262 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry.

Transcription

1 262 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. THE SECOND TROOP PHILADELPHIA CITY CAVALRY. BY W. A. NEWMAN DORLAND, A.M., M.D., F.A.C.S. Major, Medical Corps, U. S. Army; formerly First Lieutenant and Surgeon of the Troop (April 1, 1898-November 10, 1903.) [For references see pp ] (Continued from page 172.) On February 6, 1793, as commander of the Second City Troop, Major Jackson attended the dinner given at the City Tavern in celebration of the victories of the French armies over the Austrian and Prussian troops. 202 This dinner was graced by the presence of Governor Mifflin, the French Minister, and many of the officers of the City Militia. During Major Jackson's administration a new Militia Act was passed by the State Legislature, in which it was provided that the Volunteers of the City and County of Philadelphia should comprise one division of the State troops with two brigades, the First or City Brigade and the Second or County Brigade. 203 This arrangement remained in force for many years. The summer of 1793 found it necessary for Major Jackson to relinquish the command of the Troop. Accordingly, we find the following notice for an election of officers for that organization: m " NOTICE. "An Election of Officers for the Troop of Light Horse lately commanded by Capt. William Jackson will be held on TUESDAY the 9 th July next, at Mr.

2 ABRAHAM SINGES From iin original oil painting done by VVollett, ai Lancaster, September, 1806, when Mr. Singer \\;i- in the 41st year of lii* age

3

4 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 263 Epple's, in Eace Street, at ten o'clock in the Morning. "Lewis Nicolas 205 [sic], Brig. Insp." "June 30, [1793]." The result of this election is recorded on Monday, September 2,1793, in "A Eeturn of the Second Troop of Light Dragoons in the Militia of the City of Phila., made according to Law by Lewis Nicholas [sic], Esquire, Brigade Inspector of the Militia," as follows : m Captain, Abraham Singer. Second Lieut., John Massey. Cornet, Peter Benson. 207 CHAPTEE IX. CAPTAIN ABBAHAM SINGEB. 208 Abraham Singer, grandson of Caspar Singer (died March 11, 1759) and Anna Margaretha, his wife, who came to Pennsylvania from Alsace prior to 1727, was born in Lancaster, Pa., on April 25,1765. His parents, Casper Singer, Jr. (born October 10,1738, died February 24, 1797), a Eevolutionary soldier and, in , a private in the Sixth Company, First Philadelphia Battalion, Colonel John Shee, and in Captain Charles Syng's 5 th Co. 3 d Battalion and 2 d Co., 4 th Battalion, Col. Shee, and Eva Maria Spangler (born November 10, 1726; died December 13, 1802 )" sometime subsequently removed to Philadelphia, where Mr. Singer with his sons, John and Abraham, entered into mercantile life as wholesale and retail leather dealers. The Singers had established at Lancaster one of the first tanneries for the manufacture of leather in the Colonies, and this had developed into a very successful business with a branch house in Philadelphia for pur-

5 264 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. poses of importation and exportation. As early as 1778, their home and place of business was at No. 137 High [Market] Street, next door to the "Sign of the King of Prussia," between Third and Fourth Streets. After the death of their father the brothers continued the partnership at the same place. Abraham Singer's first appearance in military life was in , as a private in Captain Adam Foulk's Sixth Company of the First Philadelphia Battalion, Colonel John Shee, and Capt. Charles Syng's 5 th Co., 3 d Battalion Col. Shee. In the summer of 1786, when 21 years old, he is recorded as a private in Captain Eleazar Oswald's company of foot which offered its services to the Government to dispossess the British of the posts and forts held by them on the Western frontier. Six years later, on May 11, 1792, he was elected Cornet of the Second Troop of Light Horse of Philadelphia, of which company he had become a member in March, 1788; and on July 9, 1793, he attained the command of the Troop when but 28 years of age. This office he held until the autumn of On May 8, 1794, shortly before the departure of the Troop to serve in the campaign in the "Western portion of the State during the Whisky Insurrection, Captain Singer was married by Bishop White, in Christ Church, 209 to Ann Tresse (born November 25, 1769; died in Lancaster, Pa., January 25, 1806, aged 36 years), daughter of Thomas Tresse and Elizabeth Singleton (married March 30, 1767), niece of Richard Tresse (died in November, 1793). Captain Singer was a man of fine presence, courteous in his manners, and exceedingly hospitable. In he resided at 10 North Eighth Street; the next year on North Fifth Street; and in 1811 at 16 Filbert Street, at which time he is called "gentleman" in the Philadelphia Directory. He continued in business in Market Street until In politics he was an ardent

