Source:Fleming-nevilles
George T. Fleming. "Nevilles men of very real worth: Remarkable and beautiful tribute paid to early Pittsburghers: Family has trouble." Pittsburgh Gazette Times, Aug. 22, 1915, sec. 5, p. 2. Newspapers.com 85764337.
TODAY will be presented some further history of the Nevilles, father and son, patriots and soldiers; widely known in history and well commemorated in our city and vicinity. A vein of sadness runs through it all, and it becomes apparent that there came a day when the revolutionany [sic] hero was without honor, "played out," we say now.
The name of Neville does not appear in James M. Riddle's Pittsburg Directory for 1815, the first directory published here, purporting to contain "the names, professions and residences of the heads of families and persons in business in the Borough of Pittsburgh with an appendix containing a variety of useful information."
A reprint of this once rare book, pocket size in the original, was issued in 1905 by a local trust company, the edition put out 10,000, so that for practical purposes it is no longer rare.
The omission of the Nevilles is accounted for by the fact that Gen. John Neville was dead and Presley did not live in the borough, possibly again at his Woodville home as his obituary relates that he left Pittsburgh to take up his residence in Clermont county, O., in 1816, and that he had resided in Pittsburgh from 1792 to 1816.
Town Named for Patriot.
The date 1792 is probably an error as Neville B. Craig, who was an adult and here at the time and should know, does not verify it. He was Presley Neville's nephew and that is an additional reason why he should know. The date of the burning of Gen. John Neville's Bower Hill home is July 17, 1794, and then they came to Pittsburgh.
Neville, O., where Presley Neville died on his government grant for his services during the Revolution, is on the Ohio River about 10 miles above Point Pleasant, U. S. Grant's birth place, with the better known town and boatlanding, Moscow, midway between.
Morgan Neville, a man of marked literary ability, was the son of Presley Neville. He was sheriff of Allegheny county from 1819 to 1822, succeeding Lazarus Stewart, and was succeeded by Stewart in turn. Morgan Neville in 1816 purchased an interest in the Pittsburgh Gazette from John Scull, one of the founders of the paper.
With Neville was associated Scull's son, John I. Scull, the firm name being Scull & Neville.
In 1818 the two issued the Gazette as a semi-weekly, publication days Tuesdays and Fridays. This continued until 1820 when Scull & Neville dissolved, selling the paper to Eichbaum & Johnston, the latter the father of William G. Johnston. The new owners retained Morgan Neville as editor and changed the name to the Pittsburgh Gazette and Manufacturing and Mercantile Advertiser.
Strange Old Custom.
Morgan Neville was equally as scholarly as his distinguished father. His aditorials [sic] were ornate and forcible, we are informed. He sprinkled the columns with gems from the classics, but that was a literary fad with scholars in those days.
"In common with the editors of the period he constantly enriched his editorials from many writers, in fact to such an extent that the effect now seems strange and sophomoric. He was guilty of the fault of many young writers of weakening his composition with too rich a rhetorical dress. But his qualities were brilliant. Like flint, all he needed to show fire was to be struck. He was the antithesis in many particulars of John Scull."
Thus discourses our co-adjuter, "The Quiet Observer" in the Standard History of Pittsburgh, best described as a "wonderful book without an index," notwithstanding this one can always find what he looks for in a few hours at most.
In justice to Q. O. let it be recorded that the index part was not his assignment on the job of getting out the book. It was gotten up for folks with plenty of time for research, and it possibly may have been the additional intent of the co-editors that its contents, 1,075 pages quarto, should be committed to memory.
In the roster of the Pittsburgh Blues, Capt. James R. Butler, in the War of 1812, we find the name, "Pressley J. Neville, private, promoted to sergeant." Not having a complete genealogy of the Neville family at hand, the inference is that he was Presley Neville's son also, a brother of Morgan Neville's.
The Whisky Insurrection.
The story of the Nevilles is incomplete without the whole story of the Whisky Insurrection, the first armed rebellion against the new government. The whole history can be found in the Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Volume IV, to which reference is invited.
