PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AFFAIRS
The news and literary center was between Front and Second streets.
Here the two newspapers were published. John Scull, the owner of the
_Pittsburgh Gazette_, lived at the northwest corner of Market and Front
streets; and on Front Street, immediately in the rear of his dwelling,
stood the small one-story building where the newspaper was printed. In
this house the post office had been located until 1794, when Scull was
succeeded as postmaster by George Adams, who removed the post office
to the log house on Front Street near Ferry. At the northerly end of
the block, at the corner of Second Street, was the brick house of Dr.
Peter Mowry, who had the largest medical practice in the town. Directly
across Market Street from Dr. Mowry, Judge Hugh Henry Brackenridge had
erected for the _Tree of Liberty_, a one-story office, and behind this
a building where the paper was printed.[174]
Judge Brackenridge’s dwelling adjoined the office of the _Tree of
Liberty_ on the south.[175] It was a large and commodious blue frame
building which had been, until recently, surrounded by a paling fence.
The larger part was now given over to trade. It was the best known
house in the town. In it General Lee had made his headquarters while in
Pittsburgh during the memorable days of November, 1794.[176] In front
of this building, Brackenridge, according to his own story, braved the
indignation of Lee’s troops, by parading before them dressed in his
“large cocked hat, buff underdress, and coat of military blue.”[177]
On the north side of Second Street, one door west of Chancery Lane,
stood William Turnbull’s large two-story stone structure, occupied
during the Whisky Insurrection by William Semple as a store.[178]
Here also resided at that time Colonel Presley Neville.[179] General
Daniel Morgan lived with his son-in-law during the stay of the army
in Pittsburgh. From this house General Morgan and Colonel Neville
rushed hatless to save Brackenridge from the fury of the soldiers, who
Brackenridge charged were planning his assassination.[180] In 1804,
the building was occupied by the “Office of Discount and Deposit,” as
the branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania was called. At the corner of
Chancery Lane adjoining the Turnbull house, was the home of Steele
Semple, the famous advocate and wit, and connoisseur of the polite and
fashionable literature of the day.[181]
In the center of the block in which Brackenridge lived, was the book
store and bindery of Zadok Cramer, at the “Sign of the Franklin Head.”
“Its ancient appearance,” wrote one of its habitués, “is agreeably
associated in the memory of many amongst us with our happiest moments,
when the careless, airy hours of youth were passing thoughtlessly and
cheerfully away.”[182] Men just as substantial, but of less note, also
had establishments in this square. At the southerly corner of Front
Street was the large store of Abner and Jeffe Barker who sold bar
iron and castings,[183] and kept a “general assortment of merchandise
and boulting cloths.”[184] All the merchants were selling “boulting
cloths,” which were cloths used by millers for sifting flour. Adjoining
Abner and Jeffe Barker’s store on the north was the establishment of
Jeremiah Barker who had for sale a “handsome and general assortment of
the freshest goods,”[185] and “a few boxes of glass eight by ten.”[186]
In addition to being a merchant, Jeremiah Barker was justice of the
peace, and in 1801 burgess.[187] The store of Abner and Jeffe Barker,
and the store of Jeremiah Barker, were both on the site formerly
occupied by Andrew Watson’s tavern.
On the north side of Front Street, two doors east of Abner and Jeffe
Barker’s store, was an old two-story log building owned by Andrew
Watson. It had been formerly occupied as a store by John and Samuel
Calhoun,[188] and when Allegheny County was formed, was rented by the
county for the use of the courts, and called the “Court House.” In this
house justice was dispensed for many years. In December, 1788, the
first court of quarter sessions for Allegheny County was held there,
George Wallace being president judge, and John Scott, John Wilkins,
and John Johnson associates. They were all laymen, the constitution in
force not requiring judges to be learned in the law. The first court
of common pleas was held in the building on March 14, 1789.
