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About the years 1734-6, a band of emigrants from Scotland and the north of Ireland, more usually known in Pennsylvania as Scotch-Irish, settled on the "red lands" in the southeastern part of York county. Not long afterwards, and probably about the year 1740, a number of the same race made the first settlement in what is now Adams county, among the hills near the sources of Marsh creek. At that time the limestone lands in the lower part of the county, now so valuable in the hands of the German farmers, were not held in high estimation, on account of the scarcity of water, and the Scotch-Irish passed them by to select the slate lands, with the pure springs and mountain air to which they had been accustomed at home. These settlers were of the better order of peasantry, and brought with them the characteristics of their native land. They were moral, industrious, and intelligent; and for the most part were rigid Presbyterians, or "Seceders." "Seceders." They were frugal, as the Scotch always are-plain in their mode of living, but cordial and hospitable. They were universally men of undaunted courage and high patriotic feeling; and when the alarm of the revolution first rung through the land, it called no truer or more willing hearts than those of the ScotchIrish Presbyterians. The manners and character of the early settlers have been very generally inherited by their descendants-many of whom still cultivate the same farms, worship in the same old churches, and hold fast to the rigid and venerated "form of sound words" of the Presbyterian church. The Scotch rarely leave their learning behind them. One of the first Latin schools established in the state was taught here by an old Scotsman, who continued to fill the station for many years. He was succeeded by the Rev. A. Dobbin, as we infer from the following notice in an old Gettysburg paper of 1804. "The students of the Rev. A. Dobbin hereby solicit the public to favor them with their attendance at the courthouse in Gettysburg, where they hope to entertain them with some short discourses on interesting and amusing subjects."

The German population now so large in the county, and which threatens soon to outnumber the Scotch-Irish, came in at a much later dateprobably about the close of the last century. As late as the year 1790, the inhabitants of all these townships were obliged to go to York postoffice for their letters, 25 or 30 miles. In an old York newspaper of that date, there is an advertisement of letters remaining in the office; and it is remarkable that nearly all the names from the region now Adams county, are Scotch and Irish-the McPhersons, McLellans, and all the other Macs; the Campbells, Alisons, Wilsons, Morrisons, Worrells, &c. &c.-while a German name seldom occurs. It will not escape observation, too, that the names of the townships in Adams county are nearly all of Irish origin.

The region around Gettysburg, including all of Cumberland and part of Strabane townships, was originally known as "the Manor of Mask," established by warrant from the Penns in 1740, previous to which time many settlements had been made. Some dispute arose concerning the title; but a compromise was effected by the original settlers through the agency of Mr. McLellan in 1765, when the boundaries of the manor were marked, and a list of the names of the first settlers, with the date of their settlement, was returned to the land-office, to prove the incipiency of their title.

Another section of the county, around Millerstown, is known as "the tracts," or the Carroll tracts, upper and lower. These were large tracts surveyed and held by the Carroll family under Lord Baltimore's title, before the southern boundary line of the state had been definitively marked.

The separation from York was agitated first about the year 1790; and in June of that year James Cunningham, Jonathan Hoge, and James Johnston, were appointed to fix upon a site for the county seat. They selected a tract of 125 acres belonging to Garret Vanosdol, in Strabane township, between the two roads leading from Hunter's and Gettys' towns to the brick house, including part of each road to Swift's run. In 1791 the subject was again agitated; but it was not until 1800 that the act passed the assembly, and the present site for a county seat was selected.

A strong motive for the division was doubtless the antipathy and jealousy existing between the Irish and the Germans of York county. They spoke different languages, had different social habits, and were of opposite politics. The Germans were democrats. The people of Adams county were federalists, strongly attached to the administration of John Adams, and they therefore conferred his name upon their new county. Party feeling was then at its height between the old federalists and democrats. During the McKean administration, a law was passed ordering the state troops to wear the blue and red cockade; but the federalists, who held to the old black cockade, refused to mount the other. Quite an excitement ensued: the obstinate were court-martialled, and in some instances their horses and other property seized to pay fines and costs of prosecution.

Gettysburg, the county seat, was laid out by Mr. James Gettys, the proprietor, a few years previous to the organization of the county. It is

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a plain, but neat and well built town, situated on elevated ground, at the intersection of several important turnpike roads, and is surrounded by a delightful and well-cultivated country. It contains the usual county

buildings-a bank-an academy-Presbyterian, Seceder, Methodist, and German Lutheran churches-a Theological Seminary, and the Pennsylvania College, both under the patronage of the Lutheran denomination. The society of the place is highly respectable and intelligent. It was formerly noted for its extensive manufacture of coaches, but that business has declined with the change of the times. Gettysburg is 114 miles from Philadelphia, 36 from Harrisburg, and 52 from Baltimore. The principal trade of the region is carried on with Baltimore, to which place there is an excellent turnpike road. There are also turnpikes to York, Chambersburg, and Mummasburg. Population in 1840, 1,908.

