NOTES AND QUERIES.

Notes.

HARRITON. A LETTER FROM MR. GEORGE VAUX.

"EDITOR PENNSYLVANIA MAGAZINE.

'My attention has been called to certain statements made on pages 229, 389, and 390 of a work recently published, called "Merion in the Welsh Tract," which question the correctness of the date of 1704 generally accepted as the year that Rowland Ellis built the ancient mansion-house on what is now known as Harriton Plantation, in Lower Merion. The author does not tell the ground for the doubt expressed, beyond an intimation at the foot of page 389, which will be referred to hereafter.

"I have known this building ever since 1856, and at that time there was a date-stone in the southwest gable in which 1704 was cut. The one, the seven, and the cipher were very plainly disclosed. The perpendicular line of the figure four was also clear, but the horizontal and diagonal lines were very indistinct and could only be traced by careful examination. Hence many persons supposed the date was 1701, but never 1714. This statement is based upon careful personal examination made many years since, and I have no doubt of the facts. The stone was antiquated in appearance and bore evident marks of having been put there when the house was built. It disappeared some years since, but its loss was not discovered until too late to trace it. There can be no reasonable doubt that 1704 was the date on this stone, and if date-stones are an authority, this is certainly entitled to being conclusive as to the time the building was erected until some very good evidence is furnished to the contrary.

"Referring now to the statements on pages 389 and 390 (in which, by the way, I am erroneously called Richard Vaux), it is manifest that the author was very imperfectly acquainted with the facts, and that those he possessed were not properly digested. The allegation that the three-hundred-acre tract conveyed on February 24, 1708, to Rees Thomas and William Lewis does not seem to include the site of the present mansion is wholly erroneous. The three-hundred-acre tract was at the southeastern end of the plantation (the writer's summer residence stands on a part of it), and the northwestern boundary was far to the northwest of the mansion-house in question. There is no reasonable doubt that Ellis lived in it at that time. The facts connected with this conveyance are as follows: Robert Ellis, one of Rowland Ellis's sons, married Margaret John, daughter of William John, of Gywnedd, on the 3d of Ninth month, 1705. He died within a year or two, leaving his wife and an only child, a little girl, Jane Ellis. Rowland Ellis had made a settlement upon Robert in his lifetime of three hundred and eighty acres of land and one moiety of the house, orchard, and stock belonging to the plantation.' After the latter's death his widow claimed, among other things, dower, and a provision for the little girl, Jane Ellis, out of the three hundred and eighty acres. The grandfather was not indisposed to grant the provision, but terms could not be agreed upon, and the matter was referred to arbitrators, who decided that Row

land Ellis should pay to his granddaughter, when she married or came of age, one hundred and eighty pounds. If she died in her minority unmarried, nothing was to be paid, except that the widow was to receive five pounds and her dower was to be released. To secure the above payments the three hundred acres were conveyed to Rees Thomas and William Lewis in trust, and they executed a defeasance of even date with the deed, covenanting to reconvey when the payments provided for had been made. This transaction had simply the effect of a mortgage, and embraced a method of procedure for securing debts which was not uncommon at the time.

"When Rowland Ellis sold to Harrison, in the autumn of 1719, a title was still outstanding in Thomas and Lewis, but a conveyance was made, dated October 23, covering the whole tract, containing six hundred and ninety-eight acres (seven hundred and eighteen, less twenty reserved), but it was not acknowledged until December 22 following, when Thomas and Lewis executed the conveyance to Harrison, and both deeds were recorded on the same day in the same deed-book, one following the other. This vested full title in Harrison. Rowland Ellis's title was derived from Richard Davies in 1682, but it was only a warrant or allotment title, and the survey was not made till 1684 and the patent was not issued till August 23, 1703, the year previous to the erection of the mansion.

"Rees Thomas, mentioned above, according to the minutes of Merion Meeting, emigrated from Caermarthenshire in 1691. He was a near neighbor and probably a personal friend of Rowland Ellis. He lived a little north of the north corner of the Roberts road and the Lancaster turnpike, in a house said to have been one of the first built of stone west of the river Schuylkill. The sashes, which were imported from England, were of lead, and the floor boards were fastened to the joists with wooden pegs instead of nails. Straw was used in the plaster for want of hair. There was a huge fireplace, on each side of which were benches capable of seating several persons. Individuals are still alive who lived in this house in their childhood. The writer well remembers this ancient dwelling, which only disappeared within twenty-five years. "GEORGE VAUX."

EPITAPH OF Dr. George Balfour, SURGEON IN WAYNE'S WESTERN ARMY.-The following inscription was recently copied from a stone in the graveyard of the old church in Hampton, Virginia. The church was founded in 1659. This epitaph may be of interest to the people of that State, which cherishes the name of Anthony Wayne as one of the brightest in her long list of brave men and wise.

