Notes
Note N1753
Index
Early Pennsylvania Births (1675-1875) by Fisher
Notes
Note N1754
Index
A series of court actions starting Feb 1, 1863 by a Mr. L. Barber, Esq presented claims for legal services against the estate of John P Leebrick. On that day, Samuel Landis (executor of the estate), George T. Leebrick and Louisa P. Leebrick notified the court of Olmstead county that they were under bond to satisfy the estate of John P. Leebrick The judge ordered an inventory of the estate to be presented within three months, in order that any claims agains the estate could be satisfied. The minutes of these proceedings states that John P Leebrick owned property in Olmstead county, but further actions do not confirm that statement. Notices were run in the Rochester City Post weekly from 7 Feb thru 28 Feb. Court reconvened on June 8th, and the judge appointed a panel of three commissioners to examine the claims that had been received and decide on those claims. On December 29th of 1864, long after the 6 month time interval authorized by the judge, the commisiion presented its report, having authorized $461 in claims against the estate and having disallowed $129.08 in claims. Copies of these papers were provided by Sherry Sweetman, Archivist/Librarian for the Olmsted County Historical Society at ``95 County Road 22 SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55902. She comments that this is not a typical probate file.
Notes
Note N1755
Index
Mr. Leebrick was an enterprising and leading citizen of his adopted home. He built the section of the Wiconisco canal at Halifax; was for many years director of the Harrisburg Bank, and succeeded his father in the mercantile trade.
He was a prominant and progressive man, a stockholder and director in canals and railroads, and interested in other like industrial ventures.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pa
Following is from the 1898 volume of Egles' "Notes and Queries: Historical, Biographical and Geneological, relating chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania" pages 259-261.
Title: HALIFAX ELECTION RIOT OF 1838
Sixty years ago Halifax township extended from Clark's Ferry to Berry's Mountain, with a river front of ten miles, making one election district. The Wiconisco Canal had, that year, been located, let, and work begun by mid-summer. The entire line, except two or three half-mile sections, was in Halifax township. In that same year of '38 was due a Governor's election. The Whigs, who happened to be the "ins" at that time, were headed by Joseph Ritner, whilst the Democratic "outs" chose David R. Porter as their Moses to lead them back to office. Halifax had long been Democratic, but the many Whig contractors, engaged on this canal, made the question of Democratic supremacy very doubtful. How to control or exclude these "floaters" became a burning question as the campaign progressed, the time-honored "ten days residence" qualification for a voter, was hard to overcome. The last Legislature, which was Democratic, had passed a law regulating the choosing of election officers, which required the voters to meet at the polling place on election morning, get into line, nominate and count noses before installing into office. The Democratic leaders of the township decided to ignore the law and adhere to the old mode, which permitted the constable to choose and install the election officers. Constable Straw was one of them, and like Barkis, was "willin". The county commissioners had designated a certain old, unpainted, ramshackle building on the main street, near the "Frederick" tavern, as the polling place. This house belonged to a hot partisan, who declared that "no British-Tory-Whig board" should ever sit in his house. The location of a polling place was a very important matter; inthis case it led to the troupble which followed; no one could change it except the county commissioners. The science of jurisprudence, as laid down by Blackstone, was as well understood then as now, but the common sense, practical details of administration were wound around and tied up by red tape absurdities, "too numerous to mention." It had been decided that neither fire nor flood would warrant a change of base. At that time I was living in Millersburg, six miles north of Halifax, was often down there, where my most intimate acquaintances were Democrats. They told me of the situation, and what they intended doing, holding that the old law was just as good as the new; bette, in fact, because they could keep out frauds and "floaters", besides doing the fair thing to everybody. They made no secret about it, even naming the officers whom Mr. Straw had engaged. The Whigs were not by any means asleep during this time; they know their numerical superiority, and a number of their leaders, citizens and contractors, met at their headquarters, "The American House", on the river front, kept by Samuel Freeburn. Notable amonth these men were Philip Leebrick, James Freeland, John Dykens, the three Martins, Thomas