AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PENNSYLVANIAN
up more of astonishment than of either shape or color of costume.
Governor William F. Johnson was a visitor. He offended my mother by coming to the house late at night somewhat exhilarated, and he had to be put to bed and kept out of sight until the next morning.
Neal Dow, the author of the Maine Liquor Law, and afterward a brigadier-general in the War of the Rebellion and a prisoner in Libby Prison, made a proselyting tour in the cause of temperance, and found my father earnestly in sympathy. He was no doubt abstemious in the use of wine, but he drank five or six cups of tea at a meal. Nevertheless he lived to be ninety-four years of age. When I was a very little child, I found in the garden a white flint of unusual shape and took it to my father, who explained to me that it was an Indian arrow head. Ever since I have collected Indian implements and taught others to do the like. My father took me with Dow in his carriage to Valley Forge. While clambering over the entrenchments, then rough and overgrown, I picked up an arrow head which had been thrown up by the Revolutionary soldiers and washed out by later storms. It was surely an interesting memento, and in a child's way I presented it to Dow. He made a to-do over it and wrote an account of the matter for a newspaper in Boston. He always remembered me, but called me “Tommy.”
| American House, |
| Troy, N. Y., January 31/54. |
Dr. Pennypacker.
Dear Sir:—I have just received yours of the 23rd forwarded from Portland, and am very much obliged. It would have given me great pleasure to have seen you at Philadelphia, for my visit at your house and my trip with you to the memorable scene of our fathers' trials and sufferings at Valley Forge, are among the pleasant memories of my life. Please present my regards to your wife, and give my love to Tommy, whom I remember with pleasure.