The following facts were gathered from aged citizens of the vicinity: The Upper Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church was the first erected in the county. The ven erable Mr. Paxton, now over 80, has recently retired from the pastoral charge, which he held for about fifty years. The old edifice is demolished, and a new one erected on another site. The old "hill church" of the Seceders is also of nearly equal antiquity. They had also another church near the town, at which the Rev. Alexander Dobbin officiated for 36 years, until 1809. The site of the present Scceders' church in town was formerly shaded by a beautiful grove, called Federal Grove-a name indicative of the political bias of the citizens of that day.

The Presbyterian congregation now under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Watson, in town, formerly worshipped at the Lower Marsh Creek Church, in the country. Rev. John Black was their first minister. Rev. David McConaughy succeeded him, and preached about forty years; and then the church removed into town.

Mr. McPherson's ancestors, near town, settled about 1741-42, when the patent is dated. Mr. Warrell's ancestors settled about the same time up in the mountains, and purchased their farm of four hundred acres, upon which he now resides, from a man who had become tired of it, for a pair of shoes! It is now worth twenty dollars per acre. Mr. William McLellan, the well-known and obliging landlord at Gettysburg, says that his ancestor obtained his patent from William Penn, at Newcastle, but did not settle till about 1740. The land still remains in possession of the family, and the graves of the deceased members are all there. There are very many instances of the same kind in the county, where the descendants are still cultivating the farms which their fathers opened one hundred years since. The venerable Capt. David Wilson, of the revolutionary army, was born "out on the tract" in 1752, and still lives upon the same place. The old veteran still retains his zeal in the affairs of his country, and presided in a political meeting at Gettysburg in 1842. "Capt. Nicolas Bittinger died in Adams county in 1804, aged seventy-eight. He was one of the first who took up arms in the war of the revolution. He was taken a prisoner fighting at the head of his column, at Fort Washington. He endured a tedious captivity and hard treatment, which induced the complaint that terminated his life."

The following is extracted from the "Lutheran Almanac," for 1842:Theological Seminary.-As early as the year 1820, the subject of a theological seminary was agitated, and a number of ministers in Maryland and Virginia had taken up collections for this purpose at the monthly associations which had been formed by them. But nothing further was accomplished till the general synod determined to establish such an institution, and elected the Rev. S. S. Schmucker, then pastor of the Lutheran church in New Market, Va., as the first pro. fessor. In 1825 the Theological Seminary commenced operations in Gettysburg, with Dr. Schmucker at its head, having but a few students and no funds. But by the efforts of the pas tor elect and other ministers, and especially the self-denying labors of the Rev. Benjamin Kurtz, who visited Germany, the Seminary was established on a firm basis, and has already proven of incalculable benefit to our branch of the church. In 1830 Rev. E. L. Hazelius, D. D., was elected to fill the second professorship. In 1831 the corner-stone of the Seminary building was laid, with religious services, and the edifice was put under roof, and the next year fitted for the reception of students.

The Seminary edifice, of which a view is here given, is situated about one fourth of a mile from Gettysburg, and is a four-story brick building, one hundred feet by forty. A number of rooms are furnished by congregations and benevolent individuals. At a short distance on each side of the Seminary are the dwellings of the professors, likewise of brick.

Present Faculty.-Samuel S. Schmucker, D. D., Professor of didactic and polemic, homiletic and pastoral theology, and chairman of the faculty. Charles P. Krauth, D. D., Professor of sacred philology and exegesis. Henry I. Smith, A. M., Professor of German language and litera

ture.

By the liberality of the friends and brethren in Europe and this country, and by purchase, a library has been collected, of between seven and eight thousand volumes. It consists of works

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of almost every age, language, and size. There are two societies in the Seminary; one the "Society of Inquiry on Missions," the other the "Theological Society." Tuition and use of library, gratis.

Particular attention is paid to the German language, and the course of studies so regulated, that a due portion may be pursued in that language by all the students who wish.

From the year 1825, there have been connected with this institution one hundred and fifty-four students. During the past year thirty-two have attended the lectures of the professors. Within the last twelve months eighteen persons have left the Seminary.

The Seminary is in a very flourishing condition, and the healthiness of the situation, the moderate expense, the advantages of a good library, the acknowledged high standing of the faculty, warrant the hope that this institution is destined to become yearly more and more useful to the cause of the Redeemer.

Efforts are now making to establish a second professorship.

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Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg.

The new College edifice is a chaste specimen of the Doric order. It is 150 feet in length, and contains 75 apartments, 54 of which are designed for the lodging of students; the others are a college hall, library and lyceum, two rooms for literary societies, four recitation rooms, refectory, and apartments for the steward and his family. The trustees intend to erect another building for the use of the preparatory department.

The College had its origin in the wants of the German portion of the community, and especially of the Theological Seminary. Some of the applicants for admission to that

institution being found deficient in classical attainments, the board, in May, 1827, resolved to es tablish a preparatory department.

