Part 4

"Between 1764 and 1819 the only means of crossing these streams, at Pittsburg, was by way of ferries. The first of these, it is believed, was operated from the foot of Ferry street, Pittsburg to the opposite shore, and this was the origin of the name 'Ferry street'.... Early in the nineteenth century a ferry was established from the mouth of Liberty street, called 'Jones Ferry.' Foot passengers desiring to cross the river employed skiffs, while stock was taken over on flat-boats. Such boats were pushed by means of poles, at low stages of water, and by oars in high water periods." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._

"The Subscriber respectfully informs his friends and the public in general, that he intends opening a new Ferry on the Monongahela River, where he now lives, a few steps East of the mouth of Wood-street, which will co-operate with Mr. Beltzhoover's new house on the opposite side of the river, kept by Mr. Robert Wilson. He has been careful to provide himself with good new crafts, and also good trusty ferrymen. He expects to be able to give general satisfaction to those who may please to favor him with their custom. As he is determined there shall be no detention at the ferry, those wishing to cross the river on the evening before the Market-day can be accommodated with storage for their marketing free of charge. He intends keeping a supply of the best Liquors. He flatters himself that his strict attention to business will insure him a sufficient supply of the public patronage.

WM. RALSTON,

Pittsburgh, March 20.

N.B. Those wishing to take their Ferrage by the year, can have an opportunity of engaging with him at any time.

W. R."

_Commonwealth, March 20, 1816._

STEAM BOAT FERRY

"A meeting will be held at E. Carr's Tavern, in Water Street, on Wednesday evening, 3d April, at 7 o'clock, on organizing a Company to establish a Steam Ferry,--Those persons interested in preserving the present advantages of the western section of the City from being wrested out of their hands, by the injudicious site chosen by the Legislature for the Monongahela Bridge, are particularly requested to attend." _Gazette, March 30, 1816._

"The first steps taken towards the erection of bridges at Pittsburgh were as early as 1810. A charter was granted by the Legislature on the 20th of March of that year for two bridges, one over the Monongahela and the other over the Allegheny; but circumstances interfered to prevent their erection for several years. The bridge charter was allowed to lapse, but a new one was granted by the Legislature February 17, 1816, which was signed by the governor May 31, 1816. A company organized under this charter July 8, 1816. The bridges were constructed and opened to the public for traffic, the Monongahela in 1818 and the Allegheny in 1820." _Warner's History of Allegheny county._

At an election held on the 10th instant for officers for the Monongahela Bridge Company, the following persons were unanimously elected:

_President_--Wm. Wilkins.

_Managers._

James Ross, Oliver Ormsby, David Pride, Christian Latshaw, George Anshutz, Thomas Baird, Wm. M'Candless, Philip Gilland, James S. Stevenson, Benj. Page, Jacob Beltzhoover, Fred'k Wendt.

_Treasurer_--John Thaw _Clerk_--John Thaw

_Commonwealth, June 25, 1816._

The Newspapers

THE PITTSBURGH GAZETTE

Printed by John Scull, corner of Market and Front Streets. The Gazette was published every Saturday morning at three dollars per annum. Later in the year the Gazette was published on Tuesdays and Fridays.

"On the 1st of August, 1816, John Scull, the veteran editor, relinquished the publication of the Pittsburg Gazette. He was succeeded by Morgan Neville in the editorship of that journal, and his son, John I. Scull, became associated with Mr. Neville." _Wilson's History of Pittsburg._

