LANCASTER COUNTT. 299 



therefore resolved, That a house of employment be pro- 

 vided for the industrious, in indigent circumstances. — 

 The building was accordingly erected by the benevo- 

 lent spirit which disposed all sects and all countries to 

 contribute their aid for so excellent a purpose. 



A farm was procured, and farming implements pro- 

 vided ; also manufacturing articles for the encouragement 

 of honest but indigent industry. Lancaster became 

 soon remarkable for the excellence of its stockings, made 

 in that establishment.'^ 



The year 1752 is remarkable in the annals of Lan- 

 caster county for the abundance of all cereal products, 

 especially wheat. Since the settling of the county, the 

 crops had not yielded so bountifully as they did in 1751 

 and 1752. The mercies, received at the hands of a 

 munificent Giver, were not duly appreciated, and thank- 

 fully enjoyed. They induced to lead men into excess. — 

 Many in their levity and wantoness, destroyed this rich 

 store of provision, fattened their hogs on wheat, " which 

 they consumed upon their lusts." Others in various 

 parts of the county, erected distilleries, and thus consumed 

 the wheat, by converting it into a poison, and thereby 

 brought a great evil upon community.* 



*Dic jahre 1751 und 1752, sind so fruchtbar an Weitzen und 

 andern Fruechten gewesen, dasz die Menschen in ihrer Leicht- 

 sinnigkeit aus Muthwillen haben gesucht, diesen Vorrath zu 

 verschwenden : dann sie haben mit dem edlen Weitzen, von 

 welchem viele Arme haetten leben koennen, die Schweine 

 gemaestet, welche sie hernacli in ihrer Wohllust verzehret 

 haben. Daneben hat man allenthalben Brenn-Kessel ange- 

 schaft, und aus diesem Segen starke Getraenke gebrannt, 

 welches grosse Unordnung hat verursachet. — Cliron. Ephrat. 

 190. 



Note. — G-en. John Clark, a native of this county, was born 

 in 1751 — at twenty-five he entered the public services of his 