Some of that history, however, is pertinent today. Neville B. Craig says (1851) in his "History of Pittsburgh":
The traveler who is going from Pittsburgh to Washington by the turnpike road at about eight miles from the former place passes by the house of John Wrenshall, the present owner of that beautiful tract of land formerly known as Woodville. If, when he is just in front of the house on that place, he turns his back upon it and looks over the beautiful fertile bottom between him and Chartiers Creek and up a gently rising ground beyond the creek, he will overlook a fine tract of land formerly called Bower Hill. On this tract was situated the mansion house of John Neville. The Woodville farm was owned and occupied by Presley Neville, son of John. Between the two residences and up the rising ground a broad avenue was cut through the intervening forest by which communication could be had by view, and often were invitations and other messages sent through that vista.
From these well loved homes the Nevilles were driven on the fateful July 17, 1794, by the whisky insurrectionists and both came to Pittsburgh, Gen. Neville locating at the corner of Ferry and Water streets, and his son a few doors above or toward Market street. Both locations are shown on the map of Pittsburgh of 1795, to be found in the "Life and Reminiscences of William G. Johnston," also in the "History of Allegheny County," Everts, which map has appeared in these columns.
Letter from Neville.
The destruction of Gen. John Neville's home at Bower Hill is referred to. A letter from the old general to Tench Coxe, secretary of the Pennsylvania Land Office, gives a graphic account of that deplorable affair. This letter was found a few years ago among the effects of the late Isaac Craig, great grandson of Gen. John Neville, grandson of Maj. Isaac Craig, and son of Neville B. Craig:
Pittsburgh, July 18th, 1794.
Dear Sir:—
The blow is struck, which determines that the Revenue law cannot be carried into execution, until Government changes their system, and adds considerable force to the measure already adopted; from an easy and convenient situation in life I am in a few hours reduced to difficulties and distress; however, I will enter on the detail of the transaction, not doubting the justice of the Government to reimburse my losses.
Prior to the arrival of Marshall, I had information that the malcontents were mediating an attack on my house, and consequently I made such arrangements for defense as was in my power with my small family of domestics. He arrived here on Saturday the 12th instant, having served his subpenas [sic] in Fayette County without great difficulty. On Tuesday the 15th, being a stranger, unacquainted in the Country, I went with him to serve four in this County. The people assembled about us in considerable numbers, were very ill natured and finally fired, but without doing any mischief. We returned, the Marshall having done his duty. On Wednesday morning, the 16th, about daylight, my servants having just gone out to their employment, I discovered my house was surrounded with men, supposed about 100, sixty of whom were well armed, the others with sticks and clubs. Though alone, being well provided with arms and ammunition, I determined to defend myself to the last, knowing that extreme insult would be the consequence of my falling into their hands. An action accordingly commenced and to make good the old adage "that victory is not always to the strong," after a firing of twenty minutes, I obliged them to retire, having wounded at least five of them, one or two supposed dangerously—they did me no other damage than firing about fifty balls into my house, Mrs. Neville, a young lady and a little girl marvelously escaping.
More Men Sent.
Thus irritated, I expected they might return. I applied to Major Butler, commandant in Pittsburgh, for some assistance. He sent me twelve men. I also made application to the Judges of our Court, the General of the Militia and to the Sheriff of the County, but had no hopes of assistance from these quarters. Thus circumstanced, I had certain information about ten o'clock yesterday that a large party were again advancing. I immediately wrote to my friends to come to my assistance. A very few of them attempted it, but were too late. About five o'clock 500 men in regular order properly appointed made their appearance. Feeling the inequality of opposition I quitted the house peaceably, leaving a friend aided by the twelve soldiers to capituate [sic] for the property. My servants rendered timid by their numbers had disappeared. Several flags and messages passed between the parties but the assailants not offering terms sufficiently implicative of safety, an engagement once more commenced. The number in the house were reduced to twelve, who kept up a smart fire about one hour, which was returned many hundred fold from without, when they were obliged to surrender. During the skirmish they had fired the barn, stables and different outhouses, and immediately on the surrender a large and well-furnished dwelling house with all its appurtenances shared the same fate, the fence all destroyed and two whole crops of grain consumed. What was yesterday an elegant and highly cultivated farm with every convenience is now a melancholy waste. The party in the house had three badly wounded, all soldiers in the U. S. service, the loss without is not ascertained. One of the leaders fell, an old officer and a man of respectability, and we know of some wounded.
