"That all that part of Northampton county, lying and being within the limits of the following townships, to wit: The townships of Lynn, Heidleburg, Lowhill, Weissenburg, Macungie, Upper Milford, South Whitehall, Northampton, Salisbury, Upper Saucon, and that part of Hanover township within the following bounds, to wit" Beginning at Bethlehem line where it joins the Lehigh river; thence along the daid line until it intersects the road leading from Bethlehem ot ther Lehigh Water Gap; thence along said road to Allen township line; thence along the line of Allen township westwardly, to the Lehigh, shall be, and the same are hereby, according to their present lines, declared to the erected into a county, henceforth to be called LEHIGH."

This county is bounded on the nort-west by the Kittatinney or Blue mountains, separating it from Schuylkill and Carbon counties, north-west by Northampton, south-east by Bucks, and south-west by Montgomery Berks counties. The physical appearance of the county is diversified. The surface is generally level, in someplaces rolling, in others rugged and somewhat broken. The lofty Kittatinny on the north, fives that portion its peculiar features. The Lecha Hill, or South mountain crosses the south-east portion of the country, which gives the country a rugged surface. This mountain range is of primary formation, abounding with iron ore. Between the South and Blue mountains, is the fertile Kittatinny valley, perhaps unsurpassed in agricultural wealth, being highly cultivated by the industrious class

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of our worthy fellow citizens, Germans by descent, whose habits of industry and frugality they retain..

Perhaps few counties in the state, are more picturesque and varied than Lehigh. The valley portion of the county is nearly equally divided between the limestone and clay slate formation.

"The most important productions are those of agriculture. In a fertile region like this, an industrious population naturally looks to the tillage of soil, as their surest dependence for support and profit. Considerable progress had, however, been made in many branches of manufacturing industry, and the development of the mineral resources of the country has not been neglected. The iron ore of this region supplies material for the operation of several furnaces, viz: The Crane Iron Works, Stephen Balliet’s Furnace, Hunter’s & Miller’s Furnace, and Ibach’s Forge. The Crane Works, of a very lage size, are constructed expressly to smelt iron with anthracite coal, by means of the hot blast.

The county is well watered by the Lehigh river and its numerous tributaries, viz: Antelauny, or Maiden creek, Caply, or Balliet’s Trout, Jordan, Cedar, Caladaque, Perkiomen, and the Little Lehigh creeks; Crowner’s, Linn, Willow and Sinking runs.

The Lehigh river called Leckhaw, by the Indians, signifyin West Branch, is a branch of the Delaware. It rised in Wayne, Pike and Luzerne counties, but its various tributatries unite near Stoddartsville, on the north-0western border of Monroe county, and as the stream flows onward, it augments by receiving the waters of many mountain creeks; and in its course of twenty-five miles, it makes, as the mouth of Wright’s Mill creek, a turn nearly south; and after stealing a serpentine course of twenty miles, it reaches, by the way of Mauch Chunk, Lehighton. Here is deflects to the south-east, and pursues that direction twenty-five miles, to Allentown, when it turns at an angle of one hundred and twenty or more degrees to the Lehigh Hills, flows hard by Bethlehem, and twenty-five miles below, reaches the Delaware river. In its course it receives, within Carbon county, from the

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west side, Quaeake creek, Nesquehoning, Mauch Chunk, Mahoning and Lizard creeks; from the east, Bear creek, Big creek, formed at Hoed’s creek, Poko-po-poko, Aquanshicola; * from Lehigh county, Trout creek, Jordan creek, Little Lehigh, Hockyondaque, Mill creek, or Caladaque, Monokacey; in Northampton county, from the south, Saucon creek, besides dome small runs. 1

The Lehigh may, with much propriety, by called, "A Mountain Torrent." It rushes headlong when swollen, and sweeps every impeding obstacle. The fall of the river is, from Stoddardsville, to the mouth of the Nesquehoning creek, about two miles above Lausanne, and three above Mauch Chunk, 845 feet; from Nesquehoningto the Lehigh Water Gap, 260 feet; from the Gap to Easton, 205 feet. Thus in a comparative course, of less than seventy miles, it has a fall of thirteen hundred and ten feet. From Easton to tide water, in the Delaware river at Trenton, the stream falls about one hundred feet. The Lehigh at Stoddartsville, is therefore elevated 1410 feet above the level of the ocean.

