2014 Journal of York County Heritage

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Journal of York County Heritage #PBSE PG %JSFDUPST The York County Heritage Trust is an educational institution that uses its collections, historic sites, Executive Committee Nancy B. Ahalt, Chair and documentary resources to inspire people to Thomas Shorb, Vice Chair  explore the history and culture of York County, Diane Baker, Treasurer Pennsylvania. Cynthia Dotzel, Assistant Treasurer This publication marks the fifth year for the Carolyn Schaefer, Secretary York County Heritage Trust’s academic journal. The Rev. Patrick Rooney, Assistant Secretary Our goal is to highlight aspects of the area’s Michael Carew, At-Large vibrant heritage brought forth through current Robert A. Kinsley II, AIA, At-Large scholarship. James M. May, At-Large Members :$)5 4JUF -PDBUJPOT Deborah Bieber Historical Society Museum Scott A. Deisley Library & Archives Steve Feldmann Museum Shop Tim Fulton 250 East Market Street Ronald L. Hershner York, PA 17403 Jeffrey R. Hines Agricultural & Industrial Museum Nadine M. Hubner 217 West Princess Street Leslie Jones York, PA 17401 Jody Keller Bonham House Richard K. Konkel James McClure 152 East Market Street Michael McGough York, PA 17403 Fran Polk Colonial Complex Genevieve H. Ray 157 West Market Street Fred Rosenmiller York, PA  17401 David Walsh Fire Museum N. Daniel Waltersdorff 757 West Market Street Thomas I. Warman York, PA 17401 Karen Wix, YCHT Auxiliary President :$)5 .FNCFSTIJQ 1VCMJDBUJPOT $PNNJUUFF $40 Senior Citizen James McClure, Chair $50 Individual Gerald Hartdagen $55 Senior Citizen Couple Ronald Hershner $60 Family June Lloyd $100 Pioneer Circle John Noone $250 Bonham Circle The Rev. Patrick Rooney $500 Confederation Circle Ted Sickler, Journal of York County Heritage Editor $1,000 Golden Plough Circle Jane Sutton $2,500 Lafayette Circle Lila Fourhman-Shaull, YCHT staff liaison All YCHT members receive a copy of the Journal of York County Heritage as a member benefit. Additional copies are for sale at the Museum Shop or on the YCHT’s website. For membership information, call 717.848.1587 or go online at www.yorkheritage.org under Join and Contribute. Front cover — This image by 19th-century York County watercolorist Lewis Miller depicts members of the Billmeyer family. Their genealogy is explored by Stephen H. Smith in this issue of the journal. Also this fall, look for the publication of Lewis Miller’s People, a collection of rare depictions of York County residents drawn by Miller and archived in the collections of the York County Heritage Trust.

Journal of York County Heritage York County Heritage Trust

The York County Heritage Trust assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of references and notes contained herein, nor for the statements and opinions of contributors. This publication has been produced using funds from The Robert P. Turner Publication Fund. In 2013, special friends and members of the York County Heritage Trust also provided financial support. Ream Printing Company, Inc. Copyright © 2014, York County Heritage Trust. All Rights Reserved. Inside title page Jim Rudisill incorporated the outline of York County in this drawing, used as a book plate by the York County Heritage Trust. Front cover design Samatha Dellinger, York Daily Record/York Sunday News

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Journal of York County Heritage Support the journal Five years ago the YCHT Publications Committee returned to journal publishing after a sixty-nine year absence. The Robert P. Turner Publication Fund, created in 1988 to honor the former President of the Historical Society of York County, provides resources to support the annual journal and one additional publication. We respectfully ask for your support of the Journal of York County Heritage. To do so, please contact the YCHT Development department at 717-848-1587 ext. 232 or go online at www.yorkheritage.org for details. 2013 donors to the Journal of York County Heritage Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Appell, Jr. Mrs. Don C. Baker Dr. William R. Baker Mr. & Mrs. Clifton Beck, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Lester Bentz, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Warren C. Bulette Mr. and Mrs. William S. Carter Mr. and Mrs. C. Herbert Douts Mr. and Mrs. John L. Finlayson Mr. and Mrs. Kelly E. Hamm Mr. and Mrs. J. Donald Jackson Dr. Charles E. Letocha Mr. Fred E. Miller Mrs. Trudy C. Motter Mr. and Mrs. Earl Quance Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Schroeder Mrs. Mary Skold Dr. and Mrs. Luther B. Sowers Ms. Kim Whiteley Ms. Coni L. Wolf Call for papers The York County Heritage Trust is accepting articles through December 1, 2014, for the sixth edition of the Journal to be published in the fall of 2015. Originally created in 2010 to celebrate York County history, material culture, cultural heritage, and people, articles of original scholarship are being accepted. Preference will be given to those that use the York County Heritage Trust’s collection, either in full or in part. Photographs and/or other illustrative materials are encouraged but not required. The manuscript must be original, unpublished, written in English, and limited to 3,000 words. For more information please contact Lila Fourhman-Shaull, YCHT Director of Library & Archives at 717-848-1587, ext. 223, or go online at www.yorkheritage.org for details. 3

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ Introduction Dear YCHT Friends, Every day is different at the York County Heritage Trust’s Library & Archives, which makes our work fascinating and immensely rewarding. For example, in one recent week we saw three high school students accompanied by their teacher working with primary source documents, a duo exploring a penmanship book from 1855 and a former West Point faculty member delving into the General Devers papers. The activity level dispels one’s notion of a quiet research space. We are delighted that so many people take a keen interest in York County’s immense history. That research forms the basis for the Journal of York County Heritage, which we are pleased to provide to you as a membership benefit. Within this issue you will explore the life and reflections of Josias Wilson, a Presbyterian minister who made his way from Ireland to Hopewell and Chanceford townships, and examine the Billmeyer family’s history of printing in Germantown and York Town. Then, we delve into the archives to learn about Dominick Argento’s rise to operatic stardom. Also, we learn from Elmer Q. Gleim about a widely attended and historically significant Church of the Brethren meeting in York. We are deeply indebted to those researchers whose passion for great storytelling fueled the research that you enjoy in the following pages. Their work builds a body of knowledge helping us to know the history and culture that shaped and continues to influence our county. We invite you to join the intriguing world of research where one piece of historic evidence leads to another, and another, and yet another – much like a detective would unravel a mystery. Please consider joining the growing ranks of researchers who help unlock the dormant stories in our nationally renowned Library & Archives. Many are yet waiting to be told. Thank you to everyone who made this journal issue possible: our authors, researchers, editors, funders and YCHT’s Publication Committee. To our readers, enjoy the fruits of their passion. Read on! Joan Mummert President/CEO th PS. Last year we marked the 150 Anniversary of the Civil War with an entire journal devoted to the subject in combination with The Fiery Trial exhibit. Please be sure to visit the exhibit, which is extended through June 2015. 4

Table of Contents A Family of Printers: The Billmeyers of York Town and the Early Printing Profession 6 Stephen H. Smith A Final Gathering: Considering the Old German Brethren Church of America’s Annual Meeting in York, 1912 16 Elmer Q. Gleim From the Archive: An Artist’s Spotlight: Tracing Dominick Argento’s Musical Rise from York Roots 22 Van R. Baker Josias Wilson and the uses of Autobiography: A York County Presbyterian Reflects on His Life 26 Richard K. MacMaster Notes from the Trust: Codorus Street Remembered 34 James McClure Notes from the Trust: An Overview of The York County Heritage Trust’s Colonial Complex 38 Daniel Roe James Smith Letters 42 Announcement: Lewis Miller’s People 46

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ have to is believed Thehome Heritage Trust at the York County archived in Philadelphiaand is This photograph shows the Billmeyer House located on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia and is archived at the York County Heritage Trust. The home is believed to have Germantown Avenue on shows the BillmeyerHouselocated photograph been built in 1727. This 6

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust A Family of Printers The Billmeyers of York Town and the Early Printing Profession Stephen H. Smith he great influx of Germans to the JACOB BILLMEYER American colonies in the early German immigrant Jacob Billmeyer ar- 1700s not only improved their rived in America on the ship Loyal Judith at Tlives materially but also their the port of Philadelphia on September 25, lives spiritually. Religious freedom and the 1732. Upon arrival, the captain’s list reports 3 freedom of thought informed what types of his age as eighteen. 4 materials were first published in the German With his arrival in York Town, Pennsylva- language in America. nia, in 1738, Billmeyer was one of the town’s Religious freedom fueled the need for earliest settlers. Lewis Miller, a well-known German hymnals, prayer books and Bibles. 19th-century German folk artist and York And freedom of thought fueled the need for resident, noted in his work that Billmeyer German language newspapers. In German- was born in 1714 and came to York at the town, Pennsylvania, a German immigrant age of 24-years-old. Billmeyer “built a house was the first to fill these needs. In 1738, in [sic] Main Street near the corner of the Christopher Saur [Christopher Sower] estab- Market Square north,” Miller wrote. 5 lished the first successful German language Billmeyer lived at the site of York Town printing business in the colonies. 1 before the first town survey was made dur- 6 Saur printed hymnals, prayer books, an ing October 1741. A sketch by Miller shows almanac and a newspaper. His printing of a Billmeyer’s house is the third house east of German language Bible in 1743 was signifi- the Market Square on the north side of Main cant. According to George Von Skal, “Saur’s Street (now East Market Street). Miller 7 greatest work was the printing of the first drew the street as it existed in 1800 when Bible on American soil. Not the first Ger- Billmeyer’s widow was still alive. 8 man Bible, but the first Bible of any kind, Billmeyer married Helena Holtzender for the first Bible in the English language and had nine children between 1743 and was not printed in America until forty years 1763: John Jacob, b. 1743; Susan, b. 1746; later.” 2 Rosina, b. 1749; Michael, b. 1752; Andrew, Like Germantown, York County had b. 1754; Elizabeth, b. 1757; Ann, b. 1759; a growing German-speaking population. Mary Juliana, b. 1763; and Jacob, b. 1763. 9 Eventually they would want their own local- Michael Billmeyer and Andrew Billmeyer ly printed newspapers and religious books. would become printers. Michael eventually Scanning two generations, this article gives established a business in Germantown while a brief account of the lives of two German- Andrew kept his business in York Town. language printers that descended from one The Billmeyers attended Christ Lutheran of the earliest inhabitants of York Town. Church, and all of their children were bap- Stephen H. Smith, who wrote an award-winning family history called “Barshingers in America,” earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Penn State University. He retired as a Manager of Design Engineering at York International Corporation. 7

