&\<* 1 v O av « » '*- ^ vl F ^0 ,-t°* -4.9 "!.' o°V Voyage of PVilliam Venn in Ship "Welcome" 1682 With A View of Philadelphia Voyage of William Venn in Ship "Welcome" 1682 With A View of Philadelphia ^. MAST STPWN BELL - Z-"' * MARKET 5T5. ffi. FLUE ANCHOR TAVERN Fl^oNT ST NO(yK OF DOCK $J Annual Meeting of The Welcome Society RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL PHILADELPHIA, FEBRUARY 24th, 1917 Address by Henry Darragh Ladies and Gentlemen : I have been assigned to address the Society, with brevity, and to select a subject appropriate to the occasion. The charter of the Society states, "The purposes for which this corporation is formed are to perpetuate the mem- ory of those who came to America in the good ship 'Wel- come' in company with William Penn, the founder of Penn- sylvania, 1 who arrived in October, 1682; to collect and pre- serve historic data relative to the settlement of the State of Pennsylvania and the founding of the City of Philadelphia, and to bring together in social intercourse and friendly rela- tions the descendants of the aforesaid persons who came to these shores in the ship 'Welcome.' " To follow the purposes of the Society the remarks must be confined to the events of 235 years ago. Voyage of the "Welcome" The ship "Welcome" 2 was a wooden vessel, square rigged, 300 tons, about 150 feet long, high in the bow, and still higher in the stern. Robert Greenway, master. Note (1). The province of Pennsylvania was granted to Wm. Penn by Chas. II, March 4th, 1681. The government established at "Uplandt," the capital, Aug. 3, 1681, by Wm. Markham, the Deputy Governor, as President of a council of nine others. After Penn's arrival the first laws were passed at "Uplandt," Dec. 4, 1682. Pennsylvania, as a province, lasted 95 years, and its charter and laws swept away by the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776. Organized into a commonwealth or state by the Constitution, 28 Sept., 1776. "Uplandt," (Swedish name), (now Chester), the tobacco plantation of Swedish Gov. John Printz. (1643) ; Indian name — "Mecopo- nacka" on the "Macapan-ackham" (Chester creek), "the stream on which the big potatoes grow." (2). For style of vessel see Ferris' painting, "Landing of Penn," on exhibition S. E. cor. 6th and Chestnut Sts. In sailing from England to America it was the custom to stop at the Azores or Canary Islands and at the West Indies, for business or repairs, the time spent at these points must be considered in calculating the voyage. The "Welcome" left Deal, England, September 1, 1682, and ended the voyage in 57 days. As other vessels made the voyage in one month, the "Welcome," unless detained for re- pairs, would be called a "dull boat" by a mariner, and an "old tub" by a landsman. The passengers were about 102 and not all of Penn's company. As the passenger list 3 was full, others who desired to sail were compelled to wait for later boats, which numbered about 21 vessels. The passengers must have been closely packed, like sar- dines, the" poor cooking and odors of stuffy cabins must have rendered life unendurable, but blessed are those who do not expect much for they will not be disappointed. While escaping the dangers of the sea and the capture by Spanish privateers, an epidemic of small-pox carried away about one-third of the original number. It must have been heart-rending to see the ones they loved sewed up in sail- cloth, weighted at the feet and slid down the gangplank. There must have been great anxiety for the remaining ones, if the officers should be stricken there would be no one to sail the vessel and all might be lost. During the trying voyage Penn 4 attended the sick and dying, giving comfort and consolation to the entire company. He was 38 years old, medium in height, stocky in build, having served in the Dutch wars he held himself like a sol- dier. His manners were those of a court gentleman, he as- sociated with the king, the duke and welcomed in the court circles of London and Paris. Had rare conversational pow- ers, studied law, theology and proficient as a