I am retired into Pittsburgh with my family without a single particle of clothing, furniture or any kind of personal property, save what we have on our backs. I write this on the spur of the occasion expecting to be more succunct [sic] in my next. I do not think my loss less than 3,000 pounds, and a loss of four fine horses belonging to gentlemen who either came in or sent in ammunition to my assistance, three of which were wantonly shot, and the fourth burnt in the barn.
Fight in the Open.
I will only add that neither of these expeditions were undertaken privately or in disguise. They came publicly forward composed and commanded by the first in the country among whom were several magistrates as well as officers.
I've the honor to be, Sir,
Your Obd. servt,
JOHN NEVILLE.
The friend left was Maj. Abraham Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Neville's brother-in-law.
Maj. Isaac Craig married Amelia, the only daughter of Gen. Neville. The "little girl" to whom he refers in his letter was Harriet Craig, then 9 years of age, who was at Bower Hill at the time of the attack visiting her grandparents. The child who so marvelously escaped the bullets of the insurrectionists, became the wife of James Huntington Chaplin, a young lawyer of the borough of Pittsburgh, who, being appointed judge of the Federad [sic] Court for the Territory of Florida, removed to that country, where he died many years ago. His widow, the "little girl" heroine of the only battle of the Whisky Rebellion, died at the old Neville mansion on Montour's Island, now Neville Island, May 6, 1867, at the age of 82, we are so informed in the "Monthly Bulletin," Carnegie Library, Pittsburgh, Vol. 16, No. 4, issued April, 1911.
None of the Neville's, however, resided on the island, but Maj. Isaac Craig made his home there in his declining years, and died on the island in May, 1826, at the age of 85.
But this is getting into the history of the Craigs, properly to come under the story of Craig street and in the recital of the long and conspicuous career of Maj. Craig and that of his brilliant and scholarly son, Neville Bayard Craig, attorney, editor, historian par excellence of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, whose untiring researches are a copious and perennial fountain of facts for the student of our history.
Words of Stranger.
Let us pursue the history of the Nevilles further and especially note appreciation of the younger general. We can read with wonder the tribute of a stranger, who never saw him alive, but who writes in the spirit of the popular feeling prevalent in Pittsburgh at the obsequies of the general in 1818. We can verily believe that the subject of this rare tribute was a man among men.
Presley Neville was without doubt a man of brilliant mind and emphatically a well-bred gentleman. He was courteous and hospitable and most polished in manners. He was a man of warm heart, philanthropic and progressive, an affectionate husband, an indulgent father, an accomplished soldier and an honorable man of affairs.
Presley Neville was honored with the friendship of Washington and held many offices under the general and state governments. He was the government agent at Pittsburgh for supplying the necessaries for St. Clair's expedition. He finds a place in standard biographies of distinguished Americans.
Last Sunday there was printed the obituary of Presley Neville reproduced from the "Pittsburgh Gazette" of December 18, 1818, the paper then owned and edited by his son, Morgan Neville.
To this truth we have the added testimony of a stranger, James Hall, a traveler visiting Pittsburgh in 1818, describing the town, the scenery, the rivers and voyaging down the Ohio in a keel boat.
His book, "Letters from the West," was published in London in 1828. A copy is at hand, but unfortunately it has been rebound and the title page is missing. It is printed in old style typography, or the size termed pica with double spacing between lines; easy to read and admirable from the standpoint of book makeup.
Hall's Book on America.
Hall's story is clear enough without explanation. His chapters are in the form of letters to a friend. He apologizes for introducing biography and says he feels impelled to mention one of the patriots and heroes "whose deeds would give dignity to any age or country. Not the least conspicuous, a gentleman whose name is familiar to me from connection with traditions current among the inhabitants of Western Pennsylvania in which I have resided for several years past. His history occurred to me as we passed the village of Neville."
