LANCASTEH COUNTT. 57 



Emigration, during this unhappy state of affairs, was 

 very hmited. Though the oppression abroad was very 

 great, and a free asylum held to all of every creed, the 

 influx of population had for a season stopped, and settle- 

 ments sparsely made. None seemed, even in the pro- 

 vince, to adventure an approach in settling nearer the 

 banks of the Susquehanna. Those who advanced 

 took forethought not to seat far from " mill and meeting' 

 house.'' A few quaker pioneers settled about the year 

 1 707, in Kennet, Chester county. Among others; were 

 Vincent Caldwell, Thomas Wickershani, Joel Bailey,, 

 Thomas Hope, Guy an Miller.* 



Nothing of importance of a local character, within the 

 limits of Lancaster county, occurred during the first year 

 of Gookin's administration. The Indians had sent 

 several messages to him and council. He promised them 

 3. visit, but was prevented by public business. Lest he 

 might forfeit their confidence, he instructed the sectretary 

 at a council, held at Philadelphia, June 8, 1709, forth- 

 with to despatch a messenger to the Concstogo and 

 other Indians, &c., with instructions in v/riting to excuse 

 Jn'm from coming, because the assembly was tlien in 

 session upon an important business, and as a credential, 

 he commanded the messenger to take a good belt of 

 wampum v/ith him, to inform them that if they designed 

 to pay a visit to the Five Nations, they are now busily 



convenient to a politician — and by this distinction the point 

 was gained. 



All quit-rents Vv'ere abolished, except in Manors, by the ninth 

 section of the Divesting Act, passed 27th November, 1779- — . 

 Smithes Laws, Pa. II, 138. 



The quit-rents were not uniform ; thev varied from one 

 shilling sterling per hundred acres, to six shillings psr annum,.^ 

 and in other instances more. 



*Proud, I. 482. 