"'The Pittsburgh Gazette' under the original proprietor, Mr. John Scull, was the first establishment of the kind, west of the mountains. On its first appearance, it was viewed as a meteor of the moment, whose existence would terminate with the second or third number; and the idea of deriving a subsistence from its publication, was classed among the chimeras of a too sanguine temper. Our country was then a 'howling wilderness,' and the Ohio, whose fair bosom is now covered with the 'white sails of commerce,' was then disturbed only by the yell of the savage, who lay ambushed on its bank, or glided over its surface, in his solitary canoe. But these obstacles, though disheartening, were not sufficient to destroy the enterprize of the Editor. He had turned his back on civilization and comforts of his native place; he had deliberately subjected himself to the inconveniences of emigration, and his was not the ardour to be damped at the outset.... He became a citizen of Pittsburgh, when it was little more than an Indian village; his interests grew with its growth; he saw it rise into a manufacturing town; he has heard it emphatically called the 'Birmingham of America;' and finally, he has the triumphant satisfaction, of beholding in his own days, the village of the desert, changed into the city of the west. He has succeeded even beyond his expectations; he has run his moderate, unostentatious course. The patronage he has received, was sufficient for his desires; his editorial life here ends; with feelings acutely sensible of the favors he has received, he now relinquishes to his son and successor the 'Pittsburgh Gazette,' unstained by corruption, and free from venality, but ever firm, he trusts, in supporting our palladium, the freedom of the Press." _Gazette, Aug. 9, 1816._

THE COMMONWEALTH

Printed every Tuesday morning by C. Colerick for S. Douglas & Co. in Diamond Alley, between Market and Wood Streets.

THE PITTSBURGH MERCURY

"'The Pittsburgh Mercury,' is published every Saturday, at the new brick building, in Liberty-street, at the head of Wood-street, opposite the Octagon Church; where the subscribers, advertising customers, and other friends of the establishment, are respectfully invited to call." _Mercury, Oct. 19, 1816._

"The kind of news material found in the columns of papers of those days is entirely different from the style of material found today. Local news is rarely ever given in the papers of an early day. As a rule the subscriber read but one paper and local news could be handed around by gossip from one neighbor to another, and what the subscriber demanded in his paper was foreign news that he could gain in no other way. The founding of new enterprises, marriages, or deaths of prominent citizens, etc. found no place in the pioneer newspaper. European news necessarily nearly two months old, long articles on the management of public affairs, controversies carried on from week to week between rival exponents on different theories, essays on morality and amateur poetry, fill up the columns of nearly all the early newspapers of Western Pennsylvania.... Their value to those who would learn of early local history is found chiefly in the advertisements and from these ... one may gather some important information concerning Pittsburg's early days." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._

Churches

First Presbyterian Church

"In [1785] a bill was introduced into the Legislative Assembly, at Philadelphia, to incorporate a 'Presbyterian Congregation in Pittsburgh, at this time under the care of the Rev. Samuel Barr,' which, after much delay, was finally passed on the twenty-ninth of September, 1787. The Penns gave the site for this church....

In the Spring of 1811 Reverend Francis Herron became the pastor of the First Church, which the year before had had a membership of sixty-five. Dr. Herron's salary was six hundred dollars per annum. For thirty-nine years he labored ceaselessly and wisely for the church and congregation. In 1817 the church was enlarged, and the membership steadily increased." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._

Second Presbyterian Church

"The Second Presbyterian Church was organized ... in 1804, by those members of the First Church to whom the methods used, regarding the services in the First Church, were unsatisfactory. The next year Dr. Nathaniel Snowden took charge of the congregation which worshiped ... in the Court House and other places, public and private. Dr. John Boggs came, but remained only a short time. He was replaced by the Rev. Mr. Hunt, in 1809. The first edifice, on Diamond alley, near Smithfield street, was built in 1814." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._

East Liberty Presbyterian Church

"Mr. Jacob Negley, whose wife had been a Miss Winebiddle, and consequently, inherited much real estate, controlled practically what is now known as East Liberty Valley, in the early days, called Negleystown. He was largely instrumental ... in erecting a small frame school building at what subsequently became the corner of Penn and South Highland avenues. This was for the accommodation of the children of the district, as well as his own. It was ... a long distance to the then established churches, and Mr. Negley very often, for the benefit of the neighborhood, invited some minister passing through, or one from one of the other churches, to preach in his own house and later in the school house. In 1819 the little school house was torn down to make way for a church building." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._

