Shippensburg

A Traveller in the County, 1809

Joshua Gilpin, a well-to-do merchant, manufacturer, and capitalist of Philadelphia and Delaware, travelled through Cumberland County from Chambersburg to Harrisburg in 1809 on his way home from a business and pleasure trip to western Pennsylvania. As was his custom on journeys of this kind, he made a record of observations and events. Although not notably different in content from those of other travellers on the same road at the same time, its relevant portion is nonetheless worth reprinting as a source of information about the county at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Richard Tritt

Image of Richard Tritt

Interview of Richard Tritt by Susan Meehan on May 6, 2014. Tritt discusses his life in Cumberland County including Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Boiling Springs, and Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

John “Black Jack” Wilkins: Cook, Caterer and Hotel Keeper

Scan of John ‘Black Jack’ Wilkins’ 1844 petition to keep a tavern in Hogestown with the signatures of local men who attested to his ability to do so. Clerk of Courts, Tavern License Petition 1844.060.1-2. Cumberland County Archives.

"'Black Jack’ was a famous cook,” wrote Jeremiah Zeamer, editor of the American Volunteer  newspaper. “He had a great reputation as a cook and caterer. Whenever in that part of the county there was a wedding, a dance, or a party of any kind for which a feast was to be prepared, ‘Black Jack’ was sent for to superintend the cooking and set the table, and so well did he do this that he was always in high favor with people who had appetites.”

Nicole Witmer

Image of Nicole Witmer during Interview

Interview of Nicole Witmer by Alan Schultze on March 25, 2015. Witmer discusses growing up on a farm outside of Carlisle, Pennsylvania and the physical changes to the landscape as farms are replaced by warehouses in the area. She further talks about her school experiences including being home schooled, attending Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, and Shippensburg University.

Daniel Wright

Daniel Wright served with Company A of the 24th U.S.C.T. He was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania around 1843, to parents Stephen and Catherine Wright, and lived in Shippensburg with his family, including his siblings Samuel, Stephen, David, Phillis, Mary, Benjamin, William, and Sarah.1 He enlisted on January 12, 1865, in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, at 20 years old. He stood at five feet and three inches tall, and was described as having a yellow complexion, dark hair, and brown eyes. He was working as a laborer at the time.

Samuel Wright

Samuel Wright was born on October 5, 1836, in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, to parents Stephen and Catherine Wright. He was the oldest of eighteen children. At the time of the 1850 Federal Census, he was living with six of them, named Stephen, David, Daniel, Phillis, Mary, and Benjamin.1 He married his wife Louisa in 1862, and worked as a laborer until his time in the military. He enlisted on August 29, 1864, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, into Company E of the 121st U.S.C.T.

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