + Do. Copper, + Mill saws, + Iron and tinned rivetts, + Brass kettles of all sizes, &c. &c. + +The above are the first assortment that has been offered for sale west +of the mountains, and will be sold at the importers prices. + + Also, on hand an elegant assortment of Looking Glasses, + +on better terms than at any other house in this city. + +A small invoice of first rate Sadlery. + +An assortment of Patent Iron Ware tinned inside. + + +BANK OF PITTSBURGH, + +2d JANUARY, 1817 + +The Directors of this institution being desirous to procure an +eligible situation on which to erect a Banking House, hereby give +notice to persons holding such that they will receive at the Bank +sealed proposals for the sale of the same until the first day of +February next. + +By order of the board, + + ALEX. JOHNSTON, JR. _Cashier_. + + +SIX OUT-LOTS FOR SALE + +These Lots are situated on Grant's Hill, adjoining Adamson Tannehill, +Esq. The intrinsic beauty of these Lots, their contiguity to +Pittsburgh, the elegant and commanding view which they afford of the +town, the surrounding country, and the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio +rivers, sufficiently recommend them. For terms apply to + + JOHN M'DONALD, + Smithfield Street. + + +WANTED + +10,000 merchantable deer-skins, for which a generous price will be +given--if delivered within a month from this day. + + CHARLES L. VOLZ & CO. + + +REMOVAL + +John Cowan, has removed his Bow String Manufactory, from Liberty +street, to the house lately occupied by Wm. Davis, in Diamond alley, +sign of the Bird in Hand; where he continues to manufacture +Bow-strings. He also keeps a convenient yard for Market people, to +leave their horses in, Liquors, etc. He returns the public thanks for +their liberal encouragement, and hopes to merit its continuance. + + +J. BYRNE, + +JEWELLER, MARKET STREET, + +Has just received a fresh supply of those justly esteemed and highly +approved "Medicines," prepared by W. T. Conway, No. 1, Hamilton Place, +Common Street, Boston. + +Read! Try! Judge! + +Then speak as ye Find. + + +TO BE LET + +_And possession given on or before the first of April next._ + +A Three story brick dwelling House with Kitchen, Well, Smoke-house, +Smith shop, Stable, etc. in the yard. Situate in Virgin alley, between +Wood and Smithfield streets. For terms apply at the store of the +subscriber, in Market Street, nearly opposite the Black Bear. + + JOHN WILLS. + + +LOTS FOR SALE + +IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH. + +The Subscribers being appointed by the President of the United States +Joint Commissioners for the purpose of selling certain Lots in the +City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the property of the United States, +in pursuance of an Act of Congress, passed 2d August, A.D. 1815: In +virtue of the said appointment, they will expose for sale at Public +Vendue, + + Lots No. 55, 56, 57, & 58, + +Being part of the site of Fort Fayette, bounded by the Allegheny +River, Hand and Penn Streets and an alley.... + +These Lots are as eligible as any vacant Lots in the City. + + +THE SUBSCRIBER OFFERS FOR SALE, + +A HOUSE AND LOT, + +Situate on the corner of Smithfield-street and Strawberry alley. The +lot is 20 feet front and 60 deep. The house stands on the back end of +the lot and rents for eighty-four dollars per year. There is room on +front for building 20 feet by 32. The property is subject to a ground +rent of seventy dollars per annum. For further particulars, apply to +the subscriber, in Virgin alley, between Wood and Liberty-streets. + + THOMAS COLLINGWOOD. + + +FIVE CENTS REWARD. + +Ran away from the subscriber, on Sunday the 1st inst. + + Andrew Jeffery + +An apprentice to the tin plate business. The above reward will be paid +if brought home, but no expences. + + GEORGE MILTENBERGER. + + +TO LET, + + and possession given immediately, + +That well known tavern sign of Capt. Lawrence on the Turnpike road two +miles from Pittsburgh.--To a person qualified to keep a public house +the terms will be made very reasonable. Apply to + + WM. B. FOSTER. + + +FOR SALE + +A Black Woman, who has six years and a half to serve, with two female +children, from 4 to 6 years of age, to serve till 28. The woman is +healthy, honest, industrious, and an excellent Cook. The owner having +no further occasion for their services will dispose of them on +moderate terms. Enquire at the Gazette Office. + + +FOR SALE, + +A Black Girl, who has eleven years and eight months to serve. She is +young, active and healthy: a good house maid and equally qualified for +farm or tavern work. As the owner has no further use for her, she will +be disposed of on moderate terms and at an accommodating credit. Apply +at the Auction Store, Market street to + + D. S. SCULLY. + + +TWENTY DOLLARS REWARD + +Ran away about the middle of September last, from the subscriber +living in Connelsville, Fayette county, Pa. a negro man named Pompey, +a slave for life, about fifty years of age, five feet six inches high, +very dark, small featured, bald head, active, much addicted to +drunkenness and impudent when in that state--has formerly resided in +Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and affects to speak French. Took with +him a black cloth coat, a lindsey coatee, one pair blue cloth +pantaloons, one pair dimitty do and sundry other wearing apparel. +Whoever apprehends and secures the said negro so that the subscriber +may get him again, shall receive the above reward and reasonable +charges if returned. + + JOHN CAMPBELL. + + +TAKE WARNING. + +FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD. + +Ran away from the subscriber, on Saturday the 2nd day of March last, a +Negro Man named Jim, about 23 years of age, about 5 feet 10 inches +high, somewhat slender and not very black, about a chestnut colour, +has a small scar on one of his cheeks, I believe the right, the scar +appears to have been