It is to be noted that throughout the chapter and in the heading in the original, the given name occurs Presby—a typographical error, easily made from handwriting. However, there are several such in the book. Stanwix, for instance, being printed "Stanwin."
Some features of the biography referred to last week are now omitted. Hall says:
Here were passed in seclusion the last years of a man who had shone in the brightest circles, and borne a conspicuous character in public life. General Presley Neville was born in Virginia in the year 1756; he received the rudiments of his education at Newark Academy, in Delaware, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1775, when he received an honour, and spoke the Latin Salutatory in the presence of the American Congress. Immediately after leaving college, he abandoned the idea of one of the learned professions, with a view to which he had been educated, and joined a company commanded by his father, the late General John Neville, then stationed at Fort Pitt.
Gen. Miller's Career.
The latter gentleman was promoted about this time to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, in Colonel Wood's regiment of the Virginia line, and his son obtained command of the Colonel's company; with rank of Captain Lieutenant. He marched to Boston in 1775; and passed through all the grades to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In the early part of his service, he was aid-de-camp to Major General Stevens, whom he shortly after left, "to follow to the field a war-like lord." La Fayette was then a popular chief; his youth, his rank, his gallantry, his foreign lineage, and his zeal in the republican cause, threw an air of romance about his achievements which rendered him the favourite hero of every circle, while his amiable deportment and polite accomplishments endeared him to his friends. He was the mirror by which old men advised the youthful champions of that day to shape their manners.
Invited into his family in the capacity of aid-de-camp, Colonel Neville became the bosom friend and companion in arms of the gallant Frenchman. He remained with him three years, sharing with him the toils of war, the triumphs of victory and the gratitude of emancipated thousands.
Community of danger and similarity of taste produced an ardent friendship between these young soldiers, which was not damped by separation nor cooled by the shadows of old age. La Fayete [sic], after spending the morning of his life in deeds of virtuous daring, retired to devote its evening to philosophic repose. Neville remained on the busy scene, but an intimate correspondence was kept up between them until the death of the latter.
The most captivating traits in the character of General Neville are yet untold—to depict him, we must pass his threshold, and observe him in that circle of which he was the center, soul and life. We have seen that he was not only himself a revolutionary hero, but was the son of a gallant soldier, and the son-in-law of one of our most distinguished leaders.
Friend of Washington.
Imbibing thus a military spirit with his dearest associations, his whole heart was filled with chivalric ordour [sic]. Fresh from the study of Greek and Roman models, he had plunged into the horrors of a civil war, with a mind teeming and glowing with classic images of military and civic virtue, and he had the rare felicity of realizing the visions of his fancy; in Washington, Hamilton and La Fayette, he saw Athenian elegance, combined with Spartan virtue; while Rome, in the maturity of her fame, was eclipsed by the youthful vigour of American valour.
These events, operating on a young and ardent heart, contributed to nourish and expand a romantic loftiness of feeling, which gave tone to the character and fortunes of the future man. He thought, felt, and acted with the pride, the enthusiasm, and the energy of a soldier, but he also acted, felt, and thought on every occasion with that benevolence which is so attractive in the character of a truly brave man, and with that courtesy which belongs exclusively to the well-bred gentleman.
He was a proud man, but his pride was far above the vanity of unmeaning distinctions, as his heart was
The house of Gen. Neville was the seat of festivity, and hospitality smiled at its portals. It was resorted to by the gentry of those days, as a temple consecrated to conviviality and intellectual enjoyment, whose shrine was always accessible.
The Neville Home.
The Cerberus which modern fashion has placed at the doors of the wealthy, to snarl at indigent merit, was then unknown; nor had the heartlessness of the bon ton (two words italized [sic] in original) contrived that ingenious system of pasteboard civilities (two words italized [sic] in original) by means of which the courtesies of social intercourse are now so cheaply paid and received.