Flowers and Jacob Byrod. My brother, John P. was superintendent of the canal and presided over the meeting. The Democratic election programme was discussed and measures adopted to conteract it. Every man was assigned his work and duty, with orders to report at next meeting, ready for action, on the night previous to the election. Unlike their adversaries, they made no blow about it--were mum--but all the same kept sawing wood right along. On the morning of the second Tuesday of October--half an hour ahead of time--Mr. Straw paraded his board, put them into the "open sesame" building, installed them in good shape and locked the door. To emphasize the act, he deposited with them his own ballot, which counted No. 1. Constable Straw, or Stroh, as his Frisian forefathers wrote it, was a typical Pennsylvania-German, honest, upright and well-meaning. Speaking about the incident afterwards, he said he had expected some "druble," and by advice had selected a stalwart board; men able to defend themselves; had picked the biggest men he could find, mostly farmers. Among these farmers was "Big Dan" Miller, the Sampson of his generation, said to be the strongest man in the county. At 8:30 sharp, two hundred Whigs came into line, stretching from the Freeburn House, eastwardly. Due proclamation was made, election officers chosen, and swarn in by 'Squire McCoy. Samuel Freeburn was the grand marshal. Waving a four-foot plastering lath, he put them into double file, marched them to the polling place and made formal demand for the house, which demand was smilingly met and refused by the spokesman of the "Straw" board, who added that he and his fellows were on duty for that day and would be happy to receive their votes. Dr. Bishop, Wash Finney, Jesse Richards and a few other outside Democrats smiled a very broad smile over this reply. At the same time a clerk stuck his head outside the window, placing his thumb upon his nose, adding the other hand in perpendicular extension, twirling and moving his fingers significantly. "Sam" Freeburn was a lightweight, 130 perhaps, but a fighter from the ground up; a hundred battles had gfiven him experience and taught him how to organize victgory. I would remark here that at that time West Williamson, of Liverpool, was conceded to be the longest-winded and best scuffle fighter on the Susquehanna. He was even lighter than Freeburn. Lung power is as essential to the racer as it is to the knight of the squared circle. Waving his lath, "Sam" formed his force into a hollow square in front of the poll and ordered his artillery forward, which consisted of four by four twelve-foot scantling, provided with convenient hand-holds and borne by four men. Next to the artillerists stood the stormers, a pair being allotted to each member of Straw's board, their instructions were to seize their men and eject them, striking no one, unless in absolute self-defense. Two to one is big odds, but will fail in a scuffle unless oncert of action is observed. "Open that door," was the next order, and one blow of the battering ram sent it flying back. The stormers rushed in. At their head were two heavy-weights brought from Clark's Ferry, to take care of "Big Dan" Miller and eject him first of all. Each seized an arm of the giant and kept his grip. "Big Dan" had no skill or experience in scuffling or fighting, a quiet country farmer, he was an easy victim; one pulling whilst the othe pushed, they hustled him over chairs, through the doorway, over the flag-stone pavement into the street, where they left him, a dazed and bewildered mman. It was said that for full five minutes "he didn't know where he was at." "Big Dan's" colleagues were as badly paralyzed as himself, they looked on, never lifting a hand or uttering a sound, and when invited by the remaining stormers to follow their leader, they did so with alacrity, and without assistance. The new election board entered and voting immediately began. The Democrats were requested to pass in their ballots--but no they were "bull mad" and did just what some of the betting Whigs wanted; they organized an independant poll and for the rest of the day all was calm and quiet. When the return judges met at Harrisburg, Halifax had a judge and one return too many. The return of the board championed by "Sam" Freeburn was recognized and counted. The "Straw" board, in its expulsion, had lost everything, honor included. They did not have a black eye, a bruise or a scratch as a proof of resistance. Hoping to get even the friends of the vanquished board persuaded the new Governor to hustle Judge Blythe, who although he was a Democrat, had refused to take cognizance of the case, over into another district and appoint his brother James instead. But Henry Feffer was at the helm in Dauphin county as clerk for the commissioners, a very important part in those days. A grand jury was drawn that heard, unmoved, the fierce charge of the judge. Both sides were heard. The complainants had no case and that was the lst of the Halifax riot.
