F 157 .P3 C7 Copy 1 I AN ADDRESS ON THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE VALLEY OP PEttUEA. DELIVERED BY REDMOND CONYNGHAM, AT THE LYCEUM CELECUATION, FOUUf.l Ol JULY 1812, AT PARADlaE. WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING A HISTORY OP THE TIQUAWS, WITH A NOTICE OP TANAWA, AN INDIAN KING OF GREAT CELEBRITY. TO WHICH IS APPENDED ANECDOTES OF WILLIAM PENN, WITH THE NAMES OF THE EAI? if SETTLERS AND DATES OF SETTLEMENT. Published for tlic Faradisc Lyccuui. 1842. 9- 9 a oc ADDRESS. Ladies and Gentlkmen— Delegates from the Philadelphia Lyceum; the Lyceum and Me- chanics' Institute of the City of Lancaster; Delegates from the Lvceuuis and Literary Societies of tlie County of Lancaster;— Friends and Fellow-Citizens : As the Representative of the Paradise Lyceum we return you our hearty thanks and grateful acknowledgments, for the honor conferred by attending and participating in this day's celebration. Permit mc to tresspass for a short period, while I recall some of the early scenes of Pennsylvania History. Let me remind you of a man to whom Pennsylvania is as much indebted for her prosperity as any of her native citizens — William Penn. The ruling principle of every act of his life was Benevolence. A favorite and associate of Princes — he despised wealth and honors : — titles, rank and ostentatious display, for him had no charms. Youth of Pennsylvania, emulate his example: ho was a model worthy of imitation. A Republican in principle : He wrote to his wife, "It is my wish that my sons should receive a good English Education — not that of a College — a College Education would unfit them for a country life, it is too apt to engender pride and vanity; a city life affords too many temptations to vice. I believe the life of a Farmer to be the one originally intended for man by his Creator." Such were the sentiments of William Penn. He came not at the head of an army to plant his C^iony — he attempt- ed not witli British Cannon to wrest this land from the rightful posses- sors of their soil, and drive them by the force of arms even into the Pacific. He came impelled by the noblo.s'C principle of his nature, to intercept the Indian on his path to tho tomb, and lead him to everlast- ing life. It was not to establish an Empire that he desired to colonize Pennsylvania — no! a lovelier native glowed within his bosom. Com- passion stimulated him to ma-'^^G Pennsylvania an asylum where the op- pressed from Europe might enjoy civil and religious liberty. He invit- ed the Calvinist from Holland — the Lutheran from Germany — the Mennonist from Switzerland — the Huguenot from France — the hardy Mountaineer from Wales — Irishmen, suffering from tyranny — to settle in Pennsylvania. Time admonishes me to be brief. Let mc remind you of a name — a name jusdy dear to most of you — Mary Ferree. Mary Fcrrec was a woman of superior endowments. The religious wars of France had de- prived her of husband and fortune : Confidence in God alone remain- ed. Taking her children by the hand and raising her eyes to Heaven, "For these I wish to live, grant me this boon, oh ! Heaven — my native land adieu forever." Armed with a spirit of resolution superior to her sex, she went to London, from thence to Kensington where Wil- liam Penn resided, to be near Queen Anne, of whom he was deservedly a favorite. Madame Fcrrec made her wishes known to him : William Penn sympathized with her in her misfortunes and became interested [ot her and her chifvircn, and ncxt day IrAroduced her lo Queen Anne. The Queen v/as delighted in tlius being afibrdcd an opportunity to display the natural feelings of her heart. Lodgings were obtained for Madame Ferree in the vicinity until a vessel was ready to sail for New York. The Queen ordered every utensil and article to be procured which might j)rove useful in the infant Colony for Madame Ferree. — This lady reached Philadelphia near the period when the cultivation of ihc vine v/as abandoned, and joined the Huguenots, who were then pre- paring to settle in the interior of Pennsylvania. Amojig the distinguished Huguenots of France was the Chevalier De La Nouc, eminent for his virtues — great in his afflictions. He intro- duced himself to William Penn, "Behold the last of a noble raf^e, de- prived of rank, estate, and family — once powerful, now destitute — I am alone, let me end my days in the land of Penn, where persecution can never reach me more." William Penn received him into his family, and afterwards sent him to Philadelphia. And now let me turn your attention to a youth of fourteen : His pa- rents had perished in the religious wars which had desolated France — an orphan — friendless — he travelled through Holland — went to London • — came to Kensington where he made known his intentions to William Penn. Alone? oh no! he had one companion — it was his consolator in Europe — it was his comforter in Pennsylvania — that companion was his Bible. That young lad was Isaac Le