Loyalists in the Applications for Passes: Abraham Pastorius, John Potts, George Rein/Rhine, Samuel Shoemaker

LOYALISTS IN THE APPLICATIONS FOR PASSES* N ot all Pennsylvanians were in favor of the American Revolution. In the petitions for passes in this issue, we find four Loyalists–three from prominent Pennsylvania families. The petitions from their families help us gain insight into the effects of their decisions on those families. There are several useful sources for researching Pennsylvania Loyalists, beginning with the Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council.1 On 29 May 1778 the Council formalized the process for identifying traitors and the property they owned as of 4 July 1776.2 Most of the persons proclaimed by the Council had already left Pennsylvania or would do so soon with the British as they evacuated Philadelphia. They were given forty days to appear before a court. If they did not, they were adjudged traitors and their property, both real and personal, would be confiscated. The first proclamation was made 8 May 1778; in all, eleven such proclamations were made over three years, naming almost five hundred persons.3 Later the land was sold at auction, with proceeds going to the state, some of which was used to fund the university. Two articles by Anne M. Ousterhout, PhD, describe the confiscations and sales; the one in this journal includes a list of the real estate sold, including description, buyer (sometimes a family member), and use of the proceeds.4 The sales of the property of over one hundred of the attainted traitors are recorded in the Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council.5 Records of Loyalists’ appointments and offices are in numerous lists created by the British military, which were combed for names and published by Murtie June Clark.6 * Compiled by the editor, Patricia Law Hatcher, FASG. 1 Colonial Records of Pennsylvania: Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, 16 volumes (Harrisburg: State of Pennsylvania, 1851—53). 2 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 12:503—6. 3 Some of the lengthier lists are in Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 12:481—85 (8 May 1778), 493—95 (21 May 1778), 513—18 (15 June 1778), 665—66 (20 March 1781). Almost a fourth of the individuals charged did report to a court. 4 Anne M. Ousterhout, “Pennsylvania Land Confiscations during the Revolution,” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography [PMHB] 102(1978):328—43. Anne M. Ousterhout, “Opponents of the Revolution Whose Pennsylvania Estates Were Confiscated,” Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 30(1978):237—54. 5 See “Attainted . . . ,” “Confiscated . . . ,” or “Forfeited Estates . . .” in the Contents for volumes 12 and 13, Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1). 6 Murtie June Clark, Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War, 3 volumes (Baltimore: Clearfield Company, 1981). The records were at the Public Record Office, currently The National Archives, London. Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 45 (2008) Proofreading copy 12 June, 2008 249 250 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 45 After the British defeat, many Loyalists received land in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; some relocated there.7 In 1783 the British government established the American Claims Commission to examine claims for compensation by those who suffered losses because of their loyalty to the British Crown, which have been published by Peter Wilson Coldham.8 An early attempt to construct Loyalist biographies was done by Lorenzo Sabine.9 More recently, Coldham assembled the information from the claims in biographical format.10 ABRAHAM PASTORIUS Abraham Pastorius, born 10 October 1745, and Daniel Pastorius, born about 1749, were sons of Daniel3 Pastorius (J. Samuel 2 , Franz Daniel 1 ) and Sara Shoemaker. On 20 April 1769 at St. Michael’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germantown, Abraham Pestoris married Elinor Leach.11 Their children were Eleanor (8 January 1772, died 5 October 1773), Charles (15 February 1774), Daniel (December 1776), Margaret (4 October 1777), and Eleanor Leech (29 [sic] February 1779); his wife Elinor died 29 [sic] February 1779. According to a family genealogy, he was “adjudged a traitor and lost his property by confiscation, after which he went with his family to Canada, died in New Orleans, in May, 1815.” 