The navigation of the river has been much improved. In its natural state, the Lehigh was navigable for boats carrying fifteen tons, as far as Lausanne, at the foot of the Broad mountain, when a rocky rapid just above the Turnhole, called Hutchetooth Falls, improved the ascending navigation. When the river was low—in August and September—boats with loading could not ascend further than Allentown.

The navigation of the Lehigh was improved principally by the exertions of Messrs. Josiah White and Erskine Hazard, who obtained, March 20, 1818, from the Legislature an act to authorize them to commence their operations.^"

The improvements made by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, are of great advantage to this county, by affording a clieap and ready means of trans-

1 For an account of small streams, see description of townships

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porting produces and merchandize, as well as considerable home market. By this navigation a surplus of provisions, flour, hay, & c., is carried to Mauch Chunk, and to the timber region higher up/ And that destined for Philadelphia is sent by way of Easton, and thence by canal to Bristol and Philadelphia. Merchandize is brought back in return.

In this connection, is presented an attempt to describe a stupendous work of nature, namely:

Die Lecha Wusser-Huft, i.e. the Lehigh Water Gap, in the Kittatinny, or Blue mountain, the dividing line between Carbon county and that of Lehigh and Northampton, is so named from the river Lehigh, which steals its way through the Gap, prominently walled on both sides, forms a sublime object of admiration, and presents to the observant spectator, one of the most picturesque prospects in east Pennsylvania. At almost every season of the year, the diversified defile is exceedingly attractive. The writed visted this place in Spetemver, 1844. In ascending the eastern bank some hundred feet, the scene heightens in grandeur, and the stream – the beautiful, yer curking, rippled waters of the Lehigh river, add much, nay every thing, to make it impressive beyond oblivion. Though it is seemingly a rugged stream here, yet as you follow it in its course, throught a fertile region of country, receving tributaries of differetn seizes, until itself is a considerable river, before it reaches its silvery recipient, the Delaware. It is in all its ways, as well as at the Gap, where it rolls majestically over a rupic bed, and reflecting a sombre shade of the impending mountains, a grand stream.

To return to the Gap. The eastern bank is bordered for the distance of about a mile by craggy cliffs, towering to an amazing height, and of forms that most bizarre. Between ehich wall of rocks and the river the road winds along. Hastening to leave these black abodes, which seem to afford shelter to none but the ravenous beasts of the forest, the Lehigh appears eagerly moving on towards the fertile low

lands, which succeed in view, on the eastern bank.

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Ascending the eastern height, the traveller is amply rewarded for the exertion of climbing from rock to rock, in scaling the pine covered side of the mountain, by the rich and extensive prospect which the eye then commands. At his feet roll the waters of the majestic stream—on the opposite side is a towering ridge, near the summit of which appears, right opposite, emerging from the surrounding woods, a lonely pile of rocks, whimsically called, " Die Teufel's Kanzel," i. e. " The Devil's Pulpit," which indignantly suffers but a few blasted pines to shade its sullen brow. At a distance an extensive country, variegated with woods and farms, watered by the meandering Lehigh, and ridge retiring behind ridge, till lost in the faint tints of the horizon, all bursts upon the sight, and fill the mind with sublime ideas of the greatness of the Creator. The shattered rocks, thrown together in wild confusion, and the strata of rounded stones, which are to be met with in passing through the Gap, have given rise to the supposition that the Lehigh, being obstructed in its course by the Blue mountain, was formerly dammed up into a lake, which at length bursting the barrier, formed the chasm now called the Lehigh Gap. The learned have not agreed, as yet, in the decision of this mooted point.