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ tized at this church. The records of the York Mary, in Germantown. The Rev. Michael County Heritage Trust in York, Pennsyl- Schlatter officiated. 12 vania, note a plaque in a hallway of Christ The newlyweds remained in Germantown Lutheran Church. The translation from Ger- until the British occupation of Philadelphia 13 man is: “Jacob Billmeyer died February 16, and its environs in the fall of 1777. At 1777; aged 63 years. Helena Billmeyer died that time, Saur’s printing press and property November 14, 1803; in her 86th year.” were seized and sold by the British. The Bill- meyers moved to reside in York for several MICHAEL BILLMEYER years during the war and Michael operated a Michael Billmeyer was born in York Town store – again likely with his brother Andrew 14 on January 1, 1752. In the collections of the – through 1783, per existing tax records. Free Library of Philadelphia is an account But in 1784, Billmeyer returned to German- book cataloged as: “Michael and Andreas town and established a new printing busi- Billmeyer’s Account Book, 1774–1783 with ness in a partnership with his father-in-law. Turner, Bookseller and Personal Entries.” Oswald Seidensticker’s, The First Century of 10 The book is sourced to York under the names German Printing in America, notes that the of Michael and Andrew Billmeyer. The lan- pair’s business was considered a renewal of guage in the account book is a mix of Ger- the Saur establishment: “Much of the confis- man and English. Based upon provenance, cated stock of Christopher Saur was acquired this account book might have gone with Mi- by the new firm.” 15 chael Billmeyer after he married in German- The partnership between Leibert and town. If so, the book was returned to York Billmeyer was dissolved in August 1787. during the Revolutionary War before finding Billmeyer continued the business as it had a permanent home back in Germantown. existed. The operation published Die Ger- In 1774, Michael Billmeyer was twenty- mantauner Zeitung, a German-language two, and his brother Andrew was two years newspaper from 1785 to 1799, and Bill- younger. Based upon this account book, it meyer became a well-respected and prolific is likely that the brothers opened a book- printer in Germantown. 16 store in York Town during that year. Michael Seidensticker’s 1893 book indicates two Billmeyer’s decision to go into the book- of Billmeyer’s sons became involved in the store business – and the book-buying trips printing business as well. that were a result – was likely how he met his wife, Mary, the daughter of the Breth- “Michael Billmeyer’s two sons, George ren minister Peter Leibert. Leibert, who was and Daniel, kept a bookstore in Phila- born on October 20, 1727, was apprenticed delphia from 1814–1820 and during to Saur to learn the printing business. Leib- this time the Billmeyer publications ert remained with him even after Saur’s son, have a Philadelphia imprint, though Christopher Saur, Jr., joined the business. 11 actually printed in Germantown at Between 1774 and 1776, Billmeyer was the old place, [then 5347, however likely making book-purchasing trips that now 6507 after street renumbering] included stops at Saur’s print shop in Ger- Germantown Avenue, which is still in mantown. Mary possibly helped her father good condition and the residence of there. In May 1776, Billmeyer, a Lutheran, George Billmeyer’s daughter.” 17 married Mary Leibert, daughter of Peter and 8

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Michael Billmeyer returned to having a Sensenig, b. 1798; Charlotte, b. 1802; and Germantown imprint in 1819 and contin- Mary, b.c. ~1804. 22 18 ued with it through 1834. He died on Feb- After his brother, Michael, married and ruary 8, 1837, and is buried in the family moved to Germantown, Andrew Billmeyer vault in the graveyard at St. Michael’s Evan- likely kept the bookstore in York operation- gelical Lutheran Church in Germantown. al. Both brothers are listed as storekeepers in The Michael Billmeyer house is a promi- York tax records after Michael and his wife nent reminder of this printer in German- returned to York when the British occupied town. In 1789, Billmeyer purchased a house Germantown. 23 that would be the long-time home of his On October 17, 1777, Continental Con- printing establishment. His descendants gress, then in flight from the British occu- continued to own it many decades thereaf- pation of Philadelphia and residing in York, ter. Around 1951, Rev. Charles W. Heath- resolved that a printing press be erected for cote photographed the house. This photo is their needs. The Hall & Sellers printing press in the large Heathcote Photo Collection at soon arrived from the Bethlehem site where the York County Heritage Trust. In 1901, it had been evacuated prior to the British 19 The Site and Relic Society of Germantown occupation. After its adoption in 1776, the erected a large stone tablet in the foreshort- Declaration of Independence was printed on ened entrance stonework after Germantown this press. 24 Avenue was widened. It reads: Hall and Sellers printing press was the first press erected in Pennsylvania, west of “In front of this House during The the Susquehanna River. It was erected on Battle of Germantown Oct. 4th 1777, the site located at the southwest corner Washington conferred with his Of- of the current streets of West Market and ficers, ordered the attack upon the South Beaver in York. While this printing Chew House and directed the Battle. press was in York Town, it printed the Penn- This House bears the marks of bullets sylvania Gazette. It also printed Continental and of attempts to fire it made by the currency. British. In 1789 it became the Home After the British left Philadelphia fearing of Michael Billmeyer, the Printer.” a blockade by the French fleet, the Conti- 20 nental Congress reconvened in Philadelphia The house was placed on the National during July 1778. The Hall & Sellers print- Register of Historic Places in 1972. ing press also returned to Philadelphia. York would not have another printing press until ANDREW BILLMEYER 1787. Several newspapers ensued until An- Michael’s brother, Andrew, was born on drew Billmeyer opened a printing business in May 21, 1754. Lewis Miller once sketched 1799. York historian George Prowell wrote: Andrew playing the old horn that his father “The paper next published in the borough of Jacob brought with him from Germany. 21 York was Der Volks Verichter, the first number He married Barbara about 1780 and they of which was issued by Andrew Billmeyer on had eight children between roughly 1782 July 25, 1799. This paper continued four and 1804: Elizabeth, b. c. 1782; Daniel, b. years. Andrew Billmeyer also published a 25 1788; Sarah, b. 1792; Hannah (Helena), number of books.” Billmeyer entered the b. 1794; Hetty (Hester), b. 1796; John newspaper business with a German language 9

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ paper. “There were now three papers pub- meyer, afterward by Daniel Billmeyer lished together in York, one in the English alone, until his death, which was in and two in the German language.” 26 the year 1828. Shortly after Mr. Bill- Andrew Billmeyer owned the property on meyer’s decease, the establishment was the northeast corner of Centre Square along purchased by Mr. Samuel Wagner.” 30 27 East High Street (now East Market Street). (Schlichting and Billmeyer referred to This is probably where his printing business Christian Schlichting and Daniel Billmey- was located when it was established in 1799. er. Christian Schlichting having previously Through 1809, Billmeyer family members been the second owner of the initial Ger- occupied this and adjoining lots. At the age man language newspaper published in York, of fifty-five, Andrew Billmeyer sold his prop- Die York Gazette, which was first published erty on Centre Square to Samuel Small in 31 in 1796. ) 28 1809. The ensuing hardware store on the A century ago, several historians assumed site would grow into the P. A. & S. Small cousins Daniel Billmeyer, son of Andrew, Company. Billmeyer died March 8 or 9, and Daniel L. Billmeyer, son of Michael, 1835, at age eighty. were one-in-the-same person. An early ex- ample highlighting this incorrect assump- DANIEL BILLMEYER tion is from 1922 meeting proceedings of Andrew’s son, Daniel Billmeyer, was born the American Antiquarian Society: on March 5, 1788. Daniel’s birth and that of his wife, Salome, are recorded as the first two [York] Wahre Republicaner,Weekly, entries on the Family Record page copied Established Feb. 20, 1805, by Schlich- from a Bible owned in 1966 by Mrs. Robert ting and Billmeyer [Christian Schlich- Skold. A copy of this record is located in the ting and Andrew Billmeyer], with the family history files of the York County Heri- title “Der Wahre Republicaner.”Daniel tage Trust in York. Billmeyer, who printed at Philadelphia Billmeyer married Salome Musser (some- from 1814 to 1819, was later publish- times spelled Moser) in 1812. On occasions er of the paper. See Carter and Glass- Salome used the name Sarah. The couple had brenner, “History of York Co.,” 1834, seven children between 1812 and 1824: Wil- p. 98, who infer that Daniel Billmeyer liam, b. 1812; Charlotte, b. 1813; Rebecca, conducted the paper for the first few b. 1815; Eliza, b. 1817; Jacob, b. 1819; Ma- years, which differs from Seidenstick- ria Elizabeth, b. 1821; and Charles b. 1824. 29 er’s “German Printing in America.” 32 Billmeyer followed his father into the The July 16, 1828 issue of Republican printing and publishing business. Carter & Compiler of Gettysburg, noted: “Died on Glossbrenner’s 1834 History of York County Wednesday the 9 inst. Aged about 41 years, indicated: Mr. Daniel Billmeyer, Editor of the ‘Wahre “Der Wahre Republicaner” was the Republican,’ York, Pa.” The Family Bible of third German paper printed in York, Daniel Billmeyer of York, PA, agreed; noting its first number being issued on the his death on July 9, 1828. Whereas his cous- 20th of February, 1805. This paper, in Daniel L. Billmeyer of Germantown and which was a continuation of the “Beri- Philadelphia died January 7, 1850; therefore chter,” or rather a revival of it, was at these are definitely two distinct Daniel Bill- first published by Schlichting and Bill- meyer printers. 33 10

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust During early years in the business, Daniel of a Nineteenth Century Pennsylvania Billmeyer likely utilized any one of various German Folk Artist (York, Pennsylvania: properties owned by family members. In The Historical Society of York County, 1823, he purchased a half-lot on the south 1966), 23. side of East High Street that places the fi- 6 John Gibson, History of York County, nal location of his print shop at the current Pennsylvania (Chicago: F. A. Battey lobby entrance to the Yorktowne Hotel. 34 Publishing Co., 1886), 96. The Billmeyer brothers are born in York Town in the early 1750s. One establishes a 7 Robert P. Turner, Editor, Lewis Miller, name for himself as a prolific Germantown Sketches and Chronicles, 2. printer, and the other establishes a print shop 8 Ibid, 23. in York. The offspring of both of these broth- ers follow their fathers into the printing and 9 York County Heritage Trust family file publishing business. Such is the fascinating 1257. story of the Billmeyer printers from York 10 Free Library of Philadelphia, Digi- Town, Pennsylvania. tal Collections, http://libwww. freelibrary.org/diglib/SearchItem. Endnotes cfm?ItemID=frkm113000. 1 George Von Skal, History of German 11 Martin Grove Brumbaugh, A History of Immigration in the United States and The German Baptist Brethren in Europe Successful German-Americans and Their and America (Mount Morris, Ill.: Breth- Descendants (New York: F. T. & J. C. ren Publishing House, 1899), 516. Smiley, 1908), 16. 12 Rev. S. F. Hotchkin, Ancient and Mod- 2 Ibid. [Editor’s note: Recent scholar- ern Germantown, Mount Airy and Chest- ship has shown this was the first Bible nut Hill (Philadelphia, PA: P. W. Ziegler in a European language printed in & Co., Publishers, 1889), 285. America. The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and the New –Translated 13 Ibid. into the Indian Language was printed in 14 George R. Prowell, History of York Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1663. It County, Pennsylvania, Volume I (Chi- was translated into Algonquian by John cago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1907), 647. Eliot.] 15 Oswald Seidensticker, The First Cen- 3 Ralph Beaver Strassburger, Edited by tury of German Printing in America, William John Hinke, Pennsylvania 1728–1830 (Philadelphia, PA: Schaefer German Pioneers, A Publication of the & Koradi, 1893), 113. Original Lists of Arrivals In the Port of Philadelphia From 1727 to 1808, Volume 16 Ibid, 120. I (Reprinted. Camden, Maine: Picton 17 Ibid, 192. Press, 1992), 88. 18 Ibid, 251. 4 Ibid, 87. 19 Rev. Charles W. Heathcote ca. 1951 5 Robert P. Turner, Editor, Lewis Miller, photograph of the Michael Billmeyer Sketches and Chronicles, The Reflections 11