Reformed Presbyterian Church

"The First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, long afterwards known as the 'Oak Alley Church,' was organized in 1799. Rev. John Black, an Irishman of considerable intellectual force, who had been graduated from the University of Glasgow, was its first pastor.... He included, in his ministry, all societies of the same persuasion in Western Pennsylvania. He preached here until his death on October 25, 1849." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._

Roman Catholic Church

"The number of Catholics prior to 1800, in what is now Allegheny county, must have been very small. They were visited occasionally by missionaries traveling westward.... [These] priests, ministering to a few scattered families, celebrating Mass in private houses, fill up the long interval between the chapel of the 'Assumption of the Blessed Virgin of the Beautiful River' in Fort Duquesne, and 'Old St. Patrick's Church,' which was begun in 1808.

Rev. Wm. F. X. O'Brien, the first pastor, was ordained in Baltimore, 1808, and came to Pittsburg in November of the same year, and at once devoted himself to the erection of ... 'Old St. Patrick's.' It stood at the corner of Liberty and Washington streets, at the head of Eleventh street, in front of the new Union Station.... The structure was of brick, plain in design and modest in size, about fifty feet in length and thirty in width. Rt. Rev. Michael Egan dedicated the Church in August 1811, and the dedication was the occasion of the first visit of a Bishop to this part of the State." _St. Paul's Cathedral record._

Protestant Episcopal Church

"The building of the first Trinity Church was begun about the time it was organized and chartered, 1805. It occupied a triangular lot at the corner of Sixth, Wood and Liberty streets. It was built in an oval form that it might more nearly conform to the shape of the three cornered lot and for this reason was generally known as the 'round church.' Rev. Taylor in his latter years became known as 'Father' Taylor. He remained with the church as its rector until 1817, when he resigned." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._

First German United Evangelical Protestant Church

"When John Penn, jr., and John Penn presented land to the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches of Pittsburgh they, at the same time, deeded the same amount to the already organized German Evangelical congregation; the land given to them was bounded by Smithfield street, Sixth avenue, Miltenberger and Strawberry alleys. No church was built on this grant, however, until some time between 1791-94, and it was of logs. This was ... replaced in 1833 by a large brick building, which had the distinction of a cupola, in which the first church bell in Pittsburgh was hung." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._

Methodist Episcopal Church

"In June, 1810, a lot was purchased for the first [Methodist] church built in the city. It was situated on Front street, now First street, nearly opposite ... the present Monongahela House. The erection of a church was commenced at once, for on August 26th of that year Bishop Asbury preached on the foundation of it. His journal says: 'Preached on the foundation of the new chapel to about five hundred souls. I spoke again at 5 o'clock to about twice as many. The society here is lively and increasing in numbers.' The building was a plain brick structure, 30 × 40 feet. We do not know certainly when it was completed, but probably in the autumn of 1810.

In this church the society continued to worship in peace and prosperity for eight years. But near the close of this period it had become too small, and a new and larger one became a necessity. Consequently, in May, 1817, three lots were purchased on the corner of Smithfield and Seventh streets, and the erection of a larger church commenced. It was completed the following year." _Warner's History of Allegheny county._

Baptist Church

"The first church of this denomination in Pittsburg was organized in April, 1812, when the city had about five thousand people. It was an independent organization and included about six families with perhaps not more than twelve people in all who had come from New England. The chief organizer and pastor was Rev. Edward Jones, also from New England. The society was too poor then to build a church, but worshiped in private houses and in rented halls." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._