A learned writer says : "It is common to speak of such passes as being formed by the rivers, which are often supposed to have burst their barriers, and thus to have shaped their own channels. This may have happened in some peculiar cases, and there are doubtles many instances where the lakes, of which many must have been left at the retiring both of the primeval and of the diluvial ocean, have worn or burst away their barriers, especially when composed, as they must often have been, of loose materials. But with respect to most rocky passes of rivers through mountains, there appears no reason whatever to believe that the waters have torn assunder the solid strata. A more resistless, energy must

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have been requisite for such an effect; and we must therefore conclude that the rivers have, in most instances, merely flowed on through the lowest and least obstructed passages. Their channels they have doubtless deepened and modified, often to an astonishing dergree but they have rarely formed them through solid rocks."—Silliman.

The county is conveniently intersected by good roads—the streams are readily crossed by substantial bridges. The county is well supplied with mills. There arc about seventy grist mills, fifty saw mills, seven oil mills, six woolen factories, and several fulling mills, three powder mills and one paper mill in the county, besides thirty tanneries.

The county is divided into the following townships, which are fully described in the sequel,viz: Hanover, Heidelberg, Low Hill, Linn, Lowen, Macunjy, Northampton, North Whitehall, Salisbury, South Whitehall, Upper Milford, Upper Macunjy, Upper Saucon and Weissenberg.

The population of this county was, in 1820,17,175 ; in 1810, 22,266; in 1840, 25,787.

The first court held in, the county met in the public house, now kept by Mr. Craig, then kept by Mr. George Savitz. The court house was erected in 1814. The jail had been previously built. The following is an extract from the public records:

At a Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, began and held at the borough of Northampton, for the county of Lehigh, on the 21st day of December, before the Hon. Robert, president, and the Hon. Peter Rhoads and Jonas Hartzell, Esq., Associate Judges of the said Court. At the November term, 1813.

November 30. Court met at the house of George Savitz, and adjourned from thence to meet in the upper story of the county prison, prepared by the commissioners for holding the courts of the county of Lehigh, until the court house be erected.

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Grand furors. Jacob Newhard, Sr., foreman; Zacharias Long, Casper Moyer, George Brush, Philip Kleckner, Andrew Eisenheart,. Jonathan Knauss, George Yeahle, John Cromer, John Bergenstock, John Jerret, George Wenner, Adam Singmaster, Daniel Trexall, Frederick Hyneman, George Essing, Abraham Diehl.

Lehigh having been part of Northampton county, its early history is merged with that of the county from which it has been formed. In 1798-'99, scenes occurred of no ordinary degree, a principal part of which transpired in this county.

Shortly after the election of John Adams, several acts were passed by Congress, which were obnoxious to a portion of the people of East Pennsylvania, in consequence of which, Berks, Bucks and Northampton, presented scenes of excitement. In Northampton, a party headed by one Fries, resisted attempts by the federal government to collect a direct tax—-well known by the name of "the house fax." John Fries, a desperado, and his associates, not only resisted the assessors, but in hot pursuit chased them from township to township. It is said there were parties of them—fifty and sixty in number—most of them well armed. Fries himself was armed with a large horse pistol, and accompanied by one Kuyder, who assisted him in command. They seized several assessors.

In some parts of the counties named, in demonstration of their opposition to government, they erected liberty poles. To quell the insurrection, troops, in obedience to Adams' instruction, were raised in Lancaster county. Several companies marched from Lancaster, April 1,1789, wending their front; toward the arena of dispute, by way of Reading, when Captain Montgomery's troop of light horse arrived on the evening of the 1st of April. Their first act, to display their prowess and gallantry, was to go clandestinely to the house of Jacob Gosin, who, in the Spirit of the times, had erected a liberty pole on his

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own premises, which they cut, without meeting any resistance.

To give undoubted proof of their daring bravery, they brandished their damascene weapons—drew pistols, to show that they were armed, in the houae of the inoffensive father, whose minor children were scared " half to death," at the marshal manceuvers of the Lancaster troops.

To let no time slip, and while they were undaunted, they proceeded from Gosin's to the house of John Strohecker, whither their eagle eyes were drawn by a recently erected potf, tipped with a rag, " napping in the breeze." This pole, to show the independence of some sturdy urchins, had been erected by-some children, in which Strohecker's were ringleaders. To deter these young heroes, the solders took down the pole, stripped it of its insignia—entered the house where they found the little wights—and as they did at Gosin's, so did they here—brandished weapons of war—presented pistols and swords to the youthful company, to no small alarm of both parents and children!!