preacher. Served a term in Newgate jail for conscience sake. Another side of his character is shown when meeting with the Indians, he squatted around their camp fires, ate their food and outdanced them, while his actions favorably impressed the Indians the more sedate of the Friends thought Note (3). Official list said to be in London, England. (4). Pcnn left Pennsylvania in 1684, returned 1700. staid until 1701. Died 1718, age 74. Buried at Jordan's. England. he acted without proper dignity. It might be said he ran the gamut of human experience. During the voyage they held religious meetings and talk- ing about the new country to which they were going, of which they were fully informed from the many letters received from friends who, seven years before, had settled at Salem 5 and Burlington, New Jersey. 7 The Delaware Capes were sighted on October 24th when Friend Evan Oliver announced that his wife, Jean, had increased his family to seven children by pre- senting him with a daughter, to designate her birth on the ocean she was named "Seaborn." 8 In going up the Delaware Friend Richard Townsend announced 9 that his wife, Anne, had presented him with a son -to be called "James," thus in- creasing his family to two children. If Friend Townsend had followed the Oliver system and named his son after some of the names of the Delaware he could have had a number of names to select from. 10 Many were present from other parts of the river to wel- come Penn upon arrival, it suggests that the Indians at "Sink- nasse" (Lewes) conveyed the news to New Castle. When the Swedes came into the Delaware in 1638 the Dutch at Fort Amsterdam, on Manhattan (New York) engaged these In- dians to furnish them with news of Swedish affairs. The trail ran from Lewes to Philadelphia, then over to Burlington and across to New York. As the Capes were sighted on the 24th, and the distance to be travelled was only sixty miles, it would seem like slow sailing but it may be accounted for by head winds or Penn may have visited Salem. Note (5). On Salem Creek (1675), Indian "Assamohacking," also oc- cupied by Dutch and Swedes with Indian wives. (6). Settled 1675. First called "New Beverley," then "Bridling- ton," finally "Burlington." Indian name "T'schichopacke" (or "Chy'goes" Island), meaning "earliest planted ground." (7). About eleven vessels with colonists arrived and settled in New Jersey prior to Penn's arrival. Penn was one of the "Proprietors" of East Jersey and a Trustee for West Jersey prior to 1681. Indian name of New Jersey — "Shay-ak-bee," meaning "long land-water." (8) Women passengers went "below to see the baby. (9). Same as Note 8. (10). Delaware — English from Lord de la Warr (Sir -Trios. West). Dutch — "Zuydt," "Charles," "Prince Hendrick" and "Nassau." Indian — "Poutaxit," "Lenape-Whittuck," "Mar- ris-Kitton." "Makerish-Kisken " "Kit-hanne." Penn mentions the "delightful spicy odors" on the Dela- ware, as did also the Swedes, who entered in the spring of the year 1638 and were charmed with the beauty of the river, its islands, undulating landscape, odors from the cedar trees and flowering vines, calling it Paradise and named a place on the river Paradise Point. Landing at New Castle The long, tiresome and distressing voyage ended upon their arrival at New Castle 11 October 27th, 1682. It was an incorporated city (1672) with 100 houses, sur- rounded by gardens, having a city hall, guardhouse, maga- zine, bakehouse and forge. The low banks, covered with for- est trees, upon which were assembled at least 500 people, represented by the Swedes, Dutch, English and many fine sturdy little children, also Indians, painted and feathered, all gathered at the river to give a warm and hearty welcome to the weary travellers and to the "Great Penn." It must have been a great relief to the passengers to again touch the earth, and especially to the twenty-four chil- dren who saw nothing but death on the voyage. A horrible experience. After landing the passengers were taken to homes where they had comfortable accommodations. The next day witnessed a great