12 On Thursday, 21 May 1778, the Supreme Executive Council, meeting at Lancaster, ordered the appearance of Abraham Pastorius, tanner, among others “who, it is said, have joined the Armies of the Enemy.”13 He did not appear, and his property, real and personal, was confiscated. His moiety [undivided half] of a 43-acre lot in Germantown was assigned on 8 November 1780 to the University to raise funds.14 He was seconded as a Lieutenant in the Guides 25 December 1782.15 Among the American Loyalist Claims are statements made by Abraham Pastorius in 1782 in New York City, in 1784, and in 1786 that he was a 7 Marion Gilroy, Loyalists and Land Settlement in Nova Scotia (n.p.: Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, 1980). 8 Peter Wilson Coldham, American Loyalists Claims (Washington: National Genealogical Society, 1980). 9 Lorenzo Sabine, Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution, 2 volumes (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1864). 10 Peter Wilson Coldham, American Migrations 1765—1799: The Lives, Times, and Families of Colonial Americans Who Remained Loyal to the British Crown before, during, and after the Revolutionary War (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2000). 11 Debra D. Smith and Frederick S. Weiser, Trinity Lutheran Church Records, Lancaster Pennsylvania, 4 volumes (Apollo, Pa.: Closson Press, 1988—2006), 2:21. 12 Marion Dexter Learned, The Life of Daniel Pastorius, Founder of Germantown [Germantown: W. J. Campbell, 1908], 308. 13 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:493—94. 14 Ousterhout, “Confiscated Estates,” PGM 30:247. 15 Clark, Loyalists in the Southern Campaign (note 6), 2:196; 3:380. Proofreading copy 12 June, 2008 2008 Loyalists in the Applications for Passes 251 native of Pennsylvania, carried on an extensive farming business near Philadelphia and had property worth £2,058 sterling. At the beginning of the troubles mobs were raised to tar and feather him, and he was led through the streets to deter others. When the Army arrived in Philadelphia, he joined them and acted as a guide. After the evacuation to New York he was allowed £90 a year. He had three children to maintain. He claimed for three acres and a house in Germantown, 16 acres nearby, stocks of leather, and forage provided to the Army in 1777.16 Abraham left behind in Pennsylvania three children and a pregnant wife (who then died in childbirth), who had to be supported by his brother Daniel. On 29 March 1783 Daniel, who had heard that the “refugees,” including Abraham, were about to leave New York, successfully requested a pass to “see whether he can fall on some means with his said Brother for the future maintenance of his said children.”17 Some authors suggest that the children then went with Abraham, but it is much more likely that they remained in Germantown with Daniel, certainly until they were older. JOHN POTTS John3 Potts was born 15 October 1736, third son of Quakers John2 Potts (Thomas1) and Ruth Savage. The family owned several iron forges and furnaces (including the forge that became known as Valley Forge), plus a saw mill and a grist mill, and founded Pottsgrove (now Pottstown). Although he purportedly studied law in London, John3 was an ironmonger before the Revolution. John Potts married Margaret Carmick 28 February 1764 at Christ Church, Philadelphia; she was the daughter of Stephen and Mary (–?–) Carmick. Their children were Stephen, Samuel, and Mary Ann.18 John’s brothers Jonathan, Isaac, Samuel, James, Thomas, and Joseph supported the Patriot cause. Their other brother “David Potts of Pottsgrove, Merchant, (son of John Potts)” was proclaimed a traitor 21 16 Coldham, American Migrations (note 10), 468. 17 “Applications for Passes, 1776—1790,” PGM 45:233—34. 