6 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 265 Federalist, and his Troop was, from a political standpoint, regarded as a Federalist organization. On February 25, 1796, he was present, as Captain of the Second Troop, at the dinner given to Major General Anthony Wayne at Weed's Tavern, Gray's Ferry. 210 On Sunday, February 9, 1799, Captain Singer became involved in the riot in St. Mary's Catholic Churchyard, 211 growing out of the excitement over the repeal of the Alien and Sedition Act. 212 With several other prominent citizens, including Captain John Dunlap, of the First City Troop, Attorney General Joseph B. M'Kean, and George Willing, he was arrested, and finally, in 1801, tried and convicted of assault, for which he was sentenced to a nominal fine and costs. 213 In December, 1800, he was administrator of the estate of Martin Gillman. In the War of , Captain Singer, when 49 years of age, entered the service of the United States as Lieutenant of a company of Infantry commanded by Captain George Hetzellberger and included in Lieufenant Colonel John Lutz's regiment. This regiment was ordered by the Governor to rendezvous at York, Pennsylvania on August 26, 1814, for a tour of duty. A roll of this company is on record of the date of September 2, Abraham Singer's captaincy of the Second Troop of Philadelphia Light Horse is notable for two periods of actual service on duty for the National Government, namely, a three months' campaign in the western portion of the State during the Whisky Insurrection of 1794, and a period of twenty days during Fries' Eebellion of He also commanded the Troop in the "mock funeral cortege" of President Washington in Philadelphia in 1799 and the same year led the Troop as part of an escort to President Adams on his return to Philadelphia from Boston and New York. His death in the prime of life, on January 4, 1815,

7 266 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. when lie was but 50 years of age, was a severe loss to a large circle of friends as well as to the Troop, which attended his funeral in a body, and also to the community at large. His sword and epaulettes and a portrait painted in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1806, are in the possession of his great-grandson, Professor Edgar A. Singer, Jr., of the University of Pennsylvania. He died intestate, leaving an estate valued at about $5000. Joseph Borden M'Kean, subsequently attorney General of the Commonwealth, succeeded him as commander of the Second Troop. 214 Captain Singer had three children: Maria, who married George Shively, an instrument-maker, living on the east side of Third Street below Chestnut; Thomas Tresse, who died in 1809 at Nazareth, Pa., while attending the Seminary at that place; and Richard, who continued the family line. Captain Singer's elder brother, John, was born in Lancaster, Pa., on March 11, 1763, and died in Philadelpia on May 13,1829, aged 66 years. He was a drummer boy in the Continental army and was a prisoner on one of the British prison-ships in New York harbor for a time. He is recorded as being in service in 1781, and from , was a private in Col. Shee's Battalion. He took the oath of allegiance to the State on April 3, On March 6, 1793, he married Anna Maria Musser (born April 8,1771; died January 20,1827, aged 56 years), of Lancaster, Pa. In 1794, he was a private in the Third Company, 2 d Eegiment City Militia, Col. Barker, and served in the Whisky Insurrection. In Philadelphia, his place of business was No. 263 High [Market] Street, on the north side, east of Seventh Street, and his residence No. 413 High [Market] Street, on the north side just above Eleventh Street, where the Market Street National Bank now stands.

8 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 267 CHAPTER X. THE BY-LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECOND TROOP IN Upon his assumption of the captaincy on September 2, 1793, Abraham Singer immediately applied himself to the task of regulating and systematizing the affairs of the Troop. To aid his efforts in this direction he brought into play the excellent business methods which had insured the success of his firm in mercantile life, and as a result the organization was raised to a superb standard of military efficiency. The strict discipline demanded by the officers at this time is forcefully exemplified by the Articles or By-laws for the government of the Troop adopted in the autumn of 1793, a copy of which is herewith appended: ARTICLES OR BY-LAWS. FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SECOND PHILADELPHIA CITY TROOP OF HORSE. 215 ARTICLE I. A majority of the troop shall constitute a quorum to transact business. ARTICLE II. The muster-roll of the troop shall be called on the parade, one hour after the time appointed for assembling ; and at the private meetings, one hour after the time specified in the notice, when the absentees shall be fined, unless excused by sickness or unavoidable absence. ARTICLE III. For every neglect to parade on the days prescribed by law, or when the troop is ordered out by the Commanding officer, on a day's previous notice, each delinquent member shall pay a fine of one dollar;

