Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/469

I have great pleasure in going to preach among them and in Sum- mer particularly. * * * The people seem more desirous than ever of my continuance to officiate among them, and as it is at present a pleasure to me independent of some benefit it is to my large family, I must rely on your goodness that there be no alteration made without the concurrence of the people and myself, a request which, from my long services to the Church in America, I hope the Society will think me entitled to make. 5 Early in this year "we see the first evidences of that desire for the acquisition of lands, which, by degrees, made a feature in his character and history." 6 His biographer telfe us that in Sep- tember he purchased a tract of land on the Juniata River, at the mouth of the Standing Stone Creek, which he laid out in lots and called Huntingdon, and this soon became one of the most flourishing Boroughs in Pennsylvania. This was no uncommon attraction to the active men of the day, and Dr. Smith was np't singular in making such hopeful investments. The allayment of the Stamp Act controversy by the repeal of the Bill produced the most sanguine thoughts in the minds of those more adven- turous as to the future of the country, and to become posses- sors of tracts of lands which would surely rise in value ere many years was both a reasonable and natural attraction to many. However, in many cases, loss was the result more than gain, and the years of Revolution when there was no market for idle acres brought many holders of such to penury and want. 5 Smith i. 462. 6 Ibid, 391. He wrote 13 January, 1766, to Sir William Johnson : " Mr. Barton who is a very valuable man, informed me that you had recommended him for a grant of some Lands from your Government, and he generously offered me to share with him. If, by your goodness, anything would be done this way, or any Tract worth recommending, I believe I have interest enough in England, and perhaps also in New York, to make it effectual." We find Dr. Smith writing to the Secretary of the Propagation Society, lo August, 1769, "I do not expect to be in Town as our College vacation begins next Monday and I cannot deny myself my annual ramble towards the frontiers of this Province." Perry's Historical Collections ii. 443.