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ House and Printing Office in Ger- July 25, 1799 to July 23, 1801 of this mantown, (Item 10471.0760P in the newspaper are located at the American Heathcote Photo Collection at the York Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Mas- County Heritage Trust) sachusetts. The York County Heritage Trust has Der Volks Berichter issues from 20 Inscription on a large stone tablet July 25, 1799 to July 23, 1801 on mi- built into the entrance steps structure crofilm. The Trust also has three issues at 6505–6507 Germantown Avenue, as originals: December 6, 1799; January Philadelphia, PA; transcription by S. 22, 1801; and February 25, 1802. The H. Smith. The Site and Relic Society of Library of Congress records the Num- Germantown erected this tablet in the ber 134, February 25, 1802 issue as cur- foreshortened entrance stonework dur- rently the latest issue located. ing 1901. 27 York County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book 21 Turner, ed., Lewis Miller, Sketches and 2W, Page 341: The western half of Lot Chronicles, 23 55 (at the northeast corner of Market 22 York County Heritage Trust family file Square, fronting the Square and East 1257. High Street) is conveyed from the Heirs of Jacob Billmeyer to Andrew Billmeyer 23 George R. Prowell, History of York on November 4th, 1793. County, Pennsylvania, Volume I (Chi- cago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1907), 647. 28 George R. Prowell, History of York County, Pennsylvania, Volume I (Chi- 24 Ibid, 549. cago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1907), 670. 25 Ibid. 29 York County Heritage Trust family file 26 W. C. Carter & A. J. Glossbrenner, 1257. History of York County, From Its Erec- 30 W. C. Carter & A. J. Glossbrenner, His- tion To The Present Time [1729–1834] tory of York County, From Its Erection To (York, Pennsylvania.: A. J. Glossbrenner, The Present Time [1729–1834] (York, 1834), 98. Prowell’s 1907 History of Pennsylvania: A. J. Glossbrenner, 1834), York County and John Gibson’s 1886 98. History of York County both note the title of Billmeyer’s newspaper as Der 31 Ibid, 97. Volks Verichter. Carter & Glossbrenner’s 32 American Antiquarian Society, Proceed- 1834 History of York County indicates ings of the American Antiquarian Society the title Der Volks Berichter. The Carter at the Semi-Annual Meeting Held in & Glossbrenner spelling is correct and Boston, April 12, 1922 (Worcester, Mas- it translates and agrees with several sachusetts: American Antiquarian Soci- other sources. The Library of Congress ety, 1923), 379; Oswald Seidensticker, notes that Der Volks Berichter was a The First Century of German Printing in weekly German language newspaper America, 1728–1830 (Philadelphia, PA: published by Andreas Billmeyer in York, Schaefer & Koradi, 1893), 253. Seiden- Pennsylvania. Number 1 was issued sticker’s German Printing in America has July 25, 1799. The Library of Congress Andreas Billmeyer publishing a news- notes that all the original issues from 12

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust paper in York from 1799 to 1828, and Volume 1 (1728–1807) (Pennsylvania in partnership with Schlichting from German Society No. XXI, Printed in 1805 to 1806. In 1893, Seidensticker Gottingen, Germany: Hubert & Co., likely concluded his “one-and-only 1989), 559, 594. Oswald Seidensticker’s Daniel Billmeyer” never was in York and incorrect assertion that Christian Schli- therefore incorrectly surmised Andrew chting was in partnership with Andreas Billmeyer was the printer of Der Wahre Billmeyer unfortunately is quoted in Republicaner until 1828. The 1922 more recent books. An example is the Meeting Proceedings of the American Two Volume Set of The First Century of Antiquarian Society indicate their “one- German Language Printing in the United and-only Daniel Billmeyer” moves from States of America, published in 1989 by Philadelphia to York to print Der Wahre The Pennsylvania German Society. In Republicaner during the final years of Volume I, on pages 559 and 594, books publication. printed by Schlichting and Billmeyer in York, Pa are attributed to Christian 33 American Antiquarian Society, Proceed- Schlichting and Andreas Billmeyer ings of April 12, 1922 Meeting, 379. based upon studies of Oswald Seiden- In defense of these historians of long sticker. The preponderance of evidence ago, by 1922 no copies of Der Wahre in this article points to these books ac- Republicaner had been located. Today tually being printed by Christian Schli- the Library of Congress notes that Der chting and Daniel Billmeyer. Wahre Republicaner was a weekly Ger- man language newspaper published by 34 York County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book Daniel Billmeyer in York, based upon 3H, Page 291: The western half of Lot the current existence of two original 41, of the General Plan of the Town of issues of this newspaper. An original York, is conveyed from Jesse Himes to issue No. 271, dated May 30, 1810, is Daniel Billmeyer on July 15th, 1823. located at the American Antiquarian This is the printing establishment noted Society in Worcester, Massachusetts. An in Daniel’s Estate Inventory, because original issue dated March 6, 1811 is the other property, his residence, and located at Franklin & Marshall College now of his widow, is confirmed to be in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1893, in Hay’s Addition; i.e. the area north of Oswald Seidensticker incorrectly sur- North Street and swinging to the north- mised Andrew Billmeyer was the printer east of the original survey of York Town. of Der Wahre Republicaner until 1828. Carter & Glossbrenner lived in York and likely had known Daniel Billmeyer personally; therefore their 1834 History of York County has a greater preponder- ance of being correct. Also, Karl John Richard Arndt and Reimer C. Eck, The First Century of German Language Print- ing in the United States of America, A Bibliography Based on the Studies of Os- wald Seidensticker and Wilbur H. Oda, 13

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ Bibliography 559, Number 1475 (Corrected per Article Text). Bibliography of Billmeyer Printed German- Language Books primarily in the collections (1807?) {PGL BX.8066.1.G.313.Zw.1.H; of the York County Heritage Trust; (Year DLC} 19-page Lutheran religious book; Published) [YCHT Accession No. or {Other Additional Reference: Arndt & Eck, Penn- Location}] with Short Description. Key to sylvania German Society No. XXI 1989, Library Symbols as detailed in Arndt & Eck Page 594, Number 1584 (Corrected per include: DLC – United States Library of Article Text). Congress, Washington D.C., MWA – American Antiquarian Society, Worches- Printed by Daniel Billmeyer in ter, Ma., PcarlH – Cumberland County York, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Carlisle, Pa.; PGL – Lu- (1814) {Lutheran Theological Seminary, theran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Gettysburg, PA} Small Lutheran Hymnal; Pa., PP – Free Library of Pennsylvania, Reference: Arndt & Eck, Pennsylvania Ger- Philadelphia, Pa. man Society No. XXII, 1989, Page 759, Number 2063. Printed by Andrew Billmeyer in York, Pennsylvania Printed by Peter Leibert & (1801) [10699B] Small religious book; Ad- Michael Billmeyer in ditional Reference: Arndt & Eck, Pennsyl- Germantown, Pennsylvania vania German Society No. XXI, 1989, Page (1785, 1786, 1787) [15596.001.010, 499, Number 1286. 15596.001.011, 15596.001.012] Almanacs (1803) [01435B] Small leather bound Printed by Michael Billmeyer in prayer book; Additional Reference: Arndt Germantown, Pennsylvania & Eck, Pennsylvania German Society No. (1788 to 1833) [15596.001.013 to XXI, 1989, Page 525, Number 1365. 15596.001.050] Almanacs; Years include: (1803) [28185B] Small leather bound 1788, 1789, 1790, 1794, 1795, 1796, prayer book; Additional Reference: Arndt 1799, 1804, 1805, 1807, 1808, 1809, & Eck, Pennsylvania German Society No. 1810, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1820, 1821, XXI, 1989, Page 525, Number 1365. 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1831, 1832 and 1833 (1805) {PGL BV.484.S.25.1805.Rare; PcarlH, MWA} 142 Page religious book; (1786) [28128b] Leatherbound collection Additional Reference: Arndt & Eck, Penn- of Lutheran Hymns sylvania German Society No. XXI 1989, (1795) [13989.273] Oberdorff Bible Page 559, Number 1474. (1805) [27950B] Lutheran Hymnal Printed by Christian Schlichting and (1805) [27959b] Lutheran Hymnal Daniel Billmeyer in York, Pennsylvania (1805?) {PP N.p.n.d.Summarischer; PGL} (1822) [13989.204] Sipe/Firestone Bible 24-page summary of the trial and dying ( — ) [13848B] Lutheran religious book confession of Charles Cunningham; Ad- ditional Reference: Arndt & Eck, Pennsyl- ( — ) [3939B] First American Lutheran vania German Society No. XXI 1989, Page Synodal Hymnal 14

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust ( — ) [28094b] Lutheran Hymnal ( — ) [21193B] Mennonite religious book ( — ) [5128B] Early Mennonite Hymnal ( — ) [28180b] Small religious text bound in leather ( — ) [29981B] Small church hymnal Printed by George and Daniel L. Billmeyer in Philadelphia {actually Germantown Print Shop}, Pa. (1815 to 1819) [15596.010.005 to 15596.010.012] Almanacs; Years include: 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818 and 1819 ( — ) [27923B] Lutheran Hymnal 15

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ 16 This photograph shows members of the Old German Brethren Church as they gather for the annual conference held at York Fairgrounds in 1912. In this issue of the journal, Elmer Q. Gleim explores the decisions made by the group during this pivotal meeting. This image provided by

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust A Final Gathering Considering the Old German Brethren Church of America’s Annual Meeting in York, 1912 Elmer Q. Gleim n June 4, 1912, a small article nion service that accompanied the gathering. appeared in the newspapers These Brethren had gathered for their around York, Pennsylvania, 171st annual meeting and their number Oannouncing the arrival of an represented the longevity of one of the nu- annual church conference at the York Fair- merous German-speaking groups that had grounds. The yearly meeting of the Old Ger- fled to Pennsylvania from imprisonments man Brethren Church of America (or “Com- and harassments in eighteenth century Ger- munity of the Dunkers”) had attracted thou- many. Europe had splintered into groups sands of delegates and visitors from around seeking freedom and religious liberty. The Pennsylvania and Ohio. Others arrived original church formed in Schwarzenau, from as far away as California and Oregon. Germany, where they were simply known And the event was marked by “a monstrous as “the Community of the Brethren” with- barbecue, a song service, and a public foot- out a specific name (1708–1729). This re- 2 washing service for the members.” 1 ligious group consisted of about 300 people The York assembly had historic signifi- when they migrated to Pennsylvania during cance for the Brethren. An important mo- the colonial era. Otho Winger, a one-time 3 tion over whether membership required president of Manchester College (later Uni- adherence to “plain dress” protocols was versity) in Indiana, described the beginnings considered after two previous years’ worth of of the Brethren people in America as “small debate. And the gathering at the York Fair- in number but great in influence.” By 1719, 4 grounds would be the last of its kind for the a group of about twenty emigrant Brethren group as concerns over poor acoustics and families settled in Germantown, a suburb of the connotations of meeting at a fairgrounds Philadelphia. Alexander Mack (1679–1735), would be addressed. who was the founder of the movement in Conference delegates arrived to the region Germany and America, then sponsored the by train from the West Coast. They stayed ship Allen in 1729 with an additional fifty 5 in rooming houses or were housed by lo- families. These early settlers were baptized cal Brethren church members. In this era of in the icy waters of the Wissahickon Creek horse and buggy, few members owned cars on Christmas Day in 1723 and formed the but were permitted to own trucks for work. original Germantown congregation. 6 At the fairgrounds, large tents were erected This pacifist denomination was part of the and served as temporary kitchens so local “plain people” of colonial Pennsylvania. They church women could feed conference attend- formed communities in the backcountry re- ees. They also prepared lamb for the commu- gion where they found acreage for farming at Elmer Q. Gleim has been author, teacher, and pastor in York County for the past 65 years. He has published more than a dozen books related to church history and has served as church historian for the Southern District of Pennsylvania, Church of the Brethren for more than 50 years. This is his third article for the journal. 17