The judges of the Supreme Court, or at least two of them, were
required to go on the circuit annually, visiting every county during
the intervals between the regular sessions of the Supreme Court, and
to hold courts of _nisi prius_ and Oyer and Terminer for the trial of
capital cases.[189] In Pittsburgh the sessions were held in Andrew
Watson’s house. Here Chief Justice McKean and Justice George Bryan
held the first court of Oyer and Terminer for Allegheny County. Judge
Henry M. Brackenridge related that he had been informed that, at this
session, they sat in scarlet robes. He stated further that when going
to and returning from court the judges were carefully attired in black,
with cocked hats, and were preceded by the Sheriff of the County
bearing a white wand. Leading the procession was a drummer beating a
drum.[190]
The first court house was memorable for another reason. It was in the
court room that the townspeople assembled on that eventful evening
of the thirty-first day of July, during the stormiest days of the
Whisky Insurrection.[191] The mail from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia
had been robbed by the Insurgents and among the letters taken were
several, written by prominent citizens of Pittsburgh, which indicated
a hostile spirit toward the insurrection. The sentiments expressed
were considered as reflecting the opinion of the town. The rage of
the Insurgents was now directed against Pittsburgh. In their wrath
they characterized it as another Sodom, and declared that they would
come and destroy it with fire, and leave nothing but smoking ruins to
mark the spot where it had stood. With this end in view they commenced
gathering in force at Braddocksfield. News of the sinister purpose
spread to the town. Alarm grew into terror, and a meeting was hastily
called to consider measures of protection. The meeting was already in
progress, when a committee sent by the Insurgents arrived and announced
that the town would be spared if certain obnoxious persons, including
the writers of the letters found in the mail, were banished from the
town. They reported that the task of saving the town would be easier
of accomplishment if the inhabitants marched out in a body to meet
the Insurgents, and by fraternizing with them show that they were not
hostile to the Insurgent cause. The meeting deliberated far into the
night, and at two o’clock the next morning arrived at a humiliating
conclusion. They agreed to banish the men asked for, and to join the
Insurgents at Braddocksfield, “as brethren to carry into effect with
them any measure that may seem to them advisable for the common cause.”
Even then the panic did not subside. The people refused to go to bed;
women wept; valuables were hidden, and lights flickered in the houses
all night long.
At the northwest corner of Market and Second streets, in the
three-story double brick building owned by Colonel O’Hara, was the
store of Scott & Trotter, where they sold “merchandise of a superior
quality suitable to every station, which they are determined to
sell on very low terms for cash, peltry, furs, and approved country
produce.”[192] Next door to Scott & Trotter was Dr. George Stevenson.
Like Dr. Richardson, Stevenson conducted an apothecary shop and sold
“drugs, medicines, surgical instruments, etc.”[193] He was a former
Revolutionary officer, and had been third lieutenant in the First
Pennsylvania Regiment. In 1778, he resigned to study medicine, and
re-entered the service in 1779 as surgeon’s mate with the rank of
ensign. In 1798, he was major in the Tenth United States Regiment.
Stevenson was chief burgess in 1801.[194]
At the southwest corner of Market and Third streets was the “hat sales
shop” of Thomas and Samuel Magee.[195] Here they kept for sale the
beaver, castor, and roram hats, which they manufactured at the corner
of Front Street and Chancery Lane. On the opposite side of Market
Street from Scott & Trotter was William Herd’s dry goods and grocery
store.[196] Also on this side of Market Street, at the northeast
corner of that street and Third Street, was another physician, Dr.
Hugh Scott.[197] Then came the store of William Gazzam, and adjoining
was that of William Barrett. Farther on, Fulton & Baird sold “soal
and upper leather,”[198] and James Riddle had a boot and shoe-making
establishment[199] and sold “Halifax soal leather, also boot legs, half
and whole soals, and boot webbing.”[200] Another establishment was
that of William Porter who had a cut and forged nail manufactory.[201]
Adjoining Porter on the north was the well-known tavern of Mrs.