18 John B. Linn and William H. Egle, “Marriage Record of Christ Church, Philadelphia, 1709—1806,” Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd series, 8(1896):214. Edward D. Neill, “Biographical Sketch of Doctor Jonathan Potts,” New England Historical and Genealogical Register 18(1864):21, 23. Thomas Potts James, Memorial of Thomas Potts, Junior, Who Settled in Pennsylvania (Cambridge, Mass.: University Press, 1874), 153—63. Jonathan Potts, “Death of Major Anthony Morris, Jr.,” PMHB 1(1877): 175—76. Howard M. Jenkins, “The Old Iron Forge–‘Valley Forge,’ ” PMHB 17(1893): 430—43. Craig W. Horle, et al, “John Potts” [father of the Loyalist], Lawmaking and Legislators in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary, 3 volumes (Harrisburg: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2005), 3(1757—1775):1094—1110. Daniel A. Graham, The Loyalist: John Potts, Jr. (1738—c. 1800), of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and His Descendants through Grandchildren, a Biographical and Genealogical Sketch (Ellicott City, Md.: the author, 1998). Proofreading copy 12 June, 2008 252 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 45 May 1778, but surrendered and was discharged.19 The 12 April 1779 list of estates to be sold included that of John Potts late of Pottsgrove [then] in the County of Philadelphia, yeoman. On 30 March 1780, Jonathan Potts, Esquire, purchased the 235-acre messuage plantation, adjoining the Schuylkill River, Samuel Potts, Reading Road, Thomas Potts, and others, that was “seized and sold agreeable to Law, as the estate late of John Potts, an attainted traitor.” John’s lot in Pottsgrove was sold 21 December 1782 to Maj. Gen. Arthur Sinclair.20 John never signed the Oath of Allegiance and actively assisted the British by acquiring intelligence and facilitating the transfer of information, both when he was in Philadelphia and when he was in New York City.21 On 16 April 1779, Samuel and David Potts were granted passes to Elizabethtown to meet their brother John who was about to embark for England.22 The next month, on 15 May 1779, Margaret requested a pass for herself, three children, and a servant to go to New York and not return; the Council approved it with security on 20 May and bond was given by [John’s brother] Jonathan the same day.23 Samuel, son of John Potts, an attainted traytor, arrived in Philadelphia 27 February 1783 and was required to give £1000 bond for his good behavior.24 On 6 March 1783, having heard that John was “about embarking for Nova Scotia,” Margaret requested a pass to go and return for herself and son Stephen, apparently to discuss the matter with John. The pass was rejected; on 28 March she requested a pass for herself to go to New York and for her son Stephen,25 then in New York, to return with her. This also was rejected, but a pass was granted to Samuel Potts and Margaret Potts to go to New York by way of Dobbs Ferry and return.26 Margaret apparently died in New York.27 On 22 July 1783 at New York, Jno. Potts was among the sixty-five Loyalists who petitioned Sir Guy Carleton, because “The unhappy termination of the War obliges us, who have ever been steady in our duty as loyal subjects to leave our homes, and being desirous of continuing to enjoy the benefits of the British Constitution we mean to seek 19 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:494. Graham, Loyalist John Potts, Jr. (note 18), 42—43. 20 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:745; 12:577; 13:505. 21 Graham, Loyalist John Potts, Jr. (note 18), 35—50. 22 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 12:694. 23 “Applications for Passes, 1776—1790,” PGM 45:236. Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:783. 24 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 13:517—18. 25 Stephen, like his father, supported the British. Clark, Loyalists in the Southern Campaign (note 6), 3:367, lists “Ensign Stephen Potts, born in America, a Gentleman, son of John Potts, Esquire, of Philadelphia, served 1 year in Provincial Corps.” 26 “Applications for Passes, 1776—1790,” PGM 45:236. Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 13:544—45. 27 Graham, Loyalist John Potts, Jr. (note 18), 62. Proofreading copy 12 June, 2008 2008 Loyalists in the Applications for Passes 253 an Asylum in the Province of Nova Scotia,” requesting that they be given land.28 He was in England and Nova Scotia following the British defeat, but sold his Nova Scotia land in 1785.29 On 3 October 1786 the Council ordered that pardons under the Great Seal issue to Phineas Bond, John Potts, and Michael Connor, severally attainted of high treason.30 He is said to have moved west (possibly to Ohio), but no records have been found. GEORGE REIN/RHINE John and George Rein (Reine, Rine, Rhine, etc.), attainted Loyalists of Earle Township, Lancaster County, were likely brothers, the sons of Michael Rein. Michael Rein of Earl Township, Lancaster