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ bargain prices. And they were called “plain After the division of the church movement people” for more than their mode of dress. in the early 1880s, the main body of believ- It was also because of their religious convic- ers became The Church of the Brethren and tions and nonconformist views. 7 began to question the Minutes of the Annual 13 They were known as “a peculiar people” in Conferences, which had grown obligatory. the sense they could be unconventional, un- The appearance of missions, evangelism, usual or distinctive. Some sociologists have publishing, and schools also affected chang- called the Brethren “a modern isolated sect.” es, and the Brethren were no longer satisfied 8 This description was true of the Brethren with their purely sectarian identity. during their early decades in America. For The question of “plain dress and simple roughly 175 years, the Brethren adopted a living” appeared as a query before the an- nonconformist stance. Christopher Sauer nual meeting held in 1911 in St. Joseph, [Christopher Sower] (1695–1758), a printer Missouri. The more conservative Brethren in early Germantown, described the Breth- considered it to be “a great problem” at this ren as “building a fence about them.” 9 time. Changes in dress habits among mem- During the decades that followed, the sect bers required a restatement of the principle gradually transformed into a church that that had been framed in at least seventy pre- confronted the challenges of a changing so- vious rulings. The signs were clear that the 14 ciety. It took nearly two centuries until the church was changing. “Brethren were too movement recognized itself as a church. That open, curious and attracted to the society change came in 1908 when Brethren met in about them to be comfortable for long with Des Moines, Iowa, where they adopted the a sectarian identity of the past,” according to name as “Church of the Brethren.” Breth- Donald Durnbaugh’s work. 15 ren met on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Plain dress or garb was similar to that order to accommodate the large number of worn by the present-day Amish. “Brothers” delegates who attended. It was here that the had beards, wore black hats and donned dark church reviewed “…the experiences of the coats with standing collars and hook clo- past, took its bearings of the present, and sures. Mustaches were forbidden as they were received a vision of the future work of the considered too closely aligned with the mili- church in its mission to the world.” The tary. Sisters wore modest, unadorned dresses 10 church published a bi-centennial volume with prayer veils or coverings. They put on containing the major addresses delivered at black bonnets when outside the home. They the Iowa Conference. These twenty-four ad- shunned jewelry and showy clothing. dresses encouraged a surge of historic change The study committees at the 1910 and in the church. 1911 yearly meetings were to frame a restate- Martin Grove Brumbaugh (1864–1930), ment of the principle of nonconformity and who later served as the governor of Pennsyl- pass it to the next conference for final action. vania from 1915 to 1919, produced a history The study committee urged “the creation of a of the German Baptist Brethren in 1899 to policy for the times in which we live.” These 16 encourage an understanding of the “church’s discussions were presented to the gathering in splendid history.” “It will be seen that the York in 1912. It would be a new direction for 11 denomination knew all shades of belief,” he the church in an era of changes. 17 wrote. “They were debtors to all and follow- The denomination had the practice of ap- ers of none.” 12 pointing officers of the meeting after they ar- 18

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust rived at the conference site. Henry C. Early, Concerning the Annual Meeting in York, a former teacher, farmer and free minister the brick and concrete grandstand in which from Virginia, was elected moderator for many of the York meetings were conducted the York Conference. He had established a was built in 1887 and could hold 8,000 peo- reputation for fairness and was regarded as ple. It was a part of the original purchase of a “leader whom men may follow and feel 73 acres when the York Fair Grounds were 19 18 safe.” Early would prove to be effective. removed from the City of York to the edge of He served as moderator an additional seven West Manchester Township. The present site times and was a standing committee mem- consists of 120 acres. 24 20 ber twelve times. Complaints about bad acoustics had been When the much-debated measures came made at previous meetings held on fair- before the group, however, those wishing to grounds. Suggestions were made that speak- retain the garb as a measure of membership ers should come to the platform or stand on failed to achieve a necessary two-thirds vote. their chair in the auditorium in order to be The older, more conservative rules no longer recognized. The 1912 meeting in York was applied as a result. And the Brethren’s more the last at a fairground facility anywhere. The conservative members were no longer able to next year, the Brethren met in Winona Lake, impose stricter disciplinary rules and clothing Indiana, in part because the venue there of- rules as a test of being part of the Brethren. 21 fered better acoustics. But concerns over acoustics and the con- ference location soon arose, too. It appeared Endnotes to be a Brethren practice to speak of their 1 “Dunkards’ Convention” http:// meeting site as “the Tabernacle and other freepages.religions.rootsweb.ancestry. places.” During the meeting at York, the 22 com/~florian/church-of-the-brethren/ moderator observed, “We have here the larg- conferences/annual-conference-german- est temporary tabernacle, I think, in the his- baptists-june-4-1912.htm. tory of annual meetings, and so far as my observation goes, I have never been in one 2 Donald F. Durnbaugh, ed., The Brethren where the sound qualities were better, but Encyclopedia (Philadelphia: The Breth- it is simply impossible to hear what is said ren Encyclopedia, Inc., 1983), Vol. 1, and read when there is a sort of buzz going 174. on in an undertone over a large part of the 3 Donald F. Durnbaugh, ed., Church of tabernacle. Please let everybody be quiet and the Brethren: Yesterday and Today (Elgin, remain so while we are in the house of God, Illinois: Brethren Press, 1986), 2. to do business in His name.” 23 It was clear that the separatist church was 4 Otho Winger, History and Doctrine of changing, particularly with regard to the the Church of the Brethren (Elgin, Il- rental of facilities such as fairgrounds. In linois: Brethren Publishing House, th the late 19 Century, fairs were considered 1919), 47. “unbecoming and improper” places where 5 Floyd E. Mallott, Studies in Brethren Brethren should not go. Fairs were identi- History (Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Pub- fied with as places of worldliness. Before the lishing House, 1954), 323. Civil War era, anyone attending a fair was re- ported to bishops and speakers for discipline. 19

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ 6 George N. Falkenstein, et al., History 16 Full Report of the Proceedings of the An- of the Church of the Brethren of the East- nual Meeting of the Church of the Breth- ern District of Pennsylvania (Lancaster, ren (Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing Pennsylvania: New Era Printing Co., House, 1911), 95. 1915), 22. 17 John S. Flory, Henry C. Early, Christian 7 Mallott, Studies in Brethren History, 42. Statesman (Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Pub- lishing House, 1943), 187. 8 Durnbaugh, Church of the Brethren: Yes- terday and Today, 21. 18 Winger, History and Doctrine of the Church of the Brethren, 259. 9 Donald F. Durnbaugh. Was Christopher Sauer a Dunker? Pennsylvania History 19 John S. Flory, “Elder Henry C. Early – of Magazine and Biography Vol. 93 An Appreciation,” The Gospel Messenger, issue 3 July, 1969, 5. Durnbaugh was no. 39 (September 27, 1941): 5. quoting Edward F. Hocker from The 20 Durnbaugh, The Brethren Encyclopedia, Sower Printing House of Colonial Times Vol. 1, 413. published in the Pennsylvania German Society Publications Volume LIII, 1948. 21 Winger, History and Doctrine of the Church of the Brethren, 220. 10 Full Report of the Annual Meeting, Church of the Brethren, Des Moines, 22 Full Report of the Proceedings of the An- Iowa, 1908 (Elgin, Illinois: Brethren nual Meeting of the Church of the Breth- Publishing House, 1908), 173. ren (Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House, 1912), 50. 11 Two Centuries of the Church of the Breth- ren or The Beginning of the Brotherhood: 23 Full Report of the Proceedings of the An- Bicentennial Addresses at the Annual nual Meeting of the Church of the Breth- Conference, Des Moines, Iowa, June ren (Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing 3–11, 1908 (Elgin, Illinois: Brethren House, 1912), 66 Publishing House, 1908), 27. 24 Betty Peckham, The Story of a Dynamic 12 Martin G. Brumbaugh, History of the Community, York, Pennsylvania, York German Baptist Brethren (Elgin, IL: Chamber of Commerce, 85–86 Brethren Publishing House, 1899), 11. Bibliography 13 Church of the Brethren, Minutes of the Annual Meetings of the Church of the Brumbaugh, Martin G. History of the Ger- Brethren…1778–1909, (Elgin: Brethren man Baptist Brethren. Elgin, Illinois: Breth- Publishing House, 1909), 241. ren Publishing House, 1899. 14 Elmer Q. Gleim, From These Roots (Lan- Durnbaugh, Donald F., ed. The Brethren caster, Pennsylvania: Forry and Hacker, Encyclopedia. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 1975), 21. The Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc., 1983, Vol. 1. 15 Durnbaugh, The Brethren Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, 300. 20

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Durnbaugh, Donald F., ed. Church of the Brethren: Yesterday and Today. Elgin: Breth- ren Press, 1986. Durnbaugh, Donald F., Was Christopher Sauer a Dunker? Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. 1969. Falkenstein, George N. et al. History of the Church of the Brethren of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: New Era Printing Co., 1915. Flory, John S. Henry C. Early, Christian Statesman. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publish- ing House, 1943. Full Report of the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, Church of the Brethren, Des Moines, Iowa, 1908. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Pub- lishing House, 1908. Full Report of the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Church of the Brethren. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House, 1911. Full Report of the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Church of the Brethren. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House, 1912. Gleim, Elmer Q. From These Roots. Lancast- er, Pennsylvania: Forry and Hacker, 1975. Mallott, Floyd E. Studies in Brethren History. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House, 1954. Two Centuries of the Church of the Brethren or The Beginning of the Brotherhood: Bicen- tennial Addresses at the Annual Conference, Des Moines, Iowa, June 3–11, 1908. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House, 1908. Winger, Otho. History and Doctrine of the Church of the Brethren. Elgin, Illinois: Brethren Publishing House, 1919. 21

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ in 1975. The photograph is courtesy of Dr. Argento. Dominick Argento, a native of York County, has garnered wide fame as a composer of well-loved operas often based on literary sources. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Music 22

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust From the Archive An Artist’s Spotlight: Tracing Dominick Argento’s Musical Rise from York Roots 1 Van R. Baker, excerpts from a paper written in 1996 [ ow] we come to 1985, when a job with the American Chain Company but successful American composer after the repeal of prohibition he obtained one of the first liquor licenses and opened a decided to convert the Henry N James story into an opera. This for 1933–34 shows him located at 128 East composer was Dominick Argento, who had bar and restaurant. (The York City Directory been writing operas and other music for College Avenue, a building which survives nearly 30 years, during which time he had today—barely.) For a short while in the early helped found the Minneapolis Opera com- 1950s he owned and operated the 12-room pany, in 1963, and had been honored by Duke Hotel at 331 South Duke Street (now both the musical and the academic worlds. converted into an apartment building). 3 (Among his recognitions was an honorary When Dominick was born, the Argentos doctorate from York College in 1976.) By were living on South Beaver Street, opposite 1985 Argento’s prestige could hardly rise any St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, in a higher, for his greatest operatic success so far house that was later torn down when York had just occurred at the New York City Opera, High School bought the property for its ex- with Beverly Sills’ production of “Casanova’s pansion. But most of Dominick’s growing- Homecoming.” Moreover, the composer was up years were spent at the family’s big house enjoying his life and work both in Minnesota at 262 East College Avenue, at the southwest and Italy; he and his wife (childless) had long corner of College and Pine (a house which been spending their winters in their Minne- still stands). The Argentos had three chil- apolis suburban home (which has been called dren—Dominick, Virginia, Joseph—and a palazzo), and their summers in Florence, this couple (like most immigrant families) where they had a flat at the end of the Ponte was determined that all their children would Vecchio, and near the Pitti Palace. get good educations, which they did, though All this was a far cry from Argento’s ori- they responded to their opportunities in dif- gins in York, Pennsylvania, nearly 60 years ferent ways. earlier. Dominick was born on October 27, But to return to Dominick. Despite his 1927, the first child of Mike Argento (whose academic aptitude, this boy early showed no full first name was Michele) and his wife talent whatever as a musician, but rather took Nicolena. Mike had come to York with his an interest in things mechanical. He took 2 parents, immigrants from Cattolica, Sic- watches apart, and he built model airplanes. ily, in the early 1920s, and here he had met When he entered York High he enrolled in and married Nicolena Amato, whose family the industrial program. However, one day, also came from Cattolica. Mike at first got a when he was about 14, he was at Martin The late Van R. Baker was a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and received his Ph.D. in English from Columbia University. He was the first chairman of the English department at York College. In 2000, he published “The Websters,” a history of the Mexican War told through the letters of an Army family. Baker died in 2013. 23