9 268 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. and for non-attendance at private meetings, a fine of one quarter of a dollar. The officers to pay double fines for the like neglect: The fines to be paid at the next meeting of the troop, into the hands of the quartermaster, and to remain subject to the order of the captain, or the commamding officer, for defraying the necessary expenses of the troop. AETICLE IV. Should the fines be inadequate to defray the expenses of the troop, the deficiency shall be supplied by an equal payment to be made by each member. ABTICLE V. Applicants for admission into the troop shall be proposed by the captain, or, in his absence, the senior officer present, at one meeting, and balloted for at the next provided nevertheless, that on motion of a member that the applicant be balloted for immediately, and a majority of the members present agreeing thereto, he shall be balloted for accordingly. It shall require at every election, the consent of two-thirds of the members present to admit an applicant. AETICLE VI. Each applicant, on his being elected, shall pay into the hands of the quarter-master, five dollars towards defraying the expense of the troop, and subscribe his name to these by-laws: the captain, or commanding officer, to give notice to the applicant of such election, with the proper directions to equip himself.

10 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 269 REFERENCES. 8charf and Westcott, vol. i, p charf and Westcott, vol. i, p American Daily Advertiser, July 2, Lewis [Luckoick] Nicola ['Nicholas'] a broker of Philadelphia, having his office, in 1795, at the southeast corner of Fourth and Chestnut Streets, was a native of France, where he was born in 1717, but was educated in Ireland, and at one time held an appointment in the British army. Coming to America, he became warmly attached to the cause of the Colonists* In 1769, he established "The American Magazine" which, however, lasted but one year. On November 18, 1769, he was naturalized in Berks County, Pa. On March 9, 1774, he was commissioned Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Northampton County, Pa. He served as barrack-master of Philadelphia from April 20, 1776 to December 2, 1776, succeeding the first barrack-master, Joseph Fox [who was appointed May 3, 1758, the barracks being erected in ; he was born in 1710 and died December 10, 1779]. He was Town Major in command of the "City Guards," Philadelphia Militia, from December 2, 1776 to February 5, 1782; and was Colonel in command of the Veteran Invalid Corps (which was authorized by Congress and organized on June 16, 1777) from June 20, 1777 to December 30, 1784, and again succeeded Captain James McLean as Commandant of the Corps of Invalids on December 23, He was a member of the famous Patriotic Association of July 17, 1778; and took the oath of allegiance to the State on March 30, Colonel Nicola was a surveyor, a man of scientific attainments, and, an officer of many accomplishments, including a peculiarly inventive turn. He served as Major, Colonel, and brevet Brigadier General in the United States army, his commission as Brigadier General being dated November 27, From 1788 to 1793, he had charge of the work-house and jail in Philadelphia. He was Brigade Inspector of the Philadelphia City Militia from Thursday, April 11, 1793 until his resignation on Thursday, August 9, 1798, when he was succeeded by Jonathan Harvey- Hurst. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society and served as one of its Curators from 1779 to He was also an active member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati. He was a resident of Chestnut ward. He removed to Alexandria, Virginia in 1798, where he died on August 9, 1807, when 90 years of age. He had six daughters: Charlotte (born in Ireland, February 9, 1761; married first in Christ Church on March 1, 1781 Dr. Matthew Maus, who was appointed Surgeon of the Invalid Regiment on December 26, 1781; and second Dr. William Cozens; died in Washington, D. C, in 1830); Margaret (born in Ireland, March 1, 1764; married, August 27, 1781, Lieutenant John Bigham); Jane (born in Ireland, February 28, 1765; married Talmage Hall, June 17, 1782); Mary (born in Ireland, April 14,