and ancient ceremony. Penn took physical possession of the place by "livery of seisin." The people gathered at the old wooden fort on the beach. John Moll (of New Castle), attorney, representing the Duke of York, handed to Penn the key of the fort. Penn entered the fort and locked the door. Upon coming out of the fort was handed by Moll a piece of turf with a twig in it, a basin with water and earth, stating that in the name of "seisin" he delivered up the territory to Penn. The people were witnesses that Penn was the rightful owner. The fort was originally called "Fort Casimir," built in 1651 by Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor, to watch the Swedes. In 1654 Rysingh, the Swedish governor captured the fort and changed its name to the "Fort of the Holy Trinity." This Note (11). New Castle (now in Delaware) was one of the three "ter- ritories" granted to Penn by the Duke of York, Aug. 24, 1682. The territories by Penn's charter, Oct. 28, 1701, were separated from the Province of Pennsylvania. action of the Swedes so enraged Stuyvesant that in 1655 he returned from Manhattan (New York), recaptured the fort and named the place "New Amstel," and all Swedish au- thority then passed to the Dutch. In 1664 the Dutch sov- ereignty passed to the English. Sir Robert Carr, after a short engagement, captured the fort and named the place "New Castle." The fort has disappeared, and the land on which it stood has been washed away, its location has been preserved by a record on a stone at Second and Chestnut streets, New Castle, Delaware. There is no statement as to how long the passengers re- mained at New Castle before settling on their farms or in taking up their residences at Philadelphia. Settlement on Farms During the first year 300 farms were settled in the three original counties 11 ' of "Chester," "Philadelphia" and "Bucks," and may have been surveyed by the Surveyor General, Thomas Holmes 13 or his assistant before or after occupancy. Historians fail to tell us how the settlers upon farms were sheltered and fed while awaiting the harvesting of the crops. An examination of the Indian mode of life may help to solve the matter. The "Len'ni Lenap'pe ("Delaw T ares," so called) with nu- merous tribes with other names were members of the great family known as the "Algonquins." The Algonquins after being subjugated by the "Iroquois" were compelled to pay an annual tribute and forbidden to sell their lands without the consent of the conqueror. The tribes of the Len'ni Lenap'pes, of Pennsylvania, were settled on well defined sections of land for villages and hunting grounds filled with deer and wild fowl. In each village a chief resided who ruled over the community. They had plantations in which grew fruits, maize and pota- toes, much of what was grown having, in earlier centuries, been carried by the Indians from Peru. The various villages were connected by trails which crossed a main trail, or road, named after an Indian chief, and upon Note (12). Cannot find when original counties were named, perhaps by Deputy Governor Markham Aug. 3, 1681. Representa- tives from Philada., Chester, Bucks, Deal and Jones present at Uplandt' Meeting, Dec. 4, 1682. The counties of Penn- sylvania now number 67. (13). Buried at Holmesburg, Philadelphia. Died 1695. Aged 71. which were trading stations from which the villages were sup- plied. At certain seasons of the year they visited the Dela- ware river, caught and dried the fish, gathered oysters and wild peas, carried them to the various trading stations on the main trail from which the villages on the smaller trails re- ceived their supplies. An early map marks trails to Chester County and to Bucks County. Many white people lived with the Indians and were welcome visitors. Two instances — one of a man who resided at Second and Race streets. Every spring the neighhors saw him depart on an old white horse, with saddle bags, and his return home was when the snow began to fly. He kept it up through life. At last he failed to return and people wondered what had become of him. Upon inquiring