TRIBUTE

TO THE

PRINCIPLES, VIRTUES, HABITS AND PUBLIC USEFULNESS

OF THE

Irish and Scotch Early Settlers

OF PENNSYLVANIA.

BY A DESCENDANT.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. :

PRINTED BY M. KIEFFER & CO.

1856.

PREFACE.

THE writer of the Tribute contained in this work, had long desired to see from the Historical publications in Pennsylvania, a vindication of the character and principles of the Irish and Scotch early settlers of this great State and their descendants against reproach, as well as aspersion, cast upon them in some modern compilations having pretensions to Historical accuracy.

Appreciating highly the religious and moral character, intelligence, industry and energy of those settlers, as well as their great usefulness in raising the standard of education-in promoting religious Christian influence-in defending the frontier against the wars of the French and Indians, and in their patriotic devotion of their lives and fortunes to the cause of American Independence; he did think if there were any class of citizens of Pennsylvania entitled to gratitude and reverence, not only from their descendants, but from all others enjoying the blessings of a home and residence under this free government, it was the Irish and Scotch early settlers of Pennsylvania.

The events in the lives of these men, and the incidents of the times in which they were actors, political, civil, religious or military, which led to the prosperity of the State and the establishment of the free institutions under which we live, prosper and are happy, should be to every American citizen objects of peculiar interest.

Instead of acknowledgments of gratitude and reverence for the men who were the pioneers of the Province of Pennsylvania, laying broad and deep the foundations of its prosperity and republican government, we have been chagrined to find them slighted in some historical compilations of Pennsylvania History; whilst by others, we have been incensed at the unjust and unfounded aspersions cast upon the race.

Having the blood of some of those early settlers flowing in our veins, and having been born, ever lived and prospered on Pennsylvania soil, we feel as if we were under obligations, in common with many

others, to come up to the vindication of the reputation of ancestors, who long since have rested from their labors, and who, by toil and sacrifices, did much to achieve the inheritance which their posterity and others are enjoying.

We have presumed to offer the sketch herein contained as our Tribute to the memory and reverence of those settlers. The writer, feeling as if the sand of his Time glass was nearly run out, and that he ere long must be laid aside from labor, and that if any thing were done by him in vindication of the principles, virtues and habits, of these settlers of a past age, it must be done quickly-has hastily thrown together in his leisure hours, taken from other avocations, the remarks contained in the subsequent pages.

It has little merit, other than a compilation from public documents, historical records, and traditions from reliable sources, together with some observations of the writer, whose reminiscences go into the past century.

It is but a summary of facts and illustrations and an outline to be extended by some one better qualified, having more time and better access to historical collections of the early history of Pennsylvania, of which there is a dearth. It will be ample gratification to him if this Tribute shall be a leader to some more extended vindication of the character of the Irish and Scotch early settlers of Pennsylvania, which will be worthy of a place amongst the historical records of this great State.

The author acknowledges his obligations for information, in the preparation of this work, to Dr. Foote's Sketches of North Carolinaand Virginia-Day's Historical collections-Dr. Smith's Old Redstone-Dr. Alexander's Log College-Dr. Miller's Life of Dr. Rogers -Dr. Elliott's Life of McCurdy and others-Craig's History of Pittsburg-Hazard's Colonial Records and Archives of Pennsylvania, and American Archives by Force-and Gordon's History of Pennsylvania--Mr. Rupp's--Histories of Lancaster, Cumberland and Franklin counties.

Chambersburg, Pa.

G. C.