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ Library reading about model airplanes and were fat and that the stories didn’t make any there he spotted some other books in the sense, [and] that it was a sissy form of the 4 M’s—biographies of musicians; as browsers art of composition.” He was beginning to will do, he began reading in these volumes change his mind though. Perhaps another and became intensely interested in the mu- contributing factor was getting to know Car- sicians’ lives; he also discovered the library’s olyn Bailey, a soprano at Peabody, who also record player and collection of classical re- was from York—the daughter of a minister; cords. (Today he gives the Martin Library in any case his appreciation for vocal music great credit for its influence on his career.) somehow took a leap forward. He taught himself to play the piano—using On graduating from Peabody in 1951 the upright in his father’s restaurant when he received a Fulbright Fellowship to study it was not otherwise employed—and at 15 composition and piano in Florence, Italy. started taking piano lessons (from Profes- When he came back a year later he got a job sor Link on Beaver Street). He also started teaching at Hampton Institute, in Virginia, teaching himself musical theory and harmo- where he stayed three years; while there he th ny. For his 16 birthday he asked his father married Carolyn. In 1955 they moved to for a piano, and to his surprise this turned Rochester, N.Y., where he studied at the out to be not a common upright but a baby Eastman School for two years, receiving a grand, bought from Weaver’s Piano Co. Ph.D. in 1957. This was followed by another (Dominick says that this generosity insured year in Florence, this time on a Guggenheim that he would become a musician. His father Fellowship. When they returned home he ac- lived until 1961, and by this time it was clear cepted a teaching position at the University that Dominick would have a successful mu- of Minnesota—simply because they offered sical career.) Yet despite his newly developed him a job and not that he especially wanted musical abilities, Dominick graduated from to go there. For some years he thought he’d York High as a machinist, in 1945, and he rather be at a more prestigious university, but worked at Read Machinery as a machine op- then came to realize he would rather teach at erator until later that year when he was draft- Minnesota than anywhere in the world. He ed into the Army and became a cryptologist. loves to teach and he loves to write, and these When Dominick came out of the Army are the things he has been able to do during two years later his parents hoped he would his 38 years at the University of Minnesota. study law or medicine, but he was set on What has he written? Just about every- music and used the G.I. Bill to enroll at thing—symphonic and other orchestral Peabody Conservatory, in Baltimore, with works, chamber music, and a great deal of the aim of becoming a concert pianist. In vocal music—including 15 operas. his second year, however, he realized he had Two things can be said about his vocal started piano too late for that, so he turned works, including the operas; the first is that to composition. they nearly all are based on literary works, Obviously he had found his niche, for he works from which he has extracted charac- finished a four-year course in harmony in ters already proven to have universal inter- one year, and he won the Peabody composi- est—the Bible, Shakespeare, Chekhov, Hen- tion prize for three years in a row. Yet he still ry James, Thomas Dekker, Poe, Dickens, Ca- cared nothing for opera until his third year sanova, Wordsworth, Shelley, Ben Johnson, at Peabody, when he acted as musical coach Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Virginia Woolf, for the Hilltop Opera in Baltimore. Up un- and biographies of composers. til that time he had thought that “the tenors The second characteristic of his vocal 24

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust works is their extreme singability. Opera sion. As I said earlier, he has gone a long way singers praise him for that—and he gives the from his modest beginnings, but I think he credit to his wife, saying that she taught him is just the kind of person who would have what he needed to know about singing, such started out in York, Pennsylvania. as “difficult vowels, awkward intervals, du- 5 ration of breath.” She retired in the 1970s Endnotes but has remained almost an assistant com- 1 Previously titled “York’s Dominick Ar- poser to Dominick. To Argento the most 6 gento and his opera The Aspern Papers,” important element of opera is the singing Van R. Baker’s work was presented as voice. Other elements are important too— a paper to a York civic organization on “subject, compositional style, structure, or- September 23, 1996. While Baker’s full chestration, dramaturgy” but “the sine qua work looks at the creation of Argento’s non…is the singing voice.” 7 plays and operas, excerpts of the paper To me the third characteristic of Argento’s appearing in this journal draw together vocal writing is a consequence of the first biographical information. Footnote two: in them we seem to find real people ex- styles from the 1996 work have been pressing their emotions clearly and convinc- retained for the excerpts appearing here. ingly through song. Among Argento’s best-known vocal works 2 Biographical material about Dominick are his song cycle “From the Diary of Virgin- Argento comes from the various articles ia Woolf” for which he received the Pulitzer cited as well as from interviews with Prize in 1975, and the operas “Postcard from Dominick himself and with his brother Morocco,” “The Voyage of Edgar Allan Poe,” Joe and Joe’s wife Rosemarie. “Casanova’s Homecoming,” “The Aspern Pa- 3 See York City Directory for 1952. This pers,” and “The Dream of Valentino.” hotel is listed under different ownership But what does Dominick Argento think in 1950 and 1954. about opera, about music, and about life? 4 Roger Pines, interview with Argento, He says that only listening to opera causes published in the World Premiere pro- him to “get a lump in [his] throat and feel gram for the Dallas Opera production the hair on the back of [his] neck.” And he of The Aspern Papers, November 19, 8 writes opera because it “is a way of learn- 1988, 13. ing who you are—a kind of self-discovery.” 5 Pines, 13–14. Moreover, he “would like his music to be life-affirming,” for he says “I happen to think 6 Patricia Grotts, “Portrait of a Compos- the world’s a marvelous place. I wish I could er,” Twin Cities, April 1985, 40. stay for 5,000 years. I love the earth. I love 7 “Argento on his Operas,” published in the world. And I basically love people.” 9 the World Premiere program for the Perhaps this explains why singers, actors, Dallas Opera production of The Aspern writers, and conductors all like to work with Papers, Nov. 19, 1988. him. They say that although he is demanding 8 Pines, 16. and cannot bear to hear wrong notes, he is at 9 Grotts, 43–44. the same time modest, warm, human, and 10 kind. He is also said to be “a pillar of the 10 Grotts, 45. community sort of person…not much given 11 Heidi Waleson, “Composer With a 11 to self-promotion.” And when I talked with Built-In Audience,” The New York Times, him on the phone I got that same impres- October 27, 1985, C19. 25

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ 26 This image comes from the inside front cover/flyleaf of the original volume housed in the York County Heritage Trust Library & Archives Rare Book Room.

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Josias Wilson and the Uses of Autobiography A York County Presbyterian Reflects on His Life Richard K. MacMaster hen the Rev. Josias Wilson 1 Wilson was born in the townland of sat down in his house in Aughlish, Parish of Ballimore, County the town of Ballymena in Armagh, within a quarter of a mile from the W County Antrim, Ireland, village of Scarva. He was the son of Samuel on New Year’s Day 1806 to begin writing Wilson, a farmer, and his wife Elizabeth his autobiography, “chiefly designed for the Atchison. He was uncertain of the year of his perusal of his children & childrens children,” birth, noting he “was born about the 24 of th he had a definite goal in mind: to draw on December 1769” and later adding “in 1766.” his life experiences for principles to guide He acknowledged “There must be here an his then very young children. That manu- error of three or 4 years with respect to the script, preserved in his family, is now in the year which I have before set down as the 5 library of the York County Heritage Trust. year of my Birth.” The records of his church 2 He had the same intention three years later in Northern Ireland indicated that he was when he wrote a little book of advice to his born in 1764. To add to the confusion, his 6 children in his farm house in Lower Chance- tombstone in the burial ground of Hopewell ford Township, York County, Pennsylvania. United Presbyterian Church in southeastern 3 Taken together they give us insight into the York County gives his age as forty years at his mind of a York County Presbyterian minister death in 1812. and the values he wanted to pass on to his We’re on firmer ground with his early children. Further, the reason for his coming influences. His parents “were both members across the Atlantic Ocean to York County – of the Burgher Seceding congregation then unrest in his native land – parallels that of under the ministry of the Revd. William many immigrants in the early 1800s. Lastly, Knox whose meeting house was at Scarva.” his York County experience carried a persis- The Seceders withdrew from the Presbyterian tent longing for his Irish home – a land to Church of Scotland in 1733 over issues that which he never returned. had no meaning in Ireland, but the perception In writing his autobiography, Wilson’s that the Synod of Ulster was too tolerant of method was to divide his life into discrete dissent from the Westminster Confession time periods and then append a list of and their reluctance to divide large territorial mistakes, regrets, and lessons learned from parishes for the benefit of churchgoers who each experience. Benjamin Franklin’s lived at a distance from the meeting house autobiography, first published in 1793, allowed the Secession movement to take might have provided a model. Wilson root in Irish Presbyterianism. By the time 7 recommended “Dr. Franklin’s Works” to his Josias Wilson came into the world, the children with the admonition to “mind his Seceders were the fastest growing church in 8 direction with the utmost care.” 4 the North of Ireland. His religious heritage Richard K. MacMaster is a retired history professor and lives in Gainesville, Florida. He has been the co-editor of The Journal of Scotch-Irish Studies since 2000. He has published numerous books on the Scots-Irish, including Scotch-Irish Merchants of Colonial America: The Flaxseed Trade and Emigration from Ireland 1718–1775 in 2013. 27

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ in this denomination was conservative, returning home for half a year, he traveled Biblical and Calvinist. “My Parents being back to Glasgow in November 1785 – again religiously disposed…I was early instructed taking logic, moral philosophy, and Hebrew, in the principles of religion contained in learning mathematics, and often stealing the Assembly’s shorter catechism, taught into the natural philosophy class “to see the to repeat my prayers and taken by my experiments they performed.” 14 father to the meeting house of Scarva to Instead of returning home to County publick worship almost every Lord’s day.” Armagh at the end of term, Wilson went to Samuel Wilson led family worship every Haddington, a small town eighteen miles east day and on Sabbath evenings read sermons of Edinburgh, where the Rev. John Brown 9 and catechism lessons to his family. In was the minister of the Seceder congregation. later years Josias Wilson was sure that John Brown of Haddington was “the teacher “religious instruction & example are of great of divinity of the students belonging to that importance to the young!” but as a boy he party of Seceders called Burghers and taught chafed at it. “To join in family worship or 2 or 3 months during the harvest.” Wilson to attend upon publick worship was to me spent the summer and early autumn of 1786 a burden…I rejoiced at heart when the as one of Brown’s students. 15 minister drew near the conclusion of his John Brown of Haddington was the sermon or when the Sabbath was over.” 10 preeminent scholar among the Seceders and Josias Wilson was only three years old taught candidates for ministry for twenty 16 when he was sent to a school in Scarva taught years. It was his sincere piety and genuine by John Bowman and continued with a concern for his students and his congregation series of schoolmasters in the neighborhood. that most impressed young Wilson in his These were all classical schools. “Mr. weeks at Haddington. He devoted eighteen Bowman set me when very young to learn pages of his seventy-page autobiography to the Latin language & I believe I was reading reminiscences of John Brown and quotations in Virgil when only seven years of age.” He from his lectures and table talk. was later sent to Andrew Maxwell’s school Josias Wilson returned to the University “and continued in it a considerable time of Glasgow in November 1786 and enrolled learning the Latin & Greek languages.” He in the natural philosophy class as a private was also sent “for half a year to Mr. Stewart’s student. This was a mistake. “For my not school of Loughbrickland to learn writing & attending the class as a publick student 11 arithmetic.” precluded according to the rules of the In November 1784 Wilson began studies college my submitting to an examination as a 17 at the University of Glasgow. He believed candidate for the degree of Master of Arts.” 12 he possessed “a knowledge of the Latin & He attended the lectures on anatomy and Greek languages great enough to have entered surgery and midwifery, and classes in moral college by the time I was 14 years of age.” It philosophy, Hebrew and church history as was not uncommon then for boys as young well as taking lessons in elocution “for some to matriculate at Glasgow. “But my youth Weeks.” In later years Wilson regretted “that & ignorance of the world & the greatness of I had not attended the teacher of elocution the distance deterred my father from sending sooner & for a longer period of time.” He me at that time.” In his first season there was well satisfied that he studied medicine he attended classes in moral philosophy, “as next to a knowledge of Divinity I consider logic, Hebrew and church history. After a knowledge of the human frame, of the 13 28