To consummate their martial plans and designs, they molested the house of Jacob Epler—maltreated him unprovokedly. Like bravos ever merit—these merited the contempt of all reflecting persons—rendering themselves obnoxious to the orderly and well disposed among all classes.

Satisfied, of having rendered their country some service, the troop next morning started for Northampton, to fully execute the specific purpose of their mission. This done, they again returned by way of Reading, where they entered the office of the "AdIer," a paper edited and punted by Jacob Schneider, whom they rudely denuded, by violently tearing his clothes from his body, in a somewhat inclement season, and by force of arms, dragged him before the commanding captain, who peremptorily ordered the editor, for writing and printing some offensive articles, to be whipped, "Twenty-five lashes,"

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said he, " shall be well laid on his denuded back, in the market house"—which order was, however, not executed, because of the timely and manly interposition of some gentlemen of Captain Leiper's company, of Philadelphia. A few lashes, however, had been inflicted before these men had time to fully interpose— these were laid on by one accustomed to beat, when little resistance is to be dreaded—he was a drummer!

Colonel Epier, who it appears had by this time erected, by the assistance of his neighbors, a liberty pole in place of the pole erected by his children— thither the soldiery resorted, where they attempted to compel a common laborer to cut down the "offensive wood," notwithstanding that. he protested against doing so, at the same time, on most solemn asserverations declaring he was also a federalist—Ich bin auch ein Federalihr liebe Leut; das bin. Ja ich anch ein Federal !

They succeeded in divesting the pole, and with it

appended as a trophy, they rode. vociferating as they went through the streets of Reading, to their place of quarters. In a few days they left; but on the 24th of April, an army, under the command of Brigadier General McPherson, arrived at Reading, apprehending some of the insurrectionists, who were afterwards tried before Judge Peters—some found guilty—some were fined and. imprisoned—some were condemned to be capitally punished, but none attoned with their lives—they were pardoned through executive clemency !

The following extracts are taken from the report of the trial of John Fries, and others, for treason;

A grand Jury was empaelled, consisting of the following gentlemen, namely: J. Ross, Joseph Parker, Robert Ralston, John Perat, Daniel Smith, Edward Pennington, Benjamin W. Morris, John Craig, David H. Conyngham, Gideon Hill Wells, Wm. Montgomery, Philip Nicklin, Thos. M. Willing, Samuel Coates, T. C. Fisher, William Buckley A true bill found.

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May 15, 1799. Mr. Setgreaves, of Easton, opened the trial on the part of the United States. The following are extracts from his speech:

" It will appear, gentlemen, from the testimony, which will be presented to you, that during the latter months of the year 1798, discords prevailed to an enormous extent throughout a large portion of the counties of Bucks, Northampton, and Montgomery; and that considerable difficulties attended the assessors for the direct tax, in the execution of their duties—that in several townships associations of the people were actually formed in order to prevent the persons charged with the execution of these laws of the United States, from performing their duty, and more particularly to prevent the assessors from measuring their houses. This opposition was made at many public township meetings, called for the purpose. In many instances resolutions in writing were entered into, solemnly forewarning the officers, and many times accompanied with threats. Not only so, but discontents prevailed to such a height, that even the friends of the government in that part were completely suppressed by menaces against any who should assist those officers in their duty, repeated declarations were made, both at public as we'll as at private meetings, that if any person should be arrested by the civil authority, such arrest would be followed by the rising of the people, in opposition-to that authority, for the purpose of rescuing such prisoners, indefatigable pains were taken, by those charged with the execution of the laws, to calm the fears and remove the misapprehensions of the infatuated people; for this purpose they read and explained the law to them, and informed them that they were misled into the idea that the law was not actually in force, for that it actually was; at the same time warning them of the consequences which would flow from opposition; and this was accompanied with promises that even their most capricious wishes would be gratified on their obedience. The favor was in