11 270 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 1766) ; Ann (born in Pennsylvania, ; died January 6, 1793) ; and Sarah (born in Philadelphia* November 15, 1779; married in Christ Church, December 22, 1796, to Jacob Well). Scharf and Westoott, vol. i, pp ; Heitman's Register; Pa., Mag., vol iv., p Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, vol. iv., p Ex. Min. (T. M.) vol. ii. 207 Peter Benson, son of James Benson and Hannah Helspy (married September 22, 1762), and nephew of Alexander Benson, who, on September 25, 1778, was a private in the Fourth Company, First Philadelphia Battalion, Colonel William Bradford; was a member of Eleazer Oswald's company of Light Infantry of Philadelphia County in On September 2, 1793, he was elected Cornet of the Second Troop, and the following year officiated as Quartermaster of the Troop, and served with that body during the Western Expedition for the suppression of the Whisky Insurrection. In June 1796, he entered into partnership, as drygoods merchants, with Thomas W. Hiltzheimer, son of Jacob Hiltzheimer, their store being at the corner of Second and Arch Streets. In October, 1796, he was appointed by the Governor "vendue master" or auctioneer, in place of Thomas W. Hiltzheimer, and took the business of Kichard Footman (commissioned March 25, 1789, auctioneer for Moyamensing township). In December, 1798, he formed a partnership with Samuel Yorke (born September 15, 1774; died May 18, 1816; son of Edward Yorke and Sarah Stille; married January 25, 1798, Mary, daughter of William Lippincott and Sarah Bispham), their place of business being first at 39 North Front Street, and later at No. 74 South Third Street, opposite Dock Street, under the firm name of Benson and Yorke. [After Mr. Benson's death, Mr. Yorke in 1805, allied himself with Joshua Lippincott, his brotherin-law, at Nos. 51 and 53 North Front Street. Mr. Yorke lived in the fine old seat called "Chalkley Hall," near Frankford, subsequently the property of Edward Wether ill. From January 18, 1814, to May 18, 1816, he was President of the Pennsylvania Company for Insurances on Lives and Granting Annuities, and was Director of that Company from December 20, 1809, to the end of his presidency. He was a leading merchant of his day.] Peter Benson, from 1791 to 1794, was Clerk in the Land Office of the State, living at No. 66 North Sixth Street, between Arch and Race Streets. He died at Wilmington, Delaware, on Wednesday, October 28, His widow Jane Benson, in 1820, kept a boarding house at No. 151 Chestnut Street. She died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 27, 1829, possessed of considerable means* Their son, Peter Benson, Jr., (born in Philadelphia, November 2i8, 1795; a graduate, A.B., of the University of Pennsylvania in 1812, and A.M. in 1816) was married on April 24, 1823 to Elizaleth A. Wignell. Another son, David P. Benson, in 1813, was a private in the First Company of Washington Guards, (Fourth Company, Philadelphia Militia), subsequently was corporal in the same company from August 27, 1814, to January 4, 1815, under Captain John R. Mifflin, and

12 The Second Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry. 271 later became an officer, of the branch of the United States Bank at Erie, Pa., where he died on March 22, Information obtained from his great grandson, Professor Edgar A. Singer, Jr., of the University of Pennsylvania, and a member of the reorganized Second Troop; and from Dr. William M. Capp, of Philadelphia. 209 American Daily Advertiser, May 9, Ibid, March 1, n St. Mary's Church, on Fourth Street below Spruce, one of the oldest churches in the. city and the second Romish church erected, was the principal Catholic church of Philadelphia in Colonial and Revolutionary days. The ground was purchased in , and the church was erected in 1763 as a branch of St. Joseph's Church and a church of the Jesuits. It was enlarged in 1810, and became the cathedral church when the first bishop of Philadelphia, Right Rev. Michael Egan, was appointed. There occurred a notable contest in the church in 1820, due to insubordination of the Rev. William Hogan, who was appointed assistant minister in April of that year. The trouble lasted until On October 9, 1774, Washington and Adams visited St. Mary's Church, and Washington again on Sunday, May 27, In 1782, St. Mary's was greatly improved. A new church was built in 1838, the corner-stone being laid on June 4th of that year. During the riots of 1844, St. Mary's was guarded by the military. $charf and Westcott, vol. iii, p In 1798, when war was threatening between France and the United States, there were at least 30,000 Frenchmen in the country, and many thousands of others who were supposed to be in sympathy with France. Accordingly, in apprehension of danger arising from this source, Congress, in May, 1798, passed a bill known as the Alien and Sedition Act, which authorized the Government at the discretion of the President to banish from the country for the space of two years any individual whose presence was believed to be inimicable to the country. It was the attempt on the part of William Duane and others to secure a repeal of this Act, which resulted in the St. Mary's riot. This was the beginning of the downfall of the Federalist party. $charf and Westcott, vol. i, p il6 8charf and Westcott, vol. i, p Ibid, vol. i, p Printed by Henry Tuckniss; Philadelphia, Preserved in the Library of the Pennsylvania Historical Society at Philadelphia. (To be continued.)