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust laws by which it is governed, of the diseases Wilson returned to Glasgow that summer to which it is subjected & of the remedies and again after harvest in 1791. 22 by which these diseases may be palliated or Home again in Ireland, he supplied vacant removed to be the most satisfactory & useful pulpits in the Presbytery of Monaghan. At knowledge of which the human mind can last the large congregation in the town of be possessed, not to speak of the pleasure Monaghan chose him and another licentiate which a humane mind experiences when as candidates to succeed their recently instrumental in allieviating the miseries of deceased pastor. Votes were evenly divided 18 the human race.” Reflecting on his years between the two, and Presbytery refused to of study Wilson concluded that he had allow a call to either one. “Disappointed here been “too solitary & unsocial,” “too bashful, & coming down to preach within the bounds awkward, & silent in company,” and “above of the Presbytery of Derry,” Wilson finally all that I did not press after a greater degree had the offer of a call as pastor. “Wearied of experimental knowledge of the Scriptures of the unsettled tossing fatiguing life of a & of practical godliness.” 19 Probationer I accepted of an unanimous At the beginning of harvest in 1787, call from a small congregation in the Parish Wilson left Glasgow for Selkirk in the south of Donegore county of Antrim and after of Scotland where Rev. George Lawson had delivering the usual discourses for trial was succeeded Brown as professor of divinity ordained as pastor over that congregation by for the Burgher Synod. Lawson required Mr. Smith minister of Ahoghill as the mouth his students to read the Scriptures in the of the Presbytery of Derry on Wednesday 23 th original Greek and Hebrew and to debate June 18 1794.” orthodox and heterodox understanding of Soon after his ordination Wilson drew Christian doctrines. With his studies over up a series of resolutions to govern his and after having passed the usual trials set by conduct as a minister. He would avoid too the Presbytery of Down, he was licensed to much familiarity with his congregants or preach February 24, 1788. 20 involvement in their affairs and avoid what As a licentiate he was authorized to preach he called “civil visits.” He would stick to in vacant congregations within his own serious topics in conversation and stay no presbytery, but there were no vacant pulpits longer than half an hour. His sermons would in the Presbytery of Down, so he was invited be no longer than fifty minutes. He also to preach in different congregations by their drew up a plan for visiting the sick. 24 pastors. “There was I am afraid a kind of Wilson apparently had nothing to say competition amongst the preachers, each one about his marriage in 1795, but it is evident striving to excel his fellows in order to obtain that one or more pages are missing from a call.” He preached in many places, including the original manuscript in the middle of Dublin, where he listened to debates in the a discussion whether it is better to marry Irish Parliament and considered it “a capital young or defer marriage until middle or old school of Eloquence,” and Sligo, “where age. He was of the opinion “that the mutual scarcely a word of English was to be heard affection of the parties will be stronger when 25 from the one end of the market to the other.” they marry in youth.” Returning to the None of them called Wilson as pastor. 21 subject later, Wilson told his children: “I The situation was different in Scotland, would advise you if you find it convenient and in 1790 the Burgher Seceding Synod to marry when young, marry persons about there appealed for preachers from Ireland. your own age, never marry those who are 29

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ addicted to drunkenness or any other gross time for the Wilsons. “In no place I had been vice, nor fools but such as are prudent and did the time seem to pass over with greater appear to fear God.” After warning his rapidity than the time I spent at Edinburgh daughters against the wiles of young men, he & No place I had ever been in did I leave continued: “Never marry one whom you do with greater regret.” 31 not like merely for the sake of riches. In the The Ireland to which they returned important affair of marriage there is great was deeply troubled. The authorities had 26 need of seeking directions from God.” rounded up leaders of the United Irishmen We trust he took his own advice. His in April 1797 and launched “the dragooning last will gave his wife’s name as Anna and of Ulster,” spreading terror by burning 32 her surname was probably Alexander. In houses and flogging suspects. a memorandum in Wilson’s hand made In Ulster, Presbyterians were the larger available to William Gawn, the minister number of United Irishmen, and Seceders recorded that he was married in 1795 and were among the most active, although set up housekeeping in a house in Donegore their ministers were more wary. Wilson 33 owned by James Liggett. Their three eldest acknowledged: “I never myself took the oath children were evidently born there, Samuel of the united Irishmen, although almost in July 1797, John in March 1799, and every man in our country did & although Elizabeth in March 1801. 27 ever since I was capable of understanding the These were difficult times in Ireland. In subject I had been a warm friend to liberty. 1796 Wilson “published a sermon which But many of those who were sworn into this I had preached on a day appointed by our association in our part of the country were presbytery for humiliation & thanksgiving men loose both in respect of principles and th on Jeremiah V chapter 29 – Shall I not visit practice. I was timorous about taking an for these things? saith the Lord, and shall oath & keeping company with men of loose not my soul be avenged on such a nation as morals. Besides[,] these societies generally this?” His sermon, The Guilt and Danger met during the night.” 34 28 of the Nation, a sermon from Jeremiah V, Despite these objections Wilson did 29, humbly inscribed to the people of Ireland align himself with the United Irishmen. “I (Belfast, 1796), was favorably noticed in The took the oath of secrecy not to discover or Northern Star, the voice of radical reform in inform against them before a magistrate. The Ulster. With this sermon Wilson identified oath was tendered by a Mr. Thomas White 29 himself with the goals of the United of Clady near Killead who was one of my Irishmen. 30 hearers. He tendered it to me by ourselves In November 1796, “Partly from a alone in the Northwest end of our garden in desire to render myself as much as possible Donegore. In consequence of taking the oath independent of the people as to my of secrecy [I] received information from time temporal support but chiefly from a desire of to time of what was going on amongst them.” satiating that burning thirst for knowledge Wilson’s autobiography ends abruptly at that with which my soul was inflamed, and of point. The revolution came to Donegore 35 having an opportunity of studying at such in June 1798. Donegore Hill, not far from a celebrated school, I went to Edinburgh.” Wilson’s church, was the assembly point for His wife Anna accompanied him. During 7,000 men of the rebel Army of Ulster and this year Wilson studied medicine and also the place from which they scattered to their took a course in chemistry. This was a happy homes after the failure to take the town of 30

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust 36 Antrim. We do not know whether Wilson benumb, to stupefy and harden the feelings. was with them. It is under the climate of Ireland that the While the country seethed on the verge feelings can be expected to be tender and of open rebellion, Wilson concerned himself sweet; if I was now in Ireland I would not with medical matters. In February 1798 he leave it, — there is warm friendship, warm published a tract responding to religious love and where there is true religion, warm 37 scruples on inoculation for smallpox. experimental religion in Ireland.” 43 This was a matter close to his heart as his Josias Wilson died at his farm on the Forks two brothers had died in infancy from of Muddy Creek in Chanceford Township, smallpox, and his life was saved only by his York County, in September 1812 and was grandmother’s insistence on inoculation. 38 buried in Hopewell United Presbyterian Wilson found the isolation of rural Church cemetery. His will, written in 39 Donegore a burden. In 1803 Wilson, April 1812 and probated in December, left his wife, and their three small children left everything to his widow Anna Wilson and Donegore and moved to a house in Castle their children. Street in Ballymena, a sizable town some Without great success or triumphs to look miles northwest of Donegore. He resigned as back on, autobiography served Wilson as a pastor of the Donegore church the following cautionary tale, and his advice to his children year. Two more children were born there. In was to avoid the missteps he had made. That October 1807 the family left for New York. 40 may be the best advice any of us can give. Evidently, he had received a call from two small Associate congregations in Endnotes York County, Pennsylvania. During the 1 A version of this paper was read at the remainder of 1807, he supplied Hopewell Ulster-Scots Diaspora Writing Confer- and Chanceford Presbyterian churches and ence at the University of Ulster Magee was installed as their pastor on January 1, Campus, October 23, 2009. Thanks to 1808. 41 John Killen and William Roulston for Wilson did not warm to America. In the their help with sources. Advice he wrote for his children in April 1809, he urged them: “Avoid the American custom 2 “Life of Josias Wilson,” Library and Ar- of eating flesh three times a day. Study good chives, York County Heritage Trust, York, English Dictionaries, avoid many absurd Pennsylvania. expressions used by the Americans, such as 3 Advice written by the late Rev. Josias calling sun-set sun-down, any-how, horse a Wilson, For the use of his Children, York creature, kivvur for cover, dull for blunt.” 42 County, Pennsylvania, 1809 (Belfast: Hut- After eighteen months in Pennsylvania, ton Watson, 1825). Copy in Linenhall Wilson wished his family back in Ballymena. Library, Belfast, Northern Ireland. “If you can I would advise you to return to Ireland, the climate of America is infinitely 4 Wilson, Advice, 8. Wilson also endorsed worse than the climate of Ireland, although “a little book called Principles of Polite- the government of America is far better at ness, by Chesterfield.” present than the government of Ireland, yet 5 “Life,” 2, 42. I think it is much better to live much poorer 6 David Stewart, The Seceders in Ireland in Ireland, than to live somewhat richer in (Belfast: Presbyterian Historical Society, America; the climate of America tends to 1950), 313. William A. Gawn, History of 31

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ Second Donegore Presbyterian Church (Bal- 28 Wilson, “Life,” 61. lyclare: Donegore Presbyterian Church, 29 Northern Star, June 20, 1796. On the 2008), 17. newspaper, see A.T..Q. Stewart, The 7 Ian R. McBride, Scripture Politics: Ulster Summer Soldiers: The 1798 Rebellion in Presbyterians and Irish radicalism in the Antrim and Down (Belfast: Blackstaff late eighteenth century (Oxford and New Press, 1995), 12–13. York: Oxford University Press, 1989), 30 McBride, Scripture Politics, 107. 66, 73. 31 Wilson, “Life,” 65–68. 8 David Hempton and Myrtle Hill, Evan- gelical Protestantism in Ulster Society 32 Jonathan Bardon, A History of Ulster 1740–1890 (London: Routledge, 1992), (Belfast: TheBlackstaff Press, 1992), 17. Stewart, Seceders, 54–58. 230. 9 “Life,” 6. 33 Gawn, History, 18. Joseph S. Moore, “Irish Radicals, Southern Conservatives, 10 “Life,” 8. Slavery, Religious Liberty and the Pres- 11 “Life,” 4–5. byterian Fringe in the Atlantic World,” Ph.D. dissertation, University of North 12 Since he did not earn a degree, his name Carolina at Greensboro, 2011, 335– is not to be found in the published cata- 337. Kerby Miller, Irish Immigrants in logues of Glasgow alumni. the Land of Canaan (New York: Oxford 13 “Life,” 14–15. University Press, 2004), 604. 14 Various branches of science were taught 34 Wilson, “Life,” 70. as natural philosophy. “Life,” 17. 35 Wilson, “Life,” 70. 15 “Life,” 18. 36 Stewart, The Summer Soldiers, 76–79, 16 Robert Mackenzie, John Brown of Had- 159–160. dington (London: Banner of Truth 37 Josias Wilson, V.D.M., A Reply to the Trust, 1964), 7. Religious Scruple against Inoculating 17 Wilson, “Life,” 37. for the Small-Pox (Belfast: W. Magee, 18 Wilson, “Life,” 38–39. 1798). Belfast News Letter, February 23, 1798. 19 Wilson, “Life,” 42–43. 38 Wilson, “Life,” 3. 20 Wilson, “Life,” 40–42. 39 Wilson, Advice, 10. 21 Wilson, “Life,” 43–46. 40 Gawn, History, 18; Stewart, Seceders in 22 Wilson, “Life,” 47–50. Ireland, 313. 23 Wilson, “Life,” 51–53. 41 John Gibson, History of York County, 24 Wilson, “Life,” 61. Pennsylvania (Chicago: A. F. Battey, 1886), 751. 25 Wilson, “Life,” 64. 42 Wilson, Advice, 10. 26 Wilson, Advice, 11. 43 Wilson, Advice, 11–12. 27 Gawn, History of Second Donegore Pres- byterian Church, 18. 32