"To the memory of Doctor George Balfour, who was born at Little England in this County, on the 26th Sep. 1771, and died in the Borough of Norfolk on the 28th Aug, 1830.

"In 1792 he entered the Medical Staff of the U. S. Army, and braved the perils of the West under the gallant Wayne; who, at a subsequent period, on Presque Isle, breathed his last in his arms. In 1798, on the organization of the Navy, he was appointed its Senior Surgeon, and performed the responsible duties of that office until 1804, when he retired to private practice in Norfolk, where he pursued his profession with distinguished reputation to himself and eminent usefulness to that community, until the time of his decease.

"He was courteous in his address, of a high sense of personal honor, of a generous and noble heart, and a firm believer in the gospel; the

precepts of which guided his career through life and lighted his passage
to the tomb. His remains here mingle with those of his father and
mother, who were buried on this spot, and whose memory he ever cher-
ished with truly filial affection. Two of his children sleep beside him,
and a third erects this stone to mark the buriel place of his Sires.
"His epitaph, written by himself.

"Long had my spirit wandered in this vale of tears,
Fearful, yet anxious still to return home;

Till, trusting wholly in God's grace it left its fears,
Then boldly cried I come, I come!

"His blood as shed in Christ can wash the sinner white,
His blood can heal each raging, rankling wound,
'Tis his to raise the mouldering dead again to light,
Crowned with glory triumphant from the ground.'"

J. BROOKE.

POWELL.-Copy of entries made by Samuel Powell, the first, of Philadelphia (died Sixth month 27, 1756), in his Bible, printed in the year 1683, and now in the possession of one of his descendants, Mrs. Charles Penrose Keith, of Philadelphia.

Samuel Powell's wife was Abigail, the daughter of Barnabas Willcox, of Philadelphia.

Same Powell & Abigail his wife were married the 19th day of the 12th month 1700 in Philadelphia.

Ann Powell the Daughter of s'd Same & Abigail was Born the 10th day of the 2nd month 1702 about 2 o'clock after noon.

Sam Powell the Sonn of ye s'd Same & Abigail was Born the 26th day of ye 12th month 1704, 1/2 past 11 of o'clock night.

Deborah Powell the Daughter of s'd Same & Abigail Powell was born the 24th day of the 8th month 1706 in the house of my Aunt Ann Parsons.

Ann Powell the Second of y' name was born the 24th day of ye 8th m° 1708 near 10 at night.

Ann Powell the first of yt name departed this Life ye 10th day of ye 10th m° 1707.

Ann Parsons departed this Life ye 24th ye 6 m° 1712 about nine in ye Morning.

Sarah Powell ye Daughter of Samuel & Abigail Powell was born ye 29 of ye 4th m° 1713 about 5 in ye morning.

My Deare Wife Abigail Powell Departed this Life ye 4th day of ye 7th m° 1713.

Ann Powell ye Second of ye name Departed this Life y 26th day of ye 8th m° 1714 Aged 6 years & 2 days.

Correct copy.
P. S. P. CONNER.

SOME OWNERS of Letters of MARQUE BELONGING TO PHILADELPHIA, 1780.-In a suit in the Admiralty Court, Philadelphia, April 3, 1780, brought by Silas Talbot, captain of the armed sloop" Argo," it appears that he captured the brigantine "Betsey," placed a prize crew on her and ordered her to the nearest port in the United States. The "Betsey" was overtaken at sea by three brigantines, letters of marque, called the "Achilles," the "Hibernia," and the " Patty," who recaptured her. From the papers in the case the following merchants of Philadelphia were the owners of the letters of marque: John Purviance, Benjamin Harbeson, Joseph Dean, Samuel Murdock, Samuel

Cadwalader Morris, John Donaldson, James Caldwell, Blair McClennachan, John Lardner, John Wilcocks, Cadwalader Morris, Nicholas Lowe, William Lawrence, Isaac Cox, and John Maxwell Nesbitt.

JAMES LOGAN TO THE MONTHLY MEETING AT PHILADELPHIA, 1702.

"To the Frds of the Monthly Meeting mett att Philad this 25th of yo 10th mo: 1702

WHEREAS upon a provocation given by Dan" Cooper of West-Jersey injuriously (as was judged) to our proprietaries Right & contrary to authority invading, in the 5th mo: last, one of the Reed Islands of Delaware over ag this City I undertook to go over to the s Island to divert him from proceeding in his design, accompanied with the Sheriff of Philadelphia, who hearing of an opposition designed took with him some other persons with fire arms for the greater awe of such as should attempt to oppose.