The Rev. D. Jacobs commenced this preparatory school in June, 1827, and his brother in 1829 assisted him in the mathematical department. It soon after took the name of the Gettysburg Gymnasium, under the direction of an association of stockholders. Rev. Mr. Jacobs died in Nov. 1830, and was succeeded in 1831 by Rev. H. L. Baugher, A. M. As the number of students had increased, and the prospect of usefulness, especially to the German community, was very flattering, Prof. Schmucker, after consultation with his brethren, invited the citizens of Gettysburg to cooperate in the establishment of a respectable college, to take the place of the Gymnasium. A charter was procured from the legislature, and the institution was organized under the title of Pennsylvania College, in July, 1832, and went into operation in the following October. Prof. Schmucker and Dr. E. L. Hazelius temporarily officiated as professors, until, in Oct. 1834, Rev. C. P. Krauth, D. D., was inducted into office as president.

Present Faculty.-Rev. C. P. Krauth, D. D., President and Prof. of intellectual and moral science; Rev. H. L. Baugher, A. M., Prof. of Greek language and literature, rhetoric and oratory; Rev. M. Jacobs, A. M., Prof. of mathematics, mechanical philosophy and chemistry; Rev. W. M. Reynolds, A. M., Prof. of Latin language and literature; Rev. Henry I. Smith, A. M., Prof. of German language and French; D. Gilbert, M. D., Lecturer on anatomy and physiology; Mr. M. L. Stocver, A. B., Principal of Prep. Dep., and Mr. Gottlob Bassler, A. B., Tutor in Prep. Dep.

Number of students in 1836, 101; in 1841, 189.

The College library is well selected and regularly increased

There are two library societies and one German society, which have formed libraries for themselves. A Lyceum and cabinet of natural history have been commenced.

The medical department is located in Philadelphia, under the charge of Drs. S. G. Morton, George M'Lellan, William Rush, Samuel M'Lellan, Walter R. Johnson, and James M'Clintock.

Among the more modern occurrences which have excited the good people of Gettysburg, is the following, an account of which is extracted from one of the York newspapers for 1842:

Ballooning Extraordinary.-A daring feat was accomplished on Saturday last, by a citizen of our neighboring town of Gettysburg. Mr. John Wise, the American Eronaut, par excellence, had announced his intention to make his thirty-ninth balloon ascension on that day, from an enclosure in Gettysburg; and with his usual punctuality, was ready on the day and hour promised. His balloon was inflated; his ballast, grappling-iron, &c., duly stowed; and he was about to step into the basket. At that moment, Mr. John McClellan, a young gentleman of Gettysburg, inquired of Mr. Wise whether it would not be possible for two persons to ascend with the power then in the balloon. On receiving a negative reply, Mr. McClellan seemed much disappointed— said he was determined to have a ride; and inquired the price at which Mr. Wise would permit him to make the voyage alone. "One hundred dollars, sir," said Mr. Wise, who did not appear to consider the inquirer to be in earnest. "I will give you fifty dollars!" "Agreed-fork over!" The joke was "carried on," and the cream of it was soon transferred to the pocket of the æronaut; and his substitute was seated snugly in the car, vociferating his direction to "cut loose!" Mr. Wise thought that matters had now gone far enough, and requested his customer to get out, as the time had arrived at which he had promised to be off. But he refused to do so, and insisted that he had regularly hired and paid for a passage "in this boat," and go he would. As Barney O'Reardon said to the man in the moon, when the latter respectable personage told him to "lave his hould," "the more he bid him, the more he wouldn't!"

Mr. Wise then let the balloon up a short distance by a rope, thinking probably that as there was considerable wind, and the air-horse consequently turbulent, that his substitute would have his courage cooled, and "give in." But this was no go; and thinking that he had as good a start as he ever would have, Mr. McClellan cut the rope-and was off! After he found that it was the determination of Mr. McClellan to go, Mr. Wise had but time to give him a few hasty and imperfect instructions in regard to the management of the balloon; and in a few minutes the daring amateur æronaut had ascended to a height of about two miles. Here he struck a current of air which bore him directly towards York. He says that the earth receded from him very rapidly after he had thrown a bag or two of sand upon it; that Gettysburg passed off towards Hagerstown, and that he saw Carlisle, Hanover, Abbotstown, Oxford, and Berlin, strolling about; and that soon after, just ahead of him, he saw Old York coming full-tilt up the turnpike towards him, apparently taking an afternoon's walk to Gettysburg. Having determined to stop at York, and fearing from the remarkable speed at which our usually staid and sober town was travelling, that she would soon pass under his balloon and give him the slip, he pulled the string attached to the safety-valve, in order to let off a portion of his gas. This valve is so constructed that when the rope attached to it is pulled, the valve opens to the interior, and again closes by the force of the gas when the rope is let go.

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