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Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ York’s Codorus Street neighborhood – largely covered by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in York’s west end – was torn down in 1961, in an eminent domain action. Former residents continue to stay in touch and now meet annually for a reunion. This image appeared in a 2012 program and is courtesy of the Codorus Street Reunion Committee. 34

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Notes from the Trust Codorus Street Remembered James McClure ou can learn a lot about a neigh- Bamberg, S.C., area came to York and borhood by listening to the stories specifically this neighborhood as part of told by folks about their child- the 1920s migration northward for jobs. Y hood. Many came north to live with relatives. When panelists at a York County Heri- Homes along the street housed multiple tage Trust event recently talked about the families across many generations as a Codorus Street neighborhood in which they result. grew up, their recollections brought forth a Panelists recalled that some Codorus rich understanding of not-too-distant York. Street families would pull open clothes That predominantly black neighborhood, drawers to provide extra beds in which largely covered by Martin Luther King Jr. their children could sleep. Neighbor- Park in York’s west end today, was torn down hood families often were among the in 1961 during an eminent domain action. working poor but considered themselves “The residents moved on from their for- well off in family life. mer neighborhood,” a Heritage Trust pro- 3. Codorus Street families, like African gram note stated, “but the community still Americans elsewhere in York, often faced remains.” racial discrimination. For example, wary The Trust’s evening forum was, indeed, parents would accompany their children deep and wide in moments about the street in York’s stores. The parents knew those with 73 addresses that ran from Penn Street parts of the stores and eateries where on the east to Green Street on the west. black people were not welcomed by Here are seven moments that stood out whites. from the event, courtesy of panelists Jeff And the practice in York schools to Kirkland, Rosetta Hawkins, Marilyn Duck- segregate elementary children in Aquilla ett Smith, Brenda Rice and Ken Laughman: Howard and Smallwood schools before the mid-1950s yet integrating York High 1. The street itself contributed to com- School still puzzled panelists gathered at munity. It was one long street with little the forum. traffic. It was a community where people 4. Food, or sometimes lack of it, was deep met on their steps and whose front doors in the memories of Codorus Streeters. were never locked. Diverse community They talked about rice as a staple at members mingled. “We were talking many meals as well as the regularity of about the village concept before Hillary chicken as the main dish. Clinton made it famous,” Jeff Kirkland “I tell you they knew how to cook on told the audience. Codorus Street,” Laughman said. 2. Many black families moving from the But times were tough, too. For break- James McClure has written or co-written seven books about York County history. He earned a master’s degree in American Studies from Penn State Harrisburg. He is editor of the York Daily Record/Sunday News, in which this story first was published. He also maintains a history blog at www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/ 35

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ fast, sometimes coffee soup was served. bered tears. They could recall no negoti- A member of the audience asked: What’s ations over their families’ land or houses. coffee soup? The answer: Put toast in a Jeff Kirkland was 10 when the order bowl and pour coffee over it. came down to move, and he remembers 5. The Codorus Streeters reflected on play- the rich neighborhood life that was lost. ing marbles, going to church and eat- “That was sort of yanked away from ing at “Miss Rhodie’s” restaurant. They you,” he said. Several panelists asked shared, too, the interesting perception today’s government officials to think that those neighborhoods closer to the about the impact of eminent domain on Codorus Creek were poorer than those tight-knit communities. relatively farther from the waterway. 7. The families dispersed around the city They recalled the nearby Cookes with several moving to Kurtz Avenue. House, a 1760s stone structure tied to Former community members are still American Revolutionary pamphleteer friends and still see each other at funerals Thomas Paine that contrasted with the and other gatherings. brick and clapboard houses along the street. During their generation, treasure And, of course, the Codorus Streeters now hunts in the floors and walls of the stone meet annually in a reunion at MLK Jr. Park. house brought the children no treasure, In those reunions, each family “sets up” at the though. site where they think their home once stood 6. When the 1960s eminent domain as a reminder of those days when, according actions took place, families felt a sense to Ken Laughman: “I didn’t know one family of hopelessness and the panelists remem- that didn’t get along with another.” 36

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust 37

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ 38 The General Gates House, Golden Plough Tavern, and the Barnett Bobb Log House joined the Historical Society of York County in 1966 (now part of the York County Heritage Trust). At that time, the historical society undertook operations of the site. This photograph was taken i

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Notes from the Trust An Overview of The York County Heritage Trust’s Colonial Complex Daniel Roe n May of 2014, the York County Heri- House, the Barnett Bobb Log House, and tage Trust commemorated the fiftieth the Colonial Court House. Two structures anniversary of the restoration of the are original to the site—the Golden Plough IGolden Plough Tavern and the Gen- Tavern (circa 1741) and the General Hora- eral Horatio Gates House. Highlighting the tio Gates House (circa 1755). These two structure’s significant past from a politically buildings were restored back to the 1700s important toast by Marquis de Lafayette to and converted into public museums in the providing a window to York’s earliest settlers, mid-1960s. Prior to the restoration efforts, the celebration also captured the communi- the structures were utilized residentially and ty’s ongoing support for its own people, heri- commercially, primarily as retail shops and tage, and culture. The restoration project, restaurants. The Barnett Bobb Log House undertaken by Historic York County and (circa 1812) was relocated to the Com- the Redevelopment Authority of the City plex site in 1968. This structure originally of York represents the best of a community’s stood about two blocks away on the mod- effort toward historic preservation. ern day property of William Penn High However, historic preservation has a School. Throughout the twentieth century, broader, deeper meaning beyond bricks and the building served in a residential capacity, mortar, period correct window sashes and and was later adapted for multiple uses by wooden shake roofs. Although those elements William Penn High School’s facilities de- are the most visible or tangible, the less physi- partments. The Colonial Court House is a cal components of historic preservation are of replica structure of York County’s original immense value. In the case of the Trust’s Co- court house (circa 1754). The period court lonial Complex, it is a community’s identity house was originally located in York’s center that has been preserved. The on-site buildings square (modern day intersection of George provide a unique experiential understanding and Market streets). The replica building was of York County’s history connecting to both constructed in 1976, spearheaded by York the past and present. The important stories County’s Bicentennial Commission. In May told at the Colonial Complex surely deserve of 1976, the building opened to the public. ongoing support, both through interpreta- The General Gates House, Golden Plough tion and building maintenance. Tavern and the Barnett Bobb Log House The York County Heritage Trust’s Colo- joined the Historical Society of York County nial Complex preserves and interprets mid to in 1966. At that time the Historical Society late eighteenth century life, culture, people undertook operations of the site. The Colo- and events. The Complex is comprised of nial Court House joined the York County four structures which include the Golden Heritage Trust in 2001 to form the “Colonial Plough Tavern, the General Horatio Gates Complex” in its current makeup. Currently, Daniel Roe is the director of education at the York County Heritage Trust. He attended Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, gradu- ating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history. 39

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ the Trust operates the General Gates House, era. The connection to the use of the build- Golden Plough Tavern, and the Barnett ing as an eighteenth century tavern offers Bobb Log House under a 99 year lease from another link to the era’s social development the City of York. The Trust takes responsibil- especially in an emerging rural community, ity for the stewardship, preservation, inter- and the cultural politics between various pretation and ongoing maintenance of the groups (Germans, Scotch-Irish, English) buildings and grounds. The Trust owns the and the impact these differences had on the Colonial Court House, however the grounds American Revolutionary War. on which the court house sits is property of The General Horatio Gates House, fur- the City of York. The care and maintenance nished to the late 1700s in an English taste of the Court House grounds is the responsi- and also of an elite social class, contrasts bility of the City of York. greatly with the Golden Plough Tavern. A York and the York County region’s devel- Georgian-style home built around 1755, the opment and experience during the colonial building’s main significance is its connec- era is an interesting story that relates to many tion to Revolutionary officer General Hora- larger trends and events as well as cultural tio Gates. Gates, an American commander, developments during the time period. Es- stayed in the structure for about seven sentially a western frontier until the 1760s, months during the winter of 1777–1778. settlement west of the Susquehanna River Gates came to York riding a wave of popu- was sporadic throughout the 1720s–1730s. larity after getting credit for the American The establishment of the city of York in 1741 victory at Saratoga, New York, in October marked one of the first major settlements in of 1777. Many historians considered this this part of Pennsylvania. Similar to the ex- American victory to be the “turning point” perience of most of colonial Pennsylvania, in the American Revolutionary War. His stay Germans were the primary cultural group coincided with the nine-month relocation in most areas. Beginning in the early 1700s, of the Second Continental Congress to York waves of German immigrants came into the from September 1777 to June 1778. colony, hoping for religious freedom, finan- Serving on the Board of War, essentially cial opportunities, and peace. Philadelphia a committee of the Congress for the pros- served as the point of entry for many of the ecution of the war, Gates attempted to use Germans. With the population increases, his military success for political gain. Gates a gradual settlement pattern to the west of eyed George Washington’s position as over- Philadelphia developed. all commander of the Continental Army. The Golden Plough Tavern and the story Known as the Conway Cabal, it is alleged of the original family—the Eichelbergers— that Gates held a dinner in the Gates House represents a solid example of the typical Ger- in early February of 1778. Local legend holds man migration. The cultural heritage of the that Marquis de Lafayette, with a toast at the Germans in south central Pennsylvania, re- dinner in favor of Washington, ended any ferred to in common contemporary language scheme of Gates. Lafayette’s statue stands as the Pennsylvania Dutch, is still promi- in front of the building with a wine glass in nent, well known, and even a major tourist hand, as he delivers the toast. There is much attraction for the region. The Golden Plough debate regarding the dinner, Lafayette’s role, Tavern, furnished primarily with objects of a and the extent to which Gates pushed for middle class German family during the mid- control. Regardless, the Gates story ties into 1700s, showcases the Germanic culture and the national significance of York during the everyday development during the colonial Revolutionary War. 40