it developed that his winter home was the city and summer residence the Indian village. The other instance was that of a man and wife who made moccasins. The w r ife spoke the Indian language. The Indians admired their work and became so attached to them that they were induced to leave the city and live near the Indian village. It can be presumed the settlers were guided to their farms by the Indians who were willing to supply them food and shelter in their villages until the farms were surveyed, homes built and crops gathered. Settlement in Philadelphia The original city was bounded by the two rivers and from South (Cedar) street to Vine (Valley) street. For many years the houses were confined to the low land around the banks of Dock Creek where stores, workshops and ware- houses were erected and was known as the 'Tort of Phila- delphia,'' and on the top of the hill from Chestnut to Race streets, and from the west side of Front street to the west side of Second street together with some scattering houses. After the site of the city had been agreed upon the "Wel- come" passengers left New Castle sailing up the river to an opening in the bank about opposite Spruce street, Delaware avenue and Water street not then in existence. Passing through the opening in the bank they entered Dock Creek. It was a beautiful lake, in its widest part about a square wide, between Front and Second streets, and surrounded by forest trees. The lake extended below Spruce street in its winding course, north and west, crossed Walnut street reach- ing Third street (below Chestnut street). Up to this point a good sized vessel could sail. After crossing Third street the creek crossed Chestnut street west of Third street, then across Market street below Fourth street. In its windings were high banks covered with forest trees. The children had great pleasure in these woods gathering flowers and nuts and in chasing the wild turkeys. They landed at the "Blue Anchor Tavern" 14 on a nar- row strip of land between the creek and the river (the loca- tion of the tavern is in the middle of Front street 146 feet north of Dock street). Proceeding northward on low land through the woods (line of Front street) reached Walnut street where the land on the east side of the creek widened to Second street. At this place it was formerly occupied by Indian villages and where resided the Drinker family from Massachusetts, and where their son Edward was born two years before Penn's arrival. They still walked on low land until reaching the north side of Chestnut street when thej climbed a hill and reached its summit at Front and Market streets, about twenty-five feet above the river. Elevated land extended north to Race street when it sloped into Vine (Val- ley) street, where the "Penny Pot House" was located and a landing for vessels. The land was also elevated from Front to Third streets. The Indians called this hill or promontory, 15 from Chest- nut to Race and Front to Third streets, "Cuwequenaku" or "Coquan-nok" meaning "a ridge of tall pines," also "Quack-al- nunk," meaning "a place of Quakers." Some of the first settlers lived in caves dug at the top of the hill facing the Delaware, on the east line of Front street, caves were occupied until 1685 when the occupants vacated and the holes filled up. In viewing the land westward from Front and Market streets it presented an undulating appearance with woods, ravines, creeks, ponds and marshy ground. The woods were filled with deer, turkeys, 50 lbs., ducks, geese and other wild fowl, also bears, panthers and wolves. Note (14) Called "Friend Guest's," frame brick lined house 16 ft. x 36 ft., in process of building. (15). The promontory originally occupied by Indian villages, upon Penn's arrival occupied by certain Swedes, who ex- changed their lands for another location. 