The hospitalities of that day were substantial, and never were they dispensed with more profusion than under the roof of Gen. Neville. Pittsburgh and its vicinity were then but thinly populated, and houses of entertainment were scarce. Strangers of respectability almost always brought letters of introduction to the General to whose house they were invited with a frankness that banished all reserve on the part of the guest. Here they remained during their stay in the country; and such was the hearty welcome they received, and the continued round of social pleasure which they enjoyed, that their visits were often delayed beyond the original limit.
But it was not under his own roof alone that this gentleman dispensed happiness; he was the constant patron of merit, and the needy never appealed to him in vain for relief.
A man so highly gifted was not calculated to pass unnoticed through life; nor was all his time devoted to its enjoyment.
A Leading Citizen.
Besides the offices which he exercised, he was in other respects an active citizen; a liberal promoter of all public improvements, and a careful guardian of the rights of his fellow citizens. He was often referred to by the Federal Government for local information; and was once appointed on a mission to France, but was taken ill at Boston where he was about to embark, and was obliged to decline the duty.
He also, at different periods, held the offices of surveyor, county lieutenant, and paymaster general to the army of the insurrection. These trusts he discharged with fidelity. The friendship of Washington and of most of the conspicuous men of that day, which he had gained as a soldier, he forfeited not as a citizen.
Such was the man who was doomed in his old age to present a striking example of the instability of fortune. His notions were too princely for a private individual, and adversity was the inevitable consequence.
His fine fortune dwindled under his lavish beneficence; and was perhaps more deeply injured by those who shared his bounty, and whom he trusted without suspicion. There was no guile in him, and he suspected it not in others.
He found himself, at last, dependent in a great measure for support upon an office which he held under the state of Pennsylvania.
Little Is Left.
But even this was not left to him. It would have been consistent with the practice of those times to have allowed an old soldier to carry his gray hairs in peace to the grave. Party spirit had reared its gorgon head, and as merit is ever the first object of its vengeance, the revolutionary veteran had nothing to hope.
But his sun was already setting and the twilight of his existence alone was darkened by the storm. Still it was a sad reverse.
"The harp that once in Tara's halls,
The soul of music shed.
Now hung as mute on Tara's walls
As if that soul was fled."Thus deprived of All but an unsullied reputation, Gen. Neville retired to this spot and seated himself on the land which had been earned by his revolutionary services. Here he lived in indigence, and died in obscurity. His remains were removed to Pittsburgh by the filial care of his eldest son, where they were interred with the highest military and civic honors.
I was at the burial of the gallant man. While living I never saw him, but I wept at his grave. It was a touching scene. That man in prosperity was idolized; in adversity, forsaken; in death, honored. There were those around his last earthly receptacle whose feet had long forgotten the way to his dwelling; but were none who remembered not his virtues. There were those who had drank of his cup, and whose heart had smote them at that moment, could they have felt as that sleeping warrior had felt, "how much sharper than the serpent's tooth is man's ingratitude." The young soldiers, whose nodding plumes bent over the corpse, had been the infants who had played about the good man's path and now remembered only his gray hairs and his gallant name; there was a flush on their cheeks, but it arose from the reflection "that the dearest tear that heaven sheds, is that which bedews the unburied head of a soldier."
Some New Phases.
The best evidence that can be adduced is here presented—that of an eye witness of the obsequies, and a contemporary knowing the facts at first hand. We have some phases given by Hall relating to Presley Neville's career that are not mentioned in other biographies.
The "Army of the Insurrection" was that sent by President Washington to put down the whisky insurrection and was commanded by Gen. Daniel Morgan of Revolutionary fame, the father-in-law of Gen. Presley Neville.
Perhaps the story of the general's poverty is overdrawn. He died poor beyond doubt. His remains, as his father's, were interred in Trinity churchyard on Sixth avenue, as the tablet on the Oliver avenue wall testifies.
The picture of Pittsburgh shown today is one made for and found in a French work entitled "Voyage dans l'Amerique Septentrionale," which is nothing more than "a voyage through North America," by Gen. G. H. V. Collot, and consists of two volumes and an atlas. Quite a strange looking place is presented to us—even compared with other pictures antedating Collot.