Schools

"Robert Steele, who afterward became a Presbyterian preacher, opened a school in Pittsburg in January, 1803, at his house on Second street.... His rates were four dollars per quarter. In 1803, a teacher named Carr opened a school for both boys and girls. The next year he advertised that his school was moved to larger quarters over Dubac's store, where he probably taught till 1808, when he opened a boarding school for boys. In 1818 he removed his school to Third street where Mrs. Carr 'instructed young ladies in a separate room in the usual branches, and in all kinds of needle work.' William Jones began a school in 1804, and charged but two dollars per quarter for tuition. In February, 1808, Samuel Kingston opened a school in a stone house on Second street.... A teacher named Graham opened a school on Second street, using the room formerly occupied by Mr. Kingston, in which he proposed to give his pupils an English and classical education on moderate terms. The advertisement stated that Mrs. Graham would at the same time open a school for 'young ladies' in an adjoining room, and that she would instruct them in all branches of an English education and in needle work. In 1811 Thomas Hunt opened a school 'for the instruction of females exclusively.' The hours he advertised were from 8 to 12 a.m., and from 2 to 5 p.m.... In the same year this advertisement appears: 'Messrs. Chute and Noyes' evening school commences the first of October next. They also propose on Sabbath morning, the 22 instant, to open a Sunday morning school to commence at the hour of eight a.m., and continue until ten. They propose to divide the males and females into separate departments. The design of the school is to instruct those who wish to attend, the Catechism and hear them read the Holy Scriptures. No pecuniary compensation is desired, a consciousness of doing good will be an ample reward.' In 1812 John Brevost opened a French school, and with his wife and daughter opened a boarding school in connection with it in 1814. Their terms were, 'for reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, history and geography, with the use of maps, globes, etc., $8.00 quarterly. Playing on the piano, $10.00 quarterly; vocal music, $5.00 quarterly. Drawing and painting of flowers, $6.00 quarterly. French language, $5.00 quarterly. Boarding $37.00, payable in advance. Dancing, books, materials, drawing, sewing, bed and bedding to be paid for separately or furnished by parents.' Mrs. Gazzam had opened a seminary for young ladies by this time, and advertised its removal to Fifth street. Her pupils were instructed in the elementary studies of an English education, and in needle work at four dollars per quarter. She taught them to cut, make and repair their clothes. The pupils were permitted to visit their homes once each week, but no young men were allowed to visit them unless attended by a servant. She boarded them for $125 per year. The two sisters, Miss Anna and Arabella Watts, instructed young ladies solely in needle work. In almost all schools needle work was a requisite part of the education of young women. In fact it was considered the all important part of a woman's training and not infrequently other branches were taught if required, or if thought necessary." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._

CITY ACADEMY

"The subscriber, respectfully informs his fellow citizens, and others, that he has happily secured the co-operation of Mr. Edward Jones--hopes their most sanguine expectations, relative to his seminary, will be fully justified.

All the most important branches of education, taught as in the best academies, on either side the Atlantick.--Mathematics in general, as in the city of _Edinburgh_.--During four years, the subscriber taught the only Mathematical school in the capital of New-Hampshire.

A class of young gentlemen will shortly commence the study of Navigation, Gunnery, Bookkeeping, Geography and English grammar. George Forrester." _Mercury, May 18, 1816._

THE LANCASTER SCHOOL.

"Will continue at the room where it is now kept in Market street. In addition to the common branches of reading, orthography, etc., the teacher gives lessons in English grammar, geography and Book-keeping. Penmanship is taught on a most approved system at all hours.

To those who are acquainted with this mode of instructing children, its superior excellence need not be pointed out, and such as have never seen a school on this plan in actual operation, and are not intimately conversant with its theory, are invited (if they have the curiosity) to visit the institution in Market street; where, although the number of pupils is small, yet the school will afford a sufficient illustration of the Lancaster system to convince the most incredulous that 500 or even 1000 pupils by the aid of this wonderful invention, may be taught with prodigious facility by a single teacher." _Commonwealth, April 3, 1816._

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

"The first charter to an institution of learning west of the mountains granted by the legislature of Pennsylvania, February 28, 1787, created the Pittsburg Academy. The school was in existence earlier than this....