9 Following the Indian trail on Market (High) street the land was low and marshy where Dock creek crossed west of Third street. A pond four feet deep in the middle of Market street above Fourth street and another pond at the northwest corner of Fifth street. At Sixth street were 'woods, a resting place (benches under the trees) for those who attended the "Day Meeting" at "Centre Square" in 1685. At Tenth street a ravine crossing Market street through which ran a stream afterwards called "Munday's Run," and to cross it a bridge. At Eleventh street north of Market street a ravine to Arch street. West of Eleventh street to the river were heavy tim- ber and ponds. The Schuylkill was much wider than at present, heavily wooded on both shores. At certain seasons of the year it was filled with sturgeon making it dangerous for small boats to venture on the water. The name of "Schuylkill" is of Swedish origin. It came from "Skiar-ellor-linde-kill," meaning "river of the mist or linden creek," since contracted into "Skorkill" and "Schuyl- kill." The river was called by the Indians "( ianshowe-hanne" or the "roaring stream." Prior to 1685 a ferry was established over the Schuyl- kill at Market street called "Middle Ferry." A young man was courting a colonial dame on the west side of the river. Upon returning at late hours to the ferry after whistling and getting no response from the ferryman, plunged into the river, swam across and with dripping clothes reached his home at Second street. The cold bath failed to give "cold feet" for he married the lady. The early life of the city was found not only at the "Port" (Dock creek) but on the "Hill" (Chestnut to Race, Front to Second streets), and principally at Second and Market streets. At the beginning of the city the Executive Council, Gen- eral Assembly, Courts, Schools and Religious meetings were held in private houses until proper places could be secured. The first "improvement" was the erection of a mast upon which hung the "Great Town Bell" located in the middle of Market street at Second street. When the bell rang the people gathered around the pole to hear a royal or provincial proc- lamation, etc. Upon this site was built in 1707 a small brick building, the first floor on arches, at a cost of £616, called the 10 "Guild Hall" or "Great Towne House." It faced the Delaware with a balcony at the second story with steps on either side of the building to reach the street. In the second story meet- ings were held by the Executive Council, the General Assem- bly and the Courts. It was also used at elections and for banquets. From the balcony a newly elected governor, after being introduced, addressed the people, and at times used by min- isters from which they preached sermons. This primitive building was demolished about 1837. The building was used by the Assembly, Counsel and Courts until about 1734, when its successor the State House, Fifth and Chestnut streets, was ready for occupancy. At the beginning of the city many brick 10 and frame houses were erected. During the first year there were eighty 17 houses and five hundred people. 17 The streets were not paved 18 or curbed. 18 It was the era of pumps, 19 tallow candles, 20 sundials 21 and wood fuel. 22 Food could be obtained in abundance from the surround- ing Swedish farms, Burlington, New Castle and Salem. Monthly sailing of vessels from Maryland, New York and the West Indies. The Indians supplied deer, geese, ducks, fish, oysters and grain. During Colonial days the entire coin of the land except coppers was the product of foreign mints. Gold and silver of England, France, Spain, etc. The coins were almost all Note (16). Bricks were made in the City and at New Castle from early Swedish days. (17). In Philadelphia and Suburbs, 1700--700 houses and 4500 people. In 1744—1500 houses and 9750 people. In 1776 — 5396 houses and 30,000 people. (18). Most pavement's were gravel, excepting at intervals, where narrow brick walks were laid. Posts were planted to pro- tect the sidewalks. In 1786 the first curb was laid on Water street, between Market and Arch streets. The street's were in bad condition ; criminals chained to cannon balls worked on the streets as scavengers. (19). First City water works started in 1801. (20). First street lighting by whale oil lamps. Gas works started Feby. 8, 1836. (21). Sun dials on houses as clocks and watches were scarce. (22). Open hearth in the home with bake oven in the back yard. A hand stove carried to the meeting houses. 