And whereas occasion hath been or may be taken from the sa arms being carried in my company to reflect not only on me as concerned for the Proprietary but also on the Profession of Gods Truth owned by & amongst us I do therefore in a true Sense of ye inconveniencies that have naturally ensued from the sa action & its contrariety to y' said Profession, heartily regret my complying with or being in any wise concerned in that method which ministers such occasion and do in sincerity declare that could I have foreseen y° ill consequences of it I should by no means have engaged in it. Hoping & earnestly desiring that it may please God the author of all good counsel & direction so to enlighten my understanding by his Spirit that I may avoid not only all such occasions but all others that by being contrary to his divine will may minister offence for the future.

"JAMES LOGAN."

GRAND AND PETIT JURYMEN FOR THE COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER OF PHILADELPHIA, October, 1734.

"Grand Jury: William Atwood, foreman; Thomas Hatton, Robert Ellis, John Bringhurst, Edward Bradley, Samuel Powel Jr., John Dillon, William Rawle, Aaron Hassert, William Plumsted, Thomas Glentworth, Joseph Shippen Jr., Richard Nixon, George House, William Wallace, Thomas Sharp, Henry Combs, William Humphreys, Hugh Roberts, William Clymer, Dennis Roachford, Benjamin Hoskins, Stephen Armitt, John Howell.

"Petit Jury: William Clear, John Bayley, Samuel Emlen, Jacob Usher, Abraham Bickley, George Wilson, Francis Richardson, Thomas Stapleford, John Trapnall, Richard Crookshank, Benjamin Paschall, Thomas Lay, Michael Poynts, Nathaniel Edgcomb, Daniel Bateman, Jacob Shoemaker, John Foredam, John Breintnall, Daniel Hood, John Williams, John Wastfield, Caleb Ranstead, Charles Williams, Joseph Flower. SEPT. ROBINSON, Sheriff."

DANCING ASSEMBLY OF PHILADELPHIA.-Thomas Stewardson, Esq., sends us a copy, from the original in his collection, of a certificate of subscription towards the erection of a building for the Dancing Assembly:

"Received, Philadelphia, Dec 20th 1792, of Henry Hill, one hundred Pounds, being for Five Shares subscribed to the proposals for building a Dancing Assembly Room &c. on which sum the said Henry Hill or

the assigns of the said Henry Hill shall be entitled to receive such annual dividend as may arise out of the net profits of the institution.

[Signed]

"HENRY HILL,

"THOMAS H. MOORE,

J. M. NESBITT, "6 JASPER MOYLAN."

LETTER OF SURGEON STEPHEN CHAMBERS HENRY, Detroit, 1813, addressed to his mother, the wife of Judge John Joseph Henry.— "DETROIT October 34 1813

"DEAR MOTHER

"On Wednesday 29th of September we were relieved from our imprisonment by the arrival of General Harrison and his brave troops. The British evacuated the country before his arrival and burnt all the buildings at Fort Malden and Detroit belonging to the King and the public. The British General, whose name is Proctor, who no doubt you have heard of long before this time, from his many barbarous acts, ordered the Pottawatomies to burn the whole settlement in and about Detroit, which through fear they have not done. When Gen. Proctor made his retreat, very few of the Indians retreated with him, not more than one hundred and fifty, with Tecumsche at their head. He is supposed to be their best chief.

"Yesterday Gen. Harrison pursued him with about 5000 men-(about 1500 mounted on horses with muskets and rifles)-up the river Thames. It is generally thought that it is the intention of Gen. Proctor to join Gen. de Rottenberg near Fort George, but we have accounts today, that some part of Gen. Wilkinson's army have intercepted a number of wagons, ladened with women and children, and property belonging to the army, which he, Proctor, had sent on before him. If this news is true, which we all suppose it is, we shall have Gen. Proctor and his army brought back as prisoners, for they do not consist of more than 600 men, including Indians. The largest body was immediately in the rear of Detroit.

"A number of chiefs arrived today in town with a flag of truce-some from the Allawas and some from the Pottawatomies-they appear to wish much for peace. Gen. McArthur has treated with them on these terms-they to bring their squaws and children into Detroit, to remain as hostages, and the warriors to pursue Gen. Proctor, their old friend, which they have agreed upon. Some of the Indians have begun to murder the whites in the neighborhood of the town; this day a family were killed within twelve miles of it, besides a black man belonging to an officer of the Army. It appears the officer must certainly have been taken prisoner by them. There is no captivity on earth equal to that of being prisoner with the Indians; the squaws maltreat them very - much, even the children will frequently take up the scalping-knife and stab at them, which the Indians do not prevent.

"I would wish much to give you an account of all the proceedings of our dastard Gen. Hull, from the time of his arrival here until the shame of capitulation, but you have no doubt read it from more able hands than mine, in your newspapers. He must have been a traitor or a most execrable coward. I was an eye witness to all his movements. I would suppose from what I did see, that it was cowardice that caused him to surrender and not treachery. Just immediately before he ordered the white flag to be hoisted on the rampart of the Fort, a cannon shot killed three officers and wounded one. I was ordered to amputate the leg of the surviving officer, and while doing it the General came to the place.