Mary Murphy, commonly known as “Molly” Murphy, the widow of Patrick
Murphy, at the “Sign of General Butler.” Beginning on April 1, 1800,
and for several years afterward, the tavern was conducted by Richard
Hancock.[202] Next door to the “Sign of General Butler,” and extending
to Fourth Street at the “Sign of the Negro,” Joseph McClurg sold
dry goods, hardware, china, and glassware, and conducted a tobacco
manufactory.[203] He also advertised as having for sale “a large
assortment of window and hollow glass of a superior quality, from A.
Gallatin, Esq’s., glass works at New Geneva.”[204]
The “Sign of General Butler” was named for General Richard Butler who
in his day was the most noted character in Pittsburgh. He had been
Indian trader and Indian agent. In the Revolution he was second in
command to General Daniel Morgan at Saratoga, and second in command to
General Anthony Wayne at Stony Point. He was a justice of the Court
of Common Pleas of Allegheny County[205] and was the first lieutenant
of the county, the officer who at that time was commander of the
militia.[206] He was a member of the General Assembly,[207] and met a
glorious death during St. Clair’s unfortunate expedition against the
Indians on the Miami River, on November 4, 1791.[208] His name has been
commemorated in that of Butler County.[209] His home was in the log
house situated on the east side of Marbury, now Third Street, one door
south of Penn Street, now Penn Avenue,[210] where his widow continued
to reside.
The “Sign of General Butler,” like the home of Brackenridge, became
famous during the Whisky Insurrection. President Washington had
appointed a commission to meet the Insurgents, and procure their
submission. It consisted of Senator James Ross, Attorney General
William Bradford, also a Pennsylvanian, and Jasper Yeates, a justice
of the Supreme Court of this State. The commissioners on the part of
Pennsylvania were Chief Justice McKean and General William Irvine.
The commission had arranged to meet representatives of those in
rebellion, on Wednesday, August 20, 1794. Two days before that date,
the commissioners took up their lodgings at the “Sign of General
Butler.” When it became known that they were at the tavern, a mob
gathered before it on Market Street, and made their sentiments apparent
by raising a liberty pole, the emblem everywhere in the disturbed
districts of disaffection toward the national government. A streamer
was fastened to the pole on which were inscribed the watchwords of the
Insurgents:
“Liberty and no Excise.
Death to Cowards and Traitors.”
Judge Hugh Henry Brackenridge has stated that it was with difficulty
that he and others who were influential with the rioters prevailed
on them to forego their intention of placing on the pole the flag
which had been prepared, bearing six stripes, emblematical of the
six counties, five in Pennsylvania, and one in Virginia, which were
threatening to secede from the United States and set up a government
of their own. That the conferences which followed were fruitless is
well known. Only one man in attendance gained in reputation. Albert
Gallatin was on the committee sent by the Insurgents. His ability
and his firm stand in favor of law and order won for him everywhere,
and particularly in Allegheny and Washington counties, the lasting
regard of the citizens. Two months later a member of Congress was to
be elected in the district composed of these counties, and Insurgents
and non-insurgents flocked to Gallatin’s support, and to the surprise
of Brackenridge and General John Woods, the other candidates, he was
elected.
During the occupancy of the “Sign of General Butler” by Richard
Hancock, James Hilliard had a farrier shop and livery stable, in the
stable connected with the tavern.[211] The public controversy in
which Hilliard engaged his wife, is a striking illustration of the
mischievous result of the husband’s absolute control of his wife’s
separate estate under the existing laws. Hilliard was married to
Elizabeth Bausman, a daughter of Jacob Bausman, who was possessed of
property in her own right which she had inherited from her father.