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many instances granted, that where any opposition was made to any certain person executing the office of assessor, another should be substituted. In some townships proposals were made for people to choose for themselves; but, notwithstanding this accommodating offer, the opposition continued. The consequences were, actual opposition and resistance; in some parts violence was actually used, and the assessors were taken and imprisoned by armed parties, and in other parts mobs assembled to compel them either to deliver up their papers or to resign their commissions; that in some instances they were threatened with bodily harm, so that in those parts the obnoxious law remained unexecuted in consequence. The state of insurrection and rebellion had arisen to such a height, it became necessary to compel the execution of the laws, and warrants were in consequences issued against certain persons and served upon them; in some instances, during the execution of that duty; the marshal met with insult and almost with violence; having, however, got nearly the whole of the warrants served, he appointed head-quarters for these prisoners to rendezvous at Bethlehem where some of them were to enter bail for their appearance in the city, others were to come to the city in custody for trial.

On the day thus appointed for the prisoners to meet, and whan a number of them had actually assembled, agreeably to appointment, a number of the parties in arms, both horse and foot, more than a hundred men, accountered with all their military apparatus, commanded in some instances by their proper officers, marched to Bethlehem, collected before the house in which were the marshal and prisoners whom they demanded to be delivered up to them, and in conquence of refusal, they proceeded to act very little short of actual hostility; so that the marshal deemed it prudent to accede to their demands, and the prisoners were liberated.

"This, gentleman, is the general history of the in-

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surrection. I shall not state to you the part which the unfortunate prisoner at the bar took in those hostile transactions. The prisoner is an inhabitant of Lower Milford, Bucks county. Some time in February last, a public meeting was held at the house of one John Kline, that that township, to consider thishouse tax; at that meeting certain resolutions were entered into and a paper signed; (we have endeavored to trace this paper so as to produce it to the court and jury, but have failed.) This paper was signed by fifty-two persons, and committed to the hands of one of their numbers. John Fries was present as this meeting and assisted in drawing up the paper, at which time his expressions against this law were extremely violent, and he threatened to shoot one of the assessors, Mr. Foulke, through the legs, if he proceeded to assess the hosues; again the prisoners ata vendue if he attempted to go on with the assessment, he should be cmmitted to an old stable and there fed on rotten corn. The assessor in Lower Milford was intimidated so as to decline, making the assessments, and the principal assessors, together with three other assessors, were obliged to go into that township to execute the law. At the home of Mr. Jacob Fries, on the 5^th March, Mr. Chapman, the assessor, met with the prisoner, who declared his determination not to submit, but to oppose the law, and that by next morning he could raise seven hundred men in opposition to it."

[Fries and his partisans continued to follow and persecute several of the assessors, chasing them from township to township, in parties of fifty or sixty, most of whom were in arms, with drum and fife. Fries was armed with a large horse pistol, and accompanied by one Kuyder, who assisted him in command. Thus equipped they went to Quarkertown, seized two assessors, and attempted to fire at another who ran away, but the firm-arm did not go off. They examined the papers of the assessors, and exacted a

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Promise that they should not proceed in the valuation of the houses in Lower Milford. They abused a traveller who had the independence to stand up for the government. At Quakertown, learning that the marshal had taken a number of prisoners, they resolved to effect their rescue, and the people of Milford were invited to assist in this business, and a paper setting forth their design, was drawn by the Fries, at his own house, and signed by the party.]

" On the morning of the next day, twenty or more of them met at the house of Conrad Marks, in arms. John Fries was armed with a sword, and had a feather in his hat. On the road as they went forward they were met by young Marks, who told them they might as well turn about, for that the Northampton people were strong enough to do the business without those from Bucks county. Some were so inclined to do, but at the instance of Fries and some others, they did go forward, and actually proceeded to Bethlehem. Before the arrival of these troops, a party going on the same business had stopped at the bridge near Bethlehem, where they were met by a deputation from the marshal, to advise them to return home; they agreed to hault there, and send three of their number to declare to the marshal their demand. During this period Fries and his party came up, but it appears when they came, Fries took the party actually over the bridge, and he arranged the toll, and ordered them to proceed. With respect to the proof of the proceedings at Bethlehem, it cannot be mistaken; he was then the leading man, and he appeared to enjoy the command. With the consent of his people he demanded the prisoners of the marshal, and when that officer told him that he could not surrender them, except they were taken from him by force, and produced his warrant for taking them, the prisoner then harrangued his party of the house, and explained to them the necessity of using force; and that you should not mistake his design, we will prove to you that he declared ' that was the third day which he bad been

