Page images
PDF
EPUB

BLOCKLEY TOWNSHIP, WEST PHILADELPHIA

PETERS

F all the multitudes that each year visit Fairmount Park and pass the door of Belmont Mansion, it is safe to say that hardly one in a thousand thinks of it as the former home of one of the most eminent men of the Colonial and Revolutionary

periods. Here was born, here lived, and here died the Honourable Richard Peters, sometime judge of the United States District Court in Pennsylvania, Commissioner of War during the struggle for Independence, and the country's first Secretary of War, in deed, if not in

[graphic]

name.

So many changes have been wrought in the house and surroundings since Judge Peters's time, that the picturesque charm of its Colonial character is obscured. It has been turned into a restaurant and so altered and added to that it is not easy to discern what part of the present structure was, in its day, one of the handsomest seats in the neighbourhood. A third floor has been piled atop and wings and back buildings have been built on to such an extent that the original fabric is almost smothered. Examine closely, however, and you will find unmistakable traces of age in parts of the walls. Then enter the distressingly ugly modern doorway and you will find yourself in a delightful room that was once the great hall of the house. The present furnishing of little ice-cream tables and flimsy chairs is sadly out of keeping

with the stately panelling and carving and the ornate plaster work of the ceiling-one of the most elaborate examples of Colonial plaster work known-where viols and guitars, trumpets and shepherd's reeds are intermingled with the arms and crest of the Peters family. In the dogears of the door-trims are carved dainty little rosettes, while the pediments above are finished with the infinite pains of the woodcarver's art. The embellishment of the overmantel matches the rest of the carved woodwork. If one has the courage to face further desecration to which this lordly old dwelling is subjected, he can pursue his investigations and find other rooms with gems of carving and staircases whose balustrades and spindles might grace a Georgian museum.

Of all the houses in Fairmount Park, Belmont has suffered most at the hands of the vandal. Apart from its commanding site, whence an extensive panorama of the West Park, the Schuylkill River, and part of the city spreads out before the eye, and the beautiful interior woodwork and remarkable ceiling of the great hall, its chief attraction for us lies in the memory of the remarkable man who dwelt under its roof through eighty-four years of an eventful life passed in a most eventful period of our national history.

Belmont, in the township of Blockley, as all that section immediately west of the Schuylkill was called, from Blockley in England whence came the Warner family who first owned this tract, was built in 1742 or 1743 (probably finished in the latter year) by William Peters, the father of the judge. William Peters, who was a younger brother of Richard Peters, sometime secretary

of the Land Office, secretary of several Provincial governours, rector of Christ Church and subsequently, by order of the Proprietaries, Councillor of the Province came from England to Pennsylvania prior to 1739 and practised law in Chester County, which reached at that time to the borders of the city. He seems to have been induced to come out to the Colonies partly to assuage his grief at the death of his first wife, and partly by the fact that his elder brother was already here. In 1741 he married Mary Breintnall, a lady equally charming in character and person, the daughter of a prominent family. It was on the occasion of this marriage that he made his home at Belmont.

Here Richard Peters first saw the light of day in June, 1744. He received his education in Philadelphia, and at the time when he entered upon the practice of law he was known as an excellent Latin and Greek scholar and was well versed in both French and German. His fluency in the latter tongue served him in good stead in his country practice which lay largely among the Germans. Richard Peters was a keen wit and a most brilliant as well as incessant conversationalist. It was his wont to follow the assizes or circuits of the courts in all the surrounding counties, and on these occasions he always relieved the tedium of the legal atmosphere by his humorous sallies. When the Pennsylvania delegation went to the conference with the Indians at Fort Stanwix, in New York State, Peters accompanied them and, during the negotiations, so insinuated himself into the good graces of the Indian chiefs that they proposed to adopt him into their tribe. Their offer was accepted and Peters

66

was introduced to his adoptive relatives by the name "Tegohtias," meaning "Paroquet," bestowed in allusion to his amusing talkativeness.

When the storm of the Revolution broke, though his associations with the Proprietary government might have been expected to attach him to the King's interests, he did not hesitate to espouse the defence of American rights and organise a company in the neighbourhood of his home, filling the post of captain. His military career, however, was of short duration, for his administrative and executive abilities were so well known that he was soon summoned" from the camp to the cabinet." As Commissioner of War he faithfully and ably served the country in a most difficult and trying position and it is no exaggeration to say that, had it not been for his indomitable energy and unceasing labours, Washington's forces would many a time have been far more sadly handicapped than they were for lack of provisions and ammunition, and it is not impossible that the event of the war might have been different.

Some notion of the Continental Army's frequently grievous state as well as some notion of the tremendous burden Peters bore on his shoulders during all the anxious years of strife may be gained from Peters's own words taken from one of his letters.

I was Commissioner of War in 1779. General Washington wrote to me that all his powder was wet and that he was entirely without lead or balls, so that, should the enemy approach, he must retreat. When I received this letter I was going to a grand gala at the Spanish Ambassador's who lived in Mr. Chew's fine house in south Third street. The spacious gardens were su

perbly decorated with variegated lamps, the edifice itself was a blaze of lights, the show was splendid, but my feelings were far from being in harmony with all this brilliancy. I met at this party my friend, Robert Morris, who soon discovered the state of my mind. "You are not yourself tonight, Peters, what is the matter?" asked Morris. Notwithstanding my unlimited confidence in that great patriot, it was some time before I could prevail upon myself to disclose the cause of my depression, but at length I ventured to give him a hint of my inability to answer the pressing calls of the Commander-in-Chief. The army is without lead and I know not where to get an ounce to supply it; the General must retreat for want of ammunition. "Well, let him retreat,” replied the high and liberal-minded Morris; "but cheer up; there are in the Holker Privateer, just arrived, ninety tons of lead, one-half of which is mine and at your service, the residue you can get by applying to Blair McClenachan and Holker, both of whom are in the house with us." I accepted the offer of Mr. Morris.

Peters then goes on to relate how he approached McClenachan and Holker, both of whom, however, demurred because of the large sums already owing them. Thereupon Morris came forward, assumed the whole responsibility, the lead was delivered and so the army for the nonce had a supply of bullets.

Peters's assiduous labours as Commissioner of War were continued throughout the Revolution. He toiled unceasingly to keep the army furnished with necessary ammunition and supplies at a time" when wants were plenty and supplies lamentably scarce." After the surrender of Cornwallis, Mr. Peters resigned his post in the War Office, December, 1781, whereupon Congress resolved:

« PreviousContinue »