County, died between 14 August 1773 (will) and 2 April 1779 (probate); his will named wife Catharine and children George, Margaret Seng, Mary Brubacher, Catherine Brewa, Phillipina, Michael, and John.31 Michael Rein’s children were baptized at the Lutheran Church in Earl Township, Lancaster County [now Trinity Lutheran, New Holland], the order almost matching that of the will.32 George and A. Maria Rein had three children baptized at the Lutheran Church in Earl Township: Leonhart (29 October 1768), Catharina (11 October 1771), and Anna Maria (24 July 1776).33 When George defected, he left behind eight minor children. On 2 March 1779, the Lancaster Orphans Court appointed [their uncle] John Brua of Strasburg Township as guardian for Rebecca, George, John, Daniel, Leonard, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Mary Rine, minor children of George Rine, deceased [sic], late of Earl Township.34 Michael, who requested a pass with his mother 28 Gilroy, (note 7), 146—47. 29 Graham, Loyalist John Potts, Jr. (note 18), 55—56. 30 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 15:93. 31 F. Edward Wright, Abstracts of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Wills, 1732—1785 (Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1995), 193—94. 32 Joh. George (20 June 1733), Anna Margaretha (30 December 1735), Maria Margaretha (8 March 1738), Anna Catarina (31 September 1742), Michael (26 April 1745), Johannes (24 January 1750), Daniel (30 August 1752), and Philipina (13 January 1762). As a baptismal sponsor for 1738—1747, Michael is listed with wife Anna Maria. Michael Rein, widower, master smith, married Catharina Müller, widow of the late Joh. Adam Müller, 21 February 174[8/]9 (Glenn P. Schwalm and Frederick S. Weiser, Records of the Pastoral Acts at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Holland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1730—1799 [Breinigsville, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1977], 13 [five baptisms, dates above are births], 42 [Johannes, mother Catharina Majerin], 65 [Philippina, mother Catharina]; 4, 10, 11, 17, 22 [sponsorships]; 200 [marriage]). Daniel is not in Schwalm and Weiser, but is listed at the same church in John T. Humphrey, Pennsylvania Births, Lancaster County, 1723—1777 (Washington, D.C.: Humphrey Publications, 1997), 277. 33 Schwalm and Weiser, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran (note 32), 81, 89, 100. 34 Edward N. Wevodau, Abstracts of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Orphans Court Records, 1768—1782 (Apollo, Pa.: Closson Press, 2001), 161. Proofreading copy 12 June, 2008 254 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 45 (below), was apparently their eldest child, dying 30 November 1821 in Lancaster, age 68 [born about 1753]. 35 George Reine of Earle Township, miller, and John Reine were named as traitors in the lengthy proclamations against traitors 8 May 1778.36 On 12 April 1779, the Council ordered that the real estate of George Rheine, miller, late of Lancaster County be advertised for sale.37 In December 1779, 150 acres in Earle Township, formerly property of George Rine, was sold to Col. James Crawford of Lancaster Borough.38 On 22 April 1780 Michael Rhine successfully submitted to the Council several claims against the forfeited estate of George Rhine, which he was awarded, including interest.39 On 4 February 1782 George’s wife Mary and son Michael, both of Earl Township, Lancaster County, requested passes to bid George “a last Adieu,” having heard that he “shortly intends to sail for Europe,” which were granted.40 Apparently he did not leave at that time. His name appears among others from Pennsylvania on a “List of Sundry Distressed Loyalists who have taken refuge within the British Lines at New York” who were recommended to receive an allowance for support from 1 January to 31 March 1783, from 1 April to 30 June 1783, and again on an undated list.41 George’s brother John Rein appears to have changed his mind about his allegiance. On 21 August 1779, the petition of John Rein, attainted of high treason, was read, praying some indulgence with respect to his estate, but the Council ruled that his conduct and circumstances did not entitle him to any indulgence. On 28 January 1780 a petition of John Reine, attainted of High Treason was read, but he not having surrendered himself, it was rejected. On 26 March 1781 a petition from John Reine of Lancaster County, attainted of high treason and praying a pardon, was read, but again the Council would not consider it unless he surrendered. On 25 August 1779 167 acres of land in Earle Township, formerly property of attainted traitor John Rine, was sold to merchant Charles Syng of the City of Philadelphia, perhaps prematurely and canceled, for on 4 December 1781, 167 acres in Earle Township were seized and sold from the estate late of John Rhine, attainted traitor.42 35 Rita Schive Mowrer, “Genealogical Gleanings from the Lancaster Journal,” PGM 31(1979):168. 