From "History of Dauphin County": John was about eight years old when the family moved to Halifax, which was his home to the close of his life. He built the section of the Wiconisco canal at Halifax, was for many years a director of the Harrisburg Bank and succeeded his father in mercantile business.
The Wisconisco Feeder canal was designed to connect Lykens Valley and Wiconisco Creek with the Eastern Division on the east bank of the Susquehanna at Clar's Ferry Dam. These later canals, including the Wisconcisco, functioned only for a few years, because the corporate railroads rapidly displaced them. -- Historic Pennsylvania Leaflet No. 1
Probate documents from Olmstead County, Minnesota beginning 1 April 1863 through 8 June 1864 record the satisfaction of claims against John P Leebrick's property in that county. George T Leebrick and Louisa P Leebrick were bonded until claims were paid. Why Mr. Leebrick might have purchased land in Minnesota is a mystery, as well as when it was purchased and when it was sold. Inquiry has been made to the Olmstead County Historical society to search the grantor/grantee index for the 1860s for information.
The Keystone (Harrisburg, Pa) contained an add for "Davies Unrivalled Panacea Blood Pills" For the care of consumption, diseased windpie, ulceratged sore throat, all complaints of the lungs and liver, night sweats, flushes of heat, burning in the stomach, tightness across the breast, sore legs, ulcers, sore eyes, inward cancers, piles, swelling, rheumatism, stopes the spitting of blood and heals the parts affected. These pills are prepared expressly for strengthening every part of the system and healing of all sorts of ulcers and sores, purifying and removing all humors from the blood which is brought on by too much sitting or standing or by exposure from sudden heat to cold. Weakly debilitated persons are particularly advised to use them, as they strengthen the stoimach and body in a superior manner. They are not intended toi o perate on the bowels as much as on the blood, as too much purging will destroy any weakly constitution, and has carried off its thosands to a world unknown. Take the advice of one who studies to save life, and not to kill, for the sake of the many, weakly persons should not be purged more t han three times per year as it often brings on costiveness." Ad appeared in the issues of 2 Mar 1842, 3 ApRIL, 4 May, 25 May, 1 June, and others.
On 4 Jul 1837, the following announcement appeared in the Keystone (Harrisburg, Pa) : PUBLIC SALE.--In pursuance of an order of the Orphans' Court of Dauphin county, will be exposed to sale,, on Saturday the 16th of July next on the premises:--A certain House nd Lot of ground situate in the town of Halifax, township of Halifax, and county of Dauphin, bounded by the lots of the heirs of Henry Esselman, dec'd, Jacob Brubaker and the main street of said town,, late t he property of Philip Kurts, deceased. Sale to commence at one o'clock P.M. of said day, when attendance will be given and conditions of sale made known by John P Leibrick, trustee for the heirs of said deceased. GEORGE TAYLOR, Clerk. Harrisburg, May 17th 1837.
"THE MALTESE JACK - "Knight of Malta". Imported by Com. Elliot, in 1838, from Malta. The 'Knight of Malta' is of the purest blood and one of the largest and noblest animals of the kind ever brought to America--having been selected for his excellent points and the superiority of his race. He is upwards of 64 inches in height and otherwise well proportioned.
He will remain during the ensuing season at Halifax, in Dauphin county, where persons disposed to raise Mules, which are now in great demand and bringing a high rice, can have an opportunity of viewing him. The opinion, by some entertained, that a Mare will not again breed after raising a Mule, is waranted to be untrue.
The terms of the seasosn are TEN DOLLARS. JOHN P. LEEBRICK"--13 May 1840, The (Harrisburg PA) Keystone.
"GREAT PRODUCTION.--We do not remember to have read of greater production from a small piece of land, that the following from a field near Halifax, belonging to Col. John P. Leebrick. The quantity in the lot was two and a half acres, and the production was as follows: 22 1/2 bushels ears of Corn, 40 bushels of Potatoes, 400 bushels Turnips, 20 bushels Tomatoes, 35 heads Cabbage, 3 pecks white Soup beans. The market value would almost be enogh to purchase a western farm."--01 Jan 1851, The Lewisburg (PA) Chronicle