The principals of the academy from the very beginning were men of high attainments, some of them attaining great distinction. George Welch, the first principal, took office April 13, 1789. Rev. Robert Steele, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Rev. John Taylor, Mr. Hopkins and James Mountain successively were at the head of the academy. From 1807 to 1810, Rev. Robert Patterson, of excellent fame, successfully carried on the work. He was succeeded in the latter year by Rev. Joseph Stockton, author of the 'Western Calculator' and 'Western Spelling Book,' who continued in office until the re-incorporation of the academy as the Western University of Pennsylvania, in 1819." _Boucher's Century and a half of Pittsburg._

Libraries

"It was not ... until the fall of 1813, that the question of a community Library took definite shape, when in response to the efforts 'of many leading and progressive citizens,' there was organized 'The Pittsburgh Library Company.' On the evening of November 27, 1813, about 40 representative people assembled in the spacious 'bar room' of the 'Green Tree Inn,' at the northwest corner of Fifth and Wood streets, where the First National Bank now stands, and took the initiative in the formation of Pittsburgh's first real public library.... Its first president was the Rev. Francis Herron, for 40 years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. The secretary was Aquila M. Bolton, 'land broker and conveyancer.' The treasurer was Col. John Spear.... Quite a sum of money was subscribed by citizens generally for the purchase of books, while many valuable volumes were either contributed or loaned by members. Messrs. Baldwin, O'Hara, Wilkins and Forward being especially mentioned for their generosity in this connection. The first head-quarters of the library were in rooms 'on Second street, opposite Squire Robert Graham's office,' who at that time dispensed even handed justice at the northeast corner of Market and Second streets. Here the library remained until the county commissioners set aside a commodious room in the Court House for its use." _A. L. Hardy, in Gazette-Times, 1913._

"The triennial meeting of the shareholders [of the Pittsburgh Library Company] was convened at their new library room, in Second street, opposite Squire Graham's office, at six o'clock, Monday evening, December thirtieth, 1816. The following gentlemen were then elected by ballot to serve as a Board of Directors for the ensuing three years, viz: George Poe, president; Aquila M. Bolton, secretary; Lewis Bollman, treasurer; James Lea, Benjamin Bakewell, Robert Patterson, Walter Forward, Alexander Johnson, jr., William Eichbaum, jr., Benjamin Page, Alexander McClurg, J. P. Skelton, Ephraim Pentland, Charles Avery, J. R. Lambdin, directors." _Killikelly's History of Pittsburgh._

"It has been published, that the Library of this city contains two thousand volumes. Through the politeness of J. Armstrong, the librarian, I gained admittance, and having examined the catalogue, am enabled to state that the whole collection is only about five hundred volumes. The books, however, are well chosen, and of the best editions. How the error originated is of no consequence except to him who made it." _Thomas's Travels through the western country in 1816._

The New Books of 1816

Austen. Emma. Byron. Childe Harold (Canto III). The dream. Hebrew melodies. Parisina. Prisoner of Chillon. Siege of Corinth. Coleridge. Christabel. Crabbe. Dictionary of English synonymes. D'Israeli. Character of James I. Goethe. Italianische reise. Hunt. A story of Rimini. Moore. Elegy on Sheridan. Irish melodies. Peacock. Headlong Hall. Scott. Antiquary. Black dwarf. Guy Mannering. Lord of the Isles. Old Mortality. Shelley. Alastor. Southey. Carmen triumphale. Wordsworth. Poems. White doe of Rylstone.

The Theatre

"There were in 1808 two dramatic societies in Pittsburg that were important enough to receive notice in the newspapers. The one was composed of law students and young lawyers and the other was composed of mechanics. The object of these societies was to study the poets and dramatic literature and to give public performances in the court house. William Wilkins ... was a member and took a leading part in the entertainments given by these societies. There was no way for theatrical companies from the East to reach Pittsburg prior to 1817, save by the state road, which was scarcely passable for a train of pack horses, yet they came even as early as 1808 and performed in a small room, which was secured for them when the court room was occupied. In 1812 a third dramatic society called the Thespian Society was organized among the young men and young women of Pittsburg.