Meet Robert Eckles!
Robert Eckles was a wonderful speaker, dressed in historic clothing and so knowledgeable about his subject. You could just “FEEL” the love he has as President of the Woodville Plantation, for the historic home of John and Presley Neville, in Bridgeville, PA.
Click here to read all about touring “Woodville, the John and Presley Neville House of c.1775, Pittsburgh’s principal link with 18th century American ife and architecture.”
http://phlf.org/education-department/phlf-tours-events/woodville-plantation/
Our Vice President, Carl Griffith, brought everyone up to date with his latest efforts to collect information about Moon Township.
Carl has been busy doing research on just about everything he can find about Moon Township, whether it’s about oil wells, old maps, or interviewing people who still live on properties handed down to them from their ancestors. He is passionate about learning more and saving this information for future generations. He invites YOU to join him in this endeavor. We need to have more people involved to tell their stories. Recently, Carl was recognized by Moon Township for his great efforts and Leadership in this area.
Robert spoke about the uniqueness of the architecture of the home, the incredibly etched windows, the wallpaper, the on-going archaeological digs and items found, slaves and the hired hands and their land, the chickens soon to come, and so much more. He was delightful!
What’s that modern-day water bottle doing there?
Bob explained that Neville owned two mansions near Pittsburgh, but the first one, on Bower Hill Road near Mt. Lebanon, was burned down in 1794 during the Whiskey Rebellion.
Neville’s second home, “Woodville,” still exists and is owned by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. The home is registered on the National Historical Registry.
Eckles was so full of passion for his topic, that his enthusiasm passed over to the crowd of delighted listeners too!
Our President, Earl Edwards opened the meeting and also thanked Bob Eckles for a delightful evening!
We had the usual coffee, cake and water, but this time, in honor of the Whiskey Rebellion, Mim brought some Slivovitz (Plum Brandy!) from Serbia!
Our Secretary Patty Zehrischek, is never afraid to try! Here’s to you! “ZIVELI!” – Long Life!
OHHHHH! Ewwww!
Do you think it might have been just a little too strong for her? How we all laughed at her expression!
We all agreed that it was all in good fun! Patty holding the Slivovitz! To see this photo and others enlarged, just click on the lower right hand side of the photo. Get a good look at that bottle in case you want some for your next “tea”or “no more taxes” party!
Glad to have some new guests among us and it looks like our John was enjoying his cake!
Tom, Harry, Lora and Amy
Famous Americans associated with the Whiskey Rebellion:
Alexander Hamilton
It was Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury who proposed the excise tax on distilled spirits to help pay the heavy debts left over from the Revolutionary War . Hence the beginnings of the Whiskey Rebellion were born!
George Washington
As President of the United States of America during the Whiskey Rebellion, George Washington was called upon to negotiate compliance from irate farmers. He recruited 13,000 militamen to subdue the “treasonous farmers,” leading them all the way to Bedford, PA, before returning home.
John Adams
John Adams, V.P. during the Whiskey Rebellion, and second U.S. President, was not exactly friendly with Alexander Hamilton and opposed many of his policies, including the excise tax on distilled spirits. When he was elected President in 1799, Adams pardoned David Bradford, one of the leaders of the Rebellion.
James Madison
James Madison, 4th President and one of the architects of the U.S. Constitution, also opposed the whiskey tax, but was quiet of the issue because of an agreement with Hamilton to move the nation’s capital to Washington, DC, to offset war debt.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was Secretary of State during the Whiskey Rebellion and our third U.S. President. He also opposed the distilled spirits tax, but like Madison, remained quiet on the issue in exchange for the Federal government’s assuming the state’s unpaid Revolutionary War debt. Jefferson revoked the tax when he became President.
John Neville
This French and Indian Wars and Revolutionary War hero was a wealthy land owner, political leader and tax collector. He served warrants with the Federal Marshals for farmers who failed to obey the tax law. His beautiful estate, Bower Hill (on the site of Providence Point today), was burned to the ground.
Major General Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee
President George Washington appointed Major General Henry Lee, who was then Governor of Virginia, to lead the militia into Pittsburgh to restore the peace.
David Bradford
David Bradford was a Washington , PA lawyer and second U.S> Attorney General, who had supported the farmers, and encouraged violent resistance. He addressed Congress on the farmers’ multiple grievances.