Hilliard published a notice[212] advising the public that his wife had
“absconded from his bed and board,” and declaring that he would not be
responsible for debts contracted by her. To this charge Mrs. Hilliard
replied in a sharp letter.[213] She denied her husband’s accusation,
and stated that she had gone with her children, at his request, on
a visit to Jacob Haymaker. She charged Hilliard with having, during
her absence, disposed of the household effects, including her wearing
apparel, to John Smur, a tavern keeper in the town, and that everything
had been taken away after nightfall; that the articles were part of
her separate estate; that now she had “no bed nor board to go to.”
She asked that no credit be extended to Hilliard on the strength of
her estate, and declared that thereafter she would decline to pay his
debts, but would use her estate for her own benefit. “In the future,”
she concluded, “it shall not be expended in paying his tavern bills.”
A unique reputation attached to the houses in this block which, while
descriptive, was at the same time significant of the political power
of the occupants and their associates. Although the houses were built
separately, and were of different types, they were collectively
called by the not-over-euphonious name of “Clapboard Row.” As the
name indicated, they were constructed of clapboards. So well known
was “Clapboard Row” that the merchants who had their establishments
there were fond of advertising the fact. Practically all the occupants
were politicians, and without exception belonged to the Republican
party. Also the “Sign of General Butler” was the headquarters of that
party. By their opponents, these leaders were termed the “Clapboard
Row Junto,” “junto” being an older word for “ring.” General Fowler,
after he separated from the Republican party, designated them as the
“Clapboardonian Democracy.”[214] The _Pittsburgh Gazette_ charged
that the editor of the _Tree of Liberty_ was controlled by “Clapboard
Row.”[215] Some were officeholders, others desired to be such, and in
State and national affairs they were supreme.
The members of the “Clapboard Row Junto” were men of dual capacity.
Their energies were devoted to their private affairs and to politics
with equal intensity. In politics the smallest details received
careful attention. Many of the methods employed by modern Pittsburgh
politicians were inherited from “Clapboard Row.” One of the schemes for
increasing the party vote, which originated with “Clapboard Row,” was
to encourage and assist the aliens who settled in Pittsburgh to become
naturalized. This was done through the medium of a committee composed
of Thomas Baird, James Riddle, and Joseph McClurg.[216]
Dr. Scott was high in the favor of the Republican leaders, and on the
death of George Adams on April 1, 1801, was appointed postmaster, and
established the post office in his store, continuing the practice
of medicine and the sale of drugs as before. William Gazzam was an
aggressive Irishman, who had been in the country only a few years, but
by dint of perseverance had pressed well forward in politics, perhaps
to the detriment of his business, as he failed early in his career.
He was brigade inspector of the Allegheny County militia, and justice
of the peace. He aroused the ire of General Fowler, when with other
“Clapboard Row” politicians he refused to support Fowler for Congress.
The controversy was amusing. In the communications which Fowler
published in the _Pittsburgh Gazette_ about his wrongs, he designated
Gazzam as a “little man--in the most emphatic sense.” He declared
that under “the cloak of Republicanism and religion,” Gazzam was
“artfully aiming at offices.”[217] The allusion to Gazzam’s “religion”
referred to the gentleman’s well known activity in the affairs of the
Presbyterian Church, which he afterward left, owing, it was alleged,
to the fact that the minister, the Rev. Robert Steele, gave out “two
lines of a stanza to be sung, instead of the time-honored one.”[218]
Fowler enlarged on Gazzam’s reputed yearning for office. He enumerated
the offices which Gazzam had held, and the others that he desired. He
claimed that Gazzam was an applicant for the post office on the demise
of George Adams; that he hoped to be county commissioner; that he was
scheming to become a member of the General Assembly.[219] To this abuse
Gazzam replied with equal venom. He said General Fowler had been drunk
on the last occasion that he had asked his support for Congress, and
that he had abused him in a very ungentlemanly manner.[220]