made with a knife when small, and is about one +inch long, just above the cheek bone. Whoever will apprehend said +Negro and confine him in any jail in the state of Pennsylvania or +Ohio, so that I may get him, shall have the above reward--and this is +to forewarn all persons from hiring or harbouring said Negro, under +the penalty of their lives, for after this notice, I am determined to +kill any man that I find him in the possession of, without he first +ascertains that he is legally free, and I hope all persons will be +cautious how they hire slaves. + + HEZEKIAH CONN. + +N.B. If the above described Negro is apprehended and put in jail, a +letter to me at Frontroyal, Fredrick county, Virginia, will be +immediately attended to. + + +SIX CENTS REWARD. + +Ran away from the subscriber on the 4th inst. a servant girl named +Nancy M'Carthy about 14 years of age had on when she went away a +cotton frock, green silk bunnot, fair complexion, light hair cut off +short. She is supposed to be gone to the new garrison, as she was +taken up there once before. I forewarn all persons from harbouring +her. The reward will be given, but no charges. + + WM. GRAHAM. + + +A FLAT-BOTTOMED BOAT + +Was taken up the subscriber, living at the mouth of the Four Mile Run, +on the Ohio river, on the 21st inst. She is 50 feet long, 12 feet +wide--the gunnels and gunnel plank are oak, and the rest of her +poplar. She had on board two oars lying on deck, and no stearing oar. +The owner is desired to come and prove property, pay charges, and take +her away. + + WILLIAM BURGER. + + +$30 REWARD + +Ranaway from the Subscriber on the 1st inst. an Apprentice to the +carpenter business, named + + Joseph Reever, + +about 20 years of age, dark complexion about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches +high, long sandy hair, had on when he went away a black roram hat, +black velvet round about and pantaloons of the same, he took with +him sundry articles of his own clothing and stole one pair of gray +casimere and a pair of blue striped gingham pantaloons, also a green +striped waistcoat with silver buttons and rings, also one fine cambric +muslin shirt and an old linen one marked G. F. He has a cross on his +left arm and a representation of a buffalo on the calf of his right +leg below his knee and a figure 4 on his thigh made with Indian ink, +whoever takes up said apprentice and returns him to the subscriber +shall have the above reward all reasonable charges. + + GEO. FOULK. + + +THREE CENTS AND A POUND OF + +OLD HORSE-SHOE NAILS + +REWARD! + +Strayed away from the subscriber on the 11th instant. + + John Donaldson, + +an apprentice to the blacksmith business--aged 18 years--five feet 7 +or 8 inches high--stout built--very slow in the motion--very fond of +playing ball and being idle--more proud of dress than of his work;--He +took with him no more clothes than what was on his back, which +consisted of one common shirt, a dark marsailles waistcoat, a dark +gray coattee and pantaloons, one pair stockings, one pair shoes half +worn, a neck-handkerchief, and one new black fur hat, made by Wm. +Church. No other marks are recollected. The above reward, no charges +and no thanks, will be given to any person who will return said stray. + + JAMES YOURD. + + +VALUABLE PROPERTY ON PERPETUAL LEASE + +The subscriber will Let on a Perpetual Lease the Houses, Stabling, and +Lot of ground, situate on the corner of Wood and Fifth Streets, in the +City of Pittsburg, Containing 120 feet front on Wood Street and fifty +seven on Fifth Street. The Houses, Stabling and Lot is well known: the +sign of the Turk's Head. Any Person wishing to view the property, will +apply to the subscriber next door to the sign of the Turk's Head, +Fifth Street. + + G. STEWART. + + +WILLIAM MASSON + +SAILMAKER--PITTSBURGH + +Begs leave to inform the public, that he has received from +Philadelphia, a quantity of Russia Sail Duck--also, a quantity of +Blocks, of various sizes; and that he is ready to receive orders from +any place to make sails for boats or vessels of any size--likewise +sacking bottoms, either of country cloth or Russia duck. + +From an experience of twenty years following the sea, he flatters +himself he will be enabled to give satisfaction to those who may want +any thing in his line. + + +BOAT LOST. + + _Lost at the time of the last Fresh of the River_, + + A handsome Boat, + +Twenty feet keel, painted green outside, and red inside, a heart +painted on the stern, the moulding and stern painted yellow and a keel +from stem to stern. Whoever has taken up said boat, or will give +information where she may be found, shall be handsomely rewarded, on +application to + + CHARLES IMSEN, O'Hara's Glassworks. + + +TAKEN UP A DRIFT + +In the time of the flood, in February last, a Broken Raft of Scantling +and Boards, & landed them near the foot of Sandy Creek Island, in the +Allegheny river. The subscriber supposing the owner would soon come, +and take care of his property, which he did not, and they lying in a +bad way, and a spoiling, he has drawn the raft, and secured it, and +requests the owner to come, and prove his property, pay charges, and +take it away. + + MICHAEL BRIGHT. + + + + +1816 + + +"There is always a peculiar solemnity which impresses every thoughtful +mind on the birthday of another Year. The year one thousand eight +hundred and sixteen, with all its cares, with all its bustle, its +pleasures and its pains, has gone, and now mingles with the departed +dreams of our midnight slumbers. How many of us imagined while engaged +in the din and bustle and uproar of the world, that this era would +form an important epoch in the history of man? and yet all these +thoughts have now vanished, and scarce left a record on the pages of +memory behind!" _Gazette, Jan. 14, 1817._ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Pittsburgh in 1816, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43259 *** |