Fevre. That Bible is still pre- served by the family of Lc Fevres as a most precious relic. Some of the Huguenots settled on the Schuylkill, near Philadelphia, where they hud a vineyard. Not far distant another attempt to culti- vate the grape was made by De La Noue, Le Fevre, Dubois, Boileau, Larroux, &;c., &c. Now let me change r^ This Village received its name in 179G, from WftidiaH Witmer, Esquire, the Pro- ^netor, and is at present held by the family. A ^ / ^ i inw k n ii Witmer was a lineal desnendent from Benjamin Witmer. Paradise is the only post town of that name in Pennsylvania. PEQUEA VALLEY LN 1754. KXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF GOVERNOR POWNALL. "I passed through ihe hills over a rough road, six miles and a hidf lo the widow ( aWwell's at the Hat, and then entered the beautiful Valley of Pequca. The Vale is formed by the Valley Hill, on the South, and the Welsh mountain on the North. My ne.xt stage was six miles and a half to the Red Lion, then toConestoga a large stream four miles, thence to Lancaster, two miles. Lancaster is a wealthy and thriving town, about five hundred inhabitants, manuftc- tures saddles, pack saddles, guns. Indian traders, stocking weavers. J'equea afTorded a pleasant jirospect — a rich land.scape — farm houses surrounded with apple and peach trees. The farmer.?, proprietors, not tenants. On every farm a lime kiln, and the land .adapted for the best ot wheat. On inquiry, the finest farms are all owned by Switzcrs. Land or farms .sell readily at three pounds an acre. On llie east side of the Ilills at five pounds per acre." 13 LYCEUM CELEBRATION, OF THE rOUTKU 01' JULY, 1842, AT I'AKADISK. Tlie cxerciyes cominciiccJ in ilio I'l't'sbylcrian Ciiurcli vviili a prayer by the Rev. Ml. Barr. Jolui VV. Forney Esq., Delegate from the Mechanics' Institute, addressed tlie nu- merous Audience, "on the Intcilectual Movement of ihe Age." — [Sacred Music. Joseph (1 Passmorc, Estj., Delegate from tiic Lancaster Lyceum — an address on our ••Coiislituti'Jiial History." — [Sacred music. Dr. John Leaman, Delegate from tiic Paradise Lyceum — subject of liis address — "The Natural Beauties ol'our Country " — [Sacred music. Prayer — by tlie Rev. K. Y. Buchanan. The exercises in the Church having been concluded, an adjournment look place to the woods on the Pequa, where the 0)mmittee, Messrs. John F. Steele, Joel L Liglit- ner, Joseph IL Lefever, George K. W'itmcr, and Samuel F. Foster, had provided a platlonn and benches lor the contmuaiac of tha exercises, and the accommodation of the Coni[):iny. The Derliiniiion of Independence was then read by Adam K. Witnier, Esq., of the Paradise Lyceum. Philip A. ( Vegar, Esq., Delegate from the Philadelphia Lyceum, delivered an address ''on the Day celebrated by Lyceums." Mr. Cregar concluded by offering tlie following Resolution v\hicli was read and unanimously adopted: — Resolved, Tliat we deem it highly expedient, and most heartily recommend the for- mation of a Lyceum in every county, township, and village throughout our State, and every other State in the Union, George VV. M'Elroy, Esq., a member of the New Holland Lyceum, then addressed tlie nuiucreus assemblage by request. Cyrus Whitson, Ksq., a Delegate, from the Bart Lyceum, offered the following Res- olution, which was read anJuna'riifiirf'usly adopted: — Resolved, Tliat it be recoflTirfBfi^d to liie Philadelphia Lyceum, Lyceum and Me- <'h;inics' Instiluie of the City o^.ancastcr, and the Lyceums of Iiaiicastcr and the ad- joining (Jounties, to celebrate tlie 4th of .)uly, 1 843, in Paradise, thus presenting; affbtRcr opportunity i'or every Lyceum to be represented and to partake of" tliat rational enjoy- ment which now gladdens and illumines every countenance. The President of tlic Paradise Lyceum gave a brief historical sketch of the early yettlement of Pe(iuea Valley. The company then partook of a substantial and pleiiti- fiil repast, sup[)li('d by the Ladies of Paradise and its vicinity. Songs, afterwards, on the banks of the Pe<(uea, finished the amusements of the day, one of which was written by Benjamin G. llerr, Esq., for the occasion, \vhich was received with great cnthu. siasiu. There were ujiwards of four hundred persons present, and nothing occurred to mar the harmony, or disturb the festivity of the day. DELEGATES. Phimp a. Cregar, Ks(i. ^ m •, r . . T^ „; i^ ' / Ihila. Lyceum. David vVkdster, Esq. \ •' J. C. Pass.\iore, Esq. ^ Lancaster Con- JoHN \V. Forney, Escj. j conservatory of Dr. J. K. Neff, J- Arts and Scien- JohnCox. j ces, and City Charles Bressler, j Lyceum. John W. Forney, Esu. / h,. i , i ... „ ni f > Mechanics Institute. IKTER Mct-O.NOMY, \ Rev. Mr. '1'i.mlow, ? o i i t > t. T.^ I- > Salisbury Lye in. Sylvester Kennedy, Esq. \ j j Joseph Wiogans, Esq. — Ephrata I>yccum. Cyrus Whitson, Esq. — Bart Lyceum. Mr. A. L. ("uster ) m ,, ,, j , -, George VV. M'Elroy. \ ^'''\ """^""^ ^'^^''^'•3' ^^'''^^y- The naiiK.'j of the Delegates from the I