Thomas Baird was a member of the firm of Fulton and Baird, and was
a candidate for burgess in 1803, the year that Colonel Neville was
elected.[221] Joseph McClurg was a candidate for supervisor in 1803,
but was defeated by A. McNickle.[222] Affiliated with these men
were Samuel Ewalt, Nathaniel Irish, and Adamson Tannehill, the last
two being former Revolutionary officers. Nathaniel Irish was county
commissioner,[223] and inspector of flour for the Western country.[224]
Adamson Tannehill had formerly conducted a tavern on Water Street,[225]
and had been president of the Pittsburgh Fire Company.[226] In October,
1800, while a justice of the peace, he was tried and convicted of
extortion, before Justices Jasper Yeates and Thomas Smith of the
Supreme Court while on circuit in Pittsburgh, that court then having
original jurisdiction of this offense, under the constitution of
1790. Tannehill received a reprimand and was fined fifty dollars. The
conviction was thought to disqualify him from further exercising the
office of justice of the peace. Being a leading Republican, and the
offense, which consisted in charging on two probates two shillings more
than the law allowed, having been committed five years before, Governor
McKean, in January, 1801, remitted the fine and reappointed Tannehill
to the office which he had formerly held.[227] Dr. Andrew Richardson
belonged to the “Clapboard Row” faction until his desertion of the
Republican party. Joseph Davis, who had a grocery store on the other
side of Market Street from “Clapboard Row,” was another member of the
clique, as was Tarleton Bates, the prothonotary of the county,[228] who
had succeeded John C. Gilkison in office.
“Clapboard Row,” was not allowed to win its victories unopposed. The
opposition was both able and active. Judge Alexander Addison, Senator
James Ross, and General John Woods were the leaders of the Federalists.
Colonel O’Hara, General Neville, Colonel Neville, Major Craig, Major
Ebenezer Denny, Dr. Stevenson, and most of the former Revolutionary
officers were also Federalists. Other Federalists were William
Christy, Dr. Mowry, Abner Barker, Jeremiah Barker, and Alexander
McLaughlin. They made a gallant fight for their principles, but their
voice was usually drowned in the mighty chorus of Republicanism that
had swept the country from its former conservative moorings. In borough
politics only were they successful.
The views of the rival political parties were echoed with startling
frankness in the columns of the _Tree of Liberty_ and the _Pittsburgh
Gazette_. On October 11, 1800, the _Tree of Liberty_ announced the
election of the Republican candidate for inspector of elections in the
borough, and added jubilantly: “The people are no longer to be led up
like tame asses to vote against their inclination for the characters
that Ross, Woods, and Addison recommend. They now act for themselves.”
After the presidential election of 1800, it exulted further: “It is
laughable to hear some of the hot-blooded Federalists moaning and
groaning at the result of the last election. They know not what cause
to attribute it to. They curse the _Tree_ and all its leaves, they
denounce ‘Clapboard Row’ with the yards and its size sticks.”[229]
The _Pittsburgh Gazette_ was equally outspoken, its ire being
particularly directed against Judge Hugh Henry Brackenridge. In an
article signed “A Citizen of Washington,” it gave what purported to
be an account of a drunken escapade of the Judge through Washington
and Allegheny Counties, which, if published to-day, would lead to a
personal encounter.[230] On another occasion Scull paid his compliments
to Brackenridge in the following sarcastic terms: “You who get two or
three thousand dollars a year for setting up a slanderous press, and
for two or three journeys through the State to sit as a mute on the
bench, and wear the new cockade, in your drunken frolics through the
country, can afford to buy a press and hire types, and pay under-devils
to set types and fetch and carry tales. I cannot afford such things. I
have no salary, post, or pension.”[231]
A week later Scull attacked Brackenridge with even more virulence: “Mr.
Brackenridge cannot expect to live long. He has already outlived all
hope of fame. I doubt whether he feels that there is a God above him.
I doubt whether he does not think that he is his own divinity while he
lives, and that when he dies his dust will mingle with that of the
beasts that perish. He has labored with industry and success to acquire
the contempt and abhorrence of all whom it was possible for him to
esteem.”[232]
REFERENCES