11 clipped and plugged. A coin had various values according to the colony in which it was circulating. A merchant carried a list of the many pieces in circulation and the price at which it was taken in the various colonies. As the coins were muti- lated scales were used. It was not the denomination but the weight that was considered in settling debts. At the end of the first ten years almost all the trades and occupations were carried on in the little city. Having failed to observe brevity will close with apolo- gies. L2 OFFICERS FRANCIS HOWARD WILLIAMS President SYDNEY GEORGE FISHER Vice-President JAMES BUCKMAN Secretary GEORGE CUTHBERT GILLESPIE Treasurer MIERS BUSCH Registrar COUNCIL RICHARD McCALL CADWALADER JOHN STORY JENKS JOHN B. COLAHAN, Jr. FISHER CORLIES MORGAN JONES WISTER ALEXANDER W. WISTER SYDNEY GEORGE FISHER RICHARD Y. COOK GEORGE CUTHBERT GILLESPIE ACTIVE MEMBERS DR. ALFRED REGINALD ALLEN JOHN ERNEST ALLEN FRANCIS LLEWELLYN BACON HENRY D. BOYER JAMES BUCKMAN WILLIAM GEORGE BUCKMAN WILLIAMSON BUCKMAN HENRY PAUL BUSCH MIERS BUSCH RICHARD McCALL CADWALADER JOHN B. COLAHAN, Jr. RICHARD Y. COOK HENRY DARRACH JAMES KEYSER De ARMOND SYDNEY GEORGE FISHER GEORGE CUTHBERT GILLESPIE HARROLD E. GILLINGHAM WILLIAM PENN-GASKILL HALL EMERY ROE HAYHURST THOMAS LOGAN HOWARD-SMITH JOHN STORY JENKS GEORGE deBENNEVILLE KEIM ANDREW DAVIS KEYSER JOSEPH IREDELL KNIGHT J. WARNER KNIGHT RICHARD WALN MEIRS MERLE MIDDLETON PAUL DENCKLA MILLS FISHER CORLIES MORGAN JOSEPH ALLISON STEINMETZ JOSEPH WARNER SWAIN AUBREY HOWARD WILLIAMS CHURCHILL WILLIAMS FRANCIS HOWARD WILLIAMS SAMUEL CHESTER WILLIAMS ALEXANDER W. WISTER JAMES WISTER SYDNEY L. WRIGHT WYNNE 13 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS MRS. WILLIAM P. BUFFUM MISS KATHARINE COLAHAN MRS. BALTZAR E. L. deMARE' (Mary deS. Williams) MRS. C.EORGE J. DeARMOND (Elizabeth W. Keyser) MRS. JAMES KEYSER DeARMOND (Emily Janney) MRS. THOMAS BIDDLE ELLIS (Emily Q. Atkinson) MRS. LOUIS E. FAGAN (Mary Dorothea Zell Colaiian) MRS. CHARLES C HARRISON (Ellen Waln) MRS. WALTER M. JAMES (Henrietta Potter) MRS. ANNA CANBY JANNEY (Anna Canby Smyth) MISS RACHEL KNIGHT MISS SARAH WARNER KNIGHT MRS. HARRY G. MICHENER (Lydia Atherton) MRS. CHARLES W. NEVIN (Harriet M. Ogden) MRS. CHARLES RICHARDSON (Hannah Pfrot) MISS FRANCES A. ROBERTS MISS REBECCA McINNIS ROBERTS MISS MARY WILLIAMS SHOEMAKER MRS. JOSEPH F. SINNOTT MISS MARY ELIZABETH SINNOTT L4 ANCESTORS William Penn WILLIAM PENN-GASKILL HALL Dr. Thomas Wynne SAMUEL CHESTER WILLIAMS FRANCIS HOWARD WILLIAMS AUBREY HOWARD WILLIAMS FRANCIS CHURCHILL WILLIAMS ALEXANDER W. WISTER JONES WISTER RICHARD McCALL CADW ALADER RICHARD Y. COOK JOSEPH ALLISON STEINMETZ THOMAS WYNNE FRANCIS LLEWELLYN BACON PAUL DENCKLA MILLS HANNAH PEROT RICHARDSON MARY WILLIAMS deMARE Thomas Croasdale HARROLD E. GILLINGHAM JOHN STORY JENKS JOSEPH WARNER SWAIN LOGAN HOWARD-SMITH Joshua Clayton GEORGE deBENNEVILLE KEIM Evan Oliver ANNA CANBY JANNEY John Fisher SYDNEY GEORGE FISHER FISHER CORLIES MORGAN SYDNEY L. WRIGHT JONES WISTER HENRY D. BOYER William Bradford HENRY DARRACH Ellen Cowgill MRS. JOSEPH F. SINNOTT MARY ELIZABETH SINNOTT David Ogden GEORGE CUTHBERT GILLESPIE JOHN BARRON COLAHAN, Jr. HARRIET M. OGDEN NEVIN MARY DOROTHEA FAGAN FRANCES ANNA ROBERTS KATHARINE COLAHAN CUTHBERT HAYHURST MIERS BUSCH HENRY PAUL BUSCH EMERY ROE HAYHURST Nicholas Waln HARROLD E. GILLINGHAM JAMES KEYSER DeARMOND JOSEPH WARNER SWAIN ALFRED REGINALD ALLEN JOHN ERNEST ALLEN ANDREW DAVIS KEYSER RICHARD WALN MEIRS ELIZABETH W. DeARMOND ELLEN WALN HARRISON EMILY QUINBY ATKINSON ELLIS JOHANNA S. BUFFUM William Buckman JAMES BUCKMAN JOSEPH WARNER SWAIN WILLIAM GEORGE BUCKMAN HENRIETTA POTTER JAMES EMILY JANNEY DeARMOND WTLLIAMSON BUCKMAN Giles Knight JOSEPH IREDELL KNIGHT J. WARNER KNIGHT MERLE MIDDLETON JAMES BUCKMAN LYDIA ATHERTON MICHENER SARAH WARNER KNIGHT RACHEL KNIGHT 15 80 •Sm, -gifr %/ /m H'- \/' *h '■w ^^ •- X