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out on this expedition, that he had had a skirmish the day before, and if the prisoners were not released he should have another that day.’ ‘Now you observe,’ resumed he, ‘that force is necessary, but you must obey my orders. We will not go without taking the prisoners. But take my orders—you must not fire first; you must be first fired upon, and when I am gone you must do as well as you can, as I expect to be the first man that falls.’ He further declared to the marshal that they would fire till a cloud of smoke prevented them from seeing each other, and executing the office of command of the troops, which at that time overawed the marshal and his attendants. He harangued the troops to obey his orders, which they did. The marshal was really intimidated to liberate the prisoners; and then the object was accomplished, and the party dispersed amid the huzzas of the insurgents. After this affair at Bethlehem, the prisoner frequently avowed his opposition to the law, and justified that outrage; and when a meeting was afterwards held at Lower Milford to choose assessors, the prisoner refused his assent, and appeared as violent as ever."

Most of the above statements were proved, including a variety of other details. Fries, after two trials, in both of which he was found guilty of treason, was sentenced to be hung, but was subsequently pardoned by John Adams.

Several others from the same vicinity were tried, and generally found guilty of the subordinate crimes of sedition, insurrection, and riot; they were imprisoned for a time, and heavily fined, and held to bail for good behavior. George Gittman and Frederick Hainey were also condemned for high treason. Among the disaffected who had been taken prisoners by the marshal, and who were rescued by the insurgents, was one Jacob Eyerman, a German minister, recently arrived from Germany. He seems to have exerted nearly as much influence as Fries, in stirring up the people in Chestnut Hill and Hamilton town-

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ships, to opposition. History does not state to what sect he belonged, but the testimony would seem to show that he strongly favored the " church militant." One of the assessors testified that while on his round of duty in Chestnut Hill township, "the prisoner (Eyerman) came in and began to rip out in a violent manner against this taxation, saying that Congress had made laws which were unjust, and the people need not take up with them; if they did, all kinds of laws would follow; but if they would not put up with this, they need not with those that would come after, because it. was a free country; but in case the people admitted of those laws, they would certainly be put under great burdens. He said he knew perfectly what laws were made, and that the President nor Congress had no riglit to make them. That Congress and the government only made such laws to rob the people, and that they were nothing but a parcel of damned rogues or ‘spitz bube,’ [highwaymen or thieves.]

"Were the people of the township much opposed to the law?" "Yes, they were so violent that I kew but one man on the same side as myself." "Would this have been so if it had not been for parson?" "I am fully convinced it would not." "Did Eyerman appear to be a simple sort of man, easily to be led astray or deluded ?" " No, he was not thought so; he was always a very good preacher."

Prisoner.—" Did I not pray for the Government, President and Vice President?" "Yes, you did when in the pulpit; but when you were out, you prayed

The other way."

John Sneider deposed, that he lived in Hamilton township, and knew the prisoner—as much as he understood, the prisoner meant to take arms against it. He said if we let that go forward, it would go on in the old country, but that he [Eyerman] would rather lay his black coat on a nail, and fight the the whole week, and preach for them Sundays, than that should be so.

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"How long has this man been at Hamilton?"

"About 18 months."

"The township was always peaceable, I suppose, before he came among you ?" "Yes, and believe if he had not come, nothing would have happened of the kind."

Another witness said that the prisoner came to his house, where conversation began about the house tax, whereupon he said he did not care whether they put up with it or not, for he had no house to tax. A person present answered: But you have a great quantity of books to tax. The prisoner answered that "if anybody would offer to tax his books, he would take a French, a Latin, an Hebrew, and a Greek book down to them, and if they could not read them, he would slap them about their ears till they would fall to pieces." The prisoner continued preacher to that congregation until he was taken up.

After the rescue, he fled to New York state, but was apprehended and brought back, and found guilty of conspiracy, &c., &c., was sentenced to be imprisoned one year, pay fifty dollars fine, and give security for his good behavior one year. About thirty others were convicted, and fined and imprisoned according to the degree of crime.—Day's Historical Collection.

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