36 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:483, 485. 37 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:745. 38 Ousterhout, “Confiscated Estates,” PGM 30:249. 39 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 12:327. 40 “Applications for Passes, 1776—1790,” PGM 45:239—40. Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 13:184. 41 Clark, Loyalists in the Southern Campaign (note 6), 3:397—99. 42 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 12:80, 237, 674; 13:138 (the deed is dated 24 December 1781). Ousterhout, “Confiscated Estates,” PGM 30:249. Proofreading copy 12 June, 2008 2008 Loyalists in the Applications for Passes 255 SAMUEL SHOEMAKER Samuel Shoemaker, son of Benjamin Shoemaker and Sarah Coates, was born into a family of socially and economically rising Quakers, probably in March 1725. He married first after 28 1st month [March] 1746 (second intentions) Hannah Carpenter, who was buried 2 May 1766. He married 10 November 1767 widow Rebecca (Warner) Rawle, the widow of Francis Rawle, and daughter of Edward Warner and Anna Coleman. Her father, who died while she was still a minor, was a wealthy Philadelphia landowner, from whom she inherited significant property, including Laurel Hill. He died 10 October 1800; Rebecca died in 1819. 43 Samuel was listed among the forty-one prominent Quakers, mostly merchants, named by the Council 31 August 1777 on “a List of persons dangerous to the State, & who ought to be arrested.” The report on 3 September said “Sam’l Shoemaker has given his Promise not to go from his House; that he has never had any thing to do in the meetings of Sufferings, & has disapproved of the proceedings signed by Pemberton.” Many of the others on the list, who were probably not actively aiding the British, were exiled to Virginia,44 while Shoemaker would become one of the highest-profile British supporters, with Joseph Galloway and John Potts (see page 251). The 12 April 1779 list of estates to be sold included that of Samuel Shoemaker.45 Ultimately, even those properties which were his wife’s inheritance were sold (except, at first, Laurel Hill, which was occupied by the wife of Joseph Reed, President of the Council). Rebecca shared Samuel’s sympathies and actively assisted his efforts.46 She joined Samuel in New York in June 1780. In November 1783, with Edward, his son by Rebecca, he fled to London, where they lived a comfortable life. He joined Rebecca in Burlington, New Jersey, in mid-1786 (Philadelphia still not ready to welcome him back), moving a few months later to the rural Laurel Hill, which Rebecca had repurchased. They later moved back into Philadelphia, purchasing property and making investments; he continued to receive a pension from the British Crown.47 He was pardoned for High Treason 27 December 1793.48 43 “Early Minutes of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends,” PGM 13(1938):216— 17; 9(1926):236. “The Journal of Elizabeth Drinker,” PGM 29(1976):269. Excellent sketches of Rebecca’s father, Edward Warner, and of Samuel Shoemaker are in Craig R. Horle et al., Lawmaking and Legislators in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary, 3 volumes (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1991, 1997, 2005), 2;1037—40; 3:1284—1300. 44 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:283—84, 288. See Patricia Law Hatcher, “ ‘Entirely an Act of Our Own,’ Women’s Petition for Quaker Prisoners, 1778,” PGM 42(2001):145—61. 45 Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council (note 1), 11:745. 46 “Applications for Passes, 1776—1790,” PGM 45:247, especially footnote 20. 47 “Samuel Shoemaker,” Lawmaking and Legislators (note 43) 3:1293—95. 48 Pennsylvania Archives, Ninth Series, 1:699 Proofreading copy 12 June, 2008