St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-16
The Famous Pennsylvania Inn.

1858, it began its eventful career when
George III, ruled the American colonies.
1t played an important part in the Revo-
lutionary war by entertaining at differ
ent times the most renowned generals in
the continental army; by affording a
safe harbor to refugees; by becoming, for
a short period, the seat of the continent
tai congress, and by sheltering hundreds
of wounded soldiers. Under its hospita-
bic roof have gathered officers of high
repute in the British army, and its lar
ders have pandered to the appetites of
shining members of the British aristoc-
racy. But it was during the darkest
days OF the struggle for independence
that it gained its greatest distinction.
1t was when Washington and Lafayette
made it their headquarters when its
walls witnessed the presentation of
the banner by the Moravian sisters to
the wounded Pulaski-an event immor-
talized by gfellow-and when it be-
came the temporary abode of such
patriots and statesman as Gems. Gates
and Schuyler, Baron De Kalb, and John
Hancock, Samuel Adame, Henry Lau-
rens and other prominent members of the
continental congress, that it became an
object Of universal interest to Americans.
When the Moravians first settled Beth
lehem, their remoteness from the routes
of travel rendered an inn unnecessary.
But each year brought larger tide of
immigration southwark from the popu-
lous parts of the province and from
abroad. The country became dotted
with farms, roads were opened in vari-
GUS directions. and soon Philadelphia,
the capital of the province, became con-
nected with highways running north
and east. Bethlehem lay on the high
way connecting the north and east with
Philadelphia and Baltimore, and conse-
quently became resting place for trav-
elers. The necessity of providing them
with accommodation moved the Moray
ian society to erect a suitable building
for that purpose, and resulted in the con-
struction of the Sun inn. The first land
lord for the society was Peter Worbas,
who formally opened the house for the
entertainment OF guests in Septem Der,
1850.
The first guest of distinction to honor
the inn by his patronage was Gov.
Hamilton, the highest oficial in the prov.
ince, who rode over from Easton with
some members of his council on the 9th
OF August, I761. In June, 1854, a sign
was placed over the door with repre-
sentation of the sun at meridian splen-
dor. Before that the hosiery had been
known as "The House OF Entertain
ment;" thereafter it was called THE
Sun inn." 1t was in this year that Peter
Worbas was succeeded, as landlord for
the society, by Jasper Payne, who as
sumed the position of superintendent at
an annual salary Of $50 and his living.
About III a division of the estates
and possessions of the Moravians was
made and the Suninn, together with GER
tain other property, passed into the
hands of the stewards Of the society at
Bethlehem. For nearly rs years there
after it was conducted solely for the
benefit of that body-at first by saar-
led agents and subsequently by tenants
in consideration of an sannual rental
With the new order of things Just Jansen
became the inns host, and it fell to his
lot to manage it's affairs during the
most eventful years Of its history. In
1872 Gen. Gage, commander-in-chief of
the British forces in America, occupied
rooms in the hostelry, and in May,
1878, Gov. Richard Penn passed eight
days under its roof. A few days after
Washington took command Of the Con-
tinental army at Cambridge, July 8,
1875, troops began moving through
Bethlehem on their way to participate
in the siege of Boston. Among Others
was a company OF mounted rifles under
the command of Capt. Morgan-subse-
quently Gen. Morgan-that made two
day S halt at the inn and its premises on
July "a and 25.
After the repulse of the Americans at
Brooklyn flights and the fall of Fort
Washington, Washington crossed the
Hudson and retreated to Trenton, N. j.,
closely followed by Lord CORVALLIS.
1t was at this crisis in the affairs of the
army that the removal of its hospital
from Morristown became necessary.
Accordingly on December 8, 1776, the
following order was sent to Rev. John
Ettwein at Bethlehem
According to his Excellency Gen.
Washington's order, the general hospi-
tai of the army is removed to Bethlehem,
and you will do the greatest act of hui
mainly by providing proper buildings
for its reception.
JOHN WARREN,
General Surgeon to Continental Army.
Drs. Warren, Shipper and Morgan ar
rived on the evening of that day, and
took possession of the seminary for hos