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Highlighted in the Colonial Court House, the harshness of the “civil war” that was the the stay of the Second Continental Congress Revolution. in York was a vital period in the nation’s devel- The Barnett Bobb Log House captures the opment. The winter of 1777–78 marked per- gradual industrialization of America begin- haps the lowest point of the American resolve ning in the early 1800s. Originally the home during the Revolution. Washington’s army, of a German weaver, the building still show- encamped at Valley Forge, struggled to ex- cases primitive architecture that dominated ist. Congress questioned the future course of south central Pennsylvania well into the the war, desperately seeking foreign assistance 1900s. while at the same time battling the constant As a whole, the Colonial Complex offers internal feuds between the various colonies. a lasting legacy to the areas earliest roots and In November of 1777, Congress adopted heritage. Elements such as the Pennsylvania the Articles of Confederation. The document German culture, and the development of a unified the colonies formally as one nation, community from an outpost on the fron- and granted or spelled out basic rights of tier, to a thriving and stratified society that “American” citizens. Although the Articles played an important role in the American were not ratified until 1781, it served as a de- Revolution, highlight, from a local perspec- facto law of the land, until the United States tive, the regional and national importance Constitution replaced the Articles in 1789. In of York and York County. Even more, the May of 1778, Congress ratified a treaty with preserved historic structures, especially the France. Known as the French Alliance, France General Gates House and Golden Plough agreed to assist the colonies in the war against Tavern, serve as a constant reminder to a England with military supplies, funds, and distant past, amidst an ever changing urban troops (including the French Navy). France landscape. The restoration itself, conducted also agreed—the first foreign power to do by renowned historic architect Edwin Brum- so—to continue the fight until England for- baugh, in its own right, is another story of mally recognized the colonies as free and in- historic significance. Visitors to the Trust’s dependent. France’s intervention ultimately Colonial Complex should leave with an un- turned the tide of the war. The entrance of derstanding of the significance of the region, France made the conflict a global affair, forc- as told through the buildings of the Com- ing England to allocate resources elsewhere, plex. Local, regional, and national develop- away from their American holdings. ments as well as the unique cultural makeup York contributed to the Revolutionary that defined the American colonial experi- War in many other ways. York was home to a ence, represent the essence of the interpretive leading Continental officer, Thomas Hartley, value of the Colonial Complex. who also later served in the U.S. Congress. As you reflect on the significance of An influential spymaster of Washington, the Colonial Complex and the stories the Major John Clark, also lived and practiced buildings tell, the Trust is in need of support law in York. A signer of the Declaration of to replace the aging roofs of the Golden Independence and delegate in the Second Plough Tavern and General Horatio Gates Continental Congress, James Smith, prac- House. Imagine the impact your support ticed law in York by trade. Even a document- toward preserving these iconic structures ed British spy, Reverend Daniel Batwell, had will have on future generations. Are you able ties to York, before he was forced to leave by to help? Please contact the Trust for more the “patriotic” majority. Many others served information. as soldiers, and those still at home dealt with 41

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ James Smith, by Lewis Miller. 42

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust James Smith Letters J ames Smith, Declaration of Indepen- correspondence with luminaries of the day. dence signer, served as hometown host These unique letters were transcribed and originally appeared in the Historical Society to Continental Congress when they met in York in 1777–78. As York County’s of York County Year Books, 1938–40–41. Five leading patriot, this lawyer and raconteur other letters appeared in the 2010 Journal was a fitting host. Only a limited number of York County Heritage Trust, six were pub- of Smith’s letters are available today. A fire lished in the 2011 journal, and five were in his South George Street law office in the published in the 2012 journal. early 1800s consumed most of his personal [To Jasper Yeates] A. L. S., July 3, 1768, from a facsimile in The Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City. York 3d July. 1768 Sir, I received your Letter by Mr. Johnston & am much oblidged to you for writing, & am very sorry I missed seeing you at Lancaster. I am much surprised at Bennetts Conduit & should esteem it a particular favour if you woud sue him alone & be assured it shall not prejudice you nor injure your Client nor shall any advantage be taken of the manner of bring[in]g the Action – had I been so lucky as to have known of that affair when I was at Philadelphia I might have had an opportunity of seeing Mr. Grubb there – shou’d be much oblidged to you to favour me with Mr. Whitelocks Acco[un]t ag[ains]t Bennet & Compa[ny] or ye Amount of ye Int[erest] by the first oppertunity. I am Sir Your oblidged Servt. Jas. Smith 43

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ [To Jasper Yeates] A. L. S., June 21, 1771, from a facsimile in The Pierpont Morgan Library. (Editor’s note: “B—tt” was doubtless William Bennett, the ironmaster of Codorus Forge, whose interest Smith had taken over.) York 21 June 1771 Dr. Sir, Your favour p[er] Dr. Boyd Came to hand Mrs. Smith is Considerably better – I hope your family (including yourself) are well. I have sent by Mr. Etting Slegels Bond. You mention that ye Sh[erif]f has fixed 28 . Inst. for ye Sale of ye Island & th Oar Bank I hope he has not neglected to Advertize I intend being over next Monday or Tuesday, if Mrs. Smiths health will permit & shall be much oblidged to you for your influence with ye Sherif to assist me as far as is right some People take pains to give me all the delay & trouble possible from what motive I Can’t well imagine. Woud you think it Possible that, that exquisite Villain B—tt should undersign a second Order to Mr. Whitelock not to apply ye 5 Ton of Barr Iron to ye Credit of his Judgmts. here but to settle with B—tt for it yet so it is & on the same Paper where I drew ye Order at Spanglers in your Presence I am in hast Sr. your hble Servt. Jas. Smith [To Jasper Yeates? George Ross?] A. L. S., April 9, 1774, from the J. Pierpont Morgan Set, Autographs of the Signers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. 9 Apl 1774 Dear Sir being uncertain whether the bearer will find you at Lancr. Or Philada. I have requested him to Call at both – In the Action of Giles against me & Minshall I can discharge the one half agt. Fall, but have much reason to doubt my Collegue will sell before Judt. & otherwise dispose of ye money & leave me to pay the whole, & sue him afterwards which wou’d greatly distress me – If you Can get Pl[ain]t[iff’]s Attorney to wave ye Bail and take your or my appearance for both in the Supreme Court I am desirous to let Judgement be Entered of both with stay of Ex[ecuti]o[n] till 1. Novr. or even if that Can’t be obtained till the 24 Sepr. – I don’t forget ye Attachment, but a worst if Giles upon Notice wont Enter sp[ecia]l Bail I Can do it & take a Bail Piece & the other is ye most threatening evill – your Care & secresy will very much oblidge Your most obedt. Servt. Ja. Smith Mrs. Smith & ye boy are well 44

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust [To his wife] A. L. S., May 27, 1774, from a facsimile in the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, New York. Friday Morning 27 May 1774 My dear, I take the oppertunity of Mr. Greer going down to Acquaint you of our safe Arrival & Continuance here – our Landl[or]d Mr. Ball has plenty of Hay Oats Brandy Wine & indeed every thing but House room Mr. Hartly & me have a room & bed to ourselves. I did intend to have sent Cezar & the Portmantuea home by way of Carlisle, but I find I cannot spare him on Account of the Horses – & as it will be but a few days ‘till I set off to Carlisle from whence you will hear further from your Affectionate Husband Ja. Smith Remember me to Pegsy Betsy & Geo, you need not say anything to my Name sake as he does not use you quite well. [To the Committee of Safety at Philadelphia] February, 1776. Abstract furnished by Mr. Herbert L. Pratt, owner of the original. “The whole gist of the letter was that Mr. Barnett Eichelberger could not accept and they [the York County Committee] recommended the appointment as a First Lieutenant in the 6 Battalion, Mr. John Edey instead of this th Eichelberger…simply a letter, without giving the reasons, that one man could not accept the appointment and the suggestion that another one be mentioned for the position.” [To Jasper Yeates] A. L. S., April 6, 1776, in the J. Pierpont Morgan Set, Autographs of Signers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. (Editor’s note: This letter is in reply to one of Yeates dated April 4, 1776, concerning a dispute over the enlistment of a drummer named John Harding (Revolutionary Papers, III, 2, Archives Division, Pennsylvania State Library)). th York 6 Apl. 1776 excuse haste Dear Sir, The Committee of Lancasters Letter abt. Albright Came safe to hand, but on Examination so many Members as are Necessary to Compose a Committee Can’t be Collected today, I hope they may on Monday next, when ye matter reccomended will be Considered & I hope what is right be done. I am Dr. Sir your humble servt. Jas. Smith 45

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ Announcement: New Book Lewis Miller's People he York County Heritage Trust’s Publications Committee proudly announces its newest publication: Lewis Miller’s People, sharing more of its collection of acclaimed folk artist Lewis Miller’s drawings. T This long-awaited two-part volume of previously unpublished drawings focuses on about 700 mostly full-length profile portraits of York County personalities sketched during Miller’s long life. Miller captioned them with each person’s name and often their occupation, occasionally adding personal and family information. Some are noted “ein Hess,” indicating Revolutionary War Hessian soldiers who settled in York County. This volume complements Lewis Miller, Sketches and Chronicles: The Reflections of a Nineteenth Century Pennsylvania German Folk Artist, published in 1966 by the Historical Society of York County, now part of York County Heritage Trust. The drawings from that now out-of-print volume are widely cited for their descriptions of 19th-century American life. The new publication throws more light on life of the era, on professions and trades and sometimes the background of these individuals. In many cases, these watercolors are the only images of these people, making them especially valuable not only for social history, but to their thousands and thousands of descendants still here in York County and spread throughout the country. The new book is compiled and edited by Lila Fourhman-Shaull, Director of Library and Archives at York County Heritage Trust, and June Lloyd, Librarian Emerita at York County Heritage Trust. 46

___________________________________________________ York County Heritage Trust Past Journals of York County Heritage 2010 “In the Heritage Trust Library—from Shelf to Shelf” by Elizabeth A. Shaw “York in Relation to the Other Revolution: Frances Wright, Women’s Rights” by Jane S. Sutton “York County’s Manufacturing Economy in 1810” by David A. Latzko 2011 “150 Years ago: Lewis Miller’s ‘Drilling Camp, York, Pa. 1861’” by Scott Mingus “The Beissel Influence in York County” by Elmer Q. Gleim “The Question of Thomas Paine at York Town” by Michael Helfrich “Hospital on the Hill: The Planning and Construction by Peter M. Hartmann, of York Hospital, 1925–1930” Joan B. Beekey, Suzanne M. Shultz “The York Charrette: April 19–27, 1970” by Raul Urrunaga “The Withers Family’s Ultimate Sacrifice” by Christopher Buckingham 2012 “The Cartridge Box: The Inside-Out Newspaper of the U.S. Army General Hospital, York” by Jean Hershner Brannan “An Accident of War: York County’s by Scott L. Mingus Sr. and Civil War Damage Claims” Thomas M. Mingus “The City of York Had a Tabernacle” by Elmer Q. Gleim “The Bambergers: The Migration North and Beyond” by Kiara Banks and Justine Landis “The People of Lewis Miller” by June Lloyd 2013 “New Exhibit Connects York County to Civil War” by Dan Roe “The George Bear Incident, 1863” by Dr. Charles H. Glatfelter “African-American Civil War Veterans with Ties to York County, Pa.” by Rebecca C. Anstine “To Surrender the Town Peaceably: the Confederate Occupation of York” by Victoria Miller Allen Announcement: Emancipation Proclamation Announcement: Letters From Home: York County, Pennsylvania, during the Civil War 47

Journal of York County Heritage _______________________________________________ Partial list of local books, pamphlets: Published 2012–2013 and donated to YCHT Library & Archives 2013 Jeffrey C. Bortner, When The Rebels Occupied York, Pennsylvania Paul Browne, The Coal Barons Played Cuban Giants: A History of Early Professional Baseball in Pennsylvania 1886–1896 Anthony D. Fredericks, Historical Trails of Eastern Pennsylvania Paul Gunning, Tough Kids: Children’s Home of York Don Hartman, Dairies, Dairymen and Milk Bottles of York County, Pennsylvania Ronald Hershner, Letters From Home: York County Pennsylvania During the Civil War Scott Mingus, The History of Papermaking in York County, Pennsylvania 2012 Jeri Jones, Kevin M. Brown, Patrick Bochy & Victoria Kreyser, The Penn Park Site, Volume I Charles E. Letocha, The First Presbyterian Church of York: Stained Glass Windows Lucinda C. Lobach, The First Presbyterian Church of York: Church Yard Michael Maloney, Across the River: Murder at Accomac Scott L. Mingus, Sr. and James McClure, Echoing Still: More Civil War Voices From York County, Pa. David J. Puglia, South Central Pennsylvania Legends and Lore George Wittman Waldner, Building a Better College: York College of Pennsylvania Transforms Through Strategic Planning Back cover — This photograph shows members of the Old German Brethren Church as they gather for the annual conference held at York Fairgrounds in 1912. In this issue of the journal, Elmer Q. Gleim explores the decisions made by the group during this pivotal meeting. This image provided by Larry Gibble. 48